An impossibly amazing set of performances by the female-fronted bands attending the second Flight of the Valkyries show at Station-4.

It seems that every time there's an event at Station 4, I get to the event late. The only exception was the Jagged Spiral show a couple months ago, which is a good thing, because I was in it. Here, I thought the event started at 6PM, but it actually started at 3PM, and so I managed to miss Aria Sharp, Something to Fear, Earthen and Dendura. My loss.

However, I did get to meet Nathan Block, also known as 'The SwordLord' and the promoter of much of the harder edged music that comes to town. It was an honor to meet him and shake his hand. There was enough free stuff handed out by the bands that the $20 cover was well worth the price. I only wish I had gotten there sooner. Station 4 is a great venue for gigs like this, the only thing better would have been an outdoor show with awesome weather! Maybe next year???

Here are the bands from FotV I did get to experience:

Visideon - Visideon played the First FotV in 2007, and were invited back for this year's show. They're a great band, definitely worth hearing, I especially liked the vocals. Many metal bands (especially female-fronted ones) push vocals down into dog-barking obscurity or up into piercingly high-pitched screams, both of these techniques are spices to me, best used sparingly, and Visideon understand that. They call their music, "Classical Chording meets Heavy Guitar", add in some Angelic singing and synth-playing and you've got Visideon. Keep an eye on this band, and get out to see them while you can, they might not remain local for long!

Benedictum - The highlight of the evening, Benedictum (San Diego, CA) really stole the show for me. Their power and energy were set to 'Uber' and their lead singer, Victoria Freeman channelled and focused all of it. She really pulled the audience into the show, running into the crowd, even taking her wireless mic to the other side of Station 4 to make people watching from the "safe seats" feel like they were in the front row! And any band that can pull off a cover of Accept's 'Balls to the Wall'? Wow, these guys are really amazing!

Shadowside - South American Female Fronted Power Metal? Hell yeah! Shadowside was astonishing and beautiful onstage. Check out their myspace page to hear a band that pushes all the power, energy, and intensity of Iron Maiden into their music.

Unexpect - This year's headliner was Unexpect, a seven-piece band from Montreal. Now lots of bands use the term 'progressive' in their band descriptions, and I've pretty much crossed that word out of my dictionary, since it's been misused into meaninglessness. Everybody who writes a song with a bridge or a time-change in it calls themselves 'progressive'. But I might have to pull that word back out, because Unexpect is really, truly avant-garde. The SwordLord had this to say about them: "Think Cirque de Soleil goes black metal amidst an acid-trip version of The Dark Crystal", and I can't think of a better description. The nine-string bass guitar was a trip! I have to admit, their music was a bit over the top for me, chaotic and hard to get ahold of, the same way I feel about 'System of a Down'. Each member of the band is hyper-talented, but I think they are trying too hard to be different. For me, it was like listening to three bands at the same time, but check out their myspace and hear for yourself.

All in all a great festival, Minnesota is lucky to have an event like this here, and The SwordLord enjoys pointing out that it is the ONLY festival of this kind in the United States! Hopefully he will bring it back again, and it will grow in popularity.

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music, music reviews, Ubercool

It was about ten years ago that Anna Lee and her sister moved in next door. Xtina and I were living in South Minneapolis at the time, and I remember looking out the window, and seeing these two young and industrious former Fargoians hauling furniture into their new place. I helped them with the bedframe as Xtina put together some kind of neighborly gift for the "new kids on the block". Candles so they would always have light, Wine so they would always have drink, and Bread, so they would always have food, Condoms so they would...well, I don't remember exactly, but something like that.

Well, that was ages ago, and now look, our little Anna, all grown up...on the cover of the Star Tribune and Vita.mn...[sniffle]... I proclaimed Anna Lee as Fashion Maven of Minneapolis long ago, and its high time the rest of the world found out. But since no one reads my blog, at least now she's finally getting the press she deserves.

Now, before any of you mock my rock-hard hard-rock sensibilities because I've attended every Voltage fashion show...be not fooled. Voltage is a mash-up of a fashion show and a 'best new bands' night, and I'm mostly interested in the bands, but I'm all for Anna's vision, and I want to see her succeed, so color me supportive. Just keep in mind that my own wardrobe hasn't changed much since the 90's so I'm not really any kind of fashion authority, and my opinion should be considered more Proletariat than Bourgeoisie.

Here are the bands that played at Voltage 2008:

ZibraZibra - Listening to this band was like being trapped inside an Atari 2600 that was run by the Village People. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Their outfits were designed by Ivan Idland, and were an accurate representation of the band's music: gaudy, stunning, and outlandish.

The Haves Have It - Impressive. Think Jagged Spiral crossed with Heart. Three-piece band with female lead guitar/vocals, female bass player and male drummer. Catchy, punchy pop. Their new release "Friction" just came out last month, and I Have to Have it. I voted The Haves Have It as my pick for "Audience Choice Awards". Maybe they'd be interested in playing a show with Jagged Spiral down the road... Their outfits by EM/MA were cut as high as the price of gasoline, and smokin' hot.

Bella Koshka - I've seen Bella Koshka a few times before, and purchased their aptly named debut, "Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor", so I already knew they were good. Technical problems with computer loops during the show taught them the hard way what Greazy Meal meant when they said, "...get on stage and push Play? No Way!" Funny thing is, the Owls learned this same lesson at the first Voltage show when their drum CD skipped and completely wrecked their song. Aside from the glitch, their show was top-notch. Strangely, their outfit design by Ann Alyse Clothing was kinda boring. What happened to the cool outfits they were wearing on the cover of Vita.mm?

MC/VL - I think it's poetic justice that the Beastie Boys get ripped off like this. Lots of fun N-R-G and running around, including running into the audience. Xtina even got to participate in one of the songs! Their outfits by Erin Smith were a nod to the Licensed to Ill era just like the music; Members Only Jackets?!! Ha! and oversized fake 'bling' before it was even called that. Good times. If you didn't like Early Beasties, you won't like MC/VL. I thought they were great fun.

White Light Riot - The Minneapolis Darlings who made the "Best New Bands of 2006". I hadn't heard from WLR since they held an industry party for the record labels to come paw at them. They were by far the Best Dressed Band of the evening, looking quite dapper (and warm) in Olde English Velvet outfits designed by Elizabeth Chesney. A trip-up stole some of their energy about 5 sec into their set, but he got it back towards the end of their set. A good show. I'm told their CD recordings are better...have to check that out.

Birthday Suits and only "Birthday Suits", not "The Birthday Suits". A two-piece band; drummer and guitarist playing minimalist pseudo-punk. While Birthday Suits guitarist made better use of the stage than Gay Witch Abortion, the guitarist's tone and singing voice were both tinny. When you choose not to have a bass player in the band, you need something on the bottom end to hold it together. GWA know this and dial in some wicked tone on the guitar (Check out "Action Cop" on their myspace), Birthday Suits provide some overdubbed bass on their recorded works (check out "Cherry Blue" and "Flying Man Y2K" on their myspace) but their live show doesn't, and suffers for lack thereof. I can't recall their outfits by Dan Patrick, other than they truly were wearing clothing and not their birthday suits....

Overall, the band choices were all pretty safe, a good mix of musical styles to go with the various fashions. I would say this was the best production for Voltage yet, but since there's only been three of them, that's not high praise. The honor is that Voltage is still going strong, and still turns a crowd and a ton of sponsors. Anna Lee knows that Voltage on it's own isn't enough to shake the foundations of the local fashion industry, so she's been quick to tie it to other MNFashion events: the "Fashion Weekend" and the "MNFashion Flash" contest. Voltage is a stepping stone to an even bigger vision from the fashion maven, and it should be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Concert, Fashion, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Stuart Davis. He played acoustic folk music at coffee shops in Minneapolis and St. Paul. And once upon a time, I stumbled across his first recording, "My Baby Is A Snake".

Once upon a time, I was hooked.

I loved the music he made. It was intelligent AND catchy, style AND substance, ying AND yang. I became his biggest fan. Rarely missed a show, and snapped up every new release: "Big Energy Dream", "Self Untitled", "Nomen Est Numen"...

What inspired me most was that he did it all himself. He had occasional guest musicians join him onstage, but it was just spice, he certainly didn't need them. He was able to write great songs with just his voice and an acoustic guitar. Stuart Davis was one of the people who inspired me to become a singer/songwriter. I had lunch with him on two separate occasions, once at Fabulous Ferns and once at Sgt Preston's, each time trying to tap into the secret of what he was doing.

Once upon a time, Stuart Davis moved to California and shaved his head.

These things happen, and I didn't feel bad about it. We weren't friends, and there were other local heroes waiting to be discovered. I did feel bad for Stuart, thinking that there was no place in Hollywood for a Bald-Coffeeshop-Folk-Singer-Songwriter, and I doubted I would ever hear from him again, but he would surprise me with the occasional "Anti-Christmas" show at the Fine Line.

When I saw the show listing for a Stuart Davis CD Release "Something Simple" at the Varsity Theatre, I was surprised. Turns out one of his songs was used in the soundtrack for the new "Drillbit Taylor" movie. When I saw him perform live, I was even more surprised.

There he was, the Stuart Davis I knew from years ago (sans hair) wielding his acoustic guitar with as much energy as he ever did before, and full of his trademark witty banter between songs. Only now he was accompanied by a drummer, bassist, and lead guitarist. A full-on, overcompressed band.

While his songs still had all the hook and energy of his early days, the band steamrolled over any intricate nuances in his work. Saddest of all was the song "Universe Communion" which might be Stuart's best song, involving some amazing guitar work lost beneath the din; a glittering jewel packed in mud. People were surprised when I Booed after the song was finished. They'd obviously never heard the original. It was like eating a Wolfgang Puck Frozen Pizza; after having the real thing. I suddenly sympathized with the people who booed Bob Dylan offstage for using an electric guitar.

So did Stuart 'sell out'? Or did his music evolve into this?

I'm happy for Stuart, seems he finally got his big break. The room was packed, and I can't say his songs sucked. I'd like to think the full-backing-band was his own idea. But I'm sad for the people who will hear Stuart Davis for the first time, and write him off as a lite version of "Foo Fighters", because he is so much better than that.

Interested parties can read about Stuart's sordid past on his blog: http://www.stuartdavis.com/blog?page=1

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Concert, music reviews, new release

Come on out to Club Underground tonight to see Jagged Spiral perform live!

On stage!

They might even play some music!

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Concert, Cool Event, Jagged Spiral, Minneapolis Event, music

While I find politics as distasteful as Emo music, and as boring as watching golf on television, it does give me an abundant supply of material to blog about.

Take votechooser.com for instance. Select your opinions on the issues that matter, and Vote Chooser selects the candidate whose opinions most closely match your own...

...except for one large detail.

Did you notice that only Republicans and Democrats are represented? There are other parties, you know. In fact, those who come to see Jagged Spiral perform at Club Underground tonight will get to hear me announce an entirely new and different political party! All the more reason to brave the cold and come out to hear some live, loud guitars!

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Concert, Jagged Spiral, political, Politics

While many of you huddled in your homes running the furnace, stove, and possibly an open fire in the living room to keep warm, there were many hardcore music fans who braved the bone-chilling temps to attend "The Best New Bands of 2007 Showcase" at First Avenue.

Any time someone says "Best Of..." anything, I always ask who sponsors the event. In this case, Radio-K and City Pages. Like last year, the lineup was diverse and non-offensive, with the exception of the name of one band; "Gay Witch Abortion" which is only fun to say because it should offend everyone. Anyway, here's my take on the bands:

To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie - Music to listen to as your overdose takes hold, and your life slips away from you. As they said in a recent interview: "We're more surprised by the number of people who get it than those who don't." I didn't. Maybe if they had played at a summer outdoor concert near running water, I would have enjoyed it more. Reminded me too much of Snowpony; dreary, sludgy soundscapes, drowning in reverb. They aren't untalented, though. Check out their video rolling around on the internet somewhere, it's hella cool.

A Night In the Box - Reminded me a bit of Scissor Sisters, minus the queer disco thing. (Um, I meant that as a compliment.) Violin, banjo(!), acoustic guitar and drums, with a whole lot of soul. Do yourself a favor, go over to their myspace and listen to "The Hustle" and see if you can avoid tapping your feet. Their myspace lists them as "Bluegrass / Folk Rock / Indie" but they forgot "Kick Ass".

Black Audience - Gospelish bluegrass with soul, although their myspace lists them as: "Zouk / A'cappella / Acoustic". Talented, and laid-back. Lots of band members playing in the half-round, including a banjo and one of those hand-drum-things you usually only see at Renn Fest.

M.Anifest - I'm probably the last person to ask whether a rapper is 'good' or not, but I can tell you this: M.anifest is quite the wordsmith, with a positive message. He isn't into "chick-slap-rap" or gangsta crap. His album "Manifestations" made 5th best in Star Tribune's Top Local Albums of 2007. His show relied on audience participation and call/answer which the crowd was too shy or chilled to deliver. M.Anifest had the energy and delivered the goods, but the crowd simply wasn't responsive.

Gospel Gossip - I will often get 'swept up' in a bands performance, but I can't remember the last time I got this pulled in, like a make-out session that goes farther than you wanted it to, but turns out to be an amazing experience... Sorry, I was drifting off there, but Gospel Gossip has a great live chemistry, sometimes pretty/shiny but not sugary, trippy but not really psychedelic, and much more energy than their myspace songs will tell. I have to see them again. Definitely the most "ON" of all the bands in the Showcase.

Mouthful of Bees - The drummer (Katelyn Farstad) was Really Really Fucking Impossibly Good. The songs...not so much.

Gay Witch Abortion - With a name like that, you better stand up, and you better stand out. They did. Its amazing to see two guys make so much noise. With only drums and a guitar that sounded like it was run through no less than six Superfuzz Bigmuff petals, they were by far the highlight of the evening for me. Imagine Prong with very few lyrics and a kind of freeform-style song structure. You cant. Thats why you should go see them live. Much like Vampire Hands from last year, I think this is a live band, and I wouldn't count on any recorded medium to capture their energy.

The bands that kicked all ass this year brought Energy to the stage. Gospel Gossip and A Night In The Box proved they didn't need to be loud or angry to do it. Gay Witch Abortion proved you don't even need a whole band or lyrics to do it. Good work, and another group of bands to catch live in 2008...

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Concert, Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, music reviews, Ubercool, year-in-review

"You look like Bono."

"Um," I stammered, "Come again?"

"Spitting image, I swear. You must hear it all the time."

I handed Jim Walsh my purchase, not thirty seconds old. It was the book he had just released: "The Replacements - All Over But The Shouting".

Revolver Modele had just finished up their set, and a giant projection screen descended from the ceiling, separating the First Ave stage from the audience. I had just watched Jim Walsh onstage, pouring his drink all over the guitar player, and pushing him to the floor while he played. He even jumped on the mic for a verse or two. He wisely left the bass player alone.

The screen lit up with giant, glowing Tom and Jerry cartoons, as 'One For The Team' began setting up to perform the next set of Replacements covers.

Jim opened the book and paused, pen in hand, clearly drunk, off alcohol or the event or both, and clearly having the time of his life.

"Conrad Zero," I said, holding my right hand up in what I hoped conveyed a manual representation of a 'zero' but possibly also could have been interpreted as jacking off.

He started scribbling my name down in the book.

"Never heard that before?" he asked.

"I guess I've never seen Bono without sunglasses on," I responded, and suddenly wanted to talk about something else. "I tried to make it out to your book reading at Treehouse...," I started, in an attempt to change the subject.

"Oh, what good are book readings?" Jim interrupted with a laugh, "I mean you read the book to people, what is that? People can read it themselves, right?"

"Yeah," I laughed, "...and you had said that the reading was on the Wednesday *before* Thanksgiving, but..."

"Hey," Jim said, turning to one of the ladies at the nearby booth for 'The Onion', "Doesn't this guy look like Bono?"

She nodded her disapproval.

"No," I said, "usually it's Sean Bean. People always say I look like Boromir."

Jim started laughing, and had to pause in the middle of signing.

"Sorry," he laughed, "I don't want to screw up your book."

"It's not my book," I corrected, "it's yours." This just made him laugh more.

"No," he said, finishing the dedication and handing it over, "it's your book now. I hope you enjoy it."

"Um, thanks."

'One for the Team' got a great set of Replacements songs (Skyway among them, my favorite), and did a fine job with them. I left shortly afterward, book clutched in my December-chilled-and-chaffed hands, went home, and looked up Bono on the internet.

Review to come....

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Authors, Concert, Cool Event, Minneapolis Event

The name Jim Walsh is nearly-famous here in flyover land, as was the band he writes about in his new book, "The Replacements: All Over But The Shouting". The book release party is coming up, one week from today. (See details below) I've mentioned this gig before, but it is worth mentioning.

As a musician, your art will be referenced to where you make it, and I suspect that if the Replacements had been birthed in California, they wouldn't have made a single wave, but to flaunt that kind of arrogance and energy here *Here* in Flyover Land? It's all about being in the right place at the right time, and the Replacements certainly were.

For those of us who "missed out" on the heyday of the Replacements Era, Jim Walsh lived through it, and kindly provides us a look back into what was happening at the time. His unauthorized documentary on the band, "The Replacements: All Over But The Shouting" was just released on 15 Nov 2007. I haven't read it yet, and in fact, I meant to go to the Treehouse Records reading/signing tonight, but I discovered that what Jim Walsh meant by "The Wednesday before Thanksgiving" was actually "The Wednesday BEFORE the Wednesday before Thanksgiving" In other words...I missed it. But I fully intend to pick it up at the release party, and I'm really looking forward to some cool bands like Revolver Modele maybe covering a bit of Replacements material for us? (I bet the bands all will fight over who gets to play "Bastards of Young"...)

Wednesday, November 28
First Avenue Mainroom & The 7th Street Entry 7:00 PM / 18+
89.3 THE CURRENT PRESENTS...
JIM WALSH'S THE REPLACEMENTS:
"ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING"
BOOK RELEASE PARTY FEATURING

THE ALARMISTS, BIRTHDAY SUITS, THE EVENING RIG, THE FALLS, THE HONEYDOGS, JEREMY MESSERSMITH, KRUDDLER, THE MAMMYS, MARTIN DEVANEY, ONE FOR THE TEAM with DAVE CAMPBELL, RED FLAGS, REVOLVER MODELE , TERRY WALSH, and TODD NEWMAN
$6.00 advance / $8.00 door

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Authors, Concert, Cool Event, Ubercool

For all of you Replacements fans out there (sorry, but I refuse to call them 'Mats'. They aren't fucking Mats so stop calling them that. Call them 'Mints' or something.) Writer for City Pages and Reveille Magazine, musician and all-around local troublemaker, Jim Walsh, has written a book detailing the rise and rise of the Replacements.

The book release at First Avenue should be quite the shindig, and has a slew of bands covering Replacements songs. Revolver Modele will be there, so you should too.

Wed Nov 28th
First Avenue
7PM
18+

Tickets are $5.50 plus whatever "Fees" TicketBastard charges. I recommend stopping by First Ave and pick them up in advance yourself.

I have a couple 'essential' Replacements CDs, and I recorded "The Replacements A to Z" when it aired on KQ92 many years ago. But I don't share the popular opinion that they were the Greatest Minnesota Band That Never Was (although I do allude to that in The Demonslayer's Handbook) Then again, I never saw the Replacements live, and it sounds like they got more reputation from their live antics than their music. So it should be interesting to experience them second and third hand from people who lived through the chaos.

I can't wait to read the book, and might even make it out to the Reading/Signing at Treehouse Records on Thanksgiving Eve.

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Authors, Concert, Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, new release

Thought I would pass this along:



Click on the picture to head over to Claret's myspace page, where you can sample some of their work. Also, the band asks that you 'wear your claret' to show your support. In other words, wear some Red and Black, (and perhaps a splash of white) I doubt you will be mistaken for a member of the Crips; Club 3 Degrees is a non-profit ministry outreach - in other words, a pretty wholesome place. [Editors Note: If you read this blog at all, you could probably use a little outreaching.]

The show is the first in a series of contests where bands will be slowly eliminated, so you can be sure Claret and their competition will all be in fine form.

KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music

For those who don't know, Mercedes Gorden was severely injured in the I-35W bridge collapse on 1 Aug 2007. She's one of the lucky ones: she survived. Shes had a lot of work done to repair her shattered ankles, shins and fractured spine.

I don't need to tell you that she's got a long way to go. I don't need to tell you that the medical bills will be astounding. But I do need to tell you how you can help. There is a benefit concert on Sept 23rd at the Fine Line, including a silent auction to help raise money for her medical expenses.

The lineup: Tapes 'n Tapes / The Ocean Blue / The Melismatics / So It Goes / The Deaths / Coach Said Not To

Details about the event and how to contribute can be found here.

Even if you can't make the concert, there are other ways you can help. Follow the link and there is a paypal account set up to receive donations, or an address to send mail. You can donate any item of value to the silent auction. You can get the word out about the event on your blog/website/word-of-mouth/e-mail/psychic-connection. Or I'm sure even some prayers or positive thoughts would be appreciated.


KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Cool Event, Good Cause, Minneapolis Event, music

The Uptown Bar
Saturday, February 24th, 2007
3018 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 823-4719
Cost: $5.00
Music Starts at 9:30

The Sweet Latrines (Opener) - www.myspace.com/thesweetlatrines
The Mood Swings - www.myspace.com/themoodswings
Mercurial Rage - www.myspace.com/mercurialrage
Revolver Modele (Headliner)- www.myspace.com/revolvermodele

Blog on,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music

Mark your calendars! Minnesota Fashion Maven Anna Lee is bringing back Voltage after a year hiatus!

11 April 2007 at the First Avenue Mainroom.

If you haven't been to a Voltage show yet, you are missing out. Voltage: Fashion Amplified showcases local fashion designers, who have models parade their latest designs on a runway, while local bands perform on the stage behind them. A brilliant marriage of local music and local fashion. This is the kind of thing N.Y. and L.A. might take for granted, and the kind of thing that will help put Minneapolis on the culture map.

Check the new website for more info and updates.

Also, Anna is trying to raise money and awareness for Springboard for the Arts’s “Artist’s Access to Healthcare” program.

According to Anna, Springboard is also helping to establish a new non-profit- MNfashion, a resource for the local fashion community.

If you know of any companies, organizations, or individuals that you think may be interested in sponsoring, send them a link to the site, or have them contact sponsor@voltagefashionamplified.com

Even if you can't go or can't donate, you should send Anna Lee an e-mail ruby3annalee@gmail.com and tell her what a great job she is doing, supporting local music and fashion, and keeping Minneapolis from becoming a barren wasteland of culturelessness...

Blog on,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Fashion, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool

THE DEBUT CD RELEASE PARTY!
w/ THE ALARMISTS, REVOLVER MODELE, and WHITE LIGHT RIOT
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3RD
VARSITY THEATER
1309 4TH AVE SE
$5 in advance $7 @ door, 18+, 9:00 PM

You really should come to see this show, and get there early. Revolver Modele always puts on a great live show, but this concert will be filmed, so it should be awesome! Also, we need lots of people in the audience in case Ehsan falls off the stage again, he will need something to land on...

Look sharp!
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, Ubercool

Last night, I attended the "Best New Bands of 2006" at First Ave.

My thoughts:

First Ave is not the same without the smoke. Perhaps they could have a fog machine and some cigarette-flavored-incense? Is that too much to ask? Pissing in a trough always makes me feel like I'm at Renn Fest. Where else can you strike up a conversation with a girl using the men's room trough while peeing through a fake penis? You might have to pay to see that in San Francisco, but here in Minneapolis, it's included in the cover.

First Communion Afterparty - I missed all but the end of this band, so I can't give an accurate opinion. I liked what I heard, it was like used motor oil with lots of cream and sugar.

Jeremy Messersmith - With a voice Exactly Precisely like John Mayer from 'Your Body Is A Wonderland', Jeremy creates his own percussion and backup singing sections by doing live looping on stage - he records a short section of percussion and vocals which loop over and over while he plays and sings the song. A clever gimmick which turns a coffee-shop folk singer into a one man band, and certainly deserving of 'Best of 2006' status. Unfortunately, that talent is only appreciatable in live venues, and will probably be lost on CD/MP3/Radio..

Maria Isa - You probably saw Maria grace the cover of CityPages not too long ago. I missed the article because the City Pages is crap now, but Maria Isa? Stop the fucking press. Wow. Best way to describe this is Sade (remember Sade?) got some fucking balls and had a can of Rock Star Energy Drink. Or two. Think a female Matisyahu without the Jewdaism. This girl took the stage by the horns, rode it hard, and put it away wet. The ONLY act of the night with meaningful lyrics. Best of the Best of.

One for the Team - Unapologetic polished pop. I zoned out into a bizarre discussion (another blog post by itself) and missed most of this act.

The Alarmists - Of all acts this one sounded the most 'polished' and while I usually mean that in a bad way, this time I don't. The keyboard player needs to calm down though, or go play with the next band...

White Light Riot - Were clearly the crowd darlings of the event. WLR have a great sound and are well-practiced. Strangely, I didn't like their songs and found their hyper-spastic stage energy distracting.

Vampire Hands - Surprise, surprise! A truly experimental band gets billed as Best Of! I bought a CD before they even finished playing.

The whole 'Best of' left a kind of mixed feeling for me. On the good side, there were no 'Emo' bands or Dashboard Confessional wannabees, and Thank The Gods that shit is dead or I would probably give up on music forever. There was also a hint of experimentation with Jeremy Messersmith's looping and a WHOLE LOT of experimentation with Vampire Hands.

On the down side, there might have been a teensy-weensy too many short-haired-white-boy-lead-singers-with-keys-hanging-off-their-belt-loop-from-a-carabiner. I would have expected a little more diversity, maybe some colored hair or a mohawk. Where was the punk? Although Vampire Hands clearly has elements of punk, there were no real screamers. (Whatever happened to The Blue Up?? God I miss them.) Where was the metal? Not even something like progressive metal. No Grrrl bands like the Soviettes. I thought Radio K sponsored the show?


Blog on,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music, music reviews

[NOTE: This post is re-written for entry to the Citypages Critic of the Year Contest:]


NIN Concert Review – 11 Rocktober, 2005

After washing away the blood and sweat (some of it my own) left behind after an evening with Trent Reznor, et al. I am ready to give a reasonable recounting of the Nine Inch Nails concert at the Xcel Energy Center.

The venue: Two words; Fuh Sillities. Plenty of places to load up and unload your bladder. Clean clean clean. Fantastic sound system. Well done.

The crowd: I have been to all NIN concerts here in MN since the Downward Spiral tour, and the crowd has changed substantially over the years. Very few in the crowd wore the faded black gang colors of my industrial/goth brethren. Many of them look like people you stood in line next to at Rainbow last week. Ages ran the gamut.

The show: Trent Reznor does not talk much in concert. He does not take requests. He does not care if you mosh while he plays peaceful, minimalist movements like “Right Where It Belongs”. He does not care if you stand unmoving and transfixed, your lighter in the air during “Hurt”. He does not care if the crowd sings the chorus to “Terrible Lie” so loudly that he does not have to. He does not care if you cower in fear for your life while the crowd becomes blissfully suicidal during the encore, “Bite The Hand That Feeds”.

He does not care. Period. The man is pissed off and willing to share, and hardly mellowed with age. His anger is still contagious and therapeutic. This is church for me and many others. Hallelujah.

Conrad Zero

Labels: Concert, music reviews, NIN, Open Letter

Christina and I just returned home from attending the gala event of Trent Reznor, et al., and after washing the blood and sweat from my body (some of it my own) I am ready to give a reasonable recounting for those who have never experienced the "Minnesota Mosh"

Through some strange Ticketmaster Computer Glitch of Fate, we ended up with two tickets to the main floor of the concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. We arrived during the Queens of the Stone Age set, and had some drinks and took to the floor during the intermission. I let Christina pick our spot; I was just happy to be so close - Usually I end up with seats so high up you get a better view by looking over the shoulder of the guy in the next row, who is using his cell phone to view lo-res still pix being posted to the Interweb by some drunk guy in the twentieth row. Little did I know Christina would march us up to front-and-center, about 15-20 rows back from the front line.

Of course, this is where the mosh pit broke out. So I got two shows for the price of one, and I can't say which was more visually entertaining. I did learn more about the Mosh, and identified several helpful tidbits to help you if you are at a Lutheran Potluck and a Mosh breaks out.

First, the people not wearing shirts (usually male) are Professionals. Watch them, they know what they are doing, and tend to enforce the rules.

Second, The Circle usually spins widdershins (anti-clockwise).

Third, It is OK to run full-tilt-out-of-control straight into another person, but punching or kicking them is frowned upon.

Fourth, If you knock anyone over, help them back up.

Fifth, If anyone passes out or gets knocked out, (or if you don't really like them), 'put them up' which means to raise them up so the crowd gets them body surfing, then Security will quickly haul them out, as body surfing is not allowed.

As far as NIN, they were awesome with one exception. I would have loved to believe that Trent just lives and breathes for touring, but I know that he doesn't. There is something to be said for the days when you couldn't be informed about the artist's personal life to know that they are having management or financial troubles, or just had a shitty day, unless you read it in Rolling Stone. As it were, I knew that his previous drummer was off the tour due to health problems, well, maybe it gave Trent more fuel to burn, because the concert was spectacular. The show was awesome, and I was even closer to Trent than when I visited his home in New Orleans' French Quarter, two years ago.

It is funny to watch a angry moshing group try to hold the slam dance together when Trent shifts to his more ambient, passive movements. Make that Really Funny.

Blog on,
-CZ

Labels: A Day In The Life, Concert, music reviews, NIN

As I warned, the Revolver Modele CD Release party was last Saturday night at the Turf Club. If you missed it, then I guess you missed it. Openings bands were Solid Gold and The Deaths.

SOLID GOLD - There is a prevailing theory that, "If it's too loud, then your'e too old" and I used to agree with that. But now that I'm old, I don't believe it anymore. (If you have ever seen Motorhead live, then you know what I'm talking about.) I have seen many bands cover up mediocrity with volume, and such is the case with Solid Gold's performance last Saturday. This three piece (guitar, guitar, and bass) play along to a drum loop (similar to the Melodious Owls) and pull off a decent sound of drinking/dancing music that would be well received at your wedding reception; a mix of boy-rock and disco that would have been much better if it were a little quieter. The rule of thumb is that the opening bands should NEVER be louder than the main act, unless you are opening for Enya. The band members were quite shy, and often did not face the audience. It is not easy to "not face the audience" from a thrust stage, and requires staring at the interesting blinking light panel behind them, since there is no drummer. (Fashion tip: If you are going to have your backside to the audience, and you are going to sag, make sure to wear clean and possibly even interesting underwear.) The songs were good, and they are all quite talented, but the songs got boring/repetitive after a bit, they really need to have the rhythm pattern broken up. Better yet, get a real drummer. I would like to see a band with a real drummer and a "Guitarist In A Box"...

THE DEATHS - More than once I have explained The Deaths music as "The Moody Blues as a Garage Band". These guys were more relaxed than Solid Gold, but seemed less focused, and their performance was not as tight as their the 2005 Voltage: Fashion Amplified show. I would expect more gloomy music from a band called The Deaths. As it is, their music is casual, and non-offensive. They could use a bit of energy on stage, or dancers or props... I missed some of the Deaths performance, as I was tracking down each Revolver Modele band member to get them to sign the CD.

REVOLVER MODELE - Flat out professional showmanship is the phrase I would use. These four are great, and they don't need much room to get their "stage antics" on. I love the contrast of the absolutely insane lead singer (Ehsan) and guitarist (Mikal) and the completely stoic drummer (Jesse) and bassist (Natasha, AKA: The Nun) While Revolver Modele lyrics are always drowned in syrup, it was truly impossible to make out a single word Ehsan said throughout the show, even when covering New Order's "Blue Monday". The mix could have used a touch of EQ to bring out the vocals. These guys really should be national acts. Their performance was awesome, but too short.

Blog on,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music, new release

Checked out the Transmission show last night at the Hexagon Bar. A decent place, although it didn't seem shaped like a Hexagon. Ran into local fashion "yes", Miss Anna Lee. Revolver Modele opened, and as always a great show. The free parking and free cover for live music is a big plus.

The headliner was Mark Mallman, who plays keyboards, is completely insane, and completely all-out-rock-and-roll showman. He actually stood on his own organ! Yikes! Imagine Billy Joel, Elton John, Meatloaf, and Ted Nugent combined. Just try. That's right, you can't imagine it, you have to see it. Check it out, he is in the middle of a seven straight day series of concerts at the Hexagon...

Blog on,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music