Up and Coming Electro

Whomp-heads, this Saturday at Cervante's in Denver there will be some fat electro beats. Fresh2Death, Boulder's very own duo, will be opening up for Lazer Sword. I've never seen Fresh2Death live but here's a video to give you a taste. I've only seen Lazer Sword once opening up for STS9 before their PA Set and they definitely got the crowd started. Sorry for the wait, I finally got a real 9-5 job so that has taken up my time this week. I'll get at you though early next week hopefully with a good story or something that you'll be interested in during the coming week. Keep it sleazy.

The Little Big Man

I remember the days when MTV actually stood for music television. Back when they used to play music videos, I don't know if they do that anymore. It seems like the majority of their programing these days are roided up frat boys competing in pointless competitions to prove who is the most pathetic, macho bro making no attempt for a real career or that of even a real acting career. Real World and Road Rules were the beginning to this demise. Sure they were great ten years ago but seeing the same stale product year after year is played out.

I have recently discovered a refreshing answer to this sub par MTV programing. His name is RJ Berger and the he is the main character in The Hard Times of RJ Berger. This show is incredibly funny and relatable. Who hasn't had a crush on the hottest girl in school, though about loosing their virginity daily, or feel like their parents are the weirdest people on earth? If your behind, all of the episodes are available on MTV's website for free. I highly suggest watching this as it is every Monday at 10/9c.

I'm No "Momma's Boy"

What you need to know:

Chromeooooo Ooooo oh! Chromeo is playing tonight at the Ogden and it is a sold out show. If you don’t know Chromeo they’re the electro/pop/rock duo of Dave1 and P-Thug straight from Montreal. They’ve got their own funky style, which brings the beat combined with witty lyrics making them party starters. They will definitely get the dance floor bumping tonight.

All my Chicago friends, STS9 is coming to the windy city. If you were to ever take my advice please go. Tonight at the House of Blues the boys will be getting down. My guess is a show with some deep jams and ambient lighting. The Aragon on Saturday will be a show of heavy beats and younger faces. Both epic nights lead up lead up to a special evening of STS9 “Axe the Cables.” This is an acoustic show like those of “unplugged,” finishing their weekend at the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Yarmony Grass is a festival type event for the today through Sunday, located on the Upper Colorado River. This has an incredible lineup of Bluegrass, Rock, and Electronic artists who are all friends. Speaking of friends I remember how right around now was the time myself and my friends would be getting back to school and celebrating best we knew how. This was always highlighted by the back to school free concert on Ferrand Field. They have had great musicians the last few years including Blackalicious, Tea Leaf Green, Girl Talk, Savoy, and Pretty Lights. This year the duo of Chiddy Bang are bringing their act to CU. It is party music and will provide obvious wide-eyed freshman a brutal hello to college.

Everyone, enjoy the weekend, make the most of it, get out there and just do it like MJ.

MHMF Recap

What is up fans? Since you last heard from me I’ve just been on my grind working to get that paper aka a job. Last weekend I had a great time at Mile High Music Festival. It was hot as usual but that Colorado breeze supplied ample relief and all the great music took our minds off of it.

Saturday’s highlights for myself would have to have been ALO, Nas & Damian Marley, then Steve Miller Band. ALO opened with “Maria,” a song I really enjoy and one to get people on their feet. I said in my last blog if I could hear one song it would be “Shapeshifter,” and sure enough they gave me the ecstasy I was looking for. Nas & Damian Marley was cool because although they collaborated most of the show there were points where it went solo such Nas with one of his most recent hits “Hip Hop is Dead.” It was this show where I found my calling. Through the whole set they had a guy on stage just waving a Rastafarian flag. Maybe they’re looking for a white, redheaded, skinny kid such as myself to join them on tour? Steve Miller Band really surprised me because not only did they play their classics but also new material. Bingo is their new album that came out this June. They definitely provided the same rock you’d expect from their classics just with some new life and lessons injected to their new material. Jack Johnson came to close out SMB’s set with a great version of “The Joker.” I was surprised by Jack Johnson’s set but realistically I could have just put on a mix of his greatest hits. The thing I did like about his show was his stage banter providing some entertaining stories behind the songs.

Keller Williams deserves a shout out because he is just always up there having a great time and it feeds directly into the crowd. He also threw in some of his classic freestyle rhymes after going over on his allotted time. I only saw maybe three songs by Cypress Hill but that included “Insane in the Brain,” “Hits From the Bong,” and “Tequila Sunrise;” a classic, a spectacle (they pulled out a six foot bong and blazed on stage, hilarious), and one of their more recent songs that pays homage to The Eagles. I went in between Slightly Stoopid and Phoenix from 6:45 to 8:15. I do admit Phoenix is a guilty hipster pleasure of mine but when the sun is out shinning Slightly Stoopid just seems like the right place to be and more in line with my general taste in music.

The biggest surprise on Sunday for me was an artist I have never heard of named Trevor Hall. I wish I could tell you all about him but I honestly don’t know much except for the fact that he had great stage presence and is a rock’n’roll act although some may try to describe him as a singer/song writer. Drive-By-Truckers opened the day with a great set playing a song I’ve been dying to hear live since 2005, “Let There Be Rock.” One of my favorite shows of the day was a duo I’ve seen at least five times before this show, Boombox. Being early in the day Zion was crisp and clear and didn’t wander too much on jams. It was a straight up dance party at 3pm. Jimmy Cliff was cool because he showed everyone a 62-year-old man is still a fun guy to party with, if not himself, his yellow jump suit sure proved it. My Morning Jacket played a great show but I must say I was hoping to hear “One Big Holiday,” and was sorely disappointed that they didn’t play it. I do understand that this is their most mainstream song and they probably get tired of playing it but when your playing a festival it is a different circumstance than solo shows where everyone is there to just3 see you. Weezer is near and dear to my heart and takes me back to the day. They sure did that for the three songs of theirs I managed to catch. “Hash Pipe,” was the first song I heard and brings me back to riding around with my Dad in his corvette driving way too fast pumping this power chord monster. “Say it Ain’t So,” and “Undone (The Sweater Song),” were classics that are as fun today as they were 16 years ago when the Blue Album was released and I was hoping to hear them as you surely know from my last post. I tore myself away from Weezer to catch the entire Bassnectar show and being twenty feet from the stage my ears were ringing until Tuesday. It was a straight whomp fest but I must admit the crowd at that show was alarmingly young. It seems that kids these days just love that bass bumping, hip thrusting, deafening music. He had awesome lights along the roof of the tent and beach balls aplenty giving much more ambiance than the other stages. Lorin really enjoyed himself letting his long hair flow with the breeze commenting how much he looked forward to this show and his return to Colorado. To end the festival was Dave Matthews Band. They were good but what can I say about them, they’ve been playing for 20 years and still have fun doing it but each show is pretty much the same as the last. Tim Reynolds sat in on the entire set but didn’t make himself stand out which was disappointing. One part I did enjoy was when Dave threw in a jam where he was singing “You’re a sexy motherfucker shaking that ass, shaking that ass.” He was grooving and everyone was getting down to this little romp. I also found this really funny because he seems like such a PG family show these days so it was good to see him breaking the mold.

I’m going to end on that note to keep this bearable to read but check out the post tomorrow to tell you what you need to know for this weekend. Before I peace out I’d like to say thank you to Brent Fabschutz and the Ariano family for making this weekend possible and a blast start to finish.

The Highest Mainstream Festival in the Country

Tomorrow is the first day of the third annual Mile High Music Festival. This is a two-day event that is held at the Dick’s Sporting Good Park. Being nine miles northeast of Denver you could say it’s our backyard making it a great opportunity to get a plethora of music. I personally attended the first MHMF in 2008 and had a great time. I didn’t think the venue was spectacular but it’s not bad either. The line-up was well rounded with moe., Lupe Fiasco, Steve Winwood, Michael Franti & Spearehead, Tom Petty, and Dave Matthews Band. They definitely try to bring in the masses with mainstream acts and this year is no different.

On Saturday I will be focusing on the Kyocera main stage and cougar stage, which is convenient because they’re right next to each other. Doubtful I make it for the opening act but The Motet at noon is definitely kicking the festival off on the right foot. Realistically my first show will be Donavon Frankenreiter one of Jack Johnson’s surf buddies turned musician. Definitely a good way to get the afternoon’s carefree summer vibe going. After that I will see a band that I have enjoyed for many years and painfully missed at Wakarusa, Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO). If they play “Shapeshifter,” I will be extremely pleased. I’ve got to then mix it up and get a little hip-hop in my life from some titans of the game, Nas and Damien “Jr. Gong” Marley at the main stage. Back to the cougar stage then for Keller Williams who I remember seeing for the first time when I was 14 opening for Béla Fleck and the Flecktones during their Acoustic Planet Tour and being blown away. This guy is literally is a one-man band and does it all. I could go on about him but this is about the festival. A true summer classic going back to my under aged days at Ravinia is the Steve Miller Band. With a greatest hits playlist for their concert one can always walk away happy. A difficult decision then has to be made whether to go to Slightly Stoopid or Phoenix. Personally I’ve seen Stoopid enough where I can afford to miss their show. With Phoenix being a trendy new mainstream band will it be filled with losers? Most likely. Will there still be a lot of talent? Absolutely. To end the night on some feel good music will be Jack Johnson. I am going to call out the potential Dave sit in or visa versa with Jack.

Sunday I’m looking forward to seeing a band I first discovered at Lollapalooza 2005 playing the set break for Widespread Panic. Drive-By-Truckers is a southern rock band making their own modern fist pumping blues driven rock that will take you back to the days of the real Lynyrd Skynyrd. From there I have to see my buddies Boombox who don’t fit an afternoon spot but hey I like them so I’m going anyways. From there is my most anticipated show of the weekend, My Morning Jacket. I am ready to feel that early evening mountain breeze and Jim James sweet vocals just flowing through the air. This band can fill Madison Square Garden so you know the crowd is going to be large and rocking. Atmosphere is playing at the same time and will be a nice alternative for those looking for something different. The next time slot is my biggest disappointment of the schedule. Having to choose between Bassnectar, Railraod Earth, and Weezer. Weezer was my favorite band in eighth grade so I would love nothing more to hear some “Undone (The Sweater Song),” or “Say It Ain’t So.” Railroad Earth is hands down my favorite bluegrass band with great lyrics and drums, they can’t be beat. But in order to get my whommmmp dosage I will be raging at Bassnectar. The end of the festival culminates with Dave Matthews Band. A repeat of 2008 but hey he killed it then with a cover of “Sledgehammer,” and their last studio album, Big Whiskey & The Groogrux King was a hit with critics and fans a like. He’s not my favorite but at one point and time in my life I probably said he was so I’ll go and remember those days and just soak in the final moments of what hopes to be a great festival.

For those of you in the San Francisco area this weekend hit up Outside Lands Festival. There are many of the same acts as MHMF just on opposite days and a whole lot of even better artists. Phish is also playing the beloved Alpine Valley and I’m sure that will be a good time as well. Have a good weekend and keep an eye out for me if you're at Mile High Music Festival because you know where I’ll be.

School of Rock

Sorry for the long wait friends. I’d like to give you some great excuse but it has just been my priorities this week has been looking for a job. My dream job would be getting paid to just follow around bands and party with them. Unfortunately that is not the case so I just have to live vicariously through friends fortunate enough to attend shows I cannot and youtube. Thank god for youtube.

Phish played a two-night mini-festival on Monday and Tuesday in the town of Telluride. This is the first time they have taken over the small town since 1991. Telluride holds special significance because it is the first time the band played outside of the east coast during their 1988 tour. The band definitely paid homage to their beginnings by playing “Camel Walk,” “Possum,” and “David Bowie,” all songs played in ’88. Possum and David Bowie show up regularly throughout Phish tours and are both crowd favorites. They played one of the best sets I can imagine on Monday including some new classics such as “Ocelot” and “Backwards Down the Number Line” off their 2009 album Joy.

This event really put Phish in perspective for me. Although I have been listening to Phish for 10 years I really don’t appreciate the days when they were up and coming, young, and fresh. Today they are sounding tighter than ever and have just built on what they’ve learned through the ups and the downs. When I spoke about String Cheese Incident a few posts ago I mentioned they didn’t have as many songs in their repertoire as Phish. One song they do share in common is “Quinn the Eskimo.” Cheese closed their Saturday night set at Red Rocks with this as their encore and Phish opened their encore on Monday with this cover. The thing that amazes me is that this is the first time Phish has played this song since 10/02/99 in Minneapolis. There were 209 shows in between. Phish is an institution of music. Although they have the songs that are on the regular rotation they have the ability to go over 200 shows without playing the same song. I hope they keep touring for another 20 years and so should you.

Next post is coming up tomorrow in order to highlight Mile High Music Festival. Stay phunky until then.

The Best Summer Weekend in Chicago

Sorry to keep this post so brief but I’m about to leave to Granby for some cabin partying and regatta week raging at Grand Lake. Growing up in Chicago I’ve been privileged with many events; sporting, music, festivals, etc. One of my favorites is undoubtedly Lollapalooza. It took its roots in Chicago after many years of nomadic existence. Do I think this year’s lineup is the best? No. Does Lollapalooza always provide a good time with good music? Yes. Here are the shows that I would suggest checking out this weekend with my top three in bold.

Friday: Drive-By-Truckers, Caspa, Black Keys, Chromeo, 2manydjs

Saturday: Rebelution, Beats Antique, Gogol Bordello, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Slightly Stoopid, Rusko, Phoenix, Empire of the Sun

Sunday: MGMT, Wolfmother, Digitalism

To all of those saying hey you love electronic music, where is the Pretty Lights nod for this Saturday’s sold out Red Rocks show? I will tell you that although I really enjoy Derek’s music and the addition of Adam on drums is amazing there will just simply be too many posers and wanksters in attendance. The electronic scene is HUGE in Colorado and I love that. With the good comes the bad though and the bad being people who don’t know anything about the music or even like it all that much. They go to get as twisted as possible and no other reason. What really bugs me is the fact that tickets are being sold on craigslist for upwards of $200. Really? Phish has a hard time pulling that ticket price for a single night show. So to anyone reading who is one of these people, make this the last time you visit my blog because I want nothing to do with you. Regardless I hope all of you who are going have a great time with great weather and prepare for the moment he drops Hot Like Dimes because the place is going to go crazy with that fire beat.

Have a good weekend and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

DeepVees, Taking it Deeper Than You Thought Possible

Straight up, this is a blatant pimping of my friends, the DeepVees. Before I go on your probably thinking to yourself what vulgar sexual innuendo for a band name. Get your mind out of the gutter. DeepVees refer to wearing button down shirts with minimal buttons exposing maximum chest. No one rocks this better than Frankie Bushell, Kyle Robinson, Marty Brodsky, and Rob Leo. Taking cues from the greats of the past such as Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, and Jimmy Page they unbutton their shirts and let their chest cabbage hang in the breeze.

If you ask what type of music they play you’ll get a different answer depending on whom you talk to. Some would say rock others funk all while tying in an electronica/hip-hop tone. For only playing together since this summer they already have at least fifteen original songs that really show who the band is and where they’re going. With all band members providing direction the songs start as a reflection of one but transform to fit the band as a whole before arriving at a final product. This is refreshing to see because so many bands become type-casted when this group manages to be very multi-faceted.

When I mentioned hip-hop earlier I’m sure many thought, weird, a bunch of white guys going hood? This isn’t your gangster rap with gunshots as beats. The band does hip-hop covers with their own flair and some of their originals have a hip-hop feel to the lyrics similar to G. Love or John Butler with their silver tongues. Both rap covers have been led by Marty on vocals and are the party songs of their sets undoubtedly. Marty being a native of St. Louis can’t help but touch his inner St. Lunatic and spit Ride Wit Me as only he can. In their most recent show at Wahoo’s Fish Tacos on 15^th Street in Denver they dropped a new cover they had been working on… Rosa Parks by Outkast. If you have ever listened to Big Boi and Andre 3000 you’ll know that they have one of the most unique styles in the game of rap. Combine that with the DeepVees own style and you have something really special. Both of these songs that will take us back (assuming you’re my age) to middle school and you just have to laugh at this refreshing new sound of the songs you’ve known for so long.

This type of creativity is what makes the band so damn good. During their shows at not a single point did the crowd loose interest. I know that this is a biased piece but I really couldn’t care. I’ve been told in business if you believe in the product you’ll be able to sell it. I truly believe in this group of great musicians and people and hopefully you’ll buy it.

P.S. Check them out on facebook