Big Wreck with Texas King @ The Turf Club 10/9/19

So Big Wreck, 1 of the Canadian trilogy of bands to come out in the 90's with a Prog Grunge kind of thing (The Tea Party and I Mother Earth being the other 2 I think of), played in St.Paul on Wednesday night.

I 1st saw them open for Dream Theater in 1997 (October or November?). That was my 1st Dream Theater concert, but I do recall liking them somewhat, even though I was not exactly hearing the Soundgarden meets Led Zeppelin thing exactly.

Their debut album In Loving Memory Of was released that same year, 1997. And the truth is, I don't think I picked it up any time around then, and I never really followed-up with them, until around the same time I got into I Mother Earth and The Tea Party largely from the discussion on the forums.

I eventually picked up In Loving Memory Of and the 2001 follow-up The Pleasure and the Greed.

The debut I especially got into. The strong guitars and melodies really worked.

And the band ended up breaking up not long after I recall, only to reunite almost 10 years later; eventually releasing now 4 albums since. The latest being But for the Sun which came out in late August. And that new record might be the best of the 4 albums since.

But while I did get into those 2 albums back in the 2000's, and have enjoyed all of their records since they reunited to varying degrees, I haven't found them incredibly addictive. And the other thing I think of them for is the LENGTH.

And I have not listened to their early records probably in over a decade. Per my memory was spotty on the older tunes. I did revisit some of the more well know ones like "The Oaf"
and "That Song" which are maybe my 2 favorites off ILMO.

But seeing them live some 22 years later (which I think was the last time they played in Minnesota, or even toured the States; Visa's, costs, etc I imagine could have a lot to do with that.

The CROWD though at this show was nearly a full house at The Turf Club. Really surprising, per I never see their new cds in stores, they aren't on the radio or mentioned much in the music media.

But they have their fans either here in MN, or people traveled from the likes of the Dakotas, Iowa, Wisconsin for this show.

Overall, they had great energy for the large majority. the middle slowed down a bit when they were playing some of the more Sabbath-like doomy pieces.

But like the epic "Blown Wide Open" that closed the main set I felt went on for awhile, with Ian Thornley's guitar solo, but once the rhythm section picked up the tempo, it suddenly became really dynamic and BIG. I really was digging it.

Great encore as well, especially from an energy standpoint. And I love their parts with the twangy/zeppelin/blues-rock guitar parts.

I am happy I went, even with I suppose some of the vocals being drowned out and the hit and miss element of the show. Big Wreck do put on a fun show, and this was long enough to satisfy.

I would go for seeing them again, maybe even supporting someone like Coheed, Mastodon, Fair to Midland (given a reunion) or The House Harkonnen, Dream the Electric Sleep, Vennart or even say King's X (or in a fantasy, THE TEA PARTY or I MOTHER EARTH).

Also to note, the opener Texas King was fun. Another band from Ontario in fact, with HUGE ENERGY. I may have to check their stuff out.

Set List
Voices
In My Head
That Song
Locomotive
One More Chance
Ahead by a Century / Wolves
Alibi
Help Is on the Way
Amazing Grace / Albatross
Found My Place
Too Far Gone
Ghosts
Blown Wide Open

Encore:
Ladylike
The Oaf (My Luck Is Wasted)

Soft Machine w/ Beledo @ The Turf Club 10/23/18

It was great to finally get to see the current incarnation of Soft Machine at The Turf Club in St.Paul, MN on Tuesday Night 10/23/18.

John Etheridge - Guitar
Roy Babbington - Bass
Theo Travis - Reeds (Alto and? Soprano Sax, Flute), Keys
Gary Husband - drums

Beledo opened.

It was just guy playing fast, spanish-like acoustic guitar and then some pieces on keys. I guess Gary Husband plays on some of Beledo's albums, although he Gary played with Soft Machine, he didn't sit in with Beledo.

The guitar pieces I really enjoyed, which were kind of Paco De Lucia or even Scott Bravo-like. Very fast picking techniques.

On Soft Machine; they were awesome! technical as hell. Dynamics, lots of builds and crescendos. John Etheridge on at least 2 or 3 pieces really showed his shredding, in cases playing in 15.

I told John it reminded me of Al Di Meola at 1 point.

My favorite Soft Machine album, Third, was at least represented with "Out Bloody Rageous (Part 1)."

It was just an excerpt being "Part 1" but I can't complain as it was certainly a highlight, but the rest of the show was very engaging as well.

Theo Travis stood out many times, and it was nice to note about him being that he has played with a lot of artists, including Robert Fripp and Steven Wilson extensively. I got to speak with him and have him sign a copy of Soft Machine's latest album Hidden Details after the show.  I asked him about Steven Wilson and he was here in 2013 on the Raven tour at The Fine Line.

He fills the Elton Dean-role I suppose in some ways being the Reeds and on Flute virtuoso that Soft Machine's music calls for.

Overall great show (despite somewhat low attendance...100 maybe?, but in Minnesota?..and lack of promotion? I can't be shocked, and it didn't seem to matter as far as the response from the band as far as I could tell) and cool to finally have seen them (maybe someday, they'll be back and consider playing even more from Third, which is one of my favorites).


Set List
Hidden Details
The Man Who Waved at Trains
(followed by band introduction)
Life On Bridges
The Tale of Taliesin
Song of Aeolus
Gesolreut
Fourteen Hour Dream
Out Bloody Rageous (Part 1)
Kings and Queens
The Relegation of Pluto / Tarabos / Sideburn / Hazard Profile (Part 1)
(Medley)

Encore:
One Glove

The Family Crest @ The Turf Club in St.Paul 8/8/18

So this was what I count the 4th time I've seen The Family Crest and possible 5th or 6th time they played in Minnesota that I recall (there was 1 show scheduled at least at The Varsity Theater I think in 2016 that they opened for someone, but I'm not sure if that even happened per The Varsity's issues at the time).

The below set list is like 93% accurate as I did finally get a set list sheet after the show, but there's 1 song that I'm lost about "Name"? or "Nonce"?..anyway

edit: someone (I think Anthony, TFC's drummer, in The Family Crest DISCORD page pointed out "Name" refers to "She Knows My Name" (thanks!) I guess I didn't have enough time to spend jogging my memory when reading and copying the set list earlier today (although I SHOULD have known still).

Fantastic show overall. Among the 4 shows, probably the best, and I would guess the longest as they played around 70 minutes I think.

There was even a point Laura asked the crowd about Michael McDonald, if anyone knows him/his music and the song "Keep Forgetting" and I guess she has many other times this tour and often barely anyone knows him/his name.

But of course myself and a handful of others cheered and Liam even went into a Michael McDonald-rendition of "Mirror Love" which I think is online or on 1 of the BAND TOGETHER podcasts they've done.

It was cool, funny, and smooth. And the wife whose only take on TFC is "Never Gonna Stop" hears Liam say "Never Gonna SCHTOP" lol..but she might have appreciated the Michael McDonald dialog at least had she come. Although they covered Hall and Oates once and I played the tune for her and she rolled her eyes of course, lol.

But yeah, they obviously have more material to choose from live with The War: Act I now released along with their previous albums. We did get to hear "Rest" which may be the 1st time this tour (or ever) for them to play it. I was totally getting goosebumps during the keys/xylophone section about midway through that is 1 of many highlights on my favorite record of this year.

It's just so bloody DREAMY and surreal. A  bit like the uplifting keyboard part towards the end of "Love Don't Go"..it's just so magical and special.

Also Never Gonna Stop is totally epic live. Liam wailed on that one, more than the studio version. It may be one of the best epic songs live with the title track to Beneath the Brine, which still remains their biggest showstopper. And they played it live last night, which they may not have the last few shows given Liam was under the weather a bit.

Beneath the Brine is just fucking passionate and big. I would love to hear them do it with a full-scale orchestra someday. It's so fucking Majestic.

Also the sax parts on "Mirror Love" and "Never Gonna Stop" and maybe 1 other they played on Flute (Laura) Trombone (George) and I want to say the cello (Charly) and violin (Owen).

Anyway, I think these guys keep getting better and better live just as their records do. And it was great to see a bunch of fans of The Dear Hunter there, 1 guy i chatted with in particular named Eric, saw them with TDH twice back in December. And he traveled from here to other markets (Colorado and I forget the other city..maybe Chicago).

I can't help but be giddy to see so many fans of The Dear Hunter catch on to The Family Crest. They should tour again someday (and have Dirt Poor Robins along too by some miracle..or any number of the still-active bands that I posted in Music RECOMMENDED FOR FANS OF THE DEAR HUNTER ENTRY).



Set List:
The World
Take Tonight
Sparks
Waiting Still
Mirror Love
Rest
She Knows My Name
Never Gonna Stop
Beneath the Brine
Howl
Love Don't Go
Marry Me
Keeps Us Dancing

Encore
As We Move Forward

The Family Crest 2018 Spring.Summer Tour

Turf Club Wednesday August 8th!

My favorite record of the year should be sweet to hear live.

Thrilled to announce the second leg of our record release tour! Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 11 (http://www.thefamilycrest.net/shows).

July 5-8 Quincy, CA - High Sierra Music Festival
July 30 Boston, MA - Sonia
August 1 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
August 2 Baltimore, MD - WTMD First Thursday Concert
August 3 Washington, DC - DC9
August 4 Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
August 5 Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest
August 7 Chicago, IL - Schubas
August 8 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
August 9 Milwaukee, WI - The Back Room @ Colectivo
August 11 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge

And, in case you missed it, we are currently on tour in the Pacific Northwest:
May 9 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge*
May 10 Bellingham, WA - The Shakedown*
May 11 Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern*
May 12 Spokane, WA - The Bartlett*
May 13 - Eugene, OR - HiFi Music Hall*

*with Goodnight, Texas

Typhoon at The Turf Club St.Paul, MN 1/17/18

Short review:

Typhoon played their 1st headlining show in Minnesota for the 1st time since 2013.

This may not be the 100% EXACT set list per I didn't know (or even could hear clearly) every song of the night, but I got this from the show in Utah on January 10th per setlist.fm.

I know they played "Remember" 1 of 3 favorites off Offerings. And I know they played Rorschach as well as I would guess 3-6 other songs from Offerings.

And I recall they played "Artificial Light" from White Lighter.

Common Sentiments
Hunger and Thirst
Rorschach
Summer Home
Darker
The Lake
Prosthetic Love
Possible Deaths
Remember
CPR / Claws Pt.2
Wake
Empiricist
Young Fathers

Encore:
The Honest Truth
Artificial Light

Anyway, to give some other basic details. The band had 7 or 8 members on stage, which for most bands would be quite a lot. But honestly, per my 1st/last experience seeing them at The Cedar Cultural Center with i'm almost certain at least 15 maybe more like 20 members both on stage and on the floor, Typhoon was a bit stripped down.

But still, great show, 2 drummers, a violinist, keyboards, 2 guitars, multiple singers besides Kyle Morton, etc.

And I follow why per cost. It can't be easy touring with that many people, etc.

The openers were pretty good. Sunbathe actually is Maggie from Genders new band, and were nice, sort of dream/shoegaze pop. She told me a new Genders album is coming soon too.
And Mimicking Birds actually I may check out now, as they had some of these cool guitar tones and moods. The crowd next to me for both openers and even for a bit of Typhoon, kept talking, which didn't help.

But overall fun show. And I definitely have more content about Typhoon soon per inspiration and of course that Chamber Folk/Rock/Pop entry sometime in the near future, which I have been working on here and there over the last few weeks.

Oh and also I did learn that A New Kind of House, the EP from 2011 from Typhoon actually features members of The Family Crest. A friend of mine who loves TFC and for that matter, the new TFC fans per The Dear Hunter tour, would have even more reason to check out Typhoon.

And of course vinyl coming on Video (both the new album and some cds and 7" I got at the show last night)

Mew @ The Turf Club 8/13/17

Okay, so Mew returned to Minnesota for the 2nd time in nearly 2 years (Here's my review from the October 5, 2015 show in Minneapolis at The Triple Rock Social Club).

And for the 2nd time, I can say they blew me away. I think part of it is hearing many of the songs, namely the Frengers/Kites/No More Stories tunes, live, has this amazing ability to bring me NOSTALGIA.

And like the show in 2015, I couldn't help but blubber a bit, succumbing to tears. The videos (*Visuals*) add a lot. So dreamy, dark, twisted, and surreal. They get to escape into the music actually.

And I'm just going to add right here in the review:

A Feature Entry(s) and Video is long overdue about Mew. And certainly I doubt I'll be able to avoid among the anecdotes, the memories/images of a couple tunes. "Zookeeper's Boy" and how I always think of the Michel Gondry/Gael Garcia-Bernal film The Science of Sleep, which oddly, when I started writing in this blog in December of 2006, I recall writing a review or referencing it. Granted, I saw that movie at Lagoon Theater in September or October of 2006, so it was a few months before then. But the Summer/Fall of 2006 also was my Mew discovery period.

Also "Louise Louisa" I think it is off Kites, in recent years has hit me like a ton of bricks for some reason associating it with the experience of 1st meeting my wife at KFAI.

But hopefully those long-winded tales will be found at a near-future form.

back to this review. The new songs so work pretty well live. "Twist Quest"  and "Nothingness and No Regrets / Season" along with "Water Slides" from Plus Minus.

They just create such great atmosphere, I can't help but be swept up in what they present.

And for the 2nd time in 2 years, the band were gracious enough to hang around and chat with the fans here. Jonas, Johan Wohlert, Mads, Dr. (Nick) Watts, and Silas who I only got to speak to briefly as I was leaving. It was absolutely STORMING out though; per thankfully I didn't have a long trek to make from St.Paul. The band and some of the fans there, I feel for, like friends from Facebook Jared and his brother Matt (although Matt told me he now resides in Golden Valley, but Jared is from Austin, MN. Both of them I guess seeing their 1st Mew concert).

But the band were very down-to-earth, engaging like a couple of years ago. I spoke with Jonas about Prince even, and I just skimmed that review from 2 years ago, we chatted about Prince back then as well, lol. But also Kimbra. Per her guesting on Plus Minus, and Jonas guesting on The Golden Echo, I wonder if they could do a tour at some point together. If it happens, I would not be surprised. Kimbra I guess is in Japan right now, but she has a new album in the works, so who knows.

Anyway, I can't really say enough good things about last night, save for I am grateful they are still a band, making music and touring. I mentioned Oceansize, Pure Reason Revolution and Vennart to some of the fans and guys in Mew.  I can't find it right now, but there was an article around 2006 (or maybe 2007 or 2005) that mentioned Mew, PRR and I want to say Klaxons. Oceansize may have also been mentioned, but they were buzzed about on the forums with those 2. Klaxons?..never got into them.

but when I met Mike Vennart last April with Biffy Clyro, I mention both PRR and Mew to him and I thought he said 'Size did a gig or even a tour with Mew at 1 point.  But I look at the progressive band from Europe/UK from the last decade, and with PRR and Oceansize not around now, I am still grateful Mew is. I guess they ultimately had the most crossover appeal among those 3, for whatever reason.

More on this hopefully soon i.e. talking about my history and Mew's albums, etc. Since it is long overdue in a lot of ways.










(photos per Jared on the Mew fan group on FB)

In a Better Place
Special
The Zookeeper's Boy
Candy Pieces All Smeared Out
Satellites
Introducing Palace Players
Snow Brigade
Start
Twist Quest
Water Slides
Apocalypso
Saviours of Jazz Ballet
The Zookeeper's Boy
Carry Me to Safety

Encore
Nothingness And No Regrets / Seasons
Am I Wry? No
156
Comforting Sounds

Mew: 2017 North American Tour (August)

August 13th in St.Paul at The Turf Club.

The show back in 2015 was magical. Very excited for this one!



Aug 3 New York, NY
Aug 4 Brooklyn, NY
Aug 5 Wsshington, DC
Aug 7 Philadelphia, PA
Aug 8 Boston, MA
Aug 10 Toronto, ON
Aug 11 Detroit, MI
Aug 12 Chicago, IL
Aug 13 St.Paul, MN
Aug 15 Denver, CO
Aug 16 Salt Lake City, UT
Aug 18 Vancouver, BC
Aug 19 Seattle, WA
Aug 20 Portland, OR
Aug 22 San Francisco, CA
Aug 24 San Diego, CA
Aug 25 Santa Ana, CA
Aug 26 Los Angeles, CA

Video: Meeting Mike Vennart @ Biffy Clyro+o'Brother 4/4/17 @ Turf Club

Some comments and a review of Biffy Clyro and o'Brother from last night at The Turf Club.

Great show as I mentioned there.

And I was very happy to finally meet in person Mike Vennart of Vennart/British Theatre and formerly Oceansize.

He's a really cool, down-to-earth guy, and it seems he's happy/happier with this gig with Biffy while still being able to make his own music.

He mentioned Biffy may be coming back in the next few months too, which i hope to see them and him again.

Bend Sinister: March 20th, 2013 on JBTV (yeah, I was there)

2/13/14 5:12PM



This is "One Shot."

I wrote a review of sorts of both shows in the March 21st entry "Bend Sinister in Chicago 3/20/13"
obviously they played a few more tracks and I recall did an interview. Unfortunately at this time, I'm not finding that stuff on Youtube nor on JBTV's site at this time. But hopefully soon.

I guess 1 thing I'll never forget about this thing at JBTV was, I was like THE ONLY FAN THERE, lol. So it felt like a private, almost house-show, which was odd, but very cool at the same time.

Hopefully the rest of this will be available soon, perhaps even before the Bend Sinister show at The Turf Club next month.

Ramona Falls touring with The Helio Sequence November 2012

Very cool double bill. The Helio Sequence are a band I've always liked, but never got blown away by in the studio. However, the 1 time I saw them at 1st Ave I think the Fall of 2007, it was only 2 guys, 1 Singer (and guitarist?) and a drummer/keyboardist (I think he may have *sequenced* a lot of the keys live). But this show I saw them, they opened for Minus the Bear (1 of 2 times I saw MtB get outstaged by their opening act).

At any case, THS are a band I definitely am up for seeing live again, and of course I love Ramona Falls. The Helio Sequence have a new record called Negotiations coming out on September 11. And of course RF's just released a great new record Prophet.

And this show is on Thursday November 8th at The Turf Club, which has become 1 of my 1st choices in venues for various reasons:

-in St.Paul/close
-Parking is free and convenient
-it's not Hipster really

I also just realized I own a Split 7" vinyl from The Helio Sequence/Menomena . Both acts are from the Pacific Northwest anyway, so this tour isn't incredibly surprising.

Facebook post from Ranmona Falls

I'm so excited to announce :
RAMONA FALLS on TOUR in NOVEMBER
(we open for The Helio Sequence (Official) )

2 November @ Dan's Silverleaf in DENTON, TX All Ages
5 November @ University of Oklahoma in NORMAN, OK (free)
6 November @ Mojo's in COLUMBIA, MO All Ages
7 November @ The Mill in IOWA CITY, IA
8 November @ Turf Club in ST. PAUL, MN 21+
9 November @ Shank Hall in MILWAUKEE, WI 21+
10 November @ Lincoln Hall in CHICAGO, IL 18+
12 November Horseshoe Tavern TORONTO, ON 19+
13 November il motore in MONTREAL, QC 18+
14 November @ Brighton Music Hall in BOSTON, MA 18+
15 November @ Bowery Ballroom in NEW YORK, NY 18+
16 November @ Black Cat in WASHINGTON, DC All Ages
17 November @ Underground Arts in PHILADELPHIA, PA

Mark your calendars! Hope to see you at a show!!!

Belated Review: Nicole Atkins - Mondo Amore (2011) + live

This is a pretty long/delayed and belated review (1 of a handful that are due of course. But all I can do is give as much effort as I can. In due time hopefully, all this stuff will be caught-up and accomplished. Afterall, I am my own boss, hehe :p).

So, Nicole Atkins released this/her 2nd proper full length album Mondo Amore a little bit out of nowhere to me, in February. And I really hadn't thought about her since hearing and enjoying much of 2008's Neptune City I always thought of her as like Linda Ronstadt doing orchestral pop.

Well on Mondo Amore, I think she's more than that. Mondo Amore really is an eclectic, consistent, energetic, dreamy-at times rock record. And I guess she was thinking or aiming at making something sounding like a classic, Classic-Rock record. Led Zeppelin, Cream (maybe Heart or Springsteen?)..some others I recall she referenced in an interview I saw just after the show in St.Paul at the Turf Club.

edit: well she mentions The Doors, along with Nick Cave, Echo and the Bunnymen, Ennio Morricone, and George Harrison here. But there's another video interview I saw where she mentioned more of wanting to make a "classic rock sounding" record. That I'm not finding right now (the only artists I'd think of "classic rock" among those being The Doors and George Harrison anyway).





I guess I can say this album has many songs or sections I just love. Many of the guitar riffs, and even solos totally grab me. And her vocals even, are as good, if not better than on Neptune City. There's probably 2 or 3 times I was reminded of, of all singers, Janelle Monáe. The dreamy chanting and what not. Although I'll admit, I went back and checked out Party's Over and the Bleeding Diamonds EP recently, and the Monáe similarities seemed to come up there as well.

So I'm unclear what that means. Was Janelle listening to Neptune City when she wrote the Archandroid? lol, Or is it pure style of singing and coincidence?

Anyway, no matter how similar or not, this album is a big step up, and my interest in her has never been higher. I guess in terms of songs to namedrop: Cry Cry Cry, The Tower, My Baby Don't Lie, Vultures, War is Hell.

Memorable melodies and sections. Even just how she used piano in it, with the segues and transitions.

And for good reason, it's my 3rd favorite record at this point, in 2011. 4-stars, and an album I plan to go back to a lot this year. Hopefully to look forward to her playing live here again.

And now to talk a little about seeing Nicole Atkins and "The Black Sea" (maybe they should have gone to the great Turkish restaurant down the road from the Turf Club on Snelling in St.Paul? maybe they did even, lol :p).

Her band had consistent energy, playing I'd say close to 90 minutes, and I don't believe the whole Mondo Amore album, but more than half. Her band went back and forth between MA and Neptune City. Including probably my 2 favorite tunes, being the title track of Neptune City and The Tower from the new record.

And one clear thing is, The Black Sea is an awfully talented band, including Irina Yalkowsky, her rather melodic and precise guitarist. I actually got images of Theresa Wyman from Warpaint at times seeing Irina. Really good, virtuosic, wonderful tone and ability to change modes with ease. Well, not to mention, like Theresa, Irina is awfully pretty and brunette. Part of me couldn't stop focusing on her. Maybe I have a thing for the chick who can shred but is still sensitive? 2 things I'm attracted to in musicianship and beauty, combined. I think it would almost be impossible for me (or others for that matter) not to be :p

Irina I guess has played with a number of bands, namely The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and only recently has joined Nicole's band. And she plays many if not all of the solos on Mondo Amore I recall. It's cool and a bit unexpected, yet really refreshing to hear another female guitarist stand out in such a musician-oriented way, that I'll confess, I almost assumed was a guy. So, I'm glad she is part of Nicole's band, and look forward to seeing them again and whatever Nicole and her band do in the future on record.

I also recall asking her if she had some of her own music, and Irina told me she did, but I'm not clear if it's available, like on bandcamp or facebook even. But it's something to seek out. She may have told me she has written it, but not recorded it, I forget (belated entry-itis :[).