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Music ListsA while back we featured reviews on Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers new CD…..at least new back then. We thought we would post a video of Clyne performing in ‘Seattle, unplugged with special guest Jason HockneyZiemet. Jason has a rich resume of playing with bands, some his own., most notably “Drawn Onward” and including playing with some bands who have gone to national prominence. Tonight Jason joined Clyne in this unplugged set. Enjoy.
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We get back to our music format. Maybe you did not know……let see, it is beautiful sunshine on the outside venue where you are taking in a multi-band concert. Great deal. 10 bands for one low price. So here you are, throwing back the brews like a jack rabbit. Maybe you dip into that little funny cigarette that some dude with a total lack of comprehension passes you. The sun is shining. Its warm. The chicks are hot, and the vibe is good. Maybe in a bit, you will start an impromptu mosh pit on the hillside (as you are really to cheap to buy tickets in the pit where the real moshing is taking place). The line up is great…..Disturbed, maybe Stone Sour, Staind, or maybe it is a double bill of bands with the same singer, like Slipknot and Stone Sour. Then there are the other bands that you have heard, and love, maybe Red, Skillet, Creed, Alter Bridge, Flyleaf, throw in POD….these bands rock and definitely keep your chemical vibe alive.
But wait a minute. Do we really know those bands? WE like the music. Talented. Great stage show, and talented musicians and singers. But we really do not listen to lyrics, I mean, common man, we are not those sensitive types who get into the lyric. WE are all just getting F’d up. Well, oddly enough, the one thing that these bands have in common is that they are blatantly Christian Bands. What? Bullshit you say. These are great bands and great live shows. True. But many of their lyrics are no different that getting your happy ass into a church on Sunday morning and actually listening to the dude called the preacher. Their lyrics are a bit more complex, not obvious, as most lyrics are. A quick review follows of each (click on title of band for website):
RED This band from Nashville Tennessee formed in 2004. They are clearly tagged alternative rock. They have recieved a significant amount of radio airplay. They now have two CDs on the market. The sound is lush as they incorporate heavy synthesizers into their music to parrot the sound of a symphony. The vocals have the growl at times. Certain songs have a significant presence, such as “Death Of Me” from the first CD that hit the commercial market. They have a very unique sound that is unmistakeable and branded to them. Live, they are an interesting group with strong stage presence. Currently, they are playing some dates in small clubs, but you can also frequently see them as part of a mult-billed event as they make a great ‘filler’ band.
FLYLEAF I am biased, admittedly because of my Texas digs, but I like these guys. Formed in Belton/Temple Texas area in 2000, this group’s 2005 release sold well over 1M copies of whatever (today, the sales parameters have changed since the advent of on line down loads). This is platinum. All for a band whose lyrics are blatantly Christian. I have seen this band 5 times. Full of energy and a show that captivates, this is a must see band. But when you have done your chemical damage, just remember, these are a Christian band. Seeing them live, I am not sure what is more entertaining, the F’d up people in the pit without a clue to the lyrics they are listening, or the look on lead singers face (Lacey Sturm) when she witnesses the bohemian debachery and what ever else that goes on at the front of the pit. Pure entertainment. BTW, Lacey is a little elf like presences on stage, she may be 5 feet tall, maybe, and all of about 90 pounds, but the pipes on this one are impressive. Go see them.
SKILLET This band, oddly enough, are the gramps of the bands listed herein. Formed in the mid 90′s in Memphis, Tenn., they have gone through several line up changes. They have a total of 8 CDs out there. Yet, you and I have only heard them over the last 3 years. The current line up is headed by a husband and wife team. The music is straight up rock, melodic, with strong power chords and voices that individually are just OK, but the harmonies steal the show. Their lyrics are not as obvious as to their Christianity, as say Flyleaf, but none the less, unmistakable. I was initially captivated by their first airplay song “The Last Time”, about a suicidal person who has the un migrated support of the writer of the song. Very cool. Their latest, “Awake and Alive” cannot be avoided if you listen to hard rock or alt rock stations (think Octane on Sirrius/XM). Never seen them live, hope to add them to the list in the near future.
Skillet
Flyleaf
ALTER BRIDGE This group was formed in Orlando FLA. They are the left overs from the group Creed, who had tremendous success and airplay with Scott Stapp at the lead vocals. Funny, Stapp was the son of a Pentecostal preacher, yet he is the one that had the most issues personally and likely struggled with Christianity. Mark Tremoni seems to the be ‘Christian’ anchor of this group. While Creed had tremendous success, again with largely Christian messages, Alter Bridge has continued the airplay jewels and popularity. Think “Isolation” on the current rock stations. Not sure all members embrace the Christian message, but many songs and the message is unmistakable. Truly, the current lead singer, Myles Kennedy has shown up on other, more seamingly secular projects like Slash’s solo project. But clearly Alter Bridge has proven, like the others above, that Christian music in the main stream can sell…..to a wide audience, most of whom, know nothing of what they are listening to between their Saturday highs
Honorable mention: AVENGED SEVENFOLD OK. I am not saying these guys are Christians in the sense that most of us define the religion. But folks, listen to the lyrics. You will find a host of songs that deal with death and the afterlife, and not the afterlife of Satan or some other god or demi-god. Their huge hit song “Afterlife” deals with someone dying too early in life and going to heaven before their time. Fitting, since their drummer recently passed resulting from heart issues brought on by drugs and alcohol. This is clearly the best group that has emerged in the last five years. Formed in the late 90′s in Huntington Beach, CA, this group changed it’s styles along the way. Now several CDs that have sold greatly, they are riding their highs, and not looking back. Another great live band, go see them before lead singer’s voice (M Shadows) gives out completely
So there you go. Between your weekend inebriation an the cool vibe you paid dearly for, suddenly, it is your mamma’s bands preaching to you. Well, think nothing of it. These are great bands with great messages and music. Just embrace them. Listen, I am not a bible thumper, quite the opposite. But I know great music when I hear it, and we have featured great music here, no matter the message. Look at it this way, this is no different than polically preachy bands, like say, System of A Down, who get into politics and such for their message.
Relax, and enjoy. Comments welcome.
Tags: Christian Music, Concert Reviews, Live Music
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Editors Note: This BBQ joint is one of the ‘famous Texas’ BBQ joints. I have never been, but apparantly Low Budget Review Guys stopped in recently. Read on:
A recent trip through central Texas brought us lunch-time pangs and a billboard advertizing a BBQ place I haven’t tried….seemed like a natural magnet drawing me to exit 294 and Central Ave in Belton, to Schoepf’s BBQ. Just a few blocks off I-35, while looking vainly for the sign announcing the establishment, I noticed a low-slung ramshackle stone building with a crowd lined up outside. Could this be it? Lowering the window, the heavenly smoke of meat in a BBQ pit wafted to me—this has gotta be it. Pulling into the large parking area just past an auto parts store, the sign was barely visible leaning against the front of the building. This family owned business has been serving for 16 years. Ronnie and Staci Schoepf bought the business from Ronnie’s parents in 2007. Everyone in the family has worked there at one time or another. Evidently, they had some flood damage but at the time of our visit, the restaurant was fully open and jammed with customers. Parking in the back we walked past several outdoor BBQ Pits being manned by several employees, keeping the wood going and turning the delicious smoking and roasting meats. Behind the restaurant is a large wooded area with numerous picnic tables and a stage for warm-weather concerts and performances. Love that live-music option.
Another Famous Texas BBQ Schoefs, Belton, Texas
Finally making our way inside, we got a chance to see the many offerings. Brisket, ribs, steaks, pork chops, sausage, chicken, turkey, pork. These had been transferred from the outside smokers to inside smokers, what they call a serving pit, to keep warm for serving. A great idea! Like many BBQ places, there was a long serving line where you placed your meat order. Watching the servers slice the meat fresh in front of you was like watching artists at work. They were quick, decisive with no wasted motion. With the BBQ meat piled on our plastic tray, we proceed into another room where the varied sides were offered. In addition to the usual tater salad, coleslaw and beans, were green beans, baked potatoes, “cheesy potatoes” (like au gratin) and bags of chips. Along with the obligatory bread loafs were homemade rolls, jalapeno and regular corn bread. Pickles and Onions offered as well. (in Texas, I think the law requires pickles and onions) Deserts offered were homemade pies and several fruit cobblers.
The inside décor was “Texas BBQ joint standard” There was wood paneling on the walls, wood picnic tables, some Formica tables, with a stand-along drink stand for tea and soda. Various pictures and stuffed creatures lines the walls. There was a separate “Event Room” for larger groups that was well done.
For this visit, we tried the two-meat sampler, brisket and sausage, with several sides. The sauce came served on the side. The brisket, while very tender and moist, had no smoke ring and no char, with little smoke flavor, making it appear as if it had been roasted on the fire instead of slow smoked. The sausage came in four options, regular, a little spicy, spicy, and venison. Unusual, and pleasing. We elected for the lightly spicy version and were very pleased from the first bite. The sausage was moist without being overly fatty and sopping with juice. It was tender with just the perfect blend of seasoning. It was the best BBQ sausage we had tasted in several years. The BBQ sauce was warm and molasses/ketchup based with just a perfect blend of spices. The potato salad was good, chunky, with just enough mustard to make it interesting. The coleslaw was fresh, with perhaps a little too much mayo, but that may have been because they were adding mayo to the pan as we walked up. The beans were good, slow cooked and tender. We were too full to try the desert, but did pick up a bag of their own home-made beef jerky as a present for a family member.
Overall, I give Schoepf’s an “A-“ (A-minus). The food was fresh, the service quick and very friendly. The brisket, while tasty, loses some points for the lack of smoke ring and char that I expect from slow-smoked BBQ. The sausage gets big points. The multitude and flavor of the sides very good, The sweet tea was good, and that is always an issue with me. We will be back to try some of their other offerings.
The BBQ road goes ever onward!
Tags: low budget review, Texas BBQ, Travel
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New Years Eve proved to be another installment of interesting times in an interesting place. We took our troupe down to one of our favorite watering holes in the homeland territory in Kenosha, Wisconsin. “Cooler Near The Lake” (yes, that is the name of the bar and if you lived in this town of roughly 100K on Lake Michigan, you would understand the rather creative name for a bar) is a small but nice family run local watering hole in Kenosha. Redd Granite and the Dazzling Weasel Faces play here on our annual Wisconsin tour. Host Jodi always has something creative planned, and tonight was no different. Music was provided by Boys and Toys, a local 3 piece electric outfit that plays rock music largely from the 90′s and 00′s. This was a solid, well coordinated outfit that provided strong entertainment for a ready and willing NYE crowd that had to exceed at least a 150 people coming through this smallish bar throughout the night. Dancing was plenty, a sign that the band was entertaining.
Tags: boys and toys, Clubs and Bars, Cooler Near the Lake
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UPDATE: Below I indicate that I was not certain which tow cities that Zombie and Cooper were playing…I believe before Halloween. Interesting, when you click on this post (click on the headline and it goes just to this post) the Google ad has Zombie and Cooper tickets. When clicking through this, there are only two dates listed for Cooper (only)…..Council Bluffs Iowa (surprised they even let an act like this play in that backward locale…and Phoenix AZ, labeled “Alice Coopers Christmas Pudding.” Now thats one that would be interesting to see…
Saturday brought on another annual event in the Dallas Fort Worth area….KEGL’s Freaker’s Ball. This was the second of a two night affair. The first night featured Papa Roach, Seether, and Godmack. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the first night. The second featured Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper, in a kind of Halloween themed current meets the past. Nice touch. Both shows promimently featured the Halloween theme, without the performers even trying since this is what they do as their regular act.
Cooper’s act started the show rolling. He was in good form. It featured a 5 piece band to back up a long Cooper set. This was done in full make up and theatrics, only this time, the chick on stage was not his daughter as I had seen last time that I saw a Cooper show. Good thing, the daughter thing was a bit creepy. The band supporting Cooper was sound as was Cooper’s performance for the most part. I just cannot understand, however, why he cannot sing the last hit song he had, “Poison”, on key. This is the second time I have seen him, and same thing. He must realize it, as this time he kind of turned it into a weak hip hop spoken version. Great song, poor delivery. But his voice and theatrics for the rest were top notch. Clearly he benefited from the fact this is a limited run on live performances. I will see Cooper again, given the chance. It is a very entertaining show. Even if this is not your thing, at least on Halloween, it works at a certain level.
This is the fifth time seeing Rob Zombie. I still do not quite know what to make of this guy. He is branded somewhere between a satanist and a a guy who just loves the old scary movie and a good scare. I do not regularly listen to his music, and none of it is on my iPod (thought my family does include Rob Zombie on iPod. Here is the first thing I think you need to know about Zombie: he is highly intelligent, and he really understands personal and musical branding. Oh yeah, a lot of people really like his rather strange and deranged flicks. Musically, he carries a venue. This particular stop included a lot of stage gimmicks he really does not need to use, but given the Halloween theme, worked well. From tall fire breathing monsters to a straight up stage, he had it all. It does not matter if you know Rob Zombie music or not. It all comes across energetic and infectious due to his great live performing capabilities. The crowd reacts. The night ties on a cool buzz at a level that starts high and never backs down. He is not hung up on himself as most performers are. He simply delivers a show that is natural, in your face, and at the highest caliber because, that is simply what he does. This is Rob Zombie.
The band supporting Zombie was tight, but faceless. It was not about them, and Zombie was not about to let it be. The set lasted about an hour twenty minutes. The obligatory encore was preceeded by Zombie bringing on the security of the venue on stage proclaiming that they had informed them that it would cost $10,000/minute for them to continue. Of course, when he did, the gullable crowd went nuts. Of course, this stunt was at 10:45….15 minutes before the official cut off of this venue. (Don’t you just love corporate rock?) Surprise! They left the stage at 11:02p, two minutes after cut off. Must of cost them $20,000.
Great concert….I would tell you to go see them, but there are only two left in cities I cannot name. Attendence for this event was approximately 4500 (venue holds 6K). From the parking lot early on, it looked like the attendence was going to be low. Afterall, it is difficult in todays shitty economy to hold two nights of rock shows and expect sell outs. But the attendence was higher than the parking lot would have indicated.
Estimated revenue once tickets, alcohol, and parking were tallied: $190,000
Good night overall.
Tags: Alice Cooper, Freakers Ball, Live Music, Live Performance, Rob Zombie
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Now that another grammy night has come and gone, I must say, I can certainly live without these self engrandizing events in the music industry, and really, for any other industry as well. Everyone musician loves to hear their songs heard and enjoys the energy of performance. But this pomp and circumstance is far from any musical roots. In my mind, it simply forwards America’s strange curiosity of the “beautiful people” and all else that is what makes our stupid reality shows on the networks thrive. No, and quite the opposite, most of these people came from questionable backgrounds and upbringing, the streets, or whatever their story happens to be. And further, many of these people’s best songwriting efforts captured their early life style challenges. It is what makes an “edgy” song in many cases.
But here they are, walking the carpet in these silly gowns, taking way too long in their ‘thank you’ speech, spewing poorly written jokes that some producer forced them to read from a queue card….I mean, common, where are these people’s sense of original self? It is nice to be noticed, but is that what is driving them? Is it just a simple equation of money and fame and the trappings that come with this success? Whatever, I think it would be cool if they spent a little more time reflecting the origins of their music. At least, thats for those on that stage that wrote their own music. At least I can have some respect for that…the others, well mostly they are manufactured by the music marketeers, the consumer buying public buys right into the concept. That fuels more of these events, and well, you know.
Maybe I am just bitter that I am writing this and not there…but I do not think so. So here is to the small club performers, the original songwriters, and those who perform from the gut because that is why they began writing in the first place. You are the true musicians, and never let me see you on that stage in the future
Tags: Live Performance, songwriting
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My peeps tell me that the NYE event at Don Carlos Restaurant in Waco went very well. I would not know, as I wussed out due to weather conditions in my area. OK. Slam me for this one, its OK. A Northerner like myself should not be concerned about rain at freezing conditions. But in the end, the Southerners are concerned, and we Northerners end up being co-dependent (psych term, look it up) on their concern. Really, I got a late start, and as I returned from work, all southward outlets were jammed in traffic. I could have made it there, and in time, but would have been in horrible mood. Audiences or the DWF do not need soured redd…and thats it. Stayed home with a fire.
Looking ahead on the site, we will get back to top 10′s. This time it will be of your top 10 favorite groups. This time, however, we will put them in order from bottom to top. Once again, there will be some explanations throughout, and this time, I plan to put 5 on each day covering two days. Once again, comments or separate mails are welcome, you can post yours in comment section or mail me at jay@reddgranite.com. I will assure it get posted.
Later
Tags: Live Music, Original Music, restaurants
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I will be joining the Dazzling Weasel Faces www.dazzlingweaselfaces.com at Don Carlos Mexican restaurant, 4651 Interstate 35 South, Waco, Texas. This will be a show on New Year Eve, Thursday, December 31 from 8-12p. Yeah, like right, as if we will knock off at 12 on NYE. Check out Don Carlos at http://www.doncarlosrestaurants.com. We will be in the mood to cut loose, and given the amount of time for this show, I will likely have an extended set to play from so Marty can rest…..he will need it, far past his bed time! With this set, we will perform more than the usual original music from redd and DWF, and we look forward to play them.
We look to see you there. Even if you have a party elsewhere that evening, begin the evening with us. Good food and drinks with our performance to warm you up for the New Year Festivities. See you there.
Tags: Live Music, Original Music
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This in from Robert, one of our regulars who has his pulse firmly on the rock music scene. For those of you who do not know, Rocklahoma is a 3-5 festival in Pryor Oklahoma that has gone the last three years with bands largely from the 80′s. I have attended the first two, loved them both. However, attendance has melted in this difficult economic environment, and with this being managed by a local company based in Pryor, the issue was to close it down (they have permanent facility 4 miles north of Pryor) or figure new approach with new blood. They chose the later. Read the announcement below. I will not comment further but to take a wait and see approach. And my wait and see will also include the challenge to even attend next year, as it now falls over memorial day….a weekend I ususally spend with family.
OKLAHOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP:
As suggested right here a couple of months back, the first signs of a “new look” Rocklahoma festival have begun to immerge. And it isn’t good news for melodic fans…
Pryor, OK – “The producers of Rocklahoma announced today that they will be teaming with the world’s largest producer of music festivals, AEG Live, to revamp the rock festival in 2010. The management team that created the critically-acclaimed rock festival in Northeast Oklahoma in 2007 has brought on board one of the most respected festival producers and promoters to serve as executive consultants of the festival in a multi-year deal.
“In keeping with the vision that we set out to realize three years ago, we have learned that we need the strength of a major player in the live entertainment business behind us if we want to continue to grow Rocklahoma,” said Mark Nuessle, President and Co-owner of the festival.
Nuessle added, “AEG Live brings an incredible amount of expertise and credibility to the table, and that is exactly what we must have to continue the process of making this festival one of the premier destination rock festivals in the U.S.”
As part of the multi-faceted deal, AEG Live will focus specialized attention on reworking and further developing Rocklahoma in several key areas including talent booking, marketing, sponsorship, ticketing and festival operations. The entertainment company will work hand-in-hand with the current Rocklahoma management team to grow and expand the festival to new levels of attendance and acclaim in the coming years.
“We’re really excited to be working closely with the entire Rocklahoma team to create an even more incredible festival for the rock fans in Oklahoma and surrounding areas. Mark and his partners have built something very special with this festival that more people need to see and experience,” commented Joe Litvag, Senior Vice President of AEG Live.
The first major changes come with this announcement that Rocklahoma will be a three-day festival in 2010, and it is moving from its past mid-summer dates to May 28-30, 2010, Memorial Day Weekend.
“One of the first things that we discussed with our team and AEG Live was the idea of eliminating a fourth festival day in an attempt to create more depth-of-talent on each of the remaining three days. We want to expand the reach of our audience to a greater distance by giving the fans who will attend from other parts of the country an extra day to return home on the long Holiday weekend,” commented Nuessle. Litvag added, “Additionally, we felt that by moving Rocklahoma into May, the festival could capitalize on more suitable weather for the fans as well as deeper artist availability by not directly competing with the U.S. summer touring season and European festival season.”
In keeping with the Rocklahoma tradition, next year’s festival will include booking the most formidable classic rock bands in the world. But in addition, festival producers and AEG Live will create a much more diverse roster of rock artists that will include a large confluence of new active artists, as well as the classic rock artists that Rocklahoma is known for.
Announcements of the 2010 Rocklahoma line-up, on sale information, new VIP packages and additional festival upgrades and improvements will come later this fall.”
Again, lets see how this turns out….will be interesting to see the line up. Hopefully AEG does not make this too “corporate” One of the charms of this event was the local flavor, as well as the local people working this event, who overall, were some of the nicest people working a public eent I have seen…and given the clientele at this event, they are truly saints.
Later….J
Tags: Concert Reviews, Live Performance, rocklahoma
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Well, I love Halloween. What can I say. No, I do not collect candy, and most of my experiences are “trick”, but at the end of the day, it is always a party waiting to happen. The Dazzling Weasel Faces, (really now check them out at www.dazzlingweaselfaces.com, as Marty finally started to figure out how to use this software despite bagging me the entire night. For those geekheads in the crowd, we use wordpress software, open source web developement. www.wordpress.org. Way to go Marty, I knew you could figure it out.
A great time was had by all, and I must say, we were on. Selena’s is a higher end bistro in Waco….I discussed a few menu items with owner Spencer, and man, I am ready to go during regular hours. This is a BYOB place, and according to Spencer, always will be. Never fear, it is right next to a yet another wine bar in Waco called the Grape. Spencer keeps a menu for there wines at the front desk, and over you go, just a few feet away and bring it back to Selena’s. Cool. For this event, Spencer put out a killer spread. 40 or so tix were pre-sold, and we were expecting a good walk up crowd. Great cause, and the little canine friends in costume were great. Unfortunately, the show was a little light, leaving much food left over. But the crowd who did show, were wonderful, fun loving people, and we really enjoyed playing for them. We had guest singer appearances all evening! Even to a point were I just took my guitar and played from the audience view.
redd has not joined DWF in about 6 months. Just to confirm long standing time playing together from the college days, we really did not miss a beat. The harmonies were rich, Dave was particular on in his rather unique lead guitar style he has done for 35 years. We were a little loose at the end of the evening, but overall, it was great. Originals played was “Banshee”. OK. What did you expect for Halloween? I had intended to debut “Learning To Breathe”, but it was not the right night as that is too serious of a song. We also had intended to perform “Living On A Broken Promise”, afterall, Waco is a country crowd, but again, the requests came in droves, so, the audience wins, as always. Thats the way we like it.
Catch DWF with redd granite when you hear of the announcement here or at www.dazzlingweaselfaces.com. We have a light hearted show that pleases all……and we love doing this stuff, even if noone listens…..music is us! Now theres good English!
Please check out the pics on the party pics page…thanks to all who attended and joined us on stage. Excel, my friends.
Tags: Clubs and Bars, Live Music, Live Performance, Original Music, restaurants
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