Deadheads and flower children both young and old filed into Waller Creek Saturday night to catch a glimpse of the past. The outdoor venue behind Stubb’s, an Austin, TX, favorite, played host to Dark Star Orchestra, a Grateful Dead tribute band.
But DSO is unlike other tribute bands simply aping their more-famous brethren. Every night the members of Dark Star step on stage, they recreate a concert from the long career of the Dead. Depending on what show they pick, they’ll even arrange the sound to mimic that era. Take that, cover bands!
Rob Eaton of Dark Star Orchestra - more photos photo by Jaime Butler - Staff Photographer
But Dark Star changed things Saturday and treated Austin to a double set of songs of their choosing. The music was all Dead, but the setlist was their own doing. So with the sweet smell of sensimilla wafting through the air, the six members took to the stage. Opening with “Feel like a Stranger,� DSO filled the venue with folky, funky, jam goodness.
The set continued with fun tracks like “Dire Wolf� and “Catfish John.� The crowd thoroughly enjoyed the show, dancing, smiling, and singing along to the oh-so-familiar tracks. After over an hour, they closed with an great version of “Attics of my Life,� which was the longest song of the first set.
They then took a short break before jumping into the second set. Where the first was poppier with shorter songs, these were more drawn out. Opening with “Touch of Grey,� DSO took no time corralling the crowd and bringing all attention back to them by starting on a high note. Yes, the pun was intended.
Rob Koritz of Dark Star Orchestra - more photos photo by Jaime Butler - Staff Photographer
The first song flowed into “Foolish Heart,� which kept the audience grooving. I was asked by the man next to me to move up a few steps he had more room to dance. I looked and that dancing consisted of him spinning in circles. For minutes on end. I moved further away in case his dinner came up and joined a group dancing barefoot in the dirt.
The show continued until midnight, and the crowd never stopped feeling Dark Star Orchestra’s groove. The love and devotion toward the Dead will last for many, many years to come, especially with bands like Dark Star Orchestra to continue their legacy in such a unique way. This was a fun show.
Carlos Santana closed out the rock and roll concert season down at The Verizon Wireless in Selma and we got invited to come down and take pictures of the legendary guitarist and his band. It was a great way to close out the year, listening to classic rock tunes on a pleasant summer evening with the sun slowly setting over the hill country.
A look back at some of the shows we covered at the Verizon this year include The Warped Festival with dozens of bands, Motley Crue with Buck Cherry and Papa Roach, Slipknot, Disturbed, Dragonforce and more than a dozen other bands at the Mayhem Festival, Judas Priest and Heaven & Hell, and Tom Petty & Steve Winwood. That is a lot of good music.
Thanks go out to all the guys at Live Nation and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Selma for helping us cover all this great music during the warm months. We are already looking forward to next spring to do it all over again!
Travis Barker on the Warped Tour 2005 photo by Gary Miller - Contributing Photographer
Former Blink-182 Drummer Travis Barker and DJ Adam Goldstein are being treated for burns and are in critical condition following a plane crash late yesterday in South Carolina. The two survived a crash that claimed the lives of the pilot and co-pilot as well as 2 un-named passengers. MSNBC has reported and Club Kingsnake has confirmed that the night before they had performed together with Perry Farrell, the former Jane's Addiction singer, as well as Gavin DeGraw at a charity event. DeGraw and Farrell were NOT passengers on the flight that was scheduled to land in Van Nuys, California.
More details as they are released...
UPDATE: 11:37a.m CST - According to Yahoo Music News "The Lexington County coroner said Saturday that pilot Sarah Lemmon of Anaheim Hills and co-pilot James Bland of Carlsbad died. Also killed were passengers Chris Baker, 29, of Studio City, and Charles Still, 25, of Los Angeles."
by andrea gilders - clubkingsnake staff
Virginfest Toronto Day two
September 7, 2008. The Toronto Islands
And then came the rain.
Day one had been been gorgeous by late summer standards, the rain rolled in around midnight and well, it just kept coming.
By the time the gates had opened the fields were flooded and the Virgin "media darlings" were looking, well just a little more tense than they were yesterday. Day One's gorgeous period ferry for the media had been traded for the smaller slower but infinitely more weather proof version. The PR response appears to be when in doubt, feed the media and assure us all (and the concert goers) that they had it on pretty good authority that the rain really was going to end this afternoon. There were trays of sub sandwiches being proffered at every turn, and the the tent was fully outfitted in with nibblies, coffee, loads of water and rain ponchos upon our arrival at 1:30.
Spiral Beach , the band who declared they were from 'just over there' with a quick point back across the lake to Toronto, took to the stage right on time and with an enthusiastic intensity that surprised me.
Gone were the boom mounted cameras for the big screens, instead, the rain had driven us all through a few adaptations
A line of orange cones lined the front edge of the stage, proclaiming not only the name of the band but also the line not to be crossed for fear of hydroplaning onto the photographers. Camera men stood carefully at stages right and left pulling images for the big screens
Spiral Beach, a foursome, had an interesting front line. From Stage right, keyboardist and singer Maddy Wilde (sporting an adorable mid 80s Madonna esque ensemble) and showing a vocal style that was sexy and and fun. She was flanked by the more than a little bit bouncy Dorian Wolf on bass and more than capable Airick Woodhead on a unique guitar. (an old Danelectro covered in ratty red hockey tape). They were completed by drummer Daniel Woodhead
They bounced through the first four bars and another reviewer and I were both ready to buy the CD right there.
I'm struggling to describe it. It was rock, It was fun and even in the rain, it was damn good. Give it a listen and pay for it. They're young and I hope they're going places...
Following Spiral Beach was Toronto's own Danko Jones. A three piece hard rock group clad head to toe in black. Attitudes, growling vocals and a black Gibson Explorer later and the crowd started off into it.
Perhaps I have a weakness for low strung bass, hooky guitars and growling lyrics but the first song drew me in more than I expected. As the sun tried to peek out, the on stage attitude fought back. No on can say they were a happy band. "God damn it its not a rock show unless it rains" was the call I out I believe.
I spent much of their act alternating between loving them and not caring less. There were moments of genuis. I mean the kind of primal joy I haven't felt with a CDN hard rock act since the Kingston's 'other' best band the Headstones, but sadly that energy didn't envelop me like it should have.
Following Danko there was the mad run to the Molson Canadian area for the short Stereophonics acoustic set (see my other post on this) where the hearts of the Molson Canadian press people was obviously softened by the mud and they gave away lots of access.
Kerry King of Slayer and Avery Allen of Austin's Applicators - more photos photo by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
My cell phone buzzed and glancing down I knew it was my sister.
"Ok, I got you a pass to an exclusive Pre-VMA party with Young Jeezy"
I was in Anaheim for the North American Reptile Breeders Conference for my real job and I always look for interesting away gigs to cover when I am on the road. Last year it was the Kings Of Leon, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Manchester Orchestra at The Greek in L.A. . This time I had planned my trip with the hope of riding out to check out Kerry King's reptile collection and maybe get that long sought after interview that just never seemed to come together. Still it was good to have a backup plan just in case, so my sister had done some calling around and got me probably "THE" VMA hookup. The Young Jeezy party was supposed to take place at a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, and the next night, the night of the VMA's, Brittney Spears would perform at an after party in the same place.
Luckily for my staff who fear my attraction to trashy women, my specific attraction to the Brittney, and our relative proximity would lead to me being labeled Mr. Spears No. 3 the next day, I was going to be gone by the time the Britster made her appearance. Still that Young Jeezy party would be interesting, promising lots of hot babes and celebrities.
In the end I passed on Young Jeezy (no disrespect) to slam a few Jägers with Kerry. I think I made the right choice.
In the wake of Canada's national Broadcaster "The CBC" dropping the ball puck and losing the iconic "Hockey Night in Canada" theme song Moe Carlson and Luke Hoskin of Canada's Protest The Hero have submitted an entry to "Canada's Hockey Anthem Challenge". The contest was launched after The CBC failed in negotiations with the song's copyright holder and the music was snapped up by rival Canadian network CTV. The winner of this contest will become the closest thing to royalty we have in this country (Next to the Queen of England that is).
Sir Richard Branson Mark Robertson Lest GoTo War with the Mustangs Marching Band The Midway State
photos by Clint Gilders - staff photographer
by andrea gilders - clubkingsnake staff
Virginfest Toronto Day one
September 6, 2008. The Toronto Islands
The press gathered in the belly of the Westin Harbourcastle for the 11 a.m. Virginmobile media briefing with little enthusiasm. There were of course some snacks which kept us in the room and waiting to hear the rules and regulations from our Virgin mobile hosts. Really we were just going through the motions and wanted to get on the ferry and get the exciting day underway.
All was going very well in a sleepy kind of way until a voice rang out from the back of the room "Is this the way to the concert?" And there he was, larger and blonder than you'd think in real life, Sir Richard Branson himself.
In town for a charity benefit, the Toronto film festival and his own musical festival, the room woke up in a hurry as he stepped up and graced us with a few words.
It was a fabulous moment as we all sat there a little dumbstruck and not one member of the press managed to generate even one question for the media magnate.
After he took his leave, we quickly headed across the lake to Toronto's Centre and Olympic Islands, our home away from home for the next two days for Toronto's third annual Virgin festival.
As we moved rapidly across the festival grounds were were treated to a quick preview of the stage locations and a peek in the Bacardi B live music tent. Inside the Bacardi tent we caught a glimpse of local Techno act Lets go to War rehearsing with the Mustang Marching Band (From a local university who maybe didn't want to endorse an appearance sponsored by an alcohol company?).
It was absolutely invigorating to see the energy in a rehearsal and as we turned back toward the main stage the gates were opened and the concert goers literally ran past us on to the open field
Virginfest day one was on....
Of course then it was off to review our 'digs'. The Virgin media area was fabulous last year and this year was even better. A very very large tent with refreshments, free wifi, lots of seating and room to shmooze. Off to one side, a exclusive media only viewing area, actually a few feet closer than the raised VIP area.
The gorgeous white faux fur chairs were there from last year along with some really cute red chenille heart pillows emblazoned with the Virgin logo.
Within moments the first act had taken to the main stage, Mark Roberston.
I must admit I was more impressed with the fancy inflatable chairs marked "stolen from Virgin fest 2008" than I was with Mr. Robertson's falsetto.
To echo the sentiments of our photographer "Gee, that was a good song when John Mayer did it".
Moving on to the the TD Canada Trust stage we saw the Midway state from Collingwod (just north of Toronto). where I held out against a couple strange impressions until I let the music speak.
First, I was struck by the strange choices made in the handout review pressed into my hand by one of the teenagers wearing a shirt proclaiming the bands name.
It struck me as odd that a band's handout would feature a picture of only one member. And, when listing three flattering review quotes, they would choose to list the best comment from the highest profile reviewer (Toronto star) last. Marketing 101 folks, GRAB their attention then move on...Then, as I watched the last moments of the sound check I had my second negative 'first' impression. The drummer wore what I can simply describe as a 'badly conceived' fashion idea on his head. You know you've seen it its the headband. Ok, lets get it clear, head bands work on two maybe three people, Lights (Valerie - http://www.myspace.com/lightsnoise ) and Olivia Newton John can pull them off. Unless you're gorgeous and FEMALE and about 20, they're a really bad idea. That's pretty much it. Lets everyone else just agree to stop wearing them ok?
So I sighed and dug in, I must admit the hand out featured a quote from the Toronto Star suggesting that their music could stand up against U2's New Years Day or Coldplay. I was intrigued...
I'm glad I stayed.
I was treated to a really interesting performance. Their music is well put together pop with some interesting things going on. First the singer (the guy on the handout who also does the song writing) is a pretty darn good piano player and has one of the nicest smiles I've seen in a good long time. Actually the overall estethic of the band was far more pleasing than the headband mis step caused me to fear. There was some serious orthodonture in their childhoods I think. The Guitarist and bass player were very capable and as the crowd clearly enjoyed themselves there were flashes of really youthful exuberance and joy at just being on the stage for us. Never undersell enthusiasm. They were tight, they were glad to be there and it showed. The music was sweet and young without beng cloying and had a reasonable musical complexity and wall of sound feel that I genuinely wasn't expecting. Really I was pleased. Deeply surprising was their almost BEE GEE's type feel on the vocal stylings of the choruses but it wasn't a bad thing, just yet another surprise from the Midway State.
As they left the stage and I grabbed a seat in the damp grass waiting for Shudder to Think to take the stage I could hear Airborne Toxic Event wafting over from the mainstage. They sounded great but I simply couldn't be in two places at once and since the main stage was running on time so I stayed where I was.
So, I'm gearing up to go shoot A7X tonight at The Sound Academy in Toronto and what do I see on their website? "Show Postponed". A quick check of avengedsevenfold.com confirmed that A7X....
"....must cancel their U.S. shows on the band's current fall tour in order for frontman M. Shadows to rest his voice."
After the buzz buzz buzz about the Stereophonics starting at the surprise Sir Richard Branson appearance at the press briefing I was excited to see them.
Honestly ,while I've heard the name, I couldn't name a song by the Welsh rockers who were the inaugural artists for V2 records back in 1996.
But the acoustic set at the Molson Canadian Tent had been preapproved media only.
Must have been the rain softening the heart of the folks at Molson as they quietly revised their policiy and let a bunch of us in
And what a show it was Only four songs and it was basically the full on sex dream of the true fan. I managed to squeeze to the front just behind a group of rabid British fans. They roared with joy at the slightest whiff of them coming on stage and then fully enjoyed every moment of the band's appearance. It was amazing to see a band this big, for the very,very first time in an ultra intimate acoustic setting.
We were able to watch them come in and then relax after the first two songs, ("Local boy in the photograph" and "Pick a part that's new") explaining that they were desperately hungover after going out for Indian last night with Paul Weller and Oasis who were set to headline the V fest line up ahead of them tonight.
Throughout the third song" Maybe tomorrow", the band began to let go and were clearly enjoying themselves. It was a daylight performance and they were now actually looking the fans in they eye and smiling.
During the last song ("Dakota") when they reached "Drinking back, drinking for two
Drinking with you. When drinking was new" the guitarist and drummer (playing a tambourine) turned to one another with a long meaningful look and laughed outright. Clearly there were echoes of the previous night in those words
It totally wet my appetite for the show later and earned them a fan. Amazing, tight playing in a really wonderful atmosphere.
And frankly given the oh so smooth gravel of Kelly Jones voice, I wonder what the hell took me so long to give them a listen
The Toadies are definitely back and hitting on all 8 cylinders if their series of sold out shows at Austin's Stubb's BarBQ is any indicator. Touring to promote their first studio release since 2001's Stars Above/Hell Below, their new disc No Deliverance picks up pretty much where The Toadies left off 7 years ago sound wise.
Fans began packing the venue as soon as doors opened and it was pretty full by the time I got there. Badging up at the box office I headed in and stopped by the 101x booth to say hello to Trevin, one of their DJ's. After chatting about Austin music politics (there are no politics in Austin music!) I headed off and worked my way to the pit. Jay and Gary would be shooting one of the other shows, but there were still 6 of us scheduled to shoot so the pit could become tight.
That giant sucking sound is the new release by the band Staind called Illusion of Progress, and a more aptly named release I could not suggest. What the fuck happened?
I love Staind. I have worn out my copies of Dysfunction, Break The Cycle, and Chapter V, much to the chagrin of my friends that think all I listen too is hard and fast. I have listened to this over and over and I can find absolutely no re-deeming qualities about this disc at all. Not a single song worth mentioning. In fact I don't think it would even make a good coaster for my coffee table. Maybe I can use it like a mirror to signal low flying aircraft.
Friday, August 29th, 2008
Saturday, August 30th, 2008 The Mohawk(Austin, Texas) Beerland(Austin, Texas)
It was a small but dedicated crowd that packed the plaza that is the outdoor stage of the Mohawk to see the first Wild Weekend Power Pop Festival. Starting out with day shows over at Beerland and moving to the Mohawk for the headliners, old and new punk-poppers gathered to see new bands like Austin's Ugly Beats, old bands like Paul Collin's Beat, and bands doing reunion gigs like The Pointed Sticks and 20/20.
I was able to fade the heat for one night and join in the fun, stopping by to catch the Friday night gigs at The Mohawk making it in time to catch The Ugly Beats from beginning to end. A great Austin band, the go-go boots, twangy Beatle-esque sound, and fading summer light gave the venue the aura of a late 60's beach party. It was dark by the time Nikki Corvette and her band hit the stage, continuing the go-go boots and 60's theme.
I stole upstairs to the patio to try to find Paul Collins and I ended up finding him nursing a beer and a nasty case of laryngitis. Nodding to my questions I tried to toss him yes and no softballs, but it was frustrating for both of us so in the end I wished him a good set, and headed back downstairs to catch the set by The Pointed Sticks.
Reforming after 30 years, these guys drew a big crowd from both their hometown in Vancouver B.C. as well as from around the states. It seemed everyone in the audience knew their music except for me, but I don't think anyone noticed. The crowd was so into the set, many of them ended up onstage for the bands last song.
I stuck around to catch Paul's set as well, but all the traveling and the laryngitis made his voice froggy to the point that it was painful for me to listen too. After the 6th song or so I decided it was time to go and as I headed off up the street I could hear him blasting his way through his catalog.
The Pointed Sticks At The Mohawk - more photos - photo by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
So, I'm gearing up to go shoot A7X tonight at The Sound Academy in Toronto and what do I see on 
Stereophonics!
Sluruuuuuururururururrrrppp.
