Sunday, May 30. 2010
The 9th annual Bonnaroo Music Festival descended on Manchester Tennessee from June 10-13. A capacity crowd of 75,000 enjoyed acts like the Dave Matthews Band, the John Butler Trio, Jay Z, Jeff Beck, Stevie Wonder, Isis, Tori Amos, Against Me, Phoenix and so many more.
Click here to check out the 2010 Bonnaroo photos by Michael Hurcomb Staff Photographer | 
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Wednesday, May 26. 2010
 | by Rhonda Meredith - Contributing Writer & Photographer
In 1997, the last episode of “Married With Children” aired, the Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, the Dow Jones closed over 7,000 and Fuel’s original drummer Jody Abbott left the band. Since that time, Fuel was a band in its evolution infancy.
In 2006, the last episode of “That 70s Show” aired, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, the Dow Jones closed over 11,000 and Fuel’s original singer Brett Scallions left the band.
Now in 2010, Fuel is re-fueled to ignite a new generation of fans and satisfy the original “Fuelies” that have been waiting patiently for their beloved Brett Scallions to return as the frontman. Scallions has now created a lineup that will bring Fuel to a successful new beginning.
| “The lineup I put together for Fuel is not meant to replace or diminish what any of the original members created. Just the opposite, it is to give our fans a live destination, and to keep the Fuel name alive for a new generation to discover," says Scallions.
In addition to Scallions (vocals), rounding out the lineup is Brad Stewart (from Shinedown on bass), Ken Schalk (from Candiria on drums) and Yogi (from Buckcherry/Wallflowers on guitar).
Fuel recently made a tour stop at Scout Bar Houston and performed to a packed crowd. It was good to see that nothing in the performance had diminished over time. Scallions was right on with the vocals and the new lineup seemed like they had been playing songs like "Shimmer", "Bad Day" and "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)" for a very long time as they had the same rocking quality now as they did then. Read more about Fuel’s new tour on their website, Myspace or Facebook!
Check out photos from the concert HERE. |  |
Monday, May 24. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
Numerous media sources are reporting that Paul Gray 38, long time bass player for heavy metal band Slipknot, was found dead in a Urbandale, Iowa hotel room this morning. In a band known for hiding their faces behind masks, Gray was known as “No. 2” or “The Pig.” Police said there was no evidence of foul play, and a complete investigation will be completed by Urbandale police detectives and an autopsy, including toxicology testing, will be conducted Tuesday by the Polk County Medical Examiner’s office.
One of the 3 remaining founding members of Slipknot, Paul Gray was born in Los Angeles, before his family relocated to Des Moines.
Click here for Paul Gray and Slipknot pics.
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Thursday, May 20. 2010
         
 | by Rhonda Meredith - Contributing Writer & Photographer
Houston rock band DEV ELECTRIC opened the show for Fuel at Scout Bar Houston last week. The members of DEV ELECTRIC used to be in Glass Intrepid. For twelve years, they were a Houston favorite and performed at Buzzfest, Warped Tour and opened for numerous national acts like Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin and Three Doors Down for example.
But now, with a new name and equipped with their extensive knowledge of what it takes to be successful, DEV ELECTRIC is poised to take Houston over with their impressive new venture. They are bursting back on the scene armed with a new cd loaded with songs that are familiar as well as catchy. This is sure to make diehard Glass Intrepid fans happy and easily win over new fans at each and every show. Without a doubt, it was awesome performance of pure rock and roll energy.
DEV ELECTRIC is Bryan Scott (vocals), Kyle LeBlanc (bass), Raf Rivera (guitar), and Stu Legge (drums). The band has signed with Silver Tongue Management (John Gomez/John Moyer of Disturbed) out of Austin, TX.
If you missed DEV ELECTRIC at Scout Bar, Fitzgeralds or House of Blues, save the date for Warehouse Live, RocBar or even June 12th where they will be back at Scout Bar Houston opening for The Veer Union!
Keep up with the show dates and band information on Myspace and/or Facebook.
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Tuesday, May 18. 2010
Photos and review by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer club.kingsnake.com
What a difference a few months make. 7 months ago the new supergroup Them Crooked Vultures played to a sold out crowd at Toronto's Sound Academy. Sold out being around 3,000 people which is pretty good considering their debut CD release was a month away and only some song clips had been heard at that point. What brought 3,000 people to a club was the chance to see legends - John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme. The intimacy of a club coupled with the thunder they created was an unbelievable experience. But what happens if you put the same band in a stadium holding 12,000 die hard fans? You get almost the same experience but not quite as magical. Why?
Well it certainly has nothing to do with musicianship. They rhythm section have aged a year since their last Toronto show (Grohl recently turned 41 and JPJ 66) and play at a level unattainable by any musician in their 20's. And Josh "Ginger Elvis" Homme is a great vocalist and guitar player, albeit an occasionally awkward lead singer. These guys really play off each other and enjoy every second of it. They're a much tighter unit than they were when they began the tour and are much more comfortable with the songs. But the songs are the problem. In a club this type of jam band material works. The crowd is at your feet and it creates an energy in the room. But when you drop the same few guys onto a blank stage (with bad sound) and the same club light show they just seem lost. These aren't stadium anthems that the crowd stomps their feet to and sings along. Them Crooked Vultures play and you watch in awe but don't feel as engaged. Don't get me wrong; this is fantastic material and the two new songs they played show the promise of what will come from their followup CD. Being a photographer I was thrilled to be down front when they started the show with "Nobody Loves You and Neither Do I" (Best on the CD in my opinion) but it might have been better used toward the end of the show to bring the crowd to their feet.
Them Crooked Vultures are still an act you need to see and not just hear on a CD or on the radio. No one plays or sounds like them right now and that's saying a lot. See them while you can because their day jobs (Foo Fighters / QOTSA) will steal them away soon enough.
Click here to check out the rest of the Them Crooked Vultures photos by Michael Hurcomb Staff Photographer
C3 Presents has announced this years Austin City Limits Festival lineup. As usual things happen, tours change, bands are added, dropped. Watch this space for further updates.
Sunday, May 16. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
Heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio passed awayafter treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas this morning after losing his fight with stomach cancer.
I saw Ronnie perform with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and then finally in 2008 with Heaven and Hell. One of the best (if not the best) metal vocalist, I will always remember driving around with Kerry King of Slayer arguing over who was the better front man for Sabbath, and argument neither of us was willing to give ground over even later at the bar after many Jägermeisters. In the end we both agreed he was probably the best metal vocalist overall, leaving the Sabbath question to be resolved later.
Click here for Ronnie James Dio and Heaven and Hell pics.
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by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer | Rock lobster anyone?
For those lucky enough to be in the sold out crowd gathered at Austin intimate La Zona Rosa that and many other B-52s hits were on the menu, though with enough of their later material that it couldn't be referred too as 80s night.
It was a distinctly older crowd that packed the venue, though many seemed to have brought kids as small groups of teens and pre-teens could be seen in the audience. Everyone had fun, even though it was crowded and hot, and I found it difficult to not sing along with the band, as did many others. In fact as I headed out for the night I trailed a couple women who wandered off to their car singing "Roam". It's always fun to see a big act in a small club, rather than something like the Erwin Center, I wish it would happen more often. For a look at the set list click here.
Austin power pop fav's The Ugly Beats put on a strong opening set that fit well. It's good to see them on a larger stage.
Click here to check out the rest of the B-52 pics.
Click here to check out the Ugly Beats pics.
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Friday, May 14. 2010
 | by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
Illinois natives Chevelle pulled into Austin's Stubb's BarBQ Wednesday night to a venue packed with fans ready to hear the crunchy bass lines and brooding lyrics that characterize their music. With a darkly lit stage the band rumbled its way through a set heavy in hits like a 69 with with headers, pipes and glass packs. Chevelle is touring the states through the end of August so now would be a good time to catch them.
Openers Nico Vega put on a spectacular opening set followed by After Midnight Project. Nico Vega has established a large local following with their shows at SXSW and other events.
Click here for the rest of the Chevelle pics.
Click here for Nico Vega pics
Click here for After Midnight Project pics
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Monday, May 10. 2010
A-Ha played to a sold out crowd as part of their Ending On A High Note World Tour. The Norwegian band have been international superstars since their breakthrough in 1985 with the groundbreaking "Take On Me" video
Click here to check out the rest of the A-Ha. photos by Michael Hurcomb Staff Photographer |  |  |  |
Thursday, May 6. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
Kingston Jamaica native and true "roots reggae" all stars, Frederick "Toots" Hibbert brought his band the Maytals to Austin's La Zona Rosa last night and despite a late gate and late start still managed to keep their fans happy.
Contemporaries of the Wailers, the Maytals catalog goes all the way back to the early 60s' and it was great to see this legendary band work their way through their classic hits. Touring the states til early June, this is a must see.
Opening for the Maytal's were Florida based Johnny King and the Solrockers who sounded quite a bit like Little Feat.
Click here for the rest of the Toots and the Maytals pics.
Click here for Johnny King and the Solrockers pics
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Wednesday, May 5. 2010
 | by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
With a 9pm start for a 3 band show it was a late night for a Monday for both staff and fans at Austin's La Zona Rosa, but the the crowd still turned out to see Kentucky's latest hot export, Cage The Elephant.
A 2007 SXSW breakout band still touring supporting the release of their 2008 debut album on EMI, they are being propelled along right now on the strength of their monster single "Ain't No Rest For the Wicked".
Known for their frantic stage shows, Cage The Elephant didn't disappoint its fans and seemed to attract some interesting attention, with Terry Lickona from Austin City Limits being spotted in the crowd, perhaps scouting for a future show appearance.
This would be a fantastic band to see on the PBS show, but if nothing else you can check out this great band yourself, they will be touring small clubs coast to coast through the end of June. This will be one of those bands that 10 years from now you can say "yeah I saw them at a little club".
Opening the show were Nashville's AutoVaughn and Portlands Morning Teleportation that both put on solid sets.
Click here for the rest of the Cage The Elephant pics.
Click for AutoVaughn and Morning Teleportation pics |  |
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