Jason Michael Paul talks about “Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” Tour

Jason Michael Paul is the producer of the new show “Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses”, which is currently on tour and heading to a town near you.  If you are a fan of Zelda, this is an event you will not want to miss.  Jason Michael is also known for his work with the show “Play: A Video Game Symphony”.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Jason Michael about the Zelda show and what we can expect.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you tell us about bringing “Legend of Zelda” to a symphony tour?
Jason Michael Paul: I have been doing things like this since 2004. I first did it with the music from “Final Fantasy”. Since then I have created a show called “Play: A Video Game Symphony” which premiered in Chicago in 2006. I have developed a track record and worked with Nintendo along the way. With the 25th anniversary of “Zelda” coming up I had the idea to do a “Legends of Zelda” Symphony tour. It just so happened that everyone was interested. We had just planned to do a symphonic recording which was going to be part of a bundle that included the newest installment of Zelda “Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword”. From there we initially planned 3 concerts which were going to be held in Los Angeles, Tokyo and London. Those ended up selling out in record time and we decided to put together the “Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” tour. This tour is exclusive to the Zelda property.

MG: What would you say was the most difficult aspect of creating the tour?
JMP: This project has been a joy. There haven’t been a lot of obstacles. It has been a phenomenal collaboration between my company and Nintendo. They have been really great to work with and have given us all the access to the likenesses of their characters. It’s been really great and smooth sailing.

MG: What do you enjoy most about the music from Zelda?
JMP: I have done a lot of concerts as I have been in this business for 15 years. I have always had a problem watching my own shows because I see everything. This show I have been able to sit back and watch from beginning to end. To me that is really the most truthful testament to this project. I feel so confidant and am so proud that I can watch it from beginning to end. That is the best thing for me.

MG: How does your work on this project differ from your previous work?
JMP: I have been very fortunate enough to work and develop a relationship with Chad Seiter. He has single handedly put an amazing touch on this project. Hands down he is one of the most talented people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He has been the real difference in this project. I feel honored to work with him.

MG: What is your favorite game series?
JMP: I would have to say that “Grain of Time” is right up there but “Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” is very close to my heart. I actually worked on that game. We did the orchestration that accompanied the game. This was the first time that Nintendo had done anything like this. Being asked to create something like this for them really resonated with me. That title is closest to me because I participated in creating it.

MG: What do you have planned next?
JMP: I am busy with “Play”. When I am not doing Zelda I am doing that. I am sort of a serial entrepreneur as I always have several irons in the fire. I love to create brands and identities. I am just going to continue with what I am doing.

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: goddesses, jason, legend, michael, paul, symphony, ...

Concert Review “MassChaos Tour 2012″ Godsmack, Staind, Halestorm

“MassChaos Tour 2012”
Godsmack, Staind, Halestorm, Brook Royal
Date: Sunday, May 13th 2012
Venue: Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The “MassChaos Tour” made a stop at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, NY on Sunday May 13th.The tour consists of native Massachusetts’s bands Godsmack and Staind along with special guests Halestorm and Brook Royal. This tour marks the first time the two Mass. natives have toured together.

The Broome County Veterans Arena is an older venue which is in desperate need of some upgrades. The venues biggest issue is the small entrance which caused fans to be backed up around the entire venue causing extremely long wait times. Once in the venue though fans were treated to a brief set by the band Brook Royal. Though I found the band to be nothing out of the ordinary they did use their time on stage wisely by playing song after song. Halestorm took the stage next and struggled through a number of mic issues which seemed to plague vocalist/guitarist Lzzy Hale resulting in her being very difficult to hear. Co-headliner Staind would be up next and treated the crowd to a strobe light induced barf fest as they played a spattering of songs tinged with hits such as “Outside” and “It’s been Awhile”. I found the bands performance to be stiff and somewhat boring. At times it seemed as though lead singer Aaron Lewis was just going through the proverbial motions. Despite my feelings towards the performance fans were on their feet showing their appreciation from start to the very end of the bands hour long set. Godsmack would close out the night and though the production of the show was much more scaled back than previous tours the band still

delivered. Front man Sully Erna worked the crowd back and forth as the night progressed kicking off songs such as “Keep Away” and “Cryin’ Like a Bitch”. Before the night was over Erna and drummer Shannon Larkin put the icing on the cake by treating the crowd to their signature dueling drum solos. This has been an amazing Godsmack live staple since the group’s 2003 Faceless tour.

Though the show had some technical difficulties and abbreviated sets the Binghamton crowd seemed appreciative of all the bands performances. The bands also seemed appreciative even though the venue was only about half full. There are few bands out there today still willing to tour outside the major markets and play smaller venues however the “MassChaos Tour” is making stops all over the U.S. which is something that I think is really great. If the tour is coming to a city near you make sure you check it out.

Halestorm Set List:
1.) Love Bites (So Do I)
2.) Mz. Hyde
3.) I Miss the Misery
4.) Freak Like Me
5.) Familiar Taste of Poison
6.) Rock Show
7.) It’s Not You
8.) Here’s to Us

Staind Set List:
1.) Raw
2.) Right Here
3.) Eyes Wide Open
4.) Spleen
5.) Failing
6.) So Far Away
7.) Now
8.) Country Boy
9.) For You
10.) Paper Wings
11.) Outside
12.) Not Again
13.) It’s Been Awhile
14.) Mudshovel
15.) Something to Remind You

Godsmack Set List:
1.) Awake
2.) The Enemy
3.) Good Day to Die
4.) Keep Away
5.) The oracle
6.) Love, Hate, Sex, Pain
7.) Cryin’ Like a Bitch
8.) Rocky Mountain Way
9.) Voodoo
10.) Batalla de Los Tambores
11.) Whatever
12.) I Stand Alone

 

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 2012, concert, godsmack, halestorm, masschaos, review, ...

Concert Review: “End Game Tour 2012” Rise Against, A Day To Remember &Title Fight

“End Game Tour 2012”
Rise Against, A Day To Remember, Title Fight
Date: Tuesday, May 8th 2012
Venue: New York State Fairgrounds

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Rise Against played the Chevy Court at the New York State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, May 8th as part of the bands “End Game 2012 Tour” The tour is in support of the band’s latest album of the same name which was release earlier this year. The tour line-up also featured Title Fight and the always entertaining A Day To Remember. Even though the weather at times was not the best causing a number of giant mud pits each of the three bands put on a solid performance for the assembled crowd.

Title Fight from Kingston, PA kicked off the show and received a warm reception from the crowd which was a mixture of styles and ages. Crowd favorite A Day To Remember were up next and once the band hit the stage the energy level went through the roof. The bands set featured flying beach balls, toilet paper and a giant hamster ball which singer Jeremy McKinnon used to walk over the top of the crowd. The later part of the bands set featured some of the bands more popular songs such as “Better Off This Way” and “All I Want”. As the storm clouds began to move in and day shifted to night headliner Rise Against would take the stage. After a brief intro taken from the 1970 film “Catch-22” the band launched into a thought provoking, energy filled set. The band wasted no time and played song after song. Though the band sounded muffled at time their set was still very tight. The set featured a number of Rise Against staples as well as some new songs off of the “End game” album. Later in the set fans were treated to an acoustic performance of “Swing Life Away” and a few other acoustic numbers. The band closed out the night with an extended version of the hit song “Savior” which left the muddy masses tired but still had them begging for more.

A Day to Remember Set List:
1.) The Downfall Of Us All
2.) A Shot in the Dark
3.) I’m Made of Wax Larry, What Are You Made Of?
4.) My Life For Hire
5.) All Signs Point to Lauderdale
6.) 2nd Sucks
7.) You Be Tails, I’ll Be Sonic
8.) It’s Complicated
9.) Homesick
10.) Better Off This Way
11.) Have Faith In Me
12.) All I Want
13.) The Plot to Bomb The Panhandle
Rise Against Set List:
1.) Survivor Guilt
2.) Ready to Fall
3.) Collapse (Post-Amerika)
4.) The Good Left Undone
5.) Broken English
6.) Help Is on the Way
7.) Disparity by Design
8.) Drones
9.) Re-Education (Through Labor)
10.) Blood to Bleed
11.) Satellite
12.) Paper Wings
13.) Prayer of the Refugee
14.) Audience of One
15.) Swing Life Away
16.) Make It Stop
17.) Give It All
18.) Midnight Hands
19.) The Strength to Go On
20.) Savior

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 2012, concert, day, fight, game, remember, ...

Meet Stars of Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich’s “The Devil Carnival” When Tour Comes to Your City!

Do you want to meet the stars and minds behind the new musical movie sensation, THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL, face-to-face? Now is your chance! THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL team recently confirmed the list of cast and crew appearing on each date of this exclusive road tour and are now revealing this list to the world!

The creators of the film, director Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich (Lucifer), are scheduled to appear at each tour stop and will be joined at several exclusive showings by numerous stars of the film. The stars will participate in meet & greets, Q&A forums, sing-a-longs, and more! See below for a list of the cast and crew currently confirmed to appear on the tour and stay tuned for more appearance confirmations for the remainder of the tour coming soon.

***Stars CONFIRMED to join THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL creators Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich on the tour are:

TUCSON, AZ
Marc Senter

EL PASO, TX
Hannah Minx

HOUSTON, TX
Hannah Minx

AUSTIN, TX
Hannah Minx

DALLAS, TX
Hannah Minx

NASHVILLE, TN
J LaRose

ATLANTA, GA
J LaRose

ORLANDO, FL
J LaRose

TAMPA, FL
Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch

CHARLOTTE, NC
Ivan Moody

RICHMOND, VA
Ivan Moody
J LaRose

PITTSBURGH, PA
Briana Evigan

BALTIMORE, MD
Briana Evigan

NEW YORK CITY, NY
Briana Evigan

CHICAGO, IL
Emilie Autumn

DES MOINES, IA
Emilie Autumn
M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan

KANSAS CITY, KS
Emilie Autumn

MORE BEING ADDED SOON!

***All celebrity special guests are confirmed on tour but are subject to cancellation due to professional commitments outside of THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL’S control. Please visit our official Facebook page for tour news and updates: www.facebook.com/devilscarnival.

Buy your tickets NOW to experience the devilish insanity in person with your favorite actors and musicians. Keep in mind, THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL can only be seen on this exclusive tour, so you must attend a showing to witness the madness!

See below for all CONFIRMED cities and theaters showing THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL and buy your tickets here: http://thedevilscarnivaltour.eventbrite.com/

4/9 – Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Loft Cinema

4/11 – El Paso, TX @ El Paso Starplex

4/12 – Austin, TX @ Alamo South Lamar

4/13 – Houston, TX @ Alamo Drafthouse

4/14 – Dallas, TX @ Lakewood Theater

4/17 – Nashville, TN @ The Nashville Limelight

4/18 – Atlanta, GA @ The Plaza Theater

4/19 – Orlando, FL @ The Premiere Cinema 14 (at Fashion Square Mall)

4/20 – Tampa, FL @ The Tampa Pitcher Show

4/21 – Charlotte, NC @ The Neighborhood Theater

4/22 – Richmond, VA @ The Byrd

4/24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Hollywood Theater

4/25 – Baltimore, MD @ The Charles Theatre

4/26 – New York, NY @ Times Scare NYC

4/27 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Painted Bride

4/28 – South Hadley, MA @ The Tower Theater

4/29 – Boston, MA @ The Foxboro Theater

5/1 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Toronto Underground Theater

5/2 – Toledo, OH @ Collingwood Arts Center

5/3 – Chicago, IL @ The Music Box Theater

5/4 – Des Moines, IA @ The Fluer Cinema Cafe

5/5 – Kansas City, KS @ Leawood Cinema Theater

5/6 – Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater

5/7 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Tower Theater

5/9 – Seattle, WA @ The Admiral Theater

5/10 – Portland, OR @ The Clinton St. Theater

5/11 – Sacramento, CA @ The Colonial Theater

For more information and to view the official trailer, visit http://www.TheDevilsCarnival.com.

Purchase the sinister THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL soundtrack at www.TheDevilsCarnival.com, iTunes, or Amazon.com!

THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL is produced by EMPIRE FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT GROUP. Executive producer credit goes to Stephen Ruff and Thomas M Kastelz.

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: bousman, carnival, darren, devil, lynn, meet, ...

Concert Review: Thomas Dolby “Time Capsule Tour” Ridgefield, CT

Thomas Dolby
“Time Capsule Tour”
The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
March 31, 2012

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

“I keep hearing about artists who have made a big comeback album after 2 years. Try two decades.”

Yes, indeed: it’s been 20 years since Thomas Dolby released his last disc comprised of original material, 1992’s “Astronauts & Heretics”. And it’s been 30 years since the release of his signature hit song, “She Blinded Me With Science”, in 1982.

None of the elapsed decades seemed to make any difference whatsoever at the Ridgefield Playhouse stop of Thomas’ appropriately-named “Time Capsule” tour, though. Throughout the entire show, Dolby more than adequately proved that his abilities as both a musician and a songwriter have not diminished one iota over the course of time that he’s been largely absent from the music scene. And he’s still one hell of a storyteller, both in terms of lyrics and between-song recollections and anecdotes that are full of his distinct British wit and accessible sophistication.

Even though Dolby may be dismissed by most as an 80’s one-hit-wonder, his musical catalog has always showcased a myriad of musical styles and influences – all of which he handles with a degree of mastery that makes each foray its own wonderful little aural journey. The cross-section of songs played in Ridgefield readily displayed this as Dolby bounced from quiet piano ballads (“Love is a Loaded Pistol”) to ethereal jazz crooning (“The Flat Earth”) and even some toe-tappin’ knee-slapping country bluegrass (“The Toad Lickers”).

Unlike his one-man “Sole Inhabitant” tour in 2006 in which he surrounded himself on three sides with an array of techogadgetry and delivered songs entirely synthesized, Dolby brought along a backing band this time around. Comprised of drummer Matt Hector and guitarist Kevin Armstrong (with occasional appearances by opening act bluegrass musicians Aaron Jonah Lewis and Ben Belcher), his musical entourage added the right level of instrumentation to Dolby’s songs – never overpowering the maestro’s keyboards but never slipping too far into the background as to become irrelevant.

The 110-minute, 16-song set concert touched upon all of five of his studio releases, including his most-recent release, “A Map of the Floating City”. There was even time for one mega-obscurity: 1986’s collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Field Work”, a song that had never appeared on a Dolby album until the 2009 reissue of his debut disc, “The Golden Age of Wireless”. And, of course, a little bit of “Science” was thrown in for good measure.

It’s refreshing to have Dolby back on the scene performing music that’s every bit as powerful as it was decades ago as well as new material that easily matches the caliber of his earlier work. In a day and age that seems to produce so few virtuoso musicians, Dolby’s “Time Capsule” is a pill that, when taken, reminds us how rich and rewarding pop music can be when prescribed by someone as gifted as he genuinely is. One can only hope that Thomas doesn’t go on another multi-year sabbatical. I’m going to need a refill sooner than that.

To read Dave’s interview with Thomas Dolby, please click here.
To read Dave’s review of Thomas Dolby’s “A Map of the Floating City”, please click here.

For more information about Thomas Dolby, visit www.thomasdolby.com

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Concert Review “The Toasters 30th Anniversary Tour” Ithaca, NY

“The Toasters 30th Anniversary Tour”
The Toasters, The Rudie Crew, The XSKAVATORS
Date: Friday, February 24th 2012
Venue: The Haunt, Ithaca, NY

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Toasters 30th Anniversary tour made a stop in the eclectic college town of Ithaca, NY on Feb. 24th where they performed to a diverse crowd sprinkled with punks and old school rude boys. The first group to take the stage was The Rudie Crew who like The Toasters hail from New York, New York. The group performed a 40 minute set playing what could be described as Rasta infused ska music. The group provided an upbeat performance which got the crowd instantly off their checker clad feel. Home town favorites The XSKAVATORS would take the stage next performing their own unique version of early traditional ska.

The Toasters would close out the night providing me with some great flash back moments from the first time I saw the band some 13 years ago. Lead vocalist and guitarist Robert “Bucket” Hingley and his band belted out such classic hits as “2 Tone Army, “Dub 56” and “Weekend in LA”. As the crowd continued to skank their way through the evening the band closed out the night with their classic anthem “Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down”. Though the band now features a stripped down 5 piece line up The Toasters still provided their signature big band sound. The only negative from the night came in the way of time. The first group did not take the stage until 10:30pm which was an hour and a half after their scheduled time. After two stage changes and 3 full sets of music the show finally wrapped up at around 2 am making for a very long night.

The Toasters Set List:
1.)    House of Soul
2.)    Two Tone Army
3.)    Shocker
4.)    I’m Running Right Through the World
5.)    East Side Beat
6.)    Run Rudy Run
7.)    Social Security
8.)    Pirate Radio
9.)    Sitting on Top of the World
10.)  Dub 56
11.)  History Book
12.)  Talk is Cheap
13.)  Dog Eat Dog
14.)  Ploughshares Into Guns
15.)  Matt Davis
16.)  One Track Mind
17.)  Weekend in LA
18.)  Decision at Midnight
19.)  Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 30th, anniversary, concert, review, toasters, tour, ...

Rod Stewart & Stevie Nicks “The Heart & Soul Tour” Heads to Orlando, FL on on August 3rd, 2012

ROD STEWART & STEVIE NICKS | HEART & SOUL TOUR
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2012 | 7:30PM
AMWAY CENTER | ORLANDO, FLORIDA
ON SALE:     SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012 | 10:00AM

ORLANDO, FLORIDA [February 23, 2012] – Legendary rockers Rod Stewart & Stevie Nicks today announced plans to reunite this summer and reprise their highly acclaimed, co-headlining “Heart & Soul Tour.”

“I couldn’t be happier to be back on board with Stevie this summer,” Rod Stewart said. “We had fantastic fun on the road together last spring and I’m thrilled at the chance to bring it to new cities and fans this summer.”

Celebrated by both fans and critics alike, Rod and Stevie first joined forces in the spring of 2011 for their acclaimed “Heart & Soul Tour.”  The 18-concert arena tour was highlighted by two sold-out shows at both New York’s Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.  The 3+ hour show featured individual heart-pumping sets loaded with all of their biggest hits – opening with Stevie’s and closing with Rod’s – with a few rousing duets in the middle. US Weekly called the show “magical,” with a set list that “sparked non-stop cheers from the sold-out masses,” and the Boston Globe declared “Stewart & Nicks make a classic combination” delivering sold-out audiences a “hits-packed night of crystal visions and reasons to believe.”

In a career spanning five decades, Rod Stewart has amassed an estimated 250 million in album and single sales and an incredible 16 Grammy nominations.  In April, he will join the elite list of artists who are 2x Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees (as a solo artist and soon as a member of the seminal 60s rock band, the Faces). On March 24, he will return to Las Vegas for an 8-concert-run of “The Hits” – part of his immensely popular first residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Stevie Nicks is a multi-Grammy Award Winner as a solo artist and member of the legendary Fleetwood Mac and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.  Her new CD “In Your Dreams” debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and has received glowing reviews from numerous outlets, including US Magazine who declared it “the best album of Nicks’ four decade career.”

TICKETS:  $45, $85 & $145.  Buy tickets at amwaycenter.com, Amway Center box office, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.  All dates, act(s) and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.  All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling and facility fee charges.  For Amway Center box office and ticket information, visit amwaycenter.com (phone purchases are not available through the Amway Center box office).  The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue. 

ABOUT AMWAY CENTER

The Orlando Magic served as the developer of the Amway Center, which hosts major national events, concerts and family shows.  Opened in the fall of 2010, the facility is owned and operated by the City of Orlando on behalf of the Central Florida community. The Amway Center was designed to reflect the character of the community, meet the goals of the users and build on the legacy of sports and entertainment in Orlando. The building’s exterior features a modern blend of glass and metal materials, along with ever-changing graphics via a monumental wall along one facade. A 180-foot tall tower serves as a beacon amid the downtown skyline. At 875,000 square feet, the new arena is almost triple the size of the old Amway Arena (367,000 square feet). The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified building features a sustainable, environmentally-friendly design and unmatched technology, featuring 1,100 digital monitors, the tallest high-definition video board in an NBA venue and multiple premium amenities available to all patrons in the building.  For more information about the Amway Center, visit www.amwaycenter.com.

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Filed Under: Music Headlines Tagged With: 2012, 3rd, august, fl, heads, heart, ...

Concert Review “Van Halen: A Different Kind of Truth Tour”, Buffalo, NY

“A Different Kind of Truth Tour”
Van Halen, Kool & the Gang
Date: Friday, March 9th 2012
Venue: First Niagara Center Buffalo, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Van Halen made a stop at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY on March 9th as part of their “A Different Kind of Truth” tour. The tour is in support of the band’s latest album of the same name and, is the first studio recording to feature original vocalist David Lee Roth since 1984. The unlikely act of Kool & the Gang would kick off the show playing an hour long set that filled the arena with the bands own special blend of R&B. Fans present for the group’s performance seemed a little baffled as to why this style of band was opening for a rock act. This question has plagued the tour since the line ups initial announcement and it will mostly likely be noted as one of the more odd tour line ups.

Van Halen would take the stage after a brief intermission and seemed to catch the crowd off guard as the set was kicked off by Alex Van Halen blasting into the classic Kinks song “You Really got Me” all while the house lights were still up. Within seconds the rest of the band was on stage and the crowd was on their feet. A place they would remain their throughout the rest of the evening. Though the show did not appear to be a sellout fans in attendance were treated to classic Roth era hits such as “Everybody Wants Some!!”, “Dance the Night Away” and “Jump”. The set also featured several new tracks off the bands newly released album. The entire band sounded and looked great. Each member appeared to be in great spirits as there was a lot of interaction between the members. I felt the set list for the night could have featured a few more of the bands hits and, I think everyone in attendance would have really enjoyed Michael Anthony back on bass completing the bands classic original line-up. One could only hope that we see that reunion sooner than later.

Van Halen Set List:
1.) You Really Got Me
2.) Runnin’ With the Devil
3.) She’s the Woman
4.) Romeo Delight
5.) Tattoo
6.) Everybody Wants Some!!
7.) Somebody Get Me a Doctor
8.) China Town
9.) Hear About it Later
10.) Oh, Pretty Woman
11.) Drum Solo
12.) Unchained
13.) The Trouble with Never
14.) Dance the Night Away
15.) I’ll Wait
16.) Hot For Teacher
17.) Women in Love
18.) Girl Gone Bad
19.) Beautiful Girls
20.) Ice Cream Man
21.) Panama
22.) Guitar Solo
23.) Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
24.) Jump

 

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Concert Review “Reborn In Defiance Tour” Syracuse, NY

“Reborn In Defiance Tour”
Biohazard, Sworn Enemy, Ghost Ship, Caustic Method, Jonestown
Date: Wednesday, February 8th 2012
Venue: Station 58, Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Biohazard brought their brand of NY hardcore to Station 58 in Syracuse, NY on Wed. Feb. 8th and even though the turn out for the show was somewhat small and, Biohazard guitarist Bobby Hambel was suffering from pneumonia the Brooklyn born band still put on a great show for all those in attendance.

Jonestown hailing from Watertown, NY kicked off the show as fans slowly made their way through the intimate venues door. A small number of people posed no problem for the band as they put on performance as though the venue was filled to capacity. Fan favorite Caustic Method took the stage in the form of a 3 piece due in part to still training a new guitar player. You wouldn’t have known the band was playing a man down as they blasted through a 30 minute set which had people banging their heads and pumping their fists. Syracuse’s own Ghost Ship followed and performed a solid straight edge filled set reminiscent of early spirit 90’s era Earth Crisis shows.

Veteran hardcore group Sworn Enemy was on next and after a brief stage change proceeded to kick the night/crowd into a giant circle pit of fury. Performing a variety of songs from the bands 17 year career did a great job of priming the crowd for what was to come. As soon as their last song was done the crowd pushed forward in preparation for the nights headlining act to take the stage.

Biohazard helmed by energetic vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei hit the stage at 10pm and for one sweat filled hour packed enough punch in their set to knock out the likes of UFC champion Anderson Silva. Despite guitarist Bobby Hambel suffering from a severe case of pneumonia he played as nothing was wrong and only paused for a brief second to throw up behind his amp once or twice. The set list featured a variety of classic songs and a few songs of the band’s latest album titled “Reborn in Defiance”. Even though the bands line up was not fully the original due to former bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld leaving the band last year Scott Roberts did a great job filling the void. On February 8th, Biohazard proved to Syracuse, NY that they are still the raining kings on NYC hardcore.

Biohazard Set List:
1. Urban Discipline
2. What Makes Us Tick
3. Chamber Spins Three
4. Reborn
5. Black and White and Red All Over
6. Retribution
7. Down For Life
8. Come Alive
9. Vengeance is Mine
10. Shades of Grey
11. Love Denied
12. Howard Beach
13. Punishment
14. Hold My Own

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Concert Review “Children of Bodom’s 15th Anniversary Tour” Rochester, NY

“Children of Bodom’s 15th Anniversary Tour”
Children of Bodom, Eluveite, Revocation and Threat Signal
Date: Monday, January 30th 2012
Venue: Water St. Music Hall, Rochester, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

January 30th ad the Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY played host to the third show of a 36 date tour which is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Finnish heavy metal group Children of Bodom. Along with Children of Bodom the nights line up featured special guests Eluveite, Revocation and Threat Signal.

Ontario, Canada’s Threat Signal kicked off the show playing a blend of harmony infused metal that did a great job priming the audience. Though their set was brief the band seemed to put everything they had into their performance. Revocation would take the stage next and treated the crowd to what could be described as Mid-Evil Metal. Front man Dave Davidson did a great job of setting the story for each epic song prior to its performance. This only seemed to draw the crowd more into the band’s blend of progressive, mystically tinged music.

The 8 piece Celtic-metal group known as Eluveite would be up next and despite every inch of the stage being filled with band members and instruments Eluveite stole the show. Lead vocalist Chrigel Glanzmann had the crowd in the palm of his hand during the bands 40 min. set. Chrigel and the rest of the band filled the venue with a variety of unique sound normally not heard in the metal genre. The band performed a number of tracks off their 2010 release “Everything Remains (As It Never Was)” album as well as a few new songs off the upcoming “Helvetios” album. After an impressive 40 min. performance the band left the stage to repeated chants of “one more song”.

Children of Bodom closed out the night treating the fans with songs that spanned their 15 year career. Front man Alexi Laiho put on a blinding display of guitar playing only further confirming why he is often considered one of the top metal guitarists of the day. Through most of the set I found Alexi’s vocals hard to hear over the deafening roar of guitar and drums. This could have been attributed to the tour being only on its third show and still having some bugs needing to be worked out or, the band is really just the loud. Over all the bands performance was ok. Personally I would have liked to have heard one or two covers tracks off the bands “Blooddrunk” album.

If you have never seen Children of Bodom before I highly recommend making out to one of the shows on this tour. I recommend getting their early as the entire tour package is really solid. Also you definitely won’t want to miss Eluveite.

Children of Bodom Set List:
1. Shovel Knockout
2. Are You Dead Yet?
3. Not My Funeral
4. Kissing the Shadows
5. Living Dead Beat
6. Round Trip to Hell and Back
7. COB/Deadnight Warrior/Hate Me!
8. SixPounder
9. BloodDrunk
10. Angels Don’t Kill
11. In Your Face
12. HCDR
13. Bodom After Midnight
14. Bodom Beach Terror
15. Downfall

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Concert Review “Jimmy Buffett: Welcome to Fin Land Tour 2012” Anway Center, Orlando FL

Artist: Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band
Date: February 4th, 2012
Venue: Amway Center- Orlando, FL
Tour: Welcome to Fin Land

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

I have been a fan of Jimmy Buffett for at least the past 15 years or so but I am embarrassed to say that I have never attended a live concert. Now if you are Buffett fan or a Parrothead as they are called you know that it is the only way to party and listen to his music. Let me tell you one thing, FL knows how to party. It was quite an experience and I have to say Jimmy Buffett and his band, The Coral Reefers, really know how to put on a performance. There was so much energy in the Amway Center,  it was extremely infectious.

You know you are going to have a great time that before the concert even begins within the audience there is probably around 50 beach balls flying in every single direction. When Jimmy and the band takes the stand you just couldn’t help but shoot up out of your seat and scream! For someone like Jimmy Buffett that has been touring since 1976, you would think that this was his first time out. He sang his songs, barefoot, and did not stop smiling and grinning the entire time. You can just tell when someone is enjoying themselves and it definitely translates into the audience’s participation as well.

About 30 minutes into the 2+ hour concert, my wife turned and looked at me and said “what songs is he going to sing for an encore, he is playing all the good ones now”. It just a small reflection of how the night was going to pan out. The set list was absolutely fantastic, totaling 24 songs and 3 in the encore.  He kicked it off with all of my favorites songs and didn’t let up for one single second. It was just song after song and hit after hit. After years of listening to the concerts live on SiriusXM Margaritaville, I am very happy that I finally got the chance to experience the wonder that is Jimmy Buffett.  I think there might be only one small problem…I might be hooked. Until next time Mr. Buffett…

Set List:
  1. The Wino and I Know
  2. License to Chill
  3. It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere
  4. Pencil Thin Mustache
  5. Come Monday
  6. Life Is Just a Tire Swing
  7. Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
  8. Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit
  9. Bama Breeze
  10. Volcano
  11. Cheeseburger in Paradise
  12. One Particular Harbour
  13. Creola
  14. Floridays
  15. Why Don’t We Get Drunk
  16. Margaritaville
  17. Son of a Son of a Sailor
  18. School Boy Heart
  19. Last Mango in Paris
  20. Knee Deep
  21. Woman Goin’ Crazy on Caroline Street
  22. A Pirate Looks at Forty
  23. Back Where I Come From (Mac McAnally cover)
  24. Southern Cross (Crosby, Stills & Nash cover)
Encore:
  1. Fins
  2. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison cover)
  3. Tin Cup Chalice

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 2012, anway, buffett, center, concert, fin, ...

Concert Review “Thursday Farewell Tour” Rochester, NY

“Thursday Farewell Tour”
Thursday, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Zechs Marquise, Such Gold, Endyga
Date: Sunday, December 4th 2011
Venue: The Montage Music Hall, Rochester, NY

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Thursday, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster and Zechs Marquise rolled into the historic Montage Music Hall in Rochester, NY on December 4th for what has been announced as Thursday’s last tour ever. Along with the New Jersey natives was the Alabama hard rock band Maylene and the Sons of Disaster and Zechs Marquise from El Paso, Texas.

The nights show was kicked off by two Rochester based bands Endyga and Such Gold. Both bands seemed to be crowd favorites as each played a brief but energetic set while fans were still filling the intimate venue. The instrumental group Zechs Marquise would be next playing a unique blend of rock and free jazz. For those who don’t know Zechs Marquis features Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez on drums. Marcel is the older brother and band mate of The Mars Volta guitarist’s Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Though the band was solely instrumental the crowd really seemed to enjoy what they heard from the 5 piece group.

Next to take the stage was the high energy rock act Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. Vocalist Dallas Taylor worked the stage like a pro as he bounded from the tops of amplifiers to a podium which had been assembled for him. The band seemed to have a take no prisoner’s attitude that took the show to the next level.

Thursday would close out the night for what was most likely the bands last appearance in New York. The band after a 13 year career announced on Nov. 22 that this tour would indeed be their last as a group. Though thoughts of never being able to Thursday perform live again were fresh on all the minds of those who filled the venue there was nothing but positivity in the air. The band played a variety of material pausing momentarily at times to thank the fans for their support over the years. If this is the last Rochester will see of Thursday then the band did not let anyone in attendance down. The band seemed fresh and really played to the crowd. With this date being the last of the tour I was a little worried that we would be receiving an abbreviated show. This was not the case at all. Playing just under 90 minutes the band as well as the crowd gave their all. If you get the chance to catch Thursday on a few of their remaining shows definitely do so.

Thursday Set List:
1.)    Open Quotes
2.)    Workforce
3.)    Understanding
4.)    Magnets
5.)    No Answers
6.)    Sparks
7.)    ATV
8.)    Division
9.)    Signals
10.)  Cross
11.)  Sugar
12.)  Auto
13.)  Counting
14.)  Resuscitation

   Encore:
15.)  Jet Black
16.)  Turnpike

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Concert Review “Epitaph Tour 2011” Rochester, NY

“Epitaph Tour 2011”
Judas Priest, Black Label Society, Thin Lizzy, DJ Lady Starlight
Date: Wednesday, November 16th 2011
Venue: Main St. Armory, Rochester, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

The Epitaph Tour headlined by Judas priest made its way to upstate New York on Nov. 16th playing to a near capacity crowd. The tour is slated to be the last tour for heavy metal legends Judas Priest who will be retiring from the road after almost 40 years in the music business. The crowd consisted of a variety of ages that ranged from pre-teens on up to what appeared to be grandparents. DJ Lady Starlight kicked off the night spinning a variety of heavy metal classics which she would continue to do in between each of the other acts sets. Thin Lizzy took the stage first playing a variety of hits. Though the crowd’s reception to the band started off luke warm classic tracks such as “Jail Break” and “The Boy’s Are Back In Town” quickly won the audience over.

Black Label Society took the stage next and was surely a crowd favorite. Zakk Wylde and company put on a stellar performance which seemed to work the crowd into a rabid frenzy. Songs such as “Crazy Horse”, “Fire It Up” and “Stillborn” gave the crowd plenty to bang their heads to. Though the band only played an hour each member appeared to give it their all. The assembled masses in return showed their appreciation in a variety of ways.

Judas Priest would take the stage next to close out the night. The stage featured a chain link motif that only added to the fact that after 40 years in the business the band are still the kings of heavy metal. At times throughout the set I found it hard to hear Rob Halfords vocals which seemed to get lost in the mix. That aside the band was extremely tight. Newly added guitarist Richie Faulkner who replaces K.K. Downing did an excellent job and seemed to fit right in with the veteran metalers from Birmingham, England. The set featured a variety of classic songs assembled from the bands vast catalog. Songs such as “Diamonds and Rust” Screaming for Vengeance” and “Hell Bent For Leather” which featured Halfords signature of riding a motorcycle across the stage were definite highlights.

If you are fan of both classic and newer heavy metal you will want to check out the Epitaph Tour. Not to mention this will most likely be one of the last times you will be able to see Judas priest live.

Thin Lizzy Set List:
Are Your Ready
Waiting For An Alibi
Jailbreak
Massacre
Emerald
Killer On the Loose
Rosalie/Cowgirls Song
Black Rose
Cowboy Song
The Boys Are Back In Town

Black Label Society Set list:
Crazy Horse
Funeral Bell
Bleed For Me
Suicide Messiah
Overlord
Parade of the Dead
Fire it Up
Guitar Solo
Godspeed Hell Bound
Concrete Jungle
Stillborn

Judas Priest Set List:
Rapid Fire
Metal Gods
Heading Out To The Highway
Judas Rising
Starbreaker
Victim Of Changes
Never Satisfied
Diamonds and Rust
Prophecy
Night Crawler
Turbo Lover
Beyond the Realms of Death
The Sentinel
Blood Red Skies
The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)
Breaking The Law
Painkiller
The Hellion/Electric Eye
Hell Bent For Leather
You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
Living After Midnight

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Blu-ray Review “Usher: OMG Tour- Live From London”

Starring: Usher
Rating: Unrated
Run Time: 104 Mins.
Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have never been a BIG fan of Usher’s music, but I am not denying that he is the reigning King Of R ‘N B. He album sales are in the multi-millions and he is known all the around the world. This concert was filmed in high definition at London s O2 Arena in the spring of 2011. The “OMG Tour” was to support Usher’s recent chart topping “Raymond V Raymond” album. One thing you gotta give to this show and to Usher himself is that the guy knows how to put on a show. The show is more like a stage production with fantastic lighting and amazing pyrotechnics. He also pulls a Madonna and Cher with multiple costume changes. The show also boosts some really intense and fascinating choreography, which gives the show the amped up production that actually tells a story.

The picture on this Blu-ray is clear and even though it is only 1080i (like most music Blu-rays), it looks really good. The audio is key for a music Blu-ray and this one packed a solid DTS HD Master Audio track. It is very impressive and the songs sound great. If you like his early hits you got “You Make Me Wanna”), he also includes his ballads like “Nice & Slow”, love songs with “There Goes My Baby” and of course the big hits with “Yeah”. Usher is not just a singer he is a performer and he does a decent job in this show to entertain his audience. If you are an fan of his music than this disc is a new-brainer. If you are not a big fan, like me, this might make you one.

There are some decent bonus features on this release as well including a very interesting behind the scenes look in “On The Shoulder Of Giants”. It focuses on Usher and his team as they put together the show. Also included is a short piece about Usher’s New Look Foundation in London called “New Look”. Overall this is a pretty impressive release and it has been very enjoyable to check out.

TRACK LISTING
1) Monstar
2) She Don t Know
3) Yeah
4) U Remind Me
5) U Don t Have To Call
6) You Make Me Wanna
7) Mars vs Venus
8) Nice & Slow
9) Love In This Club
10) Lil Freak
11) Hot Tottie
12) There Goes My Baby
13) Burn
14) Bad Girl
15) Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)
16) Caught Up
17) DJ Got Us Falling Love
18) More
19) OMG

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, live, london, omg, review, tour, ...

Concert Review: Queensryche “30th Anniversary” Tour – Orlando, FL

Queensryche
“30th Anniversary” Tour
House of Blues, Orlando, FL
November 12, 2011

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Over the course of their career since forming in 1981, Queensryche have gone from playing large arenas to support huge-selling albums like “Operation: Mindcrime”, “Empire” and “Promised Land” to playing smaller theatres and clubs to promote a roster of spotty and occasionally downright awful releases since the departure of lyricist and guitarist Chris DeGarmo in 1997. Since then, the band has tried various means to attract crowds including a tour in which the set lists were mostly comprised of covers (to support the “Take Cover” album), a massive theatrical stage show that resembled a Broadway musical (the “Operation: Mindcrime II” tour) and even an adults-only cabaret tour that featured go-go dancers, contortionists, drag queens and a dominatrix.  To paraphrase Forrest Gump, “Life is like a Queensryche concert.  You never know what you’re gonna get.”

So, it was with great trepidation that I walked through the doors of the Orlando stop of their “30th Anniversary” tour – one that, in theory, was also embarked upon to support their most recent studio album “Dedicated to Chaos”. Given that “Chaos” is one of their weakest efforts to date, I very much hoped that the show would be retrospective in nature and cover a variety of their finest songs from the past three decades rather than one that would be dominated by the latest misfire. So, as the houselights dimmed, I crossed my fingers and prayed for the best.

From the now darkened room, two video walls on either side of the stage sprang to life and, underscored by a digitized sea of flames, the covers of every studio album the band had released materialized and faded, the hit albums receiving huge amounts of applause; the misses…well…not so much. After the appearance and disappearance of the “Chaos” cover art, Queensryche blasted into action with the appropriately titled “Get Started”, the opening track from that album. While the song caused me to speculate that the concert might indeed be dominated by the new release, “Started” played quite well live and lead vocalist Geoff Tate immediately established a dominating larger-than-life animated stage presence that would keep the audience in his clutches throughout the entire show. But would it remain “Chaotic”?

Luckily, it didn’t.

Only one other song from “Chaos” was played (“At the Edge”) during which Geoff Tate donned a saxophone and added his own instrumentation to mixed results. The rest of the 19-song set featured the classic songs that fans of the band regard as their greatest – and ones that could easily convert newcomers to do the ‘Ryche thing from there on in.

The show was probably the tightest that I’ve seen the band play since the “Hear in the Now Frontier” tour in 1997, the last that DeGarmo would participate in. Tate’s voice is still in peak form and the core rhythm section since the group’s inception, bassist Eddie Jackson and powerhouse drummer Scott Rockenfield, remains one of the best in the heavy metal genre. Guitarist Michael Wilton has also been a constant, but the post-DeGarmo years have seen him trade licks with three other axemen. The most current, Parker Lundgren, is undeniably the best of the batch and the synergy between the two guitarists rivals that of the band’s banner years.

Because of this, this iteration of the group was able to infuse new life into their staple songs. As could be expected, tracks from “Operation: Mindcrime” and the hugely successful “Empire” dominated the set list. Their 9 other studio albums were represented as well and included classics from early in the band’s career such as “NM 156”, “Screaming in Digital” and even “The Lady Wore Black” and “Queen of the Ryche” from their 1982 self-titled debut EP. The band truly seemed to enjoy this trip down memory lane and their assembled legion of followers reacted with huge enthusiasm as the group dished out mutual favorites.

One can only hope that Queensryche can maintain the level of lucidity and intensity they so readily exhibited at the House of Blues. At their peak, the band brought a level of sophistication and intelligence to heavy metal that hadn’t been seen before and, in so doing, raised the bar so high for the genre that the group itself frequently couldn’t clear it. As Queensryche enters into their fourth decade, the future could be a very bright one for them – as long as they continue to remember how it started.

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 30th, anniversary, concert, fl, orlando, queensrÿche, ...
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