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Blink 182 Setlist

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Charlotte, NC

Dumpweed
Feeling This
The Rock Show
What’s My Age Again?
Obvious
I Miss You
Stay Together For The Kids
Down
Always
Stockholm Syndrome
First Date
Man Overboard
Don’t Leave Me
Not Now
All The Small Things
Reckless Abandon
Josie
Anthem Part Two

Encore:
Drum Solo
Carousel
Dammit

Soja At Virginia Polytechnic Institutes’s Gobblerfest

Monday, August 31st, 2009

by Mudman

Blacksburg, VA — Sometimes, a band totally flops.  The artists are not into the concert, and consequently, neither are the fans.  These shows can be painful to sit through no matter how much you love the band.  On the other hand, sometimes you see a band that is totally into the show. Their passion fuels the audience.  Then, the audience’s enthusiasm enrages the bands desire. Suddenly, you have the type of concert that you will remember forever:

August 28th, 2009, Soja performs for Virginia Polytechnic Institutes’s Gobblerfest.  It was one of the more epic shows that I have ever seen, and one of the only where I lost my hearing from the audience’s cheers rather than the blaring speakers (which in this case were cranked up to 11).  Soja is a reggae/rock band which has recently started to get some attention.  This was my first time hearing their music. The first thing I did following the concert was run out to but two CD’s.  There is something about the way these seven people carried themselves that just created an out-of-this-world stage presence (trumpet, sax, bass, drums, bongos, guitar, lead singer). By far, the highlight of the concert was “Can’t Tell Me”.  Listening to the lead singer lilt, “You can’t tell me who I am. Cause I’m working on that to,” made my night. They have a very unique sound comparable, only slightly, to the Expendables. I give them an 8 out of 10… they blew me away for an up-and-coming band.

Collective Soul Live At Philadelphia’s TLA

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

Philadelphia, PA — Collective Soul brought their tour to the Theater Of The Living Arts (TLA) in Center City Philly. For those who have not been, South Street is a world unto its own. Make sure you visit in this lifetime and if you can see a concert it’s an extra bonus.

There are not that many bands that I want to see, yet have not seen. Collective Soul was one of those bands. I am not sure why it never worked out. After I fell in love with “Shine”, they were a band I longed to see on stage. Then, the years past, and I figured it was too late. Even if they came around, they would probably be past their prime?

As destiny would have it, I saw they were playing at a local venue. The beauty of it was they were playing at a small theater. Maybe their decline in popularity would work to my benefit? Wait! Not so fast. I refresh the webpage on my web browser, and it says the show is sold out. What? So, I call the box office. Yes. They tell me the show is sold out. Dag-nab-it! I can not accept this situation and drive down to see with my own two eyes. Indeed, it is sold out. There are a couple guys from 93.3 WMMR there doing a promo. Why not ask them if they can get me a ticket? No dice. How about a scalper? No tickets to be found. While I am standing by the line to get in, a fellow comes over and asks if it is the line for Collective Soul. After verifying that it was, I ask if he might have an extra ticket. YeeHa! He does… but, at what price? Ahhhh… he tells me a reasonable price. He had been stuck with an extra ticket by a friend who backed out. Perfect!

I explained that I was a writer and had wanted to review the show. He was an avid fan and told me how good of a show they put on. I explained how sometimes I interview bands, sometimes I review bands, and sometimes I do not write anything. He said, “because there is nothing to write.” Exactly. Nevertheless, he peeked my interest in how the show would rate. The adrenaline was pumped, now. First, I thought I was going home in disappointment. Next, I was thrilled at getting a pass through the door. Plus, I met a father and son that were just as excited to see the show.

It was with much pleasure that the “warm-up” band turned me on with an instant music fix. Black Stone Cherry rocked the house. Black Stone Cherry rocked my world. (See the
Black Stone Cherry Review and Photo Gallery)

Luckily, the next band, Safety Suit, was not that hot. If they were, I do not know how Collective Soul could have followed them.

When Collective Soul took the stage, the crowd was primed and pumped. It seemed fitting that they started off with “Welcome All Again”. They played a couple more new songs in the middle of the set. Before “You”, Ed Roland related that it was the first song they ever wrote as a band. There was quite a bit of interaction and audience participation throughout the show. Introducing “Gel”, Ed shared that he and his brother/guitarist Dean were the sons of a preacher. “Gel” is about what they grew up with on Sunday mornings:

Color me any color.
Speak to me in tongues and share.
Tell me how you’d love to hate me.
Tell me how you’d love to care.
Well I just want to shake us up.

Let’s mingle
And make it well.
Come together now.
Yeah let’s gel.

All in all, the lights, the sound, the audience, the songs and the band added up to a spectacular performance. On the way out the door, the fellow who had sold me the ticket caught up to me and said, “Write something good.” I replied, “Oh, yeah. I will.” For this was one show worth writing about. Make sure they are not always one of those bands you wished you had seen!

THE BAND
Ed Roland – vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Dean Roland – rhythm guitar, vocals
Will Turpin – bass guitar, vocals
Joel Kosche – lead guitar
Cheney Brannon – drums, percussion

THE SETLIST
Welcome All Again
Heavy
Listen
Tremble
Why Part 2
Needs
Dig
You
December
Shine
Hollywood
World I Know
Anymore Friends
Gel
Better Now

ENCORE
Staring Down
River Flows
Run


Collective Soul Concert Photo Gallery

Black Stone Cherry Live at the TLA

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Philadelphia, PA — The Collective Soul tour came to the Theater Of The Living Arts (TLA) in Philly. They brought with them two other bands, Safety Suit and Black Stone Cherry. Safety Suit did nothing for me; however, Black Stone Cherry rocked my world.

Not having heard of Black Stone Cherry before, they were a surprise attack of sound and movement. Black Stone Cherry has a heavy southern rock band sound coming from Edmonton, Kentucky. The band members are:
Chris Robertson — lead vocals, guitar
Ben Wells — guitar, backing vocals
John Lawhon — bass guitar, backing vocals
John Fred Young (son of The Kentucky Headhunters’ rhythm guitarist Richard Young) — drums, backing vocals

Their music is clean and hard. The band’s energy is through the roof with jumping and head banging. They are one of those bands you have to see live as their is no way to capture their sensual stimuli. The set included “Please Come In”, “Soul Creek”, “Lonely Train”, “We Are the Kings”.

Black Stone Cherry Photo Gallery

Get The Led Out

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Old Pool Farm, Schwenksville, PA — The Philadelphia Folk Festival is an interesting experience. You never know what you will see… or hear. This works both ways — from the audience looking toward the stage or from the stage looking at the audience. It probably has the largest ratio of musicians that are in the audience than any other concert venue.

Thus, my surprise to see Get The Led Out scheduled for the special Thursday evening “Exclusive Camp Concert” that is put on for the overnight campers. What the heck was a band that bills themselves as the American Led Zeppelin doing at the Folk Fest? The must have been intimidating for the band:
1) They play songs that people know, so they have to play flawlessly.
2) They are to perform heavy rock music to a folk crowd.
3) Many in the audience are talented musicians.
4) They followed two talented folk bands, Jill Sobule and Deer Tick.

You would think that they would go over like a lead balloon? No. Le contraire. As soon as they started playing, people began flocking to the stage. Before long, there was standing room only. The crowd joined in and sang every song. Looking at the people standing next to you would cause you to pause. A mother dancing next to her daughter. People of all ages having the time of their life. In fact, it’s the only Folk Fest performance that I can remember hurting my ears.

As the show progressed, it felt like the audience and performers were feeding off each other. The crowd’s energy feeding the band, and in return the band’s energy feeding the audience. Only at the Folk Fest could such a miracle take place.

Get The Led Out Concert Photo Gallery

Jason Mraz Live At Festival Pier, Philadephia

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Philadelphia, PA — Jason Marz played an upbeat and energy filled show to a sold-out crowd at Festival Pier in Penn’s Landing. It turned out to be a beautiful evening with the sun setting behind the stage. At any given moment, you could look to the audience and see everyone dancing and swaying to the music.

Setlist
The Sunshine Song
Traveler
Make It Mine
Coyotes
Anything You Want
Curbside
Man Gave Names To Animals
Live High
Reggaedy / The Remedy
The Dynamo Of Volition
Beautiful Mess
I’m Yours

Encore Part I
Audible Band
Lucky with Alysse Fisher
Audible Duo / Geek In The Pink

Encore Part II
Cop Chase
Fall Through Glass with Bushwalla
Butterfly

The crowd seemed pleased with the song selection knowing all the lyrics and singing with great volume. “The Remedy” was a highlight of the show as it was transformed into a reggae dancefest (retitled Reggaedy); however, the best part was the first encore. Since it was a general admission show, the massive crowd was pushed up against the stage. After the last song of the set, Jason and three other members of his band came out to the sound mixing tent and set-up facing the rear of the audience. There they played three real groove based songs — percussion, a bass box, bass and Jason on guitar. The vocals and backing vocals were wonderful and clear. For the song “Lucky”, they brought out Alysse Fisher to sing the duet. “Geek In The Pink” left Jason alone on stage with Noel “Toca” Rivera on percussion.

You could not ask for anything more pleasing than to be able to fill your senses with this intimate climax.

Jason Mraz Photo Gallery

K’naan Festival Pier Concert Review

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Philadelphia, PA — K’naan made a surprise appearance on the Festival Pier stage at Penn’s Landing. The Jason Mraz tour was suppose to open with G Love and Special Sauce at 7:00. But, at 6:30, K’naan and his band took the stage.

K’naan was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and spent grew up in Wardhiigleey “The River of Blood” during the Somali Civil War. His aunt, Magool, is a famous Somalian singer. His grandfather, Haji Mohamed, was a poet. Youssou N’Dour saw K’naan give a speech in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and was so moved by the spoken word piece that he asked K’naan to appear on his 2001 album Building Bridges. His touring led him to collaborate with Bob Marley’s youngest son Damian Marley.

The name, K’naan, means “traveler” in the Somali language. He brought his traveling stage show to Philly delighting the unsuspecting crowd.

K’naan’s musical style is hard to put your finger on. It blends reggae and hip-hop with other worldbeat styles, which was perfect for the audience to dance along with on a summer day. K’naan says that he makes “urgent music with a message”, That is how his set started… with a “freedom song”. Next, he went into a song from Troubadour (his latest album) called “Take A Minute”.

How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday,
When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way,
How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all,
Didn’t do it to gain power or money if I recall,
It’s to give; I guess I’ll pass it on,

After performing another dancable tune, the band finished with their anthem “Wavin’ Flag”.

So many wars, settling scores,
Bringing us promises, leaving us poor,
I heard them say, love is the way,
Love is the answer, that’s what they say,
But look how they treat us, Make us believers,
We fight their battles, then they deceive us,
Try to control us, they couldn’t hold us,
Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers.

As soon as they finished, the skies opened up, rain poured and lightening filled the sky — a fitting end to an electrifying concert.

Photo Gallery

Bigelf Concert Review

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

Upper Darby, PA (Philadelphia Area / Southeastern Pennsylvania) — Bigelf is a band a Los Angeles quartet playing progressive rock together since 1991. Now, they are part of the Progressive Nation Tour with Scale The Summit, Zappa Plays Zappa and Dream Theater.

The Tower Theatre was a perfect setting for their “heroic bombast so brilliant, you can’t help but be swept adrift by the doomed mist of infectious melodies and chilling harmonies.” The frontman, Damon Fox, does vocals and often plays organs and keyboards on both sides of him at the same time.

Though many in the audience had never heard them before, the crowd immediately embraced the music.

Setlist
The Evils Of Rock And Roll
Neuropsychopathic Eye
?
Blackball
Disappear
Hydra

Bigelf Photo Gallery

Scale The Summit Photo Gallery
Zappa Plays Zappa Photo Gallery
Dream Theater Photo Gallery

Ryan Payne Band Concert Review

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

by Mudman

North East, Maryland — Last night, I watched the Ryan Payne Band perform for a crowd of several hundred. It was an enthusiastic crowd for an effervescent band. In between songs, Ryan would crack jokes and revel the emotional stories behind the writing of his songs. Now, the unusually thing about this crowd was the age range. The concert was at a children’s over-night camp with the average age of attendance being somewhere around 14. Even though it wasn’t their usual crowd, the band performed flawlessly. Their stage presence rivaled that of Jet. (A concert I saw only a few weeks ago.) For such a young band to have such stage savvy… well let’s just say I was impressed.

They played mostly original songs. Though I was hearing them for the first time, they were so catchy that I was able to sing along by the end of the second verse. The Ryan Payne Band consists of four members: a drummer, an electrical guitarist, a bassist, and a lead singer who plays both keyboards and acoustic guitar. When they started playing, I was taken aback. After I heard the skillful mix of electric and acoustic guitar, I was blown away. They may be small but I highly recommend checking them out at their website: http://www.ryanpayneband.com/

You can buy their CD on their website.

The Ryan Payne Band

The Ryan Payne Band

Jet Concert Review at the Borgata Music Box

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Photo Gallery

Atlantic City, NJ [Borgata Hotel And Casino] — The Music Box is a smaller theater at the Borgata. It is one of the nicer places to catch a concert on the East Coast. Although Jet’s latest album has not been released, they are already out on tour.

The Paper Tongues was the first band to take the stage. They are a seven piece band (Aswan North, Devin Forbes, Cody Blackler, Joey Signa, Clayton Simon, Jordan Hardee and Danny Santell) with face-to-face keyboardists. It is really a stage show that has to be seen. The lead singer announced, “This is the first time we’ve ever played a theater.” The sound levels were not quite right; nevertheless, they ripped it up with some gangster style rock. I Won’t Let Go, Move To California and Everybody were among the songs they played. Their record label A&M/Octone says, “Paper Tongues plays for the people. Fusing massive rock n’ roll melodies with fiery hip hop beats, the Charlotte band conjures an infectious, incendiary sound….” Keep your eye out for this up-and-coming band.

Next up was Automatic Fire. Their website says they are from Philthadelphia. Actually, they are comprised of two long-time favorite Philadelphia bands — Silvertide and Pepper’s Ghost. This combination has a driving rhythm section, searing guitar and vocalist with a wide range. When asked why they didn’t include Failed Parachute in the set, they replied, “We just couldn’t work it in with our live sound.” Their live sound is tight and hard. The drummer, Brian Kilian, spent the last five years playing country music in Nashville, but you could never tell. Together with his friend from high school on bass, Brian Weaver, they were a driving force in every song. The guitarist, Rob Bennett, was in Pepper’s Ghost. His on stage presence reminds you of a young Jimmy Page. Add to this mix a lead singer, Walt Lafty, with a effervescent personality and it is like a champagne bottle popping its cork. In fact, at one point in the show, Walt went over and poured his beer on to the snare drum. It looked great from the seats. (Biran Kilian later told me it was a bit sticky on stage. “Luckily, there is a backstage shower.”) Their set included Whipping Boy, When Are You Going to Wake Up, Push, Snitches, Pipe Bomb, What Are You Made Of?, and Take Me Away. Their MySpace credits read as follows:
Walt Lafty (Vocals/stage leaping)
Evil Rob (Guitars/noises and all around sound guru/Backing Vocals)
Brian Weaver aka BMW (Bass/low end manipulation/groove maker)
Brian Kilian (Drums/percussion /groove maker)

Then, it was time for Jet to take over. They started off with the first single from their forth coming album, KIA. It got the crowd jumping. Lead vocalist and guitarist, Nic Cester, invited the crowd to get out of their seats and come on down to the stage. With everyone on their feet, dancing and singing, the place was jumping. It was not long, though, before you could see the security guards bustling about. After the next song, Nic interrupted, “I’ve only got two things to say. First, whoever picked out this carpet is a real dick. Second, the Fire Marshal is a real dick. He says you have to go back to your seats.” This got a good laugh and didn’t suppress the crowd’s enthusiasm. All continued to stand and sing.

The sound in the Music Box is perfect and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Chris Cester’s credits list him as drummer and backing vocals, but he sang lead vocals on a few songs. It is always amazing to see someone play drums and sing at the same time. With all the band members helping on vocals and the pristine sound system, there were sweet harmonies and plenty of incentive to sing along. By the time they got to “Are You Gona Be My Girl?”, every mouth was in motion. A surprise song was, Timothy. Wikipedia states, ” Get Born also includes the song “Timothy”, dedicated to deceased brother of vocalist/guitarist Cameron Muncey, who died before Cameron was born. Due to the sensitive nature of the song, the band rarely plays ‘Timothy’ live.” It was a treat when they announced it was the next song.

The rest of the set was rollicking rock and roll. The set list showed “Bring It On Back” as the first song for the encore, yet it didn’t get played. As it was approaching midnight, it is a good guess that time did not permit them to play it. No one seemed to notice taking in every note that was offered. As far as great concerts go, Jet is a sure bet. (More About Jet)

Setlist
KIA (Killed In Action)
Last Chance
She’s A Genius
Beat On Repeat
Are You Gonna Be My Girl?
Seventeen
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Look What You’ve Done
Timothy
Holiday
Times Like This
Rip It Up
Get Me Outta Here

Encore
That’s All Lies
Cold Hard Bitch