Vans Warped Tour 2011

The heat. Yeah, that’s the first thing you expect when you start reading about the Vans Warped Tour. Yes, it was hot. Yes, most of the stages, merch booths, and product tents are set up on a parking lot, and of course, this is not helpful in regards to staying…

Ari Herstand on Looping, Gay Rights, and Living Room Concerts

Ari Herstand puts a new twist on the singer songwriter aesthetic by playing keyboard, guitar, singing, and beatboxing all at once. He makes all sorts of interesting videos chronicling his songwriting, teaching fans how to play his music, and performing covers of his favorite artists. Herstand is scheduled to perform…

White Fence at The Trunk Space, 8/3/2011

White Fence The Rhythm Room Wednesday, August 3 Sometimes a band blows you away out of nowhere. White Fence is one of those bands.The group fucking ruled. But let’s backtrack a bit. The night kicked off with local veteran, Matthew Reveles’ new outfit, Cowboy The Indian hitting the stage at…

Out of Reverie Tour: Day 5

Out of Reverie finally played a show today. After days of inactivity, the guys killed it at a house show in Eugene. The promoter for the Eugene Underground show up-and-disappeared and a friend stepped in to give us a place to play. We woke up at Jake’s family farm in…

Katy Perry at Comerica Theatre, 8/3/11 (VIDEO)

Katy PerryAugust 3, 2010 Comerica Theatre Katy Perry’s latest concert is called the California Dreams tour, and by the diverse sights and sounds at her sold-out show last night at Comerica Theatre, the tour does seem like the wildest, sweetest, most colorful dream Perry could have concocted.Everything was straight out…

Out of Reverie Tour: Day 4

Out of Reverie is finally back on the road.

We got off to a late start in the morning, so we ended up arriving a little late to the Shine Coffee Shop in Sacramento. Rena, the place’s proprietor, was very cool about it, though, and still had a spot for the band following the open mic.

Katy Perry’s 10 Best Looks and Lyrics

You can see pop singer Katy Perry transformed into an actual cartoon in her current movie, The Smurfs, but often the in-your-face performer acts cartoonish enough in real life. In honor of her sold-out concert this Wednesday, August 3 at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, here are 10 of her most…

Out of Reverie Tour: Day 3

But most of the day was spent trying to pass the time. Griffin and Teran spent most of the day at the mechanic while the rest of us tried to find last minute shows.

Out of Reverie Tour: Day 2

The band and I had the chance to spend another day with the Dain Griffin’s very hospitable and friendly family. We also got to walk around the neighborhood for a bit and enjoy some nice (78 degrees) sunny weather.

Kurt Vile and the Violators at the Rhythm Room, 7/31/2011

Kurt Vile and the Violators The Rhythm Room July 31, 2011 I spent the day in Flagstaff on Saturday, and shortly after having lunch at Mountain Oasis International Restaurant, a woman approached me with a small flier which read: “Real Freedom is Closer Than You Think.” Turns out, she was…

Out of Reverie Tour: Day 1

While Los Angeles might be a sexier destination, we are setting out for one of it’s many little brothers–the kind of trendy downtown area in Whittier, California. Lead singer Dain Griffin’s cousin owns a little bar right in the center of town, so the band thought it would be the perfect spot to start off the tour.

Out of Reverie Tour Kickoff Show

For the next week or so I will be traveling on the road with local pop punk outfit Out of Reverie as the boys travel the west coast and beyond, pedaling their tunes to anyone who will listen.

Buffalo Killers at the Compound Grill, 7-28-11

Buffalo KillersThe Compound GrillThursday, July 28I’m all for ironic appreciation of the ’70s, but you know what? Some things about the ’70s can be liked without having to resort to some sort of “ha ha, isn’t it funny” crutch. When I watch Dazed and Confused, I don’t find myself laughing…

Those Darlins at The Rhythm Room, 7-27-2011

Those Darlins The Rhythm Room Wednesday, July 27 Better Than: a “Snaggle Tooth Mama” Ah, the South. Damn I miss it. Geographically speaking, the southern states have produced some of the best music this country’s ever heard–Buddy Holly, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, fucking Bo Diddley, Tom Petty, The Black Keys, hell,…

American Standards Hosts Benefit Show for Teen Lifeline

For local hardcore band American Standards, performing isn’t just about the music, it’s about making an impact on the community. Their show this Saturday, July 30 at The Fixx in Tempe is called “Hope for the Hopeless” and serves as a benefit for Teen Lifeline, a local non-profit working against…

Liturgy at The Rogue Bar, 7-26-11

Liturgy The Rogue BarTuesday, July 26Unfairly or not, Liturgy gets a lot of flack. There are a lot of reasons, I suppose. The band plays black metal — true “outsider” music — but they don’t look the part, at least not when the part normally looks like this. Then there’s…