Jason DeBord's Rock Subculture Journal

The B-52s at Harrah’s South Shore Room | Stateline, Nevada | 9/8/2012 (Concert Review)

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So I just saw the B-52s three months ago (to the day) at Ovations Live! in Arizona… and from the experience, knew that I wanted to see them again, at the earliest opportunity.  So last night I found myself at Harrah’s South Shore Room at Stateline, Nevada, to more or less repeat the awesome experience from earlier this year.  And the band – a favorite of mine since childhood – did not disappoint.  Given the differences in the venue – 100% seated at Ovations Live! and with a mix of options at the South Shore Room including a vast GA pit in front of the stage, the latter was a feature that was a huge benefit for experiencing their incredible music live.  The set list was also completely rearranged since the last show I attended, so it was very much a fresh and unique experience, and as always they put on a phenomenal show.  I’m left wondering, as I write this, when I might get to catch them again.

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Styx at Thunder Valley Resort and Casino | Lincoln, California | 9/6/2012 (Concert Review)

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Last night I had an opportunity to see Styx perform at Thunder Valley Resort and Casino in Lincoln, California.  Really quite the performance… it’s rare these days when a band comes onto the stage, sans opening act, and just let’s it rip, and has the audience from the first riff.  Given that the band, born in Chicago, has been around since the 70s, they obviously have a stellar catalog of work to choose from, and the set tonight spanned everything from their more anthemic rock to popular hits on the ballad side, showing a real versatility in their musical style as well as an unusually democratic (small “d”) sharing of their various talents, and (quite literally) the spotlight.  It is obvious that these guys love to perform, feed off their audience, and seem to play together well, and really appear to enjoy their music and playing it live – together – to an enthusiastic crowd.  And given some back and forth, and my interview with Lawrence Gowan leading up to the show, and, well, just looking around within the amphitheater (which at least appeared to be completely sold out), their audience today very much spans many, many generations, with old and new fans alike just soaking in some genuine rock and roll.  Styx really delivered, and it was an awesome performance, from beginning to end. [Read more…]

Lawrence Gowan, Styx: “Rock Talk” Podcast Audio Interview

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This article features the fourth in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Lawrence Gowan of Styx. Tonight I will be attending their concert at Thunder Valley Resort and Casino in Lincoln, California.  Mr. Gowan was been a vocalist and keyboardist for the legendary rock band since 1999.  With this interview, he discusses his career, his work with Styx, and thoughts about the music industry and rock music in general.

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Clive Farrington, When In Rome UK: “Rock Talk” Podcast Audio Interview

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This article features the third in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Clive Farrington of When In Rome UK. Last week I had the pleasure of seeing When In Rome UK perform along with a number of other bands best associated with the 80’s as part of the “Lost 80’s Live!” concert event at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, California.  Mr. Farrington is a founding member of When In Rome and was kind enough to take some time to talk with me today about his history and experience with music and in the music industry, and the popularity of their huge hit, “The Promise”.

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Heart at Ironstone Vineyards and Winery | Murphys, California | 8/11/2012 (Concert Review)

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Heart launched their latest U.S. tour this past week, and played the Ironstone Amphitheater at Ironstone Vineyards and Winery last night.  They were an absolute force on stage, seamlessly moving from hard rocking songs to ballads, classic songs and newer material, they performed with power, style, emotion, and truly were magnificent.  They opened with the title track off their forthcoming Fanatic album, which shows that they still have the passion and ability to produce excellent music that represents their trademark style and incredible music ability.  But the most important thing I took away from this show is that this band really needs to be seen live to feel the full power of their music and gifts.  Really stellar event. [Read more…]

Lost 80’s Live: A Flock of Seagulls, When In Rome UK, The Motels, Bourgeois Tagg, The Escape Club, Gene Loves Jezebel at The Crest Theatre | Sacramento, California | 8/10/2012 (Concert Review)

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Last night was quite an amazing concert event for fans of 80s music.  Under the banner of “Lost 80’s Live”, the one night show at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento featured performances by A Flock of Seagulls, When In Rome, The Motels, Bourgeois Tagg, The Escape Club, and Gene Loves Jezebel.  In addition to the incredible line up, the event was hosted and DJ’d by the legendary Richard Blade.  There was also a meet and greet opportunity made available for those who bought VIP tickets, which I participated in, and it was of course a thrill to meet the artists behind the music.  Essential, the show was a sextuple header. [Read more…]

Duran Duran at Mountain Winery | Saratoga, California | 8/9/2012 (Concert Review)

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Duran Duran kicked off their North American tour this week with two back-to-back dates at my favorite venue, Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California.  I was fortunate enough to attend the second date on August 9th.  Duran Duran is one of my all-time favorite bands, and it was just an amazing night, with an incredible set that stretched two hours and kept the audience on their feet and singing and chanting along to favorites, old and new alike, as soon as they came out onto the stage. [Read more…]

Seal at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay | San Diego, California | 8/6/2012 (Concert Review)

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Last night Seal put on an incredible performance at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego.  Stunning voice, amazing performance, he really filled the smaller, intimate, outdoor venue with life.  Beautiful songs (both his own and a few covers of classic material) and real, true emotion on full display.  Seal is an artist that sings from the heart, and I can’t imagine him being any other way, especially after having had the privilege of spending a good amount of time with him and a small group later, after the concert.  He is really singular in the field of music, and if he could not sing, after spending around 40 minutes hearing him open up to us about his thoughts and feelings on a few different subjects – talking with strangers as though they were old, close friends – if he could not sing, I would still remain a huge fan of Seal the man.  He is undoubtedly a person to look up to, who lives life with a great deal of introspection, honesty, and modesty.  Overall, the night was an unforgettable experience, and I feel so, so fortunate to have been a part of it.

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Aerosmith at Oracle Arena | Oakland, California | 8/4/2012 (Concert Review)

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Epic and Legendary… in this rare instance, both words apply.  An Epic performance from a truly Legendary rock band.  Unless you’ve been stranded on a deserted island for the past 40 years, you would at least know who they are, and some of their songs, as they are often referred to as “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band”, and honestly, I can’t imagine who could give them a run for their money for that title.  In any event, just sticking with the premise of this review, these guys are just remarkable.  They are living the rock and roll dream (in spite of the music industry’s ongoing implosion – more on that in a bit), and I think they sound and perform better than ever – they just become more incredible the older that they get, and I feel age suits them, as they are elder statesmen in music, they have an incredible history, and they – and their music – is as relevant as ever.  If you get the opportunity, you must see this band.  The current set of live dates is called “The Global Warming Tour”.

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Tears for Fears at Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium | San Francisco, California | 8/2/2012 (Concert Review)

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The Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium hosted last night’s concert performance by Tears for Fears.  It doesn’t get much better than a set that opens with “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, closes with “Head Over Heels”, and finishes an encore with “Shout”.  Some of the most classic songs of the 80s, and the band looks and sounds as great as ever.  It was a fantastic evening with an awesome set that spanned their catalog and reflected the real diversity of their work.  Truly one of best songwriting teams that helped define the 80s.  A fantastic evening and true thrill to see them perform live, and in top form.  The songs never sounded better.

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