Jason DeBord's Rock Subculture Journal

The Psychedelic Furs | James at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino | Reno, Nevada | 8/3/2019 (Concert Review + Photos)

“…hopefulness and lifting up and then deep, deep grief and then lifting up… because that seems to be the human experience right now, doesn’t it?”  Tim Booth of James, part of their co-headlining tour across North America with The Psychedelic Furs this summer, with one of their last stops in Reno at the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino.  When the band first came out on the stage, he commented that they had just changed up their set list in reaction to the news coming out of Texas.  Both bands put on stellar shows and each seemed to have their own respective hardcore fans as the audiences seemed to change up in-between sets.  I really enjoyed seeing James for the first time and The Psychedelic Furs play at one of my favorite venues with a massive stage and stellar lighting.

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Rewind | Lost 80’s Live ’18 at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater | Lincoln, California | 9/2/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

“I guess the 80’s is the best thing around…” Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls, putting things in simple terms before the massive crowd at the joint presentation of Rewind | Lost 80’s Live ’18 concert event at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater on Sunday night.  Known for it’s rotating series of artists who made significant marks on the music scene throughout the 80’s, each year the show presents a unique concert going experience.  The line-up this time around featured A Flock of Seagulls, Mickey Thomas from Starship, Wang Chung, Dale Bozzio from Missing Persons, Animotion, Farrington and Mann from When In Rome, and Annabella Lwin from Bow Wow Wow. [Read more…]

Adam Ant at Silver Legacy Resort Casino | Reno, Nevada | 8/4/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

“This next song I’ve been singing since I first came to the USA many years ago… it still means a great deal to me. It’s called Kings of the Wild Frontier.” Adam Ant with his amazing band, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Silver Legacy Resort Casino’s Grande Exposition Hall in Reno, Nevada.  Performing artists say things like that all the time, and a jaded concert-goer might consider it mere banter in-between songs.  Not so, with Adam Ant.  After performing that song on Saturday night – originally released early in the New Wave era way back in 1980 – Adam Ant paused for a moment as the heartfelt accolades of the fans in the room showered over him.  For some reason, I happened to capture the moment in video on my iPhone from the video screen off to the side (iPhone video snippet here), and at the time and in review again going through my notes and videos I took another look and Adam Ant has so much emotion and gratitude on his face at that moment that it’s genuinely moving to, well, feel him “feel”.  He brings so much to the stage with his concert and presumably touring in general these days that I felt so fortunate to just be part of this incredible show that brings his latest North American tour to an end.  It’s definitely may favorite show of 2018 thus far, and I can’t imagine anything besting the experience.  Truly an icon of music and pop culture for my generation, and I firmly believe his live shows today are the best he’s ever given his fans.

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Adam Ant’s “ANTHEMS: The Singles Tour” 2018 in the U.S. Begins on Friday

After much success touring in 2017, Adam Ant will be bringing his “ANTHEMS: The Singles Tour” back to the U.S. starting this Friday in New Jersey.  On this set of selected dates, it is expected that fans will be treated to the best singles including classics and B-sides as well as rarities and personal favorites.  On tour supporting Adam Ant are the all-female band Glam Skanks. [photo above by Dave Newbold, provided by Adam Ant management] [Read more…]

“iHeart80s Birthday Bash” at SAP Center | San Jose, California | 8/26/2017 (Concert Review + Photos)

“It’s lovely to be here celebrating beautiful memories”… Boy George in one of his asides during his headlining performance at the inaugural “iHeart80s Birthday Bash” live concert event at SAP Center in San Jose.  The special show on Saturday night featured Boy George, Tiffany, The Romantics, A Flock Of Seagulls, Farrington & Mann of the Original When In Rome UK, Tommy Tutone, Animotion and Nu Shooz, with former original MTV VJ Martha Quinn hosting along with radio personalities Christie James and Morris Knight.  It was really a stellar show with end to end 80s-era hits and hitmakers putting on non-stop entertainment for four hours.

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Peter Hook & The Light’s “Substance – The Albums Of Joy Division & New Order” Tour Returning in 2018

Peter Hook & The Light are bringing their incredible “Substance – The Albums Of Joy Division & New Order” back to the U.S. in 2018. Hooky and the band will be performing both the Joy Division and New Order albums Substance live, in their original track sequence and in their entirety.   Having reviewed the tour in 2016, Rock Subculture rated it the #3 show of all of 2016, so it is definitely expected to be one of the best tours in 2018. [Read more…]

The Psychedelic Furs at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium | Grass Valley, California | 7/23/2017 (Concert Review + Photos)

The Psychedelic Furs aren’t too chatty on stage – they just get to work and seem to have an awesome time performing in front of their fans.  This was definitely one of my top shows of the year, and it really just made me want to see them again…  it was that amazing.  The pairing with Robyn Hitchcock was brilliant as well, and I thoroughly enjoyed both sets.  An awesome night of music in Grass Valley by The Center for the Arts.

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Psychedelic Furs Bring “The Singles Tour” to North America; Joined by Robyn Hitchcock

English post punk/New Wave band Psychedelic Furs embark on an extensive tour of North America and the UK starting next week, with a series of concerts keeping them busy through October.  The modern rock pioneers will be bringing the hits on their concert series, The Singles Tour.  With seven studio albums and 22 singles, fans can expect to hear favorites like “Pretty in Pink”, “Heartbreak Beat”, “Love My Way”, and “The Ghost In You”.  Joining The Furs on tour is English singer-songerwriter Robyn Hitchcock. [Read more…]

Duran Duran Making Two Stops in Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area in July

Following up on their tour dates earlier this year in March and April, Duran Duran will be kicking off a new leg of their 2017 tour with two stops in the Bay Area in California, first at Fox Theater in Oakland on July 7th and then at the Masonic in San Francisco the next night. The band continues to support their 14th studio album (and first with Warner Bros. Records), the excellent Paper Gods, which was produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers, Mark Ronson, Josh Blair, and Mr Hudson.  [Read more…]