Jason DeBord's Rock Subculture Journal

Oingo Boingo Dance Party – Live Shows Happening in California Throughout October

by

Oingo Boingo Dance Party concerts are happening throughout California in the month of October, with a final Halloween show taking place at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.  I was lucky enough to catch their tour last year and the show at Thunder Valley Casino Resort (where they will be returning to on October 26th) was one of my favorite shows of 2017.  If you are a fan and the band and the music, it is one of the best live concert experiences around, as the original members of the band keep the spirit of what they created alive still today. [Read more…]

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

by

“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…]

World One Presents & V101’s “Valentine’s Soul Jam 2018” Featuring Cameo & Club Nouveau

by

World One Presents & V101 are holding their annual event at Thunder Valley Casino Resort again this year with their “Valentine’s Soul Jam 2018”, with both Cameo and Club Nouveau performing.  They will take the stage inside the resort at Pano Hall.  You can still get tickets at Ticketmaster. [Read more…]

Oingo Boingo Dance Party at Pano Hall at Thunder Valley | Lincoln, California | 10/27/2017 (Concert Review + Photos)

by

I think I was too “in the moment” to make note of any particular quote from the band during Oingo Boingo Dance Party’s performance in Pano Hall at Thunder Valley Casino Resort on Friday night.  Oingo Boingo Dance Party what?  Yes, exactly.  What the heck is Oingo Boingo Dance Party?  In short, it is more or less Oingo Boingo minus original front man Danny Elfman, with a very impressive Brendan McKian (formerly Brendan McCreary) on vocals.  It was really a spectacular show and experience for me personally (Oingo Boingo is one of my all-time favorite bands).  I never thought I would get such a live experience with all of that brilliant music ever again.  So I really can’t recommend enough turning out for one of these shows if Oingo Boingo Dance Party is ever in a town near you.  Highest recommendation. [Read more…]

Rewind Fest ’17 Presents Lost 80’s Live at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater | Lincoln, California | 9/3/2017 (Concert Review + Photos)

by

“Cheers everybody!  Good health and be well!  Thank you for being lost with us!” Tony Hadley, formerly of Spandau Ballet, in his headlining performance at Rewind Fest ’17’s Lost 80’s Live concert at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater on Sunday night.  Filling out the line-up was Wang Chung, Berlin, Missing Persons, Cutting Crew, Naked Eyes, Trans-X, The Flirts, and Pretty Poison.  World One Presents continues to bring out the top 80’s era live shows to Thunder Valley every summer, and this one was really great.

[Read more…]

Soul Fest ’17 at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater | Lincoln, California | 8/5/2017 (Concert Review + Photos)

by

“We want to let you know that we really appreciate you…  You have supported us – you have shown lots of love and dedication – for the last 58 years…  That’s real special.  And now it has come time, to show our appreciation.  We’ve talked about it, and we agree that this song is the song that says the way we feel.  So you sit back and we’re going to tell you a little story, so it’s something like this…” The original remaining two principal members of The O’Jays at a sold out show at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater on Saturday night before singing an incredible rendition of their song “Forever Mine”.  Off of their 1979 album, Identify Yourself, the pioneering R&B group had the crowd on their feet throughout much of their headlining performance at World One Presents’ “Soul Fest ’17” concert, which also featured sets by Morris Day and The Time, The S.O.S. Band, and GQ. [Read more…]

Soulfest ’17: The O’Jays, Morris Day & The Time, S.O.S. Band, GQ Coming to Thunder Valley Amphitheater on August 5th

by

WorldOne Presents is bringing another fantastic line-up of 80s R&B icons to the Greater Sacramento Region at Thunder Valley Amphitheater on Saturday, August 5th.  Soulfest ’17 will feature The O’Jays, Morris Day & The Time, S.O.S. Band and GQ. [Read more…]

Rewind Fest ’16 Presents Lost 80’s Live at Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater | Lincoln, California | 9/4/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

by Leave a Comment

lost-80s-live-rewind-festival-2016-world-one-presents-thunder-valley-concert-review-photos-fi

“Are you ready to get your Wang’s Chung’d?  We’re going to Chung your ass’s off!” Rewind Fest‘s special edition of Lost 80s Live was a non-stop party featuring some of that decade’s best loved songs and artists, with no less than nine performances, including Wang Chung, tongue firmly planted in cheek.  A World One Presents production by way of Rob Juarez’s incredible Boss Booking Agency of over 30 top 80s artists.  The crowd was on their feet much of the show, as each of the many artists played very short sets of their top hits, making for almost a live version of listening to 80s radio back in the day.  It was a who’s who of New Wave and 80’s music featuring Mike Score from Flock of Seagulls, the aforementioned Wang Chung, Berlin featuring Terri Nunn, Farrington and Mann from The Original When In Rome UK, Martha Davis and The Motels, Nick Van Eede from Cutting Crew, Nu Shooz, Animotion, and Tommy Tutone!  Incredible, and an unforgettable evening of nostalgia and real artistry from some of the most innovative artists of the era. [Read more…]

The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards at Thunder Valley Casino Resort | Lincoln, California | 2/13/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

by Leave a Comment

The-Temptations-Concert-Review-Photos-Thunder-Valley-FI

“Ladies and gentlemen, let me take you back…” Dennis Edwards, as original lead singer of legendary Motown band The Temptations from 1968-1976, 1980-1984 and 1987- 1989, he truly did take the sold out crowd at Thunder Valley back to a different era on Saturday night, leading his Temptations Review band through hit after hit.  But it wasn’t just the music, but the performance and delivery, the costumes, the charm… it all worked together beautifully in recreating a show that is how I might imagine it might have been way back when.  World One Presents’ “Valentine’s Soul Jam” for 2016 included hours of top notch entertainment, with leading performances by Dr. Funk’s Mind, Body and Soul Band as well as R&B, soul, and funk icon Carl Carlton, best known for his cover of “Everlasting Love” and early 80s hit, “She’s A Bad Mama Jama”.  A celebration of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and beyond, all three artists brought a ton of energy to the stage and engaged the audience throughout the show. [Read more…]

Louis E. Johnson Passes Away at 60: Concert Photography Tribute – Photos from Last Concert as The Brothers Johnson

by Leave a Comment

Louis-E-Johnson-Thunder-Thumbs-RIP-2015-The-Brothers-Johnson-Last-Concert-Photos-2013-Photography-Tribute-Memorial-FIa

Louis E. Johnson, known as Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson and half of The Brothers Johnson with brother George “Lightnin’ Licks” Johnson, passed away on May 21st at age 60.  Louis Johnson was a legendary bass player and one of the principal figures in Funk music, and also is famous for laying down that incredible bassline on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” as well as playing on his hit, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”.  The Brothers Johnson collaborated with Quincy Jones, and are best known for their 1977 cover of Shuggie Otis’ “Strawberry Letter 23”, their 1976 hit “I’ll Be Good to You”, and the 1980’s hit “Stomp!”.  I was lucky enough to see what I think might have been the last live concert performance by The Brothers Johnson” in September 2013 as part of WorldOne Presents and their “Funk Fest” event at Thunder Valley in Lincoln, California, and did extensive photography at the show.  You can see my full review and photos in my original article, but I thought I would pull out some of the Louis Johnson ones here as a tribute to the great man. [Read more…]