Jason DeBord's Rock Subculture Journal

Concert Travel Journal Summary | Las Vegas, NV | April 2012

by 1 Comment

This is a summary essay and concluding thoughts on my trip to Las Vegas this past week for a variety of shows – Garbage at the The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort on Saturday, Elton John at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace on Sunday, and Mike Tyson’s “Live On Stage” event at The Hollywood Theatre at The MGM Grand on Monday.  I also had a chance to check out the Hard Rock Cafe, Gold & Silver Pawn (the “Pawn Stars” shop), and had a chance run in with Penn Jillette of Pen and Teller.  All in all, a busy three days or so. [Read more…]

Inside Gold & Silver Pawn (The “Pawn Stars” Shop)

by 3 Comments

I met up with some friends of mine who live in Las Vegas, who, like me, collect original artifacts from film, television, and music.  I became acquainted with them years ago through my Original Prop Blog, and they have been huge supporters of my efforts.  The History Channel series Pawn Stars has been a topic of discussion on the Original Prop Blog for years (see original article), so who could pass up the opportunity to check out the store where it all happens?  So we visited Gold and Silver Pawn.

[Read more…]

Hotel/Resort Review: ARIA Resort & Casino – Las Vegas, NV

by 1 Comment

Because I do travel for some concert events, I thought it might be helpful to share my impressions and experiences staying at various hotels and resorts, and doing so will build on the “travel for concerts” theme of this website. This review is for the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, during my recent Las Vegas Trip (April 2012). [Read more…]

Hotel/Resort Review: Trump International Hotel Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV

by 5 Comments

Because I do travel for some concert events, I thought it might be helpful to share my impressions and experiences staying at various hotels and resorts, and doing so will build on the “travel for concerts” theme of this website.  This review is for the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, during my recent Las Vegas Trip (April 2012). [Read more…]

Visit & Tour of Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas (Memorabilia Pictorial)

by 9 Comments

During my trip this past week to Las Vegas, I had taken an opportunity to check out the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas, and was treated to a lengthy private tour, so I thought I would share some photos of some of the material on display at this location, including stage and studio used instruments, wardrobe, and other rock and roll memorabilia.

[Read more…]

“Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth Live On Stage” at the MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre | Las Vegas | 4/16/12

by 1 Comment

My two fondest memories of sporting events in my life both featured Mike Tyson…  the first being his shocking defeat by then unknown Buster Douglas in Tokyo on February 11, 1990, and the second, his defeat at the hands of Lennox Lewis in New York on June 8, 2002.  For the majority of his career, and life really, both in and out of the ring, I viewed Mike Tyson as a villain.  However, I’ve been curious about him for the past few years (as a result of his appearance in The Hangover), and had a sense that he may be a significantly changed man.  Though I’d speculate that there have been a few different versions of who that man even is  – a true enigma, much like his tattoo, a symbol he has embraced with visual marketing collateral of this attraction.  With the announcement of his limited, week long “Undisputed Truth – Live on Stage” show in Las Vegas, I was curious enough to check it out to hear what he has to say about his life, and the way he has lived it, and to do so with an open mind. [Read more…]

Elton John at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | Las Vegas, Nevada | 4/15/12 (Concert Review)

by 3 Comments

Bennie and the Jets, Rocket Man, I’m Still Standing, Tiny Dancer, Blue Eyes, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Sad Songs (Say So Much)… some of the best pop songs ever recorded.  This is an easy concert for me to preface, as Sir Elton John needs no introduction – he is a genuine legend in music.  His work is universal and timeless.  And having a chance to experience a performance of many of his greatest hits is indeed an honor. [Read more…]

Garbage at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort | Las Vegas, Nevada | 4/14/12 (Concert Review)

by 14 Comments

Garbage played The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas tonight, and it was one of those events that inspired me to book a flight out of California to see the band perform live – and traveling to see gigs such as this one is one of the founding principles of this website, with hopes of sharing such experiences and inspiring others to do the same.  Garbage played two small L.A. shows just prior to this one, as part of their reuniting to record and release their first studio album in seven years.  The eagerly anticipated ‘Not Your Kind of People’ will be released in about a months time.  The concert was phenomenal, and I expect even greater success for this band than was found in their mid-90’s origins.

[Read more…]