The Brothers Comatose are one of the most exciting bluegrass outfits to emerge in the past decade, and I await each of their stellar releases with bated breath. I first encountered the band at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2015, where I stumbled across the latter portion of their set, the sound of the dueling fiddle and… Continue reading Brothers Comatose | The Covers EP: Vol. 2
Formed from weekly shows at Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, CA, the Terrapin Family Band has become the venue’s official house band. Terrapin Crossroads’ constant free bar shows, often featuring bandleader Phil, have created an opportunity for the young musicians of Terrapin Crossroads to perform together and with a diverse cast of visiting… Continue reading nugs.tv Tonight: Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band
If James Brown is the Godfather of Soul, The Meters are without a doubt the Forefathers of Funk. The legendary rhythm assault led by bassist George Porter Jr. and drummer Zigaboo Modeliste teamed with guitarist Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds and John Medeski on keys Thursday night at the Boulder Theater for what’s been… Continue reading Foundation of Funk | Boulder, CO | Review
A sold-out crowd of avid music fans packed The Roxy Theater on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, on the last day of January, for a very special concert. Starset, who may have created their own musical genre of Heavy Metal Space Rock gave a “demonstration” of their latest live show to adoring fans in the packed… Continue reading Starset | The Roxy Theater | Hollywood, CA
There is a great deal of discussion of the rift between the progressive and traditional bluegrass scenes, yet a number of groups have taken great strides to tear down the barrier between the disciplines. Ned Luberecki is a perfect example of this dismantling, as he blurs the lines between traditional Americana bluegrass tunes and avante-garde… Continue reading Ned Luberecki | "Take Five" | Review
One of the most talented singer-songwriters to come out of the Northeast in a decade, Eric Hutchinson, brought his Indy power pop music and savvy wit to a sold-out performance at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. The intimate Clive Davis Theater located inside the museum hosts an ongoing music series of Q&A sessions combined… Continue reading Eric Hutchinson | Clive Davis Theater | L.A.
It was a 1967 jukebox performance like no other at The Fillmore in San Francisco on January 31, when a veritable who’s who of contemporary Bay Area jamsters came together for a “Surrealistic Superjam.” The event, presented by the Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter, was a salute to “the 50th Anniversary of the Summer Of… Continue reading "Surrealistic Superjam" | Fillmore | Review
On February, 2, 2017, Grand Rapids, MI welcomed Umphrey’s McGee. The “Umph” brought the “umph” to the first night of its “Mitten Run,” being the second act to open the brand new 20 Monroe Live in downtown Grand Rapids. It was a night of hot music in a hot venue. To get things started, though,… Continue reading Umphrey's McGee & Spafford | 2/2/17
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, nearly five years removed from their debut album and initial lineup, seem to be following the Grateful Dead’s career arc more than ever. At year five, the Grateful Dead were smack in the middle of their most fruitful creative period; transitioning from danceable, psychedelic torchbearers of the San Francisco sound to… Continue reading Chris Robinson Brotherhood | Ogden Theatre | 2/2/17
“If you book them, they will come,” says the fictionalized, desert dwelling Jim Morrison in “Wayne’s World 2.” Pretty sound advice when you’re booking top end talent like Aerosmith circa 1993 for an inaugural festival, but what about a band that’s never performed together? Fresh off the high seas of Jam Cruise, The Motet‘s Dave… Continue reading SuperJam | Cervantes Other Side | Review
