Spring at last, spring at last, thank God almighty, it’s spring at last. I’m gonna kiss spring on the mouth. And, being the subversive romantic that I am, you can tell “W” it’ll be a French kiss, too — with French-fry breath. Flogging Molly flogged Molly and the whole damn sold-out crowd at Water […]
Frank De Blase
Posted inMusic
Live forever… or die trying
Chris Robinson’s voice was soulful as ever at Water Street Music Hall, where he sported a new, solid band that smoothly followed the bearded frontman on his new-found mellow jam exploration. Those of us wanting the pointed-toe kick in the ass Robinson used to deliver with the Crowes were treated instead to Dead-head-ish jams, and […]
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Murder of one
Celebrated for creating and single-handedly keeping rough ‘n’ tumble rock music alive with The Black Crowes, singer Chris Robinson has begun a new chapter without his bluesy, black bird buddies. Robinson recently released New Earth Mud, a laid-back, evocative piece that burns with his trademark, soulful wail, while showcasing slightly deeper lyrical introspection and earthier […]
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Black Dog
I’m running from something. But when I get to where I’m going, it’s still there, panting, leering, and laughing. Like it or not, you can’t outrun yourself or, as Johnny Cash refers to one’s darker side, “the black dog.” It’s fun trying, though, and you get to see the sights. So this time, I decided […]
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Never mind Sandra Bullock
Joe Romano soulfully blew some laidback sax for our frozen bones on Friday at The Montage Grille. The joint was cozy, cool, and warm. And here’s the guy to play in the background on Valentines Day, or when you simply have to say “I’m sorry.” When we’re not busy downloading celebrity nudes, my know-it-all […]
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Humor and malice and Henry
A 21st-century Renaissance man, Henry Rollins is a vehement voice for our slightly disenfranchised generation through his writings, ruminations, heavy music, and spoken-word performances. He seems to have all 10 fingers each in a different pie, yet still manages to maintain focus, asking hard questions and providing genuine answers with anecdotes and insight. Rollins pulls […]
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All right Tokyo!
Saturday night was truly the winter of my discontent: salty, shitty, snowy, and cold. Two-thousand-and-three arrived stillborn and under-whelming. My jones for palm trees and sunshine ran feverishly, unchecked. My boots leaked. But once again, I knew rock ‘n’ roll would warm my soul. Richmond’s has a great neighborhood feel. But when you shoehorn […]
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The regular guy look
We all knew Dave Edmunds could play guitar, we just had no idea how well. The legendary rocker blew the Montage Grille audience away last Monday with a sweet amalgamation of Chet Atkins, Scotty Moore, and Mozart. Opener Marshall Crenshaw, though a terrific songwriter, seemed to rest entirely on the strength of his music. He […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
The Look of Rock
A pious cleric casts a demon’s shadow. A skeletal Santa no longer shakes like a bowl full of jelly. An evil clown glowers while smoking five coffin nails at once. The unassuming, yet menacing, grill of a classic Merc sits… waiting. Frankenstein’s green face is all twisted up in frustration. Skulls and skulls and skulls […]
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A fan is born… again
The lights went down. The crowd roared. And I felt the same rush I’d experienced nearly 17 years ago, when I first saw legendary rockers The Blasters — a band that was instrumental in my career choice (music) and my demise. The Blasters’ original lineup is back on tour — Phil and Dave Alvin, […]
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On the record with The Asylum Street Spankers
It’s Dixieland. It’s Tin Pan Alley jazz and it’s the blues. It’s lonesome, Dylan-esque, ragtime wallowing in the bluegrass. It’s Sunday morning redemption from Saturday night’s temptation. It’s truly inspired and lyrically insane. Listen: “I’ll read Bukowski in the gutter With a hooker on each arm And a wine bottle up my […]
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Love For Sale
My darlin’ on the wrong coast was sweet enough to hold her cell phone to the speakers as The Blasters played “Shakin’” live in L.A. Reach out and rock someone. The Blasters are back, baby. It was all classic corduroy and sideburns as Thee Shams, from Cincinnati, wailed a la The Kinks at the […]
