Postcards from the Pit: TESLA / Built By Stereo, Irving Plaza, 2/17/12
TESLA, on the 25th Anniversary of the Five Man Acoustical Jam. I waited 25 years for this show, and it was worth every minute. The experience was all the sweeter because I made new friends in the line, and they saved me a spot on the rail. So not only did I get to see … Read more
The Ridges at the Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, OH, 2.3.11
First, they grabbed the room’s attention by throwing everyone off a little. The Ridges mounted the stage in the Beachland Tavern… and then proceeded to file down through the thick crowd to the middle of the floor, where they formed a circle and played “Invented Love”, sans amplification. While the sound sometimes bounced off … Read more
Postcards from the Pit: The Darkness / Foxy Shazam / Crown Jewel Defense, Irving Plaza, 2/4/2012
This past Saturday night I went to the third show of The Darkness’ current North American tour, which is their first visit to these shores after a six year hiatus. It was an amazing evening; one of the many highlights of my time in the pit was the multiple occasions the dudes around me started … Read more
Postcards from the Table By The Stage: Mud, Blood and Beer, The Lakeside Lounge, 1/5/2012
Mud, Blood & Beer is: Stephen Swalsky (bass), Jon Glover (guitar / vocals), Stephen Sperber (drums) and Jess Hoeffner (guitar / vocals) and last Thursday I kicked off my 2012 concert season with their show at the Lakeside Lounge. (There is no lake anywhere near the Lakeside Lounge. Except maybe in the gutters by Tompkins … Read more
JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound at the Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, OH, 12.1.11
Hey, kids! Trying to get back on the pony after a tumultuous time, so here’s my criminally-overdue review of an incredible show. I was in love and angry that night I headed down to the Beachland to see JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound. In Cleveland, we know a lot about being in love and … Read more
Postcards from the Orchestra: Tori Amos / Thomas Dybdahl, Beacon Theater, 12/3/2011
The last time I saw Tori Amos in concert was, I am pretty sure, somewhere around 1996, not long after she released Boys for Pele. So I may not have recognized very many of the songs on Saturday, but I can tell you this: her voice has only grown more beautiful with time. And … Read more
Postcards from the Pit: Patrick Stump, Starland Ballroom, NJ, 11/4/11
To the left, in the snazzy teal suit: Patrick Stump, formerly of Fall Out Boy. To the right, on the bass, Matthew Rubano, formerly of Taking Back Sunday. Also present are Michael Day on guitar, and Casey Benjamin (HEAVy) on keys and saxophone. (Skoota Warner of Ra is playing drums on the tour, he’s just … Read more
Notes on a Final Show: The Academy Is . . . (2003-2011)
The second night of the Fueled by Ramen 15th Anniversary celebration happened the Friday after Labor Day, the end of a week that had been both somewhat short and unbearably long. Summer was not quite done with Manhattan yet; it was hot, sticky, and close. I was tired and perhaps a little bit feverish, worn … Read more
The Felice Brothers / Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea / Diamond Doves, Webster Hall, 9/29/11
It’s been almost approximately a year since I last saw the Diamond Doves (formerly the Dearland in Elvis Perkins and Dearland, now doing their own thing) and in that time they’ve changed: they’ve become tighter and more focused, and their drums are bigger and louder and roll like mighty waves. They were good before, but they’re … Read more
Nick13 / Brett Detar, The Bell House, 9/24/2011
When I last wrote about Brett Detar (formerly of The Juliana Theory) I had just listened to his new solo record and loved it. Last Saturday night I got to see him sing some of those songs live, and it was fantastic. It was just him and his guitar (and later banjo), so the songs … Read more