November 2012 | Music Junkie Press

Music… the true friend of my soul

November 28, 2012

My son has often asked me, “Why do you listen to that song if it makes you cry?” or “Isn’t that just a sad song, why listen to it?” Well, tonight I pondered that question in depth. See, I was having a particularly hard night watching my Mom. I have been spending more and more time taking care of her as she suffers along with her Parkinsons and other ailments. Some days are harder than others and being only a year since my Father, her lifetime partner of over 55 years passed away it seems that tonight was one of those unbearable ones for me. Tonight as I drove home from putting her into bed and making sure she was safe and sound as the caregiver arrived, I searched the radio for a song to listen to. Many of my favorites came on but I was in search of a special song. My son would have called it “A SAD SONG” but what I call it is a friend, waiting for me with open arms [Read More]

A Warm Embrace from Barcelona

November 13, 2012

Barcelona Barcelona is an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington formed around 2005 and I wish I had heard of them sooner. But I am glad that I do have them now in my regular playlist. Barcelona opened up for Blue October (full review here) on Saturday night (Nov. 10, 2012) and they put on an exceptional show. Their sound is piano based harmonies wrapped with edges of rock interlaced. They remind me of The Fray, Augustana or Throwing Ivory which are also some of my favorites. Brian Fennell is on piano and also provides the exceptional emotionally charged vocals. Chris Bristol beautifully entertains us on guitars and backing vocals while we get our energy recharged by Rhett Stonelake. They currently have their new CD out, “Not Quite Yours” which holds some of my favorites like “Only Son”, ‘Evermore” and “Change”. You can get their CD or my preference the Vinyl straight from their website or if you must download, they also offer that direct from their site. While you are at it, you will [Read More]

It is time to make some noise for A Silent Film

November 12, 2012

A Silent Film is a powerhouse quartet from Oxford, UK that took me by surprise on Saturday night. I went to see Blue October play at The Regency Ballroom and you can read my full review from that show here. A Silent Film was one of the opening bands and I am sure glad that I got there in time to watch their whole set. These guys were incredible. I was up sitting in the balcony area and gathering my notes for my review and as soon as they hit the stage, I literally got up and had to get downstairs onto the floor and to see if what I was hearing was accurate! I swear for a second there I was taken back to the first time that I listened to U2 as a teenager and became enmeshed with Alternative Rock. It was the sweet lyrics, uptempo beat, melodic harmonies all drawing me in once again. I stood there and my mind was flooded with some of my favorite acts coming to mind; Jack’s [Read More]

Blue October is at the Peak of Perfection!

November 12, 2012

Saturday night was a perfect one. I got to take my son Ryan to see my all time favorite and most inspiring band, Blue October. The music of Blue October has personally helped me through some of my hardest times as well as energizing me in my good times. When my father passed away last year, “Into the Ocean” was a song that I played daily after leaving my father’s bedside and it kept me afloat! I have often said that Blue October has been the rainbow through my storms, the light at the end of the tunnel, and the candle during my darkest hours. Oh, how I appreciate and love their music! Blue October is currently on “the quiet mind tour” and made a stop at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, November 10, 2012. I have been enjoying Blue October for almost 15 years and had the pleasure seeing them almost a dozen times. This concert I would have to declare the Best of the Best of all the times I have seen [Read More]

Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence dies in Motorcycle accident

November 1, 2012

Rest in Peace Mitch Adam Lucker October 20, 1984 to November 1, 2012 We have some breaking news to report. Mitch Lucker, lead singer of Suicide Silence died this morning from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident overnight. Mitch Lucker was only 28 years old and was one of my son’s favorite singers. Suicide Silence were two time winners of the Revolver Golden God Award for most innovative band and best new band. Ryan had seen Suicide Silence several times and we were looking forward to seeing them again later this month on November 23, 2012 at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. We have confirmed that Mitch was involved in a motorcycle accident and was hospitalized sometime around 9 pm on October 31, 2012 in the Southern California region. He died early morning at 6:17 am on November 1, 2012 from his injuries. Mitch lived in the Huntington Beach area. and his last tweet was eerily “The dead are living” and had a picture of him in his epic Halloween attire. We will update [Read More]