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Breaking News

Rob Caggiano joins Volbeat!

February 4, 2013

BIG NEWS!!! One of my favorite bands just got even better, if you can imagine that! Danish hard rock/metal band, Volbeat just announced that Rob Caggiano of Anthrax and The Damned Things fame has joined Volbeat as their second guitarist. Rob delivers awesome heavy metal guitar and it will be incredible to see what he brings to Volbeat. Volbeat’s sound resonates sounds from punk to rockabilly wrapped in hard rock energy. Volbeat announced the news as they were also announcing the much anticipated release date of their upcoming studio album, “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” on April 8th, 2013. It will be released in the USA on April 9th so make sure to mark your calendars and get your copy.  Rob Caggiano produced this new album alongside longtime production partner Jacob Hansen. Direct from the Volbeat website: “The band is very proud and happy to announce that he will also be the new guitar player in Volbeat. The collaboration with Rob in the studio was so inspiring and in good spirit that we the decided [Read More]

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Alternative Rock

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]

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Alternative Rock

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]

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Concerts

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]