Extended Play

Last night I finally had the chance to catch the current tour for REO Speedwagon's first studio CD in 10 years, "Find Your Own Way Home." The rousing gig at Pechanga Casino in Temecula featured a handful of the new songs. A few - "I Needed to Fall" and the title track - hark back to their '80s heyday and could easily be pop, adult or rock radio hits. Hopefully radio programmers will give 'em a chance.

REO was tighter than ever. There were several amazing guitar solos from Dave Amato and frontman Kevin Cronin was definitely inspired by the new stuff. REO appeased diehard fans by reaching back to the '70s for several tunes, including "157 Riverside Ave.," "Ridin' the Storm Out," "Roll with the Changes," "Time For Me to Fly" and the Bruce Hall sung "Back on the Road Again."

Of course they didn't neglect the hits from "Hi Infidelity," which are timeless. Hall and Amato looked they were having a blast the entire time. I have to commend REO for a fantastic stage design and images on the screens as well. The place should have been sold out!

If you're a fan and haven't picked up the new CD, I'd highly recommend it.There's a specially priced set with it, an XM Artist Confidential DVD and newly recorded live in the studio CD reprising "Hi Fi." Wal Mart offers it for $14.88. Quite a steal.

Has anyone seen them live or heard the new CD? What do you think?

Posted by George Paul at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The First Annual Fullerton Music Festival takes place on Sunday at the Maverick Theater.

Two of the coolest musicians in SoCal - Dramarama frontman John Easdale and Eugene Edwards - are part of the lineup. There will be a Leo Fender Gallery display, BBQ food and drinks.

The event runs from 1:30-10 p.m. Tickets are $25 for the entire day or $10 to check out 2 bands (in 2 hour increments). The Maverick is at 110 E. Walnut Ave. (714) 526-7070, fullertonmusicfestival.com, mavericktheater.com

Here are the tentative set times:

John Easdale & Friends 9 p.m.
Neighborhood Bullies 8 p.m.
Pawnshop Kings 7 p.m.
Eugene Edwards 6 p.m.
Patrick Gallagher 5 p.m.
Shave 4 p.m.
Bart Ryan 3 p.m.
Zydeco Blu 2 p.m.

Posted by George Paul at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Tickets

On sale now
Aaron Shust, Seventh Day Slumber, Sept. 14, Arena at Anaheim Convention Center
Paolo Nutini, Sept. 21, The Wiltern LG
James Blunt, Sept. 25, El Rey Theatre
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Sept. 28, Grove of Anaheim
Jimmy Eat World, Oct. 16, The Wiltern LG
Prong, Nov. 13, Showcase Theater

10 a.m. today
Tiger Army, Nov. 16-17, The Wiltern LG

1 p.m. today
Los Lobos, War, Tierra, Oct. 14, Gibson Amphitheatre
Vicente Fernandez, Nov. 8-10, Gibson Amphitheatre

10 a.m. Saturday
Pat Monahan of Train, Oct. 6, House of Blues Hollywood
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Nov. 23, House of Blues Anaheim

Posted by George Paul at 12:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is more from my great interview with Scott McCaughey, whose "The Gun Album" (Yep Roc) is one of his best efforts to date. The Minus 5 plays Lake Arrowhead Village Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Spaceland in Silverlake on Saturday.

Q: Do you do a broad range of Minus 5 material in the live set?

A: We do things from pretty much all our records, with more of a focus on the last few. We know a fair amount of covers and we might throw in a Young Fresh Fellows song, you never know.

Q: Last time I caught you play was with the Venus 3 and Robyn Hitchcock at the Coach House. You seemed to have a lot of fun up there.

A: We do. We love playing with Robyn. He’s a guy I’ve been a huge fan of over the years and got to know him and be in a band with him. It’s always entertaining with Robyn and the music’s just incredible. He’s such a great songwriter. Obviously, every night it’s a little different onstage. You never know what he’s going to say. We made the one record with him and did like another 20 songs for a new one. So we’re hopefully going to keep doing stuff with him. It’s like another band now.

Q: Good to hear. Do you get as much of a charge playing live now as when you started in the early ‘80s?

A: I do, actually. It’s different every time. There are times when you don’t get a huge crowd and wonder ‘why are we doing this?’ That happens. But once you start playing, it’s great. And you know why you’re doing it – because you love to play music.

Q: A couple weeks ago you did a Young Fresh Fellows gig at a Seattle festival. How’d that go?

A: SeaFair is a big thing. Everybody goes out to the lake and watches the hydroplanes race and the Blue Angels fly overhead. They wanted to make it a music happening as well and booked a bunch of bands. We played for an hour at noon until the Angels did their air show. We were kind of opening for an air show. It was pretty Spinal Tap, but we had a blast playing. We hadn’t played in about 11 months... We had a gas. We’re all kind of excited about playing. I think we’re actually going to record in November.

Q: I'd read once that you were into doing a new YFF CD and the others were not.

A: If we could all set aside the time, I think everybody would be into it, but we haven’t…I’m probably the biggest stickler because I’m gone on tour so much. I’m not even around for six months out of the year; maybe more. Plus I live in Portland now and they all live in Seattle. We seem excited to do stuff now. We’re going to play club shows in Portland and Seattle in November and Robyn is going to come out and produce our record. That’ll be interesting.

Q: Oh yeah. Have you started the new Steve Wynn album?

A: It's still in the planning stages. We’re throwing songs around and working on writing a record. We were planning on doing it in Oct.-Nov., but the schedules are getting convoluted. Hopefully we’ll still get it recorded this year and put it out in the spring because it has a baseball theme.

Q: I still have to get the new Tuatara CD, which just came out.

A: It’s totally different because it was vocals [this time]. It’s not an instrumental record. For us, it’s an experiment to have vocals. Peter, Kevin Larson and I did a lot of backing tracks, sent it out to people and said, ‘write lyrics and sing on it.’ We had Gary Louris, Mark Eitzel, John Wesley Harding, Dean Wareham from Luna and I did some. It’s really cool. There’s actually a second volume coming out in the fall. We did so many songs. Barrett wanted to divide it up thematically. The second one will probably be more ethnically-oriented like a lot of Tuatara stuff has been. The first one is almost regular songs with a spaghetti western vibe and stuff.

Q: Now that you’ve had a chance to live with “The Gun Album,” are you satisfied with how it turned out and how it has been perceived?

A: Oh yeah. I think it came out fantastic and have loved playing the songs off it live. I wish we could’ve toured a little more on it, but that’s the way it goes. We’re busy…it got great reviews; they usually do. I’m not ever thinking they’re going to sell a whole bunch. It’s fine. It’s a limited thing. We do a month or so of gigs when we can. Then it’s hit or miss. I’m really pleased with the record. I’ve been writing another one. But it’s the timing thing. I’m going to be so busy with R.E.M., there’s no point of putting out another Minus 5 record until next fall. That’s probably going to happen with the Robyn Hitchcock record too because Bill, Peter and I are going to be busy with the R.E.M. record. So we wouldn’t be able to tour any Minus 5 or Robyn Hitchcock shows. We’ll see.

Posted by George Paul at 12:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summer Strummer Festival (selected schedule), Santa Monica 9/2/07

Acoustic Lounge Stage
2:40-3pm Curt Phillips - Upland musician

Star Lounge Stage
9:15-10pm Mat Kearney
8:10-8:45pm Augustana
7:20-7:50pm OneRepublic

Lucky Brand Haybale Stage
12:20-12:40pm Dead Rock West
5-5:25pm Ian Moore
6:35-7pm Eddie Spaghetti
7:40-8:10pm Brett Dennen
8:40-9:10pm Deadbolt
9:30-10pm Battalion of Saints

Monster Energy Stage
4:40-5pm Orange
5:25-5:50pm Over It
7-7:40pm Zeke
8:10-8:40pm Duane Peters
9:10-9:30pm Bullets & Octane

Posted by George Paul at 05:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here are more details on Jimmy Eat World's Sept. 30 Fall Fest gig at University of Redlands' Greek Amphitheatre:

Tickets are $20 pre-sale at the Campus Events office, $25 day of show.
UofR students can get an extra discount.

Epitaph Records band The Higher opens along with Dropping Daylight and a local act. General on sale - with service charges - through Ticketmaster outlets starting at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Posted by George Paul at 04:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Second Annual LA Weekly Detour Festival lineup has been announced.

Bloc Party, Perry Farrell's Satellite Party, electronica act Justice, Kinky, The Raveonettes, Shout Out Louds, Teddybears, Turbonegro, the Aggrolites, Moving Units and Autolux are among the performers.

Tickets are $35.50 for the Downtown LA event (Main & First St.) on Oct. 6.
On sale noon Thursday through Ticketmaster. A portion of proceeds benefit Tree People.

Posted by George Paul at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Arizona alt-rock band Jimmy Eat World will play the University of Redlands'
Greek Theater on Sept. 30.
Its new album "Chase the Light" is due out Oct. 16.
No word on whether the show is open to non-students or ticket prices.

Posted by George Paul at 09:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just can't get enough of Moz?

He's already played the Pasadena Civic, Riverside Muni and Hollywood Bowl.
Now the revered British singer will do 10 shows at the Hollywood Palladium soon.

The dates: Oct. 1,2, 4-6, 8-9, 11-13

There will be no surcharge for fans with enough dough to buy tix for all 10.
Those who do will gain early entry into the venue and an additional discount.
The special packages will be available starting Monday at 10 a.m.-Sept. 5 at 10 p.m. through livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

No word yet on the individual show ticket on sales.

Posted by George Paul at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Tickets

On sale now
Kid Finish, Fire Rocket Red, Sept. 8, Glass House
Every Time I Die, Sept. 29, Glass House
The Aggrolites, Oct. 12, Glass House

Noon today
The Spill Canvas, Daphne Loves Derby, Oct. 12, Avalon Hollywood
Static-X, Shadows Fall, Oct. 30, Avalon Hollywood
Cold War Kids, Nov. 23, The Wiltern LG

10 a.m. Saturday
Bad Brains, Sept. 24, House of Blues Anaheim
Bad Brains, Sept. 26, House of Blues Hollywood
Galactic, Oct. 12, House of Blues Hollywood
Boys Like Girls, Oct. 21-22, House of Blues Hollywood
Jesus & Mary Chain, Soulsavers feat. Evan Dando and Mark Lanegan, Oct. 22, House of Blues Anaheim
Chevelle, Oct. 30, House of Blues Hollywood
Static-X, Shadows Fall, Oct. 31, House of Blues Anaheim
Minus the Bear, Helio Sequence, Nov. 3, Avalon Hollywood
Circa Survive, Nov. 8, Mayan Theatre
Circa Survive, Nov. 9-10, Glass House
She Wants Revenge, Nov. 9-10, Henry Fonda Theatre
Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler of The Jam, Jan. 25, House of Blues Anaheim

Noon Saturday
Regina Spektor, Oct. 31, Grove of Anaheim
Minus the Bear, Helio Sequence, Nov. 4, Glass House
The Hold Steady, Art Brut, Nov. 7, The Wiltern LG

Available through Ticketmaster; dates/times subject to change

Posted by George Paul at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Jewel will perform at Morongo Casino in Cabazon on Nov. 15.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 11. Price range is $30-$40.

Info: www.casinomorongo.com, www.ticketmaster.com

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In case you haven't heard, former TV presenter and head of Factory Records Tony Wilson died from a heart attack over the weekend. He had been battling cancer.

The outspoken Englishman was responsible for launching the careers of Joy Division, New Order, Happy Monday, James, OMD and many others. Along with New Order, he launched The Hacienda nightclub in Manchester. I'm fairly certain it was Wilson who introduced Happy Mondays before their set at Coachella back in April.

Wilson was famously portrayed by comedian Steve Coogan in the acclaimed 2002 flick "24 Hour Party People."
If you're a fan of BritPop/the Manchester music scene and haven't seen it, go rent the movie.

Posted by George Paul at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Van Halen, which announced a reunion tour with David Lee Roth
(it hits Staples Center on Nov. 20) have tried to rewrite their own history.

Go to www.van-halen.com and you'll see several album covers from the Roth era. Yet bassist Michael Anthony (who is not taking part in this tour due to his friendship/tours with on again, off again VH singer Sammy Hagar and whatever reasons Eddie Van Halen comes up with) is conspicuously missing.

There are no album covers from the Hagar era or Gary Cherone's brief tenure.

The new VH bio/tour announcement suddenly stops when Roth left the band in the mid-80s.

In related news, Cherone is reportedly writing new material with Nuno Bettancourt, who recently left Perry Ferrell's Satellite Party. Could there be a new Extreme CD in the future?

Posted by George Paul at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Tickets

On sale now
The Academy Is, Sept. 21, House of Blues Anaheim
Voxtrot, Sept. 23, Henry Fonda Theatre
Steel Pulse, Sept. 25, House of Blues Hollywood
Beethoven's Nightmare, Oct. 6, El Rey Theatre
Unearth, Oct. 9, Glass House
Lucero, Oct. 20, El Rey Theatre
The Good Life, Oct. 27, Glass House
Of Montreal, Nov. 11, Glass House
Dave Bazan, Dec. 10, Glass House

10 a.m. Friday
Cartel, The Honorary Title, Sept. 4, House of Blues Anaheim
Good Charlotte, Sept. 15, House of Blues Anaheim

10 a.m. Saturday
Street Scene 2007: Muse, Panic! At the Disco, Crystal Method, Jack's Mannequin, Jaguares, G. Love & Special Sauce, T-Pain, Augustana, Matt Costa, Sept. 22, Coors Amphitheatre
Street Scene 2007: The Killers, Social Distortion, Arctic Monkeys, Air, Brand New, Spoon, T.I., Gym Class Heroes, Paulo Nutini, Editors, Mute Math, The Coral, Sondre Lerche, Sept. 23, Coors Amphitheatre
Hot Hot Heat, Bedouin Soundclash, Sept. 27, House of Blues Anaheim
Riders on the Storm (Manzarek/Krieger), Sept. 28, House of Blues Anaheim
Atmosphere, Oct. 2, Henry Fonda Theatre
Boys Like Girls, All Time Low, Oct. 20, House of Blues Anaheim
Battles, Oct. 30, Henry Fonda Theatre
Dave Mason, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Nov. 9, House of Blues Anaheim
Bayside, Nov. 15, House of Blues Anaheim
Rev. Horton Heat, Hank Williams III, Dec. 28, House of Blues Anaheim

Noon Saturday
Twiztid, Tech N9ne, Oct. 23, Grove of Anaheim

1 p.m. Saturday
Zucchero, Oct. 17, Grove of Anaheim

All shows available through Ticketmaster and subject to change.

Posted by George Paul at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

KROQ-FM (106.7) has ditched the I.E.

After six years, the L.A. alternative station moved its annual September Invasion concert festival from Hyundai Pavilion in Devore to Home Depot Center in Carson. What a disappointment.

Since KROQ always puts on the Almost Acoustic Christmas in Universal City and Weenie Roast in Irvine, Inland Invasion always meant we didn't have to drive far to see some of the biggest names in modern rock - past and present.

Morning deejays Kevin & Bean reportedly blamed the switch on too many complaints about traffic and parking in Devore (ironic, since the duo never attended any Invasions), but I think it had something to do with scheduling conflicts.

Tickets for L.A. Invasion on Sept. 15 go on sale at noon Saturday. Details at kroq.com.

Do you think this will get KCXX-FM (103.9) to sponsor its own alt-rock show in the I.E.? We can only hope.

Speaking of Hyundai, Rock the Bells “sold out” last Saturday with attendance at 45,000 (the venue's capacity is actually 65,000). It's a good thing the crowd wasn't bigger. Various reports stated that security was overzealous and police used pepper spray on concertgoers several times.

Posted by George Paul at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Jennifer Gentle will do an in-store appearance at the Mad Platter record store in Riverside on Monday. It starts at 5 p.m.

The Italian psychedelic rock band, whose fourth CD "The Midmight Room" is out on Seattle indie Sub Pop Records, has been compared to Syd Barrett and a low-fi Flaming Lips.

Mad Platter is located in University Village, near UCR.

Posted by George Paul at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Former Beach Boy Brian Wilson opens the Annenberg Theater's 2007-2008 season with a concert on Nov. 4. It will be held at the intimate, 1,000-capacity Palm Springs Pavilion Theatre. VIP tickets are $350. That includes an exclusive after-party. Call (760) 325-4490 for more info.

To purchase $95 mezzanine tickets, call (800) 432-7250.
Online: www.psmuseum.org

Posted by George Paul at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

The music lineup for Route 66 Rendesvous at Court & E Streets in San Bernardino has been set.

Sept. 13
Ashley Runner and West 10

Sept. 14
Legendary Mustangs

Sept. 15
Dick Dale with Jimmy Dale
Mad Max & Wild Ones
Corinne Chapman
Neil Morrow & Memphis 54
DB Daddies

Sept. 16
Tierra

Posted by George Paul at 01:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're heading out to Devore on Saturday for Rock the Bells, remember to allow plenty of time to get into the venue and bring extra cash for parking (usually $10-$20), food/drink and souvenirs. Don't take anything you don't really need. Chances are you won't be allowed inside the gates.

There's not much variety, food-wise, once you get in, so it pays to have lunch before you leave. Better yet, bring a sack lunch to have in or near your car.

The tentative schedule is posted at kroq.com

Posted by George Paul at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tickets

On sale now
Dredg, Oct. 4, Glass House
The Velvet Teen, Say Hi to Your Mom, A-Sides, Oct. 19, Glass House
Enon, Deadly Finns, Nov. 2, Glass House

10 a.m. today
Soda Stereo, Nov. 21, Home Depot Center

Noon today
The Spill Canvas, Daphne Loves Derby, Playradioplay, Oct. 11, Glass House
The Good Life, Art in Manila, Oct. 27, Glass House
David Bazan (Pedro the Lion), J. Tillman, Dec. 10, Glass House

10 a.m. Saturday
Blaqk Audio (featuring members of AFI), Sept. 27, Mayan Theater
From The Jam (featuring Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler), Jan. 26, El Rey Theatre

As always, these are subject to change.

Posted by George Paul at 01:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're going to the X-Games at the Home Depot Center this weekend, be sure to check out some of the live bands:

Saturday
The Shys (Britpop/garage rock) 1:15 p.m.
Death By Stereo (punk) 3 p.m.

Sunday
Buck-O-Nine (ska) 11 a.m.
Kenna (indie rock) 3 p.m.

Posted by George Paul at 01:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in Highland has finally added a decent rock show after a long drought.
It's Pat Benatar on Oct. 4 (yes, I like much of her late '70s/early '80s stuff). Sure beats bookings like War or
Kenny G.

Posted by George Paul at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Stevie Wonder will serve as Grand Marshall for the big California Speedway race in Fontana on Sept. 2. He also just announced his first tour in several years, which comes to the LA's Greek Theatre on Sept. 5.

Posted by George Paul at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Inland Valley singer/songwriter Curt Phillips, an IE Music Award winner for Best Folk Artist, has been added to the Second Annual Summer Strummer Festival bill on Sept. 2, alongside Augustana, Mat Kearney, Jesse Malin and dozens more.

It's at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. On sale through Ticketmaster. More details at www.star987.com or myspace.com/thesummerstrummer.

Posted by George Paul at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Due to some problems getting into Hyundai Pavilion on July 28, I missed out on a few side stage bands. I did see Saosin though.

The hard-edged O.C. alt-rock band - featuring Corona native Chris Sorenson - got an enthusiastic response from the mid-afternoon crowd, especially on "Collapse," the harmonious "Voices" and "You're Not Alone." The latter found people swaying and waving their hands in the air. Singer Cove wasn't deterred from rude concertgoers throwing bracelets and candy.

Mindless Self-Indulgence offended on many levels, not the least of which was a tune with a homophobic slur. Others were laced with profanities. The mindless synth rock reminded me of '80s jokesters Sigue Sigue Sputnik (not even that good). Inexplicably, they got the longest set on the side stage.

Julien-K, with ex-members of Orgy, sounded really good (I was stuck in a crowd in the concessions area and couldn't move). They utilized smoke effects and were sort of like The Prodigy meets She Wants Revenge.

Since the grass section was barely filed in the daytime, I decided to get a distant vantage point halfway through HIM's set. It wasn't too bad. Then again, I might not have thought so if the big screens weren't projecting the band.

A great DJ mixed songs between sets on the main stage. I heard bits of songs by AC/DC, Gary Glitter, The Outfield, Blur, Corey Hart (!), Guns 'N Roses, Weezer and Joan Jett.

Did anyone go to the show? Who stood out?

Posted by George Paul at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I know it’s been awhile since I posted. I was crazed before and after the Projekt Revolution tour stop in Devore. Still playing catch-up.

After witnessing Erasure’s short, but stellar set at the Greek Theatre in June (during the True Colors Tour with Cyndi Lauper), I had to see whether they could up the ante on their own. So I headed to the Grove of Anaheim on July 21.

The British synth-pop duo was equally magical in a sold out, 90-minute show that covered their entire career. Singer Andy Bell took the stage in a silver lame top and camouflage pants, while keyboardist Vince Clarke wore a white wig and glasses that made him look like Andy Warhol. Rotating diamonds above the stage and on screens tied into the latest album’s artwork.

New tune “Sunday Girl” kicked off the set as Clarke’s attention grabbing synth sounds recalled Erasure’s “ABBA-esque” EP. It was followed by “Blue Savannah.” Three female backing vocalists injected plenty of soul in their ‘40s-syled box hats. The lush “Breathe” was a high point, as was “Chains of Love,” dispatched early in the set. At first, Bell sat on glittery blue stairs, then he got up and sashayed around the stage.

It was a party in the pit when “Love to Hate You” prompted fans to clap and point at strategic moments. The Hi-NRG pace of “Sucker For Love” gave way to a brief intermission and costume changes all around (Bell & Clarke in splattered paint outfits; the gals in day-glo bouffant wigs).

Clarke played acoustic guitar on a stripped down “A Little Respect.” From there, Erasure barely let up steam on strong versions of “Oh L’Amour,” “Ship of Fools,” “Chorus,” “Sometimes” and closer, “Stop!”

Go pick up Erasure’s latest “Light at the End of the World.” It’s one of their best in years.
Was anyone at that show? What do you think of the new CD?

Posted by George Paul at 09:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)