ENTERTAINMENT
By Sam Sessa | January 1, 2009
Singer and guitarist Pat Downes plays another band's music for a living. Downes is the front man for the Sublime tribute group Badfish. Several nights a week, Downes and his two bandmates re-create live shows by the incredibly popular '90s ska/punk group. Sublime disbanded shortly after lead singer Brad Nowell died in 1996. But demand for Sublime's music has only grown since then. Badfish formed seven years ago. Now, the trio routinely sells out large clubs - like the 1,900-capacity Rams Head Live, where the group will perform tomorrow.
ENTERTAINMENT
By Rashod D. Ollison | March 12, 2009
The fact that all four are still alive is nothing short of miraculous. The original members of Motley Crue - lead singer Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, lead guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee - spent much of the Reagan era wasted on drugs and alcohol and partying with groupies around the world. The wild times were funneled into the music, producing some of the most enduring hits in heavy metal: "Live Wire," "Dr. Feelgood," "Girls, Girls, Girls" and one of the genre's best ballads, "Home Sweet Home."
ENTERTAINMENT
By Allie Semenza | May 17, 2007
For a large portion of Grace Potter's life, singing wasn't her top priority. Potter tried acting, painting and interior design before forming roots rock band the Nocturnals in college in upstate New York. Now, after about five years together, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are touring nationally and preparing to release their major-label debut. Tomorrow, they'll stop in the city for a show at the 8x10. Potter said growing up, she took her voice for granted. "Because of how naturally it came, it was almost like it was too easy of a decision," she said.
FEATURES
By Rashod D. Ollison | October 10, 2007
The consensus seems to be that it's a risky move but a brilliant one nonetheless. Radiohead, the multiplatinum British rock band, bucks conventional "record" industry wisdom today by releasing its new album, In Rainbows, exclusively on the group's Web site. But the really audacious part is that Radiohead, which is not under contract with a record company, is allowing fans to pay whatever they want for the music: 1 cent, $1, $10, whatever. Since the critically acclaimed quintet made the announcement a week ago, music circles have been buzzing about the unprecedented move.
ENTERTAINMENT
By Brad Schleicher | August 30, 2007
Not many musicians can claim to have shared the stage with their idols. But at the age of 27, blues guitarist Sean Costello has done exactly that. Costello, who began playing guitar at age 9 and touring at 14, has opened for and performed with the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Bo Diddley. He has enjoyed a wealth of critical acclaim for his 2005 self-titled album. Although Costello enjoys a constant tour schedule, he will enter the studio again in the winter to record a new album. You can catch one of his performances Sunday at the annual Alonzo's Memorial Picnic in Rosedale.
ENTERTAINMENT
By Rashod D. Ollison | January 18, 2007
Their luck was messed up for so long that the guys of Blue October decided to call their latest album Foiled. "Every time we took a step, something pushed us two steps back," says Justin Furstenfeld, the modern-rock band's spiky-haired focal point and lead singer. "We might as well just say it: We're foiled." After a decade of personal and artistic ups and downs, after being signed, dropped, then re-signed to Universal Records, Blue October has finally arrived, so to speak. Unexpectedly, Foiled has become the Houston quintet's biggest album.
ENTERTAINMENT
By SAM SESSA | April 19, 2007
With a new album named Alpha in stores last month, alt-metal band Sevendust comes to Rams Head Live Sunday. The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1997, earned it national attention and went gold. Its next two albums, Home and Animosity, followed suit, establishing Sevendust as a solid, successful band. Rams Head Live is at 20 Market Place in Power Plant Live. Tickets are $20 in advance and $23 the day of the show. Call 410-244-1131 or go to ramsheadlive.com.
ENTERTAINMENT
By Katy O'Donnell | November 15, 2007
Wellbutrin rock. Manic. Euphoric. Hippie-dippy. Unwieldy Dallas ensemble. Beatific cult. Novelty act. The Hare Krishnas of the rock world. The Polyphonic Spree, the 22-member, self-described "choral symphonic rock group" from Texas, has been called a lot of things. Just don't ask group leader Tim DeLaughter if the band members really are "shiny happy people," as more than one writer has put it. "That remark really insults my intelligence and [the writers']. ... People come out and see our show and say, `Oh, these shiny happy people,' and it's just so shallow," he says of the band, which performs Saturday night at Rams Head Live.
TRAVEL
By [LORI SEARS] | June 3, 2007
Salute the military and enjoy a day of star-spangled activities at the third annual Patriotic Festival in Virginia Beach today. Throughout the day, visitors can see military displays, enjoy kids' activities and hear live music. Power-pop band the Saving Graces and the eclectic band Butter play on the stage at 31st Street and Oceanfront 2 p.m.-5 p.m. The evening concerts kick off at 7 p.m. at Fifth Street and Oceanfront with new country singer Jason Michael Carroll. Headliner Gretchen Wilson belts out her hit country songs beginning at 8:30 p.m. on the Fifth Street stage.
ENTERTAINMENT
By Brian McCollum | November 1, 2007
For a certain breed of Van Halen fan, it's like finally getting to scratch a pesky itch. More than 20 years have passed since David Lee Roth was unceremoniously dumped from his band in favor of vocalist Sammy Hagar, carving a schism between Van Halen aficionados and creating years of frustration for fans of the original singer. And more than a decade has passed since Van Halen first teased at a reunion with Roth, initiating what would become a continuing procession of rumors, botched plans and public feuding.