06/19/2014 Nonpoint, Crows Cage, Divot (Akron, NY @ Braun’s Concert Cove)
By Eric | June 25, 2014 12:00 pm
First time at Braun’s! A typical bar, but with a super-nice stage setup outside, with a temporary/permanent shell over it. Turned out to be a great place to see a show. Unfortunately the turnout wasn’t all that great; not sure if it was the location that turned people off, or if there just isn’t that big of a Nonpoint following in WNY.
In any event, the locals up first were okay, but I spent way more time talking to Danielle and Dave. Danielle had come in from CT for this show and the one the next night in Syracuse to see Love and Death (Head from Korn’s other band), who were supposed to be direct support, but dropped off the tour. But regardless, it was fun to catch up and re-hash old shows with them. Before long, it was Nonpoint time! As if seeing them again (first time since Syracuse in 2010!) wasn’t good enough, the other neat thing about this go around was that I got to see my favorite hired-gun guitarist again: BC Kochmit! After the apparent demise of Eye Empire, BC had been filling in with Nonpoint as one of their guitar players had a baby (BC’s now in Nonpoint permanently!) and this was one of the dates he played. Rocking my Eye Empire shirt, I was able to get down right in front of BC and have a little repartee throughout the night. Good times. So despite the smallish crowd, we had a blast. The set was decidedly old-school, with 7 of the 13 tunes coming off the first two albums. We also got the first live performance of the new lead single “Breaking Skin” which is a killer tune as well. They sounded great, BC fit right in, Elias kept the crowd hyped, and I personally was a jumping fool down front, especially for my favorites off the first album (Victim, What a Day, Endure). I’m always torn on low turnout shows, because part of me wants a big crowd for the band (so they come back!), but I also love the “they’re playing in my backyard for me and my friends” vibe as well where only the die-hards come out and it’s super intimate.
Mindtrip
I Said It
The Truth
Broken Bones
Victim
What a Day
Endure
Left For You
That Day
Breaking Skin (1st time ever played)
Rabia
Alive and Kicking
Bullet with a Name
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Tags: 2014, Akron, Braun's, Crows Cage, Divot, Nonpoint
05/08/2014 Buckcherry, Fozzy, Adelita’s Way (Rochester, NY @ The Arena at the Main Street Armory)
By Eric | May 16, 2014 3:25 pm
It was at the “Arena” at the Armory… in the basement! (THERE IS NO BASEMENT AT THE ARMORY!) Long and narrow, reminiscent of the old Icon in Buffalo. Dark and grungy. The perfect place for Buckcherry. Due to my usual being on “Nate Time”, I only got to see 2 Adelita’s Way songs (Sick, Invincible) but they sounded pretty good.
Met up with Scott and Mark, and we hung in the back for Fozzy, but not before I snapped a pic of lead singer (and Best In The World At What He Does) Chris Jericho with his ubiqutious light-up jacket!
Musically, I wanted to like them more than I actually did. They’re just a touch too-classic metal for me, and Jericho’s singing voice isn’t my favorite. They’re not bad by any means, just not my cup of tea.
Buckcherry came out to a decidedly small, but enthusiastic crowd and started immediately with Lit Up, much to the delight of just about everyone. They sounded great, lots of energy all night. They played a good mix of songs, including all the favorites / radio hits, and a lot of stuff that I didn’t hear when I saw them at Genesee Brewery in 2011. The smallish crowd didn’t seem to phase them in the least, as it was just as good of a show as it would have been upstairs with a full barn. Good times!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the spectacle that was almost equal to Buckcherry’s set, and unfortunately even closer to us than the band was, despite the small venue: The sweaty fat couple that were all over each other for the entire show. Drunk and sloppy is no way to go through a concert, but damned if they didn’t try. They kept it up for the better part of three-quarters of the set before a security guard finally dragged the dude away. (The woman stuck around for some inexplicable reason.) I’ve seen people try to make out in the crowd at a show before, but this was unprecedented. Put the CD on, drink for cheaper, and stay home folks.
Buckcherry Setlist:
Lit Up
Imminent Bail Out
All Night Long
Fall
Everything
Sorry
Dead
Porno Star
Ridin’
Gluttony
Greed
Dreamin’ of You
Crazy Bitch
Encore:
I Love It (“Say F*ck It”) (Icona Pop cover)
Too Drunk…
Sorry
Gluttony
Crazy Bitch (clip)
Topics: Concerts | Comments Off on 05/08/2014 Buckcherry, Fozzy, Adelita’s Way (Rochester, NY @ The Arena at the Main Street Armory)
Tags: 2014, Adelitas Way, Buckcherry, Fozzy, Main Street Armory, rochester
Black Stone Cherry – 2014 – Magic Mountain
By Eric | May 14, 2014 6:00 pm
Artist: Black Stone Cherry
Title: Magic Mountain
Label: Roadrunner
Released: May 6, 2014
Packaging: Jewel Case
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Best Buy Exclusive
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#Holding On…To Letting Go
#Peace Pipe
#Bad Luck & Hard Love
#Me And Mary Jane
#Runaway
#Magic Mountain
#Never Surrender
#Blow My Mind
#Sometimes
#Fiesta Del Fuego
#Dance Girl
#Hollywood In Kentucky
#Remember Me
#Leave Your World Behind
#Revolutionize
Review: The band commented on the making of Magic Mountain stating, “Not since before our first album have we felt the freedom and confidence that we felt while writing and recording this album. After touring the world behind three previous albums that we are extremely proud of, we feel this album best captures the live energy, honesty and vibe that encompasses our true musicianship.”
Topics: CD Collection | Comments Off on Black Stone Cherry – 2014 – Magic Mountain
Tags: 2014, Best Buy Exclusive, Black Stone Cherry, Jewel Case, Roadrunner
Down – 2014 – Down IV Part II
By Eric | May 14, 2014 6:00 pm
Artist: Down
Title: Down IV Part II
Label: Down
Released: May 13, 2014
Packaging: Digipack
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#Steeple
#We Knew Him Well
#Hogshead / Dogshead
#Conjure
#Sufferer’s Years
#Bacchanalia
Review:
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Tags: 2014, Digipack, Down, Standard
Eric Hutchinson – 2014 – Pure Fiction
By Eric | April 27, 2014 6:00 pm
Artist: Eric Hutchinson
Title: Pure Fiction
Label: Let’s Break Records
Released: Apr 8, 2014
Packaging: Digipack
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#Tell The World
#A Little More
#Forever
#I Goit The Feelin Now
#Goodnight Goodbye
#Love Like You
#I Don’t Love U
#Sun Goes Down
#Forget About Joni (Acoustic)
#Shine On Me (Acoustic)
Review:
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Tags: 2014, Digipack, Eric Hutchinson, Let's Break, Standard
Sevendust – 2014 – Time Travelers & Bonfires
By Eric | April 27, 2014 6:00 pm
Artist: Sevendust
Title: Time Travelers & Bonfires
Label: 7Bros
Released: Apr 15, 2014
Packaging: Jewel Case
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed? Autographed
Tracklist:
#Come Down
#Under It All
#The Wait
#Upbeat Sugar
#One Life
#Bonfire
#Gone
#Denial
#Trust
#Crucified
#Karma
#Black
Review: Six new ones, six old ones. All acoustic. Rock!
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Tags: 2014, 7Bros, Autographed, Jewel Case, Sevendust, Standard
04/10/2014 Gavin DeGraw, Parachtue, Rozzi Crane (Buffalo, NY @ SUNY Buffalo Center for the Arts)
By Eric | April 10, 2014 11:59 pm
Four months later, Tiff finally cashed in on her Christmas present… 2nd row seats! So the first act up was Rozzi Crane. In short, she sounds like Adele, looks like she’s out of the 90’s, and her backing band (read: two dudes with a keyboard and electronic drumkit) sounds like they’re from 1985. Great voice, iffy songs. She’s aligned with Adam Levine, so I’m sure we’ll probably be sick of hearing about her sooner rather than later. Given her age (23 I think?), I wasn’t sold that she’s a “Crazy-Ass Bitch” either, as her last song proclaimed.
UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO! pic.twitter.com/tjocvqTGXf
— Rozzi Crane (@rozzicrane) April 11, 2014
Parachute was next, and they were pretty good, better than I expected. Light pop-rock, but real instruments, a real band, and the guys could play. This crowd was heavily skewed to the female persuasion (like 95%-5% female), and a lot of them rushed to the front of the stage for these guys. During their cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark”, the lead singer was running across the stage, tripped on a cord and took a pretty wicked dive. Full marks though, he popped right back up, owned it, and soldiered right on with the song. Good on ya, dude!
She Is Love
Finally time for Gavin, and it had been nearly ten years since we’d seen him on back to back nights in Buffalo and Rochester, so we were ready to hear some newer stuff in the live setting. He delivered, with a good mix across the five albums, with a couple of covers thrown in for good measure. The ladies in attendance sang loud and proud all night, and the few that were fortunate enough to be up against the stage received plenty of attention from their hero. His backing band was fantastic, and included bassist James Cruz, who used to be in Splender. Overall, a fine set from one of Tiff’s pop artists that I can say I truly enjoy.
Gavin DeGraw
————
Make a Move
Heartbreak
Chariot
Run Every Time
Who’s Gonna Save Us
Follow Through
We Belong Together
Best I Ever Had
She’s Always a Woman (Billy Joel cover)
Where You Are
Soldier
Rumour Has It (Adele cover)
Every Little Bit
More Than Anyone
Finest Hour
I Don’t Want To Be
Encore:
Leading Man
Not Over You
Make A Move
Chariot
Follow Through
I Don’t Wanna Be
Not Over You
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Tags: 2014, Buffalo, Center for the Arts, Gavin DeGraw, Parachute, Rozzi Crane, SUNY Buffalo
Jack Johnson – 2006 – Sing-A-Longs And Lullabies For The Film Curious George
By Eric | March 14, 2014 6:00 pm
Artist: Jack Johnson
Title: Sing-A-Longs And Lullabies For The Film Curious George
Label: Brushfire
Released: Feb 7, 2006
Packaging: Digipack
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#Upside Down
#Broken
#People Watching
#Wrong Turn
#Talk Of The Town
#Jungle Gym
#We’re Going To Be Friends
#The Sharing Song
#The 3 R’s
#Lullaby
#With My Own Two Hands
#Questions
#Supposed To Be
Review:
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Tags: 2006, Brushfire, Digipack, Jack Johnson, Standard
Fuel – 2014 – Puppet Strings
By Eric | March 8, 2014 6:00 pm
Artist: Fuel
Title: Puppet Strings
Label: Megaforce
Released: Mar 3, 2014
Packaging: Jewel Case
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed? Autographed
Tracklist:
#Yeah
#Soul To Preach To
#Hey Mama
#Time For Me To Stop
#Wander
#Cold Summer
#I Can See The Sun
#Puppet Strings
#Headache
#What We Can Never Have
Review:
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Tags: 2014, Autographed, Fuel, Jewel Case, Megaforce, Standard
Crosses – 2014 – Crosses
By Eric | February 22, 2014 6:00 pm
Artist: Crosses
Title: Crosses
Label: Sumerian
Released: Feb 11, 2014
Packaging: Digipack
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#This Is a Trick
#Telepathy
#Bitches Brew
#Thholyghst
#Trophy
#The Epilogue
#Bermuda Locket
#Frontiers
#Nineteen Ninety Four
#Option
#Nineteen Eighty Seven
#Blk Stallion
#Cross
#Prurient
#Death Bell
Review:
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Tags: 2014, Crosses, Digipack, Standard, Sumerian