Category Archives: Music

Guster, 04-08-11, HOB, Dallas

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I’ve been looking forward to writing this post for a while and it will not even come close to how great I think these guys are. I’ve been a fan of Guster for a long time. The first time I heard them they were opening for G. Love and Special Sauce at the Flynn Theatre in Burlington, VT. Since then I’ve seen them every chance I get, Montreal, Burlington, MiddleburyCollege, some I’m forgetting… and now in Dallas. Oh how the world goes round. The last time I saw them play was in 2007, so I was pretty pumped to reunite.

The show was at the House of Blues in Dallas. Jukebox the Ghost was opening, I had never heard of them. Typically, I research opening bands however I was lazy this go around. We arrived about an hour late, thinking we’d catch the last half of the opening act (typically I try to catch however we had some time restrictions) I was pleasantly surprised.   
It’s important for me to explain that before Jukebox the Ghost came on stage, we were waiting for the show to start and this guy comes running up to meet his friends (one of which I think was his brother). He had on a Jukebox the Ghost t-shirt (with autographs) and was extremely pumped up about the show. Pumped meaning he was already hooting, hollering and jumping up and down. He didn’t stop dancing and singing every lyric of the song. Indeed, I was standing next to their biggest fan!. He was so incredibly excited, it it was contagious! About halfway thru the show, the keyboardist in the band looked directly at them and gave them the “shot gun look” but in a great way. I think the keyboardists name was Ben… I kept hearing “I love you Jukebox the Ghost!”, “I love you Ben!”. I’m sure it made their night!
Jukebox the Ghost is an indie band and a great opener Guster. The group consists of a guitarist, pianist and drummer/maraca man. Their tunes make you find the beat to the music and before you know it you’re going to be tapping your head and dancing around. They are upbeat, light-hearted and happy. As I am not the best person at describing music, their live performance was greatness. They got you to feel the beat, move to the music and most importantly you can tell that they love what they do. They were playing with the crowd. To top it off, they write all their own music. For that they get a few more points in my book! The highlight of the show (for me) came about mid-way thru their performance. They explained that they recently played at SXSW and they had been looking for a place to stay. These four college students said they had room to take them in, turns out they’re four bad ass trumpet / trombone players. So what did the Jukebox the Ghost do? They invited them on stage to play with them at the House of Blues. You know it made their year! At the send of the set (about an hour or so), they met fans out in the lobby … and off the world’s biggest Jukebox the Ghost fan went!
Ok, Ok – I’m getting to it – Guster! It was wicked! WICKED! I found myself standing in the second row, so excited to be there! I wish I could relive it, minus the two stoned girls that kept hurling through our area. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen Guster. I really miss my New England bands sometimes but am so thankful that they make it down here. Guster originally met at Tufts in the ‘90’s however as it turns out they are not all from New England. Ryan Miller is from Richardson, Texas – right north of Dallas. Who knew?!
They came on stage and I immediately thought to myself, did I miss something? Joe? Joe? Where did you go? (I went home and did some snooping.) Turns out Joe Pisapai is touring with K.D. Lang (he cowrote and coproduced most of the album with Lang) and in turn we received Mr. Luke Reynolds. Mr. Luke Reynolds plays the banjo and a mean guitar among other things but most importantly – he is a Vermonter! (Insert super excited face here!) If you know me, you know this is a BIG deal. Yes, they announced this on stage. Yes, I was the only one cheering for the word “Vermont”. I’m very proud! 

Guster played an huge array of songs including songs from their newest album “Easy Wonderful” as well as a mix of songs from their past albums. They put on a heck of a show, playing their hearts out, joking with the crowd, reminiscing about attending RISD and calling out each other when they messed up during one of the final songs. They are upbeat, energetic and they have the capability of giving me goosebumps everytime (it’s the greatest feeling really). Brian can still kick some ass on those bongos which makes the crowd go wild everytime! As soon as they come on stage their just completely make you feel like you are one of their own. You become absorbed into the music, their stage presence and every note that is played by every instrument. At the end of the show, Guster made sure to come back out for an encore, which was much appreciated. They played for a good two hours, however I think everyone would agree when I say they should’ve played all night – they were on fire! Much love! 
Guster! Come back soon!
Check them Out!

Martina McBride, 2/19/11, Resistol Arena, Mesquite TX

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Last night I had the opportunity to attend a fundraising event for the Mesquite ISD in Mesquite, TX.  The event was great and seemed to be a success.

The evening started out with a galla event auctioning off various items. I wasn’t going to be found down there bidding on items that frankly I can’t afford (although I really wish I could… well don’t we all) but I could be found in a suite upstairs. Resistol Arena is one of my favorite places to go – well they have rodeos there so how would I not love it.

Martina McBride came out and sang a heck of a show. Man she’s got pipes! It kind of amazed me. Don’t get me wrong, I grew up listening to her music (“Independence Day”, “Wild Angels”) but sometimes these artists are so in their prime and then the radio starts to focus more on the “new”, “new country” artists you don’t hear so much about them anymore, only their latest hits and you kind of forget about their hits in the past. Martina McBride did an overwhelming job of reminding me of this and bringing it all back. Did I mention she has a set of pipes?

The show lasted probably an hour and a half. She was humble, kind, and man that lady can sing and carry a note from here to the moon. She sang some a lot of her hits (besides the two stated above) “Love’s the Only House”, “When God Fearin’ Women Get the Blues”, “Valentine”, “Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong”, “This One’s for the Girls” and ended the show with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”. She also brought back two classic country tunes from her “Timeless” album, including a Ray Price number. She has an amazing career.

You can’t help but feel a little star struck when you are listening to an artist that has accomplished while sitting in an intimate venue. Just last Sunday she was seen signing on the Grammy’s with Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Yolanda Adams and Florence Welch and this morning we watched her sing the National Anthem at the Daytona 500. Here I was thinking to myself… ‘Yea – we just saw her perform a little over 12 hours ago?!’ Kind of crazy.

If you enjoy country music (not just the current pop / Texas country) you will enjoy her show. She brings you back to the country that you remember a few years ago and even brings in the classic country that makes you remember why you love country so much – its the roots of the music. She has after all been a rock in country music for the past 17 years. She will make you sing, dance and sit back with the one you love and really appreciate life (and wish you had a set of choppers like she does).

For more info: http://martinamcbride.com/

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, 2/18/11 HOB Dallas

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If you haven’t heard of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals by now you’re missing out. They’re currently at the peak of their career and only on the rise. Most recently they were featured on a VH1 special to support the troops and since their fame has skyrocketed and have appeared on numerous late night shows promoting their self titled album.

To give you a sense as to what I’m talking about, in October they opened for Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at the Palladium in Dallas. They didn’t sell out, there was a good fan base (including the old man who kept yelling “Shake it Gracie!) but the majority of the folks were there for Sharon Jones. Last night, GNP headlined a show at the House of Blues in Dallas – sold out. The place was packed and the show was killer (I did look for the old man, I’m sure he was there somewhere).

Hailing from Vermont, they are the ultimate jam band with funk, class and soul. They have stone cold talent, they’ve been around for a while. GPN has been quoted as “… Rock and Roll Porn”…its appropriate along with this quote from Almost Famous “I get people off. I look for the guy who isn’t getting off, and I make him get off.” – Jeff Bebe, the only difference is that they don’t look for that one person, they do that for the entire crowd.

GPN brings energy, fire and sass to the stage. You can’t help but move to their tunes. They grab your attention, mesmerize you – you are part of their vibe. Grace’s grainy / copper pipes will blow your mind. You will hear their blues, soulful, 60’s rock and roll influences. She is a modern day Tina Turner-Heidi Klum look alike, dancing wildly on stage in her short dresses and high heels. You will leave the show wishing you had the ability to dance in those shoes without falling on your ass and envious of her and Catherine Popper’s legs. She’s come a ways from playing in her jeans and flannel shirts from back in their hay days.

I appreciate artists a lot more when they write their own songs. I appreciate them even more when they sound just as good (or better) live as they do on their records. As the case with GPN. Grace Potter has written or co-written every song on their self titled album not to mention past albums. The songs bring you back to a relationship you had and make you realize the important things in life. “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Hot Summer Night” and “One Short Night” (my personal favorite) connect with their listeners, make you move to the beats and wish that it just won’t stop.

Last night’s show was pretty wicked. Where do I start? The sexy Scott Tournet (lead guitar) sang Kenny Chesney’s part on “You and Tequila”, that left at least me wishing to hear his voice a little more often. Catherine Popper (bass) she has an incredible musical history and her voice harmonizes so well with Grace its a perfect fit. Matt Burr (drums) the man loves those drums and his hair and style brings you back thinking you must be somewhere around Woodstock. Finally Benny Yurco (guitar), well I fell in love with you last night. If you want to see someone play the shit out the guitar, its Benny Yurco. For the encore he came out and played the intro the “Crazy on You” by Heart and completely blew the crowd away. GPN finished the show with “Medicine” which left the crowd wanting more a whole lot sooner than later.

If you want to catch a show, get in line early because so doesn’t everyone else. GPN shows are selling out all over the country and its well worth catching.

Side Note: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights opened the show for GPN. Granted I missed the first part of their show but they were right on and a perfect opener for this band. They are an electifying southern rock and roll band who are well on their way to success.