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Less Than Jake Show Review

Less Than Jake Show Review
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Going to ska-punk shows does two things to me: 1. They make me feel old and 2. They make me feel relatively attractive. Ska-punk is an inherently dorky genre of music, and sad though it may be, the dorky tend to be less attractive than the non-dorky. Now I’m not saying that I’m a prime cut of 100% American Male myself, but goddamn those ugly kids sure made me feel good about myself (operative word being “kids”). … read more

Sinead O’Connor Show Review

Sinead O’Connor Show Review
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I remember hearing Damien Dempsey’s album Seize the Day and not connecting with its dominant theme of Celtic pride but as he takes the stage, a man and an acoustic guitar standing alone against an audience anticipating Sinead O’Connor I can’t help but notice that there is something captivating about him. His introduction of each song is humorous, filled with wisdom and hope. … read more

Stray Cats Show Review

Stray Cats Show Review
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This was the Stray Cat’s first tour in a decade. No one has really cared about the The Pretenders since the early 80s. ZZ Top has maintained their original members for more than 35 years. What do these three aging bands have in common? … read more

Mastodon Show Review

Mastodon Show Review
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For the many times I have seen Mastodon play, this was the first time I was completely sober. Listening to them through this clearer mindset just reaffirmed why I like them so. However, with this new album and new set of songs they seem to be reaching for a different sound than their earlier recordings.. All the regular dramatics are still present. … read more

Strung Out Show Review

Strung Out Show Review
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I should really know better than to show up at In the Venue at the advertised start time. Doors were supposed to open for this show at 7, so I decide to show up around 7:30 only to be greeted by a giant fucking line of people still waiting to get in.  … read more

Modest Mouse/Rilo Kiley Show Review

Modest Mouse/Rilo Kiley Show Review
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When I left work to drive to this show, I had mixed feelings. I was stoked to be going to the show courtesy of my SLUG Mag credentials, but the fact that it was an arena show “de-stoked” me a great deal, yet I did my best to stay positive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those “Modest Mouse sold out!” kinds of people; in fact, almost the opposite. I’m stoked they have a few radio songs here and there-good for them!  … read more

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Show Review

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Show Review
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While some bands are content to play the exact same set night after night, I’ve always been partial to bands that switch things around every night. So when someone in the crowd shouts out a request and BRMC guitarist/vocalist Peter Hayes responds with “We played that one last time we were here. … read more

Subhumans Show Review

Subhumans Show Review
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As I walked into Club Sound, a sigh of relief washed over me as I realized that I hadn’t been arrested yet. It’s not that I find myself getting arrested on a regular basis, nor do I have a warrant on my head, but the last time I was assigned to review a show, I found myself in handcuffs 20 minutes before the doors opened. … read more

Two Gallants Show Review

Two Gallants Show Review
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I first became aware of Two Gallants because I was blessed enough to have their last album, What The Toll Tells, put in my box for a review right before it was released.  … read more