BMG will get you gooey Michelle F. Solomon The Blue Man Group Saturday, September 15, 2007 Universal Studios Citywalk, Orlando Better Than: Late night TV’s stupid human tricks. The Blue Man Group has been a staple of Greenwich Village for almost two decades. I saw them a few years ago…
Sometimes, wildman blues can be good for what ails you. If you believe in that theory, then consider Eddie Kirkland as the blues version of a hot toddy. His eccentric brand of boogie-woogie is peppered with high-powered guitar wails and lightning-paced strumming that makes you wonder if the term electric…
Rilo Kiley is on an ascent. It’s one that may take them from cult status all the way to the big leagues, as far as the music industry is concerned. With a critically acclaimed new album on the streets and a major label backing them, now is a telling time…
The toilet in Miss Cleo’s half bathroom has been flushing on its own lately. Whenever she walks by the room, it just flushes itself, she says. Consider it an episode of paranormal activity if you wish, but for Miss Cleo, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. She says she’s been…
On the afternoon of August 15, Allen Scott, co-owner of San Francisco club the Independent, got a call from underground rapper MF Doom’s agent. The masked MC, it seemed, would likely be too sick to make his scheduled performance there that evening. Later, though, the agent called back and reversed…
During the first half of 2007, it seemed impossible to escape New York rapper MIMS’ omnipresent single “This Is Why I’m Hot.” The song loomed over society telling people exactly why MIMS was hot and was just as precise in its explanation of why you’re not. Although the song went…
Every great artist has a dis-credit on his or her résumé —Lord Laurence Olivier has Inchon, Neil Young has that stinkin’ “rockabilly” album, and Miles Davis’ On the Corner is probably the single most reviled album in his colossal catalog. On the Corner, released in 1972, is the album critics…
Trying to define the work of Manu Chao — who has finally followed up on his 2001 disc, Próxima Estación: Esperanza — is certainly not easy. The Franco-Spanish musician challenges the listener using lyrics written in four languages and beats that reflect complete open-mindedness. The artist seems to expect no…
Covering reggae shows in South Florida takes patience and an affinity for early-morning reporting. While concerts in other genres can sometimes finish as late as 3 a.m., maybe even 4, depending upon the city, that’s usually when things are getting started within the dancehall community. So when a well-needed 20-minute…
Behold the mouth that roared… and keeps on roaring! Over the past 20-plus years, Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine has made enough outrageous statements to warrant the publication of his own quotation book. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the man has shown no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Where it’s typical for…
The voice sounds hauntingly familiar, betraying a slight hint of a reggae lilt and a casual charm. That’s not surprising considering Scottish-born Colin Hay’s tenure at the helm of Men at Work, an Aussie outfit whose relentlessly catchy hits — “Who Can It Be Now” and “Down Under” chief among…
Shock rock has seen its fair share of gory characters, but they’re all tame in comparison to GWAR. Known for its wild stage theatrics, which include homages to necrophilia, scatology, bestiality, rape, murder, carnage, and lots of other things that could give Tipper Gore a heart attack, GWAR has little…
Ginger Bay Café1908 Hollywood Blvd.Hollywood954-923-1230It’s nearly impossible to walk the Hollywood strip and not be drawn in by the rhythms floating out of Ginger Bay Café. On a recent Wednesday-night outing, I walked in and heard the sounds of MaWon, a seven-man band, playing compa and zouk — popular music…
The best Yeah Yeah Yeahs songs have always felt like a balling or a brawling — if not both. Since emerging in 2000, the serrated sleaze-rockin’ trio of vamping singer Karen O, bassy guitarist Nick Zinner, and primal drummer Brian Chase has gangbanged a catalog of turn-ons and fuck-offs. The…
Guitar Music From the Western Sahara is one of Sublime Frequencies’ first releases to spotlight the recordings of a single artist. And Group Doueh deserves the global attention. Since the late ’80s, Group Doueh has maintained a presence throughout Morocco and Mauritania, performing on television and radio as well as…
Here’s an all-star tribute to the jazzy queen of the American songbook, Ella Fitzgerald. Check these creds: produced by legendary A&R Recording studios founder Phil Ramone; arrangements by Billy Childs (formerly of Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard’s band) and Rob Mounsey (whose horn arrangements include Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al”);…
Black power anthems have come in many forms. Gospel, hip-hop, and soul music have a ton — just ask the Staple Singers, the JB’s, or Public Enemy. But it’s much rarer to find one in the electronica world. Yet this week, Miami-based DJ/producer Supersoul drops a series of remixes that…
Dropkick Murphys w/ HorrorPops September 25, 2007 Revolution, Ft. Lauderdale Dropkick MurphysPhotos by Jamie Puntumkhul Better than: Three accidental fists to the face due to an ardently chanted Oi! trinity. The Review: I have somewhat of an obsession with that span of time between an opening band’s wasted plea to…
Hey, sometimes there’s no underestimating high school principals. Who knew a publicity snap of four skinny rockers could amount, in the eyes of one, to porn? The band in question: All Time Low, a poppy, punky, quartet from the suburbs of Baltimore, who just released their debut full-length, So Wrong,…
Our punk rock icons are aging. Mike Watt now looks more like a retiring shop teacher than a rocking member of the double bass group Dos, and the recent surprise guest on NPR’s quiz show, Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me was not a senator with presidential aspirations, it was the…
Apparently, Crossfade just can’t get enough of Meg White. A lot of the Internet, especially some of the music chatrooms, are buzzing this morning over the sex tape that suddenly appeared this weekend that supposedly shows White Stripes drummer Meg White engaged in full coital activity. While nobody can verify…
Lauren Reskin, owner of Sweat Records. Shout outs to the whole Sweat Records crew as Lolo and the gang are preparing to move from their current location at Churchill’s Pub into brand new digs right down the street at NE 2nd Ave. After a fairly successful two year stint seeking…
