Alison Krauss & Union Station Au-Rene Theater, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort LauderdaleSaturday, August 21, 2011If there’s anyone who doubts that bluegrass is now mainstream, Alison Krauss & Union Station’s Saturday night show at the Au Rene Theater ought to have provided more than enough evidence to convince that it’s…
As Summer comes to a wrap, most of us are stressing about the proverbial black cloud hanging over our heads as we prepare to return to school. With things like financial aid approval, loan payments, soaring tuition and book costs, one can really sink into a rotten mood this time…
Summer Slaughter TourWith the Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, Darkest Hour, Six Feet Under, Dying Fetus, As Blood Runs Black, Oceano, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Within Ruins, and Powerglove. Revolution, Fort LauderdaleAugust 17, 2011Better than: Autumn Assassination Tour.Metal tours seem to be diversifying themselves these days, as was the case with last night’s…
Those missing the late, great but short-lived Miami act Beings might be cheered to know that at least a third of the trio — and one of the coolest thirds — has already gone on to form a new project. Drummer Betty Monteavaro’s new project is Holly Hunt, also featuring…
Rascal Flatts, like so many of its contemporaries out of the Nashville music machine, is technically a country band but with further-reaching pop sensibilities. This may be, in fact, because the band hails from north of the Mason-Dixon line — Columbus, Ohio, to be exact. This innate Midwesternness comes through…
Boston rock ‘n’ roll lifers Guster mark some 20 years of existence as a band this year. Its career has moved along at a steady clip despite only occasional mainstream attention. That’s not to say Guster lacks pop chops. Actually, for an act that gets lumped into the jam scene…
It’s often a great thing when American musicians get outside of their natural surroundings to create. And when we’re especially lucky, word of collaborations with artists from far-flung lands injects a load of fresh culture into indie-besodden ears.In the case of Tinariwen, there are a lot of factors at play…
Anti-folk pioneer and half of the Moldy Peaches, Kimya Dawson is releasing her eighth solo album, Thunder Thighs, on October 25. Her child-like singing, funny/abrasive lyrics, and unconventional guitar strumming are adored by the nerdy and the hip. Without Dawson’s unique voice, the soundtrack to 2008’s Juno would’ve been nothing…
After Dawes’ debut album, North Hills, found Americana underground pundits fawning with admiration, the group elevated the anticipation with Nothing Is Wrong, a tellingly titled sophomore set. Showing obvious fondness for the Laurel Canyon crowd — specifically the ’70s sensibilities pervaded by Joni, Jackson, Stephen, David, Graham, and Neil –…
The yearly “Think Pink Rocks” benefit concert at Mizner Park has traditionally been an urban music showcase, due to its partnership with SRC Records. With regulars Flo Rida, Melanie Fiona, Ray J, and Shontelle on the bill, the event’s fourth installment is no exception.However, some new blood is on the…
The masterful and sometimes mouthy Fernando Perdomo just informed County Grind that his Miami-based label, Forward Motion Records, is turning 1. And in celebration of the momentous occasion, the label and its roster is putting on a benefit show in Fort Lauderdale at Revolution on Thursday, September 29.With 16 artists…
What’s Yr Damage?with SSLOT and OutmodeSnooze TheatreMonday, August 15Better than: WWE Monday Night Raw In the subjective opinion of this County Grind contributor, last night’s show at Snooze Theater in Lake Park was perfect. The Snooze itself is dangerously close to ideal — with its cheap drinks, tucked-away location, charming…
On Wednesday, Orlando’s all-girl garage trio Wet Nurse will be performing alongside local fuzzmonsters Suede Dudes at Radio-Active Records. The price of admission is zero doll-hairs, making it cheaper than coffee and cigarettes. While staying in bed all day seems to be the name of the game these days, we…
Bad Brains, the band that disproved almost every stereotype and criticism about punk rock and hardcore, are windmilling their way into Revolution on September 21. When hardcore punk was a brand-new thing, it was generally viewed as sloppy, out of tune, poorly played music written for and by white kids…
Rockstar Mayhem FestivalCruzan Amphitheatre, West Palm BeachSunday, August 14, 2011For a slide show from the event, click here. Better than: Something sponsored by Snapple.Upon arrival, the first noticeable characteristic of the crowd at this year’s Rockstar Mayhem Festival was not necessarily the mall-goth style of clothing that most wore or…
Soulja BoyMacy’s in the Broward Mall, PlantationSaturday, August 13, 2011View an 18-photo slide show from the concert here.Better than: Black Friday, but just barely. Normally the “magic of Macy’s” isn’t something that makes you sweat profusely. But the Juniors section was downright balmy on Saturday as a horde of a…
Perpetual Groove With AquaphonicsCulture Room, Fort LauderdaleFriday, August 12, and Saturday, August 13, 2011 Fresh out of a stellar showing at Gathering Of The Vibes and hosting the 10th annual Amberland festival, the boys of Perpetual Groove just kicked off a late summer tour that boasted six dates in Florida…
Coldplay is (or was) one of the biggest bands in the world. From the moment “Yellow” came out in 2000 up until 2006’s Kraftwerk-based hit “Talk,” the London quartet was giving U2 a run for its money in the worldwide musical domination game. Its music is perfect for making a…
South Florida native (and Tallahassee resident) Jay Thomas will be touring the old stomping grounds this month at several venues across Broward. Though his performing moniker Bluejay refers specifically to Thomas and the songs he writes, his recordings and performances often feature a revolving cast of talented friends — not…
Update: Read a review of Soulja Boy’s performance at Broward mall and check out photos from the concert here. If you’re like County Grind, it was already a given that this Saturday afternoon was gonna be all-mall, all the time. It’s not gonna be Aventura, CityPlace, or the Galleria this…
“Bare Bones Tour” Starring Bryan AdamsKravis Center of the Performing ArtsThursday, August 11, 2011Better than: Any emo.The review: Inside the pristine sit-down “opera house” of Kravis Center, a very-ironed Bryan Adams called his songs babies last night. Back on his 1997 MTV Unplugged performance, Adams had a ten-piece band, a…
New Jersey’s Saves the Day was a benchmark of late-’90s, mall-friendly pop-punk emo. Frontman Chris Conley sang the same kinda songs about girls with the same eunuch-nasal vocals as all the band’s nationwide suburban peers. But he also slipped in an extra little darkness. His take on teenage white male…
