Scott Weiland - 1967-2015

I was in a bar in Rockford, Illinois the first time I heard "Stone Temple Pilots," and knowing me it was while eating nachos at O'Brien's and drinking some God-awful beer.  I remember that because of the debate that began to rage between another patron and the bartender, and the fact that I had to get involved.  The argument had very little to do with the band itself rather the patron was angry that they were playing such garbage and he went on to argue about how there were no longer any good bands out there performing and as I chimed in I understood the concept of "grunge."

Trixter - Rock 'N Skull - October 17th, 2015

October is a month where by ghosts, goblins, ghouls and the occasional Presidential candidate goes door-to-door begging for various things.  Yes most of those mentioned are looking for gifts of candy, or the occasional popcorn ball, there are somethings in October much, much scarier than a nine year old in a Bernie Sanders mask.  Yes it is true that each child, and the occasional Presidential candidate is trying to solicit a piece of candy or two but rarely does the the candy giver ever respond to the demand of the rapscallions and seven year old Trumps.  What am I babbling about?  Well...

Bulletboys - Rock 'N Skull October 18th, 2015

It goes without saying that at times we all have had that moment when we remember a moment in time when we are prompted by something.  I don't mean dejà vu either, I mean that moment where you hear the song you first held hands with your date, or hearing the bells on the ice cream truck reminding you of the time that fat kid hit you in the face with his bat that he carelessly threw when he ran to the ice cream truck.  That kind of moment, do you feel me?  So...

Steelheart - Rock 'N Skull October 16th, 2015

What if I told you there was a band from the late 80's - early '90's from the "era of hair" that was known for its ballads that is completely underrated for their "non-ballads?"  Much of that era was a giant misnomer to begin with because many of the bands were only known for "ballads" but they were so much more.  Can a band from that era, known for one heck of a "ballad" still be putting out music that will make grown men sing along hitting the highest freaking notes they can whilst harboring the incoming groin pull?  Can it?  Well...

Ace Frehley - Mississippi Moon Bar, September 11th, 2015

Where were you on Christmas 1977?  I was at home celebrating with my family and the one real thing I remember was that as a nine year old boy I got "KISS Alive II" as a Christmas gift.  That album started this thirty-eight year frenzy that has been my obsession with the band.  It was so much fun getting new KISS albums and listening to those old vinyl albums over and over again.  There are many confessions I can make about KISS and now is the time to start...

Devil City Angels - Debut Album

For some time now I have been talking to people about a band that I saw for the first time in 2014 at a place called "Catfish Bend."  I began talking about the skill of this band and the pedigree that follows it and while I would mention that I promised them that when the band released its first album they would understand.  Would I be right?  To paraphrase the old adage "the Devil is in the details."

Free Fallin' - Taste of Minnesota

Tom Petty.  That singular name means so much in the annals of music history that his contemporaries and those that have come after him have made the man an icon.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and if anything Tom Petty is imitated all of the time.  At times with incredible success and at other times blatant failure but can a band that isn't named "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers" do it justice?

OWL - Taste of Minnesota

If nothing I am a person that will travel for a good live music act without concern of distance or time frame.  When I started this blog in fact it began because of a live show that I attended only miles from my home and that show directly relates to the trip to the Taste of Minnesota.  Really you ask, how?  Well...

Vice Squad - The Interview

The history of punk rock to many is nothing more than a bunch of "talentless" performers that just scream obscene lyrics resembling the dregs of humanity.  To the rest of us punk rock is one of the most influential genres of music ever.  Today's music across all genres (that includes to an extent country music even) would not exist in its current state, period.  Punk rock has redefined genres of alternative, metal and hard rock but are the only influential punk bands named "Ramones," "Sex Pistols" and "The Clash?"  Well...

95 WILL ROCK FEST - 2015

With a plethora of festivals and acts to write about, it seems that the festival I JUST left (on August 22nd, 2015) deserves a little press.  While this article will be about the entire event, I may have a surprise or two inside of it so stay with me.  Music festivals and I seem to be on a first name basis and at times those first names are curse words but will this festival and I be on friendly terms?  Well...

American Broadcasting School

My Musical Journey has been an interesting one, it has been fraught with danger and adventure, okay maybe not danger but definitely adventure.  It has taken me all over the Midwest and because of that I started this blog.  "So" you ask, "Where is this adventure?"  Well, lets take it from the top and work into the adventure.

Heart - US Cellular Center - March 21st, 2015

Take a look back the music of your youth for a moment.  Be honest with yourself and reflect back on the bands that have such power behind them that you can remember their songs and specific moments in your life.  Regardless of your age, regardless of your musical taste, regardless of the sweater you wore in that horrific school picture you wore in sixth grade, its possible.  Do you remember that song?

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts - US Cellular Center - March 21st, 2015

As we pulled our "concert van" out of the driveway on Thursday I began to get excited.  There are a few reasons why that excited me, one was the fact that it had been stored all winter long which leads to a well deserved number two.  It's interesting when I think to myself that number two should be number one but for it to be number one in importance would require number one to actually have happened before number two.  Confused?

Devil City Angels - Pzazz Event Center, September 19th, 2014

Everything around us goes through some type of iteration.  The moment something happens is an iteration in the cycle of whatever you are doing.  Whether it be putting gasoline in your tank (that instance is an iteration of the act of putting fuel in that tank) or brushing your teeth (that is an iteration of removing the goop from your pearly whites) they are both iterations of the status of objects.  As an example, examine music no, examine musicians and the many iterations they go through in their careers.  Well...

Scrap Metal - Riverside Casino - January 24th, 2015

The weekend of January 24 - 25th, 2015 was an "All-Star" weekend.  On Sunday the 25th of January two major sports had their all-star games, or "extravaganzas" if you will.  The National Hockey League was first up on that Sunday with a score that was more reminiscent of an NFL game which is interesting just for the fact that they had their own all-star game the same day.  The neat thing about "all-star games" is that the players have fun during these games and that is really all its about isn't it?