The Midwest Rock N Roll Express with Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent

THE MIDWEST ROCK N ROLL EXPRESS with STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON and TED NUGENT — The Greek Theater, May 6, 2012 There was ample reason to shell out some hard-earned cash this May night.  It might not look like a fun prospect if you don’t know the bands: three groups that have made a handful of... more

Violens

True by Violens (Slumberland Records) I love being able to tell others about new music. Case in point, this three-piece from Brooklyn called Violens.  Led by Jorge Elbrecht, who also produces here and elsewhere, he’s obviously not content to stick with one style, mood or color.  Throughout 2011... more

Moonspell

Alpha Noir / Omega White by Moonspell (Napalm Records) Dark Metal masters Moonspell return with their ninth album Alpha Noir / Omega White. The Alpha Noir CD opens with Axis Mundi, evil Latin chanting and angry guitars clawing skin from your chest.  There’s a brief respite towards the end of the... more

Magic Wands

Aloha Moon by Magic Wands (Bright Antenna Records) Magic Wands is the duo of Chris and Dexy Valentine.  Like their surname, their music is lovey-dovey, soft and fuzzy indie-pop with sexy vocals from Dexy. The title track opens the album with waves lapping a beach and a tropical feel.  You can almost... more

Blackwater Park (Legacy Edition); Deliverance, Damnation and Lamentations DVD/CD Re-issues

BRET’S RAMBLINGS presents OPETH!!! Blackwater Park - Legacy Edition Blackwater Park (Legacy Edition); Deliverance, Damnation and Lamentations DVD/CD by Opeth (The End Records)  At the beginning of this century Stockholm, Sweden’s Opeth crafted albums that would set them on the path to the... more

The Man Behind the Keyboards: An Interview with Lawrence Gowan of Styx

Styx have a long and illustrious career, releasing their first S/T album in 1972.  Tommy Shaw joined the band as a vocalist and guitarist and they became globetrotting platinum artists.  Their run from Crystal Ball in 1977 to Kilroy Was Here in 1983 saw them touring the world on the backs of such radio... more

Pelican: Pure Hard Rock Ecstasy

Pelican is an instrumental rock band from Chicago. I’ve seen them a few times live and they always thrill the ears while causing heads to bang in hard rock ecstasy.  I sent guitarist Trevor de Bauw some questions and he got back to me while on the road in England on his way to the Roadburn Festival... more

Swervedriver at The Key Club

SWERVEDRIVER LIVE at The Key Club, West Hollywood, CA, April 7, 2012 Along with many fans from across the United States, I had been talking up the Swervedriver tour on Facebook and Myspace.  Just three days prior to the last date on their tour, it was announced that the Key Club show set times would... more

Ministry

Relapse by Ministry (AFM / 13th Planet Records) Bands call it quits and a few years later return.  This happens all the time.  Whether it is because of the money offered for live shows, contracts with labels the band just can’t get out of or even just reigniting that spark and camaraderie that... more

Moonbell

Moonbell by Moonbell (Loglady Records / Deep Space Recordings) Moonbell is a San Francisco trio that excels at a hazy, trippy style of droning and fuzzed out bass guitar, glacially slow vocals and guitars that shimmer and echo around mid-tempo percussion.  A couple of musical touchstones are Ride’s... more

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