California based four piece KilR are prepping to hit the mainstream and finally make it big, or at least that’s what they’re hoping for, once with the release of their first official music video for “Crazzzy”. Frankly, with their current attitude and work ethic, I don’t see why they can’t move in on the radio guitar rock niche in the close future as a dominant force. The video itself, works around the same radio motif…
The Black Keys and the Arctic Monkeys pair up for winter-to-spring tour
The Black Keys performing in an iTunes Session, mid October, 2010.
Album Review: The Dead Milkmen, “The King In Yellow”
Everyone’s favorite obnoxious punk band is back, after only 16 years! That’s right, I’m talking about The Dead Milkmen, who have an all-new album recorded and ready to go. The Milkmen broke up in 1995, but got back together in 2008 after playing a few shows that went well for them. After composing new songs and touring for a few years, they began recording The King In Yellow in 2010, and released the hard copy…
Album Review: The Black Belles’ Self-Titled Debut
On first listen, The Black Belles’ debut is quite comfortable; it feels like an old standby. That might be because I’m a big fan of The White Stripes and The Dead Weather, two bands that have Jack White’s weird influence. After having been signed and produced by White, this band has his presence going for them as well. Everything Jack White touches is tinted with his unique style, although I’m definitely not complaining. In addition…
Album Review: Tom Waits, “Bad As Me”
Tom Waits’ newest album, Bad As Me, feels like a nice change from boring ol’ Rock & Roll. In fact, it’s everything but! As one goes from track to track, there’s soul, jazz, folk, some Spanish-sounding ballads, and more. Tom Waits has always been a versatile artist, and he sure shows it on his newest offering. Take the opening track, “Chicago.” It feels like the studio engineer hit “record” just a few seconds after the band…
New Black Keys: “Lonely Boy”
The blues-rock duo are back (that was a quick turnaround from Brothers, wasn’t it?) with a new single from the upcoming El Camino, which is out December 6. The album was co-produced by Danger Mouse so expect it to be great. The single is called “Lonely Boy” and features a ridiculous video. I won’t spoil it. Just watch it below. As for the song, well, it continues the band’s attempt to escape the limitations of…
Ska is Dead (Syke! It’s Awesome!)
I had the good fortune to see the ska-punk band Mustard Plug play in Toledo, OH recently, at Frankie’s Inner City. They’re a Grand Rapids, MI-based band, so it was odd for me – a Michigan resident – to see them out of state. One of the people I went with has seen them six times in the past, once only 30 minutes away from our podunk little town, so it felt a little foolish…
PJ Harvey: This Is a Fall Tour
A glance into the explosive garage-rock scene of the early nineties, PJ Harvey is set to once more come forth and grace the stage for an end-of-October mini-tour extravaganza. Playing in support of her latest album, two-and-a-half-year feat Let England Shake, Harvey has announced but five dates, all of which range in location from Sweden to the Czech Republic. A wild and far cry from White Chalk (Harvey’s prior most recent release of 2007), Let England Shake exhibits…
Honda Civic Tour 2011: Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance
The Honda Civic Tour has struck again – for the 10th year in a row, as a matter of fact! This year, the annual pop/punk/hip-hop/rock show is featuring the headlining acts Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance, with an ever-changing selection of supporting bands. When the show went rolling through Detroit, my concert-going city of choice, they brought along dance-punk-indie-pop duo Matt & Kim to warm up the crowd. Sadly, I wasn’t able to dance to…
Green Day Remembers Amy Winehouse
Green Day (bottom) paid homage to the late Amy Winehouse (top), who died in late July.



