When guitar virtuoso Gary Clark Jr. sauntered on stage at House of Blues to minimal pomp and circumstance — simply strapping on his axe and launching into “Bright Lights†— it set the tone for the evening. Continue reading…
All posts by donovan roche
Live Review: Lake Street Dive at Observatory North Park, February 24, 2016
“Welcome to the Side Pony release tour!†Lake Street Dive singer Rachael Price informed the sold-out Observatory North Park crowd. Continue reading…
Live Review: Cheap Trick at the Belly Up, December 15, 2015
One of the country’s hardest-touring bands, Cheap Trick couldn’t finish out the year without swinging by the Belly Up one last time. Continue reading…
Review: The Nervous Wreckords – The Nervous Wreckord (Part 1)
For those who ventured out to the KAABOO festival early enough on day two, they might have caught The Nervous Wreckords during the noon hour on the Tourmaline stage.
The indie-rock band with San Diego roots (frontman Brian Karscig was the guitarist and backing vocalist in Louis XIV) played an inspired set; unfortunately, only about a dozen souls (including this writer) braved the heat of the day to see the band play some old songs from 2013’s Let Them All Talk and 2011’s Valuminium.
The group — which also includes guitarist Dave Keuning and bassist Mark Stoermer (both from The Killers) and drummer Jake Najor (TV on the Radio) — also tried out some new material, which has just been released on the five-song EP, The Nervous Wreckord (Part 1). Continue reading…
Live Review: Van Halen at Sleep Train Amphitheatre, September 30, 2015
One of the thrills in going to see a Van Halen reunion with original lead singer David Lee Roth is wondering if the band is really going to show up. Given the legendary love/hate relationship between Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen, there’s always a bit of uncertainty as to how the tour will pan out. Did they make it through last night’s gig intact? Will things implode on stage tonight? Continue reading…