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Wednesday, August 13, 2014
WTF Wednesday WTF Wednesday (8/13/2014): Electric Zoo warns against use of Molly
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Aug 13, 2014 at 12:51 PM
Electric Zoo has released an anti-drug PSA aimed at festivalgoers on the dangers of Molly. Thanks to a number of recent deaths at electronic music festivals, Electric Zoo is requiring ticket-buyers to watch a video before a purchase could be made.
The video above is a lot better than this classic from the '80s that makes you say "WTF?" when you watch it now.
Photos / setlist / Live Reviews Live review: Carnivores Tour f. Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars, AFI, PNC Music Pavilion (8/12/2014)
Posted By Alison Angel on Wed, Aug 13, 2014 at 11:06 AM
Carnivores Tour f. Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars, AFI
PNC Music Pavilion
Aug. 12, 2014
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- 30 Seconds to Mars
On the Carnivores Tour’s Aug. 12, 2014, stop in Charlotte, arena rock definitely ruled the night. Since the show features co-headliners 30 Seconds to Mars and Linkin Park, with rock icons A.F.I. opening the show, could it be anything but? It appeared that two of the biggest modern rock bands in the last couple of decades brought out one of the biggest crowds of the summer to the PNC Music Pavilion. And on a week night at that; from pit to lawn was overflowing with people packed in like sardines.
Thirty Seconds to Mars primarily showcased songs from their newest, self-released record Love. Lust. Faith. Dreams. "We put this record out ourselves, with no label behind us," singer Jared Leto told his fans. "So go buy it on iTunes, download it illegally if you don't have the money, I don't care, just go get it." And while Leto’s actor side does come out with a bit of dramatics at times (he was donning a crown and priestly robes and giving off a Jesus-like air), he manages to sell the hell out of those new songs with near-flawless vocals. And the dramatics definitely work in his favor on such sweeping rock anthems like staple "Do or Die." He makes the drama work in his favor and it works hard.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Live Reviews Live review: Clean Slate Fest, Neighborhood Theatre (8/9/2014)
Posted By David Turner on Mon, Aug 11, 2014 at 11:47 AM
Clean Slate Fest f. Key!, Well$, Frais, High I’m Ry
Neighborhood Theater
Aug. 9, 2014
Getting the right number of people on a rap stage is tricky. Too many and the main performer can get lost in a sea of bodies. Not enough and the performer looks a like a child separated from their mother. The best acts at The Clean State Fest this last Saturday at the Neighborhood Theatre found that balance.
The show was hosted by The Clean Slate 704, a hip-hop focused site that tries to put a specific Charlotte-based focus on their music coverage. They booked about dozen acts for an afternoon show at the Neighborhood Theater with the headliner of the show being Atlanta rapper Key! a known figure in Atlanta rising underground affiliated with acts like Two-9 and Makonnen.
After about a half dozen acts that varied from the unfortunately named Jerry to the Wiz Khailfa-lite Virginia Beach rapper Bleezy, youngster Well$ got on stage. He’s performed in the city quite often this summer, but no matter how small or large a crowd he takes the stage with energy that most rappers should take note of.
First Notes First Notes (8/11/2014): N.C. Hall of Fame gets a new home
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Aug 11, 2014 at 11:22 AM
Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.
* The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame is moving to a new location in Kannapolis. Opened in 2009 at 109 W. A St., the museum is moving to 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. The new location will increase the exhibit number from 30 to between 60 and 90, with plans to have it open before the next induction ceremony on Oct. 16.
* Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill was treated for broken ribs after the group's tour bus stopped short to avoid hitting a pedestrian. The band postponed its show in Saratoga Springs, New York, and it is unknown how the rest of the tour, which includes an upcoming Charlotte date at PNC Music Pavilion on Sept. 16, will be affected.
* Leonard Cohen, who turns 80 in September, has announced the release of an upcoming album, Popular Problems, next month. The album follows 2012's Old Ideas, though there are no plans to tour in support of Problems.
* NME has compiled a list of the 100 Most Influential Artists, so that you can have something new to argue about this week. The top 5 is capped off by Radiohead, followed by David Bowie, Kanye West, The White Stripes and The Strokes. The Beatles did not make the list.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
News Bob Weir & Ratdog cancel upcoming tours
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Sun, Aug 10, 2014 at 9:11 PM
Bob Weir & Ratdog have canceled all tour dates including the band's upcoming performance with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood at the Uptown Amphitheatre scheduled for Aug. 27.
A statement was posted on Ratdog's website:
Circumstances have necessitated that all scheduled tour dates for Bob Weir & RatDog are being cancelled. This applies to all dates on the summer tour starting on Thursday, August 14 in Boston through September 14 in Nashville and also includes the Jamaica event in January of 2015. Full and complete refunds are available at place of purchase. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.
Refunds will be available at point of purchase starting Monday, Aug. 11. Tickets purchased via phones or online will be automatically refunded.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Photos / setlist / Live Reviews Live review: NIN, Soundgarden, PNC Music Pavilion (8/7/2014)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Aug 8, 2014 at 12:36 PM
Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden
PNC Music Pavilion
Aug. 7, 2014
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- Nine Inch Nails
In 2009, I watched the most incredible Nine Inch Nails show at Bonnaroo. At the time, it was scheduled to be the band's last U.S. performance - ever. An emotional Trent Reznor thanked the crowd for all their support after the band tore through a 27-song set, smashed their instruments and left a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed it.
That didn't end up being the band's final performance. After a brief club "farewell tour, Reznor reconvened NIN into something a bit more electronic and revived the band for a new era. Last year, the group performed at the Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit in Asheville and I walked away with mixed emotions.
Last night, at PNC Music Pavilion, I soaked in the band's nearly 90-minute set with a newfound appreciation for Reznor's artistry and music. I knew that the band wouldn't put on a performance like 'Roo, but I didn't expect them to. Reznor ended that era of Nine Inch Nails and has modernized it. Instead of pounding bass drums, there's pounding bass. Electronic backdrops form the song textures instead of churning distortion-filled guitar riffs as Reznor's emotion-fueled lyrics drive forth.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Live Reviews Live review: Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Fillmore (8/6/2014)
Posted By Michael Walsh on Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 3:07 PM
Rodrigo y Gabriela
The Fillmore
Aug. 6, 2014
“This is the first time we ever played in Charlotte," Rodrigo Sánchez, one half of dynamic nylon-stringed guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, told the Fillmore audience on Wednesday night. "It's about time."
The near capacity crowd roared its approval - not the first or last time they would throughout the acoustic instrumental duo's lyrical and galloping set.
The longtime couple - they met as teenagers at a Mexico City Youth Center, and only recently broke off dating in 2012 - retained a tight musical connection onstage. Opener "Torito," from their newest album 9 Dead Alive, set the tone. Playing their favored Yahama NX-series guitars, Rodrigo's tumbling, chiming melody circled Gabriella Quintero's pummeling fretboard runs and rat-a-tat percussion pounded out on her guitar top.
Their interplay packed the punch expected from a pair of former heavy metal players, and married it to the precision of Rodrigo's cyclical figures and pointillist arpeggios. (Unlike most nylon-stringers, Rodrigo plays with a pick). Gabriella's percussive rhythms and counter melodies were both revelation and adrenaline rush. She played every part of her guitar, hammering, slapping and snapping the instrument's back and sides, tapping the strings and running her hands up the neck for a rattlesnake rasp.
Photos / setlist / Heard / Live Reviews Heard: Miley Cyrus, Time Warner Cable Arena (8/6/2014)
Posted By Alison Angel on Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 10:15 AM
Miley Cyrus
Time Warner Cable Arena
Aug. 6, 2014
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz concert tour finally made its way back to Charlotte last night. After abruptly canceling her April 7 show 30 minutes before it was scheduled to start, Cyrus looped back around and brought her insane two-hour spectacle to Time Warner Cable Arena’s stage on Aug. 6, 2014.
Considering Cyrus was supposed to be here oh, four months ago, an apology was definitely expected by the mostly filled arena (though most of the upper level was curtained off) before she got too far into the show. “For any of you guys who were on the way to this show last time, I apologize,” she said. “Better late than never!”
For the last year, it seems like all anyone talks about when they mention Miley Cyrus is how sexualized she's become since shedding her alter ego Hannah Montana. And by shedding Hannah Montana, we mean growing up. The hyper-sexualized Bangerz Tour seems like the only way to officially sever the cord that held her Disney days in tow — at least to Miley. In fact, the Bangerz tour is so hyper sexualized in its very nature that even upon airing a butchered and highly edited version of the show, NBC STILL got hit with a list of viewer complaints and is now being investigated by the FCC.
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- Miley Cyrus
The performance is exactly what you'd expect from the “new” Miley: it's loud, it's over the top, at times it makes you feel like you must be tripping (thanks to some insanely imaginative and sometimes creepy video sequences). And yes, it's so hyper-sexualized it actually doesn't even feel remotely sexual. It's as though it's so planned out and hyped that by the time you actually get to the concert, you’re desensitized. Miley stroking the tits of a little person while simulating oral sex in a bed with three dudes? No big deal. Occasionally slapping her vagina? It's like a high-five. Air humping in a thong on top a car? Yawn.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
News Jeff Lowery, former Pterodactyl owner, dies
Posted By Kathleen Johnson on Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 2:59 PM
Jeff Lowery, a Charlotte music entrepreneur and scene visionary, has died. Details of cause of death have not been made public.
Lowery founded and operated a number of the city’s most well-known music clubs in the 1990s, including the former 13-13 Club on South Boulevard and the Pterodactyl Club on Freedom Drive. Both clubs attracted a variety of alternative rock bands early in their careers, including Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction and the Flaming Lips, as well as established acts such as the Ramones and Sonic Youth.
The Pterodactyl also served as a popular alt-dance music club during its run. “Some of Charlotte's earliest DJs spun at Pterodactyl: Matt Bolick, Kris Krause, Pierre Mavaji, Jeff Nagel, Drew Detweiler, Mark Stowe and Mike Reynolds,” said Charlotte musician and longtime resident Chris Johnson. “It was where a lot of people got their first chance to DJ at a real club.”
Johnson also recalled seeing a long list of acts at both venues, including the Meat Puppets, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Butthole Surfers, the Jesus and Mary Chain with Nine Inch Nails, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy Pop, Teenage Fanclub, Widespread Panic and Belly.
“I know Jeff gave a lot of people their first jobs, either DJing, bouncing or bartending at his clubs,” Johnson added. “He also took a lot of chances with his own money by booking some of the bands, and if enough people didn't show up he would lose his ass. I remember he booked Robert Fripp, an all-acoustic show with 12 acoustic guitar players. Maybe 200 people showed up.”
Lowery also operated the Milestone club in the early 1990s. He opened the original Milestone Records on Central Avenue. Lowery’s later ventures included Jeff’s Bucket Shop on Montford Drive, and publishing Amps 11, a local music magazine, in the early 2000s. In 2009, he opened Dammit Janet, a '70s dance club in NoDa.
A memorial will be held at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 13 at Amos' Southend. A Facebook memorial page has been set up at www.facebook.com/JeffLoweryMemorial with more information.
Videos / WTF Wednesday WTF Wednesday (8/6/2014): Baby loves Katy Perry
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 10:21 AM
How do you soothe a fussy baby? Apparently, just play Katy Perry's "Dark Horse." Personally, when I think of Perry's cookie-cutter musical popularity, I want to cry. Check out the latest viral video:
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Live review: Foo Fighters, The Fillmore (9/6/2012) 2
Band rifles through 36 songs during DNC week performance - Grohl and company's longest show ever.
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Beloved Charlotte School of Rock Instructor Dies
