4th of July Weekend of Rock!

If you don't know what to do this weekend other than setting things on fire, I have the weekend line up for you.  Tonight starts at Plan B where Hex Machine, Mongoloid Village, White Orange and Jr Worship.  I have had the pleasure to see a few of the bands and have a feeling that tonight is going to be brutally kick-ass. We might have to close the night with a midnight snack at Potato Champion. Now we have Saturday night at the Branx.  I love the new stage and multiple bars, nicely improved.  Another face-melting show with Yob (very cool), Dark Castle, Wizard Rifle and Sloths.  Now THIS show is going to be epic and I can't wait!!  Only a few hours later is the show of the year!!!  East End's 2nd Annual Outdoor Block Party.  I just want to jump up and scream every time I say that out loud. Anyway the line up is more than any local music photographer's wet dream. Red Fang, Lord Dying, Danava, Rabbits, Purple Rhinestone Eagle, Drunk Ladies, Sons of Huns, Therapists and DJ Dennis Dread. All of that for $6 bucks!!  Anyway I thought you know about the greatest weekend ever is about to unfold before us.  Stay tuned for some awesome pics!!!

A photographic collection of cool music, artists, rock bands, groups, concerts, live! TheJamZone!

Black Francis at the Aladdin Theatre

Dressed appropriately in black shirt, black pants and black shoes, Black Francis -- aka Frank Black, stood in the middle of the stage at the Aladdin Theatre on Friday night adorned only by a Fender Telecaster, an amp and a bottle of Fiji water. Black mixed his set with songs from his multiple solo albums as well as Pixies' classics. "The Holiday Song," "Wave of Mutilation"(my personal favorite), "Velouria," "Nimrod's Son," and "Where is My Mind" -- drew the loudest audience response.Black played an impressive 25 songs with in about 2 hours,  and not a bored body around. Now I have to mention the 2 overly excited fans sitting to my right, or maybe overly drunk by the over priced and under sized beers. I get they were excited to see Black, but to yell and woo-hoo during every song was a bit annoying, I have been to a lot of shows where i get excited and yell, but their is a respect you should have for the artist.  That's all I have to say about that. Still the show kicked major ass, and Dan and I were beaming.

Fist Fite and Tartufi @ Rontoms

The vintage rumpus room vibe is the draw here, with garage-sale chairs and sofas creating little islands of conversation that help to offset the impersonal warehouse ambiance. As I walk in the first thing I notice is the invasion by Fratty Frats from the suburbs and I think to myself, Fist Fite is going to demolish the souls of this crowd and I was going to truly enjoy this! Tartufi from San Francisco played first, they were a big surprise. A two-piece featuring Brian Gorman on drums and Lynne Angel on guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals. The trick to their layered sound was the use of loop upon loop upon loop which allowed Angel to do a three-part harmony with herself, play guitar and bass, all at the same time. Sit in your seat, sip your wine and enjoy.

Fist Fite

Fist Fite was next and everything changed. The minute they emerge on to the stage you can feel the energy. Their signature heavy riffs and patterns, unpredictable turns, and raw vocal blast echos through out the building. The minute they started the crowd that was sporadically chit chatting around the bar was now up front and enjoying it as much as the band was. Fist Fite is one of a few bands that never disappoint me. Get out of your seat, take a shot of whisky and hold on to your brain!