This show was in Milwaukee, at this little bar called Frank's Power Plant. The band is a psychobilly band out of Massachusetts. I'd never actually heard of them before but the cover was cheap and we needed to get out of the house and have some fun so we went. One note before I get to the band, the rockabilly/ psychobilly people in Milwaukee seem a lot nicer than the ones in Chicago.
We had an awesome time, talking to the band before the show and admiring the bright green standup bass.
When the band started playing they blew us away with their energy and performance. They are all amazing musicians and the drummer especially impressed me. They did an awesome Misfits cover and some really great original tracks that did make me want to buy their album. The band got the crowd involved in their set, left the stage and played up on the pool table and the bar and generally kept us entertained with their antics.
All in all it was a great show and a lot of fun and we will definitely be checking them out again when they come back to town.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Album Review- The Road to Arkham
The Road to Arkham by the Arkhams is one of my absolute favorite psychobilly albums around. This isn't a new album, but most people I talk to haven't even heard of the Arkhams, much less this album. I think almost every track on the album stands out as good, if not great and there are a few very catchy tracks. I highly recommend this album to any fans of psychobilly.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Summerfest 2009
Will be awesome this year. They have some great bands playing including Rancid, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, the Tossers, G. Love & the Special Sauce and Joan Jett. Finally some good music!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Show Review- Hillbilly Hellcats
Wow... where to start. I went to see the Hillbilly Hellcats play at the Horseshoe in Chicago on May 23rd. We got there late and were worried we would only make it for a couple songs but to our surprise and delight they were just finishing their first of three sets. For a free show (donations only) I can't believe how much the band put into it. You can tell they are in it for the love of the music and that was obvious throughout the night.
It was my second time seeing them and I thought they played better this time. The singer was the same but the new bass player and drummer did make a lot of difference. For having only played together for a short time they were amazing. I loved that the drummer played most of the songs sitting down but stood up for all of the Stray Cats covers.
I was also surprised that the band seemed apologetic for playing originals and didn't expect people to know them. All I can say is that they are an amazing band and should we WAY more famous and successful than they are.
It was my second time seeing them and I thought they played better this time. The singer was the same but the new bass player and drummer did make a lot of difference. For having only played together for a short time they were amazing. I loved that the drummer played most of the songs sitting down but stood up for all of the Stray Cats covers.
I was also surprised that the band seemed apologetic for playing originals and didn't expect people to know them. All I can say is that they are an amazing band and should we WAY more famous and successful than they are.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Show Review- The Quakes
The Quakes played Reggies in Chicago in an awesome show on May 9th. The opening bands were Boneyard Brawlers, Pearls Mahone and the One-Eyed Jacks, Curtains and Three Blue Teardrops, all out of Chicago. I didn't get there in time to see Boneyard Brawlers but I'm sure they were good as always. Pearls Mahone touches my heart with her amazing voice... I have no love for the Curtains but they seem to be improving.
Three Blue Teardrops is one of the better known Rockabilly bands out of Chicago and they were phenomenal. The guitar playing was unreal and the crowd really got into it.
The Quakes of course were the many reason most of us were there and they didn't disapoint. They played with incredible energy and stage presence and seemed to really be enjoying themselves, rather than just trying to use up their time on stage. I was very impressed with the drummer who put a lot of energy and charisma into the show, along with undeniable talent.
They played some new songs and old favorites. I was hoping for Throw it All Away and Living on Planet 9 but was very happy they played my favorite, and probably their best known song, USA Psychos. Probably the song they played the best was Send Me An Angel, which was amazing live.
It was definitely a show I would have been very sorry to have missed.
Three Blue Teardrops is one of the better known Rockabilly bands out of Chicago and they were phenomenal. The guitar playing was unreal and the crowd really got into it.
The Quakes of course were the many reason most of us were there and they didn't disapoint. They played with incredible energy and stage presence and seemed to really be enjoying themselves, rather than just trying to use up their time on stage. I was very impressed with the drummer who put a lot of energy and charisma into the show, along with undeniable talent.
They played some new songs and old favorites. I was hoping for Throw it All Away and Living on Planet 9 but was very happy they played my favorite, and probably their best known song, USA Psychos. Probably the song they played the best was Send Me An Angel, which was amazing live.
It was definitely a show I would have been very sorry to have missed.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Show Review- Mad Sin
This is a show review for Mad Sin in Chicago on the 4th of May. First, the other bands that played were the Nuke Mutes, the Gravetones and the Boneyard Brawlers. Having seen all these bands before the only one I wanted to subject myself to again was Boneyard Brawlers so I stayed outside in the bar area of the Bottom Lounge and talked with friends until the Boneyard Brawlers went on. As usual, they kicked ass! It still amazes me that the drummer is also the singer. That takes talent. I was somewhat sad to see that they have a different bass player from the last time though. He is a great bass player but does not compare to their original bassist.
Finally it was time for Mad Sin (German Psychobilly) to play. Well we had a huge disappointment when it turned out that their singer had been hospitalized and would not be at the show. We were concerned and saddened because this meant that they could only do a handful of songs without him, and besides Koefte (the singer) literally adds a huge presence to the show. They still rocked it out and performed great. Wow what amazing musicians. The bass player blew me away and his voice was also way above average. I was happy to see that the crowd still got into it and there was a fair amount of wrecking going on.
After the show we talked briefly with the drummer who assured us that Koefte's condition was not life threatening but he would have to remain in the hospital at least one more night.
It was a great show but I feel like I didn't get to see the "real" Mad Sin so I'll definitely be looking out for them to play in this area again.
Finally it was time for Mad Sin (German Psychobilly) to play. Well we had a huge disappointment when it turned out that their singer had been hospitalized and would not be at the show. We were concerned and saddened because this meant that they could only do a handful of songs without him, and besides Koefte (the singer) literally adds a huge presence to the show. They still rocked it out and performed great. Wow what amazing musicians. The bass player blew me away and his voice was also way above average. I was happy to see that the crowd still got into it and there was a fair amount of wrecking going on.
After the show we talked briefly with the drummer who assured us that Koefte's condition was not life threatening but he would have to remain in the hospital at least one more night.
It was a great show but I feel like I didn't get to see the "real" Mad Sin so I'll definitely be looking out for them to play in this area again.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Album Review- The Brains
The Brains, a Psychobilly band out of Montreal, just released their third album this month. The self-titled album is 11 tracks of psychobilly goodness. Although it isn't as good as their second album, Hell N Back, which featured some of the most memorable new psychobilly songs such as More Brains, Scream for Me, Lost and Blood, it is a solid album with some great tracks. The energy on the album is really good, the lyrics are their usual brand of zombies, blood and similar subjects.
The third track, Dead to Me, features Sarah Sin from the Creepshow and is a great song. Her voice really adds to to singer Rene's already amazing voice. It is definitely worth getting, but while you're at it pick up a copy of their second album (which also includes their first album) if you don't already have it.
As a huge fan of the Brains I wasn't let down by this newest addition. They are also planning a US tour this summer to look out for them coming to your city.
The third track, Dead to Me, features Sarah Sin from the Creepshow and is a great song. Her voice really adds to to singer Rene's already amazing voice. It is definitely worth getting, but while you're at it pick up a copy of their second album (which also includes their first album) if you don't already have it.
As a huge fan of the Brains I wasn't let down by this newest addition. They are also planning a US tour this summer to look out for them coming to your city.
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