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The lights go out and I wish I'd gone to church this morning. Cradle of Filth bassist Dave Pybus takes stage with guitarists Paul Allender and James McIlroy. The three of them strike a chord and I can feel that my trip to hell has officially begun. People in the audience are raising their fists and their heads start bobbing like popcorn popping. Lead singer Dani Filth takes the stage and stands on a riser that seems as short as he is, but he can still deliver a powerful punch. With a fury of words machine-gunning out of his mouth, Dani Filth performs lyrics that cover everything from rape to Greek mythology and, of course, demons from hell. The problem with Filth’s lyrics isn't necessarily the content, but trying to figure out what he's actually trying to say.

Filth has mastered the art of deep growling vocal abuse while spouting a tale of England’s medieval history. As a matter of fact, Filth has become so good at his graveling vocals, that perhaps only Cookie Monster could understand what he's trying to say. Cradle of Filth's performance stays true to their recordings; they sound exactly how they do on their album. And, Dani Filth sounds just as intense on CD as he does live. For black metal fans, this was one hell of an amazing show. However, if you've never understood black metal, you might feel lost. But, you can't deny a strong performance when you see one, and Cradle of Filth leaves fans knowing why they've set the bar for English black metal.

A young woman walks on stage, looking like a cross between Janis Joplin and Sid Viscous with the theatrics of Jimi Hendrix.  She stands looking at her amp as though she is truly in love.  She stares into the eye that is the power light, cranks it to 11 and the eruption starts. Playing fast-speed notes flying by like an Indy racecar, the Fabulous Miss Wendy now has everyone’s attention.  The crowd is thrown a left hook when they are preparing for a right-handed upper-cut.  People didn’t know what to say about the sight of a young woman playing a guitar like a true guitar hero. She sings of being a “fucked-up bitch,” to pay tribute to Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker.”

The Fabulous Miss Wendy packs a youthful, innovative punch to an appreciation that is rooted from 60s and 70s rock stars. She flails her axe as though it’s a part of her body. She can shred as well as any metal enthusiast and she can strum a bar chord with as much keenness as Green Day’s Billy Joe Armstrong.   The Fabulous Miss Wendy is the type of guitar player that will make female guitarists happy and male guitarists horny—she puts on a show that should never be missed and will always be appreciated by any fan of rock ’n’ roll.

Living in what can seem like an ice box for months in a row blows! However, the way Tribute Bands are treated by crowds can be additionally brutal.

Take the instance when a man, John Ritchie, was up on stage in front of a New York audience in the 1800's. Massive amounts of rotten tomatoes were thrown at him by the audience, and it lead to one hitting him smack dab between the eyes. The poor man fell to the floor of the stage, and is the first performer on record for having had rotten tomatoes and eggs thrown at him (merely because some people in the audience did not like him (www.howstuffworks.com 2011.)

Well, a Led Zeppelin Tribute Band, Led Zeppelin 2, are known to be nothing to sneeze at. Led Zeppelin 2 are snowflakes in the globe of Led Zeppelin Tribute Bands since they not only play the legendary rock band's songs, but they re-enact their previous real-life performances, as well (www.ledzeppelin2.com 2011.)
 
Let's see if they receive any free tomatoes, or the cold shoulder, from any weathered chicago concert-goers tonight.
 
First, some higher-ups at the House of Blues actually gave the excited, good-looking 21-40ish aged crowd the "Bird!" I'm speaking of the Chicago's, "The Loop," radio personality, Bryd, of course. The "Bryd" got the audience going more after saying they'd be seeing all of Led Zeppelin 1 this evening.
 
While the audience waited for the curtains to open, some eager beavers lifted them on their own. Consequently, I was able to get a glimpse, too, of the happenings beyond the curtains, and saw a guy's behind--his buns were wrapped in blue, bell-bottom jeans.
 
At last, Led Zeppelin 2 came out on stage to emulate the worshiped Led Zeppelin band--what a tall order, but the lead singer looked to be about 6ft without heels. During their first set they fell a little short due to a few instrumental oopsies, and there was one breif brain freeze. It was just about which song to play next, but the crowd seemed to care less. Besides, such incidents happen to the best of the best.
 
Pot was out and about, and to use the word in a different way, lead vocalist, Bruce Lamont, was highly noticeably deemed as a Male Sex Pot! Pairs of Penny Lanes were plentiful and blatantly showing animalistic hunger for A "Zep," a big sandwich with a filling in the middle (www.websters-dictionary.org 2011.) A "Zep" is also another name for the band mates of the original Led Zeppelin. 

Getting back to sandwiches, I caught girls and full grown ladies looking up at the members of Led Zeppelin 2 with dazed, but not confused, glazes. I caught a girl unbuttoning the 3rd, 4th or fifth button of her busty friend's top. What a sight for Led Zeppelin 2 to have seen while up on stage! Yet, they sustained their concentration on their playing and overall performance.
 
Afterall, these guys are professionals with many accomplishments under their belts. For instance, Bass Guitarist, Chris Klein, and Lead Guitarist, Paul Kamp were part of the groundbreaking, 90's Chicago-based band, Busker Soundcheck together. Busker Soundcheck earned multiple mentions on prestigious critic's "Best of Lists." Bruce Lamont has also been a lead vocalist for the critically acclaimed band, Yakuza. Drummer, Ian Lee is no slouch either, for he has the great honor of being featured in "How to Be John Bohnam--A Drummer's Guide (www.ledzeppelin2.com 2011.) 
 
To zip it up, Led Zeppelin 2's second set was even better than their first one on all levels. And after their 4th encore, I lost track of how many more songs they played after that! I can say with the utmost of confidence, though, the crowd at the House of Blues on January 7th, gave them "A Whole Lot of Love," and they proved they deserved it!
 
For more information about Led Zeppelin 2 visit: www.Ledzeppelin2.com 
 
Sources:
 
www.howstuffworks.com

www.ledzeppelin2.com  
 
www.websters-dictionary.org

Music was coming from the monitors as the curtains started to open slowly. Fans peaked through to get a glimpse of the blue lit stage. The crowd was ready to see the main attraction at Chicago’s House of Blues on a cold December night. Sister Hazel started to play and any thoughts of the frigid temperatures outside were quickly forgotten. It was a fantastic night for music.

Chicago was graced with two shows by the band from Gainesville, Florida, Sister Hazel. The group came out and performed some of their best songs such as “All For You” and “Change Your Mind.” They brought out so many songs with the intentions of entertaining the crowd and that is exactly what they did. Going along with the holiday season they played the Christmas rock song “Run, Run, Rudolph” which had everyone dancing. The Soggy Bottom Boys would have been proud to see the song “Man of Constant Sorrow” to be played so close to the original. It was a flawless performance and sounded just like the CD.

Front man Ken Block led the band with the upbeat guitar oriented songs, to the vocally driven a cappella sections of other ditties. His lead vocals were sweet sounds to the ears. Vocally the entire band blended well with each other within every song. Ken’s acoustic guitar work was done in a fast paced strumming style. His guitar was a clear representation of how hard he plays. He was well on his way to wearing a hole in the body as a lot of country and folk players had done in the past.

The bottom end was provided by Jett Beres. He played the same five string bass during the entire show through a bass rig that could move the Earth. Within the main floor, the rumbling could be felt within your feet. He had quick fingers that played the kickass bass lines and a tone that made everything he played sound warm. He also has a very wide range vocally. He brought the definition of three part harmony a new meaning.

Completing the rhythm section is Mark Trojanowski on drums. His timing was better than any clock and his versatility was displayed on everything he played. He was completely on fire during the entire show. He showed amazing dynamics and at times he was a great example of playing less is more. He wasn’t on stage being an animal like other drummers have done. He knew how and when to hit with the absolute correct amount of force. He is just a solid in the pocket drummer.

A great asset to the band is found in Andrew Copeland. This guy provides rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals, and a solid foundation of music within this rock band. What more could you ask for in a musician? His part within the band is holding down the rhythms and melodies. Within his role, he helps to fill out the bands musical style and sound. He is a very talented musician and it shows within his performance.

Last but not least is Ryan Newell on lead guitar. During every concert, the man who has the spotlight is always the guitar player. Ryan deserved every bit of it as he shined through on what he played. His guitar work is in the same league with some of the great guitar Gods. He played some intricate and flashy guitar riffs that amazed a lot of people within the room, including musicians. When he picked up a slide and moved it across the strings it was just magical.

The best part of the show was when the band broke into the middle guitar jam of “Hotel California” by the Eagles. Newell hit all the tough guitar licks from this classic rock anthem as if Joe Walsh was there himself playing it for you. He was backed up on the double guitar solo parts by Ken Block.

The band did the same customary routine as all other acts do. They pretend they are done with their show and leave the stage knowing damn well that they are coming back out for another song or two. For their encore they came back out and performed the song “Champaign High.” The acoustically based song had left the fans with a smile on their face.

During the show there was a positive energy that flowed around the room. Good, happy music was being played and the audience welcomed the sounds with open arms. As the show went along, the fans felt that positive energy coming from the stage and sent the feelings back to the band with applause and cheers.

The show had ended and the fans left the building. They huddled together in the streets attempting to stay warm as they waited for their cars to be brought to them. Smiles were everywhere despite the frigid temperatures.

Sister Hazel was just an incredible band to see live. Their ability as musicians is unbelievable. The entire group was on the money within all of the songs they played. Five guys performed as if they were one unit captivating the ears and eyes of the patrons at the House of Blues in Chicago. One word describes the show that was done and that is perfection! It was a fantastic night for music.

Does the amount of facial hair seen in a crowd, actually predict how hip a band’s set will be? Let me present you with some facts. On Tuesday November 23^rd at the House of Blues, over 50% of the men in the audience were bearded, preparing to have the excellent Wolf Parade melt their whiskers off. Meanwhile, at the Justin Bieber/Lady Gaga concert with openers Nickleback, not a single face was adorned with a man scarf. Is this coincidence? Is this even true? No. But that does not change the fact that Wolf Parade ruled Tuesday night, and made a lot of bearded gentlemen very happy.

 

Wolf Parade has always been a band flying just south of the radar for me. My buddy in Portland (a bearded bloke mind you) gave me their albums years ago, and I’ve listened to them casually ever since. They never struck me as mind-blowingly amazing or anything too different from other indie rockish bands like Modest Mouse or Arcade Fire. Then I saw them live at the House of Blues last Tuesday. Now, I’m not 100% sure I didn’t just appreciate them more, because I myself have grown my own beard. My facial follicles tend to absorb more good vibrations, whereas a clean-shaven face tends to just get marauded with whatever crappy music hits their cold cheeks. All I know is every perception I had about Wolf Parade went out the door about five minutes into their set.

 

But before we get to the meatiness that was Wolf Parade, let’s talk about the equally interesting opening bands. The first, Ogre You Asshole, is an all-Japanese band with decent influences from Fugazi and Talking Heads. They spoke barely a lick of English, but spoke the international language of rock, eloquently. Wintersleep, the second band, was however completely illiterate. The lead singer was channeling a weird combination of Michael Stipe’s vibrato, and Scott Stapp’s suckiness. When a band that doesn’t even speak English, with songs totally incoherent to an American audience, plays before you and wipes the floor with you, it’s time to take a long look in that rock n’ roll mirror. As Michael Kronenberg, a devote and loyal Wolf Parade fan said behind me, “I just got a drink so I could tolerate that awful band.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

 

Wolf Parade owned. For sure. Not only did they play a nice mix of their new songs, from Expo 86, and their older albums, Apologies to the Queen Mary and At Mount Zoomer, they did it with gusto. A great amount of energy, humor, and personality that really brought the band, that previously just lived on my ipod between Ween and Wu-Tang, to vibrant life. Highlights were the insanely catchy song “What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had To Go This Way)” and the fan favorite, “I’ll Believe in Anything.”

 

Unlike previous concerts where people talk the whole way through or, shout unnecessary obscenities throughout the show, the spotlight was truly on Wolf Parade. They commanded attention. If music is judged by how many heads can bob up and down together (bearded or not), this show kicked ass.

 

Wolf Parade has a unique talent that separates them from other bands of a similar nature. Sure, you can call them hipsterish, you can call them a jam band, but what separates them from these genres is the fact that, well they pull it off. Although every song could easily be taken to it’s hipiest extreme with an endless musical tangent, they can take all their complex sounds, build it over the duration of a song, and wrap it up, without it sounding like a chaotic mess.

 

A final highlight from the show, as if it needed one, was the encore as the Japanese bass player from Ogre you Asshole plays with Wolf Parade during the encore. Call me lame, but there was something beautiful about watching two talented musicians of totally different cultures, coming together to speak the same language of rock.

 

Wolf Parade has easily made it into my top concert of the year. The simply blew me away. When a band can change your perspective from one live show, they’re doing their job. Music should always be based on their live performances, not their overproduced studio sound, and this is where Wolf Parade excelled. They created an experience totally different from listening to them on your ear buds. Which is something everyone can appreciate, bearded or not.

 

If you like Wolf Parade I also strongly recommend checking out singer/keyboardist Spencer Krug’s other band Sunset Rubdown, and singer/guitarists band Handsome Furs.

Looking like a combination of the 1980s Musclemen mini action figures, Rob Zombie comic books and Fangoria magazine, Gwar takes the stage with a no-holds-barred attitude. Having been around since before Rob Zombie,they’re everything one would expect. Playing metal music in their natural clothing and letting people wonder if any of them are the original members.




The time is October 26, 2010, and the place is House of Blues.  The lights dim and the green laser lights with fog are on and the zombies spewing blood creep onto the stage with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” resounding. Aiming for fans and photographers alike, Gwar sprays blood everywhere. The fans who wore white to celebrate the event are now head-to-toe in red. Wanting blood like a vampire in *Blade*, the crowd receives their sustenance to live.



Flattus Maximus strums an opening chord and the crowd becomes rowdier than the at a Justin Bieber concert. The energy is ironically happy and positive. The fans of Gwar take their music seriously and you better not call it a joke. They’re an army of plenty and are willing to cast these people to outer space if they choose to insult their form of entertainment.



Gwar brings the essence of a true experience to the stage. They play metal music and bring more props than a sex toy salesperson; and unlike that salesperson, Gwar actually uses their props in person. They include fake genitals, dead pig fetuses and robots with buzz-saw arms that rip apart evil aliens and creatures.



Gwar has continued to set the bar for metal bands from other planets and Earth. They never apologize and they never back down from what they do best: performing a top quality show that could make anyone enjoy the art of Metal.

Has it ever ran through your mind what celebrities look like during a certain predicament, event or activity? After seeing Jonny Lang perform at the House of Blues on the 16th of July, I have a solid feeling I know what he really looks like when he is reminiscing, heartbroken, angry, passionate, intimate, thankful and going poo-poo and potty!
 
I hate to disturb any graves or upset any folks who consider Elvis as one of their faves, but his hip "thang" is pale in comparison to the mojo of Jonny Lang!
 
That is, Jonny's jerking movements of his entire body, tensed-up facial expressions and strong, animalistic vocal explosions and guitar playing throughout his show, I swear, must be how he appears during experiencing the big "O!" With that said, I came to conclude that while he performed at last Friday's show he seemed to have 69 or so!
 
Jonny Lang has had quite a ride, given the strapping young lad was invited to play at Mick Jagger's 56th Birthday Bash, where he jammed with Jagger, Bono, Elton John and Ron Wood side by side. (www.jonnylang.com 2010)
 
Plus, when Lang journeyed into the Gospel sound, he was awarded a Grammy for his album "Turn Around" (www.jonnylang.com 2010.)
 
Another notch was added to Jonny's belt when he performed at the White House when Bill Clinton was in office, and gave the President something heartfelt--Rather than giving Clinton a cigar, Jonny gave the President a Fender guitar! (www.jonnylang.com 2010)
 
Now, back to Jonny's Chicago performance where some of the songs he played were "Red Light," "Thankful," "Livin' for the City," "Breakin' Me," "Rack Em' Up" and an encore including "40 Days and 40 Nights" as well as "Lie to me," proving he and his band are undoubtedly some of the most talented jam musicians in existence!
 
Jonny had a Gospel singer do a handful of solos that gave me goosebumps from my gourde straight down to my toes!
 
Also, Jonny revealed he played at the old Fitzgeralds and Buddy Guy's Legends his first trip to Chicago. He elaborated he was really nervous to play at Buddy Guys, and while he did, he looked over and saw Buddy Guy watching him. "So I have a lot of good memories in Chicago," said Jonny while the lights were dim.
 
Right after Jonny left the stage of the House of Blues, I asked fans for their reviews.
 
"Amazing--nothing was missing from the show. It couldn't have been better, and I saw the Rolling Stones twice, and he was better than them," asserted Jill Matthews.
 
(Poor old slick, Mick Jagger, has seemed to have lost some of his swagger.)
 
Breck Reich, another satisfied concert-goer, confessed [Jonny Lang] "was better then John Mayer, and he loves John Mayer!"
 
Additionally, Mark said "the expressions on Jonny's face are real--they show what he's feeling. And we [he and his slightly buzzed buddies] like it best when he whales on the guitar and he did tonight," I agree with Mark whole-heartedly.
 
Lastly, before the interview I had with Jonny on Thursday, his PR had professed he hasn't been up to par and is in need of rest. Nonetheless, the show of his "Live by Request" tour screamed Jonny is still one of the Music Industry's best!
 
Sources:
www.jonnylang.com

*Photos by Tracy Walsh 

Standing at the House of Blues last Wednesday April 7^th was like stepping into a time machine. Suddenly I was back in high school, going to a concert on a school night to see my favorite pop punk band on the week. Back then it was cool to be seen at a show like this, it was cool to spike your hair and wear spiky bracelets. Now, sadly pushing 26, it was just kinda sad. For me at least.

 

At my age I should be going to see artsy bands with complicated lyrics, syncopated rhythms and chords that venture outside of the basic power chord. But hell, I still watch cartoons on a weekly basis, so who says my music tastes have to completely grow up.

 

In a line up that blasted through several styles of the punk-pop genre, a crowd full of much younger and sexier music fans waited for their headliner, Motion City Soundtrack. With synth pop melodies, extremely catchy hooks, and lyrics for those of us bred on Mountain Dew and Mario it was the place to be on an early Wednesday night. Assuming you had your parents permission.

 

Openers Sing it Loud and Rocket to the Moon were, completely forgettable. Their brand of ‘rock’ seemed like recycled bits and pieces from all my favorite songs ten years ago. Back then, I might have thought it was fresh but even with my current immature musical tastes, I could recognize music for high schoolers by high schoolers. Is this really the product of a generation weaned on Blink 182 and Green Day? The rest of the crowd (mostly the tweens) seemed into it so if it makes them happy, rock on you youngin’s.

 

Luckily for me and other older members of the audience, the following band was extremely, well fun. Fun, the product of the now dispersed band, The Format, is a completely indescribable band. But I’ll try my best. With musical influences that transcends decades of music, Fun is a band you have to see to experience. With 6 members jumping and dancing to the music fun not only provided a well-deserved burst of energy, but they genuinely seemed like they were having exactly what their name suggests. Songs like “All the Pretty Girls,” and “At Least I’m Not as Sad (As I Used to Be)” are insanely catchy and really set the stage for the headliner.

 

Motion City Soundtrack took the stage at 8PM and immediately started rocking into the night. Their setlist had a large amount of their older catalogue while still giving a broad, best of from their latest album, My Dinosaur Life. Single’s “A Lifeless Ordinary,” and “Her Words Destroyed My Planet,” are great songs, but for me, the fun and energy of their latest album came from “Pulp Fiction,” and “@!#?@!” Their style hasn’t changed too much since I saw them last, but their energy level was amazingly even stronger than it was when I first saw them at the Warped Tour in 2003.

 

What I enjoyed most of all was being there to witness a crowd that acted suspiciously like I did back in high school, jumping up and down, smiling with their pals, and screaming along to their favorite songs. They hit a deep chord of nostalgia with me with some of their older tunes like, “My Favorite Accident” and “The Future Freaks Me Out.” Songs I remember loving cruising around my first year of College.

 

If anything I can say that the concert was a blast to the past for me, which is weird considering that all the songs from this show were only released seven or eight years ago. But what can I say; I get nostalgia for things that happened to me at breakfast. And I like being reminded of my music history, no matter how embarrassing or silly it might be. But it takes a band that is still relevant after nearly a decade to make me realize that all those years of music were not completely wasted.

 

 

Hailing from the lower decks of the movie Titanic, Gaelic Storm shows audiences why they were cast as the “party band.” Gaelic Storm has continued to perform more than 125 shows each year and their record, What’s the Rumpus, debut No. 1 on Billboard’s World Albums chart. The numbers speak for themselves by the sheer volume of people at the House of Blues.

Gaelic Storm turned the House of Blues into the biggest Irish pub I’ve ever seen!  The crowd was friendly and ready to sing along to every word of each tune. The scene made me think of my junior high talent show filled with middle-aged white folks and old Aunt Gladys. Gaelic Storm presented a show that was fit for all ages. They’re able to tell great stories through music and accentuate the characteristics of Irish music that people love: bagpipes, accents and words that are simple enough to sing along with when you’re drunk.

Bagpiper and auxiliary percussionist Pete Purvis, along with fiddle player Jessie Burns accent the band to a joyous melody while playing a tune so contagious that it seems to beckon concertgoers to dance their own versions of an Irish jig. Singer Patrick Murphy walks the stage like an actor portraying his soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, allowing the perfect timing for each word to be heard and sung to. Steve Twigger accompanies Murphy’s lyrics well through playing the guitar, other various stringed instruments and vocally. Percussionist Ryan Lacey lays a beat on two-hand drums that provides a great pulse for the band to follow. Overall, Gaelic Storm is extremely entertaining and they put on a great show. So grab your Guinness and your dancing shoes, and see Gaelic Storm when you have the chance.