Showing posts with label Indianapolis Live Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indianapolis Live Music. Show all posts

5.16.2010 - Joe Pug @ Radio Radio

Joe PugThe set-up at Radio Radio for this show was fantastic - the front tables were just a few feet from the stage!  Following our usual M.O. of being in line to get in before the doors opened, we managed to procure one of those front tables, which was perfect for shooting photos during the sets.  Not a huge crowd by any means, mostly late 20's through 30's folks.


Mandy Marie opened up the show - she's a local artist who usually plays with The Cool Hand Lukes.  During her set, she mentioned how much easier it is to get on stage with a full band and jam and be crazy as compared to standing up there alone and doing the singer/songwriter thing.  She played some good stuff, and was engaging and entertaining. 

Some highlights from Mandy's set:
  • Leaving Southern Missouri - Mandy was born and raised in Southern Missouri
  • My Husband
  • My Land of Make Believe
  • Why Do You Gotta Be A Dick To Me - No kidding, that's how the song went :)
I first heard Joe Pug's music via free EP download ("In the Meantime") he offered shortly after he played Bonnaroo 2009, I believe.  A couple of years ago when Joe was starting out, he offered fans unlimited copies of a 2-song sampler CD's for free to pass along to their friends.  He didn't want people to have to purchase a full album until they knew what they were getting.  Great way to promote your music and endear yourself with fans if you ask me.


He has a distinct sound that is diffcult to describe - maybe a mix of Americana and Indie-Folk.  His voice is gravely, yet smooth at the same time.  I would never have guessed that he is from Chicago - his music definitely has a bit of a Southern feel to it.  He seems to be a bit of a shy fellow, and soft-spoken, but still maintains a good stage presence.  At one point during the show, his foot-stomping had knocked a pile of his things off of a stool on the stage.  After he finished that song, he turned around and tipped everything else over, because it was clear it was going to happen anyway. 

Most of the songs Joe performed were off his most recent release, "Messenger".  Highlights from Joe Pug's set:

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Sunday, June 6, 2010 Posted in | , , , , , | 0 Comments »

4.29.2010 - Sublime with Rome, Del Mar, and The Dirty Heads @ The Murat Egyptian Room

This was absolutely a last-minute addition to our line-up of shows.  I just happened to win a meet and greet with The Dirty Heads and Rome from X103 that included tickets to this sold-out show, so we couldn't pass it up.

I'll start this review with a quick overview of the Meet & Greet at X103's studios.  First - free pizza.  Yum.  Next, getting to stand around in the studio with Deuce while he interviewed The Dirty Heads and Rome.  Jared, lead singer of The Dirty Heads, tells a hilarious story about going to a strip club the first time he was in Indiana.  If you can find that interview on http://www.x103.com/ - listen to it, you'll laugh.  After that, we lucky winning listeners got to pile into the Bob & Tom studio and watch through the glass as The Dirty Heads and Rome recorded a few live studio tracks.  They did "Lay Me Down", "Believe", and "Stand Tall".  These guys are really great - I'd say they have a reggae/rap/ska sound.  This small acoustic set upped my level of interest in going to see the show later that night.

We got to the Murat around 6:30 - since it was a sold out GA show, we knew there would be quite the line forming to get any kind of decent spot near the stage.  We were actually only about 40 people back from the front of the line - not too shabby.  Once inside, we procured a couple of spots against the front railing, stage-right.   We haven't ever been smashed right up against the railing for any show, so we weren't exactly sure how we'd feel about this choice by the end of the night, but it actually ended up being a very enjoyable experience.  The security guard right in front of us eased our fears a bit by telling us that he had had a long day, and he's not putting up with any crap, he'd just take people down.  We agreed wholeheartedly to step out of his way and let him do his job if it came to that!

The first band up, Del Mar, wasn't the type of music I'd listen to on any given day, but I can see that they must have their musical merits.  This is actually the band that Bud Gaugh was in when he decided to get Sublime back together.  They had a definite punk sound, and really got people ready for the next two bands.  Then came The Dirty Heads.  The crowd was stoked for their performance, and even more pumped when Rome joined them for a few songs, including "Lay Me Down" of course.  To make sure the sell-out crowd was fully ready for Sublime, Jared even hopped off the stage and stood on the barriers to sing the last song.  These guys know how to work a room!
Time for Sublime - and I can't say whether it was the contact buzz that everyone had from the plumes of pot smoke filling the room or actual excitement to see this band that hasn't been on the radar since 1996, after former lead singer Bradley Nowell's fatal heroine overdose, but the audience was thrilled.  After Nowell's death, the band split, having no desire to perform music under the Sublime name anymore.  In 2009, drummer Bud Gaugh and bass guitarist Eric Wilson decided to re-form the band with guitarist and lead singer Rome Ramirez, who was a mere 20 years old at the time.  After a legal battle over the Sublime name with Bradley's estate, the band now performs under the name Sublime with Rome.

Sublime still knows how to rock.  They played all the old staples - "Santeria", "What I Got", "Date Rape" and "Wrong Way".  Basically, all of the hardcore Sublime fans were singing along to each and every word of each and every song.  Everyone seemed to be having a great time.  Rome Ramirez is a good vocalist - no Bradley, but I know his intent isn't to replace him.

Just a few interesting notes on this show - I was surprised to see a ton of young people (under 25's) in the mix at this concert.  Just goes to show that a great band will still have an impression on people long after they've broken up - a la Nirvana. 

Other topics of note:
  • We experienced a near fist-fight after someone tried to snake his way through the crowd that had been standing at the front for an hour to get the best view.  Luckily, the situation was diffused, and the two groups of people were friends by the end of the show.
  • Lots of people were smoking weed.  After a while, security had to take a "we can't do anything about it" stance.  Giant smoke clouds were clearly visible heading toward the stage.
  • If the Girls Gone Wild videographers had been onstage, they'd have gotten some good material for an upcoming DVD.  I think that says enough.
  • One thrasher in the crowd was turned on by everyone around him and pointed out to security so they could toss him out for being out of hand.  Just goes to show,  you should bring more loyal friends if you want to mosh...
  • A girl in our vicinity sang every song, loudly, to her boyfriend throughout the show, while complaining to him that she didn't have enough drinks.  The man must have been some sort of saint to not have claimed to be going get her another cocktail while he hopped in the car and left her.  I sure would have!

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Monday, May 3, 2010 Posted in | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments »

4.23.2010 - Chris Pureka and Nicole Reynolds @ Radio Radio

We'd been looking forward to this show for weeks.  I'd heard Chris Pureka via my Brandi Carlile channel on Pandora probably over a year ago and haven't stopped listening since.  What I wasn't aware of is that the event was put on by Cathy and Joyce of indyindie.com - a local group who promote independent female artists in music, poetry, and art.  Unfortunately, after 7 years of doing this, we only happened upon them at the second-to-last show.  They are "retiring" - but as Cathy mentioned onstage later, eventually they'll be back at it after an extended break and some good R&R.  It was also Cathy's annual birthday show - so Happy Birthday Cathy!

I'd say 98% of this crowd was female, which wasn't at all surprising after discovering it was put on by a group promoting independent female artists.  My rough estimate would be that about 75-100 people showed up - and that's a very rough guess.  You could definitely tell that Chris has a following - there was a line of probably 15-20 people at the door when we arrived a little before doors opened at 8.  Haven't seen a line at Radio Radio since back when we saw a Griffin House/Green River Ordinance/Needtobreathe show there in the Fall of 2009. 

This was the most laid-back crowd I've ever seen at a show...everyone remained seated and was fully respectful of the artists at all times.  This was such a great break from the normal concert-going crowd we've encountered.  At one point, Chris Pureka even commented that people should come to the front and form a mosh-pit, saying she'd even smash a guitar if they did - then quickly changing her mind saying it makes her angry when people do that - "someone could've used that guitar". 

Nicole Reynolds was up first.  I'd be surprised if she is a centimeter over 4'11".  She has a great whimsical/old-timey voice, which reminded me instantly of Katie Herzig.  Her songs are reminiscent of poems set to music, rather than songs.  She also has a fantastic sense of humor - her stories between songs had the entire room cracking up.  We really enjoyed her set, and can't wait to hear more of her music.  Here are some highlights:
  • Whiskey - Nicole mentioned her girlfriend quit smoking very shortly after she played this song in front of her g/f's Baptist Minister father - I believe the line was "You accept my bullshit, I accept your smoking".  Enough said.
  • Earthworms - How can you beat a song with a line about hermaphrodite sex being great?
  • Wonderin - "Do you know that your kisses are like windows I fall through" - great line
  • We Could Have Met
Chris Pureka then took the stage.  One of the first things you notice when the music starts is that she is an amazing guitar player.  Then you hear her voice...full of emotion, soulful, haunting.  It instantly pulls you in and takes you along for an emotional ride through what must be autobiographical stories of love and loss.  I'd describe her genre as Indie-Folk.  Her songs just ooze with melancholy - you can picture her sitting in front of a window on a cold and rainy New England fall evening pouring her heart into writing these lyrics.  She has a brand new album out, click that link below and buy it, you'll be glad you did.  Some highlights from her set:
  •  California - From her Chimera EP
  •  Barn Song - From her newest album, "How I Learned to See in the Dark".  She wrote this after taking a walk with Lyndell Montgomery, bass and fiddle player in her band, while visiting at her Canadian home.  They walked out to an abandoned house and barn, then while passing back by the house, Chris found a bell sitting next to the front door.  Lyndell convinced her to take it, and the bell is now immortalized on the cover of the new album.
  • Shipwreck - "Sometimes I wish that tide would take me" - hearbreaking lyrics.
  • Wrecking Ball - Contains the album title lyric "How I learned to see in the dark".  Has great radio-play potential.
  • Swann Song - Written for her grandma.  From the Dryland album.
  • Encore of Porch Songs - One of my Chris Pureka favorites form the Driving North album.
I'm not sure the night could have gotten any better (except maybe if she'd felt inclined to sing Burning Bridges, another favorite).  Both Chris and Nicole hung out back by the merchandise table after the show to meet everyone.  Thanks to Cathy for strongly expressing her desire for Chris to play "more, more", so we could hear a live version of Porch Songs.  And huge thanks to Cathy and http://www.indyindie.com/ for putting the show together and getting Chris and Nicole together in Indianapolis.  Perfect night - go see Nicole Reynolds and/or Chris Pureka if you ever get the chance!

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Monday, April 26, 2010 Posted in | , , , , , , , | 0 Comments »

4.22.2010 - Martin Sexton and Ryan Montbleau @ The Vogue

When we arrived at The Vogue for Martin Sexton, there was a line forming outside, but it was substantially shorter than the line that formed for Clutch, thank goodness.  After our eyes adjusted to the dim lighting inside, we noticed the most welcomed surprise - they had moved some of the tall tables and stools down from the balcony to the floor, a matter of feet from the stage.  And there, off to stage right, was an open one!  Finally the lovely combination of experiencing the music from the floor and saving our feet from the pain caused by 4+ hours shifting back and forth on them! 

So the bouncers decide to just close the balcony since there weren't all that many tickets sold for this show. Which I can't blame them for doing, but I'd bet that everyone could have had a seat if they had allowed people to go upstairs. And interestingly enough, we weren't met with the metal detectors and strict ID policies that we were becoming accustomed to at The Vogue...plus actual beer bottles were handed out during the evening, instead of pouring it into a plastic cup.  Certainly says something about at least the perception of hard rock/rap crowds vs. singer/songwriter crowds...

There were downfalls, however, to choosing the seated option, to be discussed in detail later...
 
Ryan Montbleau is up first.  His sound is very old-timey/jazzy.  He had what seems to be a typical five piece band set-up - keyboard/drums/bass/fiddle/guitar.  Ryan is a great guitar player, and beyond that, had the ability to keep up great Jason Mraz-esque (if we can make that a word for a second) wittiness between songs.  Martin Sexton actually produced Ryan Montbleau's latest album, and they have toured together before.  Ryan is a great entertainer, with some very catchy tunes.  Some highlights from his setlist:
  • Songbird
  • Grain of Sand
  • 75 and Sunny - From the album Sexton produced
Then came Martin Sexton (whom we heard a few audience members refer to as "Marty", like a favorite uncle).  If you aren't familiar with Martin Sexton's music - the guy has a big voice, and can even act as a human drum-kit when necessary.  He doesn't require a band at all, but integrated the Ryan Montbleau band into some of his songs seamlessly.  Martin's singer/songwriter style definitely has a blues and soul vibe to it.  He's a great musician, and kept the audience engaged and entertained throughout the entire set plus an encore.  Some highlights from his set:
  • Can't Stop Thinking About You
  • Chasin' Dreams - About a guy quitting a high-paid job to do the job he always dreamed of as a kid.
  • Stick Around
  • My Faith Is Gone - Sexton wrote this when he was a hungry street-singer in Cambridge in 1991, and the government told them they couldn't sing on the streets anymore.
  • Beast in Me - This was part of the encore, and he broke into a version of "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" by The Jackson's in the middle.
A great show...with some low points involving the crowd, which was surprising.  As I mentioned earlier, one downside to snagging a table was that it naturally became a gathering point for others, so at one point we had two converging groups of people surrounding us.  They were also chatting loudly throughout the entire show - which is still a phenomenon I have yet to understand, though it happens everywhere.  Why pay money for a concert if you really just want to drink and catch up with friends?  And having a horizontal surface in front of you in a bar means it becomes a place for everyone to dump their empties.  Rude.  But I guess we shouldn't complain - a mere 5 days prior to the Martin Sexton show, we were watching Clutch concert-goers being dragged off of that same floor for moshing too violently.  We'll certainly settle for the Sexton crowd anyday...

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