Concert Imagery: The National @ The Chicago Theatre in Chicago, IL on 15-Apr-2014

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They say that death and taxes are certainties in life, but on this year’s dreaded tax day of April 15th, Brooklyn based The National, began a sold out four-night run at the historic and beautiful Chicago Theatre with Daughter offering support.

Touring for their latest album, Trouble Will Find Me (4AD), The National is moving their way across the country playing to sold out venues and dedicated fans. Not your typical rock band, The National embrace more of a somber, alternative sound, with a crooning Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds vibe.

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Concert Imagery: Faster Pussycat at the Perfect Pitcher in Taylor, MI on 15-Apr-2014

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Walking through the front door of the Perfect Pitcher in Taylor, Michigan on April 15th, 2014 was like stepping back in time about 25 years. A crowd of 150+, which is good for a Tuesday night, had turned out to see Faster Pussycat. Most, in attendance, appeared to be in their mid-40’s but tonight they were all 18 again!

Taime Downe, singer and founding member, is the only original member to remain. This didn’t seem to bother anyone in attendance as he was always the voice and face of Faster Pussycat. Rounding out the current line-up is Xristain Simon (guitar), Danny Nordahl (bass), Chad Stewart (drums), and Ace Von Johnson (guitar).

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Concert Review & Interview: Red Light Saints at the Perfect Pitcher in Taylor, MI on 15-Apr-2014

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On a cold night in Taylor, Michigan, the Red Light Saints rolled into town and heated things up with their blistering live show. On April 15th, 2014, these guys put on an outstanding in-your-face rock ‘n roll show at the Perfect Pitcher. The band played their hearts out to the 150+ crowd gaining a slew of new fans along the way!

Red Light Saints consist of Travis Schinke (vocals), Lane Bashaw (lead guitar), Andy Nader (bass), Luke Heckel (drums), and Teddy “O.P.P.” Opperman (touring rhythm guitar). Opperman is filling in for Ben Kurowski is currently on hiatus for just having a child.

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Interview: Andrea Ferro of Lacuna Coil; Dead and Rising Tour 2014 to include Lacuna Coil, Kyng, Eve To Adam, and Cilver

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Having just completed the Hottest Chicks In Hard Rock Tour along with Sick Puppies, Eyes Set To Kill, and Cilver, Italian metal veterans Lacuna Coil are right back at it with more US dates as the headliner of the Dead And Rising 2014 tour. This time around they are bringing along Los Angeles based trio Kyng, New York rockers Eve To Adam, as well as Cilver who also hail from New York.

Lacuna Coil is touring in support of their latest release, Broken Crown Halo. This is the band’s seventh studio album and was released in the US on April 1st via Century Media Records.

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Concert Imagery: Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel at The Rockpile in Toronto, ON on 10-Apr-2014

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Jake E. Lee is back in the game with Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel. Jake, who’s real name is Jakey Lou Williams, is most commonly known for having played in Ozzy Osbourne’s band in the mid-80′s and later in Badlands with Ray Gillen.

Throughout the 90′s and into the new millennium, Lee kept a relatively low profile. He appeared on some musical tributes and tried out a couple of other projects but it wasn’t until around 2013 when Jake decided to throw his hat back in the ring with his new band, the Red Dragon Cartel.

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Concert Review: Within Temptation, Delain at O2 Academy in Newcastle, UK on 14-Apr-2014

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Tonight, Newcastle’s rock crowd was out in full force for a big night of symphonic metal as Within Temptation brought their Hyrda tour into town.

As I approached the venue, the queue snaked around the building and had started to move up a neighbouring street. This was a first in all the many years I’ve come to this venue. The anticipation for this show was at fever pitch level.

This tour has filled arenas throughout Europe. Two nights prior Within Temptation and Delain played to 7,000 die-hard fans at London’s Wembley Arena. This evening the band has brought their arena production to the up close and personal theatre setting of the O2 Academy. So much the band’s road crew had to shoe horn in as much of Within Temptation’s stage set as possible. This just might be the smallest venue on their European tour.

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Concert Review: FuzzFest at Woodruff’s in Ypsilanti, Michigan on 11-Apr-2014

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I read online that The Muggs were going to be playing in Ypsilanti, Michigan at a cool little place called Woodruff’s. This was last Friday night (April 11, 2014) and just to happened to be my birthday!  I figured it was divine intervention and that I needed to go check out that show. What I didn’t know was what was really happening at Woodruff’s was FUZZ FEST, a three day rock and roll extravaganza featuring 33 Michigan bands on two stages!

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Interview: Lajon Witherspoon from Sevendust

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Sevendust-BandPublicityPhotoHowie D from Hard Edge Radio and National Rock Review recently got the chance to catch up with Lajon Witherspoon from Sevendust. It’s been a year since the last time they got to talk and they covered a wide range of topics including the success of Black Out The Sun, The brand new acoustic CD and full acoustic tour, the bands plans for the rest of 2014, and more.

Sevendust has just released their all acoustic CD, Time Travelers and Bonfires, and are currently in the middle of a full-blown acoustic tour. This CD was funded 100% by the fans and the goal was met within 24 hours of the start of the campaign. Dubbed ‘An Evening With Sevendust’, and featuring no opening support, they are making their way around the country performing past and current tracks with an acoustic/electric feel.

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Concert Review: John Corabi wsg/Chrome Mollie, Rezination and Jeremiah Ferguson at Diesel Concert Lounge in Chesterfield Twp, MI on 12-Apr-2014

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The multi-talented John Corabi returned to the Diesel Concert Lounge last weekend marking his second appearance at the venue in less than a year. Corabi has worked with many bands over his extensive career, including a recording and touring stint with Motley Crue. He is currently touring the country performing select songs from his recent John Corabi Unplugged album while working on a new electric album to be released later this year on Rat-Pak Records.

Local hard rockers Chrome Mollie provided direct support, with local acts Rezination and Jeramiah Ferguson also rounding out the bill.

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Concert Review: Graveyard and Bombus at The Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR on 15-Apr-14

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Enter The Swedes! From Gothenburg Sweden, metal band Bombus took the stage at the Wonder Ballroom in North Portland, Oregon for the first time in the US. They are on a North American tour with Graveyard and, in this reviewer’s opinion, blew the doors off the club!

With a sound of their own, albeit comparable to Motorhead, these guys leave some very big boots for the headlining act to fill. I was impressed by their performance, light show and megastar stage presence. This is ‘the time’. The time when you have heard your new favorite band. Bombus is it! It was my honor to have seen them in this jammed packed venue with their amazing light show.

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