COUNTING CROWS - their upcoming schedule turning into a full-blown summer tour!
May 25, 2009 by Claudia · Leave a Comment
June 2009
26 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
27 - Chicago, IL - Grant Park
July 2009
1 - Muskegon, MI - Muskegon Summer Celebration
3 - St. Louis, MO - Live on the Levee
4 - Sioux City, IA - Grandview Park
6 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
8 - Rochester Hills, MI - Meadow Brook Music Festival
9 - Sarnia, Ontario - Rogers Bayfest Rock Weekend
11 - Minneapolis, MN - Basilica Block Party
16 - Redmond, WA - Marymoor Amphitheater
17 - Goldendale, WA - Maryhill Winery
19 - Friant, CA - Table Mountain Casino
21 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
26 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
29 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater
August 2009
1 - Houston, TX - The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Racepark
3 - Austin, TX - Austin Music Hall
4 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theater
6 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage Theatre
7 - Orange Beach, AL - The Amphitheater at the Wharf
8 - Tunica Resorts, MS - Harrah’s Casino
11 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
12 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
14 - St. Augustine, FL - St, Augustine Amphitheater
15 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
17 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
18 - Miami, FL - Bayfront Amphitheater
20 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
21 - Charlotte, NC - The Uptown Amphitheater
26 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater
28 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Casino
29 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
31 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
September 2009
3 - New York, NY - Rumsey Playfield at Central Park Summerstage
5 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
6 - Canandaigua, NY - CMAC
With their angst-filled hybrid of Van Morrison, the Band, and R.E.M., Counting Crows became an overnight sensation in 1994. Only a year earlier, the band was a group of unknown musicians, filling in for the absent Van Morrison at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony; they were introduced by an enthusiastic Robbie Robertson. Early in 1993, the band recorded their debut album, August and Everything After, with T-Bone Burnett. Released the fall, it was a dark and somber record, driven by the morose lyrics and expressive vocals of Adam Duritz. The only up-tempo song, “Mr. Jones,” became their ticket to stardom, and Counting Crows enjoyed a significant amount of success throughout the ’90s and beyond.
What made Counting Crows unique was how they were able to balance Duritz’s tortured lyrics with the sound of the late ’60s and early ’70s; it made them one of the few alternative bands to appeal to listeners who thought that rock & roll died in 1972. Recovering the Satellites followed in 1996, and “A Long December” was a Top 10 hit on both the Modern Rock and Adult Top 40 charts. The band issued the two-disc Across a Wire: Live in New York in 1998, and the following year saw the release of Counting Crows’ third studio album, This Desert Life. In the midst of recording and collaborating with Ryan Adams on his sophomore album, Gold, Duritz joined his band in the studio as well. The fruit of those sessions was the Steve Lillywhite-produced fourth album, Hard Candy. The next year saw the release of the best-of Films About Ghosts, and in 2004 Counting Crows reminded fans of their ability to write a hit single with “Accidentally in Love,” which appeared on the Shrek 2 soundtrack. Two years later, New Amsterdam: Live at Heineken Music Hall, recorded from a show on February 6, 2003, was made available to the public. Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings appeared in 2008. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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STAIND, SHINEDOWN, CHEVELLE and HALESTORM will offer cash-strapped fans across the nation moderately priced rock shows this summer during the “Stimulate This!” tour.
May 25, 2009 by Claudia · Leave a Comment
July 2009
1 - Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center
2 - Saint Paul, MN - Harriet Island
4 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
7 - Roanoke, VA - Roanoke Convention Center
9 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
10 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion
12 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
14 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
16 - Wallingford, CT - Chevrolet Theatre
17 - Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury park Convention Hall
21 - Pikeville, KY - Eastern Kentucky Expo Center
22 - Corbin, KY - Southeastern KY Agricultural & Expo
24 - Evansville, IN - Roberts Stadium
25 - Dubuque, IA - Dubuque County Fair
26 - Brookings, SD - Swiftel Center
29 - Billings, MT - MetraPark Arena
31 - Rochester, MN - Mayo Civic Center
August 2009
10 - Ridgefield, WA - The Amphitheatre at Clark County
13 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore Auditorium
14 - Rio Rancho, NM - Santa Ana Star Center
15 - Lubbock, TX - Lonestar Amphitheater
18 - Laredo, TX - Laredo Entertainment Center
28 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
30 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
It has been said that first impressions last a lifetime. Luckily for Staind, some only last for about 45 minutes. After a volatile disagreement with Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst over some of Staind’s early cover art, it seemed their big break had walked out the door. Fortunately, by the time Durst had witnessed Staind’s intense live show, he was ready to exchange phone numbers.
Staind’s story began in the New England area when vocalist Aaron Lewis and guitarist Mike Mushok met at a Christmas party in 1993. Mushok was able to bring drummer Jon Wysocki into the fold, and Lewis’ connection with a bass player (who later left) completed the early lineup. Establishing themselves took time, and extensive touring of the Northeast with other established metal acts helped them sell over 2,000 copies of their self-released debut in just over a year. They were primed for their big break, and on October 23, 1997, the hard work paid off.
At a show in Hartford, CT, Staind was all set to open for Limp Bizkit when Bizkit singer Durst raised a stink over cover art on Staind’s self-released CD. After a heated conversation over whether or not Staind were Satan worshipers, Durst forcefully returned the disc to the band, and walked away. But 45 minutes later Durst was back, not to further the argument, but to make sure he kept in contact with Staind. Blown away by their live show, Durst exchanged phone numbers, and loved their demo tape when they gave it to him. He convinced them to travel to Jacksonville, FL, to work on the new songs.
After reworking the new material and a successful live show, Durst contacted the head of Flip Records and arranged a meeting for Staind with the label. While in Los Angeles, a three-song sampler was recorded, and by the time February rolled around in 1998, the band had a record deal. After playing the Vans Warped Tour, they began work on their first album, Dysfunction. The album was produced by Terry Date (Deftones, Pantera, Soundgarden) and was released April 13, 1999. A tour with Kid Rock followed that spring and later the band reunited with good friends Limp Bizkit for a summer tour. Their follow-up, Break the Cycle, enjoyed a prolonged visit at the number one spot on U.S. charts in 2001. Smash hits like “It’s Been a While,” “Fade,” “For You,” and “Epiphany” catapulted Staind into the mainstream, leaving their 2002 DVD =MTV Unplugged to go gold. Staind released 14 Shades of Grey in spring 2003, and after a two-year break returned with the chart-topping Chapter V, named to include their self-released debut in the Staind canon. ~ Chris True, All Music Guide
DREAM THEATER is known for its high-energy concert performances and remains one of heavy metal’s most bootlegged bands.
May 24, 2009 by Claudia · Leave a Comment
The technically proficient guitar playing of John Petrucci elevated Dream Theater to the upper echelons of contemporary heavy metal. While its lineup has continuously evolved, the Long Island-based quintet has consistently delivered sharp-edged music. Dream Theater is known for its high-energy concert performances. While they’ve released several live albums — Live at the Marquee, recorded at the London club; Live in Japan, recorded during the Music in Progress tour in 1993; and a triple CD and DVD, Live Scenes from New York — they remain one of heavy metal’s most bootlegged bands.
Originally named Majesty by Berklee College of Music students Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and drummer Mike Portnoy, the band soon expanded with the addition of keyboard player Kevin Moore and vocalist Chris Collins. Releasing an eight-tune demo, Majesty Demo, as Majesty, the group sold 1,000 copies within six months. The departure of Collins in late 1986 left Majesty without a vocalist, and after a long period of auditioning possible replacements, the group settled on Charlie Dominici in November 1987. Changing its name, the group agreed on “Dream Theater,” inspired by a now-demolished California movie theater. Signing with Mechanic Records, the group began working on its first full-length album. Delays caused by label mismanagement limited the group to performing at small clubs and bars. Frustrated by its experiences with the label, Dream Theater finally severed its ties with Mechanic.
This was only one drastic change in the band’s course of action. Firing Dominici, the group spent the next couple years searching for a vocalist. The search ended in late 1991 when a demo tape from Canadian vocalist James LaBrie, formerly of Winter Rose, arrived. After flying to New York to audition, LaBrie was invited to join the band. Signing with Atco Atlantic (which came to be known as East West), Dream Theater released its second album, Images & Words, in 1992. One of three videos based on songs from the album, “Pull Me Under,” became an MTV hit. Although Theater showed considerable growth with their third studio album, Awake, recorded between May and July 1994, the group continued to be hampered by personnel changes. Before the album was mixed, keyboardist Moore left the group to focus on his solo career. Hired as a temporary replacement for the band’s Waking Up the World tour, Derek Sherinian later
James LaBrie via last.fmbecame a permanent member. His first recording with Dream Theater was a 23-minute epic, “A Change of Seasons,” written in 1989 and released in September 1995 on the album of the same name.
Following a mini tour, Fix for ‘96, the members of Dream Theater separated for several months and became involved with a variety of outside projects. Petrucci was the busiest. In addition to joining Portnoy and keyboard player Jordan Rudess in the Liquid Tension Experiment — a group that included influential bassist/stick player Tony Levin — Petrucci played guitar with Trent Gardner’s Explorers Club and made a guest appearance on Shadow Gallery’s Tyranny album. Myung and Sherinian collaborated with King’s X vocalist Ty Tabor in the band Platypus. LaBrie worked with Mull Muzzler, a group formed with Matt Guillory and Mike Mangini.
Dream Theater experienced yet another change when Rudess was tapped to replace Sherinian, who had been fired in 1999. The band released the progressive rock-heavy Scenes from a Memory that year, a conceptual piece that followed the story of a 1928 murder of a young woman and how a modern man is haunted by the crime.
Cover of Live at the MarqueeIt was followed by Live Scenes from New York in 2001, which suffered from an unintentional bout with controversy when its original cover featuring the city of New York in flames was pulled due to the events of September 11. The group continued in the progressive metal vein in 2002 with Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, followed by the leaner Train of Thought in 2003 and Octavarium in 2005. The live album Score: XOX was released in 2006 and featured the band backed by a 29-piece orchestra. It was followed a year later by the new studio album Systematic Chaos.
Sherinian went on to record as a soloist and to play with a prog and jazz fusion band, Planet X. Petrucci released an eponymously titled solo album in 2003, featuring accompaniment by Dave LaRue of the Dixie Dregs and Boston-based drummer Dave DeCenso. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
