The Pogues!

The Pogues with Detroit Cobras
The Ogden Theater
23 October 2009

Way back in June, after a fun summer evening of friends DJ'ing and leading punk rock sing-a-longs at a party at Jonsey's I got very excited that the Pogues had committed to play a show in Denver at the Ogden Theater. It was very exciting to me, so much that if I didn't get tickets that night (pre-sale through the fan club) I was going to be super sad. So to keep myself happy and got lucky ordered up my tickets! After pestering friends about the presale I have to admit. I was a girl possessed with the idea that they were going to be playing in Denver.

Then the waiting began. The waiting to hear about show confirmation, waiting to get the tickets, waiting to hear if they would really play, waiting waiting waiting. But everything came through like a total charm. And to say that it was worth the wait, understatement.

I spent the last week getting really excited. Anticipating that the show would be terrific.

I was not at all disappointed.

Detroit Cobras opened the show and the lead singer had a voice like velvet if you accidentally ran over it with a lawnmower, drank some rot gut whiskey and belted out the rock with enthusiasm and true excitement all the while being able to kick your ass and smiling the entire time through it. The band was really good. Hey did you know Google has videos? I didn't until I went and looked through their website. Check out the videos here.

After a pretty quick set change and checking out the set times on the mixing board (it said nearly two hours, I wouldn't have believed it... but it was true) Shane McGowen and band came out.

Here are videos of the show... and my photos:






What is so amazing is they brought it on... it was so good. Of course Shane McGowen was pretty much unintelligible with his inbetween song banter, but what would you expect? And if he was understandible then of course it would have been incredibly disappointing.

The band was amazing. I was absolutely amazing that for two full hours these guys played and played and brought the Gaelic Punk that they are known for. It was so great that they were able to come to Denver finally. I think the sold out crowd would agree.

Highlights include: hearing the Clash before the band even started. It was a great tune up. Then "If I Should Fall From the Grace of God", "Tuesday Morning", "The Sunnyside of the Street", "Dirty Old Town", "Rainy Night in SoHo" and "Fiesta" which was the show closer. It was a full set of 22 songs covering the entirety of their career and a highlight for me for sure. I never expected that I would have the opportunity to see The Pogues in my hometown, thought I would have to travel to see them and in fact very seriously considered going to NY last Spring (but it was sold out) because I didn't figure we would be lucky enough to get a tour here (and they haven't ever played here, which I didn't know but learned here....)

Here is another wrap up for your reading pleasure as well!

aenka video is beautiful and a lovely hoax

Mylarism v1 by Aenka. from Bocumast on Vimeo.

text from Bocumast:
new aenka music video:

Mylar-ism v1
Mylar-ism v1 is a meditative exploration of traveling water, ocean currents, and speed of movement. Audio dynamics are applied to the ring, which acts as a conduit between the natural and digital worlds. In a way, the music becomes a bridge between the two, allowing them to communicate, much like music in general. By using music as the medium we can both converse without speaking, while simultaneously using music as the format for which the conversation is made and the subject for which the conversation is about. Music or sound rather, becomes more powerful than language, the traditional form of communication. It is suggested that the properties of sound replace language and adhere to visual stimuli as an advanced method of communication. Much like mylar, music and sound have many uses that we need only to embrace and explore to diversify cultural understanding and communication not only across language barriers, but across boundaries of space and time.

witness this philosophical message live this friday (oct23) night at meadowlark bar (27th & larimer, denver co) when aenka takes the stage (10p). 21+


~~~

pictures from the show mentioned above:

Petals from Spain

Another great show... the trumpet player from Petals of Spain muted his trumpet with the following: his hat, his beer bottle and someone's cocktail glass, it was very cool.

Near the end of the third song of aenka's set a gentleman got into the mix (not the gentleman above although he clearly was enjoying) and disrupted what was a great flow.  It was sad for him.  He clearly thought his knuckleheadness deserved a bar full of attention.  He got it.  The band recovered finished their set and may have a new mantra.

Juliette Lewis
with openers:
American Bang
and The Ettes

Boulder Theater

October 6, 2009

Thanks for the picture of the marquee Derek! I totally forgot...

American Bang was the first opener. The played some Southern Fried rock that was reminiscent of bands from decades ago. True to their Tennessee roots they brought on a newer version of rock and roll that previously I had only heard played by Lynrd Skynrd or even the Allman Brothers. But what was so very interesting is that they played to a crowd of maybe 75 people, almost all those people knew the words to the songs. It was nice to see some couples fill the floor in front of the stage with their kids, many two stepping and dancing along. In fuller venues you don't have a chance to see this. So that was really cool. They surprised me with how deep their roots came through for a band that seemed to be so young. Feel it boys and keep it up...

The Ettes then came out. Someone behind us said that it was going to be cool to see an all chick band. Um not so much... but a band with a woman lead and a woman drummer. Not to dismiss the band, the were really charming. And the drummer blew my mind... she was terrific.

Juliette Lewis came out and was so unbelievably energetic. She came out channeling what couldonly be described is a combination of early Mick Jagger, Mallory Knox (ok I know that is a cheap shot) and Janis Joplin all wrapped up into a package that could kick my ass. She writhed and bent around and sang in some serious blues rock that made me a believer that this was not a fluke in August when we saw her at the Botanic Gardens. How she packs all that energy into her shows amazes me.

I am though a little confused by the photo policy. This is a smaller venue, and no offense because she (Juliette Lewis) is quite an amazing entertainer, but the no photo policy was plainly put, bullshit. She isn't that big a star that I understand why someone can't take pictures of what could easily be the most entertaining show in Boulder lately. I got the scolding from the Fox theater employee as soon as the show started. Now don't get me wrong, I will always abide by what I am asked but sometimes they think my camera is a professional camera and it isn't. But he said no photos, then had to walk through the crowd and ask people with their camera phones to put them away.

It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the show, listening to her talk about butterflys and spaceships was entirely amazing and she is a terrific entertainer. We had a great time. Enjoy the three pictures I did get, I know they are pretty much not all that great but not my deal.

Here is the write up from the Westword.

Funny boys with glasses make me happy

David Cross

Tattered Cover

Paramount Theater

Denver

September 29, 2009

Took some time off in the middle of the day to go and see the book signing for I Drink For a Reason by David Cross. He read a couple of peices from the book, did the standard Q & A (lots of questions about Arrested Development but not enough about Ronnie Dobbs ... oh wait there weren't any of those), then signed books.

F and I stood in line. When we got up to the front there was this dude in front of us who had a tattoo of David Cross (pretty much as his character from Arrested Development). It was kinda weird and funny in a way. He also had Bill Murray tatooed on his upper arm.

PS Tatoo guy... hope its ok I put your picture up on my blog

I didn't ask I know but look at how your arm is totally turned around too

PPS Your wife, the tattoo artist did a good job and her sleeves were good too

PPSS... enlarging the picture only shows how blurry the picture is I was rushing around the table

As an aside into the Tattered Cover I was walking in at the same time as David Cross, now please don't get me wrong...I totally wanted to say something but it would have been totally inappropriate and probably considered creepy so I kept my mouth shut and held the door for him. He is a skinny pickle for the record and has really long (but nice fingers). See? Creepy.

Any way sat in the back of the room because that is where F got seats at, and got to see this hipsters plumber crack for like 20 minutes. I almost asked him to pull down his teenie little tshirt but didn't. I contemplated taking a picture with my phone and posting it to brightkite, but that goes out to my twitter and facebook, so didn't. But know this. It was super duper tempting. And later that night when I saw the same hipster dude going into the theater he was dressed up and actually wearing a suit jacket I am glad that I didn't.

So we get up to have the books signed and David Cross is really gracious. Again I didn't say anything creepy, I almost did. But I got pictures of the boys together. The tour manager guy looked really not happy I got a couple pictures but stuff it buddy. Hey I didn't get F to take a picture with me and him ok... that would have really annoyed you because I would have asked him to stand up or something.

Went back to work, shook off the stalker tendancies* *JUST KIDDING.

Met F and some friends at the show. We had great seats, then the jackass (and there is always one) that repeats the punchline to each and every joke sits behind us. It was terribly distracting. But I was sure to not miss anything funny or what this guy thought was funny. I had some other distractions and was in pain (nothing that a root canal a week later didn't totally fix up) so I think honestly I didn't enjoy the show as much as I would have had I not felt like my entire jaw was in a vice.

The opening guy was not so great, but it could have been that I saw every single one of his jokes already several times on Last Comic Standing last summer. But thankfully his set was short. The schtick with the kid coming out at a young David Cross was funny... that kid's delivery was DEAD ON. We got a little song by David Cross and then it was on. Some new stuff, some old material but at least this time (as the last time I saw him at the Comedy Works in July of 97 where I was inappropriate) it didn't freak me out because it mirrored things going on in my life and F. There said it. But ... the show was funny. The signer was funny. And the opener heckling later in the show was funny because he forgot his lines and ran with it. He closed the show and I was a little bummed the night was over. I laughed aloud alot.

He is a talented guy and should you have the chance to see him live you definitely should.

Highlights from the last sets of shows I have seen... not all just my most memorable

Wrap ups galore...

Ian Cooke, Alan Alda and Taun Taun 

Bluebird Theater 

August 28, 2009

Another reason why the Denver music scene is so delightful. This night is the perfect example.  Ian Cooke with his band playing rocked up versions of his loopie cello goodness. Ian Cooke spent most of his set playing the keyboard which was a first for me.  His band included the guitarist for Taun Taun and it was a giant love fest.  Alan Alda came out and played a much larger sound than I have heard before when I saw them in the confines of the indoor stage at the Meadowlark.  The smoke machine started and Taun Taun came out with what can truely be stated is the largest sound Denver has going in the hard rock.

I had to try and get a couple shots but all the pictures are basically just one big blur of smoke and the rock.  They are terrific and the night hit all the right levels and just built intensity from the minute we walked in the front door.  It hit me that night that we are fortunate in this town to have a great venue like the Bluebird that opens it's doors not only to national acts but our front running locals too.   It's nice to see the local acts getting the opportunity to play to a full house at a show where three seemingly  unlikely matchups (on paper at least) can just gel and put on a great show.

Happy Mondays

Psychedelic Furs

Boulder Theater 

September 11, 2009

 After seeing what could only be described as one of the most amazing sunsets on the drive to Boulder I have seen in a long time, a delicious burger for dinner we walked up to the Boulder Theater.  Walked right by Shaun Ryder standing outside his bus.  Why is this funny to me? Well... I remembered back in my Teletunes days wanting to meet him but never getting the opportunity because they never came through. You know you are seeing an entertainer when it is dark out and they have sunglasses on right?

So we go into the show and it's empty. The room is empty.  It was sad.  The opening band Amusement Parks on Fire, at least to me where very undewhelming.  There were a couple gals in the bathroom that thought they were great so I have to wonder if I missed anything.  They seemed more grunge than shoegaze, but I might not have understood what was going on there being on the larkburger and truffle fry high I was on.

The Happy Mondays came out and they filled the room with their Manchester Pop. I have to admit this was the first time seeing them so obviously playing to a small crowd where in their hilt playing to raves full of tripped out ravesters this must have been a let down in ways, but you wouldn't have had a clue.  They just played all their hits, some new material and played what felt like 2 hours but was probably only about an hour.  I danced.  Some kids next to me danced. One guy was so excited he spilled his drink in my purse.  But the vibe in the room was packed with fun it didn't matter.  I have to admit I wanted to hear a Black Grape song but knew that wasn't going to happen so I was excited to hear 24 Hour Party People (see the movie too because it is THAT good a movie to explain the whole Manchester sound and it's development) and even some new things since they do have a new album available.

There was a long wait inbetween sets.  But it was a good opportunity to catch up with a couple people we knew.  It was odd though that the room wasn't filled with more people that we knew or that were our age.


The Furs (I link to Burned Down Days because Anna is awesome and I have been a fan of her work online since the infancy of the 'net by the way) came out and can I just say that Richard Butler was AMAZING.  I missed their show at the Bluebird a couple years back for personal reasons so I was really excited to see them play.  I was not disappointed.  They ran through the hits, the older lesser known material, signed records, seemed to be having a great time and never let up on the energy for one minute.  I think they would have continued to play but being it was an all ages show there was a curfew so their set might have been cut a little short. 

A night with Fake Revolting Cocks 

Gothic Theater

September 13, 2009

This was the only thing about the Revolting Cocks show that was authentic to

what I remember them being

Ok so it was a big weekend for music in the Rockies, it was Monolith weekend.  I didn't go up to Monolith this year.  There were a handful of bands I would have liked to have seen but not enough to shlep (sorry Fech...love you but not the weather) in the rain. So color me kind of excited when I read that on Sunday Revolting Cocks (nay RevCo) would be playing at the Gothic.  I snapped up a ticket thinking for sure it would sell out because all the industrial fans would want an alternative to the dancey feel of Monolith.  Wow... was I wrong and totally misled.  Al Jourgenson has endorsed the band but that is as far as it goes despite what this article says.  There is no original membership playing at all except perhaps programming the samples.  It was terrible.  The opening bands sucked and were mockeries of what industrial should be.  Blown Load (sorry to the local guy that plays guitar) was awful, we actually laughed openly at them.  The lead singer was trying too hard to be Jonathan Davis of Korn.  Way too hard.  Seriously all he needed to do was start rapping nursery rhymes and that too could have been a cover band. Jim Rose got up and slammed darts into people, ate some razor blades and said the word shit alot.  He by the way is a really tiny tiny man... he walked by us at one point and I was shocked by how petite he is.  Fake RevCo came out... it was shocking how bad they were.  I will give them credit for trying.  Here is a revue that is far nicer than I could ever be.

And because I am pissed that it was a cover band of sorts and Fake RevCo and that I find it really sad...I will show you the song sheets that the lead singer used.

Come on you don't know the words to Do Ya Think I Am Sexy?

 

Seriously.  It was so sad. Schadenfreude I suppose... on my part ... BUT... we

(F came down after Mars Volta at Monolith) enjoyed the fiasco,

the fabulous disaster of it all.

I nearly bought a I heart (rev) Cock shirt because it was amusing but I don't want to support their b.s. So I have the memory of the shirt which is enough for me.  Too bad the night was so bad.  For shame Al.  For shame.

Jen Korte and The Loss

CD Release Show 

Walnut Room

September 18, 2009

First off, I didn't take any pictures.  There was barely any room in the room for me to even raise the camera above my head to get a distance shot. I don't exaggerate. The room was packed.  And you want to know something ... it was great. Everyone seemed to be friends.  Friends of the band, friends of friends of friends. It was cozy and a success and amazing.  So here is an article on Jen Korte and a review with pictures from the show! I am thrilled that I got to see the show, it sold out and to be there was a great gift. I feel like I am in on a secret that is about to get told to the world because yes... she is that good.  And yes, the record is amazing. And her friendly fans make it even that much more amazing.

Astrophagus

Ieungliss

Cougar Legs

Hi-Dive

September 19, 2009

Just a little aside as I begin the wrap up... it has snowed in Denver this morning, it's so cold outside I am lighting my fireplace up.  I am listening to Tom Waits and everything is almost perfect. The only thing that is missing is F making s'mores with me... that will have to wait.

Sooooo... sorry.  I feel I am allowed to digress.

We walked into the HiDive just as Astrophagus was finishing their set.  They have so much energy I was sorry to have missed most of it.

Ieungliss came out. We sat in the back of the room and were able to watch the whole dance party and the visuals.  I always enjoy Ieungliss because I am just amazed at the technology of it.  Simply put, they are nice too.  Tom Metz is the nicest guy that I am allowed to call Josh ever.      Another aside, after watching this show I want desperately to go and get some vj software because seriously the visuals that he had accompanying him (besides the dying bird, which freaked me out completely and goes to the absolutely opposite of the positiveness of his music it was disturbing) were great,  I want to learn how to do that.  Bad.  So thanks for the inspiration Ieungliss!!!

Cougar Legs.  Oh Cougar Legs.  How I am willing to give up my arms for magic to have a minion of small strong children for you.

That is all I can say.  Outside of the fact that this was perhaps the best show I have seen from them in a while.  Everything was pitch perfect and frenzied and Rambotastic.

 

And yes I do think you had to be there....

PS Happy Belated BDay again Dave K!

Airborne Toxic Event 

with the Arctic Monkeys

and Henry Clay People

September 23, 2009

One of the perks of having a boyfriend that is into music is sometimes our tastes match up without even knowing it.  I have been a fan of the Airborne Toxic Event for a while since hearing them on Indie 101.5 (may it rest in peace but you can hear them online still at Indie303.com.). I have even been known to pass their music around the office on occasion.  I had heard that the show sold out since they had to reschedule from earlier in the summer, when the singer had some throat problems.  So I chalked it up to not getting to see them live.  It was a pleasnt surprise when I found out we were going.

We got there and from the looks of it (THE LOOKS OF IT) Henry Clay People were playing... oh how right I was when I said to F that it sounded like the Arctic Monkeys but looked the Henry Clay People. It was really confusing I have to admit.  But it all washed out when they at the end of the set said who they were. They were really good.  If not confusing to me.

Then the hour and a half wait (yes... it was that long) began for the headliner.  They sound checked. They brought out a piano. They played the Rolling Stones Satanic Majesties record. The crowd got frustrated and many left (I suspect they only came to hear and see the Arctic Monkeys at that point and didn't want to stick around). We futzed around on our Iphones.

But eventually they (Airborne Toxic Event) came out. And the confusion for me began again. See I always thought they were from England but they are from LA.  It was a night of contridictions.

They came out with these great projections on either side of the stage.  I went down to the front to grab some pictures and saw the set up was that of old movie drive in theaters, projecting off glass. It was really pretty cool.  Then one of the projectors went out so they cut both the projections which was a bummer.  We went down to the front since there was room down in front of the stage.  The band was really having a great time playing it seemed and it made me really enjoy being right where I was. Until... this couple started fighting. Eventually the guy got bored and the girl got bitchy and left.  Yay... more room.  There was a group of kids next to us and one of the guys moved out of the way so I could take some more pictures. It was really gracious and I want to make note that the crowd was kind.  Halfway through the set I said thanks to F for getting me in.  I was really having a great time.  They played their hits.  They jumped around and had big rockstar moves and seemed genuinely happy that the sold out crowd was there for them.  They have a big sound and a big show and I hope that you get an opportunity to see them in their travels. Oh and they didn't use the piano that I could tell because when they sound checked it sounded like they ran it through some pretty impressive samplers and effects, it would have been cool to see what they did with it. Maybe next time.

So those are the big hits since I last  posted.  A quick and dirty little catch up for you.