September | 2011 | TAKE COVER AND SHOOT!

Archive for September, 2011

Sep

* Dax Riggs, Brooks Hubbert @ Vinyl Music Hall. 09/21/11

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Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: brooks hubbert, dax riggs, florida, michael, pensacola, smith, vinyl music hall

Dax Riggs went from silent to heartbreaking in one song. With a cover of Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel, the Evansville, Indiana born singer captured the tune penned by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axten, grabbed it by the throat, embraced it underwater and brought it back to life in a way few could ever dream of doing. Sadness has rarely sounded so beautiful.

Such is the power of Dax Riggs. Not to confuse or be confused, this wasn’t a tribute to The King, this was a musician stripping a song bare and delving into the depths of darkness and loneliness. His voice, naked and unprocessed accompanied by the most minimal, yet powerful of sounds from his band.

Preceded in the night by Brooks Hubbert, who performed a hypnotizing set of original music mixing experimental and traditional journeys of sound, Riggs finished off the evening with his voyage down the river into a Conrad-esque exploration of life.

-Michael L. Smith

Additional photo gallery of the event by PNJ photographer Kira Lynn Ramos

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Sep

* Awesome Mondays @ The 5 ½ Bar Bar. Billy the Kid & The Southside Boys, Rob Dill. Plus Brooks Hubbert & Evan Levin @ Vinyl Music Hall. 09/19/11

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Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: 5 1/2 bar, billy pettinger, Billy the Kid, brooks hubbert, evan levin, florida, lashan, martyr the unicorn, michael, pensacola, rob dill, smith, vinyl music hall

With the grace of Abbagnato and the daring of Kaupus, a red-eye flight was taken mid-song by Billy the Kid Pettinger. Alone on stage with her acoustic guitar, the musician took a small breath, widened her gaze and opened her mouth to strike a note while spinning away from the microphone stand, holding the angelic sound and returning gracefully to the point where she started the feat. Pettinger executed the flowing-flawless 360 degree maneuver as part of her set during Vinyl Music Hall’s weekly Awesome Monday’s at the adjoining 5 1/2 Bar.

Commencing this night’s special edition of Awesome Mondays at the 5 ½ Bar was local artist Rob Dill and his solo music project Martyr the Unicorn. Having recently opened for the 10,000 Maniacs at Vinyl Music Hall, Dill was greeted by an audience of close friends that included childhood friend and professional skateboarder Pete Kelly. Check out Dill’s site for upcoming shows and new recordings.

Billy The Kid followed Dill on the Vinyl stage for a set that displayed elements of rock, folk and story-telling. The Vancouver native is touring on the strength of her latest album “Ours.” The title is a reference to the support given by those who helped make the album possible. As stated on her website…”This album was entirely fan and friend funded. Even the studios, musicians, engineers and artists at times donated their services to make this thing happen. We made it. Together. It’s Ours.”

The first half of the set was supported by her band The Southside Boys, while the finish concluded with her alone on the intimate stage performing for the receptive crowd. Check out Billy’s Blog where she shares everything from work-in-progress lyrics, videos, artwork and updates from her travels; she even tells of a recent dream where she won a radio contest to meet Ryan Adams. They meet and immediately Pettinger wants to collaborate, but an odd turn of events creates an even odder situation.

Closing out the evening were the pairing of Brooks Hubbert and Evan Levin. Joining forces, the duo created a gift of sonic and visual pleasure. While Hubbert explored compositions of sound with guitar and various effects, Levin composed one of his signature paintings under the watch of black-light and darkness.

-Michael L. Smith

Additional Photo Galleries of the event.

PNJ Photographer Phil Bailey’s Photo Gallery

Sep

* CANCER SUCKS: Benefit For Joey Harrison. Tribe Zion, Betsy Badwater & The Hillbilly Chrome, Jeff Glickman Trio @ Vinyl Music Hall. 09/09/11

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Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: Betsy Badwater, cancer suck, florida, jeff glickman, joey harrison, Lang Hollowman, pensacola, take cover and shoot, tribe zion, vinyl music hall

“We love Joey! We love Joey! We love Joey!”

That was the chant for a friend and the prevailing subtext of the benefit for Harrison and his family during the Cancer Sucks: Benefit for Joey Harrison.

What started as a chant quickly grew into a roar as Tribe Zion frontman Arlon Wise, led the crowd into a soul-singing finish and parted the stage, giving Harrison his moment in the sunshine of spotlights and love during the last song of their set. Armed with a bearded, boyish grin and his bass, Harrison played away with his right leg cocked-cool above his foot and bass rig.

In May of this year, the father, husband, artist and friend to countless musicians in our area was diagnosed with stage four terminal bone and lung cancer. Even though it would be impossible to equal the love and time that Harrison has given to the local arts community, several friends decided to do their best and the Cancer Sucks: Benefit for Joey Harrison was created.

Spearheaded by Betsy Badwater and several artists who have shared the stage with the musician whose grin and heart of gold instantly take over you, the benefit was created as a fundraiser to help Harrison with the expenses of treatment and to assist his family, Lavinia (wife of 19 years) and children Grace, Jacob, and Joshua during this time.

Greeted by a Cancer Sucks display, donation jar and a table full of buttons for the event (including a button designed by the multi-talented Harrison) I walked through the entrance of Vinyl Music Hall with ears jingling to the sounds of the Jeff Glickman Trio (Jeff Glickman, Ashley Pennewill and Aaron Clark) and eyes dancing to the display of artwork collected inside the venue. As part of an auction that included jewelry, paintings, prints and more, the visual exhibit added another beautiful element to the atmosphere of the evening.

Following the Jeff Glickman Trio, Betsy Badwater & The Hillbilly Chrome took over the Vinyl Music Hall stage. Having performed with Harrison on bass at various venues throughout the last year alone, the duo of Lang Hollowman and Betsy Badwater used their performance to show their love and admiration for their friend and fellow musician.

Closing out the evening were Tribe Zion and their party-vibe blend of hip-hop reggae and all things high-energy. With Wise flowing-full of enthusiasm, the vocalist bounced around the stage and even took the show to the crowd as he jumped off-stage to show his respect for all in attendance. Joining Wise and the Tribe Zion crew (Chad Roose (guitar), Joey Harrison (bass), Chris Brooks (bass), Jeremy King Cole (drums), Justin Temple (percussion), Brian Vogel (trumpet), and Michael Kinser (saxophone) were an all-star lineup of musicians including Jeff Glickman and Tee “Precise” Williams of Mad Love who helped put an exclamation point finish to the evening.

Sponsors of the event included Al Graham Photography, Blues Angel Music, Bob Burt Guitar Pedals, Black Sparrow Tattoo Studio, Custom Pins, Dirty South Glass, Innerlight Surf & Skate, Jay’s Gun Shop, Jef Bond Photographics, Paddy O’Leary’s Irish Pub

-Michael L. Smith

Additional photo galleries from the Cancer Sucks: Benefit for Joey Harrison

PNJ photographer Kira Lynn Ramos’ photo gallery
Al Graham photography
Prolific Memorie’s photo gallery
Ian Lemasters photo gallery

Sep

* Rock Allegiance Tour. Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, P.O.D., RED @ The Amphitheater at The Wharf. Orange Beach, Alabama. 09/08/11

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Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: Alabama, lashan, michael, orange beach, papa roach, pod, puddle of mudd, red, rock allegiance tour, smith, the amphitheater, the wharf

Setting fire to the book of adolescent despair with one of the most recognized riffs in modern, hard-rock history, guitarist Jerry Horton led the crowd into the most aggressive moment of the night as Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix reached out from the stage, looking into an audience only inches below and launched into the band’s biggest hit “Last Resort.” Ending with the song that confronted the struggles of depression, hopelessness and introduced the Vacaville, California band to the world, Papa Roach added to a very memorable night of music in the Amphitheater at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Originally scheduled for the Sunday of Labor Day weekend (September 4th), this stop of the Rock Allegiance Tour was postponed by the development of Tropical Storm Lee and its movement in the Gulf of Mexico which delivered heavy storm conditions to the area. The Rock Allegiance Tour and the crew of The Amphitheatre at The Wharf showed their metal and rescheduled for the upcoming Thursday. Unfortunately, Buckcherry were not able to perform on the rescheduled date (scheduling conflict) and even though the event lost the Labor Day crowd, the show went on in true hard-rock form.

The Christian hard-rock band RED from Nashville, Tennessee had just started their set when I made it through the gates of the Amphitheater. With the release of their most recent album, “Until We Have Faces,” the group, led by Michael Barnes (vocals), Anthony Armstrong (guitar), Randy Armstrong (bass), Joe Rickard (drums) have been nominated for several Grammy and Dove Awards throughout their history. Taking the crowd into the sunset hour of the festival, RED definitely showed that they belonged on the same stage as headliners on the Rock Allegiance Tour.

With a history dating back to 1994 and the release of their debut album “Snuff the Punk” on Rescue Records, P.O.D. (Payable On Death) have separated themselves from the excesses that have shortened lives and careers in the rock industry. Indulging in themes of positivity, the band’s catalog of empowerment and spirituality explode throughout their sound. Even though I wished the band would have added Sleeping Awake to their set, Sonny Sandoval energized the audience, strutting about the stage while Wuv Bernardo (drums), Traa Daniels (bass), and Marcos Curiel (guitar) supported their sonic attack of hits. The band even threw in a cover of the Sublime classic “What I Got” that kept the crowd dancing and singing for good measure.

From the streets of Kansas City, Missouri and with over 9 million albums sold and numerous chart-topping hits, Puddle of Mudd made their way to The Wharf stage and immediately rocked the Alabama night. Donning a military-style jacket, Wes Scantlin led crowd through the band’s diary of social Americana. Supported by his bandmates , Doug Ardito (bass), Paul Phillips (guitar), Dizzi Devereux (guitar) and Shannon Boone (drums) the group fired off hit after hit. Supported by massive radio and video, the group garnered a loud, sing-a-long vibe from their fans during their entire set.

Closing out this evening of the Rock Allegiance Tour, Papa Roach’s performance mirrored the many angles of life, from the metal-ballad “Scars” to the industrial and post metal-core collision of “Getting Away Murder” the band (Shaddix (vocals), Horton (guitar), Tobin Esperance (bass) and Tony Palermo (drums) provided the heavy finish for this turn of the Rock Allegiance Tour.

-Michael L. Smith

Sep

* Vans Warped Tour Part III. The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Miss May I. @ Lakewood Amphitheatre. Atlanta, Ga. 08/01/11

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Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: a day to remember, Atlanta, georgia, michael, miss may i, smith, the devil wears prada, vans warped tour

Running into the final hours of the 2011 Vans Warped Tour, the music grew even heavier under the festive tents and dark skies of Atlanta, Georgia. With a league of grey clouds submitting the sun, the threat of rain promised to stir a dramatic mix for the evening finish.

6:20PM Miss May I (Advent Stage)

Led by Levi Benton (vocals), Justin Aufdemkampe (guitar), Jerod Boyd (drums), Ryan Neff (bass), and B.J. Stead (guitar) Miss May I worked every inch of the Advent Stage at this year’s Warped Tour. The Troy, Ohio group provided ample, energetic mayhem for the Atlanta Crowd and will soon be joining We Came As Romans on select dates of their “I’m Alive” Tour.

7:00PM A Day To Remember (Teggart Stage)

Flying near the edge of insanity, the men of A Day To Remember (Jeremy McKinnon (vocals), Alex Shelnutt (drums), Kevin Skaff (guitar/keys), Neil Westfall (guitar), Joshua Woodard (bass) jumped straight into an acrobatic, muscle-flexing set of post-core punk that rivaled the craziest of circus shows.

8:00PM The Devil Wears Prada (Teggart Stage)

Having recently graced the cover of Alternative Press Magazine and their new CD “Dead Throne” available on September 13, The Devil Wears Prada dominated the stage even as a shower of rain fell onto the crowd. Driven in circles of power, Mike Hranica (vocals) moved about the stage as Chris Ruby (guitar), Jeremy DePoyster (guitar), James Baney (keys), Daniel Williams (drums), and Andy Trick (bass) supported the sonic onslaught.

Heavy music was alive and well represented on this year’s Vans Warped Tour. Anticipation and expectations for 2012′s tour will definitely be high, as well.

Michael L. Smith

Sep

* Nekromantix, The Howlers, Nik Flagstar & His Dirty Mangy Dogs @ Vinyl Music Hall. 09/02/11

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Categories: Show Pics and Show Write-Ups
Tags: dirty mangy dogs, florida, horrorbilly, lashan, michael, nekromantix, nik flagstar, pensacola, punk, rockabilly, smith, the howlers, vinyl music hall

It was an evening tryst with the Devil. As the sun ran like hell from the ivory moon and her black shadows of night, rock fury descended onto the stage as the Nekromantix had their pleasure with the Vinyl Music Hall crowd.

If Jerry Lee Lewis, Dally Winston (of S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”) and Ludwig van Beethoven got in a bar fight, Nik Flagstar would be the product of their battle royale. Pushing buttons and punching a sound that smells of the road, rough women and hard-livin’, Nik Flagstar and His Dirty Mangy Dogs (Pecker (bass), Isaac (drums) make no-apologies for their content and make a hell of a rockin’ sound that got the night started right.

Next on stage were The Howlers (Eli Misery (vocals), Josh (guitar), Peter Panic (upright bass), Vince (drums), Horacio (guitar). With a switchblade sharp cut of pure-punk energy and rockabilly dipped in the pools of hell, the San Gabriel Valley, California band cranked a sound that was reminiscent of Danzig-era Misfits courtesy of Misery’s growl and stage presence. The band loved every minute on stage and even carried their energy into the venue after their performance as they joined in the pit and hung out with the crowd during the Nekromantix set.

Touring in support of their lasted album “What Happens in Hell, Stays in Hell” the Nekromantix began their set in near darkness which gave way to a burst of white lights throughout the first few songs.

Formed in 1989 by Kim Nekroman after a stint in the Danish Navy, the group have toured the world converting the masses onto their psychobilly sound. With Nekroman leading the charge on bass, Francisco Mesa assaulting the night on guitar and Lux calling the demons of hell with her drums, the trio worked the Vinyl Music Hall audience into a ghoulish frenzy well into the night.

Michael L. Smith