KILL HANNAH

Hot Topic's Hope for the Hopeless tour featuring Kill Hannah came through Denver last night and performed at the Marquis Theatre downtown. The show began at around 7:30 with the first of three opening bands, The White Tie Affair. This band was full of fun energy and their catchy pop/electronica songs got the audience up and dancing. Their song "Mr. Right" seemed to be a fan favorite. They also made a big splash by doing a cover of Justin Timberlake's "LoveStoned" in all it's pop glory, including beatboxing. The lead singer and lead guitarist were very charismatic and their crowd interaction was fun to watch.
The second opening band, innerpartysystem, were very electronically infused but also have a nice rock feel to them. The use of synth got a little old after a bit but overall it was fun. The lead singer played around with the mic stand a lot and swallowed his mic too much which made it hard to understand what he was singing.
The final opening band, The Medic Droid, was a lot of fun to watch and listen to. It was evident that they were having a lot of fun and their set really got the crowd pumped for Kill Hannah. They also had a large number of fans in attendance so it was fun to hear a lot of people singing along to their songs.
I would suggest all of these bands to people who enjoy fun, synth infused music.
Finally, around ten Kill Hannah came on stage to Life in the Arctic and went straight into "Boys and Girls" (Please note that all videos posted here are not from the Denver show. They are just examples.) Each time I've seen KH they start the show the same way, not that I'm complaining. I enjoy it. The lasers on the guitars and the band just rocking out to start the show is fun. There was constant high energy from the band and it just electrified the audience. Crowd favorites were "Crazy Angel", "Kennedy", "Love You To Death" "Lips Like Morphine," "Black Poison Blood" and newer song "The Chase." They also performed "Believer" and my personal favorite "Songs That Saved My Life" as well as a new song called "Acid Rain" which sounded like songs from the "For Never and Ever" CD, in my opinion. Mat and crew really seemed to be having a blast on stage and at one point Mat claimed that it was the first time he had seen his bandmates smile in a week, which sent the audience into a frenzy.
The show ended with the songs "No One Dreams Anyway" and "Welcome to Chicago" which he dedicated to Denver, what he claims is the band's second home but sounds scripted to me. The show was overall fun, lively, and over too soon.


There was a guy filming the show and right before the final song Mat announced that the Denver show was going to appear on sleepnever.com in the next few days so keep a look out. You might see me. :) Also, I have photos up on my photoblog: http://echelondurango.blogspot.com/

Inspired

A friend of mine wrote a blog about her top 25 albums of all time. I was inspired to do the same. My list covers a lot of ground, from classical to rock and several places in between. All of these albums, these works of art, have inspired me in one way or another. Some made me want to pursue a career in music. Some made me want to be an expert at my instrument. And others simply helped me get through rough times in my life. I have always turned to music for whatever is happening in my life. It is the one friend I can always count on, without it I would be lost. My parents constantly listened to music when I was growing up and many of the albums they would listen to are on this list. The impact of this music on my life is phenomenal. So, here are my albums in no particular order:

Alan Menken - The Little Mermaid Soundtrack
Billie Holiday - Lady day: The Storyville Concerts Vol. 1 & 2
Journey - Frontiers
Michael Jackson - Thriller
30 Seconds to Mars - Self Titled
Shania Twain - The Woman in Me
DC Talk - Jesus Freak
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Fleetwood Mac - Penguins/ Rumors (it is a tie...I love them both)
Garth Brooks - In Pieces
Miles Davis - The Musings of Miles
John Coltrane - Soultrane
Alison Krauss - I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Alice in Chains - Dirt
The Cranberries - Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
Reba McEntire - It's Your Call
Benny Goodman - Roll Em' Volume 1&2
Nine Inch Nails - Downward Spiral
Etta James - At Last!
Blink-182 - Dude Ranch
Tool- Aenima
Jars of Clay - Self Titled
Sarah Mclachlan - Fumbling Toward Ecstasy
Marilyn Manson - Smells Like Children
Igor Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring


As I created this list I realized that very few of these albums are from within the past ten years. I don't know what that says about music these days, or what it says about me...but it is what it is.

Who is on your top 25?

Festivals

As a "musical omnivore" I find that festivals are the place to be if i want to discover some cool new music. Granted, the bigger names will get me there but it is all the smaller, unknown, indie bands that I hold close to my heart.

If you're up for finding some new music while enjoying music from acts that you love you might want to look into catching a festival. Tours like Warped, Ozzfest, Projekt Revolution (their show in Germany had 30,000+ attendees!), the Hard Summer Fest, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and All Points West. Now, these are not the only festivals around, just some of the more well known ones that you could attend.

To experience A LOT of indie bands at a festival check out the MidPoint Music Festival, the Pitchfork Music Festival (today and Tomorrow actually) or maybe the Pygmalion Music Festival.

The possibilities are endless, seriously. Tomorrow and Sunday the Mile High Music Festival will be taking place in Commerce City, CO with relatively unknown bands (Flobots, State Radio, etc.) performing in the morning and more well known bands (Dave Matthews band, Jason Mraz, etc.) performing in the afternoon/evenings.

I wish I could make it to all of these festivals but sadly, I can't. There is sure to be some amazing unknown talent at all of these shows so if you can, get out there and discover new music!

Saving Lives

I've been noticing lately that there are several music videos where people are saving lives. I never noticed before and I just wonder if it is something brought on by events like 911 and Katrina and there is a need to emphasize the idea of being a good Samaritan. There are also a lot of songs about saving a life or wanting to be saved and I can't help but wonder if there is more to it than the multiple cries for help that seem to come from these songs. Perhaps I think too much. Ha.

Here are a few examples:
#1: Rascal Flatts - Everyday, a video about several different situations where someone comes along to save someone's life or help them in some way. There is an EMT, a couple adopting a child, a woman saving another woman from an abusive relationship, etc.


#2: 3 Doors Down - It's Not My Time, In this video you see a car accident involving a mother and child Vs. a delivery truck and then a rewind of the event where a random guy runs across buildings all over the city, superhero style with flips and death defying stunts, and jumps in front of the car to prevent the accident.



#3: Unwritten Law - Save Me
Too much fun leads to accidental suicide in this animated music video. If the girlfriend would have just gone into the apartment maybe things would have turned out differently.


#4: Xandria- Save My Life
This one is simply a song about saving a life, not necessarily a video about it.


#5: The All American Rejects - It Ends Tonight

Here is another song that seems to be a cry for help but the video doesn't quite reflect that. It seems like it will but then there are fireworks and everyone is happy.


#6: Shinedown - .45
In this video things are a bit ambiguous as to what is going to happen but after a big fight with a girlfriend the lyrics lead you to believe that something bad is going to take place. Sad.


#7: Tokio Hotel - Don't Jump
The title of the song conveys the meaning of both the song and the video. This band also has a song called Rescue Me and I'm not sure what he is asking to be rescued from...maybe his poor hair style choices? I don't know. Anyway, here is the video.



Eh, I thought about doing a list of ten videos but I realize that it is slightly depressing to think of all these but it is something that I have, for some reason, taken notice of lately. Anyone else noticing any videos like these they want to add to the list?

Tragic News

TICKLE ME PINK BASSIST JOHNNY SCHOU FOUND DEAD

press release from Wind Up Records

Fort Collins, CO --- Tickle Me Pink bassist Johnny Schou was found dead this morning at home in Colorado. The quartet from Fort Collins was to celebrate the release of their debut album with an in-store appearance in Denver today. Further information regarding the band's plans, and dates that have been previously announced, will be forthcoming in due time. Johnny Schou was 22 years-old.



Tuesday, July 1, 2008

I'm digging through my brain trying to find words to describe what's happened this morning. I'm choking on the tragedy, and the bitter irony with everything I can think of to say. On the day that the world was to be exposed to the brilliance of four young men from Ft. Collins one of those young men is no longer with us. Johnny Schou of Tickle Me Pink was found by his band-mate Sean this morning dead in the band's home. This day that should have been a milestone at the beginning of the band's career is instead the end of the short life of one of their own.

I speak for the entire staff of Channel 93.3 when I extend my deepest condolences to Johnny's Family, Friends, and Fans.

Please let the band know how you feel by giving them some encouraging words on their myspace page, or bringing candles and flowers to Independent Records next to the Ogden this afternoon.

Nerf
Program Director, Afternoon Personality
Channel 93.3


This is awful news. What a shocking and sad way to celebrate the date of their album release. I just saw Johnny a few days ago.

Here is the band performing "Typical" to a sold out crowd a few months ago with an introduction by Nerf. :(


For more news read this article .

RIP JOHNNY