The Tubes Terrorized By Technology Yet Reach Pinnacle At Penn’s Peak, 10-28-11

Promoting the expanded re-release of Completion Backward Principle, the Tubes bring their "La Dolce Vida" tour to Jim Thorpe, PA. Photo by Lynn Vala

Jim Thorpe PA – I function in a lot of different environments.  Theaters, clubs, halls… But usually these are, at the most extreme, in the suburbs of some metropolis.  This venue is up in the mountains of North East PA.

This up-high-rural-stuff ain’t for me.

Many of these venues often feature restaurants adjacent or within the structure.  This venue’s restaurant, Roadies, was particularly good.  I may be  a tad biased.  You see, that night, I was craving a big, sloppy, juicy cheeseburger.  I was thrilled when I saw it on the menu.  But the burger itself was so huge, juicy and sloppy, it met my craving head on and was most satisfying.  The fries were great too.  Thankfully, my doctor doesn’t read this column.

But I have found that many of these “experience” reviews contain comments and opinions about food.  I am beginning to feel like a restaurant critic.  There are enough Gordon Ramsey’s in the world…

Let’s talk about MUSIC!

ON THE INSIDE: ANDERSON WAKEMAN COME TO THE EAST COAST AMID RAVE REVIEWS. DO THEY DELIVER THE GOODS???

Over the moon about brilliant reviews, Rick Wakeman (l) and Jon Anderson bring their happy song-fest to the NE US. Photo courtesy of Glass Onyon PR

Over the moon about brilliant reviews, Rick Wakeman (l) and Jon Anderson bring their happy song-fest to the NE US. Photo courtesy of Glass Onyon PR

I had posted some press releases previously, but sometimes assignments drop in your lap last minute.  Who am I to pass up Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman coming to my “hood”?  I still regret not seeing Emerson Lake Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith when they played this very same theater, the Sherman in Stroudsburg.

I thought I had spent enough time in the Poconos, having moved there shortly before 9/11.  Leaving shortly after realizing our position would be militarily strategic as a strike zone with the proximity of Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Circumstances and reversal of fortunes (in that all my legal issues have been, for the most part addressed and I am victorious, those who plagiarized me, not so much) allow me to attend Anderson/Wakeman on November 5th, so I will be bringing you the usually slimmy on this critically acclaimed “Greatest Hits” tour.  What exactly are the critics saying?  Venture forth…

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE RETURN TRIUMPHANT TO TERMINAL 5 IN NYC, 3-25-11

The new and improved Queens Of The Stone Age seminal first album. The re-release has garnered such interest that the band embarked on a tour shortly after a near-death experience by frontman Josh Homme.

It was no surprise that the Queens Of The Stone Age (QOTSA) sold out its first tour in many years.  They left fans wanting more after their Era Vulgaris tour, and Josh Homme teased us with his super-group Them Crooked Vultures, which was also economically viable to the point where his cohorts in the band (Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Led Zepplin bassist/keyboardist/arranger John Paul Jones) want to keep the band productive.

But perhaps it was (according to Rolling Stone) Homme’s recent death scare that made people sell out this tour AND FAST!  You see, if you follow QOTSA, you know that Homme has had trouble with his knee and an emphysema-like illness since the Over The Years and Through The Woods era.  For those of you not familiar with this incident, please read on…

HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ALAN PARSONS AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY

How often does one of your favorite artists play a concert in your backyard?  Never, right?  Oh sure there are those contests where you can win and have the band play in your yard.  How many times do people in apartment buildings win and can’t have it happen?  How many times does the band set up in the backyard and the old neighbors call the cops after one song and they break it up before the band can play five songs?  How many of these contests are bogus and no one really knows who wins if anyone?

A pipe-dream, right?

FALL INTO A CORNUCOPIA OF DIVERSE ACTS AT WORLD CAFÉ LIVE, PHILADELPHIA

I know after at least one of my previous posts, I ended by saying “It never stops”.  Someone even commented on it.  But at the World Café Live, it literally can never stop.

And they don’t.

ISN’T IT TIME YOU HAD SOME FUNKY KNIGHTS?

Every once in a while you gotta take a leap of faith.  Just give something a listen to that may not be up your alley.  For me, that leap of faith was The Funky Knights.  I have some R&B appreciation in my background.  One of the slickest produced artists I remember (and just plain old liked) was the late Luther Vandross.  His albums were always clean, tight and had that smooth sheen.

I have to say, The Funky Knights come awfully close.  At least when it comes to the instrument production.

Cool T-Shirts

A friend of Looney Tunes has started a new T-Shirt company. They sell shirts with x-Presidents on them and political sayings. Check em out!

http://www.integriteees.com

INTEGRITEEES

Reviving Character, Morality, and Ethics One “Quote” at a TimeOur mission is simple: We believe by wearing our t-shirts you can help bring an awareness to others in respect to how life is not about what we possess that makes us great, it’s about who we are as people and what character traits we possess like integrity, morality, responsibility, and the charitable contributions we make towards others which absolutely makes us great!

We strive to provide the best quality t-shirt products and services to our customers at the lowest prices possible. We take great pride in our company, our commitment to customer service and in the quality products we sell. Our online store is designed to provide you with a safe and secure environment so you can browse our product catalog with complete confidence.

New Local Metal CD

Band: The Nightmare Stage
Album: Free Admission for the Damned
Label: indie
Release Date: Out now
By BTP

$9.99

HEY GUYS!

Our buddies in The Nightmare Stage just put out a new CD.  Please support the Local Metal scene and check it out!

REVIEW:

BAND FACEBOOK PAGE

Sleep soundly, worry not of foreboding thoughts. The Nightmare Stage began as a group of talented musicians with many years experience plying their respective crafts. They entered this musical partnership knowing one thing; that they’re goal was to create the darkest, heaviest and most dynamic product that they could. What they created in a span of 2 years was something that even they could not have dreamed. Epic, sweeping keyboards courtesy of Marc Muchnik (Mourning Hour, Immortally Committed) combine with a stellar union between classic and modern riffing provided by Craig Bessemer (Mourning Hour, Immortally Committed). Opting for a hearty mixture of doom, thrash and NWOBHM, Bessemer leaves no stone unturned in the metal pantheon. These are then complemented so highly by the multifaceted vocal attack of Mr. Scott Oliva (Live After Death,Oceans Of Night, Windwraith). The wall of sound created by skinsman Mike Festa (Immortally Committed, Coded,Magus Beast) forms a monstrous backdrop to the proceedings.

Elements of doom, thrash and classic heavy metal…….. Keyboards are used not for typical progressive noodling, but to accentuate vocals and riffs. There’s plenty of melody here for those who crave it, while “true” metal fans will be satisfied with the dark undercurrent that fuels these songs

thanx for supporting The Nightmare Stage
CLICK THE ALBUM COVER TO LISTEN TO THE WHOLE RECORD BEFORE YOU BUY!

Local band makes good!

Band: JAC&JILL
Album: JAC&JILL
Label: indie
Release Date: Out now
By BTP

$9.99

HEY GUYS!

Our Friends put out a great CD check it out! Support Local Music!

REVIEW:

BAND FACEBOOK PAGE

Jaclyn (Jac) Quatela and Jill Winter were both born and raised in NY.  They both came from very musical backgrounds and didn’t cross paths until 2006.  After writing over two dozen songs together, the duo worked with Producer/Engineers Patrick Ermlich and Eshy Gazit at The Cutting Room Studios NYC on their Pop/Rock debut album. All 10 songs on the album were written by Jaclyn Quatela (Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano and Synths) and Jill Winter (Lead and Rhythm Guitars and Backing Vocals).

Jac&Jill’s song “Listen” was used as the opener for Elvis Duran and The Morning Show on NY’s #1 Hit Music Station Z100 in the Fall of 2009. On March 16th and 17th, 2010, Jac&Jill were featured yet again, on Elvis Duran and The Morning Show with their song parody for Elvis. Their song “Can’t Stop” is also receiving airplay on the show “Unlabled” from Long Island Radio Station WMJC 94.3 fm and can be found on multiple online radio stations as well . Jac&Jill’s song “Mm’ Mm’ Good,” is featured on the Wal-Mart exclusive version of the video game “Sing Scene Pop” by Jakks Pacific, alongside artists such as: Rihanna, Fergie, Alicia Keys, Fall Out Boy, etc. Jac&Jill are currently endorsed by Future Sonics, Arbor Collective, In Tune Guitar Picks, Inc. and HairXpression by Balmain Paris.

Their debut self-titled album is currently available in Looney Tunes CD Store (West Babylon, NY) and online at LooneyTunesCDS.COM. The girls have also recently recorded “Dinosaurs Don’t Fly” for the children’s book “The Butterfly and The Dinosaur”. (Lyrics by author Salvatore Grosso/Music by Jac&Jill).