Show Preview: Against Me – Creepiod – Venus de Mars – at SLO Brew – San Luis Obisbo, CA – August 17, 2014

On Sunday August 17th 2014 SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo is hosting Against Me! for a night of Punk rock fun on the central coast. This will be the 5th stop on the west coast portion of their tour and what a great stop it will be. With tickets selling fast this night promises to be huge for this small, but extremely exited town.

The band has just, this year, released its 6th full length studio album entitled: "Transgender Dysphoria Blues". They released this album on their own record label. The band’s lead, Laura Jane Grace, recently became public with the fact that she is going through the transition to become a woman, thus the title and subject matter of the album.

Against Me’s most recent album has the same “fuck the world” lyrical style that their fans have all come to love. However, instead of focusing on the world around us, this album has a much more personal feel, focusing on social stigmas surrounding transgender individuals in our society and the personal experiences of the bands lead (Grace).

Against Me! is famous for its Folk/Punk style and political/social lyrics that are so damn catchy that its crazy at times! Originally a solo project by Grace, the now full Punk band out of Gainesville, Florida has always relied on its hard hitting sound and use of poetic yet passionate lyrics that can strike a chord with any nostalgic Punker! Known for their true showmanship, they really get the crowd going. It should be a spectacular night of what I have affectionately called a “sing-a-long Punk show” due to the fact that the fans just cant help but belt out their favorite lyrics at any of the Against Me shows I've attended.



SLO Brew is conveniently located in the center of downtown San Luis Obispo and has a full bar that serves their home brewed craft beer. Whats better on a Sunday night than a good Punk show? Creepiod and Venus de Mars will be solid opening acts and the night just gets better from there, doors open at 7:30pm, see you at the show!

 

-T. Wallace-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

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Show Preview: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – The Interrupters and Western Standard Time – at The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA – August 16, 2014

On august 16th, East meets West, for a memorable night of Ska revisionists. With the announcement of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones straying away from their cozy Boston confines to the sunny shores of California, Fans of the pioneering east coast Ska-Core Band have been clamoring for tickets.

Its no secret that Boston and Los Angeles don’t share many common interests, from Music to sports, the cross-country rivalry has been raging on for decades with fans on either coast drawing their lines in the sand.Going back to the late 80’s and early 90’s, the Ska-community, on both sides, remain in debt to each city to this day. Pushing their high energy Punk driven Jamaican influenced music to the forefront of the music charts and popular culture in the mid 90’s, reaching mainstream acceptance including commercial scores and feature film cameos, that was later referred to as the ‘Third Wave”of Ska and in some circles the last real Wave of Ska to influence a generation of fans. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones played and intricate part in reigniting Americas sporadic love of Jamaican music, pairing it with raw hardcore Punk, spawning Ska-Core which has remained relatively underground since.

But it appears the tide has turned and a new wave is set to crash on the ears of the masses from LA to Boston and beyond. With Ska-core pumping young blood through its veins once again,the west coast has seen a sharp spike in the genres popularity within the last 10 years, predominantly in the Hispanic community. But often times as one genre emerges, true fans will dig deeper to unearth gems they had no clue about with artists predating anything on their current YouTube search bar, Enter: Western Standard Time, A cavalcade of sheer WEST coast brilliance.

Words pale in comparison to the onslaught that is WST, a fusion of Big Band Jazz and Ska, WST is a Tribute to Jamaican Innovators The Skatalites with a 1940’s big band twist. Western Standard Time wield a horn section only few could dream up and anchored by some of the top artists to emerge from the west coast Ska Scene including bands like: The Aggrolites, Hepcat, The Debonaires, Jump With Joey and Yeska to only name a few. With over 20+ members fans will no doubt be in a dancing mood from the rise of the first curtain, Lets hope Ben Carr or “Bosstone” has enough dancing energy to keep up. Remember this is LA not Boston. Get your tickets at Fondatheatre.com today!

 

 

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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Show Preview: Dub Club Featuring Chris Murray and his Blue Beat Lounge and Steady Rock Easy Groove Family – at The Echoplex- Los Angeles, Ca – April 30, 2014

April 30th will mark a pair of significant events in Dub Club History and the Los Angeles reggae community. First the full-force showcase of the Steady Rock Easy Groove band stable, consisting of the scenes highest touted acts and hottest tickets in recent memory. 

An accumulation of the ska/reggae scenes finest young bands all of whom who record and have grown with one another together under one banner: The Steady Rock Easy Groove Family. The Delirians, The Steady 45’s, Pachamama, Joe Q & The Revue and Scarlet And The Fever round out the camps artists, all of who have seen sharp quick-ascending success respectively.

The Groove Factory has churned out some of the finest young musicians to play in the Los Angeles revival scene in the last ten years.

Some of which, so skilled, they have been asked to perform and record in numerous other projects, even un-credited at times. That’s the musical might in which these artist wield, unrelenting and always progressing. Like a bustling Factory who’s gears are always in motion, The Groove Factory produces far more than your ordinary Ska bands. With a Soul, retro R&B, Rocksteady, Traditional Ska, and socially Conscious Reggae billowing from its chimney around the clock. Those seeking musical styles that act as bridges to sounds of the past, should definitely circle this day on their calendar, and see what folks from here to Jamaica, Mexico, Canada and everywhere in between already know. LA, and in particular the Steady Rock Easy Groove are the soundtracks of today’s youth and culture.

As the Steady Rock Easy Groove Family makes its first full roster appearance, the return of one of Los Angeles’s most cherished clubs will be highlighting the night. Chris Murray and his Blue Beat Lounge makes its triumphant return to LA in an always dance filled event. The globe trotting Acoustic Legend Chris Murray, fresh off another jet setting tour in which he mesmerized fans from Morocco to the U.K. will bring his beloved catalog back to the Dub Club, on display for LA to jump and sway too. Big Wheel Magazine has had the outright privilege of watching Chris Murray over the years, from Punk Rock Bowling to countless LA appearances including opening for Madness, Chris Murray never disappoints and always manages to bring something new to the dance floor.

Setting the tone, as always, will be Dub Club Dj’s Tom Chasteen and Boss Harmony as regulars prepare themselves for a night of amazing live music as well as the usual hypnotizing styles of Jah Faith, Ras benji and a roulette of special guests.

Remember, it’s free before ten and only 7 clams after so be sure to get there early, this one will be a floor shaker.

 

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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Show Preview: Musink 2014 – at Orange County Fairgrounds – Costa Mesa, CA – March 21, 22, and 23

March 21st-23rd Musink 2014 will kick off and usher in a revamped styling of the seven year old convention with non-other than Travis Barker taking the helm as presenter of the event. This year Musink looks poised to deliver a spectacular musical showcase that has been organized to accentuate the different musical styles of each band featured in the three day event. 

Once again set to occur at the Orange County Fairgrounds, this event has always prided itself on delivering a family friendly atmosphere and with the aid of the OC Fairgrounds staff anyone attending can expect nothing but great service from the facilities.

Day one will feature Punk bands that have all been around since the early 1980s: Love Canal, The Vandals and Descendents. Love Canal has been playing punk for over 30 years and has toured with both The Vandals and Descendents before. It can be expected for Love Canal to bring with them a straight up Punk style of play to open up Musink 2014.

The Vandals will be making a return appearance to Musink after their energetic performance at last year’s event. A band that has never taken themselves too seriousely The Vandals will no doubt keep day one’s musical festivities going at a pace that will leave those in attendance something to remember for years to come.

The Descendents have been around since the advent of Punk’s Hardcore movement and have since seen many different incarnations of the bands line up. A band with a rich history and a relatively recent popularity boost due in part to the recent pre-release screenings of “Filmage: The Story of Descendents/All.” A film that documents the rich history of both Descendents and All in the light hearted way.

Day two of Musink will be the first of its kind and feature Rap artists and play host to the crowning of Miss Musink 2014. The start of the musical festivities begins with Rittz a Rapper that grew up in Gwinnett County, Georgia and after a series of up and downs is currently signed to Tech N9ne's Strange Music label. Transplants will be taking the second position in the lineup for day two of Musink 2014. A band that is comprised of Tim Armstrong, Rob Aston, Travis Barker and Kevin Bivona, the Transplants have recently released “In a Warzone.” As of now the Transplants aren’t schedule to tour pass Musink making their appearance at the event not one to miss.

Though in the past the stylistic organization of the band line ups has occurred, this year will be the first that a Rap/Hip-Hop element will be introduced. Tech N9e will finish up day two of Musink 2014. A Rap artist that has always had a dedicated cult following of fans, Tech N9ne will no doubt perform with the dynamic energy he is famous for.

Day three of Musink will feature a Hardcore Punk/Post-Hardcore lineup of bands: Soul Search, Strife, H2O, Judge and Gorilla Biscuits. Soul Search will open up for the final day of Musink 2014. A Post-Hardcore band based out of Southern California, Soul Search is expected to showcase a solid performance to start day three of Musink. Strife will take the stage next. A Los Angeles based Hardcore band that originally formed in the mid-90s, Strife in its current incarnation has been busy at work with new material while still staying true to the style of music they are famous for. Following Strife’s performance H2O will take the stage.

A band that is widely regarded as a fore-father of all Post-Hardcore bands, H2O has been performing their style of New-York Hardcore since 1995. Look for H2O to keep the crowds energy going before Judge takes the stage.  Judge will take the stage following H2O, and knowing the history behind Judge it seems reasonable to assume they will bring with them the straight up Hardcore Punk style they have been playing since 1987. Gorilla Biscuits will be the last band to take the stage for Musink 2014.

A band that is credited as being one of the driving forces behind the straight-edge Punk movement in the 80s, Gorilla Biscuits will without a doubt bring the level of controlled chaos that they are famous for to Musink. And effectively bring the three day ingenious collaboration of tattoos, music and cars to an end.

For more info regarding Musink click HERE

“I’m really proud to be a part of an event like Musink. It encompasses everthing I love from tattoos to music and cars. Stoked to have so many great bands and tattoo artists involved” –Travis Barker

 

-Ryan R.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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Show Preview: Street Dogs – Devil’s Brigade – The Interrupters – and Jason Cruz and the Howl – at House of Blues – Anaheim, CA – March 14, 2014

St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching, and what would be the best way to spend that weekend prior? Watching the dudebros on Main Street in HB get progressively more drunk and surly? Hanging out at some pub and listen to people sing a horrible rendition of "Danny Boy"? Fuck that.

The best way to spend the start of that weekend is at a show. But which one? The Street Dogs, of course! They will be back in Southern California on their 3rd annual "Crooked Drunken Sons St. Patrick’s Day Slam"! Opening for the Street Dogs will be Devil's Brigade, The Interrupters, and Jason Cruz & the Howl. Can I get a "fuck yes!" for this line-up?

Street Dogs always put on a killer show, we here at Big Wheel love them; McColgan's high energy and crowd interaction are just two things that make their shows awesome. Every time I get a chance to catch their act, I always leave bruised, sore, and sweaty (wouldn't have it any other way) and no doubt this time will be the same.

You may recognize the name Jason Cruz, but not the "Howl" portion, because yes, it's the same Jason Cruz who fronts Strung Out. In this iteration, he explores more of an Americana song-style. Though I haven't seen them live, what songs I've heard online convinces me this band will be fun at a show.



The Interrupters are a local LA ska-punk band whose sound is reminiscent of Save Ferris, if Joan Jett were the front-woman. Hellcat is set to release their full length album sometime this year, but if you want to check them out before the show, they have videos (one of which was directed by Tim Armstrong) on YouTube and a couple of 7" vinyls via Pirates Press.

Closing out the openers are Devil's Brigade. Though technically a side project of Rancid's bass player Matt Freeman, DB is a stand alone band. Their self-titled album is a psychobilly musical ode to the building of the Golden Gate Bridge, and it's fucking great.



Friday, March 14th at House Of Blues Anaheim is when this awesomeness will happen (doors at 7 PM). See y'all there.

-Anni Thyme-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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Show Preview: Pucifier – A perfect Circle – and Failure – at The Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA – May 10 and 11, 2014

From deep in the heart of Arizona hails the ever illusive and mysterious Maynard James Keenan. He is known in Arizona for his being the owner and operator of Merkin Vineyards, but the rest of the rock world knows him as the front man and founder of such acts as TOOL, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer. 

He is also about to turn 50 and in a grand gesture KROQ is throwing him a 50th birthday party they are referring to as “Cinquanta”. The Greek Theatre is set to have many surprises as not only A Perfect Circle, but also Puscifer are set to play. Also on the bill are 90’s alt rock band Failure, who’s long sought out reunion has been 16 years in the making. 

Failure doesn’t seem to have any new music in the works, but their old albums are slowly being release on Vinyl; Magnified being the most recent in November of last year. Meanwhile, Maynard has been busy prepping releases for both bands. “Stone & Echo” is a release of A Perfect Circles entire discography of 3 albums; Mer de Noms, Thirteenth Step and eMOTIVe, live and features new songs "By and Down," "Ashes to Ashes" and "Diary of a Love Song” as well as “Three Sixty” which is a best of CD release.  “What is… Puscifer” is a DVD release that includes live footage from the Conditions of My Parole tour as well as an opening mockumentary. It has also been made available on both CD and Vinyl.

The Greek Theatre is the place to be for the two night birthday extravaganza May 10th and 11th. It is sure to be a weekend to remember as fans have been holding their breaths at the chance to see A Perfect Circle back on the stage after not touring in the US for 2 years.

Let’s not forget that Failure has been out of the spotlight for 16 years and surely have not been forgotten. Fans have long awaited the day that they will be able to hear “Fantastic Planet” live after disbanding only a year after it’s release. In an interesting twist of fate Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen joined A Perfect Circle for their first album once Failure called it quits and now the circle, as they say, is complete.

 

-Elody Nichole-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

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