« June 2011 | Main | August 2011 »
11 posts from July 2011
07/29/2011
07/25/2011
Show Alert: Only Two Weekends Left for the East Lansing Summer Concert Series
Catch free music in East Lansing for two more weekends
Time is running out to enjoy some freeflowing, original music at the East Lansing Summer Concert Series.
Only two weekends remains for this year's series, which takes place Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown East Lansing. Concerts are held at Fountain Square on the corner of Albert and MAC avenues. The best part? It's free!
Here's what's coming this weekend:
Friday, July 29: The Kathleen Bolthouse Band (left), fronted by "Lansing's Queen of the Blues," brings an original mix of traditional and contemporary blues, sultry ballads, soul, swing and rock.
Saturday, July 30: Gifts or Creatures, which is husband and wife folk duo Brandon and Bethany Foote, plays mellow, delicate folk-rock with grace.
Aug. 5 brings Fat Boy & Jive Turkey. On Aug. 6, the Tub Submarines close out the series.
07/21/2011
07/19/2011
Theory of a Deadman Backstage at Common Ground 2011 [Video Interview]
Video Interview: Theory of a Deadman guitarist Dave Brenner
Theory of a Deadman brought a neo-grunge mix of gutting rock 'n' roll and softhearted ballads to Common Ground Music Festival Friday (July 15).
Despite lead singer Tyler Connolly feeling under the weather due to food poisening and falling off the stage during the set (thankfully, he's okay), the group sounded great. Major kudos to Connolly for giving concert-goers his best and working hard up there, even being sick.
A few hours before the set, Theory of a Deadman guitarist Dave Brenner was kind enough to sit down and chat with me about the band's new album, "The Truth Is...," which dropped last Tuesday (July 12). Thanks to Tricia Bobeda for shooting the video.
07/16/2011
Video Interview: Black Stone Cherry Guitarist Ben Wells Backstage at Common Ground 2011
Anyone who's seen a Black Stone Cherry show knows its force.
Drummer John Fred Young smacks the skins with fire and strength, guitarist Ben Wells runs up and down scales and solos lightning-fast, bass player Jon Lawhon kicks in feel-good grooves, and singer Chris Robertson wails with a thick, clear Southern drawl.
It's a sound that harks back to '70s rock and blues greats: Muddy Waters, Led Zeppelin, Cream.
The guys stopped by Lansing's Common Ground Music Festival this weekend, and Wells was kind enough to chat with me about the band's new album, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," working with producer Howard Benson (Daughtry, 3 Days Grace) and the upcoming Carnival of Madness Tour. Thanks to Tricia Bobeda for filming the video!
07/15/2011
Weekend Riff: Theory of a Deadman, Black Stone Cherry, LL Cool J, Melissa Etheridge at Common Ground
Is Common Ground already half over? It's hard to believe, but only three nights remain for the 12 annual music festival.
The timing couldn't be better for Friday's headliner, Theory of a Deadman, to hit Adado Riverfront Park. The Canadian hard rockers released their new album, "The Truth Is...," this week, and they're currently riding high on the single, "Lowlife," which is No. 6 on the active rock chart.
Tracks on the album vary from soft ballads to in-your-face, tough guy rock.
“We have two different sides,” Connolly told the LSJ. “Some are fun songs about relationship breakups, like ‘Bad Girlfriend’ and ‘Hate My Life.’ Then, there are some beautiful ballads about falling in love.
“I have two brains when it comes to lyrical writing: one is just trying to write a beautiful song that means a lot to me, and the other is writing a song that’s like a punch. It’s like, ‘Geez. That guy really says what he feels.’”
Catch the entire interview with Connolly, who plays Common Ground Friday along with Black Stone Cherry, in Friday's Lansing State Journal.
LL Cool J tops off Saturday's line-up, and Melissa Etheridge closes out the fesitval Sunday. Find the full line-up on Common Ground's official website.
Watch Theory of a Deadman Film the Crowd at the Muskegon Summer Festival on July 3, below.
07/12/2011
Fans Pay Tribute to 'Freshmen' Rockers the Verve Pipe
Crowd Relives 'The Freshmen' at Common Ground This Week
Continue reading "Fans Pay Tribute to 'Freshmen' Rockers the Verve Pipe" »
07/11/2011
07/07/2011
Weekend Riff: The Aimcriers Mix Social Distortion with Johnny Cash, 10 Years and Maylene in Michigan, Wilson Back from Tour
Lansing Music: Weekend Concerts Include Americana with the Aimcriers at the Loft
-Friday: The Aimcriers (above) make Americana-tinged songs in the eclectic traditions of Johnny Cash, Social Distortion and the Meat Puppets. Following an 8-month hiatus to go to school and find a new drummer, the Grand Ledge outfit is back with a show Friday at the Loft in Lansing.
