Cabin By The Sea Tour: The Expendables

Every summer there are numerous concerts that get our blood flowing and our hearts racing. Tons of bands stop in Denver every year and Monika and I are more than lucky to live in such a great state where we get to experience the music that we do. This year the beloved band, The Expendables, are touring with Dirty Heads across the US (and a few stops across the country). For 15 years they’ve been touring the world, making music, and enjoying summer all year round. The Expendables recently gave us the pleasure of interviewing them about their life, music, favorite things, and what’s ahead for the band:

1. Who/what got you started in creating music? Who are your biggest influences?

8th grade graduation party.  My friends were all sitting around showing each other riffs that they knew on the guitar.  From Hendrix, Clapton, all the way to Alice In Chains.  I was fascinated.  I had no idea how to play anything so I just sat and watched but the next day I asked to borrow my dad’s ancient Nylon string guitar and took my first guitar class my freshman year. I asked my friends to teach me whatever they could.

2. What kinds of things should fans expect from the upcoming tour?

Dirty Heads, Big B, and The Expendables have all been friends and touring buddies for the better part of a decade.  I think fans can expect an eclectic mix of high energy, and fun music from people that truly enjoy to write and perform.

3. Most memorable tour moment?

We get asked this question a lot, and it’s hard to find a moment that doesn’t include drunken debauchery, self deprecating stupidity, feces, or all of the above.  It’s hard to find the most memorable, humorous, or embarrassing moment because we’ve been touring for so long and have many, so I’ll just say the first thing that comes to mind: Our first visit to Austin, Texas fell on Halloween.  We all made our way down to 6th street and that’s the last most of us remember.  The next morning was like our own version of The Hangover.  We tried to figure out who shattered the toilet, why my ankle was completely black and blue with tread on it, why Adam had been kicked out of the bar for starting his own stripper pole dance competition, and what happened to my cell phone.  The homeless man that we paid $20 to return my phone after he called my parents and ex-girlfriends provided no answers so to this day we still come up with theories as to what truly happened.

4. Any advice for musicians that are trying to make it within the industry as successfully as you have?

Are we successful? I don’t know that we are, we just try to write and perform good music, and hope that people continue to support us.  For musicians that want to be where we are, I would say it doesn’t matter how good you are.  Just find people that you enjoy playing music with and play together as much as possible.  And then play as many shows as possible and expand your touring radius. You basically spend your life with your bandmates and they become your extended family.  And in my experience the groups that stick together have the best shot, and the most fun.

5. What should we expect to hear from the new music releases you’re having in the future compared to what you’ve done in the past?

Musicians are constantly experimenting and growing.  As the years have progressed we’ve become better musicians, and that is reflected in our music, which has gotten tighter and at times more complex.  But we are also constantly experimenting with different types of music because we never want to become stagnant or stale, yet also don’t want to alienate our fans by changing too much.  As our live show has progressed over the years so has our recorded music.  We have been incorporating keyboard, synth, and acoustic guitars into our live shows, and these aspects will appear more on our next album.

6. A lot of people classify your music as a number of genres, what would you define your genre as?

People mostly call it california reggae, reggae/rock.  Surf Rock international released an album of ours in Japan, and gave us the label mixture rock which is vague, but probably the most accurate. We aren’t a reggae band, and truly don’t play traditional reggae but we have many heavy reggae and ska influences.  We also aren’t a straight ahead rock band.  Besides reggae, we also play metal, punk, blues, hard rock, ska, with inflections of jazz, and country, and whatever else we throw in.  So mixture rock is still my favorite term, and I think it applies to a lot of other bands in the genre.

7. What’s different about the Dirty Heads tour compared to the other tours that you’ve had?

The Dirty Heads are considered a part of the genre that we are in, but I think they stand out as being one of the most original, and different acts in the scene.  They play a lot of acoustic guitar, and have a heavy hip-hop and even some pop influences.  For the most part it’s as if our styles come from different planets – which is exciting for us as musicians and for the musical diversity that we hope the fans enjoy. Plus, the Dirty Heads have had some incredible radio success, they bring that audience to the shows, and it’s an audience that we aren’t accustomed to playing in front of.

8. Biggest challenge you’ve faced as musicians thus far?

Two that I can think of.  One was trying to balance work and a busy touring schedule.  Before we were able to quit our day jobs we had to tour and work.  It was difficult to do both, and it was hard to devote ourselves 100% to the music while still working.  Coming off an 8 week tour and going back to a job the next day really sucks.
The other would have to be being able to handle negative criticism.  If you ever get a swelled head as a musician all you need to do is read a few negative iTunes reviews, YouTube comments, Facebook posts, or any internet blog written about you.  People can say some pretty hurtful and vicious things about you. It’s hard not to take it personally, especially since our music is personal to us.  We spend our lives writing and performing music and it is the most important thing in the world to us so the negativity can affect us.  But I’ve realized over the years that you can’t please everyone, even some of our die hard fans don’t like all aspects of our music or all of our albums.  There’s nothing I can do to change it, so all we can do is just keep writing and playing and stay the eff away from the internet.

9. Favorite tour food?

Whatever is best regionally.  BBQ in the south, sushi where its fresh, mexican in CA, everything especially pizza in NYC.

10. Ren and Stimpy or Beavis and Butthead?

I liked both as a kid, so I give the lame safe answer of both.  Ren and Stimpy had the better theme song, Beavis and Butthead had the music videos. It’s a tie.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Check out the band in your city!

Cabin By The Sea Tour Dates:

Friday, June 21 – Austin, TX @ The Belmont
Saturday, June 22 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
Sunday, June 23 – Jacksonville, FL @ Free Bird Live
Monday, June 24 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live!
Tuesday, June 25 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
Wednesday, June 26 – North Myrtle Beach, FL @ House of Blues
Friday, June 28 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
Sunday, June 30 – Ocean City, MD @ Seacrets
Monday, July 1 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
Tuesday, July 2 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
Monday, July 8 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
Tuesday, July 9 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Thursday, July 11 – Kansas City @ Midland Theatre
Friday, July 12 – Denver, CO @ Exdo Event Center
Monday, July 15 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
Tuesday, July 16 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
Wednesday, July 17 – Calgary, AB @ Flames Central
Friday, July 19 – Victoria, BC @ Phillips Brewery
Saturday, July 20 – Vancouver, BC @ Venue
Sunday, July 21 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Monday, July 22 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Wednesday, July 24 – Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory Concert
Friday, July 26 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
Sunday, July 28 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Pacific Amphitheatre

More information on The Expendables:

New Music Tuesday – Jack’s Mannequin: Live From The El Rey Theatre

I don’t generally like live albums as they usually sound pretty shitty and don’t really replicate the experience you get by being at the theatre with 200, 300, 1000 of your closest friends (for the night at least).

DEAR JACK COVER

But Andrew McMahon sounds amazing on this live album recorded at the El Rey Theatre:

I feel like I am there, watching him dance on his piano, singing along with the crowd. I’m literally dancing at my desk at 8:30 this morning to this album.

New Music + Westword Music Showcase = Great Weekend!

This weekend is Westword’s Music Showcase!

Westword Music Showcase 2013

There are still tickets available, but buy them now before they go up on Saturday!

Before you go head over to my friend, Josh Mishell’s blog as he made Rdio playlists for every venue. Familarize yourself with all of the local and nationwide acts that will be playing this year.

Did you know that Macklemore played WMS last year? Aren’t you bummed you missed it? You better go this year! Who knows who the next big hit will be.

Warped Tour 2013 – Denver, CO

I’ve been attending Warped tours for the last decade (oh god, that makes me sound old!) and I’m looking forward to returning yet again this year! Who will we see there?

I wasn’t planning on attending this year, but then Kia approached us and asked if we would share this widget they created specifically for Warped Tour. Did you know that Kia is the official vehicle of Vans Warped Tour? Now you do! This year the Kia tent at Vans Warped Tour will feature fun challenges, airbrush tattoos and hair coloring, and signings and acoustic sets from bands featured on the tour!

Their widget below has the acoustic schedule with real-time updates of when bands will be in the Kia tent, behind the scenes content from Warped tour and the @kiawarped Twitter stream! Check it out:

Don’t forget to tweet/instagram @kiawarped if you go this year!

Here are some bands listed to come to Denver on June 30th for Warped Tour. What bands do I *have* to check out?

Hawthorne Heights
Forever the Sickest Kids
Man Overboard
Motion City Soundtrack
Chiodos
We Came As Romans
Reel Big Fish
Never Shout Never
Black Veil Brides
Bring Me the Horizon
Woe Is Me
I See Stars
Go Radio
The Story So Far
Like Moths To Flames
Big Chocolate
Stick To Your Guns
Hands Like Houses
Anarbor
letlive.
The Black Dahlia Murder
Wallpaper.
VersaEmerge
The Early November
Upon a Burning Body
Architects (UK)
Shy Kidx
Tonight Alive
Action Item
Oh, Sleeper
Middle Finger Salute
While She Sleeps
Allstar Weekend
RDGLDGRN
Mac Lethal
The Amity Affliction
MC Lars
The Chariot
For the Foxes
New Years Day
The Summer Set
Outasight
Stephan Jacobs
Goldhouse
Five Knives
Blessthefall
Itch
Alvarez Kings
Young London
Beebs and Her Money Makers
The Wonder Years
Sleeping with Sirens
Kairo Kingdom
Memphis May Fire
Madchild
August Burns Red
Crizzly
I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business
Brian Marquis
Craig Owens
The American Scene
William Beckett
Crossfaith
Citizen
Run DMT
Art of Shock
Silverstein
Attila
Goldfinger
Big D and the Kids Table
Echosmith
Handguns
Forever Came Calling
3oh!3
Allison Weiss
Billy the Kid
Mighty Mongo
Beware of Darkness
Emily’s Army
Real Friends
Strawberry Blondes
Set It Off
The Swellers
Ice Nine Kills
NEW BEAT FUND
Austin Lucas
Pacific Dub
Thecityshakeup

EP: Air Dubai’s “Warning”

Every so often we’re incredibly lucky to be given a chance to listen to some of the first pieces of new upcoming music in our Denver scene. One of the best examples being some of Monika and I’s favorites, Air Dubai. From having their music played on MTV’s Jersey Shore and getting signed with Hopeless Records, to making a name for themselves in Denver and other states alike, Air Dubai has an incredibly bright future ahead of them – their new EP only reassures me of that blatant fact.

The summer vibes that they create make everyone want to dance, make us forget that we have any sort of responsibilities, and put the world in an atmosphere that is nothing short of a constant party. The combination of beats, guitar, drums, and two voices that compliment each other like peanut butter and jelly make you move no matter where you are. I recently listened to their new EP, and it feels like I’m five years old, getting to open all of my Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t get through 30 seconds of the first track without being wide awake, moving my body to the chords and getting lost in the sound. Air Dubai is one of those bands that no matter where they’re playing, day or night, hot or cold, live or recorded, they always stay consistent. Consistently grabbing my attention, making me move, drawing me into craving more of their music just so I can keep dancing. The EP is different than previous albums Day Escape and Wonder Age in the sense that while still being something that gets you up and moving, it’s the kind of album that keeps you on your toes; never really knowing what to expect next in the most lovingly curious way.

The sounds are sewn together to form a sense of such strong depth that really makes you connect and focus on the music – smooth tones with bold sounds that create something overwhelmingly endearing. The EP is put together in a way that demands attention from it’s listeners – which it gains in less than a minute. Air Dubai always has honest lyrics, heartfelt sounds, and a strong habit of igniting fires in the hearts of music lovers everywhere, music that make you never want to stop dancing. We’ll be looking forward to hearing from all of you what your favorite tracks on the EP are the second that you hit “play”. In the meantime, make sure to check out Air Dubai’s music video featuring Patricia Lynn and buy their latest EP, Warning, on iTunes.

Air Dubai’s “Warning” ft. Patricia Lynn:

Check out Air Dubai some more:

Official Website

Twitter

Facebook

Air Dubai is also currently on tour, check them out in your city on these dates:

Journey’s Noise Tour

w/ Marianas Trench & Protector

 

5/16 Spokane, WA- Knitting Factory

5/17 Portland, OR- Hawthorne Theater

5/18 Seattle, WA- Showbox at the Market

5/21 San Francisco, CA- Slims

5/22 West Hollywood, CA- House Of Blues

5/23 San Diego, CA- House Of Blues

5/25 Salt Lake City, UT- The Complex

5/28 Dallas, TX- South Side Music Hall

5/29 Houston, TX- Warehouse Live

5/31 Orlando, FL- House Of Blues

6/01 Atlanta, GA- The Masquerade

6/02 North Myrtle Beach, SC- House Of Blues

6/04 Nashville, TN- Cannery Ballroom

6/05 Charlotte, NC- The Fillmore

6/07 Silver Sping, MD- The Fillmore

6/08 Philadelphia, PA- Theatre of Living Arts

6/09 Ashbury Park, NJ- Stone Pony

6/10 Boston, MA- Paradise Rock Club

6/13 New York, NY- Irving Plaza

6/14 Detroit, MI- The Fillmore

6/15 Buffalo NY- Artpark

6/18 Cleveland, OH- House Of Blues

6/19 Cincinnati, OH- Bogart’s

New Music Tuesday – Paramore – 4 Sides / 4 Nights

Many bands these days strike exclusives with websites to stream their songs before their album is released and this week Paramore released videos of their vinyl of their new album on YouTube. I love their introductions, mainly because they are a little awkward, but it makes them more real in my opinion. I mean have you ever met a band? Chances are they were a little weird and awkward.

Paramore

Take a listen to the album below in parts A, B and C:
Side A:

Songs:
01:20 Fast in my car
05:06 Now
09:18 Grow up
13:09 Daydreaming

Side B:

Songs:
01:27 Moving On
02:55 Ain’t It Fun
07:51 Part II
12:33 Last Hope

Side C:

Songs:
01:52 Still Into You
05:30 Anklebiters
07:49 Interlude: Holiday
08:56 Proof
12:10 Hate To See Your Heart Break

Just yesterday as I was taking 93.3 KTCL’s Music Survey I heard Paramore’s song Still Into You. I think that is my favorite out of them all, but I will be playing these videos back to back for the rest of the day. Sometimes you just need a little pop-punk in your life.

What’s your favorite Paramore song off of 4 Sides / 4 Nights?

The Joy Formidable – Win Tickets at The Gothic!

Tomorrow The Joy Formidable is gracing us with their presence tomorrow night at the Gothic Theatre!

Plus, opening for The Joy Formidable is Guards, who I had the pleasure of seeing for the first time at SXSW this year:

Get More:
www.mtvu.com

Want to go check out this amazing band for yourself? Enter using the Rafflecopter below! Winner will be announced tomorrow!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Music Tuesday – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark

This week I am featuring a song that I am currently *obsessed* with this Fall Out Boy song at the moment:

Plus the videos for My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark and The Phoenix make me excited to see what the rest of the album holds:

I have been a fan of Fall Out Boy for years and I am really excited that they decided to get back together and make this new album. So far I am digging the direction they are taking the band and hope this is just the first of many new albums from the band.

(Yes, I know that this song wasn’t released this week…but it takes me a few listens before I can really get into a song…this theme may continue.)

The UMS Releases First Lineup for 2013

UMS 2013

As you all know, our favorite local music event of the year in Denver has always been the UMS, or Underground Music Showcase as all of you non-goers probably call it. Every year the bands that perform this event are promising, it’s some of the most highly-anticipated 4 days of our entire summer. Monika and I have had years of fun at this event listening to music, going to as many shows as possible without trying to ruin our carefully scheduled plan, drinking with the bands, taking pictures in photo booths, and supporting our scene(as usual). We may have been busy for awhile but we’re getting back into the kick of things and this year: we’re beyond stoked for UMS. The first trickles of bands were announced earlier this month and it’s already giving us goosebumps from excitement. We’re happy and proud to announce that the first bands to be listed are:

Cults

Mudhoney

Born In The Flood

Bleached

The Fresh & Onlys

Baywood

I don’t know about you, but hearing that Mudhoney will be playing Denver’s own UMS just about made me have a heart attack. We more than encourage you to go and buy your passes while they’re still cheap! This event is worth every single penny that you spend on it, plus more. Check it out, happy listening, and we’ll see you guys around soon.

For more details regarding the event go to: http://www.theums.com or click here.

The Hate and Peelander-Z – What to do in Denver on March 22, 2013

Looking for something to do tonight? Looks like you’re in luck! There are a plethora of options. My pick? The Hate at the Marquis Theatre opening for Peelander-Z.

peelanderz and the hate

The Hate is a great band and are nominated for Best Punk Band of Denver in the 2013 Westword Music Showcase Ballot. And? My brother, Stefan, is playing drums for them tonight, even more incentive for you to join me for this show!

The Hate:

And Peelander-Z? Japanese Punk band that kind of resembles Power Rangers. I saw them at SXSW a few years ago, and it was definitely an entertaining show and I have to admit their songs, while they’re simple, are quite catchy.

Peelander-Z:

Is Punk Rock not really your jam? Well there are a few other things tonight that I would check out.

Tonight marks the end of two other great Denver bands: Regret Night and Be Brave. They will both be playing at Summit Music Hall with another great local band, Places. If Pop Rock is more your thing, I’d head here tonight to play tribute to both bands.

Are you more into The Lumineers? Well, they aren’t in town, but the band that opened for them on their last tour has their CD release at the Oriental Theatre tonight! Paper Bird is releasing their new album and opening for them is He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister. I saw HMBSMS last year at the Larimer Lounge, and was so impressed! Mainly by the tap dancing drummer. You heard that right, the drummer tap dances on the bass drum! So fun to watch.

Lastly, not into music (why are you even here)? The Denver Auto Show is taking place in Denver all weekend. I’ll be there tomorrow checking out all the awesome new cars.

Hope this helps you plan your night!

  • Follow Us!

  • monika AT indiebitches.com
  • kaila AT indiebitches.com
  • Concerts