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Leave it to pop punk greats Simple Plan and Sum 41 to bridge the generation gaps from X to Z. Music is most definitely one of the best unifiers and the evening of May 14, 2022 found people of various ages under one united banner. Both bands have catalogs that span over 20 years. Depending on who you are, that can either make you feel old or make you pat yourself on the back for having an eclectic taste in music. Sum 41’s debut album Half Hour of Power was released at the turn of the century in 2000. They rolled out with hit album after hit album at an impressive rate of one album per year with All Killer, No Filler and Does This Look Infected? containing an incredible amount of hits on each album. What’s also impressive is how absolutely fantastic Deryck Whibley and the band are live to this day. Dave Baksh on lead guitar and backing vocals along with bassist and backing vocalist Jason “Cone” McCaslin were right alongside Deryck for each of the acclaimed albums mentioned above. Rhythm/lead guitarist/backing vocals Tom Thacker and Frank Zummo on drums/occasional backing vocals joined the band a bit later in 2007 and 2015, respectively. It came as a surprise seeing Sum 41 rush the stage and greet the crowd so warmly. They wasted no time to get their set off to a blast.

Hearing them perform songs from over the years not only brought about the expected nostalgia, but also the appreciation for how well their songs have aged over the years. Some in the crowd grew up listening to Sum 41 as pre-teens and teenagers and have grown up and have now brought their own kids to the show with them. The love Sum 41 have for their fans and their hearts they pour into their songs is so apparent. It’s such a relief to live in a world where this band continues to exist.

Set List:

  1. Motivation
  2. The Hell Song
  3. Over My Head (Better Off Dead)
  4. We’re All to Blame
  5. Summer
  6. A.N.I.C.
  7. Never Wake Up
  8. T.H.T.
  9. Underclass Hero
  10. Walking Disaster
  11. With Me
  12. In Too Deep
  13. Makes No Difference
  14. Some on the Water / Seven Nation Army
  15. Pieces
  16. We Will Rock You
  17. Still Waiting
  18. Fat Lip

To say this evening was a walk down memory lane would be an understatement. It isn’t clear whether the venue or the bands were responsible for the music choices in between sets but songs such as “Ocean Avenue” by Yellowcard, “Girl At the Rock Show” by Blink-182, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic! At The Disco, “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World, and “The Anthem” by Good Charlotte played one after another, hitting the crowd with continuous waves of nostalgia, just to keep the high constant and going. So many voices joined together to sing along, lifting their voices as a banner in camaraderie.

Simple Plan actually walked out to the Star Wars Main Theme, which was just epically fun.

In keeping with the high of nostalgia and the fact that Simple Plan’s debut album No Pads, No Helmets… Just Balls is celebrating 20 years, they kick off their set with the album’s opening track “I’d Do Anything.” Naturally, the crowd is amped to the nth degree.

By the way, when did Pierre get so buff? Good on you, man!

Simple Plan has remained a tight unit, with all remaining four members forming the band together. The year we’re looking for is 1999. Some of us were still in elementary school. (Ahem) That’s an incredible history and a testament to the strong friendships and bond Pierre Bouvier (lead vocals and bass), Chuck Comeau (drums), Jeff Stinco (lead guitar) and Sébastien Lefebvre (rhythm guitar and backing vocals) have together. In addition to the 20th anniversary of their debut album, this year also celebrates a brand new album release titled Harder Than It Looks, their sixth studio album. It was released this month on May 6, 2022. Track 2 sees fellow co-headliner lead vocals of Sum 41 Deryck Whibley featured on “Ruin My Life.” The album contains catchy songs that sees a 2022 Simple Plan, refreshingly reflecting their unfolding lives. Instead of getting stuck in a box of self-created sound of their past, they have continued to mature and grow in their craft of songwriting. Mid-album track “Anxiety” is the perfect example of having a fresh sound in addition to letting in the way life has affected them and the world at large.

Setlist:

  1. I’d Do Anything
  2. Shut Up!
  3. Jump
  4. The Worst Day Ever
  5. Addicted
  6. Congratulations
  7. Summer Paradise
  8. Welcome to My Life
  9. Wake Me Up (When This Nightmare’s Over)
  10. Crazy
  11. Ruin My Life
  12. All Star / Sk8er Boi / Mr. Brightside
  13. What’s New Scooby Doo
  14. Where I Belong
  15. I’m Just A Kid
  16. Untitled
  17. Perfect

It’s clear that both Sum 41 and Simple Plan are both powerful forces of positivity in this world that very much needs them. The only thing we can blame Canada for is the amazing human beings that make up these groups of talented comrades.

The tour continues in the United States through May 28, 2022. The Blame Canada Tour | U.S. Dates and Tickets

Also, just announced this past morning, they will be joining forces for a UK/European tour from September 20th through October 21st. Find Dates and Tickets Here

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From the darkness, the sound of a car began to rev. Welcome to A Tear In the Fabric of Life, its opening track beginning the ascending climb towards the anticipation of the experience known as Knocked Loose. Here comes that drop. The lights come up. Boom.

Straight out of the gate, the band went full force. Hard. The crowd immediately reciprocated and began to thrash and mosh. It didn’t take long to realize that what one was looking at, was in fact The Wolf of Wall Street. Here is Leonardo DiCaprio himself, amping up his followers, urging them to participate in this moment, in their own lives; that this is necessary, nay, integral to fully living. To paraphrase DiCaprio frontman Bryan Garris, “You are here. You are alive. We feed off of the chaos and energy. Be a part of it.”

Lead guitarist and backing vocalist Isaac Hale broke it down and laid it out straight that they wanted to see everyone moving, pushing each other, and getting that circle pit going.

It was quite admirable watching how the band kept up their engagement with the crowd without slowing the show down at all. They did not miss a frickin’ beat. Knocked Loose puts on one of the best live shows out there. Heavy? Some of the heaviest. Motivational seminar? Absolutely.

Set List:

  1. Where Light Divides the Holler
  2. Trapped in the Grasp of a Memory
  3. God Knows
  4. Denied by Fate
  5. Billy No Mates
  6. Forget Your Name (Intro)
  7. Belleville
  8. …And I Still Wander South
  9. Forced to Stay
  10. Deadringer
  11. All My Friends
  12. Oblivion’s Peak
  13. Return to Passion
  14. Guided by the Moon
  15. Contorted in the Faille
  16. Mistakes Like Fractures
  17. Counting Worms
  18. Permanent

Movements

Set List:

  1. Full Circle
  2. Skin to Skin
  3. Tunnel Vision
  4. Third Degree
  5. Barbed Wire Body
  6. Seneca
  7. Colorblind
  8. Suffer Through
  9. Daylily

Knocked Loose finish up their headlining tour A Tear in the Fabric of Life tour with Movements, Kublai Khan, and Koyo this week.

Get tickets here: http://www.knockedloosehc.com/tour/

Listen to, buy and watch the short film of Knocked Loose’s latest EP release A Tear in the Fabric of Life

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A cage-free alt-J gives Milwaukee a unique experience on The Dream Tour playing a sold-out, intimate show at Turner Hall Ballroom with a capacity of less than 1,000 people on March 18, 2022.

Much like an allusive dream, every part of alt-J’s Milwaukee stop on The Dream Tour at Turner Hall Ballroom on Friday night contained elements of being in a dream. Even before the show’s inception, it had already shifted from a different time and location. The original venue was supposed to be at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena a day earlier on Thursday. The details of why are a mystery, announced as “unforeseen logistical issues.” The shift to a just shy of a 1,000-person capacity Turner Hall Ballroom gave way to a cage-free alt-J stripped of their glass box and projections (a staple on this arena tour run) making this not only the smallest venue they’re playing on this tour, but also the smallest they’ve ever played in Milwaukee. The slacked six strings of Edison lights that hung above the main floor highlighted and served as a continual aid and reminder of the unique experience of seeing alt-J in this rare and intimate space.

The slacked six strings of Edison lights that hung above the main floor highlighted and served as a continual aid and reminder of the unique experience of seeing alt-J in this rare and intimate space.

The show begins with a techno groove with a recurring, “Here we go!” reminiscent of Super Mario Bros., making the experience a dreamlike experience from the get-go. Enter the trio and they go straight into the opening track “Bane” off of their new album The Dream, which is sort of like a trio in and of itself, with three distinct parts that are all different within the one song. The sound of a cola can fizzling and cracking open followed by the commercial-like voice proclaiming, “Cold and sizzling!” before a sip and echoing exhale lends to the surreal dreamscape alt-J has already begun to well establish. The first change brought on by lead vocals and guitar Joe Newman’s sweeping notes that descend and melt into its part two gives a feeling of sinking, the warbling vocals and guitar reminiscent of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.”

alt-J lead vocalist and guitar, Joe Newman

The final third of “Bane” circles in repetition and establishes itself with the ushering in of the percussion of drummer Thom Sonny Green.

alt-J drummer, Thom Sonny Green

New track “Chicago” filled the sold-out small and intimate venue to the brim, the bass served by keyboardist and vocals Gus Unger-Hamilton permeating every molecule of the room, practically making the walls exhale and bend outwards. The effects of this new track was made ever effective enveloped between familiar debut album tracks “Matilda” and “Something Good,” the latter of which was perfectly placed at the very center of the deliciously balanced sandwich of the evening’s set.

alt-J keyboardist/vocalist, Gus Unger-Hamilton

The majority of the time, the band kept the music flowing, lending to a mostly uninterrupted haze of dreaming. Only on occasion would the dream become lucid when they would address the audience to speak or say thank you. For anyone with lingering lucidity, the carnival-like sounds of “Dissolve Me” matching the accustomed-to string lights from above surely sent those dreamers back into the depths of the dream.

The carnival-like sounds of ‘Dissolve Me’ matched the hanging string lights above.

As cool as this tour run’s setup is, the dreamlike state of all the aforementioned components of the Milwaukee stop really did make for a rare treat. As with most good dreams, they both linger and escape simultaneously; the parts that stay, cherished. It will be much anticipated as Milwaukee waits for alt-J to return and deliver yet another batch of lingering goodies. In the meantime, alt-J’s newest album The Dream is available and can be enjoyed and relished in both physical and digital form.

Setlist:

  1. Bane
  2. Every Other Freckle
  3. The Actor
  4. In Cold Blood
  5. Deadcrush
  6. Interlude I (Ripe & Ruin)
  7. Tessellate
  8. U&ME
  9. Matilda
  10. Chicago
  11. Something Good
  12. Nara
  13. The Gospel of John Hurt
  14. Philadelphia
  15. Taro
  16. Dissolve Me
  17. Losing My Mind
  18. Fitzpleasure

Encore:

  1. Left Hand Free
  2. Hard Drive Gold
  3. Breezeblocks
https://www.altjband.com

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For a truly special gift-giving experience, turn your memories of photos and videos into a personalized cinematic keepsake for a friend or a loved one

1. Select a video package
2. Upload your photos and videos for us to edit
3. Choose your song
4. Receive your personalized short film of your favorite memories
5. Surprise your giftee and enjoy their priceless reaction

Email us for a consultation and we’ll walk you through the process

persistentvisionmedia@gmail.com

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It’s been three years since I’ve had the pleasure of seeing and photographing Le Butcherettes. Some things have changed, naturally; A shift in lineup, new music, a new album. It was both exciting and a bit of a letdown getting to see them play a sold out show and open for Incubus on their 20 Years of Make Yourself Tour at The Sylvee in Madison, WI. Obvious reasons for why it was exciting: the electric performance by all members, guitars/synth by Riko Rodríguez-López, bass by Marfred Rodríguez-López, drums by Alejandra Robles Luna, and rounding out the crew, vocals/guitar/keyboard and all-around extraordinaire Teri Gender Bender. The letdown was due to Le Butcherettes set being so short. I would have loved to see them play so much more than the 20 or so minutes they got. Being the only other band on the bill, I would have hoped they would have gotten more time. Alas, the time they did have on stage was entertaining, and nothing less than the signature flavor Le Butcherettes faithfully deliver.

Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.
Le Butcherettes perform at a sold out show at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on November 12, 2019.

Catch them on the remainder of the U.S. tour through December 7th. Tickets and dates here. Their newest EP release Don’t Bleed is available for pre-order. Check out their newest music video for “Tunisia” just freshly released.

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In anticipation of their new release, Mae’s 2018 Tour brought them to Schubas in Chicago on the evening of October 9, 2018. The cozy, GA standing room was filled with what felt like a Mae-fans’ reunion and made for a really warm-hearted, suspension in time. Mae opened their set with “Sing” from the upcoming album, being released through Tooth & Nail Records, called Multisensory Aesthetic Experience, which is actually Mae’s acronym. They jumped right into Destination: Beautiful‘s opening track “Embers and Envelopes,” deliberately followed by track three’s “All Deliberate Speed.” The sidebars and banter between lead vocals and guitarist Dave Elkins, the audience, and guitarist Zach Gehring truly made the night an intimate evening among friends. Sift through the photo gallery below and you’ll find evidence of the everglow of the night: Dave giving a shout out to a couple who got engaged during the show, Zach smiling after telling a fan he remembered them after being asked if he did, Dave asking for a show of hands of anyone who was celebrating a birthday (which, I actually was the day before), and of course, the band rocking out.

Setlist:

  1. Sing
  2. Embers and Envelopes
  3. All Deliberate Speed
  4. I Just Needed You to Know
  5. Summertime
  6. The Overview
  7. Two Birds
  8. Giving It Away
  9. Bloom
  10. Anything
  11. A Melody, the Memory
  12. Let it Die
  13. Goodbye, Goodnight
  14. 5 Light Years
  15. Suspension

For tour dates, music and merch – http://www.whatismae.com
(more…)

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Summer Slaughter is ripping through North America on its 11th year. Born Of Osiris is no stranger to playing this tour. It was their first time playing Concord Music Hall though. They really amped up the crowd and played a seriously killer set. Their energy was electric and difficult not to get into (not that we were trying to resist). Their new single “Silence the Echo” was received with great reception. It’s always a pleasure having the boys back in their hometown for a show. For more Summer Slaughter dates, check out the dates below.

 

 

7/26 – DETRIOT, MI @ MAJESTIC CAFE

7/27 – GUELPH, ON @ GUELPH CONCERT

7/28 • MONTREAL, QC @ HEAVY MONTREAL * NO TERROR UNIVERSAL

7/30 • COLUMBUS, OH @ EXPRESS LIVE

7/31 – FT. WAYNE, IN @ PIERE’S

8/01 – SAUGET. IL @ POP’S NIGHTCLUB

8/02 • LAWRENCE, KS @ GRANADA THEATER

8/03 • MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ SKYWAY THEATER

8/05 • DENVER, CO @  GOTHIC THEATRE

8/07 – SEATTLE, WA @ SHOWBOX SODO

8/09 • SACRAMENTO, CA @ ACE OF SPADES

8/10 • BERKELEY, CA @ THE UC THEATER

8/11 • LOS ANGELES, CA @ THE NOVO

8/12 • ANAHEIM, CA @ GROVE OF ANAHEIM

8/13 – SAN DIEGO, CA @ SOMA

8/14 • TEMPE, AZ @ THE MARQUEE

8/15 – ALBUQUERQUE, NM @ SUNSHINE THEATER

8/17 • DALLAS, TX @ GAS MONKEY LIVE!

8/18 • HOUSTON, TX @ HOUSE OF BLUES

8/19 • AUSTIN, TX @ EMPIRE GARAGE

 

For tickets and more info: Summer Slaughter Tour

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AWOLNATION is such a fun band. Aaron Bruno’s charisma is just stunning. Having a much liking for this band before covering their show, they’ve certainly become a favorite after seeing them headline at 101WKQX PIQNIQ. Just check out the cool aesthetic of the pictures below and you’ll get a small taste of not only how awesome AWOLNATION is, but also how great their live shows are. The cherry on top is having captured some of these images while they performed “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf).” This is a band that songwriter and frontman Aaron Bruno has said, “will age as a fine wine.” We cannot wait to stay tuned in to all they have in store for the future. Here come the runts, indeed.

AWOLNATION are playing select dates this summer and into the fall at various US music festivals. Check http://www.awolnationmusic.com and their Facebook page as well for details.

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Dashboard Confessional is always a breath of fresh air to see. The last time we covered them, it was also an outdoor show. The lighting this time around for their set at 101WKQX PIQNIQ was a bit dark until the burst of everything at the end of the last song. The lighting was great and every band member went full out. Lead guitarist and backing vocalist Armon Jay ended up on the ground shredding his guitar, drummer Chris Kamrada went double time on bass and cymbal hits and bassist Scott Schoenbeck and lead vocalist Chris Carrabba covered the rest of the stage with hair whips, jumps, and serious energy. If only we had been able to be up close for those moments. Hopefully someone in the crowd captured something of that amazing outro. While we can’t show you any of that, here’s what did capture and can show you from their set:

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Bush is a staple in rock and especially grunge. It’s as if they never left the scene. Going on hiatus in 2002, they reformed 8 years later in 2010. It is now another 8 years past and Bush is still on fire. Their performance at 101WKQX PIQNIQ was electric. Lead singer Gavin Rossdale ran through the far seats of the lawn mid-song sailing through half of the concert-goers. It was amazing to see a wave of phones and smiles hurl through the crowd as the band continued on with Machinehead as Gavin made his way around the stadium. Take a look through the photos of Bush’s set this past week.