Guest Blogger's Year in Review

2013: The Year in Music

2013 Was a great year in music.  Here are some of the best things that happened in the last 12 months

Best Unsigned Band - Blackmore

This would be one of my top ten bands in existence today.  The fact that they have not even released a full length EP says everything you need to know about the talent and creativity of this amazing group of musicians.  All I have is a two song demo CD they handed out at a show, and I am addicted.

I saw them for the first time when they were opening for VIZA (another amazing band you must learn about) at a benefit concert.  Blew me away.  I have seen them a couple of times since and have heard some of their new music for the EP. Music fans are in for a real treat.  This band is the real deal.  Learn more at www.blackmorela.com 

Best Live Show of 2013: La Dispute

Okay, this band is something hard to explain.  I kept hearing them on Pandora radio wondering, “Who is this, and why can’t he sing?”  But I listened more and it grew on me and the voice started to make perfect sense.  Then I saw that they were playing with The Menzingers, a band I really enjoy.   So I went to check them out.  I will never miss a La Dispute show that happens within a 100-mile radius of my house.  They are the most energetic, entertaining and intense band alive today.  It is hard to believe that a band could match the energy of a practically insane audience that knew every word to the songs with the most complicated lyrics.  The band knew how to build, then pull back, then build, then pull back, then build, then absolutely explode with energy.  Jordan Dreyer is a young Jim Morrison.  He is a poet.  He is an entertainer.  He is the best frontman in music today.  Sorry Dudamel.    

Jordan Dreyer of La Dispute

Gustavo Dudamel leads the LA Philharmonic

Best Small Band - Affiance

Yes, I harp on this band over and over, as does Zoe and Hank.  We simply cannot figure out how this band has not broken out and become a huge deal.  They have it all; talented musicians, creative music, awesome lyrics, and a singer in Dennis Tvrdik who has no peer since Ian Gillian.  The riffs of Class Dismissed; the Power of Kings of Deceit, the catchiness of Call to the Warrior, and the absolute amazing sounds of The Hive and Peace of Mind.  How can it be they still open for others and have 25 minute sets?  I have a dream.  I want to see a full, 90 minute Affiance set someday.   They have to become headliners.  It simply makes no sense if they don’t.

Strangest Discovery - A.Armada

Not sure how this happened, but my guess it had to be La Dispute Radio on Pandora.  A genre called Post-Rock.  I heard a lot of fun, interesting music from bands like El Ten Eleven and Moonlit Sailor, but then A.Armada came on.  It is like eating Ben and Jerry’s after several months of Thrifty Ice Cream.  This band’s music is just beautiful.  The haunting sounds.  The incredible rhythms.  When I have work to do I play this music and I am happy.  The only problem with this band?  They no longer exist.  I tried to contact some of the musicians through Facebook to find out what they are up to now, but to no avail. 

THE “THIS IS MY MUSIC” AWARD for 2013:  The Sword

Where have you been all my life?  How could I, the ultimate Black Sabbath addict from the 70s and 80s have not heard of The Sword?  I saw them at Rocklahoma for the first time without knowing anything about them, but they are the closest thing to musical perfection in the “this is my music” category.  I have seen them twice in 2013 and already have tickets for a show in ’14.  Their newest album, Apocryphon is so much fun.  Every song kicks ass.  I have listened to it perhaps 50 or more times this year.  Everywhere I drive, I want The Sword blasting.  

Greatest Concert Disappointment - All That Remains and Affiance

I have posted on Facebook a few dozen times that I want to see All That Remains tour with Affiance.  Can you believe that ATR and Affiance did play my hometown on the same day?  In different venues?  ARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!  I had seen ATR four times this year so I hit the Affiance shows.  But man was that a drag.

WIERDEST CONCERT EXPERIENCE: Long Beach Zombie Fest

This was so much fun…and so bizarre.  I was entertained by Rhythm Coffin, which Zoe has written about before, not to mention the always incredible Radioactive Chicken Heads, who were again an hour of pure delight.  Zoe got to go up on stage and sing Adam, The Amazing Zombie Killer with the band.  The next band was The Maxies, who claim they are from Greenland, but seem really to be from that oasis of the Southwest, San Bernardino, home of the largest municipal bankruptcy. Their latest album, Let’s Go Clubbin’, is not what you think…..the lead guitarist is using his guitar as a club….on a baby seal.  How awesomely crude and disqusting.  Lastly, we were again thrilled by Rosemary’s Billygoat, which put a totally new spin on Pat Benatar’s “Hell is for Children”, a song that used to have some deep meaning for abused kids and the tragedy they face.  Rosemary’s Billygoat’s lead singer rolled out a baby carriage/coffin and then used a pitchfork to dig out a baby doll, which was then torched.  Yes, RBG, hell is for children.  This event was thoroughly disqusting, which of course was the point.  I had my picture taken with the Bible Thumpers outside carrying Jesus Saves signs.  I guess I am a sinner.

The Best Musical Experience of 2013: Rocklahoma!!!

Going to Rocklahoma with my daughter Zoe was so awesome.  There are not enough pages on the internet to talk about how awesome that experience was.  I hope I have the money to go every year with her, and the health to hit the pits on the side stages.  I want more than anything for this to be an annual event.

WHAT I WANT TO SEE IN 2014:

Affiance open for All That Remains (and ATR gives them a good, long set)

Blackmore's EP and a whole lot of live Blackmore shows

Young Guns new album and tour.

10 Years Acoustic show.  Why are they not coming west?

How about Halestorm, Stars in Stereo and Flyleaf go on tour together.

What is Rise Against going to do after Endgame?