Steve Aoki @ Verizon Wireless Theater

Feb 10, 2012 by Cheese Grits

With the release of his debut studio album, Wonderland, Dim Mak Records founder Steve Aoki has embarked on his 2012 North American “Deadmeat” tour. Aoki kept the energy alive and kicking throughout his late night set in Houston last week.

Check out the rest of the review and more photos after the jump.

read more

My Morning Jacket & Delta Spirit @ Verizon Wireless Theater

Dec 12, 2011 by Eggs

This past Thursday, two of BOT’s favorite bands made their way to Houston’s Verizon Wireless Theater for a three and a half hour performance. We made it there just in time for the beginning of Delta Spirit, and had no problem rocking out all the way through My Morning Jacket‘s final notes of the evening.

Read all about the show and check out a whole bunch of photos after the jump!

read more

Primus @ Verizon Wireless Theater

Jun 2, 2011 by Eggs

Way back at Bonnaroo in 2004, 7 years ago (ya, I know that was a while ago), I waited in the mud for a late night set from Primus that seemed like it would never happen. Because of a huge rain delay, their midnight set didn’t get started until about 2:30, and I ended up missing all of it. After waiting about an hour, I headed back towards my camp just in time to hear the opening notes of their set. I was pissed, and in need of some Les Claypool, but didn’t get my fill that night. Move forward four years and I finally caught Primus live, at Rothbury when my mind was well beyond coherent and I didn’t register their set like I usually do with most bands. Finally three years after that, and I had Primus in front of me in all of their glory in Houston – Les Claypool slapping the bass like he should with Larry LaLonde nailing the simple guitar parts and Jay Lane effortlessly working through the drums. Their music is not the easiest to digest, but being a fan it was nice to hear their versions of early 90′s Primus songs in the live format. Claypool has moved on from the goofy background he’s familiar with and enhanced the act of instrumentation in every group he’s been apart of, specifically Primus. While it has always been a treat to hear Claypool push the boundaries of the bass guitar, I’ve never seen him nearly as comfortable as I did that night at Verizon Wireless Theater – ripping through the songs he grew up playing. Even though I didn’t stay for the whole performance, I still came to realize that I’ll never see a better bass player than Claypool, let alone a better band instrumentally from the 90′s. An hour of music proved to me that the music of the 90′s was more than relevant. That’s a huge statement.

Check out a bunch of pictures from the show and the full setlist after the jump.

read more

The Avett Brothers @ Verizon Wireless Theater

May 26, 2011 by Eggs

This past Friday, The Avett Brothers, one of BOT’s favorites, made their way to Houston for a make-up show from last months cancellation due to a birth in the family. Well, they more than made up for it with a setlist that featured a wide array of their material from their entire catalog. While we didn’t get a chance to hear some staple songs like “Shame,” “The Perfect Space,” “Die Die Die” and “Weight Of Lies,” the show focused more on material that they rarely play along with some of their bigger songs from both Emotionalism and I and Love and You including “Laundry Room,” “Paranoia in B-Flat Major,” “Kick Drum Heart” and “Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise.” While these songs were all highlights, it was their older and rarer songs and covers like “Colorshow,” “Blue Ridge Mountain Blues” and show-closing “Down In The Valley To Pray” that were the true set standouts. The most memorable moment of the show was a cover of David Childress’ “Prettiest Thing” that was placed in between a sandwich of “When I Drink” and my favorite Avett song “Murder In The City.” Three acoustics in a row… not bad! I’ve now had the pleasure of seeing the Avett Brothers on numerous occasions, but this show was unlike any other. They’re not touring in support of any album, which gives them the opportunity to push the boundaries of song selection and placement, so this is a great time to catch them as you don’t know what you’ll get from the boys. I’m sure they’re working on a new album, which was proven by a few choice new tunes played that evening, so as soon as that drops expect shows to get a bit more standard. Until then, though, I’d highly recommend catching them live if you have the chance.

Check out my photographs of the show and the full setlist after the jump

read more