toast's blog

In my younger years, my aunt Jolene was always talking about this band that she was infatuated with that went by the name of Phish. I had given them a few listens, but never enjoyed it because, in my shortsightedness, I couldn't see their sound for the genius that it was. But while I and the rest of mainstream America wrote Phish off as circus music, the truth was that they were making history. Finally, when I was about 18, another good friend of mine came along and was successful in converting me to the Phish fan base. By 2003, I was finally able to catch them live in Kansas City, which solidified Phish, in my eyes, as the greatest act I had ever personally witnessed. If only this had happened a few years earlier.

Read more on the evening after the jump!

State Radio frontman Chad Urmston made his way to Denver during the week of the Democratic National Convention, but did so in an unique way. State Radio played along side another politically driven musical act, Rage Against The Machine, at a protest against the war in Iraq. But Urmston didn't make the trip through conventional means. Instead, he opted to hop freight train to freight train from the Boston area to make it in time for the event. In a recent interview, Urmston explained:

“You sleep when you can and hide from floodlights and switch trains at dawn. It’s wild. I’m with my brother and two friends who are going to California, but we’re all going to stop off for the show at the DNC.”

Chad Urmston of State Radio
Read more after the jump!

A few weeks ago, my roommate introduced me to one of the funniest YouTube videos I have ever seen. If you've ever been to Showbiz Pizza, this video should really take you back. Hopefully the memories aren't so vivid that they send you screaming to your mother again, but let's face it: a singing bear is pretty fucking scary for a child. This must be what it's like afterhours for the Rock-afire Explosion. I just figured that after a long day of singing the same songs over and over, they'd be pretty tired. They would save their best for last! But apparently, it really gets wild up in there after the crowds leave. So here you go!

Honestly, my distance from current pop music made it so I had yet to hear this song before this video, which I think was a good thing. Not my favorite tune, but it is perfect for the Rock-afire Explosion, and makes Usher so much more interesting. And by the way, I've got dibs on the wolf with the puppet!

Out,
The Toastman

The Stage Awaits Chris Cornell and Co.

Everyone experiences a handful of pivotal moments in life that they'll always recall in startling detail. There are two incidents that I vividly remember occurring while I was riding the bus home during my rebellious middle school career. The first (not chronologically) involved learning that the legendary Tom Osbourne, coach of the national champion Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, was to retire following the 1997 season. Understandably, many of you don’t have the same respect for the original TO as I do, but let me tell you: it was as if my dog had been run over in front of my very eyes. The second on-the-bus incident that I'll never forget occurred while I was drowning out my frustrations by listening to my outdated Walkman. On this particular day, the announcement that Soundgarden were disbanding had just been announced, and I first heard the news on Lincoln's local rock station, The Blaze. Soundgarden is, and always has been, my true love from the grunge era. In my selfishness, I felt that it was incredibly unfair that they would do such a thing to me, especially since I'd never had a chance to see them live.

Read more after the jump

Minnesota hip-hop group Atmosphere will embark on a U.S. tour this fall to plug their new album When Life Gives You Lemons, Paint That Shit Gold. The duo, made up of lyricist Sean “Slug” Daley and beat master Anthony “Ant” Davis, has continued to impress crowds throughout the nation. Joining them on their tour are Abstract Rude, Blueprint and DJ Rare Groove. The first leg of the tour, appropriately named the “Paint The Nation Tour,” has been announced, and so far features quite a sporadic array of cities in its path.

Check out the dates after the jump

Slug

Ant

New England singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne will be hitting the road this fall with a US tour in support of his third album, Gossip in the Grain (due out Oct. 14th). The 28 show tour is set to take off on Sept. 30th in Indianapolis, IN and will end on Nov. 9 in Seattle, WA. LaMontagne's unique sound in combination with his intimate stage show should make for an blissfully calm night of music. Fellow songwriter Leona Naess will be on the tour in support of LaMontagne and is also featured in the songs "I Still Care For You" and "A Falling Through" off of his new album. This will personally be my first time to see Ray - I will be making the trip to Kansas City, MO, so look for upcoming coverage of the night.

Tour dates after the jump

Dave Dreiwitz, Gene Ween and Dean Ween of who else but Ween
Several years ago, a friend of mine turned me onto Ween with their album White Pepper. Their catchy guitar riffs mixed with psychedelic, humor-filled lyrics captivated me and my musical taste at the time. Being the music freak that I am, I decided to purchase more of their catalog. What I found was a wide array of music that metamorphosed from album to album more than my little heart could ever have expected. The capability to switch it up like that on each of their 11 releases (and counting) is enough to make any music lover shed tears of joy. Which begs the question: Why did I take so long to see them live? To be brutally honest, I don't hold a valid excuse for you, but as soon as I found out they would be at Harrah's Stir Cove on July 20, 2008, I had a ticket in hand and was ready for a booze filled night of partying while checking out a band I have been craving for years.

Click here to read more after the jump!

Johnny James Qualley and A.P. Hill of Oakhurst

It is now officially summer! That is great news to most, but in particular, for music lovers. With one 2008 festival already under the BOT crew's belts, I have found it quite hard to motivate myself to get out to our local venues and hot spots to catch some of the excellent acts that are coming through the area. With Rothbury merely days away, it seems meek to spend my time on anything else knowing that I will soon see some of the most amazing acts to grace the stage all in one location. Then I realized how uncouth it would be of me to neglect my roots. Once I heard that Oakhurst was coming to Lincoln, my Friday evening plans were set in stone. They were at Wakarusa, but unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, were enjoyed mainly through the eyes of other festivalgoers.

Read more after the jump!

Oakhurst
What’s up my Lincoln folks? This Friday, Oakhurst out of Denver, CO will be taking the stage at Knickerbockers thanks to Rad Kadillac Productions. For those of you who have yet to hear of these guys, they have been pickin’ up much steam as they tour extensively throughout the U.S. as well as Europe, hitting up several bars and theaters as well as the festival scene. Their fusion of bluegrass and folk tunes with classic rock n’ roll numbers has earned them respect wherever they go. In support of Oakhurst is a local bluegrass group out of Lincoln by the name of Triggertown, who are also quite a delight. If you are a regular to Knickerbockers, you know what to expect, but to those of you who are not, particularly for bluegrass shows, plan on a sweaty, jam-packed night full of excitement. Tickets are only $8 at the door for this act that is sure to please a variety of music fans. Show's at 9:30pm. See you there!

To get your summer started off right, here are a few suggestions for you folks in the heartland.

Tues June 3rd
Buckethead with That 1 Guy @ The Waiting Room in Omaha. Rad Kadillac went and did it again. Unfortunately for you procrastinators, this show is sold out, but does start at 9pm. I suggest getting there plenty early to offer strangers random “favors” for a ticket.

Wed June 4th
Modest Mouse with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Westfair Amphitheater in Council Bluffs, IA a.k.a. Omaha. This 7:30pm show will set you back $35.

Thurs June 5th thru Sunday June 8th
Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival in Lawrence, KS. Already in its 5th year on the scene, this year's edition promises to be a blast. Pack up the crew and bring ‘em down to Clinton State Park for the weekend. Tickets are $169 for all 4 days or $60 for each day at the gate. See you there!!!

Click here for more happenings!