Concert Update - Halloween

Every year it is the same old routine all around the nation. Kids who are already jacked-up on the prospect of getting candy, go out and eat 1 metric ton worth of it and vandalize any house that handed out Christianity literature, warning about the evils of All Hallows' Eve. 

However for some folk who like to break out of that routine do the next best thing: Go see live music. Bands all across the country relish the opportunity to let loose and have fun with their audience on Halloween, and possibly pull out a rarely played song or two from their back catalogue. 

This year is looking to be another fantastic year to go see a show or two. Also this year has a fantastic line-up of festivals right near the state of Georgia. To start off this update, we're going to take a look at three festivals happening in Florida, North Carolina, and Louisiana this upcoming weekend. 

Festivals


The Voodoo Experience

October 29-31, 2010

The Voodoo Experience is held in The Big Easy, New Orleans, every year around Halloween. Luckily for some, last year and this year, it is being held on Halloween Weekend. The Voodoo Experience in the past has showcased world-renowned popular acts such as R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, The Flaming Lips, 50 Cent, 311, Duran Duran, and various jazz and funk greats including The Original Meters, Trombone Shorty, Galactic, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. 

This year, the 11th edition of the festival, has Muse, Ozzy Osbourne, and My Morning Jacket as the headliners. Oddly enough, it is My Morning Jacket, and not Ozzy Osbourne that will be closing out the festival on Halloween. Other performers include, Weezer, MGMT, Paul Van Dyk, Galactic, Jonsi of Sigur Ros, and roughly around 100 other artists from around the world. 

The October 30th headlining show for Ozzy Osbourne will be the start of his North American tour, which will end in late February in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ozzy Osbourne's appearance at the Voodoo Experience will be his first in New Orleans since 2001.  

The Voodoo Experience takes place at City Park behind the New Orleans Museum of Art. 

http://www.thevoodooexperience.com/

The Fest 

October 29-31, 2010

Thats right, just, The Fest. But The Fest, is not some ordinary fest. No, no, sir or madam. The Fest is one of the premier punk festivals in the nation. Held in Gainesville, Florida, The Fest takes place each year on the weekend of 'The Worlds Largest Cocktail Party', or more commonly known as the Georgia-Florida game. 

The Fest is in it's 9th incarnation and has showcased bands like, The Bouncing Souls, The Lawrence Arms, Dillinger Four, and Gainesville natives, Less Than Jake. The Fest has been sponsored by local independent label No Idea Records for the past few years along with the Tampa music magazine REAX. 

This year The Fest, which is being called 'Ye Olde Fest 9' has some of the best bands in metal and punk today including, Me First and The Gimme Gimmes, High On Fire, Suicide Machines, Valient Thorr, Kylesa, and Torche. 

Also on the line-up is the new music project by ex-Bear Vs. Shark members Mark Paffi and Brandon Moss, Bars of Gold. Local Valdosta, Ga band Ninja Gun will also be performing on Saturday. Some of The Fest veterans for this year include, A Wilhelm Scream, Algernon Cadwallader, Local Athens, Ga band American Cheeseburger, and Bomb The Music Industry. 

The Fest takes place at various venues in the city of Gainesville including, The Venue, Common Grounds, The Atlantic, 8 Seconds, and the Holiday Inn. 

http://www.thefestfl.com/

Moogfest

October 29-31, 2010

For years and years the South has been neglected when it comes to a premier electronic festival. (Miami does not constitute as 'The South') Detroit has the legendary Detroit Electronic Music Festival, California has the Nocturnal Music Festival and the Electric Daisy Festival, New York City has the Electric Zoo, and Miami (like I said, not the 'The South' when it comes to a lot of people) has the Winter Music Conference and the Ultra Music Festival. 

With the help of AC Entertainment and the city of Asheville, North Carolina, Moogfest looks to become the festival to go to for electronic music for the South. 

Headlining this year is new wave/post-punk legends DEVO, indie-electronic darlings MGMT, trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack, and Pretty Lights. Also performing at the festival are Jonsi of Sigur Ros, Outkast rapper Big Boi, English electropop band Hot Chip, and D.C. music legends Thievery Corporation. 

Moogfest will take place at various music venues in the city of Asheville. Venues include the Asheville Civic Center, the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, The Orange Peel, and Stella Blue

For those who don't know, AC Entertainment is also responsible for the summer music festival, Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN and the Big Ears Festival, an avant-garde festival held each March in Knoxville, TN. 

http://moogfest.com/

Concerts

For those who cannot dole out the hundreds of dollars to attend these fine festivals, not to worry. There are plenty of shows around Georgia to fill your live music needs. 

For those who like to go see live music know when a big festival comes near a major metropolitan area, will be rest assured that some of the artists will get in the groove with a show right before or after the festival, and Atlanta and Athens benefit from that this year. 

Massive Attack

Massive Attack and Thievery Corporation will perform two full sets at the majestic and legendary Fox Theatre on Friday. Starting at 8pm, where the Fabulous Fox is more known for the home of the Atlanta Ballet and numerous Broadway shows, will host venue to 4-5 hours of non-stop trip-hop. 

Other artists getting their Moogfest and The Fest pre-game and post-game on in Atlanta are Pretty Lights and Mimosa at The Tabernacle on Friday. Jonsi from Sigur Ros and Mountain Man will also be there on Sunday and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes will be playing at the Loft on Friday. 

In Athens, stoner metal trio High On Fire will be performing at the 40 Watt Club on Saturday. 

Weezer

Other shows of interest during the weekend include Weezer at Chastain Park, Band of Horses at The Fox Theatre, and Dawes at Smith's Olde Bar on Saturday. On Sunday, 311 will close out a jam-packed weekend at the Fox Theatre by performing their album, 'Music', in its entirety. Also closing out the weekend will be Bad Relgion with The Aggrolites and Off With Their Heads at the Masquerade.   

UPDATE: 

DEVO has apparently cancelled their U.S. tour due to guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh requiring surgery on his cut right thumb. However the promoters of Moogfest posted this on their Facebook page concerning the matter: 

"We were on the phone yesterday with Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale from Devo. In spite of Bob's horrible accident, both of them are still coming to Moogfest and they are working on a couple of performance ideas, including a possible collaboration with another band/artist. We're all still discussing the possibilities but both Mark and Gerald have promised something immensely entertaining, at the very least."

Thomas Pridgen Interview

The Memorials

Thomas Pridgen is a professional drummer who has played with the likes of Christian Scott and Juliette Lewis. However, he is mostly known for his stint as the drummer for The Mars Volta, which includes winning a Grammy for 'Best Hard Rock Performance' with the song 'Wax Simulacra' from The Mars Volta's 2008 album, 'The Bedlam in Goliath'. I got the chance to speak with Pridgen on his new musical project. 

Q. Word on the street is that you have a new music project called The Memorials. Can you tell us a little about this new musical endeavor of yours?

Yeah we're about a year old now. We're about to put our first record out. The music is like progressive soul rock. Hard to put in words honestly, but I'm making music with a fun bunch of people. 

Q. From playing in The Mars Volta for around three years, what are the most discernible aspects of being musician that you have picked up in working with those guys?

I dunno. I'm glad I played in that band, I'm also glad I'm not playing in that band. I totally did a lot for those [guys], [and] to be under-appreciated and not paid for my services; I treated those guys as family/homies. I brought them to my hood. I totally opened myself to them. Told them things that i didn't tell people, and then in the end it backfired in ways that I wasn't ready for. Parting ways is one thing, but getting screwed over money, that's unforgivable. Getting lied on and snitched on by a band mate to the police and [expletive]. C'mon homie that doesn't play out well where I'm from. 

Q. What is it like now, having a lot more creative control over the band you play in? 

I totally put a lot of my passions in the creative ideas of this band. I've always been someone that [with] people I was working with would listen to. I'm from the Bay Area. Its a lot of creative people here. Before I didn't care if people knew I did it or put the idea in someones ear. So I guess it's not too different, just more a known thing now that I'm somewhat of a leader.

Q. Other than The Memorials, are you in any other projects that you can tell us about?
I got called for some pretty nice gigs, but I'm really determined to kill it with The Memorials. I love these guys on more levels than money and fame. I've been playing on records though. I did a record with Curren$y the spitta, I played on Foxy Shazam's record. I did a record with Jordan Ferriera called 'Elixir on Mute'. I also did a record with a guy by the name of Jon Reshard, and The Memorials album. 

Q. Who are some of your biggest influences on you as a musician? From the numerous projects you have played in, you show a knack to play different styles at such a high level.
I'm influenced by Tony Williams and Vinnie Coluita and Dennis Chambers and all the other greats that every drummer in the world talks about. 

I got my idea to learn every style from my grandmother. She felt like I should learn all aspects of music and I just tried to keep it authentic and keep it me. I'm a total free bird. 

Q. Who are some of the artists/bands that you have been listening to lately that some of us should know?

Fela Kuti, Lamb of God, Venitian Snares, [expletive] people give me. I listen to a [expletive]-load of hip-hop and rap. I love Squarepusher and Portishead and System. And everything good. I'm a music lover.  

Q. When can we expect the debut LP from The Memorials to drop?

January 18th. We pushed it back. I was kinda on the fence about it, but now I'm just embracing it. I know when it comes out everyone's going to flip out. We wrote and recorded the music in a week. I'm really proud of that.  Hopefully people will see me and my band for what we are, real musicians. 

Q. What is the name of this aforementioned album? 

The record is self titled. It's our first one, and we feel like our name speaks for itself. We didn't just name our band The Memorials because we saw the word on a sign or on a monument. 

The Memorials:

Definition:  

Something designed to keep the memory alive.

"Music are memorials. Songs can bring back the feelings of certain memories; such as a first love, a vacation, the music your parents played while you we're growing up, making love and babies, etc. Lot's of things are memorials to mark the time, place, and feelings you've had in life such as your first car, or your first guitar(drums!!). Music definitely implies the same mark! Just like Jacob, who fought the angel in Genesis, named the place where he fought to commemorate the date and place where he wrestled God and God did not prevail. Music can mark not only our feelings at a time, but it can also show us our tenacity, our sense of self-worth, our imagination. The music The Memorials makes is both thought compelling and it will etch out a place for the band to leave it's mark, telling the world we were here!"

I think its important to have some kind of a message. I totally play drums for a reason. I hope my drumming sounds like it all makes sense. I want this band to be about something and I wanted each song to mean something. I want this band to be memorable.  

Q. What label are you signed to for The Memorials? 

We got lucky and it took a while, but we have our own label with major distribution. 

Q. Do you guys have any upcoming shows?

Yeah. We're planning a tour for late January and all of February. I'm trying to go conquer the world.

Q. What are your aspirations for your new band The Memorials?

Just to keep having fun, making music and touring the world. I'm happy doing what I've always been happy doing.  That all the other BS is just extra.

Along with Thomas Pridgen, The Memorials consist of: 

Lead singer - Viveca Hawkins

Lead guitarist - Nick Brewer

Bass guitar - Uriah Duffy (formerly of Whitesnake) 

Organ/mellotron - Nehemiah Johnson 

Keys - Michael Aaburg 

Percussion - Marquinho 

Percussion - Valentino Peeps 

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First Post

Thomas Pridgen, professional drummer

So I decided to finally make the dive and join the musical 'blogosphere'. I think ever since I graduated from college and I don't have my radio show any more, I needed a viable medium to talk about music. And like I always said on my show, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have doing it. Here's a little insight on what is to come.

As you know, the year is almost coming to an end, and music blogs all across the globe are prepping for their 'Top Ten Albums of the Year' lists, and I will be no different in that aspect. So expect that, and hopefully some of your favorites from this year are the same and also different than mine. 

The real big thing is this: an interview with former drummer of the The Mars Volta, Thomas Pridgen. No joke. Got to talk to him at a drum clinic this past week in Marietta, Ga and was more than glad to do one. So I'm real excited about and hopefully it comes through. 

Shows coming up in Atlanta, Athens, Savannah, etc. and festivals abroad will also be showcased on here. As those who know me know I love live shows. Just absolutely love them. 

To the right is my blog roll of all the blogs I read regularly, so definitely check them out as some of them are fantastic music and art blogs. Also to the right is a list of independent and semi-independent record labels around the globe that I really love and respect and they deserve all the support they can get. So check the links out and discover some new music. 

Well I guess that's it for an introductory blog post. Also don't hesitate to leave your own blogs on here, because the more blogs to check out, the better.