Category: Music
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Third Eye Blind celebrates 20th year anniversary with ‘Fall of the Summer Gods’ tour at Fillmore Silver Spring (review, photos, video)
On tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Third Eye Blind made their way to the Fillmore Silver Spring for “Fall of the Summer Gods” tour.
By OBK
SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND —
When you are 20 years into the game you can do what you want!
“We were only supposed to tour Europe. We should be in the studio right now,” Stephan Jenkins said during Third Eye Blind’s sold out “Fall of the Summer Gods” tour stop at The Fillmore Silver Spring Tuesday night.
On tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Third Eye Blind performed newer material as well as their beloved past tracks which helped make the 90’s awesome.
Lead by 52-year-old lead signer Mr. Jenkins, the five-piece band, which homes two original members, got the night going with the first track of Third Eye Blind: Losing a Whole Year, with the band lit in minimum light, allowing fans to focus on lyrics, vocal and instrumental ability.
Third Eye Blind at Filmore Silver Spring Hiding within the stage set; the group followed up with “Red Star,” “Narcolepsy,” and “Faster” before beaming the stage and audience with blue smoke lights and performing “Wounded” and “1000 Julys.”
A testament to how the group has managed to create timeless music and stay relevant with newer music showed with the diverse age range of ticket holders, expanding more than three generations of listeners.
While the first side of the debut project was the clear highlights of the night, Mr. Jenkins thanked the audience for enjoying the band as a whole and not just their big hits, pulling songs from their 2016 project “We Are Drugs” and their 2015 album “Dopamine.
“If you’re here now, that means you are here because you love us. Thank you for loving us,” said Mr. Jenkins during the extended instrumental interlude of “Semi-Charmed Life,” which transitioned the audience from head nodding into a rhythmic sing-along. ” I mean what I’m saying right now. This is the fall tour. We are not even supposed to be on tour this fall. We are not even supposed to be here right now. This is all just a gift, for us.”
A nostalgic gift that Third Eye Blind has earned for providing the soundtrack to the party.
The Setlist
“Losing A Whole Year”
“Red Star”
“Narcolepsy”
“Faster”
“Wounded”
“1000 Julys”
“Semi-Charmed Life”
“Company of Strangers”
“Dopamine”
“Graduate”
“Back to Zero”
“London”
“Blinded”
“Motorcycle” (Acoustic)
“Crystal Baller” (Acoustic)
“Jumper” (Acoustic)
“Never Let You Go”
“God of Wine
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Concert review: Chris Brown brings ‘One Hell of a Night’ tour to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Watching clips of Chris Brown dance on Instagram is one thing but seeing it live up close and personal is another. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter made his way to Tampa Friday night, when he brought his star studded “One Hell of a Tour” to a rainy MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre where he hosted an ultra lit party featuring a vast amount of special guest.
Brown’s vocals are highly underrated and after a highly uptempo start to his set list 14,000 screaming Team Breezy fans got to experience the Virginia native’s diversity.
While at times it seemed as if Brown was holding back on stage and not giving it his all during the dancing choreography (based on performances I have watched of his at music awards) it still amazes me how he can out perform more than 90 percent of artist out touring.
Do to bad timing and failure to check my email in time, I missed the opening act sets from rappers Kid Ink, Fetty Wap and Omarion. Luckily, Brown invited Fetty Wap and Kid Ink back on stage to join him on stage during his set to perform alongside him and his “special guest” French Montana.
By the end of the night, Brown seemed to get lost in the mix just enjoying the vibe, as he and all the supporting acts shared the stage creating an ultra lit environment.
On top of improving his dancing and singing skills over the years, Brown had drastically enhanced ability to rhyme over beats, whether or not he is writing the verses himself. Closing the night out with French Montana’s new single “Moses,” alongside Atlanta rap group The Migos, you could sense the feeling that Brown was more excited to give his friends a large platform to showcase their skills rather than be greedy, hog the spotlight himself and use the tour as a way to prepare for an upcoming release of his own.
With all the things that he has been through in the past, and his current custody battle situation, it’s good to see that he has an outlet to help him take his mind off things. Even if it is only for One Hell of a Night.
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Interview: Pete Bernhard of The Devil Makes Three
Whether their defying the traditional formation of a rock ensemble, or crossing over multiple genres to create their own unique sound; indie-band The Devil Makes Three is any thing from your normal group.
The Devil Makes Three (TDM3) ーguitarist and vocalist Pete Bernhard, bassist Lucia Turino, and guitarist and tenor banjo player Cooper McBean ー is a fully string band that blends multiple genres: blues, ragtime, rockabilly, country, punk. Yes, you did read that right; a punk influenced band with no percussionist. And according to Bernhard they do not plan on changing that anytime soon.
“We actually started with a drummer who sang and was a contributing songwriter and singer,” said Bernhard in an email with the Voice. “When he started a family early on in the bands career, I think 2004, he left and we just could replace him. We found we could get by without him and have been doing so ever since.
“That said, we often add fiddle, lap steel, harmonica and other players to our albums and live shows as well. We’re not worried about it only being the three of us on stage or on the records; but we don’t think that drums are always necessary to get people up on their feet.”
All members of The Devil Makes Three are originally from Vermont, however the group was formed and is based out of Santa Cruz, California ー when all members wound up moving there for different reasons.
Despite TDM3 latest project “I’m A Stranger Here,” released October 2013, which they worked with Buddy Miller, the group had never worked with a producer. Prior to that project The Devil Makes Three approached every project with the DIY attitude and self-produced everything solely by themselves.
The Devil Makes Three is currently on a fall headlining tour with support from The Cave Singers. The tour stops in Orlando on Oct. 23, with a show at The Social.
In the interview, excerpts from which are below, Pete Bernhard discusses working with Buddy Miller ー the band’s progress and fame since debuting in 2002 ー their latest album “I’m a Stranger Here,” and how he thinks this is the The Devil Makes Three’ best project to-date.
Q: What were some inspirations for writing songs for the latest album “I’m Stranger Here”?
A: Being a stranger almost everywhere I go was the initial inspiration for the song. After that the song is about how music can last long after the death of the writer and that in a way art can make a person immortal. Some of my favorite songs were written by songwriters we are long long dead and yet people still cover them. In a sense I think this might be what we’re all after. Thus the line “I’m cheating death, i jump the grave”.
Q: Was it intimidating working with Buddy Miller on the latest album?
A: Not at all Buddy is a very cool and approachable person. It was just as though he joined the band as a forth member for an album. We were nervous at first as we are all used to self producing but there was no reason for it. We had a great time working with Buddy.
Q: Do you feel this is your best work?
A: I do feel that way. It was the most fun we have had in the studio and I hope that comes out in the listening.
Q: How do you feel about the band’s progress with fame and touring?
A: We have always had a slow rise in our group and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have fans who have been with us for 10 years and I am so proud of that. We started as a 100% DIY operation and have grown into what we are today. We have no one to thank but our fans for our success.
Q: What’s your thoughts on when someone tries to categorize your music?
A: We try to avoid categorization when ever possible. As Captain Beefheart once said: “The bottle I come in doesn’t have a label.” I think music is categorized in order to be sold, sorted and understood. But you don’t have to understand music to enjoy it.
We like music from so many different styles, we combine them at will and what you hear is the result of that unholy union.
The Devil Makes Three with The Cave Singers. Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m., The Social, 54 N Orange Ave, Orlando, 407-246-1419, thesocial.org $20.
By OBK
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Soko talks new music, thrifting, acting career, more (interview)
Soko will be performing as an opening act for Foster the People’s concert at the Hard Rock Live, Saturday, Oct. 18.
From teeny-boppers to Oscar winners, nothing is ever enough for celebrities these days.
Over the years we have witnessed many actors attempt to add the title rock star to their entertainment resume; some in hope to gain a new fan base, and others to show their already loyal following another side of their personality. For French singer-actress Soko, it was more so she could have a better creative outlet that would make her feel self content, as well as one where she could work on her own schedule.
“I thought that acting and waiting for people to value you enough to give you a chance to prove that you’re OK at it was the most boring thing ever,” she said in a recent interview when discussing her reasons to venture into music at this part of her career.
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I thought that acting and waiting for people to value you enough to give you a chance to prove that you’re OK at it was the most boring thing ever.
— Soko
It’s no secret that the Bordeaux, France born star is a very busy individual. In addition to acting and singing, she also directs her own music videos and is constantly on the look out to find new clothing items.
To date, Soko has appeared in more than 10 films, including a performance in Spike Jonze’s Oscar winning film “Her,” as the voice of Isabella. She released her debut studio album, “I Thought I Was an Alien,” in 2012. Throughout the catchy 15-track project, we experience Soko’s dark, vulnerable, seductive and honest persona, over crisp vocals, laced with delicate guitar picking; someone you would enjoy hanging out with but would be on the edge of getting into a relationship with because you’d never would know if she wanted to kiss you or stab you at any given time. The album contained the single “We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow,” which appears in the “First Kiss” viral video. (If you watch closely you will notice that she is also one of 20 strangers kissing for the first time in the experiment.)
By OBK
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Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn talks group’s musical range, coming out to his mother, self-centered exes, more (interview)
After decades of hiding his true sexuality, Tyler Glenn ー lead singer of pop-rock band Neon Trees ー decided to come out as gay in March. A month later, the group would release their third album, “Pop Psychology,” and earn their highest-charting debut at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
Glenn, 30, announcement to come out shocked many since it went against his church’s traditional religion beliefs. Like Glenn, the other three members of Provo, Utah-based band Neon Trees were raised Mormon.
Only Black Kid Channel editor got in contact with Glenn to talk about his mother’s reaction to him coming out as gay, sharing singing duties with Elaine Bradley, the guy who thinks all of Tyler’s lyrics on “Pop Psychology” are about him, and more.
OBK: Talk about a big year. On top of releasing an album, you make a big announcement. How has everything been since coming out?
Tyler Glenn: Quite seamless actually. I didn’t miss a beat, and was very appreciative of how many people cared. But the music is the center of everything for me, and It’s remained so.
OBK: You stated in previous interviews that you are a big momma’s boy (me too, I understand). She was really excited for you just to hear your song on the radio, what was her reaction when you decided to share the news with her about coming out, and how supportive has she been?
Glenn: She didn’t really know if I was joking or not, which I actually found endearing because she never gave my sex life too much thought. I respect that. She’s been very very supportive. No difference, if anything a wall has been taken down that perhaps she didn’t even know existed.
OBK: Almost all of America’s bans on same-sex marriage are being contested in court. Coming from a Mormon background, what has been the reaction from the community?
Glenn: It’s quite a dynamic. But I think something that gets confused is that all Mormons feel hate or contempt towards homesexuals, and that just simply isn’t the case and something I have experienced first hand now as I’ve come out. I feel it’s definitely unfortunate the way a lot of faith based organizations have made it so homosexuals have to choose between faith and sexuality. I am here to say both are doable. Sadly though we have a long way to go with equality. I don’t have those answers.
OBK: I hear you are big fan of the Michael Sam story; did you happen to catch his NFL Draft selection?
Glenn: Yes, very cool. I just like that he’s breaking another stereotype. Besides the fact that he’s a happy person doing what he feels is right, I like that he’s doing it in a very graceful way and I look up to that.
OBK: Let’s talk new album: Is their a specific friend that you were sleeping with? And if so, why do you love them, but hate their friends?
Glenn: Yes there is a guy, and yes I sing about him on a couple of the songs. I thought they were fascinating topics and applicable because I’d experienced them. He’s not in my life really anymore, but I did hear back through the grapevine that he thinks all of the songs are about him. Which is just self centered if you ask me.
OBK: “Unavoidable,” is that the next single? Please say yes.
Glenn: Thank you. I don’t think it’s planned to be the next, but we love the flavor of it. It’s also a cool moment in the show.
OBK: Could you possibly see the group focusing on more tracks with you and Elaine Bradley sharing the spotlight?
Glenn: I like that this band has range, and her and I also had a song called “Mad Love,” that we dueted on on our second record “Picture Show.” She sings backups on the the songs too.
OBK: Celebrities like Katy Perry have already admitted to using dating apps like Tinder, can someone expect to possibly get you to swipe right on their photo in the 21st century?
Glenn: I don’t use Tinder, but there’s gay app for “bearish guys and the guys that love them” called Growlr that I occasionally go on.
OBK: With all the recent changes to your personal life, how do you make it so that news doesn’t overpower the bands success and album spotlight?
Glenn: Like I said, the music is at the center of all I do.
Neon Trees play the Hard Rock Live on Tuesday, May 27. Tickets range from $20 to $38. (Prices may not reflect ticketing service charges.) They will be joined by indie pop rock band Smallpools, and five-piece Los Angeles rock band Nightmare and the Cat.
By OBK STAFF
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Tamar Braxton brings TV to reality with ‘Love and War Tour’ (review)
LAKE BUENA VISTA ー What better way to end the week then with a packed grown and sexy party.
“We are at the BBQ right?” asked DJ Slym, host of the event, as he warmed up the House of Blues crowd Sunday night for the “Love and War Tour.”
DJ Slym, the official Dj for Orlando rapper Caskey, entertained the crowd for nearly 45-minutes before Tamar Braxton hit the stage. With an extensive Dj mix, that blended an array of old school jams with new class ratchet club bangers, he kept the mainly “25 and older” crowd dancing ー whether it be shuffling, the electric slide and of course twerking.
Mrs. Braxton would carry that energy right over into the first song of her performance. Following the curtain opening, the audience was welcomed by a choreographed dance session by the singers animated backing staff, to go along with a rotating video reel displaying highlights from the singer’s reality TV shows. The woman of the hour would be revealed as uptempo track “She Did That” would come to an end, and the screen would reach its back with her waiting patiently on it.
“What’s up Tamartian fans?” Braxton shouted during uptempo banger “The One,” of her Grammy Nominated album “Love and War,” before breaking into a “Single Ladies” like dance with female dancers to “Tip Toe.”
The youngest of the Braxton sisters told us earlier in the week that she only has one project in which she would perform songs off, so how would the flamboyant artist keep the crowd engaged and remain original was a big question for me going into the night.
Not three-songs into the set, Mrs. Braxton would answer that question. Her being herself was the best source of entertainment you could from the artist.
“You’re not going to like me for me, so I’m just going to be fabulous and you are just going to have to eat it,” stated the artist in one of her neck-rolling, wig-flinging, lip-smacking, in your face, over-the-top, keeping it “100” commentary sessions. Everything one would expect from a diva.
While the 37-year-old artist did not disappoint on the vocal side of the performance — and songs like “White Candle,” “Pieces” and “Stay and Fight” helped showed her range and draw great amount of applause from the audience — it was her presentation leading up to each song which really seem to connect with her Tamartian fans.
For a good session of the show, Mrs. Braxton sat on a bar stool and walked everyone through the story of how her and her husband,”Teddy Ruxpin,” got to where they are now, bringing WE tv’s “Tamar and Vince” to front stage. From teaching women how to get, keep and please a man; to encouraging everyone to follow their dreams; as well as a quick twerk lesson during “Hot Sugar,” Mrs. Braxton provided not only an entertaining musical experience but also life-changing advice.
Prior to getting into the Tamartian national anthem “Love and War,” Mrs Braxton would channel her inner “Yeezus,” in a long-winded speech where she would go on to thank thank acts John Legend and R. Kelly (who she has toured with in the past) for giving her the opportunity to shine. “They helped make my dreams come true! So tonight, on this stage, I’m going to make your dreams come true,” said the singer before she hand picked four Tamartians to help her close out the night.
From multiple outfit changes, “Chippendales”-esque strip tease during intermission, and outrageously witty commentary, Tamar Braxton’s first national headlining tour solidifies that the she is truly entertaining and what we see from her on TV is truly who she is. However, it does leave speculation on whether this tour is to promote Tamar’s other business endeavors or give “Love and War,” the album, one last push. Incorporating no live band, DJ, or backing singers to give the songs a new feel, the diva is relying solely on the things that got her to this point to succeed. And that’s her sass, amazing voice and willingness to say say what ever comes to her mind without holding back.
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Big Guava Day 2 Review: Haim, Vampire Weekend, Kitten, more
Alana Haim, of Haim, performs on the second night of the Big Guava Festival at the MidFlorida Amphitheater at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, May 3, 2014. (OBK STAFF)
By OBK
It felt as if no song Vampire Weekend played to close out Day 2 of the Big Guava Festival could do any harm.
The four-piece band, out of New York City, was playing the MidFlorida Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds for the first time in their career, on Saturday. They did admit to playing in St. Petersburg years back, however noted it did not compare to actually getting the chance to play in Tampa.
Vampire Weekend hit the stage full of preppy boy swag, with rapper’s Drake “Trophies” playing in the background. The group performed for 80 minutes, to what appeared to be a slightly larger crowd than what Outkast pulled in on Friday. Their set managed to combine what was almost a perfect balance of all their material. Ezra Koenig and his former Columbia University classmates started the show with “Diana Young,” an upbeat dance track of their latest album, which got the crowd going right away and set the tone for the night. They would even go on to play material off their first two projects: “Oxford Comma,” “Cousins,” and “Giving up the Gun.”
Koenig was in static by the reception that the group was receiving from the crowd, and had to make a statement to let the festival know how great they were.
“People crowd surfing during ‘Horchata?’ We don’t always get that. Only in Tampa,” he said.
Day 2 of the festival, which saw rain early on during the day but let up as the night went on, welcomed 16 performing acts in total. There were multiple sightings of bands not scheduled to perform until Day 3 at the festival, checking out other acts, riding the free rides and enjoying the food trucks.
Sister trio Haim was the first must-see group to take the mainstage. Whoever said music is all about an image and not about talent must have never heard the Haim sisters, because these girls can rock.
No, I am not saying these girls are unattractive, I’m just saying these girls can really rock. The group’s performance is full of charisma and spunk. The sisters have much more of a grunge persona than their album recordings would lead people to believe — loose-fitting tie-dyed band shirts, wild hair, ripped shorts — it was evident that the preternaturally talented group is looking to make their own lane in the rock world and not be the next big pop group.
Their set ended at 4:30 with a profound drum collaboration, just in time for viewers to head over to the Orchard stage and catch always entertaining band Kitten.
While the group has gone through a member facelift since the last time I seen them, in Orlando with Charli XCX, they still rock just as hard. Not much has changed with their lead singer Chloe Chaidez: she is still whipping his hair extremly hard, performing and walking around with no shoes, and climbing atop of speakers to rock out every chance she get. (With the wind blowing strong, many of the security guards were nervous for the singer because the speakers were not bolted down, however everything turned out okay.)
Ms. Chaidez and Kitten performed revamped songs of their last EP, as well as songs scheduled to appear on their self-titled debut album. The group even included a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain” into their set, a perfect song to describe the climate.
Rapper Hoodie Allen’s set started midway in between the groups performance over at the Nectar stage — the one inside stage of the entire festival, located inside the Expo Hall. Despite battling a terrible chest infection, Hoodie Allen did not let up on the energy. The artist even channeled his inner Taylor Swift, and covering her “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Sounds strange, but I guess you just had to be there to enjoy it.
Terraplane Sun, five-piece band out of Venice, California was the final performance before the headlining act Vampire Weekend, on a smaller stage. The group host possibly one of the coolest people ever, in their keyboardist Gabe Feenberg. In addition to switching between instruments during the set — from keys to trombone to steel guitar — he also managed to smoke and keep a cigarette lit. The neo-Southern-rock group is something to look out for. On top of an awesome live set, the guys are very cool and interacting. Instead of sitting in their trailers before and after their set, the group was amongst the crowd enjoying different sets. With their new LP “Generation Blues” scheduled to be released anytime, the Central Florida area would be in for a treat if the group was to make their way back to the area for a full-set.
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Outkast headlines Day 1 of Big Guava, for their only Florida show (review)
By OBK
It’s nothing to forget an artist horrendous performance that you witnessed from a live stream of another show three-weeks ago, when that artist comes to your backyard and kicks off the inaugural night of a new music festival the way they did.
Outkast took the main stage of the Big Guava Festival on Friday at the MidFlorida Amphitheater at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa and wasted no time getting into popular jams, helping lighten up the soaked crowd who had been out in the rain all day.
The Atlanta duo’s 90 minute set list has been tweaked since it’s Coachella performance. On top of playing their mainstream pop-oriented dance tracks like “Roses” and “So Fresh, So Clean,” Outkast took the time to reward their hip-hop heads fan base.
“Y’all probably didn’t even know we rapped,” said quirky Andre 3000, before the group got into older material and gave the audience a brief Outkast history level. Mr. 3000 was dressed in a white wig and all black body suit, which read “F#CK 3000,” and had an oversized price tag dangling from the side of it that read “for sale” on one side, and “sold out” on the other.
Many people have been stating that the “Hey Ya!” singer does not have his heart in the right place for this tour and have been lacking effort, however by the way he attacked the stage during the groups opening songs ー “BOB,” “Gasoline Dreams,” “ATLiens” and “Skew it on the Bar-B,” which immediately got the crowd into a frenzy ー it was hard to even fathom that thought.
Following their performance of “Ms. Jackson,” each member got a brief time to display their solo career and stronger side: Big Boi, an in your face southern rapper who is not afraid to represent where he is from, and Mr. 3000, an unforgotten lyricist who loves to make the ladies happy.
Outkast would then dig into their crates following their solo sets, performing a good run of songs from their 1994 debut album “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.”
They would go on to end their first Florida show in over a decade with “The Whole World,” a good description of the wide cultural, ethnic and age variety of fans the group appeals to.
Highlight of the night came when Outkast paid homage to the hip-hop artist of the 90’s including the late Pimp C, of collective UGK who the group states were one of the first people to give them a chance and take them under their wing; before their performance of “International Players Anthem (I Choose You).”
Chicago rapper Vic Mensa had the lucky task of opening for Outkast ー sorta. While he was on a totally different stage, he was the only other true hip-hop act of the night; plus he was the last artist to perform before they went on.
The audience, composed of hip-hop heads and ravers, immediately vibed along with the Savemoney artist’s incredible energy. Mensa began to gain national attention following his appearance on Chance the Rapper’s (who will be performing on Sunday) “Cooca Butter Kisses.”
Mr. Mensa has an array of styles, however he is at his peak during songs like “Hollywood Los Angeles,” where he mixes soul and dares to be different.
One of Mensa finish songs was his new single “Down On My Luck.” While the song is a little different from what Mr. Mensa excels at, it is not a bad track for music. For an artist who has served time in a rock band and as a solo rap artist, it’s uncertain what route the artist will trying to lay a foundation with in the future.
OBK CHANNEL 