Author Archives: Jeff Kunze

THE WINERY DOGS Run Wild At First Avenue In Minneapolis [Review & Photo Gallery]

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The Winery Dogs

The Winery Dogs have embarked on the “Who Let The Dogs Out” Tour and they made the Minneapolis Night Club, First Avenue, their own personal dog pound. The band has two records thus far, 2013’s self-titled record and its follow up in 2015 called ‘Hot Streak.’ I know the rabid fan base is drooling for more material but getting a headline set from this super-trio was extremely exciting.  Opening the show was Damon Johnson who provided a fantastic set of music and was a real pleasure to see. Continue reading →

METAL CHURCH Starts A Fire in Fridley, Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

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Thrash metal is alive and well. It was a genre born in the underground that spread like a wildfire across the globe and today is forefathers continue to unleash pulverizing records that inspire a new legion of fans. Put the recharged Metal Church into that category. After nearly a two-decade absence, vocalist Mike Howe rejoined the band and founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and Metal Church has been off and running ever since. The band dropped ‘XI’ in 2016 and followed that up with their 12thfull-length studio album ‘Damn If You Do’ in 2018. Metal Church has been on the road promoting the new record and played their last show before taking a break at Route 47 Pub & Grub in Fridley, Minnesota to celebrate the past, the present, and future of one of thrashes favorite sons. Continue reading →

ROCKUSA Festival Spotlight: THE BLACK MOODS [Official Video]

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            *This is part of the Rock USA Spotlight segment where we help you get to know some of the non-headlining bands performing at the festival. Let us introduce you to The Black Moods.

The Black Moods are a three-piece rock-n-roll machine out of Tempe, Arizona. The name comes from a description in Jim Morrison’s biography where his melancholy moods were described as “black moods.” The unit is comprised of lead guitarist and vocalist Josh Kennedy, bassist Jordan Hoffman, and drummer Danny “Chico” Diaz. They have been able to bottle up the heat from the Sonoran desert and unleash it on stages across North America. They embrace the timeless sound of guitar-driven rock while not putting boundaries on the direction they may take it. The band is inspired from local heroes like Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers and the Gin Blossoms, who often have the band open for them. Continue reading →

Overkill, Death Angel & Mothership Spread Their Wings Of War Over Minneapolis [Review & Photo Gallery]

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Thrash legends Overkill are trekking across the United States in support of their 19thstudio album ‘Wings Of War.’ They are the hardest hitting wrecking crew out of New Jersey and even after decades of non-stop touring, their venom is just as lethal as ever. This tour also offered Bay Area thrashers Death Angel and the intergalactic rock trio known as Mothership, which made for heavy night of music. Continue reading →

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, ATREYU & WILSON Bring Spring Invasion Tour To Minneapolis [Review & Photo Gallery]

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The Spring Invasion Tour, featuring Motionless In White, Atreyu, and Wilson has been has been rolling through North American and made a stop at the Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This tour promised to be high on energy and heavy in the tunes and a packed house experienced a great night of music. Continue reading →

GODSMACK, VOLBEAT & STITCHED UP HEART Break The Ice In Minneapolis [Review & Photo Gallery]

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The rock radio station 93X presented their annual Icebreaker Concert to The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota that provided enough heat to take out any stray icebergs left within the city limits. Godsmack, Volbeat, and Stitched Up Heart had the venue packed to the rafters as they turned in a heavy dose of hard rocking music. Continue reading →

ANVIL Pounds The Pavement In St. Paul, Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

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The long history of Anvil has been well documented. Formed in Toronto, Ontario, they were on the forefront of a heavy metal explosion in the early eighties but their star never quite reached the heights that so many predicted. Continue reading →

ROCKUSA Festival Spotlight: ROYAL TUSK [Official Videos]

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*This is part of the Rock USA Spotlight segment where we help you get to know some of the non-headlining bands performing at the festival. Let us introduce you to Royal Tusk.

Royal Tusk was formed in Edmonton, Alberta in 2011. The band consists of Daniel Carriere (vocals, rhythm guitar), Quinn Cyrankiewicz (lead guitar, backing vocals), Sandy MacKinnon (bass, backing vocals), and Calen Stuckel (drums). The band fuses a classic and progressive rock approach with punk energy and a stoner groove to create something unique that is Royal Tusk. Continue reading →

KING’S X Enter The Studio To Record First New Album In Over A Decade

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King’s X has entered Blacksound Studio in Pasadena, California to begin recording a new album. This will be the bands first new recording since the release of ‘XV’ back in 2008. The album will be released later this year via Australia’s independent record label Golden Robot Records. Renowned producer Michael Parnin, recognized for his work with Rage Against The Machine, Missy Elliot, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Barbara Streisand, will be at the helm of the new project. Continue reading →

CHILDREN OF BODOM Place A Hex On Minneapolis [Review & Photo Gallery]

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Fresh off releasing their tenth studio album, ‘Hexed,’ Children Of Bodom have been turned loose in North America to support it. Swallow The Sun, Wolfheart, and Hollow Cry added to the chaos as the tour stopped at the Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Continue reading →