The Dio Returns Tour has been making its way across North America and Myth Live in Maplewood, Minnesota hosted the states first hologram centered rock show. The debate about holograms has been non-stop across various social media platforms, as Tupac, Frank Zappa and Roy Orbison holograms have joined Dio as touring acts. Continue reading
If it looks like a freak show, sounds like a freak show, and certainly smells like a freak show, you have entered Avatar Country. Avatar planted their flag in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota at the First Avenue Nightclub to the delight of Avatar’s many citizens that came to see the King. The band hailing is making a run through North America for the first time as a headliner. The bands popularity has been on a constant up rise through hard work and playing anywhere a stage can be found. Their live shows are one of the best things going in rock music and Sweden’s best-kept secret is slowly being unleashed onto the rest of the world. The band 68, Dance With The Dead, and Devin Townsend provided support. Having these four outfits on the same stage was truly unique as each offered completely different elements. Continue reading
To kick off the Memorial Day weekend, Route 47 Pub & Grub in Fridley, Minnesota welcomed rock fans to a fantastic night of music. Emergent, Cold Kingdom, Arson City, and Eaon played to a full house and it was clear fans were ready to rock from the opening notes. Continue reading
In This Moment has been touring non-stop since their release ‘Ritual’ back in 2017. They have become one of rocks most theatrical bands and they brought their elaborate stage show to the Verizon Civic Center in Mankato, Minnesota and members of the Blood Legion were there to greet them. It was a great touring package as Sevendust, Light The Torch, and Hyde also took the stage. Continue reading
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
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
*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
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
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
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
