Collie Buddz graced us with his 4th studio album Take It Easy, and this is classic Collie. While you can see and hear the growth, every Collie fan will love this album. This album is a true reggae album which also blends in dancehall and a little hip-hop, which shows off his growth and creative powers. The majority of this 12-track album was produced by Collie himself along with J Vibe, but we also get Bobby Konders and Fatbabs producing tracks. And I love that Collie uses his band not only on tour but in the studio as well- Jason "J-Vibe" Farmer – keyboard, Shawn "Mista Roots" Mitchell – bass, Ronny Gutierrez – guitar, Noah Cronin – drums. This album is filled with irresistible rhythms, some great lyrics by Collie and Collies smooth chill flow. “I fell blessed to be able to continue my musical journey. I poured my heart and soul into this project, and I’m thrilled to finally share it. I especially love how the album came together consisting of multiple writing and recording camps around the world with some of my favorite people. “Take It Easy” is a celebration of life, love, and the power of music to unite us all. I hope it brings joy and positive vibes to everyone who listens,” Collie Buddz recently said. What I have always loved about Collie’s lyrics is, from the outside looking in, from a higher level, it seems like many of his songs are all about weed, smoking and so on. But when you actually listen to what he is saying, the message he has, it is so much more, thought-provoking and meaningful. A casual listener will be like, oh these are real fun songs, but a true fan knows the importance of the message.
We jump right into track 1, “Take It Easy,” the perfect song to start this album off with. A sweet, lazy afternoon rhythm, a song to sit back and chill. It is a song that reminds us that Collie wants us to sit back and enjoy life, chill out and stop worrying about the things we can’t control. This tune is a bubbly song with a classic keyboard-centric riff which shows off Collie’s fluid and light vocals. “High Grade (International Herb)” is track 2, and hits us with a nice reggae riddim with nicely place synthed horns, a well produced song. This is, of course, a song about smoking the high grade. Hit that high grade and feel no pain. “The smoke a fill mi brain, Oh Lord God mi no feel no pain, I took a draw this morning yeah of the high grade.” Collie used the classic song written by Joseph Hill of Culture as the root of the song. The next song takes me back to some early Collie (and in a real good way), “Brighter Days” has that sweet upbeat rhythm we are so used to, and the flow form Collie is so nice in this joint. This song about staying focused, don’t listen to the negative, and just live the life you live. This is a song to put on repeat and just fall into the lyrics. Nice use of a hip-hp drum line with some traditional dub breaks. Track 4 is “You Around” and is a lovers rock song, don’t stress Collie will always be around. I love the drums and beat in this, in fact all the music in this is so fresh and upbeat, this just puts a smile on my face. Can’t stop my head from grooving to this. Some great lyrics and vocals from Collie, especially when he takes it up a notch in the chorus.
Collie keeps with the love songs with “Close To You.” This is a hip-hop/reggae blend, but tighter than “Brighter Days.” This is another one that hits, the drum again, the bass with Shawn Mitchell, this is one to really groove to. Nice slow dance with your girl, dipping on that bass. Collie is more chill with his voice, a nice easy smooth flow. “I’m on my way girl just hold tight, I’ma deal with it so right and ya know, Disturb your neighbor dem the whole night when she say, “hold me close to you,” You know I will.” With each song I keep thinking, damn this is the one, but they keep getting better and better. Track 6 is “No Bush Weed” featuring B-Real, a good 90’s hip-hop flow, upbeat song, I love the bass line in this. Collie’s vocals pop on this, changing up his tempo and range, I love the mix. B-Real comes in hard with a great flow over the beat. These two should do more together, they really compliment each others styles and flows. This is a great collaboration and we follow it up with another one, Jamaican dancehall legend Bounty Killer joins Collie on “Twisted Agent.” A song about the corrupt system, “Don’t get it twisted, police dem not yuh friend (Neva), Dem only working for di twisted agenda.” Maybe the best lyrics by Collie on this album, he really hits it hard and perfect on this. Bounty Killer comes in and absolutely kills it. Lyrics are so strong and his flow is a little less extreme than we are used to, but he flows so well with the rhythm and the supernatural electric organ. Track 8 is “Mr. Wicked” a song with a great bass line and string work. We are taken back to some classic reggae vibes with a beautiful skank of the guitar and we have a nice Cali reggae vibes as well. Another song with such strong lyrics and a nice sound from Collie’s vocals.
“Trap Set” featuring Demarco is track 9, comes in with a rock feel with the guitar work from Ronny Gutierrez, and I love his solo at the end. Nice bass line in this and a great verse from Demarco. They have worked together in the past and I really love the way they work together. The way Collie mixes up the mood and style of each song, all based in reggae but bringing in different styles and textures. Track 10 is “Money Up” and another collaboration, this time featuring Keznamdi. This is a fun party song with a Uk Afrobeats sound, “Champagne champagne, Have a pool full a liqor and di gal dem a jump in mi nuh ramping, A general season so money up money up get ya money up.” I really love the flow from Keznamdi, he attacks his lyrics and keeps the party going with a singjay and hip-hop rap flow. Next up is “Collision” featuring rapper Danny Towers. I really love this track, has a nice Afrobeats sound to it. It may seem odd to have Danny and Collie on an Afrobeats song, but Danny Towers kills this but when Collie comes in, this song just goes to another level. Collie changes tempo and flow. So nice! We finish off this fantastic album with “Hold Firm,” from his previously release Cali Vibes Riddim. The perfect song to finish this album off, a song that is what Collie is all about, what he is always stressing in his songs. “One life to live an so mi live it like ah holiday, nuh cares, no stress, no worries, throw that all away, we all have ups and downs pon di day to day, so when I rise, tell myself do sum good today, a lot of people out deh dem juss lost ah seed, dem ah do wah mek dem happy, kno seh dats di key, dem nuh care bout yuh, dem nuh care bout mi, but mi kno seh life’s so sweet.” We start off with a nice chill reggae rhythm with “Take It Easy” and this just bookends the album with another nice chill reggae feel.
We waited four years for this album, and it is well worth the wait. You can see the time and effort Collie put into this project. Nothing rushed, nothing taken for granted. The production is near perfect, the music so strong and the lyrics and message amazing. Collie is telling us to not let life wear you down, stay positive, but also reminding us to watch out for the system and how it controls and entraps us. This is possibly Collies best work to date. Where does Collie go from here, how does he follow this up. I am not worried about that answer, Collie is so talented only still growing, learning and will stay on top.
One Love- Todd
In my formative years growing up, I mainly listened to what music other people played for me. What ever was on Disney Radio seemed to be my mom’s favorite stuff to play. As I got older and finally started discovering my own music taste, I would trade CDs with my friends. One collection of CDs that was lent to me was Three Days Grace’s albums Three Days Grace, One-X, and Life Starts Now. Listening to these three albums, I could not stop playing them on repeat. Somehow, after all these years, I have only been able to see them live once. This was baffling to me that I would keep missing every time they were in town. When Three Days Grace announced their latest tour with Chevelle and support from Loathe, I promised I would not miss them again. I devoted two hours in traffic to make sure I made it on time to the Hollywood Palladium, as I was not missing any band for this show.
Opening the night was a band called Loathe, who travelled all the way from Liverpool, England just to bring their controlled chaos of music to the people of Los Angeles. I call it controlled chaos as Loathe blends aspects of Metalcore, Nu Metal, Shoegaze, and jazz elements together. Mixing all these aspects into a pot created a unique sound that caught me off guard and blew me away. Playing music this chaotic, you need a front man that can help carry that energy, and that’s what you get in Kadeem France. From scream-singing at the audience, to letting beautiful melodic vocals come through, to breaking out James Brown-esque dance moves, Kadeem captivates the crowd. Erik Bickerstaffe is pulling double duty, bringing out the fuzziest of guitar tones, while lulling the crowd to be at ease with soothing keyboard grooves. Bassist Feisal El-Khazragi and drummer Sean Radcliffe were in perfect harmony crafting low end beats that let the crowd seamlessly switch from bopping in the crowd to raging in the mosh pit. Loathe had the shortest set of the night, but they made it count with songs like “Aggressive Evolution,” “New Faces in the Dark,” “Heavy Is the Head That Falls With the Weight of a Thousand Thoughts,” “Screaming,” “Is It Really You?,” and ending with “Gored.” Loathe should be on more people’s radar as they add so much unique flavor any metal fans playlist.
Up next is a band whose name I have always known, but if you asked me to name a song, I couldn’t to save my life. Yet, as they played their set, I came to realize I knew quite a lot of Chevelle songs. So much so that I was singing along for a few of them. I have friends who always talk very highly about Chevelle, but I never took the time to actively listen to them. Though, I personally feel that made seeing them live even more exciting and fun as I had no idea what to expect going in. Opening their set with the instrumental track “Verruckt,” singer and guitarist Pete Loeffler was wailing on his guitar, keeled over his guitar like a 70s punk rocker lost in the sauce of his own groove. As they moved into “An Island” and Pete started singing, he has a tenor vocal range that sounds like candy to the ears. His older brother Sam Loeffler is the timekeeper of the band, blasting away on the drum kit. Even having his drum set on a riser, Sam could be seen with the biggest smile of the night as he played. You could feel how much joy it brings him to perform for their fans. Throughout the set Pete would make his way around Sam’s drum kit to be able to perform next to and by his brothers side, and always making it back to the mic before his vocals come back in. Chevelle played a set consisting of songs like “Door to Door Cannibals,” “Self Destructor,” “Vitamin R (leading Us),” “Young Wicked,” “Joyride (Omen),” “Face to the Floor,” “The Clincher,” “Forfeit,” “Send the Pain Below,” “Comfortable Liar,” “The Red,” and ending with “Mars Simula” off their latest album NIRATIAS. Even though Chevelle was a pleasant surprise to me, it shows that I really need to listen to my friends more often when they recommend me music.
As we waited with bated breath for our headliners to come on, high school Matt’s excitement continued to grow. Years of singing in the car, screaming my voice out while stuck in traffic to these guys, and we were moments away. As the lights dimmed and a giant LCD wall screen illuminated with the name Three Days Grace, the crowd erupted with excitement. Opening with a new song “So Called Life” off their latest album Explosions, the crowd was already singing along. Proving that Three Days Grace can continue to create music that is beloved by their fans. Lead singer Matt Walst was feeding off the energy of the crowd. Throughout the show he was getting more animated with his stage presence as the crowd gave their all back to him. Hearing Barry Stock play some of the most iconic guitar lines of my formative years, I could sing along with them before the actual lyrics came in, put me into a bliss. Bassist Brad Walst snarled with intense bass face, while drummer Neil Sanderson pounded away on the kit high on his riser. Three Days Grace played songs from their entire discography, showing that the Adan Gontier years were not the bands only hay day. The crowd continued to let the mosh pit rage with songs like “Animal I have Become,” “I Am Machine,” “Home,” “The Good Life,” “Pain,” “The Mountain,” “Painkiller,” “World So Cold,” “Just Like You,” “Break,” “Lifetime,” “I Hate Everything About You,” “Never Too Late,” and bringing out special guest Kyle Konkiel of Bad Wolves for the final song “Riot.” The amount of love and admiration I have for this band could not be contained as I sang my voice ragged with each song.
As the fans walked out of the venue, you could see the sweat dripping from every person as we have all let go of our inhibitions and anxieties to let just let the music flow through us. I could see it on everyone’s face how much these bands music has meant to every one of us. Chevelle and Three Days Grace have both been going through for over two decades, and their music has touched so many of us, helping us through some of the hardest times in our lives. The least we could do is honor the bands by showing up every time they come to town, and I sincerely can not wait for the next time they come back through.
As someone who was born in 1998, I feel as though I know the Goo Goo Dolls are amongst a select few bands that are forever ingrained into my subconscious. Before the days of CarPlay, Bluetooth, and even aux cables, there was of course, the radio. As a child with severe A.D.D. growing up, the car rides were never silent. Whether it was on the way to school, heading to baseball practice, what have you, there always had to be music playing in the car – and "Iris" was one of the 'inescapables.'
And I just want to preface - I don’t mean that in a bad way by any means! I’m sure at the time, my mom turning the volume knob to the right came with a sigh from the backseat – but oh how times have changed. But as I walked by the security team back to my car, exchanged our, “goodnight,” and “you too,” I thought back to these radio moments. Those dramatic sighs and pleads to put Metallica back on, and what that young kid might say if he knew that not only has our opinion changed, but we just sang one of the greatest love songs in music history with 9,000 other people; and it was nothing short of electric.
At one of the first true instances of fall out here on the east coast with a slight chill in the air, and this being the last show of the year at the Bank NH Pavilion since the venue is outdoors, I really didn’t know how the performance would go. But then it hit me – the infamous Live in Buffalo: July 4th, 2004 (if you don’t know what that is, stop reading this, go watch it, and come back). In an instant, all potential worries about the performance came to a grinding halt as the lights went down, and the crowd erupted.
And let me just say…I mean, if you’re a Goo Goo Dolls fan, it’s truly everything you would want it to be. Not only were the visuals throughout the set duration on point, but the setlist touched on nearly every Goo Goo Dolls album they’ve released. Starting with "Broadway" off Dizzy up the Girl and hitting the classics like "Name", "Sympathy", "Come to Me", "Better Days", "Slide", and of course finishing the night off with "Iris", it was nothing short of amazing. And as someone who is a bit, “outside looking in” when it comes to the Goo Goo Dolls, it was so remarkable to not only hear Rzeznik’s amazing voice in-person for the first time, but to witness how these songs, some of which are over two decades old like "Iris", "Slide", etc. still resonate with fans on such a powerful level and sound so, so good live.
It was right from their walkout and the first few notes of Broadway though, where I knew right away that this was going to be something special. John Rzeznik’s stage presence from the offset was nothing short of magnetic. His charisma, his energy bouncing from stage left to stage right, and genuine interaction with the audience nurtured an overwhelming sense of intimacy to the whole performance – like we were all just friends sharing stories and moments through music. And he wasn’t alone up there either as Robbie Takac’s infectious energy came through in every bassline and his overall enthusiasm on the stage.
As I close in on my one year anniversary of starting my concert photography journey, and of all the shows I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to shoot this past summer at the Bank NH Pavilion, there’s something about this one that’s different.
In the end, the Goo Goo Dolls put on a show that was a testament to the music and devotion they carry for the fans that was unlike anything I’ve come across in a while. It was a night dedicated to nostalgia, unity, the bands history, and the love of music that I truly believe left an indelible mark on everyone in attendance, myself included. And as I drove home listening to Dizzy in its entirety, I found myself smiling at the feeling of singing along with 9,000 people to a song I grew up with (and even detested at times) – a feeling I won’t forget for a very, very long time.
Over the past year, ALLEYCVT has been making a ton of noise (literally) in the dubstep world. The Northern Virginia native quickly solidified herself as a force to be reckoned by carving out her own distinct style: combining hard bass drops with siren-like vocal melodies. If you’ve been paying attention to bass music over the past couple years, you’ve probably heard some of her songs such as “Religion”, “Remember Me”, and “Electric Shock”. Like most artists coming up in 2023, she’s got a way with social media and has amassed a cult following on TikTok and Instagram where she’s been debuting her pop-dubstep singles. Joint after joint, she keeps running up the numbers online as more and more fans are exposed to her work. This Fall, she embarked on her first headline tour, The Planet Supersonic Tour, Fall 2023. This tour touches every corner of the United States and even parts of Canada. When I heard she was going to play the famous Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, I knew I had to go see her play.
The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood is one of those legendary venues that always gets me excited. It’s such a cozy small space with tip top acoustics. And there’s so much history. So. Much. History. It’s seen the early days of the likes of Neil Diamond, The Ramones, Prince, and Motley Crue. It’s why I love seeing promising artists early in their careers, because you never know who’s on the trajectory to join those ranks. ALLEYCVT certainly didn’t disappoint. Let’s hop into the show.
Up first was San Diego native Rommii. As fans piled into the venue for a night of bass, he warmed them up with house beat after house beat. I wasn’t familiar with him but during his set it dawned on me that he’s the man behind the banger “what we had was real”. Up second and leading us down the bassy path was Sharlitz Web. Wasting no time, Sharlitz Web immediately started dropping eerie bass jams. Her music has a dark haunting undertone which reverberated through each person in the venue as they swayed back and forth. Slowly but surely, she kicked it into high gear, introducing mixes of hip hop and elements of rock music, all while wrapping it together with a bassline you’d find in the background of the scariest part of a horror movie. By the end of her set, you could feel the building shake as the crowd stepped in unison to each drop of the beat. She teed it up perfectly for the main act.
At 10:20 sharp, ALLEYCVT’s promo video played as she made her way to the stage. Her blend of gritty screw-face-inducing dubstep and harmonious melodies is unmatched. It’s also awesome to know that she does all of the vocals herself. She gave short nuggets of background info to each song she played. The head banging was in full effect. She took each person in the venue on a sonic journey through musical peaks and valleys, with slow paced angelic rises and dirty demonic crashes. At one point, I had to just put the camera down, look around, and admire how into her set that all her fans were. It was truly badass.
All in all, ALLEYCVT crushed her set from front to back at The Roxy Theatre. Her opening acts also brought nothing but heat. It was an all around awesome show from each of the DJ’s. I’ll absolutely be checking out ALLEYCVT the next time she’s in town. She’s only about halfway through this tour with dates going out to the end of November. Check her out when she’s in your city. You won’t regret it.
The 25th of September at The Fonda was a magical and community-driven experience. Looking at the crowd, you could tell how much the fans love and appreciate David Kushner and Chance Pena. Everyone waited in anticipation for the first artist of the night to grace the stage.
The first artist being Chance Pena, and his music and presence instantly created a warm nostalgic atmosphere. His music gives off the feeling of doing your best in life and what it’s like to take every experience day by day but also the warm feeling of coming home after being away for so long as a stronger person than who you were before. His music is relatable and has given me strength and hope, and I’m sure it’s done the same for many of his fans as well. I feel his music is unique as well and I love the gentle melodies and poetic lyrics.
Each song he sang was special in its own way and had its own unique story. I’m sure this is just the beginning and Chance’s music will change the lives of many more people in the future. "Star Hopping Lover" and "I Am Not Who I Was" are two of my favorite songs by him, the lyrics have really stuck with me. If you haven’t listened to him yet, I promise no matter who you are, you’ll find at least one song that you’ll feel a connection with. His music also fills me with a desire to travel and see more of the world and the people who inhabit it, to open my mind and heart to more opportunities.
When he got off the stage, I wasn’t ready for it to be over. Although you could already tell the next and final act was destined to be a thrilling experience and memory as well. The crowd grew more excited with each passing moment, some of them were even proudly holding up signs showing their support for David Kushner. I remember there being this wholesome moment where several people were waving and holding up hearts in the audience and you could feel all the love and warm energy that was filling up the space. David Kushner made a grand entrance in a ray of flashing lights. I later found out he wasn’t feeling well while performing but he still kept his composure and gave it his all. Which I feel speaks volumes for just how talented and dedicated he is to his music and fans. His music is enchanting and has a deep but beautiful sadness to it that will echo in your head. "Mr. Forgettable" is one of my favorite songs by him. I feel like it’s a song that a lot of people can relate to, especially if you’ve experienced depression. During some of the songs he came out into the audience and from the fans reactions to it, you could tell just how important those moments were.
I also really liked the moments when I saw him smiling while playing with his guitar player and just really any moment I caught a smile. David always looked cool on stage but whenever he smiled it just made everything feel more warm and magical. During the finale for the night, the stage was covered in a sea of red smoke and a poet came up on stage to read a poem that is connected to David Kushner’s song "Daylight". It was a very powerful poem that impressed both me and my friend that I came with. Hearing "Daylight" live, I could understand how it blew up so quickly, and seeing it live just is a whole different experience compared to just finding it on a TikTok video. The song was more powerful.
Besides the artists, I met a lot of amazing people at this show, one of them was a young photographer who was only 15 but filled with determination to make it as a concert photographer and in my eyes just from her courage to reach out to seize opportunities and her passion for music, she will be a photographer that everyone should be keeping their eyes on. I also got a chance to interact with Chance Pena and some of his team by the merch table. They were all lovely people who were great to interact with. I was really impressed and touched by the fact that even though Chance was probably really tired, he took time to talk to all of his fans who approached him, took pictures with them and even signed some shirts. One of the notable interactions, that I thought was really awesome was hearing that Chance does his best to try to look at everything his fans tag him in on social media. He highly values everyone who supports him and I’m sure David Kushner does as well. I can’t wait to get another chance to catch both of these artists again and to see more of the impact they have on the world.
BeachLife Ranch 2023 is now in the history books. The three-day festival in Redondo Beach is billed as celebrating the cowboy surfer way of life. A Country and Americana music festival that’s held on the beach. With two full-sized main stages, Highlands on artificial turf, and Lowlands directly on the beach, along with two smaller semi-enclosed areas, there was plenty of music to be heard everywhere on the festival grounds.
Even though the event was pretty much country themed, from the graphics and signage to the selling of legit cowboy hats, the music and artists transcended that genre, as did the audience. The audience could also choose to experience the music any way they felt. The Highlands and Lowlands performances were staggered, so as not to have the cacophony of artists playing at the same time. But if you chose to stay on the beach during a Highlands set, giant video screens would show you the performance going on while the live music was easily heard. And vice versa with Lowlands.
Day One highlights were many and varied.
Early in the overcast day Goodnight, Texas took the Lowlands stage. This five-piece folk-rock band takes its name from the midpoint between the two frontmen’s homes of San Francisco, CA and Chapel Hill, NC. Rounding out the band were Scott Padden on drums, Adam Nash on lead guitar, pedal steel, violin, and Chris Sugiura on bass. This is a band that knows how to deliver on many levels, so much so, their newest single, “Runaways,” features Kirk Hammett of Metallica. (No, Kirk did not guest appear.)
Leaving the sand and heading over to the Highlands stage, it was time to check out Pillbox Patti. This Florida native, (real name: Nicolette Hayford) is now Nashville-based and was originally a songwriter who moved to the stage only recently. The Pillbox Patti persona was created to distinguish the artist from the songwriter. Her music is a different kind of country, she steers into the tougher part of life. She does it with passion and as she told the audience more than once, a drink in her hand. What was she drinking, who knows? But her performance that included songs like, “Young and Stupid” and “Eat Pray Drugs,” showed everyone she’s out to make a statement and is a performer to watch out for.
Back to the sand and to Rome. Rome Ramirez, that is. Teaming up with Duddy to form the side project, Rome & Duddy, they were the first act to really bring the beach to Beachlife Ranch. The reggae-flavored band did their obligatory ode to weed with “Cannabis Tree,” but they also remembered the other part of the audience with a Willie Nelson cover of “Roll Me Up.” Of course, that too is a pot tribute.
It's not often that one gets to witness world records getting broken in a concert setting, but that’s exactly what happened next on the Highland stage. Devon Allman and Donavon Frankenreiter set a record for fastest time to play a concert in each of the 50 states, completing the feat in a just 49 days. The plan had always been to end it at BeachLife. (Frankenreiter happens to be a surfer as well as a part owner of BeachLife Festival.) So as tired as they might have been spending just nine hours in Hawaii before getting on a plane to California for the final show, they brought the energy in a big way. Allman is a beast on guitar playing his white Gibson SG with fire and passion. He sings the same way and traded lead vocal duties with Frankenreiter. It was fun set that could have gone on much longer. The reality about festivals like this is that the bands have hard outs with truncated sets. On the other hand, the audience gets to see things they might never see again. Like Donavon and Devon getting a guitar each from Gibson and framed records for their record-breaking journey.
Next up: Shakey Graves out of Austin, Texas. Alejandro Rose-Garcia is another performer who has adopted a stage name and his background as a professional actor came through as he hit the giant Highlands stage all by his lonesome. Shakey Graves has some stage presence. But musical talent explodes from his fingers and his feet. As he finger-picked his hollow body guitar, a stomping kickdrum followed. Then he started to sing. The man can do it all, combining country, blues, folk, and rock and roll. He was also the first performer to truly take advantage of the catwalk that reached into the Highlands audience. (Pillbox Patti and Devon Allman only came out about halfway.) He was joined by a backing band wearing matching black jumpsuits, but make no mistake: This was the Shakey Graves show.
As the sun went down, the lights went up on the Lowlands stage for The Avett Brothers. Hailing from North Carolina and led by brothers Scott and Seth, the band filled out the stage in an impressively. In addition to the namesake Avetts, Bob Crawford on bass, Joe Kwon on cello, Mike Marsh on drums, Tania Elizabeth on violin, and Bonnie Avett-Rini on piano. They line up five across, letting the audience get a good looking at the violin and cello action of which there was plenty. It also gave space for easily viewed banjo and violin duels between Scott Avett and Tania Elizabeth.
Then, there was Jack. Even though it was a strong Day One line up, throughout the day you could hear people in the crowd saying, “I’m here for Jack.” or “I flew all the way just for Jack.” That Jack is of course, Jack Johnson, Day One’s headliner who closes out the show on the Highlands stage. Johnson without a doubt brought the Beach to BeachLife. Armed with just his acoustic guitar and wearing a zip up hoodie, he was still able to command the huge stage with just his voice, his playing, and of course, his words. It’s what he does. He has a power all his own that comes not from movement or attitude, but from nuance. A tilt of the head, a slight smile. His audience knows when to look for these things and they love it when they find them.
But Johnson also loves to share the stage and this being a festival setting, there were plenty of artists and friends to join him. Throughout the 21-song set, Johnson brought many of the day’s players and stars on stage to join him. Donavon Frankenreiter, The Avett Brothers, Afie Jurvanen (frontman for Bahamas) came out during the set for a song or two, with everyone coming back out for a singalong finale of “Better Together.” With those acts joining Johnson, and the audience singing along, it felt like Johnson transcended the notion solo artist at least for this evening.
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Introducing Ryan A. Wallace, a visionary at the young age of 30. Hailing from the vibrant city of Mount Vernon, New York, with Jamaican roots running deep.
Ryan's journey is a testament to his pursuit of knowledge. He holds an Associates in Business Administration from San Diego Mesa College, another Associates in Applied Sciences and Applied Technologies from Central Texas College, and not to forget, a Bachelor's in Management Information Systems from San Diego State University.
But it's not just about academics for Ryan. In 2015, while stationed in Spain during his final years in the United States Navy, he and his best friend, Lovans Florial, dreamt up an idea that would change the game. Lonely Floater, born in 2016, started as an apparel brand for creatives searching for unique self-expression.
However, they soon realized their magnetic pull toward music and visual artists. Thus, Lonely Floater transformed into a Multimedia Marketing Agency, firmly rooted in Arts & Entertainment, with a special focus on Hip Hop, Electronic Dance Music, and Rock & Roll.
Their community is a haven for creative souls seeking unconventional ways to express themselves. They thrive on individualism within the crowd and proudly defy adversity. You can join their movement by snagging some of their innovative clothing at www.LonelyFloater.com.
Their mission is clear: provide a stage for those who feel left out of the mainstream and unite them with something inclusive to share. They're rewriting the script on today's artists, pop culture, underground events, and music festivals.
Ryan's journey doesn't stop there. He teamed up with an ensemble of talented individuals – Matt Wallace, Max Wallet, Zach Heinrich, Jake Moats, and Johnathan Mackie – to create The San Diego Unified Bass District (SdubD or The Bass District). It's a grassroots multi-genre musical and artistic movement that shines a spotlight on emerging musicians from Southern California and beyond.
What sets them apart is their commitment to breaking free from genre constraints, giving artists from diverse backgrounds the chance to connect and collaborate. Their success stems from sheer determination and the boundless creativity of their diverse team.
Every year, they host the legendary Moonlight Mirage music festival, where House, Bass, Hip-Hop, and Rock and Roll artists come together on two mind-blowing stages. It's a genre-blurring experience you won't find anywhere else, and it's a must-attend event.
But that's not all. Aux & Mic is one of the experiential offerings created to expand and fortify the Lowbtk Floater, The Bass District, and Moonlight Mirage collectives.
Aux & Mic is a groundbreaking live performance freestyle collaboration event that brings together the finest artists and producers from the realms of HipHop, Rap, RnB, and electronic sounds. Their event serves as a catalyst, igniting the stage with scintillating beats and captivating lyrical prowess. Going beyond a one-time experience, they aim to transform each Volume into an engaging web series, where every Cypher from their talented lineup becomes an episode on popular video and audio podcasting platforms.
This platform provides a stage where artists and producers can showcase their skills without the pressures of financial obligations or ticket sales, enabling them to truly shine and elevate the art form.
Is a celebrity DJ based in Los Angeles California. Currently the DJ for Tyrese Gibson the trio group "TGT" and also the DJ for essential app Shazam, as special events DJ such as Grammy party's new artist performances and private company events.
"Xoul" began as a mix-show DJ in Seattle on two of the station's top numbers producing shows the "8 o'clock bounce" and the "extended bounce weekend" and also filled in as DJ for the "traffic jam". Formerly known as DJ-XTC on KUBE 93 His popularity grew and he formed a successful 10 year long events company that packed clubs throughout the entire Northwest from Canada to Oregon and even northern California.
During his career as a radio DJ he has opened for some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Beyoncé Lenny Kravitz, 50 Cent, Bon Jovi, and Ludacris to name just a few from the dozens notched under his belt. All the while He managed to DJ For corporate companies, non-profits and charities like Microsoft, Pepsi Children's Hospital, Subway, American Lung Association, and Gamestop to name just a few. Corporate gigs is all but new to the veteran.
Making his big move to California Xoul was signed to Smash House a music producer and DJ signed to major DJ management Soul-Mgmt and also assigned to indie label Itchy Music and somehow currently general manager as an exclusive private recording studio in Universal City with Sony's former production ace in his pursuit have the "next big sound" legitimately posted by Billboard.
Introducing the electrifying personality host of Los Angeles, a dynamic entertainer who knows how to bring energy to any event! With a hosting style that spans from pep rallies to concerts, this charismatic host is the go-to choice for keeping crowds engaged and entertained. With a background in music and a natural flair for comedy, this host combines professionalism with originality like no other. Whether it's rallying a crowd at a sports event or setting the stage for a memorable concert, you can count on their unique blend of humor and musical expertise to create an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, this Los Angeles host will have you laughing, singing, and dancing along, making every event a one-of-a-kind celebration. Get ready for a high-energy, professionally entertaining experience that only this host can deliver!
In the heart of Toronto, a night of sonic devastation unfolded as four titans of extreme metal descended upon REBEL, leaving a trail of shattered eardrums and awestruck souls in their wake. The evening commenced with a cosmic journey led by Denver-based Blood Incantation, guided by the deft hands of Paul Riedl, Morris Kolontyrsky, Isaac Faulk, and the bass wizardry of their own, the mysterious fourth member. Following suit were the enigmatic Gorguts, helmed by the visionary Luc Lemay on rhythm guitar and vocals, with Kevin Hufnagel commanding lead guitar, Colin Marston providing the pulsating bass, and Patrice Hamelin on drums, solidifying their House of Wisdom-inspired performance.
Blood Incantation's set was a revelation, a seamless fusion of caustic riffage and eerie psychedelia that set the tone for the night. Tracks like "Disfigured" and "Evisceration Plague" showcased their technical acumen, weaving intricate melodies with bone-crushing aggression. The crowd, initially still, succumbed to the irresistible gravitational pull of their cosmic soundscape, succumbing to the irresistible gravitational pull of their cosmic soundscape.
Following in their wake, Gorguts emerged, unearthing the House of Wisdom with a sonic tapestry that defied easy categorization. Luc Lemay's masterful command of the guitar led the charge, each riff a narrative thread in their intricate musical tapestry. Kevin Hufnagel's lead guitar work danced between the boundaries of chaos and catharsis, while Colin Marston's basslines added an earth-shaking foundation to their sonic onslaught. Patrice Hamelin's drumming was a controlled explosion, a relentless barrage of precision and power. Tracks like "Pit of Zombies" and "Hammer Smashed Face" elicited a fervent response from the crowd, a testament to the enduring legacy of this death metal behemoth.
As the night deepened, the stage was shrouded in an aura of malevolence as black metal legends, Mayhem, emerged. Attila Csihar's vocals, ranging from guttural growls to ethereal chants, added an eerie dimension to Mayhem's already formidable sonic assault. The stage filled with smoke and the band was silhouetted against the lights, casting an otherworldly aura. Classics like "Freezing Moon" left the crowd in the throes of a collective trance, a testament to the enduring power of Mayhem's dark incantations.
Finally, the stage was set for the masters of carnage, Cannibal Corpse, to bring their brutal assault to life. Frontman George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, armed with his monstrous neck, led the charge alongside guitarists Rob Barrett and Erik Rutan, bass phenom Alex Webster, and drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz. George Fisher’s signature hair thrashing was on full display, a whirlwind of intensity that left the front rows drenched in sweat.
Opening with "Scourge of Iron," the band wasted no time in establishing their dominance. Alex Webster's wicked bass lines, a signature of Cannibal Corpse's sound, reverberated through the venue, each note a seismic tremor. Tracks like "Blood Blind" and "Inhumane Harvest" showcased Cannibal Corpse's technical prowess, seamlessly weaving intricate melodies with bone-crushing aggression. With each thunderous riff and guttural growl, they reaffirmed their status as masters of carnage.
In the end, the night was a testament to the enduring power of extreme metal, a genre that thrives on its ability to challenge, to evolve, and ultimately, to transcend. Each band brought their unique sonic vision to the stage, leaving the audience spellbound and craving more. As the final notes of "Hammer Smashed Face" reverberated through the venue, it was clear that these four titans of metal had left an indelible mark on Toronto, a night that will be etched in the annals of extreme music history.
Armed with new vocalist Marc Lopes, a reborn, revitalized, and re-invigorated Metal Church are setting out this summer to write the first chapter of a new era for the band. Following the tragic suicide of beloved singer Mike Howe in 2021, many wondered if the metal legends would call it quits. The band’s creative force and only remaining original member, Kurdt Vanderhoof had been working with Howe on new material together prior to Howe’s untimely death. Vanderhoof ultimately decided he wanted to complete the album in honor of his friend and bandmate.
Enter Marc Lopes – a long-time friend of Metal Church bassist Steve Unger and drummer Stet Howland. After working with the band casually to test the waters, it soon became clear Lopes was the “guy” and the band moved forward recording their latest release, Congregation of Annihilation. As Marc’s aggressive vocal style was more similar to previous vocalist David Wayne, Vanderhoof felt it was time to move in an old school musical direction with a bit of modern twist. The results have been outstanding – the album of edgy classic thrash metal tracks has been well-received, especially by fans of the band’s earlier years.
With a new killer album out, how would the new singer pass the live performance test? Would the band still possess the musical passion and drive after enduring pandemic delays, the death of Howe, and more recently the passing of former long-time drummer Kirk Arrington in May? Metal Church rolled into Brick by Brick in San Diego and were greeted by enthusiast long-time fans, many adorned in Metal Church shirts (including myself!) including one dedicated fan dressed as a Metal Church pope. While it was a Monday night, the energy and anticipating of the crowd was very evident.
The fast tempo opener, “Ton of Bricks” quenched the crowd’s thirst for an immediate intense face melter. Newcomer Lopes stormed the stage with bold reckless abandon, nailing the vocals impressively and enticing the crowd to get fired up. It was obvious right away that Lopes vocals fit perfectly - edgy and gritty with powerful screams right in the Metal Church stylistic wheelhouse, while also adding his own touches, a modern metal vibe of his own.
The set list was amazing, heavy on material from the first two albums Metal Church and The Dark. Heavy hitters like “Gods of Wrath”, “Watch the Children Pray”, “Start the Fire” and two deep cut surprises “Burial at Sea” and “Hitman”! Two Howe era songs were rightfully included, the epic classic “Badlands” and the headbanging metal anthem “Fake Healer”. Two songs of the new album were incredible. “Pick a God and Prey” is a thrash metal masterpiece, crunchy metal guitar hook and melodic aggressive catchy vocals. “Me the Nothing” is another new tune that just slaps your face and demands your attention – it includes a classic Metal Church non-distorted clean guitar only intro, then explodes with a mid-tempo kick ass hook and catchy aggressive vocal delivery that has you shouting, “Me the Nothing!”. The final encores almost blew the roof off the place, threatening to turn Brick by Brick into a “ton of bricks”, with the timeless and haunting “Beyond the Black” and first album title track “Metal Church”.
The band lineup is both formidable musically and fun to watch. Bassist Steve Unger has been with the band 20 years now and he and his rhythm section partner Stet Howland fire up a very powerful and loud metal engine. Howland (formerly of WASP) has been with the band since 2017 and always seems to be having a blast back there on the drums. Many drummers twirl their sticks, but Howland does it effortlessly right in the middle of monster fills furiously rolling left to right across the tom rack! Guitarist Rick Van Zandt, band member since 2008, is the technical guitar wizard, both pounding the hooks and shredding many solos. Finally, there’s Vanderhoof, the band quarterback, proudly ripping out riffs with his familiar Les Paul and Marshall amp setup. Vanderhoof took a moment to give a heartfelt thank you to the crowd for their support, noting the losses the “Metal Church family” had endured recently. It was great to see one of my metal heroes back in action.
I left the show energized and encouraged that Metal Church had risen from the depths of tragedy, found a great new singer, released an incredible new album, and was back playing live all for the joy of playing metal and giving back to the fans. With touring planned around the world in ’23-’23, a new era of Metal Church is off to a great start.
Rock on and be well!
Greg Vitalich
When we think about Tech N9ne and all that he has done and created, it’s usually fast raps and hard beats. It’s what he’s been known for as long as I’ve been listening to him. Upon releasing “Pull Out” featuring Head Da Don, I anticipated another ripper and was pleasantly surprised by how smooth this track was. From beginning to end we got a great taste of how well rounded Tech is and we are here for it. What’s to come, who knows but I think it will be an exciting new era for him while also keeping it real and true to his roots. We even may see a collab with Ronnie Radke after his appearance at their show in KC and follow up tweet from Ronnie himself but that’s all speculation. Give “Pull Out” a spin and let us know what you think.
- James Coffman