Posts Tagged ‘Sacramento’

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What an amazing night for music at the Ace of Spades in Sacramento it was yesterday. We will be bringing you our full coverage of all the bands from the night but let’s start it off with our feature on The Birthday Massacre. Hailing from Canada, this hybrid new wave, gothic rock and electronic infused band really made an impression on Sacramento!

It was a stormy day that left the roads flooded in some parts of Sacramento but that didn’t stop the dedicated fans from coming out to the show. After braving the 3 1/2 hour drive in rain and dodging the lightning storm, we were glad to finish off the night with a stellar set from The Birthday Massacre. Their music is as if they gave a refreshing vibrant makeover to the 90’s new wave synth dates, without feeling dated. Their energy was infectious as they each have a cinematic stage presence. We were treated to many of their songs from their recently released album, Superstition and each one had you wanting more. I was hoping to pick up the new album but unfortunately (well, fortunate for them) they had sold out of them! You can head over to iTunes here and pick it up online. With spotlight songs like Divide, Superstition and Surrender you are going to love it.

Check out the photos from our Rockin Ryan of their set:

There are still several dates left on the tour, so if they are coming to a venue near you, do your best to try and make it out to a show!

  • DEC 05 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
  • DEC 06 Seattle, WA – Studio Seven
  • DEC 09 Salt Lake City, UT – Murray Theatre
  • DEC 10 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre
  • DEC  13 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
  • DEC 14 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
  • DEC 16 Cleveland, OH – The Agora Ballroom
  • DEC 17 Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot Ballroom
  • DEC 18 Toronto, CAN – Mod Club Theatre

Make sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour had their stop in Sacramento and we have been featuring the sets by  Sworn In and Like Moths to Flames and Crown The Empire. Now it is time for the spotlight to shine on Attila. Attila made their return to the Ace of Spades and absolutely destroy it again with a ferocious energy filled set. It was another sold out show on the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour and the crowd definitely did not disappoint.  The second Attila hit the stage, you could just see a rush of crowd surfing bodies. The security definitely had their work cut out for them as they insured everyone that wanted to get up front, safely made it and had a kick ass time as well.

Whether you were there for Attila or the other bands, there is no disputing one simple fact; Fronz is an amazing and captivating front man. He is there to insure that every single member of that packed audience is having the time of their life. That is not to say that his band doesn’t have the same engaging adrenaline filled stage presence, because they absolutely do!  Chris is a madman on guitar and Kalan is fierce on his bass. These guys are like kernels popping as they just jump around the stage and you are in awe from start to finish. Then you look back and see Sean in all his glory bringing everything together as he is spot on, pounding away on his drums.

Check out the photos from our Rockin Ryan of their set:

I would strongly encourage you to check out Attila on the remaining Monster Energy Outbreak Tour dates. They put on a show you don’t want to miss. I know there seems to be so much crap talking about bands these days, but do yourself a favor and check them out for yourself, you just may find yourself hooked.

  • 11/30   West Hollywood, CA                                     House of Blues *
  • 12/02   Salt Lake City, UT                                         In The Venue
  • 12/03   Denver, CO                                                    Ogden Theatre
  • 12/04   Lawrence, KS                                                 Granada Theater
  • 12/05   St. Louis, MO                                                 Ready Room
  • 12/06   Detroit, MI                                                      The Fillmore *
  • 12/07   Cincinnati, OH                                                Bogarts *
  • 12/08   Chicago, IL                                                     House of Blues *
  • 12/10   Cleveland, OH                                               House of Blues *
  • 12/11   Baltimore, MD                                               Sound Stage *
  • 12/12   Philadelphia, PA                                            TLA *
  • 12/13   New York, NY                                              Irving Plaza (Early Show) *
  • 12/13   New York, NY                                              Irving Plaza (Late Show) *
  • 12/14   Boston, MA                                                   House of Blues *
  • * designates Live Nation event

Attila is:

  • Chris “Fronz” Fronzak -Vocals
  • Chris Linck -Guitar
  • Kalan Blehm -Bass
  • Sean Heenan -Drums

Need more of Attila, check out Rockin Ryan’s photos from their set at Warped Tour here:

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You can pick up their last album, Guilty Pleasure on iTunes here and make sure to visit their social media sites.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

Band Members Twitter:

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As we continue with our coverage of last night’s Monster Energy Outbreak Tour stop in Sacramento, I hope you checked out our articles on  Sworn In and Like Moths to Flames. Next up for the night was one of our favorite bands, Crown The Empire. This was the fourth time seeing them this year and they once again delivered a spot on set. They have had quite a busy year with non stop touring and the great success of their latest album release, The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways. It appears with the energy they bring to the stage, there is no slowing down in sight for these guys. They are dedicated to always delivering 150% to each and every show.

They definitely had a strong fan presence in the crowd as you could tell by everyone singing along to each song. They played crowd favorites like Rise of the Runaways, Machines, Bloodline and even finished it off with an amazing performance of The Fallout. They completely rocked the venue and you couldn’t help but be in awe of their cinematic spectacular set. If you walked through those doors not knowing who Crown The Empire was, you left that night with them being your new favorite band. You couldn’t escape the intensity that this band delivered as they had the blood rushing through your veins and left you feeling absolutely alive! This is one band that has successfully breathed the life back into Rock n Roll and added a strong dose of hardcore to insure the right blend that will stand the test of time. Their sound appeals to a wide audience and that is no wonder that their fanbase exponentially grows with each show.

Check out the photos by our Rockin Ryan of their set:

Check the dates below and see if you will be able to catch Crown the Empire on the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour.

  • 11/30   West Hollywood, CA                                     House of Blues *
  • 12/02   Salt Lake City, UT                                         In The Venue
  • 12/03   Denver, CO                                                    Ogden Theatre
  • 12/04   Lawrence, KS                                                 Granada Theater
  • 12/05   St. Louis, MO                                                 Ready Room
  • 12/06   Detroit, MI                                                      The Fillmore
  • 12/07   Cincinnati, OH                                                Bogarts
  • 12/08   Chicago, IL                                                     House of Blues
  • 12/10   Cleveland, OH                                               House of Blues
  • 12/11   Baltimore, MD                                               Sound Stage
  • 12/12   Philadelphia, PA                                            Theater of Living Arts
  • 12/13   New York, NY                                              Irving Plaza (Early Show)
  • 12/13   New York, NY                                              Irving Plaza (Late Show)
  • 12/14   Boston, MA                                                   House of Blues

In case you missed our chat with David and Brandon before their performance at Warped Tour, check it out here:

Make sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

 

Need more of a Crown The Empire Fix?  I will leave you with some videos from the set last night as well as Rockin Ryan photos from their Warped Tour set. Enjoy!

 

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We were glad we braved the 4 hour traffic filled trek to Sacramento last night to catch the Monster Energy Outbreak Rock Tour. After sitting in traffic for so long, it was great to arrive at the Ace of Spades for a night of heavy music to release all that pent up frustration! The night started right off with a fierce set by Sworn In from Chicago. Holy shit, these guys blew us away!

This was the first time I heard of Sworn In and after just a few minutes of hitting the stage, I was converted from a newbie to an absolute die-hard lover. I am bummed that it has taken me so long to find out about this band, but I am now grateful. They have a ferociously heavy sound that brought the crowd to peak levels within minutes of starting.  I am not going to do them the injustice of trying to describe them as a certain genre or sub-genre, they are just pure energy heavy rock with metal influences that you have to hear. Hands down, one of the best sets from an opening band that I have seen in a long time.  With songs like Snake Eyes and Dead Soul, they are going to be your new Go To band on your playlist.

Check out the photos from our Rockin Ryan of their set:

There are still some dates left out on the tour, so make sure to get out and see them!

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Now that we are all in that shopping spirit, do yourself a favor and head over to their merch site: www.sworninshop.com and you can do all the shopping you need for yourself and your fellow music lovers! Be sure to also visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news from Sworn In. I will leave you with a video of their performance of one of my favorite songs, Sunshine.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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I always like arriving early for shows at the Ace of Spades, in hopes of catching another great local band. We were there last week to cover the Otherwise and Buckcherry show and were glad to arrive just in time as one of our favorite local metal/hard rock bands took the stage, Force of Habit. We have caught these guys play several times in the past couple years and they always put on a great show.

This was their first show with their new drummer, Max Ross and he was great! These guys have definitely refined their sound and do a great job at energizing the crowd. They have like a modern Metallica vibe but are, in no way imitating. They are truly developing their own signature sound that has been pleasing Northern California fans for some time now. Check out the photos by our Rockin Ryan of their set:

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Fittingly, they of course,they played a great cover of Motorhead’s Ace of Spades that had the crowd fired up! Make sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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One of our highlights from this year’s Monster Aftershock Festival has returned to Sacramento! Otherwise made a stop last week to perform at Ace of Spades. The crowd was packed as Otherwise and Buckcherry were in town and guaranteed a night full of energetic rock! That is exactly what we got. Otherwise was amazing and the crowd went wild. It was so awesome to see so many fans singing along to the songs, both old and new. They of course played my favorite song, Darker Side of the Moon and it definitely was a crowd favorite as well. Check out the photos by our Rockin Ryan of their set:

 

Otherwise have been extensively touring this year in support of their highly well received album, Peace At All Costs. The album has been solidly on our daily playlist since it’s release, definitely proving it is a MUST HAVE!

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Otherwise continue to have tour dates added and make sure to see if they are coming to your town. Their music is not only energetic but is uplifting and inspiring. It is wonderful to hear such emotionally driven lyrics and passion from each and every song as well as satisfy your need for straight up hard rock!

Nov. 11 Veterans Day Parade – City Plaza  Reno, NV
Dec 02 The Black Sheepw/ Righteous Vendet… Colorado Springs, CO
Dec 04 Marquis Theaterw/ Righteous Vendet… Denver, CO
Dec 05 Waiting Roomw/ Righteous Vendet… Omaha, NE
Dec 06 Valairw/ Righteous Vendet… Des Moines, IA
Dec 07 Mojoe’sw/ Righteous Vendet… Joliet, IL
Dec 09 The Loftw/ Righteous Vendet… Covington, KY
Dec 12 Masqueradew/ New Medicine, Ri… Atlanta, GA
Dec 13 Cardinal Bands & Billiardsw/ New Medicine, Ri… Wilmington, NC
Dec 14 181 Mainw/ New Medicine, Ri… Gastonia, NC
Dec 16 Boondocksw/ New Medicine, Ri… Springfield, IL
Dec 17 Rock 3405w/ New Medicine, Ri… Joplin, MO
Dec 18 Arvest Bank Theatre @ The Midland Kansas City, MO
Dec 19 Route 20w/ New Medicine, Ri… Racine, WI
Dec 20 Pierre’s – WBYR RADIO SHOW Fort Wayne, IN
Dec 21 Machine Shop Flint, MI
Feb 02 Shiprocked 2015w/ Limp Bizkit, Bla… Miami, FL

We had the opportunity to talk with frontman Adrian Patrick earlier this year, make sure to check it out by visiiting here:  Interview with Adrian Patrick of Otherwise.  Here is a brief excerpt of it:

Music Junkie Press: Also, what is interesting is with your music, is that, it was like at Aftershock, you guys have a wide range of audience, you don’t sit there and put yourselves in this genre checkbox, because you can look out at the crowd and see all styles, all ages, generations, all singing along to your music. I think that is amazing that you guys can capture with that connection that spans across the borderlines that we are tired of seeing.

Patrick: Ya, I am really glad that you brought that up because that is a huge point of contention for us as we are, that is a part of our frustration is we’re so sick of being classified as an Active Rock Band or a Metal Band, you know, we are just a rock n roll band. I don’t know why the music industry or the radio landscape has become so segmented, you know. You know,  If you listen to the songs of True Love Never Dies from song to song and then if you listen to our acoustic EP Enjoy the Pain, song to song, and then you listen to Peace at All Costs, every song sounds different. It doesn’t sound like we are putting out the same album over and over again, or like that our album is pretty much the same song that plays for 40 minutes back to back.  You know and that is what we are going for, that is what we want, that is how we want to differentiate ourselves from the other bands and the other groups out there, and to be quite frankly, unfortunately, rock and roll is not as sexy as it once was and largely due in part to the fact that there is a lot of mediocre artists, that put out mediocre music. And they don’t try to do anything different, you know and we always felt different as people. My brother and I in particular, come from a fairly different background than a lot of guys in our business. SO, whether or not, the love, the critics and whatever, the naysayers think we sound different or cutting edge as a band, I know that we are different as people and I know, it is extremely different being first generation Americans. So you know, we try to capture that in our music, you know. For the longest time, when we were trying to get signed, and when we were trying to make a mark and get out into the national spotlight, one of the biggest obstacles we had, was the fact that these record label dudes were like you know, they were like, “Every song, you know, didn’t sound like the same band!, You have no identity, because, and ”. We are like, “That is our identity!”. We don’t want every song to sound like the last song we just wrote you know.

 

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Make sure to pick up your copy of Peace At All Costs. It just may be the album to inspire that change in you, give you hope, possibly provide the relief from the obstacles you are facing, and most of all; find the light through the darkness. Pick up the album  on  iTunes: http://smarturl.it/OWPAACiTunes or Amazon:http://smarturl.it/PAACAmazon. Be sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date for their latest news.

~ Crank it up loud, Marisol

Information & Links:

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Earlier this week we braved the 3+ hour traffic to Sacramento and did get there in time to catch Palisades hit the stage at the Assembly Music Hall. This was our first time at the new Assembly, but it was great to see that it is under the same ownership/management as our fave Sacramento stop, Ace of Spades. The staff was exceptional and the venue set up is ideal for a crowd to feel the energy from the stage.

Palisades definitely delivered on the energy! They got the crowd engaged and ready to rage. The intimate atmosphere really allowed for the crowd to feed off the artist’s vibe. There was no one left standing still when Palisades took the stage. Their music brings the perfect fusion of EDM and Post-hardcore an inviting style that appealed to all. One drawback is the extremely dark venue and the little to no lighting which even at 6400 iso, it was tough to catch any good shots. Check out the photos from their set:

Palisades have a couple more dates on the Not Your American Idols Tour as well as many more dates. Check the list below:

Oct. 24 EL Corazon Seattle, WA
Oct 25 The Shredder Boise, ID
Oct 26 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT
Oct 27 Black Sheep Colorado Springs, CO
Oct 29 The End Nashville, TN
Oct 30 Emerson Theatre Indianapolis, IN
Oct 31 The Pike Room Pontiac, MI
Nov 01 Mojoes Joliet, IL
Nov 02 Agora Ballroom Cleveland, OH
Nov 03 Altar Bar Pittsburgh, PA
Dec 03 Mac’s Bar Lansing, MI
Dec 04 Nelligan Hall Louisville, KY
Dec 05 Smiling Moose Pittsburgh, PA
Dec 06 California Brew Haus Rochester, NY
Dec 07 Heirloom Arts Theatre Danbury, CT
Dec 08 Stanhope House Stanhope, NJ
Dec 09 The Shop at Newgrounds York, PA
Dec 11 Club Absinthe Hamilton, Canada
Dec 13 The Kalkaska Kalkaska, MI

 

You can pick up their current release Outcasts which was released last year. They are also featured on the Punk Goes Pop Vol 6 which their cover of Pharrell William’s Happy. Make sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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Ice Nine Kills are currently out on the Not Your American Idols Tour and we are happy they made a stop in Sacramento earlier this week. One thing is for sure, they put on an incredibly fierce and energetic set every time they perform. This time was no different as they unleashed their energy onto the crowd at the Assembly Music Hall.  It was also a hard night considering they had just learned about the passing of Tyson Stevens from Scary Kids Scaring Kids and they even dedicated a song. The crowd was intense as they had quite a stream of crowd surfers and determined moshers. Of course Spencer couldn’t hold back as he joined in the crowd surfing!  Check out the photos from our Rockin Ryan of their set here:

In case you missed it, make sure to watch their recently released acoustic video for Jonathan. The traditionally melodic heavy band show their emotional soft side as they truly deliver a moving and poignant video which features Jonathan, a handsome young man who suffers from a rare mitochondrial disease. The video will surely be beneficial in raising awareness to find a cure for mitochondrial disorder which could impact cures for Autism, Parkinson’s, Alzheimers, Muscular Dystrophy. As I watch my mom suffer through her advanced stages of Parkinson’s, I can only hope to one day find a cure which will help others as they battle these diseases and ease their suffering. Check out the video here for Jonathan:

Spencer explains more about the song, Jonathan, “‘Jonathan’ is probably the most important song this band has ever created. It’s written from the perspective of my good friend Jonathan, whose sight is being slowly stolen from him by a terrible disease called mitochondrial disorder. We hope his story of unrelenting strength in the face of progressive blindness becomes an inspiring anthem for him and everyone out there who faces life-altering challenges.” – Spencer

The song is off their current release, The Predator Becomes The Prey which was released earlier this year. You can pick up the acoustic version of Jonathan by heading over to iTunes here. A portion of the profits will be going to researching to find a cure. More information about mitochondrial diseas can be found by visiting www.mitoaction.org

There are still some remaining dates for the Not Your American Idol Tour so make sure you don’t miss them!

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In addition, Ice Nine Kills have a couple dates for their  ‘Thanx-Killing Fest’ which will sell out so be sure to pick up your tickets soon!

11/29 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs
Tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com/fb/5425665/mideastnew

11/30 – Hartford, CT – Webster Underground
Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/mu6nqxf

Visit their social media sites  and stay up to date on their latest news and pick up their latest release, The Predator Becomes The Prey available at Best Buy, music retailers or iTunes here.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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Burn Halo are working on releasing their new album later this year. The album is definitely heavier and it is going to be INSANE! It has a strong deep 18 Visions influence….. Heavy! Heavy! Heavy!  It is solid and intense on all levels. They have been getting a lot of praise for their first single, Wolves of War.  “The song ‘Wolves of War’ is a statement of aggression and angst towards all that have never given us a chance. This is our answer to the naysayers. With a foot upon your throat, we will be heard,” says Burn Halo vocalist James Hart. “Our label and management felt confident enough after hearing early demos that they pretty much left us alone during the recording process allowing us to make the record we envisioned, with no compromises and no regrets. This album is that vision.”

Band Members:

  • James Hart – Vocals
  • Joey Roxx – Guitar
  • Ryan Frost – Guitar
  • Johnny Badbones – Drums
  • Chris Bishop – Bass

Check out our photos from Rockin Ryan of Burn Halo at Aftershock Festival.

They completely took over the crowd and dominated that festival during their set. Joey Roxx had a broken leg but you wouldn’t have known because he continued to treat the crowd to his bad ass guitar playing. James was jumping around and channeling his 18 Visions stage presence and brought up the level of intensity. I think the band displayed a tight lineup and felt that this was one of their best shows. We can’t wait to see them again and even more excited for the new album!

Current Music:  Up From the Ashes – available on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/up-from-ashes-deluxe-edition/id443861446  New album set to release later this year.

Song to Check out: I Won’t Back Down and Alone are both available on Up From the Ashes and great songs to check out!

Video: Wolves of War 

~ Crank it up loud, Marisol

Information & Links:

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I wanted to introduce you to a great new band, Dream in Red from the Sacramento area, featuring Frost, Crash and Erie of Luxt and Blownload. They have me longing for my long lost love for alternative rock. There are so many styles of music out today but Dream In Red are bringing something new to the table. With vocals that just captive you from the start, melodies and tones that draw out your emotion.  You can take a listen to some samples of their music and I am sure you will definitely get hooked and ready for the ride with Dream in Red.

You can visit their website at http://dreaminred.net/ to take a listen. You will love their songs like Zombie Millionaire and End.  Check out a clip of one of my favorite songs from them, Hate To See You Go

 

The vocals are filled with depth and emotion and the piano intro is stellar. This song just grabs a hold of you, amazing work. I am really excited to see the journey of this new band. Dream in Red played their first show last night in San Francisco and I heard it was a success! Make sure to visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their latest news. We will see if we can bring you an interview with them soon.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

Website: http://dreaminred.net/