Something Like Sound

This review, like most things on this blog, will be multi-faceted. I’m going to try and cover the areas of live music review, overall social context, and public transportation.

To begin, I was fortunate enough to get 2 press passes to Warped Tour (unlike most of the other festivals this summer), so I brought along my friend and photographer, Patrick. Pat and I left Golden bright and early via the bus and, after getting on a bus that didn’t stop at Mile High, but went all the way to Auraria, arrived at Warped in time to get our passes, and see the first acts of the day.

Initially we ran all over the place, catching half a song here and there; just enough to get a couple decent photos. During this time we saw Chiodos, who managed to get a fairly energetic crowd for 11 am on a Sunday. More wandering and we caught a little bit of local band Vices I Admire, then it was off to Bayside.

Bayside put on a great set (it was also the first set that we stuck around for), starting things out with a NOFX cover, then moving in to some material from their Walking Wounded album. We tried to see Single File, but the crowds were just too much for the small stage they were playing, so we ended up seeing The Epilogues finish out the last couple of songs from their set.

We started kicking it old school with The Bouncing Souls. For a 20-year-old band, these guys certainly did not let age get in the way of putting on an energetic set of punk rock. At the urging of an enthusiastic guy in the press area, we decided to see Tat, a British group with a female lead. Their music did not dissapoint and the overall set was quite fun.

Up next was probably my favorite act for the entire day: Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band. Armed with a few resonators, a washboard, and a drum kit, the “big” band certainly knew how to play to the crowd. Rev. Peyton himself was such a character, the kind of guy you’d expect to see running a great BBQ joint some place in the South, but with enough attitude to still come across as a bit of a punk.

Another highlight had to be Bad Religion. Another band that has been around much longer than most of the tour’s patrons have been alive, Bad Religion appeared to be entirely comfortable and connected with the stage and the crowd. After they played “Sorrow” Pat and I headed over to see Big D and the Kids Table. We saw a lot of ska that day, but nobody else had their own backup dancers.

Underoath is one of those bands that all of my hardcore-music friends are in to. I decided I might as well give them a chance, and while their brand of heavy-hitting music played well with the audience, I was quickly ready for something else. Fortunately there was more great ska readily available at Streetlight Manifesto. With one of the most energetic brass sections I’ve seen in years, Streetlight gathered a crowd, then got it moving.

Alright, one more ska band, I promise. Less Than Jake was next, and their set reminded me a little bit of seeing Goldfinger back at E-days in ’08. It was rude punk/ska, ’nuff said. Finally it was time for the big hometown closers: 3Oh!3.

The clouds rolled in and lightning struck in the distance as the set began. Soon a few drops began to fall, until it became an all-out deluge of hail and rain. The band played on. Pat and I sought shelter, 3Oh!3 played through “Don’t Trust Me,” then the set was cut short. See our video of people running away in the rain to get a better feel. Other than the weather, the music was pretty decent, and everyone there was dancing, well done boys.

Now for the discussion on public transport. In our haste to get out of there Pat and I hopped on the first bus with the correct route number, not knowing it only went about 3/4 of the way. We found ourselves on west Colfax in the middle of the night; fortunately we have friends who graciously came to pick us up. The point is: RTD, while very useful, doesn’t have the most user-friendly routes on the west side of town, so be sure you know where your bus is going before you get on.

Ok, one last topic: the social context. I am really not that old (I was born in the late 80′s), but I felt old just being surrounded by thousands of teens all dressed in their Hot Topic clothing and (ususally) ridiculous hairstyles. Perhaps it’s my own tastes/views or just the current trends, but all the kids looked the same, and most of the pop bands they were there to see sounded the same (remember we stuck to the old school bands, not the newer pop bands).

In closing, I will say I had an excellent time at Warped Tour this year. I attribute this mostly to the fact that there were so many solid, older bands at the core of the festival to provide some actual musical value. Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls, etc.: these are the bands that have been going at it for decades, they are seasoned road-warriors and punk legends, it was almost awe-inspiring to see them practice their trade in a parking lot in the Queen City.

15th Anniversary Art Print // Brian Ewing

Another year, another Warped Tour. I recall going to my first Warped a couple years back and being blown away by the likes of Thursday, Motion City Soundtrack, Rise Against, Against Me!… and the list goes on. It was unlike anything I’d ever been to (it was, after all, my first music festival). Nonstop music, ridiculous amounts of heat, and tons of freebies, it was all so great.

This year is certainly going to be another exciting one, because Pat and I get to cover Warped Tour for the blog. Here’s a quick look at some of the band we most want to see, and a few we’ll be interviewing.

3Oh!3: Say what you will, but these guys put on an excellent and energetic live show (I know, I’ve seen them twice in the last year). Hopefully we’ll get an interview (although everybody wants a piece of these guys since “Don’t Trust Me” became a best-seller).

Alexisonfire: Nothing quite like some good hardcore rock. As another band we will likely interview, Alexisonfire has been one of my favorites since I picked up their 2005 split with fellow Canadians Moneen.

Single File: Denver is well-represented on this year’s tour, as Single File continues to gain national attention with their brand of pop-rock. For a refresher, go listen to “Zombies Ate My Neighbors.”

Streetlight Manifesto: Ska is not dead, these guys are proof. Quite possibly one of the best bands from the third-wave ska scene, Streetlight always tears it up.

Underoath: Perhaps a little heavier than I normally go, Underoath is one of those bands that all of my friends say I need to see. I believe we’re also interviewing them.

Expect to see a few more of our picks tomorrow.

This is a full page I wrote for The Oredigger’s summer issue in 2008. It was part of an issue sent to incoming freshman to get them informed about what living in Denver is really like.

VENUES:

General Information:

The Denver music scene would not exist if it were not for the tireless efforts of bands, promoters, and venues. Most music venues in the mile high city are also historical landmarks, renovated with modern equipment, but still paying homage to their roots.

Downtown Denver:

The Marquis

Among the bars and clubs of downtown sits an all ages venue that has played host to some of the hottest bands from across the country. The Marquis, a venue operated by promotions company Soda Jerk Presents, features a separate bar and pizzeria so that concertgoers of any age can have a good time. While the venue is rather small, especially when compared to other Denver music outlets, the intimate setting allows for fans experience bands in a way that is not possible at larger concert halls. Featured acts have included mewithoutYou, Sherwood, Saosin, and many other bands popular to the “MySpace generation.”

The Denver Center For The Performing Arts

Home to ten performance venues and over 10,000 seats, the Denver Center For the Performing Arts is one of the mile high city’s gems. Performances at the center occur every week and range from opera, to classical music, and even Broadway productions. Students at the Colorado School of Mines have been given opportunities to experience productions, such as Spamalot, and concerts by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at discounted prices. Whether you’re on a date, or just want to dress up for a show, the Denver Center For the Performing Arts is a classy venue for enjoying the finer parts of society and culture.

Capitol Hill:

The Fillmore Auditorium

This historic venue on the hill has a colorful history and has played host to some of the world’s most famous acts. Built near the turn of the 20^th century, the Fillmore underwent many changes until the current owners decided to model it after the famous San Francisco music venue. As one of the largest venues in Denver, the Fillmore has hosted the likes of Feist, Rise Against, Brand New, Motion City Soundtrack, and other bands that have become popular on both mainstream radio and television. Concertgoers should expect to pay more for tickets to Fillmore shows, but oftentimes the extra cost is worth seeing some of the most popular and innovative groups performing today.

The Ogden

Another historic venue on Capitol Hill, the Ogden was built in 1913, used for performances and movie showings until it went under new ownership in 1993. At that point the venue became a hot spot for concerts. The Ogden boasts an innovative theater design with balconies and a tiered main general admission area. Concerts are moderately priced and have featured the likes of Green Day, Ben Harper, Allman Brothers Band, Blink 182, Smashing Pumpkins, and the Goo Goo Dolls.

South Denver:

The Gothic

The golden age of cinema birthed the Gothic. During the 1920’s the theater served as a one of the main entertainment spots on southern Broadway. Similar to the Ogden and Fillmore, the Gothic switched uses and ownership several times before becoming what it is today. The mid-sized concert hall features balconies and a tiered main area (similar to the Ogden). Bands that have played the Gothic include indie legends Nada Surf and Built To Spill, in addition to Say Anything, Saves The Day, Lucero, Mute Math, Talib Kweli, and countless other up-and-coming acts.

Golden/Morrison:

Red Rocks Amphitheater

The ancient sandstone monoliths that form the natural amphitheater at Red Rocks have provided an awe-inspiring venue for musicians for over 100 years. The current configuration of Red Rocks came about when Franklin Roosevelt and his “New Deal” plan created the Civilian Conservation Corps, who developed the mountain area into a working performance center during the 1940’s. As one of the best outdoor venues in the world, Red Rocks has seen the likes of The Beatles, U2, The Fray, Muse, and many other historic acts. The 2008 concert season at Red Rocks includes the likes of Death Cab For Cutie and R.E.M. While tickets to Red Rocks shows usually start in the low $40 range, the park can be visited for free when there are no events happening.

BANDS:

General Information:

In recent years the Denver music scene has become more prominent on a national and world level. While some Denver-based bands, like The Fray, have found mainstream success, there are countless other bands that are bound to be the “next big thing.”

The Heyday

The fresh faced musicians that compose The Heyday play in a fashion that is similar to The Format or Limbeck. While they have not hit national charts or mainstream radio yet, The Heyday have toured extensively and worked hard to develop their upbeat sound. Dave Hererra, music editor for Denver’s entertainment magazine Westword called the band “the next generation Fray” after only a handful shows. With ambitious plans of touring all summer in support of their newly released self-titled album, The Heyday are on their way to spreading their fun-filled concert experience across the country.

Flobots

“There’s A War Going On For Your Mind,” the first track on the Flobots breakthrough record Fight With Tools, showcases the group’s socially conscious approach to hip hop. With a fresh mix of guitars, horns, and lyrics, this group has recently caught the attention of major record label Universal Republic Records. Their song “Handlebars” has seen national mainstream radio play and they regularly sell out shows across the country. However, the Flobots have not let success change their cause. From www.flobots.com, “Not only did they [Universal Republic Records] want to release Fight With Tools untouched, but they were excited to help us continue to integrate music, activism, and community-building.” The Flobots have definitely put Denver on the map for hip hop, a sentiment echoed by Chuck D. from group Public Enemy. “We played Boulder, CO,” said Chuck D., “the opening band were a great group named the Flobots who, along with some great musicianship and rhyme flow, set the stage well with political commentary.”

3OH!3

One part Lil Jon, another part Beastie Boys, 3OH!3 have brought their unique style of crunk-rap and hip-hop to Denver. The duo, composed of Matt Motte and Sean Foreman got their start in Boulder, but have branched out nationally and will be appearing on the 2008 Warped Tour. Their tunes are catchy and entertaining, while their beats are excellent for dancing or partying. Although their style of music might seem like a better fit in a city such as Atlanta, they have found a solid fan base in Denver. Perhaps part of their success has been their ability to turn heads and cause people to stop and listen. 3OH!3 have a self-titled album to their credit and a creative hand signal that represents the Denver area code.

The Photo Atlas

In recent years, experimental dance music has become increasingly popular part of the Denver music scene. Leading this movement is a group of four guys who call themselves The Photo Atlas. A blend of Bloc Party and At The Drive-In, The Photo Atlas have played national tours and festivals in support of their album No, Not Me, Never available from Stolen Transmission Records. Most recently, The Photo Atlas played at the Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey and SXSW in Austin, Texas. This summer they are going on tour again, but will return to Colorado for the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks in September.

Single File

While Single File got their start in Denver, they almost gave up music all together. While the three members of Single File were in high school they began playing music together as a jazz trio. However this didn’t last and soon enough they had moved to separate parts of the country to pursue their own interests. However, they reunited in 2003 and branched out in a new direction. Single File brought their unique brand of pop-punk to CSM in 2007, during the E-Days Concert. At that point they were beginning to break out. Soon after they signed a record deal with Reprise Records and released their EP No More Sad Face. With their EP and hit song “Zombies Ate My Neighbors,” Single File are going on the road this summer with the Warped Tour.

Fear Before The March of Flames

While the Denver music scene has seen quite a bit of change along with new sounds and acts, one thing has remained constant: quality hardcore music. Through the years Denver has shown itself to be a place that loves the heavy hitting sound of hardcore musicians, but has also been a major player in the post-hardcore and experimental scenes. Bands such as Fear Before The March of Flames have become a nationally successful the post-hardcore post-hardcore band. They have released three albums on Equal Vision Records and toured with the likes of Poison The Well, Saosin, The Blood Brothers, and Bear Vs. Shark. Their sound is a mix of heavy guitars and heavier vocals. Live, Fear Before The March of Flames can get an entire venue moving with moshing and head-banging in a fashion that is reminiscent of some of the first punk and hardcore bands.