http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/ en cmerrill@thecornernews.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-07T20:05:20+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/warped-tour-veterans-hit-the-independent/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/warped-tour-veterans-hit-the-independent/#When:19:05:20Z As veterans of the Van’s Warped Tour, the group has graced the stage with highly acclaimed female groups like Paramore and Damone. Hailing from Connecticut, Tip The Van grew up far from the temperate climates of Southern California or sunny Florida – the typical bastions of ska and reggae. But the six piece group of spirited musicians made the best of their home state and melded some unusual influences into their tunes. Formed by sisters Nicole and Simone Oliva in 2002 while they were both still in high school, Tip The Van began writing like their favorite bands, which blended pop, reggae and ska into a perfect storm of high energy entertainment. After they added Stephanie Allen on trombone, the group had formed their original, solid lineup. Since then, they’ve added three fellas to fill in the rest of the gaps. Through numerous lineup changes the ladies and gentlemen of Tip The Van have maintained a hard road-work ethic and have written some of the best undiscovered music of the genre. As veterans of the Van’s Warped Tour, the group has graced the stage with highly acclaimed female groups like Paramore and Damone since they began playing the indie punk tour in 2005. Over the past summer, the group joined the tour for numerous acoustic shows and band giveaways. The group released their three song EP “Passion, Love and Pride” in 2009 and have been on the road with Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto. They are currently riding high on the release of their new single, “Refuse the Tide,” which has a decidedly pop bent to it. Currently on the Southern leg of their summer tour, Tip The Van will be playing The Independent on Thursday, Sept. 9. Check out tipthevan.com for tunes and more info about the group. 2010-09-07T19:05:20+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/tea-leaf-green-looks-west-on-latest-album/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/tea-leaf-green-looks-west-on-latest-album/#When:19:27:52Z Having now been together for more than 10 years, the San Fran natives have carved out quite a name for themselves in the hard-to-crack jam band genre.“I sure like looking West,” Tea Leaf Green frontman Josh Clark states coolly on the title track of Tea Leaf Green’s newest album, “Looking West.” Meant as a mantra of liberation, “looking west” is the group’s attempt at laying down old tunes, getting things off their chests, and letting go of the past. Having now been together for more than 10 years, the San Fran natives have carved out quite a name for themselves in the hard-to-crack jam band genre, winning over die-hard fans the nation over. With a sound that harkens back to some of the giants of late ‘70s jam, Tea Leaf Green are often compared to The Grateful Dead, The Band, or live Dylan. As a tireless touring machine, the group plays at many of the largest U.S. festivals, such as Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Jam Cruise and The Echo Project. They have also shared the stage with Gov’t Mule, Trey Anastasio and the Dave Matthews Band. The band is currently touring in support of “Looking West,” which was released in June . The album is a collection of tunes that the group has been meaning to get down on tape for some time now. Most of the tunes are ones they have been performing for some time, a few old fan favorites and a handful of new tunes. To hear some tunes from their newest album, or download some live tracks check out tealeafgreen.com. The group will be performing at SkyBar on Tuesday, Sept. 7th. 2010-08-30T19:27:52+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/texan-household-name-brings-tunes-to-skybar/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/texan-household-name-brings-tunes-to-skybar/#When:16:53:00Z After exploding on to the Texas Country scene in the late ‘90s Green quickly became one of the hottest young artists in the state. Pat Green isn’t too well known outside of Texas, but in his home state, Green is almost a household name. After exploding on to the Texas Country scene in the late ‘90s Green quickly became one of the hottest young artists in the state. Growing up in San Antonio, Pat Green’s career took off in 2001 with the release of his debut album. During those formative years, he put in his time at local joints and performing the college circuit. But with his early successes and highly accessible sound, Green was quickly signed and began touring with some of the biggest names in current Country music. He’s been compared to a Country Bruce Springsteen and his relaxed, feel-good style has been likened to his former labelmate Kenny Chesney. Recently, Green has taken a considerable amount of flack in his home state for his so-called “crossover” music – the jump from “Texas Country” to “Nashville Country” – which is fairly taboo where he comes from. But Green has taken elements from both of the sub-genres and melded them together in what he hopes is music that you can “really live with for a while.” Green’s newest album, “What I’m For,” was released in January of 2009, and peaked at number two on the U.S. Country charts. The album features powerful songs about all the familiar country motifs – life, love, ambition – but has sound much larger than its subject matter. Pat Green will be performing at SkyBar this Thursday, Aug. 26. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. Check out patgreen.com for snippets of all his tunes and for more information. 2010-08-24T16:53:00+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/catch-a-sci-fi-80s-fueled-set-at-the-independent/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/catch-a-sci-fi-80s-fueled-set-at-the-independent/#When:19:38:19Z If you’ve been to a show at The Independent recently, you’ve likely seen owner Heath Truitt beaming the video for How I Became The Bomb’s synth-driven pop masterpiece “Mothership.”If you’ve been to a show at The Independent recently, you’ve likely seen owner Heath Truitt beaming the video for How I Became The Bomb’s synth-driven pop masterpiece “Mothership” onto the bar’s projector screen in between sets to entice people to see the Nashville-based perpetual buzz-band play Friday night. If an Internet-era video has better captured the groping, kid-in-a-candy-shop wonder of early ‘80s multimedia – of a time when synthesizers weren’t instruments of irony, but tools of the future – I haven’t seen it. Imagine the aesthetic randomness of the video for Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me With Science” combined with the uniform dystopia on the set of Styx’s “Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto” and the special effects of Tron and you’ll have an idea of it’s power (or just Google them and watch it yourself). “We were just trying to make a cheap sci-fi video,” says 1982-born frontman Jon Burr, which is exactly why it works; the entire decade was a cheap sci-fi video, and after experiencing a video – and it’s catchy soundtrack – made by guys who tracked down an actual cosmonaut helmet worn in vintage Cold War space, it works. “The ‘80s were a bizarre pastiche of bygone eras,” Burr says. “You had the cocaine-fueled recklessness of the ‘20s, the Reagan/Thatcher-era paranoia of WWII, and some really strange notions regarding fashion. Television was growing as a medium, and some of the best and worst comics and films were coming out, resulting in a sort of pop-culture explosion, whether you look at it ironically or not.” How I Became The Bomb doesn’t look it ironically, but with an unrepentant nostalgia (“We all got together in our attic and started making the music we wanted to hear”) and modern sensibility that has earned them press in Rolling Stone, Billboard, The Guardian, and even an invite to record at Maida Vale Studios at the BBC. Burr is an incurable Tennessee fan and his great-grandfather was a quarterback for the Tide. He’s never been to Auburn. “I’m actually somewhat terrified that I’ll burst into flames upon entering the city limits,” he says. Have a Flip Vid handy, and that’d actually make a pretty killer video, too, but here’s hoping he doesn’t. At least until they finish playing. For more on the band, visit howibecamethebomb.com. 2010-08-20T19:38:19+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/mobile-band-leaves-its-mark/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/mobile-band-leaves-its-mark/#When:17:00:52Z For a band with a name that conjures up images of a fabled pied piper leading rats and children zombie-like away from their homes, the Mobile natives Hamelin are remarkably well-adjusted. For a band with a name that conjures up images of a fabled pied piper leading rats and children zombie-like away from their homes, the Mobile natives Hamelin are remarkably well-adjusted. With a youthful drive and a sharp sound, the four-piece seem to be drawing crowds away from their homes at every show. Hamelin formed in the mid-2000’s, with frontman Ross Newell penning poignant rock lyrics and delivering them with a unique sound that instantly drew the attention of local radio stations. Soon the guys were winning local talent shows and jockeying for a spot on a small indie label. The guys put together “Paintings on the Wall” in 2004, an album that draws much of its inspiration from ‘90s stars like Counting Crows and Pearl Jam, the group has sought to out-do itself. The album was a local hit and the group spent time playing local clubs and hand-selling 1,600 copies of the album. Since their early success, the group has gone on to open for national acts and to play numerous large scale festivals, like Mobile’s annual BayFest. Recently the group has been added to the Pandora music project. Their new album, “What You Make of It,” is far more singer/songwriter oriented, with the underlying sense of gained maturity. The group has cited Bob Dylan and Ryan Adams as current influences, both of which can be heard in their most recent numbers. Hamelin will be performing at Opelika’s Eighth & Rail this Friday, Aug. 20th. For more info, tunes and dates check out myspace.com/hamelin. 2010-08-17T17:00:52+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/the-outlaws-contend-for-best-odd-ball-band/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/the-outlaws-contend-for-best-odd-ball-band/#When:12:32:28Z Despite drawing on some of the tried-and-true southern country/rock tall-tales, the Outlaws aren’t just imaginative hacks with instruments – these guys can really play.Any college town will have its share of odd-ball bands – I know I’ve seen my share – but Sweet Jimmy Carter and the Outlaws with their hokey back story about the band’s formation and allusions to our 39th president could be a contender. But despite drawing on some of the tried-and-true southern country/rock tall-tales, the Outlaws aren’t just imaginative hacks with instruments – these guys can really play. Sticking mostly to the classic rock catalogue, these guys are one of the youngest groups around that can convincingly take care of business with a Bachman-Turner Overdrive tune or use up all of a Bill Wither’s song. The group’s catalogue also includes classics from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as well as songs from Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. But the real beauty comes in the tongue-in-cheek delivery of some of what many consider the most clichéd songs in rock history – almost as if they know they are performing really catchy songs your dad may have rocked out to in a burned out basement back in the day. Although the Outlaws play mostly covers now, they have developed a small following over the last year, where they have been random dates around the city. And while they largely play fraternity parties and similar events, they have caught on rather quickly with the natives and have opened shows for Auburn favorites like Swamp Wompus. This Fall they will be performing alongside Rollin’ in the Hay at a game time event. They will be performing at the War Eagle Supper Club on August 15. For more information, dates and music, check out myspace.com/sjco. 2010-08-09T12:32:28+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/from-the-grand-ole-opry-to-supper-club/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/from-the-grand-ole-opry-to-supper-club/#When:16:06:21Z Matt Kennon burst on to the country scene a few years back with a mix of what he likes to call “Van Waylon” – part country, part rock ‘n’ roll. Hailing from Rockdale County, Ga., where the first episodes of “The Dukes of Hazard” were filmed, Matt Kennon burst on to the country scene a few years back with a mix of what he likes to call “Van Waylon” – part country, part rock ‘n’ roll. A rough up-bringing in North Georgia gave Kennon all the material he needed to write great country music. And after beginning his career in Atlanta, playing covers of country and southern rock songs in the local club circuit, Kennon moved on to Nashville to do just that. In the Music City the young songwriter started making contacts within the country music scene and hit it off with Gary Falcon, Travis Tritt’s former manager. His first big break came when he wrote a song for Randy Travis, “Turn It Around,” which was later released as a successful single. With a disarmingly deep voice, Kennon has scored a Top 40 country hit with his first single “The Call,” released on the up-and-coming BamaJam record label. “The Call” tells the story of people in life changing situations, who come to recognize and appreciate the small things in life. The song was released on his eponymous first record with BamaJam in May, and peaked at number 19 on the U.S. Country Charts. Recently, Kennon has been touring in support of his album, while winning over new fans at every stop on his Southern tour. November of last year marked what can only be considered the peak in the young writer’s career, his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Kennon will be performing at the War Eagle Supper Club on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 10 p.m. Check out myspace.com/mattkennon for more tunes and touring info. 2010-08-03T16:06:21+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/unique-weekday-performance/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/unique-weekday-performance/#When:16:49:20Z Raise your hand if you know what a “euphonium” is. Anyone? Well, former Auburn student Marie Robertson is out to fix that. Raise your hand if you know what a “euphonium” is. Anyone? Anyone? Well, former Auburn student Marie Robertson is out to fix that. Originally developed in the 1840’s, the euphonium, a deep brass instrument similar in size to a tuba, is not a commonly known instrument today, which is precisely why Robertson wants to share her music. Currently a masters student in classical euphonium performance at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Robertson is in town to show off her euphonium skills and hopefully peak the curiosities of a few Auburn bar-goers. “Classical music is an art that seems to be going steadily downhill in interest for young people and I want to expose the public to more of it,” Robertson said, who has also noted that the emphasis on the past is what is really holding classical music back from reaching the masses these days. Another problem, Robertson notes, is that most classical performances take place in stuffy environments, with little movement or interaction, which is why she chose the unlikely locale of The Independent for her show. Set against an electronic accompaniment, Robertson will be performing a euphonium piece in three movements called ‘Pearls’ by a young Hungarian composer and tuba enthusiast, Roland Szentpali. She will also then be performing some original works, all of which, Robertson promises, will be an exciting, energetic performance. Marie Robertson will be performing at The Independent on Thursday, July 29th. For more info about the euphonium and to hear some of her recorded works visit myspace.com/playmarierobertson. 2010-07-27T16:49:20+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/professional-piano-man/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/professional-piano-man/#When:16:26:47Z A typical Scobie song features lush piano work accompanied by his mature vocal styling, all of which could easily become Top 40 material.Piano wiz Kurt Scobie knows the meaning of patience. The Michigan native has been singing his songs and trying to get paid since the early 2000’s to little avail. It’s a familiar story from the musical world, but not one that is bound to end up the way that most do. Growing up in southeastern Michigan, Kurt Scobie comes from a large musical family where his father sang in the church choir and his mother ran the children’s music program there as well. Scobie learned to play piano at an early age, picking up tips from his older sister before taking lessons. As he got older he began to play shows with members of his family, where he started touring regionally, developing a zest for performing. After his failure to really break into the tough-nut Nashville music scene in 2005, he moved on to Atlanta, where he took a job working at a hotel and performed shows on the side. As his fan base grew, thanks in large part to local open mic nights, Scobie was able to quit the hotel gig in 2008 and start performing his music professionally. Over the past year Scobie has begun branching out and has made appearances with the Atlanta Braves, college conventions and various festivals. A typical Scobie song features lush piano work accompanied by his mature vocal styling, all of which could easily become Top 40 material. Check out kurtscobie.com for more tunes and info. Kurt Scobie will be playing at Eighth & Rail this Friday, July 23. 2010-07-20T16:26:47+00:00 http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/surfer-chicks-take-on-the-independent/ http://www.thecornernews.com/index.php/nightlife/surfer-chicks-take-on-the-independent/#When:14:26:11Z A couple of girls crashed on the floor of a punk house and a band was born.Bombón’s Angela Ramos, 25, went to the flea market this morning to prepare for tour. She was looking for sunglasses. She wound up with a Ventures record. That seems like the way the guitarist for a girl surf band from San Pedro, Calif., should spend her Sunday. Not that I’m telling her what to do. Ramos, who along with the band will play The Independent on Friday, July 16, has never been on tour before, she’s never been interviewed, she’s never put out a record (“Las Chicas del Bombón" comes out four days before they play The Independent). But she’s dealt with the stigma of being a cute girl in a band of cute girls plenty of times. “People will come up and say ‘wow, I really wasn’t expecting that. You actually know how to play your instruments,’” says Ramos, a chemistry major at Cal State Los Angeles. “We try to take it as something positive, but it’s also negative, because everyone automatically thinks ‘I wonder how cute they’ll sound’ instead of ‘I wonder what kind of music they’ll play.’” For those that do wonder what style? “I just tell them surf-punk,” she says. “I started writing Ventures-style songs and just played them by myself. I’ve always been into surf music, but never found the right people to play it with.” That changed last year after a couple of girls crashed on the floor of the punk house where she used to live (before the punk house where they now all live). “I started jamming out with Jerico (Campbell) cause she played the drums and then Paloma (Banuelos) wanted to learn something so she picked up the bass pretty quickly,” Ramos says. “All of a sudden, it just started.” And it works; Ramos’ favorite song “La Playa” – Spanish for “the beach” – sounds as beachy as a surfboard smells, or as beachy as she imagines it might smell. “People ask us if we surf,” she laughs. “No, none of us surf. If you can’t surf, play in a surf band. I’m ashamed, but only one of the Beach Boys surfed, or kind of surfed. That’s what I heard.” For more on the band, visit myspace.com/bombonhoorah. 2010-07-12T14:26:11+00:00