Darkwave outfit Drab Majesty have been on my radar since hearing their song "Dot in the Sky" back in 2017. This year, I was able to see them twice live, interviewing the mastermind behind the curtain, Deb Demure between the shows. It was a bit of a journey for me in a way. Caught them... Continue Reading →
Iceland Airwaves, coolest music fest in the world, returns
Like virtually every other music festival on the planet, Iceland Airwaves was deeply affected by COVID-19. The event went virtual in 2020 and last year under the banner “Live from Reykjavík” with the latter a socially distanced hybrid across just four venues on a single night that ended with the country going back into lockdown... Continue Reading →
Beth Orton Talks About Braving the ‘Weather’ for a 617 Q&A
The worst part about interviewing Beth Orton was not being able to then see her perform on the tour I was interviewing her about. Unfortunately, I was traveling internationally while she was in town promoting the excellent album Weather Alive. her first in over six years. We had a good chat over Zoom though while... Continue Reading →
Back in the 617 Groove with Craig Finn from the Hold Steady
Several years back, I came up with the idea to shake up the traditional interview a little bit. A dirty little not-so-secret among musicians is they aren't really a fan of doing them, mainly because it's the same old questions that have been addressed ad nauseam. Enter the 617 Q&A , which is exclusive to... Continue Reading →
‘Dirt,’ the darkest album of the grunge era, turns 30
The Mount Rushmore of grunge is universally recognized as being made up of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. To debate would be absurd, as those four were the most popular, sold the most music and sprouted out of early ‘90s Seattle, ground zero of the movement. Upon closer examination though, a bit... Continue Reading →
Zoomers look to ‘cancel’ Metallica after ‘Stranger Things’ bump
Two things happen when an artist has been around long enough. First, they begin to transcend generations, like when Led Zeppelin T-shirts show up year after year in high school hallways as students continue to discover them. Then there’s the backlash to sustained popularity. At this critical juncture in time, that means being “canceled,” and... Continue Reading →
Asbury Park Freeze Out: Springsteen fans left cold over ticket prices
It’s hard to imagine now, but back in 1989, when the Rolling Stones were about to embark on their first tour of North America in seven years, many fans and critics balked at ticket prices. The nerve of a bunch of over the hill musicians – mean age at the time being 47 – thinking... Continue Reading →
Boston Calling 2022 Comes on Strong Despite Nasty Weather, Artist Cancellations
Following two years of having to cancel due to the ongoing pandemic, Boston Calling made a triumphant return over Memorial Day Weekend, but it wasn't without its hiccups...or straight up coughing fits. The Strokes had to bail out as the second night's headliner, only to be replaced by Nine Inch Nails, who had already killed... Continue Reading →
Jack White wants major labels to build vinyl pressing plants
Former White Stripe Jack White has a lot on his plate right now. A new record, Fear of the Dawn, arrives in three weeks. Then another one, Entering Heaven Alive, hits shelves in the middle of July. And, he’s just announced a North American and European tour set to run from April through August. It... Continue Reading →
10 Years Ago: Adele Blocks Van Halen from No. 1
One of the neverending arguments in rock and roll remains the one over who was the best lead singer for Van Halen: David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar. When it comes to the Red Rocker, his supporters never shy from pointing out that Diamond Dave never had a number one album with the group, while... Continue Reading →