The Chronicles of Michael Christopher
Music • Culture • Film • Travel • Photography • Vinyl
Children of famous musicians who attempt to follow in the family trade are a bit hit and miss in terms of talent, success and longevity. From Frank Sinatra Jr. to Miley Cyrus, results vary wildly, but what can’t hurt is doing a different kind of music altogether. Take Matteo Bocelli for instance. The 26-year-old son of superstar... Continue Reading →
The number of superlatives bandied about by those who have taken in one of the U2 shows at Sphere at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas since the state-of-the-art venue opened at the end of September is endless. Audience members report being left speechless at the sights and sounds while even the most hardened critics... Continue Reading →
Certain artists hit at just the right time. And for a small number, they hit generations over and over again. In the case of Violent Femmes, it's typically during the late-high school/early-college years sweet spot. Tracks like "Blister in the Sun," "Add It Up" and "American Music" have that folksy but funky swing while still... Continue Reading →
I'd been warned that Andy Summers doesn't suffer fools during interviews. And at 80 years of age - along with having to deal with Sting all those years - it's not exactly unexpected that he'd be a crotchety old man these days. Thankfully, the ex-Police guitarist and I got along like bank robbers when I... Continue Reading →
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 →
Unbeknownst to fans at the time, come 1995 the relationship between Sammy Hagar and the brothers Van Halen had seriously deteriorated. Their fourth album together, Balance, was released that January, and by the following spring, they'd split. The recording of the LP had been anything but smooth, leading producer Bruce Fairbairn to ask Eddie Van... Continue Reading →
If I had to pick one thing I don't like about PINS, it would be that they haven't released enough new music since I first became enamored with them at Iceland Airwaves 2014 when they delivered an out-of-nowhere cover of the Misfits "Hybrid Moments" at both of their live shows. That's about to change come... Continue Reading →
Today marks the 25th anniversary of Van Halen's final studio album with Sammy Hagar at the helm, the uneven Balance, which was released January 24, 1995. Though it wasn't clear at the time, the band was falling apart from the inside out, which had quite a bit to do with the mess laid down on... Continue Reading →
Chris Cornell died. I didn't know him...but it still hurt.
"Moving sucks" is an oft-repeated phrase which I can't add to in any way.I'm currently in the midst of leaving a place I've been in for 10 years. That's a large chunk of time. Certainly the longest I've ever been in one place for any one period of time. Hell, maybe ever. My old address... Continue Reading →
The Chronicles of Michael Christopher 