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Category Archives: Music Review
Concert Review: Adam Ant
Adam Ant’s performance at the Majestic Ventura Theatre Friday, October 19, 2012.
What a blast! When I heard Adam Ant would be playing our very own Majestic Ventura Theatre, a rush of nostalga hit me. I immediate recalled the days of driving with the windows all rolled down blasting KROQ standards like “Stand and Deliver” and “Goodie Two Shoes”….It was the days of big hair and even bigger dance moves.
Adam Ant hadn’t toured the US in 17 years, so it was quite exciting to be able to catch the show. Not only would Adam Ant be rockin’ the standards, but the tour was launched in conjuction with his upcoming album, “Adam Ant is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter.” Yea, I know. The word you’re looking for is “Anyways…” So, yea, that’s the name of the album and he’s sticking to it.
Affectionately entitled, Adam Ant & the Good, the Mad & the Lovely Posse, the band arrived at the Majestic Ventura Theatre towards the tail end of the tour. The place was packed with many old and just as many newer fans who were made up in “Ant-like” garb and make-up; people in the know call them Ant People. The anticipation was thick in the air. People were smiling, happily waiting for Adam to take the stage to a sold out crowd. Soon enough, the lights went down, the band took the stage and Adam Ant promptly took his spot immediately commanding the room…and just as quickly, the crowd embraced Adam and all his glory dressed in his familiar pirate-like garb. The old familiar songs blended extremely well with the newer ones and the joint never stopped rocking. I loved the dual drummers, and singers in costume changes; it was a feast for the eyes and ears. Time and time again when the band would fire up the next tune, people would smile and look around as they recognized their favorite songs and again, the room would start dancing. It was a fun night watching a true Brit icon.
I’m very much looking forward to the release of “Adam Ant is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter” which is scheduled to release January 2013.
Set List:
PLASTIC SURGERY
DOG EAT DOG
BEAT MY GUEST
KICK
CAR TROUBLE
ANTS INVASION
DEUTCHER GIRLS
STAND AND DELIVER
ROOM AT THE TOP
KINGS OF THE WILD FRONTIER
WONDERFUL
WHIP IN MY VALISE
VINCE TAYLOR
STRIP
DESPERATE NOT SERIOUS
CLEOPATRA
NEVER TRUST A MAN
ZEROX
ANTMUSIC
GOODY TWO SHOES
VIVE LE ROCK
CHRISTIAN D’OR
LADY/FALL IN
ENCORE
FAT FUN
RED SCAB
PRINCE CHARMING
GET IT ON / 20TH CENTURY BOY
Album Review – Chi McClean
A Thing or Three
by Stephanie Rose
Artist really are the heart and soul of a society. Without them, you have no vision. Without them life is dull. Of course art is totally subjective and so it is something special when you come across an artist who strikes a chord with you.
I happened upon Chi McClean during one of Zoey’s Songwriters in the Round sessions and I Friended him on Facebook soon after. I read his posts with interest as he made his way across the country playing different venues. As soon as he was booked at Zoey’s again, I cleared my calendar and made it a point to catch his show which was this past Monday night along with local artists Dan Grimm and Matt Zeltzer.
I have to say that one of the highlights of the evening was the commaraderie between the musicians and the interactions with the audience between songs, to which the audience was happy to chime in on the conversation as well. The room connected.
During their break I made my way over to Chi and introduced myself from VenturaRocks.com. He thanked me for showing up and promptly provided me with a copy of his latest CD, “A Thing or Three.” I was honored. I promised to write a review to which he grimaced. Too cute.
It was a good night listening to good music and I was looking forward to cracking open my new CD and giving “A Thing or Three” a spin.
A man and his acoustic guitar. It doesn’t get much more intimate than that. A little southern, a little folk, some bluesiness, lite rock. I guess it’s called Americana. I’m reminded a little of James Taylor, Kenny Loggins, a even a tinge of Van Morrison.
It’s hard to believe Chi was born and raised in New York. I distinctly get a bonfire at the beach vibe. I can imagine listening to “A Thing or Three” driving down Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean with the top down, just as easily as spending some quality time with that someone special on a hot summer night. Uplifting lyrics, passion and extraordinary musicianship. It’s a good mix, a good vibe, and worthy of your time. My favorites include “Build me Up,” “I Save You” and “Life Got in the Way.”
Again, I’ll be following Chi and his posts on Facebook, as well as his blog on his official website. Looking forward to catching him when he rolls through our town again.
Album Review – Winchester Rebels
3 Sheets to the Wind
by Stephanie Rose
Having earned my stripes as Program Director at a local Alternative Rock radio station in the mid 90’s here in town called KXBS the Bus, and then launching a national publication, Buzzine Magazine as Vice-President and Editor-in-Chief, I’d like to think I know music. And though I haven’t been working in the industry for a number of years – opting instead for stability and a steady pay check to cover the mortgage – my first love continues to be music and so in my spare time I do what I can to support our local music scene with VenturaRocks.com.
Recently I was approached about a band I hadn’t heard of before who would be playing some shows in Ventura and they were hoping to get some support on the website. My first introduction to the Winchester Rebels was via YouTube and a video of the band performing an acoustic version of their song, “Loaded Gun” on Santa Barbara’s radio station, KJEE. I was immediately intrigued and made it a plan to check out the band which was playing at Billy O’s. After one song, it was clear the band belonged on a much larger stage with a much larger crowd. And though the house wasn’t packed, the guys played as if it were. I left wanting more and so I decided to spend some time with The Winchester Rebel’s debut release, 3 Sheets to the Wind.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best indie band endeavors I’ve heard in quite some time. Nick Fitzgerald writes all the music as well as the guitar parts and Nick Hunt writes all the lyrics. I’m impressed and I readily admit the CD hasn’t left my car, except to rip tunes for my workout playlist for my MP3 player (I added “Down” and “Flying”).
The guys know how to write solid rock tunes reminiscent of STP and Alice. Catchy lyrics and hooks from the get-go where the guitars, rhythm and vocals drive the listener from song to song, never disappointing and leaving you wanting more. The more times I listen to 3 Sheets to the Wind, the more the band leaves its mark. I find I’m singing lyrics and wondering where my own “Private Angel” is; or realizing, “I lost my head somewhere on my way to you” from one of their most infectious tunes, “Down.”
All five members of Winchester Rebels are solid players and bring something special to the table. Songs like “Private Angel” and “Silence” remind me yet again how much fun I’m missing having never learned to play drums. The band’s fat sounding bass never gets lost in the mix laying down the band’s groove, creating a fine balance between rhythm and harmony. The guitars work extremely well complementing each other driving the songs (love the solo in “Dining with the Devils”), and Nick Hunt’s vocal arrangements are incredibly captivating; he has a voice worthy of filling the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Here’s the thing, reading about music without hearing it, is like someone trying to describe a full-length body massage without actually ever experiencing one. Yea, you can explain how amazing it feels and how it will take you away to a special place, and… blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You get the picture. So until you actually sit down and give the Winchester Rebels a listen, you won’t know. Go online to Reverbnation.com/WinchesterRebels and give them a spin for yourself. Then demand they come back to town and play it live.
Nick Hunt – Vocals
Nick Fitzgerald – Guitar
James Longoria – Guitar
John Livergood – Bass
Barry Carter – Drums
VenturaRocks.com/Artists/WinchesterRebels