MUSICMARAUDERS

Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins, Colorado Words & Photos By Nicholas Stock When you go to as many concerts as I have it’s a relatively difficult to catch me off guard. As I entered Hodi’s Half Note on a cool fall evening in October, I was welcomed by the warm embrace of bluegrass lofting over a silent crowd. Colorado is such an amazing hub for live music that many of the regular attendees become blasé and often chat during any given performance. So to enter a normally raucous bar and not hear anyone but the bartender asking, “What’ll you have” and the music from the stage is something I don’t expect. As I headed toward the front to take a few photos it was immediately evident that this was not a Bisco crowd. The majority of the silent sold out audience were there to see the vibrant Mr. Snider, but they were treated to a powerful set up from the Henhouse Prowlers. This string band continues to teeter on the edge of traditional and rage-grass. Their set began around 8:45 PM as th...

Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge Denver, CO Words By J-man Photos By Carly Marthis & J-man Dazzle was buzzing on that particular Wednesday and Thursday as Marco Benevento was in the house with his trio to treat a small number of lucky fans to four sets over the course of the two evenings. Joining Marco on his Denver dates were Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) on bass and Andrew Borger (Norah Jones) on drums. As we were waiting in line for Wednesday's 9:00 PM show, folks piled out of the 7:00 PM show with smiles on their faces and many with signed vinyl in hand. Among the crowd were a handful of our friends including members of Boulder's own Springdale Quartet. Everyone had nothing but good things to say! As we were seated and the lights dimmed, our excitement came to a head. Music Director, Kevin Lee, took the stage to inform the crowd about some great upcoming shows and to threaten the room with the consequences of talking during the performance. The trio took the stage with li...

Aggie Theatre Fort Collins, CO Words, Photos & Video By Nicholas Stock Virtuoso bassist Les Claypool is a musical shape shifter. He often leaves the comfy confines of Primus to venture out on some melodious adventures. I’ve seen his many projects and they vary from full-fledged percussive groups focused on instrumental composition to an assemblage of a reptilian task force for all sorts of mayhem. His most recent project is a stripped down situation that goes by the name of Duo De Twang. This group was originally formed with Marc Haggard from San Francisco alt-rock group M.I.R.V. This tour featured Bryan Kehoe on guitar also from M.I.R.V. They invited the Reformed Whores on the road with them for the duration of their tour. These two ladies have no issue discussing all manner of bodily function and otherwise unspeakable points of view through the wonder and beauty of song. In fact if you weren’t paying attention to the lyrics it would easily sound like the background mu...

Aggie Theatre Fort Collins, CO Words, Photos & Video By Nicholas Stock Arriving at 9:30 PM meant that by the time I grabbed my first beer, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong were exiting stage left. What I heard sounded like a promising blend of electronic, funk, and jam. Forming in 2009 and averaging over a hundred shows a year this four piece has a lot of potential. In fact, all three bands on the bill were four man outfits that focused on their own brand of improvised composition. Some have pontificated that we are in a post jam era where the music has become split by genre and focus. However, when I witness performances like what I witnessed from both Twiddle and The Werks, my faith in jam is somewhat restored. Twiddle came on after a short set break and kept the night moving smoothly. It was homecoming weekend at CSU and there was an abundance of youth in attendance. It seemed like Twiddle had gained a few fans from their performance at Arise Music & Arts Festival in August...

The Fox Theater Boulder, CO Words & Photos By Brad Yeakel ( Opti Mystic Outlooks ) For years I had seen the name Jerry Joseph, but it wasn't until about a month ago that any of my friends really mentioned an interest. The one who did, Juan Julio, spoke very highly of him and judging by Juan's other musical interests, I trusted it was an artist I should check out. Fast forward one month and Juan, who lives in the 505, was once again passing through Denver. On the day after he arrived, Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons happened to be performing at the Fox Theater. It was destined to happen. We found our way into Boulder around flood repair detours and grabbed a bite before heading in to catch the opening act, Jeff Crosby and the Refugees. Crosby's band reminded me of a mix of 70's rock and roll with a 90's alternative touch. I thought they shared a lot with the Black Crowes stylistically at times. Crosby had a rich and confident voice. His band played Ameri...

Aggie Theatre Fort Collins, Colorado Words, Photos & Video By Nicholas Stock On a tour that bounced on and off the summer festival circuit beginning with Summer Camp and ending with an extensive jaunt across the country, Tea Leaf Green continues to spread their music prodigiously. Often underrated, this five-piece from San Francisco played sans one drummer at the Aggie. I headed down early to see local classics WhiteWater Ramble open. Having watched these guys evolve and transform since my arrival in Colorado it’s good to see them gelling in a live setting. WWR has always been a jamgrass contender, but at times their sound has been inconsistent. Their show at the Aggie was a smooth groove that was highlighted by a number of fun covers; In particular a spaced-out version of “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” that was a true mix of psychedelic and string. A pair of Grateful Dead covers came in the form of “Althea” and “The Wheel” as well. WhiteWater Ramble finished up with a swe...

Gothic Theater Englewood, CO Words & Photos By J-man It was a chilly evening in Englewood, CO, a little ways down Broadway from Denver. The line out front of the Gothic Theater was sizable yet swift. We arrived just prior to Les Claypool and Brian Kehoe taking the stage as Duo De Twang. The shuffle onstage yielded a fake camp fire, a couple of chairs and a couple of drinks. It was a simple set up for what would feel like a very intimate experience. The crowded venue came alive as the duo took the stage. It was clear from the get go that the show would involve a lot of reciprocal banter between Les and his "adoring" fans. The show kicked off with Primus' "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver," to the delight of the room and continued on with Claypool's "Rumble of The Diesel." The Bee Gees "Stayin' Alive" followed in a stripped down fashion with Les thumping away on the dobro bass, while Brian dug into noodly guitar riffs. The mu...

Fort Collins, CO Aggie Theatre Words, Photos & Video By Nicholas Stock Iron Horse takes the concept of a cover to the realm of high art. It’s not often that a band that makes a living performing other people’s music that creates so much fervor and dedication in their fan base. The Pickin’ On segment of bluegrass has been around for quite some time, but bands like Iron Horse do it justice. The opener was Denver’s recent incarnation Pickin’ On Your Mama’s House. They could also have gone by Tori Pater and Friends, but this group was a tight string band. They had a rowdy and raw take on many of the classics that have made Widespread a band to follow. Pater’s voice aligns nicely with the road that John Bell paved. Considering the theme of the evening was "homage" they fit in nicely. I will say it felt like their set seemed to drag towards the end, but that may have had more to do with everyone’s anticipation for Iron Horse. They did a solid version of “Tallboy” that see...

Woodward Reserve Oakdale, CA Words By B. Getz & Maria Herrera Photos By Kauai Ric & JMH Mixed Media Now in its eighth year, Symbiosis Gathering 2013 was a living, breathing dragon of pagan synergy, an event filled with spiritual confluence and an electronic-sonic paradise — a rigorous program featuring dozens of the best intergalactic yodas in EDM, yoga and sustainability practices. This was a transformational festival, and despite some disorganized infrastructure, the event broke new ground for what can be created in this type of community gathering. Symbiosis boasted four workshop stages by day, classes from mycology to mysticism, yoga to making yogurt, and organic farming to improv comedy performances. One may have gotten lost in the workshops all weekend and felt fulfilled. Another crucial component is the variety of different visual art on display. Symbiosis is a music, ART and conscious lifestyle event. Per square footage, they had more art than any othe...

Words By J-man In the midst of a sea of forthcoming electronic music, one band continues to keep their output fresh and interesting. Habitats marks the twelfth release for Signal Path, and a return to the full band style of recording. The album kicks off with the somber "Night Lightning (I'm Sorry)," opening up the experience with tasteful layers and an impressive sonic arsenal. Distorted vocals weave in and out of drum machine clicks and satisfying synth. As the track approaches the end it picks up into a danceable resolve. "Glow" follows with ambient effects and overlapping vocals before the groove takes over. Images of sweaty carefree individuals dancing uncontrollably fill the mind and turn even the listener's living room into a potential party. The guitar work of Ryan Burnett overtakes the groove and reminds the listeners that before there were electronics, there were instruments. While Damon Metzner rides the hi-hat, "Glow" transitions di...

The Fox Theatre Boulder, CO Join us on Thursday October 10th for MusicMarauders Presents: Les Claypool's Duo De Twang at The Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO! Doors: 8:00PM Show: 9:00 PM $30.00 GA + $2.00 for under 21 tickets Purchase tickets at www.foxtheatre.frontgatetickets.com Check out our recent interview with Les Claypool! www.lesclaypool.com www.foxtheatre.com

Photos By Carly Marthis J-man: Musician, published author, fisherman, wine-maker, actor and potential 2016 presidential candidate, Les Claypool. How are you Les? How's 50 treating you? Les: ... And father. Being a father of teenagers takes up most of my time. J-man: I have always been fascinated with your level of interaction and banter with your audience. What triggers some of the show stopping back and forth and how do you feel about the folks who come out to your shows? Les: I love the folks that come out to see my shows because they are eventually going to help me send my kids to college (laughs)! Bless their little hearts (laughs). You know, I've always enjoyed a little interaction... sometimes more than others. This Duo De Twang project, that's pretty much what it's all about. It's myself and my buddy, Bryan Kehoe, sitting on stools, drinking in front of crowds of people that are also drinking and telling stories, crackin' jokes and every no...

Quixote's True Blue Denver, CO Words & Photos By Brad Yeakel I entered Quixote's True Blue with an excitement confounded. Not only was I seeing a band for the first time, I was also meeting up with an old friend from college, Sam. He and his wife Alex were in Colorado for a family visit, and were excited to get out on the town for a little while. I knew we would fall right back into our familiar flow and pick up where we left off, that's the beauty of people like Sam. Sure enough, we enjoyed the evening thoroughly and had a great time catching up on all that's happened since we shared some space. Before long, I had introduced Sam and Alex to some of my local friends, and our crew approached double digits. The introductions were completed just as Pink Talking Fish took the stage. Particle's Ben Combe and Eric Gould have teamed up with two Kansas City musicians, Brandon Draper and Ben Hutchinson, to form this cover driven quartet. The beauty, they only...