Recap of Warped Tour 2010, Shakopee, MN

By Greg Swan, on August 2nd, 2010%

Warped Tour 2010, baby…

It was my fifth Van’s Warped Tour – hosted again on the lovely manure-covered lawn of Canterbury Park.

Which didn’t seem to stop the kids from getting down and dirty in the mosh pit.

Gross.

Anyway, here are some bands I saw play their musical instrument machines…

The Exposed

Lead singer had a large gauge ear lobe tube in left ear only.

We the Kings

Nice of their grandparents to come to the show…

After Midnight Project

The Word Alive

This guy could scream.

I mean really scream.

The Sparring — here was their strategy: if nobody comes to see your band, get a 40 foot mic cord and walk . . . → Read More: Recap of Warped Tour 2010, Shakopee, MN

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band at Warped Tour 2010, Shakopee, MN

By Greg Swan, on August 2nd, 2010%

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band was the best damn surprise of Warped this year.

With Reverend Peyton on resonator guitar and lead vocals, his wife Breezy on washboard and (kissing?) cousin Aaron “Cuz” Persinger on drums, the Southern Indiana trio brought a taste of the south to the tour

They were intense, raw and gritty. Just how I like my southern fried potatoes. And speaking of, the best song of the set was “Mama’s Fried Potatoes.” Delicious.

Their latest album is called Wages, and you can stream most of it here.

MORE . . . → Read More: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band at Warped Tour 2010, Shakopee, MN

Yarrr…Flaming Lips play Roy Wilkins on Talk Like a Pirate Day

By Greg Swan, on June 22nd, 2010%

Flickr CC: paulcalypse

Flaming Lips and Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti will play Saint Paul’s Roy Wilkins Auditorium on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 26 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium Box Office . . . → Read More: Yarrr…Flaming Lips play Roy Wilkins on Talk Like a Pirate Day

Peggy Sue's Long Division Blues live outside Minneapolis

By Greg Swan, on June 21st, 2010%

If you missed Peggy Sue at 400 Bar last week, you’re in luck.

The band recorded this video outside Minneapolis just for Perfect Porridge.

Check. . . . → Read More: Peggy Sue's Long Division Blues live outside Minneapolis

Instrumental Hip Hop from Doomtree's Paper Tiger

By Greg Swan, on June 17th, 2010%

I’m a big fan of instrumental hip-hop, particularly from Minneapolis’ own artists like Big Cats! and this solo debut release from Doomtree producer Paper Tiger called Made Like Us.

Paper Tiger weaves beats, synths and organic elements perfect for blaring out my moon roof while giving the skunk-eye to swagger wagon-driving suburbanites at each and every stoplight. And although it is mostly instrumental, look for guest appearances from Dessa and Maggie Morrison.

Here’s the first single:

Paper Tiger : “Palace” (Feat. Dessa) (mp3)

Album drops July 27 on . . . → Read More: Instrumental Hip Hop from Doomtree's Paper Tiger

Music in Mears Park Schedule Announced

By Greg Swan, on June 6th, 2010%

I used to live in downtown Saint Paul just off Mears Park and always enjoyed the Music in Mears series at the bandshell there. It’s returning for its 7th year.

Here’s the schedule:

June 10
Opener: Kevin Anthony
Headliner: Romantica
June 17:
Headliner: Pippi
June 24
Opener: Star Again
Headliner: The Idle Hands
July 8
Opener: Molly Dean
Headliner: Communist Daughter
July 15
Opener: TBA
Headliner: TBA
July 22
Opener: Huna
Headliner: A Night in the Box
July 29
Headliner: School of Rock’s Road Crew (downtown St. Paul high school)
August 5
Opener: Minor Kingdom
Headliner: Zoo Animal
August 12
Opener: The Spectaculars
Headliner: Unknown Prophets
August 19
Co-headliner: Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps
Co-headliner: Halloween, Alaska
August 26
Opener: TBA
Headliner: . . . → Read More: Music in Mears Park Schedule Announced

Michael Buble didn't kill me last night

By Greg Swan, on March 29th, 2010%

Approximately 13,000 folks packed into Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul last night to see Michael Buble, the 34 year-old crooner known for his voice, boyish looks and distinct ability to make my wife glaze over like I never existed.

No, I’m serious, here. We made fun of the cougars, at first. And by cougars, I mean at least 10,000 women at 55+ wearing stiletto heels, leather jackets and with young fellas in tow. We made fun of how they cooed at the opening act and screamed at every Buble eyebrow lift. How they laughed at his jokes. How they took flash . . . → Read More: Michael Buble didn't kill me last night

SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 12

By Greg Swan, on March 1st, 2010%

This is an interview series in preparation for my SXSW Panel: The State of Music Blogs in 2010. I reached out to a number of influencers, musicans, labels, marketers and music fans to get their perspectives on the topic and will be posting these in a series leading up to the conference.

Today we hear from Jora Deziel, public & media relations coordinator for the acoustical marvel known as Xcel Energy Center and the horrendous echo cave known as Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

Why do you think music blogs are so popular?
It lets regular people voice their opinions – people can relate to . . . → Read More: SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 12

Robot Rock: Who's Who in Twin Cities Electropunk

By Greg Swan, on November 20th, 2009%

Not familiar with the burgeoning electropunk scene here in the Twin Cities? What better place to start than the annual compilation album curated by Todd Millenacker from Avenpitch?

In years past it’s introduced me to bands like Thosquanta, Avenpitch and Screaming Mechanical Brain.

Download Twin Cities Electropunk Compilation Volume 5 (zip)

I asked Todd a few questions about Volume 5, this weekend’s CD release show and where to get the album.

What’s the Electropunk scene like in the Twin Cities?

It just keeps on expanding. Over the course of five years TC Electropunk has been associated with 43 acts and bands just keep coming out . . . → Read More: Robot Rock: Who's Who in Twin Cities Electropunk