Wizard Rock at Hogwarts Square - 7/20

While the rest of the Portland folk were at Mugglefest on Friday, I took a bus down to Cambridge, MA to see The Hungarian Horntails, Draco and the Malfoys, and Harry and the Potters play at Harvard Square-ahem, I mean Hogwarts Square.

This was a big concert to celebrate the release of the seventh book of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The show was free, so Harry Potter fans flocked from all corners of the courtyard. There were people dressed up as famous wizards, Dementors, Death Eaters, and one person came as a Snitch.

Photo courtesy of carrie227

There was an overwhelming attendance in Hogwarts Square. The place was filled up like Lollapalooza or Bonnaroo. My friend Danii remarked at this saying, "Fergie can't even get this!" I was happy that so many people came to see these three bands. Some newcomers to Wizard Rock thought these bands were created solely for the book release party. Boy, were they wrong.

The Verve RETURNS

Remember the song "Bittersweet Symphony"? Let me refresh your memory.

The song is done by The Verve, a hit 90's alternative rock band from Great Britain. They've been broken up for a while, but now they are back for a reunion tour and a new album!

So far, they are only touring in the British Isles, but there's no doubt that they will expand their tour in due time. Their upcoming album should be released at the end of this summer.

To find out more, visit their website or visit their Myspace page.

Cat Empire and Dominic and the Lucid today in Monument Square!

If you're around the Portland area, go see Cat Empire and Dominic and the Lucid play at Monument Square at 5 for the Alive at 5 Concert Series. Cat Empire is a ska-rock band from Melbourne, Australia, and Dominic and the Lucid is a psychedelic-rock band from the Portland area. Be sure to check both of them out!

Will Gattis Show: Canceled

It is to my regret that the Will Gattis show is canceled tonight on account of the bad weather. I will keep everyone posted on his next show.

Will Gattis at Western Prom tomorrow!

Will Gattis, an up and coming rock-pianist from Falmouth, will be performing at the Western Prom Park on Wednesday for free. The show is happening from 7:30 to 8:30, and everyone is welcome to come.

If you're a fan of Ben Folds, you will love the music that Will has to offer. He has already released a full-length by the name of Dullard under The Will Gattis Trio. You can find this album at local Bullmoose Music stores.

He may sound like Ben Folds a lot, but he certainly has adopted his own style of playing and telling stories through his song. He has a great sense of humor as well. At a show on Sunday, he performed a cover of "It's Not Easy Being Green", and then performed a song he wrote while he was on prescribed pain meds called "Rugby Man". He also has a song making fun of Joan Osbourne called "Rant".

If you want to watch a local artist who has a lot of great potential, please check out Will Gattis. Not only is he a great musician, but he is also a great guy. He is very cool and chill. Visit his Myspace, and be sure to come to the show tomorrow!

Tool at the Civic Center - 7/13

"Where my lasers at? Where my lasers at?" asked one Coach Z from HomestarRunner.com. Well, Coach Z, I finally have the answer for you, and it isn't "bew bow!" All of the lasers were at the Tool show Friday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center. I couldn't believe I paid $52 to see them, but after the show, I was a believer.

Wicked Music Videos: Pt. 4

Some of us know Danny Elfman for his famous scores from the Spiderman and Batman movies, Edward Scissorhands, and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Some of us know Danny Elfman for singing as Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas. Some of us know Danny Elfman for his amazingly vibrant red hair. But the rest of us know Danny Elfman for his fantastic New Wave band from the 80's, Oingo Boingo. This brings us to today's Wicked Music Video, "Private Life" by Oingo Boingo. The song has been stuck in my head for the past two days, so I figured I should just vent it out with a blog post. Without further ado, here is the video:

Oingo Boingo - Private Life

Another special treat from stereogum!

It is the 10th anniversary of Radiohead's wonderful album, OK Computer, and stereogum has celebrated by releasing a free, full-length cover album. This tribute album includes all songs from OK Computer covered by various artists such as Cold War Kids and My Brightest Diamond. The album is called OKX: A Tribute To OK Computer, and you can download it from this page.

The Polyphonic Spree at the Avalon - 7/2

"God only knows what you're missing!" This one line from The Polyphonic Spree's "Hanging Around The Day" perfectly describes the concert I attended on July 2nd. Believe in God or not, the statement still stands true. The Polyphonic Spree show was phenomenal and euphoric, and you had to be there in order to comprehend the greatness of the show.

Concert review this Monday; Polyphonic Spree video

Hello, everyone. I saw The Polyphonic Spree in Boston on Monday, and it was the best concert I've ever attended. There was nothing quite like it. It was a euphoric and freeing experience. I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life.

I'll be posting a big write-up of the show on Monday. It'll be pretty lengthy with photos, summaries of the show, and even some impromptu interviews with some of the band members. For now, here is footage of the encore performance of The Polyphonic Spree in Boston on Monday. Enjoy. I sure did!

CD Review: The Polyphonic Spree

The day finally came two weeks ago, and The Polyphonic Spree's new album, The Fragile Army, was finally released. I have been greatly anticipating the album's release since last Fall when the Spree released their Wait EP with new songs "Mental Cabaret" and "I'm Calling", and a cover of Nirvana's "Lithium". The CD comes with very flashy artwork and a making-of DVD. Tim Delaughter of The Polyphonic Spree intended The Fragile Army to be a very political album. He said in an interview with Paste Magazine, "For me, after being so barraged by the current political climate, it became undeniable; this had to be the subject matter for these new songs." The political messages in the album become prevalent when their new, darker side begins to show.

The Fragile Army is very simply a rock and roll album with a great Polyphonic Spree spin put on it. The songs are shorter, and they are structured more like...well...rock songs. Quite a big difference from their previous albums with songs that lasted 8 minutes or so and had separate movements. Is this change of direction a good thing or bad thing? I've got news; it's a good thing! The Spree seems to really pull it together with their new rock style without tarnishing what makes them unique. All of the songs are still greatly layered with a multitude of instruments and choirs, and it still has that feel-good tone to it. Some of the songs do get dark and gloomy because of their political topics, but they always seem to glisten some beam of hope.