CONCERT REVIEW: Van Halen a strange brew at Rexall

The jump kicks may be no more, but that doesn’t prevent David Lee Roth from executing some impressive moves for a man his age. Flamboyantly sparkly, all smiles, he shimmies and slides across the stage with the Van Halens rocking out behind him – guitarist Eddie, Alex on drums and Eddie’s son Wolfgang on bass. […]

Tony Bennett, daughter, perform at Winspear Centre Aug. 25

If there were to be a King of the Great American Songbook, it would have to be Tony Bennett. For unlike lesser crooners, Michael Buble, say, Tony performs without a shred of either schtick or irony, treating his music with the wisdom of his 85 years and the passion of a man half, nay, a […]

ONE HIT TERROR: John Waite loses his cool

A recent interview with John Waite did not go well. Maybe it was because he didn’t like the suggestion that he’s a one hit wonder. Why is this considered such a bad thing? Playing Century Casino Saturday night, Waite, of course, is globally known for the massive 1984 hit single Missing You. Catching the 59-year-old […]

Ladies sure all that glitters is gold in female Led Zeppelin tribute

If the lady who’s buying the stairway to heaven finds the stores are all closed – stores that sell stairways to heaven, Rona, maybe – and she can still get what she came for when she gets there, that is, heaven, then why does she even need a stairway to heaven in the first place? […]

MUSICA: Los Frolics liberar Bombastic el Cinco de Mayo!

The Saturday forecast is calling for rain – but the Pawn Shop will turn up the summer vibes with margaritas, go-go dancers and a smoking hot CD release to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Local surf-rock favourites the Frolics will drop its brand-new full-length album, Bombastic. There’s lots more going on, with the opening acts White […]

The Steadies a band on the rebound for Wide Mouth Mason bassist

If being in a rock band is like a marriage, it follows that a band break-up is the ugly divorce. Who gets the money? Who gets custody of the kids? How did our love come to this? It can be just as painful as any relationship gone awry. “Having to leave Wide Mouth Mason was […]

John Fogerty to play Cosmos Factory at Rexall Place Sept. 22

Some folks are born to wave the flag, or with a silver spoon in hand, as the case may be, but John Fogerty ain’t no senator’s son. He’s a stone cold American troubadour whose powerful anti-war lyrics still hold up today. He didn’t go to war – he just sang about it. Time for a […]

Snoop Dogg brings cool rhymes to Edmonton Event Centre July 14

F’nizzle, cut the shizzle – the guy who invented this sort of talk is returning to Edmonton. You guessed it: Snoop Dogg, whose distinctive low-key drawl can be heard on more recordings than you can shake a stick at, brings his cool rhymes to the Edmonton Event Centre on Saturday July 14. Tickets go on […]

Tedeschi Trucks Band to play Jubilee Auditorium June 22

Holy hot Texas tamale! Not since Steve Earle shacked up with that redhead firebrand Allison Moorer has there been such a power music couple as seen in the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Featuring Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, both formidable modern blues stars in their own right, The Tedeshi Trucks Band plays Friday, June 22 at […]

WHO NAMED THE BAND: Thornley can’t escape Big Wreck

Naming a band is like branding a cow. The band cringes at the process, but once done, there’s just a scar. The cow, or band, as the case may be, eventually doesn’t even notice its brand, which loses any original meaning beyond conferring identity and ownership. “It’s just the name of the band, man!” say […]

Second Red Hot Chili Peppers show added

Nothing like “overwhelming demand” to put the wind in your sails – the Red Hot Chili Peppers turn out to be so huge in Edmonton that a second show has been added on Thursday, Nov. 22 at Rexall Place. The first on Nov. 21 has sold out. Minus John Frusciante, the legendary Californicating band is […]

CONCERT UPDATE: Melvins Lite, Red Hot Sell-Out, Sinead No-Show

Every year the whirlwind of concert season has its share of good news and bad news – which do you want first? OK, bad news. Sadly, Sinead O’Connor has bowed out of a scheduled appearance to headline the inaugural Interstellar Rodeo at Hawrelak Park July 27-29. “With enormous regret I must announce that I have […]