Music festival at botanical gardens could blossom

For some reason I just can’t stop myself from writing about local music festivals. You may remember, last time I checked in with you I wasn’t overwhelmed with excitement about a certain downtown event, but now I find myself cautiously optimistic about a little thing happening Saturday evening, May 18. I’m talking about the WestCO Music Festival at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. It’s an all ages event that promises to “celebrate our local ...

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On the Goe: The rut that is Art and Jazz music

So who’s pumped for the Hazel Miller Art and Jazz Festival? That’s what we are calling it now, right? I just assumed so because she’s headlined this thing longer than it took me to finish college ... twice. I’ve got to say, I had to do a double take when I saw this year’s lineup. I thought I was looking at the 2012 festival lineup, or the lineup from the year before that, or the year before that. Well, as it turns out I had the correct announcement. Miller is ...

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On the Goe: Skilled MCs challenge status quo

Generally, I try to avoid classifying music into genres or oversimplified terms. Talking about a song or an artist in a couple easy words creates preconceived limitations and bias before you even have a chance to judge for yourself. One such oversimplified term, and one taking center stage this weekend, is “white rapper.” East coast native Sage Francis, hitting the stage at Mesa Theater and Lounge on Friday, April 19, and Seattle native Macklemore, playing at Colorado Mesa ...

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On the Goe: Elephant Revival melds genres and culture

Living in Colorado we are reminded every day of our cultural heritage. It’s in the names of our city streets, such as Chipeta and Ute avenues. Look at the towns that populate the Centennial State such as Cortez, Leadville or Nederland. Nederland? Hold on, what the heck is a Nederland? Well, just off the Continental Divide, Nederland was set up as a trading post between the Ute Indians and Western pioneers. A mountain town straight from western folklore, it is quintessential ...

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On the Goe: Bask in The Blank Tapes, Bad Weather California

California is a tantalizing prospect. Held up as a promised land where leggy blondes outnumber palm trees and money flows like the Santa Ana River, it teases us with golden dreams. In California, the surf never breaks and the good times and cool vibes never end. Never. With that in mind, two bands tied to the Golden State, spreading the gospel of good times and cool vibes, are set to convert skeptics into believers Friday night, March 22, at the Mesa Theater and Lounge. The bands are The ...

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On the Goe: Howl of the underground at Casa Coyote

In downtown Grand Junction there is a house. You’d barely notice it walking down the sidewalk as it looks like any other downtown house. Appearances, however, can be deceiving. More often than not, this ordinary house is the location of Grand Junction’s indie music scene. It’s the Casa Coyote, the howl of the underground. Just inside the back door, steep stairs lead beneath the surface down into the cellar. It’s a small room, hardly updated for modern use. ...

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On the Goe: Mom’s retiring; there’s a playlist for that

On March 1, my mom retires. After 33 years and 143 days of nursing, she’s trading in her stethoscope and Keds for a life of leisure. From here out, it’s days filled with quilting projects, barking westies and dirty martinis. After clocking out for the final time and turning in her security clearance, it’s fiesta time. Retirement deserves a hell of a party. One that is worthy of nearly 70,000 hours of dealing with patient complaints and hospital bureaucracy. One worth 4.2 ...

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On the Goe: You gotta love today’s music

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I like music. In a world where Maroon 5’s “Payphone,” a rotten, auto tuned, steaming pile of pop, can get nominated for a Grammy Award, I have to take a deep breath and remember that it will all be OK. Even when it feels like I’m slowly suffocating under the genius lyric poetry of Adam Levine, as he so eloquently captures life in 2013 by describing his use of a pay phone, I mustn’t try to get too worked up. “I do ...

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On the Goe: Reverend Horton Heat and more at Mesa Theater

There is an old picture of Jim Heath at the origins of the Reverend Horton Heat. It’s a live shot of the band playing some dive in Texas. Dressed in a tan plaid shirt, sleeves rolled up, dark blue jeans tucked into a pair of light blue cowboy boots with black inlays, Heath surfs on top of an upright double bass laid on its side. The bass player, presumably Jimbo but unclear from the picture, slaps along in a cut off Harley-Davidson T-shirt. Heath’s blond hair is slicked back ...

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On the Goe: Ay, Papi. The heat is on at Miami’s Ultra

The other day I was sitting around daydreaming about Miami. I’ve never really thought about the 305 before outside of it being that one city Tony Montana buried under a pile of cocaine. This time though, rosterbating over the Ultra Music Festival 2013 lineup, I actually want to be there, or at least I’ve come to the realization that it is too cold to stay here. Look at this lineup. It’s beyond amazing. If you asked any half-naked club rat in bead bracelets and a faux fur ...

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On the Goe: Give it up for the GJ music scene in 2012

Man, what a year for Grand Junction. The live music scene has been pretty exciting, dare I say, all time great. And no, I’m not just talking about Michael “Jack Sparrow” Bolton at Avalon Theatre or his band’s awesome surprise appearance at the Blues Jam at Mesa Theater and Lounge. There were so many music moments in Grand Junction this year that I’ve had a hard time remembering my favorites. Normally, just having Zac Brown Band or KISS grace us with their ...

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On the Goe: Musical holy trinity in GJ

Friday night, Dec. 14, is a big moment for the Grand Junction music scene. Simultaneously, three major plot lines are shaking out and culminating in one epic night at the Mesa Theater and Lounge. If you’ve been following this column you know I regularly rally around the these three points: bring in quality live music, supporting local live music and Grand Junction’s own making positive change happen within the music scene. Well, the holy GJ music trinity happens Friday night ...

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On the Goe: Show report far better than the snow report

Let’s all make peace with this now. The early Colorado ski season is grim. It’s nearly December, sunny and hovering in the mid-50s. Where is the snow? I’m sitting here, just like you, wondering if that season ski pass is worth anything more than the paper it’s printed on. Well, for now toss out those dreams of epic powder days in the Vail back bowls or, hell, even the West End opening at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, because there is different fun to be had in the ...

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On the Goe: Modern rock fans join me

While your attention was diverted with the announcement of the 2013 Country Jam lineup, something exciting in the Grand Junction live music scene happened. We have a new rock radio station. With Tenacious Brothers Pub closing its doors and the Rockslide Restaurant and Brewery no longer hosting bands, it’s been nothing but sour news on the live music front. That all changes with the arrival of KMZK 106.9 “The Rock.” So why should you care that there is a new, ...

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For the true music fan, it’s all about the discovery

Half the fun of being a music fan is discovering new music. Maybe you hear a new song on the radio that you connect with or find something classic in a friend’s record collection that you previously missed because you were in your “hardcore hip-hop phase.” Either way, finding a new song or band that makes you all tingly inside is exciting. Last Thursday, I was chowing down on a Chipotle burrito, enjoying possibly the last beautiful day of fall on the restaurant ...

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On the Goe: Music’s past, present, future come alive in Austin

What’s old is new at Austin City Limits. Making one last grasp at summer fun, two friends, 75,000 festival-goers and I hit Zilker Park with high expectations for a weekend (Oct. 12–14) of world-class live music. “It’s so rare to see a band that I’m so into when they are so new and fresh,” my friend Trevor said while we were on our way to see Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit. Well, friend, that’s the beauty of ACL. It’s a buffet of fresh new ...

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On the Goe: Why KAFM’s Fall Fund Drive matters

“Rock ain’t about doing things perfect,” says Jack Black in the movie “School of Rock.” “Do you wanna rock? You gotta break the rules. You gotta get mad at the man and right now I’m the man… Who’s got the guts to tell me off?” KAFM Community Radio does. It’ll stick it to the man all right. KAFM and its tireless volunteers are up for the task. On Friday, Oct. 5, KAFM starts its Fall Fund Drive. “Whoopity doo” ...

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On the Goe: Some music, politicians don’t mix

Nothing makes me happier during the political season than seeing candidates publicly humiliated. After nauseating months of political posturing, aka hypocritical half-truths and bold-faced lying, I just want to see them fall flat on their big dumb smug faces. Outside of the usual cronyism, sexual trysts and foot-in-mouth gaffes that follow any campaign, my shame of choice for office-seekers is the decisive stick-it-to-the-man move: the cease-and-desist order stopping political tools from ...

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On the Goe: Great expectations for new music

Intelligence. Beauty. Ambition. Style. Substance. Honesty. When I’m on the hunt for new music, these are the six traits I look for. It’s the difference between me purchasing an album and streaming it on Spotify. September is a big month for new releases and the perfect time to add some variety to your record collection. There are several albums that meet my six traits and are worth a good listen. Unfortunately, to get to the cashews you’ve got to dig through a lot of bad ...

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On the Goe: Double debauchery! Kiss AND Motley Crue here

I’ve got to hand it to Rock Jam. They’ve seriously outdone themselves with this year’s lineup. I mean, come on, Slaughter? Jackyl? Black Stone Cherry? Talk about a metal head’s wet dream. What could possibly be better than Quiet Riot rocking “Cum On Feel the Noize?” Oh wait, what’s this? Let’s see ... Friday, Aug. 24, headliners, some bands called Kiss and Motley Crue. Shut the strip club front door! Did you say Kiss and Motley Crue? Two of ...

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On the Goe: Cassette has life

Moments before taking the stage, the lead singer and bassist for retro surf twang trio Orca Team, carried a small leather vintage briefcase to a back table inside Tenacious Brothers Pub. Setting the briefcase down, Leif Anders popped the two clasps and pulled out the Seattle band’s merchandise. On the beer soaked table between the ATM and vending machines, he displayed the band’s T-shirts, limited 7-inch pressings and full vinyl albums for purchase and made back for the stage ...

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On the Goe: Underground music showcase provides framework for GJ event

Following the coverage of last week’s Underground Music Showcase in Denver made me a little envious. Four days of live music, most of it from local bands, at dozens of clubs and music venues along South Broadway would drive any music suitor wild with envy. After geeking out over the event coverage, talking with friends who both attended and performed at the UMS, and listening to the live broadcast on Colorado Public Radio, I couldn’t stop wondering … Why can’t we ...

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On The Goe: So long, bro

My brother and best friend is moving to Tennessee. Flying the GJ coop, he’s chasing a prize bird with a pretty smile to the western edge of the Cherokee National Forest, specifically to a place called Johnson City. I will miss my brother madly, and not just because of that lovey dovey family crap. Mike is/was my best concert going buddy. Over the years, we’ve gone to some incredible shows. From the sweet melodies of the Fleet Foxes to the funky keys of Stevie Wonder, ...

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On the Goe: ‘Call Me Maybe’ is coolest

Judging by the Country Jam outfits I saw last weekend, it is officially summer. Forget about the summer solstice, nothing starts the season like being flat out drunk in a pair of cowboy boots, Daisy Duke cutoffs and a bikini top while rocking a third degree sunburn. Like many of you, I’ve been seeking desperate escape from the wrath of the sun. It has sent me to the public pool for some high dive and water slide action and to the movie theater for some sweet A/C. I ripped my jeans, ...

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On the Goe: Country Jam with the one you’re with

It’s been six years since I last worked backstage at Country Jam. On summer break from school, I joined my best friend Tate, several career roadies and the Stage Pro team to form the “local crew.” We were a band of grunts assembled to build the stage, move sound equipment and change gear between sets. Basically, we did the jobs nobody else would do. It was hot, exhausting, backbreaking work. Road managers for the performers verbally lashed us without mercy, calling out ...

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On the Goe: revamp JUCO music

There are two things St. Mary Hospital’s babies are born knowing. One: Every 10 years or so some fool strolls into town touting new alchemy to turn oil shale into money. Two: The in-game music at JUCO hurts more than a line drive to the face. This is the column I was born to write. This is 29 years in the making. Finally, I’ve got the proper forum to put the JUCO committee on notice. It’s time to step up your game, folks. The fans and common decency demand it. The city ...

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Ladies of song shining in May

It’s ladies night every night during the month of May. Several femme fatales have been assaulting the charts since May Day and there is no sign of them slowing down. Jumping right in, Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard top 200, just edging Norah Jones’ new album “... Little Broken Hearts.” Santigold’s “Master of My Make-Believe” also charted high, debuting at No. 1 on the US Dance/Electronic Album ...

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On the Goe: Jack White rocks

A blunderbuss is a savage weapon. Muzzle loaded with a shot, nails, glass or really any malicious looking piece of scrap, the blunderbuss is used for clearing ship decks, making way for the attacking hoard. In the hands of Jack White it is the weapon used to set right the course of modern rock. Bluesy, overdriven guitars: the flintlock. Immediate and jaunting vocals: the trigger. The ensuing blast: another signature Jack White production. Finally, White has put his name behind a solo ...

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On the Goe: Take energy to Coachella

“Coachella! Make some noise!” DJ’s, front men and hype men riled up the booze-and drug-fueled 96-hour party, providing the soundtrack for this year’s first major summer music festival. Party people from around the globe, including my five-person crew, descended on the Empire Polo Club, rolling on everything from Red Bull to God-knows-what for a four-day party featuring more than 140 bands. Coachella is a music lover’s wet dream. Everywhere you look there are ...

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On the Goe: Explosions in the Sky members tell stories with their guitars

It starts with a Fender guitar, sometimes a Stratocaster, sometimes a Telecaster. Occasionally, it’s the forgotten Fender Tornado. Whatever the case, it’s six strings tensioned perfectly between the headstock and bridge. A long black cord loops the nylon strap and connects the guitar with a myriad of effect pedals. The pedals are connected to each other via a labyrinth of wires, one of which snakes its way back to a humming amplifier, adorned with the Texas state flag, just to ...

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On the Goe: Catch a piece of music history when Raekwon comes to town

You are witnessing history. I know that sounds like a cheesy generic rap lyric but in this case, it might be the truest statement I have ever written. When Raekwon takes the Mesa Theater and Club stage on Thursday, March 29, he will easily be the greatest MC to ever play a show in Grand Junction. With every braggadocio step, Raekwon the Chef carries with him a long and significant history of hip-hop. From the early 1990s heyday of gangsta rap to the hip-pop crossover of today, Raekwon has ...

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Get your head out of Spin magazine and dig some Colorado sounds

I’ll admit it. I’ve been guilty in the past of writing off the Colorado music scene as a bunch of banjo wielding hillbillies and mindless guitar shredding Trey Anastasio wannabes (that’s a jam band diss in case you didn’t catch it). I blame Spin magazine. Read that for too long and you to will start to think that all good music does in fact come from Brooklyn, more specifically Williamsburg. The Brooklyn scene is great, but good music can come from ...

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On the Goe: Pair of bands bound for gigantic SXSW to appear in GJ

A trip to Austin, Texas, for the South By Southwest Music festival in March will easily set you back a grand, minimum. Depending on how much beer you drink, a trip to the Mesa Theater and Club on Friday, Feb. 24, and to the Rockslide on Saturday, March 3, to see two killer bands that will play at the epic festival will run you as little as $10. It’s Bad Weather California. It’s Radiation City. It’s possibly the first time in the history of Grand Junction that two ...

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Goe On: At least Grammy show orchestrators aren’t trotting out Madonna

This Sunday, Feb. 12, The Recording Academy will hand out a bunch of meaningless awards, some going to artists who have no business receiving them (I’m looking at you Bruno Mars). Yes. It’s “Music’s Biggest Night.” It’s Grammy time. Coming in a close second to the Super Bowl, the Grammys represent the most overly-hyped, bloated telecast in the month of February. Don’t worry though, I’ve been assured that this year’s awards are ...

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Madness in pop culture land: It’s all about the ‘90s, sadly

As I was combing over the rack of new CDs at KAFM HQ, prepping for my next set of shows, one particular jewel case caught my eye. No, it wasn’t the rocking Black Keys album or the dub step sounds of Austra. It wasn’t even Noel Gallagher’s latest offering of tunes that sound exactly like Oasis but isn’t exactly Oasis. It was something far more menacing and destructive. It was ... Spin Doctors. No missprint here. The latest album to get the anniversary edition ...

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Goe On: ‘Dragon Tattoo’ will bear out genius of Trent Reznor

Trent Reznor first scared the beans out of me in 1989. I was watching the disturbing, raw video for “Closer” as a 7-year-old in my friend’s basement. Thanks to Nine Inch Nails, one of my earliest memories of MTV is of a monkey crucifix and a releasing heart valve. Twenty-two years and several counseling sessions later, Reznor is haunting me once again, and this time I like it. You’d think after multiple Grammy awards with Nine Inch Nails and an Academy Award for ...

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On the Goe: Shock rock? Former bad boy Weiland goes all-out Christmas

When you’re not addicted to heroin, you can accomplish all kinds of things. Dress yourself, ride a bike, finish a crossword puzzle ... record a Christmas album? Unbelievably, that’s just what Stone Temple Pilots frontman, former Velvet Revolver frontman, former drug aficionado and former Los Angeles County Jail resident Scott Weiland has done. Yes. He’s recorded a jazz standards Christmas album. In what may be the most awesome bit of music news all year, Weiland’s ...

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On the Goe: Winehouse breathes life into R&B

With the passing of the world’s ultimate hot mess, Amy Winehouse, it wasn’t a matter of if but when the posthumous money grab would come. Well, circle Dec. 6 on your calendar. “Lioness: Hidden Treasures” is a collection of unreleased material and remastered originals organized by super producer and Winehouse confidant Mark Ronson. Several tracks already have been leaked online including “Like Smoke,” an excellent collaboration with ...

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Honest-to-goodness rock fans, me included, owe thanks to Weezer

When I was 12 years old my mom inadvertently saved my life. It was 1994. I, a meek seventh-grader, was somehow turned on to the song “Slam” by South Jamaica Queens hardcore hip-hop group Onyx. It’s impossible to know how a suburban middle-schooler ended up grooving to the rhymes of MC Sticky Fingaz, but I absolutely needed that cassette. I knew at the time owning this cassette would make me the envy of my friends, the coolest b-boy on the West Middle School ...

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