5GB With Left On Vermont; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel Tonight, April 27

Left On Vermont is a Washington, DC-based band that plays music described as “rock-art with a singer-songwriter’s soul.” Call it indie-pop. Call it alt-folk rock. They are playing the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight, and they joined us for our 5GB series before their show.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

Between the five of us, we came up with some pretty interesting answers. We’re not even sure what technically counts as a “gig” (would a rockin’ oboe recital count?), but it seems Erin wins the prize here: New Kids on the Block, 5 years old. Thank you.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

Probably last year’s CD release show at the very same venue, Rock n Roll Hotel. There was a real sense of accomplishment, and the turnout was phenomenal. A lot of good energy, in part due to a few entertaining fans who were drunk enough to really be a part of the show, but not drunk enough to ask us to play “Freebird.”

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

Most of the band was at this really amazing Arcade Fire show up at Merriweather Post Pavillion a few years ago. Great night, great music. And they had 2 drummers on full kits with this other crazy dude playing the sh*t out of his huge bass drum. It was awesome; who does that?

Gig you would most like to play?

We like to stay local, and most of our shows have been in line with that. As for a festival, maybe SXSW someday?

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

We’re not just saying this to promote the show, but this coming CD release party on April 27th at Rock n Roll Hotel has Alexis and the Samurai on it. We played with them a few months ago and they are just phenomenal. Other dream bills: Freelance Whales, anything with Jack White in it….

Catch Left on Vermont , April 27th at Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington D.C.

Ticket Alternative Weekend Picks! Dick Dale, Grouplove, Good Old War & More!

It’s a busy weekend here at Ticket Alternative! With summer concerts getting geared up, there is plenty of cool shows to choose from, all the way from old school rockers to the new indie kids on the block. Here are some cool shows we think you should check out.

Friday April 27 - Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder at Mill Town Music Hall

By age 21, he was already considered a “recognized master” of one of America’s most demanding art forms, but his career took him in other directions, catapulting him to popularity and success in the mainstream of country music.

Friday April 27 – Swami YoMahmi Presents: Doctor Who Burlesque at The Red Palace

An inter-dimensional burlesque adventure through the universe of Doctor Who. Featuring out-of-this-world burlesque from the always surprising Reverend Valentine, Candy del Rio, and Eerie Twilight, plus sideshow by Mab Just Mab, and introducing erotic stage kitten Gaia Phoenix.

… Continue Reading

5GB With Allo Darlin; Playing Black Cat, April 26

London tween poppers, Allo Darlin are hilarious. And, out off all the indie rockers that take themselves way to seriously, it is very refreshing to see music made for sheer fun…They call themselves a “fan’s band,” and it shows. Their debut album was released on Fortuna Pop in June 2010 to widespread critical acclaim. They spent much of 2010 and 2011 on the road in the UK, Europe and America. Their second album “Europe” will be released in May 2012 on Fortuna POP! in Europe and Slumberland Records in America.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

First gig I ever went to was a band called Regurgitator, in Brisbane where I grew up. I think I was 14. They were playing for free in the big square in front of the City Hall. It got shut down after about 5 songs because the barriers they had set up got pulled down. But not before they played a song called “I sucked a lot of c**k to get where I am”. It’s actually a really good pop song.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

SLast year we played the opening slot at one of the larger stages of a festival called End Of The Road. We love the festival and were excited to be playing, but the opening spot at a festival is a tough one. You don’t often get a lot of people because everyone is still in bed and if people do come then they are just warming up. We thought, if we get the tent about half full we’ll be really happy. When we went out onto the stage we found out that it was in fact, full. There was, I guess about 2500 people there. And that feels amazing – it was totally overwhelming and unexpected and a huge, huge amount of fun. We even had a marriage proposal during the set (she said ‘yes’). A close second for me personally though is at the opposite end of the scale. We played a show in a basement in New Brunswick, NJ on our first American tour. It was awesome. I had a ‘forty’. Felt like Eazy E.

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

That’s a hard one. One that springs to mind though, my friend Nik about 5 years ago said come and see this band ‘Matt and Kim’ at a place called the Cuban Bar in Camden. It was (I think) their first ever show in the UK and I’d never heard anything they’d done before. There was about 15 maybe 20 people there, but it was one of the most fun shows I’d ever been to. They were a little bit mad and frenzied and it was infectious. I remember Matt stood on this rickety seat they had there for one song and then accidentally fell on top of the mixing desk. It looked really painful but they were both just laughing. We were singing their songs all the way home. So that’s right up there.

Gig you would most like to play?

I bet it would be fun to play one of those mega festivals, but they seem kind of ridiculous to me as well. But, not as ridiculous as the Weezer cruise that happened this year (or was it last year?). I’d like to play at that. Cause there’s no other way you’d get us on one of those boats.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

When we got asked this question last time I think one of the bands was the Electric Mayhem (the band from the Muppets) and I’d stand by that, they have all the hits. A few years ago our drummer Mike put on a little one day festival in Kent, which was charmingly dubbed Kent Face. It was basically us and a lot of the bands we knew and were friends with in a village hall in a place called Grafty Green and afterwards everyone camped out in a field nearby. I think that for me is the perfect show – bands you love and good friends in a little hall. Who would play? It would be Allo Darlin’, The Wave Pictures (with Darren Hayman), Standard Fare, Tigercats, Shrag, Eux Autres and The Smittens. And Bruce Springsteen. And Paul Simon. Y’know, just our friends.

Catch Allo Darlin, April 206th at Black Cat, Washington D.C.

Picture Book: HURT at Revolution Music Room, April 19

By Sydney Frames (www.visiblesin.com)

Full gallery after the jump.

… Continue Reading

5GB With The Boxer Rebellion; Playing Black Cat Tuesday April 24

London-based quartet, The Boxer Rebellion, have reached their 10,000 hours. For over a decade the band remained the underdog in the U.K. underground indie rock scene, despite their multiple television and movie placements. After a brief cancellation of their North American tour, the band is back in D.C. and joined us for our 5GB series before their show tomorrow at Black Cat.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

Foo Fighter’s record release for “Colour and the Shape” at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Dave had a shiny green Grestch he just got, and I shook Pat Smear’s hand. Danny high-fived Taylor Hawkins, and we went home infected with an even deeper desire to be real musicians.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

Staying with the theme, Midnight Spin’s record release for “Through the Mojo Wire” pops into my head every time I’m asked this. It was our fans, our friends, and our first show with Jeremy. I remember after we finished the first song I was a little frightened at how loud the applause was inside Mercury Lounge, a really great feeling. Here’s to hoping the upcoming record release can top it.

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

I couldn’t really ask for anything better than having my 2nd favorite band open up for my favorite band. Seeing Pearl Jam open up for the Rolling Stones in Pittsburgh in beautiful October weather was about as good as it gets. I almost fell over the outfield bleacher railing when they started playing “Get Off of My Cloud”, there was a lot of jumping around on my part. Eddie Vedder came out to sang Wild Horses with the Stones. I drove up from DC with my Dad to see the show, it was a great memory.

Gig you would most like to play?

Something about the Reading Festival tells me that we’d have a great time there.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

The radio DJ would probably say something like, “A third band has been added to Friday night’s bill at Madison Square Garden, where Midnight Spin will now be joining The Strokes and headliner Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.”

Catch Midnight Spin, April 20th at The Red Palace, Washington D.C.

Ticket Alternative Weekend Picks! Candlebox, The Drums, DC Chinese Takeout Experiment and More!

Hopefully this cold weather is gone, and Spring officially is moving in! We already are packing our weekend schedules with some these awesome shows, make sure and grab your tickets before they sell out!

Friday April 20 - Candlebox at Jannus Live

The ’90s alt rock legends are back, playing at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg on April 20.

Friday April 20 – The Atlanta Mess-Around 2012 at The Earl

East Atlanta Fun Day! Two Days worth of great music at two awesome venues!

… Continue Reading

5GB With Midnight Spin; Playing The Red Palace, April 20

Brooklynites, Midnight Spin, are making pop-rock and aren’t afraid to not be hipsters. They were voted #1 Best Emerging Artist in 2009 in NYC’s Deli Magazine, and have been steadily building their tribe. They are playing The Red Palace tomorrow night, and joined us for our 5GB series.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

Foo Fighter’s record release for “Colour and the Shape” at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Dave had a shiny green Grestch he just got, and I shook Pat Smear’s hand. Danny high-fived Taylor Hawkins, and we went home infected with an even deeper desire to be real musicians.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

Staying with the theme, Midnight Spin’s record release for “Through the Mojo Wire” pops into my head every time I’m asked this. It was our fans, our friends, and our first show with Jeremy. I remember after we finished the first song I was a little frightened at how loud the applause was inside Mercury Lounge, a really great feeling. Here’s to hoping the upcoming record release can top it.

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

I couldn’t really ask for anything better than having my 2nd favorite band open up for my favorite band. Seeing Pearl Jam open up for the Rolling Stones in Pittsburgh in beautiful October weather was about as good as it gets. I almost fell over the outfield bleacher railing when they started playing “Get Off of My Cloud”, there was a lot of jumping around on my part. Eddie Vedder came out to sang Wild Horses with the Stones. I drove up from DC with my Dad to see the show, it was a great memory.

Gig you would most like to play?

Something about the Reading Festival tells me that we’d have a great time there.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

The radio DJ would probably say something like, “A third band has been added to Friday night’s bill at Madison Square Garden, where Midnight Spin will now be joining The Strokes and headliner Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.”

Catch Midnight Spin, April 20th at The Red Palace, Washington D.C.

Memorial Day Jam Is Coming! Featuring Atlanta Rhythm Section & Wet Willie Band

Hey Atlanta, have you made your plans for Memorial Day yet? The Heritage Sandy Springs Amphitheater is hosting a Memorial Day Jam on May 28th, featuring southern boys, the Atlanta Rhythm Section and the Wet Willie Band. The bands will keep you  everyone dancing as you celebrate our Nation’s Memorial Day. Come celebrate “Memorial Day Jam 2012” with your friends and neighbors. Relax at your VIP Table or on the lawn and enjoy a variety of quality food and beverage vendors.

Doors open at 3:00pm
no coolers / no pets

5GB With Candlebox; Playing Jannus Live, Friday April 20th

If you are a fan of 90′s rock like I am, then the band, Candlebox, needs no introduction. Originally signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records, Seattle rockers,  Candlebox found inital massive success with their hit songs, “Far Behind” and “You.” After a brief hiatus, the band reunited in 2006, and on April 3, 2012 Candlebox released their 5th studio album, Love Stories & Other Musings produced by Ken Andrews (Failure/Thousand Foot Krutch/Lostprophets). We chatted with lead vocalist, Kevin Martin before their show this Friday at Jannus Live, in St. Petersburg, FL.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

Black Flag/Dead Kennedy’s in San Antonio TX.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

Madison Square Garden with Rush.

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

Guns N Roses with The Cult Seattle. Axl jumped off stage and kicked this guy in the head because he was yelling “you suck.” I wonder what it’s like to be that stupid!

Gig you would most like to play?

Glastonbury or Big Day Out Australia. Either would be a dream come true, both prestigious festivals and would mean that we finally made it.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

Candlebox/Soundgarden/Alice n Chains/Pearl Jam/The Presidents of the United States & Mudhoney at Austin City Limits! Need I say more?

Catch Candlebox, April 20th at Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, FL

Atlanta Botanical Garden Announces Summer Concert Lineup

Nothing represents summer in Atlanta more, than Atlanta Botanical Garden’s “Concerts in the Garden” series. Music fills the air amidst flowers and nature in the heart of Midtown during the 10th annual Concerts in the Garden. Atlanta’s most intimate outdoor music event has been recognized as “Best Outdoor Concert Series” by Atlanta Magazine. This year’s lineup is filled with amazing acts including:

June 1 – KD Lang w/ special guest Jane Sieberry

June 22 – A Bluegrass Evening with Vince Gill and special guest Sarah Jarosz 

July 20 - Neko Case with special guest Kelly Hogan

August 10 - Merle Haggard with special guest Chris Janson

August 11 - Keb Mo & Aaron Neville

August 24 - Mary Chapin Carpenter

September 7 - Chris Isaak

September 14 - Indigo Girls

Tickets on sale starting Monday, April 30. Discounted tickets on sale to Garden members starting Monday, April 23. Available through ticketalternative.com or in person at Garden Admissions.