3oh!3 in The Outback!

3oh!3 (Yes, we still consider them local!) has just announced the sale of their tickets to their AUSTRALIAN tour. After conquering the U.S. in yet another headlining Warped Tour jaunt across the states this summer the boys of Boulder, CO are going to taunt dingos with their electro-crunk style raps in the outback. What does this mean for us here in CO? Not very much, but it's great seeing the success of Nat and Sean that started in college house basements just a few years back. Oh, and they still owe me Katy Perry's number for, you know, pretty much breaking their career out here with the CMB!

LSW @ Dazzle

Have you seen the new Jon Wirtz, Jimmy Stofer, and Dan Luehring's new jazz compilation, called LSW? Original compositions, swing, and their own unique arrangements of modern pop/rock tunes. Very cool jazz! Go see them or give a listen at myspace/lswjazz!
More photos in the "events" photoblog, here on CMB's website!

Reno Divorce signs with I SCREAM Records

**THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM I SCREAM RECORDS**
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**


Reno Divorce's new album "Tears Before Breakfast", as gritty, greasy, and down-n-dirty as it gets!
In stores in the US on July 21st!!

Reno Divorce are set to unleash their finest (half) hour yet – the unrelenting punk rock n’ roll hit fest that is their new album, “Tears Before Breakfast”, with 11 melodic punk rock anthems, for the fans of Gaslight Anthems, Social Distortion, Zeke, Agent Orange, The Stray Cats,…

Originally formed in Orlando, FL in 1996 and based out of Denver, CO since 2000, Reno Divorce have built a huge fanbase across North America, toured the US and Europe several times and will continue to do so, starting with a tour of the major European Summer festivals. Reno Divorce has been nominated for Best Punk Band in Denver in Westword magazine in 2005, 2006, 2008, & 2009. They also were in the Top 10 Finalists in the 93.3 FM KTCL Hometown For The Holidays contest in 2007 & 2008, shared the stage with Reverend Horton Heat, Henry Rollins, Street Dogs, Agnostic Front, Angel City Outcasts, The Dead Kennedys, Mad Sin and many more...

Make sure to check these guys out because this is probably one of the best punkrock records of the last decade!! Hey, who are we, you don't have to take our word for it, but still...

www.myspace.com/renodivorceonlinecom

Founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1994, I Scream Records is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2009. In the label's humble beginnings it was fueled by only a few thousand dollars and a passion for the Punk & Hardcore lifestyle and power of music. Over the years, I Scream Records has grown into one of the leading European Hardcore & Punk labels. I Scream Records has built an impressive catalogue with releases from bands like Madball, Ramallah, Stigma, Earth Crisis, North Side Kings, Agnostic Front, Discipline, Hoods, MOD, Blood For Blood, Jaya The Cat, Stigmata and Lionheart, to name a few. In early 2006 I Scream Records started its American operations and has since started to also make its mark in the States as one of the most diverse independents.

Strange Condition at the Bluebird 5-23

Did you catch the FREEBIE Strange Condition tickets on the CMB homepage, last week? I did! IT got me out on my bicycle last Friday night for the 10 blocks or so to the Bluebird.

CMB friends, Strange Condition KILLED it at the Bluebird Saturday night! Thanks to Keith and Eric, for the ticket!

See more Strange Condition photos in the "Events" photoblog, on the CMB site. Or here!

You're not a household name until I say so

THAT'S A JOKE but I do have to say that you should make it easy for folks to find out about you and your music and make it even easier for them to get your CD.

Forget the 15-year-old girls. Think about everyone else out there who is buying music and ...

SELL THE DAMN THING.

Don't take anything for granted until you are Coldplay, and even then don't take it for granted.

Coldplay doesn't take anything for granted.

I can't tell you the number of young bands and solo artists who don't even have a direct link to their website or myspace page from their Twitter account.

Or they are evidence of a very, very disturbing trend in narcissism: "Google me."

UM, HOW ABOUT NO?

Are they really worth those keystrokes? I will never find out because "Google me" is a huge turnoff -- such a huge turnoff that I probably won't find out.

Keep in mind there are 5 million bands and artists out there. And that even Coldplay has a direct link from their Twitter page to their website: http://twitter.com/coldplay

If you are going to go through the process of giving birth to a CD, please, darling, sell it. Sell the damn CD. And I don't mean sell it on your myspace page or on your website. No, no.

SELL THE DAMN CD.

Don't make me beg for it. SELL IT. Sell it on CDBaby. Sell it on Amazon. Get it into Independent Records. Get it into Twist & Shout. Wax Trax.

GET YOUR STUFF OUT THERE.

Remember that there are institutional buyers out there who will not, I repeat, will not look for you beyond one or two vendors. TWO vendors -- that right there is a huge amount of effort -- and I do not care if you are going to surpass The Fray eventually, because eventually is right now. And tomorrow is tomorrow. If you are going to surpass The Fray tomorrow you will be available via mainstream vendors, and it will take zero effort to purchase your music.

I buy local music for a library and I can't tell you how difficult Colorado artists make it on themselves. Say I put together a list of 40 bands that have received favorable reviews in Colorado publications. Maybe six of those will be available at one retailer we like to buy from -- maybe six more via CDBaby.

So what if it is just one little public library, right? WRONG. Because maybe you are Blue Million Miles -- and are on fire -- so I was gonna buy two copies. And maybe 10 public libraries were going to do the same thing. JUST IN COLORADO. It is NOT that you just blew it on selling 22 copies. Not at all. It is that those libraries were probably going to promote your stuff in some small way, via a review from staff, a listening station, etc. (Same with the retailers btw, on the listening stations.)

HELLO. PEOPLE. LISTENING STATIONS. YOUR CD. IN ONE.

So you got reviewed in CMB. Get your CD out there already.

Some time in the near future I'll blab on about what you need as a bare minimum on your CD. Our ACE Local Music cataloger -- a woman who loves music -- just sent THE Oblio Duo + The Archers Nuclear War EP back to me. YES. BACK TO ME.

Her note: "Ugh! Jeanie! I can't put this one in the system. It's not a 'real' recording and there's NO info. on the disc for me to use. How could they do that?!"

I'm not kidding. I am not even going to send her the Epic Stand CD I purchased for $1. That CD is fabulous. ZERO info.

It is NOT that you used ProTools in your bathroom. It is that you did not put the bare minimum on your CD.

Stay tuned for more on that: the bare minimum you need to have on your CD for it to be "real."

DON'T MAKE IT HARD ON YOURSELVES, PEOPLE.

And don't be arrogant. I am not going to Google you.

The Colorado Sound - May 23, 2009

5PM-6PM
Great American Taxi “One of These Days” from Reckless Habits (2009)
The Honey Gitters “Cocaine Lil” from Barrel-Sniffer's Holiday (2009)
Yonder Mountain String Band “A Father's Arms” from Town by Town (2001)
Slim Cessna's Auto Club “Children of the Lord” from Cipher (2008)
Wovenhand “The Beautiful Axe” from Ten Stones (2008)
*NEW* Other Side of Clearview “Hey You” from Sweet Release (2009)
John Common “Triste Y Hermoso” from Good to Be Born (2006)
Nina Storey “In the Dream” from Nina Storey (2001)
Andy Monley “Satisfied” from Denver (2001)
*NEW* The Stanleytones “Women Make Me Act Like A Fool” from Women Make Me Act Like A Fool (2009)
The Blue Canyon Boys “Jesus on the Mainline (live)” from House Full of Sorrows (2009)
Rhythm Angels “29 Ways” from Girls Like Us (2009)
Chip McNeill “Tough Shuffle” from Four Steps 3 (2008)

6PM-7PM
Big Head Todd & the Monsters “Please Don't Tell Her” from Beautiful World (1997)
The Samples “Birds of Paradise” from Here and Somewhere Else (1998)
Angie Stevens & the Beautiful Wreck “Queen of This Mess” from Queen of This Mess (2009)
Reed Foehl “Goodbye World” from Once An Ocean (2009)
*NEW* Gregory Alan Isakov “This Empty Northern Hemisphere” from This Empty Northern Hemisphere (2009)
Bobby Walker “Turn Me Around” from Git It (2009)
The Subdudes “Late At Night” from Annunciation (1994)
The String Cheese Incident “Outside and Inside” from Outside Inside (2001)
Jon Snodgrass “Brave With Strangers” from Visitor's Band (2009)
8Trac “Sign of the Times” from Fallin' Up (2006)
Xiren “Jesus Was An Alien” from Trip-R (2008)
Ben Markley “The 9th One's Free” from Second Introduction (2009)

Message from Nine Inch Nails

Wish more big artists did this - Click below to read...

Help Eric

Friday's Fun Photo!

This great group of Students and music lovers made it out to the May Day celebrations (5/22/09) at the University of Denver outside of Driscoll Student Center.

The afternoon was filled with Live music, dancing and BBQ. The tasty food was provided by the D.U. Grilling Society. Popcorn & giveaways was also available thanks to Asbury Green student living communities. When I was on site " The Photo Atlas" was on stage Rock'n to the crowd keeping listeners ears warm a toasty! These Awesome people in the pictures were out supporting this event despite the rainy weather!....

More photos and information will be available soon at www.coloradomusicbuzz.com.
Please have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!

~Peace and Much Love

(Photo by Stu Kennedy)

Born in the Flood finished? NOT QUITE...SEE UPDATE

Ok, rumors are rumors, but our source is a good one. Apparently Born in the Flood is hanging up the jacket. After a storied career including accolades from SXSW, courting by labels, and quotes in Billboard and Spin, it is a real sad day. this blogger hopes that he is full of SH%T and its not true.

My greatest memory is seeing them at the Westword Music Showcase a few years back and being completely blown away by the bands presence and emotion. Seeing Nathaniel Ratliff shed tears over his own music behind the guitar was a priceless and very noteworthy moment.

Born in the Flood was kind enough to grace our first ever cover back in June of 2006. It was very cool hanging out with the guys at their practice space just down the street from Hi-Dive and really entering the minds of some very talented musicians as well as very prolific people.

I wish Joseph, Nate and the rest of the fellas much success..

UPDATE: Thanks to Dave H. at Westword for getting a hold of Nate to find out. I did try to reach Nate earlier as well so glad someone got the skinny!

Check it out here:
Rumor debunked

Monolith Festival Announc(ing) Lineup

Today at 11AM the Monolith Music Festival began giving the two-day lineup to their Twitter fans and Facebook friends. The two day festival at Red Rocks takes place on Saturday Sept. 12th and Sunday Sept. 13th. Ticket info has yet to be released but will be given to media outlets on June 1st.

Denver's own Speakeasy, Tiger is among the first four bands to be announced today. Others include Starfucker (yes!), Thao with the Getdown Staydown and Girl Talk!

TCGO 1974 Releases New Song And *advanced* Tour Schedule

Kamtin Mohager of The Chain Gang of 1974 recently released a new song via his MySpace site titled "Funk Giants." There are only a few more dates to see him here in Colorado before he takes off with the Warped Tour as bassist in 3oh!3's backing band. TCGO74 will be at The Marquis on June 6th with Pictureplane, Effektor and Magic Cyclops. Anything better than playing in front of millions of music fans to fill your summer schedule? Doubt it.

Kamtin is only one of the many Colorado musicians that will be embarking on the summer long tour this year. Others include Breathe Carolina, Single File and Random Hero. Others will also play a few dates in the region or just the Denver date which is scheduled for August 9th at the Mile High Stadium parking lot. Stay with the Colorado Music Buzz all summer long to bring you the latest updates from artists on the road and an in depth preview sometime before Warped Tour comes through Colorado.

The Chain Gang Of 1974

Friday's Fun Photo!

Does anyone recognize this Redish natural rock formation found here in Colorado??......

With the onset of warmer days and nights ahead, Red Rocks Ampetheatre
is gearing up for the Summer concert season! Red Rocks is located just
west of Denver in Morrison Colorado. This Scenic, beautiful outdoor
venue boasts seating for you and up to 9000 of your closest friends to
enjoy music and events all summer long. Fans of live music can Rock
out with their favorite bands or just revel in the geological beauty
that surrounds them. People also have the option to picnic, bike or
hike around picturesque Red Rocks Park!... please feel free to look at
www.redrocksonline.com to see if you favorite musicians or
artist is coming for you to enjoy!!

I hope to see all of you up there!?!....

Have a Great Weekend!

(photo by Stu Kennedy)

Potcheen Benefit this weekend

Please make it a point to go out and support our great artist/journalist Christian Blochinger - he is holding a benefit at the Toad Tavern this weekend with a ton of great bands. Christian was in a terrible bus crash and was injured. Check out the video below-

Littleton Symphony Closes 2008-09 Season

Under the leadership of maestro Jurgen de Lemos (pictured left), the Littleton Symphony Orchestra ends its 25th anniversary season with two performances in collaboration with the Canto Deo Festival Choir, Friday and Saturday evenings (May 15-16) at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 South Datura Street in Littleton (near South Broadway and West Belleview). Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will open with "Symphony of Psalms" by Igor Stravinsky, followed by "Scheherazade" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

In addition to his tenure with the Littleton Symphony (since 1990), maestro de Lemos has been the principal cellist with the Colorado Symphony since 1968! He has already announced his retirement from the CSO, effective at the conclusion of the current season.

The Rouge to release first LP

The Rouge has been hard at work the past few years writing and recording their first LP studio album Heat and Light. This is a follow up to their 3 song EP The Summer Voices which was produced and recorded by Patrick Meese (Meese). The band promises to release their first single in less than 24 hours on their MySpace site, and the full album will be available on max3.com on May23rd. Look for a feature article on the band coming up in next month's issue of the Colorado Music Buzz.

Sat, May 30st

The Rouge CD Release
w/Curious Yellow and The Still City
@ Larimer Lounge | 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Doors at 8:00 PM
Show at 9:00 PM
21+ $8.00

MySpace.com/TheRougeBand

Thursday, May 14 - FREE Concert by Playground Ensemble

The Playground Ensemble, comprised primarily of former graduates of Lamont School of Music (Univ. of Denver), will give a free concert at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 14. The setting is the "Dikeou Collection," an art installation situated inside downtown Denver's Colorado Building at 1615 California Street (Suite 515).

The group emphasizes the performance of late 20th century classical music, with a surprising number of pieces in their repertoire composed by its members.

Thursday's program, which is the final public event of the Ensemble's 2008-'09 season, features music intended to complement several works of art (on display as part of the Dikeou Collection) by Honduran artist Paul Ramirez Jonas. In keeping with the musical group's penchant for avant garde presentations, the program includes "sound and video, improvisations inspired by the art, something loosely related to 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic,' and some electronic mayhem."

Joining Playground regulars Conrad Kehn (composer, vocalist, digital manipulator), Megan Buness (soprano), Rebekah Durham (violin), Richard von Foerster (cello) and Mark "Mouse" Clifford (vibes), will be "Denver's premier audio-visual combo," itchy-o.

A weird, yet wonderful time is promised for all!

Desert Rocks!!! Moab in May!!!

Welcome to the 5th Annual Desert Rocks Music Festival taking place Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24, 2009, 15 miles outside of Moab, Utah. The festival site is tucked away among the majestic red rock desert at the base of the La Salle Mountains. The festival is secluded away from civilization in a breathtaking mystical desert realm providing patrons with the ultimate experience in freedom of being. The energy of the festival pinnacles as the positive vibes of kind spirits from far and wide coalesce with the sweet sounds of some of the most talented musicians in the country. Surrounding the festival are hundreds of beautiful desert trails to explore through hiking or mountain biking. Sunrise spiritual refreshment yoga, tai chi, and acoustic workshops will be taught each morning. The peaceful community vibe is created by a variety of down to earth food, beer, and merchandise vendors and the campgrounds feature plenty of shady juniper trees.

The Desert Rocks Online Discount Ticket Sale ends May 19th.Tickets available athttp://www.desertrocks.org/.

The Colorado Sound Playlist - May 9, 2009

5PM-6PM
JD Feighner “Beautiful Confusion” from Sundays at 1620 (2008)
Soundrabbit “Machine” from Tree Trunk Airplanes (2009)
*NEW* The Piggies “I Do What I Want” from Rusted Bullets (2009)
*NEW* Motorhome “I Know Better” from Almost Vegas (2009)
Zonky Tonk Zydeco “Zydecoliosis” from Zydecoliosis (2009)
Glove Trucker “3$ Moonshine” from Tengo Sueno (2009)
Jon Snodgrass “Remember My Name” from Visitor's Band (2009)
The Poudre River Band “That's How the West Won” from The Bellvue Dome (2009)
Nancy Thorwardson “Baby Please (w/ Sorrento Connection)” from Something In the Air (2009)
Jeff Finlin “Ballad of a Plain Man” from Ballad of A Plain Man (2008)
Ryan Tracy Band “Will” from Rain Won't Stop (2000)
Rob Drabkin “Stay Here With You” from On These Heavy Feet (2009)

6PM-7PM
Sherri Jackson “Liberation” from Westword Music Awards Showcase '96 (1996)
Reed Foehl “Wolves” from Old Country Fair (2009)
Drag the River “Caleb's Grave” from Bad At Breaking Up (2009)
Angie Stevens & the Beautiful Wreck “Give It On Back” from Queen of This Mess (2009)
The Blue Canyon Boys “Lyin', Cheatin', Cryin'” from House Full of Sorrows (2009)
Drew Emmitt “Take The Highway” from Long Road (2008)
Bobby Walker “Mean Ol' World” from Git It (2009)
Otis Taylor “Resurrection Blues” from White African (2001)
Leftover Salmon “Up On the Hill Where We Do the Boogie” from The Nashville Sessions (1999)
The Knew “Coldblack” from Boom Bust (2008)
Matthew Moon “It's Alright” from I Thought U Should Know (2002)
Adam Stern “Cougar Bait” from Twang Shui (2009)

Friday's Fun Photo

"Aarrrgggggghhhh!!!!!!......get your hands on some Potato Pirates swag!!!"

This was taken @ the Gothic Theatre on 5/1/09. Synthetic Elements headlined a Punk/ Ska show consisting of other Denver bands BoldType, Potato Pirates and Allout Helter!.... Hard Punk, Big Horns, Bagpipes and a large energetic circle pit in the crowd!..... What an Awesome evening!!......Please come out to see any of these bands when the come to your hood... Have a safe fun weekend my friends!!

~Peace

Official Aggrolites Friday

Everyone has to listen to the Aggrolites today cuz I declare it. www.myspace.com/theaggrolites

Colorado Chamber Players - Concerts for Families

Barbara Hamilton (far left), Paul Primus (far right) and three of their colleagues (Nan Shannon, Kitty Knight, Lisa Martin, l-r) will present several two-work concerts in mid-May that are perfectly suited to all ages.

"Goldilocks and the Three Bears" is a narrated chamber music piece by Bruce Adolphe, called "an amusingly jazzy version of the beloved children's' tale." "Emperor's New Clothes" is also a piece for small ensemble and narrator, composed by Peter Schickele, who is better known under his fake persona: P.D.Q. Bach. The narrator will be violinist David Waldman (not pictured).

Four venues have been selected for this concert series, each chosen with young people in mind. Colorado Chamber Players (CCP) will offer this identical program at Children's Museum of Denver (Sat., May 16), in the Boettcher Atrium at Children's Hospital (Mon., May 18), at Boulder Public Library (Tue., May 19), and at Foothills Art Center [Golden] (Sat., May 23). For times and ticket information (several of these concerts are FREE), be sure to check the group's Web site.

Colorado Chamber Players is currently enjoying its fifteenth season. The group's story and several concert reviews have graced the pages of "CMB" over the past two years. Led by violist Barbara Hamilton Primus, the ensemble is comprised of a number of local professional musicians.

Aztec Sol

Aztec Sol is the perfect family owned authentic mexican restaurant/tequila bar. They feature 303 tequilas and incredible beer specials.  They are a merchant in our Buzz Club Card program and big supporters of the local music community.

The owner Jose Lara has a dream of turning Aztec Sol in to a "launching pad" for new bands.

He has had a stage put in and plans on featuring local artists every Friday.   "Hard/heavy rock,

acoustic, funk.... it's all good".  He even might let you sample a few tequilas if you draw a crowd.

Call Jose @720-425-9228 for more details and booking.

Desert Rocks GREENWASH

Celebrate Desert Rocks Going Green


Greenwash at The Fox Theatre in Boulder, Thursday Night May 7th

Your ticket purchase to the show will enter you into a raffle to win a "FREE" Desert Rocks full weekend pass, a Desert Rocks hat or t-shirt. Also anyone wearing even a hint of GREEN will be eligible to purchase an $80 Desert Rocks discount ticket at the show!
Featuring:

The Motet - A Tribute to Herbie Hancock


The Chicago Afrobeat Project


Wisebird


Lion Vibes



In Going Green this year Desert Rocks has partnered with ZeroHero who will help the festival to partake in the following environmentally sustainable practices/promotions:
1)
Three-stream 'front of house' zero-waste management (compost, recycling, trash)
2) Food and beverage Sustainable Products Sourcing program (SPS)
3) Communication with promotions/media regarding the events’ sustainable practices
4) On-site volunteer training and management of waste bin seperation stations
5) Carbon Offset promotions and sales
6) Eco Freak Theme Night and Fashion Show featuring reused Thrift upcycled, or recycled material cosyumes

Yep ... yer seein' it right ... KAZY .. the legendary call letters from Denver's past. It's now a Cheyenne Wyoming frequency. There's not much on the website but a player and link to a standalone player --- and of course, curiosity got the better of me ... what does it sound like? A rock station of course .. and a HIGH VOLTAGE rock station at that.

In other news ... Cheynne will be home to

Brother Bill's Metal Fest
August 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 2009
1746 Little Bear Road
Cheyenne, WY 82009

Horns up folks ;)

Free Opera Recital - Tuesday, May 5

One of the greatest operatic voices to come out of the Denver area is bass Hao Jiang Tian. Tuesday evening (May 5) he will act as MC for an opera recital by two up-and-coming countrymen: bass Wei Wu and tenor Yang Bo. Both recently completed their first year of graduate studies at CU Boulder.

This FREE event takes place at Plymouth Congregational Church, located on the SW corner of Colorado Blvd and Hampden (US 285) in south Denver. The recital runs from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and is sponsored by Asian Performing Arts of Colorado. In addition to the two male singers, Tian plans to introduce soprano Jing Zhang.

I have heard both men sing this year, and Wu in particular is terrific. In fact, he competed in both 2009 local opera voice competitions (Met Regionals and DLOG) and amazingly failed to place all that high in either. I'm stumped as to why he didn't fare better, but judges can be quirky.

This is a don't miss event, especially since it's free. I hope to see you there!

WOO! Girl, you DO have it together!

What can we say? The AMAZING sold-out Angie Stevens CD release show at the Soiled Dove last night -- and the fluid connection Angie and the Beautiful Wreck had with the audience -- was a testament, and an answer of sorts, to the line she emphasized in the opening song: that she thinks she is going to get it together this year. Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck, they've got it together. Is this their year? I'm in.

New issue hitting the stands and online!

Just a heads up that the new issue is hitting the stands and online!

Need to find out where to get a copy? Go over to ColoradoMusicBuzz.com and click on "About CMB and the "Distribution"

Lots of great articles this month!

Be sure to thank our advertisers and tell them you saw them in CMB - without them we wouldn't be around.