Classic rock and classic albums

Slick popsters The Dandy Warhols have been playing their hip, eclectic brand of rock and roll for nearly twenty years. The Portland natives built a reputation as a fantastic live band of clever songwriters, finally finding mainstream success with their 2000 breakthrough album, the dreamy and dance-able Thirteen Tales of Urban Bohemia. In March, the band kicked off a 17-date tour cheekily celebrating TTOUB’s thirteen year anniversary (get it? 13.13.13) by playing the record in its entirety, along with other songs from their excellent catalogue. The Dandys are also reissuing the album on cd, vinyl and a very special limited edition vinyl box-set that will surely be jam-packed with fan goodies.

TTOUB effortlessly sunk into pop culture,
spearheaded by its glam-tastic, Rolling Stones-influenced single “Bohemian Like You” and its saucy NSFW music video. The song has been used in countless commercials and films. Fans of cult mid-2000 television show Undeclared will recognize the show’s theme as the peppy opening riff to awesome oddball track “Solid.”

I have very fond memories of this album, first hearing it in my high school art class. Years later, a friend reintroduced the record to me in college through a mixtape. She deftly placed the sobering 6 minute “Sleep” at the end of side A and forever secured my affection for the song and the album. Join me in my goo-goo-eyed lovefest and check them out at First Avenue June 9th!

Tour dates:

05/28/13 Millvale, PA Mr. Small's Theatre 05/31/13 New York, NY Terminal 5 06/01/13 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory 06/02/13 Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre 06/05/13 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre 06/07/13 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop

06/08/13 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre 06/09/13 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue 06/11/13 Englewood, CO Gothic Theatre 06/14/13 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern 06/15/13 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore 06/21/13 Seattle, WA Showbox At The Market

Philly rock band Free Energy has that youthful classic rock sound that was made for rolled-down car windows and summertime mischief. The band won over critics and fans with their acclaimed 2010 debut Stuck on Nothing, an album bursting at the seams with head-bobbing and fist-pumping jams. This past January, Free Energy finally released a new album for the hungry rock masses: Love Sign, another ample helping of spirited guitar-driven tunes. The songs are always solid on record, but they really take off when played live. Free Energy’s live performances are extremely fun; there’s a reason this band bears the name that it does! Surrender yourself to the infectious good vibes as the band heads out on tour this month.

Tour dates: