As the British retro rock band The Darkness released their second album “One Way Ticket” in 2005, it looked like the band’s future looked sky high. It was easy to see [...]]]>

Just like old times: The Darkness come to a sold out show in Detroit when they play St. Andrew's this Friday.

As the British retro rock band The Darkness released their second album “One Way Ticket” in 2005, it looked like the band’s future looked sky high. It was easy to see it that way, the guys in the Darkness stuck out like a sore thumb in the rock world, bringing a 70’s hard rock bombast that just about every band was lacking during that time and their debut album, “Permission To Land”, sold a half million copies in this country. But band infighting and drug and alcohol abuse buried the band caused the guys to go their separate ways in 2006.

With lead singer Justin Hawkins cleaning up and forming the similar sounding band Hot Leg, and the rest of the guys forming Stone Gods- most fans were hoping that the Darkness would make their return one of these days. In a recent chat, the singer Hawkins even joked about “putting out a great first album, and the second album being just ok and come back for an amazing reunion”. In a true case of foreshadowing, fans rejoiced when the band rejoined to play the Download Festival in England last year and starting slowly feeling out if the fans were ready for the second coming of the band.

After a European club tour late last year, it’s time for North American fans to see the Darkness once more as they hit the States (and a little bit of Canada) throughout out the month of February. Starting with a sold out show in Toronto on February 1^st, the group plays their second ever show in Detroit when they hit  a completely sold out St. Andrew’s Hall on Friday, February 10^th.

Along with the great songs from “Permission to Land”, the band will be playing some new songs for an album that the band is hoping is out by the end of the year. With the band in the studio now and currently working on new material, it’s only a matter of time before we see the next chapter of the Darkness. But either way, if you haven’t seen the Darkness live and have just heard the albums, it is truly a fun experience. So, get to St. Andrew’s Hall and get ready to believe in the Darkness once again.

The Darkness play at St. Andrew’s Hall on Friday, February 10^th. Tickets are SOLD OUT  and if tickets become available, check out www.livenation.com. Additional tour dates and band info can be found at www.theactualdarkness.com.

Even though it’s not a yearly thing, Gigantour, the festival conceived by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine is always a big event for metal fans. In 2005, Megadeth teamed with Dream Theater for [...]]]>

The Palace will show signs of life for the first time in a while as Megadeth leads Gigantour this Thursday.

Even though it’s not a yearly thing, Gigantour, the festival conceived by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine is always a big event for metal fans. In 2005, Megadeth teamed with Dream Theater for the inaugural run of the festival and provided an alternative to the juggernaut that was OzzFest. 2006’s tour was mostly noted for Lamb of God’s scene stealing 2^nd billing spot, that left Megadeth fans like a little air had been let out of the show. But Megadeth returned in 2008 and delivered a blistering set, as well as strong sets by In Flames and Children Of Bodom.

Well, the fourth Gigantour run is upon us and delivers another solid lineup for hard rock and metal fans in the cold winter months. Here’s what you have to think about this year’s Gigantour bands:

Megadeth: Obviously, the headliner is back for another round and is out in support of their thirteenth album, simply titled “Thirteen”. The band is a bit more streamlined than the band’s previous albums that reinvigorated the band, but still provides it’s moments. Check out “Public Enemy #1” and “New World Order” for the best example’s of the band’s fury on their latest. Expect a set full of the band’s latest, but many fans will be there to also hear the classics as well too.

Motorhead: Personally, after watching the “Lemmy” documentary- I don’t know how one of the hardest partying and purveyor of the rock star lifestyle is still alive. At 64, Lemmy Kilmister is still touring the hell out of the band, now well into it’s fourth decade. After releasing their latest album, “The World Is Yours” early last year’s, it goes to prove that Motorhead keeps doing their thing, don’t change for a damn thing and we eat it all up.

Volbeat: The up and coming Danish band is really starting to make waves here in the States. The band totally obsessed with American culture and musical styles is one of the more original bands out there these days. The band is even scoring some major rock radio hits now as well, as “Fallen” and “The Warrior’s Call” both have hit the Billboard Top 10 Rock Songs in the past year. Make sure to check out their latest, “Beyond Hell/Above Heaven”, and their live album of the same name.

Lacuna Coil: Except a pretty big debut for the Italian hard rock band for their latest album, “Dark Adrenaline” when sales numbers come out next week. The band, fronted by the beautiful Christina Scabbia provides the biggest rock radio polish and gives their fans big hooks and some tempered moments before the fans go nuts for the other bands.

Gigantour 2012 takes place at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Thursday, February 9^th. Tickets range between $13 and $39.50 and are available at palacenet.com. Additional tour dates can be found at www.gigantour.com.

Don’t worry fans, the highly popular indie band The Hold Steady is just fine and there is no concern for a breakup. But the band is currently taking a break from the band, lead singer Craig Finn [...]]]>

Craig Finn makes his first solo apperance in Detroit at the Lager House on Wednesday.

Don’t worry fans, the highly popular indie band The Hold Steady is just fine and there is no concern for a breakup. But the band is currently taking a break from the band, lead singer Craig Finn is out on the road promoting his first solo album, “Clear Heart Full Eyes”, which came out last week on Vagrant Records.

As Finn describes it on the label’s website, he recorded the album during a break from the Hold Steady last summer in a sweltering Austin. Recording the album for three weeks, Finn enlisted several other musicians to create the album. The result is way more infused with blues and bluegrass than any of the Hold Steady’s work, with songs like “New Friend Jesus” showing that bluegrass influenced. But where Finn excels as usual is in his usual Springsteen-esque storytelling. Hearing songs like “Jackson” and the garage rocking “Honolulu Blues”, Finn keeps things entertaining enough on his solo debut, but provides a clear difference musically from his day job with the Hold Steady.

This is Finn’s first venture outside of the Hold Steady since forming the band in 2002 and it’s a big step for one of indie rock’s most enjoyable figures. If you are a fan of the Steady or just a fan of the different genres he bounces back and forth between, “Clear Heart Full Eyes”, should be one on your listening list.

Finn has just started his solo tour, which will run through March 5^th here in North American before heading to Europe for the rest of March. Making his way to the ever balmy February nights of Detroit, Craig plays at PJ’s Lager House on Wednesday, March 8^th. It’s a night to hear the new side to Finn and perhaps some of the Hold Steady favorites as well.

Craig Finn plays at PJ’s Lager House on Wednesday, February 8^th. Tickets are $10 and are available at www.pjslagerhouse.com. Additional tour dates and info can be found at www.http://www.vagrant.com/artists/news/72-craigfinn.

Fans of the UFC are hoping that the second UFC on Fox event will last a little longer than the first one. The first match, the Heavyweight Championship bout ended in a whopping 64 seconds, meaning there was about 45 times [...]]]>

UFC on Fox is live tonight, and guess what? It's free.

Fans of the UFC are hoping that the second UFC on Fox event will last a little longer than the first one. The first match, the Heavyweight Championship bout ended in a whopping 64 seconds, meaning there was about 45 times the pre-fight coverage than there was the actual fight. Well, UFC organizers are hoping for two full tilt fights at the event in Chicago on January 28^th.

There are no championship bouts here, but some very high profile contender matches at UFC on Fox 2. In the Light Heavyweight division, Rashad Evans will be fighting someone not named Jon Jones, as he bides his time fighting up and comer Phil Davis. Meanwhile, arguably the two biggest villains in the UFC fight in the Middleweight division as Chael Sonnen fights Michael Bisping. There are major implications on the line for both fights and we will break those down a bit in the predictions
So, instead of doing more hype, let’s just get to the breakdown of the major fights on UFC on Fox 2:

Light Heavyweight Match: Rashad Evans (16-1) vs. Phil Davis (9-0): It has seemed like an eternity for Rashad Evans to get his next title shot against his one time trainer partner Jon Jones, which has caused a lot of tension between the two fighters that is beyond well documented. Evans missed out on another chance late last year due to injury, and watching Jones dispatch fighters left and right. Evans will most likely get his title shot if he defeats the undefeated Davis, but that’s a pretty big if.

Davis has been making his way up the Light Heavyweight ladder, and last taking out Little Nog (Antonio Rogerio Nogueria) last March. Almost a year is a long time to wait your turn, but Davis should be ready to fight. But fighting Evans is a big step up from the Brian Stanns and Alexander Gustaffons of the fight and this should prove to be the biggest test of his career.

As much as I think Davis has a long career ahead of him in the UFC, I think Evans wants and needs this fight more. At 32, Evans is getting any younger in fighter years and sees this fight as one of his last chances to get a crack at fighting his new mortal enemy in Jones. I don’t see this ending by submission or by a decision. For some strange reason, I see a highlight worthy one punch knockout for Evans reminiscent of his fight with Chuck Liddell years ago. It’s a longshot to call that, but I’m doing it.
Pick: Rashad Evans wins via knockout in the 2^nd Round.

Middleweight Match: Chael Sonnen (26-11) vs. Michael Bisping (22-3): To fight fans, this is like North Korea and China fighting each other. After Middleweight contender Mark Munoz bowed out of this fight, originally with Sonnen, this match of villains was made possible. Both men come with lots of hatred from fans, but let’s be honest, both guys are entertaining as hell and my only wish is that the fighters had more time to trash talk about this fight.

For Sonnen, we all know what this is about: win and you get your long awaited rematch with Anderson Silva, most likely in a Brazilian soccer stadium in the summer. For Michael Bisping, this is a shot for him to get back into the title picture and fight Silva for the first time.

After his little Silva rant after his win over Brian Stann last year, Sonnen eats, breathes and sleeps thinking about Silva (and probably what wild statement he can make next about anything). Bisping is coming off demolishing “Mayhem” Miller in December and spitting his way to victory over Jorge Rivera last March. In this match, it’s hard to actual call who has the advantage here, because I think this match is so even matched. Bisping can try for the crushing knockout; or Sonnen can take him to the mat and wearing the Brit down.

But in the end, I think Sonnen’s mat skills will wear down Bisping and submit him, setting up one of the biggest pay per views in UFC history against Silva.
Pick: Chael Sonnen wins via submission in 3^rd Round.

UFC on Fox 2 is set for Saturday, January 28^th at 8pm EST. For the full fight card, check out www.ufc.com.

Call it the wonders of the internet. Years ago, if a band left a label to independently release their music, it was nothing short of career suicide, but not so much anymore. Take a group like the Las [...]]]>

Along with The Summer Set, The Cab hits the Crofoot Ballroom next Friday night.

Call it the wonders of the internet. Years ago, if a band left a label to independently release their music, it was nothing short of career suicide, but not so much anymore. Take a group like the Las Vegas band The Cab; who split with Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance last summer, quickly self released their second album, “Symphony Solider” in August. But with the band’s loyal fan base and wonders of the internet and getting your music out there, the guys in the Cab debuted at #62 upon the album’s release.

The Cab was founded in 2005 in the Vegas suburb of Henderson, when lead singer Alex DeLeon moved away from hardcore bands to find a bit more melodic side, founding the Can and watching the eye of Panic At The Disco, who helped the band get signed to Fueled by Ramen. After their debut, “Whisper War” almost cracked the Top 100 in 2008, the band enlisted such pop powerhouses as Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars to help with the songwriting for “Solider”. With the material on the new album, it’s easy to see that the band captured a bit more power pop and shine to their music. Make sure to check out songs like “Bad” and “Grow Up And Be Kids” for some good examples of the band’s latest sound.

Being a veteran of the Warped Tour and AP Tour, the Cab aren’t wasting anytime getting back in the road in 2012. Along with fellow pop-punk band The Summer Set, the Cab started their “Everything’s Fine Symphony Solider” tour on January 14^th and runs through mid-February. But the two groups make sure to hit Detroit when they reach what should be a cold Pontiac when the bands hit the Crofoot Ballroom on Friday, February 3^rd for a night of catchy hooks and some easy going fun.

The Cab play at the Crofoot Ballroom on Friday, February 3^rd. Tickets are $14 and are available at www.ticketweb.com. Additional tour dates and band info can be found at www.thecabrock.com.

For fans of the electro-rock band Celldweller, fans have been awaiting since 2009 to see the finished product behind his “Wish Upon a Blackstar” effort. With the first chapter released in August of 2009, Celldweller to continue roughly one chapter per year and fans [...]]]>

Klayton's Celldweller hits the Works Thursday night.

For fans of the electro-rock band Celldweller, fans have been awaiting since 2009 to see the finished product behind his “Wish Upon a Blackstar” effort. With the first chapter released in August of 2009, Celldweller to continue roughly one chapter per year and fans are now get a taste for the final piece of the puzzle, when the fifth chapter of the album comes to fans on March 27^th.

Even with the ongoing “Blackstar” saga, group mastermind Klayton has been putting out music since his 2003 self-titled debut. Starting out in a band with big time illusionist Criss Angel, Klayton struck out on his own with a brand of electronic & industrial rock very reminsicient of the genre’s early to mid-90’s heyday. After moving from New York to right here in Detroit, Klayton really kicked in the project in overdrive once in the Motor City, releasing a few more albums worth of material before working on the still in progress “Blackstar”. If you had a chance to check out any of the four chapters, Celldweller’s music is a wild mixture of industrial, dubstep and drum and bass that keeps things heavy enough, but melodic enough to bring in a wide range of fans.

With the fifth chapter being released both digitally and a physical CD in March, the seven song chapter, with such tracks as “Against The Tide” and “The Seven Sisters”, are sure to feature a blend that rang through the first four chapters, but with a few new twists thrown in for good measure.

After taking a bit of a break from touring, Klayton brought Celldweller back to the road in 2010 and has been touring a bit since then. With some dates in 2011, Celldweller stays home for a rare DJ set at the Works in Detroit this Thursday, January 26^th. Perhaps you can check out some of his recent mash-ups, using songs by Metallica and Asking Alexandria, hear some of the Celldweller stuff, or just songs that get Klayton. Who knows? You could hear all three, but make sure to get to the Works to see the Celldweller sound.

Celldweller plays a DJ set at the Works Bar & Club, located at 1846 Michigan Avenue in Detroit on Thursday, January 26^th. For more information on cover, check out www.myspace.com/theworksdetroit for more details. For more info and tour dates, check out www.celldweller.com.

Nope, it’s not a reference to the University of Michigan and hitting a game at Michigan Stadium (I know Spartan fans, roll your eyes—-NOW! And deal with it). But when you see the big block “M” associated with the [...]]]>

The M Machine opens for Paper Diamond Saturday at Clutch Cargo's.

Nope, it’s not a reference to the University of Michigan and hitting a game at Michigan Stadium (I know Spartan fans, roll your eyes—-NOW! And deal with it). But when you see the big block “M” associated with the San Francisco based group The M Machine.

The M Machine are the progressive DJ trio of Andrew Coenen, Benajmin Swardlick and Eric Luttrell and are releasing new music at a pretty good clip these days. Back in October, the guys released the double single for “Promise Me a Rose Garden” and “Glow”, which showcase the M Machine’s highly infectous “chillwave” brand of electronica. But the group’s cornerstone is the 12 minute “Trafalgar”, which more than keeps the listener’s attention for the full time. The group was recently signed to OWSLA, which is the new musical label imprint from new electronic music heavyweight Skrillex.

The M Machine will be on the road with Paper Diamond for the “Winter Warmer Tour”, which runs through February 1^st. But the tour will make their way through a probably frigid Detroit area stop as they play the iLounge inside of Clutch Cargo on Saturday, January 21^st. If you haven’t checked out the venue yet and love this group- let’s just say’s it’s one of the perfect places to check and chill to one the trance and mellow ways of the M Machine.

The M Machine open for Paper Diamond at the iLounge at Clutch Cargo’s on Saturday, January 21^st. Tickets are $15 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Additional tour dates and group info can be found at www.facebook.com/themmachine.

After the band had done tours with Drowning Pool and Wayne Static, you would think the guys in the California based band Kyng would be taking a short break to start the new year. Guess [...]]]>

Kyng brings their style of heavy to Royal Oak this Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Katherine Guerrero)

After the band had done tours with Drowning Pool and Wayne Static, you would think the guys in the California based band Kyng would be taking a short break to start the new year. Guess again. After releasing their debut “Trampled Sun” back in late September and wrapped up their 2011 touring, the band quickly made plans as they will be opening for In Flames during a winter tour about to get underway.

Founded when former members of the band Ankla, Tony Castaneda and Pepe Clarke Magana left to strike out of their own, Kyng moved away from the full on metal of that band for a wide ranging old school sounding hard rock record. Whether it’s the groove of tracks like “Pushing & Pulling” or the Alice in Chains-esque “Takes It’s Toll”, Kyng makes a play for big rock radio with the songs on “Trampled Sun”. Perhaps the best show of the wide ranging sound is the nine minute, two part track “Beauty at the End/ Shorelines Pt. 1 & 2”, where the band starts the song with a serene acoustic number, before moving into a hard charging hard rock cut. When I spoke with Castaneda over the summer, he described the band’s sound and influences as “California Heavy”- which is a blend of classic and modern rock, latin music, hip-hop which gives the band their diverse sound.

With the new year started and the band back on the road, their first tour of 2012 will be with Swedish melodic death metal patriarchs In Flames. Along with a huge lineup including Trivium and Veil of Maya, Kyng will be on the road starting January 13^th through February 21^st. But the tour makes an early stop in the Detroit area as the bands take over what is sure to be a loud and heavy night in a cold town as Kyng starts things off with that “California Heavy” sound.

Kyng open up for In Flames at the Royal Oak Theater on Friday, January 13^th. Tickets are $20 and are available at www.tickets.com. Additional tour dates and band info can be found at www.kyngband.com.

The guys in the U.K. based electro-metalcore outfit Enter Shikari may have not released an album since 2009’s “Common Dreads”, but that doesn’t meant that they haven’t been busy touring. After doing some major stadium-size shows with The Prodigy over in the U.K., the [...]]]>

Enter Shikari hits Royal Oak tomorrow night.

The guys in the U.K. based electro-metalcore outfit Enter Shikari may have not released an album since 2009’s “Common Dreads”, but that doesn’t meant that they haven’t been busy touring. After doing some major stadium-size shows with The Prodigy over in the U.K., the band made their return to the States by opening up for A Day To Remember in 2010, before joining up with the Warped Tour this past summer.

But with “Common Dreads” now fully seared into fans’ heads, they are getting ancy for fresh material from the band. So, the band went into a Bangkok studio this past May to start the recording of their third album, “A Flash Flood of Colour”. Due out January 10^th, the album may or may not harken the hijinks of a “Hangover 2”-esque recording session, but will feature the band’s signature sound of electronic metalcore that is easily shown on the first single “Sssankepit”. But if fans cannot wait for the new album, you can always pick up the band’s live CD/DVD set “Live from Planet Earth”, which came out this past summer.

But think of that as a present for whatever December holiday you celebrate- however, if you are in the Detroit area, you can check out the band tomorrow night (December 17^th) when they open up for the Devil Wears Prada at the Royal Oak Theater. Along with Whitechapel and For Today, Enter Shikari helps round out a pretty formidable group of openers with their frentic sounds. So, if you get a chance tomorrow night and feel like skipping some holiday parties, make sure to check out Enter Shikari’s bouncing off the walls ways and get jacked.

Enter Shikari opens for the Devil Wears Prada at the Royal Oak Theater tomorrow (December 17^th). Tickets are $20 and are available at www.tickets.com. Additional tour dates and band info can be found at www.entershikari.com.

It’s gonna be hard to top the grind out slugfest that was the Shogun Rua/Dan Henderson fight last month that will likely go down as the Fight of 2011, if not one of the best in the UFC’s history. [...]]]>

Will the Bones train keep rolling? Look at my picks to find out.

It’s gonna be hard to top the grind out slugfest that was the Shogun Rua/Dan Henderson fight last month that will likely go down as the Fight of 2011, if not one of the best in the UFC’s history. But the last couple events of the year plan to be big ones for the UFC. The first of which is this weekend’s UFC 140, where Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones tries to cap off a monster year against always dangerous Lyoto Machida. Also, the Nogueria brothers both see action as the older Nogueria takes on Frank Mir in a heavyweight bout and the younger Nogueria takes on Tito Ortiz in what could be either one more step in a comeback, or the beginning of the end for Ortiz. We’ll know more Saturday.

UFC 140 makes it’s return to Toronto, after an awe-inspiring 65,000 people packed the Rogers Centre (yes, I spelled that right- it’s Canada) back in April. This time around, the UFC takes over the Air Canada Centre as the UFC starts to wind down a huge year for the company.
But let’s take a look at the fights that people will be talking about at UFC 140:

Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones (14-1) vs. Lyoto Machida (17-2)- Beyond Donald Cerrone, who’s went 4-0 this year already, no one has had a better year in the UFC than Jones. At the beginning of the year, he was still an up and comer when he fought Ryan Bader. But you know the rest of the story: beats Bader, gets title shot, destroys Shogun for the title, destroys Rampage in September and now he faces Machida in what could cap off his breakout year. But unlike Rampage, Machida may be one of the hardest men to figure out stylistically in the UFC.

Machida lost a razor thin decision to Rampage last year, but Machida front kicked Randy Couture into retirement last April and into title contention once again. He received the title fight after Rashad Evans suffered another injury- probably from running his mouth against Jones too much (again). Machida likes to go for the knockout most of the time, but could handle Jones on the ground as well. But with this fight, it’s gonna be tough to keep Jones on the ground for long. I think Machida will give Jones more trouble than any other fighter this year, even though I see Jones pulling it out. I don’t think there will be a knockout or submission here, as Jones grinds out a decision and caps off a great year.
Pick: Jon Jones wins via unanimous decision.

Heavyweight Fight: Frank Mir (15-5) vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria (33-6)- This will be a fight to prove whether these guys are broken down old warhorses, or ready to make one last run at the heavyweight title. Mir took down Nogueria with the ol’ ground and pound back in their first match at the end of 2008, but has been 3-2 after that fight, but has beaten Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop recently. It’s not the toughest talent in the world, but it’s a win streak, nonetheless.

Like Mir, the older Nogueria has traded off wins and losses, beating Couture and a surprise win over Brendan Schaub in the summer. But does he have enough in the tank to get that last shot. I hate to say it, I don’t see how Nogueria has changed since their first fight and he may not get knocked out like last time, but I see Mir handling this one again.
Pick: Frank Mir wins via unanimous decision.

Light Heavyweight Fight: Tito Ortiz (16-9) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueria (19-5)- Couldn’t the Nogueria family give their kids different first names? Sheesh, it’s confusing. Anyways, Ortiz is trying to prove he’s the UFC’s new renaissance man. After his defeat of Ryan Bader earlier this year and changed his fortune, Ortiz’s big step up in competition ended in a 2^nd Round defeat at the hands of Evans. Meanwhile, the younger Nogueria has lost his last two fights and almost lost a decision before that. Obviously, the younger Nogueria doesn’t have quite the track record of his older brother and needs decisions to grind out those wins.

So, with that said…..call me crazy, call me stupid- but I like the former UFC problem case Ortiz to pull off a victory here. Will it be enough for him to take on Jon Jones down the line for the title? No. But it will continue the feel good story that is starting to happen for Ortiz.
Pick: Tito Ortiz wins via submission in 3^rd Round.

For a full fight card and places to watch, check out www.ufc.com.