09 Sept 10

Hey, blogspot readers, there's still plenty of summertime fun left on SouthSide's calendar before the frosty autumn chills come! Her latest adventure had her perched in her favorite spot at the famous Subterranean. This balcony seat offered the best view in the house to cover the hot performances rockin' the stage tonight. The lineup featured Mother Culture and The Love Shots with Empire State Express and Ryan Traster.

She regrets missing most of the Empire's set however the little she heard mad her reserve future performance dates for a full On The Town review. This reviewer enjoyed the energetic sound and feel to this band's Blues/Americana music especially during their cover of a Ray Charles classic, What'd I Say - performed with lots of fire and passion. Visit this band at http://www.empirestateexpress.com or their Facebook page for more information. Ryan Traster (from NY) had SouthSide enjoying his semi-acoustic performance. Currently on tour with Mother Culture, this singer/songwriter (joined on stage with friend Dillon on bass) impressed this reviewer with not only his vocals but how the heartache/pain was clearly expressed through his lyrics. Ryan's words seemed so personal and straight from the heart. Visit Ryan Traster at http://www.ryantrastermusic.com or http://www.myspace.com/ryantraster for more information. SouthSide highly recommends checking out both opening acts at their next performance.

SouthSide suggests reading her interview of Mother Culture at http://southsideinterviews.blogspot.com/ to meet the members of this quartet band from Kansas City, MO. She highly suggests checking out their next live performance for the rockin' organic sound ...the energetic feel that popped to immediately grab your attention. And Mother was barely into their opening song to have SouthSide feeling the vibe and momentum of their music. With three guitars in the band's lineup, Mother could have gone the hardcore or screamo/metal route yet they kept it within the pop with more alternative for their rock sound to retain that earthiness heard in the lyrics. For example in Mission, SouthSide definitely heard and felt the purpose of Mother's mission with the vibrant drumming (by Nick) ...almost having a tribal-like groove rockin' the stage as barefoot Jessi lit the mircrophone on fire with her vocals. Or listen to Exodus - though performed in a downtempo beat, there were still bursts of organic energy felt in the music as well as in Justin's (on guitar) vocals with Jessi backing him. This band, blogspot readers, was all about making their music fun and spontaneous without overloading it in fancy guitar hooks or instrumentals. Mother was having too much fun rockin' the stage to even slowdown for Sold Your Voice (title track off their latest EP) and Paper Dolls (with Plastic Parts), track 2. SouthSide highly suggests getting to know Mother Culture while they're in the midst of their Fall 2010 tour as well as snagging their latest EP, Sold Your Voice. For more information, visit http://www.motherculturerock.com or http://www.myspace.com/motherculture.

Hey, blogspot readers, it was time for SouthSide to get her rockin' dosage of The Love Shots! This local trio featured an eclectic twist to the punk/pop rock sound by incorporating a retro sound (early 50s rock-n-roll) into their music. For example, their cover of Quiet Riot's Cum On Feel The Noize was switched from its original 80s metal-hair sound to be re-arranged to fit into Shots' retro style as they began their performance. This style had SouthSide enjoying the lively rhythm as well as the energetic beat for anyone to dance along with the band. Fans should take notice (besides the retro feel of Shots' music) of this band's take on the subject of love. Yes many are about love but don't expect them to be happily lovey dovey. The Love Shots wonderfully expose the dark side of love which is never lovey dovey ...it's darker, lustful and sometimes painful. Check out their songs Kill, Good Girl Gone Insane and Banshee. Prime examples of love sometimes gone wrong and/or painful. Yet there were two moments in which the softer side to Shots' made an appearance. SouthSide recommends listening to Katlynn (a personal love ballad straight from the heart from Danny [on vocals/guitar] to her) and the 2007 Pearl Jam cover of Ricky Nelson's Last Kiss. Also she recommends listening to her favorite song Husband Undercover and the heart-pounding howl of Wolfhound (plenty of chills and thrills down your spine). This reviewer highly recommends getting your own dosage of The Love Shots and its retro rock sound. For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/theloveshots.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide