Identity X Review

Saturday's show was a pure rock experience. The line up featured all local bands, except 7th Cycle which is a band from Logan, Ohio.

Identity X was amazing live, and I would strongly recommend seeing them any chance you get. Lead singer David Toole also performed the national anthem at Saturday's Penguins game before heading over to the show. The band's album "Perception is Reality" is available on iTunes and a link on their website. Any rock fan should definitely check it out. They also make Journey songs sound a million times better!

Other bands included Color Me Blind, Patron Saint, The Cascade Atlantic, Model Class Citizens, and SIKES. All of the bands performed very well and their sounds were amazing. Patron Saint, The Cascade Atlantic, and Model Class Citizens top my list; but I would recommend all of these bands to any rock fan. The Cascade Atlantic seemed to interact with the crowd the best, but there was also a bit of a bigger crowd by the time they played.

Altar bar is a pretty good venue, but the all ages set up is a bit awkward. A dividing wall was set up to keep people under 21 away from the bar and those that were 21+ could not take their alcohol into the all ages section. The set-up made it hard for groups of friends of mixed ages to watch the show together. It would be a great venue for 21+ shows though.

Identity X Live at Altar Bar in the Strip District

This Saturday, October 9th Identity X will headline a show at Altar Bar. The doors open at 5:00pm and the show starts at 6:00pm. Tickets are still on sale for the show. Visit Altar Bar's website for more details and ticket info. This show will be drummer Chris Sheader's last show with the band. Guitarist DNapps will be missing due to health problems, but will return to the band after he is healed.

I discovered this band when I went to see Rent at the beginning of the year. Lead singer David Toole played the role of Roger in the musical, and his voice is amazing. After I discovered Identity X, I tried to go to shows but always had something else going on. This Saturday I will FINALLY get to see them live!

Check out some of their music here:

This Addiction by Identity X

Overcome by Identity X

The Depth Perception by Identity X

"Here I Go Again On My Own"

Well, it's been a crazy summer, and so far a crazy semester, but here I am again. Summer was spent mostly working, but I did make it to a show here and there:

July- Goo Goo Dolls with Switchfoot and the Spill Canvas: Darien Lake, NY

I took a trip up to New York after work one night, spent the next morning and afternoon in the monsoon that was downtown Buffalo, went to the show at about 7pm, and drove back home (about 5 hrs) to wake up for a doctors appointment at 9:30 in the morning. Needless to say, I was exhausted (I got about 4hrs of sleep) but the trip was amazing. I forgot how much I loved Switchfoot until I saw them live, and the Goo Goo Dolls are one of my favorite bands so naturally I loved them! I strongly recommend seeing both bands live, they interact with the crowd really well and sound amazing.

August- Backstreet Boys: Amphitheater at Station Square, Pittsburgh

My friends and I made a trek to Station Square for a little blast from the past. I missed BSB the first time around when I was between 8 and 12, so I was actually really excited this time around. I am not ashamed to say that I still remembered most of the songs and was singing along the entire time! If you're looking for a hilarious, fun show, this is for you. They took a long time getting out on stage, but it was a fun time.

September- Nickelback, Three Days Grace, Buckcherry: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh

This is the second time I've seen Nickelback and they put on one hell of a show! Last summer they played Post-Gazette Pavilion, now First Niagara Pavilion, and I felt like they did a lot more at this show. The main reason I went to this show was to see Three Days Grace. They rely on their music more than lights and effects and are able to really tear it up! If you want an amazing rock show, GO SEE THEM!! Buckcherry was good, but the lead singer's voice is not so great live.

Kings of Leon...not! This was the show I looked forward to the most this year, and it was cancelled.

Not a big concert season this year, but it was full of awesome shows! See any shows this summer? Feel free to share...
This year it's just me and my writing, no class to have things posted for, just updates and experiences. Enjoy!!

Music's Move From CDs to Digital Forms

An ever changing industry

The music industry is one that changes constantly. A band can be tearing up the charts one week and then drop off the face of the Earth the next week. The same goes for the mediums used to listen to or play music. These days, if you buy any iPod or MP3 player, it’s out of date in as little as one year, maybe even months. The iPod and all of Apple’s products are perfect examples of how quickly today’s music business moves.

The digital age embraced

According to second quarter numbers for the iPhone and iPod, people are welcoming the digital age with open arms. Alexandra Osorio’s article “Apple Earnings Go Kaboom…90 percent Quarterly Gains” for digitalmusicnews.com says that the iPhone sold 8.75 million units (double last year) and the iPod sold 9.75 million units. The number of iPods sold is slowly decreasing, but that is because the popular iTouch and iPhone are slowly taking the iPod’s place.

Further proof that the digital movement is being embraced comes from two Point Park University students who say they prefer the switch. Tamara Rivera says, “it’s a good thing because it saves a lot of space than it would to have CDs laying around. You can have 300 songs without having to carry 50 CDs around all the time.” Cory Bosket adds saying, “you can pick any song you want, any time you want and it’s a lot easier to find the ones you want to listen to.” Other things the students like about the digital age are: the cost is cheaper, it’s easy to share or transfer files to different devices, and it’s easier to use digital versions for projects.

When will CDs become obsolete?

In 2006, Judas Priest front man Rob Halford said, “it’s inevitable that CDs will become obsolete; you have to face the fact.” Later on in his interview with MetalTemple.com writers, Halford said, “I think there’ll always be a market for some kind of physical collection. It’s just moving south fast.”

It is only a matter of time before CDs become obsolete, but it will take a while. In the past; it has happened to 8-tracks, vinyl records, and cassettes, so it is bound to happen to CDs with digital downloads on the rise. People can only guess at when the full transition will take place because even those in the industry are unsure of the progress. It might be in five, ten, or twenty years, but a music world without CDs is definitely on the horizon.

Protest The Hero plays Mr Smalls in Pittsburgh

Protest The Hero is coming to Mr Smalls this coming Sunday, May 2nd with guests: Architects, Oh No! The Afterlife, and Dethlehem. Protest The Hero is a Hard Rock/Metal band that is touring for the newest album Gallop Meets The Earth, which was released in 2009. The bands Oh No! The Afterlife and Dethlehem are both regional bands. Oh No! is from Slippery Rock and Dethlehem is from Pittsburgh, so to any Metal fans out there, head out and support your local bands! The doors open at 6:00pm and the show starts at 7:00pm. Tickets are $12 and are available through Ticketweb. For more information on Mr. Smalls, visit the website here.

Miss May I plays Pittsburgh's The Smiling Moose

This Thursday, Apirl 29, Miss May I will be playing live at The Smiling Moose in the South Side. Miss May I is a Metal/Hardcore/Thrash band from Ohio and released their album Apologies Are For The Weak last year. Miss May will be playing with guests Abandon All Ships. The show starts at 6:30pm and the doors open at 6:00pm. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. For more information on the venue and the show, visit The Smiling Moose's website.

We The Kings comes to Altar Bar in Pittsburgh's Strip District

Next Thursday, April 29th, We The Kings will be playing live at Altar Bar. The band is currently on tour for their latest album Smile Kid which was released in December 2009. In 2007, We The Kings burst onto the scene with their single "Check Yes Juliet" off of their self titled album. "Check Yes Juliet" was catchy and very infectious and the band sticks with that style on their new album. We The Kings will be returning to Pittsburgh later this summer for Warped Tour at First Niagara Pavilion.

We The Kings is touring with The Maine along with special guests Cartel, Artist vs Poet, and Stereo Skyline. The show is at Altar Bar at 7:00pm. Tickets are $18 in advance and are available at Ticketmaster. Tickets are $20 at the door and all ages are welcome. Berore the show, check out one of We The Kings new singles "Heaven Can Wait"

Brand New's Show at Club Zoo is Sold Out!

Brand New is an alternative band from Long Island, New York. The band is scheduled to play at Club Zoo this Sunday, April 25, at 7:30pm. Unfortunately, the show is sold out. Both Ticketmaster and StubHub are out of tickets, but StubHub is still accepting tickets from anyone that wants to re-sell. Brand New's latest album Daisy was released in September 2009 and the band is currently touring for the album. The band's next two tour dates are sold out, but check the band's MySpace for any updates on tour information. The band is also working on creating a new official website which the page says is "coming soon." I would definitely recommend giving this band a listen and watch for any near by shows!

Greg Joseph of The Clarks visits Point Park University

This Wednesday, April 21st, Greg Joseph of The Clarks will be visiting Point Park University's "A Look Inside the Music Business" presentation. Greg will be speaking as well as giving a solo performance. The road and tour manager of The Clarks, John Williams, will also be speaking during the event. The event is for Point Park students only, but The Clarks will be playing a show in Pittsburgh in June. The summer show is at the Amphitheater at Station Square and the doors open at 6:00pm. The band will be joined by guests The Spring Standards and Good Brother Earl. To keep updated on The Clarks, visit their website here.

Christina Aguilera releases new single Not Myself Tonight

Christina Aguilera's new album Bionic will be released on June 8th later this year. The first single off of the album, "Not Myself Tonight" was released on April 13th and the video for the song is in the process of being produced. There are no tour dates scheduled yet since the release of the album release date is so far off, but Aguilera is scheduled to launch the album on the Today show's summer concert series. "Not Myself Tonight" is currently available on iTunes and Amazon as well as on Christina Aguilera's website. Pittsburgh will have to wait and see if Aguilera decides to pay the city a visit. Until then, check out "Not Myself Tonight" below.

Weekend Shows at Club Cafe

Here is a look at this weekend's shows at Club Cafe located in Pittsburgh's South Side:

Friday 4/16

• Heather Kropf with guest Brooke Annibale, Doors open at 6:00pm and show starts at 7:00pm
• Headliners- Pittsburgh's Next Pop Star, Doors open at 10:00pm and show starts at 10:30pm

Saturday 4/17

• Almost Astronauts with guest Mike Cali, Doors open at 6:00pm and show starts at 7:00pm
• Chet Vincent and the Big Bend with guest Big Hurry, Doors open at 10:00pm and show starts at 10:30pm

Sunday 4/18

• Willy Porter with guest Luke Brindley, Doors open at 6:00pm and show starts at 7:00pm **This show was rescheduled from Nov 13, 2009. Anyone with tickets from that date can use them on Sunday!

Tickets for all shows are available on TicketWeb. Ticket prices for the Friday and Saturday shows range from $6 to $8 and Sunday's show is $18.

**Photo Credit: soulharmonic band on Flickr

Blue October comes to Mr. Smalls in Pittsburgh

Blue October will be performing live at Mr. Smalls this Thursday, April 15th, at 8:00pm. The band is currently touring for its newest album Approaching Normal which was released in March 2009. The Pick Up the Phone Tour is in full swing after many of the shows had to be canceled last summer due to various circumstances including wildfires. The band is joined by guests Stars of Track and Field and Hurricane Bells on the tour. Since this information came to me a little late, here are some other dates that are close by:

Saturday 4/17 Cleveland OH

Sunday 4/18 Columbus OH

Tickets are available through Blue October's website, Mr. Smalls' website, and TicketWeb. Get your fix of the band by listening to one of their new tracks "Should Be Loved" here:

Gaga Update

By now any Pittsburgh Lady Gaga fan knows that regular priced tickets are sold out! Tickets went on sale to the general public this morning at 10:00am and have been on special pre-sales since Tuesday April 6th. Anyone else that has been checking both ticketmaster and Gaga's site religiously since the date was announced will feel the frustration other fans are feeling.

Pittsburgh was skipped on Lady Gaga's first round of touring in 2009, and anyone who was not able to get tickets surely feels skipped again. Although, if you're willing to spend a little extra, StubHub has tickets begining at $150 and going as high as $2033. Options to see the show are to either save a ton of money between now and September 5th or check out one of her shows in a neighboring city. Visit Lady Gaga's website to find the closest show! Good luck!!

Summer Concert Timeline

For anyone who is starting to plan what concerts to see this summer, here is a small guide. Make sure to check ticket and/or band websites for times since they may change between now and the concerts.

**Slide orange arrow that says 2010 to see any shows that are cut off

New Goo!!

The Goo Goo Dolls have finally announced their 9th album!!! The release date has not been set, but a new website and a new tour have finally been built around the album. The band has been able to stand the test of time and continues to crank out new and good material.

The Goo Goo Dolls announced the recording of their new project a few years ago, and I have been following the progress obsessively since the announcement. The new album Something For The Rest of Us will be released later this year and the band begins their tour tomorrow in North Carolina. The band will stop in PA three times in April, but Pittsburgh isn't on the list just yet. The Goo Goo Dolls are amazing live, I have seen them twice, and usually hit the 'Burgh sometime in July. Hopefully, the Pittsburgh date will be announced soon and will not be skipped on the new tour. I have to admit that if Pittsburgh gets glossed over, there will be one very unhappy fan running around!

For more info on the band and their tour, visit their website here. Check out The Goo Goo Dolls performing a new song at a concert before the final NCAA basketball game:

Gorilla Productions Present: Battle of the Bands

Another Battle rages on at Altar Bar this weekend! This Sunday, April 11, another Battle of the Bands begins at 4:00pm. This Battle is not part of a series, and I was not able to find much information on what the winner receives or anything on Gorilla Productions, the sponsor of the event. This could be due to my impatience with the internet at the moment, but info was hard to find and Altar Bar's lack of links/info on their website didn't help much.

This battle features 12 bands that all call the Pittsburgh area home. Some of the bands performing include: Fire and Sex, The Guest List, Color Me Blind, The R4 Project, and A Whisper Rising along with seven others that I couldn't find information for even after a few searches. Out of the bands listed, I would give Color Me Blind and The R4 Project a listen. I was actually able to listen to their songs the entire way through, unlike the others.

Fire and Sex had a fairly monotone sound to them and they didn't have much of a stage presence in the clips they had on their site. The Guest List's music was good, but the singer had a very nasal sound to his voice that was difficult to listen to. A Whisper Rising only had two songs posted so a fair review can't be given at this time.

For more info on the event, visit Altar Bar's website. Hopefully, any searches on the other bands will be more productive than mine were!! Good luck and make sure to support your local bands!

**Photo Credit: Shane Henderson on Flickr

Weekend Shows at The Smiling Moose

Via Audio will be at The Smiling Moose tomorrow, Friday April 2, along with: The Spring Standards, Tecumseh EQs, and Small Cities. Tecumseh EQs is a local band and is classified as Experimental/Post Punk/Psychedelic and was formed by Pete Williams and Jeremy Justice. Small Cities is also a band that hails from Pittsburgh and is classified as Southern Rock/Soul/Americana. The show officially belongs to Via Audio and The Spring Standards who both have new albums out and are currently on tour promoting them (Animalore for Via Audio and Would Things Be Different for The Spring Standards). The doors open at 6:00pm and the show starts at 7:00pm. Come out early and support the local bands!!

Other events at the Moose this weekend:

Sat 4/3 6:30pm Cali AC, The I Drive, New American Classic, Yours Truly *All Pittsburgh bands! $10

9:00pm Super Secret Dance Party

Sun 4/4 9:00pm Upstage Nation 80s Nite

**Photo Credit: Ellenm1 on Flickr

Beethoven's Last Night

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is coming to the Benedum Center this Sunday, April 4th. TSO is currently on tour for Beethoven's Last Night which was first released in 2004. The story follows Beethoven on his last night on Earth and is based on actual events with the creative twist of events that might have happened. During the second half of the show, they will be performing pieces from their newest album Night Castle which was released in October 2009.

TSO is probably most known for their Christmas albums/works and debuted with the single "Christmas Eve" in 1996. TSO is a high energy rock version of classical music which makes it much more enjoyable. I usually prefer vocal pieces over purely instrumental pieces, but with TSO, it is the complete opposite. I like their instrumental pieces much much more than their pieces that include vocalists. I recommend going to see the show if you have a chance because the music is amazing! I haven't seen them live, but just listening to their music blows me away.

The show is April 4th and 7:30pm and tickets start at $53.50. For tickets, visit the Benedum's website. For more info on TSO, visit their website here.

Video Project: Pittsburgh Concert Spots

Finding out where people like to go to see a concert in Pittsburgh! Take the quiz below to give your opinion!

Metal Show at Diesel

This Wednesday, March 31st, Diesel Club Lounge is hosting The Dillinger Escape Plan's current tour which includes three other bands. The show includes: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Darkest Hour, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, and Animals As Leaders.

The Dillinger Escape Plan is a New Jersey based metal band touring for their new album Option Paralysis. The rest of the tour includes the Coachella music festival in California and another trip to Pittsburgh on the main stage at the Vans Warped Tour. For the metal fans out there, I would recommend checking this band out either on their MySpace or live at Diesel. The tracks that I listened to were pretty good.

The doors open at 6:30pm and tickets are $18 in advance. For ticket and venue info, visit Diesel's website. The websites that Diesel goes through are ticketfly and elkoconcerts, but Diesel's website does not have direct links to the sites. All ages are welcome at this event!

**Photo Credit: dugdogmaster on Flickr