I have long debated in my mind whether I should mention these next few videos.  The purpose of what I'd like to keep to doing with this blog is to advocate for lesser known bands/musicians I and other fans might encounter that deserve to have a presentation of material in a live format.  Today's blog posting will do most of that, with the exception of the band being better known.  The band is Ghost.

I love metal music but can't play it.  Metal music is the majority of what I listen to when I am in the car, practicing bass, guitar or just by myself working.  Most music I will at least listen to if offered to me. I may not like everything as a preference. In saying such, I still feel it is far better to recognize effort and talent than to dismiss music whole and entire because it doesn't appeal to me - there is usually something decent that can be mentioned.  Anyway, I try to be open to music from any genre.  I simply listen to metal music/hard rock more often than not.

Ghost came into my purview in early summer 2011, probably from the Blabbermouth.net website, which I visit frequently to get updates on my favorite metal heros.  Once I heard this band's music, I was hooked.  I know, after watching the following videos, it might not make sense.  But these dudes have a sense for crafting metal songs that breathe and have space, melodies, even solid singing.  In addition, the theater of it all is hard to resist.   OK.  Enough.  Let's get to the videos.  I recently ran across some You Tube subscriber who posted a full show from this summer of the band playing in Europe.  I couldn't believe it.  Until now I have just been able to see 2 or 3 quality songs of them online (quality video/audio).  So, here is Ghost.








The band came to the East Coast in the spring of 2011. Apparently it was a huge success. They were slated to play 3 weeks of dates in late Sept/early Oct 2011, but had trouble with visas getting over from Europe. If there is any justification for putting up a post on them, despite their already being quite successful, it because I don't think enough people know about them in the USA. Enjoy the infectious sounds.

www.ghost-official.com

One more ....





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A couple of characters to feature this week. In town this weekend is a festival that the city's fathers put on with the help of many local businesses. One of the fellas playing the fest stopped on in at The Bridge this past Tuesday night to play a couple of pieces, his name is Todd Day Wait. Todd is apparently from Columbia but now is traveling full-time with the music bit. He came and played the songs on acoustic guitar, his harmonica player joined along for all of the songs. I was really taken with his interpretation of the John Lee Hooker song 'Crawlin' King Snake'. He has a really nice vibe on the guitar and his voice is particularly excellent. I haven't seen him enough to know how often he plays guitar on stage. Last night at the local fest he played the electric piano and had two guitar players accompanying. Either way, he is quite talented. Todd Day Wait's information is at the following, so go ahead and give some things a listen and check-up on tour dates for your area: And here are a couple of songs from the cat named 'Bart'. He is a pretty big hit with the crew at the open mics in Columbia, Missouri here. I don't have any website information for Bart. I did get a chance to chat with him briefly on Monday at The Blue Fugue and he reports that during the better part of the 90's, of not more, he lived in Chicago and visited the open-mics there on the regular. He and I chatted a bit about Mike, the owner of the Inner Town Pub on Thomas Street. Oh, Upper Wicker Park Heights.......I guess there is a minor dispute amongst citizens about whether the pub is situated in Upper Wicker Park Heights or in the Ukrainian Village. Probably can be settled over a beer at Clem Jaskot's Phyllis' Musical Inn at Wood and Division streets.   That's it for now. Keep ya posted on further happenings in the area. Out! (Gairroes) ShareThis

This past 3-day weekend I was able to catch up with my buddy Dave Kipp in the St Louis Metro area. I met Dave on the streets of Omaha, Nebraska when my bandmate and I were playing a few shows in the area back in 2004. Dave and I have kept in touch ever since. It was like pulling teeth getting Dave to play guitar this weekend, probably because he was exceptionally tired. Anyway, when he picks up the guitar it is as if he hasn't missed a beat. I usually try to get him to play his song 'Big Boned Woman' whenever I visit. He did oblige with part of the song, but then 2 days after he pulled off another You Tube video installment with the full version of the song. So I am linking the You Tube video up for the viewing audience. Enjoy!



 Also, a few fridays ago I went to a concert on the outside third floor of a parking garage in downtown Columbia, Missouri. The concert was apparently an annual concert that is put on for high school bands to showcase their talent. I didn't stay too long, stayed for two acts, but it was a great experience all in all. I took photos of a young man lugging a piece of equipment up to the staging area for either himself or one of his friends' rig. The piece of amp cabinetry was massive and I felt it just had to be photographed. Here it is:

I actually wouldn't mind having that cabinet for a rig. No matter. The shows were great and clearly there are many young people in the world that have loads of musical talent and ambition, even here in Columbia, Missouri. We can be hopeful. - Out! (Gairroes) ShareThis

I haven't posted in ages, nearly 13 months, I believe. Anyway, I have recently moved and now live in Columbia, Missouri. While I am here I am attempting to visit a few open mics to see what is out there and get a sense for the music community. I have gathered a few pieces in the past few weeks from the open mics, but last night probably gave me my best first opportunity. Here it goes. Enjoy!



This guy is named 'Bart', I think he is a carpenter during the day. When I saw him play last week (at The Blue Fugue), it blew me away. For some unknown reason I found his guitar style quite striking and refreshing, especially for me since I have been in a 4-year slump of not being inspired or feeling like my own guitar playing has been leading to anything that might be understood as progress.




And, here is one last video of Bart from last night (Tues Aug 30, 2011).



These videos were taken at The Bridge in Columbia, Missouri which is associated with the Columbia Academy of Music. The Bridge holds an open-mic on Tuesday nights and other events throughout the week. The Bridge is a cool place to play. The chatter at the bar tells me that the Academy of Music opened only in the past year. Both The Bridge and The Columbia Academy of Music are located within the same building. Here's to their continued success!!


- Out!

Rolland Gairroes

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Venue photographs from the exterior. I took these shots of The Brick Coffeehouse today (Thursday August 5, 2010) as I was up in Waukegan, IL.





















Mason Reed played the last music performance inside The Brick under Jim's management.

The Brick
30 North Genesee Street
Waukegan, IL ShareThis

DeKalb has a population of 45,734 (taken Summer 2009).

Tonight there is a concert that is a show to definitely catch now that the storms are gone.

Where?: The House Cafe
Address?: 263 E Lincoln HWY
DeKalb, IL 60115


Who's Playing?: Jaik Willis, Rob Reid, and Mason Reed

Time?: 7PM

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Here are a couple videos from a recent Mason Reed performance in Waukegan, IL.







A photo of Jaik Willis from a show at The Cubby Bear on Aug 28, 2009 in Chicago, IL. (Photo taken by Chad Smith)




Rob Reid playing a song earlier this year at Phyllis' Musical Inn (Chicago, IL)


Interstate 88 westbound gets your right to the gig!


The brilliant manager and booking agent for The House Cafe, ......Matthew!!!!! Good people all around at this venue. Get out of Danville, Illinois for the night and go see this show. ShareThis

Been a while for me to contribute, but I am back.

To begin again, here are some snaps from a show I had the pleasure to attend today in Waukegan, Illinois at a venue called The Brick. Today was the last day that The Brick was to be open. The doors done gone ahead and shuttered shut at the hour of 3 in the afternoon.

The reason I went to The Brick was not to say goodbye to the venue, but to catch as many songs as I could from Mason Reed as he performed an afternoon of music for the locals by the lakefront.


I had heard of Mason nearly 4 years ago from a co-worker of mine. It had taken me a few years to finally hear his music, which I did get my dirty hands on earlier this year. The album that Mason is currently touring in support of, entitled 'You Can't Come Back From Heaven' is quite a nice set of songs. When I sat down and heard him sing his first stanza today I just couldn't believe I was hearing the voice that I was actually hearing. Very cool. Gotta admit, the travelers of this world deserve much credit for doing what they do. My bandmate from the past 9 years, Chris Darby, is currently touring quite like Mason is, sleeping in the car if that is all that comes up after the show, just goin' for it. Mason tells me that he is nearing the tail-end of an 8-week stretch on the highways, byways, and sideways of the country. From what I gather, of the 7 months that have taken place this year, Mason seems to have been touring for the better part of it. He is a very nice fella to chat with, and surely he has stories to tell. Go ahead and see if he is making it into your town soon, if not, invite him to play a house show in your apartment, basement, garage, kitchen, dining room, or your favorite pub in town.



He played many a song today that I wished I had personally written. I do hope you can catch him soon before he goes on and runs back to Los Angeles, California, the place that is currently his hometown.




















Catch Mason Reed at any or all of the following tour dates:

Upcoming Shows
Aug 1 2010 (10pm) Bremen Cafe Milwaukee, WI
Aug 4 2010 (6pm) The House Cafe (Mason Reed, Jaik Willis, Rob Reid) DeKalb,IL
Aug 6 2010 (9pm) Miss Kitty's Grape Escape Galena, IL
Aug 7 2010 (8pm) The Blue Room Cafe Hammond, IN
Aug 8 2010 (8pm) Elbo Room Chicago, IL
Aug 10 2010 (8pm) Rachel's Cafe Bloomington, IN
Aug 12 2010 (11pm) Lynagh's Irish Pub Lexington, KY
Aug 18 2010 (10pm) The Nick Birmingham, AL ShareThis