Billed simply as the “Young Guns” tour, Dirty Honey and Mammoth WVH unleashed an onslaught of fresh new music to a capacity crowd in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. It was if someone flipped a switch and miraculously transported the audience back to pre-pandemic times when all that mattered was the music. With fans from all over the southland in attendance, these two breakout bands blew the lid off the House of Blues on Tuesday night, signaling the return of live music and their own rapid ascent.
The Dirty Honey / Mammoth WVH show at the House of Blues was extraordinary. For many in attendance, it was the rebirth of rock and roll in a world that has unfortunately fell victim to a “one size fits all” cookie cutter approach to music. The “Young Guns” tour is so much more—it’ss a resurgence of a musical genre that forever holds a special place in my heart. Let’s dig in.
Opening up the show was a fresh new band out of Los Angeles called S8nt Elektric. With few expectations out of the gate, I wanted to see what these cats were all about as I had heard some very positive things about their sound and live performances. That said, I gave their set a whirl and walked away pleasantly surprised. They have an incredible stage presence, and seemed super-comfortable under the bright lights. I can’t wait to see where Briana, Niko, Eric, Jack, and London take their musical journey in the months and years to come. I really believe they’re gonna be special.
For all those who believe rock n’ roll is on life support, think again. Slash along with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators crushed a 2-hour guitar-laden set that left fans screaming for more when the dust settled in Inglewood on Friday night. It was a truly epic show that pushed the boundaries of previous tours with a 21-song setlist that dug deep into the vault and then some. If you weren’t at YouTube on Friday night, you probably missed out on what many considered to be one of SMKC’s finest live performances in recent history.
Kicking off the festivities was an LA-based band known as Dead Sara, and they let it all hang out for the 30+ minutes they had on stage. Emily Armstrong’s vocals reminded me Courtney Love or Shirley Manson, and the band’s overall sound was a throwback to classic ’80s punk of yesteryear—very cool to say the least. My favorite tracks of their 7-song set were “Lights Out!” and “Gimme Gimme.” My only wish for this performance would have been to have better lighting to showcase their killer stage antics. Outside of that, it was a fun performance and I look forward to digging into their catalog further down the road.
Now on to SMKC. It’s been a while since I have seen these guys (or any of their other associated bands) live on stage. After prolonged Covid downtime, I was wondering if we were going to get the “early tour” show (where everyone works out the kinks) or a kick-ass rock and roll show (where the band leaves no doubt they are the “real deal”). No surprise here—Slash, Myles Kennedy, Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz, and Frank Sidoris literally torched the YouTube Theater with a killer performance that left permanent smiles on the thousands of fans in attendance on Friday evening.
The Marina Green was the place to be for 3 days of great food, fun, and friendship. Cali Vibes picked up where One Love left off back in 2020, bringing their expertly curated lineup that included reggae, rappers, and rockers alike. The best part? You don’t have just one option when it comes down entertainment or accommodations; there are plenty available like “The VIP Lounge” (for those who want some exclusive access) along with Beach Club, which offers fantastic views while still being close enough so you can enjoy all aspects of the festival without having too far walk from the action.
The festival was a huge hit with fans from all over the world. With more than 75,000 people attending this year’s event and enjoying what turned out to be picture perfect weather here in LBC (Let me show you), it looks like Cali Vibes is on track for becoming the premier Reggae Festival in the US very soon. And based upon how incredibly received its reception has been thus far—especially by those who have traveled long distances, that honor may come sooner than later.
On the final day of Cali Vibes, I headed over to the merchandise area to see what mischief I might be able to get myself into. Mercy. Upon arrival, I was overwhelmed with all sorts of goodies from the majority of artists performing over the 3-day weekend. In addition, Cali Vibes had some killer goods to memorialize the festival in the form of hats, shirts, sweatshirts, (you get the drift). Amazingly good quality and reasonable prices left me wanting to by one of everything. But restraint won me over and I left with one killer shirt.
The Marina Green was the place to be for 3 days of great food, fun, and friendship. Cali Vibes picked up where One Love left off back in 2020, bringing their expertly curated lineup that included reggae, rappers, and rockers alike. The best part? You don’t have just one option when it comes down entertainment or accommodations; there are plenty available like “The VIP Lounge” (for those who want some exclusive access) along with Beach Club, which offers fantastic views while still being close enough so you can enjoy all aspects of the festival without having too far walk from the action.
The festival was a huge hit with fans from all over the world. With more than 75,000 people attending this year’s event and enjoying what turned out to be picture perfect weather here in LBC (Let me show you), it looks like Cali Vibes is on track for becoming the premier Reggae Festival in the US very soon. And based upon how incredibly received its reception has been thus far—especially by those who have traveled long distances, that honor may come sooner than later.
Today’s mission was to try out some of the great food and beverages Cali Vibes had to offer. I headed over to the VIP area to try out what many in the crowd recommended, a killer spicy pizza. Wow! Washing it down with an ice-cold beer was just the ticket to keep me primed and ready for the long day ahead. In addition, there were so many other tasty treats including organics, vegan options, and yes, deep fried everything. I kept my composure and made the pizza the day’s only vice. A boy can dream though, right?
The Marina Green was the place to be for 3 days of great food, fun, and friendship. Cali Vibes picked up where One Love left off back in 2020, bringing their expertly curated lineup that included reggae, rappers, and rockers alike. The best part? You don’t have just one option when it comes down entertainment or accommodations; there are plenty available like “The VIP Lounge” (for those who want some exclusive access) along with Beach Club, which offers fantastic views while still being close enough so you can enjoy all aspects of the festival without having too far walk from the action.
The festival was a huge hit with fans from all over the world. With more than 75,000 people attending this year’s event and enjoying what turned out to be picture perfect weather here in LBC (Let me show you), it looks like Cali Vibes is on track for becoming the premier Reggae Festival in the US very soon. And based upon how incredibly received its reception has been thus far—especially by those who have traveled long distances, that honor may come sooner than later.
This year, the Cali Vibes Festival relocated to beautiful Marina Green instead of its previous home at Shoreline Aquatic Park (adjacent to the Queen Mary). During One Love’s last event in 2020, I told myself that if this festival was ever to grow, it would have to move to a much larger location. Fast forward 2 years and it did just that. The new space was perfect and allowed for everything today’s festival goer would want (and more).
In a music industry that seems more cookie-cutter than cutting edge, few emerging artists flip my switch as potentially being the next big thing. Most seem to easily “talk the talk” but fall far short when they “walk the walk.” It sounds cliché, but it’s true in many cases.
Enter Diamante. From an early age, it was abundantly clear that her passion for music and confidence on stage set her apart from others chasing down the same elusive dream. Years later, Diamante is blazing her own trail and achieving her dreams as an incredibly talented singer, songwriter, and performer. And dare I say, she may very well be “the next big thing” that rock music so desperately needs.
In this interview, The Vinyl District sat down with Diamante to discuss all things rock and roll including early inspirations, her most recent release, American Dream, vinyl, and some of her favorite emerging bands heading into 2022.
How did you get your start in music?
Ooh, that’s a loaded question. To be honest, I discovered my love for singing when I began singing along to Disney movies. When I was little, I’m talking like four or five years old, I would sing nonstop all day, every day. I’d drive my parents crazy, and I think they realized how much I loved to sing, so they got me started in musical theater back in elementary school. And that’s when I fell in love with performing initially. And then I didn’t really discover rock music until I was around 13, 14. I did a School of Rock Camp here in LA, and my whole world just opened, and my mind was blown and has been that way ever since.
Who were your greatest inspirations as a young musician?
Gosh, there were so many. Especially when I was really getting into music. I just gravitated so much toward female rock singers because I wanted to emulate their voices. I wanted to be as cool as them. I thought they were just so timeless and awesome. And one of them was Joan Jett. When I discovered Joan, I was like, “This woman is incredible.” Not only because she thrived, but she thrived in a climate where it wasn’t cool for women to thrive in rock music. So, I really, really respect her for that. And Blondie and Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar and all these incredible voices that I still listen to all the time.
So how did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
I think as funny as it sounds, I believe I’ve always known. Thinking back to when I was six years old and putting on pretend performances in my bedroom, I always knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life. I’m not sure if that’s normal for a child, but I’ve been dead set on it ever since I discovered my love for music. And I think that School of Rock performance, and then a couple of performances I did in LA, cemented that feeling. I loved performing so much that I couldn’t really picture myself doing anything else. And then, of course, the coffin was totally sealed when I went out on my first tour when I was 18. And I said, “Yep, this is awesome. This is what I want to do forever. And I don’t care if I’m on the road for 365 days of the year, let’s go!”
With Shinedown’s upcoming release Planet Zero right around the corner, fans from all over Southern California packed the Wiltern Theater for their first taste of live music in 2022. Teaming up with guitar legend Ayron Jones, Shinedown blew the proverbial roof off the joint with an 18-song setlist that was sheer perfection from start to finish. Catch their US tour when you can—it’s a must-see in my book.
Who doesn’t love live music? In an “on-again off-again” world, it’s sometimes hard to know if your favorite band or artist is actually taking the stage or might have to be rescheduled down the road due to a covid outbreak. This was not the case with Shinedown show at the Wiltern Theater, as this one went off without a hitch on a beautiful Friday evening in the City of Angels. Brent Smith and Company left it all on the table in front of a capacity crowd.
First up was guitarist virtuoso Ayron Jones, and man was he special. I’m not saying that he’s Jimi Hendrix reincarnated, but good lord this guy is a special talent. Only playing nine songs, I felt a bit cheated knowing how killer his full catalog actually is. However, of the nine he played, all were home runs and left little to the imagination when the dust settled. My favorites of the evening were obviously “Mercy” and “Take Me Away,” but couldn’t help but love the Nirvana of “Breed.” Wow. I’m looking to the iHeart Radio Awards on March 22nd where Ayron is up for the Best New Rock Artist award. Based on what I saw during this performance, I bet the farm he wins pulling away.
Rob Garza and Eric Hilton continue to up their game with what undoubtedly was one of their finest live performances of 2021. From start to finish, the Thievery Corporation’s gathering in Los Angeles was spectacular and a much-needed diversion from all the chaos most have experienced over the past few years. If this show is an indicator of things to come for Thievery, sign me up.
When folks ask me about Thievery Corporation’s sound, I always answer the same way. “Thievery’s sound is like no other. It’s an eclectic mix of dub, electronic, rock, reggae, and lounge that is always evolving and never quite the same.” Since the band’s inception back in 1995, many have tried to imitate TC’s unique sound, yet few have even come close to the cosmic blueprint that Rob Garza and Eric Hilton laid out so many years ago. And 25+ years later, their indelible brand keeps getting stronger and their amazing fanbase continues to grow. Could all bands be so lucky?
Opening for Thievery Corporation on Friday night was Dessa. This multi-talented singer, songwriter, and of course, rapper, dazzled the thousands of fans in attendance with a killer set that highlighted why Thievery asked her to support their West Coast tour. Dessa’s unique brand of rap engaged the packed house from her very first note and didn’t let up until the lights flickered back on.
While not being surprised by her ridiculous talent as a performer or lyricist, what did catch me off guard was how engaged the crowd was (considering Dessa was the opener). Many in the general admission pit sang along with Dessa word for word throughout her entire set, and that’s rare in a world where many seem to blow off opening acts for photo moments, libations, or socializing with friends in the lobby. Check out Dessa live when you can, she’s awesome and well-worth the price of admission.
After a year and a half of concert postponements due to Covid-19, Blue October finally made it back to southern California for a handful of rescheduled shows supporting their 2021 “This is What I Live For Tour.” Justin Furstenfeld and company delivered a “welcome-back” performance that challenged the mind and stirred the soul on a crisp winter’s night here in Orange County.
To be completely transparent, I was never a huge Blue October fan growing up. My brother Mark absolutely loved this band, but for some reason I just couldn’t get into them. He always told me, “You won’t get it until you see them in concert.” Lucky for me I took his advice, and immediately became a huge fan after witnessing my first live performance (and since have never looked back). Sunday’s show at the House of Blues was my first time seeing them in a few years and was excited to see if they were going to pickup up where they left off pre-Covid. Only time would tell.
Opening for Blue October was a Minneapolis based pop band called Yam Haus. I’d never heard of these guys before and the pessimistic devil on my shoulder kept chirping that I’d probably be underwhelmed (at best) by their performance. Boy, was I wrong.
This quartet, featuring Lars Pruitt (vocals/guitar), Jake Felstow (drums), Zach Beinlich (bass), and Seth Blum (guitar), hit the stage with fury and kept the energy high throughout an abbreviated set that I really wanted to continue. The chemistry between bandmates was palpable, and the crowd was digging every minute of their killer performance. I see great things over the horizon for Yam Haus and look forward to digging further into this up-and-coming band.
In front of a sold-out Toyota Arena, rap icons Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, and Too Short joined forces on stage as newly-minted supergroup Mount Westmore and put on a clinic for the 10,000+ fans in attendance on Saturday night. This was no ordinary concert, but more of a raging house party (circa 1991) fueled by cool drinks, tasty buds, and banging music all-night long. I wouldn’t have missed this one for the world, and highly recommend catching these West Coast legends when they blaze into your town!
I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from Mount Westmore on Saturday night as my experience seeing supergroups over the years had been lukewarm at best. These collectives always seem to be billed as the “the next big thing” and then typically deliver lackluster performances that make me want to run for the door come mid show. Knowing that Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, and Too Short (four of my favorite rappers) were taking the stage together only added to my pre-show anxiety. That said, I enthusiastically entered the Toyota Arena (one of Southern California’s finest concert venues) with a smile on my face and high expectations for Saturday’s live performance.
For anyone who has not been to show like this, it’s important to know that the moment you enter the door, it’s a party. Beers are flowing, people are dancing, and music is pulsating from every corner of the arena. Now I’m not advocating for the “sticky-icky,” but clouds of smoke were thick and plentiful, and most partaking had smiles on their face from ear-to-ear throughout the show. It was just what the doctor ordered to get the house party raging—and rage it did all night long!
Wednesday’s triple-header at YouTube Theater featuring Evanescence, Halestorm, and Plush was pure rock and roll bliss. It was as if, for one brief moment, the live music stars aligned simultaneously allowing fans to let loose and rock out after two long years in solitary confinement. Make no mistake, Evanescence and Halestorm are two of the hottest bands on the planet and Plush is destined for greatness in the not-so-distant future.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve missed concerts. With shows starting to spring back to life, I’ve really been looking for that one breakthrough performance that might signal live music is alive and well in conditions many consider to be our “new normal.” I’ve been fortunate to be front and center for many shows over the past couple of months, and only a few top-to-bottom knocked my socks off. That changed on Wednesday night courtesy of Evanescence, Halestorm, and Plush.
Kicking off the festivities at the amazing YouTube Theater in Inglewood was an up-and-coming, all-female rock band known simply as Plush. I’d never seen or heard of the band prior to them taking the stage, however I can honestly say these incredible musicians (all under 21, I may add) blew me away with their sound, swagger, and stage presence during a killer 30-minute opening set. If you don’t know who Moriah Formica, Brooke Colucci, Bella Perron, or Ashley Suppa are today, you will shortly.
Wednesday’s highly anticipated Volbeat / Municipal Waste show at the Hollywood Palladium was one hell of a rock and roll party. Fans drove in from all parts Southern California (and beyond) to enjoy their favorite bands at one of the southland’s most legendary venues. Both Volbeat and Municipal Waste electrified a near-capacity crowd with killer sets that satisfied even the pickiest of fans in attendance. Ladies and Gentlemen, live music is back in the City of Angels!
I’m not sure who paired Municipal Waste with Volbeat on their 2021 Fall Tour as these two bands (and fan bases) could not be more different. My initial thoughts were that this tour would be fraught with peril based on what I knew about the bands, coupled with dramatic social media reactions I had been monitoring for weeks leading up to the show. However, I was pleasantly surprised after the dust had settled on Wednesday evening that this strange combination of bedfellows actually worked. Here are some of my impressions.
First up at the Palladium were thrash metal legends, Municipal Waste. I’m honestly not a huge fan of the genre, but their show gave me something to consider as they literally crushed an abbreviated set in front of a tightly packed GA floor. Circle pits started early and continued often through rippers like “Mind Eraser,” “Headbanger Face Rip,” and “The Art of Partying.” These songs flipped a switch in their fans, and sheer madness ensued. Much respect to Municipal Waste on their amazing performance Wednesday night—I’m your newest fan.
“Saturday night’s rare live performance at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles was truly one for the ages. It had everything fans would want in a Devo show (and more) including a killer setlist, multiple costume changes, and even a pre-show sighting of Fred Armisen (a true Devo-tee). Fans from around the world donned their Red Energy Domes and Yellow Radiation Suits, coming together for one night to celebrate the music of a band that, 40+ years later, stayed true to its roots and lifelong fans.
Devo is arguably one of the greatest rock and roll bands of our time (or any other). Founded back in Akron, Ohio in 1973, they have evolved (or devolved, based on one’s point of view) over a storied career that changed music as we know it forever. Devo’s amazing musicianship, targeted satire, and love for one another has withstood the test of time. And four-decades later, these Spudboys are still doing what they love—on their terms.
On Saturday night at the newly minted YouTube Theater, Devo put on a musical clinic for the thousands in attendance under the sloping roof canopy of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Founding members Mark Mothersbaugh (vocals/keyboards/guitar), Gerald Casale (bass/keyboards), and Bob Mothersbaugh (guitar), along with Josh Freese (drums) and Josh Hager (keyboards/guitar) electrified the Devo faithful with a 16-song setlist comprised of covers, classics, and a few surprises—including a Booji Boy sighting!
Simply put, 2021’s BeachLife Festival was quite possibly one of the finest multi-day musical events I have ever been to. Allen Sanford and his amazing partners put on a clinic on HOW to run a festival: an amazing lineup, incredible culinary options, and most importantly a noticeable care and concern for all festival attendees. This three-day event didn’t disappoint and will go down as one of the most incredible live music festivals in the US this year, bar-none.
It’s been a while since I’ve attended a multi-day music festival and wasn’t sure walking in that I was ready for such an event. I’d already hit a few small shows (both indoor and out) since many of the Covid restrictions were lifted, but this one was obviously different—3 days, 4 stages, and over 50 bands performing in front of sellout crowds each day. As I grabbed my media credentials on day one, it was instantly obvious that BeachLife was going to be special. I knew it because everyone I encountered on the their staff was friendly, smiling, and eager to make my stay a special one. And it wasn’t because I was a media representative, they were like that with EVERY guest that walked through the turnstile.
The next thing I noticed was that the BeachLife grounds were laid out in a way that made it EASY for concert-goers to bounce between stages. There were no mile long hikes, but simple walks that allowed everyone to take in any or all of the musical acts slated for the day. In addition, there was plenty of room for guests to spread out, feel safe, and enjoy their family and friends while jamming to the incredible lineup across four stages: Hightide, Lowtide, Speakeasy, and the Riptide. And if breaks from the warm Redondo Beach sun were warranted, guests could easily find a wide range of tasty food and beverages along with shaded areas to cool off before the next set.
The Metal Tour of the Year featuring Megadeth, Lamb of God, Trivium, and Hatebreed was one of the most incredible shows I have been to in the past five years (and I’ve been to plenty). The lineup was a ferocious blend of new and old metal that left nothing to the imagination at a sold out FivePoint Amphitheater in Irvine, CA. Based on the way each band played, you never would have guessed that most were on a Covid induced hiatus for the better part of two years. Each left it all on stage for the thousands in attendance and ultimately scorched the earth beneath them when the dust finally settled on Wednesday evening.
I don’t know about you, but I had The Metal Tour of the Year circled on my calendar for quite some time. As the date approached, I started see other bands cancelling tours and hoped that would not be the case for Five Point’s first true metal show of the year.
Although huge fans of Megadeth, Lamb of God, Trivium, and Hatebreed, I’d never had the chance to catch any of them live and knew this might be my only chance to catch them together on one killer bill. Luckily for me (and the thousands of rabid fans just like me), the Metal Gods ultimately came through and Wednesday’s metal extravaganza went off without a hitch on a spectacular night under the stars.
Taking the 6PM slot and first up on stage was Bridgeport, Connecticut’s very own, Hatebreed. Jamey Jasta and Company immediately launched into an 11-song set that was pure adrenaline and then some. For me, the highlight of their set was a killer rendition of Slayer’s “Ghosts of War” along with two of my favorites, “Last Breath” and “I Will Be Heard.” Such a good band and one worthy of major metal respect.
