Bad Brains

A look back at past Best New Band winners

Best of Denver 2013: A look back at the Best New Band winners from the past decade

Our annual Best of Denver issue hits stands today. It's a painstaking issue to put together each year, and one that everybody looks forward to. This edition in particular, though, is even more significant as it's the thirtieth edition. It's also a minor milestone for Backbeat, as it marks the tenth ... More >>

Indie hip-hop icon Murs on touring the country while juggling a festival

Back from the Dead

In honor of A Band Called Death, five more films about almost forgotten musicians

When a 1974 demo tape was discovered of music by Death, the Detroit proto-punks, it was like a missing link. Ahead of its time and now all but forgotten, the trio's harsh, fast sound was the precursor to that of bands like Bad Brains, Ramones and Minutemen. A Band Called Death, part of the Universi ... More >>

New shows: Alabama Shakes/Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Paramore, Jim James

There are a ton of new shows to tell you about this week, including a co-headlining date at Red Rocks featuring Alabama Shakes and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, plus new shows from Paramore, a solo date from Jim James of My Morning Jacket, the Gaslight Anthem, Marina & the Diamonds and Charli ... More >>

New Denver shows: Zac Brown adds third show at Red Rocks, plus Sting, the XX and more

Okay, hands up if you knew the Zac Brown Band was so popular. He's wildly popular, in case you're wondering. Dude just added another show at Red Rocks, thanks to the fact that the first two have already sold out. Oh, and speaking of the Rocks, Sting has announced a June date up there, and we've got ... More >>

dead prez at The Oriental Theatre, 1/18/13

DEAD PREZ @ THE ORIENTAL THEATER |1/18/13 There was a salient theme throughout the night, across the sets of most of the acts, and that was a message of being healthy, both physically and mentally. "Healthy is the new gangsta," said stic.man of dead prez near the middle part of the show, just befor ... More >>

New shows: Lotus three nights at Boulder Theater, Crystal Castles at the Gothic and more

A perennial favorite in Colorado, Lotus is making its way back to the Centennial state for a trio of shows at the Boulder Theater, while Crystal Castles is set to return for a date at the Gothic Theatre and Anthrax tops the Metal Alliance tour, a stacked bill at the Summit Music Hall this April that ... More >>

New shows: SnowBall Music Festival adds STS9 and other acts, the Pharcyde at Fox and more

New week, new year, new show announcements -- the biggest one this week involves STS9. Fresh off a three-night New Year's Eve run at the Fillmore comes word that the outfit has been added as a headliner at this March's SnowBall Music Festival. We've got the full run down on that below, as well as wo ... More >>

New shows: Cat Power, Lucero, Mike Cooley of the Drive-By Truckers solo show and more

It's less than a week now until Christmas. Did you get all your shopping done yet? Ah, don't beat yourself up. Neither have we. If you're like us, you've probably got some people on our list who are just impossible to buy for, yes? If so, here's an idea, one that won't require you to brave the masse ... More >>

From tough times, DJ Cavem Moetavation built conscious lines

Wheels Down

Beastie Boys Check Your Head turns twenty

See Also: • Prince's Sign of the Times turns 25 • Velvet Underground & Nico turns 45 • More Today in History posts When the '80s became the '90s, everyone stepped up their game. Rap matured lyrically and became more sophisticated sonically, while rock became more intelligent and emotionally r ... More >>

A 4/20 playlist from marijuana critic William Breathes that's perfect for an irie 420, mon

Ah, the happiest holiday of the year is upon us! Around the country, thousands of people will be getting together to celebrate our favorite plant, myself included. And what goes better with a spliff of some good ganja than some reggae music? That's right -- reggae music about ganja. Below is the off ... More >>

Mid-Winter Punk Film Festival kicks off on 2/4

Those looking for a little rowdy cinema to warm up those dreary final months of the season should look no further than Growler Distro's Mid-Winter Punk Film Festival, which features only the most hard-core selection of underground punk-rock movies of the '70s and '80s through today. The series is a ... More >>

Youth of Today

Thursday, November 10, Summit Music Hall, 1-866-468-7621.

Straight-edge pioneers Youth of Today and D.Y.S. doing one-off show in Denver

Youth of Today, back in the day.​The Summit Music Hall will continue what's become a rotation of classic punk and metal bands playing its stage (Bad Brains, Stiff Little Fingers, Saint Vitus come to mind) November 10 when Youth of Today and D.Y.S. are scheduled to perform. What makes this show ... More >>

311 frontman Nick Hexum on the Clash, being from Omaha and dealing with the haters

Hailing from Omaha long before bands like the Faint, Cursive or Bright Eyes became that city's chief exports, 311 (due tonight at Red Rocks with Sublime with Rome) was making its mark with its amalgam of rock, reggae, hip-hop and funk. Eight million records later, the outfit is still doing its thing ... More >>

Punk rock politics, pop culture retromania and more new release picks for July 19, 2011

​With the dearth of new releases this week, it seems like the media industries think we should all get out of the house a little in the summer, or they don't like releasing anything new. What they don't know is that it's too damn hot outside, and nobody with any sense really wants to go out th ... More >>

Bad Brains' "Pay to Cum:" See who paid to come to see them at Summit Music Hall (PHOTOS)

​Back in the day, the Bad Brains famously announced that they "Pay to Cum" -- but who paid to come and see them during a rare live appearance at Summit Music Hall. The answers are in a new slideshow -- and there's more memorable imagery on view, too. Check out the galleries of the Deftones at ... More >>

Bad Brains at Summit Music Hall, 4/22/11

Eric MagnussenBad Brains last night. See more photos from last night.BAD BRAINS With Frontside Five and the Other Russia 4.22.11 | Summit Music Hall View photo slideshow While Bad Brains may not have the frenetic stage energy of three decades ago, the hardcore godfathers still managed to fuel qui ... More >>

Q&A: H.R. of Bad Brains just wants everyone to love Jah and learn how to love universally

​Bad Brains (due tonight at Summit Music Hall with Frontside Five and the Other Russia) is a band that's consistently mentioned in the same breath as Black Flag and and Minor Threat as groups that made massive contributions to defining the hardcore/punk movement in the late '70s and early '80s ... More >>

Bad Brains

Friday, April 22, Summit Music Hall, 303-487-0111.

Bad Brains at Summit Music Hall April 22

​You're not going to see the Bad Brains of thirty years ago, so go ahead and just get that idea out of your head right now. The ferocious, manic energy of eccentric lead singer H.R. has been all but muted by years of drug use and seeming mental instability. But the original line-up is playing ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Shows announced/on-sale this week, local radio playlists and top local sellers

​ Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week. On the concert front: The Fox Theatre and Boulder Theater are hosting the first annual Boulder Blues and Roots Summit. Bad Brains is coming to the Summit Music Hall in August and Blues Traveler is coming back to Red Rocks for its annual Fo ... More >>

SXSW Travelogue: Kalyn Heffernan of Wheelchair Sports Camp checks in from Austin

Photo Roadies​ Wednesday March 16, 8 p.m. Kalyn here from Wheelchair Sports Camp writing about our very first trip to South by Southwest in Austin, Texas! Sitting here in the back of my van while the girlfriend drives us to Austin from the town of Denton, where we played two nights ago. The ... More >>

SXSW Tip Sheet: Colorado bands

Earth, Deca, DeVotchKa, Mogwai, Hindershot, Warsaw and Adele top our weekly playlists

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Bad Religion at the Fillmore, 11/12/10

Eric Gruneisen​ BAD RELIGION With Bouncing Souls • Off With Their Heads 11,12.10 | Fillmore Auditorium Yes, lead singer Greg Graffin was a little rounder, a lot balder and dressed like the college professor that he is, but his voice was still as crystal clear as ever. Last night's Bad Reli ... More >>

Greg Graffin of Bad Religion: still straight-edge after all these years

LMFAO

Tuesday, November 17, Gothic Theatre, Englewood, 303-830-8497.

Introducing: Hey, DJ! Our new Friday Q&A. This week: DJ Klaw

​Welcome to our latest feature: Hey, DJ! Every Friday starting today, we'll be spotlighting the hottest, ahem, cats (see what we did there) behind the decks in the MHC, grilling them to gain some insight on what it takes, exactly, to get the party rocking, to find out about their most treasured cr ... More >>

Last night: Sunn O))) at the Bluebird

Sunn O))) rise (Tom Murphy)​SunnO))), Eagle Twin and The AccüsedBluebird TheaterThursday, August 13th, 2009Better Than: Some commentators on SunnO))) would have you believe. The two-piece Eagle Twin kicked off the show in high spirits. Although mining similar artistic territory as Isis, Twin b ... More >>

No Doubt, Neko Case, Def Leppard shows announced

No Doubt just announced a 45-city tour with Paramore and the Sounds that includes a Wednesday, May 27 stop at Fiddler's Green. On Monday, August 24, Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick will also share a bill at Fiddler's, while Lady Sovereign hits the Bluebird Monday, May 18, Neko Case plays the Ogd ... More >>

O'Death's Broken Hymns is all about overcoming hardship

HR Hudson

Bad Brains’ infamous frontman has mellowed with age.

Listen Up

Fast reviews of recent releases

The Beatdown

Trevor Pryce delivers hits on the field -- and off, with Outlook Music.

Scratching the Surface

DJ Hive

Various Artists

Left of the Dial: Dispatches From the '80s Underground (Rhino)

The Exit

Home for an Island (Some)

Fall Guys

When it comes to the power and passion of punk rock, there's no substitute for Stuntdoubles.

Critic's Choice

Soul Brains

Altar Ego

The Wendel-Endsley Group finds sanctuary in sound.

Season to Risk

Shattering (Owned & Operated)

Critic's Choice

Soul Brains

Critic's Choice

This week's concert pick: Bad Brains

Generation D

D Generation aims to teach these young punks a thing or two.

STATE OF GRACE

SINGER-SONGWRITER JEFF BUCKLEY WEARS HIS AMBITIONS ON HIS SLEEVE.