Captain Beefheart

How a Frank Zappa fixation fostered an appreciation for classical compositions

Gateway Acts is an ongoing series on Backbeat in which we examine the music that served as an entry point for our burgeoning musical obsessions, a gateway drug that tuned us in and turned us on. Today, A.H. Goldstein reflects on his Frank Zappa fixation. Some of my earliest musical memories revol ... More >>

Zappa Plays Zappa at the Fox, 12/14

ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA @ FOX THEATRE | 12/15/12 "Still, nothing sounds like that," Dweezil Zappa marveled after his band had made its way through "Who Are the Brain Police," the feedback-laden, surreal anthem from the 1966 Mothers of Invention album Freak Out!. Dweezil and the rest of the Zappa Plays Za ... More >>

Backbeat's top five spins: This is what we're listening to this week. What's on your playlist?

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it shouldn't be surprising to find that the most common (and mutually favorite) topic of conversation among us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't you know it, off ... More >>

Buzz Osborne of Melvins on how to him Beastie Boys were Warlock Pinchers for Dummies

Since 1983, Melvins have been perfecting their brand of influential rock, inspired in part by punk and in part by the music Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover grew up hearing as kids in the '60s and '70s. With Melvins, the two have taken that sound to different places with each record that their contempor ... More >>

"It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" provides soundtrack to enlightenment -- and being fired

We all have it -- that one song that stopped us in our tracks the first time we ever heard it, that continues to give us pause each and every time it's played, and we each have a song -- and a story that goes along with it. Deep Cuts is our latest feature, in which we share the personal stories behi ... More >>

Fingers of the Sun guitarist Marcus Renninger unveils pop-culture paintings

"An artist is an artist, no matter what form the canvas takes," a pretentious man once said. It's one of those statements that may sound pompous (and is), but is no less true. Over the past fifty years there are endless examples of musicians establishing successful careers on the stage, then find th ... More >>

Twenty fabled moments in Denver music: #15: Grateful Dead's first time at Red Rocks in 1978

Over the course of the next few weeks, Backbeat will be counting down the twenty most fabled moments in Denver music history. Today, a look back at the the first time the Grateful Dead played at Red Rocks in 1978. The origins of Colorado's jam band "scene" are pretty nebulous, but July 7, 1978, is ... More >>

King Mob performs on September 13 at Moe's

Glee surpasses Elvis on the Hot 100, signaling the death of originality

Deerhoof

Monday, February 21, Marquis Theater, 1-866-468-7621.

Low at Larimer Lounge, 12/18/10

Noah Van Sciver​ LOW With Charlie Parr 12.18.10 | Larimer Lounge Fellow Minnesotan Charlie Parr opened the show and brought a classic blues and folk sensibility to his performance. It was a pretty minimalistic, stripped down set-up but if you paid attention to what Parr was doing on guitar, ... More >>

RIP Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart

​The music world is a little less surreal this week. Don Van Vliet, better known to fans as Captain Beefheart, died from complications tied to multiple sclerosis in California on Friday. He was 69 years old. Beefheart is survived by his wife of forty years, Jan Van Vliet -- and by a musical le ... More >>

Dweezil Zappa keeps his father's music alive at the Paramount

​ Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa 06.07.10 | The Paramount Theatre Dweezil Zappa stressed again and again how thoroughly his band had done their homework. At several points during Monday's two and a half hour show, he explained how the seven-member ensemble had dissected the original stereo mixes ... More >>

Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Otis Taylor and Trace Bundy 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?" So 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 ... More >>

Lil Slugger brings their comic book to life at Rhino

Tom MurphyGood Old Fashioned Sinners delving into some good old fashioned sin.​ Lil Slugger • Hot White • Good Old Fashioned Sinners 05.22.10 | Rhinoceropolis Evidently, this was some sort of reunion show for openers Good Old Fashioned Sinners, or perhaps just a coming out of hibernation ... More >>

Hermit Thrushes

Sunday, February 7, hi-dive, 720-570-4500.

Q&A with Steve Terebecki of White Denim

White Denim is to modern psychedelic post-punk what Alice Donut was to punk rock -- weird and unafraid to let their varied musical freak flags fly. Across the Austin trio's latest record, Fits, you can hear elements of old progressive rock, garage rock, jazz, splintered blues, as well as aesthetic n ... More >>

Arrington De Dionyso

Wednesday, September 2, Rhinoceropolis, 303-641-9809.

Last Night: Prog Nation at the Buell

Big Elf​Progressive Nation Dream Theater, Zappa Plays Zappa, Big Elf, Scale the Summit August 25, 2009 Buell Theater Better than: Reliving high school memories by flipping through a yearbook. Let me admit to a strong bias up front: I spent at least three of my teenage years with a diet almost excl ... More >>

Record Store Day preview: The Flaming Lips meet the Black Keys

Come to think of it, their lips do look pretty hot... The Flaming Lips have recorded more than their share of inspired covers over the years -- a fact that raises hopes for their latest, a collaboration with Stardeath and the White Dwarfs on the Madonna chestnut "Borderline." The song will be twinn ... More >>

Hot Congress Show 1 at Moe's Original Barbecue

Photo: Tom MurphyHot Congress Show 1: The Jim Jims, Lil Slugger, The Pseudo Dates and Vitamins Friday, January 30, 2009 Moe's Original Barbecue, Denver Better Than: A bill where a random group of bands is thrown together. Opening this show was the Jim Jims. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but i ... More >>

Thirteen Denver locales that are probably haunted -- or at least should be

Lil' Slugger/The Good Old Fashioned Sinners

Untitled Split CD
Self-released

Blue Million Miles is Building Walls, only to tear them down.

Mini Reviews

Man Man

Saturday, June 10, Walnut Room, 303-292-1700.

Critic's Choice

Colonial Excess

Knife & Fork

Miserycord (Cutting Board Records)

Lost at Scene

After spearheading the post-punk revival, GoGoGo Airheart is still on its own island.

People Pleaser

Perry Farrell wants to turn your frown upside down.

Nerves You Right

Erase Errata's abrasive strain of avant-rock gets on your nerves in a good way.

Minstrel Tension

From race to religion, Chocolate Genius tells it like it is.

Best Web Site for Music Collectors

www.music-disc.com

The House That Bubblegum Built

Buddha Records introduces a new generation to an old formula.

Soul on Ice

Legendary sideman Moris Tepper fronts his own vision, with chilling results.

Backwash

Denver clubs face a fight for the ages.

Best Place for Used Vinyl and Knowledgeable Grouches

Jerry's Record Exchange

Tortoise

Standards (Thrill Jockey)

All's Dope on the Western Front

The acid jazz of United Dope Front keeps 'em dancing in the trenches.

Critic's Choice

Bob Log III

Sage Advice

KBCO's Bret Saunders is taking on the shock jocks -- and winning.

Where's the Beef?

Four new releases don't tell all of the Captain Beefheart story.

Log On

Doo Rag's Bob Log III proves that he can be outlandish all by himself.

Coming to Take You Away

The Prize Patrol

The biggest musical winners from 1996.

The Gravity of the Situation

Maids of Gravity frontman Ed Ruscha tries to play the music game his way.

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