Nirvana Was a Cover Band: The Ten Best Unexpected Cover Songs

When Radiohead demanded public access to Prince’s fantabulous cover of “Creep” recently, I couldn’t help but recall falling in love with creative covers as a teenage drummer and finishing all my own shows in the clubs, bars and garages of Pittsburgh with the punk trio Falling Short by blazing through…

Best Concerts in Colorado This Week

This week’s shows includes a diverse section of acts including blues guitarist Sonny Landreth, alt-pop singer Austin Jones, jazz trumpeter Wallace Roney, country singer Aaron Watson as well as classical ensembles the Brooklyn Rider and Takacs Quartet. See the full list of our picks below.  MONDAY, JANUARY 11 Takács Quartet…

Hardcore Tears: TRVE Brewing Pours One Out for Lemmy

Last Saturday, the mood at TRVE Brewery was somber yet jovial as patrons watched the live stream of Lemmy Kilmister’s funeral on a TV in the corner above the bar. There were drinks, laughter and pizzas, but overall the affair had an air of subdued reverence. Kilmister, beloved singer of…

Jello Biafra Made the Punks Dance

The Meadowlark punted the inaugural edition of its new weekly DJ night, Thursday Kicks, by featuring guest spinner Jello Biafra. Biafra, former frontman of punk legends Dead Kennedys, played a set of all-vinyl punk and garage rock, mixing in favorites and oddities. All photos by Kenneth Hamblin. Read more about…

Elijah Wood’s Wooden Wisdom Deejays Club Vinyl

While Elijah Wood has acted in a slew of films — as Frodo in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or as that little creep in Eternal Sunshine of Spotless Mind and that other creep in Everything is Illuminated — he’s also a music fan with a deep affinity for vinyl. Wood will…

Open Music Sessions: Get To Know Chimney Choir and Chad Neidt

Last month, the Open Media Foundation celebrated its twelfth anniversary with an expanded version of its usual first Friday Open Music Sessions. At the free public party, OMF spotlighted local media and arts figures with the Independent Voices Awards, as well as performances by Chimney Choir and musical comedian Chad…

Lemmy Memorial at TRVE Brewing This Saturday

This Saturday, rock fans around the world will raise a glass of Jack Daniels to the memory of Lemmy. On Motörhead’s official Facebook page, the band issued this invitation to its audience to livestream the funeral service for frontman Lemmy Kilmister, who died at age 70 on December 28: “Wherever…

Every New Concert Announcement in Colorado

The Disco Biscuits return to Red Rocks on Saturday, June 4, after doing a three-night stand at the Ogden Theatre June 1-3. Ghostland Observatory and Twiddle open at Red Rocks, while openers for the Ogden shows will be announced later. General admission Red Rocks tickets ($44.95) and Ogden tickets ($32.50)…

Beyond Axl: Why Hair Metal Is Back in Colorado

When the announcement dropped this week that Guns N’ Roses will headline Coachella 2016, a rumor that had been flying around for a few months was finally confirmed—and set pulses racing. The trio of Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan will play together under the GnR name for the first…

Murder by Death Goes Ghost Hunting at Stanley Hotel

In January 2014, the gothic-Americana band Murder by Death played the reputedly haunted Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, but singer-guitarist Adam Turla didn’t have any paranormal experiences. So when the quintet returned for three shows in early January 2015 — just before its seventh album, Big Dark Love, was released…

Jello Biafra Will Spin at Meadowlark’s Inaugural Thursday Kicks

This Thursday, January 7, marks the launch of a new weekly event at the Meadowlark called Thursday Kicks. The first Thursday of the month will be called “Teenage Kicks,” which will feature all-vinyl punk and garage rock music. The second Thursday in the series is calld “Nightshift,” an all-vinyl night…

Review: David Bowie Gets Jazzy on New Album Blackstar

Nearly a year ago, David Bowie made an unannounced trip to the intimate 55 Bar in New York City’s West Village to hear an innovative jazz group led by saxophonist Donny McCaslin and featuring keyboardist Jason Lindner, bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Mark Guiliana. Bowie dug what he heard and…

Five Spots to Rock and Brock This Playoff Season

Whether you’re a fan of Brock Lobster and the Donkeys, stumping for Peyton’s rights, or are one of the 100,986 new transplants with loyalties elsewhere, the football playoffs are here. In case you haven’t noticed, Denver has a passion for football, especially the blue and orange. But Denver isn’t just…

String Cheese Incident Jammed in the New Year at 1stBANK

The String Cheese Incident played a jamming three-night string of shows at 1stBANK Center in Broomfield. The Colorado band remains Denver favorites and stalwarts of progressive bluegrass. Check out photos from the final night on January 2, 2016. All photos by Brandon Marshall. …

Favorite Musicians of Itchy-O Ranked

Itchy-O just finished a epic three-night stand at 3 Kings Tavern to welcome in the new year. What is as impressive as the musicianship and performance, however, is the sheer size of the group. Arcade Fire has nothing on Itchy-O, whose members seemed to swell with each passing show. Some…

Three Nights at the Temple of Itchy-O

The fog was so thick it was almost suffocating. Members of the band Itchy-O seemed to multiply, roaming the crowd. One wandered, head down, with a giant megaphone strapped to his back. Another, holding a keyboard, danced to his own drone-y creations. One, without instrument, walked slowly, touching passerby. He…