Soundscraper
Soundscraper
Venerable Music Mag Honors Local Student Musicians
May 15th, 2013
Students in the UNLV Music Department’s Jazz Studies program are keeping Las Vegas’s musical legacy intact. Pick up the June 2013 issue of longtime jazz publication DownBeat and you’ll notice the UNLV kids earned a few Outstanding Performance recognitions from the magazine’s 36th annual Student Music Awards. UNLV Jazz Ensemble I was honored in the Large Ensemble category, UNLV Latin Jazz Ensemble earned distinction in the Latin Group class, and John Summers received a Best Arrangement nod for his take on Michael Brecker’s “African Skies.” Read more »
Soundscraper
BAR 702 Gets Rescued, Loses Old Name
May 7th, 2013
Mark your TV-watching calendar: On July 7, BAR 702 (3355 Spring Mountain Rd.)—the local live-music venue formerly known as the Sand Dollar Lounge—will appear on Spike reality series Bar Rescue. The show involves industry experts observing a struggling bar in action, then offering strategies and overhauls. Read more »
Soundscraper
Horizon's Rising
April 30th, 2013
So I was among the judges at the final round of Hard Rock Rising on April 13. Beginning in January, this global band-battle winnowed thousands of aspiring rockers down to a select 96 at Hard Rock Café locations around the world. The victor of the Vegas competition was Hyperion’s Horizon. This hard-rock quartet has been around since 2010, with the current lineup—Chaz Morris (vocals), Julian Barris (drums), Nicko and Ely Bracamonte (guitar and bass, respectively)—gelling last fall. Hyperion’s Horizon won $500 in cash and prizes, and now it’s up to online voters to choose the best 25 bands (hopefully with Horizon included). Then a panel of music-industry professionals will appoint the grand-prize winner and two runner-ups. The grand-prize winner goes on tour, records an album for Hard Rock Records, shoots a video and gets $10,000 in new equipment and gear. Read more »
Soundscraper
City of Las Vegas Hosts Colorado Rockers
April 24th, 2013
Denver indie-rock band Snake Rattle Rattle Snake slithers into Centennial Plaza at the Historic Fifth Street School (401 S. Fourth St.) at 6:30 p.m. April 27. (Local act American Cream opens.) If the school seems an odd venue to host a free rock show, that’s because it is. How did it happen? Read more »
Soundscraper
High on Rock ’n’ Roll
April 16th, 2013
My favorite local nonprofit Push Forward is throwing a cool benefit party with live music. All proceeds benefit Push Forward’s mission: giving at-risk Vegas youth a sense of direction, empowerment and mentorship via skateboarding. Three of my favorite ramp-worthy bands—The Swamp Gospel, Crazy Chief, American Buckshot—play at 9 p.m. April 18 at Beauty Bar. I look forward to seeing three other groups on the bill for the first time: Fuzz Solow, Unfair Fight and Mersa. Admission is $5, and it’s for a great cause—teaching kids to stay out of trouble by embracing skate culture. Get stoked! Read more »
Music
Don't Bunk It Up, Tony Hsieh
April 9th, 2013
Well, there’s always live music Downtown. At least I hope so. Given Yayo’s music kabosh, the news that Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project had bought the Bunkhouse Saloon rattled my nerves. Read more »
Music
Louisiana Rock, Psyche-Horror, ’50s Pop
March 26th, 2013
Excuse me while I indulge in a college flashback with New Orleans Southern punk trio Dash Rip Rock. The band has gone through numerous lineup changes over the years, but founding frontman Bill Davis remains steadfast. Read more »
Music
Cool Live Music News Bits? Got ’em Right Here
March 19th, 2013
Commonwealth, the new bar on Fremont Street, recently opened its speakeasy-style doors to live music. On March 24, female-fronted indie-pop band Love Hate Away performs, and on March 31 bluesy rock singer Donacat takes the rooftop stage. Shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. Weather’s finally perfect for outdoor shows. Read more »
Music
Underground Metal Moves from Yayo Taco to Favorites
March 12th, 2013
Yayo Taco, the university-district restaurant that has recently hosted the best underground metal and punk shows in the history of Las Vegas, remains closed. Shuttered by the Southern Nevada Health District on February 28, Yayo has a history of earning demerits and penalties. And of being shut down for violations. Read more »
