311’s Universal Pulse

by terri sapp

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photo for website

Every time that my favorite band comes out with a new album, I get all nervous and excited all at the same time!  I can’t wait to sit alone with the lyrics, read along as I listen, and just enjoy.  The nerves come from the same anticipation that I get when I am about to shoot photos of them at their concerts.  Butterflies and all!  Nick Hexum (vocals and guitar), SA Martinez (vocals and special effects), Chad Sexton (drums), P-Nut (bass), and Tim Mahoney (guitar) have not made an album yet that I did not like, and their 2011 release, Universal Pulse is no different.  I knew from the first song, “Time Bomb” that I would love Universal Pulse.  This time, unlike in the past, I ordered my copy (CD and vinyl) on a pre-sale set up by the band.  However, once the actual day came for the album to ‘drop,’ I didn’t feel right not picking a copy up from one of my favorite local record stores, so I went there, too!  311 usually offers a special keepsake with their records that are bought the day they go on sale, and this year it was a free limited edition lenticular hologram of the album cover.  Of course, I couldn’t resist!

“Time Bomb” is a classic 311 dancehall rock jam.  Seems like another awesome message and sort of another ode to their fans… “Let me introduce you to the excitable crew!  This is just how we do.  Tickin’ like a time bomb…watch, we go off!”  SA and Nick’s harmonies are on point throughout Universal Pulse, which always gets a crowd going. Read More »

Concert Sutra Reunites for Echo and the Bunnymen

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter and terri sapp

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

On May 5, 2011, the girls of Concert Sutra came together again at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgiato FINALLY catch those English blokes who call themselves Echo and the Bunnymen, having waited for them to come back to Atlantaafter cancelling on us in 2009.  After the let down of missing them then, we were overjoyed when we showed up this year at the Masquerade and saw the tour busses and a packed house with almost no teenagers!  Echo’s lineup on this 2011 tour included Ian McCullough (the sassiest lead singer in all of the UK), Will Sergeant (bad ass guitar), Gordy Goudie (guitar with the coolest name), Stephen Brannan (unbelievable bass), Paul Fleming (old school keyboards), and Nick Kilroe (to die for drums).  The show primarily consisted of the band’s first two studio album releases, Crocodiles and Heaven Up Here, along with some extra gems during the encores.  Before Echo and the Bunnymen even showed their faces, they pumped out enough fog to throw a Halloween party in Times Square!  The only downside to that, other than the difficulty breathing, was that when they made it to the stage, you could hardly see their faces for all of the fog!  AND, don’t get me started about the lighting at the Masquerade!!  Trying to get a decent photograph of these guys in this venue (even with Leah’s brand new addition to the Concert Sutra family, the fabulous new Canon 60D) was like me struggling to capture Bauhaus in the purposeful darkness of the Tabernacle with any camera!  Needless to say, during the first part of the show, while the band was jamming out “Going Up” and “Stars Are Stars,” poor Leah was busy shooting silhouettes!  She was hungry for some rich and vibrant photos since it was our first time together at a show in a very long time, so she didn’t give up that easily.  Be sure to check out Leah’s photo gallery at http://www.leahyetter.com/110505csechobunnymen/index.htm, because we worked very hard for every single shot in there!  This was no cake walk!  I was able to catch a little video on my little Canon Elph while we were up front shooting, which can be found on the Concert Sutra You Tube channel, or by clicking here Echo and the Bunnymen on the Concert Sutra You Tube channel.  Please check it out and feel free to comment and let us know what you think!  We have started trying to get some amateur video clips that we would like to feature here on the site, so we want to hear from you and get some feedback! Read More »

!!! (chk chk chk)’s Strange Weather, Isn’t It?

by terri sapp

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photo for band website

One of my favorite bands, !!! (chk chk chk) made us all happy in the Fall of 2010 when they released their latest album called  Strange Weather, Isn’t It? just in time for my birthday!! !  Since their debut self-titled studio album in 2001, !!! has produced nothing but quality work.  After the 2007 release of the awesome Myth Takes record, I was not surprised to hear that their sound just keeps getting tighter and tighter!  It is hard to imagine an album that can stand up next to Myth Takes, because it is such a fantastic collection of songs, but Strange Weather, Isn’t It? holds its own in a major way.  I knew I loved this new release within the first few measures.

In true !!! form,  Mario Andreoni (guitar), Dan Gorman (horns/percussion/keys), Nic Offer (vocals), Tyler Pope (bass/various electronic devices), and Allan Wilson (horns/percussion/keys) , Shannon Funchess (vocals), Sean McGahan (various electronic devices/sound manipulation), Paul Quattrone and Jerry Fuchs (drums) kick off the new album with a lively, bouncing beat in “AM/FM.”  Read More »

Concert Sutra:  Growing Up With 311

by terri sapp

Photographs by terri sapp

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

At the risk of sounding like an old grandma, I often reminisce, especially when I am physically at a show, of my younger days with Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney, SA Martinez, P-Nut and Chad Sexton, when I was more available to travel around on a whim to see my favorite rock band in concert.  To my knowledge, I have never missed a show in Atlanta, and I do not plan on it, unless physically impossible, or on my death bed at 98.  I made it just before and just after my major back surgery, which put me behind on bringing the coverage to my readers, but I was still there taking it all in.  I noticed more than ever at the Unity Tour 2010 that every song (with the possible exception of the newer ones that I am hearing live for only the first or second time), brings me back to a time in my 311 past when I was traveling the US enjoying the vibe.  On July 17, 2010 at the Aaron’s Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta, Georgia, 311 played a setlist that got me strolling down memory lane.  My overwhelming 311 nostalgia has inspired me to organize my extensive collection to also not only archive for protection, but to also share with all of you.  It may take me a while to gather and process, but you will enjoy…stay tuned on that one. Read More »

Concert Sutra Enjoys The Ashlyne Huff Ride

by terri sapp

Photographs by terri sapp

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

In the hottest days of Summer in Metro Atlanta, Georgia, the Concert Sutra stumbled upon the opportunity to check out a very talented young performer from Nashville, Tennessee, Ashlyne Huff.  On June 25, 2010, Ashlyne joined up with the guys from another young band, Days Difference on the Jordin Sparks (past American Idol winner) Battlefield Tour.  I have to say that when the chance to cover a show at Six Flags Over Georgia appeared, I was intrigued.  This was a first in Concert Sutra history.  Even though the temperature was in the 100s, fighting the large adoring crowd was tough, and the MARTA ride bumpy, the time spent with Ashlyne was worth working harder than ever to get the coverage!  The show was full of wonderfully high energy, and the performers gave their all in the midst of debilitating heat.  I earned an even higher degree of respect for anyone able to pull off the caliber of show while braving such extreme conditions. Read More »

Concert Sutra enjoys MaGa, 2010 Macon Film Festival

By terri sapp

Photographs taken by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photo for Leah's MAGA photo gallery

2010 was my first experience with the Macon Film Festival after years of hearing about how wonderful a time it was.  I have to say, MaGa surpassed any and all expectations I could have possibly dreamed up from the tales I had been told from years past.  2010 was especially momentous because it was the fifth anniversary of the festival, and the organizers did NOT hold back in celebrating this milestone!  Some of the highlights that were special to Concert Sutra I will share with you here.  After reading, you will understand why it is that I am hooked will be forever ready for a good Q&A!  Concert Sutra’s Photographer, Leah Yetter has been attending the Festival for as long as it has been an event, and told me year after year how she knew, based on my love of the arts and film, how much I would enjoy MaGa.  She has only been more right only a few times in our longtime friendship!! Read More »

Concert Sutra Finds A Little Happiness With Aimee Allen

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

Even though Leah and I were stuck at the door with Press hold ups, and conflicting start times, we could hear “Change In Weather,” one of my favorite songs from Aimee Allen’s recent album “A Little Happiness,” booming from the doors of the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, Georgia.  On August 12, 2009, Aimee Allen was the perfect choice to get the people going for the headlining act, Sugar Ray.  When we finally made it to the stage, the band was playing “Crazy,” which is a great mix of Rock and Reggae.  The harmonies between the band and Aimee were right on!  The crowd was thin, but the band rocked it out.  Jen Stone (from Nashville) played the keys and sang her heart out, and what a fine voice she has…the perfect companion for Aimee’s beautiful voice.  Even though there were not as many people at the Variety Playhouse at this time of the night, you would never have known it from the performance given from these guys and gals.  The people who missed this missed something quite special.  Aimee Allen’s voice and style is an extremely appealing mix of rocker chick and chanteuse.  Despite her troubles in life (a devastating break up with former boyfriend and band mate, weathering the music industry shuffle, and getting beaten within an inch of her life by gang members), she exudes positivity in her show, evidenced during the audience participation in “On Vacation.”  One would have thought she was playing to a full house.  Having Will from Atlanta on the bass did not hurt at all either.  He was a hoot and a holler!  We also had a special moment when Aimee (from Los Angeles) said, “Ya’ll” for the first time when she was so thrilled that we sang along, we got a “Thank ya’ll!”  Adam White and Scott Russo (former boyfriend, of Unwritten Law and Scott and Aimee) are both from Indiana, making this group very “multi-cultural” as promised from our gorgeous front-woman.  This is always an acceptable quality to bring to Atlanta! Read More »

Concert Sutra Attracts to Tori Amos’ Sin

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter and terri sapp

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

Tori Amos is another of those Concert Sutra favorites that we always try to see whenever we can!  Until this tour at ChastainParkon July 27, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia, we had found that photo passes were nearly impossible to obtain for our girl Leah to be able to shoot photos with her major equipment of the lady!  Somehow at the last minute, and with the help on my fancy new iPhone, we were able to procure ourselves access with Leah’s photo equipment for only the first song!  Now, that is not much time, but we will take it!!!  The photographers were also asked to position themselves back by the sound board (where Tori’s husband was running sound again), which was even behind where we were sitting.  Thank goodness for Leah’s awesome huge telephoto lens!  We had Ginger with us, who was a Tori show virgin, so we felt that was a good omen for us.  To view Leah’s photos (and a few from my little Canon Elph), please either visit this link to our photo gallery: http://www.leahyetter.com/090727cstoriamos/ or click any of the photos within the story that are linked directly to the gallery.

Tori opened up with “Give” from the current touring album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, which is a dark sounding song with an awesome vocal part.  It is hard to think of a Tori Amos joint without an awesome vocal track.  One of the things I like the most about Amos, evident in “Give,” is that as many songs as she has released, they all have their own personality and charm.  Tori, like most artists, has her own sound, but I never find myself thinking the songs all sound the same.  I know I am not alone when I say that Tori was on fire at this show.  As always, Matt Chamberlain (drums) and Jon Evans (bass) rattled the Chastain Amphitheatre with their musical magic.

“Siren” from the Great Expectations soundtrack was written specifically for the movie, and played for us at Chastain.  What a special treat!  From Under the Pink, and an old favorite, “Cornflake Girl” is always welcomed by my ears.  It never gets old.  Like many of her classics, she always seems to give them a different spin live.  I realized when writing this piece that I have actually attended every tour Tori has come around with since her third!  My first show was her first tour with the band, and I have loved seeing them ever since!  I can’t imagine not seeing one of Concert Sutra’s favorite drummers, Matt Chamberlain at least every couple of years.  There have been tours when she left them at home, but having the boys adds so much depth to her always deep songs.  I have also noticed a pattern in many of these tours of running into the same familiar faces… Kendra Triesenberg, Rhett Thomas, and Caitlin Glennon (not necessarily together) being the regulars.  Read More »

Concert Sutra Sees Fireworks From 311

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

On July 4, 2009 at Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta, Georgia, Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney, SA Martinez, Chad Sexton, and P-Nut celebrated Independence Day with me, Leah, and thousands of screaming fans.  I love when Leah is available to take the photos, because she always gets such wonderful shots!  Her work is so beautiful, I have to start by directing you to check out the 2009 photo gallery here:  http://www.leahyetter.com/090704311cs/.  Her photos are fantastic!  It makes me even sadder at the thought that she will be going to Wyoming very shortly.  I am going to miss her very much, especially at the 311 shows!!!  At last year’s show, I was just out of a major back surgery, but now, I have had an extra year to heal, and feel even more ready to party and dance!  Ziggy Marley opened up the show, and being Bob Marley’s DNA, he always gives me a thrill!  In addition to many amazing Ziggy Marley solo originals like “Love Is My Religion,” “Still The Storms,” “Be Free,” “True To Myself,” and “Black Cat,” as well as Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers’ gems like “Look Who’s Dancin’,” he also blessed us with many Bob Marley covers including “Roots, Rock, Reggae,” “Africa Unite,” “Jammin’” (one of my all time favs!), and “Is This Love?!!”

311 began their set with a “3-11, 3-3-11” Intro, then right into “Never Ending Summer” from their latest album, Uplifter.  A great new song to set the tone for a special 4^th of July show.  “Beautiful Disaster” continues the show with perfect energy!  Another reason I really love when Leah is at the 311 show with me to take the photos is because during the beginning of the show, I get to enjoy the music!!  With disco style lights, and all of the re-mix fixins, “All Re-Mixed Up” continues getting the party started.  Keeping it going, 311 brings me my favorite from their newest album, “Mix It Up!”  This song rocks, and has sweet lyrics.  I adore rockin’ love songs!  SA and Nick’s harmonies also melt my heart.  After “Mix It Up,” Nick says people have asked him if the reference to Little 5 Points in the song “Never Ending Summer” is about Atlanta.  He says, “Hell yeah, it is!  This is our home away from home!!!”  A shout out to Ziggy Marley, and then “Come Original!”  I always dance to this one.  Not enough artists come original these days!  I am always a sucker for a reggae beat, especially mixed with rock and roll!  Another great song from Uplifter, “It’s Alright” keeps the energy high.  When Uplifter first came out, I listened to it a few times all the way through, and found a few tracks that stood out as ones that I couldn’t wait to hear what they did with them live.  As usual, 311 does not disappoint!  Ever since the first 311 album, I have never heard one I did not like.  Uplifter is no different, and over time, the whole album grew on me, and I couldn’t wait to hear all of the tracks played in concert! Read More »

Concert Sutra: Down & Dirty With Snoop Dogg

by terri sapp

Photographs by terri sapp

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

July 26, 2008 turned out to be the most perfect time for my man Noel to come with me to his first 311 show!  Besides the fact that 311 is a killer live band, there are two words to describe what set this night apart from any of the other many 311 shows I have witnessed…SNOOP DOGG!!!  What a perfect lineup!  Snoop Dogg and 311.  Some might not think them a likely match for playing a show together, but Snoop Dogg brought his A game to the Lakewood Amphitheatre in the A town as well as the best live band I have seen support a Hip Hop artist in all of my adult life!!  Over the years, I have made it my goal to see as many concerts as possible of all genres.  At some hip hop shows (including previous Snoop Dogg performances I have attended), you just get the artist, the supplementary rappers, and a DJ.  The very special nights are when you get the Hip Hop played truly live by real life musicians!  It makes all the difference in the world.  Even a music snob like Noel had to give it up for Snoop Dogg’s band!  THEY ROCKED IT OUT!!!  I can only give you two more words…Carlos McSwain, the drummer with the chops to match the greatest drummers in the world!

To get the party started Snoop played a recording of the theme song from his TV series, Father Hood.  The stage is set with a big oversized marijuana leaf, a tricked out low rider bicycle, a huge cut out of the back of a woman’s body, an enormous bottle of Cognac, and a giant bong.  To top it all off, there were security type of guys on each side of the stage dressed to the nines just standing around and holding it down.  Read More »