Green Day “Bullet in a Bible”

Posted on June 13, 2005 by terri

Green Day “Bullet in a Bible”

By terri sapp

Ever since I heard “Dookie” back in 1994, I have had a respect for Green Day that has been set in stone with their latest release, “Bullet in a Bible.” This set comes with a fantastic live album, as well as a DVD with a video of the biggest Green Day tour, to date. A total of over 130,000 Londoners were the luckiest to have been privy to the two in a row sold out shows that led to “Bullet in a Bible” in June 2005 at Milton Keynes National Bowl in England. For sure, the peak of the tour in support of “American Idiot!” Billie Joe Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass, vocals), and madman Tre’ Cool (drums, vocals) stepped up to the plate as one of the best punk/rock bands of our generation with this representation of their onstage energy and flawless talent. Weather or not you have ever seen Green Day perform live, their production of “Bullet in a Bible” transcends the lack of intimacy that usually comes from watching live concert video recordings. These guys have such a strong presence that they command their audience, even from the comfort of your living room couch or favorite chair. Continue reading →

Music Midtown 2005, The End Of An Era

Posted on June 13, 2005 by terri

Music Midtown 2005, The End Of An Era

by terri sapp

Fabulous Photos by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All rights reserved

click photos for Sunday photo gallery

There’s no secret that some of my favorite events of the year happen on the weekend of Music Midtown every year. A weekend full of so many different types of artists all coming together in the middle of the City of Atlanta to put up their best effort to draw the biggest crowd between six stages. This year, hats off to 99x, the local “Everything Alternative” Radio Station, who managed to book the most impressive line up on one stage that I have ever experienced.

Out of all of the bands that I was overjoyed to see, I have to say that the most unexpected delight of the weekend was the grand finale headliner on the 99x stage, DEVO! Even though it had been nearly 20 years since DEVO had played Atlanta, you wouldn’t have known it from the warm welcome they got from all the happy “spuds” and future “spuds” on Sunday evening. The DEVO energy dome hats must have been working to keep the rain away, because Sunday ended up being the only dry day of the festival. DEVO packed a high-energy punch with or without “flower pot” energy dome hats and radiation suits. Their message is as politically charged as ever and complete with social commentary and fun. Their set list was a balanced mix of their more popular songs and rarities. We got to hear “That’s Good,” “Girl U Want,” “Whip It,” “Satisfaction,” (Rolling Stones cover) “Uncontrollable Urge,” “Mongoloid,” “Blockhead,” “Jocko Homo,” “Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA,” “Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy,” “Gates of Steel,” Encore: “Freedom of Choice,” and “Beautiful World” with a special appearance by Booji Boy. Booji Boy seems to be sort of the social voice of DEVO, with his stories and lessons. My favorite ever Booji Boy moment was his role in the 1982 Neil Young movie, Human Highway. Continue reading →

Concert Sutra Celebrate Legacy With The Marley Brothers

Posted on June 12, 2005 by terri

Concert Sutra Celebrate Legacy With The Marley Brothers

by terri sapp

Photographed by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

The summer is always the time for festivals to come through town. Summer, 2005 offered many to choose from. The weekend of June 10 through 12 proved a challenge for the indecisive. Of course, everyone and their brother (except me and Leah) made the trek up to Tennessee for Bonnarroo. Then there were those of us who remained faithful to Atlanta’s Music Midtown, which took place the same weekend. If that weren’t enough, Atlanta also hosted the first annual VIBE MusicFest. The VIBE MusicFest line-up rivaled the others from beginning to end. From Ludacris to Faith Evans, Big Boi to Lauren Hill, even Common and Kanye West made an appearance. For me, though, the group that got the least amount of “press” was the most uplifting and enjoyable. The Marley Brothers’ celebration of their Father, Bob Marley’s Life of work touched me on the deepest part of my soul. The actual sons of Bob featured in this particular event were Stephen Marley and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley.

From the first note of the introduction of the Marley celebration, I knew that VIBE MusicFest was in for a Kingston-style treat! The Marley Brothers were the first of the night on Saturday night, but brought the energy of a headliner. We were first introduced to Bob’s youngest son’s 1996 “Mr. Marley,” which is obviously a shout out to his father and the music he left behind. Damian Robert Nesta Marley a.k.a. “Junior Gong” started the show with high energy and a heavy reggae vibe on some of his solo material. Stephen then joined Damian onstage for a “Marley Brothers” version of the classic “Kaya.” Both of these boys have their own voice, unique to them only. However, when Stephen hit the stage with one of Bob’s signature outfits, the jean shirt and jeans, I could have sworn there had just been a resurrection. Stephen and Ziggy Marley are the spitting image of their Father, so every time I see them play music, I can’t help but wish Bob could walk out and join them for a few songs. One day. Continue reading →

Concert Sutra Down In It With Nine Inch Nails

Posted on May 22, 2005 by terri

Concert Sutra Down In It With Nine Inch Nails

by terri sapp

Photographs by terri sapp (from the pit) and Leah Yetter (from the balcony)

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

In my wildest dreams, nothing sexier could be

Than Trent Reznor’s muscles glistening back at me

The intensity and message that comes from his song

Makes me wonder how before him I ever got along

Conjuring high energy and strong emotion never fails

Coming from the power that will always be Nine Inch Nails

Having waited for this night since the day “Pretty Hate Machine” boomed from the speakers of my high school cd player, I would have to say that spending the evening with Nine Inch Nails, no matter what the lineup, was monumental. In support of their latest, long awaited, studio album, “With Teeth,” Nine Inch Nails has launched a club tour across the globe equipped to blow the roof off of these smaller venues. Front man and only official member, Trent Reznor, along with his newest touring lineup of musicians, definitely left a mark on Atlanta, Georgia that will not soon be forgotten. Atlanta was lucky enough to have had two opportunities to catch this rare intimate tour, both Saturday, May 21, 2005 and Sunday, May 22, 2005. Although, only a handful of fans (comparatively) were able to score tickets, since both shows, and most shows on this tour, sold out within minutes. Continue reading →

Concert Sutra & Tori Amos’ Original Sinsuality Tour

Posted on April 4, 2005 by terri

Concert Sutra & Tori Amos’ Original Sinsuality Tour

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All rights reserved

click photos for photo gallery

Every time Tori Amos (pianist, singer, songwriter) puts out an album, the buzz gets going surrounding what that tour will bring. Tori’s new album, The Beekeeper, is no different. The Original Sinsuality Tour offers Tori at the essence of her best, just her and her instruments: the Bosendorfer Piano, two Hammond Organs, a Rhodes Keyboard, and that hefty set of vocal pipes. Although her band mates Matt Chamberlain (drums) and Jon Evans (bass) are missed terribly when they are not around, it is something special to experience the one woman show that is Tori Amos in the midst of a sea of keys!

Even though Tori’s boys aren’t around to entertain her, Mark Hawley (Husband, sound) is always there to make sure she is taken care of on tour and sounding great. It’s a family affair. On the “Original Sinsuality Tour” Tori is wearing the flowing feminine clothes tailored from Bora Aksu’s Spring/Summer 2005 collection. For a glimpse of the clothing line, go to: http://www.boraaksu.com/ss05/index.html Continue reading →

Concert Sutra With Robert Hannon at Tree Sound Studios, ATL, GA

Posted on February 20, 2005 by terri

Concert Sutra With Robert Hannon at Tree Sound

by terri sapp

Photographed by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

Oh…to be monkeying around in one of Atlanta’s most respected Recording Studios with Producer/Engineer extraordinaire, Robert Hannon!! This Grammy Award winner (for his work on Outkast’s “Hey Ya!”) has recorded and engineered many highly respected artists from Ludacris to Marvelous 3 to Bone Thugs ‘n’ Harmony to Snake Oil Medicine Show. Leah and I were able to spend some time at the largest, highest quality Studio in the Southeast United States. For some of Leah’s pictures of our time in the Studio, visit: http://www.concertsutra.com/cstree32005/. To check out more on Tree Sound Studios, go to: http://www.treesoundstudios.com/. Read on for an in depth interview with Robert Hannon.

Concert Sutra: Can you give us a little background to start out with on Tree Sound Studios and how it came to be so great? Continue reading →

Concert Sutra Skank With The Toasters

Posted on January 31, 2005 by terri

Concert Sutra Skank With The Toasters

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

click photos for photo gallery

I have heard about the Toasters quite a bit on my local favorite radio station here in Atlanta, 99X. One of the radio personalities, Fred Toucher, loves them so much that he has hired them to play his wedding! After hearing this authentic Ska band’s music on Toucher’s show, I knew I had to check them out. January 31, 2005, I got my chance at Smith’s Olde Bar here in Atlanta, Georgia. What a show!

The Toasters, true Ska pioneers, having been around since the eighties, are still going strong with the Ska beats and Bucket’s sweet vocals. The “SKA BRAWL” features the veteran Toasters Robert “Bucket” Hingley (vocals and guitar), Jack Ruby, Jr. (vocals), and Larry “Ace” Snell (drums), teamed up with Dan Jesselsohn (bass) and Jeff Richey (sax and some vocals) as well as the addition of cult trombonist (and some vocals) Chris Rhodes.

On January 31^st, the Toasters played an early, all ages show, and another later “adult” show. They started out with “I Wasn’t Going To Call You Anyway.” I immediately fell in love with the saxophone and trombone. I AM an admitted SUCKER for HORNS! Jack Ruby, good with the onstage antics and well-placed “Yeah’s!,” gives good advice, “don’t mix up your urine sample with your bottle of water.” While Bucket keeps it real with the words of wisdom of the next song that shows that you don’t have to have a lot of money to be happy in life. “Sittin’ on Top of the World” spotlights the reggae bass and guitar, as well as the highly poignant lyrics you can expect to find in a Toasters’ song. Continue reading →

Concert Sutra Helpless Against The SuperVillains

Posted on January 31, 2005 by terri

Concert Sutra Helpless Against The SuperVillains

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

click photos for band website

I always love it when I randomly stumble upon a band I’ve never heard of, and end up an instant fan. Last month at the Toasters’ show at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta, Georgia, this happened to me for the first time in a long time. The Super Villains, a 5-piece reggae-ska-punk band out of Orlando, Florida, are favorites in the South East peninsula.

Founded in 1997 by original members Skart (vocals, guitar), Dom (vocals, drums), and Smally (sax). In 2004, the current line-up was solidified with the arrival of Rikki (trumpet) and Tito (bass).

I am never really good at making a show for the opening band, but when you are talking a full night of ska, I’M THERE!! When the Super Villains took the stage to warm the crowd for the Toasters, I knew I would love these guys. Their high energy, their fun spirited music, and youthful good looks make for a good time to be had by ALL! Immediately I was drawn to Dom, the drummer, who not only tore up the skins, but also has quite a voice! Continue reading →

Concert Sutra Admiring The Critters Buggin Ambiance

Posted on November 20, 2004 by terri

Concert Sutra Admiring The Critters Buggin Ambiance

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

click photos for photo gallery

When Critters Buggin teamed up with the Benevento Russo Duo for an East Coast Tour in support of their latest release, “Stampede,” Leah and I were spiritually tickled to have been in the presence of four of the most talented men in the world right now two nights in a row. Critters Buggin is comprised of the following giants of rock and roll: Matt Chamberlain (on drums among many other drum machine type instruments and synthesizers), has performed for many years with Tori Amos, and has been musically associated with the likes of Edie Brickell and New Bohemians (founding member), David Bowie, Fiona Apple, Pearl Jam, Garbage, Elton John, Natalie Merchant, and Martina McBride, among many others; Skerik (saxophone GOD, keyboardist and sound effects extraordinaire) is one of the members of Les Claypool’s Flying Frog Brigade, as well has played with Garage-A-Trois, Crack Sabbath, and Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet, et. al.; Brad Houser (four string, five string, and upright bass, and Moroccan Qarqaba) who was also a founding member of New Bohemians, plays with John Doe as well; and Mike Dillon (all kinds of percussion and vibraphone) has also played with Les Claypool’s Flying Frog Brigade, Garage-A-Trois, Hairy Apes BMX some, and many others.

Friday, October 15, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Smith’s Olde Bar, Critters Buggin won my heart immediately and forever, as this was my first live show with these “Critters” in this form. Continue reading →

Leftover Salmon, catch ‘em while you can!!

Posted on November 19, 2004 by terri

Leftover Salmon, catch ‘em while you can!!

by terri sapp

with special thanks to “Downtown” Dave Erickson

Photographs by Leah Yetter

click photos for band website

Sadly enough, after many years of touring together, since their formation in 1990, Leftover Salmon has announced that they will be on a sabbatical of sorts after this most recent tour is over. This six piece “polyethnic-cajun-slamgrass” band has been through a lot together, good and bad as it goes, with losing one of their most revered banjo players, Mark Vann, in 2002, and adding (formerly with “Derek Trucks Band”) keyboardist Bill McKay, and banjo (among other instruments) player, Matt Flinner, and playing with a myriad number of guests such as John Cowan, Sam Bush, and Count M’butu, who is one of the best percussionists around. A sign of a great band is their ability to roll with the changes, and Leftover Salmon is always changing. Even with a break in the near future, most (if not all) of these guys already have their own projects formed and ready to take you on with their own force.

On Friday, November 19, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Variety Playhouse, which is Salmon’s most frequented Atlanta venue, Drew Emmitt (vocals, guitar, mandolin, fiddle), Greg Garrison (vocals, bass), Vince Herman (vocals, guitar, washboard), Bill Kay (vocals, keyboards), Jeff Sipe (drums), and Matt Flinner (vocals, banjo), with special guest Count M’butu (percussion) came, saw, and conquered their final Atlanta show for an undetermined amount of time. Their energy and style of music really meshed well together for plenty of ass shaking. I must say that the crowd that congregated in the Variety Playhouse for this farewell-for-now tour was by far the largest I have ever seen in my years of going to shows there. I was amazed. Continue reading →