Jason DeBord

Morrissey at Mondavi Center, U.C. Davis | Davis, California | 3/4/2013 (Concert Review)

“To give is the reason I live”… a Frankie Valli lyric and a comment made by Morrissey on stage well into his set at Mondavi Center at U.C. Davis in Davis, California. Morrissey has long been a fundamental part of my favorite music artists of all-time, and more than all of them, his music has always moved me – those special moments where the words and the sound connects with me, that chill down my spine and adrenaline rush… as part of the soundtrack of my life, Morrissey and his work add texture, substance, and color unlike any other artist. And his live appearances have become increasingly rare, so any opportunity I have to experience it “for real”, in person, I am there, as the live experience just magnifies it all. And the show last night at Mondavi Center was a spectacular celebration among a special group of fans. [Read more…]

Hotel/Resort Review: Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa – Monterey, California

This is part of a continuing series of my impressions and experiences staying at various hotels and resorts while traveling to attend concerts worldwide. This review is for the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa. [Read more…]

Morrissey Back On Track in San Diego, Adds More Dates To U.S. Tour

After a string of health-related challenges over the past 30 days, Morrissey appears to be back in the swing of things with a bit of ethics-related controversy with a Jimmy Kimmel Live! booking this week and since having played a successful show last night with an excellent set list in San Diego… with two more shows in Los Angeles in coming days, and then up to Northern California for a Mondavi Center show in Davis (rescheduled from last year), which I’ll be attending and reviewing. Additionally, tomorrow a number of new dates will go on sale, and some missed dates have been rescheduled, so this will serve as somewhat of a housekeeping announcement. [Read more…]

B.B. King at Golden State Theatre | Monterey, California | 2/26/2013 (Concert Review)

King of The Blues. The Beale Street Blues Boy. Legend. Not much to say about having an opportunity to see B.B. King live in concert other than that it is an honor. A very special venue – Golden State Theatre in Monterey, California – served as the perfect host to an amazing night with one of the most important musicians in our lifetimes, at age 87, as well as a phenomenal opening set from an incredibly gifted 12 year old.

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Recommended & Best Three Pocket Digital Cameras for Live Music Concerts for Fans (Photos & Video) – Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V, Sony DSC-RX100, Fuji X100/X100S

This is an update to my previous two articles focused on the same subject (see Article #1, Article #2), so at least some of the information will be redundant. Technology is constantly changing, evolving, and improving, so I expect that this will require an update about twice a year. My hope is that some day there will be one camera that does it all, and does it all well, and is of a size/style/form factor that any music fan going to a concert can bring it into the venue with no problems. That day is not yet here, so my advice includes three different cameras, each of which have pros and cons, and none of which is the best for all circumstances. As of the time of this writing, my personal recommendations are the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V (or HX30V is you want WiFi), the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100, and the Fuji x100 (though the X100S is out in Japan and due elsewhere in the next 30 days or so).

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Crystal Gayle at Thunder Valley Resort & Casino | Lincoln, California | 2/22/2013 (Concert Review)

Last night Thunder Valley Resort & Casino played host to one of a short run of shows by music legend Crystal Gayle. The award-winning singer, best known for her 1977 hit, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”., put on an amazing show of her own songs as well as tributes to the works of others, with her own signature style. It was incredible to have an opportunity to enjoy the show put on by her along with her sister Peggy Sue and the five-piece band led by Jay Patten.

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Electronic Beats by Telekom To Hold Exclusive Depeche Mode ‘Delta Machine’ Album Launch Event Concert in Vienna

Electronic Beats will be presenting a special Depeche Mode concert in Vienna next month, which will be free (via contest to fans) and streamed online worldwide. The Delta Machine launch party concert is slated for March 24th at MuseumsQuartier in Vienna, Austria. “Reporter Fans” are encouraged to submit their own case for why they should get an invite to the exclusive concert event via the Electronic Beats Facebook page (due by March 7th). [Read more…]

Jay-Z & Justin Timberlake to Perform “Legends of Summer” at a Dozen Stadium Concerts in July & August

Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake have today announced a stadium tour for North America as part of a “Legends of Summer” tour kicking off in July and covering a dozen cities in two months. Special VIP tickets immediately went on sale via VIP Nation, with a broader pre-sale scheduled for Ticketmaster February 27th (code = LEGENDS). There is also a Citi pre-sale and Official Platinum Seats sale currently going on via Ticketmaster. [Read more…]

Alice Cooper Added To Caprices Festival Line-Up in Crans-Montana Switzerland

The Rock Subculture Journal will be covering Caprices Festival in Crans-Montana in the Swiss Alps of Switzerland in March. Just a few weeks away, I’ll be covering all nine nights of the annual music event, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Sadly, The Kills will no longer be part of the line-up due to an illness, but the organizers have added rock legend Alice Cooper to the bill. The festival runs March 8th through the 16th, and tickets and more info can be found at the official site at www.capricesfestival.ch. [Read more…]

P!nk’s “Truth About Love Tour” at HP Pavilion | San Jose, California | 2/18/2013 (Concert Review)

P!nk’s “The Truth About Love” tour is part pop/rock concert, part carnival, part dance revue, part live movie, and part acrobatics. It’s such a tight and interactive event, most of it happens faster than you can really process it. P!nk is like part rock star, part Olympian, and it’s amazing how much energy she can put into the “show” part of the show and still manage to catch a breath to sing in addition to everything else. But somehow she pulls it off, and of all of the artists touring today, makes use of a massive indoor arena to create both spectacle and up close and personal opportunities between her and her fans (no matter where they might be sitting or standing). A really fantastic event, and pioneering way of building on great music with really unique and innovative performances.

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