Tour: Donnie Vie (Enuff Z’ Nuff)


They may have had a bit of success in the early ’90s, but in my opinion Enuff Z’ Nuff never reached as many ears as they should have. Maybe it has something to do with inner band turmoil fueled by substance abuse, maybe it was just bad timing … I’m not really sure, but the band’s songwriting duo – Donnie Vie and Chip Z’ Nuff – know the formula for great power-pop songs.

As is the case with many of the bands from the hair metal era, it’s tough to keep up with what individual band members are up to and, in most cases, these artists are truly independent and putting out records on their own due to a lack of interest from labels. Donnie Vie has been putting out solo material for years but it’s somewhat difficult to track down. Fingers crossed that 2011 is a good year for Mr. Vie – who has dealt with his fair share of issues in the past. He’s announced a few upcoming Spring tour dates in some out-of-the-way locations where he’ll be playing tracks from Enuff Z’ Nuff’s history as well as own solo material (which, truth be told, doesn’t stray far from EZN’s trademark sound).

Tour dates:

Thu, 05 May – Greensburg, PA – 42nd Street
Fri, 06 May – Imperial, PA – Grim’s Roadhouse
Sat, 07 May – Wapakoneta, OH – Route 33 Rhythm & Brews
Wed, 15 Jun – Richmond, IN – Walker’s Night Club
Thu, 16 Jun – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club
Fri, 17 Jun – Crystal Lake, IL – Buzz
Sat, 18 Jun – Ishpeming, MI – Pig Fest

Tour: Smoking Popes

A concept album by the Smoking Popes about the life of a fictional high schooler? Huh? That’s the story behind the Chicago rockers forthcoming (March 15) release, This is Only a Test. This will be the second release of new material for the Popes since they reunited in 2008 after a 10-year hiatus.

Tour dates start mid-March.

Sat- Mar 19 The Sail Inn Tempe AZ
Sun- Mar 20 Casbah San Diego CA
Tue- Mar 22 Slidebar Fullerton CA
Wed- Mar 23 Key Club West Hollywood CA
Thu- Mar 24 Downtown Brew San Luis Obispo CA
Fri- Mar 25 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
Sat- Mar 26 The Crepe Place Santa Cruz CA
Mon- Mar 28 Alberta Rose Theatre Portland OR
Tue- Mar 29 El Corazon Seattle WA
Thu- Mar 31 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City UT
Fri- Apr 1 Hi Dive Denver CO
Sat- Apr 2 The Riot Room Kansas City MO
Sun- Apr 3 Double Door Chicago IL

Tour: Lohio

Every time I see the name Lohio I expect it to have something to do with the Ass Ponys 2001 release of the same name. The band Lohio, based out of the Pittsburgh area, released a new EP, Family Tree, last fall and is kicking off the new year with a short midwest tour. Definitely check these guys (and girl) out if you’re into artists like Arcade Fire, Yo La Tengo, Sufjan Stevens, Deer Tick, etc.

DOWNLOAD: “Adelai”

Tour dates:

2/3 – Buffalo, NY – 136 Loft
2/4 – Morgantown, WV – 123 Pleasant Street
2/5 – Elkins, WV – Davis & Elkins College
2/7 – New York City – Union Hall
2/8 – New York City – Lit Lounge
2/10 – Elon, NC – The Fat Frogg
2/12 – Chapel Hill, NC – The Cave
2/14 – Lexington, KY – Cosmic Charlies
2/15 – Bloomington, IN – The Bishop
2/16 – Louisville, KY – Rudyard Kipling
2/17 – Indianapolis, IN – Vollrath
2/18 – Columbus, OH – KOBO
2/19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird

New J. Mascis track, tour dates

Guess I’m a little late in posting this as it debuted on J.’s own site December 8.

“Not Enough” comes from J.’s new solo CD, “Several Shades of Why”, due out on SubPop on March 15. The tour to support “Several Shades of Why” kicks off on March 10 and runs through May.

LOVE this short interview with J. about people he’s collaborated with.

First great release of 2011: Broken Records

Here we are, not even two weeks into the new year, and I’ve already got an album for my “Favorites of 2011” list. I find it hard to resist Scottish vocalists, especially when they’ve got the full support of a multi-piece backing band such as Jamie Sutherland’s got with Broken Records. Let Me Come Home is the band’s second release and quick dispels any notion of a sophomore slump by delivering a beautiful sounding winter soundtrack. Breaking out of the typical rock boundaries (singer, guitar, bass, drums) by adding a breadth of additional instrumentation (violin, piano, trumpet), Broken Records epic, orchestral songs put them in a league with Snow Patrol, The Frames and Frightened Rabbit among others (all favorite bands of mine).

DOWNLOAD: “A Darkness Rises Above”
DOWNLOAD: “A Leaving Song”

Broken Records is doing a short run in the U.S. in late February/early March and playing relatively smaller venues. Here’s hoping that these shows do well as inspire the band to make another pass through the States at some point in 2011. I have a feeling they put on the type of show that can’t be missed.

Feb 20 – Washington, DC – Black Cat Backstage
Feb 21 – Philadelphia – North Star Bar
Feb 22 – New York City – Mercury Lounge
Feb 23 – New York City – Rock Shop
Feb 24 – Boston – Brighton Music Hall
Feb 26 – Chicago – Schubas
Feb 27 – Minneapolis – Triple Rock Social Club
Mar 02 – Seattle – Tractor Tavern
Mar 03 – Portland – Mississippi Studios
Mar 05 – San Francisco – Rickshaw Stop
Mar 06 – Los Angeles – Satellite Club