Tonight - Amphetamine Reptile Bash, SHINEDOWN, Rock Fest, Moondance Jam

The coolest alternative punk show in a long time is tonight at Grumpy's in downtown Minneapolis and it's killing me that I can't be there to see reformed legendary cult band Die Kruezen alongside Hepa/titus, proto-grunge band Mudhoney, Gay Witch Abortion, Negative Approach, Honky, and Melvins. The occasion is the annual Bash hosted by Amphetamine Reptile Records, the cool label run by Tom Hazelmyer, who happens to also own the three Grumpy's locations here in town. I've waxed before about how innovative and influential Die Kruezen is (October File was the blueprint for many a Voivod album), and they came from a time in the 80s when punk was more experimental and tolerant of ill-defined sounds. City Pages this week ran a cool cover story on the event with an interview with Hazelmyer so go check it out and get to Grumpy's tonight. Tickets are still available For $35 at the door, and Melvins start it all off at 2:00 this afternoon.

Shinedown plays a sold out show tonight at the Grand Casino Hinckley.

Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin soldiers on today with Kiss, Megadeth, Stone Sour, Hellyeah, Warrant, Vaudeville, and 7 Sins.

Lastly, Moondance Jam in Walker, Minnesota wraps it up with The Offspring, Theory Of A Deadman, Halestorm, Head East, and The Atomic Punks.

Tonight (Addition) - MELVINS in Minneapolis

As if there aren’t enough shows happening tonight, here’s a late addition worthy of mention. Prior to their set tomorrow at the Amphetamine Reptile Bash 13 at Grumpy’s in downtown Minneapolis, long-running rockers Melvins are headlining a show tonight at Grumpy’s with Honky and Hepa/titus. Tonight’s show is a record release show where Melvins will celebrate the issuing of four new singles: Gaylord 7”, Tribute To Scientists 7”, Tribute To Venom 7” (with covers of “Warhead” and “In League With Satan”), and a split 12” single with Napalm Death, Sugar Daddy. It starts around 8:00, and all singles will be available for purchase at the show. For additional details about the show head on over to City Pages’ Gimme Noise blog.

From The Vault - GREEN JELLY

If you were alive during the early 90s, it was hard to avoid the phenomenon of Green Jellÿ. Originally known as Green Jellö until they were forced to change the name, this costumed group could be viewed as a more comical, light-hearted take on GWAR's stage show. What brought widespread attention to Green Jellÿ was the awesome video for "Three Little Pigs" from their 1993 Cereal Killer Soundtrack album (check it out below)—drummer Danny Carey from Tool was a member of Green Jellÿ at the time. I never got to see Green Jellÿ during the height of the popularity (they cancelled at the last minute a show opening for Testament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1994), but was fortunate to catch them in San Diego on January 31, 2000 at Brick by Brick. Despite being out of the limelight for a while, a decent crowd turned out and the band put on a fantastic show. As you can tell from the pictures in the slideshow above, the band employs a ton of costume changes and actors to keep the show entertaining, but musically these guys bring out the metal in a heavy way. Sure, there's a lot of other shows going on tonight, but getting out to see Green Jellÿ is well worth your time.

Green Jellÿ performs tonight at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis with support from Impaler, Screaming Mechanical Brain, Iguana, and Rock And Roll Whores.

Tonight - Concerts Everywhere!

Tonight must be a record for the number of shows going on in the Twin Cities area - I have a total of nine events on the calendar! Here's the complete rundown of metal and rock shows tonight, in no particular order.

Milwaukee's Misery Signals bring a night of metalcore to The Garage in Burnsville with The Color Morale, Intervals, The Kindred, Elders, and To Release also on the bill. It's an an early (5:00 doors) all ages show, and tickets are $15 at the door.

The Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis has a brutal night of extreme metal with Ambassador Gun, Sadgiqacea, Hivelords, and Poney. This is a 21+ show that starts around 9:00, and it's only $8 at the door.

Costumed marauders Green Jellÿ take over the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis with strong local support from Impaler, Screaming Mechanical Brain, Iguana, and Rock And Roll Whores. This is an 18+ show; tickets are $13 at the door and it gets underway at 7:30.

More comedy metal is occurring tonight at Pov's 65 in Spring Lake Park with Psychostick together with Outside The Murder and Strate-Jak-It. Tickets are $13 at the door for this 8:00 show that is 18+.

Poison singer Bret Michaels teams up with Warrant and Firehouse for an all ages performance at the Lakefront Music Fest at Lakefront Park in Prior Lake tonight at 6:30. Tickets are $20 at the gate.

As we get farther from the Cities, Hemlock from Las Vegas plays the Wicked Moose in Rochester with Embrace The Ending and Fail To Decay. It's $10 at the door, and starts around 9:00.

Down in Mankato, alternative punk band Meat Puppets play the What's Up Lounge with Turned Out T.V. and Enemy Planes. Tickets are $12 at the door.

Heading east to Cadott, Wisconsin, Rock Fest continues with Korn, The Offspring, Theory Of A Deadman, Pop Evil, Nonpoint, 4th Floor, and Bumblefist making for a long day that kicks off at 12:00 noon.

Lastly, Moondance Jam up north in Walker, Minnesota has for its second full day Slash, Bachman & Turner, Blue Öyster Cult, Johnny Rivers, and Sweet starting the day at 3:00.

Concert Announcement And Updates - July 19, 2013

New concert announcements for the summer and fall have been coming in at a torrid pace! I've already posted a slew of concert and tour announcements over the last couple of days; this post covers everything else that has been recently announced. For the additional news, please scroll the prior posts.

The Shinedown concert on Saturday, July 20 at the Hinckley Events & Convention Center in Hinckley is SOLD OUT.

The Black Stone Cherry, Echo Effect, and Wayward Boyz Klub show on Sunday, August 4 has been moved to Pov’s 65 in Spring Lake Park from the Hi 5 Bar in Burnsville.

Cinderella frontman Tom Keifer was scheduled to play at the Cabooze in Minneapolis on Sunday, August 4, but appears that this event will not take place. The Cabooze website lists tickets for the show as “Off Sale: Tickets no longer available”—not sold out or cancelled—and Keifer’s websites do not list this or any other regional tour dates. Cross your fingers and hope that this will be rescheduled.

The Cult show on Tuesday, August 6 at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis is now SOLD OUT.

Making another area appearance is rock band Candlebox, who play Buster’s in Mankato on Friday, August 9 with Candlelight Red, Open Air Stereo, and Mayberry Riot as support.

Rockers Redlight King and rising Christian rock stars Icon For Hire co-headline a bill at Studio B at the Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis on Sunday, August 25 with special guest Big B.

Australia’s radio darlings Sick Puppies have rescheduled their May 13 show at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis for Saturday, August 31. Tickets for the May were refunded, so if you previously had tickets you will need to buy new ones through AXS.

Classic rock band Foreigner plays the Mystic Lake Showroom in Prior Lake on Friday, September 6. If you weren’t aware, Foreigner now includes former Hurricane vocalist Kelly Hansen and Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson.

80s metal band Leatherwolf has canceled their participation in the Metal Masters tour this Fall with Vicious Rumors and Seven Witches due to financial reasons. The band’s full statement on this can be read at Blabbermouth. It still appears that Vicious Rumors and Seven Witches will still perform Monday, September 23 at Station 4 in St. Paul soon after the club reopens after remodeling.

VISTA CHINO (Formerly KYUSS LIVES!) Plot Next North American Campaign, Minneapolis Stop on September 18

Following a legal decision to change their name from Kyuss Lives!, Vista Chino, the band featuring former vocalist John Garcia and drummer Brant Bjork of the ground-breaking stoner rock band Kyuss have announced their first North American tour under the new moniker to take place this September. The tour launches right after the September 3 release date of their debut album Peace. Corrosion Of Conformity bassist Mike Dean will join Vista Chino on this tour, and look for the band to play both new songs alongside Kyuss classics. Portland’s Black Pussy will be the special guest on all dates, including a stop at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis on Wednesday, September 18. Tickets for the Minneapolis date are on sale on through Ticketmaster.

September 6 – Calgary, AB, Flames Central

September 7 – Edmonton, AB, Starlite Room

September 9 – Vancouver, BC, Commodore Ballroom

September 10 – Seattle, WA, El Corazon

September 11 – Portland, OR, Hawthorne Theater

September 12 – San Francisco, CA, Slim’s

September 13 – Los Angeles, CA, Echoplex

September 14 – Anaheim, CA, House of Blues

September 16 – Denver, CO, Summit Music Hall

September 18 – Minneapolis, MN, Fine Line Music Cafe

September 19 – Chicago, IL, Metro

September 20 – Pontiac, MI, Crofoot Ballroom

September 21 – Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre

September 23 – Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre

September 24 – Quebec City, QC, Dagobert

September 25 – Ottawa, ON, Ritual Nightclub

September 26 – New York, NY, Bowery Ballroom

September 27 – Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts

September 28 – Columbus, OH, Alrosa Villa

MORBID ANGEL To Mark 20th Anniversary of Covenant with Two-Set Tour, The Evil Descends On Minneapolis November 18

Death metal favorites Morbid Angel are the latest band to jump on the “an evening with” concert trend with a month-long tour dubbed “Covenant: 1993-2013” where they will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark album Covenant by playing it in its entirety, followed by a second set of other material from their extensive catalog. They play Minneapolis at Mill City Nights on Monday, November 18 – tickets go on sale through AXS today, Friday, July 19 at 10:00 am.

November 7 – Atlanta, GA, The Masquerade

November 8 – Charlotte, NC, Tremont Music Hall

November 9 – Baltimore, MD, Baltimore Soundstage

November 10 – Cambridge, MA, Middle East Nightclub

November 12 – New York, NY, Irving Plaza

November 13 – Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of the Living Arts

November 15 – Pittsburgh, PA, Altar Bar

November 16 – Cleveland, OH, Peabody’s Downunder

November 17 – Chicago, IL, House of Blues

November 18 – Minneapolis, MN, Mill City Nights

November 19 – Sauget, IL, Pop’s

November 20 – Lawrence, KS, Granada Theater

November 22 – Denver, CO, Bluebird Theater

November 25 – Seattle, WA, Studio Seven

November 26 – Portland, OR, Hawthorne Theater

November 27 – San Francisco, CA, Slim’s

November 29 – Los Angeles, CA, Henry Fonda Theatre

November 30 – Phoenix, AZ, Joe’s Grotto

December 1 – Albuquerque, NM, Sunshine Theater

December 2 – El Paso, TX, Tricky Falls

December 3 – Austin, TX, Red 7

December 4 – Houston, TX, Warehouse Live

December 6 – Orlando, FL, Beacham Theater

December 7 – Fort Lauderdale, FL, Culture Room