2 of my favorite bands ...

...will be playing at First Avenue in the next month.
First up is Autolux, which will be in the 7th Street Entry next Thursday. They have no new album coming out, their last release was 2004's Future Perfect. It's awesome to think that in only a shade over a week I will be seeing one of my favorite bands, they haven't toured in years and the last time they were here they played at the Xcel Energy Center opening for Nine Inch Nails, of which Autolux are good friends with Trent Reznor. Autolux will be in the 7th Street Entry next Thursday, September 3rd.

Another show in October not to be over looked are the Black Angels! Yes! Yes! And another Yes! They haven't been here in over a year since they opened for the Warlocks. Expect to hear a lot of new jams at this show, before the Black Angels head out on the road they are finishing their 3rd full length album in September. Ahhh! I'm so excited, they are such an amazing live band. Oh, did I mention they are opening for the Raveonettes?

First Avenue tickets for all of these shows are on sale now. I am going to get my tickets asap, I can't miss any of these guys!


Austin, Texas's very own Black Angels, catch them Monday, October 26th.

Mars Volta Show Just Announced!

Everyone's favorite noisy racket group, The Mars Volta, just announced a show at First Avenue which will be on September 19th.
Currently on tour for their 'Octahedron' album, the Mars Volta are downsizing their tour this time around. Last time they were in town they played at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, which from what I understand was pretty empty. I kind of wonder if First Avenue may be to small though?

I have seen the Mars Volta before and I'm not too sure that I will be forking over the mega bucks to see this one. The last time I saw them was just too much, not to mention Roy Wilkins Auditorium does not have the best sound system. They're songs are just so long (only Led Zeppelin can get away with that much noise!) but in their defense, when they were on their first tour after the demise of At the Drive In, they played a show at the Quest Club. It was amazing. Spoken word artist Saul Williams opened the show and The Mars Volta were awesome. I lived in Milwaukee at the time and it was so worth the drive home to see the show! But unfortunetly they don't have that spark anymore.

First Avenue tickets are on sale now for the Mars Volta.

(maybe)See you at the show!


the geniuses themselves, guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala.

Autolux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been pretty bummed that I have to miss the Warlocks and Morning After Girls show on the 5th of August. Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited to go to White Lake with my partner in crime, Sara, but I would love her even more if we could just leave one day later so I could go to the show! Two of my favorite bands in one night! And I have to miss them :(

Anywho, the redeeming quality is that Autolux, a band that hasn't toured in as long as the Morning After Girls haven't, will be playing a show in the 7th Street Entry September 3rd. I have seen Autolox since they opened for Nine Inch Nails about 4 years ago ... or was it five? Regardless it has been a long time.
I can't wait for this show! First Avenue tickets are on sale now! Buy them before they are gone!

Is it September yet?!!!

Rawrrrr!!!!! Grizzly Bear is coming back!

The new buzz band of the year, Grizzly Bear, were just at the Cedar Cultural Center a few weeks ago. Still wanting to cash in on all the buzz, Grizzly Bear announced another show back here at First Avenue. The holds only a couple hundred people, but I don't think Grizzly Bear will have any trouble selling out the 1200 capacity First Avenue. First Avenue tickets for this show are going to sell really fast and soon. A lot of people were left our of the show at the Cedar so I am predicting that a lot of people will buy their tickets early so they are not left out again.

Grizzly Bear is made up of Daniel Rossen (songwriting/ guitar/ vocals/ keyboards), Ed Droste (songwriting/ guitar/ vocals/ keyboards), Chris Taylor (bass/ woodwinds/ electronics/ vocals) and Christopher Bear (drums/ vocals). You may also recognize Grizzly Bear as the band that opened for Radio Head last summer. Oh yes, they opened for Radio Head, they must be the coolest band of all time. Actually I hear them on Xm all the time and they are pretty good. I think I may actually go to the show if I buy my First Avenue tickets asap!!

See you at the show!


Not actually the band, but its still Grizzly!

Two New Shows Just Announced!

Two new and awesome shows have been added to the First Avenue Calendar. First, local favorite Mark Mallman has announced his millionth show in the main room on Saturday, September 5th and second, 'Alice in Chains' on Monday, September 21st. I put Alice in Chains in quotations because whoever is touring as Alice in Chains is not really the band. I don't know if the rest of the members got the memo, but Layne Staley died about 7 years ago! It is a pet peeve of mine when bands have members that die (especially key ones like the lead singer) and regroup years later and call themselves by the same name. Why is Led Zeppelin the only band that has this right? Their drummer dies and they stop touring and go their own way.

Anyways, back to two new awesome shows at First Avenue. First Avenue tickets will be available for these shows beginning this weekend and both will be hot sellers. Mark Mallman is a local favorite, he gets a lot of radio airplay. And Alice in Chains will sell a lot of tickets simply because of their name. So if either of these are events you wanting to go to make sure you buy your First Avenue tickets for this even sooner than later!



Mark Mallman
He kind of looks like he might be Har Mar Superstar's brother! (Mark, that is a compliment)

Events This Holiday Week at First Avenue

Don't let the holiday weekend fool you! There are still shows going on this week at First Ave. In case you've got the opposite of cabin fever and are staying in town this weekend there are some shows that you can check out.

Nas June 30th
Matisyahu July 1st
The Roots July 2nd

First Avenue tickets are available for all of those shows, however, the Roots show has been a hot seller. I know a lot of people that are going and a little birdie told me that Electric Fetus is already sold out of the event - and that rarely happens before Ticketmaster is sold out.

The buzz behind Matisyahu has really quieted down. A few years ago there would not have been a First Avenue ticket for miles there was so much hype about the Jewish reggae rapper.

Just remember: there are options if you're stuck at home this weekend like me! No Doubt will also be rocking the Xcel Energy Center which I may not be able to resist!

Dinosaur Jr Show Announced!

Get out your nostalgia hats! One of your favorite bans fronted by J Mascis (jk the ONLY one) in the early 90's was Dinosaur Jr. I have been hearing rumors about how awesome their new album "Farm" is and I finally broke down and bought a copy. I must admit as of now I am only three songs into the album and I hooked. Definitely hooked! The first song is called "Pieces" which they recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Although they have been a band since 1984, which was before I was even born! "Farm" is only their 5th studio album. They were signed to Sire records in 1990 and after several player changes, fights amongst band mates, and slow record sales the band was officially broken up. However, like most bands that swear they will never play together again, by 2005 they were back together again. Good thing they did because I am loving this album! Hop on down to Electric Fetus and pick one up - no Dinosaur Jr. fan will be disappointed.

Dinosaur Jr will be at First Avenue Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 (Nothing like planning ahead, winter boots and all!) The opening act has not been announced yet, however, the show is 18+ (Sorry kiddies!) First Avenue tickets go on sale next week and like I said - the show isn't until November 18th!


An no, that is NOT Gandolf!

See ya there!