Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival w/ Cyrus Chestnut, Dee Daniels and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Gospel Choir & The Taj Mahal Trio University of Idaho Kibbie Dome 02/26/10 Words/Photos by thenaturalstoner I definitely picked an interesting (see: not great) show to make my first Concert Confessions review, and in hindsight I should have picked a different one, but we all make mistakes in our lives.  The evening wasn’t terrible, but the crowd was, which I suppose is partially my fault. Last night I went to ... Read More

Aretha Franklin (with the Los Angeles Philharmonic) 06/26/09 Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles, CA Words/Photos/ by Justin If the King of Pop had not passed away Thursday afternoon, I would not have spent my Friday night in the presence of the Queen of Soul. Driving past the Hollywood Bowl on my way to work Friday morning, the name on the marquee seemed to stick out just a bit more. Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, A living legend. Perhaps I should go I thought to ... Read More

King's X 06/05/2009 Key Club - West Hollywood, CA Words/Photos/Videos by Justin   It is a well known fact to musicians that King’s X are the Rodney Dangerfield of Rock & Roll. For 20+ years this three piece has toured the world bringing their muscular mix of metal, gospel, funk and blues to anyone willing to listen. From stealing the show Friday night at Woodstock ‘94 to playing every club/bar across the world King’s X always brings their A game when they take the stage. That’s ... Read More

There is a time to think for yourself, and question authority.  There is also a time to simply respect the wishes of someone you deeply admire.  At Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles this past Saturday night, I listened to the pre-taped video message by Major Douche (AKA Maynard James Keenan), and did not take flash photography or videos (I did sneak one cell phone photo) of Puscifer (pronounced by most as pussy fur), the latest mind blowing project by the Tool/A Perfect ... Read More