Foxboro Hot Tubs Reviews 05.29.2008

Stage Photo Credit: Chris Dugan (used with permission)

Two reviews for your reading pleasure!

Concert Review by Nathan Dobson, From The Crowd Contributor

Many people will say things of Green Day’s new, shall we call it style? They’ve been called posers, sell outs, and bandwagon jumpers. But last night’s show at the Brickhouse had nothing to do with the men behind American Idiot, or even the boys behind Dookie for that matter. Although The Foxboro Hot Tubs are technically Green Day in the most literal sense, this performance featured a whole other kind of beast.

The show could essentially be summed up in one phrase. Limitless Energy. Perhaps it was the fact that the audience was comprised ninety-percent of fans who were crazy enough to stand in the blazing sun for six plus hours (I myself being one of them), but front man Reverend Strychnine Twitch, also known as Billie Joe Armstrong to those of you less educated in non de plumes, held no qualms to get in the thick of it with the audience. Presenting the kind of alcohol fueled sin and debauchery that is rarely found in modern rock, Reverend Twitch left no member of the audience unloved. Where as most stars of their level would have cringed at the thought of fans getting close to them, Foxboro welcomed the love, turning half of the songs that night into an onstage dance party.

That was probably the most beautiful part of the entire show, that these performers, who had played music for crowds of over one hundred thousand people, could just as easily throw down in 500 maximum club. And through out the entire night, only one Green Day song was played, and that being the extremely deep cut track “Blood, Sex, and Booze.” I had personally expected to hear more Green Day material at the show, seeing as Stop Drop and Roll is only around 40 minutes long, but even without hearing a single mainstream Green Day song, the show was still fantastic. The Foxboro Hot Tubs songs are so well crafted, that even despite most people knowing none of the songs, the crowd was still singing along before the night was over.

I hate to sound as if I’m blindly worshiping Foxboro like some pre-pubescent fan boy, because their were a few minor problems to the show. One of course would have been the opening band, who didn’t even step onto the stage until nine o clock. I’m not sure if Girls With Guns usually puts on a performance like they did last night, but overall it felt as if they were purposely being bad to make Foxboro look better. Their singer was drunk beyond reason, and their sound tech had the kick drum so loud you could hear nothing else, but such is the way of things.

Overall, Foxboro puts on a show that should not be missed. While Green Day has become the arena rock juggernaut, the Foxboro Hot Tubs will remain the crazy after party that everyone really wants to be at.

 

Now, for Stephanie’s Review of the Foxboro Hot Tubs

Sometimes you find yourself in the right place at the right time, even if it takes 10 hours to get there. This was the journey for many, on Sunday, May 25, 2008 at the Brickhouse in Phoenix when they got into line at 12pm, for the 10:30pm performance of the Foxboro Hot Tubs.

The faithful had gathered to hear, Reverend Strychnine Twitch (Billie Joe Armstrong) and the rest of the Hot Tubs (Mike Dirnt, Tré Cool, Jason Freese, Kevin Preston and Jason White), lead them through a pilgrimage of 60’s garage band rock, reminiscent of Anthony & the Sophomores, The Monkeys, The Kinks and other greats of that era. The congregation, ranged in age from seven to 67, perhaps even older, but one thing was clear, it did not matter what age group you were in, everyone was prepared to rock and have the time of their life.

“Come closer to me” beckoned the Reverend, decked out in a 60’s era wardrobe of a sheepskin jacket, bleached hair and Jackie O white sunglasses, “Come closer, that’s what we’re all here for tonight”. The crowd exploded with screams in response, as they rushed the tiny stage. The band erupted into the title track of their release, “Stop Drop and Roll!!” which was followed by “Mother Mary” and “Alligator”.

For the next song, the Reverend requested to have people come on stage, a rare thing during any concert, however, a common theme through the entire evening. For some, this was a chance of a lifetime, as they interacted with the band, dancing and signing along. After the first massive rush of the crowd on stage, the Reverend paused between songs, “Hold On”, he said, “everyone that was up here didn’t get kicked out right?” The Reverend continued, “Raise your hand if you were just up here”. About 15 people raised there hand, once he was satisfied, he moved onto the next song.

The evening progressed with the Hot Tubs playing tunes from their latest release (Stop Drop and Roll) and even covered a song, as the Reverend put it “By a band we hate, The Network” (a speculated side project of Green Day).

There was a raw energy in the air that was almost palatable. Perhaps it was created when the Reverend grabbed a small boy from the audience and carried him on his shoulder around the stage while belting out a tune or the first time the Reverend dived into the crowd himself. While it may not be possible to pinpoint the exact moment it was created, everyone in attendance realized that this was one of those once in a lifetime experiences, that could never be recreated again.

Don’t be fooled, the Foxboro Hot Tubs, are not just another side project for the boys of Green Day, rather the Hot Tubs are their own persona, and I have a feeling, they are here to stay.

If you have the opportunity to see one of these shows, don’t be an ‘American Idiot’, get there 10 hours early and prepare to have the time of your life.

Return to FOrever On Tour Now! Coming to Dodge Theatre on June 14!

THE RIPPINGTONS’ 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

For immediate release: 27 May 2008

THE RIPPINGTONS’ 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

PHOENIX, AZ – The Sanderson Ford Lincoln Mercury Volvo Music Series presents THE RIPPINGTONS starring Russ Freeman on Friday, June 6th. Special guest MINDI ABAIR starts the show at 8 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Russ Freeman founded the award-winning contemporary jazz group THE RIPPINGTONS in 1987. The band has enjoyed tremendous success from the beginning, with their groundbreaking album Moonlighting. Jazziz Magazine voted Moonlighting as the #1 Most Influential Contemporary Jazz Album of all time. Early personnel included David Benoit, Kenny G, Brandon Fields, and Gregg Karukas. Special guest stars have included Dave Grusin, Joe Sample, Dave Koz, Bob James, Kirk Whalum… the list goes on. In recent years people like Jeff Kashiwa made their names known from their association with the Ripps, and although the careers of many musicians have evolved from the Ripps, one thing remains constant: the songwriting and production skills of Russ Freeman. Marking an incredible milestone in the history of smooth jazz, the band celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a new CD/DVD package that includes all new Ripps music and a DVD featuring exciting videos from over the years.

Five of the tunes on special guest MINDI ABAIR’S new Stars album are vocals but for now it’s the instrumental “Smile” that’s charting in the top 20 of the R&R Smooth Jazz chart. Stars is the follow up to the composer-vocalist-saxophonist’s 2006 CD Life Less Ordinary, which debuted on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart at #1. She has had three #1 singles, “Bloom” and “True Blue” from Life Less Ordinary, and “Lucy’s” from the album It Just Happens That Way. Abair was named Best New Artist at the 2003 National Smooth Jazz Awards. This month, she debuts as the new host of Chris Botti’s Chill program. The popular show syndicated by Rendezvous Entertainment and Smooth Jazz Consultants Broadcast Architecture has been hosted by Botti since September 2004. Chill with Mindi Abair will feature the same mix of music including artists like Praful and Moby.

Tickets ($56, $76, and $101-includes VIP reception) are on sale now at Celebrity Theatre or online at www.sandersonmusic.com. To charge by phone, call 602-267-1600 ext.1. Patrons can get one music series show for free with the purchase of six shows from the series + free parking for all seven shows. All tickets are subject to a surcharge. Celebrity Theatre is conveniently located on 32nd St., just 4 blocks south of the Loop 202 freeway, in Phoenix.

THE BLACK CROWES “EUPHORIA OR BUST TOUR”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Live Nation is very proud to present

THE BLACK CROWES “EUPHORIA OR BUST TOUR”

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS HOWLIN RAINMESA ARTS CENTERSEPTEMBER 16 – 7:30PM

TICKETS ON SALE
THIS SATURDAY, MAY 31 AT 10AM

For All other USA Tour Dates Click here!

Phoenix, AZ (May 27, 2008) – THE BLACK CROWES exploded onto the music scene in 1990 with their multi-platinum debut album, Shake Your Money Maker. THE BLACK CROWES are Chris Robinson (vocals), Rich Robinson (guitars), Steve Gorman (drums) and Sven Pipien (bass). The tour will make a stop in Mesa to perform at the Ikeda Theater on Tuesday, September 16. The show will begin at 7:30pm.

Their “Euphoria or Bust” Tour follows the release of the band’s new album, Warpaint which debuted earlier this year at #5 on the Billboard Top 200, #1 on Billboard’s Digital chart, #2 on the Independent Album chart, as well as the #2 album on iTunes. Warpaint is the band’s first album of all-new studio material in seven years and is the band’s seventh studio recording. Warpaint features 11 songs–all of which were written by Chris and Rich Robinson, except “God’s Got It” by the Reverend Charlie Jackson. Click here to see more about the Black Crowes and Warpaint

Howlin Rain is Ethan Miller (vocals), Ian Gradek (bass), Garett Goddard (drums), Mike Jackson (guitars), Eli Eckert (guitars) and Joel Robinow (keyboards). On April 9, 2008, Howlin Rain released their second album Magnificent Fiend. Click here to see Howlin Rain on YouTube

TICKETS ON-SALE THIS SATURDAY, MAY 31 AT 10AM
Tickets priced at $42.00 will go on-sale Saturday, May 31 at 10am at Mesa Arts Center Box Office, www.livenation.com or www.mesaartscenter.com. To charge by phone, call 480.644.6500. All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges. For more show information, check out www.livenation.com

LAWN 4-PACKS FOR ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE COUNTRY ACTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT A LOWER PRICE!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AS THE PRICE OF GAS RISES
THE TICKET PRICES FOR THE COUNTRY CONCERTS AT
CRICKET WIRELESS PAVILION GET LOWER!

**ALL LAWN 4-PACKS ARE NOW $75!**

Phoenix, AZ (May 27, 2008) – As gas prices rise, stay in town this summer and enjoy the great Country Music acts that are coming to Cricket Wireless Pavilion. All lawn 4-packs are now $75.00 for the following events:

BRAD PAISLEY*
Thursday, June 12 Get your tickets now! Must order in groups of 4.
With special guests Jewel, Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough

* A reserved 4-pack for $90 is also available
~Receive 4 hot dogs and 4 sodas with purchase

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TOBY KEITH
Thursday, July 10
With special guests Montgomery Gentry, Carter’s Chord,
Mica Roberts, and Trailer Choir

Get your tickets now!

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BROOKS & DUNN and ZZ TOP
Saturday, August 2
with special guest Rodney Atkins

Get your tickets now!

Special Ticket Offer – 4 pack of lawn tickets for $75.00 plus applicable service charges.
Tickets are available to purchase at Dodge Theatre Box Office (10am-5pm), and Ticketmaster Online and Outlets. Tickets can also be purchased at the Cricket Wireless Pavilion box office on the day of the show beginning at 10am. Applicable fees may be applied. To charge by phone, call 480.784.4444 (Phoenix Metro Area) or 520.321.1000 (Outside Phoenix Area). All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

*The Brad Paisley special ticket offer is available ONLY at http://www.livenation.com/

LYLE LOVETT with SHAWN COLVIN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Live Nation presents

Shawn Colvin is one of those rare performers, like Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, or her youthful idol Joni Mitchell, who has been able to grow up alongside her audience and mature into her role as singer and songwriter. In 1989 she was rewarded with a Best Contemporary Folk Grammy for her debut disc, Steady On and in 1998 she garnered Grammys for both Song of the Year and Record of Year for her hit single “Sunny Came Home.”

These Four Walls, her first album of new, original material since 2001’s A Whole New You, is perhaps her most assured and compelling work to date.

Click here to view videos of Lyle Lovett

Click here to view videos of Shawn Colvin

Reserved tickets priced at $75.00, $52.00 and $39.50 are available at Dodge Theatre Box Office (M-F 10am-5pm) and all Ticketmaster (online and outlets). To charge by phone, call 480.784.4444 (Phoenix Metro Area) or 520.321.1000 (Outside Phoenix Area). All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges. For more show information, check out www.livenation.com.

JERRY SEINFELD RETURNS TO THE STAGE WITH 17 NATIONAL TOUR DATES!

Due to popular demand, America’s premier comedian is hitting the road in a return to his first love – stand-up comedy. Recently hailed as “the master stand-up comic of his generation” and “the best comedian of our time” in a Washington Post article by Tom Shales, Seinfeld has an uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere.
Seinfeld now sets his sights on performing his material across the country in 2008.

His tour will visit Phoenix on Friday, June 6 at 7pm. This show is on sale Monday, May 19 at 10am!

Buy tickets at Ticketmaster (online and outlets) and the Dodge Theatre Box Office.
To charge call 480-784-4444 or 520-321-1000.

Music Builds Tour: Third Day, Switchfoot, Robert Randlof & The Family Band and Jars of Clay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Live Nation is proud to announce

LIVE NATION AND HOLLYWOOD FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
JOIN FORCES FOR

TICKETS ON-SALE FRIDAY, MAY 16 AT 10AM
Special Ticket Offer – 4 pack of reserved tickets for $108.00 plus applicable service charges.

Reserved tickets priced at $31.00, $36.00, $51.00, $66.00 and $131.00 will go on-sale Friday, May 16 at 10am. Tickets will be available on the day of on-sale at the Cricket Wireless Pavilion Box Office (10am-2pm). Tickets can also be purchased at Dodge Theatre (M-F 10am-5pm) and all Ticketmaster (online and outlets). A venue parking fee, applicable taxes, service and handling charges may be applied. To charge by phone, call 480.784.4444 or 520.321.1000 (Outside Phoenix Area). All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges. For more show information, check out www.livenation.com.

Over the past decade, Atlanta-based Third Day has racked up 24 No.1 radio singles and sold more than six million albums, with RIAA certifications including one Platinum record, one Platinum DVD, and six Gold records. The band has garnered 23 career Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, two consecutive American Music Award nods, multiple ASCAP honors, and has developed a historic partnership with Chevrolet. Third Day – comprised of Mac Powell (lead vocals), Mark Lee (guitar), Tai Anderson (bass) and David Carr (drums) – has maintained a touring record second-to-none by playing for audiences reaching into the millions. In addition to these many accolades, the band is most proud of its humanitarian efforts that include raising nearly $300,000 for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and charities such as the Blood:Water Mission. The band is responsible for encouraging over 15,000 fans to sponsor children across the globe through the work of World Vision.

Revelation, Third Day’s eleventh studio album, was produced by Howard Benson (All American Rejects, Flyleaf, Daughtry) and is already receiving acclaim at radio for its first single, “Call My Name.” In addition, it’s garnering very positive early feedback from media. The single released digitally through Amazonmp3.com the same day it was released to radio (April 4) and rocketed to the No. 1 spot that day. The album drops July 29. For more information on Third Day, please visit: www.ThirdDay.com

With over five million records sold, three albums in the Billboard Top 20, two top-five singles at both pop and alternative radio, Switchfoot is recognized as one of the hardest touring bands in rock. The San Diego-based band has sold nearly three million concert tickets worldwide since the 2003 release of its double-Platinum breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown. Oh! Gravity, Switchfoot’s latest studio album, debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Top Albums chart and received stellar reviews, with Billboard magazine calling it “the best of the San Diego group’s nearly 10-year recording career.” Spin exclaimed this album is “their liveliest record, full of dive-bombing guitar fuzz, juicy arena-alt choruses.” “This is an outstanding record in every sense,” raved Associated Press. MTV’s “Life of Ryan” tapped the album’s title track for its theme song as the album showcases a harder rock direction for Switchfoot. “This Is Home,” a song written by the band for Prince Caspian, the new Narnia movie, will be featured in the end credits of the film and is the lead single and video for the accompanying soundtrack. Switchfoot’s next album is due out this fall.

With an ever-growing fan base, Switchfoot has also been actively involved in a number of humanitarian causes since its inception, including DATA, Bono’s THE ONE Campaign, Invisible Children, Habitat for Humanity and To Write Love on Her Arms. The band further founded the Switchfoot Bro-Am, a surfing and music benefit-event, and the online magazine, lowercase people (www.lowercasepeople.com), a daring new endeavor to revolutionize the way beauty, truth and humanity are viewed. Switchfoot is: Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar); Tim Foreman (bass, backing vocals); Chad Butler (drums); Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keys, backing vocals); and Andrew Shirley (guitar). For more information on Switchfoot, go to www.switchfoot.com.

Since emerging from a House of God church in Orange, New Jersey, Robert Randolph has been named one of the 100 greatest guitar players of all time by Rolling Stone. Following the path of other gospel-rooted pop stars like the amazing Aretha Franklin, he always intended to return to his own gospel roots at different points throughout his career. For 2008, the Grammy-nominated Randolph has teamed with acclaimed producer T-Bone Burnett to record a new album that is part rock and part sacred steel, the Gospel music heritage that serves as the foundation to Randolph’s music. Robert Randolph & the Family Band (comprised of Randolph on guitars and vocals, Danyel Morgan on bass, Marcus Randolph on drums and Jason Crosby on Hammond organ and piano) will be on the road with Eric Clapton this summer (Bonnaroo and other festivals). For more information on Robert Randolph & the Family Band, go to http://www.robertrandolph.net.

Multi-Platinum and GRAMMY Award winning band Jars of Clay (Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, and Matt Odmark) launched its career with the hit song, “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it’s amassed more than five million in career sales (5 Gold, 2 platinum and 1 double platinum certifications), three GRAMMY Awards, an American Music Award nod, 17 No.1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting and performing.
In June of 2007, the band blazed a new trail with the creation of their own label imprint, “Gray Matters” under the Nettwerk Music Group umbrella. Their first release, “Christmas Songs,” was released in the fall of 2007 and has garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success. The band has just released its “Greatest Hits” record and is currently working on their next studio record, due in the early part of 2009. For more information, please visit: www.jarsofclay.com

Exclusive content and promotions for the tour will be available via MySpace’s Impact Channel http://impact.myspace.com, the site’s platform for social and civic engagement.

BROOKS & DUNN & ZZ TOP Take over Cricket Wireless Pavilion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Live Nation and Budweiser presents

BROOKS & DUNN
Presented by Toyota Tundra
&
ZZ TOP
with special guest
RODNEY ATKINS
CRICKET WIRELESS PAVILION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

TICKETS ON-SALE FRIDAY, MAY 16 AT 10 A.M.

Special Ticket Offer – 4 pack of lawn tickets for $99.00 plus applicable service charges

Phoenix, AZ (May 9, 2008) Country music’s dynamic duo Brooks & Dunn is joining forces with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s trio from Texas ZZ Top to perform at Cricket Wireless Pavilion on Saturday, August 2. The two titans of their respective genres have shown enthusiasm for each other’s talent teaming up on a CMT televised concert, but this is the first time they will be touring together. The show will begin at 7:00pm with special guest Rodney Atkins.

Super duo Brooks & Dunn are the most-awarded act in CMA and ACM history. With more than 30 million albums sold, they delivered some of the best music of their career with their most recent album, Cowboy Town. The powerful new album’s first single, “Proud of the House We Built,” is another smash in a career of more than twenty #1 singles.

ZZ Top’s original members guitarist Billy F. Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard have produced their own rowdy-brand of blues-rock for more than 30 years. ZZ Top plays red-hot Texas boogie and blues, and no one does it better or has done it longer than this “little ol’ band from Texas.” Their songs are laden with pop culture references, sexual double entendres and the determined pursuit of a good time.

Rodney Atkins latest album If You’re Going Through Hell has been certified platinum in the United States, it has also produced four Number One singles in “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows), “Watching You”, “These Are My People” and “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)”. He has grabbed multiple 2008 ACM nominations, including top male vocalist, album of the year, song of the year and video of the year for “Watching You.” The 43rd annual ACM awards will be presented on Sunday, May 18.

TICKETS ON-SALE FRIDAY, MAY 16 AT 10 A.M.
Special Ticket Offer – 4 pack of lawn tickets for $99.00 plus applicable service charges Reserved tickets priced at $63.75, $42.50 and festival lawn tickets priced at $33.75 will go on-sale Friday, May 16 at 10am. Tickets will be available at Dodge Theatre Box Office (M-F 10am-5pm) and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets can be purchased at Cricket Wireless Pavilion (10am-2pm) on the day of on-sale only. Applicable taxes, service and handling charges may be applied. Special ticket offers are valid while supplies last. To charge by phone, call 480.784.4444 (Phoenix Metro Area) or 520.321.1000 (Outside Phoenix Area). All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. For more show information, check out www.livenation.com

Coldplay North American Tour Viva La Vida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Live Nation is very proud to announce

Phoenix, AZ (May 9, 2008) – Coldplay announce their “Viva La Vida” North American Tour in support of their new album of the same name, which will be released on June 17th. The tour, which will be produced by Live Nation, will kick off on June 29th in Philadelphia, PA and will make a stop in Glendale to perform at Jobing.com Arena on Saturday, July 12.

Before kicking off the “Viva La Vida” tour, Coldplay will play free concerts in London (June 16th at the Brixton Academy) and New York (June 23rd at Madison Square Garden). Information on how to win tickets to these shows will be available at http://www.coldplay.com beginning today. The contest will run May 9th through June 1st. Winners will receive notification on June 5th.

Viva La Vida, Coldplay’s upcoming album, will be released by Capitol Music Group on June 17th. Produced by Brian Eno and Markus Dravs, the record is the follow-up to 2005’s X&Y, which debuted at #1 in 32 countries and has sold 10 million copies worldwide to date.

The album’s lead single “Violet Hill” was downloaded by two million people during the recent one-week period in which the band made the song available to fans for free. It is now for sale at all digital retailers and is quickly rising to the top of the charts at Modern Rock and AAA radio. Coldplay will perform “Violet Hill” on the “TODAY” show on NBC on Friday, June 27th. The band will also perform on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on June 26th.

“[Lead singer Chris] Martin broods over a lost lover with a snarling acidity that makes him sound more human than ever – miles away from the dreamy romantic he was on soaring ballads like ‘Speed of Sound,’” said Rolling Stone, naming “Violet Hill” a must-have in a recent “Downloads” column. “Jonny Buckland rips jagged, bluesy riffs that match Martin’s mood while drummer Will Champion and bassist Guy Berryman maintain a stalking beat…primal rock & roll.” The Los Angeles Times pronounced the single a “promising return,” also marveling at its harder edge.

TICKETS ON-SALE SATURDAY, MAY 17 AT 12 NOON
Tickets priced at $97.50, $77.50 and $49.50 will go on-sale Saturday, May 17 at 12 NOON. Tickets can be purchased at Jobing Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster (online and all outlets). To charge by phone, call 480.784.4444 (Phoenix Metro Area) or 520.321.1000 (Outside Phoenix Area). All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges. For more show information, check out www.livenation.com or www.jobingarena.com

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