Posted in Whathaveyou on May 3rd, 2019 by JJ Koczan
Congrats to Ohio’s The Blackout Cookout on making it to their Xth edition. That’s 10, in case you were wondering. Doing anything for 10 years in a row these days is pretty admirable. And I’m not just saying that because this site also started in 2009, but because it’s true, and whether it’s something that’s a passion project like putting on this festival — because I imagine nobody’s yet gotten rich off basically hosting an annual barbecue with friends and other cool bands — or just staying at the same job, a decade is a long time. Most people get high and wander off somewhere long before that mark is reached.
Blackout Cookout X however has a badass celebratory lineup, with Inter Arma and Big Business in headlining spots for its two-day run, and Ohio-based regular-types like Bridesmaid and Lo-Pan and the reactivated Rebreather slated to appear. Look out for Caustic Casanova, Brujas del Sol, Album and of course KENmode as well. Bottom line is it’ll be a good time, and it’s a party, and I guarantee there will be people there who’ve been to all 10 Blackout Cookouts, but if you’ve never been before and you show up and, like, don’t know where the bathroom is or something, I bet they wouldn’t be a dick about it. They’d just be like, “Yeah, it’s over there” and point you on your way. People helping people. The stuff of life.
Here’s the full lineup, as seen on the social medias:
The Blackout Cookout is an annual celebration of heavy music, friends and BBQ at Westside Bowl in Youngstown, Ohio.
Friday Sept. 6 INTER ARMA Brain Tentacles Homewrecker ALBUM Bridesmaid Something Is Waiting Caustic Casanova Wallcreeper DAGGRS Modem
Saturday Sept. 7 Big Business KEN mode Lo-Pan Rebreather Fully Consumed Microwaves Brujas del Sol Goosed Persistent Aggressor Matter of Planets Lake Lake Black Spirit Crown Cheap Heat
Posted in Whathaveyou on February 23rd, 2018 by JJ Koczan
It’s only taken a few years for Psycho Las Vegas to establish itself as the premier underground festival in the US. All well and good. With 2018’s lineup, though, it’s time to start thinking of Psycho among the best in the world.
Sounds like too much? Consider Godflesh and Dimmu Borgir sharing a stage, both for exclusive West Coast appearances. Think of Sweden’s Witchcraft playing one of the two shows they’ll do in the US at Psycho, and ditto that for Japanese riff-madmen Church of Misery. Think of US exclusives from Lee Dorrian’s With the Dead, or Lucifer, whose Johanna Sadonis will also DJ the Center Bar. The commitment to up and coming underground acts local, domestic and foreign like Temple of Void, King Buffalo, Dreadnought, The Munsens and DVNE. Picture yourself watching Wolves in the Throne Room headline a pre-fest pool party with Elder, Young and in the Way, Dengue Fever, Fireball Ministry and Toke.
2018 is the year Psycho Las Vegas outclasses even itself and pushes further than it ever has in terms of stylistic reach (Integrity walks by and waves… at Boris) and the sheer power of its construction. If you’re looking for the future, you’ll find it in scumbag paradise.
Here’s the lineup:
Psycho Las Vegas 2018
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas 4455 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
PSYCHO LAS VEGAS 2018 lineup: DIMMU BORGIR (west of chicago exclusive) HELLACOPTERS (one of two shows to be played in the USA in 2018) SUNN 0))) GODFLESH (west of chicago exclusive) WITCHCRAFT (one of two shows to be played in the USA in 2018) ENSLAVED AMERICAN NIGHTMARE HIGH ON FIRE ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT RED FANG ZAKK SABBATH CHURCH OF MISERY (usa exclusive 2018 with exception to one other show in San Diego) TINARIWEN GOBLIN CKY VENOM INC EYEHATEGOD VOIVOD BORIS COVEN INTEGRITY PALLBEARER WITH THE DEAD (USA exclusive 2018) MONOLORD LUCIFER (USA exclusive 2018) ACID WITCH SURVIVE DOPETHRONE BIG BUSINESS UNEARTHLY TRANCE MUTOID MAN TODAY IS THE DAY HELMS ALEE SPIRIT ADRIFT BATUSHKA PRIMITIVE MAN DVNE ALL PIGS MUST DIE EIGHT BELLS WORMWITCH INDIAN NECROT HOMEWRECKER BRAIN TENTACLES CLOAK BLACK MARE MAGIC SWORD UADA TEMPLE OF VOID DREADNOUGHT WOLVHAMMER ASEETHE DISASTROID FORMING THE VOID VENOMOUS MAXIMUS GHASTLY SOUND HOWLING GIANT KING BUFFALO NIGHT HORSE THE MUNSENS GLAARE
Paradise Pool Pre Party
August 16th
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM ELDER YOUNG AND IN THE WAY DENGUE FEVER FIREBALL MINISTRY TOKE
Center Bar DJ’s Andrew W.K. Nicke Andersson (Entombed/Hellacopters) Johanna Sadonis (Lucifer)
Posted in Whathaveyou on July 17th, 2017 by JJ Koczan
When Epicenter Fest 2017 says it’s carefully curated, I have no trouble believing it. The inaugural edition of the San Jose, California-based all-day event is set for Sept. 16 and would seem to have undertaken the mission of setting West Coast heavy to task in celebrating some of its own finest purveyors. Highon Fire headline, as they should, and the lineup flows from there with groups varied in geography and style, from the brash catchiness of Big Business to the rolling grooves of Holy Grove, the straight-ahead classicism of Mos Generator, and upstart outfits Brume, KOOK and Mesmer, as if to underscore the point that the Pacific region’s growth is still very much in progress.
A standout name on the bill not included in the paragraph above is Future Usses, which features guitar manufacturer Sacha Dunable (also Intronaut) and is a new outfit making its live debut at the fest. Even without the Bill and Ted reference in the moniker, that’d be a band to keep an eye on. So do that. I’ll do the same.
Fest info follows, along with ticket links and whatnot. Looks awesome even from the entire other side of the country:
OSKAR BLUES PRESENTS: EPICENTER HEAVY MUSIC FESTIVAL-2017
Honoring the Past, Present, and Future of Bay Area Heavy Underground Music Featuring High on Fire, Big Business & 7 more great bands
Heavy San Jose is bringing a festival unlike anything San Jose has ever seen. High on Fire, who got their start in San Jose in a practice studio just a couple of blocks from The Ritz, will headline this nine-band monster show. Epicenter Heavy Music Festival was designed to shake the Bay Area to its foundations.
The carefully curated lineup of nine bands represent nine different genres of heavy music. In addition to High on Fire, heavy music stalwarts Big Business, will also grace the Ritz stage with more earth-shaking sound than should come from a two-piece. Mos Generator (Seattle), and Holy Grove (Portland), will descend from the northern wilds to bring furious wrath and heavy-metal vengeance. Future Usses (Los Angeles) is a new band fronted by Sacha Dunable (Intronaut/Dunable Guitars), and Epicenter will be the first live taste of their loopy psych-doom. The line-up also features three up-and-coming local bands: KOOK (Glory or Death Records) from right here in San Jose, Brume (DHU/Doom Stew Records) from San Francisco, and Mesmer (Wicked Lester Records) from Oakland. There’s at least one more band not yet announced (but already booked) and more surprises in the works.
This festival is all about shining a light on the unique musical history of San Jose and the greater Bay Area, bringing a one-of-a-kind event to heavy music lovers, and putting the spotlight an amazing venue in San Jose (The Ritz). The Bay Area birthed some of the most influential bands in heavy music, starting with Blue Cheer in the late 60s, continuing through the thrash era in the 80s with Metallica, Exodus and Testament, and the birth of stoner/doom in the 90s with Sleep, High on Fire and Neurosis. New amazing heavy underground bands are constantly forming in the Bay, and it’s Heavy San Jose’s mission to highlight them, as well as provide an artist-friendly environment for touring bands in the heavy underground.
The event will showcase as much great local flavor as possible, featuring local artists and businesses (Martin Roberson, owner of Lucky Stars Tattoo in San Jose created the show poster). Sponsorships, are still available (contact info above). We’re offering VIP and General Admission tickets, and we’re expecting a sellout (capacity at the Ritz is just over 500). VIP tickets (only 50 available) are on sale now, with GA tickets going on sale Friday July 14th at 10:00am pacific.
Bands Performing (see below for band bios): High on Fire (San Jose/Oakland) Big Business (Los Angeles) Mos Generator (Seattle) Holy Grove (Portland) Future Usses (Los Angeles) Brume (San Francisco) KOOK (San Jose) Mesmer (Oakland)
Event Details: When: September 16, 2017 5:30 PM – 1:30 AM Where: The Ritz – 400 South First Street, San Jose, CA Cost: General availability tickets are $45 with VIP tickets priced at $75 (early access to the venue, access to a private VIP area, limited edition screen printed show poster, and other fun surprise perks).
Posted in Whathaveyou on February 2nd, 2017 by JJ Koczan
A full European tour from Los Angeles two-piece Big Business hasn’t necessarily been unexpected. They were announced back in December as taking part in Roadburn 2017 (info here) in the Netherlands, and other dates have been trickling out along the way, but it’s good to see it’s all actually happening around a pretty significant month-long run that finds them supporting last year’s Command Your Weather album, which was released by Joyful Noise. They’ll start off in the UK and be joined by Whores for the duration, playing two sets at Droneburg Festival the weekend before the aforementioned Roadburn and making their way west toward Iberia before looping back to finish in Paris, from whence they’ll no doubt catch a flight at Charles de Gaulle off to their next adventure.
And by adventure, I probably mean tour. Dudes tour a lot. That’s my big insight on Big Business. Thanks for reading The Obelisk.
The PR wire has dates and details:
BIG BUSINESS COMMAND YOUR WEATHER TOUR DATES
Following the release of Command Your Weather (July, Joyful Noise) last year, bass-drum rascals, Big Business have announced tour dates with special guests Whores. Full dates below…
BIG BUSINESS COMMAND YOUR WEATHER EUROPEAN TOUR 2017 SPECIAL GUEST: WHORES 31.03. UK Bristol The Fleece 01.04. UK Leeds Brudenell Social Club 02.04. UK Manchester Star And Garter 03.04. UK Glasgow Audio 04.04. UK Birmingham Mama Roux’s 05.04. UK London Underworld 06.04. Be Antwerp Trix 07.04. FR Lyon Le Periscope 08.04. IT Torino Spazio 211 09.04. IT Milano Magnolia 10.04. AT Wien Arena 11.04. CZ Prague 007 13.04. DE Berlin Droneberg Festival 14.04. DE Hamburg Droneburg Festival 15.04. DE Dresden Beatpol 16.04. DE Köln Underground 17.04. DE München Feierwerk 18.04. CH Lausanne Le Romandie 21.04. NL Tilburg Roadburn Festival 22.04. FR Nantes Le Ferailleur 23.04. FR Bordeaux Void 24.04. ES San Sebastian Dabadaba 25.04. PT Lisbon Sabotage Club 26.04. ES Madrid Boite Live! 27.04. ES Barcelona Rocksound 28.04. FR Montpellier Black Sheep 29.04. FR Orleans L’Astrolabe 30.04. FR Paris Le Glazart
Fans will already know Jared Warren and Coady Willis are the masters of fusing torrentially heavy sonics and rumbling bellows with an undeniable groove that forever dazzles listeners and spectators alike. The pair demonstrate that the distorted low-end can be fun and joyous without compromising on the exceedingly behemoth and frantic riffs that oozes out.
Recorded in Joshua Tree, CA, Command Your Weather sees Big Business return to its original line-up of Jared Warren and Coady Willis. Recorded by Dave Curran of Unsane/Pigs (who has worked on Big Business’ previous output), the album was co-released via the band’s own label Gold Metal Records alongside Joyful Noise Recordings.
Founded in 2003 in Seattle, WA. Big Business has spent the last 13 years touring the world and making records including the full-lengths Head for the Shallow (2005), Here Come the Waterworks (2007), Mind the Drift (2009) and 2013’s Battlefields Forever – the first full-length LP they released on their Gold Metal Records label, with the former all released via Hydra Head. In 2006 Jared and Coady joined forces with the Melvins, whereby they have been an integral part of the family and an autonomous two-unit band ever since. In recent years, the duo have also toured extensively alongside Mastodon and Clutch.
Posted in Whathaveyou on December 13th, 2016 by JJ Koczan
As one has come to expect by now, there’s an awful lot of badassery in this latest announcement from Roadburn 2017. The Tilburg-based festival doesn’t seem to do anything small at this point — though it boasts not one, but two delightfully intimate venues, so take that assertion with a grain of reality’s salt — and that certainly includes this round of 24 lineup additions. For me, particularly notable is the West Coast heavy psych invasion underway with the likes of Joy and Harsh Toke added — Tee Pee labelmates Ruby the Hatchet are no slouches themselves in that regard — and UK doomers Serpent Venom, who, as noted in the expansive update below, are overdue for an appearance at this showcase of showcases. I’ve included the stream of their last album as a refresher of its righteousness, in case you need one.
Also dig Bongzilla added to perform Gateway in its entirety. They’ll be part of a killer Main Stage lineup that day that’s basically untouchable and bound to engender much whining when the schedule is released and is packed as ever in all the other rooms. See also Big Business, Pontiak, Radar Men from the Moon, The Devil and the Almighty Blues, Lycus and so on. In the immortal words of pre-cold-dead-hands Charlton Heston, “it’s a madhouse.”
Check it out:
Twenty-four new additions to Roadburn’s 2017 line up
• John Dyer Baizley adds four new bands to his curated event, plus confirms a live interview at Roadburn 2017.
• Bongzilla confirm their first trip to Roadburn
• Big Business return to Roadburn ten years after their last performance at the festival.
….and more
JOHN DYER BAIZLEY
John Dyer Baizley has confirmed four more bands for his curated event, with the line up now almost complete. In addition, he will also take part in a live interview at Roadburn 2017 as part of the festival’s side programme.
Few others, if any, hardcore bands carry so much weight and impose so much respect outside their own scene as INTEGRITY do, perhaps because they have always transcended their “root” genre, both stylistically and conceptually. Baizley comments: “I hope to see you all there, while Integrity proves to all present that the ferocity has neither dulled nor become disingenuous throughout their career. Reality is bleak, but through darkness we are able to find connectivity and community.”
DISFEAR have been one of the leading lights of the Swedish d-beat scene in the almost three decades they have existed. They might not record of perform often, but when they do, you know it’s going to be something extraordinary, as John says: “I don’t know exactly what to expect from this re-emergence, but I’m sure it won’t be a gentle one. This should be a no-hold-barred, fists-in-the-air, mandatory-circle-pit set, and you better believe I’m not missing a minute of it.”
OATHBREAKER have wowed audiences around the world with the release of their latest album, Rheia. John counts himself among the devoted, commenting of the album: “Therein exists a healthy reverence and understanding of the genres it references; yet it’s a record that is beholden to no style, genre or convention. There are layers upon layers of sound that recall black metal, pop, indie, hardcore, shoe-gaze, you-name-it; yet as I listen, I am aware of none of this – it has been presented so artfully and with such earnest and unpretentious conviction.”
If you trace the history of post-rock, you’ll go all the way down the family tree to find Nathan Means, Philip Manley and Sebastian Thomson, the three members of TRANS AM, at the very root of it all. “I have always been a massive Trans Am fan, and I think their performance at Roadburn will be an incredible moment during next year’s festival,” John says, “I’m sure Sebastian will have his work cut out for him, playing two very intense and completely different sets, with both Baroness and Trans Am (Friday and Saturday, respectively). Do not miss this show, it will be a truly incomparable experience during Roadburn 2017.”
John Dyer Baizley will also be participating in Roadburn’s popular side programme, having confirmed that he will take part in a live interview hosted by Ula Gehret. John will talk through his personal and professional highs and lows before taking questions from the audience.
BONGZILLA
In an unparalleled stoner celebration, reformed Wisconsin riffmasters BONGZILLA have been confirmed to perform their classic album Gateway in its entirety at Roadburn Festival 2017. Next year marks 15 years since BONGZILLA originally released Gateway in 2002. Their third album, it indeed was for many listeners a doorway into a new world – a dimension of crust-laden sludge that, in the years since, has gone on to put an entire generation of bands under its influence. Unmatched in its dankness, coated in purple and green tonal wash, Gateway’s weedian righteousness is no less potent today than a decade and a half ago.
BIG BUSINESS
The last time this dynamic duo set foot at Roadburn was way back in 2007, in the company of their Melvins bros, but now, fully grown up and with a bunch more records, experience and exactly the same amount of boundless creativity, they will return on their own, as the singular, unique musical force they are.
WHORES.
Their live shows have a reputation for being way beyond the norm in terms on intensity, so we are super stoked to bring this power trio, WHORES.to Roadburn for the first time. We have the feeling it just might be one of those shows that everyone will talk about for years afterwards, so make sure you don’t miss WHORES. when they play Roadburn 2017 – they have a curious knack for melody that’ll ensure these tunes stay with you long after the bruises have healed up.
ALSO CONFIRMED:
Alaric will deliver a hybrid of post-punk’s tense, angular structures with the size and spread of extreme metal’s most dynamic sonic components. Author & Punisher heralds the rise of the machines with a unique take on industrial doom. Cobalt offer atypical excursions through black metal via apocalyptic tribalism, old Americana, and a doom-laden, ritualistic atmosphere. Fórn bring both soul-crushing lows and groovy assaults at higher moments. Gnaw Their Tongues have promised “something special” for their Roadburn set. Prepare for aural torture. Harsh Toke will perform a set comprised entirely of Roky Ericsson covers. Hedvig Mollestad Trio touch on genre-blurring hardrock and metal riffery as well as the noisier realms of jazz improvisation. Joy are a San Diego heavy psych power trio, inviting you to ride along with them at Roadburn. King Woman heavy, dark, emotional, beguiling, confrontational. Lycus – monolithic, mournful, and massive sounding doom. Pinkish Black will be making waves and breaking hearts with their chilling synthesiser dirges. Pontiak are primal and fiery and often fuzzy and psyched out; ready to give a lesson in rock. Radar Men From The Moon will team up with Roadburn 2017 artist in residence GNOD for a collaborative performance known as Temple Ov BBV, as well as playing their own show. Ruby The Hatchet invite you to follow them on their kosmiche trip. Serpent Venom – they’re trippy, they’re heavy, they are long overdue a Roadburn appearance. The Devil & The Almighty Blues are heavily inspired by Delta blues, and standing at the crossroads of both American and British blues-based rock. True Widow return with more sultry yet syrupy fuzzed out trips.
Artists already announced for Roadburn 2017 include Coven, Warning (playing Watching from a Distance in full), Artists in Residence – GNOD, My Dying Bride (performing Turn Loose The Swans in its entirety), Ulver and Hypnopaz?zu (David Tibet & Youth) and Zeal & Ardor, Mysticum, Deafheaven, Chelsea Wolfe, and our 2017 curator, John Baizley who will perform with Baroness, plus many more. Roadburn Festival will take place 20-23 April, 2017 at the 013 venue, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Tickets (and campsite tickets) are on sale for Roadburn 2017 and can be purchased fromthis link.
Posted in Whathaveyou on May 18th, 2016 by JJ Koczan
Big news from Big Business. The L.A.-based outfit have stripped back to the original duo of drummer/vocalist Coady Willis and bassist/vocalist Jared Warren and will release their new album, Command Your Weather, on July 8 through Joyful Noise Recordings. You might recall Big Business‘ last long-player, 2013’s Battlefields Forever, had them working with guitarist/vocalist Scott Martin, and they also released a digital single called True Gold last March, both songs from which — “Blacker Holes” and “Diagnostic Front” — will be featured on Command Your Weather.
In addition to those, Big Business are also streaming the new single “Father’s Day” in advance of the new album’s release. Oh, and there’s also the matter of a long, long list of tour dates in the LP announcement below. Big Business as usual in that department:
Big Business Announces New LP Command Your Weather, Out 7/8 via Joyful Noise & Gold Metal Records
Big Business has announced the release of its fifth studio album, Command Your Weather, due out July 8th as a co-release between Joyful Noise Recordings and the band’s own Gold Metal Records. It’s currently available for pre-order on all formats, including gold colored vinyl and a limited VIP edition on clear & gold vinyl.
Command Your Weather sees Big Business return to its original two-man lineup of Jared Warren on bass & Coady Willis on drums (both are current members of the Melvins, and Willis is an original member of The Murder City Devils and plays in the all-drumming project Hew Time with Dale Crover and Joe Plummer.) They describe the upcoming release as “an album about the struggle for dominance of will over the power and unpredictability of nature…or just a really great rock record.”
BIG BUSINESS COMMAND YOUR WEATHER 1. Last Legs 2. Regulars 3. Father’s Day 4. Blacker Holes 5. Popular Demand 6. Own Throats 7. Send Help 8. Diagnostic Front 9. Horses
Big Business will tour in support of their new album this summer — see below for upcoming dates.
Big Business Summer Tour 2016 June 18 – Joshua Tree- Yucca Man Shakedown June 20 – Las Vegas – Backstage Bar & Billiards June 21 – Salt Lake City – Urban Lounge June 22 – Boise – Neurolux June 24 – Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown June 25 – Portland, OR – B Side Anniversary June 26 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile June 28 -Billings, MT- Pub Station June 30 – Fargo, ND – The Aquarium July 1 – Minneapolis, MN – The Triple Rock (D4th of July weekend) July 2 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen July 3 – Ferndale, MI – The Loving Touch July 4 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground July 5 – Rochester, NY – The Bug Jar July 6 – Brooklyn, NY – St. Vitus July 7 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge July 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts July 9 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop July 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe July 12 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East July 13 – Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5 July 14 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn July 15 – Gainesville, FL – High Dive July 16 – Tallahassee, FL – Sidebar Theater July 17 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa July 19 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger July 20 – Austin, TX – Barracuda July 21 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey July 23 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace July 24 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge July 25 – San Diego, CA – Casbah July 28 – Santa Barbara, CA – Velvet Jones July 29 – Los Angeles – Bootleg Theater – Bar Stage July 30 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 3rd, 2015 by JJ Koczan
Yes, the news here is that Big Business will headline the Saturday night of Portland, Oregon’s Stumpfest IV, but the sometimes-duo, sometimes-trio, one-time-a-four-piece outfit are also heading out on a full run of the US between the end of this month and the end of next month, and that includes dates on that little ol’ tour that Clutch and Mastodon have kicking. The moral of the story? Big Business are keeping good company all the way around.
That’s certainly the case at Stumpfest IV, where they join YOB and Danava among the headliners and a lineup that also includes Lecherous Gaze, Sandrider, Norska, Graves at Sea and so on, for three nights of heavy and what I understand is a healthy dose of “bro love.” Fair enough.
You should read what the PR wire says. All the cool kids are doing it:
STUMPFEST: BIG BUSINESS Confirmed As Saturday Headliner; Individual-Day Tickets Now Available For All Three Days
In 2015, the “fantastic amalgam of music, bro love and art” returns to Mississippi Studios in Portland, Oregon on April 23-25. Hosted by none other than the beloved Stump sisters, the three-day festival is more stacked than ever. As of today we can finally reveal that BIG BUSINESS will headline Sunday, April 25th–pulling double-duty after opening for Clutch and Mastodon at The Roseland Theater downtown and giving the Stumpfest crowd an intimate performance.
They are joined by fellow headliners YOB, LORD DYING, DANAVA and many more.
Three-day passes for Stumpfest IV are now SOLD OUT, but you can purchase individual day passes for $15 at the following links:
Big Business on tour: March 30, 2015 – THREE LINKS – Dallas, TX March 31, 2015 – RED 7 – Austin, TX w/Skycrawler April 01, 2015 – WALTERS DOWNTOWN – Houston, TX April 02, 2015 – SIBERIA – New Orleans, LA April 4, 2015 – THE CRYING WOLF – Nashville, TN April 06, 2015 – NEPTUNE’S PARLOR – Raleigh, NC W/BIRDS OF AVALON April 07, 2015 – OTTOBAR – Baltimore, MD, USA April 08, 2015 – UNDERGROUND ARTS – Black Box – Philadelphia, PA April 09, 2015 – THE STUDIO AT WEBSTER HALL – New York, NY April 10, 2015 – BUG JAR – Rochester, NY April 12, 2015 – GARRISON – Toronto, ON April 13, 2015 – THE CROFOOT – Pike Room – Pontiac, MI w/ We Are Hex April 14, 2015 – Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL w/ We Are Hex w/ Clutch & Mastodon: April 16th–St. Paul, MN at Myth April 17th–Winnipeg, Canada at Burton Cummings Theater April 18th–Saskatoon, Canada at O’Brians Event Center April 19th–Edmonton, Canada at Expo Centre April 21– Calgary, Canada at Macewan Hall April 23–Vancouver, Canada at Commodore Ballroom April 24–Vancouver, Canada at Commodore Ballroom April 25–Portland, OR at Roseland Theater April 26–Seattle, WA at Showbox Sodo April 28–Oakland, CA at Fox Theater
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 20th, 2015 by JJ Koczan
You’ve probably already seen this news everywhere, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t post about the fact that Mastodon and Clutch are touring together and that Big Business and Graveyard will switch off in the support role. Some things are just too badass not to post, no matter how ubiquitous they might be.
The tour starts April 16 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and all that’s really left to wonder is if Clutch‘s new album — which is being recorded this month — will be released by the time the run ends on May 24. Either way, it’s pretty astounding that these two have come together, so I’ll get out of the way and defer to the PR wire, which has dates and details:
MASTODON & CLUTCH JOIN FORCES TO PUMMEL THROUGH THE MISSING LINK TOUR
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY JANUARY 23RD FOR SPRING CO-HEADLINE TOUR
GRAVEYARD WILL SUPPORT / BIG BUSINESS TO SUPPORT WHERE NOTED
Two of the world’s most respected and influential hard rock bands Mastodon and Clutch are proud to announce THE MISSING LINK TOUR, which brings together both bands as they join forces along with special guests Graveyard and Big Business – each taking part of the tour as support.Together, this night of heavy rock will be one of the heaviest and most exciting concert events of the year.
THE MISSING LINK TOUR kicks off on April 16th in St. Paul, MN. with support provided by Big Business, who recently supported Mastodon throughout a sold-out European tour. Sweden’s Graveyard will then take over the main support slot starting in Los Angeles on April 29th for the remaining dates, closing out the tour in Columbus, OH on May 24th. Tickets are on sale now.
Mastodon and Clutch share a longtime friendship as fans will recall Clutch front man Neil Fallon contributed vocals to “Blood And Thunder” (from Mastodon’s 2004’s Leviathan) so fans can expect surprises in store for fans throughout the tour rumbling across North America. THE MISSING LINK TOUR will feature full sets from both Mastodon and Clutch. Clutch will close the show on April 24th in Vancouver, May 10th in Pittsburgh, May 15th in Bethlehem, May 16th in Baltimore and also the final night of the tour, May 24th in Columbus. Mastodon will close all other shows.
Clutch drummer Jean-Paul Gaster had this to say about the tour.”We are very much looking forward to our US tour with our friends in Mastodon. We always enjoy playing live but when we have the opportunity to share the stage with a band as inspiring as Mastodon we know each evening will be that much more special. See ya out there!”
Mark your calendars, as THE MISSING LINK TOUR will roll into Denver’s prestigious Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 3rd, and joins the stellar line up for Atlanta’s Shaky Knee’s Festival on May 8th. The New York City show will take over the celebrated Central Park Summer Stage annual concert series on May 19th. General tickets on-sale Friday, January 23rd.
As previously announced, Mastodon have been nominated for a 2015 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for “High Road,” from ONCE MORE ‘ROUND THE SUN. This is the band’s third Grammy nomination. The 57th Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on Feb 8th. Tune into CBS TV.
Revered Maryland rockers Clutch have been pushing the boundaries that define heavy rock music since the 4 original members got together in high school. Clutch is an unmatched musical force that has been best described as “the quintessential American Rock Band”. Clutch released their tenth and latest studio album Earth Rocker via their own label Weathermaker Music on March 16, 2013. The album entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #15 giving the band their highest chart position to date.
Clutch is currently working on their follow up to Earth Rocker which will be released in 2015.
Do not miss THE MISSING LINK TOUR this spring. Confirmed dates are as follows:
*Mastodon Closes The Evening. **Clutch Closes The Evening
Apr 16 *St. Paul, MN Myth Apr 17 * Winnipeg, MB The Burton Cummings Theatre Apr 18 *Saskatoon, SK O’Brian’s Events Center Apr 19 * Edmonton, AB Expo Centre Apr 21 * Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall Apr 23 * Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom Apr 24 **Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom Apr 25 *Portland, OR Roseland Apr 26 *Seattle, WA Showbox SODO Apr 28 *Oakland, CA Fox Theater Apr 29 *Los Angeles, CA Palladium Apr 30 *Tempe, AZ Marquee Theater May 01 *Las Vegas, NV House of Blues May 02 *Salt Lake City, UT The Complex May 03 *Denver, CO Red Rock’s Amphitheatre May 05 *San Antonio, TX Kapone’s Ballroom May 06 *Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom May 08 Atlanta, GA Shaky Knees Festival May 09 *Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre Street Stage May 10 **Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE May 12 *Clive, IA (Des Moines) 7 Flags May 13 *Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom Club Stage May 15 **Bethlehem, PA Sands Event Center May 16 **Baltimore, MD Pier Six Pavilion May 17 *Boston, MA House of Blues May 19 *New York, NY Central Park Summerstage May 20 *Niagara Falls, NY Rapids Theatre May 21 *London, ON London Music Hall May 24 **Columbus, OH LC Pavilion
