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Friday, 01 January 2010 00:00

These New Jersey boys are quite simply an absolutely kic-ass rock quintet who truly know how to blow the roof off of a club.

(chronologically)

Parlor Mob | 02.07.09
Blueberry Hill's Duck Room, St. Louis

Sounding like a hybrid of Blind Melon, The Black Crowes and Wolfmother, these New Jersey boys are quite simply an absolutely kic-ass rock quintet who truly know how to blow the roof off of a club. Almost every jaw in this room was on or very near the floor by mid-set. This was, by far, the most worthy $5 cover I have spent on a show in a very long time.

Chris Cornell | 04.21.09
Pop's Nightclub, Sauget, Ill.

Although his vocal range isn't as strong as it once was, Cornell is still every bit the rock legend he always has been, and probably always will be. Playing for a full two and a half hours straight through with no break, he and his well-seasoned bandmates gave the packed house their absolute all in a no-holds-barred performance that was as awe-inspiring as it was memorable.

Living Things | 05.11.09
Off Broadway, St. Louis

Despite the surprisingly small attendance at this show (only about 50 people), these hometown boys still gave the high level of performance that they would have in front of a packed arena. Lead vocalist Lilian Berlin channels energy from legends like Mick Jagger and David Bowie in both charisma and stage presence, and his bandmates never missed a single note or beat throughout this somewhat short, yet very powerful performance.

The Dandy Warhols | 09.04.09
Pop's Nightclub, Sauget, Ill.

"Wow" is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of this show. Not unexpectedly, the Dandys pulled out all the tricks that they have up their collective sleeves and gave nothing short of a mind-blowing, intensely delivered performance, complete with a very impressive colorful digital light show behind them. The superb versions of "Godless" into "Nietzsche" were worth the price of the ticket all by themselves.

Son Volt | 11.06.09
The Pageant, St. Louis

Like many St Louis residents, I have watched Son Volt progress and evolve over its 14-year existence into a band that truly has come into its own. At this show, older tracks like the gorgeous "Tear Stained Eye" off the band's debut felt more like old friends than songs, while the newer, more dynamic material exemplified Jay Farrar's ability to experiment with new songwriting textures and dimensions. Farrar should feel like the proud papa of a mature, well-developed teenager, because that is, essentially, what he is.

Honorable Mentions:

Fischerspooner | 05.14.09
The Pageant, St. Louis

Mazerati | 09.18.09
The Billiken Club, St. Louis

Darker My Love | 10.03.09
The Bluebird, St. Louis

Mute Math | 10.23.09
The Pageant, St. Louis

Michele Ulsohn