Alkaline Trio: Same Formula, Same Result
By Nick Sloane,February 25, 2010
In rock music, it’s necessary and essential for a band to experiment with different ideas and expand their sound. Only a very select few groups can rehash material with the result being as solid and as successful as the original recycled product. One group is AC/DC, and the other is Alkaline Trio. The Chicago based pop-punk band has been playing the three-chord breakup song game for more than 15 years and doesn’t show signs of stopping with the latest album “This Addiction.” The album kicks... Read more »
‘Sexpert’ Advocates Better, Safer Sex
By Nick Sloane,February 15, 2010
Speaker Uses Comedy for Discussing Sensitive Topics She Thinks Parents Should Address Earlier Comedian Maria Falzone is a self-proclaimed “sexpert,” and last Friday she brought her free, one-woman show to a small yet enthusiastic crowd in Memorial Hall to discuss the issue of how to have better, safer sex. Although Falzone’s subject matter could be considered controversial, she presented it in a funny, compassionate and educational way. The main subject she spoke on was safe sex; however Falzone’s... Read more »
Cuchi Guidos Serves up a Slice of Jersey
By Nick Sloane,January 25, 2010
HARRISONBURG, Va. — Walking into Cuchi Guidos, the new Northeastern style restaurant located downtown, the smell of fresh bread and garlic penetrates the nose, underscored only by the sound of people clamoring for food and live music ringing in the background. With the tagline “Philly cheesesteaks, Jersey Hoagies and NY Style Pizza” the small Italian eatery delivers the best food from the Northeast to this small Southern town. So much so that reportedly within two hours of opening its doors... Read more »
Motion City Leaves Synth Behind
By Nick Sloane,January 21, 2010
I got a fever, and the only prescription is more synthesizer. Unfortunately the Minneapolis-based quintet, Motion City Soundtrack, doesn’t deliver a cure with their latest effort, “My Dinosaur Life.” Produced by Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, the release takes on a bit of a harder edge than their 2005 breakout album “Commit This to Memory” (also produced by Hoppus) and their 2007 album “Even If It Kills Me,” but this edge comes at a price, ditching the quirky synthesizer and keyboard hooks... Read more »
Rave Draws Hundreds to East Campus Library
By Nick Sloane,December 7, 2009
HARRISONBURG, Va. — Hundreds of JMU students tried to cure their studying ills by throwing a rave Sunday night in the lobby of the East Campus Library. The flash mob appeared about 9:35 p.m., with students arriving in the library in droves. It was quiet at first, but that changed after not even 10 minutes. A mass of students flooded the lobby, with shouts of assorted JMU cheers and the “Fight Song” drowning out the normally dull tones found in a library setting. At exactly 10 p.m.,... Read more »
Them Crooked Vultures Redefine Supergroup
By Nick Sloane,November 19, 2009
Rock supergroups in the past decade have involved two things: underwhelming debut albums and Slash. Fortunately Them Crooked Vultures involves neither. Though the buzz for the group has been mostly underground, the lineup is nothing short of multi-generational rock royalty. The all-star trio consists of Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame on drums; Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and the Eagles of Death Metal singing lead and playing guitar; and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin... Read more »
Student Releases Album, Rocks Blue Nile
By Nick Sloane,November 9, 2009
On a chilly Wednesday night in the basement lounge of downtown Harrisonburg bar and restaurant Blue Nile, family, friends and music lovers gather for the release of JMU sophomore Casey Cavanagh’s new record. “Square One,” is the Frederick, Md. native’s debut album and was recorded in a two-session stint in Pennsylvania this past summer. Cavanagh was pleased with the recording process of the album, saying, “I’m really happy how it turned out. We pumped out nine songs with two acoustic... Read more »
Charlottesville Band Packs Pub
By Nick Sloane,November 2, 2009
The Progeny of Old Country, Roots Rock And Death Metal, The Sons of Bill Have Toured Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits Southern rock/country up-and-comers Sons of Bill took the stage this past Thursday night at The Pub. The quintet, opened by fellow Charlottesville band Chick Tragic and the Roosters, played to a packed house. Sons of Bill formed around 2005 when the three Wilson brothers, Sam, an ’02 JMU graduate (electric guitar/vocals), James (vocals/acoustic guitar) and Abe (keyboards/vocals)... Read more »
Stay at Home Greg: Rumble Masters
By Nick Sloane,October 26, 2009
Taylor Down Under was alive Thursday night with friends, food and music. It was the site of Rumble Down Under, put on by UPB and the student-run label 80 One Records. The Rumble hosted nine student acts battling it out for the title of “Rumble Master” and a spot on a UPB-produced concert in November. The competition was fierce, but at the end of the night the all-sophomore band, Stay at Home Greg, claimed the coveted title. The quartet, fronted by vocalist/guitarist Robb Safko, won over... Read more »
‘Couples Retreat’ Falls on Flat Jokes
By Nick Sloane,October 12, 2009
When Vince Vaughn comes out with a new movie, college kids the world over usually rejoice with the prospect of adding another DVD to their collection and new quotes to their daily conversations. However, “Couples Retreat” appeals more to the married couple on a date night away from the kids. The movie, written by Vaughn and co-star Jon Favreau (“I Love You, Man”), tells the story of four couples at different points in their relationships: three of them are married, some with kids, while... Read more »
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