And why not? The Austin quartet features three champion childhood fiddlers — Brian Beken, Noah Jeffries and Dennis Ludiker — who met as children competing at Idaho’s annual National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & Festival. That early connection would bloom years later in Austin, Texas, where the trio reconnected. Two years ago, the three hooked up […]
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Space invaders
Sometimes the band name defines the band, and in others, the sound defines the name. In the case of Oklahoma City trio Aliens Vs. Robots, it’s a little bit of both. “It came from our music, from what I thought the music sounded like,” bassist David Steele said. “We were playing our song ‘Invasions’ and […]
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Life’s a beach
Should the whole “being a beloved ’90s rock band” stop working out, the guys of 311 might make for pretty excellent marriage counselors. “I have been married for 10 years and been in this band for over 20,” bassist P-Nut said. “You have to be flexible, you have to stand up for your point of […]
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Blasting off
ACM@UCO is not quite 2 years old, but it’s already paying dividends for its students. See The Rockettops, an indie-rock quartet taking what its players have learned and packaging it into a model for other students to follow. Singer Jordan Smith, bassist Michael Bewley and guitarist Earl Moreno met at the school and formed the […]
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Divine Grace
It’s been a banner year for Grace Potter, who has too many highlights to pick just one. There were the duets with Kenny Chesney and Sharon Jones; her meeting with her personal idol, Robert Plant; the performance with Heart on “VH1 Divas”; taking the stage at Austin City Limits; and even helping formulate her own […]
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Roping in ears
Somewhere, an Anthony Kiedis impersonator cries. His Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band conquered Montreal quartet Braids during a high school battle of the bands years ago, but it’s art rockers Braids who are enjoying the record deal, media mentions and an international tour, including tonight’s stop at Opolis in Norman. “They probably deserved it […]
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Ugly no more
“We didn’t know if, when we broke up, these songs would ever get released,” said Colin Bray, guitarist for the band. “I’m really glad they did. I think they’re some of the best songs we’ve written.” The disc was recorded pre-breakup in the band members’ houses, and the cover was conceived by them and local […]
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Leggo my emo
Jimmy Eat World isn’t known as a political band, but its four members have been active in their native Arizona when it comes to their favorite member of Congress, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. They’ve played a few fundraisers for her in the past, and so they were particularly distraught, like most Americans, in the wake of […]
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Bang on!
Bang Tango7 p.m. SaturdaySamurai Saki House3034 N. Portland “I moved to L.A. and then the rest is history,” Lesté said. “We were signed six weeks later, and we’ve been going ever since.” That’s not technically true, inasmuch as within three years of their 1989 glam-metal debut, “Psycho Café,” and its minor hit, “Someone Like You,” […]
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Willie do it?
Willie Stradlin with Hellcat SusieFriday Wormy Dog Saloon 311 E. Sheridan www.wormydog.com 601-6276 $5 Arkansas-based band Willie Stradlin makes no effort to hide its inspirations, taking its name from Guns N’ Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin and country music icon Willie Nelson. The act formed six years ago when front man Heath Molton was asked to […]