Live Music Previews

Under the umbrella of The Starkweather Boys, surf rock, Western swing, Little Richard, The Comets and even a bit of the Fifties-era Elvis Presley all find a comfy home.   The Boys show off that musical muscle on their new album, “Archer St. Blues.” The following is an e-mail interview with lead singer Dave McPherson. […]

Losing your record label funding and a big-name producer sometimes can be the best scenario.  Just ask Walter Salas-Humara, guitarist and vocalist of The Silos. The stalwart rockers were poised to record 20 days when Dualtone Records pulled the funding, leaving the band with enough money to eke out four days.   “We actually didn’t listen […]

For a growing number of young Americans, there is a staple of St. Patrick’s Day beyond green beer and four-leaf clovers: the music of Flogging Molly.   “In Ireland, it’s not a particularly celebratory day. You spend all day in church and have a kind of low-key parade,” mandolinist Bob Schmidt said, “But here in […]

The Tel Aviv-based trio Monotonix lists ABBA as an influence, but its music feels more akin to punk, especially considering lead singer Ami Shalev’s unhealthy disregard for his body while performing.   Guitarist Yonatan Gat said Shalev always seems to get hurt in New York.   “On our very first tour, he broke his arm […]

There have been more live albums recorded in Oklahoma City than one might think. Here is a sampling:   Ernest Tubb ” “On Tour”Recorded live at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa in 1962, it has long been alleged that these tracks weren’t live at all.   Neil Young ” “Time Fades Away” Released in 1973, this […]

Oklahoma rapper Blake O. ” the O is for Overstreet ” isn’t worried about the “white rapper” label.   “I just pretend I’m not a rapper, no matter that I’ll be rapping everywhere I go,” Blake said. “I’m an artist. You gotta joke for it. But then you gotta make sure to take it seriously.” […]

Ty Kamm is the assistant manager at Joe’s Place Fine Wine & Spirits in Norman, but you might recognize him as the showman fronting longtime local heroes Klipspringer.   “My discount comes in handy for the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle,” Kamm said.   BUSY, BUT EASYFor Kamm, the job has lasted nearly as long as […]

RJD2 can’t understand why people are so surprised that he’s made the move from sample-heavy hip-hop to atmospheric psychedelic rock with his new album, “The Third Hand.”   “In my mind, the two are inextricably intertwined ” joined at the hip,” RJD2 said. “The magical thing about hip-hop is when it’s done right, you feel […]

When not playing rock ‘n’ roll or classic country, you might find local musician Mark Lewellen at the tiny Christian Crusaders Academy in Purcell, where he teaches mostly high school students language, math, the Bible and ” if needed ” even mops the floors.   He’s been teaching, and loving it, for one semester. “It’s […]

Singer-songwriter Cara Black resumed performing a year ago after a nearly five-year break.   Black is one of the most visible musicians in the metro: Her regular gig is drawing numbers and smiling on television for the Oklahoma Lottery.   “I’m one of the original three hired to just do the voice-overs, but once they […]