VEGASinsight Archives

White Arrows play Revolution Lounge on Dec. 7

It’s a bittersweet outlook for December’s live music. On one hand, there’s some killer stuff (Nine Inch Nails, anyone? Bloc Party? Wu Tang?!) coming to Las Vegas, and on the other hand, a number of shows scheduled for Jillian’s are homeless, as the venue has officially closed. Some shows have been moved to the House of Blues, others to The Box Office (1129 Casino Center Blvd.), but some are just … up in the air. But the all-ages music scene in Vegas is not dead yet, as the Alley Theater is slated to return soon to the valley. Or, so says its MySpace page. Keep your eyes posted to this space in the future for more on that. Until then, here are some shows that have not been canceled for December (yet…):

Tuesday, December 2
Wasted Space: Zerofingers, The Vermin and Guilty by Association at 10 p.m.

Wednesday, December 3
House of Blues: Five Finger Death Punch with In This Moment and Broken End at 5 p.m. $15, all ages.

Friday, December 5
The Joint: Tesla with Cinder Road at 8 p.m. $35.
Wasted Space: Velicious at 10 p.m.
Wasted Space: Conflict of Interest, Bydeathsdesign at 10 p.m.

Saturday, December 6
House of Blues: Hot 97.5’s OMG Jingle Jam featuring Pleasure P., Bobby Valentino and DJ Unk at 2 p.m. $9.75 – $19.75, all ages.
House of Blues: Wu Tang Clan at 8 p.m. $37 – 55, 21-over.

Sunday, December 7
Wasted Space: All-American Rejects, Jetlag Gemini and The City Lives at 10 p.m. $22.50
Revolution Lounge: White Arrows, DJ InMusicInLove at 10 p.m.

Tuesday, December 9
Wasted Space: CSS at 10 p.m. $15.

Wednesday, December 10
House of Blues: Anthony Hamilton at 7:30 p.m. $27 – 40, 21-over.

Thursday, December 11
House of Blues: Gary Allan at 8 p.m. $40-60, 21-over.

Friday, December 12
The Joint: Area 107.9’s Big Damn Holiday Jam featuring Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, The Ting Tings and Carolina Liar at 7 p.m. $39.50 and up.
Wasted Space: Jesse Dayton at 10 p.m.
House of Blues: Gary Allan at 8 p.m. $40-60, 21-over. (more…)

Portugal the Man gets you pregnant at Jillian’s on Nov. 16

Is it really almost Halloween already? It seems like just yesterday we were telling you about summer festivals and Labor Day events. Sigh … I guess we had better roll out the list of November musical concerts and events now, based on your Google search demands:

Saturday, November 1
Jillian’s: One Pin Short with guests at 6 p.m. $10, all ages.

Sunday, November 2
House of Blues: The Faint, Dr. Dooom (aka Kool Keith) and Mika Miko at 5:30 p.m. $17-20, all ages.

Monday, November 3
Jillian’s: Jedi Mind Tricks, Outerspace and Reef the Lost Cauze at 6 p.m. $17-20, all ages.

Tuesday, November 4
The Joint: The Blackest of the Black Tour featuring Danzig, DImmu Borgir, Moonspell, Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch at 7 p.m. $28.50.
Wasted Space: Hyper Crush at 10 p.m. 21-over.
House of Blues: Rise Against with Alkaline Trio, Thrice and The Gaslight Anthem at 5 p.m. $32-35, all ages.

Wednesday, November 5
House of Blues: Rise Against with Alkaline Trio, Thrice and The Gaslight Anthem at 5 p.m. $32-35, all ages.
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Big Friendly Corporation plays at Beauty Bar Oct. 25.

This week’s just about halfway over, but there are some dope events we kinda figured you shouldn’t miss, so without further adieu, here’s what’s what in Las Vegas this week:

“Bottom For Queen,” a new exhibition by UNLV graduate Daniel Samaniego, debuts this Friday, Oct. 24 at Henri & Odette (124 S. Sixth St.). A reception for the artist will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., and the show will be ony display at the gallery through Dec. 6.

IndieKrush.com and Pulsar Presents brings another edition of Say What?! to Beauty Bar (517 Fremont St.) this Saturday, Oct. 25, joining forces with Los Angeles’ Bring the Ruckus to present “Blood Orgy.” Outside, live bands The Frail, Dream Sequence, Pic Vicious, Big Friendly Corporation and Neon Facade will rock the stage along with fire mistress Jenn-o-Cide and DJ Know Well, while inside, Bul!m!atron, Dskotek, Roccanova, Grimehaus, MDY and Remy the Restless will spin dirty electro, nu-rave and indie tunes all night long. Look for free candy, a photo booth, beer pong and much more. The madness gets underway at 9 p.m., and entry is free for the bar, and only $5 for the live music.

Just around the corner at Jillian’s (450 Fremont St.) that same night, the Second Annual Searchlight and Friends Halloween show kicks off at 6 p.m. This all-ages show features Lydia Vance, Almost Normal, Hang ‘Em High and Damnear Divine along with headliner Searchlight, all for $10. Plus, a $1 raffle will be held, with all proceeds going to the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Rock out for a good cause before you shake ya ass over at Beauty Bar!

Apocalyptica shouts … at itself.

If there is one night of the year in Las Vegas that rivals New Year’s Eve for “Most Ridiculous Number of Events Happening at Once,” it’s Halloween. 2008 is no different. It’s only Oct. 14, and already we’ve been inundated with information on dozens of events being held this Oct. 31. From raves and parties to concerts and costume contests, there simply has to be something out there for you if you find yourself in Sin City this All Hallows Eve. Here’s a round-up of our picks — thus far — in no particular order:

House of Blues: Apocalyptica at 7 p.m. $20-22, all ages.

Jillian’s: Cobra Starship, The Sickest Kids, Hit the Lights and Sing It Loud at 6 p.m. $15-28, all ages.

Jillian’s (Hi Life): Super Martian Robots, Van Nuys and Exit Ghost at 10 p.m. $10, 18-over.

Double Down Saloon: The Dirty Panties, Betting on Tomorrow, The Quitters and Million Kids at 10 p.m. Free, 21-over.

Flamingo Hotel & Casino, Sunset Ballrooms: “Devils Night XI,” featuring 20,000 square feet of dance space, Halloween sets, video screens, massive sound and lights and three separate areas. Mainstage: DJ Irene, Charles Feelgood, The Autobots, Robert Oleysyck, Donovan & Duff and Jayrod vs. CJ Allen. Indie Electro Stage: Le Castle Vania, Computer Club, Mezzy, Teen Wolf, James Demon and Kinekt. D’N’B Area: Gigantor (Evol Intent), Infiltrata & MC Dre, Prime Mover vs. Chuck B, King, Feight with The Specialist and Risky Business. Admission is $38.50 and is open to guests 18 and over (must be 21 to drink). Tickets available at Groovetickets.com.

Voodoo Lounge: “Spellbound Soiree” featuring DJ L-1 spinning hip-hop and house on the patio, V51 performing Top 40 hits live inside and a costume contest with $5,000 in cash prizes. Doors at 7 p.m. $20 ladies, $30 gentlemen, 21-over.

Christian Audigier The Nightclub: Tila Tequila birthday costume party featuring DJ CyberKid. 21-over.

Studio 54: “Nightmare on 54th Street” featuring DJ Jose 2 Hype and a costume contest with more than $12,000 in cash prizes. 21-over.

LAX: Halloween Fright Fest featuring Jonathan Davis of Korn. 21-over.

Risqué de Paris: Halloween Bash presented by Superestrella 92.7, featuring DJ Dave Guzman spinning Latin hits and 2-for-1 Bud Light Lime all night. Doors at 10:30 p.m. $20 (free for local ladies), 21-over.

South Padre (Texas Station): “Heroes and Villians” Halloween party featuring DJ BKNY spinning Top 40 and a super-power themed costume contest from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5, 21-over, no masks, full face paint or weapons.

Lips Like Morphine play with Letters Burning and Air Raid Anthem Oct. 5 at Revolution inside the Mirage.

We know how you like it: Hard and fast. So without further adieu, here’s a preview of what’s to come in Las Vegas’ live music scene for the month of October 2008. Buckle up:

Wednesday, Oct. 1
Wasted Space: Filter at 10 p.m. $20, 21-over.

Thursday, Oct. 2
Jillian’s: Heavy Heavy Low Low, So Many Dynamos, KDT and Vannacutt at 6 p.m. $10-12, all ages.

Friday, Oct. 3
House of Blues: Mindless Self-Indulgence, Die So Fluid, Dearestazazel and I Am The Dream at 6 p.m. $17-20, all ages.
Fremont East Entertainment District: Rock the Block featuring Gogol Bordello at 6 p.m. $15-20, all ages.
Jillian’s (Hi Life): Hang Em High, Friday Night Gunfight and Indulge at 10 p.m. $10, 18-over.

Saturday, Oct. 4
Jillian’s: Guilty by Association, Battle Born, Dirty Panties, Zero Fingers and Seventy Sevens at 6 p.m. $10, all ages.
Jillian’s (Hi Life): Skorchamenza, Picture Pilot and Pigasus at 10 p.m. $10, 18-over.
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Though the band’s name was chosen somewhat ironically, National Product represents the American Dream, Version 2.0. Ever since the first days of Napster, it’s been nearly impossible to make a buck selling records. But National Product doesn’t care. These lifelong friends would rather rely on the traditional American work ethic to spread their brand of rock around the globe. We caught up with lead singer Danny Casler via telephone as his band’s van sped to their next tour stop in Atlanta.

How is your band making its way in the post-downloading music landscape?
Skis masks and assault riffles. [Laughs.] Seriously, one of the things National Product is good about is that we have really close relationships with all of our fans. We do really well in merch. Our fans are awesome in that if they come to a show and we’re sold out of all smalls and mediums, they will buy large and extra large, even if it doesn’t fit ‘em, just because they want to support the band. All the money we make off of our shows goes to pay for our gas. We never stay in hotels because there is no sense in paying $80 a night to stay in a hotel when we could stay with fans and friends. We’re always fed by them. If you’re just doing it smart then you’re not really struggling.

What does “making it” mean to you?
We love playing music and as long as we can make a living out of that and see the world like we’ve been doing—to be honest, we’ve already passed our level of where we felt like we’ve become a success. We’ve had a hit song on the radio. We’ve been to Japan, Alaska, Mexico, the full U.S, and now we’re getting ready to go to South America.

Wow, that’s inspiring.
Yeah it’s pretty cool, [but] some days we’re super down. We’re like, fuck man, being in this industry is so fucking hard. We just got back from Japan. There were a thousand kids there. They knew all the words and we sold a ridiculous amount of records out in Japan. Then you come to the U.S. and because it’s so over-saturated you almost feel like a redheaded stepchild.

How have you been able to connect with the fans?
I sit on MySpace all the time on our rides. If we got a 10-hour drive, I’m probably on MySpace eight out of 10 hours just e-mailing kids and blogging.

Tell me about your influences.
I’m the only musician in the family. What inspired me was that my parents and my grandparents were massive fans of music. My mom was big on ’80s Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe and Richard Marx. My dad was really big on Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, the Beatles. My grandparents were really big on Frank Sinatra. My brother was massive on hip-hop and rap.

How would you describe your sound?
We have slow-tempo rock ballads all the way to your really aggressive, hardcore, in-your-face kind of track. We’ve also got the mid-tempo pop rock tracks. You’ve got five dudes in a band. They all love different things. There isn’t one general song writer. We all have our own creative ideas.

Your tour passes through Las Vegas soon. What do you think about our town?
We love Vegas. We’re close to the guys from Fletch, who are no longer a band, but The Cab and all those guys. We like to party and stuff, but I don’t know if Vegas is really our scene when it comes to all the techno, bright lights everywhere, loud music, everybody going crazy. I’ll probably play our show and hang out with friends. I’ve done Vegas already. If I’m going to do anything, I’ll probably go pay the penny slots. The trick I’ve learned to get lots of free alcohol is to go play the penny slots and then ask for triple shots because they have to give you whatever you ask for.

National Product performs at Jillian’s (450 Fremont St.) Sept. 24 with 1997.

War Stories performs at Revolution Lounge on Sept. 7.

In this edition of the Outlook, we’re looking ahead to shows coming up at McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon inside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Revolution Lounge inside the Mirage Hotel & Casino, Rox Club (5285 Dean Martin Drive) and Jillian’s Las Vegas (450 Fremont St.).

Friday, Sept. 5

Jillian’s: Fletch, A Bird A Sparrow, Love It Or Leave It, Love You Long Time, Hang Em High and Nural at 6 p.m. $10, all ages.

Saturday, Sept. 6

Jillian’s: Rattlehead, Meltdown, 13 Miles, Blatant and The Blood Syndicate at 6 p.m. $10, all ages.
Jillian’s (Hi-Life Lounge): The Robots Guide to Living and North Swell at 10 p.m. $10, 18-over.

Sunday, Sept. 7

Revolution: War Stories and Searchlight at 10 p.m. 21-over.
Rox: Gorilla Productions Battle of the Bands featuring Nirosis, Degratia, Joshua Judges Ruth, The Offcolor, The Bronte Run, Elliot Szabo & The Group, The Krew and Par-A-Digm at 5 p.m. $10-12, 21-over.

Monday, Sept. 8

Jillian’s: Whitechapel, Through the Eyes Of The Dead, Impending Doom, A Different Breed of Killer and The Seventh Plague at 6 p.m. $13-15, all ages.

Wednesday, Sept. 10

McFadden’s: Shy Tree, The Quitters and Rufus Federation at 9 p.m. No cover, 21-over.
Jillian’s: The Rocket Summer, Phantom Planet, The Secret Handshake and The Morning Light at 6 p.m. $15, all ages.

Friday, Sept. 12

Jillian’s (Hi-Life Lounge): The Opera and Alta Revere at 10 p.m. $10, 18-over.

Saturday, Sept. 13

Jillian’s: As He Defeats, The Stript, Think, Val-Halla and When You Wake at 6 p.m. $10, all ages.

Sunday, Sept. 14

Revolution: The Dirty Hearts and Beatmo at 10 p.m. 21-over.

Wednesday, Sept. 17

McFadden’s: Vegas U2 at 9 p.m. No cover, 21-over.
Revolution: The Films at 10 p.m. 21-over.

Friday, Sept. 19

Jillian’s: Bamboo and special guests at 6 p.m. All ages.
Jillian’s (Hi-Life Lounge): The Yeller Bellies and Black Camero at 10 p.m. $10, 18-over.

Saturday, Sept. 20

Jillian’s (Hi-Life Lounge): Random Eye and Cherry Hill at 10 p.m. $10, all ages.
Rox: Gorilla Productions Battle of the Bands Finals featuring As Yet Unbroken, Mr. Mustache, This is My Curse, Slyther, The Second Chariot, Lidine, Valient Til Death, Ellemarr, Van Nuys, Civil Genocide, DarkSpade and Centaur Rodeo at 5 p.m. $10-12, 21-over.

Sunday, Sept. 21

Revolution: Audrye Sessions and What Laura Says at 10 p.m. 21-over.

Wednesday, Sept. 24

McFadden’s: Someday Broken, Lips Like Morphine, The Day After… at 9 p.m. No cover, 21-over.
Jillian’s (upstairs): National Product, 1997, Summit Grove and Almost Normal at 6 p.m. $10-12, all ages.

Friday, Sept. 26

Jillian’s (Hi-Life Lounge): Revolution A.D., Siamese Graffiti and Go Wank The Broom at 10 p.m. $10, 18-over.

Saturday, Sept. 27

Jillian’s: Lagwagon, MxPx, Only Crime and Tat at 6 p.m. $18, all ages.
Jillian’s (Hi-Life Lounge): Neon Trees at 10 p.m. $10, 18-over.

Sunday, Sept. 28

Revolution: The Modern Subject and The Idyllists at 10 p.m. 21-over.

If you’ve never seen Portugal the Man, you haven’t lived.

It’s kind of frightening how much live music there is in Las Vegas. I mean, there is so much that we have to break up our round-ups into 20 different posts. OK, so maybe it’s more like two or three. Whatever. Last time, we previewed the House of Blues offerings, and this time, we peep who’s rocking the Hard Rock Hotel (4485 Paradise Road), Jillian’s (450 Fremont St.) and Revolution Lounge (The Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.).

Thursday, Aug. 7
Hard Rock Hotel, The Joint: George Thorogood & The Destroyers at 8 p.m., $40 and up.

Friday, Aug. 8
Hard Rock Hotel, The Joint: Julieta Venegas at 8 p.m., $45 and up.
Hard Rock Hotel, poolside: Julian Marley at 7 p.m., $22 or free via SpyOnVegas.com.

Sunday, Aug. 10
The Mirage, Revolution Lounge: Afghan Raiders, Wallpaper with DJs Mike Attack and Aurajin at 10 p.m., $10 for men, free for women.

Tuesday, Aug. 12
Hard Rock Hotel, Wasted Space: Black Camaro, Black and the Black Crayons at 10 p.m., $10.

Friday, Aug. 15
Hard Rock Hotel, The Joint: Hall & Oates at 8 p.m., $49.50 and up.
Hard Rock Hotel, poolside: Paolo Nutini at 7 p.m., $22 or free via SpyOnVegas.com.
Jillian’s: Verbatym, Red Hot Radio, The Direct Method and When You Wake at 6 p.m., $10.

Saturday, Aug. 16
Jillian’s: Indulge, Slaves of the Son King, Sonic Sedation, Omegarilla, Version 9 and Shotgunz & Gasoline at 6 p.m., $10

Sunday, Aug. 17
The Mirage, Revolution Lounge: Love Grenades and Ian Shane Tyler at 10 p.m., $10 for men, free for women.

Saturday, Aug. 23
Jillian’s: RX Bandits, Portugal The Man, Kay Kay and His Weathered at 6 p.m., $12-14.

Sunday, Aug. 24
The Mirage, Revolution Lounge: The Scarlet Symphony and The Living Suns at 10 p.m., $10 for men, free for women.

Thursday, Aug. 28
Jillian’s: Immortal Technique, DJ G.I. Joe, Diabolic & The Circle at 6 p.m., $15-20.

Friday, Aug. 29
Hard Rock Hotel, The Joint: G. Love & Special Sauce, The John Butler Trio and Tristan Prettyman at 8 p.m., $29.50 and up.
Hard Rock Hotel, poolside: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at 7 p.m., $22 or free via SpyOnVegas.com.
Hard Rock Hotel, AJ’s Steakhouse: Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine at 11 p.m., $42 and up.

Sunday, Aug. 31
The Mirage, Revolution Lounge: The Saloon Door Slammers and Diablo Dimes at 10 p.m., $10 for men, free for women.
Hard Rock Hotel, AJ’s Steakhouse: Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine at 11 p.m., $42 and up.

They aimed for “cute.” We think they attained “gay.”

Here’s the goods on July’s rock, metal and alternative shows in Las Vegas over the next month at Rox Club (5285 Dean Martin Dr.), The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel, 4485 Paradise Road) and Jillian’s Las Vegas (450 Fremont St.):

Friday, June 27
Hard Rock Hotel, The Joint: Gym Class Heroes, The Academy Is…, Cobra Starship and Tyga at 7 p.m., $28.

Thursday, July 10
Rox Club: Mankind Is Obsolete, Ikonoklast, dreamscar at 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 12
Hard Rock Hotel, The Joint: The Roots at 8 p.m., $45.
Jillian’s Las Vegas: Searchlight, Almost Normal, The Stript, Lydia Vance, Hitting On Hannah, Red Hot Radio Guilty By Association, Give Em Hell, Antagen, Hang Em High, Billys Kid and Infernal Racket at 6 p.m., $10.

Thursday, July 17
Jillian’s Las Vegas: Suicide Silence with Walls of Jericho, 36 Crazyfists, The Seventh Plague, Secrets Kept In Suicide and Destruction Of A Rose at 6 p.m., $12.50 – $15.

Friday, July 18
Jillian’s Las Vegas: This Romantic Tragedy, Amarionette, The Material, Save The Hero and Veona at 6 p.m., $10.
Rox Club: The Disrepair, Omination and Volatile at 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 19
Hard Rock Hotel, The Joint: Gavin Rossdale at 8 p.m., $25.
Jillian’s Las Vegas: Cute is What We Aim For, Ace Enders, Danger Radio and Powerspace at 5 p.m., $12 -14.

Friday, July 25
Jillian’s Las Vegas: Terror, The Warriors, Death Before Dishonor, CDC and Trapped Under Ice, 6 p.m., $12 – 14.
Rox Club: Sicmonic, Broken End, Fallen Vegas at 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 26
Jillian’s Las Vegas: Away We Go!, We Play For Keeps, Fight Fight Fight and Burning Season at 6 p.m., $10.
Rox Club: Time Again, Zerofingers, Happy Campers, Penetrators and Mercinaries at 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 27
Rox Club: Gorilla Productions Battle of the Bands, featuring As Yet Unbroken, Urchin, Stargasm, Casualty of Youth, The Scoundrels, Shattered Wings, Bangkok Shock, The Kurgans, DarkSpade and Centaur Rodeo at 5 p.m., $10 – 12.

Tuesday, July 29
Jillian’s Las Vegas: I Am Ghost, Eyes Like Diamonds, As He Defeats, The Murder Ballad and Ministry Of Love, 6 p.m., $11 – 13.

Art by Timothy Anderson, debuting at The Fallout this Friday.

If you didn’t get enough art at last week’s First Friday event downtown – and maybe you did, but you just don’t remember through your wine-induced haze – then you may want to swing by The Fallout (1551 S. Commerce St.) this Friday, April 11. New works in graphite and ink on paper by Timothy Anderson are being unveiled at the opening reception for this exhibit from 6 to 9 p.m. Anderson’s surreal drawings will be on display at The Fallout through May 16.

Of course, maybe looking at art isn’t your style. Maybe you need some pointy-haired, emo-tastic rock ‘n’ roll. If that’s the case, then $10 gets you Verbatym, Love It Or Leave It, Away We Go!, Hitting On Hannah and This Romantic Tragedy at Jillian’s Las Vegas (450 Fremont St.) that night at 6 p.m. as well.