Sum 41 Concert Review: House of Blues- San Diego 3/27/2011

If meeting the band was not enough, then the concert surely was. This past Sunday I had the opportunity to meet up with Stevo  and Cone of Sum 41. After a great interview, they even were able to lend some time to talk about Vegas, their new CD and other topics on the side, even if they were admittedly hung over from a previous show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Unfortunately, I was unable to witness the opening act, Dead Country, as House of Blues box office lost the guest list for Sum 41, which left me and others outside the venue for over an hour waiting. On a side note, this is the second time this has happened to me at this venue, so what is with the sketchy service?

So, for me the opening act was The Darlings, a punk rock band from Redondo Beach, California, and former winner of the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands. Surprisingly enough, I heard from several members of the crowd they were there to see just them.  They were able to run through their 40 minute set with high energy and active engagement of the crowd. Certainly, this is a band I enjoyed viewing for the first time and plan one seeing them once again. With their old school rock sound, even covering a song from The Misfits, this band gave me a feel that they knew the roots of punk rock and they try to keep it sacred through the sounds of their music. Go give them a listen: http://www.myspace.com/thedarlings

After a 45 minute wait, headliner Sum 41 came on stage, and did not disappoint. With their 80 minute set time, the band was able to whip through classics from every one of their CD’s and even gave fans a preview of two new songs “Screaming Bloody Murder” and “Skumfuk” which are on their new album Screaming Bloody Murder, which hits stores today.

Being famous for large consumptions of alcohol before shows, this show was no exception for them. Deryck Whibley, lead singer, kept a wide eyed grin through the set without losing any tempo of the concert whatsoever. I was impressed by his skills as a front man and hearing his voice in person also was able to impress me because instead of drunken slur he still gave me the sound of punk classics I grew up with.

After the band finished the first part of their set, they walked off to the usual chants of “encore” which they did not leave fans hanging as Deryck came out and sang a solo of “Pieces” from the album Chuck and after the band rejoined to play the crowd favorite “Fat Lip”. To close the concert, drummer, Stevo, came forward to sing “Pain for Pleasure”, a song the band features as a song from their alter-ego band, Pain for Pleasure. It was nice to see the drummer get up and entertain the crowd from up front instead of behind his set in the back.

Great concert, great set list, great set of bands. Catch these guys sometime.

Cee-Lo Green talks Gnarls Barkley reunion

For those of you who are fans of Gnarls Barkley and still cannot get the song “Crazy” out of your head, good news came in a rumor today.

In a recent CNN interview, Cee Lo Green said that he hopes to work again one day with DJ and instrumentalist partner in the group, Danger Mouse.

The two men first met while Cee Lo Green was on a tour on which Danger Mouse happened to be the DJ.  Once they met, they joined forces to later create two albums together.  Since their March 2008 album release of Odd Couple, the singer/songwriter, Green, and Danger Mouse have failed to release any new music or songs together.  Nevertheless, Green has been busy working on solo projects, most notably with his latest radio hit “Fuck You.”

Since Green had become so successful with his solo endeavors, he seemed to express the idea he would never join up with Danger Mouse for a Gnarls Barkley reunion and new album.  But in his interview, although he made it clear that there is no guarantee of when they'll release more material, he is open to the idea of a Gnarls Barkley reformation.

Green told CNN, "Of course. It's an enigma, if you will.  So when I'm emotionally able to go back in that hole in the wall, I'll go back in there.  And Danger Mouse will be waiting for me, afro intact."

Green continued, "We have an awful lot in common.  He's a very funny guy.  You wouldn't know it.  He's very smart.  I've described Danger Mouse on a few occasions as a picket fence around my garden of wildflowers, can you dig it?  Makes sense."

Sounds like a reunion is very possible!  Let’s hope we can hear some new Gnarls Barkley by the end of the year.