By: Ryan French – Music Director/Producer: Boise By Bus

Tuesday night, March 27, The Knitting Factory was the place to be for the Boise Music For The Cure Artist Showcase. This event is held to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. The night was emceed by WILD 101′s Rick Moorten, and featured an appearance by Miss Idaho 2011, Genevieve Nutting. Artists featured included Boise’s James Orr and Marcus Eaton, as well as Soul Serene, rappers Dunson, and Silver Medallion. The headlining act of the night was Shwayze and Cisco—no, not the “Thong Song” Sisqo.

I don’t know if the people of Boise just have a burned image in their head of that silver hair and terribly great music video from Sisqo, but I could not talk about Shwayze and Cisco without getting that response. It seemed to me that everyone knows who Shwayze is, and that made it harder for me to imagine, since I know and follow him and his partner in crime-Cisco, that they couldn’t imagine another person with the same name. And that mentality seemed to also be true for artists like Silver Medallion, Soul Serene and Dunson, who as they performed, people were murmuring, “Who is this?”

Silver Medallion, a Brooklyn native, had an interesting act, where he decided to finish his act with the exact same song he opened with. For his sake, this was probably a smart choice since that was his only popular tune with the crowd, and probably because it was his only song that was purely his own. His DJ mixed the instrumentals from top 40 songs that were clearly not altered much and just let Silver Medallion run with the words to it. He didn’t have the greatest voice, but the guy had great energy and his rave scene vibe and sound helped his act, and that seemed to hold the crowd together until his set was over. All the artists had a great response from the crowd, and all 25 that were standing at the stage.

Dunson was able to pull the crowd away from the bar and onto the dance floor. He was a great crowd pleaser and really got their attention by throwing out CD’s. But who doesn’t like free CD’s? The main stage act was set to be a killer show, the anticipation was built, and the night was ready to end with a bang from Shwayze and Cisco Adler. I personally was getting very anxious to just see Shwayze perform, something I haven’t been able to do since before I moved to Boise from southern California, back in August.

New Pulse Producer Tim Crenshaw and I were lucky enough to get to interview Cisco and his DJ/Intern, DJ GNash, prior to the show at their room in Hotel 43. You can hear the interview below. What night wouldn’t be complete without the drama of rock stars and the showbiz of music though? Halfway through one act, my friend returns from the restroom and tells me some of the toilet talk these guys had in the urinals. So the word is, that Shwayze can’t get a flight into Boise and that he isn’t going to show up. Ok, I thought, this kind of makes sense, but we will have to wait and see if this is a stunt or just things gone wrong. Then five minutes later Cisco’s manager explains the real low down. Indeed Shwayze got stuck at an airport, missed his flight, and couldn’t get in to make the show. To me this seemed to be a sure disaster for the headlining act, right? However, I think there is a larger theme behind what transpired.

Cisco took the stage, after the removal of one of the two mics set up, and gets right into spinning some tunes for the crowd. There is no mention of Shwayze until half way through the act, where his songs, performed awesomely by Cisco, were given due credit and a shout out to San Francisco International Airport for holding him. Cisco held the fort down! He had the crowd amped, pumped and jumping, and he went through all the songs as if they were his own. During one song, a guy in the crowd with a Bruno Mars hat was pulled up on stage to rap the Shwayze part to a song. With all that Cisco has going for him, his launch of a brand, Banana Beat, his own album to debut shortly, and his collaborations with G. Love, I think that having the stage to himself was a great opportunity and will push him to stand on his own two legs.

I know the people of Boise sure seemed to support it, even though they were disappointed in the drop of a star act like Shwayze, but I think we will be enjoying a new headliner that is emerging. You can hear what would have been the Shwayze and Cisco act by listening to their new album on my show, Boise By Bus, Monday 5-7pm MST at BSUpulse.com, where I will also replay the interview with Cisco.

Interview with Cisco Adler

By Ryan Laxson – University Pulse Producer – Electronic Medicine

 
Loud and proud, just the way any dubstep show should be. The Toronto duo, Zeds Dead, came out with the bass and the oscillations pumping hard as the crowd went wild after every drop. The energy at this show was intense! It was amazing to watch the crowd’s reaction when Zeds Dead dropped their hits such as White Satin and their remix of Eyes On Fire. Not only did Zeds Dead kill it with their music, but their stage presence kept the crowd interested and engaged with the strobe and laser lights syncing with the beat. The main floor was packed with fans jumping and dancing to the bass ultimately leaving the dance floor exhausted at the end. This dubstep duo is a dance floor force to be reckoned with.

Personally speaking, I probably enjoyed the music a little too much as my ears didn’t stop ringing for 2 days although I couldn’t seem to get enough. If these guys roll back through Boise, be sure not to miss their show.

The Knitting Factory, October 4th – Natalie Ferri

Purple clouds of smoke engulf an enthusiastic crowd who is awaiting the start of Minus The Bear’s 10th Anniversary Tour. Boise opens the 33 city tour commemorating their first album release of “Highly Refined Pirates.” Following their debut album came 5 more including their latest and most popular “OMNI.” Minus The Bear is an indie rock group from Seattle, Washington comprised of Jake Snider, Dave Knudson, Alex Rose, Cory Murchy, and Erin Tate. They have recently risen to fame with the single My Time off of “OMNI” and were recently touring late night talk shows preforming. As an avid fan I was excited for my first Boise show. Having seen them 3 times in Sacramento, CA I knew the show would be enjoyable.

Minus The Bear played a short set due to time constraints placed by the venue, but they were able to play a couple songs from “Highly Refined Pirates,” “Menos El Oso,” and “OMNI.” The show was more produced than previous shows: using smoke machines and rhythmic alternating colored lights but the group meshed well together and played a fun show. I enjoy watching them play because you can tell they are all good friends who love to play music. I suggest them to anyone interested in rock with Pachuca Sunrise, My Time, Summer Angel, Into The Mirror, and my favorite song Ice Monster.

This year on July 13th, The 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival rolled into Idaho and made a stop at the Idaho Center in Nampa. I was fortunate enough to start off the day with an interview from Alexis and Seth on the tour bus they are sharing with Kingdom of Sorrow. Alexis and Seth share the details of festival life, touring, and what is to come.

On The Bus with Lex and Seth (SLS)

SLS Facebook

SLS MYSPACE

On 1/22/11, RAID played at Burt’s Tiki Lounge in Salt Lake City, UT. RAID is a Boise punk band that keeps the torch of 80′s hardcore burning strong, a torch which it uses to illuminate the present day.

Listen to live tracks from this show after the jump!

(Right click and ‘save as’ to download the tracks, or click the play arrow to listen in this window.)

Containing members of Septic Death, Gordie Howe Trio Unit and Demoni, RAID plays like a barbed wire hurricane.  Burt’s Tiki Lounge, a bar covered in punk rock stickers, trashy pop art and newspaper clippings, was the perfect venue for RAID’s unique sonic attack. Make no mistake, RAID is not a band rooted in the past, or rooted in the other projects of its members: RAID is a force of nature.

RAID – Confined (Live @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge)

RAID – War on Them (Live @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge)

RAID – Off With Their Heads (Live @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge)

(Photos courtesy of Elf Ellefsen)

Concert Date:  2/4/11

Bands who performed: A Skylit Drive, Animals as Leaders, Thursday & Underoath

Location: Knitting Factory -  Boise, Idaho

It is the 10 year anniversary of Thursday’s album Full Collapse, so Thursday is on tour playing the album from start to finish. As many Thursday fans already know, Thursday puts on an amazing show; but no previous appearance will ever match this show.

The atmosphere was amazing. Fans that have been around since the beginning were rewarded with Full Collapse being brought to life. Thursday even ended with thanking all of their fans who have been around since the beginning, saying that in 2001 they had no idea they would still be performing those same songs for fans who sang their hearts out to every line in every single song, 10 years down the road. Thursday also performed one song off their new album (set to drop April 12^th) No Devolución.

Personally, I only went to see Thursday. I arrived as A Skylit Drive was ending their set. Animals as Leaders went on before Thursday so I watched their performance. I had never listened to them but I had heard nothing but great things about the band which has 2 guitarists with 8 string guitars and a drummer. When they first started to play, the crowd looked confused, just staring at 2 large screens set up on the stage with graphics that went along with the music. They have no vocals but they still managed to win over everyone in the audience. By the end of their set, the entire crowd was moving to the music staring in awe at the pure talent of this band. I will say that this is one of the best live performances I have ever seen.

On the Wednesday of 2/9/11, the Boise pop punk unit Hotel Cheslea played at the Red Room along with Voice of Reason, The Useless and The Toasters.

Check out several live tracks and photos after the jump!

(Right click and ‘save as’ to download, or just left click to listen from this page!)

Hotel Chelsea – My Character Doesn’t Need a Reference Letter (Live @ Red Room)

Hotel Chelsea – Snackbars/Today (Live @ Red Room)

Hotel Chelsea – Where’s My Two Dollars? (Live @ Red Room)

On November 17th of 2010 (better late than never!) the Boise pop punk band Strings and Chemicals played at the Myrtle Morgue along with Off With Their Heads!

This Saturday, 2/5/11, Red Room will be holding a benefit for Jeremy Kelly and Strings vocalist Todd DeBoer.

Check out two live tracks and a slew of photos after the jump!

Right click to download, or click the link to play on this page!

Strings and Chemicals – Argon (Live @ The Myrtle Morgue)

Strings and Chemicals – Nitrogen (Live @ The Myrtle Morgue)

On November 6th, Buster Blue from Reno, Nevada performed at The Plank with Talk Math To Me and Jonn E. Combat and the Jungle Fucks both from Boise. A few other bands from California including Drums and Color and Moonshine and the Drugs were delayed by Van issues and played later. The energy from the bands was kept at peak levels even in the midst of technical issues.

Live tracks from Buster Blue and Talk Math to Me after the jump!

Talk Math To Me – We Will Jump/Petroleum (Live @ The Plank)

Buster Blue – Rise Up/On the Line (Live @ The Plank)

(If anyone has additional pictures from this show, email us and let us know!)

On 11/11/10, the Providence, RI rock duo VulGarrity played at The Myrtle Morgue with Boise’s own Demoni. Despite only having two members, VulGarrity has a full-blown rock sound thanks to innovative use of sampling and looping.

Check out three live tracks and several photos after the jump!

VulGarrity – Eyes in the Dark (Live @ The Myrtle Morgue)

VulGarrity is composed of siblings Shawn and Tracy Garrity. Their unusual and effective formula stems from years of having a cast of unreliable band mates. The Providence Duo took matters into their own hands and invented their own incredible hard-hitting, full-fledged sound without having to rely on other musicians.

VulGarrity – Demon in the Closet (Live @ The Myrtle Morgue)

Their songs are fun, horror-tinged dance rock numbers that are bursting at the seams with energy and mischievousness. Tracy and Shawn switch instruments frequently, moving in between drums, guitar, bass and keyboards in an effortless manner. The songs stand on their own, but watching VulGarrity fluidly trade instruments makes for an amazing and completely one-of-a-kind live experience.

VulGarrity – Don’t Go in the House (Live @ The Myrtle Morgue)

VulGarrity uses fierce and energetic bass guitar, four-on-the-floor drumbeats, heavy metal leads, distorted and angular rhythm guitar and spooky keyboards to create a successful formula. No two songs sound alike, but they all have something in common: they are catchy, captivating and irresistible. VulGarrity does not shy away from pop hooks, shy away from rocking out or shy away from taking the road less traveled. Simply put, the next time VulGarrity is in Boise, YOU need to be there.

VulGarrity’s latest record, Dance 2 the Grave, is available for purchase here.