Donavan Frankenreiter

I made it to the venue with time to spare. The first thing I saw was Donavan's merchandise stand. He was selling all of the usual things, except for one item. There were dozens of little packets that had a cartoon picture of his face and a costume mustache covering where his would be. These were a dollar. And I had to have one. Donavan was in a brightly lit corner taking photos with fans who were wearing their 'mustaches'.
     I got to talking to who turned out to be a close friend of his. Donavan was a pro surfer in Hawaii many years ago and was friends with Jack Johnson long before his fame.

  

The band's guitarist, Matt Grundy, opened and sang a few songs from his personal CD. It set the mood for the night. He stood on stage alone, with only an acoustic guitar, singing of camping under the stars. I don't know if I was the only one that started to really feel how much I have been anticipating summer or not.  One lyric really caught my ear, "The only difference between medicine and poison is the dose."




   After Matt finished, I used the time between bands to smoke a cigarette (hideous habit, I know). But as I walked back inside I only waited a few moments before Donavan came onstage.

   The music he played had the soft sound of Neil Young mixed with an acoustic Jack Johnson; but, there was an undertone of '70's funk that definitely made his music his own. Throughout the show there were instrument changes, the ukulele being my personal favorite, and a harmonica, which was definitely a crowd pleaser.
   This was summer music! My ideal place to listen to Donavan's music would be at a backyard barbeque, or sitting around a camp fire. I imagine him playing some acoustic music on the beach watching his old surfing buddies hit the waves. This makes me smile. Some real, down to earth, remember the small things kind of music is always a great change of pace. A touching performance of a song called "Swing On Down" made me question the priorities and importance of belongings in my own life.
   At the end of the encore, he brought some little kids on stage that knew the words to sing with him. Then, he threw the mic up to the second story to have a drunken man sing along as well. This was definitely a fun show. I looked over the crowd and saw that the majority knew the words and were singing along. I have a feeling his following is only going to get larger.
   As I left, I walked into the middle of a rainy night, but I felt enlightened, and grateful to feel the raindrops. This is DEFINITELY a show I would like to see again. But, I have a feeling the next time I see him he will need a larger venue.

Rain a Beatles Tribute

I’ve always been a fan of the Beatles, but those are some pretty big shoes for a tribute band to fill. I had seen Rain when I was a kid but couldn’t remember a thing about them. While waiting excitedly in the foyer I noticed that most of the audience was a bit older, which made sense. No food or drinks allowed in the venue…bummer. With one last swig of my soda I’m in the door.
                There were two large screens on either side of the stage showing the same thing. Before the show started it was mainly Beatles trivia. Excited chatter hushes when the lights are lowered. And then clips from the Ed Sullivan Show are shown. Screaming girls’ faces. They had cleverly edited ‘Rain’ instead of ‘the Beatles’ into the clips. And, suddenly, the curtains open.
                The first thing I notice is the set. It felt like we were blasted back to the sixties. The band was dressed in black suits on a definitely sixties set, complete with the black and white ‘applause’ sign that would light up after each song. It was UNREAL how much they sounded like the Beatles. I close my eyes and it feels like I’m actually there, at a concert of the band that changed music forever. The similarity of their voices is uncanny! I can feel some of the older patrons looking at me as I sing along to every song, not missing a word.
                It took me back to the summer when I was young. I could almost feel the heat coming down on me as I ate my snow cone. This was back before I was ‘too cool’ to hold my parents’ hands or sit on their lap, when life outside of my small group of friends and family didn’t seem to exist or matter. But mostly, when care free living and innocence weren’t just looked back upon with nostalgia because that’s what I lived, every second of every day. I remember soft eyes and smiles from my parents as we listened, and I imagine that’s how I look now. And in this moment I’m grateful that this band gave me that moment.
                Throughout the rest of the night the curtains open and close several times. The big screens entertain us while the band has wardrobe changes. The hair and beards grew longer as the outfits got stranger. But one thing stayed the same, the passion in the music.
                During intermission (yes, there was an intermission) I’m tempted to grab a soda before the show starts back up. It wasn’t until now that I realize just how hoarse my voice is. But the pretty woman sitting next to me strikes up a conversation. I’m waiting for her to tell me I look out of place. She says she’s impressed that I know all of the words for being younger. (It’s coming.) And why was I alone? (I know she’ll say something…). She tells me she could tell I was an artist because I dressed ‘different’. (Does that count?) And she tells me to keep writing because that will last longer than any of my tattoos. (There it is!!) But, when the lights dim and the curtains open, I’m oddly encouraged.
                I believe that Hey Jude was the perfect song to end with; the audience standing, screaming and begging for one more song. With the last chorus repeated several times the band brought out the crew from the Morrison Center, which, I always think is nice to show respect to the people that make these shows possible. I don’t know how many times we repeated “Na na na na Hey Jude!” but the emotion was almost overwhelming.
                This was definitely a show I would go to again. And again. I recommend it to any Beatles lovers out there. 100%

~Preston
    

Tyrone Wells

Either the meeting ended late or the show started early. Either way, I was late. My first meeting with a new company was just released and this was to be my first blog review of a show. It’d be a little difficult to do so if I completely missed it.
                I went to this show knowing absolutely nothing about the performer, and I felt pretty bad about it. When I finally arrived at the venue it was the wrong entrance (of course) but as I hoofed it to the other door I could hear a soothing melody emanating from the building. There was another delay when they didn’t know which wristband to give me (typical), but I could hear the music much clearer now. It was a cover of Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry”! I eased my tense shoulders and knew this would be a good show (even though I wasn’t sure if this was an opening act or not…it wasn’t).
                I found my seat as Tyrone started talking to the audience. Turns out this is only the second date on the tour. Clearly he didn’t take himself too seriously because he told us that at the awkward age of thirteen his father taught him how to yodel and from that point on he considered himself a “closet yodeler” (a pretty good one, too).
                With his music relying mostly on just an acoustic guitar and his soft voice it’s hard to categorize him. He seems like the kind of guy that you could listen to with your friends around a camp fire or while having  coffee with your grandmother. His lyrics are delicate but the reggae under tone doesn’t leave it too soft or boring.
                The crowd cheers as he tells us he’s a new father. His daughter, Aria, was born just last month. He tells us that he and his band don’t take themselves too seriously (obviously) so they were going to play some songs from the eighties. He encouraged us to sing along. And, I must say, I was very impressed with his rendition of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up”.
                He surprised me by bringing up problems in society, mainly, the importance of women needing to look a certain way. He has a positive outlook on staying grounded and close to his fans. After the show he gave away posters. All in all it was a great atmosphere and very laid back show.

Katy Perry - A Teenage Dream

With a big personality like Katy Perry, you might expect a lot from one of her shows, and I'm happy to say she didn't disappoint. Not only didn't she disappoint, but she exceeded my expectations and then some. With a stage that looks like it came from somewhere over the rainbow and Candyland, about 27 costume changes, dancers, gymnasts and then with Katy herself, the Taco Bell arena rocked the whole night long.

Fans of all ages sang and danced along to her lyrically infections tunes, as Katy belted out one hit after another. High energy and her fun personality just added to the performance with quirky video clips, witty remarks and even impressed us with her own version of Karaoke singing about 5 or 6 bits from other artists including Rihanna's Only Girl in the World.

A much needed fun and impressive night, Katy left the fans more infatuated with her then they already had been, and definitely wanting more!

Robyn was Katy's only opening act, also fun and high energy. Her dance tunes got the audience rockin' and groovin' before they even knew what hit them. My favorite, Dancehall Queen sounded better live than it does on my radio...that's hard to do with dance beats! Even though she lacked Katy's lavish effects, dancers and magical costume changes, her stage presence commanded attention and proved she is and artist worth listening to!

For more Katy Perry Picture, including fun fan photos, click here!

WCFC: Asylum Fight Card Heavy on Prose

Pro fighter, Darrell Flores has more nick names than Jay Z, Prince, and P Diddy combined. Diesel, Phenom, the Mexican Fiesta; add The Chameleon and Tenacious D to the list, because after watching Flores fight, he is like a different animal every time and his fights are non stop action.

Darrell is the first fighter I've ever seen incorporate WWF moves in a live fight and make them work without the acting. What Flores also has is what is considered by most in the industry as the best fight in 2010 held at the Knitting Factory back in April.

Darrell is fighting Philthy Phil Gebaure, perhaps best known for his flying first round knee knockouts. This is not a fight to be missed, and when you're watching it, trust me, do not blink or look away, because whatever is going to happen in this fight, it is going to happen fast.

Support this local star and look for him on bigger stages in the months to come. Watch a few of his fights here and see him do a back flip with a 45 pound weight vest strapped to himself.http://darrellflores.com/

Weighing in at 155 with a record of 3 and 0, Patrick Prescott, "The Package", is an impressive fighter, who is going to have his hands full with local Chase Cowin who is coming off a win while successfully defending his title in XFS #56 last weekend.

Hollywood Zach Owens, should watch for Striking Ryker Ranstrom, because for all his strikes, at 170 Ryker can shoot. Look for this pro fight to turn in to a battle to the Nth degree.

Then on to the big boys...Kyacey "Ice Cold" Uscola from Boise. Kyacey, pronounced Kasey...Ice Cold, because he will stand in the pocket and throw down. After his recent 2010 fight on Spike TV's, The Ultimate Fighter, Kyacey was attacked by pit bulls. Unfortunately, his second instinct to run, gave way to his first instinct to do battle and battle he did.

Kyacey suffered slices from teeth and his hands, shoulder, sides, legs and one serious piercing where he calls the dog's "money" shot, which nearly left him eunich-ly un-endowed. Kyacey fought on and rumor has it, he carries a pit bull wallet to this day.

I've even seen him from a seated position stand up with a larger fighter in his grasp and upper body him right out of the ring. Uscola does not play. If you sit in the front row to this fight, don't be surprised if a fighter ends up landing in your lap.

Jarome Hatch is a strong striker with an unpredictable tribal edge from Utah who is up for this challenge with what he calls his two most powerful tools: his hammer twins, jack and sledge. With 22 fights under his belt, he comes with a lot of experience and and a lot to prove against his superstar opponent, Uscola, who Ken Shamrock called in 2010 the best 185 in the world.

With a few other pro fights, and 9 amateur fights on this card, the Knitting Factory should prove to be the perfect location for you to see up close and personal some seriously intense bodies hitting the ground as this trailer indicates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWuOkHiAkZo

Elton John: Did WE Pay the Price for Fame?

I would like to make an argument for why the ticket prices for Elton John should have been higher, while answering the question: “How did Boise, Idaho get the likes of Elton?”. It is no secret that Boise has been bringing in some serious names recently thanks to the raging battle, we in the industry call “venue envy”. Having each of the seemingly 100 venues in the Boise area trying to outdo the competition, without question, benefits the public. The price we pay often has nothing to do with the ticket prices. So, exactly how much are we giving up?

Elton John played to a nearly sold out crowd recently at the Taco Bell Arena, which I and several friends attended. Being an avid concert goer, and having seen hundreds of major and minor productions, and having seen Elton perform at least 15 times in my life, I must say I was dissappointed. I hate writing negatively, but here is how I saw it. When I pay nearly $200.00 or any price over $100.00 for a ticket, to anything there is an implied understanding, that you have put some effort in to this event. You have stated with that price to me that you are not just bringing a perfomer, but you are bringing a performance...a production.

Elton's recent concert was not a production, it was not flamboyant, and it was not impressive. It was a neatly formated walk down memory lane of Elton's 30 years of hits that lasted 2/3rds of the way through the show. After that, Mr. John showed up and played his new tracts, took a bow, and left stage right...

It is rare that a performer will allow a venue to sell a concert that is set up for an end-stage show, and then to sell completely around the stage. In the rare circumstance that they do, the understanding on both sides is clear: Your view will be obstructed if not absent, and for that you will pay less than the fans who bucked up early and bought the tickets ahead of time. This show charged the same price. An argument could be made that those people should have bought earlier and their punishment should be to pay full boat. However, it is the fans who sat in front of the stage who suffered much because of it. Trust me, this decision was made late and heated arguments took place between the venue, the promoter, the artist, and the managers and whomever won is less important than the fact that we lost.

A production has bells, whistles, fireworks, backdrops to die for, riggers dangling from the ceilings risking their lives during the shows, and ultimately, the grand daddy of them all...wardrobe changes. If you've ever seen Elton perfom dueling pianoes with Billy Joel or seen Elton's risque headliner show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, you know he has it in him. What we saw was paramount to Liberace playing an organ in jeans, t-sirt, tennies, and no jewelry. It was a piano player trying to sell cd's for his new stuff, and this fan was not sold.

The argument ended and the decision was made without our input. "If tickets are sold behind the stage they must see as much of the actual show as possible." With this decision, the backdrop stayed in the truck, the fireworks were put out, and the wardrobes might as well have malfunctioned.

The daily or weekly doesn't write this way for a reason, but writing is supposed to do multiple things besides communicate a mild, septic review. Writing should be used to ignite and to make a difference. A voice who says we deserve more when we do, and who declares, job well done, when done right. At this TixxMixx Blog, we are told to write how it is, while being fair and accurate.

In Elton's defense, he didn't have to come, but he did. In our defense, if you are going to roam the earth and dazzle and come to Boise and fizzle, then don't come to Boise, we'll see you in Vegas. If you come to Boise, do Boise right and the fans will pay even more for the shows. We have money and have proven that we will consistently spend it even on a Wednesday night if you come. If nothing else, I have learned since moving here in the last five years, Boise demands respect and will not be taken for granted.

We will continue to see big names come through this valley as the artists are forced to tour more due to lagging income from record/cd sales and that pesky free world wide dread, the web, but the promoters should take note that we appreciate their efforts, but we will not be placated at expensive shows endlessly. So, charge more if needed, but demand full productions and let US choose to pay the price of fame, but don't give us lame.

-Derrenger...

XFS #56

XFS #56 went off without a hitch, well almost. Despite the fact that this event was postponed, this house was packed. We have never seen so many VIP tables at a fight before; all well positioned and a great vantage for the fights and possibly the best seat in the house for the fight that broke out in the stands when one fan tackled another from the walkway into the crowd in the Lower Bowl below.

It happened late in the 3rd round of Urwin's Heavyweight battle. Just as the fans were demanding more action from the octagon, the crowd exploded into a roar and everyone leaped to their feet. An army of red security shirts swarmed to assist. The marines, who were there in an recruiting and advertising capacity, were also there to lend a hand to end the scuffle.

One of the promoters was quoted as saying, "That's why they like having these over by 10."
A lead security officer said it started in the bathroom and spilled out into the crowd after some sort of altercation in the restroom. Between the security force, the marines, and the fight fans, what could have turned into a melee, was doused within seconds. Fast enough for those who were thinking about swarming to keep their buzzing to themselves.

This squashing was as impressive as the night. The quality of fights, the amount of belts exchanged, and the amount of undefeated's who finally met their match, made the night a success and this fight fan ready for XFS #57.

For more pictures click here.