Reggae Jammin: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Aaron Kamm and the One Drops at Chop Shop (April 15, 2015)

Aaron Kamm and the One Drops open the night with a reggae jam. Before you can categorize them, they incorporate a heavy blues riff into their groove. This St. Louis band merges these two genres creating a fantastic new sound that fans of both will surely enjoy. The crowd is quickly released of their Tax Day worries.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad from Rochester, NY close out the night. They start out with the reggae jam, Mr. Cop. The crowd happily sings along, “They breaking up the party cause it smell like ganja!” GPGDS flows from song to song without any breaks creating a seamless party atmosphere throughout the night. The band members show multiple talents switching between lead singers, lead solos and even instruments. Equally talented band members have excellent solo moments. Playing on past midnight, GPGDS draws you into a trance with their reggae infused jams and creates an unforgettable live experience that you don’t want to miss.

Quinn Delaney

Indie Americana: Andrew Combs at Schubas (April 14, 2015)

Andrew Combs plays a mix of indie Americana and folk.  It’s mostly a slow-paced set and the crowd gently sways along to the music. At one point, Andrew comments, “You guys are so quiet.  I appreciate it, but is everything okay?” By having the stage in a separate room from the main bar, Schubas has created an environment ideal for focusing your full attention on the band.  It’s a music lover’s venue, and thus the artists are sometimes surprised at the undivided attention they receive.  Comb’s music demands full focus as he sings about heartbreak and smoking in Too Stoned to Cry. Throughout the set, a strong dose of rock is added whenever the electric guitarist launches into a solo.  It feels like the underlying strong backbone of the songs surrounded by somber lyrics.   The set ends on one of the more upbeat songs, Emily. Andrew teaches the audience to sing along, and they happily oblige. “E-M-I-L-Y. Why, why, tell me Emily. Women like you are trouble with a capital T!”

Sunday Night Pop Punk: Team and Hit the Lights at the Bottom Lounge (April 12, 2015)

To start off their set, the lead singer of Team sings “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, his name is my name too!” . A traditional children’s song is an interesting way to begin and it does bring smiles to the audience.   They continue to rock through their set featuring songs from their latest album, Good Morning Bad Day. They also showed great gratitude for the other bands playing tonight with multiple shout outs.

Next up is Hit The Lights.  They get the crowd jumping with hits such as Drop The Girl and Count It!  It’s a very young crowd at the Bottom Lounge tonight.  Pop punk appeals mostly to the youth in the way that most jazz fans are older adults.  But even the older members of the crowd were dancing to Breathe In.  HTL’s energy is infectious and their live show is a must see!

New Orleans R&B Soul: Elliot Luv with Caren Green at Gasa Gasa (March 29, 2015)

Caren Green (https://open.spotify.com/artist/4GAHuAAm5mRsNqh3yhpV1b) opens the night with her blend of R&B and Soul.  Caren is accompanied by three backup singers who bring the harmony while Caren’s vocals are spotlighted. She sings “Shotgun Love”, as in the popular style of houses here in New Orleans. During the break, the host is talking on the microphone.  Nobody is paying attention until she starts a spoken word song.  Just playing music during the stage changeover would have been better.

Elliot Luv closes out the night.  Tonight’s show is his EP release party for New EraLeans (https://open.spotify.com/album/24o0S89wFxfwcM7IlX0geu).  The songs feature funky baselines, layered smooth keys, slick guitar, solid drumming and soulful vocals.  Gasa Gasa with its sculptures and art on the walls and ceiling, make for a very unique look that fits well with his music.   In one of his songs, this talented performer repeatedly sings, “All I think about is you.” The theme of love is featured throughout this excellent set of R&B, Soul, and Jazz.

Quinn Delaney

Big Comedy Show! Natasha Leggero, Joe Mande, Chris Trew at Howlin’ Wolf (April 1, 2015)

Chris Trew, cofounder of the New Movement, walks on the stage to open the show.  He welcomes everyone to the Howlin’ Wolf, tells a few jokes, and then introduces the first comedian.  We don’t see him again until the very end of the show, which is a bit unusual for a host.

Natasha Leggero comes out wearing a poncho/blanket.  She comments how many hipsters are in the crowd, but then focuses on the man in the front row wearing a bright pink V-neck shirt.  Every comedian mentions him since he sticks out so much, and he handles it with style.  She says women aren’t interested in macho men like him anymore.  Instead, they are going for the hipster crowd.  Perhaps she is just biased to the comedy scene though.  In reference to each comedian introducing the next, she tells us about the time Martin Lawrence “introduced” her.  When he is told her name, he says, “I’m black, I can’t pronounce that!” So, she yells, “Just say Natasha!” To which he responds, “I don’t work for you!” So after the show, she gives him a W9 and now he does!

Joe Mande is last to take the stage.  He tells us a story about partying in LA.  It’s 1am and the party is winding down when one of his friends yells “Dabs!” Everyone starts chanting “Dabs! Dabs!” His friend pulls out a bong with a metal coil that he then proceeds to heat up with a blow torch.  Once it is glowing orange, they place weed oil on it and inhale it.  The result is getting high really fast.  But Joe compares this to a new form of shitting.  “It’s faster and harder! Who wants that?”

Chris Trew returns to the stage and thanks everyone for coming out and encourages everyone to attend more comedy in New Orleans.  The scene is quickly growing.  Catch a show any day of the week!

https://www.songkick.com/concerts/23254623-natasha-leggero-at-howlin-wolf