Goo Goo Dolls & Switchfoot

We thoroughly enjoyed a great concert downtown at the Dodge Theater last night.  Normally bands that are unknown and hauled along as opening acts leave me yawning but with Green River Ordinance (GRO) that was not to be the case.  They are an energetic young band from Texas that fit right in with the sounds of Switchfoot and the Goo Goo Dolls.  Definitely a band worth checking out.

When Switchfoot hit the stage the fans were ecstatic.  Singer Jon Foreman fed the frenzy by going out into the middle of the floor seating area to sing a song on two separate occasions.  Their positive message and great vibe make them a fantastic band to watch live.  This was about the fourth time we had seen Switchfoot and each time they have gotten better and better and their music has been delivered with a little harder edge each time.

The Goo Goo Dolls came out to play the favorites and several tunes from their new cd that goes on sale this Tuesday.  The hits sounded great and the new material was played like they had been playing every song as long as their anthem, Iris.  That encore brought down the house and ended a fantastic show featuring three upbeat bands that put a smile on everyone's face.

Evolve Through Scars

After trying out a few projects since he walked away from Saliva, the band he co-founded with Josey Scott, Chris D is in the final stages of signing a record deal with a band he joined called Evolve Through Scars.  They just launched their first single On The Outside on their myspace page.  Go to
http://www.myspace.com/540988079/music/playlists/2612945?songid=73037777&ap=1&sms_ss=facebook 
to give it a listen.  Chris, Christine's brother, is based out of Memphis, TN and is looking forward to getting back out on the road with a touring metal band and we wish him all the best and look forward to catching a show whenever ETS makes their way out west.

Symphony at the Ballpark

We attended the annual Estrella Pops concert last evening and, as usual, enjoyed a fantastic concert by the Phoenix Symphony. Brian & Sam along with friends of ours Jeff and Dawna sat under the stars as the symphony played a long list of favorites by American composers Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Henry Mancini to name just a few. The concert has always been held at Estrella Mountain Ranch right on the edge of the lake but, due to our poor economy I trust, the primary sponsor (Newland Homes) backed out so the venue changed to the brand new Goodyear Ballpark built for the Cleveland Indians. Although the setting was more conducive to a festive atmosphere at the lake the show last night (sans fireworks) was a great time with good friends.

Walter Trout at the Rhythm Room

Went to the Rhythm Room last night and had a blast! It's a great juke joint in downtown Phoenix (maybe juke joint is a stretch but we're not even near the delta out here) where all the blues masters pass through. The last time I saw Walter Trout was in Vegas with Bob, Aimee and Pat. That was a great show but the energy gets cranked up at the Rhythm Room due to it's limited seating and capacity. The crowd was roaring as Walter tore it up on his Strat for nearly 2 hours. After Walter and his band departed (they too are masters at their craft) the Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson (vocals) and Bob Corritore (harp) got the crowd off their seats and on their feet with their dance friendly blues grooves.