Motion City Soundtrack (Photo Cred: Scott Legato, Getty Images)

“It’s been a good year, a good new beginning. I’m through with the old school so let’s commence the winning.” The music and lyrics from the song ‘Worker Bee’ amplified as the crowd exploded when Motion City Soundtrack took the stage on February 15th. The band rocked the House of Blues of Anaheim with their quirky yet stylized sound. It was the ultimate grand finale to the long holiday weekend.

The hour long 18-set with 2 encore songs was an electrifying display of energy and raw musical entertainment. The attendance was high and the audience was ecstatic to take in a mixture of old and new songs played from their near decade of band history. Classic favorites including ‘The Future Freaks Me Out,’ and ‘My Favorite Accident,’ from the group’s 2003 debut album, I Am the Movie, were instant crowd pleasers. Fans sang along and jumped in rhythm, and Motion City Soundtrack echoed their emotion.

The set continued to surprise as the band switched sporadically between the classics and sure hits from their recently released album My Dinosaur Life. It was the first time many of them had heard the new tunes live. The opening notes of songs like ‘Her Words Destroyed My Planet’ and ‘A Lifeless Ordinary,’ from the new album, showed reflex with cheers from devoted fans approving the creative outcome.

Heather Fechner and Lindsay Amanda Pre-Partying Before The Show

Lead vocalist and guitarist, Justin Pierre, swapped guitars between each song during the show. This ritual is one of the many unique details that added to the deliverance of a charmingly frenzied performance. His voice and on-stage personality compliments his relaxed-nerdy demeanor to help Motion City Soundtrack shine through the clutter of common pop-punk bands. Fans following the singer on twitter revealed concern for his few-day-old ankle sprain which Pierre responded with high spirits of a well state of recovery and thanks. The band remains intimately connected to their fans through their tour travels via social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.

Justin Pierre is just one of the five talented musicians of Motion City Soundtrack. With Josh Cain on vocals and guitar, Matt Taylor, base and vocals, Jesse Johnson rocking the keyboards, and Tony Thaxton on drums, the band is an exceptionally talented five person band. The group moves on to tour internationally with their next stop in Australia, continuing to Japan, the United Kingdom and ultimately back to the east coast of the United States.

The show’s opening bands did their part to excite the fans for the talented headliners. The first in the lineup was The Swellers, a small town band from Flint, Michigan, who brought a bit of traditional punk rock seasoning to the mix. Drawing inspiration from an amalgamated origin of melodic punkers and alternative indie rock from the 90’s, the 4 member band blasted fast paced tunes from the speakers.

Seemingly viewed as the attention grabbing ‘Middle Child’ of the lineup, This Providence brought a unique and catchy flair to the venue. Dan Young, lead singer and guitarist, seemed to ignite as the curtains opened to find his ensemble glowing in the red of the stage lights with his tambourine in hand. His character came off as fantastically flamboyant as the up beats were marked with a snappy little craze. It was a dance hall rocker’s dream band with a sound that pulsated through the hearts and tapping feet of the listeners.

Motion City Soundtrack’s runner-up band, Set Your Goals, succeeded with no question appealed to the high-energy mob of onlookers. Within moments of beginning their set, stage divers and crowd surfers showed their enthusiasm for the darker drum beats and fast paced guitar jams. It has become a standard for the venue to remove fans who engage in these common punk rock concert acts, of which the House of Blues responded with a safety warning announcement after the band finished their set.

The show was a perfect performance of alternative pop-rock and roaring praise for the guys of Motion City Soundtrack and their opening crews. For more information and band tour dates please visit their website at motioncitysoundtrack.com. Don’t forget to pick up your copy of My Dinosaur Life in-stores and online at all music lovers’ outlets.

Josh Turner

“The life that I live and the experiences I have always affect what comes out of me creatively. I think that’s what makes music real,” said multi-platinum MCA recording artist Josh Turner. The artist is the best thing to hit the country scene since Johnny Cash. Who doesn’t love a wholesome country boy with a guitar? Alright, so we ain’t livin’ in the country here in OC but we still have to love a good ole’ time. Josh Turner graced the stage of Nokia Theatre in LA Live on Saturday, Feburary 28th, putting the “Southern” in Southern California.

Josh passed by on the way through his “Haywire” Tour, also the name of his latest released album. His current hit single “Why Don’t We Just Dance” has been #1 on the charts for the past three weeks. The song received roaring praise at the spirited concert and I admittedly melted looking at his handsome face and listening to his amazing voice. It was a girls night out for me and a friend and we couldn’t help but sway and swoon at the same time. The venue was comfortable and the atmosphere was electric as the audience stood up and grooved freely in the aisles. Fans from across So Cal ended up at Nokie that night, even a couple from San Diego danced in their seats to his songs.

Girls Night Out With Our Man Josh Turner

The majority of the set list was made up of tracks from his latest album and for most attendees, it was the first time hearing the songs in a live show. A few old hits made the cut such as “Long Black Train,” and one of my favorites “Your Man.” His deep voice and soulful melodies are enough to sweep you right into the fields somewhere in rural South Carolina, where the singer was raised on the pure foundation of traditional country music.

His songs an lyrics undoubtedly reflect his upbringings that are rooted in religious values and have a commitment to our human capacity to love. The song “Me and God,” off his album Your Man, fuses these two beliefs into a musical masterpiece. The crowd could sense the peace that the song brought and could tell it was one of the final songs of the night as they softly sang along to the lyrics.

During a short break in his lineup, Josh Turner took the opportunity to speak to his fans about a scholarship program that he founded, the Josh Turner Fund for the Arts. This organization seeks to provide assistance to high school students who dream about pursuing a future in the field of Arts and Entertainment. The charity is not restricted to only singers and musicians, but also provides aid for those who simply want to be working professionals in the music industry.

The singer found inspiration for the scholarship program from his personal educational experience at an A-1 small town school and the enriching learning environment of Belmont University. For those interested in donating to the cause or purchasing supportive bracelets can visit the Josh Turner website for more information.

The Josh Turner concert at Nokia Theatre was a raving success and perfect representation of the talented singer’s abilities and inspiring demeanor. Everyone in attendance was truly blessed to be a part of the country music superstar’s thriving career, and we all knew that there are still great things to come.

Photo Cred: Kristin Blush

“Shot through the heart! And you’re to blame! You gave LOVE a bad name” Bon Jovi is the epitome of what pure and cassic rock-and-roll is. The band is the definition of the genre,with their music transcending generations. They are the songs that blared out of our Juke-Boxes, 2-track players, Walk Mans, Karaoke systems and Rock Band consuls. Throughout the years, the times have changed, the media has changed, but the incredible sound of Bon Jovi continues to rock the stage.

The Rock-And-Roll icons visited southern California February 26th and 27th, performing two incredible concerts for the OC folks at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Friday night’s lineup was a 19 song set with three encore songs to top off the evening. The nearly sold out audience was captivated the instant the band casually strolled onto the stage. Fans went wild and erupted in praise that came in steady waves throughout the performance. Jon Bon Jovi was as animated as he always has been on the platform that on occasion was as mobile as he was. The complex lighting intensified the spectacular performance with the perfect atmosphere for the set.

Live From The Honda Center in Anaheim

Flashbacks through the decades began with their 1988 hit song “Blood on Blood,” followed by their latest hit “We Weren’t Born to Follow,” from their 2009 album The Circle. It was the perfect mix to create an entertainment masterpiece. The screams softened to a hum midway through the show as the legendary singer and songwriter walked out onto the extended stage that sent him standing amongst the crowd. Bon Jovi played a cover of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” perfectly as the audience swayed along. The time line hovered in the early-to-mid 90’s and the set continued with “Bed of Roses” and “Something for the Pain.” The artists’ hearts and souls poured out as the audience reached towards some of the greatest legends of their times.

Bon Jovi ended the show lineup with the song “Love’s The Only Rule,” off The Circle. But that’s not all folks! It was almost humorously obvious that the band wasn’t done, especially since they had yet to play their most recognized song worldwide “Livin’ on a Prayer.” So after a very short teasing absence, the band waltzed back on the painted stage for an extended three-song set, taking the audience on one last ride from present day to classic 80’s with 1. “Thorn in My Side,” 2. “Wanted: Dead or Alive” and of course that much anticipated Karaoke, and often lush group classic, “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

It is of course worth noting the fantastic support of the opening band for Bon Jovi on that Friday at the Honda Center. Dashboard Confessional hit the stage as the show opener. I have been a long time Dashboard fan, and I have seen the lead singer play an acoustic session at the House of Blues in San Diego at one point, but this time I was unable to arrive for the first song. I did however get there just in time to hear their near perfect cover of “Summer of ’69,” originally performed by Bryan Adams – one of my favorite songs of all time. From the limited number of tunes I was present for, my review of their set is that they were lively, talented and great compliments to the Bon Jovi “Rock Band enthusiasts” in the crowd.

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent” – Victor Hugo. The lyrics and sounds of our favorite artists often provide a soundtrack to the stage we call life. We all travel through phases in time, applying various songs and sounds to the seemingly mundane and monumental moments we pass by. My taste is all together eclectic, just as most of us can attest to.

My personal progression is as followed: the golden days of the oldies – my dad driving me to school as a young one; the pop sensation of boy bands – middle school in the 90’s; the punk/emo breakthrough – the early teen years; the utter confusion of concerning release with dark heavy metal – turbulent adolescence; and the wholesome steel guitar of country stars of modern day – early 20’s. I can even throw in a handful of pop songs that I danced to during my many performances of my eighteen year career. Some may strike this combination as odd, but as I expand my vision of the world, I find a place for each of these stops along my continuing journey.

The strongest bond to these expressive melodies is to experience a live concert firsthand. I have seen my favorite punk band, MEST, four or five times now and each performance connects me even more intimately with their sound and lyrics. I have even seen artists of my parents’ generation with cover bands like The Fab Four, the pure and classic voice of Sting as The Police jammed in San Diego, and felt the pulse of dark drums and heavy base with In Flames in the edgy LA scene. Every single note and word somehow strikes a deep unspoken chord of self expression.

Musicians are pure artists that reach enthusiasts of every country and every culture. Music is what ties the world together and moves it to a single beat. Songs can represent generations, social movements and historical events. They can instantaneously transport us from one place or time to another as we remember the instance that first touched us with their sound. Lyrics alone are simple poems that are elevated to a panorama or atmosphere where we find our most personally hidden world. This sound garden can be shared with some of the most influential people in our lives or can connect us with a stranger halfway across the globe.

The power of Music is infinite and we have control of this universe at the touch of a button – PLAY. Just as it is up to us how to live our lives, it is our decision as to what line up we set for our show.

Eric Hutchinson (Photo Cred: Lester Cohen)

Some of the most memorable experiences are ingrained in our mind due to the novelty of spontaneity, and the people we share it with. This is exactly how two years after I saw Eric Hutchinson in concert, I recall nearly every moment as it if it was yesterday.

There have been many assessments of Eric Hutchinson’s style, all of which are a combination of alternative and independent genres. The best description thus far in my eyes comes from the music-inspired community of Milkboy Coffee, the eclectic home to emerging artists, located in one of my favorite states, Pennsylvania. The review mentioned that his music has “painstakingly placed lyrics, brimming with sarcasm and wit.” These expressions, along with his incredible talent as a pianist, vocalist, and songwriter naturally served as gravity, pulling me into his world.

Eric Hutchinson and Starstruck Lindsay Amanda

I credit one of my close college friends, Nathan, for introducing me to Eric’s music. I was first exposed to Eric’s music when one of his songs was recorded on a mixed tape that Nathan had made for a few others and me. I was instantly hooked, and when I was told that Eric was coming to the House of Blues in San Diego for a concert, there was not a millisecond of hesitation from me to join.

One of my favorite aspects of every live music event is singing beside friends along with the musician who created the staff. The set list was Eric’s 2008 album Sounds Like This, played on shuffle. There were a few surprises in the lineup such as an adapted version of The Temptations beloved song “My Girl,” a new title, “Sad Songs,” and some impromptu poetry to rhythm, but for the most part it was a familiar set. The show was perfect from beginning to end, opening with the final track of the CD “You’ve Got You,” and commencing with his most recognized song “Rock and Roll.”

E-Hutch autograph for Nathan addressed to me and Melissa. Oops!

The spontaneous occurrences begin to unfold immediately following the act. When most musicians would jet, ducking into their tour buses and vans as soon as the curtain falls, Eric honored his fans by making himself available for signing and photos on site. The friend who introduced me to the music had asked a girlfriend and I to bring a copy of the score for the song “Rock & Roll,” that he had purchased to get signed since the crowd was so dense, knowing we could push our way through more easily. Once we arrived face-to-face with Eric, we transformed into star-struck girls, awkwardly asking for a picture with him. He asked for our names, “I’m Lindsay and this is Melissa,” I say. I was simultaneously wide-eyed, nervous and excited when he took our friend’s booklet out of my hands and wrote both of our names on the cover. It was not until we got back to Nathan to give him his booklet that we realized it wasn’t our memorabilia that was just addressed to us. Oops!!

After we cleared our fellow fans and reached the fresh downtown San Diego air that evening, our group stood outside raving about the show. I was deep in debrief when a friend looked over my shoulder and announced, “Hey great job tonight!” I whipped around thinking it was Eric again, and turned to find out the person standing behind me was one of his talented supporting band members, Tony. I engaged in conversation, enthusiastically telling him that I drove down from Orange County to come see the band play. He then told me that Eric and crew were playing in my neighborhood three days from then, and offered me tickets to the show since he did not have any direct ties to the area. Ecstatic? Yes! Again, how can I resist?

Lindsay Amanda, Tony and Gen

Now, I have seen some of my favorite bands multiple times, but never, until this point, had I seen an artist perform twice in the same week. Although it is nearly impossible to feel the same level of exuberance the second time around than one’s initial reaction, I am happy to report that even with the set listing replicated, the bonus show was wonderfully entertaining.

Eric Hutchinson is an artist with uniquely powerful talents, synthesizing musicality and poetry. His upbeat tunes translate the reality of his wit and humor into a true appreciation of the art. Despite the fact that I have fallen behind on my concert reviews, and am recalling these instances years later, the timing cannot be better. I’m proud to say that the teaser of his new song, “Watching You Watch Him,” is up to par. If rumor proves true, it should release at the end of November on the airwaves in preview to his new album Moving Up, Living Down, estimated to release early 2012. Until then, I urge you to visit his website at www.EricHutchinson.com and sign up for exclusive news and information. I know I’m already there!