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Review: The Cranberries

Photos by Chris Oberholtz/The Star 

The Cranberries weren't one of the most influential bands of the 1990s but what they lacked in artistic sway and they more than made up for with hit singles and album sales. Born in the era when the notion of alternative music went mainstream, the Irish band spent a lot of time on the charts in 1993-96 by fusing their appreciation for various '80s bands (the Cure, the Smiths, R.E.M., Blondie, U2) into songs that were accessible and edgy.

Merry Christmas, from the Elders

The Elders 'Christmas Day'

Here's a new song, just in time for your Black Friday Happy Hour.

This weekend: Go local

There are plenty of worthy live-music events going on in the clubs around town. Go see local bands and performers. It's cheap, intimate and your hard-earned money goes to hard-working people who live and toil here. Here are a few of your options (and let us know what we've overlooked):

A Swell Season gallery

They will be in town Monday night for a show at the Uptown Theater. Courtesy of LiveDaily, here's a slide show from a recent show in Seattle. Here's a setlist from a recent show at the 930 Club in Washington, D.C. Tickets for Monday's Uptown show are $20 to $35 and are available via Ticketmaster. Rachel Yamagata opens. Here's a brief review of a show in Houston.

Your Sunday dinner: The Cranberries

The Cranberries weren’t one of the biggest bands of the 1990s, but they were among the most successful. In the United States alone, from 1993 to 1996, the band sold more than 14 million copies combined of three albums: “Everyone’s Doing It , Why Can’t We?” “No Need to Argue” and “To the Faithful Departed.”

Review: Hatebreed (et. al)

For a few fleeting moments Sunday, the music at the Beaumont Club was quite lovely.  An unaccompanied keyboard rang out daintily for about five seconds during Born of Osiris' turn on stage.  Then the jackhammer drumming, punishing guitars and tortured screams resumed. 

Bob Dylan's Christmas video

From his brand-new collection of Christmas/holiday music: his take on "Must Be Santa." Who wears a wig in his Santa video? Bob wears a wig in his Santa video. Watch it here.

Weekend review: What'd you see?

We dropped into see/hear the Get Up Kids, Tech N9ne and last night's Hatebreed show at the Beaumont Club (review on the way). Let us know what you saw or what we missed.

Review: Tech N9ne

Photos by Chris Oberholtz/The Star

Three days after he was presented with the Left Field trophy at the MTVu Woodie Awards in New York City, Tech N9ne showcased his left-of-center world view at the Independence Events Center. 

Review: Get Up Kids

Nearly a year to the date after reuniting, the Kids are still alright.

Homegrown heroes the Get Up Kids capped off a two-month tour opened their dual-night stand at the Record Bar Friday night in front of an energetic crowd. Both shows benefit the family of the late Recycled Sounds owner Anne Winter.