Green Day’s ‘Father of All…’ is a lame attempt at rock nostalgia
On a billboard that has since gone viral, Green Day proudly proclaimed that their newest record, “Father of All Motherf***ers” had “no features, no Swedish songwriters, no trap beats,” and was, instead, just “100% pure uncut rock.” You’ll forgive me for thinking this is more than a little corny, I’m sure. With this billboard — […]
Barnstorm Booking celebrates second anniversary with multi-genre festival
WILKES-BARRE — There’s a different kind of birthday party happening at Karl Hall this weekend. Barnstorm Booking, a local talent promotion agency owned and founded by Brian Kelly, will be celebrating its second anniversary with a mixed genre show at the venue this Saturday. The show will feature performances from Toothless, Sleepsculptor, Paladin’s Death, Renovare, […]
Black Fuse Gallery holds grand opening
KINGSTON — The Black Fuse Gallery held a grand opening and art show on Sunday night, featuring a number of talented local artists. Josh Anderson is the owner and tattoo artist at the combination tattoo parlor/art gallery and also one of 10 featured artists in this month’s exhibit, entitled “Broken Hearts.” “We’ve done the Broken […]
Leadership W-B team ‘Art Story’ restoring Verve Vertu’s kitchen
WILKES-BARRE — Members of the Leadership Wilkes-Barre project committee, Team Art Story, said they were drawn to their project because they connected with the beautiful art the artists at Verve Vertu are creating. Verve Vertu Art Studio — Verve, meaning high energy, and Vertu, meaning excellence in objects of art — is an arts apprentice […]
Lil Wayne’s ‘Funeral’ is a largely forgettable follow-up to the already forgettable ‘Tha Carter V’
Lil Wayne’s 13th record, “Funeral,” sort of reminds me of something Yngwie Malmsteen would do. Just like Malmsteen’s noodly guitar work, Wayne’s rapping on “Funeral” is technically proficient, but ultimately soulless. Now that I’ve angered the probably very small overlapping section on the Venn diagram of Lil Wayne and Yngwie fans, let’s provide some context. […]
Despite a few stumbles, Grammys mostly hit the mark for once
So a weird thing happened this year: the Grammys didn’t make me incredibly angry. Which, admittedly, takes a whole lot of wind out of my proverbial sails because columns like these tend to be a whole lot more interesting when the writer is angry. Like I said in my preview for the Grammy Awards back […]
WB thrash band Cruel Bomb releases punishing EP ‘Trinity Terror’
WILKES-BARRE — When Cruel Bomb spoke with the Weekender this time last year, they promised that 2019 was going to be “the Year of the Bomb.” And while it was a brash statement for the fledgling thrash metal band to make only a few months out of their formation, the music they have released since […]
Intrepidus Theatre Labpresents ‘Medea’
KINGSTON — It looks like barbed wire. But even if it’s made from soft material, like a volleyball net, that barrier is sure to attract your attention when you enter the space where Intrepidus Theatre Lab will present “Medea” Thursday through Sunday. “A lot of the show is about ‘the other,’” creative director Justin John […]
Benefit show for Brett Alexander, former member of The Badlees, planned
PLAINS TOWNSHIP – “BANDing together for BRET,” a benefit show for Bret Alexander, will take place on Saturday, April 11, in The Woodlands Grand Ballroom. The show will feature reunion performances by Underground Saints, Mere Mortals and Graces Downfall. Also performing will be Aaron Fink, Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen, Joe Burke & Co., […]
Breaking Benjamin to hold meet-and-greet at Gallery of Sound Friday
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Wilkes-Barre natives Breaking Benjamin will be having a homecoming of sorts this week with a meet-and-greet at Gallery of Sound to celebrate the release of their newest record. The band will be at the record store, located at 186 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre Township. this Friday at 5 p.m. According to a release […]