CONCERT REPORT: Ben Nichols (Lucero) and Jared Hart at Crossroads

Ben Nichols at Crossroads, Feb 2018

Jared Hart at Crossroads, Feb 2018

Crossroads is a small venue that has become more and more popular with the Jersey scene lately, partly because of (or mostly because of) the dynamo that is Andy Diamond. Fans of The Gaslight Anthem will know his name from their 2010 song "The Diamond Church Street Choir", but since then, his name has become associated with many fantastic concerts in the area. After the sad departure of Asbury Lanes, fans of artists like Brian Fallon, Dave Hause, The Menzingers, The Scandals and upcoming headliner The Lawrence Arms, have found a new home at Crossroads because of Diamond's efforts.

Recently, Diamond brought Ben Nichols of Lucero out to play a solo show (with Crossroads staple Jared Hart opening up). Nichols doesn't play by himself out on the East coast as much as he does with his band Lucero, so this appearance was a special treat and naturally sold out pretty quickly. Lucero diehards took up the front row, shouting along with every lyric as they do at a full band show, as well as Hart fans who were there mainly to see him, but stuck around to see the legendary Nichols. The audience was mostly male, as one man pointed out in the back hall in line for the bathroom that "There's never a line for the ladies room at a Lucero show", to which his friend replied, "Yeah. They're only here to drive us all home afterwards!"

Without a band, Nichols still brings a lot of energy though he's just a man and his guitar (with some liquid courage at his side). Being solo allows him more time to stop and chat to the crowd between songs (sometimes during a song!) about anything ranging from lyrical motivation to being a new Dad to a precocious little girl. Nichols actually brought the two worlds of fatherhood and music together by playing a hilariously charming song written about his daughter Isabelle's shenanigans. It's not likely that it will end up on a record, but should he change his mind, it would probably be a big hit with their fans like it was with the crowd that night. You can check out video of that song here.

This was a show I'm glad I did not miss. It was a more challenging night than usual on the Garden State on that stormy night, but worth the hydroplane-braving and dodging crazy drivers to be there. It was nice and cozy in Crossroads, with heartwarming music from both Hart and Nichols.

To check out my photos from the show, click here.

CONCERT REPORT: Rise Against hometown gig (PHOTOS)

Zach Blair of Rise Against at the Aragon Ballroom, November 2017

To continue my wrap-up on WKQX's holiday show, The Night We Stole Christmas...

Rise Against hails from Chicago, so this gig was surely a highlight for them as well as me. I love seeing a band play their hometown because there's always a special vibe in the air. Being hugely successful, having toured all over the world, I would imagine there is nothing like coming back to your city and be reminded of how far you've come. Plus, instead of jumping back on a tour bus to hit the road to play to a room full of strangers, you can simply hop in your car and go home! Which is what I witnessed firsthand after the show, when bandmembers left the building. But not before stopping to talk to their loyal fans who waited outside in the freezing cold, knowing at least a few of them by their names upon first sight.

I've seen Rise Against quite a few times since my first show of theirs in 2007 opening for the now, sadly, defunct My Chemical Romance. Their ferocity and energy had not slowed down at all 10 years later. If anything, crowd response seems to have gotten even more intense as songs that were new back then are now classic favorites like "Prayer of the Refugee", "The Dirt Whispered" and "The Good Left Undone." Newer hits like "Satellite" and "Help Is On The Way" also made the cut as well as songs off their latest record, Wolves, "The Violence" and "House On Fire."

One thing about Rise Against is they will never shy away from expressing their feelings about what's going on in the world. Tim McIlrath took to the mic to say that, to him, it's "common sense" to say "F**k homophobia" and xenophobia, showing support for human diversity instead of demonizing it out of fear. He also openly declared that it's also "Common sense to say f**k Trump", which was met with deafening cheers right before going into "Savior." Bands like Rise Against are needed the most in times where people seem to be trying more than ever to censor anyone who doesn't agree with the current administration.

To check out my photos of the show, click here.