The Hip Abduction will be playing Orlando at the House of Blues on January 30, at a show that includes The Expendables, and Zach Deputy Band.
Hailing from St. Petersburg, FL, they are touring in support of their upcoming sophomore album, Gold Under the Glow, which is set to hit stores March 11, 2016.
It’s October, and several Orlando-area eateries are doing up special dishes to celebrate Germany’s Oktoberfest. Here’s where you can get a taste:
The Hard Rock Cafe Orlando at Universal Orlando CityWalk will be offering a special OctoberFest Schnitzel burger through October 31. Inspired by Hard Rock Cafe Munich’s Local Legendary Schnitzel Burger and features a lightly breaded tender pork schnitzel, Samuel Adams OctoberFest-infused beer cheese sauce, topped with smoked bacon, tangy sauerkraut, whole grain mustard and fresh arugula, served on a pretzel bun.
Riding high on their new album, the quartet known as WALK THE MOON will be bringing their tour to Orlando at the House of Blues on Wednesday, October 14.
The band was founded in 2008 by singer/keyboardist Nicholas Petricca, who derived their name from the song “Walking on the Moon” by The Police. They released their debut album in 2010, receiving airplay for the single “Anna Sun,” then signed to RCA records and released their self-titled major label debut in 2012, which combined their indie album with new tracks.
Canadian electronic music production duo Adventure Club are returning to the House of Blues on October 3, and it’s set to be a dubstep party.
Hailing from Montreal, Adventure Club is Christian Srigley and Leighton Callou, a production outfit specializing in meshing dubstep and electronica with delicate vocals and upbeat melodies, creating a sound that’s uniquely theirs.
I first heard of the rock band Fozzy years ago when I was a music buyer at the Virgin Megastore here in Orlando. I was already a fan of Chris Jericho from his day job as a WWE wrestler, but now he was fronting a hard rock band? Always open-minded, I popped in their debut cd and loved what I heard.
Fast forward more than a decade, and I was invited to check out Fozzy live when they played the House of Blues Orlando on December 11. Of course, I said “Yes!”
Heavy rock band Fozzy returns to Orlando with a show at the House of Blues on Thursday, December 11.
Fozzy is led by vocalist Chris Jericho, a former WWE champion wrestler, and guitarist Rich Ward, formerly of the band Stuck Mojo, along with band members Jeff Rouse, Frank Fontsere, and Billy Grey. The group has six albums to their credit.
The most recent release, Do You Wanna Start a War, made its debut on the Billboard charts at #54, the band’s highest charting debut ever. The album also charted #20 Rock Albums, #10 Independent Albums, #9 Hard Rock Albums and #1 on the iTunes rock charts in 5 different countries.
House of Blues Orlando witnessed synth-pop is alive, and doing quite well, with iconic 1980s band Erasure on Saturday September 13.
Orlando, the second city of ‘The Violet Flame’ 58-stop tour, welcomed Erasure with open arms. The tour, promoting their 16th studio album, runs through December. The album is due September 23. Listen to an early preview here: soundcloud.com/erasureinfo/the-violet-flame-continuous-dj-mix/ or scroll down to hear it.
Opening act NINA, supported with strong percussion and vocals by Laura Fares, stayed in line with the synth beats the crowd was there for, yet paired them with spiritual and soulful voices that gave us a trance-like, almost ethereal feeling. Their music, described as a blend of dream pop / moody disco, with songs like ‘Dark Rider’, ‘We Are The Wild Ones’ and ‘Sweet Surrender’, got us started on this retro-modern kind of evening.
One of my favorite places to eat at Downtown Disney is the House of Blues, so I was excited to hear they had opened a counter service restaurant out front called The Smokehouse.
Located in the small building that was formerly the ticket booth for the House of Blues concerts, The Smokehouse serves BBQ-meat sandwiches, smoked turkey leg, a hot dog, a few sides, and drinks.
Having enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich inside the sit-down area of House of Blues, my friend and I ordered that sandwich, along with the brisket sandwich, because we both love brisket.
Both sandwiches were served on a brioche bun, accompanied by a small cup of housemade cole slaw and a side of smoked tomato BBQ sauce.
Touring favorites Flogging Molly will be bringing their annual Green 17 tour to the House of Blues Orlando on Tuesday, February 18, 2014.
Formed in 1997, Flogging Molly has won a faithful following with a sound that infuses punk rock with Celtic instruments, with a touch of the blues, and with lyrics that have a social and political awareness to them.
This tour marks the 10th anniversary of their countdown to St. Patrick’s Day tour, and their Orlando shows tend to be packed.
Tickets for the all ages show are $35 in advance, and $38 day of, and are available online or at the House of Blues box office.
To get you in the mood for the show, here is Flogging Molly’s “Don’t Shut ‘Em Down” video:
Canada’s Adventure Club is bringing their unique blend of dubstep and electronica to the House of Blues on Friday, November 15.
Hailing from Montreal, Adventure Club is Christian Srigley and Leighton Callou, a production outfit specializing in meshing dubstep and electronica with delicate vocals and upbeat melodies, creating a sound that’s uniquely theirs.
Having remixed the likes of Brand New, Thrice, Alexisonfire and Metric, while stunning listeners with their collaborations such as “Rise & Fall” with Krewella, the duo is now concentrating on creating original productions.
We mentioned a few days ago that for the first time ever, Walt Disney World is holding a special event called Downtown Disney Foodtopia. Similar to a restaurant week/month, eight restaurants at Downtown Disney are offering special 3-course menus for a set price.
Since then, we’ve been innundated with requests for what the menus are, and since you requested it, here’s what we discovered:
BONGOS CUBAN CAFE $30 Menu
HOUSE OF BLUES $30 Menu
Foodies will want to participate in the first Downtown Disney Foodtopia event at Walt Disney World October 1-31.
During the month, eight of Downtown Disney’s restaurants will be offering set dinner menus for a set price.
Seven will be offering $30 menus:
Bongos Cuban Cafe * House of Blues * Paradiso 37 * Planet Hollywood * Portobello * Splitsville * Wolfgang Puck Cafe
And Fulton’s Crab House will be offering a $60 menu, which will include an entree choice of a whole Rhode Island lobster, cioppino, or filet mignon.
Call 407-WDW-DINE for more information and to make reservations (required). Reservations are limited and must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Payment is due at reservation.
ZZ Ward returns to Orlando with a show at the House of Blues on September 24. Her album, Til the Casket Drops, was one of my favorite albums of 2012.
Mix blues with hip hop, and you have the Ward’s sound base. Add in some R&B, pop, and a little funk, and you get the full flavor of her unique, but totally awesome music.
Tickets for her show are a bargain at $16.75 for general admission in advance and $18 day of. In addition, all online advance ticket purchases include a copy of the 365 Days 5-song EP.
Also joining her on the bill are The Wild Feathers and James Bay.
The Wild Feathers are an Austin, TX, band with a love for artists like Tom Petty, the Allman Brothers, Neil Young, and I even hear a touch of The Eagles in their songs.
James Bay is a British musician who will appeal to those who enjoy the indie-singer-songwriter genre of music. His sound is acoustic rock with a touch of soul.
Both are great artists, so get to the show early.
Last night I headed out to the House of Blues to check out the triple bill of Pepper, Grieves, and RDGLDGRN. I got there shortly before 8pm, and was able to get a prime spot on the lower level against a railing, that had me eye level with the stage.
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Those that got there early were able to check out the first act, RDGLDGRN. I like this band. The trio (along with a guest drummer) powered through a set that got the crowd dancing and waving their hands to the beat. I was disappointed they didn’t do my fave song, “Lootin’ in London,” but the rest of their set was tight, despite a temporary mic problem during one song. Good band – you should check them out.
The first annual Big Night Out tour, featuring Fuel, Trapt, and Alien Ant Farm, is set to rock the House of Blues Orlando on August 1, 2013.
For those listening to rock stations in the late 1990s and early 2000s, these bands were staples on the radio.
Fuel has sold over 3.5 million albums in the US, and had three top 5 singles, including “Shimmer” off their 1998 debut cd. They are currently working on new music.
Trapt has released six studio albums to date, and had a big hit in 2003 with the single “Headstrong.” They recently released their seventh cd, Reborn.
Alien Ant Farm scored several award nominations, including two Grammy nominations, and had four top 10 singles, including their cover of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.”
Tickets are $25 in advance and $28 day of show. The concert is all ages. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the HOB box office.
