MUSIC

Gnomonaut Takes Atlanta on a Cosmic, Musical and Visual Journey

Published

9 years ago

July 6, 2011

Gnomonaut
June 02, 2011
The Earl – Atlanta, GA

Gnomonaut has managed to master the art of taking what can sometimes be a hard genre of music to swallow and turning it something that’s easy to digest. As the house lights went down in the already dark, back room of The Earl, the media screen behind the band was brought to life as the image of the bands Space Gnome appeared as opening tune “Bekajamir” faded in. I had already seen them live once before and while they made a really strong impression on me, I don’t remember being this blown away. They were so tight and fluid right off the bat only to kick it into interstellar overdrive with my current favorite “Celestial Dirt Nap.” Guitarist Patrick Marshall and Jeremy Adams seem to at time communicate telepathically as they rarely make eye contact with each other yet manage to compliment each other and zoom in and of each others way as they each take their solos.

Performing a sonically face melting set, it was also nice to see a band put some effort into their performance. Don’t get me wrong as I’d love seeing this band live anytime but performing in front of a screen psychedelic fractals, creepy cartons and Nosferatu made it more than a performance. Much like the late great Pink Floyd, Gnomonaut created a live experience that was as visually exciting as it was musically exciting. The set was made up of material from Gnomonaut’s debut album “The Chronocosm” such as “ManBearPig” and “Beard Mudding” but it was “Gnomonaut” that really brought it all home for me. Bassist Jeromy Dooyema and drummer Andy Snedden create a complex and tight yet fluid groove throughout as Dooyema loses himself in the moment and physically grooves along while ripping through the Black Sabbath classic “The Wizard.” Closing out the night with “The Chronocosm” is best described as the ending of “Empire Strikes Back” as I didn’t feel the resolve of an ending yet I just know that more cosmic awesomeness lies ahead in future episodes. Trust me folks. This is a good thing. I truly felt I had seen a show that far surpassed the average $5.00 local band show. It was a truly cosmic foray into the depths of music that managed to engage and entertain without losing me or leaving me lost in space.

Artists to Watch

Cry With Us! Puddles Pity Party in Orlando

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2019

Ange Alex

I owe him a poem:

Here’s a story of a sad clown who one night in February was traveling through O-town.

He brought a suitcase and a lot of gum, he brought music and videos and tons of fun.

He sang high but mostly he sang low, and he put of one hell of a good show.

He gave a bearded guy a cupcake and danced with a lady, a wolf he would make

There is no doubt he is a boss sir, he even got love from Kevin Costner.

Fans filled the plaza for a night of delight as the 7 foot clown gave us some real insight.

He sang Bowie and Queen and even some Who, also Cash, Lorde and “Let it go” too

Videos played of pets and babies crying, also beautiful artwork and people smiling.

Last night Orlando was anything but mad as we showed much love for a clown that is sad.

Ok, I’d cry too after that poem. Here’s some more info:

If you haven’t been to see a Puddles Pity Party show, you are missing out.

The show had me smiling and laughing so hard my stomach hurt, but I was also moved so many times by the range of Puddles voice. True entertainment never gets old and I have a feeling he is going to last forever.

I loved the interaction he had with the crowd. He pulled numerous people up to help him on stage and all of them were good sports, one man even singing the entire song, “All by myself” karaoke style! The show was so well thought out and planned but with room for some hilarious improv. Especially at the end when he pulled the 3 fans from the audience dressed like clowns. At the end of them performing together, Puddles suddenly remembers that he is scared of clowns! Genius!

Hands down one of the best performances I’ve seen in years.

Holiday Fun

Kingsized Holiday Fun! Big Mike is Back at the Variety Playhouse!

Published

5 years ago

December 2, 2015

Ange Alex

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Big Mike Geier and his Kingsized Rock ‘n Roll Orchestra, along with the Dames Aflame Dancers, Lil’ Santa and other special guests, bring tidings of comfort and joy with their signature glitz and glamour in what has become a tinsel-time tradition at the Variety Playhouse. The all-ages 90-minute show features your Holiday favorites by the likes of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Heat Miser, The Grinch and more!

Photo: Emily Butler

We caught up with Big Mike to ask a few questions.

TBB: Big Mike! It’s been a couple years since we had the pleasure of seeing you perform live. We are so excited to be back in Atlanta and we are ready for this show. What can you tell us about this years event?

Big Mike: Welcome back to Atlanta, Ange! We’re also excited to be in town for another wild and wonderful Holiday Jubilee. We like to honor the tradition that the Jubilee has become and don’t mess too much with the format. You can expect the always magnificent sounds of the 12-piece Kingsized Rock ‘n Roll orchestra performing your favorite holiday classics and the dazzling Dames Aflame dancers providing the glamour. The show is all about holiday nostalgia, whatever that means to you: Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Donnie Hathaway, The Grinch, Rankin Bass, Peanuts, the Dreidel Song? It’s all in there.

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