Daryl Hall & John Oates, Train and Kandace Springs bring rock 'n' soul to Honda Center in Anaheim

File photo of Daryl Hall, left, and John Oates.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

A night of feel good rock 'n' soul delivered via two established hit makers and one rising newcomer made for a full night of fun at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday night (May 6, 2018).

Performing a 90+ minute set stacked with audience favorites, Daryl Hall & John Oates delighted the Honda Center from the moment they took the stage, opening with the infectious "Maneater." Backed by a terrific six-member band, the famed duo offered their parade of hits with versions that were at times mostly-faithful to the radio versions but more often provided extended and playful extended takes bolstered by the instrumental firepower of the musicians on stage. So with "Maneater," an early standout was a dueling lead solos between Oates on electric guitar and long-time sax player Charles DeChant.

File photo of John Oates, left, with sax player Charles
DeChant. Photo: Kelly A. Swift

The lush vocal harmonies and more intricate guitar work and Hall's obvious talents as a soulful vocalist enhanced "Out of Touch." An especially potent version of the duo's 1983 hit "Say It Isn't So" featured some of Hall's most affecting lead vocals of the night; the track ended with an artful blend of Hall, Oates and Shane Theriot all offering up lead guitar work together.

A wide view of Daryl Hall & John Oates show during the
performance of "She's Gone" on May 6, 2018.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Material spanning from the early '70s to 2018 was featured this night. The duo's delightful cover of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" (recorded by Hall & Oates in 1980) with both singers sharing lead vocal duties, and "She's Gone" (originally featured on the 1973 album Abandoned Luncheonette) were other early highlights of their set.

Reaching beyond their biggest hits, the duo reached back to their third album (1974's War Babies) to perform the rousing jazz-meets-rock track "Is It a Star?" Featuring all kinds of cool atmospheric guitar work and smooth sax textures, it was a definite sharp addition to the set list.

One of the things that has really set this summer tour apart was how Hall & Oates have really embraced the spirit of Hall's "Live from Daryl's House" TV series in the concert setting. Train's Pat Monahan (a previous guest on the popular series in 2010) joined the duo onstage for a mini-set that was an audience favorite. 

Recent file photo of Daryl Hall.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Kicking off this mini-set with their recent collaboration "Philly Forget Me Not," the single was even more impressive live with the mix of vocals than on the new recording. Next came the beautiful "Wait For Me," a lovely ballad featuring Monahan and Hall sharing lead vocals, with Hall's work on the grand piano anchoring the song. Finally, Hall introduced "Calling All Angels" acknowledging it as one of his favorite Train songs. The selection was powerful, complete with the sharing of voices and big choruses (locals love the song; "Calling All Angels" is played with a video montage of key moments in the team's history before every home game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim).

Then it was Hall & Oates and company in the limelight for several of their biggest hits including the dance-minded "Kiss On My List" and equally catchy "Private Eyes." The encore provided more highlights ("Rich Girl," "You Make My Dreams") for the enthusiastic audience.

Train performing "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" at Honda Center.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Train opened for Hall & Oates with a 65-minute set featuring some of the band's greatest hits, a forthcoming single ("Call Me Sir") and a faithful cover of Led Zeppelin's "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)." Among the best performances was the rollicking old-styled rocker "Save Me San Francisco, breezy folk rocker "Angel in Blue Jeans" and "Meet Virginia." Train closed out their set with the propulsive dance-rock track "Drive By" and introspective "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)."

Opening the night was rising singer-songwriter-keyboardist Kandace Springs, who blended R&B, jazz, pop and soul over 30 minutes. A guest on "Live from Daryl's House" in 2015, Springs delivered an impressive set of material where she was backed by a drummer and bass player. In addition to her own soulful songs, she offered up poignant covers of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and Roberta Flack's "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Learn more about Springs at her official site.


Daryl Hall & John Oates and Train are on tour now through the summer. For more information, visit the official Hall & Oates website here.

Review by Robert Kinsler

New Tunes: Built To Spill, Krewella, Striking Matches

With Coachellafest right around the corner, what better time to check out the next (and super cool melodic) single from the Coachella-bound Built To Spill.There is also an infectious new track from Krewella to share today too, as well as a release on Striking Matches' new album (available today)...

Built to Spill releases a brand-new song today, entitled "Never Be The Same," from their upcoming eighth studio album Untethered Moon. The track will be available as an instant download, along with previous instant download track "Living Zoo," to those who pre-order Untethered Moon from Built to Spill's Official Store, iTunes, and Amazon. The vinyl edition will be released by Warner Bros. Records on April 18^th exclusively for Record Store Day at all good independent record stores. A very limited-edition quantity of Untethered Moon will be pressed on transparent blue vinyl and will be randomly distributed into the initial run of pressings. The CD and digital versions will be released on April 21st.

Listen to "Never Be The Same" HERE.

As previously mentioned, Untethered Moon is the first BTS album recorded with new band membersSteve Gere (drums) and Jason Albertini (bass), who join vocalist/guitarist Doug Martsch.Untethered Moon was produced by Martsch and Sam Coomes (from the band Quasi).

Catch Built to Spill on their spring headlining tour starting March 27^th. All dates are HERE. For all things Built To Spill, visit www.BuiltToSpill.com.

Chicago-bred duo Krewella has released a brand new track “Somewhere to Run” today – check it out HERE. Jahan and Yasmine continue their genre-bending track record by incorporating rock elements to their dance wheelhouse. To do so, they assembled a team to collaborate with including rock veteran, Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Korn) and dance heavy hitters, The Pegboard Nerds. The song is their first release of 2015 and is available now HERE.
 
Krewella will reveal an all new stage set-up when they return to the Ultra Music Festival stage in Miami on Sunday March 29. The pair recently premiered a high-energy trailer in anticipation of the performance teasing new music snippets - check it out HERE. Fans can also catch Krewella live at their recently announced residency at the brand new Omnia Nightclub Las Vegas. The duo kicked off their first performance at the club and debuted “Somewhere to Run” live on Friday, March 20, with additional performances slated for April 10 and April 21. Tickets are available HERE. 
 
Since their debut in the summer of 2012 with the critically-acclaimed Play Hard EP, Krewella has garnered a cult fan base that they endearingly refer to as their "Krew." Their debut album Get Wet opened at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 upon its release in September 2013 while Platinum-certified lead single “Alive” quickly became a Top 10 Pop smash. The song nabbed the #1 spot on Billboard’s Dance Radio Airplay chart and the #9 spot on Billboard's Pop Chart, while the accompanying video has reached over 41 Million views on VEVO/Youtube. Krewella has collectively sold over 1.65 Million combined U.S. tracks to date while becoming world-renowned for their infectious live energy, leading them to headline some of the biggest festivals in the world including Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival, Lollapalooza and Tomorrowland.
 
Krewella is: sisters/vocalists/songwriters/DJs Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf.

Striking Matches, the guitar-driven duo comprised of Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis, creates an unexpected and unique sound that defies easy categorization on their full-length debut album, Nothing But The Silence,produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett, available now: iTunes and Amazon.

When asked what it means to be releasing their first full-length album today (March 23, 2015),Striking Matches reflects, “Releasing our debut record is the realization of a dream we have had our whole lives. It's been a long road to this point, and we can't wait to see where it leads us next. We are so proud of this record and so grateful to every single person who has supported us along the way.”

Rolling Stone Country recently caught up with the budding group as well as Burnett for an in-depth Q&A that touches upon everything from their initial meeting to the recording process. (Read full story HERE.)

Striking Matches with T Bone Burnett

Already a mainstay in Nashville, having played the Grand Ole Opry more than 40 times, Striking Matches recently ignited London with a series of sold-out performances and rave reviews. Thanks in part to having eight songs featured on ABC’s hit drama series Nashville, their international fan base welcomed them with open arms, singing back near every lyric, before the album’s release.

The duo occupies that sweet spot at the intersection of country, rock, and blues where all of the elements blend to form an authentically raw and rootsy sound that has a timeless and international appeal. GRAMMY-nominated and award-winning artists as well as the media have taken notice. 

Hunter Hayes says, “These two are phenomenally talented. Each their own voice on guitar, on vocals and especially in their writing. Their passion for what they do is inspiring and you can hear it in every note they play and sing. Brilliance.”

Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train, says, "I'm a big fan of Striking Matches. The guitar playing alone is reason enough to fall in love with them, but then you add two great voices and great songs and you have what makes them such a great band."

NPR Music’s Ann Powers included Striking Matches on her list of artists to watch for in 2015. Powers called them a “perfectly balanced duo.” She continued, “They both have incredible skills. They both have wonderful voices. Their harmonies are fabulous. And they both play the heck out of the guitar!”

WATCH: Striking Matches’ EPK: http://youtu.be/4NXvfhE4KLM

For more information, please visit:
www.strikingmatches.com,

Train capably leads hit-filled party in Irvine

My review originally posted on The Orange County Register site on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013. A special "thank you" to Kelly A. Swift for the use of her photography.

Train capably leads hit-filled party in Irvine

Stunned to have sold out Verizon, they nonetheless delivered like pros, delighting fans.

There are concerts that are potent, riveting performances delivered by artists whose trendsetting songs are the very definition of brilliance – Bruce Springsteen, U2, Neil Young and Radiohead immediately come to mind.

Set list: Train at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Main set: Calling All Angels / 50 Ways to Say Goodbye / If It's Love / Get to Me / Meet Virginia / Feels Good at First / Marry Me / Save Me, San Francisco / Free / Beatles medley / Mermaid / Bob Marley medley / Bruises (featuring Ashley Monroe) / Weed Instead of Roses (featuring Monroe) / drum solo / California 37 / Hey, Soul Sister / Can't Hold Us / Drive By

Encore: We Were Made for This / Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) / The Weight (cover of the Band, with all performers)

NEXT AT VERIZON

Black Sabbath, Aug. 28, $25-$135.50

Lil Wayne with T.I., 2 Chainz and G-Easy, Sept. 1, $53.75-$125.75 (no lawn seating)

Backstreet Boys, Sept. 6, $20-$139

Call: 800-745-3000

Online: livenation.com

Then there are concerts that are simply about live-for-the-moment good times. The summer party hosted by Train and featuring the Script and Gavin DeGraw at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine (on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013) was exactly that, pleasing a packed house that sang, danced, drank and posed for photos throughout a night where hit songs were never more than a few minutes away.

Train has scored a number of radio staples since its self-titled 1998 debut, and all of them were performed with precision Friday night. From the outset, with "Calling All Angels," singer Pat Monahan was an animated and spirited frontman. Lead guitarist Jimmy Stafford immediately impressed with solid solos and rhythms on that 2003 smash, and many more to come.

The three-time Grammy-winning group's far-flung mix of styles has incorporated folk, blues, rock, R&B, surf-rock, dance and country over the years, all facets displayed in Irvine. Along with original drummer Scott Underwood, the band's 90-minute set was assisted by top-notch touring players and several female backing vocalists.

Monahan and his mates seemed genuinely amazed to have sold out such a large venue in a region identified with their early career (though from the Bay Area, they recorded their debut in Laguna Beach). "It was only about four years ago we played at House of Blues in Los Angeles," the singer recalled, noting they attracted a mere 500 people to that show. "I don't know what happened, but we are happy it did."

Train deftly delivered a mix of old and new favorites, from the modern dance-pop of "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" and "Drive By" to the country-styled "Bruises" (with guest star Ashley Monroe sharing lead vocals) and more rock-oriented fare, like the Stones-ish "Save Me, San Francisco" or Bad Company-esque "Free," which launched into a mini-set spotlighting the Beatles' "We Can Work It Out" and "All You Need Is Love."

The party atmosphere reached its peak with "Mermaid," a beach ditty reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett, during which a number of fans dressed in decorative aquatic gear filled the stage and sang along.

Train's set wrapped up with a strong run through their best tracks, including "Hey, Soul Sister," the ambitious rocker "We Were Made for This" and "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)." And less than a week after Bob Dylan, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, My Morning Jacket's Jim James and Ryan Bingham memorably performed "The Weight" on this stage, all of this event's performers did the same Friday, joining forces for a rousing rendition of that Band classic, with Monahan, Monroe, leadoff act Gavin DeGraw and the Script's Danny O'Donoghue taking verses and singing harmoniously.

Outstanding singer/keyboardist DeGraw may have had the challenge of starting at 7 p.m. sharp, but his 40-minute set thrilled early birds. Backed by a sharp four-man band, he blended his strains of soul/R&B and pop/rock via uplifting versions of "Follow Through" and "Chariot" (gems from his 2003 debut) and newer choice cuts like "Make a Move" and "Who's Gonna Save Us?," the latter finding him far out into the crowd, still singing. His new single "The Best I Ever Had" and an equally infectious take on his 2011 hit "Not Over You" closed out a fast-paced set.

Irish trio the Script likely earned plenty of new fans over the course of its determined 60-minute set, mixing rock, dance, electronica and modern R&B in up-tempo tracks like driving opener "Good Ol' Days," the bittersweet "We Cry" (which addresses the plight of the poor with potency) and the affecting "If You Could See Me Now." The band closed with "Hall of Fame," an inspiring piece that immediately had the crowd up and grooving, mostly unaware of the song's probing lyrics about overcoming adversity. Indeed, this night was all about the party.

Scott Underwood of Tain.

Photos: Kelly A. Swift