Roman Gokhman’s favorite concerts of 2015
Welcome to my annual countdown of the most entertaining music experiences of the year. I only went to 41 concerts. Life commitments and a family took a higher priority. But then again, I enjoy profiling an artist over critiquing the music. I put more thought into the concerts I attended, so I think this compilation is still “deserving,” whatever that means. Still, some iconic and talented performers didn’t make my top 10: No Elton John or AC/DC, Royal Blood or Kacey Musgraves (who both came close), no Mumford and Sons or Duran Duran. Those of you who have read my previous [...]
FFS: A Friggin’ Fun Show
FFS (Photos by Brittany O'Brien) From swaying and atmospheric to face-melting electric rockabilly distortion by way of teeth, The Intelligence managed to put just the right amount of pep in eager FFS fans' steps at their Oakland debut at the Fox Theater last Thursday. They may have looked like your dad and his friends, but I assure you the Intelligence earned their spot as openers for FFS as they jumped over drum sets and kicked their feet in the air while shredding notes that filled the grandiose theatre. As the pulse of the crowd dropped between bands, I couldn't help but to wonder if [...]
Interview: Franz Ferdinand + Sparks = FFS
After a long day's work at the coffee shop, I was rewarded with the supreme pleasure of skyping with Paul Thomson, drummer of Franz Ferdinand, and now the collaborative pop group with LA's duo Sparks-- FFS. We talked everything from Ferdinand's "coincidental" run in with Sparks in our very neighborhood to the whirlwind of doing a world tour after only two weeks of rehearsing. TBB: The long awaited collaboration between Franz Ferdinand and Sparks has finally happened. Congratulations. From what I hear, this all began because both groups were fans of each other - Sparks loving “Take Me Out” which was [...]