Sometimes you can find great music in the unlikeliest of places. I'd never been to the Lion's Lair before Thursday night, even though I'd passed by the place many times. Stepping inside for the first time, I wasn't sure how it'd work as a venue. Inside was a massive island-style bar that took up most of the space. Most of the patrons were enjoying drinks and watching baseball, which went on for longer than I expected. In fact, the first band didn't start until after the game that night finished - an hour and a half past the scheduled start time. That was a major clue that the place was definitely more bar than venue. Hussle Club was absent that night, something that must have happened a while ago but was never updated anywhere. That was another clue that music may be the secondary purpose here, so I began to wonder what might be in store when the first band finally took their places on the small stage hidden in the corner of the bar.

Big Tree

Big Tree was up first, taking the role of the headliners for the night's show. This five piece indie-pop band had Kaila McIntyre-Bader on vocals/piano, Anna Ghezzi on vocals/glockenspiel, Dan Pirello on guitar, Luke Bace on vocals/bass, and Colin Fahrner on drums. Once they began to play, all my concerns about the setting vanished as I got lost in their immaculate sound. The band used a combination of retro and contemporary rock styles to make something that sounded like a modern rock twisted version of '60s sunshine pop. Their songs were driven by tight vocal harmonies and jazzy piano wrapped around blues-rock styled guitar, bass and drums.

Big Tree

It was very refreshing to hear, like the band channeled the style and spirit of groovy jazz piano-driven vocal pop, but instead of keeping it quaint which could make them sound campy, they kicked up the energy and attitude with bluesy indie rock 'n' roll making the package pleasingly different.  Big Tree opened their set with the syncopated rhythms and crisp harmonies of "Move To The Mountains", a song from their first self-titled album that blends psychedelic funk with vocal pop very contagiously and did well to introduce the audience to what comprises this band's characteristic musical style.

Big Tree

Up next came "This Fall" from Big Tree's new sophomore album This New Year, still featuring the hypnotic vocal-pop harmonies but driven by a more contemporary indie rock sound. I really enjoyed "The Concurrence of All Things" because its unusual time-signature enhanced the retro jazz piano feel of the song and really gave it that old sunshine pop framework, but the guitar work kept the song modern. "Seattle Bound" and "Ah Ah Ah" had a similar stylistic balance that made them standout songs as well. I also liked how they finished their set with the more uptempo pieces "Cap'n Ted" and "Little Brother" that really brought out the rock 'n' roll aspect of their sound. "Little Brother" was an awesome finishing piece, as the band played an extended version with an instrumental breakdown that elevated the song to epic status.

Big Tree

Big Tree definitely had a clearly defined sound going for them that is apart from what anyone else is currently doing. They also seem to have a strong dynamic with each other, making it easy for the crowd to feel their energy emanating from stage. All together, they make for a talented, quite polished and likable group that can deliver a very enjoyable music experience with their unique style of songs. I was very impressed with their music and very glad that I was able to hear them and pretty astonished that I saw them at Lion's Lair of all places. If you are into indie-pop and/or music with a '60s throwback feel, seek out Big Tree - they are very good at what they do.

Number Station

Local psych-rock band Number Station came up next to close out the night. It was a performance I was looking forward to with great curiosity, because it was the first time I've reviewed a band I've seen before after major line-up changes, giving me the ability to do some compare and contrast. I saw Number Station a couple times back in August, and since then two members have left the band and two new faces have taken their place. Jay McBurney slid over from bass to guitar to make room for new bassist John Jarvinen and Kate Whysner joined the band as the new vocalist. Thursday night's show was the first live performance of this new iteration of Number Station.

Being the first time this new version of the group performed live meant they did not quite have the same cohesion that the previous group I saw did, but that was completely understandable as that will take some time to redevelop. Although much of the performed material were songs I've heard this band play before, they had a considerably different feel to them during this performance. The first thing I noticed was that the tone of the band seemed different - less dark and not really sludgey. The guitars did not seem as heavy or distorted - the riffs seemed to have a more subdued attitude about them.

It seemed strange to me not seeing Jay on bass. His somewhat stoic demeanor worked well on the bass but seems to sap a little life out of the guitar. Musically, he seemed to play well, but the dynamic seemed a little off especially compared to how Tom, Adam and John moved about on stage with their respective instruments. Kate seems to still be finding her presence behind the microphone. Her vocals are good, but too clean and don't seem to have conviction. I understand she is still learning the songs, so I'll just say she needs to develop a strong connection to the words she is singing, because as of now I didn't feel any conviction. Personally, I really liked the very dark, moody and almost twisted vocal delivery I heard from this band before, and right now I think the vocals are delivered straightforwardly with too much sparkle.

Number Station

Because of those things, the performance of the older songs I heard before just weren't quite what I'd hoped to hear Thursday night.  However, the new song "Still I Love You" stood out because it seemed to fit the new line-up of the band better. The song has a more solemn, introspective mood driven by a slower tempo and bluesy guitars that gives Kate the ability to sing more soulfully. I really think that a softer more soulful vocal delivery is Kate's strength - she had much more conviction and delivered better energy throughout that song. I suppose it's up to the band to figure which way they want to lean or if somehow both moody darkness and bluesy soul can coexist. I'd like to see this band again after a little bit of time when they form a more solid identity. The foundation is there, but the rest of the structure is still to come.

See more pictures from this show in the Facebook photo album. Like the Concerted Effort page to stay up to date.

Denver has live music behind just about every corner, and tonight I'm headed to the Lion's Lair to check out a mix of rock bands. Lion's Lair has played host to many different rock bands for quite some time, and it's about time I check out what they have going on there. Tonight the Lion's Lair will be hosting two national bands and one local band. The national bands are new to me, but the local band is one of the first bands I've covered on this blog, so it'll be nice to see how they've progressed.

Tonight I'm stuck at work again, but that doesn't mean the music stops in the Denver area this evening. The obvious big show tonight is happening in a big arena - Sade & John Legend at the Pepsi Center. But if you want to check something out at a smaller, there are no shortage of options. I'll admit, I'm not familiar with most of the hundred or so events happening tonight, but there is one small concert I can recommend if you are looking to rock out tonight.

Number Station will be at Herman's Hideaway tonight

Herman's Hideaway will play host to three local Denver rock bands. The headliner is Number Station, and if you've been following this blog at all, you'll know they are a pretty good local sludgey psychedelic-rock band. If you aren't familiar with them, you can hear a couple sample songs here. Before Number Station you can check out a couple more local rock acts. I'm not familiar with them quite yet, but you can hear Sad Hill Swindle songs on Facebook, and Classic Vinyl Band songs off of their band website.

Herman's Hideaway is a great small venue located in south Denver. I've seen a few good shows there and they are always hosting local bands. They got a good bar with great drink specials as well. The show starts at 7:30PM and tickets are very cheap, $6! The show tonight is for those 21 and older. Come out and support some local talent, I know I would if I could!

I love seeing people in their element, and when it comes to musicians, that means seeing them performing their songs from their very core, where you can tell they truly love what they do and they are up on a stage sharing their passion with you. Last night at Bender's Tavern, I was lucky enough to see that happen four times.

It was my first time to Bender's, and it really is the perfect place for a rock show. Bender's is split into two sections. There is the main bar section to right - a cool space walled with local art for sale, pool tables, TVs, a jukebox - just about everything you need in a bar. But on the left, there's quite an impressive venue tucked behind double doors. It's not the largest stage in the world, and it is definitely an intimate space. The bar inside the venue sits right next to the stage - you are practically going backstage when you get a drink. It was the perfect setting to play host to four great local bands.

Amber of Screwtape Zombies

Screwtape Zombies were up first, and I was eager to see their set because I was unable to find any previews of their music before their show. The Screwtape Zombies are a trio - Amber (vocals, keyboard, accordion, melodica), Jared (bass), and Drew aka "Grammar School" (drums, vocals, guitar, keyboard). They have a distinctively dark yet whimsical retro sound and their songs are laced with plenty of humor. It's difficult to categorize these guys - it's a sight you have to see. It's exactly the kind of zombie band I would expect to be issued by Zomcon, for those familiar with the zombie comedy film "Fido".

Jimmy Nasi of I'm A Boy

Next on stage was I'm A Boy, a three piece band with a very throwback sound and attitude. Not only were they playing out a crisp sixties punk-garage sound, but they had the stage presence that went along with it - John on the drums, Whitney on bass, and Jimmy Nasi on lead vocals and guitar. Jimmy was everywhere on the stage truly getting down. He'd jump up on amplifiers and wile out during solos. He'd throw kicks in the air. He was practically on top of the crowd and really having a good time out there. It was apparent that this band didn't just want to be there - they thrived off being on-stage performers. I was really blown away with how hard these guys brought it - if you couldn't feel the energy, you must've been dead.

Number Station

Number Station came up next as the headlining band, and they certainly did not disappoint, despite having to deal with the last minute challenge of being down a guitar player. It was great to see a band adjust on the fly, and I was lucky enough to know how they sounded as a five-piece band having seen them just a couple days prior. They still managed to create that same, sludge-like sound that drew me to them initially and it never really seemed like anything was missing - Tom Mestnik just made sure to wail harder on his guitar, Adam Snook was crisp on the drums and Jay McBurney was his lovable self on the bass. I'm telling you, their brand of psychedelic sludge-metal is awesome and Claire Connolly's vocals and demeanor give the band a unique appeal. Check these guys out!

Victoria and Whitney of Nipples-n-Dimes

Nipples-n-Dimes came on the stage as closers, playing a high energy punk-garage set to end the night. Victoria came on stage with a coonskin hat and plenty of swagger, and the rest of the band seemed to feed off her energy. There were a couple of familiar faces in the band lineup as well - John and Whitney from I'm A Boy double-dipped on this one. John ditched his Clark Kent disguise glasses and continued to pound the drums, while Whitney traded in her bass to play lead guitar. Playing for two different bands in the same night made it apparent these guys were performance addicts. Overall, the whole band did an excellent job to end the show on a high note.

I'm starting to feel like a broken record, but the only thing missing from last night were more people. The venue wasn't desolate by any means, but there weren't enough people to crowd the dance floor and truly play off the energy that was beaming from stage. If you were out supporting something else that's OK, because there was a wide variety of events going on that night. I just hope now if you see any of these band names on a bill and you are into rock, you'll strongly consider checking them out. But if you were sitting on your thumbs last night, what a waste. For shame!

Once again I find myself a little untimely with the Friday night concert update. I'll figure out how to get everything out on time sooner or later though, so bear with me. Tonight I'm going to see the same band twice in the same week as well as check out a few more local offerings. Bender's Tavern will host four local Denver rock bands, and it should be a good show.

Number Station

I returned to the Larimer Lounge last night for another great concert showcasing up and coming local and national talent. The lineup was a pretty eclectic mix, which is right up my alley. They all shared rock music as a common denominator, but the lineup offered a little bit of psychedelic-sludge-garage rock, some dreamy-indie-pop rock, and some blues-funk-ska rock. There was definitely a little bit of something for everyone.

Claire Connolly of Number Station

The night started off with Number Station, a local Denver band that kicked off the night with a bang. As I mentioned in my preview, compared to the rest of the lineup, these guys had a very dark, sludge-metal-like sound that melted my face and kept my head banging. Claire Connolly's vocals had just the right attitude and her stage presence was remarkable. These guys were enjoyable to watch and I can't wait to see them in a packed venue. They will be performing again on Friday night, headlining Bender's Tavern. I'm supposed to work, but I just might have to find a way to be there!

Maren Parusel

Next up was the headlining band from San Diego, Maren Parusel. It was a bit strange at first going from sludge to something more pop, but before they finished their first song all that was forgotten as this band commanded the stage. During the band's tour, much of their gear was stolen, so the band was forced to continue on with mostly borrowed instruments. Ariel Levine, pictured above on the far left, talked about how hard it was using foreign gear, and amazingly, they were still able to perform without skipping a beat, despite the challenge of trying to replicate a certain sound using slightly different tools.

The band's namesake and lead singer, Maren Parusel, came from Germany to California just a couple years ago with the dream of writing songs and performing in a band. Although she studied English growing up, she admitted that she didn't come to really know it until being immersed in an English speaking environment. I find that remarkable. I have a hard enough time trying to write songs in my native language, so I can't imagine the challenge of trying to do so in a second tongue. Maren and her band had a certain earnestness about them I found very appealing and I came away from their performance truly wanting to see them succeed. They are wrapping up their tour of the US for their new album, Artificial Gardens, heading back west with a few more stops on the way. Give their album a listen, and be sure to check them out the next time they come to Denver!

Mike Keesler of Firemouth

To close the night, Firemouth, more Denver locals, finished with a set that was upbeat but a completely different sound than the prior two bands. These guys had a lot of energy and brought a fun mixture of blues-funk that kept the faithful remaining crowd dancing. Lead singer and guitarist Mike Keesler had a lot of presence and energy that was very easy to feed off of. I especially enjoyed their cover of Warren G's "Regulate" and how somehow in the middle of one of their songs, they managed to splice in some of Sublime's "Garden Grove". I could see these guys easily commanding a large crowd.

The show was great. The only thing lacking was a large and boisterous crowd. I would think it was because it was a Wednesday night, but walking home from the Larimer Lounge to Capitol Hill I must have passed at least a dozen packed bars. I'd have to guess people aren't willing to seek out music they aren't already familiar with and/or they just don't know good live music is happening right under their noses. Instead, it seems they'd rather hang out in the same spaces listening to the same tired songs coming out of the jukebox. Why not seek out the next new thing? Hopefully more people will realize there is a lot to be discovered out there and there is no better feeling than sharing that experience with a crowd of people wiling out in front of that new discovered band.

I'm still working on trying to be more on top of concert updates, as in not discovering bands the day they will play their show and then trying to tell you about them but instead doing my research more ahead of time. But until then, I suppose this will have to do. In today's search for musical happenings around Denver, I discovered this show at the Larimer Lounge, and although I haven't been feeling well lately, I think I just might make it out tonight.


Maren Parusel comes from San Diego, California, and they'll be bringing a dreamy form of indie pop-rock with to Denver tonight. Like I said, I just found out about these guys, so I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert on this band. Instead, I'll recommend you listen to "Ordinary Day" and "Don't Take Your Eyes Away". They will start playing at 10:00PM.


Before Maren Parusel plays their set, Denver locals Number Station will kick things off at 9:00PM. If you think Maren Parusel has a tinge of darkness to their sound, Number Station might as well be cave creatures that have been in darkness so long they have evolved without eyes. At least that's what I can tell from the small sampling of music I could find. They are by no means the darkest band out there, but in this lineup they are obsidian. Listen to "Cinnamon and Cherries" and "Riverbed" to get an idea of their slightly sludge-like psychedelic garage sound.


Interestingly enough, Firemouth, another local Denver band, will be playing after Maren Parusel, despite not actually being the headliners. I suppose the idea is to get you to leave the venue feeling a little more upbeat. These guys play a blend of funk-tinged garage blues-rock and seem to have a good amount of energy behind their sound. Check out "All That You Needed" and "Hard to See".

I don't usually go and check out unknown bands the day I find out about them, but there are worse things I could do on a Wednesday night. Plus, I like going out and supporting local bands and hearing new things. Best of all, it's at a small venue and entrance is cheap - $10. If you don't have anything better to do, come join me!

Maren Parusel - Don't Take Your Eyes Away by Concerted Effort



Number Station - Cinnamon and Cherries by Concerted Effort
Number Station - Riverbed by Concerted Effort

All That You Needed by Firemouth
Hard To See by Firemouth