What a difference a day made. February began mildly, just another day in this overall mild winter we've been having, but over the course of 24 hours that changed drastically. Perhaps the groundhog was right, and the sight of his shadow brought about a wicked storm as night fall came. Despite the sudden change in weather, the show at the Bluebird Theater still went on. This local showcase presented by Tone Dynamix brought out an eager crowd of people to see these four talented bands.

Safe Boating Is No Accident

Safe Boating Is No Accident went on stage first. The trio of Leighton Peterson (vocals, guitar), Neil McCormick (bass, vocals), and Zay Rios (drums, vocals) opened the night with some of their new material. Being the first time I caught this band live, I was expecting to hear some avant-garde folk like what they had on their currently released EP, but this band has switched gears since that release. They shed the mellow, acoustic-driven experimental folk music for something a little warmer, brighter and more energetic - a good contrast to the cold darkness outside.

Safe Boating Is No Accident

They performed an electric guitar driven, coastal/surf inspired style of indie rock that at first took me off guard, but quickly drew me in. Their new approach differed greatly in sound from what they had previously recorded, but I think their personalities and band identity still came through in their reboot. They still maintained a penchant for good songwriting, just draped around a more melodic and danceable sound that was welcoming and a little bit more accessible. Although I still enjoy their older material, I welcome the progression of this band.

The Marrow

Up next was a band that I thought was very exciting the first time I saw them and was eager to see again, The Marrow. The Marrow has five talented members; Tania Katz (vocals/accordion/keyboard/percussion), April Anderson (drums/percussion/vocals/keyboard), Aaron Burris-DeBoskey (guitar/vocals/keyboard/trumpet), Kris Becker (guitar/vocals), and Rodrigo Valdes (drums/percussion). They create an amazing blend of experimental folk/jazz/rock that really has to be experienced to be fully understood.

The Marrow

To really describe this band, I'll have to revisit and expand on the analogy I first used when I saw this band. I compared this band to a Bordeaux wine blend because the way they carefully mixed various styles into something that definitively stands on its own. This time, I had the benefit of comparing this night's performance to a very early performance (the one I saw last). Very much like a fine wine, they have definitely become better with age. Now their flavor profile, their identity, is even more richly defined, and although they may not be immediately accessible or readily suited to a wide range of tastes, those with a refined (experimental) palate can pick out the myriad of nuances in their sound, enjoying what they have not only through each individual component but what they have as a finished, creative product.

The Marrow

They began their set by performing their first EP, Cave, in its entirety. Cave is more like a flowing suite than a collection of individual songs, and The Marrow performed it as such. They tweaked the order a bit, starting with "I Am", but then went on to smoothly blend "Cave", "Lady Lisbeth" and "The Devil" into one flowing piece, taking the audience on a musical journey that was sometimes melodic, sometimes chaotic, but with the band always in complete control. Whether they cooed the crowd with smooth vocals or built wonderment by creating intricately elaborate soundscapes, the first half of their performance was done perfectly - much riper and polished than when I saw them before. I knew they had the potential to be stunning after some time, and it appears it really didn't take long to reach that point.

The Marrow

The latter half of The Marrow's set was also a treat, which included a couple new unreleased songs and a few selections from the newly released EP Crawlers. When The Marrow performs, they have quite the expansive stage setup, and yet they still manage to achieve a far greater range of sound than one would imagine. The new songs "Where Are" and "Your Side" were so amazing and so elaborate, all I can say is I feel sorry for anyone that missed them because it was epic. The songs from Crawlers were also incredible, and to be honest, I could go on and on about what made them that way, but instead, I will just state plainly that this band is cleverly eclectic, interesting, and do well to create a sound that explores new territories in music. For fans of experimental rock, this is a band that should not at all be missed.

Tommy & The Tangerines

Tommy & The Tangerines took the stage next, transitioning the mood of the evening towards the lighter side. This Boulder based six piece band featured Mic Carroll (vocals, superstar dance moves), Matt Hendrick (guitar/vocals), Ian Hendrick (guitar), Laura Stratton (keyboards), Patrick Coleman (bass), and Ben Batchelor (drums). They created a playful brand of pop-rock that delivered energetic music with a lot of  danceability. The combination of catchy vocals, a melody driven sound and bombastic stage presence marked a performance that attracted a party-ready crowd to the dance floor.

Tommy & The Tangerines

From the very beginning of their set Tommy & The Tangerines created fun atmosphere of excitement. They opened their set basked in orange light, radiating the crowd with playful energy and a sunny tone. Although pop rock 'n' roll is the band's main footprint, I enjoyed their foray into soul with "Face", especially with the addition of a guest saxophonist. The crowd seemed to momentarily forget the snow and go into a summer-like party mode when they performed "Sam I Am". "Friends Today" was an endearing catchy tune with a hint of jazzy blues-rock. The country influenced song "Great Mistake" ended their set well, getting the crowd riled up like they were hearing their favorite tavern drinking song. Fans of pop-rock will find Tommy & The Tangerines very appealing.

Tantric Picasso

Finally it was time for the headlining band, Tantric Picasso, who were celebrating the release of their new record Make Your Love Bigger. Tantric Picasso is a five piece band featuring Jackson Boone (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Marko Melnick (guitar, vocals), Pablo Cruz (bass), Matthew Tanner (drums) and Karl Rivers (keyboards, guitar). Hearing this band live is like taking a journey aback in time, at the height of the free love era steeped in classic rock 'n' roll. Their newest record is a modern embodiment of that vintage sound, complete with raw energy, face melting riffs, powerful drums, dazzling keys, and wicked guttural screams.

Tantric Picasso

To kick off the night, the band launched a strategic attack on the Bluebird Theater crowd by unleashing "Going To War", a track laced with sexy, jazzy funk-rock juxtaposed with forceful, throaty lyrics that lit the venue on fire. "Kaoss" was true to its song title, but its driving, pulsing beat gave it a strange sense of order and appeal. "Strider" brought more vocal swagger that any '60s-'70s manly-man probably would have used to hype himself up had the song been available in that era. As they continued to play more selections off of their new album they were able to truly revive the feeling and intensity that prior generations probably sought out in vintage rock 'n' roll.

Tantric Picasso

Their set wasn't all straight hard-hitting rock however, as Tantric Picasso also toyed with a few other vintage styles with the same sense of authenticity. Raw, powerful blues rock flooded the venue every time the harmonica made an appearance. "Rose Coloured Binoculars" was a foray into psychedelia - an acid trip experienced solely through sound. They even had a few slower, more soulful jams that easily could have been baby boomer love anthems. For their encore piece, the band jammed out, bringing up a longtime friend to join them on stage and pound out a blues riff.

Tantric Picasso

Tantric Picasso might as well be called rock revivalists, but they really are a modern embodiment of a combination of all the aspects that made vintage rock 'n' roll so great. However, they manage not to sound like a retread of any of those classic bands that have been played and replayed time after time again. Somehow they have honed in on the very essence of what makes that recognizable sound, expanding on it to make it their very own. As a result, their new record is fresh and exciting, and their stage presence made their performance seem absolutely authentic. If you love rock 'n' roll, fall in love with Tantric Picasso.

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

It's Groundhog Day - that festive time of year that calls for extreme celebration. Luckily, the Bluebird Theater is hosting a show tonight that should get the celebration rolling. Four local bands will be showcased at the Bluebird Theater tonight, providing a mix of indie rock that will help spark all the fun. Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, and with a storm brewing he just may be right, but the mix of music featured tonight should provide warmth.


The headliner is Denver/Boulder based band Tantric Picasso. This five-piece band creates music that is like taking a psychedelic trip back into the past. They make retro sounding psychedelic indie rock that experiments with elements of blues, jazz, electronica and folk, resulting in a sound that is rooted in the past but definitely has an eye toward the future. Check out "Bob Saget's Shit Eating Grin".



Tommy & The Tangerines is a local six piece band that's all about having fun. They have an infectious indie pop-rock sound and strong stage presence that makes this band a joy to watch. They combine a host of genres in their overall pop-rock sound, but they are known for injecting a lot of soul and feeling into their music. Check out "Face".



The Marrow is a local five-piece band with a very unique and captivating sound. They create experimental rock that combines jazz, folk, and touches of world music with psychedelia to make music that is refreshingly different. Their live sets are awesome to watch, as it allows their sometimes unusual instrumentation to come to life. Check out "Lady Lizbeth".



The night will begin with the local three-piece band Safe Boating Is No Accident. This band is another experimental indie rock band with a an avant-garde approach to folk music. There is a strong acoustic framework to the sound, but it has bluesy electronic rock elements and ambient sound draped around it. Check out "Cancer Wing".


The Bluebird Theater doors open at 7:30PM and the show begins at 8:00PM. The show is all ages and tickets are $15. Tickets and more information are available online here.

As much as I love catching big names at big venues, I'll always have a soft spot for catching new names in the smallest venues. Of course, I enjoy watching a band playing in front of a huge passionate crowd in a large packed space, but there's something to be said about the intimacy and connection found in much smaller shows. Last night I checked out a new spot for me, Old Curtis Street Bar, and I found it to be another great place to catch live music in a very intimate setting.

Drew Mitchell of Painted By Numbers

First up was the newly formed Painted By Numbers, a Boulder based indie alt-rock band. They didn't have much out there that I could check out beforehand, but I still thought I had a good idea of what to expect. Once they started playing though, it all kind of fell into place. I went into the performance with their description - new grunge indie rock - in the back of my head, and once the music started it made more sense. The band is a four piece; two guitars - one electric, one acoustic - an electric bass, and a drum kit. With these tools they create rhythmic acoustic/electric grunge that has a pop sensibility but much too raw to be called pop. On top of that instrumentation are the punchy, throaty vocals of lead singer Drew Mitchell. His vocal style adds another layer of grunge to their sound, really shaping the overall sound.

Painted By Numbers

Being the first band up in a small bar, they didn't play for the largest crowd, but it allowed those there to get up close and personal, and it helped me get a good feel for the music. The driving acoustic rhythms made sense when paired with the expressive vocals, at first coming powerfully out of an unexpected source, but validated by the passion in Drew Mitchell's delivery. I really enjoyed "All Black" with its catchy chanting hook. "The Wave" brought the electric guitar (over the acoustic) into the forefront, and I really liked the way the guitar work drove the song. They also played a cover of the Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?", giving it an extra dose of grungy masculinity. Painted By Numbers has a good sound going on, and with more time and polish they can really hone in on what sets their sound apart from the rest of the fold.

Cody Clayton of Peaceful Peaches

Next up was the headlining band, Peaceful Peaches. The Peaceful Peaches brought their brand of energetic do-it-yourself punk. The recordings I could hear of the band lacked the instrumental intensity that I was looking for, with the unconventional vocal style dominating what I could hear. But that's why I go to see bands live, because they had all the amps cranked up on stage last night to fully deliver that loud, fast-paced punk sound. The juxtaposition of the forceful instrumental sound with the laid back but articulated spoken-voice vocals of Cody Clayton created a likable uniqueness to the overall sound of the band.

Peaceful Peaches

Frontman Cody Clayton had great stage presence, letting the energy present in the band's propulsive sound flow freely through him as he moved dynamically across the whole stage. If the rest of the band matched his level of intensity, it would really bode well for future performances and help transfer more energy off to the crowd, making for the best possible experience. Overall, I enjoyed the upbeat and attitude-riddled "This Town". Also, "Dusty Winter" did a great job of combining a serious mood with a carefree feel. If you are into energetic garage punk, check out a Peaceful Peaches show.

Laura Stratton and Mic Carroll of Tommy & The Tangerines

Tommy & The Tangerines came on stage last to close out the night, bringing with them an eclectic mix of uplifting and fun alternative/pop rock 'n' roll. Although there isn't actually a Tommy in the band, frontman and lead vocalist Mic Carroll filled that role. He is incredibly entertaining to watch, with so much dynamism on stage he captivates the audience with his wild movements, commanding attention with every gesture. The rest of the band would be the Tangerines, a collection of sweet and likable musicians creating an upbeat soundtrack to Mic Carroll's eccentricity.

Tommy & The Tangerines

Most of their songs have a happy alt-pop appeal, as if their music would be at home as part of the soundtrack to an episode of the sitcom Friends. When I heard them perform songs like "Better Off Dead" and "Power Pop 5000" I kept scanning the bar to see if there was a large water fountain everyone could splash around in. They saved two of their more stylistically varied songs for the very end; the soulful and bluesy "Face" and the alt-country "Great Mistake", the latter of which had everyone two-stepping hoedown style. Tommy & The Tangerines are definitely an amusing listening experience that's hard not to like. By the end of their performance, it was smiles for everybody all around. If you want a quick pick-me-up, check out a live performance of Tommy & The Tangerines.

It was great to see another local showcase at a small venue, and the variety of music presented all kept the energy level high but in each band's own distinctive way of delivery. I always cherish these smaller venue shows because it's so much easier to get a personal connection to each band. When they perform so close to the audience it's the closest thing to a private performance. If you like checking out new music, try checking out a small venue show. The bands always appreciate the support and you just may appreciate the connection you get to the music.

See more pictures from this show in the Facebook photo gallery. Like the Concerted Effort page and stay updated!

I'm checking out a new spot for me tonight, and I love how there's never a shortage of live music around town since it seems to happen around just about every corner. Tonight, I'll be checking out what's going on at the Old Curtis Street Bar - a showcase of three more local bands. This time it's all about do it yourself rock 'n' roll; with tastes of punk, blues, and alternative rock.


The headlining band is Peaceful Peaches, a garage punk band with a sometimes surf inspired sound from Winter Park. The bands energetic instrumentals are met with a spoken-voice vocal style - a vocal technique between singing and speaking that sounds closer to spoken speech. You can hear some of their songs on their Myspace page.


Tommy & The Tangerines is a six piece indie rock band from Boulder. Their sound consists of bits and pieces of styles from all over the rock spectrum, giving them a lot of variety in their songs. I'd say all songs have an alternative/pop rock backbone, but there will be shades of blues, soul, post-punk and country among other styles. You can hear some of their songs on their ReverbNation page.

Painted By Numbers is a new Boulder based band that describes themselves as "neo grunge indie rock fun time". The only preview of their music I can find are some YouTube videos, but from what I can tell, I'd say their description matches up well with what I can hear. Check out "All Black".



The show starts at Old Curtis Street Bar at about 9:00PM. The show is 21+ and tickets are only $5. Come get a taste of some fresh new bands.