MUSIC PREVIEW: Shinedown, you crazy diamond
Florida act Shinedown blitzkriegs through the city Friday night as part of their “Attention Attention” World Tour, supporting their 2018 album of the same name. A concept album, it finds an individual in the throes of negativity and charts their course to becoming reborn as a new and positive one.
The alt-hard rock band was formed in 2000 when Atlantic Records turned sour on the band Dreve, but forged ahead with the band’s frontman-vocalist Brent Smith, signing him alone to a development contract, forming what would become Shinedown around him. Six studio albums later, and a number of hits on a wide-ranging slew of different charts, the band’s songs continue to do very well on rock radio. Their latest album is the perfect example, with its first three songs reaching the top spot on the Mainstream Rock chart, and also reaching into the top 20 of the more generic Rock chart. Overall, they’ve had a total of 14 songs on the aforementioned Mainstream chart for their career, second only to Three Days Grace all-time. Quite the accomplishment.
Their sound has ebbed and flowed through their albums, purposefully, according to the band, with various writers and critics ascribing the term nu-metal to some of their earlier material, to post-grunge, alternative metal, and even arena rock or pop-rock.
Opening the show at the Edmonton Convention Centre are three bands: Papa Roach, Asking Alexandria, and Savage After Midnight. 5:30 pm, tickets $84 and up, BUY
Thursday 10
Morrissey – This English singer-songwriter first came to the forefront of our consciousness as the lead singer of the legendary Smiths. His solo career now spans a dozen albums, including 2019’s California Son, a set of 12 covers of other renowned artists. Jubilee Auditorium, 8 pm, $38 and up. BUY
Com Truise – Seth Haley, as he’s known on his driver’s license, is a New York electronic musician, who released his fourth album earlier this year. With ford, and Thoma. Station On Jasper, 9 pm, $20. BUY
Dan Moxon – This Vancouver singer-songwriter, more famously known as the frontman for Bend Sinister, recorded a debut solo album – Lounge Singer – in 2018. Danny Vacon opens. Buckingham, 8 pm, $12. BUY
Friday 11
Luke Comb – This country singer out of North Carolina is touring to support his sophomore release, the upcoming What You See Is What You Get. His first album, 2017’s This One’s For You, tore through the North American country scene, with four singles – When It Rains It Pours, One Number Away, She Got the Best Of Me, and Beautiful Crazy – reaching the top of the Canadian and US country charts. Opening will be Morgan Wallen, and Jameson Rodgers. Rogers Place, 7 pm, resale tickets only.
Thrush Hermit – This 1990’s alternative act out of Halifax disbanded in 1999, but have reunited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their iconic album Clayton Park. The frontman is of course Joel Plaskett, who has gone on to many great and wonderful things in his own solo career. With Shotgun Jimmie. Starlite Room, 8 pm, $30. BUY
Saturday 12
Velveteins and Physical Copies – On the one hand, a weighty indie band; in the other hand, a delightful soulful synth-pop act. Together they’re featured in a night of frenzied cacophony put on by our good friends at the Up+Downtown Music Festival, who just want us to remember they’re still kicking around, despite 2019 technically being a “hiatus” year – and to watch for big things next year. With Dead Friends and Desert Rose. Freemasons Hall, 8 pm, $15, BUY
