MAHA Festival '25: PIXIES, WAXAHATCHEE, MAGDALENA BAY, BAND OF HORSES, more / ALL ACCESS (VIDEO)

This week, I am reviewing the return of the MAHA FESTIVAL. Maha is an indie music festival that takes place every year in Omaha. Except for 2024, when it took the year off to re-organize.

This year, the festival was moved to downtown Omaha, and took place at the Heartland of America Park. The park is situated next to the Missouri River. There was a great crowd, the weather cooperated (for the most part), and every band was spectacular.

This year's line-up:

PIXIES

WAXAHATCHEE 

BAND OF HORSES

MAGDALENA BAY

SILVERSUN PICKUPS

LITTLE BRAZIL 

I have photos and video of all the bands that played.

Old Guy at the Punk Show? My SCOWL Live Recap and Review (VIDEO)

 

This week, I am reviewing a recent concert from Santa Cruz, CA punk band, SCOWL. I titled the video, "Old Guy at the Punk Show" because that's how I felt at first. But I've been going to punk shows since the 80s, and it has been a long time since I WASN'T the old guy at the show. I'm good with it. Basically.

Had no idea there were three bands, so unfortunately, I missed Lead Spirit. I believe they are from Omaha. The second band, Glixen, is from Phoenix, and they play a slow, dark, brooding,  mix of metal and shoegaze. The band was really cool, but I just couldn't hear the vocals. I think that was intentional; it was an element to their sound. But, maybe, bump it up from one to two or something. I really wanted to hear it.

SCOWL was next. I will say this about seeing a show with three, young punk bands...the sets are pretty short. The show started at 8:00, and Scowl was onstage by 9:30. When you're older you pay attention to stuff like that. 

However, when Scowl finished, I wanted a lot more. This was a great show. The live versions of the songs are even more intense than the studio tracks.

WAXAHATCHEE Live at Maha Music Festival, Omaha, NE 8/2/25

Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee at Maha Music Festival in Omaha NE 8/2/25

 

PIXIES Live at Maha Music Festiva, Omaha, NE 8/2/25 (PHOTOS)

Pixies closed out the Maha Music Festival in Omaha, NE on August 2, 2025

Black Francis of Pixies at Maha Festival

Joey Santiago of Pixies at Maha Festival

Emma Richardson of Pixies at Maha Festival

Pixies at Maha Music Festival, Omaha, NE 8/2/25

My Road Trip to see DEEP SEA DIVER Live in Des Moines!! Show of the Year?! (VIDEO)

This week, I take you on a road trip to see one of my favorite bands of the last decade or so, Deep Sea Diver.  My friend, Joi, and I drove to Des Moines, Iowa so I could FINALLY see this band!

The show was at xBk live in Des Moines, a cool little club that probably holds about 250-300 people (just a guess). Opening the concert was Meernaa, who played a solo electric set. 

Then it was time to see Deep Sea Diver. To say I loved the show would be an understatement. I was pretty much glued to the front of the stage the entire time. The only negative of the night...having to drive two hours home.

Even MORE NEW Hüsker Dü in 2025! Numero Group Drops New Tracks (VIDEO)

Today, the Numero Group dropped five more live tracks from Hüsker Dü in 1985. However, these recordings are not from the same show as last time. These songs are from November 3, 1985 in Salt Lake City. This soundboard recording has never been heard before.

There is still very little information as to what will ultimately be the actual, physical release (and whether or not there will be one). So, we'll be getting information piecemeal. Numero is selling another limited edition, 1985 tour t-shirt on their website. As with the previous one, they are only taking orders for a week, and that is all.

I'll keep you posted if I hear anything else.

I Just Saw Built To Spill for the 23rd Time!! (VIDEO)

This week, I am reviewing my 23rd Built To Spill concert. Obviously, they are among my all-time favorites. This time around, Built to Spill was performing at Waiting Room on a Sunday night. Weezer was playing 20 minutes away at the casino, but it was a no-brainer as to which show I'd be attending!

The first opening band, that unfortunately missed, was called YAE. 

The second opener, Playdead, was amazing. The band features Scott Schmaljohn, former guitarist/vocalist for Treepeople. Doug Martsch was also in Treepeople prior to forming Built To Spill back in 1993. I had no idea that he was still making music, and am glad I found out. 

R.I.P. OZZY OSBOURNE (December 3, 1948-July 22, 2025) Rock of Aging Says Goodbye to a Legend

Ozzy Osbourne (December 3, 1948-July 22, 2025).  Rest in Peace, Rest in Power. Goodnight to the Prince of Darkness.

Wet Leg "Moisturizer" Review and Discussion (VIDEO)

This week, I am reviewing the new album from UK indie stars, Wet Leg.

The band's second album, moisturizer, has just been released and the band is everywhere! I decided to do a little track by track of the album, as well as discuss some of the history behind the band.

What do you think? Is "moisturizer" better than the band's 2022 debut? What are your favorite songs on the album?

Rock of Aging: Dave's 80s Metal Starter Pack Pick -- SCORPIONS

Today's video is taken from "Rock of Aging Ep. 7: Your Hair Metal Starter Pack // 5 Essential 80s Metal Albums (Spandex Optional)" 

Here, I am talking about how I first discovered Scorpions and why I believe "Love at First Sting" is essential to anyone starting an 80s metal collection.

LIVE! LIVE! LIVE! Concert Reviews of John Garcia (Kyuss)/Fishbone/Zepparella/Head of Femur & more (VIDEO)

This week, I am reviewing some concerts I've seen over the last month or so:

John Garcia (ex-Kyuss), Telekinetic Yeti, Violenteer at Slowdown, July 11, 2025

Fishbone at Waiting Room, July 1, 2025

Zepparella, Bad Bad Men at Waiting Room, June 20, 2025

Head of Femur, Minne Lusa, Heavy Clippings at Reverb Lounge, June 13, 2025

Clayton Ryan, Molly Brandt at Reverb Lounge, June 8, 2025

Rock of Aging Ep. 7: Your Hair Metal Starter Pack // 5 Essential 80s Metal Albums (Spandex Optional) (VIDEO)

Today's video is the seventh episode of "Rock of Aging." In this series, my co-host Erika and I are exploring the depths of our "hair metal" past as well as trying to discover what it is about the music of that era that has kept us captivated for decades. Rock of Aging is your go-to spot for 80s metal and conversation! 

This month, we are offering up our picks for "Five Essential Hair Metal Albums to Start Your Collection." We each pick five (and two runners up) and offer up our reasons for why they must be included! These picks are a place to start, that's all.

NEW Hüsker Dü in 2025?! Surprise Announcement from Numero Group (VIDEO)

HUGE news this morning, folks. Legendary punk band Hüsker Dü has new music in 2025. Let me explain...

Today, the Numero Group (https://numerogroup.com/) announced that they are releasing a recently unearthed live recording of Hüsker Dü from January 1985 at First Avenue in Minneapolis. This is NOT an audience recording, it is a full 24-track recording intended for a live album from the band back in '85. The album was shelved, the band moved on, and most assumed the tapes were lost. 

The only real information Numero is divulging at this time is where and when the tracks were recorded. They have released a digital EP to the streamers with five songs. As for when the rest is coming or if this is just one of many unearthed live shows, we don't really know. There's no pre-order or anything at this time. They are selling a limited edition, 1985 tour t-shirt on their website. It's only being sold until July 8.

Of course, I listened to the five tracks. They're incredible. Can't wait for more.

My Night with Zepparella – Live Photos, Video & Review (VIDEO)

This week, I am reviewing a recent concert from the greatest Led Zeppelin tribute band I've ever seen, Zepparella. This San Francisco based band has been performing the songs of Zeppelin for 20 years and has earned a reputation as an amazing live band.

Of course, one thing that distinguishes Zepparella from any other Led Zep tribute is that they are all women. This was my second time seeing Zepparella, and I would have reviewed them last time, but I accidentally deleted all my footage before I could make the video. It took about two years, but I was finally able to rectify the situation.

These 6 Albums Are Getting Me Through 2025 // New Music (VIDEO)

Thanks for stopping by for the latest episode of The Dark Stuff. As always, I very much appreciate it. It's pretty much the exact middle of the year, so it seemed appropriate to offer up some of my favorite new releases to discuss. So far, 2025 has been a great year for new music, and it wasn't easy to narrow down this list to just six.