Failure Live 2026 Review // New Album Location Lost + Career Retrospective

Simply put, FAILURE is one of the best bands to emerge in the last 40 years. The band formed in 1990 in Los Angeles; and over the next seven years, established themselves as one of the most interesting, innovative, and unique rock bands in America.

Failure broke up in 1997, and the members went on to form other bands. The music of Failure continued to find an audience, and the band's influence could be felt throughout the rock world. The (almost) unthinkable happened when the band reformed in 2015 and released its first new album in nearly 20 years. 

This video touches on ALL of it, including an incredible show in Omaha at The Waiting Room on October 8, 2026.

FAILURE + SWERVEDRIVER LIVE 2019 //Dark Stuff Rewind #1

Starting a new series called "Dark Stuff Rewind." I'm digging through my archives and pulling out stuff that you may have missed. It was probably in a really long video with a bunch of unrelated stuff (I used to do that). But now, I have pulled out only the best parts!

For the first rewind, we're revisiting a 2019 concert from 90s alternative bands, Swervedriver and Failure. Both played together at the Bourbon Theater in Lincoln, Nebraska, April 11, 2019.

NOTE: My "rant" at the beginning was about how my money was stolen by Pledge Music. It was related to a Swervedriver album, so that is why I mentioned it.

Deer Tick: Coin-O-Matic Review + LIVE in Concert // Presley Haile

 

Thanks for checking out the new video! Today, I'm reviewing both the new album from Deer Tick, Coin-O-Matic, and the band's recent concert at Waiting Room in Omaha. This wasn't my first time seeing these guys, but it had been a while. 

Providence, Rhode Island's finest have recently released their 9th album, Coin-O-Matic, on ATO Records. It's the band's 9th album, and first self-produced record.

Opening for Deer Tick was Presley Haile, an upcoming folk/country singer from Texas. She has a new EP being released on Sony in October.

First Video In My New Studio! // Unsane Live // NEW Playlist // Maximum MN

Thanks so much for checking out my latest video! This is the first video shot in my new "studio" on the upper floor of my house. For the last decade, all of my videos have been recorded in the basement; and I felt it was time for a change. I'll still be using the old space, but I like having options. What do you think?

Going along with my new space, I am bringing back my Dark Stuff playlists.

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/dark-stuff-the-return/pl.u-mJy8yeECLMpg7

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1DXvCcBFyfBFcpYfK2NFIv?si=YIjXrlxaRlKTXxlbL_Y2lw&utm_source=copy-link&pi=cLq6W-t7Szmr7

After brief update on my stray cats, I have a review of a recent show from 90s noise rockers, UNSANE. Also on the bill were Season To Risk and Violenteer.

If you're looking for a way to get some cool, new music and support a good cause, then check out the digital mixtape, Maximum MN. It's a new compilation featuring current Sub Pop recording artists covering music from artists from Minnesota. Money raised from the compilation will be sent to The International Institute of Minnesota, a non-profit organization that supports refugees and immigrants.

Lastly, I want to strongly recommend a new podcast I just recently discovered to anyone who is a fan of The Ramones. It is called ‪@CJSaysPodcast‬ and it features C.J. Ramone, who played bass and wrote songs in the Ramones from 1989-1997. His insights into the band are extremely interesting, and they have been doing deep dives into the records, as well. It's great.

Please like and share this video. Subscribe to The Dark Stuff if you haven't already.

UNSANE Live at Reverb Lounge, Omaha, NE 9/10/26

 

SEASON TO RISK live at Reverb Lounge, Omaha, NE 9/10/26

Steve Tulipana of Season To Risk 9/10/26 at Reverb, Omaha, NE

 

I Finally Crossed Joe Jackson Off My Bucket List! My Review + My (Incomplete) Collection (VIDEO)

This week, I crossed one off the ol' bucket list!  For years, seeing Joe Jackson live was one of those concerts I hoped would happen someday. After decades of listening to albums like Look Sharp!, I'm the Man, Night and Day, and so many others, I finally got the chance to see Joe Jackson in concert.

This was Jackson's first ever performance in Omaha. In this video, I share my thoughts on the show, the setlist, the atmosphere, and whether the experience lived up to all those years of anticipation. Did Joe Jackson still deliver? Was it worth the wait?

If you're a longtime Joe Jackson fan—or just curious about what his concerts are like today—join me as I look back on a truly memorable night.

WEIRD NIGHTMARE at Turf Club in St. Paul, MN 5/27/26

 

Alex Edkins of Weird Nightmare

Weird Nightmare at Turf Club, St. Paul, MN 5/27/26

TWO SHOWS - ONE NIGHT: Ratboys & VIAL // Live Music // Punk Rock / Indie Rock

Hey everyone, and welcome to the new video. This week, I was faced with a real dilemma. There were two excellent concerts that I wanted to see; but seeing as they were both happening at the same time, I was not optimistic that I could see both. But, as the saying goes, where there's a will, there's a way...

Ratboys, the indie rock band from Chicago, was playing at Waiting Room along with Villagerrr from Ohio.

Around the corner, at Reverb, Minneapolis punk rockers, VIAL, were playing along with Alex Vile and Social Cinema.

I had been wanting to see VIAL for about a year because I missed their last appearance in town. I last caught Ratboys in 2023, and really loved the show. Plus, the new record is great.

I managed to see "most" of both shows thanks to some beneficial timing. Every band I saw was excellent, and worth seeing again. It was a fantastic night!

2025 Concert Recap: 60 Artists, 3 States, 1 Unforgettable Year (VIDEO)

This week, I am recapping my year in live music. I took photos and/or video of (almost) every show I saw this year. Over 60 different artists!

EXTC: Go 2 Omaha // Live at Reverb Lounge //Terry Chambers (XTC) and Friends (VIDEO)

 This week, I am reviewing a recent show from EXTC, the band featuring original XTC drummer, Terry Chambers. Since XTC stopped performing live in 1982, this is about the only way to hear XTC music performed in a live setting.

Terry Chambers formed this band a few years ago, and obtained permission from XTC's Andy Partridge to use the name. Hearing songs like "Making Plans For Nigel," "Life Begins at the Hop" and "This Is Pop" in a live setting was so fun! I never thought I'd hear these songs in any way other than the studio albums. This is a must-see show for any fan of XTC.

Opening the show was Omaha dream pop/shoegaze band, Minne Lussa.

Tom Keifer Band and L.A. Guns at Steelhouse in Omaha September 26, 2020 (PHOTOS & VIDEO)

Caught Tom Keifer Band (Cinderella) for the second time last night at Steelhouse in Omaha. Opening the show was L.A. Guns. This same double played here two years ago (here's the video I made about it: https://youtu.be/S-5XWBPHvbA?si=bmptxPPgoBiltgPh).

This marked the third time I had seen L.A. Guns in the last two years. We did a special episode on the band on Rock of Aging: https://youtu.be/wY2b1X2gTkE?si=Fui5c-xyE7F-QADV.

Tom Keifer Band at Steelhouse, Omaha, NE 9/26/25

Here's a quick video of Tom Keifer Band.

Sirius XM's Eddie Trunk hosted the show

L.A. Guns at Steelhouse, Omaha, NE 9/26/25 (Phil Lewis may or may not be wearing a pirate hat)

Tom Keifer Band

ALICE COOPER LIVE at THE ORPHEUM: Review, Photos, Videos / NITA STRAUSS (VIDEO)

This week, I am reviewing Alice Cooper live at The Orpheum in Omaha from 8/27/25. Believe it or not, despite being a lifelong metal and hard rock fan, I had never seen Alice in concert before.

Well, for a first Alice Cooper show, I could not have enjoyed it more! The production was great, the band was tight, and Alice was in amazing form. The set included songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond.

Alice Cooper is 77. It is unbelievable how great he sounded and how much energy he had!

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.

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. 

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

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.