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

BRIGHT EYES and CURSIVE at The Astro, Omaha, NE 4/27/25 (PHOTOS)

It was a bit of an old school Omaha rock scene reunion on April 27 at The Astro as old buddies Bright Eyes and Cursive ended their joint tour with a hometown show.

 

Cursive played an amzing set; it was actually better than when I saw them a few months ago at Waiting Room. Back then, the band did two nights and each night they performed a separate album in its entirety. This set was more career inclusive. Everything from "Shallow Means, Deep Ends" to songs from the band's most recent, Devourer.

Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes joined Cursive on stage

Conor joined Cursive on stage toward the end of the set for a song dubbed, "Recluse I Don't Have To Love." This was something of a mash-up of Cursive's "The Recluse" and Bright Eyes' "Lover I Don't Have To Love." It was really cool.

Conor Obert and Bright Eyes played a rousing, over 2 hour set at The Astro

The last time I saw Bright Eyes in Omaha it was also the last night of the tour (which makes sense considering the band is based here), but Conor was in rough shape that time. His arm was in a sling, and his voice was shot. This time, however, he was in amazing form -- the voice was great, he seemed in good spirits, and the band was tight. Very glad to see Conor back in action.

Tim Kasher of Cursive joins Bright Eyes on stage

I really appreciated the set list from Bright Eyes. Of course, he played cuts from the newest album, Five Dice, All Threes. But I loved the inclusion of songs from Cassadega and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn as well as the usual classics like "First Day of My Life." 

At the end of the show, members of Cursive joined Bright Eyes on stage. Cursive's Ted Stevens led the band in a version of Lullaby For the Working Class's "Hypnotist." Stevens and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes were both Lullaby members. It was quite night for old school Nebraska indie fans!

BOB MOULD Live at Waiting Room, Omaha, NE 4/14/25 (PHOTOS)

Bob Mould Band & Craig Finn at Waiting Room

Bob Mould returned to Omaha last night, April 14, in support of his newest solo album, Here We Go Crazy. I've been a fan of Mould's music (Hüsker Dü, Sugar, and solo) since the late 1980s, and even named my radio show - New Day Rising - after the Hüsker Dü song and album. Obviously, there was no way I was going to miss this show.

The show was incredible, and featured a number of songs from the new album. He also played at least six Hüsker Dü songs, by my count.

Bob's band: Jason Narducy on bass, and Jon Wurster on drums

In his 60s, Mould still has the same intensity he did 30 years ago

Another amazing concert from Bob Mould. To me, the song of the night was "Hate Paper Doll." It was so unexpected!

WARRANT, BULLETBOYS, STRETCH Live at The Astro, Omaha, NE 4/12/25 (PHOTOS)

Warrant at The Astro 4/12/25

Hit The Astro once again for the recent Warrant/Bulletboys concert. I had some history with both of these bands back in the 80s, but I hadn't seen or heard much from either band since that time. I was curious who was still in each of the bands. Obviously, the late frontman for Warrant, Jani Lane, would not be there. But who actually would be?

Stretch opened the show

The first band, Stretch, features the owner of Grinder's in Kansas City, and he has appeared on the Food Network many times. (Hat tip to my Rock of Aging co-host Erika for actually knowing that!).

Marq Torien and Bulletboys played next

Bulletboys was up next. Though my fandom of this band was more shortlived than with Warrant, I thought Bulletboys put on a better show on this night. I didn't realize Marq played guitar (I had only seen him as the singer in the old videos), and that he was actually quite good. Before the band started, he was noodling some Van Halen and it sounded great.

During the set, BB also played "Everybody Wants Some!" by Van Halen. I remember a time in the late 80s when the knock on Bulletboys was that they ripped off Van Halen...

Just as I was warming up to the band, and feeling pretty positive about them, Torrien ruined it by saying, "Fuck Joe Biden." Dude, bad move. Keep your politics to yourself. No one cares what you think. And note, Nebraska may be a "red" state, but Omaha went solidly for Harris in '24 and Biden in '20. Read the room.

Warrant was the headliner, and they opened with one of their best known songs, "Down Boys." The band played a decent set, though it lacked some of the enthusiasm of Bulletboys.

Lead singer of Warrant, Robert Mason

Warrant still features Joey Allen and Erik Turner on guitar, and Steven Sweet on drums. For some reason, bassist Jerry Dixon was not there. He was featured in the show advertisements, but Robbie Crane was playing bass on this evening.

The show closed with Bulletboys joining Warrant on stage for "Cherry Pie." The crowd loved it, and it finally got them on their feet after a night of mostly sitting.

Spirit of 1989 Tour (Trixter, Enuff Z'Nuff, Pretty Boy Floyd) at Bushwackers April 6, 2025 (PHOTO)

Bushwackers in Ralston, Nebraska

Hit Bushwackers for the first time ever last Sunday night to see what was billed as "The Spirit of 1989" tour featuring 80s rockers Trixter, Enuff Z'Nuff, Pretty Boy Floyd, and newcomer, Christian Shields.

Christian Shields

Opening the show was Christian Shields. The Austin, Texas rocker may not have been alive during the 80s, but he certainly knows how to rock out as though he was. I got a strong Paul Stanley vibe from his between song banter and his stage presence.

Steve Summers of Pretty Boy Floyd

My love of hair metal began to wane around 1988. I loved most of the records that came out before then, and cared very little about the ones that came after. So, for me, by the time Pretty Boy Floyd's debut album, Leather Boyz with Electric Boyz, was released in 1989, I paid little to no attention. This was actually my first time hearing or seeing the band. In my opinion, PBF was the real crowd favorite. There was more enthusiasm during their set than for any of the other bands that night. Singer Steve Summers' voice still sounded great.

Enuff Z'Nuff

My personal favorite band of the night was Enuff Z'Nuff. These Chicago power-poppers have always seemed more like Cheap Trick than Motley Crue. The band burned through many of their best known songs like "New Thing" and "Fly High Michelle," as well as a number of Paul McCartney & Wings songs such as "Live and Let Die."

Chip Z'Nuff

After the Enuff Z'Nuff set, my ears were ringing to such a degree that I had to bail out. I don't wear earplugs generally (don't @ me, I know it's bad), and it's rarely a problem. But wow was it ever a problem that night.

So, I had to miss Trixter's set. I heard it was good, but I am not able to attest to that firsthand. However, my partner in crime on the "Rock of Aging" show has photos and video. We will be doing a full review on the next video.

Here is a link to the Rock of Aging videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyHjhVnQ2P3y6FAhuJ6JZ-lScX5WpL4td&si=8ZFwhe5haYowh--h

NIGHT RANGER Live at The Astro, La Vista, NE 3/1/25 (PHOTOS)

Night Ranger at The Astro 3/1/25

Brad Gillis of Night Ranger

Jack Blades of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

VIOLENTEER / BAD BAD MEN Live at Reverb, Omaha, 12/7/24

These photos are all from the record release show for the new EP from Violenteer. The Omaha band has just released an excellent new self-titled 12". The band's sound recalls classic 90s era Touch & Go Records bands. Unlike most of those bands, Violenteer has no guitarist, and instead utilizes two bass players. The music is heavy, dark, and moody. It's quite good. Violenteer's lead singer, Steve Tulipana, also sings for the similarly inspired band, Season To Risk.

Violenteer at Reverb, Omaha, NE 12/7/24

Violenteer's music can be found on the streamers, and can be purchased on their bandcamp page. 

Bad Bad Men opened the show. BBM's most recent album is called "Messed Up."