For the past seven years Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger have given Umphrey's McGee fans an extra holiday treat: a holiday acoustic show. This year's sold out show was held at the Park West in Chicago.  The proceeds of the show are donated to the USTORM (United So Together Our Reach Multiplies) Foundation which was co-founded by Bayliss.  USTORM is a non-profit organization which raises funds to help provide access to music and art educational programs.

Is this guy for real!  I only ask such a silly question because this talented Davy Knowles is ripping some nasty good blues that threaten to blow your head off. This sexy young Brit was at Stubb’s in Austin for his national tour with the Back Door Slam, December 6^th.  Following the release of their new album, Coming Up For Air, and sporting some brand new band members, Davy Knowles and the Back Door Slam are back.

Dubbed "one of the country's most intriguing, innovative outfits around" by XLR8R Magazine, STS9 announces the release of their brand new studio effort, Ad Explorata (December 8, 2009 /1320 Records).

Ad Explorata – the band’s third release of 2009 (following their iTunes LIVE Exclusive NYE.ATL.08 / May 2009 and Peaceblaster : The New Orleans Make It Right Remixes / June 2009) and tenth in their full discography - finds STS9 once again exploring new musical terrain never before heard.

I will preface this review by saying; I grew up on The Blue Album and Pinkerton. They were classics and set a very high standard for Weezer albums to come. Raditude, like every other Weezer album following their first two, does not evoke the same magic feeling that The Blue Album and Pinkerton do. To Weezer’s credit the musical landscape has vastly changed since The Blue Album. Their garage rock sound has become more of the norm in the mainstream music scene.

All 12 of the Saxon Pub tenants had eyes on Payne as he opened with a slow and easy start. Throughout the set Payne mixed a variety of slow subtle originals with upbeat covers. Adhering to call out requests from boisterous tenants, Payne showed a plethora of song knowledge.