“I was just going bonkers during the pandemic. It was like really, truly miserable. And then all the riots here in Portland and all the political shit. I was trapped in my garage, which was the only place I could go and jam and do anything,” confesses Pike. “I was trapped in there ‘cause I couldn’t go jam with High on Fire, I couldn’t do this, I couldn’t do that, no one could fly. I was going crazy. My friend Jon Reid, who was the original drummer for Lord Dying, had moved to Portland and was babysitting my dog, Crom, and he was drumming for my wife’s band, so he had his drums already set up at my place. I finally said, “Dude, do you want to come over and just start jamming? So, I just started this thing with my friend Jon. I was like, “Dude, fuck it. Let’s start a side band and we’ll just demo this and act like we’re starting it as teenagers, you know?”
A site dedicated to culture with a focus on popular music; from the fringes to the forefront.
Monday, December 20, 2021
First Single from New Matt Pike Solo Album
Dylan Cover #510 Wirral Ukulele Orchestra "Must Be Santa" Live
In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Wirral Ukulele Orchestra playing "Must Be Santa"
In 2009 Bob Dylan released Christmas In The Heart and unleashed his version of the rollicking "Must Be Santa" and it's killer video upon the world.
Based on a German drinking song, "Must Be Santa" was concocted by Hal Moore and Bill Fredericks and first released in 1960. Dylan's version is a blast in a polka style tossing in Presidents into the mix. While technically not an original for this series...who cares?
Cover:
Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is our first time hearing the Wirral Ukulele Orchestra
Thoughts on Cover:
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Live Streams: Goosemas - Live from Mohegan Sun
For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for the foreseeable future. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and as a way to help out the artists. You can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always please support the artists any which way you can.
Connecticut-based rock quintet Goose celebrates the holidays with Goosemas live from Mohegan Sun Arena, the band’s first-ever arena performance. Goosemas is the band’s eighth annual holiday celebration and premieres Saturday, December 18 at 8PM ET exclusively on The Relix Channel via Twitch. This year’s show sees Goose take the stage for three sets, with plenty of surprises in store for fans attending both in person and at home. Proceeds from the livestream benefit Family & Children’s Agency, a Norwalk, Connecticut non-profit serving thousands of children, families, adults, and seniors each year. Viewers can donate to the organization directly through the livestream or on Family & Children Agency's website. With the holiday season upon us and magic in the air, it's time for us to celebrate! Subscribe now to The Relix Channel, exclusively on Twitch, to watch the full show for free.
Friday, December 17, 2021
Live Streams: The Capitol Sessions: Songs from a Rock Palace That Impacted the World
For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for the foreseeable future. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and as a way to help out the artists. You can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always please support the artists any which way you can.
Full Show Friday: Shovels & Rope - Live at the Paradiso, Amsterdam
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Trombone Shorty's Voodoo Threauxdown Coming in 2022
Year In Review 2021 - Favorite Albums Part 3 (#5-1)
Another year is finishing up and @RockBodElec wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE presents 2021's Favorite Albums Part 3 (Numbers 5-1):
Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but long playing releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle, Spotify or singles for us.
This ends our top ten and we have a wrap up of the full list below. You can see the first part of this list and the Just Misses if you haven't yet.
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Live Review: 7th Annual John Henry's Friends Benefit
Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!
It is of the 7th Annual John Henry's Friends Benefit.
This was a good one as Steve Earle hosted the benefit for the Keswell School at Town Hall again, this year in person. RtBE was there the last time it was held with and audience but this year raised the stakes.
While the full lineup was impressive, no one could top Bruce Springsteen who, backed by The Dukes, delivered four impressive songs with rocking energy.
Please help support the school if you can, read the full review and peep some video below:
Year In Review 2021 - Favorite Albums Part 2 (#10-6)
Another year is finishing up and @RockBodElec wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE presents 2021's Favorite Albums Part 2 (Numbers 10-6):
Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but long playing releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle, Spotify or singles for us.
This begins our top ten and we will wrap it up tomorrow. You can find our list of 'just misses' and let downs here.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Album Review: Sara Jean Kelley - Black Snake EP
Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!
It is of Sara Jean Kelley newest EP, Black Snake.
This is a very talented artist. Kelley's voice, songwriting, and playing make for a dynamite combo.
Support the artist, buy the album, read the review and peep some video below:
Year In Review 2021 - Favorite Live Show
The live show is a slippery thing. There are lots of variables at play, most having little to do with the performance itself. Does the venue have enough bathrooms? Is it going to rain? What day of the week is it on? Did I have a shitty day at work before hand? Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this effects one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason, but when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be than in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.
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| Taken By The Fantastic Megan Donohue |
While obviously we can't see every show that is out there, we try to get out often to catch live music. Sure there are a few left in the calendar year, but for now, here is a listing of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have caught in 2021 (THANK GOD LIVE MUSIC IS BACK!).
There are links to show reviews in the titles, also because who doesn't love arbitrary rankings, one show at the bottom took the top prize as RtBE's 2021 Favorite Live Show. We also make mention of a few live streams we enjoyed as the beginning of 2021 was still locked down for live music, but we made up for it at the end of the year seeing quite a few great ones safely in person.
Monday, December 13, 2021
New Songs From Kim Gordon and J Mascis
Dylan Cover #509 The Terrapin All Stars "She Belongs To Me" Live
The first song in this series was a different cover of this track, here is what I wrote about it then and still feel the same way:
This is a gem of a song, a twisted tale that entwines beauty and deceit, darkness and sparkling Egyptian Red Rings. One of Dylan's best in it's mystery, elusiveness and bitter biting undertones; really pure Dylan and one of his all time classics. Loved it when I first heard it, still love it today.
Cover:
Thoughts on Cover Artist:
A group thrown together for this live session, Ross James Guitar, Jon Graboff Guitar, Neal Casal, Guitar/Vocals, Rob Barraco Bass. A cool collection of musicians very familar with the music of The Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan.
Friday, December 10, 2021
Live Streams: moe. - Live From The Capitol Theatre
For the last year live music was on lock down (like everything else in New York City). Live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are improving on the pandemic front in this city, but live streams will be an option for the foreseeable future. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and as a way to help out the artists. You can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always please support the artists any which way you can.
Jack White Announces 'Supply Chain Issues' Tour Dates
Full Show Friday: Greensky Bluegrass 2018 Levitate Music Festival
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Live Review: The Hold Steady Live at Brooklyn Bowl 12/3/21
Year In Review 2021 - Favorite Albums Part 1 (Honorable Mentions and Let Downs)
Another year is finishing up and @RockBodElec wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE presents 2021's Favorite Albums Part 1 (Honorable Mentions and Let Downs):
Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but long playing releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle, Spotify or singles for us.
These are the albums that just missed out on being included in our top ten favorite for the year. After that we have s few albums from artists we dig that we were let down by.













