Volume 4, Issue 9
May 2 - May 15, 2002

By Judy B.
Photography by Sean Hartgrove

Summertime. . . and the livin' is Nasty?

For four summers, KBPI FM106.7 DJ Uncle Nasty has been leading us through the summer concert frenzy, bringing a full menu of rock and roll right straight to our eager palates. As on-air persona, Nasty's deep growling voice and no-bullshit attitude are only a slice of his involvement in our musical melting pot. With A Band Called Horse, Uncle Nasty and his three bandmates blend their love of Black Sabbath, Pantera and Henry Rollins, playing local clubs and out of town areas where the DJ's reputation precedes him. Nasty has fans all over as radio listeners in Wichita, El Paso, Colorado Springs, Houston and Albuquerque get a daily dose of Nastiness through voice tracking technology in those markets.

"This is going to be a big summer," Uncle Nasty said. "The Ozzfest fiasco from last year [at the old Mile High Stadium] has been solved, and this year, Ozzfest comes to the Pepsi Center with one stage outside and one stage inside. That's gonna be great."

Uncle Nasty, whose tastes definitely hit the heavy tip, gave Go-Go Magazine some of his picks for summer concerts from national and local bands, as well as some nods to favorite venues and concert spots to catch a show. Some may surprise you.

"KBPI is hosting our Birthday Bash at Red Rocks, and it's gonna be the first concert there with all the new renovations to the venue, so we're all excited for that. It's June 2, with nine bands all day, some you may not have heard of, but all are great. Then my own birthday, A Band called Horse plays at Sportsfield Roxxx June 5, so that's gonna be wild, too."

Lots of big national tours hit Denver this summer, including prog rock legends Rush. "I'm not gonna miss that one," Nasty said. "They have a new record, and this could be the last tour, so that's a definite. Sevendust is coming back on May 8, and when they come to town, we drink! Man, do we drink. Great band. Also, as a huge Van Halen fan, I have to see the David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar tour. I mean, come on! I guess that proves that Ed [Van Halen] is the real asshole."

Warm weather venues like Red Rocks and Fiddler's Green always amplify the summer concert schedule, but some of Nasty's favorites spots are clubs in and around town that consistently support national and local bands. "Back in the day, I loved The Broadway to see shows. It's not there any more. . . It was this windowless, dark, smoky, stinky hole of a place. Loved it. I think that the Fillmore Auditorium is an amazing place to see a show. That's a great room. Herman's Hideaway is great for local stuff. Everything sounds good at Herman's. I like Eck's Saloon and Sportsfield Roxx and of course, you can't forget the Cricket [on the Hill]."

"There's going to be a lot around town to see this summer," Nasty said. "Rogue's CD release is May 18, and Sick is doing great things, big things. I like the Dead Heaven Cowboys, Rocket Ajax, and Yo, Flaco! That's a great band. If anyone hears of a band called Aggressive Persuasion from Pueblo, go check them out."

Uncle Nasty and producer Lynn Ryan compile and read the Local Band Calendar on-air six days a week at 6:45 pm. (7:45 pm on Sat.). We want bands of all styles to give us their gig dates so we can list them in our calendar, just give us the details," Nasty said.

Find calendar, concert, and DJ info at www.kbpi.com.

And Here's a few of Go-Go's personal picks for the

Summer Concert Guide

Cabaret Diosa

5/17 The Fox Theatre

They call it "Hi-Fi Latin Swing Exotica" or something similarly chewy, but we just call it one hell of a good time. Cabaret Diosais one of Colorado's favorite acts for a reason--they tour ceaselessly up and down the Front Range, they put on an energetic and unforgettable live show and they've managed to stay together for longer than 6 months. Their 5/17 show at The Fox in Boulder will afford the dance-crazy populace of the metro area yet another opportunity to experience the Cabaret firsthand. Bring comfortable shoes.

Chris Whitley

5/19 The Fox Theatre

For a guy who got his start busking on the mean streets, Chris Whitley has managed to do alright by himself. A chance meeting with uber producer Daniel Lanois at a photo shoot led to a record contract which led to a string of critically acclaimed albums which led to a slew of collaborations, including one with Billy Martin and Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin and Wood. His first full-length studio album in five years finds him in smoky-voiced glory . hear the truth yourself at his 5/19 concert at The Fox Theatre .

Pinhead Circus

5/ 25 The Fox Theatre

Mike Watt

6/2 The Bluebird Theatre

Does it matter what Mike Watt does? The guy has so much cred that he could spend the rest of his career covering Hanoi Rocks! tunes in a crushed velour jumpsuit and the indie kids would still wet themselves. And for good reason--this is friggin--Mike Watt, dude. Founding member of The Minutemen. Founding member of Firehose. The guy who helped give a tongue to punk rock. His 6/2 show at the Bluebird Theatre won't just be a show, it'll be a damn history lesson. Attendance is mandatory for all those under the age of 25.

Jethro Tull

6/12 The Fillmore

DUH-NUH-NUH-NA-NUH-NUH. if you have listened to any radio station anywhere in the world ever, you should immediately recognize the preceding guitar riff as being unmistakably Tull. Jethro Tull. DUH-NUH-NUH-NA-NUH-NUH. That is correct--the venerable, flute-tooting English rockers who know how to write a memorable lick will be playing our very own Fillmore Auditorium on 6/12. Who knows which songs they will choose from their dozens of albums? Something from Warchild ? Under Wraps ? Living in the Past ? (Not that that's an appropriate title or anything.) You'll just have to put on your leather jerkin and knee-length ranger boots and show up.

Vans Warped Tour

6/23 Adams County Fairgrounds

Punk rock should never be served in vat-sized proportions. Unfortunately, the guys in charge of the stuff now all wear Brooks Brothers and drink the blood of the poor from golden chalices, so we end up with the Vans Warped Tour. Not that there's anything wrong with the bands--Bad Religion is, well, Bad Religion, the closest thing hardcore has to The Beatles, and NOFX is more fun than a night in the closet with Annie Sprinkle. Lagwagon ? Eh. Newfound Glory ? Never heard of 'em. Like we say, not a bad idea--but it screams youth-oriented cross-promotion, and that's something punk should never scream. Still, if you're young, game and have good knees for the running in a circle, show up at the Adams County Fairgrounds on 6/23. Bring a lot of money and a note from your parents.

James Brown

7/3 The CityLights Pavilion

Have you ever just felt so nice that, good God, you just wanted to jump back and kiss yourself? We certainly hope, for your sake, that you have. James Brown has. In fact, despite his stretch in the pen, despite the years of smoking Angel Dust--or maybe because of both--he's still the hardest-working man in show business. He'll exercise you like a pack mule. This is the guy who created (with the musical help of a couple of other true geniuses) the funk. Try and listen to--Super Bad--without doing the twitchy dance. Now try it live at the CityLights Pavilion on 7/3. Can a man come in and do the popcorn?

Big Head Todd & The Monsters

7/27 Red Rocks

Ah, it wouldn't be summer in Colorado without a Big Head Todd and the Monsters show at Red Rocks . Colorado's most enduring and inoffensive musical act carries on, touring behind Riviera , their latest effort. As always, you'll need to buy tickets well in advance, because nobody sells out faster (did we just write that?) than Big Head Todd.

OZZFEST

8/22 The Pepsi Center

Here's a big-time music extravaganza that we can get behind--OZZFEST! First of all, Ozzy . To this day, no one has touched Ozzy's Ozzydom. The legion of metal pretenders who have tried over the years only succeeded in sharpening the line of distinction. Even if he's old enough for AARP (or whatever the British equivalent is), he still rocks harder than your whole family. Add in the nutty Czechs in System of a Down . probably the best of the nu-metal bands--and the over-the-top Alice worship of Rob Zombie and you have yourself a neckache in the making. Be sure to catch Mushroomhead, the band gracing our cover, on the second stage. Go to Ozzy, show him your love. The date is 8/22, but tickets are already on sale. Go!

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