Rival Sons: Hollow Bones Review

"When the nine-track Hollow Bones starts with "Hollow Bones, Pt. 1," it sounds like we as listeners are stepping into a Rival Sons concert in progress. The energy is alive and breathable, driving home the band's continued appreciation for authenticity during the recording process."

Review of Rival Sons' fifth album Hollow Bones, released June 10, 2016 on Earache Records.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 20, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/06/rival-sons-hollow-bones-review.html

Pasadena at 710 Beach Club and Grill

Ska fans were excited to be at 710 Beach Club & Grill the evening of Friday, June 17 when the Maryland-based Pasadena took the stage after opening sets by locals No Kings and Sandollar. No Kings vocalist Matt Cook pumped in early energy by jumping around the stage and playing audio samples from the 1993 film Dazed and Confused between songs. Sandollar followed with a bouncy beach rock set before introducing Pasadena, who cited 710 as one of the first San Diego venues they visited when they began touring along the West Coast years ago.

The four-piece performed material that spans their entire catalog, from 2008’s Sick and Tired to last year’s Hurricane. They played “Peace to My Enemies” early on, a new track with a freshly minted music video, and brushed off fan favorites “I Don’t Know,” “Trouble” and “All in Good Time.” The crowd danced in earnest when acoustic guitarist and singer Joe Harkum broke into the chorus on “Sweet Surrender,” and Harkum and bassist Aaron Hooper had the crowd singing happily along to their lyrical exchange during the (ironically) waltzy “Shut the F**k Up.”

With their fun blend of ska and rock, Pasadena consistently draws enthusiastic crowds while in San Diego, and their gig at 710 was no exception.