**Fox Talk** foxtheatre.com

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Mon Mar 8

Mike Doughty - March 16th at the Fox Theatre

When Mike Doughty released his second official solo album, 2008’s Golden Delicious, the reaction from fans was intense. “Some hated it, some loved it better than Soul Coughing,” Doughty says. “I tend to take sharp left turns. Every time I put out a record, the audience seems to like what I did two years ago better. You’d think I could shrug it off because that’s what always happens, but it always gets to me.”

Doughty admits that his upcoming album, Sad Man Happy Man – released October 6th on ATO Records – is a reaction to his fans’ reaction and that he’s giving the people what they want. “I really went for the ‘na-na-na’s’ and the simple choruses and stuff on Golden,” he says. “The songs on Sad Man are more arcane and convoluted songwriting-wise, though they’re sparer in terms of instrumentation. Although my choruses are still simple — I love taking phrases and repeating them ad infinitum.”

The largely acoustic Sad Man Happy Man is a deliberate return to everything people love about Mike Doughty, he makes albums that simmer with verbal wit, and Sad Man Happy Man is no exception with its songs about everything from relationship bust-ups (Doughty was going through one while he was recording it) to his astute observations about the American economy.

Here’s the new video for “Doubly” off Sad Man Happy Man:

Don’t miss Mike Doughty at the Fox on Tuesday, March 16th! Tickets/info: http://www.foxtheatre.com/Store/ChooseTicket.aspx?sid=15595

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Tue Mar 2

Just a little about About BoomBox…

BoomBox is Producer/Engineer/DJ/Drummer Russ Randolph and Producer/DJ/Vocalist/Guitarist Zion Rock Godchaux. This pair of dynamic artists uses their rich musical history and their vision of music and popular culture to deliver a style of music distinctly different from anything heard or seen in music today. This signature sound and show brings live music to a new, elevated level. BoomBox evolved through the common visualization of two forward-thinking artists from diverse musical backgrounds. Raised by supportive and musically inclined parents, both Godchaux and Randolph had an obsession with music at very young ages. Godchaux, who grew up with deeply embedded rock and roll roots, began playing drums at the age of two, and played guitar and wrote his own songs as a teen. During the 90s, Godchaux was a well-received touring DJ based out of the San Francisco area. Randolph began as a young drummer, but it’s what was happening behind the scenes that attracted him most. As much producers as they are musicians, it is Randolph’s knack for engineering, Godchaux’s understanding of soundscapes and the duo’s rich ability to improvise live that keeps BoomBox resonating at higher levels.

CHECK OUT BOOMBOX MARCH 12 GET TICKETS HERE!

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Sat Feb 20

SWOLLEN MEMBERS FOX THEATRE MARCH 2. BE THERE.

Since day one, it seemed as though SWOLLEN MEMBERS enjoyed a successful career as one of the premier groups in underground hip-hop. When it came time to record their sixth studio album, they were forced to confront the skeletons that had been hiding in their closet. During the time the group’s new album “Armed To The Teeth” was taking shape, Mad Child was struggling with drug addiction, SWOLLEN MEMBERS’ record label had collapsed, he was embroiled in legal battles and his association with outlaw motorcycle clubs provoked police to swarm his house in full riot gear. With a desire to consistently raise the bar within the hip-hop genre, Mad Child and Prevail were inspired to beat back personal demons and concentrate on creating the most powerful musical statement of their career. Revitalized, focused and stronger than ever, SWOLLEN MEMBERS are armed and ready for war. Their heavily anticipated new studio album, “Armed To The Teeth” feature guest appearances by La Coka Nostra, Talib Kweli and Tech N9NE.

CHECK OUT THIS INTERVIEW WITH MAD CHILD ABOUT HIS ADDICTION BATTLE…

As Swollen Members’ Mad Child makes his return to the spotlight after battling a three-year addiction to painkillers, he’s been forced to adapt to what he’s missed while locked in isolation.

He’s still got a long way to go in his recovery since sobering up mere months ago, but remains enthusiastic about the comeback of Swollen Members. He was in surprisingly high spirits as we talked about just where the heck he’s been for the past few years.

CHARTattack: So basically you guys are coming back with a new album after a bit of a hiatus.
Mad Child: (laughs) Yeah, you could say that. A bit of hiatus, yep.

Are you happy to be back?
Yeah, I’m happy to be back. As much as I’m happy, I’m also nervous to be back. When I say that, I mean just life in general. I’ve been in a different place for the past three years. Coming back to reality after doing a lot of self-abuse to my life and the lives of others around me, there’s a lot of repair work I have to do.

Even with the music. The whole music business was such a different thing three or four years ago, and I really didn’t pay any attention to it for the last few years. I was just getting stoned — simple as that.

So what’s your daily life like now?
I thank God every day that I’m alive and that I was able to get off the drugs. I’m proud of myself, and I know there’s a lot of work ahead of me. Keeping busy is one of the best ways to stay off the drugs. Setting goals and achieving them has been my method of success so far. I’m kind of retraining my mind to be a productive person again.

When in the past three years did you reach the turning point and realize you needed to stop?
It happened a number of times. I’d have little breakdowns and look in the mirror and realize what I’d become. I put on 35 pounds. I was fuckin’ eating two things of Haagen-Dazs ice cream every night for a year. I had become harshly overweight, lazy, wasn’t doing anything.

In the beginning, the guys would go on tours and I’d miss the plane. They would have to do shows without me. There were a lot of things. None of them individually made me quit doing drugs, but all those things added up finally made me realize I had to start mentally preparing myself.

I was living in a mental trap. I knew I couldn’t get by without taking 20 Es a day. I knew it was costing me $500 a day. I knew I wasn’t getting a pay cheque. I knew I was selling property just to get high. I knew how much money I was losing, but it was the culmination of everything when I finally told myself I was living in a trap. So I set a date and it was the gnarliest thing I ever went through.

What was it like?
I tried going to rehab. That was a year ago, and 25 days later I was back home getting high again. I wasn’t ready to get off yet. This time I did it without rehab. I did it on my own.

I stayed at my parents’ house for nine days. The first night, I tried taking this stuff called Cyboxin. I did it with a doctor, but I guess you’re supposed to let your body detox for a certain amount of time, or I had a bad reaction and I ended up in the hospital the first night. I literally wanted to die. If they had offered to put me to sleep, I would have done it. It was crazy, dude. My parents had to hold me down. I was just a completely different person. It was just insane.

When I woke up the next day, I was so happy I wasn’t flopping around like a fish out of water because that’s what happens when you kick an opiate addiction. Your arms and legs flail around ‘n’ shit and you can’t control it. Even though I felt like an 80-year-old man, I just laid in bed at my parents’ house for the next nine days just being really lethargic and depressed.

You’ve been so open about your addiction with the public. Why do you feel the importance of talking about it?
I had written songs about my addiction and got a lot of feedback from fans with the same problems, or similar ones who said it was helping them reflect on their situations.

I know in my mind there were 20 reasons why I finally said enough is enough. If I can be one of some people’s 20 reasons, then that’s a good thing. If I can help a few kids walking down that path, then it could be one in 20 reasons why they decide not to let that become part of their lives.

If I can have a few kids find out what OxyContin or Percocet or any of these painkillers really actually are before they actually get into it, then that’s a pretty good thing, too. That’s why I feel the need to talk about it.

CHECK OUT SWOLLEN MEMBERS AT THE FOX MARCH 2. GET TICKETS HERE!

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Sat Feb 13

MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME : MARDI GRASS 2010 featuring ANDY THORN & TYLER GRANT (of EMMITT-NERSHI BAND )

Between the bitter wind and bright sunshine of Nederland, Colorado there is Mountain Standard Time. This band built from the ground up on spilt whiskey is ready to delve into a fresh decade. They will traverse the steep passes of Colorado’s gorgeous mountain towns as they begin to branch out to neighboring states and prepare for a busy summer festival run.

The boys took the time out of their blizzard winter to speak with Mountain Music about their plans including a Mardi Grass Celebration at the Fox Theatre on February 19^th.

Guitarist Stanton Sutton explained, “This will be our first headlining slot at the Fox with our new lineup. We are really excited for the chance to put our good foot forward and show people what we are all about.” He continued, “We also want to have more than just a concert, sort of an overall performance. We want visual aesthetics there for people to be taken out of their every day life and brought into a new world. Hula Hoopers, live painters, magicians, lighting design, and costumes; we really want to let other people express their artwork through the moment of our music,” he concluded.

The visualization reminded the newest member, mandolin player Nicholas Dunbar, of a key to the band’s success. “We have established a strong community of friends and family that has been persistently growing. Our energy on stage has kept more and more people coming out which has been refreshing,” he said.

Saxophone slayer Kyle Stersic described, “We play a healthy fusion of many different genres. Sometimes we just play straight up funk.” Sutton continued, “And other times we play straight up bluegrass. It is really more song by song than an overall sound.” Dunbar recalled the diversity of song writing, “There’s four songwriters in the band so every song is completely different and we don’t try to coup anything together. We’ll take one song and work with it and that becomes its own entity within itself,” he described.

The band plays almost entirely original compositions, never relying on bluegrass standards or fiddle tunes. Sutton said, “We design our setlists to flow so that there are no real hiccups in the show.” Stersic noted, “And no two shows we play are ever the same. It varies because we are always thinking of new ideas and incorporating them impromptu into songs,” he explained. MST is ever expanding and exploratory but they remain focused on their place in time to avoid excessive repetitive jamming.

Drummer Zach Scott said, “We really enjoy and have fun playing together. We enjoy the music a lot and that shows when we play live. People can feel that energy coming from us.” Dunbar agreed, “We all push each other because we love each other and seeing one another succeed. I love hearing every one of these guys play and watching every single person shine. We are all working together at every moment,” he said, smirking at the recipe to success that has fallen into place.

Though they have a tattered past, MST sees nothing but a bright future. Dunbar explained their current course, “Expanding our fan base right now is huge. We feel good about around here and we want to just keep going and venturing out further and further until we’ve got everybody,” he said. “We are going out to Kansas, Nebraska, and Montana then further on from there,” he described their upcoming tour plans.

The band may venture on out of the Rockies but they will always carry with them the spirit of Nederland and the front-range music community. All smiles and psychedelic special grass: forget the time of day, it’s Mountain Standard Time!

DON’T MISS MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13TH! Tickets/info: http://foxtheatre.com/Store/ChooseTicket.aspx?sid=15633

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Tue Feb 9

CITIZEN COPE'S NEW RAINWATER EP ::: PREVIEW HERE ::: LIVE AT THE FOX THEATRE APRIL 15!

This is a special album to Cope as it’s the first release by his own label RainWater Recordings. Cope wrote the following explaining his decision to release the album this way:

It’s a great pleasure to announce that after being signed to a major label recording contract for the better part of 10 years, my obligations have been fulfilled and my new recording, The RainWater LP, will be released on my own label RainWater Recordings.

The practice of selling your intellectual property and likeness throughout the Universe and in perpetuity (this means forever) in exchange for a recoupable recording advance always seemed like an unfair business practice. Regardless, artists have historically been forced to sign these contracts because it was the dominant way to make, promote, and distribute music.

There are good people at record companies that love music and do a great deal of good. Unfortunately, contracts only follow people who sign them. Staff sizes have been reduced, promotional dollars tightened, and the labels are no longer properly equipped to develop acts, monetize catalog, or even protect copyrights. There isn’t anybody home.

I’ve been very fortunate to write, produce, and release music from my point-of-view and have these projects funded by various record labels. And while their collective demise is unfortunate, the responsibility lies with executives without ownership in their respective companies. A business that should be artist driven is executive driven. People with vision and who dream will fill the void left by Majors. People who love music and
understand its artistic and social value. Ones with long term goals not quarterly profit concerns.

Some risk accompanies this decision. First, there are the financial costs associated with making an album: studio time, hiring players, mixing, mastering, pressing CDs, hiring a publicist, radio promotion, etc. Second, I don’t have “the machine” assisting the album¹s promotion and marketing. Regardless, it’s liberating to control both the way I’m represented and how you receive the music. I hope you in turn share the music with your friends, make mention of its release on your blog, twitter, or simply sing-along at my shows.

It was a joy to make the record. I hope you enjoy it. It’s my favorite alongside CGR.

One love.

Clarence

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Sat Feb 6

STOCKHOLM SYNDROME FEB 26 AT THE FOX THEATRE!

Check out this Jerry and Dave interview recorded outside the Fox Theatre last summer!

Stockholm Syndrome is made up of an all-star cast. When Widespread Panic bass player Dave Schools and acclaimed singer/songwriter Jerry Joseph of the Jackmormons decided to collaborate, each initially thought the side project would be a cool, if temporary, change of pace. With one studio album released, a new studio album set for release in early 2010 and multiple tours behind them, Stockholm Syndrome has transcended being just a side project. Stockholm Syndrome is a band.   The band’s unusual choice for a name, Stockholm Syndrome, refers to the psychological phenomenon in which a hostage bonds with his kidnappers. It seemed an apt moniker for the pair’s somewhat convoluted relationship. Now all Schools and Joseph needed was a band.   They put together their “Dream Team” including Eric McFadden (a San Francisco-based guitarist who has worked with Keb Mo’, Les Claypool and George Clinton’s P-Funk All Stars), Danny Louis (an Upstate NY based keyboard virtuoso widely known for his role in Gov’t Mule and Cheap Trick) and drummer Wally Ingram (an L.A.-based drummer who has worked with Jackson Browne, Sheryl Crow, Tracy Chapman and David Lindley).

All three musicians were on board and are now back for more live dates, an in-store recording for release and a pending studio album.   Stockholm Syndrome is ready to serve up its potent brew of provocative songs and thrilling, genre-transcending musicianship to worldwide audiences. Schools is already contemplating the future, “We’ll take it as far as it wants to go. I think that everyone is really enjoying playing together…it ceased to be a recording project and became a band.”   There aren’t many bands with the ability to hit the ground running the way Stockholm Syndrome did. And now that they’re launched, they show no sign of slowing down soon.

Check out Stockholm Syndrome at the Fox Theatre Feb 26! Get your tickets HERE!

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Thu Feb 4

TELEPATH & FLYING SKULLS - February 10th at the Fox

Don’t miss TELEPATH & FLYING SKULLS Wednesday, February 10th at the Fox! SEE BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN FREE TICKETS!

TELEPATH:

“Music is a collective language. It can bring a sense of community among strangers, regardless of language, nationality, or beliefs. It can provide the listener an environment for creative thought and unrestrained emotion. It can manifest the beauty of people and cultures who may be thousands of miles apart. The music of Telepath strives to do all of this. Formed in 2006 and hailing from Philadelphia PA via Asheville NC, Telepath is a unique new expression in the current live and electronic music scenes. The 3-piece comprised of Michael Christie (keyboards), Curt Heiny (bass) and Mike B (drums) use a wide variety of self-created samples containing Indian and Arabic singers and musicians, Afrobeat-influenced horn lines, dubbed-out effects, and much more to generate the multi-layered sound that is Telepath. Extensively touring in support of their debut album Fire One (2006), Telepath has played to passionate audiences at theaters, clubs, and festivals around the country. Now, with the September 2008 release of their second album Contact, Telepath continues the development of a loyal and ever-growing fan base, as well as their commitment to creating a positive and inspiring environment both on record, and in live performance”

FLYING SKULLS:

The Flying Skulls first started melting dance floors in April 2008. Originally the brainchild of Lowpro Lounge co-founder Jeff Wareham (J.Tonal) as a way to bring the precision of the recording studio to the dance floor. J.Tonal had been creating music and throwing events in the SF Bay Area for over 7 years, sharing billing with musicians such as DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, Shpongle, Ott, Jack Dangers from Meat Beat Manifesto, and UFO! Growing up in the foothills of Northern California, J.Tonal was forced at an early age to go in search of a different sound. After moving to LA and immersing himself in the Hip Hop and Electronic music scenes, he started producing in a style that crossed between those two genres. In 1999 he moved to SF and met up with James Christopher, founding the Lowpro Lounge, throwing over 200 events all over the world, and starting the innovative record label Lowpro Lounge Recordings. “The Skulls is all crusher material. You’ve got a totally improv beat over here, and a live bass line over here, and I’m in the middle dropping a lead, and grabbing pieces of the other performances and cutting them up… really giving the listener an experience.” J.Tonal’s tracks form the root of the Skulls sound, and by all accounts, they’re getting bigger, badder, and more fun to dance to.

iClips.net is giving away a free pair of tickets to this show. Check out the link for details. http://www.iclips.net/contest/telepath-giveaway

Tickets for TELEPATH & FLYING SKULLS w/ FRESH2DEATH on February 10th can be purchased at: http://foxtheatre.com/Store/ChooseTicket.aspx?sid=15626

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Mon Jan 25

STRANGE DESIGN - Recreating the music of PHISH

A new study released this week has revealed that plenty of Phish is a necessary part of a well-balanced musical diet. This should come as little surprise, as the Vermont-based foursome is protein-packed and easily-digestible, providing listeners with their much-needed aural nutrients. Although the species disappeared for a few years—leaving many wondering how they would satisfy their aural nutritional needs—they recently resurfaced in a strange vessel some refer to as “The Mothership.” Despite the temporary absence, one thing remains unchanged—-Phish is highly-addictive. With the demand vastly outnumbering the supply, many fans are simply not meeting their Phish needs. For those in desperate need of a hearty supplement, Strange Design offers fans an opportunity to hear their favorite shows performed live in their entirety. Much like the way in which Dark Star Orchestra performs sets from the expansive Grateful Dead catalogue, Strange Design performs entire shows from the first twenty years of Phish’s career. This approach has helped set them apart from other Phish tribute acts and garnered them critical praise: “This is not a band that plays its fourteen favorite Phish covers — they study and re-enact full concerts from an era when the band was the most dynamic force in live improvisational music…This is a band that makes it alright to admit you were a Phish die-hard, and will probably leave you recounting your favorite tour stories to complete strangers after the encore…” (Nick Levy, The Brooklyn Revue). Strange Design strives to reconnect the dispersed Phish community by taking show requests from fans, including all the extra-musical components that made Phish unique (trampolines, vacuum solos, choreographed dances, etc), traveling with a full light show, and recreating the energy, sound, and improvisational spirit of the different eras in Phish’s career. In short, they want fans to relive the complete Phish concert experience in the intimacy of smaller clubs and music halls close to their doorstep.

Here’s a clip of Strange Design performing Phish’s “The Divided Sky”

DON’T MISS STRANGE DESIGN on FEBRUARY 17th! Tickets can be bought at: http://foxtheatre.com/Store/ChooseTicket.aspx?sid=15615

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Tue Jan 19

Tuesday Tunes for YOU! :: THE LOW ANTHEM :: DIGNITY (Bob Dylan Cover) :: APRIL 3 :: FOX THEATRE

We love Bob Dylan. And we LOVE to give you a sneak preview of The Low Anthem - Snag your tickets HERE for their debut at The Fox Theatre on Saturday, April 3rd!

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Mon Jan 18

FREE MUSIC MONDAY! :: THE GRATEFUL EP :: by JACKIE GREENE :: FEB 1 AT FOX THEATRE

After a stint with Phil Lesh & Friends, its great to hear Jackie put together his take on some classic Grateful Dead tunes. We hope to see you perform these and others on Monday, February 1st at The Fox Theatre! You can snag your tickets Right Here. In the meantime, Enjoy!

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Sun Jan 17

The Fox Theatre has been nominated to be best MUSIC VENUE for Best of Metromix Denver!

As noted in the Best Live Music Bar category, we’re separating bars that also host concerts from venues whose main reason for existing is to hold shows. We’d be foolish not to acknowledge that one of the entries below is something of a ringer, but as everyone who attended the Monolith festival this year can attest, there are certain drawbacks (i.e. hypothermia) to outdoor venues, no matter how sweet-looking they may be. So consider your vote carefully.

SO LET EVERYONE KNOW TO VOTE FOR THE FOX THEATRE OR THE VENUE YOU FEAL WORTHY OF SUCH A TITLE!

BE SURE TO VOTE BEFORE JAN 24th!

VOTE HERE!

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Thu Jan 14

New CITIZEN COPE Track :: Way Down In The Hole :: APRIL 15 :: FOX THEATRE

The Fox Theatre Crew is itching to hear THE RAINWATER LP from Citizen Cope, due out in February. We thought you might be too, so here’s a little tidbit for your ears’ enjoyment. We wanted to share the first track off THE RAINWATER LP called “Way Down In the Hole”

Fans of HBO’s critically-acclaimed series ‘The Wire’ might just recognize this track as the show’s opening theme song.

And don’t forget, tickets for Citizen Cope’s April 15th show at The Fox Theatre in Boulder go on sale tomorrow at 12:00 Noon - www.foxtheatre.com - get yours before they’re all swooped up!

In the meantime, enjoy “Way Down In The Hole”

-Your Friends at The Fox Theatre

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THE LOW ANTHEM on THE LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN TONIGHT! 11:30 pm (EST)

Amidst all the Late Night Talk Show Host Ratings Debate, we’re excited to tune into The Late Show with David Letterman to see The Low Anthem break out of The Pasta Sauce Factory to share a tune with the nation!

More info on The Low Anthem and their newest recording HERE!

Catch a sample of the band on The Late Show, then snag your tickets for their debut at The Fox Theatre on Saturday, April 3rd! Get your Tickets Here!

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Mon Jan 11

We’ve been buzzing about Kaki King around The Fox Theatre in the last couple of weeks, especially on the brink of her freshly announced show here at The Fox on Tuesday, May 11th!

Get your tickets Friday, Jan 15th at 12:00 noon only at www.foxtheatre.com!

Kaki King has been a bit underground in the past few months … diligently working on her fifth studio album. We’ll keep you posted with all the details as they trickle in. In the meantime, enjoy the video for “Pull Me Out Alive” from Dreaming of Revenge.

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Thu Jan 7

NEW ROGUE WAVE SINGLE ::: Good Morning ::: LIVE TUESDAY APRIL 13 ::: THE FOX THEATRE

Rogue Wave has been in some serious hibernation as of late. But how excited were we to see they had posted a brand spankin’ new track from their upcoming release ‘Permalight’ ?!

So excited, we just HAD to share! Enjoy a little taste of Permalight (due out March 2nd) until you see them in person on Tuesday, April 13th at The Fox Theatre!

Tickets available here right now!