By Brian M. Howle There is an undeniable bond between brothers, as any mix of male siblings will attest; and sometimes the best you can hope for is, well, a minimum of carnage or fallout. And other times – as in this case – regardless of how smooth or bumpy the road has been, the [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Styx Brings Classic Rock Extraordinaire To House Of Blues Myrtle Beach Feb. 16
By Brian M. Howle Spawned from a suburban Chicago basement in the early ‘70s, Styx would eventually transform into the virtual arena rock prototype by the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, due to a fondness for big rockers and soaring power ballads. The band – founded by brothers Chuck and John Panozzo – was heavily [...]
Read the rest of this entry »HOB Review In 3: YES – At House Of Blues Myrtle Beach, August 2, 2012
By Brian M. Howle HOB Review in 3 – YES: 1) Beginning with “Yours is No Disgrace,” their newest member – singer Jon Davison – may be the most perfect replacement vocalist I have ever heard, perfectly complimenting bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, and keyboardist Geoff Downes; 2) Steve Howe, after [...]
Read the rest of this entry »The Original Racin’ Mario: Andretti Is the Definition of Racing Legend
By Brian M. Howle Andretti to Preside over Historic Racing Festival; Drive Pace Car There are but few names that, when mentioned, bring a nod of recognition from virtually everyone in the general population. Today, that may be due to the instant fame via Reality TV or viral videos on the net. But true legends [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Along The Watchtower: HOB Review In 3 – Gretchen Wilson
By Brian M. Howle From the Saturday, June 9 show at House Of Blues Myrtle Beach: HOB Review In 3 – Gretchen Wilson: 1) Les Pauls, Les Pauls, Les Pauls and life is all Jacked up; 2) One of the smokin’est young bands backing any artist BY FAR, those boys rock; and, 3) Yes, she’s [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Get A Dosage Of Collective Soul At HOB May 13
By Brian M. Howle As a music writer, nothing burns my butt more than seeing some fluff piece or hit piece, where the personal agenda is so blatant that even a blind man could see it. Well, if you’re a writer with the same outlook – prepare to be burned – but, in a [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Go Fast, Turn Left, Don’t Hit Anything
By Brian M. Howle As life continues its daily, relentless grind on us all, wearing us down, beating us into submission – it is only natural for almost everyone to just accept this as a given; to take in stride the changes that affect us in all the negative manners we are told is our [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Myrtle Beach Speedway’s New Makeover With The NASCAR Racing Experience
By Brian M. Howle Sometimes those phrases you hear all the time have a renewed meaning when recast with an appropo twist. Case in point: What goes around, comes around, and goes around and around again. And this time, it brought a new friend along for the ride. Such is the case for the historic [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Full Throttle Saloon Presents Throttle Fest At HOB Myrtle Beach May 17-19
Well, sometimes you just have to let time and common sense work their collective course until things work out. And after some of those misguided souls who supposedly run Horry County and City of Myrtle Beach had their asses handed to them by the courts for blatantly attempting to suppress personal freedom and destroy free [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Theory Of A Deadman Put To The Test May 17 At House Of Blues Myrtle Beach
By Brian M. Howle OK, you’re a kickass rock band from North Delta, British Columbia. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, well, there’s a reason for that. It’s because North Delta ain’t exactly a hotbed of happenin’ rock bands. So if you are from North Delta, just how the hell do you get your [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Spring Ushers In March Events Around The Palmetto State
By Brian M. Howle No use trying to deny it any longer, folks – around these parts (and a good portion of the nation), winter is listed as M.I.A. and it looks as if we can shelve the sweaters and blankies until next year – because we have slipped right past the ol’ Vernal Equinox [...]
Read the rest of this entry »No Rehab Needed For Jane’s Addiction At House Of Blues M.B. On March 10
Doors Open 7:30 p.m.; Black Box Revelation Is Opening Act By Brian M. Howle There it is again, that kneejerk reaction to a band name that makes mothers quickly herd their young inside, as the fathers role up their sleeves and peer down with that badassdaddy stinkeye. Well, hide all ya want and give yer [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Along The Watchtower
By Brian M. Howle Michael “Buffalo” Smith: A South Carolina Writer’s Take On Southern Rock And More We southerners are a unique breed, in all humbleness and honesty. And the way we are perceived is often multi-layered and complex, for a geographically and stereotypically pigeonholed group of folks. Sometimes it’s disarmingly charming, sometimes it’s laden with [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Christmas For Dummies
By Brian M. Howle It really is hard to believe that yet another Christmas has snuck right up and foisted itself upon an unprepared and skittish world. As I write this, it is the literal beginning of the 12 Days of Christmas, as we get that honest assessment deal going on just in time for [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Bill Oberst Jr. Brings “A One-Man Christmas Carol” To Strand Cinema
Actor Home From LA To Perform Two Shows To Benefit Theater On Saturday, December 17 At 3 & 6 p.m. By Brian M. Howle Los Angeles-based actor and Georgetown native Bill Oberst Jr. returns to his home turf on Saturday, Dec 17 for two performances of his “One-Man Christmas Carol” at the historic Strand Theater [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Perfection: From Concept To Production – The Journey Of A Diecast Miniature Vehicle Vehicle
By Brian M. Howle For the casual observer, taking notice of the degree of absolute perfection – in replicating diecast scale models of vintage classics and muscle-car glory – hardly seems worthy of the thought. But, for the rabid collector – like, say, me – it can easily become another insidious addition designed to separate [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Lady Antebellum Will Own The Night At Florence Civic Center Nov. 26
By Brian M. Howle It’s easy to think that the powers that be in the entertainment world seem to discount our little corner of Paradise here in the Carolinas. Seems the “big cities” and glitzy vaction spots get all the really nifty-neato concerts and marquee artists. But those days are over, kids. Because Lady Antebellum, [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Sol Driven Train Keeps It On Track With “Watermelon”
By Brian M. Howle Music is one of those things that, no matter how magnificently written, arranged, performed and produced, will always be subject to abject interpretation. Which is why those who can master the fine art of establishing their chosen genre into the much-sought-after world of “crossover” essentialy have acheived the Holy Grail of [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Rocktober Brings Legendary Rockers Trey Anastasio, Steve Miller, And Styx To House Of Blues Myrtle Beach
By Brian M. Howle There are some things about life that are just universal. With the current state of the nation – nay, the world – combined with a hotter ‘n hell/back-to-back packed tropical storm summer here in the south, those of us here along the shores of Shangri la collectively and thankfully welcome the [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Model Citizens’ 2nd Annual Train Show & Sale Oct. 15-16
By Brian M. Howle The Grand Strand Model Railroad Club will bring the tradition-steeped hobby to the public, as they have announced their second annual Model Railroad Show and Sale. The event will be held on Oct. 15 and 16 at the Lakewood Conference Center, 5837 S. Kings Highway (on the frontage road) beside Lakewood Campground, [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Joan Of Nightingale: Burton Brings It All
By Brian M. Howle The late, South Carolina-born Godfather of Soul, James Brown, cemented his legendary career on the wings of a couple of seminal tunes. Most are likely to think of the hit, “I Feel Good” – as well they should for its get-me-out-this-funk groove and happy happy, joy joy vibe. But for pure [...]
Read the rest of this entry »The S.C. Soundtrack – Featuring Music From And About South Carolina
By Brian M. Howle We all have an inborn love of the place we were born and raised: our home, our base, our never-ending love of who we are and where we are from, and the memories that form that sweet, precious feeling. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that, when it [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Brookgreen Gardens’ Cool Summer Evenings: The Best Summer’s Worst-Kept Locals’ Secret
By Brian M. Howle There is one standard truth when visiting or vacationing an area that you may not be familiar with: Ask the locals. Oh, with the advances in technology, yes; you can surf the web and you can cull some very handy and useful information, no doubt about it. And for those of [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!
By Brian M. Howle Glowing ribbons of magenta and azure run along the skin of night’s last gasp, illuminating billowing, cumulus clouds and wispy puffs of breakers on an undiscernable horizon. Fingers of radiant rapture entwine themselves into everything they envelope, kissing the warm trade wind breezes that caress the north Florida coastline. Ever-present seagulls [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Buckcherry Brings Throatrippin’ Rock To House Of Blues Feb. 11
By Brian M. Howle Buckcherry There is rock. And there’s kickass rock. And then, as my friend Julie says, there’s BuckfuckingCherry. Headlining the Jagermeister Music Tour, the L.A.-based extreme rockers will rip the roof off of House Of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, SC, on Friday, February 11, as Buckcherry hits the stage with opening [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Interview: The Nicest ‘Nasty Man’ You’ll Ever Hear: Musician/Vocalist Rickey Godfrey
By Brian M. Howle There needs to be an admission on my part right up front – I’m a very fortunate man in so many ways, and I honestly do try to keep them in perspective. With the love of music as my guiding light, it has offered more rewards than I ever dreamed [...]
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