My Gadget, Game & Gizmo Obsession

Wow, we are already a week into 2010 and I have yet to post My Top Obsessions of 2009. Shame on me, and sorry for the delay. You may remember what my top 7 obsessions from 2008 were.

As we wind up 2010, let me recap on the obsessions that have kept me coming back to the blog. In looking over the past 12 months, I’ll highlight the top ten obsessions that have swallowed up all my free time this past year. I’ll also take a look at what obsessions might be cropping up for 2010.

Here are the obsessions in order of importance to me.

Picture the ball dropping, and countdown on…
10. Rock Band Network.
You may be wondering, why is this at #10 and not higher on the list.  For me, I looked at RBN as a way to get my old bands music (and possible new bands music) into Rock Band. It’s kind of a dream of mine. Then when I got into the RBN beta, I realized (1) I don’t have the free time to do this, (2) I don’t want to free up time to do this. So, RBN, as exciting as it seems to me…has been a pipe dream to me, and my exploration of the tools has been short lived. In 2010, I do expect to take advantage of the grabbing songs from the RBN store, and possibly getting back in the development ring…but, neither is happening yet.

9. New Site Name.
This isn’t exactly a highlight, but it is something that took up part of early 2009.I moved my web site to a new host, and changed the URL. It once was at http://blog.javadevelop.com, which was just a spinoff blog of another site. As this site was growing in popularity, I decided to rename it to http://www.MyGGGo.com, short for My Gadget, Game & Gizmo Obsession. It looks to have been a poor decision, since the site statistics showed my daily visitors went form about 300 to about 30. Ouch, that hurt!  Well, you live and you learn.  I’ve decided to stick with the new name and rebuild. Some of you have stuck around, and I greatly appreciate it. I hope to get the site (now going on its 4th year) back up in readership and commenters throughout 2010.

8. BlackBerry Bold.
It’s funny to see that last year, the BlackBerry Storm made it to my #3 spot, and truly should continue into 2009. Though, in the wee months of 2009 (Fabruary to be exact) the Storm was replaced by the BlackBerry Bold 9000. It wasn’t replaced because I didn’t like it. It was due to the fact that my company was willing to supply me with a BlackBerry and the Storm wasn’t on the “accepted devices” list. With that, I jumped from the Verizon ship onto AT&T and picked up the Bold. It’s really a great phone, though I wish it had a larger touchscreen. It’s got high-resolution, good call quality, and decent email (funny that BlackBerry does not have the best email client of all). It’s even a good media device, which has allowed me to continue my life of mobile convergence (cell phone, calendar, email, music player, GPS, and web all-in-one). The Bold remains my current device, and I am eyeing an upgrade to the Bold 9700 in the coming months. Although, this blog was founded on gadget obsessions,  formerly known as “My Treo Obsession”, I didn’t spend as much time on BlackBerry posts throughout the year.  An interesting statistic, my readership has suffered for that too.  Looks like I need to get back to my gadget roots here.

7. New Music Games
Why do I keep this so general? Well, there were a few music games I picked up this year, and each had something I loved. First, I have to say, I’m disappointed that no Rock Band 3 came out in 2009, but I’m sure it will be stellar when it does. Guitar Hero 5: This is possibly the best party music game of the year. With drop in/drop out play, it’s great for parties. Also, the ability to have 4 players on any instrument is great. Especially at my house right now, where if one person sings, everyone wants to sing; or if one person plays guitar, everyone wants to play guitar. Though the soundtrack didn’t grab me, and all my DLC is on Rock Band, so the game didn’t get much rotation. The Beatles Rock Band: This showed us what Rock Band 3 might be like, with 3 part harmonies. This game is beautiful, we all know enough about it. Guitar Hero Van Halen: This is my favorite music game to play this year. You say. “WHAT?!?!” I love classic Van Halen. Activision, screwed the pooch in it’s implementation of the story and the band, but the songs and charting are fantastic. What’s missing? The same thing as all GH games, DLC. Finally, Lego Rock Band: It’s so much fun to watch the cut scenes, and play Super Easy mode with the little kids. Plus, the import/export of your existing Rock Band library makes this a fun game.  Though, I would have rather seen Rock Band 3 over all of these, it was a decent year of flooded music games.

6. Slacker Radio.
The streaming music service available via web browser, stand alone desktop client, iPhone, BlackBerry, and some select Sony TV’s, has been a staple of mine since I learned of the service in late 2007. With the Slacker Radio application for BlackBerry release on February 2009, it truly became my de facto music source for the entire year.  I use it via my web browser at work. I use it in the car via my BlackBerry plugged into my stereo AUX jack, I use it at home via Berry or computer, and when I travel. I’ve made several custom stations including a Rock Band station that I update regularly with all the songs available for the game. 2010 definitely looks to be a year where Slacker continues to be part of my daily obsessions.

5. Rock Band DLC.
Rock Band 2 came in at #2 on my 2008 list, and I had anticipated that Rock Band 3 would have come out in 2009.  Well it didn’t but guess what did? Over 370 songs available for download into Rock Band. I didn’t play as much as I would have wanted (due to moving and life), but the abundance of weekly DLC from Harmonix has kept this game (Rock Band 2), although now getting a little long in the tooth, from passing away.

4. Drumming Stuff.
This is a continuation from 2008, where drumming made my top list.  This year I successfully built (though not yet completed) a custom electronic drum kit. It’s custom because, I purchased it piece mail via auctions on eBay. A stand here, a pad there, etc. I’ve also used an old “brain” or module (the Yamaha TMX) to connect the kit via MIDI to the Guitar Hero World Tour drum kit.  Now, all my video game drumming takes place on a professional electronic drum kit, instead of the cheap’ish plastic kits that are available for the game.  Due to moving for much of the year, I haven’t used the kit since May, but am in the processes of setting it back up in the new place.  In 2010, I plan to buy some more components to round out the complete pro kit, and write some posts (with photos) on how to build the DIY pro kit.

3. New Music.
Last year, GNR with the release of Chinese Democracy made my top list.  This year, I could put in a single album in the list, though I will span this to cover the few albums that got me a bit obsessed this year. At the top, is Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown. Sure, it got trashed by the GD purists, but I love it. It’s a great listen, easily digestible, well told story, and similar to their American Idiot album. Next is Dream Theater’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings album. I was hooked pre-release due to my resurgence of interest in the band, thanks to Panic Attack and Constant Motion in Rock Band. The new album is 6 songs, but more than 70 minutes. The songs are extremely long, you do the math.  I mostly appreciate the fact that the album was released with a 3-disc set, containing instrumentals and a bonus disc of covers. We also got 311′s Uplifter this year. It was more of a downer than an uplifting experience, as it was just bland.  But, I did obsess over it, so it makes the list.  Finally, Dave Matthews Band release of The GrooGrux King.  Good old DMB. Nothing exciting, just a good listen. The album came out shortly after the death of saxophonist LeRoi Moore.

2. Prototype.
This game (for PS3 and Xbox 360) got trashed by just about everyone. Worse, it’s near clone, inFamous (for PS3) made it into many pro game journalists top 10 of the year. For me, Prototype was the most played game (excluding rhythm games) for me in 2009. I bought it in July when Amazon had a one-day sale, for $40. It was during a time where I was “without home” and no place to setup my Rock Band lair, so needed something else to pass the gaming time. This game is a sandbox (New York City), much like GTA IV, where you are basically evil and trash anything and everything in your way.  There’s a ridiculous amount of multi button combos, which does take some getting used to. But for me, this 3rd person game has taken more than 40 hours of my year, and I still haven’t finished it or reached 50% of the achievements. It’s not without its issues. (1) There is no Xbox Live component. Which is ok for me, but now that I have played much of the story and some of my friends have picked up the game, we’d really like to play online together. (2) You can’t leave NYC. If you try to cross a bridge or swim away from the island, God sends in an immediate missile strike and you are killed. Towards the end of the game, there is a hint that you get get to a ship, but I haven’t made it yet. (2) There is no DLC. This is a real drag, since the game could really leverage a new downloadable map, possibly some new combos, or something. I would likely pick up DLC if it were ever released. I stand by my words that this is a fun game to play. Find it in the bargain bins and enjoy.

1. You, the readers, and authors.
Thanks for those readers who have stuck around during some transitions of 2009.  Thanks to some of my part-time (and near full-time) authors that write posts.  It’s been another fun year of obsessions, and more to come in 2010. I hope to grow the site in different ways this year. Not yet sure how, since It’s a kinda “fly by the seat of my pants” blog.  I’m happy to see some people taking advantage of the Store offerings we add to various posts (sponsored by Amazon and Google), and just glad to see that people enjoy reading and discussing the same things that I obsess about. Thank you!

With that, we’ve come to the end…

Happy New Year!

Please share your top obsessions in comments below.

I’ll keep it simple, I have both their new albums (plus the new Dream Theater, but that’s in a non-mainstream league of its own). This is a sorta mashup review, where I’m going to blast on each album, and choose the victor (in my own opinion) at the end.  If you disagree, comment away below.

Green Day is everything you’d expect from a 2009 Green Day album. Mainstream punk. 21st Century is another end-to-end story, much like American Idiot was. If you listen from beginning to end, it’s telling a story about Christian & Gloria, living in today’s society (or something like that).

Musically, within 10 seconds of any song, you are likely to predict how the entire song will flow, and 9 outta 10 times, you are right.  Oddly, some of the songs are heavily borrowing riffs from earlier Green Day and other artists.  Listen close and you will hear a striking resemblance to Ob-la-di in a song. Overall, the story keeps you wanting to listen to the whole album. I could actually picture this album as the soundtrack to a movie or musical.

My favorite individual tracks are Murder City and Peacemaker.  Murder City most closely resembles the title track to American Idiot (which is a karaoke favorite of mine). Peacemaker has a very different sound, with some fast-paced acoustic guitar and a latin flavored bridge, which is just awesome.  Peacemaker, feels like it belongs in a Tarantino flick.

Now, let’s move on to 311′s Uplifter. Full disclosure, I have been a heavy 311 fan since the Blue album. I saw them live in the late 90′s something like 8 times (Green Day I only saw live once on the Insomniac tour).  Back in the day, I played in a rock-rap band that liked to cover lot’s of 311 songs.  Now that I think about it, I also covered a Green Day song or two.

Back to 311. I will admit that their first four albums (Music, Grassroots, Blue Album, Transistor) are all favorites of mine. If you don’t have them all, think of reggae with hip-hip, a tinge of metal and funk all mixed together.  Better yet, just buy them all and tell me what you think.  Though, after Transistor, I feel 311 has been stuck in a rut. Soundsystem in 1999, From Chaos in 2001, Don’t Tread On Me in 2005,  and now Uplifter just don’t take 311 to any new levels.  Let me take exception, Soundsystem is like an extension of Transistor. It’s very good, and more of the same. The following two albums have a couple decent tracks, but it sounds more like rinse/repeat.

Today, I picked up the Uplifter album and am giving it the first listen as I type. It is like I suspected, but not exactly. It’s not necessarily trying to sound like Transistor. Though, it’s gone more contemporary (soft-rock) with less edge than previous albums. There’s just not enough hip-hop or metal in it for me, which is what I fell in love with 311 to begin with, back in 1995.  Instead of them reinventing themselves over the years, they have just (I hate to say this) watered down their amazing sound with every new album. This album (at first listen) seems like 50% water to 50% 311, just too watered down for me.  I can see it getting rotation on light-rock (or adult contemporary) stations. You know, the stations that ate up “All Mixed Up” and “Amber”.  Both songs are amazing, but I can take one or two of those per album. I want my ass kicked, like “Do You Right”, “Homebrew”, and “Hive” (it’s not ’95, we still go for the hive).

So, to tally the scores from the judges (i.e. me), Green Day is the unanimous winner, by a technical knockout.  I can’t get enough of 21st Century Breakdown, but don’t see Uplifter getting much rotation in my BlackBerry Bold media player.

The summer of tons of great music continues. This coming week is the new 311 CD. Are you getting it? You can get your order in with our link in this post.

Here’s some info from 311 regarding the new album and tour:
NEW ALBUM: UPLIFTER OUT JUNE 2ND!
SUMMER TOUR: JUNE – JULY 2009!
ALBUM PRE-ORDER & CONTEST!!

311: UPLIFTER PRE-ORDER & CONTEST TO WIN GREAT 311 PRIZES!!
Pre-order the new 311 album, UPLIFTER, now and automatically get entered into a drawing to WIN an autographed guitar, backstage passes, soundcheck passes, photo passes, autographed prize packs and more!! There is a standard, deluxe, super-deluxe and vinyl edition of Uplifter. Treat yourself! Show the band some love and order now. You will get the album on release day June 2nd. Check out the pre-order page at: HTTP:311.SKYROO.COM

311 UPLIFTER NOW STREAMING AT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/311
(Full album stream Tues 5/26 and Wed 5/27. selected songs 5/27 – 6/2).

311 HOST LOVELINE (RADIO): TUES, JUNE 2. TUNE IN!

311 PERFORM ON THE JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW (ABC): THUR, JUNE 4. TUNE IN!

HEY YOU / DID YOU NOTICE?
Did you notice a phone number in the Hey You video? Give it a look and give it a dial. 311 Hotline 817-717-6311. The band is leaving you messages. To see the Hey You video and find the phone number, visit: www.youtube.com/311 or go to the home page of 311.com

GOT YOUR TICKETS TO THE PARTY OF THE SUMMER?!!
SUMMER UNITY TOUR: 311, ZIGGY MARLEY, THE EXPENDABLES
Don’t miss this great night of Rock & Reggae under the summer moon!

6/3 Wednesday
BAKERSFIELD, CA
Majestic Fox Theatre
311 & Rey Fresco
Tickets: www.vallitix.com: 888-825-5484, 661-322-5200
Box Office: 661-324-1369

http://www.foxtheateronline.com/

6/4 Thursday
HOLLYWOOD, CA
Jimmy Kimmel Live

6/5 Friday
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Santa Barbara Bowl
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketmaster.com, 805-583-8700
Box Office: 805-962-7411

http://www.sbbowl.com

6/6 Saturday
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Live 105 BFD Radio Festival
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountainview
The Offspring, 311, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Taking Back Sunday, Alkaline Trio, etc
36 artists on 4 stages
Ticketmaster
Box Office: 650-967-4040

http://www.livenation.com/venue/shoreline-amphitheatre-at-mountain-vie w-tickets

6/7 Sunday
EUGENE, OR
Cuthbert Amphitheater
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketswest.com, 502-224-8499, 1-800-992-8499,and select Safeways
http:ticketswest.rdln.com/Venue.aspxven=CUT
Info: 541-762-8099

http://www.thecuthbert.com/

6/8 Monday
SEATTLE, WA
WaMu Theatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000

http://www.wamutheater.com/

6/11 Thursday
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Usana Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: Smithstix.com/ 801-467-8499
Info: 801-417-5343
www.usana-amp.com

6/12 Friday
DENVER, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
LiveNation.com, 1-877-598-6659
www.redrocksonline.com/index.asp

6/13 Saturday
KANSAS CITY, MO
City Market / Buzz Under the Stars
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
Box Office: 816-842-1271
www.thecitymarket.org/concerts.html

http://www.965thebuzz.com/

6/14 Sunday
CHICAGO, IL
Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island
Q101 Block Party
311, Ziggy Marley, the Expendables
Tickets: LiveNation.com
Info: 312-540-2668
Venue: www.charteronepavilion.com/

http://www.livenation.com/venue/charter-one-pavilion-at-northerly-isla nd-tickets

6/16 Tuesday
CLEVELAND, OH
Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com
http:www.livenation.com/venue/time-warner-cable-amphitheater-at-tower- city-tickets
Box Office: 216-522-4822
Venue: www.towercityamphitheater.com/

6/17 Wednesday
COLUMBUS, OH
Lifestyles Communities Pavillion
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
Info: 614-358-7625

http://www.promowestlive.com/site/html/index.php

6/19 Friday
DETROIT, MI
Freedom Hill Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketmaster.com
Box Office: 586-268-5100
www.freedomhill.net/

6/20 Saturday
CINCINATTI, OH
Riverbend Music Center
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketmaster.com, 513-562-4949
Box Office: 513-232-6220
www.riverbend.org

6/21 Sunday
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
The Lawns at White River State Park
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: www.livenation.com, 877-598-8703

http://www.livenation.com/venue/the-whitelies-lawn-at-white-river-stat e-park-tickets

Venue: http//:www.in.gov/whiteriver/lawn/index.html

6/23 Tuesday
SARATOGA, NY
SPAC
311, Ziggy Marley, the Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com
Box Office: 518-587-3330
www.spac.org

http://www.livenation.com/venue/saratoga-performing-arts-center-ticket s/

6/24 Wednesday
BOSTON, MA
Comcast Center (Tweeter)
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com
Box Office: 508-339-2331
www.livenation.com/venue/getvenue/venueid/479

6/25 Thursday
NEW YORK, NY
Central Park Summer Stage
311, Ziggy Marley, the Expendables
Tickets: Livenation.com, Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
www.summerstage.org

6/27 Saturday
HOLMDEL, NJ
PNC Bank Art Center
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: Livenation.com, 877-598-8694
www.livenation.comvenue/getvenue/venueid/298

6/28 Sunday
WASHINGTON DC
Nissan Pavillion
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com, 877-598-8696
Info: 703-754-6400

http://www.livenation.com/venue/nissan-pavilion-tickets

6/30 Tuesday
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Penn’s Landing
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com

http://www.livenation.com/venue/festival-pier-tickets

7/1 Wednesday
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com
Box Office: 757-368-3000
www.livenation.com/venue/getvenue/venueid/1948

7/3 Friday
CHARLOTTE, NC
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com, 877-598-8698
Info: 704-549-5555
Box Office: 704-549-1292

http://www.livenation.com/venue/verizon-wireless-amphitheatre-charlott e-tickets

7/4 Saturday
ATLANTA, GA
Lakewood Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketmaster: 404-249-6400
Info: 404-443-5090
Box Office: 404-443-5000

http://www.livenation.com/venue/lakewood-amphitheatre-tickets

7/5 Sunday
RALEIGH, NC
Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com, 877-598-8698
Info: 919-831-6666
Box Office: 919-831-6400

7/7 Tuesday
ST LOUIS, MO
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com
Info: 314-298-9944

http://www.livenation.com/venue/verizon-wireless-amphitheater-st-louis -tickets

7/10 Friday
PHOENIX, AZ
Dodge Theatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com
www.livenation.com/venue/getvenue/venueid/2231

7/11 Saturday
SAN DIEGO, CA
Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
Info: 619-671-3500

http://www.livenation.com/venue/cricket-wireless-amphitheatre-tickets/

7/12 Sunday
IRVINE, CA
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
Tickets: livenation.com
Box Office: 949-855-6937
Info: 949-855-6111

http://www.livenation.com/venue/verizon-wireless-amphitheater-irvine-c a-tickets/

END OF TOUR

I can’t believe all the new music coming out right now. I’m going to be broke this summer.

I just realized the new Green Day album is already available, came out this week. I will be picking that up today.

Thanks to an iTunes email, I just learned Eminem is back with a new album. Not sure if I will pick that up, as I think my Eminem days are behind me. But, I’m interested to give it a listen.

Linkin Park has a new single New Divide. That I will definitely pick up.

Dream Theater, I know they are not main stream, but they have a new album coming out, and I have already pre-orderd the deluxe 3-CD edition.

Dave Matthews Band, has their first album coming out since the passing of saxophonist, LeRoi Moore. There’s a pre-order for that now, and a deluxe edition with DVD too. I’m sure I’ll pick that album up as soon as it comes out, sans the DVD.

311 is due out with a new full album in June too. I’ll be getting that on day one.

Not mentioned up above, but I know Beastie Boys are finishing up an album now too. This will be the first non-instrumental album for them in about 5 years.

Oh, and Limp Bizkit started their world tour today, with the original line up. It’s the first time they have been together in 8 years. The album is due out in a few weeks, and I’m likely to get that also.

Wow, that’s an insane summer of music. Fingers crossed some of it will make an appearance on DLC for Rock Band.

What up 311 fans! I got the email today that the new album, Uplifter, has been given a street date, followed by the typical summer tour of outdoor arenas. In typical 311-stylee, they will drop the album at the beginning of the summer (June 2) and hit the road for 29 U.S. stops (including my stomping grounds of Mansfield, MA) [Georgie, are we going?].

Ziggy Marley and The Expendables will be opening for 311 on the road.

I’ve heard the first single from the album, and it’s typical new school 311; reggae beats, melodic guitars, with mono-vocals, rap-stylings, and soothing harmonies. I’m hoping we get some hard-edged stuff too. Overall, I expect the album to sound much like their last three albums. All very similar in sound. Good, but not Earth shattering.

Here’s the announcement:

311: BIG NEWS!!!

NEW ALBUM. SUMMER TOUR. & MORE!

* NEW ALBUM: 311′s new album UPLIFTER hits stores June 2nd!!

There will be a Standard, Deluxe (CD & DVD), Super Deluxe and Vinyl Editions. See Pre-Order below for details.

* PRE-ORDER & CONTEST: Go to http://311.skyroo.com (Pre-Order Banner also found on the 311.com Home Page).

Every pre-order automatically enters you into a CONTEST. Winners will be randomly selected for an autographed guitar, side-stage passes, meet and greet passes, photo passes, soundcheck passes, handwritten lyrics and autographed prize packs!!

* 311 SUMMER UNITY TOUR: 311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables. A great night of rock & reggae under the Summer moon.

(Join us! All show and ticket info at 311.com)

* RADIO: New single HEY YOU now playing at radio nationwide! Be sure to give it a request.

* VIDEO: New video for HEY YOU premieres on Thursday morning, May 7 at YahooMusic.com

(direct link: http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/premieres/ ) and after 24 hours, it will be everywhere.

* TV: 311 will perform on Jimmy Kimmel on June 4th. Tune in!

* 311.COM: Be sure to keep up with all the newest Photos and the Video Diary from tour. All found on the Home Page of 311.com.

* 311 ONLINE: Are you on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, etc, etc, Join us at: www.311.com/links

SUMMER UNITY TOUR, GET YOUR TICKETS!!:

311 SUMMER UNITY TOUR 2009
6/3 Wednesday
BAKERSFIELD, CA
Majestic Fox Theatre
311 & Rey Fresco
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/24, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/27
Tickets: www.vallitix.com: 888-825-5484, 661-322-5200
Box Office: 661-324-1369
http://www.foxtheateronline.com/

6/4 Thursday
HOLLYWOOD, CA
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Free Tickets Available 5/4 at www.1iota.com/

6/5 Friday
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Santa Barbara Bowl
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/17, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/21
Ticketmaster.com, 805-583-8700
Box Office: 805-962-7411
http://www.sbbowl.com

6/6 Saturday
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Live 105 BFD Radio Festival
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountainview
The Offspring, 311, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Taking Back Sunday, Alkaline Trio, etc
36 artists on 4 stages
Pre-Sale: 4/23 at 10am, info at http://www.live105.com/pages/4209721.php
Public On-Sale: 4/26 at Ticketmaster at 10am
Box Office: 650-967-4040
http://www.livenation.com/venue/shoreline-amphitheatre-at-mountain-vie w-tickets

6/7 Sunday
EUGENE, OR
Cuthbert Amphitheater
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/7, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/10
Ticketswest.com, 502-224-8499, 1-800-992-8499,and select Safeways
http://ticketswest.rdln.com/Venue.aspx?ven=CUT
Info: 541-762-8099
http://www.thecuthbert.com/

6/8 Monday
SEATTLE, WA
WaMu Theatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/24, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/27
Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
http://www.wamutheater.com/

6/9 Tuesday
OFF

6/10 Wednesday
OFF

6/11 Thursday
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Usana Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/24, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/27
Tickets: Smithstix.com/, 801-467-8499
Info: 801-417-5343
www.usana-amp.com

6/12 Friday
DENVER, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/24, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/28
LiveNation.com, 1-877-598-6659
www.redrocksonline.com/index.asp

6/13 Saturday
KANSAS CITY, MO
City Market / Buzz Under the Stars
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/29, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 5/1
Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
Box Office: 816-842-1271
www.thecitymarket.org/concerts.html
http://www.965thebuzz.com/

6/14 Sunday
CHICAGO, IL
Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island
Q101 Block Party
311, Ziggy Marley, the Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/23, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/28
Tickets: LiveNation.com
Info: 312-540-2668
Venue: www.charteronepavilion.com/
http://www.livenation.com/venue/charter-one-pavilion-at-northerly-isla nd-tickets

6/15 Monday
OFF

6/16 Tuesday
CLEVELAND, OH
Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/24, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/27
Tickets: livenation.com
http://www.livenation.com/venue/time-warner-cable-amphitheater-at-towe r-city-tickets
Box Office: 216-522-4822
Venue: www.towercityamphitheater.com/

6/17 Wednesday
COLUMBUS, OH
Lifestyles Communities Pavillion
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/24, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/28
Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
Info: 614-358-7625
http://www.promowestlive.com/site/html/index.php

6/18 Thursday
OFF

6/19 Friday
DETROIT, MI
Freedom Hill Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/24, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/27
Ticketmaster.com
Box Office: 586-268-5100
www.freedomhill.net/

6/20 Saturday
CINCINATTI, OH
Riverbend Music Center
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/31, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/4
Ticketmaster.com, 513-562-4949
Box Office: 513-232-6220
www.riverbend.org

6/21 Sunday
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
The Lawns at White River State Park
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/31, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/3
Tickets: www.livenation.com, 877-598-8703
http://www.livenation.com/venue/the-whitelies-lawn-at-white-river-stat e-park-tickets
Venue: http://www.in.gov/whiteriver/lawn/index.html

6/22 Monday
OFF

6/23 Tuesday
SARATOGA, NY
SPAC
311, Ziggy Marley, the Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/14, https://tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/18
Tickets: livenation.com
Box Office: 518-587-3330
www.spac.org
http://www.livenation.com/venue/saratoga-performing-arts-center-ticket s/

6/24 Wednesday
BOSTON, MA
Comcast Center (Tweeter)
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/23, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/27
Tickets: livenation.com
Box Office: 508-339-2331
www.livenation.com/venue/getvenue/venueid/479

6/25 Thursday
NEW YORK, NY
Central Park Summer Stage
311, Ziggy Marley, the Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/14, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/17
Tickets: Livenation.com, Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
www.summerstage.org

6/26 Friday
OFF

6/27 Saturday
HOLMDEL, NJ
PNC Bank Art Center
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/14, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/17
Tickets: Livenation.com, 877-598-8694
www.livenation.comvenue/getvenue/venueid/298

6/28 Sunday
WASHINGTON DC
Nissan Pavillion
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/23, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/27
Tickets: livenation.com, 877-598-8696
Info: 703-754-6400
http://www.livenation.com/venue/nissan-pavilion-tickets

6/29 Monday
OFF

6/30 Tuesday
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Penn’s Landing
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/28, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 5/2
Tickets: livenation.com
http://www.livenation.com/venue/festival-pier-tickets

7/1 Wednesday
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/24, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 3/27
Tickets: livenation.com
Box Office: 757-368-3000
www.livenation.com/venue/getvenue/venueid/1948

7/2 Thursday
OFF

7/3 Friday
CHARLOTTE, NC
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/7, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/10
Tickets: livenation.com, 877-598-8698
Info: 704-549-5555
Box Office: 704-549-1292
http://www.livenation.com/venue/verizon-wireless-amphitheatre-charlott e-tickets

7/4 Saturday
ATLANTA, GA
Lakewood Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/28, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 5/2
Ticketmaster: 404-249-6400
Info: 404-443-5090
Box Office: 404-443-5000
http://www.livenation.com/venue/lakewood-amphitheatre-tickets

7/5 Sunday
RALEIGH, NC
Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/7, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/10
Tickets: livenation.com, 877-598-8698
Info: 919-831-6666
Box Office: 919-831-6400
www.livenation.com/venue/getvenue/venueid/502

7/6 Monday
OFF

7/7 Tuesday
ST LOUIS, MO
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/14, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/20
Tickets: livenation.com
Info: 314-298-9944
http://www.livenation.com/venue/verizon-wireless-amphitheater-st-louis -tickets

7/8 Wednesday
OFF

7/9 Thursday
OFF

7/10 Friday
PHOENIX, AZ
Dodge Theatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/7, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/10
Tickets: livenation.com
www.livenation.com/venue/getvenue/venueid/2231

7/11 Saturday
SAN DIEGO, CA
Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 3/31, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/3
Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
Info: 619-671-3500
http://www.livenation.com/venue/cricket-wireless-amphitheatre-tickets/

7/12 Sunday
IRVINE, CA
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
311.com Pre-Sale: 4/21, tixx1.artistarena.com/311/
Public On-Sale: 4/25
Tickets: livenation.com
Box Office: 949-855-6937
Info: 949-855-6111
http://www.livenation.com/venue/verizon-wireless-amphitheater-irvine-c a-tickets/

END OF TOUR

Our friends at RockGamer got this one up there. One of my all time fave’s 311, f’n up in the studio to none other than Guitar Hero World Tour. Producer Bob Rock gives some lessons, “BLUE-BLUE-GREEN-RED-BLUE-BLUE-GREEN…” We are then treated to a new track from the upcoming album, Uplifter.

Check it…

If this is a sign of GHWT DLC to come, looks like I will be buying some GHWT DLC afterall. Darn you 311, why are you not on Rock Band 2?