Buster Blue @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011

Buster Blue @ Grand Sierra Resort 2011-05-13
Bryan Jones of Buster Blue opening for Beats Antique on Friday the 13th...

Friday the 13th.  Reno.  Beats Antique.  All of these things brought us to Grand Sierra Resort this past weekend and what we found while in attendance was nothing short of spectacular.

After a proper warming up from Asha Belly Dancers and LYNX, Reno’s very own Buster Blue took the world’s largest indoor stage at The Grand Theatre and shared with their home town just why their tour schedule has been so demanding as of late.  Being their 32nd live show of 2011, and having no less than 20 in the pipeline at any given moment, we think its safe to say that this band is hitting the road pretty darn hard, and with good reason.

How would we describe the music of Buster Blue?  Right off the bat, Buster Blue’s six band members literally stormed the stage, wielding megaphones and engaging the audience with a robust blend of acoustic/electric instruments including guitar, bass, horns, banjo and ‘a well placed bucket’.  Why the bucket?  To hold the chains of course.  Yes, there was a bucket which held a massive chain, like one used in falling trees, which was ‘played’ by Brendon Lund (bass) … in that he would raise and lower the chain into the bucket, making for a superb percussive addition to an otherwise stellar Americana/Indie sound.

There were many other moments which turned us into instant fans, such as the line dance which formed mid-pit, and the ever-constant switching of instruments between band members.  Its almost as if the band was a sentient being comprised of six easily interchangeable and multi-configurable parts. One second the focus is on an accordion, the next a brass ensemble, the following a full-on indie jam … possibilities seem nearly limitless.

Check out Buster Blue on Amazon: When the Silver’s Gone, This Beard Grows for Freedom

Buster Blue @ Grand Sierra Resort 2011-05-13
Andrew Martin of Buster Blue releasing all inhibition on-stage at Grand Sierra Resort...
Buster Blue @ Grand Sierra Resort 2011-05-13
Jason Ricketts of Buster Blue with his accordion hanging out...
Buster Blue @ Grand Sierra Resort 2011-05-13
Brendon Lund of Buster Blue making music with chains...
Buster Blue @ Grand Sierra Resort 2011-05-13
Rachael McElhiney of Buster Blue with sax in hand…
Buster Blue @ Grand Sierra Resort 2011-05-13
Jay Escamillo of Buster Blue bangin' out the drums...

VIEW THE FULL BUSTER BLUE GALLERY HERE

 

Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D


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Super-Happy Fun Bonus Pic!!!

Buster Blue Crowd @ Grand Sierra Resort 2011-05-13
Buster Blue line dance at Grand Sierra Resort...

Knowledge Lives Forever @ The Alley, Sparks, NV 2011

Chari Knowledge Smith of Knowledge Lives Forever
Chari "Knowledge" Smith of Knowledge Lives Forever performing @ The Alley, Sparks, NV...

As the lights dimmed and the stage announcer introduced ‘the best live hip-hop band in Reno’, we had no idea what exactly to expect from Chari “Knowledge” Smith and her band Knowledge Lives Forever, which includes guitarist/bassist Gia Torcaso, Kris Stosic on drums and newcomer Kim Radzik on guitars.

The group played an energetic opening set for an audience steadily growing in size in anticipation of seeing the legendary DJ Quik take the stage as the headlining act later in the evening.  The band’s performance was full of thick, live hip-hop beats, dripping sweat beads and the guy behind me yelling, “you’re the s—” after every song.  In short, it was amazing.

There was also a memorable cover/reinvention of “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes played near the end of the set that really got the crowd movin’ out on the dancefloor.  We would *highly recommend* checking this band out next time they’ve got a live show here in Reno … or in your town when they roll through!

Scroll down for a couple of our favorite shots and a link to the full gallery.  Also make sure to follow Knowledge Lives Forever on Twitter and give ’em the ‘ol thumb’s up on Facebook while you’re at it!

Gia Torcaso of Knowledge Lives Forever performing @ The Alley, Sparks, NV
Gia Torcaso getting her fretboard strum on...
Kris Stosic of Knowledge Lives Forever performing @ The Alley, Sparks, NV
Kris Stosic banging out the drums...
Kim Radzik of Knowledge Lives Forever performing @ The Alley, Sparks, NV
Kim Radzik busting out the grungy licks...

VIEW THE FULL KNOWLEDGE LIVES FOREVER GALLERY HERE


Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D



Go On, Treat Yourself to Something Nice!

Do you buy stuff online? Do you buy camera stuff online? If this post or anything else on ishootreno.com was helpful to you, please consider supporting this site and making your next photo gear purchase through one of our affiliate links:

Every time our readers buy new gear through our affiliate links, it helps us bring to the table more of that which brought you here in the first place — the ‘money’ shots!

The best part?!  It doesn’t cost our readers anything extra to show their support!

If our readers do pick up some new gear, please drop us a line … we always love to hear about your new additions!

Comments, Praise, Feedback?  We’re all ears!

Please let us know what you thought of this post on ishootreno.com!