Burger with Relish

St. George gets stiffed so often in regards to concert that it's almost as if it should be called Satan George. But luckily they have a good one coming its way on Jan. 22 at the Electric Theater.

Christofer Drew, the 18-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist who records under the name Never Shout Never, will hit the road in January for a solo acoustic tour in support of Never Shout Never’s eight-song mini-album, entitled "What Is Love?" The album, which was produced by Butch Walker (Weezer, Katy Perry, Pete Yorn) and recorded in both Los Angeles and London at the world-famous Abbey Road Studio, will be released on Jan.

On Dec. 8, Never Shout Never will release a new physical EP exclusively through clothing retailer Hot Topic.

In other Never Shout Never news, Drew took home the coveted “Breaking Woodie” Award at the MTVu Woodie Awards on November 19th, beating out Grizzly Bear, Wale, La Roux, Friendly Fires, and Passion Pit. He was also voted “Best Dressed” during the live-blogging of the event on MTV’s website for his Mickey Mouse sweater and rosary beads ensemble. Voted on by college students around the country, the coveted “Breaking Woodie” honors the best "breakthrough" artist of the year.

I will be at the Kathy Griffin show tonight, so expect a review to be posted on this blog at or about midnight.

Got this from The State Room today:

Looking for something to do this weekend?  How about Joshua James on Friday and The Devil Makes Three on Saturday.  Lets keep it live!

Additional info, video, music and more at www.thestateroomslc.com.

SAT NOV 21 | 9 PM | THE DEVIL MAKES THREE
with: Boulder Acoustic Society

With a slightly punky perspective on vintage American blues, The Devil Makes Three is a breath of fresh musical air on its eponymous Milan debut. Laced with elements of ragtime, country, folk and rockabilly, the critically praised, drummer-less trio – consisting of guitarist/frontman Pete Bernhard, stand-up bassist Lucia Turino and guitarist Cooper McBean – brings forth a genuine approach to acoustic music that is deeply steeped in rhythm.

The Commission performs tonight in one of the biggest local rap concerts of the year.

After a strong 2009, the local rap trio headlines this triumphant concert that also features Shamus, Young Neff, N Cognito, Charlie Soul, Sincere, Ant Digg and Young P.

When • Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.
Where • Hollywood Connection, 3217 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City
Tickets • $10 at door; $20 VIP tickets available

If you think seeing metal band GWAR in concert tonight is the apex of fun, you haven't had the pleasure of interviewing the band.

The heavy-metal musicians conduct interviews with their dual personalities. Each answers questions as a normal human being, but also answers questions in character, as foul-mouthed aliens who want to exterminate the human race after impregnating all of its women.

The Tribune interviewed band founder Dave Brockie, whose alter ego is Oderus Urungus, an 43 billion-year-old intergalactic humanoid barbarian with devil horns who carries a long sword. Oderus' father was a supercomputer, and his mother was a petri dish, and he was assembled on a planet called Scumdogia. He also sings.

I also interviewed Casey Orr, whose alter ego is Beefcake the Mighty, a 299-ton arrogant humanoid who wears Roman armor and typically carries an oversized gladiator sword or a large ax. Beefcake claims to have invented music by stretching dinosaur guts across the Grand Canyon. He also plays bass.

GWAR is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with the release of "Lust in Space," which records the aliens returning to space by stealing a Scumdog ship. They find out space isn't as welcoming as it used to be and return to Earth. "This is the last place in the universe that's any fun," Oderus said.

"You move away, it's cool for a couple of years, and then you move back home, and it sucks," Beefcake said about returning to Earth.

After all, Oderus said, "GWAR fans are the best," before adding: "But they still have to die."

That explains the various fluids that are sprayed into the audience at each show, which Oderus would call semen and blood, but which Brockie said was carrageenan, since it can be scraped off easily once dried.

The band is seeking "the blood of our victims," Oderus explained. The goal is to collect all of the blood in the audience. "There are 8 pounds of blood in a body, and then you count how many people are in the audience," Oderus said.

The paradox is that although GWAR wants to kill its audience, the audience loves GWAR and willingly goes into the same buildings. "We come back as heroes," Beefcake said. "It's surprising how many more free drinks you get when you're a hero."

As for GWAR musicians, they say it's hard to believe the band is reaching its silver anniversary.
"We as surprised as anyone," Brockie said. "We did it the first year just for fun. Then people started handing us money. GWAR will last as long as we want it to. Or even longer."

"It's just like herpes," Orr said of the band's long-lasting success. "It keeps coming back."

One reason for that success could be how successfully GWAR courts the press. "I think you're scum, but elevated scum," said Oderus, kindly.

GWAR performs, with opening acts Job for a Cowboy and The Red Chord.
When » Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.
Where » Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna
Tickets » $22 in advance, $24 day of, at SmithsTix