Chronicles of Live Shows ~ Going Rogue at the Rogue

If you haven’t yet been to the Rogue bar in Scottsdale, you are missing a great dive experience, bar none.  With the exception of the expectation of Scottsdales upscale reputation, this venue is nestled in a strip mall by apartment complexes and carwashes.  Permeating grungy grimy gargantuan dive energy into every patron that walks through the doors, it provides a ample floor space for audience movement and a wide stage for band performance antics.  Creating an atmosphere in the true dive spirit the Rogue Bar exemplifies what local music is all about… a genuinely music focused entity.  Situated throughout the long space of the facility are static tables, and roomy booths line the walls.  For a high energy girl like me, however, the seats were too comfortable.  Aiming myself at the stage with a mindset of having fun, I enjoyed the musicians that night from my feet. 

Which brings me to my next task at hand… sharing the music.  The first band that appeared onstage was We Were Strangers, from right here in Phoenix.  After a long sound check and ironing out technical issues, they got to playing.  An awesomely energetic femme fronted band, We Were Strangers is an alternative band with an occasional faster influence.  After listening to their music online I appreciate the practiced femme vocals above slower guitar and keyboard.  Keyboard styling performed by Chelsea Kae, the femme, are clean and she plays the keys as naturally as a pussycat meows.  If you like alternative, this is a great band to check out.  On their facebook page, they have this to say:  “Originating from alternative independent rock, it is hard to throw WWS into a genre. The intense emotional music will have you out of your seat in minutes.”  Which was definnately true! Not my speed necessarily, but appreciative of the talent nonetheless.

The second band to grace the stage was The Plastic Revolution from San Diego, CA.  With a Flock of Seagullsesque hairdo and despite having a softer pop punk voice, the front man jumped around and provided an excellent stage presence worthy of audience participation.  These four boys rocked out with an amazing energy and portrayed their art with a maelstrom of furious strings and cranktastic drums.  Carrying on with their seemingly unending energy and saving grace with their display of flailing musical notes the lack of an audience is not made an issue.  Speaking with them after the show, they admit that they wished there were more patrons however… however, they thrive on playing like there is a full house.  Passion for the show art in the purest form.  Pop punk fans… this is definitely a must hear!

The last band, and the most enjoyable, was none other than Gone Baby Gone, also  from San Diego.  Another femme fronted band who rocks out like they are on the beach, their sound is devastatingly surfer rock reminiscent.  And by devastatingly… I mean, this girl gets up on stage with such a fierce attitude, silky-corrosive voice and crashingly intense stage presence, its too bad for the boys she’s on stage and not on the dance floor.  Vocals aside, the strings and sticks are just as passionate and into their conceptions of composition.    Rock n Roll fans… Check out Gone Baby Gone!!

At the conclusion of the show, the presence of the bands continued strong and friendly, mingling with the sparse crowd, managing the merch table, and smoking through packs of cigarettes outside the front door.  The Rogue Bar experience, all inclusive of the staff, fans and musical talent, was a new high for me.  Branching out to yet another different genre and variety of musical muse, for the sake of sharing with you my readers, is a refreshing breath of melodic air.  If you get a chance to visit the Rogue, enjoy.  And as for the bands that shared their souls at the Rogue that night… I thank you.

Happy music making, Phoenix!