Review &; photos by Charlie Steffens Don’t pinch me. I’m Irish! The spacious grounds of Oak Canyon Park‚ a pleasant venue nestled in the Santa Ana Mountains of eastern Orange County was the site for the first date of Flogging Molly’s inaugural Shamrock Rebellion. As a pre-Saint Paddy’s Day beer and music festival‚ it was destined to be an all-out day of fun with a boat load of green-wearing people that thronged the grounds. The second and final date of Shamrock Rebellion would happen the next day in Las Vegas on St. Patrick’s Day. VintageRock.com was there to see four bands perform‚ but missed the free beer tasting with the brew supplied by the local breweries. Face to Face‚ a band from Victorville‚ California‚ played a 45-minute set that was so good it merited a 30-minute extension. By the first chorus of their opener “A-OK”‚ a swift-moving circle pit had started as fast punk rock songs ensued. Bassist Scott Shiflett is a standout player who laid down a heavy groove and rolled out punchy basslines in fast tempo. He and drummer Danny Thompson are an amazing rhythm duo. Props to singer and guitarist Trever Keith who engaged the crowd like a true emcee. The quintet exhibited exemplary musicianship‚ while keeping it reckless and appealing to a crowd who came to get rocked. Buzzcocks‚ elder statesmen from the first wave of English punk‚ took it to pieces‚ giving their audience recognizable songs like “Fast Cars‚” “Orgasm Addict‚” “Ever Fallen In Love (You Shouldn’t’ve)‚ and ones that old fans might have chosen for the setlist. The band certainly drew in new fans that day‚ since there were Baby Boomers‚ Gen Xers‚ Gen Ys‚ Gen Zs‚ all the way down to toddlers riding on their parents’ shoulders. Buzzcocks are punk rock in the purest sense and synonymous with fun. Frank Turner and his band‚ The Sleeping Souls‚ came onstage as the sun began to set. The energy was palpable as the crowd‚ many of whom were singing and dancing‚ experienced an all-out rock show. FTATSS played an assortment of old and new songs from Turner’s extensive catalog‚ including “Girl From The Record Shop‚” a catchy song from the forthcoming Frank Turner album Undefeated. The last song‚ “Four Simple Words‚” was the finest six minutes of the whole festival — a super-charged rock and roll song with a show tune-like intro and ending. Flogging Molly opened with “Drunken Lullabies‚” appropriate for the festive atmosphere. Before Molly kicked into “Life In a Tenement Square‚” singer and guitarist Dave King‚ a compelling storyteller‚ spoke of his childhood days in Ireland‚ which inspired the song. The band proceeded to rock Shamrock Rebellion‚ capping off the night with “The Seven Deadly Sins.” The seven-piece folk punk band‚ fronted by King‚ performed a generous set of favorites that had the crowd singing along deep into the night. The post Flogging Molly’s Shamrock Rebellion | March 16‚ 2024 | Oak Canyon Park | Silverado‚ CA – Concert Review &; Concert Photos first appeared on VintageRock.com.

Emerson‚ Lake &; Powell were not Emerson‚ Lake &; Palmer. But they came close and should have been bigger. The three-CD Complete Collection from Emerson‚ Lake &; Powell pays tribute to a band that passed by too quickly‚ was initially unfairly compared‚ but featured its own sound‚ and sadly‚ all passed on. Included here is the version of ELPowell’s only studio album‚ Emerson‚ Lake &; Powell‚ released in 1986‚ with three bonus tracks‚ their Live In Concert and a CD of rehearsals called The Sprocket Session. This last only ever released as a bootleg. From the opening of “The Score‚” it is as evident how spectacular a remastering engineer Andy Peace did here as much as how solid this album is. Surely‚ Powell is a heavy hitter‚ heavier in his way than Carl Palmer‚ that ‘other’ drummer keyboardist Keith Emerson and bassist‚ guitarist‚ and vocalist Greg Lake famously played with. But he tends to drive the guys along in a way‚ maybe with less finesse‚ but no less rockin’. I had occasion to speak to Powell after he played a set with Brian May on one of the stops of May’s solo tour. Powell‚ known for wailing away with some of the thickest sticks in the business‚ told me that although he had gotten used to drumming with the big logs they still took lots of energy to wield. A nicer guy you never would have met. The first tunes here‚ “The Score‚” “Learning To Fly‚” “The Miracle‚” and even the poppy “Touch And Go” surely get Emerson‚ Lake‚ and Powell chugging along nicely. I hadn’t spun this album in quite a few years and was surprised how solid these songs were. Lake’s voice is rich throughout‚ spectacular on “Lay Down Your Guns‚” especially. Emerson is his usually finger-fleeting powerhouse‚ laying down various synth lead lines‚ heavy organ‚ and a sly piano on “Step Aside.” Powell gets his solo turn on “Mars‚ The Bringer Of War‚” as he would in high dramatic style when the band played this instrumental live. B-sides “The Loco-Motion” and “Vacant Possession” are included on the first CD‚ as is a single edit of “The Score.” The Sprocket Sessions disc features a dozen tunes‚ Emerson‚ Lake &; Powell songs as well as Emerson‚ Lake‚ and Palmer. Here the trio works through rehearsals of what would come to be their live set when they toured. The last disc‚ Live In Concert features Emerson‚ Lake &; Powell playing a dozen tunes in front of an audience. Although this is the one disc here where the sound quality is not the very best‚ thought I find Lake’s bass too upfront in the mix at times. It’s a great time capsule moment of what this band was capable of live. This is a slightly truncated version of the full show this trio perform at Madison Square Garden in September 1986‚ and the end medley of “Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression)‚” “America‚” and “Rondo‚” was pretty much the encore of the show they were performing at the time. Opening with the first horn bleats of “Fanfare For The Common Man‚” which is played later in full in this set‚ “The Score‚” opens this live collection of 11‚ with two Lake acoustic numbers in the middle‚ ELP stuff like “Knife Edge‚” “Pirates‚” and‚ “Mars‚ The Bringer of War / Drum Solo.” Fans of Keith Emerson‚ Greg Lake‚ Cozy Powell‚ and even ELP‚ do wonder what would have happened if Emerson‚ Lake &; Powell did indeed go on to make more albums. The question is just another one of those ‘what-might-have-beens’ in the touch-and-go world of vintage rock. ~ Ralph Greco‚ Jr. The post Emerson‚ Lake &; Powell | Complete Collection – Box Set Review first appeared on VintageRock.com.

Metallica changed the rules with their second album‚ Ride The Lightning. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the world would play along

Rather than viewing conflict as a hindrance to harmony‚ Christian couples are called to embrace it as a discipleship tool that shapes us into the image of Christ.

Most of the time‚ I have to face the fact that what I define as good may or not be what God defines as good‚ and sometimes it takes what seems bad in the moment to produce a greater good God wants to work in my life for His glory.

Most of the time‚ I have to face the fact that what I define as good may or not be what God defines as good‚ and sometimes it takes what seems bad in the moment to produce a greater good God wants to work in my life for His glory.

Otou and Katayama Yumi likely hold the record for awkward silence. Otou reportedly lived in the same house in Japan with his three children and wife yet never spoke to his spouse‚ Yumi. While Yumi continued to talk to her her husband‚ for more than twenty years he would only nod or grunt in response. Otou later explained he had been giving his wife the silent treatment out of jealousy for the attention and care she gave the children. “Yumi up until now‚ you have endured a lot of hardship. I want you to know I’m grateful for everything‚” said Otou before adding‚ “There’s no going back now I guess.” The bizarre and sad case of Otou and Yumi is an extreme example of abusive behavior. Yet it highlights how there are two basic ways for marital communication to go wrong: loudly and quietly. While most people recognize the damage caused by shouting matches and harsh words‚ fewer may realize the equally destructive effects of the “silent treatment” (i.e.‚ the act of deliberately ignoring or refusing to speak to someone as a form of punishment or as a means of expressing displeasure or anger). Some Christians even believe that when dealing with disagreement‚ their duty is merely to avoid overly aggressive behavior. Since they haven’t shouted or resorted to violence‚ they assume they’ve responded in an appropriate—perhaps even godly—manner. Though it may seem a lesser evil‚ this approach fails to align with the biblical requirement for resolving conflicts and nurturing a healthy marriage. A spouse who gives the silent treatment is likely to also engage in a broader cluster of similarly sinful behaviors—a pattern of behaviors first named during World War II. Punishment Through Passivity This approach fails to align with the biblical requirement for resolving conflicts and nurturing a healthy marriage. In the 1940s‚ the U.S. military faced a problem with soldiers who displayed a type of behavior difficult to categorize. These soldiers weren’t openly defiant but would express their aggression or resistance indirectly through actions like procrastination‚ sullenness‚ stubbornness‚ and deliberate inefficiency. This behavior was seen as a “passive” way of expressing hostility or aggression‚ as opposed to more overt or “active” forms of defiance. In 1945‚ William Menninger‚ a colonel and psychiatrist and the director of the Armed Forces Medical Corps‚ used the term “passive-aggressive” in a technical bulletin to describe this behavior. The term was used as a personality type to describe soldiers who weren’t openly insubordinate but displayed a “passive resistance” to following orders or completing tasks. After the war‚ the term “passive-aggressive” began to be used more broadly by mental health professionals to describe individuals who express negative feelings indirectly. It was included in the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I) in 1952 as a personality disorder. Over time‚ the term has become more widely used in everyday language to describe behavior that expresses resistance or hostility indirectly and subtly. While it’s no longer considered a distinct psychiatric diagnosis‚ “passive-aggressive” remains a popular term for describing this type of behavior in various interpersonal contexts‚ including relationships‚ the workplace‚ and other social situations. While the term has become overused‚ it can still help describe a broad range of sinful behaviors—including the silent treatment—frequently encountered in marital relationships. Passive-aggressive behavior is a way of expressing negative feelings indirectly‚ often through withdrawal‚ sullenness‚ or stubbornness. It’s a means of punishing a person to get what we want. While it’s harmful in any relationship‚ it’s particularly detrimental for husbands and wives since it subverts the nature and purpose of marriage. How to Deal with Conflict Marriage is a symbol of Christ’s covenant marriage to his Bride‚ the church (Eph. 5:31–32). When people see your marriage‚ it points them to something greater and more permanent. Earthly marriage is a living illustration of this heavenly marriage. We’re putting on a play for the world to watch‚ and we do so by taking on our assigned roles. God assigns those roles by saying‚ “Husband‚ you’re going to represent Jesus in this play‚ and wife‚ you’re going to represent the church” (v. 23). The question we should ask is whether it’d ever be fitting for the church to act passive-aggressively toward Christ or for Jesus to act in a passive-aggressive manner toward his Bride‚ the church. If not‚ why would we think it’s appropriate for married couples to act in such a manner? Would it ever be fitting for the church to act passive-aggressively toward Christ or for Jesus to act in a passive-aggressive manner toward his Bride? Instead of relying on passive-aggressive behavior to get our way‚ we should follow Scripture’s clear principles for resolving marital conflict. In Ephesians 4:15‚ we’re called to speak the truth in love. The proper Christian response to marital conflict isn’t silence but open‚ honest‚ and calm engagement. James 1:19 advises us to be “quick to hear‚ slow to speak‚ slow to anger.” We should therefore strive to understand our spouse’s perspective before responding. Both spouses should have the opportunity to express their perspectives without interruption or defensiveness. Colossians 3:13 instructs us to forgive as the Lord forgave us‚ letting go of grievances and extending grace. We must be willing to acknowledge our faults‚ apologize when necessary‚ and always extend forgiveness. Finally‚ 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 reminds us love is patient and kind‚ not irritable or resentful. When emotions run high‚ it may be necessary to take a break and return to the discussion later‚ but this should be communicated clearly and not used as an excuse for withdrawal. If conflicts persist or escalate‚ it could be a sign you need to seek wise counsel from a pastor‚ a biblical counselor‚ or a mature and godly married couple. Like all passive-aggressive behavior‚ the silent treatment violates these biblical principles in several ways. First‚ it avoids speaking the truth directly and lovingly. Instead of openly expressing his or her thoughts and feelings‚ a spouse engages in an indirect form of hostility. Second‚ the silent treatment reflects anger and an unwillingness to listen and understand the other person’s point of view. Third‚ it withholds forgiveness and prolongs conflict by shutting down communication. Fourth‚ it’s neither patient‚ kind‚ nor loving but rather a form of emotional retaliation and punishment. Remember What You’re Illustrating While the silent treatment may seem like a less destructive way to handle marital disagreements‚ it falls far short of God’s standard for communication and conflict resolution. In extreme cases‚ it can even become a form of oppression or emotional abuse. In all situations‚ it should be avoided. The silent treatment is neither patient‚ kind‚ nor loving. Passive-aggressive tactics are ungodly because they promote division over unity‚ reflect anger rather than understanding‚ and withhold forgiveness and love in an effort to gain control. As Christian spouses‚ we’re called to reject such behaviors and instead communicate openly‚ listen humbly‚ forgive readily‚ and seek help when needed. By doing so‚ we can build stronger‚ more Christ-centered relationships that honor God‚ bless our spouses‚ and present a living parable that points people to the relationship between Jesus and his church.