Motel Glory, Amigo & Elonzo @ Milestone

Back at the Milestone, only one week later, this time to see 2 bands that Amy's cousin, Slade, plays in. Again I can't tell you how much I like this venue. 4 local bands tonight have bought plenty of friends to make it a good night for all.

I saw Elonzo open up.  Nothing out of the ordinary but fitted in with the rest of the evening.  And their friends had a blast.

Amigo is the band Slade writes and leads.  They are like an alt/country/rock band.  I liked it.  The band is tight and Slade has a good repoire with the crowd.  Having said that he seemed a little tense on the stage.

Motel Glory is more a straight up rock-bordering-on-punk band, who were in also great form.  Slade leaves singing duties behind for this band and almost seems like a different person.  He looked relaxed onstage and seemed to be really enjoying just playing - his movements were almost more suited to a fan in the audience.

I hope all goes well for either or both of his bands.  I had a great night and the Venn diagram of a crowd also enjoyed all the bands I saw.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 355th concert.
This is my 2nd concert at Milestone.
This is my 8th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 8th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 163rd concert in the USA.
Elonzo are the 421st band I've seen.
Amigo are the 422nd band I've seen.
Motel Glory are the 423rd band I've seen.
Motel Glory are the 200th band seen in the USA.
Motel Glory are the 200th American band I've seen.

Screaming Females & Late Bloomer @ Milestone

I have 2 people to thank for this show. Firstly, my cousin-in-law (is that a title), Slade. His bands are playing here next week, so I got on the Milestone website to see what else plays here. Out of nowhere - the Screaming Females. Stoked! The other person to thank is someone I don't know, Carson Daly. His awesome Last Call With Carson Daly highlighted the Screaming Females a while back and I thought they were great. This show highlights great music as well as interviews extremely interesting people. Not sure I would have heard of this band were it not for the show.

The Milestone is what a music venue should be.  About 40 years old and not a piece of work done to it since opening.  A small, low to the ground stage, where the bands load out the back door straight into their vans.  A single floor fan is duct taped to the ceiling and barely is there a space on the wall that is not covered in graffiti or bands' stickers.  I also only paid $4 for a beer and a bottle of water (a big fuck you to all the Vegas venues who've been ripping me off for 10 years).

Locals Late Bloomer opened.  There was nothing in their show that blew me away but it seems to me that this is the bar that gives local bands a place to play.  I can't not love the Milestone.

After hanging in the crowd during the opener the Screaming Females stepped up and tore it up.  I wish I had a familiarity with their music, but I and a good size crowd got a lesson in rock tonight.  Singer Marissa is an absolute powerhouse.  Her guitar playing is dynamic, her voice booms, she loves what she is doing and she is fantastic at it.  Her energy was literally drawing people towards the stage.  And the band are tight - perfecting their craft over the years to put on a great gig.  I wanted to get my hands on a setlist so I could look for the songs they played.  Looks like I'll have to just go through the catalog.  I hope this band comes through town again soon.  Or least close enough that I can make the drive to see them.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 354th concert.
Milestone is the 95th venue I've seen a concert.
This is my 7th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 7th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 162nd concert in the USA.
Late Bloomer are the 419th band I've seen.
Screaming Females are the 420th band I've seen.