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Pink Floyd Guitarist David Gilmour’s black Fender Stratocaster, which he played on six of the band’s albums, including “The Dark Side of the Moon,” broke the record for the most expensive guitar sold at auction.

Silversun Pickups – Ventura Music Hall – March 11, 2026

Silversun Pickups played a sold-out show Wednesday night at the Ventura Music Hall in Ventura California. The venue is a modern 1500 capacity general admission room that used to be a bowling alley until 2022, when it was converted to accommodate music. As unappealing as a bowling alley turned rock venue sounds, the Ventura Music Hall has an excellent sound system, a hip vibe, and despite it being an open, standing-room-only floor, it is small enough that an excellent view of the elevated stage can be had from everywhere.

The current Silversun Pickups tour is to promote the new Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters) produced album Tenterhooks. The name is a metaphor for nervous anticipation, which is appropriate given the lyrical content of this record. Sometimes, when a group with more than 25 years in the game puts out a new record and attempts to play those songs live, the audience reacts by heading for the restroom or grabbing a beer. That common convention was put to the test on Wednesday, with eight of the ten songs from the new record making it to the setlist, alongside more familiar songs from all six of their previous full-length albums and the Pikul EP. The resounding conclusion from the middle of the throng was positive – the fans loved the new songs, as well as the tried-and-true tracks they knew by heart, resulting in zero en masse visits to the bar or bathroom.

Silversun Pickups

I’ve heard Silversun Pickups’ music described as shoegaze, and/or alternative. I don’t like putting bands in a genre box, but for a band labeled as shoegaze, they certainly made good use of the stage. While Joe Lester on keyboards was obviously constrained behind his instruments, vocalist and guitarist Brian Aubert hung out by the center mic, until he didn’t, and abruptly took off with his guitar, racing towards and stopping just short of the front lip of the stage to get close to the audience, who were separated from the stage by the narrowest security pit I’ve ever seen – probably only two feet deep. While Nikki Monninger on bass and vocals was slightly more restrained on stage left, she smiled, sang, jumped, interacted with fans, and played like crazy. The other member of the rhythm section, Christopher Guanlao on drums, was worth taking note for two reasons 1) he played the holy hell out of his kit, and 2) his main crash cymbal was on a stand twice as tall as anyone that’s ever played the drums, and watching him attempt to reach it to punctuate the music was something to behold.

The vibe inside the Ventura Music Hall was enthusiastically mellow, with people just stoked to be there. This music doesn’t really suit moshing, and people hung in their chosen spot bopping their head with the beat. Brian acknowledged how cool it was to be back playing in California near their home base of LA, before making a statement about the current climate of things in the US, as well as what should be expected for the rest of the night, “Fuck ICE, piss on the walls, dance, do whatever you want, and have a good time.”

Silversun Pickups played nineteen songs, including their four-song encore. The last song of the night was their biggest – 2006’s two-times platinum and number 5 on the alternative charts hit “Lazy Eye”. That and “Panic Switch” were featured in Guitar Hero, which helped add to their popularity, and the audience went crazy when the distinctive guitar intro began. Four minutes later, the incredible night was over.

Pure Hex

Prior to Silversun Pickups, Pure Hex took the stage. The doors opened at 6:30 pm, and Pure Hex went on promptly at 7:30. People didn’t really start filing in until they were striking their first note, but the main floor quickly filled up to check them out. By the time my three songs in the photo/security pit were done, and I made my way out onto the main floor to take in the rest of the set, it was well on its way to being full, and moving around quickly became difficult.

Pure Hex was an excellent pairing to Silversun Pickups. Their brand of music is also described as shoegaze, and it was trippy and cool, and very easy to get into, despite not having heard it before. Singer Marta Alvarez was mesmerizing in her movements and vocals, and it was hard to look away from her riveting performance. The rest of the Bay Area band was comprised of Zach Dighans on guitar, Hussain Khan on guitar, Luke Clingerman on bass, and Jon Annunziato on drums.

Setlist:

• 1 New Wave
• 2 The Wreckage
• 3 Well Thought Out Twinkles
• 4 It Doesn't Matter Why
• 5 Panic Switch
• 6 Au Revoir Reservoir
• 7 The Royal We
• 8 Witness Mark
• 9 Kissing Families
• 10 Empty Nest
• 11 Hot Wired
• 12 Mean Spirits
• 13 Long Gone
• 14 Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)
• 15 Dots and Dashes (Enough Already)

Encore:

• 16 Running Out of Sounds
• 17 Interrobang
• 18 Growing Old Is Getting Old
• 19 Lazy Eye

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You picked Reese McHenry – Reese McHenry Forever as your favorite new release for the week of March 6, 2026.

Today, acclaimed singer-songwriter Michael Sweet, best known as the frontman for the multi-platinum rock band Stryper, is proud to release his new single “Again”, the third single from his upcoming solo album, The Master Plan. His most personal and spiritually resonant solo album yet is set for release on April 3, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

“We’ve all lost someone,” says Sweet about the new single. “We all feel pain from that loss. I wrote this song to help people to heal.”

With its heartfelt lyrics and spiritual sincerity, The Master Plan is designed to inspire peace, faith, and encouragement — music that comforts the weary, uplifts the spirit, and celebrates the profound love at the center of Sweet‘s faith journey.

Co-produced by Sweet and Jeff Savage (TobyMac, Jars of Clay, Natalie Imbruglia), this deeply worship‑inspired record marks a bold departure from his previous solo work — blending heartfelt devotion with fresh musical textures and melodic depth unlike anything he has done before. Sweet‘s unmistakable voice leads a tapestry of heartfelt worship, inviting listeners to reflect, celebrate and draw closer to the timeless truths at the heart of his message. With sweeping arrangements and a sincere spiritual core, the album offers both comfort and inspiration for moments of prayer, praise and quiet contemplation.

For four decades, Sweet has fronted iconic rock band Stryper, renowned for its distinctive brand of “heavenly metal” and extraordinary crossover success. With over 10 million albums sold worldwide, the group ascended to prominence in the 1980s with Billboard Top 40 hits like “Calling on You,” “Honestly,” and “Always There for You,” and has maintained a global fanbase ever since. Stryper is the first band to ever have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously with their hits “Free” and “Honestly.” Sweet also has a successful solo career, is a founding member of rock outfit Sweet & Lynch, and he served as the vocalist & guitarist for the legendary classic rock band Boston from 2007 to 2011.

The Master Plan is available for pre-order here.

The post STRYPER Frontman MICHAEL SWEET Releases New Single “Again” From Upcoming Solo Album “The Master Plan” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

“This one is for the fans that have been with us from the beginning and fans that want to know exactly what we’re all about – still after 15 years of being a band.”

The post Crobot Debut “Foot Off”, New Album “Supermoon” Due Out In May appeared first on Theprp.com.

The group have signed a global deal with the label.

The post Mexican Rap Metal Outfit Ladrones Sign With Rise Records appeared first on Theprp.com.

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Top blues acts are set to perform at the Oscars, plus new music from Ryan McGarvey, When Rivers Meet, Tinsley Ellis, and Artur Menezes.

The post Blues Rock Weekly – 3/13/26 appeared first on Blues Rock Review.

The final tour of the “Goldstar” cycle.

The post Imperial Triumphant Announce Fall European/UK Tour With Knoll appeared first on Theprp.com.

The federal government has settled its claims, but dozens of states on Monday will resume a trial that accuses the company of being a monopoly.