Beer, Sweat, Social Code, and One Heck of a Solo in my Living Room

Every so often I like to suck it up and take in a dirty, sweaty, rock concert with amps cranked all the way to 11 (I know, sounds painful, right?!).  So this past weekend, I did just that. 

On the bill:

Roadrunner's Bleeker Ridge, Canadian chart climbers Social Code, and the loudest band from Down Under, Airbourne. 

I'm not going to talk about every performance, because I would be here for a long time and, well, so would you.  Minus the overwhelming stench of beer and sweat (basically essential to a rock show) I really have nothing to say, it was just as you could imagine: rock at it's finest. And well, let's be honest, I probably contributed to the stench of beer (in other words, the night is a tad fuzzy). 

Although Airbourne headlined the gig...it was one of those shows where you couldn't quite distinguish who the opener was - each of them put on an equally loud and entertaining performance as the next.  If you have the chance to catch this line up - I highly recommend it...but don't plan on wearing that new outfit (I say this from having a chuckle at a couple of girls in tiny dresses and 4 inch heels struggling to survive in the shoulder-to-shoulder mass of sweaty rockers). 

However, I did have the chance to catch up with one of my favorite bands at the moment, Social Code.  Upon spending some quality time with my good friend Steve Faulkner (Social Code's guitar virtuoso), I learned that these guys are one of the few bands that actually live up to their name.  Not only are they some pretty quality dudes - they spend about just as much time communicating with their fans as they do playing music...or as they put it - the "code of being social".  This was fascinating to me, because this is what I've been talking about in several of my previous posts - being social, connecting with fans, and marketing yourself.

Let me tell you, they're doing a pretty kick ass job.  Not only is the new single, Satisfied, sitting favorably on the music charts - but as an Independant band they are doing it on their own...being social and connecting with one fan at a time - building a fan base everywhere they go.

Having a day off between shows, I spent a couple days visiting and there wasn't a time when they weren't Tweeting, catching up with Facebook fans, or texting.  It's refreshing to see a band that isn't above some of their own communication.  Since I have to give kudos where they are due - nice work!

What's even cooler...check out this candid little clip...Steve's guitar solo straight from my living room.  That's my guitar, and well I have neighbors...so we couldn't quite turn it up to 11.  It's just an iPhone video...but just when you think rock bands today are driven by power chords and simple riffs - you certainly can't argue with this talent...or a free concert in your living room.

Want to see a slightly more professional video? Check out Social Code's radio hit, Satisfied, right here.

Cheers!