Kentucky sisters, Kenzie (guitar and vocals) and Laila (drummer) Crowe, are the noise duo and band The Girl Tones. They were a great opener for the Silversun Pickups' return to The Hawthorn in downtown St. Louis.

Lead singer and guitarist, Kenzie Crowe, yelled to the crowd: "Do you like moving?"

I hope you had a great Fourth of July.

If you're a fan of Joy Division, you get it.

Chicago's alternative trio, Lifeguard, is an exciting, innovative, fresh, and unpredictable band of young artists. Their latest Matador Records release, Ripped and Torn, is phenomenal, especially the cut "Like You'll Lose." They made their debut at the Sinkhole in St. Louis last month.

The 1990s alternative tastemakers, Dallas' own Tripping Daisy, have just reformed to tour and perform their masterpiece, "I Am An Elastic Fire Cracker," in its entirety.

Guitar shredder and Alice Cooper lead guitarist Nita Strauss played a packed show at the Red Flag in St. Louis.

LA's alternative heroes and vets, Silversun Pickups, played the Hawthorn in downtown St. Louis.

Gary Clark, Jr. performing this year at the Factory STL.

I'm still reliving New Mexico in my mind. Indeed, the Land of Enchantment.

Japan's doom/noise/experimental/metal quartet, Boris recently played Delmar Hall in St. Louis.

The spastic, drastic, and fantastic plastic that is LA's Starcrawler.

The reformed UK legends, The Chameleons, played Red Flag in St. Louis last month.

Flatback opening for Godsmack at the Saint Charles Family Arena.

Pixel Grip at Red Flag in St. Louis.

Misterwives at a recent show at the Hawthorn in St. Louis.

King Diamond at the Factory STL.

Photos from Cold War Kids' recent show at the Pageant.

I'm so glad to see that X and Facebook have real competition. Let's hope this platform stays kind and civil.