ALBUM REVIEW: Yuck: Self Title

So it has been about a year of doing this Rock 'N' Roll Explosion blog and how it has blown by! I haven't posted in a couple months due to school and band stuff which has taken over my whole life. I've been going to many shows though and have been listening to many new and old albums. Some great, some terrible, but overall I think it was a good year in music and I am ready to get back into the blogging game!

The album I am reviewing today is Yuck. A record that since upon buying it about a week ago, I have not stopped listening to. I was first interested in this band a couple months ago but after listening to a couple of songs, I wasn't really into them. Then last week, I was sitting around and thinking, "I wish there was another new album that I could get really into." I then remembered Yuck and decided to give them another chance and I am glad I did because this album did meet that quota. My favorite tracks on this album are: "Get Away" "Suicide Policeman" "Operation" and "Rubber". "Get Away" is the opener and a very good introduction to the album. The guitars are noisy and the vocals are distorted, things I really like in songs. "Suicide Policeman" starts off with an acoustic guitar and very nice and soothing vocals. This song to me sounds nothing really like the rest of the record but it fits so well into it. Max Bloom, the lead guitar player, sings on "Operation" and really makes it his song. The lyrics on this song as well as the whole album seems very personal and kind of depressing. A perfect example to me of the depressing parts on this album is "Rubber" a 7 minute slow song that drones on and on. I love droning songs as you can see if I listen to songs by Sleep and such. This song is also a great end to Yuck because "Get Away:" starts in a very upbeat tempo and "Rubber" is slow, long cap to what was done on the record. I love this record and I will be posting the best albums of 2011 in a few days!

ALBUM REVIEW: Girls: Father, Son, Holy Ghost

The sophomore record by Girls is a record of maturity for them in many ways. This is their second effort in a recording studio, the first being the Broken Dreams Club EP, has a very different sound than their first album, Album. This record has a definitely higher fidelity than the first one and the fact that they recorded with one solid band instead the two of them (Christopher Owens and Chet "JR" White) or a mess of players shows in the music. The songs are also more mature in my mind. I feel this record has more of a straightforward pop sound, but then again they have a song like "Die" which is their hardest rocking song recorded and one of my personnel favorites. I have to say I don't always have these songs stuck in my head all the time like the first record and the EP, but the quality and the just overall beauty of this record is enough for me. I would have to say my favorite tracks on this record would be "Honey Bunny" a song which sounds like it could go on the first record, "Die" the Fleetwood-Mac influenced song, and "Vomit" a 6 minute song about Christopher Owens driving around looking for an ex-girlfriend that he couldn't get over. I listen to a lot of abrasive music and I think Girls isthe other side of the spectrum in my music collection.  The whole album is great and I totally recommend it to someone who wants a really nice album to put on if you don't mind a few long beautiful songs!

September 3rd:Fuck Yeah Fest

After the week of Butthole Surfers I managed to get a ticket for FYF, the festival where I first saw Screaming Females, Thee Oh Sees, Ceremony, and many more, I figured I'd have to go again this year. I thought the lineup looked pretty good so of course I bought a ticket. I get there early to go see Tijuana Panthers, the band I missed  not being able to get into Ty Segall's show until I snuck in only to catch the last 3 songs of Ty's set. Tijuana Panther was really good, I liked the surfy feel and the pop-ish vocals. I saw part of another band's set before going over to see Ty Segall's set. This time they had added a second guitar player which was cool, he played different things and was pretty noisy. They played well, but I think their set was too short. (I like to see long sets by bands I listen to a lot) They ended it with a rad version of  "Caesar." So then I walk around checking out other bands after them, none of them were really gripping me (None of them were really bad, they just weren't getting me like I wanted) until Girls went on. I wasn't the hugest fan of the band, only liking a couple of songs, but they were great! They had a full band with backup singers, who were amazing singers, and they went straight into my favorite, "Lust For Life" and on went their set. (Now that I saw them I am into them, even the songs I didn't like before I do now) and then went to go see the Descendents play an hour set of a bunch of great songs. The highlights would have to be "I'm the One" "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" and "Sour Grapes" They are still hell of performers! Then came the other headliner: Death From Above 1979, one of my favorite bands who I never got to see when they were first playing. They opened with my favorite song "Turn It Out" and they blasted into their set. The crowd went wild at their show, having at least two circle pits going at once. They played songs like "Romantic Rights" and "Little Girl" and after they were done with their crazy loud set I walked off into downtown Los Angeles and hung out there until going home a few blocks away and going to sleep at about 3 A.M. and not waking up until much, much later.

ALBUM REVIEW: Mikal Cronin: Self Title

During Ty Segall's set, Ty announced that his bass player, Mikal Cronin, has a solo album coming out in a couple of weeks. I talked to Mikal through the gate and thanks to his kindness I got a copy! The next day I woke up and put on the album. This record really blew me away! Mikal Cronin seems to mix 60's pop with garage and it seems like there's a little folk influence in there. I really love how the tracks will go from a nice acoustic guitar to fuzzy electric guitars playing songs that you can sing (or hum) along to. One thing that really suprised me was the vocals. The singing added with the harmonies just makes the songs even better! My favorite tracks would have to be "Apathy" "Gone" (Which I think is my favorite song, I love the way the other instruments come in and the what I think is synth during in the chorus is just really uplifting) and "The Way Things Go" This track is the last one on the record and it ends in a kind've frenzie after really poppy melodie, piano, and fuzzed out guitars. This record is one of the best I've heard this year and I've listened to it at least 7 times in less than a week. For all you Los Angeles residents go to his show on September 14th in downtown for the record release show. I know I'm going to be there!

Purchase the record on September 20th at: www.troubleinmindrecs.com

Go see the show: The Smell
247 S. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

August 27th: Butthole Surfers at The Echoplex

Two weeks ago I was gearing up to go to the Sunset Junction when I heard it got cancelled. Luckily I did not buy a ticket yet. Though I wanted to see Melvins, Helmet, Barrio Tiger, and the other bands, the band I really wanted to see was the Butthole Surfers. I had never seen them and when they came here last time I hadn't been into them yet, so I was disappointed when the city didn't give the permit for the festival. I got excited again when they said they would play the Echoplex. I got the ticket, though another speed bump happened... 18 and over, one of my drawbacks. I got in though thanks to John Ramirez! I saw the opening act, 400 Blows, whom I thought was good  though I thought their songs kind've sounded the same, but I was into them. Then the Butthole Surfers went on and were just crazy good. They had great visuals of horror movies in the background and they sounded great! They played songs off pretty much every record except for Weird Revolution, which funny enough, the next day was the 10th anniversary of its release. I like also how they worked a small part of their hit song "Pepper" in "Lady Sniff" I liked that because it seemed to me like they didn't really care about playing that song. They played some of my favorites like "Mark Says Alright" "Who Was in My Room Last Night" and "Goofy's Concern." I had a really great time, got an awesome BS shirt, went to a show in silverlake the next day, and then Fuck Yeah Fest a week later!

August 26th: The Terrorists, Mutations, and Dirty Eyes at Beauty is Pain Boutique

Last Friday I was invited to see Dirty Eyes a band I've been hearing about for the past few months and being acquaintances with a few of the members I decided to go see them at Beauty is Pain Boutique. I got there early as I enjoy seeing most of the bands on a bill. The first band was the Terrorists, a garagey kind've punk band. The microphone they were using made it sound like they were singing through a 1930's radio. I liked them a lot and I got a really rad cd from the singer Ernesto! They are touring and I would definitely recommend seeing them and getting their cd. The next band was Mutations. They are straight up Garage and I love'd them. These guys played a really cool cover of "Lucifer Sam" by Pink Floyd. They are all under 20 and hopefully my band will be playing with them in October, a show you cant miss haha! The last band I got to see was Dirty Eyes and the consistency of good music did not stop at this band. I cannot describe them much more then straight up Rock 'n' Roll. With that kind of genre I'm always a little cautious about because I feel usually the band is doing nothing new. This band has, of course taken influence from the genre but I really feel this band is changing it up and making some really rad music. I wish I could have seen the other bands but sadly I had to leave after Dirty Eyes was done. This night was the start of my crazy rock 'n' roll weekend!

August 23rd: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at Amoeba Music Hollywood

After being crazy in love with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks' song "Senator" I decided to go see them play for free at one of my favorite places to shop, Amoeba Music in Hollywood. Thanks to my good friend Theo, My friends and I got into the VIP section, which basically means we got to go straight to the front. The band goes on soon after starting with the first track off of their record "Tigers" an almost straight out pop song. They then commence to play songs like "Forever 28" which Stephen called, "A live favorite," (The song never being played before made this comment amusing) They played a few other songs and a clean version of "Senator" where the lyrics are "I know what the senator wants/ What the senator wants is a corndog." The set was good, but I wish it was longer. After their set they did a signing and I crawled back under my rock waiting for new shows to come up.

Buy Mirror Traffic at your local record stores or off the internet!

ALBUM REVIEW: Barry: Yawnin' in the Dawnin'

Here's another one in the folk-rock genre! Yawnin' in the Dawnin' is a superb first release! This record is a very emotional record and it really shows that there are still bands out there who can put out music that you know that they really felt what they were writing. Songs like, "Three Years in Carolina," "Love Something Too Much," and, "Great Unknown," are really powerful tracks with sweet vocal harmonies and the instrumentation backing that up very well. I'd also like to note that there was harmonica on a few tracks which made me really like the band, and the added organs make this record even better. It really feels like a record that came from the south. Its no surprise that this was recorded in a converted barn. I've listened to this record a few times already in the day I've had it. It shows a bright future for the upcoming releases of this band!

You can buy this record on iTunes!

P.S. Thanks to Sean Schrader and Ben Barry at 100% Records for sending me this album for review!

ALBUM REVIEW: Portugal. The Man: In The Mountain In The Cloud

The seventh record by Portugal. The Man has a new feel and I like it! I've loved this band since 2009 and I have to say that they have changed on almost every record since then. This is their major label debut (they got signed to Atlantic Records in 2010) and I think this is their most accessible album. This, I mean in a respectful manor, as I feel that P.TM should be very successful and  hopefully this will be at least a precursor to them being a really popular band and hopefully radio play. There were a few things that I found interesting about the album, like the normal cd is just a digipack and just opens up. Of course the deluxe edition has more flash, but I feel that when they were independent they were putting out higher quality and cooler packaging. Besides that this is overall a really good album. The record is less psychedelic than their past few releases but still has the Portugal. The Man feel and I'm glad they didn't make a drastic change when they signed with Atlantic. There was more instrumentation on this record which was really cool. My favorite tracks are "So American," "Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)," and "Sleep Forever." I really do have to note "Sleep Forever," because this is such an amazing song! I always feel overwhelmed listening to it as it builds throughout the song. I really like this album a lot, so go and get it at your local record stores or over the internet!

July 22-23: Two Nights With Ty Segall

Waking up early is painful since I went to bed at around 2 o'clock the past few nights. Friday, I went over to Center of the Arts Eagle Rock to try and see Ty Segall finally even though it was sold out. The reason I was still going was because last time I went to see Thee Oh Sees, they let me in even though it was sold out. That was not the case Friday. We had to leave but the promoter said if we came back at 10 he would probably let a few people in. 10 rolls around and the guy is nowhere in sight, just the security guard. Luckily there is a window where we can watch Ty and hear him perfectly. After about four songs they lower a screen to cover the window. My friends and I start walking to the Starbucks across the street when the security guard came over to tell the people on the side to leave. There was no one at the door, so I sneaked into the show. I came in to a great show. Ty Segall was super noisy playing some of my favorite songs. At one point he jumped into the crowd while playing a solo and crowd-surfed for about a minute or two. Another highlight was Steven McDonald of Red Kross came up on stage and played a few RK covers. Ty then ended with "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath. I met the band and they are all super nice! I am set to interview Ty very soon. The next night at the Smell was also great! I got to see the opening bands and I think my favorite had to be White Fence. They were just really awesome but I would also check out Crazy Band and Audacity both bands are good. Ty again was super good, played some different songs and that was cool. I thought the set was to short though, but a great show nonetheless!

ALBUM REVIEW: Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues

The sophomore release of this Seattle-based folk band Fleet Foxes is a superb record. The layered vocals over the 6 piece band is nice to listen to, especially at night. It is a calm record, one that I think a listener could go to sleep to. Of course I mean this in respect. The record is peaceful and pretty uplifting. My favorite thing about this record is the instrumentation (Most of the players taking on at least two instruments) and the way they played each instrument not exactly like the other as some bands will do. Each guitar part was different and so was the bass. The vocals are also less hollow then their earlier releases. They are now more rich I think, with a sweeter tone than they usually have. My favorite tracks off of the album would have to be, "Bedouin Dress," "Battery Kinzie," and "Helplessness Blues." The record seems to go well with summer evenings in my opinion. This album is great and if you're looking for the new folk record this is it!

ALBUM REVIEW: Jeff the Brotherhood: We Are the Champions

As you all know, I have been looking for the band that would satisfy me so very well with their album, and this is it! I have listened to this album 8 times in the 5 days I've had it. I would of listened to it more if it wouldn't have been lazy and downloaded it instead of just listening to it on vinyl, but hey I'm a man who loves vinyl! Jeff the Brotherhood's "We Are the Champions" has just the right mixture of everything right for me. It has a lo-fi sound which I usually love if the band is good. It mixes punk rock with a bluesy feel and poppy vocals. The other thing I love about the music is that it is also very psychedelic, which is another favorite genre to go to for me. My favorite tracks off this record would have to be "Hey Friend," which starts off with a 2 minute jam before going into great lyrics like "I've been thinking about your mom/ You can tell me if it's really wrong" it is overall just a great track. The next is "Diamond Way" which is a little on the softer side which I really appreciate on this record, and " Wastoid Girl," which is like a ballad about a party accompanied with a great riff and the chorus just makes you want to sing along every time. This is the album to go ahead and buy now if it's on your list and if not then put it on your list. I would recommend the vinyl, because the gatefold and insert is just awesome.

Buy from their label at: http://infinitycat.com

June 18th: Sassafras and Backbiter at the Redwood Bar and Grill

Yesterday my band Leaking Pigs played our first show at the Redwood Bar and Grill with Sassafras and Backbiter. After us came Sassafras who, like always,  played a crazy set. Sailor screaming through most of the lyrics over the heavy and full riffs is just awesome and I really like their new line-up as a four-piece. They played some of my favorite tracks "Shipwrecked," "Eli," and "Piston Machine." Then came Backbiter, who now will have been playing for 20 years this October. Their genre jumped all over the place from jam-y to country-ish music. You can tell that these guys have been playing for 20 years because they are all very great players and their is an overall feel of them just being locked in together on their instruments. They really do know their stuff! It was a fun and great show and I have to thank Bob Cantu again for putting us on the bill and everyone should go check out his blog at: Babyjeepers.blogspot.com!

SINGLE REVIEW: Portugal. The Man: Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)

New Portugal. The Man never disappoints me! This is the first single off the new album In the Mountain, In the Cloud. The song is an infectious tune with sutch a catchy chorus it's crazy! This is the first album on Atlantic records and I see that there has been a few changes, but it makes the music seem better to me. I mean they didn't have to add the cellos, but goddammit they made the song crazy good. I have seen nothing but great things coming from them on Atlantic! The video I must add is fucking amazing! It is paired with the song "Sleep Forever," which is a song that builds into a crazy, overwhelming masterpiece and is a great ender to the album. The video was all shot in Alaska and shows beautiful shots of the scenery over there with John Baldwin Gourley sledding with a pack of dogs. I don't want to ruin the rest of the video but it is an great short film! If you picked "Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)" up for free off of iTunes last week, or not get this track now!

Watch the short film here: http://youtu.be/jieN2Hp5hS4

SINGLE REVIEW: The Shakers: Hey Lil Darlin

I have been thinking about introducing this new segment for a little while and this seemed like the perfect time to do it. I met the singer Jodie Schell at a broadcast for Rebel Radio, a newer podcast, and she gave me an advanced copy of the Shakers new single "Hey Lil Darlin" (Which I really appreciate!) This song comes out tomorrow June 3rd and they are giving out free copies at there show at the Roxy to the first 100 people who show up. The first thing I have to note is Jodie's voice. She really can rip it up with her voice. It's very soulful and clear. This song has kind of a funky-soul feel until the chorus where it gets very hard rockin' and distorted. I really like this song a lot and recommend going to the show tomorrow to see it first of all because the voice transfers live and get a kick ass new song to listen too!

ALBUM REVIEW: Mr. Dream: Trash Hit

Mr. Dream has put out a great first record! This album of lo-fi, garage-y tunes is totally my style. I have been looking for new bands as I said and these guys are definitely one of the coolest. They do not sound like they went to Harvard or wrote anything in their life besides lyrics and a book report with a big fat F on the front. I have to say my favorites would be "Crime," "Scarred For Life," and "Holy Name." Three songs right in a row which I think defiantly give the definition of the album. Which does not mean only get those three songs, it means if your looking to hear a new band like Mr. Dream check out those songs and if you like them, guaranteed you will love Trash Hit! I love the thickness of the bass on this record, it really is awesome and the singer sounds like he recorded all of his vocals in his bathroom and I totally dig it! If your looking for the great new band, these are the guys your looking for!

May 22nd: Kamikaze at Punk Rock Dodgeball Tournament

One of the most memorable shows of this year was last Sunday at Project Infest, a warehouse in downtown. I rushed out of my house (thinking I was late) when actually the show got moved over a couple of hours. So I got to hang out with the people from Kamikaze and Sassafras helping them set up for the show. After I get back from a Chinese food lunch break the show starts about 15 minutes later. The next second after Kamikaze starts playing there are Mohawks and balls flying everywhere. (No I wasn't at a punk rock orgy) I was at the Punk Rock Dodgeball Tournament. It was pretty awesome I have to say. Seeing one of my favorite local band playing behind a net, while people are getting injured is a great experience. I had to leave towards the end of the set and miss Sassafras sadly, but I didn't go empty handed. Sailor the singer and guitar player of Sassafras gave me a newer EP with a few songs from Dos on it, buttons, and a bottle opener, now I know whats going on my key chain. I'm seeing Sassafras in a couple of weeks so I'm okay missing them. The bands are going on tour with each other, so I would definitely say go see them if they are in your town because these bands now how to rock!

ALBUM REVIEW: Lightnin' Woodcock: Ride the Lightnin'

This album is probably one of the most memorable debut albums of the past five years. Which he and his band have been around around the same amount of time. Drugs and sex are a few of the various topics that go into Lightnins' lyrics. They are also very comical in a sense. It also seems he fuses blues, hard rock, punk, and metal into his songs without making it sound shitty. He is probably one of the better bluesmen that hasn't gone down in history. (yet) I have to say my favorites would be "Fingerbangin'," an awesome instrumental, "Smoochie Coochie Man," to me the centerpiece of the album, and "Have a Drink," a rockin' cover of the AC/DC track. This album makes me excited to hear what's coming next! I would seriously recommend buying this album A.S.A.P.

If you want to hear some great riffs or some funny lyrics you can buy the cd or dowload the album at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/lightninwoodcock
Due out on iTunes very soon!

ALBUM REVIEW: Kamikaze: Tinnitus EP

The past few months I've been searching for new bands that really blow me away. I have found a few bands and Kamikaze is one of them all the way. This band gets so much sound from a three piece. (Excluding being really fuckin' loud) Their new EP Tinnitus is a great hard rock piece of music. It really grabs you by the balls and takes you for a ride. The really cool thing about this EP is that it is short, but once its over you want to listen to it again. (Which has happened to me multiple times with this one) I cannot choose the best tracks off of this record because they are all great and all deserve to be favored. Kamikaze are pretty refreshing from the popular music of today. They deserve a lot more recognition than they get, and I would seriously reccomend buying this record or going to one of their shows! (Bring a pair of earphones for either one)

You can listen and download Tinnitus at: http://kamikazela.bandcamp.com/album/tinnitus-ep

or buy physical copies at: http://www.kamikazela.com/merch.html

April 20th: Interview with John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees

1. First of all, how've you guys been? You guys just got off tour and it seems your going back on tour in about a month. It seems like you guys are doing pretty well.

        

   The band is well, we have been very busy but fruitful I think. We have a lot more coming up so just trying to stay healthy and hearty.   

2. You also seem to be putting out a lot of records. Seems like three after Warm Slime. Which leads me to my next question, what is your inspiration for songs.

   Life as is with any song writer I would imagine. No great mysteries here I think we can all have common ground with our day to day existence  

3. The lyrics are pretty interesting, and alot of times short like "I Was Denied," and "Adult Acid," which is unusual for most bands who seem like they're always trying to fit more lyrics in.

   I am in no rush to fill ears with words. Some songs though tend to be a bit longer. I dont know I guess I just didnt have notion either way.

4. Another thing that is unique about you guys is your instrumentation. What are your main instruments and rigs like?

  12 string 68' burns

   6 string kay

   roland space echo

   wurlitzer mlm II

   fender jaguar 

   drum kit 

5. How did you guys come together?

       The band just kept growing from the original 2 piece. Petey I knew through other bands he played in. Brigid   from the local coffee joint and Mike from his previous live show with old bands. 

6. What has it been like with the band? You guys have received some success at least from what I've seen at Fuck Yeah Fest and the show in Eagle Rock.

  We are doin comfortable. Slow and steady wins the race, I am in no rush for success and am not a staunch supporter of the contemporary hype-machine.

7. Are you guys releasing anything new soon? Have you just released something?

   "single collection 1+2" on my label castleface all the singles so far

   "castlemania" on in the red a collection of more home brewed recordins

   "carrion crawler/the dream" a full band heavy blaster recorded and ready to be mixed due out in the fall on in the red

   and a split single with scottish artist david shrigley due out soon with hand drawn covers by D. Shrigley!!!!

8. Alright thanks very much for doing the interview, any last words?

       Be well and good luck. 

ALBUM REVIEW: Dum Dum Girls: He Gets Me High EP

The newest release by this all girl quartet He Gets Me High, is a pretty good EP. I have been a fan of them since I heard "Jail La La," but I don't know, this release wasn't really what I was looking for. I think my favorite track on it is the title track, and it is probably the best. With fuzzy and distorted instruments this makes a good little tune. The rest though for me was a little slow. This doesn't mean that I don't like slow tracks (believe me I do) but it just wasn't as strong as their older songs. This EP has an interesting cover of The Smiths' "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out." I have to say they do a good version of the Misfits' "Last Caress," if you're open to hearing a popped out version of it. (Its on the b-side of "Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout") I would still recommend getting this EP if you like DDG, but if you don't know them, I would definitely listen to is before you buy it!

Buy Here at: www.subpop.com/releases/dum_dum_girls/eps/he_gets_me_high

April 8th Narwhal Party/Halloween Swim Team

 

Last Friday, I went to yet another gig at the Smell (I swear it is my home away from home, and counting that I live close by doesn't help) This time to see Narwhal Party and whatever band I could catch before. I got there missing two bands. The band onstage almost starts immediately after I get there. At the start it is two guys on synths, a bass player who eventually goes to a third synth, and from what I've heard, a recently-added drummer. The dudes have great pop hooks with a very unique music that sets a mood and almost a wall of sound. They also got me with their onstage presence, they had something that most synth bands don't, some movement during songs. I really like this band and hope to see them again soon. Then after a little delay for Narwhal Party and a nightmare-come-true the bass players strap comes off and the bass hits the floor, NP goes on. They self described themselves as sounding like cats in a meat grinder and I guess its true if the cat has some sort of good pitch. These guys use A LOT of pedals which accent the band perfectly. They really have a good sound and there is a definite link between Matt Shultz of Cage the Elephant and Kyle Souza of Narwhal Party. They must have similar influences in singing or they just sound like one another, either way it is a singing style that I really love. They played a great set, even if they kept insisting they messed up a lot, I sincerely didn't notice nor would I care. This is a great band and you should get whatever merchandise you can, especially recordings, what I have heard off of their myspace page is great and hopefully I can get some more!

P.S. Sorry I could not get a picture of HST but watch their video for "Pitch Black" one of my favorites: http://vimeo.com/14298911
P.P.S. I cannot go another blog without saying a very big THANKS! to Bob Cantu for putting me in his zine Baby Jeepers I really appreciate it and hopefully I will keep writing for him!!

ALBUM REVIEW: Cage the Elephant: Thank You, Happy Birthday

Cage the Elephant's new record Thank You Happy Birthday is nothing short of a gritty masterpiece. I have been listening to this record almost every week trying to write a review when I just relaxed and really listened to this record. This record is nothing like their first record Cage the Elephant in any way. I feel it is less bluesy than the first one but it made up with rawness that definately shows in "Sell Yourself," and "Sabertooth Tiger." Also the album has a more pop-punk feel, but in the good way. When people say it has more of a Pixies-White Stripes I totally get what they're saying. What really made me happy was "Indy Kidz," a song you know was really influenced by the Butthole Surfers (who are one of my favorites bands anyway) so I was glad to hear it and it became one of my favorite songs on the album along with "2024," and "Around My Head," which have the more pop-punk feel. They also have their softer songs on the album, but they are strongly written. The album ends with one, the eight-minute song "Flow," which has an acoustic version of "Right Before My Eyes." I saw this album on the charts for about two weeks and then it was gone. Don't let it being different cloud your vision, this is a great and mature album for the band and I seriously recommend it.

Jan 27th: Interview with Dan from Stab City!

On Sunday Feb. 20th, I got to see Stab City do a really good show with Heller Keller, Vietnambla, and Bird Mad Girl. I got to interview Dan Catalinotto, the singer and bass player for Stab City the day after.

 

1. That was a pretty raucous show last night with the technical difficulties and the double-encore.

Yeah! It was a fun one! The more raucous, the better. We're definitely used to technical difficulties. Sometimes you can play through them,and sometimes you just have to stop the show until they're sorted out. Last night we had major PA feedback, but you never know what to expect when you're playing in a grimy warehouse space. That's why DIY shows are so fun, they're unpredictable.

2. How has 2011 been for you guys so far?

This year has been pretty good. Slowly working on new songs, and playing a wide range of shows. There's a lot of momentum going in all directions, it feels like. The key will be to figure out which direction to go so that we progress musically and hopefully get to play to many more people in many more places by the end of the year.

3. What's the next big step for Stab City?Tour?New Releases?

We recorded two songs with Joe Cardamone in his studio, which was a lot of fun. Our friend Walt is finishing up the album artwork and soon we will press a single - "Colisum/Vomitorium". We'll send it around and make a video for Colisdeum and see if it gets us anywhere. We'd love to tour all over the states and beyond. Right now, our only outside of LA plans are to be playing in Las Vegas at the end of May during Punk Rock Bowling weekend, but a couple trips to the Bay Area or San Diego could happen before then, too.

4. So what is the history of Stab City?
5. Do you think your sound have changed much since you first started?

Bobby and I have been the constant members of Stab City, I think since 2007. We played in a couple other bands together before then, and decided to try something with just the two of us, jamming in Bobby's dad's garage. Eventually we added guitar players and started playing a ridiculous number of shows, and have slowly evolved over the years. We started with more of a blues-rooted sound that we have now, and have gone through a couple of guitar players. I think we're getting more and more collaborative and weirder and weirder as time goes on, especially since Kyle joined on guitar about a year ago. Weird is good. I like to be challenged by my own music, and when the songs are the product of three odd brains, you never know what the end product will sound like. The last time we were in the studio to write a song (the now tentatively titled "Xtina"), we said we were going to try and write a warped pop song...this eventually turned into us doing something in 5 time with an extended Lawrence of Arabia-like intro...yeah, sometimes we can't reign ourselves in, but that's the fun of it - trying new things and seeing where they go.

6. Who are some of your favorite bands that are playing aroung the Los Angeles area?

I love Fantastica Bastidas - Henry and Sonia have a rare chemistry. I like Turrks, who used to be called Bipolar Bear. My honest favorite local LA band is Narwhal Party, which sounds like I'm cheating because Kyle is the singer/guitar player for that band. But it's totally true; there's a reason Bobby and I asked Kyle to join Stab City when we were looking for a guitar player last year.

7. You guys seem to pull influences from everywhere, but what are some of your biggest?

Initially, my playing in Stab City was influenced by old blues murder ballads and darker rock bands like Queens of the Stone Age and The Bronx. Lately, I've been into stuff like Pissed Jeans, HEALTH and Liars. I love old African rock music, and I wish it influenced my playing more, but I just don't have those chops.

8. Dan, I heard you went to Haiti. What was it like?

I was in Haiti for work, doing disaster relief stuff following the earthquake. It was an incredible experience and made me grateful for how good we have it here, while teaching me that there's more to life than my own selfish worries. I was also reminded that you can never understand a place until you visit it yourself. I just barely started to understand Haiti in the two months I was there; I would love to return. We've actually been invited to play in Port-au-Prince. This is something we have to make happen, whatever the financial and mental cost.

9. What are your rigs like?

Mine's currently broken, so whatever I can borrow.

10. Anything you want to add?

No. Thanks, Wolf!

ALBUM REVIEW: Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss: Walk Thee Invisible

Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss new record is unbelievably good. These two punk rockers know how to make a mighty fine folk-rock record. Sean's nice voice entangled with Zander's harmonies and complicated 12-string guitar playing melt together so well. They also have something they usually don't... a full band on some songs. I think some of my favorite songs are "Retablo," "So Low She Rose," and "Songs About Songs." They all have beautiful playing and singing and this record is really nice to listen to when you are just relaxing and want to hear good music. The last song (Spiritual) I have to note is very beautiful, but also really sand and a little depressing. This is a very sophisticated release by these two and I sure hope to hear more!

Feb 12th: Lords of Altamont at Cretins Motorcycle Clubhouse

On Saturday the 12th I got to see two great things, Lords of Altamont and an awesome strip-tease! I go to the Cretins Motorcycle Clubhouse at around 10 coming from band practice and a house-warming party. I have been a fan of the Lords of Altamont ever since I saw a version of them playing at a party last year. I got there a little early and a couple of the dancers went on (Mona Satana the normal dancer of the Lords, and Cinnamon Britches singer of the Wooly Bandits) Both great dancers and a hell of a show! Then the Lords set up and I was taken for a ride. Jake was singing and standing on his organ while the band members were rockin' out behind him. Most of the songs were new (or at least new to me) because that night was the record release party. The record is called Midnight to 666. It sounds like a really good record and I am interested in hearing it. I was right next to the speaker so my ear is kind of blown out, haha. Next time I won't keep a safe distance but maybe earplugs. They ended their set with "4.95" which is a big favorite of mine. I had a great time and would recommend seeing them very soon, I know I will. I would also apologize for not putting my blog sooner, I have been busy trying to put some of my stuff in a few magazines. I will put more up very soon for such the time loss!

To Pre-Order the CD: http://www.fargostore.com/mod/p_disque.php?article_id=6541
To Pre-Order the LP: http://www.fargostore.com/mod/p_disque.php?article_id=6542

Jan. 17th: Screaming Females at the Echoplex

On Monday night was one of my favorite shows I have seen so far... The Screaming Females were so good it was unbelievable. I got to the Echoplex around 8:30 in the P.M. curious to see the other bands before SF. The first band to come up were The Lovely Bad Things, a cool band whose players kept switching instruments, which was pretty cool. They went from having some poppy indie-rock hooks to some really good punk rock. Next up was Audacity, as band full of young guys playing punk rock music, they were pretty good, funny for sure. They told some great jokes in between songs. The band up next was La Sera, Kickball Katy from the Vivian Girls' new band. They do music that is kind of like 50's pop to put it. Then after selling their merch in person for a few hours the Screaming Females finally came on. I had seen them once before at FYF and they were great then, but this time they were just crazy good. I knew most of the material and they played some of their more popular songs like "Bell" and "I Don't Mind It," but also some things that I didn't know which was pretty cool because I like getting into songs that I don't know. They played most of the songs off of their latest LP Castle Talk. Their last song they played was a probably 8 or 9 minute version of "Boss" and then came out again for an encore which was "Fall Asleep." After a few seconds of them standing around I decided to scream out the last song I wanted them to play which was "Boyfriend." They then commenced to playing the song and I was so fulfilled with their set. I cannot wait until they come back!

Jan. 15th: 9 Bands At the Blvd.

Last night was an amazing show, 9 bands, 2 stages, awesome music, it was a great night. The night started off with Sex Wolf, a four-piece grungecore band from Boyle Heights. They were loud and halfway through the set the drummer broke his bass drum. That must have sucked because I know that drums aren't cheap. I accidentally missed the Rizlas after talking to some friends. The band that was supposed to be next Richard Ramirez Beatdown cancelled but in their place was the Kill Pills. I'm not sure how to describe their music except for they sound very garagey and friggin' great. Their singer was this short chick with a killer voice.  Next was Sassafras, whom I just reviewed in my last post. A great performance for sure. Sassafras has gone from a four-piece to a two-piece, but still have a great full sound. They played some of my favorite songs including "Been Blown to Shreds" and "Sassafras Song." They preceded to end the show with "Shipwrecked" and when the song was finished the drumset sort of collapsed when Sailor threw his guitar into it. Thanks by the way Sailor for the T-shirt and CD, I appreciate it! Up next was my dad's band Lightnin' Woodcock and the Bad Motherfuckers! He does very dirty songs varying from cunnilingus to consensual rape. Super funny I always find myself laughing really hard when I go to his shows. Another great part of the performance was that the bass player Will Lefevre was singing "In the Butt" to me as a joke when he realized after the fact that the whole show was being recorded for a documentary and their probably was footage of him singing "In the Butt" to a thirteen year old dude. The next band was the Dharma Bums fronted by Joe who put this whole show and documentary together. The Dharma are a five-piece band (Three guitar players, a bass player and a drummer) who play to me seems like bluesy-punk rock with other elements mixed in. They played a pretty long set because of audience members yelling "One More!" and stuff like that. It was a really good set considering that they have a new drummer. Sadly they have to change their name to something because there is another band with the name Dharma Bums. Then came on the Mormons, who, if you didn't guess, dress like Mormons with suits, ties and bicycle helmets. I haven't seen them in a club ever, but I have seen the Mormons Mobile Unit outside of the Fuck Yeah Fest where they have mini-amps on their belts and the drummer has this awesome portable drum set that he hooks on to his body. They play really awesome punk rock music and the singer is always laying on the floor or dancing with someone. Towards the end of the set some of the audience members, including me, picked him up towards the camera that was filming all of this. They played a great set and I really want to get their new EP. I missed Manhattan Murder Mystery, but I saw Kamikaze a great three-piece. They were so loud and cool. The guitar player and bass player were both singers trading the vocals off between songs. Also the drummer was an awesome chick who made the coolest faces while drumming. I stayed after for a bit and then went home after band practice and then a six-hour show and passed out!

ALBUM REVIEW: Sassafras-Dos

The sophomore release by Sassafras is one to definitely be noted. Dos, released on December 31st, 2010, is a great new 10-track album by Sassafras led by the singer and guitarist Sailor Alexander. Recorded around the same time as the first album "Sassafras LP" and like the first album every instrument is played by Sailor. Some of my favorite songs on the album would be the first track "Old Man," "Death Blues," and "Eli" The album, as is the song, is death blues. It has has some very hard riffs that kind of go into what you would think of as bluesy, that back up Sailor's hard, scratchy vocals. I would have to note "Eli" as really one of the great songs on this album. I really like the little interlude with what seems like a twelve-string guitar part. I think this album is really great and would recommend it to someone who is looking for something really hard, but is not so much looking in the metal section of the record store. Come see Sassafras along with nine other bands on Saturday the 15th at The Blvd, where I will be watching, reviewing, and hopefully interviewing some of the bands there!

Buy the album and any other Sassafras relaease at: http://sassafras.bandcamp.com/

The Blvd: 2631 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90023-1446 Saturday January 15th, 6 P.M.

Top Fifteen of 2010

I almost forgot to list my top fifteen of last year. Well here it is!
1.The Jimi Hendrix Experience-BBC Sessions
2. Black Keys-Brothers
3. Screaming Females-Castle Talk
4. The Dead Weather-Sea of Cowards
5. Cage the Elephant-Live At Grimeys
6. Stab City-Stab City
7. Dirty Santas-Died For Your Sins EP
8. Sassafras-Sassafras LP
9. Swords of Fatima-Eeka Eeka Boom Boom
10. New Rome Quartet-New Rome Quartet
11. Jimi Hendrix-Valleys of Neptune
12. Grinderman-Grinderman 2
13. Portugal the Man-American Ghetto
14.Wavves-King of the Beach
15.Vampire Weekend-Contra

Jan. 4th: Screaming Females Interview!!

> 1. So you guys just recently got off tour supporting Castle Talk. What were some of the highlights of the tour? What were some of your favorite places to play?

Jarrett:  Here are some stats I compiled that do a better job of explaining how extensive, exhausting, and amazing the tour was.  Going to Europe for the first time was definitely a highlight.  We have so many places we love to play I can't name them all!  Trying to think back on it now it is really a total blur and I don't really know what to make of it!
Castle Talk Tour 2010
Dates: Aug 13, 2010 - Nov 28. 2010
Total Number of Days: 108
Total Number of Shows: 88
Shows in New Brunswick, NJ: 0
Number of States Played: 31 (+DC)
Number of Countries Played: 16
Number of Fests/Festivals: 6
Fests with the Word 'Fuck' in the Name: 2
Fests with the Word 'Awesome' in the Name: 2
Number of Vans Driven: 4
Number Van Break Downs: 2
Number of Shows Missed: 0
Number of Shows Opening for New Jersey Artists: 8 (Ted Leo and Rx, Titus Andronicus, Yo La Tengo)
Number of Bactrian Camels sighted on the side of the Road in UK: 1
Number of Times I actually Thought I Was going to Die in the Van: 2 (both in Norway)
City Played Most Times: NYC (5)
Most Days Off In A Row: 9 (Oct 1 - Oct 9)

 
> 2. Now that you are done with the tour, what's next?
Jarrett: To be honest we don't really know.  It is a seriously confusing time for us.  We are writing new songs which is really great and something we barely had the time to do in 2010.  Since the time we recorded Power Move in late 2008 we have had a pretty clear idea of what we were doing in terms or touring and releases.  Now we kind of just have to wait and see what happens.  We worked our asses off in 2010 and sold a bunch of records but we lost a bunch of money because of a van breakdown.  And then we had to pool most of the band money together to buy a new van.  So that basically bankrupted us and we have been digging ourselves out of debt since. 
 
> 3.  How long have you guys been together?
Jarrett:  5 and a half years.
> 
> 4. Who are some of your favorite local bands? (Local to New Jersey)
Jarrett:  Classic locals that don't play anymore include The Ergs!, Hunchback, Plastic East, and The Atomic Missiles.  Long time locals include The Measure SA and Full of Fancy.  Some newer Jersey bands would include Big Eyes, Mattress, Sparkle Shit, Black Wine.
> 
> 5. (Some bands don't like to answer this one so this one is optional) You guys have a great and unique sound how do you get those tones? What are your rigs like?
Jarrett:  I use a 4 piece TAMA Starclassic maple drum set that I have had for over 10 years.  I use Zildjian cymbals including the Sweet Ride which is the best cymbal ever made.  Marissa uses a G&L Strat, a small Hughes and Kettner combo amp.  She uses a few standard Boss pedals but her really amazing pedals are from Earthbound Audio.  Mike plays a Rickenbacker through an Acoustic Amp.
 
> 6. How long have you all been playing your instruments?
Jarrett:  I've been playing drums for 18 years.  Marissa and Mike have been playing for around 10 years.
 
> 7. Who are some of your influences?
Jarrett:  Our biggest influences are the bands around us.  Bands that we meet on tour and know from our community.  We love bands that work hard and don't rely on hype because that is the kind of band we are.
 
> 8. What was recording Castle Talk like?
Jarrett:  Recording Castle Talk was very draining.  Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong did do wrong.  Every single piece of equipment broke and we had to remix the entire album multiple times.  It had to be mastered twice and the release had to be delayed.  It was a testament to our will power that the thing even got finished.  I think the real positive thing that came out of that was that the record had a definite since of urgency in our playing.  We had to focus and make shit sound right the first or second try.  It made sure the album had a feel and a story behind it.

> 9. What are your inspirations for your songs?
Jarrett:  Our song writing process mainly consists of the three of us getting together in a room and playing stuff until something good happens and then working at refining that.  I draw the inspiration that I bring to practice from everywhere.  Lately I have been thinking a lot about the way the instrument that you use can define your writing process.  So if you are to write a song on a piano and then play it with guitar, bass, and drums it will definitely sound different than a song you wrote on guitar.  So I kind of try to envision a different instrument for myself to recreate the way I've been playing lately.  Like in this song I am actually a programed drum machine.  In this song I'm not allowed to play a snare on the normal beats.

> 10. Anything you want to add?
Jarrett: Thanks for taking the time to ask me these questions.

ALBUM REVIEW: Dirty Santas-Died For Your Sins EP

Happy New Year!!! I would like to start off the year with a great EP I just heard today actually! This one is by Dirty Santas a  awesome band from the south pole. Their name totally describes the kind of music that they play, dirty Christmas music! They are a five piece band and most of the band sings, but on this EP it is mostly Scott Gawlik and Allison June Mitchell. The EP starts off with "Milk & Cookies" a badass song with lyrics like "Is it true you only come once a year" "I'd last a little bit longer if I have a couple beers." It also includes a lot of moaning throughout it! The next song is called "Reindeer Meat" which is about Christmas dinner and eating reindeer meat, and has a lot Misfits-like "Ho Ho Ho's" in there. After that is "When Santa Goes to Bankok" a song starting off with harmonizing guitars going, a chorus of "When Santa Goes to Bankok" and a great guitar solo! The last song is "Mr.& Mrs. Clause Du-et" another dirty duet between Scott and Allison with a fast paced kind of pop-punky kind of feel. This band is great and I encourage you to buy their EP released on Thick Dick Records, along with a shirt on their website with a nice deal on the whole Dirty Santas package on their website. They don't play very often (8 times this year) but if you get a chance to see them go! Dirty Santas really rocks and plays some of the best Christmas music I have ever heard!

Dirty Santas Merchandise Website: http://dirtysantas.bigcartel.com/