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.