New High on Fire track, FERTILE GREEN, recorded @ Godhead with Kurt Ballou is streaming (via Pitchfork)
Sounds pretty good to these ears.
Showing posts with label archives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label archives. Show all posts
3/2/12
3/1/12
The Haunted seaching for new singer
"The Haunted is looking for a new voice... Serious applicants please
send your submissions, including two songs from the Haunted back
catalogue and a few words to describe yourself. Images and links to
performance video clips are much appreciated and will be most valuable
in the screening process. Send your application to the e-mail address
apply@the-haunted.com"
via lambgoat
via lambgoat
2/29/12
10/28/11
10/18/09
BAND OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER
BARONESS
FUCKING METAL from Savannah Georgia
The Blue Album Rules. It's that simple. Check these bastards out, buy their albums, see them live.
Listen NOW
Throw these albums on your radar...
So we've been mighty busy the last few months, but ol' Mr. Mogul thought it was a good idea and stop by to drop some album love on ya. Here are some records that have come out recently that are worth your dirty dollar. Hopefully we'll have some extra time soon to go into more depth into the albums, but for now just get these:
...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead
The Century of Self
This album isn't much of of a departure from their last three offerings Worlds Apart(2005), So Divided(2006), and the warm up ep Festival Thyme (2008) which apparently is from the same session and shares the song Inland Sea. That said there is a rougher, less polished aspect about this album that makes it stand out. Where So Divided was sort of a masterpiece of production, The Century of Self seems strikingly more intimate... feels more like a band. Definitely worth the money if AYWKUBTTOFD (jesus) floats your boat.
Baroness
Blue Record
Baroness seems to
be on everyone's radar right now. And they should be. While I didn't so much care for First and Second I loved Red Album. Blue Record follows in line with the evolution Baroness has shown in the past, following a similar path as Mastodon, while sounding altogether different. There is a lot to this album, from straight sabbath influenced stoned metal, to southern rock influenced prog metal. One of my favorite albums so far this year.
Baroness are also our BAND OF THE MONTH
The Ghost of a Thousand
New Hopes, New Demonstrations
If you haven't heard of The Ghost, give em a listen. This outing differs from their 2007 offering, This is Where the Fight Begins, in that they injected their somewhat spazzy metal hardcore with a healthy dose of rock riffage. Similar in approach to countrymen Gallows, there is just a bit more rock here. They should be blowing up any minute.
ISIS
Wavering Radiant
What can be said about Isis that hasn't already been said. They were the music reviewers sweethearts for a minute, but I haven't been reading much about this whole "post-metal" genre much recently. Who cares. This album is awesome. If you ever liked Isis you will dig this album. It's full of emotional swings, and the keyboard heaviness actually assists in the songs and adds a level of interest.
Kylesa
Static Tensions
If you haven't listened to Kylesa yet, this is the perfect time to start. Static Tensions is their best album yet. They fit comfortably into the growing niche that Mastodon, Torche, Baroness, and all the rest have been pioneering, but they approach the music with a bit more punk rock mentality. That's not to say these are not solid metal songs, as they are aggressive and ripping, but there is an element of roughness and rawness here that suits Kylesa well. Big Recommendation.
Mastodon
Crack the Skye
I don't think I need to say much about this album right now as it has gotten plenty of exposure. It rules though. If you haven't picked it up yet, what are you waiting for? I liked it way more than Blood Mountain.
Mastodon, Dethklok, High on Fire, & Converge & the Patriot Center 10/31
Napalm Death
Time Waits for No Slave
Another stellar album by a band that needs no introduction. If you liked any of their recent outings, you'll like Time Waits for No Slave more. This album rules.
Poison the Well
Tropic Rot
I really liked You Come Before You back when it came out in 2003. Then I stopped liking it, and after some time revisited it and grew to really appreciate the album. I however never picked up versions. Tropic Rot is solid, and though I don't like every moment, or every song, this is a good outing from Metalcore innovators PTW.
Obits
I Blame You
Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, and now Obits. Though I really dug the Night Marchers release in 2008, I like Obits that much more. There are quite a few gems on here. Great, great album. Also, the Obits 7" that came out last year was spectacular as well, though it only has 2 songs.
...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead
The Century of Self
This album isn't much of of a departure from their last three offerings Worlds Apart(2005), So Divided(2006), and the warm up ep Festival Thyme (2008) which apparently is from the same session and shares the song Inland Sea. That said there is a rougher, less polished aspect about this album that makes it stand out. Where So Divided was sort of a masterpiece of production, The Century of Self seems strikingly more intimate... feels more like a band. Definitely worth the money if AYWKUBTTOFD (jesus) floats your boat.Baroness
Blue Record
Baroness seems to
be on everyone's radar right now. And they should be. While I didn't so much care for First and Second I loved Red Album. Blue Record follows in line with the evolution Baroness has shown in the past, following a similar path as Mastodon, while sounding altogether different. There is a lot to this album, from straight sabbath influenced stoned metal, to southern rock influenced prog metal. One of my favorite albums so far this year.Baroness are also our BAND OF THE MONTH
The Ghost of a Thousand
New Hopes, New Demonstrations
If you haven't heard of The Ghost, give em a listen. This outing differs from their 2007 offering, This is Where the Fight Begins, in that they injected their somewhat spazzy metal hardcore with a healthy dose of rock riffage. Similar in approach to countrymen Gallows, there is just a bit more rock here. They should be blowing up any minute.ISIS
Wavering Radiant
What can be said about Isis that hasn't already been said. They were the music reviewers sweethearts for a minute, but I haven't been reading much about this whole "post-metal" genre much recently. Who cares. This album is awesome. If you ever liked Isis you will dig this album. It's full of emotional swings, and the keyboard heaviness actually assists in the songs and adds a level of interest.Kylesa
Static Tensions
If you haven't listened to Kylesa yet, this is the perfect time to start. Static Tensions is their best album yet. They fit comfortably into the growing niche that Mastodon, Torche, Baroness, and all the rest have been pioneering, but they approach the music with a bit more punk rock mentality. That's not to say these are not solid metal songs, as they are aggressive and ripping, but there is an element of roughness and rawness here that suits Kylesa well. Big Recommendation.Mastodon
Crack the Skye
I don't think I need to say much about this album right now as it has gotten plenty of exposure. It rules though. If you haven't picked it up yet, what are you waiting for? I liked it way more than Blood Mountain.Mastodon, Dethklok, High on Fire, & Converge & the Patriot Center 10/31
Napalm Death
Time Waits for No Slave
Another stellar album by a band that needs no introduction. If you liked any of their recent outings, you'll like Time Waits for No Slave more. This album rules.Poison the Well
Tropic Rot
I really liked You Come Before You back when it came out in 2003. Then I stopped liking it, and after some time revisited it and grew to really appreciate the album. I however never picked up versions. Tropic Rot is solid, and though I don't like every moment, or every song, this is a good outing from Metalcore innovators PTW.Obits
I Blame You
Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, and now Obits. Though I really dug the Night Marchers release in 2008, I like Obits that much more. There are quite a few gems on here. Great, great album. Also, the Obits 7" that came out last year was spectacular as well, though it only has 2 songs.6/18/09
What's With this City?
So last night I was stoked to go see a few friends' bands play with 1.6 Band for their "reconciliation" tour.
To make a long whiny story short, I ended up having to bail half way through 1.6's set because of how late the show was running (had to catch the metro, which means leave by 11:30pm) and I didn't even get to see one of the bands I wanted to see.
My list of complaints about the Velvet Lounge has grown significantly over the last 6 months due to some shady practices they seem to be embracing, but in an effort to stick to the issue at hand, I will present a short list of why the Velvet Lounge, for last night at least, sucked:
If the Velvet doesn't shape up, I'm going to cross it off my list. For the mean time, I'm going to advise bands to be wary before booking shows there.
Big downs.
To make a long whiny story short, I ended up having to bail half way through 1.6's set because of how late the show was running (had to catch the metro, which means leave by 11:30pm) and I didn't even get to see one of the bands I wanted to see.
My list of complaints about the Velvet Lounge has grown significantly over the last 6 months due to some shady practices they seem to be embracing, but in an effort to stick to the issue at hand, I will present a short list of why the Velvet Lounge, for last night at least, sucked:
- You have an 18 plus show on a weeknight in a city that is heavily public transportation influenced (last train out if you don't have to transfer lines is 12am) which is supposed to start at 9pm (and starts late) and has 4 bands on the bill. This is bad enough, any weeknight 4 band show should start by 8pm and be finished by 11pm.
- There was virtually no time management during sets or in between. This means who ever draws the short stick and plays last has no one left in the audience, as I'm guessing was the case last night. This is a common occurrence in DC.
- For those of us who drink, the Velvet Lounge advertised on their site, and I quote, "$2 natty bohs til midnight, $4 rail all night long!" When asked for said $2 Natty Bohs the Bartender (who I was not a fan of in the slightest) said, "We don't have natty bohs, we have Budweiser and miller highlife." (which to be honest was actually genuine draft...) When asked, "Are those $2 then" The response was "No $3." I know this seems like a small complaint, but if you advertise something to get people in the door, have it. Some of us have to budget our show going experiences because life is expensive. Do it or don't just don't fucking lie about it.
- The staff seems to be getting increasingly more apathetic and rude. I mean I fucking get it, it's a rock club and all, but come the fuck on. There are a couple of exceptions here, the sound dude is a good enough guy. Which brings me to...
- What the fuck is the deal with the Sound? I mean the VL used to tote that it had the most bad assed sound in the city... I mean they do have enough expensive equipment, but lately even when I go see bands who I'm into (by way of example, Tombs) play there, it sounds like crap. If you don't know how to make everything sound good, fuck it, just output the vocals on the PA and leave everything else live. Usually sounds better in small clubs anyway. And again, if you're a sound guy, and your not going to stick around for the set, and you insist on mic'ing everything, make sure it sounds good before you walk out.
If the Velvet doesn't shape up, I'm going to cross it off my list. For the mean time, I'm going to advise bands to be wary before booking shows there.
Big downs.
6/17/09
This summer is CRAZY with shows!
shows in bold, we're probably going to
6/17 @ the Velvet Lounge - Memories from the Space Age, 1.6 Band, Ambition Burning, Negato!
6/17 @ the Girl Cave - Jubilee (folk duo awesomeness) , Fraueva (members of pree), Caddywhompus (Louisiana) , the Fordists (its time to get weird) 7PM-Donations for touring bands.
6/17 @ Corpse Fortress - Nitad (swedish hc), Daylight Robbers (chicago), Canadian Rifle (chicago), Fine Lines, Deathrats
6/18 @ DC Mini Gallery- Des Ark (north carolina), Resistor (ex requiem from north carolina), Deathrats (local hardcore punk - 7" out this summer)
6/18 @ WMUC - Comadre, Trainwreck, Police & Thieves, The Guilt
6/19 @ Corpse Fortress - The Guilt, Omegas, Smart Cops, Chronic Seizure, Animal Poison 6PM $7
6/19 @ 930 club - New York Dolls, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears 8pm $25
6/20 @ The Black Cat - FRODUS, THE VAN PELT, GUILTMAKER 9pm $13
6/24 @ Girl Cave - Fine Lines, Boost, Pizza, The Copyrights, Dear Landlord, 20 Belows
6/25 @ the Corpse Fortress - The Communion (NYC GRINDCORE), Transient (portland grind), Lost Again, Diablero (bmore)
6/25 @ DC Mini Gallery - Lemuria, Cheap Girls, Monument, Everywhere You Look, Disciples Of Christ (First Show)
6/27 @ Cold Call House - 1118 girard st nw - Caverns, Imperial China, headliner TBA
6/27 @ The House of Awesome Times - Diente Perro (Puerto Rico), La Armada (Chicago)
6/27 @ Count Pyros Castle - Say No! to Architecture, Pretzlcoat, Dylan Languell, +1 more TBA
6/27 @ The House of Awesome Times - A Warm Gun (first show in forever!!), Diente Perro (Puerto Rico), La Armada (Chicago), Betty Sue Aside, March of Us
6/30 @ The Lighthouse - Loser Life, Deathratz, Chaos Destroy 6PM $7
7/1 @ Velvet Lounge - Ruiner, Title Fight, In the Hollows, Everywhere You Look 9pm/21+?/$7
7/5 @ The Quarry House - The Living Wrecks, Copstabber, Unabombers, The Snallygasters 2pm $5 All Ages
7/6-8 @ 930 club - Sonic Youth 7pm SOLD OUT
7/6: @ Corpse Fortress - Overload, Mad Minds, Control, Frantic Onslaught, The Mostly Dead - 6pm - $6
7/7 @ Corpse Fortress - TRIAC, STRAINS OF THE APOCALYPSE, JUICE TYME!, [UNTITLED]
7/11 @ Krasner's Basement (Frederick) - We Were Skeletons, Victor! Fix the Sun, Mostly Dead, the Lost Tourists
7/11 @ Count Pyros Castle - The Fordists + more TBA
7/13-14 @ 930 club - The Dead Weather & Screaming Females 7pm $35
7/19 @ The Quarry House - Supreme Commander, Thawed Out, & stand-up comedy by John Lockjaw (PB2k/PC Death Squad) - 2pm $5 All Ages
7/19 @ TBA - Force Fed, Mindset, Mobb Mentality + more TBA
7/17 @ DC Mini Gallery - Tigers Jaw, Kite Party + more TBA
7/19 @ TBA - Force Fed + more TBA
7/23 @ TBA - Wasteland, Relics + 2 TBA
7/27 @ Corpse Fortress - Just Die!, more TBA
7/29 @ House of Awesome Times- Brick, Dcoi, The Separation, Plagueland. Brainlazerz, Ecco
7/29 @ TBA - LIBÉRATE (LA fast as shit), INTIFADA (pure chicago speed)
7/29 @ the Rock and Roll Hotel - TORCHE & Harvey Milk 8pm $14
8/1 @ Kansas House - Black Powder, The Fordists, Analog Faucet - 7PM
8/1 @ Corpse Fortress: Inter Arma, Balaclava, Ilsa, Deathammer, Revolta @ 7:00PM, $6
8/2 @ TBA Stressed Out, Rip It Up, The AIDs, I Decide, Thawed out.
8/2 @ Lighthouse - Brainkiller (boston hc/deranged records), Lotus Fucker, Chaos Destroy, +More TBA. THREE PM!!!
8/2 @ TBA - Alert (western Massachusetts Youth Crew), XenvisionX (youth crew from Novia Scotia), + More TBA
8/6: @ TBA - GUILTY FACES (mid-80s california punk from connecticut), BAD ANTICS (punk from the west coast)
8/9 @ 3rd Street Co-Op - Thrashington DC, Revolta + more TBA
8/12 @ Black Cat Back Stage - The Mishaps, The Mostly Dead, The New Dumb, All Ages, $8
8/12@ alfishway- HARMS WAY mother of mercy alpha omega convicted foundation 10 dollars@ 6pm
8/14 @ TBA - Asshole Parade, Coke Bust, Sick Fix, Positive Noise, Crucial Cause
VENUE INFORMATION:
3rd Street Co-Op - 1807 3rd Street NE DC
Alecks' Basement - 5632 Kirkland Dr. Frederick, MD
Alfishawy Cafe - 4132 Georgia Avenue NW DC (Petworth Metro)
Alumni Haus (GWU) - 1918 F STREET NW DC (METRO: FARRAGUT WEST ON THE BLUE/ORANGE LINE)
Bionic House - 3701 41st Ave Cottage City, MD
The Black Cat- 1841 14th St. NW DC (U. St Metro)
Comet Ping Pong - 5037 Connecticut Ave NW, DC
Corpse Fortress- 906 Philidelphia Ave, Silver Spring, MD (Silver Spring Metro) Dahlak - 1771 U St NW DC (U. St Metro)
DC Mini Gallery - 4702 14th st nw
Dude Bro Haus- 4301 Yuma St. NW DC (Tenleytown Metro)
Girl Cave - 1419 Gallatin St. NW DC (Columbia Heights/Petworth Metro)
Herndon Artspace address- 750 Center St. Herndon, VA 20170
House of Awesome Times - 9108 St. Andrews Pl
Kansas House - 900 N Kansas St Arlington, Va 22201 (virginia Square/Clarendon Metro)
Krasner's Basement - 9413 Bridgewater Court West Frederick, Maryland 21701
Lighthouse - 1421 Buchanan St NW DC (Columbia Heights/Petworth Metro)
Mitchell Hall (GWU) - 519 19TH STREET NW DC (METRO: FARRAGUT WEST ON THE BLUE/ORANGE LINE)
Quarry House Tavern - 8401 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Silver Spring Metro)
Rocknroll Hotel - 1353 H Street NE DC
Saint Stephens Church- 1525 Newton Street, NW DC (Columbia Heights Metro)
Scumbag Nation - 1001 Orchard Way, Silver Spring, MD. 20904.
Second Death Star - 1401 Carrington, Vienna, Virginia 22182
The Tree Swing - 6107 43rd Street, Riverdale MD (pg plaza metro)
Transformer Gallery - 1404 P St NW DC (U St. Metro)
Velvet Lounge - 915 U St, NW DC (U St. Metro)
WMUC - 3130 S Campus Dining Hall, College Park, MD (College Park Metro)
6/17 @ the Velvet Lounge - Memories from the Space Age, 1.6 Band, Ambition Burning, Negato!
6/17 @ the Girl Cave - Jubilee (folk duo awesomeness) , Fraueva (members of pree), Caddywhompus (Louisiana) , the Fordists (its time to get weird) 7PM-Donations for touring bands.
6/17 @ Corpse Fortress - Nitad (swedish hc), Daylight Robbers (chicago), Canadian Rifle (chicago), Fine Lines, Deathrats
6/18 @ DC Mini Gallery- Des Ark (north carolina), Resistor (ex requiem from north carolina), Deathrats (local hardcore punk - 7" out this summer)
6/18 @ WMUC - Comadre, Trainwreck, Police & Thieves, The Guilt
6/19 @ Corpse Fortress - The Guilt, Omegas, Smart Cops, Chronic Seizure, Animal Poison 6PM $7
6/19 @ 930 club - New York Dolls, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears 8pm $25
6/20 @ The Black Cat - FRODUS, THE VAN PELT, GUILTMAKER 9pm $13
6/24 @ Girl Cave - Fine Lines, Boost, Pizza, The Copyrights, Dear Landlord, 20 Belows
6/25 @ the Corpse Fortress - The Communion (NYC GRINDCORE), Transient (portland grind), Lost Again, Diablero (bmore)
6/25 @ DC Mini Gallery - Lemuria, Cheap Girls, Monument, Everywhere You Look, Disciples Of Christ (First Show)
6/27 @ Cold Call House - 1118 girard st nw - Caverns, Imperial China, headliner TBA
6/27 @ The House of Awesome Times - Diente Perro (Puerto Rico), La Armada (Chicago)
6/27 @ Count Pyros Castle - Say No! to Architecture
6/27 @ The House of Awesome Times - A Warm Gun (first show in forever!!), Diente Perro (Puerto Rico), La Armada (Chicago), Betty Sue Aside, March of Us
6/30 @ The Lighthouse - Loser Life, Deathratz, Chaos Destroy 6PM $7
7/1 @ Velvet Lounge - Ruiner, Title Fight, In the Hollows, Everywhere You Look
7/6-8 @ 930 club - Sonic Youth 7pm SOLD OUT
7/6: @ Corpse Fortress - Overload, Mad Minds, Control, Frantic Onslaught, The Mostly Dead - 6pm - $6
7/7 @ Corpse Fortress - TRIAC, STRAINS OF THE APOCALYPSE, JUICE TYME!, [UNTITLED]
7/11 @ Krasner's Basement (Frederick) - We Were Skeletons, Victor! Fix the Sun, Mostly Dead, the Lost Tourists
7/11 @ Count Pyros Castle - The Fordists + more TBA
7/13-14 @ 930 club - The Dead Weather & Screaming Females 7pm $35
7/19 @ The Quarry House - Supreme Commander, Thawed Out, & stand-up comedy by John Lockjaw (PB2k/PC Death Squad) - 2pm $5 All Ages
7/19 @ TBA - Force Fed, Mindset, Mobb Mentality + more TBA
7/17 @ DC Mini Gallery - Tigers Jaw, Kite Party + more TBA
7/19 @ TBA - Force Fed + more TBA
7/23 @ TBA - Wasteland, Relics + 2 TBA
7/27 @ Corpse Fortress - Just Die!, more TBA
7/29 @ House of Awesome Times- Brick, Dcoi, The Separation, Plagueland. Brainlazerz, Ecco
7/29 @ TBA - LIBÉRATE (LA fast as shit), INTIFADA (pure chicago speed)
7/29 @ the Rock and Roll Hotel - TORCHE & Harvey Milk 8pm $14
8/1 @ Kansas House - Black Powder, The Fordists, Analog Faucet - 7PM
8/1 @ Corpse Fortress: Inter Arma, Balaclava, Ilsa, Deathammer, Revolta @ 7:00PM, $6
8/2 @ TBA Stressed Out, Rip It Up, The AIDs, I Decide, Thawed out.
8/2 @ Lighthouse - Brainkiller (boston hc/deranged records), Lotus Fucker, Chaos Destroy, +More TBA. THREE PM!!!
8/2 @ TBA - Alert (western Massachusetts Youth Crew), XenvisionX (youth crew from Novia Scotia), + More TBA
8/6: @ TBA - GUILTY FACES (mid-80s california punk from connecticut), BAD ANTICS (punk from the west coast)
8/9 @ 3rd Street Co-Op - Thrashington DC, Revolta + more TBA
8/12 @ Black Cat Back Stage - The Mishaps, The Mostly Dead, The New Dumb, All Ages, $8
8/12@ alfishway- HARMS WAY mother of mercy alpha omega convicted foundation 10 dollars@ 6pm
8/14 @ TBA - Asshole Parade, Coke Bust, Sick Fix, Positive Noise, Crucial Cause
3rd Street Co-Op - 1807 3rd Street NE DC
Alecks' Basement - 5632 Kirkland Dr. Frederick, MD
Alfishawy Cafe - 4132 Georgia Avenue NW DC (Petworth Metro)
Alumni Haus (GWU) - 1918 F STREET NW DC (METRO: FARRAGUT WEST ON THE BLUE/ORANGE LINE)
Bionic House - 3701 41st Ave Cottage City, MD
The Black Cat- 1841 14th St. NW DC (U. St Metro)
Comet Ping Pong - 5037 Connecticut Ave NW, DC
Corpse Fortress- 906 Philidelphia Ave, Silver Spring, MD (Silver Spring Metro) Dahlak - 1771 U St NW DC (U. St Metro)
DC Mini Gallery - 4702 14th st nw
Dude Bro Haus- 4301 Yuma St. NW DC (Tenleytown Metro)
Girl Cave - 1419 Gallatin St. NW DC (Columbia Heights/Petworth Metro)
Herndon Artspace address- 750 Center St. Herndon, VA 20170
House of Awesome Times - 9108 St. Andrews Pl
Kansas House - 900 N Kansas St Arlington, Va 22201 (virginia Square/Clarendon Metro)
Krasner's Basement - 9413 Bridgewater Court West Frederick, Maryland 21701
Lighthouse - 1421 Buchanan St NW DC (Columbia Heights/Petworth Metro)
Mitchell Hall (GWU) - 519 19TH STREET NW DC (METRO: FARRAGUT WEST ON THE BLUE/ORANGE LINE)
Quarry House Tavern - 8401 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Silver Spring Metro)
Rocknroll Hotel - 1353 H Street NE DC
Saint Stephens Church- 1525 Newton Street, NW DC (Columbia Heights Metro)
Scumbag Nation - 1001 Orchard Way, Silver Spring, MD. 20904.
Second Death Star - 1401 Carrington, Vienna, Virginia 22182
The Tree Swing - 6107 43rd Street, Riverdale MD (pg plaza metro)
Transformer Gallery - 1404 P St NW DC (U St. Metro)
Velvet Lounge - 915 U St, NW DC (U St. Metro)
WMUC - 3130 S Campus Dining Hall, College Park, MD (College Park Metro)
6/10/09
6/1/09
BAND OF THE MONTH - JUNE
NARROWS
Post/Hardcore/Metal from all over the place...
With former members of BOTCH, UNBROKEN, THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES, and more you might expect a "super band" with such a pedigree to be one of two things: 1) A Totally Rad Experience or 2) A Total Waste of Time. Thankfully NARROWS falls into the former category. They were already on our radar with their release of the "Self Titled" 7 inch (which Kurt loved), and we've found the new LP (to be reviewed later this month) to be satisfying as well. Put them on your list, go listen to them, see them live if you can, and buy their stuff!
LISTEN NOW
Post/Hardcore/Metal from all over the place...
With former members of BOTCH, UNBROKEN, THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES, and more you might expect a "super band" with such a pedigree to be one of two things: 1) A Totally Rad Experience or 2) A Total Waste of Time. Thankfully NARROWS falls into the former category. They were already on our radar with their release of the "Self Titled" 7 inch (which Kurt loved), and we've found the new LP (to be reviewed later this month) to be satisfying as well. Put them on your list, go listen to them, see them live if you can, and buy their stuff!LISTEN NOW
5/28/09
The Inquisition - POLICE & THIEVES
My first exposure to Police & Thieves must have been back near the end of 2006. I stumbled across them on myspace of all places and liked what I heard. A few months later a band mate of mine at the time, John Riley, joined P&T and I started really paying attention to them. My old band and P&T played a show back in Jan of '08 with Cloak/Dagger as well. P&T are great live and absolutely the nicest guys in the world. They have played with pretty much any band worth playing in the HC community, and I personally have seen them play with Fucked Up, Disfear, and many more. Keep your eye on these dudes.
-Mr. Mogul
History in Their Words:
We began in Aug 2005, a few months after my old band Worn Thin broke up. Police & thieves was an idea I had as Worn Thin was winding down. A few months prior to our breakup I had seen our bassist Rich at a show and mentioned I wanted to start a side project that would be influenced by the "Revolution Summer" bands as well as Dag Nasty "Can I Say" era. I wanted it to be departure from my old band both lyrically and musically.
The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
Because making music and playing in a punk band is a lot of fun.
Growing up in DC it's something that has always been a huge influence
in my life.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
For me making music that I enjoy with good friends is what I consider
successful, so yes.
3. What are you currently listening to?
Ryan Adams, Mindset, Antony & The Johnsons, Control, Savageland, Obits
and the new Cloak/Dagger
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
As a kid I grew up listening to the Beatles, U2 and Metallica and then
I discovered Dischord and that changed my life and how I looked at
music. Some of my favorite bands are Embrace, Rites of Spring, Minor
Threat and Dag Nasty.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
There's so many good local DC area bands such as Give, Fine Lines,
Timber, Lost Again, The Mostly Dead, Archenion and the Scare.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
Last spring we played at this house in Wheaton, MD called the Vermont
Hurler with Mindset and Timber, it was the perfect size for us and the
crowd was really energetic. There's a video of it on our MySpace page,
it was a good time.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
I would say the worst show experience was when we played Pittsburgh
several months ago. The kid who did the show was super cool but the
show was running behind schedule and it was a Sunday night and we had
a long drive ahead of us back to dc, as well as we all had to work
Monday morning. So it wasn't a bad show, because that was fun, it was
more the way the show was organized and run that could have been done
better.
8. What's your writing process like?
Well our original guitar player Michael just quit the band back in
December, so everything we wrote was with him. The way we wrote with
him was he and Rich our bassist would bring ideas for songs into
practice and then we would all build on it adding our individual
parts. Once Sean our new guitar player learns all the songs, we will
start writing for a new record that we hope will see the light of day
by the summer.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
I could see myself still in a band, not sure what kind, but being in a
band is so much fun that I can't see why I would stop doing it.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp?
P&T Next show: Charm City Art Space, Baltimore MD. W/ Runier & Final Fight
POLICE & THIEVES on myspace
-Mr. Mogul
History in Their Words:We began in Aug 2005, a few months after my old band Worn Thin broke up. Police & thieves was an idea I had as Worn Thin was winding down. A few months prior to our breakup I had seen our bassist Rich at a show and mentioned I wanted to start a side project that would be influenced by the "Revolution Summer" bands as well as Dag Nasty "Can I Say" era. I wanted it to be departure from my old band both lyrically and musically.
The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
Because making music and playing in a punk band is a lot of fun.
Growing up in DC it's something that has always been a huge influence
in my life.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
For me making music that I enjoy with good friends is what I consider
successful, so yes.
3. What are you currently listening to?
Ryan Adams, Mindset, Antony & The Johnsons, Control, Savageland, Obits
and the new Cloak/Dagger
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
As a kid I grew up listening to the Beatles, U2 and Metallica and then
I discovered Dischord and that changed my life and how I looked at
music. Some of my favorite bands are Embrace, Rites of Spring, Minor
Threat and Dag Nasty.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
There's so many good local DC area bands such as Give, Fine Lines,
Timber, Lost Again, The Mostly Dead, Archenion and the Scare.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
Last spring we played at this house in Wheaton, MD called the Vermont
Hurler with Mindset and Timber, it was the perfect size for us and the
crowd was really energetic. There's a video of it on our MySpace page,
it was a good time.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
I would say the worst show experience was when we played Pittsburgh
several months ago. The kid who did the show was super cool but the
show was running behind schedule and it was a Sunday night and we had
a long drive ahead of us back to dc, as well as we all had to work
Monday morning. So it wasn't a bad show, because that was fun, it was
more the way the show was organized and run that could have been done
better.
8. What's your writing process like?
Well our original guitar player Michael just quit the band back in
December, so everything we wrote was with him. The way we wrote with
him was he and Rich our bassist would bring ideas for songs into
practice and then we would all build on it adding our individual
parts. Once Sean our new guitar player learns all the songs, we will
start writing for a new record that we hope will see the light of day
by the summer.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
I could see myself still in a band, not sure what kind, but being in a
band is so much fun that I can't see why I would stop doing it.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp?
P&T Next show: Charm City Art Space, Baltimore MD. W/ Runier & Final Fight
POLICE & THIEVES on myspace
5/27/09
A little behind the times... maybe
We've got some reviews coming up in the next week or so. On the Agenda so far:
Big Business - Mind the Drift
Gallows - Grey Britain
Lamb of God - Wrath
Mastodon - Crack the Skye (More than just a review...)
NOFX - Coaster
Obits - I Blame You
Stay tuned!
Big Business - Mind the Drift
Gallows - Grey Britain
Lamb of God - Wrath
Mastodon - Crack the Skye (More than just a review...)
NOFX - Coaster
Obits - I Blame You
Stay tuned!
5/6/09
NEW SHIT COMING SOON
Sorry for the lack of posts recently... we've all been super busy... but we got more stuff on the way.
Watch this!
Watch this!
3/20/09
The Inquisition - RUMPLESTILTSKIN GRINDER
History Not in Their Words
"After forming from the ashes of earlier bands Solace in the Shadows, Evil Divine, and XXX Maniac, the members of Pennsylvania neo-thrashers Rumpelstiltskin Grinder dared to mix thrash metal and comedy lyrics on their 2005 Relapse Records debut, Buried in the Front Yard. This is usually a heavy metal no-no (just ask the members of original, ill-fated case study Scatterbrain), but it's unlikely Rumpelstiltskin Grinder singer Jason Sidote, guitarists Matt Moore and Ryan Moll, bassist Shawn Riley, and drummer Pat Battaglia would be perturbed by such statistics." Allmusic.com
The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
We all die. I careen towards my death by playing guitar, rocking, partying, driving, hanging out with dudes/chicks, screaming, walking around, sitting around, laughing, saying funny stuff, and drinking. I don’t understand why some people are “not” in bands.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
We are underground but those who know of us get into it and that’s 100% who I play for. We definitely think in the long term and only care about making metal that is timeless. We create and play a distinct and excellent expression of metal. Our albums and shows are what we mean them to be.
3. What are you currently listening to?
Here’s some stuff I’ve been listening to the past few weeks:
Satyricon – Nemesis Divina
Dead Can Dance – The Serpents Egg
Mercyful Fate – 9
Disfear – Live the Storm
Vinterland – Welcome My Last Chapter
Ministry – Psalm 69
Revenant – Prophecies of a Dying World
Naglfar – Vittra
Blind Guardian – Somewhere Far Beyond
King Diamond – Them
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
I think we’ve been able to like the bands like and be inspired by their awesomeness while not lifting much from them. We do have a trilogy of songs on our new record “Living For Death, Destroying the Rest” which may have something to do with how much we love King Diamond, but lyrically it’s less of a horror story and more about an epic rebellion. I do view metal as a ritualistic thing. I don’t take it too seriously, but good metal makes you go insane…the same way a good tribal dance can make some shaman go literally crazy and access radical parts of the human mind. “Graveyard Vandalization” to me has a twist on a Morbid Angel “Chapel of Ghouls” feel. “Darkness Never Ending” is a conglomeration of Emperor, Satyricon, Immortal, Dark Funeral, and Mayhem attributed riffage. Lot’s of faster speed metal shit mixed with bone crunching parts. We can’t avoid blackening our riffs to the highest degree.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
Gloominous Doom, Woe (I play here), Cardinal Sin (old Swedish ex-Dissection band), X-Cops, Dust is Everywhere, Revenant, Unsane, Vinterland…and Manowar….nonstop and at full volume.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
We just played a Philly Thrash Fest that was fucking great. Philly has a ton of really good thrash bands. I put together a comp called “Philly Thrash Brigade” and there was an 8 band fest that brought Philly’s fastest out for a nonstop circle pit. The entire Philly scene is totally underground and a true party. This town has missed the mark musically for a long time but now there is some righteous hanging out going on.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
Walking onto a stage in Connecticut seconds before playing and realizing my Les Paul was in Boston. Still played with a backup …but Fuck. The night before in Boston we played with Deceased. We went with those dudes to a billiards bar, got more trashed, challenged those guys to a basketball game, and harassed the locals. Little did I know my guitar had run off somewhere.
8. What's your writing process like?
If someone plays or says an idea that makes the rest of us laugh insanely or frown in approval we will expertly forge and craft it into what will eventually become a song. If we are hanging out with instruments and someone presents a stupid idea we berate and humiliate the offending dude. We really anticipate what the other guys are going to like or hate and create stuff that is gonna be good to all of us.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
I'm 27 and have been doing it full on for 15 years. If I happen to live 10 more then I’ll be playing.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp?
New record “Living For Death, Destroying The Rest”…basically we’ve completely nullified the thrash resurgence by making something that is actually “original”.
(Note: In real life I’m not actually an asshole)
"After forming from the ashes of earlier bands Solace in the Shadows, Evil Divine, and XXX Maniac, the members of Pennsylvania neo-thrashers Rumpelstiltskin Grinder dared to mix thrash metal and comedy lyrics on their 2005 Relapse Records debut, Buried in the Front Yard. This is usually a heavy metal no-no (just ask the members of original, ill-fated case study Scatterbrain), but it's unlikely Rumpelstiltskin Grinder singer Jason Sidote, guitarists Matt Moore and Ryan Moll, bassist Shawn Riley, and drummer Pat Battaglia would be perturbed by such statistics." Allmusic.comThe Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
We all die. I careen towards my death by playing guitar, rocking, partying, driving, hanging out with dudes/chicks, screaming, walking around, sitting around, laughing, saying funny stuff, and drinking. I don’t understand why some people are “not” in bands.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
We are underground but those who know of us get into it and that’s 100% who I play for. We definitely think in the long term and only care about making metal that is timeless. We create and play a distinct and excellent expression of metal. Our albums and shows are what we mean them to be.
3. What are you currently listening to?
Here’s some stuff I’ve been listening to the past few weeks:
Satyricon – Nemesis Divina
Dead Can Dance – The Serpents Egg
Mercyful Fate – 9
Disfear – Live the Storm
Vinterland – Welcome My Last Chapter
Ministry – Psalm 69
Revenant – Prophecies of a Dying World
Naglfar – Vittra
Blind Guardian – Somewhere Far Beyond
King Diamond – Them
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
I think we’ve been able to like the bands like and be inspired by their awesomeness while not lifting much from them. We do have a trilogy of songs on our new record “Living For Death, Destroying the Rest” which may have something to do with how much we love King Diamond, but lyrically it’s less of a horror story and more about an epic rebellion. I do view metal as a ritualistic thing. I don’t take it too seriously, but good metal makes you go insane…the same way a good tribal dance can make some shaman go literally crazy and access radical parts of the human mind. “Graveyard Vandalization” to me has a twist on a Morbid Angel “Chapel of Ghouls” feel. “Darkness Never Ending” is a conglomeration of Emperor, Satyricon, Immortal, Dark Funeral, and Mayhem attributed riffage. Lot’s of faster speed metal shit mixed with bone crunching parts. We can’t avoid blackening our riffs to the highest degree.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
Gloominous Doom, Woe (I play here), Cardinal Sin (old Swedish ex-Dissection band), X-Cops, Dust is Everywhere, Revenant, Unsane, Vinterland…and Manowar….nonstop and at full volume.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
We just played a Philly Thrash Fest that was fucking great. Philly has a ton of really good thrash bands. I put together a comp called “Philly Thrash Brigade” and there was an 8 band fest that brought Philly’s fastest out for a nonstop circle pit. The entire Philly scene is totally underground and a true party. This town has missed the mark musically for a long time but now there is some righteous hanging out going on.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
Walking onto a stage in Connecticut seconds before playing and realizing my Les Paul was in Boston. Still played with a backup …but Fuck. The night before in Boston we played with Deceased. We went with those dudes to a billiards bar, got more trashed, challenged those guys to a basketball game, and harassed the locals. Little did I know my guitar had run off somewhere.
8. What's your writing process like?
If someone plays or says an idea that makes the rest of us laugh insanely or frown in approval we will expertly forge and craft it into what will eventually become a song. If we are hanging out with instruments and someone presents a stupid idea we berate and humiliate the offending dude. We really anticipate what the other guys are going to like or hate and create stuff that is gonna be good to all of us.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
I'm 27 and have been doing it full on for 15 years. If I happen to live 10 more then I’ll be playing.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp?
New record “Living For Death, Destroying The Rest”…basically we’ve completely nullified the thrash resurgence by making something that is actually “original”.
(Note: In real life I’m not actually an asshole)
3/6/09
The Inquisition - DEFEATER
I saw Defeater play in the basement of a show house in DC called the Girl Cave in January. They were quite clearly the biggest band I've seen play in a house, and I'm not talking about popularity or height(although truth be told Derick is pretty tall.) They controlled the floor like pros on a national stage. With blistering riffs, screamed vocals (despite the PA problems), and quite possibly the tightest, most proficient (and goddamn interesting) drummer I've seen in a punk or hardcore band for a long time. They have a large label sponsored tour coming up, but Mike still took the time to have his flesh torn to shreds under the rusty knives of the inquisition. - Mr. Mogul
History in Their Words:
We are a bunch of guys that have all played in a lot of bands. This is the band we play in now, I think most of us would say it's our favorite.
The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
To make art. To try and quell my creative yearning. To be able to share good experiences with the people closest to me. To leave a mark.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
Yes. We came up with a goal which was to make a record we are all very proud of and that's not an easy thing to do. We get emails from people saying they love the record, a kid at our last show said we were his favorite band. That kind of thing just never gets old, I can't think of a better way to define success.
3. What are you currently listening to?
Like right right now? I'm listening to Attack in Black hoping that third time is also a charm. In general I've been on a huge Jawbreaker and Jets to Brazil kick recently. I went to get a Jawbreaker tattoo last week, and I passed out in the middle of it and cracked my head on the floor. Probably should have mentioned that I am a touch needle phobic. That's life.
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
At the Drive In, Botch, Converge, Fugazi, Rival Schools.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
It's crazy, everyone in the band listens to some of the same core of bands but I don't think any of us share a favorite band. In the hardcore genre Blacklisted, Modern Life is War, Verse, and Narrows are all awesome bands. On tour it's a whole different story, I know we are all hooked on The Hold Steady, Radiohead, Russian Circles, Elliott, Rocky Votolato, The Exit, Cancer Conspiracy. I guess it's probably not all super obvious stuff. I just like honest music done well.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
Our 2nd show was in Burlington Vt, It was with I Rise who are good friends of ours and there weren't tons of kids there so we didn't really know what to expect. But then we started playing and every kid there went mental.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
No Idea. Not every show is a winner, but I'm never going to shit on a show that would have us play even if it ended up sucking.
8. What's your writing process like?
Usually a song starts forming in my head and I try to write the whole thing in my mind before I touch my guitar. The finished product usually varies greatly from what originally conceptualized but it's a good way to know what you want out of the song before you just start hammering out random riffs and linking them together.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
Yes and No. I assume I will be very involved with music 10 years from now. It would be awesome to think that Defeater will still be around, but that's to say we are all wanting the same things. Just like I try to see the end of a song before I write the beginning I feel the same way about the life of the band. I have really big things planned, but when it's time to go it's time to go.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp? Make Do And Mend's Bodies Of Water EP is awesome, and their drummer Matt is a decent podcast interviewer.
History in Their Words:
We are a bunch of guys that have all played in a lot of bands. This is the band we play in now, I think most of us would say it's our favorite.
The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
To make art. To try and quell my creative yearning. To be able to share good experiences with the people closest to me. To leave a mark.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
Yes. We came up with a goal which was to make a record we are all very proud of and that's not an easy thing to do. We get emails from people saying they love the record, a kid at our last show said we were his favorite band. That kind of thing just never gets old, I can't think of a better way to define success.
3. What are you currently listening to?
Like right right now? I'm listening to Attack in Black hoping that third time is also a charm. In general I've been on a huge Jawbreaker and Jets to Brazil kick recently. I went to get a Jawbreaker tattoo last week, and I passed out in the middle of it and cracked my head on the floor. Probably should have mentioned that I am a touch needle phobic. That's life.
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
At the Drive In, Botch, Converge, Fugazi, Rival Schools.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
It's crazy, everyone in the band listens to some of the same core of bands but I don't think any of us share a favorite band. In the hardcore genre Blacklisted, Modern Life is War, Verse, and Narrows are all awesome bands. On tour it's a whole different story, I know we are all hooked on The Hold Steady, Radiohead, Russian Circles, Elliott, Rocky Votolato, The Exit, Cancer Conspiracy. I guess it's probably not all super obvious stuff. I just like honest music done well.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
Our 2nd show was in Burlington Vt, It was with I Rise who are good friends of ours and there weren't tons of kids there so we didn't really know what to expect. But then we started playing and every kid there went mental.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
No Idea. Not every show is a winner, but I'm never going to shit on a show that would have us play even if it ended up sucking.
8. What's your writing process like?
Usually a song starts forming in my head and I try to write the whole thing in my mind before I touch my guitar. The finished product usually varies greatly from what originally conceptualized but it's a good way to know what you want out of the song before you just start hammering out random riffs and linking them together.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
Yes and No. I assume I will be very involved with music 10 years from now. It would be awesome to think that Defeater will still be around, but that's to say we are all wanting the same things. Just like I try to see the end of a song before I write the beginning I feel the same way about the life of the band. I have really big things planned, but when it's time to go it's time to go.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp? Make Do And Mend's Bodies Of Water EP is awesome, and their drummer Matt is a decent podcast interviewer.
2/20/09
The Inquisition - TRIGGER EFFECT
The first time I heard about Trigger Effect, Kurt had mentioned them to me in passing. Next thing I know, we get a show offer with them. They thoroughly rocked the shit out of the place. They are gearing up for a tour of Europe in March. Nick sat down and spent some time seriously contemplating the whips and iron spikes of The Inquisition - Mr. Mogul
History in Their Words:
In keeping with their mystique, Trigger Effect have supplied no history. They just seem to exist. Very Zen.
The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
I'm in it for the chicks, cheese and crackers. also because its a good excuse to not work.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
Extremely successful. We're like moguls of audio real estate. I eat chicken dinner off a naked 10-year olds back every night.
3. What are you currently listening to?
The coasters. They are the best band ever. They knuckle your head before you count to fauwah.
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
No way. Our innate talents will be so valuable and we ourselves will be so internationally influential by that time that we won't be permitted to even consider making music anymore. If we did there would be a nuclear holocaust over who gets the distro license and publishing. In ten years we will only be allowed to hang out in our very specifically shaped, very luxurious , and of course very technologically advanced Manoir Turbo. I'll be on the roof of wing Skinfried sipping whiskey sours with my various pet lemurs.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp?
yes. we're releasing a split vinyl EP real soon... like REAL SOON and we're going to commit savagery on like 10 european countries in march. blap. Booya.
History in Their Words:
In keeping with their mystique, Trigger Effect have supplied no history. They just seem to exist. Very Zen.The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
I'm in it for the chicks, cheese and crackers. also because its a good excuse to not work.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
Extremely successful. We're like moguls of audio real estate. I eat chicken dinner off a naked 10-year olds back every night.
3. What are you currently listening to?
The coasters. They are the best band ever. They knuckle your head before you count to fauwah.
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
For me personally, bro, me I'm like a mix of the fashion sensibilities of Michael Jackson, the luck and charm of Gloria Ramirez and the vocal precision of tiny Tim. I think it shows. The rest of the guys are equally influenced by equal parts stupid and ugly. Duh.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
The coasters, M.I.A., Dion and the Belmonts and megalomaniac by KMFDM. Make me a mashup. Oh, and Nazareth. Fucking Nazareth, man.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
Maybe that time we circled the wagons with Death Virginia in Wasaga Beach, or that time we played 45 shows in 48 days and drank way more than 1000 beers between Quebec and California, or that time i farted at a waitress.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
Either that time i snapped my tooth in half at LBH, or that time we drove 24 hours straight home from thunder bay in the winter with no heat. Or all those times i ate too much rageohol and told everyone i hated them.
8. What's your writing process like?
Pat comes up with a bunch of parts like "chaggadagameedlooo..." and everyone's like shut up pat and then Sergio thinks up a bit like "brrrrrrrrrrogodogodogodogodogodo" and everyone's like what the fuck was that then i bring in a badangdang that's all like "raaaaahhhmanamanamanahooooeee" and everyone's like meuhhhhhhh then Jordan busts out a little "looodiloodidodilooo" and everyone's like who the fuck is Jordan and then mike makes a bunch of huffing sounds with his stupid fat mouth. At some point we do it all at the same time, and then other people call it music.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
The coasters, M.I.A., Dion and the Belmonts and megalomaniac by KMFDM. Make me a mashup. Oh, and Nazareth. Fucking Nazareth, man.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
Maybe that time we circled the wagons with Death Virginia in Wasaga Beach, or that time we played 45 shows in 48 days and drank way more than 1000 beers between Quebec and California, or that time i farted at a waitress.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
Either that time i snapped my tooth in half at LBH, or that time we drove 24 hours straight home from thunder bay in the winter with no heat. Or all those times i ate too much rageohol and told everyone i hated them.
8. What's your writing process like?
Pat comes up with a bunch of parts like "chaggadagameedlooo..." and everyone's like shut up pat and then Sergio thinks up a bit like "brrrrrrrrrrogodogodogodogodogodo" and everyone's like what the fuck was that then i bring in a badangdang that's all like "raaaaahhhmanamanamanahooooeee" and everyone's like meuhhhhhhh then Jordan busts out a little "looodiloodidodilooo" and everyone's like who the fuck is Jordan and then mike makes a bunch of huffing sounds with his stupid fat mouth. At some point we do it all at the same time, and then other people call it music.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
No way. Our innate talents will be so valuable and we ourselves will be so internationally influential by that time that we won't be permitted to even consider making music anymore. If we did there would be a nuclear holocaust over who gets the distro license and publishing. In ten years we will only be allowed to hang out in our very specifically shaped, very luxurious , and of course very technologically advanced Manoir Turbo. I'll be on the roof of wing Skinfried sipping whiskey sours with my various pet lemurs.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp?
yes. we're releasing a split vinyl EP real soon... like REAL SOON and we're going to commit savagery on like 10 european countries in march. blap. Booya.
2/6/09
The Inquisition - CLOAK/DAGGER
I heard about Cloak/Dagger, out of Richmond VA, after their 7"on Grave Mistake Records, and listened to a few of the tunes. Then "We Are" came out and I was hooked. And rightly so, it seemed that Album was on everyone's mind in '07. My old band had the opportunity to play with them in Jan of '07, and they killed. Seen them a few times in '08, most notably playing with one of our other favs, Fucked Up. Jason took the time out to get strapped in to the painful rack that is The Inquisition. -MR. Mogul
History in Their Words:
We started out with no goals and we wanted to do a band for fun and maybe play a show here and there. We recorded a demo and it went over well so we decided to play some shows. After that we recorded a 7" for Grave Mistake and did some weekend tours and some short tours on the east coast after our record came out with the help of Paint It Black, Government Warning and New Mexican Disaster Squad. We signed to Jade Tree and recorded our full length in Kentucky with Chris Owens of Lords who rules and has a dirty true punk studio with the best skate park I've ever been to or seen close by. Jade Tree put out our full length and we had the great idea of jumping right into touring at age 30 and we lost A LOT of money. We toured the US and no one knew about the tour, we toured Europe and some people knew about the tour, we toured Canada and some people knew about the tour and after more weekends and The Fest we flew to the UK and it was nice to see some people knew about the tour.
The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
I love to travel, to play shows and the process of writing and recording these songs. When we started I wanted to be in a band I thought was fun and that I thought was a challenge to be in and this definitely has been. I'm very proud of everything we've done so far.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
We have had a lot of positive feedback from people that we look up to and respect that like this band and what we've done and that means a lot to me. On the other hand we have lost a lot of money and not every show we play has people going crazy but I would still consider us a minor success. For this band to be "successful" monetary wise we would have to come back from tour with money for rent and that hasn't happened yet but that's not the goal.
3. What are you currently listening to?
Sonic Youth, The Shitty Limits, Taxi, The Saints.
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
I would say Black Flag and Hot Snakes and they are pretty obvious. We don't directly sound like either of them but they are definitely an influence on us and people can usually tell. I dressed up like Henry on Halloween when we played Alabama and my costume ruled.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
The Shitty Limits, Wasted Time, The Ladies, Marked Men.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
We played Milan when we toured Europe and everyone knew the words and it was non stop crazy with stage dives, moshing, people dancing and not moshing dancing but really dancing and people breathing fire in the back of the room. That's all you can ask for.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
We played Berlin on that same tour and everyone got too drunk to play except me since I don't drink. Our bass player at the time Adam fell off the stage which was about 4 feet tall face first and it was bad. I was the only one that noticed. After that we argued on stage about stopping and then kept playing. There was about 300 people there and we sold one 7" before we played. After the bad show we got rushed out since there was going to be a dance party later and on the way back to the hostel Adam almost got jumped by three Germans. It just wasn't a good night.
8. What's your writing process like?
Collin our one and only guitarist writes all the songs and then he shows us at practice. Matt our bass player records them and sends me mp3's and then I obsess over every word when I write lyrics to them in my car. We really try to make it a point to not over analyze or spend too much time on songs but I can't help it. We all work out the kinks by playing the songs a lot. We have recorded a lot of songs that didn't work out but we like to try to give everything a fair chance.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
Definitely not. I think that there's a time and a place for everything and that's what makes hardcore and punk a genuine thing. There's no reason for Minor Threat to be a band right now and I'll never see them as much as I would love to but maybe that's a good thing. When it's time for us to break up and when we run out of ideas or things stop being fun I'll be ready to call it a day.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp?
We are taking a break from playing shows to record another lp sometime soon. We have a two song 7" coming out on Jade Tree in the next month or so and our friend Dave Brown has a photo book called Adult Crash that comes with a 7" where we covered a Warzone song that is out now. Thanks for reading and thanks to you.
History in Their Words:
We started out with no goals and we wanted to do a band for fun and maybe play a show here and there. We recorded a demo and it went over well so we decided to play some shows. After that we recorded a 7" for Grave Mistake and did some weekend tours and some short tours on the east coast after our record came out with the help of Paint It Black, Government Warning and New Mexican Disaster Squad. We signed to Jade Tree and recorded our full length in Kentucky with Chris Owens of Lords who rules and has a dirty true punk studio with the best skate park I've ever been to or seen close by. Jade Tree put out our full length and we had the great idea of jumping right into touring at age 30 and we lost A LOT of money. We toured the US and no one knew about the tour, we toured Europe and some people knew about the tour, we toured Canada and some people knew about the tour and after more weekends and The Fest we flew to the UK and it was nice to see some people knew about the tour.
The Inquisition:
1. Why are you in a band?
I love to travel, to play shows and the process of writing and recording these songs. When we started I wanted to be in a band I thought was fun and that I thought was a challenge to be in and this definitely has been. I'm very proud of everything we've done so far.
2. Do you consider your band successful?
We have had a lot of positive feedback from people that we look up to and respect that like this band and what we've done and that means a lot to me. On the other hand we have lost a lot of money and not every show we play has people going crazy but I would still consider us a minor success. For this band to be "successful" monetary wise we would have to come back from tour with money for rent and that hasn't happened yet but that's not the goal.
3. What are you currently listening to?
Sonic Youth, The Shitty Limits, Taxi, The Saints.
4. Who are your primary musical influences and do you think they are obvious?
I would say Black Flag and Hot Snakes and they are pretty obvious. We don't directly sound like either of them but they are definitely an influence on us and people can usually tell. I dressed up like Henry on Halloween when we played Alabama and my costume ruled.
5. What other band(s) are out there that we should be listening to?
The Shitty Limits, Wasted Time, The Ladies, Marked Men.
6. As a band, what was your best show/experience yet?
We played Milan when we toured Europe and everyone knew the words and it was non stop crazy with stage dives, moshing, people dancing and not moshing dancing but really dancing and people breathing fire in the back of the room. That's all you can ask for.
7. What was your worst show/experience?
We played Berlin on that same tour and everyone got too drunk to play except me since I don't drink. Our bass player at the time Adam fell off the stage which was about 4 feet tall face first and it was bad. I was the only one that noticed. After that we argued on stage about stopping and then kept playing. There was about 300 people there and we sold one 7" before we played. After the bad show we got rushed out since there was going to be a dance party later and on the way back to the hostel Adam almost got jumped by three Germans. It just wasn't a good night.
8. What's your writing process like?
Collin our one and only guitarist writes all the songs and then he shows us at practice. Matt our bass player records them and sends me mp3's and then I obsess over every word when I write lyrics to them in my car. We really try to make it a point to not over analyze or spend too much time on songs but I can't help it. We all work out the kinks by playing the songs a lot. We have recorded a lot of songs that didn't work out but we like to try to give everything a fair chance.
9. Do you see yourselves still doing this in 10 years? Why?
Definitely not. I think that there's a time and a place for everything and that's what makes hardcore and punk a genuine thing. There's no reason for Minor Threat to be a band right now and I'll never see them as much as I would love to but maybe that's a good thing. When it's time for us to break up and when we run out of ideas or things stop being fun I'll be ready to call it a day.
10. Are there any shows or releases you want to pimp?
We are taking a break from playing shows to record another lp sometime soon. We have a two song 7" coming out on Jade Tree in the next month or so and our friend Dave Brown has a photo book called Adult Crash that comes with a 7" where we covered a Warzone song that is out now. Thanks for reading and thanks to you.
2/1/09
BAND OF THE MONTH - FEBRUARY
YOUNG WIDOWS
POST/POST/POST from Louisville, KY
If you don't know who Young Widows are, where the hell have you been? Previously members of Breather Resist (minus singer Steve Sindoni) they are an altogether different beast. Challenging, intelligent, stark, brutal, beautiful.
They're album Settle Down City (2006) was a good album, their new album Old Wounds is amazing, if you have the open mind for it. They may wear some of their influences on their sleeves but they succeed in sounding completely unique and original. Buy Old Wounds at all costs... and see these dudes live if you are lucky enough to have them come to your town.
LISTEN NOW
POST/POST/POST from Louisville, KY
If you don't know who Young Widows are, where the hell have you been? Previously members of Breather Resist (minus singer Steve Sindoni) they are an altogether different beast. Challenging, intelligent, stark, brutal, beautiful.They're album Settle Down City (2006) was a good album, their new album Old Wounds is amazing, if you have the open mind for it. They may wear some of their influences on their sleeves but they succeed in sounding completely unique and original. Buy Old Wounds at all costs... and see these dudes live if you are lucky enough to have them come to your town.
LISTEN NOW
1/27/09
Rumpelstiltskin Grinder - "Living for Death, Destroying the Death" (2009)
First thoughts: Man what a goddamned awesome cover.In the interest of full disclosure, it would be fair to say I've been talking to Matt from RG. Of course I have no interest in full disclosure, so there you go.
Thrash. There are some who would argue that Thrash is a dead art form. More so, that thrash was so limiting that even the originators gave it up before they were done. The All powerful, Allmusic.com, refuses to tag new bands with the term Thrash alone. Instead they opt for the term Neo, like that makes it all okay. Forward thinking requires as many labels as possible.
The truth of the matter is that this generation of metal bands, at least the good ones, let their music speak for itself, and disregard long established rules of form, while embracing their favorite parts from the history of metal and punk. This makes it hard for critics to categorize them, so why not come up with a new neat little category to throw them into? Fuck that.
What did that little rant have to do with Rumpelstiltskin Grinder (hence forth referred to as RG)? Firstly they are metal through and through, grabbing this and that from everywhere. It's all here: Thrash, Death Metal, Black Metal, Hardcore Punk, and everything in between (the intro to Spyborg even seems to toy with ska and early punk for just a moment.) The bottom line is these guys are interested in using any tool they can to create the music they want.
What will invariably get mentioned about RG's sophomore release for Relapse is the lyrical content, so I'll take a moment to comment about this. Are these guys serious 100% of the time? Fuck no. And metal has been too serious for too long. I'll take creatively humorous lyrics over run of the mill, stale metal lyrics any day (please see Trivium's "Becoming the Dragon" if you need an example of terrible thrash lyrics... uhg.) So does that mean RG are a comedy metal band? Fuck no. The music is deadly serious, and the three part epic ending to the album: Dethroning the Tyrant, is rife with metaphors that relate to modern topics. I'm not going to spell it out for you.
So how is "Living for Death, Destroying the Rest"? Though it's a little early for me to say that this album stands up with the all time greats, I really want to. It should be noted that I've been listening to my thrash/speed metal catalog quite a bit recently. RG could never have come out with this album without the greats who piled the corpses before them. That said, this album smokes out of the gate. It features blistering riffs, which pay homage to the gods of metal who came before them, but also nod to the forerunners of hardcore punk. Drum work is frantic, brutal, varied, and completely fitting. Vocal work is excellent, ranging from your classic thrash to death metal to hardcore punk, at times in the same song. Production on "Living..." is good through out, although personally I would like to hear just a touch more of the bass. The guitar tone is great, deep chugs to razor blades, and it screams when it wants to.
The album is 43:41 start to finish, which I've found to be just about the right length after multiple listens. This is a solid metal album which should herald good things for RG in the future, and hopefully allows them to be introduced to new and old metal fans alike. If you like thrash, buy this album. If you like more extreme metal, buy this album. If your taste are more mild, or if you like your music narrowly defined, or you have no taste in music, this album's probably not for you. This is one of the most rewarding metal album I've heard in years.
Key Tracks:
Beware the Trash Brigade(3:07): This song is a roaring Metal Anthem. Hands down my favorite track on the album, but that's really no surprise. Speedy hardcore influenced riffs, gang chorus(es). I love this song.
Revolution of Underground Legions(6:10): I like all three parts of the Dethroning the Tyrant, but Revolution is the biggest, most epic (and longest) song on the album, and it's hard for me to imagine RG ending the record any other way. Giant chorus, rip-roaring riffs, brutal vocals.
Brainwasher C. 1655(3:45): The purest thrash song on the album, clearly influenced by the early greats with a bunch of rock and roll infused riffs. Chorus is king, and this one is big too. Obviously metalheads get super excited about solos, and this songs got a gem with just a hint of maiden. This song rules.
Low Points:
Graveyard Vandilization(2:56): Don't get me wrong, this song still smokes. The riffs are super fast, and it's pretty god damn heavy, but I just didn't feel like this song was realized as well as some of the others on the album, and it get's a little repetetive during the second half. Still, that's a pretty minor complaint for an entire album, so there you go.
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