Month: April 2019

Guest Musician: Josh Homme

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Josh Homme of Queens Of The Stone Age is quite the talented player, singer and writer. His work in Queens and Kyuss are both integral parts of rock music since the 90’s. He’s got a style and sound that is uniquely his own as well. Over the years, Josh has lent his sound (whether it’s guitar or vocals) to quite a few other bands and artists. Here’s a few that will intrigue you.
Local H- Rock and Roll Professionals (from Here Comes The Zoo):

 

Foo Fighters- Razor (from In Your Honor):

 

 

Mastodon- Colony Of Birchmen (from Blood Mountain):

 

 
Arctic Monkeys- All My Own Stunts (from Suck It And See):

 

 

Biffy Clyro- Bubbles (from Only Revolutions):

 

 

Mark Lanegan Band- Riot In My House (from Blues Funeral):

 

Josh has also appeared on albums by:

Iggy Pop
Lady Gaga
Masters Of Reality
Peaches
The Strokes
Mondo Generator
Fu Manch
and many more

Great Music Videos: Mastodon- Oblivion

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2019 is the ten year anniversary of Mastodon’s epic masterpiece, Crack The Skye. That album is perfect in every way possible. In my humble opinion, it’s one of the best, if not the best album of the 21st century. I could seriously go on and on about how great that album is. One of the other coolest parts of the album was the video for the opening song “Oblivion.” The video was directed by Robert Schober (aka Roboshobo), who’s worked with other bands like Alice In Chains, Metallica and Deftones. According to drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor, the video was influenced by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. The video itself is just as epic as the song, which makes it all that much cooler. Check it out and do yourself a favor, listen to Crack The Skye, especially if it’s been a minute since you have or if you’ve never heard it before.

Mastodon- Oblivion:

 

 
Mastodon- Crack The Skye:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WGNd8QR-U&list=OLAK5uy_mO7esBOtByOa6ri2uOIZurWwnqqdyoEzU

Band Of The Week: Labor Hex

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Ever since rock music hit the airwaves, there’s been something about the Boston area that just really rocks. Be it rock, metal, or hardcore, there’s something in the water that really makes the music that good. There is a band from the Boston area that I’d like to introduce you to, Labor Hex. This four piece post-hardcore, punk rock band is quite the band. It’s also worth mentioning that Labor Hex features members of Doomriders and The Red Chord.  Their EP Lost In Calling, is a robust and exciting 4 song taste of what this band is. There’s an energy in these songs that harks back to a time when punk energy was free flowing and changing things. The song “I Wanna Be Ignored” is a perfect example of this. The song “Valentine Coast” is one hell of a good song. It’s a prime example of just what this band is capable of as songwriters. Labor Hex is a band at the right time and place and I’m stoked to hear more!
Labor Hex- Lost In Calling:

Title Tracks: Deftones

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Deftones have a long history of making quite complete albums. There are a couple that are a little disjointed but, for the most part are rather perfectly sequenced. Their artistry and evolution is something that many bands from their era should have taken a cue from. They’ve managed to stay relevant by pushing themselves as songwriters and performers as well as incorporating other elements into their sound to separate themselves from their peers. On these few title track songs, Deftones, really encapsulated the sound of these albums with these songs.

Deftones- Around The Fur:

 

Deftones- Diamond Eyes:

 

Deftones- Gore:

 

Cover Song: Stephen Brodsky & Marissa Nadler- (Guns N Roses)- Estranged

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Cave In and Mutoid Man’s Stephen Brodsky is quite the busy guy. In addition to the two bands I just mentioned, he’s got a project with vocalist Marissa Nadler. Their collaborative album entitled Droneflower will be released April 26th via Sacred Bones Records. They have released a couple songs from the album. The first was an original song called “For The Sun,” which is quite a haunting introduction to the band. The second though is a cover of Guns N Roses’ “Estranged.” This is one of the best cover songs I’ve ever heard. “Estranged” happens to be my favorite GnR song of all time, so I was a tad skeptical before listening but, within seconds, I knew that this was amazing. Everything about this cover is perfect. It’s a totally different take on the GnR classic and it’s just beautiful.

Stephen Brodsky & Marissa Nadler- Estranged:

 


Stephen Brodsky & Marissa Nadler- Droneflower:

 

 

Memorable TV Performances: The Cult on Joan Rivers

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Back in 1988, The Cult performed on the late Joan Rivers late night talk show. They performed the song “Lil Devil” from their badass album Electric, along with “Born To Be Wild.” The band joins Joan on the couch for an interview and Ian’s father calls in to wish Ian a happy birthday. I still think The Cult are one of the most underappreciated rock bands ever. They continue to put out quality rock albums like Born Into This, Choice Of Weapon and Hidden City. I highly suggest you taking a listen to those and adding them to your collection.

The Cult- Lil Devil & Born To Be Wild on Joan Rivers (1988):

 

Anticipated Albums: Cave In- Final Transmission

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On June 7th of this year (2019), Cave In will release a new and final album appropriately titled, Final Transmission. This album features the last recordings of the late Caleb Scofield. The first song released, “All Illusion,” is a Caleb composition that Steve had originally written lyrics for. But that changed not long after Caleb’s passing, when Adam went to visit Caleb’s wife, Jen, and their two kids, Desmond and Sydney. “Jen found some lyrics in one of Caleb’s journals,” Adam explains. “She was going to tear them out and give them to me, but I just took a picture because I wanted her to keep it. We used the lyrics for “All Illusion,” which is a song that really haunts me. I feel like it’s a weird message from Caleb sometimes.” And what a song it is. This for me is one of the, if not most anticipated albums of 2019. You can pre-order the album HERE.

Cave In- All Illusion:

 

Band Of The Week: KANGA

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I’ll be totally honest, I was getting a bit annoyed with all the electronic music until I heard this band, I mean artist of the week. Instead of relying on the same old boring and tired electro beats, KANGA flipped the switch and brought out something I could really get behind. The sounds emitting from KANGA could be classified as “industrial”  but it’s more than that. The music and vocals are dark, mysterious and intoxicating. Taking bits and pieces from the darker side of electronic music and adding in some “hooks” and pop sensibilities along with hard driving rhythms, makes KANGA an artist the really pay attention to. She’s caught the attention of bands like The Black Queen and toured Europe and the US with them. And from all the videos I’ve seen of her live show, it’s no wonder why she’s been getting the acclaim she’s gotten. Give KANGA a listen and you’ll see why she’s one of the best around!

KANGA-KANGA (debut album):

 

KANGA- Live In Poland:

 

Those 90’s Songs: Local H- Bound For The Floor

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I woke up this morning with Local H’s “Bound For The Floor” in my head. I have no idea how or why but, I’m sure glad I did. This is one of those 90’s songs that when you hear it, you can’t help but crank it up and then sing along. The track was released in 1996 on Local H’s album As Good As Dead, which is quite a damn good album. “Bound For The Floor” has gone on to be the bands most popular single since it’s release. This song is another wonderful example of a great song and from a legendary time.

Local H- Bound For The Floor:

 


Local H- As Good As Dead:

Anticipated Albums: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes- End Of Suffering

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On May 3rd (my birthday!!!), Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes will be releasing their new album End Of Suffering. The follow up to 2017’s excellent Modern Ruin, sees the band exploring more of their “alternative” side while keeping the rest of the mood dark and gritty. So far two songs have been released “Crowbar” and “Anxiety” both of which are sure to keep you wanting more!
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes- Crowbar:

 

 
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes- Anxiety:

 

 
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes- Modern Ruin (Full Album):