Month: February 2020

Best Guitar Solos: Lynyrd Skynyrd- Free Bird

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When I first started this topic I could have very easily picked this song to be the first one featured. Between “Hotel California” and “Free Bird,” it’s really all a matter of preference as to which one usually gets picked as the all time best. There is certainly a case for “Free Bird” to be the all time great. There is a bit of fun history that comes with this song too. When writing the song, the guitar solos that finish the song were added originally to give singer Ronnie Van Zant a chance to rest his voice, as the band was playing several sets per night at clubs at the time. This solo is truly on another level and still to this day is iconic. Like “Hotel California,” it’s very memorable and you can sing along to the solo. I know every time I hear this song, it makes me want to play air drums or air guitar along with it.

Lynyrd Skynyrd- Free Bird (Live in 1977):

 

 

The Score: Crawl by Max Aruj and Steffen Thum

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2019 saw the release of a surprise horror hit with Crawl. For those unfamilar with the film, Crawl tells the story of college swimmer Haley and her father being terrorized by alligators while they are stuck in the crawl space of their Florida home during a Category 5 hurricane. The film was directed by Alex Aja (The Hills Have Eyes) and produced by Sam Raimi (Evil Dead 2, Spider-Man). Crawl has also been hailed by Quentin Tarantino as his favorite film of 2019, and “Certified Fresh” by Rotten Tomatoes. One of the most intriguing things about Crawl, is the score for the film. Max Aruj and Steffen Thum made a super creepy and sweeping score, which draws from the influence and inspiration of the likes of Trent Reznor and John Williams. Max and Steffen really came up with something eerie and fun to accompany the film. I’m definitely interested to see what they do next. The physical release of this score comes out March 6 via Rusted Wave.

 

Crawl Score:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h77s7hQbIuw&list=PLKjz0D8FHR6w_gOpsEZtVS2Rh4lRXIaAS

Live Review: Spirit In The Room and Elephant Rifle at Gold Diggers

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There are certain bands that I’ve written about that have left a truly lasting impression on me. Spirit In The Room is definitely one of those bands. Ever since I heard them a couple years ago, I knew that there was something special about this band. There is a real element of passion, excitement, artistry and danger that comes with each song and then when you mix in the live show, it all comes together to make for something spectacular.

It had been a minute since I had seen Spirit In The Room live but, that didn’t matter. The moment they took the stage, it was like I was seeing them for the first time again. The way the show started drew the audience into a trance and truly captivated those in attendance. It was all a calm before the storm like scenario because, the moment you were truly lost in it, BANG, all hell broke loose with a ferocious scream and a pummeling thunder of bass, drums and guitars. Dennis R. Sanders along with his live band Darren Howard (Bass, Synth, and Vocals), Kevin Bombay (Guitar), Brian Skipworth (Guitar), and Philip Bailey (Drums) are not messing around when it comes to performing and playing these songs live. I would even say, they are the best band in Los Angeles. Each and every song performed this evening was executed with precision but also with a take no prisoners approach. Songs like “But It Do,” “Sunset Nightmare,” “The Future Is Immediate,” “Monetary Prayer,” and Now That You’re Dead” were some of my favorites played this evening. As the show ended, I immediately wanted more but, that just means I’ll have to go see them again and again just to get my fix. What a great performance and band Spirit In The Room is. GO SEE THIS BAND LIVE!!!!

Also playing this evening was Elephant Rifle. I wasn’t familiar with them but, I was immediately intrigued when they started playing. These guys have a really cool, psychedelic approach to their Black Sabbath riffs along with some really engaging shoegaze elements and a good helping of noisy punk to make something that is enticing and provocative. Like Spirit In The Room live, Elephant Rifle too has a take no prisoners approach to their live show, making their set full of unexpected moments and sweaty shirtless hugs. I will definitely be checking out more from Elephant Rifle.

 

This show was just what was needed for starting 2020. The venue was intimate enough to make this even more special and both bands really delivered the goods. There were a few moments while watching and soaking it all in that my friend and I were about to start a circle pit from all the energy emitting off the stage. As I mentioned above, Spirit In The Room is THE BEST LIVE BAND IN LOS ANGELES. I truly believe that. Go see them for yourself and you’ll know why I say that.

 
Spirit In The Room:

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Elephant Rifle:

 

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Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Stabbing Westward

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Yes, you read that right. Stabbing Westward is back and they are bringing the goods with them. Stabbing Westward originally reunited back in 2015 while singer Chris Hall was on tour with his other band at the time The Dreaming. What was originally conceived as a one off expanded once they were asked to be a part of the Cold Waves festival back in 2016. After some time away, in late 2018, Stabbing Westward was awoken again, as the band embarked on a tour to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of their very excellent album, Darkest Days. Over the course of time, the band started to play more shows and began writing new material. The band now, is made up of original members Chris Hall (vocals/guitar) and Walter Flakus (keyboards, programming), along with (former?) Deadsy and The Dreaming member Carlton Bost and Bobby Amaro. Now, in 2020, that new music has arrived in the form of the Dead and Gone EP, which features 3 new songs as well as two remixes. The three new songs on the EP, “Dead and Gone,” “Cold,” and “Crawl” seemingly pick up where Darkest Days left off with a little bit of a modern tinge. Chris Hall hasn’t lost a step vocally and sounds just as good as he did back in the bands heyday. This EP is a pretty solid reminder why Stabbing Westward were all over the radio back in the 90’s. It leaves you wanting a full length album for sure, as this wets your appetite. The song “Cold” has some really cool textures and elements that gives off a different flair for pop, industrial and even world music (Middle Eastern to be specific). “Crawl” is a very cinematic song, that while simple in its structure, it’s very catchy and mixed with Hall’s vocals and delivery, makes for a very captivating song. Cheers to Stabbing Westward being back and out on the road!

Stabbing Westward- Dead and Gone EP:

 

Dead and Gone:

 

 

Crawl:

 

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Those 90’s Songs: Lenny Kravitz- Are You Gonna Go My Way

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This is a strange week for songs popping in my head. For some reason this morning when I awoke, I had the riff for “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz playing in my head. So, naturally, I put the song on and I was immediately taken back to 1993. I still think the video for this song is pretty cool with all the lights and camera angles. The great Mark Romanek did a killer job on the video, that’s for sure. The song though, it’s one hell of a good jam. The moment the song starts, it’s no wonder “Are You Gonna Go My Way” is one of those 90’s songs that will always take you back to that time.

 

Lenny Kravitz- Are You Gonna Go My Way:

 

Best Guitar Solos: Eagles- Hotel California

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A while back a friend of mine asked me to make a list of the best guitar solos of all time. I started to make a list but, I figured it would be more fun to turn this into a topic. Ironically, this morning I found myself with the song “Hotel California” in my head for some reason. So what better song to kick off this topic with one of the absolute best guitar solos of all time. Joe Walsh and Don Felder as a guitar tandem, played this one so beautifully. There is something so pure and honest about how they approached it. It’s one of those solo’s that you can hum and sing along to and someone can instantly recognize it. This is truly one of the standards for how to make a tasty solo. Sure, it’s a very over played song but, there is no doubt that it’s a classic.

 

Eagles- Hotel California (Live 1980):

 

 

New Release: Spirit In The Room- Sunset Nightmare

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Spirit In The Room has released a new single & video for their song “Sunset Nightmare” and let me tell you, it’s FUCKING BADASS!!! I say this every time Spirit In The Room releases something new but, it’s true and MUST BE SAID, “This band is fan-fucking-tastic.” The purity you hear in the music and the honesty conveyed in the vocals are unrivaled. There is real danger in this music and that’s what is missing from a lot of the new bands coming out these days. Take note people! Spirit In The Room is the absolute real deal. Plus, their live shows are something else on a whole other level, that you need to see.

Spirit In The Room- Sunset Nightmare:

 

 

Spirit In The Room Upcoming Shows:

Weds Feb 5 @ Bunkhouse Saloon- Las Vegas
Thurs Feb 6 @ SPACE Bar- San Diego
Friday Feb 7 @ Gold Diggers- Los Angeles
Saturday Feb 8 @ The Brick- Nevada City