I’m sure you can tell that I’m really stoked on Less Art. Their debut album Strangled Light can’t arrive soon enough. Today, a new song “Diana The Huntress” was released. This track is another great representation of what the band has to offer. This explosive song features guest vocals from Meghan O’Neill-Pennie (Super Unison ex-Punch), which helps to add another layer of urgency to the screams of vocalist Mike Minnick. To pre-order Less Art’s debut album click HERE.
Let me set the tone for the evening. It was a perfect Southern California evening. The weather was perfect and the mood was meant for music that would knock your socks off. It also seems that Downtown Los Angeles is fast becoming the place for rock/metal bands to play. Last night was worth the trip for sure.
Kicking off the night was the very alluring Mustard Gas & Roses. Their brand of doom metal set the standard for the evening. This Los Angeles based four piece is the perfect band to get you in the mood for a night of great music. They are cinematic and proficient in their performance. I’ve been hearing about this band for a little bit now and they were everything I thought they would be.
Next up was Helms Alee. This band left me absolutely breathless. I’ve been meaning to go see them live for some time and I finally had my chance and WOW. Their blistering set was visceral and inspiring. The magnitude of tone they delivered from their drums, bass and guitars made it seem like they were playing an arena. I’m always intrigued by melody and even with their doom approach, the melody was not lost. With all three members doing vocals, that really gives a whole different dynamic to their style of music, There were times during their set that they reminded me a bit of Siamese Dream era Smashing Pumpkins and self titled era Alice In Chains but with a bit of doom to it. Helms Alee is the type of band that releases great albums but, in order to fully grasp the greatness of this band, you NEED TO SEE THEM LIVE.
The main event of the evening was Mutoid Man. They are another band that I’ve been really wanting to see live. Their albums are stellar and the fact that drummer Ben Koller and singer/guitarist Stephen Brodsky were finally able to get together and form a band makes me extra happy, being as I’m a HUGE fan of Cave In and I really dig on Converge. The addition of bassist Nick Cageao adds a whole other layer and dimension of heavy to the band. Mutoid Man really knows how to deliver a great night of riffs, pummeling drums, jokes, and great performances. Like Helms Alee, Mutoid Man puts out great albums but, it’s really best to go see them live. Their set featured songs from both their full length albums (Bleeder and War Moans) along with songs from their debut EP. They drove the crowd into a frenzy, with a perfect mosh pit as well. My friend and I couldn’t resist joining in on the pit fun, as we moshed our way to the front of the venue.
What a great night for a show. Three great bands on one bill to make it known that heavy music is alive and well along with the take no prisoners approach. I highly recommend you all taking the time to go see them live and give a listen to these three great bands albums. You will not only thank me later but, you’ll feel compelled to go buy their albums.
We live in a very strange time. Some bands try to stay relevant with a revamped lineup. Though most of the time, the new lineup just doesn’t cut it. A great example of this occurred a couple years back when, Stone Temple Pilots recruited Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington to front the band after they fired Scott Weiland. The band with Chester made a surprise appearance at a KROQ radio festival, and left many in the crowd wondering “What the hell?” This utterly head-scratcher idea was not just a bad idea but, it also side-tracked the legacy of STP. Granted Scott was struggling again with his demons but, come on, picking Chester is like the equivalent of picking Alvin form Alvin and the Chipmunks to be the singer. The band would put out a terrible EP called High Rise, and they would tour, playing to half empty venues and mildly curious fans. I’m sure there were people out there that dug on it, but seriously, how can this be called Stone Temple Pilots without Scott?
Scott is no longer with us but, he left quite an impact on not the rock world but music in general. His lyrics, melodies and voice will always be remembered. I had hoped that STP and Scott would have one more chance at it before he died but, that didn’t come to fruition.
EDIT: I have since re-listened to this album. And while it’s not the best STP can offer, it’s a really decent part of the band’s history and catalog. A lot of the things we know and love about STP are in the music and melodies. This really wasn’t as bad as I said at first. The initial shock of it sure got the best of me. And no, Chester doesn’t sound like Alvin. That was just me being frustrated and trying to be funny. Give this EP a chance and see what it does for you.
Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington- High Rise:
There are so many new bands out there that I’m extremely stoked on. A couple years back, a band called Coma Prevail came up on my radar. They released a couple “demo” recordings and it sounded very promising. Sadly though, their singer passed away. Just when I thought they were going to call it a day, they regrouped and began a new chapter under a different name, Cons. Their upcoming debut EP, Slowhealer (produced by Beau Burchell of Saosin) is going to be a rip roaring, riff-tastic slab of heavy and post hardcore. The first single “The Burden Of Knowing Why” is a great representation of what Cons has to offer. There are moments in the song that have some similarities to Saosin and The Bled (guitarist Jeremy Talley was a member of The Bled.) This stunning five-piece outfit from Tucson, AZ consisting of Josh Fererra (vocals), Jeremy Talley (guitar), Matt Barios (guitar, vocals), Steven Hathaway (bass), and Stephen Majalca (drums), is set to take the music scene by storm and unleash their fury upon us all.
There are certain albums that I was exposed to as a very young kid that forever changed my life. Growing up with parents that passed their music tastes down to me was beyond a gift. I was exposed to so many different great albums and bands. My mom and dad had some similar interests and some very different ones as well. My mom was a huge Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground fan so, naturally that got passed on to me. When I was around 3 or 4, I remember my mom putting on The Velvet Underground and Nico album. I was stunned at how different it sounded but, I loved it. Thus began my own obsession with The Velvet Underground.
I still remember the needle dropping on the record and “Sunday Morning” started. It was almost like a lullaby. Stunningly beautiful and so different. Then “I’m Waiting For The Man” comes in and changes the entire direction of the album. The story that Lou Reed conveys is so realistic. Granted when I was a little kid, I had no idea what he was talking about but, thankfully my mom explained it to me so I could understand it. As the album goes on songs like “Femme Fatale,” “Venus In Furs,” “Run Run Run,” “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” “There She Goes Again,” “The Black Angel’s Death Song,” and “European Son,” would strike a chord with me and so many other people. The magnitude of depth, storytelling, and the way the music hits is astonishing. Of course, the most famous song from the album “Heroin” is a classic among classics. There is a true beauty in the way the song plays out. The build up to the chaos is mind blowing. The way Lou Reed makes you feel like you are on the journey with him is unparalleled. Lou was a masterful writer and story teller. I was also a little bit obsessed with this song and would play it over and over. I even knew all the words to it, which was pretty odd and strange, especially for a young child.
The Velvet Underground were a band that inspired so many other bands. Generations of bands since the album was released in 1967, started bands because of this album. Lou Reed was a big inspiration to me as a writer. The way he was able to connect his life and stories into song is inspiring. The Velvet Underground were unique, different, and and their own thing. They were part artsy, part psychedelic, part rock, and part blues. They were the ultimate package and continued to be a great band with albums like White Light/White Heat and Loaded. The Velvet Underground and Nico is now 50 years old and is still a great album that will stand the test of time for so many years to come.
I have to really thank my mom for getting me into such a wonderful band. The cars rides listening to music with both my mom and dad were always great. So many different bands were played and most of them are still constantly played to this day. So if you all have a chance to, go thank your parents for showing you their music and getting you into so many great bands.
The year was 1990 and the musical landscape was about to change. The youth of that era was full of angst and just waiting to explode. Before the “Seattle Sound” became the soundtrack to many lives, there was a film that helped to bring awareness to what was going on, and that film was Pump Up The Volume. Not only was that film poignant for what it dealt with in terms of suicide, depression and general teenage angst but, the soundtrack that accompanied it was absolutely stellar. The soundtrack includes songs by Concrete Blonde, Bad Brains with Henry Rollins, The Pixies, Soundgarden, Sonic Youth and so many other great bands. The official released soundtrack leaves off a plethora of other gems like, “Scenario” by the Beastie Boys. Christian Slater’s character explains this when he introduces it on the air saying, “Now here’s a song from my close personal buddies, the Beastie Boys…a song that was so controversial they couldn’t put it on their first album.”
Take a few moments to revel in a great soundtrack. And take some time to watch the movie as well. It’s a great film, that still holds and still hits the mark with it’s message. Also on a side note, the film is directed by Allan Moyle, who also did Empire Records!
What do you get when you mix bits and pieces of the best parts of the 80’s a la Iron Maiden, Dio, Metallica, a dash of early 2000’s rock and a touch of glam? Well the answer is Edge of Paradise. This Los Angeles based band has been steadily making a name for themselves with their electric live shows and throwback sounding tunes. Edge Of Paradise’s melodic heavy rock is the right sound at the right time. Fronted by singer Margarita Monet and her sultry vocals, she guides the rock to where it needs to be. The band consisting of Dave Bates, John Chominsky, Nick Ericson and David Ruiz, pack a blistering punch with their rock assault. The addition of guitarist David Ruiz, who I’ve seen and heard in other bands, really adds another layer of heavy to the band. Their new album ALIVE, is full of dark and epic songs that will leave you swaying and grooving along.
Edge Of Paradise- Alive:
Upcoming Tour Dates:
06/28 Lucky Strike Live Hollywood, CA
07/28 Funhouse Seattle WA
07/29 Rock Hard PDX Portland, OR
08/08 Dipiazzas Long Beach, CA
08/09 Brick By Brick San Diego, CA
08/25 Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor Reno, NV
Sometimes I wonder whose idea is it in the band to suggest a cover song. At times I wonder why the band picked “that” song to cover. So, now I’m curious to know what you all think about this cover. In 2000, on Disturbed’s debut album The Sickness, they covered Tears For Fears “Shout.” David Draiman, for all his animal noises and annoyances, has one hell of a voice. This cover is pretty solid, though nothing special, like their cover of “The Sounds Of Silence.”
I was combing through my CD/Record collection the other day and I noticed that I have quite a few albums by strictly instrumental bands. There is something truly remarkable about being able to create a piece of music that hits all the right emotions and feelings with just music and no lyrics. So, naturally this got me thinking I should compile a list of the best instrumental bands.
This list is in no particular order and needs your input!
01) Explosions In The Sky
02) This Will Destry You
03) Moving Structures
04) Russian Circles
05) And So I Watch You From Afar
06) Apocalyptica
07) Godspeed You Black Emperor
08) If These Trees Could Talk
09) Pelican
10) Mogwai
11) Red Sparrows
12) Orbital
13) Set and Setting
14) 65 Days of Static
15) The Cancer Conspiracy
16) Battles
17) Stars Of The Lid
18) Mono
19) Tangerine Dream
I’m seriously beyond stoked on Less Art. I’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of their debut since it was announced who was in the band. After the first single “Pessimism As Art” was released, I got extremely giddy and listened to the song on repeat for the next few days. Now, today, Less Art released another song from their up coming debut entitled “Wandering Ghost.” This track is continues the great foundation that “Pessimism” laid down. Strangled Light is shaping up to be quite the debut.
Less Art are the type of band that deserves your attention. There is real depth and passion in each of these songs. The sheer joy of creating this music comes through in each of the members performances.
Check out “Wandering Ghost!”
Less Art- Wandering Ghost:
Less Art- Pessimism As Denial:
Less Art Tour Dates:
08/04 San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern
08/05 Oakland, CA – 1234 Go! Records
08/06 Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
09/14 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
09/15 Boston, MA – Middle East
09/16 Washington, DC – Songbyrd
09/17 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
What do you get when you mix bits and pieces of the best parts of the 80’s a la Iron Maiden, Dio, Metallica, a dash of early 2000’s rock and a touch of glam? Well the answer is 
