The Velvet Underground is in my top 10 of favorite bands of all time. Lou Reed has always been an inspiration to me in the way he writes music and tells stories through his lyrics. Almost 15 years ago Dave Navarro released a solo album called Trust No One that was really quite good. On this album he included a cover of “Venus In Furs.” This is a different approach to this song than the original, and is quite good. Take a listen to Dave’s and the original, and experience something intriguing. On a side note, Roy Mayorga (Soulfly, Stone Sour, Nausea, Abloom) played drums on this track.
One of the best bands from the early 90’s alternative scene has to be hands down Jane’s Addiction. They were such a bright spot for artistic imagination. Their influence of many genres allowed their music to go beyond the norm. During their brief early career, they managed to release two of the most iconic alternative albums ever, Nothing’s Shocking and Ritual De Lo Habitual.
Nothing’s Shocking is their absolute gem in their catalog. There is something truly spectacular about this album. A good portion of the best songs on the album were written by Eric Avery. Dave Navarro’s guitar playing has always been underrated in my opinion. And Stephen Perkins drumming is always right on. Songs like “Mountain Song,” “Had A Dad,” “Ocean Size,” “Pigs In Zen,” “Ted, Just Admit It,” and the ever overplayed “Jane Says,” are all complete standouts. The entire album start to finish is great.
Ritual De Lo Habitual really took a chance in exploring where the band could go. They really experimented with genres mixing in a bit of funk to their vibe. It’s this album that I think persuaded the Red Hot Chili Peppers to ask Dave Navarro to join the band for One Hot Minute (another unsung masterpiece in my humble opinion). There was also an added element of pop music in the way of really catchy choruses in songs like “Stop!,” and “Been Caught Stealing.” But there are such other great songs on this album like “Three Days,” “Obvious,” Ain’t No Right,” and “Of Course.”
Jane’s Addiction through all their ego trips and break ups have remained one of the most influential bands of the last 30 years. These two albums have helped influence countless bands over the years. The way they kept to their artistic integrity shows how creative they really are.
If I had to pick between these two I’d go towards Nothing’s Shocking. I jut love the purity in that album and the songs. That album has always stood out to me amongst their catalog and holds up beyond them all.
I’ll admit I was late to the party with Type O Negative. Any of the songs I heard growing up I enjoyed but I never delved into their albums until a few years ago. With all that in mind going back and listening to albums such as Bloody Kisses and October Rust, really cemented in my mind that, Type O Negative is one of those bands that were underrated and influenced so many bands. Peter Steele’s voice was something special. His deep monotone voice carried bits of melody making it gentle to listen to but also presented a sensual experience while the music of Josh Silver, Johnny Kelly and Kenny Hickey was sonically dark, heavy and beautiful. The haunting eerie soundscapes that were a part of their sound made listening to them quite pleasant. Sadly in 2010, Peter Steele passed away from heart failure. This also meant the end of Type O Negative. Thankfully their catalog is so good and still packs quite a punch to this day, that Peter’s legacy carries on.
Live shows are beyond powerful. There is something really special when you can have a deep connection with an audience no matter how big or small. Friday night was an evening that belonged to the very deserving Socionic. Their new album Dividing Horizon just came out and it is spectacular. Their performance this night was outstanding. I’ve seen a lot (and I mean a lot) of bands in my life and Socionic just left a mark in my mind. Just as With Our Arms To The Sun has been able to do, Socionic grabs you from the first note all the way to the end. As they were the highlight of the night, there were a few other bands that really hit it home.
First up was Here Lies The Hero. This 5 piece post hardcore band similar to the likes of Letlive and Norma Jean, took charge to the stage. You could tell by watching them on the Viper Room’s stage that they are a very energetic band. I was waiting for them to lash out and go nuts, but they restrained themselves and focused on delivering a solid performance of mainly new material that sounded great. They really set the tone for the night.
Next up was the very interesting prog rock band Elixir On Mute. Guitarist Jordan Ferreira is a shredder amongst the best. His command of the guitar is captivating. Joining them for their live set was bassist Matt Denis (also of Socionic). Their set was very free flowing, allowing for the music to do the talking. Granted I wasn’t a fan of the vocals from the recordings I heard before seeing them, this band live really kills it.
The highlight of the night was Socionic. They are the real deal. They made the small Viper Room stage seem huge as they delivered on every song with tight precision and gusto. Singer Michael Meinhart, is so passionate in his delivery. Vocally he has range and personality along with solid melodies. Musically the band is tight and full of the prowess needed to deliver the lie performance. Their set consisted of songs from their EP Identity and new album Dividing Horizon. One of the coolest things I saw during their performance was the guy standing next to me. He had to be no older than 21 and was singing along to all the songs he knew. It was one of those moments that reminded me of myself when I was younger. Socionic has the music and live show to really leave a mark amongst all their peers.
It’s nights like this that make me long for the days of going to shows and being wowed by the bands I see. The entire night was filled with one good band after another. On an interesting note as well, The Viper Room is fast becoming the it place to play in Hollywood now.
Since starting Audioeclectica, I’ve developed a more mature appreciation for instrumental bands. In the past I would generally bypass them, unless I were at a festival or needed background music. The great thing about instrumental bands is the journey they take you on, leaving it all open to interpretation and your imagination. This weeks band of the week, If These Trees Could Talk, hooks you in with their gentle sounds, then pulls you in further as the music gets deeper and heavier. The band sites Mogwai, Tool, Red Sparowes, …And you will know us by the trail of dead as their main influences. And you can tell that there are elements of each of those bands in their music. If These Trees Could Talk released 3 albums through The Mylene Sheath before signing to Metal Blade records. Their new album is slated to be released late 2015 or early 2016. Keep track of this band, as I’m sure they will be a band to look out for in the post-metal world.
I remember the first time I heard Spineshank’s version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” from their first album Strictly Diesel. I was absolutely mortified. And this is coming from someone who isn’t much of a Beatles fan at all. I’d also like to mention that I really do like Spineshank. Especially their albums The Height Of Callousness and Self Destructive Pattern, but this is just bad! So without wasting anymore time writing anything, take a listen and you’ll hear why this is one of the worst covers ever.
One of the early bands of the week Ghost Idols, released an epic 7″ early in the summer this year. The 8 minute opus entitled “Monsoons,” goes from ambient to heavy that showcases the bands ability to build sonic landscapes with their music. The cool thing about this release is the experience of listening to it. The song is split into two sides, giving the listener a really intriguing sense of what the band is all about. Ghost Idols are a great band that deserves your attention. They are currently working on a full length expected out late this year or early 2016.
It’s really hard to believe that ten years has passed by this fast. It seems like just yesterday I was at the record store buying Darkest Hour’s Undoing Ruin. That album really cemented Darkest Hour as a force in the metal scene in that era. Not only that, but with the additional help of Devin Townsend on the production end, they were able to build on the sound of a lot of Swedish metal bands were doing like Soilwork and In Flames. Undoing Ruin also marked a point for the band in which they added some more melodic parts including cleaner vocals. Not to take away from their current lineup, but the five guys that appeared as the core lineup on many of Darkest Hour’s best albums made this band what it is. On the guitar side of things, Kris Norris and Mike Schleibaum complemented each other perfectly. Ryan Parrish and Paul Burnette were a beyond powerful rhythm section that pummeled through with tight precision. The album as a whole from start to finish was cohesive and tight. Each song flowed into the next without having any moments to deviate from the order. Songs like “With A Thousand Words To Say But One,” “Convalescence,” “Sound The Surrender,” “These Fevered Times,” and “Tranquil.” are standout tracks on their own, but in the context of the album as a whole, they are even better. Recently, Darkest Hour did a tour playing this album in its entirety. Sadly I missed that show and can only imagine how great it was. Here’s to hoping that this recent tour puts the band in the right mindset to release a new album soon that incorporates more of this type of sound.
It’s a real shame when a band releases an album that is so good and then it goes unnoticed by so many people. Ten years ago the highly underrated band Oceansize released their masterpiece Everyone Into Position. This album was something special and different. The elements of prog rock, space rock, and ambience all find their right place in this album. The band themselves have mixed feeling about this album for some reason. This is one of those albums that with every listen it all starts to sink in more and more. There were bright spots for some of the songs on this album. “Music For A Nurse” was used in an ad campaign for Orange and “Meredith” was used in an episode of The OC. Many regarded this album as a regression for the times. I instead like to look at it as an album and a band that was influenced by a lot of different bands and situations. Sure this type of music for the time seemed dated to some, but to those of us who grew up in the 90’s and loved the feelings we got out of the music, Everyone Into Position was an album that we had been waiting for. Now ten years after its release, the people that disregarded this album are starting to come around to it. It’s amazing what time can do, and how peoples listening habits change. Take this album for a listen and you’ll hear a gem that has gone unappreciated. There isn’t a song on this album that warrants being skipped. Enjoy!
Instrumental bands have the ability to take you different places. The absence of lyrics and vocals allow the imagination to stretch further with no bounds. The weeks band of the week Beware Of Safety adds something a bit different to the instrumental rock landscape. Their new release MABON, is delicate and full of soothing sounds that gets away from the heavier side of things. The use of acoustic instruments and folk influences really helps to separate them from the pack. Since their formation in 2005, Beware Of Safety has released 5 other EP’s/Albums. These guys have the sound that allows listeners and fans of many genres to just sit back and enjoy. MABON is the right step this band. Check them out!
