Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: The Pink Slips

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Ever since I saw them open for Alice In Chains, I can’t stop listening to The Pink Slips. Their show was impactful and full of great rock n roll energy and it left me wanting more. The Pink Slips have defined their sound as a fusion of synth-pop, punk, dance, and vintage rock n roll. I’d say that’s a pretty spot on description. Fronted by the very dynamic and forceful Grace McKagan (aka Grave), along with Desi Scaglione (Guitar), Keenan Bevans (Drums), Charlie Anastasis (Bass), and Trent Peltz (Keys/Backing Vox), this five piece is fast becoming a band that is decimating stages and audiences.

The bands debut EP entitled Trigger, is a welcome addition to the rock world. These songs have lush choruses and riffs and rhythms that make you want to get up and move. Because the bands influences stretch from the likes of Iggy and The Stooges and David Bowie to Bikini Kill and Blondie, it’s no surprise to hear them embrace their “pop” side, yet they do it without losing their “edge.” When you hear a songs like “Danger,” “Gimme,” and “Hello Heaven” you can really hear both sides of the above.

As I mentioned when I saw them live, I was totally taken aback. Their live show is tight and full of energy. So much energy that The Pink Slips will have you in a frenzy when their set ends. It’s a refreshing thing in today’s music climate to have a band like The Pink Slips out there brining that ferocious rock energy back to the youth. The future is bright for this band, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.

 

The Pink Slips- Trigger EP:

 

The Pink Slips- Trigger (Video):

 

The Pink Slips- I’m Ready:

 

The Pink Slips- Animal:

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

On The Rise: Vein

 

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There is a band that is out and about right now that is decimating audiences where ever they play. Their debut full length is leaving a lasting mark in the heavy music circles. And the best part is they are still so young. I’m talking about the band Vein. This is one hell of a band and they deserve your attention.

Vein formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 2013. Their music takes bits and pieces from metalcore, hardcore, punk, and a hint of early nu-metal. Their debut album Errorzone, is one of 2018’s most acclaimed albums. The album in no way sounds forced or out of place. You can tell that each member of the band has studied their influences and without trying to duplicate what they’ve heard, Vein has managed to make something that sounds inspired. There is a real sense of urgency to these songs and album. It’s almost like a call to arms of the entire scene. The length of Errorzone is barely 30 minutes. That tells you that there is no letting up. The eleven songs on the album pummel from the instant the album starts to the end.

Errorzone is just the beginning for Vein. They are on to something that reaches beyond just the hardcore genre. The way they experiment shows that they have so much more to offer. It’s going to be really fun to watch this band progress over the years. Vein is here to inject their style into you and let it take over.

 

Vein- Errorzone:

 

Vein- Virus://Vibrance:

 

Band Of The Week: Daughters

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As a music fan I can appreciate the concept of artistry when it comes to making music. Not everything has to formulaic in the sense of verse, chorus and repeat. There is something provocative about a band that is willing to experiment and step outside the box. One such band that I’ve come to really enjoy over the past couple years is Daughters. This newly reformed band has now unleashed two songs from their upcoming and long awaited album You Won’t Get What You Want, which comes out October 26 (via Ipecac Recordings). Daughters is one of those bands that gets lumped into many sub-genres such as nosie-rock and mathcore but, to me they have always just been an alternative rock/metal band. The bands previous three albums, Canada Songs, Hell Songs and self titled album are expansive and show a band willing to change and evolve the right way. Daughters are one of those bands that when you really sit and listen to everything musically and lyrically, there is something truly astonishing about the artistic development and depth each member brings to the band.

 

Daughters- Satan In The Wait:

 

Daughters- The Reason They Hate Me:

 

Previous Albums:

Canada Songs:

 

Hell Songs:

 

Daughters:

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:

October 31 Richmond, VA Strange Matter

November 1 Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery

November 2 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church

November 3 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Bazaar SOLD OUT

November 4 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus SOLD OUT

November 8 Los Angeles, CA The Echo SOLD OUT

November 9 Los Angeles, CA The Echo

November 10 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill

November 11 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill

November 13 Seattle, WA Highline

November 15 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge

November 17 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen SOLD OUT

November 18 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen SOLD OUT

 

Band Of The Week: Entry

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Punk and hardcore have been a favorite of mine for pretty much my entire life. There is something so beautiful in the volatile and extreme nature of the music that resonates so well. There is a band in Los Angeles that is disrupting the scene and leaving one hell of a mark. The band I’m talking about is called Entry and they are fanfuckintastic. Originally formed as just a duo with screamer Sara Gregory and her partner Clayton Stevens (who plays guitar in the underrated Touche Amore), the band has now grown to a four piece that also features Christopher Dwyer of Ghost Idols on drums and Sean S on bass.  Since Their inception, Entry has fast become one of the bests underground bands in LA. Their music and live shows are full of piss and vinegar that harks back to the days that Black Flag was hitting their stride. Entry is the type of band in the punk/hardcore scene that is a real force to be reckoned with and I’d dare anyone to try and take them on!

 

Entry:

Band Of The Week: Zaius

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A few months back I was introduced to an instrumental band that really hit home with me. Their music is full of lush sonic landscapes, thoughtful rhythmic structures and an all around vibe that is hypnotic and psychedelic but with a hook. The band I’m talking about is called Zaius, and they are excellent. Their debut full length album Of Adoration (released by Prothetic Records), is one of the best instrumental albums I’ve heard in a long time. There are moments while listening to the album that are akin to the likes of  the band Explosions In The Sky as well as The Ocean. Zaius has a real knack for creating songs that hit from the inside out. While listening you can feel the emotions pouring out of each member of the band by the way they are playing their instrument as well as how the songs shift. Zaius are the perfect band for a late night drive or an evening with your favorite beverage and your headphones on, just escaping everything.

 

Zaius- Of Adoration:
Zaius- Seirenes (Video):

Band Of The Week: Low Dose

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It always sucks when a band you dig breaks up. In this case the band I’m referring to is Fight Amp. They were one hell of a rad band, and I had hoped that when they announced their end they would be back soon with something new. Well my hoping has been answered in the form of Low Dose. Hailing from Philadelphia, the members of Fight Amp have teamed up with Itarya Rosenberg to bring about some crushing heavy rock tunes. So far only one song has been released, “For Sure,” but it sure is badass. It’s got that “grungy” 90’s vibe to it and some really great punk attitude. While the band has an album done and ready to go, they are looking for the right home to release it. So that might be a minute till we hear more from Low Dose. In the meantime though, I’ll be jamming “For Sure” a lot!

 

Low Dose-S/T (well just For Sure):

 

Band Of The Week: Visitors

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When you are part of a genre such as post hardcore, it can be at times hard to stand out from the pack. Luckily, Visitors have carved out their own little path. This Salt Lake City based band have an album called Crest, that is deep and full of substance. Crest is also a album that acts as a continuation of a concept and storyline they introduced in the previous release, 2017’s EP Vortices, A Foreword. Visitors have the post hardcore sound on lock but they also incorporate bits of prog and ambience, thus creating a grandiose sound that is full of energy. The 9 songs that appear on Crest, flow the way an album should. Songs like “Pollyanna,” “Sea Of Limbs (A Diminsher),” “Apoplexia,” “Monachopsis,” and “In Whole (Encased)” are among the stand out tracks. The best way to describe Visitors is, imagine if Circa Survive/Saosin and Glassjaw were put in a blender and then topped off with bits of Deftones and At The Drive In (In Casino Out era).

 

Visitors- Crest:

 

Visitors- Pollyanna:

 

Visitors- Apoplexia:

Band Of The Week: Gyre

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Honesty is something I look for in bands. What I mean by that is, when I’m listening to a band, I want to be able to hear the true conviction in their music and words. A lot of bands I’ve heard over the years really just half ass it and don’t put their all into it. You can tell when you listen to those bands. Recently I came across a band that stays true to their convictions and their attitude shows through their music. I’d like to introduce you to Gyre. This three piece band from the NY/NJ area is quite a bright spot. Their music is heavy rock with splashes of prog, groove and a touch of thrash, all of which makes for a grand listening experience. Gyre have released three previous EP’s and have now put out their first full length album entitled Shared Visions and it’s ripe with all the rock you’d want and need. I like to think of it as a great album for a long drive and just escaping the world. As a three piece singer/bassist Ian McCarthy, guitarist Juan Soaz, and drummer Pablo Carpio have carved out a little niche for their blend of heavy rock. Shared Visions is definitely one of the best albums of 2018 and it deserves your attention.

 

Gyre- Shared Visions:

Band Of The Week: Del Judas

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It seems that the post-punk genre has really taken over as of late. There are so many bands that have come about in the past couple years that have incorporated the post-punk sound a la Joy Division, Bauhaus and so many other influential bands from the beginning. I’ve come across a few that really stand out and have made “that” sound into something cool and different. One band that I’ve heard recently is Del Judas. Instead of just relying on post-punk influences, Charlie Schmid aka Del Judas has taken a different approach. You might also recognize Charlie from his time playing drums in the band Tombs along with a few others.  Growing up in a household that listened to country music and artists like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline to name a few, had a profound effect on Charlie. So by taking those childhood influences and melding them together with the likes of Joy Division, Bauhaus and a touch of Chris Isaak, Del Judas stands out on it’s own merit and sounds different and fresh. There are some moments throughout the album that almost seem like they are inspired by Leonard Cohen too.  The debut album “DEITY” will be out July 13 via Primal Architecture.

Del Judas is definitely one of the bright spots of an already exciting year for music. Personally, I can’t wait to see what’s to come for this project and for people to hear how damn good it is.

 

Del Judas- Of Love And Death:

 

 

Del Judas- Through The Glass:

Band Of The Week: Repentance

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Heavy music comes in all shapes and styles. There are the bands that have bits of melody to go along with the rifftastic jams. Then there are the bands that just go for the complete brutality approach to heaviness. And then in between you have so many different styles and subgenres that it starts to become a bit overwhelming yet at the same time quite fun to check out.

I’d like to introduce you to Repentance. This Chicago based metal band hits all the right notes with their unrelenting onslaught of heavy riffs, crushing rhythms and subtlety brutal vocals. The first song released so far called “Collide” is quite a statement for the gents in the group but also as a brand new band. Led by Shaun Glass (formerly of Broken Hope, Soil, Dirge Within) his riff based mentality is the perfect push this band needs coming out of the gate. The addition of vocalist Robby Fonts (of Stuck Mojo), lead guitarist Markus Johansson, drummer Anthony Lien and bassist Mike Sylvester has made this a well balanced metal band.

Repentance is due to make their live debut opening for Trivium in Chicago. That’s a great way to introduce the band to the masses.

 

Repentance- Collide: