Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Back Pocket Memory

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In all my years as a music fan, there are a few things I look for in bands I listen to, one of the biggest thing is melody. You can be the heaviest band in the world, but if there is no sense of melody, it tends to come across as just noise. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing this band of the week feature to find great bands that are out there that people may or may not have heard of. This week I present to you Back Pocket Memory. This five piece from the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank, California writes music with great melodies and pure passion. The best way to describe the band is if you took Foo Fighters from the era of There’s Nothing Left To Lose and melded it with Incubus. There are heavy moments mixed with great amounts of melody, and softer parts that really show off the dynamics of the band. Their new full length album, Victory and Empire comes out in November and the first single “Rob The Young,” really highlights the growth these guys have shown from their first EP till now. If you like you music with great melodies and a delicate nature of passion and heart, then Back Pocket Memory is the band for you.

Rob The Young:

Catapult:

The Prisonser:

https://www.facebook.com/backpocketmemory

http://www.backpocketmemory.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: He Whose Ox Is Gored- The Camel, The Lion, The Child

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A while back I wrote a band of the week piece about a band from Washington called He Whose Ox Is Gored. They have fast become a band that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed since I found out about them. Their influences of multiple genres have allowed them to experiment to zero in on just what their sound is. I coined them as doom-gaze for their love of doom metal and shoe gaze. Now they have just released their debut full length The Camel, The Lion, The Child. This album is epic by nature and pulls you in with each song. The band has really found their stride especially with songs like “Oathbreaker,” Crusade,” and “Cairo.” There is something aggressive and heavy to the songs, but on a deeper level. Lyrics are scarce yet meaningful, and the band lets the music do the talking, just like how Isis used to do. Another thing that I’ve noticed in the progression of He Whose Ox Is Gored, is that they have really adopted more melody into their songs. Rather than it being a wall of noise, there is a balance between the heaviness and the more delicate nature of some of the parts, especially with the keyboards. The album was mixed by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Isis) and Randall Dunn (SunnO, Earth) and it really shows. This album is a great leap for this band, and it’s only the beginning of where they can go from here.

scale of 1-10: 9

https://www.facebook.com/hewhoseoxisgoredseattle

http://hwoig.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Spiralarms

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In a day and age where bands try to capture a throwback sound, there are very few that can actually hit the mark. Luckily there is a band in the bay area that does, Spiralarms. The band was formed a few years back. The original incarnation was Tim Narducci, Craig Locicero, James Walker and Eric Kretz. I was lucky enough to see this lineup when they first came out. Over the years the line up has changed but the one constant is the music is still pure rock n roll. With influences ranging from Black Sabbath, Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, Down, Alice In Chains, Pink Floyd, QOTSA, and Kyuss, it’s no wonder Spiralarms packs quite the punch. The band has released two albums and are working on a follow up. And now with the lineup of Tim Narducci – Vocals/Guitar, Craig Locicero – Lead Guitar, Cornbread – Bass/Vocal, Brad Barth – Keyboards, and Andy Galeon – Drums, The sky is the limit!!!

https://www.facebook.com/spiralarmsband

Band Of The Week: Meg Myers

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What do you get when you mix the angst of the 90’s along with Fiona Apple and a little Tori Amos? I’ll tell you… you get Meg Myers. Meg has created music that is fresh and real in a world of pop fakers. Her emotion carries through in her vocal delivery. She can sing like the best of them and scream as good if not better than some of the heavier bands. The lyrics are all real and you can relate and feel just what she is singing. Since coming out to California from her native Tennessee, Meg has released 2 EP’s and now just released her first full length album entitled SORRY. There is something truly haunting and beautiful about Meg Myers. Songs like “Desire,” Heart Heart Head,” “Monster,” and “Sorry,” really highlight her abilities. Meg has been on tour with Royal Blood, The Pixies and made festival appearances at Lollapalooza and an assortment of other big festivals. Meg is on the rise and you should take note of her.

Desire:

Heart Heart Head:

Sorry:

Lemon Eyes:

Monster:

Full Set at Lollapalooza:

https://www.facebook.com/megmyersofficial

http://www.megmyers.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Night Verses

12003227_866794286768407_1730607431739606216_nI love that music can take you different places and make you feel something more than you are used to. There truly is something remarkable in the way a band can help heal a wound, soothe your soul, or just be able to let out your aggression. This past week has been very melancholy for myself and while I was sitting and wallowing I came across this band Night Verses.  When I heard the first song on their album Lift Your Existence, “Introducing: The Rot Under The Sun,” instantly there was a connection to their music and lyrics and I knew this band was a keeper. Musically this bands influences range from post hardcore, prog rock. and shoegaze, Imagine Tool, mixed with Deftones, and a bit of Isis and a dash of At the Drive In and you get Night Verses. You can tell by listening, that these guys take what they do seriously as their passion bleeds through each song. Their debut album is 15 tracks of greatness. Recently the band entered the studio with Ross Robinson to work on their follow up album.

Celestial Fires:

Yours:

Be Happy With Yourself, I’m Staying Here In Hell:

I’ve Lost My Way Back Down:

Antidepressants:

https://www.facebook.com/NightVerses

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: FIDLAR

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In todays modern music climate it’s really hard for a new band to leave a lasting impression that not only connects with its fan but with the masses. FIDLAR is one of the exceptions.The origins of the band’s name is an acronym for ‘Fuck It Dog, Life’s A Risk.’ Their blend of garage punk and love of The Pixies really shines through in their music. Now a couple albums into their career, their latest album simply named “Too” is out today. Their live shows are full of extreme amounts of energy and reckless abandon. FIDLAR has also released a slew of videos that really show their personality and humor. The video for “Cocaine” features Nick Offerman walking around drinking and taking a leak wherever he can. Their newest video for the song 40 oz on Repeat” is an homage to some of the funniest videos from the 90’s and early 2000’s. Both of these videos were directed by the very talented Ryan Baxley. These guys might be young, but they understand their influences and where they came from. Check out FIDLAR and you’ll see what I mean.

40 oz On Repeat:


Cocaine:

No Waves:

FIDLAR-Self Titled:

https://www.facebook.com/fidlarLA

http://www.fidlarmusic.com/

Band Of The Week: Dead Empires

11002622_1073591696000466_1349041302344998780_nNestled in Hudson Valley, New York is a three piece band called Dead Empires. These guys have a very deep heavy sound combined with the prowess of gentle melody.Their wide array of influences helps to create lush landscapes of sound, all the while pushing the boundaries of being a traditional instrumental band. Their new album Secret Snakes/ Silent Serpent, has everything a rock music fan would enjoy minus the vocals. I find myself coming up with lyrics and vocal melodies while listening to their album. From what I can tell from their videos online, they put on one hell of an energetic show and their love of the music shows through in all that they do. Dead Empires is alive and well, and on their way to making a name for themselves.

Dead Empires- Secret Snakes/Silent Serpent:

https://www.facebook.com/deadempires

http://deadempires.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Chiefs

10997786_818208184881510_3259382847621711185_nI’ve said it many time before, there are certain areas that really inspire others and bring out the creativity in people. Chiefs is another great example of that. Originally a two-piece that formed in Phoenix, AZ, soon found themselves relocating to San Diego, CA after releasing two demos, touring and playing often around the Phoenix Valley. Shortly after, Chiefs released their third demo EP entitled Buffalo Roam, and added numerous shows to support it, the group became a three-piece with the permanent addition of a bassist which filled out the low-end of the band and exponentially filled out their sound. Chiefs debut full-length, Tomorrow’s Over, is a genuine slab of rock n roll with the added elements of desert/stoner rock. Now a four piece band, Chiefs is definitely a band to look out for, as they take their inspired music on a long journey.

https://www.facebook.com/wearechiefs

http://www.wearechiefs.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Wooden Nomad

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When a band can really encompass their influences in their music yet sound original, it’s quite an accomplishment. Wooden Nomad from Oxnard, CA feature guitarist Angelo Miles, bassist Angel Chavez, drummer Danny Fitz and vocalist Tim Straw. These guys have taken their love of stoner rock especially Kyuss, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden and lots of others from the early to mid 90’s. The music that Wooden nomad has created was made in Palm Desert (birthplace of Kyuss) with producer Brad Garrow. Their first full length, The Sound Of Earth is a heavy, chunky, riff laden album. Having played countless shows and stealing audiences the gents in Wooden Nomad grew even tighter. Now in 2015, they have just released their new album Pain As A Source Of Light. This album shows the growth of the band and just how tight they got since the release of their first album. Wooden Nomad is definitely a band to watch out for.

Take A Listen Here:

https://www.reverbnation.com/woodennomad

https://www.facebook.com/WoodenNomad

http://www.woodennomad.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Moving Structures

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The ability to create moods with music is a wonderful thing. If you can create something that goes further than the norm without words, you know you are really on to something special. Los Angeles’s Moving Structures can do just that. Their music combines elements of prog rock and experimental rock, to create an ambient euphoric experience.  Currently, Moving Structures are in the studio with Aaron Harris of Isis/Palms, working on their new record. Moving Structures really are a tremendous band with the material to back it up.

https://www.facebook.com/MovingStructuresBand

http://movingstructures.bandcamp.com/

By: Brian Lacy