Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Set & Setting

10615423_10152690533272859_574862118202477385_nOne of the things I really enjoy about instrumental bands is the way the music dictates how your mind will react. Being able to touch on emotions without words is quite intriguing. Florida based  Set and Setting are doing just that and bending genres. Their ambient yet heavy music is reminiscent of Explosions In The Sky mixed with parts of Pelican and Russian Circles. Set and Setting’s music cascades with the flow of each note. Relentlessly touring on their own and the release of their first album they developed a name for themselves in the underground scene. Their second album A Vivid Memory was released on Prosthetic Records in 2014. Set and setting show no signs of coming to a halt while touring and playing shows with bands such as Mouth of the Architect, Eyehategod, Pelican, and Pallbearer. Look for Set and Setting when thy come to your area.

Set and Setting- Coping:

https://www.facebook.com/setandsetting

https://setandsetting.bandpage.com/

http://setandsetting.bandcamp.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: MAL

11001536_10152723842696446_2888187563296658093_oI really enjoy when friends of mine recommend bands to me. Recently, my friend Josh of with Our Arms To The Sun (a band that you all should listen to) told me about this band MAL. After giving them a listen I really enjoyed what I heard. These guys have the ability to mix genres and make something genuinely creative. Blending their love of alternative rock, stoner rock, and progressive rock, MAL has been able to create music that is captivating to listen to.  This three piece band really digs deep in their craft. Their newest song Acqua Macabre is part Rush, Tool, and Failure. Musically these guys really know their instruments and know to go from quiet to loud at the right time. I really look forward to seeing what these guys do.

Acqua Macabre:

https://www.facebook.com/malsongs

https://www.reverbnation.com/malsongs

http://www.malrock.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Dust Moth

427364_218211294985454_1613634241_nThe Pacific Northwest is fast becoming a haven for music again. There is a scene brewing up there that is emitting very creative and worth while music. One of those bands is Dust Moth. Combining the influences of hard rock, and shoe gaze, they have created something that is part Deftones (the more ambient White Pony material) and early Smashing Pumpkins. Their 2014 EP Dragon Mouth is six songs of hypnotic energy and leaves you wanting more. Take a listen and you’ll hear what I mean.

https://www.facebook.com/dustmothband

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Hidden Cabins

11096627_867283553334164_5558252026330561227_nThere are certain voices that resonate well within multiple genres. One of my favorite things to hear a singer that is in a heavy rock band and hear them stripped down and let them show how good of a vocalist they really are. I did a band of the week piece a while back on a band called Damn This Desert Air, and their singer Craig Cirinelli has always stayed in my head. Craig has another project called Hidden Cabins. The duo consists of Craig Cirinelli (vocals/percussion) and Brian Hofgesang (guitars/effects/vocals). This two piece collective is genre expanding, melodic, and really soothing. The group has released a  plentiful collection of songs over the last couple years and continue to put out quality songs at a steady pace. With Memorial Day this weekend, Hidden Cabins is the perfect soundtrack for late night BBQ’s, fire pits, and just relaxing.

Hidden Cabins:

http://www.hiddencabins.net/

https://www.facebook.com/hiddencabins

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Vanishing Life

Vanishing-Life-608x422The term “Supergroup” is so over used these days, but in this case it really is quite spectacular. I present to you Vanishing Life. This band is made of of Walter Schreifels of Quicksand/Rival Schools, Rise Against guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Autry Fulbright of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, and drummer Jaime Miller also of Trail Of Dead but also Snot, and The Start. So far they have only released a 7″ with two songs, but those songs are badass. This band has the right amount of raw energy that made all their other bands who they were but the combination of all these guys together makes something that is exploding with melody and breathes in new life to rock music that is desperately needed. The band has already played this past years SXSW festival. Hopefully they have a full length out soon, because this band is awesome!

Vanishing Life- People Running:

Vanishing Life- Expression (Live):

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vanishing-Life

twitter: @vanishinglives

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Sensory Station

10514521_686600778062177_3459686315458984707_nOne of the reasons why I started this blog was to show people that there is so much good music out there that is going unnoticed. And this category of band of the week does just that. This week I bring you Sensory Station from San Diego. This four piece has a really cool vibe that mixes ambience and hard rock in a Pink Floyd meets Tool sort of way with a dash of Explosions In The Sky. Their debut album, Open Your Eyes, was recorded and mixed by Aaron Harris (of Isis/Palms). From the videos they have posted online, their live show looks like it is chock full of energy and invigorating performances from each of the band members. Check out Sensory Station!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/sensorystation

www.sensorystationmusic.com

Sensory Station on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/2T0PWe9yMxsvGzozR1Ex2Z

Band Of The Week: Royal Thunder

10606411_10155069203080024_6098434554060827427_ni’m really loving the return to form of bands trying to write albums. One band that I’ve heard recently that released a great album is Royal Thunder. This four-piece rock band based out of Atlanta, Georgia, blends the timeless elements of heavy classic rock, 90’s grunge and progressive rock. Frontwoman Mlny Parsonz vocals are powerful, emotional, and oh so striking.The balance of their guitar tone, mixed with the thunderous drums and bass really solidify the impact this band has and can continue to make. In 2007 Royal Thunder self-released their debut EP and started touring.  By 2010 Relapse Records took notice and signed the band starting with an official re-release of their self-titled EP and later in 2012 releasing their full length debut, CVI. Their newest album Crooked Doors, is a masterful piece of epic rock. Just listening to the first song on the album “Time Machine,” you know this band means business! 

Royal Thunder- Crooked Doors:

Time Machine Video:

https://www.facebook.com/RoyalThunderMusic

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: The Bloodline

10665389_10152623546144671_5457465118976980338_nModern metal has been taking many different turns over the last few years. There are so many new genres within the metal community that it’s hard to keep up with. One of the genres that have stayed the course has been the melodic metal genre. So many bands, have tried but they don’t understand the key component to the “melodic” sensibility. Thankfully, The Bloodline does know how to incorporate melodic with the heavy. The Bloodline have worked to create a sound that is well balanced between the melodic and the more groove oriented styles.  The Chicago quartet of Travis Neal, Shaun Glass, Chuck Wepfer, and Frankie Harchut really seem to have bled (pun totally intended) their heart and souls into this album and it shows. Songs like “We Are One,” “With Fire (Comes Absolution)” pack a huge punch of heaviness and hooks that leave you banging your head and singing along. The Bloodline are definitely a band you should watch out for if you are a fan of this type of music.

 

With Fire:

 

https://www.facebook.com/thebloodlineofficial

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/we-are-one/id951839102

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: All Hail The Yeti

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Formed in 2006, and armed with a take no prisoners approach All Hail The Yeti earned a very loyal fan base with their sludgy heavy guitars and strong presence on stage that left audiences wanting more. The band was formed by Canadian vocalist and tattoo artist Connor Garritty. They released an EP titled “Trees On Fire With Songs Of Blood,”  in 2010. It began to sink in with local fans with live favorites like “Deep Creek”. During this time the band started playing higher profile show with the likes of Times of Grace, Soulfly, Fear Factory, and Suicide Silence. It had become clear that All Hail The Yeti had grown into much more than a “local” band. In late 2011, All Hail The Yeti entered the studio to record their debut full length, with producers Tommy Decker and Mike Sarkisyan of Spineshank. With songs like of “Suicide Woods”  and “After The Great Fire,” the band has been able to transcend on the fringes of an epic journey and churning vocal melodies. Now in 2015 the band after countless tour and shows, have entered the process of recording their follow up to their debut album.

After The Great Fire:

All Hail The Yeti Live:

Listen at:

www.reverbnation.com/allhailtheyeti

https://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Sierra Swan

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One of the most intriguing things about music is when you are listening to a band and a guest vocalist sings on a song and their vocal performance leaves a lasting impression on you. This happens to me a lot. One of the most memorable of these moments happened when Cold released their album 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage and I heard Sierra Swan sing on the songs “No One” and “Witch.” Her voice stayed with me and I wanted more and her contribution on the next Cold album on the song “Suffocate” further cemented my love for her voice. Fast forward years later when she released her album Ladyland, I immediately scooped that up. Early on in her career, Swan got together with Graham Edwards and formed the band Dollshead. The band was signed and eventually dropped from MCA records. Sierra was also a member of The Black Eyed Peas early on. She has worked with Linda Perry (she produced Ladyland), and most recently worked with Billy Corgan on her 2014 album The Good Soldier. Sierra’s voice is whimsical and takes you on quite a journey through her songs. She has one of the most pure voices in all of rock music. And her guest contributions really take those songs up a notch.

Sierra Swan: Good Soldier

https://www.facebook.com/Swan5

http://www.sierraswan.com/

By: Brian Lacy