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!
It’s been over ten years now since Oasis has played a show. Their last album, Dig Out Your Soul, was a return of sorts to the roots of the band. While it didn’t have the “pop” of Definitely Maybe or What’s The Story Morning Glory, it was still a record to be proud of and could stand out in the bands catalog. We all know the stories of the fighting between Liam and Noel Gallagher. It’s really a shame that they can’t seem to figure out how to just get along. Noel has released three solo albums since Oasis’s break up. Each of those albums hark back a little to the Oasis days. After all, Noel was the one that wrote the songs. The second of Noel’s solo albums, Chasing Yesterday, is one hell of a good album. It’s one of those records that just feels right and sounds great too. After the initial break up, Liam and the rest of the members of Oasis formed the band Beady Eye. That band was decent but it sure lacked the substance that Oasis had. Last year though, Liam released his debut solo album called As You Were, and that album is tremendous. There are songs on it that almost feel like they could have been Oasis songs.
In the past couple weeks, Liam was on twitter and tweeted out messages (see below) to Noel, saying that they should knock off what ever it is between them and get the band back together. There are even rumors kicking around that Liam and Noel will reunite on stage at a festival coming up in England, since they are playing the same festival, on different days. Oasis was a band that if you go back and listen to, you can really hear how great they were. Yes, they had massive egos but, there is no denying the bands ability to craft great songs and deliver a great performance. Thankfully I was able to see them back in 2007, and that show was spectacular. I’m hopeful that Liam and Noel and figure out their crap and get the band back to where it was.
This op-ed is a long time coming. This is one topic I’m sure most, if not all, of you will agree with. This is something that has been happening for quite a while, and over the last few years has really become an epidemic. Bands sticking to the same set list night after night, thus creating a massively boring and predictable show. I’ve been seeing it happen with a lot of bands and it’s really getting to me. It’s one thing if you only have one album but, when you are on your third album or more, it’s time to change it up. You wrote those songs for a reason, so play them. I’m not going to by a ticket to the show just to hear the “hits” or singles. When a band has a catalog, I would expect them to really dig in and create a set-list that is full of gusto and history.
Maynard James Keenan of Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer is one of the most eclectic musicians/performers around these days. In addition to his music, wine making, and books, Maynard has been known to dabble a bit in film and TV. The following are a few of the times you might have seen Maynard on screen.
I know I keep bringing this up but I really and truly miss the days when music videos actually meant something. In a way they were short films and the music was the inspiration and guide. I’ll never forget being 7 years old, watching MTV, and seeing the video for Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy.” What a terrific piece of art this video is. Director Mark Pellington really hit a home run with this one. The depiction of the original story of Jeremy to the lyrics of Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, are masterful. Eddie has and always will be one of the best lyricists of all time. His connection to the story and pain through his vocals is astounding, just like the video.
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.
Back in 1999, Nine Inch Nails performed on the MTV Video Music Awards. It was pretty unexpected, especially since NIN never performed on TV. Quick Side Note, It wouldn’t happen again until 2013 when Trent and company performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Which actually is the first time the band has ever performed on a late night talk show. The performance of “The Fragile” on the VMA’s was something hauntingly beautiful, dark and one of the best VMA performances. Plus it featured my all time favorite line up Nine Inch Nails has ever had.
Nine Inch Nails- The Fragile on the 1999 MTV VMA’s:
As you’ve read before, there is a soundtrack/compilation being put out by DC Comics for their upcoming Dark Nights series. Tyler Bates is the mastermind behind the soundtrack. He’s been able to get some really great guests to contribute like Chino Moreno of Deftones and Brann Dailor of Mastodon. Now, Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains is a part of this project. His song “Setting Sun,” is classic Jerry and it’s fantastic. Sounds like it could be a part of the Alice In Chains repertoire as well.
Back in 2003 director Tim Burton approached Pearl Jam to write a new song for his upcoming film Big Fish. After a screening of the film, Eddie Vedder went home after being blown away from what he just watched and wrote “Man Of The Hour” and brought it to the band the next day. The song itself is one of those true gems that when it’s played at Pearl Jam shows, the audience really digs in. Interestingly, back in 2006 while performing in New Jersey, Eddie mentioned to the audience that “Come Back” from the band’s 2006 self titled album (also known as The Avacado album) is set with the same young man from “Man of the Hour” talking to the departed two months later. To me, I love that he continued the story of what he started with “Man of the Hour.” Something else that I found interesting is, this song has been used as a dedication to those who have passed such as Johnny Ramone, Lou Reed and Layne Staley.
There are many reasons to start a side project, perhaps you are not being creatively fulfilled in the band/project you were in or you’ve written a batch of songs that just don’t fit within the band that you’re in. Sometimes its just to explore a different side be it musically or to try something else. There was a side project that came out a few years back that has really stuck out to me since I first heard it. The name of the band/project I’m talking about is Call Me No One and it’s mastermind is Clint Lowery of Sevendust.
The debut album, The Last Parade was released back in 2012 and it’s a bit different than Sevendust. Joining Clint in Call Me No One was his Sevendust bandmate Morgan Rose on drums. Musically the songs are a bit more melodic. Clint described the project as “kind of Nine Inch Nails meets Foo Fighters but with a dark spooky twist to it.” I definitely hear the Foo Fighters side of the equation. CMNO (as the band was referred to at times) really does explore a different side of things for Clint and Morgan. Clint handled all the vocals on the album which really showcases how great of a voice he has. The guitar work on the album is top notch, again showing just how damn good Clint is as not just a guitarist but, as a songwriter as well. Even Morgan’s playing steps outside the Sevendust box and shows just how versatile he really is behind the kit. The songs are pretty solid as well. Tracks like “Thunderbird,” “Soapbox,” “All’s Well,” “Broken Record,” and the closing track “Last Parade,” are stellar. The entire album is pretty damn good. Each song on the album is meant to be there. It’s a full “album” that is full of rocking songs and lyrics that hit home for those listening.
It seems like this was a necessary project for Clint and Morgan to do together. They really got to deviate from what they had been known for and show that they can do more than just the Sevendust style. Though when Clint left the band in the mid 2000’s to do Dark New Day, he was able to spread his wings a bit but, Dark New Day, didn’t really go too far from what Sevendust was doing. No matter what though, Clint Lowery is to me, the secret weapon in Sevendust. He adds so much to the band from his writing, guitar playing and presence. So if you haven’t checked out Call Me No One, now is a good time to do just that.
