The other day I was talking with a friend and he asked me what my top 10 favorite Radiohead songs were. When asked such a question I felt compelled to start making my Ultimate Set List for Radiohead. This one wasn’t easy but it wasn’t that difficult. I surely hope Radiohead has plans for a full US tour soon. It’s been too many years since I saw them last and I need my fix!
Live Review: The Atlas Moth at The Resident
Through all the many years I’ve been going to concerts and the countless number of bands I’ve seen, it all comes down to one thing, you either have “IT” or not. Last night at The Resident, one of my new favorite places to see a show, I got to witness the greatness that is The Atlas Moth. Since the release of their new album Coma Noir in early 2018, I’ve been waiting to see them live. It is worth noting that Coma Noir is my album of the year so far.
The Atlas Moth live is tremendous. The fury and volume each member emits while on stage is astounding. Their sound which is a mix of psychedelia, sludge metal and bits of black metal comes across live in a way that is almost hypnotic. On top of the musical trance they put you in, their visual elements with lights and lasers really helps to take you to another dimension. Their set while only 40ish minutes was enough to leave me in awe. Songs like “Galactic Brain,” “Actual Human Blood,” “Smiling Knife,” “The Streets Of Bombay” and “Coma Noir” were absolutely stellar live. The whole set was, not just those songs. Needless to say The Atlas Moth have fast become a new favorite of mine.
The Atlas Moth are one of those bands that when you first hear them your interest will definitely be peaked. Then when you see them live, it all makes sense and you are left with a sense of astonishment and desire to go home and play. At least for me, seeing The Atlas Moth made me want to go home, pick up my guitar and start jamming. I also had the chance to talk to Stavros, the singer/guitarist before the show and he couldn’t have been a more down to earth genuine dude. Thanks for the chat.
Do yourself a favor and listen to Coma Noir by The Atlas Moth. Let the music overtake you and put you in that “trance.”
The Atlas Moth- Coma Noir:
The Atlas Moth- Live At The Resident:
New Release: Thrice- The Grey
Thrice have released a new song called “The Grey.” The band announced today (after months of rumors) that they have signed with Epitaph Records and are going to be releasing a new album later this year along with a full scale headline tour which starts September 21 in San Diego and ends in Los Angeles November 18. Joining Thrice on tour will be The Bronx.
“The Grey” sounds like Thrice. It sort of picks up where they left off on To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere with a bit of the Major/Minor sound.
Thrice- The Grey:
Thrice Tour Dates:
09/21 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
09/22 Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
09/24 Austin, TX – Emo’s
09/25 Houston, TX – House of Blues
09/27 Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
09/28 Orlando, FL – House of Blues
09/29 Atlanta, GA – The Buckhead Theatre
09/30 Charleston, SC – The Music Farm
10/02 Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
10/03 Richmond, VA – The National
10/04 Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
10/06 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
10/07 Boston, MA – House of Blues
10/09 Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
10/10 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
10/12 Chicago, IL – House of Blues
10/13 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
10/14 Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
11/02 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
11/03 Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
11/04 Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
11/06 Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
11/07 Denver, CO – TBD
11/09 Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
11/10 Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
11/11 Lawrence, KS – The Granda
11/13 Dallas, TX – House of Blues
11/14 Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater
11/16 Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
11/17 Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
11/18 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Unsung Masterpieces: Snapcase- Progression Through Unlearning
There are certain albums that over the years have made quite an impact on so many bands. In the punk, hardcore/post hardcore genres specifically there is one album that is often sited as a huge inspiration not only in songwriting but also production. That album is Snapcase’s 1997 album Progression Through Unlearning. Just as The Shape Of Punk To Come by the Refused helped to change the landscape of hardcore and punk, Snapcase really ignited a fuse within the hardcore/punk community.
Interestingly, Progression Through Unlearning was actually a rebirth of sorts for the band. Their primary songwriter, guitarist Scott Dressler, left the band for graduate school. Thus leaving the rest of the guys in their tiny, dungeon-like basement practice space with a new member and a new lease on band life. The first song they wrote with their new line up was the first song on the album “Caboose.” Progression Through Unlearning was produced by the now legendary Steve Evetts. The band chose Steve based on his work on Lifetime’s Hello Bastards and Deadguy’s Fixation on a Coworker.
The finished product was 32 minutes of pure and unrelenting hardcore. The band has stated over the years that with Progression and working with Steve Evetts, it was the first time anyone had been able to capture the true essence of what Snapcase really is. Something else that makes this album stand out from all their others is the lyrical content. Progression Through Unlearning was based around the idea of self-improvement through inward reflection. It encouraged the listener to take a look at the layers that society defined them by to discover the strength buried underneath.
After Progression was released, Snapcase hit the road with bands like Deftones and Quicksand, as well as a spot on the Vans Warped Tour. The legacy of the band’s live shows and this album in particular has helped to pave the way for so many bands that came after them. The production of this album is something that sort of also lives in infamy. So many bands, including Deftones have tried to replicate what was created with Progression Through Unlearning.
Snapcase were always out there on the road and grinding it out through 2005 when they called it quits. Over the years though, Snapcase have reunited for various one off shows. Now in 2018, it seems that Snapcase are preparing for a return and it will be one welcomed with open arms.
Snapcase- Progression Through Unlearning:
Snapcase- Spike Up Your Tone (first new song in 16 years!!!!):
Cover Song: Spotlights (The Cure)- Faith
Ever since I heard the album Seismic by Spotlights, I just can’t get enough of them. They are one of the bright spots in today’s music scene. They have an EP called Hanging By Faith which is out in a couple weeks (June 15 to be exact) which features a really great cover of The Cure’s song “Faith.” Spotlights really knocked it out of the park with their version. It harks back to that era of The Cure but also shows the dynamic range of what Spotlights are more than capable of.
Spotlights- Faith:
Spotlights- Seismic:
Album Review: Baptists- Beacon Of Faith
It’s been four years since Baptists have released a new album. Now in 2018, they have put out one of the best heavy albums of the year. The sheer intensity that is emitted from the 13 songs on Beacon Of Faith is astonishing. Chock full of gritty riffs and pummeling rhythms, Baptists have indeed developed their signature sound and left a permanent mark in hardcore/metal music.
The album doesn’t stray far from the bands metallic hardcore roots. What it does have though is more space and vibes as the songs go on. There is a real sense of warmth to this album even with the aggressive and uncompromising nature of the material. Songs like “Worse Than Hate,” “Beacon Of Faith,” “Gift Taker,” “Vicarious Trauma,” and “Bevel Down” showcase the grit and prowess that Baptists do oh so well. Then there are songs like “Indigo Child” and “Eulogy Template” that take what they do and expand it to almost epic proportions.
Beacon of Faith is an album that will cement Baptists as a force to be reckoned with. This album has the feel of a steel toed boot to the throat that won’t let go.
Baptists- Beacon Of Faith:
Bands That Should Return: Skid Row
If there is one band besides Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd that really need to get back together it’s Skid Row. There was something really great about them. One thing I will always remember is seeing Skid Row on Bon Jovi’s New Jersey tour in 1989. It was my first concert ever and one of the best shows of my life. Technically speaking, Skid Row was the first band I ever saw live. Skid Row was impactful and full of attitude that the hard rock/metal world needed at the time.
Cover Song: White Zombie (Kiss)- God Of Thunder
I’m still hoping that one day White Zombie will get back together for at least one show. But at least there is still the music. One of my favorite Kiss songs “God Of Thunder was covered by White Zombie way back when. It’s definitely an interesting cover. Enjoy it!
White Zombie- God Of Thunder:
Kiss- God Of Thunder:
Rob Zombie, Slash, Scott Ian, Tommy Lee, Ace Frehley, Gilby Clarke (from VH1 Rock Honors)- God of Thunder:
Songs In Film: Pixies- Where Is My Mind in Fight Club
I woke up this morning with the Pixies song “Where Is My Mind” in my head. While I was singing the song to myself it made me want to watch Fight Club. To this day, the ending scene of Fight Club when “Where Is My Mind” plays is one of my all time favorite scenes and endings to a film. The placement of the song is absolutely perfect.
End Scene of Fight Club with Where Is My Mind:
Album Rank: Depeche Mode
As a band since 1980, Depeche Mode have cemented their legacy as an influential and inspirational group. They have released albums that will forever be the soundtracks to many lives. Through the years and 14 albums now, Depeche Mode have always followed the beat of their own drummer and their catalog shows that. Some albums are better than others and then there are those albums that are quite underrated. Anyways, below is a ranking of Depeche Mode’s albums from not their best to their best.
