Ultimate Set List: Incubus

incubus-logo-rub-on-sticker-s1424r-black-revised.jpg

I’ve been on a huge Incubus kick as of late. They are also preparing to release a new album shortly. Hopefully it’s a return to form. While in my Incubus mode, I came up with my “Ultimate Set List” for them.

As usual here are the rules:

Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show

Rule 3: maximum 25 songs

Lineup: Brandon Boyd, Mike Einzinger, Jose Pasillas, Alex Katunich (aka Dirk Lance), DJ Kilmore

Venue: Roxy Theater

Set List:

01) Redefine
02) When It Comes
03) Anna Molly
04) Circles
05) Adolescents
06) The Warmth
07) A Crow Left Of The Murder
08) Under My Umbrella
09) A Kiss To Send Us Off
10) Privilege
11) In The Company Of Wolves
12) Sick Sad Little World
13) Nowhere Fast
14) New Skin
15) Pantomime
16) Megalomaniac
17) Make Yourself
18) Dig
19) Pardon Me

Encore:

20) Nice To Know You
21) Glass
22) Vitamin
23) A Certain Shade Of Green
24) Take Me To Your Leader

 
Fungus Amongus= 1
SCIENCE= 5
Make Yourself= 6
Morning View= 3
A Crow Left Of The Murder= 4
Light Grenades= 3
If Not Now When= 2

 

 

Anticipated Albums: Darkest Hour- Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora

15492527_10155148834899415_7908509637641738261_n.jpg

Often time as bands go through lineup changes, it takes a while for the band to get back in the swing of things. The new members have a different way of playing and bring a different energy that takes the music on a detour. Then over time as they grow more comfortable, the band comes back to where they should be. Darkest Hour is one of these bands. On their upcoming 9th album, the gents in Darkest Hour have returned to their roots and are about to deliver their most ferocious album in years. You can tell by listening to the first few songs released that these guys mean business. By working with producer Kurt Ballou of Converge and bringing in former guitarist Kris Norris, Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora takes you back to the days of The Mark Of The Judas, Hidden Hands Of The Sadist Nation era. Darkest Hour are unleashing the heavy!

 

Darkest Hour- Knife In The Saferoom:

 

Darkest Hour- Timeless Numbers:

 

 

 

 

Cover Comparison: Pantera vs Machine Head (Black Sabbath)- Hole In The Sky

10697292_723168117777156_4168158518538488340_o311.png

 

I’ve got a really fun cover comparison for you all. Pantera and Machine Head have both covered Black Sabbath’s “Hole In The Sky.” I’m curious to know what version you all think is the best. Take a listen, and let me know what you think!

 

Pantera- Hole In The Sky:

 

Machine Head- Hole In The Sky:

 

The Original: Black Sabbath- Hole In The Sky:

Soundtrack Only Songs: L.A. Guns and Ratt from Point Break

point_break_ver1.jpg

One of my all time favorite action movies, Point Break , has a really awesome soundtrack. There are two songs on it that have always stuck out to me. They were also written exclusively for the soundtrack. The two songs are “Over The Edge” by L.A. Guns and “Nobody Rides For Free” by Ratt. If you don’t remember where the two songs are in the movie, I’ll tell you. “Over The Edge” was placed when Johnny is at Bohdi’s house for the party and he’s in the room with all the surfboards and pictures. Also the scene where Bohdi asks Utah, “are you up for a little stealth mission.” “Nobody Rides For Free” appears at the end of the film as Utah tosses his badge into the ocean. So now that you are replaying the movie in your head, take a listen to these two songs.

L.A. Guns- Over The Edge:

Ratt- Nobody Rides For Free:

Guest Musician: James Hetfield

metallica-james-hetfield.jpg

I will go on record saying that James Hetfield is one of the most underrated singers and guitarists EVER! And even though he’s been busy with Metallica for the past 30 plus years, James still finds time to do some guest spots on other bands albums. Here are some of the songs James has guested on over the years.

 

Corrosion of Conformity- Man or Ash from Wiseblood (Guest Vocals):

Danzig- Twist of Cain & Possession from Danzig I (Guest Vocals):

Primus- Eclectic Electric from Antipop (Guest Guitar):

South Park- Hell Isn’t Good from Bigger Longer & Uncut (Vocals):

Heart- Beautiful Broken from Beautiful Broken (Guest Vocals):

Top Ten Bands A-Z: O

10697292_723168117777156_4168158518538488340_o311.png

The A to Z  list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. O is here and needs help to complete the list. As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list. These are in no particular order as well.

 

01) Ozzy Osbourne
02) Oasis
03) Oingo Boingo
04) Roy Orbison
05) Operation Ivy
06) Opeth
07) O’Brother
08) Oathbreaker
09)
10)

Band Of The Week _Updated: Spirit In The Room

16406519_1554524461241751_1907324157105632619_n.jpg

One of my favorite things about doing Audioeclectica and writing about up and coming bands is being able to watch them grow. Some of the bands of the week I’ve written about have really stepped up their games from their first releases. One such band is Spirit In The Room. Led by main songwriter and multi instrumentalist Dennis Sanders, Spirit In The Room has carved out their own niche. The use of electronics and programming fits perfectly with the experimental sort of doom punk rock vibe. There seems to be a river of inspiration flowing through Dennis, as the band is constantly releasing new material that just keeps getting better. One other thing that I really dig about Spirit In The Room is the fact that Dennis isn’t afraid to take chances with his music. There are tons of different influences that poke their heads out in the songs, and that’s what makes Spirit In The Room different and intriguing. Check them out as they are about to embark on a small tour.

 

Cut To The Crash:

 

Meat Themes:

 

Destroyed By The Future EP:

 

Churchburner:

 

 

Worst Cover Songs: Gone Is Gone (Portishead)- Roads

10697292_723168117777156_4168158518538488340_o311111.png

There is a new “collective group” (I’ve stopped using the term Supergroup) out called Gone Is Gone. It’s made up of Troy Sanders of Mastodon, Troy Van Leeuwen of Queens of the Stone Age, Tony Hajjar of At The Drive In and Mike Zarin. On paper this sounds like it could sound really cool, but it just doesn’t do it sadly. So much talent, but the execution is lackluster. Speaking of lackluster, on their full length debut album Echolocation, Gone Is Gone did a cover of Portishead’s “Roads.” Their version really misses the mark and is quite possibly one of the worst covers I’ve ever heard. Hear it for yourself.

Gone Is Gone- Roads:

 

Portishead- Roads (Studio Version from Dummy):

 

 

Portishead- Roads (Live Version from Roseland Ballroom 1998):

Bands That Should Return: The Smiths

The_Smiths_HB_190214.jpg

There are so many bands that broke up way long ago and have yet to return. One of the most sought after reunions  is for Sean Patrick Morrissey and Johnny Marr to put The Smiths back together. The band formed in 1982 but sadly broke up in 1987 when Johnny Marr wanted to expand upon his musical ventures. The Smiths though released four of the most influential and essential albums in music history (The Smiths, The Queen Is Dead, Meat Is Murder and Strangeways, Here We Come). Their songs had parts post-punk, dance pop, and a tinge of shoegaze. Lyrically, Morrissey was a wordsmith. His knack for writing depressing  but subliminally humorous songs was quite striking. Johnny Marr’s style of guitar playing is beyond influential as well. His use of space and atmosphere in the songs and albums was the perfect compliment to Morrissey’s voice.

If you look at the bands that came after The Smiths, you can really hear the influence they had. The “Brit-Pop” movement of the early/mid 90’s with Oasis, The Stone Roses, Blur and others, owe a lot to The Smiths, even if those bands were more commercial. It’s amazing to see how impact The Smiths still have. People flock to see Morrissey live when he comes to town. Johnny Marr is quite the sought after songwriter and player for many bands. He did a stint with Modest Mouse not too long ago.

I truly hope that Morrissey and Johnny Marr can get past whatever issues they have and reunite for the fans. Yes, those two guys will make boat loads of money, but for many of their fans it will be the first time they will get to see them live. If Axl and Slash can get over their issues, they can too.

 

The Smiths:

 

The Queen Is Dead:

 

Meat Is Murder:

 

Strangeways, Here We Come:

 

How Soon Is Now?:

Album Rank: Slayer

2000px-Slayer_wordmark.svg.png

 

Today would have been Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman’s 53rd birthday. So I thought, a fun album rank of all of Slayer’s albums is very appropriate. Here we go from their worst to the best.

 

Diabolus In Musica:

 

Repentless:

 

Christ Illusion:

 

World Painted Blood:

 

Undisputed Attitude:

 

God Hates Us All:

 

Divine Intervention:

 

Haunting The Chapel:

 

Show No Mercy:

 

Hell Awaits:

 

South Of Heaven:

 

Reign In Blood:

 

Seasons In The Abyss: