Live Review: Blindside at Fonda

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Since the trend started with bands playing albums in their entirety in concert, I’ve really come to enjoy it. Getting to hear the songs you normally wouldn’t hear during a normal set really takes the show up a few notches. Sunday night Blindside returned to Los Angeles for the first time since 2011 and they answered the call with such fire and passion that it was like yesterday they were here.

Opening the evening was Hearts Like Lions. This four piece from Los Angeles reminded me of a heavier Sunny Day Real Estate mixed with Sparta. Their set was electric and the right amount of energy to get the crowd into a frenzy for Blindside. Musically these gents were tight and full of great presence. Hearts Like Lions are one hell of a band live. So much so that the songs sound even better live than on recorded fashion, thus making their live show that much more exciting to watch. Check out these guys!!!

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Blindside took the stage about 30 mins after the openers and came out swinging with “Caught A Glimpse.” Next up was “Pitiful,” which really got the crowd going. Throughout the entire night of the band playing their wonderful 2002 album Silence entirely, the crowd was singing along so loud that it really helped push the band to go all out. Even with a bit of a technical problem during “Sleepwalking,” singer Christian Lindskog used the audience participation to keep the flow of music going with chorus sing alongs. one of the highlights for me this evening was when they played “Thought Like Flames.” Blindside really delivered the good with their Silence set. Their encore was 4 classics and one new track entitled “Grave Digger.” Closing out the night was “About A Burning Fire,” and wow did they go out with a bang.

This was definitely a night to celebrate being a fan of Blindside. They played with so much fire and energy that it was like they haven’t left at all. I really can’t wait for what they come up with next and for their next LA show. Not only that but Hearts Like Lions really captivated me to put them on my bands to watch for in 2016.

Blindside-Silence:

By: Brian Lacy

Photos: Alisa Lacy

Tribute: Scott Weiland

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The music community lost one of the greatest voices last night. Scott Weiland’s voice, presence and words will now forever stand the test of time. Scott’s brilliant melodies could give you chills throughout your body. The way he sang and put himself out there with his words made him something special. His slithering dancing inspired by the likes of David Bowie and Iggy Pop, allowed you to really get in the groove of the music and feel like you were in the song. Through Scott’s career with Stone Temple Pilots, he carved out his place amongst the other bands during his time. He had the ability to reach so many people. Once STP released their classic and in my opinion ultimate masterpiece Purple, you knew that Scott was the real deal. Even his debut solo album 12 Bar Blues was a unique experience and really gave you insight to who Scott was.

I had the pleasure of seeing STP a few times in my life. Any time I saw them, Scott was on his game and delivered great performances. Velvet Revolver was a different story. So I just rather relive my moments with STP to remember Scott by.

When I heard the news of his passing last night, it really caught me off guard. We all knew that this was bound to happen, but the fact that it occurred now, just really bummed me out. It’s truly a beautiful feeling to be inspired and influenced by someone like Scott. Sure he had his demons and other personality traits that might not have been the greatest, but he sure could write great songs. Thankfully there is still the music that will continue on.

Here’s to Scott. Thank you for all the years of great music. May he find the peace he deserves.

 

Unplugged:

 
12 Bar Blues (Solo Album):

 
Purple:

 

Core:

 

Tiny Music… From The Vatican Gift Shop:

 
Number 4:

 

By : Brian Lacy

 

 

 

 

Disturbed (Simon & Garfunkel) The Sounds Of Silence

I recently heard about Disturbed covering Simon and Garfunkel’s classic “The Sound Of Silence.” At first I was a bit skeptical, but after listening a couple times I actually came to enjoy it. Obviously it’s not the original, but it’s a solid cover and done well. Check it out!

Disturbed- The Sounds Of Silence:

Simon & Garfunkel- The Sounds Of Silence:

Guest Guitarist: Jerry Cantrell

 

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Jerry Cantrell is one of my favorite guitar players of all time. He has such a signature sound that it is engrained in the history of 90’s rock. Here is a bunch of songs Jerry has lent his guitar talents to over the years.

 

Damage Plan- Ashes To Ashes:

 

Metallica (Lynyrd Skynyrd)- Tuesday’s Gone:

 

Glenn Hughes (Led Zeppelin)- Misty Mountain Hop:

 

Richie Kotzen- Love Is Blind:

 

Danzig- Hand Of Doom:

 

 

Video Rank: Slipknot

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There are some bands out there that really can captivate you with videos allowing the songs to really stick with you. Slipknot has long been able to do that with their videos. Sure they can get a little weird at times, but it’s just an extension of them through the view of a lens. Here are the top 10 videos by Slipknot.

10) Vermillion:


9) My Plague:


8) Dead Memories:


7) Psychosocial:


6) Sulfur:


5) Wait And Bleed:


4) Snuff:

3) The Devil In I:


2) Duality:


1) Before I Forget:

 

Amazing Albums: Fiona Apple- Tidal

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2016 will mark 20 years since Fiona Apple’s debut album Tidal was released. Recently I was compelled to take a listen back to this angsty masterpiece. This album is one of the most profound albums of the 1990’s and it is drenched in sensuality, danger and depression all in a good way. Songs like “Criminal,” “Shadowboxer,” “Sleep To Dream,” “Slow Like Honey,” “The First Taste,” and “Never Is A Promise,” have long been stellar tracks on this album. Fiona’s voice shows so much vulnerability and despair, it’s no wonder she was able to connect with so many people that listened to her. There is so many adjectives to describe her and this album. Instead of me going on and on, I’ll stop and let you all take a listen to Tidal and you can soak it all in!

Fiona Apple- Tidal:

Album Review: Foo Fighters- Saint Cecilia

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The ability to redeem one’s self in music is a very rewarding thing to accomplish. Last year the Foo Fighters released their very disappointing album Sonic Highways. Sadly that album doesn’t have the legs (get it since Dave only had one leg on tour… shameless pun) to stand on. Thankfully during the Foo Fighters time in Austin for the Austin City Limits Festival, the band gathered at the Saint Cecilia hotel and made an EP that redeems the less fortunate previous album. The five songs on the EP are chock full of riffs from throughout the bands 20 year career. Some of the riffs and ideas have been around since the inception of the band when it was just Dave doing everything. The first song “Saint Cecilia” is 3 and a half minutes of classic Foo Fighters. “Sean” is a little fun fast paced song. “Savior Breath” is the type of rock song that the Foo’s need to base their next album on. This song is beyond a rocker and is sure to be a crowd favorite for years to come. “Iron Rooster” is the weakest song on the collection. The lead guitar parts are really sweet and full of great melodies though. Closing song “The Neverending Sigh” is the best song on the EP. This is another of those songs that needs to usher in the next Foo’s album. The sheer magnitude of bombastic rock that comes out of this song is grandiose.

The Foo’s are on the right track with this redemption EP. That’s what the name of it should have been. It’s great to see a band 20 years into their career and they still have it in them to put out quality. I really thought that with 2011’s Wasting Light, they were on the right track. Here’s to hoping they get back on that track and keep on rolling through.

 

Foo Fighters- Saint Cecilia:

Album Review: Despite The Raven- Hereinafter

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One of the most fulfilling things about writing this blog is the chance to hear new music all the time. Sometimes out of the bunches that are sent my way, there are those that really stand out amongst the pack. Over the weekend I received that debut album from Despite The Raven. I’ve been looking forward to this album for a while now. After hearing Craig Cirinelli in his other bands (Damn) This Desert Air and Hidden Cabins, I had a feeling that this new project would be the next step in his musical path. Teaming up with guitarist Chris Homentosky, this dynamic duo has created an album that stretches past the influences of the 90’s contemporaries and pushes deeper with each song. The eleven songs on this album are full of great rock n roll with added elements of ambience and soulful melodies. Song’s like “Where Fear and Courage Meet,” “Contrition,” “Tarred and Feathered,” “The Opportunist,” “The Maven,” and closing track “Walk Alone (The Unapology)” really showcase what this band is all about. Craig’s lyrics are personal yet open to interpretation allowing an added sense of discovery throughout the album. Despite The Raven are one of those bands that when they start taking the stage you’ll be wanting to pay attention. By the indication of listening to this album, you’ll get swept away by the sheer beauty of it. This album is definitely a cause for celebration. Do yourself a favor and delve into this.

 

Despite The Raven: HEREINAFTER

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Here Lies The Hero

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Since last Friday when I saw Socionic, I’ve been listening to the band that opened the evening Here Lies The Hero. Their blend of metal and post hardcore is quite exceptional. The band formed in 2010 in Texas and relocated to Los Angeles in 2013. Since that time the band has really pushed hard to make a name for themselves, playing shows with the likes of Trivium, Norma Jean, Letlive and countless others. Their 2014 EP Adrift, is a very vulnerable yet full of optimism. Musically this band especially the guitars are technical and precise while full of heaviness and melody. Amongst their peers in this genre of music, Here Lies The Hero are quite the band to watch for.  And by the indication of the new songs they played at the show I saw them at, they are moving in the right direction with what they are doing.

Adrift:

 

Ghosts:

 

Follow The Light:

 

Evensong:

 

Uncharted:

 

https://www.facebook.com/Hereliesthehero

http://www.hereliesthehero.com/

Cover Thursday: Dave Navarro (The Velvet Underground)- Venus In Furs

The Velvet Underground is in my top 10 of favorite bands of all time. Lou Reed has always been an inspiration to me in the way he writes music and tells stories through his lyrics. Almost 15 years ago Dave Navarro released a solo album called Trust No One that was really quite good. On this album he included a cover of “Venus In Furs.” This is a different approach to this song than the original, and is quite good. Take a listen to Dave’s and the original, and experience something intriguing. On a side note, Roy Mayorga (Soulfly, Stone Sour, Nausea, Abloom) played drums on this track.

Dave Navarro- Venus In Furs:

 

The Velvet Underground- Venus In Furs: