Back in 2003, MTV did an ICON tribute to Metallica. Of all the performances of the evening, there was only one performance that really still stood out during that evening, and that was Korn’s version of “One.” Korn has done a bunch of covers over the years and sadly most have fallen flat, but their rendition of “One” is a highlight. Check it out!
Korn-One:
As many of you have read, I’m a big proponent for 90’s rock. I love that I grew up in the era when music transcended a generation just as it did in the 60’s ad early 70’s. One band that I remember hearing way back was Sponge. When I first heard the song “Plowed” in Empire Records, I was hooked. Their debut album Rotting Piñata was a pure slab of alternative rock. Some critics wrote them off as a Stone Temple Pilots ripoff band, but the Sponge had a different vibe. Sure they had the quiet to loud moments, and the deep vocals, but they added a little bit of a punk element and blues to their music. Rotting Piñata was certified gold and was the bands best selling album. Their follow up Wax Ecstatic was a great follow up. Their song “Have You Seen Mary” was featured in Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy. in 1996 Sponge was asked to replace Stone Temple Pilots for Kiss’s reunion tour. Over the years Sponge has continued on with different lineups but have been constantly on the road and releasing albums. They have shared stages the world over with Guns N’ Roses, Nickelback, Iggy Pop, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Kiss, to name just a few. Their most recent came out in 2013.
Sponge is definitely one of the bands front he mid 90’s that got a lot of flack but were really great and still deliver the goods. If you haven’t listened to them ever or it’s been a long time, reach for Rotting Piñata and Wax Ecstatic, you’ll really enjoy yourself.
Rotting Piñata:
Wax Ecstatic:
https://www.facebook.com/Spongerocks
By: Brian Lacy
As June 30th gets closer, my excitement for the new Failure album is growing by extremes. I really think their new album The Heart Is A Monster is going to challenge anything so far and will come out, for album of the year. On Monday, Failure released their video for the first single from their long awaited follow up to Fantastic Planet. Here it is in all it’s glory!
Failure- Hot Traveler:
By: Brian Lacy
Well it’s June and there have been a slew of really great albums released so far, and so many more great ones to come out soon too. Well here’s a recap of the ones that have come out so far IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER.
1. Marilyn Manson- The Pale Emperor
2. Royal Thunder- Crooked Doors
3. Faith No More- Sol Invictus
4. Coal Chamber- Rivals
5. Papa Roach- F.E.A.R.
6. Sleater- Kinney- No Cities To Love
7. Noel Gallaghar’s High Flying Birds- Chasing Yesterday
8. The Bloodline- We Are One
9. Dekades- Dekades EP
10. Anakin- Celestial Frequency Shifter
11. Vanishing Life- Vanishing Life 7″
Coming Soon:
Failure
Refused
Deftones
Fidlar
Team Sleep
Wild Throne
Sidewave
One 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
I love finding multiple versions of covers and trying to figure out what one is better. I’ve always had an admiration for the Beastie Boys and “Sabotage” is one of my favorite songs of theirs. So when I came across these versions by Cancer Bats and Korn/Slipknot I had to share with you all and see what one you thought was best.
Cancer Bats:
Korn/Slipknot:
Beastie Boys:
When you think of Muse you think of vibrant live shows with lots of lights and lasers. Not to mention the direction they went in after their breakthrough album Absolution. Shedding their Radiohead tendencies, Muse delved deep into their love of Queen. On their now seventh album Drones, Matt Bellamy and company took their love of all things Queen and added more guitars to it. Produced by Robert “Mutt” Lange (Def Leppard Pyromania and Hysteria, ACDC Back In Black), Drones is nestled deep in its concept and the arrangements are very tight, but the lyrics suffer. While the band has always been top notch musicians, the lyrics come across as high school and very conspiracy theory like.
There are a few saving graces on the album though. The song “Psycho” is an extremely heavy rocking song that I dare say should have been the first single instead of “Dead Inside. “Dead Inside” is your typical standard song you would expect from Muse nowadays. “Psycho” brings back that intensity that was found on Absolution and Showbiz. “Mercy” has an Ours-esque vibe in the vocal melody. One of the biggest things I noticed in listening to the album was the guitar style that Matt is playing with now. It’s as though he is trying to replicate Tom Morello’s sound and bring it to the Muse fold. Sadly though his attempt falls flat. This is very noticeable on the songs “Reapers” and “Defector.” One of the other highlights I found amongst the album was the song “Aftermath.” There is a really sweet melody that goes along with the song and the guitars sound like they are a part of a Cure song, making this one of the more enjoyable songs on the album. Album closer “The Globalist” starts off with an Ennio Morricone type opener, then proceeds to slow things down almost to a halt.
All in all the album as a whole is very underwhelming. I really enjoyed the albums Showbiz and Absolution. I wish they would go back to their Radiohead tendencies but with a heavier feel. Drones tries to show a more mature side of Muse, but it doesn’t quite get there. This album was supposed to be a more “back to basics” album, sadly their idea of basic isn’t what this turned out to be. Here’s hoping Muse gets back to what they started off as and they stop trying to go over the top with all their grandiose and Queen like vibe.
Psycho:
Dead Inside:
Reapers:
Mercy:
By: Brian Lacy
Last night I was sitting at home watching TV and out of the blue Guns N Roses Estranged popped into my head. Then I proceeded to look up the video for the sing, which got me thinking about all their videos. So I thought today would be ideal to do a top 10 ranking of their best videos.
10) Live And Let Die:
9) Since I Don’t Have You:
8) Sweet Child O’ Mine:
7) Welcome To The Jungle:
6) Paradise City:
5) You Could Be Mine:
4) Patience:
3) Don’t Cry:
2) Estranged:
1) November Rain:
A good friend of mine recently directed this video for Los Angeles based band Fidlar. These garage punks are gearing up to release their second full length album simply titled TOO. Stay tuned for more about FIDLAR in the coming weeks!
FIDLAR- 40oz On Repeat:
I 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
By: Brian Lacy
