Today is Iggy Pop’s 68th birthday. Born James Osterberg Jr, he received his name “Iggy” when he played drums for a blues band in high school called The Iguanas. So let’s all raise a glass to celebrate Iggy!!!
The Stooges:
Raw Power:
Album Rank: Smashing Pumpkins
I’ve had a very complicated relationship with The Smashing Pumpkins over the years. I go through phases when I think wow, This is great, and then on the other hand I think gosh I can’t stand this. Lately I’ve been back to wow, this is really great. So, with that in mind, I present you the album rank of Smashing Pumpkins albums from not their best to their best.
Machina II:
Oceania:
Machina:
Monuments To An Elegy:
Pisces Iscariot:
Zeitgeist:
Gish:
Adore:
Siamese Dream:
Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness:
Live Review: Brand New @ Shrine Expo Hall
When you go to a show to see a band that has really influenced you or has left a mark on your
life it really has a special place amongst all the other shows. Brand New is one of those bands that has a special place for me. Their album The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me is one of my favorite albums of all time and is in constant rotation amongst all the music I listen to. So, when the opportunity came to procure tickets to this show, it was a no brainier. Kicking off their set was a brand new song called “Mene.” This was a great high energy song that set the tone for the night. The crowd was in full force once “Millstone” was played. While looking around the crowd during that song, there wasn’t one person who wasn’t singing along. Hell, throughout the entire night there really wasn’t one person that wasn’t singing along to the songs. Other highlights from the set were “You Won’t Know,” “Sic Transit Gloria…Gloria Fades,” “The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows,” “Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don’t,” “Degausser,” “Sowing Season” and “Jesus.” Actually the entire setlist was wonderful. The band had so much energy and you could tell they were really enjoying being on stage playing for the sold out crowd. Singer/Guitarist Jesse Lacey, is one hell of a songwriter, as is the rest of the band. His performance of these songs was astonishing, and his vocal delivery live is just wow.
There were two other bands that played the evening. Built To Spill and Desaparecidos were the openers. Both bands were just eh. I would have expected more from Built To Spill. They are talented musicians, but I was expecting a more upbeat performance, not something that was so laid back.
There are a couple things worth mentioning about the venue. The Shrine Expo Hall is a horrible place for a show. There is no acoustic treatment in the place, so the sheer magnitude of volume is just bouncing off the walls. Also it’s right by USC so it’s in the middle of South Central Los Angeles, which isn’t fun at all.
Brand New made it all worth while. I can’t wait for their new album to come out, whenever that might be. They really know how to put on a show and pack one hell of a punch live.
Brand New Setlist:
1. Mene
2. Sink
3. Gasoline
4. Millstone
5. You Won’t Know
6. Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades
7. I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light
8. The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
9. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don’t
10. Mix Tape
11. Untitled 04 (Missing You)
12. At The Bottom
13.You Stole
14. Brothers
15. Sowing Season
16. Luca
17. Degausser
18. Jesus
Encore:
19. Sealed To Me
By: Brian Lacy
Photo By: Alisa Diaz
Great Guest Vocalists: Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder has one of the most distinct voices in all of rock music. His approach to the way he sings is unrelenting. You may not know that he has guested on a bunch of different albums over the years. Here is just a taste of some of the songs he has lent his vocals to.
Bad Religion- American Jesus (Recipe For Hate):
Ramones- Anyway You Want It (We’re Outta Here):
Cat Power- Evolution (You Are Free):
REM- It Happened Today (Collapse Into Now):
Jimmy Fallon- Balls In Your Mouth (Blow Your Pants Off):
Bands That Should Come Back: Orange 9mm
The 90’s are really trying to claw it’s way back into music, and that is a good thing. The influence of so many great bands from the era are really shining with a newer generation of bands. Not to mention the revival of so many great bands from the 90’s that are getting back together and releasing new music. One band I’d love to see get back together is Orange 9mm. Formed in 1994, they released their major label release Driver Not Included in 1995. This album was produced by Dave Jerden (Jane’s Addiction, Alice In Chains). Orange 9mm had a punk rock mentality that came across in their music all the while being able to throw in other influences that made separated them from the pack. While touring on their first album they shared the stage with bands such as Quicksand, Deftones, Korn and Helmet. The follow up to Driver Not Included was the fabulous album Tragic which was produced by David Sardy (Helmet, Marilyn Manson), Sadly though before the first tour for the album founding member Chris Traynor left the band to go play for Helmet. Not one to retreat, Chaka Malik and the others carried on. They spent a good amount of time writing and recording a great deal of material under a wide range of influences. Periodically, the band would perform one-offs and small weekend runs; during this period they released a split EP in Japan. Following the release of their EP, Ultraman vs. Godzilla, the band released what would wind up being their final album, 1999’s Pretend I’m Human.
Orange 9mm was a band that was full of energy and intensity. Their music had that flair that Quicksand had as well as the diversity as the Deftones. It’s too bad they didn’t last longer with their original lineup, they really could have made a bigger name for themselves.
Orange 9mm- Driver Not Included:
Orange 9mm- Tragic:
Orange 9mm- Pretend I’m Human:
New Release: Brand New- Mene
It’s been way too long since Brand New has put out new music. Thankfully, they have finally put out new music for us to enjoy. Their new song “Mene” is chock full of heavy aggression yet full of the signature sound that Brand New fans have come to love. For a limited time at their site http://www.brandnewrock.com you can download the song (provided you sign up for their e-mail list).
Brand New- Mene
By: Brian Lacy
Band Of The Week: The Bloodline
Modern metal has been taking many different turns over the last few years. There are so many new genres within the metal community that it’s hard to keep up with. One of the genres that have stayed the course has been the melodic metal genre. So many bands, have tried but they don’t understand the key component to the “melodic” sensibility. Thankfully, The Bloodline does know how to incorporate melodic with the heavy. The Bloodline have worked to create a sound that is well balanced between the melodic and the more groove oriented styles. The Chicago quartet of Travis Neal, Shaun Glass, Chuck Wepfer, and Frankie Harchut really seem to have bled (pun totally intended) their heart and souls into this album and it shows. Songs like “We Are One,” “With Fire (Comes Absolution)” pack a huge punch of heaviness and hooks that leave you banging your head and singing along. The Bloodline are definitely a band you should watch out for if you are a fan of this type of music.
With Fire:
https://www.facebook.com/thebloodlineofficial
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/we-are-one/id951839102
By: Brian Lacy
Cover Thursday: Faith No More- War Pigs
Faith No More is one of the most underrated yet influential bands of the past 25 years. Back when they released their album The Real Thing in 1989 they had a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” This is one of the best Black Sabbath covers I’ve ever heard. Mike Patton’s delivery on this song is unbeatable and dareI say better than Ozzy singing it! Obviously the original is still great, the arrangement that Faith No More made for it just took it up a notch!
Faith No More- War Pigs
New Release: Dekades- The Drones Are Coming
One of my favorite new bands Dekades, have released a new single from their upcoming EP. This song entitled “The Drones Are Coming” is pulsating and dripping with groove. The dark goth dance rock they have created is cool and different. Instead of relying on just the electronic side you can really feel the instrumentation in all their songs. Dekades are full of talented musicians and they show off their skills appropriately without taking away from the formula that has made them so good. I can’t wait for their new EP.
Dekades- The Drones Are Coming
By: Brian Lacy
New Release: Spirit In The Room- Jumping The Gun
Dennis Sanders has done it again. The newest track “Jumping The Gun” from his Spirit In The Room project is outstanding. The driving bass throughout the track really guides the song. While the fury of the drums and guitars match the quiet to loud explosiveness of Dennis’s voice. Check it out!!!
Spirit In The Room: Jumping The Gun
