Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Super Thief

When bands explore different genres and sub-genres the end result can be hit or miss. For those that it works for, the music created and the “art” of it has its way of standing out. I recently came across a band hailing from Texas called Super Thief that has been pushing the boundaries of the “noise rock” sub-genre. While exploring the influence and inspiration of bands like Sonic Youth, Shellac, and The Jesus Lizard, Super Thief as taken what they’ve learned and combined a bit of a punk tinge to make some pretty rockin tunes. Their new EP Eating Alone In My Car, is rocking chaos full of noise, grooves and riffs and rhythms that get you up and moving. Check out Super Thief. They’ve got something going on that is quite fun to listen to and full of a slew of energy.

Super Thief- Eating In My Car Alone:

Super Thief- Stuck:

Band Of The Week: The Pink Slips

Ever since I saw them open for Alice In Chains, I can’t stop listening to The Pink Slips. Their show was impactful and full of great rock n roll energy and it left me wanting more. The Pink Slips have defined their sound as a fusion of synth-pop, punk, dance, and vintage rock n roll. I’d say that’s a pretty spot on description. Fronted by the very dynamic and forceful Grace McKagan (aka Grave), along with Desi Scaglione (Guitar), Keenan Bevans (Drums), Charlie Anastasis (Bass), and Trent Peltz (Keys/Backing Vox), this five piece is fast becoming a band that is decimating stages and audiences.

The bands debut EP entitled Trigger, is a welcome addition to the rock world. These songs have lush choruses and riffs and rhythms that make you want to get up and move. Because the bands influences stretch from the likes of Iggy and The Stooges and David Bowie to Bikini Kill and Blondie, it’s no surprise to hear them embrace their “pop” side, yet they do it without losing their “edge.” When you hear a songs like “Danger,” “Gimme,” and “Hello Heaven” you can really hear both sides of the above.

As I mentioned when I saw them live, I was totally taken aback. Their live show is tight and full of energy. So much energy that The Pink Slips will have you in a frenzy when their set ends. It’s a refreshing thing in today’s music climate to have a band like The Pink Slips out there brining that ferocious rock energy back to the youth. The future is bright for this band, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.

The Pink Slips- Trigger EP:

The Pink Slips- Trigger (Video):

The Pink Slips- I’m Ready:

The Pink Slips- Animal:

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Zaius

A few months back I was introduced to an instrumental band that really hit home with me. Their music is full of lush sonic landscapes, thoughtful rhythmic structures and an all around vibe that is hypnotic and psychedelic but with a hook. The band I’m talking about is called Zaius, and they are excellent. Their debut full length album Of Adoration (released by Prothetic Records), is one of the best instrumental albums I’ve heard in a long time. There are moments while listening to the album that are akin to the likes of the band Explosions In The Sky as well as The Ocean. Zaius has a real knack for creating songs that hit from the inside out. While listening you can feel the emotions pouring out of each member of the band by the way they are playing their instrument as well as how the songs shift. Zaius are the perfect band for a late night drive or an evening with your favorite beverage and your headphones on, just escaping everything.

Zaius- Of Adoration:

Zaius- Seirenes (Video):

Band Of The Week: Gyre

Honesty is something I look for in bands. What I mean by that is, when I’m listening to a band, I want to be able to hear the true conviction in their music and words. A lot of bands I’ve heard over the years really just half ass it and don’t put their all into it. You can tell when you listen to those bands. Recently I came across a band that stays true to their convictions and their attitude shows through their music. I’d like to introduce you to Gyre. This three piece band from the NY/NJ area is quite a bright spot. Their music is heavy rock with splashes of prog, groove and a touch of thrash, all of which makes for a grand listening experience. Gyre have released three previous EP’s and have now put out their first full length album entitled Shared Visions and it’s ripe with all the rock you’d want and need. I like to think of it as a great album for a long drive and just escaping the world. As a three piece singer/bassist Ian McCarthy, guitarist Juan Soaz, and drummer Pablo Carpio have carved out a little niche for their blend of heavy rock. Shared Visions is definitely one of the best albums of 2018 and it deserves your attention.

Gyre- Shared Visions:

Band Of The Week: Old Blood

When art and music come together the results can sometimes vary but, when that right blend is poured out on to a canvas or in this case music, everything just comes together. I’d like to introduce you to Old Blood. Taking influence and inspiration from Classic Rock, Metal, Trip Hop, Desert Rock, Stoner Metal, Doom, Sludge and bits of Jazz, Old Blood have created a style which they call “Acid Doom.” Their debut self titled album is chock full of head bobbing rhythms, charging riffs and vocals that cut like a diamond. They stand out from their peers not just musically but with their artistic stage show, leaving those in attendance with a sense of being a part of something more than just a show. Do yourself a favor and check out what fresh takes Old Blood has to offer.

Old Blood:

Band Of The Week: The Atlas Moth

There is something really cool about discovering a band that has been around for a while. As a listener you’ve more than likely discovered the bands latest album and become enthralled by them that you are compelled to go back and check out their other releases. Recently, I heard about a band called The Atlas Moth and when I heard their song “Coma Noir” and I was immediately drawn in. The Atlas Moth released a new album this year entitled Coma Noir and it’s down right epic. The band sites groups like Deftones, Neurosis, Cave In, The Cure and The Flaming Lips among their influences and while listening to the entire album you can hear how all these bands have helped to shape the bands sound. The sheer intensity they emit is very reminiscent of Neurosis, and Cave In (especially their albums Until Your Heart Stops and Jupiter). The band takes chances too and experiments with different moods and textures just as Deftones, The Flaming Lips and The Cure do. It all comes together to make for a psychedelic metal experience. Songs like “Galactic Brain,” “The Last Transmission From the Late, Great Planet Earth,” “Actual Human Blood,” “Smiling Knife,” “Coma Noir,” and “The Streets of Bombay” will have an effect on you and leave you lost in a bit of a trance. The entire album as a whole will almost hypnotize you. After listening to all The Atlas Moth albums, you can definitely hear the bands evolution into an absolute heavy force to be reckoned with. Do yourself a favor and take some time to get lost in The Atlas Moth.

The Atlas Moth- Coma Noir:

Coma Noir-Video:

Band Of The Week: Actors

Post Punk has fast been gaining and growing as one of the most popular genres these days. I’ve seen a lot of people from heavier bands going in this direction as side projects or after they’ve left their bands. There is a band hailing from Vancouver, Canada called ACTORS that have really nailed the post punk/darkwave sound. Actors have taken the classic post-punk sound and added a bit of a modern twist to it without losing the true essence of what the genre is. Their synth drenched scores could easily be found in countless films, all the while the songs have a dance vibe to them that fit in clubs. Led by singer/guitarist Jason Corbett, ACTORS have taken their well studied sound and delivered the goods. Their album It Will Come To You is chock full of dark sounds but with a sense of light underneath the beats.

Actors- It Will Come To You:

Actors- L’apple Du Vide (Live):

Band Of The Week: Void Vator

What do you get when you cross 80’s metal a la Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth and 90’s rock in the vain of Nirvana and Soundgarden? Well I’ll tell you, Void Vator is the end result. This four piece Los Angeles based band, is a melodic heavy rock group that is really starting to leave their mark on the scene. Their debut EP Dehumanized, was produced by Ulrich Wild (Deftones, Pantera, Static X, OneSideZero). The five songs on the EP, especially “Time Has Come” and “No Return,” are chock full of rock, riffs, and melody, which is exactly what this band is all about. Check out Void Vator for all your melodic heavy rock needs.

Void Vator- Dehumanized EP:

Time Has Come Video:

No Return Video:

Band/Artist Of The Week: Justin Stewart Cotta

You might remember the name of Justin Stewart Cotta from the band Memento where he was the singer or the band VAST in which he played guitar during an early incarnation of the band. It has been a little while since Justin has released new music, actually it’s been 10 years. After the break up of Memento, Justin returned to Australia and got involved with theater but he never forgot about the music. Justin’s new release, the 3 song EP Amor Vincit Omnia is a delicate and expressive acoustic offering which is the perfect way to return. His powerful voice and lyrics are ever present while the subtle acoustic guitar adds a layer of melancholy without making you feel low. There is a real intimacy to the songs (“Love Yourself,” “Miracle Man,” and “Rain”) that emit a brightness to the darkness. What a way to come back. So check out what Justin has to offer the world and enjoy!
Justin Stewart Cotta- Amor Vincit Omnia:

and just because Memento was awesome:

Memento- Beginnings:

Band Of The Week: Black Wail

As I’ve said before, rock music is alive and well. You just might have to search for all the true gems. Speaking of gems, there is a band from New Jersey that is about to take the world by storm and unleash a fury of rock upon us all. That band is Black Wail. This four piece is quite spectacular. Mixing 70’s hard rock, psychedelia, punk rock and metal, Black Wail have created a sound that is more than needed for today. Their new album Chromium Homes is outstanding. It’s drenched in Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and southern rock (Allman Brothers and Skynyrd) influence but also with bits and pieces of punk rock a la The Misfits and Ramones and tinges of High On Fire and Sleep. What a combination of sounds, to create something so pure and full of rock. Black Wail is a band that not only stands out amongst the crowd but also decimates them with their magnitude of sound. So do yourselves and your friends a favor and check out Black Wail and tell everyone!

Black Wail- Chromium Homes:

Black Wail- Thee Ghost:

Black Wail- All You Can Eat EP: