Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Sensory Station

10514521_686600778062177_3459686315458984707_nOne of the reasons why I started this blog was to show people that there is so much good music out there that is going unnoticed. And this category of band of the week does just that. This week I bring you Sensory Station from San Diego. This four piece has a really cool vibe that mixes ambience and hard rock in a Pink Floyd meets Tool sort of way with a dash of Explosions In The Sky. Their debut album, Open Your Eyes, was recorded and mixed by Aaron Harris (of Isis/Palms). From the videos they have posted online, their live show looks like it is chock full of energy and invigorating performances from each of the band members. Check out Sensory Station!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/sensorystation

www.sensorystationmusic.com

Sensory Station on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/2T0PWe9yMxsvGzozR1Ex2Z

Band Of The Week: The Bloodline

10665389_10152623546144671_5457465118976980338_nModern 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

Band Of The Week: All Hail The Yeti

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Formed in 2006, and armed with a take no prisoners approach All Hail The Yeti earned a very loyal fan base with their sludgy heavy guitars and strong presence on stage that left audiences wanting more. The band was formed by Canadian vocalist and tattoo artist Connor Garritty. They released an EP titled “Trees On Fire With Songs Of Blood,”  in 2010. It began to sink in with local fans with live favorites like “Deep Creek”. During this time the band started playing higher profile show with the likes of Times of Grace, Soulfly, Fear Factory, and Suicide Silence. It had become clear that All Hail The Yeti had grown into much more than a “local” band. In late 2011, All Hail The Yeti entered the studio to record their debut full length, with producers Tommy Decker and Mike Sarkisyan of Spineshank. With songs like of “Suicide Woods”  and “After The Great Fire,” the band has been able to transcend on the fringes of an epic journey and churning vocal melodies. Now in 2015 the band after countless tour and shows, have entered the process of recording their follow up to their debut album.

After The Great Fire:

All Hail The Yeti Live:

Listen at:

www.reverbnation.com/allhailtheyeti

https://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Sierra Swan

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One of the most intriguing things about music is when you are listening to a band and a guest vocalist sings on a song and their vocal performance leaves a lasting impression on you. This happens to me a lot. One of the most memorable of these moments happened when Cold released their album 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage and I heard Sierra Swan sing on the songs “No One” and “Witch.” Her voice stayed with me and I wanted more and her contribution on the next Cold album on the song “Suffocate” further cemented my love for her voice. Fast forward years later when she released her album Ladyland, I immediately scooped that up. Early on in her career, Swan got together with Graham Edwards and formed the band Dollshead. The band was signed and eventually dropped from MCA records. Sierra was also a member of The Black Eyed Peas early on. She has worked with Linda Perry (she produced Ladyland), and most recently worked with Billy Corgan on her 2014 album The Good Soldier. Sierra’s voice is whimsical and takes you on quite a journey through her songs. She has one of the most pure voices in all of rock music. And her guest contributions really take those songs up a notch.

Sierra Swan: Good Soldier

https://www.facebook.com/Swan5

http://www.sierraswan.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: The Everyday Losers

11055201_915688818450413_3728623161412012303_nIt’s really nice to hear the resurgence of loud rock bands coming back to the forefront. Bands that have a knack for being able to write solid rock songs with melody. I present you Indiana’s The Everyday Losers. Combining their love for heavy hard rock and 90’s alternative, especially Nirvana, Silverchair and Bush. The Everyday Losers released their debut EP “Songs for Us All” in June 2011 and their second EP “Social Paradise” in January 2012. The band released their debut album “Revel in the Chaos” in June 2014 with 2 singles released so far.  They have toured nationally with Saliva and Future Leaders of the World, and shared the stage with some of the bigger radio rock bands from the last few years. These guys are radio ready but without the silly generic sound that comes with all those bands. In February they released a new EP entitled “Underexposed – Live and Acoustic” via Dead Industry Records.

The Everyday Losers- Underexposed Live and Acoustic:

Listen on Reverb Nation:

https://www.reverbnation.com/theeverydaylosers

https://www.facebook.com/theeverydaylosers

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: The Broken Stems

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Nestled against the cliffs of San Diego, The Broken Stems are bending genres and captivating audiences. Their blend of classic rock, blues and reggae has developed into a sound that emits positivity in a world with so much negative energy. The Broken Stems are Jesse Gawlik (Vocals/Guitar), Chelsea Baker (Bass/Vocals) Brad Sweet (Keyboards/Vocals), and Andrew Bache (Drums). With influences stretching from Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin to Dave Matthews Band, The Dear Hunter and more modern groups like Alt-J, the members have boundless amounts of space to create music. The bands musical connection and constant flow makes this band stand out. Each member brings out a different creative aspect in the other, allowing the music and lyrics to be at the fore front.

The Broken Stems deliver a style that remains true, emotional, and original while including the elements that make the listener want more. Having played packed shows throughout the San Diego area, including sold out shows at the House of Blues. The Broken Stems are leaving their stamp on the music scene. Currently, The Broken Stems are gearing up to record the follow up to 2013’s We Are Home EP. The message of The Broken Stems’ music, more than anything is to live a music filled life, rich with the people it touches and the effect we know it can bring.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/thebrokenstems

http://brokenstems.com/

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Socionic

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Socionic is a genre bending band with influences ranging from Tool, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, the very underrated Porcupine Tree and soundtrack maestro Clint Mansell.  Their music is a classically heavy, all the while adding a melodic sense that carries their artistic vision throughout their songs. You can tell from listening that this band is extremely passionate in how their music sounds and is delivered. Their recent EP release Identity, was produced by Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory, Frontline Assembly, etc) and helps to show their knack for the aggressive side of modern metal and the dark contrasts of industrial. These guys have a sound and the music to really go far.  Socionic is currently gearing up to release a new album this year.
Socionic: Epiphany

 


Check out their music on Reverb Nation:

https://www.reverbnation.com/socionic

https://www.facebook.com/socionic

http://www.socionicband.com/

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Sweet Cobra

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It’s truly great to have bands coming out that really get what it means to write pure honest songs, and make music that has real meaning and depth. Enter Chicago’s Sweet Cobra. The band was founded in 2003, and came charging out the gates with the fury and passionate qualities of their hardcore/noise-rock/metal roots mixed with a more straightforward rock delivery. Over the course of their career, Sweet Cobra has played with bands such as Pelican, Russian Circles, Coliseum, Black Cobra, Doomriders, The Life And Times, Young Widows and many more. Sweet Cobra toured relentlessly throughout the beginning of their career and released a myriad  of recorded material, including three LPs, 2004’s Praise through Seventh Rule Recordings, 2007’s Forever through Hawthorne Street Records, and 2010’s Mercy on Blackmarket Activities, not to mention splits with Doomriders, Young Widows among others. Sadly, tragedy struck in 2009 when second guitarist Mat Arluck lost his ongoing fight with cancer. Sweet Cobra went on as a three piece and pushed forward, playing shows, constructing new material, and exploring new sounds. Now in 2014 the band is gearing up to release Earth through Magic Bullet Records. The band’s triumphant new LP was recorded and produced by Matt Talbot of Hum and Kurt Ballou of Converge, and also features guest musical contributions from each artist. This album is sure to be a sonic blast of genuine awesomeness.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/sweetcobra

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: A Light Within

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A Light Within is a Kansas City, Missouri based shoegaze/alternative rock band known for songs that tap into the darker side of being, all the while creating a sound that is epic and flush with beauty. With influences like Pink Floyd, Palms, Porcupine Tree, Isis, Mogwai, and Deftones, you can really get a sense of where they are coming from. Their debut EP, “Preface”,  was released in the spring of 2013. According to the band, the EP is a concept based upon a reflection of one’s life after dealing with significant love and loss. A Light Within is currently recording a follow up EP and hope to release it in early 2015.



 

https://www.facebook.com/ALWaudio

http://alightwithin.bandcamp.com/

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Haster

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Haster of Orange County, California was formed in late 2010. With influences such as Chevelle, Deftones, Tool, and Korn, their sound plays off those influences into a solid alternative metal foundation. I’d even compare them to a newer band like Nothing More.  Their main goal is to incorporate  ambient feel, heavy foundation, and a performance intent on telling a story, evoking a rich experience that creates an insatiable desire for more.  In addition to releasing their full length album Let It Go in 2014, Haster has amassed some acclaim with Best Metal Band Nominee at the Orange County Music Awards in 2014, Best Metal Band of Artists In Music Awards in 2013 and Artist of the Year & Best Metal Band Nominee at the Artists In Music Awards in 2012.

 

Within These Walls:

 

Medicine:

 

https://www.facebook.com/Hasterband

http://www.reverbnation.com/Haster

http://www.hastermusic.com/