Failure

And The Winners Are…

What a great first year for my little site. Thank you all for taking the time to check out Audioeclectica. I hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read so far. There will be plenty more in the new year with some new features as well. The winners were picked based on fan votes and my personal opinion. And now the results of the first annual Audioeclectica Awards.

Best Guitar Duo:

1. Mastodon- Brent Hinds and Bill Kellher
2. With Our Arms To The Sun- Josh Breckinridge and Joseph Leary
3. And We Are Them- Chris Matalone and Nick Bradford
4. Aeges- Kemble Walters and Cory Clark
5. New Cathedral- Ricky Stevens and Scott Perez
6. Slipknot- Jim Root and Mick Thompson
7. Wovenwar- Nick Hipa and Phil Sgrosso
8. Sevendust- Clint Lowery and John Connolly
9. Every Time I Die- Jordan Buckley and Andy Williams
10. At The Gates- Andres Bjorler and Martin Larsson

And The Winner Is: Josh Breckinridge and Joseph Leary of With Our Arms To The Sun

Best Album Cover:

1. With Our Arms To The Sun: A Far Away Wonder (Justin Slattum)
2. Mastodon: Once More Round The Sun (Skinner)
3. And We Are Them- City Of Ghosts (Chris Matalone)
4. Every Time I Die- From Parts Unknown (Joby Ford)
5. Obliterations- Poison Everything (Derrick Snodgrass)
6. Wild Throne- Blood Maker (Orion Landau)

And The Winner Is: With Our Arms To The Sun: A Far Away Wonder (Justin Slattum) and Mastodon: Once More Round The Sun (Skinner)

Best Bassist:

1. Joseph Breckinridge- With Our Arms To The Sun
2. Ben Flanagan- Black Map
3. Austin Barber- Obliterations
4. Jeff Johnson- Wild Throne
5. Tony Baumeister- Aeges
6. Michael Kerr- Royal Blood

And The Winner Is: Ben Flanagan of Black Map

Best Drummer:

1. Chris Robyn- Black Map
2. Mike Land- Aeges
3. Brian Hollenbeck- And We Are Them
4. Ben Thatcher- Royal Blood
5. Noah Burns- Wild Throne
6. John O’Connell- He Whose Ox Is Gored
7. Morgan Rose- Sevendust

And The Winner Is: Chris Robyn of Black Map

Best Guitarist:

1. Mark Engles- Black Map
2. Pete Loeffler- Chevelle
3. Paul Balmer- Machines Learning
4. Joshua Holland- Wild Throne
5. Shaun Morgan- Seether
6. Shaun Lopez- Crosses

And The Winner Is: Mark Engles of Black Map

Best Vocalist:

1. Ben Flanagan- Black Map
2. Pete Loeffler- Chevelle
3. Brann Dailor- Mastodon
4, Troy Sanders- Mastodon
5, Kemble Walters- Aeges
6. Chino Moreno- Crosses
7. Corey Taylor- Slipknot
8. Gavin Rossdale- Bush
9. Lajon Witherspoon- Sevendust

And The Winner Is: Ben Flanagan of Black Map and Chino Moreno of Crosses

Song Of The Year:

1. Failure- Come Crashing
2. Failure- The Focus
3. Dekades- Red Trolley
4. Black Map- I’m Just The Driver
5. With Our Arms To The Sun- Tessellation
6. Aeges- Fault
7. Wild Throne- The Wrecking Ball Unchained
8. Crosses- Bitches Brew
9. Royal Blood- Out Of The Black
10. And We Are Them- So It Goes
11. Sidewave (Air)- Playground Love
12. Mastodon- Ember City

And The Winner Is: Failure- Come Crashing and With Our Arms To The Sun- Tessellation

Album Of The Year:

1. Mastodon- Once More Round The Sun
2. With Our Arms To The Sun- A Far Away Wonder
3. Royal Blood- Royal Blood
4. Crosses- Crosses
5. Black Map- And We Explode
6. Bush- Man On The Run
7. Slipknot- .5 The Gray Chapter
8. Chevelle- La Gargola
9. Aeges- Above and Down Below
10. Down- Down IV Part II

Honorable Mention:

11. The Last Internationale- We Will Reign
12. Sevendust- Time Travelers and Bonfires
13. Obliterations- Poison Everything
14. Every Time I Die- From Parts Unknown
15. And We Are Them- City Of Ghosts

And The Winner Is: Mastodon- Once More Round The Sun and With Our Arms To The Sun- A Far Away Wonder

End Of The Year List: Best Shows I’ve Attended In 2014

This is not part of the 1st annual Audioeclectica Awards. This is just a list of the top 10 concerts I’ve attended this year.

1. Nine Inch Nails @ Hollywood Bowl
2. Failure @ El Rey and Fonda
3. Abloom and With Our Arms To The Sun @ Velvet Jones
4. Corrections House and Author & Punisher @ Echoplex
5. Mastodon @ Club Nokia
6. Royal Blood and The Last Internationale @ Roxy
7. Chevelle and Black Map @ Wiltern
8. Palms @ Troubadour
9. Down @ Wiltern
10. Placebo @ Club Nokia

 

 

Playlist 09.15.14

This weeks top 10 songs to enjoy

 

1. Abloom- After That Quiet (from Abloom Demos)

 

2. Chevelle- An Island (from La Gargola)

 

3. Failure- Daylight (from Fantastic Planet)

 

4. Mastodon- Ember City (from Once More Round The Sun)

 

5. Black Map- I’m Just The Driver (from Driver EP)

 

6. Placebo- Meds (from Meds)

 

7. Wovenwar- All Rise (from Wovenwar)

 

8. Godsmack- Something Different (from 1000 hp)

 

9. Incubus- The Warmth (from Make Yourself)

 

10. Down- Nothing In Return (from Down III: Over The Under)

 

By: Brian Lacy

 

Playlist for Today

I thought I’d try something different today. I’ve selected a few songs that I’ve been really into as of late. Some are new and some are old. Enjoy!

Seether- Crash from Isolate and Medicate:

Mastodon (ft Scott Kelly of Neurosis)- Diamonds In The Witch House from Once More Round The Sun:

Down- Conjure from Down IV Part II

Chevelle- Ouija Board from La Gargola

Black Map- I’m Just The Driver from the Driver EP

Abloom- After That Quiet from their 2004 sampler

Dekades- Malnurished from the 1.1 EP

Failure- Daylight from Fantastic Planet

Killswitch Engage- You Don’t Bleed For Me from Disarm The Descent

Royal Blood- Come On Over from the Out Of The Black EP

Black Light Burns- Stop A Bullet from Cruel Melody

Nine Inch Nails- Right Where It Belongs from With Teeth

Live Review: Failure at the Fonda Theater

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There have been certain bands that I’ve seen since I first started going to concerts at age 4 that have left me utterly speechless and mind blown. To name a few, Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, Metallica, Neil Young, Deftones, Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi and now Failure. Back in February when they played their first show in 16 years, I was left with my jaw on the floor and so much inspiration. Seeing them again not only reaffirmed my thoughts about them, but also gave me hope that great music is still around and coming back. Last night at the Fonda, Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards, and Kellii Scott made it an unforgettable night. The final date of their tour and in their hometown made it special. The band ripped through 16 songs before coming back for a 5 song encore which included a brand new song “The Focus” and “Bernie.” Unlike their El Rey reunion show, Failure seemed really comfortable and ready to leave it all on stage.

The show started with a short 20 minute movie of the films that have influenced Failure over the years. “Another Space Song” kicked off their set beautifully. “Wet Gravity” really got the crowds energy going. Kellii was playing his drums with such force he kept knocking off the microphones placed on the drums. You could tell that all the guys on stage were having a great time. Other highlights from the set were “Saturday Savior,” “Sergeant Politeness,” “The Nurse Who Loved Me” (Which Ken got the crowd participating), “Pillowhead,” “Small Crimes,” “Solaris,” and closing out the main set was “Heliotropic” (One of my personal favorite Failure songs). There was a great deal of focus on playing songs from Fantastic Planet, and when the band started playing songs from Magnified the crowd got even crazier, especially when they played the song “Magnified” during their encore. This night was also Ken Andrews’ birthday. His wife came out on stage with a cake and led the entire crowd in singing happy birthday. “Daylight” (another of my favorites) was the final song of the evening.

When the show was over there was a real genuine sense of awe and astonishment in the room. I was left (and still am) utterly speechless, amped up and inspired. Failure being back really does give hope that rock music is coming back with a vengeance. Ken, Greg and Kellii are amazing musicians, songwriters and a great source of inspiration. Failure is back!!!

 

Setlist:

1. Another Space Song
2. Frogs
3. Wet Gravity
4. Saturday Savior
5. Sergeant Politness
Segue 2
6. Dirty Blue Balloons
7. Undone
8. Pillowhead
9. Segue 3
10. The Nurse Who Loved Me
Intermission
11. Blank
12. Solaris
13. Small Crimes
14. Smoking Umbrellas
15. Stuck On You
16. Heliotropic
Encore
17. The Focus (New Song)
18. Bernie
19. Magnified
20. Screen Man
21. Daylight

Another New FAILURE Song!

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It’s official, good music does still exist. Since the news broke of Failure’s reunion, every fan wanted a tour and new music. There was some hesitation on what new material might sound like, and the direction they would go in. To no surprise, Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards and Kelli Scott, did not disappoint. The newest track released “The Focus” sounds like classic Failure set in modern day. The space guitar, the rumbling bass and thumping drums mixed with a catchy vocal melody makes this song very infectious. Take a listen and hear for yourself!

 

By: Brian Lacy

Cover Thursday: Replicants (Steely Dan)- Dirty Work

 

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I am not a Steely Dan fan at all. In fact to quote Seth Rogen in Knocked Up “Steely Dan gargles my balls.” Strangely though, their song “Dirty Work” seems to pop in my head from time to time. I remember an episode of The Sopranos when Tony Soprano (RIP James Gandolfini) was singing it while driving. Thankfully there is a version of this song that I can listen to and thoroughly enjoy. It’s by a super group of sorts. In 1995 Ken Andrews and Greg Edwards of Failure joined forces with Paul D’Amour (formerly of Tool) and Chris Pitman (now in the new Guns N Roses) and recorded and album of covers under the name Replicants. Enjoy the only way Steely Dan can truly be tolerated!

 

Unsung Masterpieces: Year Of The Rabbit- Self Titled
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Year Of The Rabbit was assembled and fronted by Ken Andrews of Failure fame. Soon after Ken stopped writing and performing music as ON, Andrews and ON’s drummer Tim Dow (formerly of Shiner) reached out to Dow’s friend Jeff Garber, and Solomon Snyder joined shortly thereafter. ON’s material had been created mostly by Andrews as a solo project, the harder-rocking sound of Year of the Rabbit is much closer to that of his previous band, Failure.

Their first release, the 2003 EP Hunted, was made available online only from outlets such as CD Baby, itunes, and the band themselves. The buzz from sales of the EP was enough to attract the attention of Elektra Records, who released their debut album shortly thereafter. Sadly as thing in the music business were in constant flux, Warner Music Company, was sold to a group of private investors, and many of the labels’ acts, including Year of the Rabbit, were dropped from their rosters. Two months later, Andrews declared on his official website that due to the shakeup at their label, the band had been put on indefinite hiatus.

The album itself though is a gem. This was as close as anyone who was a Failure fan was going to get to that vibe. The entire album is full of melody, hooks, and that signature tone, that so many guitarists have tried to duplicate. Lyrically this album is very deep and personal. There is not one ounce of filler either. Tracks like “Lie Down,” “Last Defense,” “Hunted,” and “Say Goodbye” are beyond stand out tracks. The instrumentation on here is simple and raw but with the right amount of polish to make it all shine through.

Though they released only one album, 10 years later this album still holds up, and sound like it fits in today more than ever. Ken Andrews was always ahead of his time it seems.

Year Of The Rabbit:

By: Brian Lacy

 

New FAILURE song!!!! Come Crashing

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In conjunction with their first full headlining tour in 17 years, Failure has released a brand new song as well as an exclusive tour EP (only available at shows). The new song entitled “Come Crashing” is exactly what you think new Failure would sound like, AMAZING! Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards and Kelli Scott make beautiful music together and this shows. The production is exquisite and each instrument is mixed so well. Lyrically, it shows a more adult version of the band without taking away what they are known for. Enjoy the first new Failure song in almost 20 years!

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: City Of Ships

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In this quiet resurgence of artistic rock that we are currently in, a lot of previous overlooked bands (Failure, Hum, Shiner, etc) are finally getting their due and have influenced countless new bands. Now enter City Of Ships into the fold. Having been around awhile and making a mark for themselves, their blend of hard rock and post hardcore is undeniable and captivating. As a three piece that packs this much of a punch is spectacular. Their last album Minor World (released by Translation Loss) is 10 songs deep of nothing but raw emotion, and well thought out melodies. Songs like “Clotilde” “Low Countries” and “Chainman” are heavy and have melody running through it constantly. Currently City of Ships are working on their new album to be released in 2014.

https://www.facebook.com/cityofships

http://cityofships.bandcamp.com/

By: Brian Lacy