The great Two Minutes To Late Night is back with a new cover from their quarantine series. This one is really, really, really, damn good. Here you have a Bjork song “Hyperballad” covered by Stephen Brodsky (Cave In/Old Man Gloom/Mutoid Man) on vocals with Sergio Vega (Quicksand/Deftones) on bass, Adam D (Killswitch Engage/Times Of Grace) on guitar, Jordan “Gwarsenio Hall” Olds (host of 2MTLN) on guitar, Ben Chisholm (Chelsea Wolfe) on keys and Tanner Wayne (In Flames) on drums. It’s a great cover and Stephen Brodsky is absolutely amazing on this track. He’s really found a whole other voice which I hope carries over to all of his musical ventures.
The legendary Quicksand are back with their first taste of new music since 2017’s Interiors. Speaking on the new single “Inversion” singer/guitarist Walter Schreifels had this to say “The music to ‘Inversion’ was very squatter punk at first.” “To get something going vocally I started singing in an English Niel Nausea kind of vibe (Nausea are a peace/squatter punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan). The lyrics reflect the push and pull of being very connected through technology while at the same time being the most emotionally isolated group of humans to ever walk the planet and fun stuff like that.” After listening to the track a few times already today, I can tell you that this one packs a lot of energy and sounds like something you might find on their classic albums Slip and Manic Compression.
Quicksand is one of those bands that has been a huge influence on a slew of bands whether you know it or not. Their first two albums, Slip and Manic Compression are quintessential albums that any rock or heavy music fan should listen to and have in their collection. Quicksand is one of the best bands to come out with the now described as “post-hardcore” sound. Recently, I went back through the Quicksand catalog and came to the realization that I can’t figure out what album I like best between Slip and Manic Compression. So, naturally, I thought why not bring it here and let you all help deceide what is the best album. So here we go.
Slip, the bands debut full length came out in 1993. This album features songs like “Fazer,” “Dine Alone,” “Lie and Wait,” “Omission,” “Transparent” and so many other great tracks. This album is what many bands often refer back to as one of those that really influenced and inspired them. The tones on this album along with the songwriting is absolutely astonishing. It’s no wonder that this album left a mark on so many people.
Manic Compression, is the second full length and came out in 1995. This would be the bands last album until 2017’s Interiors. This record features songs such as “Thorn In My Side,” (which was featured in Empire Records), “Delusional,” “Landmine Spring,” “East 3rd Street,” and “Supergenius.” To some, this album is the more influential album. I can see why as the production on this is quite better thanks to Wharton Tiers, who worked with Helmet, Sonic Youth and many others.
It’s a pretty difficult decision to pick one or the other but, If I really had to I’d probably go with Slip but, only by a smidge. Slip to me just has this more organic and raw approach that still has bits and pieces of where the members of the band came from before with their respective bands. Also, the songs just hit me harder than the ones on Manic. Perhaps too it’s because it was the first album I heard from them. I still remember seeing the videos back on MTV (oh how I miss when MTV played videos). Both are stunningly great albums and it all comes down to a matter of preference.
Audioeclectica Radio Episode 2 is here and what an “eclectic” show it is. I’ve got some really great bands and songs to play for you all. Be prepared to experience something intriguing,
Remember this show is totally interactive. I’m interested to know what bands/songs you dig and don’t. I’m also taking requests be it bands/songs you want to hear, topics you’d like me to discuss, and anything else you might find interesting.
All this is done because I love music and love being able to tell others about great music that is out there.
Tell your friends about Audioeclectica and the show! Share it with everyone!
The A to Z list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. Q is upon us and needs help to complete the list. As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list. These are in no particular order as well.
01) Queen
02) Queens Of The Stone Age
03) Queensryche
04) Quicksand
05) Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest)
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When I first heard about Vanishing Life, I already knew, without hearing a song, that this band was going to be something I’m going to enjoy. Having one of my all time favorite drummers in Jaime Miller from Snot behind the kit and Walter Schreifels of Quicksand singing, this was sure to be something special. Joining them on guitar and bass, are Zach Blair of Rise Against and Autry Fulbright of And You Will Know us by the Trail of Dead. The first 7″ they put out was two songs of pure energy and unrelenting aggression. Now on their first full length album Surveillance, Vanishing Life has put together a record that harks back to the days when music had something very important to say.
From the urgency of the first song “Realist,” you can tell that you are in for quite a ride. “Outlier,” has a really cool melodic tinge to it without losing the “vibe” of what the band is. “Painter” is the type of song you’d expect from Walter, which has a sort of Rival Schools feel to it. “Pretty Ruined” has a post-hardcore vibe. “Exile” is a great punk rock track. “Image” is a pretty poignant song lyrically. “Vanishing Life” is full of the energy you’d want from a band in this style. “Thinking Weightless” is a really cool song that has great dynamics. “People Running” was featured on their first 7″ and the first song I heard from Vanishing Life, and this song is raw and full of punk ferociousness. Closing song “Big Other” has an epic vibe to it. I could almost see this as a pre-cursor to what the band might evolve into.
There is something beautiful about the simplicity of these songs. These guys are all great musicians and can play the hell out of their instruments, but they understand the need to play according to the song. Everyone in Vanishing Life lives in different areas but, I really hope that doesn’t cause this to be a one off project. This debut album really shows promise of what the four of them can do together and I’d love to hear more.
As you all can tell I’m relishing the fact that the 90’s are starting to come back in a big way. From album and film anniversaries, bands that are finally getting their due, and the all around general vibe that it brought out of people. There was no sense of entitlement like kids now. We all fought for what we wanted and believed in. To quote the movie in which I’m writing about “Damn The Man! Save The Empire”
Empire Records came out in 1995 to very little fanfare. In fact it was slammed by critics and it bombed while in theaters. Though over the years this movie has become a genuine cult classic. The soundtrack that accompanied the movie was fantastic. The soundtrack album featured tracks by Better Than Ezra, Cracker, The Cranberries, Evan Dando (of The Lemonheads), Toad the Wet Sprocket, Gin Blossoms and The Martinis (featuring former Pixies members Joey Santiago and Dave Lovering). One of the more intriguing notes about the film and soundtrack was the inclusion of Coyote Shivers, who played aspiring musician turned store clerk Berko in the film. Coyote became involved in the Empire Records by virtue of being the stepfather of Liv Tyler, Shivers being then married to Tyler’s mother Bebe Buell. The soundtrack album peaked at #63 on the album chart.There were also plenty of other songs featured in the movie that didn’t get included on the soundtrack release. Bands like Quicksand, Gwar, ACDC, Sponge, Suicidal Tendencies, Dishwalla, and many many more.
Do yourself a favor, and go home and watch this movie and revel in the songs that accompany your youth!
The 90’s really had a huge impact on my musical taste. There are so many great bands and albums from that time, that deserve to be acknowledged. Quicksand is one of those bands that really deserve attention. Their sound is now considered by many as the pre-cursor to what “post-hardcore” is. Released in 1993 Slip, their debut studio album, is widely considered to be one of the classic records of that genre. The powerful riffs and rhythms drive the collection of songs. Vocally, Walter Schreifels, has a deep raspy voice that really reverberates throughout the songs evoking raw energy. The guitar riffs between Schreifels and Tom Capone are loud, crunchy yet very clear to hear the notes. Alan Cage plays the drums in a subtle heavy way. His knack for hitting harder when necessary is very noticeable. Sergio Vega’s bass playing is thunderous and compliments the rhythm masterfully. Songs like “Fazer,” “Dine Alone,” “Lie and Wait,” and “Transparent” sum up this great album. Take a listen and revel in it!
There truly is a great deal of great music that has gone unheard. In this day and age of DIY mentality its a shame that so many have to go unheard my the masses. Enter (Damn) This Desert Air, hailing from New Jersey. They were formed in 2007. They have a distinct melodic rock sound that is infused with space rock riffs and post-hardcore. Picture Quicksand, Failure, Hum, and Stone Temple Pilots all together. (Damn) This Desert Air have appeared on numerous compilations, samplers, tribute album appearances on both the Failure and Hum Tributes. (Damn) This Desert Air have had their previous albums/E.P’s mixed by Brian Virtue. Their most recent album Pyramids is catchy and infectious. The opening track “Hanger” is full of melodic hooks. The song “Slave” takes the direction of space rock and shows the more delicate side the band all the while keeping their hard edge. The album also includes a cover of Quicksand’s “Shovel.”
(Damn) This Desert Air have melded their influences into something that is loud and booming yet doesn’t take away from the purity of the songs. They are really on to something, and hopefully can make their way out to the West Coast for some shows.
AUDIOECLECTICA 