Friday 30 August 2013

***GREYSCALE exclusive interview*** and band review

This post's artist is from the July 2013 Mix. This is track #9.

BandGREYSCALE
GenresPost-Hardcore / Screamo / Punk / Rock
Related artistsAdaje.
Country: Memphis, USA
Years Active: 2012-present
Song: "Iron Veins"
Album: "A Breathe Of Fresh Air"
Year: 2012
For fans of: Funeral Diner, City Of Caterpillar, L'Antietam, Off Minor, Todos Caeran, Coma
                    Regalia, The Fiction, The Fall Of Troy, D'Amore, (old/good) Hopesfall, Itto,
                    and Deers aka Proper SCREAMO.

Before the interview, let me first talk quickly about GREYSCALE's first EP, 'A Breath Of Fresh Air'.

The band employs some beautiful dynamics with their instrumentation - be it groovin', twinkly or serene. Just listen to the introduction of "The Closer You Get to the Light, the Stronger Your Shadow
Becomes" to get a good idea of this - or "Iron Veins". They generally balance these slow and intricate parts with speedy chaotic parts - but perhaps balance isn't the right word, as they're usually a little more heavy on the hardness.

The vocals jump between two vocalists and range from lower, coarse yelling to very high-pitched screaming. From what I've read, the lyrics are great and very introspective. I find that bands which incorporate the soft/hard dynamic of screamo can choose very poor placement for their vocals. This is not the case with GREYSCALE, as the vocals carry their own beat that still fits with the instrumentals.

You can listen to the band's first EP here. They are releasing a new split with Coma Regalia which you can stream here. It looks like they may have another split coming out soon with Our Weakness, as well. If these guys record a proper LP I'm going to shit myself - as I'm salivating at the direction they're going in.

Scroll down to read my interview with Zo who is one of the guitarists in GREYSCALE and a former Adaje member. It's a great interview with some very honest and entertaining answers.

 
Can you reveal anything interesting about the other band members?
Zo:  Chance has a tight ass. Barrett is unbearably afraid of homeless people. Sameer has disgusting sleeping habits.

 
How did you guys meet? How did you get involved in the band together?
Zo: I met Sameer when he was born. That was pretty cool. Chance and I met under pretty strange circumstances involving a girl neither of us are in contact with anymore. We ran into each other a couple years later and became fast friends over people we didn't like, fake screamo bands from 2004, and copious amounts of food consumption. Barrett I met at a show Sameer's and my old band Adaje played at, which was a church. He walked up to me and whispered sweet nothings about our band. It was cute. I've been in love with him ever since. A year later Adaje broke up and we all wanted to start a band together with our friend Taylor calling it a "best friend band". Taylor quit a few months in, but we all remain close to him. Hell yeah.

 
Can you describe any of your personal (or band) conflicts?

Zo: My only personal conflict is always and always trying to make the most out of this life I've been given. I try to keep my mind and my heart honest and so far it's worked out pretty well. As far as band conflicts go, we hit a rough patch on our last tour, but since then we've all hashed it out and focused on what really matters to us in this band.

 
What can you tell us about ADAJE? - as I’m aware at least one of your members were in that band. I must say, I love “Caveman Not Cometh”, “Pending”, “KWC” and “Harrowing Sounds From The Ravine”.

Zo: Sameer and I started Adaje in 2006 while I was still in high school and Sameer was in grade school still. From 2006 to 2012 we stayed pretty active as far as touring and putting out releases. The band went from sounding like a metalcore Fear Before the March of Flames, to a post hardcore/emo outfit, and finally ended on our last full length ‘Yore Veils’. A few months later I broke up the band as it was becoming something that I wasn't enjoying and that should always be the basis of being in a band. To help you forget about the bullshit we all deal with and to be an outlet to vent all that. Not add on to a list of problems and stress.

 
Can you describe what it was like to leave band practice after writing the song “Iron Veins”?  I love that song!

Zo: We were all super stoked on that song as soon as we finished it. But come to think of it, after every song we write we get stoked on it. I think it's been that way since we started a year ago which is good. You want to be stoked and proud of every song you write. All killer no filler.


Do you feel like your new/next material can be likened to something in regards to its significance – such as a thought, idea, feeling or specific purpose? Is this communicated lyrically, instrumentally or thematically? (If this question is too ridiculous, how’s this -> “Can you talk about your new material?”)

Zo: I have more of a role in the instrumental communication of things in the band. Chance writes all the lyrics and is usually behind concepts, artwork, and keeping an eye on the overall aesthetic of the band. Musically, the 4 of us communicate very well. It's gotten even better lately because everyone's been bringing their own ideas to practice to elaborate on. Practices are becoming more of an event rather than fulfilling 2 hours of playing music. As far as new songs go, the 5 songs we recorded earlier this summer played a little bit to our aggressive, slightly more abrasive side. They're faster, tighter and transition smoother than our last batch. But now we just started writing again after we got back from this tour, and there's already a progression into a more full, aesthetically pleasing sound. Think "Iron Chance" but more room to breathe.

 
Who were your primary influences when you started playing music and who are they now?

Zo: As a guitarist, my first real influence was The Fall Of Troy. I love every aspect of that band's writing and for what they did, they were wildly underrated. Nowadays, I prefer not to think of any certain band when I’m writing to try to come up something new and fresh. Although I’m sure people listen to our songs and think "this sounds like so-and-so", that's fine with me. I'm not trying to write something completely original. Just something completely honest.

 
What was the first song that you remember covering?

Zo: “The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows” by Brand New


What song would you like to cover?
Zo: "I’m Just a Girl" by No Doubt

 
What kind of emotions and thoughts occur when people define your band, on purpose or by accident?

Zo:  Most of the time I don't agree with people's interpretations or references to what we sound like, but I'll just be like, "Oh thanks man". It doesn't bother me much because everybody has their own ears and own way of deducting what a band sounds like. However, if somebody came up to me after we play and was like "DUDE LYKE IF KATY PERRY AND MATCHBOX TWENTY COLLABORATED. FUCK YEAH.", I'd be like wtf?

 
If you had to slap a genre label on GREYSCALE so potential new listeners could get a good idea of your sound without hearing you, what would you label yourselves as?

Zo: Stoner pop

 
Are there times when you feel like the writing process stagnates? How do you overcome this?
Zo: When the band is writing together, not at all. We all bounce ideas off of each other like it's nothing. When I’m at home trying to get a riff going however, it happens sometimes. When it does, I just put the guitar down and let the idea come to me. Whenever I try to force something out, it ends up getting tossed to the wayside.

 
Please describe the people, in general, that are associated with the music that you create – whether it be during the process, talking to people at shows, etc.

Zo: I can honestly say the people that we play shows with/for all across the country are the most genuine, nicest, most respectable people I've ever met. We go to their town and they take us in, give us a place to stay, feed us and put on killer shows. When their band rolls through Memphis, we do the exact same thing. This community of DIY punk bands is something so rare and so special, and if you're stupid enough to take it for granted then that is unfortunate.

 
What pisses you off the most at shows that you attend? Or, to put a more positive spin on that question, what do you think could be done to improve playing shows? (attitudes/people/promoters/bands/etc.)

Zo: What bums me out is that 90% of the time, kids go to shows because their friend's band is playing. They go for that band and could give two shits about the other bands playing. From a musician's perspective, it's insulting. We put a lot into the songs we write, so when we get up and play them at shows, we at least want people to give us their undivided attention for 20 minutes. That's all we ask for. Afterwards you can go right back to ignoring us and talking to your friends who you came there to see. You asked about people, promoters, and bands. The answer is all about the attitude. Good attitudes at shows affect everything about them. The band's energy, the people's energy and how well the show is promoted. Most of the time, it takes being in a touring band to understand what touring bands need. The funny thing is, all we want is a good fucking show.

 
What are your future touring plans?

Zo: This winter we're heading out west with our friends in the band "Been" featuring members of Alta and Acidic Tree for 11 days. Then next summer we're heading up to Canada (hopefully).

 
If you could get in a time machine and go back to see any band (NOT show specific) who would you want to see?

Zo: I would've absolutely loved to see City Of Caterpillar. Or These Arms Are Snakes. Both on one show would be the tits.

 
Do you find it hard to balance objectivity with emotion when listening to/playing/talking about music?

Zo: I used to have a hard time with it because I care so much about music. Like, a lot. So when I would see a band that I didn't like, I'd get pissed off and write them off completely. But then I realized that it backfired and my love for music was being compromised, so I took a step back. I still see and know bands that I don't like, but my passion and love for music outweigh what pisses me off about it, and that allows me to look at things more objectively in that department.

 
What music that you used to love do you look back on and shake your head at?

Zo:  I had my metalcore phase just like everybody else. Although I still listen to Killswitch Engage and everyone I know hates it. It's awesome.

 
Besides music, what do you spend your time doing? What are your hobbies?

Zo: Videogames. Comics. Driving like a maniac.

 
What’s the best thing about being in GREYSCALE?

Zo: The fact that we work just as hard as an active touring band that tours 6 months out of the year but still retain the love for each other and for our music. Once you lose yourself completely from doing what you love, then it's time to take a step back. I can happily say that the 4 of us remain very close and have been having the best time playing in this band the past year.

 
What’s the most challenging thing about being in GREYSCALE?
Zo: Well like I said earlier, we all bounce ideas off of each other at practice, but sometimes that backfires. Chance and I are pretty opinionated, so we'll clash from time to time, but 5 minutes later we're all good.

 
What was your first thought when I asked you to do this interview?

Zo: "I hope he doesn't ask us stupid questions."

 
I don’t drink anymore but I used to, and I have some crazy stories. I’m sure you guys can top me. Do tell.

Zo: I’m sure Chance elaborated on this a little, but on this past tour we had some fun nights. In Champaign, IL however, things just got stupid. We played with Gas Up yr Hearse that night and they took us to a party/place to crash for the night. Chance got some whiskey and Sameer got four loco. Yes I said four loco and am still saying four loco. He would take a shot of whiskey and chase it with that shit. So we're all hanging out, and this beyond drunk dude walks outside and just starts spewing utter nonsense. Chance nicknames him "fuckboy" and kept calling him that. He didn't appreciate and punched chance in the back of the head. Chance then turns around and is like "really?" then pushes the dude off this porch which is like a 5 foot drop. He gets up without a scratch and was like "that was a little aggressive." 5 minutes later Chance is taking a picture with these friends we made and Sameer walks out laughing hysterically and fucks up the whole picture. When everybody left we passed out but before hearing Sameer throw up all over the floor in some dude's room. Good times. Then there was the time where we played sxsw last year with Adaje and Chance got lone star drunk which I believe is 12% alcohol. He didn't know this, got way too drunk, and moshed his dick off to Full of Hell. Chance does not mosh so it pretty much made our night.
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DISCOGRAPHY


2012 - A Breath Of Fresh Air cd (stream/download/purchase here)






2013 - Coma Regalia Split 7" (stream here)




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GREYSCALE additional links
 

Thursday 29 August 2013

***ARBOGAST exclusive interview***

I recently had the pleasure of asking the trio that is ARBOGAST some questions. I had the idea after their album 'I', reviewed here, floored me back in 2012. Listen to the 2 embedded tracks from said album while reading the interview.

 
Describe yourself/your band.
Mike R: It's a combination of shared musical style, interests, plus high intensity playing. We try to keep it interesting for ourselves and hopefully the listeners.

 
Please describe what led to the use of the name ‘ARBOGAST’.

Aaron: We took it from a Hitchcock movie. It sounded original and kind of dark. Actually it’s just a last name and since the inception we have come to meet many who share the surname. 

 
Can you reveal anything interesting about the band members?

Mike R: Aaron & Mike (Rataj) are avid home-brewers, but we're all pro beer drinkers. Mike Scheid is a father of 3.
 
How did you you guys meet? How did you get involved in the band together?
Mike R: We met in the finance industry and had similar musical tastes. Mike Scheid was trying to get the 3 of us to jam but I was studying to get a license for get a new job. Once we started jamming it clicked. I'm glad he kept pushing it.

Mike S: Aaron and I went to college together and bonded on similar musical tastes but for some reason didn’t even jam or write together for the first 10 years of being friends… weird. I did work with his former band as a recording engineer and we put out a few records.  He wound up moving to Chicago and working with me where Mike R was already working, also.  One day we just realized that within our office we had a 3 piece with similar energy and flavor so we decided to hang, drink and jam.  We don’t know any covers so we just played disjointed nonsense then started writing songs immediately so we’d know where we were going.  For better or worse we don’t cover anything (not that I’m anti – I love classic rock and all music, really) so it forces us to write and create something comparably fun to the songs we like outside of the band.  Those influences bleed in without being played directly. 
Aaron: Sounds about right. An after work beer and noise session. The band lasted longer than the job.

 
Can you describe any of your personal (or band) conflicts?
Mike S: Having time to do it all would be mine.  I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished with the time we’ve been able to work together on it.  We tend to work well outside of the space and communicate online when we can’t meet so there’s always something cooking.
 


What have you given up to play in ARBOGAST, especially while touring?
Mike R: Vacation time from our jobs.

Mike S: We haven’t toured a tremendous amount but we have taken some jaunts out to play out of town… all I can say is it’s cheaper than a vacation but still kinda costly to do it at this point. 

Aaron: Money.

 
What was ARBOGAST’s best show/tour? Why?
Mike S: Our last tour of the middle to eastern United States would be my best experience.  Personally, I had bronchitis so screaming my guts out without fainting was a little challenging but we met some really awesome folks and played with many many talented individuals along the way.  The Philadelphia, PA show was my favorite!  Thanks to all who came and got down with us.

Aaron: We’ve had some great Chicago shows, as it’s always nice to see familiar faces. Our tour out East in April was pretty rad all-around. I agree with Schied, Philly was very cool. We played the upstairs of Kung Fu Necktie with this amazing band called Carved Up.  It was a really nice vibe, a very small room and probably only 30 people there but everyone went batshit when we played. New York at Lit Lounge is definitely worth mentioning as well. We had a lot of friends and family out at that show and got to play with some really talented people, Bangladeafy and In Musth.

 
Which band has been nicest/coolest/grooviest/craziest/best/adjective that you have had the pleasure of meeting?
Mike S: I really liked Bison BC.  I’m a big fan of their music and they were really nice dudes who complimented us on our stuff as well.  It felt good to have the approval of a pretty established metal band of their caliber.

Mike R: I hate to be that guy but really most bands have been great. We've made a lot of friends around Chicago & continue to play shows with them. I suppose Shifting Totem, East of the Wall & Heaving Mass stand out.
Aaron: So many cool bands we’ve played with. Goes Cube, East of the Wall, Bison BC, Behold…the Arctopus, Chapstik. Plus about 100 local/regional bands.

 
What is your favourite song to play live?

Mike R: “Will & D”. Haha.
Mike S: If we ever played that one live – ya me too.. Seriously I have a blast playing “Blasfamous” (no pun intended). I’m a big fan of dynamics so that more contrast between quiet, minimal and serene and a brutal spastic fury of intensity, the better for me.  That’s kind of what I was going for with that intro with that one and I love playing it live.  (track 4 on the ‘I’ record)

Aaron: It changes. Probably “Soulsfate” right now. 
 

Can you describe what it was like to leave band practice after writing the song 'Final Throes'? Modesty aside (if possible), did you know you'd written a phenomenal song? (embedded below)
Mike R: Haha, thanks. The recorded version was probably the best we played it until that point. We did 1 or 2 takes & then Aaron suggested we do it 1 more time but just a little faster. That was a great call.

Mike S: That’s a great question and I’ll go more into the introduction as being the last part to be finalized.  We actually left the studio knowing it was done once recorded since as Mike said it was finalized nearly the day of recording.  The very first riff of that one was the introduction melody which was mutated a few different ways.  We initially expressed it as bass and guitar noise with volume swells just to get it down.  It made the song drag and started on the wrong foot so we decided to kick up the rocking part and take the intro half-time which I worked out on piano.  That solved it and carried the energy and again I LOVE contrasting dynamics like that.  In the studio I stumbled across an old analog Hammond organ which didn’t work at first but our engineer Andy picked it up and dropped it on it’s base and then it played. I hammered out that piano melody with some eerie low key volume swells in the bass register and it was almost surreal how it clicked and was just done in one take.  The vibe in the studio was pin drop quiet and it was the last thing we added to the record and probably my favorite moment. 
Aaron: Thanks for the kind words. Those riffs had been floating around for quite a while. I think we cut a few minutes off it at one point because it seemed to drag. For me I really started to dig it once the vocals were finalized, which was probably a week before we got in the studio.  I always feel a sense of accomplishment after finalizing a song.

 
Can you talk about your new material?

Mike R: We're working on it ...
 

Who will release your next record?
Mike R: Probably Nefarious but we're open to other possibilities...

Aaron: I would work with Nefarious Industries again. Love those guys. We’ll probably worry about that after we write some new material.

 
Who/What has given you the most support as a band?

Mike R: My mom. People that come to the shows to see another band but end up talking to us because they enjoyed it is awesome. Always feels great to make another convert.
Mike S: Local friends, family, wives,  girlfriends...everyone around us has chipped in and we’ve had a lot of support. It’s been pretty awesome to see people genuinely excited about it.

 
Who were your primary influences when you started playing music and who are they now?
Mike R: Punk bands, went through a huge punk influence when i started playing, I'd practice to a lot of these bands then found my way to metal & jazz.

Mike S: I started playing young on keyboards, piano, trumpet, and a little guitar just farting around with whatever cheesy 80’s song or classic rock I could hear on the radio or TV.  I really picked up the guitar put 6 strings on it and tuned it and started playing when I got into the thrash/metal wave of the late 80’s early 90’s (just like most).  I had Metallica, Megadeth and Pantera song books and didn’t come out of my room for a few years.  I’m influenced in my heart of hearts by any and all music that makes my head bob.
Aaron: I grew up playing metal. The big 4: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax.  Moved into grunge then punk and gridcore. I try and keep an open mind about most music. As far as current writing influences I’m into doom, thrash, sludge, noise, heavy psych and stoner rock.

 
Have your style changes ever been intentional, or have they been organic?

Mike R: I'd say organic, maybe one part is played long enough & we'll try to find a complimenting section to jump to.
Mike S: Organic…we’ve never planned or conversed about a certain style to play.  This is just the middle of our ven diagram between us three.

Aaron: We intentionally try to keep it heavy.  Sometimes we have said, “Hey let’s write a fast one” and then we write a fast one. But it’s fairly organic, I guess.

 
If you had to slap a genre label on ARBOGAST so potential new listeners could get a good idea of your sound without hearing you, what  would you label yourselves as?
Mike R: Progressive metal punk?

Mike S: I say metal usually to sum it up. We get a lot of different descriptions from others and I like to leave it up to the listener.
Aaron: I wouldn’t.

 
What are your favourite releases of all-time?
Mike R: Battles Mirrored, Refused - Shape of Punk to Come, Salt Peanuts.

Mike S: I’d have a really hard time narrowing it down. I’m too fair and love all my records/children equally.


Besides music, what do you spend your time doing? What are your hobbies?
Mike R: Brewing.

Mike S: Music would be my hobby so if I ever do it for a living I’ll need a new hobby I guess.
Aaron: I spend the majority of my time working so I can pay the rent. Drinking is fun, too.

 
Is there anything else you would like to say?

Mike R: Support local music & buy their stuff! I'm a huge fan of streaming sites to get the music out there, but go to shows &the buy their merch. Please.
And smile.

Mike S: We joke, kid and have fun a lot and keep things light generally but on a more serious note I want to say that music and metal have gotten me through some REALLY rough, dark times and I’m grateful for all the musicians who had the balls to take a shot and put themselves out there honestly and purely for the love it and for the love of others.  I keep the same things in mind when writing and putting out music.  If this reaches one troubled individual and gives them the energy jolt to get up, clench their fists and break out of a funk, then I’ve succeeded.  I owe a lot to the bands who’ve inspired me because more than urging me to pick up an instrument they’ve urged me to fight my way out of worse circumstances to better ones.  I love this music and these guys who’ve put up with me to make it and I hope it can change someone - anyone’s, life out there.
Aaron: Thanks for talking to us.  Now go fuck yourself. (*he's talking to me, not the readers!)

Wednesday 28 August 2013

SUICIDE MACHINES, THE

This post's artist is from the July 2013 Mix. This is track #13.

BandSUICIDE MACHINES, THE
GenresPunk / Ska / Hardcore
Related artistsHellmouth.
Country: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Years Active: 1991-2006
Song: "Confused"
Album: "Battle Hymns"
Year: 1998
For fans of: NOFX, Value Pac, Rancid, Recover, Kid Dynamite and Operation Ivy.

You must know this band - or I am just plain old. THE SUICIDE MACHINES could do no wrong back in the mid-to-late 1990s. They released 2 of the most influential punk/ska albums every, with 'Destruction by Definition' and 'Battle Hymns'. Then major labels got involved and the band made at least 1 very questionable record. At this point it became obvious that the band questioned their identity, which ended up being a good thing as they dumped the pop-rock sound donned for the major labels and went back to playing schizophrenic ska, punk and hardcore.

I tried listening to band's final records, as I pretty much abandoned this style of music over a decade ago. They were meh, so I realized that back in the late 90s - there was nothing that combined the happiness of ska, the 'fuck you' of punk and the aggressiveness of hardcore. This isn't special anymore, but it was goddamn revolutionary at the time.

If you like the embedded songs/videos, check out the following songs from their first 2 releases, as they are the best ones - in my opinion:
Destruction by Definition = "New Girl", "Our Time", "The Real You", "Inside/Outside" and "So
                                                  Long"
Battle Hymns = "Someone", "Hope", "Black and White World", "Numbers", "High Society", "Pins
                          and Needles", "Confused" and "Step One"

________________________________________________________________________

(full length) DISCOGRAPHY

1994 - Green World cassette

1995 - Rudiments Plus Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines! cd/2x12"LP

1996 - Destruction by Definition cdLP

1998 - Battle Hyms cdLP

2000 - The Suicide Machines cdLP

2001 - Steal This Record cdLP

2003 - A Match And Some Gasoline cd

2006 - War Profiteering Is Killing Us All cd


________________________________________________________________________

youtube )))))embedded audio((((( links

(1996) THE SUICIDE MACHINES - "New Girl" (from 'Destruction By Definition' cd)

(1998) THE SUICIDE MACHINES - "Confused" (from 'Battle Hyms' cd)

(2000) THE SUICIDE MACHINES - "Permanent Holiday" (from 'Self-Titled' cd)
 
(2003) THE SUICIDE MACHINES - "Kaleidoscope" (from 'A Match And Some Gasoline' cd)
 
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Tuesday 27 August 2013

RECOVER

This post's artist is from the July 2013 Mix. This is track #15.

BandRECOVER
GenresRock / Post-Hardcore / Punk /
Related artistsI don't know.
Country: Austin, Texas, USA
Years Active: 2000-2005 and 2009-present
Song: "Bad Timing"
Album: "Ceci N'est Pas Recover"
Year: 2002
For fans of: Kissing Chaos, In Reverent Fear, In Pieces, Refused, At The Drive In and Cave In.

This band saw me at the tail-end of my pop-punk meets screaming days of yore...err, 2002. I was transitioning out of Hopesfall, Boy Sets Fire and Thrice. RECOVER started out strong a year before this and delivered what I consider to be one of the most progressive post-hardcore records of the millennia (at that time, of course) with 'Rodeo and Picasso'. This record combines Refused screaming, Thrice pop-punk and the spaceyness of Cave In. 'Ceci N'est Pas Recover' showed the band making quick progress and great mixing didn't hurt either. The harder songs were hard but still retained a more cohesive sense of melody and the pop/rock hooks were even better than the previous full length. Then, all of a sudden, I stopped caring. I heard they went all-out pop-punk after the EP. That isn't surprising, but it's a shame about all of the pissed off fans who lashed out at the band for playing what they wanted. Tis in the past. Check them songs!
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DISCOGRAPHY

2001 - Rodeo and Picasso cdLP

2002 - Ceci N'est Pas Recover cdEP

2004 - This May Be The Year I Disappear cdLP

2011/13 - Challenger cd/12"LP

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youtube )))))embedded official video / audio((((( links

(2001) RECOVER - "Pardon The Wait" (from 'Rodeo and Picasso' cd)

(2001) RECOVER - "Dialogue From A Film" (from 'Rodeo and Picasso' cd)

(2002) RECOVER - "Bad Timing" (from 'Ceci N'est Pas Recover' cd) OFFICIAL VIDEO

 
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(-) PROTEST THE HERO Volition release and tour!

Yeah... I just copied this...


We will be celebrating the release of our fourth studio album "Volition" with a 30 date North American tour commencing November 7th in Ottawa. The tour will cover Canadian and U.S major markets. UK band Architects will joining us on the tour and rotating the opening slots will be Affiance and The Kindred.

Volition will be released in the U.S and Canada on October 29th. Tickets for the tour will go on sale September 6th and 7th.

The dates for the Volition tour are:...
THU/NOV 07 - OTTAWA, ON - RITUAL
FRI/NOV 08 - MONTREAL, QC - TULIPE
SAT/NOV 09 - TORONTO, ON - SOUND ACADEMY
TUE/NOV 12 - THUNDER BAY, ON - CROCK'S
WED/NOV 13 - WINNIPEG, MB - UNION HALL
THU/NOV 14 - SASKATOON, SK - ODEON
FRI/NOV 15 - EDMONTON, AB - BONNIE DOON
SAT/NOV 16 - CALGARY, AB - THE GATEWAY
MON/NOV 18 - VANCOUVER, BC - VOGUE
TUE/NOV 19 - PORTLAND OR - THE BRANX
WED/NOV 20 - SEATTLE WA - EL CORAZON
FRI/NOV 22 - SAN FRANCISCO CA - SLIM'S
SAT/NOV 23 - LOS ANGELES CA - THE ROXY
SUN/NOV 24 - SAN DIEGO CA - SOMA SIDE STAGE
MON/NOV 25 - TEMPE AZ - CLUB RED
TUE/NOV 26 - ALBUQUERQUE NM - LAUNCHPAD
WED/NOV 27 - DENVER CO - SUMMIT
FRI/NOV 29 - DALLAS TX - THE DOOR
SAT/NOV 30 - HOUSTON TX - WAREHOUSE LIVE
MON/DEC 02 - ATLANTA GA - MASQUERADE
TUE/DEC 03 - ORLANDO FL - THE BEACHAM
THU/DEC 05 - GREENSBORO NC - GREENE STREET CLUB
FRI/DEC 06 - CLEVELAND OH - AGORA BALLROOM
SAT/DEC 07 - CHICAGO IL - BOTTOM LOUNGE
SUN/DEC 08 - DETROIT MI - MAGIC STICK
TUE/DEC 10 - PITTSBURGH PA - MR SMALLS
WED/DEC 11 - BALTIMORE MD - OTTOBAR
FRI/DEC 13 - NEW YORK NY - GRAMERCY
SAT/DEC 14 - WORCESTER MA - THE PALLADIUM UPSTAIRS
SUN/DEC 15 - PHILADELPHIA PA - THE TROCADERO

HOLY SHROUD, THE

This post's artist is from the July 2013 Mix. This is track #7.

BandTHE HOLY SHROUD
GenresRock / Garage / Punk / Shoegaze / Emo
Related artistsNorth Of America, Holy Fuck, State Champs, The Motes, The Wintersleep,
                        Savant Garde, The Plan and Thrush Hermit.
Country: Halifax, Canada
Years Active: 2005-2006
Song: "Exit Polls"
Album: "Ghost Repeaters"
Year: 2005
For fans of: Despistado, North Of America, Desiderata, Dillinger 4 and Riddle Of Steel.

Much like their previous band North Of America, THE HOLY SHROUD played a very underappreciated style of shoegaze, punk and emo to create a sound that I still call the North Of America-sound. The reason that I use their old band is because of the obvious, they did this style first. But, THE HOLY SHROUD is the culmination of what North Of America was trying to achieve - bouncy yet aggressive garage rock, similar to Riddle Of Steel, especially in the dual-vocal department.

These sassy Canadians only had 2 releases, but if you dig this you can go through all of "North Of America"'s discography. I was lucky enough to see them play with Hot Cross during their 'Fair Trades and Farewells' tour - and THE HOLY SHROUD were as good as Hot Cross! A quick random reference point that I thought of - if you combine some elements from Despistado, Dillinger 4, Hot Cross and Hot Water Music you may have an idea of their sound - or just download the discography or click those youtube links. Listen to "Exit Polls" for a prime example of a sing-along anthem 'we'll find a way'
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DISCOGRAPHY
Click )==>here<==( to download  THE HOLY SHROUD's complete discography in mp3 form.

2005 - Hot Cross Split 7"

2005 -  Ghost Repeaters cd
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youtube )))))embedded audio((((( links

(2005) THE HOLY SHROUD - "Exit Polls" (from 'Ghost Repeaters' cd)
 
(2005) THE HOLY SHROUD - "Calling In Confederate Debts" (from 'Ghost Repeaters' cd) 
 
(2005) THE HOLY SHROUD - "Clear The Room" (from 'Hot Cross split' 7")
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THE HOLY SHROUD out-of-print mp3 discography
 

Friday 23 August 2013

***MAHRIA / FOR WANT OF / + + / MANELI JAMAL*** live in Toronto - review


On August 21st, 2013 I hit up the Izakaya Sushi House in Toronto, Ontario on my lonesome - there were 4 performances.
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1 - MAHRIA
 
The closer. I had heard MAHRIA before, but only in passing and I never paid them much mind. That changed at 11:47pm last night. Holy crap this is a group of extremely talented musicians! I am giving the vocals another listen, because initially they rubbed me the wrong way. Check out the video below of the first 4 minutes of their set. For fans of Off Minor, Spirit Of Versailles and Kylesa.
 
 
 (the mic's were NOT loud enough - luckily I was but a foot from the vocalist)
 
Stuff for sale:
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 2 - FOR WANT OF
 
This band was the reason for my trip to the show - as I did a video interview with all 4 guys that will be posted at the end of September. FOR WANT OF play a lightning-fast yet melodic brand of hardcore/screamo. If you're a fan of Hot Cross, Hugs or Lord Snow - check them out!

 
Stuff for sale:

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3 - + +
 
I missed the first half of this band's set. Here's a video from the second-half. It's not really my thing - but I could see people who enjoy crust/hardcore/punk liking this band. There were definitely moments where I was digging it.
 
 

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4 - MANELI JAMAL

The opener was seriously out of place. I thought I was going to feel bad for him. Then he started playing and I watched the members in the other bands become mesmerized by this guy as he rocked out for 20 minutes. He is somehow able to sound like 3 people - 2 guitarists and a drummer. I wish I recorded his first song, as it was the best example of his ability to play lullabies that build it into a powerful crescendo that utilizes every string on his guitar, and he provides drums using his fingers and palm! I picked up some cds that will be available at the ZEGEMA BEACH RECORDS online store in September. I think literally everyone will appreciate this video!

 
 
 
Stuff for sale:
 

Thursday 22 August 2013

(-) Zegema Beach DISTRO/STORE Opening in September

Good news, everyone! (said in Farnsworth's voice),

I have officially started stocking the ZEGEMA BEACH distro! I will also be posting some promotional mix cds to help fund ZEGEMA BEACH RECORDS. I made the packaging myself using a sheet of paper, a pen, two markers, glue, scissors and a photocopier. Oh! I almost forgot - the distro will also include some of my personal rarities that I need to part with in order to fund this label in its infancy. Some out-of-print records that will be posted are: Old Man Gloom, Loma Prieta, Bravo Fucking Bravo, Off Minor, Hot Cross, Cave In, Kaospilot and Capsule - to name a few bricks in the wall.
Next, once my uploads finish (hopefully tonight) I will post a full review of the MAHRIA / FOR WANT OF show in Toronto from August 21st, 2013. I filmed and reviewed all 4 bands - which ended up being an even better show than I expected.


Until then, go listen to some music on the ZEGEMA BEACH RECORDS webpage and check that page daily for rare record posts regarding my old Ebay items.