"Wow, you're tall."

My favorite albums of 2011

2012-01-06T17:27:00.003-05:00

My Amazon list

Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction

Devin Townsend Project - Ghost

Revocation - Chaos Of Forms

Mastodon - The Hunter

Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Hooray For Earth - True Loves

Primus - Green Naugahyde

Red Fang - Murder The Mountains

Stephen Malkmus - Mirror Traffic

Live bootleg: Lady Lamb the Beekeeper - Wild Honey Pie Buzzsession

2011-10-27T14:22:00.004-04:00

1. Aubergine
2. Crane Your Neck
3. Sunday Shoes

Buzzsessions is a live session series made by The Wild Honey Pie. With each new episode, [they] travel with a different band to a different part of New York City and record sometimes-intimate/sometimes-wild versions of two or three songs which are given away for free.

File share download here.

Thanks to The Wild Honey Pie!

“All I Really Want To Do” by Lady Lamb the Beekeeper

2011-10-26T16:31:00.003-04:00

File share download here.

Thanks to Brooklyn Based!

Some of Aly Spaltro’s earliest memories involve sitting in her closet with a flashlight, waiting for her favorite ‘60s girl-group songs to come on the radio so she could record them to a cassette tape. The 22-year-old Spaltro, who performs as Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, doesn’t think that era has had a conscious effect on her own songwriting, but she says it was “the music of my childhood, my favorite music of all time.” So it’s perhaps not a surprise that for BB Songs she decided to record Cher’s jangly Phil Spector-produced cover of Bob Dylan’s “All I Really Want To Do,” from her 1965 album of the same name.

“This recording is so fun,” she says. “The way it’s produced feels like everyone’s in a room playing it live, the production is so warm.” With friends in the groups Milkman’s Union and the Age of Rockets as her backing band, Spaltro stayed true to Cher’s version of the song. Spector was known for his production work, especially with harmony-driven girl groups, and the art of recording is what inspired Spaltro to make music after graduating high school in Brunswick, Maine, four years ago. Spaltro is recording and producing the first formal Lady Lamb LP — which follows last year’s ragtag collection, Mammoth Swoon — all herself, out of her Greenpoint apartment. “I started making music to record it,” she says. “That’s my real love, and so I’m very stubborn about how it’s recorded.”

Devin Townsend Project - Terminal (NAMM rehearsal)

2011-06-21T17:46:00.002-04:00

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

A message from Dev:
This is a recording done in Daves basement the other day for the Namm show next week. We recorded it on a Zoom HN4 handheld recorder, and we had to be quiet because Daves roommate was sleeping. Kat Epple, flute, is playing with us at the Namm show and I'm thrilled about that. Anyways... here's where rehearsals for the quiet project are at. Enjoy! Dev.

Devin Townsend Project - Drench

2011-06-21T17:41:00.003-04:00

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

A message from Dev:
Here's an out-take from the Ghost sessions. Please enjoy, it's not as much of a 'song' as it is a 'vibe'...

Dev.

Devin Townsend Project - Ki Bonus Materials (2009)

2011-06-07T17:20:00.004-04:00

FLAC and MP3 download here.

A message from Dev:
Hey folks! Dev here…here’s three tracks for ya. I think they’re cool, but they’re just ‘bonus’ stuff for Ki…take em, love em, hate em, burn a disk and enjoy...(or not)

Track 1) SYNCHRONICITY FREAKS: This is the first song I wrote for Ki, didn’t end up quite right though…I like it and it’s cool to hear (I think) It’s unmastered.

Track 2) KI JAM: This is Me, Jean and Duris kind of jamming in between takes while we were recording the album…yup. It’s unmastered too.

Track 3) TESTING SOME FENDER TOYS: This was a sunny afternoon and I’m just messing around with clean sounds and different pickups. It was a Fender 57 Twin reissue with some Mullards, My EJ strat, and a Keeley compressor. Echos were after the fact. Aaaand, unmastered. Get yer wank on.

Theres lots more stuff I’ll put up here in the next month or so. Music is life, thanks for letting me continue to do it!

Devin.

Live bootleg: The Wildhearts - Reading 1994

2011-06-06T15:56:00.002-04:00

The Wildhearts
August 28, 1994
Reading Festival
Reading, England

FLAC and MP3 download here.

Ginger - vocals, guitar
Devin Townsend - guitar
Danny McCormack - bass
Ritch Battersby - drums

01 Caffeine Bomb
02 Everlone
03 Greetings From Shitsville
04 Nothing Ever Changes But The Shoes
05 Suckerpunch
06 Drinking About Life
07 Shut Your Fucking Mouth
08 Liberty Cap
09 My Baby Is A Headfuck
10 Love You 'till I Don't

Devin Townsend Project - Live EP (2011)

2011-05-15T17:58:00.007-04:00

Devin Townsend Project
Recorded: February 1, 2010 @ Sonar, Baltimore, MD
Released: 2011

MP3 download here.

Thanks to Inside Out Music!

A message from Dev:
Hey folks, Devin here. How's tricks?

So here's the deal: I'm in the middle of an absolute monstrous amount of work, Ghost, Deconstruction, Ziltoid Rockband, Live videos, Guitar prototypes, Namm, and getting ready for tour. In a nutshell: Things are great! I'm happy to be working so much and thrilled that I don't have to write music that sounds like every other shit ass commercial rock band I hear on the radio.

My friend Brett Caldas-Lima, who did sound for us on our first tour ever as the Devin Townsend Project (Last January with BTBAM, Cynic and Scale The Summit) contacted me a while ago saying he had gone ahead and mixed one of the shows from that first tour. In listening to it, I kind of thought we sounded pretty good! Granted, it was the first tour and we were playing to a crowd that couldn't have cared less, (hence the proliferation of tasteless ad-libs on my part...apologies) but really, all things considered, it's not a bad recording and when it surfaced online, people were asking how to get a hold of it. So um... here it is!

InsideOut Music and Century Media (two truly progressive labels) are full of music lovers and good people. A great team to be on, and they offered to post this on their site. Awesome IOM/CM! Thanks for years of support! Of course, on the net you can download anything I've ever done as it is, so in a lot of ways I consider the fact that some of you spend actual money on my stuff a really nice gesture. I was going to release this on Soundcloud, but when the label asked to be involved, we decided the best idea was to put it up on their site. There's so much stuff coming out this year that costs actual money to produce that the least we can do to thank you for your support is throw you a bone every now and then.

There's 5 songs performed by my live project 'dtp' straight out of the board and then mixed by Brett:

Supercrush!
Kingdom
Truth
Om
By Your Command

The goal this year is to accumulate enough interest in what I do to work with symphonies in a live context. As the second of 4 bands on our first tour though, it's not really an option yet :) Ok, gotta get back to work...cheers! Come see us on tour if you get a chance!

Dev

PS: Please visit Brett's website Towerstudio.net, he does a great job at the production thing, and he is also the mastermind behind the band Kalisia, so yay Brett!

Live bootleg: Lady Lamb The Beekeeper

2011-04-25T16:54:00.004-04:00

Lady Lamb The Beekeeper
Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
April 14, 2011

File share download here.

Thanks to visible voice!

Master bootleg: Dead Cats Dead Rats - 2011-02-11 - All Asia Bar, Cambridge, MA

2011-02-15T15:00:00.009-05:00

Dead Cats Dead Rats, winners of the best Boston punk artist of 2010. They often play in the New England area, so visit their site to see if they're playing near you. Grab their latest album for free too.

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Dead Cats Dead Rats
February 11, 2011
All Asia Bar
Cambridge, MA

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Matt Reppucci - vocals, guitar
Chris Wolz - bass
Travis Tenney - drums
deadcatsdeadrats.com

01 -Intro-
02 -New slow song-
03 -New fast song-
04 Skeletons
05 Rocket Seed
06 Eventually The Monsters Will Win
07 Pillage The Village
08 Coil Eyes
09 The Hunt
10 Wanted Man
11 Plaidypus
12 Studder
13 Cross Bones
14 Jungle Carpet
15 No Money No Honey

IBS Audio Program 100 for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

2010-12-26T21:23:00.005-05:00

Trying this program was a last resort for me. I had high expectations after seeing extremely positive reviews and claims that this is the closest "cure" for IBS out there. I was excited and hopeful, but ultimately disappointed. My symptoms were only reduced by perhaps 10% or so, but I also did not fully complete the 100-day program.

During the first 50 days I looked forward to getting immersed in the hypnotherapy with my headphones. I happily took time out of my day and I found the sessions to be very relaxing. A few times I even fell asleep which is perfectly acceptable. The sessions feature just hypnotherapist Michael Mahoney's voice and subtle music. My thoughts tend to run wild, so staying focused was a bit of a challenge.

Around day 75 I began to lose interest due to lack of results, and the business of my life conflicted with the program schedule. I became frustrated that I wasn't experiencing noticeable changes and I essentially quit. I cheated myself, but I hope to return for a second try and maybe the results will be different.

I like to think I've become more of a relaxed person since doing this therapy, but unfortunately my symptoms haven't faded. I've learned to try to be calm in stressful situations, but my body often wins that battle. I enjoyed the sessions and appreciate that these CDs are far less expensive than visiting a therapist. Would I recommend this to IBS sufferers? Absolutely, but everyone's results may vary.

I've since started doing guided meditations and these are actually proving to reduce my symptoms. Time will tell how effective they can be, but I really enjoy Meditainment's releases that incorporate very life-like sounds alongside soothing narration. The sounds really help me picture the setting, thus relieving my mind of all other thoughts, something the IBS Audio Program 100 lacks. I recommend Stress Relief as a good place to start, and I also highly suggest visiting Meditainment's website.

My favorite rock/metal albums of 2010

2010-12-26T14:47:00.003-05:00

My Amazon list

Artist: Jimi Hendrix
Album: Valleys Of Neptune

Artist: Jimi Hendrix
Album: Merry Christmas And Happy New Year

Artist: Alain Johannes
Album: Spark

Artist: Acey Slade & The Dark Party
Album: The Dark Party

Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
Album: Scream

Artist: How To Destroy Angels
Album: How To Destroy Angels

Artist: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
Album: The Social Network

Artist: Black Tusk
Album: Taste The Sin

Artist: Taint
Album: All Bees To The Sea

Artist: Soulfly
Album: Omen

Dead Cats Dead Rats - Monsters (2010)

2010-12-15T11:54:00.003-05:00

Released 01 December 2010
Recorded and Mixed by Richard Marr @ Galaxy Park Studios
Produced by Richard Marr & DCDR.
Bass: Chris Wolz
Drums: Travis Tenney
Guitar/Vocals: Matt Reppucci

Download - http://deadcatsdeadrats.bandcamp.com/

Immediate download of 10-track album in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.

Master bootleg: Devin Townsend Project - 2010-10-29 - Palladium Upstairs, Worcester, MA

2010-11-01T14:37:00.003-04:00

Happy post-Halloween, ghoul peers! I present to you Devin Townsend headlining his solo material for the first tour ever. The Palladium Upstairs does not have great sound, and it was very crowded so there is intermittent phasing, but I'm pleased with the way this came out.

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Devin Townsend Project
October 29, 2010
The Palladium Upstairs
Worcester, MA

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Devin Townsend - vocals, guitar
Dave Young - guitar
Brian Waddell - bass
Ryan Van Poederooyen - drums
Mark Cimino - guitar (track 11)

01 Addicted
02 Supercrush
03 Kingdom
04 Deadhead
05 Truth / Om
06 By Your Command
07 Life
08 Gaia
09 Bad Devil
10 -Break-
11 Bend It Like Bender
12 -Are you better than New York?-
13 Colour Your World
14 The Greys
15 Deep Peace

Master bootleg: Razormaze - 2010-04-10 - Church, Boston, MA

2010-06-04T16:55:00.002-04:00

Razormaze is one of the better thrash bands in the Boston area and if you're a fan of thrash, check 'em out. They're about to embark on a nationwide tour, so visit their site to see if they're playing near you. Grab their latest EP for free too.

File share download here.

Razormaze
April 10, 2010
Ray Neades (Beefy DC) tribute show
Church
Boston, MA

http://www.myspace.com/razormazethrash

Download their new EP "Miseries" for free at http://razormaze.bandcamp.com/

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Alex Citrone - vocals, guitar
Dave Carlino - guitar
Sam Nevin - bass, vocals
Nick Laz - drums

01 -Intro-
02 Lobotomized
03 Karma In / Karma Out
04 Desperado
05 Miseries Of The Flesh
06 Slave To The Maze
07 -Outro-

Master bootleg: Testament - 2010-03-13 - Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY

2010-03-21T10:02:00.002-04:00

This was my first time seeing Testament and they played all of The Legacy start to finish. I also recorded Megadeth at this show. Enjoy!

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Testament
March 13, 2010
Town Ballroom
Buffalo, NY

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Chuck Billy - vocals
Glen Drover - guitar, vocals
Eric Peterson - guitar, vocals
Greg Christian - bass
Paul Bostaph - drums

01 -Intro-
02 Over The Wall
03 The Haunting
04 Burnt Offerings
05 Raging Waters
06 C.O.T.L.O.D.
07 First Strike Is Deadly
08 Do Or Die
09 Alone In The Dark
10 Apocalyptic City

Master bootleg: Megadeth - 2010-03-13 - Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY

2010-03-21T09:59:00.003-04:00

This was my first time seeing Megadeth and it was an amazing performance as they played the entire Rust In Peace album start to finish, in addition to some favorites of course. I also recorded Testament at this show. Enjoy!

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Megadeth
March 13, 2010
Town Ballroom
Buffalo, NY

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Dave Mustaine - vocals, guitar
Chris Broderick - guitar, vocals
David Ellefson - bass, vocals
Shaun Drover - drums

01 -Intro-
02 Set The World Afire
03 Wake Up Dead / In My Darkest Hour
04 Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
05 Hangar 18
06 Take No Prisoners
07 -Interlude-
08 Five Magics
09 Poison Was The Cure
10 Lucretia
11 Tornado Of Souls
12 Dawn Patrol
13 Rust In Peace... Polaris
14 -Interlude-
15 Head Crusher
16 Trust
17 Symphony Of Destruction
18 -Encore-
19 Peace Sells
20 -Outro-

Master bootleg: Devin Townsend Project - 2010-01-29 - Northern Lights, Clifton Park, NY

2010-01-30T16:26:00.003-05:00

This is the second consecutive night I saw Devin Townsend live, and I was able to get very close to the stage as Northern Lights is a relatively small venue. He played two songs from the four-album series he's been working on (releasing two thus far, Ki and Addicted). Support him and buy the music if you like it!

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Devin Townsend Project
January 29, 2010
Northern Lights
Clifton Park, NY

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Devin Townsend - vocals, guitar
Dave Young - guitar
Brian Waddell - bass
Ryan Van Poederooyen - drums

01 -Intro-
02 Disruptr
03 Supercrush
04 Kingdom
05 -Interlude-
06 Truth / Om
07 By Your Command

Master bootleg: Devin Townsend Project - 2010-01-28 - House of Blues, Boston, MA

2010-01-30T16:23:00.003-05:00

This is the first time I've seen Devin Townsend live, and it was perhaps the most epic performance I've ever seen, despite the fact he only played for thirty minutes. He played two songs from the four-album series he's been working on (releasing two thus far, Ki and Addicted). Support him and buy the music if you like it!

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Devin Townsend Project
January 28, 2010
House of Blues
Boston, MA

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Devin Townsend - vocals, guitar
Dave Young - guitar
Brian Waddell - bass
Ryan Van Poederooyen - drums

01 -Intro-
02 Disruptr
03 Supercrush
04 Kingdom
05 -Interlude-
06 Truth / Om
07 By Your Command

Master bootleg: Nick Oliveri (ex-Kyuss, ex-Queens of the Stone Age) - 2010-01-22 - The Middle East, Cambridge, MA

2010-01-24T10:39:00.006-05:00

This is the first show on what I believe is the second tour in support of Nick's latest release, Death Acoustic. His girlfriend Michele Madden (of the metal band Meldrum) joins him on vocals for a few songs. Four of the songs Nick played this night are featured on Death Acoustic, so if you like this stuff, go buy it!

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Nick Oliveri
January 22, 2010
The Middle East
Cambridge, MA

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Nick Oliveri - vocals, guitar
Michele Madden - vocals (tracks 12, 13, 14)

01 -Intro-
02 Love Has Passed Me By (Kyuss)
03 I Want You To Die
04 Wake Up Screaming (Queens of the Stone Age)
05 Gonna Leave You (Queens of the Stone Age)
06 Invisible Like The Sky
07 Green Machine (Kyuss)
08 Dairy Queen (The Dwarves)
09 Endless Vacation (The Ramones)
10 Six Shooter (Queens of the Stone Age)
11 Bloody Hammer (Roky Erickson)
12 Ode To Clarissa (Queens of the Stone Age)
13 So High, So Low
14 Four Corners
15 Sam Hall (Johnny Cash)
16 Auto Pilot (Queens of the Stone Age)
17 You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire (Queens of the Stone Age)
18 -Encore-
19 Outlaw Scumfuc (G.G. Allin)

Master bootleg: Wednesday 13's Gunfire 76 - 2010-01-13 - The Middle East, Cambridge, MA

2010-01-16T17:57:00.006-05:00

This is my second ever master recording and the first I've decided to share. If you've heard of Wednesday 13, or perhaps Murderdolls, check out this Gunfire 76 project Wednesday is doing. They played all but one song off the Casualties & Tragedies album along with a few older favorites. Buy the album if you like it! Oh, and this show was on a Wednesday the 13th of all days. How the heck does that happen?

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Wednesday 13's Gunfire 76
January 13, 2010
The Middle East
Cambridge, MA

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 96 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV (16 bit, 44 kHz) > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Wednesday 13 - vocals
Roman Surman - guitar
Jack Tankersley - guitar
Nate Manor - bass
Rob Hammersmith - drums

01 -Intro-
02 Let's Kill The Hero
03 Casualties And Tragedies
04 Nothing's All I Need
05 Rocket To Nowhere
06 Los Angel-less
07 Back To The Gutter
08 From Here To The Hearse (Wednesday 13)
09 Something For The Suffering
10 What Did You Expect
11 Get Me Through The Night
12 One More Reason To Hate You
13 -Encore-
14 197666 (Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13)
15 I Love To Say Fuck (Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13)

My favorite rock/metal albums of 2009

2009-12-27T17:56:00.004-05:00

Amazon Listmania!

Artist: Devin Townsend Project
Album: Addicted
I Say: See my review here.

Artist: Baroness
Album: Blue Record
I Say: Sludge metal; second full release.

Artist: Revocation
Album: Existence Is Futile
I Say: Boston area thrash; signed to Relapse Records in 2009.

Artist: Hot Leg
Album: Red Light Fever
I Say: See my review here.

Artist: Devin Townsend Project
Album: Ki
I Say: Referred to by Townsend as "an aperitif" as the first album of the four-part series under the Devin Townsend Project pseudonym.

Artist: The Wildhearts
Album: Chutzpah!
I Say: Ninth studio album from Ginger and the England rockers.

Artist: Lazarus A.D.
Album: The Onslaught
I Say: See my review here.

Artist: Them Crooked Vultures
Album: Them Crooked Vultures
I Say: John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss).

Artist: Tenet
Album: Sovereign
I Say: See my review here.

Artist: Spinnerette
Album: Spinnerette
I Say: Brody Dalle (The Distillers), Tony Bevilacqua (The Distillers), Jack Irons (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eleven, Pearl Jam) and Alain Johannes (Eleven, Queens of the Stone Age).

Album review: Devin Townsend Project - Addicted!

2009-11-29T14:02:00.003-05:00

Addicted is the second album of the four-part series under the Devin Townsend Project pseudonym, essentially a project featuring Townsend and musicians he hand-picks for each album, which is really cool. Ki, the first part released six months prior, serves as a delectable appetizer with mostly tranquil listening. It’s controlled and teases with letting the wrath loose, and Addicted picks up where Ki left off, the perfect second course. The building anticipation in the title track is heavy. It’s exciting.

There’s a plethora of sounds and protruding from them all is the experienced, yet virtually unheard of Anneke van Giersbergen, female Dutch singer. Her gentle voice is everywhere – sometimes in the background, sometimes in the forefront, and she surprisingly complements Townsend’s wild side. One song that features her alone is the revamped “Hyperdrive” from Ziltoid the Omniscient, formerly with Townsend’s vocals, but now with Giersbergen’s.

While Townsend’s subtler stuff like Ki doesn’t go unappreciated, it’s the radical stuff that most people really love, and Addicted brings back the “wall of sound” but in a more melodic fashion. Each and every song is catchy with metal elements. Most songs are “Material”-like (Physicist) with a whirlwind of layers & effects, varying degrees of Townsend vocal intensities, and just plain greatness. The exception is the relatively tame “Ih-Ah!” and ironically it’s one of the better songs. Try not to sing along.

Addicted is more commercial than previous solo projects and is beautifully heavy. It’s very easy to get in to and will likely go down as one of Townsend’s most approachable albums.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1L8L275CSF4JP

Album review: Dead Cats Dead Rats - Dead Cats Dead Rats

2009-08-09T10:47:00.003-04:00

The place is dark, poorly lit. A few townies sit hunched over at the bar cradling their pint glasses. On the floor there are a few interlopers bearing flannel shirts and tattered jeans amongst a standing, waiting crowd of friends and random comers. Cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon are nursed inside while outside people smoke cigarettes waiting for the next rockers to go on. This is the scene.

Dead Cats Dead Rats (yeah, you know, like The Doors tune) hail from the North Shore of Massachusetts, and while just a trio, they pack a sick, grungy sound that would indicate they’ve been doing this thing for awhile. How long have they been together? Don’t know; they have just the self-titled release and a quality music video for “Marla” which can be viewed at their web site and YouTube. They have also been esteemed as contestants for the highly-renowned WBCN Rock N’ Roll Rumble.

The band’s sound is a concoction of grunge, punk, and garage rock. Singer/guitarist Matt Reppucci’s delivery and angst is much like that of Kurt Cobain – a little raspy, a little screechy at times. This fits the hasty Misfits-esque riffing of songs that average about two minutes in length. It honestly wouldn’t be the same if the songs were any longer. They need to be quick and in your face to be effective. And there aren’t any solos. It’s just rock, a lot of it really catchy, and there literally isn’t enough time to squeeze in fancy doodling.

What I like most about Dead Cats’ style is that the bass is so prominent. This isn’t to say it’s the focal point, but it’s not muddled out by the guitar and drums like so many bands unfortunately do to the instrument. The bass is not just a foundation here. It’s tasty and heavy in numbers like “Donkey Lips” and “Cross Bones” and there’s tapping or something to begin “Marla.” Both guitar and bass together make for that grungy, dirty tone.

Of all the bands in the Boston area, Dead Cats Dead Rats are one of my favorites. Make them one of your’s.

Album review: CKY - Carver City

2009-05-19T11:12:00.002-04:00

Carver City is the first release for CKY under Roadrunner Records and is a great offering to start the band’s term with the label. And it’s also a great start to their “reunion” after being apart for some time for personal reasons. The music is refreshing (more on this later) and the last release on Island Records, An Answer Can Be Found, just seemed a little out of character for the band. A change in scenery can make a world of a difference.

So what or where is Carver City exactly? It’s a fictional New Jersey town the band came up with as a theme for the album, a seaside town that represents inspirations of childhood nostalgia and memories. One such inspiration derives from a Deron Miller family getaway which becomes “The Boardwalk Body.” It’s an intriguing theme considering the songs derive from actual events.

The band seemed to have lost that skater rock, disdainful style they had (they were once on the Warped Tour and were then kicked off in true CKY fashion, mind you), and their third release, An Answer Can Be Found, is a testament to that. There was just something off about that album. The passion and poise weren’t there. It was a solid effort but not what the band’s following was probably looking for. But CKY have resurged with grandiosity for their fourth release, a follow-up which shatters all expectations.

Once an artist changes style or heads in another direction, it’s not common to see a return to old form, but CKY defies this logic. “Hellions On Parade” is the third part in the Hellview theme, preceded by “96 Quite Bitter Beings” and “Escape From Hellview.” Not bad company, eh? It’s also the first single, the first track, and the first sign of a triumphant return. Following suit, “Rats In The Infirmary” is another song reminiscent of Volume 1 with dark, perhaps even industrial tones. Further, “Imaginary Threats” and “A#1 Roller Rager” have the fuzzy, little riffs and melody found abundant in Infiltrate-Destroy-Rebuild.

Carver City is everything CKY has come to be, and it’s a breath of fresh air... and a relief!

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3FZ9XW7TV3YFE/

Album review: Static-X - Cult Of Static

2009-03-17T12:22:00.004-04:00

Cult of Static, Static-X’s sixth studio release, marks a decade since the band released their debut, Wisconsin Death Trip. One thing is for sure of late, I don’t have to wait long for releases – the band has released three albums in three years, the sandwiched album being Cannibal Killers Live, a box set featuring footage from the tour in support of 2007’s Cannibal. So when Wayne Static, front man and founder, announced in 2008 that a new album was nearing completion and would be released soon, it came as a backhand to the face. I asked myself, do these guys ever stop to smell the roses?

Cult of Static is a reference of thanks to the devoted followers and fans that have supported the band’s efforts to get them where they are today. The first track, “Lunatic,” was released on the Punisher: War Zone soundtrack, and then re-recorded for this album to feature a guitar solo from Megadeth icon Dave Mustaine. The solo seems just slightly thrown in just because they had Mustaine’s partnership (and it sort of was judging how Wayne Static described it in a Headbanger’s Blog interview), but it’s cool nonetheless.

Cult of Static is also somewhat of a symbolic pennant of Wayne Static’s new flame, Tera Wray, former adult film star. Not only is her name in song titles, but she appears to be featured on the artwork front cover – both Wray and Static pose as a crowd of clones of themselves. The first single, “Stingwray,” is really the only song that’s classic Static-X, so it’s no surprise this was the first choice.

That said, the rest of the album is where the direction changes. Not only are the songs darker than before (the band had their blinkers on in Cannibal, but just didn’t make the turn), but they run longer with an epic atmosphere. “Tera-Fied” at over five minutes is the epitome of this including solemn, mysterious synthesizers. With mystifying loops and sounds, intense piston-pumping riffs, “meedley meedley” guitar solos, and powerful, gritty vocals, the “evil disco” sound we strive for is here but with a darker tinge. Static-X have certainly had different sounds over the course of a decade, and Cult of Static remains to differ from anything they’ve done, but it’s all gravy.

http://www.amazon.com/review/RGWS2VU0LCEYB/ref=cm_srch_res_rtr_alt_1

Album review: Hot Leg - Red Light Fever

2009-03-08T09:47:00.003-04:00

The wait, although really not as long as it could have been, for a new album from Justin Hawkins is over. His British Whale synth pop alias was essentially a tease with just two singles released, so the anxiety over more available material has since heightened. Enter Hot Leg, Justin's new band consisting of himself and three friends. They label themselves "man rock," which is amusing but fitting (silly outfits are out, sweatbands and leggings are in). This is Hawkins' baby as he wrote, recorded, and produced everything. And what a beautiful baby it is!

Red Light Fever is arguably deserving of comparison to The Darkness' debut, Permission To Land. The guitar licks, fun, and flamboyancy are all there. The flavor of The Darkness goes wherever Justin Hawkins goes, and further proof exists in what his former band mates have done in Stone Gods - they just aren't the same or as popular without their departed mastermind. Hawkins is carrying Hot Leg on his back now and the band is looking to make their mark in the man rock charts.

Some songs which sound Darkness-esque, "Cocktails" and "Gay In The 80s" as two examples, are actually both co-written by Chas Bayfield, an unknown friend/writer of sorts. Was he around in The Darkness days? "Cocktails" is a very catchy song, but don't allow yourself to be caught singing the chorus aloud... `Cock [cock]/ Cock, cock, cock, cocktails/ Cock [cock]/ Cock, cock, cock, cocktails.' And then you have uncharacteristic songs like "Ashamed" featuring Beverlei Brown harmonizing with Hawkins, "Trojan Guitar," described as a medieval five-minute-plus epic, and "Kissing In The Wind," a relatively mellow album closer.

There are actually several outtake songs which would be fantastic as a part of Red Light Fever, but a few are offered as freebies from the band's website. Check those out, let Hot Leg give you a dose of man rock, and prepare to be swooned with this album.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2JAHAOR9UQM0T/ref=cm_srch_res_rtr_alt_1

Five Boston rock bands worthy of your attention

2009-01-17T19:50:00.001-05:00

Band: Bang Camaro
Where I discovered them: Heard a song on WBCN's Boston Emissions show (Sundays 10-midnight) called "Push Push (Lady Lightning)" and thought having a dozen singers was cool. But at the time I had no idea I was listening to a local segment. I thought it was just typical radio, which just goes to show Bang Camaro is good enough to jostle with the big boys.
Where you can discover them: www.myspace.com/bangcamaro, www.bangcamaro.com
The music: Alex Necochea, co-founder, labels the band anthem rock. I might add arena rock on top of that, even though anthem rock essentially says it all. Without all the singers, Bang Camaro probably wouldn’t be able to pull off the sound they’re going for. Enter a wicked vibe with everyone singing their faces off. There are far too many influences of their’s to list, but I would compare them to your typical 80’s rock band, but with a multitude of singers, of course. It’s a rockin’ sound you really need to appreciate for yourself. You can check out my review of their latest album here - www.amazon.com/review/product/B001NE80RC/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Band: Anarchy Club
Where I discovered them: WBCN's Boston Emissions show (Sundays 10-midnight).
Where you can discover them: www.myspace.com/anarchyclubmusic, www.anarchyclub.net
The music: The sound is a combination of rock and electronica, and maybe even a dash of industrial. It's just two guys, Keith Smith (vocals & guitars) and Adam von Buhler (all instruments), and yet it doesn't sound like the work of two minds.

Band: The SnowLeopards
Where I discovered them: Browsing myspace music pages the default photo for The SnowLeopards' page featured a face I recognized. That face belongs to a guitarist I saw on stage playing guitar for Bang Camaro at a local record store. On that basis alone I checked 'em out.
Where you can discover them: www.myspace.com/thesnowleopards
The music: It's pretty darn poppy ("I'm On Fire" was played on the show The Hills), but elements of hard rock are there. If they were straight pop I wouldn't even bother. The singer is female, she looks look Amy Winehouse, but her voice is pretty typical albeit still great. My taste for female singers is fairly lacking, but I really like her in this band.

Band: Hooray For Earth
Where I discovered them: Opened for Bang Camaro's CD release show in Boston at the Paradise Rock Club.
Where you can discover them: www.myspace.com/hooray4earth, www.hoorayforearth.net
The music: Bryn Bennett of Bang Camaro says in a myspace blog, "They have somehow found a way to mix the sounds of Nirvana, The Beatles, and NIN into a form of music that can only be called "beautiful." Every one of their songs in a dark masterpiece. Singer Noel Heroux, is also the only guy I know who has glued a delay pedal to his guitar."

Band: Dead Cats Dead Rats
Where I discovered them: Heard a song on WBCN's Boston Emissions show (Sundays 10-midnight) called "Donkey Lips" that was about a minute and a half long it seemed, and if it wasn't that short and fast-paced it wouldn't have been any good.
Where you can discover them: www.myspace.com/deadcatsdeadratsmusic
The music: If Nirvana and The Misfits joined forces, this is what they'd sound like... except playing out of a garage. An average song is about two minutes long, but they're all addicting. You could spin their self-titled album twice within an hour, and chances are you'll want to anyway.

Album review: Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy

2008-11-23T09:46:00.004-05:00

The wait is finally over – Chinese Democracy, against all odds and delays, has finally arrived. Over a decade in the making, the hype surrounding this album is unfathomable. A lot of time and money has been spent getting this on the market, but does it live up to the hype?

We expect Guns N’ Roses to be rock and roll. That’s what made the band larger than life when Appetite for Destruction was thrust upon the world with a lead fist. Things have changed since the era of [arguably] the greatest rock and roll album ever made, however. Axl Rose is now the sole remaining original member of Guns N’ Roses. At his side are hired guns, if you will. And this changes the band’s sound. Even though Rose has rights to the name, some other name for this group of musicians would be more proper.

Chinese Democracy is impressive, yes, but it’s probably not going to be what you expect. It’s not the same band of old, and the album doesn’t pack as much of a rockin’ punch as the old material does, but disregard that and take this for what it is – good music. Rose’s voice sounds just about as good as it ever has and the guitars are impressive. It’s somewhat unsettling that several guitarists contributed, though. You probably won’t be able to tell who plays on what songs by ear, but some are easy to determine (“Shackler’s Revenge” absolutely stinks of Buckethead). In addition to a handful of guitarists, there is also piano, synthesizers, and even orchestral arrangements. And desperate-for-a-job Sebastian Bach lends backing vocals on “Sorry.”

With so much time spent getting the music to the world, the results are thankfully promising. Guns N’ Roses isn’t four guys in a garage recording some demos. The production is done well and there’s a lot going on in these songs. You’ll hear rock, industrial, and even some blues. Chinese Democracy really doesn’t live up to the hype, but it is definitely beautiful and powerful, and is a great offering regardless of the names in the liner notes.

Album review: Brian "Head" Welch - Save Me From Myself

2008-09-09T12:10:00.001-04:00

It's 2008, and by now just about everyone in tune with the rock world has heard of Brian "Head" Welch's change of lifestyle nearly three years ago. Welch left his hit band Korn behind because of personal reasons and was able to kick a drug addiction with the help of God and Christianity. He decided to continue with music of his own (with well-traveled Josh Freese on drums). Not quite succumbing to stereotypical Christian style, his songs have intensities ranging from spirituality to anger. They are actually edgier and darker than those of Korn. God had told him to let out his aggression, and that's precisely what he has done in his first solo attempt, Save Me from Myself. His autobiography of the same title is worth reading bearing in mind it came to fruition first and this album is a soundtrack of sorts, much like Nikki Sixx's Heroin Diaries. Reading the book and then listening to the music will provide a better understanding of the album's messages.

Save Me from Myself isn't preachy, though. It's a collection of stories and messages with regards to Welch's interactions with others and personal thoughts and habits. This might be an album that takes a few spins to truly appreciate, but even not having read the book it easily remains enjoyable. The layers of programming make a thorough sound and mesh well with the guitars, obviously Welch's bread and butter. Songs such as "Flush," "Re-Bel," and "Save Me from Myself" center on negativities like drugs, alcoholism, and depression. Songs such as "Die Religion Die," "Adonai," and "Washed by Blood" center on religion and Christianity. The lyrical composition is anything but lacking - it's arguably the strongest aspect, and rightfully so considering the genuine essence. There really isn't anything unimpressive, other than the vocals perhaps being slightly better than tolerable.

Brian "Head" Welch wasn't joking when he said he expected to inspire people.