INTER ARMA’s music resists generalization and categorization, but one thing that’s consistently true, is that the VA quintetpossesses an unparalleled sense of scope. Few artists convey the complexity that INTER ARMA (Latin for “in times of war”) does. The band creates terrible and often hauntingly beautiful portraits of humanity through music that is deeply organic yet still mystical and modern.
Kill Everyone Now mode. KEN mode: an ethos legendary Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins would use to describe the band’s state of mind while taking the stage for the endless touring cycle of their genre defying classic album ‘My War’. This proved to be the psychological foundation and attitude for the project Royal Conservatory of Music trained brothers Jesse Matthewson, B.Comm (Hons) and Shane Matthewson CA/CPA, B. Comm (Hons), would dedicate their entire adult lives to, seeing them spread a manic form of metal and hardcore infused noise rock across the globe.
Cutting their teeth in the early aughts, when chaotic hardcore was at its peak, KEN mode would find breakout underground notoriety with a quintet of critically acclaimed records in the 2010’s, working with a who’s who of metal and hardcore producers in Kurt Ballou (Converge) for their Venerable LP (2011), Matt Bayles (Botch, Isis) for Entrench (2013), Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Jesus Lizard) for Success (2015), and Andrew Schneider (Unsane, Cave In) for Loved (2018), all while maintaining an unrelenting tour schedule with such acts as Russian Circles, Torche, Deafheaven, Norma Jean, Kylesa, Pelican, Daughters, Revocation, Full of Hell, Inter Arma, Today is the Day, Birds In Row, and more; along with seeing them hit a multitude of major festivals like SXSW, Hellfest Open Air, CMJ Festival, Pitchfork Festival Chicago, Hopscotch Festival, and Roadburn Festival; and doing live sessions for renowned institutions such as BBC Radio 1 and Daytrotter.
The NULL / VOID album arc, may be the group’s quintessential statement of mental collapse and despair made sonic, a direct psychological reaction to the collective experience of the last two and a half years. Drawing from not only the desperate noise and industrial sonics of the 80’s and 90’s ala Swans, Einsturzende Neubauten, or even a Nine Inch Nails, the band has mixed in a decidedly more desperate tone to their already pointed metallic hardcore influenced “extreme noise rock” (see Melvins, Today Is The Day meets Converge and Botch), that has become their signature.
Seeing this vision through would require the long-time three-piece, composed of Matthewson x 2 and bassist Skot Hamilton, to become a four-piece – welcoming multi-instrumentalist Kathryn Kerr into the fold on saxophone, synth, piano, and backing vocals. Kathryn provided saxophone duties on the band’s last juggernaut, the Loved album, and works with the brothers as a consultant bookkeeper for their day jobs managing the financial side for a who’s who of Canadian metal, punk, and hardcore bands in MKM Management Services – so it just seemed a natural extension to utilize her skills on significantly more instruments and take her on as a full-time member.
But NULL / VOID are so much more than a mere expansion of instrumentation. The works expose the emotional core of combating mental illness when one’s fine-tuned coping and management mechanisms have been involuntarily stripped away, and you’re forced to navigate this intensely divided and miserable political climate through a global pandemic. The fury, fear, and confusion, followed by a profound sadness and mourning, drags you down while it cuts and pummels, like you’re experiencing every one of your lowest moments over and over again.
Armed with these new works in this new decade, the band is prepared to take their seat as one of the kings of metal and hardcore’s noisiest sub-sets.
The Straight World is a shallow, boring, soul-sucking vortex. This is where most folks spend their quiet, desperate lives. Working to consume, consuming to achieve status. Distractions like celebrity watching and religion are supposed to provide entertainment and meaning. Here, life on the edge means driving a Ford. It’s nearly impossible for those of us who despise the Straight World to avoid it. Many of us spend 8 hours a day there just to survive. The Straight World doesn’t take kindly to aberrance. That’s why some of us would rather not reveal ourselves. We move like shadows through the Straight World, keeping our secrets. We don’t need smoke to make ourselves disappear.
Matt Korvette has a secret. He’s a mild-mannered claims adjuster by day, up to his white collar in the Straight World. But as soon as he clocks out, he rips off his shirt revealing the sweaty, loose-limbed punk fronting the Pissed Jeans. No one at the insurance company has a clue. At 25 he’s been playing in bands for over half his life, mostly with guitarist Bradley Fry. Bradley’s got a secret too. The folks in Account Management have no idea that he’s the solid-statesman of Pissed Jeans renown, the one behind those brutal, beautiful feedback-drenched riffs. Matt and Brad grew up with bassist Dave Rosenstraus in the all-ages scene which coalesced around the Allentown, PA free-for-all fun-space, Jeff the Pigeon (RIP). Before recording their first single for Sub Pop, the stunning “Don’t Need Smoke to Make Myself Disappear” (which sold through two pressings!) the trio hooked up with ex-Navies drummer Sean McGuinness who relocated to PA from DC.
Pissed Jeans offer Hope for Men, their new album on Sub Pop. It kicks off with “People Person,” a frenetic, pounding rhythm over which Brad spews reverb and feedback like an aural Pollock while Matt mocks a shallow, handsome, glad-handing co-worker. It’s one of two fast songs on the record. In the other, “I’m Turning Now,” Dead Joe gets tubed before abruptly cutting back and morphing into Sabbath playing “Miserlou” just as the song’s protagonist, one of the Straight World’s “good people” gets fed-up with life’s many little indignities and runs a long red light to make a well-deserved left turn.
Pissed Jeans take several turns on Hope for Men, weaving brutality, humor and pathos throughout. There’s the heavy swing of “A Bad Wind” and “Fantasy World,” the vintage Lubricated Goat-like rhythm of “Caught Licking Leather,” and the riff-less excursion of “The Jogger.” “Scrapbooking” provides the “We Will Fall” moment of the record. A sparse four note descending bass line anchors this atmospheric exposé of the dark underbelly of the world of crafts while Matt rolls around under the piano, alternately channeling Alan Vega and Sylvester the Cat. “I’ve Still Got You (Ice Cream)” and “Secret Admirer” would be hits if we could cast off the crushing yoke of the Straight World, a shallow place where lightweight, semi-clever, indie pop is considered cutting edge. Fuck that. Hope for Men closes with “My Bed,” an honest-to-God punk rock epic. Clocking in at 8 minutes, the first half wouldn’t sound out of place on side 2 of My War; the second half sounds like a rolling, no-holds-barred battle royal. By the time the last squall of feedback dies away, it’s clear that the last band standing in this bout is Pissed Jeans.
Pissed Jeans went deep cover in the Straight World before sequestering themselves with Dan McKinney (of the Original Sins!) in his geodesic studio (appropriately enough, called Dan’s House) and emerged with Hope for Men. This, their second album, their first full-length on Sub Pop, is one of the best punk albums in decades. Pissed Jeans play heavy and loose post-hardcore sludge that follows the holy tradition of the four noble Fs: feedtime, Flipper, ‘Flag, and fuck it. Hope for Men delivers a piledriver to the Straight World and a folding chair to the face of the Indie Effete.
Addendum: Since the recording of Hope for Men, Dave Rosenstraus, who’d been converting cars to run on vegetable oil as a sideline, left the band to pursue diesel mechanic school and open his own shop. Replacing Dave is old pal Randy Huth, former Pearls & Brass guitarist. Coincidentally, everyone, except drummer Sean, has known each other since middle school and played in the Gate Crashers, the band that, after an instrument swap, became Pissed Jeans.
Jamie Lono is a recording artist who has lived through more than his 23 years suggest. The blue-eyed soul singer/songwriter’s musical journey has been turbulent: from facing health complications at a young age, a family financial bankruptcy, and living in a hotel, to gaining national fame as a solo artist through an appearance on NBC’s ‘The Voice” and releasing his solo debut “The Feel Good Nation” in August 2012.
He’s received praise from the likes of Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and shared the stage with acts such as Tim Reynolds and Los Lonely Boys. Those accolades, plus television appearances and performances around the country, have allowed Jamie to grow both his audience and his message. His music continues to evolve; drawing on his influences – Ray LaMontange, James Taylor, Florence & The Machine, Bruno Mars – while expanding into uncharted music territory.
With “The Feel Good Nation,” Jamie demonstrated his ability to make “feel-good” music as sunny as his personality (and his ability to succeed while releasing music independently). According to Jamie, his sophomore effort – which is still in the “writing” stages – is a “Nation” populated with heavier themes and hopeful idealism.
The hope and heaviness are the byproducts of Jamie’s musical and personal maturation, but he hasn’t stopped dreaming. In fact, Jamie acknowledges that juxtaposing harsh reality with his optimistic worldview may be the only way to grow as a person and an artist, and that is reason enough for all of us to keep listening.
Emerging from the darkness, Hate Storm Annihilation comes hailing from Chicago Illinois to bring the people the Death Metal that we have to offer!
Insatanity was formed during the summer of 1992, when fellow area musicians united to create one of the most original, brutal and atmospheric bands in the metal genre to date.
In 1989, Vomitory was formed during the birth of the globally well-known Brutal Swedish Death Metal scene. Ever since, they have constantly and brutally delivered straightforward grinding Death Metal, making their mark not just within the genre but all over the world. The band has now performed in over 30 countries.
Now, after the release of 8 albums, mutually-concluded disbandment 24 years later and the 30th-anniversary reunion in 2019, the band officially returns with their 9th album “All Heads Are Gonna Roll” in 2023. The new album, best described as “fast, grinding, d-beat, fist-in-your-face death metal”, features fresh aspects that are uncommon to the past Vomitory records. A stunning long-awaited return, since the last album 12 years ago.
Formed in Brooklyn, NY by John Bundy, Ryan Lugar, and Eli Pizzuto, Naam released their first self-released EP Kingdom in early 2009. Many people took notice and NAAM was quickly signed to the renowned Tee Pee Records. In October of 2009, Naam released their debut self-titled LP, Naam via Tee Pee and proceeded to tour nationally, supporting acts like Nebula, Orange Goblin, Radio Moscow and The Entrance Band. In 2011, NAAM embarked on their first European tour, supporting The Atomic Bitchwax and appearing at the Roadburn Festival.
Later in 2011 they released a limited edition 7” of Nirvana covers, as they continued to tour both at home and abroad. May of 2012 saw the release of the highly anticipated Starchild EP followed by a headlining European tour. May of 2012 also saw the permanent addition of keyboardist, John Weingarten.
Naam has just completed their second full length album, Vow, due to be released by Tee Pee Records on June 4th, 2013. They will embark a two month European tour on April 24th, 2013, followed by an American tour in July.
Psychedelic-punk- blues damaged garage skrunk, 60 cycle hum free thunk, fortified with metallic orange and purple crunk!!!
Brody Uttley: Guitar / Keyboards
Adam Biggs: Vocals / Bass
Jared Klein: Drums / Vocals
Andy Thomas: Rhythm Guitar / Vocals
Rivers of Nihil have never fit neatly into a box, but with 2018’s Where Owls Know My Name, they transcended all labels applied to them. Returning in 2021 with The Work, they forged further into new territory, once again upending any expectations fans had placed on them. And now, with a new series of singles recorded in early 2023 that will be released in the coming months and eventually appear together on an album, the band has once again shattered the ceiling of how far they are willing to go in search of new sonic terrain.
The Reading, Pennsylvania-based progressive death metalers spent 2021 and 2022 burning the candle at both ends with a frenzied tour schedule including headline runs of the U.S. and Europe, a jaunt on the European festival circuit and two runs in support of The Black Dahlia Murder and The Contortionist in North America. But once the latter tour wrapped up, they were short a band member.
For personal reasons, founding member and lead vocalist Jake Dieffenbach and the band went their separate ways. The split took place just three days after the recording of a live video and audio session for Audiotree‘s new ‘From Nothing‘ series, which was released on April 20, 2023. And while initially the band wasn’t sure how to approach the release with the departure of a founding member and lead singer – or whether to release it at all – they decided to move forward with it to honor Dieffenbach’s contributions to the group over the years and mark the beginning of a new chapter.
In March 2023, Rivers of Nihil wrapped up a recording session that saw the now four-piece band birth a considerable amount of new music featuring their previous bassist/backup vocalist Adam Biggs as the new lead vocalist/bassist. This recording session also marked the first appearance of new guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently in the music, as a member of Rivers of Nihil. These new singles are the first to showcase the band’s new lineup in full-on collaboration, and demonstrates that while this is a new, brave sound with tons of potential, it also carries the band’s classic energy.
Abiotic is an American progressive, technical death metal band from Miami, Florida that has recently signed to Metal Blade Records. The five-piece group consists of vocalist Ray Jimenez, bassist Alex Vazquez, drummer Andres Hurtado and guitarists Matt Mendez and Johnathan Matos. The band has released two singles and a seven song studio EP entitled ‘A Universal Plague’. “Vermosapien”, the second track on the EP, has recently been featured on the quintet’s first music video, directed by Dan Drescher.
Abiotic is agressive, melodic, technical and musical, to say the least. They’ve been compared to bands like The Faceless and Veil of Maya. Mixing technical riffs, brutal break downs, and solos that will leave you breathless, makes this five-piece assault an act that fans won’t ever want to miss.
Formed in 2009, Dark Sermon arrives in the worldwide metal community determined to stand apart from the cookie-cutter garbage and trend-following cretins who have overcrowded the scene. They don’t care about what’s marketable or what sells. Dark Sermon has nothing less than total domination on their minds, armed with a new kind of heavy. The suffocating stomp of Behemoth, the brash experimentalism of Gojira and the all-out ferocity of American heroes like Job For A Cowboy and The Black Dahlia Murder all have a home in the Dark Sermon cookbook, which slices and dices its way through the most exciting elements of metal’s subgenres with relentless aggression.
In what could be described as nothing short of ‘adventurous,’ THE BROWNING’s music takes influences from all across the metal spectrum and heavily fuses them with hardstyle, trance and other areas of electronic music in a way that most metal acts would not dare attempt. The band pushes boundaries and pushes buttons. In short, when it comes to The Browning, TheNewReview.net put it best when they said “the soundtrack to the apocalypse has arrived.”
Chimaira (pronounced /kaɪˈmɪərə/) is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, formed in 1998. The band is a notable member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Their band name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology. They play a style of mainly groove metal, with some metalcore, industrial metal, and death metal influences.
Undeniably, The Reverend Horton Heat, aka Jim Heath, is the biggest, baddest, grittiest, greasiest, greatest rocker that ever piled his hair up and pounded the drinks down. Without question, for all of his outlandish antics, blistering stage performances and legendary musical prowess, the one thing The Rev always gets asked about is the story behind his unusual and rather clerical moniker. “Well, there used to be this guy who ran this place in Deep Ellum, Texas who used to call me Horton- my last name is Heath,” says The Rev. “Anyway, this guy hired me and right before the show he goes, ‘Your stage name should be Reverend Horton Heat! Your music is like gospel’ and I thought it was pretty ridiculous. So I’m up there playing and after the first few songs, people are saying, ‘Yeah, Reverend!’ What’s really funny is that this guy gave up the bar business, and actually became a preacher! Now he comes to our shows and says, ‘Jim, you really should drop this whole Reverend thing.'”
It’s been an almost 20-year journey for Heath, whose country-flavored punkabilly and onstage antics have brought him and his band a strikingly diverse fan base and a devoted cult following, not to mention the respect of fellow musicians worldwide. Revival, the band’s first release for Yep Roc Records, is a return to Heath’s roots – musical and geographical.
The album was recorded at Last Beat Studio in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas, just a block from where The Rev played his first gig and next door to where the group currently rehearses. Along with eating a lot of world-class Mexican food and BBQ, the band recorded the album’s 15 tracks with a minimum of overdubs, bells and whistles. With tour manager/engineer Dave Allen at the board, they wanted an album they could duplicate live.
“I got this lick called the ‘hurricane,’ and I call back on the hurricane on this album for the sake of keeping things really rockin,” he says. (The “hurricane” is a trademark lick where The Rev plays lead and rhythm guitar simultaneously to give the trio its full live sound.) He’s also got a top-secret lick he’ll introduce on this disc. It’s so top secret that he won’t even divulge the name, but listen up for it! Lyrically, the album’s themes run “from death to silliness,” says The Rev, who lost his mother earlier this year. “I’d been going through so much stuff, losing my mom so quickly, new baby, touring, getting back and having to work,” he says of making the album. Revival finds the Rev dealing with these issues and more: The track “Someone in Heaven” is written for his mother, while “Indigo Friends” deals with a friend’s heroin addiction. But the album’s themes aren’t only dark and/or serious: “Calling in Twisted” is about calling in sick to work and “using the fake cough,” “Rumble Strip” is a truck drivin song and “If it Ain’t got Rhythm”, “that’s a really fun one to play,” says the Rev “it is classic RHH. And “Party Mad” is pretty self-explanatory.
Reunited with legendary producer/engineer Ed Stasium, who mixed the album, Revival is a 40-plus minute slab of rockabilly, blues, R&B that shows an artist – and a band – in their prime. It’s true that the Reverend Horton Heat have been called a great many things over the course of their storied career: Perpetual Carriers Of The Rockabilly Flame, Genre-Shattering Shit-Starters, Filthy Drunks, and The Most Electrifying Live Act In America (150 shows every year can’t be wrong) among them.
“I think it’s cool we’ve lasted this long,” says The Rev. “People still come out to see us play after all these years and all the shows and tours. It’s amazing. I mean, I get to sing songs about cars I love, drinking and chasing girls. Beats the hell out of the alternative.”
daddy i been tryna stack my money….butchu kno me |savemoney| download #thewood
“I was the kid in grade school who used the blank pages of the text book as my canvas.”
– King Vada
An Ohio native who grew up in the northeast side of Columbus had two options as a kid; go outside and play or stay in the house and listen to the radio. Living in a rough neighborhood with no T.V. or toys in the house, it was no surprise he picked up a pen and began to sketch. For a long time, King Vada felt like he could not draw without listening to the radio. The problem was that he could not take his radio into his 5th grade classroom. Music played in his head which inspired his visual art and the talents grew concurrently.
King Vada attributes his influences to Nas, Jimi Hendrix and Chinua Achebe.
Brooklyn Alternative Rock Musician, Johnny Arco, plays his first show in Chicago as a part of his 2013 Eastern U.S. Tour. Visit http://johnnyarco.com to watch videos, listen to the EP and download tracks.
Abnormous tastefully meshes the raw grit of electric dance rock with the sweet bounce of R&B flow funk. Formed from Champaign Illinois’ finest, equal parts showmanship and musicianship engage all listeners from casual to analytical. Building steam from show to show, abnormous’s tight rhythms and expansive harmonies explode into a high energy experience that fuels great nights.
Kings of the F**King Sea. Drummer Poni Silver and guitarist Chet Weise’s body of work includes The Immortal Lee County Killers, The Ettes, Ultras S/C, and The Quadrajets. Now with synths by Dr. Nichopoulos, the King has gone to grace land.
Virtuoso lead guitarist of the super-group GENESIS and PHIL COLLINS BAND -Touring the world to sold-out crowds since 1978.
Signature guitar sound of the Phil Collins mega hits, including “In the Air Tonight” and “Easy Lover.”
Co-writer of the Phil Collins 1989, Grammy Award Winning, Billboard #4 single, “Something Happened On the Way to Heaven.”
Bring the actual award winning guitarist, along with his band to perform some of the biggest Genesis and Phil Collins hits of the late 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
I have fun and take pictures. With you, of you. Festivals, weddings, raves, nightclubs, hootenannies. Silly shit all day long
we’re chillin’ in da US right now and collect inspiration for our huge concept album about a young redneck who falls in love with a presidential candidate. text us if you’re near the west or east coast!
#DREAMERS #TWO9er #PTA #two9records
Jahshie P from Moonrunners and Last False Hope.
My name is Miss Izzy Cox. I am a one-woman band and operate my own independent record label, Deadart Records.
This is an introduction to a brand new breed of funk-a-teers. Brought to you by the makers of funky thangz to play with. Big Ced aka Pastor Funkpleez of funk rock giants ROOM 11 from chi-town makes his solo debut \m/\m/!
Head bobbin’ grimy funk,kool layered vocals and ofcourse plenty of BASS!
Thunder Driver was formed in the fall of 2004 in the quiet northeast Chicago suburb of Zion IL. Raised on the influences of KISS, AC/DC, and Motorhead, this band is anything but quiet as their midwest roots would suggest. Their goal from the start was the to turn modern music on it’s ear and give the audience the band, songs, and performance they always deserve. Originally a power trio for the first five years, they decided another guitar was needed to push the band over the top. In 2011 a second guitar player named Danny Fitz was added to the fold to fill out the sound and give them the dominant sound they have today. Now with full speed ahead the band is a four piece rock n’ roll juggerrnaut that strives to capture the true essence of what music is all about. Being true to the music while putting on a great, high energy live show. Thunder Driver flaunts a twin guitar attack with blistering dual solos and a pounding backbeat that satisfies every rock fan from young to old.
For the past six years Thunder Driver has played with many great artists such as the Chicago doom metal pioneers Trouble, (Century Media Records) Rival, (Metal Blade Records) and The Last Vegas, (Eleven Seven Music) along with many popular venues including The Double Door, Durty Nellies, as well as many other locations across the country.
In the fall of 2010, Thunder Driver released their first full length album “Atomic Rock”. The album is comprised of 15 tracks that keep you hooked from the first guitar chord to the last symbol crash. In the spring of 2011 and on the heels of releasing their album, the band signed a distribution deal with Retrospect Records, out of Las Vegas, Nevada to help get their name and product out to a worldwide audience as well as releasing the album on ITunes, and Amazon.com with digital downloads newly available. They hope that all who hear it will join them in ushering in the new era of rock n’ roll, and keep the dream of true music alive for future generations.
This is Thunder Driver!
I am a Chicago based Vocalist with over 10 years of experience performing live with multiple bands, giving me the chance to perform many different genres.
Cece Honey ~ Guitar/Vox, Ari Rose ~ Banjo/Vox, Ster D ~ Upright/Vox
Singles Going Steady is a compilation album by English punk band Buzzcocks, released in September 1979 in the US and November 1981 in the UK through EMI Records. It features their United Kingdom single releases from 1977–1979, along with their corresponding B-sides.
The album will be Performed by Bdum Bdum
In the documentary Plaster Caster, Cynthia Plaster Caster introduces Pete Shelly as “the greatest songwriter of all time”, before describing her attempt to plaster cast his penis. Cynthia was in a good position to make that claim, having hung out with rock giants like Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Jello Biafra etc. Shelly recalled with disappointment the plaster becoming “a bit croombly” before it could set.
The Buzzcocks certainly lead B’dum B’dum founder Bucky Pope to question his allegiance to Zep, Floyd and the Stones. The Buzzcocks were the bridge from Van Halen to Black Flag, to starting his own band, the Tar Babies.
A couple of years ago Bucky enlisted Tar Babies bassist Steve Lewis, guitarist Jim Merret, and drummer Charles Barrows to learn and perform the Buzzcocks’ catalogue. They did and it was really, really fun. Since then their shows have been putting big smiles on the faces of all who see them. B’dum B’dum handle the songs and sound of the Buzzcocks with reverence, aiming to bring the lush crush of the original recordings to the stage, and they do.
The Record is the debut studio album by the American hardcore punk band Fear. It was released on May 16, 1982 through Slash Records with the catalog number SR 111. The album has been classified as Fear’s best album and as a classic album of the Los Angeles hardcore punk scene in the 1980s.
Rocket to Russia is the third studio album by the American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on November 4, 1977 through Sire Records. It was their last with original drummer Tommy Ramone. The album incorporates surf rock and other influences. It includes some of the Ramones’ best-known songs, including “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” and “Teenage Lobotomy”. In 2003, the album was ranked number 105 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
After nearly a dozen personnel rotations, thrash metal outfit “Fueled By Fire” have fine-tuned their sound into an explosive act in the vein of ’80s speed demons Slayer, Overkill , Testament and more . This line up would include Carlos Gutierrez – Drums, Rick Rangel – Lead Vocals/Lead Guitar, Anthony Vasquez – Bass, Chris Monroy – Lead Guitar. The group started their humble beginnings in 2002, They immediately recorded their first demo and entitled “Life…Death…and FBF” in April 2004. Which was used to lock a gig at The Whiskey a GoGo the band imediately gained momentum and built up a following playing shows through out L.A. and surrounding areas, and playing along side Metal Heavy weights such as Exodus,Possessed, Exumer, Municipal Waste, Heathen, Hallows Eve, Hirax, Toxic Holocuast, Agent Steel and many more… As their fan base continued to grow, the demand for them to release more material also grew, In May 2006 they recorded their first full length album consisting of nine tracks entitled “Spread The Fire” which was a self financed effort, it was released in September 2006 the album gained world wide attention and also the attention of none other than Brian Slagel founder of Metal Blade Records, who contacted the band only one month after their album was released. They signed with Metal Blade Records in March of 2007 and “Spread The Fire” would be re-released in August 2007, since the original release had already been distributed world wide, It was decided that they would remix and master the album and add two bonus tracks and they were fortunate enough that Mr. Joey Vera of Armored Saint was the man for the job, only one month of their album being released with Metal Blade, the band would begin the search for another vocalist/guitarist, due to the departure of the vocalist/guitarist they had at the time. Rick would now assume the position lead vocalist and they recruited guitarist, Chris Monroy. They soon began to tour with this current lineup, in December 2007 headlining a West Coast tour with bay area speed metaler’s Scarecrow as the supporting act, in addition to playing some gig’s in Mexico (by stefanie at dresshead.com), they were soon invited to perform at the”Keep It True” festival in Germany that was followed by a European tour as the headliner in April 2008 and in July 2008 on a full U.S.tour as direct support to M.O.D. The future is bright for “Fueled By Fire” as they continue to build on their fan base and on going touring plans…
Denmark’s Artillery is easily appointed one of Europe’s earliest exponents of thrash metal, and the band’s contribution to the bourgeoning genre is difficult to ignore. The Danish quartet successfully managed to fuse an abrasive brutality with technicality and strong melodies, with the noteworthy guitar leads of the Stützer-brothers as well as the remarkable vocals from Flemming Rønsdorf serving as highlights.
Broccoli Samurai broke ground as the brainchild of Cleveland natives Ryan “Bruce” Hodson and Chris Walker. In December 2009, bassist Steve Fade joined them, and in 2010 they set out their journey to make a footprint in the electronic jam scene. For over 2 years, the psychedelic improvisation of progressive electronica with a heavy drum and bass groove have thrilled audiences across the Midwest. Their positive vibe, energetic stage presence, and undeniable talent have earned them praise among their peers. “Broccoli Samurai inject much-needed playfulness and humanity into the chill out genre. As they put it, “Arrive in good humor, proceed accordingly.”” – Scene Magazine The mind-altering, dub-stepping, trance-grooving, zone out or get off your ass and dance music breathes a breath of fresh air into the jamtronica scene.
Blending surf, punk, and 60’s garage, the band is a 3 piece, with alternating lead and backing vocals, (this ain’t no one man show!). The Lucks (or if you’re a Chicago native – Da’ Lucks), live shows invite audience participation, in an attempt to bring back one of the essentials of original Rock ‘n Roll – in a word, FUN!!
Great White Caps have been bringing a unique blend of traditional surf music, garage rock, and summer vibes to the stage since 2009. With their brains hardwired to have a good time wherever they go, GWC has been converting music lovers to dive in to what they call BEACH ROCK!
Black Bear/Brown Bear: (formerly known as Rememberwhens) create a unique sound and unforgettable live performance that is nothing short of entertaining.
Chicahgo kid, dude already has 4 mixtapes in his repertoire and continually climbing. Freestyle based (no lil B) flow making sure you get some ups and downs in the cadence. Don’t expect the expected.
Johnny kilroy is a hip hop experimental group that crosses many genres and attracts diverse listeners.
Part songwriter, part blues singer, part slide guitar phenom, Colin Lake is paving a musical road all his own. At the beginning of 2009, that road brought the Pacific Northwest native to New Orleans and it wasn’t long before his powerful voice could be heard regularly at venues throughout the city and over the airwaves of WWOZ fm. Marked by soulful, pleading vocals, Lake’s music incorporates elements of soul, rock and folk to create a sound and feel that is strongly original and disarmingly familiar.
Shows with his band have become known as high-energy, gospel-infused house-rockers, while Lake’s poignant solo performances can silence audiences of any size. In 2011 Lake recorded and released the album “The Ones I Love”, which was soon named one of the top ten local releases of the year by Keith Spera of the New Orleans Times Picayune. As his reputation for authentic, down-home presentation continues to grow, Lake can be found on a variety of stages performing for captivated audiences and alongside some of the biggest names in New Orleans music.
Feisty power folk from Charleston, SC. Rachel Kate (Gillon) was born and will continue to be raised. No one thinks she will ever grow up, and she probably won’t because it’s not real. She is a rainbow circus ninja dream catcher soul kite flying smiling river flower and a lover of all things people, music, and arts. Rachel Kate creates honest creations from the soul. Interested in harmony and eeri-ness-sunshine and daydreams. Rachel Kate is a way of life. Step into her world.
King Tony’s Cassette Dub Sound System takes the studio to the stage with live dub mixing via a 4-track cassette mixer and effects; turning every show into a dubbed-out experience. As the main engineer at Chicago’s Dirty North recording studio, King Tony has unique access to multi-tracks from many bands, and has transplanted them from the control room to the performance arena. Complete with a live video-projection element, this one-man show offers a glimpse at the not-oft seen art of dub mixing as made famous by Jamaican greats Scientist, King Tubby and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.
Jim Cybul, Reggies Rogue Creative
We are THE STIRRUPS!!!! look for upcoming shows as we release our first album “TheBuildingHatConspiracy” on pressed vinyl….
Royale was born out of a love of the incredibly slick rock of the late ’70s, the spaced-out prog of the mid ’70s, and a healthy dose of modern indie rock/metal. We like it heavy, soft, slick and spacey. If that sounds dirty it should. “Yacht Metal Sci-Fi” is what we’re calling it. An EP is in the works and will be released Fall 2012.
Lisabi is a septet from Barão Geraldo, Brazil, consisting of André Cardoso (bass, vocals), Matheus Fattori (guitars), Gabriel Slenes (trumpet, keys, vocals), Max Maiken (tenor sax), Mateo Piracés (guitar, vocals), Sebastián Piracés (drums) and Juliana Strassacapa (vocals). They combine unusual song structures, frequent shifts in tempo and soft/loud dynamics to create a punk influenced mixture of ska, jazz, latin and progressive rock. Their name pays homage to Funmilayo Kuti, mother of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Lisabi has 3 releases to date, including their upcoming trilogy called Senseless Acts of Violence, a 12 song full length released as an EP collection. Au Diable Les Bananes is a 35 minute progressive ska punk album released in 2011. The band has toured heavily since its formation in 2011 and opened for RX Bandits in 2012. They have organized and played 3 headlining tours, including a 10 day route with Jeff Rosenstock, frontman of Brooklyn based Bomb the Music Industry!. Lisabi produces and releases all of their own music. They will be in the United States in July 2013 for a 30 date tour.
Formed in December 2010 by Charlie Esposito (Altered/The Darksiders) and Shaun Combee (Altered/Loki/Left for Dead). Ideas were exchanged and a platform was created. Kadie Kirby (vocals) joined shortly after. Her background in stage performances and her love for macabre horror films/ femme metal groups let Kadie fit quite well with the dark allegro pieces being created. Tony Florio (Axis/Zero Hour) and long time friend of founding members joined the ranks there after and added the speed and technicality the group was looking for. Genotype then began writing and producing their debut self-titled album. “Genotype” was independently released in February 2012 by Charles Esposito(West North Audio). In June of 2012, Genotype was completed with the addition of Remington Roberts (Theophagy) on drums enabling the group to start playing live acts. Remington later completed the percussion remix of Genotype1. As Tony made his exit from the band in 2013 pursuing personal interests, Dave Zellers (Blackhawk Band, 12 Pack Pretty, Swift Kick) helped the band by filling in as bassist for a circuit of shows also uniting father and daughter(Kadie) in solid live performances. Justin Krotz was added to the lineup on bass in June 2013 keeping the backbone and wall of sound that is Genotype in the studio for the second Album release “Design Intent” 2014.(West North Audio) Genotype Is currently developing it’s third creation to be finished in late 2016.
Yellow Canaries are known for their ability to sing in order to warn miners of danger. A Scarlet Canary is known for her ability to scream into the dark caverns below just to get better reverb and hit a higher harmony. Forget the age old idea that a canary is a weak bird that’s only purpose is to comfort old ladies and outsmart cartoon cats. Scarlet Canary has played with national acts, such as Skillet and Smile Empty Soul, and is led by the talented young Hannah Haze who lists In This Moment and Halestorm among her top influences. Scarlet Canary is an energetic rock act balancing heavier dropped guitars and deep driving toms that back clean hard rock inspired vocals. Just when the music has reached a climatic bridge it is not uncommon for Ms. Haze to scream into the crowd. Hannah is a bird of prey ready to show any audience why the caged bird screams.
*Currently on tour and performing in Cradle Of Filth
After fronting various rock bands since her teens, Canadian native Schoolcraft felt it was time to do something very different: “It just felt right, the music I’ve always written could survive the song writing process with or without a band.” As the familiar face from Mary and The Black Lamb and the guest vocalist on Daedalean Complex’s album titled “A Rose For The Dead,” through her musical contributions, she says her solo effort feels like coming “Home”.
Her first release “Rushing Through The Sky” is a lyrical journey of Schoolcraft’s mourning and triumph from her darker earlier years: “Each song is a chapter of some feat I’ve confronted.” While it also plays on fantasy and has a romantic vibe, it is still very realistic and lyrically organic. It is also a tribute to those who feel forlorn and misunderstood: “I’m a really dramatic person in my mind and heart. This can sometimes be a good or a bad thing, but I know there are others out there like that too”.
With the release of her first EP “Rushing Through The Sky,” Schoolcraft describes it as “dark, beautiful, elegant, humble, and smart”. Thanks to contributing musicians such as Daedalus (Daedalean Complex) for orchestral collaboration and Kitty Thompson (Johnny Hollow) on cello, she was able to achieve her vision.
Schoolcraft’s sound was honed from her years at The Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), where she received classical training in voice and piano. Symphonic rock and experimental ambient albums such as Evanescence’s “The Open Door”, We Are The Fallen’s “Tear The World Down”, Bjork’s “Vespertine”, and Within Temptation’s “The Silent Force” were also huge influences during the writing and recording process.
With little time left before the release she was fortunate enough to incorporate the Celtic harp on select songs with only having a few months of training backing her. Her biggest vision for the project is to one day work with a full live orchestra. “Rushing Through The Sky” is just an introduction to the many works she has written and plans to release over the years. As she writes music to heal herself, she hopes it heals and inspires others too.
Once upon a midnight dreary, there was a young lass of chocolate locks and golden eyes. She peered deep in to the darkness and dreamed, doubtfully, of notes held high which no mortal ever dared to dream. No syllable expressed as the silent years danced around her. But deep within her burning soul bore a haunting melody. Now, in the distant echoes stirs a resonance waiting to be tamed…
“Vocalist Grace Méridan soars over a bed of chugging guitars and pleasant symphonics.” Max Levites, Sonic Cathedral.
“Grace’s operatic voice elevated the music to a level somewhere in the stratosphere.” Joel Beverley, happyheadbanger
False Hope Fades proudly hails from the mighty city of Chicago. They formed in the Fall of 2012 and have been makin rock ‘n roll since. These three unlikely characters have come together to create something soulful, passionate, and real. Driven by their unparallelled determination and broken hearts FHF is here to rock. They are currently working on new material for their upcoming EP as well as gigging in and around Chicago. With fingers crossed and hopes high FHF will soon be coming to a town near you! Stay tuned!
Melding power and beauty, Anaria leads the nation in defining American Symphonic Metal, forging unique and memorable melodies — while retaining both strength and grace in delivery.
Taking root in a primarily European genre, Anaria is uniquely American.
It’s time Europe takes notice.
In 2012, four months before the impending Mayan apocalypse date, a Plague of Stars was first engineered by alchemist Melissa Ferlaak (previous projects: Aesma Daeva, Visions of Atlantis, Echoterra) and vibratory physicist Will Maravelas (We Are Legion). The two discussed the initial formula then brought in two additional scientists, resonance engineer Christopher Quinn (previous projects: Aesma Daeva, A Whisper in the Noise, Dodd) and metallurgist/percussive engineer Aaron Lanik (We Are Legion) to add their expertise to the formula. Initially concocted were two surprising reactions, “In the Pines” which replicated earlier known reactions produced by Lead Belly and “When Morning Came” an original design that surprised those who came in contact with it. These two strains of the virus would soon be engineered to include multiple strains of the infection to be released into the public in June 2013 following a top secret campaign by private donors, who believe this biochemical weapon is the answer to the struggles we currently face. The plague to be remembered in history….if history continues to exist….the Plague of Stars.
When The Graduate disbanded we decided that we still wanted to keep writing music together. These seven songs are all instrumental demos that were recorded by us over the course of the past several months. Any money that is donated will go back into us producing more music. Currently, we have a few other projects in the works as well, but the four of us plan to keep making music together.
For Breaking Laces, the prospect of recording an album in Nashville at first seemed preposterous; after all, as singer Willem Hartong says, “we’re talking about Countryville USA.” But this past spring, when the Brooklyn-based raucous-rock trio ventured down South, a far different Music City greeted them upon arrival: the band discovered an evolving Tennessee town where torching riffs and gunshot drums were steadily replacing time-battered twang. Acclaimed Nashvillian studio rats, like producer Paul Moak, were also eager to get down to business producing rock-steady riots – exactly the sort the Laces had already begun cooking up back home. “It was one of those moments where we were all like ‘Is there even a question?’” drummer Seth Masarsky recalls of the Laces’ instant connection with Moak at his Smoakstack Studios, after which they signed on and began recording Come Get Some, the band’s most unencumbered, free-spirited album to date.
Since forming in 2003, Breaking Laces have played practically every variety of venue imaginable – from coffeehouses to summer camps, and festivals to amphitheaters. All throughout however, while traversing the peaks and valleys of the oft-unpredictable music industry, the Laces pressed onward. “We’ve never shied away from rolling up our sleeves, getting in the van and working,” the drummer explains. “It was a slow and steady climb,” Masarsky adds, describing the band’s journey to Come Get Some. “A lot of bands break up; we’ve kept at it.”
Breaking Laces’ fourth full-length release, Come Get Some is a statement piece: the centerpiece of a band having spent years cultivating its craft both onstage and in the studio. It’s also the sound of three musicians musically undeterred – free to amalgamate their harmonic delicacy, ripping rock sensibilities, and off-the-cuff charm into an album they can proudly stand behind. “The goal was always this record,” explains Hartong, citing the trio’s critically-praised 2011 effort, When You Find Out, as a “stepping stone” work.
Rare Monk is a 5-Piece band from Portland Oregon, being described as, “A special brand of violin smoked rock that floats through galaxies of psychedelic guitars and 90s alternative influences.”