Ace da Vinci, the Chi-Town MC & producer, began developing his craft at the age of 16. Since then, he’s been building a formidable following, deepening track-listing & domineering presence in his music. The Windy City Dreamer develops his sound with pure lyricism & unadulterated spirit. As the creator of SmartMouf Ent, da Vinci has solid intentions on establishing a sound in Hip-Hop that is incomparable to most & rivaled by none.
At our signature Silent Parties, the party-goer is in total control of their musical and social environment. Every attendee gets their own pair of headphones to tune in to whichever genre of music they prefer, with live DJs spinning each channel. It’s a unique experience to be part of a huge party that makes virtually no noise, except on social media afterward.
Brocas Helm is a heavy metal band from San Francisco founded in 1982. It is named after the medieval Brocas helm displayed in London’s Rotunda, Woolwich.
As a child growing up in New York City, Ross “The Boss” Friedman showed great promise as a piano and violin prodigy, but when he first touched the electric guitar he knew he found his true love.
He met Andy Shernoff in 1973 while playing in one of his bands at a house party in his teenage years. Together, they created a band known as The Dictators, who became the first signed Punk Rock band launching the CBGBs scene. Known for their sense of humor and affection for White Castles and wrestling, they were one of the most copied and influential bands of the genre.
Blue Oyster Cult Producer Sandy Perlman was the manager for both The Dictators and French Rock Band Shakin’ Street in 1979 when Ross needed a gig and Shakin’ Street needed a guitar player. Ross flew to France and floored everyone with his guitar playing. He joined the band, lived in France for a year, recorded an album, learned to speak French and toured the world with the band.
While Shakin’ Street was opening for Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult in 1980, Ronnie James Dio introduced Ross to crew member Joey DeMaio. The two of them agreed on their vision for what a Heavy Metal band should be and together, they co-founded Manowar. They created their own subgenre and dubbed it “True Metal” playing epic songs with viking themes at very loud volumes. His eight years and six albums with this band gained him an unbelievably loyal cult following who widely considers Ross The Boss to be the definitive Manowar guitar player.
The Dictators revamped into a new band called Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom in 1989 that bridged that gap from punk rock to metal, and really allowed Ross The Boss to showcase his kind of guitar playing. Even though each of his bands are a different musical style, he says he’s always, “Just playing Rock and Roll”.
When his son was born in 1991 he stayed closer to home being a great dad and making music with his friends and other New York based musicians. During that time he had a few major releases and played shows with his bands The Pack, the Blues Rock “Heyday” and The Spinatras. The Dictators continued to tour and made a highly acclaimed studio record ” D.F.F.D.”, a live CD “Viva Dictators” , and a Greatest Hits and Early Demos compilation.
In 2005, the time was right for him to join former Blue Oyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard in his band The Brain Surgeons, winning over audiences with his own style of guitar playing, and kicking the band up a notch into new territory for two albums.
Ross constantly writes and records new music and reunites with his old bands and former band members for special shows and projects. His 2005 appearance with Manowar at the Earthshaker Festival was so successful he formed his own “Ross The Boss” band and signed with AFM Records Germany. His two critically acclaimed solo albums 2008 “New Metal Leader” and 2010 “Hailstorm” saw him playing shows and festivals all over the world, putting him back in front of a Heavy Metal audience and reminding everyone that Ross The Boss is one of the world’s most loved Metal guitar players.
As people started connecting with him on the internet, he began to collaborate with musicians online and guesting on tracks for bands like Majesty, Wotan, Atlantean Kodex and The Vibrators to name a few.
His newest project “Death Dealer” began as an online collaboration but quickly gelled into a supergroup featuring Sean Peck (Cage), Stu Marshall (Dungeon, Empire of Eden), Mike Davis (Halford, Lizzie Borden), and Steve Bolognese (Into Eternity). The band has been touring the world for their debut album “Warmaster” and is getting ready to release their second album “Hallowed Ground” in 2015.
Ross The Boss was one of the pioneers of both Punk Rock and Heavy Metal. He’s proud to know that the music he’s made has influenced and inspired so many other artists. You can be sure that whatever band he’s in or whatever style he’s playing in, he’s always happy to be writing new music and playing the guitar with his friends.
With their latest critically acclaimed album ‘Legacy’ released via Frontier Records in August 2015, Praying Mantis continue to tour with their current band members Chris Troy, Tino Troy, Andy Burgess, John ‘Jaycee’ Cuijpers and Hans in ‘t Zandt. The band are now producing music which is some of the best in their 41-year history, but where did it all start and why are they still regarded as relevant in 2016?
Early Days
Praying Mantis were formed in London, England, in 1975 by brothers Chris and Tino Troy. The music scene of the late 70’s was widely regarded as stagnant in the wake of a dying punk scene so it became time for a new breed of British bands to emerge and establish themselves with their own creative style of music. Through Neal Kay, DJ at THE BANDWAGON, North London’s premier hard rock disco, a new movement was being formed and today this story has become folk law to Hard Rock fans all over the world. Due to Neal’s much appreciated support, Mantis were given a platform to air their music, which featured classics ‘Captured City’ and ‘Lovers to the Grave’.
Along with fellow London bands Iron Maiden, Angel Witch and Samson, Praying Mantis quickly established themselves and rapidly received the attention of the music press of the time. Along with a number of similar bands across the UK this entire movement was labelled by `Sounds` as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
Spearheaded by Praying Mantis (and Iron Maiden), NWOBHM (as it became known) went on to dominate the Hard Rock scene in the early 80’s, especially after the release of ‘Metal for Muthas’, a compilation album consisting of bands that had played at The Bandwagon. NWOBHM was just what the UK needed at the time; fresh, exciting music with energetic live performances and a togetherness that created a spirit of comradery between fans and bands alike.
The debut album ‘Time Tells No Lies’ received much critical acclaim and the single ‘Cheated’ went top 40 in the UK Charts in 1980. During this period, Iron Maiden and Praying Mantis were closely paired in many areas and formed a strong musical relationship, regularly playing together through the promotion of ‘Metal for Muthas’ which included an extensive UK Tour.
In 1990 this relationship saw Dennis Stratton and Paul Di’Anno (ex-Iron Maiden) join Praying Mantis on stage to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NWOBHM in Japan. Dennis later joined the band on a full-time basis, as did Clive Burr (ex-Iron Maiden) and Gary Barden (ex-MSG).
Since then, Praying Mantis have released many successful albums with Pony Canyon in Japan, and this became one of the band’s major territories.
The New Millenium
In 2007, guitarist Andy Burgess replaced Dennis Stratton in the line-up, continuing the dual lead for the famous Mantis guitar harmonies. He has also proved to be a strong songwriter and influence in the band.
In 2013, vocalist John Cuijpers and drummer Hans in ‘t Zandt joined the band replacing Mike Freeland and Gary Mackenzie. The Dutch duo has vast experience in their fields having toured with the likes of Toto and the Steve Lukather Band. This has added a new and exciting dimension to the band’s music and live performances.
The current album ‘Legacy’ is being hailed as one of the band’s finest to date and it is still receiving stunning reviews across the world.
To hear and see the band in 2016, fans will experience both the spirit and energy of 1980 together with a technical style that really compliments 2016. We will be continuing to promote `Legacy` and take our music to the people before planning a new album in 2017/18.
Juan Allan Daniel JP
jenn.endless, d.b. and four loko. anti-social trash and noise. CHICAGO.
Lagomorphic Rock based in Chicago.
Formed in early 2007, The Devil Elvis Show is a Rock & Roll band from the Ann Arbor/
Devil Elvis is more than a tribute to Elvis, it is a tribute to Rock & Roll itself. The band has something that appeals to anyone that enjoys a rockin’ good time.
Who is Devil Elvis?
The band’s front man, Devil Elvis, is a ultra Rock n’ Roll Elvis-like
The Devil Elvis show can bring on a straight-f
Whatever the occasion, The Devil Elvis Show can entertain audiences of all ages, all types, and anyone that likes a rockin’ good time.
Chicago area metal cover band playing old thrash hits!
Drawing from the sounds of Lightning Bolt, Karp, Sonic Youth, Black Sabbath and High on Fire, Wizard Rifle cannot sit still sonically for more than two seconds. Prepare thineself…
“Serving up glittery goth vibes and heavy, acidic, dream-doom soaked in psychedelia.” From Emili Earhart/ Tone Madison.
Okilly Dokilly is the world’s only Nedal band. Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, a majority of the band’s lyrics are direct Ned quotes. The band’s current members include Head Ned (vocals), Dread Ned (drums), Shred Ned (guitar), Bed Ned (bass) and Zed Ned (synth).
Established in 2015 with original members Head Ned, Red Ned, Bled Ned, Stead Ned and Thread Ned, the band found success before ever playing their first show, becoming a viral phenomenon after releasing just a few press photos and a 4-song demo. Within 2 weeks, the band had nearly 30,000 Facebook fans and was featured by numerous publications including Billboard, Time, The Independent, BBC, Esquire, Vice and many more.
In November of 2016 the band released their debut album, ‘Howdilly Doodilly’, a 13-track catalog filled with Flanderisms, rushing guitars and more than enough left-handed puns. Following the departure of bassist Thread Ned and guitarist Stead Ned for left hand conversion therapy, the band acquired guitarist Dead Ned and bassist Cred Ned. In 2017, the band took on a relentless touring schedule across the US and North America, playing nearly 100 shows to neighborinos everywhere.
Following a short hiatus through 2017 and early 2018, the band regrouped in July of 2018 with a brand new lineup, introducing Shred Ned on guitar, Dread Ned on drums and Zed Ned on synth. In October 2018, the band added bassist Bed Ned and embarked on their first overseas tour with a full UK run.
Okilly Dokilly’s live shows are high energy affairs that weave together comedy and brutality. Guttural screams and pounding drums provide a soundtrack for the pummeling of an inflatable donut as green sweaters and round glasses blur across the stage.
In 2010, members from buried project The Last, the almighty Minos and Dread Veil came together with a simple goal: to create the music they wanted with no genre restrictio
Digipaks for Restoratio
“The Gathering”
Our third album ASCENSION is available via bandcamp in three formats- digital, cassette and digipak. Pick it up now!
Kinetic Element is a neo symphonic progressiv
Meet Grass Fed Mule… the Miles Davis inspired indie folk & bluegrass quartet from St. Louis MO.
Drawing energy from their river town roots in bluegrass, old-time, blues, indie folk & jazz, the band’s upbeat shows flood the ears with strong vocal harmonies and instrumental finesse, featuring sounds of claw hammer banjo, harmonica & mandolin.
Established in 2015, Grass Fed Mule has hit the ground running, playing festivals, touring the midwest, and releasing their debut album “Hay Is For Horses”. While the core of the band is a quartet, don’t be surprised if they gather some of the most prolific pickers around to entertain your ears—GFM has shared the stage with members of Yonder Mountain String Band, Old Salt Union, ClusterPluck, River Bend and many more.
“If you like your bluegrass in a jam, Grass Fed Mule should be sweet to your ears.” – Columbia Daily Tribune 2016
“The St. Louis act started as a side project for two members of jam-band Acoustics Anonymous, then expanded to enfold a member of Elemental Shakedown. Prog and jazz streams flow into the band’s sound, which displays its members’ sure-handed instrumental prowess.” – Columbia Daily Tribune 2016
A Tragedy At Hand (ATAH) is a metal/
“In the fashion world, when something is the new ‘in’ thing that everyone loves and wants, it is often termed “The New Black”. Jeff Brown & company hope that bleeds over to the music industry as well. Fueled largely by whiskey and questionable romantic decisions, and featuring Jeff Brown on vocals and guitars, Eric Stafford on guitars, Michael “Vez” Narvaez on bass, and Marke Lester on drums and vocals, the quartet blends vocal harmony, catchy hooks, insightful lyrics, and a healthy heap of rock swagger.”
A Swedish progressive rockband formed in 1991. Released three records and a live album. Recently awoken from the dead with a new album “Viljans öga” and live shows…
voted Okayest looking in the 6th grade
New Politician
“New Jersey’s New Politician
“New Politician
“Vocalist Renal Anthony has limitless talent and he routinely leaves me stunned with the passion and emotional depth of his performanc
“The music itself, elegant and pronounced
2014 – Energized from the writing, recording,
Flotsam And Jetsam are a true anomaly in the annals of thrash and arguably the most underrated entity in heavy metal history. True fighters, the Phoenix-based five-piece currently led by originals Eric “AK” Knutson and guitarist Michael Gilbert (along with bassist Bill Bodily, guitarist Steve Conley and drummer Ken Mary) have been doing battle in the trenches since the early ‘80s. And although people point to their first album (1986’s “Doomsday For The Deceiver” ) as a game-changer, the band didn’t need the first (and only) 6K rating in Kerrang!’s history to gain accolades.
Like a prize-fighter that refuses to kneel down, Flotsam And Jetsam treaded onward with black eyes and bloody noses. Their 2017 eponymous album saw a band firing on all cylinders, writing/performing years younger than a band with three decades of power and glory notched on their bullet belts. Despite how high the bar was set with their previous album, Flotsam and Jetsam has not slacken the reins, and “The End Of Chaos” (2019) was nothing else but the band at the very top of their game
If the Phoenix disciples arose from their ashes in 2016, now the mythological bird is angry, and out for blood. Flotsam and Jetsam goes for the jugular from the get-go and they are pulling all the stops in the process.
Simple…we have sign up sheet at venue. Pick your song,we give you lyrics.When your song is called,come up and join the band!
No,we can’t play every punk song from 1867 to present day.
We hand pick our favorites from the 90s back to when dinosaurs pogoed along side with the punkers.
Featuring:
Greg Hetson -Circle jerks, Bad Religion
Steve Soto- Adolescents, Agent Orange
Stan Lee- The Dickies
Darrin Pfeifer- Goldfinger
Hollund – Vocals,
Raymond Marble – Guitar,
Dan – Guitar,
A.B. Player – Bass,
Chesney – Drums
What do you get when you take a bass player from the 70′s, a keyboard player from Juilliard, a musical savant playing guitar, two theatrical lead vocalists, and a drummer with progressive rock in his DNA? All veteran musicians? The new American modern progressive rock band Circuline.
Performing original and classic progressive rock, Circuline was founded in 2014 when former progressive rock tribute band Downing Grey members Andrew Colyer (keyboards, vocals), Bill Shannon (lead guitars, vocals), and Darin Brannon (drums, percussion) had a burning desire to write original material. Lead vocalists Billy Spillane (lead vocals) and Natalie Brown were up for the challenge, and Paul Ranieri (bass, bass pedals) was the latest member to join the band.
Members
Hector Huizar: bateria , drums
Manuel E Flores, AKA “Mandrake”, Guitarra . Lead guitar
Martin Huerta: gritos . Lead vocals
Jorge Lopez .guitarra .lead guitar
Freddy Martinez: Bajo . Bas guitar
Oblivion Worship is Black/Death Metal band from Chicago.
BLACK METAL CREATED WITHIN THE REALMS OF CHAOS
Formed in Late 2009, with first self titled demo released in 2010,
and 2nd demo “Forest of Frost” released in 2013, and th “Unleashing the Demon Scourge” EP releases 2014.
Currently writing material for first full length
Ancient Mayan black metal since 1992.
NECROMONKEY is the collaboration between drummer Mattias OLSSON who was part of the founding members of swedish band Änglagård, of which he left in 2012, and keyboardist David LUNDBERG from Gösta Berlings Saga. The two first met in 2008 while working on Gösta Berlings Saga’s second album Detta har hänt and thought about working together. 2010 saw the begining of the writing and recording for their first album Necroplex in Olsson?s Roth-Händle studios in Stockholm. Their vision was not about making an Änglagård meets Gösta Berlings Saga kind of album but instead focusing on something new which will reflect everything they love in music. Necroplex was released in 2013 and showed how fertile this duo is, making an album deeply rooted in modern electronic but still incorporates a huge amount of acoustic and electric instruments. OLSSON and LUNDBERG both handle most of the instruments, aided by a big line up of session musicians. The two didn’t wait long before releasing a second album, A Glimpse Of Possible Endings is already finished. Their new EP “The Shadow of A Blind Man” just got released October 1, 2016.
Edensong is a progressiv
For their 2016 followup, “Years in the Garden of Years,” a concept album to be released on September 30th through Laser’s Edge, Edensong further explores the intricatel
At over 70 minutes of new music, “Years in the Garden of Years” is even more ambitious than it’s predecesso
Straight Up is the third album by British rock band Badfinger, released in December 1971 in the United States and February 1972 in Britain. Issued on the Beatles’ Apple record label, it includes the hit singles “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue”, and the similarly popular “Name of the Game”, all of which were written by singer and guitarist Pete Ham.
Imagine is the second studio album by John Lennon. Recorded and released in 1971, the album is more heavily produced in contrast to the basic, raw arrangements of his previous album, the critically acclaimed John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
Master of Reality is the third studio album by English rock band Black Sabbath. Released in July 1971, it is widely regarded as the foundation of doom metal, stoner rock, and sludge metal.
“Celestial Motion Wagon was formed in August of 2014 by Zac Emry, Bryce Fellows, and Riley Young. The band began playing covers and performing locally before moving on to writing and performing originals. The band’s sound was soon rounded out by the addition of keyboardist Dillon Daniels in winter of 2014/2015.
Summer of 2015 saw many major milestones for Celestial Motion Wagon. They recorded and released their debut, self-titled extended play “Celestial Motion Wagon” with the help of friend Dalton Attig. The band embarked on their first ever mini-tour in early August of 2015 where they played in major cities such as Kansas City and Colorado Springs.
With band members living farther apart now due to college, the band has seen a period of slightly decreased activity. The band has continued to play shows from now and then in cities such as Rockford and Milwaukee. Most recently, the band has returned from a week-long trip to Michigan where they began working on their first full length album which is due to be released later this Spring.”
The Lillingtons blasted their way out of the sleepy cowtown of Newcastle, WY, in 1996 high off the influence of spirited bands like the Ramones, Screeching Weasel, and the Queers.
Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts bring forth new energy to country music fans who love the heroes and outlaws of old. Influenced
Rock/Post-Hardcore/Pop-Punk band Founded in 2015.
Ember Oceans embodies a breath of fresh air in the indie synth-rock genre, seeing themselves and what makes a catchy pop tune through a new perspective. Their self-titled debut EP takes their warm electric groove for one hell of a joy ride that feels great the whole way through. Stop at the beach and surf through the rich harmonies and waves of reverb soaked synthesizer and guitar, popping like bubbles along to the crisp beats and bass that drive the songs on a roadtrip that travels through summers of influence and sound. Ember Oceans does not want you to just listen to their music, they want you to take it on vacation and have the best trip you’ve had in years.
We’re a kind of lo-fi, avant-garde blues band that still manages to sneak some soul in here and there. We enjoy playing what we believe to be great songs with positive, high-energy performances while not getting caught up in the studio perfection that so many artists seek these days. We want our songs to maintain a human element to them. We don’t want a “snapped to a grid/copy and paste” feel when you listen to our music. Same with our live shows. As Leonard Cohen said, ‘There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.
What began with two college buddies performing drunken living room improv jam sessions has quickly evolved into Littlebirds, a six piece band hailing from the Windy City. Littlebirds amplifies a classic americana sound by layering in violin melodies, heavy hitting guitar synchronization, and 3 & 4 part vocal harmonies. If John Prine, Twenty One Pilots, Mumford, and Mumford’s sons had an incestual orgy resulting in an illegitimate child, Littlebirds would be that offspring. The band may be silly, they will most likely be drunk, but regardless of circumstances, they absolutely will be fun.
By IndieMinded:
Stuff We Leave Behind by Wonky Tonk.
Kentucky based singer-songwriter Jasmine “Wonky Tonk” Poole, is an artist who is never afraid to put it all out there and leave a piece of herself behind. As a young girl, she was told that “Cowgirls get up in the morning, decide what to do and do it.” With a sound that touches on folk, Americana, country, and bluegrass, all anchored by a touch of honky tonk and propelled by her punk attitude, Poole clearly took that advice to heart and applied it to her music. Described as falling somewhere between First Aid Kit, Modest Mouse and Tune Yards, and with influences such as Loretta Lynn, Poole paves her own creative path on her LP release, Stuff We Leave Behind, available now.
Epic hard rock and thrash-infused retro metal from Carbondale, IL, with ex-members of Zuul and The Copyrights. Denim suggested.
Seamstress on this recording is:
Jared Mileger – Guitar/Vocals
Josh Stockinger – Bass
Ken Clifford – Vocals/Guitar
Morgan Demling – Drums
Carley Coma: Vocals
Michael MacIvor: Bass
John LaMacchia: Rhythm / Lead Guitar
Danny Grossarth: Drums / Percussion
Julio Arias: Rhythm Guitar
Born in Brooklyn, NY, the name Candiria is synonymous with the kind of experimentation and genre-bending more often associated with freeform jazz and progressive rock than hard/metalcore music. Their original fan base, predominantly rooted in the well-knit NYHC second wave (Merauder, Madball, Burn, etc.), took to Candiria’s balanced integration of aggressive unusual time signature’d dissonance with hip-hop, jazz (early bop as well as late period fusion), dub, and abstract psychedelic experimentation straightaway, a testament to the band’s skillful musicianship and intelligent sonic aesthetic.
Releasing four critically acclaimed and fan adored albums over the course of six years, the band would in 2002 face its biggest challenge, as both band and individuals. While driving through Batavia, NY, touring in support of their latest release, their van was subject to an accident whose physical and psychological repercussions deeply informed each of their decisions to follow. Upon recovery, their appropriately titled 2004 release ‘What Doesn’t Kill You…’, retained components of the band’s earlier fractal aesthetic while introducingmelodic choruses and clean singing alongside the guttural and triple-timed vocalizations the band historically employed and perfected.
Candiria would spend the years following ‘What Doesn’t Kill You…’ recovering from their injuries, losing and replacing personnel, tied up in legal disputes, and individually engaging in new musical projects that would serve to enlarge the creative scope of each band member. In retrospect, this period should be regarded as a phase of reconsideration, realignment, and renewal. It is with this perspective in mind that Candiria has written and recorded their latest album, ‘While They Were Sleeping’, a concentrated demonstration of their relentless desire to explore and expand upon an aural palette whose depth and breadth has always challenged the complacency of remaining static in an ever-changing world.
‘While They Were Sleeping’ is a concept album conceived by the band’s lead vocalist Carley Coma. Telling the tale of a failed musician who rises up against a monarchy in New York City, ‘While They Were Sleeping’ aims to encapsulate a vision of the contemporary world, in all of its riotous and tech-driven complexity. Ambitious as such an idea may seem, it is part of Candiria’s natural development, and has given birth to some of the band’s proudest and most challenging moments.
One of those moments comes early on in the album, just prior to the halfway mark of ‘Mereya’, when the band deftly shifts gears from a pummeling assault of well-knit propulsive rhythms into tenor sax-laced jazz percussion patterns heightened by Coma’s introduction of a scat-singing that skillfully combines the styles of world renown vocalists Jon Hendricks and Jimmy Scott. Bassist Mike MacIvor recalls it as an experience wherein the history of the band’s determination to push themselves beyond their known limits crystallized: “At first, I wasn’t a fan of the idea, but as we went through the recording process, I realized that if you’re doing something that makes you uncomfortable, strikes you as weird, or even induces nausea, then you have to do it. That is what Candiria is all about.”
And so much more, as the conception and formation of ‘While They Were Sleeping’ would prove. “I was unafraid to be completely honest, and approach the band as a new entity”, says Coma. It’s with this kind of openness that for the first time he created songs centered on character development, a notion he became interested in and studied with the aid of Robert McKee’s classic book ‘Story: Style, Structure, and the Principles of Screenwriting’. Spending just over a year working on the story, prior to the consideration of its musical accompaniment, Coma states: “I wanted to learn about creating characters. and how one could make that happen.” This thoughtfulness would be fusedto current events, as the song ‘The Whole World Will Burn’ demonstrates. Written both as a response to the Ferguson riots,and as a means of propelling the story’s plotline, it serves as an example of Coma’s extensive aspirations for this project.
“I had some skepticism”, says guitarist John LaMacchia, in reference to the idea of a concept album. A completely new idea for the band, he was unsure of how to approach the writing of music whose main goal is to serve a narrative that had been carefully contemplated and constructed. Encouraged by Coma’s spirit of unguarded writing, LaMacchia notes that the foundation of the recording process was rooted in a feeling of union: “Having faith in one another, giving each other space to present and pursue individual ideas, then uniting them into a whole.” Adding to this already healthy dynamic is the inclusion of new drummer Danny Grossarth, and new rhythm guitarist Julio Arias, both of whom bring a fresh fire and energy to stage and studio alike.
Recorded at Spaceman Sound by Tom Tierney and Alex Mead-Fox, it was of primary importance to Candira that they retain a distance from the compartmentalized, disinfected, and essentially whitewashed production qualities heard throughout much of contemporary music. As a band that has always operated from a working class perspective, capturing an organic aesthetic was essential. The proof of this can be heard on tracks as dissimilar as ‘The Cause’, an experiment in electro-discordancy that lures the listener in with a seemingly innocuous riff whose rhythm coils in on itself until stuttering to an end, and ‘Opaque’, a track of transcendent significance for both this album and the band.
‘Opaque’ was conceptually intended as a sparsely decorated composition. However, its fruition took on auditory dimensions Candira had heretofore never investigated. If the song has a point of reference in the band’s canon, it is an oblique one that MacIvor deftly elucidates “In the same way that our fans weren’t ready for a song like ‘Observing Highways’ (from their debut album ‘Surrealistic Madness’), they won’t be ready for ‘Opaque’. What we’re always trying to do as a band is paint a picture that hasn’t been seen; looking for a sound that hasn’t been heard.” This emphatic ambition, coupled with an unwavering confidence in one another, has allowed them to create a concept album that is completely off the musical grid, will defy expectations, and establish a new standard in Candiria’s willfully driven evolution.
Throughout 2016, Candiria have played several shows in the New York City area with musical compatriots and veterans of the scene such as Sick of It All, Poison the Well, and Killswitch Engage, as well as more recently formed boundary pushing outfits like Death Grips, Shabazz Palaces, Netherlands, and Moon Tooth. ‘While They Were Sleeping’ will be released on October 7th, 2016, with a full U.S. tour to follow.
Bio by Aaron Gettler
Members
Axel – Vocals
Charles – Guitar
David – Guitar
Magnus – Bass
Pontus – Drums
May, 2016.
Horisont sign worldwide deal with Century Media Records. On the eve of their 10 year anniversary Swedish hardrock band HORISONT are pleased to announce the next chapter in their illustrious career by putting pen to paper and confirming a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. New album in progress, stay tuned!
BIOGRAHPY, August, 2015.
Big of moustache and tight of trouser, Horistont drink from the bottomless wellspring of inspiration that’s been bubbling up through the layers of time since the birth of the blues – or Blue Oyster Cult at the very least.
Theirs is a sound that harks back to the dawn of the 70s, when a new clutch of heads decided it was time to harsh the 60s hippies’ mellow and paint it black; those years when the twin spirit of hard rock and prog rose to redefine sound.
In their earlier years Horisont looked and sounded like the last guys standing at the world’s wildest and darkest party; these are the tight bro’s who laced the punch, torched the dance-floor and rode off into the night on their roaring hogs in a puff of green smoke. “Put the five soldiers of Horisont in a time machine 50 years ahead of time and we would still rock the silver socks of any future man, woman or robot,” frontman Axel once declared.
This quintet’s rock trip might be retro but their songwriting is timeless; a good melody lives forever and Horisont have songs in abundance. New album Odyssey is exactly as its title suggests: an epic journey into the known. A sonic trip. A mighty voyage of sound. You could even call their fourth full release a concept album – although they themselves prefer “space saga”. Either way it’s a brave band who open their album with a ten minute-long track, yet on the album’s title track Horisont dive straight into the deep end, delivering space-rock with all the dexterity and deftness of the very best prog rock’s finest, such as early Yes or Kansas.
“I think it was Tom, who during a tour, said that it would be fun to write a ten minute song,” says bassist Magnus Delborg.“When that song took shape the idea of a cohesive album was born. Most of the songs are in some way connected to the bigger theme, so – yes – it is a concept album. It concerns a supreme race of mysterious being who experiment with the creation of life and start to populate planets around the universe. And this is the story of one of those planets…”
Formed in 2006, Horisont have spent close to a decade kicking ass, taking names and establishing themselves at the forefront of the Scandinavian retro rock revival (see also Witchcraft, Graveyard etc), injecting their sound with early-Status Quo-styled boogie blues, prog complexities, NWOBHM swagger and fire-spitting choruses set to scorch the eyebrows of the first ten rows. This is music made without irony, unafraid to acknowledge an allegiance to past greats such as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Cactus, Thin Lizzy, the aforementioned Yes and Judas Priest.
Their first two albums Tva Sidor Av Horisonten (2009) and Second Assault (2012) earned Horisont a special place in the rock underground, while Time Warriors (2013) was a no-holds barred demonstration of classic rock and metal combined with a fearlessly inventive streak, and took them to a wider international audience. And now comes Odyssey, a bold leap into more expansive and ethereal musical territory. It’s the band’s first to feature native Australian and former Church Of Misery guitarist Tom Sutton.
The new line-up change sees a definite gear-shift too. Here Horisont play as if their lives depend upon it: dueling guitars do battle in an endlessly thrilling interplay over a rhythm section that gallops like wild horses across the frozen tundra. And cutting through the middle, Axel Söderberg’s howling heartfelt vocals delivered with a space-age sense of soulfulness.
There are surprises aplenty throughout – witness the melodic Jethro Tull-style breakdown in the middle of ‘Blind Leder Blind’, flamenco/folk flourishes on ‘Flying’, the fist pumping classic metal anthem of ‘Back On The Streets’, the almost Ziggy Stardust-esque ‘Beyond The Sun’ or the elegiac eight minute long album closer ‘Timmarna’, which evokes the awesome beauty of a dying star careering off into darker distant universe. Then there’s the majestic former single ‘Break The Limit’, which was accompanied by a gloriously grainy 1980s VHS-style video, complete with much split screen action. This is expansive, emotive music that’s far more than five hirsute men creating a voluminous ruckus.
Odyssey was recorded in Studio Kust in Gothenburg with producer by Henrik Magnusson. It was, the band explain their most harmonious creative period ever.“No Horisont recording session has ever been this good,” admits Delborg. “We had worked with Henrik on our ‘Break The Limit’ single and knew that he was our guy. All the basics where recorded live in just a couple of days. Then we spent a lot of time on the intricate details.”
The artwork for Odyssey harks back to both classic sci-fi paperbacks and prime prog rock albums of the 70s. “We wanted a slightly disturbed, Asimov-esque science fiction cover that told the story of Odyssey,” says drummer Pontus Jordan. “Tom knew this guy who was really in to old science fiction stuff and he had done the cover for The Order Of Israfel. So we meet the guy and it was the one and only Henrik Jacobsen. And he really nailed it.”
Strap in, sit back and let the Odyssey begin…
The Cold Hard Cash Show is an original and innovative tribute to the music of Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Three!
Fronted by guitarist and singer Merle Travis Peterson, The Cold Hard Cash Show brings to life classic Cash songs from the Sun & Columbia Records Catalogs to the modern American recordings, performing with the energy of the Live at Folsom and San Quentin albums with a sound so accurate you’d think you’re listening to The Man in Black himself!
The band formed in 2005 and in addition to Merle Travis Peterson fronting the band on vocals and guitar, the line up includes long time member Fel Torres on drums and John Sporman on double bass.
Since the formation, they have performed on hundreds of stages often sharing them with a diverse variety of artists such as as Darryl Worley, John Anderson, Eric Church, Charlie Daniels, Lonestar, Eddie Money, Eli Young Band, Los Lobos, James Hunnicutt, Dale Watson and countless others as well as performing at several high profile private functions with guests such as Katy Perry, Shawn Colvin, John Oates, Justin Timberlake, David Ryan Harris, John Mayer and have at times performed with a few of them!
In 2008 the band made their National Television debut when they performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, gaining a solid world wide fan base and landing them on stages at several nationally known festivals such as Memphis in May Festival (Memphis,TN), Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Sturgis,SD), Daytona Bike Week (Daytona, FL), Lonestar Rally (Galveston,TX) and Johnny Cash Festival- Roadshow Revival (Ventura,CA).
In 2014 the band recorded a song for long time Eddie Money drummer Glenn Symmonds and were featured on his ‘Friends of Glenn’s’ album along with multiple artists including Eddie Money.
The band continues to tour across the country non-stop spreading the great word and music of The Man in Black, Johnny Cash!
Say what you will about Tribute Bands, The Cold Hard Cash Show is an excellent band, excellent show, excellent experience and hands down the BEST Johnny Cash Tribute around!
The Westerlees are like old-fashioned, country-baked pie. They don’t
make them much like that anymore, but every time you taste one you
wonder why not. Steel Guitar, Fiddle, Clarinet, and the occasional Tap
Dancer all come together to deliver wholesome (and perhaps more often,
daringly tart) tunes from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Everything from
the Light Crust Doughboys to Bob Wills to Hank Williams is performed
with levity and humor.
They also have many originals in the style which reveal the
satirically comical worldview of singer and songwriter Patrick
Brenner. The band has a rotation of other cast members too, each
bringing their own expertise and personality to the authentically
vintage sound and performance of the Westerlees.
Come see what audiences at county fairs, street festivals and dive
bars have been buzzing about. If you get a taste of their down-home,
old-timey, country flavor, you are guaranteed to be entertained!
Uncle Jesse and the Rippers is a 90s cover band playing the hits from a variety of genres. Featuring members of Honey & the 45s, Smoker, Sea Lords, and, Lynne[a], Uncle Jesse and the Rippers bring to life all the 90s songs you love (and a few you’ve forgotten you love)!