Gygax - Second Edition

Gygax has always made a name for themselves as Thin Lizzy worship fused with Dungeons and Dragons inspired madness at its finest. While their first record certainly had a lot of hints at the mainmans previous group, Gypsyhawk, Second Edition hints at a broader swathe of sound for the band and goes into a much clearer NWOBHM and Thin Lizzy derived direction. It's an expected step from the band and it's a lot of fun to listen to  this entire rock and roll shindig go down over the course of eight thrilling tracks.

Gygax has always been defined by a sense of fun, something they dive into right away with the track Dice Throwers & Rock n' Rollers. There's something uniquely thrilling to a jaded dork like me to get to hear a badass rock and roll band playing this type of rock and talking about the underdark. Sure these sorts of bands have existed before, but not only is Gygax one of the better ones in the genre musically speaking, but their lyrics are so triumphantly dorky that you can't help but to sing along. Sure it might not be for everybody, but Gygax seems to know their audience and what their fans are digging in for.

Second Edition is a fun filled eight track romp through late 70s style rock and roll that isn't afraid to bring in a few other exciting elements. Gygax have mastered the songwriting style they so clearly admire, and while there are a few touches they might add in the future with thicker production and perhaps another big chorus or two, it seems like these guys are on track to take the world by storm. Listening to some of these songs it's hard not to want to get up and dance in the moonlight. This is what rock and roll is about and I fuckin love it.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/GygaxGuild/

Devil To Pay - A Bend Through Space And Time

Devil To Pay is quite the rock and roll band. They storm out of the gate all guns blazing and don't let up for a single cotton picking minute. This is another great Ripple release from a band who understand what rock should sound like in 2016. A Bend Through Space And Time is a fun listen, one that pays tribute to the bombast of the 70s scene with powerful guitar harmonies, epic vocals and some surprisingly fun lyrics. This is the sort of record that invokes something greater and guides us into a demented future.

I think the main thing for me with A Bend Through Space And Time is the superior guitar work. The songs are simply exciting to listen too, and that's largely due to pentatonic based guitar riffs that, rather than aping Sleep find a place of their own. There is something strangely magical about what Devil To Pay have invoked here, they found the burning spirit of heavy metal and it's hard not to fall in love with their unholy creation time and time again. A Bend Through Space And Time is an exciting listen that is hard to put down after only one spin. It has a lot more to unpack and begs the listener to re-examine their world.

It's easy to fall in love with A Bend Through Space And Time. For every crazy spaced out guitar solo, there is a track like Your Inner Lemmy. For every drawn out vocal howl there is a wild and crazy guitar riff to balance it out. This is an album that finds the spirit of heavy metal magic and shows the same furious passion that set all of our hearts on fire back when we were young and reckless. Devil To Pay get what we want out of a rock and roll level and they make sure to deliver on every possible level.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/deviltopay/?fref=ts

Slow Season - Westing

Slow Season have always impressed me with their super chilled out sound and dedication to hard psychedelia of the sort that few of the bands peers dare deal with. It's easy to dive into the stoned revery and secular haze that the band conjures up on Westing. A band who could be thought of as a more subdued version of Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats - or at least a trippier take on the rock and roll revival bands dominating stoner rock blogs these days Slow Season never fail to impress. This latest offering, full of forward motion and swirling riffs is no exception.

The problem with a lot of stoner rock these days is that it gets lost up its own ass because every young guitarist thinks he's Matt Pike for some fucking reason. Slow Season's songs rarely become too long, and their more extended moments serve a solid purpose within the song. They give you a moment to step back, to enjoy the sheer space of the music and to bite in even deeper to riffs that capture the angular and raw magic of this kind of music. With the washed out vocals soaring high above the bands garage rock reveries Westing makes for an addictive listen for any fan of 70s rock and roll.

So yes, they might be called a little derivative - but I feel otherwise. Slow Season are certainly wearing their influences on their collective sleeve, but they are still a shit ton of fun to listen to and they still represent something greater in the world of rock and roll. You can sink your teeth into what they have offered here and it's easy to lose yourself in fun choruses, tasty solos and riffs that could spin for days. Slow Season understand the spirit of the 70s and transport it into the 10's with burning aplomb.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/slowseasonmusic/?fref=ts

Foghound - The World Unseen

Ripple Music have historically killed it, and 2016 seems to be their best year yet. The label has often had to deal with stoner rock bands who are a little too close to Black Sabbath but who never properly understood the meaning of the bad. Foghound is not one of those bands. They capture the 70s rock and roll ethos (And more importantly - Sabbathian elements) with aplomb and have refined something truly special. The songwriting here is top notch and the wonderfully raw energy will have you coming back for more.

I think the thing that gets me about The World Unseen is that there is a little something for everyone here. If you're into Black Sabbath you can certainly get your rocks off, but for those of us who are fans of more modern rock ideas there is a ton to dig into as well. Foghound offer a delicious variety of ideas here and drive it all through their own distinct paradigm. There is something endlessly engaging about what they have crafted here - and it should be no mystery, they truly understand rock and roll and all of the power that that entails. The World Unseen distills a genre we love down to its beautiful core elements.

Pentatonic, tripped out and unafraid to dive into the weirder side of rock music, this is an album that reminds us of the innovative spirit of the Seventies without spending too much time aping the old masters (Though there is a LOT of Sabbath worship here) Foghound are the kind of band who bring the music forward because they have managed to mix old and now, thus creating their own void and showing us that despite popular belief, rock and roll isn't dead, and as a matter of fact there is a whole lot to sink your teeth into, even in 2016.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/foghoundbaltimore/?fref=ts

Vimana, Tower, The Golden Grass and Satan's Satyrs at The Acheron

So all good things must come to an end, and last night was, barring some unlikely turn of events, my last night ever at The Acheron. What a night it was though, four of the most powerful rock bands I have seen in a good long while came out to help wish a fond goodbye to this venue that has changed all of our lives. As I made my way out to that hallowed ground I knew that even though this may be the end of one great venue, what is dead may never die, the Acheron and their crew will be replaced and come back harder and stronger.

The first band up on the night was the trippy Vimana. Now this is a band who listened to a toooon of Hawkwind growing up and now use a psychedelic stage show to fully communicate their passion and it is glorious. Covered in glitter and using fantastical song structures with spaced out guitar solos and a general sense of musical exploration Vimana live are simply devastating. A lot of bands add spacey parts to their songs these days but few have the balls to go whole hog as Vimana do. It makes for an unique and all encompassing sonic experience and one that you are going to want to revisit time and time again.

Up next was Tower - a band who I had heard about but wasn't expecting to be as wonderfully impressed by as I was. These guys truly understand the spirit of rock and roll. They are high energy, wild and vicious. With a dynamic frontwoman and a powerful sense of fun driving the whole thing forward it's hard not to want to dance to Tower. This is a group who capture the hearts of an entire audience and within seconds have them all dancing on the floor showing what they've got. This is a band who bring us back to the foundational beauty of the music and remind us why we got into it in the first place.

Golden Grass knew they had a had act to follow but they utterly blew me out of the water. With all three members of the band taking on vocal duties, either as lead or harmonizing in pretty much every song they have a potent versatility. While I spent the entire set waiting for them to cover Led Zeppelin's Rock and roll the band still impressed me with their 70s sensibilities and their ability to charm. Not a lot of bands can deal in the sheer charisma and understated magic of a band like Golden Grass. These guys let you vibe out and dig into what truly matters - fun riffs and high powered good times.

Finally the hour was nigh for Satan's Satyrs, the last band I was ever to see at Acheron. I've loved these guys for years now, I've probably seen them six or seven times, and they actually have played the Acheron themselves a handful of times. It's weird to think that a band who are such a mainstay in my life would be the band to help me say good bye to one of my favorite places in the world but in many ways it is appropriate. They came on and ripped through their new set, this being their second show as a four piece. With harmonized guitar solos and a rip roaring attention to detail there is something fresh and serious about Satan's Satyrs. They are young, vicious and ready to tear your throat out all over again.

So I walked home from the Acheron for what will probably be the last time. Who knows - maybe I will go back to the Anchored Inn, the sick bar that they had attached, but maybe not. All I know is that I've had some good times there and made some close friends at the space. The Acheron was designed for tramps like us. It's rare to find a place that so perfectly reflects the magic of the DIY scene - but such is the case with this venue and though it may be gone from NYC's geography it will never be forgotten.

Find the bands on Facebook!

Vimana: https://www.facebook.com/VimanaBK/?fref=ts

Tower: https://www.facebook.com/TOWERnyc/

The Golden Grass: https://www.facebook.com/thegoldengrass/?fref=ts

Satan's Satyrs: https://www.facebook.com/satanssatyrs/?fref=ts

Refused in Paris (@Le Trianon, 01/12/2015)

Whether you love them or hate them, Refused are the best example of a band whose artistic delivery and impact match their gargantuan ambition. The same way “Who wants to be a Millionnaire” contestant John Carpenter confidently baffled the world by calling his dad to boast about his 1 million dollar winning, the ballsy statement that is “The Shape of Punk to come” has baffled the world with its accurately foretold prophecy. What was once a grossly underrated band rose up and returned to the scene, greeted by the newfound fan base and praise they deserve. Returning to Paris for the 2nd time since their reformation, the punk quitet from Umea, Sweden were greeted to a Sold-out show at the large, prestigious venue known as Le Trianon.

Scheduled to open up for the band were a local four fifth all-girl band known as X Syndicate, whose sharp attire consisting of black and white suit and tie combos combined with their voluminous haircuts and makeup made for quite the first impression. The bands’ blatantly straightforward overdriven blend of punk n’ roll bordering on slow thrash, while incredibly simplistic, did make for a nice starter for the show… at least initially. While there wasn’t anything all that bad about the set, the bands’ lack of inspiration seemed to become more and more evident as time went by during the course of their uninterrupted mishmash of metal guitar 101 riffs. The vocalist did give out a solid performance, though her microphone was all too often way too low in the mix. Most disturbing of all was the staleness of the performers whose onstage attitude made them seem a lot more preoccupied by the press photographers at the front of the stage than their actual audience. Overall, I couldn’t shake the bitter aftertaste hinting towards a sense of shallowness after listening to a somewhat fun but all too generic set of riffs and songs.

Refused were then next in line and prepared to take on their avid fans. As the time for the bands’ set to start off came night, the audience was greeted and treated to an introduction with Kendrick Lamar’s King Kunta, suggesting the bands’, an unexpected yet pleasant choice that got a fair share of the audience pumped up. The Swedes took to the stage looking sharp as ever with their buttoned shirts and fired up with Elektra off of their comeback record Freedom. While the opening number for the show did feel somewhat underwhelming, the band quickly got back on track after getting warmed up for the first few minutes, getting all fired up in time to unleash The Shape of Punk to Come  unto the audience as a follow-up. Vocalist Dennis Lyxzén visibly needed a song or 2 to get warmed up but as soon as the initial tracks gave him time to get in the groove he quickly turned into a juggernaut. With a fair balance of songs off of Freedom and the classic The Shape of Punk to Come to please and win over old and new fans alike, the band delivered an incredibly fun and intense live set, brilliantly articulated and punctuated with breaks and builds to keep the show fresh and dynamic. Admittedly not a fan of larger venues such as Le Trianon, particularly in the context of a punk show, I was very impressed by the bands’ ability to make the best out of their setting and close off the typically large gap between the stage and audience through their explosive stage presence and their interaction with the audience. With Dennis swirling his mic chord and jumping around like an acrobat while busting some sweet moves, the band shows little to no signs of ageing  and are visibly still fully charged up with the electrifying energy that inked their music and name in punk rock anthology. With each outburst of the bands’ syncopated rhythms and danceable rock grooves contagious enough to tear lesser prepared venues down to the ground, Refused had their audience on their toes and running wild in the pit.

Having lost nothing in the way of their militant spirit, the band also took a brave stand to address the COP21 summit as well as the tragic events having struck Paris only 2 weeks earlier. The quintet from Sweden had played at le Bataclan the last time they toured France and were very adamant in spreading a message of unyielding love and solidarity to their audience. “THIS is our Weapon! Please take care of each other!” the band cried out, with Dennis Lyxzén on the brink of tears as they fired up “Rather be Dead”, during which he jumped into the crowd to yell the refrain alongside the fans.

Thanks to the bands’ incredibly rich sound, Refused offered a superbly paced and diverse set, crashing down with hard-hitting powerhouses all the while steering clear from a one-dimensional sequence of the same grooves and moods. I was most notably pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of the dance-able rock numbers such as the new Servants of death which helped to switch up the mood for a bit.

The bands’ live Bombination in 14 bursts flew by in what seemed like a mere half hour, closing off the main set with a brilliant rendition of the classic “Worm of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull” before leaving the stage. A sold-out venue full of fans cannot be fooled though, as every single person in the room were fully aware that the band had still some unfinished business to attend to. After a roaring ovation of fans calling out for the closing songs of the evening, the band returned to the stage to the iconic opening riff to “New Noise”, to which the crowd lost their minds and split pit from side to side before wreaking havoc. To add some more the icing on the cake before bringing an evening to a definite close, the band followed up their anthemic encore with the crushing “Tannhäuser / Derivè”, the perfect encore for the bands’ phenomenal set.

With a set such as this one, Refused leave no doubt as to the band’s relevance in today’s rock scene, their latest creative output and their explosive live shows stating loud and clear that these Swedes are going to keep tearing it up for years to come. Don’t believe what they say, Refused are fucking alive and kicking it harder than ever.

Robin.

Thank you to the staff at HIM Media for making this live report possible!

Live photos by Nessie Monteiro.

Setlist 

1. Elektra

2. The Shape of Punk to Come

3. The Refused Party Program

4. Dawkins Christ

5. The Deadly Rhythm

6. Françafrique

7. Rather Be Dead

8. Coup d'état

9. War on the Palaces

10. Servants of Death

11. Refused Are Fucking Dead

12. Thought Is Blood

13. Summerholidays vs. Punkroutine

14. Worms of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull

15. New Noise

16. Tannhäuser / Derivè

The Tips - Twists'n'Turns

Regular readers know that every once in a while I like to cover some material that is kind of out of left field, at least for a metal blog. I think this is what drew me to covering Dusseldorf reggae trio The Tips today. Their new record, Twists'n'Turns is a fascinating fusion of punk rock and more traditional reggae sounds that isn't afraid to get bombastic. The end result is an album that will interest and excite the listener and provoke a deeper look, not just into what punk music can be, but really rock and roll as a whole.

The distinctive rhythms of The Tips are nicely offset by occasional punk twists and turns (Get it?) and the vaguely psychedelic vibe keeps things nicely laid back. It also helps to communicate a sentiment of almost extraterrestrial torment. Toss in the occasional mind bending solo and you start to get a record that feels almost unreal. Twists'n'Turns has captured my attention, not just because it's an awesome album but because it has a mood all of its own. The distinctive sonic flavors painted by these songs is oftentimes unreal and requires a couple of listens to really nail down. The Tips are pushing rock music in interesting new ways, and the weirder the better.

There is a very visceral power to the protests and pleas of desperation that accentuate this record. Despite the cheery exterior there is something wonderfully dark about what The Tips are doing here and wrapping your head around it is only the first step in the rock and roll nightmare that this band represents. They are fully aware of their own innovation, and while others have managed to produce similar stuff it's The Tips who push it to a whole new level and make their sound that which could define a new generation.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/thetipsofficial

Baroness - Purple

I'm always a little hesitant to review records that have received massive critical acclaim, but alas and alack - here I am again. Baroness have truly done something special with Purple, I'm not totally sure it's all it was cracked up to be, but then again I was never a huge Baroness fan. What I can say though is that when Purple glows, it shines. The songwriting here is majestic and powerful. Baroness were fully aware of what they needed to do to reinstate themselves on the scene and they have managed to do exactly that.

Now more than ever John Baizley's powerful vocals ring out, resonate even, soaring out of your speakers and communicating a sort of sublime beauty to the band. Beyond that - the production on this record is perfection, it's rare that a record simply sounds good enough to really interest me, but that's a key selling point of Purple. The angular riffs and brooding bass lines fit together perfectly in the mix and the new band members mesh in very nicely with the old guard. As a whole though Purple is impressive because in a rather concise and straightforward format it is able to carry the listener to brave new worlds and allows you to revel in each and every standout track.

Lyrical and majestic, Purple is a brilliantly put together record and one that I think a lot of people will be coming back to time and time again. Even for someone who never really got into the band, like me, there's still something incredibly powerful about this record. Rather than coming across as fatalistic or doomed, there is something incredibly hopeful about what Baroness have done on Purple and I now know that there is a way forward through the murk, and bands like this one are what is going to carry us forward.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/YourBaroness/?fref=ts

Magic Circle - Journey Blind

It's no secret that I was pretty darn stoked on Magic Circle's 2013 self titled debut, but I'll admit, I hadn't listened to that particular record in far too long. So their follow-up, the exciting, booty shaking, earth quaking Journey Blind comes as a particularly pleasant surprise – 7 tracks of rock and roll brilliance turned up to the max and leaving your whole body in awe of the majestic odes to everything and nothing that Magic Circle have wrought. Chock full of guitarmonies and powerful vocals, this is what rock and roll was meant to be.

As we see the genre coming back to the fore in 2015 it's bands like Magic Circle that make it so valid. The thing is – they understand what rock and roll means but they put something of a modern spin on it, keeping it engaging and entertaining. That being said – the straight Thin Lizzy worship in some of these tracks is highly appreciated. Simply put – Magic Circle know how to write a fucking rock and roll song. You find yourself falling in love with the infectious grooves that the band has been able to craft and in between occult melodies you have to genuflect at the sense of pure bliss that the band has been able to conjure up with this particular release.

Magic Circle are a magical band, invoking all that we love about an art form that looks like it is once more about to have its day in the sun. It's easy to find the sense of sublime power in tracks like A Ballad For The Vultures because Magic Circle have spent time investing raw and potent emotion into their work. This is the kind of record that critics go gaga for bcause it sounds pretty, it's engaging and it simply resonates with the rock fan in all of us. So if you too promised the gods that you would play it louder than hell, but sometimes want something a little more elegant.. well then this might just be the record of a lifetime.

Check them out online!

 http://www.magiccircleheavymetal.com/

The Black Black, The Unconditional Love, Bangladeafy, and Vulture Shit at the Tiger Lounge

There is something strangely satisfying about going to some fun little basement spot in Williamsburgh to celebrate the 64th birthday of a universally beloved rock star. Last night I got to see four great bands that showed me the power of the New York underground - a scene that I had missed out on in my excitement at being in the heart of the global metal scene. And so this DIY spot captured my heart last night as I spent time talking with all sorts of psyched out underground dudes and dudettes who were simply glad to be alive.

First up was The Black Black - one of those bands who simply get the fundamental power of stripped back and reliable rock and roll. With a surprisingly talented drummer and some rather distinct guitar work these guys carried on the grand tradition of basement rock. There music was potent with melodic lines leaping out and the twin vocalist approach being exploited in the grandest possible way. There is something strangely reassuring about what The Black Black do - perhaps in the way that it speaks to the fundamental power of rock and roll and reminds us that the music we love will never die. The Black Black get the glory of the genre and watching them tear it up was a wonderful start to the evening.

The Unconditional Love are one of those two pieces who you can never seem to find any information about on the internet but that you can't help but love. Sure the PA was fucking up on them and the mixing wasn't quite where it could have been - but in a weird way that didn't matter. Their modern grunge sound captured the perpetual strife of the millennial generation. There is a very real sadness to what they do that is strangely cleansing and hard to ignore. It's impossible to put into words what a band like The Unconditional Love do but I know I like it. Midway through their set the band members swapped instruments and then suddenly swapped back - I don't know what that has to say about the human condition and maybe I'm just hung over - but in a weird way I found that wonderfully poetic.

Finally the hour had come for the band I had come out to see - the triumphant Bangladeafy. This bass and drum two piece is redefining what it means to be a technical metal band and they are ridiculously inspiring to watch. The bands frontman Jon has a unique technical attack that emphasizes tapping and it gives his bass playing a wholly unique timbre. The playing scatters itself all over the place with weird time signatures defining the music and leaving listeners trying to scrape together the beautiful fragments of the music. Bangladeafy are the real deal and soon will become impossible to ignore. Their new material sounded even better than the two albums worth of classics they've already pounded out - simply put - this may be the most exciting band on the New York underground scene right now.

The evening closed out with Vulture Shit who have a surprising cult popularity that led to a great vibe in the wonderfully intimate Tiger Lounge. Forty-odd people crammed into a tiny ass room singing along to some deranged three piece punk band makes for some great rock and roll memories. Vulture Shit put together an admirable set with a powerful encore that left every screaming along. These guys are raw and wonderfully fun - their unique line up (bass, drum and vocals) giving them a distinct approach - nevertheless they weren't afraid to show the influence of older punk bands - leading to a set that had a nice mix of old and new - a perfect finale to an evening of madness.

Now I'm preparing myself to go see a highly exclusive classical music event and realizing that in some ways it's all the same - New York City punk and Beethoven is all part of the same Western canon and with the way things are going you best not forget it. These bands all speak to the fundamental nature of the nation - and while yeah - Sting wasn't there, he might as well have been. A rad soiree all around - this is not the kind of thing you can ignore, underground music might just be ready to boil over.

Find the bands on Facebook!  

The Black Black: https://www.facebook.com/theblackblack.nyc

Bangladeafy: https://www.facebook.com/Bangladeafy?fref=ts

Vulture Shit: https://www.facebook.com/vultureshit?fref=ts 

Night - "Satellites"

Where I live the weather has become more comfortable and when I'm out with my dog at night I look up at the stars and hear a soundtrack that complements my mood.  Recently I was introduced to a band that has captured the soundtrack of my life from the worst to the best days perfectly.  A sound that just makes me think and has an almost therapeutic feel.  "Satellites" is a debut album from a band called Night that completely alters your mind set after just one song.

Instrumental bands always have a tough time conveying their message because, of course, there are no vocals to tell you what to think or feel.  Night has a great way of having you interpret their songs for yourself and it makes it more personal to your life and what you're currently going through.  Wether you lost someone close to you or just made a new life long connection, these songs will empower you to rethink about your life and wonder why you listen to the radio rather than embarking on a new adventure with sounds like "Satellites."  The echoic and spacey feel from the guitar is almost like mind surfing until the distortion picks up and reminds you that there is more to this music than chords and rhythmic bass lines.  The drums in this album are very driving towards how the song is perceived due to the different techniques and genres coming from behind those sticks.

"Satellites" is a reminder of how much music can inspire the thoughts of people when they just listen and enjoy the ride.  Like a painting, this music is free to interpretation and allows for something as  simple as a long drive to become more than just a destination but a pilgrimage into ones self.  This soundtrack of the human soul is alluring and inspiring to say the least.  Give "Satellites" by Night a chance to give you that gift.

Find them on Faceboook!!
www.facebook.com/night717

Black Space Riders - Refugeeum

There is something inherently magical about Black Space Riders and their new record, the ephemeral Refugeeum. These guys are turned on to a darker reality and are fully aware of the import that their music can have. The way they have constructed their whole record is daring and charming, it proves the eternal might that this kind of music can have. By fusing traditional rock ideas with a lot of new age concepts you get yourself an album that ebbs and flows across the ear drums and leaves you questioning your very reality.

The thing is, Refugeeum charms the listener because it is beautifully constructed. The songs rise up gently, never shocking and yet always fresh. There is something inherently innovative about what Black Space Riders do, simply because there music is so spacey and adventurous. You find yourself entering musical soundscapes that you never thought to navigate before and it leaves you with a smile on your face as you try to reach out and find a way through the murk. Refugeeum is the product of musical geniuses coming together to share sublime music that reflects the beautiful triumph of the human spirit even in times of adversity.

At the end of the day, Refugeeum with its exotic melodies and dreamy majesty is the kind of thing that will keep you spinning this record again and again. They sound incredibly unique and yet never stray frighteningly far from traditional rock tropes. It proves that there is still a lot to be said in the genre and speaks to the virtuosity of the musicians that they are able to pull off something so audacious without ever coming across as flashy. Mind expanding and jaw dropping these are anthems for a new generation of rock and rollers.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/BlackSpaceRiders

Folk By Default, My Dog Bill and Duke Maroon at Fennario's

Another night, another time to party, to open your mind and meet people, to realize that rock and roll is really all we have and that growing up isn't really necessary when you've got music to guide you through. The point I'm trying to make is that the three acts I saw tonight allowed me to smile and to relax, to see through the tedious bullshit of everyday life and give the herd of fans a chance to bow at the altar and see the almighty power of live music, the sort of thing that gives us an opportunity to come together and feel joy once again.

First up was Folk By Default, a one girl folk project the woman behind the music was clearly deeply into the profound passion behind the music. Strangely poignant and hyper aware of her own fragile place in the world, Folk By Default is the kind of thing that you sink into and fall in love with. Her simple soundscapes, crafted first by ukulele and then a piano showed her understanding of how a few gentle chords can come together and help to form something grand. Sure I'd like to see her with a backing band, but as is, Folk By Default provided a soothing intro to the evening and a fitting beginning to the madness that was to come.

My Dog Bill are perhaps the most dad-oriented dad-rock band I have ever seen, and I frikking loved it. These guys have simple instrumentations and straightforward lyrics, but that's kind of the point. They truly understand the old fashioned joy of rock and roll and the fun of playing with your friends. The fact that they played sitting down only helps to make things all the more relaxing and enjoyable, this is the kind of act you go see with your buddies on a Saturday night, drink a few brews and find yourself falling in love with pure sound. Sure there's a main duo who define the group, and sure they could have some more developed tracks, but as is, plain, simple and truly sweet... My Dog Bill get it.

Finally it was time for Duke Maroon, one of the most enjoyable bands I have ever seen live. These guys,, notably their dynamic frontman Gene Meyer were an absolute blast. There straightforward songwriting and rock and roll attitude made them fun to watch as Gene literally shook, rattled and rolled his way through a half hour set. Endlessly enthusiastic and over the top Duke Maroon deliver with every song. These guys understand what it takes to bring forth exciting live shows and get the entire crowd involved. Suffice to say, as they headed off into their afterparty I got the sense that their Oops EP could become vital to the scene.

At the end of the night I probably am over romanticizing what I saw, because guess what? I'm a fucking nerd. The point is these bands reminded me why I love live music, it gives you a chance to chill out, see your friends and feel good. Nothing too intense, and with plenty of places to sit I can't really complain about the beauty of things like this. Venues like Fennarios are crucial to live music and developing scenes, so in a way, if you're any sort of music fan, you're essentially obligated to do this, and why the hell not?

Find the bands on Facebook!

Folk By Default: https://www.facebook.com/FolkByDefault?fref=ts

My Dog Bill: https://www.facebook.com/mydogbill?fref=ts

Duke Maroon: https://www.facebook.com/dukemaroonband?fref=ts

Knightlife - Swell

One of the thing that always gets me about rock and roll is the youthful exuberance of the genre, so whenever you get a group of young guys excited to be making music and anxious about getting on the road for the first time - well... you know it'll be something immensely enjoyable. Knightlife get that, and they also get their musical limitations making Swell well... swell to listen too.  This is the product of a band who reek of rock and roll and only seek to bring their music to the masses one power chord at a time.

From the very first riff on Otherside you get a sense for what Knightlife are trying to accomplish, old school rock and roll with touches of heavy metal to make things exciting. Now, I'll be the first to admit there definitely are a few limitations, the songwriting is great, but every now and then the vocals feel out of place. MacKnight has a tendency to write Van Halen-esque riffs and their occasionally pop-punky vocals can feel strange at times. That being said it also helps to make Swell iconoclastic. It's a distinct formula and one that probably will be further developed over the years. As is, Knightlife have been able to make their ideas truly exciting and some of the most well constructed in modern rock.

The fact of the matter is that as much as Swell sounds like a bunch of teenagers playing loud music, it also has a distinct rock and roll beauty in its simple sense of power and fun. This is music for the fans, meant to get you pumping your fist and slamming beers. With delicious guitar tone and all manner of high power major key riffs (And a few minor key ballads) Swell is addictive, and every chorus will leave you with a smile on your face, reveling in the glory of a guitar, a bass, a drumkit and some kid pouring his heart into the microphone.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Knightlife5150

Mono Inc. - Terlingua

One of the things I find endlessly fascinating about SPV Records is how they don't feel at all obligated to just release metal records which means that every once in a while I get to listen to some really cool German rock that provides an interesting take on the genre. Mono Inc. are a band I've never heard of before tonight yet I have already fallen in love. Their synth heavy sound is multilayered and endlessly fascinating, pulling together all sorts of powerful ideas into a stunning release worth many a listen.

The thing is, Terlingua has a very distinct flavor, contrasting German and English lyrics, European vibes with wide open Texas plains and crunchy guitars with more pop driven elements. As you try to sink into the duality of Mono Inc. it strikes you how strangely natural this record feels. In some ways it's almost reminiscent of The Killers inasmuch as the songs have the same sense of organic flow. The vocals provide a reassuring sort of quasi-drone that layers on top of the music, sure the bands frontman can do more elaborate stuff but as is it keeps things simple and tasteful. Terlingua takes the listener on a journey, but it is never jarring, instead it is artful and oftentimes majestic.

The sense of the sublime that continues to dominate this record helps to make Terlingua all the more engaging for me. Mono Inc. have carefully honed a sound that seems to be reflective of the time and place in which they recorded this album and for that the band is able to stand strong. With a sound that is almost guaranteed to capture the imagination Terlingua has a potentially massive appeal. It's easy to close your eyes and fall into the endless power of Terlingua, Mono Inc. know they have created something special, and now you too can profit.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/monoinc?fref=ts

Boom! Bap! Pow!

It's a rare and special occasion that I deviate from my doom metal dorkery to write about a pop band, but every once in a while I find one that merits it. Today I bring you Boom! Bap! Pow! who are the kind of act who lend legitimacy to pop by showcasing the musicianship behind it. There is something fun and organic about Boom! Bap! Pow! that goes beyond their whimsical name. The self-applied genre tag "Rock 'n' Soul" seems to sum the band up pretty accurately. Sure, these guys are lighthearted and even a little bit silly, but at times we need that to maintain sanity. There is a sense of serendipity and joy that permeates the upbeat splashes of guitar on songs like Suit. Toss in some spectacular drumming and occasionally sassy vocals and you have yourself a band who it's hard to stop listening too. Delve into Boom! Bap! Pow!'s fairly simplistic soundworld and you will find yourself feeling better about the darkness that threatens to consume us all. Boom! Bap! Pow! get what pop music can be, and they bring it hard, dealing in raw emotion and poetic song structures that rend the heart.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/boombappow?_rdr

Kyle Gass Band - S/T

It's not every day that you get promotional material from one of the guys in Tenacious D. A wonderfully tasty little record this debut release from the Kyle Gass band speaks to the power of this guy as a musician and entertainer. Rock and roll in a pure and modern form, this is the sort of thing that doesn't break boundaries but certainly opens minds. These guys have a strong understanding of rock and roll music and manage to manifest itself in a humorous way that proves the continued skill of Gass as a writer and musician. 

Part of the beauty of this record is that it captures a variety of emotion while still staying fairly funny and lighthearted. There is nothing overtly challenging about this release yet it has a very profound beauty to it that is hard to ignore. Kyle Gass has proven that he can put together something really special seperate from Tenacious D. He has managed to craft a brave new world of sound that speaks to the human condition and can make you smile, and even cry. Gypsy Scroll is a veritable coming of age for Kyle Gass. Proof that he is coming up as a triumphant musician in his own right it's kind of cool to see Gass putting together something this beautiful.

So what is the fundamental lesson that Gass is teaching us with this record? I can't say I'm qiute sure, but what I do know is that Gass is a creative force and one who seems destined to go on to far greater things. Sure these songs are silly, but I don't think he needs to always be silly to succeed. He has an incredible depth of potential that kind of brings him to a strange new level, one held only by true masters of the craft. Perhaps thats the lesson from the debut, that true art can arise from humor and funny men can rise up and become some of the great artists of their age.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/kylegassband

Maybeshewill, Totorro, Flood of Red in Paris (@Le Petit Bain, 18/11/2014)

Having seen Maybeshewill go from playing in a small club in Luxemburg for 20 people to a fully packed venue as an opener for The Dillinger Escape plan, it wasn't so much of a surprise as it was a thrill to see the band finally earn their place as a headlining act on this tour.
Last night, the band was supported by 2 opening acts for a night dedicated to the sound of post-rock.

The first band on the bill was the Scottish band Flood of Red.
This Glaswegian act delivered an eclectic form of post-rock, occasionally dabbling in some post-hardcore sections and even some short instances of post-metal. Their overall sound were comparable to that of Maybeshewill, with the addition of a talented yet timid vocalist whose Thom Yorke-like vocals were unfortunately a little bit too low in the mix. Still, the band delivered a solid, dynamic half hour of post-rock with a nice twist.

The second band to hit the stage was a French band from Rennes called Totorro.
The instrumental 4-piece plays a more stripped down yet more dynamic form of post-rock that is more post-hardcore and math-rock inspired. Alternating between dreamy atmospheric landscapes and syncopated riffs played at breakneck speeds, Totorro pull off a set that is equally beautiful and adrenaline packed.

The band played their show with a great deal of precision and dexterity while at he same time displaying some great stage presence.

Maybeshewill, joined by members from Flood of Red

Finally, it was time for our headlining act to step onstage, with quite a show to follow up to. I had high hopes for my 3rd time seeing them, and luckily for me, none of the members intended to let their audience down.
From the very first song, Maybeshewill hit us hard with their sweeping melodies and hart-hitting build-ups. The bands' soundtrack-like compositions effectively pulled us into a truly engrossing experience. One only had to close their eyes for a second to be swept away to the sonic landscapes of each track. What truly brings these songs to life are masterfully composed build-ups that pick up like the rising wind and the climaxes with wailing guitars, beautiful keyboard melodies and crashing cymbals that sound like a high tide crashing unto the shore. The bands' intelligent use of electronics and samples also complement the compositions in a very nice way, adding more emotionnal depth to them.

The sound onstage, while not perfect, was very solid. Aside from a few muddy parts that lacked clarity in some of the more intense moments of the show, there isn't much to complain about. The low-end instruments like the bass guitar and bass drum had a nice strong punchy feel to them, albeit at the expense of some of the high-mid frequencies occupied by the clean guitars.
The bands' stage presence was fantastic all throughout the show, with every single band member putting everything they've got into their performance.
In short, what we got was over an hour and a half of top quality post-rock delivered by top quality musicians.

Overall, last nights' show at Le Petit Bain was one that should not have been missed by any post-rock fan. For those who missed out on the event, I highly recommend you check these three bands out and keep an eye on their upcoming tour dates in the future (I know I will).

Robin

Flood of Red 

Official website

 http://flood.dark-city.co.uk/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/floodofred

Bandcamp
https://floodofred.bandcamp.com/

Totorro

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/TOTORRO/117966698228573

Bandcamp

https://totorro.bandcamp.com/

Maybeshewill

Official website

http://www.maybeshewill.net/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/mybshwll

Zodiac - Sonic Child

My friends I stand before you with a record that is true, passionate, and pure, most of all though, it is honest. Sonic Child is the kind of intensely personal record that entire movements can form around. These guys have a very clear artistic direction, and though sonically it might be kind of far from the modern rock and roll revival, the spirit seems to be there. Simply put, Zodiac are getting at what makes them tick, and this really allows the band to create music that is a unique and personal experience. Sure these songs may not have sick riffs or brutal parts, but they sure do speak to me.

Through its ten tracks, Sonic Child take you on a veritable musical adventure. They go all over the place, taking pride in the distinct beauty of their sound. As the gentle solo of a track like Rock Bottom Blues kicks in you can fully grasp what this record is all about. The music may not be super technical but it is superbly arranged. The songwriting has been perfected to the point that the entire vibe of the album just works. It makes sense though, Zodiac are starting to have a bit of a discography and their development as musicians is remarkable. Sonic Child is the sound of four guys who have fully matured and have a fresh and exciting vision, now its just a question of pure understanding.

Zodiac are going to whisk you away on the wings of an angel. Their sound is perhaps only comparable to someone like Steven Wilson, its the sort of consuming sensory experience that only the greatest musicians can create. Zodiac open up an incredible sonic landscape and its simply impossible to fully traverse and explore it with a few listens. Yet, that being said, you can still love it, and know you love it after just one spin, or hell even just one song. It's simply that unique. And with an album this good, all you gotta ask is, what do I have to lose?

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Zodiac.Rock

The Faults

Another crazy day of college life has me running around trying to get all the shit I need to get done, done, but I still have to take time to bring you guys the goods. Today, we have The Faults a fun and punchy rock band reminiscent of the White Stripes and their ilk. A delicious duet who really know how to write some fun rock songs, The Faults are proof that this kind of music can not only succeed but also still rage in 2014. The band have a great sense of how to mix old and new, with bluesy ideas fitting in nicely with riffs that could have come from a Strokes song. The Faults are more than just another rock band, they are speaking to the pure and primal power of the genre. Their sound is surprisingly polished from a two piece, and this actually helps to keep them fairly distinct. I think a rawer guitar might take away from the simple beauty that a lot of these songs possess. Simply put, it is hard to find fault in The Faults and I get the impression that they will rock on righteously for years to come.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/thefaults/app_204974879526524