Tag Archives: Vinyl

Record Store Day 2010

In T-minus just under 4 days, vinyl lovers around the world will once again have their day…


Actually music lovers can have that day too as Record Store Day, which falls on the third Saturday of April, will turn a seemingly normal Saturday into a limited edition, independent music store, sales boosting, event with plenty of live music around the states (and even world).

With a ton of releases this year it is going to be an exciting day for many music lovers out there.  Check out the full list of limited presses on vinyl from some of your favorite artists.  I know there are a few in there I hope to acquire…

Focusing on Cleveland, since that is my city, I thought I would just post a few things going on this Saturday beginning around the noon o’clock hour.

I will mainly be in the Waterloo district in the good ol’ North Collinwood area with friends this year.  The day will revolve around indie record stores Music Saves and Blue Arrow Records, two stores I should add I have become very familiar with over the past year, as well as all the other amazing shops that line up Waterloo.  At one point I may have to escape with Matt over to E. 185th to grab some grub from Chili Peppers but I will return back to the fun once I am full of their delicious food.

The stores in the area will open at noon and I can only imagine the lines that will be forming before the stores even unlock their doors.  With quantities limited, and of course the always awesome eBay resellers who know they can make a profit off of some of the vinyls (thanks for that btw, jerks), it is best to get there early.

Music Saves was kind enough to make a list of the vinyl they hope to have in stock but they will not know until the day of.  No holds either in case you were wondering…  I am bummed to see a blue line through the Get Up Kids on that list.  Oh well.  Also if you get there in time there might be some grab bags give out along with other random things to all who partake in the purchasing of goods.

What is even cooler is that Music Saves (MS) and Blue Arrow Records (BA) will be featuring free indoor/outdoors DJ events / shows throughout the day for all to check out.

* 4:30PM – White Hinterland DJs – MS
* 5PM – DJ Will Rigby (drummer for the dB’s and Steve Earle) – BA
* 5:30PM – The Lighthouse and the Whaler – MS
* 6PM – Prisoners – BA
* 6:30PM – The Muttering Retreats – MS
* 7PM – Tasty Cakes – BA
* 7:30PM – Cloud Nothings – MS
* 8PM – Party Sweat – BA

To close the big day the Beachland Ballroom will host a 9PM show featuring Dosh, White Hinterland, and locals The Sleep.

It’s going to be a great day/night so if you have nothing going on head out to Waterloo and have some fun!

New Bouncing Souls Album In 2010!!!

2009 was the year of the Bouncing Souls.  They took the entire year to celebrate their anniversary as a punk rock band for 20 years by playing tons of live shows and also releasing a song a month available for download on their record label Chunksaah Records.

On January 12th all of those songs will be released on an album titled Ghosts On The Boardwalk for all the fans that never were able to download the tracks or pick up the limited edition 7″ vinyl records that the band pressed quarterly through the year featuring the songs.

I have heard most of the songs already and without going into detail yet I can tell you that they are all amazing.  The band may have two decades behind them now as a band but they have not slowed down one bit.  The tracks on this CD contain catchy anthem tracks that all Bouncing Souls fans can sing along to proudly and loudly.

My friends and I were just talking about the first time we saw the Bounding Souls play in Cleveland.  The foursome played a bill with NOFX and Hi-Standard at the Agora to rowdy crowd.  I believe the year was 1996 and even if the show is still fresh in my memory that was 14 years ago.  Ever since then I became a huge Souls fan and not one of their releases disappointed me.  I am thrilled these guys are still doing what they do.  It makes an aging punk rocker like myself appreciate them even more.

Recently the band played a Daytrotter session (that I was unaware of) and the songs they played are available for free download.  I love the version of Anchors Away” they bust out.  Good stuff.  Click HERE to check out their session on Daytrotter.

Here are a couple tracks that will be appearing on Ghosts On The Boardwalk.  Support this amazing band and buy their CD when it comes out!

“Airport Security”

“Ghosts On The Boardwalk”

Kid Koala Presents The Slew: LIVE

Kid Koala in my opinion is one of the most amazing vinyl manipulators out there.  His ability of scratching vinyl is more of an art form at times especially when he lifts the needle from one groove on a record and drops it to the exact location of the next without missing a beat.

I have been a huge fan of him since I was first introduced to him on his debut Carpel Tunnel Sundrome on Ninja Tune.  I loved the experimental feel and the constant scratching that was more of an instrument to the album over just your typical beat interjections. 

I have been a fan of scratching for as long as I can remember.  Thanks to acts like Praxis as well as RUN DMC I was fond of the style.  I used to take my old records and try to emulate them on my Fisher Price record player.  Sadly I never acheived the sound.

Recently I learned that the DJ is back with an all new project titled The Slew Tour.  The tour is rather a score for a film turned into live set featuring Dynomite D as well as the former rhythm section of Wolfmother.  The film was actually scrapped while Kid Koala was working on it but thanks to interest from the Austrailian rockers and Kid Koala’s determination the score was turned into a traveling show. 

Armed with six turntables Kid Koala and master mixer Dynomite D will be taking stage with Chris Ross and Myles Heskett of Wolfmother.  This is going to be one of those performances not to miss.

Of course the tour is skipping Cleveland.  Every opportunity I have ever had to see Kid Koala live has failed.  Years ago he came to nearby club in Oberlin with his jam band project Bullfrog.  For reasons unknown I did not go and I regret it.

Let me give you a hint of how much I dig Kid Koala.  Two of my tattoos are Kid Koala inspired.  Actually they were taken from his graphic novel Nufonia Must Fall.

I hope one day to see Kid Koala live.  His turntable abilites blow me away while listening, I can only imaging what would happen if I were to see it with my eyes.  Oh well, there is always next time

Info about The Slew from an email I received from the fine people of Terrorbird Media:

A couple of years back Eric San (aka Kid Koala) and Dylan J. Frombach (aka Dynomite D) were approached to soundtrack a new documentary feature film that was in production. Koala was already well known for his uncanny turntable manipulation, whilst Dylan had remixed Money Mark and collaborated with the Beastie Boys, amongst others. The duo worked for a long time on the psych rock-influenced score, only for the filming to collapse and any release to be canned. Although the film may never see the light of day, its music is about to be brought to life on stage.

Recently Koala & Dylan met the former rhythm section of Grammy Award-winning Australian rock band Wolfmother and began telling them all about the film and its lost music. Chris Ross and Myles Heskett loved the clips and urged that the material had to be heard; subsequently Kid Koala and the guys decided to put a show on the road.

After intensive rehearsals the show is now ready to go. Featuring drums, bass/keys and the DJs working across a truly excessive six turntables, the set is seventy minutes of raw guitar cuts and heavy beats. We can guarantee that you will never have heard anything quite like this and also that you are unlikely to again. It’s a one-off tour, so when it stops in your town you’ll either be there or will have missed it forever.

Anyone who has seen previous Kid Koala events will not be disappointed – from Kid Koala’s incendiary solo turntable spectaculars to the Nufonia book launch, Deltron 3030 live to the Short Attention Span Theater.

Brash, loud and defiantly turned up to eleven. The Slew Tour is coming to your town. Don’t miss it.

TOUR DATES:

WED 9/23
VANCOUVER, BC
Commodore

THUR 9/24
SEATTLE, WA
Nectar

FRI 9/25
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Independent

SUN 9/27
LOS ANGELES, CA
Key Club

WED 9/30
BROOKLYN, NY
Music Hall Of Williamsburg

THUR 10/1
BOSTON, MA
Great Scott

FRI 10/2
MONTREAL, QC
La Tulipe

SAT 10/3
TORONTO, ON
Lee’s Palace

SUN 10/4
CHICAGO, IL
Abbey

Here are a couple MP3’s from the tour only album 100% for your listening enjoyment:

DOWNLOAD THIS! – Kid Koala – “It’s All Over”
DOWNLOAD THIS! – Kid Koala – “You Turn Me Cold”

Kid Koala in action:

Neat video for “Fender Bender” found on Carpel Tunnel Syndrome:

Speaking of Bullfrog:

The Sidekicks – SAM – 7″ Review

I just found my new favorite hometown punk rock band thanks to a friend who literally left me their four song 7″ SAM in my door on Monday. I still have yet to hear their full release but I can tell you that from the four songs I heard I was turned to an instant fan.

The band is called The Sidekicks and they hail from all three major Ohio cities according to their MySpace page.  Recently just playing Berea Fest IV the band has a pretty big east coast tour lined up in front of them where they will finish off in NYC but only to hit the road again at the end of October to play the Gainsville, FL Fest 8.

The 7″ was actually a tie me over until their full length So Long, Soggy Dog was released and just gives you a small taste of how great this band is.  Heavy pop punk with hints towards acts like The Falcon, The Lawrence Arms, Gaslight Anthem, The Get Up Kids, even O Pioneers!!! This band has some serious potential at making a name for themselves with their upbeat punk as well as a matured indie rock feel.

I did not know what to expect when I spun this 7″  and “Hop On A Sea Cow & Manatee Up” played, but I can tell you I was moderately shocked at how solid sounding it was.  The band has some serious talent and this song alone won me over.  The first band that came to mind if someone asked me what this song sounded like easily would be Millencolin.

“Bryant Gregst (gets nervous)” honestly had more so an indie rock feel to it but that did not discourage me one bit.  The singing alone was so charismatic and inviting I had to give it another listen just to enjoy it some more. “The Island” again was more so an indie rock jam but it was so good especially at the climax of the song where lead singer just explodes vocally.

For a mere four bucks this 7″ can be yours too by heading over to Woah Oh Records, or if you prefer you can download it from iTunes as well.  If you want to take it a step further head over to Vinyl Collective and put in and order their full length So Long, Soggy Dog.

If you are a fan of punk rock you really need to at least check these guys out.  From what I hear their live shows are not to be missed and now that I know of their existence I will make a huge effort to hit one of their shows.

I’m not sure how much longer a band like The Sidekicks will be and underground punk band seeing as they have the skills to play with the big boys.  I can only imagine the crowd at Fest 8 when The Sidekicks introduce themselves to all the punk rock loving fans.  I am sure the outcome of their set will be amazing.

Just do me a favor guys, don’t forget about Cleveland.

The Sidekicks – Hop On a Sea Cow & Manatee Up from If You Make It on Vimeo.

Those Darlins – Those Darlins – CD Review

Nikki, Jessie, and

Before I even start this review you all should know that this band hit me hard in the ears with something good.  Ever since my introduction I have been a fan and I really like to support these girls hense all of the posts in recent months.

I guess that is one of the cool things about having your own blog, freedom to do what you want.  Well what I want is to help out three ladies from the Nashville area be heard.  I know they should have no problem doing so but it does not hurt to help.

Next week Those Darlins return to Cleveland on July 14th and you can bet your grits I will be there.  Do yourself a favor and get up to the Beachland Tavern to check out this great up and coming band.  I would not talk about them so much if I did not think they were all that.

 So what that said, here is the review of the debut release by Those Darlins:


Tennessee’s best kept little secret no longer remains hidden as Those Darlins have released their debut self titled album on their very own label Oh Wow Dang! Records. Kelly Darlin, Nikki Darlin, and Jessie Darlin who make up Those Darlins do their own thing their own way. The result is a band that spills out some great tunes combining pop with rock, punk, and country.

Hailing from Murfreesboro, TN the musically inclined trio of women have already made their way around the US playing shows small and large. With their constant touring with acts such as Dan Auerbach, The Features, and even playing a stage at this year’s Bonnaroo, the girls have finally released their debut album for all to hear.

Having already been a huge fan, I was excited for their music to spread to a larger audience. I think it will not be too difficult for that to happen thanks to this release.

So what is it about this band that has more or less turned me into an obsessed fan? The girls mix the perfect blend of garage rock, punk, and even some country rock style all into a sound I just can not get enough of. They have enough sass to knock your grandpa to the floor, the looks that guarantee instant crushes, the smiles of angels, and can party down like no other. I’m pretty sure they can all kick your ass too with out any help.

Their Appalachian sounds seems to clash with a punk attitude as well as female strong ideals.  This mix becomes smashed into a fine sounding bar-rock jam fom three good looking gals who drink their whiskey from the bottle. Think Wanda Jackson and Patsy Cline  meet Joan Jett with even a taste of some Kathleen Hanna.

The classic covers of the Carter Family’s “Who’s That Knocking At My Window?” as well as “Cannonball Blues” proved Those Darlins have a rendering for the country genre but when you move throughout the album you can clearly hear that their musical roots are not just from Nashville

Opening track “Red Light Love” does not even suggest they are a country act as they play a more bar-rock song. What I like about this one so much is I can actually feel them smiling as they sing this fun song.

“Wild One” is more or less the girls’ anthem/reminder of being wild and crazy. This song is Wanda Jackson with punk rock authority and provides a fair warning to all the folk out there that have a more than a musical liken for Those Darlins. This was the first song I had heard from the band and was the reason became so fond of them.

“The Whole Damn Thing”, to me, was the funniest song on the album as the girls sing about getting hammered and eating an entire chicken. To make things even more amusing the song continues with the consumed chicken being forgotten about.

Almost reminding me of something Johnny Cash might have written during his raging days was “Glass To You”, a drunken slur of a track. I almost felt bad for the girls in this painful song as they declare they are having “whiskey blues” and have “been drunk since half past noon” because of their man. Having more than one vocalist sing throughout just keeps it unhappy.

“Snaggle Tooth Mama” is a boot-stomping country jam with some fun intermitting guitar and bar room piano playing that by the end of the track will have you singing along. “222” is a tough track about all about boys, parties, and fun. Coincidentally one of the studios that the girls recorded at was in NYC at Jeff Curtin’s basement studio called 222.  Jeff Curtin also took on the drumming duties for most of the tracks on this album.

“DUI Or Die” was more of a tale of an alcohol infused evening out all ending with sirens and jail bars as well as blaming to booze. “Drunk driving, I’m guilty, and I’m blaming the booze” pretty much summed up the song in a comical way also giving hint to all the ladies who want to avoid DUIs but going home with someone and letting them drive.

Even though some of the songs suggest a country rock like style, they add much more rock and roll and punk rock finesse giving for a fiercer sound. Having the girls split up vocal duties just keeps their songs that much more interesting. Their debut album is an instant classic to my ears and I am sure it will be for many as all of the songs are very catchy, musically and lyrically. This is not a band you will forget about after just one album. These girls are going places.

Seeing them live is a whole experience in its own. Big crowds or small crowds these girls play their hearts out, drink the big boy drinks, and will force you to have a good time. When they take the stage one might think they do not have the capabilities that make up what Those Darlins are all about – loud music and good times. The moment the guitars are strummed and the vocals start it’s clear that something fun is about to happen.

Need some proof? Here, check out these videos: