Category Archives: Music

Music, Pop, Rock, WTF

Last I Checked April Fool’s Day Was In April

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This blog belongs in the WTF catagory for sure…  I just learned today of a super group of sorts forming featuring members of bands you would never suspect. 

What band members do I speak of?  How about former Smashing Pumpkin guitarist James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, singer/Hanson brother Taylor, and Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger.  Supergroup indeed.  The band is called Tinted Windows and they should be releasing an album on April 21st, 2009.

Read on…

(Taken From Pitckforkmedia.com)

WTF: Members of Smashing Pumpkins, Hanson, Cheap Trick, and Fountains of Wayne Form Band

WTF: Members of Smashing Pumpkins, Hanson, Cheap Trick, and Fountains of Wayne Form Band According to Billboard.com, there’s a new band that exists on earth called Tinted Windows featuring former Smashing Pumpkin James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, handsome Hanson brother Taylor, and Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger.
I am looking at my calendar right now. It is not April 1.

A couple things while my mind is still barely stuck together: You put together one of the most random something-groups ever and the best name you can come up with is Tinted Windows?! Is that a play on the secretive nature of the group? Do they all wear Men in Black shades on stage? Is this a Blues Brothers revival act? But, really, if you’re going to go “Tinted” why not go all the way, like Blacked Out. Or Smashed Windows. Well, maybe not “Smashed.” Hm. At least a moniker with some confidence, some commitment. As of now, this band is like the transition lenses of something-groups.

The union sort of makes sense considering Iha and Schlesinger co-own a studio and Taylor Hanson seems like an all-around good guy…but still.

Apparently, the band have already recorded their debut album in New York and are set to make their big time live splash at Billboard’s SXSW showcase March 20 in Austin.

If this is Billboard’s idea of a gag, I have to hand it to them– it could be an incredible gag.

UPDATE: It’s not a gag. Tinted Windows is very real, their publicist assures us. And their album is coming out April 21.

WTF indeed…  I will be researching this in the upcomming weeks and hope to find out a little more about this including WHY.

Jam, Metal, Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

The Bakerton Group – El Rojo – CD Review

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The Bakerton Group aka Clutch
The Bakerton Group (aka Clutch)

Rock band Clutch collectively released a new CD from their side project band, which  some claim is an alter ego of sorts called The Bakerton Group.  Focusing mostly on instrumental music, the four-some recently, with help from Per Wibeg of Opeth, released El Rojo. The outcome of this CD strays slightly from the stoner rock but travels more so down the jam band style of music with elements of jazz and blues.

The Maryland rock act Clutch has been rocking out since 1990 and although they never reached the mainstream level, they have a huge fan base and have sold tons of albums as well as toured the world.  Their hard work over the years got them where they are today including a following of fans, more of a cult following as Clutch does not get played on the radio much nor do they have countless music videos for their material.  The band, which barely slows down, tours constantly and has eight albums under their belts.

The Bakerton Group was formed around 1999 by the members of Clutch perhaps to just try something different and expand their musical creativity.  Their first EP titled Space Guitars was released in 2000 and is still available for free download on the band’s website.  It was not until 2007 when a full length self titled album was released on River Road Records.  El Rojo marks the second release by the band and this time has been released on Clutch’s very own label Weathermaker Music.

The Bakerton Group is more of a rock jam session that will appeal to more than just one type of fan.  It’s easy to compare the sound to Clutch as all four members contribute. I admit that while listening to some tracks I was waiting for Clutch lead singer Neil Fallon to bellow out over the music.  While listening though I had to keep reminding myself El Rojo is an instrumental project full of a surplus of music types.

With El Rojo being my first taste of the Bakerton Group, I did not know quite what to expect other than instrumental songs.  Starting off the CD was “Time Horizon”.  All I could think of was how Clutch sounding the track was.  Being as big of a Clutch fan as I am, I was glad to hear the music, and it rocked, but my first taste of this side project was nothing out of the ordinary to me.

The CD really didn’t hit me until “Bien Clasico” played with intermittent crazy saxophone playing that even John Zorn would smile at.  The song had sort of a Disco Biscuits feel at times sans the electronics blips and bleeps.  The potent organ solo on “Life On Lars” was something worth listening over and over again.  “M.(F).H.S.” became  predictable sounding at times but turned out to be one of my favorite jams on the entire album.

I could not help but smile while listening to “Work Em” as perhaps Neil could not control himself as he just screamed out in the middle of the song finally giving me that total Clutch fix I was yearning for.  Whispering robot sounds added to the fun of this track not to mention the length of the song.  If there is any song on the album you want to preview to get a taste of what the Bakerton Group sounds like, this is a perfect song to start with.

For those of you who think the songs on El Rojo might be Clutch songs that never made it to one of their CDs, you are to a degree correct.  El Rojo to me was more intimate Clutch music that usually only can be heard behind closed doors when the band just feels like rocking out and not going to plan.  This is the music you only wish you could have heard before perhaps as a b-side or as filler at a live show.  The music is solid, composed, and extensive at times making for a great CD to just sit back and listen to.

The Bakerton Group will be touring with Clutch in support of El Rojo.  Technically speaking Clutch will be touring as The Bakerton Group opening for Clutch.  Does that make sense?  Who cares.  If you are a fan of Clutch you will love the Bakerton Group and should not pass up the opportunity of a full forced night of music when they hit your city.  If you are not a fan of Clutch but appreciate good musicianship, you too should at least sample the CD, you might just like it.

-For more info on Clutch and The Bakerton Group check out www.pro-rock.com

-Head over to The Bakerton Group’s website and download the Space Guitars EP for free.

-For some extra content plus info on The Bakerton Group plus other Clutch projects check out Brooklyn Vegan.

-Here are some videos of The Bakerton Group from past shows:

Live Shows, Music, Punk

Rancid & Rise Against Announce Tour Dates!!!

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My summer is now complete.  Thanks to altpress.com for the heads up!

Rancid & Rise Against announce summer tour
Rancid & Rise Against announce summer tour

Rancid & Rise Against just announced their tour dates finally.  It looks as if Rise Against is headlining the tour and I can not say I am happy about that as I feel Rancid deserves to be the headliner.  I am a huge fan of both and excited to see them live.  Riverboat Gamblers will open the June dates and Billy Talent will open the July dates.  Rise Against will be in support of their fifth studio album, Appeal To Reason.

Still though…  RANCID!!!  (yes, I am a huge fan)  Their new album should be dropping soon too and I can not wait.  Rancid was working with Bad Religion‘s Brett Gurewitz and both have expressed excitement in the new release.

Rancid has this to comment about their new album and tour on their website:

2009 is sure to be an exciting year for Rancid. Our good friend and producer Brett Gurewitz has finished mixing our new record set to release around spring of this year. We’ve all been working real hard along side Brett on this record and we are all real proud of how its turning out. We’re putting together some exciting stuff with this record that we can’t wait to share with you all. As it’s release comes nearer we will get you more details on everything we’ve been working on.

They also stated:

We will also be hitting the road hard this year. As you may have heard we’ve confirmed a 2 month North American Tour with Rise Against. This will be a great opportunity to play you some of our new songs live in addition to a mix of songs spanning the entire history of Rancid. We like to play a new set every night to keep it fresh and interesting for all of us! We like to do a little something from every Rancid record giving every night a unique show from the one before.

Rise Against had this to say earlier this year in regards to touring with Rancid (found on AbsolutePunk.net):

Few things are more exciting than watching Bush finally release America as his eight year hostage, but if anything could rival that news, it’s this: We are more than pleased to announce that we will have the honor of touring the US & Canada with punk rock legends RANCID this summer. If Tim Armstrong didn’t confirm it personally backstage in LA a few weeks ago, we wouldn’t believe it either.

(Dates in bold are dates I may be attending)

Tour Dates:
6/4 Vancouver, BC Pacific Coliseum
6/6 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
6/7 Calgary, AB Calgary Corral
6/8 Saskatoon, SK Prarieland
6/11 Denver, CO Red Rocks Ampitheatre
6/12 Kansas City, MO Beaumont Club
6/13 St. Louis, MO Pops (Outdoors)
6/15 Cleveland, OH Time Warner Cable Amp
6/17 Montreal, QC Parc Jean Drapeau
6/18 Quebec City, QC Agora
6/19 Ottawa, ON Civic Centre
6/22 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion
6/24 Detroit, MI Fillmore
6/26 Minneapolis, MN Myth
7/6 Seattle, WA WaMu Theatre
7/8 Reno, NV Reno Events Center
7/10 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amp
7/11 Los Angeles, CA The Forum
7/13 Las Vegas, NV The Joint
7/14 Phoenix, AZ Mesa Arts Center
7/16 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
7/17 Austin, TX Stubb’s
7/18 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless
7/20 Orlando, FL House of Blues
7/21 Orlando, FL House of Blues
7/23 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
7/24 Baltimore, MD Ram’s Head
7/25 Philadelphia, PA Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
7/28 Boston, MA House of Blues
7/29 Boston, MA House of Blues
7/30 Buffalo, NY Agri Center
7/31 Toronto, ON Molson Ampitheatre

More dates will be announced soon.

Download This!, Music, Punk

Download This! – O Pioneers!!! – Neon Creeps

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Ok punk rock fans here is something that should make your week.  Houston’s O Pioneers!!! and Quote UnQuote Records are offering a free download of Neon Creeps.  The CD released on Feb 10th will be released by Asian Man Records and the vinyl love will be handled by Kiss of Death Records.  There will also be a limited run on CD in Australia with an alternate cover released by Poison City Records. If you like bands like Smoke Or Fire, Against Me!, and Hot Water Music I am thinking you are going to love these guys.

Don’t wait too long as I am not sure how long this album will be available for free.  That’s right, the whole album is yours for the free and legal downloading…

-Download This! – O Pioneers – Neon Creeps

 O Pioneers!!! will be supporting their new album with a string of tour dates ending with an appearance at Harvest of Hope Fest March 6-8th in St. Augustine, Florida.  (See below for dates)

O Pioneers!!! most recently released a split 7” for Suburban Home Records with Mike Park as well as splits with Bomb the Music Industry, The Measure (SA), The Anchor, and Saw Wheel.

So why is it being released for free you ask???

Quote Unquote Records is a newer record label with a twist.  Their goal is to put out good music and help their artists be heard.  The label is a donation-based label that realizes that with CD sales down that a different approach is needed.  The label will offer free downloads on albums from bands signed to them in hopes that the fans will like what they hear and donate something, anything.  The label also hopes the fan will in turn see the band live one day and pick up the CD or merch during a show.

It is a different approach?  Will it work?  Well I think it has potential.

O PIONEERS! TOUR DATES:

2/21 – Atkins, AK @ The Goodbye
2/22 – Louiseville, KY @ Skull Alley
2/23 – Cincinatti, OH @ Blue Rock Tavern
2/24 – Cleveland, OH @ The Soggy Dog House
2/25 – Buffalo, NY @ Sugar City
2/26 – Syracuse, NY @ Half Penny Pub
2/27 – Boston, MA @ Fort F@ck Awesome
2/28 – New London, CT @ Eclectic Wear
3/1 – Brooklyn, NY @ Lost and Found
3/2 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Titan House
3/3 – Baltimore, MD @ Golden West Café
3/4 – Richmond, VA @ The Czar
3/5 – Atlanta, GA @ Wonderroot
3/6-8 – St. Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope Fest
3/18- San Antonio, TX @ Rock Bottom

Emo, Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Screamo

Thursday – Common Existence – CD Review

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New Jersey post-hardcore act Thursday has a lot to be proud about.  Being credited with bringing the screamo genre to the mainstream level as well as have been labeled in 2004 as SPIN Magazine’s “The Next Big Thing” are just a couple of reasons why.  This six-piece did not invent the screamo genre but rather took it to a new level.  With all they have accomplished I can not believe they have been a band for just over ten years now.

Currently the band is about to release their fifth full-length album, entitled Common Existence.  This time around the band has teamed up with the punk rock independent label Epitaph Records and hopes to continue to wow their fans while, at the same time, recruit new ones.  The band will be headlining the Taste Of Chaos tour this year in support of their new release alongside rousing acts Bring Me The Horizon, Four Year Strong, Pierce The Veil, and the Cancer Bats.

Just in case you have no idea what screamo exactly is, imagine melodic emo music mixed with post-hardcore fury and occasional throat-destroying screaming throughout.  Some find the music terribly annoying but there are many like myself who can not get enough.  I just love the fragile, sorrow feel during some songs only to be smacked over and over with screams not many can endure.  The first time I heard screamo was actually the first time I listened to Thursday’s debut with Victory Records called Full Collapse and I admit I was highly entertained.

I had already gotten a preview of the CD single “Resuscitation Of A Dead Man” earlier this year when the band streamed the song on their website, but it was not until this second helping that I realized how great of a song it is.  Less screamo and more hardcore is all I can think about on this track that features Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath contributing vocals.  “Last Call” follows with Geoff Ricky’s all-so-familiar, lamenting vocals.

Previously appearing on the band’s 2008 split EP with Japanese hardcore band Envy was “As He Climbed The Dark Mountain.”  The song hinted towards Thursday’s juvenile years with more of their signature screamo fashion but came with a twist as heavy distortion and pitch shifts dominated throughout.

“Friends In The Arms Forces,” which featured Quicksand’s Walkter Schriefels, seemed a little cut down from the other tracks on the CD but was still enjoyable.  The song, inspired by the band member’s friendship with someone currently serving overseas, is a protest of the basis but full of wishes of protection as different emotions spiral throughout.  “Beyond The Visible Spectrum” was very astray from the Thursday norm at times with a more mellow, mostly post-hardcore sound.  As much as I want to say I was not getting into it, the truth is…  I was.  I especially dug the reverb throughout the track and the sudden conclusion that left me wanting more.

“Time’s Arrow” was almost a whisper compared to everything else on this CD.  The song started out ever so gentle and had this, dare I say, almost a Muse/Radiohead experimental style going on.  I loved it.  This song was the most untried song I have heard Thursday perform so far and I still crave more of it.

This album deserves to be listened to over and over again by old school fans of Thursday as well as by random newcomers.  I myself can not keep Common Existence out of my CD player.  The overall sound suggests that the band has taken a departure from the genre commonly attributed to them.  It appears the one-time pioneers of screamo really focused on taking what they know and have expanded it with their musical creativity.  The result is some really amazing songs, some of which I did not expect to hear.

It’s nice to see the band try something new while still holding on to their own uniqueness. Common Existence is ongoing evidence that Thursday continues to mature and, honestly, this album has turned me into an even bigger fan.

Here is a recently released clip of the making of Thursday’s upcoming music video for “Resuscitation Of A Dead Man”:

Thursday – Making The Video: “Resuscitation of A Dead Man” from absolutepunk.net on Vimeo.

???

One of the first songs that got me hooked on Thursday: