Category Archives: Music

New Foxy Shazam Video For Your Viewing Pleasure

So one of the bands who I am most excited about releasing new material this year is Cincinatti’s Foxy Shazam.  I might have mentioned something about them before…

Today Foxy Shazam released a new video today that pretty music takes Peter Pan, The Darkness, and hot chicks wearing knee high tube socks making for a fun time all in a black & white format. The lead singer who looks like V from V Is For Vendetta guy is hyper awesome and I just see good things happening with this arena rock band.

Check out the new video for “Oh Lord”:

Front man Eric Nally had this to say about himself and what Foxy Shazam is:

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was one of two white boys in an all-black high school. The band name Foxy Shazam came from a saying in my school meaning, “cool shoes.” If you had cool shoes kids would say those are “foxy shazam.” Because of this we have a lot of soul, and try to let it bleed through our music as much as possible. Mom and Dad were pretty poor as I was growing up but always supported my musical interests nonetheless. In the early years they bought my band cheap guitars and amps and drove us to shows in the family Thunderbird. I owe them big time and will someday repay them.

When I listen to a Foxy Shazam record I think of Evel Knievel, Bruce Springsteen, my childhood, Van Morrison, my old friends from high school I don’t talk to anymore, Elton John, the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond, Iggy Pop and my first kiss. One of my favorite things to do when listening to my music is to close my eyes and picture a crowd of six million people all chanting “Foxy! Foxy! Foxy!” The lights go out and my band walks on stage. It gives me goose bumps. It all makes sense to me. When you listen to our record, think of your favorite things and it’ll make sense to you as well.

Foxy Shazam is not concerned with what category it falls into. We want to stand for our generation.

We want to be the biggest band in the world.

We are the Michael Jordan of Rock N’ Roll.

I have the feeling Eric will be repaying his folks in no time.  He has such a positive and energetic attitude about what he is in and loves to do.  This band is going to be getting a lot of attention in 2010, or so I think.

St. Patrick’s Day Is The Only Way

Being an Irishman myself I have to confess that St. Patrick’s Day is my favorite time of the year.  Forget the winter holidays, the turkey dinner, or the fireworks.  I like my day to be green and I am not talking about Earth Day.

I remember the days when I would drink the day away with my brother and friends.  We would start the day early, 4am early, and pretty much try to destroy our livers.  I would sing, ok attempt to sing, Irish songs while spending ridiculous amounts of money on liquids that would guarantee in a disturbing hangover.  Boondock Saints would be played on repeat as we took naps to try and sober up for the rest of the evening for another round of debauchery.  One might think it is stupid and a waste but some of the best days I ever had were with my friends just being stupid.

As the years pass by though I am not the drinking machine I used to be and the thought of green beer does nothing for my taste buds.  Kegs and eggs is something of my past and I feel old admitting it.  Pour me a pint of Guinness just like any other day for me and I am perfectly contempt.

I still love the day and I always will.  I love everything about being Irish and I especially love my Irish punk rock music.

Yes, I really was going somewhere with this…

Remember these guys?  The Dropkick Murphys?

To help celebrate the big day I have decided to post some videos that the Dropkick Murphys have been posting around the interwebs.  Almost makes me want to relocate to Boston…

If you are wondering where some of this footage came from I might as will let you know that today, March 16th, the Dropkick Murphys released a live CD/DVD for all to see.

Six shows in seven days were thrown into the release that is more like a party like none other.  That is what Live On Lansdowne, Boston MA is all about, fun.  If you like all that you saw on here you should make sure you pick up this ultimate St. Patrick’s Day party favor – after all every day is St. Patty’s Day. Pint glasses not included and aspirin highly suggested.

Here’s an exclusive video for you if you liked what you saw already. Head over to Spin.com and check out the video for “State Of Massachusetts”.

The Bomb – Speed Is Everything– CD Review

Hey Jawbox fans, have you been looking for something to tide you over until they finally drop something new this year?  I can’t promise that they will even release new material but that set on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon really brought suspicions to the table.  Let’s hope for the best and until then I have a recommendation for you.

The band I speak of is called The Bomb.  Why should you check them out you ask?  Simple, J. Robbins of Jawbox recorded and mixed The Bomb’s most recent album Speed Is Everything.  He might have also contributed some singing throughout the album as did Dan Yemin from Paint It Black.  This is The Bomb’s second release and was released on No Idea Records.

Need more reason to check out this band I speak of?  Well I can tell you that the band includes former members of Naked Raygun, The Methadones, and even Four Star Alarm.  Oh I might as well throw in that they also cover a Flock Of Seagulls song – more on that in a bit.

This Chicago foursome features Jeff Pezzati, as well as Jeff Dean, Pete Mittler, and Mike Soucy.  With years of experience in the music world they came together and dropped a sophomore release that can stand strong next to a two decade old Naked Raygun album with no intimidation at all.  Perhaps that is a bold statement but after listening to it I think many of you can and will agree.  To me it has a sound that fits in that, dare I say classic, era perfectly.

“The Kids” and “Holiday” really have a post-punk sound straight from the early nineties and fans of that era will appreciate.   “The Rescue” was interesting as the song was sung from a hero point of view with interesting lyrics including hiding the goods.  “Haver” had a little harder punk feel throughout making for a good listen.

As mentioned previously the band took at stab at covering a Flock Of Seagulls song and I honestly like it more than the original.  When “Space Age Love Song” started I immediately knew it was a cover but was unable to immediately grab of whom but after a quick Google check that all changed.

Dan Yemin lends his pipes on the fast fist-pumping “Integrity” track that really rises over the rest when it comes to speed in the album.  “Spaceman” was another track I appreciated on the album a lot with it’s old school post-hardcore sound.  Title track “Speed Is Everything” was another notable track on the album and I even got a kick out of the album ending track “Blown Away”.

I could not help but think of other acts like Husker Du and Jawbreaker while listening to the CD as well as of course Jawbox.    Heavy drumming and straight forward guitar playing formulate a solid album of course with post-Naked Raygun singing styles.  I am shocked this band has not gotten a ton of hype seeing what they are made of but perhaps that makes this album that much more likable.  Old school fans of punk rock will adore this CD, well, at least I do.

Screw all that crunk-punk, emo baby, try too hard crap that recent bands have been dishing out, you kids need to check out The Bomb.  God, I feel old now saying that.  I feel like I just told all the punk kids to stay off my lawn…

DOWNLOAD THIS! The Bomb – “Spaceman”

Here is a live video of the band at a record store in NYC. Notice the excitement in the kid’s faces…

The “Socalled” Movie

There are a ton of movies coming out in 2010 that I know I want to see.  Many of them will be blockbusters and will be the cause of my wallet feeling a little thin but it is always worth it.  I love being visually entertained almost as much as I love listening to music.

I recently was given a heads up about a movie, rather a documentary, about a guy who goes by the name of Socalled.

Socalled?  Yes.  I even have a picture of him…

So who is Socalled?  Well looking at him he looks just like a normal Joe (ok, maybe not completely) but if you read the below synopsis you will find out he is far from just a regular guy.

Meet Socalled. He’s unstoppable. A pianist, singer, arranger, rapper, producer and composer (and also a magician, filmmaker, and visual artist), he’s blasting through the boundaries that separate music from different cultures, eras, and generations.

Socalled is a musical alchemist, always looking for the next old thing to make new again. The “socalled” Movie shows him introducing funk trombone legend Fred Wesley (of James Brown fame) to klezmer music, while wowing Wesley with his knowledge of funk. When Dolgin comes across LP’s from the 1950’s by lounge pianist Irving Fields, he looks up 94-year-old Fields and inspires him to pen a new hit song.

Shot in Socalled’s Montreal neighbourhood where Hasidic Jews and hipsters crowd the sidewalks, and in New York, France and the Ukraine, The “Socalled” Movie is a cinematic multi-faceted depiction of inspiration, collaboration and transformation.

Socalled defies category and refuses limitations. The “Socalled” Movie examines his energy from all angles and transmits the urgent creative spark to everyone watching: now’s your chance – go out there and make something!

Here is a trailer for the video that will be available for rent (??? rent ???) on YouTube thanks to the National Film Board of Canada:

Some of the guest musicians this guy has gotten to play with him is just insane!  I can not wait to see the whole documentary.

For more info check out:

http://www.nfb.ca/socalled
http://www.youtube.com/socalledmovie
http://www.myspace.com/socalled

Bad Religion To Release Live Album & Give It Away For Free

Thanks to Matt for posting this one out to me…

Punk rock legends Bad Relgion (BR) recently announced on their website that they will be recording a live album and giving it away for free to all their fans.  The album titled 30 Years Live will be recorded during BR’s 2010 tour and given away to all fans who sign up on their mailing list.  If you are a BR fan, make sure you sign up so they can email you a link to the album for download.

Oh and if you have not heard yet BR will be playing back to back shows for a month starting March 17th.  Sadly they will not be making it this way, but how awesome is that?

Bad Religion 30th Anniversary Celebration from Bad Religion on Vimeo.