Country, Folk, Garage, Indie, Live Shows, Music, Music News, Music Video, Outlaw Country, Punk

Those Darlins Release “Red Light Love” Video / Plan Yet Another Tour

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I have been pretty good lately about not talking up a storm about Those Darlins but today they released a video for “Red Light Love” and I could not help myself but to share it:

The video was actually directed and illustrated by the band’s very own Jessi Darlin with additional art work by Nikki Darlin and their fearless drummer Sheriff Lin.

The girls announced that they will be getting around this Fall for another string of tour dates. I honestly think I have broken a record seeing these girls live in one year. I am excited as hell for their return too. Just look at all my previous babble about Those Darlins and myself being a junkie for them.

Embarking on another round of tours I think it is safe to say these ladies are getting the credit they deserve. Those Darlins will be playing shows on their own and with special guests throughout the tour including a Halloween show with The Meat Puppets! I wish I could go to that but I am not that big of a Those Darlins junkie…well maybe I am.

Check them out in a town near you or else.

August
22 – Chattanooga, TN @ JJ’s Bohemia #
26 – Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Shines – Bijou Theatre
28 – Louisville – Ear X-Tacy – in-store – 6pm
29 – Urbana, IL @ University of Illinois Courtyard Café

September
8 Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop Bar
9 Cleveland, OH @ Case Western Reserve University
10 – Newport, KY – Southgate House
11 – Circleville, OH @ Tootles
12 – Louisville, KY @ Original Highland Festival
17 – Nashville, TN – Americana Music Festival @ Mercy Lounge
18 & 19 – Bristol, VA @ Bristol Roots & Reunion Festival
26 – Cumberland, TN @ Bluegrass Underground ++
28 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel *
9/29 – Atlanta, GA @ The Loft *

OCTOBER
1 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea’s Café *
2 – New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
3 – Oxford, MS @ Proud Larry’s
8 – Little Rock, AR @ White Water Tavern
9 – Norman, OK @ The Opolis
10 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall
12 – Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
14 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
16 – Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern
18 – Eugene, OR @ Sam Bonds Garage +
20 – San Francisco @ The Rickshaw Stop
22 – LA @ Silverlake Lounge
23 – LA @ Hotel Cafe
25 – Phoenix, AZ @ Modified Arts
27 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
29 – Dallas, TX @ The Cavern
30 – Austin, TX @ The Continental Club
31 – Houston, TX @ The Rudyard **

* W/ Dr. Dog
+ W/Digital Leather
** W/The Meat Puppets (Halloween!)
++ w/Charlie Louvin
# w/Heypenny

For more information about the band or the tour visit their website or their MySpace page. 

Follow them on Twitter too if you are not already: @Those_Darlins

Cleveland, Folk, Good Reads, Live Shows, Music, New Release, Rock

The Girl’s Guide To Rocking Making A Stop In Cleveland

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This post right here is proof that Brokenheadphones.com caters to everyone including our future musicians.

A Chicagoan by the name of Jessica Hopper reached out to me recently letting me know about a pretty cool little event going on this week.

I did a little research on Jessica just so it sounded like I knew what I was talking about on this post.  Seeing on how I wanted to talk about her book I felt the need to talk about here too and honestly I learned a lot about her making this even more of an interesting post for me to create.

Jessica Hopper has been in the music scene for quite some time.  She was involved in the Riot Grrrl movement, played in numerous short stinted bands, acted as a touring bassist for a couple bands, was a tour manager, and even published her own ‘zine at a young age called Hit It Or Quit It.  She was in fact a teen feminist and was outspoken at that.  She was (and still is) a punk rocker that has an open mind and loves to share.

Recently she wrote The Girls Guide To Rocking, a book aimed at the young ladies from ages 10 to 16 who want to know about how to form a band, book shows, record their music, and other musical tidbits to ensure a better start off into the world of being a musician.

Truth is from the intro I read so far, the book can be a useful read for any girl, boy, woman, or man who is looking for a hint on what ingredients are needed to cook up a band.  I actually hope to get my hands on a copy soon so I can read the entire thing.

The book has been getting a lot of national attention (see links below) and Jessica has actually been touring around the states reading excerpts from the book and at times is being joined by folk rock music artist Katie Stelmanis and her back up singers The Ghost Bees.

Jessica emailed me to let me know that this week she will be at Visible Voice Books in Tremont on 8/20.  She will have the book even from about 7:30pm and then the party will move to a place I seem to have been frequenting a lot, the Happy Dog, located on W. 58th & Detroit Ave.  At about 9:00pm Katie Stelmanis and The Ghost Bees will put on a show to add to the event that usually is together.  I would assume that due to space restrictions at Visible Voice Books the event had to be split up.

It looks to be a great time on Aug. 20th and I am sure the little ones out there who have dreams of being the next rock star will love it.  The show is all ages and I encourage any of you parents out there to take your kids to this.  School is right around the corner and me thinks this would be a great way to put a nice little end to your children’s summer vacation.  Who knows, maybe they will learn a thing or two and so will you.  (please note I can not be held responsible if your family turns into a Partridge Family, you are on your own there folks…)

For more information about The Girl’s Guide To Rocking please visit http://www.girlsguidetorocking.com

Here are some links in regards to the book/ Jessica Hopper:
The Plain Dealer
LargeheartedBoy.com
BitchMagazine.org
AfterEllen.com

Jessica Hopper also has her own blog but it’s intended for a more mature audence…

Download This!, Music, Music Video, Punk, Review

Pour Habit – Suiticide – CD Review

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There is no black or white, just Pour Habit.
There is no black or white, just Pour Habit.

What’s black and white and punk all over?

The answer is California’s Pour Habit.

Straight out of Compton (no really they are) comes the five piece punk rock band Pour Habit.  Their debut release Suiticide recently dropped on Fat Wreck Chords and I have to contest, it is amazing.  If you are looking for an album that can incite a circle pit from start to finish this is the CD for you.  Full of energy and raw power I have to admit that this was a surprise of a listen for me and I can not believe I did not give it a chance earlier.

Proving that hard work pays off, the band almost could not afford to record demos to offer to Fat Wreck Chords’ owner Fat Mike.  Formed in 2005 the band started for the sake of fun and not trying to make money.  The band got together to make music for themselves and any good punk rock loving patron out there.  Once they obtained a local following thanks to opening for some bigger named punk bands the band threw what money they had toward a studio to record Suiticide and before they knew it they were selling mad amounts of the CD as well as finding themselves opening for NOFX, a band they blame for detouring their path in life.

In fact drummer Colin Walsh had this to say about the effect of the iconic member of the punk rock band NOFX and his independent label:

“Fat Mike ruined me and my brother’s lives.  If it wasn’t for Fat Wreck Chords, I’d probably be working a steady job, but because of those bastards this is my life and there’s no way I could ever quit or stop. None of us could and that’s the thing—the five of us are so plugged into each other that we’re really best friends and that’s why we’re so dedicated to making this work.”

After opening for NOFX numerous times Fat Mike soon signed the band to Fat Wreck Chords after the band opened for NOFX numerous times.  The CD was re-released but hardly modified as Fat Mike was so impressed with the overall sound.  With a melodic mix of energy, metal riffs, and 90’s SoCal punk style, it’s no wonder Fat Mike signed these guys.

In fact the moment I heard the opening track “Institution” I was blown away with it and can see why everyone has been taking such a likening to them.  Fast, punk, and energetic, this song has it all to capture any punk rock loving fan’s attention.  Following was “Light The Torch”, a song that sounded like a younger Offspring from their years with Nitro Records if not better.

“Against Me” has nothing to do with the other one time Fat Wreck Chord label mate and is way more heavier sounding than Tom Gabel and crew create.  The song is thrashy at times and really has a strong Death By Stereo sound.  Sick guitar solos, intense vocals, and enough energy to make one jump around swinging fists about.

“Resignation” was a killer track and very technical at that.  I loved the guitar playing and just the signing, rather screaming demands throughout the track.  “Bad Luck Drunk” emulated everything I love about 90’s thrash punk rock and hinted heavy on Guttermouth with a song about the love of cracking open cold ones.

Starting off a little rasta and detonating into a full fetched riot was “Zion”, a track that stood out over the others with a sick catchy sound, fun guitar playing, and left me wanting more once the track came to an end.

Honestly after the album ended I had to play it again because I was just digging their style so much.  In fact I have listened to Suiticide at least ten times and plan on listening to it a few more times before moving on to something else.  I have not been addicted to an entire album like this for quite some time.

I can keep talking about this CD or you can go drop $8.00 on it and see for yourself on what good punk rock sounds like.  Suiticide is full of what punk rock used to be about, not caring, having a good time, and not giving a crap about what others think.  I can not wait until these guys tour over in my neck of the woods.  I can guarantee you I will be in attendance.

DOWNLOAD THIS! – Pour Habit – “Institution”

Music Video / Interview w/ Pour Habit (lots o cussing…):

Blog On, Cleveland, Contest, I Want.

Heads Up: Cleveland’s A Plum Shirt / Contest

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One of my favorite pro-Cleveland bloggers has got something to brag about and she can do all the bragging she wants.  Recently Alexa from Cleveland’s A Plum teamed up with the fine folk at C.L.E. Clothing Co. to create this:

 

That right there is the coolest thing I have seen all day.  Good for for her.  If you are interested in grabbing one of these amazing shirts head over to the C.L.E. Clothing Co.’s website.  Who knows how long they will last.

Better yet head over to Cleveland’s A Plum and enter to win 1 of 3 shirts!

All you have to do is one of three things and I promise you they are all legal…

1. Leave a comment telling her why Cleveland’s a plum.
OR
2. Leave a comment telling her what fruit your city would be.
3. For a second entry: tweet (Twitter) about her giveaway and comment again with a link to your tweet (make sure you comment with the link so she can keep track, I myself did not because I forgot…oops)

She will pick 3 winners and those winners will be proud owners of a brand spanking new Cleveland’s A Plum shirt!  What do you have to lose?  Nothing!  Do it!

You should also check out the rest of the site too.  It is pretty damn awesome.

I only wish I could get a shirt made by C.L.E. Clothing Co…  Wishful thinking.  Until that happens support your local bloggers like Alexa at Cleveland’s A Plum who love this city and pick up one of her shirts.  You should also check the rest of C.L.E. Clothing Co.’s inventory too.  There are some bad ass shirts on their site including these:

This music blog could have a driver's license by now…