Review: Metalleg - Hit of the Week

Remember that band DIRTY FENCES I reviewed a while back? Anyways coincidentally another band with members from said band from New York gets emailed into the site and damn I gotta say I've been digging this LP but then again I liked the TOO HIGH TOO KROSS LP so much I got both the tape version then the vinyl version haha.

When I think of bands like METALLEG or DIRTY FENCES I think of friends hanging out, jamming, and having a fun time but sharing a collective of experiences from their life while creating new ones while looking back in retrospective. The best lyrics as they say are short statements that are direct and straight to the point and first person making it very personal and enjoyable to the listener.

Definitely I can understand the pop punk tag that has been thrown onto this release by METALLEG because lyrically I still feel the TOO HIGH TOO KROSS vibe but more passive less drug induced and "adventurous". As if the feeling of being a hometown hero but growing out of that phase yet still longing for the past and the realities of just fucking suck and the choices you have are far few from what you really want.

METALLEG LP Cover

Anyways give this album a listen with the same singer of DIRTY FENCES, the vocal hooks and melodies are more than enough to get you hooked. Definitely looking forward to more releases by both DIRTY FENCES and METALLEG. Probably gonna order the color 12" and check out more New York bands now.

Listen to the album here!
Buy the album here!

Written by John Williams

Review: Night Demon - S/T

NIGHT DEMON - ST 7" and CD

Shadow Kingdom? Cool. Who ever puts this thing out has their hands on a goldmine!!! 

The Night Demon ST releases have been a much anticipated addition to my local hero's collection hailing from Ventura/Hueneme, Ca and it does not disappoint. This New Wave of British Heavy Metal homage goes a step further, reinvents, rejuvenates and re-re-re-shred-ifies everything that is AWESOME about metal! 

Before the smoke machine, dueling Flying V's, gallops, head bangs, satanic lyrics, fist pumps, leather jackets and ripping solos even start you'll notice that this amazing incarnation is more then professional. As a "members of" group they've got the entire thing down. From product placement everywhere that matters, reviews on every prominent metal blog and in every magazine that's still in print, to their professional art work, embroidered patches, trademarked band name and huge Night Demon banner behind the band.

THEN once they start playing you'll immediately see what the hype is about. The sound is perfect, the brought in lighting makes it right and the entire package is something you never want to miss!

Ok now to the recording.... take everything I said before and translate it into a ear drum raping, brain melting, neck aching excuse to grow your hair past your shoulders. Every other review I have seen has broken down each song, each song part, each lyric to its core influence or what they think its influenced by... so I'll spare you that and just tell you if you like metal, or like music, or have more then 3 brain cells rubbing together you have to pick this up NOW! It sounds like the band that influenced every band that was ever worth listening to... Simple but more then amazing, solid riffs with solid back beats and even more solid lyrics and vocals laid over top.

The only bad part about this recording is 1. I'm gonna wear out my needle listening to this thing 2. its going to be tough to top but after hearing a lot more of what the band has to offer live I know they will continue to push the envelope on the Newest New wave Of British whatever whatever... JUST GET IT NOW!!!

NIGHTDEMON.NET - Pick up all their merch and keep up to date... 

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Replica / Completed Exposition West Coast Tour Stop - the Biko Garage

5th show into their 15 show West Coast Tour Replica and Complete Exposition have already set the bar very very high for the "local" talent to reach. The Biko Garage Collective hosted these two super shredders along with LA's Obliterations and the brand brand brand new SB/Ojai Catastrophe.

First... the Biko rules. Hosting DIY shows for as long as I can remember - early 2000 - from Against Me (before they drank from water bottles and other things they stood 'against'), Kylesa, Vitamin X, The Geeks, to pretty much every Indie/Hipster/Acoustic/Bum Rock jam you cold think of. Ran by a collective of punks and college kids that truly embodies the philosophy from "donations only" to spreading the DIY Gospel... I can't say enough great things about this place! Many many many good times had. 

Starting it off in their second appearance was Catastrophe. Members of all kinds of rad stuff including Become and Midnite Brain these guys and gal set out to start a hardcore band. Mission accomplished. Very very solid for just starting but they all know what they're doing. Maura gets brutal on the mic with Dicharge-esque, classic crust feel on the delivery over tastey riffs full of Black Flag, RKL and everything old school and FAST. 

Following the great start were LA's Obliterations. Members of everything awesome they started it off hard and fast. Heavy Heavy Heavy Rock influence as with anything amazing. Rock hard riffs and amazing stage presence from all members... the drummer especially impressed on top of just moving to the states from Euope.

Then setting up, after enjoying Isla Vista's Woodstock's Pizza, were Complete Exposition from Osaka, Japan. More then any one this was the band I had come to see - I've got a fetish for Japanese Thrash/fast core stuff and this was right up my alley! Jelly Roll Rock Heads, Anti-System, Nice view and ANYTHING off Thrash Ahoy.... these guys had it all. 3 piece assault, seriously fast and perfect riffage with very little English spoken between the members. Hardcore mixed with fast core all rolled into one while rolling on the floor. A must hear, must see thrash fest! Words cant explain... oh yeah... they both played bass! One with power chords and one with bassy riffs... tough as hell!

Finally up were the Bay Area's REPLICA. Members of No Statik, Infect, X's X's, Duck and Cover to name a few bands I've only barely heard of. Members from Brazil and everywhere else...like most people who "Live" in Oakland few are actually born there. I had heard the recording and thought I knew what to expect. These ladies plus dude drummer completed shredded my psyche from the very first note.  Brutal vocals and riffs the four piece ripped the crowd a new one and was the perfect end to a perfect show! 

If you get a chance GO TO THEIR SHOWS!!! Here's the rest of their Tour Dates

Aug - 8 - LA - East 7th Venue in Downtown L.A. (E. 7th & Decatur) with Bastard Noise, To the Point, Blazing Eye

Aug - 9 - San Diego - The Spot

https://www.facebook.com/events/700216793328529/

Aug - 10 - LA - The Power of the Riff Fest

https://www.facebook.com/events/484682341616325/

Aug - 11 - San Jose - House of the Dead Rat

https://www.facebook.com/events/383528765080356/

Aug - 12 - Arcata - The Big Tree

https://www.facebook.com/events/138756879641265/

Aug - 13 - Tacoma - 2nd Cycle Tacoma's Community Cycle Center

https://www.facebook.com/events/502350666499922/

Aug - 14 - Olympia - Le Voyeur

http://www.voyeurolympia.com/

Aug - 15 - Seattle - Black Lodge

https://www.facebook.com/events/130452430499154/

Aug - 16 - Portland - Blackwater

https://www.facebook.com/events/1317276508413804/

Aug - 17 - Oakland - Dead Fest (CE only)

https://www.facebook.com/events/427960810603325/ 

Aug - 18 - San Francisco - The Knockout

https://www.facebook.com/events/315542958581361/

A Few More Photos From My Crappy Camera Phone

Catastrophe

Completed Exposition

Obliterations

Completed Exposition

Replica

Review: Dirty Fences - Too High Too Kross

Hello boys & girls I have right here the raddest Rock N' Roll group to straight out of New York that I first learned about through Venice's very Eliminator Records! Through a contest on instagram I won a nice little package that came with possibly one of the greatest tapes I had so far heard this year by this band called DIRTY FENCES.

Side A begins as if a drunk RNR' burn-out stoned jean jacket wearing long hair stumbles out of a bar with the aims to kill those who have wronged him yet he knows all he wants is someone else's love (tonight) when the protagonist goes through the ups/falls of what to believe in yet where to go, but hey HEAVEN IS TONIGHT! It doesn't matter what the fuck is going on through your cranium, "In his eyes you're going no-where, HEAVEN IS TONIGHT!"

Meet me at the door? It'll all be okay, because I'll get by what-ever I need done. And you'll stand behind your couch, and you'll watch me from the "cold", and I don't care about what you got, because I "know". And now those who long to be with me stay by me and I'll keep you by my side and we'll be alright under your leather. But now I'm "Too High Too Kross" and "I don't need nothing, but when I come back you gotta gimme something."because your white lies have brought me down this deep dark adventure that I've indulged my life to for several years, but for what? So you could "Pull apart my heart and take it where you go?" But the difference between you and me is "I've got a soul and I know I'm alright tonight". I don't need you, I can take care of myself. I can leave you where you are and I'll be alright. But "I'm too high to cross so I cross myself" and what am I? I say things and know things, but do I through with them?

But it can't end. I put you in a corner of my mind, "back in my corner, let it be over, tonight" It doesn't matter how many drugs or how much alcohol I consume you'll "always be on my mind". YET WHO THE FUCK IS THIS GUY? This guy who is now in your life, I guess that's the downfall of living in this big city. As big as it is, he's a loser, you dropped the ball, and you'll just do what-ever someone else says.. and "you know i'm your guy", but all these times "I've been saving my nickles & dimes", it doesn't matter how much heart I have or how much I put up with.. I still have what no one else bothered to save. And I did what no man even bothered to do. So now I can live life in regret, but each dime is "precious". Waste everything away, waste your life, waste yourself, I'll still be getting by without you.

Seriously if you dig 70's Punk/Rock N' Roll, Ramones esque 4 chord riffs, rapid back and forth vocals, sing a-longs, and honestly.... GOOD FUCKING JAMZ that you can listen cruising down the road (I pop this bad boy in the tape deck of my suburban all the time!) then you gotta go get this tape from either Eliminator Records or the LP from Volcolm Entertainment!

Listen to the ALBUM for FREE HERE!

Buy the TAPE HERE!

Buy the LP HERE!

LIKE them on FACEBOOK HERE!

Written by John Williams

Review: The Exploration - For Cabana

     So, I believe everyone should get into this band. The Exploration is a two piece emo/indie band from Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have been making emotional and melodic music since 2009, releasing two demos (Summer and Basement Demos) and then combined them into one album and added three new songs to the mix (Demography). Now, they're back with a new EP called "For Cabana" and they're as good as ever.

     The EP starts off with the track "Meeting," an old song off the Summer Demo re-recorded and sounding much better than it's predecessor. A great track to kick off the album, with depressive lyrics sung in a desperate, poem style manner reminiscent of La Dispute and Victor! Fix the Sun. Then the song "Sergue" starts up. The song begins immediately with with feelings of being lost, scared, and overwhelmed with thought, being bombarded with emotions and feelings, but never talking about it and being quite and conserved for years. The feeling of slowly speaking your thoughts to people you feel were open-minded friends, but just up and leave as soon as they can. A feeling of always being alone with your thoughts which is followed by "K____n." This beautiful piece of instrumental music is a perfect break between mixed emotions and desperate vocals to a calming and soothing song to rest the mind. It's a nice track to keep you grounded in the album. What follows, though, is anything but relaxing and soothing. The last song to finish off the album is "Nostalgical," a track of losing friends and going separate ways. Of growing up and getting old. Imagery of working 9-to-5 jobs for money to raise a family and have a home. While you hold on to the fun times and try to live life to the most it can be, everyone has grounded themselves and are working on getting cars and security systems, further dividing your friendships.

     This is a goddamn beautiful and depressive album, very bitter sweet. You can check out their Bandcamp, Tumblr and Facebook page in the links below. If you like them, buy an some of their stuff, go to their shows, and support them as much as you can. Hope you enjoy and happy listening!

Links:

Bandcamp

Facebook

Tumblr

Written by Nicky Cruz

Review: Lost Boys Sessions EP - Night Riots

Bearing a resemblance to the Lost Boys film sometime back (in title), there is nothing dead about this EP (not that the Lost Boys film is dead, vampires are however). Just a bit over 2 years after the release of their 2010 album, Into the Roaring, the fellas at Night Riots haven't slowed anything down. Now, I love Into the Roaring, it is by far one of my favorite albums from this or any band for that matter, but this 6 track EP, ranging from solid, fun, catchy and even powerful contains just about my favorite and best tracks at this point on the bands history. The added synthesizer I believe makes many of the songs distinctive from Into the Roaring, not to mention the fact that Hawley's vocals and melodies surpass what we've heard in previous entries. Complemented by the bands harmonies, Hawley's presentation of his poetic lyrics contain plenty of vocal range that I would also describe as fun, catchy, distinct and just down right impressive.
Similar in solidity, simplicity, and subtle-ness from ItR,  lead guitar hasn't lost its touch (no pun intended) and works well together with the synth in the dual combination of the opener, and a particular fan favorite, "Berelain". For some reason this song always reminds me of Halloween time or the fall in general, I suppose it just gives me that kind of feeling. Upbeat, fun, with a distinctive catchy lead synth, Nick Fotinakes lead guitar meshes together with it to create the instantly recognizable "Berelain" synth, and simple yet fun sing-along chorus, "Berelain" is the perfect opener to this album or any playlist at home or out in public. While this EP features a redone "London" from ItR I personally prefer the original, however, adding a synth, extending the song by a final chorus, redone drums and a change up from lyrics give it a bit of a different taste. From here the EP goes up with "Seawolves" "Chase the Sky" "Some Nights" and "I Know". All being on the equal level of great quality there is one that I have to hold up as the shining crown of this album, but I will get to that towards the end. Onward to the latter portion of the EP, ''Chase the Sky'', unlike the others this one has a rather darker feel towards it, a bit heavier, certainly not as memorable as the rest, but that doesn't mean its lacking on quality. Having resemblance to "Berelain" in description  "Some Nights" has the same distinctive synth lead intro, while having Hawley present some of the stronger vocals of the album in the latter portion of the song, (I mean STRONG, listen and try doing that), Hawley builds into the stronger vocals a few portions at a time,  though you can hear a taste of it in the backing vocals on occasion, "Some Nights'' is one of the stronger songs from this EP. Simple and almost appropriate, "I Know", though there isn't much I can say about this song, I can say that it is the quickest, shortest song off LBS. Simple, nothing too extraordinary  it's still a fun song, and even funner live (I realize ive used that word several times, count them up). Leaving you wanting more is an appropriate way of finishing this song off, and they know it (ha).


And last but by far not the least is

"Seawolves", though it took a bit of time to grow on me, when it did it became my absolute favorite song off this EP and of all time. Solid, right, and entirely complementary are the words I can use to describe the backing track, but the vocals, the song would mean a whole lot less without them. Beautifully crafted, superbly and poetically sung, romantic, and all with a chorus that really makes the song all the more strong itself that will stick in your head, the song starts with a spark and soars towards its grand finale and ending in a clean, quick and quiet exit. Here I believe is where Hawley's strong vocals really come out, especially in the songs climax,  If I had to use one song to describe this entire album, that would be the song. Dont get me wrong, the rest of the album  is well done, again their best songs are on this EP, but I very much consider this THE LSB song.

The Lost Boys Sessions overall is great on a scale from 1 to 10 i would give it a 9, everything about it is done very well and would be a flawless EP except for the London rerun. It's a good song, but it should've stayed how it was in Into the Roaring, but regardless its still a great EP and who knows maybe you'll like it, Check it out!
   
Listen to the EP here!
Buy the EP here!

Written by Carlos Martinez

Review: Night Birds - Maimed for the Masses EP

       Night Birds' wave-rippin', pill-poppin', no-stoppin' 4 track EP "Maimed for the Masses" dropped on May 7th under Fat Wreck Chords, in prelude to upcoming LP "Born to Die in Suburbia", scheduled to be released on Grave Mistake Records in July. The Night Birds are horror-flick junkies known for their affinity with macabre song topics, legendary pizza discussions, pop-punk a la The Ergs, disdain for authority and a root-down, unique interpretation of play-fast punk in a refreshing, exciting outlet.


       This  7"  packs  a  serious  surf-punk  punch, as  expertly demonstrated in its title track "Maimed for the Masses", which is about wrestling legend Mick Foley, and how he sacrificed his body for the good of the people.  The second track on the album, "Barred Out" is a hearkening to the suburbanite's innate ingrained tendency to lose your cool, get high and say "Fuck it, dawg." This track is like a throwback to Midnight Movies and the Self Titled EP, with its outright fast and genuinely original sound. Next up is the auto-erotic asphyxiation anthem "Last Gasp". This song is probably my favorite on the album, complete with suspenseful spooky surfy guitar, off-the-wall drum patterns and angsty vocal incantations. The singer clues us in on one  of his favorite down-time hobbies: "I don't care if they stare, when they find me lying there, because I died, satisfied". Definitely going to be humming this tune in my head for weeks to come. "Boat Trash" is the last song on the album, and it's dirty, scummy and gravelly, yet still ridiculously groovy. Makes me want to get up and dance. It's written in traditional radical surf instrumental fashion, the guitar making you feel like Magnum P.I. on the beach with some floozies, the drums nonchalant and chill as fuck, the bass fuzzy and warm, and the only lyrics being "BOAT TRaAaAaASHHHHHHH". A great closing track and great competition for the band's other instrumental tracks like "Squad Car" and "Harbor Rats".

       Overall, "Maimed for the Masses" is another solid release from New Jersey and New York's finest self-proclaimed "thoroughly modern morons". Right up there with "Killer Waves" in my book. Night Birds are always up to something, if it's not creating masterpieces, it's touring all over the place and coming out with some of the coolest band merch I have seen.


Full streaming of the album can be found here.  For a more complete retinue of NB tunes, go here. From cheap shades to sweet swagger for your favorite jean or leather jacket, you can get your Night Birds merch and records fix here. 

Written by Austin Raff

Review: Merchandise - Totale Nite

As a last.fm user so elegantly put it, “Anxiety’s Door” is Carson doing his best Morrissey impression. I don’t think it’s any secret that Carson’s vocal style is very derivative of Morrissey’s own somber voice, and Merchandise as a vehicle for that voice is a very effective one. Much like the Smiths in the 80s and Morrissey’s subsequent solo project, Merchandise is a desperate escape for the sorrowful. I spent many a night playing Children of Desire and Strange Songs at full blast, alone in the dark. Totale Nite was a beautiful surprise, and an excellent addition to their bountiful discography. I first got my hands on the EP at their show at Munoz Gym in Bakersfield on March 23^rd. When we finally piled back into the car and took a 2 hour drive back home, the only logical thing to do next was to play the much awaited 12” over and over until I finally fell asleep.

Merchandise

Totale Nite speaks greatly of Merchandise’s emotional side, and introduces a fresh sound tinged heavily with psychedelia. “Who Are You,” the opening track, is a bluesy, psychedelic rock tune, and came as a surprise when I first heard it. The harmonica melody that plays throughout is a bit unexpected coming from a band known for playing fuzzed out post-punk, but it is a welcome change.

And then “Anxiety’s Door” kicks in, an almost 7 minute ripper of a tune, providing listeners with everything they’ve come to love from Merchandise. It’s another “I Locked The Door”; it’s one of the most memorable tracks of the album. You’ll find yourself singing along to the chorus whether or not you know the words. “I’ll Be Gone” is the big ballad of the album. Heavily seeped in psychedelia, this track sways and moves like a dancer. One may recall “Bells Ring” by Mazzy Star.

I remember when waiting around the boxing ring at Munoz Gym for Merchandise to set up, they had brought with them a saxophone player. I hadn’t yet heard Totale Nite, and my only idea of what it was going to sound like was from the leaked “Anxiety’s Door” track on YouTube. On the titular track for Totale Nite, that mysterious saxophone makes its appearance. Words can’t describe the energy of this 9 plus minute epic. This is the climax of the album. This is what it all builds into. His eerie vocals are especially pronounced here, and the guitar tone is thick.

SXSW

Totale Nite sometimes feels less like an album and more like an opera. It feels like there is a plot, and though you can’t quite put your finger on what it might be, it’s that feeling that keeps you listening throughout the whole album. The dynamics between each song are so pronounced and so profound. Winter’s Dream, being the conclusion of the journey that Totale Nite takes you on opens with a simple, but deceptively beautiful bassline that remains constant throughout D. Vassolatti’s psychedelic guitar noodling. Carson’s voice desperately calls out and croons. The music fades out. It’s time to start the album over again.

Totale Nite Cove

Listen/Download Merchandise for free here!

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Wordpress full of INFO on EVERYTHING MERCHANDISE

Written by Nate Rodriguez

Review: Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin - Reverse Shark Attack Album Review

Now that it's May and we're getting closer to summer, it's time to put together our "Summer 2013" playlists and mix tapes. In the summer I have listened to various artists such as Wavves, Best Coast, Vivian Girls, etc. But my favorite band to catch up on during those hot summer days is Ty Segall. I have been listening to Ty Segall for four and a half years. I first heard of them while searching through iTunes for new music (this was before spotify and music blogs came into my life and I searched for new music by listening to the 25 second samples on iTunes (ha-ha)). While searching under related artists to Wavves, I came upon Ty Segall's album "Lemons". The first song I heard: "Die Tonight". 

My mind was blown. As much as I love Wavves fun beachy feel, Ty Segall just blew my mind. "This is just really really really good noise" was what ran through my mind throughout my whole "Lemons" experience. If you like noise, the most gut-wrenchingly noisy song on that album is "Johnny". I wasn't a big fan of that song awhile back because to be quite honest it gave me the biggest headache, but after a couple of years I developed a liking for it. To tone down all of the noise is the last track of the album "Like You". The slow guitar settles down your ears from all the fast paced noise. In my opinion the song is a great way to end a brilliant album full of noise and goosebumps. 


During the Summer of 2011 I was stoked for FYF fest. I bought my ticket as soon as they went on sale. The line up was out of this world and Ty Segall was on it. I was extremely pumped to see their set. When I arrived at FYF fest I rocked out to plenty of sets including Title Fight, OFF!, The Strange Boys, and a lot more. I can remember getting ready for Ty Segall's set and trying as hard as possible to get to the front. Although I didn't make it to the very front, I was close enough to watch one of my favorite bands. The set started and I couldn't have been more happy. Everyone in the crowd was having a blast, crowd surfing and singing along to the lyrics. I danced and contemplated crowd surfing, but I wasn't close enough. When they played the song "Caesar" the crowd went wild, and I got major goosebumps. I took a bunch of photos and videos of their set with my little digital camera. After Ty Segall's set my friends and I stayed until everyone left the crowd and we giggled and said hello to Ty and told him his set was great. He gave us a smirk and continued packing up his gear. Out of all the sets I watched that day, Ty Segall was the most memorable and fun experience I had. 

(One of the photos I took during their set at FYF fest 2011)

A couple of months ago I discovered Ty Segall's collaboration with Mikal Cronin on the Reverse Shark Attack album. Like a lot of Ty Segall albums, I had to get used to this one. Now, it is one of my new Summer picks. The album starts off with "I Wear Black", which is a really cool way to start off the album. The song isn't too fast and it isn't too slow, so it kind of gives you a taste of what the album has to offer. My favorite song off the album is "Doctor Doctor". It starts off really fast and fairly noisy  It's a short, purely noise track that is one minute and twenty-four seconds of repetitive (but good) guitar chords and overpowering drums. The next song "Bikini Babes" is also one of my favorites off the album. Like "I Wear Black" it's not too slow and it's not too fast, but it's really good. I like it because it isn't so repetitive, it's broken down into different sections. Reverse Shark Attack is a must for summer 2013. I highly recommend listening to Ty Segall if you have never heard of them, or if you are a fan but haven't caught up on their latest masterpieces. 

Ty Segall never fails to dissapoint me.


Like Ty Segall on Facebook!

Written by Emily Charnock

Review: ИO​/​/​/​sé - S/T LP

The first time picked up this LP was on my 18th birthday haul solely because I was looking through the local vinyl bin at Salzer's and saw this on sale for $9.99 & thought that was a fair price. Going home I popped the record on my console and damn. They say a good band now a' days has elements of a handful of other "good" bands but damn I'm digging the surf garage rock influences. From Reatard esque' verses with major chord insturmental jam offs with the surfy leads stand-off leads.

ИO​/​/​/​sé Live - © Lindsay Beaumont 

Lyrically this album can be described as a, "FUCK YOU, I'M TIRED, YOU'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND, AND I WON'T EVER UNDERSTAND." The epitome of adult realization. Songs such as "If I Told You Once" & "Why Are You So..." fall in this vein of dependency and bringing you down relatable to the friend that fucks up and loses everyone as a leach and falls into a void of a inevitable depression. As Tear It Up would say, "Taking You Down With Me".

While other songs like "Own Blood" dive into the realm of one trying to escape from what they are but realizing they can't yet it's a constant question many of us have driven to after the indulgence of drugs/alcohol. " "Trust Issues (I Don't Get it)" is the big brother anthem with the lyrics "I don't trust no suit and tie. I don't trust no cops. I don't trust no handshake. Don't trust myself. I don't trust no optimist. I don't trust no hope. I don't trust no pessimist and don't trust the one's you love."T hese lyrics take the listener onto a 2nd perspective to see past the outer exterior, the impression we all amount to yet easily become manipulated and taken advantage at our blind ignorance. The B-side dives into songs about self-identity & our personal comfort, songs that tackle into hypocrisy/denyal, "fabricated" reality, and opening our eye's to who we are and the burdens we put and the desire we have to truly change who we are for better.

Photograph by Dave Fuller

This S/T LP by ИO​/​/​/​sé is highly recommended for it's jam TY Segalll King Khan Reatard esque jam with lyrics in the vein of a Fucked Up Screamers, "You're a fucking idiot" vibe. Check-out this first wave release by another gem from Ventura County.

Listen/Buy to their new album here!

Like Them On Facebook Here!

Check out their upcoming show at ZOEYS on May 22nd Here!

Written by John Williams

Review: Night Riots - Into The Roaring

From out of San Luis Obispo, California this 5 Piece Indie Rock group have been gaining their fair share of notoriety without the loss of modesty. From their 2007 Debut EP Casting Shadows, the guys from Night Riots have come a long way, fine tuning their music every step of that way. Hailing from London, lead singer Travis Hawley fuses poetic lyrics with a familiar voice like that of singers like Robert Smith and Brandon Flowers hinting at that English/British accent, whatever it is you want to call it, all while balancing fun, sing along, catchy harmonies and melodies. Both guitarist Matt Depauw and Nick Fotinakes bring in power without it becoming overwhelming for catchy leads and vocals while bassist Mikel Vk provides both great bass grooves without sacrificing some killer bass riffs. And of course Rico Rodriguez adding in his fun, subtle yet powerful drums into the song creates a signature Night Riots song.

There has never been a single time whenever there has been a Night Riots song that I have the bad habit to skip over. Their 2010 full length album, Into The Roaring, set their sound and their well deserved future. With the well placed opening track "London", Into The Roaring sends you... roaring in to the album. Poppy, fast, catchy, simple, melancholic, and romantic are just a few words to describe the opener and its quite the fan favorite for live sets, opening with the echo filled guitars accompanied by a kick ass bass riff the song moves up with a quiet, remember-able lead building up into the Hawleys first verse of the album, setting the quality of the songs to come.

Following "London" comes the song opening with another sick bass riff, "Roam", while both have a girl as the subject (as do most songs nowadays), Roam speaks on a rather different tone many of us fellas have faced before, a girl we want, cant have, likes the asshole who doesn't want her. Now this doesn't entirely set the rest of the album, and before many of us were shown how ugly the world can be we all had our innocence, and as you can tell by the title, "Innocence" touches just upon that. A fast paced, fun, catchy song, , speaks of young man who just wants to keep his youth while the woman he is with wants more than just, she wants to see the world, she tries to make it deeper than he'd like, and if that's what it becomes he'd rather be "six feet under" so the song goes.

Including a recurring guitar solo by Mr. Fotinakes, it has its punk rock roots which these gents are no strangers to.  Similar,  "The Catch"shows the same fast paced, fun and catchy quality. Subtle lead guitar parts have me listening time and time for different parts that fit the song well. The song touches upon Hawley's past experience on the road, feeling dirty among other things, Hawley felt he didnt have what it takes to live that way as a musician and having to return home, however thats a much different story now. "Evana Carina",  "1920", "Wolves of the East Coast" and "Something in the Mist Took John Lee" touch upon the effect that people have on each others lives. 1920 is the song of friends, though someday they will part ways, for now all they need are good friends even on cold nights, while Wolves ( a personal favorite of mine) goes upon someone dear to you, to Hawley it was siblings, wanting back the time you had and Something in the Mist isn't too different, both people trying to forget each other having a difficult time, and one disappears forever thus presents "Evana Carina" leaving you with a mystery of a person you hardly knew, that haunts your mind day and night. 

And that leaves us with out last two songs "Daughters of Eve"  and "Beware the Moors!" two in a somewhat contrast. Daughters (another personal favorite of mine) changes itself many times throughout its plays, while its breakdown is what really hooks you. It being about a woman or women who constantly and relentlessly cheat and lie to others for their own personal gain and the toll it has on those who feel towards these beings, leaving them in the dark and having them learn the hard way. And lastly we come down to "Beware the Moors!", a great finisher with an recognizable bass line intro by Mikel, this song that starts off with a down on his luck kid who picks himself up, gets it together and makes it his own way, Beware the Moors! ends the album with a hopeful tone for those down on their luck.

This being one of my favorite full length albums, I have made it a little more biased. Big woop. However, this shouldn't stop you from checking these fellas out, I have met them several times and would go so far as to call them friends. They're humble, friendly, modest guys, their stage presence is exciting, their songs and shows kick ass,  they'll chat with you hours after the show and all around great guys. Don't forget to check out their most recent release, Lost Boys Sessions which has been out for almost a year, containing some of their best tracks so far (which I will review more in the future). They've got a few more shows lined up for the next couple months and are currently recording new material which I have had the chance to hear live and I gotta say I'm excited for what they're releasing next. 

Catch 'em 

May 17 @ 600 Fremont St. Las Vegas, Nevada

May 18 @ Lo Fi Coffe, Mesa, AZ

May 19 @Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California

June 7 @ 

Troubadour, Hollywood, CA

Listen to the ALBUM here!
Buy the ALBUM here!

Written by Carlos Martinez

- C

Review: Catholic Spit - S/T LP

FINALLY after TWO years, two line-up changes, two practice spaces and a self released 7" & LP, the beloved VENTURA locals in Catholic Spent created the bangers off this modern death rock 12" a work of extraordinary horror bliss.

Inevitably the octave melodies brought on by the guitar, mixed with the precise Sub-Pop emulated bass lines, & chilling percussional bliss on Pact With the Devil that will make you want to watch a 99+ instant queue of horror movies and put on your mothers pale white make-up as you dread on this new profound love of satanism, nothing, sex, and abandonment.

One of the coolest factorials for Catholic Spit is the fact that they are a six piece, one of whom to be the famous Emma of Kent State taking on the task of playing the synthesizer which takes on powerful leads that vocals into almost a mystical void as heard in "The Devil's Pact", or producing the drop-out effect on power drenching verses/chorus's. "Zero" you'll heard the beloved wind sound as the rain drop bass line echo's with drumming that only a drummer with "chops" could bang out in such precision as seen in a beautiful renaissance era painting.



Clearly Catholic Spit is a band of talent with members that are hard-working both musically and also being active with band, Chris Goodrich (2nd Guitar) started Bad Touch Records and released the I Am Your God Now 7" single and raised enough funs to finally put out their long awaited DEBUT LP! I believe they are also playing this year's PUNK ROCK BOWLING as well and even made an appearance on BRGRTV not too long ago, expect even more BIG THINGS to come quite soon from CATHOLIC SPIT.


Buy/Listen to Catholic Spit here!
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Written By John Williams

Review: Audacity - Mellow Cruisers LP

One of the most aw-inspiring beautiful things about music is the very notion that it captures the artistic thoughts, feelings, and over-all emotions one connects with the melodic elements of instrumentation's of the variety.

Now enough of that sophisticated bullshit banter, LET'S TALK about Audacity's 2nd LP that dropped last year on both BURGER RECORDS & RECESS RECORDS. Mellow Cruisers quite possibly is one of those very creations finely perfected after playing a select variety of songs with gems kept off 7"s but rehearsed to a nirvana. This LP does not have one song that was "just thrown on there for the sake of filling up minutes", because let's face it. That is not how Audacity rolls, there is no filler. Granted after being a band for a decade since youth this is something built over time with years of practice, playing shows, and the inevitable experience. No joke they set-up within 5 minutes and begin playing live too! Now onto the LP...

Songs like "Indian Chief" presents to the listener the this notion of leading the pack, sticking out, and being an alleged under-class hero where fun is universal and that feelings are obsolete, we as a pack can lead past the burdens placed upon us.

PTP? Photo featured as a fold out poster on the LP

"Garza Girls", "Punk Confusion", and "Subway Girl" all tread on the topic of females from the male perspective. Garza Girls is the male's anthem for the girls that they talk about amongst their male peers that are met through professional interactions. "I dont mind when the sun don't shine, I just want to see your speaking mind." The professional world rarely consists of human interaction let alone a talk with a lovely female of some assortment. Punk Confusion follows the theme of well that girl that one just cannot "get out of my mind". With a Power Drowning esque riff pounding the back-burner while the vocals let out this fiery of confusion between love, sex, and well the various problems associated with young adulthood and the opposite gender. Subway Girl is about that well mysterious in the moment female we meet in our day to day lives that we could essentially give our "all" without really suffering any direct consequences. Out of all we choose to sexually derive the opposite of sex's that look us in the eyes with smiles and we just want to put our hands out and tell them, "It's okay".

Honestly both side A and side B are good enough to listen to completely on their own separately in two different sessions over and over again as the precision musically, upbeat automatic feel, and relatable lyrics that make AUDACITY such a good band. "Persecuted" treads on the topic of humilation because of the very idea of sexual release. "Just cause it's stopped doesn't mean it's over". This idea of the one-night stand extended, however a short but simple explanation of why things can't work.

SXSW

"Funspot" is the feel good song that brings back the upbeat motion on Mellow Cruisers with lyrics about living in the moment, never pausing or stopping but just doing. "Grow, you ain't no John doe make it for your own sake. Show, everything you know, take it for your own stake." short, sweet, but powerful as a sing-along chorus.

"Ears & Eyes" hits me close to home, because it starts off with the line, "Decisions, they're not worth deciding. Is what's hiding really hiding." which if any of you that have yet to choose on a career, finish college, or really do anything aside from graduate from high-school it almost makes you mentally tear up. Quickly the topic of adulthood is shedded with the phrase ending the first verse, "they take our youth". Panning now to a scene of a classroom placing the viewer as a student listening to a dull minoginous teacher ramble off as the student dazes out the window at a beautiful "meadow" where he/she could be. "I always thought this was a free world, funny how perspectives change so fast" as one realizes the structure they have lived up until the age of 18 and societies very expectations. Now you are sitting listening the valid victorian speech is being read and this concept of adulthood is now being thrown into your face at rapid pace and "can't remember what you said, your acceptance speech." and it was driven into the faces of the future do-gooders of society yet no-one wants to confront this.

ALSO! AUDACITY IS ON TOUR! CHECK EM' OUT IF THEY'RE CLOSE TO YA!

WEST COAST TOUR WITH MAN OR ASTRO MAN!
05/09/13 Thu PHOENIX, AZ The Crescent Ballroom
05/10/13 Fri LOS ANGELES, CA The Echo
05/12/13 Sun VISALIA, CA The Cellar Door
05/13/13 Mon SACRAMENTO, CA Harlow's
05/14/13 Tue EUGENE, OR Cozmic Pizza
05/15/13 Wed VANCOUVER, BC The Biltmore
05/16/13 Thu BELLINGHAM, WA Wild Buffalo
05/17/13 Fri PORTLAND, OR The Doug Fir
05/18/13 Sat SEATTLE, WA Neumo's05/25/13 Sat SAN FRANCISCO RICKSHAW STOP MIKAL CRONIN RECORD RELEASE SHOW!

Listen to Mellow Cruisers here!

BUY the album HERE!

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Written by John Williams

Review: Massenger - S/T LP

Fans of garage, punk, surf, & it's respective subgenres that enjoy the sensational up-beat notion of bands  take note as we have possibly one of your new favorite bands!

Massenger the four piece fashionable ensemble from Ventura / LA debuted locally in Ventura County last year playing with such groups as PANGEA & X at a ventura showcase festival while gaining a larger following among the older  Billy O's crowd AND releasing a tape on Fullerton's BURGER RECORDS as well! 

Songs such as Power to the PPL & List of Demands will bring you out of your comfort zone and reminisce to a simpler time where one could nod off while remarking a simple group chant such as "power to the people" but just over and over again while repeating the last 3 words in a sudden outburst of one's last cry out in angst to then juggle with a breakdown phrase, "too many people walking around with their hands tied up." a slogan that hits one close to home as they recall the sudden burdens placed on us as we reach the remarked time of "our golden years".

It's definitely also a pleasantry seeing locals on beloved outlets such as BRGRTV, also!

Finally after one full year MASSENGER has released this debut LP finally after initially being a analog tape exclusive up until now. Seriously when Sasha starts singing in a foreign language and her voice sways between the dramatic over-tone jazz esque bass progressions while the guitar sways reverb drenched melodies causing you to almost trip out as if you were on a psychadelic drug of some arrangement.

Definitely there are plenty of songs on this for you to sway your hips to though in the club, house, or where-ever MASSENGER is definitely a band you should watch live as well. 

Check Out Massenger!

Listen to their debut LP & purchase it here!

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Written by John Williams