News
The way is was in the basement..........
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:55:00 +0100Ok, the next few posts I'm going to make are all about another group I was really into in the early 90s'. If you have followed the Sludge Swamp since it's beginning, you know I take you on lots of side trips into my musical tastes. I was really into early punk, and anything anti-establishment, and really got into grunge as it formed. I just hung out with a lot of bands trying to make it happen, lots of drugs, and lots of anger towards corporate greed, and other issues. As you all know, I really liked Warrior Soul, because of their lyrics and crusty punk/metal sound. Well, another band I followed from their humble beginnings was Amen. They formed in 93 or 94, and had a great punk/metal vibe going. Casey Chaos, their lead singer and only member who has remained through the revolving door of musicians in the band, had a history in singing rebellious music. I really like their early material, and only seldom listen to any of the later material. Anyways, here we go... (if you don't like my side-noodling, you can skip this post and check out any of the other 5000+ albums on the Sludge Swamp and find something you do like!)...... "To fully understand where We Have Come for Your Parents came from, you should hear Amen's self-titled Roadrunner debut. Amen (with four extra tracks from the spiky Whores of Hollywood EP as a sweetener to those who already own it), is full of anger, misanthropy, and self-disgust. Casey Chaos screeches like he's being burned alive on "Down Human," while the banks of guitars race him to the end. There's nothing clean and polished here; you can hear things breaking and cracking under the pressure, be they people (including Casey himself, who screams "Punish me!" like he really means it on "Drive") or equipment. This is a perfect introduction to an exciting band." (review from Emma Johnston). Check em' out here: Amen. Amen - Self Titled (Remastered): ... (Read complete news)
Ohbijou @ Soundscapes (In Store Performance)
Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:11:00 +0100As rain poured upon the city and NXNE unfolded around me, me and my trusty umbrella strolled on down to the right up the street from my house location of Soundscapes to take in the bewildering Ohbijou as they performed songs from their latest Last Gang release Beacons. Shamefully, I have not yet listened to the album, but from what I hear, it's a delightful companion to their debut Swift Feet For Troubling Times; an album that was pretty dang near perfect, if you ask me. Although I can only go by what I heard on Wednesday night, I'd be willing to bet that the album is even more cherubic than it's predecessor, since the songs that they showcased in this intimate setting on that rainy night were filled with uplifting crescendos and all of the beautiful harmonies that you could expect from the sister team of Casey and Jennifer Mecija. The instrumentation was also of the gentle build, as each song progressed through a subtle start that would continue to build until the soaring melodies reached that perfectly executed apex. This was possibly one of the more reserved crowds I've ever been a part of, but it all seemed to be a perfect fit with the rain outside and the ambiance of the store, combined with the tranquility of their music. Still, Casey commented on the uncomfortableness of it all on a couple of occasions, although never in a way that sounded condemnatory or sarcastic, but in a pleasantly comical... (Read complete news)
JUDAS PRIEST, L.A. GUNS, LILLIAN AXE Members To Guest On 'The Classic Metal Show'
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:57:00 +0100JUDAS PRIEST bassist IAN HILL, L.A. GUNS vocalist JIZZY PEARL, LILLIAN AXE guitarist STEVE BLAZE and FREAKSHOW/M!SS CRAZY vocalist MARKUS ALLEN CHRISTOPHER will be the featured guests on this weekend's (June 20) edition of "THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW". "THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW" can be heard every Saturday night between 9:00 p.m. EST and 3:00 a.m. EST at www.cmsradio.net. JUDAS PRIEST has chosen 10 songs not previously released in live album form for its next concert set — "A TOUCH OF EVIL: LIVE", which is due out July 14, in the midst of the band's U.S. summer tour. "A TOUCH OF EVIL" includes live renderings of longtime fan favorites such as "PAINKILLER", "DISSIDENT AGGRESSOR", "RIDING ON THE WIND", "BETWEEN THE HAMMER & THE ANVIL" and "EAT ME ALIVE", as well as "HELLRIDER" from "ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION", the group's 2004 reunion album with frontman ROB HALFORD, and two tracks — "DEATH" and "PROPHECY" — from last year's rock opera "NOSTRADAMUS". PEARL recently rejoined the TRACII GUNS-led version of L.A. GUNS for the band's upcoming summer tour. Commented TRACII: "We [current L.A. GUNS singer MARTY CASEY and I] were hoping that we would be touring this summer in support of our new record. But no release date has been set so, we decided to do our own thing until that day comes and also that BIG AL [rhythm guitarist ALEC BAUER] will not be on this L.A. GUNS tour either and is looking forward to the record coming out." For a list of upcoming L.A. GUNS tour dates featuring... (Read complete news)
Review: The Dear Hunter - Act III: Life and Death
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:30:00 +0100Act III - Life and Death has been my most anticipated album of 2009 (yup...beating out IWRESTLEDABEARONCE). The music Casey Crescenzo is able to create is fantastic, and has yet to fail to write something amazing; although Act III has a very different feel to it (which I believe was intended). I finally get my hands on The Dear Hunter's new album, and get to reconnect with 'The Boy' and follow him on his adventures through Act III. Album art is pretty good. Similar to Closure in Moscow's newest album. As always the tree is up there. I'm not 100% sure the reasoning behind the tree but I love how all of the album arts have been (and will be) focused on it. Running almost 57 minutes Act III is still 20 minutes shorter than Act II's epic 1 hour 17 minute run time. Although Act III ends up with more overall tracks with 18, whereas Act II has 15. Casey continues to take full advantage of dozens of instruments, consistently giving a very "musical" sense to the album (musical as in...a musical play...you know). Creating epic crescendos using strings, piano and well executed gang vocals. The composition is fantastic creating an exciting yet brooding mood throughout the album. This album, unlike Act II, is more 'serious' so to speak. The last act dealt with the boy searching for information on his mother and eventually falling in love; whereas this Act seems to focus on the transition the boy experience from being... (Read complete news)
BIOPIG GENRE
Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:37:00 +01003 - 3 - 3, it's 3 posts in one! FRIDAY IS FOR ANIMALS Come eat pizza, wear a pig mask, witness the mighty and unpredictable musical formations of Psychic Violence and Go Die, and get down to the ever fabulous space sounds of DJ MVSCLZ. Some costumes will be provided, but animal costumes of your own devising are encouraged. The purpose of this event is to gather footage for a piece that'll be on display at the Blanton in early July. Filming begins at 7 and the show ends at midnight. Where else but Okay Mountain Still haven't made it out to... (Read complete news)
WAY TO BE
Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:52:00 +0100Thanks to everyone who made it out to STEREO GALLERY at Club Mixx last night. Good times. Love was in the air, I'm tellin you. It's happening every Wednesday, so come get some AN EVENTFUL THURSDAY Sweet! Get your live music fix with two of Austin's most talked about bands. The keywords here are dark, ambient, catchy, and cute. It'll make sense when you see them play. Seems like just yesterday White White Lights were playing their first show. Was it a year ago now? Hooray for you guys! As the end of the 00s approaches, we are forced to, as a people,... (Read complete news)
Concert Review: Third Eye Blind @ First Ave.
Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:34:00 +0100Third Eye Blind made a stop at First Ave. in Minneapolis last Sunday, May 31st. The show was packed and my view was obstructed by a lot of tall people, but that didn't bother me because I had a real good time singing along. It took the first few songs for the band to really get into it, but their energy level after that more than exceeded my expectations. Even though Third Eye Blind experienced a ridiculous amount of success in the 90's they have not sold out. They made it clear how much they appreciate us all sticking with... (Read complete news)
WITCHES IN THE WOODS
Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:21:00 +0100BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW, one of the most entertaining live acts I've seen in awhile, is playing at the Mohawk tonight! Video projections, a live drummer, and vocoding galore: how can you go wrong? Last time I caught their show, even my friends that protest this band's recorded music with all their cold black hearts immensely enjoyed their live set. Music starts around 8. Silver Pines are playing the late show at 11, too. Yet another good night for the ol' Mohawk And look! It's one of the 3 (?) Troma movies that doesn't send me into a blind rage! Tonight... (Read complete news)
GREY GOODENS
Sun, 31 May 2009 23:24:00 +0100Hello, Sunday. Hello, sulfite headache. Hello, coffee. What else do you have in store? If you don't know anything about the SIMS foundation, it's time to educate yourself. They do good things. I don't know much about this t-shirt company or the place its happening, but it seems like a good time. An adventure perhaps? High Society are hosting their infamous 8th Grade Dance tonight at Beauty Bar, too. Awful fluffy skirts and poorly tied ties a must And the ever awesome culture proliferating machine known only as Church of the Friendly Ghost is having short film night tonight! Wee! Films of short... (Read complete news)


