ARTICLES
DAILY REVIEW: Our New Nation
Our New Nation
Familiar Faces EP
Self-Released
I’m a long time fan of this band’s live show, but Familiar Faces is the first time that a recording has ever done them justice.
Daily Fix: OK GO! This Too Shall Pass: Marching bands, Michel Gondry, and Rube Goldberg all mixed into one
Inspired by the work of Michel Gondry, utilizing the Notre Dame Marching Band, and reminiscent of a Rube Goldberg Machine, these two videos own. For examples of a Rube Goldberg, check the video beneath the break!
A pile of album reviews: Doomriders, Lewd Acts, Gil Scott-Heron, Eels & Chris Clark
Doomriders
Darkness Come Alive
Deathwish, Inc.
The hellhounds in Doomriders have released their sophomore full length. Darkness Come Alive is a classic blend of old and contemporary metal. With heavy riffs and duel guitar harmonics, its hard to not like this album, even if you don't like metal. It’s easily one of the catchiest and memorable albums of the metal/hardcore genre to date. Every song has its own feel and hooks. Doomriders utilizes their ability to do some serious shredding with knowing when to take it slow and keep your head banging. Some songs remind me of Danzig, some of Entombed, and I feel that’s what this album is: A devil child between Danzig and Entombed. Bear witness to the works that the metal gods have created. Darkness has truly come alive in Doomriders.
-Knox Colby
DAILY FIX: Cubic Zirconia, 'Josephine'
Cubic Zirconia brings a mixed bag of ’80s eccentricity with it. Prince, Information Society, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam are all hinted at and placed in a blender to bring a sound familiar but harder hitting and club banging. The word 'sonic bootay noise' comes to mind. Might be too much coffee, not enough sleep.
Anyway, I bring you late Friday night music but on a Tuesday. Hope you don't freak out lovin' this at the office and your boss walks by.
The Title Tracks are Comin' Round to G5
Coming to Gallery 5 on Tuesday, March 2nd is one of our favorite bands Title Tracks (Ex-Q and Not U) playing with Pretty and Nice and Last Century. Doors open at 7pm with a $7 cover.
DAILY FIX: Lemonade, 'Lifted'
Lemonade was on the mind after reading our interview with These Are Powers. Innocence drenched in electro pop; sounds like a refreshing drink or maple syrup dripping on pancakes. This crop of bands out of Brooklyn are on to something fresh or freshly squeezed.
More of the DAILY FIX
DAILY FIX: Fan Death, "Cannibal"
DAILY FIX: Die Antwood, "Enter The Ninja"
DAILY FIX: Islands, "No You Don't"
These Are Powers explain themselves. Kinda.
If you've managed to catch Chicago-by-way-of-Brooklyn band These Are Powers when they've played Nara Sushi or The Triple you could be forgiven for a degree of confusion when it comes to their sound. Termed “ghost punk” by the band, the trio manages to blend the noisy atonality of no-wave and post-punk with the dancier tendencies of contemporary electronic music. I talked to drummer/producer Bill Salas about the different facets of their sound and the difficulties of defying genre.
DAILY FIX: HARDCOOOOORE edition
Grreeeeaaaaaaah HARDCOOOOOORE! With the announcement of United Blood 4, the whole office has been feeling some old hardcore punk. Here's SICK OF IT ALL with their classic Injustice System.
SHOW REVIEW: Tegan and Sara
For years, I refused to listen to Tegan and Sara. I considered them far too mainstream to be something worthwhile. This was a mistake. I’ve come a long way from my initial position on the band, and their recent performance at The National was one of the highlights of my year thus far.
DAILY FIX: Phoenix, '1901'
Of course Phoenix has been out for awhile but did you know they are touring the states? Did you know that you can buy right now for their upcoming show at the Constitution Hall in DC? I mean presale (not open to the general public) today from 10am to 10pm only.
More information can be found here.
Doodlebug of Digable Planets at The Canal Club with Richmond's Photosynthesizers
I got a phone call on Thursday from DJ Alex J out of New Jersey. He was telling me that Cee Knowledge AKA 'Doodlebug' of the world famous Digable Planets is coming to play with Richmond's own Photosynthesizers. He is stepping into the future with a new project called Futuristic Sci-Fi that breaks him away from the old sound. Be sure to check him out the show at the Canal Club on February 19th and pay respect.
La Mere Vipere, 'First Command'
Here at long last is our first full length Final Audit of Mammon. After a year that included line-up changes, Chris Conrad breaking his finger, and the usual paralyzing ennui we finally managed to get it all together for you. The album is free because we feel that CDs are redundant, LPs are prohibitively expensive (for us), and we want as many people as possible to have access to it. If you are so inclined please copy and share the album or post it on your own blog via the mediafire link. Thanks for taking the time to listen and we hope that you enjoy.
The Underbellies of Punk Through the Eyes of a Major General: An Interview with Franz Nicolay
Do you remember the days gone past
And how we always wanted the good times to last
The time we spent hanging out
Is how we learned what life is about
-The Bouncing Souls “87”
Franz Nicolay is a disciple of the church of punk rock. He is well known for his infamous mustache and as a multi-instrumental player for musical outfits the World/Inferno Friendship Society and the Hold Steady. Last year, he unleashed his debut solo record entitled Major General. The record is a testament to the slums, barrooms and basements that punk inhabits. It also acts as a powerful display of his prowess as a musical linguist.
Nude Photos of Celebrities: live video from Gallery 5
Last Friday (First Friday, that is...) Nude Photos of Celebrities played at Gallery 5. Luckily, Todd Raviotta (Natural Science) was there with his trusty Canon 5D MkII, and captured the band covering "This Charming Man" by The Smiths.
The main exhibit at Gallery 5 that night was GayRVA's Say Love, a project that celebrates the triumphs and struggles of the LGBT community. Volunteers gave their definitions of love in front of the camera- click the link to check out the results.
Music that Tears Itself Apart, Jason Webley at Gallery 5
"Jason Webley is a musician who began as a busker, playing accordion in the streets of Seattle, but has since moved in-doors and on stage, playing venues and festivals all across the world. His music is a combination of folk, gypsy, punk, and sea shanties." - www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Webley
The talented Jason Webley played Gallery 5 a few weeks ago and put on a great show. Kevin Orlosky had a chance to ask him about his music and inspirations.
Ozric Tentacles, 'Mooncalf'
Our buddy Todd loves these guys and went to cover them last year sometime for us. He finished this crazy video the other day for us to share with you.
This Week Buried in Press Releases #3
We have compiled all the music news RVA has received during the last week.
DAILY FIX: Die Antwoord, 'Enter The Ninja'
Die Antwood. These kids are wild, running all over American rap with something so crazy that it makes you scratch your head. Are these muthafuckers for real? He states this the best song he has ever heard. That the cockiest thing I have ever heard. Why dont you give this a couple of listens before passing judgement. The video below is even better.
A few question with RJD2
The definition of a musician is changing rapidly. It is 2010; world-famous deejays often perform using a laptop, sometimes even without the turntables that are now used to control MP3s instead of actual vinyl. When MixMaster Mike came through RVA not too long ago, he did exactly this, and it was a great performance. Beats bumped fluidly, the transitions were smooth, the tracks were a combination of fresh and classic, and watching Mike himself was about as interesting as, well, watching someone dick around on a laptop.
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