Peace Cafe
37 Main Street
Southington, CT
$5 - 5:00PM - All Ages
The Guru
Chalk Talk
Black Churches
Bandname
FigureHead
White Savages
Hard Water
...and more... EMAIL ME LINKS YOU NINNIES
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Guru, Chalk Talk, Black Churches and lots lots more
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Location:
Peace Cafe
37 Main Street
Southington, CT
$5 - 5:00PM - All Ages
The Guru
Chalk Talk
Black Churches
Bandname
FigureHead
White Savages
Hard Water
...and more... EMAIL ME LINKS YOU NINNIES
Happy New Year!
Peace Cafe
37 Main Street
Southington, CT
$5 - 5:00PM - All Ages
The Guru
Chalk Talk
Black Churches
Bandname
FigureHead
White Savages
Hard Water
...and more... EMAIL ME LINKS YOU NINNIES
Happy New Year!
Murdervan and White Bronco
Thursday, December 30, 2010, Die Hipster! Records presents
Location:
Cafe Nine
250 State Street
New Haven CT
FREE - 9:00PM - 21+
Two solid bands playing tonight. There's a long piece on Murdervan in the New Haven Advocate: check it out here.
Brushback talked a bit about White Branco earlier this month: here.
Cafe Nine
250 State Street
New Haven CT
FREE - 9:00PM - 21+
Two solid bands playing tonight. There's a long piece on Murdervan in the New Haven Advocate: check it out here.
Brushback talked a bit about White Branco earlier this month: here.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Amazing Ghost: "i getuppa"
Words: John Panos
Most anyone who has lived in New Haven within the last ten years know/remember/hate/have slept with Eddie Pren, renaissance man, New Haven pizza hustler, master of the sartorial arts and former musical/cult leader of Pencilgrass. He disappeared a few years ago, but is back with a new band, Amazing Ghost, a new piece of vinyl, a new video and exactly the same attitude about life. We think the video speaks for itself.
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| Amazing Ghost @ Cafe 9, 2009 |
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Outer Space - NEW VENUE
The Outer Space is a new cafe and louge, that will be a "sister" venue to The Space. This new spot will soon serve beer and wine to the 21 and over crowd (liquor license in the works). The Outer Space is located in a separate building just over a hundred feet from The Space in the same parking lot.
The Outer Space will have a soft opening in mid-January. The Grand Opening Splash will be the first two weeks of February. Two full weeks of fundraiser shows will be held with the purpose of helping to cover a portion of the project budget. Various local promoters will be presenting a few of these shows. To further assist in raising the funds to help cover the building expenses and opening costs The Outer Space has launched a Kick Starter campaign. This campaign is for 60 days starting Dec 23, 2010. Consider donating as little as $1 to support the cause.
Here's some of what's to come to The Outer Space:
Thursday, Jan 6th- Midair, Good Citizens, Suns, Vasudeva, Wess Meets West, Grown Ups- Doors 6:30 $8
Sunday, Jan 16th- Tom Conlon (amazing traveling songwriter / storyteller), support TBA- Doors 7pm $10
Friday, Jan 28th- Joe Ladenza, Carolann Solebello (of Red Molly), The Backyard Committee (featuring members of The Alternate Routes)- Doors 7pm $10
GRAND OPENING SPLASH-Feb 2,3,4,5,6,9,10,11,12,13
Saturday February 5- Mighty Purple (feat. Steve Rodgers - owner of The Space and his brother Jon Rodgers), openers TBA- Doors 7pm
The weekly open mic, hosted for years on Tuesday nights at The Space, will be moved to Wednesday nights at The Outer Space starting on February 2, 2011. The last open mic at The Space will take place on January 4, 2011.
The Baxter Special - new LP from Thank You Mr. Keating
Released in July of 2010, The Baxter Special [Ø Records] is a full length by Thank You Mr. Keating, the alter ego of New Milford, CT native Travus Palmer. A visit to The Baxter Special website brings you into a world of Guided By Voices collage and Shock Cinema schlock. Using a late 70's TV show called Gemini Man as a take off point (or more specifically, the record is a retelling of the incoherent movie version Riding with Death), the record is basically a story about a heroic race car driver. (I suppose since Gemini Man was based on the H. G. Wells science fiction novella, The Invisible Man, The Baxter Special is yet another chunk in our cultural backwash). The LP comes close to being on par with a Circus Devils concept album. Serious or not, the lyrics are strong and clever, there's nothing annoying or inane about them. Tough to believe Palmer did this based on a movie once spoofed by MST3K. Or maybe this is perfectly believable to anyone born to love bad movies.
Almost every single tune on this record makes me think of a cross between Tynan Cooney's songwriting from Werewolf Police and post-Nirvana Dave Grohl. Another local band, Dead Wives, comes to mind, but The Baxter Special is more refined, even for what is essentially a lo-fi power pop record. The guitars have the same beefy buzz of the Rentals, but the Moog hooks get replaced by straight up muscle. With very few exceptions, all songs are stripped down, no intro, get-in-and-get-out efficient. Only one song sneaks over the three-minute mark. Vocals are buried, but there are some hazy harmonies in there that shine through. The momentum mimics the pace of a seventy-something Dodge Charger burning rubber around ever turn. The title track is oddly buried halfway through the b-side, and even more odd, turns out to be more of a lullaby than anything like the crank-able beasts on the rest of the record. Songs like Elusive 1 and The Understudy get a little lighter, too, switching off the fuzz, but still they keep the energy high. The acoustic-based Warning is a highlight of how mindful Palmer is about what he's doing. It builds and builds with staccato urgency into a song that feels like Sebadoh when at their most heartfelt.
Buy your copy now: CLICK
Takes off at around the 0:30 mark:
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Fugue, Empire! Empire!, Annabel, Wess Meets West, Martin Luther King
Monday, December 27, 2010:
Location:
Heirloom Arts Theatre
155 Main Street
Danbury, CT
6:00pm - all ages - $5.00
Fugue
Empire! Empire! (I was a Lonely Estate) (MI)
Annabel (OH)
Wess Meets West
Martin Luther King - not sure about these dudes, but I guess this was originally going to be a house show, and someone in MLK was the host.
Empire! Empire!, Annabel tour dates:
DEC 27 – Danbury, CT @ Heirloom Arts Theatre w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Fugue, Wess Meets West, Martin Luther King
DEC 28 – Allston, MA @ O’Briens w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), The Clippers
DEC 29 – Bethlhem, PA @ St. Bernards w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Snowing, For Serious This Time, U.S. Male
DEC 30 – Richmond, VA @ The BP House w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Sundials
DEC 31 – Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), SWTHRT, DJ Chason
JAN 01 – Baltimore, MD @ Charm City Art Space w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Monument, Hightide Hotel
JAN 02 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), In the Wake of Giants, Hisdayhascome
Location:
Heirloom Arts Theatre
155 Main Street
Danbury, CT
6:00pm - all ages - $5.00
Fugue
Empire! Empire! (I was a Lonely Estate) (MI)
Annabel (OH)
Wess Meets West
Martin Luther King - not sure about these dudes, but I guess this was originally going to be a house show, and someone in MLK was the host.
Empire! Empire!, Annabel tour dates:
DEC 27 – Danbury, CT @ Heirloom Arts Theatre w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Fugue, Wess Meets West, Martin Luther King
DEC 28 – Allston, MA @ O’Briens w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), The Clippers
DEC 29 – Bethlhem, PA @ St. Bernards w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Snowing, For Serious This Time, U.S. Male
DEC 30 – Richmond, VA @ The BP House w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Sundials
DEC 31 – Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), SWTHRT, DJ Chason
JAN 01 – Baltimore, MD @ Charm City Art Space w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Monument, Hightide Hotel
JAN 02 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), In the Wake of Giants, Hisdayhascome
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Missed Releases: Fugue, Hrishikesh, Ohsaurus, Smojphace
Screw the holidays. Way too much seems to go wrong around this time, assholes crowd the roads and stores, pressure and stress abound, but work and life is being quite a bitch to me lately so maybe I'm just grouchy. The new Estrogen Highs LP is still sitting next to the turntable waiting for a listen. I got a killer release from someone called Thank You Mr. Keating called The Baxter Special waiting for attention. Just need things to calm down before touching those.
Meanwhile, a handful of releases came in throughout 2010 that didn't get mentioned. There was a plan to do a review column type thing to cover all these that never panned out. So, here's a quick rundown of a few of those that got neglected.
Hrishikesh (aka David Scaramella) is a solo folk-ish-indie-pop-like project that someone sent in who wasn't Hrishikesh. The album called A Blossom in the Snow was put together at somewhere called the "Yellow Room" in Cromwell between 2007 and 2008. Scaramella did all the instrumentation. His vocals are effeminate, with oo's and ah's as harmonies, and lines like "fucking tasteless joke." He pulls it off pretty well. Timing and pitch get a little wobbly here and there, but it's a good enough release to put on with your toast and coffee in the morning. I am not sure where to find this release, though. I don't think I can post the download link. Maybe visit the Hrishikesh MySpace if interested.
Ohsaurus sent in a few things. Mentioned one, but missed the Mazecity Records link. Pay a visit for some relaxed minimal idm. There's also been the Grappa Frisbee guys jumping in to the mix these days. The insanely named Smojphace has some abstract bugged out chill electronics to check out on Grappa. Smojphace is based in New Haven, and had played Stella Blues the first week of December.
 |
| Fugue's Siblings |
Fugue have some sick tracks up on their bandcamp. Their math-rock is similar to the Dischord band Faraquet. Actually, they're like post-hardcore yacht-rock, if there could be such a thing. Well, probably not, because they do get heavy. Definitely a tight band pulling some brave moves without sounding like eggheads. The jazz influence gets ground up by strong Chavez-like indie rock influences. Fugue will no doubt end up getting big if they keep at it.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Estrogen Highs / The Mountain Movers show review
 |
| photo by Brushback |
Check out Brushback's review of the Estrogen Highs / The Mountain Movers show here: CLICK
Friday, December 17, 2010
Toby Aronson, Tooth Ache, Roman Wolfe
Monday, December 20, 2010
Location:
DETRITUS
71 Orange Street
New Haven, CT
6 pm - 9 pm - $5 - refreshments available
Toby Aronson - Rats Cops, NNA tapes; noise/drone/newage from Burlington, VT
Tooth Ache - new 7” out on Father/Daughter Records; "downer pop" from Burlington, VT
Roman Wolfe - Arabian Blade, Hate Your Guts)
While you're there, shell out your hard earned dough for:
The Mountain Movers' Apple Mountain (Car Crash Avoiders, 2010): a double LP with book and CD, Apple Mountain tells the story of two lovers whose time together is interrupted by an out-of-season blizzard. Edition of 250.
Editioned prints from Blackunicorn Studios: serious New Haven artifacts, hand-pulled silkscreens, edition of 40.
untitled (Detritus holiday print), Mark Williams (2010). Custom print to accompany Williams' light drawings in our windows, edition of 25.
How to Win Her Love by Rudolph Delson (New Haven Review Books, 2010): Beautiful in its presentation, exhaustive in its neurosis. One of (3) new books published by the New Haven Review's new imprint.
Lastly, you might have seen a little bit about this on Facebook already:
Ephemeroptera Quarterly is a micro-edition zine that joins art and sound in one lathe-cut, screwed together package. The collaboration of several New Haven area artists, the first issue is limited to 30 copies and will not be reprinted. Expect Ephemeroptera to arrive at DETRITUS in January.
DETRITUS
71 Orange Street
New Haven, CT
6 pm - 9 pm - $5 - refreshments available
Toby Aronson - Rats Cops, NNA tapes; noise/drone/newage from Burlington, VT
Tooth Ache - new 7” out on Father/Daughter Records; "downer pop" from Burlington, VT
Roman Wolfe - Arabian Blade, Hate Your Guts)
While you're there, shell out your hard earned dough for:
The Mountain Movers' Apple Mountain (Car Crash Avoiders, 2010): a double LP with book and CD, Apple Mountain tells the story of two lovers whose time together is interrupted by an out-of-season blizzard. Edition of 250.
Editioned prints from Blackunicorn Studios: serious New Haven artifacts, hand-pulled silkscreens, edition of 40.
untitled (Detritus holiday print), Mark Williams (2010). Custom print to accompany Williams' light drawings in our windows, edition of 25.
How to Win Her Love by Rudolph Delson (New Haven Review Books, 2010): Beautiful in its presentation, exhaustive in its neurosis. One of (3) new books published by the New Haven Review's new imprint.
Lastly, you might have seen a little bit about this on Facebook already:
Ephemeroptera Quarterly is a micro-edition zine that joins art and sound in one lathe-cut, screwed together package. The collaboration of several New Haven area artists, the first issue is limited to 30 copies and will not be reprinted. Expect Ephemeroptera to arrive at DETRITUS in January.
One Minute Sets from 15 bands - food drive for the New Haven Food Bank
Friday, December 17, 2010
Location:
Popeye's Garage
50 Goffe Street
New Haven, CT
7:30PM - $5/Donations to cover nights rent! - 21+ to chug $2 beers
Bands have 60 seconds each, three 'stages' set up, once it starts it doesn't stop until the last band goes on. MOST IMPORTANTLY this is a food drive for the New Haven Food Bank. Please bring as many non-perishables as you can carry. 10 cans might get you in for free.
The lineup will probably be something like this:
REVIVER
Colorguard
Alvis
Michael Birnbaum
-M
Bella Reese
Amy Lace
Uncle Tony
Gates/The Creep Trials
Stay@Home Manny
Female
Roman Wolfe
The 'Ol Georgia Peach
Edith Keeler Must Die
Leather Tongue
Popeye's Garage
50 Goffe Street
New Haven, CT
7:30PM - $5/Donations to cover nights rent! - 21+ to chug $2 beers
Bands have 60 seconds each, three 'stages' set up, once it starts it doesn't stop until the last band goes on. MOST IMPORTANTLY this is a food drive for the New Haven Food Bank. Please bring as many non-perishables as you can carry. 10 cans might get you in for free.
The lineup will probably be something like this:
REVIVER
Colorguard
Alvis
Michael Birnbaum
-M
Bella Reese
Amy Lace
Uncle Tony
Gates/The Creep Trials
Stay@Home Manny
Female
Roman Wolfe
The 'Ol Georgia Peach
Edith Keeler Must Die
Leather Tongue
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Heavy Breath Tour Kickoff w/Primitive Weapons, Cold Snap, Deadlights and more
Friday, December 17, 2010
Location:
Prospect VFW
218 Chesire Road
Prospect, CT
6:00pm - all ages - $8.00
NO drinking inside the hall, please. (There's a bar in the same building)
Heavy Breath are zero bullshit New Haven based hardcore. These dudes are supportive as hell, so get our there and show them some love.
Sharing in the fun will be:
Primitive Weapons NY hardcore/metal
Cold Snap first show since summer
Deadlights - New Haven anthemic punk
Lie Captive Brand new NY post hardcore
Still Rings True NY pop punk, split set with Lie Captive
Don't Say I Won't CT hardcore - also playing a secret house show on Dec. 15
Prospect VFW
218 Chesire Road
Prospect, CT
6:00pm - all ages - $8.00
NO drinking inside the hall, please. (There's a bar in the same building)
Heavy Breath are zero bullshit New Haven based hardcore. These dudes are supportive as hell, so get our there and show them some love.
Sharing in the fun will be:
Primitive Weapons NY hardcore/metal
Cold Snap first show since summer
Deadlights - New Haven anthemic punk
Lie Captive Brand new NY post hardcore
Still Rings True NY pop punk, split set with Lie Captive
Don't Say I Won't CT hardcore - also playing a secret house show on Dec. 15
Calm Palm Vapor, The Wee Bees, The Field Recordings, Jacque Le Coque
The Swiss Chalet
179 Norton St.
New Haven, CT
8:00pm - BYOB - Donations Welcome
Calm Palm Vapor - "Space Motown" from Chicago
The Wee Bees - indie pop from New Haven
The Field Recordings - rock rock rock trio
Jacque Le Coque - garage rock/punk from Stamford
Monday, December 13, 2010
Ultrabunny, MYTY KONKEROR, Ferocious Fucking Teeth
Redscroll Records
24 North Colony Road
Wallingford, CT
6:00PM - FREE
Ultrabunny is joined by Ferocious Fucking Teeth & Myty Konkeror.
Ultrabuuny's warmup gig before they split for Ohio. Mr. Tent had this to say: "Excitement abounds."
Estrogen Highs Friends and Relatives release/tour kickoff with The Mountain Movers
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Location:
Cafe Nine
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
9:00PM - 21+ - $5.00
Estrogen Highs releasing a new LP, and The Mountain Movers dropping a three-sider, then teaming up to play Cafe Nine? Sweet Jesus.
Estrogen Highs tour dates:
12/18 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine "Friends and Relatives" Record Release show with the Mountain Movers
1/1 New Brunswick, NJ House Show
1/2 Charlottle, NC TBA
1/3 Chapel Hill, NC Nightlight Club
1/4 Atlanta, GA 529
1/5 Orlando, FL TBA
1/6 New Orleans, LA 2227 St. Claude
1/7 Houston, TX Super Happy Fun Land
1/8 Denton, TX Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios
1/9 Austin, TX TBA
1/10 Las Cruces, NM The Trainyard
1/11 Phoenix, AZ Sound Kontrol
1/12 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
1/13 Long Beach, CA The Prospector
1/14 San Francisco, CA TBA
1/15 Oakland, CA TBA
1/16 Sacramento, CA TBA
1/17 Portland, OR East End
1/18 Olympia, WA TBA
1/19 Vancouver, BC Astoria
1/20 Seattle, WA TBA
1/21 Off
1/22 Minneapolis, MN Hexagon Bar
1/23 Des Moines, IA TBA
1/24 Milwaukee, WI Ground Zero
1/25 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
1/26 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
1/27 Ft. Wayne, IN Brass Rail
1/28 Columbus, OH Carabar
1/29 Brooklyn, NY Tommy’s Tavern
 |
| shot by our cranky online neighbor Brushback |
Cafe Nine
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
9:00PM - 21+ - $5.00
Estrogen Highs releasing a new LP, and The Mountain Movers dropping a three-sider, then teaming up to play Cafe Nine? Sweet Jesus. Estrogen Highs tour dates:
12/18 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine "Friends and Relatives" Record Release show with the Mountain Movers
1/1 New Brunswick, NJ House Show
1/2 Charlottle, NC TBA
1/3 Chapel Hill, NC Nightlight Club
1/4 Atlanta, GA 529
1/5 Orlando, FL TBA
1/6 New Orleans, LA 2227 St. Claude
1/7 Houston, TX Super Happy Fun Land
1/8 Denton, TX Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios
1/9 Austin, TX TBA
1/10 Las Cruces, NM The Trainyard
1/11 Phoenix, AZ Sound Kontrol
1/12 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
1/13 Long Beach, CA The Prospector
1/14 San Francisco, CA TBA
1/15 Oakland, CA TBA
1/16 Sacramento, CA TBA
1/17 Portland, OR East End
1/18 Olympia, WA TBA
1/19 Vancouver, BC Astoria
1/20 Seattle, WA TBA
1/21 Off
1/22 Minneapolis, MN Hexagon Bar
1/23 Des Moines, IA TBA
1/24 Milwaukee, WI Ground Zero
1/25 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
1/26 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
1/27 Ft. Wayne, IN Brass Rail
1/28 Columbus, OH Carabar
1/29 Brooklyn, NY Tommy’s Tavern
Friday, December 10, 2010
M.T. Bearington this Saturday
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Oasis
16 Bank St.
New London, CT
9:00PM - 21+ - No cover?
Let the music speak for itself: M.T. Bearington
Pictures
Here's Your Mood Ring, Honey
16 Bank St.
New London, CT
9:00PM - 21+ - No cover?
Let the music speak for itself: M.T. Bearington
Pictures
Here's Your Mood Ring, Honey
Bear Hands, Tony Castles, Slam Donahue
Thursday, December 16, 2010 Manic Productions presents
Lilly's Pad (Toad's Place Upstairs)
300 York Street
New Haven, CT
8:00pm - All Ages - $10 ($8 advance)
Buy tickets now or pick them up at Redscroll.
bios from Manic's site
Bear Hands:
"Golden EPs tight four song set is a pitch-perfect pairing of post-punk and indie rock. The energetic guitars crunch with a touch of Ted Leo & the Pharmacists edge (particularly in upbeat opener "Long Lean Queen"), and Raus piercing vocals call up comparisons to another idiosyncratic ironist: Modest Mouses Isaac Brock. But far from being rote, Bear Hands adds complexity and rounds out the more straightforward rock with some melancholy minor chord unease...riveting, devil-may-care rock." -Spin.com (artist of the day)
Tony Castles:
Paul Sicilian and Gabriel Wurzel first crossed paths as freshmen at a central Connecticut high school. The two soon began playing together in punk bands, squeezing some excitement out of the endless Tuesday that is CT. The pair went to Skidmore College, where they continued to write music. There they were introduced to fellow student and musician Willie Miesmer. Within two years of graduating all three moved to Brooklyn, NY where they reconnected and began playing together, often swapping instruments and experimenting with loop pedals and samplers. The chemistry was instant. They continue to deconstruct and reinvent their sound while maintaining a mutual love for melody and space. Their debut five song EP “No Service”, recorded by Jake Aron (Jamie Lidell, Yeasayer, Chairlift) and mixed at the Rare Book Room by Nicolas Vernhes (Dirty Projectors, Deerhunter) is forthcoming later this summer.
Slam Donahue: Indie/dance duo from CT. For fans of MGMT, Of Montreal, The Antlers, etc.
Triple video dosage of this duo!:
300 York Street
New Haven, CT
8:00pm - All Ages - $10 ($8 advance)
Buy tickets now or pick them up at Redscroll.
bios from Manic's site
Bear Hands:
"Golden EPs tight four song set is a pitch-perfect pairing of post-punk and indie rock. The energetic guitars crunch with a touch of Ted Leo & the Pharmacists edge (particularly in upbeat opener "Long Lean Queen"), and Raus piercing vocals call up comparisons to another idiosyncratic ironist: Modest Mouses Isaac Brock. But far from being rote, Bear Hands adds complexity and rounds out the more straightforward rock with some melancholy minor chord unease...riveting, devil-may-care rock." -Spin.com (artist of the day)
Tony Castles:
Paul Sicilian and Gabriel Wurzel first crossed paths as freshmen at a central Connecticut high school. The two soon began playing together in punk bands, squeezing some excitement out of the endless Tuesday that is CT. The pair went to Skidmore College, where they continued to write music. There they were introduced to fellow student and musician Willie Miesmer. Within two years of graduating all three moved to Brooklyn, NY where they reconnected and began playing together, often swapping instruments and experimenting with loop pedals and samplers. The chemistry was instant. They continue to deconstruct and reinvent their sound while maintaining a mutual love for melody and space. Their debut five song EP “No Service”, recorded by Jake Aron (Jamie Lidell, Yeasayer, Chairlift) and mixed at the Rare Book Room by Nicolas Vernhes (Dirty Projectors, Deerhunter) is forthcoming later this summer.
Slam Donahue: Indie/dance duo from CT. For fans of MGMT, Of Montreal, The Antlers, etc.
Triple video dosage of this duo!:
The Sleeping, Harvard, Breakthrough Frequencies, Dear You, Canvas
Wednesday, December 15, 2010, Manic Productions presents
The Space
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden, CT
6:30pm - All Ages - $12 ($10 advance)
Buy tickets now or pick them up at Redscroll Records
bios from Manic's site
The Sleeping, consisting of a few of the original members of Long Island’s now defunct metalcore group Skycamefalling, was formed after Skycamefalling’s last show at Hellfest ‘03. Living on after the legacy of SCF - Doug Robinson, Cameron Keym, Sal Mignano, and Joseph Zizzo continue to develop and write music that we now know and love.
With a drastic change from the hardcore scene, the Sleeping is now considered to be a post-hardcore/rock band, and has played with bands such as Halifax, Silverstein, Bayside, Stretch Armstrong, Spitalfield and Haste the Day. Victory Records
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Harvard play a very unique brand of experimental rock music. Their debut album “The Inevitable and I” was produced by Brian Mcternan(Circa Survive, Thrice, Cave In).
Breakthrough Frequencies is an indie/post-punk band from New Haven, CT. Through utilizing a unique blend of dynamics, guitar effects, and honest lyrics, tied together with an overwhelming passion for music, Breakthrough Frequencies is able to paint seemingly infinite sonic landscapes while maintaining a strong connection with their audience. Their recently released debut EP, "The Broadcast Begins" can be downloaded for free below.
Dear You: Indie post-punk from Hamden. Ex-Until We Fall.
Canvas is an indie rock band featuring Ryan from Call It Arson, Chino from The Distance, and Jay/Joe from The Lows. First show!
The Sleeping dates:
Dec 13, Allenstown, NH, US @ Ground Zero
Dec 14, Providence, RI, US @ Club Hell
Dec 15, Hamden, CT, US @ The Space w/Harvard
Dec 16, Baltimore, MD, US @ Ottobar w/Harvard
Dec 17, South Hackensack, NJ, US @ School Of Rock w/Sainthood Reps, Harvard
Dec 18, Warrenton, VA, US @ Warrenton Community Center w/Sainthood Reps, Harvard
Dec 19, Poughkeepsie, NY, US @ The Chance w/Sainthood Reps
Jan 1, London, - UK @ Purple Turtle
Jan 2, London, - UK @ Purple Turtle
Jan 3, Leeds, - UK @ The Well
Jan 4, Newcastle, - UK @ Northumbria University
Jan 5, Southampton, - UK @ Joiners
Jan 6, Hasselt, BE @ Muziek-O-Droom
Jan 7, Essen, - DE @ Cafe Nova
Jan 8, Cesena, - IT @ Vidia Club
Jan 9, Schio (Vicenza) - IT @ Mac 2
Jan 10, Stuttgart, - DE @ Juha West
Jan 11, Wiesbaden, - DE @ Schlachthof
Jan 12, Munchen, - DE @ Feierwerk
Jan 13, Wien, AT @ ARENA
Jan 14, Berlin, - DE @ Lovelite
Jan 15, Lichtenstein, DE @ JZ RIOT
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden, CT
6:30pm - All Ages - $12 ($10 advance)
Buy tickets now or pick them up at Redscroll Records
bios from Manic's site
The Sleeping, consisting of a few of the original members of Long Island’s now defunct metalcore group Skycamefalling, was formed after Skycamefalling’s last show at Hellfest ‘03. Living on after the legacy of SCF - Doug Robinson, Cameron Keym, Sal Mignano, and Joseph Zizzo continue to develop and write music that we now know and love.
With a drastic change from the hardcore scene, the Sleeping is now considered to be a post-hardcore/rock band, and has played with bands such as Halifax, Silverstein, Bayside, Stretch Armstrong, Spitalfield and Haste the Day. Victory Records
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Harvard play a very unique brand of experimental rock music. Their debut album “The Inevitable and I” was produced by Brian Mcternan(Circa Survive, Thrice, Cave In).
Breakthrough Frequencies is an indie/post-punk band from New Haven, CT. Through utilizing a unique blend of dynamics, guitar effects, and honest lyrics, tied together with an overwhelming passion for music, Breakthrough Frequencies is able to paint seemingly infinite sonic landscapes while maintaining a strong connection with their audience. Their recently released debut EP, "The Broadcast Begins" can be downloaded for free below.
Dear You: Indie post-punk from Hamden. Ex-Until We Fall.
Canvas is an indie rock band featuring Ryan from Call It Arson, Chino from The Distance, and Jay/Joe from The Lows. First show!
The Sleeping dates:
Dec 13, Allenstown, NH, US @ Ground Zero
Dec 14, Providence, RI, US @ Club Hell
Dec 15, Hamden, CT, US @ The Space w/Harvard
Dec 16, Baltimore, MD, US @ Ottobar w/Harvard
Dec 17, South Hackensack, NJ, US @ School Of Rock w/Sainthood Reps, Harvard
Dec 18, Warrenton, VA, US @ Warrenton Community Center w/Sainthood Reps, Harvard
Dec 19, Poughkeepsie, NY, US @ The Chance w/Sainthood Reps
Jan 1, London, - UK @ Purple Turtle
Jan 2, London, - UK @ Purple Turtle
Jan 3, Leeds, - UK @ The Well
Jan 4, Newcastle, - UK @ Northumbria University
Jan 5, Southampton, - UK @ Joiners
Jan 6, Hasselt, BE @ Muziek-O-Droom
Jan 7, Essen, - DE @ Cafe Nova
Jan 8, Cesena, - IT @ Vidia Club
Jan 9, Schio (Vicenza) - IT @ Mac 2
Jan 10, Stuttgart, - DE @ Juha West
Jan 11, Wiesbaden, - DE @ Schlachthof
Jan 12, Munchen, - DE @ Feierwerk
Jan 13, Wien, AT @ ARENA
Jan 14, Berlin, - DE @ Lovelite
Jan 15, Lichtenstein, DE @ JZ RIOT
Lord Fowl, Wizardry, and The Clearer
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Location:
Stella Blues
204 Crown Street
New Haven, CT
9:00pm - 21+ - No Cover
last.fm bio
Lord Fowl: Back in 2006, Vechel Jaynes and Donny Freeman had a conversation over drinks. They wanted to play music like the stuff they heard when they were younger. As kids they were enthralled by the arena acts of the 70’s (Cheap Trick, Queen, Kiss) and heavier underground acts such as Angelwitch and Motorhead, but also identified with the politics and ferocity of bands like The Clash and Black Flag. Adding the sounds of Motown and psychedelic protest they heard whilst in the womb, a decision was made.
They found a like-minded band mate in Mike Pellegrino, who was looking to depart from the sounds he made with Spring Heeled Jack, still a wildly popular band from the early 90’s. Vechel had grown weary of the uber- violent CT hardcore scene which he had played a vital role in (having played in 100 Demons and Jasta 14, a band that at one time included Hatebreed singer Jamey Jasta).
Lord Fowl was immediately thrust into the “stoner” category, but upon watching their live show, it’s hard to group them with some of the apathetic “hipster” bands they have shared a stage with. Lord Fowl jumps around. They perform. They are heavy but actually sing melodic vocal lines. And perhaps most importantly they care. They have retained a sense of outrage at the unjust world around them, an attitude that is common among people who grew up in the Reagan years.
Wizardry are a classic-ish low fantasy metal trio from Brooklyn who are into theatrics and play in costume. They have been around for a couple years, and have one s/t LP out. They spent most of this past November on the road with Mortals on their Get Wasted on Magic Tour.
bio from Forge Records
The Clearer: In 2009, Keith Shiv and Mike Mayo met again in a mid-30s couch surfing recession slump. They have been playing music (on and off) since high school in the 80s. Back in the day, Keith and Mike toured and recorded as Shiv from 1992 to 1996. They released two CDs and several seven inches and toured the US.
As The Clearer, Keith and Mike wrote amazing new songs, recruited Greg Sirianni to play guitar and Ryan Welcome on bass. The seven inch has four tunes recorded and engineered by Mike Mayo and mastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service. With head nodding beats and guitar amps cranked up to 10, The Clearer tightrope between obnoxiously loud and songwriting intelegencia.
Stella Blues
204 Crown Street
New Haven, CT
9:00pm - 21+ - No Cover
last.fm bio
Lord Fowl: Back in 2006, Vechel Jaynes and Donny Freeman had a conversation over drinks. They wanted to play music like the stuff they heard when they were younger. As kids they were enthralled by the arena acts of the 70’s (Cheap Trick, Queen, Kiss) and heavier underground acts such as Angelwitch and Motorhead, but also identified with the politics and ferocity of bands like The Clash and Black Flag. Adding the sounds of Motown and psychedelic protest they heard whilst in the womb, a decision was made.
They found a like-minded band mate in Mike Pellegrino, who was looking to depart from the sounds he made with Spring Heeled Jack, still a wildly popular band from the early 90’s. Vechel had grown weary of the uber- violent CT hardcore scene which he had played a vital role in (having played in 100 Demons and Jasta 14, a band that at one time included Hatebreed singer Jamey Jasta).
Lord Fowl was immediately thrust into the “stoner” category, but upon watching their live show, it’s hard to group them with some of the apathetic “hipster” bands they have shared a stage with. Lord Fowl jumps around. They perform. They are heavy but actually sing melodic vocal lines. And perhaps most importantly they care. They have retained a sense of outrage at the unjust world around them, an attitude that is common among people who grew up in the Reagan years.
Wizardry are a classic-ish low fantasy metal trio from Brooklyn who are into theatrics and play in costume. They have been around for a couple years, and have one s/t LP out. They spent most of this past November on the road with Mortals on their Get Wasted on Magic Tour.
bio from Forge Records
The Clearer: In 2009, Keith Shiv and Mike Mayo met again in a mid-30s couch surfing recession slump. They have been playing music (on and off) since high school in the 80s. Back in the day, Keith and Mike toured and recorded as Shiv from 1992 to 1996. They released two CDs and several seven inches and toured the US.
As The Clearer, Keith and Mike wrote amazing new songs, recruited Greg Sirianni to play guitar and Ryan Welcome on bass. The seven inch has four tunes recorded and engineered by Mike Mayo and mastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service. With head nodding beats and guitar amps cranked up to 10, The Clearer tightrope between obnoxiously loud and songwriting intelegencia.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Fake Babies - We Started Blues
Safety Meeting Records is releasing the Fake Babies debut full length, We Started Blues, on February 18, 2011. After cleaning all the damn hot chocolate off the preview disc that a certain someone spilled on it along with the now ruined one sheet that Shark Party mailed, I had myself a listen. Stupid me thought I wasn't going to enjoy this record.
Even if Fake Babies aren't at the creative heights of TV on the Radio or Prince, their mix of soulfulness, atmospherics, guitars, beats, blips, and a weird 80's-ish-pop-funk-rock-dance thing at least hints at underground nods toward both. They ad some raw meat into the hazy chillwave movement by going back a few steps to trip-hop, using sparse Tricky-like Maxinquaye rhythms. Smoked-up samplage, soul wrapped in blankets of synth in octaves rich, deep and high, they cruise into anxious abstract hip-hop territory and even use harsh industrial electronica in the vein of Cabaret Voltaire as if this was a perfectly obvious thing to do. But considering they had a drop dead gorgeous woman dancing around with a decapitated goat head for their video Sophisticated Thighs, how can anyone expect Fake Babies to give a shit what people think. They've thrown down a damn fine record that is suitable for swaying to in the corner of the room, or drinking yourself drunk while watching that lovely person swaying in the corner. An album people will fuck to for years to come.
Track Listing
2. Sophisticated Thighs
3. S T Dance
4. Get Loved
5. LA
6. Reprise
7. Do
8. Kill For Me
9. Blow Your Head Off
10. Belly
11. Live Without You
-A Fuzzy Rainbow production
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Freelance Whales and Miniature Tigers
Saturday, December 11, 2010, Asterisks Concerts presents
Location
Lilly's Pad (Toad's Place Upstairs)
300 York Street
New Haven, CT
9:00pm - All Ages - $12 Advance (BUY TICKETS NOW) $15 at the door
bio from band's website
Since their brief residency at the Farm Colony, Freelance Whales have taken to city streets, subway platforms, and stages with their swirling nostalgia. Many people who found them playing in those public spaces, managed to forget what train they were supposed to take; some of them forgot what language they originally spoke. And so, after playing in New York City, almost exclusively, for about a year, they embarked on their first tour of the United States, and Canada. They saw buffalos posted on hilltops, armies of windmills, and lots of lovely people who let the music run their blood in reverse.
last.fm bio:
Miniature Tigers’ sound was forged in the bedroom of frontman Charlie Brand, only to quickly outgrow the space, with the band soon finding itself on stage, in the studio and signed to Phoenix’s Modern Art Records in short order. Brand’s lyrics – a mix of deeply personal insights and playful references to the disparate cultural artifacts that have informed his existence – and effortlessly constructed indie-pop arrangements have made fans in his native Phoenix and beyond.
Freelance Whales dates:
December 7th El Mocambo Club / Toronto, ONT
December 8th La Sala Rossa / Montreal, QC
December 9th Middle East / Boston, MA
December 10th Iron Horse / Northampton, MA
December 11th Lily's Pad / New Haven, CT
December 14th Johnny Brenda’s / Philadelphia, PA
December 15th Webster Hall / New York, NY
Lilly's Pad (Toad's Place Upstairs)
300 York Street
New Haven, CT
9:00pm - All Ages - $12 Advance (BUY TICKETS NOW) $15 at the door
bio from band's website
Since their brief residency at the Farm Colony, Freelance Whales have taken to city streets, subway platforms, and stages with their swirling nostalgia. Many people who found them playing in those public spaces, managed to forget what train they were supposed to take; some of them forgot what language they originally spoke. And so, after playing in New York City, almost exclusively, for about a year, they embarked on their first tour of the United States, and Canada. They saw buffalos posted on hilltops, armies of windmills, and lots of lovely people who let the music run their blood in reverse.
last.fm bio:
Miniature Tigers’ sound was forged in the bedroom of frontman Charlie Brand, only to quickly outgrow the space, with the band soon finding itself on stage, in the studio and signed to Phoenix’s Modern Art Records in short order. Brand’s lyrics – a mix of deeply personal insights and playful references to the disparate cultural artifacts that have informed his existence – and effortlessly constructed indie-pop arrangements have made fans in his native Phoenix and beyond.
Freelance Whales dates:
December 7th El Mocambo Club / Toronto, ONT
December 8th La Sala Rossa / Montreal, QC
December 9th Middle East / Boston, MA
December 10th Iron Horse / Northampton, MA
December 11th Lily's Pad / New Haven, CT
December 14th Johnny Brenda’s / Philadelphia, PA
December 15th Webster Hall / New York, NY
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Hunnie Bunnies, Skimask, Fat History Month, florida=DEATH + more
Saturday, December 11, 2010:
Location:
The New Hawaii
139 South End Rd
Southington, CT
8:00 PM - Donations welcome, especially for the touring bands
Part of the Skimask / Hunnie Bunnies 2010 mini-tour (see dates below)
Hunnie Bunnies
Skimask
Fat History Month
florida=DEATH
Werewolf! Werewolf? Werewolf.
More TBA? Defective Fiction maybe? Heard something about chestnuts getting roasted during Werewolf! Werewolf? Werewolf. so bring your fire extinguisher.
Skimask / Hunnie Bunnies 2010 mini-tour:
Dec 7 Nightlight w/ SKIMASK Chapel Hill, NC
Dec 8 Magnolia w/ SKIMASK Charlottesville, VA
Dec 9 Party Expo w/ SKIMASK Brooklyn, NY
Dec 10 Bazooka Bazooka w/ SKIMASK Binghamton, NY
Dec 11 The New Hawaii w/ SKIMASK Southington, CT
Dec 12 The Firehouse w/ SKIMASK Worcester, MA
Dec 14 Haunted Casino w/SKIMASK Allston, MA
The New Hawaii
139 South End Rd
Southington, CT
8:00 PM - Donations welcome, especially for the touring bands
Part of the Skimask / Hunnie Bunnies 2010 mini-tour (see dates below)
Hunnie Bunnies
Skimask
Fat History Month
florida=DEATH
Werewolf! Werewolf? Werewolf.
More TBA? Defective Fiction maybe? Heard something about chestnuts getting roasted during Werewolf! Werewolf? Werewolf. so bring your fire extinguisher.
Skimask / Hunnie Bunnies 2010 mini-tour:
Dec 7 Nightlight w/ SKIMASK Chapel Hill, NC
Dec 8 Magnolia w/ SKIMASK Charlottesville, VA
Dec 9 Party Expo w/ SKIMASK Brooklyn, NY
Dec 10 Bazooka Bazooka w/ SKIMASK Binghamton, NY
Dec 11 The New Hawaii w/ SKIMASK Southington, CT
Dec 12 The Firehouse w/ SKIMASK Worcester, MA
Dec 14 Haunted Casino w/SKIMASK Allston, MA
Friday, December 3, 2010
Black Noise Scam, Murdervan, Sadplant, The Hempsteadys
Cherry Street Station
491 N Cherry Street Ext
Wallingford Center, CT
9:00pm - 21+ - No Cover
Bands:
Black Noise Scam
Murdervan
Sadplant
The Hempsteadys
Hear and see:
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Mountain Movers LP Apple Mountain
"The Story of Apple Mountain as told by The Mountain Movers" reads the text surrounding the circular map on the cover of the lyric booklet for Apple Mountain. The snow globe like world has its own markets, flora, fauna, labor and snowstorms. But the She and He of this story move through the distances and time of this mountainous landscape as thoughts passing through visions. The Mountain Movers welcome us in, as Dan Greene sings:
Betrothal was hid soft
in the iris and the heart.
Sadly they were kept apart
and their villages were blocked
by rival ideas and Apple Mountain.
She lived in Apple Quarry
and he lived in Orchard Village.
Both towns made their money
on the elevated orchards
that dotted all sides
of Apple Mountain.
Welcome to Apple Mountain.
Welcome to Apple Mountain.
The LP's closing song, Welcome To Apple Mountain (Reprise) grows over its four minutes from soaring organ and strolling bass into a Rune Lindblad style musique concrète collage. Working backwards from there, just before is the song They Hit the Curve, a brief Give Peace a Chance-like, albeit more intimate, acoustic stomp. The two places called "The Curve" on Apple Mountain's map are essentially opposite each other. It's hard not to wonder if hitting the curve means locking into the groove of a record, and the experience of shared listening.
Eyes locked
and thoughts merged
they hit the curve.
Eyes locked
and thoughts merged
they hit the curve.
As for that black sheen of blank vinyl of the fourth side - I first thought maybe an etching of the map of Apple Mountain would have been appropriate to decorate this emptiness, but this void suggests that inexplicable part of being, the period before birth and after death. Three sides, beginning, middle and end, with that one fourth place forever hidden from life.
she said, "How did you get here?"
He said, "I know where you are
but I want to know where you're going."
Available from The Mountain Movers' very own Car Crash Avoiders label.
2LP record with lyric/picture book + CD (CCA003) $22.99 FREE shipping in USA
(Fourth full length release by The Mountain Movers. Limited Edition of 250.)
Here is “The Soil Under the Ground”
Here is “He Descended Transfigured”
Track list:
1. Seed 0:20
2. Welcome To Apple Mountain 1:25
3. Root 0:11
4. Soil Under the Ground 1:11
5. The Quarry Below 2:59
6. Branch 0:22
7. He Set His House On Fire 1:58
8. Detached And Lying Down 4:51
9. Kiss of White 4:26
10. The Mountain and the Moon 2:46
11. Leaf 0:32
12. It Began To Snow 5:32
13. He Descended Transfigured 2:08
14. The Rivers Are Black 5:29
15. Blossom 1:17
16. She Ascended Transfigured 2:09
17. Somewhere Imaginary 1:49
18. In Their Hands 9:30
19. They Hit the Curve 0:38
20. Welcome To Apple Mountain (Reprise) 4:06
PS I Love You, Holiday Shores, Ghostwaves, Darlingside
Sunday, December 5 2010, Manic Productions and Ampeater present
Location:
Daniel Street
21 Daniel Street
Milford, CT
8:00pm - 21+ - $8
Buy tickets now or pick them up at Redscroll Records
Paperbag Bio
PS I Love You have been extremely busy over the past couple of years having already released two acclaimed 7″ singles. The first was a split 7″ with friend Diamond Rings in August of 2009. Earlier this year, the band released a 7″ for ‘Starfield’ before wowing audiences at their Canadian Music Week and NXNE showcases. Recently, the band has shared the stage with the hottest indie acts including label-mates Born Ruffians as well as Japandroids and Wavves.
PS I Love You was originally the solo project for multi-instrumentalist Paul Saulnier who has performed in everything from a country-rock band to an improvised noise duo. PS I Love You was intended to be his experimental, pop music outlet using guitar looping pedals, keyboards with some gadgets and gimmicks. The addition of Benjamin Nelson on drums suddenly transformed PS I Love You’s little songs into mini, soaring rock anthems.
Manic's blurbs
Holiday Shores: Songwriter Nathan Pemberton grew up on Holiday Shores Court, a two-block road located on the Florida panhandle. With breaking waves and sandy beaches nearby, he began playing piano at age seven and picked up the guitar several years later, leading to a number of memberships in teenage bands and college groups. The geography of his home turf continued to inspire his writing, though, and he launched Holiday Shores in his early twenties, rounding out the band’s lineup with Josh Martin, Ryan O'Malley, and Peejay Perez de Alejo. The group made its studio debut in 2009 with the release of Columbus’d the Whim, a collection of lo-fi, summery pop songs.
Ghostwaves: Hartford, CT (via Ibiza, Spain) dream pop/chillwave.
Darlingside is a Northampton, MA-based "string rock" quintet that is exploding onto stages across the Northeast. Together only a year, they have already played to packed houses from Portland to D.C., headlining such prestigious venues as Iron Horse, Brooklyn Bowl and the Paramount Theatre. Lush five-part harmonies, classical cello-violin duets and compelling break-beats characterize the band's sound. Darlingside keeps audiences on their toes with exuberant stage presence, spontaneous a cappella, frequent instrument switches, mind-boggling covers and a widely eclectic, cross-genre blend of original material.
Daniel Street
21 Daniel Street
Milford, CT
8:00pm - 21+ - $8
Buy tickets now or pick them up at Redscroll Records
Be sure to check out the Ampeater Review of PS I Love You (AEM027)
Paperbag Bio
PS I Love You have been extremely busy over the past couple of years having already released two acclaimed 7″ singles. The first was a split 7″ with friend Diamond Rings in August of 2009. Earlier this year, the band released a 7″ for ‘Starfield’ before wowing audiences at their Canadian Music Week and NXNE showcases. Recently, the band has shared the stage with the hottest indie acts including label-mates Born Ruffians as well as Japandroids and Wavves.
PS I Love You was originally the solo project for multi-instrumentalist Paul Saulnier who has performed in everything from a country-rock band to an improvised noise duo. PS I Love You was intended to be his experimental, pop music outlet using guitar looping pedals, keyboards with some gadgets and gimmicks. The addition of Benjamin Nelson on drums suddenly transformed PS I Love You’s little songs into mini, soaring rock anthems.
Manic's blurbs
Holiday Shores: Songwriter Nathan Pemberton grew up on Holiday Shores Court, a two-block road located on the Florida panhandle. With breaking waves and sandy beaches nearby, he began playing piano at age seven and picked up the guitar several years later, leading to a number of memberships in teenage bands and college groups. The geography of his home turf continued to inspire his writing, though, and he launched Holiday Shores in his early twenties, rounding out the band’s lineup with Josh Martin, Ryan O'Malley, and Peejay Perez de Alejo. The group made its studio debut in 2009 with the release of Columbus’d the Whim, a collection of lo-fi, summery pop songs.
Ghostwaves: Hartford, CT (via Ibiza, Spain) dream pop/chillwave.
Darlingside is a Northampton, MA-based "string rock" quintet that is exploding onto stages across the Northeast. Together only a year, they have already played to packed houses from Portland to D.C., headlining such prestigious venues as Iron Horse, Brooklyn Bowl and the Paramount Theatre. Lush five-part harmonies, classical cello-violin duets and compelling break-beats characterize the band's sound. Darlingside keeps audiences on their toes with exuberant stage presence, spontaneous a cappella, frequent instrument switches, mind-boggling covers and a widely eclectic, cross-genre blend of original material.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Show Review: Cruel Hand, Backtrack, Hate Your Guts
Words and images by Kyle Niland:
Saturday, November 28th was a good day in Connecticut hardcore.
More often then not you will get to a show around the scheduled door time and walk into a venue with a few of your friends sitting around anticipating the start of the show with not one unfamiliar face in sight. Although on this night, I had the pleasant surprise of seeing a lot of people there for the show who I have never seen before. This may not seem like a big deal but when you have been to shows where you could count the number of people in the room that weren't in bands on both hands it is like Christmas came early. The room proceeded to fill out making for what would be a great show for the bands and attendees alike. The clock struck 7:00 and the local kings of core "Hate Your Guts" took the floor. If you're not familiar with these handsome young gentleman, they could be described as a near perfect blend of "Justice Replaced By Revenge" era "Ringworm" and Connecticut's own "Hatebreed". "Hate Your Guts" proceeded to set the pace for the evening by getting the crowd moving within the first song. The room could be seen as an unstoppable wave of human bodies smashing into everything that wasn't already moving. The action did not cease after the first song. The kids planned on having their say this night. Nothing was going to stop them from reacting to the vicious combination of riffs and drum beats being produced by drummer Chris Loso and lead guitar player Pat Serpe. On the forefront, vocalist Rob Anderson leading the onslaught with his brash and abrasive vocal stylings. The band ripped through song after song, slaying the crowd with each and every note being played. The reaction put forth by the crowd will forever leave an impression on the ones in the room who were not familiar with the band's work. I promise that more then a few people left the room as new fans of "Hate Your Guts".
In what seemed like no time at all, Long Island hardcore all stars "Backtrack" were all set up and ready to show us there interpretation of the NYHC sound that most of us all know and love. Let me say they live up to the name. Blending all of the best qualities of bands such as "Killing Time", "Sick Of It All", and "Madball". They pummeled the audience with real stripped down hardcore, the way it should be done. The crowd was reluctant to move their feet to the Long Island beat at first but a couple songs in, the kids responded to the riffs being thrown in their faces with a sudden and violent response. The band ripped through their set playing songs off their latest 7" "Deal with the Devil". To truly understand the buzz around this band, you need to see them live for the full experience. Learn a great lesson in where hardcore has came from being taught by a band fresh out of Long Island.
The time had came for the headlining band to take the floor, Cruel Hand. A band that makes sounding like Metallica, Obituary, and, Madball all at the same time seem like a simple task. They opened their set up with a couple tracks off of their newest musical endeavor, "Lock and Key" (Out now on Bridge 9 records). The audience seemed content with banging their heads along to the first few songs. Eventually they hit the point on the set list with the more recognizable material and the stuff that really got everyone's blood pumping. The band went into "Begin Descension" sending the room into a frenzy. The energy in the crowd could only be matched by the singer of Cruel Hand's perfectly executed stage moves. Cruel Hand did not disappoint the crowd, jamming a few new songs but keeping it real by throwing in a few older classics. I really feel like they're doing it for the kids. They closed out their set by playing their hit song "Life in Shambles" and I don't think anyone could have asked for anything else. This show should not have been a disappointment anyone in the Connecticut scene. We can only hope this is a sign of good things to come for the future.
