JEFF The Brotherhood coming to The Space

While their name might be a little bit misleading, because there are no Jeffs in the band, brothers Jake (guitar/vocal) and Jamin (drums) Orrall play a stripped down version of garage rock that touches on punk, glam, psycehedelia, power pop and 70’s hard rock. While some people say they the duo sounds like Weezer, to these older and more seasoned ears, I hear traces of the Ramones, Cheap Trick and a whole bunch of bearded anonymous 70’s riff mongers in their sound. Whatever you want to call it, they take all these cool influences and turn it into one energetic and thoroughly enjoyable racket.

To put it bluntly, this shit rocks.

On their newest record (and fifth overall) entitled “We Are The Champions”, which was released through the duo’s own Infinity Cat Recordings, they bring the rock early and often giving a listener an infectious jolt of rock n roll, that’s sure to tickle the their pleasure centers.

Opener “Hey Friend” builds off a primitive, yet effective, beat from Jamin and adds a psychedelic, Middle Easter sounding guitar riff to the mix as Jake sings about loving your mom… and dad. “Cool Out” is a Ramones-like speed workout, while “Bummer” piles on epic and catchy rawk riffs. “Shredder” lives up to its name, as the band plays fast and furious with a riff that is eerily reminiscent of Turbonegro in their “Apocalypse Dudes” hey day. This one just accelerates and accelerates until it explodes in your lap. “Ripper” quite frankly, rips with its combo of punk speed and groove laden riff breakdowns, while “Diamond Way” is pure power pop bliss. Closer “Wastoid Girl” merges all that is good about the band’s sound into one rousing finale. (They also made a very cool video of this song, which will hopefully be featured below. One thing though, it does contain some nudity.)

What’s even more amazing about the duo, is that Jake only plays with three strings on his guitar and Jamin uses just three drums and three cymbals. It’s interesting how they can turn this minimalism into maximum rock’n’roll and have been doing so since they started playing together in their hometown of Nashville back in 2002.

So here’s a chance to see a really excellent band in a nice intimate performance space. Still, this band does sound like they would go better with booze, and The Space, is alcohol free, but no problem, you can just cross the parking lot to the Outer Space and get your drink on if you are so inclined.

So, what are you waiting for?



Manic Productions Presents:
JEFF The Brotherhood
Colleen Green
Ovlov
Dead Wives

Friday, September 2, 2011
The Space
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden, CT

BUY TICKETS NOW or buy them at Redscroll Records

7:00pm - $10 – All Ages and 21+ to drink in the Outer Space

Also playing:

"Green One" is Colleen Green's first release for Hardly Art! Four tracks of lovely, catchy, fuzzy songs that range from 80s pop goulash to psychedelic drone; from 90s power punk to homemade Sebadoh-style songs of heartache.

Ovlov is an alternative grunge rock band based out Newtown, Ct. As Steve and Dave's previous band, Home Movies, had finally come to its slow but certain demise, they decided to pick up where they left off with a heavier take on the pop rock scene, and a new name, of course. Priding themselves on being the loudest band in the room, Ovlov craft alternative rock songs that are smart and infectious. They may wear their influences on their sleeve, but that shouldn’t suggest that they’re simply retreading old territory. The grunge elements are all there, but they’re rearranged in a way that feels fresh. Ovlov perform their songs with such infectious energy and enthusiasm that you’ll banish any thought of this being some winking, ironic tribute to the sounds of yesteryear. If anything, they are carrying that lo-fi torch into the future.

Dead Wives started in 2007, inspired by songwriters such as Robert Pollard and Lou Barlow to compile a vast musical catalog. Their fifth and most recent demo tape was completed in summer 2010, with more apparently on the way, all of which heavily incorporate the muddiness of 80’s proto-grunge. Dead Wives' current lineup formed in 2009, a dynamic 3-piece including members of Ovlov and The Screw-Ups. Some initial reviews described the music as “skate-rock,” a tag the band has proudly adopted. Their “Scuz Bucket” EP was self-released in February 2011.

Heavy Breath Record Release Party w/My Fictions, Yeller, Canvas, Dagwood

Friday, August 26, 2011

Location:
Branford American Legion
243 North Main Street
Branford, CT

$8 - doors 6:30, show at 7:00

FB event page


Malcolm Tent will be there (once again) selling records with Trash American Style.

The Fresh Cut (Chuck Fresh) will be providing the sounds you hear between bands.

Heavy Breath celebrate the release of Ugly Americans on August 26th, out on Get Young Records. The A side is their new Ugly Americans EP (recorded in June with Jay Maas at the Getaway Group) with their debut EP Synthemesc Dreams on side B.

I was lucky enough to hear all of Ugly Americans shortly after talking up Heavy Breath's July 22nd show. Their track Real Man felt to me like the band was going into more conventional territory, becoming more accessible. Kilian sent me the EP to prove otherwise. My mistake, since the full EP isn't like that at all, and Real Man's accessibility is necessary in the context of the rest of the songs, being essentially a flagship track railing against gender-based violence. The overall theme of the EP, summed up with the final lyric of the EP asking, "What do you stand for?" points to how high the bullshit has been piled in our country, from the economy to our politics. So Heavy Breath is keeping the counter-argument of political hardcore alive, even while facing the fact that the effort might be an exercise in futility. The one exception is their nod to Gaspar Noé's film Enter the Void in the song by the same name. A view of existence through a disembodied drugged consciousness on the one hand, and a search for rebirth on the other, I wonder if it's not the hopeful nature of Heavy Breath asking with this song if life isn't all for nothing.

The E.Ps will be available in red, white or blue vinyl - 100 of each color. The first 25 pre-orders come with a cassette copy of the LP.



Playing with them:

My Fictions (melodic hardcore from MA, check out their awesome new EP I Want Nothing!)

Yeller (Johnny Clarke and an acoustic guitar, Gravity Collective)

Canvas (members of Call it Arson, Stab You, The Distance, Cold Snap, GYR)

Dagwood/a> (rock and roll featuring members of Fire First and Heavy Breath)

D-Beat til you die with Victims

Some would say that punk rock is more relevant today than it has ever been, due to the current crazy state of the world with its economic crisises, wars and rioting. Of course, one has to dig below the current glut of mainstream punk or mall punk that is clogging up the airwaves and head directly for the underground where most of the exciting and edgy music is being made.

“Punk rock and hardcore are still relevant as underground entertainment, yes. As long as bands push the boundaries a bit it’s still interesting, I don’t know in what sense it’s relevant? For rebellious teenagers? Probably. I hope so,” said Swedish d-beat heroes Victims guitarist/vocalist Jon Lindqvist.

He does know what he’s talking because Victims have been blowing eardrums and minds since they formed in 1997 and it seems like they are not slowing down for anyone. They’ve just released an excellent new album, “A Dissident” and are in the midst of another North American tour, one that will take them to the Cherry Street Station in Wallingford this Wednesday. These guys are veterans and pros at what they do, and they clearly enjoy what they do.

“I think we all have a common love to play together, or else we'd have quit the band years ago. We also write (to us at least) interesting music,” said Lindqvist
The band play a style of music that is known as d-beat hardcore which usually mixes the ferocity of Discharge (that’s where the “D” in “D-beat” comes from) and the metal leanings of Motorhead. It’s a raucous sound one that definitely takes no prisoners. While some bands would get away from labeling Lindqvist knows what they are and what they do well.

“The similarity is that all records are based on the mighty D-beat, but on every record I think Victims had a BIT of a different take on playing D-beat-hardcore. We definitely became a bit more melodic, but also a bit more focused in our songwriting,” said Lindqvist.

“A Dissident” is a scorching follow up to their “Killers” album. The running time might be double of the last disc, but the band manages to make it a tight and killer 30 minute ride that showcases their ferocity, while letting some hooks sink in along with the odd ripping guitar solo. It will hit the pleasure spots of people who like their punk fast and hard.

The band, which also features Johan Erikkson (vocals/bass), Andy Henriksson (drums) and Gareth Smith, ex-Raging Speedhorn, (guitar) follows in a long line of killer extreme punk and metal bands that hail from Sweden. In fact, it wouldn’t be too far off base to say that Sweden has the most killer bands per capita than any other country in the world. And a lot of these bands are angry and loud, which would seem a little weird, in a country where the populace seems to enjoy a pretty good standard of living. Where does this anger come from?

“I get this question all the time, and it’s such a hard question to answer. I think that much of the reason we've had a good music export since I'd say ABBA, is the convenience with getting state-owned rehearsal spaces. So, blame it on socialism, hahaha,” said Linqvist.

There you have it. Blame Entombed and their ilk on socialism. Just don’t tell any Tea Party members, or Republican punks, because that might not be what they want to hear.

Well, regardless of your political views, it’s worth it to come down to Cherry on Wednesday and witness one the best underground punk bands, doing what they do best, which is lay waste to a club.

Manic Productions and Catamount Productions Presents:
Victims
Northless
Misanthropic Noise
Katahdin
Krakatoa
Wednesday August 17
Cherry Street Station
491 North Cherry Street Ext
Wallingford, CT
7:00 pm - $8 – 21+ Tickets

Vampire Belt, Jon Eriksen, DJ set by Shaki

from the Vampire Belt/Magik Markers 2008 split on Not Not Fun Records

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Location:
Popeye's Garage
50 Goffe Street
New Haven, CT

All Ages - 7PM - $8 dollars


Vampire Belt: Merciless free scene duo Chris Corsano and Bill Nace.



Jon Eriksen is a visual artist / noise-ician.



Shaki spins you in.


Vampire Belt times 6=

Aug 8 at Problem House in Allston, MA. With Keith Fullerton Whitman, Duck That, Keiichi Hashimoto.
Aug 9 at Gallery X in New Bedford, MA. 169 William St.
Aug 10 at Heldeberg House in Albany, NY. With Burnt Hills.
Aug 11 at The Stone in NYC. 8pm.
Vampire Belt / Evans-Corsano Duo - Aug 12 at Highwire Gallery in Philadelphia, PA. With Michael Evans solo, Julius Masri.
Aug 13 at Popeye's Garage in New Haven, CT. All Ages. $7. With Jon Eriksen, DJ set by Shaki.
Aug 14 at Flywheel in Easthampton, MA. 8pm. $6. With Big Nils, Matt Krefting.

The Guru, Teens Across the North, Girls in the Boy Scouts

Saturday, August 13, 2011, Elm City Popfest presented by CT Indie with a high-five to the Indie Night @ the Oak crew:

Location:
Charter Oak Cultural Center
21 Charter Oak Ave
Hartford, CT

All Ages - 8 PM - $6 or only $5 w/ a canned good donation for Hartford Food Not Bombs

FB Event page

The Guru: maybe more fIREHOSE than Minutemen, this drummer-fronted spazzpop band is making waves around here with their youthful Isaac Brock-like vocals and busy guitar gymnastics.



from the FB event page:
Teens Across the North is a Northampton supergroup of sorts. Featuring Jason Bourgeois, Ken Maiuri, Stephen Gallo and Blyth B. They play “small apartment pop” that’s low on volume and high on melodic dazzle, with harmonies, spirited playing and a creative instrumental palette (toy piano, ukulele, glockenspiel, electric piano, guitars, bass and homestyle percussion).




Girls in the Boy Scouts are by turns sweet pop and free punk, a playful identity crisis of a band. With members Matt and Meghan moving away, not sure how often we will get to see these guys play anymore.

Bird or Leaf by Girls in the Boy Scouts

Indie Night At The Oak 8/12/11

This Friday night, three Connecticut bands will be playing at the Charter Oak Cultural Center. The bands are

Wry out of New Haven



The Gentle Stunts out of Berlin



The Inclined Plane from Hartford.




The show starts at 8:00pm and it costs $6 to get in or $5 with the contribution of canned goods for Hartford Food Not Bombs.

Register Session with Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps

This Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Words: Jordan Fenster

Want to hear some awesome live and local music but don’t feel like going out on a Wednesday night? Well, we’re making your hump-day a bit more groovy. If you got an internet connection, you got front row seats.

New Haven’s own Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps — experts in traditional music of all kinds — will be the featured performer at the Register Session, to be broadcast live, online, Wednesday at 6 p.m., for free, at NewHavenRegister.com and its partner site, CTIndie.com.

Dr. Caterwaul, which consists of Adam Matlock on accordion, Brian Slattery on fiddle and banjo, Nathan Bontrager on cello and percussionist Mike Paolucci, plays a variety of traditional music — Gypsy or Romani, klezmer, African-based, traditional American and more. The band will also be taking questions from the public during their set.
Dr. Caterwaul goes live online at 6 p.m. Wednesday at NewHavenRegister.com and CTIndie.com.

Hell House

Unfortunately everything in my house is deciding to break, fail, flood, crack, and fry at once. Either a portal to another dimension is slowly opening, or I simply let things go too long because I was totally caught up with our great local music community. Or both. Busy with that distraction until further notice.

Keep the noise going on the fanpage!

The Tyler Trudeau Attempt, Dead Wives, Celebrated Tigers

Saturday, August 6, 2011, Pre-Festival Warm-up show

Elm Bar
372 Elm Street
New Haven

$3.00 - 21+ - 9:00pm

This year's Elm City PopFest has an interesting variety of bands, with shows scheduled at BAR, Cafe Nine, and Popeye's Garage, and even Manic Productions, NHM, and yours truly (a Hartford pre-fest show) have chipped in to help out.

The ball gets rolling with this antipasto show at Elm Bar...

all bios via ECPF wordpress

The Tyler Trudeau Attempt are no strangers to rock and roll stages all over the northeast. Originally a solo home recording project began during Trudeau’s high school years, The Tyler Trudeau Attempt has been a gigging live band for over half a decade. The band includes current and former members of Connecticut bands Apse/ERAAS, The Cavemen Go and Shark. The Attempt has a catchy power-pop sound and lyrics you’ll find yourself singing for days. The band makes musical nods to Elvis Costello, Richard Hell, The Modern Lovers, The Ramones and more.




Dead Wives are a 3-piece self-described “skate rock” band. The band has five demos and one proper EP under their belt. The “Scuz Bucket” EP received local praise earlier this year.




New Haven’s Celebrated Tigers play “enjoyable indie rock.” According to their Facebook page, “In addition to nature and human experience, we also like Neil Young and The Pixies.” Their latest release, the full length, “Year of The Tiger,” resulted in a packed house at The Outer Space and landed them a coveted spot on a Wednesday night show at BAR opening for The Shivers.