Category Archives: Music

Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review

Tom Gabel – Heart Burns – EP Review

11 February, 2009 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Tom Gabel had a busy 2008. Not only did the front man of Against Me! headline the Van’s Warped Tour with his associates all summer long but he also recorded his own solo EP called Heart Burns and toured solo on the Revival Tour this past fall in support of it. The seven song EP was released under Sire records and has Tom Gabel taking things under his control, making for a good listen.

Tom Gabel playing at the Vans Warped Tour in Cleveland 2008

Just in case you didn’t know, Tom Gabel was Against Me! from the get go. He started the band at age 16 all by himself and played acoustical shows in support of his first release the Acoustical EP. In a nutshell, his success with his solo material, which came from years of hard work and dedication, soon turned into the band Against Me! many are now familiar with. Hoards of fans have eaten up many of their albums that incorporated folk with punk rock and high sing along qualities. The rest is history.

Of course that history includes the heartbreak of many dedicated fans when Against Me! went so called “corporate” and signed to a nation label. They released the radio friendly New Wave, one of the band’s most successful releases to date. Tom Gabel and his band mates were called sellouts for what they did but, regardless of their decision making, they have moved on with new fans all over the world and seem to handle being seen in the spotlight quite well.

Now why Tom Gabel chose to do another solo album remains to be determined. Some may think he wanted to stray away from the band to focus on his individual talent while others think he went back to his roots as an apology to all of those die-hard fans.

Regardless why he chose to do the Heart Burns EP, I was looking forward to it, as I became a fan of all of his material once I finally pushed aside the hype and decided to actually listen to the band. The first time I was told about Against Me! I wanted nothing to do with them. I hated them without ever giving them a chance. Soon thereafter I was working at a record store and a little scenester girl I worked with played the CD and I was hooked. I have since seen Against Me! live every time they come to my city. They put on an amazing show.

Leading up to the EP’s release, Tom Gabel took use of networking wonders MySpace and released one man performance videos for each song released from the EP. The videos were just a taste of the EP with rough cut versions of politically charged songs and were visually pleasing. Check out Tom Gabel’s MySpace page if you want a taste of them and while you are at it, check out a previous blog I posted with some other videos there for your viewing pleasure. (I also posted a couple of my favs at the bottom of this blog…)

After seeing the videos I figured this EP would in fact be a collection of those mostly acoustical songs and nothing more. When “Random Hearts” started with electronic beats leading to Tom Gabel’s trademark raspy singing I realized this was something entirely different. My initial taste of Tom Gabel’s new solo material sounded like Against Me! meets The Faint without all the dancing.

The following “Conceptual Paths” added elements of folk with very mild reverb on his voice at times. I loved this song and to think I just stared playing the CD. “Cowards Sing At Night” humored me; it was clearly about John McCain as the song ended “your war is over Johnny”. The simple indie rock riffs kept the song flowing

“Amputations” seriously reminded me of classic garage rock with its heavy on guitar distortion. At one moment I am reminded of “Ballroom Blitz” with the way Tom Gabel sings “There’s no heat between lovers and a summer night.” Perhaps if you hear the song you will know what I am talking about. Aside from the sweet similarity, the song is incredible and by the end you are surrounded by the trademark Against Me! group signing. The song was initially played by Against Me! acoustically last March at in-store events causing a lot of fans to question if the song happened to be a New Wave b-side.

Just when I thought I could not be more impressed by this EP “Anna Is A Stool Pigeon” came on. The lyrics, a hidden secret love story revolving around an activist guy who fell in love with an undercover FBI agent unknowingly, were an adventure alone. Chuck Ragan from Hot Water Music added back up vocals and harmonica kept my interest. Butch Vig from Garbage, who also is the executive producer of the EP, even added his drumming skills to pull together one hell of a track.

This EP is continuing evidence that Tom Gabel is to be heard by many regardless if he does it on his own or with Against Me!. I have high expectations for his musical career and I see him not slowing down anytime soon. You don’t have to like Against Me! to enjoy the Heart Burns EP. Sure it has its sing along moments and for the most part sounds like Against Me!. I am sure all the die hard will rave about it, or bitch about it for the sake of it not being Against Me!, but it is a genuine effort and to be enjoyed by all.

Music, Pop, Punk, Reunion

Blink 182 To Reunite

8 February, 2009 Brian Mc 4 Comments

Pop punk is back…well it never went anywhere but today pop punk pioneers Blink 182 announced at the Grammy Awards that they were getting back together. Perhaps the near death experience that drummer Travis Barker lived to tell brought the three back together. Regardless, I am excited. I like them boys, they make me laugh.

Taken from ALTpress.com:

BLINK-182 REUNITE!
Posted by Tim Karan on 08-Feb-09 @ 09:14 PM

Pop-punk legends Blink-182 are reuniting. Vocalist/guitarist Tom DeLonge, bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker made the announcement Sunday night as presenters at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Barker said, “We used to play music together, and we decided we’re gonna play music together again.” Hoppus said, “Blink-182 is back.”

Blink-182 went on indefinite hiatus in 2005, leading to the formation of DeLonge’s Angels & Airwaves and Hoppus and Barker’s (+44). The new album will be the band’s sixth full-length and their first since their self-titled 2003 album.

UPDATED 10:17 P.M. EST: The band has concurrently posted a message at their website stating that they are currently in the studio writing and recording a record. “Summer 2009” is also mentioned, implying either a release of that record or perhaps a tour. The band also have new merch for sale.

UPDATED 10:22 P.M. EST:
Here is the band’s statement in full:

“Hi. We’re blink-182. This past week there’ve been a lot of questions about the current status of the band, and we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To put it simply, We’re back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy.

Summer 2009.
Thanks and get ready…”

Live Shows, Music, Photography

Local Battle

8 February, 2009 Brian Mc 7 Comments

Last night I was invited to see a co-worker’s band at the Outpost in Kent, OH. The band’s name is The Heights Band and they were participating in a battle of the bands with other local artists. The battle called the Saw Kick “Back To School” Battle Of The Bands was put on by local music lovers FTF Concerts & Promoters and Saw Kick Media.

I’ll be honest and tell you that last night I had no idea what to expect. When I hear the words “Battle Of The Bands” I can only think about Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. I think of high school rock offs, an immature event full of young kids running around with balloons. Ok, no balloons. Seriously though I was not expecting much for the night.

I never had heard of my co-worker’s material before but did hear good things about them by word of mouth in the office. Based upon that I pretty much showed up for the The Heights Band as well as meet up with some of my fellow office zombies. I had also promised said co-worker in band that I would do my best to photograph his band’s live performance.

Before I even begin to recap the night I will confess that I did not stay for the whole thing so I will only talk about a couple of the bands I saw including the band I had intents on seeing.

The Outpost was crowded when I showed up, something I did not expect at all. I really had visions of pulling in to an empty parking lot with just a handful of folk hanging out. When I saw the amount of vehicles in the parking lot I started thinking that I might need to begin to expect a little more.

$7.00 at the door and I was in. I arrived right as the first act started playing, All Or Nothing. These kids had Warped Tour written all over them. Very scene, very emo, a little punk, and I admit, some of their songs were pretty entertaining. I got a huge kick out of the cover of “Johnny B. Goode” they dished out. I was not the only one who thought that way.

My co-worker’s band The Heights Band took stage and blew me away. I was very impressed with their performance and immediately sensed who the winner was going to be that night without even seeing the rest of the bands. Their mix of southern rock, garage rock, and blues really hit the spot. They looked very comfortable on stage and for the first time that night the floor was full of people rocking out. Their set ended with me wanting a lot more.

Professor Greenhouse was the last band I saw perform before I packed up and headed home. The folk/bluegrass was very appealing and a shocker. I was not expecting a band quite like Professor Greenhouse to be at a battle of the bands. I have a feeling if this band can keep it up they will be going places but given the performance by The Heights Band just prior I did not see the folk act taking home a win that night.

I actually said my goodbyes and took off before Professor Greenhouse finished so I was not sure who won that last night but I did discover the my initial gut feeling was right and The Heights Band took the win that night and are headed to the finals. Good for them.

It was nice to rock out to an evening of local bands. I really don’t do that much anymore these days. It was a reminder that I should check out more local acts in my surrounding area and see what is out there. Not only are they cheap shows usually but also proof how much talent that hides out there unless you are looking for it.

Here are some of the pics I took last night of The Heights Band:

Live Shows, Music

Bonnaroo 2009 Plans

6 February, 2009 Brian Mc 1 Comment

Bonnaroo 2009 is on.

So after talking to my good friends Matt and Adam, the gentlemen I have attended the last two Virgin Mobile Festivals with, we agreed to switch up tradition a tad. This year we thought we would start off our summer with a bang by hitting up Bonnaroo 2009.

I just posted the Bonnaroo 2009 line up the other day and you can view that HERE. From what I saw I was overly excited. NIN, Beastie Boys, Coheed & Cambria, Elvis Costello, Snoop Dogg, Jenny Lewis…the list goes on. The biggest acts announced would have to be Phish who will be playing two sets (and I could care less) and also someone who I have wanted to see live for years, the boss, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band will be there.

Needless to say the line up is incredible. I still do not think it can top the 2006 line up with Radiohead, Beck, Tom Petty, and Ben Folds just to mention a couple, but it comes in at a close second. Of course that will be determined once I am on site at the farm grounds enjoying myself.

Last night while deciding if I could afford it I decided to check out nearby hotels. You see, I am what they call a metrosexual of sorts (nothing extreme) and I am ok with it. I don’t camp anymore and I need to look my best and smell my best daily. I admit it, I take care of myself. There is no way in hell I could camp out for four long hot days in a tent surrounded by 80,000 people most of which party until the sun comes up That is not my style. I need A/C, I need a soft bed, and most of all I need internet so I can update all you wonderful readers of my adventures.

Just thinking about my past adventures in 2006 made me want to go even more. I decided that this year would be a Bonnaroo year.

Before a ticket was even purchased, I found a hotel and booked it immediately. The hotel is about 40 miles south of the festival grounds and happens to be a Holiday Inn. In 2006 when I first went to Bonnaroo my friends and I stayed in a dump hotel called Executive Suites, it was gross. In 2007 when my friends and I went to Baltimore to see the Virgin Festival we found a Motel 6 to stay in. One of the beds was missing from the room and the other had a huge hole in it. At that moment I declared never again would I stay in a dump motel. Nothing but the best for me and my friends.

I know it is going to be hot, humid, hopefully not rainy, and also amazing. I look forward to being surrounded by all sorts of people and checking out a huge array of musical talent. I know that when there is nothing going on at one stage tent, that you can move on and find another. You can also visit the merchants inside Centeroo (gated area where the bands play) as well as venture out into the camping grounds to check out other vendors.

It’s a controlled environment even if many of the attendees are on not-so-much controlled substances. The main party starts around noon and sometimes goes all the way till 4am. There is a good vibe throughout the day that I can not wait to be surrounded in again. I also know that when it is late and I am tired I can go back to a hotel for the night and catch up on sleep well away from the partying.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow. Once the ticket is purchased we have 4 months until showtime!

If anyone else is planning on going, let me know.

Here’s some pics I took (well before I had a good camera) from the 2006 Bonnaroo:

Some of the only running water found on the camp grounds.

Heading out to the camp grounds to look for vendors.

Oh, in case you are wondering about the hotel room in 2007, I made some ads of my own and sent them to Motel 6. Enjoy:

70's, Death, Music, Music Video, Psychobilly, Punk, Rockabilly

Death: Frontman of The Cramps Lux Interior – 1946-2009

5 February, 2009 Brian Mc Leave a comment

I found out about this the other day and finally had a chance to sit down and write something…

The Cramps lead man Lux Interior passed away on 02/04/09 from an existing heart condition. This is a huge loss in the music world regardless if you know who the Cramps are or not. This band has influenced many bands from the Horrorpops to the White Stripes and have been credited with staring a new genre of music.

The Cramps were a garage punk band that incorporated heavy doses of rockabilly into their style. Their music had been credited with kick starting the psychobilly genre as well as garage punk. Their lyrical content was not for the faint of hear with references revolved around sexy innuendos, horror movies, humor, and white trash America. The live shows were erratic, raunchy, and mostly unforgettable.

Lux Interior (born in Stow, OH) started the band with his wife Poison Ivy in 1973 and were part of the CBGBs punk movement from the get go. The two met during their young travels, got hitched, and do what every American married couple does…head to NYC and form a punk band. Although Lux Interior and Poison Ivy were the only solid standing members, the band put out over a dozen releases in over twenty years.

I am saddened by the loss of one of the great pioneers of the punk rock movement and really feel left out that not once in my life did I have the opportunity to view them live. Thankfully there are folk out there who have seen The Cramps like and I am sure will be posting their memories throughout the internet.

Here is the official press release from The Cramps’ media, Girlie Action:

For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2009

Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away this morning due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST today. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.

The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. Lux was a fearless frontman who transformed every stage he stepped on into a place of passion, abandon, and true freedom. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly.

The family requests that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Lux Interior many have passed but his memories will last forever. My heart goes out to his wife and friends during this period of time.

If you have never heard a Cramps song before check out the video:

It reminds me a lot of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and is damn well amazing.

RIP Lux, you will be missed.

brokenheadphones.com