I still have a tough time believing that it has been a year since Tony Sly left this world. Sure, I did not know him personally, but I was pretty damn good pals with the music he wrote seeing how much I listened to it. To this day, I still listen to No Use For A Name as well as his acoustic material. It will forever be on my playlist.
I remember bumping shoulders with him backstage at a Cincinnati Warped Tour years ago where I was more concerned about how many beers I had consumed over taking in all that was going on around me. I was quick to apologize and he just smiled at me as he and the rest of his band headed to the stage to play some songs to a sea of fans. I recall taking in their set and telling my partner in crime that day how lucky I felt to have just seen them play live again.
On October 29th, Fat Wreck Chords will officially release The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute. This important release will include 26 covers of Tony Sly songs from Tony’s friends such as Bad Religion, Rise Against, Frank Turner, Anti-Flag, The Bouncing Souls, The Gaslight Anthem, and many many more. I am still waiting for more details on when the album can be pre-ordered and check FatWreck.com almost daily as I know the vinyl version of this will be something that will sell out quickly.
The good folk at Fat had this to say about the upcoming release: “We can’t express how much it means to us and Tony’s family that each of the artists and bands on this album took the time and effort to contribute such meaningful and interesting interpretations of Tony’s songs. All proceeds from this compilation will go to the Tony Sly Memorial Fund.”
Tony Sly passed away in his sleep on July 31st, 2012. He was 42 years old.
So the other day while saying goodbye to some friends at the local tattoo shop here in Las Cruces, my pal Walker asked me if I have ever heard of a band called Nancy. Of course I was quick to ask who Nancy was and before I even finished my sentence, he was jamming them throughout the whole shop.
I am completely obsessed with this band right now. Think Ramones and MC5 with some surf punk fun mixed in.
After taking a few moments to scour the internet to find out more about them, all I could find out was they hail from Wyoming. Other then that, I got nothing. Let’s hope that changes soon. In the mean time, check out this bitching band:
I remember the very first time I heard bluegrass/punk rockers Old Man Markley. I was amazed and intrigued at the same time and could only think, “where has this band been all my life?” The band puts together a perfect mix of genres I never really fathomed would work so well together, and the result has been in my weekly playlist for years now.
Earlier this year, the band dropped their sophomore release on Fat Wreck Chords titled Down Side Up. Where I was a fan of their 2011 debut Guts ‘n Teeth, their second album has really grown on me. From the ode to Gary Busey to the fun track about a certain lovable companion, the album is catchy, fun, and begs for repeat spins.
Having seen them live before, they have no problem winning new fans over. This seven-piece act is going places and are not to be overlooked.
Recently, I caught up with John E. Carey Jr. (lead vocals and guitar) and John Rosen (banjo and vocals). They were able to take a quick break while in between shows and were more than happy to shoot the breeze with me. Check it out:
BHP: So, first things first, how did your latest tour treat you?
John E. Carey Jr.: Our US tour with Dropkick Murphys and Jim Lockey and the Solomon Suns was great. JLSS unfortunately had visa issues and couldn’t make the first half of the tour, so the Revillers from Boston filled in. Good Times!
BHP: You are getting ready to head to back to Europe to play some festivals and shows with the likes of Pennywise and even Larry and His Flask. How stoked is everyone in the band to return overseas?
JC: It’s a great accomplishment for us to be returning over seas! I’m Looking forward to the people, sites and falafel!!
BHP: Mmmmm falafel. So when you get back to the good ol’ US of A, you are all on board to tour with Dropkick Murphys some more. No rest for the wicked huh?
JC: No rest is right, but we are happy to again have the opportunity to go out with DM in support of our new album.
BHP: On Down Side Up, it sounds like you guys and gals toned it down a bit and focused more on the bluegrass appeal to your style. Was this on purpose, or did your recording just kind of lead you this way? Regardless, it is an incredible release.
JC: I don’t think we were intentionally toning it down, as much as toning it up and just letting our creativity flow.
BHP: I mean, y’all did have a #1 spot for a Bluegrass album. Did you ever think that would happen? I know your debut release got well-deserved attention.
JC: It was a wonderful surprise, but i guess hard work leads to great things. It’s awesome we made #1 and I’m extremely proud of the band.
BHP: So What was done differently on this album than on Guts ‘n Teeth?
JC: We built a home recording studio and tracked most of the album there. Most of the songs we really developed while we tracked them, which was a different approach to recording our first record, Gut’s ‘n Teeth, which was ready to go by the time we went into the studio to track it.
BHP: I love that in the album notes it was listed that a Converse shoe was used as an instrument on that track. Was that random or were there many shoes used in looking for the perfect beat?
John Rosen: When we were recording the song, Chris Hesse of Hoobastank, who played shaker on the song, had suggested the sneaker tapping to flesh out the instrumental section of the song. It was just an off-the-cuff suggestion thrown out at the spur of the moment and it just happened to work great.
JC: Like George Martin said “All you need is ears.”
BHP: How did “Beyond The Moon” come about?
JR: I’ve always been a huge fan of Gary Busey ever since I first saw The Buddy Holly Story as a kid. More recently, when reality TV breathed new life into his career, I discovered shows like Celebrity Rehab and I’m With Busey. I’ve always been fascinated with him and had toyed with the idea of writing a song about him for years but didn’t know how to approach it. My first pass at the song was a much sillier version than what we ended up recording. This first version felt a little too cheap, too Weird Al Yankovic, so I took out all the references to his movies, Dr. Drew and his teeth and shifted the song’s focus from him to me. In this version, Gary is just a passing reference in the chorus. The rest of the song focuses my struggle to write a song about him. So really, it’s not a song about celebrity or mental illness, but a song about writing a song.
BHP: Man, I loved I’m With Busey. So anyways, did the greatest villain ever out of all the Lethal Weapon franchise ever catch wind of the song, and if so, what did he have to say?
JC: As far as I know, Mr. Busey has not heard it, but I’m sure he will.
JR: I think someone may have brought the song to his attention via Twitter, but none of us have heard anything about his reaction or if he’s even heard it for that matter. I’d only hope that if he does hear it, he understands the song is not a swipe at him but just the opposite.
BHP: I loved the tracks “Up Side Down” and “Fastbreak”. You can hear the chemistry throughout those duets. Stuff like that does not happen accidentally. Was this something that had to be worked on, or did it just come naturally?
JC: Joey had all the music worked out for “Up Side Down” to a tee. Originally, I tried singing it and I had the hardest time following the up swing of the song! After a bunch of failed attempts, I realized it would better suit Annie, so she ended up taking the lead on it. Joey and Katie sang the harmonies trading back and forth and my vocal response just sounded cool so we went with it! Then it really came together. Great song, one of my favorites on the record!
BHP: Same here. Speaking of “Fastbreak”, the album sleeve lists the song as “Fastbreak” and the lyric insert lists it as “Run Away From Me”. Which is right? More importantly, as a dog lover, tell me all about Lucy.
JC: The song “Fast Break”, and yes that’s the official title. [I] pretty much wrote [it] one afternoon after I chased my pet chihuahua Lucy down the street during one of her glorious sprints for freedom! I like how light hearted the lyrics are and dark at the same time. The line “don’t run away from me, for your own safety” makes me think of some hopeless obsessed romantic warning his ex not to leave him or else, when really I’m referring to Lucy possibly getting hit by a car on her adventures escapes!
Lucy is a chichi-mutt that we adopted off the mean streets of Redondo Beach. She rules the OMM manor and used to tour with us, but these days she’s more comfortable staying with grandma and grandpa lounging in the sun. The road can be a ruff place for a little munchie.
BHP: Sounds like one rad dog. I need to pause for a moment and give kudos to the limited edition vinyl pressing of Down Side Up. Whose idea was that? I know I missed out on nabbing one, but still, that is one cool press. Who came up with the idea?
JC: Obvious choice for us. We wanted to go all out with the limited color release so three color red whit and blue seemed appropriate!
BHP: So, what’s it like to be a bluegrass band on a punk rock label? I know that you incorporate tons of punk rock into your music, but still, you are on CMT’s radar, and I would have to say that is probably the first for a Fat Wreck band.
JC: It’s rad! We are having fun and making music and that’s all the matters! We love Fat and I like to think they love us! I’m sure we are the first Fat Wreck band to be on CMTs radar and that’s great! The more support we can get the better. It only opens up more windows of opportunity for us and that’s what we need to stay on the road.
BHP: Looks like Fat Mike assisted in producing Down Side Up. How does it feel to work again with not only the guy in NOFX, but also in a sense, your boss?
JC: I don’t really consider Mike our boss, Fat works with us like record labels are supposed to. But it’s a total family vibe with Fat and that’s what i love so much about them. Producing with Mike is really a dream come true! I always send him demos of our songs and he tells me what he thinks, its great to have his input and we trust him as a producer but ultimately Mike let’s us do what we do, and that’s what is most important to us.
BHP: That’s awesome. I think what I love the most about your band is how humble you are to your fans and how much family feeling is contained in the band. Is it always a blast to play live with the band?
JC: Lot’s of love! And yeah, it’s always a blast!
BHP: As your band clearly is maturing, are you living into a rock star life, or are you more still into just crashing on a couch at a random house while on the road?
JC: Actually, turns out these days crashing at a random fans house on the side of the road every once in a while and sleeping in our beloved bus the rest of the time is the rock star life; at least for me. So yes; I mean no.
BHP: Haha. What’s the most messed up thing that you all have witnessed to date while on tour?
JC: The price of diesel gas!
BHP: I believe that! So does Mr. Markley himself have calluses like no other? I have seen that man shred the washboard a mere foot from my face and it is intense. Has he occurred any injuries from washboard thrashing?
JC: In the first year, Ryan would scrape up his knuckles regularly, almost every show. He went through a few different variations of spoon handles too and finally made the right set using his old drum sticks and kitchen silverware. He later hooked up with Columbus Washboard Company and now he gets his boards with stainless steel grills which hold up longer. Still he manages to tear them up after a few tours so he recently built a washboard that he can replace just the grill on once its torn up. It works great! Now Ry just orders back up steel grills and he’s good to go!
BHP: Awesome. While I am on the topic, your live shows are entertaining as hell. How fun is it to just jump on stage and do your thing to thousands of people?
JC: I’m having the time of my life!
BHP: What would you say was the best show you ever played?
JC: One of my favorite shows we ever played was in Paris at a punk squat to 300 people in a tiny sweaty concert room in an abandoned building! It was dirty in all the good ways! And the bad ways too. PunkSpring festival in Tokyo with Weezer and Nofx was pretty cool too.
BHP: So what influential punk act from the past do you thing y’all will cover next? I will not lie, I love your takes on classics
JC: We just finished tracking a No Use For a Name song “The Feel Good Song of the Year” for the benefit compilation Fat is releasing later this year for Tony Sly’s family.
BHP: I can not wait to hear that. So, folk and bluegrass seem to be really popular these days and I am sure you are all aware. I am just curious what your reaction would be if say, a band like the Avett Brothers or Old Crow Medicine Show were to ask you to join them on tour
JC: I love those bands and it would rule to tour with them!
JR: It’d be the thrill of a lifetime for me. I’ve got a ton of respect for both those bands and love their music. We’ve done our share of touring with high profile punk bands over the past 3 years and I think touring in the alt country world would be a great change of pace. It’d be a chance to expose ourselves to a broader audience and introduce our sound to people who might otherwise never have known about us unless they were punk fans.
BHP: I know you are still living off the energy of Down Side Up, but have you all started writing new material for your next release?
JC: We have some really great new songs that were demoing! Very excited to get back in the studio after these next few tours!
BHP: What do you think people like Bill Monroe and The Stanley Brothers have to say about what route you have taken bluegrass to?
JR: It’s hard to say. I’ve been playing bluegrass ever since I was a kid and one thing I’ve learned is that in this this genre anything that pushes the boundaries of what is considered “traditional” bluegrass is usually viewed with a little suspicion, even skepticism. This isn’t always the case, but among purists (and you’ll find a lot of them in bluegrass) you’ll encounter this attitude from time to time. I’m sure Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe would be fine with what we’re doing musically. Whether not they’d consider it bluegrass might is another story.
JC: I think they would like it, and probably say that’s not really bluegrass! And that’s cool with me.
Down Side Up is out now. Check it out on iTunes or Spotify. If you really want to be cool, head over to the Fat Wreck Store and snag up a vinyl release. It is so worth it.
Cleveland champs All Dinosaurs have released a video for “Tight Rope”, the first single from their new full-length album, Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior. The album was dropped earlier this year on Anti-Flag’s label A-F Records. Filmed by the good folk over at TurnStyle Films, this video is hard and chilling at the same time making for a good view. Check it out:
I have been a fan of these guys ever since I first caught them in a basement show. Not only did they blow me away with their music, but they were fun as hell and all-around genuine dudes.
I always love it when I come across an artist on complete accident and soon become a fan. Emily Barker is one of those artists who I stumbled upon last year after hearing her and Mr. Frank Turner duet on the Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo song “Fields of June”.
Her name may not be well known just yet here in the states, but I have a strong feeling that that will all be changing in the next year or so. Having already played the opening ceremony for the Olympics as well as was featured on the UK roster for the Revival Tour last year, Barker has everything going her way.
Of course Barker is not alone and is surrounded by amazing talent in her band. Having dug into their catalog, I can only say that I wish it did not take me that long to get into them. They have been doing their thing since about 2005 and have already three albums to show for it.
Next month, Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo will be releasing an all new album titled Dear River and have already planned on an extensive UK tour to support the new release. Having already heard a couple of tracks, I would be lying if I said I was not excited for this.
Recently, I had the chance to catch up with Barker and not only got to asked her about rubbing elbows with Frank Turner, but some other questions as well:
BHP: Hi Emily, thanks for taking some time out of your busy day to chat with me. How’s the week been treating you?
EB: Good thanks! Nice to see the sun. Very busy trying to get everything prepared for the album release, alongside doing a bunch of other projects that I’m involved with.
So, for those who have not heard of you yet, tell me a little about yourself and your band.
I’m from Bridgetown, Western Australia but have lived the last 11 years over here in the UK doing my music. The Red Clay Halo are Gill Sandell: accordion, piano, guitar, flute and bvox; Anna Jenkins: violin, viola and bvox; Jo Silverston: cello, electric bass and bvox. We’ve also recently been joined by a drummer: Nat Butler due to the sound of ‘Dear River’, our forthcoming record, having more of a “rock” vibe. I guess we play contemporary folk/rock music. As a songwriter, I’m very much influenced by Neil Young – both his more acoustic sound as well as the heavy, guitar-lead stuff with Crazy Horse. As a singer, I’m really influenced by Aretha Franklin. So what have we got now…folk/rock/soul but then there’s the classical element that The Red Clay Halo bring too so…
You were born an Aussie, but eventually ended up in the UK. How did that come about?
I headed over to the UK with a working-holiday visa that lasts for 2 years. I worked in the UK in order to travel all around Europe, Brazil, Canada and the USA. At the end of my two years, I was living in Cambridge and fell into the music scene there. I loved it so I kept returning. After a while I made the decision to try to be a musician full time and also to live in the UK.
How tough was it to move away from home?
It wasn’t that tough to move away. I really wanted to see the world, but it is tough staying away. I miss my family everyday and at the same time, I realise I’m becoming more and more embroiled in my life here, so the idea of moving back now becomes this huge, overwhelming question. I wish Australia was closer to the UK so I could just pop over for a weekend.
So, at what age did you start getting into music?
At a really young age. There was always a lot of music in our family home. Dad was big into vinyl and he played loads of 60’s/70’s singer-songwriter/folk revival records (all the usuals – Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, etc.) as well as a lot of blues, rock and jazz. My mum plays a bit of guitar and used to sit us all down and teach us old English folk songs and children’s nursery rhymes. She taught us how to harmonize. When I was a teenager I auditioned (because my peers dared me to!) for the Year 9 band as lead singer. I sang “It must have been love” by Roxette and got the role. Then I made a deal with the only other musicians in the school at the time (they were big into heavy metal and none of them sang), that if they would play soul songs for me, then I’d sing heavy metal for them. So our set consisted of Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, Etta James, Metallica, Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Quite a combo!
Nice. That is a completely random list of bands to cover! How long ago did you meet up with The Red Clay Halo?
8 years ago when we were all living in London.
Was the Red Clay Halo already doing their thing when you were introduced to them, or was this just a new collaboration once you started playing together?
A new collaboration. They hadn’t played together before or met (apart from Jo and Anna).
What exactly is this genre “chamber-folk’ that has been used to describe some of your songs?
I’m not sure who coined that phrase but it definitely worked for our album “Despite the Snow” and probably also “Almanac”. I guess chamber-folk has got an element of classical music/arrangements in it. We certainly have that in certain songs.
You’re pals with a guy who has pretty much made a huge name for himself here in the US over the last couple years. I am sure tons of people ask you how you met and eventually shared the stage with Frank Turner in the UK. Honestly, if it were not for him, I may not have been privy to Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo. So, how’d y’all meet?
Frank is a very good friend and a huge inspiration to me. I first met Frank about 6 years ago at one of our shows in Brixton. [He] invited me out on the road with him and the band to open up the shows. We did something like 28 shows in 30 days – Frank style! – and became good friends then. We have had the honour of performing on his records and sharing his biggest musical moments with him: Wembley Arena and the Olympics Opening Ceremony. I am forever grateful for his support. We have more plans to collaborate too!
Playing the Olympics Opening Ceremony. How insane was that?
Totally insane! So difficult to compute due to how epic it was. I’m so pleased Frank asked us to be involved. Was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We had A LOT of fun!
I bet. I wanted to talk about the murder-ballet that Frank Turner appear on called “Fields Of June”. Not only was the rendition outstanding, but it had me hoping you two would duet again. Any change that will ever happen again?
Why thank you very much! It certainly will happen again. We’re actually talking about doing something very soon – most likely a cover but I’m sure we’ll write something original at some point in the future too.
Who was the original guy who shared vocal duties with you on that song when it first released?
Steve Adams from a great band (no longer together sadly) called The Broken Family Band. The Singing Adams now exists though and they’re awesome.
You have a new album that is coming out soon don’t you? Care to tell me a little about it?
Of course. It’s called Dear River and it’s out on July 8th on Linn Records. We recorded it in a state-of-the-art studio called Gorbals Sound up in Glasgow with producer Calum Malcolm. The songs are all about ‘home’ – a subject I’ve been quite preoccupied with since leaving Australia 11 years ago with a backpack and a wish to see the world. It’s my personal story of home but it includes those of other’s too and covers the related themes of exile, emigration, land rights and ancestry.
With the new release, you all have a UK tour coming up. I heard Chris T-T is opening for you. I must say, I am jealous I will be missing out on that tour!
It’s our biggest headline tour in the UK ever. We’ll also be playing Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on 16th October which is our biggest headline show! We’re really pleased to have Chris join us. It’s something we’ve been threatening to do now for about 4 years.
Threatening? Haha, I don’t see why that should be a threat. Were there any other musicians or acts you tried to get to join you on tour?
Not on this one. We knew we wanted Chris T-T. There’s a bunch of people we’d love to take but they’ll have to come on other tours.
I have to ask, when will you ladies tour the states? Please tell me soon.
I’m hoping to come over and do a solo tour at the end of the year! I’ll keep you posted…
So say you did make it to the states on a tour. Who would you want to share the stage with?
I’d love to meet up with The Revival Tour guys again: Chuck Ragan, Rocky Votolato, Cory Branan and Jay Malinowski. Or…Neil Young and Gillian Welch!
Speaking of the Revival Tour, you happened to play one of my all time favorite tracks “Fairytale Of New York” with Mr. Chuck Ragan. Whose idea was that? You guys nailed it and I can not tell you how many times I listened to it over and over. Thanks for that.
Our pleasure. It was Chuck’s idea. I recorded my part in Australia when I was back there for holidays. Love singing with that gent.
I am sure the Dear River UK Tour will take up the latter part of 2013, but what else will Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo be getting into this year?
We’re doing a bunch of festivals over the summer; I’m writing quite a lot for TV and film at the moment; I’ve got two other side projects: Folk in a Box (smallest music venue in the world) and Vena Portae (Swedish/Anglo collaboration/band); I’m also writing an EP with Ted Barnes and the list goes on. So keeping myself busy for sure!
Folk in a Box? You have got to tell me about this. Sounds fun.
It’s Britain’s smallest music venue, if not the world’s! You can read about it [at] www.folkinabox.net
That just looks like so much fun. So, what is Vena Portae all about?
It’s a collaboration between a Swedish producer/engineer/musician Ruben Engzell, a British theatre maker/musician/composer Dom Coyote and myself. We made an album last year which we’ll release hopefully early next year – it’s quite hard to fit in with all the other things going on but we love it and it will happen soon.
Wait. Ted Barnes? As in the guy that played with Beth Orton?
Correct!
That is just awesome. Tell me, why should someone check your band out?
In order to define what “chamber-folk” is, OR because we’re all decent enough human beings working hard at what we love, OR because it will lead you to a really great coffee shop somewhere in London/the UK.
Or because you and your band sound amazing. Seriously, I first thought you were from Nashville when I heard you signing solo. I’ll stop with the pleasantries now. Let’s hope you make it to the states soon.
Bless ya thanks.
Dear River will be released on July 8th in the UK. Pre-order the album HERE.
Check out the rehearsal video that was taken of Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo while playing “Ghost Narrative”:
Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo are:
Emily Barker
Vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica
Anna Jenkins
Violin, viola, vocals
Gill Sandell
Accordion, piano, flute, vocals
Jo Silverston
Cello, bass, banjo, vocals
For more information on the band, visit www.emilybarker.com or check out her Facebook page. Also, if you like photography and randomness, you should find Emily Barker on Instagram. She takes some pretty awesome photos.
BHP: I love that in the album notes it was listed that a Converse shoe was used as an instrument on that track. Was that random or were there many shoes used in looking for the perfect beat?
BHP: Same here. Speaking of “Fastbreak”, the album sleeve lists the song as “Fastbreak” and the lyric insert lists it as “Run Away From Me”. Which is right? More importantly, as a dog lover, tell me all about Lucy.
BHP: I believe that! So does Mr. Markley himself have calluses like no other? I have seen that man shred the washboard a mere foot from my face and it is intense. Has he occurred any injuries from washboard thrashing?
