Category Archives: New Release

Funny, Indie, Live Shows, Music, Music Video, New Release, Rock

Ben Folds Five Reunites – Kinda.

19 September, 2008 Brian Mc 1 Comment

Today would be the day where I wished I lived in North Carolina.

My good pal Matt already talked about this event a few weeks back on Addicted To Vinyl. I previously had heard about it before he reminded me it was not a dream but had not had time to write anything about it until now.

Thanks to MySpace, Ben Folds Five reunited tonight to play a special show in their native homeland at the University of North Carolina. The band helped launch MySpace’s new music feature “Front To Back”. “Front To Back” pretty much sums up the idea, a selected band will play an entire album of theirs front to back for a special benefit show that later will be available on the “Place For Friends” website for public viewing.

Ben Folds was asked to play the premier “Front To Back” show originally solo but chose to contact his past band mates to see if they would get together for a special situation. Thanks to good timing, bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee agreed to perform. The band never really broke up but then again they never have stayed together. In fact it has been just about 10 years since Ben Folds Five released their last album, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – the very album they played front to back tonight. All three members agreed to play their last recording live to many lucky fans who nabbed tickets to the sold out show.

Proceeds from the sales of the show will benefit Operation Smile, a nonprofit organization that helps children with facial deformities.

Ben Folds Five does not plan on continuing to tour after tonight as they all have their own projects going on. I just hope that perhaps one day in the future they will come together and put out a Ben Folds Five album once again.

Ben Folds has his new album Way To Normal dropping at the end of this month and I can not tell you how excited I am to hear it.

Here is a video from the new release featuring Regina Spektor as well stars Tim and Eric from the Tim & Eric Show on Adult Swim.

You Dont Know Me (featuring Regina Spektor)

And for those of you that hadn’t heard, Ben Folds himself leaked Way To Normal to the internet himself. The catch was that the leak was actually 6 fake songs the artist recorded in only 8 hours. You can read more about it on RollingStone.Com. The guy is a hilarious genius.

Here are a few more videos from Ben Folds & Ben Folds Five I enjoy:

This is a cover of The Postal Service I randomly came accross…
Such Great Heights

Artist Site

Horrorpops – Kiss Kiss, Kill Kill – CD Review

18 September, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

One of the more unique acts out there in the music world, The Horrorpops, released their third studio album Kiss Kiss Kill Kill earlier this year. The Danish act with original members (who are also married to one another) Patricia Day on stand up bass and Kim Nekroman on lead guitar have been rocking out since 1996, thanks to their unique mixture of rockabilly, surf, psychobilly, and punk rock music. They were a huge success overseas but it was not until around 2003 that the band got their US break thanks to Tim Armstrong’s (Rancid) label Hellcat Records.

Recently finishing up their mini-set tour on the 2008 Van’s Warped Tour, the band just announced their headlining fall tour in support of Kiss Kiss Kill Kill. With bombshell Patricia Day’s giant stand-up bass and smoky singing, layered with Kim Neckroman assaulting his guitar, and Niedermeier’s drumming, the band should have no problem entertaining the masses.

The CD seemed to have a rebel theme with the song titles and lyrics, with many in reference to many female films. The CD cover mimics a poster for a B-Movie. The sound on their third release seems to keep the same as previous without going over any boundaries to make a significant change.

Opening track “Thelma & Louise” of course makes suggestion of driving just like Susan Sarandon and Gina Davis did in their girls gone wild of a film. Patricia Day sings strongly in this track and the music backing her up is very catchy. “Heading For The Disco?” already is played a lot over the airwaves, especially on Sirius Radio’s Faction. The song is a bit poppy but still delivers the pop-rockabilly feel with bass plucking and drumming making you want to boogie down.

“Kiss Kiss Kill Kill” really sounded like the Cure at the beginning, that is until the harmonies began. The song holds Patricia Day’s cries “Kiss kiss kiss me dantly, kill kill me quietly…” with a “whoa oh oh oh” in the wake. The song is a little gloomy, but I really dig the guitar playing. It is a simple riff but is the type that sticks out.

Starting with what sounded like a repeat of a bass line from another Horrorpops release was “Everything’s Everything”. The track about not wanted to let go of a complicated relationship was a reminder that this band is not about sunshine and rainbows. Nekroman strums away during “Private Hall Of Shame” with almost a southern rock feel to his playing.

By no means is this a traditional rockabilly/psychobilly band. They stray away from the rest and incorporate their own style to make for a more unique feel. On their third release, I say the Horrorpops still have it and I really enjoyed what I heard. If you want real rockabilly this band may bestow you mixed feelings but if you are looking for something fun to listen to and have a good time, then this is the perfect release for you.

Metal, Music, Music Video, New Release, Random, Rock

Ex-Korn Releases Solo CD

17 September, 2008 Brian Mc 1 Comment

Brian "Head" Welch w/ daughter Jennea (still sporting ADIDAS!)

Remember a few years back when the guitarist from Korn up and left the band due to his own personal beliefs? Everyone thought either Head went crazy or was just pulling a huge publicity stunt.

I thought it was a big joke at first. Slowly I forgot about it.

Today I found out he has released his solo CD three years after he departed from the nu-metal rock band Korn. I honestly thought he just fell off the face of the earth. Then again I really was not looking for updates on him. I respected his decision at the time and left it at that.

There was a lot more to the story though.

Brian "Head" Welch looks a lot like someone I have seen before... — Brian"Head" Welch - Looks like someone I have seen before...

Truth be told; him leaving the band was not a stunt at all. Brian “Head” Welch left the band to focus on more important things in life like being a father and following his belief as a born again Christian. The guitarist fought a terrible battle with drugs throughout his rock star years and once he departed from the band he soon weened himself from his addiction. After being baptized in front of the world, he began a new life. He started traveling to other countries to help the poor and while doing so wrote material for himself.

Last year Brian “Head” Welch released a book titled Save Me From Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, And Lived To Tell My Story. The memoir is all about the rock star’s lifestyle he had, didn’t want, and how he changed it. I have not had the chance to check it out just yet, but from what I hear it is a good read.

His new solo album titled the same as his book, Save Me From Myself, dropped yesterday in many stores. I have not had a chance yet to check it out but I did find this video he just released as well of the song “Flush”.

This video is proof he has not completely lost it…or has he? You can be the judge.

FLUSH – BRIAN HEAD WELCH — THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Note: To each their own on beliefs upon religion. I request that no one discuss religion on this site. I respect your opinion and all, but there are plenty of other forums and blog-sites that cater to religion discussion. This blog was about a musician and even if I did include his choice in religion, that is as far as I am taking it. If you do, I’ll be sure to delete it.

Art, Funny, Indie, Music, Music Video, New Release, Rock

Bjork Video Strange? Indeed.

16 September, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Bjork released a video today for a remixed version of one of her songs before the actual single has been released. The original version of “The Dull Flame of Desire” can be found on Bjork’s latest release Volta. The song takes a huge twist in this version making for a very interesting listen. Leave it up to one of the most unique artists to continue her originality.

The remixed version of the song “The Dull Flame of Desire” features Björk with dual vocals from Antony Hegarty from Antony & The Johnsons. The song is full of lyrics that are actually translated lines taken from a poem written by Fyodor Tyutchev.

If you have a moment check out the video.

WARNING: It is strange as hell and I kind of got freaked out towards the end….

So? Did it scare you at all or make you wish you never experimented with LSD?

I’ll be honest. The video sucked. The song is amazing. The concept of how the video was created though was interesting. Bjork held a contest on her website for new directors giving them the chance to work with her. Bjork chose 3 winners were chosen to collaborate together. The result is one wierd a** video.

I could not help but think the middle part of that video looked familiar….where did I see that before???

Oh yeah:

Scream Video

haha….. yeah. I went there.

Music, Music Video, New Release, Rock

Alice In Chains To Record New Material

14 September, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Alice In Chains (AIC) will be releasing new material for the first time in 13 years. Can you say AWESOME?

For those of you who are scratching your heads right now wondering did I just say AIC is releasing new material, I need to let you know that the band never broke up.

Formed in 1997 by Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell the band became quite popular with two albums becoming #1’s on Billboard 200. The band was a great commerical success and even though started off more metal soon mellowed to a rock that everyone seemed to enjoy. After 1995 the band stopped recording material.

The band never called it quits though, they just paused while lead singer Layne Staley fought the bad battle with his publicly known chemical addiction and dealt with heartbreak.

In 1996 Staley lost his fiancee from bacterial endocarditis and chose to stay alone and cope his loss with drugs. In 1998 Staley recorded two songs with the rest of the band but really never did anything else onward. His addiction took over his like and he even willingly admitted in in many interviews.

Months before his death, Staley admitted in an interview, “I know I’m near death, I did crack and heroin for years. I never wanted to end my life this way” In 2002 the worst, but expected, happened as Staley was found dead in his condominium from an apparent drug overdose.

With Layne Staley’s passing in 2002 I really never thought AIC would put out another release. I figured the band would go their separate ways. I was wrong…

After some time AIC chose to continue.

The remaining members Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, and Sean Kinney played for a benefit concert in 2005 for the tsunami that hit Asia with Damageplan singer Pat Lachman. One year later they appeared on VH1’s Decades Rock Live: Heart with another singer William DuVall, one time singer of Comes With The Fall. AIC hit the road soon after and toured select cities with positive reviews. They rolled through Cleveland and of course I missed it. I know someone who went and he said it was amazing. Go on Matt, rub it in.

Seems like things went well as earlier this year AIC announced they would be recording new material.

I still have yet to see the new AIC live or even hear it for that matter. I never even got to see the old AIC live and they were one of my favorite bands of the 90’s. I am really curious to hear what they have to offer. From what I have heard William DuVall seems to have picked up where Staley had let off.

With new material and the possibility of a tour (I sure hope so) it looks like AIC is making a comeback.

Straight from the band’s website, a band associate named Baldy said:

“October will arrive and Alice In Chains will reconvene to record the new album. So, as 2008, winds down, band activity will be gearing up, and at some point in 2009 you’ll finally hear what I’ve been raving about for the last several months.”

I think Baldy knows something…and I am hoping he is right!

Some videos: