I just learned that Avenged Sevenfold‘s drummer James Owen Sullivan, aka The Rev, was found dead. He was only 28 years old.
He was a talented drummer. I was lucky enough to see him play live a handful of times and his drumming always impressed me. Shame to hear about this…
Direct from the band’s website:
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Jimmy you are forever in our hearts.
We love you.
M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ
Remember the first time you heard something new and fresh to your ears? I know when I did and after checking out Bombadil‘s Tarpits And Canyonlands on Ramseur Records I can say it happened all over again. This Bolivian threesome really hints towards their label mates The Avett Brothers but is unique in their own and just has me wanting much more.
How unique you ask? How about a core of electric / acoustic guitars, bass, piano and drums and appearances by harmonica, xylophone, organ, synth, saxophone, trumpet, viola, charango, glockenspiel, accordion, recorder and even zampona… Yeah, almost like a folk rock Gogol Bordello.
Fans of folk and indie rock will be fans of Bombadil once they give them a chance. Check out the video below or visit their MySpace page for a few extra tracks.
About a week ago A Wilhelm Scream dropped the very entertaining video for their song “Fun Time” that appears on their most recent self-titled EP. I am really hoping for a full length release in 2010 buy these guys…
2009 was the year of the Bouncing Souls. They took the entire year to celebrate their anniversary as a punk rock band for 20 years by playing tons of live shows and also releasing a song a month available for download on their record label Chunksaah Records.
On January 12th all of those songs will be released on an album titled Ghosts On The Boardwalk for all the fans that never were able to download the tracks or pick up the limited edition 7″ vinyl records that the band pressed quarterly through the year featuring the songs.
I have heard most of the songs already and without going into detail yet I can tell you that they are all amazing. The band may have two decades behind them now as a band but they have not slowed down one bit. The tracks on this CD contain catchy anthem tracks that all Bouncing Souls fans can sing along to proudly and loudly.
My friends and I were just talking about the first time we saw the Bounding Souls play in Cleveland. The foursome played a bill with NOFX and Hi-Standard at the Agora to rowdy crowd. I believe the year was 1996 and even if the show is still fresh in my memory that was 14 years ago. Ever since then I became a huge Souls fan and not one of their releases disappointed me. I am thrilled these guys are still doing what they do. It makes an aging punk rocker like myself appreciate them even more.
Recently the band played a Daytrotter session (that I was unaware of) and the songs they played are available for free download. I love the version of Anchors Away” they bust out. Good stuff. Click HERE to check out their session on Daytrotter.
Here are a couple tracks that will be appearing on Ghosts On The Boardwalk. Support this amazing band and buy their CD when it comes out!
A while ago I heard that a couple of musicians I dig formed a band together and before I knew it they were the opening act on the 2009 NIN/JA Tour (Nine Inch Nails & Jane’s Addiction). Sadly the tour never made it to Cleveland and I was unable to make it to the Pittsburgh show. From what I heard the band ‘s performance turned a lot of heads to the folk that showed up early enough to catch their set.
The band I speak of is called Street Sweeper Social Club and features guitar effect guru Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) and hip hop artist Boots Riley (The Coup). It’s not Rage Against The Machine but does have some elements from the popular 90’s rock act. Their debut self-titled album Street Sweeper Social Club was released over the summer. I still have yet to fully check the album out but was able to hear some of their tunes via YouTube.
My verdict = kick ass.
Here’s a teaser of their upcoming video for “Promenade”:
Nice little “Kick Out The Jams” cover with some guy named Trent Reznor:
2009 was the year of the 