I came across a new demo from a new band called Crow Bait. Not only is the band’s name awesome, but the band also features members of: Jonesin’, Iron Chic, Wax Phantom, Sister Kisser, Halfway To Hell Club & more. That right there is damn awesome!!!
Check it out if you dare:
I have been digging Old Man Markley‘s self-proclamed genre of “Newgrass” for quite some time now, but it appears that I forgot to let the rest of the world know. The band released Guts N’ Teeth on Fat Wreck Chords back in January and I guess I enjoyed it so much that I failed to talk it up a bunch. So, 5-months later, without further au-due, ladies and gentlemen, Old Man Markley…
So, wait – what is this “Newgrass” genre I speak of? It is a fine mix of punk, folk, and bluegrass making for one catchy sound. Think old school country jam meets folk rock / punk rock fueled by countless rounds of draft beers at your favorite drinking hole with friends.
If having a good time could be put in music form, “Newgrass” is probably what it would sound like.
Back in 2007, the band started off in LA jamming out in a bluegrass fashion as well as took countless bluegrass favorites of theirs and covered them in a much different way based upon their own punk rock standards. After a couple years the band, containing up to nine people currently, took all they knew musically and pushed out their debut album Guts N’ Teeth. The result is one of the best CDs I have heard in 2011 and I am not just saying that. Put it this way, the moment I heard the opening track, I placed my order for the vinyl because I had to have it in my collection.
“For Better For Worse” was that catchy track I heard. I was an instant fan. It was a mix of all the current types of music I have been digging lately – Folk, country, punk, and bluegrass. The song was full on energy even if singing of a girl that can’t be had. Resembling something sounding like Tumbledown meets Dropkick Murphys, the song made you want to throw a foot to the ground a few hundred times while tossing back drinks. Does it sound to you as if I liked this track? You bet your ass I did.
Following was “At The Bottom”, a banjo-heavy track full of group vocals backing up singing about passing out at the bottom of a bottle. “Running Weight” was a fiddle frenzy track that was more like an adventure if anything about getting from point A to point B without getting caught.
“Do Me Like You Do” was an entertaining cover of the 1924 song written by Gene Austin and Roy Bergere. Covered usually by jazz artists, this mean bluegrass version was full of fun a quarrel at the same time. Slowing down things a bit was “Song Songs”, a song about all the songs that many members of this band have probably written for others throughout the years.
Another track that caught my ear was “Letterman”, a song of an angered escape surrounded by some amazing folk rock music, especially the harmonica playing. With harsh lyrics like, “so now your hiding in a sad song, we don’t want to sing along”, it’s clear that the song is not aimed for good feelings one bit. “Lowdown Blues” was a prime example of what the Stray Cats would have sounded like if they ditched the whole rockabilly feel and moved to the mountains.
I would not have been surprised if Tim Barry and the Avett Brothers had something to do with “Living and Learning”. Hell, even Slobberbone hints throughout this track. I guess it’s that time where I tell you if you need to listen to one track on this album it’s this one. Seriously, good shit right here.
For a bunch of punkers from L.A. who used to be in bands such as Youth Brigade and Angel City Outcasts, Old Man Markley is downright impressive. Mandolins, banjos, fiddles, autoharp, harmonica, washboard, and high spirited singing full up this album of non-stop folk/punk/rock goodness. Like I said before, this is one of my favorite albums of 2011 and to think, it came out in the beginning of the year. I dare anyone out there who says they like folk or country to tell me that there is not at least one song on this album that made them thing “damn, them boys is good”, because as a pretty solid fan of those genres, that is exactly what I said.
Old Man Markley will be touring with NOFX and Anti-Flag this Fall and as luck would have it, they are hitting Cleveland. I know I will be in attendance that night. Something tells me I will not regret it.
Can I just comment on the above video? Best. Video. Ever.
I am back. That’s right folks, I survived the mean streets of West Virginia once again. After a week-long escape from everything, I am back. I have a test already in the class I decided to take this summer so most of this weekend will be focused on studying for that. I am, however, in need of a break so I thought I would hammer out a quick review of a pretty sweet up and coming folk act.
I would imagine that most of my readers know I have a certain love for Austin, TX. I think everyone needs to check out that amazing city at least once in their lifetime. I know I am itching to get back there one day soon. Anyways, I speak of Austin because that is where Brandon Kinder who goes under the moniker The Wealthy West resides.
Many may know Kinder from The Rocketboys, an indie rock group that he supplies lead vocals to. Kinder decided to try something on his own, a more personal folky project he calls The Wealthy West. Fans of soft-spoken indie / folk music (Americana) will really get a kick out of his five song EP entitled Volume 1 – An EP. It is powerful in the heartfelt department and can easily be compared to Ray LaMontange, Joe Purdy, Frightened Rabbit, and even that of the Avett Brothers.
“Love Is Not Enough” starts off the EP with a nice acoustic riff accompanied by piano playing making for a fun track that just seemed to end way too soon. “Another Bad Idea” followed in a more gentle indie rock sound that included background vocals and even chimes.
Once I heard “Give Me Resurrection”, I could not help but think of Purdy and LaMontange as Kinder sings slowly over a faint playing acoustic guitar accompanied by whispering background vocals. The song was really a beautiful piece to check out and had powerful lyrics focusing around the strength of love. “Home” picked things up in the EP with harmonica joining Kinder’s signing. “Not A Pretty Pair” ended the quick EP with a more driven sound throughout although singing of remaining stationary due to lack of time.
It’s no mystery anymore, Americana is where it’s at these days and Kinder has no problem writing his own songs to accompany the latest and greatest of a very solid genre of music. Volume 1 – An EP was a nice and quick listen leaving me, the listener, wanting much more to hear. With only five songs, I am curious to see what else Kinder has to offer in the near future.
The Wealthy West - Love Is Not EnoughThe Riot Before announced on their Tumblr page the other day that bassist Cory Manning and drummer Freddy Clarke have decided to part ways.
From their post:
The decisions were made about a month ago, both independently and amicably. There was a no big fight or incident that led to them choosing to leave, rather the culprit was exhaustion. The truth of being in The Riot Before, and I’m sure this is the same for a whole host of other small touring acts out there, is that you can either be in the band or have a life. It’s almost entirely one or the other. The jobs you work when home, the hours you work those jobs, the places you live, the tenuous relationships you hang onto, they all are governed by your involvement in this band. And about a month ago, Freddy and Cory decided it was time to focus on the rest of their lives. It’s a decision that I don’t at all fault them for making.
Jon and [Brett] are as committed to the band as ever, and personally I’m excited every day for what the upcoming months and years hold in store for this band.
According to PunkNews.Org, the band will still play live shows as bass duty has been temporarily taken over by Dan Zimmerman of Dirty Tactics and the band is currently searching for a new drummer.
The Riot Before will be touring this summer with Off With Their Heads and Dead To Me. Let’s hope they can regroup and continue on as they are one hell of an act.
Punk rockers Off With Their Heads recently just dropped a video for “Spare Time”, a track from 2010’s In Desolation. I already love the track and currently now love the video that accompanies it…