Here's the first batch of largely unknown bands I want to introduce you to, give them a little more exposure and hopefully get them some play somewhere. Needless to say, they will or have already been featured on my radio show.
1) TeamNate - Contact List EP
I came across this band randomly in a music forum I lurk in and love their style. The band is from Ohio and play a crisp and dark style of snyth pop. Their new EP is out on the Pretend record label and the band is offering the EP streaming on their website, which you can listen to here.
Check out this video they made too.
Their website is here.
2) MaQlu - Blood EP
Hailing from Vancouver, BC, MaQlu play a dark, proto-industrial electronic style that appeals to me greatly. Not enough dark electronics are made today, most of it made today is too happy or too technical. They have their first EP, Blood, out now and will be releasing another EP called Black very quickly. You can download some nice freebies here.
Their website is here.
Follow them on Twitter here
3) Suuns - Zeroes QC
Montreal's Suuns are one of the more interesting bands I've heard in a while. They do a noisy mix of drone rock and post-punk. They merge elements of bands like Kraftwerk, Sigur Ros and Wire into a nice stew of noises. Their first album, Zeroes QC, is just now out on Secretly Canadian Records.
Check out their music and videos on MySpace
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Forgottten Music #1: Warren Zevon - Desperadoes Under the Eaves
Beginning to reprint some of my blog entries from my Livejournal, starting with my forgotten music series. | ||
| Something I've been meaning to do for a while is start posting obscure and semi-obscure music that I love, that moves me in some way or deserves to be listened to by people who hadn't heard it before. Here's the first: Warren Zevon with Jackson Browne - "Desperadoes Under the Eaves" This comes from Warren Zevon's self-titled debut album in 1976. It's a remarkable song on a remarkable album, which contains three excellent and sad songs about the horrors of addiction (the other two being "Carmelita" and "Hasten Down the Wind", I'll probably talk about those two at some time). This one is about alcoholism. It's about being trapped in addiction and not knowing how to get out, even though you desperately want to. It's also about how knowing even if you do kick your addictions, you know that you are just a single person in the entire world and learning to deal with the loneliness of the human condition. There's a desperate attempt at balance, of yearning for escape and yearning to find someone who can help fill the emptiness of your life while you wallow in your drunkenness. The last refrain, "Look away down Gower Avenue" infuses some hope into the future for the singer (Warren did eventually kick his addictions), though the crushing helplessness of the rest of the song makes the entire exercise bittersweet. | ||
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2010 Nominees out.
The first round of nominees have been announced, and they'll be pared down in December to the inductees, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in March 2011. Let's take a look at the nominees:
Bon Jovi: Seminal arena rockers from New Jersey with a slew of Top 40 hits. Their influence on rock and roll is pretty evident when looking at modern rock radio and the parade of hair-metallers that came after them. I can see inducting them eventually, but this isn't their year. Give them a couple of years.
Beastie Boys: The trio from New York broke hip-hop into white culture and into the mainstream. They merged rock and rap long before many other bands started to do it (though previous Hall inductees Run DMC did it before they did). Their subject matter was often controversial and thought-proviking, and their use of sampling was groundbreaking. They'll get in this year, they definitely deserve it.
Neil Diamond: One of the kings of AM radio in the 70s and pop crooner/writer without peer, Diamond dominated pop music for more than a decade. His work is still covered by lounge singers, rock bands and jazz acts alike. Not exactly a rock icon, but his work in songwriting and pop music is worthy of recognition. He gets in this year.
Alice Cooper: Interesting Alice Cooper gets nominated and Kiss is nowhere to be found, though, in my opinion, Alice makes much better music. Merging metal with on stage theatrics, Alice Cooper and his band of the same name shocked audiences through the 70s and scared parents into taking his albums away from their kids. Cooper understood that rock music is a spectacle and should be treated as such. Still making music too, though nothing like his early work. He's in for sure this year.
Donovan: Hippy folk singer from the 70s. His work was synonymous with the psychedelic movement and he wound spacy rhythms with traditional folk. Best known for the sublime tunes "Sunshine Superman", "Mellow Yellow" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man". Donovan's work is still influencing today's indy rockers and folk balladeers. He deserves to be inducted this year.
Tom Waits: This guy's a shoe-in. Not only is he an amazing songwriter and organizer, he's also one of the most original musicians every to exist. Taking a bourbon-damaged voice and combining it with a junkyard style approach to making music, Waits is almost uncategorizable. Part Frank Sinatra, part Jack Kerouac, part Residents. Induct him this year for sure.
LL Cool J: This is an interesting nomination. I've heard some rumblings that LL Cool J shouldn't be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because he's firmly entrenched in rap and didn't influence rock at all. Well, Run DMC and Grandmaster Flash are already in the Hall and their influence on rock is undeniable. Listen to "Rock the Bells" and tell me LL isn't straddling rock and rap. The lines between rock and urban music are more blurred than ever today. LL deserves to be in the Hall, but he'll probably get skipped over this year.
Chic: Fronted by producer/musician Nile Rodgers, Chic were a pioneering band in disco, merging dance and funk into a highly enjoyable product. Chic transcended disco. While the focus on the groove was at the forefront, Chic refused to be a cookie-cutter dance band. Check out their single "Le Freak" if you want to hear some bone-rattling disco-funk. Chic have been nominated before, but I think they'll be passed over again this year.
Dr. John: This is the only other shoo-in I see on the list. Dr. John's name is synonymous with the sound of New Orleans. His work runs the gamut from rock to folk to blues to cajun to jazz. He's a master of his form and his influence on New Orleans and cajun music is undeniable. Everyone from Harry Connick to Buckwheat Zydeco owe something to Dr. John. He should be at the top of the list for this years inductees.
J. Geils Band: This one may raise some eyebrows. I think most people write off J. Giels Band as a corny one or two hit wonder from the early 80s. The band started as a blues rock band in the 70s (J. Giels is the guitarist, not the lead singer) and made some very enjoyable albums in the 70s rock/Fleetwood Mac style. In the 80s, with Peter Wolf at the helm, they were well known for "Freeze Frame", "Love Stinks" and "Centerfold". Good band, but I don't think they belong in the Hall of Fame yet.
Darlene Love: Her name might not ring a bell as a solo artist, but Love was the front-line vocalist for The Blossoms, a seminal Motown style band, recorded for Phil Spector and sang lead vocals for Bob B. Soxx for the single "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and The Crystals for the legendary single "He's a Rebel". I'd love to see her inducted but I don't think this will be her year.
Laura Nyro: I love this nominee as a dark horse. I could see Laura Nyro squeaking in under the wire. Nyro is a wonderful singer/songwriter that ranges from folk to pop to jazz to classical. Elton John called her one of his influences, as has Elvis Costello. She started recording in the late 60s with folk influenced albums similar to Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell's work. Her music has been covered by the Fifth Dimension and Blood, Sweat and Tears among others. She's got an outside shot of getting in this year.
Donna Summer: You can't mention disco without thinking of Donna Summer's work. She had a long string of hits in the late 70s and survived the anti-disco backlash and continued to score hits well into the 80s. She made a nice transition into an AM radio mainstay, acting like a more sophisticated version of Whitney Houston at the time. Her influence on modern soul music is obvious. She deserves to be in the Hall.
Joe Tex: Joe Tex has been nominated before. He's a rough-voiced southern soul singer who is sometimes cited as an early influence to hip-hop. He's worth mentioning just for his smash single "Hold What You've Got". Doubtful he'll make it in this year.
Chuck Willis: A notable pioneer of rock music, Willis was a blues player who's work inspired artists like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Otis Redding. He's best known for his version of "C.C. Rider". The Hall usually inducts one important pioneer each year, if it's not Love, it'll be Chuck Willis.
My predictions for induction, in order: Dr. John, Tom Waits, Beastie Boys, Neil Diamond, Donna Summer, Alice Cooper, Donovan, Chuck Willis
Bon Jovi: Seminal arena rockers from New Jersey with a slew of Top 40 hits. Their influence on rock and roll is pretty evident when looking at modern rock radio and the parade of hair-metallers that came after them. I can see inducting them eventually, but this isn't their year. Give them a couple of years.
Beastie Boys: The trio from New York broke hip-hop into white culture and into the mainstream. They merged rock and rap long before many other bands started to do it (though previous Hall inductees Run DMC did it before they did). Their subject matter was often controversial and thought-proviking, and their use of sampling was groundbreaking. They'll get in this year, they definitely deserve it.
Neil Diamond: One of the kings of AM radio in the 70s and pop crooner/writer without peer, Diamond dominated pop music for more than a decade. His work is still covered by lounge singers, rock bands and jazz acts alike. Not exactly a rock icon, but his work in songwriting and pop music is worthy of recognition. He gets in this year.
Alice Cooper: Interesting Alice Cooper gets nominated and Kiss is nowhere to be found, though, in my opinion, Alice makes much better music. Merging metal with on stage theatrics, Alice Cooper and his band of the same name shocked audiences through the 70s and scared parents into taking his albums away from their kids. Cooper understood that rock music is a spectacle and should be treated as such. Still making music too, though nothing like his early work. He's in for sure this year.
Donovan: Hippy folk singer from the 70s. His work was synonymous with the psychedelic movement and he wound spacy rhythms with traditional folk. Best known for the sublime tunes "Sunshine Superman", "Mellow Yellow" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man". Donovan's work is still influencing today's indy rockers and folk balladeers. He deserves to be inducted this year.
Tom Waits: This guy's a shoe-in. Not only is he an amazing songwriter and organizer, he's also one of the most original musicians every to exist. Taking a bourbon-damaged voice and combining it with a junkyard style approach to making music, Waits is almost uncategorizable. Part Frank Sinatra, part Jack Kerouac, part Residents. Induct him this year for sure.
LL Cool J: This is an interesting nomination. I've heard some rumblings that LL Cool J shouldn't be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because he's firmly entrenched in rap and didn't influence rock at all. Well, Run DMC and Grandmaster Flash are already in the Hall and their influence on rock is undeniable. Listen to "Rock the Bells" and tell me LL isn't straddling rock and rap. The lines between rock and urban music are more blurred than ever today. LL deserves to be in the Hall, but he'll probably get skipped over this year.
Chic: Fronted by producer/musician Nile Rodgers, Chic were a pioneering band in disco, merging dance and funk into a highly enjoyable product. Chic transcended disco. While the focus on the groove was at the forefront, Chic refused to be a cookie-cutter dance band. Check out their single "Le Freak" if you want to hear some bone-rattling disco-funk. Chic have been nominated before, but I think they'll be passed over again this year.
Dr. John: This is the only other shoo-in I see on the list. Dr. John's name is synonymous with the sound of New Orleans. His work runs the gamut from rock to folk to blues to cajun to jazz. He's a master of his form and his influence on New Orleans and cajun music is undeniable. Everyone from Harry Connick to Buckwheat Zydeco owe something to Dr. John. He should be at the top of the list for this years inductees.
J. Geils Band: This one may raise some eyebrows. I think most people write off J. Giels Band as a corny one or two hit wonder from the early 80s. The band started as a blues rock band in the 70s (J. Giels is the guitarist, not the lead singer) and made some very enjoyable albums in the 70s rock/Fleetwood Mac style. In the 80s, with Peter Wolf at the helm, they were well known for "Freeze Frame", "Love Stinks" and "Centerfold". Good band, but I don't think they belong in the Hall of Fame yet.
Darlene Love: Her name might not ring a bell as a solo artist, but Love was the front-line vocalist for The Blossoms, a seminal Motown style band, recorded for Phil Spector and sang lead vocals for Bob B. Soxx for the single "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and The Crystals for the legendary single "He's a Rebel". I'd love to see her inducted but I don't think this will be her year.
Laura Nyro: I love this nominee as a dark horse. I could see Laura Nyro squeaking in under the wire. Nyro is a wonderful singer/songwriter that ranges from folk to pop to jazz to classical. Elton John called her one of his influences, as has Elvis Costello. She started recording in the late 60s with folk influenced albums similar to Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell's work. Her music has been covered by the Fifth Dimension and Blood, Sweat and Tears among others. She's got an outside shot of getting in this year.
Donna Summer: You can't mention disco without thinking of Donna Summer's work. She had a long string of hits in the late 70s and survived the anti-disco backlash and continued to score hits well into the 80s. She made a nice transition into an AM radio mainstay, acting like a more sophisticated version of Whitney Houston at the time. Her influence on modern soul music is obvious. She deserves to be in the Hall.
Joe Tex: Joe Tex has been nominated before. He's a rough-voiced southern soul singer who is sometimes cited as an early influence to hip-hop. He's worth mentioning just for his smash single "Hold What You've Got". Doubtful he'll make it in this year.
Chuck Willis: A notable pioneer of rock music, Willis was a blues player who's work inspired artists like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Otis Redding. He's best known for his version of "C.C. Rider". The Hall usually inducts one important pioneer each year, if it's not Love, it'll be Chuck Willis.
My predictions for induction, in order: Dr. John, Tom Waits, Beastie Boys, Neil Diamond, Donna Summer, Alice Cooper, Donovan, Chuck Willis
Latest Earshot Reviews
These just got published on Earshot Online. Enjoy!
The New Nobles - Come On
Various Artists - North to Ontario 2010
Women - Public Strain
The New Nobles - Come On
Various Artists - North to Ontario 2010
Women - Public Strain
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Welcome!
"There's a stack of shellac and vinyl/Which is yours and which is mine?" - Elvis Costello, "45"
After some prodding from some well meaning friends, I've decided to start a music blog. I've always written about music, but I've kept it spread over a number of different spots, like my LiveJournal and my zines, and several websites. The intent of this blog is to keep all my writing about music in one place and hopefully get a larger audience for my writing.
I've had a long interest in writing and in music. My first published article was in my high school monthly newspaper back in 1985, when I wrote a record review of The Cars Heartbeat City. I started writing regularly for the high school paper in 1986, as a student in the journalism program, doing columns on music, comics and some humour writing. By 1988, I was writing a regular music column and record reviews for Insights, the paper at East Kootenay Community College (now the College of the Rockies), then for the Meliorist at the the University of Lethbridge, covering music and theatre. After years of changing majors and returning to school after several years out, I completed a degree in English at the University of Lethbridge in 2002, then a degree in journalism in 2002 from Thompson Rivers University. I have had my work published in local papers like The Daily Townsman in Cranbrook, Kamloops This Week in Kamloops, The Omega in Kamloops, plus poetry in Whetstone at the U of L. I am currently writing for Earshot Online, BC Musician and North of 50.
I've also been involved in radio for more than 15 years, first at CKUL (now CKXU) in Lethbridge, hosting an industrial show, some eclectic programming and, for a while, a hip-hop show. I am currently the programming coordinator at CFBX in Kamloops, and host an experimental music show called Do Not Touch This Amp, Friday nights 8-9 PM Pacific. I stress that this blog has no affiliation with the station and that my opinions do not reflect the programming stance and mandate of CFBX or any of the other publications I contribute to.
What this blog will be about: Music, in all forms. I have a deep appreciation and respect for most forms of music and admire the power of good music. I'm also an avid record collector. I dislike the current movement of music online, and I will be talking about this. I love the feel of a record sleeve or CD case in my hand. If you're looking for more social, political and other commentary and writing, check out my Livejournal. Yes, I have a Livejournal. Yes, I am a middle aged man, not a teenaged girl. Deal with it.
What I like: New wave, minimalist electronics, industrial, noise, experimental rock, retro electronics, free and avant-garde jazz, psychedelic rock, British pub-rock, kraut-rock, bizarre and obscure covers, album art, record collecting, independent music. I like blues, jazz, country, roots and worldbeat music in general. I have a special interest in anything Canadian, especially the early days of the Canadian music scene.
What I dislike: Music that's derivative or uninspired, modern country (pop country), modern hip-hop and rap, death metal (though I like tech-metal and 80s metal), progressive rock, mainstream radio (but not necessarily mainstream music).
Bands and artists I like and respect: Elvis Costello, DEVO, Kraftwerk, Talking Heads, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, David S. Ware, John Zorn, Skinny Puppy, Foetus, Warren Zevon, The Go-Go's, Sleater-Kinney, The Hidden Cameras, The Ramones, Cub, The Black Angels, Black Mountain, !!!, The B-52s, The Fall, Depeche Mode, Ministry, Front 242, MC 900 Ft. Jesus, Polysics, Pere Ubu, Sonic Youth, Zeni Geva, Gastr Del Sol, Tortoise, Liars, Stereolab, The Pixies, The Beatles, Nirvana, Blondie, Dead Kennedys, DOA, Frank Zappa, Weird Al Yankovic.
I read: !exclaim, Under the Radar, Magnet, Signal to Noise, Canadian Musician, BC Musician, Paste (RIP), No Depression (RIP). I occasionally will pick up Spin, Rolling Stone and Alternative Press, but not often.
Links to my other writing:
My Livejournal
Record reviews on Earshot-Online
My review page on RateYourMusic
Do Not Touch This Amp, my radio show
My first plans are to start with original content, but also to link to some classic content from my other sites, report news and gather a nice set of links for the sidebar. I'm actively looking for discussion on this blog, so if you agree or disagree, please post!
Have fun!
After some prodding from some well meaning friends, I've decided to start a music blog. I've always written about music, but I've kept it spread over a number of different spots, like my LiveJournal and my zines, and several websites. The intent of this blog is to keep all my writing about music in one place and hopefully get a larger audience for my writing.
I've had a long interest in writing and in music. My first published article was in my high school monthly newspaper back in 1985, when I wrote a record review of The Cars Heartbeat City. I started writing regularly for the high school paper in 1986, as a student in the journalism program, doing columns on music, comics and some humour writing. By 1988, I was writing a regular music column and record reviews for Insights, the paper at East Kootenay Community College (now the College of the Rockies), then for the Meliorist at the the University of Lethbridge, covering music and theatre. After years of changing majors and returning to school after several years out, I completed a degree in English at the University of Lethbridge in 2002, then a degree in journalism in 2002 from Thompson Rivers University. I have had my work published in local papers like The Daily Townsman in Cranbrook, Kamloops This Week in Kamloops, The Omega in Kamloops, plus poetry in Whetstone at the U of L. I am currently writing for Earshot Online, BC Musician and North of 50.
I've also been involved in radio for more than 15 years, first at CKUL (now CKXU) in Lethbridge, hosting an industrial show, some eclectic programming and, for a while, a hip-hop show. I am currently the programming coordinator at CFBX in Kamloops, and host an experimental music show called Do Not Touch This Amp, Friday nights 8-9 PM Pacific. I stress that this blog has no affiliation with the station and that my opinions do not reflect the programming stance and mandate of CFBX or any of the other publications I contribute to.
What this blog will be about: Music, in all forms. I have a deep appreciation and respect for most forms of music and admire the power of good music. I'm also an avid record collector. I dislike the current movement of music online, and I will be talking about this. I love the feel of a record sleeve or CD case in my hand. If you're looking for more social, political and other commentary and writing, check out my Livejournal. Yes, I have a Livejournal. Yes, I am a middle aged man, not a teenaged girl. Deal with it.
What I like: New wave, minimalist electronics, industrial, noise, experimental rock, retro electronics, free and avant-garde jazz, psychedelic rock, British pub-rock, kraut-rock, bizarre and obscure covers, album art, record collecting, independent music. I like blues, jazz, country, roots and worldbeat music in general. I have a special interest in anything Canadian, especially the early days of the Canadian music scene.
What I dislike: Music that's derivative or uninspired, modern country (pop country), modern hip-hop and rap, death metal (though I like tech-metal and 80s metal), progressive rock, mainstream radio (but not necessarily mainstream music).
Bands and artists I like and respect: Elvis Costello, DEVO, Kraftwerk, Talking Heads, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, David S. Ware, John Zorn, Skinny Puppy, Foetus, Warren Zevon, The Go-Go's, Sleater-Kinney, The Hidden Cameras, The Ramones, Cub, The Black Angels, Black Mountain, !!!, The B-52s, The Fall, Depeche Mode, Ministry, Front 242, MC 900 Ft. Jesus, Polysics, Pere Ubu, Sonic Youth, Zeni Geva, Gastr Del Sol, Tortoise, Liars, Stereolab, The Pixies, The Beatles, Nirvana, Blondie, Dead Kennedys, DOA, Frank Zappa, Weird Al Yankovic.
I read: !exclaim, Under the Radar, Magnet, Signal to Noise, Canadian Musician, BC Musician, Paste (RIP), No Depression (RIP). I occasionally will pick up Spin, Rolling Stone and Alternative Press, but not often.
Links to my other writing:
My Livejournal
Record reviews on Earshot-Online
My review page on RateYourMusic
Do Not Touch This Amp, my radio show
My first plans are to start with original content, but also to link to some classic content from my other sites, report news and gather a nice set of links for the sidebar. I'm actively looking for discussion on this blog, so if you agree or disagree, please post!
Have fun!
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