The hardest blogs for me to write are the ones about the people I love the most. No words seem sufficient enough to describe their awesomeness. This is the second blog I've agonized over for a group of guys that I absolutely love! Beside the fact that I have a huge crush on every fucking member of the band....I can't get enough of their music either. The band is Gift of Destiny and the music is Metal, Punk, Hard Rock and now Funk....hell yeah, that's right baby, Gift of Destiny got da Funk!!
I first heard of Gift of Destiny late last summer....I was creeping their website, and discovered a free download of Raise Some Hell - a single off their first album Throttle...hey wait....I wrote all this before...if you don't know Gift of Destiny or how much I fucking loved their first album please refer to my earlier blog Oh My G.O.D.
Gift of Destiny consists of Los - Vocals, Mikey - Guitars, Keyboards and Backing Vocals, B-Low - Bass and Jake - Drums and Backing Vocals. I have nothing but the utmost admiration and respect for these guys musically! They fucking rocked my world with their first album and now hmmm mmmm, they have released the Wednesday Sessions, 3 new songs that turn me on just as much!
Gift of Destiny is the kind of band that can appeal to almost everybody. As mentioned above, they blend a number of different styles into a sound that is uniquely their own. They are always going to be surrounded by women. From my own point of view, they have an exciting sound that touches the most primal senses in me. And I don't mean that tweenie "I wish he would kiss me" kinda feeling....seriously, every time I listen to them, I want to fuck someone. I'm not talkin "Oooo baby, make love to me" either...I mean "Fuck baby, strip me down, pin me against the wall and take me!"
The hard driving rock of CIA is a perfect example of that....those beats, Jake...damn darlin, such energy! and in perfect rhythm! Makes me wonder if that talent extends into other uh, more interactive activities! Sing to me, Carlos, hmm mmm, I love the way your voice feels as it moves over me! Very hot baby! Oh, and then there's the guitar....oh my G.O.D! Mikey, please baby...for just one night I want you to pretend I'm your guitar....ahem.....okay, maybe I shouldn't be listening as I write. I don't know what it is about politically charged songs that turn me on so much....
Their sound will also appeal to young men. Carlos has possession of rough heavy growling vocals that are right in line with today's heavy metal style. The Punk/Metal of This Is The Time is perfect for the mosh pit! And the lyrics are just the right combination of angry and depressing to be appreciated by young males aged 15 - 30. Having sons with whom this style of music does appeal to, I've developed an appreciation for it myself. Good job, Gift of Destiny!
Well, I said they appeal to all kinds of rock and metal fans, so let's not leave out those who prefer the classics. And yeah, I fall into that group as well. I can't tell you how fucking excited I get when I hear these guys put their spin on Play that Funky Music. Staying true to the original sound and rhythm....yeah, they kept the funk!!.....yet putting that metal Gift of Destiny stamp on it that makes it their song. I seriously can't listen to this song and write at the same time. When I hear it, I have to get up and dance...or boogie.....either way, I gotta move!
The boys are releasing these small sets of songs as they go...another one of the difficulties of being a small independent artist...recording time costs money. So help them make more music by purchasing the music they have out there. I urge you to buy Throttle and these 3 Wednesday Sessions songs they have just released. Metal chicks...they'll fucking turn you on, I swear! Metal guys...you'll love the fucking energy and vocals, really! Rock fans...driving beats and fucking killer riffs...need I say more? And for those to whom it doesn't appeal to at all...if you and I are on a date and you put on some Gift of Destiny, chances just increased ten fold that you are getting laid!
Music and musicians do turn me on. Gift of Destiny, the music and the men, do more than that for me. They take me there...again...and again.........; )
Here's their links:
Gift of Destiny official website
Gift of Destiny on myspace
Gift of Destiny on reverbnation
Buy Throttle on cd baby
Buy Throttle and Wednesday Sessions on iTunes
Gift of Destiny on twitter
Gift of Destiny on facebook
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Support Kick Ass Music
Hi Everyone...It's Saturday, and Saturday is when I'm supposed to have a new blog post here! Guess what? I'm still fucking working on it! So hopefully within a day or two I will have an awesome review done for some very good friends who happen to fucking rock my world!!
Feel free to take this opportunity to look over some of my archives....really good stuff in there. Take your time and be sure to check out all the links I left for you throughout these articles. Or......
Check out the review I posted at Support Kick Ass Music . Cupla is a new rockin alternative rock band out of Vancouver, BC and I fucking love them! Follow the link and find out how much. There are a lot of great articles, videos and links at Support Kick Ass Music too, so browse around, check them out!
Have fun, take care and don't forget to drop back for that fucking awesome review that I will have posted soon.......; )
Feel free to take this opportunity to look over some of my archives....really good stuff in there. Take your time and be sure to check out all the links I left for you throughout these articles. Or......
Check out the review I posted at Support Kick Ass Music . Cupla is a new rockin alternative rock band out of Vancouver, BC and I fucking love them! Follow the link and find out how much. There are a lot of great articles, videos and links at Support Kick Ass Music too, so browse around, check them out!
Have fun, take care and don't forget to drop back for that fucking awesome review that I will have posted soon.......; )
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Dallas is Worth the Green
On January 24, The Low Anthem opened for City and Colour at the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat Alberta and I was lucky enough to be there. Lucky because not only was it a fucking incredible concert, but also because I won 2 tickets to the show. That's right, Lethbridge's radio Rock 106.7 came through for me again. Thanks again Vince and Rosie! I don't care what anyone else says...you guys rock!!
This free show ended up costing $215! And it was worth every fucking penny! Let me explain...
Way back in November it was announced that City and Colour would be playing the Esplanade in Medicine Hat. Our local Lethbridge rock radio station Rock 106, was "beating the box-office." I happened to be the right caller so to win tickets I had to name four colours that begin with a vowel. Well, with a little help from DJ's Vince and Rosie I won the tickets! - the guys didn't give me the answers, just hints....hey it's hard, you try it.
I was very excited to go. The Esplanade is a playhouse and therefore has theater seating, complete with an upper balcony. Now, if you've been reading me for awhile, you'll know how much I hate the thought of sitting through a concert! Not so for this concert or venue. City and Colour is more music you sway to than dance to and the acoustics in the Esplanade are fucking incredible! In fact I believe that one or two of the songs on Chris Cornell's Songbook album were recorded live at the Esplanade. So for an acoustic, poetic band like City and Colour this venue is perfect.
I couldn't wait to tell my friend, Rachel, that I had won tickets! She had been at the Esplanade for Chris Cornell...front row center no less. I also knew she loved City and Colour and she would be excited for me. My tickets were in the 10th row on the main level. Not that you can get bad seats at the Esplanade but I thought they were pretty damn good!
She was excited for me, then she told me she had bought over bought tickets for the same concert. She had purchased 2 second row tickets and then discovered first row tickets were available, so she picked those up, hoping to sell her second row tickets. Considering I had won two tickets, I was planning on taking my son, Moe. He's a huge Dallas Green fan - Dallas Green - City and Colour - get it? It was Moe who had introduced me to Dallas Green's music - City and Colour, Alexisonfire, and The Grace, a Neverending White Lights song featuring Dallas Green. I figured if I picked up Rachel's extra two tickets, then Moe's twin brother Marco along with his girlfriend of three years could go too. And let's face it...I'd rather be in the second row than in the tenth! At $60 a ticket, I was now in for $120.
The next week, Rachel and I were talking again about the concert. This time she tells me, her husband would rather not go. So now she has an extra first row ticket! My mind starts working...now Moe can bring a date and I can sit in the first row! There's another $60. Still a hell of a deal. Five of us get to go for only $180....that's almost half price! And I get the FIRST ROW!!!
When we arrive at the Esplanade, half an hour before they open the theater doors, we hit the merchandise table right away! Dallas Green must already be rich, because he practically gives his merchandise away. I picked up a T-shirt for $15 - I rarely see them priced below $25 or $30 at a concert - and a CD for $5 - normally around $20. The Low Anthem are a little hungrier...their prices were a little higher...I paid $15 for their CD - still a little less than you'd normally pay at a concert. So there we are, $215 later. Now let me tell you why it was worth every fucking penny!
I had never heard of The Low Anthem before. The band comes from Providence Rhode Island and consists of Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams, Mike Irwin and Tyler Osborne. I watched fascinated as they moved around the stage, each picking up and playing a multitude of different instruments throughout the show. I was in awe! Since hearing them, they have become one of my very favorite folk bands. The simplicity and honesty of the music and the message in the lyrics is what captures me right away. The songs speak of happiness and gratefulness for gifts from a spiritual or earthly plane, not the material desires that so many of us get caught up in pursuing in our day to day rat races. It's fucking beautiful! During the intermission I went to the lobby to use the rest room and happened upon Ben signing autographs at their merchandise table...yeah, of course I got my CD autographed.
I think if it had only been The Low Anthem I would have felt I got my moneys worth, but then City and Colour took the stage! Dallas Green is fucking incredible. He calls his music folk, but it's like no other folk music I've ever heard. New genre? Modern Folk? Who knows....all I know is it's so fucking hauntingly beautiful, it can easily bring tears to your eyes.
Apparently a lot of their songs are in different tuning because in between many of the songs the band would pause to tune their guitars. These quiet moments gave the audience the opportunity to yell affectionate greetings to Dallas. He responded in good humor, even when the voices proclaiming their love were deep male voices. When a couple of women from opposite sides of the playhouse each insisted they loved him more than the other, he responded with, "It's not a competition, people."
About half way through their performance, the band took a short break and we had Dallas and his guitar to ourselves. Before beginning his song, he asked the audience to do him one favor. He asked that everyone put their cell phones down. For just one song, not to worry about taking pictures or video. He spoke about how we get so caught up in trying to record the moment to enjoy it later that we forget to enjoy it while it's happening. So for just one song, to be present with him in the moment, for just one song to just sit back and enjoy the music. After that we could go back to happily snapping away. His words made so much fucking sense to me that I did him one better and put my cell phone away for the rest of the concert. I'm glad I did. When the band joined him on stage again, they played my very favorite song by City and Colour, Fragile Bird! Without the distraction of trying to get the perfect picture, I enjoyed him and the music that much more! I'm going to remember his words for other concerts and events as well. I wouldn't expect that I would learn a life lesson at a concert but there it is. You're a wise man Dallas Green. Thank you for the simple lesson to live in the moment as it happens........; )
Check them out for yourself
The Low Anthem
The Low Anthem official website
The Low Anthem on facebook
The Low Anthem on Twitter
The Low Anthem channel on YouTube
City and Colour
City and Colour official website
City and Colour on facebook
City and Colour on Twitter
City and Colour on myspace
City and Colour Videos channel on YouTube
City and Colour on soundcloud
Neverending White Lights
The Grace,
Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire channel on YouTube
This free show ended up costing $215! And it was worth every fucking penny! Let me explain...
Way back in November it was announced that City and Colour would be playing the Esplanade in Medicine Hat. Our local Lethbridge rock radio station Rock 106, was "beating the box-office." I happened to be the right caller so to win tickets I had to name four colours that begin with a vowel. Well, with a little help from DJ's Vince and Rosie I won the tickets! - the guys didn't give me the answers, just hints....hey it's hard, you try it.
I was very excited to go. The Esplanade is a playhouse and therefore has theater seating, complete with an upper balcony. Now, if you've been reading me for awhile, you'll know how much I hate the thought of sitting through a concert! Not so for this concert or venue. City and Colour is more music you sway to than dance to and the acoustics in the Esplanade are fucking incredible! In fact I believe that one or two of the songs on Chris Cornell's Songbook album were recorded live at the Esplanade. So for an acoustic, poetic band like City and Colour this venue is perfect.
I couldn't wait to tell my friend, Rachel, that I had won tickets! She had been at the Esplanade for Chris Cornell...front row center no less. I also knew she loved City and Colour and she would be excited for me. My tickets were in the 10th row on the main level. Not that you can get bad seats at the Esplanade but I thought they were pretty damn good!
She was excited for me, then she told me she had bought over bought tickets for the same concert. She had purchased 2 second row tickets and then discovered first row tickets were available, so she picked those up, hoping to sell her second row tickets. Considering I had won two tickets, I was planning on taking my son, Moe. He's a huge Dallas Green fan - Dallas Green - City and Colour - get it? It was Moe who had introduced me to Dallas Green's music - City and Colour, Alexisonfire, and The Grace, a Neverending White Lights song featuring Dallas Green. I figured if I picked up Rachel's extra two tickets, then Moe's twin brother Marco along with his girlfriend of three years could go too. And let's face it...I'd rather be in the second row than in the tenth! At $60 a ticket, I was now in for $120.
The next week, Rachel and I were talking again about the concert. This time she tells me, her husband would rather not go. So now she has an extra first row ticket! My mind starts working...now Moe can bring a date and I can sit in the first row! There's another $60. Still a hell of a deal. Five of us get to go for only $180....that's almost half price! And I get the FIRST ROW!!!
When we arrive at the Esplanade, half an hour before they open the theater doors, we hit the merchandise table right away! Dallas Green must already be rich, because he practically gives his merchandise away. I picked up a T-shirt for $15 - I rarely see them priced below $25 or $30 at a concert - and a CD for $5 - normally around $20. The Low Anthem are a little hungrier...their prices were a little higher...I paid $15 for their CD - still a little less than you'd normally pay at a concert. So there we are, $215 later. Now let me tell you why it was worth every fucking penny!
I had never heard of The Low Anthem before. The band comes from Providence Rhode Island and consists of Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams, Mike Irwin and Tyler Osborne. I watched fascinated as they moved around the stage, each picking up and playing a multitude of different instruments throughout the show. I was in awe! Since hearing them, they have become one of my very favorite folk bands. The simplicity and honesty of the music and the message in the lyrics is what captures me right away. The songs speak of happiness and gratefulness for gifts from a spiritual or earthly plane, not the material desires that so many of us get caught up in pursuing in our day to day rat races. It's fucking beautiful! During the intermission I went to the lobby to use the rest room and happened upon Ben signing autographs at their merchandise table...yeah, of course I got my CD autographed.
I think if it had only been The Low Anthem I would have felt I got my moneys worth, but then City and Colour took the stage! Dallas Green is fucking incredible. He calls his music folk, but it's like no other folk music I've ever heard. New genre? Modern Folk? Who knows....all I know is it's so fucking hauntingly beautiful, it can easily bring tears to your eyes.
Apparently a lot of their songs are in different tuning because in between many of the songs the band would pause to tune their guitars. These quiet moments gave the audience the opportunity to yell affectionate greetings to Dallas. He responded in good humor, even when the voices proclaiming their love were deep male voices. When a couple of women from opposite sides of the playhouse each insisted they loved him more than the other, he responded with, "It's not a competition, people."
About half way through their performance, the band took a short break and we had Dallas and his guitar to ourselves. Before beginning his song, he asked the audience to do him one favor. He asked that everyone put their cell phones down. For just one song, not to worry about taking pictures or video. He spoke about how we get so caught up in trying to record the moment to enjoy it later that we forget to enjoy it while it's happening. So for just one song, to be present with him in the moment, for just one song to just sit back and enjoy the music. After that we could go back to happily snapping away. His words made so much fucking sense to me that I did him one better and put my cell phone away for the rest of the concert. I'm glad I did. When the band joined him on stage again, they played my very favorite song by City and Colour, Fragile Bird! Without the distraction of trying to get the perfect picture, I enjoyed him and the music that much more! I'm going to remember his words for other concerts and events as well. I wouldn't expect that I would learn a life lesson at a concert but there it is. You're a wise man Dallas Green. Thank you for the simple lesson to live in the moment as it happens........; )
Check them out for yourself
The Low Anthem
The Low Anthem official website
The Low Anthem on facebook
The Low Anthem on Twitter
The Low Anthem channel on YouTube
City and Colour
City and Colour official website
City and Colour on facebook
City and Colour on Twitter
City and Colour on myspace
City and Colour Videos channel on YouTube
City and Colour on soundcloud
Neverending White Lights
The Grace,
Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire channel on YouTube
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Under the Influence on the Road
I live rurally. This means when I need to stock up on groceries and other household necessities it is a 45 minute drive into the city (Lethbridge, AB). As it happened, this weekend I had a couple of the loves of my life along for the ride. My 18 year old twin sons. One of the boys had band practice in the city as well, so instead of using two vehicles we rode in together. His brother decided to come along for the ride and help me with the groceries. I love it when my kids come along for the ride. Each taking turns in the front seat - one on the way there, his brother on the way back - whoever is riding in front will plug his mp3 into the car stereo and I get a taste of what he's currently listening to.
I was so impressed by their playlists that I just have to share some of it with you. Marco called shotgun first. Let me tell you about Marco. He's a fucking incredible guitar player for his Deathcore band, Reborn Extinction. Despite the fact that Deathcore is the only genre of music Marco is currently playing himself, his musical interests and influences are very diverse and his playlists never cease to surprise and please me. He has exposed me to so much music I otherwise would not have heard. The following is the playlist he chose on this day...
The first song he played was Manchester Orchestra - I Can Feel a Hot One. Take a listen
The second song to come over the speakers is not only one of my kids favorites but one of my personal favorites as well. I was groovin and singing along with Krizz Kaliko Misunderstood
I was so impressed by their playlists that I just have to share some of it with you. Marco called shotgun first. Let me tell you about Marco. He's a fucking incredible guitar player for his Deathcore band, Reborn Extinction. Despite the fact that Deathcore is the only genre of music Marco is currently playing himself, his musical interests and influences are very diverse and his playlists never cease to surprise and please me. He has exposed me to so much music I otherwise would not have heard. The following is the playlist he chose on this day...
The first song he played was Manchester Orchestra - I Can Feel a Hot One. Take a listen
The second song to come over the speakers is not only one of my kids favorites but one of my personal favorites as well. I was groovin and singing along with Krizz Kaliko Misunderstood
And no shit, the third song was Mother Mother Wisdom. I don't think most would expect a Deathcore artist to enjoy this. Mother Mother is one of Marco's bands, take a listen....
No Deathcore artist's playlist would be complete without some Death Metal. I was fucking delighted by this cover of Pink Floyd's Us and Them by Misery Signal. Keep in mind that it is Death Metal, so when you listen, expect Death Metal...only different from the regular Death Metal....I fucking love it!
In addition to the songs above, Marco's playlist included Straylight Run, Hands in the Sky; TV on the Radio, DLZ; Under the Influence of Giants. Against All Odds; Immortal Techniques, Bin Laden; Will Smith, Wild Wild West and more. On the way home, we listened to Moe's playlist....it's just as fucking incredible...I'll tell you all about Moe and share his playlist with you another time.
The times I've had alone with any of my 4 sons were mostly used to share our biggest common interest - music. No matter what their age at the time, we've always had something to talk to each other about. I'm coming to realize that these moments alone together are becoming fewer and fewer as my babies are now young men. I truly appreciate the influence they have been on me. Jeff. Justin, Marco and Moe, I love you guys! You fucking rock............; )
The times I've had alone with any of my 4 sons were mostly used to share our biggest common interest - music. No matter what their age at the time, we've always had something to talk to each other about. I'm coming to realize that these moments alone together are becoming fewer and fewer as my babies are now young men. I truly appreciate the influence they have been on me. Jeff. Justin, Marco and Moe, I love you guys! You fucking rock............; )
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Move Over Guys
I love men. Hm mmm! Everything about them. The way they look, smell, taste...hehehe. And yeah even the way they think! I love the way their arms feel around me and how they can always open the pickle jar. But that's not to say I don't like women. True, I don't swing that way sexually, but when a girl needs a friend, nothing beats a chick.
I know a number of kick ass chicks. These are chicks that don't pull fucking punches. They tell it like it is and they are there for you when you need them. As my best friend put it, "You can fight your own battles, but if you're down and bloodied, I'll step in over your bloody body and continue the fight for you." They fucking make you laugh when you don't think it's even possible to crack a phoney smile. They are supportive and fun. I love them. They fucking rock!! There's one woman in particular that I know that not only rocks as a friend, but as a musician as well.
Though the genre is comprised predominately of men, there have been a number of chicks that literally fucking rock. I know this because I've been listening to them fucking rock for the last 40 years. Janis Joplin, Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane), Carole Pope (Rough Trade), Holly Woods (Toronto), Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Deborah Harry (Blondie), Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)...and that's only up to the fucking 70'... and not even a complete list at that. These women paved the way in the industry and were an influence for future rocker chicks such as Sass Jordan, Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse and my friend Lauren Wolf.
Lauren, like so many other independent artists, promotes her music through social media, twitter, facebook, etc. I took a listen to her stuff and became an instant fan. This chick can wail! The great thing about social media is not only are you able to discover new artists and music, but you can connect with or contact the artist as well. I use my twitter account to such purposes...it gives me fodder for this blog and I'm able to do my little bit to help independents by promoting their stuff on twitter and facebook. I'm glad I do, because it was through twitter that I not only heard of Lauren Wolf and her music but connected with her and her fans as well.
I actually won Lauren's CD (autographed, HA!), All My Secrets, from a contest on twitter with Rising Magazine...by the way, you gotta check Rising Magazine. I put a link below for the issue that Lauren is featured in, but I also suggest subscribing to it....very concise information about up and coming musicians. But enough of that for now...back to Lauren Wolf's CD. Lauren starts with a mind blowing cover of Janis Joplin's Move Over, and she fucking rocks it! So I'm hooked, right off the bat. She also does a few more covers throughout the album - The Letter, originally recorded by The Box Tops, though the version I remember most was Joe Cocker's rendition (did you know this song has been recorded over 200 times by different artists?), Crazy by Gnarls Barkley and Journey's Separate Ways. In Lauren's renditions she stays true to the original artist but no doubt, she makes them her own with her raw and soulful style. Then there are the original songs, One Day, Secrets, and You Are are just a few of my favorites. They're full of feeling and soul as well, sung by one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.
I gotta get to a Lauren Wolf live show...besides knowing I will be rocked right out of my socks, I've heard that for her meet and greets before the show she serves Booze Balls (a delicious bite of dessert, filled with booze - two of my most decadent pleasures), that she makes herself! Man, can this chick get any better? I don't think so, I already think she's the best! I absolutely love her as a musician and as a person. Check her out, you will too! And by the way Lauren, I got your back baby, anytime you need someone to step over the bloody body, I'm there........; )
Check out Lauren Wolf music here:
Lauren Wolf website
Lauren Wolf on facebook
Lauren Wolf on twitter
Lauren's 6 page spread in Rising Magazine
I know a number of kick ass chicks. These are chicks that don't pull fucking punches. They tell it like it is and they are there for you when you need them. As my best friend put it, "You can fight your own battles, but if you're down and bloodied, I'll step in over your bloody body and continue the fight for you." They fucking make you laugh when you don't think it's even possible to crack a phoney smile. They are supportive and fun. I love them. They fucking rock!! There's one woman in particular that I know that not only rocks as a friend, but as a musician as well.
Though the genre is comprised predominately of men, there have been a number of chicks that literally fucking rock. I know this because I've been listening to them fucking rock for the last 40 years. Janis Joplin, Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane), Carole Pope (Rough Trade), Holly Woods (Toronto), Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Deborah Harry (Blondie), Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)...and that's only up to the fucking 70'... and not even a complete list at that. These women paved the way in the industry and were an influence for future rocker chicks such as Sass Jordan, Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse and my friend Lauren Wolf.
Lauren, like so many other independent artists, promotes her music through social media, twitter, facebook, etc. I took a listen to her stuff and became an instant fan. This chick can wail! The great thing about social media is not only are you able to discover new artists and music, but you can connect with or contact the artist as well. I use my twitter account to such purposes...it gives me fodder for this blog and I'm able to do my little bit to help independents by promoting their stuff on twitter and facebook. I'm glad I do, because it was through twitter that I not only heard of Lauren Wolf and her music but connected with her and her fans as well.
I actually won Lauren's CD (autographed, HA!), All My Secrets, from a contest on twitter with Rising Magazine...by the way, you gotta check Rising Magazine. I put a link below for the issue that Lauren is featured in, but I also suggest subscribing to it....very concise information about up and coming musicians. But enough of that for now...back to Lauren Wolf's CD. Lauren starts with a mind blowing cover of Janis Joplin's Move Over, and she fucking rocks it! So I'm hooked, right off the bat. She also does a few more covers throughout the album - The Letter, originally recorded by The Box Tops, though the version I remember most was Joe Cocker's rendition (did you know this song has been recorded over 200 times by different artists?), Crazy by Gnarls Barkley and Journey's Separate Ways. In Lauren's renditions she stays true to the original artist but no doubt, she makes them her own with her raw and soulful style. Then there are the original songs, One Day, Secrets, and You Are are just a few of my favorites. They're full of feeling and soul as well, sung by one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.
I gotta get to a Lauren Wolf live show...besides knowing I will be rocked right out of my socks, I've heard that for her meet and greets before the show she serves Booze Balls (a delicious bite of dessert, filled with booze - two of my most decadent pleasures), that she makes herself! Man, can this chick get any better? I don't think so, I already think she's the best! I absolutely love her as a musician and as a person. Check her out, you will too! And by the way Lauren, I got your back baby, anytime you need someone to step over the bloody body, I'm there........; )
Check out Lauren Wolf music here:
Lauren Wolf website
Lauren Wolf on facebook
Lauren Wolf on twitter
Lauren's 6 page spread in Rising Magazine
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Give Me the Blues, Baby...
I listen to different kinds of music depending upon my mood or state of mind. Then there's that music I can listen to no matter what my mood. I can cry to it, I can laugh to it, I can dance to it and if I'm with the right someone, hehehe, I can strip to it too! oh yeah baby!
The music I speak of is blues. The same song, depending upon the mood I'm in can evoke a different reaction from me each time I listen to it. Regardless of how simple or complicated the music and lyrics in the many styles of blues music it undoubtedly has the same effect on me...it digs into me, drawing out and reflecting back 10 fold any emotion I might be feeling.
I don't profess to be a blues expert by any means. Like anything else - if I like it, I turn it up. Some of my favorites in the genre include BB King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Colin James, Jeff Healy, Jimi Hendrix and now.....J Edwards!
There are a couple of different approaches to writing music. One approach is to write from the inside looking out, sharing personal experiences for others to relate to. Another is to write from the outside looking in, observing the world and sharing a perspective from an empathetic point of view. J Edwards' style of writing is the latter. This is what he'll tell you on his website, anyway.... J gets into the heart of every subject he writes from and is so sympathetic to his subject that it's really difficult for me to believe that it's not his own personal experience.
J Edwards performs what he describes as Bluecountry and the moment I heard the intro to Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog, I was interested. Then I heard J Edwards' voice! Damn, it was made for the blues! This man has incredible fucking talent. No, actually that is actually an understatement....it's apparent when you listen to him that the blues live in his soul. He wears his music, and his guitar for that matter, so comfortably you know they are as much a part of him as any of his limbs.
When I listen to J Edwards, his music takes over me and I can't help but move my body. I have yet to hear I song of his that I'm not fucking in love with. I'm very particular to Eatin' at LuLu's though....you see LuLu has a Cat House, hehehe....
If you like the blues at all...a lot or even a little bit, you have to listen to this artist. I dare you to tell me you aren't crazy about him. Hell, I double dare you......... ; )
J Edwards on Reverbnation - listen to his stuff here!
@jedwards004 follow him on twitter
J Edwards website
The music I speak of is blues. The same song, depending upon the mood I'm in can evoke a different reaction from me each time I listen to it. Regardless of how simple or complicated the music and lyrics in the many styles of blues music it undoubtedly has the same effect on me...it digs into me, drawing out and reflecting back 10 fold any emotion I might be feeling.
I don't profess to be a blues expert by any means. Like anything else - if I like it, I turn it up. Some of my favorites in the genre include BB King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Colin James, Jeff Healy, Jimi Hendrix and now.....J Edwards!
There are a couple of different approaches to writing music. One approach is to write from the inside looking out, sharing personal experiences for others to relate to. Another is to write from the outside looking in, observing the world and sharing a perspective from an empathetic point of view. J Edwards' style of writing is the latter. This is what he'll tell you on his website, anyway.... J gets into the heart of every subject he writes from and is so sympathetic to his subject that it's really difficult for me to believe that it's not his own personal experience.
J Edwards performs what he describes as Bluecountry and the moment I heard the intro to Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog, I was interested. Then I heard J Edwards' voice! Damn, it was made for the blues! This man has incredible fucking talent. No, actually that is actually an understatement....it's apparent when you listen to him that the blues live in his soul. He wears his music, and his guitar for that matter, so comfortably you know they are as much a part of him as any of his limbs.
When I listen to J Edwards, his music takes over me and I can't help but move my body. I have yet to hear I song of his that I'm not fucking in love with. I'm very particular to Eatin' at LuLu's though....you see LuLu has a Cat House, hehehe....
If you like the blues at all...a lot or even a little bit, you have to listen to this artist. I dare you to tell me you aren't crazy about him. Hell, I double dare you......... ; )
J Edwards on Reverbnation - listen to his stuff here!
@jedwards004 follow him on twitter
J Edwards website
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Metal Works!
Okay Metal-heads, this post is for you! I've mentioned before that I get off on all kinds of fucking music...rock, blues, rap, alternative, and of course metal. And one of the things I can say about metal musicians is they are the nicest fucking people in the world. I wonder if it's because all their aggression is outsourced through their music.
Metal is hard hitting, aggressive in your face music and I love it. When I am down or angry, nothing picks me up like metal music. You have probably heard of some of my favorite metal artists including Metallica, Hell Yeah, Mudvayne, Slip Knot and if you've been paying any attention at all, you also know about Gift of Destiny!
Now I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to a new favorite.
Killed the Fixtion is a metal band from New Jersey and these guys know how to fucking RAWK! I fucking love them! The band consists of Nelson Ceron, front man with kickass vocals, Kevin Izquierdo, who kills it on guitar, Robert Asencio on bass - I fucking want to see you play man, fuck! And I'll tell you what - Abbad Ibn Townsend's drums know who's fucking boss!
I can't be still when I listen to their music. Their song Pulse is an energetic mix of heavy metal and hard rock. Nelson's vocals are fucking incredible! I don't know whether to fucking headbang or jump. So I do both! Seems a shame my chiropractor is making all the money though.... KTF - investment option?
Crank takes you straight into their punk influences and showcases Kevin's and Abbad's musical talent on guitar and drums. Yeah, I'm fucking jumping again! My chiropractor - "cha ching!"
Shades of Limit and we are back into old school metal...that's right, I hear those Metallica and Black Sabbath influences! Headbanging! My chiropractor - "going to Hawaii!!"
I think it's awesome that these guys know older music...much of which is older than them, I'm sure...hell they know Barry White! And Barry White is fucking sexy man! And now that we are on the subject of sexy....nice segue, don't you think?...these boys are hot! Ah, I know what you're thinking....what a perv, right? Hey...just because I'm a few years older doesn't mean I can't enjoy the scenery too...so fuck off.
As with any band I get excited about, I wanted to learn more about Killed the Fixtion. I read some of their history...how music served as the very outlet of aggression that I spoke of earlier. That by focusing on their music it led them away from the street gangs and the trouble that would have followed. They chose positive over negative, creativity over destruction. I admire that. Too many young people today are thinking it's cool to be gangsta, and that saddens me....yeah, that's right, I said gangsta, get over it.
I am so fucking impressed when bands find the right brothers work with and Killed the Fixtion is definitely one of those bands. Drawing from a number of styles and influences they have a cohesive relationship that allows them to bring it all together and cook up something fucking incredible. Metal Punk Rock Stew...fuck yeah! I'll have another bowl of that!.........; )
Don't take my word for it...check 'em out yourself:
Killed the Fixtion on facebook
Killed the Fixtion on myspace
@KTFNJ on twitter
Metal is hard hitting, aggressive in your face music and I love it. When I am down or angry, nothing picks me up like metal music. You have probably heard of some of my favorite metal artists including Metallica, Hell Yeah, Mudvayne, Slip Knot and if you've been paying any attention at all, you also know about Gift of Destiny!
Now I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to a new favorite.
Killed the Fixtion is a metal band from New Jersey and these guys know how to fucking RAWK! I fucking love them! The band consists of Nelson Ceron, front man with kickass vocals, Kevin Izquierdo, who kills it on guitar, Robert Asencio on bass - I fucking want to see you play man, fuck! And I'll tell you what - Abbad Ibn Townsend's drums know who's fucking boss!
I can't be still when I listen to their music. Their song Pulse is an energetic mix of heavy metal and hard rock. Nelson's vocals are fucking incredible! I don't know whether to fucking headbang or jump. So I do both! Seems a shame my chiropractor is making all the money though.... KTF - investment option?
Crank takes you straight into their punk influences and showcases Kevin's and Abbad's musical talent on guitar and drums. Yeah, I'm fucking jumping again! My chiropractor - "cha ching!"
Shades of Limit and we are back into old school metal...that's right, I hear those Metallica and Black Sabbath influences! Headbanging! My chiropractor - "going to Hawaii!!"
I think it's awesome that these guys know older music...much of which is older than them, I'm sure...hell they know Barry White! And Barry White is fucking sexy man! And now that we are on the subject of sexy....nice segue, don't you think?...these boys are hot! Ah, I know what you're thinking....what a perv, right? Hey...just because I'm a few years older doesn't mean I can't enjoy the scenery too...so fuck off.
As with any band I get excited about, I wanted to learn more about Killed the Fixtion. I read some of their history...how music served as the very outlet of aggression that I spoke of earlier. That by focusing on their music it led them away from the street gangs and the trouble that would have followed. They chose positive over negative, creativity over destruction. I admire that. Too many young people today are thinking it's cool to be gangsta, and that saddens me....yeah, that's right, I said gangsta, get over it.
I am so fucking impressed when bands find the right brothers work with and Killed the Fixtion is definitely one of those bands. Drawing from a number of styles and influences they have a cohesive relationship that allows them to bring it all together and cook up something fucking incredible. Metal Punk Rock Stew...fuck yeah! I'll have another bowl of that!.........; )
Don't take my word for it...check 'em out yourself:
Killed the Fixtion on facebook
Killed the Fixtion on myspace
@KTFNJ on twitter
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