Mac's Music Blog

Band Updates!

2011-08-21T21:56:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, so I have a lot of updates on many of the bands I have reviewed.

First of all, I would like to unfortunately announce that the band Living Like Ghosts is breaking up. You can still buy their CDs and merch off of their website (hint hint).

Secondly, the lead singer of Masters of the Universe is getting married (CONGRATS); but because of his new commitment, he will be leaving the band. So I urge anyone who can sing and lives in the Pittsburgh, PA area to contact them on facebook/myspace to try out.

Next, I was fortunate enough to get a copy of The Last Good Year's new live ablum. Needless to say it is awesome, they have gotten much, much better as a whole. Their vocal harmonies are spot on (something that is very apparent from the first song on the album). I also really liked their song selection and order for the album, they obviously have worked hard to improve their sound and their performance. I must say that this may in fact push their overall score to a 9.25/10. So again if you haven't already, read my previous review and CHECK THEM OUT!

Fourthly, Toby Kane's new record is out, entitled The Heart Machine and is available on iTunes. Fittingly enough, 20% of all of his record sales this month will be given to The American Heart Institute- South Dakota. SO BUY HIS ALBUM! Once I finally get around to buying it, I'll let you know what I think.

Fifthly, The Fighting Jamesons are recording and releasing a new album soon, so check them out on facebook for updates!

Finally, a few weeks ago I went to the flood city music festival. Unfortunately, all of the acts I saw were signed so I can't review them. Regardless, I wanted to comment on the development of the festival. I've been going to the "Johnstown folk festival" for nearly ten years now, and needless to say I have been a little disappointed in its development. The festival started as a free festival with countless young budding, unsigned musicians with many local vendors etc etc. Now, the festival is dominated by large acts; and although I do think it is still awesome festival, it has lost its charm. This past year the one and only Gregg Allman headlined the festival, causing them to charge me 20 bucks for admission and really limited the number of acts present at the festival (because it cost them a lot to get Allman there). Because of the limited number of acts, there were only three stages compared to past years where there would be 7+ stages. The committee in charge of the festival most likely upped the price for renting a vendor tent because there were only 7 tents selling foods/drinks/etc. which is a significant downsize compared to its previous glory. I will admit though that the bands that they did have there were really talented and I had a lot of fun listening to some great music. I also managed to shove my way through the crowed to the second row and got to see the one and only Gregg Allman up-close and personal. I will also admit that 20 bucks is quite a steal for a full day of music (35 for the full weekend). Because of the price and the performances, I can't help but recommend this festival to all music fans because it is definitely worth it. However, I can't help but wonder what could have been.

As always, don't forget to like us on facebook (through that link or by clicking like in the top left corner), follow us by email or through blogger (also on the right); and, if you can, please donate! (again on the right) Thanks for reading and keep listening to unsigned bands!

The Last Good Year

2011-08-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

So again, I want to apologize for how long it took me between posts. The University somehow managed to screw up the internet and thus I have been without it for nearly a month. Fortunately for you guys, I have found an AWESOME band that is worth the wait. The Last Good Year is a critically acclaimed unsigned band having won many awards including being nominated by Nuvo magazine as Indianapolis's "Best Local Group" as well as winning "Indy's Next Big Thing" battle of the bands. Their popularity has allowed them to travel the country and develop an even larger and well deserved following. I have had a lot of trouble thinking of bands to compare them to because they are truly a crossover between classic and modern rock; I would almost call them a crossover between Jet and Incubus. Listening to The Last Good Year is like hopping in a time machine and going back to when music was great, but with an updated sound that sullen teenagers could listen to.

The lead singer definitely has an incredible voice. Even when he sings higher and louder, he keeps his voice clear and natural. Out of all of the bands I have reviewed, this guy definitely has one of the best voices (maybe even the best). His voice actually reminds me a lot of Brandon Boyd of Incubus, especially when they really start to belt they sound almost exactly the same, and personally I think that is a huge compliment (and is also why i think they sound a little bit like Incubus). Their guitar playing is really good, they have a great combination of chords and moving lines. The lead guitarist is a pretty good soloist as well, I feel like he could be a little more creative but he does a good job of making his solos fit the chords and fit the feel of the song. The bass player is really strong, he does a great job of both walking and moving with the guitars as well as holding notes when he needs to. The guitars and the bass always work really well together which is HUGE. I've found that this type of cohesion is more rare than one would expect these days. The drummer is actually pretty good as well. I will say he has never done anything to wow me in the music I have heard thus far. However, he does a great job of pushing the band and keeping them together. He does throw in some pretty cool rhythms and sounds occasionally, so I have to give him props for that. To me, sometimes it feels like he may be relying on the snare a little too much, but really truly I can't fault him because it doesn't diminish the band and what he does sounds great with what everyone else is doing.

The Last Good Year has a pretty good live show. They have a stellar live sound and their levels are always good, but their backup vocals could use a little work because sometimes they come in on the wrong note. Luckily for them, only a little more practice can fix that. They generally do a good job of moving around when the lead singer isn't singing, which keeps it entertaining. The bass and the lead guitar could do a little more while they are not singing though, sometimes they look a little lost on stage. When watching them, the band as a whole tends to bring a lot of energy early in the song, then it dies down, until the end of the song when they get pumped up again. Like most bands, they need to keep the energy up during the entire song; unless, of course, it is a slower song. Yeah, I know it is tiring, but the crowd loves it. I know what I've said seems a little negative, but this band is a MUST SEE SHOW, the music is awesome and they are only going to get better on stage which means that this is one show you don't want to miss!

Now it comes down to the grade, this band, flat out is one of the best I have reviewed. They have lots of talent, they have great cohesion, and make awesome music together. Like all bands, they aren't perfect, but they can only get better and I guarantee that they will be signed. Their live show is good, their music is awesome, what more could any listener want? So finally, I will give them an 8.5/10, once they work out a few things in their live show, they are easily a 9/10. SO CHECK THEM OUT before they get famous and everything associated with them becomes ridiculously expensive: web, myspace, like them on facebook or +1 them on google+. Don't forget to support them by buying their music, the link to their self titled album is posted under Band CD's and Downloads.

Also, don't forget to like us on facebook (through that link or by clicking "like" in the top left corner), follow us by email or through blogger (on the right); and, if you can, please donate! Thanks for reading and keep listening to unsigned bands!

Toby Kane

2011-06-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

Fortunately for me, this blog has become popular enough that artists are starting to come to me about being reviewed. One of which is Toby Kane, a singer song writer from Sioux Falls, SD. His music reminds me of a time when the radio didn't make me want to vomit. Sorry, I just had to add that. I would definitely say that he and his band, the Toby Kane Band, sound similar to the Gin Blossoms back in the 90s, aka they are easy listening on the ears. Toby is currently pursuing a solo career. When asked why he decided to do such a thing considering the success of the Toby Kane Band he said that it "happened very organically...I enjoy the creativity and common goal of a band. But as often happens when writing, it can be difficult to dictate when a song or lyric idea hits, and next thing you know it's 7 or 8 songs. When that happens for me, the itch to go test them out is pretty much all-consuming." So playing to his strengths, he left, and fortunately for us, he is writing and sharing the music he hears in his head. Side note: the band still plays together 4-5 times a year.

He is currently working on a new solo album entitled "The Heart Machine" which he describes "is my effort to write a heartfelt set of songs that are diverse, fun, and heavily produced without losing the singer/songwriter, indie spirit". Which in my opinion is quite an undertaking; if he can pull it off, I will be incredibly impressed, and thus, I wish him good luck. Overall, this is good easy listening, summer music that gets your foot tapping and your head bobbing.

Toby has a really unique voice, to me it sounds like a combination of Bob Dylan, Jon Bon Jovi (a designation that seems to have caused some strife between my girlfriend and me, so leave your opinion in the comments), and Steven Page which makes for a really cool listening experience. He has a pretty good range, and is always in tune which is really important when marketing yourself as a singer/songwriter. His lyrics are pretty good too i especially like the lyric "Life is hard, but hard's okay" which I feel is a great summation of human experience. From what I've heard of his guitar playing he is pretty good, he does a good job of not sticking to the same three chords over and over again and keeps his music interesting. He hasn't done anything yet to wow me; no incredible solos or anything like that. I will admit though that his style doesn't really call for such, and I will also admit that I don't have a large body of work currently to base my opinion on. Hopefully, when his new album is released I can make a more informed decision.

As far as a live performance is concerned, he does a good job (the only video's ive seen are with his band though). He always looks like he is having a great time on stage and I think that speaks to his love of music and the crowd always really responds to that. Being a singer/songwriter it is always difficult as a solo act to put on a good show, and since I have yet to see a video of him as a solo act I will just give him a little advice and tell him to get a wireless mic headset, that way he can walk around maybe jump and move a little more instead of being confined to a stand mic. So for now I'm going to have to dock him a little bit but as far as what he does with what he has he does a good job overall.

So now I have come to the end of yet another review, and it is again time for the grade. I do really like Toby's music, he has a really cool voice, good lyrics, pretty solid guitars, and as I said before his music reminds me of a time when listening to the radio was a good experience. I think there is a high probability of him getting signed and having a successful career, and hopefully he will come to the east coast so I can see him perform! Coming down to the grade, I think he has earned every bit of a 8/10; however, this grade could go higher depending on his next album. CHECK HIM OUT: tobykane.com, like him on Facebook, Follow him on twitter. Buy music by Toby Kane and the Toby Kane Band on the right under Band CD's and Downloads.

Also, don't forget to like us on facebook (through that link or by clicking "like" in the top left corner), follow us by email or through blogger (on the right); and, if you can, please donate! (again on the right) Thanks for reading and keep listening to unsigned bands!

On an Unrelated Topic: Congratulations Justin Harper

2011-06-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to take a few moments to congratulate Richmond Spider Alum Justin Harper on being drafted into the NBA by the Cleveland Cavaliers; and now, is headed to the Orlando Magic (because of a trade). All of the Spiders are rooting for you, Good luck!

4onthefloor

2011-06-20T06:23:00.001-07:00

Wow, so I apologize for taking so long in between posts, but I guess everyone needs a vacation now and again. With summer officially starting, I felt the need to have a southern blues/rock band blow my mind, which is exactly what I found with 4onthefloor. They hail from Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is hardly southern, but managed to infuse many elements of southern blues and rock into their music (i.e slide guitar, etc.) While listening to them and writing my review, my roommate immediately noted that they sound a lot like ZZ Top, to which I agreed, but instead of having long beards as a gimmick, each member has a bass drum. When I asked them about the bass drums they simply responded "How else are we going to fight the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse? FOUR BASS DRUMS. These are end times." Touche, guys. They have only released 1 album so far entitled 4x4. When asking them about where they came up with the name for the album, they told me that it brings up a familiar biblical scene, Noah's Ark. They also said that there are 16 tracks on the album and 4 x 4 =16. Despite having only released one album, they have become massively popular, mostly due to their upbeat catchy music.

The lead singer has an awesome sounding voice perfectly suited for their style of music. He has a little trouble singing high, due to his deeper voice, but he usually substitutes the lack of high range by using a more gravelly voice, similar to what Kurt Cobain did in order to sing higher, which brings a different level of emotion to the songs. The guitarists do a great job with their moving lines and really make the music bluesy; which makes this band sound similar to ZZ Top. I also really like their chord progressions, sometimes pushing the envelope a little with things you wouldn't think would work initially but end up sounding great in the end. Mostly, I love that they keep things complex so that I am never bored when listening to them. However, from what I've heard of some of their solos, I haven't been particularly impressed, but practice makes perfect and they will definitely get there. I'm going to comment on the bass as the drums as a whole, because really truly in most bands they work together anyways. Honestly, neither of them seem to really stand out to me, aka they have yet to do anything to really impress me, but they have yet to do anything to disappoint me. They work together really well to help drive the music, and stay in the background so that the guitars, harmonic etc. get showcased. So I don't think it is an artifact of their style that neither have truly impressed me. Finally, I must say I love their gimmick: a bass drum per member member that spell out 4 on the floor is just really cool and I love that they wail on them during live performances.

4onthefloor has a really great live sound. In fact, I may actually like their live sound better than their studio sound (not to detract from their studio sound by any means) but this band brings it when they are live. But per usual, one of the great things about going to a live show is seeing the show. I do wish they overall would try to move around a little more. The lead singer does a solid job, and I understand that it is difficult because they are all playing bass drums, but they could put on a little more show and just look like they are having more fun up there; because if they are having fun, generally the audience is having fun as well, and that really is the whole point of a live show. That isn't to say that I wouldn't see them live, because I would love to have them come to The National in Richmond, VA (hint, hint guys) because I do think it would be an awesome show regardless.

Unfortunately, we have come to the end of another post, but at least this means you guys finally get to see the grade. I think this band is very talented and they have an awesome gimmick. More importantly, I think that they play really great music and have a magnificent live, as well as studio, sound and are just a ton of fun to listen to. But, as I said they could work on a few things: their live energy as well as their soloing, so I can't give them full marks even though I wish I could. I still think that overall they are an awesome band so I have to give them an 8.5/10 so you guys NEED to check them out: like them, Follow them http://www.myspace.com/the4onthefloor, http://www.4otf.com/. BUY THEIR ALBUM, using this link 4x4, or by clicking under the Band CD's and Downloads tab on the right.

Also, don't forget to like us on facebook (through that link or by clicking like in the top left corner), follow us by email or through blogger (also on the right); and, if you can, please donate! (again on the right) Thanks for reading and keep listening to unsigned bands!

I need bands!

2011-06-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

To all of my faithful readers, I need help finding bands. PLEEAASSEEE leave some in the comments below! Thanks guys.

Living Like Ghosts

2011-06-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

So it is rare that I find an emo-ish rock band that I like, but Living Like Ghosts has proved to be an exception. Hailing from Detroit and formed in 2009, they have put out 3 albums We Won't Be Run by these Machines 2009, Treading Water 2010, and Monsters 2011 (although this might just be a single), which have collectively sold around 4,000 copies worldwide. Regardless, this band is highly prolific having recorded an album a year, which when trying to get signed, is important to have a large body of work. To try to narrow down their sound, they remind me the most of the band Scary Kids Scaring Kids.

Now, let's get started with the band members. The lead singer can really belt it. He has a good voice, a little whiny but it doesn't get in the way, and he seems to have a really good range and reminds me most of.....well I can't actually put my finger on who he sounds like (if anyone), so you guys will have to let me know. I really like the guitarists in this band, they do a great job of driving the music with melody and harmony lines creating some really cool sounds and sometimes really pushing the envelope. From what I've been able to tell, the lead guitar play is actually a pretty good soloist, too. He doesn't do anything incredibly out of the ordinary, but he does manage to hold it down. Next, the bass player seems pretty good, he doesn't seem to do anything really special in his playing either. Generally, he is just following the guitars and holding down the chords, but I think this is because of the genre and thus I cannot really fault him for it. That being said, he and the drummer do a good job of staying together and staying on top of the beat, and therefore, keeping the band together. The drummer throws down some pretty cool rhythms, I like his sparing use of the double bass as well as his use of the bell on the cymbal which adds some edge to his playing. Overall, I think the band comes together really well; especially on recordings where their sound is well blended and very well thought out.

Now, onto their live performances. As far as the overall energy, they do a great job. They jump around a lot, head bang, etc. and look like they are having a lot of fun out there on the stage. They could of course, still do more, although they already do more throughout their performances than most of the bands that I have reviewed so far. My main issue is with their sound on stage, although their music is still very good. The way they seem to balance the instruments during sound check is different from the studio and thus I feel they lose a little bit of what I liked so much about their studio albums. I'm not sure if this is their doing, or whichever klutz is working sound at the places they play, but I would suggest that they do a more meticulous check. Regardless, they still are obviously having a lot of fun on stage and the music is still there so I would DEFINITELY see this band live, I guarantee it would be an awesome show!

Yet again we find ourselves at the end of a review, so its time for the grade. I must restate that I generally am not a huge fan of this genre; however, if there is any band to like it is Living Like Ghosts for sure. They have a very good vocalist, some sweet guitars, a really good drummer, and a solid bass player...what more could a music lover want? They also obviously work well together to write some pretty solid music. Their live show also looks like it could be a ton of fun and although their live sound needs a little work, I'm sure they can get there and make a must see show. So now it is time for the grade, I guess on the 10 scale (per usual) I would have to give them an 8 and maybe an 8.5 if they get their live sound working better. I almost guarantee that this band will be signed in not too long so CHECK THEM OUT: http://livinglikeghosts.com/, http://www.facebook.com/livinglikeghosts, http://www.myspace.com/livinglikeghosts, http://www.reverbnation.com/livinglikeghosts. Links to their albums are provided on the right under the Band CDs and Downloads section and don't forget to either follow Mac's Music Blog on blogspot or like us on facebook (click there or the like button in the top left). Finally, please donate any amount helps! Keep reading and keep listening!

Upstanding Youth

2011-05-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Upstanding Youth is AWESOME (not only that but apparently they've got some hops, see below!) Bands like this are the reason why I write about music. Upstanding Youth hails from Hawaii and may be one of the best ska punk bands I have ever heard. I was trying to find a band in my itunes to help describe their sound and the closest I can come is Catch 22 (after the whole Streetlight Manifesto split.) They have self produced four albums: Trying to Stand (2002)and Kam Highway Catharsis (2004) are a little more upbeat very much like Streetlight Manifesto, STILL (2006) and A Sense of Urgency (2008) are much more relaxed. Every album was extremely well received, all winning various Hawaiian music awards, and their most recent album was nominated for a Na Hoku Hanohano award which is Hawaii's version of the Grammys. Listening to all of the albums as a whole is really interesting because you can clearly hear how they have progressed as individuals and come together as a band.

The lead singer has a really cool unique voice, in fact the only person I can think of that sounds like him is Jason Rutcofsky of High School Football Heroes but, that's even a bit of a stretch. His voice is soulful, and he actually has a pretty good range. Also the backup vocals are really good, bringing cool harmonies that add a lot of depth to the music. The lead guitar player is pretty good, I have yet to be overly impressed with his soloing capabilities, but he does a good job of keeping the ska beat going and adding in some really cool moving lines. The bass player actually has some really awesome lines, which seems to be rare these days so props to him! The brass instruments have simple but awesome horn lines that just really work well with the rest of what's going on. They do a good job of building chords as well as using different techniques (mutes, flutter tongue, etc.) to add layers to their music. I have not been over impressed by any of the solos the players have; however, they all seem to have a pretty solid range. The drummer actually reminds me somewhat of Chris Thatcher from Streetlight, he uses a lot of the same sounding drums and rhythms in his playing. But he also does an excellent job of really holding things down when the group does a more relaxed song. Each individual comes together to add an extra layer, creating something that is much more complex and awesome than one might realize on a first listen.

From what I've seen from their live performances, they have a good, clean sound. Everyone is together and they are obviously meticulous during sound check. From what I've seen from their live performances, the base player and the lead vocals/guitar do a good job of moving around and bringing the crowd into the performance. Sometimes the horn players will do the same but for the most part they are not. Now I know its hard to run around with brass hanging around your neck, and you have to stay pretty close to the mics , but I wish they would still give me a little more...maybe some nerdy coordinated dance moves? That being said I would DEFINITELY, without a doubt in fact, go see them live. They still have a lot of energy and have a great live sound and those are the makings of a great show.

So again we find ourselves at the end of a review. This band is awesome, hands down one of the best I have found. They have awesome vocals, beastly bass, disgusting drums, good guitar and a horn section that fits the group so very well. Their live shows could be a little better, but overall they do a good job and i guarantee i would have a ridiculous time at one. So now to hand out a grade, this band ranks high and I have to give them a 9 out of 10, leaving some room for improvement. SO CHECK THEM OUT!

Links:http://upstandingyouth.com/, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Upstanding-Youth/67375536012, http://www.myspace.com/upstandingyouth/, http://www.reverbnation.com/upstandingyouth. Links to their albums on amazon are located on the right of this page.

And don't forget to like Mac's Music Blog on Facebook (top left) and or subscribe (on the right.) Keep listening to great bands and keep me updated on any new bands I should review!

e.t.c

2011-05-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

One of my goals with the blog has been to try to explore bands of all genres, because of this; I was on an epic quest for a good hard rock/grunge band. Fortunately for me, the band e.t.c contacted me hoping that I would review them for my blog, and fortunately for them they were pretty good. E.t.c is another Peruvian rock band (yes, they heard about me from the band Space Bee) that have a sound I would say is most similar to Godsmack (but you can also tell they are heavily influenced by Nirvana). That being said, I am not a huge fan of hard rock/grunge music, with a few exceptions, this being one of them. They finished their first album (which is self titled) in 2008, and they are currently working on songs for their second.

They stay true to the genre, keeping it heavy, simple and rockin'. This band also comes with some pretty big honors: their hit song Bad Girl broke the top 100 songs on Ourstage.com, as well as being chosen to be the official theme song of the big Futsal (like the AFL of soccer) tournament in Peru. With such great honors, one can already assume that they must play good music that people want to hear.

The main reason this band reminds me of Godsmack is because of the lead singer. He sounds almost exactly like Sully Erna with a little Nick Hexum (of 311) mixed in. He is a good screamer as well, you can understand...well, if you can understand Spanish, what he is screaming which is impressive because usually I am left wondering and have to look up the lyrics later. The guitar, bass, and drums all work together so it is hard to comment on them individually. The lead guitar players solos are good considering the genre, but they definitely don't wow me. The bass player and the drum player hold things down really well, which keeps everything together. The overall sound of the band is what really takes the cake, each individual player comes together to create cool rhythms and makes songs feel like they are in different time signatures than they really are, which I LOVE in a song. They are really clean and their album sounds very professional, so props to their producer as well as their overall preparedness in recording.

I would like to comment on their live performances but unfortunately this is difficult because I have yet to find a true live performance online. Most of the media available to me has been highly edited so I can't really tell what kind of energy they bring to the stage. However, I have noticed that they always get a mosh pit going, which means there has to be some energy there. So I need some input from the readers and fans as to their live performances, so comment below and let me know.

So now it comes to the grade. Considering that hard rock/grunge is not my favorite genre it is amazing that I do like this band. Although, I must admit, that on the first listen I was not blown away. It took some time, but their music really grew on me. I wouldn't say they are the most talented band in the world, but they do come together to do some cool stuff with their sound which I really respect. Finally, from what I have been able to see from their live shows, they look like they are having a lot of fun on stage and really interacting with the crowd so it would most likely be an enjoyable show. Putting all of these considerations together, I would most likely give them a 7-7.5. They are on their way to be a really awesome hard rock band and if you love hard rock this band is definitely for you! For those anti-hard rock listeners, give them a chance, they can grow on you!

So check them out: http://www.etcrock.com (where you can listen to EVERY song off of their album), http://www.facebook.com/etcrock, http://www.myspace.com/etcrockperu, http://www.reverbnation.com/etcrock. Also, don't forget to like Mac's Music Blog on facebook.

Three Legged Fox

2011-05-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

Three Legged Fox is an awesome name for an awesome band. They formed in 2006 when a couple of guys from the University of Delaware got together with one common goal, to make great music. Starting with the self recorded album IDEAS (2007), the band began to gain popularity in the North East playing shows in NYC . Because of this new found popularity, the band decided to record their next album, Not as Far (2009), with producer Chris D'Beneditto, who did an awesome job making sure they were true to their style. They also did an acoustic album called Acoustic Trax 2010 which is actually a pretty cool album. They are currently working on a new album Always Anyway which they are self producing and from what they've told me should be a culmination of their work in a "big, produced, fun album". All of their albums can be purchased here: http://threeleggedfox.bandcamp.com/ (hint hint).

Three Legged Fox has a cool, relaxed sound that leads to what i would call, great summer music. They have a great reggae sound mixed in with some soul and a little alternative rock. This combination makes for some ear candy and is really something great to listen to at the beach or on a road trip.

The lead singer has an awesome soulful voice, similar to that of Brad Nowell of Sublime (which in my opinion is quite a compliment). He is also able to pull off the Rasta voice well too, which is apparent in their song "Jah Light" off of the album Ideas. From their live videos it is also obvious that he is very talented, always on key and brings a certain energy to the stage. The lead guitar player is also very good, I'm not sure I've heard him really throw down on a solo, but I still love his moving lines and his overall clean sound. The Drum player is the man, he keeps perfect time, is obviously having a lot of fun, and puts out some awesome rhythms. And finally, the bass player definitely does his job, keeping everything tight and funky and really gets into it on stage. The overall talent in this band is incredible and more importantly, they come together to make great music.

This band is amazing to listen to live. They keep many of the elements of their recordings but add to it to make a more layered, yet amazingly clean and put together listening experience. From top to bottom everyone stays together, which I think speaks to the ability of the drummer as well as their overall talent. If I can find one fault, it is in their ability to move around on stage and really try to draw the crowd in. They do appear to grove up there, but I still feel like they could do a little more to put on an overall better show. But regardless, I would DEFINITELY go out of my way to see this band perform, and I hope that they come to either the Pittsburgh or Richmond area sometime soon.

As I mentioned before, Three Legged Fox is currently working on a new album Always Anyway which I hope they release in the next year or so. They actually also have three shows coming up that you guys should all check out:

May 21st - Fired Up Field Festival

Kingsville, MD

June 11th - West Pomfret 'Music in the Garden'
Carlisle, PA

August 13th - Musikfest
Bethlehem, PA

Now finally it comes to the grade. Because they make such awesome music, and because they have so much talent, it is hard not to give them a perfect score. However, because they could bring more energy to the stage, I have to dock them a little bit. That being said they are still awesome and are easily a 8.5-9 out of 10. So check them out : http://www.threeleggedfoxlive.com/, http://www.myspace.com/threeleggedfox, and "like" them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/threeleggedfox. You can also find them on youtube. Finally, I just added a donate tab to my page (any amount helps) and don't forget to like us on facebook thanks!

Space Bee

2011-05-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

Space Bee is a Peruvian Rock band (their lyrics are in English) who have a really cool sound. They formed in 2002 and since then have recorded three albums and have opened for bands such as Guns And Roses and The Smashing Pumpkins. The band originally gained fame in 2007, by reaching the semi finals of the "Zona de combate de MTV y Smirnoff" which from what I've been able to tell (my Spanish isn't great) is a pretty big battle of the bands (obviously in conjunction with MTV and Smirnoff). This is a pretty big accomplishment for which I congratulate them.

Upon listening to the Space Bees, I quickly realized that they are heavily influenced by the classic rock genre as well as by Arabic music and funk music. If I had to say what their sound is like I would have to call them a crossover between the bands JET and the Mad Caddies. Their Arabic styling becomes really apparent in their song Fire off of the album It's Alive (vol 1) which is available for preview and purchase at http://spacebee.bandcamp.com/.

Their lead singer has a familiar voice, but I haven't been able to find anyone else that really sounds like him. The closest I can get is Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup, but even this is a stretch. Moving on, the lead vocals are solid, and he seems to have a pretty good range; although their style doesn't ask too much of the lead singer (so he is no Freddie Mercury). Regardless, his voice and his talents fit perfectly with the music they play. Next, the guitar and the bass players use cool moving lines instead of just holding power chords (which seems to be what is oh so popular today). This automatically gives them a plus in my book. The lead guitar player does a great job of working in the Arabic melodies while keeping the funky ska-ish/classic rock flowing. Next, the keys player provides the funky undertones that really drive the band, I wouldn't say he has massive amounts of talent but he is obviously very good, however I would want to hear him solo before making any bold statements. Finally, its on to the drummer, he actually seems to be a solid player. He does everything right, even live (which is more than can be said of most drummers), keeping a steady tempo and doing a lot of little things that really become apparent when you concentrate on just listening to him. He is obviously very talented and keeps the band in sync.

Their live shows, from what I have seen on youtube and http://vimeo.com/18509291 are really clean. They keep high quality sound and play completely in sync. However, they don't appear to do a whole lot of stuff on stage, which always helps to make a great show (i.e. jumping around and other things to pump up the crowd). That being said, this is difficult for me to comment on because I haven't seen them live in person, so I haven't felt what energy they bring to the stage. However, I can say that I would love to see them live and I hope they come somewhere near me in the States soon.

The band is currently working on their fourth EP which will continue their "It's Alive" era and they are making plans for a tour to cover the second half of the year. I wish them luck in both of these endeavors, but now I must give them a grade. I do love their music, their style is unique and they are a great band to listen to. I do have to dock them a few points because they don't seem to really pump up the crowed on stage, but who knows I could be wrong there. But overall I would have to give this band an 8 out of 10, they have a great sound and if I see them jumping around on stage and really trying to get the crowd involved live, this could push the rating to a 9 or higher. So i implore you to check them out at: http://www.thebtapes.com/spacebee/, http://www.facebook.com/TheSpaceBee, http://www.reverbnation.com/spacebee, and http://www.myspace.com/spacebee.

Midwest Dilemma

2011-04-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

First of all, I would like to apologize to all of my loyal readers for taking so long to write this blog. I promise you it won't take this long between blogs again.

Now on to the band: Midwest Dilemma.
Midwest Dilemma may be one of the most original bands I have ever heard. The band uses orchestral instruments (flute, clarinet, bass, cello, various brass etc. etc.) to make some really cool folk music. For their album released in 2008, the band consisted of 23 members. Considering the size of the group, it is amazing that they are able to come together and be so in sync from top to bottom.

The lead singer, Justing Lamoureux, is a scruffy lumberjack looking guy with an awesome voice, and his lyrics are creative, witty and deep. The rest of the band's talent is difficult to comment on for two reasons: one, because the band does not always consist of the same members; and two, because of the folk melodies that the rest of the band members play (individually) are not not what I would consider particularly difficult. That being said, they play like an orchestra, so when they come together it really makes for something special. Each line, from the clarinet to the bass, brings something different, a new layer to an already incredible song. For example, the song "Chicago and north western", starts out with some guitar strumming; and slowly, each member enters separately; building up to something awesome, climaxing when Lamoureux enters singing of his life as a working man and a father; it truly speaks to the common man and is an AWESOME song.

For their album Timelines and Tragedies, the band was awarded the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards' album of the year. Even though its the OEA, that's still a great accomplishment and they are in fact well deserving. (http://oea-awards.com/2008/)

Now it comes to the grade. So because I have not seen this band live, it makes it difficult to grade this band on its total performance. However, they do have an awesome sound and a talented lead singer. So this grade is entirely based off of recordings (and some youtube videos) and I would have to say, on the 10 scale, I would give them an 8. However, if and when I do see them live, and if they put on a good live show, it could push them up to a 8.5 or even a 9, so they need to work on getting to Virginia sometime soon. Check them out: http://www.reverbnation.com/midwestdilemma, http://www.midwestdilemma.com/.

The Fighting Jamesons

2011-04-03T16:08:00.000-07:00

If I could describe the Fighting Jamesons in one word it would have to be: drunks. Not because they are a bunch of drunks (although, fittingly enough, they do drink Jameson on stage), but because of the genre in general; Celtic Diaspora Punk, which gets the drunks drunker and the rest of us wanting to drink more, clap our hands, stomp our feet and attempt to riverdance.

The Jamesons hail from Virginia Beach, and are currently the "hot ticket" in Virginia and are spreading like wildfire up and down the east coast. Their lead singer/guitarist, who is kind of a short guy, belts it like a big guy, has an awesome raspy celtic punk voice brings it every night. Collectively, their talent seems endless, the fiddle player keeps his strings so hot that I swear smoke pours from them. Their drummer and bass player are always in sync, keeping the energy high while sweating like pigs in the process but instead of re-hydrating with water, they rehydrate the only way Irishmen know how, with Jameson. This coupled with the novelty the of tin whistle, bagpipes, accordion, and bodhran makes for an incredible show and an incredible band.

The Jamesons just finished a short tour in March including stops in NJ, NY, MD and VA and rumor has it they will be recording an album soon (about time) and seem to be collecting sponsors and fans at an incredible rate. They have the talent and skill to make it far and I do believe that they will not stayed unsigned for much longer.

So I usually say now comes the hard part, but this is actually quite easy this time, the grade. The Fighting Jamesons are a fun and talented band, they play great music and put on a great show and if you haven't checked them out yet, now is the time to do it before they start making a lot of money and the ticket prices go through the roof and such. But i digress, on the ten scale, I have to give them a 9 maybe a 9.5 (that will depend on the upcoming album of course), so check them out at their website http://www.thefightingjamesons.com/ or on reverbnation or facebook.

More Than Enough

2011-03-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

So in my never ending search for new unsigned bands, I began to realize that there are sooooo many just terrible bands out there, and it is truly amazing that these people would be willing to embarrass themselves online. But after listening to terrible band after terrible band, I think I have finally found a okay one (although I could just be deaf at this point from the trash I have encountered).

More than Enough (http://www.reverbnation.com/morethanenough) hails from Sioux Falls, they are a three piece group (kinda like Blink-182). Their sound is almost a cross over between the new age power-pop stuff and the punk rock that occupied my childhood. I wouldn't say there was anything really special about them, their sound isn't distinct but their songs are catchy and they are better than the trash the record companies throw at us year after year.

The lead singer actually has a cool sounding voice, he kind of teeters on the edge of being whiny but manages to hold back and let the true tone of his voice come out. The guitar riffs are pretty generic (again kinda like blink 182), but they still manage to use more than 2 chords (which is a rarity these days). Their drummer is pretty good, he keeps good time, but he doesn't do anything exceptional. The lyrics are actually very punk rock, keeping away from emo but still managing to give off some teenage angst. Most of their songs are up beat and definitely something you could get up and jump around or mosh to at a concert.

So now I am left with the challenge of trying to grade this band. I do like them, but they don't do anything exceptional and I wouldn't say they are pushing the boundaries of music in any way. That being said, I did find them catchy and fun to listen to, I guess on the ten scale I would give them a 6.5-7. So check them out and let me know what you think!

My First Post

2011-03-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

A message to those who love music,

My goal with this blog is to find unsigned bands and either give them some recognition or rip them to shreds, both which will be fun for me because I will discover some great new music and some more justin biebers of the world to make fun of.

The first band I decided to post is: Masters of the Universe

www.myspace.com/mastersoftheuniverse and I know they are on facebook as well.

But firstly I want to say I used to love this band, but I realized that they really are wayyy better live than on recordings. Their current line up is pretty good, but as far as actual musical construction, most of the music they have made in the past 2-3 years has been relatively simplistic (sorry guys). It is still fun to listen to but its not something I would go out of my way to buy, especially when there are soo many more talented ska bands out there. Their horn lines has really suffered since the loss of bassist Jeff Morgan and losing their former trombone player whom both went to a local arts high school. Their guitar playing has always been alright, Keith is very influenced by Green Day, for better or worse, and it is clear in his playing. However, he is able to write a pretty good solo. The drummer drew may actually be the most talented of the bunch, he does so many little things that you don't really notice unless you are really looking for them, but listening to him always makes the songs exciting. The lead singer Chris has a good voice and can belt it with the best, rumor has that he one took the album "at least we tried" which is really impressive, he also brings a lot of energy to the band that would be lacking without him. I have also maybe never had more fun at a concert, they keep the energy up for the entirety of the show: waving banners, throwing beach balls, running around the stage like mad men.

So on a scale on 1-10 how would I grade MOTU? This is actually a tough one because they are soooo good live and are a lot of fun overall; but their musical talent is lacking, but I would most likely give them a 7-7.5. So check them out and let me know what you think