Rival Schools have announced a new LP titled "Found" wich is a collection of remastered songs from their lost album which were written and recorded after the release of "Pedals".
You can pre order the album at shopradiocast.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
New Music /// Rival Schools - Found LP
Rival Schools have announced a new LP titled "Found" wich is a collection of remastered songs from their lost album which were written and recorded after the release of "Pedals".
You can pre order the album at shopradiocast.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Music Video /// Joshua's Song - Straight Talk
Awesome alt rock band from Europe. For those unaware these guys were involved in some pretty cool hardcore bands and have progressed into doing Joshua's Song. You can download their new song here.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Reviews /// Rival Schools, Supertouch, and Fell To Low
I wanted to initially post a bunch of new reviews at once but I have been sitting on these three for to long now and these records have been out for some time already. Either way these are amazing albums from three very amazing bands. I have been anticipating the new Rival Schools album for a long time now and while doing so I stumbled upon a new band (Fell To Low) and the new Supertouch EP which both took me by storm. Anyways enjoy the read and I hope they will motivate you enough to go out buy these records.
- newnoise|zine
Rival Schools - Pedals
March 8, 2011 | Photo Finish Records [9/10]
It's been 10 long years but finally the four piece 'post hardcore' supergroup is back with their second full length titled "Pedals". Following up on their debut album "United By Fate" which was released in 2001, the band is off of their hiatus and back into the swing of things. It would be an understatement to say that this album has been highly anticipated due to the all of the praise and positive responses that this album has been given by their fans.
Although most people would categorize Rival Schools as a 'post hardcore' band due to their previous efforts, I wouldn't categorize this album under that title very strictly. In my opinion this is a straight forward rock album, so there should be no point in trying to sub categorize the music even more to the point were you are just confusing people. This record showcases many different styles and characteristics; from their thick guitar rhythms to multiple layers of effects that displays a perfect sonic landscape for which they're known for. From the first verse in the opening track "Wring It Out" to the drums and bass creating such a tight groove in "Shot After Shot" and "69 Guns"; this album doesn't lose a beat for a minute. This four piece has proven that even after ten years and only one previous album under their belts that they can still grow as musicians and craft their sound.
In comparison to their previous efforts this album has a different vibe to it overall. What really stood out for me when listening to this was how much of an acoustic aspect these songs carried. Obviously they did use an acoustic to fill out some of the sonic void in the mix but even as far as songwriting goes; I feel in a way that many of these songs on this full length were written on acoustic prior to tracking the album. Which would make sense seeing as how Walter put out a solo acoustic album last year, so maybe that influence came into play when recording "Pedals". Either way it gives this album a sort of pop sound, which believe me is not a bad thing. I read recently in an interview with Walter that they have already begun writing for a third full length. It was in that interview he stated that he has never completed a third full length with any of his bands/projects before. As he put it; "if you listen to a bands third album it is usual their best work". I feel that his statement for the most part is very true, and I am curious to see where they take their sound.
All in all this record was well worth the wait. For most of you it was 10 years and for others who have just caught on; it might not have been as long. However, these four musicians proved that no matter how long it takes; a band can still come back and put out amazing music and grow as a band. "Pedals" represents their comeback and will hopefully light the fire for them to continue onward, and push their sound to a new level.
Supertouch - Lost My Way
January 10, 2011 | Reaper Records [7/10]
Many people over the years have told me to check out Supertouch due to how much I love 90's hardcore. I had never really gave them a full on listen until I saw a teaser video that they did for the new 7inch. I immediately check out 'The Earth Is Flat' and was ashamed of myself for not ever listening to it when I was first introduced. There is a reason why its a classic NYHC album from the 90's and its because of the songwriting and lyrics.
Now after a couple of decades Supertouch is back with four songs of pure energy, and it seems as if they never stop writing music from the sounds of it. I would go on record with saying that this is probably the most musically inclined hardcore record of the year. In todays hardcore its easy to get caught sounding like everyone else, even if the band has been around for 20 years. However, Supertouch stuck with their sound and brought forth originality which seems hard to ask for these days. For this being a four song EP it flows very nicely, the songs are not to long and not too short and after I had my first listen through all I wanted was to hear more. These songs are very guitar oriented, the vocals are primarily underneath the instrumentation but still dominant in the mix. However I feel like a lot of the lead work from the guitar acts as the vocal melody. The production is very overly compressed but still leaves room for air, and that really gives off the vibe off what supertouch is all about. A major aspect that caught swept me off my feet was the vocals. There are parts in a few of these songs were you hear distortion on his voice, which goes side by side with the music.
Both sides have a pattern to them, and thats slow verses fast. Side A starts off with a slow and mid paced song "Lost My Way" followed swiftly by "Just These Days" which is a very fast and upbeat song. On side B you have the same thing sort of only starting off upbeat with "Get On, Get On" followed by "Now That You're Far From Home" which fit easily into the shoes of a Rock Ballad. I've been listening to this record nonstop since it was released, and I have yet to get sick of hearing it. Usually i'll get excited about a record and then it sort of gets played out, but I don't think this will be the case with "Lost My Way" in the least bit. This record will stand its time and if kids don't understand it now then they will down the road.
Fell To Low - The Frontier Wit
2011 | Dog Family & Fineprint Records [8/10]
This band took me by surprise when I first checked them out. I remember watching a live set online and just being blown away on how awesome and different the music was. So I was very excited to see that they had already put out a record and in the process of putting out a new one (that being this at the time). Fell To Low resembles indie punk rock at its finest by playing very fast and aggressive songs to mid tempo chord progressions that resembles Fugazi and Lungfish to some Sunny Day Real Estate at times.
One of the main things that struck me with this band was their sound. The guitar tones are very unique and stand out so much. They are very loud and have a lot of hi gain output, which may ound clean but very much distorted at the same time. Not to mention it has a very thin and twangy sound given off by the single coils in the guitar (thats just me being a gear nerd, no ordinary listener would pick up on that). Punk rock should be fast, aggressive and very dissonant. Fell To Low definitely fits thats criteria while adding some indie rock thrills into their mix, and it works. The second track on side A "Palmyra" is with out a doubt a Fugazi worship, and when the chorus kicks in all I can imagine is a mid 80's DC punk band. But don't take that the wrong way, they are not a band that just rips off the classic dischord sound. They are a band filled with nothing but originality, uniqueness, and maturity.
This record ends with "Unicorn" which starts out very eerie and slow but then staggers into a more mid tempo indie rock jam. My favorite tracks off of this 10" would have to be "Unicorn" and "Palmyra". Both songs just catch to my ears and never seem to get out of my head. I like that with this record there is no silence between the tracks, it's all a continuation (except for when you switch between sides, obviously). As simple as that sounds you don't hear to much of it and in my opinion it makes you feel like the band is playing live right in front of you, which is how punk rock is meant to be. I would say that this is one of those bands for the hardcore or punk kids who are looking for something new and exciting to listen to, because Fell To Low definetly took me by surprise and with each listen I get into the music more and more. I am really looking forward to see this band progress and keep putting out awesome music.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
New Music /// Oak & Bone - Poison Snow (HEX Records)
This record drops July 12th on Hex's label, so if you're looking for something new in your rotation this is the album to get! Go pick this up along with the new Like Wolves, expect pre-orders to be up within the coming weeks.
Poison Snow by oakandbone
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Featured Release: Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
April 12, 2011 | RCA
It would go without saying that the Foo Fighters are on the top of the list as for being on of the greatest rock bands in the last two decades. After 16 years of ups and downs the now five piece outfit is back with their seventh studio album "Wasting Light". The band started the recording process on this album back in August of last year with producer Butch Vig (Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins etc...). Dave Grohl and the band went in a different direction on this album, rather than it's predecessors this eleven song masterpiece was not recorded in a top notch studio facility, but rather Dave's garage and to a tape machine mind you. Going towards a more honest direction, the band could not rely on the ease and benefits with recording digitally. With that sort of pressure in the studio the band strived for perfection without studio magic.
Normally I would say that with most full lengths you find a handful of songs worth listening to, and the rest were obviously written as filler songs. However, this is not the case and every song on this album is just as good as the last if not better. Albums were meant to be played and listened all the way through, and If you don't do that while listening to this than you have some serious mental issues. The opening track "Bridge Burning" immediately pulls you in and doesn't give up for a minute. I think if I had to choose one part in a song to listen to as I was faced with death it would be the chorus to this song, at least thats the impression it left on me. Following suite would be the single "Rope", which begins with a great delayed guitar track with rhythm guitar overlaying the off-time tempo. At first it sounds a bit off but as soon as the next beat falls you begin to understand what's really going on and it's awesome. The song "Dear Rosemary" features Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü) singing alongside Dave Grohl. For those of you familiar with Bob's signature vocal style, its no surprise to you that the two make a great collaboration.
The Foo Fighters did it right on this album, covering many of the styles and sounds that they are known for while expanding further into new territory. With such songs as "White Limo" (an obvious Motorhead
influence) to a more straight forward and open ballad "These Days", it's no doubt that this album is all that you would expect if not more. It has an overal feeling of heaviness, and not just in the sense of tempos and meters but with the lyrics, sound and overall mood. Perhaps one of the most powerful songs on this recording; "I Should Have Known" features a dark and gloomy chord progression with multiple layering from violin and vocals to a dirty, grungy and powerful bass line from the legendary Krist Novoselic (Nirvana). The song has a lot of passion and meaning behind it, and you can tell that there was a lot Dave wanted to say with this song, and he executed it perfectly. This by far has my vote for "Best Rock Record of 2011", unless there is someone out there who thinks that they can top what Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett have created here, in which case I highly doubt it.
Check out the Foo Fighters playing "Wasting Light" in its entirety live in their studio.Sunday, April 17, 2011
New Music /// Like Wolves - Her As Earth (HEX Records)
Keep on the look out for Like Wolves this year, I am very confident in saying that the rest of this record wont stray to far from awesome from the sounds of this song.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Interview /// Tigers Jaw (Full Interview)
What is your name and what do you do in Tigers Jaw?
ben walsh, guitar and vocals
How did the band start up? What were your first goals and aspirations when you guys had the idea to do a band?
adam and i started the band in late 2005 and recorded a few songs in adam's basement with two other members who quit shortly thereafter. we recorded a very minimalistic album called "belongs to the dead" for the summersteps records handmade series. brianna joined the band in summer 2007 and then we went through a few lineup changes before dennis and pat joined, forming the current lineup. our goals starting out were just to write music that was something we liked and that was a departure from bands we'd been in before. we were very motivated by the scranton band okay paddy(rip).
What bands were you all involved in before Tigers Jaw?
tigers jaw was my first serious band. pat and dennis were and still are in a band called three man cannon. adam was in a band called kosmos. i don't believe brianna was in a band but she's been involved with music for a long time. some of us were in other bands during tigers jaw, most notably captain we're sinking. adam and i tend to get kicked out of bands pretty frequently.
Where do you get a lot of your influences from both lyrical and musically?
we have been blessed with meeting a large number of great people and great bands since we started and we are very influenced by them. additionally, all five members have a varied taste in music. my favorite album of all time is "in reverie" by saves the day, and recently i've been listening to a lot of the sidekicks, osker, and brand new. lyrically, we are influenced by every relationship, every interaction we have, every positive and negative feeling, and just growing up in general.
Care to get a little deeper with that? What sort of frustrations either positive or negative drive you to write the lyrics and music that you do?
i don't know that i'd put it that way, being driven by frustration, exactly. when i write a song, nothing is too deliberate. if i sit down with the intention of writing a song about something specific, i come up with absolutely nothing. it kind of just happens bit by bit when i'm thinking about something else. certain lines are directly influenced by things like failed friendships/relationships, or not feeling competent, or growing up but having no idea what i'm doing. other times i write lyrics and they don't seem to be about anything at all.
Tigers Jaw is a pretty unique band name, where did the name come from and who thought of it?
technically phil elverum thought of it. the name is taken from a microphones lyric. it was adam's call on naming the band tigers jaw though.
Give us a brief rundown on your touring history? What bands have you been on the road with and what was your favorite experience?
summer 2007 we toured with Louch and the Green Chair. The band was comprised of adam, myself, and Louch's handsome drummer thomas filling in for us. The shows were scarcely attended but it was our first experience touring, and was very worthwhile and enjoyable.
summer 2008 we toured with title fight. we toured as a four piece (adam dennis pat and myself). summer 2009 we toured with our soulmates in kite party. it was our first tour with all five of us. this past january we toured with end of a year and aficionado.
we can't pick a favorite band we've toured with. a few of those bands are tied and all for different reasons that are unable to be compared.
You get the opportunity to travel to a lot of amazing places when touring, what have been some of your favorite spots to play the past few years?
personally, i really enjoy playing in boston and new york city. cleveland was very good to us this past january. playing in canada was great but i've never been so cold in my life. i'm not too picky though, i just enjoy traveling in general and just visiting places i've never been to before.
You guys put out a self titled full length in 2008 and on vinyl in 2009, how did that come about and why did you decide to release the vinyl on another label?
the cd was released on the now-defunct scranton label prison jazz records. the label had no intentions of releasing it on vinyl. our friend nick from photobooth offered to press it on vinyl so we did. we didn't have much of a budget so we hand-screened the covers ourselves.
What are some bands out right now that you would like to tour with?
the menzingers, balance and composure, make do and mend, any of our friends' bands. the list goes on and on. we wouldn't say no to touring again with bands we've already been out with either, of course.
When you sit down and write music what do you take in consideration, or do you sort of let the song shape itself and let it come out naturally?
personally, i don't always consider songwriting a deliberate process. it seems when i am least concerned with writing music, i am more inclined to come up with something. ever since we solidified our lineup after many temporary members, songwriting has gradually become more of a group effort, and hopefully that trend continues because everyone in this band has plenty to contribute.
2009 came and went what were some of the highlights for you guys as a band?
touring with kite party was great. they are some of our best friends and write incredible music.
as with every year, we consumed a large quantity of pizza, which is always a highlight in my book. releasing the spirit desire 7'' and designing lots of new merch were successful ventures for us and therefore noteworthy.
Best record of 2009?
the sidekicks-weight of air
2010 is now upon us, what are some of your guy's plans for this year, a new record? Touring? etc…
The plan includes both a new record (and split) and touring as well. no plans are definite as far as touring goes as of right now. the split, which is with friends balance and composure, comes out on may 11th on both run for cover and no sleep records. the full length does not have a release date yet, but look for it by this summer for sure.
How did you guys get hooked up with Run For Cover records for the next two releases that you are doing?
we were introduced to jeff from rfc when we toured with title fight. we were pretty sure he didn't like us. as it turned out we were wrong. jeff is a great guy and he's doing a lot of good things with the bands on his label. we were both interested in working with each other, so that's how it worked out.
Will there be a bigger production on the upcoming full length, and are there any plans yet on where you will be recording?
the upcoming full length is currently being recorded at skylight studios. we are producing it ourselves. expect a more natural and aggressive sound. we are very excited with how this album is coming together and plan to have it out by this summer.
Personally where do you see the band going in a few years from now, do you have a vision of what you guys will sound like or do you just want to see what happened and where you guys end up?
i don't know where we'll be in a few years. it's kind of a goal to be able to tour in europe so maybe we can make that happen. as long as we're enjoying playing music i don't care where we are. hopefully we can keep touring and releasing music, and hopefully people will continue to treat us as nicely as they have been. we are eternally grateful to any and all fans that we have. being in this band and being able to travel and meet so many awesome people has been such a humbling and great experience.
as far as what we will sound like, we will just keep writing music that we enjoy playing. we wouldn't change the way we write music to keep up with any trend or to cater to any specific audience. we make the music that we want to make and we are grateful for anyone who enjoys it.
Any last words or closing remarks?
listen to our friends: kite party, title fight, three man cannon, the sidekicks, make do and mend, the menzingers, balance and composure, gypsy, and transit, keep an eye on run for cover records, tigers jaw loves vince ratti, buy us a van please, skateboarding in '10, and i think that's it for now.
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