Guitars, Drums, Tones, and Saxophones

Here you go, a video of a quick little song Frank Turner did in a hotel room, Sunday night (Monday morning) at Fest 9. Enjoy!

I’m back from The Fest, and am still sorting out the weekend. I drank untold amounts of PBR, ($2 tallboys! I can’t resist a bargain) met and hung out with some awesome people, and of course, saw lots of amazing bands. A few highlights:

• Off With Their Heads‘ last-minute secret show at the Atlantic, playing Hospitals straight through
• The whole Red Collar set. Seriously, wow.
• Frank Turner in my friend’s hotel room late Sunday night
• Seeing Red City Radio’s Garrett perform like a million times
• Mixtapes! Both acoustic at the Holiday Inn and with the full band at Rumrunners. They covered Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise”
• And of course, Dear Landlord decked out like Juggalos for their set.

Being my first Fest, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. But now, I’m hooked. I absolutely must return for Fest 10 next year.

So, to those who went, what were the best things you saw?

After the break is a list of bands I saw. Italics for partial set.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tin Horn Prayer - Get Busy Dying

I got an email from a gentleman in a band called Tin Horn Prayer. Didn’t ring a bell, but I’m a guy who likes music, and I like extending as little effort as possible, and this came right to me, so why not? Their album is called Get Busy Dying, and it’s out on Bermuda Mohawk Productions.

So these guys play a rollicking sort of folk/country/bluegrass that reminds me of a darker Greenland is Melting, or perhaps more accurately, Murder by Death. The album opens with “Better Living,” a foot-stomping number propelled by a great banjo lick and some driving drumbeats. Add to that the gruff, whiskey-soaked gang vocals, and you’ve got a strong opening track. One song in, and I’m sold.

But there are 9 other songs here. Let’s get to it.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hometown Throwdown 13

Huzzah! The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have announced their annual Hometown Throwdown series of concerts, to be held, as you can see above, December 26th – 28th at the House of Blues in Boston, MA. Tickets are on sale through LiveNation this Saturday, October 23rd. I plan to be there for all three nights. How about you? Who would you like to see open the shows?

Red City Radio - Spinning in Circles is a Gateway Drug

Red City Radio are definite favorites around here. Their debut EP, To the Sons and Daughters of Woody Guthrie, was a glorious 5-song slice of perfect, grizzled punk rock. This year is looking good for them, with the quite successful vinyl pressing of their aforementioned EP via Loose Charm Records, playing the Fest- and touring the East coast on the way down- and signing with Paper + Plastick to release their debut full-length, The Dangers of Standing Still, in early 2011. To tide us over before said album drops, the band has released the 3-song “digital single,” Spinning in Circles is a Gateway Drug.

Read the rest of this entry »

Balance & Composure/Tigers Jaw

I was not familiar with either band when I check out this split record. I had seen a story or two about Balance & Composure, and had friends who really liked Tigers Jaw, though, so with the latter particularly in mind, I set out to listen to this record.

It was not what I expected.

Specifically, considering the friends who recommended it, I expected to really enjoy the Tigers Jaw side. As it turns out, I was completely blown away by Balance & Composure’s contribution, and underwhelmed by Tigers Jaw.

Read the rest of this entry »

FEST!

Hey everyone! I’m sure you all already know this, but the full schedule for the Fest 9 is online! You can find it here. So, who are your must-see bands? What are your conflicts?

I’ve made my tentative schedule. Hit the break to see it. And, if you should see me around Gainesville that weekend, please say hi!

Also, if you know of any sweet warehouse/house shows going on then, let your favorite blogger know, alright? (oh, and tell me about them too)

Read the rest of this entry »

The Riot Before - Rebellion

The Riot Before are, if you don’t know, an awesome punk band from Richmond, VA, who impressed me and many others with their full-length Fists Buried in Pockets. Now, they’re back with a new record on the increasingly-impressive Paper + Plastick. And it definitely is an improvement on their already excellent style.

First, I have to give props to P+P and the band for an awesome package. The vinyl record comes in a really gorgeous gatefold, with awesome artwork and design. And it comes with a CD copy, which is useful to throw in the car. Being a vinyl nerd who also needs practical ways of listening to my music, I appreciate this.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bad Religion - The Dissent of Man

So! 2010 is a big year for my beloved Bad Religion. Aside from being able to spend these twelve months making reference to the song “Ten in 2010″ from The Gray Race, the band is celebrating their 30th anniversary, and doing it with aplomb: a summer tour, a free digital live album- appropriately titled 30 Years Live- a series of three shows in New York City where they’ll focus on a decade of their music each night, and of course, a new album, The Dissent of Man.

Wikipedia mentions that this is the longest Bad Religion has gone without a lineup change. Amusing, but also worth nothing for the fact that the band has remained stable since founding guitarist Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band following their major label stint. (several albums in the ’90s were released on Atlantic following the punk/alt-rock signing frenzy)

But, let’s get to the meat ‘n bones of this here record.

Read the rest of this entry »

Two Cow Garage - Sweet Saint Me

Two Cow Garage has been kicking around for a few years now, honing their rowdy, rock’n'roll country sound on albums and live shows across the country. Sweet Saint Me, their fifth album and dropping on the venerable Suburban Home Records, finds the band sounding even more bold and powerful than on their 2008 effort, Speaking in Cursive.

So despite placement on tours with the likes of Austin Lucas and Jon Snodgrass, I think it’s safe to say TCG rocks out harder than either of these dudes. Perhaps the most apt comparison is to some of the louder songs in Armchair Martian’s discography.

But these comparisons, while somewhat fitting, don’t give enough credit to the band’s personality, which shines through on each of the 13 songs found on this record.

Read the rest of this entry »