Saturday, February 16, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Life in Cycle
I bought this band's demo on a whim from a friend of mine. There was one song that stuck out to me, and that was Revive. It's an acoustic song that demonstrates a lot of talent in the vocals. The whole demo is definitely something to rock out to.
Together since 2012, this band is making their presence known. They're featured regularly on the "Local Anesthetic" radio show with 105.7 the X. (Side bar, it can be streamed live on iHeartRadio on Sunday nights, and is definitely a good way to find some great local music.) I haven't had the chance to catch a live show, but am hoping to when their next show is announced. You can check out their stuff by following the link below!!
Cody Roe- vocals
Bela McKnight- guitars/vocals
Jason Hedrick - bass
Scott Eades- drums
http://www.facebook.com/lifeincycle
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Shallow Side Part 1
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| Custom Graphic by Brad Owens at SnakeProductions |
I have talked to so many people who want their big break, but simply expect that one good YouTube video and they're going to hit the big time. There is a lot of behind the scenes struggle that HAS to happen. Not only because it's almost impossible to really make it, but because those struggles are exactly what give you strength and credibility as an artist. Something the members of Shallow Side are all too familiar with.
Over the last couple weeks, I have had extensive conversations with both Eric Boatright and Nick Tolbert. I've heard stories of triumph, heartbreak, embarassment, and humility. Through all of my interactions with them, I have been truly stunned with several things about them. Allow me to explain.
After a certain point, some bands/artists have a tendency to get into a mindset of "I've made it, now I'm better than everyone". It's a sad, harsh reality of a very brutal industry. The music industry will rip you apart over and over and over, and once you get that "big break", it's very easy to forget the struggle. What impresses me about Shallow Side is that they have seemingly survived the "big break" with no personal damages. No, they haven't signed to a major label, but they're close. I can feel it. For a band so close to stardom, they are humble, compassionate, empathetic, and honest with EVERY fan. In fact, they prefer not to use the term "fans", they prefer to say family.
I've been doing this for a while, and I can honestly say that NO other band I have written about has dropped what they were doing to call me on the phone and talk for two hours about everything from music to chocolate gravy. I was shocked that they could so easily be so personal with a perfect stranger. Although, I did repeatedly assure them my intentions were noble!!
"Shallow Side is not just two words that represent them as a group, rather, it is a representation of humble beginnings infused with the knowledge that life is unforgiving, but there is hope for tomorrow." Truer words have never been spoken. Per their band bio on their Facebook page, the song "Fear Ends Tonight" is Eric's message to the band. "I wanted to give them something to let them know I am here for them, and we are all in this together, to just throw it out there and give it all we had. I want them to know this is a personal message of trust. My trust in them, and the hope they trust in me."
The first time I listened to their song "Try To Fight It", I was hooked. It's hard for me to put into words what my initial thoughts were, but I can say that they were somewhat like "Holy shit. How are these guys still independent?" I truly didn't believe that they had not been signed. They combine so many great sounds, but my best comparison would be Breaking Benjamin or old school Finger Eleven riffs, with new Papa Roach vocals. The guitar riffs draw you in like a fly to honey, and the vocals catch your attention like a bolt of lightning in a summer storm. These guys bring out the fury and the mystery of the south with EVERY note they perform. Not in a rebel flag, sweet tea, and corn bread kind of way, but more in a random tornado ripping through a cotton field in July kind of way. One that is so devastatingly beautiful that you just simply cannot stop watching.
Being a vocalist myself, I'm naturally drawn to lyrics and melody. Eric has cornered the market on embodying a dark, deep, almost sexual tension in a gorgeous tenor tone. The guys on guitar (Seth, Cody, and Johnny) pull these haunting riffs out of the stratosphere, that from the first note draw you in and make your mind and your ears beg for more. They truly know the art of a great breakdown, and they use it to their advantage. The first line of Try To Fight It says, "I can't stand the way you always lead me on......" which is ironic, because the build-up to the initial vocal builds in a way that literally is like a tease. You know what's coming, but it takes a minute to explode into exactly what you expect. The first time they broke into the heavy riff, I got goosebumps. The lead in was perfectly accented by amazing drum beats from Heath. I'm serious when I say that the way this music flows together is flawless. Not only is the flow, and the music flawless, but these songs exude passion. Every word, every note, and every beat tells the exact story and emotion that it is meant to. You can hear heartbreak, excitement, anger, disappointment, love, and faith. For me, it is rare to find a band that speaks to my soul the way this one does. As much as I can gush like a school girl about my new favorite band, I would much rather you go and listen to it for yourself. Shallow Side embodies sheer musical perfection, not only in talent, but in attitude and ethic. I guarantee you, these guys are going somewhere very fast.
A quote from Eric really gives life to what I'm saying. "Being a musician isn't about picking up an instrument. It's not about standing on a stage and basking in the glory of 'rock stardom'....to me, being a musician is about taking the fall gracefully and standing up stronger than before, as anyone should do in any career they hope to follow."
They have always written and played their own music, but when they were amidst the notorious "creative blocks", they would play cover songs from Shinedown, Tool, 10 Years, Chevelle, Seether, Breaking Benjamin, Nickleback, and a list of others ten miles long. Eric says they even played a little country. "Hey, we're southern boys. It's in our blood." The covers have never completely stopped though. The band really enjoys playing other artists music and jamming out their riffs and melodies. They say writing is completely different for them now though, because they feel like they've grown enough to know what direction they want the song to take as opposed to what they've had in the past.
Writing is a group effort. Most of the time, riffs and string arrangements are done by the guys that play them (Cody, Seth, and Rocksteed), beats and bass by Heath and Cody, and Eric says that the melody and lyrics are usually "spawned from his usually unorganized, unfiltered lifestyle". Their first professional recording session was with acclaimed producer Travis Wyrick from Knoxville, TN. Wyrick is best known for his work with P.O.D., 10 Years, Disciple, TobyMac, and Dolly Parton.
The band has been seemingly hand picked by a higher power. Seth, Heath, and Eric grew up together and started playing music together about a year before their first tour in 2011. Cody found Eric at a show and said that they needed another member in the band. After being laughed at a few times, he showed up at Eric's house at three in the afternoon and said, "Let's go to practice. I've got something to show you." The guy knew what he wanted and straight up went for it. That night, they meshed so well that Cody permanently became an integral part of the band, first on guitar, and later on bass. Johnny Rocksteed AKA Justin Smith came into the band in a similar fashion. One night on tour, Eric received a message from Rocksteed saying, "Hey man, I really dig y'alls music. I'm a big fan of the sound. I'm glad music like y'all play is still being made. Can I come spend the night and watch you guys practice?" Being "cautious", Eric ignored him for a few weeks, but Rocksteed wrote him every day. Eventually, the two met at a show where Rocksteed introduced himself. After a few things were said that I'm going to keep "off the record", they laughed and joked about it, and the next weekend Rocksteed was at Eric's house. He walked into the practice space, set up his equipment, and "lit the ground on fire". After helping them on tour, Rocketseed finally took the stage with them, creating the five piece band that they are touring with this year.
Before their first tour, Seth was working for Rite Aid, Heath at a local factory, Cody as an electrician, and Eric for a construction crew. A big show of committment happened when they all quit their jobs to pursue music careers full time. The decision to quit started with all of them calling in during a practice one night because they wanted to finish a song that they were pouring their heart and soul into. They then decided to quit because playing four days a week all over the state AND working a regular job just couldn't cut it anymore. Eric says that it just wasn't physically possible to keep their heads up at work all day, then finish up their day at 3am in some bar. Nick Tolbert, tour manager and long time friend, at that point said, "You guys have one month...put in your notice", and so they did.
Their very first tour is one for the books. They say it put them in their place very quick. The tour started out being booked by a "nameless company" that more than once left them stranded on the side of the road, not knowing where their next gig was going to be. They had played for three weeks and saw a mere $200 in pay out. Many of their venues weren't even aware that the band was supposed to be there, and the few that did weren't aware that the band was supposed to be paid. They kept going though, often even without food. Miles from home, they spent hours outside of Wal-Marts and malls selling their CDs for $2-$3 each just to get enough money to travel to the next venue.
"To say it was hard would be an understatement. Sometimes, when the shame and humiliation became overwhelming, we all could sense each other's desire to run home...beaten."
They were sitting in Parkersburg, WV when they found out that the next two weeks worth of bookings were fake. Chalk one up to a really horrible booking company. They decided at that point to just sell as many CDs as they could and pack it up and go home. That entire day, though, they had been begging for a chance from literally anyone on the internet. They got a call from their good friend Bruce Tuck in Battle Creek, MI. Bruce told them that he had heard what had been going on, and that he was doing what he could to change things up. He said, "You've got a show Friday in Parkersburg at the 5th St. Pub".
The band decided to give it one more shot. They stuck around, and stood on street corners, outside of every McDonald's, mall, Wal-Mart, club, restaraunt, venue, and bar in town telling people about their show that Friday. It was a shot in the dark, but they dug in deep, and that Friday night, it paid off. Two hundred people were standing outside of a small bar in West Virginia just to see what these guys from Alabama were all about. They then did the same thing in every city they played. Eric says that had they given up in that little town, they wouldn't be where they are now, and that he wouldn't be who he is today.
Since then, they've had the honor of sharing a stage with bands such as One Less Reason, Pop Evil, My Darkest Days, Trapt, Crossfade, Deuce, 3 Pill Morning, New Medicine, Zack Myers of Shinedown (on his solo tour), Fuel, Mark Tremonti, Sevendust, and NonPoint.
Eric said that playing with such big bands is a real factor in where his mindset of humility comes from. He said he can remember being a kid and mowing grass for weeks in the hot Alabama sun just to buy a CD, then getting to meet that band and being very let down because of the attitude that he was shown. He says that it's his goal to welcome that grass cutting kid with open arms, and make him feel like the most important person in the world. It's very refreshing to hear such positive goals from an artist, when the industry standard is body guards, and no contact, and stamped autographs.
All of the members have loved ones that they leave behind when they go out on the road, though specifics will be kept confidential for obvious reasons. Just understand that being on the road and away from home is very difficult and emotional for each of them in their own way.
The band is gearing up for their third tour with Super Bob and Prospect Hill. They are being sponsored by Puncture Wounds Clothing and Wicked Hammer Energy Drink. Their single "Fear Ends Tonight" (2010) and the 5 tracks from their EP "Home Today" (2012) are likely to be featured in the set list, as well as plenty more new stuff. Tour dates will be posted on the blog so that you can keep up with them.
"I have honestly met a ton of bands through my photography, and these guys are at the top of my list for overall best band when it comes to collaboration of music, live performance, attitude, personality, work ethic, and relationship with their fans. They are seriously like family to me." - Tracie Chanady
I have the utmost respect for each member of this band and their management team. I am beyond grateful at the opportunity to write about them, and so excited to see where they go. Shallow Side is proof that there truly are good and genuine people in an industry that is notorious for fakes and phonies. Kudos to you guys for keeping a good head on your shoulders. I hope and pray that you never lose sight of it, and I wish you every bit of luck in the universe. You are truly something special, and every one of my readers is going to love following you every step and stumble of the way! Mad love and respect from the Red Lollipop herself. Keep an eye out for Part 2 very soon!
https://www.facebook.com/ShallowSideBand
http://shallowside.bandcamp.com/track/out-of-reach
http://www.youtube.com/shallowsidemusic
https://twitter.com/shallowsideband
You can also find their music on Spotify!!
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| Photo Courtesy of Dennis Calvert |
Nellie Wilson and The Hellbound Honeys
"Wilson's not just a vulgar vocalist, she's a smutty sage." - Jessica Steinhoff of thedailypage.com
Featuring a sound that is classic country, and what I feel is made for The Bluebird Cafe, Nellie and her honeys remind me of another band I really dig, Delta Rae. Promoting two albums, "Live at the Lobo Lounge" and "Taking the 'O' Out of Country", the band plays shows regularly with several other big bands in their genre!! They are currently working on their 3rd album, which should come out within the next month or so!
Their writing influences range from art music to classic country to metal. Nellie is a classically trained musician with degrees to back it up! She is also very comfortable in her own skin, and has no shame in bringing something to the table like you've never heard. It's very common to hear male led bands do a smut song, but rare to find a female willing to be so vulgar. Not many women would be so bold as to sing something called "This Pussy Ain't Gonna Lick Itself". I love the "balls" this woman has!
If you want a really fun, and wildly entertaining playlist, add this band to it guys! Follow the links and check out what they've got going on!
Nellie Wilson - Bass/Vocals
Doc Franklin - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Rusty Shackleford - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Jed - Drums
http://www.myspace.com/nellieandthehoneys
http://www.twitter.com/nwandthehoneys
http://www.reverbnation.com/nelliewilson
http://nelliewilsonandthehellboundhoneys.bandcamp.com
You can also find their stuff on Spotify!!!
Friday, February 1, 2013
The Fisticuffs
When was the band started?
-The Fisticuffs formed in 2005, right after a couple of us got out of high school and wanted to start a celtic punk band. -Our first song was a union fight song called "Scab", which still gets dusted off on very rare occasions.
Who writes your songs?
-Our singer Bob writes all of the lyrics, and the music is collaborated
on by the rest of us. Usually a beat or riff is presented, and then the
rest of us build our parts off of that.
Who/what do you get inspiration from?
-Our inspiration comes from a little bit of Jameson Irish Whiskey, mixed with everyone's personal musical tastes.
How will you get noticed?
-When it comes to getting our
name out there, we do everything we can to play out as often, and as far
out as possible. We have done multiple trips out to the east coast,
playing everywhere we can from New York to Florida.
Who would you someday love to play with?
-We would love eventually play with the Street Dogs. They are definitely a band favorite.
What is your goal for the band?
-Our goal is playing as loud and as fast as we can, for anyone who will listen, until they won't listen anymore.
The Fisticuffs have played several big venues including The Bottom Lounge, The Beat Kitchen, Reggie's, Champ's Rock Room, and The Subterranean. With a very high quality Irish sound, they are very easy to like. The music has that iconic Irish punk sound. Great guitar, awesome fiddle, catchy drum beats, killer bass, and the perfect blend of both beautiful and growling lyrics.
They have three independent studio albums.
-Bruised But Not Beaten (2006)
-Neatly Stumblin' (2008)
-You'll Not Take Me Alive (2011)
Normally, I pick out a few songs to recommend, but with this band it was an impossible task. I love every single song I heard. They are all perfect!
My blood line is seeped in Irish tradition, so I'm very naturally drawn to this genre, but history aside, who doesn't like to go drink a tall Guinness and listen to some seriously wicked tunes? The Fisticuffs are a perfect choice for those who do!!! They are definitely one that I've added to my "I've got to see them live" list, and so should you, but until then, follow the links and check out what they bring to the table! It will have you rocking out in the shower, in your car, cooking dinner, or at the bar! Wicked fun music!!
Bobby Baldwin - Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Dave Beneventi - Mandolin/Backing Vocals
Tony Dellorto - Drums/Backing Vocals
Arcadia Kust - Fiddle/Backing Vocals
Sean Moriarty - Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Neil Farrell - Bass
You can also find their stuff on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon!! Check 'em out!!
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