I am kinda redoing my Friday posts. Instead of something new every Friday, the Friday Fix is just an assortment of cool shit i have come across in the past week. It may be new, it may just be interesting. Enjoy!
1. The White Mandingos
This hybrid project, the brainchild of rapper MURS, Sacha Jenkins, and Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jenifer, is just awesome. Sometimes a little more rap, sometimes a little more punk, oftentimes right in the middle, this is one hell of a good time. The whole album is up over on Soundcloud, but check out one of my favorites from the album, “Warn A Brotha” below. TWM was going to be playing at U St Music Hall in DC this Saturday, 6/15, but the show has been postponed. (Which works PERFECTLY for me, cause Stanley Cup hockey on on Saturday night. WIN!)
2. Black Sabbath
The first studio album with Ozzy since 1978’s Never Say Die, and the godfathers of heavy metal have really done well. I wanted to hate this, honestly. I’m still a little bitter about Bill Ward getting a raw deal and not being a part of this. That being said, this is a pretty damn solid album. Some of the songs sound like they could have been written for Dio, and the songs are fairly long (6 of the 12 songs are over 7 minutes). The lead single, “God Is Dead?” has been played to death already. I am loving the opening track, “End of the Beginning.” Well done, lads. See you in August.
3. Death
I can’t talk enough about this band. I just did a whole post about them today, so I will just link another song here.
4. Carol Kaye
I read a fascinating article this week, one that blew my mind. Carol Kaye was a popular studio musician back in the ’60s and ’70s. I had never heard her name until this week, and when I did, I was shocked to see some of the songs and albums on her resume:
Richie Valens – “La Bamba” (on guitar)
Simon and Garfunkel – “Scarborough Fair”
Lalo Shifrin – Themes to Mission: Impossible and Mannix
The Monkees – “I’m A Believer”
Tennessee Ernie Ford – “Sixteen Tons”
Nancy Sinatra – “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”
The Righteous Brothers – “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”
The Beach Boys – “California Girls,” “Sloop John B,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” and “Heroes and Villains.”
HOLY SHIT! This woman was a beast. Paul McCartney was praising the Beach Boys’ bass sound on PetSounds in an interview, and unbeknownst to him, was complimenting the bass playing of Kaye. This woman is a legend, and not many outside the industry know who she is. Incredible.
So I freely admit it – I am a music junkie. I can’t get enough. I am always searching for new music, not because of the lack of good music (there’s plenty of it, past and present), but because there’s always that one thing you haven’t heard, or the one band you have yet to discover that truly touches your soul. Every once in a while, if you are really lucky, you will come across that one band that literally knocks you back into your seat or off your feet. Those times when that musical gem makes you feel as if you’ve found an ancient scroll or buried pirate treasure.
For me, the latest band to do that is called Death.
My friend Jon at work, after a week-long stint in New York City comes up to me on his first morning back, all excited about something. “DUDE. have you ever heard of a band called ‘Death’?” My reply was something like, “Um, yeah. Everyone has. You know. Death metal band from Florida.” It was quickly apparent that we were not talking about the same band. Not by a long shot. He tells me a brief story, and as he presses play on the cd, tells me, “This is from 1974.” What I heard next gave me chills, and just floored me. As the opening chords of “Keep on Knocking” began I was curious, tilting my head like a dog. Then the song kicked in, and WHOA. I was confused. “Who are these guys? Am I the last one to find out about them? WHY were these guys not huge?” A totally wonderful mix of Detroit rock and one of the earliest punk sounds ever recorded.
My jaw still hanging slack, he handed me the cds and said “Go. Listen, and enjoy.”
I did just that, and as I made my way through songs like “Rock-n-Roll Victim” and “Freakin Out,” I was in such a state of shock, I could barely function.
A revelation hit me….“THESE GUYS STARTED AMERICAN PUNK. AND MUCH THE WORLD DOESN’T KNOW WHO THEY ARE.” I listened to the 2 albums, 1975’s For The Whole World To See, and Spiritual•Mental•Physical, taken from demos that predates “For The…” I listened over and over, just in awe of what I was hearing. This was taking what MC5 and the Stooges had started, and making it their own. There was an article written by the New York Times called “This Band Was Punk Before Punk Was Punk.”
I feverishly started researching the band. I had to know their story.
Back in 1971, three brothers from Detroit- David, Bobby and Dannis Hackney – formed a funk/soul band called “Rock Fire Funk Express.” After a little bit of recording, the brothers saw The Who and Alice Cooper in concert, and everything changed.
Death was born. David came up with the new name for the band, knowing it might be controversial. Said brother Bobby, “His concept was spinning death from the negative to the positive. It was a hard sell.” It would ultimately be their undoing, with the band refusing to change its’ name causing their best shot at a deal – Clive Davis and Arista Records – to walk away. On top of that, in the ’70s, black musicians were typical not playing rock, mu ch less this new breed of burgeoning punk. bands like the Stylistic, Earth, Wind and Fire were the predominant styles of black musicians. Yet, in true punk rock form, Death did not compromise their sound for anyone or any stereotype.
The band self-recorded a single, and unsuccessfully tried to get it out to the masses. The masters were stashed away in an attic, lying in wait to unleash upon the world. After Death not taking off, the brothers formed a rock gospel band, and David Hackney passed away in 2000. Bobby and Dannis, meanwhile, formed a reggae band called Lambsbread while they were living in Vermont.
What you have just read is an extremely abridged version of the story of the Hackney brothers and Death. There is much more to the story, and I strongly encourage you to watch the documentary “A Band Called Death: The Documentary.” It is inspiring and emotional, with the attitude amongst the family being “family first,” and “back up your brother.” It takes you through their early years, the passing of their father, and the struggles to get off the ground while being held back by their name alone.
My favorite part of the movie is when you have met Bobby Hackney’s children. The Hackneys had never told their kids about Death – they had no idea it had existed. One of Bobby’s sons was at a party, and the 45 of “Politicians in My Eyes” was playing. You feel the exhilaration along with them, as the sons discover the music that is in their bloodline, and that exhilaration is very tangible and electric.
The sons formed a band called Rough Francis (the name of David’s project before his death), and helped bring the music of Death to a modern audience. Seeing the joy and pride on Bobby’s face, watching his sons bring their music back to life, was joyous. Death has started resurfacing, with guitarist Bobbie Duncan taking over the guitar duties. They played the Orion Stage at the Orion Music and More Festival in June in their hometown of Detroit, and even got an introduction from Metallica’s Robert Trujillo (more on their Orion performance here).
If you are a fan punk rock, you are doing yourself a grave injustice if you don’t, at a minimum, give Death a listen. Listen to them, and think about how differently the history books would look. Know your roots, even if they are ones you didn’t realize were there.
I had to go with this one today. I got to see Ghost at the 9:30 Club last night, I am still blown away thinking about it. I could go on about the show (in fact, I will in my review for The Vinyl District, online in a couple of days), but this song in particular was amazing. Papa’s voice was spot-on, and the Nameless Ghouls sounded great. This is my favorite song from Opus Eponymous, a haunting ode to the Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory. Check out a live video from the Boston show on 5/10 here.
Black Sabbath – God is Dead
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVfUimq2KeI]
Ok, so this one is really growing on me. I still have a little bitterness about the whole Bill Ward thing, but c’mon…it’s Sabbath. I found it interesting that they chose a 9-minute song for their first new single. That being said, it’s a tad long-winded and the song could probably be a good 4 minutes shorter, but it is pretty heavy, solid Sabbath. It has the vibe of Heaven & Hell/Dehumanizer-era Sabbath, and I can’t help but think that this sounds like a Ronnie song more than an Ozzy song. but I am diggin it, and looking forward to hearing the rest of the new album.
Hatriot – Weapons of Class Destruction
Steve “Zetro” Souza, former lead singer for Exodus, is back in action with a new band, Hatriot. This is old-school, in-your-face thrash metal with a newer edge to it, led by Souza’s trademark snarling voice. The band includes Souza’s sons, Cody and Nicholas, on bass and drums, respectively. This is the first single off of the album Heroes of Origin. You can stream the album in its entirety below.
Demolition Hammer – Infectious Hospital Waste
While we’re on the subject of old-school thrash metal, let’s go back to 1991. Hailing from the Bronx, New York, Demolition Hammer never hit the big time, but their music was solid. “Infectious Hospital Waste” is a crushing example of that. In a bizarre side note, drummer Vinny Daze died of globefish poisoning in Africa in 1996. Not sure if that’s a metal way to go out or not. Anyway, put on your jean vest and rock out to this thrash classic.
Strife – In This Defiance
The LA hardcore kings are back and brutal as ever. It’s a little confusing(ish), that the new single is called “In This Defiance,” which was the name of their 1997 album (that did not feature a song by the same name). Sort of odd, that would kind of be like Kiss putting a song called “Rock and Roll Over” on Dynasty. Vocalist Rick Rodney is spitting pure venom on this one, and the riffs are heavy and tight. Hit the heavybag to this song.
Twisted Sister – Destroyer
This one came on Sirius/XM Liquid Metal the other day, and I just had to crank it up. So damn heavy! One of my all-time top Twisted Sister tracks.
To say it has been a weird day would be a vast fucking understatement. I spent the day in the hospital, watching one of the nicest people I know lay in his hospital bed as his body is trying to heal.
Family members and friends got into car accidents today. I head to the 930 Club, my musical home away from home, to see Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite rip up some blues.
I had been at the club for maybe 10 minutes, when my friend Sam comes up and says “DUDE. Did you hear about Jeff Hanneman?”
My natural response is to spout out what I already know: he is sick, he is taking a break from Slayer to heal, etc. The last thing I expected to hear today was “Dude…he died.”
I pretty much blocked it out. Overload. Way too much to process after the day I had. I am already delving deep into my soul thinking about my mortality, then this…this is JEFF HANNEMAN. GUITARIST OF SLAYER. SLAYER. This cannot be.
In one of the best announcements about Maryland Deathfest that could have ever happened, Exodus announced that they couldn’t do the show (which sucks, Exodus is awesome) BUT that old school thrashers Sacred Reich would be taking their place! I haven’t seen these guys in many years, and couldn’t be happier to be seeing them in a month.
Fu Manchu – Laserbl’ast
Had the chance to see Fu Manchu in a small venue last night, playing the entire album The Action Is Go. This song starts with a swanky little groove, and just gets better as it goes. Awesome band. Look for my full review of the show on The Vinyl District very soon!
Orange Goblin – Your World Will Hate This
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBKhRjE98J4]
Ok, so I know I’ve kinda been going on about Orange Goblin lately, but what can I say? I freakin love these guys. Got to interview them for TVD, and FINALLY get to see them playing in the States! They played this one from 2002’s Coup de Grace on Saturday, and I kinda went a little nuts. I love that, like tourmates Lionize and Clutch, OG changes the setlist up every night. Wish more bands did that.
Kreator – Phantom Antichrist
Nothing like some good old thrash metal to get you going! These guys have been at it since 1982, and they are sounding pretty damn good these days. This one, the title track from their 2012 album, absolutely rips.
A Pale Horse Named Death – Shallow Grave
The second post-Type O Negative project to emerge (that I know of, I could be wrong), and it’s pretty cool. Very Type-Oish, dark, gothic metal featuring former drummer Sal Abruscato on guitar and vocals, and other former Type O drummer Johnny Kelly on drums. Looking forward to hearing more from these guys.
Behemoth – Lucifer
Always insanely heavy, Behemoth’s combination of brutal blackened death metal and stunning visuals make their videos captivating and frightening to watch. Sorta seems weird that they are playing the side stage in a gravel parking lot for Mayhem Fest this year. Only seems fitting to see them in a dark club if you ask me. Glad they got on the tour though – they needed to inject some serious metal on that tour.
I love nothing more than hearing a band for the first time, and thinking, “People NEED to hear these guys!” Such is the case this week when I heard The Quartet of Woah! These four guys from Portugal were brought to my attention by a friend, and I am glad he did. It would be easy to write them off as “stoner rock,” but that doesn’t even begin to cover it. Imagine if Deep Purple, Yes, Fu Manchu and Black Sabbath and the Black Keys all got melted down, swirled around, and poured back out…that might start to cover what you get from The Quartet of Woah!
Take a listen to their single, “U Turn,” from their 2012 debut album Ultrabomb.
The heavy guitar and bass is there, but that organ is what sets them apart. The organ sound is a gut-punch, with a sound like Jon Lord come back from the grave. The guitar and bass tones are thick as syrup, the drums thunderous, and the vocals, performed by all 4 members of the band, are passionate, both wailing and subdued in all the right places.
The songs on Ultrabomb just exude such a groove, if you are not, at a minimum, tapping your foot, you are probably dead. Seek medical attention.
Mixed in with the heavy rock sound is a collage of sounds and styles, blended in perfectly so that you’re never questioning whether you’re hearing a different band, just different aspects of the same band. Songs like the piano-driven “The Ultrabomb,” or just the raw rock heaviness of “Taste of Hate” or “How to Build a Bomb” are great, and when TQOW channels Yes on “Prodigal Son,” it shows yet another side of the band. By the time the album wraps up with the soulful, bluesy jam “The Machine Limps Towards the End,” the listener feels like they have taken an enthralling musical journey through time, space, riffs and notes.
If you are lucky enough to live in Europe and can catch them live, DO IT. Plans are in the works for The Quartet to make it to America, hopefully later in 2013. Keep your eyes peeled, and don’t miss them! Meanwhile, take a listen to Ultrabomb below.
Back in college, my roommate and I had a system called Digital Music Express, a precursor to Music Choice and other cable-based music services. To see what was playing, you looked down at a little screen and it told you what was playing. The remote looked like this:
I digress. I discovered some amazing music on here, like Type O Negative and Life of Agony. The first time I heard “Through and Through,” I was completely blown away. Very different from the metal bands of the time, there was so much real feelings and emotions in their music, like putting someone’s diary to music. River Runs Red is a concept album of sorts, following a troubled teen dealing with problems in love, work, school, and abusive home environment. Interspersed with asides between songs of what the teen is going through, the end of the album will give you chills.
Amon Amarth
The Vikings from Sweden are back! Not a lot of new ground tread on the new song, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Johan Hegg and company continue to do what they do best, making heavy ass metal and being bad ass Vikings.
Anthrax – Among the Living
A great song from one of the best thrash albums EVER. Period. I had just read The Stand by Stephen King before hearing this for the first time back in 1987, and that kind of blew me away. Stephen King, Judge Dredd…I instantly fell for Anthrax.
Misfits – Attitude
This is about as punk as it gets. “YOU GOT SOME FUCKIN’ ATTITUDE!” Hard to believe this song is 35 years old.
Slayer – Raining Blood
I’m driving down the highway on the way home from the Anthrax show on Sunday, and Raining Blood came on Sirius/XM. I am listening to one of the most classic thrash metal songs ever, remembering hearing for the first time way back when, and it dawned on me…this song is my generation’s “Black Sabbath.” Older folks talk about the first time they heard the song “Black Sabbath”, and how the infamous “tri-tone” was the creepiest, most evil thing they had heard. That is EXACTLY what I felt the first time I heard the main riff kick in after the thunderstorm in “Raining Blood.” 26 years later, I still get the same feeling when I hear THAT RIFF.
Carnivore – Ground Zero Brooklyn
Hardcore doomy heaviness from the big man in green, pre-Type O Negative. This week was the 3rd anniversary of Peter Steele’s death, a man missed by many. Do yourself a favor and listen to the old Carnivore stuff if you never have. Seriously heavy stuff, and you can hear the influence Carnivore had on the earlier Type O material.
Covers! I have always loved when metal bands do a cover every now and then, and we can get their take on a song we know and love. This week I decided to pick 6 cover songs I think are pretty awesome. I could have made a Tuesday 200 with all the great cover songs out there – these are just a few. What did I leave off? What cover songs do you love?
Metallica – The Wait
You can’t have a feature about rock/metal covers without including Metallica. They are the masters of the cover song, taking a cool song and making it their own while doing justice to the original. Many may never have even heard of bands like Diamond Head or Budgie if Metallica hadn’t introduced us to songs like “Am I Evil?” or “Breadfan”. I have always loved their cover of Killing Joke’s “The Wait”. Fantastic version of the song. In 7th grade back in 1987, Garage Days Re-Revisited was my introduction to Metallica, and this song was my introduction to Killing Joke. The original version is a great song as well, and Metallica truly did it justice.
Fu Manchu – Moving in Stereo
The goddess-like image of Phoebe Cates arising like a Venus from the water and removing her bikini to the sounds of The Cars is burned into many a man’s brain and become one of the most memorable scenes from the ’80s classic film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. California stoner rockers Fu Manchu took this classic, gave it some fuzzed out heaviness and a huge pair of balls for the updated version of this classic song. With this version, you could imagine a hot tattooed beauty arising from the water.
Dimmu Borgir – Burn in Hell
’80s rockers Twisted Sister may be best known for their hits “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock”, but their catalog has some pretty damn heavy stuff in it. Case in point: “Burn in Hell”. Much in the same vein of Pentagram’s “Review Your Choices”, Dee and the boys warn us of the fiery fate that awaits after the wrong choices in life. Norwegian symphonic black metallers Dimmu Borgir crank up the evil on this cover, and Vortex’s haunting clean vocals cut through like a knife on the chorus.
**BONUS VIDEO**
Who can forget Twisted Sister’s big screen debut, where the filming of the music video for “Burn in Hell” gets interrupted by Pee-Wee Herman’s bicycle chase in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure? Fine moments in cinema!
Amon Amarth – Aerials
The thunder gods of Viking metal from Sweden covering one of my favorite System of a Down songs? Yes, please. I have always thought “Aerials” was such a beautifully written song; it has always moved me. The Amon Amarth version may not have that same passion, but the power of their version makes up for it. Hearing Johan Hegg brutally belting out lyrics like “Aerials in the sky, when you lose small mind you free your life.” Awesome.
Mastodon – Just Got Paid
Mastodon absolutely crushes this classic ZZ Top song. Brent Hinds’ vocals pay a perfect homage to this great song, and Mastodon truly keeps the swagger and coolness of the original. One of the greatest ZZ riffs ever. Period.
**BONUS VIDEO**
On Record Store Day 2011, a yellow vinyl 45 was released with Mastodon’s version on one side and ZZ Top’s on the other. Some genius posted on YouTube the 45, played at 33 RPM, creating a perfect stoner/sludge version of the song. Excellence!
Sepultura – Symptom of the Universe
With so many amazing Sabbath covers out there by bands like Pantera, C.O.C., and many more, picking one Sabbath cover was a tough one to choose. The two Nativity in Black albums has some really great stuff on them, but this one has always stood out. This is the classic lineup of Sepultura, doing it their way. Fast, insanely heavy, and you can just picture Animal from the Muppet Show going nuts when Igor hits the frantic fills between the chorus and the verse.
The thrashers from Colorado are back at it, with a new video from their 2012 EP Point of No Return. This song absolutely rips, and these guys bring the old school thrash like no other and manage to sound fresh doing it. Their live shows are killer, and they win an award for one of the best metal shirts I have seen, as they promote true moshing, not the ridiculous hardcore “dancing” that is so prevalent nowadays. NO KARATE IN THE PIT!
Borracho – Mob Gathering
DC’s stoner rock gods put on a hell of a set last week at Velvet Lounge. If you missed it, you should feel remorse and regret. If you ‘ve never seen Borracho and live in the DMV, you deserve a paddlin’. These guys are the real deal – heavy rhythms, tight riffs, and huge sound. Guitarist Steve Fisher is handily taking over more of the vocals while their singer Noah Greenberg is out-of-country for a while. Do yourself a favor and pick up the Mob Gathering EP or the Splitting Sky LP. You will not be disappointed.
Kylesa – Unspoken
Kylesa is returning, with a new album, Ultraviolet, coming out on May 28. “Unspoken” is one of two new tracks they have released in advance, and I love what I am hearing. Laura Pleasant’s haunting vocals mixed with the big, doomy guitar sound almost give you an idea of what it would sound like if the Cocteau Twins did a metal album. Can’t wait to hear the rest of this album.
Supervoid – Arcane Groves
These Pittsburgh riff lords opened for Borracho at Velvet Lounge last week. I had never heard them, and was pleasantly surprised. The music is heavy and atmospheric, very Kyuss-like, but the vocals go from powerful and soaring to growling and full of hate. Definitely recommend these guys. This one will take you on a journey through the desert, up into outer space and back again.
Six Feet Under – Zombie Blood Curse
The Walking Dead finished up season 3 this week (in an underwhelming season finale, in my opinion), but the death metal giants from Tampa, FL keep the infection alive with this brutal track from their newest album, Unborn. With precise, brutal riffs, and Chris Barnes’ trademark gutteral grunts, this is a little more thrash metal and a little less death metal, but still awesome.
Phil Anselmo and the Illegals – Conflict
As amazing as Down is, it’s good to hear Phil bringin’ the heavy again. Fast, heavy, and just downright angry and aggressive, this is Phil unleashed, and it’s good to have him back. This song is from a split album with Warbeast on Anselmo’s Housecore records, and I hope we see a small venue tour from these guys. This one will make you start a pit in your car your living room, or even at the bank. turn it up.
A little bit of a mixed bag for this week’s Friday Find. Some great tunes, a cool video, and hell, why not throw in Guy on a Buffalo to the mix.
Jess and the Ancient Ones
I have heard a buzz about them around the stoner rock community, but hadn’t gotten to check them out. Jess and the Ancient Ones are a psychedelic rock band from Finland, and sound a lot like a heavier Jefferson Airplane brought into the 21st century. Singer Jess’ beautifully haunting vocals are sultry and hypnotizing, and the music has the right mix of retro, swanky, trippy 60’s style with a modern heaviness underneath it all. Someone need to get them on a tour with Ghost and we’d have a winner.
Vinterland
In my ongoing mission to listen to bands playing the 2013 Maryland Deathfest that I have never heard before, this week I bring you Vinterland. This melodic black metal band from Sweden released one album, Welcome My Last Chapter, in 1996 and disbanded. As of 2011 they are back together, and playing Deathfest this year. Some songs are not as brutally fast as many other black metal bands, they definitely emphasize the “melodic” element of their genre, with cold, sorrowful melodies and atmospheric tones complimenting the wailing vocals from D.F. Bragman. This album was recorded 17 years ago, yet would still be relevant in the metal scene if it were released today.
Danko Jones
I had heard the name Danko Jones here and there, but had never heard anything by the Canadian band. I had heard Danko’s appearance on Nashville Pussy’s song “Im So High” off of From Hell To Texas, and dug his voice. I finally got around to listening to some of his stuff this week, and MAN was I disappointed…disappointed that I hadn’t heard them sooner. I’m not a big fan of the majority of modern hard rock bands, but Danko Jones pulls it off without sounding fake or pretentious. Tight, catchy riffs, great harmonies, and good old rock and roll with a great vibe.
Biting Elbows – Bad Motherfucker
This insane video is a breakneck thrillride, a live-action mix of first-person shooters, parkour and a huge can of whoop-ass.
Biting elbows is a Russian indie rock band, who had a viral hit with their 2011 video for “The Stampede”, which employs the same style and theme in the video, including the chase for the magical vacuum tube and leads right into the video for “Bad Motherfucker”.
Heavy Uber Alles 