Album Review: DJ Self-Help "Bubblegum Bangers" EP

Bubblegum Bangers, his latest five-song EP release, is like a fun-size Snickers candy bar. After taking a bite (or in this case, a listen), I savored every note of flavor, texture and transition. But after my 17 minutes of sheer gusto, I wanted more than just one taste.

Before the thumping bass and looping "get on" vocal sample in the first track "Dreammore," a robotic whisper of "DJ Self Help" is the ignition to the listening party. Familiar remnants of The Cranberries' "Dream" slip under Trick Daddy's "Sugar," and the odd dichotomy of songs tango through as if they are meant for each other. But this isn't the only instance of opposites converging.

Click here to read the rest of the review. This article was published in ACRN.com on March 6, 2010.

SXSW 2010: Fergus and Geronimo

In January of 2009, Fergus and Geronimo was born out of the musical interests of two boys in the Denton, Texas DIY scene. One is a member of Denton's staple Teenage Cool Kids, the other is a former member of Wax Museum and producer of Teenage Cool Kid's full-length 'Foreign Lands.' Although 2009 left the duo with only three 7" releases under three different labels, 2010 will bring a full-length, some tours, and three SXSW showcases. Spinner recently spoke to Andrew Savage about the two-piece and his crush on a 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' star.

Click here to read the the interview. This article was posted in Spinner.com on March 8, 2010.

ACRN SCENE AND HEARD: What rock competition? High schoolers just want to have fun!

The last time I stepped foot in my high school was my 2007 graduation. Since then, it hasn't even crossed my mind to go back - except to pick up my senior yearbook and say my gratitudes toward teachers who really meant a lot to me. Because 3/4 of my siblings currently attend the school, I thought it'd be fun to return and check out this year's battle of the bands. It greatly exceeded my expectations and past AHS battle of the band experiences. I write about it here:

On the contrary, I don't see anything wrong with it, because this was the most spirit-filled, enthusiastic Battle of the Bands I have ever seen. Seriously, where DID all this enthusiasm come from?! Each band, regardless of how good they were, managed to cover the floor with spectators. In return, the spectators flailed their arms, shamelessly sang along and pushed to the front to touch their classmate's hand and warm their hands in guitar solos. During the second half of the show, I grimaced every time a wave of bras catapulted their way on stage. I didn't want to know from WHO they came from, but I was in panic when one made its way towards me. There are two cops in patrol. I am an adult. I'd rather not deal with them at a high school event.

Click here to read the rest of the entry. This article was published in ACRN's Scene and Heard on March 8, 2010.

SXSW 2010: Shelley Short

Part two of the Spinner.com contribution bonanza. I'm literally cranking out (efficiently, of course) artists Q&a/biographies for Spinner's SXSW project, in which the website will profile all 2,000 bands/artists performing at this year's Austin fest. In the next week, I'll be working on ten profiles. It's not a matter of doing them, but hoping that my emails get responded by my interviewees.

Portland, Ore.'s Shelley Short has been paving a way to musical success since performing her first solo act at a friend's second annual "Holiday Hot Dog Rodeo" event. The whimsical singer-songwriter's music catalog consists of four releases, and Paste Magazine raved that Short's latest, 'A Cave, A Canoo,' "sounds more at home wafting through barn rafters than through iPod earbuds." Short has opened for acts like M. Ward and Loudon Wainwright III, and this year, she'll be playing two showcases at Austin's SXSW. Before the festival, Spinner chatted with the singer about her tour experiences and inspirations.

Click here to read the interview. This was published in Spinner.com on March 3, 2010.

Concert Preview / Noise vs. Hardcore / February 19, 2010 / Brown Town

Somewhere within the pockets of Athens' West side, an array of bands and solo acts are set to destroy the sound barrier this Friday.

While the Union will offer Dance or Die to those itching to bust out their dancing shoes, Brown Town is equipped with a collection of lacerating acts under the show name "Noise vs. Hardcore," which is set to start around 6 p.m.

One of the acts, Athens' own Vivi C. Diem, is a solo project of Ohio University student Jared Rubinstein-Towler, who trekked from an upper-middle class suburb outside of Cincinnati, which he openly detested, to Athens. What he didn't expect upon arrival was a thriving underground scene amidst "the bar rock and acoustic acts."

Click here to read the rest of the preview. This article was published in ACRN.com on February 18, 2010.

Interview: Seeking Heart With Mayday Parade's Derek Sanders

Pop-rock Floridians Mayday Parade have spent the past four years touring endlessly and connecting with their growing fan base, who falls numb to the heart-drenched lyrics. Since late January, Mayday Parade has teamed up with Take Action Tour, with supporting acts that include We the Kings and A Rocket to the Moon, to convert a collection of upcoming shows into a philanthropic effort -- not just by the band, but also the fans who attend.

ACRN caught up with frontman Derek Sanders in the midst of this annual tour, of which the proceeds go to Driving for Donors. Discussions include the tour, their Twitter contest, and connecting dots between Mayday Parade and Queen.

Click here to read the interview. This article was published in ACRN.com on February 7, 2010.

Image credit: Atlantic Records

SXSW 2010 Q&A: Allo Darlin'

This was my first - rather simple - freelance assignment with a major publication. Spinner posted a wanted entry on its website declaring online search for writers who would be interested in covering one of the 2,000 bands scheduled to play SXSW 2010. So I signed up, did the interview, published it, and voila! Note: this was a contributing assignment as a freelance writer, I am not employed under Spinner or AOL.

Since the UK-based band formed at Christmas in 2008, Allo Darlin' has garnered media buzz with just three EPs under their belt. The Guardian called Allo Darlin's single 'Henry Rollins Don't Dance' "the best indiepop song for years." All their hard work and notability has earned the quartet a trip to the States to perform at SXSW this March, around the release date of the band's first full-length under Fortuna POP! Spinner recently corresponded with vocalist/songwriter Elizabeth Morris about the band and tour antics.

Click hereto read the Q&A section. This article was published in Spinner.com on February 5, 2010.

Album review: Overkill "Ironbound"

When Overkill secured a multi-album deal with their new label Nuclear Blast Records back in October, fans of the thrash-bringers showed nothing but anticipation over the latest release. It's amazing that after 14 full-lengths and 30 years of activity, Overkill manages to trump the modern generation of metal with Ironbound -- an album that encompasses what Metallica should have done in St. Anger.

Click here to read the rest of the review. This article was published in ACRN.com on January 7, 2010.

Live Review: Pentagram in Cleveland, OH

As single-digit degree wind crept through the crevices of Cleveland's major rock venue Peabody's, a sparse but intimate crowd socialized among the dimly lit bar and main stage areas. In patched jackets and shirts adorned with the logos of classic bands like Sodom and Saint Vitus, the head count consisted mostly of those over 25, yet there were none more excited for the legendary Pentagram to take the stage than the X-ed up minority.

Elbow room grew scarce once bar dwellers migrated to the edge of the stage. A woman in her 50s rested her breasts on the stage, and, in a pugnacious manner, frantically pleaded for Pentagram to "take away her drunken soul." Within darkness, members of the current line-up took the stage and each walked on to hearty applause. But it was the jewelry-adorned vocalist and only remaining original member, Bobby Liebling, who had the crowd erupting in screams.

Click here to read the rest of the article. This review was published on ACRN.com on January 30, 2010.

Album Review: Sigh "Scenes from Hell"

Perhaps avant-garde, but it's not in the intentions of vocalist Mirai Kawashima to purposely create the weird. As he once said in an interview, "I always choose the best way to express a feeling." Transplanting that context into their latest album, Kawashima and the gang portrayed hell as a playful, dark circus.

Click here to read the rest of the review. This was published in ACRN.com on January 22, 2010.

Album Review: Regulations "To Be Me"

One could assume that Umeå, Sweden's punk hardcore mecca, is just an ode to the early sounds of American hardcore because the bands blatantly list its pioneers as its influence. Regulations is no exception. To Be Me, the band’s latest album on Deranged Records, crafts a collage of the raw sounds punk rockers know and love. This latest release gleans the snooty screams of Circle Jerk’s Keith Morris and the blues-inspired power chord lines of Greg Ginn.

To read more of the review, click here. This was published in ACRN.com on January 16, 2010.
Image source: Derangedrecords.com

Music News: Scion Rock Fest to be held in Columbus, Ohio

Scion’s official website has announced Columbus, Oh. as the 2010 location of the popular rock fest.

The site has also released a set date of the fest, which is Saturday, March 13.

The rock fest, hosted annually by Scion Car Company, is known to showcase a large medley of rising talent in the heavy rock scene – at no cost whatsoever. Some of the noted headliners from last year’s line-up, which was held in Atlanta, Ga., included Mastodon, Neurosis, Boris, and Athens’ own Skeletonwitch.

According to a post on the following bands' Myspace pages, Shrinebuilder and YOB have both secured a spot in this year's fest.

Updates on 2010’s line-up, venue and ticket information will be announced on Scion.com/rock. Further information is currently unavailable.

This music news was published in ACRN.com on January 14, 2010.

Interview: Breaking it down with Ringworm vocalist James Bulloch

Cleveland's Ringworm is turning 20, and instead of looking at rock n' roll retirement homes, this metal/hardcore band is juggling all sorts of opportunities for the years to come: a new album, an extensive summer tour, saying goodbye to its long time label Victory, and keeping its thrash spirit forever young.

Click here to read the interview. This article was posted on ACRN.com on January 15, 2010.

Music News: American Carnage tour featuring Slayer and Megadeth postponed until summer

Slated to make every metal head’s wish come true this month, the American Carnage tour has postponed due to Slayer bassist/vocalist Tom Araya need of back surgery, according to Megadeth’s official press release.

“While disappointed by the tour’s delay, Megadeth are concerned for Araya and wish him a speedy recovery,” as stated in the release.

Slayer’s official site reported Araya began experiencing back troubles after the band’s Australia/New Zeland/Japan tour last October. He was diagnosed with Cervical Radiculopathy and underwent minimally invasive medical procedures. Although there were some improvements, the pain was still present.

“Tom gave various medical treatments more than a fair shot," said Slayer's manager Rick Sales, "but they just haven't handled the problem, so he's biting the bullet and is scheduled for back surgery at the end of this month."

Both Slayer and Megadeth are still confirmed for the June 16 date at Sonisphere Festival in Warsaw, Poland. Metallica and Anthrax will also join the two, making this date the first time in history the “Big Four” of thrash metal play on the same bill.

Anyone who has purchased a ticket for this postponed tour “can hold on to it until the new dates are announced,” according to the press release.

This music news was published in ACRN.com on January 8, 2010.

Music News: Andrew W.K. releases statement denying rumors of identity conspiracy

In light of the ongoing accusations that the party man himself is just a puppet of the money-munching entertainment business, Andrew W.K. released a statement on his Web site calling “gross exaggeration” to all claims made against him.

Click here to read the rest of the article. This music news was published in ACRN.com on January 7, 2010.
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