NYS Music 20​11

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  • Local Limelight: Utica’s Shattered Envy

    Local Limelight: Utica’s Shattered Envy

    Formed in 2009, in Utica, Shattered Envy is making some serious noise in the Upstate metal scene. They are currently ranked #1 on ReverbNation’s metal charts for Utica. The band has shared the stage with bands like Smile Empty Soul, Ice Nine Kills, Taproot and Taking Dawn among others. Shattered Envy also lists band such as Killswitch Engage, Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica, Soilwork, and In Flames as major influences. I believe that to be quite accurate as I can hear a little bit of all of those bands in their sound.

    Serious attempts are being made by the band to make themselves a stitched and engrained name in other NY cities and beyond. Shattered Envy plans to tour the southern states, and head out west during a tour being planned for this summer. Also of note, triumphant news has broke out since the planning of this very piece. The band has a tentative release date of January 28th for their new CD, Make Your Peace. The recording of this CD has been a long and labored process.

    “We are working on the master as we speak. We have spent almost a year working on it.” vocalist Fred Marriott says. “We had some line-up changes that slowed us down, but we are in full force now.”

    After listening to some of the new tracks that are in place for the band’s upcoming CD, I am sold that they will be able to navigate their path with ease. First off, the verbal assault that Fred Marriot lays down is thick and of major substance. When listening to the new track, My Congregation, and hearing the inspiring determination lyrically contained, I was jazzed. Over vicious driving grooves, Mr. Marriott proclaims, “You complicate me, With your insecurities, I have the right to disagree, I will disagree.”  I was highly surprised to hear of the inspiration for many of the tunes that will be included on the album.

    “When we write a thrash song, I insist on going the traditional political setting route. On songs like Haunting and Fragments, I draw from personal experiences. On some of the other songs like Make Your Peace and Will of Man, I drew from my childhood,” Fred says. He added, “My parents used to make me read passages from the bible before bedtime, not as a punishment though! I also draw from my high school days of being bullied.”

    Thematically, the lyrics mash well with an aggressive and brash sound that is somewhat reminiscent of Sirens and Sailors, and Nine Round at times. Chris Marriott and Chris Walters are adept at providing guitar mastery within the framework of the band’s concise sound. Likewise, drummer Kevin Cackett and bassist, Chris Kimball secure a galloping pocket of backbeat magic and chaos.  On the aptly titled track, Defiance, the rage is juxtaposed in a verse screaming, “Like a fist in the mouth, I have this determination.” I am convinced of that indefinitely by the rage that is created within.

    Keep up an eye open for the January release of Make Your Peace, and check out Shattered Envy online!

    For more information on Shattered Envy-
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/shatteredenvy

    -Erik Jensen

  • Dr. Acula Release Music Video Clip & Announce U.S. Headlining Tour with Design The Skyline

    My friends over at Victory Records have announced one kick ass looking tour. You know you crave the scatter attack of Dr. Acula, so here are the particulars.

     “DR. ACULA will kick off 2012 with a headlining tour across the U.S. joined by DESIGN THE SKYLINE & more.  The February tour begins in Illinois and hits Seattle, Las Vegas, Houston and more, ending in Poughkeepsie in early March.

    DR. ACULA is gearing up for the release of their new music video recently shot in Chicago for “Party 2.0” off of their 2011 release, Slander.

    Watch an exclusive clip of the upcoming music video here.

    F*ck All Your Friends Tour Dates

    with DR. ACULA, DESIGN THE SKYLINE, THE DEVASTATED & IN DYING ARMS:

     

    01/15/2012 – Baltimore, MD, US @ Sonar

    01/18/2012 – Albany, NY, US @ Valentines

    01/20/2012 – Franklin, NH, US @ The Meeting House

    01/21/2012 – Montreal, QC, CA @ Underworld

    01/22/2012 – Quebec City, QC, CA @ Cafe L’Agitee

    01/23/2012 – Ottawa, ON, CA @ Cafe Dekcuf

    01/25/2012 – Peterborough, ON, CA @ Red Dog

    01/26/2012 – Hamilton, ON, CA @ Absinthe

    01/27/2012 – Cambridge, ON, CA @ 515 Concert Club

    01/28/2012 – Toronto, ON, CA @ The Rockpile

    01/29/2012 – London, ON, CA @ The Music Box

    01/30/2012 – Niagara Falls, ON, CA @ Q Club

    02/01/2012 – S. Barrington, IL, US @ PENNY ROAD PUB

    02/02/2012 – Peoria, IL, US @ The Brass Rail

    02/03/2012 – Des Moines, IA, US @ VAUDEVILLE MEWS

    02/07/2012 – Ogden, UT, US @ Mojo’s

    02/08/2012 – Boise, ID, US @ The Venue

    02/09/2012 – Seattle, WA, US @ Studio Seven

    02/11/2012 – Medford, OR, US @ Music Head

    02/12/2012 – Orangevale, CA, US @ Boardwalk

    02/13/2012 – Simi Valley, CA, US @ Dream 118

    02/15/2012 – Las Vegas, NV, US @ Hypnotic

    02/16/2012 – Mesa, AZ, US @ The Undeground

    02/18/2012 – Las Cruces, NM, US @ Las Cruces Events Center

    02/19/2012 – San Antonio, TX, US @ The White Rabbit

    02/20/2012 – Fort Worth, TX, US @ TomCats West

    02/21/2012 – Houston, TX, US @ Vinyl Junkie

    02/23/2012 – Clarksville, TN, US @ The Coup

    02/25/2012 – Marietta, GA, US @ Swayze’s

    02/26/2012 – Tampa, FL, US @ Transitions Art Gallery

    02/27/2012 – Port Orange, FL, US @ Port Orange Elks

    02/28/2012 – Charleston, SC, US @ Jimbo’s Rock Lounge

    02/29/2012 – Spartanburg, SC, US @ Ground Zero

    03/01/2012 – Virginia Beach, VA, US @ Shaka’s

    03/02/2012 – Richmond, VA, US @ Kingdom

    03/03/2012 – Vineland, NJ, US @ Hangar 84

    03/04/2012 – Lemoyne, PA, US @ The Champ

    03/05/2012 – Whitehall, PA, US @ Planet Trog

    03/06/2012 – Danbury, CT, US @ Tuxedo Junction

    03/07/2012 – Providence, RI, US @ PVD Social Club

    03/08/2012 – Amityville, NY, US @ Broadway Bar

    03/09/2012 – Poughkeepsie, NY, US @ The Loft

    Listen to the full version of DR. ACULA’s recent cover of Wiz Khalifa’s “No Sleep” now.

    Watch the newest video from DESIGN THE SKYLINE for “Break Free From Your Life” right here.

    For more information on DR. ACULA:

    http://www.facebook.com/draculaband

    http://www.victoryrecords.com/dracula

    For more information on DESIGN THE SKYLINE:

    http://www.facebook.com/designtheskyline

    http://www.victoryrecords.com/designtheskyline

     – Dave Garlow

  • OPETH’s “Heritage” is a Gift

    OPETH’s “Heritage” is a Gift

    Do you want to buy a last minute Christmas gift that will challenge your near and dear fan of Metal music? No, I am not talking about Lulu, that incredibly awful piece of art rock garbage starring Metallica with Lou Reed. I am going to suggest an album by a metal band that has taken a chance that most in the genre would not dare take. Quite simply, I am recommending that you pick up a copy of  Opeth’s newest record, Heritage, for your beloved metal fan.

    Gone are the screams and howls of front man Mikael Akerfeldt. As matter of fact, a lot has been jettisoned and re-tooled here. Although the band still has quick brilliant outbursts of maximum crunchiness, the metal is gone for the most part. Ultimately, what the band has achieved, is taking what they have become famous for and dropping the loudness right out of the equation. Strangely enough, the result is one that works to perfection. Fans of Opeth’s rich metal driven back catalog, are having all kinds of reactions to this new album. Three camps of thinking are creeping up here: 1) Close mindedness to the new direction (a minority group at this point) 2) Unbelievable praise on the highest of levels for musical bravery and 3) People who did not dig it initially, who now understand that this is the band’s ultimate masterwork (the majority) In any case, it is a departure that is welcome and shows the band’s passion to create the best possible record that they can.

    Now after getting all of the objectionable questions out of the way, it is easy to speak freely about what makes the record so timeless. It is beautifully dark, progressive, sprawling, and loud when it needs to be. The songwriting is a touch more reminiscent of the band’s overall influences. After listening to a song like The Devil’s Orchard, all I could think about was the King Crimson record, Red. It has that kind of vibe. In fact, that vibe is felt on a majority of this record. The use of Mellotron and Hammond based piano, helps paint a dark eerie landscape that accentuates the stop and start approach of attack. Also of note is the way in which the band has conceptually pieced together Heritage. It is obvious that this record was intended to be listened to in it’s entirety.

    It’s a slightly old school idea but when we put out a record there are no ‘key songs.’ It’s the album that matters,” states Akerfeldt. “We’ll never have a ‘hit single.’ By no means would I want one song to be more important than another. We always put out an album and I personally enjoy listening to entire records. That is the kind of art that I like. I like bands with strong albums as opposed to just a couple of strong songs.”

    There is a bottom line to this: give it a chance if you have heard it is not good. Other than Mastodon’s newest release, The Hunter, I can not think of an album that is anywhere near as good as this in 2011. Buy it as a gift, and watch your recipient try to figure out what is going on. It may take a couple of listens to let it fully absorb, but if that feeling of worth resonates…you will not hear the end of it!

    -Erik Jensen

  • BJ Carter, Michele Sestito of THE UNTOLD LIES discuss beginings, influences

    BJ Carter, Michele Sestito of THE UNTOLD LIES discuss beginings, influences

    The Untold Lies is based out of the fertile metal playground that is the Finger Lakes region. BJ Carter(guitar) and Michele Sestito(vocals) are veterans of the Upstate New York metal scene. BJ was instrumental in the late 90’s and early 00’s in bands such as 40 oz. Failure and Torment The Vain. Michele has been in several projects as well and is the daughter of Dave Sestito, the inventor of DLS Effects. Over the course of the last year, the band has grown into a unit that is ready to conquer the regional and national music scene at large. I caught up with BJ and Michele last week to talk about the evolution of the band.

    Erik: I know that both of you come from a diverse musical background? Tell me about your beginnings in musical education through the bands you were in to this point?

    Michele: I started off playing guitar for a band at the age of 13. It was an alternative rock band and it helped really develop a certain style of music I wanted to perform. I also have always been an acoustic writer and singer so I like to combine the heavy feel with beautiful music. Through the years, I have learned what sounds best with my vocals.

    BJ: I also started playing guitar at 13. My first band was a cover band doing everything from Guns n’ Roses and Motley Crue to Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam as well as Metallica and Megadeth. Shortly after that band broke up I started writing more groove oriented metal riffs in my room. This lead to me being in bands like 40oz. and Torment the Vein. After taking a 5 year break, I wanted to start writing again and started getting back to my roots, but with a modern feel.

    Erik: Michele, How is it growing up with someone who was very important in the evolutionary process of helping create the rock band? More importantly, how did that effect the goals you have set for yourself in the music industry in general?

    Michele: It made it a lot easier. I grew up always wanting to be a musician like my father, starting at the age of 2 banging on my little piano. It really came natural to write and perform and having the great support and wisdom of a talented musician, helped me a lot. It really made me realistic and devoted to accomplishing something that people will hopefully understand and relate too.

    Erik: BJ, like many musicians, the road to where you are going, compared to where you have been…can be a real carousel of ups and downs? How did the band come together originally, and what process did you go through in putting together what would become The Untold Lies?

    BJ: It started off as Glenn Paddock and I jamming in his apt just coming up with riffs and a few vocals. We jammed with various singers and drummers but it took a year to complete the current line-up and get people that were all on the same page musically. Ultimately you have to all be happy with the music you are making. If one person feels they are compromising their beliefs then they become unhappy and it makes everyone unhappy. The lineup we have now is diverse in styles but we blend together better than any band I have ever been in.

    Erik: You can hear a ton of influences in what you are doing. As far as the development of the sound you were looking to create, are there any preconceived ideas of what you were looking to achieve? Also, I read someone’s comment on your live show the other day. They called the band, “Evanescence with balls!“ What do you make of this good hearted comment!

    Michele: Really, we as a band developed our style together, and we all have ideas which make our sound as a whole. I think if you listen to the album you will hear many different influences from one song to the next. And I love the fact that we are being compared to such a great band! We will continue to put forth our all in live shows to entertain and hopefully make great impressions.

    BJ: I remember when I sat down to start writing I told myself I wanted to have the rawness and honesty of Guns n Roses, Appetite For Destruction. I figured if I aimed at that album and it came out even 1/4 as good, we were doing a good job. That is the album that made me pick up a guitar in the first place. It is also what me pick it up again 5 years after not playing at all. Being compared to Evanescence is definitely flattering to us especially since we are just starting out.

    Erik: The songs you have recorded thus far that I have heard are quite mature. I am a big fan of “Undevoted.” What can we expect from the band as far as studio output in the near future?

    Michele: THE UNTOLD LIES are at a creative peak and the album is almost done. I can promise some more great songs to come!

    BJ: I agree. Every new song we say “This is the best one.” We are on a roll creatively and we are going to keep writing and hope to have the album out by late winter.

    Erik: There are alot of bands making noise in the Upstate Metal music scene? Being veterans of this scene, what makes this area so special for the both of you? There is a camaraderie that can not be matched anywhere on the East Coast?

    Michele: It’s my home. I love the people in the scene and there is such great undiscovered talent here. People just need to see! I started as a baby in this city and now I am an adult and still find so much love and support. It’s moving.

    BJ: The upstate fans have always been rabid fans. They make you want to put in the extra effort live and in the studio. I got my start in high school playing places like The Rum Runner, Cooley’s and The Lost Horizon. Then after High School, making the Penny Arcade a second home it seems. I couldn’t wait to get back out and play live again. It was like part of me was dead for the last 5 years as I sat stagnant with no avenue to just let it all out.

    For more information on THE UNTOLD LIES-
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheUntoldLies11

    -Erik Jensen

  • Featured Band: Burn Everything

    Featured Band: Burn Everything

    Rochester’s Burn Everything was formed in the spring of 2007 from the ashes of the band Fallguy. Conisisting of Matt Dalberth handling vocal duties, Damian Marinaccio and Charlie Street On Guitars, Mike Gifaldi as bassist and drummer Tony Castronova, Burn Everything released a 5 song Self-Titled release in August of 2008. Mathy, heavy, and guitar driven, it both stands on its own and shows great potential for the next release all at the same time.

    That next release came along in July of 2011 with Last Run Through The Ruins, a 6 song work that feels much more like potential fulfilled. I hate to use a word already in overuse, misuse and overall abuse but from the first runs in Ghost Of the Waves, this effort strikes me as progressive. Sudden tempo changes throughout feel not at all disjointed, which would be far easier to pull off than this effortless sounding, yet extremely astutely played collection of songs. The vocals buck the trend of cookie monster with laryngitis and a dildo filled rectum that most bands in this field resort to. Matt Dalberth’s delivery conveys competent urgency. The lyrical content is dark, well written and vague. Filled with post apocalyptic images of monsters, carnage and death. Just as it should be. Almost every mathy band out there gets compared to Dillinger Escape Plan. This is one of the few bands that deserves the comparison.

    Both the Self-titled and Last Run Through The Ruins are available for free download on bandcamp. See the link below to grab them!

    For more on Burn Everything:

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/burneverythingnow

    http://burneverything.bandcamp.com/album/last-run-through-the-ruins

    – Brian Lawrence

  • THE DEVESTATED prepare for their new release by dropping chaos on the Fuck All Your Friends tour

    THE DEVESTATED prepare for their new release by dropping chaos on the Fuck All Your Friends tour

    Southern California certainly gives us it’s fair share of metal legends. The Devastated are one of those said bands. If you have not seen the band live, the time is now folks. The band will be heading out on the road for the Fuck! All Your Friends tour this winter. There is no shortage of talent on this tremendous tour as the The Devastated will be joined by Dr. Acula, and Design The Skyline for nightly debauchery. Select dates will also bring In Dying Arms to the stage as well. One show of particular note will be the one taking place in Upstate, NY on March 9th. That night will be the closing night of the tour and the show will take place in Poughkeepsie at The Loft. It should be a sweaty affair as the bands and venue involved are at the top of their collective games.

    The Devastated will be previewing new tunes from their Century Media Records debut, Devil’s Messenger. A formal announcement on the release of the new record is pending, but news on a drop date is rumored to be coming forth in the next couple of weeks. For now, you can check out the Facebook page of The Devastated where the band has posted two fresh tracks from the upcoming album. The intentionally dropped promotional tracks, Pseudo Smile Campaign, and Roof Top Panty Drop, are beautifully brutal representations of the raw power that the band possesses. Check out the tracks, and get your ass to a tour date!

    “F*ck All Your Friends Tour”

    2/1 – Barrington, IL @ The Penny Road Pub
    2/2 – Peoria, IL @ The Brass Rail
    2/3 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudville Mews
    2/7 – Ogden, UT @ Mojo’s Gallery
    2/8 – Boise, ID @ The Venue
    2/9  – Seattle, WA @ Studio 7
    2/11 – Medford, OR @ Musichead
    2/12 – Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
    2/13 – Simi Valley, CA @ Dream 118
    2/15 – Las Vegas, NV @ Hypnotic Lounge
    2/16 – Mesa, AZ @ The Underground
    2/18 – Las Cruces, NM @ Event Center
    2/19 – San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
    2/20 – Fort Worth, TX @ Tomcats
    2/21 – Houston, TX @ Vinyl Junkie
    2/22 – Little Rock, AR @ Downtown Music
    2/23 – Clarksville, TN @ The Coupe
    2/25 – Atlanta, GA @ Swayzes
    2/26 – Tampa, FL @ Transition Art Gallery
    2/27 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Port Orange Elks
    2/28 – Charleston, SC @ Jimbo’s Rock Lounge
    2/29 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
    3/1 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Shakes
    3/2 – Richmond, VA @ Kingdoms
    3/3 – Viceland, NJ @ Hangar 84
    3/4 – Lemoyne, PA @ The Champ
    3/5 – Fullerton, PA @ Planet Trog
    3/6 – Danbury, CT @ Tuxedo Junction
    3/7 – Providence, RI @ PVD Social Club
    3/8 – Long Island, NY @ Broadway Bar
    3/9 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Loft

    Check out The Devestated here:

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsPDGqDJw48&w=420&h=315]

    -Erik Jensen

  • EVERY TIME I DIE releases statement about confrontation at annual Christmas show in Buffalo, New York

    As we previously posted, Every Time I Die had a run in with Club Infinity security at their annual Christmas show in Buffalo, New York. The video was posted and opinions were formed, and in a recent email to Upstate Metal the band had to say this about the incident:

    “Apparently there’s an Internet. And on it, there seems to be a video floating around from our Christmas show in Buffalo last Friday. Is it of us playing a brand new song for the first time? No. It’s of a bunch of people pushing and pulling other people. It’s hardly a fight. It was a misunderstanding manifested in an aggressive fashion. The club had a strict “no people on stage” policy which we were not made aware of…we have a strict “we love when people get on stage” policy that security was not made aware of. While outside earlier that evening, a certain security guard even told me how awesome the last “Five Finger Death Punch” show was because people rushed the stage. There has always been a rule in Every Time I Die and that is “do what Five Finger Death Punch does. No more, no less”. Therefore, I fully expected that with fair warning (which I can be seen giving) kids would be allowed to join us in typical ETID/FFDP fashion. Security was not having it. With the safety of our fans being top priority, we tried to ameliorate the situation. It was hot and confusing and irrational and immediate as most fights are and in retrospect we have discovered that it was all due to a lack of communication. We respect the venue, the promoter and the securities obligation to keep the band safe. Had they been informed of our complete disregard for our own lives, however, perhaps they wouldn’t have seen the stage raiders as a threat, but they did, and interests clashed. To the venue, we are sorry for the unfortunate miscommunication between us and your staff. To the people that travelled, we are sorry about our set being cut short and the fact that most of you didn’t get to receive a Shitty Secret Santa gift…to our friends, how much fucking fun was that?”

    From the stand point of watching the video, it’s pretty simply put that the video makes the entire mishap seem a bit worse than what it was. It wasn’t a matter of “security brutality”, and it was clearly a miscommunication. Did the staff overreact? Quite possibly. To be human is to err. Of course with the ever rising costs of overhead to keep a venue up and running, I suppose a touch of panic was understandable. However, if a venue is going to book hardcore or metal bands, they shouldn’t bitch about the crowd getting so into it. After all, it IS Every Time I Die.

    For more information on Every Time I Die-
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/everytimeidie

    -Christine Palmer

  • THE INTERSPHERE: Big Sound, Unlimited potential

    THE INTERSPHERE: Big Sound, Unlimited potential

    Upstate Metal is in the envious position of receiving hundreds of band submissions of some form, every week. I found that out this week when we happened upon the magnificently authentic German powerhouse, The Intersphere. To sum it up with great ease, the band’s sound seems to be a conglomeration of a sperm bank cocktail containing the DNA of Incubus, Muse, and the early progressive works of Megadeth. It is easy to pick out the influences within the music. However, you will be blown away by how the band weaves a web of grandeur and originality while emulating the icons that are stapled to their heart. This was evident on the track, Sleeping God, which is being streamed on the Noisecreep website. The song’s release is a precursor to the big news that is on the band’s horizon these days.

    Sleeping God is a pre-release teaser of the The Intersphere’s brand spanking new release, Hold On Liberty. The album, which is the third release for the band, will hit the North American market on January 31st. Long Branch Records/SPV is the label lucky enough to be bringing this mesmerizing act to your auditory devices.

    Note the press release:

    “After playing over 350 live shows all over Europe including major festival appearances at Rock Am Ring and FM4 Frequency the critically acclaimed German alternative band THE INTERSPHERE returns.”

    “On “Hold on, Liberty” the band has developed their style between boundless energy, rigorously complex songwriting and melodic esthetics. And almost irreverently, they succeed in giving their catchy melodies and rousing songs true depth and complexity.  On top of all this, they capped their perfectionist tendencies by recording the entire album – in seven days – completely live in the studio.  No corrections and no fixed edges – making this a subtly warm and engaging listen for realists as well as dreamers alike.”

    We look forward to listening to the new record soon. A review will be posted in the near future. It is well worth listening to the tracks they have leaked out. You will see that the band is on the verge of something special. Check out the tracks, We Are, and Sleeping God.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huzZ5NdURVk&w=560&h=315]

    -Erik Jensen

  • LIVE FAST, DIE FAST’s “The End Of What We Know” inspires nostaglia, modern NYHC

    LIVE FAST, DIE FAST’s “The End Of What We Know” inspires nostaglia, modern NYHC

    Live Fast Die Fast wants you to know they’re NYHC. They want you to know this so much, in fact, that in the first song of this album, they tell you they are. Along with Agnostic Front’s Vinny Stigma and This Is Hell’s Rik Jimenez. Furthermore, AF’s Mike Gallo Produced this. Clearly they have the friends, the pedigree and the location to claim NYHC. But, I once told my girlfriend I was hung like a horse only to be proven wrong on a disastrous trip to the stables. So, I began to listen to this release with an open mind, but a ‘going to the stables’ mentality.

    The album opens with the lyrics “New York Hardcore, 2011. We’ll never let this die.” I find myself partly relieved and partly doubtful of this. In 2011, many bands who call themselves hardcore are playing less technical metal and wearing makeup. If your preshow routine is sitting in front of your grandmother’s vanity with a Mary Kay case, I’d rather you didn’t call yourself hardcore. Because you’re not. Also, this album won’t be for you. Short songs referencing real hardcore topics such as ‘the struggles’, ‘the streets,’ unity and brotherhood pervade this entire release. Unfortunate reality sinks in on “Song of our Youth” where the lyrics talk about about trudging on despite the pressure to change, while remaining true to who you are. It’s a shame when hardcore bands feel persecuted within the hardcore community for being actual fucking hardcore bands.

    I find myself getting angry listening to this album, but not in the way 12 year old me did when first listening to Age Of Quarrel. I find myself getting mad that this album inspires nostalgia in me. Because this is what hardcore is. The song Seenster especially inspires this with lyrics like “There was a time not too long ago/Where I felt no life,not even at a show/no heart, no calling, no unity/kids showing up just to be seen”. No frills, no downtuned guitars, many songs clocking in under two and a half minutes, this album is a great example of NYHC somehow living and breathing in 2011. And in the form of a new band and not an old band putting out a new record that’s just not as good as their classics. It reminds me of the first time I heard Underdog or Agnostic Front. This album says hardcore isn’t about feelings or fashion or having connections with the right labels. It’s about going through shit in life, realizing you’re not alone and coming through it scarred and stronger.

    Listening to this album a few times, I find myself not wanting to get too in depth with the who’s and what’s. What the guitarist is doing, what the drummer is doing. Is this 4 chord rock? None of that is important. So many bands focus on that and lose sight of the fact that they do not play appealing songs. I don’t care if it’s gourmet food in your turd, if it fucking smells like shit it smells like shit. Wipe your ass, flush and get out of the bathroom. I’ll only cheer when the door’s closed and you’re gone. Live Fast Die Fast have put together a great collection of short, angry NYHC anthems that will undoubtedly stand up to a trip to the stables any day.

    Live Fast Die Fast – Lenny Leonardi, Rich Allegretta, Marc Divito, Paul Turano, Nickel Yeomans

    Track Listing:

    only the strong survive
    call to action
    battle lines
    charades
    times of glory
    blood collar crime
    kings and coyotes
    seenster
    song of our youth
    road less traveled
    no hope
    depression

    -Brian Lawrence

  • Jamband prodigies The McLovins announce lineup changes for 2012

    Jamband prodigies The McLovins announce lineup changes for 2012

    In surprise to fans of the McLovins, the trio of music prodigies from Hartford, CT, the band announced a lineup change. Jeff Howard, guitarist known as AxLovin will be leaving the band following their December 30th show at Pearl Street in Northampton, MA. Jeff was one of the founding members of the group, which became an online sensation when they posted a basement cover of Phish’s ‘You Enjoy Myself’, played so well that the band quickly grew an online following and soon began playing shows as their tour allowed. Recent years have seen the trio perform at StrangeCreek, Gathering of the Vibes, numerous shows at Nectars in Burlington (where Phish got their start) and venues across New England and New York State.

    jeff howard mclovinsOn a personal note, it is sad to see Jeff leave the band he founded. When I first saw the video, I was in the midst of planning the book release party for PhanArt at Revolution Hall in Troy. With Phish cover band The Flow, from Long Island, slated to play the show, I inquired about having The McLovins open for them. Greg Bell handled everything and they opened up the show, with Jeff, Jason and Jake giving an all instrumental performance for the 200+ in attendance. With Jake unable to sing due to a passing cold, the three members stuck to their instruments and played their first set outside of Connecticut. Playing Oye Como Va, Caravan, Birdland, Cissy Strut, Cliff of Dover, originals Purple Trees and Guillotine Machine and a set ending You Enjoy Myself, the audience was enthralled and the possibilities for this trio became endless. Having seen the band grow from Internet sensation to bona fide jamband has been quite a ride.

    NYS Music wishes Jeff the best in the future and looks forward to seeing The McLovins new lineup performing across New York in the coming year.

    Statement from The McLovins, 12/17/11

    The McLovins Announce Changes for 2012

    Citing the need to focus more on school and other interests, Jeff Howard, the beloved guitarist for The McLovins, will be leaving the band following their December 30th Pearl Street performance. We are sad to see our close friend and bandmate, Jeffrey, leave. He is a truly remarkable guitarist and has been an integral part of an extraordinary journey that the McLovins embarked on three years ago. We will always share incredible memories of that journey, and we want to sincerely thank Jeffrey and wish him all the best in the future.

    As The McLovins move forward, we are also excited about our new lineup for the band. Beginning December 31, the McLovins will evolve into a four member group. Seasoned guitarists Justin Berger, originally from Philadelphia, and Atticus Kelley, from New Britain, Connecticut, will join the band, bringing with them significant performance experience. Justin, who has played with bands in the Philadelphia area, is currently at the Hartt School of Music and will also be sharing singing with us on stage. Atticus, a multi-instrumentalist, is a studying at the Hartt School as well and will also add singing depth to the group.

    The band is so thankful for the love and support from the McLovins families, fans and friends who have helped to bring us to this point in just three short but amazing years. We look forward to continuing our journey, seeking venues beyond our New England base and great opportunities in 2012.

    Happy Holidays and Peace to You All,
    The McLovins