NYS Music 20​12

Category: Special

  • MADE IN CHINA – Age isn’t shit.

    MADE IN CHINA – Age isn’t shit.

    Gouverneur’s Made In China is making waves in Northern New York’s metal scene. At first listen, the band comes off like many other bands within the scene. They have a great sound, they write sound material, and they hold nothing back while going for the throat. Like most bands within the scene, they also promote their brand with maximum effort. However, this is not your average everyday run of the mill band looking for your attention. If we are talking averages, let’s talk about the average age of band members within this project. It falls well below the age of 18!

    With a major shortage of all age venues in the North Country and beyond, young bands like Made In China have an uphill battle from the start. In the early to late 80’s, the amount of band members that would be considered minors in the metal scene was staggering. Bar owners tended to turn their heads and allow the show to go on with no interference. Of course, it was a different era back then, and the moral majority did not have their panties in a ruffle yet. With the changing alcohol consumption laws and a huge push to curb DWI offenses, the venues began to tighten up on the admission of minors as patrons or band members. Being someone who cut my teeth in the clubs of yesteryear, I can tell you that the kids being admitted were not the issue. The asshole bar owners who served these kids were the real issue at hand!

    Now, we will fast forward to this new era of metal music. The bands are becoming younger and younger. Their talent level is getting better by the day. Made in China, and a band like Razed In Hell from Watertown, are perfect examples of bands that just want to be heard. They want a chance to prove themselves to you, the consumer!

    Some of the crew at Upstate Metal had a chance to recently sit down with Kraymer Cronk and Ray Stevens from Made In China. Enjoy!

    Christine: How long has Made In China Been Around?

    Ray: Yeah Kraymer, how long?

    Kraymer:  It started in 2008. Chalez and I are the only original members left in the band.

    Christine: When did you join the band, Ray?

    Ray: July of 2011. Or around summer

    Kraymer: July is summer

    Christine: Not in this part of town, bucko. Anyway, you guys are clearly one of the youngest bands to be active within this scene. You have an ever expanding fan base because of your presence alone. What’s in store for Made in China in 2012

    Ray: Brutality is what we’re all aiming for I think. Or at least I hope. Hopefully an EP!

    Kraymer: Definitely an EP!

    Ray: We are currently looking for a studio

    Kraymer: The hardest part has been finding one.

    Christine: Understandable, especially one that will do your band justice at an affordable price.

    Ray: Yes, we are debating whether a home recorded EP would be better or not.

    Kraymer: It wouldn’t be better. But, If that is all we can do for now, then we will do it.

    Christine: What bands influence your sound?

    Ray: Oh goodness!

    Kraymer: I think that differs for every member.

    Ray: That’s what I’m saying. Mine would personally be Chelsea Grin, Adestria, City Delivered, and We Came As Romans

    Christine: What brought your band together?

    Kraymer: I think being friends helped at the start. We met in school.

    Christine: Does being so young within the scene in Northern New York pose problems with you getting gigs, and playing with other bands.

    Kraymer: Sometimes. It isn’t always a problem though. I think some people just don’t take us seriously because of our age.

    Ray: The problem we encounter the most regarding our age, would be playing in bars.

    Christine: Probably has something to do with the lack of all ages venues. It pushes you into having to play the bar scene. It must also pose a problem with your peers being able to get in.

    Kraymer: Yeah, there aren’t a lot of venues that allow us to have our younger crowd mix with the adult crowd.

    Christine: I saw you guys not too long ago at the American House in Edwards, and you guys proved to be quite energetic on stage. Does the band have any upcoming shows?

    Ray: We have around five shows coming up. We plan on announcing some more.

    Christine: Who is your favorite local band to share the stage with? Is there any potential for a mini-tour within the year?

    Kraymer: I don’t think I would be able to personally choose a favorite yet. There are a lot of great local bands to choose from. A mini-tour would be amazing. I think we have the potential to do that.

    LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING?! Then get out on January 20th and pick up a copy of , flip to the Upstate Metal section and enjoy!

  • MORE FASTER discusses the state of pop punk

    MORE FASTER discusses the state of pop punk

    More Faster is an upbeat pop punk and ska band from Orange County, NY. Formed in 2009, More Faster has self released an EP, Bring Back the Melody and a full length, Asbestos. I lured Sky, Brian and Patrick to my apartment with a promise of relative personal bodily safety and candy on a Friday evening.

    Brian UM: Who are you and what instruments do you play?
    Sky: I’m Sky and I only sing now.
    Patrick: I’m Patrick and I play the bass
    Brian: And I’m Brian and I play drums.
    Brian UM: So you guys just recorded an EP.
    Sky: heh. Yeah
    Brian: We were going to release that, but we decided it didn’t sound good enough.
    Sky: It sounds good, but we want it to sound awesome. We want to shop it to labels and shit.
    Brian: Cause we’re tired of hearing all these awful metalcore bands that have these big, expensive sounding recordings and we have this sort of…
    Sky: Homemade…
    Brian: Basement sounding bullshit.
    Brian UM: I’ve been noticing lately a lot of pop punk bands have been going with lower-fi recordings. How do you feel about that?
    Patrick: I think the first time I remember someone commenting on one of our recordings I remember them saying “this is good, this is low fi.” and I was like is that a compliment?
    Brian: I guess when you listen to bands like the Bananas and Operation Cliff Claven, they were really low fi stuff.
    (Patrick laughs)
    Brian: Why’s that funny, dick?
    Patrick: What other obscure bands can I look up on my ipod here? Let’s just name really obscure bands, so no one will know what we’re talking about. People are really gonna love this interview.
    Brian UM: Yeah, this is for a metal publication too. (everyone laughs)
    Brian UM: Brian, this question is directed toward you, since you’re the encyclopedia of obscure pop punk bands. What bands would you consider yourself to sound most like.
    Brian: Oh….
    Sky: real quick…I’ve had a lot of people tell us we sound like Osker. I’ve never written a song and been like “Osker really inspired the shit out of this one”
    Brian UM:I could see it though, because this area seems to have a lot of Osker fans. We may have the largest concentration of OSker fans in the world.
    Brian: I think generically “empty” sounds like Blink 182.
    Sky: Yeah, i get that a lot.
    Brian: and I think some of our ska songs are like Operation Ivy or Suicide Machines.
    Brian UM: I guess you decided to not mention obscure bands after all.
    Brian UM: Next question: How many bands are you in?
    Sky: I guess two.
    Patrick: Two
    Brian: Four
    Brian UM: How do you guys find that effects your ability to play shows, or record? Especially Patrick. Your a full time college student in Oneonta and that takes you out of the area a lot.
    Patrick: I don’t like being at school, so I pretty much find excuses to come home. If someone asks me to do a show I’m just like “Yeah, I’ll totally come home to do that”
    Brian UM: Sky how do you find this effects your ability to concentrate on one band and is the band you all consider most important?
    Sky: I’m unemployed and don’t go to school, so being in two bands really doesn’t cause a problem. I don’t feel like I put one in front of the other. But this band, I write the lyrics and shit. So I put a lot more energy into this, just because this is what’s in my brain all the time. This is my main project.
    Brian UM: So, you guys changed your name to More Faster and started playing somewhat slower. Explain yourselves.
    Sky: I think the names perfect for us, because we play fast but we’re also kind of retarded. So us slowing down and changing the name to More Faster just makes sense.
    Brian UM: Patrick, I notice you look embarrassed on stage a lot when Sky’s talking. How long do you think it’ll be before you quit the band in a huff?
    Patrick: I don’t know.
    Sky: It was way worse a long time ago. You have to admit I’ve gotten a lot better.
    Brian UM: The question was for Patrick, Sky.
    Patrick: I don’t know. He pisses me off sometimes. Sky’s like “Oh we’re going on in five minutes? I’ll be back in fifteen.” Then he finally gets there and he’s like “I’d like to say some words before we play’”
    Brian UM: As a pop punk band that plays an older style of pop punk, how do you feel about current pop punk bands that play in tight pants, with dropped d tuning, double bass pedals, scream vocals, etc?
    Sky: I almost don’t want Brian to answer this…
    Brian UM: I feel like I’m directing it to Brian.
    Sky: Before Brian answers because he’s just going to go on and on and say “you know what your problem is buddy?”
    Brian UM: that’s actually what I’m looking for…
    Sky: I think there’s too many bands that throw around the pop punk label. I’ve been calling it pop rocks for a while cause it’s just watered down bullshit, like All Time Low. And it’s either watered down and Disney and they still want to call it punk because it’s four chord, or it’s bands like Set Your Goals, where it’s dropped d and these breakdowns and they don’t actually fit. It’s just like why are you doing that? I know music evolves and stuff, I just feel like it’s so different from what pop punk was and is, they shouldn’t call it that because it’s just rubbing shit on the name.
    Brian UM: Or like applying a previous label to an unrelated type of music. Sort of how post hardcore is misused today.
    Sky: Exactly, I’m not going to call us a grunge band.
    Brian: My whole thing with pop punk is this. Even with like old Blink 182… it had the snottiness. It was offensive. Some of it dealt with politics. It had punk roots to it. Now it’s like all these bands have no clue. It’s like “you’re singing about straight edge and you don’t know who Minor Threat or 7 Seconds is?” It’s like come on.
    Patrick: They want to play breakdowns but they don’t want to get beat up.
    Brian UM: Sky, I listen to your songs, musically they’re very happy and upbeat. But lyrically, they’re sort of um…sad. Do you write the lyrics seperately and put them to existing music?
    Sky: I write a song, I’ll write the music. When i write lyrics, I write them to vent. So it’s like I’m a happy guy, because my music can be angry and sad.
    Brian UM: Also, you have my phone number. So if you get sad, call me before you hurt yourself.
    Sky: It’s never gotten that bad.
    Brian: It’s more like penis envy for Sky
    Sky: It’s not that it’s little, it’s average. But the rest of me is big. So it looks small.
    Brian UM: How tall are you?
    Sky: 6’4
    Brian UM: I was around of a lot of pop punk bands in the late 90s and they were mostly in it to get laid. How’s that going for you?
    Sky: If pop punk gets you laid, nobody told us. Nobody listens to us and says “I’m gonna blow those dudes.”
    Brian UM: So, what’s next for you guys?
    Sky: Better recordings, because we want to shop labels. We’ve been doing everything by ourselves, and any help is good.
    Patrick: Also, we’re playing with Patent Pending at the Loft in Poughkeepsie on 2/17.
    Brian UM: Thanks for taking the time to do this, guys.
    -Brian Lawrence
  • MUMMIFIED IN CIRCUITRY’s “Echoes of Morality” haunting, a galloping wallop of destructive greatness

    MUMMIFIED IN CIRCUITRY’s “Echoes of Morality” haunting, a galloping wallop of destructive greatness

    Music is most effective when it possesses a maximum flash of creativity, and the power of a freight train rolling down the track. Intensity sells in any genre. Reality in word play, is a close second for me. With that being said, the new album from Mummified in Circuitry meets this criteria on the highest of all levels. This Billerica, Massachusetts based band has delivered a stunningly adept recording to Innerstrength Records. It is a major piece of work within the Northeast metal scene. Their prowess looms large among the amount of pretenders and half ass copycats that surround them. I can only applaud this effort with a genuine “thank you.” We need this type of release on the scene right now.

    From the first chords played on this record, we realize that the sophistication of Mummified in Circuitry, is a key component in their attack. Sometimes, the production of aggressive metal gets obscured in the studio setting. As a matter of fact, I would say that the percentage of bands that forego the quality aspect of their recordings is somewhere around 90 percent. That is why it is hard to find quality bands that take pride in creating the overall package. On many occasions, the litmus test ends 20 seconds into a song. Not here, and not these guys.

    Echoes of Morality is a haunting, galloping wallop of destructive greatness. The first half of the record is loaded with music steeped in ripping your face off. It also reveals a formula of advanced playing that suits the band well and often. Ripping solos, profound lyrical content, and a groove on par with 1,000 feet stomping around in a pit, are showcased on each and every track. The best of the bunch in the first half of the record are “Eyes Devoid of Sin,” and “Becoming Baal,” On “Baal,” singer RJ Connor devastates the mic with lyrics that are ripe with overtones of destruction and doom. He sings, “Dont hit me again, stop swingin at me, should have killed you before. The power I feel, these weapons I yield, my soul as his whore.”  Obviously this is not from the first person perspective, but it is dark and exuberant in it’s evil diary-like dialogue.

    The second half of the record houses 5 tracks that are all on the same level of superiority. Tracks like “Blasphemous,” and “This Is The End,” bring the same kind of unrelenting balance that is coveted from front to back.

    So with this review, I have found a new companion piece for my daily cardio jaunts. It would be equally as inspiring if I was cutting wood, or working as a mortician. It is a fitting piece of essential listening for anyone on the go, and in the mood to rage! Mummified In Circuitry is more than the real deal. They are they the conglomeration of all things good within this genre. This release is available January 24th, 2012, definitely worth it.

    For more information on Mummified in Circuitry –
    http://www.facebook.com/mummifiedincircuitry
    http://www.myspace.com/mummifiedincircuitry

    -Erik Jensen

  • DOC HOLIDAY’s “Risqué Business” is strong, effective

    DOC HOLIDAY’s “Risqué Business” is strong, effective

    Doc Holiday, a five-piece band from Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, recently released their album, “Risqué Business”. The album has a distinct thrashcore sound that, in the future, I would think people might hear it and say, “Hey, this is Doc Holiday!” Whether they listen to the song or skip to the next isn’t for me to decide.

    The musicianship of the band is definitely there. The drummer and guitarists show some definite talent. They provide the song with strong riffs that can keep the crowd moving, grooving and thrashing. Each song is unique, and can definitely be told from another – A quality we see lacking in quite a few bands these days.

    The vocals, in most cases, are strong and effective. However, their vocalist has a certain in-between scream that is less than appealing in some cases. It’s a bit of a cross between a sing and a scream, producing a sound that leaves something to be desired. If you’re going to sing, sing; if you’re going to scream, scream. The half-sing half-scream sound doesn’t seem to work so well.

    They incorporate quite a few gang vocals in some of their songs, which give it a good feel. However, the final song is two and a half minutes of a man telling a story. It is of a western theme, and might be good for an intro But, at no point does the entire band play. Personally, this seems like an ineffective way to end an album. This would, in my opinion, make a better intro, or interlude, especially since the song includes the name of the band.

    Risqué Business definitely isn’t bad, and I think Doc Holiday has a good thing going for them. However, I think their vocalist needs to decide whether he wants to sing or scream so they can live up to their full potential.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmgX25XK1uQ&w=560&h=315]

    For more information-
    http://www.facebook.com/docholidayband

    -Chris Stocking

  • The McLovins Release Third Album ‘Who Knows’

    The McLovins Release Third Album ‘Who Knows’

    Who Knows, the third album from jamband prodigies The McLovins was released early this month as a ‘name your price’ digital download, showcasing the maturing sound of this trio turned quartet. With guitarist Jeff Howard’s departure and the arrival of guitarists Justin Berger and Atticus Kelly, the band’s sound may change in the coming year but with this well produced album (by Tom Marshall & Anthony Krizan at Sonic Boom Studios) that provides the best recordings yet from the group.

    Mclovins who knowsLeading off with Hesitate, drummer Jake Huffman’s matured voice provides a balanced and strong lead in track on the album. Close to the Line features Howard’s soaring guitar as the meat between the bread of the lyrics accompanied by a jazzy section full of thick bass from Jason Ott. Cohesive, the first of three Tom Marshall penned tracks (Hesitate and Subdivision 2 are the others) is a light reggae-ish summertime tune, well-rounded by the band and lyrics such as “And when the dark invades my mood, that’s when I start to come unglued, and when my bases get releasive, I need to feel cohesive.”Mon Ami has a soft melody, quite mild compared to the rest of the album, so much so that most of the song could be heard on a ukulele before loud crescendos give a 5-hour energy shot to the placidity. The band returns to the composition, whistling ‘their favorite tune’. Tetop (short for ‘to each his own path’) is a highlight in concern, with funky drums and bass with guitar riffs in the studio take; subtract the lyrics and you could have a song from The Meters, but the lyrics have a mid-70s soul-explosion feel from Huffman and a falsetto chorus. On the Way Up has great potential in concert, and the wah-wah guitar sound will be impressive with two guitarists when this is played live. Subdivision 2 is very much like a mid 90s Phish song, and Tom Marshall’s writing has helped the band blossom as his writing was part of Phish’s burst 20 years ago. “Ready or not we’ll go through this together, you know I’d rather be touched than seen, we’ve gotta get through this screen” The album is capped off with Love is Purple, and much like the first album, ends with on a soft and uplifting note, this time with Jake on guitar singing a poetic love letter, captured fully in the line, “Love is why I clean up after you.”This is yet another impressive album from The McLovins, adding to their already impressive resume. For those who listen and have yet to see them live, in concert is where the group shines, and with a wide open 2012, they will be making stops at a number of festivals and venues throughout the Northeast.Key Tracks: Close to the Line, Cohesive, Subdivision 2

    Download the album at mclovins.com

  • ASKING ALEXANDRIA’s reckless and relentless is a fresh kick in the teeth

    ASKING ALEXANDRIA’s reckless and relentless is a fresh kick in the teeth

    Compared to Stand up and Scream, Asking Alexandria’s newest album, Reckless and Relentless is a fresh, new, kick in the teeth. ASKING ALEXANDRIA

    The album starts off quiet with the intro to the first song, but picks up with a powerful breakdown, and Danny’s much improved growls.

    One of the biggest improvements on this album is Danny’s vocals. The power in his screams has doubled. His lows are like a swift kick to the groin, and his highs make you want to rip your throat out.

    However, the band has their lighter moments, too. Their song Someone, Somewhere features only clean vocals, and they released an acoustic version on Youtube, and can be seen below.

    Musically, the breakdowns are heavy, powerful, and do their job. However, the drums are a bit predictable. Upon first listening to the album, I found myself guessing the next drum riff for each breakdown, correctly, no less.

    Overall, the ASKING ALEXANDRIA album is definitely a great success. The band has filmed a few videos, and more are on the way. The songs do a better job of telling their story than their previous album, which seemed to be more of a declaration of existence. I find myself listening to Reckless and Relentless on most occasions, and every time I find myself enjoying it more.

    -Chris Stocking

  • Thunder Body raises the bar with their new release “Wind Blows Harder”

    Thunder Body is holding nothing back folks! Their first full length album is not only good, it has become my album of the year. All of this transpired in the last month of the year! Like in most year end polls, this tends to happen. Never fails after you have already written your list.

    Wind Blows Harder was released on the band’s own Medicine Hi Fi label, and is one of the most ambitious sound scape oriented records that I heard in the last few years. The thing that makes it such an essential piece of music is the fact that it merges the live show experimentalism of the band with the highest capabilities possible within a studio. The effect is a successful attempt to inject the slow dubbed out and floating impact that the live show brings to the table. I am not sure if this was the plan. In either case, it is a picture perfect representation of what Thunder Body is right now! It is a portrait of a band that is at a creative level that most of their peers will find to be elite!

    The opening track of Wind Blows Harder, “Come What May,” is so catchy and bouncy that it truly makes me want to break dance. It is easily one of my favorite tracks on this record, and possibly of the year. Thunder Body gets locked into such transcendent grooves, that the only way for the music to go is out. It is a formula of intuitiveness that seems to be the signature purpose on this track and many other greats here. Another example of this exuberance is captured on a song like Buffalo, where the band gets tight, locked in, and drifting in each passing second. It is an expansion of a sound you may know, but it’s originality is undeniable. Sonically, it is calming and yet trippy at the same time.

    The album is also great from a lyrical standpoint. Some of these songs are fun, and some deliver a message that is spiritual in some way. Thunder Body is great in the examination of universal themes. On “Ancestors,” Matt O’Brien delivers the soulful homage to family lineage with the delivery of, “and we all want to be remembered some day.” Of course, it is about giving respect as he carries on with “ This one’s for ancestor’s spirits. We’re gonna build it up strong so they can hear it.” A lot of the record includes very intelligent observations on life and the human condition. The message is contagious, infectious, and inspirational in one positive swoop.

    Thunder Body has IT! They offer a glowing orb of joy for you, and yet, it is hard to fully explain how they get you to that place. I try my best to put it into words, but it is truly difficult to give it the total justice that it deserves. So I will leave it at this, Wind Blows Harder, is a pivotal moment of time within the Rochester music scene. It essentially sets the bar for how high a band should aim to make themselves the best that they can be. Thunder Body has released a classic, and it I feel it will be recognized as such.

    website: http://thunderbody.com
    facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderbody
    available on I-Tunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wind-blows-harder/id491596820 

  • MUTANT SUICIDE SQUAD discusses influences, struggles

    MUTANT SUICIDE SQUAD discusses influences, struggles

    Buffalo based Mutant Suicide Squad is going to rip your head off! Not literally, but you catch the drift. This band in it’s early stages of development, has something to prove to all of you…and they surely will! Steeped in the Horror based Punk and Hardcore styles of some past greats, the band is growing musically on a daily basis. One listen to the Reverb Nation page will give you the idea of the possibilities that lie within.

    MUTANT SUICIDE SQUAD Although, the recordings are raw and of an un-studio like quality, you can see what the band is aiming to do. I can not wait to see the results. The live show is where the band is going to make their impression for the time being. They dress the part, they rage with theatrics, and they destroy the audience. I was highly excited to find a band with this kind of vision in the Upstate scene. There are few and far between. So I had to get their take on things, and see what can we expect next from these guys. If you are not familiar, I introduce you to the Mutant Suicide Squad!

    Erik: Who are your biggest musical influences? How did your involvement in creating music begin?

    Izzy Deadly: I have a wide variety of musical influences but for this project, the two main ones would be The Ramones and Misfits. I grew up in the 90’s back when 103.3 The Edge was called The Fox. It was a good time for music. I was always trying to start bands with my friends. Even if it was just banging on an empty pop corn can or strumming ferociously on a makeshift guitar built out of cardboard with rubber bands serving as strings. I’ve gotten a little better since those days.

    Jez A. Disaster: Misfits, Ramones, Riverdales, The Riptides, Deftones, Johnny Cash, and other influences. Some are oldies from 50’s & 60’s. My involvement in music began when I was a child. I often wrote lyrics and made up melodies to them. There were periods where I went a few years without writing, but here I am writing again. I never imagined I would be doing it again let alone doing it for a band.

    Dirty Horror: I’ve been playing since I was a little kid in the early 90’s in groups that were more like bands that never made it out of the garage and did not last very long. Myself and Izzy have been playing music together since late Summer of 2006. So far we have collaborated together in 3 bands (Sprung Corpses, Aaron Omen and Mutant Suicide Squad). In Buffalo there’s really not much around when it comes to musicians of this style of punk rock. Me and Izzy have always collaborated very well together and I think in this band we are doing the absolute best we have ever done. As a drummer I didn’t have to change much of what I usually do and that’s pretty comfortable for me. Though I’m always up for a challenge within certain limits.

    Erik:  How did the band come together originally, and what have been your biggest struggles in the early stages of the band?

    Izzy: It originally started when me and Jez jokingly said maybe we should start a band together. Shortly after, we’d hang out, drink beer and play songs we both knew. It started to progress into playing open mics. Once we started making up originals, we figured it was time to start looking for band members. Considering this is still the very early stages of the band, we are currently trying to find a couple more members to complete the line up.

    Jez: We are still in our early stages of development. At first, it was hard to find ways to play out. At the time we could not find a drummer who had similar taste in music.

    Dirty Horror: Izzy got a hold of me awhile back asking if I’d be interested in playing bass for his and Jez’s project. At first I was hesitant because we all have our bumps with former band members but then I just said fuck it and said I’m in. After around that time Izzy got a hold of his friend Joe and started recording the three originals. Within days the demo was done and sent to me to learn and get a feel for the songs on bass. I called him up the next day and said I’m ready and did bass for a few practices while we were going over ideas for the songs and auditioning drummers. Shortly thereafter I moved to drums since it’s hard to find a drummer or a reliable musician where we live, especially for a sound you already got in mind of what you want. For all of us the waiting for even a decent drummer was tiring. I have my kit at my practice space and I play well so I just thought it would be better for the band, and it has been.

    Erik:  The songs on the ReverbNation page are raw, but show a brutal display of power! I think the potential is endless. What are your future plans with recording and are you currently working on getting something together?

    Izzy: The songs on the Reverbnation page are an unofficial demo and should probably never have been posted for anyone to hear. but as Bill O Reilly would say- Fuck it, we’ll do it live! We do have plans for recording in the very near future.

    Jez: Our future plan is to definitely do a professional recording when we have created more music. This is something we are currently working on.

    Dirty Horror: I’m hoping to actually be on a recording. [Laughs]. Those recordings on the page are of a fellow band mate from our Sprung Corpses/Aaron Omen days Eareckson who’s playing drums on that demo and he also filled in for bass for one recent gig. At the time, I was going to do bass and Izzy and Jez were in the process of recording the demo for me to learn the songs. . We have more tunes done now and are still in the process of working on some new ones. You’re gonna love’em or hate’em. Either way, you’ll still be a fan.

    Erik:  What are your favorite venues to play?

    Izzy:  I’ll have to get back to you on that seeing as how we haven’t played an actual show with a full line up yet. But from past experiences I don’t think I have any favorites. I think it just depends.

    Jez: We have used open mic nights as practice to prepare for live shows.

    Dirty Horror: I always loved Mohawk Place. It’s a great venue downtown where we live and where we practice upstairs. The Fallout Shelter in Aliquippa, PA was a great place to play. I hope to play there again soon. So stay tuned.

    Erik: The Horror/Punk/Hardcore scene is also a great place of morbidly beautiful art and theatrics. What is the most appealing thing about not only creating the music, but creating a vibe that people will latch onto artistically?

    Izzy: I just think its fun to do. Plain and simple. We could be the average band or look and act like weirdos. I think, weirdos suits us the most.

    Jez: The most appealing thing about creating the music is being in an atmosphere where we can just be ourselves.

    Dirty Horror: We’ve always been huge fans of The Misfits and similar horror type of bands. However there are some good ones and some awful ones. I personally got tired of a lot of the “bad Danzig imitators” around in the genre. That’s what I like with this one. Jez’s voice is different than bands like The Creepshow, Zombina and The Skeletones or The Spookshow do. Vocally it shows so much potential and skill without sounding like a current day pop diva. She’s got talent that’ll blow people away and with all our back ups we really bring in a tight sound. I like how we’re not limiting ourselves with different types of sounds and styles of music that range from pop-punk, thrash, hardcore punk even 1950’s sounding old time rock n’ roll. I love what we’re doing and only hope we keep at it and still have fun. We got a look down. In this type of band I feel it’s important to have that rather than just going up in street clothes or something like that. It gives a vibe to the audience of what they’re in for and  they will be surprised what we play in the process. Next to the splattering of blood from us [Laughs].

    Erik:  What are the band’s goals in the next year?

    Izzy: To keep creating the type of music that we want to hear. Aside from that, the future is a mystery.

    Jez: Making more music, and getting more out there.

    Dirty Horror: To continue making music together and infecting it upon the minds of our listeners keeping the nightmare alive on stage. I hope we hit up more out of town and out of state gigs soon when the weather clears up a little bit. That’ll spread it faster than playing the same old venue once or twice a month. Locally, there’s no other band similar to us in our area and that’s both cool and in some ways it sucks. Here, some bands and promoters are really picky of who they put on a bill for a gig. I feel this band really has something and together we’re really going to open some eyes. Get ready.

    For more information on Mutant Suicide Squad-
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mutant-Suicide-Squad/132237720211212

    -Erik Jensen

  • METHOS “Revelation” is skull crushing, aggressive

    METHOS “Revelation” is skull crushing, aggressive

    With a bunch of the sludgy melodic metal bands that I am asked to review, a common theme is coming to the surface. It is one that some bands have full awareness of, while others do not. It is called the “Mastodon Effect.” I define the Mastodon Effect as the trickling down of Mastodon’s influence to bands that would be considered their national peers. In turn, bands on a regional level search out their favorite era of the band and find the joy and greatness that lies within. Then a local band will find that influence in a regional band they have appreciation of. Hence, the band has no idea how much they have been under that spell. In some cases, unknowingly, the comparisons are made…and the band says…what? I say this, it depends on the album you are listening to. Furthermore, they do not hear it within themselves. Obviously, this is the trend of all music, in all eras, at all times. However, we can not deny that this is happening now with the new crop of hungry bands that are on the rise. And to be honest, if that is who you are to be compared to, it is not a bad thing.

    There are many bands that meet this criteria that are downright awful. However, Buffalo based Methos, is not one of those bands. They sound like a lot of the bands they would list as influences. However, I picked out the passed down range referenced in my first paragraph. Their debut CD is highly original, and a sure fire ass kicker! The recently released, Revelation, is an all out attack on the senses. It is both creative in scope, and masterful beyond the band’s years. The message of gloom and doom is present and in your face, and the music’s progressive aggression pushes it along so well.

    It was easiest to pick out my favorite tracks on this album. I will start with “One Foot In The Grave,” which delivers skull crushing balance while announcing apocalyptic insight. I am one who truly understands a statement like, “We are the children ff the world. With One Foot In The Grave.” Of course, this statement is highly relevant today. Especially when compounded with a lyrical boast of, “Finding the brightest light, like moths to an open flame. Burn all the heretics, no one left here to blame.” It is a strong message on the highest of levels. Many of these tracks are cautionary and unapologetic in their prophetic nature. On the track “Empty Inside,” the talented band continues it’s a collective combo of aural assault and verbal discourse. Singer Shawn Beagle howls, “I see the scars on your face, its your affliction. w2And your fall from grace, its a benediction.” To this I say, fuck yes! You are right!

    Aside from the great music that makes up this disc, the cover art is something of extraordinary value in it self.  The “Revelation” artwork was designed by PoltArt Illustrations , whose work has been featured with bands such as Lamb of God, Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, Nightshade, Twisted.

    The whole package is recommended. Pick it up or download it soon. Here’s to another great band on the rise in Upstate New York. Cheers!

    -Erik Jensen

  • Dopapod releases new album ‘Drawn Onward’

    Dopapod releases new album ‘Drawn Onward’

    Dopapod’s second album Drawn Onward was released on Christmas Day for free on their website as a present to their fans who wanted a little something funky while they opened up their presents. The album is a gift to the fans and represents a shift in their sound from electronic to slightly funkier sound with a strong dance groove carrying throughout the album. The quartet is touring the Northeast in February, then down to Florida and working their way up the coast before returning for more shows up north as well as the upcoming festival season.

    Produced by Eli Walker, Dave Brandwein (Galaxy Smith), and Dopapod and recorded at The Bunker Studio Brooklyn, NY, Drawn Onward retains the live Dopapod sound but presents a more danceable album than their last release I saw live Dopapod evil was I. Throughout the album you may find yourself grooving to the music, moving to the beat in your car or during your workout, all while absorbing a fluid collection of their latest road-tested recording.

    drawn onwardThe album starts off with Turnin Knobs, a dancey, 70s style funk number straight out of Boogie Nights followed by Black and White with its climactic keys and drums. Nuggy Jawson has a sense of Umphrey’s McGee and Billy Joel grandeur as the song builds into an early 80s prog rock crescendo. French Bowling is woven with an underlying classical composition, akin to a Beethoven theme throughout with a fierce bass line punctuating the track. Onionhead is a highlight, centering on house music in the vein of Bisco with strong keys, drums and bass accentuated by a ripping guitar leading the melody. Roid Rage bring a few horns into the mix, a welcome addition to the band’s sound and results in a very involving and layered number which requires a second listen to catch all that they put into this track. Bats in the Cave has a jazzy, 70s style funkability, providing a full album of dance tracks that will assuredly be played with great improvisation in the coming tour.

    You can download the album for free at dopapod.com and pick up a hard copy of the CD for $10.

    Catch them at Jillians in Albany on Thursday, February 16th.

    Key tracks: Turnin knobs, French Bowling, Onionhead

    Watch the video for French Bowling.
    [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/34205718 w=400&h=225]

    Dopapod – French Bowling from curtis peel. on Vimeo.