tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82226761554598647912024-03-13T22:37:07.850-07:00Coldiron ContinuumJason Coldiron's Love For MusicCWG, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-15414847959273773822009-12-22T10:14:00.000-08:002009-12-22T10:21:33.336-08:00Album Review: Kava Kava's "Forwards"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLg-ifepCXOwocyMKayYTu3_U-BRKCMwgEy0yVnZ4_KwEFNyZA0CJaSvsDWYj0ipVdwYtqpywSe5KqxxcPsdhbN3PhWNDWkU-QBPHU024XuyviO_rRXzVWxxJ8WDpj5HpPsfcRPBC234/s1600-h/Larger+Press+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLg-ifepCXOwocyMKayYTu3_U-BRKCMwgEy0yVnZ4_KwEFNyZA0CJaSvsDWYj0ipVdwYtqpywSe5KqxxcPsdhbN3PhWNDWkU-QBPHU024XuyviO_rRXzVWxxJ8WDpj5HpPsfcRPBC234/s320/Larger+Press+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418127295061154658" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --></style><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">About a month ago I had the chance to interview Kava Kava, a six piece eclectic band from the UK. From that alone, I knew there was something special here. Their new album is called Forwards, fitting of the direction this band is headed.</p><p></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This is one of those cross- genre bands that would be hard to place in any one category, but also impossible to dismiss from any either. Bringing vocals, guitars, bass, a horn section and plenty of electronics, this band pushes the pace, controls the tempo and warps your mind all at once.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Over the course of this album I hear elements and influences of bands all over the spectrum, ranging from U2, Pink Floyd, NIN and most of all, The Crystal Method. This is a very good thing. The album keeps me enthralled, but also keeps me guessing, with the variety of sounds and surprises. Every song turns another corner and around the new corner comes a new story and excitement.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">With songs featured all over the TV, in such shows as Weeds, Dirt, and John from Cincinnati, it's not difficult to see that this album is chalk full of memorable songs. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Opening with a slow buildup of tension and leading right into the electronica and artsy stuff, “Tic”gets the album going strong right off the bat. Two minutes into the song and I already feel like I've been wished away to another universe. The slow bass progression sets the pace, while the spoken vocals are enchanting, hypnotic and catchy. A sound that I can only assume is some kind of synthesizer sound winds the track down. It fits perfectly with the music as it winds and repeats over and over. I am already completely into this music.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Next comes perhaps the album's most well- known song, “clarity.” It begins and ends with the repeated spoken part, “I want a moment of clarity.” “I want to know where you keep the truth,” leads into a bridge of sorts with sounds and instruments all over the place. I am overwhelmed. This is a song that I could imagine being played in a dance club, with ravers sweating all over themselves, dancing and throbbing to every beat. At the same time, with the catchy vocals ('which kind of keep me hypnotized') and pumping pace, I could see this played at rock clubs also. This is a song that needs to be heard... over and over.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Before I know it I hear guitars coming through my speakers. What happened? The disc moved onto “Everything.” This song freaking rocks. Maintaining the catchy vocals and peripheral sounds, but adding some sweet, groovy guitars, this song is off the hook. I continue to be blown away by this music. The chant of, “everything” permeates over the rocking guitar rhythm. For a moment, I have a flashback to U2's “vertigo.” I just can't help myself, I want “everything.”</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Bank job” has a unique opening, that leads to some sounds so morphed I can't even tell if it's a sound or synth of some sort, or if it's vocals that have been run through a machine. Regardless, it works big time. The mid- song vocal run adds another element to the song. Singer Pat Fulongi brings a poise and confidence to the music that suits the style while adding his own flair. This is good shit. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The title track, “forwards” comes along with a nice, slow opening. I sense a slowdown in the album coming. Maybe a transition that gets the album going in a different direction? A minute later, a heavy bass (Martin Chung) picks up steam and the groove gets going. I am in bliss yet again. I could listen to this song for 28 straight hours on a road trip. It takes me on ups and downs, but with a sense of calm that could help me through anything. Heck, the song itself is kind of like a road trip and Fulongi is my tour guide. Before the song is over I'm being blown away by a winding guitar solo of all things. Matt Bond is on point here, the best guitar work on the album. Fucking sweet.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Rise above” comes on and we're hearing yet another different sound. A riff driven by Chung's bass is paced to let me catch my breath after blowing my load on the last song. The chorus is a 'chant' of sorts, again, keeping it fresh and not really having two songs on the album that are too much alike. With four songs left, my mind is starting to build in wonder and expectation of how this is all going to finish.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Next comes, “nfa.” It starts with a minute and a half of instrumentation, before Fulongi comes in with the vocals. The pace is calm, the lyrics are insightful, and the groove is steady. There is also an element of building energy. Mid- song there is a shift in tone, going in a softer direction. The lyrics get more thoughtful, the mood changes, and the band shows their versatility. No sooner can I write this than it shifts again, gaining speed and momentum. Fulongi spreads his wings, the rhythym rocks out for a minute... then back to the slower part again. I am blown away. “nfa” has taken me on a ride, separate from the ride the album has me on. Since I am now speechless, I will move on to the next track.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Don't stop the music” jumps in quickly. Did we just transport back to the 70's? This is not bad, but not at all expected. The funk has put in an appearance on the album! So has disco! Normally I might be appalled by this turn of events, but in this case, it actually works! Very well, in fact. Bear in mind, I'm a rocker, so for me to be approving of this song should tell you something... it's really fucking good.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Next comes a remix of, “Don't stop the music” featuring Andrea Fiorino. This is basically similar to the original, but slightly different, with it's own twist or two. This one seems more suited to be the last song played of the night at a dance club. It's good, but I'm not sure that it needed to be on the album, especially not right after the original.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ending the album is the 'Jon Kennedy remix' of Tic. Again, this is VERY similar to the original, maybe slightly slower and more moody? In contrast to the previous remix, this one makes a lot of sense to me. “Tic” is definitely one of the best songs on the album and this different interpretation on it works. It's moody sense about it also makes it a suiting finisher to this album.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So, having made it through the entire album, I gotta say that this is really freaking good. The album has balance, every song seems to have a purpose (with the possible exception of the 'Don't stop the music' remix), every song adds something original to the album and shows off the musicianship of the band.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I am truly blown away here. I love my hard rock, but I also love my electronica and art. This album gave me just enough of the guitars and rock to appeal to that side of my brain. More importantly, the artistic side of this album is amazing. The combinations of horns and machines, with perfectly fitting vocals and bass grooves.... yeah, this is good shit.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I think this is a band that needs to be heard more and more. I can't say how impressed I am with this work..</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I give this album a 4 gun salute. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find more on Kava Kava at: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kavakavamusic">http://www.myspace.com/kavakavamusic</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">and stay tuned for more from them, here as always, in the Continuum.</p> Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-6113146504043144242009-12-21T11:35:00.000-08:002009-12-21T11:40:36.805-08:00Rocking Illinois, meet Apocrypha<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_dBlAQaSN4rwABeugQAZbNG9puJmQfHksdKoPW8_3sK-3rRpX72LbpYemEuyfxxqkDvU6u2cZjH-VwySFbH2sBOnMFlMeFVcTsvVciSvMZ13aEdm-b4_6A0XC4jTOS7Sum6gZbmjWs8/s1600-h/Apocrypha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_dBlAQaSN4rwABeugQAZbNG9puJmQfHksdKoPW8_3sK-3rRpX72LbpYemEuyfxxqkDvU6u2cZjH-VwySFbH2sBOnMFlMeFVcTsvVciSvMZ13aEdm-b4_6A0XC4jTOS7Sum6gZbmjWs8/s320/Apocrypha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417776011314183090" border="0" /></a><br />Bringing you the best in young metal, today I present Apocrypha, a metal slinging band playing out of Illinois, where they play regularly. I got a chance to talk to them about their music, their band and their process. Along the way I was able to get into their heads a bit and see what the source of their creativity is. I think it comes across in the conversation.<br /><br />Follow the conversation here:<br /><br />Stoked to be talking to me (00:05)<br />Who am I talking to?<br />How the band came to be. (00:45)<br />The band's evolving lineup (1:30)<br />How Ozzy and others got us here (5:30)<br />Ridiculous guitars and strong composition (6:45)<br />“Creatures of the night” EP (8:45)<br />“Into the grave” EP (9:15)<br />The lead song, “Neverwhere” Composition and lyrics (10:30)<br />The drummer speaks (14:30)<br />“Killing my mind” (17:00)<br />“Swing state” Playing shows in a hookah bar. (19:00)<br />What's next? (22:15)<br />They have a shot (23:30)<br />The Greek fan (24:00)<br /><br /><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjE*MjQzOTU3OTYmcHQ9MTI2MTQyNDM5ODE3MSZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="margin-bottom:-7px;"><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" width="320" height="340" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod"></embed></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com"><br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><br />Look for Apocrypha in 2010 as a rising force in metal. Stay tuned for more from them, here as always, in the Continuum.<br /><br />Find them at: http://www.myspace.com/havocilJason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-35617574201341773302009-12-09T18:04:00.000-08:002009-12-09T18:09:20.381-08:00Metallica rocks Sacramento: 12/8/09<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Yyvk6oyk897fu-j-F-VJ_NZoN3BdtB57wALxQxPBET4s69YoUUIwhhJKOPBDsLSWrC8byUmHhMzGFN7TjqBtn0P0yJWdiohOSGxkb6mVUnTWvOAxXPL3HMfeA-zJXX8gytLvm38CFck/s1600-h/IMG_0648.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Yyvk6oyk897fu-j-F-VJ_NZoN3BdtB57wALxQxPBET4s69YoUUIwhhJKOPBDsLSWrC8byUmHhMzGFN7TjqBtn0P0yJWdiohOSGxkb6mVUnTWvOAxXPL3HMfeA-zJXX8gytLvm38CFck/s320/IMG_0648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413423380774699314" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Having completed my interview with Michael Paulson of Volbeat (check it out here: http://cwgcoldiron.blogspot.com/2009/12/interview-with-volbeat-before-metallica.html) it was now time to start thinking about the rest of the day. By my side was my co- pilot for this operation, resident metal head and lead guitarist of Flawless Design, Jon Tobin. It was now 3:00pm and doors didn't open until 6:30. Being in the middle of a cow town and not wanting to leave, and risk having to pay $12 bucks for parking when we came back, we decided to stick around. Our options were limited and it was freezing, so we decided to hang by the car. So, we got out to the car and assessed how the Volbeat interview went. From there, we listened to Death Magnetic and talked music for a couple of hours. Much Dr. Pepper was consumed. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The time flew by. Next thing I knew it was 5:45 and time to go pick up our tickets and press passes from will- call. By 6:30 we were in line on our way into Arco Arena to see Volbeat (who I'm a huge fan of and had interviewed earlier), Machine Head (who I had never seen live), and the gods of metal, Metallica. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzcmhXMAB_TxenWJzq95LninX8vpbFy1yfzFFk3zsgeTnT9HamhrcAaRnCfLdU2wWYBghC3EgZ47pzhqHtFfsPV84EPEMOda_o_2D5xpwuNCQrg2K9PpzOr9lLq81GGCPpw_3wDM0fYs/s1600-h/IMG_0637.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzcmhXMAB_TxenWJzq95LninX8vpbFy1yfzFFk3zsgeTnT9HamhrcAaRnCfLdU2wWYBghC3EgZ47pzhqHtFfsPV84EPEMOda_o_2D5xpwuNCQrg2K9PpzOr9lLq81GGCPpw_3wDM0fYs/s320/IMG_0637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413423123361521442" border="0" /></a>By 7:00 I knew what a $9 beer tasted like was still munching on the most expensive popcorn known to man.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">7:00 came and Volbeat hit the stage like clockwork. They tore it up for almost exactly 30 minutes (as scheduled). They rocked songs like Caroline #1 and Sad Man's Tongue. They brought it. Opening for Metallica is no small task. They did their thing and got off the stage. I was happy to see them play, but disappointed they didn't play longer.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Machine Head came on next. I had never seen them play live before. They rocked the shit out of Sacramento. I honestly don't know the name of a single one of their songs. It didn't matter. They put on a show and got the place ready for Metallica. The highlight of their set was their cover of Pantera's “fucking hostile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9Unxpc8yD2VQgZI6Cq34tkI13yA8QWQqnIbi90ZW-AjInnG1eaf-gEwh9j0fMq3bNL8Y69HCdzbT7HkRgUmz2qbRmetoIECWkx985EV_dXVBUrXzWtWy06M4ZWTCEWCZPtFD8HKjcOU/s1600-h/IMG_0639.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9Unxpc8yD2VQgZI6Cq34tkI13yA8QWQqnIbi90ZW-AjInnG1eaf-gEwh9j0fMq3bNL8Y69HCdzbT7HkRgUmz2qbRmetoIECWkx985EV_dXVBUrXzWtWy06M4ZWTCEWCZPtFD8HKjcOU/s320/IMG_0639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413423277038657666" border="0" /></a>.” Tonight was the fifth anniversary of the death of Dimebag Darrel. They paid homage... big time. He would be proud of their performance. The last song blew the place up the place, “the burning red.” (or something like that... Machine Head fans- help me out!)</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This set the stage for Metallica. It was a solid 45 minutes of setting up the stage, tuning instruments, preparing the pyrotechnics, etc. I met a nice guy sitting behind me. When I told him it was my first Metallica show he started talking to me like I'd never heard of the band. Never mind that I know every fucking riff they've ever played. He offered to buy my press pass. I actually thought about it, but thought better and kept it.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Eventually, the lights went down and “fields of gold” came on, signaling the arrival of the band.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They hit the stage and ripped through, “that was just your life.” After that, Hetfield got the crowd going with some conversation. He talked a lot about the crowd bringing the energy for the band. That was a theme of the night.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Next came, “broken, beat and scarred,” which went over well.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">From there, Hetfield said it would be a special night and that we would do it together, “with some old stuff.” That led to them killing it for the next two hours. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Here are some notes from the rest of the show:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They played about half of “Death Magnetic.” There were no songs from St. Anger or Load and only “fuel” from Re-load, which was a good thing. “Kill em all” was grossly underrepresented in my opinion. The Black album got three songs played.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Hetfield butchered the acoustic opening of, “fade to black.” Hammet botched the first couple of notes of each section of, “One.” Hammet did a sweet electric solo at one point and an acoustic one right before, “nothing else matters.”</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Trujillo was basically awesome on every song. Ulrich was hardly noticeable, but solid. He also must be a fucking track star or something to play the way he does for that long.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The pyrotechnics were damn hot on my skin from my seats and I was 50 feet from the stage (see pics).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHhmOG8i_MlK0uhf-3qY5f94aP4uvqMh4azuZ5Gd0ZcWkcDP3xlEWlMEJ6L4XYIXJsHfcoGu0YMLZMce1ipd64_7Fkq_K3iGI5cvavQbN51ma9ZeQ7K6RxseWRRC67aYzupsc4sSq4kY/s1600-h/IMG_0635.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHhmOG8i_MlK0uhf-3qY5f94aP4uvqMh4azuZ5Gd0ZcWkcDP3xlEWlMEJ6L4XYIXJsHfcoGu0YMLZMce1ipd64_7Fkq_K3iGI5cvavQbN51ma9ZeQ7K6RxseWRRC67aYzupsc4sSq4kY/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413423003952510466" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I would guess that there were about 10,000 fans in attendance. I would further guess that about 8,000 of them (myself included) knew the words to every single song. There is nothing like the camaraderie of fans at a Metallica show.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Halfway through the set one fan started yelling, “one more song.”</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Hetfield noticed a girl in the front of the crowd, which led to a conversation. The result was him noting to her, “you're 11 years old and in the front at a Metallica show... where do you go from here?” One of life's great questions.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Their performance of, “master of puppets” was the loudest thing I have ever heard... that record lasted about 25 minutes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When the set had wound down, Hetfield teased the audience for a while. He suggested, “You can go back to your jobs tomorrow, tonight you are with Metallica, and this is our night.”He finally offered up one more song if, “we give him every last bit of energy we have.” So we did. Our reward: the loudest thing I have ever heard, their performance of, “seek and destroy.”</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The show ended and we got the hell out of there. It was a loooooooooooong day. It was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Jon and I hardly said a word on the way home. An occasional, “that was awesome” was all we said... and it was all that was needed. </p> Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-2877577090736809252009-12-09T14:14:00.001-08:002009-12-09T14:15:58.103-08:00Interview with Volbeat before the Metallica concert 12/8/09<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Pv_5-mLkhM6akalz4LNVy21rHHjforwsHbLS6cOc6y3CMcs-ah-LGsagMe1kcj7yUbir7k2xgFgULdHbkNtnvJQwsnEAb2I3KtKsfoEFgeekbFRxFmft8Q8nwB-BJoIjGtSk_aQPXtQ/s1600-h/IMG_0629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Pv_5-mLkhM6akalz4LNVy21rHHjforwsHbLS6cOc6y3CMcs-ah-LGsagMe1kcj7yUbir7k2xgFgULdHbkNtnvJQwsnEAb2I3KtKsfoEFgeekbFRxFmft8Q8nwB-BJoIjGtSk_aQPXtQ/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413363434302759602" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --></style>Last night, December 8<sup>th</sup> at Arco Arena in Sacramento I got to see one of the greatest shows of my lifetime. Headlining the show was Metallica, being supported by Machine Head and Volbeat. Volbeat is a band I am very familiar with, having followed them for a couple of years and interviewed them over the summer. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Before the show, I got to sit down with Michael Paulson (lead singer) and talk once again. We talked about the tour, the show, his recent illness, opening for Metallica, writing a song for a boxer's entrance, NOT playing my favorite song while I'm there to see them (soulweeper), the price of fame, family and being so far from his home in Denmark. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Listen here to the entire conversation.</p><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjAzOTY5MDg4MTImcHQ9MTI2MDM5NjkxMDU5MyZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="margin-bottom:-7px;">
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<br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This was a great conversation with a band who is opening for the biggest heavy band of all time, a couple of hours before their first show in the U.S. It is great listening. Michael Paulson is one of the most humble rock stars ever. Anders (bass) chimes in a bit also. I hope you enjoy.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stay tuned for more updates on Volbeat, here as always, in the Continuum.</p> Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-22767000980312477942009-12-09T07:33:00.000-08:002009-12-10T20:37:45.892-08:00Continuum conversation with Rhett Frazier Inc.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN26ENJA5BTvCUuFDdBFvHSQO9HdklQsr30D8jZdKCDQZmKZcGd0KlokX5ZblPQ6wFQxeC5LUYT3Ix5lUY2tby-3Qviv7M4C_Ssllw6Iccu2IqjHMD0_iDyvPV1D30qQwAzL3ZBYO2v9o/s1600-h/Rhett+Frazier+Inc.+lo-res+bw+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN26ENJA5BTvCUuFDdBFvHSQO9HdklQsr30D8jZdKCDQZmKZcGd0KlokX5ZblPQ6wFQxeC5LUYT3Ix5lUY2tby-3Qviv7M4C_Ssllw6Iccu2IqjHMD0_iDyvPV1D30qQwAzL3ZBYO2v9o/s320/Rhett+Frazier+Inc.+lo-res+bw+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413260280164156178" border="0" /></a>Rhett Frazier Inc. is a synth- based soul band, originally from Detroit, currently playing out of Southern California. The band IS Rhett Frazier and Donny Gruendler. Their sound crosses all genres, but are most often compared to the Roots. It is a sound that they have labeled, “rock soultronic,” incorporating elements of many different styles, ranging from rock to soul to electronica.<br />Rhett and Donny went deep with me on a wide variety of topics.<br />Listen here to the entire conversation:<br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjAzNzI5MDA2NDAmcHQ9MTI2MDM3MjkwMjkwNiZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><div style="margin-bottom: -7px;"><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" height="340" width="320"></embed></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/"><br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" height="20" width="60" /></a><br /><br />Our long conversation covered such topics as:<br />The origins of the band. (1:00)<br />Naming the band. (1:30)<br />Why have a band? (2:55)<br />Who does what in the band? (3:15)<br />Working together (5:00)<br />What the heck do they sound like? (7:30)<br />The band is a family? (10:00)<br />“A deep brotherhood”? (11:45)<br />Describing the sound (14:30)<br />“Rock soultronic” (15:30)<br />Integrating sounds (17:35)<br />How long they have been making music together (19:15)<br />“The record made them” (20:50)<br />The first song, “U can't stop.” (21:45)<br />The future, the past and the difference. “the future is coming from behind/the future's caught you from behind.”(24:00)<br />The song, “Mirrors” and the opening line “don't hate the player, hate the game.” (25:45)<br />“If you were a douche bag when you got to L.A, you'll still be a douche bag late.” (27:15)<br />Why is Detroit so much better than L.A? (28:30)<br />Your label is Digi- Soul. (30:15)<br />The label will not rescue you. (30:45)<br />“Being on with you is like being on with Barbara Walters.” (33:10)<br /><br />Rhett and Donny are great guys. They were very open and it made for a fantastic conversation. The humor and honesty they brought to the table made for a wonderful interview.<br /><br />Stay tuned for updates on Rhett Frazier Inc. in the coming year, here as always, in the Continuum.<br /><br />Find more from the band at:<br />http://www.myspace.com/rhettfrazierincJason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-86203671995827311612009-12-06T13:23:00.001-08:002009-12-06T13:25:04.215-08:00In the steps of Suicide Silence come, "Ruins of Tomorrow"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlE05ek1XPye0yw5WIVFf8uADh7XFtLyV7KSG5baDnYOgjg4NQ3ixpJ9C-yq1GJ914x4QZHhdq4udusK2_lat9tD1ONIzjGxJq2mtNc-I-w3FK3HuVcAJNIst1KQQmYvjFyrP_hyphenhyphenk33g/s1600-h/Ruins+of+Tomorrow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlE05ek1XPye0yw5WIVFf8uADh7XFtLyV7KSG5baDnYOgjg4NQ3ixpJ9C-yq1GJ914x4QZHhdq4udusK2_lat9tD1ONIzjGxJq2mtNc-I-w3FK3HuVcAJNIst1KQQmYvjFyrP_hyphenhyphenk33g/s320/Ruins+of+Tomorrow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412237038940612178" border="0" /></a><br />Continuing my vision of bringing you the best in up- and- coming metal, today I present you with “Ruins of Tomorrow.” For the hardcore metal fan, these guys are a must- listen. Following in the line and style of Suicide Silence, this band is well on their way. I see a future for them that looks similar to the path of Suicide Silence before them, and that's a hell of a path, considering the success of that band.<br /><br />They are coming out of a Colorado town (Greeley) I am very familiar with, one just an hour or two from where Trey Parker and Matt Stone once had a vision for South Park. Perhaps the Rocky Mountains have something to do with it? Something in the air? The mindless boredom of the area? Whatever it is, something great is happening there and Ruins of Tomorrow is a part of it. Could they be a symptom of the disease of the area or (more likely), its' cure? You be the judge.<br /><br />Particularly getting my attention is their imaginative song, “Surgery is a door prize.” This is a song that carries the weight and power of hardcore metal, while adding an element of humor and satire. Look for the download of this song in the free music section of this website.<br /><br />Listen and follow along with the full interview with lead singer Trax here:<br /><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjAxMzQ2NzU3ODEmcHQ9MTI2MDEzNDY3ODU2MiZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="font-size:15;font-weight:bold;font-family:arial; width:320px; border:2px outset #DCDCDC; padding: 5px"><br /> <div><br /> <div style="float:left"><a href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-12-06T13_23_21-08_00" style="text-decoration:none" title="Interview with Ruins of Tomorrow">Interview with Ruins of Tomorrow</a></div><br /><br /> <div style="float:left"><a href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com" style="text-decoration:none; color:gray" title="Jason Coldiron's Podcast">Jason Coldiron's Podcast</a></div><br /> <br /><br /> </div><br /> <div style="margin-bottom:-5px;"><br /> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" width="320" height="20" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=20&width=320&file=UDS9/-4/1f/03/coldironjason/media/published/2416778_stnd.mp3&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod"></embed><br /></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-12-06T13_23_21-08_00"><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmMTIzMjE3MyUyZjExODMwOTU=" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><br /><br />Q: How was practice last night?<br />Q: Who is Ruins of Tomorrow and how'd you get the name “Trax?”<br />Q: How'd you come up with the name of the band?<br />Q: You are playing out of Greeley Colorado. Are you all from there? What do you think of the town and state? Were you effected by the big tornado last year? I actually spent six months last year near you (Westminster, Co), but I didn't get a chance to get into the music scene. What can you tell me about what's going on there?<br />Q: How long have you guys been at it and how has your progress as a band been coming along?<br />Q: What is it about each member that makes you believe they are the right person for the job?<br />Q: Some of your song names carry a theme: “Malicious dissection,” “animal exorcism,” “carnivorous.”What is it about these topics? Tell me a little about these songs.<br />Q: “Surgery is a door prize.” Hilarious spoken opening, breaking right into shredding and metal from hell. Two minutes later, another little spoken part, then back into the mayhem. Freaking sweet.<br />Q: Tell me about your show Dec 11th at Union Station in Colorado Springs.<br />Q: You have a couple of shows in January, then a semi- tour in the spring, tell me about those shows.<br /><br />Trax is a hell of a character. I had a lot of fun talking with him. He has rock star written all over him.<br /><br />Find more on Ruins of Tomorrow at:<br />http://www.myspace.com/xruinsoftomorrowx<br /><br />Stay tuned for more from this band, here as always, in the Continuum.Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-86976136981811511962009-12-01T10:19:00.000-08:002009-12-01T10:21:21.074-08:00Interview with "Suicide Silence"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutoIkkvo1_lABuSO4CzP8PJJIuskh58746FbA5LGl2kS8WkU_vnWDSTo4aPAwMn2RCac1L6rEEJ58gGtD2_sUoNn7yyarBbsygMKNR-nfwOHhzfAA6LlBS3eXWl77MB5Dl-Tnffer8J0/s1600/Suicide+Silence.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutoIkkvo1_lABuSO4CzP8PJJIuskh58746FbA5LGl2kS8WkU_vnWDSTo4aPAwMn2RCac1L6rEEJ58gGtD2_sUoNn7yyarBbsygMKNR-nfwOHhzfAA6LlBS3eXWl77MB5Dl-Tnffer8J0/s320/Suicide+Silence.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410334297478296338" border="0" /></a><br />What would you consider a good gig for a rising metal band? Suicide Silence is currently touring in support of Megadeth and Machine Head. I recently caught up with lead singer Mitch Lucker.<br />Here is what he had to say.<br /><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTk2OTE1NjY*MjEmcHQ9MTI1OTY5MTY*Nzc1MCZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="font-size:15;font-weight:bold;font-family:arial; width:320px; border:2px outset #DCDCDC; padding: 5px"><br /> <div><br /> <div style="float:left"><a href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-12-01T10_18_14-08_00" style="text-decoration:none" title="Interview with Suicide Silence">Interview with Suicide Silence</a></div><br /><br /> <div style="float:left"><a href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com" style="text-decoration:none; color:gray" title="Jason Coldiron's Podcast">Jason Coldiron's Podcast</a></div><br /> <br /><br /> </div><br /> <div style="margin-bottom:-5px;"><br /> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" width="320" height="20" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=20&width=320&file=UDS9/-4/1f/03/coldironjason/media/published/2401779_stnd.mp3&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod"></embed><br /></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-12-01T10_18_14-08_00"><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmMTIzMjE3MyUyZjExNzUzNDY=" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><br /><br />Among the highlights of the conversation:<br />Opening for the biggest metal band in the world.<br />Concepts for the new album and the writing process.<br />Utilizing each instrument and finding 'the formula for songwriting.'<br />The raising of a metal singer, how he came to be.<br />Touring 300 days a year.<br />Why the term “screamo” implies, 'little bitch.'<br />4:35: “If you're intelligent enough to hear the message, then you're intelligent enough... if not, you're just a fucking idiot.”<br />The video for “wake up.”<br />6:00: The best songs to play live.<br />Covering the Deftones' “Engine #9” and paying homage.<br />9:20: A career arc for Suicide Silence? The two ways to do it.<br />A love of all things extreme.<br />Taking care of California.<br /><br />Mitch is a metal singer and metal personality in every sense of the word. He kicks ass, takes names and makes no excuses. His attitude comes across in his speech and makes (this) metal fan a happy camper.<br /><br />Suicide Silence is currently on tour in the U.S.<br />Find more from them at:<br />http://www.myspace.com/suicidesilence<br /><br />Stay tuned for more from Suicide Silence, here as always, in the Continuum.Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-79103728609313193952009-12-01T09:43:00.000-08:002009-12-01T09:45:29.411-08:00Getting to know the acoustic sounds of "Echo Falls"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1Kmw2qqTJrX74Z6AnR2JVZbt-3EkjarS0yBIqDC5jVbBQ_re1MQYhb-PvQjx_P3QjzQ6E0Df1IFGA7PADLR2hP7rYATA0CnoS3V13WgrUH5Z47qdlSAVXnqV6lXAQjG-on4Tb1l361k/s1600/Echo+Falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1Kmw2qqTJrX74Z6AnR2JVZbt-3EkjarS0yBIqDC5jVbBQ_re1MQYhb-PvQjx_P3QjzQ6E0Df1IFGA7PADLR2hP7rYATA0CnoS3V13WgrUH5Z47qdlSAVXnqV6lXAQjG-on4Tb1l361k/s320/Echo+Falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410325029125750210" border="0" /></a><br />Echo Falls is Alex Mandel (vocals, guitar), David Brandt (drums, vibraphone, vocals), and David Arend (double bass). This is an acoustic band playing out of San Fransisco. They are described as indie, but really fit more into the singer/songwriter category. I heard their album when our website reviewed it and was taken back. It is great stuff. I wanted to know more about the music, the band and how they came to be.<br /><br />I set up an interview with Alex, but ended up getting David Brandt as well. This turned out to be great. The two of them were incredibly nice and insightful. I felt like I got a really good feel for what this band is about, where they are headed, and what makes them who they are.<br /><br />Some of the topics we touch on include:<br />From an Oakland living room six years ago to the present.<br />The coming together of the album.<br />“The road to Parnassus.”<br />A reply to Bob Dylan's “Watchtower.”<br />Acoustic guitar solos?<br />Composing acoustic songs/ the writing process.<br />The drummer's perspective.<br />Moving forward.<br />Playing San Fransisco venues.<br />Alex's work with Pixar Animation.<br />Life outside of music.<br />The joy of wonderful management.<br /><br />Listen to the entire conversation here:<br /><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTk2ODkzOTg1MDAmcHQ9MTI1OTY4OTQ4MjM5MCZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="font-size:15;font-weight:bold;font-family:arial; width:320px; border:2px outset #DCDCDC; padding: 5px"><br /> <div><br /> <div style="float:left"><a href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-12-01T09_40_05-08_00" style="text-decoration:none" title="The Echo Falls Interview">The Echo Falls Interview</a></div><br /><br /> <div style="float:left"><a href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com" style="text-decoration:none; color:gray" title="Jason Coldiron's Podcast">Jason Coldiron's Podcast</a></div><br /> <br /><br /> </div><br /> <div style="margin-bottom:-5px;"><br /> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" width="320" height="20" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=20&width=320&file=UDS9/-4/1f/03/coldironjason/media/published/2401675_stnd.mp3&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod"></embed><br /></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-12-01T09_40_05-08_00"><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmMTIzMjE3MyUyZjExNzUzMDU=" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><br /><br />Echo Falls plays a unique brand of music that I like a lot. For anyone who loves acoustic music, I think this is a great band to check out.<br /><br />Find more from them at:<br />www.theechofalls.com<br />www.myspace.com/echofalls<br /><br />Ech Falls is a friend of CWG. Stay tuned for more from them, here as always, in the Continuum.Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-12100142736393554222009-11-30T09:05:00.000-08:002009-11-30T09:08:37.862-08:00Q. and A. with "Legend" of Rise records<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EETBTcTCS71F0j5Y7aNckHaDSZqecvZ2GyDGMUqlufL5IQf_5ThAFIu0pF1bq57oCRV8Zsd_y3oNtTuG05FuPz53M46v8q5jaq8BFnmSy8c5TmdQ9mOWYDYMCoHjyBD07QeXII5JVo8/s1600/legend.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EETBTcTCS71F0j5Y7aNckHaDSZqecvZ2GyDGMUqlufL5IQf_5ThAFIu0pF1bq57oCRV8Zsd_y3oNtTuG05FuPz53M46v8q5jaq8BFnmSy8c5TmdQ9mOWYDYMCoHjyBD07QeXII5JVo8/s320/legend.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409944593352061282" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } TD P { margin-bottom: 0in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> </style> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: To the unfamiliar reader, tell us the basics of the band.</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: We are Legend from Detroit Michigan, we love hangin out and the heavy!</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: How did the band come together?</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: Chris started the band a year ago adding his long time friend Keith. They knew i wasn't currently doing music so they sent me the stuff they had demo'd and i love it! Later on down the road we added Dylan and Scott.</span></span>
<br /></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: Give us a quick roll call of the members of the band. What does each member bring to the table that makes the band special?</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: Chad, Chris, Keith, Scott, and Dylan. Chris writes a majority of the music, he is an AWESOME song writer and its awesome to be in a band with a guy who just GETS it and will do what it takes to make this band. Keith is the oldest in the band and with age comes wisdom haha. He keeps us on track financially. Dylan is the funny guy, always there to keep everybody in high spirits and make everybody laugh when weve been in the band for hours. Same with scott always down to make everyone laugh.</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: How do you feel about signing on with Rise Records? What does that mean for the band?</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: We couldnt be happier than to be apart of the Rise family. Its really rare in the industry and the people you work with give a shit about your band and the music. Craig is just an all around cool dude to work with. Wouldnt want to work with anybody else.</span></span>
<br /></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: You're hitting the studio in January. Does that mean you have already written the material you'll be recording, or still in progress?</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: We have written 6 of 10. The new songs are going to surpass whats up right now for people to listen to. There going to be happily surprised!</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: You guarantee this will be the heaviest album of 2010. How can you be so sure? Convince us, tell us why!</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: We feel like every band out these days or even in the past few years have strayed away from what kids LOVE about heavy bands and why they come to see them live and hangout. Thats why we are here, Its heavy, in your face, and straight to the point we are here to bring back what every lost sight of. Whether you like us or not you will still be able to say "That band is heavy...why are my ears bleeding" haha</span></span>
<br /></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: Shall we expect a big tour next year also?</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: We hope so!!! We have an AWESOME team of people behind us right now and we are very confident that there is going to be some BIG shit in the works for the year of 2010!</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: Why is NOW the time for the band to make a big move?</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: Getting kids hooked right off the bat, kids love when they are with a band from the get go and get to watch them grow and expand everytime they come to there town. We are here for good!!!</span></span>
<br /></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: What was your favorite album of 2009?</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: Oh man so many! Right now im gonna go with the new Despised Icon record, and the new Terror album. Both awesome records and if you havent heard them you need to do so.</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: Favorite album of the passing decade?</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: Miley Cirus, Taylor Swift, and Buried Alive.</span></span>
<br /></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Q: Band to watch in the next decade? (besides yourself)</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A: American Me, Smash your Enemies.</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Plug your website(s), merch, management, anything and everything:</span></span></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/LegendMichigan"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.myspace.com/LegendMichigan</span></span></a></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.purevolume.com/LegendMichigan"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.purevolume.com/LegendMichigan</span></span></a></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/Crimsonmanagement"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.myspace.com/Crimsonmanagement</span></span></a></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.districtlines.com/Legend"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.districtlines.com/Legend</span></span></a></p> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.riserecords.com/"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.riserecords.com</span></span></a></p> Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-17050851161637787902009-11-30T08:55:00.001-08:002009-11-30T08:56:55.073-08:00Q. and A. with Apse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpbCJ_tmwe9bSDfk-2S0AbSsBxes__Wbeo87SYB2wJUIWiEh7O9EJS2XnxFQPhhNeTYKYuu0dvbDE1LR0WUZfYbv0h16z_TS9_PLyF-N-JNclIu2ynmrIQuEC8WLy7yvamvgyZgrfYRg/s1600/Apse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpbCJ_tmwe9bSDfk-2S0AbSsBxes__Wbeo87SYB2wJUIWiEh7O9EJS2XnxFQPhhNeTYKYuu0dvbDE1LR0WUZfYbv0h16z_TS9_PLyF-N-JNclIu2ynmrIQuEC8WLy7yvamvgyZgrfYRg/s320/Apse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409941626310236066" border="0" /></a><br />Q: What was the inspiration for the new video (3.1) and how did it come together?<br /><br />A: We wanted a straightforward performance video rather than something narrative or gimmicky. I had been talking with director Lance Drake for nearly a year about doing a video as he had been a fan of the band since the early 00's. He and his director of Photography, Andrew J. Whittaker flew out from LA for just under a week and shot the 3.1 video and a video for the track 'All Mine' - both on an absurdly low budget.<br /><br />Q: What is the song about?<br /><br />A: Jealousy in a long distance relationship.<br /><br />Q: In 2007 your line- up changed. Talk about what happened, the process of rebuilding, etc.<br /><br />A: Our lineup has always been changing. However this time we had a lot of issues with creative direction - some of us wanted to go different places than others. We kicked someone out at first, then ultimately talked it over with them, told them our issues, they thought about if they wanted to actually stay or not, but ultimately left. With that, someone else quit who had said under no circumstance that he would. So we dealt with it, had to find a new drummer and guitar player, who are both excellent musicians and within only a few months rehearsed 16 songs for an already-booked 6 week European tour. It was a lot of hard work but we made it happen.<br /><br />Q: How has the move to Cape Cod effected you all both musically and personally?<br /><br />A: It helped me grow up in a lot of ways. I had 2 years of a lot of idle time, being unemployed for most of it and with little to do socially I learned a lot about myself and about where I wanted to go with the band. Spent a lot of time outdoors. It was also horrible. Long quiet winters and quite a bit of relationship issues / emotional instability. Though as much as I couldn't wait to get out of that place by the time I left...I miss it deeply in a lot of ways. Some of the guys still live there.<br /><br /><br />Q: Talk about the impact of the re- release of “spirit.”<br /><br />A: ATP/R rereleasing Spirit did exactly what they intended - allowed it to reach a much larger audience. It's been great that it's gotten out there and circulated so much more than the original release. The only issue I have with it is that people often bill it as '9 years in the making' - when really it was written between 2005 and 2006. That's it. After we wrote it we made another album called 'Eras' which was put out on vinyl-only and limited to 425 copies on a label called Equation Records. It is the link between Spirit and the new record Climb Up. People wonder where the big change came from between the two records, when really if they listen to Eras it's plain to see how we went from A (to B) to C.<br /><br />Q: The new album is “Climb up.” Tell me all about how it came together and what some of the struggles were in writing it.<br /><br />A: It came together as a mix of existing demos-turned final tracks and also out of recording hours of improvisation, cutting up the 4 track recordings, layering on top of loops and then rerecording them from scratch. There were a lot of struggles in working this way and 'solving' some of the various songs proved to be really challenging. Since we did everything ourselves as usual, we had complete control but it was also thus a very difficult record to make. It was made in a garage, a living room and a basement with limited equipment and no input or advising outside of the band.<br /><br />Q: The album has been called, “a step out of the darkness of 'spirit'.” Would you agree?<br /><br />A: Absolutely. It is still dark and at times strange, but in a much different way than Spirit. We have always experimented with more pop-oriented and electronic elements but never fully delved into it until now and I'm glad we finally have.<br /><br />Q: I am very impressed and drawn to the use of electronics on this album. What is the inspiration and motivation for incorporating these kind of aspects into your music? Did you listen to that kind of music growing up?<br /><br />A: We all listen to so many different kinds of music, which has a lot to do with why our sound is so varied. Inspirations are coming from many different places. Different genres, cultures, eras in music. Electronic music has a special place I think in all our hearts and so we wanted to incorporate electronics a lot more on this record than ever before. Who knows, we may one day do an LP or at least an EP that is almost entirely electronic and vocal based.<br /><br /><br />Q: What can we expect from the band moving into the new year?<br /><br />A: Not so sure where we're going to go next. I've been working on new material and I know so has Jed. We might put out an EP sometime in the first half of next year. We're doing a 2 week tour overseas in December and a much larger European tour in the spring but I'm hoping we'll do a proper U.S. outing in between the two.<br /><br />Ok, plug your websites, albums, label, anything and everything ya want:<br /><br />www.myspace.com/apse<br />http://www.atpfestival.com/<br />http://apsecraft.tumblr.com/ - music blog I started a year ago to release peripheral recordings, soon to be updated regularly now that the new album is out.Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-45226063127184823562009-11-20T15:49:00.001-08:002009-11-20T15:50:59.734-08:00Q. and A. with Phantom Communique<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_vVdr0sr4jUS_V0zwmLdsLDfmv-yAjnCDeXYZ12N-2l1VSPyiMXlkxSt3vjeYE1qQBrJl0rxpZrNgyOdrspgUUBi0g9y5fy_DQFgEf0ZyWlpEi7tI4tqv2hyphenhyphenuhkVT-9Vgyl10ML_xQM/s1600/phantom+communique+1+lo+res.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_vVdr0sr4jUS_V0zwmLdsLDfmv-yAjnCDeXYZ12N-2l1VSPyiMXlkxSt3vjeYE1qQBrJl0rxpZrNgyOdrspgUUBi0g9y5fy_DQFgEf0ZyWlpEi7tI4tqv2hyphenhyphenuhkVT-9Vgyl10ML_xQM/s320/phantom+communique+1+lo+res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406337361543134946" border="0" /></a><br />Q: To my readers who may not be familiar with you, tell us a bit about the sound of this band and what you are all about.<br /><br />A:The sound of this band can only be described as rock metal. We love epic melodies and we love crushing riffs. I wanted this band to reflect that, so rock metal is what you get. What we are mostly all about is energy, raw vicious energy. Our record is well thought out and quite under control, but when you get us on the stage you may not even recognize us as the same band. The music is just as tight but the energy will singe your eyebrows. To make it easy, take some of the euro metal like "in flames" and "sybreed" and American metal like "killswitch", "all that remains", and infuse it with some good solid catchy hard rock like "foo fighters", mix it up with a bit of "faith no more" and here we are.<br /><br />Q: Your new album is coming out in February. Bring us (the fans) up to speed on the album, how it came together, what it's all about, etc. Catch us up!<br /><br />A: We have had a few bumps in the road with the economy and some other things getting in the way, but we busted our asses on this record and are very proud to get it out there. Jim Kaufman, who produced it, is also my best friend, he said he wanted to produce my band and loves the material. I gave him the shot and he killed it. There ya have it.<br /><br />Q: On the album. Quote from label, “With a respect for the rock of old and a knack for heavy hooks, the Los Angeles foursome perfectly captures that spirit in the studio.” Would you say this is accurate?<br /><br />A: Damn straight!<br /><br />Q: You also have a four song EP that will be available at your upcoming shows. How did you pick the four songs? Do you feel they are representative of what we can expect from the album?<br /><br />A: We suggested the ones we thought were a good introduction to what we are and the label agreed.<br /><br />Q: Brandon Thomas has come over from Bleed the Dream. Talk about the process of leaving one band and forming another. Can you tell me how that came about and how this project came together?<br /><br />A: I am Brandon Thomas and I can tell you that guy Brandon Thomas is a real jerk! Well I was in an LA band called bleed the dream, we toured the world a few times, sold some records and rocked for a few years till it just wasn’t working and we parted ways. I wanted to get back to my metal roots and originally this band was supposed to be heavier then the fucking devil. Didn’t work out that way, people convinced me that hooks is what I’m good at and they were right. So heavy we are, but hooky we are too. I went back to Baltimore and formed ranks and then hooked up with American voodoo and Jim Kaufman in LA to put the final spin on things. And now we set out to run amuck on the rock and metal world.<br /><br />Q: What can we expect from the upcoming show on Nov 23rd at the Key Club?<br /><br />A: Pure raging, rocking, debaucherous times. A 30 min set of great energetic music mixed with visual stimuli to go with it. And a little funny funny between songs. I’m a loudmouth. I like to fuck with the crowd and make the best of what I have in front of me.<br /><br />Q: With the new album coming out in February, can we expect a big tour and a huge year from this band?<br /><br />A: YES!! we are currently scoping out what tours make sense for us and look forward to unleashing hell on girls and boys all across the lands and sands of time. Epic....<br /><br />Plug your websites, albums, management, anything and everything ya want:<br /><br />well, the usual myspace.com/phantomcommunique and purevolume.com/phantomcommunique. you can also follow my silly ass at twitter.com/broshianis. I tweet a lot and get into some silly shit and I like to share it with the world.<br /><br />We are self-managed right now but I would like to shout-out the whole American Voodoo team and family for busting heads and never even asking questions after. We rule.Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-79884981313677747382009-11-19T12:57:00.000-08:002009-11-20T15:27:15.806-08:00Continuum Conversation with John Baizley of Baroness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMOK2RggU4rjl8xJzCNJUmOOEGVYC-q6yH8P7SXdjHg5vE-DlLHnhjZn7TLezprm0kEIRw0l7r_CzGS2jHUp-lG_CnWHEf9o7L0LmlzXhA5o8NKgLq-qZXQJnWWLpFWv5oU56yYga0dM/s1600/Baroness.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMOK2RggU4rjl8xJzCNJUmOOEGVYC-q6yH8P7SXdjHg5vE-DlLHnhjZn7TLezprm0kEIRw0l7r_CzGS2jHUp-lG_CnWHEf9o7L0LmlzXhA5o8NKgLq-qZXQJnWWLpFWv5oU56yYga0dM/s320/Baroness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405922471737292354" border="0" /></a><br />Today I spoke with John Baizley, singer and guitarist of Baroness, one of the biggest names in Metal today. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Baroness just started a new tour that has them playing basically every night from now until Dec 11<sup>th</sup>, from the East Coast to the West Coast and back. Then in February they're on to Australia. Some of the bands they're touring with include Pig Destroyer, Earthless and Iron Age, all artists featured at Chicks with Guns. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Their new album is <i>Blue Record</i> and has been out for about a month. It has drawn rave reviews from such publications as <i>Rolling Stone</i>, <i>Spin</i>, and <i>Metal Hammer</i>.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The album debuted at #117 on the billboard top 200. It's been incorrectly called the sister album to <i>The Red Album</i> of 2007. It is a clinic in duel guitar wizardry. With ups and down's, slow and speed, the album is balanced from beginning to end. John Baizley and Pete Adams share guitar duties and each bring a symmetry in style and substance. The result is metal harmony. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The album is bookended by, “Bullhead's psalm” and “bullhead's lament.” These two slower, instrumental pieces are the perfect open and close for this brilliant album. The album also features, “A horse called Golgatha” with a new video for that song, and the very artistic “O'er hell and hide,” featuring spoken word lyrics.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Listen here as John and I talk all things Baroness. Among other things, we go into depth on the new album and the songwriting process. John is very open and shares his thoughts and processes that went into making this record.</p><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTg2NjQyOTEyMTgmcHQ9MTI1ODY2NDQxNDQ2OCZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="margin-bottom:-7px;"><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" width="320" height="340" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod"></embed></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com"><br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find more on Baroness at:</p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">myspace.com/yourbaroness</span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stay tuned for more updates on Baroness, here as always, in the Continuum.</p>Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-44475643454734086352009-11-19T10:10:00.000-08:002009-11-20T15:25:39.408-08:00Q. and A. with Kava Kava of Britain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRETF3Ocv_awjTSuLCeQar1BmcO01hySHp8o3IQHfNt2qAJo4gV_wcSyLgyJFbo3E2fSoAHI4HT1gDGWvjKLa6WzsmZcM-cBEp93t9TYZ04jEJQSggxPXGFPzrueknYOj1lWW6MUwMoOM/s1600/Pat+eyes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRETF3Ocv_awjTSuLCeQar1BmcO01hySHp8o3IQHfNt2qAJo4gV_wcSyLgyJFbo3E2fSoAHI4HT1gDGWvjKLa6WzsmZcM-cBEp93t9TYZ04jEJQSggxPXGFPzrueknYOj1lWW6MUwMoOM/s320/Pat+eyes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405879797113231778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Q: Tell me about the origins of this band and how you came together. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: The original line up met at University in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. We shared a mutual love for deranged partying and all kinds of music.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Had a few releases on UK labels, for example Delerium Records (who established acts like Deadflowers, Porcupine Tree, Praise Space Electric) and my own label Chocolate Fireguard. We've toured all over Europe and played some pretty amazing festivals including Glastonbury Festival,</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Cork Jazz Festival in Ireland, Trutnov Festival (Czech Republic) Rockmarkt (Belgium). Toured China too. In 2007 I managed to get us on at SXSW in Texas and that lead to us being licensed by New York label Midnight Swimming- founded by publicist Paula Amato from Pai Media.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: To the unfamiliar readers, talk about your sound a bit. Does the term “psychedelic funk” fit accurately? Maybe “electronica” fits better? How would you describe your music?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: I'd say right now we are rock / electronica with added soul and psychedelic vibes! Its true to say that Kava Kava started out as a psychedelic funk band. UK mag NME referred to us as this, saying the music was like a cross between George Clinton and King Crimson (Discipline era). Early on we played gigs with bands like Porcupine Tree (but were probably a bit too freaky and funky for their audience).</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Since then we've developed the sound to incorporate electronica and dance genres. Our music is now very much at home in clubs and festivals.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: What are some of the elements you use to make such a unique (i.e psychedelic) sound? Sampling, bass, etc. Talk about how you use the various tools.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: Fundamentally the band is a 4 piece rock band set up- vocals, guitars, bass and drums. Most of the album was recorded in home studios using Cubase and Logic so it was really exciting to be able to add beats, real strings and brass sections, extra keys etc. Some of the album was recorded at Faust Studios in Prague. We then mixed the tracks down in various studios based in the North of England.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: It is said that the band has a 'revolving lineup.' Would you say that is accurate?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: I get musicians where I can, some are recruited in parks others from shopping malls. Seriously, we all do other projects, for example I'm singing for a lot of drum n bass projects at the moment eg Hospital Records acts London Elektricity, Logistics etc and recently with Tak over in Japan. I try to keep it the same line up for Kava Kava but we go out live as a six piece, which is quite a large line up - so there's a pool of musicians especially brass players.......</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: What has the transition in moving from Britain to the States been like? Living here now? Just touring here? Etc.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: We are still living in the North of England! Wouldn't mind spending some time in NYC or the Bay Area though!</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: How did you end up with songs on the show “Weeds” and the XBOX 360 game “stoked”? </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: In recent years I've been lucky enough to have been at a few music conferences in the States, sometimes with my own label Chocolate Fireguard or repping a few other music projects that I've been involved in. Kava Kava's first synch to US TV was "Weeds". Over at at SXSW I had a few beers with Amine - the first series music supervisor and she was interested in using "Don't Stop The Music" for the very first episode. Happy days there really. It's a dream for bands to get the chance to air their music in cult TV shows. "Weeds" was a particularly good show. I think it got a Golden Globe, right? This placement introduced us to the world of Synchs. We've worked with placement Agents who have helped - tracks in shows like "Dirt" (Courtney Cox) and "John From Cincinnati" followed. Also raunchy Hollywood independent film "Boys & Girls Guide To Getting Down" It's amazing for us to get in a show like "John From Cincinnati" when the only other tracks are from peeps like Bob Dylan, TV On The Radio, Kasabian, Elvis Costello, David Byrne, Joe Strummer, U2, Muse etc and its really helped draw attention to the band's music. This year it's been good to get our music into video games. Again meetings with contacts at conferences secured our music into the snowboarding game "Stoked" and last month "Bank Job" became a free track in iphone app "Tap Tap Revenge 3" which I understand is pretty good coverage.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: The new album came out this summer. I just finished listening to it and am completely blown away. What has the response to the album been? What have you been doing to support it?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: Thank you very much for that response. Appreciated. This particular album has only been released in the US so far, although a few singles like "Tic", "Bank Job" and "Don't Stop The Music" have been released worldwide on itunes already. The reaction has been very positive, lots of great US press but we are itching to get back to the States to do some touring in support of it. Any ideas?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: Talk about some of the lyrical concepts on the album. Have a favorite song or lyric?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: I'm feeling "Bank Job" right now. Lets face it, we've all been taken for a ride over these last few years! Also "Forwards" - we all need some love. If you find yourself in a situation where its repeatedly the opposite, then it's time to move on or change your surroundings.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: I am a metal head at heart, but I also love my experimental/psychedelic stuff. The album grabs me immediately with the start of “tic.” How do you come up with sounds like that? From there, what made you decide to lead off the album with that track?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A:With you there - us Kavas are partial to a bit of metal now and again too. About the sounds in "Tic"........... at one point the band was based at this old run down house in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. The house was a bit depressing - none of us had any money, but it was good because we could make a lot of noise there. The opening sound you hear on "Tic" is actually the sound of the taps and pipes shaking the house! We ran the water from the taps to the point when the pipes were making the worst possible noise and recorded them. It was a really nasty sound. From hell in fact. Jason manipulated this sound in the sampler! One of the reasons why "Tic" opens the album is due to the great response we've had from it being in shows like "John From Cincinnati" and "Dirt". The single, which I released on itunes on Chocolate Fireguard Records has done well in the States and we've enjoyed some really nice contact with people in America via the Myspace site who keep telling us they love the track .... So I figured it was a good idea to start the album with it.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: “Clarity” has drawn a lot of attention. What do you think it is about this song that draws people in?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: Thats good to know. I think having a video helps. Michael Slavens directed this for the label Midnight Swimming who are releasing the album for North America. I'm also hoping the track is more immediate than others have been in the past. Being self produced, we have a tendency to write longer songs, but "Clarity" is just over 4 minutes which is something of a breakthrough for us! I think lyrically its pretty straight forward and hard hitting too. I worked on the beats with Gav Whyte from "Nursery of Naughtiness.” I think the change of groove on this track gives us a different feel and it sounds pretty fresh. Christophe B helped us mix this one down in Manchester.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: “Everything” rocks pretty nicely. Tell me a bit about how that song comes together.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: Elements from a jam around a simple blues lick from Matt (Guitars). I changed the rhythm, added the vocals and a load more keys, organ sounds. Worked with Jason on the acid sounds and he worked the beats in - this time manually. The track was mixed on my laptop with the help of James Reid (Blue Amazon / Darcadian).</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Q: What is the future of this band? What is next?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A: World Domination! Off to play some gigs in Switzerland soon. We'd love to tour the States. We had such a great time at SXSW but that was a while ago. I think U2 should offer us a support next time they tour your Stadiums.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Want to know more about Kava Kava? Find them here:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/midnightswimming">www.myspace.com/midnightswimming</a> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Watch their video here:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJrJ-evjUsI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJrJ-evjUsI</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stay tuned for more from Kava Kava, her<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbjBUPWZZxYq28I9gWlIt-ehNdJJXUp3Ge4Xw5mQu5xjAc3KxN8V0KHtqX5MDh_CySppx5BTNSbuAgxBjLr4VKnNWPJY9ObkDgrcvonlHoAW24YItVaGQX8yBFT30iOXxV-qksGC9_OA/s1600/Larger+Press+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbjBUPWZZxYq28I9gWlIt-ehNdJJXUp3Ge4Xw5mQu5xjAc3KxN8V0KHtqX5MDh_CySppx5BTNSbuAgxBjLr4VKnNWPJY9ObkDgrcvonlHoAW24YItVaGQX8yBFT30iOXxV-qksGC9_OA/s320/Larger+Press+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405879588839482178" border="0" /></a>e as always, in the Continuum.</p>Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-23329645243645718952009-11-13T15:55:00.001-08:002009-11-18T14:53:22.043-08:00Up close and personal with Quinn Allman of The Used<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujw-9lAonmwZ1aTOlyttq8NWNLlp18lSOjmPfAznjSj3uRx50XgxOincOVmv022EVAa0ooaMt0HTp2n2TIsaYTCDzAD231viViy4pO9nwDKLmFX1vI2xWOBBD6HSLtwuFR7hUoF3KJGs/s1600-h/Me+and+Quinn+Allman+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujw-9lAonmwZ1aTOlyttq8NWNLlp18lSOjmPfAznjSj3uRx50XgxOincOVmv022EVAa0ooaMt0HTp2n2TIsaYTCDzAD231viViy4pO9nwDKLmFX1vI2xWOBBD6HSLtwuFR7hUoF3KJGs/s320/Me+and+Quinn+Allman+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403742983019097506" border="0" /></a><br /> This past Wednesday night, 11/11/09, I had the privilege of seeing The Used at the Warfield in San Fransisco. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I arrived at the venue at 3:30pm for a 7:00pm show. Why did I do this? Because I had an interview scheduled with Quinn Allman, guitarist of The Used. By my side was my friend and photographer Brett Gulbrandson. I have to admit I am a fan of the band, but having a true fanatic of the band like Brett with me gave me a lot of added confidence.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We were met by their tour manager around the back of the venue. We were invited down to the green room while we waited for Quinn to finish his sound check with the band. As we waited, I was a bit nervous. Soon enough, the tour manager came back in and advised us that it would be more quiet in the dressing room. We walked down a series of hallways until we were there. Turning a corner, there was Quinn. I have talked with a lot of rock- stars, but this was the first time in this type of environment.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I sat on the couch next to Quinn and began a conversation. (see photos). He seemed nervous or agitated at first, so I tried my best to put him at ease. This seemed to happen quickly. Next thing I knew, we were breezing through a great conversation about the band, the venue, the tour and how the heck he plays the verse of, “Buried myself alive.” Quinn turned out to be extremely nice, polite and thoughtful. I was very grateful for his time and the chance to talk to him.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Listen to the entire conversation here:</p><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTgxNTY5ODM4OTAmcHQ9MTI1ODE1Njk4NTg3NSZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><div style="margin-bottom: -7px;"><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" height="340" width="320"></embed></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/"><br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" height="20" width="60" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">20 minutes felt like five. I knew my time was running short. We got some photos with Quinn and told him what big fans we are, etc. (below is Quinn and Brett)<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvtPQhivAxOeq1KOEfOe8Y06gfuzAlMn0Io7pcFeeGtdtDb0CvGeQNHbN4WHFX5uEFA6r9cEGDphUAYj0qWVkFSwzrcdBPxQrTiZB_vEwcaNB0Xm1oR0LAs0X9E2HUUPlZ8pA_0c2FRA/s1600-h/Brett+and+Quinn+Allman.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvtPQhivAxOeq1KOEfOe8Y06gfuzAlMn0Io7pcFeeGtdtDb0CvGeQNHbN4WHFX5uEFA6r9cEGDphUAYj0qWVkFSwzrcdBPxQrTiZB_vEwcaNB0Xm1oR0LAs0X9E2HUUPlZ8pA_0c2FRA/s320/Brett+and+Quinn+Allman.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403742038890051794" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Within minutes, we were back out on the street with the rest of The Used fans, waiting to get into the show. The show turned out to be amazing, one of the best I've ever seen. Look for a review of the entire concert coming soon in the “Live and direct” section of this website.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stay tuned for more updates on The Used, here as always, in the Continuum.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Want More of The Used?</span><br />Feature - <a id="aptureLink_jbKeVP7nmP" href="http://cwgfeatures.blogspot.com/2009/11/two-nights-of-used.html">Two Nights OF The Used</a><br />CWG review of <a id="aptureLink_MK7CbNarEy" href="http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/used-artwork.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Artwork</span></a><br />CWG Review of <a id="aptureLink_iyMK7Y0mqh" href="http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/drive-loss-of-desire.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Loss Of Desire</span></a><br /><a id="aptureLink_SKAjhriUb9" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622703867809/">View all of Brett's photos of The Used</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_AGM2NaS9pM" href="http://cwgcoldiron.blogspot.com/2009/08/used-dan-whitesides-enters-continuum.html">Rock/Metal Editor, Jason Coldiron interviews Dan of The Used</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_VezDGh5p9l" href="http://cwgcoldiron.blogspot.com/2009/11/up-close-and-personal-with-quinn-allman.html">Rock/Metal Editor, Jason Coldiron interviews Quinn of The Used</a>Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-22493789146080139212009-11-13T14:39:00.000-08:002009-11-13T14:44:45.213-08:00Meet up and coming metal gods, "The Cyrus"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNKsG1A-TOO0wIlutEVO_C8ODwS_wXDK_CJ7bSw9Z_SbcgAK8W0cmMexS2W37uT91LtUf7GCSz18rAp1dEaigY59GxXQcmtgcCKUDcVP8MpeCrh8H2R1EWtc-bHW3Iw4CkCMuiJlQgc8/s1600-h/The+Cyrus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNKsG1A-TOO0wIlutEVO_C8ODwS_wXDK_CJ7bSw9Z_SbcgAK8W0cmMexS2W37uT91LtUf7GCSz18rAp1dEaigY59GxXQcmtgcCKUDcVP8MpeCrh8H2R1EWtc-bHW3Iw4CkCMuiJlQgc8/s320/The+Cyrus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403721947686123634" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --</style>As I continue my ongoing quest to discover up and comers in the metal scene, today I introduce you to “The Cyrus.” <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This is a band that caught my attention with their furious brand of screamo death metal. They are currently struggling to escape the confines of their home in Chicago, while recording more songs and building their fanbase. They are well on their way in this endeavor.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The origins of the band go back about three years with the first two members. They have a presence and maturity, combined with youthful energy that is amazing. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The band has come together and produced several songs, including the riveting “lattice of flesh,” which can be found in the free music section of this website. These guys are still so young and so raw, and already so powerful and dynamic. The sky is truly the limit for them.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I caught up with them recently after they finished a night practice session. Listen here for the entire conversation:</p><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTgxNTIxMjY2MDkmcHQ9MTI1ODE1MjEyODY4NyZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="margin-bottom:-7px;">
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<br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Along the way, they eloquently state that, “to be someone, you have to know someone.” Well, they know me and I'm telling you, you need to know them also. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It is exciting to have found these guys early on in their career. I look forward to watching them blossom in the coming months and years. Follow their success moving forward, here as always, in the Continuum.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find more on the Cyrus at: http://www.myspace.com/thecyrusmusic</p> Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-41017673433384770222009-11-10T16:55:00.000-08:002009-11-10T16:57:54.870-08:00Continuum conversation with Bobby Ellsworth of Overkill<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSX2gLwcqYTzRqmpO2wF6T64vwi3QNv3QvNv4AdauHIhFiXJtlv51tlhaFpQ0HVVBnyR4UVfSksyYO8xHkz37g48pxzCCdWsb6kR6CY_jW0oieOVnN4PswS8hMfPZO_3RzkpioCaIi84/s1600-h/Overkill.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSX2gLwcqYTzRqmpO2wF6T64vwi3QNv3QvNv4AdauHIhFiXJtlv51tlhaFpQ0HVVBnyR4UVfSksyYO8xHkz37g48pxzCCdWsb6kR6CY_jW0oieOVnN4PswS8hMfPZO_3RzkpioCaIi84/s320/Overkill.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402643795708165410" border="0" /></a>
<br />Today I spoke with Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth, vocalist of the legendary thrash metal band, Overkill. Overkill is a band that has been at it for over two decades, outlasting most of their peers. With this in mind, today I set out to talk to Bobby and find out what made his band and sound sustainable, what keeps him going today and what his plans for the future are. Along the way I'd find out what the current state of the band is, what is going on with the new record, and a bit more about Bobby personally.
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<br />It turns out that with a character like Blitz, it is relatively pointless to have a plan entering a conversation. Within a couple of minutes we had hit seven different topics and were all over the place. To a true metalhead, this was fantastic! Some of the stories interweave and tie together. The main points get through though. Bobby has seen and done it all and has the stories to prove it. He is one heck of a character.
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<br />You can read all about the details of their new album, their forthcoming tour, their signing with E1 records and all the standard stuff at the links below.
<br />If, however, you want to hear a real conversation with a real rocker about real life, listen here (you will not be disappointed):
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<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find more about Overkill at:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.wreckingcrew.com/crew/">http://www.wreckingcrew.com/crew/</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/overkill">http://www.myspace.com/overkill</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stay tuned for updates on Overkill in the coming year, here as always, in the Continuum.</p>
<br />Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-84859640015920618912009-11-06T12:00:00.000-08:002009-11-23T00:36:25.668-08:00Continuum conversation with Art Alexakis of Everclear<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBF-bwzZjxBDhV1QJ3AKCnJaVQLP09zxn92X3u3I19uZPncn0R6UifVSBmLrtG9iucxUWoBh2fYgSR10grFEJZ8nUy2rn3WLaEE4_FnEG-3tEyLsT2WJ57AxmNEMECARAxq_eot3koLU/s1600-h/Everclear+-+twitterpic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBF-bwzZjxBDhV1QJ3AKCnJaVQLP09zxn92X3u3I19uZPncn0R6UifVSBmLrtG9iucxUWoBh2fYgSR10grFEJZ8nUy2rn3WLaEE4_FnEG-3tEyLsT2WJ57AxmNEMECARAxq_eot3koLU/s320/Everclear+-+twitterpic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401083211778062450" border="0" /></a><br /><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }</style>This morning I got to speak with Art Alexakis, lead singer of Everclear. I could not have imagined how the conversation would go. I planned to ask him about the new album, <i>In a different light, </i><span style="font-style: normal;">which came out October 6</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span> This is an album that features many of their hits redone, many with different arrangements, reflecting how the songs have changed over time. We would talk about what it was like to re-record many of his hits and to work with new musicians. I would talk to him about the West Coast leg of his tour, which kicks off tonight at the Rialto Theater in Tuscon, Arizona and finishes November 19<sup>th</sup> at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There is a point about halfway through the conversation where we get disconnected. When we reconnect, the conversation goes in a completely different direction and I get inside his brain and heart.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What I could not have imagined was how personal he would be willing to get, how much he would let me in. By the time the conversation was over we were talking about parenting and not making the same mistakes both of our parents made in raising us. It turns out we have a lot in common. We talked about balancing career and personal lives, making choices and sacrifices for your kids and the toll his life as a musician took on his life as a Father and husband.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He plugged the new album and tour, which was expected, but the conversation took a major turn and I got a peek inside the mind of this musician that I've been following since I was a teenager. It helped me realize that he is not just a rock star, not just a musician. He's a person, like everyone else. He deals with many of the same problems we all face. He is real.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Listen here to the entire conversation. Enjoy what he has to say about his music, but also about his life.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTc1Mzc3MDgxNTYmcHQ9MTI1NzUzNzcxMTM1OSZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" height="0" width="0" border="0" /></p><div style="margin-bottom: -7px;"><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" height="340" width="320"></embed></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/"><br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" height="20" width="60" border="0" /></a><p></p><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } TD P { margin-bottom: 0in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The new album is out now and Everclear is on the West Coast leg of their tour.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find more on Everclear at:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="content_LETTER.BLOCK5"></a><br /></p> <center> <table width="600" bgcolor="#f9f9f9" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <col width="600"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="600"> <center> <table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <col width="600"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="600" bgcolor="#2d6f84"> <table width="100%" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <col width="256"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="100%"><a name="content_LETTER.BLOCK4"></a> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <col width="256"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="100%"> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;" align="center"><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102804099612&s=54299&e=001KZrp94oz79JAvzwF-1qC1b-KOqSEhEiZa_tVriX4e5rq1W_zJyV5QozIJU9Jr6Ib2hllMMa-ix9u7c9Ly3oTLTtL7JwXYHrUUe_hKN8wzGwUzC3q5v9LDQ==" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">www.everclearonline.com</span></span></span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br />FOLLOW EVERCLEAR ON TWITTER: <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102804099612&s=54299&e=001KZrp94oz79IbULk6tQhyQt_S6wU4jZDLl2Jw9DySBSe8S2F1L3LasuQzpo-NMyPPrNKTJoxp3r1KLlid9PiVZ6hayYTyqZzTNhgY1romAnpOQmAoFfkyiji4acixaKbt" target="_blank">@EverclearBand</a><br />OFFICIAL FACEBOOK: <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102804099612&s=54299&e=001KZrp94oz79KCMomwLxy7iyGdjjvjWdChGeSrLAdcoj1xxFJzrxsOhFmeEjjpAl50HPQ5IqjoPwAdU1QK9hbw0h7PUAKadZmpgTUxYZq0MG0HGIyCjsDSLnFF2SsP0cgE" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/everclear</a><br />OFFICIAL MYSPACE: <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102804099612&s=54299&e=001KZrp94oz79LCq1qJ8B60_dFcav5EYBWVX_U5FDDJn4S6l7kQdIIL9bBbjfAgMAWbm5C6oA-yDxxebbG8e35Q6-op4f0VwCirm3pqV-2S4Q0RCUPmoHj7hHPa7PefSeoN" target="_blank">www.myspace.com/everclear</a></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><br /> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </center> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </center><a href="http://cwgmp3.blogspot.com/2009/11/everclear-here-comes-darkness.html">http://cwgmp3.blogspot.com/2009/11/everclear-here-comes-darkness.html</a><br /><a href="http://cwgontour.blogspot.com/2009/11/everclear-new-lineup-new-tour-new-album.html">http://cwgontour.blogspot.com/2009/11/everclear-new-lineup-new-tour-new-album.html</a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stay tuned for updates on Everclear, here as always, in the Continuum.</p><br /><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Want more Everclear?</b><br />Download Everclear’s "<a id="aptureLink_OfhebOdTYB" href="http://everclear.culturejam.com/?">Here Comes The Darkness</a>"<br />Everclear Feature - <a id="aptureLink_wUUwBm40DY" href="http://cwgfeatures.blogspot.com/2009/11/10-reasons-why-everclear-is-still.html">10 Reasons Why Everclear is Still Relevant</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_s3679X9L2E" href="http://cwgcoldiron.blogspot.com/2009/11/continuum-conversation-with-art.html">Rock/Metal Editor, Jason Coldiron interviews Art Alexakis</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_cWLmVgiekR" href="http://cwgontour.blogspot.com/2009/11/everclear-new-lineup-new-tour-new-album.html">Everclear Tour News</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_CC8EODgtvL" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622693103497/">View all of Ed’s Everclear Photos (Roxy)</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_al8auemau2" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622821577946/">View All of Ed’s Everclear Photos (House of Blues)</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_2GeCfONn8j" href="http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/everclear-in-different-light.html">CWG's review of <i>In A Different Light</i></a> <i></i>Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-71368354130979083672009-11-03T13:59:00.000-08:002009-11-04T13:36:14.066-08:00Flawless Design, part 2: The running blog of the night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjWQbZ3CheIe2Zo39kVN8qGmAnw8LLQMcINf1MUgOEOInD_xT35rlVNRL7BhJBHnqi1Ka93tZFCc6V75sFOcvPqs_k87_Rd_a7jgvhSCwgkJvGmcwurzdV-S6kBm7HCYuPDuxxwx3nx8/s1600-h/band_promo_pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjWQbZ3CheIe2Zo39kVN8qGmAnw8LLQMcINf1MUgOEOInD_xT35rlVNRL7BhJBHnqi1Ka93tZFCc6V75sFOcvPqs_k87_Rd_a7jgvhSCwgkJvGmcwurzdV-S6kBm7HCYuPDuxxwx3nx8/s320/band_promo_pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400001118859546946" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --</style>How do you take a conversation that is over three hours long and condense it? How do you maintain its' essence? How do you trim some fat but keep all the goodies? I'm going to attempt to try right now. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Flawless Design was in my home a week ago. I recorded the conversation in its' entirety. The following is a running account of the evening, including some sound clips of the highlights. I hope you enjoy it!</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The conversation begins simply enough. Guitarist Jon Tobin and vocalist Patrick Lucas arrive before the rest of the band. The two of them, my coworker Brett and I begin some basic chat, getting to know each other, that kind of thing. Gradually, we start talking about the band. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We start with the basics, as Jon begins the story of how the band came to be. He talks about his first band experiences and his first attempts at forming a band. He speaks in detail about the many band members and incarnations they have gone through. I can relate to him on so many levels. He is talking about experiences that most bands go through. How some people flake out, others start strong and fade, others talk a big game but can't deliver and so on. He is honest as all hell. He knows he's being recorded, but that doesn't matter to him at all. He wants me to know. He wants me to understand. And I do... quickly. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As he reaches the point where Patrick (his cousin) joins the band, Patrick jumps into the conversation. It doesn't take long to feel where Patrick is coming from. He is sincere. He is a nice guy and it shines through. He is quickly interrupted as Jon works the phone trying to get the rest of the band over. The conversation shifts a bit to talking about Brett and I, our living situations and work. We tell them about us. They seem genuinely interested. They take interest in Brett's schooling and my (quasi) musicianship. After a few moments the other vocalist, Mason Lowe, arrives. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The conversation shifts back to the band. It doesn't take long to establish that in this band Patrick is more of a “singer” and Mason is more of a “screamer.” Having established this, I am fascinated by the dynamic. I start thinking in the back of my mind about all the things I want to ask them about how they make it work. Why does it work for them? I want to know. I catch myself and realize that patience is the key here.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As Mason joins the mix they continue to talk about the drama of how the band came to be. They talk at length about the many characters and musicians they came across, worked with, etc. Stories about people auditioning that couldn't even tune their own instruments, a bassist with only one pectoral muscle... these guys had gone through so much.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Gradually, the stories of how each band member came to be are revealed. I am riveted. The picture is coming together one piece at a time.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Along the way, some funny stories are told, both about the band and about myself. One golden note was Patrick talking about the importance of stage presence and putting on a show. “People want to be entertained,” he proclaimed. He touches on it early, but before the night is over it is clear that this is a core value of his.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The topic of where the band name comes from is discussed. Listen to that story here: (clip 1)
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTcyODU4NDc*MDYmcHQ9MTI1NzI4NTg*OTAzMSZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" border="0" width="0" height="0" /></p><div style="margin-bottom: -7px;">
<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" width="320" height="340"></embed></div>
<br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/">
<br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>
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<br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><p></p><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Bassist Blair Deleon and drummer Derek Rauh finally arrive, a stylish 45 minutes late. We all break. Mason has a cigarette. Vodka and shot glasses come out of the kitchen. With one stroke, the night becomes much more social and casual. At the same time, the arrival of the rest of the band means that more business is ahead. We are one hour into what turns out to be a three hour conversation.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Everyone reconvenes in the living room and the talk resumes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We quickly jump around from Slipknot's tendency to bang on kegs, to Seal somehow landing Heidi Klum, to my loud cat, to the Sunday night Football game on the TV in my living room. Jokes abound about the guys and a good time is had by all. We talk about recent shows we've all seen. I vow to match Mason shot for shot (which only turns out to be three).</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I am not surprised that it takes several minutes to get out of the fun talk and back into the music. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Soon enough, Derek is telling a story about how he met Patrick, which was backstage at a show where their two bands were playing. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Next comes a conversation about the six songs on their website. Each song is discussed. I ask them a lot of questions about the writing and recording processes. We talk about their favorite songs to play. Listen to that talk here: (clip 2)
<br /></p><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTcyODU5NzA*NjgmcHQ9MTI1NzI4NTk3NDAwMCZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" border="0" width="0" height="0" /><div style="margin-bottom: -7px;">
<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" width="320" height="340"></embed></div>
<br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/">
<br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>
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<br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They tell me all about how they write and record on their own. They pay for their own studio time. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They have fielded requests to be signed, but at this point are not ready to do so. I am surprised at first that they would shrug off such an opportunity. As I listen to them talk, it becomes clear. They have the desire and ability to do it on their own. They want to use current media formats, such as iTunes and myspace, to expand on their own. When the time comes and they are big enough, they will pursue management. Until then, they will self- promote, keep the overhead down and make it happen. They do not speak of this in loose terms. They have a plan and are happy with how they are carrying it out.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This leads to a talk about forms of media, how the technology has changed the business and how artists can use this to their advantage. The end result of this is the realization that 'albums' as we know them are dead. Hear that conversation here: (clip 3)
<br /></p><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTcyODYwNDg*NTMmcHQ9MTI1NzI4NjA1MjE*MCZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" border="0" width="0" height="0" /><div style="margin-bottom: -7px;">
<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" width="320" height="340"></embed></div>
<br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/">
<br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>
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<br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Next we discuss everyone's day jobs, such as students, personal trainers and health care workers. We share our stories of poverty, hard times and how they actually lead to greatness. We talk about a universal desire to be known as musicians and how nothing in the world matters more than music. Mason even claims he has known he wanted to be a musician since he was three years old (he follows this with another shot). It dawns on me that we are all bound and drawn together by our love of music. Looking around the room, it is in the air and we can all feel it.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Somehow we end up talking about my grand theory of how to change the world. This is a theory that revolves around making “Master of Puppets” and “Cowboys from Hell” required listening in High School. (Look for the details of that theory in a future column)</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Next, we all talk about the band's influences. They range from Jazz to blues to classic rock to European metal. Mudvayne, Incubus, Blink 182, Buddy Rich, Tool, Led Zeppelin, John Lee Hooker, Rage Against the Machine, many many more.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">From there the conversation moves to their interest in writing a ton of music early on. We talk about the “sophomore slump” that most bands go through. They want to record three albums before being signed. In doing so, they will maintain the sound, energy and hunger that they have now. They will have a wealth of material written before they gain fame and fortune, which will inevitably change them This seems like a novel idea and concept. I think it just might work. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We talk at length about the writing process. I probe them about how most of their songs come about. The unanimous sentiment is that the songs basically all start with Jon's guitar playing. They agree that Jon is the most established musician and the source of most of their original material. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is Jon over their heads as a musician? Listen here to find out: (clip 4)
<br /></p><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTcyODYxMTk4NTkmcHQ9MTI1NzI4NjEyMTkyMSZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" border="0" width="0" height="0" /><div style="margin-bottom: -7px;">
<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" width="320" height="340"></embed></div>
<br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/">
<br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>
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<br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Eventually, I ask them about their favorite songs to play. I had spent many hours listening to their music and so I wanted to know what it feels like for them to play. In their response, I end up getting a story (mostly from Patrick) about the concepts of the band, their artistic vision and “The Flawless Design.” Here are their thoughts on this: (clip 5)
<br /></p><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTcyODYyMTI1NzgmcHQ9MTI1NzI4NjIxNTIzNCZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" border="0" width="0" height="0" /><div style="margin-bottom: -7px;">
<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" width="320" height="340"></embed></div>
<br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/">
<br /><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>
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<br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This closed out an incredible night. I learned so much about these guys and this band (and maybe myself as well). I see big things in their future. You can count me in on their bandwagon. These guys are going to be stars. They are going to change the world. I am blessed to know them so early on.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Learn more about Flawless design at: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/341964248">http://www.myspace.com/341964248</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Check out part one of this article for more.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Listen to their single, "Rooted down" in the free music section of this website.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Look for a review next week of their show this Saturday night at the Boardwalk in Orangevale, Ca, here as always, in the Continuum.</p>
<br />Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-13471066948124845062009-11-03T13:40:00.001-08:002009-11-03T13:42:13.601-08:00Sean Peck of Cage re- enters the Continuum<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSicIFGkYaI6Jt5DNG-jPY_-IXZcjwhjQtXeFrNaxc4OAkDTozsZ0PIeiI71-8m6ye4Zh3IHE_s4fCCO4B7Jldf51d5g5lE36UNU2RQP1eCiF4Tsg_Zc3mDZFJ7d_N05Gt9KhYNxDXus/s1600-h/CAGE+band+photo+%282009%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSicIFGkYaI6Jt5DNG-jPY_-IXZcjwhjQtXeFrNaxc4OAkDTozsZ0PIeiI71-8m6ye4Zh3IHE_s4fCCO4B7Jldf51d5g5lE36UNU2RQP1eCiF4Tsg_Zc3mDZFJ7d_N05Gt9KhYNxDXus/s320/CAGE+band+photo+%282009%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399995640441509874" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --</style>Two months ago I got to speak with Sean Peck, lead singer of “Cage.” We had an incredible conversation. Sean is a heck of a character. At the time, I had just begun recording interview conversations. The result was a recording that was very shaky and couldn't be edited. I had to transpose the entire interview. Much of Sean's character was lost in the translation. Flash forward to the present and things have changed. I have all my equipment in order and optimized. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As promised at the time, Sean agreed to join me once again. Today we spoke about all things Cage. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We covered:</p> <ul><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The big Prog Power USA show they played September 11<sup>th</sup>.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The 'summer of Cage.'</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Plans for the new record and its' development.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Comic book characters and their connection to music.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The pro's and con's of Nickelback.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Bands to watch in the coming decade.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Sean the standup comic.</p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Twitter twitter twitter!</p> </li></ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I could tell you so much more, but better to hear it from Sean. More of the artist and less of me is never a bad thing. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So, enjoy the conversation here:</p><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTcyODQ*OTU3NTAmcHQ9MTI1NzI4NDUwMjE3MSZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="margin-bottom:-7px;">
<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" width="320" height="340" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="plugins=viral-1&viral.link=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com&height=340&file=http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com/mrss_stream.xml&playlist=bottom&playlistsize=80&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod"></embed></div>
<br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podOmatic.com">
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<br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find more about Cage at: </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><b>www.sonicbids.com/cageheavymetal
<br />cage@heavymetal.com </b></u> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> This was his second visit to the Continuum and I expect to hear from him again sometime in the new year.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> Watch for all things 'Cage' here as always, in the Continuum.</p> Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-7105327364967194352009-11-02T15:12:00.000-08:002009-11-02T15:27:57.000-08:00Podcast interview with Dave from "Throwdown"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv8S43rwasiE_Nhyf3YxZLoOvMo1L0xpcrbmFreSUJkBo1sXX-mggRKlO9MFz-uL009awuxzOJs0nDAPNdZkTBwlPNiNfRFcroBOfTsy3aTe8PNIXd5H9H6X1-Ip2Nomppplve-rki2k/s1600-h/Throwdown_-_Deathless_artwork.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv8S43rwasiE_Nhyf3YxZLoOvMo1L0xpcrbmFreSUJkBo1sXX-mggRKlO9MFz-uL009awuxzOJs0nDAPNdZkTBwlPNiNfRFcroBOfTsy3aTe8PNIXd5H9H6X1-Ip2Nomppplve-rki2k/s320/Throwdown_-_Deathless_artwork.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399648395896072818" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --></style>Throwdown is a metal band out of Orange County. They have existed in many forms since the 90's and in their current form for the last several years. They have a versatile style of metal that draws comparisons to Slipknot and Sepultura, among others. Next week their latest release, “Deathless” hits stores. (See the all things heavy column for a review of that album). They will be supporting the album with a tour of smaller Cities, being backed by Bury Your Dead. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Today I spoke with lead singer Dave about all things Throwdown. You will find that Dave is intelligent, insightful and colorful. He has a unique and interesting take, noting that “music should inspire thought, not require it.”</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Listen here for the full conversation:</p><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTcyMDM1NDcwMDAmcHQ9MTI1NzIwMzY1MjA2MiZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="margin-bottom:-7px;">
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<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As we speak, the band is preparing for the new tour and release of the new album.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find more on Throwdown at: </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/throwdown">http://www.myspace.com/throwdown</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">twitter.com/throwdown</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stay tuned for updates on the band, here as always, in the Continuum.</p>
<br />Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-64474077222327558202009-10-28T12:42:00.000-07:002009-10-28T13:05:27.655-07:00The Continuum discovers Sacramento's Flawless Design<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQGyqQTYviiHy0MpGy9Hoov-wc5x_s7nGKkPI3GAFssX3k7Ol8xK9tcXXv9FlRACKQarMHvPVmAATfIyOlGvwjfYHQBOOy9oz_skccM_1WU_67oXhW7ZMH_U5NVMJAYTmj-8eoaXHPig/s1600-h/band_in_the_ruins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQGyqQTYviiHy0MpGy9Hoov-wc5x_s7nGKkPI3GAFssX3k7Ol8xK9tcXXv9FlRACKQarMHvPVmAATfIyOlGvwjfYHQBOOy9oz_skccM_1WU_67oXhW7ZMH_U5NVMJAYTmj-8eoaXHPig/s320/band_in_the_ruins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397738843487229858" border="0" /></a>I've been a professional writer for many years. I have been a lover of music forever. I became a music journalist because I wasn't a good enough musician to make it in that walk. I live and breathe music with every beat of my heart and breath of my lungs. I get excited about a lot of things musically. What happened this past Sunday night will rank among the greatest experiences of my life. This is one of those stories that changes the way the script goes.<br /><br />It began with me setting up an interview with the Sacramento based band, “Flawless Design.” I miss connected with them a couple of times in the last month. In one case, they were out of town. In another case, I was assigned another work project last minute and had to reschedule once again. I kept chasing. I wanted to make this happen. This time, it finally came together.<br /><br />For a solid three hours they were here in my living room. Technically, it was an interview, but it was so much more. For three hours the seven of us (the five band members, my business partner and myself) sat and talked music, life, business, school, work and even some politics. I got into their heads (and they into mine) on a level I could not have expected.<br /><br />When I interview bands (which I do a lot) I try to go into it with a different mindset than many journalists. My perspective is that my job is to have a conversation. I am a guide, not an attraction myself. I want to bring out the personality, character, artistic vision and truth of the band. I want to know what makes them who they are and “to find out what makes great music possible.”<br /><br />On this night, I got all of that and more. These guys did not have “rock star” attitudes by any stretch. They didn't have an agenda, they weren't trying to sell me anything. Instead, they showed me their truth. They let me in. I'd like to think that a lot of this was because of me, how I treated them and how I spoke to them. That may or may not be true, but that's not the point. The point was them. They sat on my couch and talked to me. They treated me as one of their own. I was not the enemy. I was not media. I was not a journalist. I was not an inconvenience.<br /><br />I was just like them.<br /><br />I was just another person whose greatest life passion is a love of music. By the end of the night, I believe I understood why they are a band. I understood why their music is great. I understood why they're going to get where they want to go. I understood what makes their great music possible. I could see that their success in music is so very similar in creation to my success as a writer. It is a combination of two major factors. One is a deep seated love of music and a desire to express that love. The second is a work ethic that is true and sincere and is brought to the surface for the right reasons. If they never make money with their band they are going to be just fine. They have a passion that transcends money or any material gain. These guys truly do what they do because they love it.<br /><br />They are just like me.<br /><br />They are playing out of Sacramento and doing everything on their own, from the music to promoting and everything in between. They pay their own money for studio time to lay down their songs. They do not compromise in the recording process. If they have to come back and re- do a song, they do it. If they need to re- track, they do it. They are currently not looking for management, as they want to do as much as possible on their own.<br /><br />Their efforts are well worth it, as they have defined their own sound. In comparing them to other bands, the first that come up would be Incubus (especially with vocalist Patrick Lucas) and Tool. There is definitely also a taste of Rage Against the Machine in them, particularly lyrically. To my ears, they are the music of Incubus with the lyrical content of Rage.<br /><br />The dual vocal style employed by the band suits their music beautifully. Patrick Lucas brings more of a true singer's touch, while Mason Lowe brings the lower, growling, screamo aspect. They work both as individuals and in tandem creating beautiful symmetry. Drawing on music, art, life, politics, school, and each other, the two of them write lyrics with meaning and purpose. They have stories to tell. They have points to make and lessons to teach... and they can make their ideas sing- literally.<br /><br />Lowe is the closest thing to a rock star personality in the group. He talks shit (more than average), he takes smoke breaks, he shoots vodka when offered. At the same time, his music intelligence and business knowledge are off the charts. He knows he is talented. He knows he is a key player in an amazing group. And yet, he still comes across as humble. He seems to appreciate how lucky he is to be where he is. He loves music more than anything.<br /><br />Playing the foil to Lowe is Lucas. Lucas shares the love for music that everyone in this band has. He is talented, to say the least. Singing is something he is great at, but it seems more like a means to an end. In talking to him, my impression was that his natural drive is to want to change the world. If he couldn't sing, I would expect him to be a teacher or philosopher. In the 60's he would have been a hippie on the streets holding anti- war signs. This band gives him what his good heart and brain so desperately need: an outlet to express his wealth of knowledge and emotions. Through his lyrics and singing he has found one outlet for his creative energy. I am looking forward to providing him another forum for what he has to say. (stay tuned)<br /><br />Leading the way musically are the phenomenal guitar chops of Jon Tobin. He is arguably the most experienced member of the band. He has a way about his speech that demands attention. He doesn't speak loud, but when you hear him talk, you can't stop listening. As soon as his mouth opens, everyone stops joking around and listens to him. He sounds like James Hetfield in his speaking voice and understated authority. He has been around the block and learned from his experiences. He is able to play any number of styles for any situation. His band- mates look to him as the source of origin for their music. To a man, they agree that his riffs are the basis for most of their songs. The rest is filled in around his one- of- a- kind guitar work.<br /><br />Holding down the low end is bassist Blair DeLeon. When I asked him, and the band, about his style they said that he definitely holds down the low end and also plays the role of the rhythm guitar (as there isn't one in this band). At 18 years old, I wouldn't call him a prodigy, but he definitely plays far beyond his years. I have been playing bass for almost as long as Blair has been alive and I have to admit his skills with the instrument are far superior to mine. He draws on his main influence, Blink 182 and definitely has that vibe about him as well. In this band he and his instrument play a complementary role. I have little doubt that in time he will be a leader, whether in this band or in the world and his life.<br /><br />Filling out the band and holding it all together is drummer Derek Ruuh. Ruuh is a longtime friend of DeLeon. In fact, he recruited DeLeon to the band. Their similarities only begin with their age. It is their maturity and musical knowledge that defines them. When asked about some of his favorite drummers and influences, Ruuh spills out a list of jazz musicians and drummers from the 60's. Buddy Rich is his favorite drummer ever. I find myself asking, “what 18 year old listens to that kind of music?” The answer is that Ruuh does. His responses are not just talk, he lives it. The evidence is in his playing, which is far more complicated than what you might expect from a drummer in a metal band.<br /><br />I bring up the ages of DeLeon and Ruuh only to make a point. If these guys are this knowledgeable and talented at this age, how good are they going to be in five years? In ten years? The ceiling for these guys is set absurdly high, in my humble (expert) opinion.<br /><br />Grouping these two amazing young talents with the guitar wizardry of Tobin and the artistic vision and expression of Lowe and Lucas... even modestly speaking, there is no limit to how good these guys can be. How high is the ceiling for this band? As high as they want, and I believe they want a lot.<br /><br />It is one thing to have ability. It is quite another to have a vision that can lead a person (or group) beyond where they are. All the elements are in place here. Put in a room with their instruments, I have no doubt they could do anything they want. The only force that could possibly stop them from achieving their dreams is themselves. Bet on that. I will.<br /><br />Stay tuned for part two next week, which will be my running blog of my conversation with them.<br /><br />Hear their song, "Rooted down" on the free mp3 section of this website.<br /><br />Learn more about them here: http://www.myspace.com/341964248<br /><br />Flawless Design is now a major friend of Chicks with Guns... and of the continuum.Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-20126701414307617632009-10-27T12:21:00.000-07:002009-10-27T12:35:25.506-07:00Talking shit with Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfyEyGXLjWPC68ZkHf1GxVD6rAvEwCEtnUABhTjlJJS-IP4rgxN8u0CDxDFNCvHaqOrQd4MY01snSXgjLZ5aeq9tAZ_izCBd8jl6CWdtscL0ZsGPb-lOqL6OIhSm_Y2yJwkUqIdHdRQs/s1600-h/The+Lawrence+arms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfyEyGXLjWPC68ZkHf1GxVD6rAvEwCEtnUABhTjlJJS-IP4rgxN8u0CDxDFNCvHaqOrQd4MY01snSXgjLZ5aeq9tAZ_izCBd8jl6CWdtscL0ZsGPb-lOqL6OIhSm_Y2yJwkUqIdHdRQs/s320/The+Lawrence+arms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397365295366090242" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --></style>Today I spoke with Brendan Kelly of the Lawrence Arms. The Lawrence Arms is a punk rock band out of Chicago with attitude to burn. Brendan is the bassist and one of the vocalists in the band. They are notorious for running their mouths. While some may find them offensive, the truth is that they aren't looking for trouble, they just talk about things that they see that are wrong. Really, isn't this what punk rock is all about? <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Kelly's anti- Bush sentiments landed him on the daily Show with Jon Stewart. They also ended up with a song on the 2004, “Rock against Bush, vol 2” collaboration album, which featured songs by Green Day, Foo Fighters, Rancid, Dillinger Four and many others.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They were kicked off of the warped tour for talking so much shit. Come to find out, he was just complaining about a situation that was obviously wrong. This topic became a source of creative material, generating the lyrics, “<i>These thieves in their flip-flops and bro attitudes are the very reason we do what we do, When I say ‘fuck the man’, it’s what I believe, No matter who that man happens to be</i>…”</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Brendan and I talked about the new album, the origins of the band, living a family life, fighting injustice, politics and the current tour. Listen here to the entire conversation:</p><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTY2NzIwNTg1MTUmcHQ9MTI1NjY3MjA2MDMxMiZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="font-size:15;font-weight:bold;font-family:arial; width:320px; border:2px outset #DCDCDC; padding: 5px">
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<br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmMTIzMjE3MyUyZjExMjMzOTE=" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Their new record is called, “Buttsweat and Tears” and hits the stores today.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find more from the Lawrence Arms at: </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thelawrencearms">http://www.myspace.com/thelawrencearms</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.fatwreck.com/"><span style="color:#1f497d;"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" >www.fatwreck.com</span></span></span></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" >The Lawrence Arms is another member of the Fat Wreck family and friend of the Continuum. Stay tuned for more from them, as well as updates on the tour here at Chicks With Guns.</span></span></span></p> Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-7135790933251650062009-10-23T14:28:00.000-07:002009-10-23T14:30:25.936-07:0010 minutes with Keith Whallen of Adelita's Way<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7QIe2Rasm2MWBfWit43AMCF7FilIH8VDgYcsrnlPuior93xViphCMvtQJnYrOyWZFFqFnFqC3N-SD9iXSmY34Z9GcEfGnlnZmIiRBjAg1r0XxmJbQn6hFma94QnzNolgcJ2kh8Bc738/s1600-h/Adelitas+Way.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7QIe2Rasm2MWBfWit43AMCF7FilIH8VDgYcsrnlPuior93xViphCMvtQJnYrOyWZFFqFnFqC3N-SD9iXSmY34Z9GcEfGnlnZmIiRBjAg1r0XxmJbQn6hFma94QnzNolgcJ2kh8Bc738/s320/Adelitas+Way.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395910668124769730" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --></style>Adelita's Way is a hard rock band playing out of Las Vegas. They are a story that began with lead singer Rick DeJesus moving from Philadelphia to Vegas and creating a band. Things came together quickly for them, leading to their self titled debut album coming out this past July. Their time since then has been a whirlwind. The single “Invincible” from their album has blown up and connected with many people. It's the kind of song that many people find to be motivating and energizing. It has been featured on Monday Night Football, WWE Superstars, the upcoming WWE video game and CSI Miami. Tonight they are in Tennessee on one of the last shows of their current tour playing with Shinedown. Next month brings an even bigger tour that will see them sharing the stage with Breaking Benjamin. Signed to Virgin Records, with a great album and single out, they look poised to remain a force for the foreseeable future. <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Today I spoke with rhythm guitar player Keith Wallen. Keith was knowledgeable and insightful, telling stories of the band's history, how the album came together and what the road has been like. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Listen here for the full interview:</p><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTYzMzMzODI5MjEmcHQ9MTI1NjMzMzM4NDY1NiZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="font-size:15;font-weight:bold;font-family:arial; width:320px; border:2px outset #DCDCDC; padding: 5px">
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<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Find Adelita's Way at: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/adelitasway">http://www.myspace.com/adelitasway</a> and stay tuned for more from Adelita's way, here as always in the Continuum.</p> Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-14447229087662103772009-10-23T12:36:00.001-07:002009-11-17T13:07:34.661-08:00Interview with Chad Butler of Switchfoot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaQqx_nmFZWolRtZocUm2xP6i9lWulGVrt4sslKDPuHFf5OltDgX7JOD-RCR5gOLzseyTnqL8P2IZQoFQbWEzrb6UjWDINZr_-k6dZqUdw4qFc5de5KQM6ZJWrTcJ0s8wCbn1mnCpaes/s1600-h/switchfoot_img01_hires.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaQqx_nmFZWolRtZocUm2xP6i9lWulGVrt4sslKDPuHFf5OltDgX7JOD-RCR5gOLzseyTnqL8P2IZQoFQbWEzrb6UjWDINZr_-k6dZqUdw4qFc5de5KQM6ZJWrTcJ0s8wCbn1mnCpaes/s320/switchfoot_img01_hires.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395881809210305986" border="0" /></a><br /><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --></style><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Today I spoke with Chad Butler of Switchfoot. Coming from San Diego with a love of rock and surfing, Switchfoot was created. Ten years and six albums later they bring <i>Hello Hurricane</i>, the landmark album for the band. </span></span></span><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The highlights of our conversation included:</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The origins of the band.</span></span></span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Building their own studio.</span></span></span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Writing an album they love.</span></span></span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The creative process, writing great songs.</span></span></span></p> </li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Working with Bro Am.</span></span></span></p> </li></ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Chad was a pleasure to talk with and was very insightful. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Listen to it here:</span></span></span></p><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTYzMjY2NzU4NDMmcHQ9MTI1NjMyNjY3ODc4MSZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWJiNDJiZTkxOTllZDRiOTE5NGMxMjlkYWRkODhiN2JjJm9mPTA=.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><div style="border: 2px outset rgb(220, 220, 220); padding: 5px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; font-family: arial; width: 320px;"><br /><div><br /> <div style="float: left;"><a href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/entry/2009-10-23T12_36_30-07_00" style="text-decoration: none;" title="Chad Butler from Switchfoot">Chad Butler from Switchfoot</a></div><br /><br /> <div style="float: left;"><a href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/" style="text-decoration: none; color: gray;" title="Jason Coldiron's Podcast">Jason Coldiron's Podcast</a></div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="margin-bottom: -5px;"><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.podomatic.com/swf/jwplayer44.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=20&width=320&file=UDS9/-4/1f/03/coldironjason/media/2280304.mp3&streamer=rtmp://streams.podomatic.com/vod" height="20" width="320"></embed><br /></div><br /><div><a target="coldironjason" href="http://coldironjason.podomatic.com/entry/2009-10-23T12_36_30-07_00"><img src="http://www.podomatic.com/images/share/player_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3dpbGRmaXJlLmdpZ3lhLmNvbS93aWxkZmlyZS93ZnBvcC5hc3B4P21vZHVsZT1lbWFpbCZ1cmw9aHR*cCUzYSUyZiUyZnd3dy5wb2RvbWF*aWMuY29tJTJmcG9kY2FzdCUyZmVtYmVkJTJmY29sZGlyb25qYXNvbiUyZjExMTc2MjE=" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" height="20" width="60" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Look for the new album coming out in November and stay tuned here for more updates here as always, in the Continuum.</span></span></span></p> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br />Want More Switchfoot?</span><br />Jason Coldiron's <a id="aptureLink_ccVnRoWn4f" href="http://cwgcoldiron.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-with-chad-butler-of.html">Interview With Switchfoot's Chad Butler</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_LWfOqhY8tz" href="http://cwgliveanddirect.blogspot.com/2009/11/switchfoot-roxy-1111-sold-out-show.html">Show Review - Roxy (Sold Out Show)</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_3fubNXPUBH" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622813624958/">View all of our Switchfoot Photos (Roxy)</a><br /><a id="aptureLink_OydhTJast3" href="http://cwghottickets.blogspot.com/2009/10/switchfoot-roxy-1111.html">News/Tour Dates</a><br />Review of <span style="font-style: italic;">Hello Hurricane</span> (Coming Soon)Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222676155459864791.post-77191856446013729052009-10-22T09:34:00.000-07:002009-10-22T09:36:16.834-07:00Album Review: Beyond the Shore, "The Arctic Front"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ysG6I-OclTTQcFI-hW3Fp6EfrF6cPKNtWpadcxV4Q5zo4xKHZiCkx9bwOD3RezW4G1ihtq6zXX7_zI0y1yqSHeYRm5KfslPclM_sBByQk8d8zLHjFEQjYHUK8swEgwrE1acfKcZlwtk/s1600-h/beyond+the+shore.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ysG6I-OclTTQcFI-hW3Fp6EfrF6cPKNtWpadcxV4Q5zo4xKHZiCkx9bwOD3RezW4G1ihtq6zXX7_zI0y1yqSHeYRm5KfslPclM_sBByQk8d8zLHjFEQjYHUK8swEgwrE1acfKcZlwtk/s320/beyond+the+shore.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395463810319665922" border="0" /></a><br />About a month ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew from “Beyond the Shore.” This is a band that blurs the boundaries between Christian rock and hardcore metal. Talking with Andrew was great. During that conversation we talked about their coming album, The Arctic Front. The album is now available through youtube and iTunes. Following up with the band, I was excited to sit down and take in the new album. Here are my thoughts as I listened to it.<br /><br />The album begins with the title track, “The Arctic Front.” The songs sets the stage for the rest of the album with driving drums, screamo vocals and sweet guitars. I hear elements of many great metal bands. The transitions maintain the power of the song seamlessly. The running guitar part starting around the 2:20 mark is smooth and fast and leads to a winding down end of the song. Good stuff!<br /><br />“The Higher.” Quick and brutal vocals highlight this number. The lyrics are also great here, grabbing me with, “Upon us now, a land of fire and ice. With an eye for deceit and a heart of piracy. A burning essence, a sacred burial. For the call for blood was too great.”<br /><br />“Shotgun Sunrise.” Once again we get a fast and brutal start that never lets up. Growling, screaming vocals over top of smooth guitars with escalating complexity. The song hits a plateau in the middle, which turns out to be the calm before the storm. From there the explosion continues and chaos reigns.<br /><br />“Thrown to the Sharks.” This song actually takes it's time (20 seconds) to get going. From there, the fury continues. I particularly like the transition lyrics, “Thrown to the waves, humanity has brought this land to its ruins.....the blood leaks in. Thrown to the sharks.” The song also has some 'singing' as opposed to just screaming... that runs it's course and the screaming continues.<br /><br />“Order of Oceans.” Beginning with a nice guitar lead in and some melodic moments and then building to climax, this is a balanced song. The guitars remain hard and strong, but are perhaps the most complex and intricate of any song on the album. I really love the guitar breakdown around the 2:30 mark.<br /><br />“Descendants.” At 1:19, this is the shortest song on the album. It is entirely instrumental and calming (compared to the rest of the album at least). It feels like coming up for a quick breath while swimming. It really provides balance to the album and puts a nice wrapping on the package that is 'The Arctic Front.' This is a well- timed song, well designed and well conceived. It is a fitting end to this hour of great metal.<br /><br />Having only heard a couple of songs by this band before hearing this album, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was very happy I had the chance to give this a listen. The trademark elements of metal are definitely here, but there is more to it than that. This is not just six great songs. As most great albums are, it is an exercise of the mind, taking the listener on a journey that includes a buildup, climax and resolution. The album appeals to both the metal- head in me and the artist in me.<br /><br />I give this album three guns. I recommend it to any hard rock or metal fan. Maybe most importantly, this was not the last time I'll be listening to this album. I'll be looking forward to taking this journey again soon.<br /><br />Beyond the Shore is a friend of the continuum. Stay tuned for more from them in the future, here as always.Jason Coldironhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17872754972367325201noreply@blogger.com0