Monday, January 28. 2008
 Finally..... It's finally here. After expected release dates in August 2007, and then September and November Fortress is set for release on Jan 29, 2008. I promise.
How exactly does one follow-up something as genre defining/defying as 2006's Kezia?
From the first dissonant bleats of "Bloodmeat" you know PTH has not strayed far from what made their debut album a masterpiece. Songs shoehorned together by an ADHD sufferer performed by idiot savants with mind numbing musical prowess. Over all the mayhem, potty mouthed Rody Walker manages to sing/howl/growl surprisingly smart lyrics.
What they have done is increase the production values, pen even smarter lyrics, and Rody's vocals have developed an admirable range. No longer limited to metal growls or nasal whine we get actual singing and layered harmonies (along with the metal growl and nasal whine).
The album is divided into two distinct parts. The first, entitled "On Conquest and Capture", is seven songs deep. The lead off track, "Bloodmeat", just owns from the seizure inducing into to the outro riff which grinds and chugs begging for raised fists and flying bodies. Then it's on to "The Dissentience" which raises the intensity level and teeters on the edge of some tricky time signatures. Only two songs in and I can't begin to count how many distinct riffs and time signatures have been thrown at the listener. This is Protest and they continue to weave an enthralling tapestry before crescendoing on "Spoils".
"Isosceles" is comprised of only three songs and has a much more flamboyant rock opera type vibe. I can't get into this as much as the septet that came before. It is a cool look at Protest The Hero exploring some new ideas and directions.
If you didn't like Kezia you probably won't like Fortress. If you didn't like Kezia you probably need to get a clue anyway.
What the boys in Protest have done is craft and album which is an evolution from Kezia not a reprise . What I love about Protest is that they mix jaw dropping musical prowess with intelligent lyrics, and just enough pop sensibility creeps in to afford them a wider appeal.
Sunday, January 27. 2008
Robin Trower at La Zona Rosa - more photos...
photo by Jeff Barringer - staff photographer |
If it wasn't for Austin's anti-smoking ordinance tonight could have been 1974 all over again as Austin's Van Wilks and the legendary Robin Trower (founding member of Procol Harum) burned down the house at Austin's La Zona Rosa. During Trower's roaring 20+ minute epic "Bridge of Sighs", all that was missing was the roiling clouds of stale, cheap, pot smoke wafting onstage. Don't let Robin's age fool you, his fingers are as nimble as a teenagers. Lick for lick I think you could put him against any blues guitarist on the road today and he would leave them hacking in his dust. Not too bad for a guy that started his music career in 1962, played Woodstock, and just plain survived the trials and travails of the industry, unlike so many of his peers.
Robin will be on tour here in the states until April 5th and then he hops the pond to do a European tour that doesn't wind up til May 31st. For a complete look at his tour schedule check out Robin's web site at http://www.trowerpower.com. To check out pics from the show, check out our photo gallery.
On to SXSW 2008 news...
Well according to my sources it looks like the place to be Saturday night for most people will be Stubb's, IF you can get in and IF you can stand the packed crowd. First off you have the psychedelic stylings of Austin's poet-laureate-guide to the 60's, the incomparable Roky Erickson, with The Explosives. Then next up you have the brothers Robinson, and their wayward gang of musicians, The Black Crowes. Finally, the talk of SXSW, this years up and coming band from Athens, Ga., and the only man in the U.S. that can match Morrisey blow for blow in angst, Micheal Stipe and R.E.M. will close the showcase. What a neat show if you can get in. Only in Austin. Only during SXSW!
I have that as confirmed. Something I don't have confirmed yet, and I am working on, is the Ice Cube SXSW gig at Auditorium Shores. I have it from 2 sources that he is playing, just not 100% firm on the venue. Can't mark him as confirmed yet til he or SXSW announces.
I regret I have not updated the big list in a few days, but promise to spend a few hours updating it. I
want to thank everyone out there that linked to me, especially the guys over at showburner.com.
If I hear it, you'll hear it. To check out the latest rumors and confirmed bands coming to SXSW Click Here To Check Out The SXSW 2008 Band List!
Technorati Tags: SXSW, Black Crowes, R.E.M., Roky Erickson, Ice Cube, Stubb's, confirmed, rumor
Wednesday, January 23. 2008
Arif Mirabdolbaghi of Protest The Hero - more photos...
photo by clint gilders - staff photographer |
Protest The Hero
Genre: thrash/progressive/metal
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
http://www.myspace.com/protestthehero
Saturday, March 8 8:00 p.m.
w/ Silverstein, Devil Wears Prada, A Day to Remember
Emo's (Main Stage) (6TH AND RED RIVER)
One of the loudest bands I have ever heard, Canada's Protest The Hero has a new record, Fortress, and a new tour. While they won't be here for the music portion of SXSW, patrons of the film and interactive portions of the festival can check out their set at Emo's on the opening Saturday night. We got a chance to talk with Arif Mirabdolbaghi, who provides the deep bass thwack for the band, about the new album, their tour, and their influences. Click on the "continued" link below to listen to the interview.
Continue reading "Podcast: Interview with Arif of Protest The Hero"
Tuesday, January 22. 2008
The Drive home from Toronto on Dec, 16th, 2007
photo by clint gilders - staff photographer
The Drive home from Toronto on Dec, 16th, 2007
photo by clint gilders - staff photographer
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If you were among the few brave souls who made it to the Alexisonfire show in Toronto on December 16th, well guess what? You don't get to come on Friday!!
Those who wussed out and didn't make it to the Arrow Hall during the worst snow storm in recorded history can redeem their ticket this Friday at The Sound Academy (formerly The Docks).
I was one of those that wussed out. I was in Toronto on the 15th with plans to take my wife home to Peterborough on the 16th, and then head back to T.O. for the show. When it took 3+ hours for the usual 1 1/4 hour drive I thought better of my return to Toronto.
Opening for Alexisonfire are upstarts Arkells and Quest For Fire. On their choice of openers Alexisonfire had this to say:
We thought that since this was a fun show to do, we would pick two bands that don't sound anything like us. Two bands that are just getting their feet wet. Two bands that are local and that we are all big fans of.
We'll see you there. Fingers crossed for decent weather.
Monday, January 21. 2008
Jason McMaster of Broken Teeth - more photos...
photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
Broken Teeth
Genre: Rock / Rock / Rock
Hometown: Austin, Tx
http://www.myspace.com/brokenteeth
Saturday, March 15 10:00 p.m.
Headhunters (patio) (8TH AND RED RIVER)
(subject to change)
Longtime Austin resident Jason McMaster, frontman for hard rocking locals Broken Teeth, spent time with us to talk about Broken Teeth's new album and tour, as well as his days touring with Dangerous Toys and the infamous Watchtower. Along the way he drops hints about about some upcoming Dangerous Toys reunion dates, as well as some new tracks Broken Teeth is laying down and the bands post SXSW plans. Click on the link "continued" link below to listen to the interview.
Continue reading "Podcast: SXSW Artist Spotlight Interview - Broken Teeth"
Saturday, January 19. 2008
Alex Lifeson of Rush at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater San Antonio 2002
photo courtesy Gary Miller - contributing photographer |
As expected Canadian rockers Rush have confirmed an Austin date on their spring tour at UT's Frank Erwin Center. Continuing with last years "Snakes & Arrows World Tour", they will stop in Austin on April 23rd, one of 45 tour stops announced so far. Touring in support of the soon to be released Snakes & Arrows Live CD, Rush's track "Malignant Narcissism" from the band’s 2007 release Snakes & Arrows has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
La Zona Rosa has announced a couple new shows for April as well. On Weds. April 9th Say Anything along with Manchester Orchestra, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves and Weatherbox will bring their tour to LZR, The following night, April 10th The "Bamboozle Road Show" pulls into town with Saves The Day, Armor for Sleep, Set Your Goals, Metro Station and Lydia for an early, early show with doors at 6:00 and the show starting at 6:30. Tickets for both shows are available at GetTix.net.
While I didn't spend any time yesterday looking for more confirmed SXSW bands, I did pop down to Emo's down at 6th street to catch the late set by Austin punk pioneers Sharon Tate's Baby. While there I ran into Avery of the Applicators(she is even cuter as a blond) and had a chance to say hello. Roaming the streets between sets ran into someone I know who is VERY well connected while I was buying a slice of pizza. Asking him for any good SXSW rumor fodder he was more than happy to offer up a couple big names.
Little Steven may show up, but if he does it will be in the first couple days. He's been working with a band that got a showcase and he will be on the backside of a short 4 day down time from his touring with Springsteen. If he squeezes it in, look for either a surprise set or a walk-on. It would be unlikely that Bruce would join him but during SXSW anything is possible. I will add Little Steven to the rumored list, I will leave
Bruce off for now.
Iggy Pop, who is also working with a band that is showcasing, liked SXSW so much last year he is almost certain to show up and do either a surprise set, private party, or a walk on. He will be leaving the Stooges at home. My source told me he gives this a 90% chance of this happening, so keep your eyes out for Iggy roaming the streets.
Finally, someone big has rented out an old print shop down in the entertainment district for an event during SXSW. I don't know if it's for showcases or for private parties but will keep my ear to the ground for more developments.
For the latest and greatest list of confirmed bands and rumored appearances check out the latest SXSW 2008 Rumored and Confirmed Band List.
Friday, January 18. 2008
 Our list of bands and artists scheduled to perform at Austin's 2008 SXSW Music Festival has zoomed past the 400 mark all the way up to more than 540 confirmed so far, slightly more than 1/3 of the acts that are supposed to perform. The list includes a seemingly endless number of DJs and MCs, as well as a huge quantity of singer/songwriters. Click here to see the latest SXSW 2008 Rumored and Confirmed Band List.
One singer/songwriter whose name has not appeared on the confirmed list but has unexpectedly burst onto the rumor list today is the legendary Ringo Starr. Starr is in the states promoting his new release Liverpool 8 and has just announced a surprise set in L.A. at The House Of Blues on January 25th. As a bonus if you buy a copy of the new CD at Amoeba Music in Hollywood you can get a free "bypass the line" pass to get you into the party for free. For more details on how to see Ringo check out his web site at http://www.ringostarr.com
Ringo is not actually "touring" but word on the street from my sources is that he has a few more of these party stops planned around the U.S. and there may be a SXSW stop on that schedule. Considering that SXSW is fast becoming one of the U.S. premier events and attracts more press than a Brittany Spears court appearance, this would be a perfect event to showcase the new album. I contacted his U.S. publicist for confirmation on this or any other U.S. dates and got lots of "no comments" and "can neither confirm nor deny" though they did promise to send me a copy of the new disc. SXSW had Robert Plant in 2005, Pete Townsend in 2007, Ringo Starr in 2008 certainly has a nice ring to it (no pun intended).
Thursday, January 17. 2008
As I Lay Dying at La Zona Rosa - more photos...
photo by Jeff Barringer - staff photographer |
I took a break Tuesday night to let the LCD screen burn in my retinas reset. Vince over at Metal Blade Records invited me out to check out a couple of his bands playing down at La Zona Rosa. Evergreen Terrace and As I Lay Dying and they tore it up at La Zona Rosa. The band requested no barrier and no security and the show turned into a free for all. I spend all night ducking and snapping pictures from the crowd trying to avoid getting clotted over the head by the dozens upon dozens of crowd surfers. The bands and the fans had a blast. It was great to see Austin's metal crowd out on a drizzly Tuesday in such numbers. Check out my pictures of all the stage diving craziness in our photo gallery.
On to SXSW 2008 news...
The lineup for the Japan night set is up, and once again it's fronted by The Emeralds, moving them from the rumored to the confirmed list. At least 30 more (just a hair under 400 total now) bands have been added to the confirmed list including Carbon/Silicon with Mick Jones (The Clash) and Tony James (Generation X) and 80's band Was (Not Was). I did get a chance to talk with Roky Erickson's people about the benefit but they refused to divulge this years performers and would neither confirm nor deny the R.E.M. rumor. No new rumors as yet but as I always, if I hear it you'll here it. To check out the latest rumors and confirmed bands coming to SXSW Click Here To Check Out The SXSW 2008 Band List!
Tuesday, January 15. 2008
Les Claypool and his Fancy Band at Stubb's BarBQ, Austin, Texas on 6/19/07 - more photos...
photo by Jeff Barringer - staff photographer |
Moving from the rumored list to the SXSW confirmed list today is Dolly Parton, who confirmed her SXSW appearance on her web site. Added to the rumored list is Eric Clapton, which would please many local guitar slingers. Clapton does have a local connection in Doyle Bramhall II, who plays in his band and is a river city local. Imagine the dustup at the door if he played Antone's! The SXSW 2008 unofficial band list has grown again, and we are rapidly approaching the 400 band mark. Keep those confirmations and rumors coming!
Primus frontman, and club kingsnake favorite, Les Claypool has announced more dates on his spring tour and though he does not confirm a SXSW appearance, his schedule includes a "mysterious gap" between the Langerado festival and his show in Seattle that would leave him available for a Wednesday or Thursday appearance at SXSW. Here is his tour schedule so far...
02/14/08 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
02/29/08 Charlotte, NC Neighborhood Theatre
03/01/08 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
03/03/08 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
03/06/08 Big Cypress, FL Big Cypress Seminole Reservation
03/14/08 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
03/15/08 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
03/18/08 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
03/21/08 Milwaukee, WI The Rave Eagles Club
03/22/08 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
03/25/08 Tulsa, OK Cain's Ballroom
03/27/08 Dallas, TX House Of Blues
03/28/08 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
03/29/08 Austin, TX Stubb's Bar-B-Q
04/01/08 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre
04/02/08 San Diego, CA House Of Blues
04/04/08 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
04/05/08 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
Megadeth at The Rave, Milwaukee WI; September 19, 2007 - more photos...
photo by Brian Rampacek - staff photographer |
Dave Mustaine and the crew at Megadeth have announced this years GIGANTOUR 2008 dates with the tour launching on April 12th in Denver and ending May 22nd in Phoenix, Arizona. Joining Megadeth this time out will be In Flames, Children of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy and High On Fire. Megadeth hits the road with new guitarist Chris Broderick (Nevermore, Jag Panzer), who replaced Glen Drover. Tickets are available at http://www.gigantour.com/
4/12 Denver, CO The Fillmore
4/13 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
4/15 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre
4/16 Corpus Christi, TX Concrete Street Pavilion
4/17 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theatre
4/19 Louisville, KY Louisville Gardens
4/20 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
4/22 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
4/24 Worcester, MA Palladium
4/26 Baltimore, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
4/28 Quebec City, QC Pavilion De La Jeunesse
4/29 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
4/30 Toronto, ON Arrow Hall
5/1 London, ON John Labatt Centre
5/3 Detroit, MI DTE Music Center
5/4 Cleveland, OH Time Warner Cable Amphitheater
5/6 Chicago, IL Aragon
5/7 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom
5/9 Minneapolis, MN Myth
5/10 Winnipeg, MB Convention Center
5/11 Saskatoon, SK Prairieland Exhibition Hall
5/12 Edmonton, AB Shaw Conference Center
5/14 Calgary, AB The Corral
5/16 Vancouver, BC Pacific Coliseum
5/17 Salem, OR Salem Armory
5/19 San Jose, CA Event Center @ San Jose State
5/20 San Diego, CA Cox Arena
5/21 Los Angeles, CA Long Beach Arena
5/22 Phoenix, AZ Mesa Amphitheatre
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