FWIW: Dream Theater: The Enemy Inside GRAMMY NOMINATION

Not that the Grammy awards mean much (if anything), but a couple of years ago when Dream Theater was nominated, it did cause a little bit of extra buzz for them at least. And of course they didn't win (The Foo Fighters won, blech).

But just to see them nominated again says a little bit in terms of their recognition and visibility in the music industry.

Of course this award likely won't be shown on the Awards show during Television Broadcast anyway, nor will 75% or more of the Awards anyway, which kind of says enough about how irrelevant and non-credible The Grammys to begin wthi.

Daft Punk I think is the 1 artist that received a lot of nominations, I'm sort of rooting for (and perhaps Robin Thicke per the girlfriend's fandom).

As far as whether Dream Theater will win? I'd be surprised, especially considering Black Sabbath are also in this category. There's a much better chance Yes gets into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next Spring, than Dream Theater winning this, but I guess I will have to at least pay attention to the results when they happen in a few months.

http://www.grammy.com/nominees


13. BEST METAL PERFORMANCE

T.N.T.
Anthrax
Track from: Anthems
Label: Megaforce

God Is Dead?
Black Sabbath
Track from: 13
Label: Vertigo/Republic

The Enemy Inside
Dream Theater
Track from: Dream Theater
Label: Roadrunner Records

In Due Time
Killswitch Engage
Track from: Disarm The Descent
Label: Roadrunner Records

Room 24
Volbeat Featuring King Diamond
Track from: Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
Label: Republic Records

Typhoon - Young Fathers [Official Video]

Nice video. Boy hanging out in forest with a friend likely created by his imagination. Like The Dear Hunter's latest video for "Shouting at the Rain,"..I am reminded of (Spike Jonze's) Where the Wild Things Are with this one too.

Good song too of course.

Transatlantic - Kaleidoscope (2014)

12/2/13 9:04PM
New song and video for "Shine." Just looking at many of the comments, I don't agree with the majority of them. This song isn't bad, it's just a ballad. Amazing? no, but for what it is, even at 7 and a half minutes, it's actually decent enough. Nice guitar solo namely from Roine.


10/23/13 2:36PM

Okay, another update nearly 1-week late. Life happens, what can I say?

I am looking forward to this album coming out on January 27th. Kaleidoscope? if I recall, there was at least 1 somewhat accomplished cult psych band from the 70's with that name. Inspiration? doubtful, but it came to mind in thinking about the title.

Structurally, this album reminds me of SMPT:e for what that may be worth. My guess is, a few epics, and 1 or 2 shorter pieces.

Whether it's close to as good as either the debut album or Bridge Across Forever, I'm kind of at a wait and see since The Whirlwind ended up being a large bloated mess, with not too many memorable moments/sections that those 1st 2 LPs had that I totally loved about this band, and how they always stood out from more or less all of the "retro" sounding prog rock groups. Or even, more than both The Flower Kings and Spock's Beard were in some ways.

I have always felt, TA is like taking the best elements of Spocks and TFK's making them better.

I also have often wondered what this project could have been like with Jim Matheos and with the name "Second Nature"..and even how/what it may have been like with Kevin Gilbert involved. But, all "what ifs" of course.

Also the tour includes Daniel Gildenlow again (but not the album? I would love to see him get involved, but I guess that'll never happen. But even just ANY ORIGINAL MUSIC project with Mike Portnoy would be welcome to see happen at some point, OSI? lol).

The tour itself is coming to the States, but Chicago of course is the only date relatively close. Obscure Prog Rock and doing full-scale US tours affordably, just never has and probably never will happen like it did in the 70's.

Transatlantic reveal new studio album ‘Kaleidoscope’ and 2014 World Tour! 


Progressive-rock super-group Transatlantic, featuring Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Roine Stolt and Pete Trewavas will release their brand new fourth studio album ‘Kaleidoscope’ on the 27th January 2014. The track-listing for the forthcoming record is as follows and the beautiful artwork for the release can be seen below: 



1. Into the Blue
2. Shine
3. Black as the Sky
4. Beyond the Sun
5. Kaleidoscope


The band will also embark on a 6-week World Tour that will see them joined once again by Pain of Salvation’s Daniel Gildenlöw as a 5th touring member. As part of the extensive tour, the band will also headline the Progressive Nation At Sea 2014 Cruise from the 18th till the 22nd February alongside 22 other leading Prog acts including Adrian Belew Power Trio, Devin Townsend Project, King's X, Anathema, Spock’s Beard and many more. This unique performance will see the band performing a very special encore of classic Yes material with the legendary Jon Anderson on vocals. You can find more details on PN14 here: http://www.progressivenationatsea.com/ 

An Evening With Transatlantic 2014 World Tour: 
Jan 31st - Los Angeles, CA - El Segundo Performing Arts Center 
Feb 1st - San Francisco, CA 
Feb 2nd - Everett, WA - Everett Music Hall 
Feb 4th - Chicago, IL - The Arcada Theater 
Feb 5th - Quebec City, Canada - Theatre Du Capitole 
Feb 6th - Montreal, Canada - L'Olympia 
Feb 8th - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater 
Feb 9th - New York City, NY - Highline Ballroom 
Feb 11th - Mexico City, Mexico - Teatro Metropolitan 
Feb 13th - São Paulo, Brazil - Carioca Club 
Feb 14th - Buenos Aires, Argentina 
Feb 15th - Santiago, Chile 
Feb 18th to 22nd - Progressive Nation At Sea 
Feb 27th - Madrid, Spain - La Rivera 
Feb 28th - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2 
March 2nd - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz 
March 3rd - Rome, Italy - Orion 
March 5th - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 
March 6th - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage 
March 7th - Munich, Germany - Muffathalle 
March 8th - Berlin, Germany - Astra 
March 9th - Cologne, Germany - E Werk 
March 11th - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix 
March 12th - London, England - The Forum 
March 13th - Tilburg, Holland - 013 
March 14th - Tilburg, Holland - 013 
March 15th - Paris, France - Le Bataclan 
June - Sweden Rock Festival 


For more information visit: 
www.facebook.com/transatlanticmusic 

www.transatlanticweb.com 


9/27/13 10:12PM

Coming in January?

https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/statuses/383256179809742848

“@Vikernest777: @MikePortnoy Any info about the new Transatlantic album?” OUT IN JAN...TOUR IN FEB/MARCH...INFO SOON

5/30/13 5:47AM

Update from Portnoy:

https://www.facebook.com/TransatlanticMusic/posts/10151631858946293

From MP: The TA4 Sessions went splendidly fantastic! (I think I've been hanging around Pete too much these past weeks...haha!) I won't disclose any details, but I will say the album is about 75 mins long and has 5 songs (2 Epics & 3 "normal" length) and we also recorded 8 Covers for a Bonus Disc as well! Release is expected for the beginning of 2014...more info to come later in the year...

Doesn't mean much, as the last album had other "shorter songs" on the bonus disc if I recall. But on the surface, it sounds more like the 1st 2 records in terms of structure., But it's all about the quality of the music, regardless of length.

3/29/13 9:38AM
http://www.progrockmag.com/news/transatlantic-plan-4th-album/

Neal Morse has confirmed that prog supergroup Transatlantic will start work on their fourth album in May.
It follows a recent European tour featuring the Neal Morse Band and The Flower Kings, which brought together prime movers Morse, Roine Stolt and Mike Portnoy – leading to fan speculation that a studio project might be in the works with bassist Pete Trewavas.

According to DPRP, Morse says: “We have set dates in May; and, my friends, it is actually happening! Before I left for the tour, and even just a few days ago, I have a lot of really strong prog music ideas that I’m really excited about presenting to the guys.

“But, of course, everything has to be kind of secret until we actually do it – so I can’t say or tell much more. We’re all really excited about it.”

He believes the follow-up to 2009′s The Whirlwind could appear early next year although he adds: “Who knows? I’m just glad we’re doing it!”

The Neal Morse Band and The Flower Kings have announced a US appearance at La Mirada Auditorium, Los Angeles, on May 7. “Mike recently became available in May,” says Morse, “and I knew TFK were in the States for RoSfest; so I sent a few emails, and here we are. We had such a great time in Europe and we want to share it with our friends in the States. I just wish we could do more.”


This isn't the biggest news, of news, as Portnoy has especially been asked about the next TA for a few years now, and he has said it likely would happen, just a matter of when.

But the plan now is to write and likely record it in May.

I'm looking forward to it, although my feeling about TA and The Whirlwind sadly isn't all that favorable. Mainly since I adore both SMPTe and especially Bridge Across Forever so much.

In other words, I am hoping this new album will have the magic of those early 2000's lps, and NOT the bloated nature of The Whirlwind from 2009. I'm a bit skeptical it will though just given the recent music Neal Morse has written. But I'd love to be surprised.

I wouldn't expect it to come out until 2014 though.

The Royal Veil: Live From Studio 5 (at KFAI)

This performance/interview was conducted a few weeks ago, but it's only now I'm checking some of it out. However, I haven't listened to all that much of it yet (just the 1st 10 mins of the video), but hopefully time will allow for that soon (along with a few other things just online like The Polyphonic Spree documentary and the latest update from Rob Thomas about the Veronica Mars movie).

But it is cool the radio station I volunteer at (and wish I could more in the last 2 years, but sadly, my time has been compromised per work, gf, and other things unfortunately), had a local band I really like and support included on 1 of their shows.

http://kfai.org/node/39733
Entire (1 Hour?) Show, Perfromance, Interview Stream/Download
http://livefromstudio5.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-royal-veil-on-live-from-studio-5.html

Goblin @ The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis 11/30/13

Here's my post from Facebook last night when I got home:

I just got back from seeing Goblin w/ Zombi . Good show, and I can call myself a Goblin fan now. The crowd however, I'd say at least 2/3 of, did not come across as a group that would enjoy 1970's Italian progressive rock at all. And I would guess more than HALF of Goblin's set was NOT FROM SOUNDTRACKS, i.e. the 70's progressive rock influenced by bands like King Crimson and Genesis (or PFM and Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso). The majority of the crowd were mostly Horror movie fans, and Gothic Rock/Gothic Metal fans. But, the music Goblin were playing, was more or less not what I would suspect, be the kind those people lean towards. 

In other words, I wouldn't be surprised the majority of the crowd had no idea what they were listening to, lol. Which I find both funny and yet shocking at the same time. I mean if these folks really dig Goblin, than I would think they would also include the likes of Genesis, PFM, Il Balletto Di Bronzo, and the like.

Here's a setlist from Englewood, CO that I am just going to assume is close-to the same if not identical.

Magic Thriller
Mad Puppet
Dr. Frankenstein
Roller
E Suono Rock
Aquaman
Non Ho Sanno / Death Farm
Goblin
L'alba dei Morti Viventi / Zombi
Suspiria
Tenebre
Phenomena
Mad Puppet's Laugh / School At Night / Profondo Rosso

Encore:

Zaratozom

But to add to my Facebook post from last night.

-the pieces presumably from the Soundtracks like Suspiria, Dawn of the Dead and a few others, had Video Clips on a screen behind the band shown while the band played. At points the music they were playing fit those clips (many of which seemed to be on repeat, and were pretty much a MONTAGE of scenes from those films, although almost entirely focused on the dramatic and GOREY scenes from those movies).

I guess this is the 1st tour Goblin has done in the States in 38 years (and/or their 1st tour ever of North America). And it very well may be their only tour.

I may be forgetting, but I thought I read this tour was like some of the Trans Siberian Orchestra tours, where in order to as many cities as they could, they split the band up into 2 groups. I.e., we saw only 1 of the lineups for Goblin last night.

The people at this show, did not at all appear to be progressive rock fans. I would guess at least 2/3 or more of them only came to see the band play along to clips of Dawn of the Dead. Which is fine I guess, but not my motivation at all. I enjoy horror movies, but Zombies? typically no. And when gore seems to be the focus (especially the clips they showed/repeated/isolated).

tbc..

Debashish Bhattacharya - Beyond the Ragasphere (2013) (+Delayed Minneapolis Concert Review SOON)

This album is amazing. I'll try and elaborate soon (maybe later today) about it, as I finally got to listen to it on the drive down to Milwaukee on Sunday.

I'm not sure if I may enjoy it more than his last record, from 2012 in fact. The harmonies, layers, mindbllowingly fast rhythms, styles including spanish guitar, and even dance-ability really give me reason to appreciate it. Even just for the GUESTS like John McLaughlin and Jerry Douglas alone, add a lot to this record's quality.

Much like the 2nd concert I saw from Debashish in as many years at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis in September.

more to add perhaps later as I wrote, but for now, just check out the descriptions from 1 review site below:



http://www.debashishbhattacharya.com/beyond-the-ragasphere.html

https://www.facebook.com/swamivivekananda1863

01 : Kirwani One.5+8.five 

Debashish Bhattacharya - Chaturangui, Jeff Sipe - Drums, Anandi - Vocals, Bickram Ghosh - Tabla, Nishad -Guitar, Soumyajyoti- flute, Bumpy - Bass Guitar, Raja Narayan Deb - key board The passionate harmonic minor meets the nuance of Indian Raga Kirwani. With the smooth bends of interplay between mellow and power of rhythm in twist and twang of Afro-Indian- European colours, Debashish takes off with Anandi in dizzy melodic pattern. Jeff and Bickram deftly decorate this neo-classical composition in 10 beat cycles.

02 : Reflections Remain 

Adam Del Monte- Flamenco guitar, Debashish Bhattacharya - Gandharvi. Anandi Voice and claps, Subhasis Bhattacharjee- percussion, Bumpy and Nishad claps. Debashish paints the picture of a father holding his child’s hand looking at the rising sun on the sea shore while the child’s song echoes. With the joyous trance grooves by Subhasis and great solos of Adam’s guitar, along with the Indian vocals of Debashish and Anandi, Reflections Remain is a reminder of the haunting good times of human relationships.

03 : A Mystical Morning

John McLaughlin-Guitar, Debashish Bhattacharya Chaturangui, Jeff Sipe - Drums, Subhasis Bhattacharjee - Tabla, Raja Narayan Deb - Keyboard, Mainak (Bumpy) Chowdhury-Bass guitar Composed in Raga Charukeshi, vibrant morning energy with beautiful solos by Debashish and John Mc Laughlin infuses in the different grooves of eleven beat cycles that are supplemented with gorgeous melodic phrases and playing of John McLaughlin.

04 : Rasam Samba 

Debashish Bhattacharya- Chaturangui, Anandi Bhattacharya- Vocals and syllable chant, Tanmoy Bose-percussion and syllable chant, Raja Narayan Deb- Keyboard and Mainak Nag Chowdhury-Bass guitar
The track opens with Anandi’s vocals rolling out atop the sound of undulating waves, and a gentle guitar, before she sings a fast-moving syllabic chant. The result is a quirky dancing number that forges bonds between the sound worlds of Latin America and India.

05 : Khamaj Tarana

Anandi Bhattacharya- Vocal, Subhasis Bhattacharjee - Tabla, Debashish Bhattacharya - Chaturangui, Nishad - Nylon string guitar Khamaj is an evening Raga. Tarana is vocal composition using instrumental syllables. This pure traditional fast tempo composition sang in a contemporary style by Anandi.

06 : Indospaniola 

Adam del Monte (flamenco guitar) and Debashish Bhattacharya (Gandharvi). The E major open tuning of Gandharvi meets Phrygian mode of Flamenco and has an interactive melodic dialogue between Indian Raga and Spanish flamenco style. A feel of free dialogue between two is the feel good factor

07 : JD2 Pillusion

Jerry Douglas- Beard Jerry Douglas model guitar, Debashish Bhattacharya-Chaturangui, Jeff Sipe - Drums, Bickram Ghosh -Tabla Two brothers Jerry Douglas from blue Grass and Debashish Bhattacharya from Indian Classical (JD2) have come up to create a new mix of Guitars in a very happy fun dance number after the seductive Pilu alap by Debashish, one can identify the bond of sharing with delight in each movement.

08 : Ode to Love

Debashish Bhattacharya- Anandi (slide Ukulele) 
Nishad - Classical Guitar
This song was created at Kilkenny - a beautiful small city of Ireland. Composed on the day of performance, the little Anandi- the slide ukulele which was named after Anandi, his daughter, is a bluesy melody in G-minor with a soft touch accompaniment on classical guitar by disciple Nishad .

Capital Cities @ Myth Maplewood, MN 11/21/13 / In a Tidal Wave of Mystery (2013)

I meant to, and should share what I tried to post on Facebook earlier today about this band.

I probably saw one of if not the most jaw-dropping, yet still unknown band to me, last night in electronic/trumpet infused LA ensemble Capital Cities who played at Myth somewhat out-staging I'd say Fitz & The Tantrums . I was so impressed, I purchased Capital Cities debut record "In a Tidal Wave of Mystery" on cd (for myself) and on vinyl for my gf . 

In looking at some of their background online, I was pleasantly surprised to learn Sebu Simonian is 1 of the main contributors. Sebu, I know from his being a member of the great mid-2000's melodic pop/rock group Aviatic, who I haven't really thought about in many years. But given he was with Aviatic, I'm not so surprised to see him in another highly talented and engaging band.

Fans of Chromeo namely, would probably enjoy them. They even did a very cool synthy version of the Bee Gees "Staying Alive" and then going into an outro of all people, Weezer? "If You Want to Destroy My Sweater" LOL. It was hilarious. 

They really did blow me and my girlfriend away. Even if I found they kind of came across as partially like a Chromeo with a New Orleans-jazz flare with the trumpet. I can't help of even think a bit about Mutemath and namely some of the jazzy stuff with the trumpet on their 2nd LP Armistice (namely the remixed/extended jazzy version).

But when it came down to it, they had great energy, played to the crowd well, the visuals with sunglasses and lights. I even grew to enjoy some of the pre-recorded/tracked synthesizer rhythms.

So, I have now listened to their debut LP In a Tidal Wave of Mystery once, and it's pretty good. The songs vary enough to have me wanting to go back to them. The smooth and moody nature still works. Maybe not quite as well on an energy level, but at least from a songwriting level.

Tracks like "Farrah Fawcett Hair," "Love Away," "I Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo," "Chatreuse," and "Kangaroo Court" stand out all in different ways. From samples, to pop culture references, to dance-able sections. This record features a lot of different elements to enjoy.Even the opening track "Safe and Sound" I'll admit to liking, even if it sounds somewhat mall-pop like, with it being mostly synth and gang-vocal centric.

I would say this band is almost like 1-part Chomeo, 1-part Daft Punk, 1-part Mutemath, 1-part Apes and Androids, 1-part Fitz and the Tantrums, 1-part Mayer Hawthorne even, and a bunch of parts which they kind of have of their own. I suppose that is 1 reason why I am intrigued not only enjoying this album more, but where they may go next sound-wise. I mean if you cover the Bee Gees and Weezer within the same cover/synthy interpretation, that does show you bring in a lot of different influences.

I must say, their trumpet player, Spencer Ludwig stood out a ton at the show. He was very charismatic. His parts do shine a lot on here, but he's maybe not included on as much of this record as I'd prefer. But perhaps he may be more so in what they do next.

But for now, these guys are another new band that I'm really enjoying, both this album and of course seeing live. I only would wonder if/when they come back, will they have the big visual setup, and sound dynamics, depending on the venue. I.e. if they played at the Triple Rock or Entry, it may not be quite as *big* sounding/seeming as it was at Myth last night. Oddly, 1 of the best shows I've seen there, especially not being a huge fan of that place.



1. Safe and Sound  3:13
2. Patience Gets Us Nowhere Fast 3:08
3. Kangaroo Court  3:43
4. I Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo 3:55
5. Center Stage  4:02
6. Farrah Fawcett Hair (feat. André 3000)3:50
7. Chartreuse   3:39
8. Origami 3:45
9. Lazy Lies 2:57
10. Tell Me How to Live 3:24
11. Chasing You" (feat. Soseh) 3:50
12. Love Away 3:43











http://capitalcitiesmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/capitalcities

Neverending White Lights News (Act IV/Pledgemusic, More.)

Pretty excited for this. 2011's Act III: Love Will Ruin (part 1, it was titled anyway), was still of the quality of the other Act records for the most part. I know Jimmy Gnecco though recorded a song for Act III: Love Will Ruin, but it didn't end up on that record in 2011, so I wonder if it'll be on this. Although the way Daniel mentions he WILL BE RECORDING it in February, might suggest it won't. But maybe a few of songs recorded will still be included, re-recorded, or released as bonus tracks.

However, memory serves me that Daniel unfortunately lost a lot, if not all of his computer and recording technology due to flooding in his home towards the end of 2011, so maybe the song Jimmy was on, and the other songs intended for part 2 of Act III are gone sadly. That would explain much of why an Act III part 2 may not come out. But, from memory, many of those songs, Daniel was excited to release, which seems like it would be a shame to not have them be heard by more people and be released.

All possible answers that may or may not come. But this new record should come, and should be well worth talking about and hearing, when my time allows (it may be coming sooner than I anticipated with some recent success at work for myself).

Given NWL is a project that includes many Canadian guest musicians, I've always wondered/wanted to come up with a top 5 or 10 wishlist for a NWL record for guests. Here's a few of them (bands, or just members of the bands), just among Canadian acts:

Bend Sinister
Bruce Peninsula 
Chromeo
Malajube
The Besnard Lakes
Memoryhouse
People for Audio
The Most Serene Republic
The Darcys
Henry and the Nightcrawlers

But the below text is the latest newsletter Daniel Victor sent out earlier today. I'm sure I'll pass along info about Act IV and the Pledgemusic Campaign when it's posted.



Hey Friends,

I wanted to take this opportunity to personally address our mailing list and say thank you for being a part of everything we've done in the past. Moving forward, I have big plans and new directions.

I'm happy to announce I will be recording an ACT IV early next year with a release scheduled hopefully for spring/summer! However, I will not be making this album unless I have the support of our fans, friends, and well wishers. In February 2014, we will be launching a PLEDGE MUSIC CAMPAIGN to join all of our fans around the world together to make this project something more memorable and more hands on. I will be asking for people to pledge towards the making of the album in return for some amazing goodies, experiences, and opportunities! I'm also going to try to somehow make it possible for people to help vote and decide who you'd want to be on the next album. I'm also going to give away one spot to BE on the new album! It's going to be a lot of fun, and in the interest of the most important thing in the world: MAKING GREAT MUSIC. I ask that you will help spread the word when the time comes and work together with me to see this come to life. More on that later, and I thank you in advance for helping out.

In the meantime, you can catch me DJing on our internet radio station, www.lovelessradio.com. Every Friday 10PM - 2AM ET is our Alternative Dance Night streaming live. We play everything from Radiohead and The Cure to Bloc Party and U2. This radio station will be growing in the upcoming while with interviews, live music, and other cool additions. Stay tuned for that. And don't be afraid to tune in at anytime to hear great streaming songs 24/7.

Follow me on Twitter for everything: @iamneverending
And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiteLights

Now for the CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT:

We have not done a single show in our favourite city in over a year. I love Toronto at Christmas. See you there!

Neverending White Lights LIVE at Tattoo Rock Parlour

Friday December 20/2013

Doors 9:00pm

$15 advanced tickets can be purchased at http://inktickets.com/show.cfm?id=110501

Don't miss your chance to see them live!

www.tattooqueenwest.com

Genders - Get Lost (2013)

http://genderspdx.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/GendersPDX

This is the debut full-length from new Portland, Oregon-based dreamy/textured/post-rock group Genders. As I posted recently, they include ex-Forest Park guitarist/vocalist Katherine Paul, who actually plays primarily drums for them and on this album I believe. And she also does some if not the majority of the vocals.

The release date is on December 8th, 2013. Yeah, a bit odd day/week/month for a new original-music full-length record, but so be it. They self-released it I guess, so they don't have to concern themselves with distribution and competition for when it can be shelved in stores, etc.

I am finally checking it out just now, although I don't likely have enough time to get through it all yet. (it's a minor miracle I'm able to listen to it yet anyway, with my no-music-at-work approach the last few months). But I am intrigued enough by this band and maybe just Katherine Paul as a musician/songwriter/singer, I want to make what little time I have to share it in here.

I would say the genre-blending of those styles I posted above kind of encapsulates Genders sound for the most part. I guess they do have a poppy/happy side like on the track "Golden State." (I can't help but wonder if the Forest Park track "Golden" is in anyway connected to it, but unlikely).

But I probably shouldn't forget to add, while Katherine Paul's drum work is very refined and stands out frequently on what I'm hearing here, the other members also excel in many ways. Guitarist Stephen Leisy knows his way around creating moods and shifting tempos, including a lot of warm, dreamy, gentle tones. And his vocal work along with Maggie Morris work well on many of these tunes, at times with dreamy harmonies, at other times counterpoint from I think Katherine's and others. And Matthew Hall's bass work is quite audible and adds a great smooth backbeat at times, along with providing a funky front rhythm (if I know wtf I'm trying to say, lol).


Anyway, I'm just going to add, having seen them live, and now playing about half of it while I'm writing this, there's not a song I don't enjoy. There was 1 or 2 tracks at the show last Saturday that did totally stand out, 1 being their closing piece, which seemed to be almost in multiple parts. I'm not sure if that was the nearly 6-minute opener "Something to Get You By" or I'm thinking more likely the 6th track "How Long Can I Wait?"

Hole mother, that tune is starting floor me like I believe it did on Saturday. Stephen's guitar phrases, are almost like a melancholy voice, lol. In fact I can say the 1st half of the record, that tune stands out the most, and it may on the whole record.

But, time is not on my side (I'm seeing Fitz and the Tantrums in a matter of hours at the Myth club, and we are getting our first snow/first example of Minnesota drivers going 15 mph in fear of it), so this is just an initial review/announcement.  I hope Genders make a lot of new fans on their current tour opening for Built to Spill, and hopefully in December and in 2014, this record reaches a lot of people. It would be great to see them open for Warpaint (or the related Portland band Typhoon, except Katherine told me that might be impossible given her day job and Kyle from Typhoon's as well unfortunately) or someone like that as well as BTS, as they seem to have enough appeal to reach a lot of people.

edit: by the way, the guitar solo in "Technicolor Vision" is terrific!..omg the Trippy Peter Frampton-like wah-wah tones in the outro are unbelievable! Why have I never heard of this guy Stephen Leisy before?

"Secrets" is very cool, almost like Warpaint-meets-Kacica meets something totally Genders! The bass and guitar work could have maybe been written by that great Japanese band in fact (who I'm sure the members of Genders have never heard of, of course).


1 Something to Get You By 5:59
2 Atlas Moth 4:30
3 Sugarcoat 4:25
4 The Wilderness 4:43
5 Golden State 4:06
6 How Long Can I Wait? 5:09
7 Technicolor Vision 4:45
8 Secrets 4:51
9 Close My Eyes 0:52
10 Twin Peaks 4:03
11 Oakland 3:54
12 Four Years 4:14

Mayer Hawthorne Winter 2014 Tour (w/ Quadron)

Press Release? I'll have to put it in later as I don't have time right now to find one.

The Minneapolis show is on the day before Valentine's Day, Friday the 13th, lol. Quadron is another band my gf enjoys, and given the choice between First Ave and places like Myth, Epic or the Skyway Theatre, First Ave is a more preferable choice.

Friday night in downtown? hopefully there won't be a Wolves game or anything.

Still, getting to finally see Mayer headline (unlike the Basilica Block Party and One Republic opening shows last Summer) to support Where Does This Door Go should be sweet. He always puts on a great show regardless. I hope unlike the show in 2012, I'll get to meet him with my gf, but no guarantees about that, esp since it's at First Ave.

But we'll see how much this show gets the Hipster attention given how long it's been since his record dropped.

And a PRESALE sure as hell better be happening as I can't see myself even thinking of doing the Ticketmasochist day-of-sale fighting of the scalpers who bogart all the tickets in 10 minutes, then list the list them soon after on stubhub for 10x the face value.

The Grape and the Grain (Solo/Side project of Daniel Grimsland of THREE)

I was introduced to this band/project of Daniel Grimsland of the band Three per Facebook, and I must say, its got something. "The Hudson" is I guess the most recent released work from The Grape and the Grain, but it appears they also put out a debut LP earlier this year titled Better Keep Digging, which I embedded from their Bandcamp as well below.

I haven't checked out the full length record yet, but the new single "The Hudson" and a 2nd/b-side titled "Lord I'm coming Home," I am enjoying. It's pretty ballsy, guitar driven blues-rock. I am reminded maybe a bit of a band like Hotel of the Laughing Tree in their heavy-blues moments, and even a little of older school hard rock/metal in some ways. The guitar work is tasteful, using lines that fit well. I suppose that is a big element of Bluesy kind of rock anyway.

Does it sound like Three? eh, maybe a little here and there, but I think it stands out enough to not realize it's their bass player.

Anyway, I haven't heard the full-length yet, but mean to. Right now, I gotta finish up some other posts and then head down to Northfield to see Miracles of Modern Science finally. But I'll by some miracle, lol, be able to get back to taking more of this project's music in, and hopefully some others will as well.

edit: Just based on their name, I could see The Grape and the Grain doing a good double bill with someone like Erick Serna Killing Floor or Trent Romens. Perhaps Daniel even knows Erick still as Three did tour with The Dear Hunter more than once.

Radical Face - Holy Branches (Official Video)

Dreamy, mystical, meditative and imaginative like the song. The blacksheeted+white masks seem like something I'd see at some Hallows Eve festival or something.

The Reign of Kindo on NA Tour (with Indiegogo) with Jolly and Scale the Summit Nov 2013

11/18/13 9:30PM

Needle & Thread clip

"You Put a Feeling in the Night Review" (per Tumblr)

I'm not sure if the setlist is identical to this, as there are a couple of setlists on setlist.fm without "Dust."

Feeling In The Night 
Thrill of the Fall 
Great Blue Sea 
Sing When No One's Around 
Romancing a Stranger 
Needle & Thread 
The Moments In Between 
October's Storm 
Dust 
The Hero, The Saint, The Tyrant, & The Terrorist 
Just Wait 

Anyway, just thought I'd share what is a very extensive and detailed review of the show on Friday night in Cleveland at "Now That's Class."

The fan who wrote this I know via Mike Portnoy's forum, and he often speaks up about a lot of the bands I enjoy around those parts. 

It's too bad he didn't get to catch Scale the Summit, nor his impression of Jolly being incredible. But it did seem the venue may have played a part in that.

But I'm happy for him to see them, and hopefully I will have that chance in the near future as well. I suppose given I am at least getting to finally catch Miracles of Modern Science in Northfield on Wednesday, is a consolation for me as they are a band I do enjoy a lot, and have wanted to see live for awhile.

But also I've read some other reviews on mp.com from the tour and it sounds like TROK has impressed a lot of people, which seems like it could benefit them to touring more in the US in the future.

9/17/13 12:37AM

TROK Indiegogo Campaign for this Tour

Even though I don't foresee being able catch a show on this tour, I hope others can still and get word about this campaign. Touring, especially for a band like them ain't cheap. Likely the biggest reason why they have not toured the States in 3 years (and this extensive?).

But hopefully this campaign will succeed and this will lead to many more tours that they won't have to find themselves struggling to pay for gas, staffing, etc.

Help TROK Go On a US Tour With Scale The Summit from Joseph Secchiaroli on Vimeo.

9/9/13 11:44PM

Facebook

11/2 Houston, TX - Fitzgeralds
11/3 Austin, TX - Red 7
11/5 Scottsdate, AZ - Pubrock
11/6 Los Angeles, CA - The Whisky A Go Go
11/7 San Francisco, CA - Thee Parkside
11/8 Portland, OR - Ash St. Saloon
11/9 Seattle, WA - Highline
11/11 Salt Lake City, UT - Shred Shed
11/12 Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
11/13 Merriam, KS - Aftershock
11/14 Newport, KY - Southgate House
11/15 Cleveland, OH - TBD
11/16 Toronto, ON - Wreck Room
11/17 Montreal, QC - II Motore
11/18 Danbury, CT - Heirloom Arts Center
11/19 Boston, MA - Great Scott
11/20 New York, NY - Santos Party House
11/12 West Chester, PA - The Note
11/22 Norfolk, VA - The Iguana
11/23 Knoxville, TN - The Bowery
11/24 Nashville, TN - The End

I would love to go, but unfortunately it's not coming near me, and I'm already likely going to Milwaukee on 11/24 to see Michael Nesmith (budget).

The Reign of Kindo, as some have noticed, don't really tour all that much outside of their area (Northeast/New York/NYC?), save for Brazil a couple of times the last few years (I've wondered if some promoter down there is a big fan and has been able to front the $ for them). So to see them tour ANYWHERE actually is encouraging.

Optimistically: they don't lose money from this tour, and also on this tour, TROK gain some good exposure to not only new fans, but promoters who know Scale the Summit, and they are able end up doing more touring of the States next year to support Play With Fire (even as a support on a tour like this again). 

If by some chance that happens, and if a tour date/dates even come to Chicago or Milwaukee, I can't see myself not going barring something like the May/June 2012 cluster-fuck of multiple out-of-town big event concerts in a short window of time that I don't have the budget for.

But I suppose at this point, I would be thankful if they were just able reprint their Self-Titled EP on cd at least.

The 3 bands together isn't incredibly surprising as I recall hearing about Chris Letchford of Scale the Summit being a fan of TROK, and Jolly? they've been a bit of a buzz band on the forums/blogs etc, for a few years now, opening for Flying Colors playing some of the prog festivals if I recall (and are playing Progressive Nation at Sea). But like TROK, they don't do a ton of touring of North America from memory, so this is a bit rare for them as well.

Genders (ex-Forest Park members band, Portland, OR)

11/16/13 1:45PM

edit:
Well they are in town tonight 11/16/13 playing at the Kitty Cat Klub with Aaron & the Sea, UMAMI and 1 other group. I probably could clarify 1 thing though: Katherine Paul, Genders Drummer/Vocalist may be the only member from Forest Park in Genders. For some reason I thought another 1 or 2 other members of FP were in Genders as well, but o well. But in FP she played guitar and sang, whereas in Genders she's a drummer and sings.

I dunno, if I am able to chat with her and the other members of Genders tonight, some of those details could be more clear to me. It does make me wonder a bit still on what the other Forest Park members are doing now (like I wonder about some of the ex-members of Margot & the Nuclear So & So's of course, whose fans introduced me to Typhoon to originally. Funny how these connections all come full circle/X-degrees of, etc, lol).



11/3/13 10:32PM

For those who may not be familiar with the Portland, Oregon-based band Forest Park I was totally blown away in 2012, and then included their debut EP rather high on my year-end list. And I think I did post something about their ending/demise/breakup. At least a couple of the members of that great yet maybe not highly committed group, were part of this group called Genders.

Now I recall 1st hearing about Forest Park per Typhoon's Facebook in 2012 I think, and came to believe 1 or 2 of the members of Typhoon were part of Forest Park. As it turned out, I was partially right, LIVE I guess. If I am remembering correctly, Alex Fitch, 1 of Typhoon's drummers played with Forest Park LIVE, but not on the EP.

edit: I spoke to Katherine tonight (11/16/13), and I guess Shannon Steele (violin) and Ryan McAlphin (trumpet) of Typhoon are on the FP EP as guests.

Anyway, I got to hang with many of the members of Typhoon at their show back in September at the Cedar Cultural Center and among the other Portland bands I started talking to them about, Forest Park came up and if I remember, Alex told me a lot about their situation and this band Genders.

I came to learn about Genders around the time of learning last year of Forest Park's breakup, and I even *liked* them on Facebook, but their music, from memory, didn't remind me all that much of FP or didn't do as much for me.

Well, but Alex I recall told me their newer stuff was more in the FP vein if I recall. So I just noticed Genders posted a new single on their Bandcamp earlier, and while it's not as layered or having the use of trumpet I loved in FP, it does have that dreamy post-rock style with the female vocals that I love.

If I recall, Alex may have mentioned they are looking to release a full-length soon; likely in 2014. They have from looking at their rateyourmusic.com recorded 3 Demos/EPs of sorts over the last couple of years. But this new single "Something to Get You By" (from the album Get Lost due out December 8th) maybe has more of my attention than some of the stuff I checked out way back when I 1st heard about them. The crescendo is tremendous at the end.

It kind of reminds me of Warpaint, which being highly original or not, if the songwriting is good to me I often don't care.



http://genderspdx.bandcamp.com/

"Together" (Sam Smith x Nile Rodgers x Disclosure x Jimmy Napes)

Good song, although it's uncanny how much this guy Sam Smith sounds like the singer from TV On the Radio, Tunde Adebimpe (although I've said the same about some other singers like the singer from NewVillager for example).

Unfortunately, this band Disclosure doesn't do all that much for me, as their music sounds mostly like club music. But if they made more music like this, I might get on board with them.