2 More RIP (a bit OT in a way)

I can't elaborate in detail about these 2 like Mr. James Bickers. But I wanted to also pass along the sad news of the passing of 2 others in my connections., etc.


The 1st being a gentleman named Cavis on the dredg fans forum who I guess I did meet and hung out with back September 2006 in Santa Cruz, CA.

http://www.bakersfield.com/sports/bakersfield-high-jv-basketball-coach-avis-dies-in-single-car/article_b3cd5ac8-5e46-5ce0-acf8-5a4a8b6c483b.html

Chris Avis (Cavis) was a taper and lover of live music, namely among the kind of stuff that dredg fans enjoyed. And he was the 1 who filmed and/or did audio for those full-album shows in Santa Cruz 11 years ago next month.

I hung out those 3 or so days with a handful of people I would see on the Traversing forum, and he was 1. I would have to see a picture of him maybe to remember better.

But Rest in Peace regardless. A Car accident which sounds senseless. He was a Basketball coach too which also sucks for not only his family and close friends, but the school and kids.


The 2nd being Jason Corsaro, who now learning was to MIX the new Ours album. He had cancer unfortunately, and lost the battle recently. It explains why the album hasn't been released, etc..which sucks, but is very much secondary. I don't know much more about him, but for some reason now I want to.

RIP.

http://www.ours.net/ourspages/news/7309/

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend Jason Corsaro. Jason was a caring, passionate, talented, inspiring, and hard working man. We were in constant awe of his work from the past and his continued desire to still find the magic in the recording studio. He was set to mix our upcoming records, but recently became too sick to do so. He fought hard, but unfortunately cancer won. We will miss him and we ask that you hold him in your hearts.
RIP
Jason Corsaro

edit: his credits as an Engineer and Mixer include Duran Duran, Power Station, Peter Gabriel, Madonna, INXS,  Ozzy Osbourne, and A-Ha among others.

http://duranduran.wikia.com/wiki/Jason_Corsaro

The Reign of Kindo @ Amsterdam Bar and Hall St.Paul, MN 8/27/17

So this could be an extensively long review, per it's been a long time coming, wanting to see them live for many years, and The Reign of Kindo's tours not coming to the Upper Midwest nor Minnesota.

And they have been an earmarked, bucket-list band to see in concert for me pretty soon after I got into their music. Which that in and of itself may warrant some babbling-on about to an extent.


--------------------------------------


August 26th, 2008 Rhythm Chord and Melody was released by the way, now I think I own 3? copies on CD and would LOVE it to come out on VINYL.

Per the Traversing Message Board August 2008

Aug 8th, 2008
yeah I saw their name on the Kaddisfly forum a few days ago and like a lot of what I've heard so far. Sort of a mix of modern pop/rock with a jazz element..piano and what not. 

Still waiting on the chance to hear the whole record as my mp3 player is not being nice to me at home (it loaded 5 tracks and then shut down).

some clown in AP magazine gave it 1/5 stars tho..lol

Aug 11, 2008
listening to some of this today..I'm a little unsure how much replay value their style has..it feels so jazz-pop to me..and the cymbals are clipping which often kills music for me. I guess they remind me a bit of One Republic or Aviatic with some jazz elements, but for some reason the vocal melodies aren't as good.

December 17, 2008
ok..I will eat a bit of crow here and admit to REALLY digging these guys now. the drummer is incredible..the cymbal work is really technical and yet accurate as hell.

I'm pretty addicted to this album. I'd love to see them live now.

So that shows how far it goes back. I don't remember all the discussion on the Kaddisfly fans forum (Crimson Solitude), but it would be interesting to read about now However I don't think it's available unless it was from some kind of web archive.

So, 9 years, and finally last night I got to see them, opening for Jason Richardson with Luke Holland.

Just to not forget, there were 2 local openers, The Atlantis Theorem (who played 2nd),and this band named UMI who were REALLY good. All-instrumental, very jazzy with piano, and some acoustic and electric guitar. Very melodic, and a new band I guess but had Flash Drives for free of I forget how many EPs. But I gave them a little cash and gladly took 1 of them. I hope to include more soon if they are as great as they sounded last night.

Stolas was the other opener, who are a band from Las Vegas? And threw me off a bit. At 1st, they sounded very much in the vein of The Mars Volta or even as bombastic as Hella. But by the middle of their set, I was kind of getting a mid-late 2000's Post-Hardcore vibe. I did l like moments from them, including some group or at least multiple-member percussion.

The vocals at times were not easy to makeout, which makes me wonder if hearing some recordings of them could help.

Jason Richardson with Luke Holland, I did like moments from as well, although I concluded the music was very much in the Shred-Metal vein with hints of Djent. Similar to Animals as Leaders, which I did see 1 person with a Periphery t-shirt on, so that might make sense. The Guitar-worship community I'm not sure knew about this show too much, but like Tosin from Animals as Leaders, I would imagine Jason Richardson should appeal to the tastes of Steve Vai, Satriani, etc. But maybe the fans in this town didn't hear about this show?

Luke Holland though, as noted below, is a monster as he sat-in with Kindo just nailed Hold Out, so I can see why both Kindo was asked to come on this tour with him and Jason Richardson, and why Kindo might ask him to sit-in, as I guess he has drum-cam cover videos on YouTube of Kindo tunes.

So on to Kindo themself. The set list I posted below is not 100% complete sadly, as they played at least 2 or 3 tunes I either haven't listened to in quite awhile and didn't remember, or didn't recognize well enough to be certain. But I put a few tunes below as "unsure."

I know they played at least 2 maybe 3 tunes after City of Gods, and I think Feeling in the Night came after.

note, I can't find any set lists on setlist.fm from their current tour.

But the tunes I recognized I of course went apeshit for. Moments in Between gave me goosebumps, both the energy and the nostalgia. Very similar to my experience seeing Bend Sinister a few years ago for the 1st time, or even Mew a few weeks ago. Tears nearly hit me.

Great Blue Sea and Hero/Saint are 2 favorites as well.\

Hold Out was the 1st tune I ever loved, so that also was a highlight.

And 2 of the new tunes of course I have been addicted to this Spring/Summer especially, really worked well live. Especially with the energy they have. Their drummer Steve Pardin brings.

The only thing I think is worth mentioning other than I certainly would love to see an even longer set and some/any of my favorites like "Till We Make Out Ascent," "Out of Sight out of Mind," "Sing When No One's Around," "I Hate Music" among others, is Joey's LEAD VOCAL MICROPHONE and mix at The Amsterdam was probably not ideal.

Now mind you, when Kindo hit the stage, I went to the front (which most shows now I do not do), but per this was the 1st time seeing them live after so many years, I made an exception. Plus the show/crowd size last night, even with Kindo being the 4th band performing, per there was enough space among the crowd to not have to deal with fighting my way that far up, etc.

But Joey's lead vocals from where I was were at times at least audible, to other times barely present. I'm not sure if it was the fact the BASS MIX was really high, or just his mic was also not high enough.

The BASS MIX though was rather high for all the bands it seemed except maybe UMI, so that is why I wonder if it was the venue or the setup/board/levels, etc there last night.

But, minor issue overall.

Seeing them live finally was still an incredible thrill, and happily, getting to chat with Jeff their bassist a fair amount after the show as he was behind the Merch booth. Joey and Steve as well after wards. And I did get to talk to John Baab their lead guitarist, outside. Very cool guy as the rest of the band was.

Among the folks I met/saw, my friend Min Lee with Cities 97 was there, not surprisingly. But nice to catchup with him. Hopefully he will find a way to review their next album when it comes out, on the Cities 97 website like he did back in 2013 with Play With Fire. Which to include a detail or 2 in talking with Jeff.

1st off, there's a new track coming soon to the Patreon (September likely) that he thinks is the best (or Jeff said is his favorite, more than "About Love" which has become my favorite among all great new tunes per the Patreon).

And as far as a release, etc. Jeff just mentioned to me that the album may not actually be released officially until around February of 2018. But he added, that what will be on it, likely may not include some of the Patreon songs. And even the songs that may be on it that were part of the Patreon, may not all be the exact versions on the album, etc.

Now this is just what he told me, etc. Relatively vague, but at least as a fan, I'm not anticipating an official release/new album for a few months, which I totally understand, especially given the Patreon tunes, and so many of them already.

Also one other thing that irked me a bit as I came to learn chatting with Jeff and telling him how long it had been waiting to see Kindo, and what I believed is they had never come to Minnesota,
'
He mentioned coming like 8 years before, which would have been in 2009, at 1 of the theaters. Well so in searching, I failed to find a show/tour with them from 2009 or even 2010 or 2008 in Minnesota.

However, Google with the help of last.fm, found a show they played on October 21st, 2007 at The Varsity Theater with 3 other bands I don't know of, the headliner being a band called Daphne Loves Derby.

So it made sense that I wouldn't have known about or seen that show, since, like Janelle Monae a year or 2 later at The Varsity, and maybe even more significant, the 1 and only Minnesota Oceansize show in 2004 at The 7th Street Entry, I had never heard of The Reign of Kindo in October of 2007, so I can't really regret missing them. Along with the fact 10/21/2007 also happened to be the same exact night Between the Buried and Me headlined on the Colors tour (playing the entire album) at The Triple Rock.

Now had I known Kindo and a Concert jump were possible, I sure as hell would have tried to do both, but it may have been a bit of a tall task, and then being way in the back at The Triple Rock show, etc.

But anyway, all parallel universe realities and not mine.

I also did hear from Min Lee and 1 or 2 of the guys in the band, they are looking to tour the US again next Spring and Summer. Spring 2018 likely won't happen in MN, but more likely Summer of 2018.

Maybe with The Dear Hunter or Headlining or even another band (one I love or may not know yet, I could rattle off a handful of them if I wanted to. But maybe that's for another entry, lol..both REALISTIC and unlikely's like Vennart or say Pepe Deluxe or 22 of course...pipe dreams of course).

Oh and a final note, like Bend Sinister, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Agalloch and some others moderate to big..Kindo and Bend Sinister being very big deals..I look to Imogen Heap I guess as the primary Bucket List artist I have yet to see that I haven't, from at least somewhat of a realistic touring performer, and in the US namely.

A BUCKET LIST I should post/post again/update maybe soon. People like Fjokra, Vennart, Pepe Deluxe, Subterranean Masquerade, Small Leaks Sink Ships...Fish/Andre Matos/John Arch (or Arch Matheos), 22, Major Parkinson, etc. But Heap is the earmarker 1 since like Kindo, I got into her in the previous decade and at least 1 time, she toured the States a decent amount. Now this decade she has not unfortunately per her lack of releases and I recall her having children, but I hope she can and will eventually again and I can see her like I just finally did with The Reign of Kindo.




Partial Set List
The Moments in Between
Needle and Thread
The Hero, the Saint, the Tyrant and the Terrorist
Great Blue Sea
Hold Out (with Luke Holland on drums)
Human Convention
City of Gods
Feeling in the Night

Unsure
Romancing a Stranger
Just Wait
Thrill of the Fall
Battling the Years

edit: if/when I find a more fully accurate set list I'll try and update this. Unlike many shows of late, I didn't see a set list sheet to pickup unfortunately. Maybe next time.

Galactic Cowboys News (new album!)

Teaser and Press Release below. The Press Release I shared on Social Media last week. It gives the Record Label and some quotes along with a projection for a release by the end of the Year.

I would guess it'll be coming for Next Year/Season for this blog, but that info will be included in a new entry when it is.

The little teaser is just that, but the little snippet does sound good.

Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group are thrilled to announce the signing of 90’s progressive metal adventurers Galactic Cowboys who return with the original line up and their first album in 17 years.

Dane Sonnier (Guitar), Ben C. Huggins (Vocals), Alan Doss (Drums/Keyboards) and Monty Colvin (Bass) are strapped in, heading back to the Ranch on Mars and are recording together for the first time since 1993’s ‘Space In Your Face’, to rain down a sonic meteor shower later this year.

The Houston, Texas quartet caught the attention of Geffen Records with their eclectic blend of melodic vocals, thrashing riffery and progressive explorations to release their self-titled debut in 1991, the same year as label mates Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’. Though the antithesis of grunge, the Cowboys none the less chalked up videos in heavy MTV rotation, and a memorable appearance in 1994’s ‘Airheads’. Tours followed with Dream Theater, King’s X, Anthrax and Overkill. Going on to release an additional 5 albums, the group disbanded after 2000’s ‘Let It Go’. Their music left a lasting mark on many musicians, including fans Mike Portnoy, Kerry Livgren (Kansas) and Eric Singer (KISS).

Talking about joining Music Theories Recordings (Ayreon, Flying Colors, Don Airey, Neal Schon, Paul Gilbert), Monty Colvin shares, “I am very excited to restart the artistic engine of Galactic Cowboys and bring the universe new music! We’re looking forward to a great working relationship with Mascot!”

“We said we’d only come back if the world needed us. When Mascot sent out the distress call we knew it was time to return. Get ready world. Here come Galactic Cowboys!” adds Ben C Huggins.

Talking about the addition to the label, CEO Ed Van Zijl went on to say, “Every music enthusiast has a favourite band that they dream would reunite one day. Fans worldwide will be stoked to see Galactic Cowboys back in their original line-up, and so are we. We’re excited to have them be part of our growing Mascot family!”

7/6/16 12:32PM
http://montysrockcast.com/rockcast-176/

I haven't checked this out just yet, but just saw a post on forum about it.

And apparently a new album is in the works per this Podcast from bassist Monty Colvin, and the lineup includes original guitarist Dane Sonnier.

I'm not going to flip over this just yet, as reunion albums can have mixed results, but I am at least pretty curious and just very happy to hear them making new music regardless, again.

 

Everything Everything + Fjokra songs

Look for Fjokra's gorgeous tune "Koi" around 2:26, and then listen to the interval pattern of the piano of the title track from the new Everything Everything album A Fever Dream.





rather similar  Kind of sped up or faster I suppose, but it crossed my mind, hearing this similarity, maybe the Everything Everything guys are fans of Fjokra? (and vice-versa).

That being said, I may find the title track (despite that, or maybe because of that), to be a standout on A Fever Dream which is released today (along with the new Steven Wilson album To the Bone).

Need more time with A Fever Dream though, but Everything Everything are becoming one of the most consistent bands and I imagine history will have them as 1 of the key bands from the 2010's.

The Year 1981 Albums Calendar and Rankings

1981, the year of Rush or Moving Pictures I guess.

Yikes, like the 1979 list, it doesn't include a ton of classics or all-time favorites for me. And like 1979 with In Through the Out Door, I look at the Rush album on par with most of their catalog. But it's not like Moving Pictures is a go-to album really for them, for me, over many others.

But comparing it to the rest of the releases of 1981, it kind of is.

I do enjoy Ghost in the Machine quite a bit too, but #2 for the year? dunno about that.

I guess I'm learning with many years, especially from the period of time, my taste and knowledge is only so deep. And it's mostly artists I know/like releasing albums that are okay to good, but hardly even in the upper half of their catalog.

Which it sort of hit me that my love and depth of interest in the last 15 or 20 years even is justified at least to the point there was MORE music made, per more quality. Now, that argument doesn't correlate fully with many of those years in the 70's, but alas, that's when a lot of the best stuff in my taste was 1st made, so go figure.

At the same time, of course there are many albums I only vaguely know on this Calendar list, and also many I don't know but may discover down the road.

But at least in 1981 it was the year Rush kind of broke through commercially and it actually is the #1 ranked album on rym's chart, which is rare for My Own List and their chart for any of these years (maybe I'll do a tally once I finish this whole project).

1. Rush - Moving Pictures
2. The Police - Ghost in the Machine
3. Al Di Meola John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia - Friday Night in San Francisco
4. Rush - Exit...Stage Left
5. Fuse One - Fuse One
6. King Crimson - Discipline
7. Van Halen - Fair Warning
8. Robert Fripp and the League of Gentleman - The League of Gentleman
9. Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman
10. Iron Maiden - Killers
11. Journey - Escape
12. Prince - Controversy
13. Hall and Oates - Private Eyes
14. Phil Collins - Face Value
15. Black Sabbath - Mob Rules
16. Genesis - Abacab
17. The Dregs - Unsung Heroes
18. Duran Duran - Duran Duran
19. Bob and Doug McKenzie - The Great White North
20. Renaissance - Camera Camera




Iron Maiden - Killers
rel February 2, 1981

 
Rush - Moving Pictures
rel February 12, 1981


Phil Collins - Face Value
rel February 13, 1981


Rick Springfield - Working Class Dog
rel February 24, 1981


Jack Bruce Bill Lordan and Robin Trower - B.L.T.
rel February 1981


Robert Fripp and the League of Gentleman - The League of Gentleman
rel February 1981


Spandau Ballet - Journeys to Glory
rel March 6, 1981


Gang of Four - Solid Gold
rel March 9, 1981


Roger Taylor - Fun in Space
rel April 6, 1981


Billy Squier - Don't Say No
rel April 13, 1981


Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays - As Falls Wichita, so Falls Wichita Falls
rel April 27, 1981

 
Van Halen - Fair Warning
rel April 29, 1981


Nick Mason - Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports
rel May 3, 1981


Frank Zappa - Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
rel May 11, 1981


The Moody Blues - Long Distance Voyager
rel May 15, 1981


Squeeze - East Side Story
rel May 15, 1981


Robyn Hitchcock - Black Snake Diamond Role
rel May 1981


Duran Duran - Duran Duran
rel June 8, 1981


Oingo Boingo - Only a Lad
rel June 19, 1981


Motorhead - No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith
rel June 27, 1981


Red Rider - As Far as Siam
rel June 30, 1981


ELO - Time
rel July 2, 1981


Foreign - 4
rel July 2, 1981


The Go-Go's - Beauty and the Beat
rel July 7, 1981


Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna
rel July 27, 1981


Journey - Escape
rel July 31, 1981


Jon and Vangelis - The Friends of Mr.Cairo
rel July 1981


Blue Oyster Cult - Fire of Unknown Origin
rel July 1981


Chick Corea - Three Quartets
rel July 1981


Jaco Pastorius - Word of Mouth
rel July 1981


Artie Fart - The Wonderful Smell of Artie Fart
rel August 2, 1981


Friday Night in San Francisco
rel August 10, 1981


The Rolling Stones - Tattoo You
rel August 28, 1981


Hall and Oates - Private Eyes
rel September 1, 1981
 
Genesis - Abacab
rel September 18, 1981


King Crimson - Discipline
rel September 22, 1981


Frank Zappa - You Are What You Is
rel September 23, 1981


Saga - Worlds Apart
rel September 1981


The Police - Ghost in the Machine
rel October 2, 1981


U2 - October
rel October 12, 1981


Prince - Controversy
rel October 14, 1981


Rush - Exit...Stage Left
rel October 29, 1981


Black Sabbath - Mob Rules
rel November 4, 1981


Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman
rel November 7, 1981


Men at Work - Business as Usual
rel November 9, 1981


The Buggles - Adventures in Modern Recording
rel November 11, 1981


Japan - Tin Drum
rel November 13, 1981


Neal Schon and Jan Hammer - Untold Passion
rel November 1981


Venom - Welcome to Hell
rel December 1981


Cardiacs - Toy World
rel 1981


Billy Cobham - Stratus
rel 1981


The Dregs - Unsung Heroes
rel 1981


Fuse One - Fuse One
rel 1981


Kenso - Kenso
rel 1981


Bob and Doug McKenzie - The Great White North
rel 1981


Renaissance - Camera Camera
rel 1981


Serú Girán - Peperina
rel 1981