I’m trying something new, so I’m going to just highlight some of the past things I’ve seen, heard, and/or experienced this week. This is mainly because I’ve been busy, but want to throw a bunch of stuff on the site to keep you interested. And I’m starting the week on a Friday. Normally all this stuff would go on my Facebook, and most of it does, but I may as well plug it here too.
First up, I was interviewed for the Born Too Late podcast. If you want to hear my origin story, my work with KSDT, writing for Flipside, my record label called Scam-O-Rama Records, Australia trips, and the search for new music, you can find it at all places where podcasts are made (Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, Bandcamp, etc…) Here’s some links to it:
I also want to plug the guys who interviewed me. First up, is Josh Rutledge from Faster And Louder. I go to this site daily and it’s my “go-to” for checking out and discovering new bands. I just wish I could write as good as Josh. He always has something interesting to say and is my main inspiration for starting this website.
Another website that writes really good reviews (unlike mine, lol) is done by Jay, who also is part of the Born Too Late podcast. His site is called Shock Treatment Zine and features Interviews, Record Reviews, and More Featuring Only The Best Punk, Post Punk, and Power Pop Bands and Labels.
The Rolling Stones have a new album out today and it’s really good. I really love the track “Divine Intervention” and think it’s one of the best Stones songs I’ve heard since the ’70s (and that’s actually saying a lot). I can’t stop listening to it. Gives me chills.
Jack White also has a new album out today. It’s called “Frozen Charlotte” I absolutely loved his last album and this sounds like it’s along the same lines, though more lo-fi.
I saw Hector Penalosa Gang last week. Great set as always! It still blows me away how he plays guitar. He’s left handed, so he plays the way he learned, by just turning a right handed guitar upside down. As is. Meaning the strings are also strung upside down, with the heavier strings on the bottom, not the top. We talked about it a little in my 6 part interview with him. The Hector Penalosa Gang is actually an all star band. Of course there’s Hector who was in the Zeros and also plays in the Avengers. In addition there’s Jarrod from the Dragons on drums and Alan who was in a ton of other bands (like Motorcycle Boy) and plays in at least 4 bands right now, including the hard rockin’ La Strega and the Johnny Thunders influenced The Overdrives. And their bassist Matt is going to be one of the keyboardists for Paul Roessler’s new band called Necessary Effect, which will be them doing all Screamers songs using the same gear as back in the day to be as accurate as can be. So there’s some hot off the press news for you right there!
I’ve also been really enjoying CJ Wildheart’s latest album, “Devil”. Reviewed here.
Oh! Just discovered this today! Angel Witch at the Rock Hard festival from last May. Pretty rockin’ set! I first discovered Angel Witch in 1983. A doom metal band (was that even a term back then?) from Chicago called Trouble put out a live cassette and I sent away and bought a copy from them. On it were two Angel Witch songs and I was like “Wow! I better check this band out!” Been a fan ever since!
The band Cancer Bats sometimes perform under the name Bat Sabbath and do Black Sabbath covers. Well they just came out with an EP and it’s pretty damn good! The singer puts his own spin on things and they chose some excellent songs to cover and did great versions of them.
Kerry King reissued his solo album, “From Hell I Rise” recently. Kind of weird to have a special edition out for just a “2 year anniversary”, but it is a good album and it comes with 5 bonus tracks. What’s noticeable is that they’re all demos with Kerry King singing! All the Slayer demos that were around the trading scene back in the day were all from Jeff Hanneman where he just did some scratch vocals or with Tom Araya singing. But I never thought that Kerry King could even sing! And he actually does a really good job! Who knew?!
Leave a Reply