Saturday, June 25, 2016

Star Wars Kanan review


Next up is a Star Wars, Kanan, The Last Padawn graphic novel review for Artvoice...and Queen City Bookstore. All of these books can be purchased from Queen City Bookstore.
Here's a link directly to Artvoice.com Graphic Traffic column.
http://artvoice.com/2016/06/24/graphic-traffic-presented-queen-city-bookstore-inc-6/#.V226LPkrK00




After that review a review of Dark Knight Returns The Last Crusade is in order...


...after that is a Neil Gaiman book which I am looking forward to reading and reviewing How To Talk To Girls At Parties.





Saturday, June 11, 2016

The Scenics - Toronto, CA


The Scenics // Toronto Proto Punk // Friday, July 8th // 8 PM
@ Mohawk Place // Buffalo, NY // Only $5 Cover @ The Door















The Scenics
w/ The Barksdales, Twin Lions, The Card Cheats, & The Rifts
Friday, July 8th // Doors @ 8 PM // Ages 18+
@ Mohawk Place // 47 E Mohawk St // Buffalo, NY
Only $5.00 Cover @ The Door!

“If a band makes an album and nobody hears it, does it still rock? It sure does. Three decades after the fact, recently reunited Toronto punks The Scenics have finally issued a sophomore disc — this long-lost batch of wiry Television guitars, black Velvets art-rock, Pere Ubu yelping and the freakiest Tommy James cover you’ve ever heard." Daryl Sterdan the Winnipeg Sun

“It wasn't so much that The Scenics were ahead of their time in 1977, it's more that almost everybody else didn't even know what time it was. The Scenics were on top of it though, grabbing the freedom promised by punk's first blush... New York had Talking Heads, and England was blessed with XTC, but here was their equal in Toronto and they never got the necessary push and support. It's fabulous we finally have the evidence, but it's a drag we haven't been able to enjoy it the past 30 years.”
Bob Mersereau, author of the "the Top 100 Canadian Albums"

“Largely unappreciated when they originally existed between 1976-81, these underground icons merged Television’s guitar work, Big Star’s pop prowess, Pere Ubu’s dementia, & the Ramones’ urgency.” Montreal Mirror

"Brainy crackpot art-pop with an ear for off-kilter melody, a headful of magic and twitchy grooves to burn. It's a sin the Scenics have left such a faint mark on punk-rock history... but now we can start to make things right: the reborn cult starts here.” Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

Music Videos:
Do The Wait https://youtu.be/X83_Ew40O1Y
Dark Cave https://youtu.be/DR_4ltuk_rI
I Killed Marx https://youtu.be/kiTTMMTL96c


Red Francis - Chicago, IL





Red Francis by Red Francis CD review
Song A kicks off this CD with a high energy instrumental jam that sounds like alternative surf rock.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/kL5CRdZF8zU
Song B has a slow and steady groove that is carried along very nicely by a killer sounding bass track. The beat is contagious and will have you pounding something along with it by the end of the song. Bassically this song is my fave on Red Francis. Youtube link https://youtu.be/hJtW2D_I7mY
Media Feeding Frenzy seems to be a commentary on the state of today's TV media. A well crafted rock song that is further enhanced during the chorus by some sultry female vocals and a well-blown trumpet.  Check out the fantastic video https://youtu.be/05nI0-v5pg4
Step Into The Moment is another well composed rock song with a strong melodic sense and a crafty chorus further enhanced with a great sounding keyboard track.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/vmHxMWU1_sc
The next track has a rather odd title (7:04 Singer) that I'm sure has some kind of hidden meaning. The instrumental track starts slow and serene but soon the energy picks up as the band begins to rock out.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/NUZtnTAxqFY
Beauty in the Grey is a groove heavy track that flows along very nicely until it ends very abruptly. I would have liked to hear some kind of solo somewhere along the line.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/dQeOeb6JcQM
John the Fool follows along in the same vein as the rest of the songs until the song is punctuated with a well played solo from Jack Kerwin. The energy of the music is lifted up into a urgent crescendo during the solo until the song ends on a high note.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/iBzofojv53U
Curbstomp roars into the ears with unbridled aggression and power. This song is a refreshing change of pace from the rest of the music on the CD. Really enjoyed this track.
Check it out on Youtube https://youtu.be/eNtHUv_Ut5w
Star A War is the clever title for this rockin' song. The intro features the cool sounds of a distorted bass guitar and a edgy guitar keeps the spacy groove goin' strong. One of the best on Red Francis.
Youtube link which lists' the title as Start A War, either way this song rocks https://youtu.be/Q8PPevgBNF8
Welcome To The Prime is driven by a melodic call and return guitar and vocal line. The bass takes over during the chorus becoming a bit busier.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/MfiL4KqGN6w
Anxious and Mortified immediately reminded of a college radio song. This prime mover is one of my favorites on Red Francis. Youtube link https://youtu.be/5fghL1B21pg
Seemingly saving the best for last, Nos Saevire (We Rage), is a 6 1/2 minute opus of rock goodness. Starting off like much of the rest of the CD, a awesome sounding distorted bass carries the song into the first couple of verses'. The song then slows down into a heavier, grinding, guitar driven jam. Once again I would have liked to hear a guitar or bass solo punctuating the music but the song still sounds great with plenty of psychedelic rock aggression and noise. Nos Saevire takes this great CD out in style. Youtube link https://youtu.be/-1upJJU_mPA

Red Francis bandcamp CD liner notes
Music by Michael Glader, Alex Fishback and Brett Fishback. Lyrics by Michael Glader. Engineered, recorded and mixed by Barrett Guzaldo. Music recorded and mixed at Treehouse Records. Mastered by Doug McBride. Mastered at Gravity Studios.

All songs written and produced by Red Francis except for "John The Fool," written by Bo Blodgett and Michael Glader. Background vocals provided by the lovely Viv McConnell and trumpet provided by Mike Jones. Guitar solo in "John the Fool" preformed by Jack Kerwin. All songs mixed and recorded onto tape at Treehouse Records via Barrett Guzaldo. Thank you to Treehouse Records, all of our beautiful friends, our awesome families and our incredibly supportive fans. Thank you all!
Soulful blues rock n roll from Chicago




Red Francis is a rock n' roll group out of Chicago. They've played the Midwest, the West Coast and are checking out the East Coast right on a 3 week tour right now. Red Francis have put out three albums so far and will be recording their fourth studio full-length right when they return to Chicago. Stay updated on everything at www.redfrancis.com
https://redfrancis.bandcamp.com/





Thank You, Red Francis!

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Flatbed - Buffalo, NY



It’s time for your monthly dose of Flatbed, this Friday the 10th from 5:30-8:30 @ Sportsmen’s Tavern. We’ve got more new/old favorites for this month. We’re taking July off from our regularly-scheduled Happy Hour shows at Sportsmen’s so come on down to stock up on enough Americana/Twang/Rock/Whatever to get you through until August.

Upcoming Shows:
-Tuesday, July 26
LARKIN SQUARE  •  Buffalo, NY  •  5:00pm
-Friday, August 12
SPORTSMEN'S TAVERN  •  Buffalo, NY  •  5:00pm
-Sunday, September 25
POLLYWOGG HOLLER ECO-RESORT  •  Belmont, NY  •  1:00pm

This flyer is supercool cuz it shows a historic piece of Buffalo, the Haunted Central Terminal!

http://flatbedmusic.com
http://twitter.com/flatbedmusic
http://www.facebook.com/flatbedmusic
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Flatbed
http://www.reverbnation.com/flatbedmusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/flatbedmusic

Monday, June 6, 2016

Burn Halo - Orange County, LA


Just Announced!!! // BURN HALO // Wednesday, July 20th // 6 PM
@ Evening Star Concert Hall // $13 Presale Tickets NOW on sale!



Burn Halo
w/ special guests: Inertia, Breath of the Valkyrie, & more!
Wed, July 20th // Doors @ 6:00 PM // Ages 18+
@ Evening Star Concert Hall
8810 Niagara Falls Blvd  // Niagara Falls, NY
Tickets NOW on sale for only $13.00 each!
Order at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2559725

Burn Halo is a mainstream hard rock band led by former Eighteen Visions lead singer James Hart that made its album debut in 2009. Based in Orange County, CA, the band was founded in 2007 by Hart after the dissolution of his former band, Eighteen Visions, an alternative metal act found in 1995 that had a brush with mainstream success with its final album, Eighteen Visions (2006). Intending to craft a straightforward mainstream hard rock album with commercial potential, Hart collaborated extensively with songwriter/producer Zac Maloy (formerly of the Nixons) on a full-length batch of songs recorded with hired studio hands such as Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates. A band lineup was also assembled: Joey Cunha (guitar), Allen Wheeler (guitar), Aaron Baylor (bass), and Ryan Folden (2009), in addition to Hart (vocals). Burn Halo made its eponymous full-length album debut in 2009 on the label Rawkhead Rekords in association with distributor Warner Music Group. The single "Dirty Little Girl," featuring Gates on guitar, was a mainstream rock radio hit. The band joined the 2009 SnoCore Tour in support of the album.

"Orange County's Burn Halo know how to make clear-cut, mainstream rock tracks with a bite. Fronted by former Eighteen Visions singer James Hart, the group’s latest album, ‘Up from the Ashes,’ is strong and show the chaps have a place alongside hard rock heavyweights such as Drowning Pool and Papa Roach." ~ Loudwire.com

Music Videos:
F*ck You https://youtu.be/pLc4R_xoUwM
Dirty Little Girl https://youtu.be/RFRwhwa7DME
Tear It Down https://youtu.be/7wTmXB-aBQI