Music Blog covers the Underground/Indie Rock Music Scene in a positive manner with a focus on the WNY area. Bands and promoters are encouraged to submit promo material for review. Listening to new music with an open mind is important. This blog isn't about Joe Tell it's about exposing new music and promoting new bands that want a push. I also post about any interesting topic that may cross my mind. Music blog sponsored by Buffalo's best comic book shop Queen City Bookstore.
Atrophied Astrofeed by Haunted Horses musical review by Joe Tell.
How Do You Do starts off with a greeting of Hello instantly creating a personal connection that the listener can relate to. The second part of the verse has a weird phasing/octave sound on the vocals which counteracts the feeling of the first part of the verse. A backwards solo further amplifies the effect. The overall sound is pseudo psychedelic never completely going off the melodic rails.
Soulshaker Sun features Mattley Mountain on lead vocals and electric bass guitar. The sound is very full even though the band has only 3 pieces. The overdriven bass line is out front and carries the song along adding melody. The electric mandolin fills the space between the percussive rhythm and the vocals with style, sounding very much like an electric guitar. Soulshaker Sun is one of Haunted Horses best efforts.
Soulshaker Sun youtube music video by Haunted Horses.
I've always believed that every song, like any art, is subject to individual interpretation due to how the sound makes you feel and the things you may be going through when you first hear the song. In the case of the Haunted Horses song called Siren the song may be about the sound of an ambulance or fire truck siren. Some of the lyrics, in my opinion, describe the experience of riding in an ambulance on the way to a hospital. A subject which is so cool and unique to base a song lyric on. The musical landscape is also unique with it's harmonic note in the beginning and musical noises which fit into the musical ride the song takes you on.
I'm Gonna Miss Me highlights Joe Foldes' unique vocal style. The song title is relatable, inspiring a casual emotional connection. The tempo is fast with lots of melodic background vocals and amazing musical sounds.
I'm Gonna Miss Me LIVE youtube music video by Haunted Horses. Featuring John Epperly on Drums and Vocals, Joe Foldes on Wireless, Mobile Bass and Vocals and Mattley Mountain on Deluxe Lite-Up Guitar and Vocals https://youtu.be/kH9bmk88JAM
Half Quadrophonic by Haunted Horses music review by Joe Tell.
Half Quadrophonic was released in 2018.
True kicks off Half Quadrophonic with brilliance and style. The sound is alternative rock but Haunted Horses creates a musical mix all its own. The sound is created with an electric mandolin (very similar to the sound of a guitar), an overdriven electric bass (way cool!) and lots of melodious lead and harmony vocals. The lyrical content is uplifting and the electric mandolin sounds amazing. The verses lead into an exciting and melodic chorus.
Radar has a catchy rock sound. The vocals seem to float along above the music as they carry the song along. A slide guitar or electric mandolin slide part weaves in and out of the mix, keeping things musically interesting. The instrumentation branches out a bit before the lead vocal brings the groove back in. The lyrical meaning is fleeting but I think it may have something to do with the underground music scene, at least that's my interpretation.
Smooth Rider starts off with a banging, pounding rhythm. The tempo rolls steadily along into a heavy vocal chorus. The lyrics are full of sexual innuendo. This song would obviously be a great choice as you drive to and from a familiar destination.
Retrograde is a up-tempo rocker. The intro brings on a feeling of anticipated suspense, wondering what sounds are to come. The percussion performance on Retrograde by John Epperly is the best on HQ. Once again the unique sound caught my ear with an electric mandolin carrying the main melody along with a distorted bass sound. The song has a primal urgency with its new wave feel and heavy hard rock rhythm. Retrograde is an excellent choice to round out the Half Quadrophonic release.
Haunted Horses NYC was formed in 2005 in Brooklyn NY.
Latest Experience Hendrix 80th Birthday Celebration show flyer.
After Elvis appeared at The Buffalo War Memorial Auditorium (The Aud) in 1957... before The Aud was the home for The Buffalo Sabres starting in 1970, The Aud hosted basketball games and wrestling matches and in 1968 the Legendary Jimi Hendrix (The Greatest Guitarist of all time) made a stop in Buffalo on his Axis: Bold As Love tour in March of 1968, the 3rd show on a 11 day consecutive stint of shows. Thanks to Bruce Eaton, impresario of the Albright-Knox Jazz concert series, we have a first hand account of the performance.
According to Bruce the stage was only about 4 feet high and the Aud was filled to 1/2 it's capacity, only about 6000 people were there.
This was when the cheap seats were colored grey and way before The Aud was renovated to accomodate more people after the Sabres moved in.
Hendrix rocked out on "Fire", "Manic Depression" and "Purple Haze" etc. etc. "blah blah woof woof ...only cowboys stay in tune anyway".
Those songs and many more were inlcuded in the set and Hendrix violently smashed his equipment at the end of his performance, a trademark for Hendrix early in his career.
Bruce still has a piece of a smashed amplifier, which he politely asked 1 of the roadies for, that Hendrix graciously sacrificed for the Buffalo audience.
Upon learning that the scheduled opening act "Jesse's First Carnival" was stranded in a Cleveland snowstorm the concert promoter, Jerry Nathan quickly recruited his sons local band. After a emergency afternoon rehearshal Buffalos own "The Sinnermen" opened the show.
Before reading the recent article in Buffalo Spree http://www.buffalospree.com/
I learned of this show from the book, "Jimi Hendrix, Experience The Music" written by Belmo and Steve Loveless.
I also heard another first hand account from Phil when I was a member of the local Buffalo band "Wanted By The FBI" http://www.fbibluesrock.com/. Phil was in attendance.
A Big Thank You to "Buffalo Spree", the "Jimi Henrix, Experience The Music"book, Ed Adamczyk, Bruce Eaton, Tony Markellis, Jay Weisbeck, Jerry and Steve Nathan and Phil for sharing their "Experiences" with everyone and last but not least, Jimi Hendrix.
Hendrix giving oral to his guitar, AKA playing with his teeth, was always an exciting trick Hendrix enjoyed and employed during his improvisational soloing.
"The cat in the blue hat" looks really excited.
Check out the spare sunburst Strat standing up against the Sunn cabinets.
Before James Hendrix became "Jimi Hendrix" Jimi was a sideman to many R&B touring bands, here's a rare pic from '65 when Jimi played McVans in Buffalo New York with Joey Dee and the Starlighters.
Photo courtesy of the book "Becoming Jimi Hendrix" by Steven Roby & Brad Schreiber.
Exclusive Interview with Frontline by Joe Tell. Thank You Frontline!
What are some of your greatest influences?
Arti (Lead Guitar): In terms of songwriting, Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction, Thin Lizzy’s Fighting and Skid Row’s first two albums were some of the main influences on this album. In terms of playing, that of Skid Row’s guitarists was definitely an influence on me, in the way they include pinch harmonics. Apart from that, the melodies of guitarists like Slash and Scott Gorham also were.
Jamal (Drums): Among artists that inspire me the most are Author & Punisher, UnexpecT and Vildhjarta. Obviously, these influences don’t really have a place in a hard-rock album, which is why I reserve them for my other band, Fosvor. Instead, for the drums of Scream All You Want we embraced a timeless hard-rock style. Simple but effective. We went for a punchy sound, but with subtle accents and ghost notes.
Steven (Bass): My greatest influence is melodic punk rock, to name a few bands: Lagwagon, NOFX, Operation Ivy. Some of my favourite punk rock bands, like Propagandhi, have metal influences. That inspires me as well. I’ve been playing in local skatepunk bands for many years, I love to play fast melodies and riffs on bass. You may hear this in our songs; "Into the Sun" and on the verses of "Judgment day". I also really like to play fills on bass, and fortunately Arti gave me freedom to play a lot of them on the album. You’ll hear them in songs like "Tower of Lies", "Keep it a Secret" and “No More”.
Thomas (Vocals): My greatest vocal influences are Chris Cornell, Layne Staley and Stevie Wonder. The bands that inspired me the most when I was young are Guns N' Roses, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Pantera and Deep Purple. Though at family parties I always loved the Motown songs. These days I gravitate more towards Soundgarden/Temple of the dog, The Aristocrats, Porcupine tree, Audioslave, Jethro Tull and anything groovy/soulful, I don't care about the genre. During the recording of the album I kind of went where I thought I could go vocally and tried to actually sing Arti's composed melodies.
Thijs (Rhythm Guitar): The first bands I started listening to as a kid were Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers and System of a Down, as the YouTube algorithm decided those were all related to each other. I always liked the combination of really heavy distorted guitars and pretty clean melodies, which probably influenced my playing the most.
What was the inspiration behind the songs?
Arti: Each of the songs tells a story, some inspired by personal experience, some completely fictional. “Scream all you want” is about someone who’s had an easy life, but is facing demise now that karma’s come ‘round. “Love creeps” is about feeling hollow when pursuing superficial romantic relationships. “Out of the Darkness” is about needing to escape from life in a boring town. “Keep it a secret” was inspired by a scenario like what’s shown in the film “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, where a group of teens accidentally run someone over and try to dispose of the body, but could be applied to anything that needs to be kept secret. “Judgment day” is about a pickup-artist who comes to a town, seduces every woman, but then comes across one who takes revenge on him. It’s also what the cover art is based on. “No more” is about someone stuck in an abusive relationship who’s going to make his/her escape. “High in the sky” is about someone who didn’t take his chances for a long time but finally gets another opportunity to do so. “Love in trouble” is about two lovers in despair, whose relationship is in crisis. “Lift yourself up” is like a pep talk for anyone who’s sitting back and letting life pass him/her by. “Cheating is easy” is a cynical commentary on the way cheating can be helpful, by someone who’s just been cheated on. “Tower of lies” is about someone who’s ignoring the voice of his/her conscience, and building up a tower of lies which will eventually crumble, and “Into the sun” talks about continuing to strive for the best despite hardships: an apt song to end the album with.
What’s some of your favorite gear and did you get to use it on the album?
Arti: I used an Epiphone SG to do all my parts. As for effects pedals: I mostly used my Boss Adaptive Distortion, DA-2, which gives an awesome 80’s hard rock sound. Except for on “Keep it a secret”, where the less aggressive-sounding Marshall Guv’nor was more appropriate. For amplification, I used the Guitar Rig plugin, and a variety of amplifiers, whatever suited each song best.
Jamal: We dove into the studio to track drums near the start of 2020. Unfortunately, when COVID hit the Netherlands we were not able to record drums acoustically anymore for the foreseeable future. Therefore, we opted for virtual drums, programmed meticulously to match my drumming style as close as possible. It took me many, many evenings to track the whole album this way, but I think we got there in the end. We hope Scream All You Want sounds as dynamic and punchy as you’d want from a hard-rock banger!
Steven: I play a 5-string Aria Jazz bass, which I have since I was 16. I really like the sound and feel of this model, and my plan for the future is to get an authentic Fender Jazz bass. I also used a Zoom modeler for the recordings. I am planning to get a Markbass amp soon. Those amps have a very rich sound, are very lightweight and the yellow cones look awesome.
Thomas: A guitar with good pickups, fretwork and intonation over an expensive/good Blackstar. And no, I don't have a Blackstar, treat my guitars like shit and am the singer. For the album I used the mic the studio had to offer, which was well above and beyond my humble budget. So now my favorite microphone is an expensive condenser mic.
Thijs: An audio interface into a computer with any instrument you can get. Creating and recording different (virtual) instruments is something that I always love to do.
Credits on Scream all you want:
Songwriting: Arti Flinkerbusch (all tracks except 10), Maria Soares (tracks 2, 6, 7, 8 and 12), Thomas Kunst (track 12), Seth Swirsky & Ernie Gold (track 10)
After long waited anticipation, Dutch hard rock band Frontline will release their long awaited debut album: "Scream all you want" on the 1st of October on Spotify and other channels. Influenced by the likes of Guns N' Roses and Thin Lizzy, all 13 songs are self-penned originals, except for a hard rock cover of Taylor Dayne's 1987 dance-pop hit "Tell it to my heart". Following up on the releases of the EP "Accidental Gathering" and the single "Judgment Day", the album features 8 previously unreleased tracks, and re-recorded & remixed versions of the other 5. The track listing for Scream All You Want is as follows 1. Scream all you want 2. Love creeps 3. Out of the darkness 4. Keep it a secret 5. Judgment day 6. No more 7. High in the sky 8. Love in trouble 9. Lift yourself up 10. Tell it to my heart 11. Cheating is easy 12. Tower of lies 13.Into the sun.
Review for Accidental Gathering by Frontline by Joe Tell.
The title of the EP, Accidental Gathering, is perfect for these turbulent times. Keep It A Secret is a straight ahead, in your face hard rock song. The uptempo song is a great choice to kick off the Frontline Accidental Gathering EP. The chromatic guitar lines keep the energy flowing and the explicit lyrics make the song that much cooler. Love Creeps features some heavy guitar and great soloing to start the song. The solos continue throughout the song as the energy and the key of the music moves up a little higher. Cheating Is Easy is a updated slab of the classic 70's rock sound complete with a melodic guitar solo, sure to please any rock fan. Tower Of Lies sounds to me like the most powerful and polished song of the set. Overall the band mixes the rock sounds of legendary bands like April Wine, Def Leppard, Foghat and Grand Funk Railroad together to create a unique rock sound.
Frontline is a hard rock band from Delft consisting of five enthusiastic band members; Thomas (vocals), Arti (guitar), Thijs (guitar), Steven (bass) and Jamal (drums). The band formed in the summer of 2018. Arti wrote a bunch of hard rock songs and was looking for the right musicians to perform them with. He found these through jam sessions in a medieval cellar in the city center of Delft. The band had some live gigs and a radio performance - before the pandemic kicked in.
Frontline did not let the pandemic interfere with their work. The EP ‘Accidental Gathering’ was recorded even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Bassist Steven explains: ’We separately recorded our instruments from the safety of our homes and then Thijs mixed them together..” The band has made a tight production - you wouldn’t tell the EP has been recorded from home, completely DIY. The song writing recalls old-school hard rock music. Arti: “My influences are mostly Guns N’ Roses, Thin Lizzy and other hard rock legends from back in the day. Although everybody in the band digs that, the members’ individual tastes are diverse. For instance, Steven’s background is punk rock and Jamal’s more metal. This makes the band’s sound an interesting mix.”
The EP ‘Accidental Gathering’ is Frontline’s first release. Get ready for some spot-on hard rock vocals and guitar riffs. Lead singer Thomas: “Our song Let’s keep it a secret is one of my favorites! The riffs are awesome and the song will most definitely be stuck in your head all day.” It sure is a good teaser for their upcoming album, expected to be released in summer 2021. If you love rock music, make sure to follow this band to stay up to date. You’ll definitely want to add this EP to your favorites!
LEEDS, UNITED KINGDOM - Following the release of singles Estranged, Cup of Coffee in the Big Time, and Custom Made Lizard Shoes, Radio Aftermath are now set to unleash their debut self-titled EP on an unsuspecting world!
The band’s influences pitch modern rock artists such as Jamie Lenman/Reuben, Biffy Clyro, and the much-missed Black Peaks against the likes of scene stalwarts Alexisonfire and La Dispute, balancing aggression and melody with some deliciously delectable musical hooks thrown in for good measure. The EP also features a guest turn from fellow Leeds lads, When They Riot.
Formed in 2014, Radio Aftermath consists of frontman Chris Dennett (Vocals and Guitar), Sam Moran (Guitar and Vocals), Rob Burns (Bass and Vocals) and Jack Craven (Drums). Their debut single Kiss from a Rebel launched in May 2020 at the height of the first COVID-19 lockdown, this was followed by We Eat the Buffalo (November 2020) and Estranged (February 2021). 2022 saw the guys hunker down to focus on recording and releasing new music, starting with May’s Cup of Coffee in the Big Time and followed by Custom Made Lizard Shoes in July.
For Fans Of: Deftones, Lonely the Brave, Glassjaw, Reuben, Jamie Lenman, Queens of the Stone Age, La Dispute, Turnstile, Biffy Clyro, Press to MECO, IDLES, Alexisonfire.
Band Members: Christopher Dennett (Vocals/Guitars), Sam Moran (Guitars/Vocals), Robert Burns (Bass/Vocals), Jack Craven (Drums) Additional Personnel: Tom Wallwork (When They Riot, Guest Vocals).
Rob from the Talkin Bout Rock podcast invited me out to see Mr. Speed, Grosh and Hair Nation at the famed Showplace Theater. After having, #1 grown up on KISS music, #2 reviewed both of Grosh's releases and #3 reviewed Jim Crean's music I was excited to go. (Thank You Rob!)
After overcoming some ear pain I was able to take Rob up on his invite. Being late (as usual) I missed Grosh (darn it!) but was able to check out Jim Crean/Hair Nation and Mr. Speed. Here's a few pics of Mr. Speed, a band I've always wanted to see.
Here's a couple photos of Jim Crean and Hair Nation from a recent performance at the Showplace Theater alongside Mr. Speed and Grosh. Special thanks goes out to Rob from Talkin Bout Rock!
Screamtaker
Jim Crean's latest project is called Scream Taker. Scream Taker features Jim Crean, Vinny Appice and Steph Honde.
Jim Crean was part of the MOB (Musicians of Buffalo) benefit concert in 2021. The All-Star band featured Billy Sheehan on Bass and Vincent James on Guitar.
Photos courtesy of Jim Crean and Ray Enzinna Photography.
Jim and Vince.
Serpentine Vol. III is Jim Crean's third release of cover material.
Serpentine is an interesting word in itself and here's a couple of definitions of serpentine, like a serpent or snake (cool) and cunning and complex. A unique and uncommon word that has several different meanings which makes for a great album title.
Here's a rundown of the song list with a little background on some of the songs.
1. For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica.
Based on Ernest Hemingway's war novel and known for bassist Cliff Burton's use of a wah pedal.
2. Back In The Saddle by Aerosmith.
This song was a top 40 hit for Aerosmith in the late 70's. Instantly recognizable from it's distinctive bass sound. Played by Joe Perry on a Fender Bass VI.
3. We Die Young by Alice In Chains.
Released on the band's first promo only EP. The vinyl and cassette copies have since become collector's items
4. I'm Insane by Ratt. From their 84' top 10 release.
5. Heaven Tonight by Cheap Trick.
6. Crazy Nights by Loudness.
7. Queen Medley - Death On Two Legs/I'm In Love With My Car.
8. Ain't Talkin' Bout Love by Van Halen.
9. Lights Out by UFO.
10. Fly Me Courageous by Drivin N Cryin.
11. Moving In Stereo by The Cars.
12. Rearviewmirror by Pear Jam.
13. The Mountain Song by Jane's Addiction.
14. Strange Wings by Savatage.
Serpentine Vol. III features performances by Jim Crean, Steph Honde, Artie Dillon, Dave Pontrello, Art Kalenda, Anton Shcherbakov and Jim Papafagos.
Review for Jim Crean's release The Book Of Cryptids Vol. II by Joe Tell.
The first track on The Book Of Cryptids II is Medusa from Anthrax. Anthrax was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the east coast in the 80's. Medusa is great example of early thrash metal at it's finest. Jim Crean performs the soaring vocals of Joey Belladonna, hitting all the high notes.
Next up is Kings and Queens from one of my favorite bands, Aerosmith. Kings and Queens was originally released in '77 on the Draw The Line album and the lyrics call to mind a medieval fantasy. Jim crushes the vocals, handling all of Steven Tyler's raw inflections to perfection.
Mirror Mirror (Look Into My Eyes) was released by Def Leppard in 1981 on the High 'n' Dry album. Def Leppard quickly established itself as one of the finest bands to come out of the British Metal scene in the early 80's with its high energy music and performances. This song is a perfect choice for Jim Crean who matches the primal energy and passion of the original. This song inspired me to revisit one of the best metal albums of the early 80's.
A Criminal Mind by Gowan is a Canadian rock classic. It's a unusual stylistic choice for Jim but he performs the vocals on the synth/progressive rock track with ease. Gowan emerged from Canada in '82 and is now a member of the band Styx. A Criminal Mind showcases Jim's emotive vocal chops on top of the progressive rock track. I found myself enjoying the vocal melodies and becoming a fan of this song the more I listened. One of the best songs on the CD.
Jim shows his love for 80's music by covering the top 10 hit Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) by Mike + The Mechanics from '85.
Cry For Freedom is from the hard rock band White Lion. The song was released on their '89 gold album Big Game.
Love Is another surprising musical choice. The song shows yet another side style of Jim's unique vocal talent. Love Is was a top 10 hit and was originally released by Vanessa Williams as a duet with Brian McKnight in '93.
Jim returns to the rock sound with the grunge rock Star Dog Champion from Mother Love Bone. Jim's vocal style is best suited for the rock sound and this song proves it in spades.
Once again, Jim shows his love for the metal band the Scorpions covering When The Smoke Is Going Down. Jim covered Falling In Love by the Scorpions on his last cover album, Gotcha Covered. (see review) Jim's metallic crooning really shines on this one. Great Choice!
The final track is my favorite on the CD. Jim covers all the classic vocals of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Mary Clayton on Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones. The music sounds exactly like the record and Jim conveys all the energy and emotion from the original track.
The playlist on this CD is sure to please and rock 'n' roll fan and keeps things musically interesting by covering a wide range of prominent musical artists'.
Special thanks to Jim Crean.
Video compilation cover.
The video compilation and the autographed pic and guitar pick were included in my pre-order.
Jim Crean "Mirror,Mirror (Look Into My Eyes)" Def Leppard Cover
Written by Rick Allen,Joe Elliot,Rick Savage,Steve Clark & Pete Willis
Appears on the Album Jim Crean "The Book Of Cryptids"
Jim Crean~Lead & Background Vocals
Produced By: Steve Major
Video Edited by: James Papafagos
Jim Crean "Stardog Champion" Mother Love Bone Cover
Written by Bruce Ian Fairweather & Andrew Wood
Appears on the Album Jim Crean "The Book Of Cryptids"
Jim Crean~Lead & Background Vocals
Produced By: Steve Major
Video Edited by: James Papafagos
Jim Crean "When The Smoke Is Going Down" Scorpions Cover
Written by Klaus Meine & Rudolf Schenker
Appears on the Album Jim Crean "The Book Of Cryptids"
Jim Crean~Lead & Background Vocals
Produced By: Steve Major
Jim Crean "Gimme Shelter" The Rolling Stones Cover
Written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Appears on the Album Jim Crean "The Book Of Cryptids"
Jim Crean~Lead & Background Vocals
Produced By: Steve Major
Jim Crean: The London Fog/Gotcha Covered interview and music review by Joe Tell.
Exclusive interview with Buffalo Music Hall of Fame alumni, Jim Crean by Joe Tell. Jim is currently promoting his two latest releases, The London Fog and Gotcha Covered. The London Fog and Gotcha Covered can be purchased by clicking on www.jimcrean.net or www.visionarynoise.com
Hello Jim, -When did you start singing? I started at the age of 13 and then started playing clubs by 15. -Which instruments do you play? I play guitar and sing. -What was the first tune you learned to sing and play? Dream On by Aerosmith. -Was anyone in your family musical? My dad was a drummer. -Which famous musicians do you admire? There are so many but probably mostly Ronnie James Dio & Steven Tyler from Aerosmith.
-Which famous musicians have you learned from? I have been privileged to work with so many known high profiled musicians so It’s hard to pinpoint one person! -What are your fondest musical memories? There are so many it’s hard to keep track of, especially touring with Appice, however I just recently was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall Of Fame and that was a highlight being recognized in my own home town!
-Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones? My biggest records that influenced me were Animal Magnetism from the Scorpions and all of the Talas albums!
-Who are your favorite musicians? Every one that I have worked with. -Any major tours/plans for the future? Yes I am going out on tour with Appice in the coming year and The Jim Crean Band is planning on doing many shows along with releasing a Live album / DVD from the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles that we recorded back in August.
Thank you Jim!
Jim Crean - The London Fog music review by Joe Tell.
One of Jim Crean's 2019 releases is an all original album called The London Fog. (Released on Visionary Noise records and produced by Jim Crean and Steve Major) The London Fog is Jim Crean's third major solo release. The guest stars that play on The London Fog is a list of who's who in the hard rock world. Guests' include Steph Honde (Cafe' Bertrand, Paul Di'Anno (Iron Maiden) Hollywood Monsters), Mike Tramp (White Lion, Freak Of Nature), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio, Blue Oyster Cult), Carmine Appice (Cactus, Beck, Bogert and Appice, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Ted Nugent, Vanilla Fudge), Vinny Appice (Rick Derringer, Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven & Hell, John Lennon), Frank Dimino (Angel), Tony Franklin (The Firm, Jimmy Page, Quiet Riot, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Whitesnake), Rik Fox (Steeler, W.A.S.P.), Colleen Mastrocovo, Robby Lochner (Great White), A.D. Zimmer, Ray Tabano (Aerosmith), Artie Dillon, Barend Courbois, Robbie Robson, Eric Lebailley, Chris Tristram (House Of Lords), Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P., L.A. Guns), Chris Konys, Dave Pontrello, Freddie Villano, Carl Canedy (The Rods) and Mitch Perry (Michael Schenker, Talas, Ratt). Wow, very impressive. The London Fog starts off with Scream Taker. The intro is reminiscent of the cool music you usually hear at the beginning of any classic hard rock album and the music the band plays before you would see them in concert. Nice piano and guitar touches. The song features an all-star cast with Steph Honde on guitar and keyboards, Rudy Sarzo on bass and Vinny Appice on drums. The hard driving music starts fast and will make you move or raise your blood pressure, like a good rockin' song should. The lyrics strike me as a tribute to the legendary metal singer Dio. Jim immediately makes his presence heard with a couple of aggressive screams. An absolutely killer solo is enhanced with some nice string sounds. Jim takes the syncopated music out with a couple more high-pitched screams. Jim's vocal performance on Scream Taker is one of the best on the album, full of passion, fire and a little brimstone. Conflicted continues the high energy vibe, the song features Steph Honde on guitar and keyboards and A.D. Zimmer rips a short but sweet bass solo reminiscent of Billy Sheehan. The guitar intro establishes the mid-tempo rocker. Jim gives another impressive vocal performance punctuating the music perfectly. The lyrics reflect the drama that only a rock and roll love affair can provide. The next song Broken was released with a accompanying Youtube video. The video features Colleen Mastrocovo and members of Jim's cover band Hair Nation, Dan Kaplin and A.D. Zimmer. Click on the arrow in the middle to watch the video.
Broken sounds like it was pulled directly off of an MTV Headbangers ball playlist. Jim Crean delivers an emotionally driven and strong vocal performance, the song is completed with some blazing lead guitar by Steph Honde. Aphrodisiac is an exciting song that stimulates the listener in more ways than one. The repeating musical figures have a mesmerizing quality and the amazing guitar solo raises the sexual tension even more. Lady Beware has a solid drum beat that will get your toes tappin'. Jim's aggressive vocals rise above the backbeat lifting the energy up and the quick, sharp solo emphasizes the quick tempo. Let It Go is a ballad that features a melodic piano track further emphasized by a brilliant backing guitar track. Jim delivers another emotionally charged vocal performance. Loaded lifts the energy and the tempo back up. Loaded delivers a head-banging, fist pumping musical track. Jim provides a melodic touch with the catchy chorus. A.D. Zimmer provides the thunder with a pounding and punchy bass track. Candle is a duet that features Mike Tramp on vocals along with Jim. Candle is a song that Mike Tramp wrote with Freak Of Nature, it appears on the Gathering Of Freaks album. If you haven't heard of this song before you are missing out. Jim's version puts a new spin on the killer track. 1981 sounds like it is from 1981, one of my favorite years for heavy rock music. Colleen Mastrocovo provides a pounding and intense drum track. Jim Crean is seemingly singing about and old flame that he still may hold a candle for. The guitar solo on this track is one of the best on the entire album, absolute shredding! I can envision a massive crowd singing along with the catchy chorus. Time Will Let You Know is a stylish and sophisticated rock ballad that was written by Robin Zander. Jim delivers the goods once again providing a passionate vocal performance. A cover of Rod Stewart's Passion is up next. This song features the killer rhythm section of Carmine Appice on drums and Tony Franklin on bass. Jim does a great hard rock version of this song that you can still dance to. To watch the video on Youtube click on this link https://youtu.be/xJYzNZAYDiQ Fool delivers an Aerosmith-like punch. Jim shows off his rock vocal chops by expertly singing on this track like only he can. Former Aerosmith member Ray Tabano plays guitar on Fool. Don't Take Your Love is another duet that features Angel singer Frank DiMino. This song is a classic 70s arena rock anthem. Don't Take Your Love was written by Angel and it appears on the Angel album Sinful. Tears closes out The London Fog. A heavy guitar track is provided by W.A.S.P. veteran Chris Holmes. Jim belts out a melodic vocal track in perfect contrast to the metallic strings.
Jim Crean's second musical release of 2019 is called Gotcha Covered. Gotcha Covered is a good mix of popular rock songs and a few lesser-known deep cuts. The metallic and heavy, Hall Of The Mountain King by Savatage kicks off Gotcha Covered. Next up is Like The Way I Do by Melissa Etheridge. Jim puts his own unique spin on the song adding a heavy touch. Hungry by White Lion, Outlaw by The Scream and The Last Time by Badlands are a few songs I've never heard of but after listening to them it's obvious that they are all killer choices. The popular Lonely Nights by Bryan Adams is rocked up by Crean and Mazzy Star's Fade Into You is a surprising choice. Jim creatively turns the song into a rock ballad. Bye Bye Love by The Cars draws the listener back in with its familiarity. Falling In Love by the Scorpions is a song I have always loved and Jim does a stinging version. Jim executes a great version of Saved By Zero by The Fixx. Fellow hometown heroes the Goo Goo Dolls are next up on the album. Jim keeps the song melodic while making the main riff even stronger and heavier. Cry No More is a deep cut by the band Arcade. Arcade was fronted by Stephen Pearcy (Ratt) and featured Fred Coury (Cinderella) on drums. When Heaven Comes Down by Dokken and Love Is Like Oxygen by The Sweet brings everyone back up to speed. A slammin', hard rock version of 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago closes out Gotcha Covered in style.
On Thursday, June 9th, Jeremy Porter and The Tucos bring their original rock and roll from Detroit to Buffalo for a show at Duende at Silo City. This will be The Tucos fourth Buffalo appearance and their first since 2018. The band's sound is described as a combination of classic American powerpop bands like Cheap Trick and The Plimsouls and roots-rock/alt-country bands like Uncle Tupelo and Gram Parsons, with elements of punk, rockabilly, pop and classic rock thrown in. They're supporting their most recent album Candy Coated Cannonball (GTG Records, 2021) and a three-CD retrospective "Bottled Regrets: The First Ten Years." Front-man Jeremy Porter says of Buffalo: "We love the city - it's a blue-collar, rust-belt town like Detroit that wears its heart on its sleeve. Some hard years for sure, but things are coming back better than ever. Great people, great food, and a down-to-Earth attitude. We fit right in!"
Thursday, June 9th
Jeremy Porter and The Tucos
Duende at Silo City
85 Silo City Row - Buffalo NY
6-8 PM - Free - All Ages
Jeremy Porter and the Tucos - Detroit, Michigan
Jeremy Porter and the Tucos Don't Worry, It's Not Contagious music review by Joe Tell. Jeremy Porter and the Tucos sound like a band that is ambitiously striving for the mainstream. The band is very diverse showing off many styles punctuated by some unique sounds.
Don't Worry, It's Not Contagious kicks off with Walk Of Shame. Walk Of Shame has an Americana feel and packs a punch with it's twangy rock and roll guitars. The piano track played by Jeremy Porter adds a unique sound to this straight ahead rock and roll song. Huckleberry has a infectious, urgent rock energy that's hard to ignore. This song shows off the band's alternative rock side with elements of pop punk. Patrick O'Harris provides a sweet sounding bass track offset with some great guitar melodies. This song reminded me of Huckleberry Hound. Watch and listen to Huckleberry on Youtube, here's the link https://youtu.be/4dIGIuuhz5k
The title track, Don't Worry.. kicks off with a cool sounding bass line and neat little bass line takes the song out. A strong vocal delivery tops off this powerful and punky track. A slammin' drum track provided by Gabriel Doman punctuates Avenues Are For Heroes, an uptempo song about the hard life of the streets. Consolation Prize features Jeremy Porter and Jennifer Westwood on a vocal duet. Jennifer Westwood fronts a band called Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils. Torn features Jeremy on acoustic guitar topped with a lone, melancholy vocal track. The sound of Don't Have To Ask Twice is reminiscent of early 80's alternative rock. A sound at the end of the track sounds vaguely familiar adding a unique touch... Urge To Cry is a rock ballad with a cool tempo change and a great guitar lick ending. Patty's Not Impressed is a quick uptempo song about a rock fan who just doesn't "get it". Worth The Wait is a straight ahead rock song with a catchy chorus. This song reminded me of early 80's FM rock, like Tom Petty. Somewhere New closes out the record with a bang. This song is one of my faves with it's old school drums, twangy guitar track and blowin' harp.
Jeremy Porter and The Tucos play a unique blend of classic American Powerpop and roots-rock and they are from Detroit, Michigan. They've been compared to The Replacements, Cheap Trick, Gram Parsons and X, and they're currently touring in support of their third album "Don't Worry, It's Not Contagious." They are known for a tight live show that will get you rocking and dancing one minute and crying in your beer the next. Don't miss the band live! http://www.thetucos.com/ https://www.facebook.com/JeremyPorterMusic/ https://jeremyporter.bandcamp.com/
Jeremy Porter & The Tucos - Wikipedia Page Stream our music at jeremyporter.bandcamp.com/ Check out Huckleberry on our YouTube channel - the first video from our third album - Don't Worry, It's Not Contagious! "...one of America's best examples of pure talent and hard work." - Jersey Beat, November 2017
“…a great job combining roots rock and powerpop…highly recommended.” - PowerPopAHolic, Oct 2015
“…as northern American blues as you can get before Canada. Whiskey-smooth, with the white hot licks of Ted Nugent, the veteran inspiration of Cheap Trick, and the experimentation of Hüsker Dü. They also have grooves, in all the right places.” – Dayton City Paper, Oct 2015
Hello, I have been asked "What's the best way to submit events or music for review?"
Bands can submit epk's or event flyers directly to Joe Tell @ jtellfotos@yahoo.com. I prefer music from the WNY area or at least the tri-state area but I have reviewed bands from all over the world.
I prefer (old school) CD's but I can review albums online with a link from soundcloud or bandcamp.
I can also be contacted directly on Facebook through the public page's entitled "WNY Music page" and "Forever Green Music".
Just an FYI: I moderate all comments and I usually don't repost anonymous comments.
Thank you in advance for any interest in my music blog.
Self-described "poolside glitter punks" Hayley and the Crushers will be performing at Buffalo's Mohawk Place on April 26.
The band have recently released their fuzzed-out, sugar sweet rendition of The Go-Go’s “Lust to Love” https://youtu.be/yF8YZmqTswQ and it precedes more original music from the band this year!
Hayley and the Crushers - San Luis Obispo, CA — An irreverent punk ditty poking fun at American consumer culture is nothing new (Hey: the '90s called and want their rebellion back!)—but a tongue-in-cheek pit-starter delivered by none other than California power trio Hayley and the Crushers? That's one four-chord wonder that begs to be cranked to full blast. The band’s newest single/video "Click and Act Now!” https://youtu.be/BkQrKftIUjkis the latest installment of what will undoubtedly be an infectiously eclectic third full-length album bringing together the band's signature blend of sparkle and destruction (slated for release on Kitten Robot Records in Spring 2022). The Crusherverse, as always, is full of wild surprises.
Helmed by husband-and-wife team guitarist Hayley Crusher Cain and bass player Dr. Cain ESQ (with Action Ben Cabreana on drums), the band signed to New Wave icon Josie Cotton's Kitten Robot Records in 2021 and have already released two previous singles on the label this year: June’s moody anti-ballad “Cul-de-Sac” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vse4QKXAhkMand August’s fizzy, light-hearted summer jam “She Drives” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6YmY0aYims . The California power trio is guided by sonic contradiction: '60s girl group sensibilities meet grinding rock n roll heat; shimmering radio-ready melodies retain an endearingly quirky vibe, no matter how high legendary producer Paul Roessler (TSOL, Josie Cotton, Richie Ramone) ramps up the production value. A peek inside the Cains' record collection reveals the breadth of the band's musical maximalism: classic country greats like Waylon Jennings mingle with '60s exotica, ABBA, crust, and—a shared favorite of the couple—1990s Bay Area punk.
“I remember first hearing the sound of the East Bay at age 16 while crushing a 12-pack of Olympia under a bridge on the Crystal river in rural Colorado where I grew up,” Dr. Cain said. “My buddy Norton had mail-ordered a cassette of Operation Ivy from Maximum RockNRoll and we cranked it up on a beat-up old blaster he always carried around with him. We sat there, drank beer and listened to it on repeat for the day. 'Hooked' is a great way to put it.”
With straight-ahead punk rock riffage written by Dr. Cain and gleefully sardonic lyrics penned by Hayley (the chorus could be torn from a late-night infomercial of yore: 'Five easy payments of $19.99, limited time offer, be the caller on the line!'), the new tune offers up a one-two punch of levity and social commentary. “We laugh a lot and don’t try to take ourselves too seriously all the time, and this song totally reflects that vibe,” Hayley adds. “When it comes to straight ahead punk with a pop element, that’s my bread and butter—that’s what truly made me pick up a guitar as a young kid. We share a love for that kind of high energy music. So, when he came to me with this really punky riff I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the vocal. The result is a song that’s confrontational but with a little wink."
“The heavy bass, pop drums, jangly guitar, crazy male female dual vocals—and a strong message often delivered with humor and sarcasm—this is what inspired me about the East Bay sound,” Dr. Cain said, adding that groups like Jack Acid, Blatz, Filth, and Crimpshrine weren't far from his mind when sitting down to write.
Producer Mass Giorgini—who's worked with Lookout Records greats of the '90s in his own right (Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day; Operation Ivy/Common Rider's Jesse Michaels, to name a few)—mastered the song. According to the band, this is only a cool coincidence, if not a tiny gold star to add to their imaginary punk rock rap sheet.
“In the late '90s I moved to Oakland and fell headfirst into the scene. While the music by then had moved into crustier grind stuff, that exciting, punchy earlier music captivated a new generation of songwriters. That music still finds its way onto our turntable on a regular basis.” Dr. Cain said. “Some influences just die hard—but that doesn't mean we'd claim punk band status. I mean, we consistently advocate for 'more glockenspiel' in the studio. That ship sailed a long time ago!”
True to form, the Crushers have no plans to put out a string of hardcore hits. Instead, they'll continue to walk the line between retro and right now. What could be next for these troublemakers? Like digging through the discount bins, it's anyone's guess, really. With the Crushers, one should only expect the unexpected.
“Nostalgia is not inherently cool or even a little bit dangerous,” added Hayley. “But then again, we never set out to be either of those things!”
Music video for the Thom Conde initial release After Tomorrow...
Music video for second release Dying to Live...
Third video release for Zero...
Exclusive Interview with Peter Vincent, lead singer for The Thom Conde Project.
JT (Joe Tell): Which Thom Conde Project song do you think you sang the best on?
PV (Peter Vincent): You're asking the wrong guy! At my age, I'm just glad I made it through each recording session without needing medical attention! The songs are (After Tomorrow, Dying To Live and Zero) pretty demanding vocally, but they have to be as intense as the riffs that Thom writes and the band, in turn, intensifies...luckily, I get to dictate melody, cadence and key so I'm not at the mercy of someone else writing out of my (vocal) range. All in all, I think the whole body of work (released and unreleased) is my best hard rock endeavor to date.
JT: Is there plans for a full length Thom Conde release?
PV: Hmmmm...that's for the fates to decide! The Thom Conde Project, or TCP, (TM pending...) was born from the pandemic, as were many creative endeavors during it's reign of terror. With restrictions is place, we focused on recording music and producing/releasing videos, knowing we were onto something but not knowing how long it would last. I guess we'll answer that question when we've recorded and/or released enough songs to warrant a full length release.
JT: What song is the best musically in your opinion?
PV: I might be biased...but my favorite song seems to always be the one we're presently working out!! Really! All the songs (riffs, basic structure, title and often lyrics) start with Thom Conde (hence) but, that being said, there's no one person that dictates where the song goes. Everyone contributes, everyone has a say. We all whittle away at it until it makes sense to all of us. Drummer, Vinnie Andalora and Bassist Bruce Irwin never cease to amaze with their ideas as to what each song needs which is never confined to just the instruments they have mastered. Vinnie's vocal harmonies are usually written by him and Bruce has a particular ear for structure and nuance! That's my favorite part of the whole experience...hanging out with my brothers. Add recording the final product with Michael William Hatalak at the desk and that's the icing on these demented little cupcakes we keep churning out...mmmmm...yummy!
JT: What are your long term/short term goals?
PV: Short term goals: Saving Rock and Roll, One Song at a Time. Long term goals: Saving Rock and Roll , One Song at a Time...Music available on all streaming platforms!!!
The Thom Conde Project management/PR team is called The Thom Conde Divas. The Thom Conde divas will be in full force at the merch table for the show on 3/26.
JT: Who are the world famous Thom Conde divas?
PV: Our Thom Conde divas (or 'Con-Divas' if you will...) are our Street Team dedicated to public relations, advertising, marketing, merchandising and injecting ALL of the common sense into our organization that we in the TCP lack as neanderthal males! A BIG shout out to our ladies: Karen Irwin, Kelly Rowe, Danielle Bevacqua, Kimberly Ann Jenczewski, Jasmine Armenta, Paula Croisdale, Debbie Ann Fifield and Becky Chappell-Marchetti. Their enthusiasm for our music and our mission is unmatched and VERY much appreciated!! There's also a FB group named the Thom Conde Project Diva's Group with over 200 other Divas helping us to Save Rock and Roll, One Song At A Time!!!
Latest Stemm, His Name Was Yesterday, Thom Conde Project 3/26 show flyer.
Grosh is ahigh energy rock band from Buffalo, NY featuring Grace Lougen (guitar), Josh English (drums), Megan Brown (vocals), and Dylan Hund (bass). With influences from bands such as Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam, the band writes music that is visceral, heavy, and inspiring. Not Down For Long is the band's second effort and includes performances by Harry Graser (Keys), Linnea Cremean (viola), Allison Collins (cello), Eric Wozniak (sax, flute, oboe), Tim Clarke (trumpet) and Alex McArthur, Harper Sinclair (vocals).
Grosh - Not Down For Long music review by Joe Tell.
The Fight is an outstanding and impressive opening volley from Grosh to start Not Down For Long. The brief intro is ethereal, a perfect start for the high energy groove that is about to explode. The band comes in at breakneck speed but remains in total control as Megan shouts out the chorus and powerful lyrics. Grosh proves why they are one of the leading bands on the local WNY scene. Josh English takes command as he marches through the adrenaline inducing ending. Step Outside is next. The meaningful lyrical content (seems to) provide a positive solution to any drama that can occur online or in person. The band grooves hard on a funky riff that dominates the song. Grace Lougen leads the band as she slows down the tempo and plays a fantastic solo. The feeling is bluesy but executed with tons of rock and roll aggression. The feeling on Seen but Not Heard is primal and aggressive. A heavy guitar riff dominates until the second verse which uplifts the feeling and tempo of the music before going back down into the main riff. A solid bass line from Dylan leads the band into the second part of the song. The lyrical content reflects the feeling of the music. The quick guitar intro for Mind Games brings a new energy back into the playlist. The tempo is quick and filled with some tasty drum fills. The key shift on the outro is a fantastic addition to an already great track. Megan Brown's heartfelt feelings are on full display as she sings the next song, On The Patio. You can hear and feel the sincere emotion come through during her performance. Along with Megan's vocals Grace Lougens beautiful guitar playing talent really shines on this track. The rhythm section really locks in tight allowing to Grace to perform a fantastic solo. On The Patio is one of my favorite songs and one of the best on Not Down For Long. "On the patio, swimming in cigarette smoke Plastic chairs, a locked-in stare I fell in love on the patio Looking in big blue eyes and brand new dreams And simple as it seems I fell in love and it was everything", a sample of the lyrics by Megan Brown. (Patio Lanterns by Kim Mitchell popped into my head as I listened.) Mr. Rogers is a lesson in funky soul. The horns and flute on this track add to the musical palette as well as some guest vocalists'. My favorite part of this track is the popping and slapping bass solo by Dylan Hund! Check out the video for Mr. Rogers below.
No One Knows You keeps things funky and upbeat. The positive lyrical message sounds like believe in yourself. The band really sounds tight on this track as they all play accents on the downbeat. A couple of starts and stops kept me listening intently and interested in how the band was going to take the song out.
The lyrics for This Isn't Over (can) offer inspiration to keep going for when things may look bleak. The quick tempo provides a great backdrop for fantastic performances by Megan and Grace. Check out the youtube video below.
Reckless Road is a powerful, full-speed ahead rocking tune. Perfect for when you're travelling to and fro, turned up loud in your motor car. Features Grace Lougen on slide guitar.
Don't Forget Me is an emotional and soulful ballad. Grosh conveys and creates real feeling with the music. The song is further enhanced by a brilliant orchestration track by Richie English. I heard influences by Joan Baez/Joni Mitchell/Jewel/Ani DiFranco thru the guitar and vocals. One of my favorites for sure. Tread The Wave brings the power back in and features a crashing, percussion track much like the waves of a turbulent ocean.
Not Down For Long is another brilliant and impressive release from one of Buffalo's best original rock bands, Grosh.
Grosh is a high energy rock band from Buffalo, NY featuring Grace Lougen (guitar), Josh English (drums), Megan Brown (vocals), and Dylan Hund (bass).
Grosh Whether Or Not You Know cover art.
Grosh, Whether Or Not You Know music review by Joe Tell. Whether Or Not You Know blasts' off with More To Life. After repeatedly playing the song I heard something extraordinary right away. Separating the speakers revealed some interesting sounds and a cool stereo mix during the intro of More To Life. I was also struck by the unique sound of Grace Lougen's guitar. Grace plays the guitar with her fingers which results in an organic and very natural sound. Her finger style playing highlights her dynamic style and reveals a lot of natural harmonics and overtones you wouldn't hear from a flatpicking guitarist. The drum build up by Josh English brings in the high energy that defines More To Life. Megan Brown comes in on top of the fast pace accenting and accompanying the music with a singing style that is inherently appealing and intuitive in nature. Megan's spirited and passionate voice packs plenty of emotional punch. The lyrics are powerful and grab the listener's ear without taking away from the groove the band is putting down. After establishing the driving tempo the band slows down letting the music breathe. Thus allowing Dylan Hund to throw in some tasty fills on the bass and Megan to add some sweet vocal harmonies. The quality continues with Every Time. Every Time features a brilliant drum track executed by Josh English. The drum sound is tight and punchy, Josh's frantically fantastic playing weaves in and out of the musical pocket in creative waves. A duo of rhythm and lead guitar parts come in, each part complimenting the other. Megan's melodic and breathy vocals sound sincere and as soon as she sings the word broken the band busts' into a powerful, heavy groove that accents the lyric. Rising Tide is up next. Rising Tide features Grace Lougen on a lead guitar tour de force. The song structure leaves plenty of room for some soulful lead guitar. The guitar solo builds up with a slow burn. A tasty slide guitar begins the solo in a bluesy fashion Grace then starts up with a few lead notes slowly getting faster, bringing up the energy along with the band. The solo bleeds in to the next verse of the song and continues on bringing the song to a close. Whether or Not You Know rolls on with Roads Remember. Needless to say the lyrics tell a story about travelling and the memories we connect with the road. The guitar solo signals a transition as the band kicks the song into overdrive for the outro. Lil' Crazy, Refuse and I Bet You Did play out in an energy inducing order. Lil' Crazy is funky and tight. The rhythm section of Josh English and Dylan Hund jam on an infectious groove that is expertly punctuated by some great bass pops and slaps. Refuse is a straight up hard rock song, from the aggressive guitar to the soaring vocals Grosh shows off yet another side of the band. The fast tempo is sure to get your blood flowing and your fists' pumpin'. A spacy guitar solo with some awesome keyboards by Harry Graser contrasts' perfectly with the quick verse music. The previous two songs set up I Bet You Did perfectly. I Bet You Did would fit in nicely on any FM rock radio playlist. The first time I watched the music video for this song I became a fan of Grosh. I Bet You Did is a great, well composed rock song, the verse music and lyrics are strong and the chorus is catchy. Grosh really raises the bar and sets a new standard for all local musicians to follow with I Bet You Did. Below is the video for I Bet You Did.
Astronaut is as titled, as a song about all things space. The mid tempo pace allows plenty of room for Megan Brown to fill up the heady groove with drifting harmonies. The keyboard track by Harry Graser serves to further the spacy track onward and upward. Grosh shows off some impressive hard rock/metal chops with Something New. This track is similar to track 6 Refuse, but Something New is even more aggressive and metallic in style and performance. Josh English uplifts the energy and power even more with his drum pounding outro. What Have I Done is a hard-driving rock song. Megan's vocals are outstanding and Grace's guitar playing is screaming with emotion. The ending is a classic bombastic rock and roll bang up.
Piece of Mind closes out Whether Or Not You Know in style complete with a hidden track. The feeling conveyed is melancholy and the drum track drives the song with a quickness that defies the ballad like sound. Megan's vocals are breathy, beautiful and emotional. The violin track arranged by drummer Richie English and performed by Linnea Cremean and Allison Collins closes out Piece of Mind...but wait there's more! A bonus track called Sweet Mama is great dose of rock n roll that serves the listener well as a going away present and a positive parting musical shot. The quality production and the mix on Whether Or Not You Know is top notch and a pleasure to listen to. All of the songs on Whether Or Not You Know are very well orchestrated. The transitions between the melodies are seamless, emphasizing the lyrical content. The songs highlight the creative talent and energy each member of the band possesses as they perform together as a cohesive unit. Brilliant Buffalo Band!
