Music
An Interview with Le Force
If there is one local group that would have been pirates in their past lives, Le Force fits the mold, from drummer Jud Powell’s chest tattoo of world maps to guitarist Erik Olsen’s scruffy beard to guitarist Chris Evans nursing a hangover. Their music can inspire pillaging, plundering and most of all, drinking. [Le Force
Indie Label Spotlight: Carcrash Records
Some things just grab your attention, like driving past a car crash. Sweden’s Carcrash Records produces the kind of arresting music that you can’t fail to prick up your ears to, with some of the most captivating bands that have taken the aftermath of punk-influenced music to a whole nuther level, like International Noise Conspiracy
Local Review: Two and a Half White Guys – Self-Titled
Two and a Half White Guys Self-titled Gringos Productions Two and a Half White Guys = The Good, The Bad and The Ugly soundtrack + Aquabats + Bob Marley Jazz-inflected ska calypso reggae jam bands aren’t really my thing, but Two and a Half White Guys are good at what they do, and they
Local Review: The Contingency Plan – Self-titled demo (2002)
The Contingency Plan Self-titled demo (2002) The Contingency Plan = Drive-Thru Records + sincerity Oops … this is what happens when you lose a band’s press kit in your car’s trunk for two years. This four-song demo is a neat, tight conglomeration of polished emo pop-punk with sharp production (Boho Digitalia), tight performance and
Local Review: Rope or Bullets – Call It for What...
Rope or Bullets Call It for What You Want Rope or Bullets = Atom and His Package + Modern English From the band that brought you “I Love Personality,” the outright best song on the Death By Salt compilation, comes a six-song precursor to a full-length album. Rope or Bullets, though not the rockin’est
Local Review: Pagan Dead – Mors Janua Vit Æ Et...
Pagan Dead Mors Janua Vit Æ Et Vita Janua Mortis Self-released Pagan Dead = Misfits + Accused When I first received a copy of Pagan Dead’s debut album, I was a little leery, thinking, “Rockabilly? Next!” But after giving it a chance, I was instantly hooked! Relentless drumming by Jodie Hecate, demonic guitars by
Local Review: NSPS – Timeless Towns and Haunted Places
NSPS Timeless Towns and Haunted Places Nutra Stick NSPS = They Might be Giants + Barenaked Ladies NSPS might not be too bad of a band, if it weren’t for the vocals. They’re gruff, tongue-in-cheek and strained, not unlike Van Morrisson’s, but unlike Van Morrisson’s, they’re painfully out of tune, making portions of this
Local Review: Less People, More Robots – Self-Titled
Less People, More Robots Self-Titled LPMR = Fiona Apple + Weezer My friend Melinda told me that robots are one of the three things in the entire world that scare her. The other two are children and monogamy. Go figure. Though some, like Melinda, would argue against having more robots in the world, you’ll probably
Local Review: Jupassa – Attack of the Red Dinosaurs
Jupassa Attack of the Red Dinosaurs Kitefishing Family Jupassa = Edward Scissorhands + Ray Bradbury If Mogwai were approached about concocting the soundtrack for The Nightmare Before Christmas Part II: Jack Gets Funky Fresh with Kwanzaa, this is what they might come up with. Trip-hoppy electronica skips rope with quirky guitar breaks and odd
Local Review: The Furies – Sunday Satellite
The Furies Sunday Satellite Dumb Angels The Furies = (Pavement + Lou Reed) x emo The songs on Sunday Satellite are well thought-out, well produced and could serve as an accessory to a deep, deep depression. This minimalist, sad indie rock of The Furies could either woo the right concert audience into a feeling