The Swellers have just released what will be their most commercial album of their career, Ups And Downsizing. While still sounding very much like The Swellers of old that I loved so much; the Flint, Michigan punk rockers softened up a bit. Don’t worry Swellers fans, like I said….it was only a bit.
First let me get straight to the stuff I did not enjoy and am disappointed in. There’s not much, but I have this need to put it out there. “Stars” is really bad attempt at a ballad. It starts off acoustic and then leads into a ‘80s hair band metal electric guitar solo. I get it Swellers, you have a cheesey and sensitive side. I’m just not feeling it on that one.
There also some fillers that were okay, but not what I feel is their best work. The ‘90s style pop punk track, “Do You Feel Better Yet”, sounds very generic. I can’t pinpoint what it lacks, but something’s not there to give it the punch it needs. “Feet First” is another album filler that reminds me of something on an Offspring album. Perhaps if you love Offspring, you’ll enjoy it. Again, being that I am an old fan of The Swellers, I am used to better efforts.
All that being said, the rest of Ups And Downsizing is fantastic. My biggest fear that The Swellers would sound like a male fronted Paramore when signed to Fueled By Ramen were put to rest. They did not lose their punk rock sensibilities, nor did they stay away from harder punk as evident by “The Iron”. It is a quick two and half minute Rancid meets Rise Against punk rock gem. It follows the theme of nothing is hopeless and anything can be overcome, which is actually the theme of most of the songs on Ups And Downsizing.
Another fast, old school 90s punk rock style track on the album that I absolutely loved is “Dirt”. It is the sound that I have always loved from The Swellers. It’s hardcore punk meets the rock stylings of bands like Rise Against, while being just unthreatening enough for Paramore’s audience not to be afraid of it. The Swellers may also be the only Fueled By Ramen band to use the lyric “Motherfuckers” in a song. I love it.
The same great pop meets punk balance can be can found on “Fire Away”, their first single off Ups And Downsizing. It is hard enough for the old Swellers fans, but once again approachable enough for new fans. You will love the punk rock like breaks and the catchy chorus you can sing along with. Speaking of pop punk, “Sleepers” is the best pop punk track on Ups And Downsizing. Just give it a listen and you’ll hear. You will catch yourself singing along like a thirteen year old girl at her first Warped Tour.
Current Swellers fans, you probably already have this album and are going to love it no matter what a review suggests. For those not familiar with The Swellers, know that Ups And Downsizing is their more pop album in comparison to their 2007 release, My Everest. I still prefer My Everest, but am not disappointed with their new album and the new heights Fueled By Ramen will undoubtedly take them to. Be sure to check their Myspace page for tour dates with Paramore.
Review originally published on Double Stereo. For more great music, blogs, videos and downloads, check outwww.doublestereo.com
Tonight after ACL is over, or if you don't have tickets but want to catch a great show, Mohawk is the place. In case you didn't get enough Dan Auerbach or didn't get to see him this weekend, then Hacienda is your show. Hailing from Boerne, Texas, these four young dudes could be the first Latino Beatles or Beach Boys even. Their old '60s rock and roll spirit was on display at February's Fashion Freakout, dazzled Alejandro Escovedo's audience and wowed the crowd at the legendary Gruene Hall this year. It's all happening for these guys.
The show tonight at Mohawk starts at 10:00. Mohawk, one of my favorite venues in town, is located 912 Red River (and corner of 9th). Also taking the stage before Hacienda is Imaad Wasif. Don't miss out on one of your last chances to checkout Hacienda before they embark on a long tour that keeps them out of Texas until at least December.
Not familiar with Hacienda? Check out this video we filmed for Austin Vida this summer at Antones. It is for a new song not yet on an album, but will be soon. It's called "Younger Days".
For more on tonight's show, click the following links:
Tonight at Antone's, one of my favorite artists is performing an Official ACL Aftershow. Dan Auerbach as you probably know already is the front man for the Akron, Ohio duo, The Black Keys. Auerbach recently put out his solo record earlier this year called Keep It Hid. It immediately became one of my favorite albums not only of the year, but favorite albums period. It is the best indie-blues record I have heard and I listen to it when I want to relax late at night. It will be great to finally see him live.
Backing up Auerbach is one of my favorite local bands who may not be local at all very much longer, Hacienda. A group of four Mexican-American musicians from Boerne, Texas, the guys from Hacienda have been backing him for a while now. Auerbach was a producer for their own record, Loud Is The Night. They recently joined with musician Patrick Hallahan to form "The Fast Five". So now, it's Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five. Whatever right? It's good music either way you spin it and it's still Dan Auerbach.
Make sure that if you were not sure which show to go to tonight, to head to Antone's. He won't be in Texas playing again anytime soon, as he hits the road until December 9th according to his Myspace page. For those of you who have yet to hear Auerbach or know who Hacienda are, check out the following video of Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five performing "Mean Monsoon" off Keep It Hid.
Also taking to the stage tonight will be Rodriguez and White Dress. Get there at 9:30 or as soon as you can come over from Zilker park. For more on tonight's show, visit the following links:
ACL officially begins today at Zilker Park. The grass is greener, less dustier and maybe even a little damp due to some rain here in Austin. If you have a three day pass or a Friday Day Pass, you will get to see Nacional Records recording artists, Los Amigos Invisibles. They are touring to support their latest album, Commercial.
Los Amigos Invisibles are set to play the Wildflower Stage from 7:15 to 8:15. Let me tell you something people, Los Amigos at night is quite the experience. Often compared to Thievery Corporation, this Latin funk collective in my opinion is the quintessential festival band. People will be dancing. Not everyone will understand the lyrics as they are all in Spanish, but that won't matter. They will still get down.
For those of you not planning on being at Zilker Park today, you have your chance to see Los Amigos Invisibles with Devotchka at La Zona Rosa. Los Amigos Invisibles are part of this Official ACL Aftershow. They are set to play from 10:00 to around 11:00. Both bands are amazing live and together they make for one hell of a bill. It is the best ACL Aftershow of the night without question. You'll need to purchase tickets online and get there around 9:00 PM.
On another quick note, Los Amigos Invisibles will be on KUT's program, Horizontes with Michael Crockett today at 2:00. Be sure to tune into to 90.5 here in Austin or listen online at www.kut.org.
Here's a quick look and listen to one of my favorite's from Los Amigos Invisbles. It is for an older song called "Yo No Se". Enjoy.
One of the things we like to do at Austin Vida is shed light on the fact that Latinos, U.S. born or foreign born, play a significant role in many non-Latin music bands. We have proved that here in Austin and all over Texas, Latino musicians are making their mark in the mainstream indie, rock, punk and the heavy metal scene. Many Latino musicians do the same but in the national spotlight. Eyes Set To Kill is a perfect example of that.
Eyes Set To Kill are a hardcore-screamo outfit from Arizona that feature sisters Alexa and Anissa Rodriguez. The Rodriguez sisters were made famous last year when Revolver Magazine anointed them "The Hottest Chicks in Metal" for November 2008. Alexa is one of the main song writers and co-lead vocalist along with Brandon Anderson, who handles most of the screaming. Both compliment each other very well and are good enough to front a band on their own.
Me with Eyes Set To Kill at Emo's in Austin, Texas
Currently, the band is about embark on their first headlining tour in support of their latest album entitled The World Outside. Unfortunately, the tour does not stop in Austin this time around. They came through here twice this year at Emo's, which is where the live footage in the video interview was shot. The Texas stops include El Paso, Houston and McAllen. Even more impressive, the tour is sponsored by Revolver Magazine. It is evident that Eyes Set To Kill are stepping up their game and the constant grinding is paying off.
Check out the video interview we filmed for Austin Vida and familiarize yourself with one of the hottest young bands on the hardcore scene and two of the hottest Latinas in metal.
Tonight begins the first round of ACL Aftershows. Most of the time you'll see only the headliners in the fliers and media listings around town. That's too bad really, because some of the openers will be some of the best bands you may ever see. Take for instance tonight at Emo's where headliner The Walkman and even co-headliner Blitzen Trapper are listed all over the place in huge lettering or pictured. The real gem for me on tonight's show is Baltimore indie group, Wye Oak. They open for The Walkman tonight as part of an official ACL Aftershow. Indie-folk lovers, hipsters, wannabes and music bloggers will all love Wye Oak.
Wye Oak is comprised of childhood besties, Andy jack and Jenn Wasner. Wye Oak are on Merge Records, home to heavy hitters M. Ward and Lou Barlow. The first album I picked up on from them was 2008's If Children. I remember hearing a song or two from that album on one of the KUT or NPR programs I listen to regularly. I loved their music instantly as I have an affinity for spacey guitar notes, ambient indie and female indie vocalists.
Early reviews of If Children brought many comparisons to the group, Ya Lo Tengo. I'd have to agree, only Wye oak has female vocals. Not all the songs on If Children were to my liking, but I kept "Please Concrete" and "Family Glue". This year, Wye Oak released The Knot on Merge Records. A much better albumin comparison to If Children, The Knot It is everything that was wrong or dull about the rest of If Children done right. There's more feedback, violin, great vocals, pedal steel and a hint of psychedelic. The Knot has also received great reviews and is sure to be another taste maker favorite.
As I mentioned before, Wye Oak opens for Blitzen Trapper and The Walkmen tonight at Emo's. For you out of towners, Emo's is on 603 Red River, where it meets or intersects with 6th Street. There are two entrances to Emo's, an outside stage entrance and an inside stage entrance. Wye Oak play the outside stage. Get there at 9:00. Tickets are $22 advance plus any fees. If you're looking to head out tomorrow night but are not sure where to go with all the great shows happening all over town, head to Emo's outside stage.
Here is the video for the first song I ever heard from Wye Oak off their If Children album. It's called "Please Concrete". Be sure to check out the links below for event info and Wye Oak links.
This summer my good friend Ajay Miranda and I went to San Antonio to check out Mayhem Fest. We had to go to San Antonio as it does not stop in Austin unfortunately. Mayhem was also Ajay's first real metal experience outside filming local metal bad asses, Pack of Wolves in March. We were there for Double Stereo with press passes and got to be up close and personal, right at the front of the stage in the photo pits. The only artist that couldn't be filmed was Marilyn Manson. No big deal, I was there for Slayer and the other great bands. Manson was quite the live show though. I will say that.
Slayer's Tom Araya
It was a dream come true for me as I finally got to see Slayer for the first time and be right up front against the stage. It was the closest you could could get without actually being in the band on stage. The AT&T center was packed as I looked behind me and saw a sea of people. The upper level seats were full as well. They performed all their classics, stuff from the early records and later stuff.
Black Dahlia Murder
The best part of the day during Mayhem was getting to check out some of the lesser known bands coming up in the metal world. It was really cool for me as we don't often get these type of metal shows in Austin like Dallas or San Antonio do. Austin is getting better about it lately, but metal still gets put to the back burner behind indie, modern rock and other genres. I'll do my best to be part of the solution and change that.
Cannibal Corpse lead singer George Fisher
Some bands I got to see for the first time included Cannibal Corpse, All That Remains and my favorite of the day part of Mayhem Fest, Black Dahlia Murder. I got an interview with new guitarist, Ryan Knight and just launched it. Surf through my blog or check out Double Stereo to check that out.
All in all, it was one of the best memories of my summer and my life. I rocked with Slayer and can die happy now. I can't wait until next year's Mayhem Fest to see what Kevin Lyman pulls off. In case you were one of the unfortunate ones who didn't catch Mayhem this year, check out this amazing promotional montage Ajay shot and edited for Double Stereo.
In the latter part of 2008, melodic death metal group The Black Dahlia Murder received word from then lead guitarist John Kempainen that he was quitting the band. At the time, they were on tour and had to continue as a four-piece band instead of the usual quintet. But filling in the gap didn’t take long. Former Arsis guitarist Ryan Knight was recruited with the help of a friend of the band, and the rest is history. Double Stereo caught up with Ryan Knight recently to introduce him to the fans and talk about what’s new with The Black Dahlia Murder.
Not just anyone can join The Black Dahlia Murder. How do you know the guys? What was it like to join the band?
Ryan: The way I knew the band was through my old band, Arsis. We toured with Black Dahlia last year. It was a like a B-markets tour before Summer Slaughter. The guy who we just recorded our album with, Jason Suecof, has a partner that engineers with him. His name is Mark Lewis. I had known them both for two or three years. One day I call mark and told him I could not be in Arsis anymore. I knew he worked with a lot of bands, and asked him to put the word out. A couple of months later, I got a call from Mark telling me Black Dahlia was looking for a new guitar player. I told him I’d totally do it. I had just gotten through touring with those guys a few months before. Brian Eschbach called me that same day and that’s how I’m in the band.
So how has your life changed since being in Black Dalia Murder?
Ryan: It is just another level, comparing the band I was in to Black Dahlia. Obviously we are doing bigger tours and just traveling everywhere. My first show with them was actually in Iceland. I have been to Europe for six weeks with them. It was a really big step, but it’s been fun.
How has Mayhem Fest been for you guys this past summer?
Ryan: This past summer for us has been amazing. The exposure you get from Mayhem is incredible. We played in front of our fans, Slayer’s fans and even Marilyn Manson’s fans. You had this big melting pot of people that are into all types of stuff. People go crazy every day. But some days, when it was really hot, like a show in Florida, they were like a stone wall. I can’t blame them though. The heat was brutal that day.
What’s going on with you guys now that Mayhem is over? I know your new album, Deflorate, just came out on September 15th.
Ryan: Yup, it came out on Metal Blade Records. Now we are starting our tour with Children of Bodom and Skeletonwitch. After that we will be around playing everywhere.
Tell me something you liked about this year’s Mayhem Tour. Is there anyone you discovered or liked checking out live?
Ryan: Touring with Slayer is a lifetime dream come true for anyone on this tour. I haven’t watched them every night, but I’ve watched four or five times. All the bands on our stage were label mates. We’ve toured with a lot of them before. It was fun though, like touring with our friends.
Did you catch Marilyn Manson?
Ryan: I have a couple of times. I am not that big of a fan, but he brings people. That’s cool. I never thought I’d be on the same tour with him back in seventh grade when I first heard him.
Right on. So I imagine there will be no sleep for you guys the rest of this year at least?
Ryan: Sleep? Not happening. We have a lot of touring going on.
Besides it being the first time where you have been on the actual album, what is different about Deflorate in comparison to the previous Black Dahlia Murder albums?
Ryan: This record is definitely a step up from the other albums. It is still a Black Dahlia record, but at the same time there are some new things like new time signatures we haven’t experimented with before. I’m the new lead guitarist, so when you change lead guitarists then obviously the leads are going to be different. They’re cool though.
Any different themes to any of the songs on Deflorate that Black Dahlia hadn’t done previously?
Ryan: I know on some songs Trevor had done maybe a sci-fi sort of thing. The last album had sort of a night feel. Deflorate’s cover art has sort a “deserty” sort of space theme. It has a big moon. It’s not a spaced theme album though.
It’s not a Pink Floyd cover by any means?
Ryan: Oh no. From the lyrics I’ve read, and I have read quite a few, it does have kind of a sci-fi theme. I know Trevor is into older mid ‘90s death metal. Sometimes there is a lot of gore in there. He is all into that so that is all there still. There is still Black Dahlia.
Tell me a little about the Majesty DVD.
Ryan: It has 2 discs. One disc is live footage. It has a documentary of how we are as a band. It goes from our life in the band. A lot of the band smokes weed and there’s some of that in there. It is not like an in-depth history, but more like a day in the life of the band. It was shot over the course of a couple of years. I’m on it for the last twenty minutes. It does have some really good live footage, but it isn’t just the run of the mill live DVD. Kids who have seen it come up to the guys and ask about their shoes and stuff that they saw them wear on the DVD.
Does that sort of thing surprise you?
Ryan: Not really. Brian, our other guitar player, wears these all white New Balance shoes. It’s like a funny thing that kids notice that.
Funny but I don’t think that fans see that as very metal. Now a Revolver Magazine cover…that’s metal. How has the Revolver Magazine cover changed things for you?
Ryan: The Revolver cover was cool. Revolver is like everywhere. I could tell my mom to go get one at like, say, Kroger’s and it will be there. That’s how big it is. It’s cool. We all felt honored as a band to be in it, especially Trevor having the cover. It is a step that says, “We’re here.” It helps us carry the torch for death metal. In a lot of ways I think this band is sort of a gateway band.
In what sense?
Ryan: It is a gateway into the realm of more extreme stuff. I hope we can continue being that. A lot of kids are already into Slipknot, Disturbed and bands like that. That is what’s good about us being in Revolver. They do a good job of not only taking stuff people know about and putting out there, but also cover some of the up and coming smaller bands.
I’d be interested to see in about a year what level you make it to, especially after a Revolver cover. In terms of what I will refer to as the “Mayhem bands,” you guys aren’t quite a headliner yet. You’re mid level right now. I’d love to talk with you later on about how your life has changed once again.
Ryan: We will definitely keep trying to bring blast beats and fast music to more people.
With all the exposure, do you ever see yourself breaking through to mainstream rock radio the way Slipknot or Disturbed have? Or do you think that you will remain off the air?
Ryan: Well, I don’t know. I can see us on maybe satellite radio maybe. Mainstream radio? I don’t know if we will ever be on mainstream rock radio like Slipknot. We won’t ever sell a million records or anything, even though selling albums is like a thing of the past. We’re just going to continue to push it and see where it takes us. We’re not too worried about it. You don’t join metal bands to hit it rich or anything. You join because t is what you love to play and listen to.
Any last words before we wrap up?
Ryan: Thanks always to fans. We wouldn’t be here without you. Be sure to get the new CD, Deflorate, on Metal Blade Records.
She spins! That's right...DJ Ladysuit is Austinist editor Paige Maguire.Tonight for only $2, you can catch DJ Ladysuit and four bands at The Chain Drive. According to an email I received, Ladysuit will be spinning new wave and post punk. This you have to see (or hear).
What's interesting to me about this show is the venue or location. The Chain Drive is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre-esque shack at the bottom of the hill on 504 Willow. I picture it something like the '70s classic back drop where Leatherface goes on a killing spree. Ok that's a little weird...sorry. Basically The Chain Drive is off Red River, one block south of Cesar Chavez on a dead end street. It kind of looks like a pole barn with a parking lot.
Bands start playing at 9pm. Click on the flier above to get a better look at the details as far as the bands. It will be a cool party before the madness that is ACL ensues.
Indie-folk artist, A.A. Bondy, is not a household name. He will not be selling out stadiums or topping the Billboard charts anytime soon, but you will certainly like him if you listen to his music. If you already have Bondy’s first album, American Hearts, then you already love him. Now that I have heard Bondy’s latest album, I understand why that is.
A.A. Bondy’s sophomore album, When The Devil’s Loose, just became one of my new favorite albums. Released at the beginning of the month, I have listened to it for a around three weeks now. I kept listening for anything negative or imperfect that maybe I didn’t catch previously before I wrote about it. I refused to believe that albums this close to perfect exist anymore, as if it were something of the past. It’s like my dad says to me, “There’s music and then there’s music”. A.A. Bondy makes music.
At the beginning of When The Devil’s Loose, the acoustic guitar intro to “Mightiest of Guns” sound like musical rain drops. Not much else joins the guitar as Bondy begins to sing. His voice is that of a hip, indie rock band lead singer but with the Dlyan-esque warmth that great folk singers possess. He has that old school warmth that too many popular artists lack.
The title track, “When The Devil’s Loose” is my personal favorite on the album. It is a fantastic blues song disguised as indie-folk. Accompanied by a violin and floating guitar notes, it is difficult not to just lose yourself and not focus on whatever you were doing before the song started. Your mind just drifts.
For those who prefer more country or Americana sounds, “The Mercy Wheel” takes a page out of the classic Americana handbook without any twang or indie pretentiousness. There’s a beautiful piano accompaniment to Bondy’s somber and melancholy vocals. It saddens me to listen to it not just because of the lyrics themselves but it is the second to last song on an album you don’t want to end. From beginning to end, When The Devil’s Loose, is music at its absolute best.
Give a look and listen to A.A. Bondy on this great video I came across of Bondy performing "Mightiest of Guns".
Ian is a graduate of Round Rock High School and attended St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. In 2008 he joined the team at Double Stereo (formerly CD Fuse) as their Blog editor where he reviewed concerts, albums, and did interviews for the popular music site.In January 2009, he became the Editor in Chief for Austin Vida. In 2010, with the help of some of his most talented friends, he launched Red River Noise. "Ian's Music Blog" is also one of the few blogs selected to be a Do512 All-Star.
On any given night of the week he can be found in downtown Austin on 6th Street and the Red River live music district.
