Music Reviews by Geoff Melton

Music Reviews by Geoff Melton

Grave For The Fireflies – Bitten
Harkening back to the days of bands like Black Flag and Circle Jerks, but with crisp, modern day production, Southern California’s Grave For The Fireflies rip through eleven cuts of furious hardcore in just over nineteen minutes on their debut CD Bitten. Everything here from the tight musicianship and intensity of the songs to the dark lyrics are top-notch. Bitten is the perfect reminder of what SoCal hardcore is all about. (Basement Records – www.basementrecords.net)

Allheluja – Inferno Museum
Featuring Hatesphere frontman Jacob Breduhl on vocals along with drummer Stefano Longhi, guitarist Massimo Gajer and bassist Roberto Gelli, Allheluja more than impresses with this debut disc. Musically, Inferno Museum is a brutal, yet infectious set of tunes that bring to mind everything from the raw, driving sounds of Motorhead and the fuzzed-out guitars of Kyuss and Fu Manchu to the extreme metal force of bands like Breduhl’s main band. Lyrically the disc is a concept album inspired by the book “Dead Man Upright” from Derek Raymond, which is described as being about a “psycho-sex serial killer”. Inferno Museum is definitely a refreshing new addition to the metal world. (Scarlet Records – www.scarletrecords.it)

Kalai King – The Red and Black EP
Following the demise of Hawkeye, the LA-based band that he was singer/songwriter and guitarist for, Kalai King has now released his first solo disc, The Red and Black EP. Throughout the course of four songs King creates a disc that mixes together elements of blues, roots rock, folk and country into a collection of heartfelt, emotional tunes that showcase his rich, soulful vocals, catchy arrangements and powerful lyrics. With its only downfall being it’s brevity, The Red and Black EP is a CD that definitely deserves our attention. (www.kalaiking.com)

The Nugget Brothers – The Nugget Brothers
Even if the other four cuts on this EP weren’t any good, this eponymous disc from New Jersey’s The Nugget Brothers would be worth buying just for the infectious, slightly twisted and dark Wall of Voodoo goes twangy country opener “Piggy”. Thankfully there’s plenty more here to love like the sing-songy pop hooks of “Styletown” and the quirky sounds of the dark, twangy “Stuck”. Hopefully a full-lengther is somewhere right around the corner. (www.nuggetbrothers.com)

Greg Parker – On The Break
Over the first 4 cuts of On the Break, Greg Parker taps into the spirit of pure country with a sound that draws to mind everything from Hank Sr and the Bakersfield sound of Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens, before closing things out with the Chris Isaak flavored closer “Kathleen”. His country lilt with just the right touch of twang coupled with the well-crafted, well played music makes this a
classic in the making. (www.itsgregparker.com)

Ballbreaker – Hangman’s Tree
With their sophomore release, New York’s Ballbreaker disregard all the current trends in metal and hard rock and instead deliver a disc of straight-up, no frills rock reminiscent of bands like AC/DC and Accept. Lead by frontman Ed Speck’s gravelly vocals (the band was actually hailed early on as one of he top AC/DC cover bands in the industry) the band rips through seven originals and a cover of the Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right To Party” that would’ve been all over the metal charts back in the day. If you like your rock raw, dirty and a little sleazy then grab yourself a copy of Hangman’s Tree. (www.ballbreaker.net)

The Savoy Truffle – Roadhouse Boogie
When I received this CD from Japan I checked out the picture of the band on the sleeve (5 Japanese men in jeans and T-shirts) and threw it in my CD player, but what came out of my speakers definitely wasn’t what I expected. The title of the CD ended up being a lot more telling than the picture, because Roadhouse Boogie is a good description of their jamming bluesy Southern Rock reminiscent of bands like The Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule. Everything here – the well-crafted songs, strong vocals and superb musicianship (check out the guitar-work and harmonica) is top-notch and fits right in with the other bands in this genre. Roadhouse Boogie is a disc that’s well worth hunting down (www.live-indies.com/savoy.html)

Eyes To Space – Eyes To Space EP

This eponymous debut EP from Chapel Hill’s Eyes To Space is pure quirky, pop bliss. With complex arrangements that are hook-heavy and highly infectious the band adds layers of keyboards, the sounds of Jay Cartwright’s homemade keytar, some oboe, piano, accordion and lots of crunchy guitar licks to create cuts that will stick in your head for days. While many bands like this that are a bit off the beaten path tend to end up a bit gimmicky, Eyes To Space have a sound that continues to sound fresh. (Solarium Records – www.solariumrecords.com)

The Honour Recital – Make You Move
On their latest EP The Honour Recital tear through five cuts of punchy melodic metal with a power pop edge harkening back to the bands for the 80’s and early 90’s. With their strong harmonies and solid hooks this Indiana 5-piece is putting the fun back in hard rock. (www.thehonourrecital.com)

The Bloody Hollies – If Footmen Tire You …
After heading from their Brooklyn home to Detroit to work with Jim Diamond at Ghetto Recorders (Diamond has produced bands like The Fleshtones, Andre Williams and The White Stripes) The Bloody Hollies show no mercy with their third disc If Footmen Tire You … . With their meaty guitar licks, frontman Wesley Doyle’s distinctive vocal swagger and the frantic paced rhythm section this three-piece mix punk and garage rock with occasional touches of surf and rockabilly into a non-stop frenzy. While they’re not the only band out their doing this kinda thing, The Bloody Hollies have definitely carved out their own well-deserved little niche. (Alive – Total Energy – www.alive-totalenergy.com)

Just Like Paradise – A Millennium Tribute To Diamond David Lee Roth
Always – A Millennium Tribute to Bon Jovi
For the past several years Versailles Records has released a handful of rock and metal tribute CD’s featuring a combination of artists that are well-known in the genre and others that are virtually unknown. Their most recent tribute subjects are Bon Jovi and David Lee Roth (a tribute to Guns n’ Roses should be out by the time you read this).

First up is Just Like Paradise – A Millennium Tribute To Diamond David Lee Roth. Before I get started with the music I have an issue with the fact that 6 of the 12 cuts here have already appeared on the label’s 2003 tribute to Van Halen and 3 of those make their third appearance here having also been on their 2002 tribute to Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. Having said that, Just Like Paradise is a sometimes enjoyable trip through 12 cuts that at times stick a little too close to the original (or in the case of the dead on, note for note cover of “Hot For Teacher” by the Van Halen cover band Hot For Teacher way too close), but at others they veer enough to really stand out. Among the highlights here are Corey Craven’s “Tobacco Road”, “Panama” featuring vocals from Richard Kendrick and killer guitar work from Jimmy Crespo (ex-Aerosmith), the down and dirty Southern swagger of American Dog’s “Take Your Whiskey Home”, the bluesy “Goin’ Crazy” from Blues Saraceno and Chris Catena and my 2 favorite cuts “Shy Boy”, which is given an extra heavy treatment courtesy George Lynch on guitar and vocals from Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys, Broken Teeth, Godzilla Motor Company) and TNT’s Tony Harnell and Enuff Z’nuff’s “Yankee Rose”, which is surprisingly heavier than the original, but just as catchy.

The Bon Jovi tribute, Always – A Millennium Tribute to Bon Jovi also has several cuts that stick a little to close to the original, but overall is definitely the better of the two. Standouts here include Jasy Andrews beautiful female vocal and piano arrangement of “I’ll Be There For You”, the bluesy “Wanted Dead Or Alive” from Tony Janflone Jr, Jani Lane’s “Lay Your Hands On Me”, the stripped down, acoustic “Billy Get Your Guns” from One Bad Son, John Corabi’s (Union, Motley Crue, The Scream) edgy sounding “Born To Be My Baby” and the highlight of the album Jizzy Pearl’s high energy spin on “Bad Medicine”. As with almost every tribute CD out there both of these are hit and miss, but should be really fun listens for fans. (Versailles Records – www.versaillesrecords.com)

Deadstring Brothers – Starving Winter Report
Driven by frontman Kurt Maschke’s outstanding lyrics and Jagger-like vocals (complemented by the sultry harmony vocals of Masha Marjieh) this sophomore release from the Detroit 4-piece Deadstring Brothers takes a page from Exile On Main Street-era Stones with elements of Dylan (especially in the songwriting) and The Band mixing country, blues and rock into an infectious disc. Whether it’s the twangy groove of “Toe The Line”, the laid-back acoustic vibe of “Moonlight Only Knows”, the Dylan-esque “Talkin’ Born Blues” or swagger of “Sacred Heart” and “All Over Now” Starving Winter Report shows the Deadstring Brothers creating an infectious sound all their own. (Bloodshot Records – www.bloodshotrecords.com)

George Higgs – Tarrboro Blues
Although he performed throughout the 40’s and 50’s and apparently had some unreleased recordings in the early 70’s, this is the debut release from North Carolina’s George Higgs. Released by Music Maker Relief Foundation, an awesome label devoted to showcasing under appreciated and under recorded Traditional Southern Musicians, Tarrboro Blues is a captivating disc of acoustic blues (largely traditional tunes with 3 Higgs originals) performed solely by Higgs and showcasing his rugged vocals, as well as his mastery of both harmonica and guitar. Fans of traditional blues should definitely check this disc out and then do yourself a favor and delve further into the Music Maker catalogue. (Music Maker – www.musicmaker.org)

Knut Bell and the Blue Collars – “Honkahillarockabilly”

For the perfect description of this disc from Knut Bell and the Blue Collars look no further that the title -> “Honkahillarockabilly”. Driven by Bell’s rich, deep vocals these 9 originals and 3 covers (including the classic “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town”) have a classic country sound that if it wasn’t for the modern sounding production would fit right in on “real country radio stations” and those classic Truckdriving compilations. Forget the cookie-cutter crap that passes for country today, grab a copy of “Honkahillarockabilly” and listen to some real country. (www.knutbell.com)

Danny McGuinness – Room 809

Following the release of his debut solo CD in April of 2004, former Coven Of Thieves and Icos member Danny McGuinness and his collaborator guitarist Kent Va Der Kolk set up in Room 809 of the Bel Age hotel in West Hollywood to record some demos. After a few hours of just letting things flow they ended up with what is now McGuinness’ second solo release. With just the 2 of them on guitar and McGuinness on vocals, Room 809 is an intimate collection that allows the emotion of his vocals and the stellar, yet simple, musicianship (check out the slide work on “Justified Loser”) really shine through. (www.dannymcguinness.com)

Al Foul – The One, The Only
For the past 15 years Al Foul has been on the music scene in both the Foul Mouthed Elves and Al Foul and the Shakes. Now he’s following in the footsteps of the legendary one-man band Hasil Adkins with his new CD The One, The Only. Recorded with Al singing, drumming and playing guitar simultaneously this is a disc full of raw, raucous rockabilly with a strong sense of humor that will have you hunching all night long. (Rock N Roll Purgatory – www.rocknrollpurgatory.com)

Lords Of The Highway – Degreaser
With the release of Degreaser Cleveland’s Lords of the Highway are back with another dose of their raucous brand of music rooted in a cross of surf and rockabilly with everything from punk, garage rock and honky tonk thrown into the mix. From the rip-roaring rockabilly openers “Legend of 369” and “4 Barrel Carb Dual Exhaust P.O.S.” and the surf instrumentals “Freaky Tiki” and “Land Far Away” to the high energy of “Get Lost” (with bassist Sugar’s sneering vocals), the pure honky-tonk of “$100 Hangover” and a punkabilly take on The Misfits “Die, Die My Darling” this 3-piece displays excellent musicianship and an ever present sense of fun. Lyrics delve into such hot-button topics as playing Whack-A-Mole at the County Fair, cars, drinking and sex, and as if that’s not enough the disc closes out with the latest installment of their hilarious radio play “Truckman”. (Rock N Roll Purgatory – www.rocknrollpurgatory.com)