Category Archives: Music

This is just awesome.  If you don’t enjoy seeing Lemmy from Motorhead with the Foo Fighters playing some hard 80′s rock there is something wrong with you.  Shot on a VHS tape as well which makes the whole thing more ridiculous.  Even an appearance by old guitarist Pat Smear.

For this week I’m sharing a song from the band Guano Apes called “Open Your Eyes”. I first heard them on one of the earlier Crust Demons of Dirt videos and have since been hooked to this song. Tons of energy and has always been a good fit with the action sports video world. If you want to heard the rest of the album Proud Like a God check it out on Grooveshark (awesome music platform).  Enjoy!

North Korea – Master Plan B (DOGMA) from ArtOK on Vimeo.

After hearing that Envy on the Coast had split up I was wondering how soon we would hear something from the two members that wanted to keep on going and making music.  Not too long later Ryan Hunter and Brian Byrne of EOTC has teamed up with Michael Sadis of The Rivalry and Billy Rymer of The Dillinger Escape Plan/Rivalry to form North Korea.  

Right now there is one single out called Master Plan B which you can hear here on project rodney.  This first track sounds insane and if it is any preview of what is to come we are all in for a treat.  Here’s the line up of North Korea

• Ryan Hunter (ex-Envy On The Coast) – vocals
• Brian Byrne (ex-Envy On The Coast) -  guitar
• Michael Sadis (The Rivalry)- bass
• Billy Rymer (The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Rivalry) – drums

Haven’t done a Tuesday Tunes in a bit but its back and this week I’m sharing a band from the CT area.  At Long Last is a Pop/Rock/Punk band that has been hitting the local scene pretty hard and gaining some good momentum.  They are a 5 piece band lead by their singer Jen out to make their name known.

In their 6 song EP you get a feeling of some older punk style riffs and drum playing (Pennwise comes to mind on the music on some tracks) while the singer flows with some of the newer Pop/punk styles.  It’s a good mix of bringing in some old styles in with the new ones and will bring these guys and girl far.

You can grab their At Long Last – EP on iTunes or check out their facebook page and myspace page.  They have a few shows coming up in CT and NY so if you live in these areas be sure to check them out.

This is the most bad ass Christmas house decorations ever!  Wonder what the neighbors thought of it? (I know we are a day late on the Tuesday part of this but enjoy)

Making Of Dear – Out Now from Keaton Henson on Vimeo.

Yesterday Keaton Henson released his album titled “Dear…” along with the 120 limited edition copies he made himself.  It isn’t too often you find an album where the artist has taken a passionate approach to the songs but the packaging as well.  The 120 copies that are limited have been cut, sewn, drawn (each one different), and numbered by Henson himself.  I have been able to listen to a few tracks from Henson’s album and would like to get my hands on a copy of this myself.  From what I have heard these songs it seems as if Henson (who is an artist in his day job) has turned to his words and guitar to paint a picture that possibly otherwise couldn’t have been seen.  Check out the video of the making for the packaging of “Dear…” and check out Keaton Henson to pick up a copy of your own.  

My first experience with Biffy Clyro was seeing them open up for Queens of the Stone Age a few years back.  Having never heard of them and with concerts not always being the best quality for hearing brand new music if the levels are not set up good, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Right off the start they caught my attention.  They had a unique style with some different time signatures that they pulled off effortlessly live.  Most of the music they played that night was on their heavier grungy side that got them their strong following.  Hailing from Scotland they have a large fan base in Europe and are making it over to the US with their latest releases. 

Their grungy alt-rock style on  ‘The Vertigo of Bliss’ and ‘Infinity Land’ where they stated themselves as “like Kyuss and Tool playing with some Scottish freaks screaming over the top of it” has turned a little bit to a have more of a calmer poppy side to it as well.  Not in a bad way and I believe that Biffy Clyro has really defined themselves as an all around rock band.  With intense fast distorted songs to slow catchy ballads they have been able to define themselves as musicians without losing their original touch that made them popular.  

My personal favorite album is “Puzzle” and depending on which songs you like from puzzle will lead you to the earlier albums or to the newest on “Only Revolutions”.  Songs to check out are “Living is a Problem”, “That Golden Rule”, and “Born on a Horse”

Today the new Deftones album ” Diamond Eyes” came out after the previous album “Eros” was shelved due to bassist Chi’s accident leaving him in a coma.  While Chi is still recovering and making small progress from an accident more than a year ago the rest of the Deftones went out with the bassist from the band Quicksand, Sergio Vega, and made a record that captured all the emotions that have been revolving through them.

Chino, the bands singer, had mentioned the album was made in similar manner to their old albums and you can definitely feel a much more collected band on this venture from the Deftones.  Every album from the Deftones is different and some people either hate it or love it.  I am a fan of their progression on each album and this one seems to capture the vibe they had going on in White Pony. 

Stephen Carpenters guitar has gone back to the deep, gainy sound with simpler riffs as the first two Deftones albums had.  Chino’s voice sounds great and you can really feel all the emotion being carried from song to song throughout Diamond Eyes.  This is a rare occasion for artist and maybe a first for the Deftones where each song really tends to lend itself the the previous and following track making the whole record a nice journey.

There is a obvious missing piece to it all which cannot be covered up.  Either because of the emotion being project from the band or the simple fact that Chi’s presence was so strong vocally and musically on the albums, but you can truly hear a difference due to his absence.  Not a bad one but it is something that for true Deftones fans will radiate through the album for both good and bad.  It is sad to not hear him on the album but is good that the rest of the Deftones gathered this energy and made a great album. 

Recommended tracks: CMDN/CTRL , Royal, and You’ve Seen the Butcher

Tracks can make for a good mix of getting pumped up for a race or for simply flowing through the slopes or park.   They are known for being involved in the skate scene in the 90′s.

To find out more or how you can help Chi go to the One Love For Chi website

We know that music plays a huge part in action sports.  Either getting you ready before a race or listening to your ipod while skating around the streets.  So on Tuesdays we are going to be putting up some of our music recommendations to either get you listening to new music or better music depending on what you ipod is filled with.  And even though Justin Bieber skateboards you won’t find us reviewing that here, sorry.

The Long Island band Envy on the Coast is an amazing group.  If you don’t have their new album Lowcountry go an pick it up at your local music store or off itunes.  (Try not to be a jerk and download it illegally)

I was lucky enough to go and see them live at Toads Place in New Haven, CT Sunday night where they killed it and did a great cover of The Animals “House of the Rising Sun”.  Their new album is one of the more refreshing sounds I have heard from a band in a long time and reminds me of music that was coming out around 2000.  There is a definite feel of old Incubus in the music and lyrically with Rage Against the Machine on the mind.  The opening track “Death March on Two, Ready?” is truly asking if you are ready because this album lyrically and musically is about to take you on a trip. They have altered their sound from the previous album to a much more southern/hard rock feel.  This helps bring singer Ryan Hunters voice to really stand out on this album.

There is a lot to this album that brings together big parts of music that have been absent in many of the new “rock” bands coming out.  Abstract and creative guitar riffs (harmonics and slides being used which I’m not sure many new young bands are aware exist anymore), lyrically driven songs with a message, and a group of guys that have created a sound that is forming to be their own.  Of course there will be the comparisons but how else to explain to someone what to expect when getting new music. 

My personal favorite track off the new album is “The Great American T Shirt Racket”.  The chorus line is “My scars, now I have a T Shirt, to go with my scars.”  This is HEAL’s new anthem.  That line alone is perfect for what HEAL is all about. 

So pick up the album.  Catch them live on their next trek.  And enjoy some new music that rock has been missing for a few years now. 

Other recommended tracks: Numb, Southern Comfort, and Clean of You.

Other albums: 2007 Sugar Skulls