Today sucks, but this album doesn't. I put it on in the background while I run around work like a mad man and it cools down my overheating head by a few degrees. On a normal day, I would make a post about this album that would go on for hours, but in this post I'll just keep it short. Anyone who has read previous posts will recognize Brian Eno's name, who was a part of this super group. Sadly, nothing more was released with this exact lineup. This album takes me to another place entirely. I'm going to go back now. Bye
So anyone that knows Joe probably thinks of him as a polite, smart, aggressive lead singer in several local bands. Within my group of friends, we all know him as an awkward, hairy little dude. He can't go five seconds without fixing his shirt, pacing back and forth, and smoking everyone's cigarette butts. Although you give this kid a microphone and he turns into hands down one of the best front men you'll ever see in Cleveland. His tiny little body makes more of loud rumble than half the people twice his size.
It really shows how much he looks up to great punk front men like Iggy, Rollins, and his other idols because this dude does not fuck around on stage. If I only knew Joe from seeing him live, I would not fuck with him. Seconds after he's off stage though he's asking everyone how it was while fixing his shirt, but I assure you when he's on stage he is a bad ass.
I loved playing in bands with Joe and I'm always looking forward to what he's working on. He can make Maroon 5 sound heavy. Keep up the good work my man!
A simple Facebook status just wasn't enough for all the letters and words to say about this show, so I'm going to vent more in here. I feel bad for close friends of mine who don't really get into music like I do, because I would not shut up about this show for days after. We made the two hour and a half hour drive out to Detroit from Cleveland on a Sunday afternoon. It was an easy drive with my new car and best friends. Lots of farting, music sharing, and farting.
It was just so fucking smart. I think it really helps that Ken comes from a strong production background, so from everything from miking techniques to stage visuals, it was fucking spot on. I noticed Kelli's kick drum was miked both inside as well as outside, which most live venues simply ignore. It's usually done so quickly that everything gets thrown together before a 25 second "sound check" without realizing that people will forever remember that band to sound like shit live. That very well have been a reason they didn't have an opener.
They showed a short film before the show, showing movies that had inspired them throughout the years. They showed clips from Solaris, Ren & Stimpy, and several other amazing movies. I could easily write an entire entry on the films they previewed, but I'll stick with the music. They played a wide range of material off all three albums. Ken and Greg switched with guitar and bass throughout the set. You can see in the photos on here that the visuals weren't extreme, but definitely gave it a vibe. I'm a big fan of bands playing with their own lighting. There's nothing worse than going to see a great band with lousy sound or visuals.
The only "disappoint" I had was the intermission. If you're going to break up the set, that's fine, but don't leave us just standing there. They could have shown more of the film teasers they had arranged for the beginning for a nice filler if anything. I heard a lot of people say they didn't mind, that they can take a piss or buy another beer. You're a show! I found it a bit distracting. You're not going to have an intermission in the middle of a movie, why should there be one when going to see a band? That's definitely nitpicking, because the rest of the show was FLAWLESS.
There are all kinds of reunions and revisits to previous projects both in film and music, but these guys are nailing it. All the movie remakes of comic book movies, 90's bands reunions.. they don't compare. This is the real deal and I'm so happy to have witnessed it!!
I didn't pick up "Spiral Shadow" when it came out in 2010 but after a trip to the ol' Record Exchange in my neighborhood this weekend I decided to give it a shot. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Kylesa, their sound is a joyful cocktail of crust punk, psychedelic rock, sludge metal, and even some progressive elements thrown in for good measure. This sound is perhaps best synthesized on "Spiral Shadow" and I personally feel this is the best representation of their musical approach.
"Spiral Shadow" should be praised for its inclusiveness and eclecticism. Songs like "Don't Look Back" have melodic tones reminiscent of Torche and even power pop in the riffs and Laura Pleasants' vocals are beautifully subdued in the mix. This adds a sense of atmosphere and psychedelia to the album and gives it its distinguishing character. Carl McGinley and Eric Hernandez's drum performances on this record are tasteful and certainly add something to these soaring riffs and rising leads. On this and other releases Kylesa continue to win me over with their unique two drummer set up. Always focusing on groove and smooth rhythms, Kylesa's percussive technique keeps the band's core elements in tact and allows the music to return to its heavy and primitive form regardless of where particular songs may venture, be it to psychedelia, atmospheric rock, or even pop in the case of "Don't Look Back." "Tired Climb" is a catchy and memorable piece of stoner / sludge and like other tracks on the record seem to hypnotize the listener with volume and restrained angst and tenacity.
Overall I would recommend this album to anyone be they a newcomer to Kylesa or a long time fan. Although clearly a heavy record, I don't necessarily think this album would alienate fans of other styles of music as well, particularly progressive rock or indie rock. "Spiral Shadow" isn't totally a crossover record, but there are moments on the album where Kylesa dares to take chances that other bands simply will not, either because they are too stubborn or not as creatively gifted.
Meet one of the nicest and most dedicated people in the Cleveland music scene! Regardless of the band or weather, Nick has been to more shows than most close friends have. I'll never forget seeing a frozen, tired Nick showing up to a Lucy show a few years back with what looked like frost bite on his face from riding his BIKE in the unbearable snow just to see our 40 minute set. I had a lot of friends not show up that night who had cars and this dude rode his bike!
It's hard to stay focused on projects in Cleveland because regardless of your personal goals regarding fans or money, you always want people to give your album an honest listen and you always want people at your shows. This dude covers all those areas. Now to be honest, I've never been the biggest fan of the bands he's played in, but he is definitely a hell of a fucking singer! He puts more talent, effort, and time into projects than half the people in this city. He's a trusted ear when I'm working on recordings because he actually has the balls to tell me something I'm doing sucks, which is harder to come by than you'd think.
Everyone has songs that make them a little emotional and anyone who says otherwise is someone to be avoided, for they are a liar. Here are a few of mine.
Swans- "No Cure for the Lonely" (from Love of Life, 1992)
Michael Gira has without question one of the best voices in music history and his deep, soothing howls on "No Cure for the Lonely" express the pain of love and love lost better than any other. What I love about this song is its simplicity, the way that it draws you in with the acoustic guitar and barely anything else. This song proves you don't need elaborate instrumentation or studio effects to be powerful, you just need honesty.
Love Spit Love- "Am I Wrong?" (Taken from the self titled 1994 album "Love Spit Love")
I first heard this song in the movie Angus as the background song to the film's opening credits. An introspective piece of self-loathing, "Am I Wrong?" reminds us all of our vulnerability and fragility.
The Smiths- "Half a Person" (Taken from the album "Louder Than Bombs," 1987)
I mean, you knew a Smiths' song was coming, right? Even though Morrissey could make anyone cry by singing the phone book, "Half a Person" always struck a chord with me emotionally.More than any other song by the band, the guitars seem to cloud Morrissey's powerful vocals and he seems subdued in the track, giving it a sense of character and sensitivity that is deeply powerful and melancholy.
Nirvana- "Something in the Way" (Taken from the album "Nevermind," 1991)
Rumored to be an autobiographical tale of homelessness, desolation, and despair, Kurt Cobain's "Something in the Way" stands as one of the saddest, darkest, and introspective songs put to tape. Played on a cheap and broken acoustic guitar and sung with the subtlest voice, everything about this song is carefully constructed to set a somber mood. From the smooth chords of the cello, Dave Grohl's soft tapping of the drums, to the vocal harmonies, "Something in the Way" is nearly a perfect piece of sap.
So I've made all kind of posts in here before about bands I both love and fucking despise, yet I haven't posted that many things about local bands or musicians. Music saved my fucking life and ever since I have aimed to help inspire others with my own music or help them create their own. Every week I'm going to post one of my local heroes. People who have inspired me and who I think could inspire you.
Pete Burger
Pete may be one of the youngest musicians I know, but don't let his age fool you. He's more driven and talented than half the bums I've played music with. I had the luxury of recording this dudes band several months ago, and he kept order in a slightly flustered group. Recording is hard for any band of any age, but Pete and those guys had it down pat. I know he's been struggling to find a steady band, but I know that with his drive and talent, it won't be long until he's in something cooler than you!
