Black Light Medusa-The Demos

 

Being a fan of  Jenny & The Felines, I was excited to hear that Jenny Cat’s new band, Black Light Medusa had recently released a 3 track album. Simply called The Demos, this New Jersey all female band’s first release did not disappoint.

The songs are well written, with wonderful melodies woven through an insanely cool pop vibe with punk undertones. It is simplicity perfected, with subtle nuances of sweet guitar riffs and solos, and dynamite vocal tracks while the rhythm section pushes the album along. There is a wonderful intro on ‘Don’t Want To Be Your Baby’ that leads into a bass line that drives the track through its pop-punk vibe, while ‘Brenda’ offers a pure pop feel that surrounds a simple, yet unforgettable guitar riff. Our favorite track, ‘Can’t Shake It’ delivers a great guitar solo, and an unforgettable hook.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Jenny Cat (Jenny & The Felines), along with drummer Kat Daville (Tightlipped, The Bloody Muffs), and bassist Cathy Berg (Devil’s Bubble Gum, The Infamous Lost Cause) deliver a powerful trip into insanely good melodies that layer 1960s pop sentiments atop a punk backdrop, creating infectious and habit forming songs. It is wonderfully done. I only wish that there were several more tracks to listen to. You need to get yourself a copy or two, but to do that you need to attend a live show. Check out the band’s facebook page for information on where the band is playing and where else the album will be available for sale.

 

The New Bardots

The latest single from The New Bardots carries on the tradition of Jersey garage rock with a vengeance. ‘Change Reaction’, released on Deadwalker Records is a wonderfully melodic cover of the Robert Hazard song, filled with sweet harmonies, beautifully executed changes and transitions, a way cool harmonica, and a sax riff that’s still playing on in my head. While the promotional material lists the band members as the Bardot brothers, I have it from a reliable source that they are in fact Gar Francis  (The Dughboys, Rockids, Plainfield Slim, The Satisfactors), Wayne Olivieri (Rockids, Oliver’s Twist, Oliver Wylde); Dan Skye (Oliver’s Twist), and Johnnie Rago. Produced by Francis and Olivieri, the song captures the essence of the Jersey sound. A wonderful track and a wonderful time. I can’t wait for the upcoming album.You can check it out  here, and get yourself a copy at iTunes, Spotify, and GooglePlay.

 

 

 

 

Toronto’s ‘Must See’ Concerts Week of April 16-21/18

April 18, 2018

 

Hearing Trees——————–Piston, Toronto

Blackfoot Gypsies—————Danforth Music Hall, Toronto

Hurray For The Riff Raff——The Opera House, Toronto

 

April 19. 2018

Crown Lands———————Lee’s Palace, Toronto

Lovers Touch——————–The Baby G, Toronto

 

April 20, 2018

Kitchen Orkestra—————-Silence, Guelph

James Blonde——————–DSTRCT, Guelph

 

April 21, 2018

Jane’s Party———————Gore’s Landing Community Centre, Hamilton                                                         Corner

The Go Rounds—————–The Dakota Tavern, Toronto

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sedge-‘Psychochondriac’

 

Its been 2 1/2 years since the release of ‘Selective Reasoning‘, but after listening to ‘Psychochrondria’, the latest album from Toronto band Sedge, I can assure you it was well worth the wait.

There are incredibly cool riffs and solos, courtesy of the guitar triad of James Heron, Rob Coffey & Dean Crone that linger long after they have been played. Brian Regan‘s wonderful bass lines, coupled with Mitch Heron‘s kick ass drums provided a killer low end that accentuates James Heron’s powerful vocals. The songs are melodic and powerful with exciting changes. There are hints of blues, rock,  garage and psych rock all melded into one glorious trip, with dynamite effects. The album plays like a psychodrama, covered in a layer of fuzz, with so much going on that one listen is just not enough. The wonderfully full sound pushes limits and seems to touch the primal core, reverberating in my head like a ping pong ball, a sort of nervous breakdown in song. A wonderful time that needs to played loud. Exceptionally loud. Favorite tracks include ‘Somnolent Surrender‘, ‘Death Bed Proposal‘, ‘Fuzzy Pictures‘ and the unanimous favorite around ICBME, ‘Farewell Horizontal‘. You can check Psychochondriac yourself on Bandcamp, and I recommend you catch them live whenever possible. They will be at the Bovine in Toronto on April 22.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Rise Of Dead Walker Records

 

Everybody and their Aunt Mildred seems to have a record label these days. Wendy Ferguson, manager, promoter and resident goddess of New Jersey’s live music scene has kick started her own label, Dead Walker Records with the release of ‘Hot Mess’, Jersey garage band, The Easy Outs latest release.

The independently owned east coast label is on a mission to provide their artists global digital distribution. Ferguson states that the label has plans to expand internationally, and will be hosting major events throughout the East Coast and surrounding regions, seeking to offer the highest caliber in live music. If you’re looking for a label, and to take part in one hell of a rock and roll party, connect with Dead Walker Records at one of the links below.

https://www.facebook.com/Dead-Walker-Records-1633431216746520/

https://www.deadwalkerrecords.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Easy Outs-‘Hot Mess’

 

With the release of The Easy Outs new album, Hot Mess, on Dead Walker Records, the band has secured their spot in the annals of legendary Jersey garage bands. With a kick ass Jersey rock beat, this album adds many layers that bring the in your face rock sound to new heights and recreates the band’s raw energy on a studio recording.  ‘Hot Mess‘ is a powerful album from a rock solid band, with wonderful 1960s harmonies, exceptional melodies and unforgettable hooks that are layered over dynamite guitar riffs and solos, great vocal tracks, and a way cool rhythm section. There are blues, power-pop, and 1970s California vibes sprinkled throughout, but the kick ass Jersey garage comes rockin’ through. This is The Easy Outs, and they have delivered one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. Beautifully written, arranged and produced. Definitely one for the collection, and a contender for Indie Album of The Year. A solid album filled with songs that will make you want to be an Easy Out too, so go on and get yourself a couple copies of ‘Hot Mess’. Released March 16/18, and found on Amazon, Spotify, Pandora, Googleplay, cdbaby, and others. Favorite tracks include “(I’ll Be) Long Gone“, “Ephrata“, “Dirt City“, and “Wake Up“. Check out The Easy Outs on Facebook, and visit their website here.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Counteracts-‘The Curse Of The Counteracts’

 

The Counteracts, the Kent, England duo of Simon Biscoe & Doug Smith, recently released ‘The Curse of The Counteracts‘. With 14 tracks of quirky, pop songs that deal with themes of love and love lost, the album is an incredibly fun listen. Coupled with solid melodies and cool changes, the album serves up a musically minimalist approach that is still able to deliver a surprisingly full and complete sound. The arrangements are wonderfully clever, adding the sound of strings and horns to a 1960s folk/pop vibe. There are elements of various musical styles, from the Calypso feel of  “If You Only Knew” to the singing cowboy theme running through “Here In My Arms“. I heard hand clapping, bells, trombone, some way cool organ, and great percussion. There are obvious Beatle references, evidenced by the ending of “I’ve Got A Crush On You”, the chord that lasts forever on “You Never Listen“, and the Let It Be piano intro of “And I Lost It All“.  The Counteracts have delivered their music their way, and the result is an insanely amount of fun. Favorite tracks: “The Post Bus“, with its circus/calliope feel; “And I Lost It All“, with the Let It Be piano intro, wonderful string sound, and the melodic, harmonized whistling; and “When You Were Mine“, which offers a carnival vibe, great percussion, and a trombone. A great album to take on any road trip. You can check it out and order yourself a copy on Bandcamp.

https://thecounteracts.bandcamp.com/album/the-curse-of-the-counteracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Lost Boys-Nose Bleeds

 

I have been following The Lost Boys for a few years, and had become a fan of their stylish Brit Pop. Their latest album, Nosebleeds, set for release on February 10/18, delivers an edgier, more artistic sound. The songs push limits and capture the imagination, while offering unforgettable melodies and wonderful harmonies. The album expresses the band’s growth as musicians and songwriters, as they embrace different styles and arrangements. There is a Dynamite Pop-Punk feel to the album, with some very cool guitar and vocal tracks.

Nosebleeds opens with ‘Addicted”, a Pop-Punk treat with a wonderful melody, and ends with ‘Nervosa’, a strange and eerie trip with its accapella break and progressive themes. The changes are exciting, and the experience will take you places you didn’t expect to go. This is what happens when Brit-Pop develops attitude. If this was a painting, it would be a Dali. Definitely one for the collection.

Check The Lost Boys out on Facebook and get yourself a copy: https://www.facebook.com/thelostboysofficial/

 

 

FRACTAL REVERB-Quattro

 

It’s been 3 years since the release of ‘How To Overcome The Ego Mind‘, and frankly, it was well worth the wait. Fractal Reverb‘s new release, ‘Quattro‘ showcases the Italian band’s coming of age. The 4 tracks are filled with exciting riffs, powerful drums, and insanely good bass lines. The band has added a 2nd guitarist, giving the album a wonderfully full sound. The songs are exquisitely arranged, with beautiful melodies and flawless changes, emphasizing the maturation of the band’s talents as musicians & songwriters. The vocals are entirely in Italian, and while I do not understand the words, their feeling is driven home by Carolina Locateli‘s emotionally charged voice. Progressive Grunge-Rock at its best. A wonderful listen. Quattro is set for release September 22/17, and in the meantime, check out the band’s website and Facebook page for any notices, and sneak previews.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MARINOL NATION-hell’s ditch

 

The latest album from Sarnia’s Marinol Nation, is about to be released. I had the opportunity for a pre-release listen, and I am impressed. ‘Hell’s Ditch’ flows with rock, blues, country, and punk vibes, across themes of life after death, and heaven and hell, told as only Eli Martin could tell it. There are wonderful melodies, highlighted by sweet harmonies, wonderful guitar, as well as mandolin, saxophone, and lap steel guitar. The changes and transitions are exceptional, (check out the transition from “Hell’s Ditch part 2 ” to “Hell’s Ditch part 3“), and the arrangements give the album a theatrical rock musical feel. The album is edgy and raw, with insanely good riffs and solos, and some dynamite bass lines. There is no pretense here, just the band doing their thing. And it is exceptionally good. Favorite tracks include “Serenade“, a wonderfully melodic track, with a full sound, and some dynamite steel guitar; “Song 4 Amy“, a terrific rock track, filled with cool riffs and solos; and “Jesus In A Jar“, a rock and roll tune, that incorporates a punk edge, some cool harmonies, and hand clapping. An all around great time. The album is set for release this summer, on the band’s own Musicwhore Records label, so keep checking the release date on the bands page, and grab yourself a few copies. Share them with your friends. Have a party. Turn up the volume to number 11.

 

 

 

 

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