// Category Archive for: Current Faves

Music Review: Moonsville Collective, Heavy Howl

By Melissa Bratcher

Even on their more upbeat tracks, there’s a shot of melancholy running through Moonsville Collective’s Heavy Howl. Moonsville Collective is a California-based, seven-piece Americana group—including two generations of the same family—playing the sort of music that one might expect hill folk to play, but with the occasional harder edge.

(more…)

Graphic Novel Review: Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

By Jeffery X Martin

I’m just going to tell you flat-out, in the spirit of full disclosure, that Hunter S. Thompson is one of my favorite writers of all time. Hero status. When I first caught wind of this project, turning one of Thompson’s books into a comic book, I got The Fear. I was more than doubtful. I had some dread.

(more…)

DVD Review: Party Down: The Complete Series

By Brendan Ross

(more…)

New Music From Wolfmen Of Mars

By Tim Murr

Boston MA’s instrumental horror synth rock masters, Wolfmen of Mars, have had a hell of a year for releases. Back in May we got the fantastic Gamisu (which is now available on transparent green vinyl). Then in July they released a sick split album with The Mangled Dead. Now just in time for Halloween comes the six track witchy psych-out ass shaker, The Witch, The Goat, and The Malevolent Spirit. Inspired by the synth sounds from 1970s and 1980s horror films, the band mixes that influence with heavy grooves.

(more…)

Music Review: Motel Beds, Mind Glitter

By Melissa Bratcher

There’s a familiar feeling to the new Motel Beds album, Mind Glitter. It has a sort of retro indie feel, if your retro is the late 1990s, early aughts. There are nods to the Beach Boys, a little Brit Pop, smart harmonies, and some fine ear wormy choruses. It’s a solid return for the Dayton-based band, whose last album, These Are They Days Gone By, was released in 2012.

(more…)

Music Review: Casino Classics (Complete Collection)

By Noreen Sobczyk

In 1978, DJ Russ Winstanley and Wigan Casino manager Mike Walker joined forces to create a record label. Between 1978 and 1980, Casino Classics issued numerous 45s and two compilation albums, combining the Northern Soul scene’s most memorable American originals with tracks recorded especially for the label. This three-disc set, Casino Classics (Complete Collection), includes everything ever recorded or issued by the boutique label.

(more…)

Cauldron Releases New Single: “No Return/In Ruin”

By Tim Murr

Photo Credit: Brittany Deck / BKHphoto

Cauldron’s fourth album, In Ruin, will unload on January 8 of next year from The End Records, but to tide you over, the band has released the album’s first single “No Return/In Ruin,” an infectious head banger that demands heavy rotation.

Cauldron was formed by front man Jason Decay after his previous band, Goat Horn, broke up in 2005. After an indie EP, the band signed with Earache, where they released three albums and another EP.

If you’re unfamiliar with Cauldron and a fan of old school metal, then you’re in for a treat; their music is melodic, whiplash-inducing, and hard to ignore. Cauldron harkens back to straight up solid 1980s metal, but they still maintain a very contemporary feel (they’re not merely a throwback act!). Want proof, check the YouTube clip above!

For more on Cauldron, visit the band’s website or Facebook page.

Tour Dates (subject to change):
Jan 05 Gramercy Theatre New York, NY
Jan 06 The Backstage at Championship Bar Trenton, NJ
Jan 07 Trickshots Clifton Park, NY
Jan 08 The Webster Underground Hartford, CT
Jan 09 Palladium Upstairs Worcester, MA
Jan 10 Foufounes Montreal, QC
Jan 11 Salle Multi Quebec City, QC
Jan 12 RITUAL Ottawa, Canada
Jan 13 Hard Luck Toronto, Canada
Jan 14 The APK London, Canada
Jan 15 Montage Music Hall Rochester, NY
Jan 16 The Agora Ballroom Cleveland, OH
Jan 17 The Altar Bar Pittsburgh, PA
Jan 18 Ace Of Cups Columbus, OH
Jan 20 The Token Lounge Westland, MI
Jan 21 Fubar St Louis, MO
Jan 22 The Tree Joliet, IL
Jan 23 The Metal Grill Cudahy, WI
Jan 24 Triple Rock Social Club Minneapolis, MN
Jan 25 Zoo Cabaret Winnipeg, MB
Jan 27 Nite Owl Calgary, AB
Jan 28 The Starlite Room Edmonton, Canada
Jan 30 Rickshaw Theatre Vancouver, Canada
Jan 31 Studio Seven Seattle, WA
Feb 01 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR
Feb 02 Thee Parkside San Francisco, CA
Feb 03 Whisky A Go Go West Hollywood, CA
Feb 04 Brick By Brick San Diego, CA
Feb 05 Club Red Theaters Mesa, AZ
Feb 06 LVCS Las Vegas, NV
Feb 08 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT
Feb 09 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
Feb 10 Aftershock Kansas City, KS
Feb 11 Red 7 Austin, TX
Feb 12 210 Kapone’s Live San Antonio, TX
Feb 13 Scout Bar Houston, TX
Feb 14 Trees Dallas, TX
Feb 15 Siberia Nola New Orleans, LA
Feb 16 The Orpheum Tampa, FL
Feb 17 The Haven Orlando, FL
Feb 18 Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Feb 19 Expo Five Louisville, KY
Feb 20 Canal Club Richmond, VA

Music Review: Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs, Coulda Shoulda Woulda

By Melissa Bratcher

Holly Golightly has been particularly productive lately, releasing Slowtown Now! last month (review), and now reuniting with The Brokeoffs for Coulda Shoulda Woulda. Recorded on the Georgia farm Holly shares with Lawyer Dave (aka The Brokeoffs), Coulda Shoulda Woulda comes out swinging for the fences, and connects like mad. Songs of salvation for sale, dances to be learned, and an awfully sad Christmas are all here, along with some of the most delightful swearing ever laid to wax.

(more…)

Music Review: Hear The Bang: The Life and Music of Denny Lile

By Melissa Bratcher

The story of Denny Lile is both terribly sad and terribly familiar. A deeply gifted songwriter, who drew on personal experience to craft raw and honest songs, really should have made it, but he had demons. He had record deals that fell through and he had a moment of terrific success when Waylon Jennings covered one of his songs. Then, there was a legal battle for the rights to his songs. And then, there was alcoholism.

(more…)

Music Review: The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes and The Course Of Country Music

By Melissa Bratcher

One might say that if it weren’t for the Carter family, country music as we know it (or knew it, rather) wouldn’t exist. Director Beth Harrington’s film, The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes And The Course Of Country Music, explores that notion, starting with A.P Carter, his wife Sara and sister-in-law Maybelle, following that stream to the Carter Sisters, to June Carter and Johnny Cash, all the way to Rosanne Cash. The Carters’ influence was far-reaching, shaping ancient melodies into popular songs, and pushing the guitar into the forefront of American music.

(more…)