By Chelsea Spear
In this day and age of bringing heroin to a court date and stripping on the red carpet, being the most endearing man in rock may seem kind of mundane. However, Elvis Perkins makes this underrated virtue an outstanding and distinguished asset.
Continue reading ‘Happy Birthday Elvis Perkins’
By Megashaun
Based on how much I loved and listened to Peter Project’s self-titled debut (reviewed in Popshifter ) I had some rather high expectations when I had heard he released a follow-up in the form of a bar of soap.
Continue reading ‘Peter Project, Fresh EP’
By Jemiah Jefferson
When does influence become imitation? When does homage become outright copying? These questions illuminate upon listening to this album, the third from UK-to-Santa Fe art rock transplants Venus Bogardus.
Continue reading ‘Venus Bogardus, Spitting At The Glass‘
By Danny R. Phillips
Graphic novels are a guilty pleasure to which I have only recently returned. I have always been an avid reader as well as a lover of art, but when I turned 35, I started to think my comic book years were behind me. Then I re-read Watchmen and V for Vendetta and remembered the comic greatness that I had let gather dust in the back of my memories.
Thanks to my returning jones for the graphic novel, I discovered Afrodisiac, a book based around a Shaft-meets-Superman character straight out of the blaxplotation genre of the 1970s. I mean, this cat would make Dolemite and Superfly look like Wayne Brady. With his stable of white “bitches” working the streets for him, his magic pimp cane, his Cadillac, and his tingling Spider Sense-like street smarts, he is both the protector of his city and its sweet, sweet daddy.
Continue reading ‘Afrodisiac, A Graphic Novel By Jim Rugg & Brian Maruca’
Sound Academy, Toronto ON
February 4, 2010
I don’t care what Lester Bangs said: Cheap Trick was, is, and will always be the best rock and roll band of all time.
They more than proved this (again) at Thursday’s Sound Academy show in Toronto.
Continue reading ‘Accept No Substitutes: Cheap Trick In Toronto’
By Ann Clarke
I love it when you put on an album, and it just kicks ass immediately. I love it even more when it continues to kick ass, and then when it’s over, you feel compelled to listen to it again! That doesn’t always happen, even with some of your personal favorite albums.
Bettina Köster’s Queen of Noise might not be my favorite album, but it certainly falls into the realm of the type of album I just described. It just kicks ass, and continues to kick ass! (I apologize for my lowbrow description, but I guess it sort of brings the cave-girl out of me!) I mean, seriously; when something just rocks your lame ass, you know it instantly.
Continue reading ‘Bettina Köster, Queen Of Noise’
By Mandy Mullins
Grab your dancing shoes and head out onto the floor and get ready to have a great time! In a match made in rock & roll girls heaven, the wonderful Nikki Corvette and Gore Gore Girls’ guitarist/leading lady Amy Gore have teamed up to form an ultra-fun little Detroit super group called Gorevette. Along with Lianna Castillo on bass and Al King on drums, Gorvette have just released their seven-song debut EP, Lustfully Yours.
Continue reading ‘Gorevette, Lustfully Yours‘
By Julie Finley
“In Dublin’s Fair City. . . where things cost a lot of money. . . but you can set your eyes on sweet Molly Malone (for free). . . ”
—Sung in the style of the old traditional Irish song, “Cockles & Mussels”
Julie Finley and Molly Malone
Photo © Julie Finley
Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, is quite a charming place, but it can be expensive. However, if you play your cards right (and do some thorough research), it doesn’t have to be.
Continue reading ‘Dublin on A Dime’
By Adam McIntyre
Come over to my recording studio and let’s listen to something very loud.
Here’s why I have a major hard-on for Them Crooked Vultures: it’s tailored for me. I mean, I am its target audience. I have intense respect for each of the four musicians involved, certainly bordering on talent-based mancrushes. I mean. . .
Continue reading ‘Them Crooked Vultures, S/T’
By Chelsea Spear
Listening to Love To Live on an iPod feels wrong. The maiden voyage by The Living Sisters requires the listener to lower a needle onto a fat slab of vinyl and listen to a brief overture of static before their music begins.
Continue reading ‘The Living Sisters, Love To Live‘