Duo band The Blue Stones and opener JJ Wilde brought a memorable performance at the Thunderbird Cafe in Pittsburgh. The energy being brought to the crowd was nothing short of spectacular. The love is shown to both band to the audience and vice versa was appropriate for such an occasion on Valentine’s Day date.
JJ Wilde who has been active on the scene for over a few years brought nothing but an emotional performance. The set may have only been nine songs, but it was long enough to take me on an unforgettable journey through the eyes and vocals of a young woman trying to figure out life. The intensity in her singing clearly showed the honesty behind the lyrics. I’ve seen this promising individual three times now. She proves time and time again that she is capable of maintaining her authenticity. She is a down to earth individual who isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve. All of her written work and songs demonstrate this vulnerable asset well. Her songs touch upon the basis of mental health, the highs, and lows that come with life, and so much more. During “Funeral For A Lover”, she momentarily spoke of the meaning behind the song. Essentially, it shares the message of talking about mental health openly. That the stigma surrounding one struggling with wellness within should cease. As an individual who suffers from depression and anxiety, it hit home. To have an artist acknowledge the topic and bring awareness is a beautiful thing. If you have yet to check out JJ Wilde, I highly suggest you doing so. She’s an artist who deserves nothing but success.
JJ had the set bar high for the night, so The Blue Stones had to follow up with something indelible. Without a second thought, the duo had done just that. Though only compromised of two people, their execution was filled with momentum, which flourished and carried throughout. For a few brief pauses, Tarek and Justin thanked the fans and audience who came to support them. That made this concert so much more personal. Seeing smaller artists reminds you that every purchase made supports them to keep living their dreams.
Tell us a little about your punk rock/heavy metal experience playing in bands.
I grew up in the punk/hardcore/metal scence outside Philadelphia in the late 90’s. Went to see bands like Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Lamb of God (when they were Burn the Priest), Snapcase, Lifetime, Boysetsfire, Propagandhi, NOFX, Botch, and tons more. I played guitar in a few different bands from punk to hardcore to metal, but none of which actually toured or did anything special. But playing in bands is where I got my start of being a creative entrepreneur.
Why would you say it is that the initial market of metal/punk fans would get your brand of humor?
There’s an incorrect assumption out there that the health and wellness demographic is not interested in weird, tongue-in-cheek entertainment. In an industry that normally uses “aspirational” fitness models and airbrushed celebrities, we’re using our brand to support weirdos and entertainment that generally get ignored by traditional wellness brands. People would be surprised that there’s a huge portion of the alternative/punk/metal culture that actually cares about health and the environment, and that tends to be who instantly connects with our brand mission and humor.
Your “sell your soul” to Liquid Death campaign is irreverent, genius, and hilarious. Where did the idea spawn from and how has the response been?
At the end of the day, every brand has to use marketing. You need people to sign up for your newsletter, or join your membership club, or be a bigger part of your brand. We just always look for funnier ways to do it. Most marketing and advertising is toxic waste because it is created in boardrooms and takes itself way too seriously. We try to be very clear that we do not take ourselves seriously. Our goal is actually entertain people and be one of the cool fun things they interact with that day. We often start our ideation with “What would be the dumbest thing we could do for this?” And that is essentially where Sell Your Soul came from. What is a soul really? It’s fun to think about and play around with. We now have almost 40,000 people who have sold their souls to Liquid Death.
How did you snag Pittsburgh boy Joe Manganiello to sell his soul?
Joe is actually one of our favorite humans on the planet. He is a long-time lover of heavy metal and Dungeons and Dragons. He was thrilled when he discovered Liquid Death and loves our sarcastic, rock’n’roll approach to wellness and sustainability. We couldn’t have asked for a better brand ambassador, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work together.
What other artists are you developing relationships with?
We’ve been getting social media love from all kinds of artists from metal to EDM to hip hop. Artists like Gojira, High on Fire, Gwar, Gatecreeper, Red City Radio, Rob Zombie, Dirtyphonics, Best Coast, 6Black, Nuclear Blast Records, Relapse Records, and more.
Speaking of art…who is responsible for the design of the can?
One of our early partners in the brand is Will Carsola, the co-creator of the Adult Swim cartoon “Mr Pickles”. Will is our main creative partner in the Liquid Death and he created a lot of our brand assets like the skull on the can (and the funny copy on the side) and our recent animated commercial. I was a huge fan of the show, and I actually just DMed him on Instagram, told him I’m a big fan and have a project in the works that I thought he’d be interested. Luckily, he actually responded and dug the concept for the brand. He’s been amazing to work with and we have so much other fun Liquid Death stuff in the works for the future.
Is your company pursuing getting involved with concert venues to sell Liquid Death?
We’ve partnered with a few music festivals and events so far, and it’s something we’ll definitely keep doing. Our next appearance will be at FEST in Gainesville, FL early Nov and Adult Swim Festival in Los Angeles in mid-November.
Do you envision that in the near future we will stop using plastic for water packaging?
I think that’s the direction we’re headed. Since we launched in May, our presence and #DeathtoPlastic campaign has put increased pressure on the water bottle industry to think more sustainably about its packaging. In just a few short months, we’ve already seen our work lead to big brands like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola announce the plan to put some of their existing water brands in cans.
Your company is obviously environmentally conscious. Besides infinite recycling and the money donated, how else are you active regarding the environment?
We’re proud to work closely with the Thirst Project and 5 Gyres, donating $0.05 from every can sold to helping people access safe drinking water in communities around the world where it’s not immediately available, and cleaning up plastic garbage out of the ocean. We’re continuing to look for new ways that we can do our part in helping the environment.
To what do you attribute your success at finding investors and becoming such a fast growing incubated company?
Having a 10 year career in advertising definitely helped hone my skills of how to sell “crazy” creative ideas in boardrooms to business people who are not creative. But the biggest thing I’ve learned as an entreprenuer, is you have to care more about what you’re building than anyone else. You have to have insane passion for your idea/product in order to be better at building it than everyone competing against you. Liquid Death was essentially the perfect combo of my passion for alternative culture, music, art, comedy, and health, along with my passion and experience for pushing the boundaries of marketing and advertising to make it suck less. And I spent so much time dialing everything in. Investors, VCs, and incubators will always respond to well to passion and people with very clear visions for what they want to build.
Has there been any discussion about diversifying the product into other products or beverages?
We do have a Liquid Death merch store on our site, but right now our main focus is still getting Liquid Death in more retail locations across the country. We’ve only scratched the surface with our water and we’ll keep growing it more before we start thinking about other versions.
Can you tell us some of the biggest musical influences in your life?
So many to list, but how about I list some of the most influential albums of my life?
Slayer – Seasons in the Abyss
Lamb of God – Ashes of the Wake
NOFX – White Trash, Two Heebs, and Bean
Propagandhi – How to Clean Everything
Bad Religion – Suffer
Screeching Weasel – Boogada
Boysetsfire – The Day the Sun Went Out
Jay Z – Reasonable Doubt
Eminem – The Eminem Show
Jimmy Eat World – Clarity
Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Sturgil Simpson – Metamodern Sounds of Country Music
Any current bands that you are really into right now?
Gatecreeper, Power Trip, Sturgil Simpson, Dave Hause, Baroness, Teenage Bottlerocket, Gojira, Miguel
How often do you perceive you will have events or offer new merch for “Country Club” members?
Not sure. We like to keep things special, which means not trying to do too much.
How would you explain what a creative is and how did you get into it?
A creative is really just someone who enjoys finding unique ways to solve problems. Writing a song is essentially a problem you have to figure out. Or building a brand or writing a film or making a piece of art. The most important part is enjoying the very long creative process of solving whatever thing it is you are trying to crack. That is 99% of being creative. The shiny end result is maybe 1%. I eventually found the kinds of problems that I was best at creatively solving, which was design and branding and marketing. I sucked at figuring out how to write hit songs.
CHECK OUT LIQUID DEATH HERE AND MURDER YOUR THIRST AND MAYBE EVEN SELL YOUR SOUL…
New York, NY, rock band Libricide has released their newest single, “Over Everything” off of their upcoming album, Consilience. “Over Everything” is a heavy-hitting Hard Rock offering punctuated by its crunchy, driving guitar riffs.
While lyrically the song encapsulates a growing sentiment of exasperation with the current state of the world in the midst of a global pandemic, it wasn’t necessarily what the band set out to write. “We’ve been going through this pandemic for almost two years now,” says vocalist and guitarist Harun Gadol, “I remember writing this song from a more general sense of frustration. It’s sadly perfect how much it resonates with what we’re all going through now more than ever.”
Gadol also acted as producer on the song, which was engineered and mixed by John Ferrara and mastered by Ted Jensen (The Eagles’ Hotel California, Green Day’s American Idiot). Consilience is slated to be released in its entirety later this year.
Listen to “Over Everything” on SPOTIFY or on YouTube below:
Los Angeles based Industrial Metal band DAWN OF ASHES has released their newest single, “EMDR.” With lyrics and music by front-man Kristof Bathory and guitars, mixing, and mastering by Angel Crowe, “EMDR” is off of the band’s upcoming album, Scars Of The Broken, which releases March 18 through Artoffact Records.
“This song was inspired from my own personal experience dealing with a type of therapy called EMDR which stands for ‘ Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing’. This specific type of hypnotic therapy is for helping people who have dealt with past traumatic experiences.” – Kristof Bathory
“Scars Of the Broken has been one of the most emotionally difficult albums that I have ever created. All of the musical and lyrical content was straight from a place that I have been dealing with for a long time of my life. I poured out every darkest and deepest emotion into every song. Mental health is something that a lot of people struggle with and sometimes it just needs to be heard through music. I hope this album helps those that are struggling.”
Track List: 1. (Descending) Torn Inside 2. Love is Asphyxiation 3. The Despondent Hole 4. EMDR 5. Bane of Your Existence 6. (Limbo) Numb 7. It Comes in Waves 8. Heart Beats Cold 9. Turn It Shallow 10. Scars of the Broken 11. The Antidote 12. (Ascending) Catharsis
Burbank, CA based multi-instrumentalist, sound-designer / supervisor / composer, singer-songwriter, and President of TFK Studios LISLE ENGLE has released his poignant and timely official music video for “Medicine Man,” the title track off of his recently released album. Featuring crunchy bass and rhythm guitar by ENGLE alongside soaring guitar riffs by Bill Angarola and Pete Sjostedt from Muck and the Mires, plus high energy vocal performances by Angarola, Kristen Kohary, and Paul Grubb, “Medicine Man” is a seamless melding of Alternative Pop Rock post-modernism and old-school guitar rock intensity, evoking a superficially unlikely but satisfying union of Peter Gabriel, The Black Crows, and Cheap Trick.
Best known for his prolific sound design and re-recording mix work, LISLE ENGLE has been involved with such iconic films as the 2013, Academy Award nominated and BAFTA and Golden Globe winning American Hustle, bombastic, the highly anticipated 2003 Freddy vs. Jason, and 1997 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and 1999 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me comedy classics (sound effects editor) as well as such modern and incredibly popular TV shows as Arrested Development (sound editor, re-recording mixer), Riverdale (re-recording mixer), and and The Flight Attendant (re-recording mixer), which is reflected in the layered soundscapes and tight sound design of Medicine Man.
“At the end of 2020, I had a couple of weeks off and decided to turn my thoughts about this crazy Covid Pandemic into a collection of songs. Everything poured itself out of me during sessions at home and at my studio and hiking in the mountains above Burbank. These songs cover the gamut of emotions from trying to connect with loved ones in the hospital, to feeling disengaged from life, to hoping for a vaccine, to dealing with people wearing masks, to listening to experts and Instagram pundits talk and talk with conflicting messages, to the political landscape that seemed to intensify the harsh political divisions we are seeing in our country these days. Medicine Man hits all of those things.” – LISLE ENGLE
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Lisle Engle has been writing and performing for 35 years. He began in the early 80’s, honing his vocal abilities in the local club scene of Savannah with his cover band The Vital Signs. He founded his first original band, The Promise, while attending Boston University. They played many shows on the East Coast, including the Boston clubs The Paradise, The Rat, The Channel, and Bunrattys; as well as NYC dates at China Club, Limelight, and CBGB. After college, The Promise moved to Los Angeles, seeking fame and fortune. They played hundreds of shows all over the city, such as The Whiskey-A-Go-Go, Club With No Name, English Acid, The Roxy, and Lingerie. The Promise later evolved into a project called HEAD, which got very close to the fabled big record deal but ultimately disbanded when they weren’t picked up.
After a short jaunt to Florida to produce a CDROM project, the world’s first interactive, multimedia concept album, Welcome To The Future, Lisle quickly returned to LA to form a new group including the amazing violinist Dorian Cheah, bass player Giuseppe Patane, and drummer Steve Holmes. They played all over the city and had a residency at the Cat Club for a year on the world famous Sunset Strip. They produced an album, California Miles, which garnered critical success but ended as its members pursued other endeavors.
In the last few years, Lisle has played in several band lineups, including a collaboration with well-known LA producer and studio engineer Matt Gruber, which produced the Mad West album, These Are The Terms. Mad West was about to play their first show when the Covid lockdowns arrived, closing all venues. The project ran out of steam over the interim and Lisle decided to once again strike out on his own with his latest solo endeavor, Medicine Man. Inspired by the events of 2020, Medicine Man is a record of observations of humans experience, the media, science, government, and how the events of the pandemic affected and continue to influence our lives.
Medicine Man contains 7 songs and runs 30 minus in length. It is a high-energy, politically and emotionally charged rock record with amazing lead guitar performances from a group of some of the best players in Los Angeles, including Bill Angarola, Reza Moosavi, Jeff Miley, Chris Rife and Richard Dugay, as well as a special appearance from Pete Sjostedt, and vocal appearances by Jenny Lobel and Kristen Kohary; keyboard contributions appear courtesy of veteran Hollywood sound designer and synth collector Charles Maynes. The record was produced by Lisle Engle and mastered at The Manor Studios by Matt Vowels of the goth band Black Angel. If you are looking for some rocking new tunes with insight, social commentary, and emotional power; as well as killer rock production and many “guitar hero” level performances, Lisle Engle’s Medicine Man is definitely an album that you should check out for the new year!
Portland based Heavy Alternative Rock band VEIO has released the official music video for their newest single, “Janus.” The single was produced by Stephan Hawkes (Chelsea Grin, Attila, I Declare War) at Interlace Audio in Portland. “Janus” is a fresh sound for the band and the next evolution in VEIO’S unique sonic alchemy.
“Janus is a song about trials and tribulations of the past, present and future. We’ve overcome a lot of adversity in our time as a band and the song is about us trying to endure and overcome.” – VEIO
Veio melds alt-rock’s anthemic allure to the exhilarating adventurism of prog metal like few before them.
The roots of Veio – a name taken from an ancient Etruscan city – reach back to the childhood musical collaborations of Cam and Brett Byrd (vocals/guitar and drums respectively). The brothers formed Veio after college, with the lineup completed by bassist Kris Lewis 5 years ago. With the 2017 debut album Infinite Light / Desperate Shadows and tireless touring efforts with the likes of Seether, Tremonti, and RED, the band earned legions of loyal fans. The band’s follow up 2020 album, Vitruvian, saw its first single, “Flare of Defiance,” storm the Billboard Rock Chart and entered Active Rock Radio’s Top 30.
Now a part of the revamped Silent Majority Group (Paramore, Creed, Sevendust), Veio’s music is garnering lofty comparisons to the thoughtful, artsy rock of Tool and A Perfect Circle, along with Thrice’s muscular, ultra-authentic optimism and the technical yet tuneful prog metal of Tesseract and Mastodon.
“We’ve always strived to have a unique sound that a mainstream audience can enjoy while still being mainly influenced by prog and metal bands,” Lewis states. “We hope both sides of the spectrum will enjoy the new music.” Consistently creating soaring, singable material without compromising their love for odd time signatures and challenging polymeters, Veio displays the single-minded talent, passion, and work ethic to remain a chart fixture for years to come.
Houston folk and reggae artist Alex Addy has released his new album The American Dream, featuring the lead single title track. The album was written, recorded, and produced by Addy himself in his home studio over the last 4 years. “This record was written and recorded as I was realizing my own version of the American Dream,” explains Addy. “It is somewhat satirical and a musical documentation of my journey of the search for the American Dream.“
The album was picked up by Punkerton Records who have released it to all major streaming platforms.
You can hear the song on SPOTIFY or watch the video on YouTube below:
Currently, Alex Addy goes by Mr. Addy. He is going on his sixth year teaching 2nd graders how to rock. Lately, he thinks he is Bob Marley crossed with Bob Dylan. From the looks of it he will be making records until he dies. Check out his fifth album “The American Dream”, which is available now.
Fort Worth, TX based, heavy rock / metal band LOCKJAW is back with the official music video for their newest single, “Living in My Head”. Produced by Chris Collier (Korn, KMX) and the video directed by Jeremy Peterson, “Living in My Head” premiered on popular, taste-making YouTube channel Space Untravel!
“‘Living in My Head’ was a song we felt had to be released early on this album because it really hits home with what the world is going through now. We felt we could connect with fans, and let them know, we are with you. We are all struggling together. We feel the pressure of this world, with the pandemic and uncertainty, it really causes stress, anxiety, mental health issues all around. I don’t think anyone is immune to it. We are really proud of the final product and are glad to send our brand of heavy music into the world. We hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do!” – LOCKJAW
Click HERE to Purchase / Stream “Living in My Head” Online!
Lockjaw is a band based in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. The group recently came out with a brand new release announcement for their upcoming single: Silence The Fear. This is going to be the first of many tracks, which the group is planning on releasing throughout the year. This particular song feels like a compelling new chapter for the band, highlighting its commitment to creating music that blurs the lines between a wide range of influences. From the depth and energy of alternative rock down the impactful edge of heavy metal, there are no rules. The group has a rather long history, fueled by the friendship of the band members, who got together to form this band while in high school in the late 90s. The music scene was quite different back then, but just like today, Lockjaw was never interested in chasing trends. These talented musicians had the vision to make their own music and truly give it their all. Lockjaw started making music in 1998, and it didn’t take long for the group to be able to record and release a handful of EPs throughout the local scene. The band’s music earned a solid reputation, and Lockjaw soon grew to the ranks of excellent local bands, on stage and in the studio.
The group is on the verge of making their return with some brand new music, as they are gearing up to release some exciting new material. Lockjaw’s most recent studio single is titled “Silence The Fear,” and it is going to be available on August 6th, 2021. On the occasion of this and other recordings, The band hit the studio with famed producer Chris Collier, already well-known for his work with seminal bands such as Korn, as well as Lynch Mob, Prong, and KMX, only to mention a few. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say that these songs depict the band at its best. Instead of releasing a whole record at once, Lockjaw is set to be releasing a handful of singles throughout the years, allowing their releases to seamlessly spread over time and giving the audience a nice constant stream of content. The band’s upcoming music is ultimately a perfect example of the band’s attitude and charismatic approach to songwriting and performance, going for an immediate and earthy sound that favors the human connection between the musicians, rather than hiding their work under an excessive layer of studio trickery. If you are a fan of artists such as Metallica, Lamb Of God, Amon Amarth, Opeth, MachineHead, and Slipknot, this one is definitely going to be right up your alley. Production-wise, the band’s new music is just as exciting and crisp as you might expect from such high standards of recording and production. For instance, “Silence The Fear’s” mix is balanced and very detail-oriented, making for a lively, edgy, and stark sonic approach. In other words, there are many subtle nuances in this release, which really add to the richness of the track when summed up together. At first glance, you’ll notice the roaring walls of guitar and the energetic rhythm section, but if you dive deeper, there is a lot more to uncover. The dynamic spectrum of the song is also very balanced, with a tight yet deep low end that really growls, holding it all together while adding some aggressive edge to the sound.
Find out more about Lockjaw, and do not miss out on the band’s upcoming music, which is going to be available throughout the web’s premier digital streaming platforms.
Toronto, Ontario Alt-Rock band, Cruel Hope, has released their debut single, “Wage Slave” fresh off their EP, I’m Not Sick. The track is a driving, hard rock anthem on an issue in the forefront of many people’s minds these days: the dwindling patience of a working-class who find themselves overworked, underpaid, and hungry – perhaps for something more than what you can find in the grocery store.
Lyrically, the song offers a biting commentary on the issue. “Wage Slave” speaks to the maddening frustration felt by today’s working-class as we are forced into ever-worsening working and living conditions,” says frontman Liam Horrigan. “It also cautions those in power that there is a limit beyond which working people cannot be further exploited and that they will soon reach it.”
The song was recorded and produced by Kyle Marchant and is the first track to be released from the band’s upcoming EP, I’m Not Sick.
Listen to “Wage Slave” on SPOTIFY or watch it on Youtube below:
Vancouver, BC Canada based, heavy rock band THE VEER UNION has released the bombastic music video for their newest single, “Standing My Ground”. Produced by front-man CRISPIN EARL, “Standing My Ground” is the band’s first single off of their forthcoming, new album, The Butterfly Effect, due out in 2022.
“When you’re knocked down to the lowest point in your life you really have two choices; you can roll over and die or you can face your demons head on. Sometimes you have to dig the deepest you ever have to find the strength to get up, to keep fighting and to push the hardest you ever have to get your life, dreams and/or your sanity back on the trajectory required to find the happiness and sense of accomplishment we all seek. ‘Standing my Ground’ is the heaviest track we’ve every released. It’s an anthem for those who are about to, or have almost lost everything. It serves a reminder that no matter what, no matter how huge the adversity may be, keep going.” – THE VEER UNION
Purchase / Stream “Standing My Ground” Online HERE!
THE VEER UNION’s 2018 Album, Decade II (produced by the band’s lead vocalist, Crispin Earl), contained 4 Billboard Charts Top 40 Singles and has been streamed over 27 million times on Spotify alone. The most notable track off the album, “Living Not Alive”, reached #21 on the Billboard Charts Top 40 in the United States, amassing over 10 million streams, received over 2 million Views on YouTube and the album itself has sold over 10,000 units.
After a vigorous year and a half of touring (With bands like Red, Puddle of Mudd, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Alesana, and Saliva) the band released Covers Collection Vol.1 (with front-man Crispin Earl producing). Their version of Halsey’s “Nightmare” exploded on YouTube and reached 1 Million Views in the first 30 days, climbed to #25 on The Billboard Charts in the United States, and has been streamed over 10 million times across all digital platforms.
In 2020, the band began releasing singles from their album Quarantine Collaborations (produced by Crispin Earl), with three tracks quickly reaching Top 40 status on the Billboard Charts in the United States. On December 17th 2021, Quarantine Collaborations was released in its entirety and, within its third week of release, surpassed the 8.5 Million Stream mark.
In January of 2022 the band surprised fans with the announcement of yet another new Single, “Standing My Ground” (produced by Crispin Earl). The track is available January 14th, 2022, and is accompanied by an official video as well as a promise from the band that “’Standing My Ground’ will be the heaviest track we’ve ever released.” The Veer Union will be headlining The Rock Shop Records Tour that is slated to kick off 2022. The full list of tour dates will be announced soon.
Texas Rock band BLACKTOP MOJO has released the official music video for their newest single, “Strike Me.”
“‘Strike Me’ was recorded in our sessions for our self-titled album (released in 2021) at Sound Emporium in Nashville, TN and we had the privilege to add the background singing of the world famous McCrary Sisters on the track, who were an honor to work with. It was our first time bringing in outside background singing.” – MATT JAMES
“The song is a sardonic answer to living through the great many turmoils we’ve all dealt with, especially in the last two years. It’s essentially us observing the world around us and exclaiming, ‘I’m coming, Elizabeth!’ to quote the late, great Redd Foxx.” – BLACKTOP MOJO
Click HERE to Purchase / Stream “Strike Me” Online!
Idaho Rock Band Silent Theory has announced a series of tour dates beginning January 21 in Spearfish, SD through January 26 in Greeley, CO.
“We are very excited to be hitting the road at the end of January with our good friends in Kingdom Collapse! The last couple of years have been rough, not only for fans missing live shows, but for the bands not being able to hit the road, which is what really makes this tour special for us. Aside from a few shows and festivals in 2020 and 2021, this will be our first tour since 2019, so it feels like a long time coming. Please be sure to check out the list of dates and cities and come see a show! We’d love to meet each and every one of you.” – SILENT THEORY
Tour Dates: 01/21 @ Iron Phnx – Spearfish, SD 01/22 @ Bigs Bar w/ Kingdom Collapse– Sioux Falls, SD 01/23 @ 1867 Bar w/ Kingdom Collapse– Lincoln, NE 01/24 @ Otherside w/ Kingdom Collapse– Kearney, NE 01/25 @ HQ– Denver, CO 01/26 @ 2454 West w/ Kingdom Collapse– Greeley, CO
Click HERE for Additional Dates & Ticketing Information!
In a society where new bands pop up every day, Silent Theory is here to set a new standard. The band found success with their single, “Fragile Minds,” released June 2016, charting at #97 for Media Base Active-Rock and #29 for Under the Radar charts. It has since surpassed 17 million video views on YouTube and continues to grow rapidly. Following this success in June 2018, through Loudwire, the band released their second single off of the album, Delusions, “Watch Me Burn.” The single charted at #67 on the Media Base Active-Rock charts. Silent Theory is made up of brothers Mitch, Scott, and George Swanger, as well as Robert James and Dakota Elliot Tyler. They are currently located in Moscow, Idaho, but finding worldwide success. As of 2021, they signed with Paul Crosby Management (founding member of Saliva), Dynamic Talent International, and released their latest album, Hunt or Be Hunted. The first single, “Shaking Cages” charted at #22 on Billboard/BDS and #6 on Foundations charts. They will be on tour this January with more dates to follow.
Jacksonville, FL based Rock band FORTUNE CHILD has released their debut single, “Far.” Featuring heavy, classic rock guitar riffs, funk basslines, and soaring vocals, “Far” is the first single off of the band’s upcoming, Kevin Elson (JOURNEY, MR. BIG) produced, debut LP, Close to the Sun, due out in early March .
“It’s a fusion of what we’ve heard in the past and what we hear in our heads. An homage to the pioneers of Rock n’ Roll and also our way of bringing it into the modern age.” – FORTUNE CHILD
FORTUNE CHILD Producer KEVIN ELSON with JOURNEY, Second From Right
FORTUNE CHILD with Producer KEVIN ELSON, Far Right.
Deprive a person of something, and they will surely go out and find it. In an age where Rock N’ Roll has fallen by the wayside, few have heeded the call to preserve its integrity and importance in most of the music we hear today. It’s time to put the question to rest: Rock N’ Roll is here to stay, and Fortune Child will be manning the ship.
Founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 2021, it is no secret that these lovers of good ol’ fashioned Rock were inspired by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd,Alice in Chains, The Black Crowes and so many more. The four-piece band plans to take the Rock N’ Roll scene by storm, and to remind the people of what truly matters: the music itself.
The band is comprised of Christian Powers on vocals, Buddy Crump on lead guitar, Melanie Jo on drums (previously of Billy Gibbons and the BFGs), and Jon Ward on bass and has quickly garnered significant support from the Southeast US Rock N’ Roll scene opening for national touring acts such as Blacktop Mojo. They will continue to do so as they leave crowds wanting more and more after each show. It’s loud, it’s dirty, and it’s down-right badass. Fortune Child is a force to be reckoned with. For 2022, the band has partnered with legendary rock producer Kevin Elson of Journey, Mr. Big, Europe, and Lynyrd Skynyrd to produce their full length debut album Close to the Sun, due out in early March. It’s one you won’t want to miss!
Columbus, OH, punk rock band, The Plan B’s, have released their debut EP, Catch A Break on Punkerton Records. The release features their first single, “Scrapbook of Scars.” “It’s our first offering,” says the band of the release. “We’re nervous but glad it’s finally out in the world!”
“Scrapbook Of Scars” is a short, punchy, punk rock anthem highlighting many of the injuries band members have received at various shows throughout the years. “The EP features songs about everything that happens in the pit,” says the band. “Whether in the pit or dealing with day-to-day life, this ep is about getting the shit kicked out of you, dealing with problems, and coming back for more.” Heavily influenced by the likes of Operation Ivy and NOFX, The Plan B’s Catch A Break is an offering that brings you right back to that classic East Bay punk sound.
Catch A Break is out now on Punkerton Records. Listen to “Scrapbook of Scars” on SPOTIFY or on Youtube below:
The Plan B’s formed in July of 2019. With an eclectic mix of old-school pop-punk, punk rock, and a hint of grunge. The Plan B’s bring an energy and sound all their own.
The Plan B’s is:
Joe Ziadeh – Lead Vocals Matt Bentley – Bass Josh Treadway – Guitar and Backing Vox Scott Marks – Drums
Harrisburg, PA based Heavy Rock band ETERNAL FREQUENCY has released a dark, cinematic, sci-fi imbued official music video for their newest single, “Step Up.” Produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland of Atrium Audio, the music video for “Step Up” was directed and edited by Tom Flynn.
“’Step Up’ is our hardest hitting, heaviest material to date and sure to be a game changer. The song screams female empowerment and refusing to be pigeonholed in the industry. The video concept was created from the minds of Emelle (Lead Vox) and Justin (Lead Guitar) and inspired by Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal, Blade Runner, and CyberPunk. Emelle and the other members of Eternal Frequency are prisoners of conscience on the run from a yet unknown organization trying to pick them off one by one. The reasons on why they are wanted fugitives is a mystery until the story begins to unfold throughout the video. ‘Step Up’ is Chapter 1 of a fictional three part series that the band envisioned as a short film while the songs were being written. Emelle and the band must find out who is hunting them and why. Or maybe…just maybe…are the hunted actually the hunters?” – ETERNAL FREQUENCY
Established in the early spring of 2018, Eternal Frequency is a five piece female fronted all original hard rock band hailing from Central Pennsylvania (alongside hometown heroes Poison, From Ashes to New, Fuel, LIVE, August Burns Red). They follow in the footsteps of acts such as Spriritbox, Halestorm, Evanescence, and others. Blending influences of Metalcore, Hard rock, and Active Rock, Eternal Frequency brings a new energy that is also dominated by vocalist, songwriter, and frontwoman Emelle. In just under three years as a band they have released several studio singles as well as music videos including “Temptations”, “Parasite”, “What Are We Waiting For”, “Head Like A Hole”, and their very popular cover of Queen “The Show Must Go On” (all proceeds going to NIVA – National Independent Venue Association) to the masses and have been reaping nothing but positive energy and reviews from their supporters. They have accrued a massively strong following in the Pennsylvania area and have garnered attention in multiple regional markets.
They currently record with multi Grammy nominated producers Grant McFarland and Carson Slovak of Atrium Audio atriumaudio.com (From Ashes to New, August Burns Red, Erra, LIVE, Galactic Empire, Polaris) and established videographers SquareUp Studios (Lorna Shore, ATTILA) and Tom Flynn (All That Remains, Lamb of God, 10 Years, Fire From The Gods, Metal Allegiance)
As far as accomplishments go, they’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with established artists such as Of Mice & Men, Adelitas Way, FUEL, Smile Empty Soul, Vixen, and Sponge, For the Fallen Dreams, Awake At Last, Eyes Set to Kill (to name a few). They also took home the award for Best New Artist at the 2019 Central Pennsylvania Music Awards and had the pleasure to honor Halestorm (Inductees) with their rendition of “Familiar Taste of Poison” at the 2020 CPMA’s. In addition, EF was nominated for Best Hard Rock Band and Song of the Year.
Cinematic, transmedia rock project SEPTEMBER MOURNING has released the official music video for their newest single, “Dirty,” exclusively on the Zora NFT Platform. The first new song since “Falling Awake,” “Dirty” is available only through front-woman EMILY LAZAR’s stunning new NFT Media Box (NMB) Monsters Rehab collaboration, September’s Monsters.
“I chose to drop our new music video for our single, ‘Dirty,’ exclusively on the NFT platform called Zora. This continues the narrative I am telling of NFT’s in the music space. One I have been crafting since March of last year when I became the first female metal/ rock musician to mint and sell an NFT on the blockchain. If you want a one of a kind piece of merch, there will only be one of these. Making it even more special,this music video I wrote and conceptualized is my directorial debut… the ultimate fan experience and merch.” – EMILY LAZAR
September’s Monsters, a generative collab between September Mourning and The Monster Rehab, are 1000 Human / Reaper Hybrid Warriors fighting for the souls of the living against the dark forces of the dead.
In addition to the high-resolution artwork, each Monster NFT grants access to benefits found on the September’s Monsters website and Discord–the first of which is a download of the Graphic Novel published through Image Comics, its soundtrack, new music from the band.
The Story of September’s Monsters:
September Mourning is a human-reaper hybrid, who feels the need to give good human souls a second chance at life, sparking an epic battle between the living and the dead.
Fate, the world’s creator and ruler of Mortem (the land of the dead), has sent it’s reapers after September to stop her. Stitch is one of those reapers. He is also the master of space and time, which he uses to fight her by fragmenting the existing timeline into 6000 separate timelines… each with it’s own unique looking September. September wakes up in each timeline within the Monster Rehab with the monsters looking down at her, angry and hungry for her soul. Fate has taken all of theirs and told them to destroy her.
Will September be able to save the souls of the monsters and repair the timeline before it’s too late?
Hummelstown, PA post-hardcore band Lives Lost has released their newest single, the heavy yet melodic “Brighter Days”. The track is an alternative post-hardcore banger that showcases the band in their element.
The song represents the culmination of years of songwriting. “I have written probably 100 songs through the years and so far this is easily one of my favorites I have ever written,” says vocalist and guitarist Tanis Pellegrini, “I’m so fed up with the state of the world, and our planet is dying at a faster rate than it should due to human intervention. This song is about that desire to stop pretending that nothing is happening and fucking doing something about it so we and future generations can have more, brighter days.” “Brighter Days” is a stand-alone single, being released on New Year’s Eve. This is the band’s fourth release of 2021, following up Forward Yesterday (April), Lost (August ), and Crisis (August). Along with the single, the band has also released a teaser for their upcoming music video. “It was the best video experience I’ve ever had.” says the band, “Robert McCoy shot and directed the video which is entirely us performing the song in our local park. We had a really good time and chose to hold out on doing a video in the park until the winter to not interfere with local wildlife.”
Listen to “Brighter Days” on SPOTIFY or watch the teaser video on YouTube below.
Lives Lost; This is a phrase most commonly used as a euphemism for the number of deaths in a situation. In this instance, this phrase represents a Central PA rock band comprised of seasoned musicians Tanis Pellegrini (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Aaron Perry (Guitars), Alan Thompson (Drums, Backing Vocals), and Josh Krizan (Bass, Backing Vocals). The members of Lives Lost come together with the common goal of forging their own destiny by not just writing music but crafting an experience and initiating a collective movement to change the world through action and music.
Lives Lost Is:
Tanis Pellegrini- Lead Vocals, Guitar Aaron Perry – Guitars Alan Thompson – Drums, Backing Vocals Josh Krizan – Bass, Backing Vocals
Austin, TX based Hip Hop / Rap duo SSB has released the official music video for their C-Lance produced single, “Insane,” with Miami Florida based, ¡MAYDAY! co-founder BERNZ. Shot in Austin, Texas at Gnar Bar, Flamingo Cantina, Spitshine Studios, and various locations around 6th St., “Insane” is off of the upcoming, third SSB album Southern Style Blunts.
“‘Insane’ details the ups and downs of being a dreamer in this crazy, unpredictable world. The visual edited and directed by Tracy Fuller captures the duo in their element from engaging live performances and engaging visual effects and transitions.
‘Insane’ details the ups and downs of being a dreamer, telling the story of the trials and tribulations not only as an artist but as a person in this crazy, unpredictable world.” – SSB
SSB is a National hiphop / rap duo from Austin, Texas consisting of ARay and Hack Naja with DJ Killa Mike and/or DJ Nox behind them on the 1’s and 2’s and Johnnie Prophet on the drums.. ARay started rapping in the late 1990’s, and Hack Naja started rapping in the late 2000’s. They came together in Austin and formed SSB in 2011 and have been smashing stages around the United States ever since. SSB has shared the stage with artists such as DMX, Yelawolf, Slaughterhouse, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Lil Wyte, Onyx, Kutt Calhoun, Lil Flip, Tech N9ne, Rahzel, Brotha Lynch Hung, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, K-Rino, RA The Rugged Man, Caskey, Devin The Dude, Three 6 Mafia, Potluck, The Kottonmouth Kings, Rittz and more!! Their first album Super Smash Bros and their second albumm, More Stories To Tell, are both on Pandora Radio, iTunes, Amazon, Tidal, Spotify or anywhere you purchase/stream music online! Their third album “Southern Style Blunts” is dropping in 2022!
2014 gave SSB the opportunity to go on their 1st National Tour (30 dates across the US in 6 weeks). In 2015 SSB went on a 3 week US Tour with Madchild (of Swollen Members) & Demrick. In 2016 SSB went on a 2 week US tour with Anilyst. SSB’s YouTube channel has 216K+ plays. SSB’s Pandora Radio channel has over 7000+ Likes, 31k+ Subscribers and 25K+ plays. SSB’s Spotify channel has over 133K plays. SSB are 6 time Austin Music Award nominee’s in the Best HipHop category. Also, their song “Austin, Texas” was nominated in the “Song of the Year” Category in the 2015 Austin Music Awards! SSB are Austin HipHop Award Nominees for 2014 in the Next Big Thing category. (All statistics are updated as of the end of 2021)
Pennsylvania based rock band SICK CENTURY has released the official music video for their 6th release, a gritty cover of the iconic 1995 WHITE ZOMBIE hit single, “More Human than Human.” Produced by Paint The Light Productions, “More Human than Human” is the band’s sixth release.
“We didn’t really plan this one. It was more like a fun idea in between tracking originals. The song turned out so good, we scheduled a video shoot the next week where we got all our friends together in a little barn spot in the woods and just rocked it. We love White Zombie/ Rob Z. and that entire era of heavy music so it’s a huge honor to be able to do something like this. The video’s definitely got that whole “creep show” vibe to it. It was shot around Halloween so everyone was feeling the spirit plus we’re all fans of the Z. Dude pretty much created a whole genre, or at least assigned himself the wizard of the funky macabre.” – SICK CENTURY
Click HERE to Purchase / Stream “More Human than Human” Online!
Sick Century began in 2019 when Scott Hoon and Marc Kahn started working together on a side project between bands. The two toyed around with a few demos that would later turn into singles “Rampart” and “Altered States.” The chemistry was there but while the duo had demoed several tracks, the lineup would not be complete until January of 2020 when Nick Black and Brady Hearn came aboard. Black and Kahn had been friends for a few years while Hearn started off the year touring with All That Remains and Lacuna Coil in band Eximious (with ex-members From Ashes To New). His decision to move onto Sick Century would come in mid January.
Since forming, the band has released multiple singles with the video release of Alice in Chains’ cover “Them Bones,” being their 2020 debut.
Sick Century Is: Marc Kahn – Vocals Scott Hoon – Guitar Nick Black – Bass Brady Hearn -Drums
Southern Connecticut based HE WAS A GOD, featuring members of GENITORTURERS, DEADSTAR ASSEMBLY, ADVA, and others, has released the official lyric video for “Amadeus.” With the lyric video created by Randallhammer, “Amadeus” is off of the band’s hotly anticipated debut EP, The Smile & The Scar.
“Wasted potential. Shattered Trust. A small-town tragedy…
The Smile & The Scar tells stories of great loss: loss of innocence, loss of faith, and the loss of dear friends and family.. But through that loss comes strength and determination. Through that loss comes clarity. We don’t hide our scars. They become a part of who we are.” – HE WAS A GOD
Track List: 1. Amadeus 2. Indelible 3. Two New Stars
Southern Connecticut’s He Was A God formed in 2019 as an amalgamation of veteran rockers Tony Pellino (Transfixed Movement, Adva), Chris Densky (Genitorturers, Deadstar Assembly, Adva), Ray Zvovushe (King Sexy, Adva), and Dan Perrone (Adva, Odessa). The addition of vocalist Benjamin Curns in summer 2021 rounded out the lineup and set the band on a clear musical trajectory. Thanks to a combination of dynamic riffs, cutting vocal melodies and onstage theatrics, He Was A God built a steady regional following, leading to the release of their debut EP The Smile & The Scar in December 2021. The three-track release tells stories of depravity and desperation, with musical and lyrical odes to the triumph of the human spirit.
Catch HE WAS A GOD Live: 12/17 @ OEC Brewery – Oxford, CT (The Smile & The Scar listening party) 1/7 @ Charlee Bravo’s – Putnam, CT w/ Thy Will Be Done, Disciples Of Verity (Living Colour, ex-God Forbid)
South Carolina Hard Rock, Blues-Punk band SEVEN YEAR WITCH has released their blues-punk infused cover of AKON’s 2006 Billboard chart topping, dirty rap hit single “I Wanna Love You.” Filmed live at Blue Light Lounge in Chattanooga, TN, “I Wanna Love You” was recorded, engineered, and mixed by Chase Brown of Atlanta based rock band The CEO.
“I Wanna Love You by Akon is a song we all love. We put our own spin on it and started performing it live to great reception. After all the demand we decided to record our cover of it. So here it is, our version of I Wanna Love You by Akon.” – SEVEN YEAR WITCH
Click HERE to Purchase / Stream “I Wanna Love You”!
The backwoods of South Carolina isn’t one’s first thought when it comes to a modern shock to the heart of rock n’ roll.
Straight out of left field with an electrifying hybrid of hard rock, blues-punk, and 70’s garage rock, Seven Year Witch emerges with enough stage energy to feed a generation starved of real rock n’ roll.
After years of performing under a different name, the group unveiled the Seven Year Witch title in 2018. The band’s reception exploded regionally, as they began to share the stage with the likes of Buckcherry, P.O.D, Tom Keifer’s Cinderella, Pop Evil, Adeltia’s Way, and Crobot. With no big city fluff and proudly independent, Seven Year Witch continues to develop a cult-like following.
The band frequents an east coast and Midwest circuit, all the way from Texas to Canada and anywhere in between.
The group has been featured in South Carolina’s most notable festivals (Fall For Greenville, Spittoono, Melting Pot Music Fest) as well as a live performance on Cartoon Network’s [adultswim]. Having battled poverty and the scrutiny of rock n’ roll in the bible belt, Seven Year Witch has cut their teeth and made their own luck.
Northern Illinois based Hard Rock band DARK SUN has released their new single, “Trapped in the Dark.” Mixed and mastered by The Nook Recording Studio, “Trapped in the Dark” is the band’s newest single leading up to their upcoming LP, Spine.
“‘Trapped in the Dark’ is a song about someone who feels like they have been wronged by someone close to them. And now they’re out for revenge” – DARK SUN
Click HERE to Purchase / Stream “Trapped In The Dark” Online!
Dark Sun is a heavy rock band formed in the backwoods of Northern Illinois in 2017. Members include Tristan Sheedlo on vocals and lead guitar, Luke Sheedlo on drums, Aaron Dennin on bass, and Morgan Earp on rhythm guitar.
Dark Sun brings a high energy hard rock show with just the right combination of hard-driving rhythms, punchy guitar solos and soaring vocals. Already seeing airplay on several Midwest radio stations, they released their self- titled album in August of 2019, and continue to release singles leading up to their sophomore album, Spine.
Heavy Blues Rock band BOURBON HOUSE has released the official music video for their single, “I Got Trouble.” Directed and produced by Jocelyne Berumen, “I Got Trouble” is off of the band’s third studio album, Into The Red, which is out now on PACgroove Records.
“We basically got to time travel for a day with the making of the “I Got Trouble” video. Remember when you used to go to a theater and dress all fancy and watch a fancy show and smoke fancy cigarettes? Neither do we, but we wish we did.” – BOURBON HOUSE
“Into the Red is a real blood, sweat and tears album for us. It took us three years to complete, we used three different bassists and recorded at three different studios. Because we released singles and music videos during that time, we didn’t even really notice how long it had been until we set a release date.”
Click HERE to Purchase / Stream Into the Red Online!
Bourbon House was founded by guitarist Jason Clark and vocalist Lacey Crowe in 2017.
Upon the release of their self-titled EP, the single Music in Your Bones attracted the attention of disk jockeys around the world and received airplay on independent radio in more than a dozen countries and by the summer of 2018 they released their second album, Wild Abandon. The album spawned the fan favorites “Burn Them Bones,” “Drown it in Whiskey,” and “Jailer.”
From the fall of 2018 through the following year, the band welcomed Ryan Sargent as their official drummer, played across the American Midwest, and began recording singles which would ultimately comprise their third album.
Bourbon House have been featured twice in Classic Rock Magazine, once for “Too High to Care,” which was nominated for Track of the Week, and another time for “Devil on my Heels,” which earned them a Track of the Week win and a spot on the magazine’s covermount CD as well as a shout-out from Eddie Trunk on the program Trunk Nation. The success of “Devil on My Heels” continued as it reached #1 on the independent charts in Australia and #2 in the UK.
In early 2020, they played a show in Nashville, TN, to benefit tornado victims, but had to cancel plans to tour the eastern states due to the pandemic. The band used the down time to shoot music videos for “Too High to Care” and “6000 Miles,” and finish writing and recording what would be their third album.
After landing a slot on the Blind Anxiety Entertainment roster, Bourbon House headlined their first tour of 25 dates through the southern United States in the spring of 2021. Within the following three months, Bourbon House released the single “Dead in the Water” along with an official music video and signed a management deal with Paul Crosby Management. “Dead in the Water” became a new fan favorite and is their first single to reach active rock radio, charting at 50 on BDS Indicator and 22 on the Foundations chart. In October of 2021, the band released their third album, Into the Red, on PACgroove Records with distribution through VON Artists Ltd. and The Orchard (Sony) which features the singles from the past two years and six previously unreleased tracks, including “I Got Trouble” for which they released their latest music video.
Plans for 2022 include touring far and wide and another full-length album of original material.
South Dakota-based rock artist KYLE PFEIFFER, better known as BLACKLITE DISTRICT, has released the official music video for his newest single, “Clear Skies.” Shot and edited by Clinton Cunanan of Mirage M’hal, LLC with additional production assistance by Red Stop Productions, “Clear Skies” is the second single off of the artist’s upcoming LP, 1990, which is due to release 12/31/2021.
“Clear Skies has been a long time coming for me. The song itself dives into my perspective of traumatic events I’ve experienced in life, and how that changes over time. The song really came to life in the form of the music video, which was shot and directed by Clinton Cunanan / Mirage M’hall LLC, with additional production from Red Stop Productions in Wisconsin. It was an amazing experience and the end result shows it.” – KYLE PFEIFFER
Track List: 1. Gotta Get Outta Here 2. Clear Skies 3. Someone Was Out There 4. This is Where It Ends 5. Room 23 6. Back Into Darkness 7. My Way Out 8. Confessed 9. Preach to the Choir 10. Thank You
Philadelphia rock band Loud Love has just dropped the official video for their single “Heavyweight”. “The lyrics for “Heavyweight” come from a very personal place,” explains bassist and vocalist Shannon Leeds. “I wrote these lyrics while 8 months pregnant after taking a walk near my home. I ran into a friend who didn’t think I’d be able to continue pursuing my passions with music. I channeled my frustration into these lyrics, hoping to get the point across that a woman shouldn’t be underestimated. Nothing will stand in our way if we are determined to succeed … especially if we pack a heavy punch!“
Once the song was finished, Loud Love knew they had something special on their hands. So guitarist and vocalist Vinny Marone edited the song to a highlight reel of professional wrestlers Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker, DMD. “I sent the edit to Thunder Rosa and, she loved it so much that we agreed that the song should be the OFFICIAL Theme Song of her independent wrestling promotion, Mission Pro Wrestling!” says Marone.
The track, which has gone on to win regional awards, was a perfect match for Mission Pro Wrestling. Shannon’s lyrics of women empowerment blended seamlessly with MPW’s creation as a space for women to be themselves in a safe, healthy, competitive environment in order to showcase their incredible talents. The cover of the single is graced by Thunder Rosa herself, as well as stars of MPW such as La Rosa Negra, Maddie Wrenkowski, Hollidead, Jennacide, and others.
For the video, Loud Love teamed up with R3 Stream, Inc at their amazing facility in Forked River, NJ, and brought along director Rob Shotwell to help put together an incredible music video. “The adrenaline-laced memories from that shoot will always be cherished by every one of us,” says the band. “The atmosphere on set was like being in the throes of a wild electrical storm, but at the same hyper-focused and professional as the entire staff and crew worked hard to film our video.” Recorded and mixed by Matt Weber at The Gradwell House Studios and mastered by Dave Downham, “Heavyweight” will be included on Loud Love’s upcoming EP, Survive Anything, due out on Jan 15th, 2022.
Listen to “Heavyweight” now on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube below:
Since 2020, Loud Love has taken the independent music scene in Philadelphia by storm by bridging the gap between local, home-grown artists and mainstream Master Craftsmen & women. Over the course of their first two years, Loud Love has collaborated with Grammy Award-winning artists, Rock Legends, classically-trained musicians, and road warriors from around the world. Their work has gained them notoriety in the indie music scene, scoring regional awards for categories like Best Music Video of 2020, Best Hard Rock Song of 2021 (Heavyweight), and Band of the Year of 2021.
When they’re not recording or songwriting in-studio, Loud Love lights up the stage with core members Shannon Leeds, Vinny Marone, and Billy Monetti. Loud Love delivers a high-energy live show like no other, setting them apart from your typical rock trio.
Loud Love’s debut EP, Survive Anything, arrives on January 15, 2022, via Rabid Penguin Records, an imprint of the band’s own independent publishing company. Featuring songs recorded by legendary New Jersey punker Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls as well as Matt Weber of A Great Big Pile of Leaves, Survive Anything is a collection of songs that tells the tale of the band’s incredible first year.
Atlanta alternative rock band Fairshake has released their newest single, the emotionally driven modern rock anthem “High Risk”. The song was recorded and mixed by Jeremy Nichols (Dim) at SpaceJockey Sound, with percussion and production from Ben Cato (Dim, The Dangerous Summer).
“High Risk” is the first single from the High Risk LP, releasing in April 2022. “We have never written a record so fast, but never has there been so much catalyst in a short amount of time,” explains guitarist and vocalist Shayne Goss. “Most of this record was from a very broken, betrayed, angry & suicidal place. Coming to terms with a luckily failed suicide attempt, and realizing the healing that was ahead and how deserving I was of that love & healing.”
Fairshake has also released a video to go along with the single. The band worked with SLPWLKR out of Chicago. “They did an amazing job on bringing the cinematic and trippy vision of the storyline for the music video to life,” says Goss.
The message behind the video is based on a true story. A story that people who struggle with mental and emotional health will know all too well. “I was inspired to write the script with the symbolism of the Hanged Man in Tarot,” says Goss. “Anyone familiar with this divination modality understands that the Hanged Man isn’t a literal death, but a dead-end to a way of being/perceiving. I believe that we build a tower of a character we call our identity around traumas. So, what happens when our tower falls we finally have to face those deep fears?”
Listen to “High Risk” on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube below:
Fairshake; In this moment you are judgment-free of everyone, especially yourself to learn from past unpleasant experiences and surrender into your highest form. This never-ending journey with Shayne Goss since 2008 has been accompanied by many talented artists who have shared this vibration over the years.
Fairshake has experienced genre changes as the project has evolved, especially after inducting Tucker Harding and Chase Sammons in the fall of 2017. The project, coming from emotionally charged singer-songwriter roots with pop melodies, has grown very naturally into the alternative rock, punk, and dare we say “emo” music that we all grew up on and love.
“High Risk” is only the beginning of an excruciatingly beautiful story. This collection of songs is a perfect way to follow up the band’s previous EP, Sitcom (April 2020) featuring the Vocal premier of Lead Guitarist, Tucker Harding.
Emily Lazar of SEPTEMBER MOURNING’s dynamic new NFT collection–a collaboration with NFT Media Box (NMB)–is revealing another selection of stunningly detailed and dynamic visual characterizations for her upcoming SEPTEMBER’S MONSTERS world within the already beloved Monsters Rehab established universe, all of which will become available on December 6, 2021. From sci-fi to horror to fantasy and super-hero incarnations, the incredible selection of striking depictions are not only dazzling pieces of unique art, but include ongoing fan and collector opportunities with the investment, as collectors will receive the otherwise unavailable new track, “Dirty” with the incredibly detailed new adventure in the Monsters Rehab universe, along with other utility including access to the Monster’s Rehab Metaverse, gaming, IRL merch discounts, future music releases, a download of the September Mourning graphic novel, and more!
Click HERE for More Information on SEPTEMBER’S MONSTERS and to Access Collector’s Opportunities!
Roadmap Activations & Utility
ON DROP
Copy of the September Mourning Graphic novel! Exclusive September Mourning new Single, “Dirty”! Access to discords! 15% off merch at any September Mourning show!
25% SELL OUT
Access to the games and Monster Rehab Metaverses! Unlock raffles for tickets to September Mourning shows! Exclusive September’s Monsters discord emojis!
50% SELL OUT
Unlock raffles for signed merch!
75% SELL OUT
Live performance from September Mourning in the metaverse!
100% SELL OUT
Septembers Monsters transformation! Development of another graphic novel featuring September and the Monster Rehab characters! Potential to unlock infinite objects! Unlock raffle for physical copies of the graphic novel!
The Story of September’s Monsters:
September Mourning is a human-reaper hybrid, who feels the need to give good human souls a second chance at life, sparking an epic battle between the living and the dead.
Fate, the world’s creator and ruler of Mortem (the land of the dead), has sent it’s reapers after September to stop her. Stitch is one of those reapers. He is also the master of space and time, which he uses to fight her by fragmenting the existing timeline into 6000 separate timelines… each with it’s own unique looking September. September wakes up in each timeline within the Monster Rehab with the monsters looking down at her, angry and hungry for her soul. Fate has taken all of theirs and told them to destroy her.
Will September be able to save the souls of the monsters and repair the timeline before it’s too late?
The Details
SEPTEMBER’S MONSTERS is a collaboration between The Monster Rehab and September Mourning. These worlds combine in a 6000 piece NFT drop. The drop itself is historical as it is not only the first female metal/ rock musician to drop a generative NFT project but it is cross-chain which means it is available half on the Ethereum Network and half on the Binance network. September Monsters is also using their NFT platform to distribute new music from the band. The holders of this NFT will be the only ones to download the new single “Dirty” from the band as it will be exclusively available through this NFT for the time being.
“I want to show independent musicians that you don’t have to rely on third parties to be seen, heard or make money in the music space. You can use this new technology to fuel your fanbase and connect directly to them.”
Alongside the music, storyline and art, with each NFT being unique and not duplicated across the different blockchains, is other utility including access to the Monster’s Rehab Metaverse, gaming, IRL merch discounts, future music releases, a download of the September Mourning graphic novel, and more.
“This is your membership into the world of September Mourning and September’s Monsters!“
Chicago singer-songwriter Faith Amari has just released her newest album, Complex Butterfly. The mixtape album features 18 alternative R&B and Hip Hop tracks that showcase Faith’s skills not only as an accomplished vocalist but also as a songwriter and arranger. “Complex Butterfly represents my growth not only as a woman but my growth mentally, physically, and emotionally,” says Faith. “I went through a whole transformation throughout creating this project and it made me become the best version of myself and I couldn’t be any happier.“
Complex Butterfly was mixed and mastered by J Forrest and B CHILL MIX, and features the singles “BLK BOY” and “Looking Good“.”“Blk Boy” is a beautiful release of my repressed thoughts on street harassment,” Faith explains. “It provides therapy for not only me, but also other women of all different backgrounds who have been affected.“
Along with the single, Faith dropped a self-directed music video. ” “Blk Boy” was directed by me. I came up with all of the ideas and my father shot it. Emmanuel K. Jackson was a part of the video and he did an amazing job with portraying the guy who was catcalling the girls.”
Listen to the song on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube below:
With her second single, Faith switched the mirror from society to self. “I‘ve always been all about self-love. So when I wrote “Looking Good“, I wrote it to not only empower myself but also empower women all over the world. I wanted women to feel beautiful and confident.“
Along with her budding music career. Faith is also an entrepreneur, launching the beauty brand Krownique. “When I’m not doing music I’m always doing hair. So I wanted to use the “Looking Good” video to showcase that. It was very fun to edit; a little challenging, but I love challenging myself because it helps me grow. And I have to say that this is my most creative music video yet!“
Listen to the single now on Spotify or watch the video on Youtube below:
Just three years into her music career, Chicago-based artist Faith Amari pushes boundaries while bringing awareness to various topics going on in the world. To cope with all the trauma she faced growing up, Faith turned to music and began singing at just 11 years old. After being involved in various choirs and winning local talent shows in high school, Faith decided to pursue a career in music.
Being heavily influenced by A Tribe Called Quest and The Fugees at 17 years old, Faith began rapping and wrote her debut mixtape Candor released on her 20th birthday, December 2nd, 2018. Faith wrote and produced her debut single Crown, which was released on November 1, 2019.
The 22-year-old musician, who writes and produces her own music, describes her music as “evolution” and “growth.” “You never know what to expect from me as an artist,” says Amari, “Right now I am an R&B and Hip-Hop artist, but I do like to venture off into different genres, and my supporters will be able to see that soon.”
Hard Rock solo project IMMERSER has released the official lyric video for his new single, “Invoking the Priestess.” Written, performed by, produced, and engineered by John Logan Parsons III, “Invoking the Priestess” features Kellii Scott (Failure, Queens Of The Stone Age, Veruca Salt) on drums.
“’Invoking the Priestess’ is a song written utilizing imagery from the Tarot. It’s about going within oneself to find the answers to life’s questions. The Priestess esoterically speaking is the subconscious itself. By listening to the voice within our hearts we are indeed invoking the Priestess’’ – John Logan Parsons III
“Immerser has a refreshing way of building layers of mystery and meaning into rock songs that feel uniquely their own. You’d be hard pressed to listen to one of their songs and not have it change you somehow.” – Kane Churko (Producer)
“Immerser is a unique artist with a worthy message and creative vision”. – Aaron Nordstrom (Gemini Syndrome)
Immerser is a dynamic, hard rock, solo project featuring the powerful music of John Logan Parsons III. The goal of the Immerser project is to bring meaning to a melody. As an artist John L Parsons III isn’t afraid to explore the deepest parts of the subconscious. Immerser songs deal with some of life’s darkest places, yet there is always an energetic undercurrent of optimism, spirituality, and love running throughout. The result is a passionate mix of alternative, pop, grunge, and metal. Immerser is music that a listener can connect with and find deeper meaning in. With the recent enlistment of world renowned producer Kane Churko who has worked with some of today’s biggest artists including – In This Moment, Gemini Syndrome and Violent Idols, Immerser is certainly a musical force to be reckoned with. Immerse yourself and transmute!
St Louis punk scene veteran Wes Hoffman has just released his latest single “For What It’s Worth”. The track is being released under the banner of Wes Hoffman & Friends and features Émilie Plamondon on vocals. “This song is about losing people in your life and having to carry on without them,” says Hoffman. “We had a great experience working once again with Gabe Usery at Encapsulated Studios and we’re thankful to have had Émilie Plamondon lend us her voice for the bridge and final chorus. It’s an emotional, energetic song and a blast to play live!”
“For What It’s Worth” is part of an ep entitled Rewrite The Story, due out in January. “Rewrite the Storywas written during a very transitional period in my life,” Hoffman explains. “It’s about letting go of what was, being at peace with what is, and looking forward to what will be. It’s all about believing that we all have the ability to rewrite our own story.”
Hoffman, who also runs a popular Instagram account and podcast that highlights the local scene in St. Louis, called 314 Punk, has released a video to go along with the single. “This is a mini-documentary about our first show back since taking a break because of the global pandemic. It was filmed and edited by Dane McCrary of All Day Photography. This perfectly encapsulates the spirit and energy of our band. We had so much fun making it and it gives you a glimpse of our relentless live-show energy!”
Listen to the song now on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube below.
An active member of the St. Louis and Midwest punk scenes in the early 2000s, Wes Hoffman took a hiatus from music for several years before coming back into the fold.
In 2017, after a few musical collaborations with drummer Justin Unterseh, Wes decided he couldn’t keep the music bottled up anymore and began releasing songs again.
With a passion for punk beats, loud guitars, and a penchant for honest, emotional lyrics, Wes is back with his friends and ready to share his most meaningful songs in 2021.
The band looks forward to releasing an EP in early 2022. They also plan on playing a string of shows throughout the midwest and a few festivals in 2022.
South Dakota-based rock artist KYLE PFEIFFER, better known by the name BLACKLITE DISTRICT has released the official music video for his newest single, “Gotta Get Outta Here.” Shot and edited by Clinton Cunanan of Mirage M’hal, LLC, “Gotta Get Outta Here” is the first single off of the artist’s upcoming LP, 1990, which is due to release 12/31/2021. Leaning heavily into his rock roots, “Gotta Get Outta Here” originally premiered on Metal Insider, it’s no surprise that it quickly drew over 220,000 streams on the video alone.
The second single off of the album is due to release Black Friday, November 26th, and will premiered over on VENTS Magazine.
“The response to ‘Gotta Get Outta Here’ has absolutely blown my mind. First and foremost, I have to give the biggest shoutout to my fanbase for all of their support. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, and I certainly wouldn’t have this new album coming out. It feels good to get things to a point where you can create art for yourself and your fans, without having to worry about commercial performance. That’s what recording 1990 was all about.” – KYLE PFEIFFER
Track List: 1. Gotta Get Outta Here 2. Clear Skies 3. Someone Was Out There 4. This is Where It Ends 5. Room 23 6. Back Into Darkness 7. My Way Out 8. Confessed 9. Preach to the Choir 10. Thank You
French Modern Metal band DISCONNECTED has released the official music video for “Life Will Always Find Its Way.” Directed by Laurent Hart, “Life Will Always Find Its Way” is the second single off of their upcoming, sophomore album, We Are Disconnected, following the 2020 release of “Unstoppable,” which garnered over 1.5 million streams across platforms. DISCONNECTED will also be joining such rock and metal legends as GUNS’N’ROSES, METALLICA, MEGADETH, ALICE COOPER, and NINE INCH NAILS at the upcoming HELLFEST Open Air Festival in Clisson, France June 15-26, 2022.
“Life will always find its way” is a statement to raise ecological awareness, and the urgency to act. It is a clear shout out for ecology!” – DISCONNECTED
Click HERE to Download / Stream “Life Will Always Finds A Way” Online
DISCONNECTED is a modern metal band drawing influences from Gojira, Deftones, and Alter Bridge.
They released their debut album White Colossus in March 2018 through indie record label Apathia Records on all major streaming platforms with physical releases in Europe and Japan.
After playing numerous gigs in France they opened for Tremonti on his 2018 European tour playing a further 24 shows across 17 countries. This expanded the European fan base notably in the UK, Germany and France.
After being noticed by Drouot Production and Ossy Hoppe of Wizard Promotion, the band were invited to open for Judas Priest in January 2019 (Zenith of Paris). Disconnected also supported Mass Hysteria in March and November 2019.
The band will also be playing Rock Fest 2022 (postponed edition of 2020) in Barcelona, Wacken.
OpenAir 2022 (postponed edition of 2020) in Germany, and festival of Cabaret Vert 2022 (postponed edition of 2020).
They recorded their second album and plan on releasing it in the first half of 2022.
Previous to this they released a first excerpt : “UNSTOPPABLE” the 10th of April 2020 with already more than 950,000 streams on Spotify, and more than 100,000 views on the music vid (Facebook and YouTube views combined)
As the pandemic hit in 2020 and almost every live events was being postponed to 2022 they decided to work on an EP to offer their fans some new to listen to in 2021.
THE DOWNTIME is out since the 14th of May 2021 and only available on digital platforms. (Distributed by Le Pool).
RECENTLY, DISCONNECTED HAS BEEN ADDED ON THE HISTORICAL LINEUP OF HELLFEST 2022 (MAINSTAGE) ALONGSIDE WITH BANDS SUCHAS GUNS’N’ROSES, METALLICA, MEGADETH, ALICE COOPER, and NIN .
Los Angeles based Industrial Metal band DAWN OF ASHES has released their newest single, “EMDR.” With lyrics and music by front-man Kristof Bathory and guitars, mixing, and mastering by Angel Crowe, “EMDR” is off of the band’s upcoming album, Scars Of The Broken, which releases March 18 through Artoffact Records.
PITTSBURGH MUSIC MAGAZINE 