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…
Miss Fortune has just released their latest single “All The White Lies in The World” featuring vocalist Bradley Walden of Emarosa. Lyrically, The track tackles the world issues we’re facing today, with lines such as “If ever there’s a time that makes you wonder about the world we’re living in” driving the narrative home. “In a world where we’re stuck inside, living through the pandemic, lives are at stake, and people are more divided than ever, Miss Fortune believes it’s time to raise our questions, because it’s hard when gravity hits.” explains lead singer Mikey Sawyer.
The single, executive produced by Sawyer himself, produced by Ian Taylor Marchionda, and co-engineered by James Adams, will be part of Miss Fortune’s upcoming self-produced full-length, GRAVITY’S RAINBOW, due out in 2022.
Along with the track, Miss Fortune has dropped a music video for the song, produced by Astralax Media and shot at the world-famous Venice Beach Skate Dance Plaza, the video shows Miss Fortune performing the track while surrounded by roller disco models. You can check out the video below:
Having been listed on Alternative Press’ 100 Bands You Need To Know, supported tour acts such as I See Stars, and headlined international tours of their own, Miss Fortune have been pumping out their own brand of modern rock music since 2012.
Incorporating a Post-Hardcore, Pop-Punk, and Alternative Rock sound, the band have broadened their horizons with their latest album “Miss Fortune”, and branched out to Pop and even Contemporary Urban style production, creating a rollercoaster ride that one can only expect from a serious rock band cut from the cloth of genre-bending chaos. Producing the record completely Independently, whilst teaming up with super-producer Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember), their self-titled album has turned heads with an updated and more mature sound. The album has already charted on Billboard (#11 Heatseekers, #20 Hard Rock Albums, #30 Independent Albums), the band released an emotional acoustic album “Cruel Summer” in the same year consisting of B-sides spanning their 8 years as a band.
Starting 2021 off with a bang, the band has traced back their roots with the highly anticipated single “The Day The Sun Died” produced by Cameron Mizell.
The sound and music of Miss Fortune tell the cautionary tale of what it’s like to live life in the limelight, and be the center of focus in the public eye. Lead singer Mikey Sawyer is no stranger to controversy but has always shone through via the music and its message.
Football fans at the Las Vegas Raiders vs Chicago BearsNFL game at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV were supercharged, on Sunday, with a massive rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by iconic JOURNEY founder and guitar legend NEAL SCHON. Marking the first time that the “Star Spangled Banner” has been performed on electric guitar at the new stadium, SCHON’s performance, wielding his custom IHush Lady M Strat, pumped up the crowd for the exciting hometown match-up that saw the team’s first game with fans inside the stadium since the team moved to Las Vegas.
“Flanked by a pair of Marshall stacks and joined by his pedalboard, the Journey founder launched into a faithful run-through of the anthem’s iconic opening motif…
Owing to the stadium’s acoustics, Schon’s sound is decked out with a monumental natural reverb, and is further enhanced by some customary plunges on the whammy bar and super-tight vibratos.” – GUITAR WORLD
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 10: Recording artist Neal Schon of the band Journey performs the American national anthem before a game between the Chicago Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bears defeated the Raiders 20-9. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
NEAL SCHON and JOURNEY have also announced that they are returning to Las Vegas for a new residency at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, for AEG Presents The Ultimate Journey Experience.
Georgia based hard rock / metal band THEM DAMN KINGS have announced that they have been added as support on LA alternative metal band Gemini Syndrome’s upcoming US tour. The first leg of the tour will feature direct support from Ovtlier, and on the second leg from Oh! The Horror. Also joining the tour are punk upstarts Pushing Veronica. All tour dates are listed below.
“We are so F@#!’n ready to hit the road with Gemini Syndrome, it’s been far too long since we’ve been able to bring you guys pure unadulterated rock n fk’n roll!” says vocalist / guitarist Jef Rhodes. “No more pandemivision! No more BS! See all of you down the road!”
THEM DAMN KINGS will be road testing songs from their as-of-yet unreleased debut album Rise Up. The album features the tracks ‘Throw It Away’ and ‘Yesterday’ which were released to US metal radio late last year, and saw the band conquer the national Metal Contraband radio charts. As a special bonus for fans, the band will be selling a limited number of advance CDs of the Rise Up album online, and at all shows while on the tour. CDs will be available online at the band’s merch store: https://them-damn-kings-.ecwid.com
Rhodes adds, “After almost two damn years I’m excited and proud to finally announce our album Rise Up is available for your listening displeasure. I’m beyond excited for you guys to hear the record and even more excited to be bringing you a taste of the album to the stage!”
THEM DAMN KINGS is the hard rock wrecking machine created by guitarist / multi-instrumentalist / vocalist Jef Rhodes. Jef is a long time professional Front Of House engineer, and backline tech who has over two decades of international touring experience with such bands as: Opeth, Cradle of Filth, Highly Suspect, Lacuna Coil, Watain, Mayhem, and others.
By enlisting former Lacuna Coil drummer Ryan Folden, the pair have recorded RISE UP, a monster of a debut album that sounds both new and exciting – while simultaneously reminding listeners of that golden age of the early ‘90s when Hard Rock, Metal, and Grunge ruled the late night rock clubs of the world.
A debut single “Throw It Away” was released in October 2020. “It was the first song written for the record. It makes me wanna get on a motorcycle and ride even though the song has nothing to do with that.” says Jef. “It’s about tossing away your fears in an abstract sort of way.” The track was quickly followed by anthemic ‘Yesterday’ which garnered the band their first international radio play, and media support.
Jef has assembled a killer live band – and the group are ready to hit the road!
Jef Rhodes – Vocals / guitar Lando Carter – backing guitars Ja Ja – bass Todd (Toddzilla) Taylor – Drums
THEM DAMN KINGS Supporting GEMINI SYNDROME Fall 2021 tour dates 10/28 – Chippewa Falls, WI – Joel’s 4Corners * 10/29 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center * 10/30 – Racine, WI – Rt 20 (WIIL Rock Halloween Bash) * 10/31 – Battle Creek, MI – The Music Factory * 11/02 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester Music Tavern * 11/04 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop * 11/05 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works * 11/06 – Liverpool, NY – Sharkey’s * 11/07 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance * 11/09 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground * 11/10 – Reading, PA – Reverb * 11/12 – Johnson City, TN – Capones * 11/13 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger * 11/14 – Huntsville, AL – Sidetracks * 11/16 – San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box 11/17 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey 11/18 – Baton Rouge – Basin Music Hall 11/20 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar 11/22 – El Paso, TX – Rockhouse 11/23 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pub Rock 11/24 – West Hollywood, CA – Whiskey a Go Go 11/26 – Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar 11/27 – Reno, NV – Reno Brewhouse
* Direct support is Ovtlier Direct support isOh! The Horror
Circadia has released their newest single, “Run Wild”. The track is a cover of the For King & Country song of the same name. “This song is my favorite For King & Country song and they are my all-time favorite band,” explains Circadia. “I chose to do my own version of the song for a few reasons: One, to get For King & Country’s attention, Two, because what this song means and speaks about is simply to go for gold, reach for the stars, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish your dreams in life. Your anxiety, fears, and questioning whether you’re good enough… they’re all lies that your brain and others are telling you. We are made to Run Wild, live free, and love strong!“
For the track, produced by Newkirk Productions, Circadia brought in Moriah Jane, a Mezzo-soprano with the Cleveland Chamber Choir who has recently featured as a soloist in Haydn’s The Creation, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Fauré’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Handel’s Messiah. “Working with Moriah was a real treat,” says Circadia. “Not only is she one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, but she’s loads of fun to be around! On top of that, she has a beautiful voice!“
The experience was exciting and new for Moriah as well. “Working with Circadia has truly opened my eyes to the amazing modern music industry,” she says. “I had been stuck in a choral music bubble and never really experimented with modern music twists. It was a blast to record with Circadia and watch the magic unfold! I am very thankful for this opportunity and look forward to working together in the future.”
Along with the single, Circadia has also released a music video for “Run Wild”, which you can watch below:
Circadia is an electronic pop-rock artist hailing from Ravenna, Ohio. All of their lyrics are positive and uplifting. Find out more about Circadia at the links below:
Legendary Long Island punk band Two Man Advantage is releasing a live vinyl album featuring two live performances, separated by 16 years! Side A captures a show live at the legendary punk venue CBGB in August of 2002., while Side B is live at the Punk Rock Bowling Festival in Las Vegas in May of 2018.
Released on Florida punk label DXPC Live, the album is pressed on 3-Stripe in Red, Black and White and features a special fold over cover, allowing people to choose the black and white cover that looks like an old V.M.Live cover, or reverse it and show the live photo cover.
For DXPC Live, the decision to release the live album was an easy one. “I had heard of 2MAN, but I had never seen them, so when this punk kid named Jizm asked me to book a show for 2MAN in Baltimore I didn’t quite know what to expect. 2MAN showed up, and I was honored that they did since they had been offered a chance to play the Hardcore Super Bowl in DC that same night with The Circle Jerks, Suicidal Tendencies, and many, many, many more. They turned down the offer because they felt they owed it to me. What followed was a beer-fueled, cheesecake-covered, sweaty mess of some of the best punk rock I’ve ever seen!”
To promote the release, Two Man Advantage has released a live video of “Zamboni Driving Maniac”, a single about a drunken Zamboni driver that landed the band in hot water upon its release. “The Zamboni company genuinely hates the song. When the studio version came out Zamboni looked into suing 2MAN.” says the band. Indeed, a Los Angeles Times article quoted a spokeswoman for the company as saying:
” “We’re taking a look at that with our trademark attorney”. Part of the company’s concern, Jensen said, is whether the song “implies an unsafe activity.” Part of what is upsetting the Zamboni Co. is the fact that the song has been played in hockey arenas all over North America.”
The video was made by No Vacancy Media by compiling a montage of video footage found online. You can watch the video below:
Together for more than 20 years, Two Man Advantage is the world’s premier hockey punk band. Known widely for their explosive live performances, the band has been featured in some of the country’s most high-profile media outlets: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and their music has been played in numerous NHL arenas. Through it all, they remain true to their underground roots and continue to play dive bars, DIY spots, and punk houses across the country in support of their numerous full-length LPs and other releases. The album is available for pre-order now at DXPCLIVE.com.
Pittsburgh, PA based pop-rock singer-songwriter Sonny Boy has just dropped his debut single “The Homecoming“. The song rocks like The 1975 and features a great video, which you can watch below:
“The video was a blast to film. It was filmed “run and gun” style, partially in my childhood hometown and due to the nature of it, we garnered a lot of curious stares and a lot of positive reactions. A lot of passers by even agreed to be in the video.” says Sonny Boy, who keeps his own name off of all promotional materials. You see, Sonny Boy is hoping you can’t tell how nervous he is. After too many years of trying to seem cool, he’s decided it’s not for him, and is embracing the idea of making music of a much more sincere and personal nature. His inaugural album “The Homecoming” is just that; Effectively serving as a concept album of his life and experiences so far. Being arguably more therapeutic than it is exhibitory “The Homecoming” serves as not only an example of music as entertainment, but also as a means of survival. Characterized by playful melodies, pounding drums and introspective lyrics, Sonny Boy attempts to capture in his music the beautifully awkward and tragically humorous process of living; Coping with the past and fearing the future, all the while hoping it’ll all turn out okay.
New Jersey hard rock trio Generation Underground has just announced their upcoming EP, Kold Blooded Vol. 2. The EP was almost two years in the making due to some conflicts with the band’s previous manager and booking agent. The single, “Pass The Needle”, is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Thematically, “Pass The Needle” is all about moving on from bad situations. “ “Pass The Needle” was inspired by me watching some of my friends continuing to abuse drugs and believing that I needed to join them in order to write good music,” explains singer and guitarist Mike Florentine. “The song focuses on my journey to slowly rid myself of those toxic relationships and no longer associate with those people who were a bad influence in my life.“
Long Island pop-punk outfit STFLR has dropped their Sophomore EP, A Collection Of Bad Ideas. The 4 track EP features the single “Looking For Answers”, which is the culmination of the EP and one could argue the culmination of this era of the band. “This track was a collaborative effort by the whole band and that teamwork really shines through on the track,” says the band. From the opening riff to the cry-for-help ending, “Looking For Answers” is STFLR’s most mature and honest song yet. “The song feels like a goodbye,” explains the band. “While we don’t know what we’re really saying goodbye to, it feels like a chapter that has ended and it’s time to move on.“
Lyrically, the single comes from a personal place. “Nick wrote the lyrics when he found out that he was going to be a dad and the feelings that followed were captured in the lyrics. All the insecurities and fears that come along with becoming a parent were poured into this track and we really feel it could be the best song ever written by any band, in any decade, in perpetuity until the end of time.”
The EP was recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced by Anthony Lopardo and Ray Marte (drummer of Moon Tooth) at Westfall Recording Studios in Long Island, New York. Thematically, the album deals with subjects ranging from regret, being taken advantage of, inadequacies. “The pandemic and quarantine were hard for a lot of people, ourselves included,” says the band. “Add becoming a new father in these uncertain times to the mix and you have yourself a whole new set of challenges and uncertainties. It’s safe to say our mental health suffered the last year and a half, but the art that has come from it is some of the most honest and pure stuff we have yet to put out.“
Formed in the fall of 2019, STFLR started out more as therapy than a band for lifelong friends Nick Lopardo (vocals), Yianni Hansen (guitar), and Anthony Guiffrida (guitar). When their first EP was released, the trio realized they had found the release they were looking for and made STFLR a full-time band. With the addition of childhood friends Angelo Rodrigues (drums) and Mike Moran (bass), STFLR took shape to the lineup today. With catchy hooks and relatable lyrics, STFLR has proven that pop punk can be more than songs about leaving your hometown or leaving your girlfriend. Striving for a brand new sound aided by years of experience, STFLR is a breath of fresh air the scene needs. STFLR doesn’t worry about following typical song patterns and just write what they want to listen to. Having fun is their priority and having that positive energy allows them to freely explore all aspects of songwriting.
On Wednesday, September 22nd, LORDS OF ACID, the innovative industrial/techno acid-house band founded by electronic composer PRAGA KHAN, became the first significant rock band to drop an NFT on the Cardano Blockchain.
The Children of Acid coin, a cartoon homage to the 1964 sci-fi movie Children of the Damned, depicts angelic school children with a psychedelic gleam in their single-eyes. The mind-expanding kids are part of the band’s fictional universe of kinky songs and characters.
Extrapolating on Andy Warhol’s theories of mass-produced art, the illustration was designed to have thousands of versions (with different backgrounds, hair colors, clothes, etc.) so that each one is a totally unique, one-of-a-kind work of art. The concept of digital rarity is embraced in the NFT world as a reason to buy NFTs in the same way one would collect real-world coins, trading cards, and other collectibles.
Not knowing what to expect, Praga and the team were pleasantly surprised when 1,800 coins were sold in the first 32 hours. Approximately 7 days later they sold out the entire 2,000 edition.
Visual art is not a new interest for Praga Khan, who has a history of using underground comix imagery, rave-flyers and psychedelic pop-art for branding Lords of Acid. Their best-selling LP of 1994, Voodoo-U, featured an orgy of lesbian devil-girls by the lowbrow artist known as Coop. The cover of their 2010 release Deep Chills, an R. Crumb spoof, by illustrator Karl Kotas, introduced a kinky cartoon character for each of the 15 songs as well as a mobile game that was on iTunes, Google, and Amazon.
In a recent NFT Update podcast, when asked what motivated them to do NFTs, Praga said, “I’ve always been interested in the newest stuff and I was really intrigued by the concept of NFT’s. So I thought of Karl immediately, as we worked together years ago on a CD cover and game and I loved it. So it was a no-brainer.” Karl concurred, “An absolute no-brainer… I was going to contact Praga but I held off. A few days later he contacted me. So I knew we were both on the same page.” Shortly afterwards, Huth Solo contacted them and explained his Cardano NFT startup, Digital Syndicate (digitalsyndicate.io). Cardano is a low-cost alternative to the Etherium blockchain where most NFTs have been minted. As the NFT movement gains momentum many alt-coins are getting in on the action.
The first phase of Lords of Acid NFT project was to establish a visual art presence, but as Praga explains, “It’s only the beginning of a creative journey. The next step is to add music to the NFT’s, but new versions that haven’t been released before.”
Vampire Girl is the next drop and is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6th, 7AM PST.
The Lords of Acid Kryptowave Team:
Praga Khan, (aka: Maurice Engelen, frontman and founder of Lords of Acid)
KKryptowave (aka: Karl Kotas, a digital artist who has created art, videos and games for Lords of Acid for over a decade.)
It’s been a great year for heavy emotional music with a throwback sound, and Virginia’s Emerge Restless have just added an album of the year contender to the genre.
The band released Ursus Maritimus on Sonic Decoy Records this week. The stand out track is “Bethel, Believe“. “This is our first full length, after a long hiatus from writing together,” says the band, “While we’re all more mature and more polished, we didn’t want to “go soft” and instead we pulled all the punches. We wanted the opening track to slap like an anthem; to announce to the world “we’re back and we still hit hard.”“
Check out evertything the band is doing on their socials and make sure to follow along, you may just be finding your favort new post hardcore band!
Picking up and re-imagining a piece of iconic punk rock or horror is always a bold move, but THE MAN FROM ALPHABET has served up a delicious scoop of both with their tight cover and hilariously nostalgic music video of legendary American punk rockers THE DICKIES’ 1988 “Killer Klowns from Outer Space”! Originally premiered on BLOODY-DISGUSTING, the music video for “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” was directed and edited by Nina Hirten with production services provided by OH JUST PEACHY STUDIOS.
Featuring uproarious scenes of the band being stalked and murdered by the eponymous antagonists, in methods echoing the B-Horror masterpiece, the antics play out while gleefully watched by a bevy of pajama clad voyeurs. Overall, “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” recalls many an 80s and 90s teen slumber party with such seminal late night horror shows as USA’s Up All Night and MonsterVision, making it a unique Halloween treat for horror hounds and rock fans alike!
“Covering ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space’ has been a bucket list item of mine for so many years as has the desire to write a song for Halloween season. I’m so thrilled with the end product we created together.” – Dustin Treinen (Bass)
Click HERE to Purchase / Stream “Killer Klowns from Outer Space”
Virginia Beach post-hardcore band Emerge Restless has just released their debut album, Ursus Maritimus. The album was mostly written during the COVID pandemic, forcing the members apart. “It was tough, but the music and collaboration really united us,” says the band. “It started with some rough tracks of “Venom” and another song we cut called “Rosedale Cemetery” being passed back and forth. We eventually brought in Vincent, who was super ecstatic to drum full-time, along with Rich, joining on guitar. Almost 3 years later, we finally had the set of songs we think really represent our sound.“
The album features the singles “Venom” and “Bethel, Believe“. With “Bethel, Believe”, Emerge Restless wanted to come out of the gate swinging. “This is our first full length, after a long hiatus from writing together,” says the band, “While we’re all more mature and more polished, we didn’t want to “go soft” and instead we pulled all the punches. We wanted the opening track to slap like an anthem; to announce to the world “we’re back and we still hit hard.”“
Emerge Restless is an American post-hardcore band originally formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA by former In Cynthia’s Diary members Eley (Vocals), Chris Coykendall (Guitar/Bass/Vocals), and Rich Potts (Guitar/Bass/Vocals). After a long hiatus, the group brought in long-time friend Vincent Kondas (Drums) to complete the outfit.
Emerge Restless brings forth a presence that is fierce and unwavering, blending elements of progressive guitar-driven rock with a unique, fresh take of dueling clean lead vocal harmonies into a cohesive heavy rock experience. The resulting tone elicits recalls to the band’s influences including acts such as Deftones, Emery, Hopesfall, Thursday, and more.
Hailing from Torbay, England, pop-punk band Surviving December has just dropped their newest single, the rock tinged pop-punk track “Falling Apart”. Lyrically, the song is a snapshot of the world today. “It’s a song that encourages people to look in the mirror and realize you can walk away from the crowd, to not be part of the issue,” explains the band. “Falling Apart” was the first track Surviving December worked on as the world started back up from the global pandemic. “It was because of how proud we were of the sound and the whole production we decided to push on and produce an album,” said the band. Of course, lockdown provided its own set of hurdles. “The song was a massive learning curve, recorded in our respective houses across the country we built up the track and sent it to our producer who knocked it all together.”
The track is part of the new album The Narrative, out now on Regent Street Records. It was Produced by Josh Norton-Cox and follows a character through a stage of their life. Musically, the album pulls together various styles of playing, with a pop-punk edge with guitar lines reminiscent of the late 70’s early 80’s with a darker more modern undertone.
“Falling Apart” is accompanied by a lyric video, which you can watch below.
Surviving December transports the listener back to a simpler time with their eclectic musical mix of pop-punk-rock. The band’s roots reach back to 2005 when brothers Mark and Jason Hobbs first started writing music in a dingy Devon basement alongside Chris Golden and Josh Norton-Cox. Fast forward 15 years to 2020, and Mark, Jason, and Chris found themselves rekindling their partnership during the strange era of Covid-19.
Now joined by Gemma Patten, Tom Crossman, and Ryan Wighton, and with original member Josh returning as producer, this unique six-piece line-up has fused their refined musicianship, while staying true to their founding influences of Blink 182, The Ataris, Senses Fail, and New Found Glory. The result is a vintage and truly authentic sound, given a contemporary twist by their trio of vocalists.
Manchester, UK based blues-rock singer-songwriter Katie O’Malley has just released her latest single, the alt-country-tinged “Devil’s Got A Hold”. The track opens with a stand-up bass and acoustic guitar before sonically blooming with electric guitars, keys, and drums, all providing a low-key, atmospheric music bed for Katie’s sultry vocals.
“I love horror/thriller films and wrote this song about the supernatural elements you normally find in horrors,” explains Katie, “The mystery is the best part of any good horror, and the woman in the story represents a mysterious magical being and everything that intrigues you to want to know more.”
“Devil’s Got A Hold” is the third single of a 3 track EP of the same title, which will be released in November of 2021. The EP features O’Malley’s full band including Richard Neal (electric guitar), Luke Dodd (electric guitar), Steven Taylor (bass), and Aaron Youd (drums). The EP was engineered by Adam P Gorman.
Along with the single, Katie has released a music video, directed by Didzis Starasins and filmed & edited by Imaging House. “It was a fun shoot,” says Katie, “We filmed in Macclesfield Forest and at my boyfriend’s grandma’s house! I loved her retro 70s kitchen and knew I had to create a music video in there at some point and this song was so perfect. She has had so many trinkets everywhere and it was like a creative gold mine for myself and the videographers.” You can watch the video below:
With a voice that pours with emotion and fills a venue, Katie O’Malley and her hip-swaying Americana band have played across the UK. Hailing from Manchester and proud northerners, they describe their sound as mix of country, folk, soul & blues. Their 70’s inspired music takes you on a journey of mournful melody to punchy beats and gravelly powerful vocals with a sense of Stevie Nicks meets the blues. Together, they have received airplay from Amazing radio USA, BBC Introducing UK, supporting top ten album-selling Beth Rowley.
Although 2020 has had many setbacks for artists, it’s not stopped Katie from releasing new music with the release of her third E.P ‘Wild West’ and new single ‘Taste the Dirt’ being backed by Chris Country Radio, Louder Than War and BCMA.
Katie also teamed up with Adam Lewis from Manchester band The Watchmakers. Together they created their song “Piece Of The Pie” which was featured on the hit Netflix film “Kissing Booth 2” gaining over 66 million views in its first few weeks of broadcast.
The Typical Johnsons have released their newest single, the roots tinged alt-country track “Optimistic Nihilism”. “This single was written initially about some extremely painful real-life events, but after the song was realized in its recorded form we realized there were some universal truths in the song that others could relate to,” explains the band. “This is about the distance that grows between those we care about in our lives and the way we all deal with the human condition in our own way.”
Recorded by Patrick Himes at Reel Love Recording in Dayton Ohio. The track is a single off of the upcoming album “South of Somewhere Real“, a 12 track full-length due out this December on Punkerton Records. “Although this has been two years in the making, these songs feel more pertinent and relevant to us now than they ever did.” says the band.
This will be the band’s third full length, following their debut album The Sailor & The Siren (2016) and Rust Belt Renaissance (2017) as well as two eps, In Other Words (2018) and Wreckage (2019). Along with the single, The Typical Johnsons has also released a lyric video for “Optimistic Nihilism“. The band used the format of a lyric video to help convey the feel of the song more than any live-action video ever could. You can watch the video below.
A little bit of Rock N Roll, a little bit of old time Country Music, mix in some Punk influence and some Roots Americana music, throw all that into the blender and you have what someone much smarter than the band described as “Dirty Northern Folk Rock”.
The music of The Typical Johnsons leans in a lot of different directions but isn’t necessarily codified by any of them. With influences ranging from Johnny Cash and Drive-By Truckers to Social Distortion and Neil Young, there is something for everyone and each listener takes something different away with them.
Named after an idea that we’re all the same and that we all have the ability to get up and play and perform and write what we feel. The Typical Johnsons stand for the regular person playing guitar in the basement or banging away on the drum kit out in the garage on the weekend. The Typical Johnsons are the guys who get excited when they learn a new chord progression or bass line for a new song and so are their fans. They are Lo-Fi, if you will, regular typical people.
Heartland, grassroots, coming at you from the ground up, call it what you want, but it sounds like middle America to their fans.
Hailing from Massillon, Ohio, hip-hop artist Master Puff has just dropped his latest single, “Playing Rich”. The track, produced by LANCEXCV, mixed & mastered by Conz, features Puff’s lyrical acrobatics over a chill flute loop and sparse percussion. A video is in the works.
Lyrically, Puff speaks on the ills of stunting without means. “I saw an artist I used to look up to go broke from a gambling addiction,” explains Master Puff. “Even after losing his savings, he still tried to live the extravagant life he grew accustomed to. All I saw was somebody trying to play rich instead of holding themselves accountable. Like Marshawn Lynch once said, “Take care of your chickens“.“
Master Puff is a linguistic gymnast, or “A rapper on a balance beam” as he puts it. Teetering between charmingly witty and over-the-top, he has been one of the fastest-growing artists in NE Ohio since early 2020. He secured a sponsorship with Acathla Clothing in March of 2021, due to his rapidly growing fanbase, before releasing any music on streaming services! Master Puff is an example to follow for any artists on the come-up, and also one to watch out for.
For more information, check out Master Puff on the following links:
London, UK alternative indie rock band Emma and the Fragments have released their latest single, “Proper Everything”. The song starts off with a driving backbeat intro before cranking down into a jazzy riff for the verses, making a great music bed for Emma’s crystal clear vocals. The track is tied together by a strong, feel-good hook, ready for alternative radio!
Lyrically, the song was inspired by Victoria Park in London. “The title of the song came first, a made-up phrase said by Emma at a rehearsal to describe something that was the best,” explains the band. “The song was inspired by Victoria Park and uses the imagery of the park to describe falling in love. The lyric ‘Smile Til It Hurts’ was taken from the track and has been used for a title for the upcoming EP.”
“Proper Everything” is It is the 4th single from the forthcoming EP ‘Smile ‘Til It Hurts’. The EP will be released with one additional track this Fall.
Along with the single, the band has also released a fun animated music video. “We basically created cartoon versions of ourselves playing live in the park,” says the band. “Which we think fits with the fun energy of the track!”
Seattle alternative pop-punk band College Radio has just released their newest single, “11:59”. The track has an over-distorted, bouncy pop-punk feel reminiscent of 2000’s pop-punk along the lines of Green Day, with a walking bass line and a sarcastic chorus about “feeling fine” during the chaos of the current world.
Lyrically, the song is about the band’s feelings on last year’s lockdown. “This was one of the first tracks we recorded during the pandemic and it really showcases how we felt and how the world really felt,” explains the band. “Singing this one is our bass player Evan. He really hit the nail on what 2020 was like for pretty much all of us.”
“11:59” was engineered by Dane Stafford and mixed and mastered by John Espy. Along with the track, College Radio has also released a new music video. “This makes it the third video shot in our bass players house!”, says the band. “It was shot by our great friend King Zabb and we got wild in this one!” You can watch the video below:
Hailing from the Gloomy Emerald City of Seattle, College Radio have made a name for themselves with catchy choruses, hard-charging drums, and soaring harmonies. They combine classic old-school pop punk with an unexpected alternative twist, while making songs that are fresh, but instantly familiar. With the release of their new EP “I Used To Get Messed Up” on Third String Records and “Growing Pains” College Radio have proven themselves to be one of the premier punk acts of the PNW.
Hailing from Washington, DC, post-hardcore singer/songwriter/producer Jamie Stoffa has just dropped his latest single, “Day 52”, a dark, heavy song about the apocalypse. Musically, the single gives off the feeling of impending doom from the first chord and never lets up.
Stoffa recruited his good friend Billy Tagg to co-write and produce the song. Tagg also performed rhythm and lead guitars. “It all started on day 52 of lockdown. I had sent Billy a drum track titled “Day 52” that I had created to nothing but a click track,” says Stoffa. “In a day or two, he responded with a perfect guitar part in my opinion. To me, the opening chord just says doom or dread every time I hear it, and that’s what I was hoping he’d create.“
“Day 52” is being released with a comic book lyric video featuring illustration by Lawrence Crow. “The video features a comic book that dives deeper into the story,” explains Stoffa. “It was written by me, but the amazing illustration was done by Lawrence Crow and the video was done by Poseidon Media.“
Slaves on Dope’sJason Rockman and Kevin Jardine, along with Bill Kelliher of Mastodon, are back with their project The Kings of Quarantine, this time with a powerful rendition of Helmet / House of Pain’s “Just Another Victim.” The new video features Chris Kael (Five Finger Death Punch), Tony Palermo (Papa Roach), Matt McGachy (Cryptopsy), Bret “Epic” Mazur (Crazy Town), Lou Koller (Sick of it All), Slaine (La Coka Nostra), DJ Lord (Public Enemy), and newcomer hip-hop artist RhymeStyleTroop!
Click HERE to Download “Just Another Victim” and Support ROADIE RELIEF on BANDCAMP!
The Kings of Quarantine came together in 2020 after a discussion between Jason and Bill about possibly collaborating on a cover song. “Just Another Victim” is the fourth installment in a series of covers that will be released throughout 2021 in an effort to bring some joy and entertainment to music lovers worldwide.
“We hope to not only put a smile on people’s faces, but also help the touring staff that have been severely affected by the pandemic”, says Jason Rockman. One hundred percent of the profits will be donated toRoadie Relief, a fundraising effort to aid qualifying Roadies who have submitted an application for financial help.
The Kings of Quarantine have no plans of slowing down, with more star-studded covers to be released in the near future!
Click HERE to Download “She Watch Channel Zero” and Support ROADIE RELIEF on BANDCAMP!
Click HERE to Download “Mountain Song” and Support ROADIE RELIEF on BANDCAMP!
Click HERE to Download “We Care A Lot” and Support ROADIE RELIEF on BANDCAMP!
Almost everyone you know has seen a concert that has moved them. Those productions can take over 100+ traveling crew members to set up by the time doors open.
Before and during the show they sweat and hustle to get everything ready. After the show they spend more hours erasing evidence that they were ever there at all. Many of these key players work an average of 20 hour days, then move on to the next city to make it happen all over again.
Many of these crew members, “roadies,” have been doing this as a career for decades. Some of these roadies, while experts in this field, have never had any other job experience. Since the world pandemic, well over a hundred thousand of these people are left with no income and no financial assistance.
There are no concerts or live events for the foreseeable future. At the beginning of 2020, job opportunity ceased to exist and 2021 remains uncertain. Many are unable to claim unemployment as their expert level trade skills are not recognized and they do not qualify. This on-going problem is leaving 100s of roadies without a secure livelihood.
The government has fallen short. Contacting congressmen and women, senators, and governors to raise the issue has been met with no resolution. Their replies are a formal brush-off and roadies are left hitting a dead end.
The goal with this gofundme is to offer some relief to some of the dedicated people in the roadie community. Just like you, they have families, mortgages, car payments, and day care. Commonly these workers lean on their savings between tour cycles, but those funds have run thin or run out. Please donate if you can, every little helps.
Atlanta, GA based, Alternative Rock band SPURGE has released the official music video for “57,” off of their newest EP, Crown. Produced and directed by Daniel Medina, “57” was inspired by the internationally experienced isolation during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and features stylized imagery of the individual band members’ lives as they continue through an uncertain “new normal.”
“’57’ is a song about whether or not we have any control over our fate. Inspired by COVID keeping the band stuck in their homes for about a year, it comes from a feeling of slowly losing our grips and becoming somewhat numb. For about 6 months prior to writing the song, our bassist (Jen Hodges) kept seeing the number 57 everywhere. Initially, freaked out by the repetition, she thought it was an omen of bad things to come; ultimately, she decided to write a song about it in order to work out her apparent superstitions and flip her mind into viewing it as a good omen.” – SPURGE
The band’s most recent EP, Crown, was mixed by Dom Gryzbon and includes solos by Phil Vasta, Nick Landt, Charles Von Kanel and Greg Hendler. An album release party is being organized for a Fall 2021 date in Atlanta, GA.
Spurge started in Nashville 2013 when Jen (bass) started writing instrumental music for her own amusement. She felt she had found her voice sonically during the creation of “The Untitled EP” and decided to play a few local live shows. She recruited the drummer in her previous band, a local metal guitarist and a jazz college student. They were received warmly in the scene. In 2015 Jen got a promotion and moved to Atlanta. She had to rebuild the band. She kept the same formula. Gospel drummer, metal guitarist, and jazz guitarist, This current iteration has played with Thank You Scientist, and Tony McAlpine. When COVID hit, the group recorded their latest, Crown. They are planning a secret show this fall in Atlanta to celebrate the release of Crown. They are also releasing a video for the EP’s first single, “57,” this fall. The current line up is Jen on bass (Berklee grad, gigging musician.) Charles on guitar (gigging musician, gear head and tech wizard.) Marlon on drums (musical family, marching band, gospel, R&B.) Ben on lead guitar (gigging musician, shreddy Krueger.)
Chicago based, Progressive Instrumental Rock band COYOTE MAN has released a psychedelic inspired visualizer for their new single, “Reaches of the Universe.” Created by Chuck Clybourne from Sacred Ape Designs utilizing the EP cover art by Craig Horky, “Reaches of the Universe” is the trio’s savage, guitar driven first track off of their newly released EP, Relics.
“‘Reaches of the Universe” is our heaviest track to date. We jammed parts of it just for fun but never really sat down and incorporated them into songs. During COVID last year, we had an opportunity to dissect whatever riffs and drum fills we had and decided to go back to our roots with heavier tones.” – COYOTE MAN
Track List: 1. Reaches of the Universe 2. Foreseeable 3. Past Visions of the Future
Columbus, OH based Alternative Rock band TO KILL A MONSTER has released the official lyric video for their new single, “Barely Breathing.” Created by Mike Colletti of MC Lyric Videos with single art by Dan Smotz of Goulash Media, “Barely Breathing” layers a heavy, rolling rock beat and crunchy guitar with soaring vocals by front-man and lone founding member Joey Lawson.
“‘Barely Breathing’ is a story about the loss of a loved one when they’re all you have left. Either in love or life or anything the listener might be going through.” – TO KILL A MONSTER
To Kill A Monster, formed in 2005, is an upbeat punk/rock/alternative band from Columbus, Ohio. This band has aged like a fine wine across the last 16 years. As a high energy, hard hitting band with melodic verses and catchy choruses, TKAM is never afraid to throw in a breakdown or dance beat just for fun. Along with a few stops on the Vans Warped Tour in 2013 and 2015, To Kill A Monster has had the privilege of sharing the stage with acts such as Asking Alexandria, 21 Pilots, Starset, The Devil Wears Prada, Switchfoot and many more. After a short hiatus, the band re-emerged better than ever with a whole new lineup. Joining original singer Joey Lawson is Corey Melton (drums), Josh Spence (bass), James Barron (guitar), and Scott Borealis (guitar). New music is on the way and To Kill A Monster couldn’t be more proud of what’s coming.
Kansas City, MO singer / songwriter IVORY BLUE has released the official music video for their newest single, “Family Tables.” Directed by Mikal Shapiro, “Family Tables” showcases the enigmatic chansonnier’s inimitable vocal style and lyrical strength alongside minimal but moving visuals, thus invoking a deeply emotional as well as an addictively repeatable listening experience. “Family Tables” will be available to purchase / stream on September 7, 2021.
“What is it like if people give you the chance to shine? Sometimes we are underestimated and treated unfairly, but the people that give us the chance, will have the opportunity to see how far we can really fly!” – IVORY BLUE
IVORY BLUE lived a nomadic existence until settling in Kansas City MO and becoming part of the local musical community. After winning a nationwide talent contest in 2017 Ivory Blue started having success with some national and international radio play which continues today.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, Ivory settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting an intense regional following for their strong vocals and incisive, deeply personal lyrics.
By 2013, IVORY BLUE was playing regularly in and around Kansas City and the first EP ‘Ready Get Set’ was released. in 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and got much attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017.
Ivory entered NeXt2Rock, a nationwide talent search with over 1800 artists/bands who applied to find fresh and promising rock artists.
The top 5 national bands battled it off for the win in Los Angeles CA at the legendary Viper Room, with judges Scott Borchetta (BMLG), John Varvatos (fashion designer), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols Guitarist and Host of “Jonesy’s Jukebox”), Desmond Child (Musician, producer), Chris Lord-Alge (producer), Ivory Blue won over the judges and became the grand prize winner!
Ivory won the contest and a one-year record deal with BMLG who re-released the song “Ready Get Set” from the 2015 EP. Ivory’s 2018 re-release of ‘Ready Get Set’ undauntedly received National and International airplay within weeks.
In February 2020 and after studying the craft of recording and self-producing, this amazing singer-songwriter with soaring vocals, passionate love for everyone struggling through life, released ‘Elite Dreamland’. There are no words to describe the incredible artistry behind this song; a single that hits your heart about understanding how it feels to be misunderstood in a world of people that seem to know what they are doing.
IVORY BLUE produces all the tracks with the exception of Drums and Bass. Ivory is currently working with Lester Estelle (Drummer for Kelly Clarkson), Craig Kew (Bass) KC, Kurt Festge (Mastering | Citizen Kane & Vilent Femmes) NC. and Nick Poortman (LA based Los Angeles based Producer, Engineer, Mixer, and Songwriter) Nick has worked alongside producers including Justin Gray, Gil Norton, Big Tank, and Greg Haver on sessions throughout the USA, UK, Europe, and New Zealand.
On August 18th 2021 Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing out of Atlanta GA.
Ivory Blue released their music video for “FAMILY TABLES’ on August 21st, 2021 and will release the single on Sept 7th. They are currently finishing the first full length CD/Album Compound Love to be released in 2021 as well as the Red Light EP for 2022.
Who knows what is next for IVORY BLUE, but so far every step has been accounted for to reach that vision that continues to push them to success.
New Jersey based Singer / Songwriter SYDNEY SHERWOOD flexes her lyrical prowess with her newest single, “Cycle of Silence,” which sees the gifted chanteuse teamed with fellow American Idol alumni KASON LESTER. A deeply reflective and relatable track, the song comes to life through the pairing of the two distinctive young vocalists on this stunning duet.
“‘Cycle of Silence’ is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever recorded. I had the idea for it back in the winter and wrote it with my talented friends, Joe Makoviecki and Brian Craddock. It’s about two people who are in a constant state of miscommunication, who wish that they could fix things, but aren’t really willing to hear each other out. I brought it to my good friend Kason Lester, who I met on American Idol and asked him to help me bring the duet to life and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! ” – SYDNEY SHERWOOD
“Sydney is rock’s answer to pop’s P!NK or country’s Carrie Underwood, she exudes all the power and confidence and sings with no-nonsense authority, all while remaining firmly situated in heavy alternative rock. Sydney Sherwood cannot be merely compared to female singers of her generation and writes and performs with a conviction that fans of 3 Doors Down or Daughtry would instantly recognize.” – Joe Makoviecki (Singer, songwriter of Jackson Pines)
Sydney Sherwood is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter from New Jersey. Sydney began singing and playing guitar as a way to express her emotions after her brother was diagnosed with cancer.
Since her brother’s diagnosis, being a childhood cancer advocate has become a big part of Sydney’s life. She has performed and spoken at many childhood cancer events over the past twelve years and continues to be a voice for all children with cancer, as well as their siblings.
Sydney began writing her own music when she was 13, and on March 3, 2019, she released her first EP, Beauty from Ashes. Her release show was held at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. In 2019, Sydney also received a golden ticket to Hollywood from American Idol celebrity judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
Over the course of the pandemic, Sydney has been writing and recording her new album, Headspace, which will be released February 27, 2021.
Sydney’s goal is to touch the lives of others through the music that she writes, as she takes inspiration directly from her life experiences.
West Chicago Metal Industrial project DERISION CULT, led by multi-instrumentalist Dave McAnally is set to release their newest studio album, Charlatans Inc., on September 14, 2021. Charlatans Inc. is a visceral take on media manipulation and provocation in America. With citizens producing more data about themselves, and media and big tech getting better and better at extracting and refining that data, with all of us plugged into an over-stimulated digital world, buyers need be beware.
“I was driven to use this album as a platform to say something about the role consumerism played in provoking outrage and anxiety in the last year. The media doesn’t want you to think, they want you to feel. But as long as we can identify those things when we see them, we become immune and find real peace and harmony.
This is not a political album. It’s about media and the importance to filter signals and understand when you’re being marketed to. More than ever, your beliefs, your politics and your passions are all up for sale. Buyers beware.”
Track List: 1. The Great Reset 2. Call a Man God 3. Amplify 4. Worlds Collide 5. This is Control 6. Charlatans 7. View from the Cross 8. I・VI・MMXXI
Derision Cult is a project by Chicago solo artist Dave McAnally. Dave is an Iowa native and a multi-instrumentalist involved in a number of projects across a range of genres. He’s been featured on releases by Metropolis Records as well as his own imprint South Street Dungeon.
Fort Worth, TX based, heavy rock / metal band LOCKJAW has released the tense, official music video for their newest single, “Silence the Fear.” With the video directed by Jeremy Peterson, “Silence the Fear” was produced by Chris Collier, with whom the band is completing their upcoming, as yet unnamed album.
“We are extremely grateful to be playing music together and sharing our passion with the world. Heavy music has pushed all of us through our lives, as a soundtrack and we are so honored to share our vision with our fans, families and friends. As we release Silence the Fear we are currently in the studio with Producer, Chris Collier working on our new record, (yet to be titled). In conjunction with our new album announcement, we are excited to share our next single in the fall of 2021 “Living in my Head”, while the first single releases tackle subjects of fear, anxiety and many other symptoms of the world we are challenged with, we are optimistic we as a species will come together as humans and not be defined by the past year of struggle. We love heavy music, the fans of heavy music and are honored to share this with you all! Enjoy the moment, “Silence the Fear” – LOCKJAW
Click HERE to Purchase / Stream “Silence the Fear”
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.
Carolinas based heavy rock band THE LA MAYBE–fronted by lead singer Alvi Robinson, made famous when he was nearly selected to front the legendary band AC/DC in 2016–have released the official music video for “When I’m Gone,” off of their debut album, Dirty Damn Tricks.
“In 2015 a close friend of the band committed suicide. While we can’t ever fully erase the pain of such an event, we wrote “When I’m Gone” as a form of therapy and to hopefully inspire others with a message of hope.
This video is our most ambitious effort yet. Filmed over two months, across 5 beautiful locations around the Southeastern United States…we shot through pouring rain, searing heat, and breathtaking scenery.
It was our goal to have the visuals capture and reflect the emotional nature of the song and its meaning. Most of all, it’s a tribute to our friend and we hope it can help others through their own dark moments.” – DALLAS DWIGHT
The L.A. Maybe is a 6-piece rock n’ roll band hailing from the southern heat of the Carolinas. If you’re a fan of Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, or Van Halen…you will feel right at home adding LAM to your record collection.
Lead vocalist Alvi Robinson (who was one of only four singers to audition to replace Brian Johnson in AC/DC in 2016) lays down gritty, passionate vocals while the rest of the band back him up with slithering riffs, huge catchy hooks, and ripping guitar solos.
LAM firmly plants its feet at the very forefront of the New Wave of Classic Rock movement and you’re sure to have at least one of their choruses stuck in your head at any given moment.
Drawing influence from nearly every style of music, The L.A. Maybe put on an electrifying live show and stand for everything you love about rock music, old and new.
Harrisburg, PA based Heavy Rock band ETERNAL FREQUENCY has released the official music video for their cover of the 1990 NINE INCH NAILS critical and fan favorite Industrial Rock classic, “Head Like a Hole.” A faithful rendition of the 1990 hit single, the band balances the inherent rage of the original with front-woman Emelle Elizabeth’s soaring vocals, resulting in a refreshed anti-anthem that continues to ring relevant in today’s society.
“We’ve always known we had a pretty singer, now our singer has become the Pretty Hate Machine (haha). In all seriousness, it definitely takes some balls to cover a Nine Inch Nails song, but we think that we did it justice and we hope our fans agree. We try to pride ourselves on creating sonically stimulating material with layers and depth. That is exactly why it felt necessary to showcase our interpretation of some of Trent Reznor’s finest work to date.”” – ETERNAL FREQUENCY
Eternal Frequency is a five piece, female fronted hard rock band based out of Central Pennsylvania. 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”, and their version of Queen’s “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 are currently managed by John Phillips of 900 Management (Body Count, Another Day Dawns, and TM for Snoop Dogg, Public Enemy, and formerly Breaking Benjamin) and record with multi Grammy nominated producers Grant McFarland and Carson Slovak of Atrium Audio (From Ashes to New, August Burns Red).
The band has shared the stage with established artists such as Of Mice & Men, Adelitas Way, Smile Empty Soul, Vixen, and Sponge. They also took home the award for Best New Artist at the 2019 Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame 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.
Nashville-based, southern rockers THEM DIRTY ROSES has announced upcoming dates for their August 2021 tour run. Launching August 5 at Arts Avenue in Chattanooga, TN, the tour runs through the South and Midwest, wrapping up September 25 at Southern Wilds Festival in Lawrenceville, GA.
Tour Dates: 08/06 @ Arts Ave – Chattanooga, TN 08/07 @ Festival on the Lane – Alexandria, WY 08/13 @ Red Bicycle Hall – Madison, IN 08/14 @ Illinois State Fair – Springfield, IL 08/20 @ Pickin’ on the Pinyon Festival – Glade Park, CO 08/21 @ Tico Time River Resort – Aztec, NM 08/26 @ Buck’s Bar & Grill – Waterloo, NE 08/27 @ Big’s Bar – Sioux Falls, SD 08/28 @ Northwoods Jam Festival – Henriette, MN 09/02 @ The Gem Theater – Calhoun, GA 09/04 @ Red Neck Raft Out Fest – Afton, OK 09/09 @ The Stache at the Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI 09/10 @ Joe’s on Weed St – Chicago, IL 09/11 @ The Grenada Theater – Mt. Vernon, IL 09/17 @ Sidetracks Music Hall – Huntsville, AL 09/18 @ Locust Alley – Natchez, MS 09/24 @ Roberson House – Monroe, GA 09/25 @ Southern Wild’s Festival = Lawrenceville, GA
Click HERE for Additional Dates & Ticketing Information.
Born and raised in the Bama clay, these boys are as southern as they come. Taught how to bend a string and break a heart by Skynyrd and Hank, brothers James and Frank Ford along with their hometown friends Andrew Davis and Ben Crain formed the southern rock band known as Them Dirty Roses. Piling into an RV with their belongings, their instruments, and all the whiskey they could carry (in the cooler), they made their way from Gadsden, AL to Nashville, TN. All living all under one roof, Them Dirty Roses are a living example of the quintessential rock and roll American Dream. Their live show calls for a shot of whiskey and a 2 for 1 special — BUT what that really means is you better be ready to throw back 12 for 6 and shake it with Them Dirty Roses.
Vocals + Guitar / James Ford Guitar / Andrew Davis Bass / Ben Crain Drums / Frank Ford
