Video Review for Lamb of God "Set to Fail"

ON THE SET OF “SET TO FAIL”

Feb. 25, 2009
On the Set of "Set to Fail"
Author - Ayne Bales


“We need fans who are wiling to get slammed around for 12 hours in Richmond, VA on January 9.”

This was the casting call put out by RVA’s Lamb of God for their first video off the new album Wrath. They weren’t kidding either. Not only was this an extraordinary experience for the seventy or so friends and fans packed into the third floor of Sound of Music Studios, it was an exercise in endurance. Go find the largest clothes dryer you can. Put yourself, your iPod cranked as loud as it will go, a few random blunt objects (to simulate elbows and fists), and three or four pairs of sweaty gym socks into this dryer. Turn the dryer on, listen to the same song for eight hours, and you’ll start to have an idea what it was like to be in “Set to Fail”. The thing you’ll be missing is how much freaking fun it was.

Initially I figured this would be a ‘live’ shoot, with the band on a stage and the crowd in front. Instead we walked into a room with nothing but Chris’s drums on a low riser, a couple of prop amps, and plain white lighting. We were about to get up close and personal with one of the hottest metal acts out there today. Our instructions amounted to “mosh, don’t look directly into the camera, and try not to hurt the band members”.

Over the next eight hours we head-banged, slammed, crowd surfed, and generally wreaked havoc. I saw Willie accidentally give someone a black eye with his guitar. Randy broke three of my toes. We were having too much fun to care. The song absolutely rocked. If you haven’t heard it yet you need to go directly to the closest record store and pick up a copy of Wrath – you won’t be disappointed. This was a low budget shoot with only one camera, and I was impressed with not only the crowd but the video crew – they did an amazing job. Despite the close quarters and rather diverse crowd no one lost their cool, if someone went down twenty hands were there picking them up. This may have been due in part to another email sent to everyone invited to the shoot… “Don’t be a dick. Lamb of God will think you’re lame if you act like a dick.”

During our downtime I met fans from as far away as Dallas and Chicago. That’s dedication. The band members and crew were extremely gracious and friendly, as they always are. (Does Willie ever stop smiling?) Together the band and the fans made this a day no one there will soon forget. How often do you get to spend the day with your favorite band AND get to be in one of their videos? Whether you see them in the grocery store on a regular basis or only on television, it was honor to participate.

The end result is a video just as raw and gritty as the song itself. “Set to Fail” will not disappoint fans. In typical Lamb of God fashion it sounds like nothing they’ve done before, and the advances in musicianship and vocals are obvious. The new album is nothing short of amazing, even returning to the bands original instrumental roots on the opening track “The Passing”. The hometown boys continue to not only be some of the nicest guys in the business; they continue to be the best at what they do – making pure American metal.

Check out the bands MySpace Page for more!

Photo Credits – Ayne Bales and James Taylor


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BO-STEVENS & GOJIRA-X AT WONDERLAND

THE BO-STEVENS & GOJIRA-X AT WONDERLAND 1/7/09
CRUMPS BIG BIRTHDAY BASH

BY CINDY JOHNSON

Tonight takes us to Wonderland. Just when I thought my “bottom dweller” days were past me, they pull me back in! Shockoe Bottom is still the inconvenient pain it’s always been, but parking aside, this was a special occasion. A double birthday celebration for my friends Sarah and Crump, singer for Gojira-X.

The bar quickly began to fill with many friends and fans of both bands. The Bo-Stevens are a band from Winston-Salem, NC and are local favorites in the RVA area. As I have been known to repeat, I am a sucker for an upright bass and I was in for a double treat. Not only did the Bo-Stevens have an upright bass player named Billie, but Billie is a badass lady who knows how to slap the crap out of a bass. Along with Billie, there is Jeff Shu who plays the pedal steel guitar and mandolin, which made this band a bit of a dream come true for an authentic music lover as myself.

The band has gone through lineup changes since they started, but seem to play as if they’ve been together for years. The songs are country for the most part, with just a hint of rockabilly to make it danceable. With songs like “Honky Tonk Saturday Night”, “Lace”, “I’m Over You”, and “12 Ounces” you get to hear plenty of drinking songs that resulted in a definite crowd pleaser. This was my first Bo-Stevens show and I hope to see them again soon , hopefully at Cash Bash, a festival they are hosting February 27th & 28th in Winston-Salem playing along with Gojira-X and other bands.

To read more about The Bo-Stevens, visit their website: www.thebostevens.com

Band Members: Richard Boyd – vocals, guitar
Gregg Bell – guitar
Jeff Shu – vocals, pedal steel guitar, mandolin
Billie Feather – upright bass
The Rev. Douglas Hawkins – drums

After the Bo-Stevens left the stage, all normalcy went out the window. The next band, Gojira-X, describes their sound as “a strange and unique bland of hardcore, metal, punk and surf, with a heavy dose of Ed Wood, Roger Corman and John Waters, Etc.” Are you interested yet? The funny thing is the bands description of themselves is pretty accurate. It is definitely a show you find yourself participating in. But for an Elvis lover like me, they had me at “Suspicious Minds” and “Don’t Be Cruel”. They played the Elvis card and it was done in perfect taste and obvious love for the King. But along with Elvis and other covers, there were the bands original material with titles “Cheese”, “One Hot Mess”, “It Lives”, etc. focusing mostly on women and what to do with them. There was a lot of dancing, dancing on booth ledges, and general good times had by all. It was a very fun show and I think Crump is my new front man to beat, and that’s saying a mouthful!
To read more about Gojira-X visit their website: Gojira-X

Band Members: Crumpy C – lead vocals
Dirk Laguna – bass
Eddie McTastic – lead guitar
Crash Rockingham - keyboards



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GRANDPA EDDIES BBQ - Venue Review

GRANDPA EDDIES BBQ
11129 THREE CHOPT ROAD
RICHMOND, VA 23233
804-270-7427

Submitted by Cindy Johnson


Do you like Barbeque? Do you like live music? Grandpa Eddies, located in the West End offers the best of the two. On Friday and Saturday nights, for no cover charge, you can watch live bands from 8:30 pm to around midnight.

The restaurant caters to down home Southern cooking including fried okra, three types of cole slaw to go with the three types of barbeque, and the best brisket I have ever eaten.

The bands that have played Grandpa Eddies range from rockabilly to blues to country and are all appropriate for the whole family, something which is very important to the owner of Grandpa Eddies, proving you can have G-rated fun, along with impressive draft beer.

So bring your appetite with you or you will wish you had because Grandpa Eddies is all about family, food, live music and fun!


GRANDPA EDDIES FEBRUARY 2009 CALENDAR

Feb 6 2009 8:30P
The Jangling Reinharts Richmond, Virginia

Feb 7 2009 8:30P
The Great Unknowns Richmond, Virginia

Feb 13 2009 8:30P
Janet Martin Trio Richmond, Virginia

Feb 14 2009 8:30P
Happy Valentines Day! Come try the BBQupid Special! Richmond, Virginia

Feb 20 2009 8:30P
The Taters Richmond, Virginia

Feb 21 2009 8:30P
Sister Sweet Richmond, Virginia

Feb 27 2009 8:30P
The Atkinsons Richmond, Virginia

Feb 28 2009 8:30P
Mo Debree Richmond, Virginia



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GET LOST WITH AMERICANA

THE LOST SOULS & THE MUCKRAKES @ THE TRIPLE 1/30/09

Submitted by Cindy Johnson

I decided to change my pace a little and commit to an evening of a wildly growing brand of music called “Americana”. It’s a little folk, a little country with some bluegrass mixed in for flavor. I keep hearing this type of sound called “roots” music, but to me, it’s all relative to keeping it real. No gimmicks, no weird outfits, just good music from yesterday and today. That set the pace throughout the evening with two very talented and spirited bands – one a duo, the other a small army.

Gray Gurkin and the Lost Souls started off the evening. They were missing one Lost Soul reducing them to a duo with their drummer, Chip Farnsworth, and singer, guitarist, Gray Gurkin, who has carved out quite a name for himself as a solo artist, but he obviously thrives with his band, no matter how small.

The Lost Souls are very professional and know how to put on a show. Gray Gurkin interacts with the audience and makes them feel appreciated. The originals songs are both upbeat and spirited, even the sad ones. Gray Gurkin has a powerful voice and he’s not afraid to use it, coupled with that Dwight Yokam bounce when he plays, and you have a great front man and a wonderful sounding band. All the members of The Lost Souls are from Virginia and have played with many other successful bands through the years and it shows. The bands original songs include “Matchbox”, “Wildflower”, and “Sunday Morning”.

Band Members:
Gray Gurkin: Lead vocals, guitar
Chip Farnsworth: Drums
Turtle: Bass and backing vocals

Website: The Lost Souls and Gray Gurkin


The Muckrakes took the stage by storm a while later and I could barely believe the head count on that stage. The band has 7 current members who all play a variety of different instruments, including my personal favorite, the lap steel guitar and rub board. It gave the band personality to play such vibrant instruments and the combination of harmonies and blend of music swept you away to another time when things were simple. I think this type of music is really needed right now to get our priorities back in line and see the simple beauty in things. That’s what this music gives you, simple beauty, and I was definitely in need of some.

The Muckrakes formed in October of 2008 in Newport News, VA after some lineup changes have their current band. Their songs include “Young and Crazy”, “What Does She Have to Say” and “Until They’re Gone”.


Band Members:
Melissa Troutman: vocals
Matt Minguez – violin
Jon Owings – vocals, mandolin, banjo
Dave Jackson – drums
Cory Nealon – Lap steel guitar, dobro guitar
Spider Turner – guitar
Billy Englan - bass

Website: The Muckrakes

The Muckrakes Pics





The Lost Souls Pics





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TRIPLE THREAT - Our First Venue Review

A REVIEW OF THE TRIPLE BILLIARDS BAR LOCATED AT
3306 WEST BROAD STREET, RICHMOND, VA 23230 804-359-7777

Submitted by Elvistra

The Triple, located across from the Channel 6 News Station on W. Broad Street, has come a long way in the last few months. The term “pool hall” might be a little dated, but the Triple, previously known as “The Triple Triangle” has no intention of abandoning its roots. It started as a billiards room complete with neon sign above the door in the shape of brightly colored pool balls and has not changed much apart from the fact that it is quickly becoming THE place to go to see live bands perform.

Community Chest Booking, run by Danny Ingram and Tiffany Cale, are responsible for booking all the local and national acts that perform at the Triple and it is not unusual to see two or three bands in one evening. The cover is always minimal and considering the quantity and quality of the entertainment, you are getting a major deal.

The atmosphere is also pleasant to the eye thanks to local art displayed on the walls to promote local artists who want to show and sell their art. I have had several friends show there and it is a wonderful way to support artists.

Then, you can always play pool. The back room is spacious and filled with pool tables and eager pool players. It is unusual to see an empty table until very late in the evening.

So, there is your “Triple Threat”, music, art and billiards. Take your pick or enjoy them all. The bar ain’t bad either. The bar staff is wonderful and friendships are made early on if you are a regular, which I have to say, I have become. The door men give me a hug and the bartenders brilliantly know what I want before I ask for it. It’s a win win situation people. I heart The Triple. You will too.



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