Aspiring Writers

MusicRVA & Rockitz.net - A Collaberation of Minds -

2009-10-27T18:42:00.001-04:00

MusicRVA.net and Rockitz.net are now working in conjunction as a team!

Brooke Saunders is the new administrator for our network and Grand things are in the works!

MusicRVA will begin booking shows asap, in response to many bands and musicians who have asked previously for this service. In addition to booking shows, I will be looking for bands in the RVA region who would like to be a part of some shows designed to fundraise money for a project in the immediate works, which will help put the music of RVA and this general region on the map.

If you are a band and would like to be a part of this roster, please contact me asap. You can reach me here at the network thru messaging, or on FaceBook, my profile page is http://profile.to/sojournstarmusic/

Lets put this town on the map together!

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If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

And Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

The Difference Between Sharing & Duplication - A Pet Peave

2009-10-15T18:31:00.005-04:00

One of the first things I want to address as this blog transforms into an information blog for aspiring writers will be sharing and duplication. It is also one of my biggest pet peaves.

What's the difference?

Thats a loaded question, The simple answer is, it's the difference between getting search engines to love you, or flag and/or ban your site from future inclusions in search results.

Why, I see duplicate articles many places?

That may be true, but duplicating material to publish in more than one place on the internet, especially if it is word for word, does nothing to benefit you, or the site you are writing for, in essence, it spoils rankings, gets you flagged by search bots, and knocks your credibility out the window.

If you look closely, you may or may not notice that certain words or phrases have been changed. This helps, but essentially, when search bots spider sites, they take in account every word and phrase that has been repeated, and compare them to everything else they spider. Therefore, if the engines see this often, rankings for the sites go down, and may esentially fall off all together.

This happened to me this year. I accept writers for my sites who would like to send in submissions, and like to make a name for themselves by having their work published, while learning the ropes. After more than a year of working on the rankings for one of my sites, one writer in particular, who had never written for anyone before, and only had experience writing personal rants in a blog on a social network, began sending in articles for my music sites. At first things went fairly well, but then, amoung some of the problems I had with them, they began sending the same articles to several different sites online, word for word. I tried to explain this concept over and over, but to no avail. Either this person was to dense to understand simple rules, or they just did not give a flying you know what.

After months of trying to make this person understand this simple concept, and months of excuses, rudeness, disrespect, and more, plus emails that clearly stated more than once that this WAS NOT because I did not want them writing for someone else, in fact I encouraged it, it's called networking, I finally had enough and told them to move right along in the nicest way possible. Unfortunately, I did not give them the boot quick enough, because my rankings fell almost 50% in the time that this was going on. In February of this year I discovered 5, count them, 5 blogs that they had just created. Guess what, each blog had exactly ONE of the articles that were submitted to my site, word for word. Now what did this imbecile plan on doing, did they plan to create a new blog for each article they wrote.

So, with that said, what is the proper way to submit an article that has already been posted somewhere else?

Welcome to the world of social network sharing! It is so simple even a caveman can do it, or a dense "would be" writer ;-)

Almost everywhere you go on the net now, you see it. The little link or icon that says SHARE THIS! What, no link like that anywhere. Guess what, that still doesn't make it right to duplicate material you have already offered and published to someone elses site.

But it's MY WORK!!

Not once you submit it, then it is mine, or whoever you send it to. Of course it still belongs to you, but regardless, owning a car, does not give you the right to run a person over, nor hand your car over to an unlicensed driver so they can run someone over. Altho you may own it, and altho you may want to submit the same article to other publications, did you know that you could actually get yourself in trouble doing that. I'll bet you did not. You can get blackballed, or even sued if you are caught doing that by the wrong publication. There is a proper way to do this.

So, back to sharing. What if there is not a share option? Then we use what is called a leader, or some people who are less savey may call it a teaser. Whatever you call it, this would be the ONLY proper way to share your work in more than one place. Here is an example:

I wrote a 500 word article on the music business. I want to publish this in more than one place. I take the first paragragh or 2, and then I ask people to read the rest of the article "here", and I link them back to the ORIGINAL article, that would be the first place you sent it for publication. This is the ONLY way duplication is acceptable. Pretty simple huh?

Most large companies who accept writers submissions will make you sign an agreement that if you send them an original article, that you can not publish it anywhere else. I work for a few places like that, but they pay out good money for my articles, so I don't mind this at all. The ones I work with that I do not have such a contract with, allow you to share, but will penilize you or even "fire" you if you do not share in the proper format.

Hope this little post helps clear a few things up about why duplicating is bad for everyone, and why sharing is good for all.

One more piece of advice, if someone gives you the opportunity to get some recognition by allowing you to send in copy for publication, do have some respect.
You are there to learn, and they are doing YOU a favor. Be polite rather than rude, respectful, rather than disrespectfull, have some humbleness instead of becoming prematurely big headed, or pig headed for that matter. Don't burden and badger the person giving you the opportunity with your silly personal dramas, nor tell them what you think they should be doing.

Remember, the people you screw over while trying to step on and over them while rushing your way to "famedom", will be the same people that you will meet on your way down. Try to learn from someone who gives you an opportunity, and don't backstab and screw over people that have helped you. It is inevitable that life has it's ups and downs, and when you meet that same person on the way back down, you want to be able to ask them for help, not have them laugh at your misfortune.

Play like a pro, if you want to be a pro!

Here is a piece of advice for publishers and creators alike. Don't tell anyone what your plans or goals are before you get a chance to see them through. I made that mistake also, and that person took those ideas, and ran elsewhere with them. Posuers are everywhere, (a word I like) and they will take your ideas in a heartbeat. Hold your ideas and your creativity close to your heart untill you are ready to share them with the entire world!

Now, go write something!

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If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

And Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

Read our writers articles on our main blog!

2009-10-13T20:12:00.003-04:00

I have been moving articles and reviews from this old writers blog, over to the main blog MusicRVA Blog! to save time, and create less confusion.

All the MusicRVA writers have been transferred here except one. We no longer support that writer or their work for a number of reasons, BUT, we do support the bands that were written about, so you can still find all those articles and any other posts that were not articles on this old blog, and that is where they will stay, as they are already indexed and spidered by the search engines.

Moving the writers articles over to the main blog, not only gives them a boost for the articles they have written, but also enables anyone who did not see them on that blog, a chance to read them on the main blog, so its a double benefit!
Plus, since the MusicRVA Blog has gotton several write ups, and good attention called to it on its own, everybody wins.

***************************************
If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

And Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

Jim Morris Music

2009-05-26T14:06:00.005-04:00

Jim has something in his music that everyone can like. Along with great guitar playing like Joe Satriani and up-lifting and inspirational melodic movements like Dream Theater, Jim captures the music lovers heart as well as their mind.

Jim Morris is an articulate singer/songwriter with a devotion to storytelling. Whether it is a thoughtful ballad about doomed love or an anthem to a night of drunken revelry, the listener can always count on well-crafted songs with carefully drawn characters, clever lyrics, and satirical charm.
Although Jim’s musical style is admittedly reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker, he has a knack for defying categorization. He mixes a whimsical island sound with a splash of Texas to produce a sound that is uniquely Gulf and Western.

Jim grew up in Georgia and has a heritage rich in music. His grandfather led a dance band, and everyone in the family either played an instrument or sang. At age 10 Jim taught himself to play the guitar by listening to Hank Williams records. After college (BA in English and graduate studies in English and Human Resources Management) while pursuing a career in human resources management, he continued to write songs and dream of the day when he could do it full-time. "After I graduated, I wanted to be a drifter and a writer; instead, I settled for corporate executive and closet entertainer."

During his 15-year corporate career, his job allowed him to live in several interesting locales, such as Montana, New Orleans, and St. Simons Island, all of which would figure prominently in his writing. Following a business trip during which he renewed his love affair with the southwest coast of Florida, Jim took the leap he had been contemplating for some time and left the corporate world for good.

Jim spent the subsequent years writing songs and playing gigs around Florida. From the beginning he took a big risk by featuring original music. "I spent about a year writing and developing a catalog of songs. I was unsure of my ability to sing and play the guitar professionally, but I thought my songs might separate me from the other performers."

A fortuitous meeting with recording artist Randy Matthews would result in Matthews producing Morris’ first recording, "Laid Back and Key Wasted," released in 1996 by Fish Head Music. As you would expect, each song tells a story: the title track is about a guy who gives up the corporate world for the beach; one is about the exploits of a pilot who flies contraband; another is about roadkill and the people who collect it; others tell great stories of sailing, fishing, and drinking. "After my first CD was released, I changed my focus. I stopped playing bars so much and I worked coffeehouses and bookstores. I wanted to play before a listening audience who might appreciate what I had to say. I made less money, but I started to develop a fan base."

Jim returned to the studio during the summer of 1997 to work with noted guitarist/producer Chris Hattingh. The result was "Bocanuts" which was released by Fish Head Music the following November. "Bocanuts" shows again that Jim is capable of creating memorable stories in a variety of musical moods. "With 'Bocanuts' I found a formula that I’m comfortable with and that people seem to enjoy: some tropical, some jazz, some country, some acoustic folk, and some humor. It certainly reflects my musical tastes."

With the success of "Bocanuts" and a growing catalog of songs, Jim decided to release a CD every year. In November of 1998 he was back with Hattingh recording "Looking for a Place to Happen" which was released in February 1999. "The CD didn’t turn out exactly as planned," says Morris. "Several songs I was hoping to include were not as good as I wanted them to be. Sensing my frustration, my wife, Sharon, sat me down with a list of my songs and pointed out a lot of songs I had neglected. Consequently, songs like "What Kind of Fool Can I Be," "The Hammock Club," "Gatsby Dreams," and "Sometimes I Wish" were added." "Looking for a Place to Happen" became the most critically acclaimed CD to date. Hattingh had little doubt that the CD would be successful. "As soon as we listened to the final mix, I knew that Jim had topped his other CDs. For a CD with a variety of musical styles, it had such an amazing continuity."

Following the release of "Looking for a Place to Happen," the pressure grew to perform more outside the state of Florida. "I wanted to be a 'lifestyle artist,' fishing by day and playing music by night. But I also wanted to broaden my fan base, so I hit the road a bit." He also formed the Big Bamboo Band in order to capture the full sound of his CDs in live performances. "Playing with the Big Bamboo Band required more discipline and concentration than playing solo. It took a while to get used to it. Playing with a band is like playing team sports, and you get the same feelings after a tight performance that you do when you win the big game."

True to his plan to produce a CD every year, December 1999 found Jim back in the studio working on his fourth CD, "Bar Stools and Beach Chairs." He took a different approach this time, preferring creative spontaneity to careful planning. "I wanted to feel my way through the project and do some tweaking and changing as we went along." As it turns out "Bar Stools" may be his best effort yet. Along with his customary strong lyrics Jim has produced a work with remarkable musical diversity. Chris Hattingh knew that once again Jim had a winner. "I know that Jim felt some pressure to top "Looking for a Place to Happen," but there is something for everyone on this CD."

Jim will direct his efforts to expanding his fan base and touring with the Big Bamboo Band. He will still make time to fish and will always be on the lookout for song material. "I don’t have much to show for my years except some great experiences, and that’s what I write about – the characters I’ve met and the places I’ve been. The thing that is both satisfying and alarming is that most of it is true."

Check out some of Jims Tracks below:

Find more music like this on Sojournstar Music Industry Network

Jim will also be perfoming in Richmond Virginia on August 22, 2009 with Sunny Jim for
Stars On The Water. Time to be announced.

The excerpts here are from Jims website Jim Morris Music! where you will also find full tour schedules and more.

You can also find Jim on the Sojournstar Music Industry Network
Jim Morris Network Profile!

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If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

And Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

Sol from Alexandria Virginia

2009-05-19T20:09:00.002-04:00

Band/Resource Name : Sol
Band/Resource Rep Name : 9th Floor Music

Take two scoops of Funk; throw in a heathly serving of Reggae; stir in a few large cups of deep Piedmont Blues; throw in a pinch of Latin Flavor for spice, and top it off with some Old School R&B. Shake it up and you've got the music of Sol. A venerable pan stew of groove.

Sol leads a collaboration of musicians from the southeast and mid-atlantic US. Sol and his band members are no strangers to the road.

Sol has covered much of the surface of the earth on tour, lighting up venues across North America, Europe, Australia and the Caribbean.

Sol has shared the stage with blues heavyweights such as Taj Mahal, BB King, Cootie Starks, Cool John Ferguson, John Dee Holeman, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Derek Trucks and others.

Paying homage to the greats, Sol seeks to bring Roots Music to a new generation of listeners.

Sol's CD release entitled Freedom, features the core musical unit of Sol on guitar and vocals, King George on drums, and Jake D on bass. Also guest appearances by Tim Smith (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Hobex, and Countdown Quartet), as well as members of VA’s reggae groups the Seed and the Alliens. With these special guests, the new album moves from greasy delta grooves to deep reggae, and from stanky funk to soulful R&B.

Here's what some reviewers are saying about the new CD Freedom:

"one of the top 15 CD's of 2008!"- Green Arrow Radio (created by the Funk Soul Music Director at WHUS) placed the album alongside Sean Costello, Taj Mahal, Bill Laswell, PBS, Marcus Miller & more in top picks of 2008!

“Sol is excellent at morphing rock, blues, soul, and reggae, taking it all to a different level and contributing to the evolution of music into- quoting Sly Stone- 'a whole new thing'. Freedom is a great example of this band’s music and a truly enjoyable listening experience”- Len Comaratta- WUVT Music Director

"Sol pulls together funk, soul, blues and reggae elements...

Sol uses his right hand fingers, not a pick, to get his bluesy, dirty-sweet solo lines, and he delivers the raw and tasteful in even helpings....

You have to admire a blues/soul singer who is trying to sound like himself, instead of some old blues guy... Good Party Music... " - Tad Dickens- Press Review

"Sol pours out his heart and soul on Freedom. A must have for any music collection" - Wes Lee- Locals Only Radio (Washington DC area)

Band/Resource Website 1 : http://www.sol-roots.com
Band/Resource Website 2 : http://www.myspace.com/solblues

***************************************
If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

And Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

BEFORE THE MACHINE PICKS UP STEAM.

2009-05-13T20:08:00.003-04:00

By Crystal Snyder

Far down West Broad Street 11:00pm is oddly quiet for a Friday night in Richmond, cars come and go, few people walk the street, but in their hurried rush to get to various clubs and bars they miss my destination, a small pool hall called The Triple.

Upon approaching this unlikely venue, I see several familiar faces, one in particular of the man who had me coming out here in the first place, Seth Nicholls (also of Red Clay Village). Seth was excited, I could tell that from down the street, and his voice belied his cool demeanor as we talked before entering the club. He told me about the bands that were playing that night, and about his new band, the one I came to see, Before the Machine.

I quickly took stock of my surroundings as we entered the bar, blood red walls, a cool tile floor, billiards in the back, and the familiar smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke encompassed my senses, as the first bands music assaulted my ears. I looked for the familiar faces I had seen outside, the other members of Before the Machine, Johnny Throckmorton, Jeb Mease, Chris Ratterree and Mike Lester. Knowing the superb talent they showed in other bands, I felt that this new project had a lot to live up to, I knew then this was going to make for an interesting night.

As the second band took the floor, I talked to some of the other patrons of the bar, all of them excited to see Before the Machine. This was their second show, and as the second band’s set drew to a close, the tension grew thicker, almost suffocating as the guys picked up the instruments that had been so patiently waiting in the corner.

Sound check and tuning commenced as people rose from their various perches like bones rising from the dead, waiting to pass judgment. Then it happened, the first note, the first chord , and Throckmorton took the mic. With a quick shout out of “What’s up RICHMOND?!?!?” Before the Machine had arrived, and even in the Intro it was apparent they were at no less than 110%.

As they slipped into “Blissful“, “Mikie’s Song” and “Eye if the World“, the crowd reaction went from swaying bodies and nodding heads to a full on mosh pit. Mease’s drumming was right on, never once skipping a beat, the phenomenal guitar work of Ratterree and Lester surpassed my expectations, and Nicholls’s bass work rounded out the whole outstanding package.

They ended the night with “Silent Movie” and “The New Song”. Even as the clock approached 2:00am all five members never lost the breakout energy of the Intro. Before the Machine is a ton of talent a mile outside of the box and a live show should not be missed, find out where you can catch them next near you on their MySpace Page!

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If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

And Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

Circles of Concrete: Prabir and the Substitutes!

2009-04-16T11:16:00.002-04:00

Pop rock all around fun band Prabir and the Substitutes played nothing less than a kick ass show at Gallery 5 last night. They boys released their latest CD entitled Hello to a packed audience and turned their awesome-ness factor to 11. Not only did they play new songs from their new album as well as favorites from Five Little Pieces , they also played a few covers including "These Boots Were Made For Walking." To cap off the evening, the boys destroyed their instruments Clash-style during the finale.

Prabir and the Substitutes are on tour supporting Hello. If you get the chance to see them, do yourself a favor. Drop what you are doing and go.

To hear a clip of Who's Gonna love Ya from the album Hello, check out the link
Circles of Concrete: Prabir and the Substitutes!

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If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

And Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

MusicRVA: Get on Our Top List - New Fun Ways To Link

2009-03-28T15:27:00.000-04:00

MusicRVA: Get on Our Top List - New Fun Ways To Link

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Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

Morrissey and Mia Riddle

2009-03-25T14:50:00.005-04:00

Christy Sheppard
Richmond.com
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Scene + Heard Concert Review: Morrissey at the National and Mia Riddle at Poe's

Sometimes you look forward to a show for a long time and you end up disappointed. Sometimes you hear a band's recorded music and are bummed when you hear them live. Sometimes, though, reality exceeds your expectations.

I saw two shows last week that were excellent. I see a lot of shows. Shows about which I don't usually care enough to write.

These two shows I didn't want to let fade from my ever-waning memory without putting down in writing for all of you (and all of the world!) to see. Hey, I'm a giver.

First, I caught Mia Riddle and Her Band as they stopped through Richmond via Poe's Pub on their way to Austin's SXSW, promoting their album, Tumble and Drag.

I arrived around 8:15 (because I thought the show as supposed to start at 8) and around 10 o'clock all preparation was complete and Mia's band was ready to go.

I'd been listening to their myspace playlist for a few days prior to the event because I never like going to show completely in the blind, and Mia's band is new to me. She sounded just as great in person as she did in recording. She was pop and she was rock, and she was a little country ... a delightful mixture.

Mia's voice continually reminded me of Jenny Lewis'; a comparison most would welcome. Although she did sound a little raspy and admitted she was battling a cold, it didn't distract from her performance and her voice was strong and pleasant.

I don't know if you've ever seen a show at Poe's but the "stage" is rather small. On several occasions I felt like the band really wanted to rock out but were hindered by the size of the stage. Despite the space limitations, they made the most of the night, and our attention spans.

Everyone but Dave Wyss (bass) had a mic; geez, he must really be a bad singer, huh? I kid.

The rest of the band consisted of Amy Merrill (keys, back-up vocals), Dan Barry (guitar, back-up vocals) and Jeff Neuberger (drums, back-up vocals). Mia stuck to singing and the guitar although she also plays the glockenspiel and keys.

Amy and Mia harmonized well and sounded sweet together. At the risk of sounding creepy, Amy had these super delicate fingers that looked as if they were sculpted just for the keys or for rescuing objects that have fallen into really tight spaces (or for stealing food from the vending machine). She had a funny smirk on her face that lasted most of the set. Apparently we were all having a great time.

As a testament to their songwriting skills, I recognized "Grandchildren", "City Song" and "Open Wide" right away and (happily) was even able to sing along.

In red flats that matched Amy's keyboard, Mia stomped and played her way though the set. I'm compelled to liken her to actor-turned-singer Zooey Deschanel; but Mia has a stonger voice and she's cuter, too. Sorry, I'm only into She & Him sans the "She &" part.

This was the first stop on their tour, so naturally they had a few blips here and there but they easily laughed them off. I've seen bands make a big deal out of mistakes and, frankly, peeps, most of us won't notice unless you don't call attention to your screw-ups.

I kept thinking to myself that this little performance deserved more of an audience and perhaps a larger venue. I won't complain, though, I'm glad they stopped by and I'm hoping they'll return. Maybe one day soon, they'll have ample opportunity to show off their talent to larger crowds.

Check out their video for "Open Wide" on YouTube.

The next night, myself and a few friends ventured our way out to the National to see the legendary Morrissey.

I've said this before, but I've never been a really big fan of his or of the Smiths, the band he used to front. This only means I had no idea what to expect and that I was blown away by what I saw and heard.

The guy is pushing 50 and he ran that stage like it was his, umm ... let's just say he showed everyone who was boss. Looking like a mixture between Dr. Troy McNamara (Nip/Tuck) and Robin Williams (in looks and in stage presence, respectively) he commanded the attention of every face in the crowd.

The stage was set up so the Moz had plenty of space to stalk around, whipping the mic cord to and fro. Picture a bullfighter with his cape ... with imaginary bulls coming at him from every direction.

I recognized more songs than I'd expected to, and when that insane riff from "How Soon Is Now?" started, nearly everyone in the sold out crowd of 1,500 took to their feet.

As big a ham as Morrissey was, his band wasn't leaving without making its presence felt. Drummer Matt Walker rocked an impressive set of drums that included an 18-wheeler-tire-sized bass and even a gong. Chris Bopst said recently, "The larger the drum set, the more likely the band is going blow." Sorry, Chris, but in at least this instance, that argument fails. (read the article here)

Moz sang the line 'But then you open your eyes and you see someone that you physically despise' from "Let Me Kiss You" at the precise moment he decided to remove shirt number two of three for the evening (if the timing was unintentional I'll eat my chucks). He'd already briefly left the stage long enough to change from a blue and white checkered print into the black dress shirt he was currently removing.

When he took off said black dress shirt, it was just too much for one excited fan to handle. This super-fan squeezed his way through a team of scowling security guards and chased Morrissey off-stage, dragging annoyed staff-members along with him. In line with the theme of the night (Morrissey is touring in support of his latest album, Years of Refusal), this eager-beaver wasn't giving up without a fight.

An unphased Morrissey reappeared in less than 5; donning another button-down ... this one pink.

Everything about the show was huge: the sound, the production, the enthusiasm, the egos.

All week I'd been a little skeptical as to whether he'd even show up (many shows had been cancelled prior to this one). Luckily he didn't let us down. Maybe he showed because it was Friday the 13th, maybe not. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I was there.

Morrissey on myspace | Mia Riddle on myspace

NOTE: Christy Sheppard is an established writer with publications like Richmond.com and was kind enough to share this article with us. We look forward to many more of Christy Sheppards writing contributions. Keep watching.

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If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

And Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!

An Interview with Joe Buck

2009-03-21T17:51:00.001-04:00

Joe Buck, or Jim to his friends, has a plan. He plans to stay pissed off and sing about it until there is no need to anymore. In a way Joe Buck is an activist, but not by protesting or props, which he finds redundant, but by translating and transferring emotion and energy to his audience. During my phone interview with him, tape recorder by the phone, praying it was working, Joe was somewhere in Florida, on tour as always. Joe Buck is a humble man who doesn’t think he is anything special. He plays for us and he will always play for us, whether it’s a crowd of 2 or 2000. Joe Buck and I found common ground on many topics and shared some personal stories that showed me the roller coaster that has been Joe Buck’s life. I am now not just a fan of Joe Buck Yourself, I’m a fan and I hope a friend of Jim.

Cindy: You just returned from Europe. How did that part of the tour go? Is playing Europe any different than playing the U.S.?

Joe Buck: Well, it was exactly the same. It was weird, it is weird. I mean this first show in Rotterdam I was singing “Evil MF from Tennessee” and I usually let the crowd say “Tennessee”, and I’m in Rotterdam and I was like, okay, and just stopped, boom, and sure enough I heard “Tennessee”!

Cindy: So your fan base is strong in Europe?

Joe Buck: Well I’m not trying to be different, it’s just the way it comes out. I mean, obviously they’re looking for something different and you know there’s not too many places for them to get something like that I guess. It was amazing. I’m going back over there in the fall for about two months.

Cindy: I’ve noticed so many bands booking Europe dates on their tour schedules. It seems like a popular thing to do, I guess it always has been.

Joe Buck: Well, I don’t book the shows, I just let people know where I am, so it’s good because I just deal with people. We’re not getting in touch with clubs, it’s not like that. I just want to go where the people want me to come. I’m just excited about having a show. The best shows are when you get your local bands together and there’s people and you have a party. I only care about the people who are there.

Cindy: We may not have had a huge crowd for you last year when you played here, but everyone was there for you. And what I thought was so special was you telling everyone to come stand by you as close as they could, and they did for the whole show, and that was a very different experience. It made me feel like I was part of your performance. It was very memorable for me.

Joe Buck: Well, I mean, it’s all about the people. I mean, I’m playing for them, you know, so yeah, the whole getting up close thing is like it takes all of us to make that show happen. The energy has to come from all of us and yeah, that’s not like most shows.
In most shows the band comes on and the people stare at them, and they go through the show, and they go off stage, you know? That’s not what I’m doing.

Cindy: You are well known in The Legendary Shack Shakers. Were there bands before that? What was the beginning for you as a performer?

Joe Buck: I’ve been in bands my whole life. There have been a zillion other bands. I had success with this band named Gringo back in the early 90’s. I mean, you know, drinkin’ and druggin’ ruined it, but I was doing shit then, in rock bands from late ’79 on and I was in all these punk bands in the beginning. I mean, I was from a farm in Missouri, so when I was a kid growing up there was Bocephus, Van Halen, The Cars, but when I left the farm it was like I immediately found punk. You know, it was like 3 years after the fact, but it was late 1979, it wasn’t 1977, but it was still new enough to where I said, okay, and played in punk bands.

When I was 21, I think I heard Hank Williams on a commercial or something and it was usually someone else doing his songs, really badly. Then I met a great friend of mine, Jerry Bender, who I owe a debt of gratitude to. He was the produce guy at the Piggly Wiggly and lived around the corner from me. I’d have my little punk rock parties and he was my neighbor, just lived right around the corner, and one day he said “your music sucks, I’m bringing my own music”. So he brought over Hank Williams 40 Greatest Hits and you know, it changed my life. Jerry Bender! And that was in the early 80’s. I still played in punk bands until 1994 just because I knew that playing country takes skill and time so I worked on it all those years, but I still played in punk bands to get by.

But my band Gringo got a bunch of great reviews. I thought I was trying to be Hank Williams. I was just so strung out and drunk that I was just kind of lost in that, but those were great records, I was in great bands, but I just ruined it, just played too hard.

Cindy: How do you describe the type of music you play and especially the way you play in your solo act?

Joe Buck: I have to play every song as hard as I can. I mean, that’s the first thing people always come up to me and hug me after a show and say “Oh my God” because I’m soaking wet. Not just a little wet, I mean like somebody just dumped a bunch of water on me. And that’s because, yeah, I play every song as hard as I can. It’s all rooted in old hillbilly music and blues. I’m not doing anything new, I mean, maybe the approach is about something different.

Cindy: Where does all the aggression come from?

Joe Buck: Because I’m pissed off, man. I’m pissed at the way people treat each other, I’m pissed at all the cold blooded greed. I’m so sick of all the bullshit in the world. There’s so much to go around, man. I’m pissed off at mass communication. I’m pissed off at Nashville, you know, as a kid growing up on a farm, instead of having somebody from my area on the radio singing to me, for me, like Hank Williams would’ve been, no, I got fu#@ing Barbara Mandrell. The worst bullshit in the world. So that music didn’t speak to me. I hated that music. I mean, openly as a kid I said I hated country music, so it made me hate where I was from. I had issues and I had to get them out.

I left Nashville and moved to Western Kentucky, just over the border. The people in Nashville were great, it’s the music industry that polluted a whole generation of good country kids. That’s why they’re listening to Fifty Cent right now. They’re adopting a culture that has nothing to do with them. You have to know where you’re from to know where you’re going.

Cindy: I heard you had a show here about a year ago with the infamous Cuz’n Wildweed and the Vapor Rhinos. Something happened at the club, Poes Pub, can you fill us in?

Joe Buck: The Vapor Rhinos had a fog machine that you could’ve put in an arena. So we saw smoke coming out of the club from our RV. Kathy and I looked and there was all this smoke billowing out from the club. You couldn’t see inside the club. The club was completely filled with smoke and it was billowing out the doors. It was like the place was burning down. So we’re running out of the RV to see what’s going on and the Vapor Rhinos were still playing on stage. You couldn’t even see them. It was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. It ran everybody out of the bar, which was even more genius. I was like, yeah, they’ll remember that show forever.

Cindy: What was it like performing with Cuz’n Wildweed?

Joe Buck: Well, I’m glad that Cuz’n Wildweed is here on this planet. What can I say, you rarely meet somebody that has a giving soul, because the majority of us are cancerous, lecherous thieves. So to find somebody like Cuz’n shows me that good people are out there and it gives me hope, otherwise I’d blow my brains out! We’re in this thing for the long haul, and that’s what we need, are people that give a shit.

I promise I will always show up to play as hard as I possibly can. I don’t care if it’s the 20th show of 20 shows in a row, you’re gonna get the same show. You have to give if you’re an artist. It’s the truest thing. And I only learned that from losing everything and being pummeled by everything. Then I realized I didn’t need anything. The only things I need are the things I can carry inside of me.

Cindy: Have there been any spiritual influences or experiences that have helped guide you to where you are now?

Joe Buck: All I need is to not feel worthless, because I was. So, by working so much and playing, those things make me feel good. If I feel something or smile or rock out, whatever it is, then I did something that made somebody feel something, so being able to give them whatever that is and by them feeling something, then I don’t feel worthless. So it’s really as simple as that.

What changed, I have no idea man. It’s like one day, I just can’t explain it. I was almost dead, so I really don’t know. It’s weird too because the dope, I’m around it all the time. It’s so funny. It’s like, here’s the funniest part about your addiction, here’s your job and you’re gonna be surrounded by it and that’s the best way to have it. Keep your enemies close, man. But I never wanted it, and it’s like I said, twenty years of full on crazy and then one day just like, I can’t explain it. I did think I had a dream kind of thing that was like, I gave up all the drugs and pills, it doesn’t matter what it is, it’s all the same thing, so it’s like, if you give up one thing, all the rest of the things that you need in your life will bear themselves.

I was like, man, I’m not stupid, this sounds like a pretty good deal. And that’s pretty much how it worked out. I don’t judge anybody by what they do or what road they’re going down. Everybody’s got to live their own life. And as awful as it was, because there is no glamour in it, you know, it’s just pathetic. I don’t look back on any of this stuff fondly, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m fighting fire with fire, filth with filth, decease with decease.

Cindy: You played with Hank III for years. To anyone that would seem like a perpetual party. How long did the party last before you had enough?

Joe Buck: Well I never had enough of it. That thing was a pro gig man. Yeah, we had fun but we rocked every night, I mean everybody was f@#ked up, you know, you can’t do that shit, you have to almost be an athlete. Yeah, it’s fun, but I mean….there were several things like, this thing now is steady work, and that gives me peace of mind.

Cindy: Your fans now know about the split with you and Hank III. Do you mind telling us what happened?

Joe Buck: First of all, he (Hank III) is a solo artist. I was just a side guy. I mean, he’s had a zillion guys in his band. I mean, it’s about the songs. I loved every minute of that, but I started working (solo) after we played Nashville on Thanksgiving of 2007 and when I started doing this no tours (with Hank III) were booked, so I kept working. You know, and he went on. So that’s what happened, there was no “split”. There was no big decision made, I just never heard from him. So he got another bass player and I was like, okay, I’ll keep touring.

Cindy: Are you happier as a solo artist?

Joe Buck: I’ve always written and played, besides Hank III, I always wrote and sang the songs, so I mean, because I played with him for so long, sure I miss that, but not for the reasons you think. It’s like, I miss my friend. But this thing that I’m doing, you said it, it’s really important and it’s growing like crazy, and yes, when you’re a side guy, you don’t know what’s going on, you know? This way works for me. It gives me huge peace of mind. And then, I love my girlfriend. We’re getting married as soon as I can pull off the road long enough!

Cindy: What’s next for Joe Buck? Are there any new releases we can get excited about?

Joe Buck: I’m recording and I’ll have a new release out by July. I’ll have it ready for the tour with Wayne (Hancock). Oh yeah, Wayne Hancock and Joe Buck are gonna f@#ck up the West Coast man!!!

Cindy: What more really needs to said?

Joe Buck will be playing The Triple on May 12, 2009

You can visit Joe Buck’s website: www.joebuckyourself.com

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Eric Margan And The Red Lions

2009-03-21T17:28:00.003-04:00

by ERIC DE FONTENAY

New York-based indie-chamber rock musicians, Eric Margan & the Red Lions, present their debut release Midnight Book (March 17, 2009/Self-Released). Drawing from years of classical training and a personal devotion to modern jazz and classic rock, the talented songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/front man, Eric Margan, makes an original and sophisticated entrance with an impressive collection of 12 incredible tracks in Midnight Book.
The debut album for 22-year-old Margan resonates as a somber, theatrical novel - complete with love, tragedy, heartbreak, and revival. Midnight Book, as the title might imply, is best experienced from "cover to cover." Midnight Book delivers stellar and distinctive compositions, augmented by ensnaring and intriguing lyrical poetry, leading the listener into an introspective musical journey.

The album opens with "An Ocean Blue", a swirling, seductive tapestry of orchestral grandeur, seemingly emerging from the darkest depths of the piano and sets the stage for a colossal, metaphor-laden song cycle. As the pages of Midnight Book turn, the love story that began so triumphantly begins to unravel in Margan's "A Speckled Mind." It is here that Margan displays the delicate touch of an impressionist painter, through the juxtaposition of orchestral strings combined with a powerful yet poignant drum and bass polyrhythm.

The album's standout "Old Man River" is the turning point in the story, full of grandiose and massively cinematic crescendo. Margan's colorful plot thickens to a soaring climax, telling a story of an estranged marriage - complete with twists, turns, murder and revenge.

Margan appropriately concludes his heavy narrative with the relatively bare instrumentation of strings, piano, voice and guitar. The last notes are imminent, chords that are prepared to leave their final impression - but not without a last fighting chance.

Born and raised in Columbia County of Upstate New York, Eric Margan's musical endeavors started at just nine years old when he began studying flute. It was when he turned 14 that the hobby had become a potential career. He began treading new waters with the formation of his first band - a three-piece rock group in which he was a co-songwriter, bassist, and singer. Margan furthered his bass skills by participating in various jazz ensembles and combos throughout his high school years. Furthering his music studies, he brought together his classical training with his passion for modern rock and live performance with the addition of the talented musicians that make up the Red Lions.

A stellar line-up of musicians was assembled to augment Margan's music on stage, including drummer Jim Bertini, bassists Scott Kellerhouse and Vince Chiarito, keyboardist Zachary Seman and guitarist/flutist/vocalist Johanna Warren. Live performances and Midnight Book also feature various string, woodwind and brass players.

Eric Margan and the Red Lions are rapidly earning the respect and admiration of fans and bands alike, from opening for such acts as the Benevento Russo Duo and L.A.-based Bittersweet, to recording sessions with Pete Seeger and Richie Havens, as well as playing a multitude of shows in the Northeastern United States.

What critics have been saying about Eric Margan and the Red Lions:

"There are a number of acts that are currently creating music right now that I would call good, but I would have to downgrade them to "passable" just so I could get the proper amount of distance to the "great" that I would assess to Eric Margan & The Red Lions. "Midnight Book" should be seen as a "must-have" album…"-NeuFutur Magazine

"Elegant, sophisticated and refreshingly open-hearted, singer-guitarist Margan pens wonderfully literate and melodically inventive songs that he has orchestrated for a most unusual but oh-so effective ensemble of musicians featuring drums, bass, keyboards, violin, cello, clarinet and flute. This is Chamber music for the 21st Century, and it simply sparkles." -Greg Haymes, The Times Union

"Eric Margan's songs and aesthetic are from another time: His musical influences seem drawn entirely from before he was born. His jazz-leaning, ornate, orchestral pop is unlike anything that's come out of the Capital Region in as long as we can remember, and the band's busy gig schedule has amassed them a devoted, even defensive, fan base. Trust us: This band will be going places." -John Brodeur, Metroland

Eric Margan and the Red Lions will begin touring this spring in support of Midnight Book. The confirmed list of shows is as follows:

February 13, The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY February 21, (PRE-CD RELEASE SHOW) The Bowery Poetry Club, New York, NY March 5, Muddy Cup, Albany, NY March 13, (CD RELEASE SHOW) Valentines, Albany, NY March 17, Banjo Jims, New York, NY March 18-22, SXSW Music Festival, Austin, TX March 30, The Living Room, New York, NY April 3, Valentines Upstairs, Albany, NY April 4, Bard College, Annadale-on-Hudson, NY

More dates will be released at Eric Margan

Eric Margan MP3

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GORGEOUS & UNKNOWN HINSON

2009-03-09T23:13:00.007-04:00

GORGEOUS & UNKNOWN HINSON @ CANAL CLUB

It had been many years since I had been to the Canal Club and I decided to attend a show I wasn’t familiar with but I thought the subject matter would be interesting to review. At the time the only act I knew was performing that night was Unknown Hinson. I had never had the pleasure of attending any of Mr. Hinson’s shows, but many of my friends never miss him when he is in town so I decided to find out what all the fuss was about. Much to my surprise, when I walked in the door I heard familiar music and saw familiar faces on the stage during sound check. “Unknown” to me, my friends Gorgeous were opening for Unknown Hinson and suddenly the overpriced $16.50 tickets weren’t so offensive.

Gorgeous, former members of Chrome Daddy Disco, has always been in my opinion the best rockabilly/psychobilly band in Richmond, or anywhere for that matter. I have been going to their shows for well over ten years and still can’t sit still when I hear them play. Sean McClain is in my opinion the best front man on a stage. If you are looking for entertainment, look no further. Sean delivers his cocky one liners and rants along with the most passionate covers, “King Creole”, “Muleskinner Blues”, and the best of the best, “Viva Las Vegas”, plus original songs like “Bloody Valentine”, that cannot be duplicated. Many bands have tried but failed. This band is the real deal down to Jim’s pink paisley James Burton style guitar, to the solid bass and drums that pull everything together and creates the “Sonic Sound” that is the infectious Gorgeous groove. Gorgeous doesn’t play out very often, so seeing them was a real treat and I’m always looking forward to their next show. Thanks guys for giving Elvistra another chance to shake, rattle and roll!

Band Members for Gorgeous:
Sean McClain: vocals, ranting

Jim Wark: Guitar

Greg Wetherford: Drums

Kyle Christian: Bass

The main act, Unknown Hinson, the King of the Country Western Troubadours from Charlotte, NC was not the honky tonk guitar picker I assumed he was. His music is described as country/western/metal/psychobilly/cow punk. What I heard was a very talented blues oriented guitar player with quirky original songs like “Lingerie”, BarbieQ”, and “Alkyhol Withdrawl” which gives him his unique persona, and incredible covers by Hendrix and even Alice Cooper., which won me over immediately.

Unknown Hinson is not just a weird guy with a scary face, although I still can’t figure out how none of his makeup melted during the show. The man barely broke a sweat, very cool indeed. The crowd loved him and it was clear Unknown Hinson has a strong fan base in Richmond, and now I understand why. After the show Mr. Hinson greeted his fans, signed autographs and took pictures with them. He clearly appreciates his followers and treats them well.

In conclusion, the night was filled with the “Unknown”, but it was a top notch show that should’ve had a much bigger crowd to bear witness.

Be sure to check out Unknown Hinson’s CD “Target Practice”
Band website: Unknown Hinson

Band Members for Unknown Hinson:
Unknown Hinson: vocals, guitar

Roger “Tiny” Kohrs: Bass

Frank “The Tank” Sorrell: Percussion

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Video Review for Lamb of God "Set to Fail"

2009-02-25T21:38:00.010-05:00

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

2009-02-15T13:32:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-04T15:02:00.001-05:00

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

2009-02-04T14:57:00.005-05:00

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

2009-02-01T21:04:00.001-05:00

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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WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!

2009-01-28T15:57:00.002-05:00

CASHMERE JUNGLE LORDS @ 3RD WAVE PLAY THE TRIPLE, 1/23/09
Submitted by Cindy Johnson

The show last Saturday was a reunion of sorts for the older, or as I like to call us, “seasoned” crowd of local RVA. Everyone seemed to know someone in one of the bands playing that night because we’ve all been around long enough to know everybody and their friends.

Local band 3rd Wave started the evening off with two sets of hypnotic instrumentals that I normally tune out. Music just isn’t the same without lyrics. But this band made me stop and pay attention immediately because they were playing some of my favorite songs without lyrics and I was so impressed I forgot my judgmental ways and swayed to the music as if no different. I also don’t flock to hear surf music, but I’m beginning to wonder what “surf” is really all about.

I’ve never known an instrumental surf band to play “Walk the Line”, “Whiter Shade of Pale”, or the sexiest version of “Rumble” I’ve ever heard. Then again, I usually am not there to witness, so I have to say if this is what surf music is, I have been converted.

3rd Wave Band Members: Casey Cash – guitar
John Haynor – guitar
Joe Mitchell – bass
Bob Walden - drums

Band website: 3rd Wave

The Cashmere Jungle Lords played the second half of the evening and it had been many years for this “seasoned” Richmonder since she had seen CJL, but I won’t wait as long next time.

The Cashmere Jungle Lords are a well know band in Richmond. They have paid their dues, spent a lot of time playing musical chairs with their band members, but they always seem to come back bigger and better than ever. The band originated over 21 years ago migrating to Oregon Hill to create their unique sound. Of all the bands CJL played with over the years, I have to say opening for The Who in 1998 must have been at the top of their list.

The band describes their sound as “Southern Fried Salsa Surfabilly”. Okay. I’ll accept that. Singer Dominic Carpin is also described as the inventor of “amp surfing”. That’s where you lost me, but all I know is the music is a little rock, a little rockabilly, a little surf, and a whole lotta fun. Did I mention they write their own material and if you knew the guys involved, that makes for some interesting songs. Seeing both of these bands among old and new friends made for another wonderful event at the Triple.
Keep it up Danny and Tiffany, you are making some special memories!

Cashmere Jungle Lord Band Members: Dominic Carpin – guitar & vocals
John Dacey – bass, acoustic guitar & vocals
Todd Woodson – drums
John Moore – percussion

Band Website: Cashmere Jungle Lords

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ELVIS’ BIRTHDAY BASH @ THE PLAZA BOWL FEATURING WRENN MANGUM AND HAMBURGER JAMES

2009-01-17T21:06:00.002-05:00

JANUARY 9, 2009

Elvis Presley would’ve turned 74 on January 8, 2009, so to celebrate, my friends Wrenn Mangum and Hamburger James paid tribute the best way they knew how. By performing a live show at the ever trendy Plaza “Duckpin” Bowl and the result was heartwarming and rockin’!

Wrenn Mangum is known for his love of the King and his massive collection of Elvis songs which he performs solo to perfection. Wrenn doesn’t have to look like Elvis, or even sound exactly like Elvis, because his spiritual connection to Elvis is so strong that you FEEL Elvis and that is the highest compliment I know to give any performer that dares to mess with the King. I was raised on Elvis and saw him live when I was a kid at the Richmond Coliseum in 1974 & 1976 and I know how it feels to feel Elvis, and when Wrenn is performing, Elvis is in the room and he is smiling. Wrenn is the real deal and if you love Elvis or any 50’s music, you should see Wrenn perform at any cost (which is usually a few bucks if anything), because he will haunt you and you will become addicted to the lovely ghosts that surround him when he performs.

Hamburger James’ band members span from here in Richmond all the way to Northern Virginia. I think I saw the first show they did in Richmond and they have come a very long way from playing Rocks in the freezing cold patio bar and very few people brave enough to handle the cold and uncomfortable set up. But I was there and I said to myself, this band gets it. They know what it means to be true rockabilly. They know it takes more than an upright bass to sound rockabilly. You need heart and you have to eat, sleep and drink the music and Hamburger James fulfills all my rockabilly dreams. Their original material is funny, sweet and well written. The ballad “Are You The One” is very tender and intense, and on the other end you have “Rumble Tonight” and “The Ballad Of Hamburger James”, which is funny and clever.

A permanent member of the Hamburger James show now includes Jennifer Vaughan who pays tribute to the late great Janis Martin, who the band was fortunate enough to perform with on her last trip to Richmond before her untimely death. I’m hoping Jen will become a bigger part of the shows and sing more. She and husband vocalist Andy are quite a pair together, quite reminiscent of June and Johnny.

Hamburger James is: Andy Vaughan – lead vocal, rhythm guitar
Jennifer Vaughan – vocals
Bill Pettus – drums
Slawdaddy – electric guitar
Will Armstrong – “Dog House” bass

You can look for Hamburger James’ newest CD, “Last Plane to Memphis” on their website: hamburgerjames
Wrenn’s CD is available on his website: wrennmangum

Writen by Cindy Johnson aka Elvistra
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You can now find our writers on FaceBook

2009-01-17T19:09:00.002-05:00

Yep, our writers blog has just gone live on FaceBook. Now you can see all the new articles from the feed in FaceBook. Baby we are coming up in the world.

If you have not joined FaceBook yet, or just want to find us on it, please click the badge below to enter our pages or sign up.

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Travis St.Charles

2009-01-06T14:32:00.001-05:00

Sitting at a low table at the back of a coffee shop, I looked down at my watch and scanned the dim interior, waiting. I looked at my notes, scatted thoughts and questions I had planned out, deciding on a plan of attack. Looking up again I saw the subject of my interview. Standing at about 6'6, dressed in all black with long dark hair, he was not hard to spot. I studied him for a moment, tattoos of skulls and the like adorned his forearms, and scanning his face revealed a pierced eyebrow and lip. This was the guy all right. Not really knowing what to expect, I stood, waved him over and introduced myself.

Travis St.Charles is a young talent on the Richmond music scene, and over the next hour I learned how this laid back guitarist triumphed in the face of adversity and found his footing in creating and sharing what he loves, music.

C~ Well time to go dig in the archives of your musical life...

St.Charles- Go for it.

C~ first and foremost: How long have you been playing?

St.Charles -All together, about 7 years now.

C~ Just guitar?

St.Charles- [Nods] Mhm.

C~ Nice. When did you know that guitar was what you wanted to play?...Why not be a drummer?

St.Charles - Well, guitar was the first thing I started on. I remember being about...hm, I guess 11 or 12, my mother showed me Metallica, and I remember liking the way Kirk Hammett played, so I guess he was my main inspiration. I tried drums at one point, but I'm really terrible at multitasking, hahaha.

C~ Ha-ha. You anticipated my next question...Any other than Hammett you would like to mention?

St.Charles- Oh a few. The guy that taught me how to play, a guy named Randy Scantling, always said that if, "Kirk Hammett, Dimebag Darrell, and Chuck Schuldiner, all had a bastard love child who played guitar, it would be you." [Laughs and pauses] I don't think I'm as good as any of them, but they're definitely my main influences.

C~ Do you have any main influences outside of musicians?

St.Charles- Both of my parents, but especially my dad. It will probably make me sound like a spoiled brat, but my father always bought at least half of the gear I currently own, he was always helping me out, and was always my biggest supporter. I guess that's really it...

C~ Well we've talked about where your roots are, lets fast forward to the bands in your life. Now I know about Fall of Vanity, can I get a timeline on that one or previous bands?

St.Charles- Sure thing. I joined Fall of Vanity in...the middle of May, 2007, after my previous band, Curse The Memory, had disbanded. Fall of Vanity is definitely the biggest thing I've done so far, including a sold out battle of the bands, in July of 2008. I joined them in May, after their other guitarist had quit the band, and they had a show that weekend, so I had about 5 days to learn four songs. [laughs] That was fun...

C~ ha-ha I can imagine. And now that Fall is sadly no more you are working, or at least attempting to work on, a new band, yes?

St.Charles- Yes, I'm currently -trying- to work on a new band, [laughs]. Setbacks keep happening, but I'm as vigilant as ever, and want to keep going! Right now, it's just myself, a bass player, and a drummer, so we're at least writing songs.

C~ Have you guys come up with a name for this project?

St.Charles- At the moment, no, we don't have a name yet. We agreed that we want at least 4 or 5 songs before we do that.

C~ Writing songs, that’s always an interesting process. Between the three of you how does a song come about?

St.Charles- Between the three of us, I usually write most of the parts. Bryan, (bass) will usually come up with a way, if I'm stuck, on how to either extend a part, harmonize it, or figure out a way to go into the next part. Herbert (drums), is also good at giving suggestions like that. Hell, he figured out how to fix one part of our song the other night.

C~ How often do you guys practice?

St.Charles -At the moment, 2-3 times a week. I tend to write a lot better when I'm on my own, and then we all come together for a structure.

C~ Makes sense...Knowing the band is a fairly new and not yet a whole deal, I understand if this question is tricky, but at the moment, is there a general sound backing the songs?

St.Charles -Well, with the song we have right now, it's interesting. [chuckles and pauses] It starts off as something you might hear on an old In Flames song, and then goes into something you might hear in an As I Lay Dying song, then it goes into a groove oriented part....then back into the fast, thrashy stuff. [as an afterthought] It's a very interesting song. I have one song in the works right now, that's just very, very aggressive, I started writing it after my father died.

C~ I see how something like that would be such a big influence on your music...Where else do you tend to find inspiration, with the band or otherwise?

St.Charles -Honestly, as cliché as it may sound, I draw a lot of my inspiration from my emotions on how I feel, with everyday things, and there’s a lot of stress in my life right now. So everything tends to be much more aggressive. Where as everything I was writing in Fall of Vanity, was very...melodic, and in odd time signatures. I'm still doing that with this new project, but it has more edge to it.

C~ Now obviously every local musician dreams of becoming a successful rockstar, love and adored by all, or hated by all depending on the genre and general look. What is your definition of a "successful rockstar"?

St.Charles -Someone who keeps writing and playing because they enjoy it. They're not out there to really impress anyone, even though we're happy when we do, but on our own terms.

C~ What would you like to say to the scene? To Richmond? If you could sell yourself right now as to why you WILL make it, and what makes you different, what would you say?

St.Charles - I don't write breakdown after breakdown in my songs, and I refuse to work with a vocalist that doesn't write real lyrics. That being said, I devote myself almost fanatically to my music, where as many of the people on the Richmond scene, don't. They just don't care, which is fine, but I do.

C~ I want to thank you for taking the time to talk with me this evening, it is obvious you are passionate and will go places if you keep the attitude you harbor now.

I will do my best to bring you-up to-the-"as-soon-as-I-get-them"-updates on Mr. St.Charles and all of his endeavors. Till then, support your scene, tip your bartenders, and never stop listening!!

C~ Travis, anything you would like to add?

St.Charles- Yeah. Come and see me play!

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THE ARKHAMS @ THE TRIPLE

2008-12-09T18:44:00.001-05:00

THE ARKHAMS @ THE TRIPLE, DEC. 5, 2008
SUBMITTED BY ELVISTRA

The Arkhams played the Triple Friday, Dec. 5, 2008. They were a visiting band from NYC. I already had plans to see another show that night but changed my mind after my trusted friend at Community Chest Booking sent me the bands link to check them out knowing I would be instantly attracted to the fact that they were rockabilly with a twist. By now you all know I am a sucker for an upright bass, so on to the Triple I went and had a salty shakin’ time!

The official Arkhams Bio states that the three piece band is from Queens, New York, and has been quoted as favoring music ending in “-abilly”. They are not your typical rockabilly band. They have a unique sound and are clever enough to play covers that I have never heard of, thinking they were also original material, which makes them extremely talented and versatile for their young years.

Even the bands name is not what you think, unless you read H.P. Lovecraft or Batman comic books. The band formed in 2006 as a side project. They have played with The Meteors (nice belt, Sean), The Koffin Kats, the Chop Tops, Al & the Black Cats & Sasquatch & the Sick-A-Billys. The Arkhams are a relatively new band, but not new to the music scene. Also worth noting is bass player, Matt the Knife, was the winner of the 2007 Heavy Rebel Weekender Upright Bass Slapdown.
And trust me kiddies, he is one speedy string slapper. Like I said, I’m a sucker for an upright bass.

Their full length CD “The Road to Arkham” is now available. Go to www.myspace.com/thearkhams to purchase the CD as well as cool merchandise such as purple bottle opener keychains and green compact mirrors.

Their songs include, “Road to Arkham”, “3 Months, 2 Weeks and @ Days”, “Next Time You See Me”, “She’s Got the Power”, “Hell’s Where All the Good Records Are”, “Revenge”, and “Sally Jones”. The vocals are traded and combined so you never know who you will be hearing on each song, which is a compliment to the band that they can all play and sing at the same time-LOL.
That being said, I had a blast discovering new talent at the Triple, and although visiting RVA, I think I convinced the band to visit us again soon. Very Kool Kitty Kats!

Band Members:

Bobcat – guitar, vocals

Matt the Knife – upright bass, vocals

Seanzi Dirtbag – drums, vocals

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DALE WATSON & THE LONE STAR BAND

2008-10-20T19:52:00.002-04:00

DALE WATSON & THE LONE STAR BAND @ SHENANIGANS, OCT. 13, 2008

Submitted by Elvistra

Dale Watson is one of country music’s true remaining outlaws. His name is usually included in the company of the other outlaws, Merle, Johnny, Lefty, Willie, etc. Dale Watson flies just under the radar and his fans wouldn’t have it any other way. He doesn’t gauge his career by the country music industry’s standards. He plays by his own rules and follows his own path to a sound he has termed “Ameripolitan”. Dale defines this as original music with prominent roots influence, and he has been told “he plays country like country was when country was country. If you can follow that, you know what a huge compliment it is to be told you sing country the way it was meant to be sung, with heart and muddied philosophies and sadness like the way country music sounded when I was a kid.

As most people in Richmond last weekend, I went to the Folk Festival. I went to the Saturday performance of Dale Watson with my elbows on the stage, dead center, best seat in the house, and enjoyed about a 45 minute set of mostly newer songs. Dale played 2 shows that Saturday and another on Sunday.

As great as the folk festival show was, it was the Monday show at my neighborhood hangout, Shenanigans that I was really looking forward to. It’s Dale’s home away from home when he’s in Virginia. I knew before I walked in the door and paid the $15 cover that it would be the best show of the weekend and worth every penny. Considering how much the bands that play the National and Toads charge for their shows, the show Monday night was worth more than the price of admission.

Dale feels so at home at Shenanigans he treats everyone as either a new or old friend and will cater to you every whim, whether its pictures, autographs, shots of tequila, more shots of tequila, actually about a shot per every third or fourth song is how many I determined his “friends” brought to the stage before the first break. Dale’s fans are devoted to him, men and women alike, the gender status is split pretty much down the middle. The band played 2 sets, and with the rounds of drinks coming at such a fast pace, by the second set, things usually get interesting at a Dale Watson show, and this show did not disappoint.

The material covered was varied. Older favorites such as “Don’t Rock No Cradle”, “Exit 109”, and my personal favorite “Country My Ass” along with his special cover of my favorite artist Elvis’ “Viva Las Vegas”. The latest material covered was from “From the Cradle to the Grave” which included “Justice for All”, It’s Not Over Now” and a very interesting version of the Wizard of Oz.

After meeting Mr. Watson for the second time now, I am even more convinced that this band is one of the most loved and yet undervalued group of musicians making that great music we call country.

Band Memebers: Dale Watson - Lead vocals, guitar

Don Pawlak – Pedal steel guitar

Don Raby – 5 string fiddle

David Bowen – Drums

Band website: http://www.dalewatson.com

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TOMMY 2 FINGERS and More @ THE TRIPLE

2008-10-04T13:01:00.000-04:00

TOMMY 2 FINGERS & THE WHY NOTS, OCTANE SAINTS, AND THE RATS

@ THE TRIPLE, SAT. 9/27/08

The triple is getting quite a reputation thanks to the dynamic duo Tiffany Cale and Danny Ingram, who together make up Community Chest Booking, and are responsible for all the excitement at the Triple lately located at 3306 West Broad Street .

The Triple is quickly becoming THE place to be to see great shows and the location is convenient to most areas. And then there are the billiards, to which the neon sign outside boasts. A billiards room was the original theme of the Triple, but now you get two for the price of one. It’s a cool place with cool people taking care of you.

This Saturday night was no exception. The place was packed by the time I got there around 9:30, which told me that this was going to be a good night. Three bands performed, Tommy 2 Fingers and the Why Nots, Octane Saints, and The Rats. These bands consisted of some of the most respected musicians Richmond has to offer, and some of them I had crushes on when they were just little pups starting out back in “the day”. Okay, so I still have crushes on them, but I enjoyed my little nostalgic moment and got back to business.

The opening band was TOMMY 2 FINGERS AND THE WHY NOTS. Formed from various local bands such as Lilly Liver, Blind Brain, Sugar Creek and Uphill Down, this trio uses their punk roots together with cheeky lyrics to express their quoted “I don’t give a ….. attitude” of the genre. With songs like “All my Friends Are Dead”, “Great Personality”, “Kelly Went Gay”, and “Lapdance In Paradise”, you can conclude these guys don’t take themselves too seriously, and that’s pretty refreshing in this all consuming rock star world.

The band has written and recorded an album and is working on the second release.

You can visit Tommy 2 Fingers website at: www.tommy2fingers.com

Band Members: Joey Lasagna -guitar, vocals

Johnny Bactine – bass & background vocals

Danny Crucial – drums @ background vocals

The second band up was the OCTANE SAINTS. For me personally, the Octane Saints experience was like going back to the days when guys really enjoyed playing music together and it was always reflected in the music. This set was a joy from beginning to end. The band formed in 2001 collecting a fan base ranging from rock purists, punks, rockabilly and more. They have become regulars at various rock and roll festivals such as The Heavy Rebel Weekender and Elvisfest.

The songs from the band are no frills and catchy with titles such as “Grind”, “Daddy’s Trash”, “Tear the Meat off the Bone”, “Jailbait”, “Kitty”, “Hell Yeah”, and “Drinkin” which was a special favorite. It was a set I didn’t want to end, but I got some good butt shakin’ in for exercise.

Band Members: Jay Thurman – guitar, vocals

Rock Koplin – guitar, vocals

Tom Strel – bass

Scott Schuppert – drums

Band website: www.octanesaints.com, or www.myspace.com/octanesaints

The headlining band was THE RATS, who is mostly based in Norfolk , VA. One of my old crushes was on guitar player Dan-O, previously of Mudd Helmet, Rocket 69 and Adam West. It was kinda weird seeing how older and mature he is now. Okay, we’re old, but, damn these guys can still play.

Thanks to Jeff, the bass player, I got a brief history of The Rats. Apparently, the guitar player Eric got together with bass player Jeff and started a Ramones tribute band. It didn’t take long for them to want more and they started writing their own songs and became The Rats. They played Baltimore , D.C. , Richmond , the Outer Banks, and after a string of lead guitarists and drummers including Joey and Shon of Reverend D-Ray and the Shockers, their current drummer, Matt came along. They were led to Dan-O’s recording studio and they spent three days recording there first album, “Rats Ass”. Eventually their lead guitarist had to leave the band and Dan-O played guitar on several of the tracks they recorded for the album. Dan-O expressed an interest in joining the band and the rest is The Rats history.

The punk influences on their songs, such as “Norfolk city Rockers”, “Sellin Honey”, “Rats Ass”, Rock & Roll You Over”, “Cathcin’ Flies”, and “Sick of Being your Dog” (my personal favorite), is so strong there was actually moshing to be had in front of the stage. Yes, beer was spilled, people fell down, equipment was compromised, and the vibe was pure electricity. You couldn’t ask for anything more.

Band members: Eric – guitar, vocals

Dan-O – guitar

Jeff – bass

Matt – drums

Band website: www.snakeoilrecordings.com, www.myspace.com/thenorfolkrats

To wrap up I will just say I had a great time seeing old friends and listening to kick ass music and hope these bands continue to play and flourish, because they deserve it. Nuff said. Elvistra signing out.

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BLACK CASH AT THE TOBACCO COMPANY

2008-09-26T17:41:00.001-04:00

BLACK CASH AT THE TOBACCO COMPANY, SAT. SEPT. 20, 2008

Black Cash will say they are a Johnny Cash tribute band. But that is only partially true. The band does much more than throw out familiar Johnny Cash cover songs.
Black Cash carefully chooses songs that entertain, make you want to dance and holler, and also appreciate the more emotional ballads of Johnny Cash that represents the real heart of the man.

Johnny Cash himself spent the latter years of his career covering some very clever songs such as “Rusty Cage” by Soundgarden, “Rowboat” by Tom Petty, and the most popular release before his death, “Hurt”, by Nine Inch Nails. The other half of the songs covered range from both Hank Williams Jr. and Sr., Steve Earle, and alternative group Ween.

So, just as Johnny paid tribute to those he admired, Black Cash pays tribute to the Man in Black with both talent and taste, and there is no question that J.C. would be very touched by the love and dedication that goes into Black Cash and their fans.

As for playing The Tobacco Company, not much has changed in the two years they have been performing weekends there. The crowd ranges from young clubbers and yuppies to older “shockoe slippers” to the people there by accident that stay because they remember when they used to play their Johnny Cash songs on vinyl albums. It makes for an interesting crowd every time and they all have one thing in common, love for country music the way is used to be, proud with no apologies. Thanks Black Cash for keeping the “Family Tradition”.

Black Cash Band:

Matte Black: vocals
Jimbo Black: Lead guitar (electric)
Nathaniel Black: Lead and rhythm guitar (electric)
Damienne Black: Rhythm guitar (acoustic and electric)
Nickodeemus black: Drums, percussion
Jeramiah Black: Bass guitar

Band website: Black Hash Band

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JOE BUCK YOURSELF

2008-09-26T17:36:00.001-04:00

JOE BUCK YOURSELF @ THE TRIPLE, SUN. SEPT. 21, 2008

To some, he’s Hank III’s jumpsuit wearing scary looking upright bass player, to others, he’s just plain scary, but to his fans, he is Joe Buck Yourself, Mutherf@#$er!
Mr. Buck was a one man band Sunday night at the Triple. No Hank III, no upright bass, no huge arena, just one man, one guitar and good ol’ spit, grit and down home hillbilly hellraisin’.

Before the first song was even played, Joe Bucks crowd of disciples were commanded to move up to him as close as possible to feel every ounce of energy and get lost in his evil stare while he took you on his journey of heaven and hell, angels and demons, love, hate, and rage.

Joe Buck songs are not for the meek or timid. His driving rhythms and lyrics are just as intense and disturbing as his persona. The songs performed for hungry crowd included “Hillbilly Pride”, “The Devil is on His Way”, “Planet Seeth”, “Bitter is the Day”, “Music City’s Dead”, and “Are you my Enemy”, which closed out the show and as Joe Buck Yourself stood up and thanked everyone for coming to the show and being such a good crowd, I saw the other side of Joe Buck. He was polite, and downright endearing.

The other exciting element of the show was that the entire set was video taped for Joe Bucks website and to be put on Utube. I took my own video of the last song from my camera and am proud to say it is kicks ass. The crowd participation will be one for the history books.

His fans are the real deal. Joe Buck is an outlaw, and I’m a sucker for an outlaw. It was my first show of Joe Buck’s, but it won’t be my last. After the show we were outside the club helping to load out and a fan asked Joe Buck to play a song on his banjo. Instead of blowing the guy off and getting into his huge RV and getting on the road, we all got to share a special performance of Joe Buck sitting on the curb in the alley behind the club playing banjo to please one fan. To this southern girl, That’s Hillbilly Pride!

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BLACK ROSE WITH SPECIAL GUEST BRITTANY O’NEIL

2008-09-16T18:19:00.003-04:00

BLACK ROSE WITH SPECIAL GUEST BRITTANY O’NEIL @ GRANDPA EDDIE’S SAT. SEPT. 13

Submitted by Elvistra

I haven’t had a chance to do a review in a few weeks, so this article was a special treat and covers two acts that are dear friends and literally cover two generations both in age and music style.

Black Rose played two engrossing sets for the evening, as Grandpa Eddies is a family restaurant/bar and closes early.

Black Rose is: Jean Labelle: vocals, guitar and harmonica
Andre Labelle: percussion
Stevie Gentile: bass

The band originally formed in the same elementary school I actually attended. Their bass player and good friend, Bruce Henn, was taken from us in a fatal car crash early on, and the future of Black Rose seemed uncertain. As time passed they added Stevie G to play bass, knowing Bruce would’ve lovingly approved. Black Rose was now reincarnated, rejuvenated and ready to play again.

This time around, however, the sound would be acoustic, but don’t kid yourself, the power is still there thanks to the relentless Andre Labelle pounding on those drums like he did in the 80’s and 90’s with all the hair metal bands he played with, (some actually famous, like Vinnie Vincent).

The show Saturday was filled with much loved classic rock including some obscure songs you would not expect to hear. Some standard covers are Tom Petty, Bob Segar, The Beatles, Peter Frampton, David Bowie, and my personal favorite, Alice Cooper. Those are the tamer songs of the set, other songs by artists like The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and The Who, really wake you up and get you out on the dance floor thanks yet again to the powerful drums of Andre and Jean and Stevie’s amped energy..

The material is nostalgic and performed with passion and class. Black Rose may have started out at my middle school’s Battle of the Band talent show, but they have matured into a very talented trio that aims to please and leaves you with great memories of songs you probably did naughty things to if you are at least over 35. And if you’re under 35, you really missed out and I have the pictures to prove it!! I guess the bottom line is Black Rose is for everyone because the music is timeless and crosses the age barrier.

That brings me to our second act of the evening, Brittany O’Neil.

Brittany is a fresh new 17 year old singer/songwriter who is nudging her way into the music field one show at a time. It doesn’t hurt that her mom is the beautiful and talented Elana of King Edward and the BD’s and formally of Steppinstone. Naturally trained vocal chords obviously run in the family and Brittany sings with a richness that is well beyond her years.

Brittany was the guest performer with Black Rose and did covers such as Jewel’s “Save Your Soul”, Ben Harper’s “Walk Away”, Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee”, and Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You”.

Britanny also did her own original songs on acoustic guitar with such titles as “From the Balcony”, which mom Elana helped with harmonies, “An Easy Way Out”, which spoke well beyond her youth, “The Homeless Man”, and a duet with Grace DeValk called “I’ve Learned”.

Brittany’s lyrics are solid and truthful and tell a very realistic story of a girl turning quickly into a woman with a beautiful and shining future ahead of her and many, many more gigs to perform.

The support Brittany was shown by her family and friends was obvious when you looked around the room and the majority of people were 18 and under, and sang along with every word. Now that’s impressive, for a musician of any age. Congrats, kiddo, you done good.

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SPEED8LIMIT @ DADDIO’S SAT. SEPT. 13

2008-09-16T18:18:00.002-04:00

SPEED8LIMIT (AKA RICK & ROD) @ DADDIO’S SAT. SEPT. 13

Submitted by Elvistra

Rick and Rod Hollowell are twin brothers who perform in an acoustic duo covering songs that are classic rock, country, rap, and everything else you can imagine. Rick and Rod both play guitar and sing and offer traditional and not so traditional covers. My particular favorite song of the evening was The Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight for your Right to Party”, or whatever the title is. It gave me the boost I needed considering the bars coffee pot was broken at Daddio’s and I had already seen two acts that evening.

Some other artists Speed8Limit cover are Tom Petty, Steppenwolf, Jet, Grateful Dead, Violent Femmes, Pearl Jam, The Doors, Nirvana, The Rolling Stones, Buck Cherry (sorry I missed that one), Smashing Pumpkins, and Poison, just to give you a hint of the variety involved.

Saturday night at the newly renovated Daddio’s was a typically crowded one with some patrons playing pool in the back, others hanging out at the bar, and some dancing to the band. I became one of those dancers toward the end of the evening, which doesn’t usually happen, but the positive and fun energy Rick and Rod threw out was contagious and I left on a happy note, looking forward to catching another show very soon.

Upcoming shows for Speed8Limit will be posted on my October Events Schedule

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You’re that damn good! No, really.

2008-08-12T16:21:00.007-04:00

By: Forest George

This idea came to me from my experiences watching different bands. Richmond Music is very subjective, because everybody tries to play and find a gig. Depending on which part of the city you’re in, you’ll find a collection of different bands playing somewhere.

Today I want to focus on just a fraction of Richmond Music with the female singer. As a male of the human species, most of us are awestruck by the female singing voice. It doesn’t hurt if they’re drop-dead gorgeous either. They also have a childlike ambition when it comes to their singing. The good ones appear to have the most fun, and use their talents to help their respective bands.

It was hard to rate these women, as each one was talented in their own way and it was almost like comparing apples to oranges. I have, however, attempted to formulate a short list of my top-ten female singers, and the bands they respectfully play for.

1. Sarah Gleason: The lead female singer of The Velvet Maria’s, fronted by lead/rhythm guitarist John Ran Smith. Without Gleason, the band would still be a very powerful country twang group with the talents of lead guitarist Paul Pearce, drummer Jorge Santamaria, and bassist Michael Skiffington. With Gleason, however, it allows them to cover a wide range of songs that would not fit the group’s motif. Songs like “Come Together,” “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” (duet with John Ran Smith), “Mustang Sally,” “Never Been to Spain,” “Me and Bobby MaGee” and “Drunken Angel.” This beauty has the looks of Grace Slick, the (in theory) drinking habits of Janis Joplin, along with the Janis Joplin wardrobe, and the voice of a rough and tough angel. She’d probably try any cover once, and may throw some original material on us soon.

The Velvet Maria’s

2. Krista Crandall: If you had come up to me fifteen years ago, and told me that the then Krista Bolton, class of Douglas Freeman 1996, would end up as one of the female singers in perhaps the greatest cover band in Richmond, I would have called you crazy. Sure she was talented in 1995-96 when she got rare opportunities to do solo High School Musical songs, or even more rare Pep Rally singing spots, but hearing her belting out flawless covers of Gretchen Wilson’s “Here for the Party,” “All Jacked Up,” and “Redneck Woman” just amazes me. Without her, The Wrest already had a very talented, female vocalist with Jane Cooper, but Crandall’s wild, crazy, impish, and hyperactive nature should not be ignored for its sheer entertainment value alone. The current Friday-night female singer of Pat O’Brien’s fronted band “The Wrest” has been providing excellent country covers of Terri Clark, Gretchen Wilson, Blondie, and even Katrina and the Waves for about three years.

The Wrest

3. Sister Sweet: It would be hard to separate the duo of Tina Marie and Jessica Salomonsky, as they both have the same great look, and about the same talent. These two guitar-wielding beauties not only have amazing singing voices, but they love to write songs, and change songs to fit their singing style. The best example of their rearrangements would be the Beatles’ “Drive My Car,” which becomes more atoned to their styling, which resembles Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crowe, and a pinch of the Indigo Girls. It doesn’t hurt they both have the Sheryl Crowe look down to a tee, and provide grace and beauty with their singing, guitar playing, and their appearances. Along with Tom Crosby on bass, and Mark Henderson on drums, and maybe a few more surprises in the future, Sister Sweet is becoming a force upon the Richmond Music scene.

Sister Sweet

4. Rachel Garfi: A newcomer to the Richmond Music scene, this already sassy 19-year old New Jersey girl, raised in Powhatan has turned some heads with her country singing voice. She is currently the protégé of Crazy Linda Sheridan, whom the two formed the abstract singing combination of Royal Pain. In that singing group, Sheridan provides the rhythmic guitar, and crazy cover songs, while Garfi provides her own craziness and amazing covers of Gretchen Wilson and rare Terri Clark covers. She also provides a country western cover of Britney Spears “Toxic.” Along with Sheridan, a third member of the Royal Pain crew is their manager/guitarist Shane Parch. With Parch and Sheridan, Garfi is also attempting on writing and singing original country music titles on her own.

Royal Pain

5. Jane Cooper: Without either female vocalist, The Wrest might still be the greatest cover band in Richmond. Pat O’Brien and Tommy Hughes are great singers and both are masters of the guitar, with Hughes also a master of the bass, banjo, and mandolin. Percussionist Jim White is also an amazing singer, and Stu Grimes is an excellent drummer. Of course, a perfect cover band needs a female singer, and Cooper filled the missing piece of that puzzle starting in 1999. Unlike Crandall, Cooper is more laid back in her nature, although still vibrant with energy. Vocally, however, she is more mature and her singing subtext is slightly different. Cooper currently provides entertainment at Sharky’s as the “Wednesday night chick.”

The Wrest

6. Jennifer Vaughn: Although the wife of Hamburger James’ lead singer and acoustic guitarist, Andy Vaughn, isn’t an actual member of the band, her Janis Martin/Wanda Jackson style of voice was used on Hamburger James’ album “Last Plane to Memphis” and on their live shows. As a band primary focused on the Rockabilly era of music that included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and other great artists; Hamburger James brings the spirit of the 1950’s Elvis Presley to Richmond. Some may be historically inclined to hear a female singing style that was around before Janis Joplin, which is very similar to a style female country stars kind of use today. So while (Jennifer) Vaughn isn’t used much, she rocks it down with her husband and friends.

Hamburger James

7. Casandra Cossitt: Although, an older and more mature woman, Cossitt brings the old school, country spirit of Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells to Richmond. Cossitt and her sister, Octavia Carpin, have written some very cool original old-style country music like “The Ballad of Katie Gallows,” “Walk Away,” and Evil for You.” These two sisters, along with John Hanor (lead guitar), Mike Tighe (fiddle), and David Stover (drums) have created “Buttercup.” With their old style state fair country outfits accompanying their music, they truly are throwbacks to the artistic styles of Cline, Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin, Merle Haggard, Jim Reeves, Hank Williams, and other fine old school country artists.

Buttercup

8. Susan Greenbaum: A former businesswoman, who decided to move to Richmond and focus on songwriting. Greenbaum is a known veteran in the Virginia area, and is a masterful singer and songwriter. She’s been around for over ten years, and for people who enjoy Joan Baez would like Greenbaum’s singing style. She has released several albums and is a local fixture of female music entertainment. She portrays an interesting, and entertaining persona, along with her singing.

Susan Greenbaum

9. Linda Sheridan: It’s hard to describe Linda Sheridan with the written language. The mother of three kids always the itch to entertain, and did so in her wild partying youth in the 1970’s and 80’s. She is truly abstract in nature, with an obsession for both music and art. Admittedly crazy in nature, Sheridan would sell you on head-turning, abstract craziness. Doing weird, unexpected covers like Clarence Carter’s “Patches,” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Sprit,” the German version of Peter Gabriel’s “Shock the Monkey” (“Schock Den Affen”), and the German version of the Beatles’ “I want to Hold Your Hand” (“Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand.”) When she is not doing comedy pieces, her amazingly low bass voice works on old blues songs and Beatle covers with Shane Parch. Always expect the unexpected when dealing with Linda Sheridan.

Royal Pain

10. Judy Guy: A singer, and recorder player for Richmond’s Irish Pub band Uisce Beatha, a band that just loves to sing for their friends, the patrons of Rare Olde Times. The band specializes in old Irish Folk Songs, along with covers of almost anything, including the Beatles, the Everly Brothers, Tom Petty, and much more. The band includes Jim Guy on vocals and guitar, Dan Guy on vocals, guitar, bohran, and great William Shatner impersonations, Ed Tatum on lead guitar, and sometimes Matt Davis or Sajji Hussain on the bass. (Judy) Guy impresses on Irish Folk songs, and did an impressive cover of “White Rabbit.”

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Scott H. Biram at Iota Club

2008-08-11T16:17:00.006-04:00

Scott H. Biram at Iota Club, NOVA
Thursday, August 7, 2008
By: Cindy Johnson
aka Elvistra

Scott H. Biram , known by his fans as the “Dirty Old One Man Band”, played to an anxious crowd at the Iota Club in NOVa last week. Mr. Biram is indeed a one man band.

He plays a very beat up 1959 Gibson guitar, mouth harp, has an impressive and colorful array of effect pedals, three microphones bound together with tape and cables, and a chair where he stays seated to make use of his special amplified left foot pedal which furthers the sound effects Biram incorporates into his one man show.

The vocal sound that Biram projects makes him sound like an old blues singer from the swamp, when in reality Scott Biram looks to be in his early thirties. We got to the club early and the friend I traveled with knows Biram quite well which allowed me chance to hang out with him a while before his set started and listen to funny stories about his escapades on the road, and the random people he has met along the way. Biram seems to be your average country boy from Austin , TX , who loves his family and shops at Wal-Mart.

Biram also knows what it is to suffer. He was nearly killed in 2003 when his car was struck head on by an 18 wheeler. He survived certain death and has been celebrating life ever since.

Scott Biram’s music is gritty and soulful and makes you feel a certain pain and anger followed by laughter and hope from up above. Biram attacks all your emotions at once and that is what truly makes his performance memorable.

Songs like “Blood, Sweat and Murder” evoke the aggression of punk and metal, while keeping it’s hillbilly, country and blues roots. It’s something for everyone and his true story ballads like “Sweet Thing” validates what a versatile writer he is, and, although it shows a softer side of Biram, he also lashes out when hurt and the audience feels every part of it.

I guess the coolest thing about Scott H. Biram is that you leave one of his shows feeling like you just made a friend for life. I know the next time I see him, he will remember me as “Miss Cindy” and it will be a wonderful evening. Scott doesn’t know when he will be able to make it to Richmond again, but at least he know he’s wanted.

You can visit Scott H. Biram’s MySpace site listed under: Scott H. Biram, or visit his personal website at ScottBiram.Com. He has very cool merchandise and CD’s for sale on both sites.

Check out some photos:

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The Dregs at Banditos

2008-08-11T12:18:00.009-04:00

The Dregs at Banditos
Wed. August 6, 2008
By: Cindy Johnson
aka Elvistra

This is my first entry for MusicRVA. I am very excited to have my first local band review be for a local band that I truly respect and admire and am proud to call my friends.

Last night the Dregs played two energetic sets at the newly-rejuvenated music venue Banditos on Patterson Ave. in the fan. That’s’ right, Banditos means live music once again and not a moment too soon. It’s becoming considerably difficult to get local bands booked in good ol’ RVA, and having a venue like Banditos open to booking local musicians is very exciting for the bands and the fans.

As for the Dregs, who began their musical journey in 2006, they turned out a small but mighty crowd and gave the audience their sweaty best. This bands ability to combine the past and the present of covers and originals is addictive and their original songs are filled with lyrics and beats that make you laugh and pump your fist at the same time.

Writing partners Kim Schneck and Bruce Smith have an uncanny ability to put lyric and music together to make you think you must be listening to an old blues or rockabilly song you never knew existed. The material is clever and catchy.

When you combine Bruce’s “swamp blues” guitar licks, Hank slapping the upright bass, Blee pounding the drums, and Kim singing with the energy and passion of the late great Janis Martin, you just can’t resist getting out of your chair and dancing and slapping your knee to the best local music Richmond has to offer.

The Dregs next show will be in September at Poes Pub and if you like the sounds of rockabilly swamp blues, you better be there!

The Dregs have a new CD entitled “River City Rock and Roll” for $5. See there website for details.

The Band:

Kim Schneck Frauerbach – lead vocals

Hank Frauerbach – upright bass, vocals

Bruce Smith – Lead guitar, vocals

Blee Child – percussion, vocals

Band website: RiverCityRockAndRoll.Com

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Halflit Halo at the Canal Club

2008-08-03T14:07:00.006-04:00

Halflit Halo burns bright.

Late last year the rock scene in Richmond VA had some big things happening; some of the best known bands on the scene were breaking up and reforming, only to find that they couldn’t get the “right fit” for their personal and professional taste. In September 2007 Jeb Bach, Peyton Dowdy (formally of Fallen Under) and Chris White decided to give this “new band thing” a shot. After finding local vocal talent Kevin Hagaman (formally of Memory Fade, Fail-Safe, and Kabura) and drummer Stuart “Tripp” Coughlin (formally of Chalkline Beauty) the stage was set and Halflit Halo was born.

Walking in to Canal Club I was a bit skeptical at first, I had heard good things about these guys, personally and musically, but I have always been one to not believe everything I hear and only half of what I read, so I got my hands X‘ed and with innate curiosity surveyed the club. Immediately upon scanning CC I noticed five guys that seemed to be everywhere at once, from the bar to the stage to the tables in between their energy was unparalleled, this I said to myself should be quite the show.

Searching for Timothy got up on stage and opened up the show with a blast of energy and an amazing sound that really got the crowd going. After the intensity that was SFT the next band had a lot to live up to, As Summer Dies a hardcore band from Buffalo NY, rocked the house with a sound and light show that left us all wondering, how can any band top that?

With intense vocals, haunting melodies and copious amounts of energy, Halflit Halo took to the stage and summoned every ounce of emotion and talent they could muster. The fans and the other bands looked on in awe as the first notes of the set rang out. One could easily get lost in the passionate and poignant lyrics of “The Passing” and as they slipped into “Bitter End” and “Eulogy in Transilence” I was struck with a realization: these songs were not just something written to fill a record, each one of these pieces of art meant something to them and in turn conveyed the deepest emotions that seem to get lost in Halflit Halos’ offstage happy-go-lucky personas. However the night was not all dark and heavy, in between songs the mood was upbeat and lively as the guys joked around and laughed about this and that. After “Seeping”, “Say Goodbye” and “Fire Escape from Purgatory” (a personal favorite) they revealed a guest singer for their last song, “Divine Judgment”. A more hardcore song, Gregg Reynolds, jumped up on stage and screamed right on time, complementing Hagaman’s voice beautifully; it was truly a marvelous ending to a spectacular show.

Halflit Halo definitely has proven themselves time and time again as a new force to be reckoned with on the scene, with a stunning live show and a mastered sound that’s all their own, these guys are sure to be a staple on the RVA circuit for a long time to come.

For more info where you can catch HH next, check out the bands official myspace at

HalflitHalo

Author: Crystal Snyder
Crystals MusicRVA Profile

Thousand Yard Stare Review at Alley Katz

2008-07-26T19:11:00.003-04:00

Thousand Yard Stare- RVA
Alley Katz, 7/25/08, 10:00PM

A Taste of Thousand Yard Stare

2007 was a great year for the RVA metal scene, with spectacular bands coming out of the woodworks like college kids to beer, it really was a year to go big or go home. If one was to ask around for the best bands in the local metal niche the answers found would vary greatly, but there would be one definite constant, Thousand Yard Stare. Founded in 2006 by Jason Brown and Scot Long (both formerly of Undone and Preshus) and rounding out their sound with Rodney Barnett, Garrett Grubbs (formerly of 15 Minutes of Shame) and Chris Rutherford (former singer for Preshus) these guys enjoyed much success in the local scene, but change was coming.

Fast forward to February of 2008, Thousand Yard Stare hadn’t had a show since November and was searching for a new guitarist. Hope was not far off, however, because out of the ashes of Burn to the Core stepped Ben Rinker ready to take on duties as axeman for this metal machine. After five months holed up in practice and writing, local metal heads held their breath when TYS made the announcement that they would return to the stage, at non-other than Alley Katz.

Many of the locals wondered if these metal mad dogs would have the same power they once had, could they reclaim the title as one of Richmond’s best? Even after a seven month disappearance and a change in the lineup?

At 10:00 on July 25th I found myself walking through the familiar foyer of Alley Katz to find out just that. Standing in the familiar smoke filled room, I saw many faces I had become accustomed to seeing at only the best shows, these were the faces of guys and chicks who knew their metal, and this was judgment day. The chilled atmosphere surrounding the crowd during the first bands set, slowly became more attentive and tense as the members of TYS started to recede back to corner where their instruments waited. Watching the crowd I noticed a keen sense of curiosity over Rinka, the new comer, there was some buzz about if indeed he could compare to Rodney Barnett, a key component in the TYS of yesteryear.

Tuning came and tuning went, without even a hint of what was to come, these guys were good at keeping a crowd in suspense. All eyes in the room were on the stage and it seemed as though even the walls held their breath, the lights went down and Rutherford stepped up to the mic, and after a shout out of “what’s up Richmond?” came a thunderous assault on the ears, Thousand Yard Stare had returned.

With heavy riffs, machine gun rhythm and melodic madness right out of the gate, it was clear from the first note that they were here to conquer. From “Residence” to “A Chance Meeting” to “The Dead in The Corner” Rutherford’s powerful vocals and primal screams were dead on, and with Brown, Long, Grubbs, and Rinka doing their thing as only the best can, it became clear that not only had Thousand Yard Stare returned, Thousand Yard Stare was here to stay.

After a few shout outs and thank yous from the band (Chris from Alley Katz, Justin from Saint Diablo (for running lights), The Bartender, NUMA, Remembrance, and Halflit Halo) The band proceeded to dedicate a song, “Fascist Freaks,” to Rob Baylor (original member of Preshus) who couldn’t resist the opportunity to rejoin his old bandmates, and jumped up on the stage to sing.

The crowd was going nuts from the first note to the last, the moshing got intense and the head banging even more so, Thousand Yard Stare is incredible blend of raw talent, high energy, in your face metal, that is sure to raise the standard of new and old bands alike. A live show shouldn’t be missed.

By: Crystal Snyder

Music and Mayhem: The Metal Scene of Richmond Virginia

2008-07-23T12:59:00.004-04:00

Richmond is a city unlike any other, it is a city that over the years has seen more than its share of violence, reform, and peace. This history has shaped the culture in many ways, but the thing I’m most interested in is how this city’s rough past lends itself to the sound of its metal scene today.

Walking down Mainstreet Richmond it is 9:30 at night and my friends and I are all carefully reading the street signs, there is one we don’t want to miss again. Suddenly I spot it- Walnut Alley, so I speak up “ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived.” the crew and I turn down the alley. There is a small door to the right with the words “Alley Katz” on it in chipping, peeling paint. This is our final destination.

Upon opening the door our eyes have to adjust to the light, the familiar smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke softly plays with our senses. “money and ids! Have money and ids ready!” a rather beefy security guard is sitting at the counter, he is a nice guy but a little impatient.

I go first, “Age?” he asks, “18” I reply. He looks at the id then looks at me, satisfied, he takes my money and puts “Xs” on my hands. My friends are put through the same procedure. When all of us are stamped, we walk through another doorway and take a small, dark, narrow hall that veers off to the left. The end of this passageway opens up into a large, dimly lit room. Immediately there is a change in smells. The cigarette smoke and alcohol seem almost stifling but as my lungs adjust, the smell becomes just another part of the experience and almost comforting.

Walking up to the stage I scan the sea of fifty or so people there already. Ripped jeans, dark eyeliner, band shirts, long hair, tattoos, an odd piercings are the norm for this crowd. I’m looking for one person in particular, “Crystal” I hear the familiar voice of my cousin off to my right, “Hey!” I reply and we hug. “Nice turnout tonight eh?” I say, “Yeah” he replies, this show is his bands debut and he is trying to conceal his excitement.

Ben motions for me to follow him, I leave my friends and walk with him to the back where the musicians instruments are sitting, waiting for their for their time. Ben shows me a sticker the band had made, a sticker that showcased a design that I had created for them. “That’s awesome!” I exclaim, and Ben looks pleased with my reaction.

By this time the first band has taken the stage and their first set has begun. Their music is so loud I can feel it in my bones, a feeling that cannot be matched by anything else on earth. When the music starts it fills the endless caverns of the mind with thoughts and images only found in the darkest corners of the human soul. It feeds upon the energy, emotions and thoughts of the listener leaving one helpless to the raw talent pounding through the speakers. It is this kind of assault on the senses that Richmond metal lovers live for.

One of Ben’s band mates walks over and yells something in his ear. Ben looks up, his face lit with excitement, a devilish grin crosses his face as he turns to go. I watch him walk away with a swagger only a true rockstar could pull off. He’s excited, he’s nervous but mostly he’s confidant. I know this show is going to be spectacular.

Several events leading up to that night at Alley Katz had peaked my interest in the local metal scene. One being the promotion before and after the Avenged Sevenfold concert at local hotspot Toads Place. Many of the local bands, knowing the type of audience Avenged Sevenfold attracts, were set up outside, passing out stickers, CDs, and flyers to anyone they could.

The next day I met up with Ben at the family Thanksgiving get-together. Ben had no idea I was into metal and I had no idea that he was in a metal band. He invited me to their debut show at Alley Katz and opened up a Pandora’s Box into a whole new world, and I thirsted for knowledge about this gritty underworld of local metal.

When did it come about? How had it changed? What is the cultural connection? And where can I get one of those awesome belts? Ok, so scratch that last question, but regardless of the awesome belt or not, I still wanted to investigate the rest.

The groundwork for Richmond’s metal scene was laid 147 years ago. In 1861 the most recent war to be fought on American soil began, it was a war that pitted Southern Americans against their Northern counterparts, and Richmond was right in the middle. Bodies in the street and the James River running red with blood was a common sight in this dark time in Richmond’s history. The city that once strived with life had been completely torched twice and was now forced to admit defeat. However the Southern heart still pulsed with pride and this coupled with its angry history led Richmond to develop its own sound, an infusion of folk and Southern rock, sprinkled with the heated passion of the city’s inhabitants forefathers.

Reconstruction came and went ,as did the turn of the century and as Americas landscape changed new music began seeping into the cultural cesspool. New Orleans had jazz and blues, New York had disco, Seattle had grunge, and Los Angeles had psychedelic drug induced music. For a while it seemed that the music scene had become stagnant in Richmond Virginia, but something was brewing under the surface, something dark, something heavy, a beast that would be nigh untamable, metal was coming.

In 1990 three floor mates at Virginia Commonwealth University realized they had a small problem; nobody was playing the type of music they liked. Sure there were some great punk bands but they wanted something more Black Sabbath than The Sex Pistols. So Mark Morton, Chris Adler and John Campbell came to one conclusion, they had to start their own band, thus Lamb of God was born.

Lamb of God didn’t reach their full potential until around early 2000. Over the course of the 90s the band had been a constant staple on the tight-knit local scene, however they had gone through a few lineup changes due to wishes for higher education and differences in opinion of band direction, leaving them crippled with a lack of stability. It was in 1999 that the permanent line up of Lamb of God which included founding members Morton, Campbell, and Adler along with Randy Blythe on vocals and Adler’s younger brother Willie on guitar was formed.

This new found stability and a rigid practice schedule, set the stage for stardom for these old dominion born boys, but the success of Lamb of God would prove to be much more than a dream come true, it would in fact become the driving force of the American metal movement, and Richmond Virginia became the perfect home for the hardcore.

Alongside Lamb of God the rise of GWAR, Strike Anywhere , Agnostic Front, and Avail have all received national recognition for their music, along with national underground favorites such as Four Walls Falling, Swamp Thing, Bracewar, Cast Aside, Impulse and Ten-33. I got curious during my research, I wondered if with all of the hardcore resurgence and the spotlight glaring on Richmond if there was a pressure on the smaller local bands to “fit the mold“

Who better to ask than a member of a local band? When I asked if there was a “pressure to fit the mold” Ben Rinker of Thousand Yard Stare had this to say;
“Not at all, we’re just fortunate to live in a place where bands can get noticed. RVA is a great jumping off spot for local bands. There’s no pressure at all because first and foremost music is about expression, and as long as you’re happy with what you do then that’s all that matters. Some bands have worked really hard to get where they are in their careers to be able to do this for a living. Sure everyone dreams of being rockstars but we all are local rockstars in our own little way. we play because it feels good to play. It feels good to be creative, and it feels good knowing that everyone has a blast at local shows.”(Interview: Ben Rinker)

Ben mentioned having to work really hard to be able to do this for a living, I held the belief that this was a true statement any where if a band was on the local level, I soon however found out otherwise. John Campbell of the afore mentioned internationally acclaimed Lamb of God was quoted as saying;
"To this day, we practice five days a week out of necessity. The bands in Richmond can flat outplay you and if you don't practice, they will blow you off the stage”

Back at Alley Katz as I watch Burn to the Core take the stage and start setting up, many questions are running through my mind, I love my cousin dearly but being that this is not only their debut to the world, but the debut for me as well and, considering I have brought my friends with me I hope he wont let me down.

The radio “filler” entertainment has come on as we all hold our breath waiting for the tuning to begin. I scan the room for my friends, they have scattered here and there, talking to the other bands who mingle with the crowd and I busy myself by finding the bassist from the first band and asking him about their merchandise and any promo deals I can scratch up.

After some small talk, I walk with him up to the stage. My friends migrate to where I am as the last note of the tuning process hangs in the air, this is it, no turning back. I take a quick sweeping glance around the room all eyes were on the stage. Then it happens, the first note, that first chord rings out and the crowd around me goes nuts. The power surging from the instruments that have been sitting so docile before is surreal, I can feel it coursing through every fiber of my being. For a moment I look away from the band and see the look on the faces of the crowd and for a single moment it takes me back to the crowd at the Avenged Sevenfold show, the pure awe that takes over their countenance and the look in their eyes are reminiscent of not a local show in a shiesty bar but of a sold out concert in Madison Square Gardens. I realized at that moment I was staring at the heartbeat that pumps the blood of the underground metal scene not only in Richmond but across the nation. I can see what Lamb of God has to be so worried about.

I look over at the bassist for the first band and he too is seemingly in shock, and as I turn my attention back to the stage I can see Ben in a whole new light, he’s not just my cousin, he’s not just another guy in a band, Ben is a rockstar plain and simple. And the other bands in the room, came to that very same conclusion that night.

I sat down and had a chat with Saint Diablo, a local band that has had some widespread acclaim along the east coast. I asked them, from a traveling bands perspective, how is the Richmond metal scene different from any other city? Their reply confirmed my belief that history does have a role on the sound of the hardcore sound of Richmond.

“The scene here in Richmond is great! All the bands support each other, from the guys that are just starting to the bands that are signed! You can go out to any metal show here and you will see really good bands! Richmond has a lot of talented bands. We (Saint Diablo) are on the road a lot and we always hear how much other bands want to play in Richmond. A few years ago I think the fan base here for metal wasn’t that great, but now with new clubs opening up and more traffic for outside of the area to come in has help bring life back to the crowds and bands that are here! I think this town has always been a heavy based music scene and its good to see it stronger than ever now!!!”(interview: Saint Diablo)

Little echoes of our great city’s history are every where, from the historic buildings and the old money last names, to the huge oak trees and timely traditions to the museums and cemeteries filled with reminders of great Richmonders long dead, nothing in the city is without a story, and the Richmond metal scene is bringing that story to life one beat, one chord, one scream at a time. The camaraderie felt by the bands is much like that of the soldiers, the bass notes are the sound of them marching off to battle, the drumbeats are the cannons, and the primal screams are the agony of defeat in a city so proud.

However the music does differ in one way to war and the agonies of unrest, the music brings people together, people seek refuge amidst the shiesty bars and dubious clubs. These people do not see just the history but they see the future, they see peace and solace in this gritty world, in Ben’s words;
“the Richmond scene is like a big incestuous family, there’s always bands splitting up and new ones forming….”(Interview: Ben Rinker) Old endings and new beginnings Richmond is a phoenix, her wings are the music in her streets but her heart, muscle and soul belong to her metal scene.

By Crystal Snyder

The Prospect of Real Rap

2008-07-14T17:53:00.003-04:00

About three years ago at a small and frequently visited night spot in Warsaw, Virginia, namely Anna’s, two of the most well rounded musicians the Northern Neck has to offer met for the first time and began a musical career as both friends and occasional partners.

The night began as most nights do at Anna’s, enjoying a few drinks while listening to various strangers and friends trying their voices at karaoke. As the night progressed, J Rock was approached by Brian Sprouse, a friend of Prospect South, and was asked if interested in doing a free style session with Prospect South. Not a typical free style battle, but more of a game of wits and a friendly jam session, J Rock agreed and along with Prospect South, they made their mark and began a friendship that has helped both musical careers along, and has now grown into a brotherhood or adoptive family.

Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines the word prospect as, “…an extensive view and/or the act of looking forward“. Furthermore Merriam-Webster‘s Online Dictionary also offers, “…prospect also implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest and concern“. All of the above meanings and definitions apply to an artist from Hendersonville, North Carolina, Prospect South, who firmly believes in karma (what goes around, comes around), and hopes to open people’s eyes and change the world with his music.

Thomas Clinton Elkins, aka Prospect South, uses inspiration from his personal life and experiences to create dynamic synthesized sounds and electronic beats, accompanied by vocals that demand your attention and make you think, both evident in his original song “Originality by Definition”. Prospect South ensures a good show, by getting into the zone, and getting the crowd into his music and performance. His music not only appeals to fans who fall into the Rap and Hip Hop genres, but also anyone who is willing to listen and to people who want to learn. He has released two records, Southern Engineer and Change the World, which will be made available to itunes, Napster, Rhapsody, and Emusic in the near future.

J Rock, aka Jerrell Golden, hails from the Northern Neck town of Tappahannock, where one day during high school study hall, he and his friend Clarence Taylor were visiting a website, when his first performance name, Golden Boy was born. With the help of his home boys, the name stuck, and shortly after he and some friend started a group Solja Squad. Later on in his musical career J Rock left Solja Squad and joined Zero Professionals, then deciding to bring real rap back into the fold, he left and started his new career as J Rock.

Since graduating and striking out on his own, J Rock has played many shows, including Tappahannock’s annual summer event, Rivafest, and has recorded a demo entitled Thinking Out Loud Part Two: The Birth of My Grind. Along with the help of friend and adoptive brother Prospect South, J Rock has risen above conflict and strife in the refreshing and monumental task of bringing real rap back into the musical fold. He has done this with bold lyrics, a free thinking mentality and the ability to improvise and get into the zone, while producing songs and compositions that define him and what he represents. The thing that aids J Rock in his musical career is that his music is not aimed at on demographics, but appeals to a diverse fan vase, and welcomes anyone who wants to experience a fresher side of rap. J Rock describes his fan base and directed audience as “anyone who and everyone who is willing to listen“. It is this concept that helps drive J Rock and continues to boost his reputation.

Since their first meeting, the two musicians have recorded demos, separately and together, played shows, and helped each other along. But first and foremost, as both will tell you, they are not just friends but a part of each other’s family. “Prospect is my thesaurus, my encyclopedia, and my internet man. If I can’t think of a word or definition or if my web pages need work, this is my go to man, he’s almost like my step father or brother”, says J Rock of the bond they share. “I totally agree with J (Rock), if he needs me I’m there and vice versa, believe it or not, if I stutter or lose my place he can pick it back up for me”, Prospect offers about the friendship. These two friends and adoptive family members produce good music, both separately and together, have a good time, and help each other along when the other needs it. This gives them a unique advantage over other artists and musicians in the Northern Neck- the ability to gain valuable insight from another musician at a moments notice, and receive beneficial feedback and necessary criticism.

Both J Rock and Prospect South are currently working on their next albums, making their names and music known, and building their musical careers and reputations. Prospect hopes to release his next demo and promote his music within the next year, and also hopes to show mainstream music something new and fresh and change the way people listen to music over the next few years. J Rock and Prospect South would both like to thank the fans and BFLC, and Brian Sprouse. Namely Prospect thanks his mother Cindy and his step father Rick, his father, his new family (Karen and the girls and his son Robbie), J Rock, and the South (that includes Virginia). J Rock would like to thank his supportive mother Theresa Golden, his girlfriend and daughter, and Prospect South. For more information on J Rock and Prospect South, visit their Myspace pages and look for Prospects music on itunes, Napster, Rhapsody, and Emusic.

Zach Jefferies
07/05/08
Prospect South and J Rock Article

Walking The Line

2008-06-30T12:56:00.005-04:00

Chalkline Beauty, a band who hails from the Commonwealth’s capitol city, combines their insatiable appetite for having a good time with the ability to play good music with a fresh sound and shockingly strong vocals. The band began in 2006 with Rashad and Jeff hanging out in their Richmond apartment having a chill and mellow time, and consists of Rashad (vocals), Jeff (guitar), Chris (guitar), Joe (bass), and a new drummer, Adam Sowder.

Rashad, who sang previously in another band, grew weary and unhappy, and along with Jeff, decided to start a new band, Chalkline Beauty, whose music appeals to the metal and hardcore genre of Rock, and to people who are tired of the same shit on a different day, tired of listening to the radio, and who don’t fall into a particular crowd. That being said, Chalkline Beauty plays music straight up, without worrying about being stereotyped or criticized for having an open mind and doing what they want and enjoy: playing good music and having a great time while doing it. The band recorded their first demo in 2007, I am the Wolf, which is available via the bands Myspace page and by attending a show (which they highly suggest).

When asked to give any words of wisdom or if they had any philosophies, Jeff and Rashad gave two completely different words of advice, but at the same time they appeal to both fans and aspiring artists and ring loud and clear. Rashad said that one piece of advice he can offer to aspiring musicians is, “to be true to yourself in your musical endeavors, don’t conform to standards, be yourself, and do what you want and enjoy it”. Jeff on the other hand provided a piece of advice for the fans, “… if and when you do find that band you connect with and whose music appeals to you, stick with them and catch their show (s), but don’t leave after they are done performing, stick around and check out the other bands and show your support for us all.” Rashad also offered a piece of advice for the fans saying, “… unplug the fucking radio and turn off Myspace and your damn computer and catch a show, get out there and experience music, don’t just sit back and expect it to move you”. These two pieces of advice serve to show and amplify the fact that Chalkline Beauty is about the music, and having a good time.

Chalkline Beauty, along with its new drummer, are looking forward to their new future, and hope to further develop their careers as musicians, and also hope to play more shows both locally and outside the Richmond area. They also hope to catch Adam up to speed, and record a new demo. This journalist wishes this band all the best, and can’t wait to catch the next Chalkline Beauty show, and firmly believes this band is a force to be reckoned with, and also a band that takes no prisoners and shows no mercy. For more information on the band and their music, visit their Myspace page at ChalklineBeautyRVA and for Christ’s sake get out there and catch a damn show, unplug the radio, support local music, and enjoy the music and the experience.

Zach Jefferies
June 20, 2008

Weekly Free Gift for Visiting The Writers Blog

2008-06-17T19:56:00.004-04:00

I have gone software crazy. Thats right!

Not only am I working on my new software stores, and giving out free software for joining my forum, among other things, but now I am giving away tons of freebies just for visiting my blog.

You will want to check back every week as I will be adding a brand new download for you to grab each week. Please leave comments or reviews on the products after you have used them. I would love to hear your thoughts.

This weeks gift:
The Alexa Booster Script

A Gift - Music Lessons

2008-06-06T20:30:00.002-04:00

Focus: Robert Parker Vaughan

2008-04-11T15:32:00.004-04:00

At age 24, Robert is already becoming well known for his unique and diverse songwriting, potent lyrics, and organic sound. With two self-funded and self-promoted album releases, Robert has managed to perform at numerous venues, colleges, and music stores in Virginia, including Virginia Commonwealth University,
Ramapalooza, James Madison University, Relay for Life, and Y101 Food Drive for the Central VA Food Bank.

Three of the six songs from Robert's most recent release, the 'Glitterbaby' EP, have earned him radio play, interviews, and on-air performances with various radio stations in Virginia. In March of 2008, Robert finished his first self-booked tour where he performed at every Plan 9 Music store location in Virginia.

Check out Roberts MySpace page for more info on his band.
Robert Parker Vaughn on MySpace

Canal Club Show Review by Bridget Taylor

2008-03-12T14:11:00.003-04:00

The Canal Club

Bands:
Threat of Scarlet: 7/10

Nemesis 10/10
Nemesis

Unheard Concept 9.5/10

Silk Attraction 9.5/10
Silk Attraction

A review by rokbonka aka Bridget Taylor

February 2nd was the day of two shows: The mighty Killswitch Engage at Toad’s Place and Unheard Concept with special guests at The Canal Club. I decided to ditch the Killswitch Engage show in order to hear music I haven’t experienced yet… And I was a little too late on buying a ticket. Anyway.

Would these four bands make up for a nationally recognized band?

The first band that kicked it off was Threat of Scarlet. Hailing from Richmond, these guys probably had the least show experience, so to speak. They started with an instrumental track before the lead singer took the stage. Their songs were interesting, but lacking in a bit in the variations. After growling out the performance, the vocalist thanked everyone and the band left the stage.

Nemesis was next. These guys, from Virginia Beach, epitomized the core definition of a metal show. Not only was this their first time at the Canal Club, it was also the last show of their bassist, Bruce. Not that any of that stopped them from putting on a hell raising show. The vocalist involved the crowd by getting them to yell out phrases, such as “Something Evil”, “Social!”, and. During the song “Everyone”, the band threw jumping in with their headbanging, causing a guitar peg (which holds the strap) to break off solidly. During the last song, the crowd paid tribute to Bruce leaving by giving him the bird, the only fitting way to say goodbye.

So how do you follow up that? You bring out Unheard Concept, of course. This was the mark of their 1st anniversary together, as well as their guitarist (Mike)’s 21st birthday. These guys have bonded with Nemesis (seeing as both bands are from Virginia Beach), and have another show with them March 1st; the singer came out sporting a “Nemesis” shirt as well. Throughout playing their set, free “Silk Attraction” shirts were thrown into the crowd to hype up for the next band. Not only did they rock out their songs, but also added a cover of “Ice, Ice Baby” to the mix. The only problem they had of the night (and it only occurred to them) was momentary feedback of the mic. That didn’t bother anyone, and the show carried on with more headbanging, jumping, and craziness. During the last song, all the bands and a few others were onstage, rocking out to the tune.

The final band of the night was Silk Attraction. It’s been a while since the Richmond-based band has played, and they have a busy schedule coming up (their album is due to release, and they plan to tour over the summer). They also gave out shirts as well as copies of their CD through the course of the show. Singer Jenna belted out the words with a sultry voice, accompanied by the hard riffs of guitar and bass and the steady bang of the drum. The songs were not only rock, they were also surprisingly danceable. “Poison” got the crowd to move, while “Blood” pumped fists and raised horns everywhere.

So, back to my original question: Were these bands really as cracked up as a national act? I think so. You can find all these bands on Myspace to find out what they’re doing next and listen to their hits. I highly recommend at least one show with each band – you won’t regret it.

ROCKIT.

Support Your Local Music!

2008-03-02T15:52:00.005-05:00

Now you can help support the effort of the site and our writers by buying and displaying MRVA merchandise. We have great fun stuff, from T-Shirts to Keychains, and more will come.

Some of the proceeds from the merchandise will eventually be used to bonus our writers for the hard work, and for givaways, in the future, in conjuction with some area merchants and businesses.

Either way, you will be helping to support the music scene in our area.!

You can find a panel at the bottom right of the page displaying some of the current designs. Here is a link to the shop!

MusicRVA Merch Shop

Leaving a Point

2008-02-21T15:29:00.003-05:00

In 2003 two of the most chill and insane musicians,
Matt and Daniel Stowe, began mashing and jamming at a
practice house called the Cabin in Danville, Virginia.
Through adding and losing members and laughing at
times, the two original members of Point Left formed a
solid group of musicians who they both mesh well with
and trust. And since the beginning, by randomly
creating songs they often would not remember at the
Cabin, the newly formed band realized that they
enjoyed creating new songs and writing their own
material far more than being a cover band.

This intent and drive is clearly evident in their
music, even when you first begin to listen to the
song. The raw, provocative, and fresh sound draws and
pulls you in and forces you to sit back and enjoy. In
their song University, fresh and meaningful vocals are
accompanied by an echo of Offspring like guitar
playing. And while Point Left is a metal/hardcore
band, they show their softer side in Too Late, with
gripping vocals and an acoustic flare of the lighter
side of metal, while staying true to the hardcore
aspects and not pussy footing around.

Setting out to make themselves known and taking a
chance, Point Left bought some recording instruments,
and recorded their first demo as a 3 piece band last
year. Since then they have been playing shows in the
Danville/Dry Fork and North Carolina areas. And
earlier this year they discovered a new friend,
guitarist, and member, Matt Phillips, and are
currently working on recording and releasing their
second demo in the next three months, and are still
working on gaining momentum and experience in the
music community and expanding horizons. To listen to
their music and become a fan, visit their Myspace page
and the band’s website, PointLeft.com.

Zach Jefferies
02/21/08

Interview with Point Left
Zach Jefferies
02/17/08

Zach: Who are the band members and what instruments do
they play?

Point Left: Members- Matt Stowe- vocals, guitar
Matt Phillips- guitar
Adam Morris- bass
Daniel Stowe- drums

Zach: Where are the band and its members from?

Point Left: Danville / Dry Fork, VA

Zach: When did you start the band and what was the
inspiration?

Point Left: The band petty much started as just
something to do when we hang out. The original two
members were Matt S and Daniel. They started jamming
together at the Cabin (the best party/practice house
ever!!!) back in 2003. Matt had never been in a band
and had recently started playing guitar while Daniel
had played in another local band. From the beginning
we were more interested in writing our own songs
rather than just being a cover band. It just went on
from there we have added and lost several members
since then until we found a mixture of people we trust
and mesh with. We get laughed at at times because we
will just all get together and just make up songs on
the spot and then never remember them later on. We are
all incredibly creative. We are just hoping one day
our music skills will catch up with what we want to
do.

Zach: Who was responsible for the name, Point Left?

Point Left: Haha....do u wanna here the real story or
what we tell people? The truth is not as interesting
as the fiction. The truth is we could never agree on a
name. We had several that we would agree on for maybe
a day or a week at the most and then we would sit down
and be like "that name is whack" Finally Matt S. just
came up with Point Left and pretty much was like
that’s the name whether any of us like it or not, no
more changes, and so the name stuck. Now what we tell
people is that we lay it all out there when we play,
which we do, in our music, words, and our crazy live
performances. Thus we make our point, or in other
words our point is left through our music. That’s
where Point Left came from.

Zach: Have any of the band members previously played
in another band?

Matt S.: This is my first experience in a band

Matt P.: This is the first official band I've been a
part of, I mean I've played music with friends that
played different instruments but nothing organized.

Adam: I've been in a lot of bands since I started
playing, but only two had names. Trauma and Worst Case
Scenario.

Daniel: I was in one other band. We were called
Wipstitch

Zach: What has been the most encouraging and
discouraging moment for the band? Why?

Point Left: Wow that’s a loaded question. This band
has been through so many ups and downs. We would have
to say the most encouraging moment as a band is any
time we play and the crowd gets completely into our
music. We have gathered quite a local following
without playing many official shows. We have open
practices and many times we have had so many people
crammed into our little practice house that it seems
it might cave in. But anytime you look out and have
people getting off to your music and singing the words
along with you is such an uplifting feeling. The most
discouraging moments to be overtime we get a big show
booked with a nationally signed act something always
happens. Once we had our former lead singer quit on
the day of the show and lately the venues we normally
play at are all closing down. That’s always difficult.
You get yourself geared up for a show and promote it
and know you are gonna draw a big crowd and then it
gets cancelled. Not a good feeling to have.

Zach: What has been your most encouraging and
discouraging moment as a musician?

Matt S.: Once the band almost fell apart after our
lead singer quit. We took some time off and then got
together as a 3 piece. I took over the vocals and was
scared to death. The first show we played as a 3 piece
was incredible. We had a huge crowd and our friends
were there to support us. We played harder and with
more emotion then ever before. At that point I think
we really became a band!! The most discouraging moment
for me is having shows cancelled and having such a
hard time finding shows. It’s hard to get attention in
a small town like Danville.

Matt P.: My most encouraging moment is when the fans
are feeding off of the energy you're putting out which
in turn makes you play twice as hard. My most
discouraging moment as a musician is when someone
yells "Freebird!"

Adam: The most encouraging moment would probably have
to be when I first joined Point Left. I came in not
knowing most of the members very well but everyone was
really cool and we jammed and, with the exception of
the dickhead singer that we don't have anymore, we all
clicked and things have been awesome ever since. The
most discouraging time happens every now and then when
we play. When we're up on stage doing our best and
there are people in the crowd just standing there
barely even paying attention. You paid to see a show,
dammit! Get up and enjoy it!!!

Daniel: The most encouraging moments for me are seeing
people react positively to your music. There is no
greater feeling in the world. The most discouraging is
definitely not getting shows.

Zach: What is your favorite thing about being in the
band?

Matt S.: For me personally it was finding people who
had the same emotion and drive to perform and write
music as me. We all feed off of each other and push
each other to improve everyday. Plus we get to meet a
lot of other really awesome bands and people!!

Matt P.: That we are all friends and we have fun.

Adam: The atmosphere. We get together, have a few
beers and just go. The music we've made in Point Left
is, bar none, the best music I've ever played.

Daniel: Actually being in a band!! And we are all very
good friends.

Zach: What is your most memorable moment as a musician
and band?

Matt S.: Oh wow.......the are so many turbo sweet
moments!!! Haha...ok here is one of many. A while back
everyone threw me a toga party for my birthday. We are
all chilling (dancing to Michael Jackson) and having
fun at the cabin. I go outside to help a someone that
is passed out on the sidewalk and I see a line of cars
as far as i can see pulling in. Well over a hundred
people showed up out of no where. They demanded us to
play. In order to get them to leave we played a few
songs and they all went crazy. We gained a lot of new
fans that night.

Matt P.: When I played at Carington Pavilion here in
Danville.

Adam: We drink a lot so a lot of the memories I have
are fuzzy. Anytime at the cabin is almost always
awesome.

Daniel: Our first show after our former lead singer
quit was awesome. The way the crowd went nuts at that
show was incredible.

Zach: Do you or any other band members have a way of
ensuring a good show?

Matt S.: We usually meet up before the show and just
relax. We drink a few beers and take the time to make
fun of ourselves.

Adam: We usually get together an hour or two before a
show, drink a few beers and goof around. It really
helps me relax and get ready to go out and have fun.

Daniel: I take the day off form work to concentrate on
the show. I drink a few beers with the guys and we
pump each other up.

Zach: What do you feel is your best original song?
Favorite?
Matt S.: My favorite song has always been "Recluse".
It takes u on so many highs and lows. Hopefully it
will be on our next demo.

Matt P.: My favorite song so far is "Thanks 4
Sharing". It can be heard on our Myspace page.

Adam: Shit...They're all flippin sweet! I can't pick.
I do have a favorite though, and that’s "University".
That song works the hell out of my fingers but I love
it. As long as it’s not the first one in the set.

Daniel: "Supra the Deer" is my favorite song we play.

Zach: What venues have you played at?

Point Left: Plan B in Danville VA, Somewhere Else
Tavern in Greensboro NC, The Eagles Nest in Grifton
NC, The Salty Dawg in New Bern NC, White Oak Mountain
Amphitheatre in Danville VA, Lucky Break in Danville
VA, Aces Basement in Greensboro NC and of course THE
CABIN!!!! (out practice house) in Dry Fork VA

Zach: What’s your favorite place to play?

Matt S.: For me it’s the cabin. We have our best
shows when people come out to here us practice. It’s
always good to play for the hometown crowd at Plan B
too.

Daniel: Plan B and the Cabin. And The Salty Dawg just
cause that was a crazy night.

Zach: How many albums have you recorded and released?
Where are they available?

Point Left: We are of course and unsigned band so we
do the best we can to get our music out there. We
purchased our on recording equipment and recorded a
demo ourselves last year. It sounds good for the
limited equipment we had to work with.

Zach: Are you currently working on any cds or
projects?

Point Left: We plan on recording a new demo as a 4
piece instead of a 3 piece since Matt P. recently
joined the group. It should be out by May.

Zach: Who would you like to reach with your music?

Matt S.: Anyone and everyone. We want to reach as many
people as possible with our music, hopefully inspiring
a few people along the way.

Matt P.: Everyone who has ever been through anything
that music helps relieve.

Adam: Everybody. I'm not trying to reach any one
specific group of people with what I do. What one
person gets out of a song is gonna be different than
what another person gets out of it. As long as people
are getting SOMETHING out of our music, I'm happy.
We've done our job.

Daniel: Our music mostly appeals to the younger crowds

Zach: What do you hope to accomplish within the next
year?

Point Left: We have a lot planned within the next
year. First we hope to get Matt P. up to speed on all
our old songs and then set about writing new music as
a 4 piece. We are very excited about that. We will be
able to expand our range and do things we wanted to
but never had the chance to do as a 3 piece. Of course
we plan on recording a new demo within the next 3
months. Also we have grossly neglected our website. We
hope to have that all new and up in running soon as
well. We are looking into a lot of new places to play
and are really looking forward to being on stage
again.

Zach: Philosophies or words of wisdom for aspiring
artists and musicians?

Matt S.: Just stay true to yourself. Play what you
like and don’t worry about what other people think. if
it makes you feel something it will connect with
others too.

Matt P.: No matter what type of music you play, always
pursue your dreams. Music is very medicinal and your
music will help someone make it through something.

Adam: Don't give up. There are people that are going
to tell you that you can't do it or that its stupid or
whatever. Fuck their opinion. If its what you want to
do, do it. And then....tell them that Adam rocks.

Daniel: Never give up. When you do your dreams could
float away and never come back.

Zach: Shout outs?

Matt S.: The guys in the band. All of our crazy
awesome friends. The Cabin Boys and the Cabin Girls!!
My family and anyone who told me I couldn’t do what
I’m doing because that pushed me harder to prove them
wrong.

Matt P.: Yeah I want to thank Matt Stowe, Daniel Stowe
and Adam for making me a part of their band and I want
to shout out to the CB's (Cabin Boys)

Adam: Definitely the guys in the band. We've been
through a lot over the years and stuck together. We
rock and we're gonna continue to rock, beatrice! And
then there's everybody else. Jon T, Jeff, Charmian,
Chris...there's no damn way I could get everyone's
name here. Big thank yous to everyone that comes to
the cabin and has fun with us and enjoys the music. My
girlfriend Tina. She hasn't heard much from the band
yet other than the stuff on the site, but I know she
supports us and she makes me want to jam. My son, who
gets down in the floor and moshes with me to Point
Left! My dad who has always been there to support me
and help me haul band equipment all over town (and out
of state) back in the day. Hells yeah!

Daniel: Thanks to everyone who has supported us and
everyone in the cabin crew.

Point Left: The most important thing to know about us
is that we are a bunch of down to earth guys who
respect our roots and all music past present and
future. We are really insane....you'd just have to
hang out with us to understand.

Meet Our Writers

2008-02-13T14:58:00.004-05:00

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Tom Goss: Rise Without

2008-01-30T22:00:00.003-05:00

Writen by:Zach Jefferies

Date:January 29, 2008

In 2004, singer/songwriter Tom Goss made the move
from his hometown, Kenosha, Wisconsin to Washington
D.C., in the hopes of attending seminary and joining
the priesthood. However, growing weary and deciding
to disband from the priesthood, Tom began to create a
new life as a singer/songwriter in our nation’s
capitol. Influencing his sound and music are such
bands as: The Dave Matthews Band, Seal, Ben Fold, Joss
Stone, and Maroon 5. For those of you out there
that haven’t yet heard his music, some say it sounds
like The Dave Matthews Band and Jason Mraz.

Drawing inspiration from his “growing pains” and his
period of rebirth and self discovery, and a strong
motivation and a desire to succeed, Tom produced a
bold, strong, crisp, edgy, and emotion stirring sound
in 2006 with his debut album Naked Without. On this
CD there is truly an exclusive sound, comparable to
acoustic pop/rock. And with such songs as, “Like a
Dog”, “Come Around”, and “Leave the Past Behind”, the
album appeals to a diverse fan base. Accompanying
Tom’s vocals and guitar, is William Henderson’s bass,
which gives the album a distinctive flair and a unique
sense of style.

In January of 2008, with the help of
singer/songwriter (and producer of Rise) Jim Dugan,
Tom released his second album, Rise. With the drive
to make good music behind the album, and the hopes of
reaching people with positive attitudes and staying
true to himself and his music, not to mention a fresh
and energetic compilation of songs, the second album
has “risen” above expectations.

Tom is currently performing in the Washington D.C.
and Maryland areas (a list of shows and show times are
available at Tom Goss Music and
Tom Goss on MySpace. Tom has certainly
kicked off the new year with pretty ambitious goals,
within the next year he hopes to be playing on the
west coast and the Midwest, and also hopes to go on
his first national tour.

******************************

An Interview with Tom Goss:

Interviewer: Zach Jefferies

Date:January 27, 2008

Zach: When did you start the band, and what was the
inspiration?

Tom: My band usually consists of me and a guitar.
What was the initial inspiration? I’m not quite sure.
It started as an outlet for frustration and
creativity. Eventually it became more about
expressing hopes and dreams, fears and failures and
what lies between it all.

Zach: Who are the band members and what instruments do
they
play?

Tom: Tom Goss – Guitar
When I’m lucky…
William Henderson - Bass

Zach:Have any band members previously played in
another
band? If so, what band and when?

Tom: Not me, William has been around the block, mostly
in the 70’s and 80’s with a couple Motown signed Rock
and R & B bands.

Zach: What is your most encouraging and discouraging
moment
as a musician? Why?

Tom: I think those tend to be one and the same. It is
exciting and nerve wracking to put on a show. To get
the songs ready and the promotion machine out, then
set up to play. It’s encouraging when everyone comes
and the room has a rockin’ time, it’s discouraging
when you are playing your heart out to your 3 best
friends and mostly awkward silence. To make it as a
musician you have to endure the beginning steps, which
is a lot of the latter, but the successes taste that
much sweeter.

Zach: What brands of equipment do you favor?

Tom: I play a Takamine G Series guitar with Martin
Strings, equipped with a L.R. Baggs Direct Input. I
also tote (which is fucking heavy) a Yamaha P-140
Electronic Piano to showcase my softer side.

Zach:Do you or any other band member have a way of
ensuring
a good show or performance?

Tom: I gave up on the rituals a while back. I don’t
eat before I play that’s for sure. It sucks to be in
the middle of singing a song and spending all your
energy trying to hold back a burp.

Zach: What do you feel is your best original song?

Tom: Probably the last song I have written. I think
that’s how it is with most musicians. The last song
you write is always the most magical, it is who you
are at that moment and so it touches you the most
deeply. But I know that’s not what you want to hear,
let me think about it.

Best pop song – “Come Around”
Best love song – “King of Something Right”
Best break up song – “Baby” (which I rarely play)
Angriest song – “Like a Dog”

Does that start to answer your question, hahaha. I am
very proud of the title track to my newest release
“Rise”, but I can’t think of a category to put it in,
how about this.

Raddest song in the universe – “Rise”
Yeah, that works.

Zach: How many albums have you released and where are
they
available?

Tom: I have released 2

2006 – Naked Without
2008 – Rise

Both are available at Cdbaby.com
TomGoss and
TomGoss2
respectively. Also you can pick them up on iTunes.
If you live in DC be sure to drop by Lamda Rising or
Melody Record shop in Dupont Circle and they can hook
you up.

Zach: Are you currently working on a CD or music
project?
If so, what is its name and when is the release date?
Tell a little about the CD or project.

Tom: I released my second CD about 2 weeks ago so I’m
not in the studio right now. That being said I’m
always working on my writing and getting new material
together. I can’t really help it, it seems like the
songwriting process controls me a lot more than I
control it.

Zach: What do you feel is your best album thus far,
and what
was its inspiration?

Tom: I’m very proud of Rise and have no doubt that it
is better than “Naked Without” musically and
technically. When I wrote and produced “Naked
Without”, I did it entirely on my own, I didn’t have a
clue. I hadn’t played out much and I was learning
everything on the fly. The lesson that I am most
grateful to have learned is that I don’t want to do
everything.

That being said I called on local singer-songwriter
Jim Dugan to produce Rise. Through him we assembled a
team of musicians to help round out the songs. When
we were done the songs were crisp, full and energetic.
What inspired the album? The desire to make good
music!

Zach: Who do you hope to reach with your music?

Tom: Hopefully people that are looking for a positive
voice. I’m sick of musicians using their music in a
selfish manner. One that is entirely about selling a
product or hyping themselves. I do my best to write
honestly about faith, hope, sex, love, fear, failure
and what it means to be a searching for truth in life.
Hopefully people that are doing the same can hear
that in the music and take it home with them. If
someone is able to learn and grow with the help of one
of my songs, I am truly honored.

Zach: What goals do you wish to accomplish in the next
year?

Tom: I’d love to go on my first national tour, play on
the W. Coast and in the Midwest, meeting good people
along the way, get back in the studio and do it all
over again.

Zach: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring
artists
and musicians?

Tom: All I can say is it’s hard work. Nobody is going
to make you a “star”. If someone is feeding you that
line be careful, you’re about to loose your pants.

Work at perfecting your songwriting and stage
presence, play play play play play, get out there as
much as you can, meet people doing the same thing,
pick their brain. Everyone has got something to
offer.

That being said make sure you know why you are doing
it. You are not the band you admire, you are
something entirely different, everyone is. Find your
niche and play your songs to anyone that will listen.

Zach: Is there anything you would like to add or want
people
to know?

Tom: Not really, is this where I put in a shout out to
my mom? I love you mom!

Totaro - Free Show at Sound of Music

2008-01-27T13:34:00.004-05:00

Please join us as TOTARO visits Richmond, VA next week!

On Friday, February 1 we will be performing live and for free at Sound of Music studios, as part of Richmond's First Friday's Artwalk series. Original paintings by band leader John Totaro will also be on display.

TOTARO recorded their latest CD, Vice Presidential Pardons, at Sound of Music. The album was produced by studio owner and Cracker singer/songwriter David Lowery.

On Saturday, February 2, we will be performing at GRANDPA EDDIES, with the phenomenal MOZELY ROSE. Matt of Mozely guested on guitar for our CD and it will be a rockin' night.

Hope to see you at one or both of our Richmond shows!

xo,
TOTARO

You can more info on this show by visiting TOTARO ON MYSPACE

Getting Off the Couch - by The Dark Pickle

2008-01-20T11:18:00.002-05:00

Show Review: January 8th
Venue: Ramakin's
By: The Dark Pickle

Tuesday night is usually one I spend laying around the house. Seriously, what ever goes on on a Tuesday night? The 8th of January this year was an exception and proved to me my small mindedness. I heard from my friend Chuck that his band, Botox Party, was playing at a place down near VCU called Ramakin’s. I had never been to Ramakin’s before, but I did know the building… I used to feast upon huge chicken burritos from the building’s former tenant, Taqueria Loco. I have to admit, I was at first skeptical as to how a show could be pulled in off in that space, being what I would politely describe as “intimate”. However, as I was to soon find out, it is more than just possible. It was happening, full on.

The show started with what turned out to be the best surprise of the evening. A band that I did not even know was on the bill came on first, Make Do and Mend from Hartford, Connecticut. They tore into their first song, “Insomniac Jams”, with an awesome energy and sound that I first took for being like Hot Water Music (in the best possible way). Through their set, though, they proved that they were more than a one-tune band. Though their set was short and sweet, it demonstrated some distinct sounds, which led me to wonder if everyone in the band pitched in on the songwriting. Equal parts kind-of- dark pop punk and post hardcore, with elements reminiscent of some favorites from my teenage years such as Face to Face and Samiam, I really enjoyed these guys. Bought their cd. Would see again.

The next band, The Holdup, apparently a local favorite, drew the strongest crowd of the evening. It’s easy to see why. They have a sound that I could only think to describe as “party punk”. Kind of how when Black Flag’s “TV Party” comes on: everyone in the room who knows the song starts nodding their head to the opening bassline and, soon enough, somebody is pumping their fist in the air and singing along. That was how it seemed with these guys. Everybody in the band seemed to be having a good time. They worked the crowd with some funny intro banter which immediately brought to mind one of my old favorites from the 80’s, The Dead Milkmen. Fun set all around. Oh, I almost forgot… lead guitar player is pretty sick. There should’ve been more solos.

Band number three was 556, form Brooklyn. Now, I take back everything I said about Make Do and Mend sounding even remotely like Hot Water Music. 556 really sounded like Hot Water Music. They reinforced this perception by playing two HWM covers in their set. Don’t get me wrong, I particularly enjoyed “Rooftops”, but it was almost like a seeing tribute band.

The second surprise of the evening came when the lead singer of 556 gave up his guitar and took a seat on the drum throne for the next band, Local Tough Guy. Though he was certainly capable in his role as a guitar player/frontman, he had way more energy behind the drums. These guys played the kind of punk that I would expect from a band out of Boston. A little harder than their Brooklyn counterparts, a little tougher sounding (my NY friends will kick my ass for saying that).

It was getting late. Some of the lamer folks had already headed home for the evening. I was determined, however, to stick it out to hear Botox Party. Though Danny describes their sound as “shit rock”, I always enjoy their distinctive riff-heavy pop/metal/punk sound. Definitely, they’re not into doing a sound or genre. A song can go seamlessly from a super-poppy lead riff , a la Blink 182, and into a full on metal blast beat and back and have you bobbing your head the whole time. Chuck, formerly of I Live With Zombies (are they really gone forever?), has developed a style that incorporates some elements of his older efforts, but he is definitely evolving as a songwriter.

Their set was great, as usual, but as the hour wore closer and closer to bedtime and Botox Party wrapped it up, my eyelids grew heavy. The next morning I was reminded of why I usually sit around on my couch and go to sleep early on Tuesday nights. Luckily, it wasn’t anything that a big ass cup of espresso couldn’t fix. The experience left me determined to go check out more weeknight shows, though. There’s too much good music going on than you can cram into two days of the week.

Rob Zombie - by Bridget Taylor

2008-01-14T16:18:00.002-05:00

Gig Review: 01/07/2008
Headliner: Rob Zombie
Support: In This Moment
Venue: Toads Place
By Bridget Taylor

Rob Zombie with In This Moment.

A living legend and a band who spent all of last year touring their asses off. Playing together in the legendary Toad's Place, people had already started a line at 6 pm, an hour before the doors were scheduled to open. I say "scheduled" because they didn't open the place until 7:30pm. The show roughly ended at 11:15pm.

In This Moment came on for a full 30 minute set. Donned in a shiny light blue puffy dress with white outlinings, Maria Brinks stood apart from her band members (who were all dressed in black and band shirts). While screaming out the lyrics to her songs, she would occasionally rock side-to-side or lean on the ground to headbang. Honestly, she didn't do too many antics. They performed songs from their CD "Beautiful Tragedy" including Ashes and Beautiful Tragedy (saved as the last song).

One of the more spectacular sights to see was the drummer. Right before Beautiful Tragedy, he held a solo on stage, including a section where he had the audience clap as he drummed out a beat with them.

Overall, as this was my first time seeing them, it was a decent performance. My only rants are: Maria didn't seem to get into the "metal spirit" (She basically stood and walked, with occasional body twirls); Also, Maria has to choose between singing or screaming. While it works on the CD, she seems to lose her singing voice because she's prepping for a scream. The last twitch: In This Moment left after they played, so no fan sightings or autographs.

At almost 10pm, it was time for the big man: Rob Zombie. He started the show off in a bad way: His "Halloween" music came on, with pumpkins flashing on the television screens on stage (5 in total; two big ones on the stage, three small on the edge), and the audience roared. Five minutes later, it cut off, leaving another ten minutes until he actually started to perform. When Rob Zombie actually did start, the first song was "American Witch". Images of vixens and women flooded the screens; Two women dancers were in the background in corsets. Rob had the crowd riled up, jumping from speaker to speaker, letting them sing along with the songs (he stopped singing and pointed the mic out to the crowd). Also did a lot of interaction and talking to the crowd. At one point, a fan was holding up a sign, and he ripped it out her hands, saying she was crazy to hold a sign up for long, and made a reference to "American Idol".

He played a mixture of both his songs and previous White Zombie songs, such as "Living Dead Girl", "Thunderkiss '65", "The Devil's Rejects", and ending with "Dragula". Before the big finale, though, he asked John 5 (guitarist, formerly of Marilyn Manson) to "pick the next song". This led into impromptu covers of "Enter Sandman" by Metallica and "Sweet Dreams" originally by Eurythmics.

Zombie lived up to his legend of putting on a great show, but the only problem was his singing: Even though most of it WAS audible, there were times where his voice completely blended into the music. He also had fans wait outside for an hour to see him, but he once never left the tour bus. Great night. If by some chance you've had no time to see either of these bands, what are you waiting for?!