The recent resurgence of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) has presented some interesting opportunities for long-dormant bands. We’ve already seen comebacks from Angel Witch and Hell. A few years back Satan reunited their original lineup and lastRead more…
Outkast – Aquemini
I have a secret to share. Despite growing up listening to hip hop in the 90’s I never really got into Outkast. I remember their first album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik getting 5 mics in Source magazine. My older brother bought the albumRead more…
Hurricane #1 – Rising Sign
Ride dissolved in 1996. Tensions within the band were high and the infamous “creative differences” monster reared its ugly head. Hurricane #1 was Andy Bell’s project afterward. They released their self-titled record in 1997 and its follow-up in 1999. TheRead more…
Ride – Nowhere
Ride announced yesterday that they are reforming and going on tour in 2015. The timing of it is excellent with Andy Bell’s commitments to Beady Eye completed now that the band is kaput. There’s been a parade of reformed shoegazeRead more…
Smashing Pumpkins – Zeitgeist
I always like to say that the reason Nirvana has managed to retain their lofty status as alternative rock untouchables while their contemporaries have seen their collective stars dim is that Kurt Cobain killed himself before they could release aRead more…
Raven – Live
Last Saturday at Hard Luck Bar was a doozy of a show. With old-schooler British metallers Raven (celebrating 40 years together) touring with California-based Night Demon and a couple local acts, it was a night that would be sure toRead more…
Playlist Monday: songs for a funeral
My mother recently passed away and one of the many things my family and I had to do was organise a funeral and select the music for the funeral. Music is one of the best ways of evoking memories andRead more…
Giant Squid – Minoans
It has been over five years since San Francisco-based Post-Metal band Giant Squid has released an album. Their last outing, The Ichthyologist (2009), was a highly-original listening experience. Lyrically, it featured an eerie concept story whereas musically, the album movedRead more…
The Stone Roses – Made Of Stone
Aptly titled after one of the band’s singles, “Made Of Stone” documents the Stone Roses’ reunion thru the lens of friend, fan and filmmaker Shane Meadows. While a history of the band’s formationĀ is briefly touched on in the beginning thruRead more…
54-40 – Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret
54-40 is a weird band. Not weird in the sense that their music is particularly strange or that they’re overly quirky (though don’t get me wrong, they’re definitely quirky) What makes 54-40 weird is that they spent the first twoRead more…