Liquid Joe’s, June 12, 2009

Steady Machete

This band puts together stellar indie rock with some occasional keyboard riffs to create a remarkable sound. Sounding like Depeche Mode meets Muse meets Against Me!, the band also incorporates some terrific marching band-style drumming into some of its songs. Unfortunately, however, the band’s stage presence and crowd interaction was not nearly as good as when I last reviewed them. They are still, however, worth checking out, even if they aren’t as good as they once were.

Send No Flowers

This band incorporates a number of different subgenres of country music to form a tight and cohesive sound. Meshing Southern rock, country-punk, and country dance, these guys are quite entertaining to see live. They also put on a decent stage show that enhanced the music well. Catch them June 18th at Urban Lounge.

Stereotype

This band combines clean-guitar hard rock and metal with hints of indie and funk to create a very original sound. They even mix in some Doobie Brothers influence on some songs, plus some guitar riffs that sound as if they were ripped from a ‘70s or ‘80s TV show. Stereotype has a stage presence that ranges from good (throughout most of the set) to absolutely phenomenal (when they played a cover of Rage Against The Machine’s “Bulls On Parade”). Finally, the band makes good use of subtle vocal harmony, particularly with the call-and-response chorus of “Olympic City”. Well worth seeing live.

Soggy Bone

This combination acoustic-electric band sounds like Jack Johnson meets 311 meets Sublime. You may love their slow reggae and dub jams, which include bongos, a sax, and a turntable DJ, or you may be bored to tears by them. However, Soggy Bone puts on a good stage show that incorporated a fog machine, and they also did a good cover of Sublime’s “What I Got” that was quite true to the original. So enjoy them, or don’t, but you can catch them at any of a number of upcoming gigs at the Hog Wallow Pub or 5 Monkeys.

The Dawg Pound, May 30, 2009

Junkyard Psychedelics

This band’s debut show sounded like just that—a debut show. The fact that these guys had never played onstage before seemed quite obvious—they honestly weren’t much to write home about, and whether they’ll improve with time isn’t really clear. From the lack of cohesion and cacophonous sound to the dead air in between songs and excessively loud drums, the Junkyard Psychedelics clearly have some learning to do. As for their music, much of it was instrumental and some of the lyrics were very repetitive. The best song of the night was probably the acoustic melody “Peruvian Torch”, but it didn’t make up for the poor performance the rest of the night.

Deny Your Faith

Deny Your Faith opened with a stellar and relatively clean guitar intro that sounded like it came from a glam-metal power ballad. Then it all went downhill from there. While not terrible, Deny Your Faith did not come across as very original. Most of the set was distorted bar-rock. The musicianship and guitar work was solid and the drumming was absolutely furious (especially on “What You Become”), but the lack of originality and professionalism showed throughout the set (the band paused between songs to retune). The band’s stage presence was also decent, but not great. Finally, the only song that didn’t sound like ‘80s glam-metal was the Lo-Pro-like “Gnome”, which was much slower and grungier. Not bad, but not great either.

Spork

Spork was far and away the best band of the night. Their particular brand of Black Sabbath-influenced metal seemed much more original than any of the other bands. The band consisted of only two members, guitarist “Billy Spork” and drummer “C.J. Spork” (the band didn’t have a bassist), but still managed to sound very interesting. The most remarkable song of the night was their single “Midnight Bomber” (featured on X96 Live and Local Vol. 5), with its absolutely stellar guitar work. On another song, Billy Spork even used feedback between the guitar and amp as an instrument. But the best part of their performance was the band’s showmanship. Billy’s dialogue with the crowd between songs was absolutely hilarious, the best I’ve ever seen from a local band, and their stage presence was excellent. This band is worth checking out even for those who don’t like metal, and if Billy’s music career ever falls through (it shouldn’t), he has great potential as a stand-up comic.

Demon Cross

This Slayer-meets-Lamb Of God band, like the first two acts, was not very original or professional, with a lot of dead air between songs. Although the band’s guitar work and rhythm changes were excellent, the band simply failed to impress the crowd (or the critic). Even their logo, which incorporated an upside-down pentagram, was not that original. Only die-hard metal fans need bother to listen.

SPECIAL FEATURE: 2009 X96 Maverik Big-Ass Show

Broke City (main stage, Battle of the Bands winner)

Unfortunately I was not able to get many notes on this band due to their very short set, but suffice it to say they are an emo band, no question about it. They put on a decent stage show, but I would not consider them the most original band out there.

Mury (main stage)

This band, which won the right to play the main stage at last year’s BASH, has been getting lots of airplay on X96. Whether it’s merited is debatable, but Mury is a decent band despite being emo. They also put on a good stage show, better than Broke City’s, but their set was also very short. They did play their hit single, “Celery Stick”, and it wasn’t too bad live. Also like Broke City, they are not the most original band out there, but they were enjoyable to watch nonetheless.

I Am The Ocean

I was WAY late for this set, since it overlapped with Mury’s on the main stage. However, I did catch the tail end of it. I Am The Ocean is a metalcore band, and again, although they are not the most original band out there, they interacted well with the crowd and had a good stage presence. This band is worth checking out for fans of metalcore and screamo.

Stay For The Summer

Yet another emo band to add to the mix, Stay For The Summer is also not at all unique or original. However, they also put on a good stage show and interacted well with the crowd. Their music features lots of distorted guitar riffs, lyrics about falling in love on the coast (“Barry’s Beachside”) and a sound reminiscent of Mury or Newfound Glory (especially “Living Well”). Not too bad.

Muscle Hawk

The first band of the day that was unquestionably not emo was Muscle Hawk. They consist of a keyboardist, an emcee handling sampling on a laptop, and a drummer. Muscle Hawk is the kind of music often associated with a dance club, with its music entirely vocal-less and full of danceable rhythms. The band was also fun to watch live, with some great onstage dancing (especially during their single “Fever”). Catch them at a discotheque near you.

What Went Wrong

This Green Day-meets-MxPx band was definitely fun to see live. They mixed in a more pop-punk sound with their more emo stuff (for those who actually draw a distinction) and was one of the only local bands to get the crowd moshing. While they did play some stuff that was unquestionably emo, like “Love Fixation”, they still managed to sound different from the other bands of the night. What Went Wrong was arguably the best band of the Live And Local stage, and they capped off their set with an absolutely furious drum solo. Not bad for a bunch of high school kids.

Against The Season

The only band of the night with female members (the lead singer and bassist), Against The Season was also definitely not emo, and was also fun to watch. They interacted well with the crowd, and played a very cool set including the Incubus-like “Running Too Fast”, a cover of Paramore’s “Crush Crush Crush”, and the somewhat grunge “Uncomprehendable”. Not bad at all.

The Recovery

The last band of the night began with a very The Fray- or Coldplay-like keyboard intro that progressed into a hard-rockin’ sound that seemed like screamo without the screaming. The band interacted well with the crowd, but the somewhat plain-Jane distorted guitar was a bit disappointing. The band also played a very keyboard-intense song called “Don’t Jump Rope” that sounded like it could have come straight off one of Thrice’s newer albums. To top it off, the band closed with a get-out-your-lighters (or cell phones) ballad that engaged the crowd well. Very well done.

Liquid Joe’s, May 26, 2009

Captain Obvious

This band doesn’t even deserve a review at all, in my opinion. Most of their set consisted of covers, with perhaps only one original song in the set. In fairness, I was way late for this set, but the band didn’t seem to be ready or willing to play anything original, and was reluctant to break out one of its own tunes after I heckled them for playing several covers. Most of the covers were of old songs, like Janis Joplin, the B-52s, etc. The band’s stage presence was also pretty lackluster; the band didn’t move around on stage much at all. Captain Obvious’s one redeeming quality was the female lead singer’s good singing voice, and even that gave out on a few of the high notes. It should come as no surprise to anyone that this band was first on the bill, in front of a solo acoustic act, on a Tuesday night at Liquid Joe’s. Call them Captain Obviously Unoriginal.

Owen Monroy

This Pennsylvania native put on a good show for a Tuesday night. He had a good stage presence for his genre, and had some humorous lyrics like “Bring laughs and laundry to my basement anytime….” His acoustic country-folk style didn’t mesh well with the other acts of the night, but he put on a good show nonetheless. He also did a not-too-bad cover The Everly Brothers’ “When Will I Be Loved?” as well as several good original songs; two of the noteworthy ones were the very somber and gentle “No One’s Eyes” and the very moving and political “Hurricane”. Well worth checking out for fans of acoustic music.

Eric Openshaw Band

Eric Openshaw Band is particularly worth checking out. The band incorporates elements of country-dance, funk, jazz, blues and rock into its music; particularly noteworthy is the funky “Seattle”, featuring some good, clean, funky, low-distortion guitar and a VERY stellar bass solo by Rob Alvord. A rock-solid cover of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” was also particularly entertaining. This band brings to mind the Red Hot Chili Peppers without the California attitude, and is definitely worth the price of admission to any show.

BONK?!

This Pantera-meets-Tool metal band’s most appealing aspect was its stand-out bass lines. The band’s bassist put on a great performance that was worth writing home about. Their music ranges from some Pantera-like stuff that even has the singer sounding like the famous metal band’s lead vocalist, to the slow and rhythmic bass and guitar of Tool, and even a cover of a Nintendo theme song (which I didn’t recognize). The band closed with “Hair Of The Dog”, a song about hangovers which even added hints of ska with its syncopated guitar rhythms. Not bad at all!

Kilby Court, May 17, 2009

Billy Kincaid

Billy Kincaid sounds a LOT like Johnny Cash. No ifs, ands or buts about it. From his acoustic folk-rock style to his mostly minor-key melodies, plus lots of lyrics about guns and drinking, there’s little question where Billy Kincaid gets his influences, especially on the song “Tough As Nails”. Even Kincaid’s vocals sound just like the Man In Black. Although his work may not be the most original out there, Billy Kincaid puts a show well worth seeing—especially if you’re a fan of Johnny Cash.

Despite Despair

Despite Despair is also a band that’s not particularly original. In fairness, I was a little late for this set, but there are other bands out there already doing what this band is doing—combining punk and metal with screaming vocals. However, I found the band’s set reasonably entertaining nonetheless. This band is also not recommended for the easily offended—the band’s song “Guilt Trap” is heavily critical of the LDS Church, and the lead singer does not hesitate to point this out beforehand. Enjoy—or don’t. But either way, consider yourself warned.

Coma Recovery

Coma Recovery put on the best stage show of the night—they used their own onstage red lighting, which helped create the somber mood the band was looking for, and had a great stage presence. The band reminded me a lot of local goth-rock touring act Tragic Black, or perhaps Nine Inch Nails meets Pink Floyd without any singing (the band is entirely instrumental). The band’s intense bass lines, keyboard riffs, and sound effects track will make you want to break out the black eyeliner. Although I don’t consider myself part of the goth scene, I still highly recommend checking out this band.

100 Arms

This band played a very short set, so I wasn’t able to take many notes on them, but I thought the band had a nice metalcore sound to it. This band also put on a great stage show, something often lacking in local acts. My only complaint toward this band was that I could barely hear the lead singer, but this band was not at all bad overall.

Burt’s Tiki Lounge, May 7, 2009

Koko & Camero

In fairness, I was a little late for this set, but I was not too entertained by this band. Although the band’s stage presence wasn’t too bad given the genre of music they played (slow, bluesy rock with a keyboard thrown in), the band’s music almost put me to sleep. They also showed bad musicianship when they paused between songs to re-tune, without any type of monologue to fill the “dead air”. I was none too pleased with the fact that the band used a drum machine instead of an actual drummer. And to top it off, the closing song was VERY long and drawn-out—not something that generally makes me want to stick around. So perhaps this band simply wasn’t my taste, but I can’t give it high marks.

We’re Petrified!

This band also had a drum machine, but they at least complemented it with an actual drummer, and the pairing worked well. We’re Petrified put on an interesting set featuring the lead singer reading lines out of a notebook, and musically the band reminded me of the Beatles plus two keyboards (played by one person!) and a drum machine. The band also worked in hints of indie-rock and electro-rock into its sound, an aspect that reminded me of fellow local artists Vicious Starfish (see my review of them at http://www.thelocallanding.net/2009/03/11/kilby-court-march-6-2009/). The one disappointing element of the set, however, was the band’s zombie-like stage presence. The band showed no energy onstage whatsoever. Other than that, however, a good set overall.

The Dim Spook

This three-piece instrumental band quite honestly defies comparison to any band I can think of. The entire set had no vocals, but was very cohesive nonetheless. The band seemed very techno, despite having a guitar, bass and actual drums. The band’s drummer was absolutely on fire, and deserved kudos for his performance. Although the guitar and bass weren’t as intense, they were quite solid nonetheless. The only weak points of the set were its stage presence, which to say the least could use some work; and its use of automated keyboard riffs. While The Dim Spook’s vocal-less performance may have turned some listeners off or bored them to tears, they managed to get the crowd to scream for an encore, and that’s always a good sign.

New Song Underground, May 2, 2009

Illegal Beagle

Illegal Beagle combines an explosive mix of distorted metal guitar, hard-rockin’ solos, solid bass, skankin’ keyboard, and long, drawn-out prog-rock breakdowns with its underlying ska sound to produce something the likes of which the Utah ska scene has never seen before. Make no mistake about it, Illegal Beagle is still a ska band at its core, but it incorporates a wide variety of sounds to make something that is truly one-of-a-kind. Ranging from the distorted intro of “Dissonance” to the skankin’ keyboard and guitar of “Halfway To Unity” (which also features a nice trumpet solo intro), Illegal Beagle shows off its musical diversity well, and they are not to be missed live.

Spontaneous Kennie

Spontaneous Kennie’s set was disappointing at first, but got progressively better throughout the night. The set started out as plain-sounding, generic Utah ska with poorly executed rhythm changes and cacophonous choruses, plus a rather mixed stage presence that was good at some points but poor at others. However, the band did redeem itself somewhat with a decent variety of sounds, like the slower ska rhythms of “Brett Favre” and the hyper tempo and sing-along chorus of “Record Store”. The band also did a skank-tastic cover of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire” toward the end. Magnifique!

The Skaficionados

If you are disappointed that the Mighty Mighty Bosstones haven’t come to town for over half a decade, the Skaficionados might just be the band for you. The band combines some hyper vocals, a ska-core sound, and a good mix of styles to produce a sound that will fill the void in any Bosstones fan’s heart. The band managed to start a good-sized mosh pit on its more hardcore songs like “She Doesn’t Hate Ska”, but still had some slower jams like “Ghost Ride The Wolf”. The band even had some Misfits-like “whoa-whoas” in perhaps their most noteworthy song, “I Am The Wind”. Highly recommended for any fan of ska-core.

2 1/2 White Guys

This band is much less ska-core than the other bands that played Saturday night. Like the other bands, however, 2 1/2 White Guys still manages to combine a wide variety of sounds – in their case, hints of swing, jazz, and ‘70s funk in addition to their core ska sound. The band did some nice jazzy breakdowns and minor-key melodies, and got the crowd so hyped that the room had the armpit smell of a much bigger venue after the band’s set. The band even came back on stage for a very intense, fast-paced encore with some absolutely hyper sax. While 2 1/2 isn’t recommended for fans of the more intense, punk-influenced ska of bands such as the Voodoo Glow Skulls, they are very solid musically nonetheless.

Teazers, April 24, 2009

Gear 77

This band put forth an interesting mix of dive-bar rock and emo, but I was unfortunately not impressed with the band’s set. The band did too many covers, at least three: one of the classic folk song “House of the Rising Sun”, one of Akon, and one of Linkin Park’s “Shadow of the Day. The covers would have been decent except for the lead singer’s voice cracking on some of the high notes of “Shadow of the Day”. Aside from some good one-two drumming, Gear 77 simply struck me as far too unoriginal and emo to earn a good review.

Beckond

If you’re a fan of the Deftones or Disturbed, you will probably like Beckond. The five-piece band has a solid progressive metal sound, plus a keyboard – something most metal bands lack. The keyboard riffs were very good and complemented the band’s sound well. Making things even more interesting, the lead singer even broke out an acoustic guitar for one of his songs – again something not frequently seen in this particular genre of music. The band put on a somewhat mixed stage show, however, that was very energetic at some points and weak at others. Overall, however, Beckond put on a great set that is well worth seeing live.

Royal Bliss at Tracks Brewing Company, April 10, 2009

This hard-rockin’ grunge-metal band may be touring across the country, but they made it quite clear last Friday that they haven’t forgotten where they came from when they rocked Tooele’s Tracks Brewing Company. They put on a great hometown show (well, Tooele isn’t their hometown, but close enough) that melted my face off. Although the set ran a bit longer than what I’m used to for a local band, it held my attention most of the way through. The band draws influence from classic rock, metal, and grunge (and even country and folk with one song), and put out some hard-hitting tunes and some decent acoustic power ballads. Many of RB’s songs seemed to have a message or a theme to them, whether it’s about getting drunk, patriotism, or second chances at life. The band also interacted very well with the crowd and put on a great stage show, and at least acted as if it cared deeply about its hometown fans. While the band’s somewhat arrogant and sexist rock-star attitude showed that success seems to have gone to the band’s heads, the band is still very solid musically. Royal Bliss is rarely in town these days with their touring schedule, so take any opportunity you get to catch them live. See them at Liquid Joe’s in Salt Lake April 17 (a private club for members).

The Wailing O’Sheas St. Patrick’s Day Show at Cisero’s, March 17, 2009

Say what you will about tribute bands, but rest assured that this quartet is more than capable of making original music. The band consists of three members of Ogden’s own The Gorgeous Hussies, plus temporary fiddle player Andy Reiner visiting from Boston. They play the hits of Irish punk bands Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys, plus a Shane McGowan tune or two thrown in for good measure. Reiner’s fiddling was excellent, particularly on DKM’s “The Worker’s Song”. Bassist John Chatelain did an excellent impression of the Murphys’ Al Barr on “Black Velvet Band” as well, and the band got everyone dancing to Flogging Molly’s “Devil’s Dance Floor”. Fans of The Gorgeous Hussies may be surprised to hear swearing from the band, but anyone who’s not easily offended by songs with swearing and drinking references are encouraged to see these guys live.

Kamikaze’s Friday The 13th Show, March 13, 2009

Massacre At The Wake

Originally slated to be “The Brady Bunch Lawnmower Massacre,” this band was by far the best of the three bands that performed Kamikaze’s Friday The 13th show, in my opinion. The band put forward some of the best musicianship I’ve seen this side of Slayer. Their very intense brand of thrash metal is very demanding of the guitarists, bassist, drummer and singer (screamer?) and features some great breakdowns as well. In an interview after the band’s set, lead singer Shawn Nielsen cited influences ranging from Opeth, Cradle of Filth, and As Blood Runs Black to straight edge bands like Hatebreed, and those influences ran deep throughout the band’s set. Overall, this band put on a spectacular set that was well worth seeing. Download their free demo EP at myspace.com/massacreatthewake.

Sawed Off Smile

This band sounds far too much like the unoriginal, overplayed, and made-for-radio “nu-metal” of the ‘90s to deserve a good review. Lead singer Jay Williams came onstage wearing black-and-white makeup and chains that instantly brought to mind the likes of Insane Clown Posse. Although Williams put forth a decent mix of rapping, screaming and singing vocals, some of the vocals sounded like karaoke. Particularly on the band’s mediocre cover of “Killing In The Name” by Rage Against The Machine (which was probably still the best song of the night), the vocals simply failed to impress, and so did the rest of the band. The band would be better suited doing covers than writing original songs, and needs to come to the realization that nu-metal is dead for a reason.

Davidian

This clearly Lamb of God-influenced band put on a decent set Friday night. Lead singer Shawn Kapinos put forth some nice growling vocals, and guitarists Dan Coxey and Jay Legarra played some nice riffs, although the riffs were much less complicated than Massacre At The Wake’s. Both guitarists, unfortunately, sounded like rhythm guitarists, and it was unclear which was supposed to be the lead; however, one song, “Weed”, stood out for its impressive guitar solo. Kapinos interacted well with the crowd, jumping into it on the last song. Although not as impressive as Massacre, Davidian is worth checking out for devoted metal fans.

Kilby Court, March 6, 2009

Cavedoll

This spectacular six-piece dance-rock band put on a terrific show at Kilby Court, quite possibly the best electro-rock this side of Shiny Toy Guns. This band is very easy to imagine rocking a club in Las Vegas or LA. The band has some incredibly danceable songs ranging from the toe-tapping “Decoder” to the closing song “Vader”, which featured the brilliant use of a megaphone in the band’s set. Lead singer Vanessa Chamberlain even got a few people dancing with her—unlike the rest of the band, she put on a great stage show dancing around the microphone stand. Very highly recommended. Catch them at SXSW in Austin, Texas, or visit cavedoll.com for upcoming local gigs.

Vicious Starfish

The first thing you notice about this band when you see them is the mysterious blue orbs that sit on the stage—you have absolutely no idea what they’re for, and you figure they’re some kind of funky-looking lights or something that the band uses during their set (and you’d be right). They go along perfectly with the band’s techno-rock sound, which seems to draw a lot of influence from Ladytron. The band’s set sported a techno backbeat track and an automated keyboard, which complemented their sound nicely. While the band doesn’t grab your attention quite as well as Cavedoll, Vicious Starfish is still worth seeing for techno-rock fans. Visit myspace.com/viciousstarfish for upcoming gigs.

Tolchock Trio

This band, started by three roommates living near the U, has quite an interesting mix of styles in its sets. Ranging from almost Jet- or AC/DC-like toward the beginning to very indie-inspired at the end, this band is very well rounded in its list of influences. In interviews after their set, guitarist Ryan Fedor and lead singer/bassist Oliver Lewis cited influences ranging from The Pixies to Sonic Youth to Creedence Clearwater Revival. While their set wasn’t by any means as phenomenal as Cavedoll’s, Tolchock Trio is still quite talented. Catch them March 24 at Urban Lounge (a private club for members) with Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti.

New Song Underground, Feb. 21, 2009

Marci Thorne

This mellow acoustic singer-songwriter almost seems made for public or college radio. Her country-folk style would be right at home on a station like KRCL 90.9 or 88.1 Weber FM. For starts, she has an incredibly soothing and soft voice that could calm an angry pit bull. In an interview, Thorne cited artists such as Jewel, Norah Jones, and Tori Amos as major influences, and they showed prominently in her set (she opened with a Jewel cover). She and her backing guitarist put on a set that could easily cure the worst insomniac—she admitted to putting the producer of her demo CD to sleep. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing depends on your taste. Thorne described most of her lyrics as “either too lovey-dovey or too … serious and depressing,” and this critic would agree. One song, “The Death of Time,” stood out as rather amusing, though—she sings, “The other day I called 911 just for fun just to see what they would do….” She ended the set with a nicely done cover of “Tribute” by Tenacious D. So if you do decide to see Marci Thorne live, just be warned that she might put you to sleep. According to her MySpace page, Thorne has no upcoming gigs as of press time, but check her out at myspace.com/thornemarci.

Colby Stead

Colby Stead has a very hyper and restless stage presence, and that’s clear from the very beginning of his set. Despite his music (and his accordion player, Amy Robinson) being very mellow and folksy, Colby spent most of the set aimlessly dancing around the stage, a mismatch that seemed to dominate the set. Stead showed a clear passion for his music throughout the set as well. He put a lot of emotion into his lyrics, singing about everything from an abused woman he met in Boise to his sister leaving home and getting married. He even sang about his own music, shouting, “My songs need a hook!” He even began screaming his lyrics suddenly toward the end of the set. Stead is definitely not your grandpa’s folk music. According to his MySpace page, Stead has no upcoming gigs as of press time, but check him out at myspace.com/colbystead.

The Sweater Friends

Twenty-somethings Jake Workman and Allyson Bracken are both very talented musicians. They are FULL of energy, wit and charm, and they are a delight to see live. At their concert their energetic, almost anti-folk style stood in sharp contrast to Colby Stead and Marci Thorne, who were much more laid-back and mellow. Their acoustic folk-rock sound is well suited for a coffee shop or the sidewalks of Historic 25th Street (they’ve played both), and they would fit right in at any arts festival. Their quirky musical and lyrical style is unique to them, and their songs touch on a wide range of topics. Some of their noteworthy songs are “Hey Anna”, about Jake’s ex-fiancée; “Breaking the Azeotrope”, a song inspired by both Allyson’s day job as a chemical engineer and her ex-boyfriend; “The Jig”, which tells the story of a man named Jack who leaves a small town for the big city; and “Us and Them”, a song about a Mexican Registered Nurse named Alejandra who moved to California and found herself scrubbing toilets to make ends meet. Other songs, such as “Secretland”, don’t seem to be about anything at all. In spite of one obvious mistake on one of their new songs, the Sweater Friends put on a delightful set that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go of your attention. Catch them April 24 at Kilby Court with Mindy Gledhill and Josaleigh Pollett.

Portions of this review originally appeared in the Weber State Signpost on Feb. 27, 2009. You can see the review as it originally appeared at http://media.www.wsusignpost.com/media/storage/paper985/news/2009/02/27/ArtsAndEntertainment/New-Song.Underground-3653191.shtml

Radiata at The Star Bar, February 21, 2009

A staple of the Park City bar scene, Radiata combines punk and 70’s metal in a way that makes for an entertaining, if not entirely original, sound. Saturday night’s performance at Park City’s Star Bar (a private club for members) was no exception. The band’s set opened with a heavy metal, distorted-guitar cover of A-Ha’s “Take On Me” with a nice mix of singing and screaming, and it set the stage for a stellar set. According to the band’s MySpace page, they draw influences from bands ranging from Avenged Sevenfold, Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne to U2, Rage Against The Machine, and Cake; the metal influences are beyond obvious, while the others are a bit subtler. Although the band played some slower songs, most of the vocals were rapid-fire and unintelligible. The band also did a nice cover of Spiderbait’s “Black Betty” and an original mashup of Pat Benatar and Iron Maiden. Although some listeners may be put off by the band’s frequently gory lyrics, which the band spoke briefly about before one of their songs, Radiata is a must-see for any metal fan. Although the band hasn’t posted any upcoming gigs as of press time, you can check out their MySpace page at myspace.com/radiataband.

Bar Deluxe, Feb. 15, 2009

Skull Captains

The Skull Captains put on a terrific set that is well worth checking out. However, I should disclose that I am such a big fan of this band that I’ve also become friends with them. Drawing on influences such as the HorrorPops, Tsunami Bomb, No Doubt, and the Misfits, the band combines prominent bass lines, one-two drumming, a female lead singer and a great sense of humor to produce a solid punk rock sound. The band’s style ranges from the ska and melodic punk sound of “Skin Prison” to the Misfits-inspired “whoa-whoas” of “I Hope You Die” and “Firebird Stew”. The band also did two brilliant covers; a true-to-the-original version of “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” and a cover of Green Day’s obscure “Dominated Love Slave” (off their pre-major-label Kerplunk! Album). So if you like female punk rock singers, tight bass lines, and bands with a great sense of humor, check out the Skull Captains.

Life Has A Way

This Oi!-punk band is hard to visualize playing anywhere but a dive bar, and that’s clear from the very first song, “Drinkin’ With My Friends At The Bar”. Lead singer Kidd seems to have no trouble shifting gears from The Sex Pistols’ Johnny Rotten to The Dead Kennedys’ Jello Biafra. Other notable songs are a cover of Rancid’s “Ruby SoHo” and the Dropkick Murphys-like “Killing What I Love”. Well worth checking out—especially if you’re the shaved-head-and-suspenders type.

Jesus Rides A Riksha

Jesus Rides A Riksha combines metal and punk rock to create an interesting sound—think Avenged Sevenfold without M. Shadows’ rusty-chainsaw vocals. The band experiments with a wide variety of influences, such as the Bad Brains, Aerosmith, The Misfits, and the Deftones; they also blend together genres such as rapcore, punk rock, metal, and ‘80s-style butt rock, often into the same song. That plus some solid one-two drumming and a good stage presence, and you have Jesus Rides A Riksha. Particularly noteworthy songs are “Monica”, which features an intro reminiscent of the Bad Brains; the melodic hip-hop/metal sounds of “Beaumont Drive”; and a Misfits-like song (the title of which is not fit to print here) about an ex-girlfriend. See this band and decide for yourself if this genre-bending experiment gone horrifically wrong—or right.

Portions of this review originally appeared in the Weber State Signpost on Feb. 20, 2009. To see this review as it originally appeared, visit http://www.wsusignpost.com/news/2009/02/20/ArtsAndEntertainment/Skull.Captains.And.Life.Has.A.Way-3641064.shtml

Urban Lounge, Feb. 4, 2009

Monorchist

This band has an interesting mix of styles—hints of punk and metal, with some slower rock mixed in. Some of the lyrics are about angry youth, etc., but the band still has quite a bit of a bar band-like metal sound to it. It reminds me of early hardcore punk—Minor Threat, etc.—yet it still has a distinctive original quality to it. Combine that with some very sexy vocals and tight bass lines, and you have Monorchist.

Subrosa

My first impression of this band at the City Weekly Music Awards was that they would be more interesting after a few bong hits. They have a slow, grinding stoner-metal sound with some almost painfully slow bass riffs, and would be easy to write off as just another band for potheads at first listen. However, the band has some redeeming qualities, like an electric violinist (who also plays for Loom); influences such as Evanescence, Rob Zombie, and Tool; some very intense drumming; some nice guitar breakdowns; and a female singer with an almost operatic voice. So don’t write off this band after listening to one or two songs—stick around for the whole set and then decide for yourself.

Big Gun Baby

First, I should disclose that I am such a big fan of this band that I’ve become personal friends with them. However, they put on a terrific show. They are very much a punk rock band, with a little new wave keyboard-playing mixed in. The band even mixes in some country, rockabilly and blues into some songs like “Blur” and “Love’s a 20”. Their lead singer has an incredibly sexy voice and puts on a great stage show—enough to make any straight guy go ga-ga. (Sorry guys, she’s taken.) That and some excellent bass playing make Big Gun Baby a band well worth checking out. Unfortunately, I saw the guitarist say he was quitting the band during an argument with the bassist, so you may have to settle for checking them out on MySpace or Facebook for now.

Portions of this review originally appeared in the Weber State Signpost on Feb. 13, 2009.

City Weekly Music Awards, Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Jan. 31, 2009

Loom

Perhaps one of the first things you notice about this band is the incredible performance by the electric violinist. Not many rock bands have one, and violinist Kim Pack (who is also the violinist for Subrosa) plays it exceptionally. Complement that with a phenomenal bass performance, a good mix of screaming and singing metal vocals, an on-fire drummer, and some great intros, and you have Loom. Their Evanescence-meets-Slayer sound is appealing even to me, someone who’s not a big fan of metal. They also put on a great stage show, with some excellent lighting effects to boot. Definitely worth checking out!

Subrosa

My first impression of this band was that they would be more interesting after a few bong hits. They have a slow, grinding stoner-metal sound with some almost painfully slow bass riffs, and would be easy to write off as just another band for potheads at first listen. However, the band has some redeeming qualities, like an electric violinist (who also plays for Loom); influences such as Evanescence, Rob Zombie, and Tool; some very intense drumming; some nice guitar breakdowns; and a female singer with an almost operatic voice. So don’t write off this band after listening to one or two songs—stick around for the whole set and then decide for yourself.

Form of Rocket

This band’s set began with some incredible drumming and didn’t let up. The set also had some great guitar riffs and breakdowns, but the set was noticeably lacking in one thing: vocals. Some of the songs were entirely instrumental, and the rest had very little singing. What little singing I heard was too low volume, although that isn’t really the band’s fault. The band made up for its shortcomings, though, with some Tool-like bass and guitar, a good stage presence, great musicianship, and some very intense, almost Slayer-ish metal stylings. Definitely a must-see for fans of Tool or Slayer.

The reviews of Loom and Form of Rocket first appeared in the Weber State Signpost on Feb. 6, 2009. You can view them as they originally appeared at http://media.www.wsusignpost.com/media/storage/paper985/news/2009/02/06/ArtsAndEntertainment/City-Weekly.Music.Awards.Review-3619636.shtml. The review of Subrosa first appeared in the Weber State Signpost on Feb. 13, 2009.

KHP at Bogey’s, Oct. 2, 2008

KHP puts on a good show worth checking out. Their Creed-meets-Bob-Dylan sound with a splash of blues thrown in is unique enough to keep you interested— Read more

Blackhounds at Avalon Theater, Sept. 26, 2008

First off, I should again point out that I have a bias toward this band. I went to school with Dan McAllister, the guitarist, and the band was also nice enough to give me a free ticket to their show in exchange for a review. That said, I think the Blackhounds put on a stellar show on Friday. Read more

Village Green, Sept. 26, 2008

Lost By Reason

This somewhat mellow acoustic rock band features something you don’t see too often: an acoustic guitar paired with an electric bass. The all-female band puts on a nice show with a combination of acoustic guitar strumming, an electric bass, bongos, and even an electric violin. The band doesn’t put on much of a stage show, but that’s somewhat expected considering their style of music. They do, however, interact well with the crowd, and the lead singer’s deep, somewhat butch voice resonates with the audience. The band’s lyrics cover a range of subjects from moving to Salt Lake to having a cigarette after sex. If you prefer mellower, somewhat more laid back music that’s still rock, this might just be the band for you. http://www.myspace.com/lostbyreason

The Gorgeous Hussies

This normally electric-rock band performed an acoustic set Wednesday night that, although not as good as the electric shows in my opinion, was nicely done nonetheless. The Hussies have a groovy, jazz-rock sound that makes you want to smile. Read more

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