It’s safe to say, we’ve been sitting on this interview for a little too long. Back in the Summer, Evie caught up with Columbus Pop-Rock band, Liberty Deep Down to get to know the band a bit better just after their premiere of ‘Typical’. They talk about their influences, opening up for Bon Jovi, their dream collabs, and so much more. Check it out above and check out their new release, ‘Out of Time’. on Spotify below!
Evie Wagner
Film Review: Foo Fighters Present Studio 666
When I found out one of my all-time favorite bands, Foo Fighters, were going to be releasing and starring in their very own horror flick, I knew instantly I’d have to check it out and write up a review. As a longtime fan of the band, I was thrilled to see them embark on such a unique and ambitious project, yet another accomplishment on their extended roster of impressive feats. Blending music, horror, and comedy, Studio 666, filmed in secret during the pandemic, is a campy, kitschy, fast-paced and brilliant wild ride from start to finish.
From the mastermind that is Dave Grohl, Studio 666 follows the Foo Fighters through their unsettling and supernatural journey moving into a dilapidated Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock history, as the band seeks out an evolved and leveled-up soundscape for recording their highly-anticipated tenth album. Upon moving in, frontman Grohl finds himself grappling with a stubborn case of writer’s block - and blood lust - that threatens both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.
There’s plenty to enjoy about this film. In the opening scene, I was delighted to see recent maven of horror Jenna Ortega make an appearance, as well as Whitney Cummings, Will Forte, Leslie Grossman, and Jeff Garlin, who has been a favorite of mine since his Wizards of Waverly Place days. In addition to the star-studded cast, Studio 666 is chock-full of tongue-in-cheek humor, brotherly digs from the band to one another, and impressive comedic timing. The film boasts great visual effects, and is abundant in blood and gore - which is exactly how I like my movies. I definitely admired the creativity in the script as each band member met their untimely, graphic demise. Be prepared for a hearty belly laugh one minute, and then getting guts shoved in your face the next - as Grohl, possessed by something quite unholy, takes his own album title One By One far too literally.
My favorite moment of the film was when music superstar Lionel Richie popped in for an unexpected, quick, cheeky cameo. I won’t reveal too much, but you’re in for a laugh! In addition, I thought the entirety of the band did a great job with the acting, especially Grohl, who has a bit of a background in acting after his appearance as Satan in Tenacious D’s slapstick musical-comedy The Pick of Destiny. Even drummer Taylor Hawkins, who has admitted he didn’t bother learning the script and instead improvised all his lines, was a treat to watch on screen. For (mostly) first-time actors, the Foos definitely made a good impression.
Fans of metal will enjoy the film’s soundtrack, which features not only a number of Foo Fighters’ greatest hits and deep cuts, but heavy, sludgy material recorded by Foo Fighters’ as their evil, sinister alias, Dream Widow.
Currently, the film holds a modest 55% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, and an 81% audience score. While not favored by critics, fans seem to love Studio 666, further proving my point that the flick was made for the fans and not the critics. With Studio 666, Foo Fighters’ never set out to release a billion-dollar, record-breaking, Oscar-worthy, perfect score cinematic blockbuster, but instead, they created a low-budget, campy slasher movie, where the primary goal is to make the fans happy and let the band go wild and have fun, doing something they’ve never done before. It’s safe to say the band has achieved and surpassed this goal. In conversation with Rolling Stone, Grohl proved this point and spoke further about the film’s inspiration, saying “It’s part The Shining, part Amityville Horror, part Evil Dead. The ‘rock band film’ as a tradition seems to have disappeared…We’re not going for There Will Be Blood. We just want to have fun in that old tradition of rock & roll.”
Studio 666 is in theaters now and on-demand March 18th.
The Knee-Hi’s Release Dreamy, Nostalgic Debut Album “Charmed”
Suffice it to say, I’m a sucker for anything nostalgic. As a self-proclaimed “old soul”, there’s nothing I love more than bell bottoms, throwback seventies jams on vinyl, and anything that can take me back to the magic of decades’ past. That’s why I was so thrilled to discover Chicago girl-group, The Knee-Hi’s, right before the release of their very first LP.
The group describes their sound as blending “the explosive energy of rock and the romanticism of doo-wop to sweep you away to an atomic dreamland”, and, without a doubt, they have succeeded in this premise. The Knee-Hi’s are a blast from the past existing right here in the present. One look at the band, and you’ll swear they walked right out of 1975. Not only is their style and image reminiscent of days gone by, the band has successfully culminated a sound that is all their own, but with prevalent influences of pure rock and doo-wop across the board. Listening to their music, I’m reminded of old-timey, romantic crooners of the fifties and sixties, such as Lesley Gore, The Ronettes, The Supremes, and even The Mamas & The Papas, while at the same time, the essence of pure, punchy, energetic seventies rock n’ roll shines through, making me think of Suzi Quatro, Blondie, and especially, The Runaways.
Charmed, the debut installment from The Knee-Hi’s, was released worldwide on 2/2/22, at exactly 2:22 AM. According to sacred numerology, the number 2 is known as a supremely feminine force, representing both grace and power. It is associated with harmony, balance, partnerships, sensitivity, intuition, and love, all of which are showcased throughout the album. I was very intrigued at the band’s creative choice of release timing, and with my love for numerology and all things mystical, knew this LP would be a fun one to fully immerse and dive into.
So, without further ado, here is my track-by-track review of Charmed…
DARLIN’ DARLIN’
The band’s debut single, and opening track, Darlin’ Darlin’, whisks you away to a romantic dreamland in the clouds. A soft, gentle beginning to the musical journey the listener embarks on for the duration of the album, this song brings all the Valentine’s Day vibes with dreamy harmonies, melancholy lyrics of longing and desire, and mellow, hazy instrumentals. Staged Haze describes the song as “like slipping into a warm bath in a claw-foot tub”, and I couldn’t agree more. Darlin’ Darlin’ is a handwritten love letter, sprayed with rose perfume, a gentle, tender kiss on the lips, a lover twirling you during a romantic dance, a dimly lit candle flickering in a dark bedroom. Darlin’ Darlin’ is what dreams are made of.
MELVIN
“Tell you about who?”
“My baby”
“Your baby?”
“My baby, tell ya ‘bout my baby”
Following the sudden, abrupt ending of the album’s opening track, Melvin thrusts the listener into a jumpy, catchy tune, in which the band describes a lover and sings their praises. With a simple but funky melody, I could easily see myself in a crowd jumping around and chanting the chorus with other enthusiastic fans. It’s hard not to get the infectious melody stuck in your head, and Melvin makes a great, fast-paced follow-up to the soft and gentle opening track of the album.
ACTION!
The band’s second single, and my personal favorite track of the album, Action! opens with the highly relatable lyric “Wake up in the mornin’, ain’t feelin’ so well, I wanna kick and scream, I wanna really yell”. An anthem for all those (like me) who adore weekend nights out on the town and the sublime spectacle that is live music, Action! describes the universal yearning to go out and just have fun, which is so felt during these cabin-fever-ridden, isolated, pandemic days. I definitely hear The Runaways in this track, and I especially love the primal yell heard right before lead guitarist Alice shines with a passionate, energetic solo. Overall, Action! will definitely be on repeat every time I get ready for a night on the town, y’know, to ~set the mood~.
FUN AT THE BEACH
Lighthearted, campy, carefree and expeditious, Fun at the Beach sounds like summer and sunshine in a song. Clocking in at just under two minutes, this track combines the feelings of teenage rebellion, freedom, and the uber-importance of soaking up youth and making memories, with the song ending just as quickly as it began, perhaps a metaphor for how fleeting the summer, and youth in general, can be. In this song, I hear a little Beach Boys, and even hints of Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun” and The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop”. All of these influences combine to make a very enjoyable interlude tune, one in which I’ll definitely put on next time I go seeking sun and sand.
MAKE YOU MINE
“Listen up boys, here’s a taste of your own medicine”
Oh boy…I am in love with this track. Make You Mine is a tongue-in-cheek tune in which the group reverses “traditional” roles of men relentlessly pursuing women, with brutally honest lyrics about the reality of being followed, harassed, stalked, pursued, by someone who just won’t give up and take no for an answer. Even though the instrumentals sound light and sugary, a close listen to the lyrics will reveal the song is anything but a love letter to men. This particular spoken exchange between the band speaks for itself, further proving the point of the song:
“I heard he got a restraining order.”
“Another one?”
“It was more like a request.”
“You gonna see him again?
“What do you think? Nothing’s gonna get in my way!”
WHAT A WAY TO DIE
“Well baby come on over, come on over to my side, well I may not live past twenty-one but, whoo! What a way to die!”
Live fast, die young, this song says. In a similar instrumental style to Melvin, but with some country influences, What A Way To Die is a brisk, energetic ode to lust, drinking, partying, and good ole fun. This is a tune I could see myself dancing and jumping around to, and enjoying a round of shots with friends, celebrating youth and good times. Cheers!
FIRST 10
I love the harmonies on this track. First 10 is a catchy, fast, tune that unapologetically confesses devotion to a longtime lover. Starting with the line, “It’s been so long since I admired you from afar”, this song is a success story of a love gone right, with the chorus ending with the line, “The first ten years with you could be the best I’ve had”. This song shows the true security and happiness that comes from being in a long-term relationship, and having it work out exactly how you hoped it would.
TEENAGE KICKS
“Are teenage dreams so hard to beat?
Every time they walk down the street
Another babe in the neighborhood
I wish they’re mine, they look so good”
What a delightful surprise! The Knee-Hi’s have taken the 1979 hit by Irish rockers The Undertones and breathed new life into it, energizing and speeding up the song and putting their own spin on the classic, diversifying their album with a fun cover in the midst of all-originals. Dare I say it, I like this version more than the original! Something about it is just infectious. I can definitely see this one hyping up a crowd and getting folks singing along. Kudos to the band for such a fun choice of cover, and an excellent job in covering it.
DAUGHTERS OF FIRE
“Wanted by many, tamed by none
Earth couldn’t hold her, she could kiss the sun”
Remember the numerology lesson we touched on at the start of this review? It comes full circle in this track. Celebrating femininity, women, power, confidence, independence, tenacity, and union, Daughters of Fire is a jumpy, electric feminist anthem - honoring the divine feminine, friendship, and women in general in a most rock n’ roll way. This has easily become another favorite of mine on the album, and has also found its way into my “confident bitch anthems” playlist. The whole band shines extra bright on this track, and they should be very proud of the magical, empowering anthem they have created. I, certainly, will be playing this one anytime I need a boost or a pep talk.
As Beyonce once said, “Who run the world? Girls!”
(FAST) DARLIN’
I’ve gotta say, this is a very creative way to end an album. Circling back to Charmed’s inaugural track, (Fast) Darlin’ is the slow, dreamy, romantic doo-wop song reimagined as a rapid, raw, bass-heavy rock n’ roll banger, complete with loud and proud group vocals, yelling, and punk influences. I absolutely love this choice of a closer. This is the song that plays as the credits roll in The Knee Hi’s feature-length film, tying up all the loose ends and impressing the listener with the band’s ability to show us two sides of one song. I can’t sing this tune’s praises enough. You’ll just have to listen for yourself!
“So won’t you hold me and tell me goodbye, before I lay here, aaaaaaand DIE!”
All in all, I am extremely impressed with this album, and I’m so stoked to see what else The Knee-Hi’s will release in the future. Be sure to check out the band on social media, streaming services, and YouTube, where bassist Devyn Crimson, rockstar and vintage fashionista extraordinaire, runs a channel dedicated to beauty, style, band vlogs, and much more.
Joyous Wolf Drops Catchy, Energetic New Single “Fearless”
Orange County rockers Joyous Wolf are back and bringing the heat with their newest single, “Fearless”, released July 30th on Roadrunner Records.
The song, which is the first release off the band’s forthcoming album, is a high-energy anthem about living fully and unafraid, like we did as children. Frontman Nick Reese soars on this track, with his most impressive vocals to date, and guitarist Blake Allard tears it up with a fiery, in-your-face solo. Getting to hear this song live on the band’s recent tour with Dirty Honey was quite a treat, and made me even more excited for the album’s release in the hopefully-near future.
Joyous Wolf have come to develop a signature sound that is 100% their own, pure rock & roll with a raw edge, unapologetic and daring. As well, “Fearless”, from a listener’s perspective, could be described as the love child of Montrose and Boston.
Reese shares that “Fearless” is somewhat of a “wild card”, being finished during the band’s final days in the studio working on the upcoming album. During recording, he reflected on the unafraid nature most of us possess as children, and how it seems to turn into fear as life happens, and we get older. “For the most part, I like to believe we are born fearless, and we are conditioned to be afraid.”
“Fearless” is available now on all streaming services. You can check out the companion music video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNGaY7ta8Xs) and visit joyouswolf.com for all the latest updates.
Foo Fighters & Radkey Light Up Cincinnati on First Tour Stop
The return of live music had Cincinnati buzzing, as Foo Fighters and Radkey brought the fire to the Queen City last Wednesday night for a sold-out show at the brand new ICON Music Center in the heart of downtown. The event, which sold all 8,000 tickets in merely ten minutes, was the first stop on the band’s 26th anniversary tour, and the energetic crowd in the home state of Dave Grohl himself certainly gave the band a warm welcome back to the stage.
I was lucky enough to win a pair of tickets through a local record store’s raffle (thank you, Shake It Records!) and getting to attend the show (and see Foo Fighters live for the first time) was nothing short of fantastic.
Hailing from Missouri, openers Radkey are a garage-punk trio consisting of brothers Dee, Isaiah, and Solomon Radke, who grew up homeschooled and cut their teeth on their father’s vast collection of rock, metal, and punk records. Fast-forward to 2021, after being featured in Grohl’s newest documentary, What Drives Us, the band jumped at the opportunity to open for Foo Fighters and be the very first artist to play Cincinnati’s newest venue. Listening to their set, which was chock-full of original songs such as the groovy “Dark Black Makeup” and energetic “Seize”, it’s no wonder the Missouri natives were chosen to open the show. The excitement and energy on stage was palpable, as the brothers gave it their all and put on an electrifying performance, with vocalist/guitarist Dee and bassist Isaiah at one point even playing back-to-back and on their knees during a solo. I was thoroughly impressed by their skill and floored by their stage presence, as was the rest of the crowd, for when the band left the stage after a phenomenal set, people in every direction instantly began Googling their name to find out more. It’s no secret Radkey gained plenty of new fans that night, and surely with each show, their fanbase will grow exponentially.
As soon as Foo Fighters walked on stage, the crowd went wild. Pure joy and gratitude shone through the facial expressions of all six band members, as they took several moments to just take it all in: the fans, the joy, the excitement, the experience. Opening with fan-favorite “Times Like These”, the band launched into a killer set, complete with jumbo screens, flashing lights, visual effects to boot and a raw, powerful presence that captivated the audience. Dave Grohl memorably asked the crowd, loudly, “Are you ready for some rock & roll?!?!” and proceeded to tell us we were in for a two and a half hour rock show, stating, “You know we have, like, a hundred and seventy-five fuckin’ songs, right?”
All night long, the band put on a stellar performance, playing their biggest hits from every era, as well as plenty of lesser-known tunes. In addition, for mostly newer songs off of 2020’s Medicine At Midnight, a panel of three talented female backup vocalists joined the band on stage, including Grohl’s teenage daughter Violet, adding a fantastic edge and dazzle to the already-epic show. Later in the night, the band launched into performing some covers, off their newest release under the alter ego Dee Gees, titled, hilariously, Hail Satin, where they tackle disco with a colorful flair. Seemingly everyone in the crowd was up and moving listening to songs like “You Should Be Dancing” and “Night Fever”. Doubling down on the covers, self-proclaimed “biggest Queen fan in the world” Taylor Hawkins even sang a lovely rendition of “Somebody To Love” to a crowd of all ages, who were clearly thrilled to hear such a musical treat.
After a long and entertaining night, the band closed the show with the classic smash-hit and crowd-pleaser “Everlong”. As the final notes rang out, I stood in awe of the spectacle I just witnessed. With my heart beating, ears ringing, and body sweating, I left the show feeling light, free, and full of good energy. Saying Foo Fighters puts on an amazing show is simply an understatement. Their performance was nothing short of phenomenal, and getting to experience it first-hand was truly a dream come true.
In conclusion, if you ever get the chance to see Foo Fighters live, take it. You will undoubtedly have the time of your life.
Interview: Erin Coburn
Evie sat down with Kentucky native and multi-talented instrumentalist, producer, singer and songwriter Erin Coburn for a brief chat about recording, producing, gigging, collaborating, and much more. Tune in to hear her stories about getting certified in audio engineering, playing livestream shows, dream musical collabs and which three vinyls she would bring to a deserted island.
Interview with California Hard Rockers, Cold Shoulder
Evie sat down over Zoom with on-the-rise California hard rockers Cold Shoulder for a brief chat about all things music, recording, touring, and more. Check it out to hear lead singer Marcus’ best tips for vocalists, wild video shoot stories, what records each band member would bring to a deserted island, and a couple *very* convincing reasons to pre-order the band’s upcoming EP.
True Villains & Cold Shoulder, 2 Quintessential New Rock Releases You Need To Hear
If you’re looking for some fresh, new, and unapologetically bold rock n’ roll to power up your week, look no further than the newest singles by rising rockers, True Villains and Cold Shoulder.
The best way I can think of describing these new releases is fearless. Both songs pack a major punch, unafraid to speak freely with dauntless lyrics and heavy, power-packed instrumentals. From the first notes, you’ll be hooked. So, buckle up, get ready, and prepare for one hell of a ride.
Hailing from Nashville, True Villains put the “hard” in “hard rock”. As a modern rock powerhouse quintet, the band draws influence from iconic groups of the past, but they insist they’re no “retro revival.” Instead, True Villains takes the raw energy of rock n’ roll and puts an unforgettably kickass spin on it, describing their sound as “big, burly, and just the right amount of pissed-off.” In their music, I hear influences of Foo Fighters, Black Veil Brides, Velvet Revolver, Royal Blood, and more. Without a doubt, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Their new single, “Dig Your Grave”, is a cautionary tale of accountability. The companion music video is haunting, gripping, and intense in all the right ways. With gritty vocals, hard-hitting riffs, and a breakdown that won’t leave your head, True Villains have crafted a truly badass work of art. Speaking about the song, the band shares: “Our latest single is a heavy reminder that sometimes there are situations in life when you need to face up to the consequences of our own actions. Alternatively, you are not responsible for cleaning up someone else’s mess that they’ve created for themselves. Sometimes the best lessons are the ones learned the hardest.”
Formed in San Francisco, multi-talented rockers Cold Shoulder are embracing the modern era of hard rock, using their presence and platform to create music that is “thoughtful, conscious, and driven by a desire to motivate, inspire, and spread love and joy to all those who hear it.” The band is heavily influenced by their love of grunge, early 2000’s, and hard rock music, citing Alice In Chains, Badflower, and Dirty Honey as their pivotal influences and inspirations. Cold Shoulder’s main goal as a collective is to “produce a musical experience that is exciting and thought-provoking, bringing rock that invokes the nostalgia of the music you love while bringing you a new fresh sound that is just as captivating.”
In their newest release, “Be Patient”, the band seems to speak as an omniscient narrator or guide to the listener, using motivating lyrics like “Stuck in your head again, don’t listen to the voices, take my advice friend, don’t hesitate, been working too hard for this” as a call to action, for whoever is listening to take charge, take action, and go after their wildest dreams and ambitions. Listening to this song, I can certainly hear the aforementioned influences, with a little bit of bands like Periphery and All Time Low. The opening riff is killer and will most definitely get stuck in your head (not that I’m complaining!) and the quieter verse/louder chorus dynamic is yet another awesome aspect that sets this song apart. With a slower, trippy breakdown that launches into a powerful finale, this tune is, without a doubt, one you can’t miss.
Both True Villains and Cold Shoulder have certainly made their mark on the rock genre, and I’m stoked to hear even more amazing tunes from both of them in the near future. You can follow them on Instagram, @truevillainsnashville and @coldshoulderband for more.
The Uptown’s “Quarantine Song”: an Anthem for 2020 (and beyond)
As we reach, and dreadfully acknowledge, the one-year anniversary of COVID-19’s wreckage across the world, many folks are feeling jaded, exhausted, and just plain crumby due to the pandemic that won’t seem to go away. Like a mosquito bite or incessant hiccups, Covid has been a nuisance and constant annoyance in everyone’s lives, leaving people wondering “When will this virus take a hike and finally leave us alone?” It’s no surprise that 2020 took a toll on everybody, and left no one unscathed, and it’s hard to believe we’ve been in this battle for a year now.
Self-described “psychedelic indie-soul” crooners The Uptown, based out of central Ohio, have successfully transmuted the loneliness and pain we’re all feeling into a happy-go-lucky tune with a hopeful perspective on the future. “Quarantine Song” is a must-listen for anyone feeling down due to the state of the world, and in need of a pick-me-up.
Musically, the song sounds like summer, and provides a nostalgic energy as the listener is reminded of the little things and good old days that we’re all missing so dearly. Listening can and will evoke a sense of longing, dreaming of better days and happier times. However, it’s the hopefulness in the lyrics that truly makes this song a winner. Listing all the simple pleasures we took for granted in a “My Favorite Things” kind of way (“Open mic nights and mini golf dates, road trips and drive-ins and breakfast we made”), creates an extremely visual experience for the listener, reminiscing on pre-Covid joys that have been put on pause while the world heals.
Even with relatable lyrics to boot (“I miss you my friends, every day we’re apart; I’m tired of working and making bad art”), “Quarantine Song” stays the course to a positive outlook with it’s hopeful recurring message of “I can’t wait to see you again” - consciously choosing to say “when” and not “if”, and instilling a sense of hope in the listener, that things WILL get better, we WILL see our friends again, and we WILL make it out of this crazy unprecedented situation. The best we can do right now is just hold on.
The Uptown’s debut EP, Willow Tree, is available to stream on all platforms. You can find them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Interview with Nick Reese of Joyous Wolf
I caught up with California rocker Nick Reese, vocalist of Joyous Wolf, for a delightful and lengthy discussion about music, upcoming work, songwriting, inspiration, touring, and much more. Humble with charisma to boot, Reese shares tour stories, favorite lyrics, singing and songwriting advice, and even the three records he’d listen to while stranded on a deserted island. Check out the deluxe-length interview here, and stream Joyous Wolf’s EP, Place In Time, available on all platforms.
Talking To Achilles Heel
I sat down (virtually, of course) with British rockers Achilles Heel for a lively discussion about live music, new releases, influences, lockdown, and more. Their new single “Running From” and companion music video drops January 1st on all streaming platforms!