Rockers, rejoice! After a year of streaming singles and an EP, new Dirty Honey is finally here! Released just today, Dirty Honey’s self-titled debut album will get you revved up for the future of Rock ‘N’ Roll. We’re back in the spotlight, baby!
Serving up a full bodied experience with catchy melodies, statement riffs, strong storytelling, and a twist on 70’s blues-rock, this album is packed with all killer and no filler. Every track feels genuine to the band’s signature sound and showcases the incredible talents of the members equally. Simply put, Dirty Honey is a damn good jam sesh that will no doubt transform to pure revelry on the live stage.
If you’re new to the hive, welcome! It’s hot, sticky, and will keep you buzzing for more! Each with their own intricate background in music, Dirty Honey is composed of Marc Labelle on vocals, John Notto on guitar, Justin Smolian on bass, and Corey Coverstone on drums. The Los Angeles quartet has already made rock history, landing a #1 spot on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and surpassed 10-million Spotify plays with “When I’m Gone” from their first EP. Oh, and did we mention the band isn’t signed to a label? Pretty f’in impressive!
So without further ado, let’s dive in…
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
It’s no secret, this isn’t your Mamas and Papas type of California Dreamin’...
A darker yet very upbeat musical tale of the true California dream, this track is perfect for soaking up the Summer sun. With powerful chord progressions and a belt-worthy chorus, ‘‘California Dreamin’’ is the perfect opener to give you a taste of what Dirty Honey is all about.
It may be the first song to kick off the album, but it was the last actually the last to be written! “We finished it about two weeks before we recorded it, so the song was still so new, and we were trying out different things, so every take was a little different. But there was that one where we just captured it, and it was magic," shared bassist Justin Smolian.
THE WIRE
The guitar hits and you’re immediately transported back to live shows where some crowds were lucky enough to hear a sneak peek of this three minute and five second ball of fire before the pandemic hit. ‘The Wire’ picks up the energy ‘California Dreamin’ left off and cranks it up a notch. You can’t help but sing along with Marc as he showcases his vocal range or get that “guitar stank face” when John (Notto) takes the reins for a solo. To me, ‘The Wire’ really encapsulates the Dirty Honey sound.
TIED UP
Get ready to be wound up! Mere seconds in, ‘Tied Up’ makes you want to move to the tap of the cymbals and groove along with the melody. With a heavy 70’s rock sound, Dirty Honey still makes it completely their own.
As Marc’s soulful wails melt into Notto’s guitar solo, it feels like you’re being brought BACK TO LIFE. The power that the band builds into that moment truly sends a shock through your body. As the song winds down, the isolated vocals bring about an overwhelming feeling to clap along. Who cares if you’re rocking out alone at home, we’re in this musical moment together.
TAKE MY HAND
With rolling drums and tasty riffs, the rock ‘n’ roll ride continues with ‘Take My Hand’. This melodic hard rock track tells a relatable story full of frustration, persuasion, and understanding. Though true for the entire album, this song in particular makes it exceptionally hard to spotlight just one individual member. The band's energy really builds into each other.
GYPSY
Meet the perfect road trip companion. With the pedal to metal and the spirit of living free, ‘Gypsy’ is fast-tempoed with the sexy stylings of the 70’s.
Coverstone on drums and Smolian on bass play off each other, building the feeling of being on the move. Before the joy-ride comes to an end, Notto pulls into high gear with a fiery solo just long enough to get your adrenaline pumping. Hands down, ‘Gypsy’ is one of those songs you’ll crank up while driving with the windows down and the wind in your hair!
NO WARNING
‘No Warning’ is your new live in the moment anthem. With lyrics like, “now I'm living for the night, cause nothing's guaranteed,” you can’t help but belt along with Marc and pump yourself up .
Something I enjoy about Notto’s playing style, particularly in this track, is that his licks feel very in-the-moment, like it’s an impromptu jam. Being rehearsed but not TOO polished is something the band touts as one of their best qualities, and I think they’ve got it right. It feels very real and raw.
THE MORNING
Sexy and steamy, ‘The Morning’ takes things into the bedroom. With a catchy melody and chorus, Marc and the band work together to create a build into sweet heat of passion and guitar grit. The bright and upbeat instrumentals paired with confident vocals make this one an instant mood booster and the perfect excuse to dance around…maybe while making breakfast the next morning.
ANOTHER LAST TIME
Although I wasn’t quite ready for the album to come to an end, ‘Another Last Time’ is the perfect closing drenched in blues-y emotion. The song feels like that warm and fuzzy goodbye at the end of the night when you know you’ve got to head home but you’re hoping somehow, someway, it’ll be different just this once and the night will carry on.
Kicking it off with a strictly guitar intro feels like sweet, sweet, blues and Rock ‘N Roll. Marc takes a smoother approach this time around, taking it down a few octaves. With the addition of the piano and choir backing him, it feels like heaven has opened its gates. Chills shoot up through your body and you can almost picture a crowd swaying their arms back and forth.
‘Another Last Time’ is one you’ll feel DEEP within your soul. It’s the ultimate goodbye - you’re left with a smile on your face but left yearning for more.
The Breakdown EP9: Throwback ( Artists You Forgot About)
Welcome to another episode of the breakdown, your weekly talk for everything in the rock world.
Classic artists like Sound Garden, Mudvayne, System Of A Down, and so forth will always be remembered. But what about those artists that you forgot about and are still bangers even today ? We do a special episode dedicated to some of our favorite artists that have been lost in the shuffle over time.
Diamante Announces New Album + Shares Video for 'Ghost Myself'
Diamante has proven once again that she is an absolute shining diamond in the rock world. Between collaborating with Bad Wolves on their debut album, touring with Breaking Benjamin and also releasing an excellent cover of ‘Iris’ by Goo Goo Dolls with Breaking Benjamin, it’s safe to say that she is killing it.
Now, She is back and better than ever before with the release of the music video for her song, ‘Ghost Myself’, as well as the announcement of her sophomore album, American Dream.
If there’s one thing you should know about this blue-haired rockstar, it’s the fact that she always kicks ass. Her music is the kind that empowers you and makes you want to be a total badass through and through. Not only does Ghost Myself bring in that power, the music video does as well and in the video, she completely proved just how kick-ass women are.
The entire music video looks like a more empowering, badass, female-based version of Fight Club and I feel that both the song and the video gives us all a good look at what we’ll expect from her upcoming album.
Speaking of her new music, let’s head on over to the news of her long awaited sophomore album, American Dream.
It’s been three years since the release of her debut album, Coming In Hot, and I’m sure we all enjoyed bangers such as the album’s title track, ‘Bulletproof,’ and ‘Haunted ‘- but now, while we have already jammed out (head banged) to ‘Ghost Myself’ - we can expect to see musical growth in American Dream.
“With American Dream, I was given the ultimate artistic freedom to express my most personal moments, stories, confessions, flaws, fears, hopes, mistakes, desires, vices, heartaches, and redemption in a way I have never been able to in the past," says Diamante. "Every word on this album is my personal diary screaming in your face. This album has no limitations, restrictions, or filter, really.”
With that being said, the news of American Dream is very exciting and I cannot wait to hear how this album is gonna sound. Knowing Diamante though, it’s bound to be outstanding.
American Dream comes out on May 7. Pre-save it here.
Interview: Get To Know Rock Duo Crown Lands
From Rolling Stone to BANDED PR, Crown Lands sits down with Kiki to chat about all the excitement happening in their lives, despite a pandemic and all the political and social unrest in our world. Tune in below to hear Cody (they/them) and Kevin (he/him) discuss their navigations through the world of streaming music, the creative voyage of artistry in music videos, and what they got coming up next for the remainder of 2021!
HALFLIVES RELEASE VIDEO FOR ‘VIBE’
Paris based rock band, Halflives, just released a music video for their song, ‘Vibe’. This was my first time being exposed to this band and I gotta tell you, I was immediately hooked.
I fell in love with this song instantly and when listening to it, I felt empowered. It’s filled with so much rage that you can tell was bottled up for so long and then just completely exploded. As someone who is also filled with so much rage, I really appreciated this and can relate on a personal level. I also love the fact that it’s a female vocalist singing about all of these angry emotions. It amplifies the rage and as a female myself, it resonated with me more than if it were a male singing.
The first thing that caught my attention while watching the music video was the camera work. Throughout the video, the camera is always moving and even unsteady at some parts. It’s like the person filming was almost rioting along with the band and since that’s the viewers point of view, it’s like we, the audience, are rioting along right there with them. It’s such a simple technique but creates such a huge effect. The music video itself is also just completely badass and totally rock n roll. It’s in a dark setting, the band is rocking out, it totally fits the vibe of the song.
When talking about this song, lead singer, Linda Battilani, said, “...While I was writing it I was picturing myself as a sort of leader of the French Revolution, and I was leading all the misfits and the ones that had been left out to power. That’s what "Vibe" is about. Letting everybody know they have a place in this world, just gotta fight for it and rebel a bit when things feel unfair." This is exactly what I got out of the song and I loved every second of it. Listening to the song and watching the video made me feel like one of those misfits joining this French Revolution.
Overall this was a great tune and great video, I really enjoyed it and I will definitely be listening to more of Halflives!
Halflives will be headlining a tour in the UK this summer. Tour dates and more information on wehavehalflives.com
Review: Bodom After Midnight's ‘ Paint The Sky With Blood ‘
Before our crazy 2020 year was over, the metal world lost a legend: Alexi Laiho. The frontman of Children Of Bodom, passed away this last December and the world is still honoring his memory.
In 2019 Children Of Bodom had broken up, but frontman Alexi and rhythm guitarist Daniel Freyberg were not going to leave the fans. Bodom After Midnight was formed shortly after with drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, bassist Mitja Toivonen and keyboardist Lauri Salomaa.
During the year of 2020 before Alexi’s passing they recorded 3 songs along with one music video. On April 23, 2021 they all will be released as a short E.P. honoring Alexi. The first single off the E.P. to be released to fans was ‘Paint The Sky With Blood’ with a music as well.
Upon first hearing this single, it was haunting to know that these were the last musical creations of Alexi Laiho, but also I couldn’t help but bang my head and raise my horns.
‘Paint The Sky With Blood’ is everything you expect Alexi to bring to a Bodom song: classical metal riffs, symphonic keyboards, thunderous drums and iconic Alexi razor sharp vocals.
As saddening as it is to know we will never get the full length album, metal fans rejoice and bask in this legend’s final masterpiece.
Follow Bodom After Midnight on Instagram at @bodomaftermidnightofficial for more updates.
Joining the Peaceful Army: How New Music Discovery Got Me Through the Pandemic
The only good thing to come out of this pandemic has been the music. At least, that’s how it’s been for me. With so many of the things we’ve grown so accustomed to suddenly taken away from us, it’s been hard to adjust and stay sane. I’m in college, and the pandemic has made every part of that immensely more difficult. Things that used to be easy became more challenging, tasks that could be done in 2 hours suddenly were taking all day, work-life balance was out the window, social interaction was practically non-existent. Even now, much of that still rings true for me, and the only thing I’ve found that can help ease the stress and curb the negative emotions that constantly rear their ugly heads as a result of everything going on is music. When I feel like I’m about to snap, the best thing I can do for myself is queue something up and drown out the world for just a song or an album’s length.
It’s fine and good to queue up the songs and artists I already know and love, and the impact that songs from my favorite bands have had on me over the past year is immeasurable, but there’s been something extra special about discovering new artists and new music throughout the past year. For just 40 minutes, an hour, an hour-and-20 if I’m lucky, life suddenly feels normal again. I feel excited for the first time in a long time. I have something to explore, a task of sorts, not that I haven’t been busy enough through all of this, but this is a task I actually look forward to completing. Part of the reason this pandemic has taken such an emotional toll on so many of us is because for the longest time, it’s felt like we were stuck; that there was no end in sight, and for those of us who’ve been masking up, socially distancing, and staying at home, our actions have felt pointless as the virus has continued to spread. After a long day of struggling through coursework or our job or just simply being alive, scrolling the internet to see the day’s latest infection and death count, and wondering when this virus will be a thing of the past and when the world will fully open up again, we’re physically and emotionally drained. Turning on a record by someone I’ve never listened to, a record I’ve never heard by an artist I have listened to, or a brand-new release from one of my all-time favorites has been the only thing that makes me feel better. Delving into something new makes it feel like things aren’t at a stand-still, but like we’re pushing through and getting closer to the end.
I’ve enjoyed the new releases from the artists I’ve loved for years. New Music Friday has been my saving grace since this time last year. With concerts and touring still virtually non-existent, it’s been so comforting to see so many of my favorites pressing on and creating through all of this. The Last Bandoleros released a live album last April recorded during one of their last shows before the pandemic hit in Texas called, funnily enough, Live From Texas. It’s a beautiful reminder of days past, when crowded, sweaty shows were possible, and it’s given me hope for the future, that we’ll get back to those kinds of shows again. I can’t help but smile every time I start that record up.
I’ve also loved getting to delve deeper into some of the artists I love that I’m not as familiar with. George Harrison has long been my favorite Beatle, I’m not afraid to admit it. I’m a huge Traveling Wilburys fan, and the Harrison-penned Beatles tunes have always been my favorites, but I’ve only within the past year really taken a deep dive into his many solo records. I knew his solo hits, but getting to discover all the deep tracks has been such a fun adventure.
Probably most impactful for me, I’ve discovered my fair share of new-to-me artists throughout the pandemic. Being able to throw some headphones on and crank up a record by a band I’ve never heard before has been the perfect medicine for just about everything that’s ailed me over the past year. I’ve spent my free time during the pandemic delving into artists of any and all genres, and I have gotten into so much music as a result. Def Leppard, Jeff Buckley, Phoebe Bridgers, Lake Street Dive, Joyous Wolf, Alex Cuba, Martin Sexton, Larkin Poe, Scissor Sisters, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg, but there’s one band I discovered during this pandemic that’s had a far more profound effect on me than any other.
I was aware of Greta Van Fleet for a solid couple of years before I decided to give them a try. I couldn’t tell you what took me so long – I guess I just wasn’t ready for them yet. I choose to believe that I discovered their talent at what was the right time for me, when I needed them most. I had just joined the BANDED team when I actively turned on my first GVF jam, “Highway Tune.” I liked it – rock has long been a passion of mine, and this track checked all of those boxes, but I still wasn’t sold.
I remember the song that did it for me, the song that caught my attention, the song that hooked and reeled me in. “Heat Above”. For whatever reason, I’ll never forget that feeling when I heard it for the first time. It took no time at all for their tunes to fall perfectly into my “Songs for a Mood Boost” playlist. Nothing gets my day started better than to blast “Heat Above” on my half hour drive to class every day. I can’t quite put into words how listening to their music feels. For me, it’s a magical experience, their music has moved me in ways that only my favorite bands of all-time have been able to do, and those who don’t feel it don’t understand. With 703K Instagram followers, I know there’s at least a handful of people out there who know what I’m talking about. Cranking up one of their records is always the perfect remedy to a rough day.
I got into these guys at the right time too, right as they were in the middle of dropping new tunes and videos from the forthcoming record. Discovering and getting into their music has been like the best of all the musical worlds: I’ve discovered something new and fallen in love with it, I’ve been able to delve deeper and listen to all their deep tracks along with their hits, and now I have something new from them to look forward to. It’s been a little bit overwhelming!
Joining the Peaceful Army has felt like joining a secret club. Practically everyone here at BANDED loves GVF, and when I told everyone I was just getting into their tunes, I was welcomed with open arms with recommendations galore. Loving their music has never felt like a competition like I’ve experienced with so many other artists I love, and with all the stress of everything that’s happened in the past year, it’s certainly been a welcome change.
For a music lover, diving into the music we love or into something new keeps us from having to think about how awful things were/have been. Our lives changed drastically in such a short period of time, but music has stayed the same. No matter how crazy things were in my life, no matter how stressed I was, no matter how much I was struggling, I could always throw on my headphones, turn something up loud, and immediately feel better.
Maybe I’m a little dramatic, but music is and has always been my favorite thing on the planet. Nothing has made me happier. My favorite memories all took place in concert venues, and the pandemic has kept me from making new ones. Maybe for me, discovering new music is the next best thing.
There’s a part of me that regrets not giving Greta Van Fleet a try when I first heard about them a few years ago. I find myself just a little bit envious of everyone online who’s shared their incredible concert experiences from before the pandemic. I wish I could be one of those people, I wish I could have been part of those crowds, but like with a few other artists now in my life, I truly believe I discovered their magic when it was meant to be. I don’t know if you believe in fate, but that’s what I’d call it. Somehow, their music was exactly what I needed, and I’m so glad to have had it to get me through these past couple months and for the months to come.
So yeah, I’m fairly new around here, but I couldn’t be more happy to join the club. I’m can’t stop dreaming about seeing these guys live, but until that happens, I’ll just turn The Battle at Garden’s Gate up maybe a bit unhealthily loud!
Album Review: In Another World by Cheap Trick
April 9th marked a milestone for old school rock band, Cheap Trick, as it was the release date of their 20th studio album, In Another World. Cheap Trick is one of my top favorite bands and what I love most about them, other than being one of the greatest live rock acts of all time, is that they continue to release new music. While releasing new albums, they have always been able to maintain their signature sound which very few artists from their time have been able to do. This album is another prime example of that.
Before the album was released, Cheap Trick put out two singles: ‘Light Up The Fire’ and ‘Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll’. These were great choices for singles and the strongest sounding songs on the album. I love the lyrics in ‘Light Up The Fire’ and ‘Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll’ has such a great melody that's so fun to sing along to. I pretty much had both of these songs on a constant repeat to hold me over until the album came out.
The first song on the album is ‘Summer Looks Good on You’, which was actually a single they released in 2018. I love this song as the opener because it's just such a fun and uplifting song to set the tone for the album. It’s the perfect song to not only get you through the remainder of spring, but to listen to throughout the summer. I’ll definitely be listening to it all summer long! Next is ‘Quit Waking Me Up’, which right off the bat is a great name for a song. This song has a kind of a Beatles sound to it, which if you didn’t know, Cheap Trick is heavily influenced by The Beatles. I also heard this again a little later in the album with ‘So It Goes’.
There are two versions of the title track, ‘Another World’, both with the same lyrics but completely different versions of the song. The first version is a ballad filled with so much emotion and its overall just such a beautiful song. For the reprise, they crank the volume up to eleven, boost their energy, and deliver the most rock n’ roll, Cheap Trick style song. So when you're in the mood for a ballad, you have the regular version, but when you really wanna rock out, you have the reprise.
One of my favorites on the album is ‘The Party’. It has a funky groove to it and the way Robin’s rough voice contrasts with the smooth sound of female backup singers creates this unique sound that is indescribable yet so addicting. I just wanna listen to that one part over and over again, it's so good. Another favorite of mine is ‘Here’s Looking You’. The keyboards in this song give it the old school, timeless Cheap Trick sound.
The album ends with a John Lennon cover, ‘Gimme Some Truth’. Cheap Trick released this song as a single in 2019 so the album starts and ends with singles that were already put out. The song is very demanding and gets more and more aggressive as it goes on, after all it is a political protest song.
The more I listen to this album, the more I fall in love with it. 20 studio albums later and they still sound almost exactly the same as they did when they first started out. Not to mention these guys aren’t stopping anytime soon, I think any Cheap Trick fan would say the same thing. Well done as always, Cheap Trick!
Review: “What Are You Doing It For?” – The Latest from Loz Campbell
As a female rock enthusiast who grew up listening primarily to male-fronted bands, it’s so empowering to find females who are pioneering the genre, and I’m always looking for something new just like that. I think I’ve found it.
Loz Campbell isn’t new to music, but she’s new to me. I’m already obsessed, and her latest release, “What Are You Doing It For?,” is everything you could want in a killer rock tune and more: hard-hitting drums, perfectly-placed guitar work, an amazing vocal, and a fun sound with a deep message. This song reminds me of so many of my favorite bands all at once while somehow being something completely new to me at the same time. It feels modern, it feels classic, it’s something you can jam to, but it also gets at something real: what are you doing it for?
That’s something I love about it – it makes you think. What am I doing all this for? For me, the answer is passion. I write about the things I love because I’m passionate about spreading the word to others, and because I love to write! Listening to this song and watching the video, I see someone who does it all for the same reason: passion. It makes sense; she’s been doing this since she was 15, and you can absolutely tell with every note out of her mouth or her guitar.
This is an incredible tune – one I’m gonna be blasting on repeat for a good while! Turn it up loud and figure out what exactly you do it all for; it’ll be the best existential crisis you’ve ever had!
Keep up with Loz and her band on Instagram at @lozcampbellmusic.
The Breakdown E8: Festivals You Should Attend
Welcome to another episode of the breakdown, your weekly talk for everything in the rock world!
Shows are back! Yes, the light has finally come for shows and festivals to return! With this huge news, we decided to discuss our favorite festivals you should attend and why they made our top list…. featuring Bonnaroo, Hellfest, Louder than Life, and more!
Review: Fields of Bone by Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides have released their second single off their upcoming album, The Phantom Tomorrow, and let me tell you right now, it’s a good one. This album is heavily awaited by fans far and wide and with the new single “Fields of Bone” it’s bound to be a show stopper. I played this song way too many times to count as soon as it came out and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
The track starts with an ominous electronic mix that sets the tone for the song perfectly. Andy Biersack’s distinctive vocals have a sort of fuzz to them as he sings the first 4 lines of the first verse which only adds to the mystery of the song.
Once the second part of the verse hits, you’re immediately bopping your head to the beat of the hard hitting drums and feeling the lyrics more and more.
The chorus feels like a call to people to keep moving forward and to have faith that they will get to where they need to be. The fight isn’t over that’s for sure. It’s an intense fast paced rhythm that keeps you on your toes and makes you want to dance and yes, I am speaking from personal experience.
The bridge has all the band members singing in unison in true Black Veil Brides fashion and we’re lead into a killer solo by Jake Pitts that stops you in your tracks.
The song ends almost abruptly leading you to believe there is much more to uncover about this story they are effortlessly telling.
This song is very reminiscent of their sophomore album Set The World On Fire with the intense drums, the roaring bass, heavy guitars and loud and proud vocals but with a cinematic twist that takes you on a long journey through this world they have created. Not to mention a new element with Lonny Eagleton taking the reins on bass in his first full length release since joining the band.
This album is sure to be a fun one with deep messages and hard hitting themes which you can explore in full on June 4th when it’s released. Pre-order The Phantom Tomorrow here.
REVIEW: Tetrarch Gets HEAVY AF with 'Negative Noise' [VIDEO]
Following two incredibly strong releases, Tetrarch’s third release, ‘Negative Noise’, off their upcoming album is undoubtedly the heavy AF track we’ve all been waiting for. With glitchy static sounds playing up the ‘Negative Noise, get ready for massive guitar riffs, heady drums, thick bass, and fiery screams.
“It’s an angsty record. Musically, we were not timid in showing that we refuse to be boxed in as artists, and I think we really came out swinging with showing the world the type of band that we want to be,” shared Diamond Rowe. And in all honesty, she’s right. Tetrarch came out swinging and did not miss.
Despite the amount of times I’ve listened to the song on repeat, Diamond’s solo never ceases to send goosebumps shooting up my arms and chills through my body. This isn’t your typical guitar solo. It’s unpredictable in the absolute best way.
“Lyrically, the song is about constantly being surrounded by negativity and people trying to pull us in a million directions,” says frontman Josh Fore. “More than ever, there is so much static around us, and we wanted to write a song about dealing with it and blocking out all of the noise.”
Tetrarch always keeps it heavy and relatable. We’re looking forward to the release of their album, Unstable, on April 30th. Pre-order it here.
Bringing Back Music With a Pinch and a Poke
Jump by Van Halen plays as I leave. I don’t mean it plays in my head, like at the end of a John Hughes movie. It actually plays over the PA as I walk out.
I arrived here a little less than an hour prior, anxious and feral, having not been in a place so crowded with people in over a year. We were shuttled through the line not unlike cattle at a zippy pace, and despite the months spent longing to be in this position, I had to tamp down the urge to bolt. It was a dizzying claustrophobia that clawed in my belly. Out, I want out. It’s not safe to be in a place this crowded.
Strangely, it doesn’t feel too unlike waiting in line to get into a venue. Someone takes my “ticket”, I’m ushered into the next place. The same nervous excitement hums in my belly. It makes me ache for the times when my reward for standing in a mile long line would be an evening of loud music and not a sharp little poke.
A flurry of paperwork and a whirl of footsteps later, I’m seated in a cold, metal folding chair, within a ballroom far too opulent for its current use. Nervous chatter swirls throughout the room and strangers tell tall tales with their eyes (the only portion of them I can see).
“Tell me about your weakened immune system,”
The man priming my injection seems to be in his late thirties. Warm voice, kind handsome eyes.
“I, uh- I’m type one diabetic,” I stumble, feeling undomesticated and unfamiliar with conversation. It’s been a good long time since a stranger asked me something and I worry I’m becoming unsocialized.
He makes a mark on his sheet.
“Ah yeah well, most of our diabetic patients today have been doing very well. You all are accustomed to shots anyhow, right?”
“Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” is playing on the overhead, the fiber optic lights hanging from the ballroom ceiling dance in concert with the music. I imagine moonwalking out of here.
“I ah, yup.”
Pinch. Poke.
“Good to go.”
“You’re a pro,” I smile, shrugging back into my flannel.
He says nothing.
There is nothing to say.
It’s finished.
And like that, I’m vaxxed. At least, half vaxxed.
I sit, waiting for my fifteen minute observation period to be up. We, the newly vaccinated, are as an orchard of nascent antibody-builders, each of us spaced precisely six feet apart from one another. The rows upon rows of us are surreal to behold, all prim and parallel and ordered, in stark contrast to the chaos the previous twelve months have been.
Left to idle, my mind drifts to music halls, concerts, theatres, places where standing room only used to be the rule. Places where we’d leave at the end of the night covered in sweat that didn’t even belong us. Places where strangers would crowd in on one another to delight in mutual adoration of some silly little compositions of pitches and phrases that started the same dopamine drip in our brains. Places where electricity crackled through rooms, and excitable human energy thrummed in the very architecture.
Would it ever be like that again?
Or will we be six foot separated cherry orchard people for the rest of our days?
Will we be sat in little metal folding chairs six feet apart from one another at South By Southwest? Would we all be bubble boys and girls?
My fifteen minutes end, and I stand to exit the ballroom, ensuring I’ve got all my belongings.
And “Jump” plays over the PA.
A man in his forties across from me smiles. I can see it, in the way his eyes crinkle, and his mask is pulled taut against his face. I imagine he is remembering being covered in sweat and pressed against a thousand strangers who are friends for one night, stretched up on his toes to catch a glimpse of Eddie Van Halen.
And I imagine he assumes some day, on down the road, we will return to that. So for now, so do I.
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.
California Rockers, Illumination Road, Release 'The Modern World'
Illumination Road are a four-piece rock band from California, and they released their single "The Modern World," last week, and I love it. It's a great infusion of styles - blues rock, folk, rock 'n roll, and more as the band are influenced by Bob Dylan & The Beatles, which makes for a tune very retro and reminiscent of music from decades ago. Illumination Road consist of members Chris Ayden (lead vocals, guitar), Chad Shlosser (guitar, bass), Greg Cahill (guitar, mandolin, piano), and Michael Johnson (drums). Together they are a extremely skilled bunch of people — Chad and Michael both are producers, Chad is also an engineer, Chris, a songwriter, and Greg is a multi-instrumentalist. Illumination Road are a collective of artists who came together to create music, on a 140-acre ranch in the historic Pioneertown of the quiet mountains of the California high-desert.
“The Modern World" is a track that is a crying out — one about wanting to be here, on this Earth, when we finally reach a new world, one that is peaceful and not overrun by pollution and war. It is a song to blast down the highway in the middle of a humid summer evening, right as the sun is setting. One to listen to when life gets to be too hard, too painful, too much. It's challenging right now to feel optimistic about this world with so much going on, notably the biggest right now being the pandemic, and I interpret this song to be the frustration about the pandemic expressed in a musical format. It makes for cathartic listening, a reminder that if you're struggling with handling and processing all of today's happenings, all of its horrors and downfalls, you are not alone. Many others feel similar feelings of fear and frustration as you.
But there's hope — just like you are not alone in your worries, you're not alone in your wins. You have a friend to be by your side in this current darkness, and you will have a friend in the future lightness, "This Modern World," reassures you of that.
I love this track. It's a rock song that blends classic and new rock styles wonderfully and touches a very real, emotional viewpoint that so many of us are feeling right now. It's a necessary song, a letter to the listener about fears, frustration, and a want, a hope for peace.
Illumination Road are set to release more singles this Spring, along with music videos to complement them.