Category: Rock

Tool announces short U.S. and Canada tour.

Prog-metal virtuosos Tool have announced a small batch of tour dates across the U.S. east coast and Midwest, and a couple in Canada.  Some of these towns haven’t seen a Tool show in over a decade.  They’re also headlining a couple music festivals this year.

No word yet on if this tour will be to promote their long-awaited fifth album or any songs from it will be played on the tour.  Tool always does their own thing, so don’t be surprised if they only play older tracks or nothing but stuff you haven’t heard before.

May 24 — Fairfax, Virginia @ Eaglebank Arena
May 27 — Bangor, Maine @ Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
May 28 — Boston, Massachusetts @ Boston Calling
May 30 — Rochester, New York @ Blue Cross Arena
May 31 — Hamilton, Ontario @ First Ontario Centre
June 2 — Montreal, Quebec @ Bell Centre
June 5 — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania @ Petersen Events Center
June 7 — Detroit, Michigan @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
June 8 — Chicago, Illinois @ Allstate Arena

Keep your mind open.

Moon Duo’s new album, “Occult Architecture Vol. 2,” due May 5th.

MOON DUO ANNOUNCE OCCULT ARCHITECTURE VOL. 2,
OUT MAY 5TH ON SACRED BONES

STREAM/WATCH VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE, “LOST IN LIGHT”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rP-9axxbO4
https://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/moon-duo-lost-in-light/s-WEKtG

(above image of Moon Duo by John Jeffrey, post art by Jasmine Pasquill)
Following the recent release of Occult Architecture Vol. 1, Moon Duo – guitarist Ripley Johnson and keyboardist Sanae Yamada — announce the details of Vol. 2, the second part of their psychedelic opus, set for a May 5th release via Sacred Bones. The announcement comes with a new single, “Lost in Light,” and its accompanying video, which gives a glimpse into the shimmering world that represents the lighter half of this Yin and Yang themed creation – the Yang.

Directed by Micah Buzan, the “Lost In Light” video was created as a counter-reaction to his previous animation for Vol. 1’s “Cold Fear.” He explains: “’Lost In Light’ is the Yang to ‘Cold Fear’s Yin. In ‘Cold Fear’ the aliens ruled the planet in their giant skyscrapers and tortured humanoids. ‘Lost In Light’ continues the story of ‘Cold Fear’ a million years into the future, when the aliens have died off after exhausting the planet’s resources, and nature reclaims the land. Huge flowers grow out of the dead humanoids, aliens, and their buildings. Moon Duo emerge from an alien’s head as a flower and rainbow, becoming one with the planet as the sun absorbs everything into oblivion.”

The Occult Architecture of Moon Duo’s fourth album is an intricately woven hymn to the invisible structures found in the cycle of seasons and the journey of day into night, dark into light. Offering a cosmic glimpse into the hidden patterning embedded in everything, Occult Architecture reflects the harmonious duality of these light and dark energies through the Chinese theory of Yin and Yang. Following the Yin (darkness, night, earth) represented on Vol. 1, Vol. 2 presents the Yang. Yang means “the bright side of the hill” and is associated with the sun, light and the spirit of heaven. As such, Vol. 2 explores the light and airy elements of Moon Duo’s complex psyche.

“In production we referred to Vol. 1 as the fuzz dungeon, and Vol. 2 as the crystal palace,” guitarist Ripley Johnson explains. “The darkness of Vol. 1 gave birth to the light of Vol. 2. We had to have both elements in order to complete the cycle. We’re releasing them separately to allow them their own space, and to ensure clarity of vision. To that end we also mixed Vol. 2 separately, in the height of Portland summer, focusing on its sonic qualities of lightness, air, and sun. Listeners can ultimately use the two volumes individually or together, depending on circumstance or the desired effect.”

Watch Moon Duo’s “Lost in Light” Video –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rP-9axxbO4

Stream “Lost in Light” –
https://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/moon-duo-lost-in-light/s-WEKtG

Watch/Listen:
Occult Architecture Vol. 1 stream — https://open.spotify.com/album/4AlRpwAsVlD0fuDnt9i3XD
“Cold Fear” video — https://youtu.be/VwZG_jY9gFs
“Creepin’” stream — https://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/moon-duo-creepin/s-4zh7u

Occult Architecture Vol. 2 Tracklisting:
1. New Dawn
2. Mirror’s Edge
3. Sevens
4. Lost in Light
5. The Crystal World

Pre-order Occult Architecture Vol. 2—
http://hyperurl.co/OAVol2

Purchase Occult Architecture Vol. 1 —
Via iTunes – http://hyperurl.co/OAVol1
Via Bandcamp – https://moonduo.bandcamp.com/album/occult-architecture-vol-1

Moon Duo Tour Dates:
Sat. March 11 – Mexico City, MX @ Festival NRMAL
Wed. Mar. 15 – Newcastle, UK @ Northumbria University
Thu. Mar. 16 – Manchester, UK @ Band On The Wall
Fri. Mar. 17 – London, UK @ Heaven
Sat. Mar. 18 – Paris, FR @ Le Trabendo
Sun. Mar. 19 – Nancy, FR @ L’Autre Canal
Mon. Mar. 20 – Zurich, CH @ Plaza
Thu. Mar. 23 – Budapest, HU @ A38
Fri. Mar. 24 – Graz, AT @ Orpheum Extra
Sat. Mar. 25 – Vienna, AT @ Chelsea
Mon. Mar. 27 – Leipzig, DE @ UT Connewitz
Tue. Mar. 28 – Berlin, DE @ Bi Nuu
Wed. Mar. 29 – Copenhagen, DK @ Pumphuset
Thu. Mar. 30 – Oslo, NO @ Bla
Fri. Mar. 31 – Stockholm, SE @ Kagelbanan
Sat. Apr. 1 – Gothenburg, SE @ Pusterviks
Mon. Apr. 3 – Groningen, NL @ Vera Club
Tue. Apr. 4 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Noord
Wed. Apr. 5 – Eindhoven, NL @ Effenaar
Thu. Apr. 6 – Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
Fri. Apr. 7 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Sat. Apr. 8 – Glasgow, UK @ Stereo
Fri. Apr. 21 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Sat. Apr. 22 – Detroit, MI @ El Club
Sun. Apr. 23 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Tue. Apr. 25 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
Wed. Apr. 26 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
Thu. Apr. 27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
Fri. Apr. 28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Sat. Apr. 29 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Sun. Apr. 30 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
Thu. June 8 – Ravenna, IT @ Beaches Brew
Sat. June 10 – Barcelona, ES @ Unload Club
Mon. June 12 – Bilboa, ES @ Kafe Antzokia
Tue. June 13 – Madrid, ES @ Caracol
Wed June 14 – Biarritz, FR @ Wheels and Waves Festival
Thu. June 15 – Montpellier, FR @ Le Rockstore
Mon. June 19 – Antwerp, BE @ Trix
Tue. June 20 – Brussels, BE @ Les Ateliers Claus
Sat. June 24 – Sat. July 1 – Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
Fri Aug. 18 – Parades De Coura, PT @ Parades de Coura

(Occult Architecture Vol. 2 cover art)
Download hi-res album art and press images – www.pitchperfectpr.com/moon-duo/

Partner release new single from upcoming album.

Partner_L-R_Josée-Caron_Lucy-Niles_photoby_Colin-Medley

PARTNER share new single and video “Comfort Zone”

Comfort Zone – YouTube // Clash

Official Statement
“A comfort zone does not have to be a place. A comfort zone is whatever makes you feel at ease. It can be a person, an object, a sensation. No two comfort zones are the same. We recognize that we have had the privilege and good fortune to experience comfort in a way that unfortunately eludes many. We feel that everyone deserves to feel the relief, however fleeting, that is offered by a comfort zone. We recognize that most people spend the majority of their time outside their comfort zones, and with this song we hope to express our belief that everyone deserves to feel comfortable and safe.

Whatever, wherever, whoever your comfort zone may be, it is our hope that you are able to access it as often as is necessary. Love and respect” – Partner

QUOTES

“Ontario-by-way-Sackville band Partner is one of the most exciting and brightest hopes for rock and roll in Canada.”
– Noisey

“Inspiring Canadian duo with a fetish for cold truth and hard riffs… ”
– Clash Magazine
RIYL – Weezer, PWR BTTM, Melissa Etheridge, Ween, Beavis & Butthead

Mixed by Grammy award winner Chris Shaw (Weezer, Public Enemy, Sum 41). Video directed by Colin Medley.

Partner is the “mature” effort of small town lesbians Josée Caron and Lucy Niles. Borne of their bizarre and fortuitous friendship, Partner boldly goes where few have even desired to go, moving effortlessly from topics like sex objects and gross secrets to more serious themes like intimacy, friendship, and existential unease.

Partner marries feminism and stadium rock riffage to produce a sound as queer as they are, and their arrival on the scene couldn’t be more timely: “Partner’s music is like what early 00s pop punk would be like if it was mixed with a reverence for classic rock era guitar solos. But unlike that generation’s insistence of straight white dude figureheads that traded a sense of humour for self-righteousness, Partner’s songs are funny as hell.”

After a freakishly productive year of writing, recording and touring, Partner are releasing a first single “Comfort Zone” to kick off 2017. Their enthusiastic and action-packed live set has led to them being named the “best new band in Canada” in the Globe and Mail, and although “Partner hasn’t even released an album yet, [watching] one of their sets, it’s clear right away that they’ve arrived fully formed.” Influenced by acts as varied as Ween, Weezer, Neil Young, and Sum 41, Partner promises to make you question everything you thought you knew about rock ‘n’ roll.

Tour Dates:
March 30 – Tender Trap, Brooklyn NY USA
April 01 – House of Targ, Ottawa ON (Juno Fest)
April 14 – Phog Lounge, Windsor ON
April 20 – The Casbah, Hamilton ON
April 22 – Long Boat Hall at the Great Hall, Toronto ON (CMW)
June 14 – Palais des Congrès, Montréal QC (Mondial de la bière)
June 15 – Saw Gallery, Ottawa ON (Ottawa Explosion)

Partner Links
Website: http://www.partnerband.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/officiallypartners
Bandcamp: https://youvechangedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/comfort-zone
Record Label: http://youvechangedrecords.com/portfolio/partner/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/partner_band

L.A. Takedown announces new album.

L.A. TAKEDOWN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, II, OUT MAY 12TH VIA RIBBON MUSIC

WATCH “NIGHT SKIING” VIDEO AT NPR MUSIC
http://smarturl.it/NightSkiingVideo

On their new album II, L.A. Takedown align the moody grandeur of a film score with the pure melodicism of pop. Led by Los Angeles-based composer/multi-instrumentalist Aaron M. Olson, the seven-piece band delivers a guitar-driven take on synth-pop that’s inspired its own genre. “Bjorn Copeland of Black Dice once described L.A. Takedown to me as ‘Baywatch Krautrock,’” Olson recalls. “I found myself saying, ‘Well, you know…it’s not not that—works for me!” Still, despite any association with oceanic hedonism, II ultimately leaves it to the listener to dream up their own imaginary movie for each beautifully sprawling track to live in. At turns ethereal and frenzied, groove-heavy and narcotic, II is lush with harmonized guitar leads and inspiration from the likes of King Crimson’s Robert Fripp, Japanese composer Tori Kudo, and Nigerian musician King Sunny Adé, giving way to an intricately textured sound laced with jagged beats and serene washes of synth.

Though L.A. Takedown began as a home recording project and experiment in film scoring, Olson eventually assembled a live band that soon took on a life of its own. The follow-up to L.A. Takedown’s 2015 self-titled debut, II is the first release featuring the full band, which includes keyboardists Ryan Adlaf and Jonah Olson, guitarists Miles Wintner (Girlpool) and Stephen Heath (Paul Bergman), drummer Mose Wintner, and bassist Jessica Espeleta (Weird War, Love as Laughter). L.A. Takedown recorded the album at a home studio in Van Nuys with producer Shane Stoneback (Sleigh Bells, Cults, Vampire Weekend), a process that Olson describes as “seven goofballs eating snacks and watching Columbo and making music.”

“We live in a world where we’re so inundated with all these pieces of pop culture that they just become part of us,” OIson says. “I like to try to find new ways to present things that are already familiar to everyone.” Whether tapping into a Tangerine Dream score or a post-rock epic, L.A. Takedown ends up creating inventively arranged pop with a quietly transportive power. Today, L.A. Takedown premiere the video for the album track “Night Skiing” via NPR Music.

WATCH “NIGHT SKIING” VIDEO
http://smarturl.it/NightSkiingVideo
“On its latest song and video, “Night Skiing,” the instrumental rock group L.A. Takedown confirms that the guitar solo is alive and kicking.” – NPR Music
The video, directed by Matt Hewitt, portrays a driver (played by Stephen Heath, one of the band’s three lead guitarists) stranded in the desert after his car has broken down. He wanders the landscape in search of help only to find a dirty man (played by Olson) in a van who gives him a mysterious pill that transports him to an epic desert jam session.

II TRACKLISTING
1. The First Thing…
2. Heatwave
3. L.A. Blue
4. The Valley
5. Bad Night at Black’s Beach
6. City of Glass
7. Blue Skies (on Mars)
8. Dose
9. Us
10. Night Skiing
11. The Most Crucial Game
12. The Last Thing…

L.A. TAKEDOWN TOUR DATES
Wed. May 17 – Oakland, CA @ Starline Social Club
Fri. May 19 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
Sat. May 20 – Vancouver, BC @ Cobalt
Sun. May 21 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Tue. May 23 – San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall
Thu. May 25 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
Fri. May 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater

PRAISE FOR L.A. TAKEDOWN

“Its relentless drive and fascinating sonic architecture lend it depth, and the result is a work that seems to loop through the hills, valleys and grids of Los Angeles.” – Los Angeles Times

“A fully realized symphony written in the language of ’80s thriller soundtracks” – LA Record

II is available to pre-order now on limited edition translucent green vinyl, CD, and digital download:

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/LATakedownIIDL
Ribbon Mart: http://smarturl.it/LATakedownIIRM

Hi-res images and album art: http://pitchperfectpr.com/la-takedown/

L.A. Takedown Online:
http://latakedown.com/
https://twitter.com/latakedownband/
https://www.facebook.com/LATakedown/
https://www.instagram.com/la_takedown/

Rewind Review: Cream – Wheels of Fire (1968)

The third stop on my journey through the Cream (Ginger Baker – drums, Jack Bruce – bass and vocals, Eric Clapton – guitar and vocals) catalogue brings me to their double album Wheels of Fire.

The album opens with perhaps their greatest hit, “White Room,” in which Bruce sings about being trapped in a strange place while Baker’s drums try to break him out and Clapton’s guitar wails like someone in a mental asylum. It’s a great way to start a record. Many bands could (and did) learn from it.

Their cover of the blues classic “Sitting on Top of the World” is another fine entry into their list of blues-rock power tracks, and Clapton’s guitars are downright dirty on it. “Passing the Time” floats from rock to calliope-fronted psychedelia. “As You Said” is more tripped-out psychedelia with Bruce’s vocals layered with reverb, his acoustic guitar licks spiced with Arabic influences, and even playing cello on it.

“Pressed Rat and Warthog” brings in trumpet and recorder as Baker sings about an unlikely pair of pals with a weird store and Bruce and Clapton put down heavy riffs.

Everyone had a political statement to make in the 1960’s, and Cream was no exception. “Politician” is a sharp-witted sting on politicians using their position to get laid and ducking responsibility whenever possible (“I’m support the left though I’m leanin’ to the right, but I’m just not there when it’s comin’ to a fight.”). “Those Were the Days” mentions another subject common in 1960’s music – Atlantis. Bruce sings about ancient times and places and how he craves a return to such enlightened times before Clapton unleashes a quick solo that might raise the lost city from the depths.

Their cover of the blues standard “Born Under a Bad Sign” pretty much set the standard for covering the Booker T classic. You can tell they had a good time recording it, and Baker’s groove is so sick it needs penicillin. “Deserted Cities of the Heart” has an excellent guest violin by Felix Pappalardi (who contributes a lot to the album on several tracks and instruments).

The second part of the double album is a live recording from the Fillmore that opens with another one of Cream’s greatest hits – their cover of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads.” Eric Clapton, as you well know by now, shreds the tune like a crosscut saw. As good as it is, however, it’s really a warm-up for the epic version of “Spoonful” that clocks in at nearly seventeen minutes. “Traintime” has Bruce having a blast on harmonica while Baker keeps a Johnny Cash-worthy beat behind him. Baker then goes bananas on “Toad” – a drum solo over sixteen minutes long.

The live portion of the album is alone worth the purchase price. The psychedelic rock on the studio album is a great bonus.

Keep your mind open.

[We ask the Lord for mercy, and for you to subscribe.]

 

 

VIVA PHX artist spotlight: Temples

British psych-rock four-piece Temples have a new album, Volcano, and are currently taking the U.S. by storm on their latest tour.  Their last album, Sun Structures, is a lovely piece of psychedelia.  I caught them at Levitation Austin a few years ago and was surprised by how heavy their set was.  Seeing them at VIVA PHX will be my first time seeing them in a small venue, so I’m keen on hearing that surprising sound up close and personal.

Keep your mind open.

VIVA PHX artist spotlight: Night Beats

As I have mentioned in the past, I will see Night Beats at any given opportunity.  They are one of the best live acts out there right now and absolute gunslingers onstage.  I saw them three times last year (once in Chicago, once in Austin, once in San Marcos), and their newest album, Who Sold My Generation, was one of my top albums of 2016.

They always put on a good show of psychedelic R&B, and seeing them in probably the smallest venue so far (for me, at least) at VIVA PHX is going to be a treat.

Keep your mind open.

VIVA PHX artist spotlight: Deap Vally

I’ve been a fan of rock duo Deap Vally ever since their 2012 album Sistrionix (which was my favorite album of that year).  Their newest album, Femejism, was in my top 10 of 2016, and their show at the Chicago House of Blues last year was one of my top 10 live performances of last year.

So there was no doubt that I was going to see Deap Vally at the VIVA PHX festival in a smaller venue.  The amount of sound these two ladies produce is stunning.  They’re in the middle of a group of bands I want to see at the Valley Bar, and they will set a high bar for the bands that follow them.

Keep your mind open.

 

VIVA PHX artist spotlight: Froth

Froth is a synth-psych band that started as a joke and became a cult hit.  Their sound ranges from wild Failure-like guitar riffs to quirky krautrock keys.  Their 2013 album Patterns was one of my favorites of that year.  I missed them at Levitation Austin that year when they opened for Metz and A Place to Bury Strangers at the Thursday night festival kick-off show, and I heard they put on a good set.  It’s high time I catch up with them.

Keep your mind open.

VIVA PHX artist spotlight: Jjuujjuu

Hailing from Los Angeles, psychedelic rock duo Jjuujjuu create massive desert soundscapes through Phil Pirrone’s guitar work and Ryan Knights’ drumming.  Their new single, “Bleck,” is a wallop of distortion, reverb, and mind-altering chord progressions.  I missed these guys a couple years back at Levitation Austin.  I got there just as their set ended and the crowd went wild for them, so I’m keen on starting out my VIVA PHX festival by getting my face melted.

Keep your mind open.