As (what is hopefully) Spring approaches, much like the blooming foliage of the season, tours and festivals begin to crop up. Save for the brave souls who trekked out into the treacherous winter, most bands have been in hibernation, garnering their strength, recording new albums, and for many, growing their beards. As tours unfold you can count on Reviewsic to give you the heads up on who is coming to you, when they’ll be there, and possibly a few good reasons as to why you should head out.
Two such tours have recently been announced, brought to our attention by the good folks at Beartrap PR.
Philadelphia based pop-punk musiciansThe Wonder Years will be touring with Set Your Goals and Comeback Kid this April, supporting The Upsides, it’s sophomore release on No Sleep Records.
APR 16 - Palmdale, CA @ The Crossing
APR 17 - Modesto, CA @ Modesto Virtual
APR 18 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne
APR 19 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
APR 20 - Boise, ID @ The Venue
APR 21 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Count
APR 23 - Denver, CO @ Marquis
APR 24 - Omaha, NE @ Sokol
APR 25 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville News
APR 26 - Elgin, IL @ Mad Maggie’s
Michigan based band La Dispute willbe hitting the road with Alexisonfire, Trash Talk and Therefore I am for a solid four weeks between April and May. The band will also be recording two split 7-inches, as well as working on their next full-length, due out in early 2011 viaNo Sleep Records.
Having already toured around the world with their two past releases “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (2006) and
“Who Killed Harry Houdini” (2008) the members of I’m from Barcelona recently took on the task of and completed their latest release,“27 Songs from Barcelona”. The album, which is inspired by Kiss’ simultaneous release of four solo albums back in 1978, features one solo song from every member of I’m From Barcelona, and will be released as a triple vinyl, as well as for free online.
Since January 27th, one song per day has been made available for download at imfrombarcelona.com. Missed a track? Fear not, all the songs released up to the current “artist of the day” are available too
Today’s Song: Kosmonaut Lyrics: Martin Alfredsson
Music: Martin Alfredsson
Performed by: Martin Alfredsson
Record releases, new projects, and punk favorites make up our weekend in music here in Chicago. Of course there’s always more to be had, so bands, promoters, and fans- let us know what’s going on in your musical neck of the woods. Comment the post or email us at: Reviewsic.com with any and all upcoming shows.
Musicians John Wayne’s Cage stand out in their local Virginia Beach, VA not only for their original compositions in a scene that’s heavy on cover bands, but for the concept behind those compositions. In the works since 2006, The Weaver Family Portrait wasn’t taken on as an entirely full commitment until 2008, when front man Thomas Wilder and guitarist Jared Patch decided to create the full band necessary to complete the trilogy. Soon joining them were drummer Jaimie Peterson and bassist Anthony Libengood, making John Wayne’s Cage a quartet composed of two longtime sets of friends, creating a dynamic connection between members that only can come with knowing your fellow musician for many years.
Though recently faced with a leave of absence from Peterson resulting in a performing hiatus until a replacement drummer is found, John Wayne’s Cage released the first part of their trilogy in 2009. Dubbed The Weaver Family Portrait I: Heaven, this ten track album is a collection of songs meant to “tell a story that teaches the importance of love, kindness, compassion, and selflessness—lessons we as humans, should all learn.” (John Wayne’s Cage)
Based on a set of three short stories written by singer Thomas Wilder, this first installment is about a man named Dunnigton Weaver, so called after a close friend Wilder made during his 2004 tour of Iraq with The National Guard. “Dunnington dies at the beginning of the story and goes to Heaven at the time of the first war that has ever occurred there. Through his experiences during the war, he learns the importance of love, kindness, and happiness—a lesson we, as humans, should all learn. The story is meant to inspire us to be kind to and love one another as much as we possibly can. Because if we all keep love and kindness in our minds, we can change the world. That is just our hope for the world, and we are trying to spread it.”
“Heaven” in itself is a notable album for it’s origin- it’s not everyday that one comes across a local band working with legitimate concept, let alone using it as their debut release. Playing out in a style that ranges from post-rock and alt-country to your more run of the mill alternative rock, the band’s unique qualities initially don’t seem to span much farther than their concept, but “Heaven” shows promise none the less.
Starting off with an instrumental track that is both simple and slightly militant with its hushed guitar and melodic percussion, our dreamy track leads us to “The Waking Light” that has all the compositional parts of a pop-punk song, just taken down a bit tempo wise. The layering of vocal tracks used in its chorus adds to its catchy factor, but, as becomes apparent for the duration of the album, vocals aren’t John Wayne Cage’s strongest point. There’s a slightly nasal flatness behind our front man’s voice, which, with the band’s sound leaning toward the alt rock/country genre is permissible to a certain extent. Even with that forgiveness however, the end result is one that comes across as not quite sloppy, but as if the band hasn’t totally harnessed control of its vocal skills.
Compositionally “Heaven” has a few interesting twist and turns, such as the ending guitar track in “Masquerade” and the jazzy take done with “Follow Me Down”, whose guitar and drums take the song on a swirling ride of rock and funk.
The band blends sounds again in “The Days of Peace are Done” taking elements of blues and tossing them together with a heavy post-rock vibe that dances on the boarder of metal in it’s layout.
“The Battle” displays this post-rock sound at it’s finest, giving off an air of possible influences such as Thrice and Hum, even as it fades into it’s second half- egg shaker and drum heavy, part two manages to play out like a whole new song while still holding on to that same post-rock resonance as Wilder croons “I will bathe in your fire, your fire, While your ring expires, expires.”
Coming out of the heavy-handed sound of the previous few tracks the band brings us “God’s Debt”. With light cymbal and more simple instrumentals over all, this track has all the makings of a classic rock ballad, that we think has real potential if it could just be tightened up a little bit.
In the final song of The Weaver Family Portrait I: Heaven, our vocals finally come together for a consistent length of time, complete with a layered, echo-y choir of crooning that makes it safe to say that the home stretch is where the listener finds the most reward for listening.
In theory the premise of this concept is a great one, and while the story is told subtly, in a way that also lends the lyrics to be interpreted for other uses, it also loses it’s direction in it’s lack of specificity. While at some points crystal clear about the goings on in the story, at others, stanzas and word choice seem to be a little repetitive and run into one another. None the less, The Weaver Family Portrait I: Heaven is a great effort for an up and coming band, and while it may not seem like this group has entirely melded musically, there’s definite potential, and passion for what they’re doing, which sometimes matters more than anything. Concerning this three part project in particular, we look forward to seeing what John Wayne’s Cage will bring us in the future.
The men behind the music of John Wayne’s Cage took a little time to answer some questions for us as we talked about their musical influences, what drives their music, and the first bands they ever saw.
Telegram Sam: Tell us a little about the songs people might hear during a set. Is there a specific creative direction you’re aiming towards with your music?
Thomas of JWC - We play just about everything we have. Nothing is off limits. As for a creative direction, yes, there are specifics. Our first album is called “The Weaver Family Portrait I: Heaven.” It is the first of three full length albums to come. I wrote a trilogy of short stories called “The Weaver Family Portrait,” and our first album is based on “Heaven,” part one of the series. “Heaven” is about a man called Dunnington Weaver, named after one of my best friends from my 2004 tour in Iraq while serving in The National Guard. Dunnington dies at the beginning of the story and goes to Heaven at the time of the first war that has ever occurred there. Through his experiences during the war, he learns the importance of love, kindness, and happiness—a lesson we, as humans, should all learn. The story is meant to inspire us to be kind to and love one another as much as we possibly can. Because if we all keep love and kindness in our minds, we can change the world. That is just our hope for the world, and we are trying to spread it.
T.S: What are your top three favorite cities/venues to play?
Jared of JWC - So far we have played shows in Virginia and North Carolina. We would have to say the The Taphouse in Norfolk, VA and The Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach, VA have been our favorites. Both are cozy spots with good sound and excellent beer selections . And if we must choose a third, we give it to The NorVA. It’s a great venue, with a big stage and great sound, but it doesn’t have the local hospitality.
T.S: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Anthony of JWC - The Avett Brothers, Incubus, and Circa Survive
Thomas of JWC - Fleet Foxes, Portugal. The Man, and The Dear Hunter.
Jared of JWC - The Beatles, Dr. Dog, The Police
T.S: What are your top three musical influences?
Thomas of JWC: Our biggest influence has to be The Beatles. I am big on Paul McCartney, myself.
Anthony of JWC: I am influenced by the things I have experienced and all the music I have come across. I don’t think I could limit myself to three.
Jared of JWC: Yes, the Beatles are top on the list, and it would be hard for me to pick three bands, but if I could pick three genres that I think blend in with the rock music we write, I would say folk, soul, and classical.
T.S: What’s in store for your music in the next year? Beyond that?
Thomas and Jared of JWC - We want to continue to record our next album and release that. We would like to out do ourselves with this next one. Our biggest goal is to get signed to a legitimate record label and go on tour. Each of us love to travel and see new places. What better way to do that than playing music? But being a Virginia Beach, VA band it can be tough to get your name out. There are a lot of original artists making amazing music in Virginia Beach right now, but there is also a big demand for cover bands in our area, and we’re hoping that people continue to support and develop the original music scene. There hasn’t been a rich tradition of bands making it big and breaking out of Virginia Beach to become international successes, but we would love to be a band that helps put Virginia Beach on the map.
T.S: Is there any instrument you don’t play already, but wish you did?
Thomas of JWC - I think we all wish that we played piano. We have been wanting a piano player since we started this band. We have not been successful.
Anthony of JWC - The upright bass
Jared of JWC - Yeah, definitely the piano, but honestly I wish I could play every instrument. I’d be able to fill up my own orchestra.
T.S: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Anthony of JWC - Diamond Rio… Not by choice
Jared of JWC - I think the first show I saw was James Taylor with my family.
Thomas of JWC - When I was young my dad would take me and my siblings to an event called “Creation.” It was sort of a Christian Woodstock. We camped for the weekend and saw countless live performances. All of it was christian music which, when I was I kid and didn’t know any better, I loved. I had some really great experiences. But once my dad introduced me to bands like Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath, the christian rock days were over. I actually can’t stand it anymore.
Having already toured around the world with their two past releases “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (2006) and
“Who Killed Harry Houdini” (2008) the members of I’m from Barcelona recently took on the task of and completed their latest release,“27 Songs from Barcelona”. The album, which is inspired by Kiss’ simultaneous release of four solo albums back in 1978, features one solo song from every member of I’m From Barcelona, and will be released as a triple vinyl, as well as for free online.
Since January 27th, one song per day has been made available for download at imfrombarcelona.com. Missed a track? Fear not, all the songs released up to the current “artist of the day” are available too!
Lyrics: Jacob Sollenberg
Music: Jacob Sollenberg
Performed by: Jacob Sollenberg (vocals, ac.guitar, electric guitar, bass, drum programming.), Henrik Olofsson (Dobro, Lapsteel), Daniel Lindlöf (banjo)
Earlier this month British “pop and then some” darling Kate Nash announced the release and tracklisting of her second album- along with a free download.
Tentatively unnamed, the bouncing baby full-length album is due out April 19th, will feature 12 tracks, including fan familiars such as “You’ll Never Listen, “Kiss That Girl”, “Later On”, and “Pickpocket”. Produced y Bernard Butler, the albums first single, “Doo Wah Doo” will be released April 12th and for now Nash fans can download “I Just Love You More” from her official site, Katenash.co.uk.
Nash is also putting together a little book project, entitled “My Ignorant Youth” which you can read more on here. The singer/songwriter is currently accepting submissions for the booklet, stating:
“Please send a story/poem/statement/piece of writing about the first time you met your lover, the first time you fell in love, the first time you saw robert patterson on the silverscreen and those piercing eyes just shot right through you, actually this is taken, anyway send me a story about falling in love with somebody and why and how, it can be funny, romantic, sad, heartbreaking, disturbing, creepy, beautiful, sweet any of the above and whatever else you can think of. If I like it, I’ll use it in the book. Make it about 300/400 words. or less or a little bit more. Thanks. Send it to [email protected]” (Katenash.co.uk)
“It’s A King Thing has matured into a indie power pop behemoth and Buffalo… is its crowning achievement. Led by singer / songwriter / smartass Brian Mietz and featuring former members of the criminally underrated Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start, It’s A King Thing should find fans of the first two Weezer albums, The Lemonheads, Nada Surf and Guided By Voices drooling uncontrollably.” (Beartrap PR)
“A band for boys and girls, late bloomers, nose pickers, pussies and procrastinators.”, It’s a King Thing are also three songs in to their plan to create videos for each of the 12 tracks on Buffalo… Check out the videos thus far here, and keep checking back for updates.
With alluring track titles like “Mush Mouth” and the Freaks and Geeks reference “Bill Haverchuck”, It’s a King Thing deliver just what they promise in poppy plays, infectious choruses, and honest lyrical quirk. You won’t find a better band at a better price, so head on over, download, and share Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.
“If you are bummed on the last four Weezer records (however many they have put out since Pinkerton that is), just know there are bands like It’s A King Thing still out there still sticking it to the man.” - Sound As Language
“The Kingers have a song whose chorus is “I want to kiss your face off,” and if you can’t relate to that, we don’t wanna know you.”
Having already toured around the world with their two past releases “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (2006) and
“Who Killed Harry Houdini” (2008) the members of I’m from Barcelona recently took on the task of and completed their latest release,“27 Songs from Barcelona”. The album, which is inspired by Kiss’ simultaneous release of four solo albums back in 1978, features one solo song from every member of I’m From Barcelona, and will be released as a triple vinyl, as well as for free online.
Since January 27th, one song per day has been made available for download at imfrombarcelona.com. Missed a track? Fear not, all the songs released up to the current “artist of the day” are available too
Today’s Song: The Wave Lyrics: David Ottosson
Music: David Ottosson
Performed by: David Ottosson
Playing to us from the Garden State, New Brunswick band Communipaw formed through an impromptu 2007 performance between front man Brian Bond and drummer Keith Carne, later pulling together as a full band with the induction of guitarist Brain Kelly and bassist Dave Esterman. Hailing from previous projects such as Know Think, Lonely Acrobat, and solo work by Bond, Communipaw pools their collective creative experiences to form a sound that is as eclectic and new as it is familiar. Indie rock know how fuses with simple folksiness and alt-country to equal a finished product that is polished, melodic, and well composed.
After releasing their acoustic-based EP Moving Till The Morning in 2008, the band went back to the studio with plans for a follow-up EP, in which they got more than they bargained as a quick recording became a year long effort, creating their debut full-length. Through eight different studios came eleven new songs, all included in their self-titled album, which was released roughly a month ago.
Communipaw is an interesting album that some may overlook in their first listen because of its soothing and seemingly simple structure. But with a second, and what will inevitably turn into a third and even fourth listen, music lovers will find a seamlessly implemented blend of styles.
While the first track, with its slow, melodic, and Pedro the Lion-esque layout doesn’t stand out too much, Communipaw kicks it up with the perfectly performed Indie Rock/Alt-Country guitar blend delivered in track two, ‘Take Over’, who’s tight relationship between it’s drum and guitar tracks and twangy vibe reminds us Matt Pryor’s solo album Confidence Man. “Black Tambourine” plays along the lines of Pryor again, this time with an element of Surf Rock and twangy guitar added to the mix.
Variation from the country element that seems to be omnipresent in this album, be it in the vocals or instruments, comes from “I Admit”, which takes on a more 70’s psychedelic-folk sound. The rolling guitar parts and cymbal heavy percussion give a kaleidoscopic sense to this song, creating a contrast that somehow sticks with the continuity of the rest of Communipaw, an uneasy feat that definitely deserves recognition.
In the same vein of experimentation come songs like “2:23” and “Balzhauf”, which both offer a bluesy element in their guitar tracks, and slow down considerably from the indie/alt-country hybrid the band offers throughout the rest of the album. “Canada” gives the illusion of sitting down for a live performance, starting with a side conversation between the musicians and ending with the clinking of silverware and applause after it’s bright, folksy, clap filled three minutes are over.
“Keep Your Eyes On Me” is an inquisitive love song about finding out where you stand, and we imagine fans of Matt Hires and Nada Surf will take a shine to it as it opens with the lines “You ask how many songs have you/put me in by now? / Well here’s one more do you feel special?/ Because you should know that there were more before you came along”
An instrumental number with the same spirit as something from Explosions in the Sky feeds into “Heaven, Who You”, a ballad of longing whose acoustic beginning builds steadily through it’s backing vocals and into a full band collaboration. We do get one track of acoustic, aided only by and an indistinguishable organ-y/accordion accompaniment, in the song “I Don’t Want To Die”, who’s echoing vocals have an honest, organic feel to them, like it was something recorded by Bond at home in a tiled bathroom.
Our album comes to an end with a tinkling, minimalist shoe-gaze track that relies mostly on its instrumentals, uttering just a few lines of lyrics. Once again, Communipaw manages to offer a deviation from the style of indie/alt-country that comes standard in most of their songs without losing the sound that is truly their own, and we think that skill alone marks this debut as one worth taking note of.
Communipaw is available along with the bands EP Moving Til The Morning via Communipawmusic.com.
Having already toured around the world with their two past releases “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (2006) and
“Who Killed Harry Houdini” (2008) the members of I’m from Barcelona recently took on the task of and completed their latest release,“27 Songs from Barcelona”. The album, which is inspired by Kiss’ simultaneous release of four solo albums back in 1978, features one solo song from every member of I’m From Barcelona, and will be released as a triple vinyl, as well as for free online.
Since January 27th, one song per day has been made available for download at imfrombarcelona.com. Missed a track? Fear not, all the songs released up to the current “artist of the day” are available too!
With the intention of uniting new music with new listeners, Reviewsic is a Chicago based blog that writes album, show, and artist reviews, with daily posts delivering music news and exclusive interviews.
