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Interview w/ Kyle Johnson of Misery Signals |
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Music Buzz
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Written by Art Michalski
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Saturday, 02 August 2008 |
 Just arriving to a
venue in Springfield, Missouri, the Milwaukee based band Misery
Signals is gearing up with some headlining dates before the “Thrash
and Burn” tour with Darkest Hour. That tour brings the bands to
the Dirtfest in Birch Run this Saturday (August 2nd). We
had a chance to talk with bassist Kyle Johnson before the show, and
here’s what he had to say:
About fairly new lead
singer Karl Schubach’s input with the new record versus the
last: “I think the album was recorded in the same way, where we
were in Milwaukee and Karl went home (to Sasketwchan) to write the
lyrics. But if there was a major difference this time, Karl had more
input musically and took care of most of the lyrics, where as last
time, it was Karl and Ryan (Morgan- guitarist) did most of it last
time.
On what the new singer
brings to the table: “I think his vocals are more brutal than
our previous singer. He has better command of the stage and can move
around more than our last guy. He’s a bit more energetic
singer, which helps during the set."
On the scene in
Milwaukee as the band was coming up: “When I was in my first
band (7 Angels 7 Plagues), the scene was far better than it is now.
When we first started Misery Signals, I noticed that the scene there
was beginning to die out. It was good to get on the road around the
country just as the scene there was going downhill.”
On their best summer
touring experience: “We really |
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Interview w/ Andrew Tkacyzk of For the Fallen Dreams |
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Music Buzz
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Written by Art Michalski
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Friday, 01 August 2008 |
 As they prepare for
this weekend’s Dirtfest and were chillin’ locally,
drummer for the Mid-Michigan based metal band For the Fallen Dreams,
Andrew Tkacyzk is probably enjoying his days until you know who calls
him. The upstart band is out supporting their first record for Rise
Records, Changes, that was out in January. Here’s
what you need to know about For the Fallen Dreams:
After spending most of
2008 on the road: “We’re doing good, hanging in there.
It’s been different this time around than touring before, kids
seem to be digging the music more than ever before. During this,
we’ve toured every state and did a few dates in Canada. And
later this year, we’ve got European and Australian dates as
well, so the touring isn’t over yet.”
On the mid-Michigan
scene coming up: “I think it's way different for us now. When we
started out, we saw ourselves more as a Christian metal band but we
fell out of it. Since we’ve moved away from that, it's been fun
playing shows but we definitely take it a lot more seriously than we
used to.”
On the freedom of
writing music: “I think with moving out of the Christian metal
tag, it's opened a lot up for us musically and lyrically. Our singer
discusses a lot of personal issues and mold them together with our
influences over the years, such as Sevendust, Slipknot, and Misery
Signals and make something original out of it.”
On the band’s
work ethic while on the road: “I don’t think |
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Festival Preview - Lollapalooza |
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Music Buzz
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Written by Alex Therrian
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Friday, 01 August 2008 |
 After last year’s
solid, but not overwhelming, 3rd Chicago edition of the long time
running festival, festival organizer Perry Farrell knew he had to
pull out some stops. He knew that with summer festivals gaining popularity as dozens of new pop up this year, he had to deliver or risk becoming
irrelevant. Let’s just say
Perry did not disappoint this year as he’s dished out the best
Lollapalooza lineup to date (that’s even counting 1992). Over
100 bands will be in downtown Chicago this weekend for the 2008 addition of
Lollapalooza. He not only brings bands that never see places like
Detroit (yeah, you Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine) or
grisly veterans of the festival (Gnarls Barkley, Nine Inch Nails),
but new additions to the bill (too many to count). So, instead of
reviewing every single band there, let’s give you a rundown or
what you should be checking out each day at Lollapalooza 2008:
Friday, August 1st
-Do you like the game
“Rock Band”? Most of us do, even if we can't sing well
for the game. Well, the band that puts those unknown songs on the
game, Bang Camaro, plays at 11:30. Just as some people will be walking in.
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Artist Spotlight - Witchcraft |
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Music Buzz
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Written by John Louse
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Thursday, 31 July 2008 |
 If Phil Anselmo, former
Pantera lead singer and current singer for Down, suddenly called my
band “his favorite new band,” I might have to check my
shorts. Honestly. But I don’t have a band and writing for you
people, so Phil’s honor went to the Swedish band Witchcraft.
The band’s new record, The Alchemist, keeps the band’s very old
school sounding metal alive. I don’t mean it’s a
throwback to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, go way farther back. The
band prides themselves onto not using recording devices like Pro
Tools and using vintage and makes a sound not heard since the mighty
Black Sabbath. On songs like “Hey Doctor” and
“Remembered,” the instruments and recording equipment
take the listener back in time about 35 years and creates something
very raw. Lead singer Magnus Pelander goes for a different vocal
styling goes a different route than Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne,
but the vocals still send chills down your spine as you hear that
hiss like you’re hearing it from a record player. For even more evidence
beyond The Alchemist check out their 2004 self-titled
record and you will be listening to some of the most eerie sounding
rock around.
The band headlined a
2007 tour and has some major dates planned on their American docket.
One of the first shows brings them right here, as they play the Magic
Stick in Detroit. The band does have to play the god-awful 11 AM time
slot at Lollapalooza on Saturday as well before wrapping up their
U.S. tour at the one-off OzzFest this year in Dallas on August.
So, as Sabbath is off
touring with Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy is too busy wearing cowboy boots and forgotten his metal roots, check out Swedish’s answer to
stoner metal; Witchcraft.
Witchcraft will
be playing at the Magic Stick on Friday, August 1st.
Tickets are $15 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com.
Additional dates can be found at www.myspace.com/witchcraftswe. | | No comments for this item |
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Interview w/ John Fred Young of Black Stone Cherry |
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Music Buzz
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Written by Art Michalski
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Thursday, 31 July 2008 |
 As I enter the Black
Stone Cherry tour bus, the members of the band, along with crew from the band Shinedown are discussing plans to hijack the set by Theory
of a Deadman. It’s Theory of a Deadman’s last night on
the tour and in the concert world; this means that the other band
will harass and torment that band until they’re off the stage.
Tonight’s ideas range from wearing the girls’ version of
the bands tshirts and dance around on stage, to trying to get them
into underwear filled with peanut butter. So, the people in the bus
(including BSC members Jon Lawhon and guitarist Ben Wells) are trying to lure their drummer, John Fred Young, to get involved. This seemed like the perfect time to start an
interview:
MCB: As the release date
of the album looms, what is the anticipation level for the new
record?
JFY: Well, first off, I
am anticipating they are gonna try and put me in some panties tonight
or something so I am avoiding that. But as the album is getting
closer to coming out, and I’m excited because we really worked
hard on the new record and eager to show everybody our new stuff.
The new single, “Blind Man,” is doing really well and
moving up the rock charts, so this makes more excitement for the
record as well.
MCB: Was there anything
that you or the band wanted to get out on this new record?
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The Gigantic Vagina of Modern Man |
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Original Columns
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Written by Bohb
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Monday, 28 July 2008 |
 I was running an errand. The type of errand where you go to a guy’s house to pick something up and you may sit around and chat for a bit. But not long, just that right amount of time.
If you don’t know, then you don’t know.
It was a typical winter laced one-way street in Chicago, and I noted as I saw no legal street parking readily available that the cars on each side of the street were a bit closer in than normal from the extravagant snow banks encroaching in from either side. I pondered the social conundrum of double parking, and as I looked around realized that only the smallest of compact car might be able to squeeze by my SUV if I were to do so. ‘Oh well, I’ll only be but a moment’ I thought as I put on my blinkers. Just to make sure I drew no unnecessary attention I pulled up an extra two houses.
The errand turned to pleasantries, the pleasantries turned to jokery, the jokery enabled by the proverbial cough-cough of hazy living rooms.
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Artist Spotlight - Black Stone Cherry |
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Music Buzz
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Written by Art Michalski
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Friday, 25 July 2008 |
 One of the better
surprise stories to come out of the rock world a couple years ago
came from the great metropolis of Edmonton, Kentucky. Ok, the dry county the band hails from isn’t exactly Louisville or
Lexington, so the fellas in Black Stone Cherry were forced to try their luck at success
outside of their small hometown. After some extensive
touring behind their self-titled debut, the band is back on the road
in support of their upcoming release Folklore and
Superstition, due out August 19th. The band follows
up their southern-style rock, which yielded the rock radio hits
“Lonely Train” and “Rain Wizard” with the new
record. The new record doesn’t deviate from the path set out.
With tracks like the lead-off single “Blind Man” and
“Reverend Wrinkle” deliver the same high octane bluesy
rock that the band has been giving us since their arrival on the
scene. The band does take it down a notch for soulful ballads such
as “Peace is Free” and “You,” in which singer
Chris Robertson proves he can sing his ass off. Not bad at all for a
group that is no older than 23 years old and just finding their way
in the music scene today. The band toured extensively in ’06
with Buckcherry just as the band was making their way back up the
top. The touring with Buckcherry gave the band a strong work ethic,
which lead them to numerous tours throughout the past years.
The band has ventured
out on the first tour for the new album, with Shinedown and Theory of
a Deadman in tow. The tour started recently and will be heading to
the Fillmore in Detroit this Saturday (July 26th). Don’t be late,
because the probable best of this lineup will be on first as Black
Stone Cherry gives you a flavor that keeps the traditions of southern
rock proud.
Black Stone
Cherry opens for Shinedown and Theory of a Deadman at the Fillmore
Detroit on Saturday, July 26th. Tickets are $25 and are
available at www.ticketmaster.com.
Additional dates can be found at www.blackstonecherry.com.
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TC Film Festival Announces Additional Screenings of Sold-Out Shows |
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Movie Buzz
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Written by Beth Milligan
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Thursday, 24 July 2008 |
Traverse
City, Mich. (July 24, 2008) – After experiencing record-setting box
office sales its first week, the Traverse City Film Festival has
announced the addition of three more screenings of sold-out films to
the festival's roster.
"Up the Yangtze," "Idiocracy" and "The Diving Bell and the
Butterfly" will each have second screenings at the festival after
initial screenings sold out before tickets went on sale to the public.
Friends of the Festival were able to purchase their tickets five days
in advance of the public, resulting in sold-out shows for many festival
screenings.
"Although we are thrilled that nearly 50
screenings have already sold out through Friends and public ticket
sales," said festival president Michael Moore, "we felt it was only
fair to make additional screenings available. We want everyone to have
an opportunity to see as many films on their wish list as possible."
Moore
added that many popular titles still have tickets available and that
"there are still plenty of seats left at the festival, even if they're
going fast." The festival has offered the use of its State Theatre
Forum (http://statetheatre.ning.com) for the first time this year for festival attendees to buy, sell or swap festival tickets with other moviegoers online.
Tickets
to the additional screenings go on sale at noon Thursday first to
Friends of the Festival, then will be available to the public at noon
Friday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.traversecityfilmfestival.org,
by phone at 231-929-1627 or at the TCFF Box Office located at 300 E.
Front St. in Radio Centre in downtown Traverse City. Tickets for all
regular screenings are $9; opening and closing night films are $25.
Opening and closing night party tickets are $50.
The fourth
annual Traverse City Film Festival will be held from July 29 to August
3, 2008. For more information, please contact the Traverse City Film
Festival office at 231-392-1134 or visit www.traversecityfilmfest.org
About the Traverse City Film Festival
The
Traverse City Film Festival is a charitable, educational, nonprofit
organization committed to showing "Just Great Movies" and helping to
save one of America's few indigenous art forms – the cinema. The
festival also owns and operates a year-round, community-based,
mission-driven art house movie theater, the State Theatre. Founded by
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore and co-founders local
photographer John Robert Williams and New York Times best-selling
author Doug Stanton, with filmmakers Larry Charles and Terry George
rounding out the Board of Directors, the festival brings films and
filmmakers from around the world to northern Michigan. | | No comments for this item |
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Original Columns
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Written by Bohb
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Thursday, 24 July 2008 |
 I was looking at an email I received recently from a friend in Detroit, it is important to note for relative spatial placement and contextual story following that I live and received this email in Chicago. I noticed something that I found a bit odd that began in me a pondering of the actual and proverbial rates of ‘success’ in our modern world.
I received the email at 9:53pm, but the header showed that it was sent at 9:34pm. It took nearly 20 minutes for a message that I think of as instantaneous to travel to me. 20 minutes is not instant. Detroit is not far. When one compares the first forms of distance communication of the stagecoach, it would take about 2 weeks to get a letter that was going regionally between 2 cities. There was then the Pony Express. Two cities in the same region (such as Chicago and Detroit, which were pelt trading posts at that time) could share communication letters in 2 days. Obviously stagecoach through US Postal system didn't improve on that much until FedEx introduced premium costs to get communication there in one day. But email travels instantly, yet it doesn't. It takes 20 minutes. In all this time we have only improved the speed of communication by a factor of 144. Sure, 144 is progress, but we are not in the instantaneous future we’ve been sold quite yet.
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Artist Spotlight - Cavalera Conspiracy |
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Music Buzz
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Written by Alex Therrian
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Tuesday, 22 July 2008 |
 Most metal fans have
been waiting for the reunion of brothers Max and Iggor Cavalera since
Max left lead singer duties in the highly influential 90s
metal band Sepultura. Max’s breakup with the band was due to
internal strife within, as well as haggling over management issues. Max went on to form his new band, Soulfly (still going
strong; new album out July 29th), while Iggor stayed as
the drummer in Sepultura with a new lead singer. As the years went by,
fans dug the new Sepultura, but most of them wondered what would happen
if there was a reunion with Max, or at least for the two brothers to
join back up. One of those scenarios have been played out as Max and Iggor have put out their debut album as the Cavalera Conspiracy, Inflikted, easily one of the best
metal albums of the year so far.
The tracks on Inflikted are not a latter-era Sepultura retread, which the fans would wag their tongues for. The tracks, such as
“Sanctuary” and “Black Ark” are more
punk-rock infused in their delivery. It looks like the guys have
taken some of their earlier influences in this latest record. But
don’t think that the new record totally abandons the Sepultura sound. Songs like “Ultra-Violent” and “Hearts of
Darkness” keep the old sound alive. But with bassist Joe
Duplantier and Soulfly guitarist Mark Rizzo, the band mix the old
with the new to create something fresh.
After initially not
sure about if the project was going to tour or not, the band recently
wrapped up a European tour and now have their sights set on their home turf.
The band started a tour with Dillinger Escape Plan and Throwdown on
July 17th, and head to Pontiac for a show at Clutch
Cargo’s on July 22nd. The tour lasts through early
August when the band is a part of the one day OzzFest in Dallas this
year. Early set lists show that there is some Sepultura sprinkled
through the list, so this will be a chance to see a good mix of new
and old from Max and Iggor Cavalera.
Cavalera
Conspiracy plays at Clutch Cargo’s on Tuesday, July 22nd.
Tickets are $25 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com.
They also play the Orbit Room in Grand Rapids on July 24th
(Tickets are $25 as well). Additional dates are available at
www.cavaleraconspiracy.com. | | No comments for this item |
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