Jane’s Addiction | REVIEW STALKER

I Should’ve Started a Chemical Fire…I Should’ve Burned This Place to the Ground….

by Paul Haley | Jan 1, 2019 | Uncategorized

No intro necessary and in no particular logical order, my most go to 2018 releases. Spotify playlist to follow. Enjoy and Happy 2019. xo PJH

Hot Snakes – Jericho Sirens (Sub Pop) – Catching this San Diego, CA post-hardcore phenomena live earlier this year in San Francisco was a life changing experience for me, especially watching Jon Reis’ guitar work first hand and especially since I never caught Drive Jehu live, ever…at least I caught 50% of the band this time around. It was nice to see and hear that the foursome doesn’t miss a beat after a 12 year hiatus. Song’s like “I Need A Doctor” “Why Don’t It Sink In” proves this garage punk onslaught is all that, where its at and then some.

Buffalo Tom – Quiet and Peace (Schoolkids Records) – My Bean Town heroes return with a solidly mature release this year. When once they sang about feeling old and out of place in such classics as “Taillights Fade” and “I’m Allowed”, now they are older and reflecting on such topics as mortality and lost time in their latest effort. The opening track, “All Be Gone” quickly proves the trio still have some gusto left under their hood. For the “Colbourn disciples,” the bassist offers his best song yet with “Roman Cars.” “Freckles” starts out simmering before kettle whistling to a wall of sound finale while “Slow Down” beautifully reeks of Brit-Pop lyrical positivity.

Turnstile – Time & Space (Roadrunner Records) – Despite the critics, purists, and haters (largely due to major label sellout charges), this latest release from the Baltimore fivesome is 25 minutes of pure hardcore bliss plus. It’s the same formula heard on 2016’s Non-Stop Feeling and then some. I hear straight up hardcore, I hear Jane’s Addiction/Perry Farrell vocals, I hear pianos, I hear rhythmic claps, I hear metal guitar solo flirtations among all the awesome grooving breakdowns. I hear a band among a few, brave others (Title Fight, Drug Church) that has the balls to take the easily overplayed genre to new extremes other than the flogged horse Hate Breed/Earth Crisis route. I finally caught them live at this year’s ‘Tid The Season event in Buffalo, NY and they blew my world up. Fuck listing standout songs, listen to the entire record…its that good.

Eminem – Kamikaze (Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records/Shady Records) – I don’t really care for modern age rap/hip hop, always stuck in the past with my Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, BDP and Public Enemy records, to name a few. Except for a song here and there, I wasn’t even a big Eminem fan back in the day. But when the 8 Mile rapper surprised the universe and dropped his 10th studio album this past summer, I was mesmerized from the very first sample of the opening track, “The Ringer.” An “epic fail” one critic said? Please, anything but in a world of second rate hip hop garbage offered by the bad joke, Machine Gun Kelly (sit down kid, you are no match) and many others. From the jaw-dropping, bombastic, shit talking precision of Eminem insane tongue-twisting rhymes magically captured by the Jedi-Knight producing skills of Dr. Dre, to the Licensed To Ill shout out album cover, Eminem is back, pissed and setting shit straight.

Brian Fallon – Sleepwalkers (Island Records) – Ex-Gaslight Anthem front man returns with his sophomore solo effort, picking up where 2016’s Painkillers ends. With his latest release, we find Fallon continually getting his Bruce on, toying with the RnR sounds that once crackled out of the jukeboxes or classic car radios of 50/60s yesterday and finding the balance between familiarity and refreshing. Ironically, Sleepwalkers is a perfect record to catch summer rays to on a Jersey shoreline, especially Asbury Park. Some standout tracks include “Forget Me Not”, “Little Nightmares” and “Etta James.”

Green Dragon -S/T- Straight out of my adopted hometown, Maplewood, NJ’s Green Dragon plays heavy, fuzzed out, groove music with Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Hendrix and even early SST Records era St. Vitus influences heavily sprinkled throughout. Some call it “psych-rock” which to me is acceptable but I refuse to define it as Doom/Stoner Metal because both terms are fucking stupid and I don’t even know what it means and no, I wont look up how they are defined. The foursome’s 6 song release is an absolute treat from start to finish, teasing my inner moshing inclinations throughout and has given me that extra umph at the gym or on a run when needed. My go to tracks are “Poison Finger” and “Eternal Pyre” and Full Moon” but the entire album is solid.

The Messthetics -S/T (Dischord Records)-Take 50% of DC post hardcore legends Fugazi and throw in some mysterious dude on guitar and this trio plays some serious surfy punky, garagy, progy, jazzy, gazy instrumental rock and boy it is some good shit. The band released their first full length album on the famously historic DC hardcore punk label staple, Dischord Records. Nine songs of pure, balls to the walls jamming. I personally enjoy such tracks as “Quantum Path” and “Serpent Tongue” but there are no losing cuts on this album.

Allied Chemical – This Isn’t Working Out – Maplewood NJ’s indie rock wizards, Allied Chemical, wasted no time following up on their solid 2017 release, Sword Soup, with this 11 song indie pop treat. This a trio that truly likes to have fun and refuses to take themselves too seriously and it’s great to hear other members taking on vocals, especially bassist, Jonathan “Cubic Zirconium, IV” Bloom. Track favs include “Leavin”, “Fence” and the very interestingly intriguing “Be Right Here.”

Beach Rats – Wasted Time (Bridge Nine Records) – what happens when a Washington, DC hardcore legend move to Asbury Park, NJ? Well in the case of guitarist Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion), he rounds up a superstar lineup of members in Lifetime and The Bouncing Souls and starts a band. This 5 song EP offers a fun, straight ahead, no frills, melodically uplifting hardcore. My personal favorite track, “Stay the Night” sounds like it fell off the back of the Lifetime truck. Other standouts include opener “Lonely For The Night” and the 7 Seconds sounding title ode, “Skin, Brains, And Dubs.” A wandering Soul in Buffalo, NY recently informed me that a full album is in the works….awesome.

Forevers –Between the Banners, Beneath The Floors (Dadstache Records)) Rochester, NY’s Indie rock pop superstars, Forevers quickly return with this new release even while still enjoying the residual high off their 2017 ep release, Cotton Thrones. A smorgasbord of influences can be found From The Replacements to Guided By Voices the Hold Steady to even, may I dare say it, Third Eye Blind). Tracks like “Wait It Out” ‘Plastic Room” and “Why Do You Do The Things You Do” are my favorites. I have also included the video to their first released single “ Mattress” because it is so gosh darn cute!

Vault – S/T – Members of Avail and Snapcase and Windham converge to Staunton, Virginia to produce 6 songs/22 minutes of heavy, fuzzed out psych-rock to relish, savor and enjoy. Right out of the starting gate with “Hatchet”, this five piece means business, with consistent pummeling rhythm, engrossing hooks and kaleidoscopic vocals that don’t let up for a breather until 4 songs in with the acoustic-tinged and melodious “Memorial Machine” before picking up tsunami strength once again with “Blindfold”. I am not alone in expecting big things from this project in the future. (Bandcamp:https://vault3.bandcamp.com/releases)

Dot Dash – Proto Retro (The Beautiful Music) – DC punk scene veterans reduced headcount by one since their last recording (2016’s Searchlights) but still remain as full and tight as ever with their melodic and punky, jangly pop offerings. The trio continue to pump out the jams with these 12 songs. Many killer tunes to be found here and I personally enjoy “Tamed a Wild Beast” with it’s very early New Order feel. Other feel good hits include “Unfair Weather” and ‘World’s Last Payphone.”

Sick of It All – Wake the Sleeping Dragon! (Fat Wreck Chords) – I was re-introduced to SOIA lead singer Lou Koller at a recent local Dag Nasty show. The last I met him was 30 years ago, stumbling on him gargling his throat with salt water in the Syracuse, NY Lost Horizon’s men’s room. I was quickly reminded in 2018 how funny he is as he explained in a precise, stand up comedian kind of way, how he sang about every topic ever twenty times over and new lyrical topics was a present challenge for the new, forthcoming album. Well the band earns a gold star for their achievements as the NYHC heroes return with a solid release looking to kick you repeatedly in the crotch from start to finish. Judging by the funny song titles (“Beef Between Vegans”, “Self-Important Shithead” and “That Crazy White Boy Shit” – the last song being an ode to the legendary Bad Brains), the Alleyway Crew still have a bone to pick, but not taking themselves to seriously doing so.

Drug Church – Cheer (Pure Noise Records)– My first hardcore scene ever was in Albany, NY, catching many shows there long ago and catching many NYHC bands driving up the NYS Thruway to play shows in the capital city every other weekend. While “my” venues like 288 Lark, Hibernian Hall and South Dove Street and local bands like Wolfpack, No Outlet, Cranial Abuse and Substance are no longer around and many scenes subsequently followed, it is still very satisfying to witness an “Al”bany band making international waves while defying the rules and pushing what’s acceptable in a predictably metal-saturated scene, similar to their comrades in Turnstile and Title Fight, with their perfect blend of hardcore and 90’s alternative nostalgia . Too many good tracks on this latest release but “Weed Pin”, “Strong References” “Unlicensed Guidance Counselor” and “Avoidarama” quickly come to mind.

John Coltrane-1963: New Directions/Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album (Impulse!)– 2018 was a big year for the American saxophone jazz legend who passed away over 50 years ago, at only 40 years of age. The former recording showcases the artist’s busy recording year in 1963 just before discovering free/acid jazz (yuck, my least favorite era of his – blame it on the Trane and his love for ‘caine?) while the latter’s copy of the Master recordings “found” with Coltrane’s wife (the originals destroyed by the record company to free up storage space!!) and finally released. Both offerings are fantastic and a perfect soundtrack to the hustle n’ bustle of NYC. I admit I don’t listen to a much jazz as I use too (which my wife likes to remind me noticeably a lot) but such releases remind me a glorious age the American bebop/hard bop era truly is and why I should be listening more again.

Tuffy – Lighting Things On Fire (BF Collective) – Brooklyn power trio Tuffy setting the planet ablaze with 15 songs of witty, indie pop brilliance. Front-woman, Yasmin Dalisay will coquettishly enrapture you were Tanya Donelly-ish vocals. The title track and “Into the Mouth of Everything” are just a few tunes that keeps my broken ears happy and my foot tapping.

Verbal Assault – The Trial Reissue (Atomic Action)– when originally released 31 years ago by this Providence, RI band, this album changed the face of hardcore in so many ways and has stood the test of time mostly, at least for me, because it was such a vast improvement over the bands first release just a year prior on 1986’s Learn. All the tracks were re-mastered but in my opinion, didn’t need to be as lead singer’s Christopher Jones’ 10 second vocal hang in the opening track (starting at the 1:42 mark: ) still gives me goosebumps, while the guitar work throughout is still both spearheading and avant garde for a hardcore release from so long ago, even without the piano in “Scared”.

Terror – Total Retaliation (Pure Noise Records) – Buffalo native Scott Vogel (Buried Alive, Despair, Slugfest, World Be Free) and team sizzle up 13 songs of brutal hardcore straight outta Los Angeles. After 16 years the band still sounds urgent, aggressive and energized with breakdowns that gets you through a frustrating day or challenging workout. “Get Off My Back” ‘Mental Demolition” and “One More Enemy” pack some serious kick to the nuts.

Sleep – The Sciences (Third Man Records) – After 15 years, this San Jose, CA Doom Metal trio return with this 6 song EP. While I suffer a serious case of “jellobiafaraitis” when it comes to the vocals, the heavy, fuzzed out sludgy music makes up for the former’s shortcomings. “Marijuanaut’s Theme” and “Sonic Titan” catch my fancy.

No Sleep – Bring the Light (Reaper Records) – Since we are on the topic of sleep, Hardcore vocalist legend, Dave Smalley ( Dag Nasty, DYS, Down By Law, ALL) leads this Washington DC/Harrisburg, PA melodic hardcore outfit. These 3 songs have a real late Dag Nasty Field Day or even Minority of One release feel. Looking forward to more offerings by this band.

Finally, hats off to New Jersey’ indie rock darlings The Brixton Riot for doing a killer cover of Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Bring on the Dancing Horses” for Mint 400’s At The Movies compilation. The band managed to keep true to the original while adding their own unique flare and I can’t think of anyone other than vocalist-guitarist Jerry Lardieri’s that can vocally knock this song out of the ball park. And boy did he…..

Even the video has a cool, nostalgic 80’s vibe and is also gosh darn cute….Beautifully done boys. xo

EDITED TO ADD: Of course something is always overlooked…..how did I ever forget Weezer’s insanely good cover of Toto’s 1982 hit, “Africa”?

Until we meet again…..xo

I Came Undone In This City. I Blame It On the Restaurants. But It Was Probably The Drugs.

by Paul Haley | Jul 31, 2018 | Uncategorized

Except for some Mogwai and Explosions In the Sky, I typically don’t gravitate toward vocal-less, jammy music. but the times, they are a changin’….

Take 50% of DC post hardcore legends Fugazi found in the form of bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty, throw in some mysterious dude (at least to me) in the shape of Anthony Pirog. Mixed together, this trio plays some serious Hendrix-ish, surf punky, garage rock as The Messthetics who just released their first full length album, interestingly enough, on the famously historic DC hardcore punk label staple, Dischord Records. Nine songs of pure, balls to the walls jamming. I personally enjoy such tracks as “Quantum Path” and “Serpent Tongue.”

And then you have the 2/3 post-hardcore super group High Disciple, consisting of drummer Christopher Daly (Texas Is the Reason, 108, Jets to Brazil, Resurrection), Scott St. Hilaire (Lifetime, The Fire Still Burns) along with Larry DiGiovanni of Dub For Light fame, offering 5 star, Class A, space dub reggae music for your listening pleasure. The music remains consistently super chill and relaxed, so whether you walking down a NYC street enjoying a Starbucks unsweetened black or green iced tea, clearing the house gutters of leaves, or even getting lost while hiking in Acadia National Park in Maine recently, these 6 songs will provide balance, serenity and a perfect soundtrack to our otherwise bland existence. Digging such cuts as “Tranquility” and “Gate Crasher.”

And because of this latest interest in instrumentally jammy music, I sought out the 2012 Heavy Blanket self-titled album to blow the dust off and give it a better listen since I have unfairly not done so in the past. This trio is a project by none other than guitar Jedi Knight and demi-god, J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., two high school friends and a crazy back story of Tuba pot smoking, counterfeit money, jail and revenge on Pearl Jam. While the funny back story may most likely bullshit, the music isn’t with J’s signature Big Muff’ed licks clearly and evidently present. Check out such songs as “Dr. Marten Blues” and “Spit in the Eye.”

Oh what else…..oh yeah, The Menzingers recently released a new single, “Toy Soldier”. Though not as solid as many of other their many other kick ass songs (seems a little rushed and awkwardly disjointed at times), still decent enough…

And then Beantown Hardcore kings, Slapshot, just released a new record, Make America Hate Again. No surprises here with Choke and Co. and that is sometimes a good thing. Straightforward, in your face hardcore brutality you expect from the band. Decent release but must admit I gravitate towards their 2014 self titled release more. Check out the song “Edge Break Your Face.”

And speaking of hardcore, been deeply intrigued by the latest release by NYHC heavyweights, Burn, entitled Do or Die (2017). Since their self titled release on Revelation Records, I was always attracted to this band because of their unique approach to an easily played out genre. When you mix Guitarist Gavin Van Vlack’s avante guard, pedal heavy riffs with Chaka Malik’s off-kilter but still balanced singing approach proves to be a lethal combination. Release that concoction into an energetic live setting, you may want to take out extra liability insurance because trust me, the venue with catch fire and….well…burn to the fucking ground. Songs like “Fate” and album title track are just two of many gems.

And to end things Hardcore, I tend to seek out LA Hardcore royalty, Strife’s live release from their 2017 sold out Troubadour show in LA . Though the band being over the whole straight edge thing, this record is a fantastic capture of the band, playing classic songs throughout their hefty discography. Killer live tracks of “Blistered” and “Through and Through” can be found here among many others.

Oh wait, one more thing hardcore….the latest Turnstile album, Time & Space (2017), was brought to my attention via a friend’s text while driving back from Boston/PAX East 2018 with my now 14 yo earlier this year. “Dude check this song “Generator” out” immediately turned into me checking out the entire album multiple times on the drive home to Jersey. T&S is 25 minutes of pure, serious punk rock perfection without taking itself too seriously. I hear a lot of other influences buried in the music, especially Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros) inspired vocals. This Baltimore suburban outfit was on my friend’s upstate NY label, Reaper Records before jumping to the “majors” (Roadrunner) where the didn’t really do much for me, but now due to the latest record, they do a lot!

An unfortunate reality for many opening bands is that they rarely catch our attention which is highly unfair to them because we are all so selfishly focused on seeing the main act. All this changed when I caught Oakland’s Feral Ohms catching my otherwise ODD-tinged attention, opening up for the Hot Snakes at San Francisco’s hottest new club, The August this past May when work brought me to nearby Sacramento. The band name is very fitting as this trio spit out song after song of rabid, eardrum damaging, rock n roll – just how I like it! If tracks “Love Damage” “Living Junkyard” don’t do it for you then….oh I don’t know….

And don’t get me started on San Diego’s Hot Snakes because I just wont shut the fuck up since they my latest musical obsession at the moment. Not only does their recent release, Jericho Sirens, continue to blow my mind, but their live shows are a life changing experience. The intensity the band belts out on stage is aptly described as “post hardcore garage rock” and is immeasurably, well…INTENSE…the only word I can use to describe this four piece outfit whose members played in other boastful west coast acts like Drive Like Jehu, Night Marchers, Rocket from the Crypt, etc. An added bonus is college pal Jason Kourkounis drums for this lethal foursome. Watching “Jay” play that night in San Fran brought all those Buffalo basement shows memories quickly back….sigh.

Finally, Rochester, NY’s Indie rock pop superstars, Forevers, quickly return with their first full length release, Between the Banners, Beneath The Floors (2018), even while still enjoying the residual high off their 2017 ep release, Cotton Thrones that made my same year “best of” list. Think The Replacements. Think the Afghan Wigs meets Guided By Voices with a sprinkle of lyrical witticism a la Hold Steady and even U2 in the mix. And may I dare suggest one of my guilty pleasures, Third Eye Blind is also lurking in their musical shadows when I hear David Baumgartner (also of Muler), Nick Walter Chris Reeg and Darren Dewispelaere latest collected, impressive efforts? I also hear a band who really, really like their Moog and puts it to the test. Tracks “Wait It Out”, and first released single “ Mattress” are just a few of standouts. The band’s latest offerings is not yet offered in digital media format but you can find (and buy) taste samples right here…. https://forevers1.bandcamp.com/releases

See my Spotify playlist below trying to capture as much music mentioned above as possible.

Until next time….xo

PJH

Why is Coachella the New Spring Break?

by David | Apr 22, 2014 | Electronic Music, Music Fest

Honestly, I think I could tell you only one band that played Coachella this Spring Break and it was The Replacements who got a lot of cash to play songs from the 90’s. I can’t imagine one kid under 40 30 knew a single tune unless they brought their parents with them. I know this because my friend Andy posted a photo of them. He was actually working the event bringing grilled cheeses to the masses (probably) working 14 hour days having fun watching all the “space cadets”.

I totally had forgotten about this music festival and since I’m a real music fans I was just waiting to find my domestic break during the day so I could race to the nearest record store on Record Store Day. Sorry your loss kids but I don’t think you care about collecting records at all. I’m pretty sure CHVCHRES had a select release and bunch of other groups playing the event but none of them will own a physical copy. Their cool friends who actually like music might though. Twitter also reminded me of all the fun. I saw lots of ass photos (#ASSCHELLA) on the Vice blog called Noisy and useless articles about what people were wearing or not wearing, the different type of freaks, bro gangs and what the bitches were going to see. I have no idea who Haim is and apparently Pharrell is still wearing the same dumb hat even in that 96 degree heat.

I kind of liked it when all those kids went down to Florida or Mexico and they didn’t really make a mess of music festivals. Drank the light beer and twerked before it was a thing. The line-ups are all over the place and not that I’m organizing freak with my sub-genres or anything but Coachella is a mess of a “music festival”. I am glad nobody died like at SXSW this past year in Austin (that I heard of) smashing their car drunk into people –that was horrible. The masses of suckers going to these bloated events pay the really high-ticket prices more than likely because their parents forked over the dough. Not sure anybody noticed but the cost of entry goes up every year even as it’s off set by brands buying their way into the youth market. But alas this is some college kid’s Woodstock or Lollapalooza except they mostly listen to EDM (Electronic Dance Music). I totally have a problem with EDM. Hate me but there are no lyrics to most of the tunes right? It’s fabricated music unlike classic hip-hop which I have the most respect for. You’ll never be able tell me I really love it when they click play during that part and mix in this other part and we all jump up and down. You know with the keyboard thing? Impossible to describe and I suppose something you must experience completely live as you jump to the thumping in unison. Unlike if I say two simple words like “Jane Says” –You will probably sing the whole song from start to finish. See what I mean?

I love T&A hanging out of frayed denim shorts as much as the next straight guy but music needs substance. At the same time I know the general youth consumer needs to be entertained. Millennials get bored way to quickly these days. Truth be told through lies; it’s more fun to watch them make asses of them themselves from the side because that tattoo they got will need to be covered one day and I hear they have better drugs that we did in the 90’s. Hell even Burning Man has it’s own zip code(89412)! The more you know.

What was your experience at Coachella, pitchfork or SXSW etc? Lets us know in the comments and like this article on facebook!

Fishbone is Red Hot like Everyday Sunshine

by admin | Feb 15, 2012 | Movie Review

Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone (Cinema Guild) tells the tale of how Norwood Fisher (Bass/Vocal – 1979 present) and Angelo Moore (Vocals/Sax 1979 -present) kept Fishbone together since the beginning to present day. Being a white suburban punk I was lucky enough to have caught them from the onset of their journey. Can’t say I stayed dedicated their whole career but with respect I went on to do my thing and thanks to them discovered a lots music with a open mind. This documentary features a slattering of rock star power and fandom from Iced-T, to Flea, Mike Watt, to Vernon Ried talking about how for them Fishbone set the bar. Watching this I quickly reminded how Norwood exploited the bass with his own funkiness as if it owed him which affected me in many ways when I started learning the instrument. Their energy was so influential to my sense of what a good time at show is; it still to this day is a feeling that’s never been topped by any other live band except for maybe Jane’s Addiction and a couple others. They set the bar so high that even they can’t seem to reach the altitude again and this documentary does a great job of portraying this wall of talent. There is hope as well from the underside of the “rock” dream where the notion conflicts with a bunch talented guys who slowly dispersed with having a hard time of finding acceptance even amongst their own culture. Laurence Fishburne says it best “They brought the funk to the punk”. If you ever wondered how a Artist works through their broken dreams this film gives you a hard glimpse into this world of break-downs and the insanity of it all. Unfortunately depending on your greatness it’s a intense journey that some artist don’t survive. In the end you’re rooting for them hoping the original line-up can get back together to make another record or play one mother fucking amazing show.

iTunes | Buy the DVD Feb 21st

Give It Up MP3 by Fishbone from In Your Face (1987)

A few of the bands in the documentary:
Organic Anti-Beat Box Band MP3 by Red Hot Chili Peppers from The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987)
Group Sex MP3 by Circle Jerks (1980)
Up The Beach MP3 by Jane’s Addiction from Nothing Shocking (1988)