Month: November 2012

Saxon King (Houston, TX)

https://www.reverbnation.com/saxonking

SAXON KING are a four peice Metal band based in Houston Texas and comprised of former members of; What Lies Beneath,Spunk, Neologos (New Orleans), SkyBlue 72,etc. Our debut E.P. “Under the Axe” is available on iTunes and at Amazon. Be on the lookout for our full length L.P. later this year!

Project Armageddon (Conroe, TX)

https://www.reverbnation.com/projectarmageddon

of Doom, Metal, open minds & experimentation:
Hailing from the northern outskirts of Houston,TX-Project Armageddon consists of members: Brandon Johnson-guitar, Raymond Matthews-drums, and Alexis Hollada-bass and vocals. After recording and touring with their former band, Project Armageddon embarked in a new direction by stripping their sound down to the foundations and beginning with an experimental, open minded attitude as the basis for writing and performing. Within a few months a 3 song demo was released and a full contingent of live material was ready for the stage.

February 2010 saw the release of Project Armageddon’s debut full length cd “Departure”: a self released, 45 minute record that stays true to P.A.’s no holds barred stylistic approach, running the gamut from straight out doom to somber acoustic tracks to full out effects laden psychedelic guitar tracks, dealing with super-genetic beings, nuclear holocaust, natural devastation, and religious intolerances.

Project Armageddon continued on an extensive show schedule from 2010 to mid-2011 both in the local clubs and around the state as well. In the summer of 2011, Project Armageddon returned to Dungeon Manor studios to record their 2nd full length record: “Tides of Doom”. This was then sent out to be mixed by Supernatural Sound in Kultland,OH over the Fall while the band began demo recording for what will be their 3rd record. Currently, “Tides of Doom” is scheduled to be released in March of 2012 and the band is rehearsing for their upcoming Texas Tour to support the record.

Black Hole Caravan (Houston, TX)

https://www.reverbnation.com/blackholecaravan

Formed in the summer of 2009, we are finally getting things off the ground again after a short vacation. Black Hole Caravan is five people that just enjoy playing heavy metal with a bluesy and doomy groove. Nothing complicated, just good solid metal that you can drink a beer to, bang your head to, whatever it is that you like to do when listening to heavy metal! We want to be the soundtrack for it!

Black Irish Texas (Austin, TX)
https://www.blackirishtexas.com/

Emerging from the local cut-throat and highly competitive music scene of Austin, comes Black Irish Texas. And out of the proclaimed live music capital of the world they have exploded on the scene like a whiskey drenched force to be reckoned with. They have shared the stage with such International acts as Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Social Distortion, and the Street Dogs just to name a few, as well as local Austin legends such as the Dicks and the Flametrick Subs.

The band started in 2004 after a few lineup changes and many tribulations, they have managed to keep their anything-but-common spaghetti western/Americana/punk infused Irish American act together just long enough to finally release their debut album “To Hell with the King.”

With backing from Jameson Irish whiskey and support from legions of local and regional fans they released their first full length album and have been running all over the country throwing their no holds barred Irish American party gaining devout followers everywhere they play.

Black Irish boast members of Austin favorite’s such as Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five, Flatcar Rattlers, Los Hispanos,UK, The Bulemics, and Hipsterectomy just to name a few. With members from each of those bands bringing to the table their own particular styles and influences, your current line-up of James Fitzsimmons on guitar and vocal duties, Mark Maughmer II on fiddle, James Sheeron on drums, Jasen Douglass on upright bass and Scott’breadstick’ Ducar on banjo, you are basically looking at a powder keg lit by a few shots of Jameson. And what a site it is.

Do not, I repeat, do NOT try and pigeonhole these guys as an Irish pub drinking band, regurgitating overheard covers of “danny boy” and “whiskey in the jar” .

The Rhythm Dragons (Phoenix, AZ)
https://www.rhythmdragons.com/

Anthony Vincent & the Rhythm Dragons are Arizona’s own Billy blasters, playin’ Rockabilly, Swing, Punk, Honky-Tonk, and big bottom instrumentals. The band will celebrate their 13th Anniversary this year with the release of their 10th album, “Trio Del Grande”! The Rhythm Dragons are a Gretsch endorsed band.

The Rhythm Dragon’s album releases include: Chomp Chomp Chew Chew, Hang on the Vibe, Rhythm Dragons, Anthony Vincent & the Rhythm Dragons, Fire Red, Tailspin, Rat Rod Rodeo, Drag U Later and Chopped and Dropped. Music downloads are available on iTunes, PayPlay.FM, MusicIsHere.com, reverbnation.com/rhythmdragons and CD Baby.

Anthony Vincent is an Arizona singer, songwriter and guitarist that performs and writes Rockabilly music in the tradition of Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent Johnny Burnette, Elvis, Little Richard and Carl Perkins. He has been performing internationally, in USA’s Southwest, Midwest, Northwest and all points in between.

The Rhythm Dragons have one of the finest rhythm sections on the planet! The incredible long tall Arizonan on bass, Josh Gihle and drumming legend Bob Stubbs of Social Distortion fame on skins!

Featherface (Houston, TX)
https://featherface.com/

Featherface is a psych pop band from Houston, Texas, formed in late 2009.

The band has released two EP’s, both being written, recorded, and produced entirely by the band. Featherface is working to promote their first full-length album, “Actual Magic”, which was released on September 1st, 2012. The new album can be downloaded for free at https://featherface.com/ .

The band has been relentlessly playi

The Pharmacy (New Orleans, LA)
https://thepharmacyband.com/

It’s been almost a decade since a young Scottie Yoder received a 4-track for his birthday and began turning out poppy, energetic garage numbers with friend Brendhan Bowers in a shed on Vashon Island up in Washington state. After classically-trained pianist Stefan Rubicz joined the pair in early 2007, they’ve been on a constant schedule. The past few years, the band’s been alternating between the recording of 3 albums, a handful of 7″s and touring all over North America and Europe with acts varying from Japanther and Vivian Girls to Kimya Dawson and Matt+Kim.

They spent 2009 living in New Orleans where they recorded the LP Weekend for Park The Van Records. Seattle’s The Stranger called it “the strongest, most consistent record the band has ever made” that “continues to move even further away from their basement-punk beginnings, experimenting with a more mellow, sometimes psychedelic sound laced with sweet harmonies.” The New Orleans Gambit stated that “the LP plays out like a lost artifact from 1965 London” and that “The band’s formerly kaleidoscopic psych/pop suddenly finds laser-guided precision, both musically and lyrically.”

So after supporting the LP with 3 US and 2 European tours including a special SXSW session with Daytrotter, they returned to Seattle with a wealth of new material. The A side of the newDig Your Grave EP contains two songs recorded in Seattle at Jack Endino’s Soundhouse Studio. It was produced by Brandon Eggleston who is known for his work with Modest Mouse, Swans & Les Savy Fav. Yoder was even able to use the same guitar amp from Nirvana’s Bleach LP for the solo in “Pines.” The B side contains a demo recorded in the barracks on Governor’s Island and an acoustic track from their time in New Orleans. Its a diverse and varied document offering a glimpse into their anticipated next LP, Stoned & Alone, due out later this year.

Sunrise & Ammunition (Houston, TX)
https://sunriseandammunition.bandcamp.com/

A three-piece band, we’re a mutation in the suburban gene pool.

Tyler Saucier-Guitar and Vocals,
Chris Branton-Drums and Vocals,
Chris Richardson- Bass Guitar and vocals

Provision (Houston, TX)

https://www.provision-musik.net/

Provision is an electronic music group based in Houston, Texas. Founded in November of 2000, Provision’s music was initially self-described as “Electronic Dance Music with an Edge”.

In September of 2012 with the coming of their 5th Full Length L.P. lead singer Breye 7x coined the term “Darkpop” to describe Provision’s unique style of cultured Synthpop, Industrial Dance and Darkwave ambiance.

Provision is widely known for their live shows in which you will hear classic Provision hits, along with brand new Provision tracks. Their shows combine live synthesizers and electronic percussion, non-stop energy, an incredible intelligent lighting show, and powerful vocals by all 3 band members; with lyrics that tug at the heart.

Morgue City (Houston, TX)

https://morguecity.net

Morgue City is a band that has gone through many many changes in sound and personnel. Like any successful project in the entertainment world it must be made up of resilient and determined people. This is the case with Morgue City. The band that has a rock attack intensity as well as a more sinister edge as it delves into the darker realms of noiz and it’s concurrent drones. Some of the Morgue City sound is very pop rock oriented but there is always a deviant grind of sound laced in the song work. The band consists of two musicians with a very long history in the music business. Founder, SPIKE the Percussionist, is known from a long list of projects that include Astrogenic Hallucinauting, Childman, Doggebi, Delicate Terror and as the music director for the world renowned flesh suspension group Constructs of Ritual Evolution – CoRE. The lead guitar and vocals are handled by Raul who is a multi instrumentalist and has a long history of studio work and touring. Raul hails from such bands as M-87 and was the former bass player for Bozo Porno Circus. The result is a musical conglomeration both hauntingly familiar and refreshingly new as well as powerful and beautifully dark. Combine the likes of everything from classical to jazz and gloom to power noiz with catchy lyrics, sophisticated beats, and musically diverse melodies and the result is Morgue City.

Vertigo Blue (Houston, TX)

https://www.vertigobluemusictm.com/

Vertigo Blue (Vertigo Blue TM) – Michael Naus Jr. is an American synthesizer and vocal based solo artist who’s compositions are focused in the Electro Pop and Electronica music genre. With around 300 live performances throughout the United States including opening for Nitzer Ebb, Peter Murphy (of Bauhaus), The Georgia Satellites, John Lefler of Dashboard Confessional, Technical Itch, Dayhota, The Azoic. Vertigo Blue was scheduled to open for A Flock Of Seagulls who had a change of date landing Vertigo Blue to open for Bad Manners. Vertigo Blue began in 1996 as a trio (Mike Naus, Colin Travis and Stacey Quebodeaux) who’s song, “Christmas Day” landed on a Control-Alt-Delete (CAD) Compilation album. CAD was a network of numerous popular synth pop acts including Information Society, Anything Box, Channel 69 and many others. Later, Mike had taken Vertigo Blue to it’s solo role and released an EP “To The Future” in 1998 under the Ultra Trec Records Label. Over the next few years Vertigo Blue continued on with live shows and his songs were featured on seven Electronica compilation albums as well as placed in corporate and radio presentations.

In 2005 Vertigo Blue released his first album, “Area 51″ under his label, Ozmotic Records. Area 51 obtained worldwide club rotation and radio airplay. Mike gives a special thanks to all those in The Recording Academy who had submitted the song “Area 51″ on the Entry List for Nominations for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2006 three songs from the Area 51 album were featured in Jeff Faulkinbury’s “READ ON” film. That same year another song from the album titled, “TUNDRA” was listed on the top ten local songs of ten years on Houston’s radio station 90.1FM KPFT SoundAwake program.

In 2009 the album Area 51 received Best Electronica album along with four other Revolutions Music Awards. Throughout the early years, Vertigo Blue has been active in assisting by performing in charitable events spanning from working with the 2004 Indonesia Tsunami Relief, Children’s Cancer Care benefits, Wounded Warriors, Hurricane Ike Fundraiser and others. In late 2008 Mike took a break after losing his own home and studio from the destruction by Hurricane Ike followed by an accident in 2009. Later that year Vertigo Blue continued on with live performances and working on a second album.

2011 brings the release of the second album by Vertigo Blue titled, “Evolution”. March 2011 album review byThe Houston Press: “Evolution is phenominal work!” The Area 51 and Evolution albums by Vertigo Blue TM are available at most online music retailers in both CD and mp3 format. In May 2011 Vertigo Blue was featured in the cover story of “After Hours” magazine and other reviews of Vertigo Blue were featured in Outburn Magazine, Express Lane Magazine and others which can be found on the internet. Originally from the Chicago, Illinois area, Mike had moved to the Houston-Galveston, Texas area in 1994 where he is currently based. Among those who influenced the sound of Vertigo Blue are Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Nitzer Ebb, Information Society, The Human League, The Fixx, The Cars, The Beatles, ELO, The Crystal Method, Air and the list goes on. Vertigo Blue TM is currently an independent Recording Artist.

Hell City Kings (Houston, TX)

https://www.facebook.com/Hellcitykings

Formed in the Fall of 2004, the Hell City Kings appeared on the Houston punk/rock and roll scene with a well established following. With all of the Hell City Kings’ members having played in various other local bands for years, the group had no trouble playing packed shows throughout the Houston area. Due to the diligence of the band, their incredibly energetic and high intensity live shows, and …t…heir well founded reputation, the Hell City Kings quickly became the “go to” band for local booking agents looking for an opening act for some of their biggest shows. Among those acts were The Dwarves, The Reverend Horton Heat, and even European bands like Turbonegro. Venue size and location, the crowd or lack thereof, and juggling personal lives with band priorities could not keep the Hell City Kings down. The band has played shows ranging from sold out shows at the House Of Blues in Houston to local shows on weekends/weekdays at their home away from home, Rudyard’s Pub. No matter what the show may have to offer, as long as there are people looking for great rock and roll, the Hell City Kings are there to give it to them. Traveling out of town has also fueled the Hell City Kings’ desire to truly be a working band. Hell City Kings have played throughout Texas including Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. In addition to their love for playing live music, the Hell City Kings have also looked to duplicate that success in the studio. In 2006 the band released its first split 7”, with fellow Houston punks I Am Wolf, to rave reviews. Shortly after, they were nominated for “Best Punk Band” at the annual Houston Press Awards. Following the release of the split, Hell City Kings looked to expand their release repertoire with 2009’s “The Road To Damnation” LP. It took a while to find the right people for the job, but after numerous snags in the studio, the Hell City Kings forged ahead and finished recording in the first few months of 2009. Now, with the release of their first full length record, the Hell City Kings Are poised to take the rock and roll world by storm.

The Wrong Ones (Houston, TX)
https://www.myspace.com/thewrongoneshouston

“The end of the world has been on people’s minds lately, what with the Mayans apparently penciling in the apocalypse next year and the Rapture rain-checked for October of this ‘un. That preoccupation with the end of the world is why we skipped straight to ‘Doomsday Transmission” on the Wrongs Ones’ new album, Deceiver (Cutthroat Records).

In most of their moments, the Wrong Ones are a textbook punk band. That’s not meant as a knock against them, but what expectations you hold in your head when you’re told that an album is a punk album will be met within standard parameters when you throw on Deceiver. True, it’s a bit angrier than modern punk, and there is a curious lack of artistic difference in that sung vitriol.” – Houston Press

ASS (Sorry, No verifiable information on-line)

Bliss Blood (Brooklyn, NY)
https://blissblood.com/

Bliss Blood returns to Houston for a special show in which she will perform music from The Pain Teens (accompanied by guitarist Scott Ayers) as well as music from her work with Al Street.

about Bliss Blood and Al Street (Brooklyn, NY)

Vocalist Bliss Blood and guitarist Al Street formed the band Evanescent to write original songs in the summer of 2010. They released their first 10-song cd “Evanescent” in February 2011 and have two songs featured in the NY indie film “Hello Lonesome.” They released their second cd “Live on the Lilac” in August 2011. They are currently writing and recording their third cd. They play regularly in New York City area.

Their songs are erotic, sensual, stripped-down rhapsodies to longing, love, heartbreak, and secret desires, and tap into musical styles from across the sound spectrum, from flamenco to jazz to punk rock to North African music, anchored by Street’s virtuosic guitar, and Bliss Blood’s dreamy, cinematic, and deeply amorous lyrics. Bliss began her career as vocalist and songwriter in the band Pain Teens in Houston and continued to write music and perform with The Moonlighters and Delta Dreambox, among other bands, in New York City since 1995. Guitarist Al Street is a master of style and of the guitar itself. He has played at the world’s top festivals, and can be heard on the Major Motion Picture “American Gangster” soundtrack, as well as “Three Days of Rain” with Grammy winner Bob Belden. Al Street has traveled to Venezuela, Honduras, Peru and Syria as a U.S. Department of State Jazz Ambassador. - via Reverb Nation

about The Pain Teens (Houston, TX)

“Houston’s harrowing Pain Teens were one of the earlier bands to fuse the chilly gloom of goth rock with the harsh experimentalism of early industrial music, setting the stage for a hybrid that would become increasingly common as the ’90s wore on. The Pain Teens’ core was the husband-and-wife team of Bliss Blood and Scott Ayers; Blood played the role of goth chanteuse, while Ayers’ murky, ultradistorted guitar work veered from creepy psychedelia to pure avant-garde noise, with occasional hints of Texas blues filtered through the Birthday Party. Also filling the role of electronics manipulator, Ayers’ tracks were laden with pounding tribal percussion, tape loops, dialogue samples, and assorted found sounds. Like their main influences (Swans, Throbbing Gristle), or even to a degree their fellow Texans the Butthole Surfers, The Pain Teens’ lyrical interests were highly provocative: kinky sex, murder, mental illness, child abuse, religious hypocrisy, and anything else that evoked the dark side of human existence. Much more than her forebears, though, Blood tempered those confrontational shock tactics with a tangible, underlying feminist and social concern. The Pain Teenswere quite prolific over their decade-long existence, and although the goth/industrial/noise formula shifted its emphasis from time to time, much of their work was generally of a piece.

The Pain Teens were formed in 1985 as a chiefly studio-bound project between Scott Ayers (a veteran of local punk act Naked Amerika) and Bliss Blood. Essentially a Stooges-influenced punk band at first, their sound quickly grew beyond those roots, as documented on a lengthy series of cassette-only releases issued on the band’s own Anomie label. After honing their style for a couple of years, The Pain Teens finally started to play live around the area, and developed a provocative stage show that often featured live whippings. Their first official album was a self-titled affair culled from their previous cassette recordings, and released on Anomie in 1988. The follow-up, 1989’s Case Histories, also drew its material from the group’s cassette catalog, which by 1990 numbered nine separate 90-minute releases.

Later in 1990, The Pain Teens signed with Butthole Surfer King Coffey’s Trance Syndicate label, and debuted with the album Born in Blood, their first official release to feature all-new material. Bassist Kirk Carr officially joined the band that year as well, since increased touring commitments made a full backing group necessary. Drummer Frank Garymartin came onboard in 1991, and with this fleshed-out lineup, The Pain Teens recorded two more albums, 1992’s Stimulation Festival and 1993’s Destroy Me, Lover. Carr and Garymartin both departed in 1994, and Blood and Ayers turned out one final effort, the world music-influenced Beast of Dreams, in 1995; they subsequently went their personal and professional ways.” - All Music Guide