Small Stone Records Updates
We are very busy getting new albums released, pimped, worked, and the 2012 SXSW hype maching going on. Here is a quick run down of what have been up to over the last few weeks.
First, Last Rays Of The Dying Sun, the
debut full length from New Jersey’s Infernal Overdrive is now in stock and ready for you all. We were hoping to also have the I.O. band at SXSW this year, but it looks like it is not in the cards for them this time around. In the meantime, You will be able to catch Infernal Overdrive on a stage near you next month if you happen live along the Eastern Seaboard of the US. (more…)
Small Stone Philly Showcase 1 Week Away
One week from today Small Stone Records will be having their first of two showcases highlighting some of the labels bands. The first showcase is in Phillidelphia. It’ll be a two night showcase kicking off on Friday September 23rd, 2011. The showcase will be at The M Room located at 15 West Girard.
The lineup is as following:
Friday September 23rd
- Suplecs
- Backwoods Payback
- Lo-Pan
- Freedom Hawk
- Infernal Overdrive (more…)
Small Stone Showcase Philly Update
Small Stone Records have announced their line up for the Philly Showcase this September
Friday, Sept 23rd, 2011 @ The M Room
Small Stone Records and Philly F/M Festival Presents:
Suplecs
Backwoods Payback
Lo-Pan
Freedom Hawk
Infernal Overdrive
The Might Could
Saturday, Sept 24th, 2011 The M Room
Small Stone Records and Philly F/M Festival Presents:
Roadsaw
The Brought Low
Gozu
Throttlerod
Sun Gods In Exile
Ironweed
Small Stone Planning on 2 Showcases This Year
Straight from their Facebook wall:
We are busy planning two Small Stone Showcase Events for you In September/ October of 2011.
On September, 23rd and 24th we will be taking over the Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia, PA as a part of the Philadelphia Film and Music Festival… And, on September, 30th and October, 1st will be heading on over to the Double Door in Chicago, IL
We do not have a final line up confimed yet, but each city will get a combination of 12 of the following acts from the list below: (more…)
Top 20 of 2010 – Bill’s Picks
2010 was a great year for music. There was so much good stuff released it was very hard to figure out what belonged where. I’ve been pondering over my list for a few months actually and really had a hard time figuring out who went where. This list is by no means definitive. There were a lot of albums released this year that could probably be on this list, but then again, I didn’t have time to listen to everything. Jake and I share similar taste so we’re going to have some of the same picks. Enough of the chitter chatter, on with the list.
20. Zed – The Invitation – I “liked” these guys on Facebook by mistake. I thought they were a Russian band called Zoe. It’s funny how a mistake can turn into a good thing. I discovered a great album, wrote the first review of it for them and I get to kick Mark’s ass in Words with Friends from time to time. He’s pretty good at it too. This album is one of the best independent releases of 2010 and I can’t wait to hear what 2011 and beyond holds for these guys.
19. Sea of Air – Sea of Air EP – Until I ordered the Night Horse 45’s that were released earlier in the year I had never heard of this band. They’re not real active online, I don’t think they have Myspace page either. Heck, when I wrote about their EP, it took them a few weeks to notice it on their Facebook page. Anyhow, these guys have stuck with me since.
FORWARD THINKING “PROJECT LABEL” COEXTINCTION RECORDINGS LAUNCHED
BROOKLYN BASED STUDIO / RECORD LABEL OPENS DOORS TO “CREATE A HOME FOR UNIQUE AND SPECIAL MOMENTS IN MUSIC” New York based “project label” COEXTINCTION RECORDINGS has opened its doors for business by announcing an impressive upcoming release schedule. The innovative, online music label – set in motion with the goal to “promote an artist and fan friendly community while trying to create a home for unique and special moments in music” – will operate out of Translator Audio, a two studio professional analog and digital recording facility located in Park Slope, Brooklyn. All of the label’s releases will be made available for purchase at its website: www.coextinction.com beginning Monday, November 15.
Owned and Operated by professional musicians Dave Curran (Unsane, Players Club), James Paradise (Fresh Kills, Players Club), Producer Andrew Schneider and Chris Spencer (Unsane), COEXTINCTION RECORDINGS offers an artist and music fan friendly community and (more…)
Small Stone Showcase Announced
announced per Small Stone
Small Stone is pleased to announce that we will be doing two back to back Showcases at The Philadelphia Film & Music Festival in September. Our events will be taking place at the Millcreek Tavern which is located at 4200 Chester Avenue, University City, Philadelphia (215-222-1255 )… And, now for the line up:
Friday September 24th:
Dixie Witch
The Brought Low
Throttlerod
Lo-Pan
Sun Gods In Exile
Backwoods Payback
Saturday September 25th:
Solace
Roadsaw
Sasquatch
House Of Broken Promises
Gozu
Red Giant
The Quarterly Report [Q1 2010]
Welcome to what I’m calling The Quarterly Report. It is a short list of new releases and mini reviews of albums that have been released the previous three months. I’ll be doing this four times a year, thus the quarterly part. Last year on my personal journal on Last.FM I wrote my personal album of the year review. It was pretty popular and got good responses. I’ve decided to do it four times a year to help assist me in my album of the year for 2010. First a few disclaimers. I’m a big fan of Small Stone Records and most of the bands that Mr Hamilton has signed to the label so there are going to be Small Stone artists in almost all my quarterly reviews. Second and the most important, all albums reviewed by me, unless stated, have been purchased by me. No promotional albums, physical or digital, have been given to us here at The Soda Shop. Third, this list is in no way complete. There are many more albums that have come out that I have either yet to listen to or didn’t like. Those albums will be considered at the end of the year. Now, with all that mumbo jumbo out of the way, on with the show.
The first big release for 2010 was “The Last Supper” by Swedish band Skånska Mord. Released through iTunes and presold in December 2009 on Small Stone Records, the physical album was released in early January. This album is a solid debut from a new band. The sound is a mid to late 70’s hard rock sound. I can hear a Ted Nugent sound in the instruments. I didn’t fall head over heels in love with this album like Jake did but it’s still a solid album and has gotten many repeat plays from me and continues to do so to this day.
The next three releases all have a few things in common. They’re Swedish, they’re all from the same label ( Fuzzarama Records) and they were released on the same day. The first one was “If Light Can’t Save Us I Know Darkness Will” by Dexter Jones Circus Orchestra. Out of the three, this was the one I was looking forward to the most. In between this release and 2007’s “Side by Side,” they added Mat Bethancourt (Vocalist for Josiah and Cherry Choke). Mat adds his vocals to the background and of course his guitar and you can notice it. This album isn’t a huge departure from their last and they retain a large portion of the sound but it’s a good thing. Even though it’s similar to Side by Side, it’s darker and different enough to set it apart.
The next release is II (2) by Asteroid. I was expecting this album to come out in the summer of 2009 after the band had announced that is was complete. I had no intention of buying the album right away. In fact I held off on buying it but eventually broke down and got it. I’m glad I did. It exceeded my expectations. They retain that signature sound that belongs to Asteroid. The album sounds like a fuzzed out jazz album minus any brass instruments. A lot of the album sounds like the last track, Dr Smoke, from their first album. The CD case is something to be seen too.
I’m not huge on female fronted bands however, these chicks (and dude) can really rock. Stake Off The Witch is a new band, to me anyways. They did release one album in 2008 called Palace Court, Flat 19. That album seemed more punk oriented while this seems to have mellowed out a bit from the punk and is more rock. Still, these gals (and guy) kick some serious ass on this album. Just like Asteroid, I wasn’t planning on picking this album up when I did but I’m sure glad I did.
The month of March was real good to us too. First up is “III” by the one and only Sasquatch and put out by Small Stone Records. The whole experience starts with the album cover. It seems to be some chalk drawing of a stick figure with some lights above it as if a UFO is above it. Strange but pretty cool. The album is a full hour with 12 tracks. The album is a natural evolution for the band. If you were of a fan of either previous album (you should be of both) then this one you will like just as much. It starts out rocking and continues all the way to the end. There’s not to many slow areas in the album but the few spots there are fits in nicely with it.
The last and certainly not least is one album I’ve been waiting for for a while now. It’s Stone Axe’s second release named Stone Axe II. When I got the CD two days after ordering it (Thank you Tony Reed!) I tore open the packaging. I looked at the back. One of the first things I noticed was that the studio tracks from the Extended Play EP were on the album as well as “On With The Show” from the split with Sun Gods In Exile. I was a little mad at first because I wanted a full disc of brand new, never heard before music. I will have to say one thing, it did make for a hell of a listen. The songs fit in nicely and you don’t really notice that they were on another album. My favorite song on the album has to be “We Know It’s Still Rock ‘N’ Roll” which, if I didn’t know any better, sounds a lot like Bon Scott on vocals. The song even sounds like the AC/DC song “Big Balls.” This disc by far has been my favorite purchase of the year. I’m looking forward to the LP release later this year.
Other notable albums that came out that I did not have a chance to listen to either at all or completely include High On Fire – Snakes For The Devine, Fireball Ministry – Self Titled, The Brew – A Million Dead Stars, Blowback – 800 Miles, Blind Stone – Rise Above, and Black Rainbows – Carmina Diablo.
Artists with new albums I’m looking forward to for the second Quarterly Report include Brant Bjork, Across Tundras, Dirty Sweet, and Sweet Apple.
Links:
Upcoming Reviews
The Soda Shop
I’ve been working on a a few reviews lately and I’m glad to let everyone know that I’ll be posting reviews for the new Sasquatch album as well as a review from a 2009 release by a band from Denmark called Fuzz Manta as well as a review by a Denver band called Invisible Orange. I’ll also have my thoughts on the new live Clutch album once it gets here form the land down under. I’m working on a review rating system to work with the theme of the site. It’ll debut with my Fuzz Manta review. Hopefully everyone likes it.
The Brought Low comes to my area next week and as long as work doesn’t interfere, I’ll be attending the show and I’ll be reviewing it. Clutch hits my area a month from tomorrow. I have my tickets purchased and I’ll attending that show and bringing you my thoughts. Later in the month I’ll be seeing Dead Meadow and Naam with Radio Moscow.
I’m also working on a new release list that I’ll be publishing and updating so keep an eye out for that as well.
The Brought Low Tour Dates
In keeping with The Brought Low news, the band has posted a small amount of tour dates. Here is what is posted via the band’s Myspace page
THE BROUGHT LOW on Tour Spring 2010
Saturday March 13 @ Nemeth’s Lounge – Painesville OH (outside Cleveland)
with The Suede Brothers
Sunday March 14 @ Rumba Café – Columbus OH
with Bush League All Stars
***NOTE: Early show, starts @ 6PM!
Monday March 15 @ The Double Door – Chicago IL
with Wolfer, Imperial Battlesnake
Tuesday March 16 @ The Library – St. Louis MO
with Tilts (X-Shame Club & Riddle of Steel), Gold Tooth
Thursday March 18 @ Encore – Austin TX
Small Stone Records Official SXSW Showcase:
1am: Dixie Witch
12mid: House Of Broken Promises
11pm: Solace
10pm: Sasquatch
9pm: The Brought Low
8pm: Throttlerod
7pm: Luder
Saturday March 20 @ Richmond VA – Venue TBD
with RPG
There’s a good chance that I’ll be attending the Chicago show. If so I’ll be bringing you a full review of the show. Click the link below to view the full blog
The Brought Low
The Brought Low – Third Record Review
Fact. This album has been four years in the making. Fact. This band gets better with each album. Fact. This may be THE album of the year to get. This album is the third album put out by The Brought Low and the second on the almighty Small Stone Records label. The album, which happens to be called “Third Record” extends from their last album, “Right On Time.” The album contains nine tracks and tops out in thirty eight and a half minutes long. That’s long enough to keep you thoroughly entertained and then hit the repeat button. This album not only requires multiple listens, it demands it and for good reason too. It’s a damn good album, maybe good isn’t the right word, great is more like it.
The tempo is up and down and mixes it up. It has a nice balance and is not one of those albums that you get bored with quickly. You don’t even want to start thinking about what you’re going to listen to next before it gets finished. Nope, you want to make sure your repeat button is set and listen to it over and over and over again. As of this writing I’ve owned the album for a little over six hours and I’m on my fourth time through. I’d have a few more listens if it wasn’t for family duties.
I had seen written somewhere that the Sun Gods In Exile were the best southern rock band not from the south. While Sun Gods In Exile are a damn good band, I would have to say that the title really belongs to The Brought Low. Upon first listen you would think you were listening to a Lynyrd Skynyrd album. The very first time I ever listened to The Brought Low I thought it was Skynyrd.
“Old Century Man” is a pretty fast song and kicks off the album. It sets the pace for the majority of the album. The songs actually reminds me of “Runnin Down A Dream” by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. If there were ever a headbanging song by this band, this track is it. “Everybody Loves A Whore” is the next song. This continues the pace started by “Old Century Man.” It almost sounds like an angry Tom Petty. The guitars are fast and continuous the drumming is quick as well. There is no slowdown in the song. “The Kelly Rose” slows down the album a tad but not to much. It slows down a bit at the end which sets up the next track, an acoustic one called “A Thousand Miles Away.” Do I hear a bit of a banjo in there? I think I do. “My Favorite Waste of Time” picks up a bit, almost has that slow nod your head to the beat to it starting off. It’s a pretty mellow song. Not to slow but not to fast, just right. As the song carries on it picks up the pace a bit then carries on to the end of the song. “Matthew’s Grave” picks up the pace and now we’re back to the pace set by the first few tracks. It’s seems to be about a kid taken from this planet way before his time. The next track, “Blow Out Your Candles” is my favorite on the album. It’s probably the most epic song on the album. Eric “Where’s the new Five Horse Johnson album” Oblander plays harmonica on this track. “Last Man Alive” starts off slow and the songs has a real Lynard Skynard feel to it. It even reminds me of the beginning of “Freebird.” It keeps that slow and steady pace throughout. This song is my second favorite song on the album. To close things off is “Slow Your Role.” This songs separates itself right away from the last song. First off it’s fast, it’s epic and it’s an instrumental. The presence of an organ played by Dave Unger was a nice touch too.
Overall I think this album is great. It’s a must buy for not only fans of the The Brought Low but also anyone who likes southern classic rock. Fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Black Crowes, Molly Hatchet, Thin Lizzy and even some of Kid Rock’s newer material would get a kick out of this album. If there’s ever a band to pry someone away from mainstream music, The Brought Low is the band can do it. They were one of the bands that did it for me but that’s a different story for a different time.
The Brought Low are:
Nick Heller: drums
Robert Russell: bass and backing vocals
Benjamin Howard Smith: lead vocals and guitar
Additional Musicians:
Eric Oblander: harmonica on “Blow Out Your Candles”
Dave Unger: organ on “Slow Your Roll.”
Produced, mixed and engineered by Andrew Schneider at Translator Audio, Brooklyn NY.
Additional recording by Benny Grotto at Mad Oak Studios, Allston MA and Chris Goosman at Baseline Audio, Ann Arbor MI.
Mastered by Chris Goosman, Baseline Audio.
Artwork and design by Morning Breath, Inc.
Digital download through iTunes now. The CD version of this album available on May 11th, 2010.
Published by Small Stone Records
The Brought Low Links / Small Stone / Myspace / Facebook
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