Those 90s Songs: The Breeders- Cannonball

It’s always interesting how songs get stuck in your head. This morning, I woke up with a riff in my head. At first I couldn’t place it and I still don’t know where it came from but, after thinking about what it was, I figured out it was “Cannonball” by The Breeders. Ever since this song was released in 1993, it’s been one of the best of the 90’s. Kim Deal is one hell of a writer and it shows ever so distorted on this song. Her contributions to The Pixies are legendary but, The Breeders is really where she established herself as a force. Interestingly, the video for the song was directed by Spike Jonze and Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon. The video features the band in a garage, and the Deal sisters in what seems to be a dressing room trashed with clothes, sitting in a chair together. There are also shots of a cannonball rolling down suburban streets, as well as a shot of Kim singing underwater. When you think of 90’s songs, if you don’t include this on your list, you are missing the mark for sure!

The Breeders- Cannonball:

Alternate Versions: Metallica- Sad But True

Metallica’s “Sad But True” is one of the best tracks on their “Black Album.” It’s one of those songs that when they play it live, it’s even bigger than the studio version. A few days ago, Metallica announced a huge deluxe version of their now legendary “Black Album.” In this edition, there will be tons of bonus tracks including demos and alternate versions of songs. To get things going, the first one the band released is this badass version of “Sad But True.” According to the notes, this was take number 36 of the song and features a bunch of different things.

Metallica- Sad But True (Take 36- February 5th, 1991):

Best Albums of 2021… So Far

2021 has been a very interesting year. Thankfully, it’s not a bad as 2020. That being said, the music released this year so far is on fire. It’s only been half a year and these albums have been on constant rotation. I personally can’t wait to see what else is coming this year (EVERY TIME I DIE PLEASE!!!!). This list is in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!! If I forgot any, let me know and I’ll be sure to check them out!!!!

Genghis Tron- Dream Weapon:

Bossk- Migration:

End You- Aimless Dread:

The Pretty Reckless- Death By Rock And Roll:

Rob Zombie- The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy:

Chevelle- Niratias:

Red Fang- Arrows:

Yautja- The Lurch:

Gojira- Fortitude:

Cold Cave- Fate In Seven Lessons:

Zao- The Crimson Corridor:

Arc Angels- Apocalisp:

Comatose- A Way Back:

Amenra- De Doorn:

Death From Above 1979-Is For Lovers:

KANGA- You and I Will Never Die:

Sierra Swan- Tangerines:

Bands Of The Week: The Cobalt Presents Show- July 17 at The Federal

For those of you that don’t know, The Cobalt Cafe was founded by Dave Politi in January 1991. One of the first cafe venues in the San Fernando Valley, the Cobalt was fashioned after coffee houses featuring live music and poetry more widespread in San Francisco. For many years, The Cobalt was most known as a rock venue, having become a regular tour stop for underground and up-and-coming touring artists, including many signed to indie and major labels.The Cobalt Cafe gave many bands you know and love their start. Bands like Jimmy Eat World, Hoobastank, Incubus, Save Ferris, AFI, Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park and so many others. Sadly though, a few years back, The Cobalt had to close but, now in 2021 it is back in a whole new way. On July 17th, The Cobalt makes its return. This evening is going to be one of those shows you will remember as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The Cobalt Cafe. Featuring an eclectic plethora of bands as well as artists, poets and more, this show is bringing back the vibes of the old Cobalt but, with a flair for today. Bands performing include No Advisory, Final Fall, Kiss The Scientist, Seven 40 Seven, Powder Pink & Sweet, Ryan Hahn & The Believers, Cannibal Valley, Sunset Ritual and Diggajigga. Tell all your friends, get out of the house and come celebrate a wonderful evening. A portion of the proceeds will also be going to benefit Cedars Sinai Cancer Research as well as the very awesome Valley Relics Museum. Buy your tickets at https://thecobaltpresents.brownpapertickets.com/!!!!

Track One: Rollins Band- Disconnect

The other day I put an album on that I haven’t listened to in quite some time. That album was Weight by Rollins Band. I was thinking about the video for the song “Liar” and it made me realize I haven’t listened to that album in so long. So, as I put it on, I was immediately drawn into the album because of the first song, “Disconnect.” What a great song. It’s one of those tracks that hits the second “that moment” starts. The lyrics have a very introspective vibe to compliment the sort of jazz element mixed with some really great rock! Henry Rollins has always been a great frontman and lyricist but, also his vocals are beyond strong on this song/album. Live, this song is a banger. I had the pleasure of seeing Rollins Band back on their reunion shows in 2006 and I remember this song being one hell of a beast that night. Something else you might find interesting about this song is that it appeared on Beavis and Butthead twice, first in the 1995 episode “Top o’ the Mountain”, then as part of the episode “Shortcuts” in March 1997 (coincidentally the same month the band’s follow-up and very awesome Come In and Burn was released). Rollins Band is one of the few groups out there that I’d love see come back. With everything that has happened in the world, I know they would have it in them to write one hell of a great album.

Rollins Band- Disconnect:

Video for Disconnect:

Anticipated Albums: Quicksand- Distant Populations

The mighty Quicksand are back with a new album and first since 2017’s Interiors. Distant Populations is the title of the upcoming album and it’s definitely shaping up to be one of the best of 2021. The album will be out digitally August 13 and on vinyl September 24 via Epitaph Records. Distant Populations was produced and engineered by Will Yip (The Menzingers, Code Orange, Nothing), and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Megadeth, Trivium). Speaking on the album, “Everyone is on the one hand so connected with each other, and on the other hand, is so far apart.” says frontman Walter Schreifels.“We’re checking out each other’s social media and we know what everybody’s doing. But when we’re sitting in the same room together, we’re looking at our phones,” he adds point out the sad irony of it all. Throughout the album’s 11 tracks, Quicksand explores the duality of our simultaneous existence in individual relationships and as part of a mass society, while also examining the alienation and loneliness of it all. Pretty fitting for the times we are living in if you ask me. Today, the band shares “Missile Command,” a song that emerged from a Quicksand rehearsal jam, recalls Schreifels, “It really kind of focuses on Sergio’s (Vega) whole motif in a very simple way. He and Alan (Cage) just have this really kind of trademark groove, and I think that really sings on this one to me. I just felt like it’s a kind of song that is very us, but we hadn’t written it yet.”  Based on “Missile Command” and “Inversion” there is without a doubt the classic sound we’ve all loved since Slip all the while, a bit of a modern flair.

Quicksand- Missile Command:

Quicksand- Inversion:

Album Review: Bossk- Migration

There are some bands out there that are very meticulous and worth the wait. One such band is Bossk. Throughout their career, Bossk has developed a cult following within the Post-Metal genre and has carved their own spot among their peers. Their new album, Migration, is a post-metal, cinematic and ferocious gem. The layers and textures found throughout the album expand with each listen. There is so much to this album that you will be wanting to hit the start button all over again once it’s over.

The album brings together different elements that when fused together makes for one hell of a great listen. One of my favorite things about this album is the atmospheric approach to the songs. It’s experimental and psychedelic at the same time. The push and pull of tension found in the post-metal genre is beyond strong on this release. Each moment captivates your senses and draws you in more and more. I could go on and on about the each song but, as I’ve said in other reviews, that would just take away from the element of surprise. The production on Migration is superb. The synths shine and cut through in a way that is almost haunting. The rumble of the low end and drums makes your blood flow faster and your heart pound harder. The riffs are crunchy and crisp. On the songs with vocals, even the different vocalists help to propel these songs into another dimension.

Bossk have truly created a masterpiece of an album with Migration. There is a real ebb and flow that captures you from the first note. To be able to capture these sounds and feelings makes Migration a truly remarkable album. An album like this has the ability to bring in other listeners from different genres and expand the minds of them. The richness of Migration is on full display with each song. It’s almost like they transcended while making this album which makes the future is very bright for Bossk. Serious contention for Album Of The Year is strong with this one.

Overall Rating: A

Bossk-Migration:

Beats Per Minute: Perturbator

For a long while now, I’ve had a very interesting relationship with electronic based music. For me, when it comes to this genre, I always tend to go towards the artists with real depth and integrity. So much in the world of electronic music is fluff and just button pressing. When a real artist comes along and expands upon the norm and mixes other bits, that’s when it becomes something more. For example, one artist that I’ve been keen on for a while now is Perturbator. James Kent aka Perturbator got his start playing in Black Metal bands. If you are aware of the ambient nature of Black Metal, you know where this is going. Since 2012 though, he’s been releasing some of the best synthwave music. Armed with vintage synths, an array of instrumentation and a sort of John Carpenter vibe, it’s no wonder Perturbator has caught on with so many people. His latest album, Lustful Sacraments, is truly something awesome. It’s drenched in darkwave, post-punk, industrial and ambience. The album is sort of trippy/psychedelic in ways too. It’s one of those albums that you can put on while doing something else but, don’t be surprised if you wind up getting so into it, you forget you had something else to do.

Perturbator- Lustful Sacraments:

The Other Side: KLAE

Music is truly one of the only things in the world with no boundaries. No matter the genre, there is always something and someone out there looking to push the limits with something interesting. Part of the fun of doing Audioeclectica is writing about new bands/artists that step outside the box and offer something different. Recently I was introduced to an artist that is taking drums to another dimension. KLAE is a very diverse musician that excels in drums and percussion. His ability to shift his styles to compliment different genres makes him quite exceptional. With over 20 years of experience be it playing, writing, recording and more, it’s the dedication that shows through in his music. On his upcoming EP, Stomp Out Hate, Love, Repeat (out October 19), we find KLAE (born Clay Barnum) digging deeper to enact change in a new way. Speaking on the first single “Stomp Out Hate” KLAE said “In the last few years I’ve learned that everything has a wide spectrum of perspective. We can choose to see the rainbow of colors that surrounds us or we can choose to ignore it. We have to make the choice within ourselves everyday to stop the hate and set a better example.” Armed with that mindset and a plethora of rhythms, KLAE is working to enact change with each beat.

KLAE- Stomp Out Hate:

B-Sides: The Smashing Pumpkins- Ugly

It’s truly amazing how many great songs The Smashing Pumpkins have that are B-Sides. During the Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness era, not only did they write 28 songs for the alvum but also a whole plethora more which wound up being the box set, The Aeroplane Flies High. One of my favorite songs in the set comes from the “1979” single. That song is “Ugly” and it’s one hell of a great song. One of those B-Sides that you hear and right off the bat think, why wasn’t this on the album?! One day, I’d love for Billy Corgan to put together a whole album of Mellon Collie songs and Aeroplan songs into a full album and see what that sounds like.

The Smashing Pumpkins- Ugly: