Band Of The Week: Faint On Call

Music has a way of bringing people together from all regions. When you take certain elements of a band and mix them with other people and their styles, often times the end result is something that sounds exciting and intriguing. Which brings me to the band of the week, Faint On Call. This band was born during the pandemic with an emphasis of combining all the things each member loves about music. Their sound has elements of 90’s alternative rock mixed with bits of shoegaze, melodic hard rock and hooks that will stay with you. The founding members, Tobias Hawkins (ex Counting Crows/Laundry), Cristian Hernandez (ex Onesidezero) and Arthur McConnell challenged each other’s songwriting abilities in a daily trudge through music apps and emails during 12 months over 2020 and 2021. Not only did they share their ideas through sharing files they did this while in different countries particuarly the US and Mexico. When the time came to put it all together, the band recruited producer Sylvia Massey (Tool, System Of A Down) to helm their debut album. The end result is a sonic excursion that exudes passion and optimism. Faint On Call is a band that is on the right path to awaken listeners to the world around them.

Faint On Call- Pearl:

Faint On Call- Harpoon:

Band Of The Week: Elephant Rifle

Back in February, before the whole world became quarantined, I saw a couple bands that rocked one hell of a small stage. Spirit In The Room was one of the bands I saw that evening (and you should MOST DEFINITELY be checking them out if you haven’t already) but, the band that played before them left a lasting impression on me. That band was Elephant Rifle. As I mentioned in my live review of the show, these guys have a really cool, psychedelic approach to their shoegazy Black Sabbath riffs along a good helping of noisy punk to make something that is enticing and provocative. I stand by that description but, I’d also like to add that they have this really cool and soulful/artsy side to them that shines through in a fun interesting way. I’m very intrigued to see what’s next for this band and where they go musically. Elephant Rifle should definitely be on your radar and when we can go back to going to shows, you should go see them.

Elephant Rifle:

 

Band Of The Week: Moon Tooth

The band I’m presenting to you this week is going to rock your world. They are heavy, aggressive, progressive and absolutely badass. I’d like to introduce you all to your new favorite band, Moon Tooth. Straight up, these guys are awesome. The four members of Moon Tooth, John Carbone (vocals), Nick Lee (guitars), Vincent Romanelli (bass) and Ray Marte (drums) are not only are they masters of their instruments and rip and shred but, their ability to write great songs makes them truly standout. They remind me a bit of Mastodon meets The Dillinger Escape Plan with a ton of melody and 70’s prog. Their 2016 debut album, Chromaparagon is pretty damn great from start to finish. I could use many adjectives to describe how good it is but, you should just listen and you’ll understand why Moon Tooth is great. Now in 2019, Moon Tooth is gearing up to unleash a new album entitled Crux (out March 29th). The first single released, “Trust” is the logical next step for the band and it crushes. The band worked with Lamb of God’s Mark Morton and producer Machine (Lamb Of God, Every Time I Die, King Crimson, etc) on Crux. Speaking on the new album singer John Carbone said “This album is about not giving up. It’s about the furious hope that brings fighters back to their feet again and again. Having answered the call to adventure, having grappled with what will surely be only the first set of trials, having sacrificed and lost so much, ‘Crux’ finds the band at a tipping point. There is nothing left but for the old life to die and the new, true life to begin.” A description like that shows that Moon Tooth are creating lasting music and albums with depth and true artistic expression. Personally, I’m stoked on Moon Tooth and can’t wait for this album and them to tour.

 
Moon Tooth- Trust:

 

 
Moon Tooth- Chromaparagon:

 

Tour Dates with Mark Morton and Light The Torch:

3/13 — Richmond, VA — Broadberry
3/14 — Philadelphia, PA — Underground Arts
3/15 — Toronto, ON — Lees Palace
3/16 — Montreal, QC — Astral
3/18 — Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
3/19 — New York, NY — Gramercy Theater
3/21 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
3/23 — Colorado Springs, CO — Black Sheep
3/25 — Los Angeles, CA — Roxy
3/26 — Phoenix, AZ — Club Red

Band Of The Week: Deathchant

There are a ton of people out in the world that keep saying “rock music is dead.” Well guess what, it’s not, not by a longshot. Recently, I came across a band that not only proves that rock music is alive and well but, also packs quite a punch. That band is called Deathchant and they kick major ass. They’ve been dubbed psychedelic rock, proto-metal, doom, stoner metal, noise-punk, hard rock, and everything in between, but if you ask them, Deathchant is just, “rock and roll with psychedelic influences.” I couldn’t agree more. Sure they have a “harder” edge to them but, they are rock n roll through and through. Their self titled debut release (out via King Volume Records) is a hard hitting, loud, bombastic record. There is a really cool melodic tinge to the songs and vibe to go along with the psychedelic atmosphere dripping along. Deathchant are the real deal. The album is full of the heaviness you’d want but also the right amount of melody to make this record memorable and standout.

Deathchant-Deathchant:

Band Of The Week: Wrong

The 90’s sound has influenced and inspired so many bands. That distinct guitar sound or the was the bass rumbles to the way the drums punch, there is no denying that “that” sound changed the world. There is a band hailing from Florida, that has captured the essence of the 90’s sound and expanded on it in a very cool experimental and noisy sort of way. The band is called WRONG and they are badass. Made up of members of Torche and Kylesa, WRONG has taken inspiration from 90’s stalwarts Helmet and Unsane and made bombastic heavy rock. Their new album entitled Feel Great, is rifftastic and full of groove that will get your head banging and your feet moving. Wrong is unrelenting and aggressive yet they understand the dynamics of their craft.

 
Wrong- Feels Great:

 

Wrong- Pustile:

 

 
Wrong- Gape:

 

Band Of The Week: Street Sects

Since the explosion of electronic music in the last decade, I’ve noticed a resurgence of industrial music, which makes me happy. Industrial inspired bands like Youth Code, Khost, and Fact Pattern have brought the style back and are killing it. Now, there is another band that is really taking industrial music to a different level and they are called Street Sects. Formed in 2013 by vocalist Leo Ashline and multi-instrumentalist Shaun Ringsmuth, Street Sects have taken industrial music and mixed in punk rock, ambience and chaos to create a sound that stands out among the others. Their new album The Kicking Mule (out October 26) has a style that is inspired by bands like Roxy Music and Brian Eno as well as Berlin-era Bowie and Pretty Hate Machine era Nine Inch Nails. The songs are intense and full of life. One listen and you’ll have the sudden urge to get up and move. Singer Leo Ashline’s vocals are reminiscent of the like of Brian Molko of Placebo and Low/Station To Station era Bowie. Street Sects are a band that have found their own niche with The Kicking Mule and have successfully created a sound that will instantly capture those listening.

 

Street Sects- In For A World Of Hurt:

 

 

Street Sects- The Drifter:

 

 

Street Sects- Still Between Lovers:

 

Band Of The Week: Tombstones In Their Eyes

The other day while I was sifting through my list of bands to check out, there was a band name that caught my eye and raised my curiosity level. That band is called Tombstones In Their Eyes and they are radical! Based in Los Angeles, this psychedelic rock band has crafted a sound that is part psychedelic, part stoner rock, mixed with a bit of shoegaze and ambience. Tombstones In Their Eyes are expressive not just in the soundscapes and riffs they create but in the way the vocals, lyrics and melodies all come together. At times while listening you get sucked into a trance that resembles a lullaby. It’s truly a visceral listening experience. Their 2017 EP Fear is so damn good. It’s the perfect end of night album or for a soothing drive on an open road. On their newest EP Nothing Here, the band gets even grittier and the songs hit like a ton of bricks but, in a way that is still calming to your senses. Tombstones In Their Eyes is a band that has a real knack for creating great music and art. It’s real and full of life. Check them out!

 
Tombstones In Their Eyes- Nothing Here EP:

 
Tombstones In Their Eyes- Fear EP:

Band Of The Week: Super Thief

When bands explore different genres and sub-genres the end result can be hit or miss. For those that it works for, the music created and the “art” of it has its way of standing out. I recently came across a band hailing from Texas called Super Thief that has been pushing the boundaries of the “noise rock” sub-genre. While exploring the influence and inspiration of bands like Sonic Youth, Shellac, and The Jesus Lizard, Super Thief as taken what they’ve learned and combined a bit of a punk tinge to make some pretty rockin tunes. Their new EP Eating Alone In My Car, is rocking chaos full of noise, grooves and riffs and rhythms that get you up and moving. Check out Super Thief. They’ve got something going on that is quite fun to listen to and full of a slew of energy.

 

Super Thief- Eating In My Car Alone:

 

Super Thief- Stuck:

Band Of The Week: The Pink Slips

Ever since I saw them open for Alice In Chains, I can’t stop listening to The Pink Slips. Their show was impactful and full of great rock n roll energy and it left me wanting more. The Pink Slips have defined their sound as a fusion of synth-pop, punk, dance, and vintage rock n roll. I’d say that’s a pretty spot on description. Fronted by the very dynamic and forceful Grace McKagan (aka Grave), along with Desi Scaglione (Guitar), Keenan Bevans (Drums), Charlie Anastasis (Bass), and Trent Peltz (Keys/Backing Vox), this five piece is fast becoming a band that is decimating stages and audiences.

The bands debut EP entitled Trigger, is a welcome addition to the rock world. These songs have lush choruses and riffs and rhythms that make you want to get up and move. Because the bands influences stretch from the likes of Iggy and The Stooges and David Bowie to Bikini Kill and Blondie, it’s no surprise to hear them embrace their “pop” side, yet they do it without losing their “edge.” When you hear a songs like “Danger,” “Gimme,” and “Hello Heaven” you can really hear both sides of the above.

As I mentioned when I saw them live, I was totally taken aback. Their live show is tight and full of energy. So much energy that The Pink Slips will have you in a frenzy when their set ends. It’s a refreshing thing in today’s music climate to have a band like The Pink Slips out there brining that ferocious rock energy back to the youth. The future is bright for this band, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.

 

The Pink Slips- Trigger EP:

 

The Pink Slips- Trigger (Video):

 

The Pink Slips- I’m Ready:

 

The Pink Slips- Animal:

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Zaius

A few months back I was introduced to an instrumental band that really hit home with me. Their music is full of lush sonic landscapes, thoughtful rhythmic structures and an all around vibe that is hypnotic and psychedelic but with a hook. The band I’m talking about is called Zaius, and they are excellent. Their debut full length album Of Adoration (released by Prothetic Records), is one of the best instrumental albums I’ve heard in a long time. There are moments while listening to the album that are akin to the likes of  the band Explosions In The Sky as well as The Ocean. Zaius has a real knack for creating songs that hit from the inside out. While listening you can feel the emotions pouring out of each member of the band by the way they are playing their instrument as well as how the songs shift. Zaius are the perfect band for a late night drive or an evening with your favorite beverage and your headphones on, just escaping everything.

 

Zaius- Of Adoration:

Zaius- Seirenes (Video):