The New York City trio, Secret Machines, have recently headed into the studio to record their third full-length album to be released on Reprise Records in 2008. The band is said to be continuing with their indie-rock meets art-rock sound, with legendary producer/engineer Brandon Mason (David Bowie and VHS or BETA) returning to helm the mixing board. Secret Machines has slightly changed shape since we last heard from them on Ten Silver Drops back in 2006. After the amicable exit...
It’s almost absurd to have to try to explain what happened at The Echo in L.A. last Thursday night. First, I personally couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a packed house for the first of three bands. Shows like this don’t get much attention in L.A. for some odd reason. The city is so damn big, so there’s gotta be at least a few dudes and chicks who’d like to get treated to some good ol’ heavy music, right?...
There is only one thing to say about the concert that I saw tonight. Claudio Sanchez. CLAUDIO SANCHEZ. CLAUDIO (EFFING HOLY OF HOLIES) SANCHEZ! I don't care about anything that has ever happened in my life before now that I have seen a live performance by the living, breathing freaking master of all minions of this world and the underworld, Claudio Sanchez of Coheed & Cambria. Is he a magical troll, or an omniscient ogre, or a giant of mythological...
Keep Your Wits Sharp – Director Matt Bigland, Co-Director/Producer Matt Maude Hello, my name is Matthew Maude. I’m a music video director and documentary producer from Halifax, UK. I will be gracing you with my day in the life of a certain Saturday in March 2007. I’m writing about producing and directing a music video for a band from Leeds, a city in the north of England. Saturday March 24th, 2007. 5AM I lift my eyes to the pain of...
We all remember when only a short three years we were gabbing left and right, telling our friends about this song they have got to absolutely hear. “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House” may not have been LCD Soundsystem’s first single—because “Losing My Edge” was—but it was what put them up there as hot-blooded new comers ready to show the scene what they’ve got. Nearly three years later, we see that’s exactly what they did. With two studio releases,...
As the third consecutive show in the city of Los Angeles (the prior two nights having quickly sold out in advance), you’d think that the kids might have been exhausted or apathetic. However, the attendance once again prevailed with the energy of an umpteenth level. After all, this should be expected, as this night is the final chance on this tour for the fans of Thrice’s home (the neighboring Orange County to the south) to show their allegiance and make...
It’s only appropriate that we commit ourselves to a moment of silent reflection for Jen “Hellcat” Blackwood. Once calling Burlington, Ontario home, Blackwood helped, along with bassist Sean McNab, keyboardist Kristian Rowles and drummer Matt Gee, to found hellbilly stars The Creepshow in 2005. Blazing vocals, hellacious guitars, successful tours, a full-length album on Stereo Dynamite Records, Sell Your Soul, put the band on the international music map. And those were just a few of Blackwood’s contributions to...
I used to get this panic-stricken feeling on dress-up days in elementary school—like I would show up and awkwardly have not received some memo canceling the event and have to sit through an entire day dressed in a Popeye costume my mom put together. I haven’t been so concerned about this in my hardened, jaded latter years…until last Thursday. I showed up at what appeared to be 80s Prom Night in my 9-to-5 work garb. There were leggings. Skinny jeans....
To say that Busdriver is a rarity in the realm of hip-hop is something of an understatement. Born Regan Farquhar and raised in Los Angeles, the MC was first turned on to hip-hop at age nine and released his first album as part of the group 4/29—named for the date of the L.A. riots—when he was just 13....
Hello, my name is Matthew Maude. I’m a music video director and documentary producer from Halifax, UK. I will be gracing you with my day in the life of a certain Saturday in March 2007. I’m writing about producing and directing a music video for a band from Leeds, a city in the north of England. Saturday March 24th, 2007. 5AM I lift my eyes to the pain of my ears. There’s something loud in my room, something very loud...