Blog — Page 250 of 276

The infrequently-updated site blog, featuring a range of content including show reviews, musical musings and off-color ramblings on other varied topics.

Misfits @ Manning Bar

Posted by T • December 13, 2015

The Misfits

Manning Bar

Sydney, AUS

December 12, 2015

 

The Misfits. One of the most iconic punk bands. These days they are fronted by bassist Jerry Only, framed by Jerry Junior and Eric "Chupacabra" Arce on drums.

For this tour, the trio was digging up two of their most seminal albums from the grave, Static Age, which was written in 1978 but not released until 1997, and Earth AD, which is noticeably harder and faster material and according to Glenn D. contained tracks that were originally intended for Samhain's debut.

Other classic songs from The Misfits' catalog were sprinkled in for good measure and the full auditorium ate it up.

The two Jerrys, devilocks and ghoulish make up intact, work the stage and the three microphones that were set up on stage help to penetrate the willing audience from every angle with renditions of their spooky and fantastical horror stories.

Drawn-out legal battles and seemingly unending lineup changes aside: 
You love the songs and the performance of the 2015 incarnation of The Misfits, though very heavy on tones in the low-pitched range, is fun to watch.

---

Photos by T

T • December 13, 2015

Bands to see at Soundwave 2016

Posted by T • December 10, 2015

With the full line-ups unveiled for Soundwave 2016 in Australia, Scene Point Blank has put together a quick primer to help prepare.

Without further adeiu, SPB's Bands to See at Soundwave 2016:

Refused

Saw them the first time in the early 1990s, when they were another youth crew SxE band from Umeå. Fast forward to 1998, following the release of the homage Ornette Coleman, "The shape of punk to come,", they split up after serenading local policeforce with "Rather be dead." Fast forward, add an irresistible offer and they are back to play Coachella and selected shows. It was good to see them again. Hiatus. Now they are back for good. "Freedom" is an enjoyable album. While the leftist mantra can be a tad yawn inducing for the converted, well executed melange of James Brown dance moves and Ian Svenonius stage antics never get old. Go see Refused at Soundwave 2016!

(Photo by Megan Lahman)

Hatebreed

1997. "Satisfaction is the death of desire." Wow. Fell in love after the first spin. Frank "3Gun" Novinec. Integrity. Ringworm. Terror. Hatebreed. Go check it out. Hatebreed will only play a few selected shows in 2016 as they are working on a new album. Go check Jamey Jasta's podcast show, where he shows an array of facets. Go see Hatebreed at Soundwave 2016!

(Photo by Calm Bomb)

Frenzal Rhomb

Australia's quintessential medodic punk / hardcore band. Yes, NOFX plays as well. Go for the locals. They got their own Belgian pale ale, a collaboration with Newtown brewery Young Henrys, who also made the fantastic "Brew am I" pale ale. Go see Frenzal Rhomb at Soundwave 2016!

(Photo courtesy of Fat Wreck Chords)

Editor's note: Soundwave 2016 has been cancelled. That's still no reason not to check out the bands though.

T • December 10, 2015

Mono @ Newtown Social Club

Posted by T • December 8, 2015

MONO

Newtown Social Club

Sydney, AUS

December 7, 2015

 

"Mesmerizing" and "cinematic" are the adjectives that come to mind when one is asked to describe the epic, vast instrumental landscapes MONO from Japan weaves.

Drawn out crescendos, cascading and repeating, slowly building up until a shrill and thunderous wave of distortion drowns you in an ocean of noise. Phil Spector would have hit the wall.

Oh, My Bloody, shoegazing Valentine!

The upper register of the Glockenspiel, which is an integral part of MONO's instrumentation rather than an ornament, is omnipresent and its chimes add an ethereal quality to the performance, which is enhanced by the intimate setting of the Newtown Social Club.

A MONO show is not a fun show in the traditional sense: The protagonists completely lost in the music, trying to communicate the incommunicable, do not acknowledge the audience and a seated venue would suit them better than a rock'n' roll cave.

Light and its dynamics could play an important role yet the show is devoid of visual stimuli.

The element of MONOtony is prevalent throughout the show as almost every song starts and ends in the same place.

A majestic instrumental band.

T • December 8, 2015

The Ghost Inside @ Altar Bar

Posted by Stephen Thomas Black • November 11, 2015

The Ghost Inside “Locals Only”

Altar Bar

Pittsburgh, PA

November 6, 2015

 

Los Angeles-based melodic hardcore band The Ghost Inside dropped their latest album, ‘Dear Youth,’ last year on Epitaph Records. After relentlessly touring to support the new record, the band decided to mix things up this time around by announcing the “Locals Only” Tour. Rather than compiling an all-star lineup to guarantee packed venues and steady income, The Ghost Inside took the risk to allow each city to supply their own local opening acts as an ode to the scenes that have supported the band over the years. On November 6, 2015, the tour stopped in Pittsburgh, PA and I has the opportunity to attend.

I love hardcore. I grew up on bands like Shutdown, Snapcase and Ensign, so I’m kind of tough on newer hardcore bands, like all old guys should be. I’m not alone. After all, the hardcore scene did take a turn for the worse somewhere around 2009, prompting even die hard, living legend Toby Morse to ask, “What Happened to the Passion?” Unlike other bands of hardcore modern-era, The Ghost Inside definitely has the passion.

The band hit the stage swinging with “Move Me”, and the crowd erupted into stage dives as if it were rehearsed. There were no frills, no light shows, and no security up front – typical unfortunate findings in hardcore modern-era. The fans of the band were amazingly loyal, seemingly knowing all of the lyrics to even early records, something I sheepishly admit was not the case for me. The sincerity was truly inspiring.

The Ghost Inside blasted through tracks like “The Great Unknown” and “Sacrifice” with little to no front-man commentator interruption. Unbeknownst to me, this LA hardcore outfit had significant ties to Pittsburgh, even mentioning they recently filmed a video at Altar Bar. The connection was obvious, as the energy from the crowd and band alike never wavered throughout the entire set.

The sincerity paid off, as the band extended their set three extra songs. Not a planned, Axl Rose-esque encore, a sincere ‘thank you’ to the crowd (I’m holding the set list as I write this.) The Ghost Inside ended their set with the incredible sing-along “Engine 45”, and literally half of the crowd joined the band on stage to close out the set. This was a hardcore show, and I left inspired. Good on you, The Ghost Inside. Thank you.

 

Stephen Thomas Black • November 11, 2015

Andy's Favorite Horror Film Soundtracks

Posted by Andy Armageddon • October 31, 2015

Though usually panned by the majority of film critics – the mainstream ones anyway- horror films seem to be a Hollywood mainstay that just won't go away. This is hardly shocking – if there's one genre of film in which a low budget doesn't seem to be that much of a hindrance, and may actually help a film's chances, this is it. Many of the industry's biggest names got their start in horror – Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson to name but a few – and whole legions of stars were known primarily for their work in films designed to frighten and shock audiences.

The genre has changed substantially over the years, moving through phases where most of the “action” was implied or occurred offscreen, to periods where psychological issues were the focus. Since the 1960s, special effects have not only become an integral part of the typical horror film, but have actually served as a sort of litmus test for genre fans who wanted to see ever more gory and disturbing visuals in these pictures. It's largely the element of one-upmanship that has led to today's (flourishing) “torture porn” subgenre, but the films seem to have suffered as a whole in the process. Horror films are now more reliant on horrific special effects than on any notion of story development or acting chops.

What some people don't realize is that the horror picture has been a part of the bigger history of cinema essentially since day one: Georges Méliès (most famous for A Trip to the Moon) is credited with making the first such picture in 1896. By the 1920s, German filmmakers like F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu) and Robert Wiene (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) had established the visual palette used later in America for films like the original Frankenstein and Dracula films. Soundtracks in film at this time were exclusively orchestral – performed live during screenings for most silent pictures – and even the classic Universal horror films (the aforementioned Frankenstein and Dracula, as well as scores of related films and things like The Wolf Man and The Mummy) used music that was more flowing and unobtrusive than what would come to be the norm later.

Arguably, it was Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 Psycho that took the horror genre into the modern age: here was a film that was not only almost intolerably violent for its time, but also introduced very unsavory story material into the mix (fun fact: it the first film to GASP! show a toilet onscreen). Incalculable films have followed suit in the years since, but Bernard Herrmann's intense, jarring music score for the film has to be considered among the reasons the film worked as well as it did.

Sound design is probably one of the most under-appreciated aspects of the typical horror film, and music certainly figures into that design prominently. Though Psycho's piercing strings and Jaws's nerve-rattling two-tone bass are probably the best known horror movie soundtrack cues, having entered the popular consciousness on a level that few pieces of music have, numerous other films have effectively used music to heighten their sinister intentions. Here's are some of some of my favorites:

Extreme warning! Several of the trailers linked in this article are disturbing and very NSFW.

Carnival of Souls (1962) -Made for almost no money by a cast and crew of unknowns, this ghost story's surreal, unsettling atmosphere is complimented by Gene Moore's supremely creepy organ music.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) The original modern zombie picture. Kind of amazing that director George Romero could find library music that precisely captures the sense of dread and doom in the film.

The Mutations (1974) – A gorgeously-photographed (and downright strange) British-made hybrid sci-fi/horror film about a scientist trying to interbreed plants with people. Contains perhaps one of the wildest soundtracks to ever feature in a genre film, created by experimental musician Basil Kirchin.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) – A film more horrific for what it doesn't show than what it does. A creaky, almost industrial soundtrack by director Tobe Hooper only cements the distressing mood.

Eraserhead (1977) – The nightmares of a young married man come to life in this utterly unique cult classic. Dark ambient soundtrack ranges from grating industrial noise to the innocent yet worrisome old-time pop song “In Heaven.”

Suspiria (1977) – Hallucinogenic tale about a coven of witches running a dance academy in Germany. A tough choice to pick Goblin's best horror soundtrack, but this one gets my vote...

Dawn of the Dead (1978) - ...yet I can't make a list of this nature without including this one. Second in Romero's Living Dead saga, with an unbeatable combination of pounding Goblin compositions and comical, frequently bizarre stock music selections.

Halloween (1978) – The defining moment of John Carpenter's career, the film that set the ground rules for American-made '80s horror, and one of the best horror themes ever laid down.

Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979) – Incredibly bleak Italian-made zombie ripoff that may just one up the Romero films in terms of outrageous violence. Fabio Frizzi's music is one of the best, most influential synth scores of its day.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980) – The infamous “found footage” film that goes way beyond anything made since. Composer Riz Ortolani has a tendency to use the most pleasant, gorgeously orchestrated themes right when something truly horrible is onscreen – which only makes the film more shocking.

The Shining (1980) – The opening scene of this film is more genuinely ominous than whole films made today despite the fact that it's made up of nothing more than landscape photography and music by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind. The music selections actually get even more distressing from there.

The Thing (1982) – For my money, the greatest film composer to have ever lived, Ennio Morricone made hundreds of movies better solely because of his participation in them. Every one of his scores is fascinating in its own way, but this is my favorite of his work. The main title gives me goosebumps every time.

Razorback (1984) – Universally hailed as a Jaws ripoff, this super-stylish Australian film is actually most frightening for to its deranged outback characters, not the giant, man-eating boar it centers around. Iva Davies's music, made with then-state-of-the-art synthesizer tech, is definitively haunting and moody to the extreme.

Certainly, there are many other outstanding horror soundtracks out there. Any number of obscure movies have soundtracks that are fun or effective in their own way, and individual moments of genius occur in many genre films. Though I prefer the stomping, disco-funk main title of Part III to anything in the original, 1980 Friday the 13th, Harry Manfredini's famous “ch-ch-ch-ha-ha-ha” has to be acknowledged for what it is - brilliant. Other inspired uses of music include the end title theme from 1983's Sleepaway Camp, a film that boasts one of the most jaw-dropping endings in horror movie history, the positively sublime, piano-based “love theme” from Nekromantik, and the use of Iron Butterfly's “In-A-Godda-Da-Vida” in the wild 1986 film Manhunter, the first to include the character of Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lector. Considering the creative bankruptcy that has strangled the horror genre in recent decades (how many sequels, remakes, and retreads can Hollywood produce?), I suppose it's no surprise that most modern horror films don't quite measure up to the best the genre has offered in terms of soundtrack music. With any luck, a new breed of filmmakers – and musicians - will eventually breathe new life into the genre, one that seems unwilling to simply fade into the ether.

Andy Armageddon • October 31, 2015

Latest news stories

SPB premiere: "Crockpot" by Automatic Candy

Posted in Videos on March 7, 2025

Moody instrumental trio Automatic Candy has a new video we’re excited to premiere today: “Crockpot.” The song appears on the upcoming Amuse Bouche full-length album, and offers a hypnotic and hallucinatory rollercoaster of vibraphone, loops, and more, with a few jump scares along the way to jar you out of … Read more

Miracle Music from Grails

Posted in Records on March 11, 2025

Grails has a new record out on May 16, Miracle Music, a follow-up to Aches En Maat, coming out on Temporary Residence The lineup on the new record features cofounders Emil Amos (Om, Holy Sons, Lilacs & Champagne) and Alex Hall (Lilacs & Champagne), plus returning members, AE Paterra (Zombi, … Read more

Datura's Songs From A Dark House

Posted in Records on March 11, 2025

Formed in 2017 and hailing from the Pacific Northwest, post-punks band Datura shared a new single today, "Tired," which will appear on the band's second full-length album, Songs From A Dark House. The new LP will release via Sell the Heart Records, Bat-Cave Productions (Poland), and Engineer Records (UK) on … Read more

Propagandhi At Peace?

Posted in Records on March 11, 2025

Canadian punk band Propagandhi is back after an eight year break. The band shared a new single today, "At Peace," which is the title track off their upcoming May 2 album out on Epitaph Records. “Everything I’m singing about is still coming from being the same person that wrote and … Read more

Finnish-inspired black metal from Namebearer

Posted in Records on March 10, 2025

Maine black metal duo Namebearer, featuring members of Obsidian Tongue and Obsequiae (live), will release the Industries of the Fading Sun EP. The band formed as a solo project of Brian Tenison (Eave, Obsidian Tongue - live), inspired by the likes of Abigor, Circle Of Ouroborus, and Blut Aus Nord, … Read more

The Dreaded Laramie's Agency

Posted in Bands on March 10, 2025

At SxSW in Austin, TX this week, The Dreaded Laramie has shared their first new music since the release of Princess Feedback last year (Smartpunk). The new single is "Agency," a song about the double-edged promise of freedom. Read a 2024 interview with the band. Read more Live dates: Mon … Read more

M(h)aol LP

Posted in Records on March 10, 2025

M(h)aol gives us Something Soft, a new album from the band that releases on May 16 on Merge Records. The band previously released Attachment Styles, released by Merge in 2023, and an EP, Gender Studies. They will be at SXSW in Austin, TX this week. Read more M(h)aol U.S. Tour … Read more

Steve Von Till is Album Alone in a World of Wounds

Posted in Records on March 10, 2025

Neurot Recordings will release the latest solo album from Steve Von Till (Neurosis), Alone in a World of Wounds, out May 16. The first single is "Watch Them Fade," shared below. The gothic americana spin of the record follow's Von Till's 2021 album No Wilderness Deep Enough. Von Till has … Read more

IE on May 9

Posted in Records on March 9, 2025

IE (pronounced "eee") will release new album Reverse Earth on May 9 on Quindi Records. The record of "retrofuturist pop and dubbed out psychedelia" is colorfully described as "a full-length album of sparkling, sophisticated wonder." Here is a single to showcase the new record: Read more Previous single/albums have released … Read more

Din Of Celestial Birds - Live At Dunk! Festival

Posted in Records on March 9, 2025

Din Of Celestial Birds has a new album, part of the Dunk! Records' Live At Dunk! Festival series, out March 28. The LP captures the band's full set at the 2024 festival, releasing via Dunk! in the EU, plus Din Of Celestial Birds (UK), A Cheery Wave (UK), and A … Read more

Dates with Frank Turner

Posted in Tours on March 9, 2025

The ever busy Frank Turner returns to North America this spring, announcing a solo tour that includes stops at Pouzza Fest and Sing Us Home Festival. Dave Hause and Katacombs will join the tour on select dates, which are included below. Turner released Undefeated last year (Xtra Mile Recordings). Read … Read more

The story behind thisquietarmy's Langue Hybride

Posted in Records on March 9, 2025

Langue Hybride comes out on April 18, the latest album from thisquietarmy (Eric Quach), out on A Thousand Arms (US) and Consouling Sounds (elsewhere). The band, celebrating its twentieth anniversary, marked its history by booking a full-band set for Dunk! Festival. "The goal of the residency was to perform one … Read more

Solo Agriculture

Posted in Bands on March 9, 2025

Agriculture's Daniel Meyer (guitar/vocals) has a solo project, which is out digitally now and will release as part of The Flenser's Series Six Membership vinyl club soon, dubbed Kneeling. Meyer's project pulls from textural black metal compositions. “I wanted these songs to sound like huge piles—big leafy piles that you … Read more

Brand new KLAMP

Posted in Records on March 8, 2025

Members of IDLES, Sex Swing, JAAW, Pulled Apart by Horses, Manatees, Tall Ships and Petbrick have come together as KLAMP, who will release a new album called Totaal Techniek on April 18 via Human Worth label. Based in the UK/Netherlands, the collective has seven current members in their shifting lineup, … Read more

Ravagers single/tour

Posted in Bands on March 8, 2025

Baltimore, MD based glam-inspired punk 'n' roller quartet Ravagers just shared a new double a-side titled "Razor Love" / "Right to Kill", out on Spaghetty Town Records. The band is preparing to release a full-length next month, On the Loose, out April 5. The band will tour in Europe following … Read more

Listen to The Mon (Ufomammut)

Posted in Bands on March 8, 2025

The Mon, a solo project from Urlo (Ufomammut) has shared a new single/visualizer, "Major Arcana." It's the first new material from Urlo since Eye in 2023 (Supernatural Cat). "Over the past years, Malleus, the artistic collective I am part of, has created a series of silkscreen prints dedicated to the … Read more

Black Moth Super Rainbow and Soft New Dream Magic

Posted in Records on March 8, 2025

June 6 is the date of the newest album from Black Moth Super Rainbow, their seventh affair, which is titled Soft New Magic Dream -- a fitting name for the band's ethereal, psych-tinged sound. The album will release on Rad Sound, followed by a North American tour. The band last … Read more

Catch Minnow from Tonguecutter

Posted in Records on March 8, 2025

Michigan grungy trio Tonguecutter will release their debut album on May 2 via Learning Curve Records, Minnow. "I started my first band as a teenager in 1994, with influences like DRI, Anthrax and Babes in Toyland. It was fast as hell but had a lot of grunge and riot grrrl … Read more

Perennial '65

Posted in Records on March 8, 2025

Art punk band Perennial is back, sharing the title track fo an new EP this week. The EP comes out on April 4 with 5 new songs. It was inspired by the "between album" EPs of the 1960s. Directly, the band says, "Perennial trying to write the 15th track for … Read more

The new Personality Cult

Posted in Records on March 8, 2025

Personality Cult just announced their third album, Dilated, out May 2 on Dirtnap Records. The band formed in 2018 as a solo project from Ben Carr, growing into a full band that released a self-titled LP on Drunken Sailor Records, followed by New Arrows on Dirtnap in 2020. The new … Read more

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025