Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2009

Posted pre-2010

ARTICLE JUMP

Murder By Death

(Matt Armstrong)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2009? (In order 1-5)

  1. The Life And Times- Tragic Boogie

  2. Mastodon- Crack The Skye

  3. Them Crooked Vultures- Them Crooked Vultures

  4. William Elliott Whitmore- Animals in the Dark

  5. Future of the Left- Travels With Myself and Another

What band did you discover in 2009 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Future of the Left is a band that I was aware of for a year or two but did not listen to until this year. They are really fantastic. They're clever and playful and pissed off and hilarious and badass all at the same time. Of course we have met lots of great bands on tour this year. Fake Problems, The Builders and the Butchers, The Gaslight Anthem, The Loved Ones, Frank Turner. The list goes on and on. For me, all these bands are significant because they are great dudes who mean what they do and do it well. We are all part of a touring family, and that familial type of bond is one of the most important (and fun) aspects of touring/being in a band.

How will you remember 2009? (In terms of music)

In addition to the top five list above, I will remember True Widow, the new Pelican album, the new Clutch and Reverend Horton Heat records, Mariachi El Bronx, and getting to see Motorhead and Los Lobos live for the first time. (Totally not kidding about Los Lobos. They were amazing.)

2009 was a huge year for reunions. What reunion excited you the most? What band that has not reunited would you love to see play/record most in 2010?

There were two reunions this year that meant so much to me, and they both are pretty much tied for first place. One was finally getting to see The Jesus Lizard live, and the other was the Jawbox reunion on Jimmy Fallon. Both of those bands are very big deals to me. I would love to see The Afghan Whigs fully reunite and tour since I never got to see them. I know Dulli is keeping busy with Twilight Singers and Gutter Twins, but come on- do a Whigs tour. Please? Pretty Please?

What can we look forward to from you in 2010?

A new album and lots and lots of touring. Drunk dials. Inside jokes. Hopefully some pyrotechnics if we can afford them.

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2010?

I'm not sure what's coming out in 2010. I've heard that there is a new Grinderman album that's finished, and I think Mogwai is in the studio. If those come out next year then my dance card is full.

Website Link (Website/Myspace/Blog/Etc.): http://www.murderbydeath.com

— words by the SPB team

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