Well I have a few gems for you this week.  I have a new metal band that I have been listening to for the past month (and should’ve told you about long before today). And an artist who was on a previous podast that has released a masterpiece of intimate and inspiring acoustic rock. Here ya go.

Deflagration “A Call To Arms” (Metal)

This stuff is damn heavy and breaks some new ground ta boot (I can’t quite pinpoint it but you’ll see what I mean). I’ve been listening before and during my workouts for over a month now and this stuff gets me really – and I mean REALLY – jacked up (which reminds me, try not to listen around your buddies that drink whiskey, unless you are looking to break up a fight).

Anyway, they kind of remind me of the band Pro-Pain (I think its the singing). Oh and don’t just take my word for it. I’ve shared their stuff with some of my live and bleed metal buddies and here are their comments;

Mark on Facebook – “Dude! I checked out Deflagration and it was awesome! Thanks!”

Bob on Facebook – “I like them. They sound different. I like the sound though. I might have to get the CD.”

My favorite tunes are “Split Wide” and “Color and Ash”. Bottom line, if you are a metal fan, you are gonna like these guys. These tunes will fit nicely in a playlist along side Slayer, Testament, Exodus, Metallica, Slipknot and many of the newer bands of that ilk. Check them out on MySpace or CDBaby.

Rob Anthony – “While the World Sleeps” (Acoustic Rock/Americana)

Speaking of metal, Rob Anthony is an ex-thrasher who has learned how to turn it up by turning it down. He has crafted a great acoustic album.

Even though I know it’s borderline heresy in the indie world, I’ve been listening a decent amount of top 40 rock, country and adult contemporary lately as part of my songwriting self-education. The stuff on this release could EASILY go toe to toe with almost anything on the pop charts. The top-notch songwriting is both timely and timeless.

His performance is very personal and very intimate. He will tap your psychy and bleed the emotion out of you on nearly every tune.  There is really no way to pick a few favorites because I love pretty much every tune on the disc. And for all of you cover tune nuts, you will want to check out his take on the DePeche Mode tune “Personal Jesus”.

Bottom line, if you haven’t heard him, you are missing out. Check him out on the official Rob Anthony Site or on CDBaby. Then tell everyone you know because he deserve to be heard. Oh and be on the lookout for an interview with Rob in the near future. We’ve been in contact and are trying to find some time in our schedules.

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

Some Country music purists would probably say that anything that warrants the name “Alternative Country” is not really Country. But ultimately it is the domain of the fan to judge what an artist is or is not, to them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Jennifer Dixon.

A little country sensibility with a style that hovers along the cusp of blues, pop, jazz owing to a stint on Memphis’ legendary Beale Street, and nearly a decade in Nashville, her new CD, “2 Years” is the fruit of experience. She did not come out of nowhere.

Which makes it all the more uncanny that she has been labeled “un-Nashville.” Read the rest of this entry

Guest post: Susan Kemman resides in South Park (no kidding), is a Prog music nut and is the Assistant Director of  - and talent scout for – the The Highest Independent Music Tour in the World, The South Park Music Tour. Take it away Susan!

The Summer will be brimming with competitions, festivals, tours and holiday bashes;  many opportunities for getting your Band a gig or a little name recognition.   Talent Searches, Tours and Battle of the Bands  pay out prize money or comps equal to what you would earn at a gig, ALL for just a one hour performance.   Networking with the Bands and Industry people at these Events can offer tremendous earning potential by breaking you into new Venues. 

Here are some simple tips to get an edge over your competitors: Read the rest of this entry

If you are a sucker for good (or at least interesting) cover songs, then check these out. Here are a few of the good – and not so good – that I’ve come across lately.

First, you’ll want to check out Prince doing “Crimson and Clover”. Even though I am a Prince fan and fellow resident of the great state of Minnesota, I still like Joan Jetts cover better.

Next, I’m not a huge Deftones guy but I thought this was pretty cool.  Here they are doing a cover of The Cars “Drive” on YouTube. 

And Finally, here’s a question for you. Read the rest of this entry

Did you get a chance to watch the Rock Hall induction ceremony last night? I saw the first and last half of it because my wife wanted to watch a movie. Hopefully I can catch a re-run so I can check out the Run DMC portion of the show.

I figured I would take a few minutes to share my thoughts and get a conversation started to see what you thought.

First, it is always cool to see dudes at that age still getting the job done. Little Anthony and the Imperials were fun to watch – My 2 year daughter was even shaking her butt a little. It was one of the times were I knew that I heard the songs before but didn’t know who did them – now I know. Read the rest of this entry

I normally don’t review multiple bands from the same record label but when I stopped by the Small Stone Recordings website, I was side tracked for a few hours and ended up burning up about thirty bucks on downloads, so I figured why the hell not. Here’s a word or two about a label and a few of the bands that you should check out.  Read the rest of this entry

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

Well, clearly the beef between Apple Corps and Apple Computers that started a while back is still bitter as ever, and unfortunately this will deny listeners who live and die by the iPod access to the Beatles music. But, lo! Here it is! The Beatles Rock Band arrives in stores on September 9th!

The upcoming release of the Fabs’ foray into the gamer world is exciting for me. Because it is yet another confirmation of what I have been telling the Musicgoat for years: the Beatles, as a cultural phenomenon, will never – yes I said Never – die.

If I had an Xbox, Playstation or Wii, I would definitely shell out the $99.99 to get myself an imitation McCartney violin bass, or a Harrison twelve-string Rickenbacker which is included for use with the game. I would have liked more information on what specifically is included in the Special Edition. For $249, you want to know, and you want time to save up for it if it is what you want. I am sure it is not worth it unless you get an imitation Beatles sitar, Moog synthesizer, harmonium, tape loop machine, wind machine, and calliope, so I can play the Beatles’ studio-era music to the full effect.

But even if not, wow, music in video games has come a helluva long way since the Mario Bros theme song, huh?

If you are anything like me, then you know that there is nothing like the feeling – a small buzz even – that you get when you pop in a new CD and realize immediately that you have stumbled onto to something that you just have to share with everyone. That is what happened to me today.

Early this morning, like any other morning lately, I reluctantly drug my ass out of a warm bed, shuffled my son through our pre-dawn sleepwalk and then headed out the door to what was looking like a long day at work. Read the rest of this entry

Ever thought about hiring an artist or a band to come and play right in your living room? If so, today is your lucky day. Over the last few days, I have stumbled upon three websites that are making it their mission to hook up artists with people like you that are willing to try something different for their next party or social gathering. Those three sites are; PrivateConcerts.com, ConcertsInYourHome.com and MPTrax.com.

Now I didn’t see John Mayer, Springsteen or Metallica looking for work on any of the sites – not that most of us could afford their services anyway – but, if you look listen around, you will find some talented artists for some pretty reasonable prices. And I imagine the talent pool will only get better as the popularity of these sites grows.

I think it is a great idea for both the fans and the artists. Hell, as soon as I get my music up and running, you can bet I will be throwing up a profile on one or all of these sites. I mean, how cool would it be to be invited into someones home to party with someones closest friends AND get paid?

So next time you are looking for a live music fix, why go out to the club or coffee shop? Hop on to one of these sites and then hire yourself a capable musician to entertain you – and your pals – right in the comfort of your own home.

As I prepare my next podcast – which will feature acoustic music by the way – I just wanted to share another great podcast with you. I discovered a few weeks ago and is headed for the blogroll. The name of the podcast is E Town. Their moto is “Music. Ideas. Community.”

I just love the format of the show. It is recorded in a theatre in front of a live audience – the sound quality is impeccable. It features interviews and short sets by two different artists that come from separate backgrounds and influences. At the end of the show the two artist – who may have never met – get together for an impromptu jam on some cover tune.

Some of the bigger names that I’ve heard on the show are Ben Harper, Steve Earle and Jakob Dylan. But, you will – without a doubt – find yourself Googling some of the other names that you hear. All the artists on E Town are top notch.

Other than the music, there something which also makes the show stand out. Each show they give an “Echievement” award to someone who is out there making a difference in the world. Some of the things that these everyday individuals are accomplishing in the name of helping out their fellow man are unbelievable. Inspiring to say the least.

Overall, here are all the words that come to mind when I think E Town; mellow, laidback, thought proving, feel good, inspiring, acoustic, absorbing. It is just a great show to listen to if you just want to kick back or be inspired (and who doesn’t want that). Also, the fact that it is live in front of a studio audience gives it a warm, personal and ambient quality just sucks you in.

Now do your soul a favor and check out E Town.org.