New Jersey’s blues anti-hero Darren Deicide is back with a new digital ep and like with his earlier work this is again no easy listening. But if you are an adventurous listener you will love it!
2020 gave Darren the inspiration he needed to lay down these two tracks filled with disgust for the human species and modern American culture in particular. We can’t blame him, can we? We’ve all seen what this world has become…
The first song, “The Year the music Dies” is a 6 minutes angry acoustic blues piece where Darren goes back to his punk roots with its inflammatory social commentary. Those easily offended, STAY FAR AWAY!!! It is brutally honest and pretty chaotic at first, but after a few spins all the pieces fall into place and the snarky protest song rises to the surface.
The second song on this ep is called “Outsider Blues” and we find Darren back on his electric guitar playing what I think is his most “standard” blues song he ever did, but is he really… And is it so “standard”? You never know with this guy… Let’s dig a little deeper… hoppity hop, follow me down the bunny trail…
What starts out as, indeed a “standard”, quickly changes into a ferocious footstomper that will get your ass moving and have you singing along with the clever lyrics. The name “outsider blues” is a perfect fit and it will get the hate it so deserves from the scenes purists. Fuck ’em!
The ep will be released on all major digital platform on New Years Eve 2020, make sure to check it out!
Stream, buy and share. The digital airwaves are being cluttered with mediocrity, so help us fight the good fight!
There will be an online release party on that same evening hosted by Reverend Campbell’s Speak of the Devil, follow the link below to attend. Both new songs and others will be played and a giveaway of Darren’s previous album “The Blues non est Mortuum” is on the program. If you can’t wait for the giveaway, we at Old Style Music Nights have a couple of copies of this excellent album in stock, just leave us a note and we’ll work it out.
Online event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/696215697707797/
Darren’s website:
https://www.darrendeicide.com/
There is much to say about this crisis, but we are not the ones to do so…
We do see that tours and shows are getting cancelled all over the world and therefor artists are losing their income. What can we do about this, you ask? You can still buy their albums and merch online and have it shipped to your home. So do it!
Check out the bands and artists below and help them out! I know that it is not only the bands that are hit by this crisis, bar owners, stagebuilders, bookers, bartenders, soundcrews… All of them are a victim and we stand with them. But for now, this is all we can do…
This list is long and never ending. Contact us to be included. Just send us an email.
oldstylemusicnights@gmail.com
Tequila Savate
Garage punk trash voodoo duo with almost dead mexicans…
https://tequilasavate.bandcamp.com/
Jo Carley And The Old Dry Skulls
They combine the voodoo rhythms of 1930’s ska and the blues with old timey vaudeville cabaret…
https://jocarleyandtheolddryskulls.bigcartel.com/
The Devil’s Trade
One man Doom Folk. He is the best in his game and just had a European tour cancelled…
https://thedevilstrade.bandcamp.com
Loud Love
New Belgian Post-Hardcore band… They will be playing Picking Bones 2020!
https://loudlovepunk.bandcamp.com/
Your Highness
Belgium’s Riff Masters… They will also be playing Picking Bones 2020!
http://yourhighness.bandcamp.com
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club
They just had their whole USA tour cancelled on them… Pioneers in the Gothic Americana genre…
http://www.slimcessnasautoclub.com/
Everyone is Guilty
From Belgium, one of the best bands around these days… Contact them via FB to buy their album…
http://www.facebook.com/pg/EveryoneIsGuilty
Sons Of A Wanted Man
Post Black Metal band… Not the music you would expect here, but I still am a Metal head!
Their new album is stunning!
http://soawm.bandcamp.com
The Blues Against Youth
Gritty one man blues from Italy… in total LOCKDOWN!!! This man needs some help!
http://www.thebluesagainstyouth.com
Gallows Bound
Fantastic Americana Punk band! Folk punk is an insult these days, right?
They had to cut short their Canadian tour with The Brains…
https://www.gallowsbound.com/
The Wedding Funeral
Dark and eerie Gothic Americana from the American wasteland that is Jersey City…
Yes, they will be coming for their first European tour in June and will play Picking Bones 2020!!!
http://theweddingfuneral.com
Rotzak
Wild, Weird and crazy Hardcore punk from Belgium… They just released a new album and had to cancel their release party!!!
Go buy that album!
https://rotzak.bigcartel.com/
The PictureBooks
One of the, if not THE best Heavy Garage Blues bands in the world! They had to cut short their European tour… They will headline Picking Bones 2020 on friday June 12th!
https://thepicturebooks.bigcartel.com/
Moonshine Wagon
Our buddies from Spain had a tour planned with Shawn James… That’s not happening…
http://www.facebook.com/pg/MoonshineWagon/shop
Shawn James
He was on tour in Europe… Not anymore… I was so looking forward to seeing him…
http://www.shawnjamesmusic.com
Lara Hope & The Ark-Tones
They where going on a six week USA tour… Now they are not…
Top notch Rockabilly!
https://www.larahopeandtheark-tones.com/
Crazy Arm
One of my favorite UK bands… Guess what… Tour CANCELLED!
http://crazyarm.bandcamp.com
20 Watt Tombstone
We just got the news that their USA tour is shut down by the virus…
If you like heavy as shit stoner blues, give these two guys a hand (buy merch and records you idiot!)
http://www.20watttombstone.com
The Goddamn Gallows
They are still on tour, but for how long… And we are using a picture of Mikey that our very own Inny took of him, so they need to be in here. Once this tour is over, they’ll also need your help!
http://www.thegoddamngallows.com
Suburban Drugdealers
These fine lads from Sweden just got their USA tour cancelled. They are losing out on a SHIT TON of money!!! Help them out. They have merch printed for the tour and a new album out. Contact them via FB.
https://www.facebook.com/Suburban-Drugdealers-142615676399287/
This list will be updated when we get news of more cancelled tours.
Feel free to mail us with news and updates!
oldstylemusicnights@gmail.com
For now… TAKE CARE!
Here we are again with not one but two BANDS OF THE WEEK for the 2020 edition of the Picking Bones Festival. As you should know by now, the festival takes place in Linter, Belgium on June 12 and 13… Tickets can be found in the link below…
No lack of solo acts or one-man bands in the genres we like so it should come as no surprise we have two on our line-up. Let’s start with Lone Wolf omb…
Bruno Esposito aka Lone Wolf comes to us all the way from Florida and that shows in his sound. If you have ever wondered how a swamp sounds… Listen to LONE WOLF omb! His raspy vocals, cool as fuck fingerpicking and that ever present harmonica is all he needs to take you on a twisted trip through the hot and muddy swamps of his home state. Bruno is a master on any stringbased instrument being it a banjo or a homebuild cane with two snares on it. He’ll play you a song on it!
If you expect modern blues you may want to stay far away while Lone Wolf is playing, because all that talent he’s got does not mean he’ll play smooth and polished blues licks for your “sunny sunday harley riding blues rocker” type of guys… Lone Wolf plays dirty, greased up blues with a punk attitude!
Up Next: Uncle Wormwood out of Finland!
As far as we know no happy music ever came out of Finland and Uncle Wormwood is no exception…
No Good
Feel Bad
One Man
Junk Band
as the man discribes it himself… It may not be the best marketing strategy to gain new fans, but that is not what Uncle Wormwood is about. This is about darkness, doom and death! Nighttime music that we will force feed you during the middle of the day!
Imagine the Angel of Death playing the blues… And that’s what Uncle Wormwood sounds like… ENJOY!
Both acts play on Saturday, 13th of June.
Get your tickets at http://www.pickingbonesfest.com
With the 2020 edition of the Picking Bones Festival coming closer, we take a closer look at a band each passing week. First up:
Jesco is a Folk’n’Roll band from Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Formed in 2013 when four friends got together in a room to make strange music. While each coming from a completely different musical background, they found common ground in folk. Starting with a psychedelic dark country sound, they soon cobbled enough songs together to play festivals, bars and house parties. Throughout the years, they shared the stage with various acts such as The Goddamn Gallows, Daddy Long Legs, Hackensaw Boys, The Dead Brothers and Left Lane Cruiser. These bands were among many that influenced Jesco to evolve their sound in many directions.
Bringing together instruments such as banjo, washboard, a bell, harmonica, steel chains, accordion, double bass and percussion to craft what’s best described as “Filthy Folk ‘n’ Roll”. Jesco’s stories are mostly about the madness of the mind and the tragic denizens and outcasts that stumble around and within us. With a dark sense of humour, they hope to invite the audience to relate with, laugh about, or be appalled by the characters and tales which inhabit the melodies.
(text from band site: jecoband.com)
Berend Vrakking – Vocals, Banjo, Guitars, Blues Harp
Joost Bos – Accordeon, Bodrhan
Victor van den Hende – Washboard
Joran van Bart – Upright Bass
festival tickets: http://www.pickingbonesfest.com
Picture by: Ronny van Casteren
You have all read the info about the festival and bands for day one, so we’re just gonna jump right in for day two!
We open up the field to you all at ten in the morning for breakfast. Do not forget to buy your breakfast tickets on friday!!!! We’ll give you some time to wake up and work on that hangover before we start with the music…
ST= Side Stage
CTS = Cowboy Trash Stage
MIKE WEST (UK) 13.15 ST
Mike is a young guitar slinger from across the sea, maybe you have run into him on his last european tour a couple months ago. If you did, you know what to expect. Great songs with a powerful voice, just him and his guitar…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkYEwx2jEq8
HANGMAN’S DAUGHTER (USA/SWE) 14.05 CTS
Yeah I know, it is still way early for this kinda dark music, but hey… If you can’t enjoy in the sunshine how are you gonna remember it while drunk and down? Slow running, dark folk music fronted by Anna Mandrax, who has the voice of an angel… A dark angel… I hope you take your time to really listen to their songs, that is what they are made for, listening and taking them in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvZ8erxhTLg
KING MOROI (GER) 14.55 ST
These German psychobilly lads have been going hard these last few years. Opening up for so many legendary bands, they sure have learned how to entertain an audience. The played at the second Pirate Farm Fest and where loved by all, even those that hate psychobilly… I think that says enough about the quality!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQNZr6E8Yxs
THE REDEMPTION’S COLTS (BE) 15.45 CTS
It finally worked out to get these guys on our stage! If there is one alternative bluegrass band in Belgium you should see it is these guys! Unbelievable fast picking, amazing songwriting and a kick-ass attitude on stage! Come dance with us!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFo5EcmElr0
THE DEVIL’S TRADE (HUN) 16.40 ST
This will be an exclusive show, we are flying this gentleman in just for this one!!! Why you ask? BECAUSE HE IS THAT GOOD!!! You don’t come around Doom Folk like this often, the stellar songwriting and performance of this man is almost out of this world. He has been on tour with black metal bands, dark electro acts and never did he feel out of place. I can’t wait to see the look on all your faces when he plays his songs for us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TzSe28scF8
TRIXIE & THE TRAINWRECKS (USA/UK) 17.40 CTS
With a new album out on Voodoo Rhythm Records you know we got you a good one! A fine mix between blues and country music, that is what Trixie and Charlie will deliver. Guitar, drum and harmonica, nothing more is needed to make this a great party… Oh wait, it is Charlie’s birthday, make sure to dance extra sexy for the man!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDiuwgS8OAc
HéTTEN DéS (BE) 18.40 ST
The boys are BACK! This band around the LEGENDARY JOHHNY TRASH will play you some kick-ass cuntry tunes, made for drinking and dancing. With albums released on Drunkabilly Records you know they are golden.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WOZLC2u5D0
THE MANESS BROTHERS (USA) 19.40 CTS
Holy Crow! I’ve seen these brothers for the first time in America last year and was blown away by the energy they put up on stage. Dirty, smelly garage blues reminding me of The Monsters and so on. It is damn fucking cool to have them play at our little festival!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw1Ukedz4UA
20 WATT TOMBSTONE (USA) 20.40 ST
So after The Maness Brothers the garage blues madness does not stop! Same set up, two guys, same genre, totally different style… And just as good! 20 Watt Tombstone infuse a big spark of stoner in their garage blues and that results in a heavy as fuck sound! Prepare to shake your head and booty!
Just so you know, they come endorsed by Gretsch Guitars…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b5A8ayjdwA
HEATHEN APOSTLES (USA) 21.45 CTS
Bloodgrass is what they call it, and I think that sounds about right. With members from The Cramps, Kings of Nuthin’ and Christian Death this is going to be something special! What can you expect? Think theatrical, dark atmospheres with supreme songwriting and musicianship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v35lJoa0eBk
MOONSHINE WAGON (ESP) 22.55 ST
Our friends from Spain are back!!!! And we are happy as fuck to have them close down the Side Stage this year. Folk Punk is frowned upon I have heard because of trainkids and crusties… Fuck those trustfund losers! These guys are the real deal! They where a big hit on their last American tour and put a bunch of bands in their place with their sublime songs. The new album is so damn good, so make sure you pick it up a the merch table.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hok9Y892t0
THE PINE BOX BOYS (USA) 00.05 CTS
We are going out with a big BANG! We take pride in providing you the best bands around and when it comes to headliners you know we stand our ground! If there is one band on this planet that can claim the tittle of godfathers of murderfolk, gothic americana or whatever name you want to put on it, it is these guys! With six full length albums released they have such a huge discography to choose songs from to bring you the ultimate party!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AKBx0q9pBY
So there you have it… All the bands… Now get your ass over to the ticketlink and buy a them!
http://www.pickingbonesfestival.com
Remember, kids up to 14 years old get in for free. Leave your pets at home, and don’t be a dick… We want this to be a party for everyone. No politics, no religion, no bullshit. Just come and have a good time with friends!
Bring cash money, there is no ATM on the field.
As you know, after 3 years we’ve put Pirate Farm Fest in the grave and embarked on a new adventure called PICKING BONES! This festival is a follow through of PFF but with a wider range in musical genres. Still the same DIY spirit, still the same mindset, but BETTER!
With the change of name we also looked for a new location and we found it in a little town called Linter (Belgium). We have full support of the local government and even got some federal funding. How is that for a festival that only sells 500 tickets, I guess they like what we do… And we can not forget about our sponsors, small business owners, tattoo shops, bars… People with their heart in the right place. THANK YOU!
Let talk about the bands playing on friday. We have two stages.
The Cowboy Trash Stage (CTS) and The Side Stage (ST). Both stages have a full PA system, so you can expect pitch perfect sound on both of them!
SLACK BIRD (fin) 18.00 CTS
This amazing couple out of Finland opens up the festival with their dark folk punk. A banjo, suitcase drum, a harmonica and two beautiful voices is all they need. Sung in their native tongue, they will take you on a journey to the land of a thousand lakes. Their albums are nothing short but brilliant and live they are one big party! Make sure you are there on time, you do not want to miss this!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9-dE5StCWQ
ROTZAK (be) 18.50 ST
Rotzak is a Belgian hardcore/rock band with a very personal sound. From rage to introvert musical madness and back again. This is a love or hate band, no in between. Their frontman uses the stage as his playground with over the top antics and in your face performance while not even caring if you are there… We love it, and we hope you will… (and to all the soundguys in the audience, that is HIS microphone and micstand… he can destroy the shit out of it, DO NOT TRY TO STOP HIM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bm9btI7yeI
EVERYONE IS GUILTY (be) 19.40 CTS
Is there something like the perfect mix between postrock and roots music? We think there is. They are called Everyone Is Guilty… And it seems like Mister Slim Cessna thinks the same… He recorded and produced their album together with Dwight Pentecost in his studio in Denver. Not many bands are givin this chance and certainly not a Belgian band. This is beautiful dark music, performed by such talented musicians. So much detail goes into their live show, keep your eyes on the drummer…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsHSo5o8_PM
SUBURBAN DRUGDEALERS (swe) 20.35 ST
Our first band out of Sweden! With an English singer… Two FIRSTS! Hooray! So a bunch of punks, psycho’s and garage rockers get together and start playing country music… It didn’t take long before this bastard sound was born. A mix between the best Scandinavian punk rock and country music. Think The Hellacopters, mixed with some Bob Wayne and throw in a big shot of punk rock attitude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NahN-j3Iv-A
THE GECKO BROTHERS (hol) 21.35 CTS
Hot Damn! The Gecko Brothers are back!!!! No, not those crazy fuckers from the movie, THOSE CRAZY FUCKERS from Holland! With Eric Haamers from the legendary pyschobilly band BATMOBILE and Mo from TIO GRINGO these guys bring you old school speedrock! With two albums released on DRUNKABILLY RECORDS you know they will bring you quality. It is gonna get loud, nasty and wet… Lemmy would approve!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtMweZIImT8
TOXIC SHOCK (be) 22.35 ST
We went a little crazy on the heavy side of the musical spectrum on this first day of the festival as you have seen, but the heaviest is still to come! TOXIC SHOCK is a nuclear explosion of thrash metal and old school hardcore. They have played every big hardcore and metal fest in europe and every small venue in the world, and thing bring the party every fucking time! Now they will close The Side Stage at Picking Bones. With two full album and 5 ep’s or split releases these guys know how to bring it, one of them with the mighty Iron Reagan!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZe8BVO0Cfg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hSHSOm0-io&t=6s
“Holy Moly – this is a neckbreaker. Known from several quality releases (split with Iron Reagan) the belgium powerhouse Toxic Shock pushed their boundaries once again. No compromises! And so they went to bed with the godfather of metal producing Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica & Co.) to get things right for Twentylastcentury. They combine all good things of end of the 80s with good old hardcore like Suicial Tendencies did on their first two records. So you have Flanger Intros, loco-whispering, furious moshparts, fast circle pit parts. The LA-Mentality of late 80s Venice Beach. So if you dig razorsharp Guitars and cool groovy mosher like Leeway did you will did this 100% – Gangshouts, aggressive basslines, crazy leads and a fitting singer makes this a must have for all crossover maniacs out there. Listen to Toxic Shock and you will not bail the mctwist anymore – Promised!”
CARRIE NATION & THE SPEAKEASY (usa) 23.45 CTS
Why is it that this band brings together bluegrass fans, punks, jazz nerds, metalheads and stoners? Because they are just that fucking awesome!!! This is one of those bands that as a music lover you can’t get around. They are here, just go with it! They may even be one of the best live bands in the world! It is not a bad thing if you and your mother-in-law can dance together to the same band while still holding your cool. She may even get some shady looks from that bitch next door because her dance moves are still fresh! BOOOM! Come join us, dance your ass off with Carrie Nation and make this a night to remember… Do they need to be on a big festival? HELL YEAH! But do we want to feel the spit coming out of the trumpet on our face while they are going mental in front of us? FUCK YEAH!!! What better way then to see your favorite band up close?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_amG_MYGWM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbiaYbFIOsU
Get your ass over to www.pickingbonesfest.com and get your tickets.
We have free camping, parking, hot showers and cool toilets. Craft beer and ciders at normal prices, good food, meat, vegan, to each his own…
Kids up to 14 get in for free…
On March 4th 2017 two close friends of Old Style Music Nights where arrested, this is their story.
From crowdjustice.com, https://www.crowdjustice.com/blog/casedismissed
Under the pretence of a reported gunshot, which qualifies as an exigent circumstance, a property rented by Darren and Ethel was searched and raided. Both were charged with 7 felony counts. 2 were first-degree felonies holding a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, if convicted. Cannabis is still considered a schedule 1 substance under federal law.
Initially, the state’s prosecution was uncompromising, offering 5 years without possibility of parole if one other testified against the other. Upon refusing the offer, the state prosecutor subpoenaed Darren and Ethel to grand jury. Darren evoked his right to silence, and Ethel testified and argued for jury nullification. This led to an initial indictment that was disputed once the defence received transcripts of the jury instructions. A motion to dismiss the indictment was filed on the grounds that the jury was instructed to indict as well as a brief disputing cannabis’s contradictory status as both a schedule 1 substance and medically legal in the state of New Jersey. Judge John Young sided with the defence and dismissed 5 of the 2 counts. This positioned the case for a pre-trial negotiation to which Darren and Ethel agreed. All charges were formally dismissed on October, 26 of 2018.”
During this time Ethel and Darren started a new band, something they never did together. The Wedding Funeral was born… A dramatic gothic americana sound raising up from the deepest sewers of Jersey City.
The following is an interview I did with Ethel and Darren about that weird period in their life, from then to now… After the interview you can read all about the debut album “(you have been) Cordially Disinvited”.
ELO: In summary the police raided our grow-house without a warrant, robbed us, harassed us, and threw us in jail. This is often how they “protect and serve” our community.
DD: The pigs were summoned to our doorstep by one of their sheep. They initially tried to indict us on 7 charges for cultivating an ancient plant used by other shamans since time immemorial, 2 charges of which carried a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. We showed them failure. All charges have been dismissed.
ELO: What can I say?! We live eventful lives.
You guys had the support of one of the best lawyers when it comes to cannabis related crimes. How the hell did you get a hold of her?
ELO: Believe it or not, 191 plants will scare off most attorneys.
DD: Ruth Liebesman was summoned from the aethers to lead us to victory. When outsiders like us tap into our magical sides, we are capable of a tremendous power. Our story shows this to be true, because that is precisely what happened. Ruth Liebesman is truly a force to reckon with and one who has carried the banner into battle against the charlatans on many occasions. It was only natural that she side with us as she saw what we were up against for what it actually was.
ELO: She’s a musician too. We gave her bonus points for this.
What are your views on the American justice system, now that you have experienced it first hand?
DD: The American justice system is a joke perpetuated by the fearful and willing. The entire process is bought and paid for.
ELO: I’ve always known that our justice system was corrupt, but witnessing it first hand really put my face in its feces. Crimes that do no harm to others should not be considered crimes in the first place. Our prisons are corporations attended by sadistic sheep that rob you of your money, time, health, and sanity. There’s an incentive to fill jail cells for profit and most of our “justice” system caters to this.
DD: The problem is they picked a fight with two people that they underestimated. We are not of them, and we will find more of us that are born of this anger and resentment. Their failures will continue to be reflected back at them over and over again as we continue demoralizing these useless frauds.
So… for our stoner friends out there… How good was that weed you where growing? 😉
ELO: Anyone who knows Darren and I knows very well that we do not half-ass anything.
DD: It allowed you to see the 5th Dimension.
One good thing came out of all this, The Wedding Funeral, a musical project between the two of you. Tell us all about it please.
DD: In this struggle, our constitution was tested to its maximum. We experienced misery and rage unlike any kind we had experienced up until then, and in this we had visions, prophecies, and messages. What you are witnessing is the result of this grand, magical experience.
ELO: Also, Darren’s house has a poltergeist, which we’re fairly certain is Mexican. Sometimes it turns on the radio, sometimes it talks through the microwave, and sometimes it insists we start a new project. It also gets upset if it’s October, and we’re not celebrating Halloween or making beer.
DD: The wedding and the funeral are central human rituals representing creation and destruction, the beginning and the end, the totality of human magic. Magic scares the uninitiated unless it is filled with lies. We are reclaiming it for those who live comfortably in dissatisfaction. For them, there is no paradox.
What are your goals with this new band?
DD: We seek “the others”.
ELO: Join our cult. Eat your heart out Jim Jones.
DD: In each society or culture, our kin exist. For the benumbed drones, we offer the terror within them. We will seek out the weak and push them further to the brink. Society will be driven to madness. They are our enemies and we will not spare them of their own shadows. We take the primal call of music and wield it as an instrument of psychological discord.
ELO: The only way to really do this is hit the road, so we’re planning a cross-country tour starting in June.
You told me before that with this new band you will not be putting the music online, no Spotify, no streaming… The album is only available on vinyl or as a download. What made you go this way? How about promotion for the new record? Don’t you think that when people can listen to it online or via streaming, they would order the record?
DD: Ah yes, the old “exposure” argument. That’s been thrown at musicians often while parasites walk out the back door with all the loot.
ELO: If you say you’re worthless, then there’s no reason why others wouldn’t believe you.
DD: We’ve watched musicians flagellate themselves, broke without an audience. We are not the ones. We are challenging all frauds across the board, including the self-ordained taste-makers patting themselves on the back for bilking the weak. Pigs don’t just wear uniforms. Also, this disposable culture of instant gratification has rendered the human herd numb to the potential of their magical muse. We will not settle for such a shabby experience, streamed and deleted like so many text messages.
ELO: I’d much rather spend my time on the road making personal contact with our audience. I’ll even take an audience that hates us over hoping someone will notice us through the static of the internet. If you like our music, then you walk away with an experience and something tangible, which is something the internet strays away from.
DD: You Have Been Cordially Disinvited is selling very well, and we are most pleased by the tremendous outpouring. The entitled can continue stamping their feet. It tickles us.
OSMN: We talked about this topic on more then one occasion, that is why I threw it in there. While I disagree with Darren and Ethel, I respect their choice to not put their music out for grabs, as they call it. As a music fan and music buyer I love the streaming option and at the same time I hate it, for one, as Darren told me, musicians make shit money with it, and second, it directs me to way to many good music so I keep buying new records… I do need to buy food sometimes, for myself and our dogs…
You are planning a nationwide tour in June, how is that going? And how is the response to the record from fans?
ELO: Choronzon does most of our booking, so you’ll have to ask him about this. We’re just along for the ride.
DD: If anything, the response has been greater than what we could’ve anticipated.
ELO: There are plenty of people who are repulsed by us – they’re fun too, but I don’t think they buy our album.
DD: Many people have said to us, “This is exactly what I needed to see.” Our kin are coming out to be counted and ready to make no apologies for their discontent.
Last words?
ELO: Last words are for the dead and we are very much living.
You have Been CORDIALLY DISINVITED
The debut record from The Wedding Funeral… You’ve read their story above, now lets talk about the music. With Darren on guitar and vocals, Ethel takes on a whole aggregate of instruments. The musical saw, her voice, bells, gongs and so on… All this together makes for quite the interesting sound. And not for an easy review. With songs in a very dramatic Gothic Americana style, others are straight up punk bangers, but then again not… I for one have never heard a punk song with a saw in it, until now! “You’ll be Safe When You’re Dead” kinda blew my mind! But this song is not what the majority of this album is about.
“Mannequin”, that’s what this album is about. Dark, eerie and uninviting, unless you’ve got the stomach for it. Vocal harmonies about the ugly side of mankind, that saw creeping aside the guitar-melodies and Ethel’s high pitched vocals.
We can also put the opening song “Seven Day Work Week” and “Tabitha’s Lullaby” in this same congregation.
With “The Drowning Sonata” and “The Maggots” we get to the real Gothic Americana vibe. A pinch of Tim Burton, a little neo-folk and a whole lot of hate and horror!
“The Land of Dead Pigs” reminds me of avantgarde artists Negativland and that’s why I love it! “Room 609”, also a very experimental song with djembe’s and a distorted garage punk guitar vibe, this song sounds very lo-fi but it just works…
If you are an open-minded music lover with an affection for all things weird and just a little darker you should order this record or the digital download, this comes in a nice box with pendant by the way… Just follow the links below…
UK artist Mike West is embarking on his first ever Euro tour in February. With shows in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands Mike will try to win over some new fans. It shouldn’t be to hard for him, he is an excellent songwriter…
More shows will be added soon, but for now, here is where you can go and see him on stage.
Check out the links below for his music.
https://mikewest333.bandcamp.com/music
| Sunday | 17 | Herselt, 2230, Belgium | Pallieter Café – |
| Monday | 18 | Brabant, Belgium | Stamineeke Webbekom |
| Tuesday | 19 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Café De Ouwehoer |
| Wednesday | 20 | Den Helder, Netherlands | Rock cafe de Engel |
| Saturday | 23 | Wuppertal, Germany | Spunk |
| Sunday | 24 | Liege, Belgium | Lou’s Bar |
Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy… On the 4th of July 2018 our favorite Brass ‘n Grass band from Wichita released their 4th album or EP, it’s only 23 minutes long… I’ve been told this is the first part of a two piece EP release.
It was a long wait for all the fans as “Hatchetations”, the previous album was released in 2013. But it sure was worth the wait! If you have been following the band for years like I have, you have noticed that with each year passing their sound evolved into a more complex pallet without forgetting about their past. The straight forward “on stage party” was sometimes brutally interrupted by long and slow build-ups, creating a dark and eerie atmosphere. The brass section took a huge role in this and by doing so, the drunken party boy in the front would start scratching his confused head… “Is this a jazz show? I came here to party dude…” But oh Holy Crow, was he wrong!!!
“Bowels & Constants”, the second song after the instrumental “Rümpletum” is the perfect example of the description above. The first two minutes of this five minute song is pure “scene setting”… Something is going to happen, it’s coming and I’m not sure if I want to be here to witness it… But I also don’t want to miss it! That is the feeling it gave me. The bass and vocals come in, a brass-section in the background, building up to the suspense… And then at the 3 minute and 15 second marker, like it was faith, There it is… The PARTY!!! The song erupts in a classic CNS tradition and it is marvellous!
The next one is ” All Men Created Equal” and I’m sure you have seen the video on youtube the guys made for this. (if not check below) I think we can say this is a typical Carrie Nation song, but for sure one of the best they have ever written. I can see crowds dancing and going wild on this one, I know I will, at the upcoming PICKING BONES festival in Belgium on the 21st of June. The band plays a headlining show that Friday.
We continue with “We All Believed” This must be the slowest and most depressive song the band has ever put on an album, and I mean this in a good way. This is angst, disbelieve and rebellion put together in one massive monolith of a song. Phenomenal!
(for me this is not a song the band should play live, as much as I love it, this is a song to listen to at home, in the company of a good drink and a few dogs…)
I like concept albums, yeah I know, I’m one of the few. The great part of most concept albums is that the songs flow into each other. And with “We All Believed” ending and flowing into “Trismegistus”, which is nothing more than an interlude to get to “Gnosis” it still does the trick!
And with “Gnosis” we again get a song that the band is so known for. The perfect combination between string instruments and brass, up-tempo, great vocal parts, genius instrumentation and atmosphere! And all of this in under 4 minutes!
I think it is fair to say that Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy, with this album, have outdone themselves and that it is clear to see for all what a talented band this is.
Oh… A little bird told me that this one will be released on vinyl… Maybe…
Get the new album and shirts here:
https://squareup.com/store/carrienation-and-thespeakeasy
See “All Men Created Equal” here:
Get info about PICKING BONES 2019 here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1983479351716002/
Serious Sam Barrett… English man, modern troubadour, skater and from what I’ve heard a pain in th… nah, I’m joking… I’ve only seen him play once and that was at this years Pirate Farm Fest pre party. I was so tired that I just sat down outside by myself and enjoyed the music going on inside the venue. I did not even talk to him, I just wanted my bed, but had to be there… While listening to this new album I curse myself for not taking up a conversation with him. I’m sure we would have had an interesting one… 😉
Sam has a shittonne of releases on his name and this new one is a very traditional one. English/Irish folk music with his own little twist. If you listen to this album you can not imagine that “this” guy wrote and recorded these songs. Don’t judge a book… Would be in place here… But then again, Sam is known for his take on the old traditionals. Make sure to check out his bandcamp page in the links. Vinyl freaks… You can maybe score some limited editions there.
On to his new album. A mix of traditionals and original songs perfect for a night at your local Irish pub. (I know… he’s not Irish, but what do we, mainlanders know about that shit(e)…) This is mostly a banjo album, and I know for some folks this is turn-off, but the quality of the songs is so high that even you banjo haters should take a good listen. Start out with “Last of the Yorkshire Outlaws”, a great tribute to barflies worldwide. Maybe even to the backbone of our society, the workingmen! Or was it for the drunks?
“I don’t need to wait for heaven” is such a simple song, but if known by the local crew, Sam would have no need to sing it himself. This is one of those songs, that your audience will sing for you. It is beautiful!
“Holmfirth Anthem” is an acapella song in the purest tradition of the great folk singers. It takes me back to the glorious days of our own hometown Irish pub The Celt. We had no idea what we where singing about, but for Sam these songs hold meaning and that makes this one so much more grand.
A song about Robin Hood? YES PLEASE!!! “Robin Hood and Fifteen Foresters”… As a kid, Robin Hood was my favorite animated film. I’ve seen it a thousand times!!! I remember the time my dad was send out to work in England for a year, working in Nottingham and his residence was in Sherwood. By that time I was in my early 20ies and my dad being a hiker, he was exploring the Sherwood forests, I was so jealous. This song brings back so many good childhood memories and memories of evenings with my dad at the bar talking about his hikes in those woods when he came home for the weekend every 3 weeks. Thank you Sam!
“Bramhope Tunnel Monument”… You should really LISTEN to this song. Coming from a blue collar family , seeing my father, uncles and cousins working their ass off, knowing that the woman in my family did the same thing in factories and at home, knowing my family history… I wonder why, here in Belgium we don’t have these songs. Are we really that humble, why don’t we have these workingmen songs? This song brings tears to my eyes. A simple banjo riddle, but so pure…
I have no idea when this album is coming out, I hope soon. Knowing Sam, it will be available on vinyl soon enough. Keep an eye on his bandcamp page. If you like English/Irish folk music with a modern twist to it, you should buy this. I loved it, and the memories that came with it where a big plus!
Links:
https://serioussambarrett.bandcamp.com/music
HEAR YE, HEAR YE!!! It has finally arrived!!!
The debut studio album by Dylan Walshe sure took some time to be unleashed onto the world. Was it worth the long wait? Yes! Yes it was!
Most of our readers know who Dylan is and what his songs sound like and what emotions they trigger. If you have not heard any of the songs on this album you are in for a surprise. Dylan being a solo artist, we were all used to hear or see just him, his guitar and stompbox on stage. For this album he worked together with very talented friends so to give the songs a more full sound and body. Drums, bass, fiddle… It’s all there. And my dear readers, each and every song sounds beautiful.
For this debut album Dylan re-recorded some of his older songs, crowd favorites so to say. And to be honest, “Blind is Blind” has never sounded so good. Did the style change that much you could ask… Yes and no, I think with this album Dylan steps away a little from the blues folk sound we know him for and adopts a more mature singer-songwriter style. If you take a listen to “Luck is a beggar..”, with it’s wonderful slide-guitar parts you will understand what I’m trying to say.
Like any good singer-songwriter or folk album, also this one has a protest song. With “The Trickle-Down Effect” the wordsmith that is Dylan Walshe shines in all his glory. No this is not a “fist in the air” protest song, this is a “sit down, think, plan your next move” kinda protest song. The music is slow, simple and effective, Dylan’s voice is the main instrument here and what a powerful voice it is.
The album will be released next week, on October 26th, by Dylan himself. Follow the link below to pre-order your copy. For the vinyl snobs like myself, there will be a release on wax later on.
It angers me a little that an artist with his quality can not get the support of a label while there is so much crap been released each day… But we’ll leave that conversation for the pub, while getting shitfaced…
Personal favorites:
At Sea
Blind is Blind
The Trickle-Down Effect
Cut it Down
Links:
https://www.dylanwalshe.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DylanWalshe/
Suburban Drugdealers is a new band from Sweden, but the players sure aren’t new! With Ant Mcmahon from The Intolerants on vocals and a bunch of other members from the Stockholm garage, punk and psychobilly scene these guys know how to write a catchy song and this ep has four of them.
With 3 originals and one cover this ep could be the start for a very cool full album. Let’s hope so! Time for a closer look…
The guys open with “Getting on That Line”, for which you can see the video down below. With a mix of creepy banjo playing and hard hitting guitar parts this is a great opener. Bob Wayne comes to mind, but this is not just another copy. I’m damn sure this song will make it around the world in no time within this “scene” and beyond.
“Don’t Sleep With The Problem” is up next. This slow song comes with a heavy background and the feeling of something lurking in the shadows, again because of the creepy banjo sound. The bass-lines really contribute to this eerie feeling, I don’t know how or why, but they just do. Deal with it!
“What Was I Thinking”… And that is what I was almost thinking the first few seconds of this song. “What the hell where they thinking?!?!?” was my version. It starts out as a fucking campy country song and then it hits you! “Oh shit, this is a song about suicide” and then it all makes sense. It’s the perfect song for the lyrics, and the “camp” feeling vanishes in a heart-beat. It turns into a marvelous song about not giving up on life and the reason for it. The slide guitar gives the song an extra country swung and combined with the punk rock sound in the back this is just an awesome performance!
After these 3 originals we get to the cover song. “Outskirts of Life” by GG Allin!
I love the original but our Suburban Drugdealers make this song their own by adding some harmonica and background vocals and it turns out into a great ending for this way too short release. I can’t wait for a full album, but for now… GET YOUR FIX! with this video and contact them on FB and get your dirty paws on this ep!
The Wedding Funeral is a new and exciting project from Jersey City’s unconventional blues man Darren Deicide and his partner Ethel Lynn Oxide. You can call it Gothic Americana, Folk Noir or whatever the fuck you want to call it. As long as you call it good music, you’re fine in my book.
During the last months of 2017 they have been dropping songs from their demo album “Beneath The Floor Boards – covered in feces” on iconic dates while the last days of this dreadful year washed away… At the end of it all they gave us four songs, four songs that you will love or hate. There is no in between. I have played this demo to an eclectic mix of friends. Some hated it, most of them loved it. And even the ones that hated it, told me there was something about these songs… Something they couldn’t grasp, something eerie… And eerie it is!
The Wedding Funeral is NOT easy listening music, let me be clear about that. Darren and Ethel both have a very untypical voice. You may know Darren’s voice from his earlier and excellent albums in the past, but Ethel caught me by surprise! After spending in total a few weeks together over the last two years, she never sang to us, so this was a total SHOCK! Her high pitched, ghost like outlets brings this demo to such a level of creepiness, when combined with her playing the saw, the level of comfort drops below zero. And this is a huge compliment!!!
With Darren as the main composer of the songs (so I think) and knowing his previous albums I expected the demo or album (whatever you want to call it) to sound dark, but this release went totally beyond my expectations. It reeks of despair! And that’s the way I like it with this sort of music.
Check out the demo in the link below. And because it’s not easy listening music, make sure to check it out more then once, these songs grow on you, like a cancer grows inside your wretched body…
http://theweddingfuneral.com/album-detail.html
Liz and Jared are back, together with Martin Sargent on double bass for the fourth full-length Urban Pioneers album. As the title of the album tells us this is “Hillbilly Swing Music” and seldom I’ve known an album title to cover the music so spot on!
When Jared forwarded the album my way and I put it on, a big smile appeared on my face for the exact reason above. My wife, Inny, looked at me, sitting there on the sofa, my headphones on and this big dumb grin on my face… “What the fuck are you smiling about…?” This album, this title, this music… It makes perfect sense… Was all I could say.
We all remember the times not to long ago when people would ask us what music we listened too… And most of the time my answer would be, “metal, punk, roots, hardcore, dark ambient… blablabla… Never ever would I’ve told them “Hillbilly Swing Music”! Why? Because how uncool is it to tell your friends you listen to Hillbilly Swing Music, I mean… C’mon…
Sure, we all like Waylon, Cash… and the cliché list goes on, but as a European hip cat (look at me, labeling myself) I would never admit to listen to “Hillbilly Swing Music”. Why? Because my mother-in-law had a line dancing bar back in the days and my wife and me hated the music they played at that joint. That music had nothing to do with this fantastic album, but for some reason… Who knows, who cares… I’m drifting… Back to the music!
So what’s new on this Urban Pioneers album? We can hear horns, piano, a slide-guitar, some rockabilly, and a tear-jerker here and there. What’s old and still good on this album? Funny lyrics, clever lyrics, amazing musical talent, honest songs, straight from the soul… Liz and Jared are not your pitch perfect bluegrass vocalists, but that does not matter, it works, it gives the album a sense of honesty, and speaking about honesty, I love the way their vocals sound. This is also the best sounding album they’ve ever released when we talk about production, mastering and all that nerding-out about “sound” kinda stuff.
I think it’s easy to say, I’m a fan of this one. And I guess you’ll be as well…
Check out this live version from the title track below and make sure you buy this album. And go online, bug Jared about releasing it on vinyl!!!!
ps. I’m as honest as I can be about albums, I also like to joke around. Every opinion about the music and the people playing this music is from the heart. If I’m talking about myself or events in the past… Yeah sure some are overrated… It’s called “fake news” these days… I just like to call it “creative fun”…
Welcome to all the info you need to know about Pirate Farm Fest 2018!!!
We’ll tell you about the location, the bands, the food, our sponsors and more…
BANDS:
mainstage- friday
– Jimmy Chase
Just a guy with his guitar playing some punky acoustic songs for you all. Jimmy used to be in the now long-gone band Rattleshack, so you know he will kick some ass!
– The Detrimentals (be)
They couldn’t make it in 2017 because their drummer was rushed to the E.R. just hours before the show. But they’ll make it all up in 2018. It’s just straight forward psychobilly, you’ll love it or you’ll hate it, no in-between.
https://www.facebook.com/The-Detrimentals-1495973410702331/
– Shotgun Sawyer (usa)
This will be the first time these young cats will tour in Europe and we are fucking proud to have them at PFF! Dirty blues/stoner with a BITE!
– The Grave Brothers (be)
THEY ARE BACK!!! And they’ll have a new album out by then. They probably are the best “hellbilly/rootspunk” band ever to come out of Belgium. With members from Los Putas, Demented Scumcats, Fifty Foot Combo and more…
– The Freeborn Brothers (pol)
Maybe you know this, but Belgium is a little country in Europe, and therefore we thought it would be a good idea to have one European headliner… And who better to end the party on friday then our good friends from Poland, The Freeborn Brothers!!! Expect some gypsy folk roots punk that will shake your ass so hard you wish you went to that gangbang instead… You will be sore the day after… 😉
White Trash Dating Stage – Saturday (these bands play for free, buy their merch and buy them beer!!!)
– Big Daddy’s Breakfast Voodoo (hol)
Filthy blues from The Netherlands? Yep, but this is not your 13 in a dozen blues rock band. It’s dirty, slow and smells like a swamp…
– TH’ F’kk’n’ G’dd’mn’ Luckies (be)
The garage/punk scene is alive in Belgium more then ever and these two old fuckers know how to do it!!!
https://thfkkngddmnluckies.bandcamp.com/
– Hollywood – Of the Wolves (ger)
In 2006 in a town called Darmstadt a punk/speedrock band was formed, The Wolves…
10 years later their singer decided to sit down and record some of their songs on his own and in a differend style. In 2018 Hollywood will play those songs for you at PFF!
https://hollywoodofthewolves.bandcamp.com/
– The White Trash Dating Service (be)
The WTDS is a busking band, no they don’t play original songs, they just bring an acoustic punk rock party to a street corner near you… And I’m sure you will enjoy it and sing along… It’s fun, it’s dumb, it’s good, it’s FUCKING AWESOME…
– The Evil Daltons (ger)
25 YEARS IN THE WORKS!!! These old school psychobilly veterans are coming over just to play this one show that they don’t get payed for because they want to play for you!!! I would say that is more then a reason to go bat shit crazy while they are destroying the stage. They will have a new album out by then and it is produced by non other then P. Paul Fenech from The Meteors.
Mainstage – Saturday
– Leonhardt vs. Reverend Red (usa)
These two guys are taking a break during the summer to travel to Europe with their family. But hey… why not play a festival or two while at it? They asked to play, I paired them up… You’ll have to deal with them…
Gipsy Rufina (be/ita)
In 2017 he helped us out on friday because The Detrimentals had to cancel. In 2018 he get’s a spot on saturday. Expect some dark folk songs… Should we put him all the way in the back of the stage so you can all sit on it while listening to him?
Cowboy Bob & Trailer Trash (ger)
If you where at the first edition of the festival you should remember that these guys opened up at the mainstage on saturday. We are glad to welcome them back! And if this new video is an indication to how awesome the new album will sound, fucking hell, we are lucky as fuck!
TIO GRINGO (hol)
Hellbilly/Cuntryscum from Holland? Yeah, but with some of the most awesome folks around in this scene, once you talk to them and don’t run into them drunk before… They can be a handfull… Just fucking around! We are pround to have them!
And funny video’s are a plus!!!
– Hopeless Jack (usa)
If you love good music, you love Hopeless Jack! The perfect mix between the most dirty blues, soul and that old punkrock spirit!!! I remember the first time I saw them, the video below, holy crow, I was blown away!!! And I’m sure they will blow you away in 2018!!!
– Steering Ships With Empty Bottles (s.s. WEB, usa)
Are we proud to have these dudes play PFF 2018? Not realy… It’s just Henry and Cris… But are we happy? FUCK YEAH!!!! And we ARE damn proud! These two should play the biggest festivals in the world and then come back to PFF and play just for us, the “in-crowd”… I’m joking… But then again I’m not.
The first video was shot in our backyard, the second in our livingroom. It’s going to feel like brothers are playing our stage.
– The Hooten Hallers (usa)
The fact that these guys and girl are playing PFF could be the sole reason to buy a ticket. And we don’t blame you. If you have ever seen this band on a stage you know why they got booked.
-THE HEADLINER
We are working on it… You’ll love it!!!
TICKETS:
LOCATION:
PFF 2018 will happen at the same place as the previous editions. For those that came in the past, you know what to expect and what to respect. For the new folks…
PFF 2018 takes place at an old farm, it’s no-longer an active farm but 2 families still live there and also grow crops there. Respect their stuff, their crops and most of all their privacy! The places you are not supposed to be are fenced off. You all know what a fence means… STAY THE FUCK OUT!!! 🙂
ps. This also goes for the backstage. If you are not a band- or crewmember, please stay out. We will kick you out of the festival in 2018 after in 2017 to much people disrespected this rule. If you want to talk or hang with a band or it’s members, they will be around before and after the show. You know they’ll come out, just respect the fact that they want to prepare and cool down before and after the show.
adress:
Beurtstraat 42
Tielt-Winge
Belgium
CAMPING /PARKING:
The campsite is free. You are welcome starting Friday morning (if you want to come early, send us message). The campsite is tents only.
You can come with an RV/motorhome/caravan, but know that places are limited. The campsite for these is less then 500 meters away from the festival, but is next to the road and across from the families living on that street. So please keep the noise down and DO NOT enter their yards, unless they invite you!
You will get a garbagebag when you enter the campsite, please use it…
When parking your car, please follow the instructions from the people working the parksite. If you park illegal and you get a ticket or they tow your car… NOT OUR PROBLEM! You are a grown-up, deal with it yourself.
MONEY/CASH/ATM:
There is NO atm on site. Make sure to bring enough cash!!!!
FOOD:
We offer two foodstands for 2018. A Thai foodtruck and one gourmet hamburger foodtruck. Between the two of them you sure as hell will not starve! Yes they have vegi-food! On Saturday morning you will be able to get breakfast from the hamburger guys.
SPONSORS:
As a small independent festival we need sponsors and we are glad we have friends with great business’ that want to help us out.
TEQUILA TATTOOS:
https://www.facebook.com/tequilatattoos/
XTREMETATTOO:
https://www.facebook.com/xtremetattoo-178440752248995/
MOONSHINE TATTOO PARLOR:
https://www.facebook.com/moonshinetattooparlour/
ROOTSTOWN BOOKINGS:
https://rootstownaarschot.wordpress.com/
We also like to thank our secret sponsor from Denmark, you know who you are. Thank you!
If you would like to sponsor our festival, get in contact, we have damn good deals. If you want to set up shop as a vendor… Same thing, get in contact!
oldstylemusicnights@gmail.com
On September the 22nd Canadian punk-rock band The Flatliners played a sold-out show at our local youth-center here in Diest, Belgium. I was invited to interview them and shoot the show. Yeah… It took me this long to get it done. Things happen in life…
Anyhow… Enjoy these video’s! (the interview is interrupted by the opening band sound-checking, but you should be able to figure it out…)
The interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFCKTDsdndI
The Show:
First things first… This album was send to me for review before it was released. Around the beginning of April I think. So my apologies to the band for this late review. Pirate Farm Fest and my day-time job took away all my free time. After Pirate Farm Fest I didn’t stop working on other people’s projects until my body pulled the brake. I’m at home with a minor heart condition now so I have time to start writing again…
Seeing The Hooten Hallers for the first time sure is one hell of an experience. If you don’t know them and see them setting up you have no idea what to expect… “Are these guys a two men punk band, do they play blues, whoa shit… what’s that girl doing there with that big ass sax”? All this and more… If you do know what to expect, you know you are in for a party!
The new self-entitled album, was released on April 21nd, on “Big Muddy Records“. And before I start talking about the songs I’ll tell you this: It rocks, it swings, it’s a rhythm’n’blues’punkrocking’drenched-in-soul-freak out!!!
The Hooten Hallers bring something to the roots scene I’ve missed for a long time… A dirty take on swing and R&B but with a punk twist. The Kings of Nuthin’ come to mind from time to time and that is a huge compliment!
The album opens with “Charla”, an easy going tune gently pushed by Kellie’s sax that may put you on the wrong foot for the rest of the album, but a great song nonetheless. “Dig” is next, and now we know where this album will take us. The gritty vocals, the dark undertone… What a song! And that dark undertone is present in most of the songs, not always in the lyrics, it’s the use of instruments, notes that are been played, the atmosphere, the vocal use… Just listen to “Rhythm&Blues”…
It’s not all dark and gritty folks, don’t worry, check out the video below for “Further from Shore”, and the songs “Stay away from Joe” and “Garlic Dream”. Not my favorite songs, but hey… Taste is a… fuck it, you know what I’m talking about. That video on the other hand is funny as hell and I love a band that can make fun of themselves.
I can’t wait to see them on stage again and dance my ass off. I hope you can all join me once.
Buy the album below:
https://www.thehootenhallers.com/shop
Looking for some up-tempo/depressing/putting-a-smile-on-your-face/sing-a-long country trash? “Nope, me neither!” But you may want to check out the new Call Me Bronco album…
It will be released on Rusty Knuckles Records at august 25th and if that says anything about how good this album is… Well it does, it is that good! It’s a fucking awesome Country Trash/sing-a-long/putting-a-smile-on-your-face/depressing/up-tempo record that I’m sure you will love!
If like me, you have seen the band live on stage before you will already know a bunch of these songs, some of which appeared on their previous demo, but that doesn’t take anything away from the album. The recording is rough, but in a good way, no over-produced bullshit, you can hear every note played without losing any emotion or heart.
Let’s talk about some of these songs…
We’ll start with 4AM, the opening song that comes with a hilarious video that you can check on youtube and below. It’s a flawless punk song if you ask me. It has all it needs and nothing more: intro, mid-tempo part, sing-a-long, fast part, slow sad part, fast part, outro… Don’t take this so serious dear reader…
On to the next one and it happens to be the second song on the album. The Butcher of Charleston. For some strange reason this reminds me of an Irish punk song in the style of Dropkick but without the Irish influence. It will make sense when you listen to the song I promise.
Burn The witch.. Start that circle pit please ladies and gentlemen, make sure you all run in the same direction, you don’t want to cause any chaos… How I love this song, how I hate circle pits… Trash metal country was that a thing? It is now, with this song!
There are a bunch of songs on this record about drinking and heartache, but my favorite is Four Shots. There have been times in my life that I was drinking to forget and I can relate to this song, and to top it off.. It’s a kick-ass song… Fast tempo, clever lyrics and a great sing-a-long part. What is not to love?
If you are a country fan stay far away from this album. If you are a music-lover with a taste for country and adventure you’ll love this record.
Pre-order below:
Call Me Bronco – Beating A Dead Bronco – CD
When talking about “roots” music most of us think American bands, and I can’t blame you. The vast majority of the bands we listen to are still hailing from the new world. But as the genre is expanding so is the origin of the bands. The European Underground Roots scene is exploding with a shitload of fantastic bands and projects as a result.
Please, allow me to be your guide and let you discover some great bands you may not know.
Let’s start with Moonshine Wagon from Spain. 3 guys, one from Brazil, yep Bufunfa who used to play with Them Old Crap now is a fulltime member of Moonshine Wagon, who clearly are influenced by old time string and folk music are making big waves in the European roots scene with their up-beat, fiddle driven take on the genre. They just released a new album called “Porca Miseria” and let me tell you, I fucking love it! Mixing it up by using their native language the album gets a little exotic from time to time and that makes it even more exciting to listen to. They are setting up a tour in America with “Pull The Trigger Bookings” and are booked to play Muddy Roots so make sure to go see them.
Let’s skip to the next artist… The Devil’s Trade from Hungaria is the solo project of David Mako who is the front-man for metal band Stereochrist. I discovered David’s music while he was opening up for The Nathan Gray Collective on their recent European tour and was blown away by his songs and talent. While playing a totally different style then Moonshine Wagon, David also makes use of his native tongue for some of his songs, and in this case it gives an extra dark dimension to his music. He released a new album this year and it has been making the rounds on my turntable at least once a week since I got it. Enjoy the video I shot of him when he played in Eindhoven earlier this year.
And order his record! It’s called google folks…
NEXT!!!! We travel to the south of Belgium for this one… The Redemption Colts are a punky bluegrass band from Arlon and guess what… They released a new album this year!!! “One Way Ticket” was recorded live at L’entrepot, a concert venue in Arlon, the guys set-up and played their songs, the result is awesome! Benoit and Romain both have an incredible voice and it pushes the music to a higher level. Check these guys out live if you can, I promise you will love them and while you’re at it… order their album! The video below I shot two years ago, for the new album click the other link…
https://theredemptionscolts.bandcamp.com/album/one-way-ticket
Technically not Europe anymore… Fucking BREXIT… But Jo Carley And The Old Dry Skulls is a band that I can not leave out. Husband and wife, Tim and Jo are the solid basis for this band, and who ever they find on the road can join in. The foundation is old time string music but they mix it up with ska, gypsy and a royal topping of darkness and weirdo music… Wait for it… THEY RELEASED A NEW ALBUM!!! “Them Old Bones” is a fine piece of variation for all those that like their “roots” a little different. The video below is from their previous EP, but I love it so much! Follow the link the get the new album.
https://jocarleyandtheolddryskulls.bandcamp.com/
The Sad Hill Outfit… No new album! Not even a first album, but I had to put them in this list. Made up with members of Black Cat Bone Squad and The Blue Eyed Bandits, these guys are taking us back to Belgium. They are a four piece now, Bart the bass player for BRUCE, legendary Belgian punk band, took over the bass and Stef switched to banjolele. They will hit a studio soon and I can’t wait to hear the result.
And just for the hell of it I’ll put in the video I shot when Jo of The Sad Hill Outfit played with Jayke Orvis at my 35th birthday party in Sonora, California two years ago. Let’s call it the euro-americana connection… It just puts a huge smile on my face every-time I see it, so I hope it does the same for you
I’ll do this again next month. If you are in a band and want to be in this feature, shoot me a line.
And now for something completely different…
Yes, I know this website is mainly about “roots” music, but it still is MY website, so I can write about whatever the fuck I want. Deal with it! I’m going to be writing about pop music, yes, you’ve read that correctly, POP music… But not the kind of pop music you’ll hear on the radio or see in the charts. This is Satanic Pop Music! I can see you scratching your head, it was a new term for me also when I first heard it. And then again, this album has nothing to do with popular music… It’s a thing on it’s own…
About two years ago Nathan Gray, former singer for BoySetsFire, released his first self entitled ep, containing an eclectic mix of songs going from the dark electro powerhouse “Wolves” to “Corson – An Ode to Vital Existence”, the emotional up-call for taking your life by it’s core and making it yours! Now there is “Untill The Darkness Takes Us”, an epic journey into the past and present life of Nathan Gray.
Together with this album Nathan also released a book with the same title, I suggest you buy both to fully understand this album and feel its power. The record opens with “Heathen Blood” and as with “Wolves” from the first ep, this song grabs you by the balls and doesn’t let go until you get the message. A venomous testament against organized religion and oppression by those institutions. A very powerful opener and a tone-setter for the rest of the ride.
As there are 13 songs on this album and I know some of you still have shit to do, I’m not going to go in detail on all of them (they are worth it). I’m going to bundle some and elaborate on others. One of the songs I will elaborate on is “Skin”, I hated the song the first time I heard it, it was the only one on the album I did not like, but the more I listen to it, the more I appreciate it. At first it has this very euro-pop vibe, think Covenant and Apoptygma Bezerk, bands I used to love dancing on but got so sick off hearing. For some strange reason this song gets in your brain and it stays there, it’s catchy as fuck! “Desire” is another song that has this euro-pop/dark wave influence with it’s uptempo dance beats and sing-a-long mid-sections.
Let’s continue… The piano songs, as I like to call them… “Damascus” and “Anthemic Hearts”. Two beautiful songs drivin by, you guessed it… Piano… Sigh… Do I need to explain everything? C’mon guys, get with the program… Serious now, both these songs deal with the same theme, and if you read the book you will truly understand them and appreciate them even more. Empowering…
Let’s descend into darkness… Follow me please, don’t touch the walls… “At War”, Nathan unleashes his demons and takes no prisoners. We can hear a glimpse of his hardcore past, but mostly we hear an industrial battle anthem, and fuck yeah, I’m standing erect, ready to kill! FORWARD!!!
Now RISE up, feel the New Dawn, taste the fruits of your struggle and live your life freely! “Remains” and “Memento Mori”, both testimonies of how a person can take his own life back and start living again, one more electronic then the other… “Remains” could be a piano song, but because of the chorus, which is pure punk-rock in nature, I did not include it.
“Until The Darkness Takes Us”… A slow moving song, a homecoming, powerful lyrics… Again, read the book and you will understand… “Jettison” is a full on modern pop-rock song, a perfect combination of guitar and electronics. But so much more honest and fierce then the crap you hear on the radio.
“Lusus Naturae”, the second song on the album. I know it’s a little weird to talk about the second song at the end of the review, but this song holds special meaning to me. It’s one of the most “rocking” songs on the album and absolutely essential on this album, and if you want to know that special meaning… Come see me…
This still is a site about roots music, but I hope you guys are openminded and will give this album a listen. Nathan will be on tour in Europe, starting early april. Check the tour dates on his website and go see him. Read the book and enjoy the record!
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