Quiet Life [Band]

Good old fashion down home and Neil Young inspired tunes to sip whiskey from a cup made of tin. This is what you can expect from a Quiet Life song. So, break out the flannel and let these Portland based Americana masters take you down a grassy trail littered with pain, love, and a prestigious sense of what is natural and/or necessary to continue on breathing. For all the eighties babies out there that truly believe they were screwed from conception by being born far to late, here is a group that can bring forth the nostalgia you wish you could have. Here is old school storytelling dubiously running through a new school musical disobedience.

One of Quiet Life’s finest tracks has to be the harmonica driven & twanged out “Cave Country”. It would be entirely impossible to feel like shit when you listen to this song. In fact, the line “Feels so good” is constantly repeated for reinforcement. Nicely played. “Big Green” takes you on a dusty path slightly skewed from the previous mentioned track. This is old school folk to the core. The difference between these tracks perfectly demonstrates the awesome versatility these lumberjacks of indie rock have. They portray a sense of respect for the past that often goes untouched. What a well rounded batch of pine forest folksmiths.

Catch Quiet Life on tour this winter all over the eastern side of the country!

11/8/2011

Fayetteville, AR

George’s Majestic Lounge

with Dr. Dog

11/9/2011

Oxford, MS

Proud Larry’s

with Dr. Dog

11/10/2011

New Orleans, LA

Tipitina’s

with Dr. Dog and Felice Brothers

11/14/2011

Charleston, SC

The Music Farm

with Dr. Dog and David Vandervelde

11/15/2011

Athens, GA

40 Watt Club

with Dr. Dog and David Vandevelde

11/16/2011

Knoxville, TN

Bijou Theatre

with Dr. Dog and David Vandervelde

11/17/2011

Boone, NC

Legends @ Appalachian State University

with Dr. Dog and David Vandervelde

11/18/2011

Chattanooga, TN

Track 29

with Dr. Dog and David Vandervelde

11/20/2011

Philidelphia, PA

World Cafe Live

w/ Sallie Ford and The Sound Outside

11/21/2011

Easton, MD

NightCat

w/ Sallie Ford and The Sound Outside

11/22/2011

Brooklyn, NY

The Bell House

w/ Sallie Ford and The Sound Outside

11/23/2011

New Haven, CT

Cafe Nine

w/ Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog

11/25/2011

New London, CT

venue TBA (iamfestival@gmail.com for more info)

w/ Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog

11/26/2011

Manchester, NH

138 Listening Lounge

12/2/2011

Durham, NC

Duke University

with Cotton Jones

12/3/2011

Asheville, NC

Broadway’s

with Cotton Jones

12/4/2011

St. Augustine, FL

The Original Cafe Eleven

with Cotton Jones

12/6/2011

Atlanta, GA

The Earl

with Cotton Jones

The Get Busy Committee: Little Razor Blades [Single]

Rhymers Ryu and Apathy do no play around. As vocalists for The Get Busy Committee, they bring such a direly needed sense of realism that i’s almost depressing. But, such is life at times. Thankfully pain and suffering can be playfully portrayed throughout bouncing beats with a light hearted feel. It’s almost hard to believe a line like “Choppin’ up a line up on the top of a toilet” could make you nod your head in enjoyment. And GBC producer Scoop Deville knows more about being an artist in the world of hip hop than Timbaland or Scott Storch could ever even imagine.

“Food stamps, government cheese, and some cocaine/ I never knew a single soul who owned a rope chain”. This line pretty much sums up the entire theme of “Little Razor Blades”. The 80′s were some fucked up times for black folks suffering under the Reagan dictatorship. Especially in the GBC’s homeland of southern California. If rappers like The Game or E-40 just don’t feel speak enough truth for you (which the regularly do not), then look no further than these group right here. “All that glitters ain’t gold, I promise” is a perfect description for the collection of images found in this video. This is the best and most humbly entertaining display of popular hip hop since it was new to say to say fuck the police.

“Little Razor Blades” can be found on the GBC’s debut album Uzi Does It available on CD, MP3 download, and an Uzi shaped USB hard drive (yes, this is for real) on their website.

Catherine Capozzi [Artist]

Wow.  Just, wow.  I’ve spent the better part of my life critiquing (in one form or another) what I considered to be quality guitar playing.  Whether it’s sweet and solid folk chords, to full-blown metal riffs.  Or maybe a combination of the two, if at all possible.  Rarely it is, but dammit sometimes it happens.  And what do most of the legends of our time, and times before have in common?  They’re usually men.  Yet, here comes along a lady who can strum the electric musical sword better than damn near anyone I’ve ever heard.  I’ve never felt more like a sexist prick than I did before listening to Catherin Capozzi rip my rock and roll loving heart apart in her amazing instrumental group Axemunkee, and lead for the brilliant trio Darling Pet Munkee.

I absolutely hate to bring up the bullshit plaguing that is sure to follow Capozzi for the rest her days, but the elephant will always be in the room.  But, rest assure, all preconceptions and judgments are null and void.  When these crafty electric riffs, fused with a beautiful surf style slap you in the face with bloody finger tips, you just plain won’t know what to think.  I mean, who has the balls (pun, intended) perform an acid/fuzz/surf take on the likes of Django Reinhardt?  This badass will!  And then she’ll spit venom laced whiskey in your face for denying her!

While her previously mentioned projects (Axemunkee and Darling Pet Munkee) are substational and brilliant works that deserve their own praise, it is definitely of the utmost importance to realize that Catherine Capozzi is a guitarist who shines in everything she does.  Everything she touches turns to awesome.  She’s the type of artist that speaks through her music, and becomes instantly recognizable by sound wherever she may roam.  To hell with gender recognition, I just want to rock.  And a talent as true and revitalizing as this one can truly make you feel as though you will indeed feel the joys and blunder of rock and roll deep within your heart and loins.  My how we’ve been lacking such traits these days.  Thank you Catherine.  Thank you.

To hear the manic amusement that is Catherine Capozzi, check out two of her amazing bands Axemunkee and Darling Pet Munkee.  Seriously, do yourself a damn favor and check them out.  And Psst….little secret, for a limited time, you can download DPM’s 7 track album Glows In The Dark for FREE!!  Of course, this is for a very limited time, so hurry the hell up and cop it before your latte and/or PBR money will have to cover the spread.

Robin Grey & Anja McCloskey: The Park [Cover]

Oh Robin.  Oh Anja.  Oh, my, you both equally amazing.  For those of you who have followed my existence as a music blogger (is there anyone actually out there who has done this?), you know both of these beautiful people as staples in my life, not only my work.  I first covered Robin Grey almost 3 years ago when I first heard his amazing EP, I Love Leonard Cohen.

I was just getting into the music blogging game, and was dabbling in the idea of covering artists who are willing to give away their art for free on the ever so fashionable interwebs.  This is where I discovered this amazing artist.  This would lead to the friendship we have today.  Robin Grey topped my list as the creator of the best album of 2010, with Strangers With Shoes.  I spent a whole summer in Qatar listening to his entire discography as I performed menial construction duties.  You really can’t appreciate the power of music until it is the only comfort you receive as your grout several shower stalls a day.  And someone like Robin Grey is exactly who you need serenading you in your darkest hours.

And Anja.  Sweet, sweet Anja.  Children of Mercy fans know her as a contributor, supporter, and curator for all European sales of the book.  But, beyond that, she is an amazing talent.  She plays the accordion like a mad woman stuck in a storm of genius and precession.  Her voice is phenomenal in ways we just don’t see enough these days.  Her solo work, as well as the multitude of bands she comprises herself with, is some of the greatest work being recorded and shared with the world today.  I seriously can not say enough good things about her.  I’ve written of Anja before, but I would be a fool to think that I could truly describe her brilliance in anything less than a full-fledged manuscript.

So, where does this lead us?  Well, it’s just plain magic really.  Anja and Robin both decided they shared similar interests, and should meet up.  They realized each other’s brilliance by both being a part of the Children of Mercy project.  Selfishly, I am very proud of this.  Selflessly, I take no credit for the brilliance they created when they decided to meet up in Robin’s respected region of England to record a cover of Feist’s “The Park”.  I imagine they simply wanted to meet each other.  And in which case, I am extremely happy they did.  And the fact that they dedicated this cover to me, is by far greatest compliment and gift I have ever received.  Especially since I am completely unworthy of such an honor.  I was completely surprised when I heard this track for the first time.  To know that I could have played a part in creating such an amazing collaboration was so entirely humbling I thought I could die the following day, and be entirely satisfied with my life.

I have listened to this track many times.  And it never gets old.  My love for this beautiful cover track has nothing to do with self indulgence.  These amazing artists have created something amazing and sensual when they took a Feist song, and made it so much more beautiful that it was probably ever intended to be.  Robin Grey and Anja McCloskey are two of today’s finest artists.  This is a simple fact.  Everybody on this earth should feel fortunate that they came together, even once.  And we can only hope they find each other once again.  I for one am willing to hold my breath until they decide to put out an album together.

To hear Robin & Anja’s beautiful cover of Feist’s “The Park”, take yourself on a journey of brilliance….right HERE.  (P.S.  You can download it for free!!)

Rocky Votolato [Artist]

Call me smitten, call me ashamed.  Prior engagements are deferring my eligibility to see the great Rocky Votolato (and accompanied by the equally amazing Matt Pond PA) as he passes along the dusty road here in Spokane.  I’ve been a fan of Rocky sense right around his solo inception.  His sultry vocals and splendid songwriting abilities are almost incomparable to most artists riding the indie folk storm these days.  His power and energy has a life all of its own as he strums his way through the battlefield of life.

It’s been a while since I first heard Votolato’s sensational single “Red River” (in which he name drops my fair city of Spokane, and still, I won’t be attending!), but the track has never left the eternal playlist in my mind.  And as he proves again on another city name-dropping track “Portland Is Leaving” that his words are derived from experience and emotion, rather than splendor and malevolence for the unknown or simply unfamiliar.  In this amazing track, he pronounces, ‘Love’s a train wreck”.  Hmm….sound familiar.  Purely coincide, maybe, but Rocky’s inspiration has been known to touch people over the years.  Which could likely lead to inevitably lifting of lyrics for a music showcase.  Maybe.

In a career spanning well over a decade, there has been nothing short of progress in the ways of Rocky Votolato.  He established himself as an indie sensation long before he signed to the esteemed BarSuk Records.  The revolution of sound since I first heard this cat back in 2003 on Suicide Medicine, to True Devotion in 2010 has been phenomenal and easily recognizable.  And as he hits the road this fall, right now actually!, alongside the likes of fellow indie sensation Matt Pond PA, it appears as though the love and devotion Rocky has put into his music is coming back two fold by the love and adoration from his fans.  A well deserved honor if you ask this train wreck’d society.

If you have missed the tour thus far, as I will inevitably do (sorry to mention it again, I’m just really disturbed by this), catch a greyhound or a west/east bound trolley car, and catch the man on the ending dates:

10/15 Sat – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
10/16 Sun – Spokane, WA – Aclub
10/17 Mon – Pullman, WA – BellTower
10/19 Wed – Boise, ID – Neurolux
10/20 Thurs – Provo, UT – Velour
10/21 Fri – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
10/22 Sat – Kansas City, MO – The Record Bar

And pick up some albums, and find out more information about what Rocky has been up to at his WEBSITE.

Neil Nathan [Artist]

Neil Nathan is an impeccably brilliant pop rock mastermind.  Anyone how has ever heard his precarious melodies and savory hooks even just one time can attest to these claims.  The man has an exuberant way about him that simply screams brilliance louder than a protester in Tunisia.  His lyrics are like a hotel key card letting you in on the spiritual adventure that is a continual voyage in Neil’s head.  And ever since said mastermind released his debut album The Distance Calls in the summer of 2010, the voyage has been never-ending.

Everybody has a few tracks in their mental library that always show up during the essential playlist induction to the newest version of iTunes.  For this lowly music blogger, Neil Nathan’s “California Run” makes constant appearances alongside Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” and Blitzen Trapper’s “Below The Hurricane”.  Nathan is undoubtedly on par with some of the greatest singer/songwriters in history.  Whether or not his genius has been fully reprimanded is of no real concern.  He makes brilliant songs, works with brilliant artists, and has the dutiful fortitude to wander down a path littered with of pretentious free prose that can leave you feeling mystified in less than 4 minutes.

And the illustrious Mr. Nathan has proved lately that his talents go far beyond just being a personal storyteller.  With his very own label, Pirate Vinyl, Neil has helped others get their stories told in amazing ways.  His eye for worthy talent is as inscrutable as his ability to pen a brilliant pop song.  He’s helped produce and/or release the likes of fellow folk pop oriented wonders like Susannah Conn, Pete Sinjin, and Caren Le Vine.  And if Neil Nathan’s work has intrigued you in any way, before or after reading this fanboy expose of the guy, it would definitely behoove you check out his cohorts of excellence.

Whether you realize it our not, everybody yearns for some sort of personal experience with musicians.  When you hear a

song that completely grabs you by the balls/labia, you most likely feel a sudden impulse and wonderment to know why the hell this artist was able to create a track/album/circus act that completely appeals to your wants and desires in life, as well as in music.  It may not entirely make sense to you, but your heart is letting you be had.  Because you need this.  You need fine folks like Neil Nathan telling you that you will be okay/are totally fucked.   This is the power of great music that a man Neil Nathan has probably been in tune with since his inception.  This is great music.  This is brilliance.

Discover all the news, music, and wit you could ever need or want about the great Neil Nathan at his WEBSITE.  

 

 

Sunbeam [Band]

Well alright, alright.  Here we have something special.  We’ve covered the likes of The Ascetic Junkies on Trainwreck’d before.  Therefore you know that pretty indie folk rock holds a serious place in our hearts.  Well, we got another one for you fine folks.  Introducing Portland Oregon’s Sunbeam.  A fancy new group that indulges in the glory of steel drums, sad eyes, and perfected storytelling.  And like the acclaimed AJ’s, this is a group that does an amazing job intermingling the beauty of male/female vocals.  Whenever unity can be found so masterfully done in folk (or any music for that matter), you can rest assure that you have something wonderful spilling out of your auxiliary cords.

Sunbeam is that sort of group that will make the shyest of white dude’s dance the night away, yet feel the poetic pull of such beautiful songs on the scale of Woody Guthrie his early years.  Last August found Sunbeam debuting their genius to the world with the release of the freshman LP, Sunbeam & The Lovely Ghost.  The beautiful old school approach to modern indie-folk the have become known for in the city of Roses has now reached audiences worldwide, and should be for their diligence.  This a project that simply came around due to guitarist/vocalist Brian Hall’s desire to not take himself too seriously, and just have fun with making music, which in turn lead to a project that is seriously awesome.

If you’re looking for a band that is sure to bring on some good feelings whether at your favorite downtown bar, or driving in your crummy car on a crummy day on the way to your absolutely crummy day job, this is the band that will enlighten you in ways that downright need sometimes.  This is good.  This is Sunbeam.

Sunbeam & The Lonely Ghost is available now from the band’s Website, as well as CDBaby and iTunes.  

1776 [Band]

Years ago I considered 1776 one of the finest up and coming group of rock and roll youngsters in the country.  Well, time has only changed a few things for these amazingly talented youths.  Sure they’re not as young as they used to be, but that doesn’t really matter considering they have never really had a youthful sound to begin with.  They are still attached to the likes of The Dandy Warhols and The Hugs via The Dandy’s own label, Beat The World Records.  They’ve grown their hair out a bit, and they may have seen a bit more of the world with a never ending touring schedule, at the very least regular spots in their favorite Portland, Oregon area venues.  Hell, they even scored their very own limited edition chocolate filled themed doughnut at Voodoo Donuts.  Now, if that isn’t impressive, you obviously no nothing about anything.

But, what is most amazing about how far 1776 has come is the advancement in their classic rock styling of songwriting and performing that I never believed they could truly improve upon.  I secretly feared that this is a group with the potential to peak far too early, and be sadly thrown to the wolves of pretentiousness and savage disgust of “could have beens”.  Their style was unique when they first arrived on the streets of Portland.  Sounding old, somewhat bitter, yet totally refreshing, they snuck their way into bars they weren’t allowed to be in to bring old fashion rock and roll, possibly to PBR drinking hipsters initial dismay, but quickly found a way into our hearts.  And if they were simply unique a few years ago, it’s almost impossible to describe them now.

Two years ago, friend and (soon to be) fellow Train Wreck’d contributor, had this to say about the boys at Fensepost.com:

“When performing live the band pulses, and burns through numbers like a lost train careening down a track to hell. This isn’t metal, this isn’t punk, it’s pure rock and roll the way it was meant to be played. If you miss the Stripes and have lost faith in the Kings of Leon, longing for the Youth and Young Manhood to come back, then this band is for you.”

And honestly, nothing has really changed considerably.  Their a bit older, and more experienced these days.  And with that experience, they have managed to take their brand of pure rock and roll, and turn it into something mystically similar to the likes of any super star or rising talent of the late 60’s.  Basically, the song remains the same for 1776, but the progress that the band has made has been amazing.  Now with very little effort, I can easiley say, they can only move up from here.

Find more information and music from the band at their Website, and on Facebook.

Tacocat [Band]

I’ve always had a soft spot for not so angry chick pop-punk.  I know, “chick punk” Susan B. Anthony would kick me from her grave for using the word “chick”, and nobody seems to like being considered “pop-punk”.  But, I will simply call it as I see it, and how I would like to appreciate it.  I’ve always dug groups like Portland’s Forever, Hotpants Romance from the UK, and Juliette Lewis & The Licks from….wherever the hell she thinks she is from (Hollywood?).  But, there is one definitive group that always tops my list of fun filling female oriented fun.  This would definitely be the Seattle based foursome, Tacocat.  Yes, there is a dude in the group (same for The Licks), and he is very talented.  But this is the lady’s hour, and it would absurd to not recognize this factor.

Although Tacocat has received some major praise over the last few years, it seems as though they do not wish to take themselves entirely too serious.  Which is awesome in my book.  They rock out for fun, and for nothing else.  They have an everlasting internet presence, but every single detail is not of the upmost importance.  They’d rather throw a quick quip on Twitter rather than detail every experience they ever encounter in 250 words or less.  They have toured the country over and over (including a strange shared stage with Phish in Montana.  Weird!)  Their songs are heard from here to Shang-ri-la, but again, no big deal right?  You can’t be “punk” or “hip” by giving a shit, right?  Right!

But, people are listening.  Thousands have turned out to see them rock their homeland of Seattle (not official numbers, but a good estimate).  And if you managed to make your way to their Bandcamp and Myspace (remember that?) pages, you are likely to have fallen in love with their hilariously awesome tracks like “Volcano”, “UTI”, or “Psychic Death Cat”.  Their music is quick, astute, and extremely entertaining.  As you would guess as well, it is a live show that would prove most entertaining.  This is where Emily Nokes spills her beautiful venomous words, Eric kills riff after riff, Lelah Maupin murders a kit(ten), and Bree makes us fall in love with ourselves and our inability to dance (maybe, that’s just me?).

It is imperative to subsidize the bulllshit rectal thermometry we are currently forced to endure in the modern day “punk” world.  Even the slightly embracing back alley acts of today have very little to offer that is either genuine, sincere, or at the very least, worth a damn.  Let it be known, it’s not about how damned weird you can be, it’s about the sound, joy, and emotion that can be relinquished when an escape is needed most in order to keep your sanity.  And a group like Tacocat is sure to make you feel great.  Like an Indian haircut/massage or a fresh kick in the teeth, you are definitely going to feel something special when you walk out of a Tacocat show, or stepping out of your beat up Honda Accord your mom still pays the insurance on, humming the last few lines you just heard.  This is the type of friendly chick punk everyone yearns for, whether they know it or not.

In Seattle?  Watch for Tacocat to perform live at EMP for Nevermind Cover Night on October 20th.  They will be performing “Loung Act”.  Discover more from the band’s Website.

The Ascetic Junkies [Band]

There are far too many great things to be said about this band.  I’ve been covering them for years.  Ever since I was a shy puppy of a music blogger digging around the internet (on the newly fashionable social networking site Myspace!), I have been a fan of The Ascetic Junkies.  Yes, it borders along the lines of obsession, but that is for my shrink, not Trainwreck’d.  No matter, it was about high time I put the dear AJ’s in the spotlight once again.

In late 2008, The Ascetic Junkies released One Shoe Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.  This political (and Dracula) driven record turned out to be exactly what I was looking for during a period of political revitalization and the return of self-representation.  And it still holds up to date with the current shift of, well, damn near everything.  Tracks like “A Protest Song” and “Gone Shootin'” are just as relevant.  And maybe even more so, my personal favorite, “Windows Sell The House”.

A year later, around the tail end of ’09, and the beginning of 2010, I fell in love with the (then) free digital EP, Don’t Wait For The Rescue Squad.  It was a simple and quant lead into the magic that was about to come in the near future, but I was smitten.  The two original singles “Jenny Don’t Do That!” and “French Girls” where a phenomenal prequel to the band’s sophomore album that was sure to come.  Both of these tracks still sit somewhere around the top of my favorite AJ tunes, and I hope that when the proverbial Best of The Ascetic Junkies is released, they will be included.

And alas, we have the band’s pinnacle of recordings thus far.  In late 2010, Portland’s favorite Folk/Americana/Awesome band released one of the finest records to have ever come out Hipsterville USA.  This Cage Has No Bottom was a record that is still in my regular playlist.  The Ascetic Junkies took their old styling of passionate folk, and merged it with an indie rock feel that is as purely amazing.  And while I have always been a fan of lead songstress Kali Giaritta’s tantalizing vocals, it is her cohort (and now, husband!) Matt Harmon on “Water From Wine”, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest songs EVER written.  I say this with much ease, and little regret.  It is that damn good.  Matt has always been heard vocally on the band’s work (see the extremely catchy “Kali, All I Do” from their first record), but he absolutely kills it on this track, and several more spots throughout This Cage Has No Bottom.

The Ascetic Junkies are a non-stop dynasty in Portland, OR and their influence has successfully spread across the land as well.  They’ve landed a sweet gig during BIKETOBEERFEST alongside fellow PDX folk royal family, Jared Mees & The Grown Children on September 17th.  And Jared Mees and company can also be found with The Ascetic Junkies and other fine groups on the on insanely popular PDX Pop 2011 compilation album.  It’s been an amazing road for these amazing folk/bluegrass/punk/pop/whiskeystomp , whatever you want to call them, artists.  And the momentum is far from over.  Undoubtedly this is a group that will continue to shine brighter than a starlit sky for years to come.  Tremendously fascinating music such as this can never fade away.

If you find yourself in the Potland area on September 16th & 17th.  Do not forsake your oppurtunity to see The Ascetic Junkies live!

September 16th @ The Christmas Horse w/BELLS (San Francisco)

September 17th @ HopWorks for the 3rd Annual BikeToBeerFest w/Jared Mees & The Grown Children and The Wonderlust Circus

And of course, you can catch them all over the town, somewhere here or there.  Keep updated at the band’s WEBSITE.