Underhill Rose - Something Real

Molly Rose, Eleanor Underhill and Salley Williamson

Underwood Rose album 'Something Real' is something real special, something wonderfully engaging and something you will return to often. Released today and available on CDBaby and Bandcamp. 

Underhill Rose blends aspects of Americana, rhythm and blues, country and bluegrass into an authentic sound that is all their own. These female troubadours’ original songs are wrapped in three-part harmonies and packaged with an eye-catching stage presence. The smoky voice of Eleanor Underhill joined with the soaring vocals of Molly Rose and the country twang of Salley Williamson creates a sound that can only be described as “heartfelt country soul.” Playing banjo and harmonica, guitar, and upright bass respectively, the trio has carved out a place in the Americana scene with songs that run the gamut from heart wrenching to sassy and playful to thought-provoking. The music is real and inspired, rooted in everything life has thrown at Asheville, North Carolina’s pre-eminent female trinity. 

Album Release Celebration 5/31 at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall in Asheville at 8:30pm. Tickets are $12 (cash) at the door. For more information, please visit isisasheville.com.

Good Morning Spider - A Peg in the Hole

Valentina Mazzarelli - Viktor Rinneby 

Good Morning Spider - 'A Peg in the Hole' is a delicious blend of psychedelia and folk with Indian influences that immerse the listener in entrancing melodic cosmic sounds. Available on Bandcamp for name your price.

The Bailey Hounds - All the Blood in the World

Ryan Petrillo | Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Organ, & Harmonica 

Gary Lebiedzinski | Drums & Percussion 

Vince Federici | Guitar 

Chris Cardillo | Bass 

Following up the band’s 2011 stellar debut ‘Along the Gallows’ The Bailey Hounds second album ‘All the Blood in the World’ expands on their macabre cemetery blues and gothic Americana themes touched on in that album. Ryan’s harmonious raspy vocals set a dark sagacious fireside storyteller mood, while
Vince’s superb guitar work, with Chris and Gary hitting heavy on bass and drums turn these six ballads into outright blues rockers.

They will be returning to their favorite ‘haunt’, Laurel Hill Cemetery on June 8th

The band celebrates the release of All the Blood in the World at Johnny Brenda’s on July 13th, but you can stream the whole thing below, and buy it for download at The Bailey Hounds’ Bandcamp page.

Track List: 

1. Late Demon Rum
2. Ghosts of Sun Valley
3. Hell Ain't Forever
4. Cocytus
5. Dead & Gone
6. Book of Pagan Rituals

The Bailey Hounds – Those Devils Don’t Scare Me for Couch By Couchwest 2012

Lexington Field – No Man’s War

Members:

Beau Gray – Vocals, Guitar

Cami Smith – Violin

Bryan Hane – Lead Guitar

Casey Jones – Bass

Vincent West – Drums

A unique blend of Irish folk with an aggressive punk sound that never strays far from outright rocking and rolling. This band shreds genre’s and masterfully puts the pieces back together in what they aptly call American fiddle rock. Part of the San Diego music scene since 2007,  Lexington Field are releasing their second full-length album, No Man’s War, on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 on New Folk Records, in conjunction with Blind Eye Records. Both labels are based out of Minneapolis, MN.
Lead singer Beau Gray, had the following to say about the new album.

No Man’s War is the ultimate American Fiddle Rock album. These 14 songs are dynamic, heartfelt, emotional, and very high-energy. It was an honor to work with such talented musicians during this whole project and to have Jose Pimienta return to provide amazing artwork. Jeff Berkley and Gavin Lurssen are top notch professionals and truly captured our sound. We are so excited to share our American Fiddle Rock songs with the rest of the world!

No Man’s War features guest appearances by singer-songwriter Steve Poltz (vocals), Veronica May from The Lovebirds (vocals), Dennis Caplinger (banjo), Anthony Belluto from Horde of Sirens (guitar), Josh Linden from Hoist the Colors (mandolin & vocals) and Matt Maulding from Brick Top Blaggers (accordion).


Track listing:

Fiddle Fister
American Crow
Daniel Plainview Has a Drinking Problem
Crazy Eyes
Fireworks
Rest of Our Days
Dear Old Friend
Variation on Promontory
The Chemical Worker’s Song
Here’s To You
Cursing The Man
Pioneer
Lady Arlington
Tumble

Biography
Lexington Field is an American Fiddle Rock band from San Diego, CA. Formed in 2009, they have played hundreds of shows across the United States. In 2011, they released their debut album, “Old Dirt Road”. This was quickly followed by their highly regarded EP,”Poor Troubled Life”, in 2012. Both albums are distributed through New Folk Records based out of Minnesota. Lexington Field is about to release their sophomore full length album, “No Man’s War”, in Spring of 2013. These San Diego Fiddle Rockers have shared the stage with awesome bands such as the Young Dubliners, Old Man Markley, The Mahones, The Tossers, Hoist The Colors, The Ramshackle Army, The Fisticuffs, The Langer’s Ball, Hounds of Finn, Brick Top Blaggers, and many more acts across the country! Lexington Field embraces the best of North American musical elements such as rock, punk, country, bluegrass, Americana and folk and mixes in a fiddle to capture a unique and memorable sound. Along with their high energy live show, they give their fans an amazing musical experience!

One Mile An Hour

There are certain places one can only get to by roads inward, seemingly traveled alone they are not, like minded souls gather ephemerally then drift off in their own directions but wiser from the brief shared moments. These roads are best traveled one mile an hour with minds wide open. The debut album from this British three piece band fronted by vocalist Jeff Kightly One Mile An Hour is a signpost for this journey and you should heed the sign. Put on the big headphones lay on the floor and light up a joint.

We Are The West Vol. II

The Los Angeles-based duo Brett Hool & John Kibler, We Are The West have recorded in storm drains and shipping containers, performed on sheep farms and in abandoned convents, and now hosts a concert series in the underground parking garage of an office building in Santa Monica the Saturday night before each full moon. Their second in a four-part album of recordings is now complete and available, recorded in a barn in Western New York during the summer months it features three beautifully crafted songs rich in textured layers of visuals and sound, it’s as warm and comfortable as a handmade quilt.






UPCOMING SHOWS:
1 June       Winston’s                        San Diego, CA
9p                w/ The Heavy Guilt  

15 June     Underground Series    Santa Monica. CA
8p                w/ Greg Johnson      

18 June     Firecreek                            Flagstaff, AZ
8p

19 June     Orpheum Theater               Flagstaff, AZ
8p                w/Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers

22 June     TBA                                     Detroit, MI
                    w/ The Royal Grand Band

Desolation Angels “Hell Or Highwater”

Dan McKernan - guitar/vocals; Erik Pelto - drums/guitar; John "Wolf" Abel - bass. 

“So shut up, live, travel, adventure, bless and don't be sorry”
― Jack Kerouac, Desolation Angels

I spent a month with this album one day. From heart pumping in your hands ballads to whack a mole upside the head country rockers, surf riffs pounded against rock breakers until they’re just splintered wood and cuts and bruises in between, Desolation Angels “Hell Or Highwater” packs a wallop of kick ass and I'm a glutton for ass whopping’s. Get it! Available on Amazon, iTunes, CdBaby and other online retailers.


1. Hellbound
2. Ghost (Of Packard '39)
3. Freightliner with Emily Rose
4. Another Day
5. Morning Comes To Call
6. Kansas
7. Even If He's Wrong
8. Stuck Here With You
9. Tulsa
10. Try Try Try
11. No Place Left (To Turn)
12. Water Into Wine

Recorded over two years at the White Room and Pretty Suite Recording Studios, the album runs the gamut of alt country styling, from rockabilly rave-ups (Try Try Try, Kansas) to pure country balladry (Freightliner, Tulsa), retro outlaw throwbacks (Even If He’s Wrong) to the cowpunk of the album’s first single “Hellbound.” Said drummer Erik Pelto, “There are so many different subgenres in Americana we enjoy, we let the song dictate the style rather than vice versa.”

The Desolation Angels started in 2001 by McKernan and includes drummer Pelto, lead guitarist Josh Weddle and bassist John “Wolf” Abel, who is also in Detroit bands The Infatuations and Bat On Fire. The Desolation Angels have toured regionally for several years including the east coast and Midwest

Boxed Wine - Cheap, Fun

Chris Mactire- Vocals/Rhythm Guitar

Ralph Nicastro- Lead Guitar

Mike Cerisano- Bass

Steve McCarthy- Drums

Back in January we got a taste of what to expect on Jersey's Masters of the Dancer's Boxed Wine's debut LP when they dropped three rambunctious, infectious dance floor popkers on us, well here it is and they delivered big time extending the party well into the wee hours of the morning with ten toe sliding, hip shakin' body contortionist grab a partner groovers of melodious magic! Get it, unpack it and let the party begin!




In March the lads were a big hit at Couch By Couchwest leading to a spontaneous twitterspere couch moving and shaking outbreak.

Nikki Sue & the Bad News - NEW Album 'Nothing Gold'

I swoon, my knees turn to rubber and I melt into my socks listening to the sassy and spirited Gem of Jersey. Nikki Sue and the Bad News, their new album 'Nothing Gold' drops May 23rd, featuring three new songs and a fresh take on songs from 2011's Anchored EP, grab this wickedly good single 'Leave It All Behind' below. Album Release Show May 24th at Clash Bar in Clifton NJ with Don Ryan, Band of Mountains, and Farewell Luna. Party starts at 9:30pm.


1) Anchored
2) Best Of Men
3) Bridge Bt The River
4) Knockin' At My DooR
5) Leave It All Behind
6) Nothing Gold
7) Spittin' Lies
8) Who Needs Enemies


Here’s New Jersey’s Nikki Sue and The Bad News premiering the new song 'Nothing Gold'. Nikki and co. are accompanied on the couch by Mr. Buddy Big Rig,

Mother Merey and the Black Dirt - Debut Album 'Down to the River'

Mother Merey Kimbrough (washboard/vocals), Eric Witthans (dobro/vocals) and Kevin Allen (harp/vocals)


There is something raw, primal and pure about Austin band, Mother Merey and The Black Dirt, with Eric strangling the Dobro and Kevin playing harp like it’s implanted in his throat, they reach right into your gut as Merey’s sizzling vocals take the Delta Blues and squeeze fresh drops of sweat and blood from them. Pay attention, Mother Merey and The Black Dirt are the real deal.

The album opens with the playful ‘Chicken Scrabble’, a song they performed at Couch By Couchwest in a chicken pen.  On the title track ‘Down To The River’ Merey beckons like a pied piper begging us to go down to the river, as the dobro and harp move our feet jollily in compliance. ‘Front Porch’ and ‘Old Rope’ highlight the minimalist approach and great vocal harmonies the three achieve on many of the songs, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Allen says it’s a tribute old-time roots. “All the old folk and blues songs only needed one riff,” he explains. “If you find another riff, you write another song.”
‘In The Fortune’, ‘Family Home’ and ‘Mother Merey's Hymnal’ feature Eric’s beautifully subtle picking and Kevin’s bluesy harping interplaying with Merey’s sweet lamentatious vocals.
On ‘Trouble In Mind’ you can feel the ghosts of bluesmen past hauntingly wandering the fields seeking out, who is this young lady with the bodacious voice capturing our souls and breathing new life, following that ‘Whistlin' up the Road’ with it’s beautiful gospel harmonies, the band is telling us ‘this is the way to go, follow us’ And I will, Mother Merey and the Black Dirt are taking wild ancient roots and planting them firmly in fresh rich black dirt and from it sprouts delicious fruit.

Mother Merey and the Black Dirt - Down to the River
self-released
Available for purchase on iTunes, Spotify, and Bandcamp May 22nd, 2013.
Produced by Justin Douglas
Engineered, Mixed, and Mastered by Justin Douglas at Shine Studios in Austin, Texas



1. Chicken Scrabble
2. Down to the River
3. Front Porch
4. Old Rope
5. In the Fortune
6. Family Home
7. Mother Merey's Hymnal
8. Trouble in Mind
9. Whistlin' up the Road
10. John Henry
11. Take It In

Release Party> "Down to the River" on May 29th, 2013 at Antone's with some very special guests. $5 in advance / $7 at the door.

 50 Limited Edition 180 gram VINYL TEST PRESSINGS of "Down to the River" available for purchase the night of the party, so be sure to get there early to get your copy. 

The night will also include a cranky show, on-site screen printing of our new t-shirts, a whiskey toast, and special guest performances. Live stream and download of the show will be available through www.dejaset.com!

Mother Merey and The Black Dirt – Chicken Scrabble at Couch By Couchwest 2013

Lambchop at Warsaw in Brooklyn (June 16)

New friend of the blog Robert Johnson, (ScenicNYC and Scenic Presents.) is bringing Kurt Wagner of “Nashville’s most fucked-up country band” Lambchop to Warsaw in Brooklyn 261 Driggs Ave on Sunday June 16th as part of the 2013 Northside Festival. Get Tickets Here 

The band’s eleventh studio album Mr. M released early in 2012 is dedicated to late friend and musical collaborator Vic Chestnutt, who passed away on Christmas Day 2009. Wagner explained of Mr. M’s genesis…

“As I worked, I was approached by Mark Nevers [former full time band member & producer for the likes of Andrew Bird and Will Oldham] with the idea of making another Lambchop record. He had a concept of a sound and a method that worked with the tone of my writing. His idea was a kind of ‘psycha-Sinatra’ sound, one that involved the arranging of strings and other sounds in a more open and yet complex way.

“It was a studio creation, not a type of recording based on band performance, and this was a radical approach for us. I felt Lambchop had one more good record in us, and this time I was going to do things as directly and true to my desires as possible.”

It’s been nearly two decades since Lambchop released its first album, at the time pronouncing itself “Nashville’s most fucked-up country band.” Provocative it may have been, but the description made sense: at the heart of all that ruckus was a band at once defying and embracing the musical legacy of its hometown. Since then, Lambchop has evolved into an accomplished ensemble, adding palpable depth and substance to singer-songwriter-guitarist Kurt Wagner’s songs—and the band sounds as commanding as ever on its 11th album, Mr. M, a collection of meditations on love and loss and the detritus of everyday existence.

As on past Lambchop records, many of the songs on Mr. M are framed with lush strings, and there’s a restrained undercurrent of distortion and discord. The core of the music remains the cyclical picking of Wagner’s guitar and the soft, warm croaking of his voice. The songs are spacious, even dreamy, as on the Countrypolitan instrumental “Gar,” while the lyrics and titles are rich with allusions, some of them obvious, others seemingly unknowable.

For the fifth year in a row, Northside Music (June 13-16) is bringing 350 bands in a span of four dizzying days to nearly every music venue across Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Click here for the first look at our 2013 bands including Ava Luna, Black Flag (feat. Greg Ginn and Jealous Again-era vocalist Ron Reyes), Iceage, Kylesa, Lambchop, Mac DeMarco, Merchandise, The Men, Milk Music, Nü Sensae, Sonny & the Sunsets, Swans, The Toasters, Twin Sister, White Fence and another 300 are on the way.

The Northside Festival Needs Volunteers! 

You can score a Northside Music badge (valued at a cool $80) for literally no money at all. All that we ask is that you join the Northside Fest team as a volunteer. To sign up to be a Northside volunteer, click here. 

Morning River Band NEW Album 'To Suzie'

Morning River Band's latest release, To Suzie, described by Fields as “an ode to good riddance,” was inspired by encounters with George Jones and Jim Beam.

I am sure a lot will be made of ‘A country band from Philly?’ but let’s get past all that, this is a drinkers band from Philly. While known for great songs of booze and blues, there is a glimpse of insight and depth of character on this album that show potential for a leap of growth from the band.  Two songs stripped naked and vulnerable, the instrumental opening Suzie’s Theme and the gospel cappella track ‘Bury Me’ along with ‘Lefty’s Last Stand’ and ‘A Broken Hearted Man’ hint at the underlying seriousness the lads take to their craft. On ‘Hangover Blues’ guest vocalist Morgan Caulfield adds her twangy honky tonk Mae West meets Loretta Lynn attitude singing, “I wonder if the savior ever drank too much of that wine / I'm sure he would if he were broke like me and cryin' all the time.” And of course there are the two signature ode’s to the spirits ‘Drinking Blues, No. 4 (Pills & Pabst Blue Ribbon)’ and Drinking Blues, No. 5 (Drinking Every Day)
The closer ‘So Long, Suzie (The Damage Is Done)’ sounds like something that could have been on the The Bands Basement Tapes.
If you’re a fan of the band you will be excited about the growth and maturity of their third release, if you are new to the band this is a perfect album that highlights what they do best, make damn good music no matter how you classify it.

To Suzie will be released on May 21, 2013—digitally via Bandcamp, iTunes, and CDBaby, and on limited-edition colored vinyl.



1. Suzie's Theme
2. Lefty's Last Blues
3. A Broken-Hearted Man
4. Drinking Blues, No. 4 (Pills & Pabst Blue Ribbon)
5. Bury Me (Vocal)
6. Drinking Blues, No. 5 (Drinking Every Day)
7. Hangover Blues
8. Requiem for Suzie
9. So Long, Suzie (The Damage Is Done)

Morning River Band is Denny Barron: bass, vocals; Jeffrey Fields: acoustic guitar, vocals; Arthur Herrmann: dobro, Weissenborn; Philip Kunkle: drums, percussion; with Morgan Caulfield: ukulele, vocals; Lou DiDomencio: vocals; Sean Grexa: mandolin; Joe Kille: fiddle, vocals; Dino Lionetti: organ, piano, vocals; Bob Saunders, vocals; Steve Shomo: vocals. 

Recorded in July and October 2012 by Matt Weber and Steve Poponi at Gradwell House, Haddon Heights, NJ. Mixed by Steve Poponi and Morning River Band. Mastered by Dave Downham. Artwork by Denny Barron.

Morning River Band (Record-Release Show)

The Miners

John Train (Record-Release Show)

Fri, May 17, 2013 at Milkboy Philly

Doors: 8:30 pm / Show: 9:30 pm

$10.00 in advance

The Doctor is out...of his mind! The Mad Doctors Fuzz Tonic

Photo by Cody Buesing

Dr. Seth Applebaum - Gtr/Vox

Dr. Josh Park - Bass/Vox

Dr. Gregory X - Drums

Cauldron’s boil and bubble as the smell of sterno and surfboard wax waft through the air and create a mist that swirls up to the rafters, eerily reflecting the haze of a dim city street light. Lo-Fi tubes flicker and glow hot and red, crackling as sonic riffs pulse and reverberate through them. Monstrous notes and melody’s blast against each other like subatomic particles shooting through the Hadron Collider. The Higgs Boson is a Fuzz Tonic and The Mad Doctors are going to release it upon the world May 31st via a limited-run cassette release by North Carolina's Doctor Gone Records.

Vocalist/guitarist Dr. Seth Applebaum, bassist Dr. Josh Park, and drummer Dr. Gregory X make up The Mad Doctors; a fusion of retro aesthetics, furious energy, and songs about barbecue. Self-described as psychofuzz, the band is a hairy snot rocket of garage punk, surf rock, and psychedelia smashed into a disgusting blender in some backwoods shanty.





MAD DOCTORS FUZZ TONIC EP RELEASE PARTY
Fri. 5/31 - Bowery Electric, Manhattan, NY
w/ Graveyard Lovers

NORTHSIDE UNOFFICIAL SHOWCASE
Sat. 6/15 - Ran Tea House, Brooklyn, NY
w/ The End Men, The Living Kills, Stolen Girls, and 45 Adapters

Thur. 6/26 - Don Pedro, Brooklyn, NY
w/ Rich Hands (TX)

Sat. 6/29 - Lamp Post Bar, Jersey City, NJ
w/ Wax Darts

Sat. 7/13 - Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY
w/ The Mess Around

Kickstart The Blind Owl Band's 2nd Album

Rabble Rousing Couch By Couchwest favorites The Blind Owl Band  have announced the will be releasing their 2nd album July10th featuring 13 new orginal songs. They have just launched a Kickstarter Project to help raise the funds needed to get this album out on time. Thes guys are the best! Check out the hilarious video below and Kick In!


Touring in support of the Kickstarter Project from May 16 to May 26.  Please check us out on one of these dates.
- May 16 - Atwoods Tavern, Cambridge, MA
- May 17 - Pizza Stone, Chester, VT
- May 18 - Strawberry Jam, Northville, NY
- May 18 - Olive Ridley's, Plattsburgh, NY with Lucid
- May 19 - The Wherehouse, Newburgh, NY
- May 20 - The Living Room, NYC, NY
- May 21 - Free Range Busking Day??????
- May 22 - Underground Arts, Philly, PA with The Brummy Brothers
- May 23 - The River St. Jazz Cafe, Wilkes-Barre, PA
- May 24 - Touch Fest 2013!! South ADK's
- May 25 - The Dutch Treat, Franconia, NH
- May 26 - Rosa Flamingo's, Bethlehem, NH
- May 26 - Red Square, Burlington, VT

Formed in 2011 by Jersey lads Eric Munley (Mandolin, Vocals), Christian Cardiello (Bass) and Arthur Buezo (Guitar, Vocals), James Ford (Banjo, Vocals) from Connecticut.  They all met up together in the Adirondacks at Paul Smiths College, jamming on cheap instruments and bangin’ on trash cans the chemistry clicked and they were soon honing their craft playing live at local clubs. The result of that is this fantastic debut album ‘Rabble Rousing’ released January 2012, it is apparent that the stars aligned for these young men and we are fortunate for that.

Couch By Couchwest 2013 Session

"Rabble Rousing" is the Blind Owl Band Debut album and was released independently Jan 28, 2012. Rabble Rousing covers the first year of writing of the Blind Owl Band and consists of 13 songs. Available 'name your price'

The Express & Company - Debut Full Length 'Ontario'

Dylan Ireland ~ Guitar/Vocals

Melissa Payne ~ Fiddle/Vocals

Benj Rowland ~ Accordian/Banjo

Liam Wilson ~ Bass

Joe Hay ~ Drums

Right off the bat the debut full length 'Ontario' from ON based singer/songwriter Dylan Ireland and fiddle player Melissa Payne Express & Company hits you in your giddy yup bone.  Fast paced, knee bouncing and delightfully danceable with joyful vocal harmonies and rambunctious fiddle playing and the good timey rhythm section of Joe Hay (drums) and Liam Wilson (bass), as well the brilliant multi-instrumentalist in Benj Rowland, this is an album that keeps your attention from start to finish.
Released March '13 and available at Seventh Fire Records and on iTunes. 


1) Carry Me Along
2) The List
3) Ontario
4) Gold in Your Pockets
5) The Last Stand
6) Tall, Tall Pines
7) Montreal
8) Out By the Trees
9) Where Will You Bury Me

As a touring band with Melissa Payne on Fiddle, Joe Hay on Drums, Liam Wilson on Bass and multi-instrumentalist Benj Rowland, they have played over 200 shows including the Mariposa Folk Festival and South by Southwest. Enchanting audiences with electric, energetic concerts and playing alongside bands such as The Sadies, Whitehorse, Jenn Grant and Greg Keelor have allowed a true, organic sound to develop. As well, performances as a duo have allowed Dylan and Melissa to present their songs in a more intimate and theatrical manner. Dylan keeps the beat with his bass drum while also delivering on his vocal and guitar duties, while Melissa completes the experience with fiddle, rhythm guitar and harmonies.

Upcoming Shows:
Sat. May 25th @ The Red Dog w/ Kirty & Melissa Payne, Peterborough, Ontario (10pm)
Wed. June 12th @ C’est What (NXNE), Toronto, Ontario (9pm)
Sat. June 15th @The Central (NXNE), Toronto, Ontario (Midnight)
Fri. June 21st @ The Stinking Rose, Campbellford, Onatrio (9pm)
Sat. June 22nd @ Sessions on the River, Fort Erie, Ontario (7pm)
Fri. June 28th @ The Red Dog, Peterborough, Ontario (10pm)

Maynard and the Musties - West

Couch By Couchwest 2013 Alumni Maynard and the Musties have just released a new EP 'West'
A very cool assortment of songs that highlight this Brooklyn bands unigue style. Catch them live May 31st at Hank's Saloon 46 3rd Ave (corner of Atlantic Ave), Brooklyn NY
No cover, just swamp-rocky good times!

1. Big News, I'm Cryin'
2. Tin of Tea
3. The Killer Inside Me
4. Love, My Love

4-songs recorded at Bruce Harvie's Olgabowl Studio, Orcas Island, WA in October of 2012.
released 21 May 2013 
Joe Maynard - vocals, guitar 
Bruce Harvie - lead guitar, lap steel, mandolin, tamborine 
Melody Funk - bass, background vocals 
Andrew Moore - Drums 

Couch By Couchwest 2013 - Maynard & The Musties – Pine Box

Feel Bad For You Mix Tape - May 2013

A whole lot of recent releases mixed with some oldies but goodies from our favorite Connoisseurs of harmonious sound indulgenceurs. You know what to do.
As always, comments are welcome. If the comments aren’t wild enough, you aren’t drinking enough. Thanks  (@popa2unes) for this month’s artwork. Download

1. Title: The Waist and The Knees
Artist: Game Theory
Album (1987): Lolita Nation 
Submitted By: Scott Emmons (@BoogieStudio22)
Comments: Scott Miller, of Game Theory and Loud Family, died on April 15. That kind of bummed me out because we are about the same age and I enjoyed his music. In 1987 I was several years out of college and immersed in the alternative music scene of the San Francisco Bay Area. I first remember hearing Game Theory’s song, “The Real Sheila”, on the San Jose, CA college station KSJS. Lolita Nation was an album of 27 tracks that demanded you listen from start to finish. It still does. In my mind, Lolita Nation is their finest album. Though “The Real Sheila” was probably better known from that album, I selected “The Waist and The Knees”. If you are interested, you can download all the (out of print) Game Theory albums here: http://www.loudfamily.com/index.html 

2. Title: Somebody Else
Artist: JJ Grey & Mofro
Album (2013): This River
Submitted By: Bryan Childs (ninebullets.net)
Comments: A murder ballad you can fuck to. How is that ever wrong?

3. Title: Kiss
Artist: Scout Niblett (w/Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy)
Album (2007): This Fool Can Die Now
Submitted By: @tincanman2010
Comments: Scout says she falls in love too easily and then over-romanticizes it. Out now on a Murder By Death Kickstarter promise, and I like the band but she wrote this for her and Will to sing and thus it shall remain.

4. Title: Lower Places
Artist: Nikki Sue & The Bad News
Album (2012): Lower Places
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Lately all I want in my ears are female musicians, and fortunately there is now an abundance of them, Nikki Sue & The Bad News are two time Couch By Couchwest alumni this year they premiered a brand new unreleased song ‘Nothing Gold’ for us. She’s going be the new sweetheart of New Jersey and I hope she makes it big.

5. Title: Stormy Monday
Artist: Stoned Jesus
Album (2012): Seven Thunders Roar
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: The music of this Ukranian stoner rock/metal band appeals to me because it is presented simply and without pretense. It just fucking rocks. For a real sonic treat, head over to last.fm and check out “I’m The Mountain”, which is also a free download
http://www.last.fm/music/Stoned+Jesus/_/I%27m+the+Mountain

6. Title: Fox in the Hen House
Artist: Quaker City Night Hawks
Album (2013): Honcho
Submitted By: @mikeorren
Comments: Quaker City Night Hawks may be the best thing going in Dallas / Fort Worth right now and finally popped out a studio album that matches the energy of the live show.

7. Title: Ring of Fire
Artist: 37 Targetz
Album: (1986) And It Burns                                                                                               Submitted By: toomuchcountry                                                                                              Comments: Some may be ready to burn me at the stake for this rendition of the iconic number written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore. But hear me out. I moved to Chattanooga TN in the mid 80s to start my legit adult contribution to the American Way. Upon landing, my friends and I were directed to a local bar called Yesterday’s. And the one band we HAD to see when they came home was 37 Targetz. The Targetz – with the deliberate “z”- submitted a clip to MTV’s Basement Tapes (back when videos were aired on MTV). In a case of the local kids made good, their video won based on viewers’ phone votes (hard to imagine no texting, websites, likes, or RTs). They struck a deal to record an album, and it was produced by Don Dixon. Called Another Day in Europe, it was released as “…And It Burns” in the US – at least in the limited markets in which it was available. Yesterday’s had live bands every weekend. Management required just about all of them to be cover bands, but 37 Targetz was one of the rare exceptions. When they rotated back home every so often and hit the cramped stage, all of us in the shoulder-to-shoulder bar went to our feet in our chairs and busted a move for the rest of the night with the hopes no one would topple to the floor (though there was always at least one). A synthesized Ring of Fire doesn’t move the needle today. But in the mid 80s when 37 Targetz’ amps were cranked to 11 at midnight in the Nooga, the beer was flowing and ears were ringing.

8. Title: Swing Wide the Gates
Artist: Raina Rose — http://rainarose.com/
Album (2013): Caldera
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: I submitted one of Raina’s tunes a few months ago off of the excellent Elliott, Rose, Da Costa EP called CA TX NY. But this tune comes from her upcoming album Caldera, out June 11. I got a copy early for backing on Kickstarter, and I’ve listened to it dozens of times already — it’s a great record, and right up there as an early candidate for album of the year for me. If you dig singer-songwriter music, you want this album.

9. Title: Spring Fever
Artist: Teen Getaway
Album: (2013): Hits and Missives 

Submitted by: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)
Comments: Teen Getaway is a Birmingham band that’s been around and off and on for a long long time. They go super waaaay back with the Glossary gang. Pre-Beene even…house party days. We’re damn proud to get this out into the world. It’ll be released on TIAM in a month or so.

10. Title: Think Of You
Artist: Bleached
Album (2011): Carter 7″ (single)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: I think this is a nice “almost summer” song, it’s been out for a year or two, but I just came across the video for this song around a month ago and I really liked it. You can check that out here: http://youtu.be/–PGy31IeI4

11. Title: Trap Door
Artist: Strand of Oaks
Album  (2012): Dark Shores
Submitted By: Beldo/@TheSecondSingle
Comments: One of the great unsung albums of last year. This guy is getting better every time out.

12. Title: Hello It’s Me
Artist: Todd Rundgren
Album (1972): Something/Anything?
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments:

13. Title: Until the Led
Artist: Vic Chesnutt
Album: (1998): Sounds of the New West / The Salesman & Bernadette                      Submitted By: Simon2307                                                                                          Comments: First heard this on a compilation album CD that came with Uncut magazine, it was one of a number of tracks on the CD that sent me in search of some great music, I hadn’t listened to the track or album for some time then I had cause recently to mention Weightless Again by The Handsome Family in a blog post about their new album and had to dig out the CD for a spin, great tune.

14. Title: You Can Have The Crown
Artist: Sturgill Simpson
Album  (2013): High Top Mountain ( to be released June 11)
Submitted by: Mando Lines
Comments: Sturgill Simpson’s voice is pure country. He’s having some fun with this song, but his stuff ranges the spectrum of old-school country and is certainly worth a listen.

15. Title: River Rose
Artist: Meat Puppets
Album  (2013): Rat Farm
Submitted By: Ryan
Comments: If you were a fan of the original Pups but haven’t been keeping track of them since Kurt and Kris reunited back in 2007 – you’re missing out. They’ve put out four strong albums since then and the most recent, Rat Farm, is excellent. I could have chosen any song off of this one, but “River Rose” is pretty sweet. The Meat Puppets are one of those bands that always sound like themselves without having to recycle the same ideas over and over again.

16. Title: Cruel Movements
Artist: JoDee Purkeypile
Album  (2013): Messenger
Submitted by: erschen
Comments: The guy sure has an odd name but man does he have some power pop chops

17. Title: Signal 30
Artist: Public Service Broadcasting
Album  (2013): Inform-Educate-Entertain
Submitted By: Mad Mackerel Music Blog
Comment: We’ve been playing this non-stop since we first got it. Brilliant use of cut-up samples and sound clips over the most incredible riff makes it an insane driving song – real foot to the floor stuff. Dive in!

18. Title: Give Me Back My Wig
Album: Hound Dog Taylor & the House Rockers
Artist: Hound Dog Taylor
Submitted by: Gorrck
Comment: Old school Chicago blues. No blues here. 90F and sunny!

Popa Podcasts! Mental Noirishments #2

There is a streetlight outside my second floor window, cars are humming by, in the night somewhere far off someone is playing a Popa Tunes Podcast, the glow of the streetlight illuminates the sidewalk, cracked pavement and trashcans, beat cats howl in the night, sirens from somewhere, the wind blows a bag.  I can hear the light from the streetlight itself whistling in tune with the songs; it hums and buzzes with electric resonance affirming the constant struggle it faces of staying lit. I turn on the computer and search for the podcast I hear faintly from a distant open window…. Join me for episode two of Mental Noir-ishments. Play it or get it.

Artist	Song
Andre Williams & The Sadies	I Gotta Get Shorty Out Of Jail
Shakey Graves	Roll The Bones (Live @ Bismeaux Studios)
The Way Low Down	Dead Man's Hand
Brown Bird	Bligewater
The Dirt Daubers	Wake Up Sinners
North of Malibu	Backwash
Chicken Snake	I Am A Lonesome Hobo
Scott H. Biram	Hang Your Head And Cry
Lydia Loveless	Can't Change Me
Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy	Mama's Little Baby
The Legendary Kid Combo	Hangman
Whiskey Folk Ramblers	Gambling Preacher and His Daughter
Skeletons In The Piano	The Price Put On You
The Black Market Merchants	Dark Water
Escondido	Evil Girls
J. Tex & The Volunteers	The Ballad Of My Brother & Me
The Peculiar Pretzelmen	Money Mcgillicutty
The Imperial Rooster	Overunderstimulated
Eli Cook	Draggin' My Dogs
Justin and the Salty Dogs	Po' Farmer
Morning River Band	So Long, Suzie (The Damage Is Done)

The Fate Of The World Depends On This Kiss - Whitehorse

The husband and wife duo Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland comprise Ontario's Whitehorse, the musical chemistry on their latest release ‘The Fate Of The World Depends On This Kiss’ seeps like intoxicating vapors from a beaker on a hot Bunsen burner.  Capable of compounding a various range of music into a unique blend of rock and roll, the album wanders about from the psychedelic-meets-Spaghetti Western scorcher of “Achilles’ Desire” and the popish Série Noire "Devil’s Got A Gun” and ‘Jane’  to the  gorgeous harmonious folk ballad, ‘Cold July’ and haunting ‘Mexico Texaco’ to the rockers ‘Peterbilt Coalmine’ and ‘Radiator Blues’ with a cohesiveness bound together by riveting guitar and Melissa’s fiery vocals all on full display in the song  ‘No Glamour In The Hammer’

Most definitely added to the bands to watch from the great white North list and another fine release from Six Shooter Records.



1. Achilles’ Desire
2. Devil’s Got A Gun
3. Mismatched Eyes (Boat Song)
4. Peterbilt Coalmine
5. Cold July
6. Jane
7. Out Like A Lion
8. No Glamour In The Hammer
9. Radiator Blues
10. Annie Lu
11. Wisconsin
12. Mexico Texaco