RUBY THE HATCHET-VALLEY OF THE SNAKE-

As I dig in to the great Stoner/doom/blues/psych era of 2010´s much of my surprise is the rerun of ´70s sound and heaviness. Released in 2015 this outfit originates from New Jersey US and has been relocating to Philadelphia later on. This is their second release and a deeper dive into the Stoner/blues/doom rock sound they have been exploring through constant touring.

The band features guitarist Johnny Scarps, drummer Owen Stewart, bassist Mike Parise, and keyboard player Sean Hur, and is trademarked by the personal, dynamic vocalist Jillian Taylor.The producing is just top notch for the genre and the perfect mix between guitar and vocals grow on you, just like a snakebite! Impressive work. The bass/drum cooperative is as good as the next on but doesn´t stand out in any way. Songs are strong but a bit “avarage” and with a resemblence of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Some taste of Pentagram is also hinted here. A good album but a bit anonymous.

There are many bands in the same swimming pool such as; Electric Citizen, Asteroid, Vidunder, Horisont, Kadavar and so on..The thing is this: It will take endurance and good managing to get through the competition. There is no short on talent but as I wrote erlier, there will be a thin line not to be labelled “A rerun” from the 70´s.

Whatabout the drummer, Owen Stewart?? A cutios fellow with great timing and good Clean striking. Nothing to Copycat back to the rehearsal room but a good sense of drive together with the bassplayer. A Perfect fit for this album.

If you are into Stoner/doom/blues/psych rock this one´s right up your Alley. For the rest of us its Worth exploring but due to the explosion of the genre in public, you might find some other favourite out there. Take time and investigate!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-GOOD!-WORTH EXPLORING-

 

When the decision is made, it´s time to upgrade youre drumkit or maybe you´ve come to conclusion that your playing style has allaborated, here´s the tip of the day about drumshells.

The heart and soul of any drum is its Shell. Made from either Wood or metal the endless choice could be seen as a neverending jungle of choice but here are some things to consider.

The first thing is to be honest about your playingstyle and choice of Music. There is no drumkit in the World who can manage all styles but there are a few good compromises. The thinner the Shell, the lower the fundamental tone will be. Fast travelling by tone, is also important due to the attack of the strike. Hardwood gives a more distinct character of sound when hit upon. Soft materials as Birch temperes the tone and give it more sustain. The examples can be counted in thousands but don´t be discouraged, help is out there!

 

As I wrote erlier on this blog it is of great concern that you start your voyage towards a customized sound by the prefered choice of snaredrum. When that´s done it is time to move on to the choice of kit. The sound created when you hit the head is the most important thing due to what and where you´re playing. Mostly in studio? A sensitive invoirement will effect the sound frame.A thin, soft Wood kit is a good start. Rehearsal´s and gigs? A good choice of durable batter/drumhead with fast attack on the kit is to be prefered. A thicker, hardwood Shell gives a good attack when played upon. Tip of the : Experiment! Don´t be a fool and fall for  a salesmen´s argument. The choice is your own!!

Of course you need more info and do please follow the link beneath and enjoy!

What You Need to Know About…Drum Shells

COLOURED BALLS-BALL POWER-

As I was following the pre historic bands back from AC/DC, which was my first religious experience in rock, you Always stubble upon Coloured Balls. Released in 1973 this outfit was the Creation of Lobby Loyde, a well know musician in Australia with an exceptionell plectrum technique.

This Blues/prepunk/prog/hard rock milestone is just a colorful power Pathfinder as much as a “in your face” to the Music industry back in the day. Mr. Loyde confessed later in Life that he didn´t know how Close he was playing to rocks next big thing , that´s punk for you!! Glorius.

The producing has gone through a massive remix and it really benefitted the album. Some tunes lack the depth and pondus but the songs are so anti-establishment and strong, that you don´t bother with the soundframe. This is a historical document in that sense. Standout tunes would be “Won´t make up your mind”,”That´s what mama said” and “Human Being.” Rough and raw material with great personality and delivery. No song falls under the radar so this is a great Job!!

Whatabout the drummer, Trevor Young?? This is a great drummer for this outfit. Swaggering style with great striking and impact. The Dynamics are excellent and nothing to complain about in timing.The great interaction together with the bass is impeccable. A perfect fit!! Great Job.. 🙂

This is a rare album with a great piece of history attached to it. Maybe not in the fierce attitude as Buffalo but in a more personal and Blues/prepunk/prog manor that is not to be taken lightly.

If you could get your hands on this album its a must buy. Sorry to inform you that prices are skyhigh and it would take a smaller fortune to get a nice original copy. Do try to get a  the CD , it´s Worth every penny…

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7-VERY GOOD!!-GAME, SET AND MATCH-

SPARTAN WARRIOR-SPARTAN WARRIOR-

Bought on release in 1984 I Went home to listen to my new purchase with great expectation and even then I was searching for new influences unknown what to become later on in my Life. This outfit originated from England with an album under their belt from the previous year of 1983.

Many would like to label the band into the NWOBHM era and maybe some songs would fit into that description but this is also an album full with personality and some vibrant hairmetal “what´s to come” attitude.

The Producing is a the lower Point of execusion and the whole sound frame is a bit compressed, not to the albums favor. Songs are strong and catchy but the feeling of an amatuer band is shining through. Delivery is almost to hard and pushed forward. To bad but maybe it sounded better of live?? The band dissolved short after this release due to strains witin the band and no feedback from their label. Bands like this comes like dime a dozen.

Whatabout the drummer, Gordon Webster?? This is the bands most weakest link. Terrible interaction, questionable timing and a wish for better striking Dynamics. Nothing is good one this recording and it´s almost funny how you are shaking you´re head to this catastrophic playingstyle. Why wasn´t he replaced? Another future had almost certainly showed itself if he had. Horrible….

Should you get this album? No. This is only an affair for those being interested in English Hard/Heavy rock history and what didn´t fall through at the time.Strong songs but very poor executed leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and a sense of “to bad” feeling.

VINYLRATE/GRADE

3-BAD-A DISAPOINTMENT-

ALL THEM WITCHES-LIGHTNING AT THE DOOR-

Welcome to 2017 ! It has been an interesting first 5 months of really good classics and some new stars of the ever growing Music sky. Why not throw ourselves into the unknown with the following album.

Released early 2014 this outfit originates from Nashville Tennesse. Fronted by bassist Charles Michael Parks, Jr., the lineup is rounded out by drummer Robby Staebler, guitarist Ben McLeod, and Allan Van Cleave on Fender Rhodes, organ, and other instruments. The style is a mix of /blues/Psych/swamp rock melted into a slowcooking stew of sound and terrific suggestive Musicpot. After a friend meets friends intervention the bands birthdate is set to 6 january 2012 with emediate recording status and a debut album release.

This album recognized the band internationaly and after several fierce tours this is maybe the most fair recording so far. Exellent producing brings the guitar to a high, vocals and bass are impeccable with both organ and violin, in some places, to spice it up. Very good job!!

Whatabout the drummer, Robby Staebler?? This is a very relax, stable and selfaware drummer with excellent timing. His striking is dynamic and Clean with a high sense of being there on “time”. A very pleasant listen.Top Notch!!

If you´re into suggestive Blues/psych/swamp rock you got to give this album a try. A perfect mix of both Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Blue Cheer to mention a few of their influences. Still in a very personal, suggestive way. A COOL record! It is with a great bit of curiosity I look forward to the new release in Febuary 2017…

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT STICK

One of the most important choices a drummer must do is the choice of sticks. This is not just done in an eyewink due to playing style and of course, style of Music. Here´s the tip of the day.

The drumstick choice is a personal affair and all manufacturers has their own sizes/models and even though there are no standards, almost everyone follows these guidelines. All drumsticks have a number followed by a letter. This is a guide to help you to the style of Music and heaviness in the drumstick which in the next step will effect your performance. Important to say, this is just a recommendation so, you should look at it as a curious but good to know information. Lets have a go:

The Letters first:

S=Street; Heavy performance stick originally made for marchingdrums.

B=Band; Lighter sticks for brass and symphonic Orchestras for greater performance yet high in striking volume.

A=Orchestra; most suitable for bigbands and dance Orchestras were the drums are to be held back in volume but fast in action when needed.

Then we got the numbers:

The numbers indicate the diameter of the drumstick. The higher the number, the thinner the stick. Most popular models are: 7A, 7B, 5A, 5B and 2B. The 7A is the thinnest and therefore the fastest stick. 5B is the most common stick in rockbands due to its high durability and volume but its more heavier to play. 2B is the most volume strong stick but hard to play fast and to be technical with. Uncertain of choice? Start to play with 5A or 5B and work your way from there, a good compromise.

The next thing to take in considoration, is the tip of the stick.

Round Oval Triangel

The round tip will give you a small striking area which gives you a small variation of flexibility in tone.Basically it sounds the same all the time. The Oval shape gives you a greater variation of flexibility between dark and light tones due to greater striking area. Good to know when you need to change tone in cymbal playing. And then there´s the Triangel. The most variated shape between dark and high tones. A personal favorite. You have to explore your style and of course what you are playing.

Material

The drumstick is often made by different choice of Wood. Hickory, Maple or Oak is the most common ones. Then there´s the choice of glossy or not?? As you can see there´s a lot of choices to be made and do try to have patience as this is the first thing that interferes with your playing!!

Need more info?     Of course you do. 🙂

Follow the link and get on with you´re prefered drumstick! Enjoy…

http://www.mikedolbear.co.uk/story.asp?StoryID=459&Source=Arch

 

 

SLEEP-DOPESMOKER-

Released  for the first time in 1998 this ledfuelled Power trio originates from the bay area of USA. With an unparallelled match to anything earlier, this is either a masterpiece or a complete failure. But one thing is perfectly clear..nothing you´ve Heard erlier can match this HEAVY METAL thunder of recording, absolutely nothing.

Guitarist Matt Pike and bass player/vocalist Al Cisneros joined forces with drummer Chais Hakius in the eárly 90´s and toured with both Hawkwind and Cathedral, they got recognizion through their first release of “Sleep´s Holy Mountain”. London Records signed the band and gave them an advance of 75 000 dollars which was spent on custom amplifiers, guitars and presumably marijuana. The rumour has it that it took four years(!) before the track”Dopesmoker” was finished into the form,  which is presented on this release.

As the finished recording was presented to London Records, they where really dissapointed about the result and refused release the album. Sleep refused on their behalf, to do anything about the recording and the standoff was at full display. It would take two years after Sleep´s disolvment to release the album under the name”Jerusalem” and since then Three different reissues has occured. The final one by Southern Lord Records who, with a new remix and artwork, put out the definitive press of the album. A Wonderful job!!

Whatabout the drummer, Chris Hakius?? As much of the rest of the band this is a joint venture. Nothing good or bad just a raw, stoner fuelled asskick. I am impressed how this drummer can motivate himself to keep pounding those drums for over an hour and nothing ever falls through. This guy must be high as mount Kilimanjaro…:-)

To sum this album up I qoute what a New York Times critic wrote: “What seems disorienting and monochromatic at first grows richer and more rewarding upon repeated exposure. It’s like a Mark Rotho painting hitting you over the head with a bag of hammers.” ´Nuff said,  It´s hammer time….

If you´re into Stoner/Heavy/slow/psych rock this is one of the best albums ever recorded. On the other side of the scale, it´s just so comprehensive that it´s absolute crap. One way or the other, and what a perfect way to end 2016 on top, or bottom!!  🙂 Happy New Year!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

9-DIVINE-WOULD MAKE YOU WANNA LEAVE YOUR GIRLFRIEND-

1-WTF?-I DON´T GET IT??-

 

DIRTY TRICKS-DIRTY TRICKS-

This British outfit released their debut album in 1975. Trying to cross the elapsing bridge between hardrock versus Heavy metal this must be the proof a venture shot down in flames. No disrespect for “don´t stop believing” but most things for succés is missing here.

Dirty Tricks is a  blues/hard rock album. The debut album find Kenny Stewart’s distinctive vocals and the wonderful guitar playing of John Fraser-Binnie to set this band apart from their contemporaries. The producing is top notch by Rodger Bain with a touch of Rolling Stones baked into the sound Picture. Very Nice.

Regretably the album was released when the Punk movement was erupting sending new hard rock Music back a Century. The songs have some difficulties to reach the mountain top, not bad but then not really good either…just like your ordinary suitcase, no trick bag..

Whatabout the drummer, John Lee?? Nothing fancy to put on display. Good Clean striking with avarage drive and attitude. I miss some “Cajones” due to this is a bluesbased album that lacks that bit of “in your face” attitude. Another ingredient missing.

Not to be on the downside but should you get this album? Yes and the only reason is that there´s nothing else to be compared with for trying to elaborate the gap between Music styles by this time period. An important album in that sense. Great copies are out there for descent Money so please do history a favor and put it on your turntable.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

STONE THE CROWES-TEENAGE LICKS-

This is the third album released in 1971 from this outfit, originated from Glasgow Scotland. Most famous for Maggie Bell who reminiscents of Janis Joplin on vocals. But also to have included Alex Harvey´s younger brother Les, on guitar and as a major songwriter on these three albums.

Heavy Blues/soul/prog rock is the direction on this great album. Les Harvey impresses on the guitar and the production is as you´ve expected from the timeperiod. A bit daft but in all acceptable.

Touring for years Before this album, in army bases across Europe and in festivals in Great Britain the big break eluded the band. Peter Grant had some Money interest in Les Harvey and kept a watchful Eye on the band who, though great Reviews in the press, never came to any big numbers concerning record sales. The band nearly came to quits soon after this album when Les Harvey was electrocuted on stage in Swansey in 1972. There´s some  fried Crowe boogie for you…..

Whatabout the drummer, Colin Allen?? This a great blues drummer with no particularly tricks in his pocket. Good drive, excellent delivery with clear striking and good “pondus”. Much of the skills he picked up while with John Mayall´s Bluesbreakers, a great teaching school for gifted musicians.

If you´re in to soulful blues/prog/ rock Music with excellent vocals this is already in you possession. The recommendation is to buy this great album and really find a spot to enjoy Maggie Bells soulful singing. A Lost Gem from Scotland for no Money at all, well almost. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

 

ASTERIX-ASTERIX-

Released in 1970 this german outfit sets a few questionmarks straight.

A predecessor to what would become Lucifer´s friend, much of what is to become is found on this album. Asterix originally had an all German line-up featuring keyboard player Peter Hecht, lead guitarist Peter Hesslein, bassist Dieter Horns, singer Georg Mavros, and drummer Joachim “Addi” Rietenbach.  Together and apart they’d played in a host of ’60s German bands including The German Bonds, The Giants, The Rattles, and a number of anonymous studio entities. By the time they recorded their debut album, the band had become an international act with the addition of English and American lead singers.

The production is flawless with a modern touch and the songs are strong with great resemblence to early protometal albums. Great vocals and gifted guitar playing suits the album and no song really falls under the radar. Great job!!

The exciting album cover looks very similar to a female bodypart (at closer excamination )and this prohibited Asterix from releasing the album in the States with this cover.

Funky… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Joachim “Addi” Rietenbach??? Besides the great name there´s not much to pick up from this chap. Steady as a train with few bumps this is a solid performance but a bit dull. Avarage to say the least.

To sum things up, this is a good record and an optional tip to buy. Nothing revolutionary but all in all a good performance when you know what to expect on their next album under the name “Lucifer´s Friend”. The album cover just say “Fresh fruit anyone?” and I Think I´ll say yes to that….:-)

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-