August 24, 2010, 6:04 pm : Let’s Go See a Punk Rock Show – Guttermouth and The New Threat gallery

Filed Under: Genres and Styles, Imagery, Music, Show Reviews and Stories
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This will come off sounding funny, but it’s refreshing that we can still go to a venue to take in a real punk band in a day and age when hair gel, skinny jeans and Facebook have replaced actual substance in musical acts.

It’s also very telling that one of the top musical artists in social media can’t draw 250 fans to a decently sized venue, but Guttermouth can cram them in to the Black Cat in DC. There’s a lot more to success in music than compiling huge numbers of transparent “friends”.

So it is without further ado that I show the images from the Guttermouth and The New Threat show at the Black Cat in DC, from August 19th, 2010.

March 22, 2010, 3:27 pm : Cheaters Acoustic Tracks – Listen Here

Filed Under: Band Reviews, Genres and Styles, Music
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Aside from the music, the thing I love about The Cheaters is that they are always doing something new. They never rest on their laurels, waiting for their big break. In the last year the group has:

- Released their new album, Midnight Run
- Went on the road for two weeks in support of Armed Forces Entertainment, playing for soldiers in Japan and Guam
- Released the music video for Blow My Mind
– Launched a new website
- Been named Band of the Week on PureSouthernRock.com
- Released new acoustic versions of some great tracks:

I Ain’t Comin Back – acoustic

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Peaches – acoustic

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May 21, 2009, 9:26 am : Preview: The Cheaters Forthcoming Release – Midnight Run

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Genres and Styles, Interviews, Music, Upcoming Shows
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Are The Cheaters poised to stretch their wings far beyond their Baltimore stomping grounds? With the upcoming release of Midnight Run, this writer thinks that is a distinct possibility.

I interviewed drummer Kevin Shook and lead singer/guitarist Jason Morton for Baltimore Examiner recently to get their firsthand take on Midnight Run and the music life. Here’s what Shook had to say about Midnight Run:

Examiner: Can you give fans some insight about the new CD? What can we expect from your new music?

Shook: The new album is definitely a lot more straight-forward rock ‘n roll than the first disc. We have a couple of tracks that hint back to the southern-influenced material from the first record, but on the whole, this is really just a solid rock record. We also worked really hard on the songwriting this time around. We’ve added a lot more dynamics, like dueling leader guitars, key changes, and different song structures to help keep things fresh. We also brought in some guest musicians this time around, and added some harmonica, back-up singers, and organ on some tunes. We’re all really excited about the new disc, and feel that this is definitely our best effort yet.

Since then I received an advance copy of the album and got the chance to listen to it a few times. Slicing guitar, impressive arrays of drum beats that are finely varied and creatively timed, and vocals that are developed way beyond the typical abilities of a young singer are the elements in what makes Midnight Run the release of the year. The songwriting shows strong development and diversity, with a few amazing surprises for listeners.

To say it more succinctly, in rock terms, this album FREAKING RIPS! Ask yourself the last time you were blown away by a new rock release; real, authentic rock? Thank The Cheaters, because once Midnight Run hits the streets we’ll all have a reason to “Grab the whiskey (and) grab our friends.” Their CD release party is June 5th at the 8×10 in Baltimore. Be there. I will, there’s no chance I’m missing this.

Coming soon – I’ll post a couple of tracks off Midnight Run for an exclusive sneak peak.

April 23, 2009, 11:03 am : New Gig – Baltimore Band Examiner

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Band Reviews, Genres and Styles, Music, Show Reviews and Stories, Upcoming Shows
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As if one blog isn’t enough, I recently signed on to cover Baltimore bands for Examiner.com. Head on over and have a read of my first collection of posts. I suppose I shouldn’t call it an official blog; the editors were clear that we were to be “examiners,” self-proclaimed subject matter experts in our given areas. So yup, I’m your new Baltimore Band Expert. Actually, it is a natural fit. The Eds also let us know (when I say “us” I refer to all Examiners) not to post like its a blog, meaning no “I’s” or “me’s”. Fine. Newsworthy items with a news-coverage angle. There is one confusing aspect: having more than one band examiner for Baltimore. She seems like she’s off to a good start, but comon; following my post on free shows in and around the area with this? Oh well, this town can handle a duck and a martian. I suppose that is my welcome to the Baltimore Beehive. Ok. Well I just wanted to announce the new assignment and get that off my chest. Now back to regular programming.

Remember this episode? Duck diplomacy or get off my rock?

April 6, 2009, 9:50 am : A Taste of Some “oi” Punk

Filed Under: Band Reviews, Genres and Styles, Music
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Against Me!, from Naples FL, has been around since 1997 when lead singer, Tom Gabel started the band as a solo act at the age of 16.  Since the bare-bones beginning Gabel has developed the act into a full-fledged band, complete with the typical struggles of a young punk band, and garnered a well-earned following of fans since the release of their first LP, Reinventing Axl Rose.

I heard the song “Pints of Guiness Make You Strong,” and was hooked. Even though I’m not much for the latest punk sounds, these guys are good enough to differentiate their sound, while readily delivering catchy, beer-swilling tunes.
Listen to “Pints of Guiness…”