Out from the Inbox: 10 Bands That Didn’t Make Me Want to Tear Out My Eardrums

I once again combed through the musical wasteland that comprises my inbox and found a few hidden treasures. I wish PR companies actually read my blog or at least skimmed through it so they would know that I am not going to write about their shitty honky-tonk country band. Going through hundreds of emails of bands trying to get your attention inevitably sends you on an emotional roller coaster. Just when you think their is no hope for music, you get hit with something that completely amazes you. These are the 10 bands that didn’t make me want to tear out my eardrums.

Mid-Year Report

It's already July and it seems like the first half of the year went by in a flash. It's time to look back at the last six months and examine the albums that had the biggest impact on me. Narrowing the list down to 20 was harder than I thought it would be as 2011 has been an exceptionally good year for music. The year has been full of surprises both good and bad. I never could have predicted half the bands and albums that appear in the list below.

Royale Gets Fucked Up

Last time I saw Fucked Up was at the Middle East Upstairs and they put on one of the craziest shows I had ever seen. At one point, lead singer Damian “Pink Eyes” Abraham tried to hang on a pipe that was attached to the ceiling and ended up ripping in down. With such a notorious live show, you never know what’s going to happen and that’s why I made sure to catch their performance at Royale in Boston, MA on June 24, 2011. With buzzworthy openers JEFF the Brotherhood and Iceage in tow, it was one that no one should have missed.

Dinosaur Jr. Bring Bug to Paradise

Last Wednsesday (June 22nd), I had the chance to catch one of those once-in-a-lifetime concerts when Dinosaur Jr. performed their landmark album Bug in its entirety at Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA. Dinosaur Jr. is certainly in the running for my favorite band and although Bug isn’t my favorite album of theirs, it is still an epic record to see performed live. To make things even more exciting, Henry Rollins was interviewing the band onstage beforehand and confrontational hardcore punks Off! were opening the gig. Henry Rollins is a personal hero of mine and one of the last true renaissance men so watching him interview one of my favorite bands was a special moment in my concert attending history.

Review: Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver

 

Most are well versed in the back story of Justin Vernon and his musical vehicle Bon Iver. For those who aren’t, it goes like this: A man takes his quite, heartbroken voice to the woods and records an album that the whole world falls in love with. It’s inevitable that Justin Vernon can no longer be that man. After receiving notoriety and the attention of a certain boisterous hip-hop star, Vernon has undergone a metamorphosis of sorts. The question that plagues everyone who still hasn’t listened to Bon Iver, Bon Iver is “How has it affected his music?”

New Track Rundown

It’ been some time since I had a proper update. I figure the best way to go about things is to post a new track rundown that covers everything I have been really into during the month of June. This starts with one of my favorite songs of 2011. Every year since 2005, an album featuring Spencer Krug has made my top 10. I thought this would be the year to break the chain, but then Moonface released “Fast Peter”. The song embodies everything I love about the prolific indie songwriter. It harnesses a fast, steady beat accompanied by experienced storytelling and emotive delivery. As typical, it is a composition that immediately strikes the listener and is full of creativity. It comes from the brilliantly titled Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped. The album - the cover of which is above – will be out on August 2, 2011.

SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 6, March 20

Sunday was to be my final day in Austin, TX. It was not an “official” day of the SXSW festival but there were still places with showcases the entire day. It was a calmer affair and the perfect way to send off an incredible week of music. I was unfamiliar with most of the bands so it was also an enjoyable day of discovery. There were some truly great acts that I was able to catch and I would recommend staying the extra day for anyone considering it next year.

SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 5, March 19

Saturday is the last of “official” day of SXSW and mine turned out to be a disaster after starting out so strong. Some of the best, most memorable sets during the day were tainted by my infuriating night. This was a vastly different experience than the previous day. Again, I learned that SXSW is an unpredictable rollercoaster ride.

SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 4, March 18

Friday was up there with Wednesday in terms of sheer awesomeness. All of the prior day’s mistakes were rectified. I saw so many great bands that are just now beginning to make noise in 2011. It was also one of the days where I participated in everyone’s favorite SXSW pastime: drinking. Before hitting up the first set, my friend and I fueled up on some delicious Texas BBQ at Iron Works which I can now highly recommend. While eating, we were able to spot Billy Gibbons and Devin the Dude. You know it’s good BBQ when those guys show up.

SXSW 2011 Recap: Day 3, March 17

Today, I was listening to the WTF podcast with Marc Maron from SXSW - which was seriously hilarious; I totally wish I was there - and I thought to myself, “Didn’t I start doing a recap of MY experience at SXSW?” Why yes I did. Then I realized it is now two months later and I haven’t finished the damn thing. There are still plenty of photos, videos, and stories I would still like to share with you few lucky readers. I know I left ya hanging but I’m still finishing it - wanna fight about it?

Anyway, my third day at SXSW was to be one of the most frustrating days of the festival. The morning was filled with incredible sets brought about by the Exploding in Sound showcase at Friends of Sound Records. However, the night was filled with epic fails as I tried to see big name acts. The whole experience was definitely a learning process of what to do and not to do during SXSW. This particular day did involve some of my more memorable and hilarious adventures as you will soon read.