“Respect the DJ” with JRRBLL from The Sound and The Fury
Radio is dying a slow, painful death. Though it may appear to be thriving, alive, and well, the new musical stratosphere has been blown wide open in terms of delivery, accessibility to content, and changing listening patterns by end users. There is no greater victim in this change than the modern radio DJ… The guy (or girl) who spins the latest hits, hypes the newest contest, and delivers to the listener news, stories, and gossip that they once waited anxiously to hear.
If you are reading this in Syracuse or surrounding areas, you are probably familiar with a little show called “The Sound and The Fury,” brought to you every Saturday evening from Midnight until 6am on 100.9, 106.5, and 94.9 fm, better known as K-Rock. While you listen, a soft, subtle voice will occasionally fill the airwaves, giving you a dose of song titles, news about Metal happenings, and the occasional introspective quote to spark the brain. On January 28 and February 5, 2012, I sat for (2) 6-hour sessions with the one and only JRRBLL, long time voice of the show. Not only did I receive a warm welcome and musical education, but a chance to witness a master of his craft who has blessed the airwaves for an astounding 27 years (September, 1985 was his first broadcast,) longer than some of you have been alive.
Miss May I Interview with Levi Benton
The new wave of American Hardcore and Metal… Sometimes I just don’t get it. Maybe I’m just aged out, but the whole tight pants, dyed black hair, whiny-singing-to-growled-vocal- changeup just isn’t really my bag. I always liked my Metal and Hardcore angry, and my Emo sad enough to slit a wrist. A lot of the bands out now should do some pushups or something. Eat a burger. Join a kickball league. Anything besides what they’re doing.
Abject “Try Again!” – self release
Abject is NYHC through and through. After my fourth listen in an hour, I’m diggin’ this album a whole lot! Clocking in at just over 16 minutes, “Try Again!” is 9-tracks born of beer, barroom brawls, and George Carlin’s unique take on society. Politics be damned… This is music to get in a fight to after a night of hard drinking. “What are you lookin’ at?”
I met guitarist Mattakins once in NYC. We got to a bar in Astoria to talk music at around 4pm, left at 10pm, and had drinks in our hands the whole time. It was a fun night, followed by one hell of a hangover. Grad school be damned, I wasn’t able to commit to any projects at that time, but I’m glad to know Craigslist isn’t just for hookers and shitty job opportunities.
Full of the crunchy guitars you’d expect, the album offers some excellent builds into ripping old school hardcore beats. The gruff, raspy vocals compliment the sound well, and the frenetic energy they bring to the recording makes up for any technical issues. I mean… It was probably recorded next to a keg, anyway.
Hilarious titles like “SUV Tard” and “Popped Collar Broken Nose” should give you an idea that Abject’s contempt for mainstream society’s trendy consumerism and fashion sense is not to be taken lightly, in a lighthearted way.
Best taken straight up with no chaser, Abject is great!
The Aggrolites Interview with Roger Rivas
L.A. based The Aggrolites are hitting the Saranac Brewery opening for Slightly Stoopid in the coming months, and Ska/Reggae fans be damned if they miss it! A rare treat for Upstate NY, The Aggrolites plays a style of music they have dubbed “Dirty Reggae,” and the name fits like a glove.
After The Fall Interview with Mike Moak
Albany, NY’s After The Fall have made quite a name for themselves over the years. With ripping fast tempos, super tight delivery, and intelligent, personalized lyrical content, the group has garnered lots of attention and a worldwide fan base.
I was recently able to catch up with guitarist/singer Mike Moak, thanks in large part to my buddy RJ at Mightier Than Sword/Academy Fight Song Records, who had the privilege of releasing A.T.F.’s “Collar City” 7” and “Eradication” full length. You may still be able to pick up limited edition copies of each at www.mtsrecords.com if they haven’t sold out yet.
