News

March 21, 2023

Letter Kills Creates Quite the Buzz

Letter Kills which were a emo-indie-pop-punk band from the early 00’s that dropped some independent songs, signed to Island Records, released a huge sounding record called “The Bridge”, played around the country for a few years then just disappeared as quickly as they appeared. Lead Vocalist Matt Shelton went on to record with The Wedding as well some great solo songs and recently formed “Panther City Riots“. As a band they were strong and their delivery was just as good as ANY other band at that time.… Continued →

Too Bad Eugene - Non Grata (Official Music Video)

I didn’t want this news post to slip through the cracks (my news roundup probably did just that). Too Bad Eugene just released their first ever music video and it’s for the song “Non Grata” off their most recent full length “Distance” which is out now! Check out the music video below. You can purchase the album on Vinyl/CD right here and trust me it’s totally WORTH IT!… Continued →

Stavesacre in the Studio

After browsing social media for a very important rock band that our scene has been blessed with, a legacy artist if you will, Stavesacre will return soon with new music (I hope). I think the band posting in studio pics is enough confirmation of new music, right? What is your favorite Stavesacre album/ep? SO MANY GOOD SONGS…28 years later… Continued →

REVIEW : World Gone Cold - World Gone Cold EP

Last October, Rockfest Records announced a new band on their roster, but not just any band. World Gone Cold is a hard rock band known as a “supergroup”. In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, this indicates that the group is comprised of artists from other well-known bands. The group is rounded out like this: Ryland Raus (vocals) of Inhale Exhale and Attack, AttackTraa Daniels (bass) of P.O.D.Tim “Yogi” Watts (drums) of Demon HunterMark Anthony (guitar) of The Letter BlackAndrew Stanton (guitar) of Disciple Nice, right??… Continued →

March 20, 2023

CPR317 Release "Great Memories"

CPR317 have dropped a “Best Of” album that spans the punk band’s 2014-2020 years. The album boasts 17 tracks, 3 are brand new, while the rest are selections from the band’s previous releases, “Turn It Up”, “In the Business”, and “Live At Fuzion”. All tracks have been remastered and the release sounds great! A great album that fans of punk rock across the board will love, you can grab yourself a copy HERE.  … Continued →

March 19, 2023

March 18, 2023

New Music: March 10, 2023

Rock & Metal Pop & CCM Folk & Singer/Songwriter Hip Hop & R&B Worship & Gospel Continued →

Song of the Day: Pete Stewart - Spinning

Pete has been in the CCM music industry for years. Most know him from grunge band Grammatrain whose Lonely House LP is one of my fave. He also sang for The Accident Experiment which was a side project of Payable on Death’s Marcos when he temporarily left the band. Pete also worked with Mike Tait’s solo work. This SOTD comes from Pete’s first solo album which garnered several CCM radio airplay. He also served as the engineer/mixer for Mackelmore’s The Heist LP which had the annoying Thrift Store rap song.… Continued →

Brandon's News Round Up: March 18th 2023

Happy March everyone! After a long absence I’m back and ready to throw down, well from my own office that is. I’ll rumble with this keyboard and toss a mouse through your screen. I’m the A.I. of your nightmares. Yes, creepy I know. Let’s get rolling with some great February music news for this new year of 2023. Oh and yes, my “Best of 2022 List” is indeed coming soon or something like that. *This has been assembled sporadically over the past month or two so some items might seem “dated” but that’s ok because more is on the way.… Continued →

March 17, 2023

Song of the Day: The Discarded - Religious Lie

I first heard of this LA punk band when I was running distro in the early 2000s. They had an EP out on The Legion (short-lived label that only released 3 titles), which I began stocking, and then they put out another release on the upcoming Clumsy Records (also home to Combat Junkies, The Stivs and a few others). I had the chance to catch them live at Cornerstone 2002, which was a fantastic show! In fact, that year was a great year for punk at the festival, as I also saw Huntingtons, The Remnants, One Bad Pig, World Against World, and Headnoise that year among others.… Continued →

March 15, 2023

Song of the Day: Illuminandi - The 40th Day

This cool band has appeared on a few compilations & have released a couple LPS since 1998. Appears they changed their name recently. Their style of music tends to lean to the gothic/folk genres, but they are all over the place reaching from extreme metal to prog rock. Just listen to their drum rolls & cello in their discography. Czterdziesta Doba is the Polish name of this song btw. Continued →

March 13, 2023

Song of the Day: Don't Know - Helium

Early Tooth & Nail bands were awesome-what the heck happened? The label has a wide variety of artists back in the day whose sounds were not heard of really in the CCM industry. Hence we have Don’t know: a hybrid of funk, punk & metal that sounds akin to Primus or Mr. Bungle. Members of this band have a very long discography with other bands such as Blenderhead, 90 Lb Wuss, Roadside Monument, etc… Check em out & their reviews on Amazon!   Continued →

March 11, 2023

Song of the Day: Reality Check - Plastic

Reality Check was considered alt rock back in the day, but would probably just fall under the wide net of modern rock by today’s standards. They had a different sound than most & used rap as part of their music, but they didn’t sound rapcore. They disbanded after their 2nd LP before changing their name to Luna Halo which I saw live during that phase. The band had 8 members at 1 time also which doesn’t sound like it. Vocalist Nathan Barlowe has continued in the music industry & has even written songs for Taylor Swift & invented an instrument called The Phantom & tours with Keith Urban.… Continued →

March 10, 2023

Jesus Revolution is a Revival in Film

I’ve been looking forward to Jesus Revolution (Film) for a year or two. I remember when I first caught word that the story of the “Jesus Movement” about this Southern California place I call home, would become theatrical production. Greg Laurie even announced it at Harvest Crusade back in 2021 and we got excited. I took my entire family to see this film on Feb. 22nd which was an “Early Access” screening. It began with an introduction about what we were about to watch from the filmmakers and writers themselves plus insight from Anne Wilson who contributes a new song to the film.… Continued →

Song of the Day: Azitis - Time Has Passed

We’re digging deep into the archives for this one. Azitis was a psychedelic rock band from Sacramento, originally formed as “Help” in 1966, but they had to change the name for legal reasons because of a British band by the same name. The band’s name was taken from the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy will be done on earth ‘azitis’ in heaven.” Having come up through the late 60s garage rock scene, by the time they recorded their debut, there was a plethora of original material to choose from.… Continued →

March 8, 2023

March 7, 2023

REVIEW : Chase Tremaine - Accidental Days

Nashville songsmith Chase Tremaine has not slowed down one bit over the past few years, from releasing his debut record to releasing (and re-releasing, to incredible effort) his sophomore album in a short span of less than three years  (as well as a stripped-back album). This is an all-the-more impressive effort given Tremaine finds time to juggle all vocal and instrumental responsibilities while also working full-time and being (mostly) newly-married. Now, in partnership with Post Emo Records, he has unveiled his third album, Accidental Days.… Continued →

March 6, 2023

Song of the Day: Eowyn - Beautiful Ashes

Yep, Eowyn is part of her real name. I almost had the chance to interview her back in my college days (I did speak with her husband, but ended up graduating before I could schedule it.) She has a very unique voice which can be compared as a cross between Amy Lee & Lacey Sturm & maybe even Tiffany Arbuckle. Anyways, check these lyrics out & her whole catalog. Here’s to hoping we hear more from her. You’re beautiful Though you’re ashes you’ll not waste away So beautiful Let your eyes see life with scars not decay When the darkness overwhelms you And you feel like no one cares Do not fear There is a god who loves you And he is taking your hands   Continued →

March 4, 2023

Song of the Day: Vigilantes of Love - Struggleville

Bill Mallonee has been making music for many years. V.O.L first LP Jugular released in 1990. Their music is a cross between “alternative rock” & Americana & their name came from a New Order song. Like several bands in the Christian market, they caused controversy for the lyrics for the Love Cocoon song which caused them to be dropped from the Christian bookstores which held on until only circa 2005 anyways. The funny thing is that the song was actually first released on their Jugular record!… Continued →

March 3, 2023

Song of the Day: Minier - Philosophy of Man

Greg Minier, the famed guitarist of The Crucified (and later of grunge/alternative/metal project Applehead) released a solo EP of straightforward thrash metal (the yin to The Crucified’s crossover yang), under his last name. The mini-album contained 7 songs and featured Greg playing all the instruments as well as handling the vocal duties. I remember talking with several metalheads at the time and we all agreed it was unfair for the Lord to bless some individuals with so much talent, while others of us got so little!… Continued →

March 1, 2023

Song of the Day: Ledger - Into My Arms

In case y’all didn’t know, Jennifer Carole Ledger is the English  girl drumming for longtime band Skillet who became a US citizen in 2021. She has a very distinct voice & released an EP a few yeas back. I have always thought this is her best song as it showcases her vocal range & has some very encouraging lyrics as seen below. When did the scars over your heart Become your hiding place When did the stars become so dark You couldn’t find your way The light inside your eyes Is fading out But I’m not gonna Give up on ya now Don’t be afraid I know you think You’re on your own But you’ll be okay You don’t have to Go through it alone Fall into My arms Fall into My arms So let me see the hurt underneath I’m not a stranger to pain ‘Cause I believe in what you can be I’ll never turn away Continued →

February 27, 2023

February 25, 2023

Song of the Day: Salt - Get Back

This rarity is a southern rock band from a division of Pamplin records called Mercystreet. I had this cd back in the day. They play southern rock that sound akin to Three Crosses. It seems they came out w/ one more single after this one off called Rise Above which reminds me a tad of Soundgarden. Vocalist Dan Safer also appears to have more in media w/ him even appearing on the NBC show The Voice..   Continued →

February 24, 2023

Song of the Day: Seasons in the Field - Eternity

Hailing from the tri-state area of West Virginia/Pennsylvania/Ohio,this metalcore band only released one cassette demo and one split CD with emocore band Pensive. What is interesting about that split–that is, besides being a spectacular release from two very good and rather unique bands–is that both bands featured members that would soon after go on to join the more well-known Zao. Pensive featured Brett Detar and Martin Lunn, as well as other members who joined Detar’s later band The Juliana Theory. Seasons in the Field featured Russ Cogdell on guitar, and future Zao screamer Dan Weyandt.… Continued →

February 22, 2023

February 20, 2023