hissing lawns

“Bodies and Control and Money and Power” by Priests – review

by Anna C. • June 11, 2014

Have you listened to Priests’s Don Giovanni Records debut yet?

When they played at Graveface Records & Curiosities in early 2014, it was clear that the band, who had self-released a 7″ and two short cassettes before signing with the New Jersey label, was a perfect addition to the Don Giovanni roster – unstoppable, unapologetic, and difficult to pigeonhole. You could feel the paint peeling off the walls as vocalist Katie Alice Greer growled, swayed, and pushed her voice to the brink.

EP Bodies and Control and Money and Power is a split release between Don Giovanni and Priests’s DIY label, Sister Polygon. In this writer’s opinion, Priests has made the best record of 2014 thus far. In a year hyped by reunion tours and genre revivals, this is a breath of fresh air that is immediately knocked out of you with full force.

Bodies is a mere 17 minutes long, but it feels so much shorter–right off the bat, Priests completely envelop the listener and demand full, undivided attention.

I feel like on so many of 2014’s releases, the vocals are hiding in the mix. Not so for Priests–from the dancey, infectious kick-off “Design Within Reach” to the heart-stopping “And Breeding” closer, we experience Greer reach the ceiling of her range and smash right through it. “Modern Love/No Weapon” is one of the most vocally compelling tracks I’ve heard, period. Just go listen and try to keep a steady heart rate.

Bodies also shows off some incredibly inventive bass work. “Design Within Reach” flips between foreboding, swelling notes that ring like some sinister warning bell and contagious new-wave dance rhythms. Dancing to Le Tigre/B-52s-esque beats beneath blistering lyrics that scrutinize immigration, body politics, and democracy as a whole? Please, and thank you.

Priests throw everything they’ve got at you with full force. It’s lyrically and conceptually challenging, and complete, transfixing fun. Order/download here (or better yet, go order one from Ryan & company at Graveface!).

Black Tusk, Bear Fight!, and Bask at The Jinx – photos

by Tom Cartmel • June 11, 2014

Saturday night’s show at The Jinx was exactly what I expected it to be, a room full of familiar faces, lots of PBR and Wild Turkey to lubricate the crowd, and great sets from Bask, Bear Fight! and Black Tusk. Well, the a cappella Fleetwood Mac cover that Bask opened with was a little unexpected, but other than that just a run of the mill fantastic metal/rock (I’m not super sure how to classify Bear Fight, or Bask for that matter?) show.

Also unsurprising: I took a bunch of pictures, most of which are after the jump.

Read more →

Murder By Death at Headliners Music Hall in Louisville – photos

by bill • June 11, 2014

So I was visiting family in Kentucky and was lucky enough to be near Louisville for Murder By Death’s show at Headliners Music Hall on Saturday night.

It was a homecoming of sorts for the band. Cellist Sarah Balliet is a Louisville native, and she and husband (and MBD frontman) Adam Turla have bought a house and are moving to Louisville after years in Bloomington, Indiana. (Check out Sarah’s piece about the move in LEO Weekly — it’s an interesting meditation about place, art, and rock and roll. Sarah’s brother Max, of Louisville’s Holy Molé Taco Truck, even hopped on stage and played guitar during the show.)

As I said along with a gallery of the band performing at The Jinx’s 10th anniversary last fall, Murder By Death has a visceral grasp of pacing that gives a special resonance to the sharp, dark songwriting and the stellar musicianship of the ensemble, which includes Dagan Thogerson on drums, Matt Armstrong on bass, and singer and multi-instrumentalist Scott Brackett. Just when you think you’ve figured out the mood of the evening, or just when you think a particular song has run its course, or just when you think you know what’s coming next, there’s a small surprise — a jolt of something different, something new. MBD’s world is a complex place, with emotional layers that continue to reveal themselves no matter how much you listen.

Murder By Death played one brand new song, maybe titled “A Big Dark Love” — fans of the band won’t be disappointed. MBD is recording right now in Louisville with Kevin Ratterman at La La Land.

Headliners is just the type of space we need here in Savannah — a room with excellent lighting, a big stage, plenty of standing room, and a capacity of 600. (I haven’t yet been to the new Music Vault over in Hardeeville, S.C., so maybe that can fill the niche to some degree.) Also, I have to say that it was pretty bizarre to be at a show where the opener actually starts a little after 8 and the headliner is finished before midnight — we are just on a different planet here in Savannah.

The Foxery opened the show. I liked the heavy sound and versatility of the Louisville-based band — I could imagine them playing alongside Savannah acts like CUSSES and Bear Fight!. The foursome Jaye Jayle — a project of Evan Patterson from Young Widows — was up next with a dense, meditative sound.

A few photos here with lots more after the jump:

Read more →

Weezer and JEFF the Brotherhood at St. Augustine Amphitheatre – photos

by Tom Cartmel • June 10, 2014

Hey kids! Choose your own defensive Weezer concert review:

Option 1 (The short version): Screw you, I like Weezer. We drove down to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre to see them and it was really fun. Getting to see JEFF the Brotherhood was just icing on the cake.

Option 2 (The family friendly, medium length version): A friend asked me if I’d be willing to go to see Weezer with him. I don’t follow them closely anymore, but I still love the Blue album and Pinkerton, so I signed up. I figured if they played Say It Ain’t So and Hashpipe, I would come away happy. Turns out that I enjoyed the entire set (don’t judge me), even the more recent, sometimes dumb hits (Beverly Hills, I’m looking at you). I’d like to say that JEFF the Brotherhood opening for them was a big reason that I agreed to go, but I didn’t know they were playing until we were halfway to St. Augustine, so it was a huge bonus. Good venue, fun night.

Option 3 (The music nerd/slightly hipster long version): Please allow me to present my Indie Credentials(tm) before I make the following admission. I was indie when it was still called “college rock”. I own multiple record label shirts. Ian MacKaye has shaken my hand and thanked me personally for helping. Henry Rollins has stood on my hand. I have talked college basketball with Superchunk. H.R.’s dreadlock has hit me in the eye. I saw Nirvana pre-Nevermind. When I saw the Lemonheads, Evan Dando was still playing drums. I’ve eaten lunch with Sonic Youth. I’ve seen the reclusive Shellac 5 times, for god’s sake.

So it pains me to say this out loud. I like Weezer. Unironically. Sure, I like the early stuff more, but…..well, I like Weezer.

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre was a really nice venue, pretty intimate for an outdoor space, and not nearly as soulless as some of the amphitheatres I’ve been to. We camped out against the stage. A guy next to me asked if I had heard of “Joe the Brotherhood”. Umm, hell yeah, I love JEFF the Brotherhood. The last several albums by the Nashville garage/psych rock duo have been really great. They beefed up to a 4 piece for the tour and played an energetic set of their “hits” that actually seemed to win a big portion of the crowd over. To be honest, it seemed to surprise the band a little, too.

The crowd may have been into JEFF more than most opening acts, but they were there to see Weezer, to be sure. There couldn’t have been many people disappointed, they played pretty much all of their hits, and sounded great doing it. Not a ton more to say about it really. It was a great, steamy, fun night.

Here’s the setlist: My Name is Jonas/ Hash Pipe/ Perfect Situation/ Troublemaker/ El Scorcho/ Dope Nose/ Surf Wax America/ Island in the Sun/ Beverly Hills/ Keep Fishin’/ Say It Ain’t So/ I Want You To/ Pork and Beans/ Undone/ Photograph/ Song 2 (Blur cover)/ Memories/ Buddy Holly

Pics. I got em. Two here, a ton more after the jump, with JEFF the Brotherhood shots first.

Read more →

Cedric Burnside Project at The Jinx – photos

by Tom Cartmel • June 10, 2014

I’m not sure what the circumstances were that resulted in a late announced (late booked?) early Jinx show on Thursday by Cedric Burnside Project, but I’m not complaining, it was some of the best blues I have ever seen. No joke.

Hopefully they keep rolling through town on a regular basis. Consider them added to my ever growing “can’t miss” list.

Honestly, it’s worth seeing him just for his drumming, it’s amazing, and somehow he sings without even coming close to missing a beat. He’s no slouch in the guitar department, either. Wow. Here’s a few pictures I took.

Read more →

Forced Entry at The Jinx – photos

by Tom Cartmel • June 10, 2014

Forced Entry opened the late show at The Jinx on Thursday night and played a great set of what sounds to me to be good ole’ fashioned early hardcore. Punk rock seems to be making a comeback in Savannah. Cool with me. Unfortunately I had to bail a little after midnight, before the next three (3!!! more bands) acts played. Sorry, Triathalon, What Moon Things and Dip, I’ll catch you next time.

Here’s the pictures that I could dig out of the hideous blue light (on top of it being plain dark in there) they were bathed in all night. There’s one in color, just for laughs. Blech.

Read more →

here’s KNife with “DieNasty” video

by bill • June 7, 2014

Another great bit of news from Savannah label Dope Sandwich with the release of the video for KNife’s “DieNasty”:

The vid has also gotten some good press and visibility (for example, here, here, and here).

KNife’s new album ICONOCLAST will be released on July 4th.

check out the awesome new Wet Socks video for “New Crush Pt. 2”

by bill • June 5, 2014

We already had many reasons for loving Wet Socks, and now we have another. Here’s the video for “New Crush Pt. 2”:

Wet Socks- “New Crush Pt. 2” from Soft Science on Vimeo.

Wet Socks is the garage rock duo of Hunter Jayne (vocals and guitar) and Jon Zimmerman. This new video was released via the label Soft Science Records, which released the band’s 7″, but the band’s upcoming album will be released by Retro Futurist, which was formed by core members of Kylesa.

The video was directed by Skip Terpstra, was edited by Zimmerman, and was filmed at Cha Dels Beverage and Pinkie Masters.

And here are a few shots we’ve posted of Wet Socks at Hang Fire — always a great time:

Throwback Thursday: Fun Fun Fun Fest 2012 – photos

by Tom Cartmel • June 5, 2014

I am an unabashed, lifelong, music fanatic. As such, I’ve been trying to to attend one major out of town music festival a year for the past several years. There are tons of options out there. After the AMAZING All Tomorrow’s Parties suspended operations in the U.S. a few years ago, I was looking for a new festival to check out.

The lineup of Austin, TX’s Fun Fun Fun Fest seemed to be tailor made for me and I knew that Austin was my kind of town. (Focus on music, food, and beer? Count me in.) After attending Austin City Limits Festival one year, I pulled the trigger.

I spent a dusty, blissful 3 days walking around the Texas capital, taking in bands on the festival stages and at the club shows later in the night. I saw the taping of the Bob Mould (Husker Du, Sugar) Austin City Limits t.v. program and then met the man himself while walking to the festival the next day.

I waited in insane lines for astounding BBQ, drank Lonestar, watched professional skaters and bmx riders ride an impressive course set up by the festival, laughed at the antics in the wrestling ring (sub-sub- WWE), saw some hilarious comics and made a few new friends. Fun Fun Fun Fest puts the emphasis on fun (see what I did there?) and I loved every minute of it.

Over the course of the weekend I saw Bob Mould (twice), Superchunk (twice), Against Me!, X, Torche, Turbonegro, Titus Andronicus, The Sword, The Spits, The Riverboat Gamblers, The Promise Ring, Tomahawk, Surfer Blood, Seaweed, Run D.M.C., Refused, Red Fang, Black Tusk, Public Image LTD., OFF!, NoMeansNo, Liturgy, Lagwagon, Khepi Ghouli, Braid, Joyce Manor, Japandroids, Fucked Up, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Dum Dum Girls and, geez, a bunch more.

I also attempted to figure out how to use my new camera, check it out.

Bob Mould at Austin City Limits. John Doe of X silhouetted watching the performance.

Against Me!

Read more →

Upcoming: Black Tusk, Bear Fight! and Bask at The Jinx Saturday night

by Tom Cartmel • June 4, 2014

The guys in Black Tusk have a better time on stage than any other metal band that I’ve ever seen. Need proof? Here’s a huge gallery of proof. You should go Saturday night, Black Tusk will be having a blast, you will too. Show at The Jinx at 10. Be there.

Read more →

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour 6/5/14 – 6/10/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • June 4, 2014

Hey guys,
Well, this is another week that I initially thought would be a slow week on the music scene. After all, the SCAD kids are gone for the summer and that is usually a time when less things should be happening downtown. It even becomes easy to find a parking place down here. As I began to look at the upcoming shows, I realized that I was very wrong. There are several shows that are very exciting this week.

I would strongly recommend trying to catch Cedric Burnside Project at Jinx this Thursday. If you were at the Revival Fest last year, I know that you want to see him. And it is a (for the Jinx) early show, 9:30pm. Of course, there are three bands coming on after him, so you can stay late if you want. Friday brings the blues belter Ruthie Foster to town. I have seen her at Savannah Music Festival a couple times, this time she will be playing on Broughton Street for free (an all ages show, of course). There is another great show on Friday that I hope to catch after Ruthie’s show, the AJ Ghent Band at River Street. He is a steel guitarist and his band played an excellent set at last years’ Midnight Bike Ride at Telfair Square. These are my recommendations for this week:

Thursday 6/5/14
Cedric Burnside Project, What Moon Things, Forced Entry, Triathalon – Jinx (note the start time is 9:30p)

Friday 6/6/14
Ruthie Foster – Blues On Broughton (6-9p) – all ages, free
AJ Ghent Band – Blues, Jazz, and BBQ at River Street (8-10p)
Knife, Miggs, Werd Life – Hang Fire
Shack Band – Congress Street Social Club
Gen. Patton & The Heads Of State – Congress Street Social Club
Hypnotics – Molly MacPherson’s Pub
Yamacraw, Coastline, I’m John Wayne – Jinx

Saturday 6/7/14
Come Back Alice – Congress Street Social Club – southern gypsy funk from Sarasota, FL
Black Tusk, Bear Fight!, Bask – Jinx
Timberhawk – World Of Beer (rock from Pensacola, FL)
Epic Cycle – Molly MacPherson’s Pub

Sunday 6/8/14
Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club

Monday 6/9/14
Gold-Bears – Graveface (7p) – crash-pop band from Atlanta, GA

Tuesday 6/10/14
Cory & Aaron (City Hotel) – Foxy Loxy Cafe

Cedric Burnside Project returns to Savannah, plays The Jinx on 6/5 (!)

by bill • June 3, 2014

The last time Cedric Burnside was on the stage of The Jinx, he was the informal bandleader of the amazing jam session after the first annual Revival Fest.

And we just got word that the Cedric Burnside Project will be bringing their north Mississippi hill country blues to a special early show at The Jinx on 6/5 at 9:30 p.m. The cover will be $10. CBP will precede the show with What Moon Things, Triathalon, and Forced Entry. (I can’t of like this idea of early and late shows . . . )

If you’ve never seen the Cedric Burnside Project, then you need to show up for this one. The grandson of R.L. Burnside, Cedric is a commanding drummer and singer, and, as noted on Facebook, Trenton Ayers is a “guitar virtuoso.”

A few shots from last fall at Revival Fest and later at The Jinx: