Lighthouse On The Horizon - Rough Seas Ep Review

I know it's been awhile since theres been anything new on this site. Its been a strange year to be sure. Enough of that though. Here's an review of Lighthouse on the horizon's brand new EP "Rough Seas"

I heard that this is a collection of unreleased songs. I have been a fan of Bryant Dunivan for awhile so I thought I would check it out and give it an review.

The EP starts out with an nice calming DUB with some really nice guitar work within the track. At times the EP reminded me of oldschool skunk records bands. It also contains a really good Long Beach Dub all stars cover of the track "Fugazi". A well placed cover of Nofx's "El Lay" is also on this EP.

My favorite song on the EP was "Names in the stars" its an touching slow paced heavy bass track laced with thoughtful lyrics.

All the bass in the EP is top notch work. Guitar work is good and punchy. The vocals are all very clear and well placed. In Closing I really liked this EP. I think its atleast worth as listen.

It available for preorder now at http://lighthousedub.bandcamp.com/album/rough-seas-ep

Dj Artistry & NoNeedz’s new record "Give Us The Food Money EP"

He's currently doing an preorder of his new record "Give Us The Food Money EP". As with all NoNeedz records if you pay 5$ to his paypal account rytops1@yahoo.com You get the unmastered version now and then you get the mastered version for free later.

Heres the tracklist:

1 - Sick and Twisted

2 - Obstacles

3 - Haters In My Background

4 - City Sorrows

5 - Flows Like Hose

6 - A blurred Mind

7 - Stay Dry

8 - Straight Jacket

To preview some NoNeedz’s tracks check out www.soundcloud.com/noneedz

Check out this youtube video of NoNeeds (A favorite of mine)

Short Review of 3RD Alleys New Singles

--Bloodshot Eyes--

The first time I heard 3RD Alley I had a "What the fuck is this?" moment. Finally a band that had real lyrics and that wasn’t about some lame gimmick or about a poser filled scene. "Bloodshot Eyes" reminds me of the first time I heard 3RD Alley. This song has the same "dark reggae I don't give a shit if the world’s about to end attitude" to it. Which is most of the reason I'm such a big fan of 3RD Alley. There are not many bands that can really go back to their old sound/style after two full length records and actually pull it off. It’s filled with catchy everything really to the vocals the guitar work and the recording and producing is top notch also.

--Medicated--

Very easy to relate to this song lyrically for most people I think. There are a lot of elements and layers to this song, crunchy guitars and catchy lyrics. Shit even the guitars are catchy. The sax recording of Todd Forman (Sublime/Sublime With Rome) hands down murders the track, Sounds like Todd's playing right next to you in a small room.

--Conclusion--

Definitely check out these singles I gotta say its been many years and 3RD Alley hasn't disappointed yet.



Heres the link to the 3RD Alley paypal store

http://3rdalley.bigcartel.com/product/medicated-bloodshot-eyes-double-single-presale

Interview: Ras 1

My interview with Ras 1. Ras 1 has played in such bands as Long Beach Dub Allstars and Long Beach Shortbus. I ask him questions I have always wanted to ask as a fan.



I'de like to start by asking how did you get into music?

I was into music before I knew how to say the word music. My mother was a singer, She played guitar and sang all the time. My dad has always been a fan of good music. So, I never had to listen to any bullshit really.


You have quite your own sound what musicians have influenced you?

I think I am influenced a lot by Cat Stevens on writing, I like singers like Joni Michell, but I can't sing as good as her. I love the flaming lips last few albums. I dig Wilie Nelson. I like Elliot Smith. I like that chick that sings for Gossip. Old Lenny Kravitz, Let love rule. I love the way John Lennon would belt it out. I think Ian Gillan was my favorite singer.

Does were you grew up have an influence on your music/style?

Definitely.

What are some of the first recordings you made, and what are some of the bands that you were in at the time?

Some of the first recordings I made with walkman headphones as a microphone where with a band called FEEDBACK that was me, James Grissom on drums, and Jason Jacobs on bass. Also shortly after that me and my cousin Started a band called THE GRIFFIN, Which was Me on bass, John on guitar, J-sin Robbins on guitar/vox, James Grissom on drums. That was way cool. We used to play a lot of backyard gigs. I was later in a band Called JAH CHILDREN which was my first "reggae" band. We may not have been the best musicians, but we had a great singer and a beautiful bunch of people around us. I think that was a totally great time for me to reflect on in my life.


How did Long Beach Dub Allstars start up?

After Bradley died, the guys wanted to do a show for drug awareness, and M.A.P. called "Enough Already". So, they asked me to jam. We did two rehearsals with just me- bud- Eric and it was good, then the third practice the rest of the guys showed up, Miguel helped get our shit together. He was also on stage for the first year or so. Then he went back behind the board like he was for sublime. Then after the gig we decided to do more.


How was the overall experiance with Long Beach Dub All Stars?

Over all it was something I will always be grateful for. It was bitter sweet because I was playing and singing these huge gigs, and great songs, to get big checks, but it was me because of Brad died. Then there where always people in the band having resentment towards each other, fans trying to hate on me because they felt like I didn't deserve to be there.

How did Long Beach Shortbus get started?

We got started because me and Eric wanted to be a backyard band again, with Trey on guitar.




How was recording the "Long Beach Shortbus EP"?

That was sprack-tacular... Seriously.

What was your inspirations and message behind the record "Flying Ship Of Fantasy"?

My cousin J-sin, and freedom, and Rock n roll.

Anything memorable about recording "Flying Ship Of Fantasy"?

Lewis Richards saying, "for sure, totally!", and me wanting to do mare takes, and it was fun.

Looking back how was the overall experiance with Long Beach Shortbus?

I had a good time most of the time, it was better as far as the chemistry on stage.


Whats your favorite Sublime song/album and why?


Had a dat. Jah don't pay the bills, and it was young-underproduced- full of heart-full of style it was something that I knew as going to be huge. It was a great time to be around.

Where do you usually get inspiration for your songs from?

I get inspirations from my own life experiences.


Whats your song writing process like start to finish?

I will get a topic in my head, then I will get a melody, then start writing, Then the rest of the song goes as it naturally comes to me. I never say "Oh, I better make a bridge here. Better have a pre-chorus here!!! I am never going to be like having the a handbook on writing the perfect pop song.

In all the years you been a musician whats been your most memorable moment?

It was just after 911. We played a gig at the Roseland Ballroom in N.Y.C. as a charity/fundraiser for the victims/ and their families. Anyways, at the end of the show the whole crowd was exiting to the left and I see a guy going against the crowd towards me with a NY Yankees hat. He had to go through it to get to me. Anyways, he hands me his hat, and I say, "Thanks, but I am not Eric Wilson." He then says, I know who you are." then he shook my hand and left. I still have that hat. It meant a lot to me.

Are you currently working on a new recording or any new music?

I currently have a bunch of different songs. Some that are not finished, but close. They are very straight forward, not metaphoric. Some are almost children's music. I read something about Roger Waters writing dark side of the moon. He wanted it to be something a 6 year old could understand. I want to record but I need money to do it. If there is someone out there that has some I would make it worth their while. I need some help.


Have you ever dealt/deal with stage fright in your music career?

Not really. I get pissed off on stage too much to get stage fright.


What places have you liked to travel to the most so far?

I liked traveling to every place I ever went, maybe not at first sometimes.... but I always did in the long run.

Do you follow any current tv shows?

No.

Who have you been listening to as of late?


A lot of David Bowie, I like MGMT. Somehow I always end up listening to some rootsy stuff, like Israel Vibrations. There is way to much bands for me to remember. I love Ween, Radiohead, Flaming lips, all ZEP, Floyd, Cat Stevens. I dunno. I like good music.

Do you have any advice for musicians just starting out?

Do whatever you do whole heartedly. You can't just rock, you've got to roll too.

Anything you want to say to your many many fans out there?

I just really love them, and I want to go out and play for them again. I had to take some time for my mother, who was ill. She is gone now though, and I really have to start living again. We had many bonding moments out on the road, and my songs touched some of you. I have many more things to do and say, and I can't wait to catch up on what everybody else has been up to, and what there dreams and plans are for the future. Don't give up on me. Don't give up on you either. Rock n roll.

3RD Alleys - "Medicated" & "Bloodshot Eyes" double single *PRESALE* out now

Check it out brand new 3RD Alley tunes dropping Nov 16th

(From the site)

PRESALES WILL BE SHIPPED BY 11/16/10

2 brand new songs from 3rd Alley, the first to be released from their upcoming album "shoulda, woulda, coulda." Featuring Todd Forman of Sublime/Sublime with Rome. If you want them autographed, mention it in your order, no charge, obviously, we're not The Killers or anything. Cheers and thanks for checking out the new tunes from 3rd Alley!

Track Listing:

1-Medicated (Clean) 2-Bloodshot Eyes 3-Medicated (Album Version)

Limited Supply.

Heres the link to the 3RD Alley paypal store

http://3rdalley.bigcartel.com/product/medicated-bloodshot-eyes-double-single-presale

Little Down Time

This is a one man show sometimes theres a length of time before new content is posted. Sorry about that.

CHECK IT

Interview: Live@Subs

My interview with Sub from Live@Subs. Straight outta Australia this bands got some great stylee and all of their albums are worth checking out.



What artists/bands influence your sound? Eric Clapton/Cream, Hendrix, Sublime, any good dub, Alice In Chains, Beasties, RHCP's...list goes on! Wing and Deef listen to a bunch of different stuff but we def share a bunch of common influences.

How did Live@Subs get started? We all went to school together, Wing and I played guitar, Deef played drums...Wing started playing bass, we had a band! We used to jam every chance we could for years...Deef and I played in a bunch of other bands, I toured the US for 2 years back in '97 &'98 playen in an Aussie Blues/Funk band... When I quit we started taking L@S a bit more serious...just a bit...!

Whats the Australian music scene like and how do you guys fit into it? Its a pretty small scene...I dont know if we fit in it or out of it??...depends what day it is!

Who do you guys like sharing the stage with? Theres a couple bands we play with a bit out here, Feed Ya Munkie are a young band recording a new record rite now, Direct Influence and The Lowdown are another couple we play with when we can...other wise any of the 63 bands Mudd plays are always cool!

How do your songs usually start out and how do they end up getting to point were you record them? We all write together and separately, either by jams or individual ideas...We don't want just one opinion contributing to our song writing.

How did you get your start with Long Beach Records? I met Mudd over the net and sent him some music. He liked it, and then he came out to Australia just around the time Slightly Stoopid came out. We opened up for them and Mudd hung out. He then came out again not long after and we did an East Coast Tour with him on drums, we been good buddies ever since. I just had my family out staying with his in August this year.

Tell me about your recordings that are currently out? Dam we got a few...We got 4 EP's, Memoirs of an Ashtray, Holiday In Japan, The Subs EP, & The Game. Then we got 3 full lengths, Live@Subs Self Titled, Transpacific(w/Glue Factory) and Hecho En El Norte which we havnt really even released yet!! Its a project that Mudd started. Like Transpacific it was recorded half in LB Cali, and half in Melbourne. Everything is up on Itunes and at LBR's website. We also have it all for sale at www.longbeachrecords.com.au but we are currently rebuilding the website so its not up atm!

Transpacific is probably my favorite rite now, its got Mudd playen drums and guitar, Randy Bradbury from Pennywise plays bass on a couple tracks, Mike Davis from Secret Hate and Glue Factory, and Todd Forman from Sublime fame plays sax too which is cool!...

Are there any new recordings in the works? Yeah we are currently writing our asses off...we have a shit load of ideas demo'd we just gota get them structured a bit better....We been talking to some producers and playing them what we got to see if they get a vibe...but we need to get more songs outta our jams!
Mudd, Mike Long(Capitol Eye), and I spent a few days recording in LB back in August, so we got a few ideas down, we spent a day with Mike Happoldt and drank beers and did a dub medley just for kicks...was good fun!

But yeah we just in the process of releasing Hecho En El Norte thru LBR. Hit them up at www.longbeachrecords.com to get a copy...I think its on Itunes too...

I see you travel to the USA what is it that you like about the USA verses Australia? There are simply more people to play too, and its a newer audience to play our music too.... Its not that one is better, we just want to expand and not limit ourselves solely to Oz! That and we got a bunch of good friends we have made via playing music!

If you could play live anywhere where would it be? Man I don't know...thats a pretty big question...L@S like playing snow shows and beach shows, so beach or mountains, flip a coin...we aint too picky.

What is it that you like most about music? playing it live. And the people I meet thru playing music.

Whats your favorite cd and why? we still have cd's these days?

Any local Australian music acts people should check out? Same as above, Feed Ya Munkie, The Lowdown, Direct Influence, & AUD!

If your drinking than what are you drinking? Beer when its day, Scotch and Coke when its night.

What have you been listening to lately? Old Rolling Stones and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Whats the next move for Live@Subs? Finish writing our record, and record it with a good producer!

Anything you want to say to your fans people out there? support live music, get out there and go see a band at your local, when ever you can!...Cheers!

Check out some of their tunes right here
http://www.myspace.com/liveatsubs

Buy there albums from the source right here
www.longbeachrecords.com

Interview: Long Beach Records

My interview with Mudd co-owner/founder of Long Beach Records. He has also appeared in Falling Idols, Pivot Foots, Del Noah, Busface, Gluefactory, Corn Doggy Dog and the 1/2 Pound, 3rd Alley and Live@subs.

So what first got you in interested in music? My Dad was a drummer back in Detroit. He mostly just jammed at a local bar, and stopped playing by the time he moved to California. He still liked the idea though, so when my older brother showed interest in drums he bought us a set, and set it up in the garage. I got more interested when me and friends discovered punk rock. Since I had a drum set I was destined to be a drummer.

What bands and artists did you follow when you were growing up? By middle school I was mostly into David Bowie, Jimmi Hendrix, Niel Young, and Pink Floyd. The summer between junior high, and high school I was up in San Francisco at a friends house. He took me to a Dead Kennedy show. We were 15 but convinced the door guy we were older, and got in. After that I got into local punk bands (Rhino 39, Secret Hate, Crewd, Descendants), and west coast bands like DOA, Dead Kennedys, No Alternative, Germs, Plugs, Circle Jerks, Rik L. Rik. I also got into old school NY punk like Johnny Thunders, Dead Boys, Patti Smith, Jim Carol, etc, and UK bands like the Damned, Stiff Little Fingers, 999, Sex Pistols, etc.

What bands/artists influance you? Same as above, but also including MC 5, Bubble Puppy, Steppenwolf, Elvis Costello, etc. But mostly, and most significantly local bands, and the tastes of guys that I have played in bands. Guys like Blair and Brent of the Pivot Foots, and Mike Davis of Gluefactory opened up musical doors that otherwise I would have overlooked. Currently Mike Happoldt and Mike Long of Perro Bravo have me listening to a lot of cool stuff, and continuing to add to my influences.

What are some of the bands and projects that you have played in? Drums: Falling Idols, Pivot Foots, Del Noah, Busface, Gluefactory, Corn Doggy Dog and the 1/2 Pound, 3rd Alley, Live@subs, etc. I also have got to play some guitar with Live@subs, and Ken the All Night Rocker and the Wild Eyed Southern Boys. Recently I got to play bass with Part One Tribe. Very cool to record a couple of songs with those guys. Great band.

How did Long Beach Records get started? Mike Happoldt of Skunk/Sublime had me as a consultant on Stand By Your Van. I didn't really feel that I did much, so I wanted to put the money back into Skunk. Mike thought it best if I had a separate label, and we worked closely, so that he would not have to be personally involved in every band I wanted to add to the label. My first release was Das Klown's Antidote. It is a hard core punk album, and not really what Mike was doing with Skunk at the time, so it made sense to keep the labels separate, but closely linked.

Has there been alot of struggles along the way? Yeah of course. If there isn't then at the end of your life, you have not really lived. Life is a series of peeks and valleys. Flat lining is where I will be at the end.

How did the Australia and Europe divisions get started? Just meeting cool dudes like Gernot Krebs in Germany, and Simon "Sub" Michaelski in Australia. I have always loved to travel. It reinforces the fact that I too live in a bitchen part of the world. Gernot was in a band Mongrel. He sent me his cd and it was great. Same with Sub, and Live@subs. Once I got to know those guys, and their bands, we decided to go global.

Whats the process like when you choose to put a band on the label? I like them as people, and I like what they are doing musically. LBR is a DIY label. We rarely know what the band is going to do until they send us what they did.

What do you think of the Reggae/Punk/Cali music scene lately? It is really cool. I like where it is going. I think it started in the punk era for me with bands like Secret Hate, DOA, and the Plugz throwing in an occasional reggae song with political messages, and frustrated youth style lyrics. Sublime turned that into a west coast style that influenced a lot of bands. I like where a lot of the bands like the Expendables are adding to that with the double lead attack that at times reminds me of Iron Madden. Great stuff. Live@subs is adding Australian flavor, and some Hendrix style blues. Not really into the bands that take it to the pot and chicks lyrics only thing. That does not help me think, but almost encourages me not to.

What advice do you have for just starting up musicians? Build on what you hear. Write lyrics that are universal, and make your listener think. Play beyond your abilities. A lot of my favorite bands struggled to play their own songs live. I respect that. That says to me that their mind was a head of their fingers.

Should we be on the look out for some new stuff coming out? Always. Part One Tribe has some new stuff that is currently being previewed as a prerelease on lastfm.com. I am playing in a band called River Jetty that hopes to be in the studio soon. Look for Perro Bravo with Miguel Happoldt in a Costa Rican town near you in December.

Anything you want to say to the peoples/fans out there? Think for yourself. Don't just accept anyone's interpretations of books, events, etc. Enjoy a diverse world, and people with other opinions. Thank you for enjoying or hating what we do at LBR. We are just glad you know who we are. Have fun, live is to short not to.

Check out the Long Beach Records Website right here

http://www.longbeachrecords.com/

3RD Alley's New Album News: Total Access Studios Mixing Sessions

Total Access Studios – Redondo Beach, CA (9-6-10)

From Zack of 3RD Alley

We rolled in around 11am greeted by Adam Arnold (co-producer/engineer) and jumped right into mixing “medicated” which is the song we’ve all kind of considered being a “single.” It started off as a really bum out song, really dark, so I through in some lemon pepper for some zing and some Forman and it’s now a beguilingly happy jam. While mixing I’d ask “how does it sound?” and I’d hear back “sounds good” so then I’d say “okay then we gotta keep going, we’re not going for ‘good.’” We gave it a car test after we all thought it sounded “bangin’” as opposed to good and got a nice seat massage from jack’s woofers in his g-wagon. It seemed like we could just keep going but just said, “boom, we’re done, print it” which is always relieving and scary at the same time, cause that’s it. Done. Lunch time (pizza as always, they deliver, oh yeah, we had lettuce wraps for breakfast made of some frozen oriental dinners and fresh iceburg lettuce)

We then moved into “bloodshot eyes” which ended up finishing late late that night, so we had some blurry vision goin on at the end, but otherwise the same story as the previous song is applicable here. As long as there are goosebumps involved at some point, I’m stoked. It’s like studying for a test really well and then you finish your test and you feel like, I should do something more, reread it, double check my . . . . aah fuck it, i’m done.

We’re planning on releasing the 2 songs as a double single while we finish up the rest of the album which is already tracked, fyi. We just figured it would be best to get something out sooner by doing it this way. Plus, albums seem to be a bit obsolete these days, it’s all about the individual songs. We wanna feel like each song we put out is capable of being received by itself. Like in the beatles/elvis eras.

I don’t wanna talk it up like it’s the best thing ever, I’m not Brandon Flowers and I know everyone’s a bit biased when it’s so fresh, but I think these songs are the best I’ve done. This album is going vibe more like “After School Special” than the “Shiny Shady People.” It’s going to be called when it’s all said and done, “shoulda, woulda, coulda.” And it’s a complete coincidence that all 3 3rd Alley albums have 3 words in the title. Maybe satan has his hand in the works?

Drawing by Zack during the mixing session

Check out some 3RD Alley songs right here

http://www.myspace.com/3rdalley

Interview: IrieAz Photo

My interview with Tommy of IrieAz Photo. Tommys pictures are all over the place so I had to ask him some questions.

So how did you first get into taking photos? I was given a camera from my sister about 5 years ago, just an old film camera. I started taking photos during my road trips between Arizona and Michigan. After about a year i took an interest in live music. It made sense to combine the two because music has always been a big part of my day to day life.

I see you take pictures from many genres which do you dig the most? Music. Like i mentioned in the previous question its something that has always been an interest. Live shows and the energy felt from the performers and fans never gets boring. It doesn't hurt that i get to meet and photograph the artists i have grown up listening to. I'm blessed in that sense.

What else do you like taking pictures of? Anything and everything pertaining to life, art and the diversity in people. I have done my best to help promote other artists in their ventures and portray their perspectives and style through my photos.

Whats some of your most memorable shoots? You didn't specify here memorable for a good time or lessons learned. I think some of the more memorable shoots have been the ones i learn patience from. Shooting a band before they play a show, after just rolling into town and no introductions have been made. This can be a little nerve racking because you don't want to take to much of their time but you want a great shoot.

What music venues do you like the most? The best one right now i would say is Celebrity Theater. The whole set up of the venue is great. The lighting is good and the stage is set up to rotate 360 degrees while the band is playing so you get those great crowd interaction shots.

Best show you've been too so far? Beach Fest 2010 Rocky Point Mexico. It was chill because it was all right on the beach. Everybody was hanging out drinkin smokin straight west coastin. Ha.

Have you ever looked into publishing a book of your work? No. I'm not ready for all that.

Being that your in AZ what is it that you like/hate about the state? Az is my second home but the summers are lame. I enjoy being outdoors but on some days that's almost impossible. Otherwise its great!

Do you have any other hobby's? I like Bicycles.

Anything we should be on the lookout for? Yeah! Keep an eye on the web page and my FaceBook page. I am pretty consistent with my updates and i enjoy feed back.

What do you wanna say to your fans/peoples out there? There's too many too name but i want to say a big thanks to everybody that has supported me and my awesome girlfriend for helping me use my words. Ha.

Check out the IrieAz Photo website right here

http://irieazphoto.com/

Notable Mention: Skindred

A favorite band of mine for many years these guys are a class all their own. Straight outta Newport, South Wales they mix hard rock/metal with reggae calling it "Ragga metal". All thier realeases are soild and worth checking out.

Check out thier main site here

www.skindred.com/

Check out thier myspace right here

www.myspace.com/skindred