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

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

On The Spot Interview: Jon Wayne And The Pain

My late night facebook chat interview with Jon of Jon Wayne And The Pain.

Me- So Jon how did you get started in music?

Jon- I started taking guitar lessons when i was 9 and first played songs by the doors and other rock and roll classics like stairway to heaven and other top 40 picks. Love me two times was the first song I sang in front of people

Me- Nice man. I've seen interviews were you talk about being a former addict how does it influance your music and do you have any advice for the peoples out there trying to get clean?

Jon- Being a recovering drug addict does have a big influence on the music. The inspiration i once got from those drugs turned out to be the thing that nearly took my life and ultimately left me uninspired. Now that i look back on it, the main thing that helped me get clean was seeing that I didnt have to live that life anymore if I didnt want to. I saw other people who had similar stories to me change their life through taking different actions and gaining contact with a power greater than themselves.

Me- Some pretty strong words of inspiration. What is it that you like most about music?

Jon- I like how, when the Im feeling either our music or someone else's music. I can leave the surface of the earth and find myself completely content in the present moment. I have found that being in the present moment is the most wonderful place to be, even if things appear to be going bad. I have no control over the past or future, but have complete control over my life in the here and now. Music has brought me to that place more than anything else

Me- I hear you on alot of that. Do you still see racistism is a problem today?

Jon- Not as much in the groups that i surround myself with usually. But, when we play in smaller communties, that have been extremely sheltered from other cultures and races i do see it more. I dont respond well to Racist people. I usually loose my composure and say something that I regret. So i usually turn the other way and leave a conversation if It gets a racist tone to it

Me- What was the major thoughts behind your first record? I've listened to it many times. Theres alot of great tracks on it and tracks that make you think. A couple that I think alot of people can compare to there own lives.

Jon- Yeah Im glad you can relate to it. I think that having a struggle in your life and moving past that struggle is something that a lot of people can relate to. Even if it hasnt been drugs or alcohol, we have all had tough parts in our lives and being able to move past it is a unifying theme.

Me- So Jon do you have any other hobbys than music?

Jon- Yeah, I really enjoy Longboarding around the neighborhoods and chillin at home here in Uptown Minneapolis. We're on the road so much that its just nice to not be in a moving vehicle. I also enjoy fishing, but dont make it out very often.

Me- What did you change on your new record what was the major influence behind it? How was recording it?

Jon- We had progressed more as a band when we we went into the studio for our latest album and had more of a complete idea of what we wanted than on the last album. My personal influence of most of the songs had come from me getting excited about life again. Getting back in the swing of living, realizing that life doesnt have to be a series of self inflicted pains. The recording process was tedious, but we ended up getting a pretty good album out of it. Im altogether pleased with the outcome of our new effort.

Me- I wanna personally thank you for doing this interview, Do you have anything you want to say to your fans/peoples out there?

Jon- We have found so much support from our fans that we will keep up the hard work. You people have made it worth while to play all these shows in all these cities. We wouldn't be Shit without you. Thank you for everything. If you believe in us, help us spread our music to people who have never heard it.

Check out their Myspace at

http://www.myspace.com/jonwayneandthepain

Also check out the bands website at

http://www.jonwayneandthepain.com/

Interview: Matt Irie and Ethan Grooms of Erosion

Matt Irie and Ethan Grooms of Erosion answers some of my questions about whats going on with their band Erosion

I wanna start this off By asking where the name for the band came from? Matt - Basically, going through a few different options and with about every thing under the sun being taken, we realized Erosion would be a good fit.

Ethan: yeah, we threw names around for a little while an we didnt want anything to cliche, erosion fit.

How did you guys all meet? Matt - Nate and I met years ago at one of the local bars and had alot of the same interests in the same music and clicked from there. Come to meet Ethan and Joey last year at one of the shows Nate and I were doing as a duo, few days later came over to jam and everything came together.

Ethan: Me an Joey have known each other since about middle school. We grew up through high school playing in different bands an stuff. Me an him were in a band for a while an it kind of became stale for us an everyone kind of went separate ways. We had a mutual friend that kept telling me an joey he had some friends that we should get up an play music with. So we go check matt an nates duo show one night an the rest is history.

Who has been your biggest inspiration so far? Matt - I would say my family, of course all the guys in the band, and all the cool people I have met so far doing this.

Ethan: Life, an the people around you.

How has your music evolved since you first began playing music as a band? Matt -Came quite far, with every rehearsal we take some time and jam out for a bit to get a vibe for a new song and take it from there. One thing I can say is we take it a step further everytime, not to be defined a certain genre. While still sticking to the reggae sound though.

Ethan: Its been reggae from the get go, but everyone has a bit of a different style they bring to the table that gives it a different feel.

So far how have the shows been? Matt - We have done 1 show as the band with Pasadena down in Myrtle Beach. We do plan on taking this out to the masses though. Looking to get the most energetic and fun live show we can together to make sure everyone remembers the name. Gonna be a good time.

Ethan: Like Matt said super fun. Have got to meet some cool people. Were ready to start doing more shows an get the name out there.

What has been your biggest challenge so far? Matt - In my opinion it's been everything, but in a good manner you could say. With the band you take in that everyone voices there idea for how something should grow. With this being the first run for myself in a stable musical setting, it's been really cool to take all of it in and just keep building.

Ethan: I wouldnt say ive personally had a challenge yet. Im getting to do what i love..play bass, hang with good friends, and overdose on reggae music!!

Hows the recording going on the debut album? Matt - We have alot of ideas brewing up, I had a few solo tracks we have worked on that never got released, and like I said before, every rehearsal we have, we develop so many new ideas for songs. Got some good stuff coming for sure in the form of an EP I believe.

Ethan: Good, taking our time. Its hard, everytime we get together an jam theres always something new we play or learned an want to incorporate into a song.

How do you guys feel about the current state the music business is in? Matt - In every genre of music you have a certain level they say you can reach. I believe this reggae\rock genre is starting to make a bigger name for itself with all the groups who are doing bigger things. The rising bands making a name for themselves as well. It's all about unity in my eyes. You have to get out and network with everyone you meet. Keep it fresh in the eyes of the fans,friends, whoever is taking time to give their support. This is not a business for the lazy,or weak minded that is for sure. Much support to those doing it up.

What are you guys drinking? Matt - GENNY LIGHT, IPA,Jager,Miller,Bud Light,Liberty micro brew,Ethan drinks alot of Christian Bros. Brandy as well. E Dubb Whiskey,and a ton of Sailor Jerrys.

Ethan: Brandy, alllll day.

Whats the next move? Matt - Taking it one stride at a time for the moment being, many things to come for sure. Erosion is a name you will be seeing for awhile, so get used to it haha. Got some cool things in the works we are keeping wrapped up till its time. You can keep up to date on the facebook "Erosion" and the myspace as well at www.myspace.com/erosionmusicnc

Ethan: Bass & Beer store

Interview: Tatanka

Tatanka is a dub three piece from Denver, Co. They mix sounds and styles like a good bartender. Including dub, progressive reggae, and electro. The bands Ep "Sounds in Technicolor" is worth checking out and a classic in my book.

How did the band get started? Me (Champian) and The Mexico became friends in late 2007 early 2008 and started playing around with some new riddims. Malonestar got ahold of me via Craig's list, it was game set and match from there.

Did any of you play in bands before Tatanka? All of us had projects before this - The Mexico played in a punk rock band called Audio Militia I played in Rassteady, P-Nuckle and The Language and Malonestar played in several groups out east. This has now become our most serious project.

What are your sepreate influences and what influences do you all share? All three of us like all types of music. I know that we are all into the new UK dubstep scene. Some of the tunes coming from that genre are as heavy as they get. Some of the bands we all enjoy listening to include Alpha and Omega, Midnite, Fat Freddys Drop, The Black Seeds and John Brown's Body.

Whats the Denver music scene like? Denver's music scene is getting healthier and healthier. Now that we have the Mile High Music Festival people are flying from all over to come to Colorado and watch music. We also have the UMS which is Denver's version of SXSW. The dubstep scene in Denver is a sold out every weekend kind of thing.

How was recording the "Sounds in Technicolor" Ep? Just a blast we learned alot about our selves musically. We now know how to push the limit on upcoming releases.

Why did you decide to give the "Sounds in Technicolor" Ep out for free? I have tried to sell music to my peers and others since i was 16 years old. No one wants to buy your bands 10 dollar demo that your hustling out of the back of your jeep. The economy has taken a turn for the worst and money is tight as ever. People are already convinced what type of music they like and how they will go about obtaining these tunes. If we make our product free it almost becomes impossible to turn your head away and not listen. And if we can get you to listen then i bet we will have you hooked after that.

Where do you guys like to play the most so far and why? The Belly Up in Aspen - They treat us the best out of any venue we have ever played at. Anywhere in San Diego because people eat our music up out there. And my personal favorite is Cervantes Otherside in Denver. We always pack that place when we play there.

What have you guys been jamming out to lately? In my player personally I have been jamming Big Boi's new CD. Best rap album since chronic 2001.

If your drinking what are you drinking? Appleton Estate Rum the 12 yr. old bottle of course.

I hear your working on new material in the studio whats the good word on this? Every time we practice/perform we come up with new material. The soundscape we create is based heavily on improv. We are looking to get into the studio as fast as we can.

Whats the next move? Tour... Tour........Tour............Tour

Anything you wanna say to your fans/peoples out there? Much love to Silver Surfer. much love to our denver people showing us love and the rest of the world who are tuned into Tatanka. Mad props to Dom for doin this interview!


To download there Ep "Sounds in Technicolor" for free go to
http://tatankadub.bandcamp.com/track/dubtronic

Check out Tatanka's myspace at

http://www.myspace.com/tatankalive