From April 4th to June 4th The Ripple Effect ran a campaign on the excellent online music website ReverbNation (www.reverbnation.com). This campaign allowed any artist or band registered with ReverbNation to submit their music to The Ripple Effect for possible review on the site and airplay on The Ripple Effect radio shows. When all was said and done we had received 4,799 submissions! Incredible! The purpose of this column is to highlight those artists and bands whose musical submissions I accepted as being worthy of consideration. While these are not reviews per se, I’m going to provide a brief rundown of what to expect from each artist/band, a sample when available, and a link to check out more on their corresponding ReverbNation page.
8 Ohms Band – Fair warning waveriders. This nine member groove machine out of Annapolis, MD brings the funk, and nothing but the funk! I’m not even upset that their submission was only a prolonged sample of a full song. It was that funky! Similar artists include The SoulJazz Orchestra, The Budos Band, and Maceo Parker. If you like strong horn sections with your funk look no further!
ReverbNation Page – http://www.reverbnation.com/8ohmsband
Song Sample – “Superheavy”
Dead Leaf Echo– This is an intriguing five member alternative/indie/new wave band from Brooklyn, NY. I can definitely hear the new wave influence on their song submission, but there isn’t an overtly electronic focus to the music. It sounds pretty organic to my ears. The ethereal vocals are gorgeous as well. Killer atmosphere on a second song as well. Similar artists include Pale Saints, Echo and the Bunnymen, and the Cocteau Twins. Well worth a listen waveriders!
ReverbNation Page – http://www.reverbnation.com/deadleafecho
Song Sample – “Half-Truth”
Critical Assembly– Okay then. This five member heavy metal wrecking crew from Austin, TX is armed and ready to crush you underfoot. Their song submission strongly reminded me of High On Fire initially, before switching gears for a more Pantera start and stop chorus. Pretty groovy if you ask me. Similar artists include Lamb of God, Hatebreed, and Down. Click the link and get pummeled waveriders.
ReverbNation Page – http://www.reverbnation.com/criticalassembly
Song Sample – “Draining The Flood”
Devil Riding Shotgun – This band is comprised of three men out of Portland, OR and they clearly want to bury you underneath a landslide caused by their music. Their song submission is some superb doom metal complete with megalithic bass guitar, a sludgy pace, and impassioned vocals. A second song I sampled would fall more under the sludge/stoner metal banner, but it was still pretty doom-y as well. If you want some doom in your life, listen to this band!
ReverbNation Page – http://www.reverbnation.com/devilridingshotgun
Song Sample – Live Snippet at Slave To The Metal
Jelly Bread – Here’s a tip. If you want to get my attention label your band as ‘Other’. I guarantee it will work, as was the case with this five member funk/rock band out of Reno, NV. Waveriders, this song submission nearly had me jumping from my chair in excitement! It sounded like a high powered, up tempo, throwback funk track by a band who had replaced their guitarist with Larry LaLonde from Primus. Yeah, they had me at hello. Similar artists include Dumpstaphunk, Ben Harper, and the John Butler Trio. Do yourself a favor and click on the link below immediately!
ReverbNation Page – http://www.reverbnation.com/jellybread
Song Sample – “Laid Out”
Brighter Fires– Attention fans of Dark Rock! This duo from Charlottesville, VA wants to be your friend. And based on their song submission, I’d have to say that your friendship may blossom rather quickly. I was strongly reminded of Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode while listening to their music. If you own albums from either of those bands then you really should take a moment to check out Brighter Fires. Other similar artists include The Cure, AFI, and She Wants Revenge.
ReverbNation Page – http://www.reverbnation.com/brighterfires
Song Sample – “Sever”
--Penfold
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