A Tsumani of Ripple Bursts – Featuring The Living Wrecks, Balance and Composure/Tigers Jaw, Moth Circus, Batusis, and The Candy Snatchers

Different format for this post.  Tons of great music, so little time.  Quick tidal shots of some of the highlights.

The Living Wrecks – Cheap Heat

Forget Green Day.  This is punk.  This is what it’s supposed to sound like, directly descended from the loins of the Sex Pistols, fertilized by the dirty seed of Richard Hell and the Voidoids, spat out from the womb of The Germs.  This is true “blank generation” punk, a whirling dervish of buzzing guitars, snotty vocals, self-destructing sneers, and generous gobs of hooks and gangland chants.  With song titles like “Midnight Disaster,” (a fucking killer tune), “Living Hell,” “Getting Sick” “Outta Control,” Self-Destruct” and “Worst Enemy,” it’s clear these guys live it as hard as they play it.  No Gilman Street posturing here, the Living Wrecks are the real fucking deal.  Or as they say in their ballsy blitz of punk mania, “Living Hell,” this place is a living hell/no better place to be/this place is a living hell/it’s the only place for me.”  I agree.  Buy it.  It’s perfect in all of it’s intentional imperfections.

buy here: Cheap Heat
or www.zodiackillerrecords.com/releases



Balance and Composure/Tigers Jaw – Split Album


Two bands familiar to waveriders and two bands on the rise.  Emo, post-rock, indy.  I don’t know what to call it.  Loud, pounding, intricate, sincere.  It’s earnest rock, free of pretense, full of passion.   Balance and Composure launch the set with their emotionally bare, angst-rock outpouring.  Guitars layer like slightly misfitting bricks, all edges and jagged outcroppings.  Jon Simmons voice braces on the verge of destruction as he vents his emotional soul through their five cuts.  Tigers Jaw take over side two, bringing a bit more finesse and post-punk charm to their tracks of tension and release.  Guitars build and interlock, bass percolates like a bubbling lava pit, drums lay down the foundation.  A bit more mature in approach than Balance and Composure, Tigers Jaw aren’t afraid to experiment with textures, melodies and that all important silence.  Dual vocals top it all off, like a hint of light eking through the darkness.  Both sides deliver.  The potential evident for the future.


buy here: Split

Moth Circus -  Sideshow Sweetheart

Building on the momentum of their Ripple-loved EP last year, Norway’s Moth Circus come rampaging back on the metallic shoulders of a whole heap of 80’s and 90’s metal influences.  Living as if they’d been marinating in early Crue, nascent Metallica, some 90’s nu-metal crunch, and whatever came to them in their worst nightmares, Moth Circus take those influences, toss them into a blender and hit frappe.  “Dreamland,” simply rocks, no other way to describe it.  Massive guitars and a killer, sing-along-til-you’re-hoarse chorus anchors this baby.  “M.I.A” lassos some definitely cool guitar textures on top of the metallic guitar crunch.  Title cut “Sideshow Sweetheart,” brings in a stunning acoustic, neo-Arabic guitar part that could’ve come from System of a Down.  Metal for the thinking man who still wants to pummel his grey matter within an inch of its existence.  Seems these cats just keep getting better.

www.myspace.com/mothcircus




Batusis – S/T EP


Ok, what happens when you take a couple of punk rock legends, plug their amps back in and give em free reign to re-explore the insanity of their youth?  Batusis results.  Named after the clumsy dance Adam West did on the old Batman television show, Batusis unites legendary surviviors, Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys with Sylain Sylvain of the New York Dolls and all sorts of punky, classic rock mayhem results.  This 4 song EP is their debut, but judging by the weighty balls these guys can still drop into their music, a full-length album can’t be too far behind.  Forget aging,  these guys found the fountain of punk-youth and blast out four bluesy, punky, rockabilly nasties.  “Blues Theme,” is just that, the blues as filtered through the Cramps or Tiger Army.  “What you Lack in Brains” is a bonafide barnstorming ode to every airheaded vixen the guys ever met, featuring the classic lines “What you lack in brains/you got in looks/a grown up doll, she never picked up a book.” “Bury You Alive,” picks up the ferocity, tearing off with barely contained abandon of classic, crunchy guitars and nastiness, while “Big Cat Stomp,” is about a cool an instrumental piece of punk rave up as one can get with some simply inspired, gritty guitar.  Age is meaningless.  Rock knows no time limits.  Everyone, dance the Batusis.

buy here: Batusis

 The Candy Snatchers – Down at Deliah’s

Ugly, dirty, and mighty unclean.  The Candy Snatchers were infected with some horribly contagious, disease of poor hygiene and they wanted nothing more than for you to wallow in their sickness.  This album almost didn't make it.  When their guitarist died of an overdose in 2008, the band shelved this album and sadly disbanded.  But thanks to the folks at Drug Front Records, the album was resurrected and we're all a little better because of it.  Dripping with phlegm, sputum, and other bodily fluids, the Candy Snatchers belch out another bucketful of dirty, filthy, speed punk, and somehow everything’s right with the world.  Forget the nation’s failing medical system, these germ-infested outbursts of noise pollution are enough to drive the stake of illness into the hearts of the weak.  You really can’t go wrong with songs like “The World is Wrong,” and “Huffer.”  And how can you ever question the brilliance of titles like “Run Jive Turkey, Run!” “You’re So Beige,” and “She’s a Real Asshole.”  RIP Matthew Odietus, your swan song was a master stroke.  Anger, snot, and things coughed up from tobacco-stained, mucous crusted orifices, to this day there still is no cure for the Candy Snatchers..  Dive in.  Catch the disease.

www.myspace.com/thecandysnatchersofficial


 

A Sunday Conversation With Moth Circus

Big, brash, loud, and heavy.  That's Moth Circus.  But most important in Ripple world, they do all that without ever losing their groove.  Manic, groovy metal, that's just the way I like it and that's just the way these Norweigian madmen bring it.  Naturally, we cleared off some space on the red leather Ripple interview couch, popped open some cold ones and couldn't wait for the circus ringmaster, Alien Ken, to stop by and enlighten us in the way of the Moth.

When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.


What have been your musical epiphany moments?


The first "rock" band I listened to was Roxette (Swedish pop band from the 80`s). I thought that was the most heavy music I have ever heard.  And then i got into this great Norwegian band called Ingenting. (Not to be confused with the Swedish band [ingenting]). They inspired me to pick up my guitar so I owe them a lot. Great band. I`ve been listening to them for 15 years straight, and I`m still not tired of it!  And then of course i discovered Nirvana.... Then there was no turning back! hehe . The latest artist that made my jaw drop was the first time I heard Buckethead. That guy is a genius and i love him. The guitar work he did in Guns n Roses Chinese Democracy is awesome... I love that record.



Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?


The music always comes first. Usually it starts with a riff and then I just build on it from there. I tend to bring a complete song to practice and then me and Johnny work together on the lyrics and vocal melody. We both carry around a lot of notebooks with various ideas and then exchange ideas and deep deep poetry.. hehe.



Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?

I really love David Lynch`s movies and i get a lot of inspiration from them. But my main motivation is the burning desire to make a change, to educate and inspire. I do not hold all the answers but I have something that needs to be said! Other inspiration sources for me are Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, EBE, Tanya Hansen and the menstruation in my morning coffee.



Genre's are so misleading and such a way to pigeonhole bands. Without resorting to labels, how would you describe your music?


We play Alien/Coffin rock like no other bands do. hehe.. We try not to get stuck in genres. If we think its sounds good then its okey. Way to many bands find a recipe and (ab)use it way to much... All their songs sound the same... I HATE that....



What is you musical intention? What are you trying to express or get your audience to feel?


My musical intention is to inspire to make a change. I hope the audience gets a good feeling when they come to our shows or listen to our record. Open your mind........But don't let your brain fall out.



In songwriting, how do you bring the song together? What do you look for in terms of complexity? Simplicity? Time changes?

How do I bring the song together? Work, work, work and lots of dr pepper to keep me focused.  I never think about complexity or simplicity or anything like that when I make a song.  Its all about the feeling and what I think fit the song. I love the simplicity of Nirvana, but I also love the complex things Buckethead does...



The business of music is a brutal place. Changes in technology have made it easier than ever for bands to get their music out, but harder than ever to make a living? What are your plans to move the band forward? How do you stay motivated in this brutal business?

Spend a lot of time on the internet trying to make new connections. Myspace and Facebook are great places to spread your music and gain new fans. I find it really important that Moth Circus is a band that finds new paths, not necessarily follow in other people`s footsteps. I just try to do my best all the time and I`m really thankful for every new fan we get.



Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?

Hehe... Call our drummer Glenn for lots of cool stories.




What makes a great song?

It has to have a hook. Something to hold on to.




Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?

The first song I wrote for Moth Circus was "Death Living". I remember playing the lead riff for the others and Glenn burst out "We cant play that shit, it sounds like Iron Maiden!!!!". Hehe... He changed his mind. The lyrics are about abuse, and the track will be remastered for our upcoming record.



What piece of your music are particularly proud of?

I wrote an instrumental song for my grandfather for his birthday last year. I could see that it made an impact on him and that means a lot to me. He is one of the few persons whom have never judged me and always stood by my side no matter what. Moth Circus-wise I`m proud of all the songs but right my favorite is "Little Lo" from the upcoming record.



Who today, writes great songs? Why?

Dave Grohl writes good songs. He has the focus on the good melody and I like that. I also have to mention Axl Rose and the Chinese Democracy record. I think its one of the best rock albums to come out in the last decade.



Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?

 I still enjoy the CD



We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. When we come to your town, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?

You know, there aren't many record stores left around here. Almost everybody is downloading illegally and I think that's a shame. But there is an old school record store that's still going strong. It`s called Record World and has lots of weird and obscure things that you don't find anywhere else. If you have seen the movie "High fidelity" you`ll get the idea


Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?

Thanks a lot for your support. Don't forget to visit www.mothcircus.com. Stay clear of drugs and keep watching the skies... The truth is out there.....

An Electrifying Edifice of Ebullient EP's Featuring Stone Axe, Moth Circus and Black Robot

Man, it seems that better and better music just keeps coming to us in the small packages.  Seems the EP might be just the perfect format sometimes, a quick burst of dynamite rock, then exit.  Clean, surgical.  Efficient.  Today's sampling of recent Ripple EP's leave it all right there on the table.  Check em out.

Stone Axe -  Extended Play

To call this 30 minute treat an EP almost seems to be an insult, a tiny dismissal of the worthiness of this project, and I'll ask you . . . nay, beg you . . . not to make that mistake.  Stone Axe came from out of nowhere last year and literally blew our collective Ripple minds with the intensity of their retro-blues rock.  Names like early Whitesnake, Free, Bad Company, amongst others just flew from our lips like so much spittle.  We were so excited we could barely form words.  Now, hot on the heels of that full-length debut, the ever restless genius that is Tony Reed comes raging back with a 7-song platter that truly pushes the boundaries of the EP format.

Featuring three hot-as-shit, brand spanking new studio cuts and amped up with 4 songs from the first album, recorded live at Rocket Records, this EP is a total feast of chuncky blues-rock beef, served up barbequed, fresh and steaming hot.  The three studio tracks pick up right where the album left off, digging back into that retro-Cov mine, to uncover some beauties.  "Ain't Gonna Miss it," is absolutely timeless blues rocking, adding a touch of the Black Crowes into its blustery swagger.  Immediately, it's clear that Tony Reed will never run out of riffs thick enough to hang your coat on, and that Dru Brinkerhoff's stunning vocal performance on the debut album was no fluke.  There he is again, just as soulful, just as whiskey-coated in his bluesy tone.  Beautiful.  "King of Everything," picks up the intensity and the crunch, rocking on like the '90's and nu metal had never happened (and many of us wish it hadn't!)  "Those Were the Golden Years," throws us a twist, with the mercurially talented Tony picking up lead vocals to go with playing every damn instrument on the track.  Damn, there seems to be nothing the cat can't do.  Give him a hammer, some nails, a stack of blueprints, and I bet he could come up with the Taj Mahal. 

Once you've had your taste of the new tracks, kick back and dig into the groove of the live cuts.  I'd heard from our Ripple brethren Woody, that Stone Axe can tear it apart live and these cuts leave no doubt.  "Black Widow," is dark and menacing, with Tony's guitar searing behind Dru's heated performance.  "Shine On," is a mini-revelation of modern blues rock, and the epic "Skylah Rae," is  . . well . . . epic, losing nothing in transition from studio album to live performance.    "There'd be Days," ends it with a Faces-esque romp, full of unbridled live energy.

Really, it's no secret, we worship just about everything T. Reed lays his hands on and this album is no exception.  If you dug the debut, don't even hesitate long enough to blink before you pick this up.  If you didn't catch the debut, but the thought of some gut-busting, raunchy and rocking blues-busters sounds enticing, Stone Axe is for you.

http://www.myspace.com/stoneaxe

Moth Circus - S/T

No, seriously, this one got me at "hello."  Or rather, it got me at the opening, massively distorted industrial synth that starts of this terrorizing blitzkrieg of Norwegian Industro-groove and roll.  Think some of the best moments of Rammstein irreversibly bonded to the rocking crunch of Metallica and you'll get a feeling for where these insane Norsemen are coming from.   Monstrously groove heavy, these riffs don't so much rock as they tremble.  The boys call their sound "Pamela Anderson masturbating at a freak show" and I won't argue.  Many people would pay good money for both!

Each track erupts off the disc with as much power as an exploding inferno.  Check out "Carousel" on the Myspace player, which is the first track on the EP I got.  Wait till the industro-distortion wears off, wait until the jackhammer drumbeat starts to kick in, then keep waiting. Wait as the feedback drenched guitar wail starts to sink down into that fucking mother of all industrial metal grooves.  Holy crap.  This song doesn't just get up and go, it bursts out of the stratosphere.  This is the way I like my metal.  Loud and mean and meaty riffy, but infinitely groovy with a bottom end that just makes me want to jump on my desk and do some dance so embarrassing my kids will want to run away from home.  The vocals are perfect also, gruff and gargled enough in the throat to be soaked in testosterone.  I'm not one for high-pitched wailers.  I like my vocals meaty also, like they're coming from a gut that's been partially digested in acid.  Oh yeah!

Moth Circus never let up all the way through the 4 tracks.  "Death Living", takes off with a tasty GnR like guitar intro before dropping down into one beast of a COC-inspired piece of industro-sludge.  And the guitars keep chugging, damn they keep on chugging!    "Stay Wrong" drops some seriously nasty distortion onto the guitars and bass without ever losing that omni-present groove.  "Dark Sunshine" throws everything for a loop with its flamboyant tribal percussion intro before bringing the rock on.

I don't know much about these cats.  Four guys from Norway.  They play mean-ass, groove-infested rock and roll  and they're tinged with a hint of pure metallic madness.  That's all I need to know.  I bought my ticket.  I've joined the Circus.

www.myspace.com/mothcircus

Black Robot - S/T

It might seem like a bad sign when a band starts off their debut EP with a cover version of a popular song, already made famous by someone else's cover version, but have no fear.  Black Robot's demolishing, AC/DC inspired retake of JJ Cale's "Cocaine," wasn't done for a lack of inspiration.  Rather, this destructive musical cyborg takes the framework of a song we all know and love and simply turn it on it's ears, instantly making it their own.   AC/DC inspired doesn't do justice to the sound here, it's JJ Cale as re-imagined through the minds of Angus Young and Bon Scott.  And the riffage just never ends.  This just may be one of the best cover songs of the year.

With a pedigree that includes band members who at one point or another were all members of Buckcherry, it shouldn't surprise you that we're gonna get some pretty fricking gritty rock and roll on this massive slab of classic-inspired rock.  Besides the obvious AC/DC adoration of the opener you'll find hints of the Black Crowes, Sabbath, the Who, some Zepplin and seemingly just about any other classic rock band that these guys tossed into their cuisinarte, hit the frape mode, then poured the broth all over their naked bodies.  "In My Car," fuses a purely modern rock riff and beat to a mid-section that just screams The Who.   "Love On a .45" drops in some Janes Addiction into the frenzy without missing a beat.  And the pace just keeps up, all the way to the "we're not the Stones," terror of "Dissatisfaction."

As I understand it, the robots have a full-length album out there now, with 13 killer cuts on Formosa Records.  If these 5 songs are any indication of what lies in store on that disc, I guarantee you that we'll be hearing much more of Black Robot in 2010 and beyond.

www.myspace.com/blackrobot

--Racer