THE SPOTLIGHT: MARCH, 2004
SPOTLIGHT: MARCH, 2004
This issue is brought to you by Rainmaker Publicity. Indie before indie was
cool. Visit http://www.rainmakerpublicity.com or call toll free,
1-617-889-4122.
I recently started writing for Bands Backstage, which I'm really excited
about. When it comes to music and promotion, the people behind this website
are pretty much on the same page as I am, which is really cool. I feel
honored to be a part of what they're doing. So, check it out and be sure to
send 'em a press kit!
BANDS BACKSTAGE: http://www.bandsbackstage.com
With that said...we're gonna GO COUNTRY in this issue, which I know will
please some of the people on this list. Got some releases here that are
actually pretty good...and that's saying something because I'm not exactly
a fan of country music. But, these releases were pretty cool and I thought
I would share some of 'em with you. Enjoy!!!
TWANG TOWN: http://www.twangtownusa.com
The first one I'd like to mention is from Poison vocalist BRET MICHAELS.
The material on this release is mentioned on his website. Although I don't
think it's in circulation yet. Anyway, the first tune is "Future Ex-Wife"
and it's kind of an upbeat country tune. "Hot Dang Mama" sounds like it
could be a Poison tune because it has the same vibe as some of their
"other" material, if you know what I mean. "The Other Side Of Me," is a
country ballad as is "The One You Get," which is the one that I believe
will become a number one single if that's the direction Bret's looking to
go with this project. I don't know who the female vocalist is, but, she can
REALLY sing and this duet is just, in a word...AMAZING!!! "Like I Do, I Do"
is kind of upbeat and "Play One For Me" brings "Something To Believe In" to
mind. Like I said, I don't think this material is supposed to be in
circulation yet. But, I wanted to mention it in order to get a little buzz
going about it so that, hopefully, when it's actually released, a lot of
you will check it out. After hearing these tunes, it's an album that I
would add to my collection, no doubt about it!
BRET MICHAELS: http://www.bretmichaels.com
The Bridge is a band that I've been talking about for years and I was lucky
enough to see them live once, which was a real pleasure. The first release
I got from them was more, shall we say, folk mixed with the whole
singer/songwriter vibe. However, the second release they sent me, "Headin'
Home," was straight up country. I really got into this release because it's
more upbeat than their previous release, which I also liked. But, when I'm
in the mood to listen to The Bridge, this is the one that I spin the most.
Got some great material here, such as "One Foot Out The Door" and "Turns
Out It's The Beer." If you're looking for something different, you might
wanna give The Bridge a chance. I'm sure you'll enjoy what you hear. I know
I do!!!
THE BRIDGE: http://www.thebridgeband.com
I've had Mick Hargreaves CD, "Redemption Center," for quite some time now.
It's a solid album from begining to end and while I wouldn't call it a full
blown country release...because it's not...there's some stuff on here that
might float you. "Stuck In The Stable Blues" is kind of a blues/country
tune and "Always Come" is listed as the "spaghetti western version." "Your
God Given Name" is something you might hear on country radio. Actually,
when I think about it, this release seems more like singer/songwriter
material with a slight rock/blues vibe or something like that. It's a good
disc to kick back and releax with, that's for sure.
MICK HARGREAVES: http://www.mickhargreaves.com
I was lucky enough to meet Carol Jane last year at the singer/songwriter
festival. During that show, I recieved a copy of her ten song, self titled
album and, after giving a listen, I thought to myself, "Why isn't she on a
major label?" Her music is a lot better than everything I've heard on
country radio. I can describe her music with a single word...AMAZING!!!
This is one artist that you need to check out. Take my word for it, you
won't be disappointed!!!
CAROL JANE: http://www.caroljane.com
Speaking of people who should be on a major label, we've gotta mention The
Front Porch Country Band. They've got a full length release, "Somebody
Tonight," which is pretty good. It shows what an exceptional band they
truly are. But, it's "America Standing Tall" that really blew me away. This
release arrived seven days after the events of September 11th and, in my
opinion, it's an album that will go down in history as one of the greatest
country releases this planet has ever heard. If you're a country music fan,
this is a "MUST HAVE" release, there's no question about it. Your
collection isn't complete without it. It's a very, very powerful and
emotional release that you have to hear to really appreciate. Trust me, you
can't go wrong with this one!!!
FRONT PORCH: http://www.frontporchcountryband.com
Finally, there's Mark Brine. He has a number of releases available and the
one I have is "Real Special Feelin'," which was released in 1999. I know
it's kind of old. But, it's one that sat in my "need to review" pile and I
thought I should dust it off and write a line or two about it now. Better
late than never, right??? Anyway, I wouldn't say this is a pure country
release. It's more like a combination of country, blues and folk...with
folk being the strongest. There's a lot of emotion in his voice and, well,
this is the kind of music that does more than entertain. It touches you
deep within your soul. I would suggest this album to any person who likes
to have a real connection to the music that they're listening to. This one
will do the trick for you!
MARK BRINE: http://www.markbrine.com
Okay, well, it's time to switch gears now and get into some of the music
that people "expect" me to write about...and I think I'll start off with
KREEP! I caught this band live when the opened for Skid Row last year,
which some of you may remember me talking about. On stage, they came off
like a straight forward hardcore band, which is a style of music I can get
into if it's done right. Well, KREEP did it right, at least in my
opinion...and, no, I'm not saying that because I was really drunk that
night. Anyway, they have two releases available, "Carpetride" and "Spooky
Chick" and, on record, they sound more like an industrial hardcore band.
So, it was almost like I experienced two different bands. As for my album
pick, I would go with "Spooky Chick" because they've got a song on there
called "What," which was really cool. Plus, this release has more material
and, on top of that, it's a pretty cool album. 'Nuff said!!!
KREEP: http://www.kreeponline.com
You can't listen to the same thing over and over again because, regardless
of how much you like it, you eventually become bored with it. Do you think
I listen to KISS 24 hours a day, seven days a week??? No, I
don't....although it's not a bad idea. But, when I'm in the mood for
something different, I listen to Big Ugly Guys!!! Their current release,
"Get On The Bug Bus," is certainly different than a lot of the music that's
floating around out there. If you go to their website, you'll notice they
describe their music as roots rock for old fashioned lovers and, well, read
the full description online. Yes, they're a rock band. But, it's rock with
a twist. Very cool, indeed!!!
BIG UGLY GUYS: http://www.biguglyguys.com
Jeff Feltenberger has been with The Badlees from the very begining. Through
the highs and the lows, the touring and recording, major label deals and
independent releases. But, as of this month, Jeff is no longer with the
band. According to the latest e-mail sent out by the band, Jeff is now
putting all of his energy into his new band, Sweet Pea Felty and he's
working at Scott Wray Studios in New Cumberland, PA. as a producer,
engineer and teacher. Hopefully, we'll be able to tell you more about this
band in the future. We'll keep you posted.
THE BADLEES: http://www.badlees.com
SWEET PEA FELTY: http://www.sweetpeafelty.com
Central Pennsylvania's premier power metal band, Balistic, has announced a
change in their lineup. Don Hosler, formerly of the band Reemer and
regional favorites Aslan, has been picked to man the drum chair for
Balistic. Don was a driving force in the Central Pennsylvania music scene
for a number of years with his knowledge of promotion and the music
business. He has also taught his craft to a few up and coming drummers
working right now. Don also is an accomplished songwriter, having released
a solo CD of his own songs a few years ago called "Boardwalk of Broken
Dreams". Balistic has started work right away with some new originals and
rearranging their show with some different cover songs.
BALISTIC: http://www.balistic.com
Fishkill is a DIY project and they've got a fifteen song release called "A
Change Of Atmosphere" that's worth checking out if you're into loud, hard
and heavy rock with a side order of more melodic stuff from time to time.
At least that's how Chris Nelson describes it on the back of his CD. You've
gotta love the DIY stuff...I know I do!!!
FISHKILL: http://www.geocities.com/fishkillmusic
Well, that's about all for now. Until next month...support local music! And
be sure to check out EDENPARK on Sound Click! They're one crazy band!!!
http://www.soundclick.com/edenpark
And don't forget that MMC is coming up: http://musicconference.net
SPOTLIGHT
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