Terror and Dread!
July 24, 2008
Racebannon’s Brad
Thumbs Up: Album of the Year, Acid or Blood, due August 12. Get it.
Racebannon Acid or Blood (Southern Records)
Acid or Blood opens with the incredible “Vampyric Solution” and “Translucent Lifeforce,” but during the obscenely titled third track, at the 1-minute and 45 second mark, Racebannon reveal themselves to be an amazing force in present-day rock and roll. A devilishly slow riff scrapes the coals of hell, muscling back to deposit fire into the listener’s ear. The guitar bends and pulls, dive-bombing and surfacing like a demon pulling its prey into pieces while pushing it into the murky depths. At this moment Racebannon seduces the listener in a seamless combination of distortion, psych-ward screaming and pulverizing beats. It only gets better from there, making Acid or Blood the band’s most solid record yet.
Years of touring have sharpened Racebannon’s edge into a truly frightening blade, allowing the band to strike with surgical precision. Mike Anderson’s tortured vocal delivery is pure gold, hovering like a ghost above the gurgling thump of the rhythm section. Gasping and screaming, spitfire lyrics hit like hollow-points designed to blow the back off the listener’s skull. The band is at their strongest during the one-two punch of “The Killer” and “Terror & Dread.” Ominously heavy, the guitars lure you into the frenzy first with chaos, then ear-damaging riffs, and finally, a hypnotizing wave of feedback that washes away all the blood and guts to reveal still more dementia and torment.
Unlike the many agro-metal bands abounding like unwanted blemishes on a teen’s face, Bloomington, Indiana’s Racebannon bring something new to the table of heavy. Their music is more comparable to classic horror films than their musical contemporaries. Like Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, and Jaws, Acid or Blood is a well-conceived and executed masterpiece. Comprised of aural suspense and filled with tension and release, this album may just bite your ass off.
Translucent Lifeforce!
July 15, 2008
photo by Birch Miller
Thumbs Up: Acid or Blood, the long-awaited record from Racebannon drops on August 12th, y’all! Trust me, a little demon bird slipped me an advance copy a long time ago – this is one of my favorite albums. Check my damn Last.FM stats if you have doubts. And yes, the boys are coming to Austin on September 14th at Red 7. HELL yeah.
Racebannon’s bassist, Sal
Sweet Caroline
June 25, 2008
Niece!
My Favorite Music
June 19, 2008
Eef Barzelay!
Thumbs Up: Sure, Pig Destroyer, Racebannon and the Locust occupy most of my listening as of late, but I wasn’t raised by wolves alone. Surprisingly, I do have a taste for ye’ ole “singer-songwriters,” as evidenced in the Stubbs The Zombie soundtrack I co-produced with my compadre Zach Rener. One of the first artists to sign on to our crazy collection of 50s and 60s covers was Eef and his band, Clem Snide. Their “Tears On My Pillow” contribution to the soundtrack made me a happy, happy boy. Seeing Eef at the venerable Mohawk last night reaffirmed my love for this man’s songwriting. Go buy his new Lose Big and figure it all out for yourself.
check out the trailer to the smash-hit videogame including the tunes of Ben Kweller “lollipop” and Oranger “mr. sandman” songs heard in this commercial…fun memories:
Beer, Racebannon and a little old fashioned cheese!
June 12, 2008
Breckenridge’s Agave Wheat, a tremendous beer!
Thumbs Up: Gee whiz I love it when I purchase a heretofore unknown brand/style of beer and am subsequently bombarded with amazing quality, style, and above all else – taste. It’s in that spirit that I raise my glass to yet another Colorado brewery that has exceeded my expectations and demands for serious beer. (What is the deal with Colorado? My all-around favorite brewery, New Belgium, is made in Ft. Collins and my 2nd fave, Flying Dog, is out of Denver. )
Breckenridge’s Agave Wheat is a tremendous example of an easy-drinking, summer-time beverage. Wheat beer has been one of my favorite beverages through TX summers – and the unique agave twist Breckenridge employs here works fantastically!
Bonus Thumbs Up: Racebannon are coming to Austin. September 14th at Red 7. Hells yeah!
Let yr Fuck Fright Shine!
June 11, 2008
Thumbs Up: true story…the first time I saw Racebannon I was nearly ejected from the venue. That’s right. Mild mannered me was intoxicated and infatuated enough to figuratively and literally throw myself at these mighty rockers from my birth state of Indiana. All ended well, however, and the band and I remain on fantastic terms. I’ve seen them sober several times since and I remain enamored by their sheer ability to destroy everything around me while creating absolute beauty.
Their “new” record (which I’ve had for 3 or 4 full years) Acid or Blood is one of the best reasons to remain interested in music as a vehicle for evolution and uninhibited expression. Tracks like “Sister Fucker” and “The Killer” demonstrate Racebannon at their best, lurking sinisterly behind a metallic burning bush of disbelief and a penchant for fighting on, nonetheless.
Racebannon come to Red 7 in Austin September 14th…
Indiana Wedding on an Indiana Night!
June 9, 2008
Jabin Burnworth, one of the best human beings on the planet, at his wedding! Congratulations Jabin and Hannah!
Thumbs Up: Although I’ve only heard a couple of tracks, I’m very excited about My Morning Jacket’s Evil Urges, out tomorrow – June 10. This band has slowly won me over, beginning with the first time I saw them live – opening for Guided by Voices at La Zona Rosa in 2002. The band has intrigued me since then and all signs point to Evil Urges being one of this decade’s best records. I’m buying it. If you are lucky enough to be in the vicinity of these fellas’ live gigs – don’t miss it!
Indiana Boys on an Indiana Night!
June 2, 2008
J.D. (an Indiana native) of Oh, Beast!
Thumbs Up: Powers Hamburgers in Fort Wayne, IN. These signature ’sliders’ are amazing…just saying. I had three of ‘em today (“with cheese, please”) and went into a pleasure coma for a few minutes. Tremendous burgers…White Castle has nothing on these babies. If yr ever in Northeast Indiana, y’all stop for some seriously satisfying food. Powers to the people!
word up to Fetcho on Flicker for the photo.
Capice?
May 29, 2008
Miguel of Catfish Haven!
Thumbs Up: I booked/promoted a show (with lots of help) at Emo’s the night before SXSW08…the jammy and retro-infused Catfish Haven played. Although I’m not sure I need them, they were much better than I expected. Fine human beings, as well. Whew!
Medium Rare!
May 28, 2008
Thumbs Up: These guys are fantastic. If you’ve yet to see Peelander Z in concert, put that on yr ‘things to do’ list. I’ve seen them a handful of times, and I don’t regret a one of ‘em. Hell, I even made it into their video for “Mad Tiger.” I may never forget that moment when they pulled me on stage to display the “medium rare” text my friend Tad had committed to my tummy hours before. The video is below – look for me at the 1:57 mark. I look fantastic!
