Become a mix master

Eddie March 26, 2015 0 Comment

Landr

As technology changes at an ever-so-rapid pace, many of the techniques used to make records have changed or become extinct seemingly overnight. Enter Landr, a new web-based company that aims to take the mastering world by storm by offering musicians the chance to upload songs and get ’em mastered at a fraction of the cost that most audio labs charge. If you’re looking to make your record sound professional rather than like a demo, this is the hot ticket. Sign up for a free account and get two free finished and mastered MP3 files in return. Want more? Landr also offers three monthly options priced at $6, $14 and $39 respectively. www.landr.com.
(SN&R)

Eight Gigs: Max Raabe and Palast Orchester

Eddie March 26, 2015 0 Comment

Thurs., April 2, 8 p.m., Mondavi Center, $13.50-$77

German crooner Max Raabe has been releasing albums since 1988 and has become a force to be reckoned with. After learning much about German music and dance from his parents, Raabe attended Berlin University of the Arts and eventually formed Palast Orchester to see his songs realized. Although much of the material during the ensemble’s beginnings came from Raabe’s flea-market finds, the group morphed into something much greater. He also writes his own music in addition to paying respect to German and American standards. Come dressed to the nines and get a babysitter if you have kids. 9399 Old Davis Road in Davis, www.palast-orchester.de/en.
(SN&R)

Bodies at rest and in commotion

Eddie March 26, 2015 0 Comment

First-name basis assault: For the sake of anonymity, the members of Rat Damage (Ken, Jay, Jason, Thomas and Cyril) only use their first names and, similarly, do their best to shield themselves from pop culture. Last Friday’s show found the vicious, DIY punk-metal hybrid holding court at the Colony.

From the moment the band started playing, attendees were treated to a raucous set ignited by frontman Ken’s antics. He ran amok while the band’s guitarists, Thomas and Jay, lit the place ablaze with a dual guitar assault.

To date, the band has only released a handful of releases including a split 7-inch with Crucial Cause and a full-length album, Cursed, on F.Y.B.S. Records.

Until the band releases another single or album, catch them April 22 at a house party in Davis. Additionally, they’re scheduled to play the opening slot on June 19 at the Blue Lamp on a bill that includes the legendary Poison Idea. Visit Rat Damage’s Facebook page for more information: www.facebook.com/rat.damage.
(SN&R)

Eight Gigs: Weedeater

Eddie March 26, 2015 0 Comment

Mon., March 30, 8 p.m., Starlite Lounge, $15-$18

Dixie Dave, bassist and vocalist for North Carolina’s Weedeater, is touring again and the group will be debuting new material from its soon-to-be-released album on French label Season Of Mist. For those unfamiliar with the sludge and stoner-rock outfit, the band has released only four albums since its inception in 1998. However, one listen to any of the band’s records and you’ll know that filthy metal of this kind takes time. After all, there’s dope to be smoked, cough syrup to be mixed with hard alcohol and lots of extracurricular partying to be done. If recent single “Hot Doughnuts Now” is any indication, the new album will be worth the wait. 1517 21st Street, www.weedmetal.com.

(SN&R)

Ecate

Eddie March 26, 2015 0 Comment

If one were to take copious amounts of acid or have more than a few too many drinks, the new album by Italy’s Ufomammut would be the perfect disorientating soundtrack. On each of the six expansive tracks (half of which are more than 10 minutes long), the legendary doom/psych-metal crew explores different facets of the Greek goddess of its title, Ecate, and ties it all together with a theme of rebellion. Instead of playing mere psychedelic drones that take the listener nowhere, the band goes beyond the competition with songs like the crushing “Plouton” and the doom-laden album opener, “Somnium.” Already a household name overseas and a favorite at Roadburn, the annual festival of all things heavy in Holland, the band is making its way to the States for its first North American tour in its 16-year history. Since 2012, the band has worked with Neurot Recordings, founded by Neurosis, the East Bay band that was undoubtedly a huge influence on their Italian brothers in metal. The pairing couldn’t be more appropriate, and for fans of their predecessor’s style of dark, experimental heaviness, Ufomammut’s latest is a must have.

(CN&R)

Dirty and Rotten. D.R.I. roll into Sebastopol.

Eddie March 25, 2015 0 Comment

When singer Kurt Brecht and guitarist Peter “Spike” Cassidy started the punk band Dirty Rotten Imbeciles (better known as D.R.I.) back in 1982, they never imagined the band would be going strong after 33 years.

Besides an extended hiatus between 2006 and 2013 when Cassidy spent time treating and recovering from colon cancer, the band has been touring incessantly, playing places as far-reaching as South America and Indonesia.

“We just recorded a new EP that has three new songs and two re-recorded ones from years ago,” Brecht says, by phone from his home in Houston, Texas. “We don’t have a name for it yet and still no release date planned, but it will be released on Beer City records. We also have a few other new songs, and we’ve been working in our new drummer, Brandon Karns, who joined us last summer.”

Although a contract with Slim’s in San Francisco from a previous booking agent had prevented the band from playing in the North Bay, Cassidy now books all D.R.I. dates, and the band will finally do a proper Sonoma County show on Thursday, April 2, at 755 Afterdark in Sebastopol with Slandyr, Twisted Psychology, Thought Vomit, Trecelenc and Phantasm. 755 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. 7pm. $17 advance; $20 at the door (all ages). 707.861.9190. www.755afterdark.com.

(North Bay Bohemian)

Watch the Right Thing. Spike Lee celebrates 30 years of filmmaking.

Eddie March 25, 2015 0 Comment

Spike Lee has been challenging filmgoers since the release of his first movie, Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, in 1983. After the 1989 box office breakthrough Do The Right Thing, Lee proved his staying power by addressing racial and political issues in films that make many viewers uncomfortable but always seem to teach something new.

Lee celebrates the release of 36 films, or “joints” as he terms them, on March 29 at City Winery in Napa. Attendees will be treated to selections from his movies—great for those who only know him from Malcolm X or the classic Jungle Fever—and six wines paired with the screenings. Additionally, there will be a Q&A sessions with Lee, an exclusive look at his latest film, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, and a surprise musical guest. Expect this one to sell out.

An Evening of Music, Film and Wine
with Spike Lee happens March 29 at City Winery, 1030 Napa. 8pm. $60–$75. 707.260.1600.

(North Bay Bohemian)

In Times

Eddie March 24, 2015 0 Comment

Norway’s Enslaved practically invented Viking metal with the release of the Vikingligr Veldi EP in 1994. With each successive release, however, the band reinvented itself to the point it could no longer be labeled so easily. In Times is Enslaved’s 12th full-length and it showcases the players’ ability to blend the best parts of death, black and progressive metal without sounding dated or derivative. The sometimes cold and dark atmospheric sounds on songs such as the nearly 11-minute title track show a band unafraid of letting the music guide them wherever they must go. Fans of earlier records might not enjoy the clean vocals of keyboard player Herbrand Larsen here, but they play into the band’s approach of bringing harmony to a genre mostly devoid of it. Founding members Grutle Kjellson (vocals, bass) and Ivar Bj&#;oslash;rnson (guitar, keys, vocals) certainly aren’t about to write any radio singles; each of the album’s six songs clock in at over eight minutes. From the bombastic opening track, “Thurisaz Dreaming,” through magnifcent closer, “Daylight,” In Times is one epic ride.

(CN&R)

Eight Gigs: Angelina Moysov

Eddie March 19, 2015 0 Comment

Wed., March 25, 8 p.m., Naked Lounge, $5

If you were going to shows in the East Bay or even the Sacramento valley from 2000 to 2007, chances are you heard of Persephone’s Bees. Russia-born Angelina Moysov and her husband Tom Ayres were the chief songwriters and eventually got signed to Columbia Records and released the fabulous Notes From The Underworld in 2006. And while the band received considerable accolades and the couple made some great publishing and sync licensing revenue from placement on The Sopranos, Weeds and many advertisements, it wasn’t enough for them to keep their record deal. If you’re a fan of well-crafted pop, you will enjoy Angelina’s solo material. 1111 H Street, www.persephonesbees.com.

(SN&R)

Eight Gigs: Magickat

Eddie March 19, 2015 0 Comment

Sat., March 21, 6:30 p.m., Old Ironsides, $20

Magickat, a tribute to Cat Stevens, a.k.a. Yusuf Islam, does great justice to his storied catalog without sounding coerced or tired. Singer George Papailias does more than an admirable job of delivering Stevens’ songs and is aided by a fine backing band. They’ve sold out venues such as Harlow’s Restaurant & Nightclub and Miner’s Foundry Cultural Center and have consequently grown their fan base organically. This is a seated dinner show and benefit for The Mustard Seed School. Food will be provided by T&R Taste of Texas BBQ, and Adrian Bellue and Joe Kye open the show. Hurry and grab tickets, since this one will most likely sell out. 1901 10th Street, www.facebook.com/catstevenstribute.

(SN&R)