Dancing to the Beat of Your Own Drum

As many Julien-K fans were, I was blind-sided by Elias’ decision to leave the band. His reasoning was fair an understandable, and I am so happy for him and his family, and wish him nothing but the best. But it left many of us wondering “Who will take his place?”. Elias is one-in-a-million. He fit so well with Julien-K, I couldn’t imagine anyone else stepping in.

A few days later, the band announced Frank Zummo as their new drummer. Having never heard the name, I did a little research (i.e. asked my girls who the hell he was) and discovered he was a drummer in a group called Street Drum Corps. My friends had seen them play, and insisted they were awesome.

Saturday night, I had the pleasure to experience Street Drum Corps live in Hollywood at Bar Sinister.

Ho.Ly.Shit. What I saw on Saturday was unexpected awesomeness, and I was blown away. The only way I can think to describe SDC is it is a complicated recipe of so many factors that sound weird and bizarre but marry perfectly and uniquely.

Start off with Stomp. Add Blue Man Group (minus blue people though!). Throw in street performers, electronic, rock and pop music, costumes, and some power tools. Pour in awesome video presentations (not powerpoint crap!). Sprinkle with recycled trash. Shove on stage for 2 hours, and you have the perfect SDC experience.

Comprised of Adam and Bobby Alt as well as Frank Zummo, these guys take everything they do, and turn up the creativity factor to 11. These guys are NOT some average “edgy” Stomp-esque knock-off. What SDC does onstage is so unique, and so energizing. They push the envelope to what music is, and tie it all together with drums that are just so… primal. Watching them live is like watching the creative thinking process in action.

You all should DEFINITELY check Street Drum Corps out. Which you can do here: Street Drum Corps

And as for you, Mr. Frank Zummo… my boys made a wise decision, welcome to Julien-K.

Okay, I’ll shut up, stop reading, and go check out Street Drum Corps!

What I’m Listening To: “Knock Me Out” Street Drum Corps

What I’m Reading: “Mile 81″ by Stephen King

Yes, you are here with me. Always.

Now that I’ve had time to recover from Saturday night, and fight off the plague that hit me on Monday morning, I’m ready to sit down and put my thoughts into words on the new Julien-K album “We’re Here With You”!

On release day (January 23rd, 2012), we watched it climb up the Electronic Albums chart on iTunes, and it peaked at #2!!! And listening to this album over and over again, I can’t quite figure out why it didn’t hit #1. It’s a truly amazing album. (Click the song title to preview songs on amazon.com, and to buy them a la carte. Links to purchase the album can be found at the bottom.)

1- We’re Here With You ~ I LOVE the guitars on this track, it’s got a raw, honest tone that I wasn’t expecting. The beat gets you from second one, and I can’t stop moving when this song is on. It’s not a dance-y track, but definitely one you can groove to. The lyrics are amazing; vague without too much mystery. Makes me feel like this song was written about me, and I’m sure others can find that connection to this track. 5/5

2- Surrounded By Cowards ~ This was the track I was the most excited for. Hearing the snippets while they were recording it, I had pegged this as an early fave. The guys did NOT disappoint. While I’m not SUPER excited about the high notes Ryan’s hitting in this track, it doesn’t ruin the song, or take away from it at all. The beat (and hook!) is absolutely addictive and catchy. Definitely a “stuck-in-your-head-all-day” song. 5/5

3- Cruel Daze Of Summer ~ Another highly anticipated track that was worth all the hype. The melody on this song is just so… DEEP and resonating, I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. Great beat that flows well throughout, hooks you early and keeps you going, however the song runs a WEE bit longer than it probably should. This song is electronic music at it’s finest! 5/5

4- Breakfast in Berlin- Free Download! ~ This is the first single off of “We’re Here With You”. I have to say, NOT my favorite track. The beat is gritty and dirty (in a good way), but the vocals just don’t… click with me. And all the “ah ah”‘s. Too many “ah ah”‘s. Good song, just not great, and not in my top 10. 3/5 (Authors Note: The free download is from the band themselves, so say thank you!)

5- Palm Springs Reset ~ Another favorite off the album. My personal favorites are always the ones that are raw emotion with a great beat. This track is really what these guys do best, if you ask me. The drum track on this is really strong and the lyrics are so pretty. Ryan’s vocals are so soothing and it’s the perfect “chill out” song, almost… cleansing. Very Depeche Mode-esque! 5/5

6- Colorcast ~ Pure electro heaven! I love the beat and the overall feel of this song. The vocals are a bit… higher than I like, but it DOES suit the song well. This is a perfect club/dance song. In fact, I’m dancing a little right now as I write this as I listen along. 4/5

7- Close Continuance ~ Definitely the darker tune on the record, and NOT a favorite of mine. The beat is good, I just dislike the vocals, too “talky” for my liking in the beginning. Once we get into the hook, I’m down to listen, but still a little too high for me. I’ll most likely skip over this one when I’m listening to the whole album. 2/5

8- Nights Of Future Past ~ This track makes up for “Close Continuance”! It’s a darker, deeper song, and I love the way it was put together. Ryan’s vocals are super smooth, and the melody gets me. I LOVE the hook on this song! This song reminds me of Orgy… amplified by 10, with more awesome on top… if any of that makes sense. 5/5

9- Flashpoint Riot ~ I didn’t THINK I would like this song, but I was surprised when I heard it all the way through. I do like this song. Heavy guitars, saturated with electro beats, the perfect fusion of rock and electronica. This is the song that proves the guys know what they are doing, and they know how to pave the way. The vocals are a little too… processed for me, but it suits the song well. Another great club/dance song, and I can see this being played live at a club like Voyeur in San Diego (hint! hint! LED Wall! Hint!). 4/5

10- I’ll Try Not To Destroy You ~ Another song I was really anticipating. While I don’t typically like Ryan’s high notes, this song is the exception. Love love love the beat, the flow, and the melody in this song. This song is pure seduction, beginning to end. Easily my favorite track on the entire album, and I pegged it as a favorite as soon as I heard the whole CD. The vocals in this track are absolutely FLAWLESS, and all the elements they used to compose it, fit like a puzzle. Everything marries so well here, if a song can be absolute perfection, this is the one. 5/5

I had such high hopes for this album, being such a long time fan. And with 100% honesty, this album does not disappoint at all. The evolution of this band is so organic and smooth. An overall lighter tone than Death to Analog, it really suits the band, and it suits me just fine. I LOVE the guitars used throughout the whole album, and the way they’re soaked with the electro elements, sounds like it SHOULDN’T work, but it does. All in all, job well done. Now get to work on #3!

Click the image below to buy the album, which I HIGHLY suggest you do!

You’re Not On Sesame Street Anymore…

Puppets.

When you see that word, you may think of a multitude of different things. What you probably DON’T think of is Gary Coleman, puppet sex, porn, racism, and songs about potentially gay men. If you DO think of any of those things, you’re either a VERY sick individual… or you’ve seen Avenue Q. It’s a fine line.

Avenue Q is a highly politically incorrect 2+ hours of off-broadway musical awesomess.

I had the pleasure of getting tickets at a RIDICULOUSLY discounted price on Black Friday last year. In fact, it was the ONLY sale I participated in. Knowing my younger sisters were IN LOVE with all the YouTube clips, I snagged 3 tickets, and we made plans to go.

The show was on Sunday, and I seriously don’t think my sisters and I have ever laughed so hard in our lives. We were in stitches within the first half hour of the show, and we didn’t stop laughing well until the next day. This is truely entertainment at it’s finest.

For over 2 hours, you can unclench your ass, and make fun of the world without feeling guilty. What the hell am I talking about? You try not to laugh when listening to a puppet named Nicky (who ends up homeless) sing a song called “If You Were Gay!” to his best friend and roommate, Rod, the investment banker. No, really, try it. I also dare you to try NOT to get it stuck in your head. I’ve deemed this impossible.

You can’t help but crack up when Christmas Eve speaks in her overly-exaggerated asian broken english. Or when Lucy the Slut comes “sauntering” on stage (can puppets saunter?). Or when Kate Monster speaks with her employer, Mrs. Thistletwat. Yes, Thistletwat. You’re laughing already, aren’t you? I could go on and on, but really, the YouTube clips speak for themselves. Guaranteed entertainment.

Check those clips out here, and don’t forget to check the Avenue Q website to see when (or if) they’ll be coming near you!

Don’t forget, check out Avenue Q.com for more info!

I’ll shut up now.

Thumbs Down

I’m a raver. No, I don’t put pigtails in my hair, resemble rainbow bright, and wear pants that I could smuggle a kangaroo in with the legroom left over… anymore. (It was a phase, one which, thankfully, there is little to no photographic proof. Phew.) What I mean is, when I love something, I REALLY love it, and I’ll tell everyone I can about it.

But, Internet, life isn’t always puppies, rainbows, and pigtails. I don’t love everything. So, to switch up Tunes for Tuesday this week, these are my Top 5 Most Disappointing Albums I’ve bought/listened to.

5- Dark Horse by Nickelback – Yes, people, I like Nickelback. Usually, their songs are in a constant rotation for me. However, only a select few of the songs off this latest album hooked me. One of a few that I passed on.

4- Minutes to Midnight by Linkin Park – Admitedly, this album isn’t all THAT bad. But it’s a lot… wussier then I like my LP. I’m not a die hard fan, so this may be why M2M was a bit of a disappointment.

3- It Won’t Be Soon Before Long by Maroon 5- This album is probably the reason a lot of people have forgotten about Maroon 5. Their first album, Songs About Jane, rocked my world and was in my CD player constantly. The second album… after sampling songs, I didn’t even bother buying. It’s a shame, because Adam Lavigne has such a unique voice.

2- One of the Boys by Katy Perry – Just like everyone else not living under a rock, I fell in love with Miss Perry with “I Kissed a Girl”. “Hot n Cold” was another song that hooked me. The rest of her album? Forgettable. Regrettable. A big let down. **sigh**

1- For Your Entertainment by Adam Lambert – I was a total Glambert fan when he was on American Idol. In fact, I was about to revolt when he lost. He’ s fabulous, he’s hot, he’s talented. His album also bites. The first single, I loved. The rest, I can dig some of the songs, but they are barely tolerable. Sorry, Adam!

Tell me what music you regret buying, and I might just shut up.

P.S. I now have a page for my workout playlists. Check it out up at the top under “Music Mix Up”!

R.I.P Grammy Margaret

In honor of my grandfathers mother, I’d like to post the lyrics of what was her and my Papa’s favorite George Jones song. They LOVED George Jones, and his 8-tracks (music listening devices our ancestors used) were always playing when they were together.

This song still, to this day, brings tears to my eyes, and always will. It is truly one of the saddest, most heartbreaking, yet beautiful songs I have ever heard.

Papa, Grammy Margaret, I will never stop loving you.

“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones

He said I’ll love you ’til I die
She told him you’ll forget in time
As the years went slowly by
She still preyed upon his mind

He kept her picture on his wall
Went half crazy now and then
He still loved her through it all
Hoping she’d come back again

Kept some letters by his bed
Dated 1962
He had underlined in red
Every single I love you

I went to see him just today
Oh but I didn’t see no tears
All dressed up to go away
First time I’d seen him smile in years

(Chorus)
He stopped loving her today
They placed a wreath upon his door
And soon they’ll carry him away
He stopped loving her today

(Spoken)
You know she came to see him one last time
Oh and we all wondered if she would
And it kept running through my mind
This time he’s over her for good

(Repeat Chorus)

This song is featured on several George Jones albums, but this is one of my grandparents favorites: The Essential George Jones

A Storm is Brewing

For some reason, I’ve found it hard for me to really sink myself into a particular band like I used to when I was younger. For a long time, Julien-K was the only thing that was doing it for me. Then, along came Halestorm.

Halestorm

I first heard their single “I Get Off” on the radio, and as soon as I got back home, I Googled that shit. And I fell for what I heard.

Lzzy Hale has a voice that takes me back to the 80′s glam rock, but without the trauma of teased hair, aqua net, and two words people: acid. wash. **shudder**

Guitar heavy, sexy, and hard, Halestorm is a band I’m looking forward to watching climb to the top.

Visit Halestorm’s Official Website: Halestormrocks.com

In the music section, you can not only buy their music, but listen to every song. Very awesome, if you ask me. You can also buy the album here: Halestorm

And of course they have a MySpace page

Check out their video for “I Get Off”:

Alright, I’m done. Shutting up now.

Cynergy 67

Keeping up with the Daily Blurb, Tuesday will now be known as… Tunes for Tuesday! (Original, right! RIGHT?!)

If you’re clueless so far… allow me to elaborate. Every Tuesday, I’ll post about a new band I’m digging, a new song that I annoy everyone around me within a 10 foot radius by singing or playing repeatedly, or maybe even a band I’ve been crushin’ on for awhile. Either way, they get free promo, you get edumicated, and I’m off the hook for blogging. Win-Win-Win, people, Win-Win-Win.

Today, I bring you….

These Wisconsinite boys have been on the scene for quite some time, and to be honest, hold a cozy little spot in my heart.

These guys deliver nothing but pure pulsating sounds that overload your senses and leave you feeling thoroughly rocked-the-fuck-out. Sensual, sexual, raw, electronic, invasive, inviting. There are way too many words to describe the tunes these guys are constantly pumping out. Not only that, but behind the masks, below the mystery, there are really just a bunch of really awesome and talented dudes.

And with their new album, Project: Assimilation out now, it’s the PERFECT time to check these guys out!

Get more info on Cynergy 67 Here on Myspace

Check out their twitter Here and be sure to follow them!

Be sure to check out their new album, and all sorts of other ear-gasmic goodies Here on FiXT

Anyone else a Cynergy 67 fan? Leave me a comment showin’ the love!

Alright, I’m gonna shut up now!

The Boys Who Own Me

I tried to wait longer to blog about these boys, but what’s the point? They are my life, my saving grace, my… owners.

Julien-K. Awesomeness at it’s finest. These guys are an up-an-coming band from Southern California who blend rock and electronica in a unique and awesome way. Before you start groaning about a “lame electro band” hear me out.

This is electronic rock in a NEW way. It’s not the kind of electronic music that makes you want to put your hair in pigtails, pop a bunch of E and touch everyone and everything. Well, maybe it is for YOU, but that just goes against your character, not these boys.

This is their video for their first single “Kick The Bass” off their debut album DEATH TO ANALOG (Click here to buy their debut album: Death To Analog (Limited Edition) (2-Disc) or Death to Analog)

That’s the CLEAN VERSION. Yeah, these boys are down and dirty. And that’s just how we like them!

Death to Analog is a SUPERB album, one that I anticipated for YEARS ever since I heard of these guys back in 2004. All us core fans waited through dozens of “Coming Soon!” announcements, and a lot of us actually cried when this album came out.

I’ve seen these guys **counts** 5 times, and I’ve traveled an insane amount to do so. I’ve seen them in Virginia (10 hour drive), Boston (1 hour drive), Rhode Island (1 1/2 hours), Connecticut (1 hour), and most recently I FLEW ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO LOS ANGELES to see their first show of the year.

To say I love this band is an understatement. They’ve saved my life, but that’s not a story for this blog. It’s private and sappy and you don’t want to hear about it.

Moving right along, these guys will actually be touring with Combichrist this summer, and kicking the tour off with some local SoCal shows. You should definitely check out Julien-K’s MySpace for the tour dates and check them out.

Okay…. I should just shut up now.