2014: A Space Odyssey – A Review of Kayo Dot’s Coffins on IO

If I had heard this last year, it would have definitely made my top ten. First of all, just look at that artwork. It’s like the cover to an old school Ray Bradbury or Arthur C. Clarke science fiction novel. It was easily the first thing that drew me into listening to this. And it… Continue reading 2014: A Space Odyssey – A Review of Kayo Dot’s Coffins on IO

A Connecticut Yankee in John Tru’s Court: My “Best Of” Hothfest 2015

Last weekend, I got to be “band wife” on Mission Hothfest with my husband’s symphonic metal outfit Lyra. They had a Sunday afternoon slot on Tru Entertainment’s two-day metal festival, but scene supporters that they are, we were at The Waterfront pretty much all weekend. Far from my southern Connecticut home with no set to… Continue reading A Connecticut Yankee in John Tru’s Court: My “Best Of” Hothfest 2015

Bair Grills… 2014

  I love doing Second Annual anythings; it shows a consistency, a dependability that withstands the test of time. On the other hand, it also embodies a beginning to what one can always hope will be a lasting tradition. While one of my resolutions for the new year may be to contribute more often to… Continue reading Bair Grills… 2014

Metal Manners, Part II: Bass-Droppin’ Some Knowledge

If you Google-Image "metal show meme," this is in the third row of results. VICTORY!

Editor’s Note: If you couldn’t figure it out from the title, this column is part of a series on metal etiquette. Vegetarian Metalhead just schooled the web on audience manners; now Jessie and Jeff have some tips for bands…. Jessie I’ve been playing in local bands for about ten years and booking shows for my… Continue reading Metal Manners, Part II: Bass-Droppin’ Some Knowledge

Metal Manners, Part I

   Editor’s Note: Howdy, folks!  Alternative Control is taking stab at an oft’ debated and oft’ blogged-about topic: metal manners.  There are so many lists of “39 Stupid Things Your Band Does” or “12 Ways to Be a Dick at a Show,” but still poor behavior prevails.  Will one more metal etiquette column change this?… Continue reading Metal Manners, Part I

Baldwin’s Top Albums of the Year Part 2

Continued from here… Flying Lotus – You’re Dead I admit, I’m not much a fan of the r&b or hip-hop genres. There are a few isolated artists that I admire, but I’ve never been able to delve into this sort of music fully. I was cynical about branching out my musical tastes when I was… Continue reading Baldwin’s Top Albums of the Year Part 2

Pustulent: An Interview with Pustulus Maximus of GWAR

Friday December 12, 2014 Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT – On the date and time one year later that Oderus told me to meet him. Minutes before GWAR’s set was to begin, their lead guitar player Pustulus Maximus cornered me downstairs and demanded I speak with him while the rest of GWAR loomed over us menacingly.… Continue reading Pustulent: An Interview with Pustulus Maximus of GWAR