The new album from Pittsburgh rocker Freddie Nelson conjures up melancholy of 90s alternative ballads, with a dash of 70s and 80s hard rock guitar leads and vocal stylings. Shake The Cage was released on July 7th, 2017. “The record is called Shake The Cage,” says Nelson, “because I feel that a lot of music… Continue reading Album Review: Freddie Nelson’s Shake The Cage
Baldwin’s Choice: Kate Bush
What happened to the intellectual angle in pop music? There was always a need for accessibility – bright melodies, danceable rhythms, relatable lyrics. But when did it become a genre bent on laziness? It’s all about appeasing the casual listener now with the least amount of effort. Recycled beats, auto tuned vocals and lyrics that… Continue reading Baldwin’s Choice: Kate Bush
Corrosion of Conformity’s Reed Mullin on Music, Divorce, and Confederate Monuments
Alternative Control spoke with Corrosion of Conformity drummer Reed Mullin at Psycho Las Vegas on August 20th, 2017. Reed’s words below are minimally edited for clarity. I think we’re playing Connecticut next week at some casino…. They just offered it to us like four days ago — they had a wheelbarrow full of money… Continue reading Corrosion of Conformity’s Reed Mullin on Music, Divorce, and Confederate Monuments
Diamonds are Forever: An Interview with Diamond Head Guitarist Brian Tatler
It’s often said of Diamond Head that they didn’t get their dues when they first deserved them — but this NWOBHM band who inspired the likes of Metallica and Megadeth is certainly enjoying a renaissance in the twenty-first century. Alternative Control had the opportunity to speak with guitarist and co-founder Brian Tatler before the band embarked… Continue reading Diamonds are Forever: An Interview with Diamond Head Guitarist Brian Tatler
Album Review: Brown (8×3), by The Sawtelles
By Jeff McCarthy The Sawtelles are one of Connecticut’s most prolific bands, with 13 self-released albums as well as a few on D.I.Y labels. The husband/wife act performs on a variety of instruments — banjos, ukuleles, guitar, and drums — and are just not exclusively limited to any one instrument. The Plantsville-based band just put out yet… Continue reading Album Review: Brown (8×3), by The Sawtelles
Listening Lately: The Psycho Las Vegas Edition, ft. Goya, Mothership, Myrkur, and The Murder City Devils
My friends always make fun of me for having “new favorite bands.” I hear a group that speaks to me and suddenly they are the only CD in my car for a month. “Have you guys listened to the new Khemmis yet?” I’ll ask. “Have you checked out Graves at Sea?” And they’ll laugh and say,… Continue reading Listening Lately: The Psycho Las Vegas Edition, ft. Goya, Mothership, Myrkur, and The Murder City Devils
Revenge of the 90s: TICKET GIVEAWAY and Interview with Keith Zalinger
Psychic home brewer and bassist extraordinaire Keith Zalinger is a true believer in the maxim “Go big or go home.” In this case, Zalinger has turned a conversation at the bar into a reunion bash for four of Connecticut’s best-loved 90s bands. The Revenge of 90s Rock and Metal, featuring Future Shock, Safe Haven, Khasm,… Continue reading Revenge of the 90s: TICKET GIVEAWAY and Interview with Keith Zalinger