ILLEGAL THOUGHTS – An Interview with Christoph Whitbeck and Gretchen Werda of This Criminal Soul

By Jonathan Hammer Has your life been lacking something lately? Have you woken up in the morning and just wished that there was more grit, more edge – more soul? This Criminal Soul, a god damn rock n’ roll band combining the sounds of Motörhead, The Violent Femmes, and any other aggressive rock you can… Continue reading ILLEGAL THOUGHTS – An Interview with Christoph Whitbeck and Gretchen Werda of This Criminal Soul

Who Is The Brain Room?

About six months ago, Jimmy Junk Bird and the Stiffs played an all-day fest at The Outer Space, where we met a groovy band called Quantum Funk.  We got to talking with QF’s drummer Todd Ellison, which eventually lead to booking a show with his other band, The Brain Room — and that show is… Continue reading Who Is The Brain Room?

Interpreting the Stars: A Review of Ulver’s ATGCLVLSSCAP

Ulver: the mighty shape shifters. Black metallers turned electronic artists turned classical composers have once again reinvented themselves into…a jam band? Yes. They’re back and have once again left genre classifiers scratching their heads. They’re the musical collective that won’t stand still and I love them for it. And they haven’t let me down this… Continue reading Interpreting the Stars: A Review of Ulver’s ATGCLVLSSCAP

4 and ½ Stars: A Review of Steven Wilson’s 4 ½

Anyone who is an avid listener of Steven Wilson’s output knows that he has a knack for changing things up. That’s why his recent moves have been frustrating. The last two albums he’s been involved with, despite their excellent craftsmanship, have been pretty predictable. He’s been writing 70s progressive rock; a genre influence that he… Continue reading 4 and ½ Stars: A Review of Steven Wilson’s 4 ½

REIGN OF KAOS: An Interview with Kaos Reign

Bill (left) and Chris hanging out before a show -- photo by Angela Rose Vartuli.

By Jonathan Hammer Thrash, groove, and aggression – Norwalk, CT’s Kaos Reign is a powerhouse for catchy riffs and pounding drums that fly the flag of the old, great name of “metal” high and with pride. Comprised of Bill Klopfer on guitar and vocals (Penitentary, Murder Castle) and Chris Anderson (Murder Castle, Arcane Malevolence), the… Continue reading REIGN OF KAOS: An Interview with Kaos Reign

Track Premier: “Pyramid Scheme/Friday the 13th (Pt. 2)” by Intercourse

One of our favorite local noisemakers, Intercourse, have become an interstate band as guitarist Kev King has moved to California.  But luckily for their Connecticut fans, they are still releasing recordings.  One of the great things about this band is that you can understand every single fucked up thing that vocalist Ricky Ahmed says, leaving… Continue reading Track Premier: “Pyramid Scheme/Friday the 13th (Pt. 2)” by Intercourse

A Tyranny of Vastness: Eight Bells’ Melynda Jackson and Haley Westeiner on Their New Album, Their New Drummer, and More

Eight Bells plays a hypnotic form of experimental/progressive loud rock that references everything from metal to kraut rock. The band, which features Melynda Jackson (guitar/vocals) and Haley Westeiner (bass/vocals) and new drummer Rae Amitay (Immortal Bird), is about to drop their excellent new album Landless, on February 12 through Battleground Records.  They are also embarking… Continue reading A Tyranny of Vastness: Eight Bells’ Melynda Jackson and Haley Westeiner on Their New Album, Their New Drummer, and More