The Love of Beer
Despite being terrible people, we're not puppy kickers. That's why we almost canceled the “Great Demo Review” this year. When we started it back in 2004, the goal was to give every San Diegan with any sort of musical aspirations an inch or two of press: Send us your demo, and our music nerds will review it-and, hopefully, we'll find some dude in Otay Mesa who's the second coming of John Lennon. In order to avoid feeling like a PR firm for the little guy, our one caveat has always been that we'll give an honest opinion. We won't go out of our way to say your demo sucks, but if it truly does, we'll have to say so.Well, last year almost everything blew-demos so bad they could be used as an interrogation technique. As such, the issue read like we had invited the kid next door over to play his first piano composition, only to stand there and belittle him in front of everyone. But when I told people we may not do it in 2007, musicians-even those who'd had new orifices ripped in these pages-were bummed. Either valiant truth-seekers or just plain masochists, they wanted it back.
So, here it is. Thankfully, a lot more good music flooded in this year. Of 120 demos reviewed, we were able to identify 13 that we felt were "EXTRASPECIALGOOD”-recordings you should waste work time and search out immediately. And there are others we recommend, even though they didn't blow us away.
Very few San Diegans are ripped new holes. Seth Combs even refrained from politely suggesting an artist should "eat a dick” (which he did in 2005). We hope you enjoy it, and we hope this turns you on to some diamonds in the deep, deep rough. ("MS” = www.myspace.com)
Aerodrone
Demo
Gary Zon felt the need to break out from the “boundaries of the electro-industrial genre” and thus spawned Aerodrone. Apparently, their “indie rock dance blitz took Eugene's [Ore.] local scene by surprise” and then-well, shit, not much. I'm just guessing we can thank the severely stoned coeds of the University of Oregon for saving us from the massive fallout that would have followed an Aerodrone explosion. MS/aerodone.
-Loren Graves
The Airlines
There's no shortage of British Invasion revivalist hybrids coming up in Southern California, and these guys just might pull it off the best. I'm still humming “I Want You Back” two days later. MS/airlinesmusic.
-Sohrob Nikzad
AKA/Profane
“Blakk Flame" single
Using tired synth washes and basic party beats to try to hold up lyrics about how their games are tight and they love plus-sized rumps, there's nothing to see here. Move along. -Troy Johnson
Alex Britton
Stories From Space and Time
Ever have to fart really bad and you force it out and end up shitting your pants? That feeling is similar to listening to Brtton's CD. It's like Captain Beefheart trying to do minimalist electronica only to find out that in order for said electronica to sound good, this time you have to keep a beat. MS/brittonalex.
-Seth Combs
Alfonso de la Espriella
Trazos de Ser
There are rock en español artists who sound like an equivalent of our They Might Be Giants (Café Tacuba) and rock en español artists who sound like Richard Marx. Fortunately for Alfonso, the Latin culture is nicer to the Richard Marxes than gringos are. MS/alfonsodelaespriella.
-Troy Johnson
Annie Dru
Silver Thread
Silver Thread is good ol' fashion country and bluegrass you'd think came straight out of Nashville. Backed by talented musicians, Dru delivers a perfect Southern twang that would fit nicely with the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? Nice work all around. MS/anniedru.
-David Small
Archons
Demo
There's got to be more to your music than screaming in unison over rehashed Metal 101 riffs. Somewhere in space, there's a tear in Lemmy's whiskey. MS/archonsmusicnow.
-Seth Combs
Autotonic
Demo
Whoever recorded this demo either really loves guitar or thinks his vocalist is an asshole. Too bad, because down in the mix you can hear Jeff Lapp's vaguely faux-Brit-rock voice, and it's glammy, raspy and sounds like he'd pork your sister and send you the videotape. The guitars, on the other hand, are basic metal riffs. Enough talent to be named “Best New Band" in Beer Pong magazine. That's not a joke. And it's completely rad. MS/autotonic.
-Troy Johnson
The Bankhead Press
Demo
While the music resembles something you'd hear on Smooth Jazz 98.1, Rodney Hubbard's voice is as unique as it gets in San Diego. Guy's got the pipes to make lovers rock and panties drop. MS/thebankheadpress.
-Seth Combs
Billy Raphael
Demo
Tattooed hipster multi-instrumentalists are usually a shifty bunch, but not our boy Billy. Dude crafts some Beatles-inflected gems, like “Step" and the terrific “Fallin Star." “Old Sod," the Irish-influenced number, and the slowed-down rockabilly “Naughty Girl" both work, but, ironically, Raphael's best efforts are in his un-ironic pop tracks. MS/billyraphael.
-Anders Wright
Black Dots
Demo
This is like kindergarten Kid A. That may sound bad, but there's enough here to force me to listen to the whole thing, thinking, Here it comes, something is going to happen-damn, foiled again.
-Loren Graves
The Burning of Rome
Living in the Lie
The question you have to ask yourself here is whether or not you're secretly a gypsy vampire pirate. You're not? Do you at least sympathize with gypsy vampire pirates? If so, The Burning of Rome is your Book of Psalms. It's the perfect mix of goth and dance influences to accompany an Edwardian Ball, with enough organs and dark vocals to satisfy Castlevania fans. In a nutshell, this is gaudy and overblown music for the circus of the underworld-but done in all the right ways. MS/theburningofrome.
-Sohrob Nikzad
Burnt
Tortillas
Even though Burnt presents a nice blend of hip-hop, reggae and soul for the socially conscious, I can't help but feel nauseous. It's not the band's fault-I'm just burnt out on too many Ocean Beach summers, the suffocating smell of weed and incense in the air and reggae oozing from every radio on Voltaire Street. My own woes aside, there are seriously impressive moments on this demo, including a soulful instrumental arrangement with spectacular horns that cut through even my arbitrary bitterness. MS/burntstemsandseeds.
-Sohrob Nikzad
The Buttons
Demo
Recorded live, this shows the raw talent that went into the Heathen Kings of Olde (also reviewed in this issue), which these guys became shortly after recording this demo. The band loves that old-style rock-boogie, and vocalist Derrick Clark has an impressive, gravelly punk whine (meaning Bleach-era Cobain, not Dude Ranch-era DeLong). Like The Rolling Stones meets The Black Lips, I'm glad to have the artifact of this “done band." MS/heathenkingsofolde.
-Troy Johnson
Caution Band
Demo
This reggae band has a vocalist that sounds like the nicest, most gentle human being on the planet. Then they have one who sounds like Ernie from Sesame Street, only without the gay innuendo. Real mellow, breezy joints about getting lovin' in the morning and fighting for your right to have nappy dreads. Decent.
-Troy Johnson
Chaz
Tells You What To Do
There's not much substance here, but Chaz gives me the impression that's how they like it. Goofy song titles and an obvious affinity for The Chipmunks makes this garage-punk trio the quintessential college party band. MS/maninlimbo.
-Sohrob Nikzad
China Clippers
Demo
The China Clippers' guitarist used to be in Rust, who were briefly signed to a major label and toured with Tool and the Meat Puppets. They weren't that good. Neither is China Clippers. MS/chinaclippers.
-Seth Combs
Cobra Snake
Feel Da Riddum
Cobra Snake knows what he wants in life: pass him the pipe, then pass your lady friend. In “Punch It," he proclaims, “Me wanna punch yo' vagina," then a backup singer, in falsetto, adds “Punch it!" I dunno about vagina punching, but Snake's got a great vocal delivery-in thick-accented, Jamaican patois-that he lopes over minimalist, Casio hip-hop beats. Get this guy in a studio with a real producer and never, ever let him sing about upper-cutting cooters. Beats the crap out of Matisyahu, that's for sure. www.venomusmuzik.com.
-Troy Johnson
Condemned
Desecrate the Vile
Apparently the tunneling chain gang of Satan's minions surfaced in Imperial Beach looking for an engineer to mic their drums-should make Sand Castles interesting this year. MS/condemnedmetal.
-Loren Graves
Crash Encore
Crash Encore
Scarves and brimmed hats and lyrics about loss mixed with some dirty guitars, poppy drums and keys. Standard Casbah fare: perfect for stylish people who want to rock just hard enough not to spill their gimlet. MS/crashencore.
-Loren Graves
Dawn
Dawn EP
Schmaltzy, barf-inducing wuss-rock with lyrics like “We'll find land with no direction/ Or I'll be swimming 'til I die." Waah, she doesn't love me. Waah, she's fucking another guy. Grow some balls and get some real problems. MS/dawnmusic.
-Seth Combs
Dead Serial Killers
Dead Serial Killers
(Said in the paternal voice of that man on the farm-animal-noise toy from the 1970s-y'know, the round one where you pull the string): The metalhead saaayyyyyss: Scream, motherfucker, scream. Now growl for daddy. Pretty competent metal with one of Satan's more talented apprentices on the mic, but c'mon-when is the Cookie Monster scream gonna just go away as a musical approach? MS/deadserialkillers.
-Troy Johnson
DPI
Demo
“80 years old with a walker, with a tie! No thanks! I'll pass! Not me! No way!... I can't even afford toooo diiiieee!" The sentiments of these barking punks have been around since even before Darby Crash slurred 'em, but DPI makes them still sound relevant. One of the better punk bands in San Diego. Includes a song about priests and a pit bull and someone ejaculating on a 15-year-old's face (we're betting it's not the pit bull). MS/dpisd.
-Troy Johnson
Dreamtiger
Demo
Atmospheric, shoegazing dream-pop with serious potential. The five-piece creates artfully slow music with droning electric guitars drenched in reverb behind soft male and female vocals. Warm and oddly comforting, Dreamtiger is perfect for rainy Sunday afternoons. MS/dreamtigermusic.
-David Small
Dying Regret
The Price of Human Ruin
I was told not to review this disc by the drummer until they had shows booked and merch and blah frickety blah. I respect that professional approach, but decent press for a local band is good regardless of whether or not they've paid their silk-screener. So this is a disc that caters to the discerning metalhead who's down to dismember Jesus-much in the vein of bands like In Flames, Mnemic or Bleed the Sky. To be enjoyed in the parking lot before an Iron Maiden show or while shopping for a black hoodie. MS/dyingregretmusic.
-Loren Graves
Earthshine
Demo
Remember The Cranberries? Yeah, me neither. MS/earthshine.
-Seth Combs
Elephant Army
Demo
Basic training must be a bitch. This heavy-metal pachyderm thunder has a big, big sound, corralled by a thick, slappy bassline. Even draft dodgers will go for “Bag of Money" and “Don't Bomb the Weed." Live, they must stampede. MS/elephantarmy.
-Anders Wright
The Eruption
Standing In The Shadow
Not so much an eruption-more like a slow melt. Starts out solid with a Southern-rock-inspired instrumental, then descends into a lava pit of Alice in Chains-meets-Fugazi-meets-early-Chili Peppers, and not in a good way. I see some gigs in P.B. but not much else. MS/theeruptionband.
-Seth Combs
Fairchild
Terminal
A skilled singer-songwriter from Oceanside has created an album of well-constructed, Brit-like pop songs. Fairchild sounds so much like Radiohead/Coldplay/U2 that it almost feels unfair to give him too much credit. But while he won't win any awards for originality, it's a sound that typically makes major labels buy dinners. MS/fairchildmusic.
-David Small
The Filthy Lads
Demo This is a demo in the most classic sense. Recorded in one day “in Blake's room" on a Tascam 4-track, five punk tracks are mushed together onto a cheap cassette, with the track list shoved into the case on a folded, ripped piece of paper. I somehow dig the fact that the singer's mic picks up more drum tone than his vocals. The next time they play Blake's room, we should all call his mom for tickets.
-Loren Graves
Four Kings
Classic Masquerade
Four young guys from O.B. drift from emo to radio punk to funkier stuff like Rage Against the Machine or Red Hot Chili Peppers. Sometimes they scream, sometimes they sing pretty, sometimes they sound like they could use some originality. MS/fourkingsmusic.
-David Small
Gasface Project
Demo
This hip-hop quartet at least bypasses the typical beatscapes and bitches-and-bling talk for something substantial, if not completely engrossing. “Just Quit It" is a great enough track alone to make me want to follow these guys. MS/gasface.
-Seth Combs
Gentleman Pines
Ruff Mix
Terrible recording. The only time I could hear the vocals at all, they were in some “Louix XIV-we-really-live-in-Crown-Point-not-Manchester" fake Brit accent. God misunderstand the Queen.
-Loren Graves
Genius of Soul
Sleep Now
Sleep Now is a refreshingly jazzy album that illustrates how powerful talented live instrumentation can be in hip-hop. Too many bad MCs rhyme over even more horrible beats, but Genius of Soul mix mellow, funky keys and guitars with solid rhyming to make this a perfect light-hearted, summertime listen. MS/geniusofsoul.
-Sohrob Nikzad
Get Your Death On
Demo
Quality hardcore of the slow, melodic sort-heavy distortion and power chords c of our best seasons ever. So, do the pictures accompany the music or does the music accompany the pictures?
-Sohrob Nikzad
Johnny Different
Growing Up
Actually Johnny's not so different. These guys nail a sound that I can define only as “Thursday night Leucadian rock"-and that's not bad. Add a little white, mid-30s, whisky-and-Coke dance vibe to Social Distortion and it's a saleable gig. I just wish they wouldn't shut down the shuffleboard for it. MS/johnnydifferent.
-Loren Graves
Kelley Winston Lee
Demo
Respectable effort for a guy with a guitar, recording in his bedroom, but probably won't reach too many ears until the songwriting improves. MS/kelleywinstonlee.
-David Small
Lands on fire
Demo
Kirtan Chris Carignan has a set of pipes, and Lands on Fire's progressive rock actually rocks. But even though their hearts and politics are in the right place, some of the lyrics can sound like a strident Moveon.org ad. MS/landsonfire.
-Anders Wright
Last Revival
Demo DVD
Hard to really discern the live recording, so let's go on looks. These five young teens look like someone's uncle taught 'em how to rock like heroes. The vocalist is a spitting image of Sebastian Bach, the guitarist does jump-kicks and windmills and the drummer plays shirtless. These kids will rock arenas someday and screaming fans will hold up Bic lighters, not cell phones. Because that is the way it was done when rock 'n' roll was the new Jesus. It may not be with this band, but with some band. MS/therevival9.
-Troy Johnson
Leather Nun
All Your Kin
Great name, good album art (would have been nice to get a jewel case, but Ozzy never gift-wrapped, either). I get the feeling that if I met these guys in a bar, our conversation would go something like this: LN: You like Sabbath? Me: Not as much as you. LN: Fuckin' right. I dig the vibe, more on the straight-forward rock side of Sabbath than the psychedelic take of, say, Nebula. If they pull these cuts live, cut the sleeves off your black tee and buy a ticket. MS/leather nunamerica.
-Loren Graves
Leif(kolt)
Demo
With enough practice, almost anyone could become the next John Mayer. But like it or not, it's harder to become the next Eminem. Have you seen the White Rapper Show? Leif(kolt) proves he's got music production skills, but his rapping is hard to take too seriously. Impressive showing, but nowhere near selling records. MS/leifkolt.
-David Small
The Loudmoufz
Demo
A rap demo produced in a multimedia class at Kearny Mesa High School by Derrick Goldsmith, who's now serving in the Navy under the same Bush he thinks is a crazyfuckingloon in “Goin' to War." Goldsmith's got a slow-mouthed delivery like Awol One, except he digs the ladies, not emo. MC Kidkill's got a fresh voice, if too deliberate a flow. A bit of talent, but definitely made in a high-school classroom.
-Troy Johnson
The Lugers
Demo
In a world where Americans usually utter the word “war" by lunchtime, we need basic, Times-reading punks like The Lugers. We just don't necessarily need to listen to their music. If they mixed more freaky dementia like the chorus of “Neurotoxin," it'd be more interesting. MS/lugershc.
-Troy Johnson
Luke Helms
Junkie
Dude who sings the praises of being a fiending junkie has probably never been one. Sure it may be in jest, but when the rest of your bluesy, boozy CD is equally as turdish, it really doesn't matter, does it? MS/lhelms.
-Seth Combs
J.D. Romance
Demo
Despite the cringe-worthy name and being another emo guy wearing his heart on his tattooed sleeve, this is actually pretty good stuff. He's experimental, knows a good hook when he hears it and even rocks out a bit. Looking forward to the full-length. MS/jdromance.
-Seth Combs
Lily White
Lily White EP
These guys' bio says that “someone once said that Lily White sounded like Avril Lavigne... that person was a jackass." A jackass maybe, but this music critic says, “Lily White sounds like Avril Lavigne backed by a band that couldn't find a hook if they were fishermen." MS/lilywhiteband.
-Seth Combs
The Mancessories
The Return of the Mancessories
Dudes, songs about MySpace love are so 2006! OK for those who're into the whole '80s-forever hip-hop scene, but otherwise it just sounds like the Hotti brothers with a Casio. MS/themancessories.
-Seth Combs
Manny Cepeda
Romance
Cepeda produces authentic salsa right here in our fair city. The Puerto Rican native has toured the world for nearly 50 years, playing various forms of Latin music. This recording offers slower romantic rhythms with a few upbeat tracks you can really dance to.
-David Small
Matthew Walker Project
Demo
One man's ongoing experiment with his keyboards, drum machine and guitar. With the self-described influences of Star Wars and Jimi Hendrix and spot-on vocal stylings of Monster Magnet, Walker has made some music that threatens to rock but mostly makes me just nod along and smile and wish he was in that band in the bar when Luke met Han. MS/mwpmusic.
-Loren Graves
Misc. Ailments
Foundation
Came What You Got For Let's let the MySpace numbers do the talking: As of March 12, 2007, at 10:22 pm, M.A.F. had 2,166 friends, 15,552 profile views and 26,069 total plays (20 more than four hours prior). At this rate, the Foundation's aggressive yet delicate rock assault should be reaching your ears, well, right about now. Check it. MS/miscailmentsfoundation.
-Sohrob Nikzad
The Modlins
Here's to Being Happy
This '60s-throwback quartet pulls off oldies-style pop so extremely well that they might as well be the band from the Tom Hanks movie That Thing You Do! Three-part harmonies and cheery major chords characterize most of the album, but perhaps the greatest defining element is the lyrics. These guys have managed to write most of their 14 tracks about the same thing-girls and the woes of love. Which raises the question, what else is there to talk about? MS/themodlins.
-Sohrob Nikzad
The Mortals
Terminus Epoca
Way too few bands these days write songs about the living dead and zombies. The Mortals do, with “March of the Living Dead," and it's the best track on this otherwise muddy-sounding demo. They're stylistic head cases, whether copping a feel on The Misfits, Swervedriver or The Flaming Lips. There's a lot going on here, even some nice harmonized male-female vocals on “Goodbye Son," which I'm sure will make this album a grower. Check 'em out. MS/themortals.
-Dryw Keltz
Mursic
Demo
One of the most ambitious and accomplished albums in our “Great Demo Review." Mursic has followed Man Man and The Dresden Dolls down the rabbit hole where demented people play piano (and accordion and a cuckoo clock) as if the meth they smoked isn't mixing well with the opiates. With epic guitar solos and Rocky Horror melodrama, they should make a splash in the San Diego scene. With a few more memorable songs, they could clear the pool. MS/mursicmusic.
-Troy Johnson
My Report
Demo
Ultra-produced and glossy beats, blips and bleeps presented in a somewhat danceable package. The overuse of stock synth sounds and lack of a theme makes My Report feel repetitive, though perfectly viable in the commercial ad music market. The liner notes say this was recorded in 2003 and 2004-anything new to report? MS/myreportmusic.
-Sohrob Nikzad
Nautical Disaster
Demo
Back in the early '80s, this blend of funk and punk would have sounded cool alongside Fishbone and Suicidal Tendencies. Now it just sounds stupid. In terms of nautical disasters, think Andrea Doria, not Titanic. MS/nauticaldisastermusic.
-Seth Combs
Open Wound
Infected
With songs about infections, howling dogs, holy wars and felines that apparently treat your soul like cheap catnip, Open Wound is just one song about “scythes" away from being the perfect metal band. Until then, I think I'll pick another soundtrack for my full-moon sacrificing. MS/openwoundmetal.
-Troy Johnson
Orion Frequency
Demo
Orion Frequency recently broke up, and it's too bad because they certainly had energy and promise. Lots of nice and chunky, blown-out distorted guitars, good vocals and-most important-quality songs. Only misstep is the final track, which slows down, gets a little sappy and perhaps predicts the band's demise by referring to “pushing up daisies." MS/orionfrequency.
-Dryw Keltz
Pete Stewart
I Gave You A Desert
The former vocalist for The Accident Experiment starts out strong but quickly spirals into late-'90s post-grunge whine-rock. The lyrics are horrendously cliché, but it's great music for aging hipsters who listen to emo but don't know it. MS/petestewartmusic.
-Seth Combs
Pillbox Remedy
Is This What We Wanted?
As if you couldn't tell by the band's name, this is strictly for girls under 14. Never mind that he blatantly rips off The Outfield's “I Don't Want to Lose Your Love Tonight" on “Tonight," this is just bad acoustic emo. Despite what therapists say, music should not be used as a substitute for anti-depressants. MS/pillboxremedy.
-Seth Combs
Radio Memphis
Demo
Black Crowes-ish blues-bar fare that only a grizzled East County redneck would love. Someone should tell them that the “Southern" in Southern rock doesn't stand for Southern California. MS/radiomemphis.
-Seth Combs
The Randal Gatz
Demo
With spare, wandering instrumentals-mostly with keyboard, guitar, tape hiss and freaky half-voices in the background-The Randal Gatz will most likely end up in the coolest band in the world. He just won't write their crossover pop hit. If you're a fan of John Cage or have recently been diagnosed with some sort of brain disorder, log your homemade computer onto his frequency. MS/therandalgatz.
-Troy Johnson
Ras Ishtaq & Lion's Paw
Demo
I had no idea that Escondido was hiding some genuine reggae talent. Pulling from some of the most powerful of their genre (Steel Pulse, Marley), they create a sound that, while being a bit derivative, still rock-steadies the positive vibes. MS/lionspaw.
-Loren Graves
Red Pony Clock
Tunes From Terrace Towers
Featuring a whopping 13 members (most on non-traditional instruments), Red Pony Clock specializes in the sort of experimental '60s soft-rock made popular by bands on the Elephant Six label (Neutral Milk Hotel, Of Montreal). But it's very tough to make a lo-fi album with so much going on-too much gets buried, too much bouncing, too much hiss, etc. Could be good with a real studio recording, however. MS/redponyclock.
-Dryw Keltz
Red Tuesday
Demo
Goodbye Blue Monday and hello Red Tuesday! These guys coulda been huge in the '80s, but now they just sound like a wedding band that insists on throwing in a few originals. Would probably be cool if they were being ironic, but I think we'll see the singer on Rock Star: The Journey Edition. MS/redtuesday.
-Seth Combs
Redstone Arsenal
Demo
Despite the lifting of a Pink Floyd guitar riff on “Affection," it's hard not to like these cats' anthemic brand of indie rock. Think Doves, think Elbow. Book these guys a show with Transfer and bust out the lighters. MS/redstonearsenal.
-Seth Combs
Republic of Letters
Spirit or a Ghost
The instrumentation is simple but dynamic with clean guitar sounds and catchy drums resembling Coldplay or U2. The striking factor here is the singer's voice, comparable to Eddie Vedder or even Bono. Each song hits a climax, and the album is a well-crafted debut album that is both catchy and mature. MS/republicofletters.
-David Small
The Resentments
Demo
If a drill sergeant-the sort who sounds like he's clearing his throat every time he yells-realized he was tired of hazing recruits and killing brown people and decided to quit the Army and form a punk band, he'd name it The Resentments. And they would play fast, and there would be no guitar solos. MS/theresentmentsib.
-Troy Johnson
Rob Deez
Alcohol & Women
This is either the shit, or just shit. And I think it's all about your (altered) state of mind. Rob Deez plays acoustic guitar like Jack Johnson but rhymes over it like Jack Black. His subject matter is confined to, you guessed it, alcohol and women. If that works for you-cheers. MS/robdeez.
-Sohrob Nikzad
Robin Henkel
Awesome Possum
There are two things the contemporary world of music lacks. The first is competent radio coverage. The second is steel guitar-not cowbell. Robin Henkel is doing his part to remedy that. His special brand of blues also has some of the most original song titles I've come across in quite some time. How can you go wrong with an album that has “Milkcow Blues," “If I was a Truck," “One Meat Ball" and “Buffalo Gals" all on the same disc? MS/robinhenkel.
-Loren Graves
Royal Krown
History Of The Funk
Knighting yourselves the “millennium funk masters of the underground" is certainly grandiose, but mostly these vets deliver the goods. Not as popping as Parliament or as freaky as Funkadelic, but it's certainly enough to get the Mothership crunk. Or at least get your trunk rattling. MS/royalkrown.
-Seth Combs
Run Barbara Run
...And it's the End
Unintentionally prophetic, the album title hails the end of another of San Diego's better punk-rock bands. For anyone who wants to catch a final dose of unapologetic, unrefined rock from a solid bunch of punks (“Two-thirds straight-edge, one third Nate!"), this is it. MS/runbarbararun.
-Loren Graves
Secuencia Virtual
Demo
Locally produced electronic dance music seems hard to come by, and even though this demo bleeds with the typical trance genre tricks, the male vocals are well done and melodic enough to keep both the ravers and electro kids happy. Come to think of it, are either of you groups out there anymore? MS/secuenciavirtual.
-Sohrob Nikzad
Sickpills Destroy
Demo
This sounds like a parody band-lampooning The Killers and their makeup-wearing, Casio-caressing ilk. If I were going to direct a film about the crappiest emo band in the world, I would have these guys play a pivotal role. That's not to say Sickpills is crappy. Far from it. In fact, I'd love to see 'em live-if only to find out whether I got their joke or not. MS/sickpillsdestroy.
-Troy Johnson
Simeon Flick
Reactive Soul
Simeon is one of those talented musicians who just doesn't sound like he'd destroy a bar or cut off his ear and send it to a hooker-at least without it feeling forced. It's white-man acoustic soul and Flick's got a good sense of groove, even if his voice has the thin tone of Barenaked Ladies' Steven Page. The bottom line: He should nicely help fill out the entertainment calendar of a neighborhood wine bar when they want to “get crazy." MS/simeonflick.
-Troy Johnson
Six Reasons
Demo
I can think of more than six reasons not to listen to this band, but if you like bands like Godsmack and Disturbed, then this could be your thing. Bad for me, but not bad for what it is. MS/sixreasons.
-Seth Combs
Starcrossed
Waves
You like My Bloody Valentine? No, but I can tell you do. Sorry to paraphrase The Wedding Singer, but it seemed fitting. I am about to send off a copy of this CD to Sophia Coppola so she can use it to score her next biopic on the frustrated existence of an upper-middle class, intelligent female. Apparently, the lineup of this band has recently changed, but as long as the new blood has a fascination with The Cure, The Sundays and constantly thanking god, their sound should remain at its current professional, catchy level. MS/starcrossedrock.
-Loren Graves
The Swedish Models
“Eye for an Eye" single
It's no surprise that this first single is promising, along the lines of The New Pornographers. The band features the singer from short-lived but talented rock band The Jury (Ryan Waller), a guitarist from Vinyl Radio (Andrew Bernhardt,) the bass player from Roses on Her Grave (Mark Wiskowski) and dueling drummers Dustin Paul (ex-Cape May) and Andrew McNally (The Jury and Rookie Card). Most interesting is the group's ultimate gimmick-the dueling drummers play facing one another and share a bass drum.
-Dryw Keltz
Talented Tenth
Demo
Barely comprehensible samples and a lack of vocal projection sabotage this short hip-hop offering. Though there are moments when Parker and The Numberman (I'm assuming these guys are the MCs) can actually rhyme, I wouldn't call this Tenth “talented."
-Sohrob Nikzad
Tantive IV
Aw, Shit! Demo
Decent mix of Bad Religion- and Green Day-style punk. Not exactly groundbreaking or dangerous, but spirited and worth a Warped Tour morning slot. MS/tantive4rock.
-Seth Combs
Teflon
The Morning Way Promo Disc
The Wikipedia printout on quaaludes was unexpected, yet informative. Only three songs on the promo and only one worth mentioning-the title track, which is hauntingly good. If the movie score from Crouching Tiger mated with Tristeza, the offspring would be “The Morning Way." MS/tefflon.
-Loren Graves
Tenring Wallace EP
Really raw recording with real potential. Problem is, Tenring's biggest asset is also their greatest weakness. Singer “Ted" has a good and gritty flatbed-truck voice that makes the songs sound like Jay Farrar fronting a '90s rock band. But when he stretches for high notes, the strain is awkward. Luckily, he's alive in 2007, when bad singing gets you on Letterman. He should either stick to the low notes or go nuts and imitate a dying cat. Worked for J Mascis. MS/tenring.
-Troy Johnson
Tigersharks
Monsters of the Prehistoric Deep
Rock with a punk feel, not too far removed from Bad Religion and Social Distortion. Even Hold Steady fans may appreciate these guys, since the lyrics are articulate and tend to focus on tequila, Budweiser, bus stops and Mexican food. MS/tigersharks.
-Dryw Keltz
Tropical Depression
Demo
These guys nailed their name: Tropical Depression is a collection of frilly, electronic emo ballads that can easily be the soundtrack to the summer evenings 16-year-old girls spend crying in the dark. That should be taken as a compliment and maybe even the focus for tapping a major market. MS/tropicaldepression.
-Loren Graves
True Crime Authors
Demo
If you like melodic pop-rock, you might give these Authors a shot. This is the soundtrack to countless WB teen dramas, and though the vocals feel somewhat shaky at times, they also have moments when they sound deeply experienced and heartfelt. MS/truecrimeauthors.
-Sohrob Nikzad
The Upstarts
The Know How Promo EP
The Sound Providers' MC Profile gets down on the mic and on the turntables on this new side project with Price One and Iron Mike. Stellar beats, solid rhymes and a bonus appearance from Latanya Lockett (if you haven't heard her yet, seek her out). MS/theupstarts.
-Seth Combs
Vokab Kompany
Vokab Kompany
They illegally sample The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, so you gotta give 'em props for that. Last dude who did that went on to play with Gnarls Barkley and Gorillaz. The name of the game with these guys is fun, and it's only when it gets serious that it starts to border on self-righteousness (think Mike Shenoda from Linkin Park). Regardless, they should keep it up. MS/thevokabkompany.
-Seth Combs
Waco Fuck
Slow Decay EP
I don't hear anything slowly decaying here. I hear body parts being blown to bits and insects with jet packs zooming in to vomit on the remains in order to digest them. This Oceanside foursome's hardcore thrash-punk does exactly what it's supposed to do-make you want to run over George Bush's dog. Maniacally. At least 27 times. The vocalist screams like he's got mustard gas in his undies. The band pummels you-with great, hell-spawned melodies-until you're just a chunky little stain on the patio at Starbucks. Destroy something pretty. MS/wacofuck.
-Troy Johnson
Weatherbox
The Clearing
There seems to be something pervasively mediocre with San Diego bands that know what they are doing. It's as if there is some vague comfort zone that comes with being able to write and produce a coherent, decent album. Weatherbox is solid in the hard-rock vein of Sparta, but half the tracks seem comfortable to just exist as competent songs-nothing pushed, nothing gained. The talent is there-now get out the crash cart, boys, and tear some shit up. MS/weatherbox.
-Loren Graves
Wendy Bailey
It Ain't Rocket Surgery
Bailey follows a simple formula for upbeat pop-rock. The songwriting leaves much to be desired, but her voice gives the album some life, sounding a bit like Sarah McLachlan or Dido. MS/wendybailey1
-David Small
The Whiskey Dicks
Demo
Rockabilly punks with guitar solos and heavy, distorted power chords backing high-energy songs about-you guessed it-dicks, trailers, hillbillies and cheap beer. And whiskey. These guys sound like they beat people up, so I was relieved they made a respectable demo. MS/myspacethewhiskeydicks.
-David Small
Windsor
Demo
A compilation of songs from their last couple of albums-these guys are the definitive college-radio rock band that never got signed. The best songs have Willy Chambers moving past his fascination with Weezer and trading in the distortion for an acoustic guitar and a good drunken campfire jam.
-Loren Graves
Writer Cover Your Tracks
It hardly seems fair to include this CD in the "Great Demo Review." Cover Your Tracks sounds like a professionally recorded, mixed and mastered album, complete with 12 tracks and nice packaging. Still, I'd never heard of them before, and that's the point of this whole thing: to give all the hidden gems some face time. Mostly acoustic with an ethereal vocal sound, Writer does a good job of playing it mellow, but I like them best when they're just slightly more distorted and upbeat. MS/1318323.
-Sohrob Nikzad
The Yellow Guns
Demo
Add a little production value to this disc and you.ve basically got a new Year of the Rabbit, minus a massive heroin problem. I feel like I saw these guys open for Autolux at the Knitting Factory back in 2001-but, then again, that could have been any band in L.A. at the time. Regardless, I look forward to a mixed effort and maybe a name change to something that doesn.t make me think of Supersoakers filled with urine. MS/theyellowguns.
-Loren Graves
