Poolsyde - Demo tracks

Emotion.
Feel good vibes.
Inviting.
Irie.

These words describe the feel good sounds of Poolsyde. Mixed with a blend of unique, witty, funny, and a slightly sarcastic cats Poolsyde send those feel good vibes up your spine. They sound exactly what fusion punk should sound like. Harmonizing delicately but melodiously making the sounds come to life.

Their stage presence is unique. You can tell they are ready to move when the band starts to move in unison. Todd (guitar/vocals) does a quick tune, closes his eyes and starts to sway, James scans the crowd finding the one person he can serenade, Carmen looks out and it seems like he prepares himself and Levi is ready.

The music starts, and the band sways. The music pumps through your veins and all of a sudden you want to be on the beach, listening to the waves crash, a cold beer in your hand and Poolsyde singing just for you. Gypse and The Love Around You are the two songs that really define the band their sound and their vibe.

Hanging out with these cats and being honored to hear them live, I've learned that they each bring the right amount of rock star to the stage. They have nailed the idea and sound of fusion punk and there is definitely room for improvement. Id like to hear more from them in the future. I've been privy to private sounds, I am impressed at the talent brought together to make Poolsyde. With the drive and desire they can make their name a household commodity.

Check out their tunes at http://www.reverbnation.com/Poolsyde

This video features Mike Malekar and Evan and is definitely one of my favs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sAwR9F2oy8

Like their Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/Poolsyde480?fref=ts

Inept Hero - Untitled

If ever there were a CD I listened to many times over that my CD player finally called me a filthy pirate hooker it was this time. I have spent nearly a year trying to put words to the sounds of Inept Hero and each time I sit down to write I come up with a blank page. The moment I was able to write something I tossed it because I realized that I didn't want to write a bad review on a good band, but rather a good review on a band that could use some live sound work but isn't close to be classified as bad.

That band is Inept Hero.

Listening to this band is like laying on your back in a field and letting the crisp and pure sounds of nature molest your body over and over. Aarin, Beau, Rusty and Uzziel come together to build the perfect house of punk rock sounds.

I would list them as my 3rd favorite punk rock band. They are melodious, with rock star drumming, musical guitar riffs, lyrics and vocals that you feel are slowly pulling your soul from your body, maybe speaking directly about the situation you might currently be in.

Inept Hero will clearly be amongst the giants to rise form the ashes of AZ Punk history. Following Authority Zero (cira 1995), Phish, Gin Blossoms, Meat Puppets, Phunk Junkeez, Opiate for the Masses and Carolines Spine (youtube that shit you newb!!)

I will gladly accept listening to Aarin serenade my soul as I board down the AZ slopes, ride my motorcycle across the desert or on a road trip. This is a necessary must have on your play list.

There is a downside. Yep here it is guys, Inept Hero is amazing, good sound, solid vocals and no one instrument drowns out the other....BUT...the live sound is not the best. I have had the chance to listen to them in several different settings but still their sound mutilates my ears. I want to blame the sound guy (you all know there is that one 'sound guy' who sucks a bag of dicks) and so for now I will continue to place blame there.

Here are a couple of goals I have set for Inept Hero:
1) Get your asses on the Warped Tour bill for AZ
2) We need to get you more radio play
3) You need to be on the 2014 bill for the Punk Bowl in Vegas.

I want Inept to be the band you notice when you walk into the room....and surely they will remember you when you're around. They love their fan base and are always welcoming and giving of hugs and smiles.

Check out their sounds at
www.ineptheromusic.com
www.facebook.com/inepthero
www.myspace.com/inepthero

Tha WiKiD onE - Cause and Infect

Tha WiKiD onE. 

Another mic killer from the 602. Moved. Motivated. Driven. 
With names like Bizarre from D12 reppin his Cause and Infect LP this kid should be going somewhere. 

I follow him, cyber stalking his moves from PA to Cali. Watching and waiting for his next move. With his Death of an Emcee video his words speak clearly on how he feels. Beats thump in my ears as I listen to his LP, mixed and dubbed, shaken not stirred. Smooth like a Mission Impossible agent can only be, he infects your brain with his words, his beats, his presence. 

I don't know what his purpose is. I don't know who his heroes are. I don't know his next move. I do know you will be sick with words from his mouth to your ears. Is Mission Infect Mission Impossible? You decide. 


Infect your brain. Infect your ears. Spread it. Infect


http://www.facebook.com/thawikidone
Http://www.thawikidone.net

SUPPORT LOCAL AZ HIP HOP!!!!!

Canyon Lake Music and Arts Festival 2012 - 80 Proof

Spending time with these cats was insanity! From the campfire acoustic sessions, to their onstage presence. They are truly a Reggae/Punk band....they are the bastard children of the Sublime movement, this is the kind of band you listen to when you're surrounded by those you love the most, bbq'ing, sitting around the campfire, making love to your old lady (Better than the Lovage album I cherish so much!)

The ingredients that make up this amazing dish of reggae/punk/Sublime like dessert: 

Evan Manriquez - Vocals
Daniel Cooper - Vocals/Guitar
Joel Catello - Guitar
Aubrey Rivera - Bass
Sean Fleming - Drums
Alex Williamson - Keys/Percussion

It can only be described as being reborn. Music that makes your feet move, your heart beat to the sounds, the blood flowing through your body keeping perfect rhythm, hips moving, sensuality, nothing compares to this band. 

Yeah they sound like Sublime, maybe 311........but I think one of these cats was spawned from the loins of Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bradley Nowell and Rita Marley. Goosebumps spread over my flesh sitting here in this swank coffee shop. I can't get enough, I'm hooked. They are the heroin I am the junkie. And I am OK with this.

Favorite tracks? #2 Vixen #4 Got UR # #5 Medicine and  #6 Joe Rogan

Inspiring. Relaxing. Addictive. I love the reggae beats, the true nature of their sound and their overall personalities. Sitting around the campfire on a cool Saturday night, Alex joined us for an acoustic jam session with Riley from Raina- Fire on guitar he flowed out an unforgettable song. These kids enjoy what they do. 

After 13 hours on the road from LA to get to Canyon Lake Campgrounds, they were in good spirits. After being ass tagged by a drunk driver, they were still in good humor. I had the honor of being a part of this weekend festival, so much talent, cute guys and a few cute girls. Evan, Alex and the rest of the crew proved to be the sound of the future.

If you ever had a reason to buy a CD this would be it. I can't wait until I hear their music on the radio, crank it up and dance shoeless in the grass. Thoughts, memories of those 2 days making me smile. I am forever addicted. Dont ever stop doing what you love! 

80 Proof! Be my heroin. Worth traveling for. 

http://www.facebook.com/80proofmusic

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1744594270/80-proof-full-length-album

Canyon Lake Music and Arts Festival 2012 - BirdCity

Two words come to mind when I think of BirdCity....

FUCKING RAD. 

Like a rare vintage wine, BirdCity brings a little Me First and the Gimme Gimme's to the table, and for those of you who know local band Carolines Spine, Loki brings that sound, the one you dream about. The one that makes you feel like you're in a scene from a Midsummers Night. THIS is the soundtrack for your dreams.

Forget Rick Flair and Nature boy, BirdCity is the only Flair that matters. Proud of their hometown, Phoenix, AZ, Birdcity represents everything that is RIGHT with local music. Fresh. 

I love the way they pull off the classic rock songs, hitting notes and beats that would make Jim Morrison tap his foot. You can't label their sound. They aren't punk, adult alternative, they aren't even rock. They will go down in history as being in a genre all their own. Legends in their own right.

Standing in the grass at the Canyon Lake Music and Arts fest, I realized that my feet were planted firmly, eyes closed, letting the sounds seep into my soul washing away my worries and giving me a chance to be a part of something much bigger. 

The sounds from Bird City gently stroking my ear drums, Loki singing his rendition of Awolnations Sail, I was transformed. Music feeds the soul, and I have a fat kid soul. Beautiful. Fresh. Heart thumping. Unbridled. 

Worth a listen. But only because Bird City is FUCKING RAD. 

 

Canyon Lake Music and Arts Fesitval 2012 - Libertine Social

When I listen to a band, I won't be like the anal retentive Driver's License dude checking you off for drifting around a corner. No. You will get my experience, how the music made me feel and if I felt it was worthy of actually writing about. 

Libertine Social, I had the pleasure of doing an acoustic jam the night before they played the Team Trick Canyon Music Fest, with these cats. A voice to serenade you on a cool night in October, the water lapping as they started playing. Eric started singing....and the rest just fell into place. The peaceful night was softly filled with the melodies of an amazing acoustic guitar, and a Bougarabou or better known as the conga...there is an enigmatic sense of being serenaded. Exuding a genuine vibe, they guys are just as down to earth as their music. 

Eric's voice is beautiful. Caressing your ears....playfully teasing you....

Don't believe me? You can become entranced by checking out their ReverbNation or Facebook pages.....You will thank me later.

http://www.reverbnation.com/libertinesocial

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Libertine-Social/292024154237821

Canyon Lake Music and Arts Festival 2012 - Radio Box

The collab on this band is insane. There are really only a few words I can use to define who they are, what they sounded like and well lets be honest, the talent in this group....

6 String bass? Check. 

Fearless sound? Check. 

Lets take a minute and do some Sci-fi low fi DNA mixing. Take 7 Mary 3, The Ramones, The  NY Dolls, The Misfits, with a sprinkle of Five Finger Death punch and bake at 500 degrees, serve with a side of toe tingling, finger gripping sounds and you get Radiobox. 

I enjoyed the sound, the stage presence but most importantly the sound and of course the 6 string bass (seriously fucking awesome!) the ambiance of the entire experience was worth listening to. My fave song out of the set? Someone Else Than me. 

You can cop their tunes on their ReverbNation site http://www.reverbnation.com/radiobox

Or check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/radioboxband

The after hours acoustic jam was even better. I was able to spend time getting to know Mike, feel his personality out, and enjoy his voice. 

Mike Engelhardt - Lead Vocals

Alfred Trujillo - Lead Guitar

Hans Homberg - Drums

Bruce Goode - Bass