“Outlier”, EKEN IS DEAD's latest EP release which features five brand new songs and a bonus re-imagining of their anthem, “At Any Cost”. The EP was recorded at Fletcher Dragge’s Screaming Leopard Studios, Hermosa Beach CA, engineered and mixed by Prick Reuben (like the sandwich) aka Gagg Green and mastered by Gene Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering, Burbank CA. This is EID's third release on Blacksound Records, preceded by 2008's "Amendment" and 2011's "What Lies In The Mirror". The boys are gearing up right now to support the EP with tours across the Western United States now.
1. Outlier
2. Embrace
3. Fractured
4. Trained to Hate
5. As Soon As Tomorrow
6. At Any Cost (Acoustic)
Eken's first official review. A lot has happened in the year and a half since I was first introduced to Vic, Chris, Gagg, and Jake, and in that time I have seen Eken a handful of times. Each time more impressed than the next. Like a ball of pure electricity Chris bounces around the stage, this sets the mood for a truly epic show.
Having listened to this EP several times over now, I can see and feel the energy pulse through my head phones. As I write this I am enjoying the acoustic version of 'At Any Cost'. Tomorrow night, May 16th, 2014 Eken will come together in an EPIC night mixed with friends, music and celebration of Outlier.
Highly impressed by the lyrics, vocals and clarity of the sound, this EP is definitely worth the time. EID has always had a unique sound, with lyrics and a sound so pure it tugs at your soul. Gagg mastering the 6 string bass, you can feel each note as it pumps through your veins, the sound of Vic's guitar serenading and hypnotizing you, you suddenly feel as though you were the only one in a dark room as Chris mesmerizes you with his voice.
Eken is Dead is not just a band, it's an experience.
Its always an honor to be a part of something bigger than my every day life, and this was the finalization that will make me an EID fan for life.
My favorite tracks:
As Soon As Tomorrow
Embrace
Fractured
Join us tomorrow as we celebrate this most amazing EP, enjoy the presence of EID on stage and make sure you let go and enjoy the experience.
Mouse Powell. An epic player in the valley's underground hip hop scene, as the host of Thursdays Blunt Club held at the Yucca Tap Room, he has made a name for himself. His latest project, These Are The Good Times, has national and local celebs adding their creative juices for one XL power drink.
I was honored when Mouse emailed me, giving me full access to his latest project on soundcloud, I had heard about him here and there, and speaking to JDV a while back, was excited to see JDV and Mouse collaborating on a song. I think after this review, a follow up interview will be necessary. What do you think Mouse, will you let me crack open your brain to see your ideas and words?
These Are The Good Times has several MUST LISTEN tracks.
#3 Dancing In The Rain - Featuring the Veragrooves own Andres Rodriguez and Karly C.
#4 Brass Monkey - because who doesn't like a brass monkey every so often!
#6 Cliff Clavin
#7 DGTW - Featuring Kristina Moore
#8 Good Times - Featuring Jason Devore
If you have been following my blogs and reviews you know I write about how the music makes me feel, how it moves me and I always try to stay away from production values, sound and beats. But not this time. This time the production sound is fan-fucking-tastic, the beats dropped and lyrics are like no other. We all know that one song that we can sing to, the one we enjoy and yes I know you do, sing in the shower, well Mouse gives us that chance with Brass Monkey, DGTW, and Dancing in The Rain. Production on this project was spot on, kudos to The Ref for sampling, mixing and producing a quality set of songs. The overall LP was not overproduced and it didn't interfere with the lyrics and vocals.
There were some trumpet samples, sending chills down my spine and giving me turkey skin. An amazing mix of harmonious vocals, trumpets and fresh ta def beats make These Are The Good Times one of the valleys top 5 LP releases. It's a close 3 to Fayucas Barrio Sideshow.
Want more info on this project?
"These Are The Good Times" is the result of a year long collaboration with Tempe producer The Ref. Our project which was made possible by over 70 backers on kickstarter.com is a unique blend of some of the Valley's best talent. We really wanted to step over genre boundaries and create something special while staying true to our Hip Hop backgrounds. We were able to accomplish this by bringing in musicians from different bands throughout Phoenix, and allowing them to add their flavor to our music. The project features and collaborations can be found along with the track listing in the description of the private soundcloud playlist. "These Are The Good Times" will be available for free on November 12th, 2013 at MousePowell.com.
Check out Mouse Powell on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/mousepowell
Like Him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MightyMousePowell
And you can catch him most Thursdays at Blunt Club @ Yucca Tap Room. I have to say Mouse is another one of the valleys best kept secrets, but hopefully no more. Its time to rise Phoenix, from the ashes of our nearly deceased underground music scene and show that once more we rise and will stay on top.
I hope you support the project 100% and get it once it drops, I know I will.
I want to thank Mouse Powell for allowing me to review this project before release, I am deeply honored.
Close your eyes. Envision you're in a movie, following the lead character through twists and turns, plots and mysteries. This is the emotion invoked when listening to this album. I am watching from afar, alone in the theater, sitting in the middle, watching the characters on the screen unravel in their adventures. Maybe its a sci-fi venture, but I'm sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next scene.
I am captured. Not a big fan of synth styled music, or electronica but I think I have found the perfect medium. With intonations of The Cure, Depech Mode, DnB, Techno and even some feelings of Combi Christ and Faderhead in the lyrics. I slowly start to move my body back and forth. Letting the sound and the lyrics rush over me like a tidal wave. Forcing my body to move. Could it be that my selective musical taste buds have found a new love for electronica? Could be.....
The album has nothing but good-vibe feelings. Forcing you to focus on the lyrics, the sound and overall production of the album are impeccible. Well played Engraved Ritual. Well Played.
To quote the press release: "LIFE is an album with a destiny to inspire the deepest feelings, fears, and hopes within all, an enchantress inviting a poetic immersion into the brighter side of the shadows and sunsets wrapping our lives and an encounter setting Mr.Kitty as one of the truest souls within electronic/goth/synth pop"
Favorite Tracks:
Dearlove
Insects
Unstable
Scars
Choke
There really is no bad to the album, I would recommend this to anyone reading this. I passed a song about from Mr. Kitty, Mr.Kitty - Unstable (Smokey The Bear Jew Remix), and received nothing but positive feedback from the different genre loving friends who have listened.
Where can you get more?
Bandcamp: http://mrkittydm.bandcamp.com
Engrave Ritual: http://www.engravedritual-digital.com/album/life
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mrkittydm
Want to know more about the Record Label?
Bandcamp: http://engravedritual-digital.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/engravedritual
Tumblr: http://engravedritual.tumblr.com
First off, the fact that The Ginger and Streets could possibly pull another LP out of thin air like Houdini and a bouquet of flowers is mind numbing. With The Company We Keep released in 2012, and The Second Coming shortly before that, once again one of AZ's most unique underground hip hop camps did it.
This collab featuring Blaze Rock, titled Black Talon - The Killer. The Butcher. The Mercenary. Is out of control. These guys are fucking crazy. Dangerdoom? Nah, fuck that. D12, probably not. Again, more like Slaughterhouse, Public Enemy, And maybe even Run DMC. These cats are on point, like a fresh pair of Jordan 89 Fire Reds, GNM is just that. On Fire. These guys are eye catching. Maybe more like ear catching, It never gets old listening to their sound. Nothing ever sounds the same and the lyrics still, sharp as a samurai sword, cut through my headphones.
They maintain their posture, Gods among men, leading AZ hip hop to the top of the food chain. With shows on the horizon, GNM proves to be worthy to selective audiophiles like myself.
Like Single Dad Shit? Yeah Pt 2 will blow your mind. So many tracks on this LP, keeping true to how they feel about their lives, their music and their emotions. Audio Dope, will seep in your blood stream like a virus. Streets was right, having this in my ears as the blood pumps through my veins, sweat down my face as I go into beast mode in the gym is by far the best motivation.
Nothing compares to this LP, this is by the far the best Hip Hop LP released this year, world wide. Other artists, trying to represent what hip hop is about, falling short. AZ's true underground Hip Hop is what its about. They've taken over the block, next is the world. I expect nothing but excellence from them. I feel sorry for the 602 missing out on this LP. Time for some radio play.....what do you think?
Where can you get it?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DF3KODM/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk
Video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&gl=US&client=mv-google&v=p3JyH3knLiw&nomobile=1
Website?
http://godsandmonstersaz.com/
Not many people can say that they've had the chance to hang with Jason DeVore and his wonderful family. I am lucky enough to be a part of this whole family. Today, March 19th, 2013 at 2 pm I sat down with Jason and talked about life, motivation, and how his songs make him feel.
I have been able to to see JDV a handful of times, and each time it's a new experience, nothing in the world could compare to each show. No matter how many times you hear his songs, sprinkled with some A0 songs and some Bollox songs, JDV brings a certain vibe to the room. With his followers young and old, we all sit and watch in utter amazement as he belts out song after song, hardly taking breaks. Where does he get the strength? Where does this powerful amazing voice come from? This is all a secret I suppose, but where ever it comes from it has emotion, soul. It has a vibrato all its own and makes you want to be on stage with him.
A few devoted JDV fans (you shall remain nameless chris ;-) DAMN! ) like to hop up on tables, show their love and dedication to this amazing story teller, this bard of sorts.
With Tipping Point soon to be released on April 2nd, the East European tour that he leaves for on April 4th Jason took the time to sit with me and my nervousness and answer some questions about life, his music and his wife. I was joined by his best friend of 19 years, Saddy Combs owner of LaDep Custom Cruisers and probably one of Authority Zero and JDV's biggest fans.
Growing up he was inspired by his mom, she knew all the words to the songs on the radio, and he was in awe at how she could do this. Coming from a musical family, J would travel to Mesa, AZ to visit his dad during the summer, and eventually one thing led to the other and they were playing the Nile Basement in MTAZ. This is the wonderful start to Authority Zero. Arizona's original punk band. While many other bands had come before A0, little did these skater punk kids know that they would make something out of virtually nothing.
JDV wanted to be a professional Skater/Snowboarder and along with that career comes the music. We all know that good tunes on the street or slopes motivates us to shred that triple black diamond or master that rail slide.
He writes the songs that relate to us, he sings the songs we want to hear and he loves his fans and family. At one of the very first JDV shows I met a young man, who explained that One More Minute was what kept his head in the game in Afghanistan. Deployed as a naval Corpsman and stationed in the middle east, this was the song that reminded him of coming home safe. When I am at a JDV show, I watch people; I watch their reaction to how J sings, moves and the how he pumps the crowd up. To be a witness to the A0 mosh pit is exciting, invigorating.
Talking to J today, I was able to see a different side of him. I was able to see the gleam in his eye, the passion in his voice and his nervousness as he preps for another tour. I can see that he is mentally prepping himself for whatever may come and you can see that, while a seasoned musician he gets on stage every night and plays as though its his first show. This is not a bout of nervousness, this is the feeling of adrenaline, the amped feeling you get when your faced with such an overwhelming task, but you complete it and at the end of the show, the end of the day your shaking, because it was one helluva ride.
I can't wait to see what JDV and Authority Zero have in store. All I know is that after almost 16 years of being a fan and hearing their music I will always and forever remain a loyal and faithful A0 fan.
Wanna hear the interview? Check it out here!
https://soundcloud.com/ladepcustomcruisers/jason-devore
http://youtu.be/3aqi23-BBLA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tonovKKYyxY&feature=share&list=AL94UKMTqg-9BEjg7PGgsk59GIZdxERswI
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorityZero?fref=ts
I had the chance to talk with Chris from EKEN IS DEAD. And I am definitely impressed with the band, the music and how humble and dedicated they are to their fans and their music.
Let me start by saying that I had never listened to EKEN before Tuesday, I had the chance, but I decided I would let the music speak for itself. And on my ride down to the LaDep house, I did just that. I listened to what the music had to tell me. And I never would have expected it to tell me the story it did.
I usually like to compare bands to each other, its the easier way to identify their sounds, their behaviors, their personas and their vibe. I also like to hear the bands live before I interview them or even think about writing a review. So I'm sitting here listening to their reverb nation account listening to them. I think one of the reasons I am writing the review without listening them to live is because of how last night's phone convo went with Saddy, Chris and myself.
If you like Sepultura, Soulfly, Megadeath, White chapel or H20 you will enjoy EKEN.
Me: Where did the name EKEN IS DEAD come from?
Chris: haha That is the million dollar question. EKEN IS DEAD....Vic was in a band, Called EKEN and he is actually the sole survivor of that band, hence EKEN is semi dead...so that's what is stood for at the time. But was we toured and grew with our music, EKEN IS DEAD became what you think is dead, or what has moved on. Its about overcoming hardships, your beliefs and values. EKEN IS DEAD can be personal.
Me: Who has influenced you personally?
Chris: Nirvana, and a lot of the 90’s style rock bands, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, punk is where my roots are. Sound wise, I would say Tool, Deftones and Rage Against the Machine. Vocally, I would say more like Rise Against and Pantera. Its not just a scream, its something more.
Me:What are you long term goals?
Chris: Bigger tours. Touring with Authority Zero has been amazing. The entire band is amazing. Extremely down to earth and definitely a great experience. We really want to continue to tour and definitely continue to work with Authority Zero and LaDep. We want to go all the way. As far as we can possibly go. We practice 3 times a week, perform at 60-70 shows, dedicate ourselves and our lives and put up with angry girlfriends while we are on the road. Taking turns driving 5 hour legs from Vancouver to get to a show in Cali the next night. That's dedication to our band to our fans.
I didn't ask him directly what the inspiration for the lyrics were, we kind of stepped into it haphazardly, but I could tell that the words and lyrics to each of their original songs was personal. It came from experiences, life, and personalities. One of the biggest things with EKEN IS DEAD is that there isn't just one person who writes the songs, the entire band has input and collectively they write the songs as one.
Saddy: Do you have any advice for bands looking to make it?
Chris: Show up. Dedicate yourself to the band, but more so to the fans. Always find a way to not cancel. Show commitment and dedication.
Saddy: What drives you the most to keep going from one show to the next?
Chris: Finding out what you're made of. Pushing your limits, knowing your boundaries. We drove in 5 hour shifts on a Friday night after a show in Vancouver to make a show in Cali. It took us 16 hours to get home, but we kept going. We refused to cancel. I think in 5 years we have cancelled once. That says a lot, not only about our dedication, but our love for the music and our fans.
I have to say it was an honor to talk with him and while I regret that I didn't get the entire interview recorded, I will have the honor of talking to the entire band on Friday. Something about EKEN moves me. So until I see you in the mosh pit Friday, keep it real.
If you want to hear more from EKEN IS DEAD you can check out their Reverb nation page at
www.revernation.com/ekenisdead
Their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ekenisdead?fref=ts
and you can watch some of their videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/ekenisdead
Tune in Friday from 6-7 while we interview EKEN IS DEAD at KUKQ.com you can also download the app to your phone (available for iPhone and Droid) if you have something you want to ask the band email Alle at undergroundalle@gmail.com
Thanks for reading and stay posted for more events and band interviews and reviews!
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
