In this day and age, we’re constantly bombarded by an onslaught of overwhelming influences from the entertainment industry and the media. It’s inescapable. Standing out from the pack becomes a bold proposition and an even bolder move. That’s where Counterfeit Culture comes in. Not only do the New Jersey quartet—Nick Broglio [vocals], Patrick Robertson [guitar], Elijah Pagan [bass], and Chris Smith [drums]—shake up heavy music, but they also shake up pop culture at large, ripping conventions to shreds with an artful amalgam of intricate metallic musicianship and alternative-inspired melodies. Their 2017 Deathwish EP introduces an infectious ideology.
“The name Counterfeit Culture basically says that we live in a society where TV shows, movies, magazines, and web sites tell us how to dress, how to act, and how to live our lives,” says Patrick. “Society tries to force you to be a certain way. We’re saying that’s wrong, and you can be whoever you want to be and live life however you want.”
The members initially met in 2015 while still in high school. They quickly built a local buzz, performing with top-notch acts such as Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, Like Moth To Flames, The Plot In You, Erra, Thy Art Is Murder, Invent, Animate, and much more. In 2017, they worked with producer Ricky Armellino [Currents, This Or The Apocalypse] and mixer Taylor Larson [Periphery, Darkest Hour] on what would become Deathwish.
“We take inspiration from multiple genres,” the guitarist goes on. “Of course, we’re a heavy band, and we’ve got those down-tuned breakdowns. At the same time, there are melodic riffs and singing with layers of vocal harmonies. It’s this mix between alternative and metal.”
The single “Apothecary” illuminates the nuances of that style. Snapping from precise polyrhythmic pummeling into hypnotic harmonies, it consciously speaks up against domestic violence lyrically and in its cinematic music video.
“The lyrics are about pretending to be someone you’re not and trying to sell yourself as someone you’re not,” explains Nick. “The music video tells that story of domestic abuse. We gave it a visual representation. It’s a girl in this abusive relationship, making it seem normal. Obviously, she’s in pain, but she doesn’t show it.”
Elsewhere, “X” tackles the horrors of drug addiction through a tightly woven sonic assault, “Second Soul” examines “the self-destructive death of one’s former self.” The band separates itself from their contemporaries through both the integration of melody and a fashion-conscious image, eschewing the typical “black t-shirt and jeans,” as Patrick puts it.
Drawing inspiration from remaining outsiders since growing up through and through, Deathwish is as real as heavy music gets. “When people hear this EP, I hope they think about how they’re living their lives and open their eyes,” Patrick concludes. “You don’t have to just do things the way your favorite actor does. Take our songs as inspiration to live your life how you want to live.”
“The songs come from an honest place,” Nick leaves off. “They talk about my past. I felt myself change as a person. I want other people to know that change is possible.”
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/CounterfeitCultureNJ
https://www.instagram.com/counterfeitculturenj
https://twitter.com/CCNJOfficial
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Shriekback – And The Rain
Seminal British alternative rock outfit Shriekback has announced they will release their new album ‘Why Anything? Why This?’ on May 25. As a teaser, they are previewing the first single ‘And The Rain’, along with a darkly intriguing video filmed by Howard Davidson (a.k.a. Hodah).
Shriekback was formed in 1980 by ex-XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews and bassist Dave Allen on his departure from Gang Of Four, in collaboration with guitarist Carl Marsh from Out On Blue Six. Under the auspices of the visionary Y Records label (home to The Slits, The Pop Group and Pigbag), the group found their voice experimenting in EMI Music’s KPM demo studio in London, refining a uniquely recognizable sound in 1982 on their first full-length album ‘Care’ and eventually achieving wider recognition with the singles ‘Lined Up’ and ‘My Spine (Is The Bassline)’. In 1983, they were joined by drummer Martyn Barker (King Swamp, Billy Bragg).
A move to a major label, Arista, allowed the band to fully realize their sound on ‘Oil & Gold’(1985), a milestone album that remains the band’s best-known (helped by the success of the single ‘Nemesis’) and the foundation of their popularity on the US college circuit and elsewhere.
‘And The Rain’ is dark and infectious, conjuring up steamy, swampy, Southern Gothic blues.This 14th studio album, which boasts a wide, organic and detailed sound, is already being described by early listeners as their best since the landmark album ‘Oil & Gold’. The sound is dense, woody and fibrous. Here we find evolved Bo Diddley beats and African blues”. However you describe it, this is Shriekback refocused, reinvented and reinvigorated.
Band members have also pushed themselves musically and sonically – Barry contributes a lot of guitars, Carl has essayed some slide guitar and keyboards and Martyn has brought in a whole arsenal of world percussion alongside his drumkit. Regular Shriekback listeners will hear more guitars and live drums and fewer loops and electronics. The sonic palette is very broad.
Written, performed and produced almost exclusively by the core trio, this is very much a ‘band’ album, crafted over time with the three core members working in their own studios, as well as in group sessions at Yellow Fish and Echo Zoo studios to capture live drums. But the writing and production on this release have been much more collaborative, with Martyn, in particular, having more input than previously.
New collaborator Scott Firth (of P.i.L) adds irrefutable bass to selected tracks, while Shriekback regulars Wendy and Sarah Partridge contribute their ever-invaluable backing vocals. Live drums were recorded by Ian Caple (who’s been with Shriekback since the beginning) at Yellow Fish in Lewes and Christoph Skirl at Echo Zoo in Eastbourne. The album was mixed and mastered by Stuart Rowe in The Lighterthief Bunker, Swindon – his fifth Shriekback album in this role, an indication of the value placed on his objective ear and technical skill.
‘Why Anything? Why This?’ will be released on May 25, 2018. While fans should keep an eye out for the album via digital stores and streaming platforms, the album is already available for pre-order from the band directly at https://shriekback.com/store.
LINKS:
http://www.shriekback.com
http://www.facebook.com/shriekback
http://twitter.com/shriekbackmusic
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJMkzOIkm9sqOjch00BhHBg/videos
http://soundcloud.com/shriekbackband
http://open.spotify.com/artist/5zdhsKuFI263xttcgdoW3c?si=ygb7IlYKSASw5xefkBQfDA
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/shriekback/85136
http://shriekbackmusic.tumblr.com -
Scattered Hamlet – Stay Hungry
Hard Southern Rock Band Scattered Hamlet has released the official music video for their cover of the Twisted Sister classic single, “Stay Hungry.” “Stay Hungry” is a heartfelt tribute to the band’s drummer, Jake Delling Le Bast, who is currently in a coma.
“There we were, one second we were waiting to see if we landed a tour support slot with an artist we really looked up to, and then next, I got the call. The heartbeat of the honky-tonk metal machine, Jake Delling Le Bas, was celebrating his 30th birthday and fell off a third story balcony….. They didn’t know if he was going to make it. Later though, he did defy all odds and made it, but was in a coma with a traumatic brain injury. The kind of brain injury soldiers get from IEDs.
I couldn’t make this crap up if I tried, it was like an episode of Behind The Music, but this time, instead of me watching it we were living it. I’m writing this nearly eight months later and I haven’t heard his voice since September. After talking with his family and the guys, we realized Jake didn’t work most of his adult life this hard to get the band to where we were only for us to decide we couldn’t move on. Honestly, that would piss him off most.
Since the album cycle was cut short for Swamp Rebel Machine, we wanted to make something special so we put a call out to our fans on social media to pick a song for us to cover as a tribute for our fallen brother.
We had some great ideas pitched to us and some not so great ideas [laughs]. Anyway, we demoed a few and they ran a complicated series of emotions: reflective, sad, sentimental… you name it, we tried to link that emotion to a song we could do justice. In SH though, we always had one gear and that’s balls out straight ahead. At the end of the day, we were still hungry and still wanted that same thing we were after the first time Jake, I and the early SH machine drove halfway across the country to SXSW in Austin to announce to the music community that we were here. So that’s when my older brother stepped in, the fella who gave me my first Kiss album and got me started on this journey, he said, “Do Twisted Sister.” My brother grew up on Long Island and he and his friends used to see them in their early days. I’d always been a fan, but I watched their documentary and thought, wow, these guys knew how to overcome. Here we are feeling sorry for ourselves and should be out kicking ass again. With the help of Jake’s best friend, and decorated producer, Jason Donaghy, and Jake’s younger brother, Alex, doing the video, this tune gave us a chance to get back on the horse and maybe when we play Warped Tour it can introduce some of the younger folks at the shows to the badassness that is Twisted Sister, or of course, Dee and the band can go NY style on my ass if they think we messed up their song.”
– Adam Joad (Frontman)About Scattered Hamlet
Imagine Stone Cold Steve Austin with his partners Bo and Luke Duke in a parking lot brawl on Saturday night set to music?“It’s Honky Tonk Metal, like you took a handful of cheap tucker speed and headed out on the highway. “ That’s how the guys in Scattered Hamlet describe their sound. To many others, they describe it as a mix between Motorhead, Molly Hatchet, and Clutch. Take a listen and you be the judge.
Scattered Hamlet was created to capture the essence of growing up in the country while still giving nods to the original outlaw countrymen of years past. Scattered Hamlet is one part Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet with a little flavoring of Motorhead and Down. All wrapped up in a fine shotgun shell casing. Their influences range everywhere from Southern classic rock, to groove, to doom and punk. With humble origins all over the United States and a relentless touring schedule of 100+ shows a year visiting 40 + states, the band makes no apologies for the equal love of Harley Davidsons, Honky Tonks, Les Pauls, Marshalls, shotguns and the classic American symbolism they all amass.
Their debut full-length album, Skeleton Dixie, was produced by 2-time Grammy nominated Jason Donaghy who’s credits include Rob Zombie, John 5 and the Murder Dolls and mastered by legend Howie Weinberg who’s credits include: Pantera, Slayer, White Zombie, and Danzig. Their second full length, and most recent, S_wamp Rebel Machine_, would go on to give the band their most success with nearly 5,000 copies sold since its release in 2016, landing them a place on the Billboard Heatseekers charts for first week sales in November 2016. All of that mixed with a rigorous touring schedule during the 2017 season has made Scattered Hamlet a top competitor in the underground rock scene.
Scattered Hamlet has gone on to perform at some of America’s greatest music festivals such as Rocklahoma, Rock Fest, Steel Horse Bike Rally, and Warped Tour. Plus, their latest release garnered heavy rotation on dozens of radio station across America and found placements on CMT, MTV, and several other media outlets.
These hillbilly boys know how to grab the bull by the horns, hold on for dear life, and ride that cow into the ground. All humble, yet determined, Scattered Hamlet is aiming down the barrels and ready to pull the trigger on the monstrous career ahead of them.
LINKS:
http://www.scatteredhamlet.com
https://www.facebook.com/scatteredhamlet
https://www.twitter.com/scatteredhamlet
https://www.instagram.com/scatteredhamlet -
Darto – No Self
Darto has released the new creepy video for ‘No-Self’. Darto is Gordon De Los Santos, Gregory Flores, Candace Harter, Nicholas Merz. ‘Human Giving’ was recorded by Darto between September 2015 and January 2016 in a cabin in Cle Elum, WA and their home in Seattle. The ‘Follow Up / Hush’ 7″ was written, performed and recorded by Darto and Wand at Comp-ny in Burbank, CA in April 2017. It was engineered and recorded by Be Hussey. Both releases were mixed by Cory Hanson at Comp-ny and mastered by JJ Golden at Golden Mastering in Ventura, CA.
“We smashed together in Los Angeles and wrote these two songs; repurposed lyrics we wrote in the studio together. A lot of people got to sing who had never sung on a record before,” says Cory Hanson of WAND. “All in all, this was a successful collaboration I think. The spirit of both bands made it onto the tape together, intact. We ate breakfast burritos the next morning, then Darto flew away. I went to go to the beach but our car died in Topanga Canyon”.
Aagoo Records is home to vinyl releases by Xiu Xiu, Lucky Dragons, The Use with Rachel Mason, Philippe Petit and more. ‘Human Giving’ can now be ordered in physical format from Aagoo Records’ website and digitally via Darto’s Bandcamp.
LINKS:
http://www.lifewithdarto.com
http://www.facebook.com/Dartowa
http://darto.bandcamp.com
http://soundcloud.com/decouth
http://dartowa.blogspot.com