Greyceon: All That We Destroy

I've been a fan of Greyceon for a while now. The first time I played a show with them (with 100 Suns at the Rooster's Roadhouse) I was blown away. My band practices across the hall from them. For the past year or so I've heard samples and tid bits of this album, but never an entire song. It was the worst kind of tease you could imagine for a musician.

Over their first two albums the band has established a certain feel that had me always saying, 'They should beef this part up with some growls and more gallop.' By no means did these shortfalls keep me away from listening to their albums, but it definitely kept me hanging. With their Profound Lore debut, All That We Destroy rises the to occassion. This is the albums I've been waiting for.

This album has everything you love from the trio, just amped up. It feels as though they've been reenergized. Jackie's vocals are as ferocious as they are graceful. The songs are given a boost from the additions of layers of vocals, guitars and cellos, especially the mix between Max and Jackie. Much like your top notch stoner blend of fuzzed out bass and guitars, the guitar and cello on this album wrap around each other to create a new blend of low and heavy. It creates a grander soundscape. The album aslo benefits from the great production. It's heavy and doesn't leave anything behind. The band definitely succeeds at elaborating their sound. While their previous two albums were good, they were a little too mellow and at time predictable. This album just feels more alive. The complexity of Zack's drumming is subtle, but man does he have a good ear. He knows exactly what to play and when. This isn't so much a band that's blazing new trails, but they've solidified and mastered their sound. The cello is something that can be rather cheesy in most metal at the least. Jackie and Max have created a dynamic that is unmatched and works many times better than the next closest thing. The musicianship in this band uncanny.

Hearing this album now was certainly worth the wait.

Dutch Crunch: LIVE!

Dutch Crunch is a stoner/grind powerhouse 'super-group' from the Bay Area. They have a demo coming out, eventually. This next best thing is a live recording of their first show at Kimo's. It's short, it's sweet, it rules.

Get Crunched

Weedeater, Zoroaster, Kvelertak, Begotten: Thee Parkside (3/11/11)

How I didn't know about this show weeks in advance, opposed to an hour before, is beyond me. Thankfully, Kevin made this show known and I bolted out the door. I wouldn't miss a chance to see Dixie Dave, or Zoroaster, together

After scarfing down a tasty super al pastor, I drive up to Thee Parkside and I am met with one of the biggest lines I've seen at this venue. Whore's For Satan brings big bands to small venues, which rules, except dealing with the large crowd, which sucks. I hop in line and await my fate. Rumors amongst the waiting tell of the show being sold out. No fucking way, I tell myself and begin to block out the sounds of bearded children speculating this rumor, and their art gallery shows. Luckily, I was one of the 70-something without a ticket that was let inside.

By the time I got in, Begotten was half way through their set. Thank [insert preferred deity, or otherwise here]. I have never seen a band so undeserving of an opening slot for a national tour. For starters, the only person who looked like they were having any fun was the drummer, who merely smirked as he drummed. The singer stood their like he didn't want to be there. The music wasn't so bad (it wasn't much good either), just their attitude sucked.

Kvelertak place in the gig seemed to be a mystery to those attending. Word was getting around that on their way to the States, via Norway, they got screwed in customs, and that they were way behind on their tour. I wasn't sure if the tour in question was with Weedeater or otherwise. Turns out someone stole their passports, shitty. Luckily they made up for lost time by destroying the stage. Their mix of party/folk/punk metal was definitely a great pick-me-up. Everyone was having a lot of fun. I wouldn't rush to go but their album, but I'd be stoked to see them again.

Last time Zoroaster played Thee Parkside I had to scramble home to wake my ass up before the sun came. As I had previously mentioned, their last album, Matador, was probably one of my favorite albums of 2010, so needless to say, I was itching to see these Georgians blow my ear holes. After a rough first two songs they got rolling. While their last album kills, something definitely got lost in their live set. Matador, which song's made up most of the set, is a vast soundscape that benefited from extensive studio additions that lacked severely live. After they sorted out the kinks, they steamrolled through an hour of southern-fried by way of outter space tinged heavy. Although I got my hopes too high for these guys, it was still great to see them play in such an intimate setting.

Why Weedeater isn't playing at Slim's or any other bigger venue is beyond me. Maybe 10 years ago, when sludge wasn't so extremely popular, this venue may have worked out. I'm glad to see people are craving heavy music now, but goddamn, it was too packed. Before they took the stage, we were treated to what was supposed to be a set change, but turned into somewhat of a show. Apparently, Dixie's mic wasn't grounded, which resulted in a buzz whenever his mouth touched it. "I don't mind the shock," he said. "It ain't too good for my balls, though." Dixie soon gave up and retreated to the dressing room to grab a half drunk bottle whiskey, which he continued to drain while fixing the mic problem. Eventually he put a sock on the mic. "It fixed the grounding problem, but now the mic smells worse than shit." I assume the venue discarded the mic after its use. Or, at least cleaned it very well.
While Dixie was getting into his usual pre-show trance, I looked over to see Shep, their axe man, sporting a 'Save KUSF' hat. Thanks.

If the evening thus far had left any doubt, Weedeater changed minds immediately. Opening with a mix mostly new jams, they boys from Cape Fear showed the crowd what it mean to be heavy. Really heavy. Currently on tour supporting their new album, Jason... The Dragon (Perhaps a play on 'Chasing the Dragon'?), any reference Dixie made to playing 'old stuff' merely meant anything that's not on the new album. A new take on a commonly used phrase. Unlike their last visit to our beloved city Weedeater's set provided a good mix of all their work. No surprises in this set, just a good selection from each album.

Oh, I totally forgot: Melvins'manager/men of porn front man, Tim Moss, and Mike Patton were at the show too, talking about hockey.