Tag: Reel Big Fish

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Live Concerts Reviews Women in Entertainment

Ska reigns at the Wilma with Bikini Trill, MEST and Reel Big Fish

Photo courtesy of Chelle-S Imaging.

If there was any doubt that ska music is still popular, it was promptly erased by the size of the crowd at Missoula, Montana’s The Wilma for the latest visit from Reel Big Fish and their opening acts, Bikini Trill and MEST.  Thanks to Logjam Presents, the cold northwest had a taste of the blazing California sun with the energy presented by these three bands.

We recently reviewed Life Sucks . . . Let’s Dance, the brand new album from Reel Big Fish, their first new album in six years.  Our dear friend John Avila, who was the bassist for Oingo Boingo, introduced us to the band when we toured his studio a few years back.  He had produced Why do They Rock so Hard?, which earned a Gold Record.  Despite knowing that they had to be good, we were unprepared for the ridiculous amount of energy they emanate from stage.  Thanks to Mike Cubillos of Earshot Media for securing All Access passes for us to meet them and enjoy the concert, and to Tom Ames, the tour manager for Reel Big Fish for being such an excellent host.

The first band to take the stage was Los Angeles trio Bikini Trill, who bear a striking resemblance to the sound of No Doubt.  The band mixes electronic percussive tracks to back the guitar/bass work of Tony and Roach, which perfectly support the soaring vocals of LJ.  While not technically a ska band, their brand of surf and indie rock and hip-hop meshed perfectly with the bands that followed.

Bikini Trill was highly energetic and got the audience involved from the first song.  They kept them involved with a set filled with great songs, of which weed seemed to be the featured subject.

Next up was MEST, featuring the amazing guitar and lead vocals of Tony Lovato.  MEST has been on our radar for awhile.  We first reviewed them back in December 2017, when Lovato released an acoustic album of the band’s tunes called Broken Down II.  That release earned him and the band an LA Music Critic Award for Best Folk Band for the second half of 2017.

MEST is from Chicago, where they released several records for Maverick Records before disbanding in 2006.  Lovato resurrected the band in 2013 with the release of Not What You Expected, followed by his pair of acoustic albums, Broken Down I and II.  While their sound is more punk than ska, they still have enough of that ska feel to make them the perfect opening band for Reel Big Fish.

It was obvious from their first song that the audience was familiar with their songs, and loved their energy.  They even played “2000 Miles” on the spot when a fan requested it.  Their music is highly contagious, and speaks out against addictions and the oft-times unfairness of life.  The harmonies were incredible and sweet, while the drums and bass set the perfect foundation for the band’s sound.  They truly brought it on two of their most powerful songs:  “Jaded (These Years)” and “Mother’s Prayer.”

Towards the end of their set we went down to the green room where we had the chance to meet the members of Reel Big Fish and spend some time talking to them before they took the stage.  They were even kind enough to sign our tour poster.

Led by the stellar vocals and guitar of Aaron Barrett, the amazing horns of Billy Kottage (trombone), John Christianson (Johnny Christmas) (trumpet) and Matt Appleton (saxophone) and the perfect rhythm section of Ed Smokey Beach (drums) and Derek Gibbs (bass), Reel Big Fish is the real deal.

Reel Big Fish kicked off their set with an amazing ska cover of the 80s megahit “Take on Me.”  All three members of the horn section contributed backing vocals, and created incredible harmonies with Barrett.  There was such amazing chemistry on stage that it whipped the crowd into a frenzy.  If you could harness that energy we would be able to power the world.  The crowd especially loved the title track to the new album, and were jumping for joy at every song they played, which covered their 20 years as a band.

If you ever have the chance to see them perform in concert, we highly recommend you take the opportunity.  You will be so glad you did.  We can’t wait for the next time they come to town.

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 3

Happy Martin Luther King Day!  We had a blast last night at The Wilma in Missoula, where we were introduced to an LA band called Bikini Trill who was opening for Reel Big Fish and Tony Lovato and MEST.  We recently reviewed Reel Big Fish’s new album, and had previously reviewed MEST back in December 2017.   MEST also won the LA Music Critic Award for Best Folk Band for that album for the second half of 2017.  We will have the full review of last night’s concert soon.  In the meantime, here are five new singles and music videos from the indie world.

JACK TEMPCHIN ELECTED TO SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

Blue Élan Records artist Jack Tempchin is part of the Class of 2019 and will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 13 in New York City.  He wrote a plethora of songs that we’ve all danced and sung along to, including the Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Tequila Sunrise,” and “Already Gone,” Glenn Frey’s “The One You Love,” “Smuggler’s Blues,” “You Belong To The City” and “Sexy Girl,” and Johnny Rivers‘ “Slow Dancing.”

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from an amazing 15-year old future superstar named Bella Rios.  She received a nomination in the recent LA Music Critic Awards for Rising Star, and we guarantee this artist is on her way to the top of the charts.  Check out her latest single, “Under the Waves.”

Our second single is from another LA Music Critic Awards winner, Rod Melancon, who is a member of the Blue Élan Records family.  His latest song, “Goin’ Out West,” is a harder rocking Americana song that he usually does, and we totally dig it.

Our next single is likewise from a multiple LA Music Critic Award winner, who we hope will perform in our next Winners Showcase.  We have followed the career of Curtis Peoples for many years, and his latest single, “Tidal Wave,” is one of his best, and features the beautiful vocals of Holy Wars.  Let us know what you think.

Our fourth single is from another member of the Blue Élan Records family, who has recently rebranded herself and now goes by the name of Car Astor.  This one will get you up and dancing into the new week.  Check out “Don’t Stop, Don’t Speak.”

Our final single today is from another multiple LA Music Critic Award winning duo, Lovers & Poets.  We are also providing the bitmoji video they did for their latest offering, “Here and Now.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is a beautifully made lyric video for “Do What you Want,” the latest from the phenomenally talented Jess McAvoy.  Check this one out.

We don’t often post cover videos, but this one is so good that we had to share and features Fuel on Fire, one of the rising young pop bands from Nashville.  Check out their cover of U2‘s monster hit, “With or Without You, featuring the amazing children’s choir at Homer Pittard Campus School.  We’ll have a review of their cover album shortly.

Our third video is from steampunk-influenced singer-songwriter Elyssa Vulpes for her single “Front Line.”  We think this one could become an anthem for so many causes.

Our next video is from the collaborative efforts of the Americana Kitchen Band.  Check out this video for their single “All Dressed Up (and Nowhere to Go).”  This one will give you the strength to make it through the new week.

We close out this week with the latest video from Blues/Rock superstar guitarist Eric McFadden, “While You Was Gone.”  This one will surely give you a head start on the next great weekend.  Have a great week and we’ll see soon.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Reel Big Fish, McGuff and the Dumpster Fires, Be Softly and Zoe Blair-Schlagenhauf, EveningShade, Ben’s Imaginary Band

Happy Friday.  As promised, we have our review of the brand new album from Reel Big Fish, who will perform here in Missoula, Montana next month, as well as four more great releases.  Enjoy the last weekend before Christmas with these great tunes.

Artist Name:   Reel Big Fish

Album Name:   Life Sucks . . .  Let’s Dance

Label:   Rock Ridge Music

Genre:   Ska Punk

Track Listing:   1.  Life Sucks; Let’s Dance; 2.  Pissed Off; 3.  You Can’t Have all of Me; 4.  In Love Again; 5.  Tongue Tied and Tipsy Too; 6.  Bleached Thang, Baby,7.  Another Beer Song; 8.  Bob Marley’s Toe; 9.  Ska Show; 10.  The Good Old Days; 11.  G.D. Beautiful Day; 12.  I Should Know by Now; 13.  I’d Rather get it Wrong; 14.  Walter’s Highlife

Publicist:   Earshot Media

Review:   Thank God for Reel Big Fish.  These iconic guys prove that ska is still alive and doing well.  The band has returned with a dynamic album, their first new music in six years (although they did release a Christmas album four years ago).  They have a much happier sound to their music, and even make it sound ok to be “Pissed Off.”  Their first single, “You Can’t Have all of Me,” is a masterpiece and a crowd favorite.  (We’ll share their video of the song on Monday.)  Their lyrics are very tongue in cheek, and the music is so upbeat and fun.  They are the ska version of Flogging Molly, and actually sound like them on a couple of the tracks (“Tongue Tied and Tipsy Too” and “Another Beer Song”).  We hope that we are able to see them perform live next month when they come to Montana.  If you look up “ska” in the dictionary, you should find the band’s picture next to the definition.  They obviously believe in having a good time, and we are so glad they are back with abandon.  Every song will get you up and moving, and satisfy even the most die-hard fans, especially the high energy “Walter’s Highlife: that closes the album.

Recommendation:   Don’t think about it – run out and Get this one like your life depends upon it!

Artist Name:  McGuff and the Dumpster Fires (“MDF”)

Album Name:   Trip Gone Wrong

Label:   Self-released

Genre:  Funk/Punk/Rock

Track Listing:   1.  Too Pretty; 2.  Bank Vault; 3.  Brinkmanship; 4.  Trip Gone Wrong; 5.  Skywalker; 6.  Yellow Brick Hole

Publicist:   Self-promoted

Review:  With the amazing vocals of Emily McGuff (more powerful than Evanescence’s Amy Lee), and the funky help of her band, featuring Taylor McGuff on guitar, vocals and sax; Keith Klein on  fretless bass; and Phil Doncaster on drums and backing vocals, MDF is a class act like no other, mixing funk, punk and rock into their own amazing sound.  They have become a major hit in Europe, and after just one listen to them, it is obvious why they have become so popular.  Every song delivers major entertainment value, ensuring that this band is on the way to the top.  There is not a weak track on this splendid collection.  They deserve serious industry attention.  Get up and dance!

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  Be Softly and Zoë Blair-Schlagenhauf

Album Name:  Unfinished Apology Letters

Label:  Be Softly

Genre:  Spoken Word Poetry

Track Listing:  1.  Best Friend’s Vomit; 2.  G.O.M.; 3.  Falling; 4.  Water Molecules

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  On this dynamic spoken word project, Be Softly shares with the world the amazing poems of Zoë Blair-Schlagenhauf, and we hope that she continues writing them.  They are a heartfelt cry for help in the face of our world-wide opioid epidemic, and the music added by Be Softly perfectly frames them.  Proceeds from the sale of the album are benefiting a pair of charities (Shatterproof in the US, Mind in the UK) that deal with opioid addiction.  This project deserves national attention, as we are sure most of us know someone who suffers from this addiction.

Recommendation:  Please support this artist and this cause by getting her album now.

Artist Name:  EveningShade

Album Name:  Impulses

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Instrumental Electronica

Track Listing:  1,  The Woods; 2.  THERE SHE WAS; 3.  Making Love to Sarah Connor; 4.  Passing in the Dark

Publicist:  Working Brilliantly PR

Review:  James Pinkstone aka EveningShade is an electronic composer based in Atlanta.  On his latest EP, he presents four tracks that bring to life the horror and sci-fi vibes of the 80s.  It is part Mike Oldfield, part John Carpenter and all together a blast, especially if you love horror and sci-fi classics series like Halloween and Terminator.  These songs truly complement what the original composers did for those movie franchises, and deserve serious consideration from music supervisors, as they would make great placements.  This is music for your freaky Friday night.

Recommendation:  Get this one, but don’t listen alone.

Artist Name:  Ben’s Imaginary Band

Album Name:  The Apartment

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Caffeine Fiend; 2.  King’s Song; 3.  The Apartment; 4.  Machines Were Better; 5.  Nightwalking; 6.  Maiden; 7.  The Lamb; 8.  Frog’s Legs; 9.  Spy (Enemy Combatant); 10.  Celebrity

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Ben Romvari aka Ben’s Imaginary Band is a Canadian with a one-man band.  The music is very retro, with some incredible overdubbing harmonies and organ work that give the songs breadth and depth.  His vocals are not always on pitch, but the songwriting makes up for it, with its dynamic but simplistic accompaniment and quirky lyrics.  These songs are tender and thought-provoking and overall relaxing.  The groove reminds us of singer-songwriter night at the local coffeehouse.  The horns on the title track are worth the price of admission.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Spiritual Rez new release brings reggae sunshine

Over the years we have had the pleasure of working with various publicists who have brought us numerous indie masterpieces, but no one has been more consistent in championing the best of the best than Laura Goldfarb of Red Boot PR.  Her latest client may be one of her best and we are proud to review the new cd for reggae fusion sextet Spiritual Rez, which drops on Friday, October 7.

Setting in the West is the fourth studio album for the boys from Boston, and is produced by Kenny Carkeet, the founding member of AWOLNATION.  The album also features Duddy B of The Dirty Heads, HIRIE, and Billy Kottage of Reel Big Fish, as well as co-writing with John Feldman of Goldfinger, and co-producing by Max Collins of Eve 6.

Composed of Toft Willingham on vocals, Ian “Meat” Miller on drums, Jesse Shaternick on bass, Mohamed Araki on keys, Quinn Carson on trombone and Julian Dessler on trumpet, Spiritual Rez takes reggae music further than it has ever gone before.  Check out their music video for the first single “Sober” if you doubt me.

Spiritual Rez has embarked upon a torrid tour that will take them to Oregon, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine before culminating in a show at the Ardmore Music Hall in Pennsylvania on December 16, where they will perform with Badfish, a Sublime tribute band.  The band has previously shared the stage with such greats as George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Steel Pulse and Jimmy Buffet.

The album opens with the aforementioned “Sober,” and takes off from there.  “Red Room” features Duddy B, “Together Always” features HIRIE, and “Bad Girl” features Billy Kottage, and that’s just the first four songs.  Talk about taking the listener by storm.  Check out the just released music video for the second single “Together Always.”

Speaking of “Bad Girl,” this song is a true homage to some of our favorite ska bands like No Doubt and Reel Big Fish, which is only fitting since it features Fish’s Kottage.

The best tracks of the rest of the album include “Whiskey,” “Tidal Wave,” and “Surface Tension.”  This is truly a great album for anyone who loves cutting edge reggae or ska.

Indie Voice Blog is proud to recognize the talent of Spiritual Rez and to highly recommend you immediately grab yourself a copy of Setting in the West as soon as it becomes available on October 7.