Archive | 2:27 pm

Heavy Glow visits the New Band Palace

23 Jun

Band: Heavy Glow

Genre: Raw power rock with a hint of classic rock blues

Members:

Jared Mullins: Vocals, Guitar

Joe Brooks: Bass

Dan Kurtz: Drums

Band Description:

Bill Miller of the Rock And Roll Report said of Heavy Glow’s brand of rock, “I don’t think I have heard any other band capture the classic sound of 60s/70s guitar rock…This trio rocks it like it’s 1969.”

Quite a compliment. Reading this, I had to look into the band Heavy Glow and see what this comment was all about. And, classic rock fans look here, there are certainly elements of late 60’s hard rock bands like Blue Cheer in Heavy Glow’s original take of an old genre, where one can easily fall into the category of “It’s all been done before.” Isn’t that an exciting treat. It is always fun to come across bands who are keeping such a rockin’ sound alive.

Joe Brooks, Jared Mullins, Dan Kurtz (center)

Heavy Glow was formed by Joe Brooks and Jared Mullins in August of 2008 (Kurtz joined in 2009). They are based in San Diego, California, where their fresh music matches well with the unpolluted sea air. Their self-titled EP was released in February of 2009, and contained six raw releases, stripped of any unnecessary filler. After adding Kurtz in 2009, the band went back to work and released their most recent EP The Filth and the Fury in January of this year.

Favorite Song:

Out of the five songs on the new EP I must say that the second track, “Love Ghost” is the most catchy and wonderfully bluesy. It is this harder blues that hits you with a strong beat and distorted guitar that thumps inside of you. Mullins has stated that Heavy Glow attempts for, “hard-hitting, gritty, infectious and melodic rhythms to create a sound that is both informed by the past and undeniably modern.” This is put quite well, as it describes what their music accomplishes. They are an up and coming band and all I can say is watch out for the Heavy Glow.

Information:

Website: http://www.heavyglowmusic.com/

Buy the new EP: http://www.amazon.com/The-Filth-Fury-Explicit/dp/B0037BFC7U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1277317917&sr=8-4

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Nicki Minaj Massive Attack?

23 Jun

Hey there all,

I’m sure that if you are even slightly familiar with the hip-hop scene you have heard of Nicki Minaj. The Queens native has collaborated with the likes of Mariah Carey, Usher and Diddy, often featured alongside staple counterparts Drake and Lil’ Wayne.

Nicki "Barbie" Minaj

She’s been the focus of attention as of late, partially because of the summer release of a solo album and a hyped-semi feud with rapper Lil’ Kim (Kim maintains that Minaj has not paid enough respect and “homage” to her position as an artist).

Currently Minaj, a self declared modern day Barbie, is thought by many to have taken the place of Lil’ Kim in the rap scene. Fresh blood and new perspective has lent the up and coming artist waves of attention. With her ultra decadent music video Massive Attack, Minaj seems to affirm a permanent position in the music biz.

But with the supposed beef between Minaj and Kim, one must wonder is there only one spot for a female in hip-hop? What is the source of competition and animosity?

Rap music has such a reputation as hard edged, fueled by the tough grit of masculine energy. I think that Minaj’s flair of aggressive confidence and feminine eccentricity is a perfect complement to the scene. I don’t, however, believe that only one woman should merit the spotlight. Minaj is a fascinating artist, but should not be the only “token” girl rapper on a track.

Minaj and Drake

Yes, there has been others (Eve, Remy Ma, and as aforementioned, Lil’ Kim, to name a few) to make there names known. But as of now, Minaj seems to be taking the lead. But, before asking Barbie to contribute to another song, maybe a few artists should look into other female talent out there.

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