Archive | June, 2009

New Band Palace Profile #1: 23 Otonos

10 Jun

Medieval Band

Over the past week or so the New Band Palace mulled over many well deserving bands that sent their Myspace information to musiccourt@gmail.com. (For the future any band may simply post their information under the New Band Palace link so people can take a look at your page or info even if you are not selected as the “New Band Palace Band.” After much thought the title of New Band Palace Band #1 goes to 23 Otonos and digging into my years of high school (and one semester of college) Spanish knowledge this means 23 (duh!) Autumns.

Yes, 23 Otonos are from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but, while the majority of their songs are in Spanish, English does appear in their music and through this profile you will see surprisingly how 23 Otonos does it.

Immediate disclaimer. My Spanish is spotty at best and I will make a fool of myself if I try to decipher the lyrics, so while I am sure they are good, I will only go on music and vocals attempting to do no disservice to a very noteworthy band from Argentina. Let us pound out the basics (thank you for posting an English history on your Myspace page) before we get to two songs that I thought were just great.

2008 23 Otonos Tour  

Band: 23 Otonos

 Origin: Buenos Aires, Argentina (you should just here my fake accent, spot on!)

 Genre: Alternative Metal/Punk

 Founded: 2007-

 Line-Up:

 –         Drums: Penumbra Amour

–         Guitars: Dave and Chris

–         Bass Guitar: Fede

–         Vocals: Jaba

 Name: Not provided on the Myspace, but, my best guess is that after 23 autumns something special happened. 23 Otonos fill me in.

 History: After ten years in the background of the rock and metal scene in Argentina, the five musicians in 23 Otonos decided is was about time that they stepped into the spotlight and became a popular union of musicians on their own. Luckily for them, their talent and musical intelligence has shot them to the top of the Argentinean music scene where they have won numerous awards and competitions including winning the Vans Rock and Ramp competition in 2008 which was designed to search for the best alternative rock band in Argentina. They celebrated this victory with more intensified musical fervor and longed to get back into the studio and record more music. Currently they are exploring the live music scene and are even working on their first official video. They are definitely a “Band to Watch,” for their passion flourishes through the heavier punk sounds they produce.

 Songs to Check Out:

 Un Segundo de Calma: I feel so bilingual. This translates into A Second of Calm in English. I want to thank my college professor, who was also Argentinean. Now to the song. In my opinion, this is 23 Otonos best track because I feel as if it plays perfectly to the punk listeners ears while providing a heavy metal background that makes the song sound like a harder rocking Blink 182 track. This is not an insult (I personally like Blink 182). This is actually a big compliment because I, who does not listen to too much metal unless I am at the gym, found this song to be not only catchy, but also well put together. From the beginning of the song I immediately hear elements of Blink 182 punk mixed with a heavier drum beat provided by Penumbra that is obviously inspired by heavier metal. It is a melodic mix. Come the verse Jaba’s great voice mixes perfectly with Dave and Chris’s harder rock riff with Fede’s bass guitar keeping perfect rhythm. The chorus really brings the song together with a very catchy hook that makes the song catchy punk/metal. I love the intertwinement. Fede has an awesome bass solo at around 1:50 (I personally enjoy when the bassist gets a shout out). Overall great song.

Maniac: I know what you’re thinking. This is English. I bet another thought is running through your mind but right now you are dismissing it because this music is punk/metal not 80’s movie soundtrack. But, wait, I told you I had a little surprise. “Maniac,” by Michael Sembello that appeared in the movie “Flashdance,” where Jennifer Beals pours water on herself during a workout montage, has been covered by 23 Otonos. I know what your thinking utter disaster. But, what if I was to tell you that it was a success. First, little fun fact. Sembello originally was inspired to write this song by the movie “Maniac,” where a serial killer stalks victims in New York City. The original lyrics went, “He’s a maniac, maniac, that’s for sure. He will kill your cat and nail him to the door.” Seems more up the alleyway for 23 Otonos but thank the lord they used the Flashdance revised “Maniac,” because, between you and me, the other lyrics are pretty dumb. Now to the cover of “Maniac.” 23 Otonos I applaud you. You took a corny 80’s song and made it awesome. The catchiest metal song I have hard in a while. I can consider this metal because Dave and Chris’s guitar riff is a heavy riff and it combines perfectly with the fast pounding drum beat provided by Penumbra and the harder rhythm provided by Fede. Not to mention Chris and Dave have guitar solos that are metal solos, no denying that. The song is brought together by Jaba’s voice. It is in English and Jaba sings the song so well I swear I hope many see this review and give this band United States credit where it is due. This song, in my opinion, can be popular in the States.

23 Otonos Discography

 More Info and How to Check Them Out: You can listen to some of their tracks over on their Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/23otonos. Unfortunately, they are only touring their home Argentina so no luck for the United States but continue checking their great page for more information.

 Thank you for all the bands who sent their information. Continue posting your band information in the comment section of the next New Band Palace Post for your chance to be recognized as the New Band Palace Band #2. For directions see the New Band Palace Band #2 post for even more information or e-mail me at Musiccourt@gmail.com Thanks again and congratulations 23 Otonos I wish you the best of luck in your future musical endeavors.  

Lyric of the Day #14: Blind Faith “Had to Cry Today”

10 Jun

“Its already written that today will be one to remember
The feelings the same as being outside of the law”

       – “Had to Cry Today,” by Blind Faith off of their album Blind Faith

Could the lyrics make anymore sense!

Winwood and Clapton

Song of the Day #14: Blind Faith: “Can’t Find My Way Home”

10 Jun
Another Then and Now: Clapton and Winwood (with band) Then

Another Then and Now: Clapton and Winwood (with band) Then

Later on today (8 pm est) Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood will embark on a 14 date U.S. tour beginning with their debut show in the Izod Center in New Jersey. I shall be attending this show at 8 pm tonight with family and friends and we are psyched. Excuse my slang but I am quite excited to see two of rock and roll’s best musicians at their finest. I have seen Clapton two times before but the addition of Winwood can only make the concert better. In honor of this tour today shall be focused on, you guessed it, Clapton and Winwood, and after the concert a review of the concert will find its way on the site quickly (after I regain my composure after the show)

Where better to start than with the beginning. In 1965 and 1966 producer Joe Boyd wanted to celebrate the opening of the London office for Elektra records with some noticeable British talent. Paul Jones, Manfred Mann’s singer, suggested putting together an all-star line-up and so the first purposeful supergroup was formed. A supergroup that consisted of members of the Spencer Davis Group (consisting of one Steve Winwood and Pete York), Manfred Mann (Paul Jones and Jack Bruce) and Mr. Eric Clapton. Long story short, they recorded a few amazing blues hits under the great name of Powerhouse and then left to do their own material destined to meet and play again. Okay that was corny but it is true. For this is where Clapton met Jack Bruce and with Ginger Baker they formed the famous supergroup Cream. Winwood went back to the Spencer Davis Group for another year and kept in contact with Clapton who came calling soon.

Now the rest may get a little confusing but music history is quite interesting. Plus connections are fun and there are a lot of them here. Here we shall learn of the connection of Clapton and Winwood 40 years ago and their forming of their own supergroup Blind Faith. First let us start with Clapton. Cream made a lot of money, a true powerhouse (ha ha). Yet, come 1968 Eric Clapton had virtually become band mediator as Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce constantly argued with each other. Also, Clapton did not enjoy the contrived blues that he had been forced to play and wished to expand his music horizons (same reason why he left The Yardbirds). Steve Winwood was running into similar problems over in the Spencer Davis Group where he longed to experiment with the music they were playing. After his request to diversify music was denied by his band mates he decided to leave and form Traffic. Traffic temporarily split in 1969 and Winwood started to jam with Clapton in Clapton’s basement in Surrey, England, eventually deciding to form Blind Faith.

Here is where it gets a little confusing. They needed a drummer and Ginger Baker was available after the break-up of Cream. He sat in for a few sessions and Steve Winwood wanted to make him a final member. Clapton questioned the move because he just broke up with Cream a few weeks prior. A resounding Awkward! Winwood convinced Clapton because Baker is pretty proficient at the drums and Baker became the drummer. Now they just needed a bassist. Now it gets more complicated. Both Winwood and Clapton wanted Rick Grech who they had both jammed with before. One problem. Grech, and his band Family, was set to embark on a U.S. tour with Ten Years After. He agreed to perform with Family until they could find a suitable bassist to replace him but he became unreliable. At the first show in the Fillmore East he was so disoriented he could barely play. Let us just say he quickly found his way into the Blind Faith line-up and finally Blind Faith was born.

Cool shot of Blind Faith at Hyde Park

Cool shot of Blind Faith at Hyde Park

Now that we know a long winded history let us get to some material. Here comes the song of the day and my Blind Faith favorite, “Can’t Find My Way Home.” It may be the pleasant acoustic guitar, Winwood’s beautiful falsetto, the lyrics, “And I am wasted and I can’t find my way home.” Something about the three minute sixteen second song is just so enticing and inviting and I am looking forward to hearing it, among other classics, tonight. Please keep the history alive and continue listening to these amazing blues hits. Blind Faith may have only been around for one album but  because of the music genius provided on the album they sure made quite an impact.

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood Now

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood Now

1910 Fruitgum Company: 60’s Band of the Week #2

9 Jun

Cymbalism (ha ha ha ha)

Cymbalism (ha ha ha ha)

Band: 1910 Fruitgum Company

 Origin: Linden, New Jersey

 Genre: Bubblegum Pop

 Founded: 1965- (off and on with different members since 1965)

 Original Line-Up:

–          Rhythm Guitar/Vocals: Frank Jeckell

–          Organ/Vocals: Mark Gutkowski

–          Bass Guitar/Vocals: Steve Mortkowitz

–          Drums/Vocals: Floyd Marcus

–          Lead Guitar/Vocals: Pat Karwan

 Name: The band’s name apparently came from a candy wrapper that Frank Jeckell, Rhythm Guitarist and Vocalist, came across in his attic.

 

1910 Fruitgum Company

Like This

 Bubblegum Pop Explanation and Disclaimer: In the late 1960’s to the early 1970’s a genre of music best known as Bubblegum Pop grew in popularity as its complete foil Psychedelic Rock also made its way to the ears of the youth. Last week we covered 13th Floor Elevators who provided a start to Psychedelic rock and a pleasing musical genre to older teens. The acid that went along with the music sure did not hurt its success. An odd and terrible analogy can be made to best describe Bubblegum Pop and Psychedelic Rock. Just as they say Marijuana is the “gateway drug” to harder drugs like acid, Bubblegum Pop, targeting pre-teen, bubble gum chewing, listeners was the initial catchy rock sound that led to harder, more complicated sounds like Psychedelic Rock.

            This bubble gum chewing reason is what sparked the title of the genre in the first place. Pioneer producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz who formed Super K Productions, the main assembly line for Bubblegum pop music, coined the term while chewing gum and mulling over the target audience for their brand of contrived and marketable music. They structured the analogy (not like mine above) that the music is like bubble gum music. Neil Bogart, at Buddah Records, soaked up this profitable idea and Bubblegum Pop was born.

            Now, just because the music is fake and manufactured does not mean that is not worth a listen. The music, at its best, is quite catchy and upbeat with sing-a-long choruses, danceable beats, riffs and hooks, and hidden sexual themes (had to put that in there. It is class Disney, Mickey Mouse, technique. See South Park). This is where 1910 Fruitgum Company comes in. One must understand even while bands may be not playing the greatest, most noteworthy, type of music, they can still at the top of what they do. The 1910 Fruitgum Company, along with other bands like The Ohio Express and The Lemon Pipers, were at the top of the Bubblegum heap.

 

Then

Then

 History: Now on to some rich, bubble-blowing history. The band was formed by Frank Jeckell in New Jersey and was originally known as Jeckell and The Hydes. Quite a convenient name. They were found by Buddah Records and under the instruction of the producers of Super K started playing this new Bubblegum Pop sound. Interestingly enough, they found immediate and noteworthy success.

Their first hit was “Simon Says,” written by Elliot Chiprut, and while it was originally hated by the entire band, Frank Jeckell persuaded the band to record it and while in recording the entire band worked together in tweaking the song and eventually coming to model the song after “Wooly Bully” by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. You may know “Wooly Bully” from such movies as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “Full Metal Jacket.” That is an interesting list of movies. The song hit #4 and was a huge success.

After the success of “Simon Says,” the band went on tour opening for such acts like The Beach Boys. They hit amazing success again with “1-2-3 Red Light,” which is painfully catchy.

Eventually the group was replaced by Super K producers and different musicians appear for the bands final two albums. This, of course, just comes to show you that money is a driving force. Producers Kasenetz and Katz wanted more profit and abandoned the bubblegum sound for more blues psychedelia which was popular in 1969.

 

Best Song: Let us just skip the five album discography and focus simply on the singles that did best for the group. Their best song is “Simon Says,” which played perfectly to the Bubblegum Pop sound. The song’s hook is a string of “ba ba ba ba’s.” The riff is a simple chord progression played both on guitar and organ and it inevitably will put a smile on any face. It encompasses all that a Bubblegum Pop song needs to have. Simplicity mixed with innocent, pop-filled sounds.

 

Fun Facts:

 Did you know:

 –          The Ramones have cited 1910 Fruitgum Company as a major influence.

 –          “1-2-3 Red Light,” was often covered by a band named The Artistics at the Rhode Island School of Design. The Artistics later became known as the new-wave band The Talking Heads.

 –          They are still touring with some originals. Check them out if you are in the area. Their Site: http://www.1910fruitgumcompany.com/index.html

Now

Now

 Special Shout out to Jonathan Gatarz Unofficial 1910 Fruitgum Company Blog, and always helpful Wikipedia Information.

Lyric of the Day #13: The Dandy Warhols

9 Jun

         Some interesting lyrics today from The Dandy Warhols. Celebrating thirteen lyrics we shall sample lyrics from the mainly hummed instrumental “Sleep” from Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia which cemented The Dandy Warhols as one of the better Indie Rock bands. Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia

“Well I could sleep forever
but it’s of her I dream
if I could sleep forever
I could forget about everything”

      – The Dandy Warhols, “Sleep,” off of Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia

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