Steelianos began his musical studies in Nakas conservatory and the National conservatory of Greece taking classical piano lessons at age five. Bought his first guitar and dropped off the piano experience in 2001.He started guitar as a self-taught but actually started mastering the instrument after crossing ways and taking lessons by two world-class virtuosos, Theodore Ziras and Ioannis Anastassakis, expanding his knowledge in different musical styles.Steelianos had been performing as well as writing music with many bands since 2002, experimenting in different genres (heavy metal, hard rock, progressive metal symphonic etc.) his general rule is that good ideas can be found in any kind of music.&nbs...
Bobby Liebling & PENTAGRAM have been churning out widely admired hard rock / doom metal for over four decades. Within its first, this D.C. band is largely regarded as pioneering not one but two subgenres of hard rock. At the onset of the 1970's, they helped procreate a behemoth called, "Heavy Metal." Nine years on, they'd be planting the dark seed of what would grow to be known as "Doom". 2011 marks the 40th Anniversary of this American treasure and sees the release of their new album, Last Rites, on Metal Blade Records.When asked about his old band's beginnings, co-founder and drummer Geof O'Keefe recalls, "It was 40 yrs ago in the fall of 1971. I'm not sure if it was liter...
The story of Foals' second album could not be told without the victories won by the first. One of the strangest, most exotic creatures to have seen the upper realm of the UK album charts this young century (debuting at #3 upon release), Antidotes was a special album. In the idiot clamor of retro guitars, its keen sense of dare and future marked the Oxford quintet out as a band keen to establish their own context: hurtling along on incessant, acrobatic fret-play and cymbals hissing with the bliss of exertion. It won them attention, and the chance to evolve in a space of their own.Two years on from that impressive introduction, a choice has been made-rather than contort Antidotesâ€TM lissom gui...
Hey, my name's Robin and I'm a singer in and songwriter for Fleet Foxes, here to write the promotional biography meant to accompany and explain Helplessness Blues. I'm just going to write down some thoughts I have about the album and give you some context. Let's do this. So, for a bit of background: we're from Seattle, and the members of the band are me, Skye Skjelset, Josh Tillman, Casey Wescott, Christian Wargo, and now our buddy Morgan Henderson, who helped out on the album and will join the band on tour. The band began as just me and Skye in Junior High, playing songs in his bedroom, until we moved to Seattle, settled on a name, and began meeting other musicians and playing with different people until we met all the ...
Time Out NY attests, Brooklyn's "My Cousin, the Emperor makes happily gnarly music; the band's debut album, A Long Way from Home, trades in rolling country rock & roll." My Old Kentucky Blog calls it, "Filled to the brim with both alone-in-the-pouring-rain ballads and throw-me-another-whiskey barroom romps" and Under the Radar Magazine declares, "My Cousin, The Emperor stands up for all that's still right with the genre of country."The accolades continued when the title track from their debut won the Independent Music Award for ‘Best Alternative Country Song of the Year' and the quartet grabbed the crown for Brooklyn in WNYC's "Battle Of The Boroughs." MY ...
For his second album as Son Lux, New York's Ryan Lott did a very un-Son Lux thing. He recorded We Are Rising in a month -- the shortest month of the year, actually -- while NPR tracked his every move. This, as opposed to the making of his lauded 2008 debut, At War With Walls And Mazes, which he slowly built in complete privacy over nearly three years. Of course, he didn't plan it this way. He simply awoke one late January morning to find a message from All Songs Considered titled, "You busy?" The annual RPM Challenge, an international open call to create an album in 28 days, had been issued and Lott had been tapped. How could he say no? Lott was, in fact, quite busy. Both with ...
After his eight-year daily battle with opiates, Josh Eppard has kicked his addiction and will be releasing his long awaited second full-length album SICK KIDS under his solo moniker WEERD SCIENCE on May 17, 2011. He will be telling his story throughout Spring on The British Invasion Tour and all Summer long on Vans Warped Tour (tour dates below). MC Lars will be releasing this collection of rhymes, raps, and beats on his independent label Horris Records, nearly six years after Weerd Science's debut album Friends and Nervous Breakdowns. Sick Kids was co-produced by Eppard and Dave Parker (ex-Coheed and Cambria), tracked at Applehead Studios in Woodstock, NY and Dark World Studios in Kingston, NY,...
Dreamy and feverish, hooky and repetitive, obsessive and claustrophobic - that's The Kills' fourth album, "Blood Pressures". ‘Obsessive and claustrophobic?' repeats Jamie Hince: ‘yes, I like that. After we'd made the record, Alison and I talked about the theme: there's a lot about gender, about relationships; it's about sex - so, blood pressures'.‘Right now, I would say it's quite a dark record,' says Alison Mosshart; ‘the lyrics are a little twisted. I think I always say that about every record I do. I think we're just both obsessive people. Obsessive about what we love and maybe even more obsessive about what we hate. I need to perform this record live to see what it ...
C'mon is the shortest title of any Low album, which seems fitting, as it also ranks among the most succinct and straightforward entries in their variegated discography. Singer-guitarist Alan Sparhawk has even perfected the "elevator pitch" for C'mon: "Recorded in an old church in Duluth, MN and mixed in an apartment in Hollywood, CA." But that brief synopsis hides universes. To get to the heart of this album, we must delve deeper into both halves of the creative journey of C'mon.Comprised of new material written on and off the road, the ten-song set was recorded in a former Catholic church, aka Sacred Heart Studio (where the band previously crafted 2002's Trust). Sparhawk says Low deli...
Hox Vox is a multimedia brand (music, videoclips, graphics), started in 2008, by Hox (b. Gianluca Missero, in Venezia, Italy). Influences are The Residents, Frank Zappa, Cardiacs,Mike Patton, John Zorn, Pere Ubu, Gentle Giant, Can & Les Claypool. ...
A rock/electro-pop hybrid band that finds itself delving into an ocean of classical/romantic themes from famous composers like Schumann, Schubert and Rachmaninov. With the inspiring and emotional sounds of Muse crossed with the dynamic complexities of Radiohead and Bjork, this band is sure to do some damage on the Music Industry in the near future! ...
et found international popularity during the early 2000s, a period in which the band's mix of Exile on Main St. swagger and brash, AC/DC-styled stomp dovetailed nicely with America's garage rock revival. Hailing from Melbourne and comprising guitarist Cameron Muncey, drummer Chris Cester, bassist Mark Wilson, and frontman Nic Cester, the foursome formed just as the new millennium was beginning. They quickly self-released 2002's Dirty Sweet, a vinyl-only EP that proved to be quite popular in Australia. The EP sold out of its initial run of 1,000 copies, and Jet's acclaim grew in the U.K. as they issued another limited-edition run. An Ame...
On March 8th, critically acclaimed rapper Lupe Fiasco returns with one of the most heavily anticipated releases in recent years, a revolutionary album called LASERS, reaching new heights of lyrical and musical mastery, while aiming to reach even bigger audiences.The album has already spawned an exuberant hit single, “The Show Goes On,” which re-introduced Fiasco to fans after a four-year absence. It will undoubtedly continue to earn attention over the next year and beyond with mind-expanding and ear-catching singles like the incendiary “Words I Never Said” featuring Skylar Grey and produced by Alex Da Kid (Eminem’s “Love the Way You Lie”), the thought-provoking “All Black Everythin...
Boston dream-folk artist, Marissa Nadler takes off independently with the release of her fifth full-length album and the first to be released on her very own label Box of Cedar Records. Produced by Brian McTear, the self-titled LP is set for a June 14th release. Marissa proclaims, 'It's the most honest, natural record I've ever written."Making music for nearly a decade and creating art for a lifetime her ethereal songwriting remains rich with imagery and beautiful textures. "I'm no longer hiding," She admits. "The mystery still exists in the music as an aesthetic tool, but the songs cut harder because of the vocal mix, with more varied colors than my other records." Before moving ou...
A game-changing artist and an impervious celebrity, Lil Wayne began as his career as a near-novelty -- a preteen delivering hardcore hip-hop -- but through years of maturation and reinventing the mixtape game, he developed into a million-selling rapper with a massive body of work, one so inventive and cunning that it makes his famous claim of being the "best rapper alive" worth considering. Born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. and raised in the infamous New Orleans neighborhood of Hollygrove, he was a straight-A student but never felt his true intelligence was expressed through any kind of report card. He found music was the best way to express himself, and after taking the name Gangsta D he began writing rhymes. Combining a stron...
Armed with horns, guitars, and everything in between, the six men of Great Caesar produce a brilliant and unmistakable brand of brass-fueled rock. Their sound is at once organic and electrifying, combining jazz roots with hard rock sensibilities in a way that does justice to both. On the plugged side, Great Caesar draws from bands like Destroyer and Minus The Bear, while its horns take cues from Spoon and RX Bandits. Together with the husky baritone of singer John-Michael Parker, the band has brought its gutsy sound and raucous energy to hundreds of audiences in and out of NYC, sharing stages with acts like Deerhoof, The Decemberists, Third Eye Blind, and Does it Offend You, Yeah.Great Caesar began modestly as a jazz tri...
Pop music is a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ world. A starburst of YouTube notoriety and then oblivion. Or at least it is for most. But when your journey has been as long and extraordinary as Nneka’s – when you’ve travelled 10,000 miles and are still only just starting out - then instant celebrity is the last thing on your mind. When your heart is as big as your Afro, when your talents stretch from teardrop soul-singing to freestyle rapping to a first-class degree from a top Continental university, when you’ve got so much to say about so much, then you are in it for the long haul. Every year since her musical career took off in...
Remember when indie music was wild and unpredictable? Remember when bands were hard to pigeonhole into neat little sub-genres? Well, Cattle Drums will remind you if you have forgotten. Hailing from upstate NY, you might shrug your shoulders at a band named Cattle Drums but you would be remiss by doing so. Mixing postpunk, emo/hardcore, shards of math rock and even traces of dark Americana, Cattle Drums distinguish themselves as purveyors of a sound not yet recognizable to our pampered, innocent ears. Lyrically ambiguous and instrumentally ambitious with harsh, aggressive tones, Cattle Drums truly are a wild awakening for the senses. The Boy Kisser Sessions + 3 is an eight song collection that puts togeth...
Matt Whitehurst (aka Matt Horseshit), the de facto leader of Columbus, Ohio noise-mongers Psychedelic Horseshit, claims the band first played in public in the fall of 2005 when he and some friends scammed their way onto the stage at a hippie jam band festival in Delaware County; asked by the MC for the group's name, he said, "Just call us Psychedelic Horseshit." As the legend has it, the band unexpectedly went over with the nuevo-hippie audience, and the name stuck. While Whitehurst (guitar, keyboards, and vocals) and his musical partner Rich Johnston (percussion) don't sound psychedelic, at least in the traditional sense, the rich, organic funk of the second part of their name hits home, as the band conjures a sound that recalls ...
SEVEN AGAINST THEBES (SEATTLE, WA) Progresive Metal Band Seven Against Thebes (7AT) just releases their debut self titled CD in MARCH 2011. Music is reminiscent of classic Tool, STP, Deftones & Alice in Chains. Band members include Rusty Hoyle (Vocals) Cyrus Rhodes (Guitars) Bruce Burgess (Drums) & Mr. Black (Bass). This is a follow up to their EQUILIBRIUM (EP) released in January which has received many positive reviews here in the US & abroad. 7AT has been called the band to watch in 2011 & is a resurgance of Seattles glory days of amazing music. The EQUILIBRIUM (EP) can be downloaded for free on the band's URL - www.7at.net Full length CD can be ...
Björk first came to prominence as one of the lead vocalists of the avant pop Icelandic sextet the Sugarcubes, but when she launched a solo career after the group's 1992 demise, she quickly eclipsed her old band's popularity. Instead of following in the Sugarcubes' arty guitar rock pretensions, Björk immersed herself in dance and club culture, working with many of the biggest names in the genre, including Nellee Hooper, Underworld, and Tricky. Debut, her first solo effort (except for an Icelandic-only smash released when she was just 11 years old), not only established her new artistic direction, but it became an international hit, making her one of the '90s most unlikely stars.Though the title of Debut implied that it ...
Denbaya, which means family in Bambara, began as a collaboration between Malian artists Makane Kouyate and Balla Kouyate, and New York-based artists Marco Chelo, John Austria, Keith Gamble, Fred Pratt, Vince Warren, and Jose Rosario; Denbaya is Makane's family in New York. Kouyate sings about themes such longing for home, peace, spirituality, and most of all, love, which is the driving force behind Denbaya's music. With the exception of "Djarabi" and "Yiri Tule," which are traditional songs, all other tunes have been written by Makane. Kouyate, who was born into a Griot family, has been playing the drums since he was five years old. He has performed with artists such as Salif Keita, Habib...
There seems to be a common theme developing within recent reviews for Restorations‘ Strange Behavior - the terrific four-song EP released last year by Paper + Plastick - which is that this Philly outfit plays music for "grown-up punks." I'm not sure if that's necessarily true as the band's background, touring history and all-around response to its relatively short discography collectively point to the fact that its appeal spans generations of music fans. From hardcore, post-punk, shoegaze, americana, roots rock and even stoner metal, the overwhelming consensus that Restorations' singular sound is difficult to pin down (though it's fun to try) and originates from an undeniably earnest place - something tha...
In the cold and dreary winter of 2009, alone in his bedroom and hiddenfrom the darkness of the world outside Justin Paul Vallesteros had begunworking on something that would change his life forever. What began as acouple notes played in experimentation soon transformed into vibrantmelodies that soon shook Vallesteros’ musical foundation to the core.Guitar chords laced over pulse sating synth melodies and drum rhythmswas a departure from Justin’s previous work; he began to create thedreamy nostalgic pop music that is Craft Spells. Justin is a California native who now finds residence in the mid-size town of Stockton, the heart of California. Craft Spells is the epitom...
Hi everyone, here is a new and upcoming rock band, Superlungs. I'm looking forward to reviewing their debut album, which comes out May 2nd, but there are still some tracks currently up on their websites: official website, myspace, facebook, soundcloud etc... their single, entitled 'Nobody', is out March 28th, but is up on facebook and myspace now. as far as the song goes, it's great! great hook, great riff, great lyrics... i'm really looking forward to the album! other songs, such as circular track, show their versatility, and mark the makings of a great band - not every song sounds the same! i highly recommend that you check them out, i'd love to hear your comments and opinions, on my fi...
It's all but inconceivable that J Mascis requires an introduction. In the quarter-century since he founded Dinosaur (Jr.), Mascis has created some of the era's signature songs, albums and styles. As a skier, golfer, songwriter, skateboarder, record producer and musician, J has few peers. The laconically-based roar of his guitar, drums and vocals have driven a long string of bands-Deep Wound, Dinosaur Jr., Gobblehoof, Velvet Monkeys, the Fog, Witch, Sweet Apple-and he has guested on innumerable sessions. But Several Shades of Why is J's first solo studio record, and it is an album of incredible beauty, performed with a delicacy not always associated with his work.Recorded at Amherst Massachusetts' ...
Triptykon, the group formed by former Hellhammer/Celtic Frost singer, guitarist, and main songwriter Tom Gabriel Warrior, is proud to announce that the groups' own label, Prowling Death Records Ltd., has entered into a licensing agreement with renowned metal giant Century Media Records.Under the agreement, Century Media Records will release Triptykon's massive debut album, Eparistera Daimones, in Europe and North America on March 22, 2010.Eparistera Daimones was produced by Tom Gabriel Warrior and Triptykon guitarist V. Santura and recorded in V. Santura's own Woodshed Studio in southern Germany, in the course of the second half of 2009. Like Celtic Frost's universally praised Monotheist album, Eparistera D...
The urban music style of LelKem, founded 2009, can only be described as "Modern Lament" If you are listening to one of their songs, or even get just an extract you would probably say, they ae an Indie rock, pop or even a post rock band. You will be taken by suprise, because the following part will remind you on alternative rock from the nineties, as well as complicated rhythms and rough hardness from the Neo progressive rock genre. Nevertheless, this stylistic variety always submits to the intelligent Songwriting and never renounces on stamping Hooklines. The nearly classically occupied trio with Hungarian roots fascinates with bittersweet melancholy, experimental soundscapes some loops from the Elektro depart...
KYNG the southern California hard rock trio, originated in January of 2008 in Los Angeles. Singer/songwriter Eddie Veliz bassist, Tony Castaneda and drummer Pepe Clarke Magana, after years of working off and on with each other on various projects, decided to propagate the idea of a band that would closer fulfill their musical desires. Within months of sessioning the three were sold on the chemistry and shortly after that went into the studio to record their debut album. The sound they realized was exactly what they had sought after, ...
"For this record, I just had a sound in my head," says Norah Jones. "I wanted the grooves to be more present and heavy. And I also just wanted to do something different—I’ve been hanging with the same group of musicians for a long time, and I thought it was a good time for me to work with different people and experiment a little." The result of these experiments is the multiple Grammy Award-winner's new album, The Fall. The album is an exciting evolution from her previous three releases, which have sold a combined 36 million copies worldwide. The first obvious change on The Fall is a lengthy list of new collaborators. Producer Jacquire King&md...
