The Last Bandoleros Make Being Broke Fun with New Track Mas Dinero

The Last Bandoleros are making the most of a new year with an anthem for all the broke music lovers out there with “Más Dinero,” and take it from me, one listen to this track will have you feeling like you have all the money in the world. 

“Más Dinero” makes being broke fun, telling a story about going broke, selling all your belongings, and saving all your money in the name of moving to the city for a better life. Despite the threat of bankruptcy, it feels hopeful, and truthfully, it’s a really nice sentiment for a graduate student like me who doesn’t make much money! 

I was lucky enough to hear “Más Dinero” live three times last year, so I thought I knew what to expect from this studio release, but nothing could have prepared me for this track. It feels like a refreshed version of their sound on classic Bandos jams like “Maria” and “Dancing with Irene.” It has that Beatle-esque catchiness they’re known for that makes their songs so addicting, but with something a little extra. It’s funkier than their older stuff, with the heavy bass and groovy percussion at the forefront as opposed to guitar, but their classic sound still shines through with their tight harmonies and catchy melody. 

One of the best things about this group is how they can all take the lead in their own unique ways, and “Más Dinero” falls right in line as Diego Navaira and Jerry Fuentes take turns providing lead vocals with their powerful voices that lend a sense of strength and security to the track despite the subject matter. 

They’ve employed some new sounds on this track, with some ever-so-subtle keyboard riffs, some spacey synth sounds, Navaira’s echo-y gritos interspersed throughout the track, and a crunchy bit of percussion that follows the song from start to finish. It’s clear that this is a new era for The Last Bandoleros, and if this is just the tip of the iceberg of what they have up their sleeves, what a hell of an era it’s going to be. 

If ever you needed an excuse to finally get into this group and their phenomenal catalogue of music, now’s your chance. “Más Dinero” seems to blend all of TLB’s influences together simultaneously to create an absolutely irresistible track. It’s full of energy, it’s catchy, and let’s be real, it’ll make you feel better when you inevitably spend all your money again. Who could ask for more?

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10 Years Later: How Lana Del Rey's "Born To Die" Became A Part Of My Life

On January 27th 2012, Lana Del Rey released her major-label debut, Born To Die. This album and Lana herself have both influenced a variety of people in the last ten years. Myself included. Allow me to tell you a story of how my lifelong love for Lana started and about how Born To Die became my most listened to album in high school. 

I was 14 years old and in 8th grade when Born To Die came out. I had found out about Lana over a month prior when randomly coming across the music video to the album’s title track on YouTube. I remember watching it and being like, “Who is she? She is absolutely amazing!”

Once I listened to the album and I got to the second track “Off To The Races”, I knew I was really hooked on Lana, her voice, her lyrics and musical style. I thought her lyrics were very deep and they gave me goosebumps when listening to each song. 

After that first listen, I knew I wanted more of what Lana had to offer in her music. I remember thinking that her music was very different from what was popular in the world of music at the time and I think that’s what also made me gravitate towards it. Her musical style felt beyond refreshing to listen to. 

I became invested fast. VERY fast. From that point on, that album became a huge part of my life. When I say I listened to that album pretty much everyday, I mean I listened to it EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. I listened to a lot of music in high school, but Born To Die? I listened to that more than any other album and I listened to Lana more any other artist. 

Three years after the release, I was in the last few weeks of my junior year of high school when I went to go see Lana Del Rey in concert for the first time ever. I had waited so long for her to come to Houston that when I saw her tour dates while I was at school, I almost squealed out of excitement.

Despite being in the lawn and so far from the stage, the second I saw Lana come out on stage - I burst into tears. In fact, the friends I went to the concert went thought I was going to pass out so they stood behind me just in case. I was mesmerized and I felt so happy knowing I was finally seeing my favorite singer of all time in concert. Nothing else mattered to me.

My senior year of high school months after that concert, my top most listened to albums that year consisted of three albums - Halsey’s Badlands album, Banks’ Goddess album, and of course Lana’s newest release at the time, Honeymoon. That came to show that Lana had a strong effect on my love for indie music and also having me introduce myself to more artists and bands in the indie world.

To add to my last statement - Over the last 10 years, I’ve also noticed that Lana paved the way for other women in indie pop/alternative - such as Lorde, Billie Eilish, Sky Ferreira, Halsey, Banks, amongst other artists. And those are also some of my other favorite artists.

Because of Born To Die, Lana became my all time favorite singer and the artist who meant the absolute world to me. Even now at 24, I still love her so much and I still get excited over every new album release from her. Her music means a lot to me now, just as much as it did when I was 14. I’ve seen her twice in concert, own almost all vinyl versions of her albums, I even still stay up late just to listen to her new albums the second they get released on Spotify.

With that being said, Born To Die will forever be one of my all time favorite albums and also one of those albums that holds a special meaning to me. 

Thank you for creating my lifelong favorite music, Lana.

REVIEW: Boy Harsher's The Runner (Original Soundtrack)

With the release of their short film The Runner, Boy Harsher has followed up by dropping the full soundtrack. The duo is known for their darkwave electro-pop; very reminiscent of the 80`s scene. I always imagined their music blaring through the speakers in a goth nightclub as I danced into the early hours of the morning but, the band decided to show off the darker ambiance of their music in a much different way… and it's absolutely brilliant. To quote the synopsis for the film, “The music scores the strange woman’s descent into the unknown.” 

Track by track:

“Tower”:

The synth is deep and moody and lead singer Jae Matthews` voice fits right in. It`s sultry, dark, twisted, and mysterious. The stage has been set. The words: “Can I believe you? Do I even know how?” 

are breathily sung right before the music becomes more intense and what sounds like screaming cuts through and fills your ears. It's strange and unexpected. Perfectly eerie. 

“Give Me a Reason”:

With lyrics such as “When you come will you call my name?” and “Did you mean to touch me that way?” It's clear that this song is about carnal desire and lust. One of the most sensual tracks on this album. Jae Matthews stated, “With Give Me a Reason we wanted to write something that encapsulates that feeling of yearning - the way we feel when we catch eyes across the room.” Boy Harsher are masters at portraying the deeper darker side of such impulses in their music. I'm a sucker for it.

“Autonomy”:

We should all be pretty familiar with the word autonomy; the right to self-govern. You and only you have control over yourself. With that in mind, this song sounds like deciding to run away with someone out of fear. The decision to finally set yourself free, or to try at least. 

“What do you see in me? What will come when we run?” 

“The Ride Home”:

This track continues to add to the mystery that is this album while setting the scene perfectly in our heads. Mostly sinister sounding instrumentals accompanied by four lines of lyrics: 

“Feels like I`m coming on 

Real strong

You are the reason

I`m alone”

“Escape”:

We get shot straight back to the 80's with this staple dark wave track. Up beat and dancey with a sense of underlying dread. The lyrics, to me, speak of hopelessness and unsurity: 

“We don't know what to do. The walls keep on caving in.” and “What's done is done.” 

Planning an escape when you're so unsure of the outcome is scary, and that's exactly what this song conveys. 

“Machina”:

This is definitely a bit of a contrasting sound for Boy Harsher. Leaning away from the macabre and embracing the fun pop side of this style. Aside from the chorus, the whole song is in singer Mariana Saldaña`s native language. Based on my loose translation she sings of having a cold heart, possibly comparing herself to a robot with no feelings. In the music video, which also appears in the short film, Mariana dons a full latex suit symbolizing power and authority. The main character of the short sits in front of an old tv and watches in awe; with blood all over her may I add. It seems to me like our main character is yearning for that type of strength, as she looks defeated in her own ventures. 

“Untitled (piano)”:

Yet again another suspenseful track. It has a child's lullaby feel to it and mixed with the ambient noise gradually growing and shrinking in intensity, I`m immediately unsettled and captivated. Coming in at exactly two minutes and twenty two seconds, it feels much shorter and like there may be something left unsaid. 

“I understand”:

The closing track is full of sorrow and loss. It feels almost like a poem being spoken to an intimate crowd: 

“If you wanna break free

All you gotta do is tell me

And I will understand”

It's evident that this is coming from the heart of someone admitting defeat. Despite all the odds and all this person has been through with someone, they know it's time to let them go. The sadness in this song is unable to be overlooked. It's the perfect conclusion. Did you expect a happy ending?

In a recent instagram post they wrote how the short film started as a wild idea mid-isolation to pull themselves out of the ditch of depression. “I don't think we ever anticipated The Runner becoming a reality. Yet here we are.” They went on to say that nothing gives them a better sense of drive and purpose as Boy Harsher. That drive and purpose is apparent in everything they do. They seamlessly channel every bit of themselves into their work and it never fails to get your thoughts racing and your blood pumping. One of the many reasons you'll find yourself coming back for more. 

The Runner short film is available on Shudder and Mandolin this whole month. Don`t miss it!

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REVIEW: 'Hot Chocolate' by The Wistful Larks

I like to be fully transported by a melody. A lot of songs are surface level bops that are easy and fun to sing in the car, and that’s fine and good. Those songs have their place. I like a lot of ‘em!

To me though, what makes a song especially appetizing is its ability to transport me. I look at the landscape of a song through the lens of sonic uniqueness. Feeling a certain emotion when you listen to a song is cool. Being able to feel certain places, textures, TASTES; that’s a whole different ball game.

‘Hot Chocolate’ possesses a distinctive feeling. That is what makes it tasty to me.

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a hard sell on slow songs.

I cut my teeth on punk and uptempo indie.

I like punch and I like dirt. I wasn’t sold on the first listen through. It grew on me though.

The grit in this song is secret, and the delayed gratification is worth it

It has this vintage ski lodge vibe that is cozy, sultry, and unrepeatable. There’s a lullaby-like quality to the whole track, particularly the vocals. This hypnotic, dreamy feeling is pervasive throughout the entire song.

It doesn’t prevent it from being climatic, though. Somehow ‘Hot Chocolate’ is both sleepy and triumphant. Think like indie movie prom scene. But also, The Shining. For some reason.

It’s easy to settle into the chorus, and the guitar tone is warm but poignant.

‘Hot Chocolate’ doesn’t really have a lot of tonal or dynamic complexities, but it really doesn’t need them. The simplicity is intimate and attentive. It melts in your mouth. It’s definitely contemporary rock, but with a throwback flavor.

‘Hot Chocolate’ is effortless, cozy, and delicious.

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REVIEW: In The Mourning Gets Real With 'If He Wanted To, He Would'

“What's a good girl to do?” 

Be prepared to blast this absolute banger in your car. Trust me, you will. The anticipated second single from LA-based punk rock band, In The Mourning, takes the reflection of being in a one sided relationship and turns it into an anthem. 

The nostalgic instrumental makes this track feel extremely relatable and bound to have you belting out the words into your hairbrush. A classic in the making. 

The production is amazing. Singer-songwriter Amanda Tran’s vocals shine brightly amongst the angsty instrumental making you listen with feeling. When you think the words were already reading you like a book, Kenny Lu’s guitar solo comes out of nowhere and knocks you back into your seat. By the end of the song you’re already planning on pressing replay. 

I can't wait to see what else In The Mourning has in store. I absolutely loved this song and can confirm it sounds amazing in your car. Like seriously what are you doing? 

Buckle up and go belt your heart out!

LYRICS

Be a good girl for you

I’d do anything for you

But when I come around

“I’m too nice, too needy”

Too available for you

If he wanted to, he would 

I keep telling that to myself 

But when you come around 

I can’t help but need it 

Too accessible for you

Oh, I’ll be a fool for a higher love 

The truth is cruel but I’ll go in just to feel something 

Yeah, you say that you could be the one for me

But inconsistency, well, that could not be for me 

Sometimes I hang on a little too long 

Give you way too much slack

But now I can’t go back to where I was 

Guess I’m a softie now for you 

A little too much forgiveness

Took advantage of my kindness 

Who do you think you are?

A little too much forgiveness

Took advantage of my kindness 

Who do you think you are?

Oh, I’ll be a fool for a higher love 

The truth is cruel but I’ll go in just to feel something 

Yeah, you say that you could be the one for me

But inconsistency, well, that could not be for me 

What’s a good girl to do?

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ALBUM REVIEW: Lumineers Shine with a New Sound on BRIGHTSIDE

The Lumineers started 2022 off with a bang with the release of their 4th consecutive album BRIGHTSIDE.

The album starts off with their first single “BRIGHTSIDE”. This album gives the Lumineers a new unique sound. Lead singer Wesley Schultz has a beautiful distinct raspy voice and is incomparable to many other singers. Schultz adds to the uniqueness with his beautiful poetry and hopeful messages in each song. Each song is titled in capital letters to add to the brightness of the album.

The album cover shows a bright blue sky with a blury hand reaching up. The album consists of nine songs that each tell a cinematic story. So go put your headphones on lay in your bed and take a listen to “BRIGHTSIDE” available on all streaming platforms.    

LE JUNK Dabbles in Some ‘Bad Stuff’

Le Junk’s glamorous childlike rubbish ‘Bad Stuff’ via Naked Superstar Recordings — currently in its 8th week since being released on July 29th, 2021 — started off as inspiration for himself in his own music video for ‘Rich Romance’ where he wore the exact same festooned ‘80s vintage suit to flash his status.

Sitting in an upscale directors chair at a friend’s studio in East London, Le Junk (first name not revealed due to the artist being an enigma) dabbles in some bad stuff. First, as he partakes in a 4-pack of powdered sugar donut goodness, then the sudden difficulties getting through a whole video recording take before the cake monster’s facial dessert-themed gimmick begins to melt.

“It seemed like the best way to turn a cake into a person,” he says, about how the shirtless idea came into play behind cakeface. The colourful comedic back-and-forth gibberish of Bad Stuff explores an addictive personality, a halfwit representation of someone being tormented by their own cravings, but hides beneath a masked party animal persona that seems like he’s having fun. He sings in a self-assured groove-laden whisper, a telephoned tongue-in-cheek confectional static.

A swag-strutting gangster lean amidst a mashing addictiveness of cowbell, the glitz of Le Junk; a seductive multi-instrumentalist in his slinky Nintendo-like, on (the) air personality, broadcasts, “If you wanna get in-between, get all up in/My stuff. If you wanna question my ways, get up on me/Then stop.” Lyrics if it’s not stuff, it isn’t worth junk.

Le Junk, an emerging alternative-pop junkie, wants to be remembered as the guy who loves The Offspring, and the guy who loves people that look like cake (humorously speaking). He’s here to take his cake and eat it. He’s here to revitalize and revolutionize popular music.

REVIEW: Seven Year Witch’s Cover of Akon's Hit Single, "I Wanna Love You"

Have you ever listened to a pop song, or really any song, and thought to yourself, “Wow, this would be a great rock song”? Well I would have never in a million years thought about Akon’s “I Wanna Love You” but South Carolina Hard Rock, Blues-Punk band Seven Year Witch did, and they have just released an epic cover of “I Wanna Love You”. 

We all know the original, it’s smooth and classic to Akon’s Hip Hop sound. These guys went with a completely different approach, and that approach was rock n’ roll. Sometimes when the style of cover is drastically different from the original it doesn’t work, but in this case, it couldn’t have been more perfect. You know it’s gotta be a great song when it’s an absolute jam in multiple different genres. 

Overall this cover has a grunge rock sound but there is definitely a little pop punk to it, too. It’s really a classic killer sound to jam to. I love how they start the first few lines of the song very slowly, similar to the original, but then instantly switches to a fast-paced, high energy rock song. 

"I Wanna Love You by Akon is a song we all love. We put our own spin on it and started performing it live to great reception. After all the demand we decided to record our cover of it. So here it is, our version of I Wanna Love You by Akon." - SEVEN YEAR WITCH 

The music video matches the same high energy level of the song. It’s mostly just a video of them playing in an empty bar, but these guys are going HARD. The energy they have while playing is exactly how I feel when listening to their version. I would love to just be there rocking out with them! 

Seven Year Witch’s cover of Akon’s “I Wanna Love You” is available on multiple streaming platforms which can be found HERE. 

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Encrement Make Their Mark With Debut Single 'The Ruins'

With a sound of eerie desolation, hard hitting drums and heavy riffs soon come crashing in to swallow the soft notes of the piano. Clean vocals cascade and intertwine into heavier vocals lifting the

This is ‘The Ruins’.

Encrement, a progressive rock band, released their debut single today, holding nothing back. Coming together from different projects to create original music with a heavy and melodic combo, Zac Taylor on vocals, Brandon Schauer on guitar/vocals, Josh Finch on bass, and Blake Tidrow on drums are Encrement.

The single comes along with a lyric video as well, so give it a listen and check out the video to connect with the full story.

Come at me if I’m totally off here, but if you love We Came As Romans…I think you’ll dig this one. Truly excited to see what these guys have in store.

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REVIEW: Falling In Reverse Call Out Cancel Culture in 'Zombified'

Falling In Reverse have been exhumed and released a new single titled, “ZOMBIFIED.” 

‘Zombified’ by Falling In Reverse is proving that the band hasn’t backed down from creating rock anthems that go along with every single moment. After giving the song a few listens through, the chorus is immediately engraved in your cranium. The driving riffs create a cinematic story crafted to fit along with Ronnie Radke’s stance. "I wrote 'Zombified' about how sensitive society has gotten, in my opinion," says Radke.

The visuals that go along with this song are out of this world. Falling In Reverse have graciously, over the years, perfected how to make the right videos for what they’re trying to say.  "I think we all need to learn to laugh a little more. I pulled out all the stops for the 'Zombified' video, for the fans, YouTube reactors, and all people alike." That's for certain as the video is apocalyptic and visually appealing. Demonstrating the disconnect and dysfunction of modern day society. The video and song depict the creation of cancel culture in a sophisticated manner. 

The song will be on their upcoming EP, Neon Zombie.

Falling In Reverse will be hitting the road on the, “Live From the Unknown: The Tour.” The tour will be hitting 16 locations, starting in Atlanta, GA and ending in Los Angeles, CA. Support on this tour will be held by Wage War, Hawthorne Heights and Jeris Johnson.  Get tickets here.

TOUR DATES: 

1/13 ­­— Atlanta, GA — The Tabernacle#

1/14 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works#

1/15 — Cincinnati, OH  — ICON

1/17 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE 

1/18 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore

1/19 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore

1/21 — Boston, MA  — Tsongas Center

1/22 — New York, NY — Hammerstein

1/24 — Detroit, MI  — The Fillmore

1/25 — Chicago, IL  — Aragon Ballroom

1/26 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore*#

1/28 — Kansas City, MO — The Uptown Theater#

1/29 — Oklahoma City, OK  — Diamond Ballroom#

1/30 — Dallas, TX — Southside Ballroom

2/1 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren#

2/4 — Los Angeles, CA  — The Palladium

*No Wage War

#SOLD OUT

REVIEW: The Weeping Suns Release Debut Single

Idaho’s new up and coming band, The Weeping Suns, released their first song “Weeping Sun” yesterday on all streaming platforms.

Lead singer Lily Sanderson most commonly known as “Slug” formed The Weeping suns back in September with her best friend and bass player Sammy Kusch. Drummer Ethan Cramer along with lead guitarist and producer Brandt Moon Joined at the first band practice where they started to write “Weeping sun”.

These four teens are the most creative, chaotic, talented souls I’ve ever talked to. Slug uses her love of nature as her main inspiration for writing songs. “Weeping Sun” starts off with an indie alternative guitar riff. The poetic lyrics match the alternative grungy vibe of the song. “She watches from her skies, she takes in the pain” is a rather cryptic lyric to start the song with. The beauty of the song is that “she” can be seen as something different through everyone’s eyes. My favorite part of the song is Moon’s guitar solo as it adds a hint of heavy metal rock in the middle of everything. Sammy’s bass lines compliment Moons guitar riffs exceptionally well.

The weeping Suns are working on their debut album which is set to come out later in the year. I love these talented goofballs and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish in 2022.

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The Breakdown E23: 2022 Tours You Don't Want To Miss

Welcome to the first episode of The Breakdown in 2022!

In 2021, we had the return for festivals and concerts and lets hop it stays that way! Festivals haven't announced their lineups yet but bands have kicked off their tour announcements. This week, we break down some of our favorites coming to our cities. Catch you on the road?

2021: What Music Meant To Me This Year

Music has always been a major part of my life. That’s just a well known fact about myself, as well as so many people. However, this year has been different for me in terms of music. Somehow, it really became even more important to me - which I did not think was possible in any way. 

I live in Texas and I would say that the rockiness of this year really started when the winter storm happened. Being without power in the freezing temperatures for over two days was certainly not how I wanted to spend my days that week. 

I lost almost all signal on my phone during the blackout, so for two days - I was without music. That may not seem like much, but for me - music is how I get through everything. I had so many songs stuck in my head during those two days that I just relied on the music being played in my head. When the power finally came back on, I spent pretty much my entire night listening to everything that was stuck in my head.

Two months later, I finally got a taste of live music for the first time in a year. I traveled to Florida to see The Living Street, at the same bar where I first saw them and met them.

I shared in my reflection piece about the experience that being around them again and watching them perform put the biggest smile on my face and that it was the happiest I had been in a while and it really was. 

At the time, I had been living in a hotel - thanks to the winter storm damaging my house. It felt nice the first two or three weeks, but the loneliness washed over me and the depression started to sink in. So when I reunited with The Living Street, it brought over a sense of happiness. It was one of those times where I just could not stop smiling and for that - I am grateful for them bringing that happiness to me. 

Nothing made me happier than watching two people I consider to be inspirations to me and also great friends of mine perform the music that made such an impact on me and my life. Nothing made me happier than just hanging out with them again after a year. 

After coming home from that wonderful trip and I moving into another hotel, I started feeling really motivated about writing and just kept writing and writing. I wrote everything from my reflection piece on my reunion with The Living Street to gaining courage and writing about my abuse story for sexual assault awareness month to different music reviews. I felt like the music just motivated me in some way and pushed me to keep writing and writing and I felt great about it. 

In late May, just two days before my birthday, Greta Van Fleet’s Strange Horizons tour went on sale and I already knew that I wanted to go to the Nashville concert, so I bought a ticket. Simple story, huh? Well, something else happened.

In BANDED’s Slack group chat, fellow banded writer, Sara shared a link talking about an independent radio station in Nashville hosting a giveaway for front row seat tickets at the night one concert. 

“I never win these things so I’ll just participate for fun,” I remember thinking. I was proven wrong several hours later, when I saw that the station pinned my comment on their post and messaged me on Instagram and said that I won.

To say I was in shock would be an understatement, but I was so beyond thrilled. Honestly, what an amazing birthday present!

Days before the show, the station called me and upgraded my tickets to the pit. That upgrade made me feel especially stoked.

Finally, Nashville came and I met up with another fellow Banded writer, Kiki. After two years of talking, this would be our first time ever meeting in person. We met at the hotel and our first in-person greeting was us running to each other, hugging each other and shouting out, “It’s all happening!” 

The next day, we spent our day at the Musician’s Hall of Fame, we walked down Broadway and listened to some live music while eating lunch, as well as experiencing our first ever Grimey’s experience. 

Then the day of the Greta Van Fleet show came and we spent most of our day in line. Once the gates opened for us to go through, it wasn’t necessarily easy for me and my mental health at that very moment.

When my ticket was scanned and I was let in, I felt so overhyped and overwhelmed that the second I found a bench, I sat down and just started sobbing.  I actually even began wondering if I was worth the pit at all.

Thankfully, I got past that and met up with Kiki - as well as other fellow Banded staff; Sara and Angel. When we were allowed to go down, I finally made it to the rail. 

It was my third Greta show, my second pit experience and my first rail experience, on Sam’s side too! 

I had a surreal moment sometime later when I looked over and spotted one of my favorite modern rockers, Tyler Bryant. Ironically enough, when Kiki and I were at Grimey’s the day before, she spotted a Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown vinyl and pointed it out to me. So I approached him and talked to him for a minute and took a picture, I give meeting him a solid 100/10 because he is a total sweetheart.

There was also a moment where Josh came running into the pit, handing out roses and I managed to become one of the lucky people to get one. Despite the panic I experienced prior, that experience was one I’ll never truly forget.

Those are just some of the major music moments that really meant so much to me this year, but it just shows that music played a huge part in my life this year and it was in a way I never imagined before. 

 Now, I have four concerts lined up over the next four months: The Aces on December 17, Marcus King Band in February, Yungblud in early March and traveling to Cincinnati for Greta Van Fleet - where I’ll be experiencing it with most of the Banded staff!

I wanna thank The Living Street for playing a major role in my life this year and for the amazing reunion in Apalachicola, Lightning 100 for selecting me to win the Greta Van Fleet tickets, Kiki for an unforgettable first Nashville visit and third Greta experience, and my Banded family for being so amazing.

Let 2022 be a bigger year for music. 

Review: The Living Street live in New Kennsington, Pennsylvania

The Christmas spirit was alive at the Voodoo brewing company in New Kensington Pennsylvania. Local band, The Living Street, welcomed friends and family in with warm hugs and awesome live music. Lead singer Nick Guckert is one of the sweetest people I have ever met and has the voice of an angel. He sang some of my favorite songs such as ‘Take It Easy’ by The Eagles and ‘Heart of Gold’ by Neil Young. Lead Guitarist Edward J. Angelo not only has beautiful hair but has mad guitar skills. Nick and Edward had an incredible stage presence as they made everyone feel at home. The positive energy they brought through their music radiated through everyone. 

The bar was decorated with beautiful artwork and instagram worthy aesthetics. My favorite part of the restaurant was the rugged phone booth and just the overall grungy look of the place. This place was perfect for The Living Street’s intimate performance as everyone had a special connection with Nick and Edward.  

 If you would like to check out The Living Street their music is available for your listening on spotify. I highly recommend supporting them and coming to one of their performances. Their genre is soft rock with a hint of folk and country. Their latest single, ‘Jealous Ghost’ sounds amazing live. Nick portrays the emotions of the song perfectly through his lyrics with his smooth yet powerful voice. Edward’s rhythms match the passionate sadness of the song with great detail. They are both two very talented young musicians and I am excited to go to many many more of their gigs in the future.

REVIEW: Cody Parks & The Dirty South Release 'Dirt I'm From'

Country Metal. That’s a two word phrase that would likely seem like an oxymoron to most people. What two genres could be (seemingly)  more diametrically opposed? 

That’s what I thought when I first read it off the front of Cody’s trucker cap. What the hell is country metal? If you ask Cody Parks (and I did) it’s a little like ‘Def Leppard on corn bread’. 

And you know what? That’s a pretty damn good descriptor. 

I had to see it for myself, though. 

I’m not sure when my first Filthy Friday was, but I’ve been a nearly permanent fixture ever since. 

Maybe it was the plunger beer caddy. Maybe it was the fog machines. Maybe it was the snakeskin boots. It’s wild, it’s a little trashy, its kinda silly, it’s FUN. Whatever it was that grabbed me, it sure as hell grabbed me. 

You see, here’s the thing about country metal; it is 100% unequivocally, balls to the wall, backwoods, in your face rock. And it’s 100% Cody Parks. 

You might be like me.

Country Metal? 

…what?

Nervous laugh, side eye, right? 

But the ability, willingness, and audacity to combine the two genres is frankly what makes it badass. 

It shouldn’t rock as hard as it does. But it does. 

I’m a country metal evangelical. I want everyone to check. it. out. 

This latest single “Dirt I’m From” marries the two genres seamlessly. 

There’s just something about flesh shredding guitar being paired with lyrics like 

If you leave those lights in the rear view

concrete runs out turns into kudzu

that IMMEDIATELY makes me want to act up. 

And I promise you, if you come out to one of these shows, you’re gonna be hollering YES SIR, YES MA’AM just like the rest of us. 

For me, the thing that makes this band, and Country Metal in general so appealing is not necessarily the music itself, (which KICKS ASS by the way) it’s creation of something unique the encompasses every part of the personality, even those that seem at odds with one another. 

I’m no stranger to cowpunk and “y’allternative”. Bands like Wilco, Old 97’s, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and American Aquarium are permanent fixtures on my playlists. Country Metal hits a little different, though. 

Maybe it’s my red dirt roots speaking here, but country metal kinda resonates with me on a spiritual level. It’s the sitting the the KMart parking lot listening to Ride The Lightning, because there’s nowhere else to hang out. It’s the tearing up backroads with the windows down wearing out the CD that your buddy burned titled “songs that fuckin’ ROCK ”. It’s the Pantera posters peeling off the double wide bedroom walls. It’s loving something SO MUCH despite being a part of a culture and a geographical area that typically opposes it, and STILL weaving in that culture from your hometown. It’s loving Willie Nelson AND Van Halen. 

It’s just learning to love every part of yourself and your background and throwing it back in the faces of everyone who says any part of it sucks. It’s just badass. 

“Dirt I’m From” is all of that. 

You don’t have to take my word for it. The next Filthy Friday is Jan 14th at Live Oak on Demonbruen. Come out and taste some country metal for yourself. 

And if you can’t make it out to Nashville, catch Cody Parks and the Dirty South on December 16th for How Banded Stole Christmas, live on our IG. 

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