San Francisco Bay Area-based power quintet Howlin Rain’s come howlin’ back with their third album, The Russian Wilds. Having been formed by bandleader-singer-guitarist Ethan Miller in 2004, as a melodic offshoot of blazing new-psych innovators Comets On Fire, Howlin Rain soon caught the attention of uber-producer Rick Rubin, who signed them to his American Recordings label and involved himself deeply in their subsequent musical evolution thereafter.
“There was a point when we were really trying to blend Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, Steely Dan’s Gaucho and Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness On The Edge of Town,” says Ethan Miller. “I love the Boss’ singing, where he’s just blowing out his voice even when it’s just a pop ballad moment. And we were inspired by some of the grooves and close mic stuff on Gaucho, and by how Electric Ladyland runs the gamut from super long jams to blues numbers to drifting psychedelic pieces. There’s a sense of audacity to these records – a band chasing down strong, invisible connections – and there’s moments like that on our record. We didn’t always do the smartest or safest things [laughs].”
I’ve heard The Russian Wilds, and the album is incredible. If any of the above makes any sense to you, then you’ll want to pick up this record when it drops on Valentine’s Day. Check out “Phantom In the Valley” to get a first taste…
In the meantime, you can enter to win two tickets to see Howlin Rain on Tuesday at Mercury Lounge! The fucking fantastic D. Charles Speer & the Helix open the show. Just comment below with your favorite classic rock record. Or simply by Tweeting this post (tag it with @BBiB). Cool? Well, get to it then! Winner will be notified by Monday morning.
Yellowbirds is Sam Cohen of Apollo Sunshine’s most recent musical outlet. Their Royal Potato Family debut The Color came out in 2011 and is a absolutely beautiful collection of songs. If you haven’t heard Yellowbirds, check ‘em out here and then tune in to Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio on Thursday from noon-2pm EST, for a live session.
And be sure to check out the Yellowbirds with our friends, Woodsman, at Mercury Lounge on February 17th…brought to you by our other pals at Dog Gone Blog. (Awesome flier art by yet another buddy, Justin Gabbard)
As a big YES fan, I am proud to say that with this new Steve Howe interview, I have now rounded out (not roundabout) interviewing the classic Fragile and Close to the Edge-era lineup. High school Mike Newman would be very proud. He might even freak out!
So tune in to see if much-older Mike Newman freaks out whilst speaking with one of the greatest guitarists ever in rock music. We talked about everything from Yes to Zappa to Asia to Tomorrow. I may have even convinced him that he should put Tomorrow back together!
I’ll air my interview with Steve Howe on Thursday, January 26th on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio, from noon to 2pm EST. Come join us.
Many of you Beyonders have expressed the desire to acquire the amazing Bang Bang Boogaloo / Beyond Beyond is Beyond psych comp art, which was conjured up by Justin Gabbard.
There were only 25 prints made, so go grab your hand-numbered, signed poster right from Justin’s webstore.
Cheers!
Noon to 2pm on EVR.
OK, so this WAS Radio Moscow. Led by singer/guitarist Parker Griggs in the center. Drummer Cory Jack Berry (right) and Zack Anderson (left) left the band on January 7th on the second night of their tour after a bit of inter-band violence. Watch the psychedelic soap opera unfold here…
Like psychedelic sands through the hourglass…
So Radio Moscow are slated to play live on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio on Thursday, so we’ll see what goes down. Hopefully they’ll come rock for us. Their new album, The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz on Alive Naturalsound Records, was one of my favorites from 2011.
So tune in the EVR.com on Thursday from noon to 2pm (EST) as Radio Moscow’s new lineup goes BEYOND…
Read on for their upcoming tour dates with Graveyard:
I fucking love this band, Quilt. I picked their album as one of my faves from 2011. And it’s still one of my faves in 2012! If you don’t have this album, grab it now over at Mexican Summer. And get a little taste of ‘em whilst you’re on you’re way there by flaring up this new video for “Young Gold.” Dig…
Well, it’s certainly that time of year (the end of it, that is) where everyone who has anything to do with music (including Eddie No-Ears, who just feels the music) finds it necessary to rank their favorite musical things that came out in the past year. So if you happen to be EXACTLY like me, you will undoubtedly agree with everything on this list.
But, the fact of the matter is, as much as I hate rating, ranking and reviewing music until all the magic is sucked out of it, I do find other people’s lists helpful to remind me of some of the great things (perhaps from January 2011 or maybe that I heard whilst partying at that one party at that one guy’s place), which I might’ve already forgotten about. And others’ lists are a reminder that we all have very different tastes, but it’s cool to see where those tastes overlap (kinda like hot fudge over peppermint ice cream).
So anyway, let’s hop to it then and see what I liked a lot in 2011! And keep in mind that I don’t listen to every album that comes out nor do I have a desire to do that. In no particular order (click on through for the motherlode):
Our friends at MUTE/Spoon Records have given us a couple copies of this 40th anniversary edition of CAN’s masterpiece, Tago Mago, to give away to you!
As you probably already know, this is one of the greatest and most unique albums ever made, influencing everyone from the Sex Pistols to Radiohead. The new edition of this genre-defying album comes packaged in the original UK artwork for the first time since 1971, and includes a bonus CD featuring 50 minutes of unreleased live material from 1972, remastered in 2011.
And the only way to win is to tune in to my show, Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio, Thursday (12/7/11) from noon to 2pm (EST)…and then and there I’ll tell you how to enter!
Can – Bring Me Coffee Or Tea by Mute UK
Feelin’ down? Go ahead and crank up this amazing new tune ‘Bliss’ from Blues Pills, a band born from the former rhythm section of Radio Moscow, Cory Berry and Zach Anderson. It just rips. Feelin’ better already! Look for more tunes from them in 2012.
I was absolutely thrilled to be able to host this show last week. The legendary socio-political singer/musician, Rodriguez was in town for a show with Charles Bradley and stopped by EVR to play a couple songs and chat with me. Take a listen to the archive here…
ARCHIVE: RODRIGUEZ ON BBIB SPECIAL ON EVR
The big-Beat, psychedelic, Southern rock, circus pop band Gringo Star are dropping in on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio Thursday from noon to 2pm EST, to lay down some booty-shakin’ garage grooviness for us.
They’re rolling though New York before they finish up the tour supporting their great new album Count Yer Lucky Stars, out now on Gigantic Music.
The remaining tour dates:
12/1 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY (w/ J Roddy Walston & The Business)
12/3 – Cameo Gallery – Brooklyn, NY
12/6 – Will’s Pub – Orlando, FL
12/7 – Hippodrome – Cocoa, FL
12/8 – Jack Rabbits – Jacksonville, FL
12/10 – Sarasota Lanes (Cosmic Groove Festival) – Sarasota, FL
So tune in to EVR.com on Thursday, noon to 2pm EST, to hear them rip it up live in the studio!
~BE THERE~
I fucking love this band. And they’re from my hometown of Cincinnati. It’s nice to see what amazing music can be created on a Skyline Chili and UDF milkshake diet, assuming they dig that shit like I did!
One of my favorite things about them is their obvious influence from another Ohio band, the James Gang. Buffalo Killers’ harmonies are beautiful, the melodies take you on a ride and the songwriting is unique and assured.
Today, they’ve decided to share a free tune that they just recorded last week. Hot off the press, if you will.
Buffalo Killers are on tour now with North Mississippi All-Stars. Dig the dates here. And grab their insanely-good new album 3 on vinyl, right here. And watch out for the Buffalo Killers on the January Bang Bang Boogaloo/Beyond Beyond is Beyond compilation! More on that later. For now, dig Buffalo Killers brand-new “Oh My Word”…
Buffalo Killers – Oh My Word
Right-click on it to download.
I’m really excited to welcome Woodsman to Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio, Thursday noon-2pm (EST). They’ll jam live and who knows what sounds will emanate from the EVR studio…and your radio or mobile. Be there then.
Stream their new EP Mystic Places below to get acquainted…
Woodsman: Mystic Places by alteredzones
I love Field Music, and that’s solely based on their last album, Measure, which came out in early 2010. It won me over with its amazing hooks, harmonies, guitar textures, musical intricacies, and non-ironic nods to classic rock.
Field Music will have a new album called Plumb out in February, but in the meantime you can crank up this brand-new track from the album…
Field Music – (I Keep Thinking About) A New Thing by memphisindustries
In For The Kill Records is proud to announce its first release, a 7” by Brooklyn/NY acid-prog/psych rock trio LA OTRACINA. Having issued almost 20 releases in 8 years, including 3 critically acclaimed albums for the Holy Mountain label, this is their first 7” release!
“Skyblazer” is a trip through sound portals of complex densities; where the speed rush of Motorhead/ZZ Top fueled proto-metal/hard-rock meets the lysergic meltdown space boogie of Hawkwind and the progressive intricacies of King Crimson. This is the New Wave Of Psychedelic Heavy Music, a contemporary vision exploding with classic influences, forging a future of boundless (con)fusions between The Psychedelic Heavy and The Cosmic Weird!
Available on green vinyl in a limited edition of 300 copies. Highly recommended for fans of DANAVA, CIRCLE, WITCH, NAAM, SAVIOURS and EARTHLESS.
Cost Including Shipping By Location:
US $7.00 / Canada/Mexico $8.00 / Europe/Australia/South America $10.00 / Japan/Asia $11.00 /
Send money via PAYPAL directly to “inforthekillrecords AT gmail DOT com”.
Watch and listen to the Official Music Video for the LA OTRACINA “Skyblazer” 7” here: http://youtu.be/
In For The Kill Records - http://inforthekillrecords.
LA OTRACINA - http://laotracina.tumblr.
The prog-rock giants, Gentle Giant, just remastered and re-released their 3rd and 4th albums, Three Friends and Octopus, both originally released in 1972…a fine fine year! I’ll have Gentle Giant frontman, Derek Shulman, on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio on Thursday to talk about those amazing albums and spin selections from them. Join us from noon to 2pm on Thursday and get your afternoon prog on!
