Five Iron Frenzy Returns!

The greatest of all ska bands has returned to the studio. After an 8 year hiatus, Five Iron Frenzy has announced that they are back in the studio recording a new album. FIF initiated a kickstarter campaign to generate funds to record the album. Their goal was to raise $30,000 in a 6 week span. They raised that figure in just 55 minutes. Current tally is $109,000. All the funds the band raises over the $30K goal will be used for promotion and to enable the band to play some shows. If you want to participate click here.

Yes, I was saving the best for last. Five Iron Frenzy is offering a free download of their new song, “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night”, on purevolume.com! The track can also be downloaded through their own website.

Check out this youtube video on the recording of “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night”

The Antidote - Show 10 - Hello Kelly

Episode 10 of The Antidote. This is a special listening treat. We had the opportunity to spend some time with the members of Hello Kelly.  Hello Kelly shared some of the fun aspects of touring along with the trials of being a recording artist. Check out some of their tracks from their new CD easyforyoutosay and a very frank interview beginning at the 6:12 mark of the podcast.

Listen to The Antidote live on Trent Radio 92.7 FM, Wednesdays from 9 - 10 EST. You can also access a live stream here.

Listen to episode 10 of The Antidote here

Black Metal vs. White Metal

For those unfamiliar with the terms "Black metal" and White 'metal" the distinction is simple and meaningful.  According to Wikipedia:

"The most common and founding lyrical theme is opposition to Christianity and other organized religions. As part of this, many artists write lyrics that could be seen to promote atheism, antitheism, paganism or Satanism".

Conversely white metal is described as:

 Christian metal, also known as white metal, is a form of heavy metal music usually defined by its message in a song's lyrics as well as the band's dedication to Christianity. Christian metal is typically performed by professed Christians.

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be a guest on Andrew Culkeen's show "The Iron Curtain" on Trent Radio.  Andrew offered the listeners his playlist of black metal songs, while the songs I featured represented the "white metal", or Christian point of view.  It was fun night and this format will be repeated on "The Iron Curtain" Wed. Dec 7 from 10:30 - 11:30 on Trent Radio, 92.7 FM Peterborough.

Click here to listen to the first "Black Metal vs. White Metal" show.  Be forewarned language and content may be offensive to some.

The Antidote - Show 9, Nov 16 available

Episode 9 of The Antidote. No special format this week, just great music!

Listen to The Antidote live on Trent Radio 92.7 FM, Wednesdays from 9 - 10 EST.  You can also access a live stream here.

Listen to episode 9 of The Antidote here

Flatfoot 56 concert review

Celtic punk is the name of the game for Flatfoot 56.  The biggest band in Christian music returned to play Sneaky Dee's in Toronto once again.  Biggest in the sense of physical size.  The Bawinkle brothers, Tobin (lead vocals, guitar), Kyle (bass) and Justin (drums), range in height from 6' 5" to 6' 10".  The band is rounded out by Eric McMahon (bagpipes/guitar) and Brandon Good (mandolin/guitar).  All of the band members also share background vocals.  Rollicking vocals, guitars, mandolin, bagpipes and drums, all at full volume, all at a blistering punk song  pace.  Life can't get any better than hearing this.

This is the fourth time I've had the opportunity to see this band perform and once again they didn't disappoint.  Flatfoot 56 has been rated as one of the top bands to see live.  The insanity this band creates spills from the stage to the rear of the audience.  Only the fit and well padded will dare to venture into the mosh pit.  The band encourage circle pits and the result is a mosh pit of death that few can escape unscathed.  With a large crowd in attendance, I didn't dare to work my way through the mosh pit up to the stage.  I knew I would be pummeled.

Flatfoot 56 is one of the few bands I know who hits the stage without a prepared set list.  Immediately prior to going on, the band members were discussing what they should play and who would take which duties.  Rather than creating chaos, it gives the band a spontanity and vibrancy that so many bands and musicians lack.

Songs covered all of the favourites from their last two albums, Jungle of the Midwest Sea and 2010's  Black Thorn.  The band returns to the studio early in the new year to their next CD.  I would have liked for them to have played more of their old tracks from Knuckles Up, and Waves of War, but how many songs can you play in a 40 minute set?

The band does have a few constants.  Encouraging audience participation in activities they dream up, socializing before and after concerts with fans, and playing "Amazing Grace" as their finale. Preceding "Amazing Grace", Flatfoot 56 also offered up another old time hymn favourite, "I'll Fly Away".  I'm hoping that this track will be included in their upcoming CD, but you don't have to wait, it's avaliable as a free download by clicking here.

Don't forget to check this band out live.  Flatfoot 56 returns to Toronto early next spring.  Keep track of their tour dates on the website by clicking here.

Click for a listen to the interview I had with Flatfoot 56 prior to the show.

The Antidote - Show 8, Covenant Awards part 2, Nov 9- 11 available

Episode 8 of The Antidote. This episode is the final segment of a two part series featuring artists who attended the 2011 Covenant Awards in Calgary.  Winners, losers, and bands simply attending the festivities are featured.

Listen to The Antidote live on Trent Radio 92.7 FM, Wednesdays from 9 - 10 EST.  You can also access a live stream here.

Listen to the podcast of episode 8 of The Antidote here

Absolved releases This One Goes to Seven

We all know that punk songs are short and to the point. Absolved's This One Goes To Seven EP takes that point to the extreme.  Seven tracks come in at a grand total of 10:20.  Short on time?  Want something fun?  Grab this EP.

Absolved announced the release of their This One Goes To Seven EP. On the album, Absolved has revived their unique skate punk sound, which includes a touch of old-school punk with some youthcrew hardcore flavorings. Built on high energy and an advanced level of musicianship not typically associated with punk rock, these old friends have crafted and melded their combined influences over the last four years. Absolved features Jimmy Sisco on vocals and guitar, Bob Magana on guitar, Byron Brumit on bass, and Aaron Kelly on drums.

Available from Thumper Punks records store

Thumper Punk - Kings Kids announcement

The Kings Kids announce the release of their second full-length album “Set Sail and Seek…”  Unvarnished.  Unapologetic.  Striking a course into uncharted territory between classic Seventies style three-chord punk rock and eighties old skool  hardcore, The Kings Kids boldly deliver a message of faith and truth while standing firmly on the musical shoulders of Rancid, Swingin' Utters, Ramones, Street Dogs and The Clash.  “Set Sail and Seek…” includes 14 songs of passion, energy and redemption! Mastered by Cliffy Huntington at Steinhaus, who mastered such bands as Dropkick Murphys, Officer Negative, Flatfoot 56, Street Dogs and Headnoise.  Also, album cover artwork by legendary skateboard artist Jimbo Phillips.  Now taking pre-orders at the Thumper Punk Records website for delivery in mid-November 2011.  First 100 copies include a limited edition "Set Sail and Seek..." patch of the album cover.  Get them before they're gone forever! This is the album you've been waiting for... Anchor Yourself.

The Kings Kids

http://thekingskids.com

http://www.facebook.com/TheKingsKids

Thumper Punk Records

www.thumperpunkrecords.com

** Shock Your Mom.  Go to Church.

Hello Kelly concert review

I had a chance to both see and interview Hello Kelly in Toronto at Lee's Palace last Friday. Hello Kelly had its beginnings in 2004 with the release of their EP, Modern Day Nostalgia.  Many changes have taken place with the band line-up over those intervening years, but the pop rock feel to the music remains the same.  It's been said that every single person in Ontario has seen HK play at least once.  This was time number twelve for me to see the band and they didn't disappoint.

You'll be able to hear the complete interview with Hello Kelly on a future broadcast of The Antidote.

The audience at Lee's Palace spanned not decades, but generations. Fans ranging in age from late teens to early '70's, were actively singing along with the band during their numbers.  I've often said that Hello Kelly has an appeal from tweens, to Mom and Dad's, to Grandma and her dog.

Hello Kelly's only original member is lead vocalist and guitarist Francois Goudreault. He's been joined by Travis Wilbourn...guitar, vocals, George Wong...bass, vocals, and Ben Mahaffey on drums, over the past two years.

Hello Kelly bounded onto stage with their opener "Pressure & Poison" from the new (EASYFORYOUTOSAY) album.  To me this is the outstanding track on the album.

Song two, "The Communication Breakdown", is a particularly poignant song for HK's lead vocalist.  It recounts Francy's trials of having a fairly severe stutter that makes it difficult for him to speak in public.  However he carries his vocal abilities on with extreme clarity on stage.  I asked him about the difficult role he has been cast.  To respond it was necessary to text one of his band-mates and for them to read it back to me.

Next up was a cover of the Cutting Crew song "(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight". It wasn't a surprise to hear a cover. Even though Hello Kelly has a wealth of their own material to draw on, they will often cover other bands music such as Tom Petty.

The performance of the new song "Brighter Days" came with a bit of a shock.  I didn't even recognize this extended version of the song.  The band took the pop/rock song to the extreme, giving it an angst edge and almost psychedelic rock flavour.  Francy delivered the final verse with falsetto vocals. HK should pursue this avenue, as they handled it with acute ability.

"Better Now Together" had the audience participating in the refrain:
"Hey, here we go, here we go again
Scream our lungs out forever
Hey, here we go, here we go again
We’re better now together"

Even though Hello Kelly was not the headline band, they took the stage back for an encore with a song from The Modern Day Fades Away.  "Favourite Arcade" has always been a crowd pleaser and it didn't fail this time either.

HK can no longer play Ontario venues with their past frequency as they now call Nashville home.  If you get the chance check them out.  A great band to see live and don't forget to ask for a sweaty group hug after the show.

Find out more about Hello Kelly here

The Antidote - Show 7, Covenant Awards part 1, Nov 2- 11 available

Here is episode 7 of The Antidote. This episode is part one of a two part series featuring artists, attending the 2011 Covenant Awards in Calgary.  Winners, losers, and bands simply attending the festivities are featured.

Listen to The Antidote live on Trent Radio 92.7 FM, Wednesdays from 9 - 10 EST.  You can also access a live stream here.

Listen to episode 7 here