Music Is My Weapon
Caesar had his legions, Napoleon had his rifles, we have our music.
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Misfits
The Misfits are a punk rock band formed in 1977 and led by singer and songwriter Glenn Danzig and later, bassist Jerry Only. They were highly influential on the genres of heavy metal, punk and rock music in general. Though they ceased recording and performing in 1983, a new version of the band (led by Only and without founder and former frontman Danzig) began operations in 1995.
The early Misfits were often quite melodic, featuring Danzig's versatile singing, which had a style rooted in Italian tenors such as Mario Lanza and in 1950s doo-wop. Musically, the band has also displayed some Rockabilly influences (but not as much as Psychobilly bands). Early Misfits songs tended to have catchy, sing-along choruses, initially backed by Danzig's distorted keyboard accompaniments and later by willfully crude guitar-rock. The band began as a largely untrained ensemble. After several lineup changes and increasing international acclaim, Danzig disbanded the original Misfits in 1983.
The band often wore corpse paint when performing, and bassist Jerry Only reputedly invented a hairstyle called the devilock (a variation of the "tidal wave" hairstyle) with the front coming to a point in front of the nose or chin, a style still worn by fans (a.k.a. Fiends) today and contributed to the foundation of Horror punk.
When the band originally reformed, it featured Michale Graves on vocals, Jerry Only on bass, Dr. Chud (Cannibalistic Human Underground Drummer) on drums, and Jerry's brother Doyle on guitar. Doyle is currently estranged from the group and is working with a new group named Gorgeous Frankenstein, which formed in 2005. Doyle recently reunited with Glenn Danzig's band Danzig to perform special sets of Misfits songs on Danzig's Blackest of the Black 2005 and 2006 tour.
A third, touring incarnation of the band, without Danzig, is presently led by the only other constant original member, bassist Jerry Only. Members of the touring group have included Marky Ramone (of the Ramones), and both drummer ROBO (who was a member of the original band), and guitarist Dez Cadena of Black Flag fame.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
AK1200
AK1200 is the stage name of a Florida-based musician Dave Minner working in the jungle and drum and bass genres.
He started DJing in 1989 playing mainly Electro, and in 1990 he opened a record store in Orlando, Florida called The Hottie Shop. His early working relationships were with record labels such as Suburban Base and Moving Shadow. He teamed up with DJ Jeffee to publish the U.S. jungle fanzine Junglized.
His first production effort was a 1993 remix of a track by Flex and Fats called Somebody and, as this was released on both Suburban Base and Moving Shadow, became the first U.S. Jungle producers to release a track in the U.K. (the country of origin of Jungle/Drum and Bass). AK1200 was also the first U.S. DJ to play on U.K. pirate radio, alongside Mampi Swift and DJ Zinc on Format FM.
Throughout the 1990s he tried his hand at just about every variation on the high speed breakbeat musical idiom and has collaborated with many influential jungle and drum and bass artists including Aphrodite (Artist), DJ Dara, Danny Breaks, Dieselboy, and MC Navigator, as well as with hip hop artists such as A Tribe Called Quest.
In 2000 he joined forces with fellow U.S. DJs Dieselboy and DJ Dara to create Planet of the Drums and toured the U.S. to great acclaim. His debut album, SHOOTTOKILL was co-produced with Rob Playford, of Moving Shadow fame. A prominent American artist in the jungle scene, AK1200 has been credited for helping to bring jungle and drum and bass to the forefront in the United States, due to his reputation for impressive live performances and prolific remixes, as well as for playing for free to help promote the spread of the style.
Blood Music, Dead Celebrity Status
I have this album on repeat, because it's hot. They lyrics are extremely original, even if not the most creative. Does that make anysense? Well listen to it and you'll see what I mean. It's hot.
Rap that's a mix between Eminem and Twiztid. This album has the creepy vibe of a legend and once that fades, you get the incredible We Fall, We Fall track. You get the feeling of the trailer for an epic movie. Every track is so well done you wonder how in the hell this band is not bigger than they already are. I definetly recommed this if you haven't gotten it or if you like Hip hop and underground.
Stupid images don't work right now, so when I can get them working I'll totally post them.
Rap that's a mix between Eminem and Twiztid. This album has the creepy vibe of a legend and once that fades, you get the incredible We Fall, We Fall track. You get the feeling of the trailer for an epic movie. Every track is so well done you wonder how in the hell this band is not bigger than they already are. I definetly recommed this if you haven't gotten it or if you like Hip hop and underground.
Stupid images don't work right now, so when I can get them working I'll totally post them.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
UGK Rapper Pimp C Found Dead In L.A.
UGK rapper Pimp C was found dead this morning (Dec. 4) in his room at the Mondrian Hotel on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip. He was 33. Police found the rapper, whose real name was Chad Butler, dead in his bed after responding to a 911 call.
UGK's publicist at Jive Records confirmed Pimp C's death to Billboard.com. "He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person," Jive president/CEO Barry Weiss says. "He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing Southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family."
In August, UGK released "Underground Kingz," its first studio album in five years. The set, which spawned the popular single "Intl' Players Anthem" featuring OutKast, debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, a first for the group.
UGK, which also features rapper Bun B, was derailed in 2002 when Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison on an assault charge. He was released on Dec. 30, 2005, at which point he quickly began working on new music.
His 2006 solo album, "Pimpalation" reached No. 3 on The Billboard 200. But it was understood that his stint in jail affected the artist's mental and physical health dramatically, to the point where he was unable to promote "Underground Kingz" in a meaningful way.
Pimp C had performed in Los Angeles Saturday night with labelmate Too Short.
UGK's publicist at Jive Records confirmed Pimp C's death to Billboard.com. "He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person," Jive president/CEO Barry Weiss says. "He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing Southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family."
In August, UGK released "Underground Kingz," its first studio album in five years. The set, which spawned the popular single "Intl' Players Anthem" featuring OutKast, debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, a first for the group.
UGK, which also features rapper Bun B, was derailed in 2002 when Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison on an assault charge. He was released on Dec. 30, 2005, at which point he quickly began working on new music.
His 2006 solo album, "Pimpalation" reached No. 3 on The Billboard 200. But it was understood that his stint in jail affected the artist's mental and physical health dramatically, to the point where he was unable to promote "Underground Kingz" in a meaningful way.
Pimp C had performed in Los Angeles Saturday night with labelmate Too Short.