Sunday, March 26, 2023

Kruelty "Untopia" Digital Review

 Kruelty

"Untopia"

Profound Lore Records

Released March 17, 2023


Kruelty are from Tokyo Japan and play a modern HC, beatdown, death metal fusion. Meant to be played loud. This entire LP brings the chaos, which is what it is supposed to do and why I am spending my time writing about this album.



Hopefully Kruelty make it to the US for a tour. I would love to see this chaos in person.



Produced by Taylor Young at The Pit Studios, who has also produced Nails. Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege who has mastered Obituary. You know the sound is brutal.

I don't know what they are singing about, but the titles help; "Burn the System", "Manufactured Insanity", and my favorite song title, "Maze of Suffering".


Already in the running for one of my favorite albums of 2023.

Cheers,

Frank FOE

https://www.profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/profoundlorerecords

https://twitter.com/profound_lore

https://www.facebook.com/profoundlorerecords

https://kruelty666.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/krueltyjphc

https://twitter.com/krueltyjphc

https://profoundlorerecords.com





Saturday, March 25, 2023

The Feelies @ Artsquest, Bethlehem PA March 24, 2023

 The Feelies Live Show at Artsquest Transformed Reality


I am more connected to the underground venues. I know where the hall shows, the 100 and under capacity and DIY shows occur. 

My long time friend Chris Newmyer sent me a message stating he was going to be in town working with The Feelies. I'm like what? The Feelies are playing in three days and I didn't know. I am a bit disconnected with the happenings at Artsquest to say the least. That has to stop. I will be at the Start Making Sense show to see their wonderful Talking Heads tribute at the Artsquest. Plus, Artsquest, located in Bethlehem PA is less than a half hour away from my house.

If you don't know Chris, he used to set up DIY shows at the Stage Door at Lehigh University in the 90s. Best Kissers in the World, Grieving Eucalyptus, Daisy Chainsaw were among the bands I got to see live thanks to Chris. 


I was asked by concert attendee Joe Hanna, owner of long standing, now defunct record store in Bethlehem,  Play It Again, "you like the Feelies?". I understand, my rep is more punk/HC/metal, but I do love other music (and Joe was just busting on me) and am always up to seeing different music, especially when I end up on the guest list. To finally see The Feelies at this stage of my life (mid-50s) was a perfect storm.

The Feelies, from North Jersey, played two sets. The first set was more laid back, groove oriented, country alternative, indie rock, Lou Reed. Hell, R.E.M. sites them as a major influence, you get the picture. 



The sound The Feelies generated, loudly and crisply filled the Artsquest with an aural delight. 


The second set was bombastic. Leaning towards their sonically aggressive, groove driven rock and roll. I would like to say that the Crack Babies (one of the greatest Lehigh Valley PA bands ever) were definitely influenced by The Feelies and I didn't make that connection until tonight as most of the Crack Babies were at this show and their Funhouse/4 G's crew. See photo below. Yes that is me with a stack of vinyl. We'll get to that later. 


Compact Disc Center (Bethlehem PA) proprietor Mary expounded to me just how amazing The Feelies set was, of which I shared in her joy! But then explained, "yeah yeah yeah, I know they are great, but I need to go get some vinyl" (or something like that), which the band was selling for the right price of $20 a pop! 

I bought every The Feelies album on vinyl (one of those bands I only owned digitally), plus Glenn Mercer's instrumental album Incidental Hum.


The guitars and bass of The Feelies form a sonic wall whether playing a country tinged heart string pulling song or a pedal to the metal rocker. 



Stan the man on drums is a machine. I now consider myself influenced by Stan as I will take what I learned by watching him into my playing. Phenomenal. 



They wrapped the third encore up after the second set with one of the best covers of "I Wanna Be Your Dog" I have ever heard. I so wanted to start a pit but decided against and just closed my eyes and rocked out, lost in one of the greatest songs of all time at a very loud volume, just the way I like it. Set list here: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-feelies/2023/musikfest-cafe-bethlehem-pa-bbbc502.html?fbclid=IwAR2V0oGmWVfCFxyOQfuJBZy0AWoBAL4tKtqIiDL1TLsI0X26R9b6P0Oa0NU


If you get the chance, go see The Feelies live. Also, the records are all almost out of print again (per the merch man, check out bandcamp below), so get a move on or you will be stuck in that digital void, where I was stranded. 






Cheers,
FOE

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Hunting Lions "Dark"

Hunting Lions

"Dark" EP 12"

Pirates Press

Released February 17, 2023 

Digital Review



Alas, I do not own the vinyl version of this... yet! From the looks of the back cover, the black vinyl features a B-side printed with a matte varnish that looks wonderful. 


As far as the music from Hunting Lions, the members have played in  Swingin' Utters, Roadside Bombs, The Beltones, US Bombs and Tiger Army, so they sound a lot like those bands. Ben Coleman from the Roadside Bombs handles the vocals with a straight up, direct and up front delivery combined with that punk rock and roll energy. They have a chill presence, one that emanates confidence and professionalism in making driving, enjoyable music. They look like they have fun with what they are doing. 




Cheers,
FOE


Saturday, December 24, 2022

Orphan Donor

Allentown Pennsylvania's Orphan Donor has remastered their first release, originally released 12 years ago. Enjoy the sonic attack!


Friday, March 25, 2022

T-Shirt to Pillows How To

T-shirts to Pillows a How-to DIY article


FOE #36 had an article on how to change your t-shirts into pillows.

Follow the link for the pdf of the article.

T-Shirt to Pillows How-to pdf 

Cheers,
FOE

 

Friday, January 21, 2022

FOE Volume 39 Issue 1


Follow this link for a downloadable or viewable PDF of FOE zine Volume 39 Issue 1

    FOE Volume 39 Issue 1

Follow this link for a flip/zine version where you can turn pages online. Best viewed on a wonderful full sized monitor. Really sweet. Try it.

    FOE Volume 39 Issue 1

Either way you will find interviews with:

  •     Chris Dodge (Spazz, Trappist, Slap A Ham...)
  •     Chesty Malone and the Slice Em Ups
  •     Jason Mckown (Duffy's Cut, Violent Society, artist)
Plus best of 2021 lists and thoughts on music and life.

Cheers,
FOE

Saturday, December 18, 2021

FOE zine #1 published 1984

 Would you like to read FOE zine #1, published in 1984?

After you click the link, you will be taken back to a time when things were much different. 

Cut and past zines. 

Typed on an actual typewriter. 

Photos were photocopies of photos developed at the local drug store from film.

Cheers,

FOE