..... I stumbled across a band called Vagina Panther a few weeks back. After reading the name I had to check out what the band sounded like and I'm happy (and a bit surprised) to report that they're actually really good. Check 'em out below:
Visit the Panther here.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Pig Destroyer
Greetings all. Good to meet you. Now that introductions are out of the way I would like to express my deep affection for a band called Pig Destroyer.
A brief history: Pig Destroyer formed in the late 90's. The band is made up by Scott Hull (guitar), J.R. Hayes (vocals), and Brian Harvey (drums). Notice anything missing? That's right, for the entirety of Pig Destroyer's existence they have never had a bass player and this band is fucking heavy. And fast. They added Blake Harrison to the band before they recorded "Phantom Limb" for sampler duties.
So, what's the big deal? Well, first off, the music is just flat out awesome. Loud, angry, and perhaps most importantly it's treated as an art form. I think a lot of bands that play aggressive music (especially the ones that fill out the more "extreme" sub-genre's) have a tendency to concern themselves with conforming to whatever the confines of their particular genre are. Now, don't get me wrong, Pig Destroyer blast along with the best of the genre (Brutal Truth & Napalm Death come to mind) but they appear to look for ways to push their genre along and create full albums meant to be listened to from beginning to end. The disturbing Stephen Hawking like narration that bookends the "Prowler in the Yard" album and the wonderfully erie soundscapes that lead the listener into and out from the outstanding "Phantom Limb" album help give the listener a unique experience when they hit play. Scott Hull's buzzing guitar playing and Brian Harvey's insane drumming really hold this band together and when they did eventually add Blake Harrison to add some atmosphere to the band they were comfortable enough to know what they were doing and exactly how the samples would fit into the music they play. Also, the whole no bass thing. I mean, from everything I've read that was the intention from the beginning. They wanted to be a stripped down band and make as much noise as they possibly could.
On the verbal side of things, J.R. Hayes has got to be one of my personal favorites. His screams haunt my ears long after I've removed the headphones. He screams so hard I can easily imagine his eyes popping out of his skull during one of the band's rare performances (for an exapmle check out the video below. The mic breaks and you can still hear him over the music). Lyrically, he paints a disturbing picture that perfectly accompanies the music he's screaming with. I personally stopped trying to listen to lyrics in the music I listened to years ago. I just got tired of hearing bad recycled poetry that a 13 yr. old could've written being spewed out of an adult's mouth. J.R. is one of those voices that got me listing to lyrics again and reminded me that not all lyrics are soaked with sophomoric innuendo and lame metaphors for being sad.
Unfortunately you may find it rather difficult to catch Pig Destroyer live. They all have day jobs that pay their bills and play live only a handful of times a year (for a further glimpse into the band check this article out). But, that's also one of the things I find so great about this band. The band doesn't make music because they have to, they play because they want to. They play because they have a legitimate reason to: they love playing loud music.
A brief history: Pig Destroyer formed in the late 90's. The band is made up by Scott Hull (guitar), J.R. Hayes (vocals), and Brian Harvey (drums). Notice anything missing? That's right, for the entirety of Pig Destroyer's existence they have never had a bass player and this band is fucking heavy. And fast. They added Blake Harrison to the band before they recorded "Phantom Limb" for sampler duties.
So, what's the big deal? Well, first off, the music is just flat out awesome. Loud, angry, and perhaps most importantly it's treated as an art form. I think a lot of bands that play aggressive music (especially the ones that fill out the more "extreme" sub-genre's) have a tendency to concern themselves with conforming to whatever the confines of their particular genre are. Now, don't get me wrong, Pig Destroyer blast along with the best of the genre (Brutal Truth & Napalm Death come to mind) but they appear to look for ways to push their genre along and create full albums meant to be listened to from beginning to end. The disturbing Stephen Hawking like narration that bookends the "Prowler in the Yard" album and the wonderfully erie soundscapes that lead the listener into and out from the outstanding "Phantom Limb" album help give the listener a unique experience when they hit play. Scott Hull's buzzing guitar playing and Brian Harvey's insane drumming really hold this band together and when they did eventually add Blake Harrison to add some atmosphere to the band they were comfortable enough to know what they were doing and exactly how the samples would fit into the music they play. Also, the whole no bass thing. I mean, from everything I've read that was the intention from the beginning. They wanted to be a stripped down band and make as much noise as they possibly could.
On the verbal side of things, J.R. Hayes has got to be one of my personal favorites. His screams haunt my ears long after I've removed the headphones. He screams so hard I can easily imagine his eyes popping out of his skull during one of the band's rare performances (for an exapmle check out the video below. The mic breaks and you can still hear him over the music). Lyrically, he paints a disturbing picture that perfectly accompanies the music he's screaming with. I personally stopped trying to listen to lyrics in the music I listened to years ago. I just got tired of hearing bad recycled poetry that a 13 yr. old could've written being spewed out of an adult's mouth. J.R. is one of those voices that got me listing to lyrics again and reminded me that not all lyrics are soaked with sophomoric innuendo and lame metaphors for being sad.
Unfortunately you may find it rather difficult to catch Pig Destroyer live. They all have day jobs that pay their bills and play live only a handful of times a year (for a further glimpse into the band check this article out). But, that's also one of the things I find so great about this band. The band doesn't make music because they have to, they play because they want to. They play because they have a legitimate reason to: they love playing loud music.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
I suppose introductions are in order.
Welcome to the Distant Ghosts blog. I'm going to be overly confident and instruct you to go ahead and bookmark our page for future (and frequent) reference. Here you will find the gab, talents, and opinions of 3 (possibly 4) remarkable young men, motivated by music, art, and general malcontent. Our agenda is simple: to entertain each other. If others, perhaps, find pleasure or disgust in these entries, then we will have exceeded our goal and find it reason to celebrate.
Our "plan" here is to use the blog to exchange personal reviews of music, film, art, beer, etc; and as a forum for sharing our own creative endeavors. However, nothing is off limits here at Distant Ghosts, and if I want to rant for 5000 characters about my seething hatred for reality television shows that showcase the lifestyles of rich, superficial, shallow American women, and the effects these shows may or may not have on youth audiences and their feelings of life satisfaction, then dammit I'll rant!
[uuuuuuuuum, what do you mean shallow]
From time to time we may share videos, pictures (e.g. above photo), and links to materials to which we do not own the rights. However, we will always attempt to give credit where credit is due. As a general disclaimer, this blog will contain the word 'fuck' and other jargon not thought suitable for more sensitive readers. If you are offended by the word 'fuck', now would be a good time to unbookmark this page in your web browser.
Distant Ghosts is taking form at a very special time of year. With Thanksgiving upon us tomorrow, and Christmas and the New Year just around the bend, I am excited that our early entries will reflect the contemplative milieu in which we find ourselves during the holidays. Self-reflection and looking back at another year gone by has always been good motivation for me to make much needed changes. I personally hope that contributing to Distant Ghosts will spark the self-discipline I need to make 2010 a landmark year for me and mine.
Expect some "Best of 2009" lists coming soon from each of us. Also, Ghoulager and I will be visiting Foothills Brewing Company in Winston Salem Thanksgiving evening, so perhaps some beer critiques as well.
By the way, My name is Mash1 and I'm a Sagittarius who likes to dance.
Happy Thanksgiving
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Our "plan" here is to use the blog to exchange personal reviews of music, film, art, beer, etc; and as a forum for sharing our own creative endeavors. However, nothing is off limits here at Distant Ghosts, and if I want to rant for 5000 characters about my seething hatred for reality television shows that showcase the lifestyles of rich, superficial, shallow American women, and the effects these shows may or may not have on youth audiences and their feelings of life satisfaction, then dammit I'll rant!
[uuuuuuuuum, what do you mean shallow]
Distant Ghosts is taking form at a very special time of year. With Thanksgiving upon us tomorrow, and Christmas and the New Year just around the bend, I am excited that our early entries will reflect the contemplative milieu in which we find ourselves during the holidays. Self-reflection and looking back at another year gone by has always been good motivation for me to make much needed changes. I personally hope that contributing to Distant Ghosts will spark the self-discipline I need to make 2010 a landmark year for me and mine.
Expect some "Best of 2009" lists coming soon from each of us. Also, Ghoulager and I will be visiting Foothills Brewing Company in Winston Salem Thanksgiving evening, so perhaps some beer critiques as well.
By the way, My name is Mash1 and I'm a Sagittarius who likes to dance.
Happy Thanksgiving
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