Video: The Showdown – The Man Name Hell

Nashville’s longstanding Southern-style heavy metal outfit, The Showdown, will release their fourth studio album, Blood In The Gears, on Tuesday, August 24th.   However, fans can get a sneak peek at the soon-to-be-released head banger in its entirety right now on AOL.com.

Listen here: The Showdown- Blood in the Gears

this week for a glimpse at The Showdown’s Solid State Records sophomore release.
Blood In The Gears was recorded and produced by The Showdown’s own Jeremiah Scott (bass) at his home studio, Anthem Productions, in Nashville.  The album was mixed by Steve Blackmon (Living Sacrifice, Project 86), with Troy Glessener at Spectre handling the mastering.  Artwork comes courtesy of Ryan Clark at Invisible Creature Inc.  Blood In The Gears is the follow-up to 2008’s Back Breaker.

The Man Name Hell is the first video off Blood In the Gears


The track list for Blood In The Gears is…
1.)    The Man Named Hell
2.)    Heavy Lies The Crown
3.)    Bring It Down
4.)    Take Me Home
5.)    Blood In The Gears
6.)    Dogma Enthroned
7.)    No Escape
8.)    The Crooked Path
9.)    Graveyard Of Empires
10.)  Diggin’ My Own Grave

A video trailer, as well as a four-part behind-the-scenes look at the Blood In The Gears recording session, can be seen on The Showdown’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/theshowdownmetal.
Founded in 2003 by current members, David Bunton and Josh Childers, The Showdown literally came roaring out of the gate with the monstrous, yet spiritually gripping debut, A Chorus of Obliteration, in 2004.  With several high profile tours under their belt, including a run on Ozzfest in 2007, and treks with As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Flyleaf, All That Remains, The Cult and more, The Showdown is set to once again crank up the throttle on Blood In The Gears.

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The Showdown Premiers Take Me Home off Blood in the Gears

As Tennessee’s heavy metal outfit, The Showdown, surges toward the release of their fourth studio album, Blood In The Gears, later this month, the Nashville quartet has posted another song on their official MySpace page, to give fans a deeper glimpse into the dynamic Solid State Records release.  The new track, “Take Me Home”, a Southern rock biker ballad, joins the already revealed thrash metal hits, “Blood In The Gears”, “Heavy Lies The Crown”, and “Bring It Down”

Nashville’s Southern-charged heavy metal act, The Showdown, has teamed up with Noisecreep.com to premiere a brand new song, “Bring It Down”, from their forthcoming full-length, Blood In The Gears.  The adrenaline-pumping track, from the August 24th Solid State Records release that Alternative Press Magazine calls “a gutsy, punishing record that’ll get your head bangin’”. Hear it here.

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Efren’s New EP Goes Down Smooth Like A Cold Blue Ribbon

Always Been A Bleeder, the newest EP from Athens, GA based Efren, does not contain “The Best Summer Song Of 2011”. This album is not the feel good, windows down, flailing out of the sunroof, dancing by the poolside album for your Saturday barbeque. These songs are not flash-in-the-pan, neon colored pop that is blown away by the first cool breeze of fall. These part folk, part psychedelic jazz, pinch of bluesy rock, dash of country twang songs are the songs that fill the night sky around a bonfire in Autumn. They are the songs you hum as you clear away empty whiskey bottles and cigarette butts from the low-key gathering of friends you hosted on your porch last night. They are the songs that play when you remember that perfect first date that eventually lead to the worst breakup of your life, fond and fragile. [Read more]

Live Review: The Romany Rye, David Vandervelde, Delta Spirit @ Masquerade

Some might take offense to the description, but last Friday’s show at the Masquerade in Atlanta was very hippy-indie. The stage saw a fair share of bearded gentlemen, worn denim and hollow bodied guitars. Paint a mental picture of classic rock standard tempos and folksy-spirited rock and roll.

Though this was Delta Spirit’s namesake summer tour, it was the first band that intrigued me the most. The top of the show began with a more abstract approach – they call themselves The Romany Rye. By abstract, I mean crispy guitars and heartfelt organ sounds by the hand of a man tied to a beautiful Hammond. Hell, the Masquerade’s downstairs live room, proved to be a complimentary one for this band, allowing us to peer in from the side stoops at all the wonderful, warm, used instruments, and to watch those warm sounds as they expanded to fill the room. If Arcade Fire were to take a time machine to meet up and make a record with Terry Reid in 1975, I imagine it would sound something like The Romany Rye. [Read more]

Forbidden and Mercyful Fate Members Supergroup Demonica Releases Demonstrous

Demonica is an American/Danish band playing blistering Old School Thrash Metal the New way. It’s Brutal. It’s Fast. It’s Crushing! Relentless from top to bottom – Euro Class meets The Bay Area Thrash. Featuring some of the world’s most dangerous metal musicians, their first Album “Demonstrous” includes 10 songs unleashed and played LOUD

The legendary riff masters from Forbidden and Mercyful Fate handle all guitars, while Mark Hernandez and Marc Grabowski keeps the rhythm in a tight grip, all topped with vocalist Klaus Hyr’s monstrous attitude. It’s Thrash Metal! It’s Serious!

“We think all Metal fans will dig it”.Formed by Hank Shermann and Klaus Hyr, and joined by Craig Locicero, Mark Hernandez and Marc Grabowski, the album was recorded around the world and mixed by Dave Otero.

“It was a journey to make this album from start to finish”. Originating from the Bay Area, the Rocky Mountains and Copenhagen, Denmark,it’s a Worldwide Metal Union!”
Click here for more information on Demonica

The Showdown Returns With ‘Blood In The Gears’

Tennessee’s riff-tastic southern metal outfit, The Showdown, has announced an August 24th street date for their Solid State Records sophomore release, Blood in the Gears.  The forthcoming full-length was recorded at Anthem Productions in Nashville, and produced by The Showdown’s own, Jeremiah Scott. The album’s title track, and first single off the record, is available for streaming on the band’s official MySpace page.  Blood in the Gears is The Showdown’s fourth studio album, and the follow up to 2008’s, Back Breaker.

“Blood in the Gears is true to what The Showdown has always been about in the past,” explains vocalist David Bunton, “…heavy, thrashy, southern, groovy.  Jeremiah Scott (Bass) recorded and produced the record, all in house and on our own terms.  We are sounding like we want to and saying exactly what we want to.  That’s what heavy metal is all about.” [Read more]

Jane’s Addiction Reforms With New Bassist

Jane’s Addiction founding member, bassist Eric Avery has just quit the band “with equal parts regret and relief.”  Avery announced his departure via Twitter early Monday morning after the quartet wrapped their world tour in Australia.

Having been an intermittent but vital player in Jane’s Addiction since its beginnings, Avery co-founded the Los Angeles group in 1985 and worked on their first two albums. Avery was the first to leave the band, in 1991, and declined to participate in their first reunion, 1999-2004. Still, it’s Avery’s return that electrified Jane’s Addiction’s most recent re-formation, launched at the 2008 NME awards USA.   After several stops and starts with the Alternative American rock band, Avery declared, “That’s it. …the Jane’s Addiction experiment is at an end.”

It may be at an end for Avery but the remaining rockers will reportedly continue with Jane’s Addiction, writing a new album with former Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan.  Early last year, Jane’s Addiction began working on a new album – their first with Avery in almost 20 years. Frontman Perry Farrell told Billboard, “Things got kind of ugly.” Farrell said, “The headbutting really came out when we tried to write.”

The group anticipates that writing new material will go more smoothly with McKagan, who will likely join the band.  Perry Farrell expressed his hope through tweeting, “Slipping out of that shell of a past. Gripping; wow we’re onto something faster now. And so worth the wait. It’s the Art Of Great Escape.”

Meanwhile, Avery is expected to pursue his solo career. His last album, Help Wanted, was released in 2008.

“Atlanta Has A Heart” Benefit Concert for Lana Turner – Tonight at Peachtree Tavern!

The city may be a frozen tundra, but The Peachtree Tavern will be a mecca of warmth as musicians from all over the country will join together in the “Atlanta Has A Heart” benefit concert for three year old Lana Turner.   Lana is the daughter of Brit and Shannon Turner, and as many of you already know, Brit is the drummer for one of our favorite bands, Blackberry Smoke.  She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma Caner right before Christmas 2009.  The music community as a whole has rallied around the entire Turner family and the roster of talent that will be playing is an amazing show of friendship and solidarity for Lana. 

The eclectic mix of musicians and genres are sure to produce a musical night of historic proportions.  It’s going to be one of those shows that you will either being saying, “Yep, I was there!” or “Oh man…you were THERE?  I can’t believe I missed that!”  Only you can determine your destiny, but the warriors will be out in force to celebrate a night of Music, Hope & Love!   

The party will be kicked off promptly at 8:00 by GRIP, Atlanta’s #1 Party Band & #1 Requested Biker Band! An All Star Music Jam will be going all  night long with artist appearances by:
Members of Drivin n’ Cryin
Lee Roy Parnell (legendargy singer, songwriter & best dang slide guitarist on the planet!)
Caroline Aiken
Conner Christian (#7 on CMT chart)
Bobby Capps of (38 Special)
B.B. Queen (Marshall Tucker Band, Mothers Finest)
Jupiter Coyote
Joey Huffman (Hank Williams Jr./Drivin n’ Cryin)
Nigel Dupree (Jackyl, Dixie Inc., Nigel Dupree Band)
Steve Stone (Atlanta Rythym Section)
Mike Martin (Fozzy/Stuck Mojo)
Bruce Smith (Swingin Richards)
Mike Froedge (Speed X/Doubledrive)
Craig Campbell (Nashville)
The Scott Little Band
Jeff Langston and Mike Roberts (Ledfoot Messiah)
Samantha Stroh
Rob Alex and Dan Woods (The Whiskey Theory)
Mack Crawford (formerly of Molly Hatchett),
Yacht Rock Review 

There will be many special guests (and some surprise appearances)… including some of your favorite Atlanta Braves!

Kaedy Kiley, DJ from 97.1 The River, Eric Von Haessler of “The Regular Guys” from 100.5 and Nick Parsons (English Nick) will be two of many guest/celebrity MC’s for the evening! Thanks Kaedy, Eric & Nick!

Susan Cooke Pena (artist to the rockstars & celebrities) has created a special design just for this event & flew all the way from Houston to be at the concert in person.  The array of items available range from rings, necklaces, bracelets, belt buckles and poster prints.  So, if you haven’t bought your sweetie a Valentine’s gift yet…we’ve got you all set up!  Prices range from $10 – $75 and there’s something for everyone.  You can check out her work and order on her websites:
http://www.artistsusan.com and http://scpena.etsy.com

 We will attempt to stream the event live.  The link is: 

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/atlanta-has-a-heart-benefit-concert-for-lana-turner. 

However, the whole show will be professionally video taped by David Scott Baron (AM Films) and team, who are flying in from LA to shoot.  Thank you to Dave and crazy crew for your unbelievable dedication and generosity!   

The amount of planning and preparation for this night has been tremendous, but weather is just something out of our control.  The saying, “The show must go on” has never held more meaning on this frosty morning.  I will ice skate downtown if I have to.  This is rock n’ roll!  We are tough!  So, I hope to see all of you there to show the love to Lana, Brit & Shannon Turner!   

Val King

Before the Solstice: Musical Reflections of Strife and Promise

Every so often, a band emerges with songwriting so steeped in meaning and drenched in metaphor that fans latch onto it for the hidden truths and the connection to a voice that speaks, through song, all the things that they’ve kept silent.  Before the Solstice is this rare kind of band, with the ability to merge mystery with honesty and hope, all the while keeping a room full of mesmerized fans on their feet and hanging onto every word.  The music is inspired by topics we all struggle with, including faith, time, and death, which are explored, dissected, and reinvented.  Each song explores facets of the mind and heart related to the daily human and Earthly condition, carried by prophetic-like lyrics and melodic escapades.

Before the Solstice exudes a variety of sounds within their enigmatic compositions, like an impending storm, there are moments of tranquility and beauty that give way to a powerful downpour of pain, distrust, and self-doubt, which merges with the darkness that finally gives way to hope and light.  Their music is progressive and at times experimental, reminiscent of Tool and Alice in Chains, but also shimmers with hints of Radiohead and The Mars Volta. The band combines the classic rock sound of The Animals or the other-worldly feel of Pink Floyd with a modern rock backbone that invites confusion when trying to decipher their genre.  Singer/songwriter, Clint Bussey’s vocals are haunting, melodic and impressive, having been given comparisons to Chris Cornell, Layne Staley, and Our Lady Peace vocalist, Raine Maida.

The sound and essence of Before the Solstice lends itself to the band’s unfathomable background. The founding members of the band, Clint Bussey and J.W. Popavits, were both once part of the strict religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Though bassist, Popavits was relieved from his obligations to this religious organization peacefully, lead man, Clint Bussey had a much more difficult and painful time separating from the faith.  Upon his decision to leave the Jehovah’s Witnesses, his life-long friends and family were no longer allowed, nor willing to further associate with him, based on the beliefs of the organization to which they subscribed.  Needless to say, he found a musical brother in Popavits, who understood this cruel process of disfellowshipping practiced by their ex-religion, and related to Bussey in terms of loosing faith in the religion in which they were raised.

Though it seems that the suffering associated with the consequences of leaving their religion would be enough for anyone, both Popavits and Bussey experienced even darker tales involving panic attacks, alcoholism, drug overdosing, death of loved ones, and finally the near-death of Bussey, himself.  This is the story of a band whose music comes from the deepest facets of being, played by musicians that have been through entire lifetimes in their short time together.

The Formation of Before the Solstice

Bussey and Popavits initially met at an open-mic on the southside of Atlanta and have been playing together since that day, over 3 years ago.  Bussey explains, “[Popavits] got up and played with a little band he was in at the time, and I was very impressed with his playing. I wanted to jam with him, so we hooked up and got his friend, Bradley Pittman to play drums. We have been playing shows and writing songs together ever since.” Though many drummers have come and gone, last year the duo found the missing link with Tony Runco and his mad skills banging with a pair of sticks.

What is “Before the Solstice?”
The name of the band harbors a cryptic aspect that seems to have a story of its own.  When asked about the conception of the band name, Bussey responded, “I was intensely interested in the Mayan Long Count Calendar and the date December 21, 2012. [The band name] was chosen as a statement saying, let’s procure the power of the people and expose the increasingly tightening grip of the corporate one world order that is trying to win sovereignty over the earth “before the solstice” of 2012. Let’s prevent another dark ages.”

The Songwriting Process and Musical Influences

Clint Bussey is the songwriter in the group, and writes his songs on acoustic guitar, before bringing the raw version to the band for input on its development.  Bussey describes the process stating, “Usually I write a song on my acoustic at home, and slowly put lyrics to it. I always try to fit in notes that wouldn’t be expected, along with a rhythm that would make you feel slightly inebriated.  Then we work on it as a band, usually breaking it apart and making room for J.W.’s wild melodic bass lines and keyboard. Tony then puts a backbone to it with the drums and keeps us from becoming to ADHD with the melody.”  Bussey’s major musical influences include Simon and Garfunkel, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Tool, Radiohead, The Doors, and The Mars Volta. It appears that it’s no accident that Before the Solstice’s music encompasses aspects of the musicians that inspire their songwriting.

When asked if a theme ran through their music, Bussey responded, “Death and rebirth is a definite theme, you also hear a lot about ghosts and the supernatural. Intertwining that theme would be an awakening call for humanity to break the chains of their mind controlling religions and governments.”

Some of your songs (Worldwide Veneer, Let it Die, Meaner Than Satan) carry controversial lyrics. How have these songs been received at shows?

Part of the attraction to Before the Solstice is the provocative nature of their music.  With lyrics such as, “Life. What is the point? Let’s smoke a joint and say ‘just fuck it all!’” or the incessant repetition of “Hate your God cause God hates you.”  Though these lyrics don’t exhibit the breadth of content within the music, I inquired into the reaction of people hearing these songs for the first time.  Bussey revealed, “There is never a luke-warm response. Some people really get into it, because they feel the same way about our defunct system, others get very irate as their Gods and heroes are supposedly blasphemed.”

The near-death experience and how it has impacted the music.

With the complicated and emotional background and baggage carried by the members of Before the Solstice, I hesitated to probe into the details of such personal experiences.  However, when inquiring into the near-death experience of Bussey, he offered an honest account of the second chance he’d been given.  He started by explaining, “I have suffered from severe panic attacks for most of my life, thinking that I am having heart attacks or being suffocated by a demon, and [the demons] find their way into the inspiration for much of my music. But my actual near-death experience greatly changed everything. In my early twenties, I began to self medicate my horrifying manic panic attack episodes with whiskey and liquor. I never went to a shrink, because I didn’t have the money or any faith in there ability to help me. My last drinking binge landed me in the hospital for 2 months in critical condition on life support with multi-organ failure ( I was drinking almost half a gallon of Gin a day without eating for weeks) from pancreatitis.  But thanks to my wife, brothers, and friends who came to my side, and I guess the hospital staff’s half-hearted medical care, I made it. It made the band have to wait almost a year to continue shows and recording, but it was as if I was born again with a new outlook on everything. I became less self-centered and thought about my family and those I love more, which lead to greater inspiration and drive to provide music for my fellow brothers and sisters struggling against the dark forces that surround us.”

What’s in store for Before the Solstice?

Before the Solstice has been working to finish up an EP they started before the health complications ensued.  The EP, called A New Song is planned for release in March of this year.  Bussey touches on his hopes for Before the Solstice, mentioning, “I want to finally release the EP that we wanted to release in 2008 and 2009, but my health didn’t permit it. And we would like to open for some national bands and play some more festivals. A tour is not out of the question. We need way more exposure, so show reviews, interviews, whatever puts us in front of people and gets the word out about our music, that’s what we need this year.”  Currently, the band is hitting the local Atlanta circuits, while polishing up their recordings before spring.

Before the Solstice will be playing at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA on February 13.

www.beforethesolstice.net
www.myspace.com/beforethesolstice
www.purevolume.com/BeforetheSolstice
Before the Solstice Facebook Fan Page

CD to Benefit Autism Research available on iTunes and Rhapsody

The long awaited and first TST compilation CD is now available on iTunes and Rhapsody. Proceeds from the CD will be donated to The Emory Autism Center.

The CD is only $9.99 and includes 1o songs from Atlanta area artist as well as Joey Barnes from Daughtry. Individual songs can be purchased for .99 cents.

A special Thanks to all the local bands and artist who donated their time and songs: Open Sky Separators, Branded with Fear, Ahmad Hassan, Ledfoot Messiah, The Greater VaVoom, Grip, The Swear, Saturn 5, Breaking Vegas, Citizen Icon and Joey Barnes.

It’s a great CD and the money is going towards a great cause so get your copy today!

Song list:

1. Boomerang by The Greater VaVoom
2. Josephine by The Saturn 5
3. Unforgettable by Ahmad Hassan
4. Southern Boyz by Grip
5. Flowers by Open Sky Seperators
6. Shotgun by Citizen Icon
7. Super Conductor by The Greater VaVoom
8. Allways Wasted by The Swear
9. Waiting On You by Breaking Vegas
10.Lead Me Beyond by Ledfoot Mesiah
11. Your Last Chance by Branded with Fear

Tina Ulrich