Review of 2007 Self Titled "Camshaft" Release

     Camshaft:  A shaft (straight bar for transmitting motion) bearing integral cams (disk or cylinder having an irregular form).  Appropriately on their self titled CD, Braden Patchett (vocals), Mark Finckel (guitars, currently with Krynos), Damian Thompson (bass) and Tony "Crash" Carter (drums, currently with Enemy by Mourning) are decked out in their best Goodwrench Service uniforms - being a NASCAR fan, the late, great Dale Earnhardt immediately comes to mind, but that's beside the point.  The lyrics and the heavy southern rock feel of the music are exactly what you would expect with this image, however there are also some surprises showing their diversity.

     We are introduced to "Dead Cat" with a voice mail message from the police department informing us that the music is too loud.  This song is set in a minor key with a steady drumbeat, but there is nothing melancholy about it.  The pace actually quickens during the lyrics, "Eye spy a spy, I think that eyes believe, why did you try to deceive" suggesting anger within the typically upbeat mood of the song.  "Jumpstart the Joules" is just fun, it has a really catchy beat that sticks with you.  "Run for Your Guns" experiments with unique instrumental effects mimicking guns, and with the lyrics being a blend of the old west meets Mayberry, they fit perfectly. 

     "Empty Brown Bottle" is an instrumental, and I realize this is a bold statement, but I would put this in the category of Metallica's "The Call of Ktulu", Def Leppard's "Switch 625" and Black Sabbath's "E5150".  They did a really good job on this one, cool track.  "High Heat Candygirl" starts out a little like Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills" with an awesome drum introduction, but then leads into something more similar to Blackfoot's "Train Train", once again proving that Camshaft doesn't fit into a specific genre, they truly have one of their own. 

     "Even After Days" slows things way down, being a story of honesty gone wrong, leading to the demise of a friendship and working relationship.  Braden really adjusts his vocals to fit the somber tone of the story, and you can almost feel the tension in the room as his band mates follow suit. 

     This 10 track CD isn't available anymore unfortunately, but luckily you can find some of their videos on youtube!  Of course you can see Crash tearing it up with Enemy by Mourning and Mark with Krynos, so definitely check their bands out!

    

Review of Nerd Table Concert at Packrat Comics - May 6, 2012

The most recent Nerd Table show I checked out reminded me yet again why I love and support local music.  Where else does the singer go out into the audience and thank fans individually for coming out and welcome them to the stage right in the middle of the show to assist with CD purchases?

            Nerd Table performed with The Fritz, Seven Book Trilogy and Tank Destroyer for Free Comic Book Day at Packrat Comics in Hilliard.  It was a Saturday afternoon, so unfortunately I couldn’t catch all the bands, but was able to see the entire Nerd Table set.  Everything you would expect to be in place at Free Comic Book day was:  Super heroes walking around, comic creators and stars of the movie “The Christmas Story” on hand to sign autographs, and, what has become a tradition, Nerd Table tearing up the parking lot…oh, and of course me walking off with my free Peanuts comic book (anyone who knows me won’t be surprised by that).

           

Ian Petrella (Randy from A Christmas Story - that is Ralphie's little brother) out showing his support for Nerd Table!

           This was my second Nerd Table show, and it reminded me of what I would expect an underground punk scene to look like.  They are proud of their music and accomplishments, however they don’t take themselves too seriously.  They mosh with each other, if they aren’t on the same page with a song they start over or pick a different one, when Adam accidentally disconnected his microphone while taking his shirt off during “Bloody Tooth” he just plugged it back in while they kept on playing.

            There were kids in attendance so they modified their set list somewhat compared to the first show I saw, including a slightly edited version of, “Please Don’t Rape My Grandma”.  The set list included favorites such as Chicken Farm, Bloody Glove, Floyd the Barber and Talk Show, including their unveiling of “Reagan’s Master Plan”.

            One of the fun highlights was when a boy from the BMX shop made the mistake of gracing the front of the stage area with his presence, soon finding himself dragged right in the middle of the “stage”.  Though traumatized maybe just for a second, he was a good sport, and later wound up with the upper hand when he gave Adam a friendly pinch!

            Hit them up on facebook -   http://www.facebook.com/nerdtablemusic - and check out a show when you can!  You will probably end up walking out with a CD just like I did!



Damn Near Down Interview - April 11, 2012

My interview with Columbus, Ohio based band Damn Near Down on the heels of their "Snakejuice" CD release!

Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire Interview

Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire interview for Ebony Jeanette PR from March 30th, 2012 at The Summit in Columbus, Ohio before their show with Arise the Titan, Fallen Captive, Bless the Child, Our City of Ruins and Bastards!



Arise the Titan Interview March 30, 2012 at The Summit

Arise the Titan Interview for Ebony Jeanette PR March 30, 2012 at The Summit before their show with Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire, Fallen Captive, Bless the Child, Our City of Ruins and Bastards!

Review of Nerd Table's "Chasing the Bronco"

     Nerd Table is a punk / grunge band out of Columbus, Ohio who has a sense of humor, but make no mistake, with Adam Casto on vocals, Nick Nighbert on guitar, Tom Barrett on bass and Michael Flowers on drums, they know how to rock!  While listening, I definitely heard some Beastie Boys influence at times, but they have their own unique edge which I was happy to have the opportunity to check out!  A common theme throughout the first several songs is that of news stories which have dominated the airwaves.

     "Terri Schiavo" is not a song for those who are offended easily, but the intent is to call the media out on gravitating toward certain news stories, grabbing hold of them, and never letting go for months on end!  In this case, a woman in a "vegetative state" who collapsed February 25, 1990, and was finally released from this state through death by starvation between March 18-31, 2005.  The music stuck with me, as the riff reminded me of Iron Maiden's "Charlotte the Harlot" with a SLIGHTLY slower tempo.  The song ends with the sound of a flatline, kind of eerie.  There is a reprise at the end of the album which is a more synthesized version.

     I really liked the beat to "Bloody Glove" - this is in reference to the OJ Simpson murder case, and is where the CD title came from, with the Bronco being OJ's police chase vehicle.  This song tells the story, and points out major court players with lyrics including, "Johnnie Cochran saved the day, Robert Shapiro was the hero...you know you must acquit, that bloody glove won't fit."

     "Take Your Baby Out of the Microwave" talks about the August 30th, 2005 death of poor little Paris by being cooked to death by her mother in a microwave oven..."spinning, spinning, spinning around, put that baby in the ground..."  The tempo decreases during the song, almost to describe the gradual, cruel nature of the torture, and ends in a rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

     "Bloody Tooth" is a tribute to Corey Haim, referring to how low one must be to resort to selling a tooth.  You can hear a distraught Rodleen Getsic expressing her sorrow, which complemented the minor key of the song perfectly.  I had to look up Ron Jeremy to understand "Ron Jeremy's Balls"....once I did it was very clear...porn music sound and sound effects, if you get my drift!  He even does a "cameo"!  "Please Don't Rape My Grandma" is a reference to, in the judge's mind one of the most brutal acts he'd ever seen where the victim survived, the grandma who was raped by a 16 year old, September 22, 2010.  The cymbals and drums are very prominent, adding to the angry effect.

     "Saved" reminded me of Stone Temple Pilots at first, evolving into a folk or Native American feel.  The blended vocals create a completely different sound.  "In This Country" is the unequivocal mosh pit song on the CD.  The Nirvana cover, "Floyd the Barber" reinstates their sense of humor as characters from "The Andy Griffith Show" crop up throughout the lyrics accompanied by a really cool bass line.  "Lonely Again" almost sounds like two completely different songs between the verses and chorus, and includes one of the more distinctive guitar solos which features an echo effect.  The final track, "Noise of Earth" begins its 8.5 minutes with Barack Obama speaking about the death of Osama Bin Laden.  Basically it is musical accompaniment to the information which permeates our lives on a daily basis.  The fade out finale felt like a calm before the storm, as if some sort of catastrophe was about to happen.

     "Chasing the Bronco" is definitely worth picking up.  Nerd Table will have their CD release party at The Tree Bar on March 31, 2012 - here is their facebook link, as well as links to keep up with Nerd Table!

http://www.facebook.com/TreeBarColumbus?sk=wall

http://www.myspace.com/nerdtable

http://www.nerdtableonline.com/

 http://www.facebook.com/nerdtablemusic?sk=wall

     

     

Review of Zeroking's "Kings of Self Destruction"

     “The devil’s callin’ from the bottom of a shot glass”…one of the lines that sets the stage for “Kings of Self Destruction” , the follow up to Zeroking’s 2006 EP, “Sweet Sale of Excess”.
With Andy Haught on lead vocals, Shane Day on guitars and backing vocals, Paul First on bass and backing vocals, and Chris Webb on drums, percussion and backing vocals, “Kings of Self Destruction” is an 80’s metal fan’s dream, without all the glam and hair spray, but those into more current music will be satisfied quite nicely as well!

      Now, typically, when doing a review, the lyrics are helpful, however in this case they weren’t necessary since THEY COULD BE UNDERSTOOD!  Andy wails with the best of them without screaming, converts his voice to different styles, and truly conforms to the mood of each track.
Throughout the CD, hints of acts such as Whitesnake, Krokus, Armored Saint, Guns ‘n Roses and Motley Crue can be heard. The vocals on “Showtime Revolution” are reminiscent of John Bush.  Every track features a mix of prominent guitar solos and perfectly blended bass and drum work.

      Your journey begins with “Dead Rock Star”, which actually, in an edited form, could be a radio hit…no, not pop, just accessible! “Forget Vegas” tells the story of the Russian Roulette game of life in the fast lane.  “Southern Lady, Ex-Godiva” starts out with a fun Southern rock piano piece, but with lines such as “For a gram and a private dance, she’s my fantasy” this is no Southern Belle!  Loved “Stone Cold Bitch”, couldn’t get enough of it!  “Love is Dead” is a duet featuring Stacee Lawson, giving the CD a different dimension and its power ballad.  “Kings of Self Destruction” begins with the presence of a faint drum beat, similar to that of the oldie but goodie “Radar Love”.  “Valentine” exhibits more piano work, very melancholy love song, performed with feeling and passion…”Maybe God was consumed by jealousy.  Maybe that’s why he took you from me.”
Having seen them in concert, I can tell you they are a lot of fun and engage in audience participation.  Follow Zeroking at:

http://www.facebook.com/Zerokingfans

http://www.reverbnation.com/zeroking

http://www.myspace.com/zeroking