Thursday, November 21, 2013

Unknown Music Spotlight


I often find bands and wonder why so many people don’t know about them. Each week I will try to showcase these bands to you in a segment I am calling the Unknown Music Spotlight.
This week I am highlighting three bands from the Washington D.C. area: Faraquet, The Slickee Boys, and The Evens.
Faraquet
Faraquet was a short lived band that only lasted from 1997 to 2001. In that amount of time they released a few EPs, but only one full length album. The full length album, The View From This Tower, is a post-hardcore jazz infused masterpiece. They are classified as a math rock band, but in reality they are a mixture of unique genres. The band did get back together in 2008 to release a compilation album of their early singles and EPs and reunion shows around Brazil and Washington D.C.
Songs to try out first:
“The View From This Tower”
“Carefully Planned”
“Study In Complacency”
The Slickee Boys
The Slickee Boys were a legendary band in the Washington D.C. punk scene. Over the years they performed live with Bad Brains, The Cramps, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, The Kinks, and The Ramones. U2 even opened for them! The Slickee Boys differ from many other punk bands in that they combine punk with psychedelic and new wave. The Slickee Boys played their most recent reunion show at the 9:30 Club in 2011.
Songs to try out first:
“This Party Sucks”
“When I Go To The Beach”
“Here To Stay”
The Evens
The Evens are Ian Mackaye’s latest concoction in the world of music. Drifting away from his usual hardcore punk, he got together with Amy Farina and created a very acoustic vibe while keeping the DIY punk ethics in full swing. They are well known for only playing all ages shows at strange venues like thrift stores and libraries. The Evens recently played at The Bike Doctor in Frederick. Be on the lookout for their return!
Songs to try out first:
“Shelter Two”
“Sooner Or Later”
“Wanted Criminals”

Friday, November 8, 2013

Interview: Max Collins | Eve 6 | Bassist/Vocalist


Max Collins is best known for being the bassist and lead vocalist of Eve 6. This year he released his first solo album hoping to start a new chapter in his music career.

“I figured that now was the time to open myself up to solo career,” Collins said. “Whether you feel it or not you just have to open yourself up to it. You have to learn to be inspired by your inner creativity.”

Collins was able to make this album through the support of his fans on Pledgemusic. “It is nice with today’s technology to have direct access to my fans,” Collins said. “Social media keeps everyone in the loop of what I am doing at any given time.”

When asked how Collins first got into music, he said, “I was thirteen when I got my first bass guitar. A friend of my mom was just throwing it out. I was already obsessed with rock n’ roll as a kid, so I decided to give bass a try.”

Collins’ rock n’ roll obsession all started with one song. “’Running Down a Dream’ by Tom Petty really moved me,” Collins said. “It was like magic. After that, I knew what I wanted to do with my life.”

Early influences for Collins came mostly through the radio. “I listened to a lot of classic rock stations growing up,” Collins said. “Later on I discovered punk rock and it was as if I found a new identity. Punk opened a whole new world and subculture to me.”

Singing came to Collins later on. “I didn’t realize I could sing,” Collins said. “One day I suggested a vocal idea to the band and really heard myself sing for the first time. It was instantly suggested that I should take over on vocals.”

Collins followed a simple pattern that he encourages other young bands to follow as well. “Just do your own thing,” Collins said. “Fame is a series of happy accidents, and all you can do is keep going deeper and working harder.”

Aside from music Collins likes to indulge in yoga. “It seems to really help the music,” Collins said. “Yoga opens you up in a lot of ways, and your creativity definitely benefits.”

When asked how Collins continues to find his job as a musician exciting, he said, “It’s tedious at some points, but the overall feelings and experiences it creates are well worth it.”
Collins encourages any music lovers to purchase his new album at the link below.
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/maxcollins

Interview: Stephen Blickenstaff | The Cramps Album Artist


Stephen Blickenstaff is an artist that everyone should be aware of. Over the years his work has been used by many well-known bands as well as Guitar Player Magazine.

Q: How did you start making art, and why do you continue to make it?

A: I started drawing when I was old enough to hold a pencil. As a kid I was always interested in monsters, dinosaurs and insects, and I would spend most of my time drawing them. When the other kids were outside playing sports, I was off on my own drawing. It wasn’t something I did because others were doing it. It was something I had to do to feel content and I’m sure it’ll always be that way.”

Q: Is there an artwork here you are most proud of? Why?

A: I’d have to say the artwork I did for The Cramps (Bad Music For Bad People) album. At the time I drew it I would have never guessed that it would eventually become such a recognized and mass produced image. The image seems to have taken on a life of its own. It was appropriately drawn on Halloween day. Another project that I recently finished that I’m really proud of was the artwork for the Mondo Zombie Boogaloo album and tour featuring three of my favorite bands (The Fleshtones, Southern Culture On The Skids and Los Straitjackets). I did all of the artwork and entire graphic layout for the LP, CD, tour poster, T-shirts and concert tickets. I even got to play theremin with Southern Culture On The Skids on the tune ‘Jack The Ripper’ at the Washington D.C. show during the tour.

Q: What inspires you?

A: When I see the collected works of other artists who I admire, it really gets me fired up. I just can’t wait to get started on my own work. All sorts of things can actually inspire me, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be visual inspiration. Certain types of music can inspire me just as easily.

Q: How do you know when a work is finished?

A: I can usually tell when a piece is finished by just standing back and looking at it from a distance to make sure I’ve completed all of the shadows and highlights. It can sometimes be tricky, especially with my pen and ink work because those pieces usually contain a lot of detail. If I can look at a piece for ten minutes and I’m satisfied with the way it looks, I know I’m finished.

Q: How do you think a band’s artwork affects their image?

A: I think the artwork or graphics that a band uses to represent their image is very important because it’s what their fans remember and connect with when they think about the band or listen to their music. A graphic logo that looks good on a poster or a T-shirt can quickly help a band to become better known. I’ve bought music before based on the artwork or album cover, without even hearing what the band sounds like. It’s like the importance of an attractive cover on a book. I know they say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but if the cover looks good people are more likely to pick it up.

Q: What would you recommend young artists do to get their work out there?

A: A good start would be to simply get your art out into the public eye by designing posters and T-shirts for bands, even if it’s for free at first. Make sure to sign your work so people know you did it. Get involved with group art shows and eventually build up enough material to have solo art shows. If the work is good and you keep at it long enough, people will take notice.