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feasting on rock n' roll's remains!!!
SAN ANTONIO'S SOCIAL TRAUMA
by Robby Roach
Patrick Simmons (bass), Donald Chambliss (vocals, guitar), Christian Martinez (drums)
I ran across Social Trauma's new EP a couple of months ago and loved them within 24 seconds. That's the length of the first song, including the ten second phone call intro. Since then, I haven't shown this EP to anyone who didn't like it as well. It's so refreshing to hear a band like this, drawing influences from Powerviolence to Death Metal. Bassist Patrick Simmons and singer/guitarist Donald Chambliss gave me a few minutes of their time for an incredible, enlightening interview, discussing these influences, their intentions and horror films.
Robby Roach: I fell in love with Social Trauma when I first heard Detritus. How do you pronounce that? For people unfamiliar with Social Trauma, can you give a little background?
Donald Chambliss (vocals/guitar): It’s Pronounced Dee-try-tus. It’s just a fancy word for trash. We’ve been a band since 2012. Our bassist Patrick Simmons was jamming with another friend of his under the name Social Trauma. I jammed with them a few times and showed them songs I had written and it pretty much took off from there. We had a different drummer at the time, after about 3 shows he quit and we got Christian Martinez on drums. Been making music and playin’ shows ever since.
Robby Roach: I loved the new EP immediately. Cool sound. What are some of your influences? I have guesses, but I want to hear from you all...
Donald Chambliss: Thank you, some of my influences are Minor threat, Jerry’s Kids, The Germs, Charles Bronson, Infest, Spazz, Repulsion and Magrudergrind.
Patrick Simmons (bass): We listen to a lot similar stuff but some big ones for me are Carcass, Napalm Death, DRI, Morbid Angel, Pestilence, Siege, Sepultura, stuff like that.
Robby Roach: That's exactly what I thought, though - Grind, Hardcore and Thrash.
Patrick Simmons: Hell yeah
Robby: Wasn't expecting the Death Metal, though. You got me there.
Patrick: Yeah, I was a big metal fan before I discovered punk rock.
Robby: I'm a very proud Texan and love hearing bands like Social Trauma from San Antonio. Do you guys have any favorites from your hometown?
Donald: There’s a lot of great bands here but I really like Sketchy Trench, Amygdala, The Zukinis, Signalman and Dead Weight to name a few.
Patrick: Worth, Cheesegrater Masturbation, Lemmings and Defiled Crypt are rad local bands.
Robby: Sketchy Trench and Dead Weight, I'm very familiar with...Are you all from San Antonio?
Donald: Not me, I moved over here from California about 8 years ago.
Patrick: Born and raised in San Antonio, same with Christian, too.
Robby: What are your goals with the music you are making?
Donald: We wanna continue to make albums and add our own twist to powerviolence and grind while touring more and connecting with all the talented bands out there. We mostly play this music to let out all of our frustration and I hope that other people will relate to the lyrics I write and understand that they’re not alone. It’d be cool to play some grind festivals too.
Patrick: We just wanna be ourselves, play the music we want to play. We really want to tour a lot, get out of Texas or even the USA.
Robby: Top 5 records? Everyone hates when I ask that, but I do it anyway. I'm an asshole.
Donald: That’s a hard one but I’d have to say Youth Attack by Charles Bronson, Bleach by Nirvana, Dealing With it by DRI, Drop Dead by Siege, and War in My Head by Intense Degree
Patrick: My top 5 would probably be - From Enslavement to Obliteration by Napalm Death, Symphonies of Sickness by Carcass, Death's Leprosy, Sepultura’s Beneath the Remains and the Germs (GI).
Robby: You guys are so cool. Anything in the works or coming up? Shows or recordings?
Donald: Thanks! We’re playing the tour kickoff for our friends in Worth Friday, December
21st (2018) at 3119 W. Salinas St. and we’re playing at the Limelight with Heinous and Röntgen from Phoenix, Arizona Jan. 20th (2019). We just finished writing for our next record “Moments of Weakness”. After a few more practices, we’ll be in the studio and hopefully put it out in January or February.
Robby: Full length?
Donald: It’s 10 songs at about 15 minutes, so another EP.
Robby: Do you guys have a favorite venue over there?
Donald: The Guillotine is pretty cool. The sound is always great and it’s right next to Hogwild Records.
Robby: Seems as if more than one of you are writers. Can you describe your writing process? Do you collaborate or bring completed songs?
Donald: Patrick and I collaborate on a few, but I write a bunch myself and bring it to the guys. I just write riffs and show it to Patrick and have Christian work his drummer magic and we work out the structure together.
Robby: About how old are you guys?
Patrick: I’m 26
Donald: I’m 25 and Christian is 29, I think.
Robby: Strange that your influences are older. I'm definitely not complaining. I was 10 when Beneath the Remains came came out. Just curious how this happened? I actually own 8 of the ten albums you named and grew up on them.
Patrick: For me, I’ve just always been into the old school metal stuff. That’s what got me into music.
Donald: My friend who taught me how to play guitar got me into old school punk and Patrick was the one that got me into the heavier stuff.
Robby: Do you have any hobbies outside of music?
Donald: I like to skateboard and play videos games mostly.
Patrick: I’m obsessed with horror films. I collect them.
Robby: DRI were hometown heroes for me, so I have to discuss. Why is Dealing your favorite?
Donald: It was the first album I discovered by them, it’s a perfect example of hardcore punk compared to their future releases. Their first EP is a close second, though.
Robby: When I was a kid, Perry Coma of the Houston hardcore band, Really Red, had a show on KPFT and played a bunch of Hardcore and stuff. That's where I first heard DRI. He played them all the time. Crossover Thrash was big introduction to underground music for me. That's why I love both metal and hardcore. That's hard for some people to understand. So I definitely relate.
Donald: That’s really cool. Spazz used a DRI soundclip before one of their songs, that’s how I first heard them. I just didn’t know it was DRI at the time.
Robby: Patrick, I'm also a horror fan. What are some of your favorites?
Patrick: I love stuff like Phantasm, Nightmare on Elm Street, Suspiria, Halloween, stuff like that.
Robby: Ahh. Halloween's my favorite. Have you seen the new one?
Patrick: It’s a classic for sure. Yeah, I liked it a lot.
Robby: So I should go see it?
Patrick: For sure. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid slasher film.
Robby: Any last words or anyone who’s helped you that you’d like to acknowledge?
Donald: Just wanna say thanks to anyone who buys our albums or goes to our shows, it means a lot. Shout out to all our close friends that continue to support us. And thank you for playing us on Radio Roach, we really appreciate it.
Robby Roach: I fell in love with Social Trauma when I first heard Detritus. How do you pronounce that? For people unfamiliar with Social Trauma, can you give a little background?
Donald Chambliss (vocals/guitar): It’s Pronounced Dee-try-tus. It’s just a fancy word for trash. We’ve been a band since 2012. Our bassist Patrick Simmons was jamming with another friend of his under the name Social Trauma. I jammed with them a few times and showed them songs I had written and it pretty much took off from there. We had a different drummer at the time, after about 3 shows he quit and we got Christian Martinez on drums. Been making music and playin’ shows ever since.
Robby Roach: I loved the new EP immediately. Cool sound. What are some of your influences? I have guesses, but I want to hear from you all...
Donald Chambliss: Thank you, some of my influences are Minor threat, Jerry’s Kids, The Germs, Charles Bronson, Infest, Spazz, Repulsion and Magrudergrind.
Patrick Simmons (bass): We listen to a lot similar stuff but some big ones for me are Carcass, Napalm Death, DRI, Morbid Angel, Pestilence, Siege, Sepultura, stuff like that.
Robby Roach: That's exactly what I thought, though - Grind, Hardcore and Thrash.
Patrick Simmons: Hell yeah
Robby: Wasn't expecting the Death Metal, though. You got me there.
Patrick: Yeah, I was a big metal fan before I discovered punk rock.
Robby: I'm a very proud Texan and love hearing bands like Social Trauma from San Antonio. Do you guys have any favorites from your hometown?
Donald: There’s a lot of great bands here but I really like Sketchy Trench, Amygdala, The Zukinis, Signalman and Dead Weight to name a few.
Patrick: Worth, Cheesegrater Masturbation, Lemmings and Defiled Crypt are rad local bands.
Robby: Sketchy Trench and Dead Weight, I'm very familiar with...Are you all from San Antonio?
Donald: Not me, I moved over here from California about 8 years ago.
Patrick: Born and raised in San Antonio, same with Christian, too.
Robby: What are your goals with the music you are making?
Donald: We wanna continue to make albums and add our own twist to powerviolence and grind while touring more and connecting with all the talented bands out there. We mostly play this music to let out all of our frustration and I hope that other people will relate to the lyrics I write and understand that they’re not alone. It’d be cool to play some grind festivals too.
Patrick: We just wanna be ourselves, play the music we want to play. We really want to tour a lot, get out of Texas or even the USA.
Robby: Top 5 records? Everyone hates when I ask that, but I do it anyway. I'm an asshole.
Donald: That’s a hard one but I’d have to say Youth Attack by Charles Bronson, Bleach by Nirvana, Dealing With it by DRI, Drop Dead by Siege, and War in My Head by Intense Degree
Patrick: My top 5 would probably be - From Enslavement to Obliteration by Napalm Death, Symphonies of Sickness by Carcass, Death's Leprosy, Sepultura’s Beneath the Remains and the Germs (GI).
Robby: You guys are so cool. Anything in the works or coming up? Shows or recordings?
Donald: Thanks! We’re playing the tour kickoff for our friends in Worth Friday, December
21st (2018) at 3119 W. Salinas St. and we’re playing at the Limelight with Heinous and Röntgen from Phoenix, Arizona Jan. 20th (2019). We just finished writing for our next record “Moments of Weakness”. After a few more practices, we’ll be in the studio and hopefully put it out in January or February.
Robby: Full length?
Donald: It’s 10 songs at about 15 minutes, so another EP.
Robby: Do you guys have a favorite venue over there?
Donald: The Guillotine is pretty cool. The sound is always great and it’s right next to Hogwild Records.
Robby: Seems as if more than one of you are writers. Can you describe your writing process? Do you collaborate or bring completed songs?
Donald: Patrick and I collaborate on a few, but I write a bunch myself and bring it to the guys. I just write riffs and show it to Patrick and have Christian work his drummer magic and we work out the structure together.
Robby: About how old are you guys?
Patrick: I’m 26
Donald: I’m 25 and Christian is 29, I think.
Robby: Strange that your influences are older. I'm definitely not complaining. I was 10 when Beneath the Remains came came out. Just curious how this happened? I actually own 8 of the ten albums you named and grew up on them.
Patrick: For me, I’ve just always been into the old school metal stuff. That’s what got me into music.
Donald: My friend who taught me how to play guitar got me into old school punk and Patrick was the one that got me into the heavier stuff.
Robby: Do you have any hobbies outside of music?
Donald: I like to skateboard and play videos games mostly.
Patrick: I’m obsessed with horror films. I collect them.
Robby: DRI were hometown heroes for me, so I have to discuss. Why is Dealing your favorite?
Donald: It was the first album I discovered by them, it’s a perfect example of hardcore punk compared to their future releases. Their first EP is a close second, though.
Robby: When I was a kid, Perry Coma of the Houston hardcore band, Really Red, had a show on KPFT and played a bunch of Hardcore and stuff. That's where I first heard DRI. He played them all the time. Crossover Thrash was big introduction to underground music for me. That's why I love both metal and hardcore. That's hard for some people to understand. So I definitely relate.
Donald: That’s really cool. Spazz used a DRI soundclip before one of their songs, that’s how I first heard them. I just didn’t know it was DRI at the time.
Robby: Patrick, I'm also a horror fan. What are some of your favorites?
Patrick: I love stuff like Phantasm, Nightmare on Elm Street, Suspiria, Halloween, stuff like that.
Robby: Ahh. Halloween's my favorite. Have you seen the new one?
Patrick: It’s a classic for sure. Yeah, I liked it a lot.
Robby: So I should go see it?
Patrick: For sure. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid slasher film.
Robby: Any last words or anyone who’s helped you that you’d like to acknowledge?
Donald: Just wanna say thanks to anyone who buys our albums or goes to our shows, it means a lot. Shout out to all our close friends that continue to support us. And thank you for playing us on Radio Roach, we really appreciate it.
Become a Social Trauma fan:
SLam - SELECTION EP
Choice classic SLaM tracks remastered by Big Lee of UnderVerse Records!! Get it here!
THE UNSIGNED NOT UNHEARD SHOW NOW ON RADIO ROACH!
Every Sunday night at 6pm Central, 7pm Eastern, listen to a great mix from the infamous Unsigned Not Unheard compilations!
GOO FISH -
THE BLACK RIVER
by Robby
It seems like Goo Fish wants you to hate them. I tried, but it’s hard until you actually listen to them.
The singer delivers his vocal lines like his cocaine lines - really fast and one at a time. The heavy, thick riffs are the real gift, reminiscent of an early 90s Sub Pop sound. This riff rock is what drives the album and makes it a must-have for any bandcamp peruser. Riffs like the beginning of “Bing Bong in the Bathroom” will be with you all day. The leads are always veracious, tearing their way through the middle of these juicy little pork chops.
The album covers a range of styles, from hard rock riff monsters (“Sketch Town”!) to strange, fun, twisted journeys to catchy pop tunes that sound larger than the back yard of the secluded cabin they came from.
On tunes like “Mrs. Muffntop and Mr. Peckerwood” and “Josefina”, the Goo turns the camp up to eleven. Drugs is the only explanation that I can come up with. Why else would you refer to Hurricane Katrina as “that fucking bitch”.
Songs like “Uncle Paintcan” and “Bing Bong in the Bathroom” are instant crassics. Only folks with those strange, southern redneck relatives will truly appreciate the lyrics to songs like “Uncle Paintcan” and “Dope Fiend Blues”. Other songs grow on you upon a second or third listen, like Goo Fish’s stray cat’s ringworms. (“Just Another Mountain Song” and “Moving to Space” come to mind, sounding like an arena rock band after a long night of cheap Kentucky bourbon, Keystone light, Doral lights and a half pound of ketamine.)
Frontman Christopher Spann’s lurid affair with a certain Hispanic chica seems to be explored in “Josefina”.
I’m not sure where Sketch Town is, but it sounds like a place you wake up after a week-long blackout/binge. Not somewhere you would go on business, for sure.
The whole traverse ends unexpectedly with the epic “When the Black River Burns”, a campfire rocker that sounds like it’s on its last beer, the local convenience store is closed and there’s only three more cigarettes it needs to save for the in the morning.
Sorry, Goo Fish. The hatred isn’t there. I’m a fan. Maybe if we met in person.
Become a fan:
Follow Goo Fish on facebook
Get The Black River at bandcamp
Email Goo Fish - roughdalezine@gmail.com
The singer delivers his vocal lines like his cocaine lines - really fast and one at a time. The heavy, thick riffs are the real gift, reminiscent of an early 90s Sub Pop sound. This riff rock is what drives the album and makes it a must-have for any bandcamp peruser. Riffs like the beginning of “Bing Bong in the Bathroom” will be with you all day. The leads are always veracious, tearing their way through the middle of these juicy little pork chops.
The album covers a range of styles, from hard rock riff monsters (“Sketch Town”!) to strange, fun, twisted journeys to catchy pop tunes that sound larger than the back yard of the secluded cabin they came from.
On tunes like “Mrs. Muffntop and Mr. Peckerwood” and “Josefina”, the Goo turns the camp up to eleven. Drugs is the only explanation that I can come up with. Why else would you refer to Hurricane Katrina as “that fucking bitch”.
Songs like “Uncle Paintcan” and “Bing Bong in the Bathroom” are instant crassics. Only folks with those strange, southern redneck relatives will truly appreciate the lyrics to songs like “Uncle Paintcan” and “Dope Fiend Blues”. Other songs grow on you upon a second or third listen, like Goo Fish’s stray cat’s ringworms. (“Just Another Mountain Song” and “Moving to Space” come to mind, sounding like an arena rock band after a long night of cheap Kentucky bourbon, Keystone light, Doral lights and a half pound of ketamine.)
Frontman Christopher Spann’s lurid affair with a certain Hispanic chica seems to be explored in “Josefina”.
I’m not sure where Sketch Town is, but it sounds like a place you wake up after a week-long blackout/binge. Not somewhere you would go on business, for sure.
The whole traverse ends unexpectedly with the epic “When the Black River Burns”, a campfire rocker that sounds like it’s on its last beer, the local convenience store is closed and there’s only three more cigarettes it needs to save for the in the morning.
Sorry, Goo Fish. The hatred isn’t there. I’m a fan. Maybe if we met in person.
Become a fan:
Follow Goo Fish on facebook
Get The Black River at bandcamp
Email Goo Fish - roughdalezine@gmail.com
METAL OVERLOAD WITH VLADPROMOTION!
|
Every Wednesday at 2pm Central (9pm Central European), VladPRomotion shares some of the best metal in the world, including Comaniac, Crimson Slaughter, Fabulous Desaster, Soul Collector, Toxic Ruin, Pilsner Drinkers, Strike MAster, All Kings Fall, After Dusk, Deserter, Enclave, Euphoria, Exist, Extravision, Haniwa, Negligence, Pagandom, Pokerface, Retched, Satarial, tHOLA and Tower.
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FARE GAME
Fare Game is a new skate punk band hailing from Los Angeles, Ca. This is a four piece band, fronted by female lead vocalist and bassist Jazz Limbo, backed by guitar players Paul Levesque, Ricky Sherman and drummer, Tom Plumb. The style of punk is fast, melodic, and influenced by Green Day, Strung Out, NoFX, and NUFAN. Their debut EP entitled BREAKIN’ RULES will be released on SEPT. 23rd, 2017. Pre-sales are available through iTunes and from the band’s website.
A brief history:
The band formed early 2017, after front woman and bassist Jazz Limbo had been playing bass for numerous bands and artists around LA. Twice touring with Marc Orrell (ex DKM) in his side project Wild Roses, she then went on and did vocal backups for Jason Cruz (Strung Out) and The Howl. In the punk scene, she is renowned for her bass playing with bands like The Bitchfits (Female Misfits Tribute), taking on the persona “Jazzy Lonely”. She is also the “bass mistress general” for Des and The Cendents (a female fronted tribute to the Descendents) and plays bass for iT? featuring Jason Shapiro (Redd Kross). Fast forward years later and the desire to front her own band was still looming. The opportunity finally came to make it happen when she found the right guitar players to join her.
Jazz had first met guitar player Paul Levesque, in Arizona while she was on tour with Des and the Cendents. He was a bass player at the time for band, Light Speed Go. By a mutual love for the bass and punk music, the two hit it off immediately. Little did they know that years later, Paul would move to LA and that they would work right down the street from one another. They also shared mutual friends, leading to the Labor Day party hosted by drummer Chris Dalley and a jam session that transformed the idea of playing in a band together, into reality. It was at this party that Jazz and Paul met up with lead guitar player, Ricky Sherman (Kill Corporations). By chance, Ricky had just become available as his band had just broke up indefinitely. After jamming some tunes together, the chemistry between them was undeniable and the band FARE GAME was born. The drum chair changed a few times before their first EP was recorded, but ultimately it was filled by Jazz’s long time friend Tom Plumb; the “original” drummer that cowrote some of the recorded songs prior to the band forming. Each member of this band is a veteran and a master of their craft respectively. Within 6 months time, the band has played multiple shows, 2 festivals, and recorded their first 7 song EP entitled Breakin’ Rules. FARE GAME may still be in its infancy but the musicianship is clearly not amateur.
The idea behind FARE GAME is to inspire people to play into “the game” and beat it, rather than “cashing out”; all the while knowing that it’s not “fair”. The antlers are a symbol of our connection to nature, following your intuition, strength and growth, and to serve as reminder that humans beings are being treated like commodities.
Only in knowing this fact, can we implement change. There is power in knowledge and you’ve got to know the rules if you want to win the game.
We’re Fare Game .. are you?
LINKS to pre-sale of album:
Fare Game on iTunes
Fare Game on Squareup
A brief history:
The band formed early 2017, after front woman and bassist Jazz Limbo had been playing bass for numerous bands and artists around LA. Twice touring with Marc Orrell (ex DKM) in his side project Wild Roses, she then went on and did vocal backups for Jason Cruz (Strung Out) and The Howl. In the punk scene, she is renowned for her bass playing with bands like The Bitchfits (Female Misfits Tribute), taking on the persona “Jazzy Lonely”. She is also the “bass mistress general” for Des and The Cendents (a female fronted tribute to the Descendents) and plays bass for iT? featuring Jason Shapiro (Redd Kross). Fast forward years later and the desire to front her own band was still looming. The opportunity finally came to make it happen when she found the right guitar players to join her.
Jazz had first met guitar player Paul Levesque, in Arizona while she was on tour with Des and the Cendents. He was a bass player at the time for band, Light Speed Go. By a mutual love for the bass and punk music, the two hit it off immediately. Little did they know that years later, Paul would move to LA and that they would work right down the street from one another. They also shared mutual friends, leading to the Labor Day party hosted by drummer Chris Dalley and a jam session that transformed the idea of playing in a band together, into reality. It was at this party that Jazz and Paul met up with lead guitar player, Ricky Sherman (Kill Corporations). By chance, Ricky had just become available as his band had just broke up indefinitely. After jamming some tunes together, the chemistry between them was undeniable and the band FARE GAME was born. The drum chair changed a few times before their first EP was recorded, but ultimately it was filled by Jazz’s long time friend Tom Plumb; the “original” drummer that cowrote some of the recorded songs prior to the band forming. Each member of this band is a veteran and a master of their craft respectively. Within 6 months time, the band has played multiple shows, 2 festivals, and recorded their first 7 song EP entitled Breakin’ Rules. FARE GAME may still be in its infancy but the musicianship is clearly not amateur.
The idea behind FARE GAME is to inspire people to play into “the game” and beat it, rather than “cashing out”; all the while knowing that it’s not “fair”. The antlers are a symbol of our connection to nature, following your intuition, strength and growth, and to serve as reminder that humans beings are being treated like commodities.
Only in knowing this fact, can we implement change. There is power in knowledge and you’ve got to know the rules if you want to win the game.
We’re Fare Game .. are you?
LINKS to pre-sale of album:
Fare Game on iTunes
Fare Game on Squareup
Other Media Links:
Follow Fare Game on facebook
Follow Fare Game on Instagram
Fare Game's website
Listen to Fare Game on ReverbNation
PURCHASE THE BREAKIN' RULES EP!
Follow Fare Game on facebook
Follow Fare Game on Instagram
Fare Game's website
Listen to Fare Game on ReverbNation
PURCHASE THE BREAKIN' RULES EP!
THE UNDERVERSE RECORDS SHOW
Underverse Records is the brain child of Andrew Balderson (Unsigned Not Unheard).
Andrew recruited Gabriel Dean (OMP Unplugged) & Lee James (Big Lee) to start a Radio Show featuring ONLY the very best Underground Bands.
Together the 3 of them approached Robby Roach (Radio Roach) & struck an exclusive deal to have The Underverse Records Show air 3 times a month on his Station.
The first episode will go out in October 2017 & will be presented & arranged by Andrew, epsiode 2 will be presented & arranged by Big Lee & episode 3 will be presented & arranged by Gabriel. All 3 of these presenters will be playing different Genre’s from across the Underground Universe.
Do you want to be heard?
Are you in an active Underground / Unsigned Band?
If you answer is yes to both of these questions, then get in touch underverserecords@gmail.com
Andrew recruited Gabriel Dean (OMP Unplugged) & Lee James (Big Lee) to start a Radio Show featuring ONLY the very best Underground Bands.
Together the 3 of them approached Robby Roach (Radio Roach) & struck an exclusive deal to have The Underverse Records Show air 3 times a month on his Station.
The first episode will go out in October 2017 & will be presented & arranged by Andrew, epsiode 2 will be presented & arranged by Big Lee & episode 3 will be presented & arranged by Gabriel. All 3 of these presenters will be playing different Genre’s from across the Underground Universe.
Do you want to be heard?
Are you in an active Underground / Unsigned Band?
If you answer is yes to both of these questions, then get in touch underverserecords@gmail.com
THE FILL INS - THE TIME IS NOW
by Robby
I was introduced to the Fill Ins at the perfect time...early 2017. They had a healthy back catalog to delve into and another in the works. 5th Time’s the Charm was in heavy rotation at my place for months. When Alex Stiff informed me of a new one in the works, I remained sure that there was no way 2015’s high-octane rock n’ roll chef d'oeuvre could be topped. When I listened to Hipster Killers (another encomium worthy of it’s own praise), then 5th Time, it seems so obvious that Charlotte NC’s best had peaked. However, I love the Fill Ins, have since the first time that I heard them, and they’re really cool guys. So when Alex sent me a copy of The Time Is Now, I kept this opinion to myself and listened intently.
Holy shit. Oh no, they didn’t.
“Sinner’s Choice” was probably the best possible record opener in the known universe (still don’t think it gets enough love). It starts with Adam Patterson’s Ramones-esque four-count, followed by that delicious, fetching four-chord sound. The second guitar dives in, pick screeching down the neck and I decided at that second that I would never seal a band’s fate again. It’s the perfect introduction for the assault that’s about to happen to you for the next twenty-something minutes.
The Time is Now is a riff ruffian. Straight ahead, adrenaline-inciting madness like “Lock and Load”, “Hate” and “It’s a Blast” show no signs of the Fill Ins slowing down, while Bluesy Classic-AOR-tinged Rawk tracks like “Feelin’ Good” make you wonder...Does the world make any sense if The Fill Ins aren’t rock stars?
The record is like Ramones meets classic-era Black Flag, but with a great lead guitarist. Mikey’s on point, and I do mean always. Alex has a very Damaged-era Rollins roar, but somewhere in there is some old school, guileless Hard Rock. And just how perfect is a line like “Don’t you stay in just one place/A sonic blast right through your face.”
“Saturday Night” and “Hit the Gas” had been released last year, but make sense on The Time is Now. They belong right here where they are.
These guys have their shit together. Although Alex remains the sole original member, I believe that this band would not be the same without each and every one of these guys. They each bring their own part and parcel and the finished product is nothing short of perfection. Oh, Fill Ins. Please don’t ever change. Please don’t ever stop rocking.
The Fill Ins don’t want to educate you. They don’t want to convert you to their political ideas. The Fill Ins don’t want to tell you that she loves you. No, no, no. The Fill Ins want to fucking rock. They want to rock until you pass out on the couch and then draw on your face with a permanent marker. Then, rock some more.
You need this album.
Visit the Fill Ins' official website here
Like the Fill Ins on Facebook
Listen to the Fill Ins on Soundcloud
Listen to the Fill Ins on ReverbNation
Watch the Fill Ins on YouTube
Holy shit. Oh no, they didn’t.
“Sinner’s Choice” was probably the best possible record opener in the known universe (still don’t think it gets enough love). It starts with Adam Patterson’s Ramones-esque four-count, followed by that delicious, fetching four-chord sound. The second guitar dives in, pick screeching down the neck and I decided at that second that I would never seal a band’s fate again. It’s the perfect introduction for the assault that’s about to happen to you for the next twenty-something minutes.
The Time is Now is a riff ruffian. Straight ahead, adrenaline-inciting madness like “Lock and Load”, “Hate” and “It’s a Blast” show no signs of the Fill Ins slowing down, while Bluesy Classic-AOR-tinged Rawk tracks like “Feelin’ Good” make you wonder...Does the world make any sense if The Fill Ins aren’t rock stars?
The record is like Ramones meets classic-era Black Flag, but with a great lead guitarist. Mikey’s on point, and I do mean always. Alex has a very Damaged-era Rollins roar, but somewhere in there is some old school, guileless Hard Rock. And just how perfect is a line like “Don’t you stay in just one place/A sonic blast right through your face.”
“Saturday Night” and “Hit the Gas” had been released last year, but make sense on The Time is Now. They belong right here where they are.
These guys have their shit together. Although Alex remains the sole original member, I believe that this band would not be the same without each and every one of these guys. They each bring their own part and parcel and the finished product is nothing short of perfection. Oh, Fill Ins. Please don’t ever change. Please don’t ever stop rocking.
The Fill Ins don’t want to educate you. They don’t want to convert you to their political ideas. The Fill Ins don’t want to tell you that she loves you. No, no, no. The Fill Ins want to fucking rock. They want to rock until you pass out on the couch and then draw on your face with a permanent marker. Then, rock some more.
You need this album.
Visit the Fill Ins' official website here
Like the Fill Ins on Facebook
Listen to the Fill Ins on Soundcloud
Listen to the Fill Ins on ReverbNation
Watch the Fill Ins on YouTube
LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW WITH ALEX STIFF:
UNSIGNED NOT UNHEARD VOL. III
The third installment of the highly influential compilation from Unsigned Not Unheard is scheduled for release August 11!! You'll definitely want to get this one! Eighteen bomb tracks by some of the biggest names in the underground right now - Operation Neptune Spear, SLaM, Also Known As, Prison City Brigade, Maysaloon, Nightwalkers, Black Optic, GOO FISH, Bleed By Example, Discrepancies, Temple of Katharsis, Aurorae, Dustland Express, Backfat, Almost Honest, Distance Defined, The seeds of Datura and LORD GIVER. Also hear on Radio Roach!
Become a fan:
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TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW
by Andrew Balderson
Aurorae – Blitzkrieg: Clearly this Band has honed their skills in frantic yet exciting Voiceless Music (which I am a major fan of), these guys have something special as in the music cannot be attributed to another Band. The recording is crystal clear, the arrangement is fierce & they kick ass.
Maysaloon – Warsphere: No messing balls out Metal with an intense sound that is in your face & exhilarating.
Black Optic – I Don’t Mind: The first thing is that hits is the THUNDEROUS nature of their Music, then the Vocals hit & its mosh time, there is a familiarity in these track & the lyrics carry the track in a superb fashion.
Discrepancies – Not Alone: The thing that strikes me is the Bass, the sound & the power it pushes the song along, and it is perfectly matched with the Drums.
Distance Defined – Iron Hand: Who wants a punch in the face? Well here you go. The intro oozes aggression & angst in such a way that you know you’re going to be in pain by the end of the track.
Nightwalkers – Nitrogenesis: From the very first note I was transported back to 1988 & the Thrash Metal movement of that time, I suddenly wanted all my hair to grow back & be long so I could mash my neck up. Where is my Battle Vest? just hearing this track made me want to find it & wear it while walking around with a Ghetto Blaster pumping out Nightwalkers.
Prison City Brigade – We Are The Brigade: As soon as this track hit it reminded me of “We Are The League” but done in PCB’s Hard Punk style, if ever there was a need for an Anthem to all things Punk then this IS IT. Long Live the Brigade.
Dustland Express – The Poetic Injustice of Rats: How many millions did this Band spend on this Album? The sound quality, the production, the arrangement, the pure awesomeness just gives the impression of a Major Label Band hitting their mark. This track is off the scale when it comes to measuring Underground Bands.
SLaM – Tale of the Victim: Not your typical Voiceless Band, with every EP released you get something different. However, every time this Band puts a Track on a UNU Compilation it is an exclusive, and yet it kind of blends with all the other releases that SLaM has jammed in our ears since 2014.
Operation Neptune Spear – 1984: ONS is not your typical on-man Band, The Shez has some serious Talent & 1984 just comes at you from every angle. My question is this, where did he come from? What’s next for ONS?
LORD GIVER – Sagacious Fortitude: Do you need some traditional Death Metal, then look no further. Pounding sounds with Guitar speed generally reserved for the more extreme Death Metal Bands. This works on all levels.
Bleed By Example – Exit Wounds: Move over Lamb of God there are some new guys in Town & they want your scalps, this Band is so good it’s scary.
Almost Honest – Appalachian Sasquatch: Where to start? What can I say that will pay the correct level of respect to this spectacular Band. I can only suggest that you listen to them & try to figure out my quandary.
Backfat – I Hate Robert Plant: Firstly the level 500 Bass playing is absolutely stunning, then the rest of the Band kick in & the direct changes to something unexpected. This is some very very good Music.
The seeds of Datura – Pokea Uponyaji: Bring me the Doom & bring it NOW. Damn this track is off the hook. I can see a Mechanised Army using this track to lay waste to their enemies.
Temple of Katharsis – Redemption Through Blood: Want some aggressive driving / road trip material, look no further.
GOO FISH – Bingbong in the Bathroom: Where did these guys come from? How can I have not heard this Band before? Possibly one of my new Underground favs.
Also Known As – Into Oblivion: Twice on this Compilation I have been Transported back in time & AKA tack me back to the late 90’s. Thank you guys.
Is it just me or is the Underground offering more Musical diversity than the Major Labels? This Compilation is already my absolute fav, it has some of the greatest talents on offer from every genre of Music coming from within the Metal Community. I have to ask what would happen if half of these Bands got major investment? And the other half simply got noticed?
Maysaloon – Warsphere: No messing balls out Metal with an intense sound that is in your face & exhilarating.
Black Optic – I Don’t Mind: The first thing is that hits is the THUNDEROUS nature of their Music, then the Vocals hit & its mosh time, there is a familiarity in these track & the lyrics carry the track in a superb fashion.
Discrepancies – Not Alone: The thing that strikes me is the Bass, the sound & the power it pushes the song along, and it is perfectly matched with the Drums.
Distance Defined – Iron Hand: Who wants a punch in the face? Well here you go. The intro oozes aggression & angst in such a way that you know you’re going to be in pain by the end of the track.
Nightwalkers – Nitrogenesis: From the very first note I was transported back to 1988 & the Thrash Metal movement of that time, I suddenly wanted all my hair to grow back & be long so I could mash my neck up. Where is my Battle Vest? just hearing this track made me want to find it & wear it while walking around with a Ghetto Blaster pumping out Nightwalkers.
Prison City Brigade – We Are The Brigade: As soon as this track hit it reminded me of “We Are The League” but done in PCB’s Hard Punk style, if ever there was a need for an Anthem to all things Punk then this IS IT. Long Live the Brigade.
Dustland Express – The Poetic Injustice of Rats: How many millions did this Band spend on this Album? The sound quality, the production, the arrangement, the pure awesomeness just gives the impression of a Major Label Band hitting their mark. This track is off the scale when it comes to measuring Underground Bands.
SLaM – Tale of the Victim: Not your typical Voiceless Band, with every EP released you get something different. However, every time this Band puts a Track on a UNU Compilation it is an exclusive, and yet it kind of blends with all the other releases that SLaM has jammed in our ears since 2014.
Operation Neptune Spear – 1984: ONS is not your typical on-man Band, The Shez has some serious Talent & 1984 just comes at you from every angle. My question is this, where did he come from? What’s next for ONS?
LORD GIVER – Sagacious Fortitude: Do you need some traditional Death Metal, then look no further. Pounding sounds with Guitar speed generally reserved for the more extreme Death Metal Bands. This works on all levels.
Bleed By Example – Exit Wounds: Move over Lamb of God there are some new guys in Town & they want your scalps, this Band is so good it’s scary.
Almost Honest – Appalachian Sasquatch: Where to start? What can I say that will pay the correct level of respect to this spectacular Band. I can only suggest that you listen to them & try to figure out my quandary.
Backfat – I Hate Robert Plant: Firstly the level 500 Bass playing is absolutely stunning, then the rest of the Band kick in & the direct changes to something unexpected. This is some very very good Music.
The seeds of Datura – Pokea Uponyaji: Bring me the Doom & bring it NOW. Damn this track is off the hook. I can see a Mechanised Army using this track to lay waste to their enemies.
Temple of Katharsis – Redemption Through Blood: Want some aggressive driving / road trip material, look no further.
GOO FISH – Bingbong in the Bathroom: Where did these guys come from? How can I have not heard this Band before? Possibly one of my new Underground favs.
Also Known As – Into Oblivion: Twice on this Compilation I have been Transported back in time & AKA tack me back to the late 90’s. Thank you guys.
Is it just me or is the Underground offering more Musical diversity than the Major Labels? This Compilation is already my absolute fav, it has some of the greatest talents on offer from every genre of Music coming from within the Metal Community. I have to ask what would happen if half of these Bands got major investment? And the other half simply got noticed?
ONE SENTENCE REVIEWS
BY CHRISTOPHER
GRAVEHUFFER - SHUT UP AND SKATE
Makes me want to skate and break my arm again.
Makes me want to skate and break my arm again.
THE EVIL DEAD - EARTH INFERNO
The Evil Dead's Music rips!, but the vocals are kind of rough.
The Evil Dead's Music rips!, but the vocals are kind of rough.
PANIKK - UNDER PRETENSE
Reminds me of Municipal Waste, who reminds me of old Anthrax.
Reminds me of Municipal Waste, who reminds me of old Anthrax.
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The Fill Ins
The Fill Ins are Charlotte, NC’s premiere high-octane Rock n Roll band; sporting catchy guitar riffs and an unapologetic attitude. Conceived
back in 2010 and officially debuting in 2014; The Fill Ins have endured countless lineup changes and musical fads with no plans on slowing down any time soon.
The band has released 2 full albums and a hand-full of EPs and singles. “Spit In My Face” (off the 2015 album “5th Time’s The Charm”) gained a cult following boasting 3k plays in under 48hrs and gaining popularity among internet radio stations and local / regional rock radio stations; their
follow-up single “Hit The Gas”, released on colored 7in vinyl has since surpassed "Spit In My Face" in popularity, showing the world what is next for the boys.
In 2017, The Fill Ins are gearing up for their next album titled "The Time is Now", schedulate for an early summer release; showcasing more of the loud rock n roll that The Fill Ins have to offer.
Within the last three years, The Fill Ins have opened for legendary acts like Wednesday 13 (3 times in 2 years), Joe Buck Yourself, GBH, the Dwarves, Richie Ramone, Total Chaos, Reno Divorce, Koffin Kats, ANTiSEEN and Reverand Horton Heat.
The group has also headlined Tremont Music Hall’s 20th Anniversary
Show (Charlotte NC) to a nearly sold out attendance and performed in many local festivals such as Punk Rock Picnic and Dirty South Fest.
The group has also been a part of numerous benefit shows to raise funds for members of the community including 2 shows to raise awareness to our unfortunate local heroin issue and provide funding for local harm prevention centers. Do not be mistaken though, The Fill ins are NOT a political band. The Fill Ins believe that music is an escape for the “every day” issues;
“We want our fans to feel good after a show, not be weighed down
with the issues of everyday life. Just get up and have a good time!" ----Alex Stiff
Visit the Fill Ins' official website here
Like the Fill Ins on Facebook
Listen to the Fill Ins on Soundcloud
Listen to the Fill Ins on ReverbNation
Watch the Fill Ins on YouTube