Check out this very professional act in Ep 23 as well as the other vying hopefuls!!

STREAM or DOWNLOAD below!

CHECK OUT THE NEW 24 HOUR RADIO STATION SPINNING ALL HALSHACK ARTISTS AND SHOWS!

www.zeno.fm/halshack click here


STREAM or DOWNLOAD Ep 20 below......
also find them in (POPIFY 6) and (ROCK AGES 2) and (AMAZON SHACK TRACKS ep 1)

These fellas are so good I had to give them the spotlight on Ep 18!

Stream or download here......

West Coast Rock band, Dangermaker, has arrived to remind you to release yourself and bring it all to the surface. And in the ~10 years since their founding, they have blown up, with sense of rock-infuse rhythms and arena-pop that could topple many sports coliseums.

This wave of ponderous distortion and driving intervals that hound the drum work reminds you what rock was made to do; move you to places you aren’t certain you’ve known before. Personally, tracks like “Desdemona” (2014) might find you at your most shadowed self, and then pull you into the light with “Something More” (2014) with a degree of promise particularly between these releases.

With the variety of passions that run through Dangermaker’s music, it does potentiate a craving to hear what the band intends to do as their styles evolve. Even someone who grew up elsewhere during the 2000s can relate this act to the California Indy/Alternative wave in the years prior to the band’s beginning. That being said, they demonstrate a glimmering method of Banner-waving for the Millennial Rock palette (which I say with the utmost respect for the “M-Word”)

For so many of us who grew up with these pulse-driven pop choruses and 8th note strums, the “Oh Whoahs...” in our hearts are happy to let Dangermaker carry us away. Adam Brookes, Dangermaker Vocalist, summons an unearthly feel for the way the words are brought through the speakers, and you definitely find yourself hooked every time you press ‘play.’

Overall, if you haven’t picked up on Dangermaker’s rise to greater heights of contemplative Rock-dom, make that change today. Settle some comfy headphones over your fears, your troubles, or your sense of belonging. Adam, Neko, Carlos and Dave have you covered. “





written by:
Kimball Craig
Drooble (Community Stars member)
Songwriter, Vocalist, Multi-instrumentalist, Producer, 
Booking Agent, Audio Engineer, Recording Artist


Editors Note:

Im extremely proud to have this band as part of my team of exclusive acts. I first stumbled onto them a little over 2 years ago with their killer potential rock hit "DESDEMONA"! Its impressive, reminds me of the Arctic Monkeys on that song and a couple of others. For me, this band is the closest thing in the US I've heard to said famous frozen British chimps..lol. I've spun up several of their songs throughout various episodes but we got a brand new one on deck for you in the new bonus show
"Ep 16.5 West Coast Wonders"!

Listen for "Everything Will Change" brand new song from their (Dangermaker's) more recent album release "RUN" (2018) while you enjoy the rest of these fine West Coast tuners!!

Stream or Download from this player or just about any music service under the sunny skies of California and the rest of the world!

Then please follow the HALSHACK on your favorite music service provider!

Tell your friends please and SHARE!! Thanks folks!

Mike Glover is a contributing journalist/musician I met on Drooble recently and I asked him to do a review on TRIBAL THEORY, a pop/reggae band from the sun drenched skies and glistening moonlit beaches of San Diego, CA.

Mikes review:

Ok, so far I have been listening to this bands music all morning, I've heard alot of their songs, and they are a very talented group. Their songs are very well constructed, beautiful vocals over really great reggae grooves.

From what I have been listening to so far, their songs are very catchy as their harmonies are very well blended and sound very professional. I can see this band going very far. Their more slower songs are very beautiful with a nice soothing guitar playing in the background with some soothing vocals. It is easy to see that they have taken their time to perfect their music. It would be hard to pinpoint songs for recommendation when they are, so far, all excellent.

Check out songs like Simple City, Tell Me (which reminds me of early Usher) Love you Down (which is very much like a reggae Boys2 men track) Burnin, (this has fantastic sound) Will You (a beautiful love song) Take a listen for yourselves, you can find them on Youtube, Facebook, Spotify, Reverbnation, Itunes, Amazon music and many many more. If you like music with a good groove or some sexy love songs then you will definitely love these.

Editors Note:

Halshack would like to add Tribal Theory has built up a solid fanbase with about 50k in Facebook likes and growing. They have opened for many national touring acts including a worldwide tour with the Expendables. Some of their "stand out" material can be heard in the show posted below.




Written by Mike Glover
Electronic/Alt/Dance producer and Musician
influential DROOBLE member and
contributing indie music journalist from the UK

Thanks Mike for becoming a valued contributing member of my team
and my friend as well. I hope we can do more of these in the future!

"ITS FUNKIN 420"....lololololol (love the name)
There's 3 tracks in here from Tribal Theory
and exclusive tracks from other bands like the show opener
from the PAPER JACKETS that can ONLY be heard on my show!!
(exclusive BODY HEAT)----- Im so very honored!!
NO WHERE! CANT STREAM IT! CANT DOWNLOAD IT!

BUT YOU CAN STREAM OR DOWNLOAD THIS SHOW ALL YOU WANT!! HAVE FUN!
Listen for "Reclamation", "Burnin", and "Hell of a NIght" from Tribal T.

Sometimes you come across a band which simply feels destined to find major attention and success. US rockers Forty Feet Tall is one such proposition. An outfit which cannot be called newcomers, they emerged in 2011 and have paid their musical dues whilst creating a sound which has fired up a constantly increasing flock of fans and wall shaking venues alike. As new songs have stepped forth it is hard not to have the suspicion that things are poised to really erupt for the quartet so it is time to take stock of their music to date we thought.

Formed in 2011 in Los Angeles, Forty Feet Tall took little time in lighting up local venues whilst earning a strong following. Then with similar swiftness their quickly proving individual rock music found a home playing classic rock venues such as The Troubadour, Club Nokia, the iconic Roxy, and The Whisky. It was a rapid rise based on hard work and a feisty sound regularly and effortlessly finding broader ranges of ears especially once, while wrestling with their college years, the band released a self-titled debut album. 2014 saw its well-received arrival and in no time a wider audience knew what many had already found, the Forty Feet Tall sound was one multi-flavored and impassioned as well as imaginatively crafted proposition.

Tracks such as the foot stomping ‘No Control ‘and the blues kissed ‘Not So Nice’ leaped from the speakers from within the full-length, tenacious rhythms and weaves of lively guitar regularly dancing with similarly magnetic vocals as keys offered a natural flirtation. It was a blend which invigorated each of the ten tracks making up the release and needed little time to reveal it had keen diversity to its creative prowess. Such the strength of its songs, favorites among listeners expanded its whole length but major highlights for personal tastes definitely included the instinctively catchy ‘Never Again’, ‘The Exhibition’ with its fiery muscular shuffle, and the dark southern lure that is ‘My Empty Hand’ though the virulently rousing ‘Crash and Burn’ pretty much stole the show. The album showed though that each Forty Feet Tall encounter had a character unique to the next and never left ears wanting for adventure.

It also suggested that influences to the band might have included the likes of Pearl Jam, Jimi Hendrix, The Black Keys, The Strokes, Led Zeppelin, and Howlin’ Wolf, potent spicing just as flavoursome but never over powering within the excellent ‘Red Dressed EP’ which escaped their imagination two years later. Its trio of original songs were certainly bred from the same template and intent as those before but each flourished in a new maturity in writing and invention. The EP’s opener and title track was pure infectiousness but with a plaintive heart exposed in voice and melodic fire while a richer and thicker vein of enterprise and rock ‘n’ roll weight was just as potent within the riveting pair of ‘Make It Hum’ and ‘Two Shots’.

Time since its release has seen the band relocate to Portland, Oregon, and go through a slight line-up change with bassist Brett Marquette joining vocalist/guitarist Cole Gann, guitarist Jack Sehres, and drummer Steven Driscoll. Beginning to work on their sophomore full-length, Forty Feet Tall began unveiling new tracks in 2018 beginning with the seriously striking ‘Grin’, a track as feral as it is skillfully seductive. The calmer natured ‘Cavalcade’ has only added to more intrigue and fascination as the band continued unveiling yet another impressive evolution to their music.
With ‘Quotessa’ since ramping up the anticipation of that second album or any subsequent tracks from the band it is proving so easy to imagine and assume that the time of Forty Feet Tall is on the near horizon. Even the recently breaking news of Driscoll cannot take the edge of that notion.
Forty Feet Tall is a band on the verge and their new songs roar watch out we are coming to rock your souls to exhaustion.

Check Forty Feet Tall further @...
https://www.fortyfeettall.com
https://www.facebook.com/FortyFeetTall/
https://fortyfeettall.bandcamp.com/

Pete RingMaster 06/02/2019
ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/

Halshack would like to add I absolutely LOVE this band!!
Well done Pete!! Thanks a bunch brother!!

Hear their spotlight piece on the brand new Ep 15 along with a whole slew of special goodies and treats on the player below!!

The first thing that comes in mind after listening to
Maisies songs is "I want more!“

Nowadays children are more involved in music as ever. It may be because of shows like “The Voice Kids” or just the overall bigger platforms like DROOBLE for them. Drooble gives a chance of mutual support between artists and help them advance their careers by providing different tools. It is a musical home for all artists worldwide.

Maisie is 14 years young singer/songwriter from United Kingdom with, as she herself says “a mature soulful voice”. I would agree. Listening to the songs “Leave” and “Never give up”, you will forget her age and think you are listening to a grownup going through a very rough time. Emotions are not connected to age. The skill to express them makes a true artist.

I don’t know if bullying was so much of a subject to think of in past as it is now. Many people don’t know how to fight against it. Many are desperate. Many end up giving up. Having to face it herself, Maisie did something unusual, she launched a clothing range and a blog, which is helping to support an anti-bullying charity.

Competitions are something Maisie is very successful in. Her songs have been played on BBC introducing and many other radio stations.

She has lots of festivals, gigs, a Royal show and competitions lined up this year. The stage is her second home. She loves it and tries to perform as many open mics nights/jam nights as possible.
Working so hard, all we can expect from her is exactly what we are wishing for, and that is: more songs, more emotions and more Maisie Mae!

EDITORS NOTE:

Halshack is extremely proud to have found this young starlet, especially on DROOBLE. What a great community of people, musicians and professionals. We will be keeping a close eye on this one for years to come. She has the potential to be a major force in the industry as she becomes a seasoned veteran. Maisie Mae Wardley is a phenomenal talent to be 14 and to have only been at this for 6 months and shes already burning up England. Cant wait to see what she can do.....

I feel she has a good foundation of song structure, experienced vocal abilities and songwriting skills similar to Kylie Odetta. (The ability to drop in out of falsetto with fluid ease and create not 1 but 4 top quality songs) She captivates with that X-tra "oomph" to grab and pull you through her melodies and stories of victimization and cruelty to young love. Good for you Maisie for always staying positive and "never giving up" on your dreams and aspirations. A true role model for kids and adults everywhere!! She will be a household name one day. Dang!! It already rhymes and its easy to remember...who could forget Maisie Mae. We sure wont! Maisie.....is a rare treasure folks!

If this made you curious and you want to check her out yourself, her social links are below:

https://soundcloud.com/user-32930179
https://instagram.com/maisiesingsofficial
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP1CbGqfnsyqij5vz7QiCZQ

https://www.facebook.com/maisiesingofficial/
https://drooble.com/maisie.mae.wardle

Written by music blogger/band/pr manager/writer
ANDREA BASKIN

Be sure to hear Maisie Mae's tracks plus another new Droobler (LUCIA BANFIELD) and all these other top quality female artists from the HALSHACK!! It's our Mother's Day special!! We're celebrating mothers and daughters, so have a great day girls, women, and MOM's  everywhere!!

EP 14.5 (HAPPY MOTHERSHACK DAY) --May 2019

The band Narrow Plains will literally manage to take you out to a dance night right in your room (or wherever you are listening to their songs). The result of Ed Sheeran being the main vocalist in Mumford and Sons would be this band.

The South London based indie/americana band consists of: Charlie Ferriday (Guitar, Vocals), Roger Connick (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals), Stuart Connick (Drums, Backing Vocals) and Edd Simpson (Guitar, Keys). Writing their songs together as a band you can feel that this band is more like a family.

They have published an EP and the Album “So rewind/Keep You Anyway” and are working with the famous producer John Davonport (who also worked with Bruce Springsteen, John Mellancamp, John Lennon etc.) The lyrics are mostly about the experiences they’ve made on their own and things their listeners can identify with.

On the EP there are six songs, very different, so there is something for every taste, like a good buffet. My personal favourite is “Somewhere in Between”, an acoustic, slower song, where Charlies voice comes over more sensitive and warm.

The album is mainly very upbeat and fast. “Restless Mind“, with the catchy lyrics and the soothing sound of Charlie Ferriday invites you in a world of rollercoasters that you want to ride and explore. Then there is “I Should’ve Known” which you will fall in love with when you liked the TV Series "True Blood” and the main theme "Bad Things” sung by Jace Everett. If you want to rest your feet a little you should listen to "Let it Die”, a song about letting go. "Tomorrow” is a beautiful, yet sad, love song, which I liked the most.

You will most likely hear about this band if you didn’t until now. So get on your dancing shoes and check out their songs!

Andrea Baskin
3-31-19

Mystery Spotlight band for Ep 14

BIG LITTLE LIONS
Royston BC, CANADA

Review from our very own UNCLE MARCUS and he is from Canada as well. Small world!! Please enjoy this great piece about these awesome little kittens hailing from the
Great White North!!


The Cheshire Cat could be seen grinning and leading Alice all the way to the rabbit hole with silent introduction to the regions of our childhood fantasy.    

Continuation and yearnful naivety drive this return to the womb despite heading in the other direction. This act will fool you into the false pretense that their catalog themes on the cute and insignificant. Combative history and sorrowful regret weaves in and out of this material, never quite getting specific allowing the listener to customize for themselves. Dramatic and surefooted, these musings hallow the many miles of retrospection with personal growth sown in triumph over the Demons. Celebratory dance acknowledges this pain and nullifies as though echoing through the highlands of any old country rife with struggle. Trance inducing harmony tricks the left side while convincing the right we are hearing male yet female bleeds through and vice versa . A unique dynamic in this advanced age of harmony . The pitch is flawless as though dictated by silicon and not humanity with reminiscence of church bells: steady and timeless.

A crafted melody dictated by fate is an impression that came about through the obvious works as somehow I believe they finished nowhere near where they started. With minions masquerading as veiled darkness, the self becomes the subject of an unending desire for growth meanwhile protecting the child and the complimentary harmony shows us the structure within.These percussive champions obligates my pen to assault my own darkness and embattled the very paper this is written as though a war drum. 

Between the cries of inner struggle and a Saturday night in the pub, these lions have a purposeful knee slapping nature regardless of the topic at hand. A masterful execution of the fundamentals of what it is to entertain. A truly rare skill set indeed. Soaring vocals with clever instrumentation seem to emulate the timbre of an instrument that does not exist in the tracks but only in your personal experience with Big Little Lions and I would encourage the listener to see for yourself this magic I have witnessed. The reflective connotations are apparent in these tracks but the conclusions are sitting in obscurity and require hearing, not just listening. The sheer joy of awakening to pure trust and friendship seems to reward the tenacity to see through the gray 
 
With soaring tracks like “what If “and the enigmatic “Unicorn” we see a varied palette of songs to encapsulate whatever emotion you so desire. There could be a familiarity with Big Little Lions, yet they reside on the fringes until now. Their music will move and confuse you, allowing hope and demise to occupy the same real estate in the mind.

The Big Little Lions are a true indie act and deserve to emerge as a monarch of their genre.

UM
3-31-19

The HalShack RockCast has become a breath of fresh air to what had become a rather flaccid arena for what today’s FM radio plays, which can be nothing short of the same female (or male) singers practicing their vocal exercises over a producer’s loops or some recycled or borrowed beat that people had long forgotten.

Hal brings you the unpolished gems of what can (and will) be actual future storytellers brought to you via FM radio. A standard example is Kylie Odetta. Her voice can lift your spirits. At the same time,
Hal brings you a podcast that you can play when you have company over, if only for the purpose of ambience; however, his infectious enthusiasm grabs you into the songs he presents like the FM days of old when DJs kept you hanging on to your radio to hear the next good song.

Hal has the ability to take you back to the soul of what made you excited about music.

Brandon Barnes is a former broadcaster, producer and DJ for 1230AM WMFR, 99.5FM WMAG and 98.3FM WTHP in the Piedmont-Triad, North Carolina metropolitan market.

He was also a vanguard DJ for the Greensboro/Winston-Salem club scene, with venues at Club 5th Season, Club Orion, The Clubhouse, Club Hellenbach and The Red Pepper Tavern, as well as various entertainment complexes throughout the Carolinas.
 

Click the Pics

Battleshack 2 contest..please vote for your fave 3 acts
Link to Iheart Radio. Download or play all you want!!
Latest ep 15.5 (Mystery Shacklights/Aug 2019) bonus show, music only

EDITORS NOTE: The original album 'Elecric Youth' got shelved before its release date in April to make way for a new EP to be out on 8-3-18 and a Full cd album in November 2018. Some of these tracks will be released in Nov and some planned for a follow up next year!! So for now its all an exclusive for the Halshack baby!!

We will continue to spin more tracks from ELECTRIC YOUTH on future episodes. So you will at least get to hear most of this awesome unreleased material.


FACEBOOK page link...PAPER JACKETS

Every spring needs a fresh breath of adventure, every summer a new flame of sunshine and so too music always needs novel adventures to embrace and that is just what Paper Jackets bring with their debut album, "Electric Youth". A thick collection of songs nurtured in a captivating mix of indie rock and synth pop with plenty more to get the imagination going, the album is a boisterous blend of the engagingly familiar and boldly unique, one of those encounters which just gets under the skin.
Bursting from the LA indie pop scene Paper Jackets is a brand new proposition consisting of vocalist James Mason, keyboardist Emily Dickinson, guitarist Jonny Vesely, bassist Miles Franco, and drummer Michael Diguglielmo. Inspirations to their imagination come in the shape of artists such as (Sky Ferreira, BØRNS, Misterwives, and Walk the Moon), spices which have been embraced in a sound as big and rich as it is tight and ridiculously infectious, a viral quality fueling the inescapable lure of 'Electric Youth’. The album was recorded with producer Ethan Kaufmann, himself a potent ingredient in their home states pop and rock scene.

With themes exploring the anxieties and tensions of stepping into the world of being an adult as well as the darker corners of personal relationships, Electric Youth needed mere seconds to lure eager attention as opener “California State" unveiled its instantly magnetic welcome. Harmonies and melody straight away unite in a joyful stroll, rhythms just as inviting as they surround the swiftly magnetic tones of Mason. There are some vocal presences which make you look up, capture attention and his certainly achieves that with quick ease. An instinctive if undemanding swing to the song leads to the first of the albums rousing choruses, one of numerous elements within the song coming together for one highly flavorsome proposition. From dancing guitars to ear caressing keys, pulsating bass to air popping beats, each angle of the song unite their lean but rich presence for one ball of a start.

It is an outstanding first encounter with Paper Jackets which is more than matched by the following “Stand Back", a thickly engaging cover of the Stevie Nicks classic. Diguglielmo's hefty swings trigger a summer of melody and enterprise, keys accentuating the warmth with their suggestive glaze. The song's eighties scented synth pop soon grabbed hips and appetite while the emotive shadows spun by Mason had thoughts bound in the heart of the encounter. As its predecessor, the song is pop rock at its lustiness, bold and skillfully crafted fusing something familiar to the band's distinctive character.

The funk fueled dace of “Body Heat" has energy and appetite bouncing next; an impossible to ignore
chorus at its core surrounded by almost mischievous idealization in sound and energy. Once again you may feel there is much in the track which you already know but it only adds to the lively sensual seduction and temptation which is like seeing an old friend in a whole new light.

A beckoning of shadows line the fiercely irresistible “Night Time Killers", a song which has echoes of bands such as Depeche Mode and China Crisis to its flirtatious pop 'n' roll. Dickinson's keys pulsate with an almost portentous touch as Vesely aligns his wiry melodies to the suggestion of vocals and harmonies; a mix which again simply infests the imagination.

Four songs in and on the first listen alone vocal chords were as easily involved in the songs as the body, the persuasive quality all the best pop songs have and one both “Bad Manners" and
“Hip Hip Hooray" have in their contagious charms. The first has an infectious swagger to its saunter, a feisty nature and energy which urges the same tenacity from Mason and his increasingly expressive and impressive delivery. Its successor has a calmer gait and urgency but quickly baits attention with masterful hooks and the dancing keys of Dickinson, their smiling lures perfectly added to by the dark almost growling throb of Franco's bass. Ok, the track did not quite ignite the passions as forcibly as its predecessors yet everything about it is manipulative persuasion.

The best track for us is next in the atmospheric shape of “All Boys". It is a darker almost terrific proposal with menace in its intimation and defiance in its attitude but as virally contagious as anything on the album. Mason is the puppeteer to its drama, Franco the spine to its rapaciously solicitous temptation with all five members creating one of the most irresistible moments heard this year so far, and indeed the last, before “Last One Standing" strolls in with a (Hall & Oates) meets
(Red Hot Chili Peppers) scented enticement to keep the good times rolling for feet and spirit.

"Three for the Show“ captivates ears next, its gentle pop maybe promising more than it delivers at times but once more pleasure is to the rim, it is just the majesty of those before which leaves it in their shadows and something “Heart Is Yours" also comes up against as it shares its virulent croon. Each of the two though is as memorable as anything upon 'Electric Youth' in their own individual way as too, The Police-esque “Mary Louise". That (Sting and company) scent in various ways is a regular hue to Electric Youth and again only adds to its rich appeal.

The band's heavier rock instincts are brought to keen focus within next up “Graduation Day" guitars and rhythms colluding in a great fiery roar while “Another Song About Life" hugs ears and thoughts with its melancholic yet bright ballad.

Completed by acoustic versions of “California State “and “Stand Back", it is fair to say that 'Electric Youth’ had ears hooked on the first listen and even more lustfully involved thereon in. Pop and rock collude with almost fevered enthusiasm from first note to last in a release surely destined to be greedily devoured and subsequently acclaimed.

What a way to introduce yourselves….


Pete RingMaster 02/03/2018

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO PETE RINGMASTER OF THE RINGMASTER REVIEW for your hard work, time and attention to detail in this great early "peek" while we wait for the band to open up their dressing room door and unveil the new PAPER JACKETS!!

Click the pic to link to RINGMASTER REVIEW

The RINGMASTER REVIEW is a prominent independent music reviewer based in the UK whom has been providing quality reviews and articles for the indie music scene for many many years in Great Britain and beyond! I'm proud to have Pete on my team of professional knuckleheads! 

     The first look gives you a sweet, young, charming, blonde girl, but as soon as you start listening to her music you realize that there is so much more beside these features. Kylie Odetta will pull you in with her powerful, but soft raspy voice, and keep you "hostage" on a journey full of emotions.


Prepare to close your eyes and dream. Laying on a warm beach, hearing the waves and the magical voice of a true artist: Kylie O.

     As she said about her goal, "My goal is to create art that moves people deep inside their souls, brings love to light & enhances the beauty and power of emotion" you can feel that. In every word, every note of her piano she unites her vulnerability with her passion to move on and make her dreams come true. Mixing pop with soul and r'n'b brings out the freshness in the sound of this talented artist.
Songs like "Waiting Game", "Can't Handle That" and "Gasoline" show that she is not naive anymore, thinking that love can be just as romantic as in the movies.

       You can easily find yourself in her songs. "Promised Myself" is, I am sure of it, a song most of us can relate to. Not giving up on a person even when we see that she acts like she does not want our love, knowing what we have to do, but not doing it. Imagine a kaleidoscope, mysterious, colorful and beautiful, turn it into a person, and you get Kylie Odetta. Personally I am very curious to see all the facets of Kylie O. She continues to release music as this singer/songwriter has over (200 songs!!!) in her library and are available on different platforms.

Editor's note.... Kylie placed 10th in our Top 10 "Battleshack" contest and her song
"Sweet Innocence"  can be heard in episode 10 (Battleshack) ....here's the link....CLICK HERE


Written by.... Andrea Baskin

This was originally posted on "The Ringmaster Review" back in 2013
Written by: Pete Ringmaster

The musical journey for Colorado band Savage Henry and its members has been long and undoubtedly exhausting for a group whose seeds began with a group of teenagers who started out on a musical quest in 1994 as the band On Second Thought. The musical exploration and venture of the Denver band is still an expanding and growing experience with already plenty of highlights but as 2013 opens its welcoming arms the feeling that Savage Henry is standing on the precipice of a deserved wider reaching recognition is a strong warm wind in their creative skies.From that summer the original members of the band from the those first days and those who joined as Savage Henry emerged in 2004,  earned their musical spurs through releases and hard work leading up to the band’s introduction through the album All In the following year. With a line-up of vocalist Damon Guerrasio, guitarist Stu Miller, bassist Ryan Morrow, drummer Mike Rice, and keyboardist Jeremy Lawton, the band found the impressive record strongly received record upon its debut in July 2005 at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater (part of the Film on the Rocks series) and showed the creative prowess and imagination of the songwriting was back to its creative best with extra instinctive flourish and rock passion to the new songs, though less of the previous ska and reggae teasing, though it still whispered loudly at times. Constantly rippling with great tracks like the wonderfully engaging Daisy, the tantalising Alive & Kickin’ where the band switches feet and styles with consummate ease and skill, and the feisty Monkey, the biggest highlight of the album, the release incorporated many essences and flavours into its pulsating passage The last of the three mentioned offered a potent Squeeze like warm rock pop beauty, just one compelling example of the thoughtful diversity within the release. It is a record which re-ignited the emotions the first album of OST sparked and more, its varied and riveting array of ideas and sounds going a long way to helping the band find themselves with again plenty of radio attention which included performances at Denver rock stations 93.3 KTCL and 99.5 KQMT amongst a full on charge of gigs and shows, over 175 including sharing stages with the likes of Cowboy Mouth and Better than Ezra to name a couple.

         Changes in personnel occurred in 2007 with bassist Morrow joining fellow Denver band, Black Blood Orchestra and drummer Rice turning to solo projects. Replaced by John Jeffers and Mike Boyd respectively and with the additional joining of second guitarist Glen Esparza, the band sculpted another striking evolution to their sound for next album Step Lively which was unveiled in 2009. Again the even stronger rock voice of the band ignited the passions whilst the pop and ska breezes added extra relish to their increasingly potent music. From its very start with the magnetic Shot In The Dark and the immense Broken, the album is a wonderful storm of sinewy riffs and thumping rhythms entwined with a heated melodic majesty as well as a seamlessly fused intelligent caress of emotive and golden elegance in songs like Melody and Call On Me. The release also found a rich vein of pop punk to ignite certain songs as in the excitable and brilliant Unrequited and the equally scintillating Vice. Without doubt the album is the band’s finest moment to date and the strongest of many reasons why you feel the band is standing on the verge of breaking into that worldwide recognition.
Since the album the band has continued to make an impression on the radio and live, as well as having their song 300 Miles which was inspired by a terrible bus accident with a Fed Ex truck during a tour of the mid-west, licensed by Eddie Bauer and First Ascent ski clothing company to use in a video to advertise their clothing around the world from 2010-2011.The past year was noted for a video produced by the band’s passionate P.R. Manager Hal Jester, for the track Hero which was written to honor fallen soldiers and those that have made the greatest sacrifice for us, as well as generally a growing intensity in the media through blogs and radio play. Their increasing presence thanks to the online drive of Jester has put the band in a prime position to make 2013 a major landmark in the eighteen year history of the band. Savage Henry is a band everyone should get acquainted with.
​
Pete RingMaster 02/02/2013
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

STEALING EDEN: album... "Truth In Tragedy"
 
"YES!!!", is all I can say about Stealing Eden's album, "Truth In Tragedy". This is one of those rare albums where I can hit play, put the album on repeat and just let the ass kicking ensue!
 
It is a high energy rocking album that kicks you right in the head with "All I Need" and the impeccable vocals and harmonies of singer and band founder, David Ottoson.  Other notable power songs for me were "No One Else" and "Just A Memory". There are also a few well-placed softer and thoughtful songs like "Right In Front of you" and my personal favorite, "Seed".
 
You will instantly be drawn to the powerful harmonies of vocalist David Ottoson while the rest of the band drives song with confidence and power. The lyrics cover a broad spectrum of relationship situations from being hurt and used to standing by the other person's side at all cost as in "Never Give Up". This album is definitely worth purchasing and adding to your collection if you want energized rock anthems and hook after hook with the choruses. There is a follow up album in the works and I am sure it will be just as exciting and well played as "Truth In Tragedy" is.

Get out there and support the bands you love! Buy their music and merchandise, see them live and spread the word to keep the music and musicians you love entertaining the masses!!!

link to play.....Song "Never Give Up" at Podomatic

Andrew J. Liles
(former affiliate scout for ROAD RUNNER records website)

Facebook .... Andrew


Halshack would like to add the fact that this band is from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada and has had over 40.000 cd sales!! They have done this on their own without a label......VERY IMPRESSIVE!!

www.stealingeden.com
 
facebook..Stealing Eden

    Here we have a hard-to-nail-down five piece. There are a ton of influences here, yet they manage to craft material that defies a simple label. “Enigmatic Groove Punk” is about as accurate a handle as I could dream up after listening to their eclectic mix of straight ahead standards to almost a 180 degree “Sir Fish”, which is my #1 pick for this batch of songs. Almost psychedelic in nature, the contrast is deep, opposing any defining cornerstone one may be led to believe..

   The individuality of each song conveys a desire to play musical “whack a mole”, with a 4/4 mallet with the odd sideways change here and there to keep us guessing. It would seem there is a huge desire to involve all band members in the writing process, as the bass guitar is showcased often, which is rare outside the virtuoso bass-guy territory. A no-fear approach of topics on the darker side of life with a smattering of edgy, sub-culture references force the ears to process the lyrics despite the rhythm.

   Bluesy overtones and clever hooks solidify the intent to produce a high quality product for an ever changing scene. I get the impression most of the material is recorded live, but I could be mistaken. Sure, there are influences that stand out, a few production issues,…….but the writing shows depth within the confines of a couple handfuls of tunes, with a green light for growth and development…..Uncountable Kings…..Have a look-see….What are your thoughts?

link to play..."Sir Fish" at Podomatic

Cheerz,
UM

Facebook......Uncle Marcus

For some reason, most of the millennial generation has evolved to despise country music. Alongside this repudiation, the genre itself has begun to evolve to appease the taste of the generation. And now, a burgeoning band may have a shot at successfully infiltrating the sound waves of the peculiar and particular 20 somethings. 

Beginning as a duo comprised of Errol Sammut and Johann Schembri, Airport Impressions has certainly come a long way from the small island of Malta. The two spent six months in Ireland, which proved to be a significant musical influence. Later on, Chris Curmi and Steve Farrugia joined, adding to the band’s creative and musical potential. 

To label Airport Impressions "country" would certainly be a stretch. The act makes it difficult to be pigeonholed into one word. As with any musical anomaly, ITunes manages to solve this problem by stamping "alternative" onto a sometimes questionable amount of bands. By combining two generalizations, "alternative country" isn't necessarily an inaccurate indicator of this band's sound. 

By focusing on the elements that could identify Airport impressions as country, it becomes evident where their strengths lie. Errol Sammut's vocals are a prominent example of this. Somewhere between rock and country, his vocal ranges never remain static, and along other vocal harmonies, exceeds what seem possible for his range. Further country esque distinctions are the occasional mandolin and banjo riffs hidden within some tracks. 


A prime example of their versatility is "let it shine," from their sophomore album "Mariette." The opening guitar riffs pave what could have been an uncharacteristically atmospheric song. That is, until the song's drums open into a much more indie rock driven sound. Next to the the previous tracks of the album, this is a stand out. 

Although Airport Impressions may not be for everyone, their talent as a band is evident. Being able to effectively pull in various influences is an appeal to outlining fans of both country and alternative. From their debut to latest release, they maintain an overall consistency that leaves room to be built upon in future releases. Although, their first album definitely leans more toward the alternative side on the spectrum. Upon first listen, the band doesn't sound particularly innovative, but the quality of what they create is undeniable.

link to play ...."Let it Shine" at Podomatic


M. Stuart
about.me/MS920


facebook link for Airport Impressions

Written by Matthew S. Persson

The culmination of effects and instrumentation that is Walla, represents a modern day Postal Service collaboration, although incomparable in terms of sound. By creating a bond via “digital means” the band’s five members came together to deliver a collection of interesting and inventive EP’s that sparked interest in the band on bill boards such as Hypemachine. Their diverse backgrounds coalesce to create catchy contributions to the ever growing music blogosphere.

Jonathan Hoonch Kim’s soft spoken vocals carry the band’s often synth laden tracks. The band’s effectively layered tracks each have a persona of their own, which can be seen as either a flaw or a strength, as the music sometimes lacks consistency. They feel vaguely reminiscent of other indie pop acts that made appearances early last year, such as The Wombats. Worth mentioning is the title track to their Gangsters of Suburbia EP, with its distinctly disco esque opening and steady beat. Collectively, their sound is best expressed by their Nature EP released in 2013.

With an interesting blend of electronic and acoustic, it wouldn’t be surprising to soon find Walla occupying the soundscapes of many alternative radio stations. They’ve explored a variety of different sounds, and it will be interesting to see which direction they choose to go. Their first four EPs have promise for the developing band, with the most recent representing their capacity to continually deliver upbeat and relevant releases.



M. Stuart
about.me/MS920