CROSSED WIRES

After a great year for new music, I’ve found myself listening to albums on repeat more and more. I’m aware of the popular opinion that the practice of repeat listening could kind of “wear out” the songs, but frankly that rarely happens to me. I stand firm with saying screw it, if it’s good enough to want to listen to it on a loop, I’ll do it. But, in the interest of not seeming like an absolute monster, I’ve decided to switch it up. So I looked back into my iTunes, which is something that I recommend doing. It’s such a trip to look back into your collection. Looking through I found so many forgotten artists. Being that I enjoy finding new bands, it’s inevitable that some will get lost. But the rebirth of these bands was exciting enough to want to share. So in the first installment of Weekly Flashback, I present Mew. Mew is an awesome Danish band that I used to listen to when I was in middle and high school. I honestly have no idea how I found them or who showed them to be, b...

The Long Island Hardcore scene is definitely a scene of its own and is a huge chapter in the lives of everyone involved within it — from its inception to its current state. Like every scene, it's had its peaks and lulls but through it all, it's always remained a favorite place for many bands and people to visit and revisit... with good reason. Check out the video below, donate what you can and help make this documentary on LIHC come to fruition.  SOMETHING IN THE WATER : A Film About The LIHC Music Scene

This record might be close to the top of the album of the year list for me. These Amherst natives stick to the traditions of 80’s Western Mass punk and 90’s garage pop sensations. Thick layers of fuzz driven guitars, rumbling bass undertones, and vocals whirling with long hair and flannel. This eight song LP was recorded in MA by Justin Pizzoferrato, who has collaborated in the past with such bands as Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. I must say their sound doesn't stray too far from those bands either as they could be contemporaries, had they been around at the same time. However, they are are leaving their own unique mark in their hometown’s punk history with a fresh new dynamic in which they will stand amongst their own. Tracks such as Sucker and Curse the Knightmare bring promising, straightforward riffs doused in thick, heavy sludge. When you listen to this LP it will feel as if the band is rumbling below you as you sit at home at your parents house wondering what to do wit...

It’s the biggest news in guitar effects in decades: HARMAN’s DigiTech today announced the rebirth of DOD, one of the world’s most legendary guitar pedal lines. DOD is returning with a vengeance, reintroducing two of the most revered pedals of all time – the DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 and Phasor 201. Both models retain all the sonic magic of the originals while incorporating improvements like true bypass, 9V power adapter jack and other refinements. “Legions of musicians worldwide still treasure their DOD pedals and still use them regularly. Now, guitar players everywhere will be able to enjoy DOD pedals once again and hear why some players won’t part with their DOD pedals for any reason,” said Scott Klimt, Marketing Manager, DigiTech. “These pedals are not strict re-issues,” Klimt continued. “We’re redefining what each pedal should be, and building those pedals. The paint jobs, graphics, functionality and naturally the sounds pay homage to the vintage pieces but with improveme...

So, for this weeks dig I'm pulling out a rare and unreleased Cave In song, Inflatable Dream . I hate being that guy but I would have to say that this is my favorite Cave In song.  I believe this song was recorded around the Creative Eclipses EP sessions. These guys are a band that has covered many genres in their time together. From the metalcore masterpiece  Until Your Heart Stops , to the major label alt rock debut,  Antenna. You can find all of those elements that they are known for in this song. If you ask any Cave In fan, they will probably tell you that this is their favorite song as well. This song starts off with a very eerie melody, backed up by a clicking guitar noise to fill in the void (almost like he is taping the guitar pots with his fingers). Just as you think it will build off of that, they hit right in with fast, laser gun guitar riffs, and pummeling drums. Thats right...laser, phaser guns. I remember reading an old interview with the guitar player...

Well, after more than 30 years the Fender Starcaster and Coronado models are finally back in production. This will make many hipsters mustaches fall off, and many kids whose parents bought them a Starcaster starter pack at Guitar Center very confused. If you have attended a Lollapalooza festival, chances are you've seen someone play one of these guitars. Alright thats enough of the terrible jokes. I will admit the guitar geek in me couldn't stop from smiling when I saw that they were putting these back into production. I was especially gleaming when I took a glance at the photos that were released. To add to the joy, these guitars come at a very reasonable price. In my opinion. the Coronado and Starcaster are two of the most unique and sophisticated semi hollow guitars to ever hit the market. For anyone who has been on the quest for one of these, now is the time to get your hands on one of these while it's easy on the good ol' wallet. Fender intr...

I initially wanted to skip right through this song when it first came on shuffle. So I hit next and then hit back and came to my senses and realized how much fun it would be to talk about this song. I am not a fan of the Linkin Park era No Warning. However, a lot of my friends are, and think its the greatest hardcore record to come out since Damaged . I respect and love No Warning, but I can just not get behind this record. The only good thing about this song is that if you hit play and sing the words "CRAWLING IN MY SKIN" over the chorus it sounds really fucking sweet. I have no idea why they just didn't sing that over and over again. It could have potentially gone over much better for them, had they done it four years prior. Buy Ill Blood via Bridge 9 (it's better).