BASS & Treble
FOR THE CONTINUED... RECORD Say It Ain’t Suge
FICTION REFORM __________________________________________________________________________________________ words by Ramon Gonzales
Assembled from former members of Bullet Treatment,The Last Gang,Vendetta Valentine, Aerodone, and This Is My Empire, FICTION REFORM, emerges as a promising reminder that boisterous rock music has not entirely succumb to marketing gurus or hipster dismantling. Fronted by the unwavering Brenna Red, FR’s approach to rock music is anchored by their ability to remain catchy, without sounding pussy. No pun intended. Releasing Revelation In The Palms of the Weak this spring, months before the band had any single in rotation anywhere, the teaser single FR released on the band’s Myspace page, “Small Silhouette,” was requested for licensing by sports network authority ESPN. The inadvertent single, would then wind up in the rotation on The FACTION, the widely popular rock radio station on both XM and Sirius Satellite radio providers. These seasoned musicians prove their chops by never straying too far from pop sensibility, while never being afraid to go a little apeshit in the delivery.The fact about FICTION REFORM is that they are one of few bands that have figured out you need both to stick.
Founder of the greatest gangsta rap label in the fucking world, Death Row Records, Suge Knight is yet again in trouble with the law. Word is he assaulted a possible business partner with a gun, though no gun was found. Knight is apparently working on regaining his footing in the entertainment world after going bankrupt. Reality TV might even be a possibility. I’m crying.
No Musica In Arizona Several big time artists have decided to begin canceling shows in the state of Arizona to protest the new immigration law that is stirring loaded of emotion both in opposition and in favor. Pitbull, Cypress Hill, Jenni Rivera, Wisin & Yandel are among some of Latin music’s biggest names to skip the AZ. NOw if we can just get folks like Shakira to stop thinking we care about what she has to say about the subject we should be good.
Might Idol Be At It’s End?
Flashback heart attack __________________________________________________________________________________________ words by Ramon Gonzales
Normally, the novelty of a cover band comes in one of two forms, either they are so terrible they are great, or so great at imitation, they are downright creepy. In either case, the mistake MOST cover bands make is in taking what they do way too seriously. Enter FLASHBACK HEART ATTACK.Adorned in red leather lounge suits, skinny ties, and god awful haircuts, FBHA takes a cue from the enigmatically successful STEEL PANTHER, by combining some gut-busting comedy with guilty pleasures we all can sing along to from the golden age of all things tacky. Men Without Hats, Loverboy, Naked Eyes, FBHA pulls off note for note renditions to indulge your need for the occasional one hit wonder. In the same set, the band will take on challenges from immortalized acts like Depeche Mode, New Order, and the Sex Pistols with seamless transition. Some vulgarity, the occasional self-deprecating reference, and rest assured, EVERY crowd is eating out of their hands. A new wave cover band is nothing original, but the notion of having fun at a live show is something that has lost its freshness. FBHA manages to show their talents and personalities all at once to ensure asses are shaking and faces are smiling.
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• SKINNIEMAGAZINE.COM
Here are a few facts. American Idol has officially waved goodbye to Simon Cowell with this season’s finale. No more degradation; which was honestly, the real reason we watched. Another fact, not since 2004 have the ratings been so slim. Approaching season 9, might the show that changed music be done. Well, when all that’s left is a confused black dude, an annoying wench, a metrosexual, and Ellen, the end is near. One can only hope.
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