As far as the DIY/punk scene (which is where we primarily stick around), the scene is great in that there are a ton of awesome bands, both new and old. Unfortunately, there are not enough DIY venues. The best song/album I/we heard this year: Some friends of ours from Philadelphia, Sadgiqacea — their new LP, False Prism. Doom metal done perfectly, extremely well written. The best show I/we saw this year: Definitely the show where Hoax played at Bad House. It was Keef Mountain and our tour kickoff. Whole show ruled. What’s your favorite local act at the moment? Keef Mountain. We toured with them for a week in June, and they were spot-on every night.
The Pitch Music Showcase 2013 The best song/album I/we heard this year: James Blake, “Overgrown.” That song captivated me during a dark period this year and became my lullaby most nights for a few weeks. The best show I/we saw this year: Mariachi Vargas at the Kauffman Center. Each member of the ensemble was a virtuoso in their own right and showed an ownership of their craft that only a lifetime dedication and a multigenerational group can achieve. The show had everything: drama, humor, songs and so many chill-inspiring moments. It was performance art, and it easily trumps any rock show I’ve seen this year. El Grupo Atotonilco, run by Juan-Carlos Chaurand’s family, opened up the show with some beautiful ballet folklorico. What’s your favorite local act at the moment? Lennon from Ha Ha Tonka played me some of their new material, and it is really great. They have been putting in the work, so I’m rooting for them to really break through this year.
RADKEY What’s new and what’s next? We will head back to the studio in July to create sweet rock goodness, and we’re doing a 20-city U.S. tour starting August 3. We will also be touring outside the continental United States this fall. In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … That’s an easy one: 100 percent Somali pirate rock. The best song/album I/we heard this year: Really digging “Burn” by Magneta Lane The best show I/we saw this year: Danzig in London (half of his set was Misfits!). What’s your favorite local act at the moment? Empty Spaces and Soft Reeds. We can’t choose one over the other.
TODD ZIMMER
continued from page 23
HAMMERLORD
Radkey ME TAL/HARD ROCK
AT THE LEFT HAND OF GOD What’s new and what’s next? We have two new tracks that we are recording with our new singer that we are really excited to release. We are opening Summer Slaughter in Oklahoma City and have plans to tour in October. Also, competing in the second round of Sumerian Records’ Headbang for the Highway this fall and playing the alwaysamazing Hammerween on October 19 at the Uptown Theater. In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … METAL. What are you liking/not liking about the KC music scene right now? We really love all the support from our fans and the venues we play at. It sucks that the Beaumont is gone. The best song/album I/we heard this year:
The new Within the Ruins album, Elite, is pretty sweet. The best show I/we saw this year: Lamb of God and In Flames at the Uptown, and Middle of the Map Fest What’s your favorite local act at the moment? David Hasselhoff on Acid. Check out their new release.
BOREAS What’s new and what’s next? We just released our Parabellum EP. It’s our first recording since our lineup changed from having two guitars to having a guitar and a bass. We will be recording again, hopefully for another full-length, before October. Then moving to Phoenix, and we’ll be done (for a while at least, possibly for good). In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … Black metal. Beyond that, decide for yourself. What are you liking/not liking about the KC music scene right now?
What’s new and what’s next? We just released our new CD, We Live, in June and we think it is our strongest release to date. We recorded, produced, financed and released it all ourselves in true DIY spirit. We also just played Cricket Wireless with Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson, and that went really well. Our next big show is Hammerween IV: The Dream Hammer, October 19 at the Uptown Theater. In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … Old-school Bay Area thrash with a newschool twist The best song/album I/we heard this year: Been jamming Amon Amarth “Deceiver of the Gods” a lot. Depeche Mode’s Delta Machine was also a surprise hit this year! The best show I/we saw this year: Alice Cooper at Cricket Wireless melted all our faces off. What’s your favorite local act at the moment? Just too many, to be honest: Cowboy Indian Bear, Koktopus, Wrath and Ruin, Architects, Six Percent, Solus, At the Left Hand of God, Moire, Akkilles.
Tickets as low as
$10!
presented by
kcstarlight.com 816.363.sTar
24
the pitch
a u g u s t 1 - 7, 2 0 1 3
13-STAR-0940_Pitch_Ftl-MSG_RUN.indd 1
aUgUsT 5-11
high energy pitch.com
presented by
sepT 7-13
high drama 7/24/13 3:26 PM