Rule Breakers... Jackie Venson

Rule Breakers... Jackie Venson

I LOVE rule breakers and those who just don't fit in a box, classification, or especially in a genre and Jackie Venson is definitely in my wheelhouse!

I am constantly on the lookout for something new, raw and original and as a lover of music I was in a music slump until last night. She took the stage with her hodge podge trio which includes a blind drummer and blew me away! I haven't been this excited over a musician since Maggie Rogers last year.

I tried with everything I have to put my finger on what I loved about it or even what I found interesting enough to be this over the moon, but I can't. That never happens to me. I can always find a comparison to another musician to pinpoint what I like about it, which almost always means that it's not entirely "Original".

This is not the case with Jackie Venson. Just in one song you'll hear a mixture of Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Pop, old 70's Funk and even a little rock. Her voice ranges from smooth velvet to throaty soul, to gravelly Joplin qualities. Confused? So am I. All I know is that I am enamored with everything she has to offer the music world!

She's set to come back to Michigan in the summer and you can bet that I'll be there! I urge you to  check her out if she hits your town, if you love music the way that I do; you won't be disappointed!

Here's a Video from her song Flying, check it out and tell me what you think....

Review- Victor Spoils of Battle Creek, MI

Though it's probably a Moot point to some, I've been asked for an honest review of Victor Spoils. I say moot point because two of the founding members (Kenny Black and Travis Britanyak) have settled into a kick ass band BlackFront Ink, but it would seem that the two bands though only 2 band mates different have a completely different sound.

There were four songs available and I listened to them all, I KNOW that bands hate to be compared to other artists, but let's face it that's how we communicate the sound to one another so here it goes..

Victor Spoils definitely has talent, but they hadn't settled on THEIR sound. In their song "Chameleon" I found it comparable to Rage Against the Machine. It's got that Rock/Rap vibe to it, but along the same lines yet sounding still different is "Simple" which feels more like Limp Bizkit.

"No Good" and "To the Moon" have more of a Soundgarden feel about them, but in my opinion "To the Moon" seems to have the Kenny Black stamp on it. This song is similar to the Kenny Black sound that we've come to know and love in BlackFront Ink.

Overall Victor Spoils had a variety to offer which is great, especially when you usually get only 2 options from most bands ( Heavy or Soft), but if you happen to check them out and like what you hear then you'll LOVE BlackFront Ink!

As always I'd love to hear what YOU think so check them out and ENJOY!

A Mirror Hollow Band review

  A Mirror Hollow- Band Review

I confess that this band is new to me, but it has found a place within my playlist. The first song that I encountered was "The Weight".  Instantly I dug it. It flows effortlessly between fast and slow, the vocals follow perfectly. I am a HUGE fan of vocalists who can switch back and forth. It's one thing to scream and rock out heavy, but if you have Real vocal talent that is extraordinary.

The lyrics hit right where you need them to: in the feels. When you feel heavy and want to rage against your oppressors this is the song for you.

Up next is "Sin Eater". The fast beat and my interpretation of the lyrics I would classify this as a party song. Why not get drunk and do some bad things?

"Sirens" is another kick ass song that pulls you right in. I thought it was going to be a slower ballad until it kicked it out in the chorus. I love surprises! Again it's another relatable song, the lyrics speak to me in the same conflict between sadness and anger. As anyone who knows me knows that I use anger as a mechanism to cope with depression so these songs will definitely be useful in pulling me from the spiral.

I'll leave you with the title song from their Confession EP and you can tell me what you think, but as for me? I'm definitely a new fan. Keep the tunes coming guys because I am HOOKED! Check out their facebook page  and let them know that I sent you.

Enjoy!

New, New, New----> Release Watch SXX - Let it go

Release Watch: SXX Let it Go

Yours truly has had the honor of a sneak preview and I'm hear to let you know that you're jealous!

I've seen these guys live several times and am impressed every time. Sound and performance wise SXX doesn't disappoint. It's no wonder why they've won 2 Battle of the Bands, and Rocked the stage with big names like: Sevendust, Jackyl, Alien Ant Farm, LA Guns, Steven Adler, Candlebox and more.

Their ever growing fan base knows what I know:

THEY EFFIN' ROCK!

With a fusion of a throwback sound that is reminiscent of the Golden Age of Rock and a new sound comparable to Volbeat their upcoming single Let it go falls in line with what you come to expect from these guys: Hard and fast! The combination of Richard Nuyen's Rhythm Guitar, Jeff Weers' Electric Guitar, and Chad Rabideau's Bass jump off right from the start, add Shawn Rainer's kick ass Drums to the mix and you have a song fit for work, a workout, cleaning, or some good old fashion Mosh pit action!  

It's so AMPED!

I love the way Richard's voice is so versatile and ties the whole package together. I have to say that after listening to this song several times, I can't sit still. I have cleaned my house from front to back while blasting "Let it go" to get the complete feel for this song to write this review! Even still I sit here bouncing my foot to the silence.

I am assured that the single along with the lyric video will be released soon, but in the meantime if you're in Grand Rapids, MI you can check them out live January 5th, 2018 @ 10PM with 19TilDawn and BlackFront Ink at

Mulligan's Pub located at:  

1518 Wealthy St SE

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506

Because I'm benevolent I'll leave you with one of their many other available kick ass songs: 

COWGIRL

Enjoy!

 

Don't judge me...Remember This?

Think back to the best times of your life. 

Was it your childhood? 

Mine was.

Believe it or not, once upon a time long long ago I was a young girl. Eyes wide with wonder, looking towards the future. Back then my dream job was... I don't want to say. 

Okay, my dream job was to be a Fly Girl on in Living Color! Yup, like J-lo. Don't judge me.

Back then as I do now I enjoyed a wide variety of music, but anything that moved my butt or pertained to something dirty had so much more appeal. So now I sit here feeling old and dated because most of you don't remember the skit show featuring Jim Carrey, The Wayans Bros., Fly Girls and those of you who remember are old as hell! However once in a while I like to recapture my youth and I will do so with no shame. You'll find my old ass doing the Running man, the butterfly and yes, the Hammer dance. Remembering my "Homie" days of body suits under overalls, hats with a hole in the top to pop my pony tail out, or sports bras under baseball Jerseys and all too often HUGE baggy pants. There is no rhyme or reason to this playlist other than the fact that it makes me feel young as hell and you can find me and my MUCH older friends getting drunk and singing these songs at the top of our lungs... It all started with "Remember this?" as a joke and turned into a drunken party. So here it goes....

Don't judge me.

If you're as old as me and find yourself singing along Let me know.

Otherwise...

Rock Workout: The beat to get out of your seat...

Sometimes this is exactly what I need in my life. 

Someone to stand over me and make me do the things that I don't want to do. 

I can't afford Jillian Michaels and Dikembe Mutumbo slapping food out of my hand would be awesome as hell, but unrealistic. Sooooo... I need to do somethings for myself.

The problem with being a grown up is finding motivation, that's where this list differs from  the last workout mix. That mix works if you have will power AND motivation. This one GIVES me the push I need to get off of the couch, out of the chair or peel myself from my bed! Hopefully it'll do the same for you.

This is a great mix for Metal motivation, Rock Rage outs, and Old school tunes to just enjoy and keep you amped. This list is High Intensity so it's great for HIIT training, Cardio, Weight lifting and Aerobics. Whatever it is that you're doing I guarentee that you're going to sweat! 

Without further delay here's my Rock Workout Mix:

As always let me know what you think!

What's New? Music Review: BlackFront Ink

What's New?

Music Review

You may or may not have heard the recent buzz and whispers of the name BlackFront Ink...  It's more than likely because they're HOT! Their sound is on fire and original!

Love Lane Staley? Then you'll love Kenny Black! Powerhouse vocals from a pint sized dude. 

Love +Dope+? Then you'll love Geoff Timmer! Hard hitting, heavy beats from the Drum thumping dynamo.

How about Metallica, Does anyone love Metallica? Then you'll Love Jeff Moorman! Riffs to rival Kirk Hammett.

Each member brings a unique sound to the table, but they blend together effortlessly. Almost like they were made to play together.

I have recently sat down, headphones in hand and stared at the screen looking at the title Against the Grain. Though I have heard it before I haven't heard it the way that I had planned to at that moment. Purely unbiased, analytical listening. Warning: When I do this I pick apart everything so don't ask for a review if you're not prepared for unadulterated honesty! I love these guys, but they know "Music is my life." So let's break it down, shall we?

The song starts of with keys rattling to a jail cell door, then opens with a distorted guitar riff reminiscent of duran duran's come undone and melds into a slow mellow drum beat. Kenny's lyrics break the melody and slowly speed the momentum into the chorus where his voice is then distorted in a Marilyn Manson fashion and the double pedal action dominates blending the guitar into the background.  Tempo slows for the next verse, a slightly faster chorus than the first round with an increased guitar presence as it moves into a wicked solo, then gently adds minimal drums until the final chorus as it slows to a fade and slamming door.

The lyrics themselves dive into the topics of abuse, abandonment and the residual effects on the family unit as a whole at least as far as I can gather from my own take on the song.

All in all this song is a dark song, but it vibes so well that you could listen to it after you've had a hard day and are just struggling emotionally, but you could also play it for the beat as you unwind after work and crack a beer to relax. This song has no restraints, hell it even has enough bass that you can blast it in the car driving down the street or out to pick up chicks.

If you want to check it out for yourself, Here's the player:

Want to buy it yourself, it's just 99¢!
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/blackfrontink2

Want to keep tabs on BlackFront Ink?
https://www.facebook.com/BlackFrontgo/
https://twitter.com/BlackFrontInk
https://www.reverbnation.com/blackfrontink4
https://www.instagram.com/blackfrontink/
https://blackfrontink.wixsite.com/mysite *Bonus song available +Merchandise coming soon!

As always tell me what you think. Yay or Nay.

Want to be reviewed send me a message, I'll see what I can do!

Otherwise....

Tweet #BlackFrontInkRocks