When music is your life, there has to be a soundtrack to a mood, or an activity. My life entirely revolves around music from brushing my teeth to going to bed there is almost always a song going on. My hope is to help others navigate their lives through music, the most intense form of communication! Music says what your mouth can't, music expresses your heart and soul to the world!
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
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:
Nothing can really compare to the original...Or can it?
90% of the time I hate, no I loathe cover songs. Under special circumstances I will bend to a worthy song. First of all if it's Pop, Hip-Hop, or R&B it gains points when covered by a rocker. That's just me, but it is what it is. Second, it has to bring something new to the table. It can not be an exact cover or I immediately hate it. Lastly, if you can beat it, stomp that MF into the ground! Sometimes I will listen to a cover simply because I like the original, but it's not socially acceptable in my circles😆
I honestly think that a good cover should be a stand alone song; meaning that if you weren't as old as I am you may not even know that it's not an original. The sad thing is that some of you may not know that these are covers and I may cause some cerebral damage and for that I am truly sorry. Let's get this show on the road. P.S. The original is contained in the link of the band name 😉
1. Sweet Dreams- Marilyn Manson Originally written and performed by the Eurythmics
Some artists are like Fire and water, some are like water and oil, but when they come together...
It just works!
There is nothing more amazing than people using their differences to create something beautiful...
When it comes to music I LOVE it when it's original, when it's funky, and when it could be down right weird, but it works.
I'm diving into collaborations today. It may be cross genre duets or just two different and conflicting sounds melding together. Whatever it is, it probably didn't look good on paper, but despite everything it turned into a masterpiece.
1. Broken
Amy Lee and Seether...
You could start with their appearances, but let's focus on their sounds.
She is Melodic, Symphonic Rock and he's a gravelly southern, punk rock (?) He's frickin' Seether okay?! You try to put him in a single Genre!
Day and night, but it totally works for them when they come together for this song Broken...
2. Close My Eyes Forever
Though they may have gone to the same hair dresser in the 80's there isn't an obvious connection between The Prince of Darkness and Lita Ford. But when they came together on this track it was so beautifully haunting.
3. Hands of Death
I suppose this one wasn't too far fetched.
When Rob met Alice...
The sick beats that Rob has always brought to the table, and the voice combination is almost a sensory overload. Go ahead Burn baby Burn.
4. Cannonball
Skylar Grey & X-Ambassadors
They are all super hot, but this difference is in their sound.When they came together for Cannonball it was honestly unlike anything I've heard before.
5. Love the Way You Lie
Rhiana & Eminem
With her R&B vocals meshing with his Rap lyrics it didn't automatically scream "Hit song", but thankfully I'm not in charge of setting these collaborations or I would be out of work. These two were loved so much together that they did it again with Monsters!
It may have started with Dido and a man named Stan, but it paved the way for a bunch of unlikely hit collaborations for Eminem; Such as Sia, Yelawolf, and Skylar Grey to name a few. Each time the slow funky sound just works with Eminem's high octane rap style and I haven't heard anything that I don't like yet.
6. Under Pressure
Queen & David Bowie
I'm not going to lie, this may be old, but it gets my music geek juices flowing!
I'm not sure it gets better than this!
Freddie Mercury and David Frickin' Bowie TOGETHER!
Though it was written the year I was born, and the album Hot Space was released 26 days before my birthday, I'm pretty sure it's what inspired me to believe that Music was Magic!
Ugh, just look at the two of them together!
7. Do what you want
Lady Gaga & R. Kelly
Controversies be damned I love R. Kelly!
I may need to think about adding this to my next sex list, but that's besides the point. Electricity crackles with these two together on this track!
8. Lift me up
Five Finger Death Punch & Rob Halford
New School meets Old School
The king of leather & these young pups collaborated to give us a what for!
This song became my anthem for not giving a F**k about anyone else's opinions and relying on myself. I'm grateful for this union no matter how it came about!
9. Portland Oregon
Jack White & Loretta Lynn
By far one of the weirdest collaborations that I have ever heard of.
However, like everything else it just works if you can truly appreciate what has happened here...
This collaboration crossed genres, AND decades!
Growing up Loretta Lynn was one of my Mother's favorite singers, and as a teenager I loved the White Stripes (Still do)
10. Rise & Fall
Sting & Craig David
Another cross Genre collaboration, but it's not that big of a surprise, because Sting is so very versatile. Maybe I just really like this song guys!
11. Best Friend
Yelawolf & Eminem
Eminem has had his post, I know. I just couldn't pass this one up...
12. Periscope
Skylar Grey & Papa Roach
Skylar Grey has already proven herself to go head to head with any body and make it a masterpiece!
13. Stay the Night
Zedd & Hayley Williams
14. Over and Over
Tim McGraw & Nelly
Another cross Genre Collaboration
This is on the slower side for Nelly which is why it fits the country side
15. Shed some light
Brent Smith & Lzzy Hale
Both Rockers with two very different styles
16. Another way to die
Alicia Keys & Jack White
I had expected a little more of her crooning with a funky back beat, but it's still pretty cool.
17. Anywhere but here
Maria Brink & Five Finger Death Punch
She's a Savage and they're bad ass! This mix isn't odd, I just happen to like it.
18. Scream
Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson
Yes, they're siblings. Their styles are radically different and I for one was stoked about them working together.
19. Bittersweet
Ville Valo & Lauri Ylönen
Him & The Rasmus need I say more?!
20. Walk this Way
Run DMC & Aerosmith
I don't have to explain this one...
21. Just give me a reason
P!nk & Nate Ruess
22. Maria Maria
Carlos Santana & The Product G&B(Ghetto & Blues)
Carlos Santana is no stranger to collaborations and he always adds his hot Latin sound to each track, but The Product G&B added the extra flavor...
Sometimes you have to dance to the beat of your own drum...
I am a weirdo, I am a freak, I do not fit into a box.
When it comes to life I believe in originality and being perfectly imperfect. Sometimes it pays to be an outsider. Embrace the different, the funky, the wild, and definitely the strange!
I call this my "Funky" playlist. Though I'm a hardcore rocker, this music inspires my creativity in going the extra mile of odd. This includes Soul, Alternative, Punk, Folk, but I just call it Funky.
If you know who you are or if you're still trying to figure it out take a listen and tell me what you come up with.
*This playlist is a little long, but it was so hard to cut it down and not include songs that I have listed in previous posts*
Today's post isn't going to make you look like that, but it can help get you started on your journey.
I start my 8 millionth attempt to lose weight so to get me started I've compiled my favorite ass moving motivational songs. If you're toning or going for all over weight loss, I guarentee you can not sit still with these beats bumping in your ear!
I have included songs for Strength training, Cardio, Circuit training and whole body exercises. Time for me to lace up these shoes and get started, but I want to hear from you if these songs move you as they do me. Wish me luck 😏
