Is there a better way to kick-start your week than with a Sunday night rock ‘n’ roll show? The crowd lined up to see The Needy Visions, JEFF The Brotherhood and legendary Japanese pop-punkers Shonen Knife this past Sunday at Allston, MA rock club Great Scott would definitely say “no.”
Tag Archive for 'punk'
While roller derby enjoyed waves of popularity in the past, including televised bouts in the 1970s, the release of Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut Whip It brings the sport of roller derby back into the spotlight. What started as traveling teams of co-ed endurance racers doing laps around a portable banked track in the 1930s transformed into a modern day, all-girl DIY phenomenon, with teams sprouting up all over the US and all over the world. Today, the most popular form of roller derby is flat track where points are scored by “jammers” passing “blockers” on the opposing team, and players often use pseudonyms inspired by pop culture figures like “Jodie Faster” and “Killery Clinton.”
Celtic punks The Roughneck Riot
Warrington, UK’s The Roughneck Riot are a little bit Celtic, a little bit rock and roll. Taking their cues from The Pogues, The Clash, Johnny Cash and Flogging Molly, this six-piece Celtic punk band features acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo and accordion in addition to the usual guitar, bass and drums. The Roughneck Riot has shared the stage with artists such as Billy Bragg, The Damned and Sham 69. Currently in the studio recording their new album Night Train with The Reaper, the band recently posted the lyrics to the title track on their MySpace page. The words lie somewhere between Dropkick Murphys and Tom Waits, and if the music is even half as good, this is going to be a great record! I managed to catch acoustic guitarist/mandolin/vocalist Matty Humphries during a break from recording to talk about the band’s sound, their album and their plans for the future.
OurStage: I read that The Roughneck Riot started life as a four-piece punk band. How did you make the transition from four-piece punk band to six-piece Celtic punk powerhouse?
Matty Humphries: Personally I’ve always aimed to play Celtic punk, however when we first started out we weren’t the most talented bunch when it came to playing folk instruments and such. We had to let our last 2 guitarists go for personal reasons and I managed to persuade a few of our best friends to pick up a banjo, guitar and an accordion and for the past 7 months or so. With continuous advice and motivation from our good friends The Mahones, we’ve finally managed to focus on our sound, and since then we’ve never looked back!
OS: Even on your mostly acoustic recordings, you guys sound badass. What would you say to people who think that punk music can’t be acoustic?
MH: Haha, Thanks a lot! Well I believe that all the best music started out acoustically, from early blues, bluegrass and folk to gypsy jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, so why can’t punk be played in the same way? People like Johnny Cash always stuck to playing an acoustic guitar, but always delivered. It’s all about the energy you give when playing, not how loud your amps are or how distorted your guitar is. And of course our main influence besides punk is Celtic folk, which traditionally started out acoustic. Playing acoustic can also add so many different dynamics to a song, and change the feel completely!
OS: As a Celtic punk band, you must be over the moon to be playing with Shane MacGowan of The Pogues this December. How did this come about?
MH: The magic of MySpace!! We were asked if we were interested in the slot through a message from a promoter, so how could we possibly turn this down! In my opinion Shane MacGowan is one of the greatest song writers in history and has had a massive influence on us, and it’s an honor to share a stage with him!
OS: Your song “Travellin’ Man” made it to the Top 10 in the OurStage Punk Channel last month. Can fans expect a similar sound on your upcoming album Night Train with The Reaper?
MH: This was a great and unexpected thing for us, as half of the band didn’t realize we were signed up to OurStage! But it’s fantastic to know we’re being heard! And yes, Night Train with The Reaper is full of songs that are guaranteed to put “Travellin’ Man” to shame!! It’s a huge mixing pot of influences, from the obvious (The Pogues, The Mahones, The Clash, Flogging Molly) to some more unusual influences to our music such as Johnny Cash, The Urban Voodoo Machine and Tom Waits. Its going to be something we can be really proud of! We’re recording the title track for the album this November with Ex-Mahones’ fiddler Dave Allen in Banbury so it should be up on Ourstage by mid November!
OS: What’s next for The Roughneck Riot? Any plans to tour?
MH: I’ve just this week opened up a recording studio where we should be finishing our album which is all very exciting! And as for tour plans, yes! Hopefully early 2010 we should be touring Europe! Possibly with The Mahones and The Popes, which is another great honor for us! So hopefully we can get Night Train with The Reaper out across the water!!
Check out “Mutiny” from The Roughneck Riot’s EP Drain The Bar in the player below!
Home of: Saddle Creek Records, Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, Azure Ray, Bright Eyes, Tilly and the Wall, Smashmouth, The Faint, 311, Cursive
Fun Facts: State flower; goldenrod, state song; “Beautiful Nebraska,” state beverage; milk
The Venues:
While you may not think of Omaha, Nebraska when you think of jazz and R&B, the city actually has quite the history. Home to Wynonie Harris, Preston Love and Buddy Miles, the city was a regular stop for many Kansas City jazz musicians. For the past 6 years, Omaha has celebrated its musical heritage with the Omaha Blues, Jazz & Gospel Festival. This year’s festival included Everette Harp, Kelly Hunt and Little Brian and the Zydeco Travelers.
The biggest new development in indie rock in Omaha is Slowdown, a new all ages venue owned by Robb Nansel and Jason Kulbel, the duo behind Saddle Creek Records. Opened in 2007, Slowdown is part of a building complex (also owned by Nansel and Kulbel) that houses Saddle Creek Records, a coffee shop, retail stores (including an Urban Outfitters) and a movie theater. The venue was named after Omaha band Slowdown Virginia, which later went on to become the much loved indie band Cursive.
The Music:
The Beat Seakers – The broad appeal of The Beat Seekers straight up powerpop will have both teenagers and parents tapping their feet. The rock radio nostalgia track “Dead Air Radio” sounds like it could be an outtake from an early Sugarcult album. If you like what you hear, the band is offering their full-length Dead Air Radio for free here.
Lucas Hitch – Growing up in a musical family, pop singer-songwriter Lucas Hitch started playing shows when he was ten year old. In the last ten years, he has played 1500 concerts to over a half a million people. This August, Lucas released his first full-length album Fade. Because of his musical background, Lucas played almost all of the instruments on the album. Check out standout track “Wander On.”
Bombs Blast- The Bombs Blast press kit describes the band’s music as “Spit in your face Punk Rock,” and it’s obvious from the first chords of “Treachery” that they mean business. The band has been spreading the punk gospel, playing shows everywhere from backyards to dive bars for the past two years.
Check out these acts and other great Nebraskan artists in the playlist below! Who are your favorite OurStage Nebraskans? Where do you like to see live music in Nebraska? Let us know in the comments!
The OurStage Marketplace connects artists looking for gigs with venues looking for new talent. With amazing opportunities around both the USA and the world, the OurStage Marketplace is the place to be for up-and-coming artists!
This week, we’re spotlighting some new gigs in the OurStage Marketplace as well as some gigs with fast-approaching application deadlines. Take a look at the gigs below and find one that’s right for you! Want to make the most of the OurStage Marketplace? Here’s a Marketplace Tip: Be sure to check your OurStage Inbox. It sounds obvious, but many bands miss out on opportunities because they found out that a venue was interested in booking them too late. To make sure you don’t miss out, you can opt to have your OurStage messages forwarded to your main email address. Simply log in, click on “Account” in the top right corner of the screen and check the box that reads “Forward OurStage messages to my email.”
Keep checking the OurStage Marketplace, accessible via the “Marketplace” button on the main navigation bar, for the most up-to-date gig listings. Don’t see any gigs in your area? Tell your favorite venue about the OurStage Marketplace.
New Gigs
Location: Bay State College Make-A-Wish Foundation Benefit Show At Harpers Ferry, Boston, MA
Opportunity: Live Performance
Gig Date: December 8, 2009
Application Deadline: November 17, 2009
Gig Info: Looking for one or two bands to open for MTV VMA Best Breakout Boston winners Gentlemen Hall and Spies Like Us at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts fundraiser at Harpers Ferry in Boston on December 8th. Submit your EPK here.
Gigs Closing Soon
Location: Ground Zero, Allenstown, NH
Opportunity: Live Performance
Gig Date: November 5, 2009
Application Deadline: October 22, 2009
Gig Info: All ages venue in NH looking for three local alternative rock bands for bill with My Lady Four and SEE THE WORLD. If interested and know of other bands to support the bill, leave a note when you apply. Be sure to include links to additional band websites or profiles. Submit your EPK here.
Location: No Explanation Records, Fredericksburg, VA
Opportunity: Live Performance
Gig Date: November 14, 2009
Application Deadline: October 24, 2009
Gig Info: Looking for Punk/Alternative bands from VA/DC/MD areas for an all ages show. Submit your EPK here.
Location: Amity Teen Center, Woodbridge, CT
Opportunity: Live Performance
Gig Date: November 14, 2009
Application Deadline: October 31, 2009
Gig Info: The Amity Teen Center is looking for local bands and bands with decent draw in the Woodbridge/Bethany/Orange to play a 30-45 minute set along side FLW, Beside The Burning Sea, We Came With Plague and Demolition Stereo. Submit your EPK here.
