Show Review: The F@gz, Thee Swank Bastards & Voodoo Organist at Club Napoleon's in Joshua Tree, CA

Mindequalsblown link: http://mindequalsblown.net/2011/06/the-fgz-thee-swank-bastards-and-voodoo-organist-june-3rd-2011-at-club-napoleons-in-joshua-tree-ca/

Show Review: The F@gz, Thee Swank Bastards, Voodoo Organist on 6/3/2011 at Club Napoleon’s in Joshua Tree, CA.

For those who don’t know about these bands, let’s do a quick lesson:

Voodoo Organist is a unique band that is primarily awesome vocals with an organ and drums with the addition of a theremin (my personal first time ever seeing a theremin used live). The genre could be described as death jazz with acid influences. Thee Swank Bastards are an instrumental surf-punk group that is good enough to make Agent Orange blush. Mutton chops, black suits and a exotic dancer (who can hula hoop the entire set) provide an excellent and unique show. The F@gz is a brand new punk band with Kelly Kaos of Yeastie Boys on vocals, Todd Roll on bass, and punk legend Rikk Agnew (The Adolescents, Social Distortion, Christian Death, D.I., 45 Grave and other countless bands) on drums.

The show was at Club Napoleon’s  in Joshua Tree, CA. Really small venue, but the size provided and intimate setting. Voodoo Organist opened up the show with an interesting and unique show. A couple voodoo skulls thrown here and there, along with his instruments, which were an organ and a thermin. He played a lengthy set list of 11 songs, lyrically spanning topics like Satan, the CIA, tripping on acid, and the end of the world. I love the vocals here because they are gruff, yet you can hear them clearly. He played an extremely good set with only the thermin, organ and drum loops. I would’ve loved to hear drums, but I suppose the drummer couldn't make it.

Thee Swank Bastards… Now these guys mean business. I never heard a surf punk band live till now, and man I love it! They later told me that they don’t have a predetermined set list, which is admirable because they have the ability to play any of their songs without a hitch and without error. Add to that already awesome live set is the sexy Szandora doing the hula hoop throughout the entire show. The live show is full of energy and the only gripe I have here is that there were not enough fans to enjoy this as much as I did. I hope that they catch a break and go on Warped Tour someday for the masses to see.

The headliners were The F@gz. Chances are that you have never heard of them. At the time of this show, they were only a month into existence. The drummer is a punk legend however, by the name of Rikk Agnew, who has played with The Adolescents, Christian Death, D.I., 45 Grave and more. The lead singer is Kelly Kaos, who is also in the band The Yeastie Boys, a bizarre circus band that plays punk classics with clown lyrics. Rounding up the lineup is Tim Mullin, Miles Bandwell and Todd Roll on bass and guitars. The immediately jumped into their high energy set with Hazard County, Trouble and Classy Lady. I love what I call “true” punk shows because they truly don’t give a fuck who and what they might offend, where as some modern punk bands aren’t as fearless. Another thing I really liked is that when a band plays punk, they tend to sound like 99 percent of other punk bands. Well not this band, as their sound is fresh and unique in punk. Unfortunately they don’t have any recorded songs just yet, but hopefully soon that will change. They actually went through a lot of songs (for a total of 11 songs) until the damn police came and broke it up. I guess that’s some of the consequences of having an outdoor venue next to houses.

Overall, it was a really good live show, despite the turn out it received. I know that here in the high desert is mostly full of hippies that worship Phish, and I hope I can help change that for the better. Not many good shows comes through here, but I know that when The F@gz, Thee Swank Bastards or Voodoo Organist plays here again I will be there for sure. :)

Go to their websites here to buy merch, albums and learn more:

The F@gz: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-FGZ/155197474541316

Thee Swank Bastards: http://theeswankbastards.com/

Voodoo Organist: http://www.voodooorganist.com/

Review: On This Day- Black Box Diaries EP (2011)

Band: On This Day

Release: Black Box Diaries EP

Genre: Metalcore/Punk

Members: Josh, Cory P., Jeremy, Calvin, Cory L.

Label: Unsigned

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/onthisdaymetal

Buy here: N/A

Tracklist:

1. S.O.S.

2. Well Placed Grenade

3. In Our Hands

4. The Haunting

5. Release

6. This Time (I Will Fight)

Review: 9.4/10

On This Day is a band from Winnipeg, MB, Canada, that are a hybrid of punk and hardcore with powerful singing that really mixes it up. They are set to release Black Box Diaries EP upon the scene and I have no doubt it will do well.

The intro S.O.S. starts with a call of distress before switching to a heavy breakdown. So far, thrills abound… not really. But on the next song Well Placed Grenade, they go into full force into a metalcore/punk hybrid and hoarse screaming vocals that is actually well matched, as polished vocals would have taken away some of the charm. They actually remind me slightly of a band that grew to legendary status due to their awesome live shows before disappearing. They were called Skys Of Fire from Lodi, CA. The guitars, bass, vocals and drums are perfectly mixed together and nothing is really put out in the background. It soon progresses and then you see what sets them apart. The clean singing is superb and really distinct. This is another rare example of unpolished singing that would actually be better than if it was studio polished and over produced. The breakdown in this particular song isn’t anything you haven’t heard before, but still really good and will please the average and constant hardcore listener. In Our Hands musically sounds like something Kittie would do (or has already done). That is, until it gets to the chorus and once again the singing vocals become something you will be quick to remember. On the breakdown in this song, the guitars seem to lose some of their edge, but then when you think it’s all a lost cause, a freaking guitar comes from left field and slaps your ear pussy dry. It blends perfectly into the next song The Haunting and unless you go and check, you will think it’s just a continuation of In Our Hands because it starts with the same guitar tone that In Our Hands ended with. This Time (I Will Fight) begins with a full on punk force, with overlying bass and predictable drumming, hitting with a metalcore tinged bridge before going into the yet-again awesome singing chorus.

I really liked this EP because I like that the unpolished, hoarse unclean singing fits the band very well and the clean singing really shines forth. The guitars are awesome and the solos really stand their ground. The drums kept the pace going and although at some points you can hear them out of place, it’s that rawness that wins. A drum solo or two would’ve really improved this EP, but all in all I really liked it. I wish to hear more from this band soon.

Review: Get Shot! - Keepin' It Sleazy (2011)

Band: Get Shot!

Release: Keepin' It Sleazy

Genre: Punk/Rock N Roll

Members: J.P., Steele, Noodle, Scott & Cheryl

Label: Self-Released

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/getshotrocknroll

Like this page: http://www.facebook.com/getshotslutpunk

Buy Here: *Not available till May 20th*

Tracklist:

1. Riot!

2. I'm Not Staying Sober Tonight

3. Steal Yr Girlfriend

4. Trouble

5. Tommy Tag Team

6. Bestfriend

7. Cum On You

8. Stealing Underwear

9. Get Shot!

10. Hurry Up Girl!

Review: 9.0/10

Standout Tracks: Tommy Tag Team, I'm Not Staying Sober Tonight, Trouble

Slut punk is the term Get Shot! uses to describe their blend of sexual and suggestive lyrics, energetic stage persona and the musical blend of punk and rock n roll. Not very many punk bands of today will align themselves with the long gone genre of rock n roll but as these guys prove, its not dead just yet.

To start off, "Riot!" brings back the rawness of rock n roll with punk attitude and the "whoas" that remind me of The Misfits. I'm not too sure if the official released mastered version will sound the same as what the band gave me, but I do admire the unpolished quality that is very reminiscent of old 70's and 80's punk albums and demos that I've listened to over the years. "I'm Not Staying Sober Tonight" might just be the asshole anthem of the 21st century (and my new favorite punk song). Working all day to come home to your girl giving you lip is a call to get drunk, get in a fight and go to jail just cause you can. "Trouble" can potentially be their radio hit and, just maybe, a music video (Hey J.P.! Hint Hint!!). A sexy guitar solo thrown in also helps out my case. Just listen to the song when it is released and you will know exactly what I'm talking about. "Tommy Tag Team" has an... interesting intro that will definitely give the album the parental advisory sticker that's proven to sell more than albums without the sticker. "Tommy's getting horny, Tommy wants to fuck you" pretty much sums up the song by giving what goes on in a nymphomaniac's (or sexually deprived person's) mind. "Cum On You" is a short but sweet track that I can see being a live staple that will whip the fans in a orgy orgy... I mean frenzy. "Get Shot!" is a party song to play while knocking back some Pabst Blue Ribbon, banging your head and shooting targets in the backyard with a .32 rifle as it brings a AC/DC sort of feel to the rest of the album. To wrap up the album, "Hurry Up Girl!" again brings the AC/DC feel by telling that one drunk girl at the party that has her tits out to finish what she started and to not take her time with doing so. Let's just hope that the girl you take home tonight while listening to this album won't regret it and only have bad memories when she listens to the music of Get Shot! 

Don't miss the album release show on 5/20/2011 w/ Dungeons & Drag Queens, Drastic Actions, The Stalking Distance @ Distillery in Sacramento, CA @ 10pm $8 or $5 if you dress up as a Rock Star or Porn Star 21+

Bring a "friend" ;)

For Fans Of: The Misfits, D.O.A., AC/DC

Interview: J.P of Get Shot!

Interview @ 3/30/2011
Add them on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/getshotrocknroll
And "like" this page: http://www.facebook.com/getshotslutpunk?ref=ts

About to release their debut album "Keepin' It Sleazy" on May 20th after playing just about every club in Sacramento, Get Shot! are ready to resurrect a long-lost era of Rock N Roll with a fresh tinge of "Slut Punk." Since the industry of movies and music has a history of old trends making a come back and being called retro, then these guys will be among the names of other bands we will read about 5 years from now when rock n roll makes its long overdue comeback. Lead singer J.P. (middle, shirtless gent above) has decided to answer some questions for the amusement of his fans.

Q: So what year did you form your band? How did you all meet?

J.P.: We officially formed in October 2008. Steele (lead guitar) and I met when we were like 15 or 16 and were in a few epic fail bands together. we partied 24/7 together and picked up all the hot stoner chicks in an old T-Bird boy! there are enough stories to write a series of trashy sex novels. Cheryl and I met in 2005 and were in The Alibis together. Cheryl is actually a bass player first and really wanted to play drums after our original drummer, John Morrison moved to Austin, TX to fuck more girls. He slept with most of Sacramento and was much inspiration at the founding of this band. Noodle and I have known each other probably around a year through mutual friends and is probably the coolest member in the band. Scott randomly played tamborine while we played an acoustic set for a Toys for Tots benefit last November and responded to our ad seeking a new bass player after Kevin quit.

Q: Ah yes every successful band needs a tambourine player haha. So what's the story behind the name "Get Shot?"

J.P.: We used to practice at John's (original drummer) apartment right over the i street bridge above a liquor store. the only time we COULD NOT practice was from 7am til 9pm. We would have crazy parties with hella girls!  Every so often  we would hear gunshots coming from the streets of West Sac not to mention its cool to take shots of whiskey and shoot your load on a chicks face. I also thought it was better than calling ourselves Dick Slap.

Q: I would definitely take my girl to go see a band by the name of Dick Slap. Quickest way to get laid! What has been your biggest challenge being a rock n roll band in a city full of punk and hardcore bands?

J.P.: Thats the exact point of why Get Shot! exists! Sacramento has a great music scene with lots of great bands and musicians but I feel everyone has their "click" of punk, hardcore, pop-punk, metal... ect.   There are a few other bands that play 80's style rock and hair metal but they cater to a 40's plus crowd. We want to be Sacramento's CRAZY ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND!!!!

Q: Sacramento really needs a breath of something new amongst the standard hardcore/punk/metal bands that form. So can you tell your fans a little about "Slut Punk" and its overall message? What made you want to create this subgenre?

J.P.: We don't want to sing about how fucked up society is, religion, politics or being depressed about how your girlfriend left you for another dude. Guess what? One of us was probably "that other dude". We just
want to talk about the good things in life. Sex. Drugs. Rock 'n' Roll. Period!!!

Q: Yes very good point! We definitely need more positive thinking like that! When you're not playing music and banging sluts, what other hobbies keep you busy?

J.P: Steele is an amazing guitar player and probably the most creative motherfucker I know. He is the frontman of Zero for Zero and created this crazy guitar, modified pickups with two outputs. the sixth and maybe 5th strings are bass strings with bass pickup and that runs into a bass amp when the other guitar strings run through a guitar amp!! He also teaches guitar and drum lessons.

Cheryl has been in every band. Not really but almost. From math rock, punk rock, brazialian jazz fushion, she's done it. Get Shot! is her first band playing drums in and she just kills in the rhythm section all together.

Noodle or Newell is a great mechanic!!! He wants to fix your car and gives great rates to hot single girls. Noodle has played quite a few reputable bands such as Longway and Massacre Time to name a few. He is also currently in a new streetpunk band called City of Vain.

Scott is the baby in the band. He is 19 and no one ever asks him for his ID. Scott also plays in a metal band called Death and Discord. When Scott isn't rocking out he's doing what 19 year old boys do. BANG CHICKS!!!

I went to the police academy and I used to bounce in gang banger bars in South Sac.

Q: What was your guys first song as Get Shot?

J.P: I think it was Bestfriend. If not that, steal your girlfriend and tommy tag team were the other first songs.

Q: Being a "Rock N Roll band that specializes in sleazy punk", there must be some crazy ass stories to tell. What would you say is your craziest gig/fan experience?

J.P.: Haha!! Just the other weekend we were supposed to play a gig in Reno with Surrounded by Thieves from Vegas. It was snowing and we had chains but everyone got kicked off the freeway in Colfax due to a 30 car pile up. We waited and then learned that they shut down the freeway going west bound because of an overturned big rig!! We were stuck in Colfax and couldn't make it to Reno or home to Sacramento. We found an old bar called The Red Frog and asked them if we could play and they said we could plus free food and drinks. We made a giant snow cock outside of the bar too!  After we set up our gear inside the power went off and the bartender lit candles. He then brought a generator from the neighboring barn and it supplied enough power for the bass & guitar amp plus a disco ball! There wasnt even a PA and we played for a bunch of drunk rednecks in a snowstorm!!

Q: All I can say to that is... Epic. I honestly wish I was there to see that go down! What other bands would you like to tour alongside with in the future?

J.P.: I'd love to tour with Cunt Sparrer from San Francisco!!! They're fucking bangin' hot and could serenade me with 80's punk classics all day!!! I'd love to open for Steel Panther sometime in Hollywood!! Those guys are epic!!

Q: I remember way back when you recorded a demo, then seemingly dropped off the radar. Where did Get Shot go? What finally made you guys record your debut album "Keepin' It Sleazy?"

J.P.: After John went to Texas we just fell apart for a year. Actually I was starting to hear a lot of people wanting to see Get Shot!  I was kinda shocked since we were always so half assed and piss drunk. So I pieced the band back together and had a few temporary members but I feel that this is a solid line up now.

Q: What comes first the lyrics or the music?

J.P.: I generally write hand in hand but I'll write down lyrics in the car driving or bust out a riff on guitar.

Q: What are your favorite songs to play? any covers?

J.P.: Our original line up covered "talk Dirty to Me" by Poison but we haven't played that in well over a year!!! We also occasionally cover "Shithouse Blues" by New York Dolls.

Q: Do you have any other projects that you want the fans to know about?   

J.P.: We are just getting started. I have huge ideas and goals for Get Shot! We are going to recreate 1980's hair metal concerts in small punk venues. I'm talking, fire, lights, special effects, go-dancers and food sex!!! We are soon going to be a whole fucking show instead of simply a crazy punk outfit stuck in the wrong decade.

Q: Tell the fans who haven't seen you yet a little about your shows and why they should be there?

J.P.: Our shows are awsome!!! If you are afraid of cum and period blood you may want to stand in the back. Im serious!!  You will be entertained without a doubt!!!

Q: Any shout outs you want to give?

J.P.: Yes!  Basilio Salaices for doing an amazing job recording, editing and producing our album!! He ROCKS!!!   Also to all of my super sexy Reno friends and Desert Rose Revue for all the love, support and taking sexy pics for the album!!

Q: Any last words for your fans, sluts, grandmas, etc?

J.P.: If you are hot and want to have crazy sex with one or all of us, just send us an email with the time and place!!!

*Beastman Aids*