Month: February 2016

The Coffin Daggers – Aggravatin’ Rhythms

The Coffin Daggers
Agravattin’ Rhythms
© 2016 Cleopatra Records

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆

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coffin-daggersI’m am giddy to no end listening to a fully instrumental Surf album by a band that has Viktor Venom (of Reagan Youth and Nausea) on lead guitar. Why wouldn’t I be? The idea that a vestige of 80’s East coast hardcore punk can transmute into some of the best “dark” surf music that I’ve heard in some time is, to say the least, incredible.

The one-sheet lets me know that all the tracks were recorded on 16-track 2” analog. How sweet is that? I kinda wish I would have had the album to review instead of the CD. If the digital version sounds this good, I can only imagine the vinyl is phenomonal!

Aggravatin’ Rhythms abely drops a lush soundscape of 14 tracks of riff-laden surf rock, the likes of which are rarely heard in this day and age. It’s strikingly reminiscent of foundational work from artists such as Link Wray and legendary guitarist Dick Dale. A more modern surf sensibility is certainly present as well and I can’t help but draw comparisons to by Man or Astro-man and Phantom Surfers.

I was listening to this album the other night and a description kept bubbling to the surface as I listened to track four, The Sinister Urge, “boozy apreggiated dive bombs are reverberating around the interior of my car only to launch into Gilmour-esqe soulful leads. Brilliant!” Sure it lacks some context in the middle of this, but I assure you that when you arrive upon said track, you’ll totally understand.

I’m not sure that I’ve done a write-up for an instrumental release in the past. This very well may be a first for me. So without knowing fully where to go with this, I’m going to go suggest that Aggravatin’ Rhythms by the Coffin Daggers is one of the finest surf albums I’ve heard to date. Seriously this album rocks. Get some!

https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/the-coffin-daggers-aggravatin-rhythms-cd/

Cheers,
Jerry Actually

Get Aggravated With The New Album From Surf Rock Masters The Coffin Daggers!

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Coffin Daggers med res.jpg
For Immediate Release
 
Get Aggravated With The New Album From Surf Rock Masters The Coffin Daggers!
 
Los Angeles, CA – New York’s premiere instrumental surf punk band returns with a brand new album of insanely catchy grooves and hip-shaking rhythms that are sure to get the hep cats dancing in the aisles! Aggravatin’ Rhythms, The Daggers third full-length album since 2002, ain’t your daddy’s surf rock, though the group certainly bares the influence of seminal surf legends, Dick Dale and Link Wray. But The Coffin Daggers deliver a more modern, punk-inspired brand of surf heard best on tracks such as the rollicking “Instigator,” the spooky “Sinister Urge,” or the bluesy swagger of “Concussion.” All of those tracks and more can be heard on Aggravatin’ Rhythms, will be available on both CD and on groovy green vinyl starting February 12 courtesy of Cleopatra Records!
 
Founding member and lead guitarist for The Coffin Daggers Viktor Venom hails from the vaunted East Coast ‘80s punk scene as a founder of crust punk band Nausea as well as a previous turn as bass player for Reagan Youth. Venom is joined by keyboardist extraordinaire and rhythm guitarist Rob Morrison, bassist Peter Klarnet and drummer Pete Martinez. Together this quartet are simply one of the most unique groups around. Speaking about the new album, bassist Klarnet declares, “We decided to go all out with this LP, so we recorded it over 16 tracks on 2 inch tape at Metrosonic Studios in Brooklyn—resulting in a deep, lush sound. It’s certainly not the cheapest way to record these days, but we all firmly believe that if you’re going to record something for posterity, it might as well be the highest quality possible. The proof of course is in the final product which we believe is our finest effort to date.” Previous releases by the band have been praised by Guitar Player who observed that Venom “moves proceedings beyond mere era emulation by unleashing a rude and vicious riff that would have made Link Wray smile.” Meanwhile, the group’s live performances have floored both European and American audiences from start to finish, prompting Chart magazine to declare “no one comes close to The Coffin Daggers when it comes to all-out intensity…they will stomp a mudhole into your fragile minds.”
 
A release party for Aggravatin’ Rhythms is planned for February 19 at the Lucky 13 Saloon in Brooklyn with special guests Black Flamingos and a rare performance by the legendary Purple K’nif!
 
Track List:
1. Aggravatin’ Rhythms
2. Instigator
3. Ghost Train
4. The Sinister Urge
5. Uprising!
6. The Spy
7. Kreepy Krawl
8. Wake Up Screaming
9. Three Blue Stars
10. Concussion
11. Head One
12. Side Arm
13. Five-Five
14. The Thing

Unwritten Law Announce Digital Preorder Via Cyber Tracks

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New Album ‘Acoustic’ – Out April 1st 2016
Feat. 2 New Songs & Acoustic Versions Of Fan Favourites

Preorder Here: http://www.cyber-tracks.com/store/music/unwritten-law-acoustic/
LOS ANGELES || February 9, 2016
Formed in San Diego in the early 90’s Unwritten Law has undeniably paved the way for Rock/Alternative musicians around the world with staple Multi­Platinum releases like Elva, Unwritten Law and Live and Lawless. Last month, the band announced their highly anticipated eighth studio album, Acoustic due out April 1, 2016, via Cyber Tracks, owned by El Hefe (guitarist of NOFX) and wife Jen Abeyta.

Today, fans are able to pre­order a digital copy of Acoustic for $9 via Cyber Tracks website here and sample 30 second clips of all 13 tracks.
Upon initial purchase of the pre­order, fans will receive an instant surprise gratification track immediately with two additional surprise tracks to be rewarded on March 1st and March 22nd which are before  the actual release date.
Fans can be on the lookout for more exciting announcements to come soon!

Acoustic is a masterful 13­track record filled with newly re­recorded Unwritten Law hits from Unwritten Law, Elva, Here’s To The Mourning, Swan, and The Hit List into flawless acoustic renditions. The emotionally rich album will also feature two brand new tracks including “Huartbreaker” a cover originally performed by John Legend and MSTRKRFT and “Belongs To You,” written by Scott Russo. The album features Scott Russo (Vocals/Guitar), Chris Lewis (Guitar, currently in Fenix TX), Jonny Grill (Bass), and original drummer Wade Youman; produced by Jim Perkins and Scott Russo, Additional production by Chris Lewis and Joe Marlett, Mixed by Joe Marlett, and Mastered by Tom Baker of Baker Mastering.

TRACKLISTING:
1. “Celebration” (Originally “Celebration Song” Here’s to the Mourning, 2005)
2. “Nevermind”  ( Swan, 2011)
3. “Oblivion” (Originally “Welcome to Oblivion” The Hit List, 2007  (also on Live and Lawless, 2008))
4. “Huartbreaker” (Originally performed by John Legend and MSTRKRFT)
5. “Up All Night” ( Elva, 2002)
6. “ Seeing Red”  ( Elva, 2002)
7. “Teenage” (Originally “Teenage Suicide” Unwritten Law, 98)
8. “Starships” (Originally“Starships and Apocalypse” Swan, 2011)
9. “Shoulda” (Originally “I Shoulda Known Better” Live and Lawless, 08)
10. “I Like The Way”  ( Here’s To The Mourning, 2005)
11. “Save Me” (Originally “Save Me (Wake Up Call)” Here’s To The Mourning, 2005)
12. “ Cailin”  ( Unwritten Law, 1998)
13. “Belongs To You”

Unwritten Law will be hitting the road with Fenix TX this March kicking off their tour Pomona, CA at The Glass House and hitting Los Angeles, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, and Las Vegas to name a few.

In addition, the band has two VIP options for fans:
(1) Band Hangout (ticket not included): includes early entry, first access to merch, exclusive CD featuring tracks by both bands, intimate soundcheck performance, M&G with Unwritten Law and Fenix TX, photo opportunity, signings and VIP Laminate.
(2) Band Hangout & Access (ticket not included): includes early entry, first access to merch, exclusive CD featuring tracks by both bands, intimate soundcheck performance, M&G with Unwritten Law and Fenix TX, photo opportunity, signings, VIP Laminate and watch the show from the stage (NOTE only 2 available per show)!
VIP ticket packages can be ordered here: http://ticketspin.com/ul­ftx

Unwritten Law Tour Dates 
All dates are with Fenix TX except for the shows marked
March
9 ­ Pomona, CA @ Glass House
10 ­ Los Angeles, CA. @ The Palladium (with Pennywise)
11 ­ Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock Live
13 ­ Flagstaff, AZ @ The Green Room (No Fenix TX)
15 ­ Kansas City, KS @ Riot Room (No Fenix TX)
16 ­ Nashville, TN @ City Winery (No Fenix TX)
18 ­ Austin, TX @ SXSW
19 ­ Dallas, TX @ So What?! Music Festival
20 ­ Houston, TX @ House of Blues (with NOFX)
21 ­ San Antonio, TX @ 502 Bar
24 ­ St. Petersburg, FL. @ The State Theatre
25 ­ Cape Canaveral, FL. @Millikens Reef
26 ­ Fort Pierce, FL @ The Inlet
27 ­ Cape Coral, FL @ Dixie Roadhouse
28 ­ Jacksonville, FL. @ Freebird Live
29 ­ Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
30 ­ Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
31 ­ Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts

April
1 — Boston, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
2 — New York City, NY @ Marlin Room (Webster Hall)
4 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
5 — Cleveland, OH @ The Grog Shop
6 — Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
7 —­ Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
8 — Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
9 — Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
10 — Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
11 — Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
12 — Reno, NV. @ PB & J’s
13 — Las Vegas, NV @ Backstage Bar
14 — Long Beach, CA @ The Federal (No Fenix TX)
15— ­Santa Ana, CA @ The Ritz (No Fenix TX)
16 — Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst (No Fenix TX)

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