Oops! I got so worked up with all the Appalucia going’s on at the Milestone Club that I left out a show!!

This Monday September 6th the Milestone is open for Labor Day with Harptallica, All Girl Boys Choir and KP Soloman5000. You may ask “what’s Harptallica?” The answer is simple it’s two girls playing Metallica on harps. I really can’t describe it any better than that. And as weird as it may seem to you, it actually works. It’s amazing to me how Metallica doesn’t sound unusual as an arrangement for harp. It ends up sounding like any other classical harp arrangement, which is a testament to the composing of the early Metallica stuff. ( Master of Puppets, Ride The Lightning..) In any case it’s cool way to end the Labor Day weekend. Also on the show is All Girl Boys Choir featuring ex Gore Gore Girls/ Kelly Osbourne Band/ Lillux and the wonderful soulful, stylings of KP Soloman 5000, also of 25 Minutes to Go. So if you’re looking for a good way to unwind after a long holiday weekend come to the Milestone and chill out to the tranquil sounds of Master of Puppets(??). Doors are at 8pm and admission is $8.00 for over 21 and $10 for under 21.

Mr. Invisible are a trio of MCs/Producers/DJs that have been performing locally, in various forms, for over ten years with their own brand of progressive hip hop, securing an endorsement deal through a major electronic instrument company, touring with DJ Vadim and releasing two disks of material along the way.  I hit up Justin Aswell from the group, and we discussed their influences, method of writing and the upcoming release they are working on.

How young were you when you first started becoming interested in playing music?
For all of us it started off early.  Personally, I’ve been studying privately since about 10.  Marley and I took lessons growing up as kids.  Blake and I have been making music together for over a decade.

Were you initially drawn to percussion, or is that something that just occurred later on?
Percussion was definitely the first.  I used to go to my brother’s marching band rehearsals and kick it with the drumline.  My first goal in music was to become drum captain.

You teach drums, right?  Tell us about that.

Yeah, I’ve been teaching drumlines and private students for roughly 8 years now.  Mostly marching band kids and high\school seniors getting ready for the college shift.  It’s dope and really ironic.  I’ve learned a shit ton from teaching.  I’m actually starting to look for avenues teaching production, djing and rhyming.

You guys have secured an endorsement deal with Native Instruments, how did they contact you and what has that meant for you guys?

They hit us up on our YouTube channel due to it’s content and view count.  Our YouTube page was already doing really well on it’s own but now things are really picking up.  Since the first Native Instrument videos have been up we’ve already had an increase in music and merch sales.  More importantly for us though, our fans have really been spreading the word and pushing our name.  With their help Mr. Invisible is becoming viral.

I would naturally assume hip hop is the main form of music you listen to, what other styles do you really get into?
Honestly, I don’t know what the main form of music I listen to would be.  Hip-hop is definitely a top candidate but I equally listen to metal, ambient and for a lack of a better term “world music” on my iPod.  But you gotta keep in mind I spend more time listening to vinyl than my iPod.  The genres I listen to are very broad when it comes to records.  I mean for example I’ll go through a crate I’m going through now.  So far in this crate I’ve listened to Jimmy Smith, Frank Zappa, Herbie Mann, Edgard Varese, Jan Hammer Group, Dreams and Hugh Masekela to name a few.

How does that sort of stuff affect the output you have with Mr. Invisible?
Wow, that’s a huge question for us.  Things like ambient and world music have ironically changed the lyrical content.  I think that’s because it allows us to really look into what ideas and concepts really impact us.  When we listen to vinyl it’s a huge inspiration to the beats even if it’s something we’re not sampling.  The musicianship and musical ideas those players have are just so more rich in feeling than most music today.  Listening to hip-hop is more about perfecting the craft as a whole.  I listen to somebody like Rakim or Pharaoh Monch and I’m taking notes, you know what I mean?  Ill and I will listen to an Organized Konfusion track and literally break down all the rhythms and rhyme schemes.  Now with metal and 20th century classical, we’re incorporating the technicality like polyrhythms, metric modulations, and more brainy musical ideas into to Mr. I’s sound.  Damn, that was wordy as hell!

What are some hip hop groups that inspired you early on?  Are there many current hip hop artists you are feeling?

Early on it was crews and labels like Native Tongues, Rawkus Records and Project Blowed just to name a few.  Then later we were spending more time digging further back into the “fast rap” era like Rakim, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane type shit.  As for current hip hop?  Shit, I’m honestly just listening to Queen City Hip-hop.  Cats like Ike Turnah and JJ Bass are really making music I enjoy more than most “big name” groups.  Do research.

I’ve listened to the EP and Until Then quite a bit.  The EP is great, but has the feeling of a big single, a collection of dope songs.  The album comes across as much more thematic and almost narrative, with songs flowing together really well.  Was there a concept you had when making Until Then?

The whole concept of Until Then started when we recognized we were hitting a new plato in our writing.  We had a whole batch of music that we’d recorded over a 3 year span that seemed like it wasn’t going to “fit” into the new music we were making.  To find our sound we’d been experimenting in making more classic hip hop and also more instrumental soundscapes.  When we put it all together we realized that it felt like an album.  Instead of wasting all of that material we decided to give the fans this record “Until Then”.  We also thought it would help people see how the new sound is more of a cohesive combination of the blast sound of the EP and the classic hip hop/downtempo of Until Then.  Right now, they might all seem like totally different styles but by the next record it will all make sense… Hopefully, haha.

Can you tell us about your process for digging?
Research, practice and review.  Researching the genres we think create the Mr. I sound like funk, 20th century classical, prog rock and of course classic breaks.  We’ll do things like read liner notes, find articles on musicians and even things as basic as watching YouTube videos.  We practice by putting in the time in the record stores digging through vinyl and learning how dope music looks.  Eventually, you can tell just by the artwork if a record is ECM, Bluenote or Black Jazz (Dope labels, in case you were wondering!).  After that, we go through everything we purchase again and catalog it all.  During that time, we review what we have and really get a handle on the pieces of the puzzle.  It’s kinda like we’re organizing all the colors on the palate before we start painting.

I know you guys normally sample strictly from vinyl, are there other “rules” you guys lay out for yourselves?
Well, first off, we don’t strictly sample.  I’d say it’s about 90%-95% samples but we also use some drum machines and keyboards to embellish when the times right.  I guess we do have loose rules for sampling though.  More so me than Ill-use.  I won’t sample anything that was released after I was born and we rarely sample any well known artist.  Some people use nothing but shit like Billy Joel or Parliament, but not us.  I mean, there’s no harm it if you use it sparingly but I’d rather use something deeper in the vaults.

Are you going to include your routines on an album at any point?
Oh definitely!  Our next album is actually looking like its going to be an Audio/Video release.  So everything you’re hearing on the CD will also be on the DVD.  It’s gonna be basically an album of routines and music videos with some random visual stimulation here and there.  We’re really stoked on the idea and we’re already building up content.  Should be a interesting endeavor!

You can find out more about Mr. Invisible’s music and upcoming events at their official website, http://www.mrinvisible.net

Okay, I know you will all be rocking the cookouts this weekend since it is Labor Day, otherwise known as “Summer’s Last Hurrah”! And really you have to ask, “Where has the summer gone?” I mean, it seems like yesterday we were talking about Memorial Day and now the kid’s are back in school, college is back in session and the early mornings are starting to feel righteous. But oh well, no use crying about the end of Summer. Besides Halloween is right around the corner and that’s my favorite time of the year!  In the meantime, there are some awesome shows coming up this weekend so put down the charcoal and gather round to see what’s going on this week in our special Labor Day edition!

Over at the Tremont Music Hall they are starting the holiday weekend early on Thursday September 2nd with LA, California’s Autolux, with Gold Panda and Cement Stars. Autolux seem to specialize in building an incredible wall of sound. Some songs drift on like ambient waves of sound in the middle of an ocean of tranquility while in other songs the waves crash into the shore with a spectacular effect. Heady stuff indeed! Gold Panda I’m not so sure about. It’s all manipulated riffs and beats and loops and it’s extremely trippy. I think this is how the rave sounds when you’re on a ton of drugs. Charlotte’s Cement Stars are more to my taste with some nice 80’s sounding synth, smooth harmonies and breathy lyrics. Honestly at times these guys remind me of the Petshop Boys and maybe straying as far modern as Radiohead. Should be a great atmospheric show to chill out to after a long week. Doors are at 8pm and admission is $10 in advance and $12 at the door with a $3 surcharge for under 21. Plus it’s an all ages show!

Friday September 3rd at Tremont Music Hall they host F-Dux with Edifide, Ghost Unknown, Hoodlumz and The East Derrelycs. East Detroit’s F-Dux honestly seems like a white DMX to me. Lyrics of murder and mayhem aren’t my cup of tea but he pulls it off well with some great production. Charlotte’s own Edifide seem like the odd man out on this bill. These guys appear to have taken a different path and actually apologize for obscenities on their previous releases, vowing to try to keep obscene subject matter and language off their newer stuff. I have to give it up, I really dig their flow and beats, and I have to give props to them for trying to be positive role models. Ghost Unknown, also from Charlotte, is a little farther out there lyrically and I’m not sure I totally dig it but it’s not bad. Also of interest is Hoodlumz who surprised me by being from Mooresville, NC. That’s right Racetown U.S.A., and I mean that in a Nascar type way. Hoodlumz are two white guys and a white girl who could use a little better production on their recordings but it will be interesting to see what they develop into. As it stands all I heard on the myspace was short clips of each of them spitting a verse individually, but they do get props for sampling Whitesnake’s “Still of the Night”! Also playing are the East Derrelycs, which I didn’t find a link for on the Tremont site so I apologize for not talking more about them. Doors are at 8pm and admission is $7 bucks plus a $3 surcharge if you are under 21. This show is also all ages.

This Friday September 3rd Snug Harbor host Lamb Handler w/ the Matt Kurtz One and Zoe Vette & The Revolvers. Lamb Handler are one of my favorites on the local scene, playing a smooth rock and roll sound that has recently been sprinkled with elements of country. Don’t let the jangle fool you, these guys are still the shepherd’s of rock in Charlotte! Also on the bill is the indescribable Matt Kurtz One. Imagine someone kicking out the jams like the MC5, but only having one member in the band. That’s right, one man to play drums, guitar, bass, keyboard and vocals, and he pulls it off rather well. I was really jamming off the videos on his myspace, you should definitely check it out. Also on the show is femme fatale Zoe Vette & The Revolvers, with a grrrlll power message and flaming crotches, what’s not to love. This will definitely be a hard rocking show and a really good time at Snug Harbor.

Thurday September 2nd the Milestone Club welcomes Greg Ginn and Gary Piazza with  Buck Mountain Stranglers and  Great Architect. In case you live under a rock Greg Ginn is the legendary guitarist for Black Flag and still records on SST records. The band nowadays plays country-ish instrumentals and is pretty out there. Still it’s a chance to check out a man who was a pioneer of American punk. Opening on this show will be handled by the hilarious Buck Mountain Stranglers and Great Architect.

The rest of the weekend at the Milestone Club who is a big 3-day festival the entire weekend. It’s the Appalucia Gun Club Weekend aka Lolappalucia, aka Buck Boswell Fest or “My Cold Dead Hands” fest. Whatever you want to call it, it’s going on all weekend at the Ghetto Fortress. It starts with a bang (pardon the pun) on Friday night September 3rd with 2013 Wolves, Hectagons, The Overmountain Men and Leadville Social Club. Saturday the 14th things definitely take a wilder turn with Gore Gore Luchadores, PPR, Appalucia, IED and Nesh. Sunday night the whole thing goes into overdrive with Andy the Doorbum, Babyshaker, 25 Minutes to Go, The Bout It Boyz and For Disaster. Whew! That’s a ton of bands on a holiday weekend. I think you should get a medal for going to all three nights of it and surviving. But at least you have Monday off…. Doors are at 8pm all 3 nights and admission is $8 for over 21 and $10 f0r under on Friday night and $6 for over 21 and $8 for under on the other two nights. And no there is no package deal to get admission to all three nights. Now that’s a show where you get more bang for your buck! Or is it more Buck for your buck! Just picking Buck!! Sorry couldn’t resist the pun!

Well that’s it for this week! You guys have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend and we’ll see you next week!

Thanks for the support!

Ryan Dead

Quantum Foundry are a pair of Charlotte, NC emcees that got their early start opening for punk and metal groups at house parties, block parties and varying venues across Charlotte. With their debut, they manage to capture most of the frenetic sound and feel of a live show from the pair.  A real asset to the group from the beginning has been Bon ( AKA Kid Damascus) and his beats, and the LP is no exception.  Bon’s production style leans towards early 90’s hiphop, with a bit of the abstract sound you’d expect from a lot of early 00’s underground hiphop.  The group have a very high-energy approach, with an emphasis on traditional hiphop back-and-forth between the two emcees.  One of the few complaints I have about their live show actually is their blazing-fast delivery, which maintains high energy in the room and is technically impressive, but makes it difficult to follow what they are actually rhyming about at times.  That’s a shame when you take note of  some of the dense wordplay going on in the songs themselves when you listen to the album.  Brian (AKA Agent Cataclysm) even manages to do an entire track in Chinese.  The CD features a few dope down-tempo numbers as well, including a track produced by Mr. Invisible, which gives the LP a nice sense of movement from track to track. 

If you are looking for an introduction to what is going on with Charlotte hip hop, Quantum Foundry’s debut LP is not a bad place to start.   If you’re interested in copping the free EP they have available, you can find it at http://www.myspace.com/quantumfoundry and hopefully you’ll be able to cop the album at a show when they return from their hiatus this October.

Hey what’s up? I will go ahead and apologize for the short length of this week’s column, but it appears to be a little slower than usual this weekend. Of course, with the killer shows that have taken place the last few weeks we were bound to have a slow weekend sooner or later. In any case there are still some quality gigs going on including one colossal send off for a long time Charlotte band. Let’s take at look at what’s going on this week in Charlotte Music!

First off the Milestone Club will have a homecoming of a Charlotte fave tonight Wednesday August 25th when they welcome Wet Mango, Perfo, Human Pippi Armstong, Ovenrake and Rainbow Dragoneyes. Wet Mango features Christina Fuentes who was last known in Charlotte as Sonic Death Rabbit. This is her first Charlotte show since moving back to the left coast and she will be back with her signature Gameboy meets bass in yo’ face sound. It’s kinda techno, it’s kinda videogamish, it’s kinda indescribable, but considering all the attention that has been popping up with underground hip hop performers using nintendo sounds and in some cases even playing nintendos I will lay one more title on Christina and that’s pioneer. She’s been rocking the gameboy sound for a long time as Sonic Death Rabbit and now carries on the tradition as The Wet Mango. Also on the bill are Salisbury NC/ Chicago Ill garage rock band Perfo, casio keyboard enthusiasts and all around strange dude Human Pippi Armstrong and The Wet Mangos tourmates, Ovenrake. Ovenrake also uses gameboys and other sound chips to carve out bass heavy, unusual music. Lastly on the bill is Rainbow Dragoneyes, who also finds another way to take advantage of a nintendo sound chip. This is being billed as the Trans-American Chip tour, come check it out and be enlightened to a form of music that’s sure to blow your mind! Doors are at 8:00pm and admission is $6 for over 21 and $8 for under 21. 18+ only please.

The Milestone Club will also be the sight of the final show for The Lights Fluorescent, this Saturday August 28th. It’s been quite sometime since TLF came on the scene and slowly took it by storm. Rarely has a band erupted onto the scene in such a way as to capture not only the hearts of the critics, but the fans as well. Whether you liked them for the songwriting, or the wonderfully layered music or for their incredible live performances you have to admit one thing, this guys could do it all. I thought for sure that one day I would be writing about how cool it was to have an awesome indie/ rock band from Charlotte that made it onto the major, wiping away the “hometown of Firehouse” label that Charlotte has been stuck with. Hell even the Evett’s list Concord as their hometown. Anyway sadly, it wasn’t to be and now we must bid farewell to a truly great Charlotte band. This Saturday the light goes out, but hopefully only until someone else flips the switch.. Also on the show that night are a great assortment of Charlotte indie/ garage rock bands including Hammer No More the Fingers, Junior Astronomers, The Lesser Pauls and Perry Fowler. Make it out and come early, it’s gonna be packed. Doors are at 8pm and admission is $6 for over 21, $8 for under 21. 18+ only please!

Meanwhile over at Tremont Music Hall the media is all in a frenzy over the impending arrival of You Hang Up. Their show is Thursday August 26th and you may ask, “what is all the fuss over these guys?” To that regard I have one word for you…. Malcolm. As in, “Malcolm in the Middle“. That’s right Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz plays drums for You Hang Up. With all the media blitz that Frankie brings to the band you have to wonder, “Are they any good?” Well I’ll put it this way, it’s not exactly my cup o’ tea but it sounds as good as any other music I hear in the “modern rock” genre. The songs are passable, angsty but not dangerous and it’s all polished up nicely. So show up for the novelty and stay to hear stuff that 106.5 should be eating up, if they weren’t stuck in the 90’s… Opening are The Decour and Matchgrip. Doors are at 7:00pm and admission is $12 in advance and $15 DOS with an additional $3 surcharge for under 21. Oh yeah, and it’s all ages.

This Saturday August 28th Tremont Music Hall is hosting the Flat Tires with special guests Mad Brother Ward & The Dividers and Asound. If you remember back to the start of the year we had The Flat Tires and Mad Brother Ward on the first Stillnotdead show of the year and it was a blast! This time they are back and they’re not taking any prisoners! The Flat Tires are a relentless rockabilly/ psychobilly band that currently hails from Hickory, NC and have a great time blasting tunes down their audience’s throat. I don’t think you’ll find a rowdier rockabilly band in existence, hell they even encourage their own audience to hurl beer cans at them! Also no stranger to controversy is Mad Brother Ward,who will be backed by his band the Divders. This guy has been a staple on the local scene since early in the 80’s, appear and disappearing with equal skill. Still for all of his crankiness you’ll be hard pressed to find better straight up punk rock than Mad Brother Ward & The Dividers. Not only will they not worry about hurting your feelings, they scream in your face with an obnoxiousness rarely accomplished by so many punk bands nowadays. In an age where it’s cool to seem “defiant and snotty” as an image,  MBW are the real deal. Any local punks wanting lessons on how it’s done should report to Tremont this Saturday because Ward is definitely a punk rock icon and school will be in full session Saturday night. Opening are Connelly Springs NC band the Asound, who owe a huge tribute to bands such as Black Sabbath and Blue Cheer, in other words loud and sludgy! Doors are at 8:00pm and admission is $6 plus an additional $3 surcharge for under 21.

Well that’s it for this edition. We’ll have more next week with our special Laborday weekend edition! Also look out later this week we’ll start posting the videos from Punk Rock Picnic 3! See you at the shows!!

Thanks for the support!

Ryan Dead

Hey what’s happening? I’m extremely tired from Punk Rock Picnic 3 and I’m processing videos as we speak. Hopefully I’ll start getting those online later this week. If you missed it, you missed out on the biggest party we’ve ever thrown. But don’t worry, it’ll be back next year! In the meantime, let’s take a brief look at what’s going on around town this week!

First off, over at the Tremont Music Hall the place will be rocking Saturday night, August 21st as Stillnotdead.com is proud to present the Overmountain Men with special guests Appalucia and Jeremiah & the Howling Owls. The Overmountain Men are of course led by the awesome songwriting of David Childers and features some really ace musicians including Geoff White, Robert Childers, Randy Saxon and Bill Noonan. The expertise onstage will become evident as they proceed to crank out a show guaranteed to blow you away. Appalucia in the meantime are regulars to the Country Tuesday crowd and play some authentic, mountain man/ hillbilly music. Columbia SC band Jeremiah & The Howling Owls were added to the show just recently due to Temperance League being unable to play. This is a big break for those guys, who already have a reputation as an outstanding live band. This should be tons of fun and a great night of Americana/ Roots/ Country music. Doors are at 8:00pm and admission is $8 in advance and $10 DOS with a $3 surcharge for under 21.

Over at the Milestone Club on Friday August 20th is a show that we will most definitely not see Creative Loafing at.. You see the Milestone Club welcomes the 201o Coney Island Cockabilly Roadshow. What is that you ask? Honestly I’m not completely sure myself. I do know it will feature Jelly Boy the Clown and the Squidling Bros. Sideshow, Jason and the Punknecks, Guitar Bomb, Viva Le Vox, Charlotte’s own Hick’ry Hawkins, The Holyroller Sideshow and Selia D’Katzmeow Carmichael. What that equals I have no idea other than it’s gonna be a night of bizarre sideshow acts and music that seems to have a trashy twinge to it. I’m sure there is one thing it won’t be and that’s boring, which pretty much means it won’t be in CL. Doors are at 8pm and admission is $10 for over 21 or $12 for under 21.

This Saturday August 21st I also want to mention that longtime Charlotte duo The Battle Beast are having their cd release party at Snug Harbor, the powerful two man (beast?) band will be joined by openers Stronghold Crusader and IED, who just rocked the house at the Punk Rock Picnic! This will be a great night of hard hitting performance art and music. Battle Beast have long been a main stay in the subculture of two man bands we seem to have a ton of here in Charlotte and what sets them apart from their colleagues is the amount of art they sneak into their rhythmic attack. Mood lighting and bizarre mask have been main stays at past shows so one has to wonder what new plan of assault the band will have for their cd release party. Only way to find out is to show up!

Well that’s it for this edition. Don’t forget about the Charlotte Zombie Walk this coming Friday that I mentioned in the previous article. Until next week, take care and we’ll see you out at the shows!

Thanks for the support,

Ryan Dead

It has been brought to my attention that a Zombie outbreak is close at hand! Indeed I’ve done researched and confirmed that this Friday in addition to it’s usual infestation by yuppies and bankers, downtown Charlotte will also be swarming with the undead! This Friday will mark the 4th annual Charlotte Zombie Walk, which was started by Drew Badger, rockabilly expert and all around scary man extraordinaire. As usual it’s all for charity and the Redcross will have a blood mobile onsite and taking donations from about 4:00 until 8:30pm. After that the actual Zombie Walk kicks off around 9:00pm and will proceed to cover as much of downtown as they feel is prudent. The staging area is at Phil’s NYC Deli & Tavern at the corner of Tryon and 5th street uptown. Phil’s will be offering food and drink specials for those who donate blood and trust me, that’s a good deal. I’ve ate at Phil’s and it’s a wonderful place and has a mean cheesesteak!

Also you don’t have to be dressed as a Zombie to attend, there will be expert makeup artist on hand to zombify you once you get there! It should be a blast, especially to watch people react to the “Zombies” walking around downtown. Badger told me a story of one year they encountered a gospel choir at the corner of Trade and Tryon and from what he said hilarity ensued. This year it should be quite a spectacle indeed as they have almost 200 Zombie participants confirmed. Come, give blood and have a bloody, great time for charity!!

You can check out their myspace page by clicking the image to the left and check out Badger’s Haunt Consulting and everything else he has going on at www.rabidbadger.biz !

Dear Charlotte Hip Hop a grievous error has been committed on your part by missing this past weeks show. I know it was Friday the 13th and some of you might be superstitious, but by not attending The Prayers for Atheists, Height, and Thought Criminals show you have sent me and other music lovers a message. The first part of that message is that there is in fact no Charlotte hip hop community but instead there is a hip hop scene. I understand that I am not the expert when it comes to beats and flows but I know a good live show when I see it. This was by far one of the best hip hop shows at the milestone of the year and yes I have attended almost all of the other shows that came before it this year. Now a lot of you are pretty decent people but you have the tendency to whine about your solidarity or the quality of the other performers during a show. But when presented with a good weekend show you simply don’t care. Because you are a scene you only attend shows at which dancing the robot gets you in for free or that your friends band is playing. There’s is nothing wrong with seeing your friends play but when you whine about not seeing good music or that certain MC’s only sound good on their CD than maybe you should branch out and catch acts that actually preform. I know this a rant and will cause many of you to not like me but I don’t give a shit because hip hoppers it is time to put up or shut up. If you want good shows come and see them if you want a frat party to show off your sweater vest and pristine shoes than don’t complain about seeing the same acts every time you go to a show. You messed up big time by missing this and I know people have other stuff to do. But as Johnny said “You can run on for a long time” and that sooner or later for quality Hip Hop might be sooner than you think.

Hey what’s up!! Sorry this is going out late but I’ve been on the run the last couple days. It’s all in preparation for our annual Punk Rock Picnic!! This is the 3rd one overall and the 2nd that Stillnotdead has been involved in. It’s super cool that the brain child of John Austin of the Not Likelys could mutate into the multi stage spectacle that will invade Tremont Music Hall this Saturday! But before I get to talking about that show there are several other shows I would like to mention, let’s get to it!!

Over at the Milestone Club this Friday August the 13th they play host to Prayers for Atheists, The Thought Criminals and Height with Friends.  Everyone knows I’m all for variety, I love having different sounds on a show as I think it opens people up to checking out bands they wouldn’t have normally paid attention to. That is definitely the case with this show. Prayer for Atheists from Providence, RI were explained to me as a punk band and I can see the influence. Honestly they remind me more of Rage Against the Machine but that is a compliment coming from me. They are definitely passionate about what they do and the lyrics are personal and in your front face. Height with Friends from Baltimore, Maryland are underground/ indie hip hop who mix unusual sounds and melodies with heavy beats. There is definitely alot going on under the hood with these guys and it can be hypnotizing and at other times odd beats throw me off a little, but they should put on a fun live show. Speaking of fun live shows, anyone who knows me knows I love the Thought Criminals. This live band hip hop unit from Charlotte by way of Kannapolis produce massive songs with massive hooks and a wealth of lyrical brilliance. This show though there may be an added bonus for coming out. Mikal Khill has made a way to play his Nintendo. With any luck he’ll debut his Nintendo/ instrument at the show tonight. Be there and see history! Doors are at 8:00pm and admission is $7 for over 21 and $8 for under 21. 18 + only please.

If you are still ready to party after the Punk Rock Picnic 3 head over to our other home away from home, the Milestone Club. This Saturday night they feature The Fishnet Stalkers , with Rekless Youth and Bracing for Impact. This should be an excellent melodic punk show and it would make an excellent after party for PRP!

When you think of Friday the 13th you think of Jason, you know from the movie Friday the 13th. You know the unrelenting, brutal, undying juggernautwho comes back again and again, destroying everything in his path. Well this Friday August 13th, Snug Harbor host Charlotte’s version of Jason, the one and only ANTiSEEN with Self Made Monsters and Biggy Stardust & His Wretched Hive. You see ANTiSEEN have been haunting the music scene for over 25 years and show no signs of slowing down. Like Jason they’re brutal and unrelenting and I actually think Jeff could take Jason in a fight, as long as there was barbed wire involved. Also on the bill are long running Charlotte garage rock band Self Made Monsters, who have been around the scene for an extremely long time and the newly reformed Biggy Stardust and His Wretched Hive. This should be a show of monstrous proportions and it ain’t for the weak or meek so don’t say you ain’t been warned….

That brings us to the Tremont Music Hall. This Friday the 13th they have the annual Feast of St. Claires which is a benefit to support Loaves and Fishes. This is actually the third annual feast and this years lineup includes the Trouble Walkers, Leadville Social Club and Lost Souls Traveling Show, which was formerly known as the Holy Smokes. This should be a great event and if you bring a can food or non-perishable food item then you’l get a dollar off entry into the event. Doors are at 8pm and admission is $8 or $7 with a can food or perishable food item. Plus there is a $3 surcharge for under 21.

This brings us to the event I have been working my ass off this week to get ready for, the 3rd annual Punk Rock Picnic!! It takes place this Saturday August 14th at Tremont Music Hall. This started out several years ago as the brain child of John Austin of the Not Likelys and has evolved into a huge event that Stillnotdead throws every year. Last year Tremont got on board and were not only gracious host but the show kicked ass as well. This year we’re following the same formula as last year where early on we’ll have bands on the Stillnotdead side stage in the bar room of Tremont as well as burgers and hot dogs cooked up for us by the Summer of Meat! As the night goes on the action will switch to the Casbah stage in Tremont and finish the night out with the loudest party in Charlotte. There are a few things you should know about this show. First, when the food is runs out, that’s it. In other words, if you want to take part in the free food, you have to come out early! The doors open at 5:30 and the first band starts at 6:15. The food should be ready sometime during the first set. So if you want to grub, come out early!! Second, there is NO SURCHARGE for under age. The price of the show is $8, whether you’re 16 or 26 SAME PRICE. You’re welcome. Third, the schedule for the show will be posted at the door, day of show.

Now let’s take a look at the bands on this years shows! King Sized Killers are making their Stillnotdead debut this year and it’s also going to be their cd release show (hopefully!) so be sure to check out this hard rocking punk band from over toward Asheville, NC. If you dig them let me know, they could appear on future shows. Gruppe 36 contains former/ current members of IED, Carrion Bomb and Brotherhood of the Bomb, and play an explosive (pun intended) mix of street punk with a little metal around the edges. It’s powerful stuff and bound to get the crowd moving! Jojo Taterhead Revival rose from the ashes of the DSC Crew and played their Charlotte debut show at PRP2. They were a huge success, playing to a massive crowd and getting them moving with their kick ass ska sound. This year be ready to dance again! PEN15 are making their SND debut with this show but they are certainly no strangers to me. They used to play the Milestone Club when I ran it in the mid 90’s. This british punk fronted band have a treasure trove of catchy, fun party songs and will have the crowd singing along in no time! I was thrilled when 25 Minutes to Go agreed to play the picnic this year and even happier when they revealed to me that they have something special in mind for this show. What you may ask? Can’t tell you, I’m sworn to secrecy, you’ll have to show up to see what the masters of the ancient kung fu art of “Bladow” have planned. Playing their 2nd year in a row with the Picnic is the Rogue Nations. This local power trio features members/ former members of Obstruction, The Poontanglers and My So Called Band. They’re known for their powerful riffs as well as their socio/political satirist  lyrics. Yet another band making it’s SND debut this night is the Lesser Pauls. I’ve wanted these guys ( and girl) to play one of our shows ever since they debuted in Charlotte. They managed to remind me of Sonic Youth and Jefferson Airplane at the same time and singer Kenni Falls vocals even occasionally remind me of PJ Harvey. Last but not least is IED.  This ska core band has been a favorite on the Charlotte scene for years and finally came out with a debut cd late last year. They never fail to rock out and with this being Punk Rock Picnic, I’m sure you can expect great things from them.

Well that wraps it up, the other important things you need to know is that doors are at 5:30 and the first bands starts at 6:15. This show is all ages and there is once again, NO SURCHARGE for under 21. So for $8 bucks you get 8 great bands and free food. Also there is a small chance that I will be giving out freebies like I did last year so be on the lookout! It don’t get any better than that! Hope to see you all at the show!!

Thanks for the support!

Ryan Dead

Man how time flies! I can’t believe it’s already August! That means we’re less than two weeks away from Punk Rock Picnic 3! Jeez, I’ve got a lot of work to do to get that show ready but you guys don’t have to worry about that, all you have to do is show up! In the meantime let’s take a look at what’s going on in local music!

This Friday August 6th The Milestone Club welcomes Guttermouth, The New Threat, South Side Punx and The Not Likelys. Huntington Beach CA’s Guttermouth blast out high energy, melodic punk rock with clever, humorious lyrics. It’s rare they come through the area so be sure to get out and check out these guys! The New Threat are from Florida and have been around since 2003. These guys play it just like it should be, loud and fast with barely a break from the sonic assault. Also on the bill are local kings of street punk, South Side Punx and excellent working class punks, The Not Likelys. This is a great show with a couple of great touring bands and a good representation of Charlotte’s own local punks, check it out if at all possible! Doors are at 8pm and admission is $13 for over 21 and $15 for under.

Sunday August 8th the Milestone Club will welcome Whatever Brains, Yardwork and Brain Flannel. Charlotte’s own Brain Flannel have a slight punk influence but with an ear shredding love of distortion, although the second song on their myspace seems to remind me of the Minute Men a little…Yardwork on the other hand takes much more of an indie-pop direction with their music. The melodic pop reminds me a little of the Flaming Lips, which is a definite compliment in my book. Although the Flaming Lips singer would never scream out the lyrics with the wild abandon of Yardwork. I definitely dig it and hope to catch them live soon! Raleigh’s Whatever Brains seems to fit perfectly between the sound of Brain Flannel and Yardwork, on one hand they are poppy and catchy but on the other they are distorted and fast as hell. Should be a great show, even if it’s guaranteed to make you late for work the next day! Doors are at 8pm and admission is $6 for over 21 and $8 for under.

Over at Tremont Music Hall I forgot to mention a show last week so I will take the time to mention it now. If you haven’t made plans for tonight and you like music heavy enough to loosen the bolts in the cars in the parking lot then amble over to Tremont Music Hall for the bowel shaking sounds of Black Cobra, Howl, Struck by Lightning and Machete! This show will probably set off  the richter scale so don’t be worried if they report seismic activity in Charlotte tonight. Of course, it’s always possible with the power of Black Cobra and Machete in the same place it may warp the fabrics of reality and bring about the end of the world for real. If that’s the case it’s better to be at ground zero ( The site of the cataclysm, not the club in Spartanburg!) so head on out to Tremont and hold on for dear life! Doors are at 8pm and admission is $10 in advance, $12 dos with a $3 surcharge for under 21!

On a completely different note, Tremont Music Hall is having an 80’s hair metal revival next Tuesday August 10th as they welcome Faster Pussycat withL.A. Guns and John Corabi ( formerly of Motley Crue). I have to admit I grew up in the 80’s surrounded by metal and punk. I actually had the first cd by sleazy Los Angeles rockers Faster Pussycat. It was a fun guilty pleasure and occasionally it still is. I was never into L.A. Guns though, even though my wife assures me that they are awesome. I’ve never heard of John Corabi, but I assume he was one of the fill in singers from Motley Crue. Basically I think it’s all good to wax nostalgic for one night and rock out with some 80’s metal/ hard rock. So put on your spandex ( just kidding, please dont!) and tease your hair and head on out to Tremont Music Hall. Doors are at 8pm and admission is $15 in advance and $18 dos with $3 surcharge for under 21.

I would also like to mention the benefit for Charles Inman that is taking place at Snug Harbor tonight. From what I hear Charles was injured in a car crash and Snug decided to throw a benefit to help with the medical bills. The lineup is stellar! It features Charlotte glam punk band Babyshaker, the sleazy sounds of the Troublewalkers and the rockabilly, greaser rock riot of the Belmont Playboys. The doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm, which is early by Snug standards. Cover is $5 and goes to a good cause so get on out and rock out for a cause!

Also if you’re in the mood for rockabilly, head up to Puckett’s Farm Equipment Saturday night August 7th to check out the Bo-Stevens. These guys play some wonderful rockabilly/ western swing and would be a treat to watch in the “Bob’s Country Bunker” type confines of Puckett’s. I suspect the show will start around 9pm and cover will be $5.

Well that’s it for this week, I’ve got to get back to work getting Punk Rock Picnic 3 ready to blast off next week! Hope to see you guys at the show! Until then have fun and we’ll see you next week!

Thanks for the support,

Ryan Dead