Dharni…

So logging into Youtube to get a tutorial to fix something on my car, I figured I’d get distracted for about 4 hours.     This little gem appeared on my homepage and I can’t help but be insanely impressed by this dude.  Check out his other vids he’s legit.

 

I Miss J Dilla…

Recently I started a play through of all 1500 songs on my MP3 player in order to revisit some old favs and delete some shit I didn’t even know was on it.  One of many artists that stood out in its personal timelessness is J Dilla.  As an ex hip hop fan and having worked in the Mix Tape/DJ retail business for two years, I’ve heard about everything there was to listen to.  I currently have very little hip hop left in my MP3 player due to its lack of actual instruments and redundant themes.  The Big Ls, Tupacs, and Biggies left a void in the genre that can never and will never be filled in my opinion.

Dilla however stands out as a musical super talent even with my own super critical view of hip hop.  Sadly he died prematurely but his body of work is amazing nonetheless.  Even though he’s gone, I smile and turn up the volume whenever he randomly pops on my playlist.  That’s about the best legacy anyone could ask for.

 

 

Slaine “The Boston Project”

With Boston Pride reaching an all-time high, I’ll take this opportunity to introduce you to Slaine. Some of you may know him simply as “the fat dude” from Gone Baby Gone and The Town. However, Slaine has broke into the scene years before his acting debut. Born George Carroll, he can be found collaborating on Special Teamz and La Coka Nostra compilations and mixtapes. Slaine’s solo effort, The Boston Project dropped on April 15th the day following the Boston Marathon Bombings.

 

Volumes…

Easily my most listened to song of 2012, had to give Volumes some props.  They were my go to snowboard (and gym) soundtrack this season which saw some pretty spectacular powder days so I’ve definitely bonded with their last album VIA.

Caught them at 2011 and 2012 NE Metalfests, these guys show up live too and the ones I met are super cool guys.  If you’re already a fan go buy some merch and support these dudes.

 

Crush Em All Tour Review…

Just saw the Crush Em All Tour this past Monday at The Met in Pawtucket RI.  Co-headlined by Veil of Maya and After The Burial, the tour also included Misery Signals and Within the Ruins as well as Structures.  Originally I though Volumes was playing but they played select dates in order to join a different tour to promote their new album “VIA” which is sick.

I got there at the beginning of Within the Ruins set.  I saw them at Metal Fest this year, they are pretty solid. Singer seemed pissed the crowd was hardly moving but on a Monday at 7:30 in Pawtucket you aren’t gonna get much energy…  Kudos to him for trying though.

I was looking forward to Misery Signals the most as their album “Controller” is in steady rotation on my MP3 player.  They didn’t disappoint and the crowd was really into them; there were some die hard MS fans fucking shit up.  I figured they would be the best band of the night but I couldn’t even pick a favorite if I tried.

After The Burial really killed it.  Their lead guitarist Trent Hafdahl is a BEAST.  I haven’t been that impressed by a guitarist in a long time.  “Aspirations” is ridiculous live.  Both guitarists ripped on black-light 8 strings and the singer kept the energy super high.  He dedicated a song to his late mother which was so intense it gave me the chills.  The whole band was impressive.

Veil of Maya is a band I never really got into but live they were great, very technical. Sometimes it takes seeing a band live to get into them.

I would definitely HIGHLY recommend both this tour and seeing any of these bands perform outside the tour.
The Met is also a decent little venue.  Lots of pillars so I can’t see any great pits going on here (the circle pit attempt was interesting) but spacious with good sound and a nice deck for smokers.  Too bad Pawtucket is a fucking shithole!

 

Rock the Bells 2011 Line-up is looking serious…

Might have to end my streak of 9+ years without attending a hip-hop show. Rap began to dwindle circa 2000-2001 in my opinion. Even Nas was about five years late on his “Hip-Hop is Dead” record. I think that’s why the top four lines of the above poster is so appealing to me.

 

A. Samuels is “Livin De Life”

55 year old casino executive Allen Samuels has one of the best mid life crisis’ going. Now he just needs to learn how to dress. I don’t know why but I actually enjoyed this tune. Dude is sending a positive message and gloating about shit he’s actually done. Good for him. Now stop it.