Beer Thirty with Owl Maker's Jessie May

Jessie May pictured with bearded friend.

Let's  head out to New England. Owl Maker was kind enough to allow us to bask in the beery glow of their bassist, one Jessie May.

Like anyone who's looking forward to these columns, she enjoys a tasty beer. 

Though she and  I have some different tastes about beer, she's clearly passionate about the topic. I'd also take the time to point out that she's shown her work for you.

There are a goodly number of links I'd urge you to check out. If there aren't too many already, check out our previous run ins with Owl Maker HERE.

1. My personal favorite beer style is the might Double India Pale Ale. The best DIPA in the world is STLIPA by Urban Chestnut. Tell me about your favorite style.

I'll drink pretty much any beer except a sour, but my favorite style by far is Imperial Stout.  I think the first one I tried was Weyerbacher's Old Heathen, which I found all the way at the back of the liquor store and bought because it had a badass label.  The rest is history. Some of my go-to imperial stouts are North Coast Brewing's Old Rasputin and Thimble Island Brewing Company's Mutually Assured Destruction.  The most recent one I've tried is Brooklyn's Black Chocolate Stout -- so rich that I couldn't even finish my second one!

Stream: "Protest" by Pterodactyl Problems

Recently my daughter and I watched the entire run of Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger (恐竜戦隊ジュウレンジャー) which is the Japanese show adapted to make Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. In both of the shows, the Pink Ranger is the pterodactyl ranger.

This really made me relate to the name of this band. Both of these rangers, one in Tokyo and one in California, had loads of problems related to being a pterodactyl.

I'm not quite certain  how all of this relates to Toronto's Pterodactyl Problems, but it's nice to have that international flair.

Two years ago, the band reunited after being broken up for five and in 2019, they're prepared to release a brand new LP via their own damned selves.

Now's a good time to say I LIKE YOU on FACEBOOK and SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY on BANDCAMP.

If you don't believe me yet, here...stream the crap out of Protest just below this...

Vinyl Review: "Smalltown, Midwest, USA" by The New Old Fashioned

Smallltown, Midwest, USA

So, it's been a minute hasn't it? Newer readers used to my daily double posting may have been a bit miffed to see that it's been a week since my last big piece of righteous music journalism.

For that, I'm sorry. To my readers, to my contacts, and to the bands who've so wonderfully sent me interviews to work up to pass along to you.

It's been a helluva couple weeks and because of that, no fingers on keys has happened and that sucks.

But, back today with another vinyl review. This is the first time that I've posted back to back vinyl reviews which isn't exactly a good thing...see above.

Today I'm sharing the latest record by Dayton, OH's, The New Old Fashioned. They're an Americana band from just a couple states over. On a personal note, though my travels have taken me to Ohio more times than I can count, never once have I been to Dayton. No star on my map.

10 Inch Vinyl Review: "Dope Rider" by Kurokuma

Dope Rider

Today's vinyl review is from a band all the way from Sheffield, England.

I hear tale, they're about to say HELLO AMERICA! If we're lucky, they won't be bringing on the HEARTBREAK and the Colonies will be able to give them some approval, or we become PYROMANIACS.

If the clues weren't enough, naturally I'm talking about Sheffield's finest stoner metal band, Kurokuma.

When going through  my emails to pull all of the info I could on this band, I noticed that Dope Rider wasn't the first chance I had to feature these gents. Just last night I was telling my daughter that opportunity only knocks once. Should I inform her that this old axiom isn't always true?

Well, as Kurokuma already shattered the space time continuum and well worn social knowledge, let's break tradition here at Glacially Musical-land and talk about the lyrics.

Foods We Love with Lords of the Trident

It's quite common for me to write around lunch time and as my belly is now uncomfortably full, it's probably time to get back with a nice interview about the extreme deliciousness that Lords of the Trident likes to enjoy.

You might recall this interesting power metal band out of Madison, WI. They're the self-described "most metal band on the planet."

Considering they appear on stage in armor, that might not be too far from the most literal truth, but that would depend on what their stage togs are made from I suppose, but who's hungry?

1. For me, lunch is usually the meal where I don't have to deal with the Napoleon of Food. So it's my favorite meal. What's your best meal of the day?

Bookin It with Matt Bacon of Dropout Media

Matt Bacon

Is there anything better in this world than BACON! If it's a Sunday morning and my family isn't complaining about the bacon smell that's permeated all three floors of our house...well then that's not really Sunday.

Today's post has nothing at all to do with Bacon, unless you're talking about Dropout Media's Matt Bacon!

If you're looking for all sorts of great information, check out the site HERE.

1. I try to read at least two books per month, and mostly fail, what's your goal and reality?

I try to read a book a week, this doesn't always happen and obviously depends on the type and size of the book. I generally get around there, or at least it averages out to that over the year. 

I try to take advantage of plane flights because with no distractions I can usually knock out a book on a cross country flight. I think it's really important to set aside time to read every day and I make it a top priority. 

LP Review: L'appel Du Vide" by Space Coke

L'appel Du Vide

Ok, you have my attention, Space Coke. Apparently, this band is from the United States. Their album cover and title surely make me think they're from England...again back to the cover...

It's a knight who looks to have been offed during the Wars of the Roses, but it's all good.

Recently, I got metalplained on the internet about how Blue Cheer is metal. They aren't, but what if they were?

Well, they still wouldn't be Space Coke, but it's the beginning at least. There is an organist in this band. It's especially noteworthy, because when's the last time you saw that?

If you dig that Hammond Organ sound, this album is gonna scratch that itch we both have. I'm with you. Gimme dat swirl. Space Coke's songs aren't built around the organ, but neither is it hidden.

These songs certainly aren't Rush, but the textures created are thick, fuzzy, and a just a little bit caustic. They layer their songs and everybody takes a turn. Everybody shines.

L'appel Du Vide is kind of like what might have happened if Iron Butterfly lived up to their  name and reputation...except that presumably, Space Coke isn't so stoned they could say Garden of Eden would it have been required of them.

RELEASE 12/7/18 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Beer Thirty with Mike of Unendlich

Good day! Today we're talking about one of my personal favorite beverages in the world and that's beer.

My daughter, when she does her impersonation of me...she puts on hand on her hip, swings her other and says "I'm Daddy. I like records and beer."

Seriously, she has me down pat. So, because of that, and because of all the beers I've had with rockers as we sat across the table during interview before shows...let's find out what the folks out there are drinking when they're not drinking something besides beer.

We're starting off Beer Thirty with the main brain behind Baltimore, MD's black metal band... Unendlich.

If you're getting thirsty, check out the BANDCAMP and FACEBOOK.

EP Stream: "Hot" by Stew

Well, in case you haven't noticed, we're now ankle deep into FALL BACK, or as I call it, the greatest 8 weeks of the calendar year, because most of my commute is in the dark.

If you're complaining about that, think about what our good friends in Sweden are dealing with right now. It's almost all dark over there. Me, I'm envious.

In the meantime, let's talk about "Hot" by Stew. If you're into that old time groove that doesn't specifically ape a particular artist so much that the singer says so on the record...

You may wish to check this out. You'll dig on it like a bowl of oatmeal.

Check out their FACEBOOK if you're not convinced.

Hometown Tales with Crosby Morgan

How many Dark Folk Artists are you into?

It's kind of a new thing for me. So, let's get to know Crosby Morgan a little bit. 

She's preparing to release her latest EP, Rain Games For The Natural Born Pariah. Check it out on BANDCAMP, if ya haven't already.

Morgan currently lives in Los Angeles, but that's not precisely where she lives on our strange, blue marble.

Let's find out everything we can.

1. St. Louis City is my hometown. I've lived here for most of my life in and around the city. Where are you from? 

I am from Los Angeles—but more specifically, I’m from a small country town called Acton, which is about 60 miles northeast of Downtown. 

Lots of horses and dirt bikes and dirt. 

EP Review: "Crucifixion of Hope" by Vulturic Eye

The Crucifixion of Hope

There was time back in my early youth, when heavy metal was still an anomaly. When its definition was still amorphous. 

For years, the two strongest metal bands were Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. These two founding fathers created much of what was to come later.

Metal bands took a side. Either the twin gun attack of Priest or the progressive psychedelia of Sabbath and never the twain shall meet. (Unless you're Iron Maiden and you took the twin gun of the former and the progressiveness of the latter and added in Bruce Dickinson.)

What if you could have a progressive and psychedelic version of Judas Priest? Take those visceral metal riffs and give it a liberal dusting of blues? Could Rob Halford sing Sabbath? (Don't answer that.)

Vulturic Eye has taken these two originators, these revolutionaries, and put them together in a way that Priest is toe tapping or that Sabbath sounds like a chainsaw.

They only saw fit to bless us with a single side of music on this EP. It's time for them to give us a proper album. Explore the space and crush our faces.

Release 11/5/18 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Split LP Reivew: "Rope Enough For Two" by Dayglo Mourning/Bludy Gyres

Rope Enough For Two

Recently, both Dayglo Mourning and Bludy Gyers spoke with me about various things, but today it's time to consider their music.

For starters, Rope Enough For Two is a split LP which is one of my personal favorite things. From a dollars perspective, it's a great value. An EP on vinyl and an LP usually cost the same. So, double your fun and get two bands.

Dayglo Mourning has an amazing name. It doesn't really describe the band. It evokes a jokey quality to me, and they're straight doom. This is the kind of doom metal that's so dirty, you can smell it.

Our unhappy friends, have three tracks over side one of the record. Now, it'd be improper to claim any sort of amazing renaissance of doom metal here. There's no revolution. They create an atmosphere. Which, when it comes to doom, what else is there to want?

The vocals are semi-shouted. The guitars have more fuzz than my cats. Then, there's the pacing. It's just slow enough to be plodding. This is the doom metal we're looking for.

Bludy Gyres takes a different path on their side of the Split. Instead of a three pack of songs, they chose to grind out one epic seventeen minute track.

It takes about five minutes for the song to get truly started. It starts with a low level explosion into some solo-ish guitar. It's gritty and never self-indulgent. Imagine Warning, but almost twice as long, and with way more of the band being involved.

The riff is a wobbly, reverby, swerve. If you try to move along to it, you'll probably get dizzy and hit your head on your desk. I'm not saying that happened to me, but still.

Then there's the crunchy chunks nestled in between the vocals and the swerve. But don't worry, that's the just beginning. Check it out.

RELEASE 12/7/18 BANDCAMP

Road Warriors with Hitman

Hitman

Let's talk to those good boys from Nova Scotia, Hitman, one more time.

Did you check out their thumpin' good EP, The Offering yet?

If not, Bandcamp's got you covered right HERE. It's even for sale in Canadian Dollars. How exotic. For the low price of a fiver and a toonie, you can have this traditional heavy metal to spin to your heart's content.

In the meantime though, let's find out what they're like on the road....

1. What's the right length for a tour?

There’s definitely no rule written in stone, but for us, we usually try to stick to a few weeks. As a band we are usually sleeping on someone's floor or in the van so it does get pretty hard on us. We save hotels for days off when we are absolutely beat from the road, so luxury is pretty rare, assuming you would call 4 guys splitting 2 double beds in a hotel room luxury.

LP Review: "Abyss Between The Stars" by Ursa

Abyss Between The Stars

We've got one to slide in here for you because things didn't go like they were supposed to have gone.

Today Ursa is taking us back to the time before thrash. Back when Heavy Metal was still somewhat new and everybody wondered if it was going to make it.

If you think the days of Ronnie James Dio singing about tigers stripes on dragons while waiting in line at the post office was the golden age of metal, let me introduce you to my new friends, Ursa.

Now, keep in mind that this record is more like Iron Maiden in spirit, though far closer to Black Sabbath in execution. So... it would be appropriate to say that Abyss Between The Stars is a progressive stoner metal album that features all of the Dungeons & Dragons references you could ever want.

It's fiercely psychedelic and stompingly groovin. The drums tend to be just behind the beat giving the songs the tense feeling of a stalling car. You may wish for them to hit the gas, but no matter how late for work you are...you'll just have to ride behind them.

RELEASE 11/2/18 ORDER FACEBOOK

Hometown Tales with Unholy Baptism

Unholy Baptism

It's time to check back in with Unholy Baptism.

They're riding high on having released Volume I:The Bonds of Servitude and they did their own damned selves.

If you want to make music, that's about the best way to get it done your way.

The pair live in the State of Arizona and apart from things like the Coyotes, Suns, and the Arizona (FKA Phoenix, earlier St. Louis Cardinals, nee: Chicago Cardinals), there's very little going on in that state I can tell you anything about.

So let's get it from the horse's unholy mouth, Mantus of Unholy Baptism.

GM: St. Louis City is my hometown. I've lived here for most of my life in and around the city. Where are you from?