By Trenton Shaw
It’s probably impossible to listen to the Paper Cranes and not compare them to the Cure. Singer Ryan McCullah has that same fragile, whiny, ultimately lovable voice. The band sounds familiar and unique at the same time, combining the best of post-punk with all the catchy hooks and melodies of classic brit-pop. Perhaps the Paper… Continue reading Spun: The Paper Cranes
By Trenton Shaw
Steeped in the traditions of granddaddy Hank Williams Sr., Hank Williams III embarks upon a mission to pay homage to the roots of country music with his new double album, Straight to Hell, but not without breaking a few rules, raising some hell and throwing up his middle finger to pop country. The style of… Continue reading Spun: Hank Williams III
By Trenton Shaw
It’s been almost 10 years since Nashville Pussy formed, but their music remains the same–ballsy, unabashed rock and roll sure to remind you what being white trash is all about. With songs like “Pussy Time,” “Going Down Swinging,” “Lazy White Boy,” and “Raisin’ Hell Again,” Get Some packs more than its fair share of white… Continue reading Spun: Nashville Pussy
By Trenton Shaw
Dark Ages, the latest album from Soulfly, starts out fast and does not relent. With the exception of a few interludes and “Soulfly V,” a pretty guitar ballad reminiscient of an entirely different band, this Soulfly album is a solid onslaught of militaristic drumming, deafening vocal cries and screaming guitars, resulting in a visceral listening… Continue reading Spun: Soulfly
By Trenton Shaw
The beginning of Avenged Sevenfold’s City of Evil is harrowing in a good way. Manic roars, ballad-esque guitar lines and rousing drum fills swell to a flurry of double bass and hero-metal screams, eventually leading to a chorus of pop-metal bliss. These first five minutes of the album set the stage for the relentless, pulsing… Continue reading Spun: Avenged Sevenfold
By Trenton Shaw
Get ready for Supagroup because their album, Rules, is 11 songs of bitch-ass hair-metal with cover art resembling a sloppy kung-fu movie montage. Still, the title of Supagroup’s album is somewhat deceptive, unlike the bass player’s handlebar moustache, the album does not rule–though it does rock pretty hard. On Rules Supagroup have mastered the art… Continue reading Spun: Supagroup
By Trenton Shaw
Reggie and the Full Effect’s music, although hard to classify, can succinctly be described as “Deathnotronic.” This label didn’t come from a music snob–like math rock or post-punk–it’s the title of one of the tracks off Songs not to get Married to and could be seen as the inspiration for the whole album, a chaotic… Continue reading Spun: Reggie and the Full Effect
By Trenton Shaw
The members of Blue Skies at War had been pouring their hearts into failed musical projects for years, but when they finally found each other they knew it would last. Chad, the lead singer, is so dedicated to the group he had their band name tattooed across the back of his neck. Such extreme devotion… Continue reading Blue Skies at War light it up
By Trenton Shaw
There seems to be this unwritten law applied to rappers, of needing to pull your homies out of the streets with you. One doesn’t have to look far for evidence, superstar rappers trying to bring up their struggling crews–Eminem’s D12, Freeway’s Ice City, and 50 Cent’s G-Unit are prime examples. In some cases giving fellow… Continue reading Terror Squad
By Trenton Shaw
When I arrived at the Folk Festival main stage after meeting our cameraman, who was an hour and a half late, I realized I missed my chance to throw down my blanket anywhere close to the stage. It wasn’t all that upsetting because I had no blanket or tarp, but I still managed to lay… Continue reading The magic of Friday at the Folk Festival