Steed Lord - 123 if you want me (video)
I'm into it. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLYodUzhG4I
Country: Finland
Lapko in Germany
Lapko will be back in Germany in March:
03/27 - Magnet Club, Berlin
03/28 - Backstage Werk, Munich
03/29 - Keller Club, Stuttgart
03/30 - Waschhaus, Potsdam
03/31 - Hafenklang, Hamburg
04/01 - Underground (Kleiner Club), Cologne
04/02 - Club Zooma, Plauen
MP3: Snow White's Poison Bite - The end of prom night
Nothing makes me feel old and out of touch like this sort of modern emo/pop-punk/hardcore. The whole visual/fashion aspect of it is one thing, but like I've said before (more or less), getting angry about it is like screaming at a cloud. As for the music, it's not too hard to trace it back to something that was once kind of good and honestly, this song really isn't that bad as far as vapid mallpunk goes. It's got a hook at least, though that doesn't excuse the terrible name or the drama-club murder-revenge fantasy. Then again, it could be so much worse. There's so many things in that 2nd clip that make my mind reel. Anyhow, I think the thing that really bugs me about this stuff is that it seems so completely divorced from the DIY punk/hardcore scene I know. Like, do these kinds of acts exist outside of battle-of-the-band competitions and Warped Tour? If they do, I am blissfully ignorant because I never see flyers for this sort of stuff anywhere. That's not to say there aren't plenty of terrible bands playing basements, rental halls and other underground venues, but you gotta wonder if these youngins kids are even aware of Black Flag, let alone "Get in the van". Then there's also stuff like this -- $3k for a 7"? Seriously? I don't fucking get it.
Snow White's Poison Bite - The end of prom night
Aversionline recommends Throat
Aversionline recommends the new 7" EP "Adult situations" from Finnish heavy noiserockers Throat: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2011/02/09/throat-adult-situations-7/
I randomly downloaded the band's earlier cassette release (available here) after seeing them listed on some shows with Hebosagil and was likewise stoked on the band. Judging by that short sample, I'd wager the new 7" is a serious bruiser and would love to get my hands on a copy.
Pintandwefall - I will survive (video)
Video #7 out of 11 for Pintandwefall's new album "Time is right for Romans, baby!". Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fwzAQmwIsY
Under the Radar interviews Shine 2009
Under the Radar interviews Finnish dance duo Shine 2009: http://undertheradarmag.com/interviews/shine_2009
Rotten Sound tour blog
Rotten Sound has a tour blog and if it's anything like the other Finnish punk/metal tour stories I've seen, it's guaranteed to be good: http://rottentours.blogspot.com/
Music Export Finland wins Internationalization Award
Finnish president Tarja Halonen has awarded Music Export Finland the 2010 Internationalization Award for their excellence in promoting Finnish business (and in this case, art) abroad: http://www.musex.fi/en/news/music-export-finland-receives-the-internationalization-award-of-the-preside/
Quoteth the article: "Music Export Finland is the first organisation to win the award that operates in an industry, where revenues are primarily derived from the sales of immaterial goods – in this case the music copyrights, as well as a whole range of other music-related services and products."
Keiltolaki to Chaos
Finnish hardcore act Keiltolaki has now been confirmed for the lineup of Chaos in Tejas and will also be doing six dates or so along the East Coast. Details to come.
Combat Rock to release new 7"s from Särkyneet, God Given Ass
has announced that their next release will be a new 7" from female-fronted punk act Särkyneet called "Mitä on olla levoton". Official release date is February 16. After that, they'll be doing another 7" from God Given Ass, a band featuring various long-time scenesters such as ex-Lighthouse Project drummer Niila, and of course, more classic Finnish punk reissues to follow soon thereafter.
Pintandwefall - Rat dance (video)
What is this? Video #6/11? Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfdBa7I3opc
Viola - The loners
February in Finland means a new song from Viola: http://www.violamusicclub.com/2011-02-the-loners
This month's pick is an old song from 2002 called "The loners" that was never released, now finally recorded in an acoustic version.
Off the Record: Magneta Skycode (live video)
Check out Off the Record, a new Finnish live music/short film blog: http://offtherecord.fi/
Their first feature: a 3-song acoustic live session from indie act Magneta Skycode: http://offtherecord.fi/magenta-skycode/
Fenriz Metal Merchants mix
Fenriz' 2009 DJ mix from the Metal Merchants festival has been posted for free download: http://afistinthefaceofgod.blogspot.com/2011/01/fenriz-metal-merchants-festival-dj-set.html
As with all of Fenriz' mixes, I'm sure it will be a great lesson in classic obscure metal. Oh, and you can also check out an interview with the festival organizer right here: http://afistinthefaceofgod.blogspot.com/2011/01/interview-with-stian-of-metal-merchants.html
Barbe-Q-Barbies
All over you
Hyeena Trax/Sound of Finland
This Finnish all-girl rock crew have it nailed -- almost -- when it comes to belting out a killer collection of punk-tinged hard rock that is so close to perfection, it's frustrating. The only thing really lacking here is a supercharged guitar sound. It's not that the guitars sound bad, rather they would completely transform this album if they rang out with the power of the likes of Skid Row or Mötley Crüe instead of the predominant AC/DC-like tone they currently have. Listening to the likes of "Rockstar" or "Escort" might be an enjoyable affair now, but it's hard not to think of how immense they would sound with a Dave Sabo-esque six-stringed savagery behind them. It would change "All over you" from a head-nodding, foot-tapping rock 'n' roll album into a fist-pounding, frenzy-inducing hard rock behemoth. I'm not talking about changing the riffs -- the songwriting is exceptional -- but rather giving the guitar that sound that forces gritted teeth, clenched fists and a cry of "Fuck yeah!" at the slightest hint of a chord being hit. The vocals are right up there with the best of rock's female screamers, the production borders on the perfect and, all-in-all, this is a stormer of a debut album that would get full marks if not for what I've just mentioned above. Just... please... floor us with that guitar next time!
- John Norby
