Tag Archives: Success!

PODCAST: Episode Six – DJ Astrocreep Interviews Hoobastank about “Push Pull” and More!

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Hoobastank just completed a tour of the UK with Buckcherry, supporting their 2018 album Push Pull, out now on Napalm Records. Ghost Cult’s DJ Astrocreep met up with vocalist Doug Robb and guitarist Dan Estrin for a wide-ranging interview. The guys discussed their new album, their approach to recording, the band dynamics, coping with the success and expectations of their hit 2003 album The Reason (Island Records) social media pitfalls, and more! Continue reading →

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KEN Mode – Success

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A wail of feedback, a sludgy, laconic riff, a jarring bass line and Success (Season of Mist) shudders into being in the style of that too-cool-to-give-a-fuck band that ambles on stage and begins the song with each member starting at their own pace and point of choice. KEN Mode, kings of the post-surf/noise rock power-trio kingdom stroll acerbically into their sixth album.

Jesse Matthewson, known for intelligent, confrontation and biting observations, has chosen to measure his delivery this time, and most of his outpourings are part-spoken and spat, rather than roared or thrown from his maw, seemingly intent on imparting off-centre soundbites. “I would like to kill the nicest man in the world” he states at the outset of ‘These Tight Jeans’, where he trades off lines with Jill Clapham in both a catchy and knowingly cool fashion, channelling his inner Jesus Lizard.

The hand of Steve Albini is present all through, as the In Utero (Geffen) producer skuzzes up ‘The Owl’, an astringent swagger with stoner undertones, before a bass crunk and cello mid-section pull the song into a discordant yowl over clashing chords, as KEN Mode play with the notion of traditional song-structure effectively. Sonic Youth would be proud.

Yet all is not rosy in KEN and Barbie’s world. There is a nagging feeling that while Clutch (for whom KEN Mode certainly owe a something to) are naturally and instinctively quirky, for the first time KM things feel a bit forced, as if stating “Handfuls of proverbial shit tossed over and over against that same proverbial wall” (‘Blessed’) is a little close to the mark, and that moving to a more caustic pop sound may be contrived, such as on the overly self-aware and smug ‘A Passive Disaster’. The cap might not fit at the moment, but all it would take is adjusting the clasp at the back. At times, this new KEN Mode just sits a little uncomfortably. But then such doubts are stomped to dust by the rising dynamic of ‘Management Control’ which builds to feedback end, or the exemplary dark, brooding, sprawling ‘Dead Actors’, that recalls The Doors clashing with a more progressive Nirvana.

Mixing a Clutch of stoner, a Tad of grunge and pinch of Mudhoney slovenliness in their Helmet of groove, KEN Mode can consider their transition a Success. Just.

7.0/10

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STEVE TOVEY


Punk Rock Bowling Announce Schedule Of Club Shows

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punk rock bowling 2015 final

Punk Rock Bowling, the three day music festival held in Downtown Las Vegas on May 23-25, 2015 has announced the 16 late night club shows beginning Friday, May 22, 2015. This gives fans the opportunity to see their favorite bands in a more intimate setting; over 60 bands will take the stage throughout the weekend. All shows are 21 & over with valid ID.

Legendary acts performing in the intimate venues include Frank Turner (performing solo), GBH, The Rezillos, Laura Jane Grace, 7 Seconds, Hagfish, 88 Fingers Louie, Icons of Filth, Aggrocats (featuring members of Aggrolites and Hepcat), Street Dogs, English Beat plus many more. A full schedule is posted below.

In addition to the 3 main stage headliners of Rancid, Dropkick Murphys and Refused, other bands confirmed for the festival stages are The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Murder City Devils, Conflict, Turbonegro, Bad Manners, and Sick Of It All, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, Anti-Flag, Swingin’ Utters, A Wilhelm Scream, The Business, Bombshell Rocks, The Muffs, Mahones, Sniper 66, PEARS, I.R.A., Success!, Get Dead, Avenue Rockers, Eliza Battle, Sounds of Threat, and Battle Born.

Friday, May 22

Fremont Country Club: GBH, Infa-Riot
Tickets $20, doors @ 9pm Abrasive Wheels Schleprock
Evacuate

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Country Saloon: 7 Seconds, Street Dogs
Tickets $17, doors @ 9pm The F.U.’s, The Applicators
Anti Social

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Backstage Bar: Aggrocats, The Interrupters
Tickets $20, doors @ 9:30pm The Bohunks Gonzo

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Beauty Bar: The Humpers, The Hangmen
Tickets $17, doors @ 9:30pm Los Creepers Revolutions Pride

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Saturday, May 23

Bunkhouse: Frank Turner Laura Jane Grace
Tickets $20, doors @ 9pm plus more tba

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Fremont Country Club: The Rezillos, The Dickies
Tickets $18, doors @ 10pm The Weirdos The Crowd
Danger Friends

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Country Saloon: The Templars, The Beltones
Tickets $17, doors @ 10pm Bishops Green Booze & Glory
Straight Outta Luck

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Backstage Bar: Cadillac Tramps, Hagfish
Tickets $20, doors @ 10:30pm Johnny Madcap & The Distractions
The Drakulas

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Beauty Bar: Mobtown, The Champions
Tickets $17, doors @ 9:30pm TBA DJ Gonzo

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Sunday, May 24

Bunkhouse: SPECIAL GUEST English Beat
Tickets $20, doors @ 10pm The Skints, Chris Murray

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Fremont Country Club: Cheap Sex – The Unseen
Tickets $15, doors @ 10:30pm Clit 45, False Cause

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Country Saloon: Strung Out, 88 Fingers Louie
Tickets $17, doors @ 10:30pm Pulley Avenues

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Backstage Bar: Icons of Filth, Krum Bums
Tickets $18, doors @ 10:30pm No Parents Anti-Vision

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Beauty Bar: Tim Barry, Dave Hause
Tickets $15, doors @ 10:30pm Kevin Seconds, Darius Koski

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Monday, May 25

Country Saloon Punk Rock Karaoke
Tickets $5, doors @ 10pm Tartar Control

 


17th Annual Punk Rock Bowling Announces Lineup

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2015 punk rock bowling

The 17th Annual Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival will be held at 7th Street and Stewart Avenue in downtown Las Vegas on May 22-25, 2015, and Rancid, Dropkick Murphys and Refused will be headlining the event.

In addition to the 3 main stage headliners, other bands confirmed for the festival are The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Murder City Devils, Conflict, Discharge, Turbonegro, Bad Manners, and Sick Of It All, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, Anti-Flag, Swingin’ Utters, A Wilhelm Scream, The Business, Bombshell Rocks, The Muffs, Mahones, Sniper 66, PEARS, I.R.A., Success!, Get Dead, Avenue Rockers, Eliza Battle, Sounds of Threat, and Battle Born.

The outdoor music festival, which will take place at 7th Street and Stewart Avenue, near Las Vegas’ famed Fremont Street, is an all-ages, all-day event, and food, drink, music and clothing vendors will line be on hand. The bowling tournament, pool parties, poker tournament, music and comedy shows will keep fans entertained for days.