PODCAST: Episode 262 – Adam Masterson Discusses His New Album “Timebomb” and Working with Guest Collaborators


 

Ghost Cult Keefy chatted up singer-songwriter and rocker Adam Masterson, who released his new album “Time Bomb” earlier in 2023. In addition to his great songcraft, Adam had a plethora of guest artists, producers, and mix engineers on his album including, James Hallawell (The Waterboys/Graham Parker), Tchad Blake (The Black Keyes, Sheryl Crow), Sean Genocky (The Black Crowes, Richard Ashcroft), Ron Saint Germain (Soundgarden, 311), Dave O’Donnell (James Taylor, Keith Richards), Craig Dreyer (Pete Francis, Dispatch), and Paul Stacey (Oasis, The Black Crowes). Performing alongside Masterson throughout the songs is an all-star bevy of high-profile musical collaborators such as Charlie Jones (Goldfrapp, Robert Plant & Jimmy Page), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Brett Bass (Gregg Allman) on bass, Leo Abrahams (Paolo Nutini, Regina Spektor) and David Rhodes (Peter Gabriel, Scott Walker) on guitars, Charlie Drayton (The Cult, Divinyls), Jeremy Stacey (King Crimson, Ryan Adams) and Omar Hakim (David Bowie, Journey) on drums, Peter Tickell (Sting) on mandolin and violin, and Rob Clores (Jesse Malin, Charli XCX) and Ben Stivers (Lyle Lovett, Matchbox Twenty) on piano, among others. Adam discussed his entire career arc, writing for other artists, and more in this interview.

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Thrash Legends Demolition Hammer Set To Return In 2016


Demolition Hammer facebook cover ghostcultmag

Seminal second wave of New York Thrash Metal legends Demolition Hammer has intimated their imminent return to activity via their Facebook account. The band posted the following message:

The violence returns, the options few, the casualties many. You try to convince yourself to take cover, avoid the confrontation or pray for a glancing blow………negative, all attempts are futile.

 

The violence returns, the options few, the casualties many. You try to convince yourself to take cover, avoid the…

Posted by Demolition Hammer on Saturday, March 19, 2016

 

Over five albums and a few demos Demolition Hammer proved to be one of the more dynamic and risk-taking metal bands of the late 80s. Mainly the brain-child of Steve Reynolds (bass/vocals) and Derek Sykes, no further information is available on the current lineup. Century Media released Necrology: A Complete Anthology in 2008 and the bands last all-originals release was 1994’s Time Bomb for that label.

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This Is Hardcore- Part 2: Live At Electric Factory


tihc-2015-announcement

Biohazard by Anne Spina Photography

Biohazard by Anne Spina Photography

On Saturday at This Is Hardcore we got an awesome all-day lineup with Brooklyn’s Biohazard killing it still. Pennsylvania’s own Wisdom In Chains played, who are a fan favorite and a gift every year. Mad Joe even gave us the gift of telling us he was going to be a father again. New Jersey’s Lifleless is a band that is making the east coast look amazing again for hardcore. If you haven’t heard Dream it’s a must to own.

Lifeless, by Anne Spina Photography

Lifeless, by Anne Spina Photography

 

Sand of Japan came close to stealing the show. Makoto, their lead singer is wilder than Greg Puciato of Dillinger Escape Plan. It was sad to see Philly’s Rock Bottom come to an end, but they were amazing. The guys basically threw a party and chucked a bunch of toilet paper around the Electric Factory the whole set. It was actually pretty fun. Xibalba from Los Angeles is the band that is bringing hardcore and metal to the extreme. I think to me they remind me of the 90’s Swedish Death Metal bands. Turnstile killed it. In my mind Nonstop Feeling is the best album of 2015. Bane, those Boston boys, will always hold this festival night down. They “won” This Is Hardcore 2K15 to me. It’s sad to see a band who mattered in hardcore to me since 2000 call it to an end.

Foreseen (HKI) by Anne Spina Photography

Foreseen (HKI) by Anne Spina Photography

Twitching Tongues, by Anne Spina Photography

Twitching Tongues, by Anne Spina Photography

 

On Sunday the winners for the fest were Foreseen (HKI) from Finland. If you are a D.R.I. & Municipal Waste fan, bands like Foreseen are the best. I definitely thrashed like an athlete. You also had Twitching Tongues who to me is the most metallic hardcore band out there. Tongues also recently signed to Metal Blade Records. They are a game changer in heavy music. All Out War also played Sunday and featuring some songs off the new EP which I have to say is heavy. All Out War is a great band. Their moshers are wild and as a band they are a must to see. H2O killed Sunday night for me. Toby Morse playing a 20th Anniversary set and getting friends and family to come up and sing with him on songs. Of course The Exploited from the U.K. who I say kicked arse. They still are there to prove “punk is not dead.”

H2O, Anne Spina Photography

H2O, Anne Spina Photography

The Exploited, by Anne Spina Photography

The Exploited, by Anne Spina Photography


Besides the music at This Is Hardcore, you have food trucks all over the fest. Distros of all kinds like Shop Shogun, Bridge Nine, Deathwish, Fast Break Records, and Harvcore Records. And even apparel like American Straight Edge Apparel. There’s also SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) Demo Fighting in the parking lot so if you want to fight like a knight or a viking. it’s the right place to do it. This is Hardcore is a fest that is important to this city. The fact that this fest moved from a small venue to the biggest venue in Philly, proves something. It was even heart-warming to hear that Joe Hardcore proposed to his longtime girlfriend Jessica Parr here. I have to say that this fest has something for everyone. It’s cool to see how packed it was for days like Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. When I look back at all the fests I’ve gone to, this is the one I approve at all costs. If you haven’t been here you’re missing out.

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WORDS BY MATT O’TONIC MCGROARTY
PHOTOS BY ANNE SPINA


This Is Hardcore- Part 1: Live At Union Transfer & Electric Factory


tihc-2015-announcement

Snapcase, by Anne Spina Photography

Snapcase, by Anne Spina Photography


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The city of brotherly love, cheesesteaks. Rocky Balboa, and the almighty This Is Hardcore Fest, the biggest music festival on the east coast that supports the hardcore and punk. Joe Hardcore McKay started this fest 9 and he still does not disappoint. The first day of the fest this year was held at Union Transfer in Philly. The other three days were held at The Electric Factory (very close to The Transfer). Day one the fest had reunions and goodbyes. Buffalo New York’s Snapcase headlined this day. Singer Daryl Taberski said to the crowd Thursday Night “It’s great to perform to old fans and new fans”. The great vegan/straight edge band Chokehold from Canada also had reunited at This Is Hardcore. Not only did they co-headline the first day, but they also played an after show at the Voltage Lounge the next night. The sad part about Thursday was saying goodbye to Foundation, probably one of the most promising hardcore bands in this decade.

Chokehold, by Anne Spina Photography

Chokehold, by Anne Spina Photography

We also some great friends and hometown heroes in Agitator. They were ready to call it quits and I for one say it was great Joe Hardcore put them on this bill. I heard Joe say a month ago on The Post America Podcast “It wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t put them on”. One band who stole the show that to me was Code Orange. Code Orange is one of the best bands out of the keystone state. The album I Am King (Deathwish Inc.) is a must own. The fact they came off Mayhem Festival and played this and not to mention all surprise guest vocalists to sing including Jeremy Tingle of Lifeless. It was a must see show. It will be amazing when Sunny Singh of Hate5six.com posts that set.

Code Orange, by Anne Spina Photography

Code Orange, by Anne Spina Photography

On Friday there were a lot of main event heavy hitters especially the main event. Another reunion that is very important to talk about here. Boston’s American Nightmare (AKA Give Up The Ghost) headlined and made it beautiful. The band played probably one of their greatest sets out of all the reunion shows they’ve done so far. I’ve seen some footage of the Boston and New York shows they played, but tonight they amazed me. Being an American Nightmare fan since my junior year of high school, and now getting to see them thirteen years later, I felt like a kid again.

American Nightmare, Anne Spina Photography

American Nightmare, Anne Spina Photography

Cruel Hand, by Anne Spina Photography

Cruel Hand, by Anne Spina Photography

Another band that impressed me was Seoul, South Korea’s The Geeks. One of the best hardcore bands to graceful the U.S. surface in a minute. They definitely know how to get a crowd going. So does Cruel Hand of Portland Maine. They are that metallic hardcore band who can take the heaviest breakdown into the most thrashy beat to blast. It’s very much it’s a party when they play. Friday also featured power violence band Nails, who also made me a fan.

The Geeks, by Anne Spina Photography

The Geeks, by Anne Spina Photography

Nails, by Anne Spina Photography

Nails, by Anne Spina Photography

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WORDS BY MATT O’TONIC MCGROARTY
PHOTOS BY ANNE SPINA


This Is Hardcore Fest Announce Daily Lineups


This Is Hardcore Fest has announced their daily lineups for the 2015 edition and the venues where each day’s event will be held.

Thursday, July 23rd – Union Transfer:
Snapcase
Chokehold
Code Orange
Morning Again
Foundation
Blistered
Break Away
Eternal Sleep

Thursday July 23rd@ Union TransferSnapcaseChokeholdCode OrangeMorning AgainFoundationBlisteredBreak AwayEternal Sleepremaining day by day breakdowns to come, keep your eyes open…

Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Friday, July 24th – Electric Factory:
American Nightmare
Suicide File
Nails
Defeater
Cruel Hand
True Love
The Geeks
Malice At The Palace

Friday July 24th @ the Electric FactoryAmerican NightmareSuicide FileNailsDefeaterCruel HandTrue Lovethe GeeksMalice At the Palace

Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Saturday, July 25th – Electric Factory:
Misfits (“Earth A.D.” in full)
Cro-Mags
Bane
Killing Time
Biohazard
Reach The Sky
Turnstile
Xibalba
Suburban Scum
Sand
Lifeless
Homewrecker
Time Bomb
Absolute Suffering

Saturday July 25th @ Electric Factorythe Misfits playing EARTH AD in its entiretyCroMags Bane – Last TIHC…

Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Sunday, July 26th – Electric Factory:
Exploited
H2O (20th anniversary show)
Negative Approach
All Out War
Power Trip
Rival Mob
Slapshot
Wisdom In Chains
Twitching Tongues
Mindset
Foreseen
Fuck You Pay Me
Disengage

Sunday July 26th @ Electric FactoryExploited – first US show in over a decadeH20 – 20th anniversary showNegative…

Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015

The moment is upon us.This is Hardcore X or TIHC 2015 Official Announcement.Dates : July 23-26, 2015Thursday July…

Posted by This Is Hardcore on Monday, March 30, 2015