Hessian Crucible CD Release Show

Hessian Crucible, a death metal group from Springfield Missouri, played it loud and strong at a packed Outland Ballroom Friday night for their new CD release show.  If you get the awesome chance to see them live, you best prepare your face for melting because with only three band members, this group will rock you to your very core with a hot and heavy thrash sound!

 

Hessian Crucible is notoriously known for their excellent instrumentals, yet Dorsey’s full, deep and bestial vocals are everything you could want from a black metal vocalist. Dorsey’s skillful and fast-flying guitar playing lends a progressive sound as much as percussionist Sam Smith’s heavy rapid slamming and bassist Joe Smith’s skillful rhythms.

 

The group carries a hint of old school metal, and fans of Metallica, Opeth, Slayer, Type O Negative and other similar thrash sounds will enjoy this band. They put on a good show and head-banging and moshing is to be expected at any one of their performances. You just may find yourself joining in! Highly recommended, Hessian Crucible is a deathly delight, guaranteed!

 

Hessian Crucible on FaceBook 

Act A Fool-A Live Music Babydoll Review!

 

     Act a Fool is an awesome cover band that does something uncommon--90s and 2000s + covers and well as several originals! Act a Fool is such a refreshing break from all the 80s cover bands that have saturated the city. 

 

     These guys are fantastic musicians and know how to put on a good show and have fun with their audience, and musically speaking, they definitely have the skills to become a professional cover band with just a little more showmanship.

     Their originals show promise and some of their most loyal fans are various members of local bands, like Hessian Crucible, Fiera, and From the Ashes, who took a turn to sing and play with the band for a few songs. This is a great group to go check out when you want something fun, familiar, entertaining, rocky, and alternative, and mingle with some great people while you're at it!

Act a Fool on Facebook

Black Ribbon Sky's, "These Scars Bleed", a CD Review

When I first heard the name Black Ribbon Sky, dark and interesting came to mind. Browsing through the song titles on the CD sleeve, I thought, “Oh no, looks like a bunch of whiny emo songs”; listening to it put the music in a much different light.

The music is quite heart pounding and jolts the metal core within a balance of 80’s metal and modern thrash tones. Rough and raw vocals grate but make up for it with demonic like roars, growls, banshee screams and low haunting baritones, all that passionately sing of heartache and regret. Twisted wicked percussion is supplemented with speedy and melodic cymbal action. The percussion mixes well with the fast paced riffs of thrashy yet eccentric guitar licks, and all form together to offer a solid metal brilliance that intermingles with the darkness of the lyrics.

Songs noteworthy of  top rock status are “Don’t Care”, “Pain Love Hate” (though similar in song title to Godsmacks “Love Hate Sex Pain”, the song holds its own in originality and arrangement),  and “These Scars Bleed” for its fantastic guitar solo. “This Life” lends a very heavy sound that reverberates with pulse-racing thrash quality mixed with melancholic serenade.

For the metal lover that likes a variety of sound in their rock music, look no further than Black Ribbon Sky. It has all you need: metal, thrash, and rock that harmonizes classic with modern sound. An ear-pleaser for the rocker that's looking for something new with a familiar ring.

Black Ribbon Sky on Facebook

An Evening with Bo Brown from Lowdown Fancy and Hamburger Cows.

Oh there's someone in the kitchen with Dinah
There’s someone in the kitchen, I knowowow

Oh there’s someone in the kitchen with Dinah

Strummin' on the old banjo.

FeFi Fiddly Ay Oh,

Fefi Fiddly Ay oh oh ohoh!

Fefi fiddly ay oh

                                                Strummin’ on the old banjo.
 
How well I remember that song from my childhood, as if I heard it just yesterday; my mother animatedly singing it to me when I was 5 years old, her voice lilting at the end of each clearly rung verse, and I happily singing along. 
 
Seeing Bo Brown at Harlow’s in January brought back those kinds of memories in a humorous but comfortable reminiscent way, when the Hamburger Cows played a rousing round of homegrown folk songs filled with lightly lewd and comical lyrics as well as lively melodies. Very catchy, very easy listening, very engaging, very folksy, and very Ozarkian. Pickin’ on the mandolin or fingering the electric, he proved to be quite the talented fellow. Looking like a sociable older gentleman of an easy going nature, his silver white hair proclaiming his maturity, I could immediately see that he must be a veteran of the music industry and someone with a lot of knowledge and experience. I found myself eager to talk with him.
 
Upon doing so I found out that he also plays for the group Lowdown Fancy, a funk folk favorite of the Ozarks with other talented members like Steve Ames (who also plays lead singer and acoustic for Hamburger Cows), Aaron Holmes, and Mike Henderson. Having heard that group name before and finding him to be friendly and easy to talk to, I arranged for a Babydoll Interview.
 
Not sure of the ideal place to conduct recorded interviews, we met at the Mudlounge on Walnut street downtown. We realized immediately that wasn’t going to work due to the bustle and noise, so we walked to Flame down the street. It felt somewhat like a bizarre adventure trying to discover the perfect environment. Downstairs in the bar, we sat on the couches at the bottom of the stairs. It wasn’t perfect but it would have to do for the time being. 
 
Settling down on awkward stiff couches, placing the recorder on the glowing boxy table provided, we ordered our drinks and started talking. With preamble about the weather, the restaurant, the weirdness of the sofas, both of us laughing and enjoying the camaraderie of our appointment, we soon started talking music.
 
BD: How long have you been in the music industry and when did you know you were going to be a musician?
 
BB: “I started at twelve years old when I got a guitar for Christmas and picked around on it. My sister was a folk singer; she taught me and more or less got me started. Then, at age 14, a buddy at school introduced me to rock and roll, <chuckles>, (BD: Oh no!), and the electric guitar. I was off and running, playing in a series of garage bands up until 1972-73, when I started with a band called Spillwater, with Ruell Chappell and his brother Alan. Carl Garner was on bass, an awesome player even back then when he was 15, he’s a Branson guy now. But, Spillwater was the first band I was in that was actually any good <laughs>… they originally had horns doing a mix of funk and rock and roll. A year earlier, I did play a short time with an eight-piece funk horn band, <laughs>, it was really cool. I wasn’t that much into it then as I was years later.”
 
BD: Nice. It’s like “Wow, I did that!”
 
BB: Exactly. After playing in rock bands up until 1974, a buddy asked if I wanted to go to the Walnut valley Bluegrass Festival at Winfield KS. I was a hippie rock and rollin’ guitar player and didn’t really want to have anything to do with that stuff, (bluegrass) but he said there would be lots of scantily clad dancing women there. So, I was like, “oh ok, I’ll go! <Laughs>.”
  
BD: I bet! 
 
BB: “So I went, and absolutely fell in love with acoustic music, and learned about this whole thing called ‘flat-picking’ where they pick old-style fiddle tunes on the guitar. They were doing these amazing arrangements with extreme virtuosity, very creative stuff, and that was my introduction to bluegrass. The first acoustic band I played in was “Arkamo Rangers”, a trio with Grady Wilson and Chip Ballard, our first gig was a season at Silver Dollar City in Branson Missouri in 1975. Just a few years ago, another group of young kids using the same name appeared on the scene, with a guy I knew - Dave Harp, and I thought, “you bastard, you stole my band name”. I told him about it, he said, “no, no, I didn’t get that from you, my dad was in a band by that name.” I said, “No, that’s just ridiculous”. When Chip Ballard came back through town later and I told him the story, he said, “You know, before you got into the band, we did have a banjo player named Ron Harp (Dave’s dad) in the band, but he had a nice job and couldn’t play the gig at SDC, so we brought you in.” 
 
BD: How many bands have you been in all together?
 
BB: “Hundreds! Hundreds! <laughs> One of the more recent bands I started and played with from 2000 till a couple of years ago was Hogmolly. You know what a Hogmolly is?”
 
BD: “Uhh, no can’t say that I really do “
 
BB: “It’s a Hillbilly thing, a local name for a type of fish…The actual name is Northern Hog Sucker, but the locals always called it a Hogmolly. They are just ugly-looking box-headed things with a big sucker-mouth, but they live in the most clear gravel-bottomed Ozark Mountain Streams. It’s kind of applicable. If you’ve been to the Suckerfest in Nixa, you’ve eaten Hogmolly. That band was an outgrowth of another group called Them Dang Peckerwoods, a very funny bunch of great bluegrass pickers. 
 
Around the late 70’s, I was playing a lot with Dale Hopkins, a well-known fiddle player around here. He had a buddy named John Kendrick that we jammed with, John and I started a progressive bluegrass band called The Undergrass Boys around 1979. We toured regionally, played at Silver Dollar City, and did lots of festivals and opening for the likes of Emmylou Harris and others, probably the closest I ever got to the big time. We were right on the verge of a big label when our lead singer/song writer, fiddle/mandolin guy wanted to get off the road to stay home and raise his kids, so he bailed. The band went on another year or so but never really recovered and we let it go around the end of 1983. 

While we were playing at SDC, I met and started hanging out with this old Indian named Jim Fire Eagle that was at the craft fair making arrowheads. Turned out he was a medicine man, teacher, and seemed to know every single plant and what it’s used for. Since I had collected arrowheads as a kid, I was totally fascinated because I didn’t know people still knew how to make them, and got very immersed in learning flintknapping, plants and other native skills. After the Undergrass Boys broke up, I wasn’t in the mood to go back into music after the 8 hour day/ 5 day a week gig at SDC, so for most of 1984, all I did was hang out the woods learning wilderness survival. A friend of mine was working on her Ornithology PHd. in Arkansas, and was part of a big bird study down there. She called me because I knew students from MSU that might want the work, and asked me to contact them. I said “I would love to do that!” She told me to put a resume together, but other than being a recreational birder, I had little experience. I kind of fibbed about doing bird tours in SDC, but put all the survival stuff in it, and that got me the job because it meant I was willing and happy to camp out the whole summer in Arkansas.”
 
BD: How did that help you with music and when did you come back into the music field?
 
BB: “One of the skills needed is to ID birds by their songs and calls, and I learned bird songs the same way I learned music, by memorizing phrases and tone. It’s a marketable skill; you can make good money identifying birds by their songs. Learning bird songs also helped me learn to listen better in music”
 
BD: Wow. I did not know that until now, where do I sign up? <laughs>
 
BB: The woman that got me the first bird research job also launched a 10 year-long bird monitoring study in Branson that year, so it got me work in the area again. Around that time, I ran into Mark (Howie) Denny, who headed a trio playing at Cartoons called Howie and the Hillcats, he invited me to play with them. They were the first band I played with in Springfield after I came back. 
 
BD: So what bands are you currently in? 
 
BB: “Howie and the Hillcats, the Lowdown Fancy, Hamburger Cows, Da Mullets, and The Undergrass Boys. The last two bands only do a few shows a year. I also recently played for the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated movie Winter’s Bone. The group that was assembled for it (Blackberry Winter) was just booked on a big coast-to-coast US tour starting May 20^th to promote the soundtrack CD, and we’re scheduled to start recording a new project in April.” 
 
BD: How many instruments do you play?
 
BB: “Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Bass, Mandolin, Dobro. 
 
BD:  What’s the reunion band you are in?
 
BB: “The Undergrass Boys do reunion shows every few years, the last one we did was recently at Juanita K Hammons Hall. Our first and only record came out 1981 on vinyl; someone located the original 2” tapes it was recorded on and had it re-mastered to CD. We released it at a sold-out concert at the Landers Theater in 1999; we’re also in the process of recording a new CD of old and current material.
 
BD: So it’s been over 40 years of playing music. Wow! What do you like most about dealing with the music industry besides playing the music?
 
BB: “Well, the business and the industry itself is the worst part about it. The real magic is when you are onstage with musicians who you totally respect for their musical ability and what they do. There’s nothing like it, such a raw communication. The Undergrass Boys was the first band I had that with; we split up in 1983 and didn’t have a reunion till 1993. But then and even now, every single time we get together on stage, we still have these moments of communication that make me well up a bit. It’s an amazing thing, and almost every band I’ve played with has those moments, some more than others.”
 
BD: That’s awesome! What about Hamburger Cows?
 
BB: “It’s an offshoot of Lowdown Fancy, with me, Steve Ames and whoever shows up to jam. We had our first gig at Tipsy Turtle and didn’t have a name at the time. On the way there, Steve needed a shirt, so goes to Wal-Mart and buys a $3 special with the letter “I”, a picture of a hamburger, then “Cows” spelled out below that. It looked like some guy in China wanted to capitalize on the “I (picture of a heart) my dog” craze and tried to apply it to hamburgers, but got lost in the translation.
 
Steve shows up in the shirt and said “This is gonna be our name! Hamburger Cows! I’ll go buy a bunch of them to give away and it’ll be crazy! I argued a bit that I thought it was stupid, but finally agreed. During the next gig at the Turtle, we gave most of them away, throwing them at the winners of stupid trivia questions, it was great fun. The next day, I got a bunch of emails and FB inquires, asking “what the hell is this Hamburger Cows?” It was one of those things where the silly name probably got us more notoriety then if we’d gone with some standard name. 
 
BD: Oh yes, I was out with my friend and he said lets go see this band called “Hamburger Cows” I was like, are you serious? Lol”
 
BB: “It’s mostly material we wouldn’t want to do with Lowdown Fancy. Steve is a classically trained, magnificent singer and I usually don’t want to sing that much while playing with him in Lowdown, as my rough voice kind of leans toward country and bluegrass. With Hamburger Cows, I can drag out a bunch of my original songs written over the years, Steve has a lot of other originals as well, and we do a lot of covers we both picked up that are applicable. We can also play the naughty songs.”
 
BD: I know! Those are my favorite ones” <winks> So what advice would you give to a newbie, just starting out in the music field, any parting words of wisdom?
 
BB: “Practice as much as you can, hone your craft, and don’t play out till you don’t suck so bad.”
If you would like a taste of the vast array of Bo Brown’s music, go to Blackberry Winter (Winter’s Bone) www.blackberrywinterband.com . The Lowdown Fancy – www.reverbnation.com/thelowdownfancy . You can also check out Bo’s survival school’s site: www.firstearth.org .

Sovereign CD Review

    Sovereigns new CD gives a toe-tapping and head-bobbing appeal while luring the listener to wistfully daydream of sweet days gone by mixed with a new-age of current desires.

     What does that mean? Basically they have a bit of a classic late 80s early 90's grind in Mark Hughey's percussion and Robert Clayton's rhythm, yet the poppiness of the lyrics carry a heavy edge as does the raw violent passion in Michael Yarnell's voice. Keoni Rogers fluid fingers on the guitar and funky twist in Austin Hart's bass is what adds a more alternative yet melodious and yearning quality to their music. 

     That so much talent can come from this one particular group is undeniable, as "Follow", "Far From Home" and "Who I Am"s live recordings show the originality, depth and symmetry of musical art in action. The slow starting rhythm of  "Fickle" quickly picks up pace only to slow it down again while Yarnell's voice woos and serenades. Gaining similarity as the song goes on, the end surprises as Yarnell whispers just before the rhythm and Roger's heavy riffs amp it up again. 

   A song sure to get you addicted is "Last Meal" which starts off heavy and wicked, with erotic overtones and hip-swaying rhythm. Yarnell's voice hits a core of vibrancy with sex appeal and rich baritone power as Roger's strumming drives in deep to hit the metal spot. Hughey's percussion is simple; steadily rising and falling to the rhythm or lead guitar parts, but still solid in precision and boom.

   Recommended for the lovers of hard rock with a metal lining and "feel good" intercepts, Sovereign's new "Change" CD will give classic and modern rockers what they are looking for.

http://www.sovereignrocks.com/

    

Enduval

     Enduval is an impressive group. Starting out fast and furious with one song, or slow and entreating the next, the group has a hard metal sound that reverberates with melancholic dreaminess. "Fight the World" delivers a thrashy sound to start, then breaks into a soulful chorus, reminiscent of hard thrash band Five Finger Death Punch, while after a couple minutes into the song mix it up with almost 311 style strumming adding to the diversity of the music.

     Billy Maulings and Charles Manuel know how to rock it intensely with fluid and talented exchange as Chris Meyer's bass laces their play with a funky tone here and there, adding some variety and fullness. Their song "Wait" is a good example of that, as the vocals of Josh Krone's pleasant tenor has a yearning quality and gives a passionate projection.

     "The One to Change' carries a familiar guitar intro and chorus and sounds similar to their other songs, save for the whispers, reminding of the progressive group, Opeth, a bit in style and arrangement. Ryan Aldrege's percussion is dynamic and energetic, talented and focused; heavy one part, soft and light others, with a rocky flourish.

     As impressive as Enduval is, a bit more variety of vocal range and octave would add to the richness of the music, and encouragement is only needed in the area of keeping an original sound in the musical arrangement.This group has just about everything it needs to take them to the top in the local music arena and beyond.

     Special note to the Ugly Mug Tavern, whose fantastic sound system and above average floor size makes it all the more better!

    

     Photos taken by Arielle Beckham

 

Enduval on Reverb Nation 

One Eye Open

  Thrash and metal, perfect for the ultimate headbanger, is the mainstay of heavy rock band "One Eye Open."

     Unusual for a thrash group are the vocals of OEO's singer, Lucky. Not your typical thrash metal vocals where there's only one sound (generally one tone demonic screaming), Lucky uses inflection and a variety of vocal range, doing what a good singer should do at least some of the time--sing!

     Percussionist, Foot, is fast moving and more than keeps up with the music, not an easy feat given the rapid pace. What one wants one gets: slamming double and triple beats, clanging symbols and lusty drum rolls. Arc Angel lays on the heavy sound of bass while Brando Riordan gives the quick riffs of the true thrash grunge artist.

     Ear-splitting they are not, no indeed, as there is obviously a lot of thought that went into the making of the music. "Fascial Lacerations/Morphine" starts off slow with eerie vocals and then blasts into a heavy chorus and full on screaming, along with car wrecking type sounds and breaking glass. "Soul" begins with riffs hard rock riffs as soon as the lightening speed percussion, insane guitar and demon ghoul screams kick in.

     One Eye Open is for the thrash metal fan and anyone else who wants a faster change of pace. Whether feeling frisky, deliriously happy, full of rage or just plain aggressive, OEO definitely hits that M-spot (metal-spot) and is a great group to see live. Warning: fits of moshing are to be expected!

To hear OEO for yourself, go to http://www.myspace.com/oeo666

Get your Nukl-deep into Classic Metal!

  Nukldeep, a relatively new-on-the-scene rock group that takes you back in time with their classic 80's sound yet with original tracks, played their third live show at The Highlife Friday the 12th.

     Ron Blair rocked it impressively from the start with a tight bass, giving some funky style one song and a hard heavy twang the next that flowed throughout the music with upbeat flicks. The guitar solos (Butch Espanol) were also energizing in their classic rock style mixed with newer hard rock sounds.

     Percussionist Fred Wilkins simple but solid, giving that classic sounding boom, picking up the pace for faster songs, though repetitive and predictable. The vocalist (George Galvin), though involved and looking the part, has a typical rock singing style and would help if he worked on varying his range, and deepening his tone.

     The groups entire musical arrangements remind you of music from earlier generations; the musical layout could use more structure and vision in order to deliver a more diverse sound that would appeal to rockers who want something new. Blues touch on one track in appealing resound and metal inflicts another, yet aren't memorable or captivating in either direction, enjoyable enough yet leaving the listener feeling something more should be coming.

     The music is great for old style rock and roll with a metal edge, and is worthy to be heard. Nukldeep has great potential and dedication and with ingenuity, ambition and imagination could become a reckoning force on the local playing field of hard rock. So get your horns up and make sure to check them out next they play in town!

http://www.nukldeep.com/

Live Concert Review, Assembly Line Gods, Ramada Oasis

   Fire from heaven is burning bright in the form of Assembly Line Gods who are blazing the way into the rock arena of alternative metal.

     ALG will melt your face off with grungy riffs, funky bass, passionate percussion and seductive growls one minute, while wooing you with complex and melodious lyrics the next. Lighting up the music scene in a way you never expected, this band pulls it off without sounding too harsh or thrashy, and delivers hard rock with a melancholic edge.

     David Samples' smooth vocals pour out like molten honey, calming any a rock-weary soul looking for a fresh sound in a saturated genre. Josh Kroeger, bass, and Bronson Cox, lead guitar, play with power and Carson Underwood, percussion, slams his set with god-like force in every song, mixing the typical metal sound with intense diversity.

     Lighting up the stage, this band has high energy and movement: Samples dances around the stage with wild abandonment or theatrical showmanship reminiscent of Jim Morrison from The Doors and Kroeger whips his hair around in heavy metal fashion. Both cast off their shirts, much to the crowd's delight, while Cox nods to their fans with a naughty gleam and a wicked grin, and Underwood rolls his sticks in perfect precision.

     The only thing lacking from their live performance was the additional dynamics and entertainment quality that comes from group interaction, something that seasoned bands capitalize on; however, there was none lacking when it came to rocking and entreating the crowd where their passion, energy, and pure raw talent takes over.

     If there is such a thing as a rock heaven, then Assembly Line Gods are the gate-keepers ushering rockers to a new alternative experience. Simply put a talented band that we'll be hearing more from in the future as their fans excitedly wait for their new CD release.

Assembly Line Gods on ReverbNation

Dreamy and Solid, aMedivm will rock your world!

    November 22, 2010

     Here's a tribute to a melodious group called aMedivm, pronounced short (a) as in uh-Med (long e)-ium. Medieval looks the name, but Medieval does not sound the music, with an eerie grungy twist in their guitar riffs, and haunting Indie style vocals that remind you of foreign 80s metal taking you to another time and place renaissance not of ancient British gore but of mid eastern royalty and new age dignity.

     Body swaying percussion by Paul Napier- drums and percussion, vocals, and enchanting guitar-and  Brandon Closser along with his brother Nathan Kearney play guitar, bass and synthesis as well as vocals- that remind slightly of Vinnie Moore and Satriani but a newer progressive sound surround you and becomes your seventh heaven with erotic tones suggesting seductive qualities. Napier does a fantastic performance on the percussion, and Christian Pearson throws in the erroneous and tantalizing piano along the way and Wesley Mease adds into the background on vocals and "primal" beats for an eclectic sound and harmonious mix.

     AMedivim carries a feel akin to traveling through modern day Bangladesh with nude people wandering all around, and as the opium smoke fills the air you inhale deeply and see the swarming thong with an enlightened eye as you nod your head to the rhythmic sound of Indian rock style chanting with gypsy-progression...no, not really, no opium, that's the music talking and as close to that experience you can get without partaking.

     A bit monotonous at times, with some songs more various than others, a bit more consistency of quality and input from the vocals is left to be desired. There are blasts of soft evil roaring and spooky howling that are most welcome with their dark metal passion that many want to feel and taste. The pulsing roar of malevolence you think you only hear in the movies, with great soundtrack potential, give us goosebumps and suspense; it's music for the metal niche, but a kind that entices hearers across a span of genres.

     Halloween never sounded  so creepy with captivating and wicked metal to play in the background at any given party much to the pleasure of a fiendish audience's delight.  Enjoy the season, enjoy the winding back of time in the autumn glories and fall backwards into aMedivm, a ever living breathing organism that we call musical talent alas an ever-changing and evolving one with which we play long into the night.

Fiera

   So have you heard of Fiera, a hardcore metal band with a methodical sound and brilliant percussion who also perform in glow-in-dark face paint? Dramatic is their stage presence, dramatic is their music that engages the listener in thoughtful and suspenseful enthrall.

     Vocals (Taylor/Matt Nasty) go from throaty and deep to high tenor range, along with the growls and screams we've come to love about metal music. A bit weak at times, but with an entreating lure, yet pleasant enough on the ears with focus and direction.

     This group rocks down the house with heavy dark metal guitar sounds (John, Cody, and Matt), and the percussion (Philly) is fantastic: building up the pace in perfect synchronicity with the music, triple rolls play out in beautiful precision and enchanting rhythms reverberate in a passionate display.

    There is no stereo-typing this band as typical thrash, Fiera plays it slow and fast, with a variety of tunes that extend beyond the assumptions one has of most heavy metal groups and that appeal to a variety of rock enthusiasts. "Undone" goes from reflective almost Metallica like acoustic tones to a heavy thrashy head banging blast of dark sound and appeal.

     Not to be outdone by other popular local metal bands, Fiera has an energy that seems to pour out of their being into their instruments as each member gives it all he has to their art and performance. Seeing their faces a glow in ghoulish war paint makes it clear that they intend to melt your face off with a furious rock experience you won't soon forget.

   Written by Arielle Beckham

     http://www.myspace.com/music/9237256/songs/7328815

Feature Story: Interview with Punk Rock Band, Portrait of Authority

     There’s a pretty diverse music scene in Springfield Missouri and the punk rockers are very much a part of it. Surprising is just how much as plenty of punk groups liven up the night scene in this not-so-sleepy of a town.

     One group in particular has earned recognition and is developing a fan base along the way with mostly original songs and a cover or two thrown in to spice up the routine. With an “in your face” attitude, Portrait of Authority (PoA) is rapidly becoming a popularly sought out group in the local music venues. They won 2nd place in a battle of the bands contest and the opportunity to play at the Ozarks Empire Fair in July as well as playing often at the Ugly Mug and at the Outland for “Punk Night Wednesdays”.

     Before PoA hit the stage on one such night, I sat down with three out of four of the band member for a Babydoll Interview.

     Arielle Beckham from Babydoll Reviews (BdR): “So you’ve played several punk shows here in town. How many shows so far?”

     PoA: Nick Chaikin, Bass: “We’ve played 20 shows since July of 2009 when we first started the group.”

     BdR: "What made you choose punk? What were your ideas when you started out?"

     PoA: “We wanted to make punk rock music more available to that particular fan base and to provide other genres, to show there is another type of music that’s not the same old style.”

     BdR: “Who were your greatest influences, you know, bands you grew up with that really motivated you to play punk rock?”

     PoA: “The Ramones, Bad Religion, No Effects, Rise Against, Pennywise.”

     BdR: “So who started the group?”

     PoA: Joey and Nick:”We are the founding fathers. We sat down and said, ‘We got to be full force punk and go all the way, or not at all.’ We started just playing and messing around and we clicked. Really well together and created our first song, “The Way We Belong””.

     BdR: "I know you have a new member, a new guitarist?”

     PoA: “Yeah, Britt James is our new guitarist and we knew right away she fit what we were looking for, she learned the songs very quickly.” Brit: “I love punk music. I used to be more into hard rock but punk is so much more fun, it’s more passionate.”

     BdR: “What are your future music goals as a group? What do you see yourself doing in the not so far future?”

     PoA: Nick:” We want to start a record label by the end of the year and create a full length CD.”  Joey, laughing, “Yeah, I wanna quit my job!”  Nick: “We want to trim the fat, so to speak, and deliver shorter versions for the new generation and the ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) people and give out active, energizing, and positive messages in our music.”

    Not that PoA is short of ball--busting spunky songs now. Songs like “F**k You!” and “Out to Get Us” get their fans fired up enough to thrash around mosh pit style at any one of their shows. Fun, entertaining and cocky, Portrait of Authority encompasses that punk style and is the perfect prescription for rock enthusiasts who crave a different type of rock.  Trust me; you have it on good authority.  ;)

By Arielle Beckham

To learn more about or listen to the music of POA, go to http://www.myspace.com/portraitofauthority09.

Sovereign Rocks!

     Sovereign delivers a sound that’s all their own and is pleasing to the ears. Classic metal blends with soft rock, and the result is a varying sound that will please many a genre fan.  Ranging from soft and hard to alternative gives them an interesting edge.

     A talented vocalist, Michael Parnell’s signature vocals are beautiful, with a deep strength that flows throughout each melody in soothing resound. A little more stability on the high notes would lend him even more service as top rate singer, and that he is, as his tenor rolls complete his verses and lines, showing him to be a vocalist of authenticity.

     Speaking of verses, the melodies and lyrics are very catchy, with sing-along enchantment and rockabilly drive.

     Keoni Rogers is light on the strings in competence and potency which he interplays in fluid motion. Guitar licks with a dreamy like quality or rocky edges with progressive and classic riffs are just one thing that gives this band something extra  over the average rock group.

     Mark Huey, percussion, gives a solid rock performance, yet simple sounding with a flashback to the 80’s, lacking in extraordinaire. Classic but simple with room for growth, as a few more drums rolls, some double beats and a bit more cymbals would be very beneficial to the quality of their music and lend more variety.

     Robert Clayton, rhythm, and Austin Hart, bass, work well together live as the stringers amp up their stage performance in musical play and interaction. Impressive was Austin Hart’s stand out bass that moves the listeners to nod their heads or tap their feet to the rhythm.

     Quickly becoming a local favorite, live they are an active bunch as a five member band, feeding off the energy of each other and their audience giving a decent rock worthy performance.  Popularity, time, and potential are on their sides as they are truly a talented group that with practice, dedication and imagination can only get better.

http://www.reverbnation.com/sovereignrocks
Article written by Arielle Beckham