Category: Blog

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Miscellaneous

Do You Like Watching and Learning about True Crime?

What’s going on Butcher Crew, it’s your Master Butcher, The Saw, and today we are going to talk about True Crime. This has always been a subject that fascinated me because I have always been curious as to why people do the things that they do. I also like to understand the sociology and the psychology of a person. I like to try and analyze the individual and see if I can come up with my only theories as to why people are the way they are or how an event could happen. 

Below, is a list of shows that I enjoy watching that are based on true crime: 

  • Mindhunters – Netflix 
    • This TV show is based on actual FBI agents and their cases! This show follows around two FBI agents who helped create the term “serial killer” and also develop the behavioral science/psychology department at the Bureau. 
  • Night Stalker – Netflix 
    • This documentary goes through the investigation of the Night Stalker. There are interviews with the detectives that were on the case, family of the victims, and surviving victims.  
  • American Murder: The Family Next Door – Netflix
    • This case was wild!! A mother and her two daughters go missing and the father is acting rather calm… I wonder why… 
  • Evil Genius – Netflix 
    • Follow the investigation to see who was behind the man who was told to rob a bank with a bomb attached to him. The people in this case are wild. 
  • The Ripper – Netflix 
    • Follow the investigation in England, when the Ripper was out on the streets. 
  • Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile – Netflix 
    • This film follows around Ted Bundy (played by Zac Efron) and his gruesome murders. This film also shows the point of view of Bundy’s girlfriend, who did not know what her man was up to. 
  • Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes – Netflix 
    • This film has audio recordings of interviews with Ted Bundy and his killings. These are fascinating to listen to because you get a glimpse of the personality behind the killer and his reasonings to kill. 
  • Hotel Cecil – Netflix 
    • Follow along with the investigation of Elisa Lam and dive through all the conspiracy theories and went along with this strange disappearance. 
  • Honorable Mention: Bailey Sarian’s YouTube channel
    • Bailey is a YouTuber who does her makeup while she talks about a true crime story. She does a great job at laying out all the information and giving you a good picture of what happened. She is very passionate about what she speaks about and she does a wide variety of true crime stories. 

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

Categories
Classic Album Review

The Making of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours”

Days Before “Rumours”

Prior to the making of “Rumours”, the band was in a great period of growth. Just two years before the release of “Rumours” in 1977, Fleetwood Mac released their self-titled tenth studio album, commonly referred to as “The White Album” by Fleetwood Mac fans. This was their first album featuring Stevie Nicks as vocalist and Lindsey Buckingham as guitarist, a duo that would later become monumental to rock and roll. Just over a year after its release on July 11, 1975, “Fleetwood Mac” reached number one on US charts and later peaked at number 23 on UK charts. This was the first number one record for the band and a major accomplishment. Fleetwood Mac was finally thrust into the spotlight after nearly 10 years as a band and several changes in members. 

Inner-band Turmoil 

            From 1975 until the late ‘80s, Fleetwood Mac maintained its most commonly known lineup, consisting of vocalist Stevie Nicks, guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, vocalist Christine McVie, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood. With new success and more than one inner-band relationship, the five members of Fleetwood Mac were swarming with the drama of love, fame and money. The majority of the recording of “Rumours” took place in 1976 California. This was shortly after the romantic split of the long-time relationship between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. Following their split, the two maintained a professional relationship courtesy of Fleetwood Mac, creating some drama-filled song writing material. To add to the band’s stress, Christine McVie was in the middle of divorcing her husband, bassist John McVie. These failing relationships put great pressure on Fleetwood Mac and created some of the most beautiful music of all time.

The Release

            Upon its release on February 4, 1977, “Rumours” reached number one on US and UK charts. The songs “Dreams”, “Go You Own Way”, “Don’t Stop” and “You Make Loving Fun” were released as singles, all of which placed in the top 10 on US charts. The album was wildly successful and continued to gain popularity throughout the course of the band’s international promotional tour. “Rumours” was critically acclaimed for its brilliant lyrics and stunning harmonies, provided by the interchanging dominance of three talented vocalists. The album was named Album of the Year at the 1978 Grammy awards and maintains its position as the eleventh highest-selling record of all time, with over 40 million copies sold. As of “Rolling Stones”’ 2020 ranking of the 500 greatest albums of all time, Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” falls at number seven. It was clear from the success of “Rumours” that Fleetwood Mac had become a major name in rock music in the 1970s. Their success would continue with a run of three highly praised albums following “Rumours”: “Tusk”, “Tango in the Night” and “Behind the Mask”. They continue to be regarded as one of the most influential bands of all time. 

-Hannah

Categories
Classic Album Review

Album Review: Mink Mussel Manticore

ALBUM: “Mink Mussel Manticore” by Mink Mussel Creek

RELEASE YEAR: 2007/2014

LABEL: Spinning Top Records

RATING: 8/10

BEST TRACKS: “They Dated Steadily,” “Meeting Waterboy” and “PROMISING QUINTET RISE TO POWER (MACHO PEACHU)”

FCC: Clean

When I first heard the song “They Dated Steadily” on my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist, I would’ve never thought Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker was behind it. With its heavy metal riffs and psychedelic feel, I immediately fell in love with the 13-minute-long song and the album it came from, “Mink Mussel Manticore.”

Parker and Allbrook originally formed Mink Mussel Creek in 2007. “Mink Mussel Manticore” came into being the same year, but wasn’t officially recorded and subsequently released until 2014 when the two musicians reunited. By this time, both Pond and Tame Impala had reached international success, so the gem that is Mink Mussel Creek was left widely forgotten. “Mink Mussel Manticore,” their only album, delves more into the heavier side of garage rock and psychedelia. Imagine “Thickfreakness” by the Black Keys on steroids sprinkled with some Hendrix-esc guitar, and then you’d get something like “Mink Mussel Manticore.” It’s hard to believe the album is only seven songs long. Each track feels like an epic, filled with layers of wild riffs and beat switches.

It’s easy to see how both Pond and Tame Impala stemmed from Mink Mussel Creek, but as Parker and Allbrook went their separate ways, they both softened their tone. What I love about “Mink Mussel Manticore” is its unapologetic heaviness. It’s the kind of album you have to play on full blast. Tracks like “Cat Love Power” and “HANDS OFF THE MANNEQUIN CHARLIE” switch pace often, keeping you on your toes and wanting more. Though songs like “PROMISING QUINTET RISE TO POWER (MACHO PEACHU)” and “Meeting Waterboy” stray more into the funk/blues arena, the rest of the album is a sludgy, fuzzy psychedelic journey.

Give it a listen!

– DJ Butter

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: Belphegor

Belphegor

 Belphegor is an Austrian extreme metal band from Salzburg, that formed in 1991. When they first became a band, they used the name Betrayer, but in 1993 they named their band after the demon Belphegor. Their music has been described as “diabolical death/black metal.” The band was created by vocalists and bassist Maxx, guitarists Helmuth Lehner and Sigurd Hagenauer, and drummer Chris. 
 
The band has jumped from different labels throughout their existence; they were briefly signed to Perverted Taste Records in 1994. They were then on Last Episode (now called Black Attakk) in 2000 but left because the band felt as though the label was a “rip-off.” They then preceeded to release their live album, Infernal Live Orgasm, on their own label, Phallelujah Productions, until they signed with Napalm Records in 2003. They only stayed with this record label until 2005 because they felt like the label did not support them enough. Belphegor then signed with Nuclear Blast Records in 2005. 
 
Belphegor has also had their fair share of band members. Throughout their formation and switching amongst record labels, the lineup constantly changed. Here is their current members: Helmuth Lehner (guitar and vocals) and Serpenth (bass and backing vocals). They have members that only play live: Martin “Molokh” Arzberger (guitars) and Pawel Jaroszewicz (drums). 
 

Discography: 
 
·      The Last Supper (1995)
·      Blutsabbath (1997)
·      Necrodaemon Terrorsathan (2000) 
·      Lucifer Incestus (2003)
·      Goatreich – Fleshcult (2005) 
·      Pestapokalypse VI (2006)
·      Bondage Goat Zombie (2008) 
·      Walpurgis Rites – Hexenwahn (2009) 
·      Blood Magick Necromance (2011) 
·      Conjuring the Dead (2014) 
·      Totenritual (2017) 
 

Stay Metal, 
 
THE SAW 
Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Artist Profile: Grace Jones

A black woman poses holding a revolver
Grace Jones posing for the James Bond film A View to Kill

A few weeks ago, when I was doing my first DJ shift for the Spring semester, I got a call on the hotline requesting I play a song by Grace Jones. I didn’t recognize the name, but never one to turn down a request, I pulled up a song called “Pull up to the Bumper,” and hit play. What came out of the speakers stumped me for categorization. It was clearly dance music, but there was an edge to the guitars that reminded me more of punk, and it was capped off with just an instantly recognizable vocal performance. What I didn’t know then was that I was about to be pulled into a crazy world of one of the iconic divas of the era.

Grace Jones started out as a fashion model and got her break as a disco singer in the 70s. She only achieved minor success, and while dance music seemed like a safe investment in 1977, the anti-disco backlash would take out her hopes of being the next Donna Summers. She, and a whole lot of artists like her, needed to find a new career, and fast. Jones would find her route in one of the strangest career moves possible… she went punk. Now I don’t mean this to sound like Jones took a turn towards the Dead Kennedys, in fact, her music remained fairly danceable. The correct term for it sonically is probably New Wave, but her music adopted a rebellious and challenging air that sets her apart from the likes of Duran Duran or even Blondie. Always gender-bending in her fashion career, Jones became outright androgynous, trending towards masculine both in her appearance and her vocals. She also blended in more influence from her home country of Jamaica, working with the then-obscure Reggae duo Sly and Robbie.

Her 1980 album Warm Leatherette consists entirely of covers, but they’re drawn from such a variety of artists and so warped that despite knowing several of the songs, I initially assumed they were written for Jones. She covers Smokey Robinson, Tom Petty, and industrial synthpunk act The Normal, a collection of artists so unlike each other they might as well be drawn randomly out of a hat. Despite this eclectic taste, the album is extremely coherent, brought together by the sheer tour de force that is Jones’ vocal style. Later albums would see her move back into dance music and incorporate more elements from her home country of Jamaica. But she would never lose the weird edge that makes her such a unique musician.

What surprised me the most about Jones’ life, more than her music, her appearance, anything, was how successful she was at the time. While she wasn’t quite a household name, she had several hit songs, and such an alien woman would have certainly made an impression on the public. So why isn’t Jones a better-remembered singer? While she’s hardly obscure, there aren’t nearly as many articles about her as I expected, and I’ve never seen a music critic or magazine reference her in regard to the myriad artists that take inspiration, knowingly or otherwise, from her aesthetic.

Part of this is a general bias against artists who don’t fit a movement or genre well. While everyone knows artists like David Bowie or Blondie, genre-blurring artists without a massive catalog of hits can get short shrift in a music press obsessed with microgenres and local music scenes. Her race is probably also a factor. White America was extremely hostile to black music in the time between disco and Prince, and punk rock is one of the whitest genres around. But regardless of the reason her notoriety has faded, I hope you will take time out of your day to check out this early goddess of dance-punk.

Categories
Classic Album Review

Retro Review: Abraxas by Santana

ALBUM: “Abraxas” by Santana

RELEASE YEAR: 1970

LABEL: Columbia Records

RATING: 10/10

BEST TRACKS: “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen,” “Hope You’re Feeling Better” and “Samba Pa Ti”

FCC: Clean

There exists few music groups who managed to combine so many genres of music better than Santana. Though the original group first came into being in 1966, their first brush with true fame came at Woodstock in 1968. Carlos Santana, front-man, founder, and the only consistent member of the band since its formation, was a mystery to the world before he was thrust onstage last-minute at the hands of his manager, a man named Billy Graham who was organizing the iconic festival.

In a seemingly impossible combination of jazz, funk, blues, rock, and Latin music, “Abraxas” emerged. Originally released in 1970, it was Santana’s second studio album after the massive success of their first, “Santana.” Carlos Santana and his band introduced Latin music to the classic rock scene in ways nobody had seen before. “Abraxas” was no exception. Searing guitar riffs overlap the sounds of bongos and jazz pianos to create a sound that was truly revolutionary for the time. With psychedelic rock being very much a white man’s arena in the early ’70s, Santana was a breath of fresh air for all to experience the fusion of Latin music and rock n’ roll.

“Black Magic Woman,” one of Santana’s most heralded songs, turned Peter Green’s (Fleetwood Mac) bluesy classic into a samba you just can’t help dancing to. In a cover of Tito Puente’s hit, “Oye Como Va,” Santana adds his own spin with a funky piano line. “Hope You’re Feeling Better,” the second to last song on “Abraxas,” goes in a completely different direction, sounding more like a song from Deep Purple than a Latin-fusion band.

Overall, “Abraxas” will always be one of my favorite albums because of how diverse and experimental it is. It’s a great testament to the incredible exploration into music that was happening in the ’60s and ’70s. Give it a listen!

– DJ Butter

Categories
Playlists

A Love Playlist from DJ Butter

A pile of heart shaped pink glitter


It’s Valentine’s Day! I feel so full of love every time I think about the people who listen to my show every week, so I decided to make a V-Day playlist just for y’all! Filled with classics, newbies and lots of romantic goodness, it’s all the lovey-dovey songs that I’m obsessed with. The full playlist is about almost two hours long, but here are of few of my choice favorites:

1.     I Love You So – The Chantels

The Chantels are most known for their hit single, “Maybe,” but “I Love You So” has to be the most romantic song they’ve released. It just makes ya feel good. 

2.     Sweet Thang – Shuggie Otis

I’ve been super into Shuggie Otis recently. His work on the steel guitar is impeccable and I love how he mixes funk and the blues. “Sweet Thang” is a great ballad perfect to listen to any day of the week, but especially on Valentine’s. 

3.     I THINK – Tyler, the Creator

“IGOR” has to be one of the most prolific albums released over the past couple years. I love the way Tyler has softened and really refined his work. “I THINK” shows off the hopeless romantic he really is. 

4.     Still Together – Mac DeMarco

I remember listening to this song over and over again in 9th grade when I first heard it. Five years later, and it’s still one of my favorites.

5.     Nancy (With The Laughing Face) – Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra is one of the original masters of the romantic ballad, but this song really makes me misty-eyed. Written about his wife, it’s so beautiful and heartfelt. 

6.     Prototype – Outkast

The lyrics say it all: “I hope that you’re the one/ If not, you are the prototype/ We’ll tiptoe to the sun/ And do thangs I know you like.”

7.     Hey, Hey, What Can I Do – Led Zeppelin

“Hey, Hey, What Can I Do” was originally released on the B-side of the “Immigrant Song” single in 1970. It’s a soft, acoustic track, displaying a side that the iconic heavy rock band rarely showed.

8.     Girl – The Internet (feat. KAYTRANDA)

Syd’s vocals on this song are fantastic, especially since they’re mixed with the rest of The Internet’s funky instrumental talent. 

9.     Not Fade Away / Goin’ down the Road Feeling Bad – The Grateful Dead

Is your love bigger than a Cadillac? As per usual, the Dead show their mastery of feel-good, eclectic rock in this live version of “Not Fade Away.”

10.  Paris, Tokyo – Lupe Fiasco

Last but not least, “Paris, Tokyo” is a sweet song about love that crosses borders and travels around the world. It’ll always be one of my favorites!

Make sure to check out the full playlist below for more tender jams!

Happy listening

–       DJ Butter  

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

A Tribute to Christopher Plummer’s Role in “The Sound of Music”

Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, and goodnight to Christopher Plummer, who played Baron von Trapp in the classic movie “The Sound of Music.” Growing up, the sound of music was my favorite movie. It was a beautiful tale about a woman named Maria, a nun who challenges herself to take care of seven unruly children. Their father, Baron von Trapp, is initlaly unimpressed with Maria and nearly fires her. However, through music, the characters grow closer and learn to express themselves. Maria and von Trapp eventually get married and the family lives happily ever after once they escape Austria from the invading Nazis. 

This movie is very dear to my heart. As a child, I was never truly taught to appreciate music until I watched this movie. While the genres of music I listen to now may be far from Julie Andrews bolting “The hills are alive” on the top of a mountain, it was the passion and joy I saw in the characters that made me realize how special music really was. Music was able to fix a broken family, allow the children to express their feelings in songs, and was able to wash away the cold heart of Baron von Trapp. His character is especially sentimental because he showed me how a “big strong man” like himself could open up to his softer, more tender side of his personality. He showed that men didn’t have to conform to one part of their personality, and that singing with the ones he loved didn’t make him any less of a man. Christopher Plummer may no longer be with us, but his music will live on forever. 

Categories
Weekly Charts

Afterhours Charts 2/16

GEORGE CLANTON AND NICK HEXUM
ArtistRecordLabel
1GEORGE CLANTON AND NICK HEXUMGeorge Clanton And Nick Hexum100% Electronica
2ELA MINUSActs Of RebellionDomino
3CADENZAUp Inna [EP]Twenty8Twelve
4CHARLI XCXhow i’m feeling nowAtlantic
5SASSY 009“Lara” feat. Clairo [Single]Luft 
6PROSPA“The Thrill” [Single]Rave Science
7STEMLINES Harsh Riddims Vol. 4 Self-Released
8DREAMWEAVERCloud9MagicCrafters
9YVES TUMORHeaven To A Tortured MindWarp
10BLUE HAWAIIUnder 1 House [EP]Arbutus
Categories
Weekly Charts

Underground Charts 2/16

Methane - Cold Water
ArtistRecordLabel
1MEDHANECold WaterTBHG
2KOKOROKO“Baba Ayoola” [Single]Brownswood
3JAMES TILLMANModern DesiresMusella Creative
4BABYXSOSA“GTG (ft. POLO PERKS <3 <3 <3)” [Single]1602599
5MASEGOStudying Abroad [EP]Capitol
6KARI FAUXLowkey SuperstarChange Minds
7SERENA ISIOMASensitive [EP]AWAL
8FAT TONYExoticaCarpark
9PINK SIIFU AND FLY ANAKINFlySiifu’sLex
10FREDDIE GIBBS AND MADLIBBandana BeatsKeep Cool/RCA