A few weeks ago, skimming through Spotify, I came across a brilliant track by the East London R&B/Rock Fusion group, The Equals. The song is titled “Michael and His Slipper Tree” and was released in 1969 on their album “Equals Strike Again”. The band was formed by Eddy Grant, Lincoln Gordon, Dervin Gordon, Pat Lloyd, and John Hall when the five were in high school. They began touring by 1965 throughout Europe. “Hold Me Closer” was the band’s first single, however it did not make it big. It was their 1967 song “Baby, Come Back” that put them on the charts. The song did particularly well in Germany and the Netherlands.
I was surprised to discover the band recorded in the 1960s. When I heard “Michael and His Slipper Tree” for the first time, I initially thought the band would have been from the 1980s. They certainly have a unique, timeless sound that will have you singing “Michael! Michael and his slipper tree, slipper tree, slipper tree, brand new shoes for you and me!” all day. Spotify even has a radio and maxi version!I highly recommend giving this band a listen!
DJ Beowvlf is live with Thirsty Curses in the studio playing some tracks off their self-titled album. The cover topics such as their music videos, transitions as a band, & where they fit within the Raleigh music scene.
For more on Thirsty Curses’ new album, check out our review from Assistant Daytime Music Director Safia Rizwan.
Artist Record Label 1 GASPAR SANZ Meanderthal [EP] Helium 2 GEOWULF My Resignation PIAS 3 DAYGLOW Fuzzybrain Self-Released 4 BLACK SURFER Black Surfer [EP] Self-Released 5 NEW PORNOGRAPHERS In the Morse Code Of Brake Lights Concord 6 VARSITY The Basement Takes Run For Cover 7 TURNOVER Altogether Run For Cover 8 BASEMENT REVOLVER Wax And Digital [EP] Sonic Unyon 9 CHASTITY BELT Chastity Belt Hardly Art 10 PEAER A Healthy Earth Tiny Engines 11 BODYWASH Comforter Luminelle 12 FRANKIE COSMOS Close It Quietly Sub Pop 13 METZ Automat Sub Pop 14 CHERRY GLAZERR Stuffed & Ready Secretly Canadian 15 CRUMB Jinx Self-Released 16 MAUNO Really Well Tin Angel 17 STRANGE RANGER Remembering The Rockets Tiny Engines 18 (SANDY) ALEX G House Of Sugar Domino 19 DUDE YORK Falling Hardly Art 20 CEREMONY In The Spirit World Now Relapse 21 CHARLY BLISS Young Enough Barsuk 22 PHANTASTIC FERNITURE Phantastic Ferniture Polyvinyl 23 SURF CURSE Heaven Surrounds You Danger Collective 24 DARKSOFT Brain Self-Released 25 BEAST Ens Thrill Jockey 26 CLAUD Sideline Star [EP] The Orchard 27 TROPICAL FUCK STORM Braindrops Joyful Noise 28 CRITICALS, THE Mimosa Hygiene [EP] Self-Released 29 LONG BEARD Means To Me Double Double Whammy 30 TEEN BODY Dreamo Broken Circles
TOP ADDS
1 CHRISTINE RENNER “Tonight” [EP] Self-Released 2 ALEXANDRIA MAILLOT Benevolence Self-Released 3 PALACE Life After Avenue A/Fiction 4 SNOWDONIA Veneers Self-Released 5 LITTLE MONARCH Grains [EP] Super Bloom 6 COMMON HOLLY When I Say To You Black Lightning Barsuk/Solitaire 7 JUNIOR ASTRONOMERS Body Language Self-Released
Artist Record Label 1 CATTLE DECAPITATION Death Atlas Metal Blade 2 I DECLARE WAR Downcast [EP] Self-Released 3 DESPISED ICON Purgatory Nuclear Blast 4 INFANT ANNIHILATOR The Battle of Yaldabaoth Self-Released 5 KUBLAI KHAN Absolute Rise 6 CARNIFEX World War X Nuclear Blast 7 AFTER THE BURIAL Evergreen Sumerian 8 MESHIAAK Mask Of All Misery Mascot 9 COUNTERPARTS Nothing Left To Love Pure Noise 10 SILVERTOMB Edge Of Existence Long Branch
The end of 2019 marks the end of the decade. I honestly didn’t think much of it until Spotify reminded me, but after I got to thinking about how much things can change in a decade. Since 2010 started we’ve had a lot happen in the world (don’t worry I won’t go into anything here because a decade is a lot to cover) but my point is there has been rapid change in the world and that change hasn’t left any aspect of life the same, especially not music. We just finished a unit, in my music literature class, on last year’s pulitzer prize winner Kendrick Lamar, which pushed a huge conversation on music, specifically the direction hip-hop is taking in our world. I think the timing is perfect for the new decade since it’s about time hip-hop and other incredible works get more recognition and don’t get pushed aside because they don’t fit the classical definition of ‘high class’ music. It’s about time that definition changed.
But that’s just a part of the story. The fact of the matter is this was a huge decade for music because technology has changed our world A LOT. Making music is the most accessible it’s ever been, it’s not just something done by the few and far who can access it anymore, anyone can make anything and publish it. This huge change will only further the development of music going into the next decade, I mean it already has but since the new decade also has that and the new discussions that came with Kendricks win I think we’re in for a lot of change in the next decade. Change can be scary, but I’m pretty excited for the possibilities here. Entrepreneurship and the arts are making such a bold leap these days I wonder just how much new material we’ll have in the next decade and what new developments will come our way.
What do you think? Will technology and the discussion of what ‘high class’ music is rapidly change the music scene in the coming decade? Are you looking forward to it or have any predictions? I think genres will be challenged even more and music will become even more abstract then it already can be, do you agree?
It’s the end of the year and since everyone’s sharing their spotify wrapped I figured I would too. Just the 2019 one though, I’m not sure I want to expose myself by sharing my decade. I have to say I wasn’t really surprised by anything (I mean I know what I listen to), but it is super fun getting a rundown of the data.
My favorite part is that top 100 song playlist, I’ve had a serious nostalgia trip this week listening to that since a lot of the music I listened to at the start of this year I haven’t heard since then. It’s odd how emotionally heavy it can be looking at the year through music, it’s not even just the music (though that totally counts because the music you listen to can say a lot about where you and your head are), but because I usually get a vivid picture in my mind of where I was when I first heard the song. Memories come flooding in and I begin to realize just how much has gone on this year. Anyhow, to get it over with here is DJ Psycheds Spotify Wrapped for 2019.
Top Artists : #1 Smallpools
I love this band a lot (obviously) and they were the first band I saw in concert this year at Motorco. I first started listening to them when I was a freshman and the show was so amazing I’ve had their setlist on repeat ever since.
2. Clarence Clarity 3. Arrested Youth 4. Panic! At The Disco 5. Mike Shinoda
Top Genres : Indie Pop (as an indie DJ this was expected, Pop (I didn’t see that one coming but then again my workout playlists is pretty pop heavy), Lo-fi beats (I listen to that lofi study playlist a lot so sounds about right), Rap and Modern Rock
Top 10 Songs : #1 We change by Clarence Clarity #2 Naysayer, Magick Obeyer by Clarence Clarity
These two songs are amazing, the whole album is but these two songs get me everytime. I have yet to get tired of these tracks and the transition between them is so smooth I can see how they became my top two songs, it’s hard for me to listen to one and not want to listen to the other
3. Blood // Water by grandson 4. Get to You by The Honeysticks 5. Promises I Can’t Keep by Mike Shinoda 6. Don’t Know How by Ricky Montgomery 7. (finally getting more into that indie music) Death, Thrice Drawn by The Scary Jokes 8. Wavy Gravy by Okey Dokey 9. Trippy by Mindchatter 10. Ok by J.P. Plains
So what were your top listens of the year (Spotify user or not)?
P.s. Panic! At The Disco was my artist of the decade.
A week or so ago, my mom and I went to see Tool! My mom has seen Tool many times, but this was my first time seeing them live. I was supposed to see them at Epiceneter earlier this year, but due to tornado warnings, they canceled the rest of the festival for that day. So this was my redemption, my second chance to see Tool and my mom bought tickets before they were sold out.
I grew up listening to Tool. My mom would play songs like Sober, The Pot, and Schism all the time when I was growing up, and I quickly started to love these songs. Tool is a band that I can put on and just relax. They have a very particular sound that no other band has and their vibe just puts the listener into a different mindset.
When we got to PNC Arena, there were signs everywhere that stated that we were not allowed to take any pictures or videos during the show. I have never seen this before, and when doing some quick research, the rule was legit. Tool didn’t want anyone with their phones out because they wanted them to enjoy the experience of the show. If you were caught with your phone out, you would be kicked out of the arena. I thought this rule was wack because we spent so much money to see this band and then you say we will be kicked out for having our phones out? Let people enjoy the concert how they want to enjoy it. If it is behind a cell phone then so what? You already got our money for the show so why does it matter? Now, did The Saw take any videos of Tool? That is something that your Master Butcher is going to keep to herself. (:
The opening band that kicked off the show was Killing Joke. I have never heard of this band before until I saw them play at the show. The band was good, but they didn’t have much of a stage show. I didn’t really know what was going on to be honest. Their singer would do these weird little dances but mainly just stood in the middle of the stage the entire time. Their sound throughout the arena was really good! You could hear them clearly and perfectly.
Tool was up next and I was really excited to see them, finally! They had one of the best light shows that I have ever seen. It was so trippy and mesmerizing. They had this thin curtain around the stage and their light show would bounce off the curtain to make some sort of design, it was awesome to watch and the light show and the artistry fit the vibe of the music really well! I didn’t know a lot of the songs that Tool played, but they were all really good! The band sounded awesome and Maynard’s voice is still strong and loud. He sounded amazing! The only song I knew that they played was Schism. They didn’t play The Pot OR Sober!!! Can you believe that? They had some sort of an intermission before their encore which I thought was pretty weird because we all just sat there for about 5 minutes until some of the band members came out and spent about 5 more minutes creating noise.
Overall, I am so happy that I finally got to see Tool and I got to see them with my mom! I also got a Tool shirt and I am surprised that I got the last shirt in my size. I thought they would sell out because there were so many people in line to get merch, it was insane.
Have you seen Tool live? What is your faveorite Tool song?
Okay, I’m not gonna lie, when I saw this lineup, I screamed. You have Left Behind, Traitors, Spite, The Acacia Strain, AND Chelsea Grin all on one bill?? ICONIC. This show sold out the day of the show and the Blind Tiger was packed with people. I went to this show with two of my friends: Sarah, who I trained as a metal DJ at WKNC, she is a real good friend of mine and all we do is listen to metal and send each other metal memes. I love it. I also took my friend Andrew who works at WKNC with me. Andrew does not listen to metal on a regular basis, but when I play it at the station, he really likes what he hears, and we are always having discussions about the evolution of music. When I told him about this show, he was down to go and he ended up having a great time!! I am close to converting him into a metalhead!
When we got to the show, the first band, Left Behind, was already playing (we got stuck in traffic, smh). But where we were in line, you could hear the band clearly and they were jamming! I was dancing in line and having a good time. The line was so long that by the time we got into the venue, Left Behind was finishing. I hate that I didn’t get to see them, but I bought a bomb ass hoodie from them so it is okay.
The next band that came on was Traitors and I have seen them a handful of times and they never disappoint me. Their singer, Tyler, has some great vocals that always leaves me in awe. He is really good at hyping the crowd up because he always says, “is that all you got Greensboro? Destroy this s***!” He was very entertaining to watch. Their light show was great, and the crowd really got into them, from what I saw. We were shoulder to shoulder in that venue due to it being a sold out show. Sarah described Traitors as a band that every song is just a big ass breakdown and I totally agree. Love it.
Spite came on next, and I love Spite. Their energy on their albums, and live, is top notch and can’t be beat. Every time I listen to them, I get this burst of energy and I feel unstoppable. Darius, their singer, is one of the best front men I have seen. Not only does he have insanely great vocals, but his stage presence is awesome. He comes on stage yelling and running around and it immediately gets the crowd hyped. When he sings, he will wiggle his eyebrows and make these funny faces; he is simply, just fun to watch. They played some of my favorite songs, mainly, Kill or Be Killed. Andrew was really digging this band, and he actually got in the mosh pit for Spite!!!! He was jamming hard.
The Acacia Strain came on and a lot of people were looking forward to seeing them. They are one of the bands that has a lot of respect in the scene and have a huge following. Their singer thanked all of us for being there at the show and told us to have a good time. Their sound was phenomenal live and the singer’s voice was perfect. His low growls were impressive. But to me and my friends that I went to the show with, we felt that The Acacia Strain could not follow Spite. Spite kicked our asses!!! When we sat outside, we could still hear the band and from what I heard, they put on a great show.
And now the band I have been waiting for, Chelsea Grin. I have seen Chelsea Grin various times but I have only seen them twice with their new singer, Tom. Tom used to be the singer for Lorna Shore, but then came to sing with Chelsea Grin. I love his voice and he really brings more energy to the band. The last time I saw Chelsea Grin was a few years ago at the Blind Tiger and I was in awe. When they played Across The Earth, their melodies in the beginning with their light show is something that I will never forget. I got chills just watching it. The first song that they came out with when I saw them recently was Recreant, which is easily one of their best songs. I lost my mind when they started off with this song. They instantly brought the energy and the crowd went wild. When Recreant began playing, I crowd surfed up to the stage and their bass player helped me up on stage!! How nice!!! I then stage dove, crowd surfed back to the stage, and stage dove again. It was awesome. They played some killers songs, like Playing With Fire, My Damnation, and Dead Rose. Their light show was amazing, and their overall sound was really, really good. Definitely a band you all need to see live. (pic here)
Artist Record Label 1 CATTLE DECAPITATION Death Atlas Metal Blade 2 COUNTERPARTS Nothing Left To Love Pure Noise 3 DESPISED ICON Purgatory Nuclear Blast 4 LEFT BEHIND No One Goes to Heaven Pure Noise 5 KING DIAMOND “Masquerade Of Madness” [Single] Metal Blade 6 VATICAN “Ex Nihilo” [Single] 1126 7 MESHIAAK Mask Of All Misery Mascot 8 CREEPING DEATH Wretched Illusions eOne 9 SKYBLOOD Skyblood Napalm 10 LORNA SHORE “Death Portrait” [Single] Century Media
Artist Record Label 1 BASEMENT REVOLVER Wax And Digital [EP] Sonic Unyon 2 GEOWULF My Resignation PIAS 3 DAYGLOW Fuzzybrain Self-Released 4 BLACK SURFER Black Surfer [EP] Self-Released 5 NEW PORNOGRAPHERS In the Morse Code Of Brake Lights Concord 6 CHASTITY BELT Chastity Belt Hardly Art 7 OH ROSE While My Father Sleeps Park The Van 8 GREEN BUZZARD Amidst The Clutter And Mess I Oh You 9 BOY SCOUTS Free Company Anti- 10 ERTHLINGS Indigo [EP] Future Classic 11 MATTHEW SQUIRES Visions Of America Self-Released 12 HOVVDY Heavy Lifter Double Double Whammy 13 NATHAN BAJAR Playroom In Real Life 14 GASPAR SANZ Meanderthal [EP] Helium 15 BLACK BELT EAGLE SCOUT At The Party With My Brown Friends Saddle Creek 16 PEACH PYRAMID Bright Blue Oscar St 17 PENELOPE ISLES Until The Tide Creeps In Bella Union/PIAS 18 CHRIS FARREN Born Hot Polyvinyl 19 HORSE JUMPER OF LOVE So Divine Run For Cover 20 GRINGO STAR Controlled Burn Baby Robot 21 GOOD SERVICE Summer Muses Self-Released 22 MARIKA HACKMAN Any Human Friend [EP] Sub Pop 23 GOOD RIDDANCE Thoughts And Prayers Fat Wreck 24 TRUTH CLUB Not An Exit Tiny Engines 25 CHAI Punk Burger 26 DUMB Club Nites Mint 27 JAY SOM Anak Ko Polyvinyl 28 NIGHT SINS Portrait In Silver Funeral Party 29 LUNCH LADY Angel Danger Collective/Upset The Rhythm 30 PURPLE MOUNTAINS Purple Mountains Drag City
