Dancehall to put out post punk on pea green cassettes

This one reminds me so much of how I got hold of my first demo tapes. I used to buy them directly of the hands of band members mostly at shows or when you meet them after school.

The inner sleeve was often handemade based on xeroxed copies made by the musicians themselves. All the music was stored on magnetic tapes that were dubbed by the creators of the music on their home equipment later on also on professionelly produced and printed cassettes.

These guys here called Dancehall have some sort of heavily distorted post punk in the pipe. The recording process came with some nice details that show how quick and raw you can keep things if you want them to. But best of all just have a listen to them while reading the making of.

Owing to the band's obsession with recording songs as quickly as possible, 'KO' and B-side 'Vitamins' were both recorded in one evening at the band's rehearsal space, Kluster Rooms, by friend, producer and co-Vibe/Anti-Vibe label manager, Christopher Smith. The band slept in the studio's live room once recording was completed, only to turn up the next day to their respective jobs unclean but accomplished.

A promo band shot of Dancehall, Photo Credit: Keira Cullinane

The songs will be self released on the band's own Vibe/Anti Vibe label. The fresh tunes will come self dubbed onto pea green cassettes and with risograph printed artwork on candy pink card sleeves for Cassette Store Day 2017. You can order them on Dancehall's Bandcamp page. Release date is October 14 2017 for the digital version, the tapes should ship on or around the same day.

Live dates

October 2017

13 - The Lock Tavern, Camden

14 - TBC, Amsterdam, Netherlands

15 - Roodkapje, Rotterdam, Netherlands

17 - TBC, Bristol

20 - Harbour Arm, Folkestone

More info of the band can be found on Facebook or Instagram.

American Standards sends activating life message

"Every moment is a new chance" (Quote of the movie poster for 8 Mile)

Yes, this saying in fact comes of the poster for a rap movie but it brings my thoughts up to the point. Any given day is a something great if we're given it. But how should we use the time we get?

The chaotic hardcore/noise punk band American Standards out of Phoenix, AZ has given a great answer to this. The statement of vocalist Brandon Kellum touched with a dark yet activating message that explains the meaing of the video single that you can watch below: "Carpe Diem, Tomorrow" is about getting out of your comfort zone. Being open to new experiences and ways of thinking. Moving is living. You're not getting any younger and there will never be a "right time" so do something that scares the hell out of you every day of your life."

While the track may sound a bit vicious on the first listening it grew on me with every listen. In fact I think it's more of a special art to make a song sound like this. While it starts sorted it unfolds to the heavier side and it's spreading energy through various ways and passages. All the while the energy level is kept high and kicking pressing it's hard message with every word. Make sure to have a eye on the lyrics in the song description on Youtube.

If you like what you hear make sure to head on over to Bandcamp to listen to the full album "Anti-Melody". There's much more there to discover and the DIY band has put in lot's of energy to give you more food for thought this way.

A bandpicture of American Standards, Photo Credit: Jacob Reynolds

You can follow American Standards via Facebook or Instagram for all the latest information on upcoming shows etc.

CD Review: Rebel Machine - Nothing Happens Overnight (Hard Rock, 2016)

Records like this one keep you going in times when everything seems to be nothing but a hard way. Tune in to some Rebel Machine to receive some uplifting feeling and read post number 500 on this blog.

Introduction
Rebel Machine are a Hard Rock band from Brazil. Their sound is mainly aimed at the rescue of classical elements with a modern approach. Being a DIY band, Rebel Machine signs the musical and executive production of their work. The album also had vocal production by Renato Osorio (Hibria) and mixing and mastering by Benhur Lima (Hibria, Keep Them Blind).

The cover of Rebel Machine's debut "Nothing Happens Overnight", (c) by Rebel Machine, used with kind permission

Summary
The biggest strenght of albums such as this one is the fact that they keep rocking so straight on forward as if nothing could ever stop them. It's this mixture of fresh riffs, the tight and modern production that creates all the happiness you experience through listening to the album. You can listen to the eight tracks straight away, they're not complex or anything but will kick your ass straight from the start.

The finest moments during the listening session are sourced of the vocal work of singer Marcelo Pereira. His finetuned work on the songs gives the album this special something it needs to stand out of the rest. I remember having the same feeling as back in the day when Gotthard's old vocalist Steve Lee was still around doing the vocals and outstanding show with the Swiss Rockers. I feel like Rebel Machine are a bit of the same.

But the band also has set their own trademarks. Rebel Machine sounds much more heavier and the tracks are shorter, very precise and head straight in without any intros or longer upbuilding. They rock from the first minute 'till the last. This is a pure Rock 'n' Roll rollercoaster shaking you through in a good half hour.

The only downside of this is that the album has no slower songs in it that give you a moment for refreshment. But I guess that's something the band may do in the next recordings that are hopefully to see the day of light in the future.

Besides that have a closer look upon the unique cover. What do you think it could express? As for me it says that everything in life has it's time. Once it's gone it's gone so live your life while you still can...

Player and Purchase-Link
The album is available on major platforms like Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music , Google  or directly from the band's Bandcamp page. Please support this band with a purchase - the album price is kept very fan friendly (starting at one dollar on Bandcamp) so you don't have to sacrifice that much to own a digital copy.



Contact Data
Make sure to keep a eye upon this promising band and support them with a follow-click on sites such as Facebook, Instagram or Youtube. They also have a homepage up and running if you prefer that way.