Secret Colours (Chicago 'Psychedelic-Newgaze') Release Tripped-Out Tarantino-Style Video for 'Blackbird (Only One)'

Somewhere between Natural Born Killers, Pink Flamingos, and Porky's rests the disconcerting new video for Secret Colours' "Blackbird (Only One). If one finds the glorification of guns, pointless use of the word of "f*ck," and general reinforcement of the well worn and pernicious media stereotype that cross dressing men are always up to no good, then you'll not want to miss this one.

Secret Colours' Tommy Evans describes the overall vibe… "We wanted to have fun with this video by making something not so serious. Its our satirical journey of two dudes, under heavy doses of peaches, thinking they're Bonnie and Clyde fused with Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo. All the while, keeping congruent with the 60s and 90s influence of the song."



Secret Colours revel in being the bastard seed of the ’60s psychedelia and ’90s Britpop bloodlines. Since their eponymous debut in 2010, the band moved swiftly from neophyte in the Chicago psychedelic-newgaze scene to crusader over the course of unforgettable performances at Austin Psych Fest and Levitation in 2012. Appearances with Night Beats, Ringo Deathstarr, Elephant Stone, Spindrift, Asteroid #4, Raveonettes, and The Warlocks, have continued to keep Secret Colours in the hearts and minds of their Chicago faithful, but all the while, they’ve been hard at work with producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Gomez, Sage Francis, Iron and Wine) sharpening the edges of their polychromatic sophomore album, Peach.

Links:
Secret Colours

The Damn Choir: Chicago Folk-Pop Band Plays Late Show at Mercury Lounge on August 9th

Chicago's The Damn Choir, who Venture Mag called an "introspective downbeat version of Mumford & Sons", is back in town for a late show at Mercury Lounge (supporting Stand) on August 9th. The Damn Choir are touring behind their second disc, You’re my Secret Called Fire, which was released this past May and the band made the most of Chicago’s long winter by filming a labor-intensive stop motion music video for their song “Noah”. This album continues where the band's debut, Faithful Fools, left off; with similar themes and vocalist/guitarist Gordon Roberston’s recognizable voice, but the fullness of a band whose members each contributed creatively in a big way.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 DOS. Doors are at 9:30PM which likely means that The Damn Choir will take the stage at 10PM (call the club to confirm).



The Damn Choir's use of guitar, cello, vocals and drums, along with Gordon Robertson's introspective lyrics, create songs that range from meandering and melancholic to pulsing and vengeful.

The Damn Choir began in January of 2009 on a freezing and fated night in Chicago. Gordon Robertson sat slumped at the bar, drowning his post-horrific-break-up dejected self in whiskey and happened to meet cellist Katy Myers. Although at first Myers rejected Robertson's musical advances, eventually she gave in and agreed to give him a chance.

Within weeks the two were musically inseparable and involved in an (arguably unhealthy) co-dependant friendship. After playing for months under the name, “Gordon and Katy,” the two recorded an album, “Faithful Fools,” re-named the band, and began the journey that would lead them to eventually recruiting Ryan Farnham on drums, Otis Duffy on electric guitar, Brandon Stein on bass, and Jack McClain on percussion.

Links:
The Damn Choir

Cobalt & the Hired Guns: Chicago Pop-Punk Band Plays Union Hall on July 27th

DOWNLOAD: Cobalt & the Hired Guns - "Like You Like Me Like Me"

It has been a couple years since Cobalt & the Hired Guns came through town. Last time through, they played a brilliant, sweaty show to a packed house at Union Hall and kept the crowd riveted with their mix of punk and Americana "working-man" songs.

After some lineup changes, Cobalt & the Hired Guns (CATHG) regrouped with a new album Everybody Wins! and are playing two local shows over the next few weeks. The first is at Union Hall on Friday, July 27th with Luff and Velah. Cover is $8 and CATHG are taking the stage at 7:30PM. The second show is at Bowery Electric on August 17th. CATHG are playing with Futurist, Xylofaux and BAM. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

Friends since they were just little buckaroos, the boys of Cobalt & the Hired Guns have always aspired to create an album to match their rambunctious live shows. It’s finally here! Their new record, Everybody Wins!, aims for the rafters with a cherry bomb explosion of poppy punk, barroom ballads, power pop, ska, horny rock and good humor. Following up 2008’s Jump the Fence – their first Carbon Neutral album- Everybody Wins! continues the tradition of the band’s commitment to art and environmentalism- and includes their fullest lineup of 20 different players (not all at the same time).

The repertoire for this five-to-twelve piece from Chicago has been described as Americana, Punky Pop, or just Good Ol’ Fashioned Rock n’ Roll. They’ve been compared to The Hold Steady, The Clash, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, The Fratellis, Frightened Rabbit, Backyard Tire Fire, and “Wilco on Xanax covering The Clash”.



I had the pleasure of spending some time with the band prior to their show at Union Hall in '09 and below is some footage of their acoustic pre-show performance.



Links:
Cobalt & the Hired Guns

The Kickback (Chicago's Answer to The Walkman) are Recording Daytrotter Session in Advance of Full-Length CD / March Residency at Schubas in Chicago

"We recorded this after our fans helped us win a Deli reader's poll and got us some free studio time. The song was originally supposed to be a take on the song "Route 66" for a Red Bull tour diary, but they didn't seem to be down with our turning it into a six-minute ramblethon and not really using the words, and we can't really blame them. But they still suck. Thanks for making this yours." -- from The Kickback's Bandcamp page

Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote: "If your only exposure to the Kickback is via its recordings, including a dynamic, well-recorded, exquisitely arranged and very dramatic new disc called the 'Great Self Love' EP currently streaming on its Myspace page, you might think that guitarist-vocalist Billy Yost and his drummer brother Danny have escaped the usual sibling drama. But since the group, which is completed by guitarist Tyler Zee and bassist Zachariah Verdoorn, immigrated here from South Dakota last summer, the stories have begun to spread about its explosive live performances, with the members cheerfully owning up to the occasional broken chairs and bloody knuckles."



The Kickback made their SXSW debut last year but this year the band is playing a March residency starting March 5th at Schubas in Chicago. In a recent interview with Glide Magazine, the band was asked about the upcoming residency and said "Every show will be a little bit different, and the last show we’re going to perform our forthcoming LP in its entirety with a Craigslist Orchestra featuring a group of fantastic people who were willing to come and record brass and sax for our LP for nothing more than the joy of doing it. But each night will be something different, and that’s what’s most important to us. "

Links:
The Kickback

Mutts - Chicago Blues Rock Band Release New Full-Length as a 'Pay What You Want' Download / Show at Rockwood Music Hall on March 10th

Chicago's Mutts have been called a cross between Tom Waits and Nirvana...while I can hear the Tom Waits comparison, I think the band's music is sounds closer to 70's blues-rock though the band can quickly switch from a psychedelic head-nodder with a pulsing bass and drums beat to a mellow number driven by an acoustic piano and Mike Maimone's vocals. Regardless, this is great stuff and the inability to put an exact label on the band's music is a complement to their unique sound.

Mutts first played together with tape rolling on "Pretty Pictures" EP in July 2009. Bob Buckstaff pitched the idea of recording Mike Maimone’s new material after they met as hired musicians for Company of Thieves. The pair instantly clicked over respect for honest, unrefined recordings and love of Tom Waits, Nirvana and Elliott Smith. They called mutual friends Jon Alvin and Chris Faller to engineer and play drums, respectively. Over a 3-day session in an old warehouse on the north side of Chicago, Mutts wrote, arranged and recorded their seminal release.

In their first year together Mutts independently put out 3 EPs: "Pretty Pictures", "We Float" and "The Tells of Parallels". Having quickly developed a unique sound and composed a repertoire of genre-bending tunes, Mutts are “poised to become one of Chicago’s top acts,” according to Loud Loop Press. Mutts decided from the outset to give away their first 3 EPs. By tracking them in a few days and releasing them immediately, the band has kept fresh, honest and spontaneous music flowing to their growing fan base. They have sold out of the first pressing of each CD, but all three are available as free downloads. The new album, Pray for Rain, is also a name-your-price download, and available on CD with a fold-out poster as well.

Mutts are playing two local shows in March. The first is on March 9th at Hank's Saloon in Brooklyn and the second is March 10th at Rockwood Music Hall. At the Rockwood Music Hall show, Mutts are sharing the bill with Sara Lewis, Monica Allison and Caroline Smith & the Goodnight Sleeps.



Links:
Mutts

Xoe Wise: Chicago Dream Pop Artist Plays Sept. Shows at The Living Room and The National Underground

DOWNLOAD: Xoe Wise - "Echo" (from Xoe's 2010 CD Echo)

Chicago Innerview described dream-pop artist Xoe Wise as "the singer/songwriter and pop counterpart to Columbia native Chaz Bundick’s (a.k.a. Toro Y Moi) laconic chill-wave synth ballads. Both share an evanescent “dreaminess,” as if washing in the aquamarine surf of their native environs."

Xoe will be playing two NYC shows next month: 9/7 @ The Living Room (9:30PM set time) and 9/9 @ The National Underground (8PM set time). Xoe is touring behind the critically acclaimed album Echo and she has shared the stage in the past with John Legend, Colbie Caillat, Lisa Loeb, Greg Laswell and Andrew Belle.

The first video from Echo was for the song "Before Waves" (below) and Xoe talked about the story behind the video late last year with OurStage.com.



OurStage: You have a music video for the song “Before Waves.” Can you tell us the story behind the video?

Xoe Wise: The song “Before Waves” regards a love story where two people fall in love by the ocean. The lovers do not realize their connection to the warm air and sea until returning to where they first met. I think we constantly do this in life. We feel something and then explore it more and watch our heart expand its senses to other beauties of the earth. Things we don’t even realize impact us, will resonate in our souls and play a role in our destiny. The video was directed by Ryan Eakins with help editing from his friend Lev. Ryan and my God moms and my friend Casey contributed to stunning ideas like Ryan’s concept of our walk creating words. The idea of our journey painting love in sand absolutely parallels this love story. Emily Blood is a character in the video who not only did beautifully on camera but is one of the most hilarious and life filled people I’ve met. Her presence added to what love is.

Links:
Xoe Wise

The Kickback - "Mea Culpa Mea Culpa" CD EP Review

Mea Culpa EP by The Kickback

Chicago indie-rock band The Kickback have been building up a buzz with write-ups by The Deli Magazine and RollingStone.com. RollingStone.com described the band as a "high drama Chicago-based rock band that conjures the very best parts of The Veils and The Walkmen and The Killers, writing lean, nervy songs that snarl and snap".

The Kickback just released their fourth disc "Mea Culpa Mea Culpa" which is a strong four-track EP that combines the ringing guitars of 80's college rock bands with the rich harmonies and layered psychedelic pop sounds of bands like The Zombies and Strawberry Alarm Clock.



The Kickback are making their SXSW debut this month in addition to writing and rehearsing new material for their first full-length. Like the new EP, the full-length will be tracked and mixed by the Yost brothers and is promised to be rawer than the group's past releases.

Links:
The Kickback

Dastardly (Chicago Indie-Americana) Released Debut Full-Length on Dec. 9th // Show at Arlene's Grocery on Jan. 6th

Sometimes a video is worth more than words -- below is the video for "Exercises in Self Loathing" from Dastardly's debut CD May You Never.... Chicago's Dastardly combines the influence of Roy Orbison and the Carter Family with an understanding of experimental indie-rock to create an eerie but exciting blend of new and old.

Chicagoist just wrote a piece on the band and said "[l]ocal sextet Dastardly may mockingly bemoan the fact that they’re neither pretty enough for the mainstream nor weird enough for the underground on their new EP, May You Never. But, based on the seven-track collection of jaunty, steadily satisfying tunes, they’ll soon have to ward off attention from both music factions, whether they’re ready for it or not."



The band is making their first trip to the East Coast and will be playing at Arlene's Grocery on Thursday, January 6th. Sharing the bill is Toby Goodshank and tickets are $8.

On a somewhat unrelated note - I've been interested in what people have been listening to this year so Dastardly was kind enough to send along a "Top 10" list of 2010.

1. Beach House - Teen Dream
2. Kanye West - My Dark Twisted Beautiful Fantasy
3. Janelle Monae - The Archandroid
4. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
5. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
6. Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot
7. Neil Young - Le Noise
8. Robyn - Body Talk
9. Morning Benders - Big Echo
10. Bad City - Welcome to the Wastelan

Links:
Dastardly

Oceano Head Into the Studio with Zuess to Record Second CD "Contagion" // Summer Tour with As Blood Runs Black

Chicago deathcore band Oceano are heading out on a July/August tour with As Blood Runs Black as part of the Over The Limit Tour. The tour will act as a prelude to the release of the band's forthcoming sophomore album, Contagion and the band will be debuting new material as part of their set.

Joining co-headliners Oceano and As Blood Runs Black on the bill will be Arsonists Get All The Girls, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, Thick As Blood, Burning the Masses, Circle of Contempt, and Blindwitness, with Son of Aurelius and This Or The Apocalypse on select dates

Oceano have also begun recording their sophomore disc, Contagion, with producer Zuess (Municipal Waster, The Acacia Strain, Hatebreed, Shadows Fall) which will mark the recording debut of the band's two new guitarists.

Oceano frontman, Adam Warren chimes in from the studio with a brief update:

"As of last night we finished up drum tracking! Danny's a little monster and flew through everything in a 2 1/2 days. Now we're onto guitars today. We're excited to begin and work with Zeuss as we are looking forward to getting his input on what we have come up with. We are all confident he's going to help further creation of Contagion to be even more infectious to all of your ears. LET IT SPREAD!"

To kick off the start of Contagion's recording process, Oceano have posted the premiere episode of OCEANO TV on their brand new official YouTube page. Styled similarly to a 90's-style multi-camera sitcom, this episode stars drummer, Daniel Terchin. Here, he gives fans a tour of his drum kit, pwns n00bs on Call of Duty and sneaks a peek at his tracking sessions.



Links:
Oceano

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound - Pre-Show Interview, Southpaw, Brooklyn 5-7-10

DOWNLOAD: JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound - "Get It Together"

Chicago raw-power soul band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound made their third trip to Brooklyn earlier this month for a headlining show at Southpaw. I had the chance to sit down and talk with the band prior to their set.

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound released their debut CD Beat of Our Own Drum (Vampisoul/Rabbit Factory) last year and have followed it with a new 7" single, "Get It Together" backed with a funky reworking of Wilco's "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart".

"Get It Together" is razor-sharp in the groove department -- lots of funky riffing guitar, hard-hitting bass, and badass horns -- all a perfect setting for JC's raw soul vocals! "I Am Trying" is great too -- a cut that starts out with a bit of a trippy start, then moves into some hard-stepping funk right away -- a killer, kickass groove that's mighty nice!

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Jun 11, 2010 -- KDHX Twangfest @ Blueberry Hill, St Louis, MO
Jul 03, 2010 -- Taste of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Jul 16, 2010 -- Dawson City Music Festival, Dawson City, Yukon , CA
Jul 17, 2010 -- Dawson City Music Festival Dawson City, Yukon , CA
Jul 27, 2010 -- Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
Aug 27, 2010 -- Ravinia, Highland Park, IL

Links:
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

Empires Releases Third Digital Single "Strangers" From Forthcoming CD "Bang"

Empires, Chicago's answer to The Killers, have a new CD Bang coming out on March 9th. The band has just released the third digital single, "Strangers", from this forthcoming disc.

Empires made their NYC debut last year at CMJ with shows at Union Hall and Fat Baby. MTV describes the band's sound as "all ethereal and doomy like the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or the Black Angels, but with a little bit of My Chemical Romance snarl thrown in for good measure.” Here is a live video of Empires' "Under the Bright Lights" (from 2008's Howl) from the Union Hall show so you can judge for yourself.



Bang was written, produced and mixed by Empires and will be available through the band's webstore starting on March 9th.

Links:
Empires

Welcome to Ashley Release New Video For "Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead" (Chicago Post-Punk)

Chicago post-punk band Welcome to Ashley have released a new video "Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead", which was filmed by singer Coley Kennedy and bassist Jeremy Barrett. "Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead" is the first video from the band's newest EP "Absent Man" which is available on iTunes.



Links:
Welcome to Ashley

Oh My God Play Lit Lounge on October 21st (CMJ - Chicago Roots Rock)

DOWNLOAD: Oh My God - "Baby, Dream" (from The Night Undoes the Work of the Day)

The CMJ Music Marathon madness starts on Tuesday and Chicago's Oh My God is coming into town for a show at Lit Lounge on Wednesday, Oct. 21st.

Oh My God has just released their newest CD, The Night Undoes the Work of the Day, on Split Red Records and the disc is getting great reviews. Here is what Time Out Chicago said about the band: "Oh My God crafts music that employs the unlikely juxtaposition of Krautrock/prog architecture and Midwestern pop sensibilities....This hard-touring band has always been so good live that we've counted them as favorites....Onstage the trio sells it to the crowd with such energy, joy and power that we've often confused it for an actual noise or punk or hard-rock band--odd, considering that there are no guitars."



Oh My God is playing Lit Lounge on October 21st with The Black Watch, Binary Sunrise and Tiger!Shit!Tiger!Tiger!. Without a CMJ badge, cover is $6.00

Links:
Oh My God's MySpace Profile

Welcome to Ashley - Absent Man EP Review (Power-Pop)

Welcome to Ashley is a four-piece post-punk band from Chicago, IL whose music combines the melancholy pop influences of bands like The Smiths and The Bravery with an Urge Overkill style alt-rock swagger.

This new 4-track EP follows a 2007 EP ("The Catbird Seat") and the band's 2006 self-titled full-length debut. Singer Coley Kennedy has a distinctive voice and a way of turning a phrase that keeps this CD memorable. The band also keeps the production lean (there is none of The Bravery or Echo & the Bunnymen's "layers upon layers" of sound) which gives focus to the jangling guitar and melodic bass sounds and keeps the music uplifting over the somewhat melancholy lyrics.

Welcome to Ashley look like they are staying close to home for the next few months. Here is the band's upcoming tour dates:

Oct. 23, 2009, 9:00PM, Empty Bottle, Chicago, Illinois
Dec. 04, 2009, 9:30PM, Radio Radio, Indianapolis, Indiana
Dec. 09, 2009, 9:00PM, Schubas, Chicago, Illinois

Links:
Welcome to Ashley's MySpace Profile

Raise High the Roof Beam play the Cake Shop Tomorrow Night (Chicago Folk-Pop)

DOWNLOAD: Raise High the Roof Beam - "The Adventures of Hamza" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Raise High the Roof Beam - "Ancestors" (MP3)

Chicago's Raise High the Roof Beam are making their NYC debut tomorrow night with a show at the Cake Shop.

The band takes its name from the J.D. Salinger story and they describe their music as "indie folk rock dance fun". Based on what I've heard from RHTRB thus far, points of comparison are The Annuals and Animal Collective.

The band is touring behind their new EP "The Majestic Beast of the Flatlands" which they released earlier this year. The Chicago Tribune said that the band's "looseness builds and congeals into romantic, driving choruses with a lot of shimmery guitar work. They may be newbies, but they know exactly what they are doing, and they do it well."

There is a strong lineup for tomorrow night's show as Raise High the Roof Beam are playing with My Teenage Stride and The Jaguar Club.

Tickets are $6 and Raise High the Roof Beam takes the stage at 8:30PM.

Links:
Raise High the Roof Beam

Loyal Divide Play Maxwell's on Friday, Aug. 7th and Arlene's Grocery on October 2nd (Ambient Industrial Dance)

DOWNLOAD: Loyal Divide - Vision Vision (MP3)

Chicago's Loyal Divide is in the area the Friday night for a show at Maxwell's and then the band is coming back through in October for a show at Arlene's Grocery on 2nd.

Loyal Divide play ambient industrial dance music and points of comparison would be Aphex Twin and Music for Airports-era Eno. The band released a 4-track EP "Labrador" last November (available on iTunes) and the latest single from this disc is "Vision Vision".

Loyal Divide is playing with Jupiter One and Square Wave Punch tomorrow night. Tickets are $10 and the show starts at 9PM.



Links:
Loyal Divide's MySpace Profile

Oceano: "Depths" CD Release Interview, NYC 3-11-09 (Earache Records)

Chicago deathcore band Oceano was in town last week to promote their forthcoming debut CD, Depths. The new CD is coming out April 7th on Earache Records and the first pressing will contain two bonus tracks and a free DVD.

I had the chance to catch up with the band to talk about the new CD, line-up changes, fighting at the band's show, illegal music downloading (a potential cause of fighting at the shows) and more.



Oceano has a couple of tours lined up and plans to be coming through the East Coast in April. Here are Oceano's current East Coast tour dates:

April 3, 2009, 6:00PM, JACKSONVILLE USO W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
April 4, 2009, 6:00PM, PLAN B W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, DANVILLE, VIRGINIA
April 5, 2009, 1:00PM, MOJO 13 W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
April 6, 2009, 6:00PM, THE REFUGE W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA
April 7, 2009, 6:00PM, MT. AIRY FIRE CLUB W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, MT. AIRY, MARYLAND
April 8, 2009, 6:00PM, CLUB OCTANE W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, CHARLEROI, PENNSYLVANIA

Here is the trailer from the bonus DVD that comes with Depths:


Links:
Oceano's MySpace Profile

Oceano: "Depths" CD Release Interview, NYC 3-11-09 (Earache Records)

Chicago deathcore band Oceano was in town last week to promote their forthcoming debut CD, Depths. The new CD is coming out April 7th on Earache Records and the first pressing will contain two bonus tracks and a free DVD.

I had the chance to catch up with the band to talk about the new CD, line-up changes, fighting at the band's show, illegal music downloading (a potential cause of fighting at the shows) and more.



Oceano has a couple of tours lined up and plans to be coming through the East Coast in April. Here are Oceano's current East Coast tour dates:

April 3, 2009, 6:00PM, JACKSONVILLE USO W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
April 4, 2009, 6:00PM, PLAN B W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, DANVILLE, VIRGINIA
April 5, 2009, 1:00PM, MOJO 13 W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
April 6, 2009, 6:00PM, THE REFUGE W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA
April 7, 2009, 6:00PM, MT. AIRY FIRE CLUB W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, MT. AIRY, MARYLAND
April 8, 2009, 6:00PM, CLUB OCTANE W/ ENDWELL & THE MILES BETWEEN, CHARLEROI, PENNSYLVANIA

Here is the trailer from the bonus DVD that comes with Depths:


Links:
Oceano's MySpace Profile

Oceano - "Depths" Listening Party at Lit Lounge on Jan. 19th (Earache)

Earache Records is hosting a world premier listening party for Oceano's debut disc, Depths, next Monday night at Lit Lounge. The listening party starts at 9PM and admission is free. There will be drinks and giveaways all night.

Earache describes Oceano as "Chicago's angriest deathcore crew". The new CD will be released this Spring and there are a couple tracks from Depths streaming on the band's MySpace profile. The first pressing of the disc will come with a limited edition bonus DVD.

Oceano is out of the road but it looks like the closest the band is coming to NYC is a show at The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ on February 15th.

Links:
Earache Records

Trouble - The Skull CD/DVD Review

Trouble's second release The Skull was released about a year after Psalm 9 and continues with the same dark and oppressive Christian themes as the first release. There are two notable differences though -- the production is better which highlights that the songs are darker. The press release that came with the Escapi reissue starts with the line "The Skull - Suicide and death and drugs".

About half the songs on this release were written and part of Trouble's live set prior to any of their studio recordings. Some of the "newer" tracks like Pray for the Dead and The Skull show the band's songwriting maturing but the lyrics reflect that Eric and the band are dealing with some pretty heavy issues.

Most of those songs were already written when we did the first record," explains Rick, with respect to The Skull's tortured lessons. "But a lot of the lyrics weren't finished at that point: it was basically Eric that needed to get to work on that stuff. And just from being with Eric and talking to him over the years, from what I understand, that was the most depressing time in his life, when he wrote the lyrics to that album. And it kind of shows. When you listen closely to what's going on in there, he sings a lot about suicide and death and drugs. There were just a lot of bad things he was going through."

Escapi Music has included a bonus DVD of the band performing live in Aurora, IL in 1985 with the reissue of The Skull. (I would suspect that the real date of the show is 1984 as Eric mentions that The Skull will be released in January. In looking online, I found one site that lists the date and club as Malos in Aurora, IL – Nov. 10, 1984.) I really enjoyed this DVD but don't think it is for everyone. It is filmed with a single camera from the back of the crowd and does not have sound from the board. Taking it for what it is (essentially a 20+ year old bootleg), it is pretty good and really shows what the band's live show was like when they first hit the circuit. The video runs close to 2 hours and highlights songs from both LPs. It is interesting to note that the band dropped the Accept and Angel Witch covers that seemed to always be in their set and have added covers of The Yardbirds' Heart Full of Soul and Sabbath's Children of the Grave to the set. Also, Run To The Light is included in the set almost three years prior to it being released on Trouble's 1987 LP/CD of the same title.

It is great that Trouble is finally getting the recognition that they have long deserved. Look for Trouble's new release and tour in early 2007. The band's website also states that the long awaited Trouble unplugged CD will be released in the summer next year.