Indie Update

Rock and roll boys, to keep the memory of Coretta Scott alive!

According to Web site information, this group feels like they’re taking crazy pills. In addition, they are not afraid to show their crazily muscular bodies. Such fun!

Oh yes, the music. "Dressed To Kill" (Red Delicious 2007) is fair rock music. The drum work is crisp. The vocals are interesting, though a bit nasal. The guitar work fills and supports, as good guitar work seldom does in other bands. Too many musicians believe the distorted guitar is the most important thing to happen to rock music since……forever. Listen to Elliot Easton of The Cars. He knows how to do this.

"Cross My Fingers" from the same song collection has a solid, almost threatening pace. Good rock ballad. "Jenna" has a breathtaking pace and seems played in a frenzy. (Personal note: I know a couple of young rock fans named Jenna. They would like this band.)

Web information tells us that Josh Albright is the vocalist, Preston Thomason offers the guitar work, Ben Emery puts in bass and Mike McClung plays the authoritative drums. This group comes at us from Spokane, Washington, in the great northwest of these United States.

For something a bit earlier in the Coretta Scott evolution, try "Poison Apple" (Scream & Shout 2005 RISE).

Coretta Scott on MySpace

Tags: Coretta Scott, independent music, indie, music, indie music

When you are categorized as indie or rock music, the sound might be just about anything. The alternative category does tend to narrow the choices down a bit, as to overall sound, instrument selection, vocal style etc. "Not A Through Street" a demo from this San Diego vocalist and songwriter, would be sufficient introduction to the interesting tunes of Anya Marina. But stopping with that tune would mean the listener misses some very tasty songs.

Marina’s "Try It and Like It" is another demo recording from the singer and acoustic guitar player that is just a bit off center, in a delightful sort of way. "Move You SSSPII" is put together carefully and played carefully, with a minimum of sound at the start. The sharp rhythm track changes that feel about a minute into the tune. A second abrupt change near the end brings to mind the Squirrel Nut Zippers and the lounge bands of the 40s.

Marina carries the guitar and vocals, assisted by a bass player, percussionist and a few other contributors to this unusual sound. The art of this young woman is perhaps best shown in "lake michigan rogue." She manages to bring some of her writing talent and training into the mix, with solid lyrics. Catch her on the radio or on stage (maybe even on screen).

Anya Marina on MySpace

Tags: indie, music, indie music, independent music, Anya Marina

Sometimes a listener can tell what a band is about by listening to a title tune. Sometimes that song begins with drums. On occasion that song starts with acoustic guitar or a few keyboard/piano notes.

In the case of ActionReaction, "March On" (3 is the Magic Number 2006) begins with drums setting the beat and the tone. But when you bill a band as "psychedelic" and "soul" in addition to "rock" there must be something different, something more than rhythm energy and clanging electric guitars. So it is with this New Jersey group. The vocals are a bit deeper than one might expect. The melody is nice enough. With ActionReaction, studio production and the stop/start treatment of "March On" are a pleasant surprise.

According to band members this is what the music sounds like: "sound of one hand clapping, ear-piercing sirens, the color orange, 4 stoned hippies at a phish concert," etc. Good enough.

"Come See My Grave" from the same CD has some of the psychedelic in it, along with something more 21^st century. Numerous fans and friends are asking about another tour and a new album, with most of the inquiries directed to the band in late 2007 and 2008. So the question is: when are you coming back already?

ActionReaction on MySpace

Tags: ActionReaction, indie music, indie, music, independent music

Sometimes playing rock and roll music is like juggling chainsaws. In fact, sometimes all of life seems as if we’re on stage juggling chainsaws.

Shotgun Rules has a song called "Chainsaw Juggling" (Fugitives and Refugees) that takes on this theme and does it rather well. Nice dynamics with the softer, ballad feel in the middle of the tune. But that brief respite doesn’t last long, because this is a serious band!

By serious, we mean that the next tune on the CD is "VS" and then, a bit later, the band is "Throwing Wrenches." Most good, young bands today are serious, even if their music is fun and funny. They are still serious musicians.

But Shotgun Rules is serious about being, well, serious. Ric Mattingley [Guitars], Corry Van Spronsen [Guitar], Dusty Mattingley [Drums] and John MacKenzie [Lead Vocals] have a very good time juggling their chainsaws and bring the listener along with every intention of frightening them and challenging them, thank you. Check out "Save The Clock Tower." It sounds like it would be a social-activist type of song, but then it’s not. Really.

Fine guitar work! Nice energy too.

This group heads to the north country for dates in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario, joining Farewell to Freeway on that trip.

Shotgun Rules on MySpace

Tags: indie, music, indie music, independent music, Shotgun Rules

First impressions – If this is how his day sounds, he will find some folks who will agree and enjoy those sounds.

Greg Laswell’s EP "How The Day Sounds" is easy to listen to, so that probably makes it easy listening on some playlists. But let’s just put it in the music that is nice to listen to category.

Laswell has a CD from 2006 Through Toledo (Vanguard) that contains a dreamy sort of tune "Do What I Can." This is not for the fan seeking heavy, philosophy lyrics. The message is as simple as the title. "Sing Theresa Says" from the same CD starts with a few bars of violin sounds that might be frightening at the beginning of any other song. The rhythm of this tune is delightful in its snare drum way. "High and Low" from the same CD is held together by piano that doesn’t need to be complex to work. Sounds a bit like Andy Davis and that is a good thing. (Or does Davis sound like Laswell?)

The ever-present Brandon assists Laswell, though sometimes the singer works with Pete McNeal and Zak Schafer on the west coast, as well as Matt Johnson and Tim Edgar on the east coast.

Don’t look for Greg Laswell, his buddy Brandon or musicians from either coast working on a Laswell project at this point. He is going to be all over England and the European continent in April and May.

Greg Laswell on MySpace

Tags: indie, Greg Laswell, independent music, music, indie music