Indie Update

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

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

According to her Web information, this singer/songwriter is on the street corners and selling CDs by the thousands. She works the streets, in a good way, of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, using her crystal-clear voice and controlled guitar to craft such songs as "Wait." This tune includes some fine harmony work, in an achingly slow way.

"Huckleberry Sky" from the CD Decoration Isle (2008) is another slow, moving song with interesting harmony. The tune stands on its melody and music, rather than lyrics. This brings to mind some of the folk singers of the 50s and 60s, but stops short of their powerful social messages.

"Undecided" (Chelsea Williams 2006) is a sweet love song with a interesting string treatment. I’d opt for "Benjie is a Hippie" from the same collection, the story of a person who only eats beans and rice. Nice.

Her influences range from Neil Young and James Taylor to Billie Holiday and Fiona Apple. There is a bit of Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell in there as well.

Some have apparently compared her sound to the style of James Taylor and Fiona Apple, while others cite Rilo Kiley, Sheryl Crow and Jewel. A first listen will convince the listener that all of these comparisons are apt.

Chelsea Williams on MySpace

Tags: independent music, indie music, Chelsea Williams, indie, music

From Warren, Pennsylvania, it’s Brokenfall!!!

Here’s a power band: a band that puts energy into pop music, coming from their days as Lithium (starting in 1999). Florida was the band’s home for a while, but when they caught the ear of the right person the group moved to the Big Apple. Members Jared Griffin (guitar/vocals), Ben Mahaffey (drums) and Jose Sarruff (bass) have some power tones for the listener in "One Good Day" (Brokenfall 2006). This tune, along with "Love Me Wasted" will satisfy the more aggressive among rock listeners, though the screamo/growling crowd might find the controlled vocals a bit tame. Good guitar work by Griffin in "Love Me Wasted."

Maybe," from the 2006 period, starts out as a nice rock ballad. The control of the drums combines with guitar chords that are barely heard to make this a fairly good song overall. "Maybe" sort of puts the listener in mind of some of the 1980s and early 1990s hair/heavy ballad groups. Not all bad. "Pages," might fit this category, but loosely. The interesting rhythm treatment helps this song stand out a bit. The whining-type of vocal chorus puts the listener off somewhat, but probably not enough to drive him or her away. Brokenfall is certainly a group that has developed a solid following.

Brokenfall on MySpace

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From California – After Midnight Project! They might, indeed, be the real thing. This group does have a song by that title. "The Real Thing" (The Becoming EP) is nice music. It’s quality rock and roll with a philosophy that grabs for an understanding of the universe.

The question is: Where are they? According to their Web information, they play in Long Beach and then, a couple of months later, in West Hollywood. Considering that this group is a project put together during time away from college classes and so on, I would guess fans can’t expect them to tour the world just yet.

But with songs such as "Take Me Home" from the same EP, the After Midnight Project should consider going out into the world with their music. Of course, the strength of any successful touring band is lyrics + music = more listeners. These guys may be on the way.

"The Becoming" a title tune, sneaks up on the listener, eerily referring to the spider and the helpless fly. But then it’s slay and desecrate, and a "last mistake." Good stuff here, all done without growling and pounding. See, it can be done! Go back to 2005 and "Party Dress" (After Midnight Project). The band started strong and remains so.

Personal note: If I was 20 again, I would buy this band’s stuff. But as the song asks, "What have I become?"

After Midnight Project on MySpace

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