B-Sides

Minus the Bear’s May release OMNI, the Seattle-based band’s fourth full-length recording and debut for Dangerbird Records, shows the band making a sharp transformation in their sound. OMNI dives head first into the electro-pop sound that Minus the Bear flirted with in earlier works, building off the guitar focused works of 2007’s Planet Of Ice. 

Dir En Grey, commonly referred to as Diru, is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 out of the ashes of La:Sadies.  The band considers themselves to be prophets here to shed light upon “the feeling of hurt and sorrow caused by the weak, shallow egotism of humanity.” Guitarist Kaoru has stated that the band’s name was selected based upon comprisement of several languages, disallowing any specific meaning to be attached to it.

Performing together since 2004, Still Time has become a household name on California’s Central Coast.  They have shared the stage with acts such as Steel Pulse, Ozomatli, and Ben Harper.  With two full-length albums under their belt – Stream of Consciousness (2007) and See America (2009), Still Time falls under the category “groove rock,” and they seek to promote a positive message.

Buzz about a new CD out and upcoming Albuquerque tour date made me want to find out more about Phantoms, a Seattle based rock band. The unexpected but certainly welcome result of that curiosity is an exclusive Glide Magazine interview with lead singer Johnny. I want to give a special thanks to their agent, 4Perzi for supplying unfettered access to this upcoming band that has been described as, "fresh, interesting, thought-provoking rock!"

Later this month, one of the best new pop-jam bands in the East will join forces with one of the West's finest.  Tea Leaf Green returns the favor of some other pioneer jam acts that invited them on stage by inviting Long Island's fledgling Tauk out on the road for a swing up the PCH.  

Dead Confederate’s sophomore album Sugar, recorded by John Agnello (Hold Steady, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.), was shaped by touring with legends such as Dinosaur Jr. and Meat Puppets and gave Dead Confederate an increased appreciation for the early underground bands of the 80s and 90s that laid the foundation on which their sound is built. Writing songs in their studio on full instrumentation, Dead Confederate’s songs are shorter and more concise this second time around,  dropping some of the ragged glory repetition of their heralded 2008 debut Wrecking Ball.

We’ve had the pleasure of catching a local Albuquerque jam band called The Noms twice this summer and decided this band is something to talk about! The ensemble collection of four guys and a gal never fail to impress as they lay down track after track of original material with well blended harmonies and impressive acoustic breakouts that belie their youth.   Having already won local competitions and recently breaking into ITunes, it won't be long before the Noms move beyond the Sandia Scene.  When they embark upon their 40 city tour next summer, remember you heard the name here first!

Van Ghost is a Chicago based outfit led by Michael Berg, who prior to forming the band,  worked endlessly in a variety of different music industry gigs.   After revisiting the acoustic guitar and building up a catalog of songs, Berg assembled a band of musicians, featuring exquisite pedal steel guitars and guy girl harmonies that reflect a Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown/early Wilco Americana vibe. Now in its second lineup version, Van Ghost is one of a number of stellar bands out of The Windy City, but one that catches your ear immediately with its gracious melodies and roots influences. Glide recently caught up with Berg as revealed more about  Van Ghost.

e Damon Castillo Band is all about music and love. The quintet from San Luis Obispo, CA, entertains its loyal home base time and time again.  They operate out of a quaint recording studio on a street called Laurel Lane, and have toured the West Coast and beyond.

Myra Flynn is a singer/songwriter based in Burlington, Vermont.  Flynn has been performing throughout New England and New York, riding a surge of interest generated by the release of her debut CD, Crooked Measures. Her disc includes all original material and reflects a mature songwriter blending emotional lyrics with soulful vocals and homespun arrangements. Melissa Brodeur put her in the hot spot for a round of quick questions…

In unison with the drastic transcendence into psychedelic  Sixties, surfer sounds, MGMT has matured. As a result their appearance has evolved from funky tie-dye to thrifty dress clothes. Before their sophomore album, the band had been labeled as hippies creating indie, synth-pop music, but after their latest album, Congratulations, was released on April 13, 2010, it became clear that these shape shifters of sound won’t be condemned to a specific genre.

The Like has grown up.   After the release of their first studio album in 2005, original members Z Berg and Tennessee Thomas went through a couple of line-up changes and reemerged with Release Me.  Joined by newcomers Annie Monroe and Laena Geronimo, The Like returned with 60’s inspired pop and a very mod fashion sense.

A year ago the name Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros would have attracted a big “huh?” Today, they are selling out club sized venues quite easily, and are destined to the breakout band of the summer festival season.  Although the band is relatively young in history, (their first show as a full band was played 7/18/07), they are experienced, as the ensemble is led by Alex Ebert, former vocalist of the power pop group Ima Robot.  Along with a crew of seasoned musicians – that is not unlike what the Polyphonic Spree were doing years back (without the white robes), Edwards Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros appear to be motivated by something bigger than themselves.

There is nothing wrong with a little back up.  And by “back up,” I mean a bass guitar and a set of drums.  I have listened to Jake Nannery’s voice, accompanied by nothing but an acoustic guitar.  The added sounds provided by bassist, Ramon Salumbides, and drummer, Mike West was excellent.  The slap of the bass and the solid percussion was the perfect touch to Nannery’s signature bluesy, rock style. The three have been playing and creating music for three to four years, and the opportunity to tour as a group was an exciting and fulfilling experience.  Between April 16 and April 20, they traveled down America’s west coast, and camped in beach towns between shows.

I'm writing this from the kitchen of a lovely home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where my girlfriend Jess and I have been staying with her sister's family for the past few days. Though I'd intended to have more concrete performance dates lined up, I didn't jump on it in time so I decided to focus more on the family time and dig up some "open mic" opportunities. . .potential venues for next time and possibly a gig while I'm here.

Mason Reed has released an EP titled, You Can’t Come Back from Heaven, in February.  As the follow-up to his 2005 release, Witches and Whiskey, the new record is his account on lost loves and the comfort and freedom of driving the open road. “I hope it gives people an idea of where I'm coming from. I hope to be able to write songs and tour as long as I live.  I'm in this for the long haul.  Willing to follow the road wherever it leads for the love of the song, the story, and the music,” he says.

Will Dailey is a Boston-based recording and performing artist and two time winner of the  Boston Music Award for Best Male Singer-Songwriter. Dailey has released three full-length albums since 2004, and his most recent project, Torrent, involves the artist digitally releasing a burst of new music approximately every 3 months, and then compiling that material, along with bonus material, as a physical and digital audio package twice a year.

ohn Brown Body throws down reggae unlike any other act on the live circuit. The  live show encompasses and 8-piece band with drums, bass, a three piece horn section, keyboards and guitars. In 2008 the band released Amplify which debuted #1 on Billboards Reggae Chart, #10 on CMJ's World Music Chard, at the end of 2008 Amplify made the “iTunes best of 2008″ list for reggae record.  Glide's Melissa Brodeur recently caught up with founding member and drummer Tommy Benedetti.

This teaser is a thanks to Dustin Orbesen (Squash Blossom Boys) for tearing it up on the fiddle and providing a backdrop appropriate to the authentic Irish cuisine that stewed in a crockpot behind me and filled my senses with the smell of comfort food from years past. I look forward to the upcoming review of the "Boys" who are known for a catchy combination of bluegrass, folk, and cajun, which will no doubt provide an impressive contribution to the headlining band,The Infamous String Dusters (http://www.thestringdusters.com) at El Rey Theater (www.elreytheater.com) this Wednesday, March 24, 2010.

Richard March and Tyler Ragle are distinguished not only by the organic style of rock they have captured but also for the willingness to play for little more than a partaking of Scott’s liquid wizardry. We were thankful that they decided to make us a stop on their tour and look forward to the next visit. If you’re located somewhere between Albuquerque and Sacramento, look them up and catch the next show- you won’t leave disappointed!