Concert Review: Music in the Park & Aivar show

For this concert review, I will be reviewing Music in the Park (featuring La Colectiva & Pato Banton) and the Aivar show that took place in Tres Gringos, right after Music in the Park.

Starting things off is this week's Music in the Park. La Colectiva was the opener for today's concert. They are a Latin/Cumbia group that was pretty darn amazing as an opener. The music was very uptempo and very energetic. I liked them a lot. As I was listeing to them, right away, I associated them with early Panteon Rococo (a Mexican Ska band) and some other Mariachi music that I have heard all around. This band played very well and their music had such a great vibe. I like this band so much that I want to know more about cumbia. Overall, a great band and they were so good that I won their CD (Gente Morena) from a raffle drawing. I will review their album sometime this week. This CD of theirs is supposed to be the latest CD from them.

The 2nd artist that played this wonderful free concert was Pato Banton. This was a Reggae artist that had played Music in the Park several times. Like usual, when this guy played, there were lots of people that were smoking that weed. Always a typical when any reggae artist or band comes around Music in the Park. I don't know very much of Pato Banton's hits but word from his merch booth had it that he was going to be playing a lot of his newer material as opposed to his older material. I honestly could not tell which was his old stuff and which was his new stuff, but overall, as a headliner he was amazing. His lyrics were great too because it was not all about smoking pot but was more about peace, unity, and not having wars. Something that is not that much of a big deal to me, but sometime worth noting in this review. Toward the end of his set, he had 2 people up on stage recording the crowd so that he can show his kids. Great way to close the show. Yeah!!!!

Overall, the only thing that got me about this week's Music in the Park was that for a reggae themed show, there was a Cumbia band that played before a Reggae artist. I was expecting the whole show to be reggae. In fact, I would have prefered that there was some Ska band (like Monkey or some other ska band) to open up for Pato Banton. This, however, did not make me dislike this week's Music in the Park, but it put a lot of question marks around my head. Great concert this week. Next week's Music in the Park series will consist of: Matt Nathanson (Main act) and MiGGs (opener).

Next up, I then walked over to Tres Gringos to see Aivar play their 2-hour set. I was kind of late but whatever, I saw them last week at South First Street Billards and they were amazing there. So I went to see Aivar play and they were good. The crowd seemed like they did not pay attention to the band and they only were there just to have a drink. It was okay, although I like bands that play at shows where people are attentative and people are actually there for the band and not for the drink (that is why I am Straight Edge to the bitter end!). So this band played a 2-hour set, which was not that bad. This band had to play 3 or 4 covers just to fill the 2-hours, which was not that bad either. They played my usual favorite songs (Medicine Man, Lost in Love, You Can't Get what you want) and their covers were mostly Bob Marley songs and a ska song (which I was the only one in there Skanking and people were looking at me like crazy...). Set list was not too bad. Overall, this show was not too bad. However, I like thier short sets (45 minutes or 1 hour) better and I prefer them playing at a venue or a place like South First Street Billards instead of a bar. So that's all.

Album Review: Corrupt Absolute - White Knuckled Embryo

So this was the band that Played the Rockstar Mayhem Festival and must I say, this band was amazing and they made my day as the Jaegermiester band that would open up the Jaegermiester Stage.

A quick history of this band consists of them being from honolulu, HI and them being named Machine. Appearantly, this album was made in 1997 and and then (according to their myspace) they were previously known as Overdose 8mm. So many name changes and what for?

Anyhow, back to this album. The album starts off with an intro that has lots of breakdowns but with melody (something that is a turn-on that makes me want to listen to a band even more). Then the album progresses with some songs that are thrash (Necronomica, Dresden Diary). However, although I consider this band to be thrash metal, their sound resembles many early 90s Hardcore bands that did a great job mixing Metal and Hardcore very well. In other songs (e.g. Two Worlds, Scared Straight, Flatline), I can sense a major influence of early 90s NYHC in the rein of Madball, Earth Crisis, and Biohazard (the three bands that I love). Not much that I can say other than the fact that this album is very diverse in their sound. Although there are more songs with breakdowns, I like how those songs (with the breakdowns) are very diverse and are not watered-down nor repetitive. So overall, this band is going into my iPod and this band is a band that I feel is worth listening to. So please, cheak them out (download their stuff then delete it within 24 hours), buy their stuff, and see them when they come thrashin' your city and get out there and Circle Pit!!!


Corrupt Absolute - White Knuckled Embryo
Myspace

Concert Review: Rockstar Mayhem Festival (7/11/09)

Earlier today, I want to the 2nd annual Rockstar Mayhem Festival featuring Whitechapel, Corrupt Absolute, Job for a Cowboy, the Black Dahlia Murder, Behemoth, God Forbid, Trivium, All that Remains, Cannibal Corpse, Bullet for my Valentine, Slayer, Marilyn Manson, and Killswitch Engage.

Brief info about the Rockstar Mayhem Festival: This is an annual Metal/Hardcore festival in the rein of Ozzfest and Sounds of the Underground (RIP). This festival was created by Kevin Lyman (well known for the Warped Tour) and is modeled very similar to it. It is similar to the Warped Tour where there is a sponsor (Rockstar Energy Energy Drink) and there is some type of extreme sports (Motorcross) display. It is also similar to Warped Tour where there are 3 stages to see bands perform (Hot Topic Stage, Jaegermeifer Stage, and Main Stage).

So here comes to review of the concert starting with the bands that performed:
- Whitechapel: I was not able to see their full set because I came in late but saw them play 2 songs. This band was alright in terms of stage presence, but was not my favorite. I was kind of excited that they played first.
- Corrupt Absolute: A Jaegermeifer band hailing from Honolulu, HI that is a thrash metal band. I thought this band was very good and as a result, I bought their CD and t-shirt for a very cheap price. This band made me want to pit, yet it is always funny that people do not mosh when a band is not known.
- Behemoth: Man, these guys were amazing and right when these guys started playing, a big pit opened up. Not much to say other then the fact that these guys put on a great set. I will admit I do not know their songs very well, but still, I liked them a lot.
- God Forbid: This band was okay. The pit was weak and I did not like them much. Very generic metalcore and they played a lot of their new material.
- Black Dahlia Murder: Loved these guys. Before these guys came on, there was some corny pop tunes that came on and out came the band. This is my 2nd time seeing them and the pit was brutal! Their first song that they played was Statutory Ape then to end their set, they played a song from their 2nd album (Unhallowed) Funeral Thrust. They played 2 new songs that sounds brutal and punishing. makes me want to get their new album! Great times! I wish this band played longer!
- All that Remains: I did not see this band because I went to the Rockstar booth to get me some energy drinks. I like their stuff, but for some reason did not care to see them. 3rd time seeing them.
- Job for a Cowboy: This band was great and the started small then progressed to getting bigger. They played most of the songs that I liked (Entombment of a Machine and Knee Deep) and what was better this time around when these guys played was there were no hardcore dancers. Normally, when these guys play, there are hardcore dancers trying to form their own pit but that did not happen. Yay!
- Trivium: Did not see this band play. Was too busy waiting for Cannibal Corpse. Was not intersted in any of their songs except for Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr. Other than that, I did not care for this band.
- Cannibal Corpse: Now this was the real deal! Their set started off with Eviseration Plague. Other songs that they played were: Devoured by Vermin, Kill (my favorite), Make them Suffer, etc. Now when this band came on, the circle pit was huge and brutal. This is my 2nd time that I saw them and these guys were brutal! This was the only time that the moshpit was huge. This band played a nice set and they played many of my favorite songs. The only thing that I did not like was that there was a 45 minute gap after Trivium play just for Bullet for my Valentine to play the main stage. This leads to Bullet for my Valentine's review.
- Bullet for my Valentine: Did not see them. I was too busy waiting for Cannibal Corpse. I was very happy to see that they played the Main Stage first before Killswitch Engage.
- Killswitch Engage: These guys were amazing and they played an awesome set. They played all of my favorite songs. Ended their set with Holy Diver (Cover from Dio). Their set was amazing too. I have seen then at Warped Tour.
- Slayer: Hell yeah! That's all I can say! I was very supprised that these guys played before Marilyn Manson but they played an awesome set. Played like 2 songs from the Reign in Blood album and some from Seasons of the Abyss, Divine Intervention, and a few songs from their new album. I would say that their set was well balanced. Most bands that have been around for a while tend to play more new material, but these guys balanced it well!
- Marilyn Manson: did not care to see them! Left right after Slayer's set was done. There were others that left too.

Overall, this was a great line-up. Although the line-up of the Hot Topic Stage and Jaegermeifer stage was very similar to the Sounds of the Underground 2006 line-up (Cannibal Corpse, Job for a Cowboy, the Black Dahlia Murder), it made my day. Because of this line-up, I have faith in the 3rd year of this tour. I feel that this tour will probably last for 10 years (like the Warped Tour surpassing 15 years) and will beat Ozzfest. My only gripe about this year's line-up was that Slayer played before Marilyn Manson. It was kind of a big deal to me because it should have been Slayer that closed the show instead of Marilyn Manson. Other than that, I will go again! Thank you Kevin Lyman!

the Benefits (Demo & Is Someone in the Shower?)

Demo
1) Boyfriends
2) Ted
3) Colette
4) I Am Kratos
5) Untitled Track
6) Untitled Track

Is Someone in the Shower? (2009)

1) Introduction
2) Colette
3) Copycat
4) Ted
5) Who Knows?
6) Given Up
7) Open Your Thighs
8) Flannel
9) Boyfriends
10) Shaved
11) Consolation Prize
12) Mounting Shasta
13) English Class
14) A Song To Make Green Jell-O To
15) Passed Out
16) Burger King 1
17) Burger King 2
18) Burger King 3
19) Hot Carl
20) Special Ed
21) Special K
22) My Balls Itch
23) Geoff
24) I Suck
25) Cupid's Middle Finger
26) I Am Kratos
Download Here

This is a ska/punk band from San Jose, Ca (although I think they are more skate punk than ska but whatever). Anywho, this skate punk band is amazing and they sound like those old school DIY punk bands back in the late 80s. Way to go guys! Kudos! For those that like Minor Threat, Black Flag, Operation Ivy, and other millions of punk bands that make people want to skank/most/circle pit. They play lots of show at that horrid Nickel City (eww...), but they're still good. Remember, delete their CD within 24 hours of downloading and buy their CDs and their merch and support their music and the scene!
Myspace

Panteón Rococó Discography

Toloache pa' mi Negra (1997)

1) Panteón Rococó
2) Curame
3) No Te Detengas
4) Toloache Pa´ Mi Negra
5) Nada Paso

A la Izquierda de la Tierra (1999)

1) No Te C...
2) Es Tan Poco el Tiempo
3) La Dosis Perfecta
4) Asesinos
5) La Consentida (Concha)
6) Pecho Tierra
7) Curame
8) La Maquinita
9) Marco's Hall
10) Pequeño Tratado de un Adiós
11) Toloache Pa' Mi Negra
12) Nada Paso
13) La Bruja
14) Borracho (Drunk Steady Beer)
Download Toloache pa' mi Negra & A la Izquierda de la Tierra

Compañeros Musicales (2002)

1) Intro
2) La Carencia
3) La Rubia y el Demonio
4) C.D.A.
5) Dime
6) Esta Noche
7) Seguir Bailando
8) Globalizado
9) Perdon
10) Paralo
11) Tengo Miedo
12) Eres un Mal
13) Gente Reaccion
14) Punk-O
15) Gracias Companeros Musicales
Download Here

Tres Veces Tres (2004)

1) Madre Candela (A Dueto Con Vicentico)
2) La Ciudad De La Esperanza
3) Cosas Del Ayer (Hoy Y Siempre)
4) Cumbia Del Olvido
5) Bajo Sombras
6) 1993...
7) Buscandote (Paraguayito Dub)
8) Freedomland (Para Luis Güereña - Duo Andres Jimenez)
9) Dejando Atras (6X8)
10) Fugaz
11) Reality Shock
12) Xeno
13) La Palomita
Download Here

Panteón Rococó (self-titled)(2007)

1) Acabame De Matar
2) Triste Realidad
3) ¿Donde Se Queda?
4) Vendedora De Caricias
5) Estrella Roja
6) ¿Que Pasará?
7) Cuando Tengas
8) Caminemos Juntos
9) Canciones De Amor Y Odio
10) No Me Vayas A Dejar
11) No Te Recuerdo
12) De Luna A Sol
13) La Distancia
Download Here



Panteon Rococo is coming to Barcelona in Sunnyvale on May 1st. This is why I uploaded all their albums (minus all the live and best of crap). What can I say about this band. If it was not for this band when I was training for my college radio station, I would not have been obsessed with SKA! That's right. Anyhow, Mexican ska with some mariachi influences and some Latin influences. Get out your shoes and start SKANKIN'. Remember, when you download their stuff, delete it within 24 hours and remember to support them by buying their CDs and their merch at their shows!
Myspace

Deal's Gone Bad Discography (Minus the Ramblers [2007])

Large and In Charge (1998)

1) the Elephants
2) Pirates
3) Nothing Else
4) Wanting You
5) Curse of the Cur
6) Leaving Town
7) Dollar Town
8) Mad @ the World
9) Mini-Thins
10) Good Times
11) Deal's Gone Bad
12) Someone For Now
13) Dirty Old Town

Overboard (1999)

1) I'm Sorry
2) Better Off
3) Fat Cat
4) Shame and Humiliation
5) Loverboy
6) Too Early Too Late
7) Stop & Listen
8) In the Land Where No One Walks
9) Honest Woman, Honest Man
10) Games People Play
11) Shiver Me Timber

Download Here <-- This is a link leading to both of the CDs... Guide to Boat Drinks and Cruise Cocktails (2002)
1) Time Marches On
2) One More Trip
3) Be Mine Tonight
4) Can't Stop It Ska
5) Debbie Does
6) Little Things
7) Killer Diller
8) Old Fashioned Way
9) Hobbit Rock
10) I Remember Hon
11) West of the Sun
12) Sweetness
13) Dread Rock
14) Time (Dub)

Download Here

Deal's Gone Bad Discography (Partial due to me not uploading their latest album, go find it yourself jack!), what can I say, a ska band that has reminiscent of blues music, jazz, reggae, and the damn good ol' 2nd wave ska! We have here a band that is a revivalist band trying to keep the true sounds of ska alive and not conforming to the latest trend of ska (which is ska-core/punk ska). What I can say about this band is that it's soothing to listen to and listening to them makes me wanna skank. What else, like the sounds of the Pietasters (except slower and mellow) and the Skatalites. Worth the listen, worth the download, and worth the fun!!! Remember, buy their merch and buy their CDs at their shows.

By the way, does anyone have Deal's Gone Bad CD Organismo (1996) and their Fire EP! (2002)? If ya do, upload it to any uploading site (rapidshare, megaupload, sharebee, etc.) and we can trade some albums.

Trouble in Paradise - Cultured Sweet

1) Lets Go
2) Truth Is
3) Sweet Dreams
4) Love Life
5) Meant To Be
6) What You Know
7) Cultured Sweet
8) Go Away
9) Wake Up
10) Out To Sea
11) Skank Pirate

Trouble in Paradise is a Ska band representing San Jose and must I say, these guys are one of a kind. I like how they music is somewhat tropical in the rein of Club Havana (Russian Ska) and Salon Victoria (Mexican Ska). This is something rare because most of the ska bands in San Jose are average and mediacore and don't seem to have creativity (due to the punk-ska wave of ska these days). With a female vocalist in the band, this adds to the band being awesome due to the previous ska bands with female vocalists that bring the band to life (like Dance Hall Crashers, Save Ferris, Chase Long Beach). Songs I like are Truth Is, Meant To Be, Out to Sea, and Skank Pirate. Download away!!! Remember, buy their merch and their CDs at the shows or on their Myspace site!

Download Here
Myspace