The Audio Nut
Vol. I Issue 19

This time we go for a ride with D.R.I

D.R.I.
Crossover
1987 Rotten Records, released on CD 1995

Grade: A

http://www.dirtyrottenimbeciles.com

Dirty Rotten Imbeciles (or D.R.I.) were one of the first bands to mix trash styled heavy metal with hardcore punk rock and gain a good following doing so.  By the time they had released Crossover the band had fans on both sides of the fence when it came to skaters and metal heads alike. “Tear It Down”, “Coffin”, “Five Year Plan”, and “Probation” are all phenomenal songs by this band. The group is still around and is slowly working on new songs that will hopefully make it to a release at some point and time. They have also been touring and doing shows, which is another plus for fans of the group. There is also an effort to get all of the older CDs and LPs re-released, so you may want to check the bands web site for more information on that as well. Other notable releases by D.R.I. include…well everything they ever put out to be honest with you, so do yourself a favor and check them out. If you long for the days of wearing Vans, Vision Street Wear, and riding on your skateboard and listening to the Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains or ‘old’ Metallica then this band is for you; but if you remember any of those you should already have some D.R.I. in your music collection right?

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Send e-mail with contact information to theaudionut@nutzworld.net to be considered for The Underground Spotlight.

To obtain a copy of the CDs found in The Underground Spotlight please contact the band/artist via their web pages unless otherwise noted.

Ladytown
Ladytown
2003 Spinout Records

Grade: A

http://www.ladytownlady.com
http://www.myspace.com/ladytown

Ladytown is the creation of Sarah Coleman, an impressive guitarist and songwriter with a golden voice from the days of old. Coleman sings from the heart and bares her soul on this twelve-track release, which is sure to cause you to reflect on subjects that you’ll find in common with her and her music. She sort of reminds me of Patsy Cline or a female Hank Williams Sr. in some spots with her voice and style. Now I’m not saying that she bellows out “Your Cheatin Heart” or “I Saw the Light”, but her overall delivery is really reminiscent to great singer/songwriters from the past. “Glass You Laid”, “Lolita”, and “I’ll Give to You” are all extraordinary songs, while “Wo Xiang Ni (I Miss You)” is a moving tune where Sarah sings to us in Chinese and doesn’t lose a bit of emotion in the translation. There is a new Ladytown CD due out later this year and I am eagerly waiting to hear how it sounds. Fans of P.J. Harvey, Alison Kraus, or Ani DiFranco should have the benefit of visiting Ladytown.

Note: Check out an interview with Sarah Coleman the mastermind behind Ladytown in the next issue.

Car Bomb
3-Song Demo
2005 Unsigned

Grade: A

http://www.carbomb.us

This disc contains three explosive tracks from the New York band Car Bomb. Starting the assault is the song “Rid” which clocks in at almost forty seconds and leads you straight into “His Eyes”, where the band continues to attack your ears and emotions with unpredictable guitar riffs intertwined with psychotic vocals, unruly bass licks and precision drumming. “Solid Grey” rounds out this CD and strongly proves the point that this band is not for people who enjoy their music pretty or on the lighter side of the rock-n-roll spectrum. Car Bomb is for fans of Dillinger Escape Plan, Fantomas, and The Locust. For three dollars this CD is a must have for hard music fans everywhere.

Note: Check out an interview with Car Bomb singer Mike D. as he talks about his other band Neck in Issue 11

the Ointments
the Ointments EP
2005 Unsigned

Grade: A

http://www.myspace.com/theointments

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...At Three Score and Five (and then some) He's Still Got the Jive
A review by Col. Lump

  Much to my delight, I discovered my dad's Beach Boys records when I was five. All the classics; Surfin' USA, Shut Down Vol. 2, Concert, Today, Summer Days and Summer Nights, and Pet Sounds, which even at that tender age I knew was special. I remember writing to the official Beach Boys Fan Club's address listed on the back of Today only to have it returned. I had a feeling something happened to the group after Pet Sounds.

  That something was the most famous unreleased album of all time: SMiLE. Unreleased until 2004 that is, a full 37 years after it's intended original release date of January 1967.

  The documentary Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE, directed by David Leaf, celebrates this triumph and attempts to de-mystify some of the rumors surrounding the album without destroying the legend.

  To summarize the film; if you are a longtime, hardcore Brian Wilson fan you will not discover any new insights by watching this documentary. It is obviously geared towards casual fans who will probably be let down that SMiLE is simply the result of some very creative minds collaborating at the height of their artistic powers. Unfortunately, Brian Wilson's growing dependence on drugs, phobia of disappointing Capital Records, his father, and his bandmates, and an impending nervous breakdown nearly killed the album and himself.

  The interviews with such luminaries as Van Dyke Parks, George Martin, Elvis Costello, Hal Blaine, and others are delightful. The story moves along at brisk pace with minimal narratives, and the live footage with Paul McCartney in attendance comfortably filling the role of cheering fan is priceless.

  I also couldn't help but notice signs of relief on Beatle Paul's face as he listened to the performance. Relief that SMiLE was finally released in 2004. Relief that SMiLE was NOT released in 1967.

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE is part of the double DVD box set:
Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE on Rhino Video

 Col. Lump is the drummer for Richard's Nixon visit the Nixon's website at: http://www.richardsnixon.moonfruit.com

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Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?
A. I'm Jon, bass guitarist and vocalist.

Q. How did you come up with and decide on the name BYPRODUCT?
A. We were a true byproduct of previous bands. Jason (guitarist and vocalist) and I played shows together all the time in our old bands and we left them to start this project when we met Dave and heard his drumming.

We also wanted a name that didn't imply a specific genre. The name byproduct could be anything from a jazz band to a metal band or anything else.

I find mystery more appealing than things that are blatantly obvious, but that is just my opinion.

Q. What would you like to tell us about a new CD that you guys might have coming out?
A. Right now we have no plans for an actual release. We recorded two songs, one of which is not complete, as it is lacking vocal tracks.

The song that is complete is now available online on our website http://www.byproductmusic.com as well as myspace http://www.myspace.com/byproduct The song features additional guitars performed by Nick Lowery who produced, recorded, and wrote the song with us. It's called "Closer to Nothing" and we feel it is one of the best songs we have written to date.

Q. What are you listening to these days in your car/home stereo?
A. I have been listening to the new A Life Once Lost and Darkest Hour albums a lot; they are my most recent purchases. They are both great albums and I highly recommend them. I was listening to Fantomas earlier today also.

Q. If you could be anyone in world history who would you be? Why?
A. I would be myself because I can't even imagine what it would be like to be someone else. Someone who you admire and who may seem ideal on the outside may have serious faults on the inside that you wouldn't be prepared for. It’s hard enough sometimes just being yourself.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us about BYRPODUCT?
A. We are so gratuitous for your time and your help in spreading the word about us and all the other artists that interest you. We hope to hear some feedback from anyone reading this interview who might be curious enough to check us out.

Q. Who do you like better, The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?
A. Slayer. The answer to those types of questions is always Slayer.

Note: Check out a review of the BYPRODUCT CD be viewing Issue 2

Velvet Friend
 

Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?
A.  My name is Bill Paxtone from the planet Nashvegas, the band Velvet Friend, and the Ozion community. I’ve been involved with an underground musical movement on Dos Nueve, a primitive island community, located in the center of the Seesha Sea. I play bass, guitar, keyboards, sing, program drums, and serve as the producer and engineer most of the time. “Krazy” Kyle Schmidt engineered “Midwest Delights” and “Death Party Binge” 

Q. How did you come up with the name Velvet Friend?
A.  There have been various stories told about the origin of our name.  Usually, Dick Whiskey a.k.a. Randy Reed, makes up some crazy $h*t each time we are asked that, but I am going to finally set the record straight and give you the true account that led to the origin of Velvet Friend. In the year 1379, some dark ages dude rammed a sword into a portal and transported himself to Ozion. He probably didn’t understand where he was, but he was on AZO (an island full of demonic, alien dogs under the power of a mind-invaded, super alien).  Luckily, his presence was detected by Morticion, who swept him up from harm’s way and delivered him to Dos Nueve. An interrogation (mind-invasion) occurred and Morticion learned of the inhabitants of planet Earth.  Long story made short, they went back to the portal on AZO, fought off some demonic, alien dogs, and took the portal back to earth. Morticion discovered music there and took a keen interest.  Returning in 1997, Dick Whiskey and I ran into this alien that sported a protective, velvet suit. We called him our Velvet Friend; he’s our song-writing mentor.   

Q. I see that you guys are about to record your sixth album. What can we expect from the new Velvet Friend effort?
A. Expect this: A crazy rock n’ roll album about aliens, chicks, and hell that knows no consistency, except melting your testicles. It will go on sale sometime this fall, but we will soon let out a track from the record on http://www.myspace.com/velvetfriend… or you can persuade ONERNAD with a 30 pack of Keystone to let you hear the rough mixes, which he stole directly from us. Immediately following this album (titled 29 for now), we have our seventh album written and ready to record. 

Q. What are some of your goals for the band?
A. 1) Record more albums than the Rolling Stones. 2) Sell more than 15 copies of one album. 3) Open for Mr. Bungle. 4) Legalize Marijuana.   

Q. Are any of you guys in other bands or have any other projects that you'd like to mention?
A. Shadow Puppets is a hard rock band that includes Bryan West on the skins, Matt Reno on bass and guitars, and Kris Baranovic on Vocals and guitar. That guy is a hell of a songwriter. Our first record, I wrote and performed the music and he composed the lyrics and melodies for the vocals. The one (album) we’re still working on has Barney (stalecraka) writing some amazing songs on his acoustic guitar and me producing these songs. I can’t wait to get it done, eventually. Check out our old stuff at http://www.myspace.com/shadowpuppets

Q. If you could be anyone in world history who would you be? Why?
A. I would have to be Jim Morrison, because he saw exactly what he was destined to be and fulfilled that prophecy.  

Q. What are you listening to these days in your car/home stereo?
A. Brian Wilson- Smile, Pink Floyd- Animals, Ben Folds- Songs For Silverman, Mars Volta- Frances The Mute, The new Audioslave bores me, The new White Stripes is awright, and track 4 on System of A Down’s new one is hilarious.

Rezonance

Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?
A. We are the band Rezonance from Sacramento, Ca. The band consists of:
Justin Labrado: Guitar
Jamar Wallace: Vox & Guitar
Lorenzo McNeil: Bass
Jay Snider: Drums

Q. How did you decide on the name Rezonance for the band?
A. Justin - We were trying really hard to find a name that helped describe the music. Rezonance came about when I was in my Recording class and I came across the term resonance that stood for "long lasting." I thought that was perfect and it fit our sound so well.


Q. What are some of your goals for the band?
A. Jamar - We just want to get our music out to everyone. Also, to continue to create great music and one day be signed to a major label. But for now, we want to finish our first full-length album, which should be finished by the end of summer.

Q. Who would you say some of your biggest influences are both musically and non-musical?
A. Jay - Musically are biggest influences range from Incubus, Breaking Benjamin, The Deftones, The Roots, Al Green...and so on. That's what so great about our band we combine so many musical styles that listeners can never get bored.
Non-musically, I think the band finds influences from one another. We feed off one another so much when writing new material. That energy is so inspiring, it makes writing music with these guys so great.

Q. If you could be anyone in world history who would you be? Why?
A. Lorenzo - Ummmmm I think Martin Luther King his changes made such a significant impact on our society. For the band we want our music to have an impact on our listeners.

Q. What are you listening to these days in your car/home stereo?
A. Jamar - Right now Fall Out Boy has a major influence on my vocal arrangements on the new record. 
Justin - Dark New Day, the guitar arrangements are insane.
Lorenzo - Taproot, those bass lines are so addicting.
Jay - It's between System of a Down, Fall Out Boy or Motion City Soundtrack.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about Rezonance?
A. Justin - That you can check us out on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/rezonance for new music and pics. Or our official website http://www.rezrocksite.com
PEACE!!

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1.About a Burning Fire by Blindside
2.Absolution by Muse - Reviewed in Issue 1
3.Summer of Darkness by Demon Hunter - Reviewed in Issue 1
4.This Type of Thing (Could Do Us In) by Chevelle - Reviewed in Issue 3
5.Deja Entendu by Brand New - Reviewed in Issue 1