some of that 'Southern Hostility' for me please

I don't usually do reviews that are not based on a live music experience or without some photos to back up the words. But I'll do it for the www to read and know. 

I have had the wonderful experience of seeing Upon A Burning Body  (https://www.facebook.com/uponaburningbody/) perform a few times. Definitely one of my favorites. Knowing they are from down the road in San Antonio and their mark on the metal scene, it is a pleasure to listen to and drop my opinion of their release 'Southern Hostility'. No, it's not a brand new release, but it is their newest.

So, lucky me. I was able to grab the limited release vinyl and get a copy of the disc. Well worth every damn dollar. Waited for the mailman to drop that shit off. Checked my camera EVERY DAY. I wasn't even home when it came in, but sent a neighbor over to grab the package when it was placed on my doorstep. 

I got home, opened it up.Admired the simple statement of the cover artwork, pure UABB. It was righteous. Then I put that fine piece of aural abuse on full volume.

Danny, Ruben, and the guys have stepped up created one of their finest works to date. ABSOLUTELY stunning, gut punching, nut kicking, ear bleeding masterpiece. The opening track doesn't really set the tone for the rest of the album, but that son of a bitch gets your attention instantly. It is great and demands that you shut the fuck up and listen!

Listening to the album on repeat several times moved me past the "Fuck yeah!" fist and middle finger in the air feeling on the first go round. To shouting along to lyrics on the second and third time. Yelling and thrashing about so much in my house the dogs were scared shitless and went outside and wouldn't come back in. 

Some where around the fourth listen something wonderful happened. I started hearing the music. The backing vocals. The choruses. I realized these boys from San Antonio didn't just put together another banger of an album. No, for fucks sake, they grew up. They just fully embraced the current sound and scene and made sure their music was still theirs, but knew how to stay absolutely relevant. Dare I say...mainstream. No! I am not saying radio airplay bullshit. But just simply, the music has moved to another level of badassery! I am not just talking about the legions of fans they have all over the world. I am saying this album easily moves them to a main stage. To crossing over a line where it's not just the long time fans listening, buying, and going to the shows. Southern Hostility has the sound, production, anger, and adrenaline producing ability to create smiles - show your teeth - to a wider and broader base of metal fans.

No. I didn't not critique the individual tracks on this album. I have just laid out for you a feeling it creates. Told you a story on how it made me feel. And simply explained to you....buy it, download it, and more importantly go to a show!

Laters

Big Time fun

The last blog post of the year. Although I really didn't quite hit the circuit like I wanted or feel like I should have, let me end the year like this! At the One-2-One. With two amazing, Bad Ass bands. 

So let me refresh you. The One-2-One is on S. Lamar, Austin, Tx. Just 2 minutes from downtown. Free parking. Great sound. Why have you not gone after all these years of my writing about this place? Walk in the doors and you are greated by a very large stage directly opposite the door. The bar is to your right and extends half the length of the venue. It still has the best damn sound for a small venue in Austin!

A quick word, if that is possible for me to do, about 80H Project. These guys finished this night out with amazing music, laughs, family in the house, and friends onstage. 80H project is the brainchild of the one and ONLY Ady Hernandez. One of the most solid musicians, guitar players, vocalists, and harmonizing bands leaders in Austin... and we wish him well on his upcoming comedy career!  

Joining him onstage and making this project stellar, is an amazing line up of talent that are all spectacular on their own, but here... mind blown! 

80H Project is a fusion of Latin rock and music for the soul. About half way through the set 80 H was joined by one of the most multi talented, make you want to quit music, musicians Austin has the pleasure to call a son if the city, Kevin Flatt. Fresh off the road from Arlington, Kevin jumped up onstage to make the sound more than complete. 

Keep your eyes on the calendar and catch the 80 H Project for the few times they make appearances here or even in Nashville.

And now for the Big Time words, specifically Hector Ward and The Big Time. WTF! Although I have actually hung out with Hector on several occasions at a few different bars.... this was, shamefully, the first time I got the Big Time experience. What an experience it was! I sat and watched as Hector pretty much played the guitar without a pick. Just hand strumming the shit outta that guitar. Damn fine soun, and what a great voice. He was backed with a stellar horn section and spot on rhythm section. His rock/Latin fusion sound carried through your earholes, into your brain, and made your ass and feet move. 

It was great music, performed with smiles on stage and a vibe anyone could appreciate. This isn't a - back ground musical performance - from some band that is playing - while you have cocktails with friends, kind of band. Hector Ward and the Big Time demands your attention. The stories he tells in his music is worth every ounce of your attention. Best of all, just get up and dance. Dance like no one is watching, dance like you care about the music. But most of all, enjoy Hector Ward and the Big Times music. 

Happily I reported this to my wife when I got home. Explaining to her there was still tons of life and amazing music in the Austin music scene. And our new journeys, starting the new year, new decade should begin with Hector Ward and The Big Time.

I'll see you there! 

Laters 

The Real Sim

Well that is a little odd. I mean, if it was the fake sim then it would be a sim - ulator....just saying.

Lucky me. I have this music blog which allows me to share my musical journeys and opinions with the world. All with the hopes of someone reading about a band and then going to a show. I have also been running a livestream for a year (as of the writing of this blog). The show is called Three Beers and a Whiskey available on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/threebeersandawhiskey , check it out. Besides the shameless self promotion, it has a point in this blog post about the music and performance of Sim Ross.

Our second episode of the show was with Sim Ross and his band The Laughing Heart. I was introduced to the man, band, and music by then guitarist and friend of mine, Sonny Bihl. Without ever seeing the band perform, and only on the recommendation of my friend and a downloaded copy of the album 'Mothers DayBlues', I enthusiastically had them sit with me and chat. Besides being great, down to earth, and very humble men, their acoustic rendition of several of their songs from the album were stunning. Here is 'Winding Rivers' ( https://youtu.be/ydBlbzBg0Kk ). It was not to long after that where I had the pleasure of catching them twice. Once at a venue that will remain nameless - because of the shitty sound production that evening - and the second time at one of my all time favorites, the One2One (http://www.one2onebar.com/).


Sim Ross (https://www.simrossmusic.net) is originally from Ohio. Lucky us here in Austin, he made the journey and cut his record, Mothers Day Blues, here. His Americana sound has just enough edge on it to be rock and roll, and enough soul in the music to be blues. Of course I think all great American music is based on the blues, I just think Sim Ross elevates it to another level, and makes it REAL personal. His voice has that great raspy sound. Between gargling with glass and drinking sandpaper, you might be able to imitate Sims unique voice and sound. It is amazing and perfect with the originals he does.



The One2One was really the perfect spot to check out Sim Ross and The Laughing Heart, an intimate setting with a great sound system. The band was fantastic. Kicking off with the first track from the disc, 'At the rate I'm going', it proved to be a nonstop tour of storytelling through music. As much at the title song is my favorite, the live rendition of the song 'Paradise' is killer.





It was a stunning set of music that was non stop, top to bottom. No question and doubt I will go to many more Sim Ross shows. You should too. Check out his website, look him up on FB. It is without question that is a great way to start a high energy evening. An even better way to top off the night. Do the live music scene and yourself a favor, go see Sim Ross and The Laughing Heart. Tell him I sent you, and have a water on me.



















Laters