Not just a new single

but the song poses a whole new story.

I am talking about the new single from the Cody Bryan Band   (https://www.codybryanmusic.com/) 'Coast is Clear' (https://open.spotify.com/track/2SQJHYN0H55NTt1it9I50E). You can find it on Spotify pretty easy. You can also go to the bands page and support them buy buying the single and/or some merchandise!

So about this new single. It definitely has all the earmarks to be THE 'Song of the Summer'. Forget all the other bullshit in the world right now and just listen, just feel it. This is without a doubt a great summer song. Let me give your imagination a little nudge...

You are down at the beach or at the lake. You made the decision to just get away for the weekend. You need to relax, smell the beautiful air, have some nice beach drinks with friends...you know, the ones with umbrellas in them, yeah, that one! It's been a long, hot day at the water and now you are in a hammock at the cabin or the campsite. The sun is dipping, the moon is rising, and you are recharging for an even better evening. THIS is the song you are listening to!

I see you smiling. I did. Now the world just needs to make sure the 'Coast is Clear', sip some Mai-Tai's...because we all need a vacation!




p.s. - how is it a new story. After you checked, and the Coast is Clear, next it's Our House for the Weekend. Apparently it was a great time at the beach cause she's not drinking alcohol :)

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