Local Bay Area Music

Interview with Ryan from B. Hamilton

Happy New Year!

To kickstart LBAM this year Ed did an interview with Ryan from B. Hamilton who just played this past Friday at The Blank Club! Check it out!

Also they have a Kickstarter running. For $15 you can get a vinyl copy of their album “Everything I Own is Broken”.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/316763968/b-hamilton-everything-i-own-is-broken-on-vinyl

QUESTION: I’ve heard a couple of descriptions given for your music: “Like Dogcatcher, but with more distortion and screaming”. “A cross between Ryan Adams and Black Keys”. Which do you prefer, or maybe I should ask which do you prefer least? How would you describe your sound?

I don’t know who Dogcatcher is, but the name reminds me of dog catchers. I have a giant fucked-apart abyss in my brain of shit that I should have heard growing up, but never did for some reason. Ryan Adams is swimming in around that part. We own drums, guitars, and amplifiers.

QUESTION: Besides the obvious Justin Bieber influence, are there any other main influences for you guys?

Bill Withers and Black Sabbath.

QUESTION: There is a lady singing on the first album, but not the second. Would you care to go into that, or does one of you happen to be extremely good at falsettos?

That is Miss Erika Pipkin of Wasteband fame. Her and I played together for sometime as a duo. She wrote the fuck out of some songs called “Fishies” and “Mon Sombul Am.” I managed to weasel my way into recording them at my buddy Jonah Strauss’ Shipwreck Studios on 24th and MLK in Oakland, the same joint we recorded “Everything I Own is Broken.” She sang, played Ukelele and Piano, and then I fucked up the entire thing by putting the rest of the instruments down. If you want proper versions without my bullshit, go listen to her group Wasteband. Bill and Erika got engaged last year. Raise your glass to the tree.

QUESTION: There were no coyotes attacking you last Friday at the Blank Club. I’m pretty sure if that happens it will be the big break you’ve been looking for. Any chance of coyotes at a future show?

Life is long as fuck.

QUESTION: I like your underground, rebellious ways. I’m thinking of having people write in to 105.3 and ask them to NOT play you, just to be sure we keep you rebellious. Would you be cool with that?

It is impossible to be rebellious when you’re in your late 20’s. You just hunker down for the long haul. Life is long as fuck.

QUESTION: Your stage setup is awesome in its simplicity. Hardly any pedals. But you do manage to still get a big sound. What pedals do you use when playing live?

If you turn the volume up on your volume, then your volume gets more volume. I’ve played shit guitars, a Line 6 delay pedal, and any loud-enough amplifier I can find since I was 17. Macy doesn’t have any tricks, and Bill uses a fucked-apart trash kit that sounds better than anything I’ve heard.

In some red light congress in Oakland one night, I saw a band with a bunch of pedals and a laptop on stage tear down after half of a song because their laptop wouldn’t boot, and they couldn’t find a 9 volt battery for their phaser pedal. An entire population of alcoholic-cave dwellers were begging them to get beyond it and play “Woolie Boolie” or anything they could pull out of their asses. They just wrapped chords, screamed at the laptop guy, and split back to the city. What a fucking nightmare. Just plug in and let everybody forget about tomorrow.

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the music industry in general?

It looks like a fucked-apart dead thing.

QUESTION: How has your kickstarter been going? Did physcial cds ever get made for the album, or is this vinyl the only chance to get a physical copy?

The Kickstarter is going alright. I was apprehensive of Kickstarter in the beginning after seeing a bunch of mother fuckers who wanted 30k to record a concept record about their cat. But for us, it lets dudes put up money to get the record in a physical form. I love the shit out of that. Its not a question of whether “you want it, or you don’t want it,” its a matter of existence. Everybody who has put up fifteen-bucks wanted to see it in a physical form that they could hold and give a listen to. We got a couple days left, but I will gladly put up as much of my shitty paycheck as I can to qualify the goal knowing that there are 50 people who put up $15 of their own money to have a copy of it in their house, or to help us out. Knowing that anybody, even my best friends and family, would give $15 toward it makes me feel immortal.

QUESTION: Any plans to play an all ages show in San Jose? (Okay, this isn’t really a question, more of a planting of an idea in your head. Kind of like Inception.).

Absolutely Not/Sure.

QUESTION: I always know a post comes from you guys because it is in capital letters, usually is sarcastic and non-sensical, and has the word “FUCK” in it. Do you have any plans to patent this style?

Its not nonsensical.

QUESTION: You remind me of Nirvana a little, in that you will make it to the top of the mountain, just so you can give a middle finger to the world. Would that be accurate?

Probably not.

QUESTION: Any closing thoughts?

No/Yes.

Daniel’s Best Of 2011 List

tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L
Jack Frank - A Lesson Learned
DaVinci - Feast or Famine EP
Local Hero - The Aldgate EP
Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Hunx & His Punx - Too Young To Be In Love
The SHE’s - Then It Starts To Feel Like Summer
Rin Tin Tiger - Rin Tin Tiger EP
Lil B - I’m Gay
Sonny & the Sunsets - Hit After Hit

Ed’s Best of 2011 List

1. Low Roar, “Low Roar” - Brooding. Haunting. Thom Yorke. Many words have been used to describe Ryan Karazija’s new album. Here’s my take: The slow sadness of Ryan Adam’s Heartbreaker, the paranoia of Thom Yorke, and the human-ness of John Lennon.

2. Tumbleweed Wanderers, “Tumbleweed Wanderers” - Strong songwriting, perfect three part harmony, and tight musical interplay make this band one to watch.

3. Coast Jumper, “Grand Opening” - This album reminds me of a mix of “The Bends” and “Pet Sounds”. And I don’t only say this because of their great cover of “Don’t Talk”.

4. Forrest Day, “Forrest Day” - They remind be of Sublime. Not in sound, but in attitude. The lyrics are personal, and the music is catchy. A nice hodge podge of musical styles, all mixed together to make something unique.

5. Rin Tin Tiger, “Rin Tin Tiger” - RTT are more than just great, funny guys. They play some of the catchiest folk music around, and the lyrics are very clever and funny.

6. The Trims, “We Cried For Fun” - Post Punk has found a strong voice in The Trims. Their songs seem to be melancholy, but not in a slit-your-throat depressive way. This San Jose band has found their sound starting with this release.

7. Brooke D., “The Little Green Monster EP” - One of the Bay Area’s best voices has put together some of the best, unique releases this year. The looping style of this record is infectious, and beautiful.

8. The Common Men, “Let It Burn” - Lead singer Kevin gets crap from some people for his singing. I don’t care what people say. It fits the effects heavy music that pounds out of the speakers. Listen especially close to the lyrics, some of the best around.

9. Melted Horses, “Live Burnin’” - Long live the ’70s! If you are of the older generation, you remember the epic live albums of the 70s, complete with solos and straight out rocking. We are lucky to have the Melted Horses, and may they always be around to carry on the tradition.

10. Emily’s Army, “Don’t Be a Dick!” - This group is in an odd position. They have an extreme inside advantages for obvious reasons, but they also are in a position to catch a lot of crap for that very same reason. Putting all that aside, their first record is youthful, fun and inspired. And recorded in just a few days.

Matt’s Best of 2011 List

1.Yeshua And The Hightones(Reggae)

2.Dirty Odd Seven(Funk, Rock)

3.Los Hot Boxers(Doo Wop, Rocksteady)

4.Native Brew(World)

5.Rebelskamp(Jam Band)

6.The Tumbleweed Wanderers(Folk Rock)

7.The Wild Reeds(Folk)

8.Cumbia Tokeson(Latin, Reggae)

9.Ben Henderson/Good Hustle(Afro Beat/Funk/Jazz)

10. 5150(Metal)

Anna’s Best of 2011 Lists

Top 10 Shows in chronological order

1. Westwood and Willow, Please Do Not Fight at Homestead Lanes, 01/22/2011

2. Westwood and Willow, Dave Smallen, Max Bemis at Bottom of the Hill (noisepop), 02/26/2011

3. Coachella 04/15-04/17/2011

4. Finish Ticket, PK at Bottom of the Hill, 07/09/2011

5. PK, Finish Ticket, John Miller at The Crepe Place, 08/17/2011

6. Kevin Devine at Bottom of the Hill, 09/19/2011

7. The Rock Hop #1 with Picture Atlantic, Please Do Not Fight, Fierce Creatures, Ghost and the City at Art Boutiki, 09/24/2011

8. Beirut at the Fox Theater, 10/01/2011

9. The Rock Hop #3 with Rin Tin Tiger, PK, Please Do Not Fight, Finish Ticket at Art Boutiki, 12/10/2011

10. Piranha Party at the Barn, 12/17/2011

Top 10 Albums I Couldn’t Stop Listening to in 2011 in no particular order

1. pastpresentfuture part 1 / Please Do Not Fight (October 2011)

This is the first part of a three-part release which will become a full-length either late 2012 or early 2013. The four songs on the EP are definitely some of my favorites for the year. It really helps that I got to document the recording process and just in general follow the band around all summer. But really, I think it’s Please Do Not Fight’s best release to date, and I have the highest hopes for the next two. Highlighted tracks: Blink, Silence My Skin (though it’s hard to pick when there’s only four songs). available on bandcamp: pleasedonotfight.bandcamp.com

2. When Everything Is Numbers / Picture Atlantic (December 2010)

This EP is one of the reasons this isn’t really “Top 10 of 2011” list. It came out too late last year to really make it onto last year’s lists, but is too good to leave out from this year’s just because it’s from last year. I love Picture Atlantic a lot, but sometimes it’s hard to pick just a couple songs to listen to out of all their releases. When Everything is Numbers is a good small dose of five excellent songs from the band. It also pairs well with pastpresentfuture. Highlighted tracks: Ladder, Guerrilla. available on bandcamp: pictureatlantic.bandcamp.com

3. Such Fun / Annuals (October 2008)

Honestly, I just couldn’t stop listening to Annuals this year. I got their first album, Be He Me, in January, and Such Fun soon after, and they’ve been my most-listened-to band of this year. I picked Such Fun for this list because my song of the year is on this album. Also, every song is different and FUN, and overall the album is more approachable than Be He Me in some ways. However, if one were to delve into the band’s repertoire I would recommend starting at the beginning. Highlighted tracks: Always Do, Confessor, Wake. available online or in record stores.

4. Libraries / The Love Language (September 2010)

This is an album by a band I was aware of since 2009 when they played at Nickel City with Picture Atlantic, but only started listening to after I saw them at Coachella and bought their album. The album ranges from poppy indie rock songs, to gorgeous orchestral songs, to some acousticy songs as well. It’s great for driving, as well as dancing (or both at the same time, as I often do). Highlighted tracks: This Blood is Our Own, Brittany’s Back, Anthophobia. available online or in stores.

5. Happiness / Dave Smallen (December 2011)

I need to preface this by saying that I’ve been listening to Dave’s music in all its incarnations for YEARS and think he’s an exceptionally good person and musician. This release lived up to all of my expectations, and probably actually exceeded them. The album is honest. It’s creative - some of the songs went in a different direction than I was used to. It’s solid, with not a single weak track. Lastly, the title is very fitting. The whole process was DIY, too, so extra props. Highlighted tracks: Happiness, Been in Love, Something You Could Say… ah heck, all of them. available on bandcamp: davesmallen.bandcamp.com

6. Feels Like We’re Gonna Win / Joel T. Hamilton (November 2010)

Joel T. Hamilton was previously behind the band The Working Title, who I’ve been listening to for nearly five years, and who mysteriously disappeared two years ago. I discovered Joel’s solo project a couple of months ago, and finally bought it last week, and haven’t stopped listening. It’s strange folky rock music that sometimes feels like Beirut, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, and locally, Rin Tin Tiger. Highlighted tracks: Gunnin, Trust, Sleeping With You. available on bandcamp: joelthamilton.bandcamp.com

7. Between the Concrete and Clouds / Kevin Devine (September 2011)

I picked up this album when Amazon was selling it for $3.99 and I was about to see Kevin play at Bottom of the Hill in a week. And oh boy was it a great idea. It’s probably my favorite release of his (although to be completely honest, I haven’t listened to all of them yet… there’s a lot). He puts on a great show, too, and is a great guy as well. Highly recommended. Highlighted tracks: A Story, A Sneak, Between the Concrete and Clouds, The First Hit. available probably everywhere.

8. Rin Tin Tiger / Rin Tin Tiger (June 2011)

It would have been just plain silly to leave this release off this list, though their newer, unreleased songs have taken over my mind. RTT are my bros/sons (inside joke) AND make fantastic music. Kevin, Sean, and Andrew are incredibly talented at their respective instruments, and work together so well. Personally, seeing them live is much better than just listening to a recording, so you should first get the EP, learn the lyrics, and come dance with Loni and I. Highlighted tracks: Spooky Spider, Ghost Door, Red Pony. available on bandcamp: rintintiger.bandcamp.com

9. Dead Lions / Once and Future Kings (April 2011)

A friend of mine who lives in North Carolina recommended this band to me recently, saying they’re a local band to her. I checked them out and found this EP to be quite excellent. I can’t pin my finger on who they sound like locally here, if anyone. OaFK feature piano and great guitar work. This release is free on bandcamp, so what’s there to lose? Highlighted tracks: Say Hello, Conversation in a Mirror, I Drink from a Drip IV. available on bandcamp: onceandfuturekings.bandcamp.com

10. Devil’s Made a New Friend / Jarrod Gorbel (August 2010)

This is kind of a last-minute addition to this list. I got the album about two weeks ago and definitely have listened to it many times, but mostly I’m adding it because Jarrod makes great music in general and I wanted to represent that. It’s a small departure from The Honorary Title’s last album Scream and Light Up The Sky, a favorite of mine. Similar feelings are expressed but the music seems more mature. Highlighted tracks: Don’t Want This To End, Devilish Ways, Ten Years Older. available online and in stores.

Lia’s Best Of 2011

Best Of 2011 - Local Music Releases

1. Bird by Bird – While You Sleep

2. The Trophy Fire – Modern Hearts

3. Brooke D. – The Little Green Monster

4. Tumbleweed Wanderers – S/T

5. Cartoon Bar Fight – Tell All The Children EP

6. Monstrauss – Think Tank

7. Ghost & the City - Sazerac

8. Rin Tin Tiger – S/T

9. Dogcatcher - KILR

10. Set Your Goals – Burning at Both Ends

Robert’s Best of 2011 List

We’re still continuing to post all our top picks here at LBAM for the year. Here’s Robert’s List!

Please Do Not Fight - pastpresentfuture : part 1
Dave Smallen - Happiness
Low Roar - Low Roar
Rin Tin Tiger - Rin Tin Tiger
No Sir - Holy Land
Not To Reason Why - The Book of Hours

Best Of 2011 Lists!

We are coming to the end of 2011 this year. Thanks so much to all our fans out there! This has been a great year for us!

A few of us have our Best Of…lists that we’d love to share with you for this year over the next few days. Here’s Eddie’s list! What are some of your favorites this year?

Eddie’s Best Of…2011 List

1. Low Roar “Low Roar”

2. Rin Tin Tiger “Rin Tin Tiger”

3. Tumbleweed Wanderers “Tumbleweed Wanderers”

4. Brooke D. “The Little Green Monster EP”

5. Please Do Not Fight “pastpresentfuture”

6. Monstrauss “Think Tank”

7. 8:19 “Old”

8. Forrest Day “Forrest Day”

9. The Trims, “We Cried For Fun”

10. Emily’s Army “Don’t Be a Dick!”

pictureatlantic:

Rin Tin Tiger, The Rock Hop

Local Music Ramblings by Ed

1. Beta State: http://www.facebook.com/betastate

This group is so great. The hard work and dedication they put into their music and band is truly inspiring. I cannot wait to hear their new E.P.. The first song is very strong, and also sounds great live. Go to one of their live shows, the crowd always loves them. And make sure to chat with them at the show. I doubt you’ll find a nicer group of guys anywhere. They make it so easy to cheer for them!

2. Fierce Creatures: http://www.facebook.com/fiercecreaturesband

This exciting group from Fresno will be releasing their first full length record early next year, thanks to a very successful Kickstarter. I’ve rarely seen a band generate such positive reaction after one of their live shows. At the first Rock Hop, I saw several people beeline to the Merch Table to buy EPs as soon as they finished their set. That to me is the ultimate compliment a band can receive after a performance. “Satan Is A Vampire” sounds to me like it could be an alternative rock hit for them.

3. Forrest Day: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Forrest-Day/51816672177?ref=ts

Forrest Day released their self titled debut a couple months back. This record is absolutely brilliant. If you have not heard it, go get it now. The lyrics are very intelligent. They remind me of the common-man experience that authors like John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway painted so well in some of their best novels. Forrest writes and sings from the heart. Though their sound isn’t really the same, for some reason I can’t help but think of a young Sublime when I listen to them, at least in attitude.

4. Handshake: http://www.facebook.com/Handshaketunes

Their first album has been a long time in the making. But it will finally be released in January 2012. Art Rock may not be for everyone, but it is definitely for me. The first song released “Other Eye (Right)” is great. I never heard of this band until I saw them at the Battle of the Bands last February. Their live performance was awesome, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Can’t wait to hear the new album.

5. Low Roar: http://www.facebook.com/lowroar.music

I’m not even sure where to begin with Low Roar. Their debut album is the most heartfelt music I have heard in quite a while. “Give Up” is breathtaking, lyrically and musically (and vocally). I use to think that Sameer of Young The Giant had the best voice in music today. But after seeing Ryan at the Blank Club a few weeks back, it is not even a contest any longer. The sounds that come out of his mouth do not even seem to be his own. It feels like an angel is singing through him. This album and concert performance both are my personal favorites of the year (well, there is one month left, so I guess I should say so far).

6. Points North: http://www.facebook.com/pointsnorthband

Anyone who knows me will not be surprised I like Points North. They remind me of a mix of Joe Satriani and Rush. This is a musician’s musician band. I am so excited they have signed with Magan Carta Records, and I can not wait to hear the new album early next year. I still have not seen them live yet, which I hope to correct some time soon!

7. The Rock Hop III - Holiday Hooplah: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=rl94h4cab&oeidk=a07e59pps697cfe6354

What an awesome lineup! All four of these bands are a big reason Local Bay Area Music was started in the first place: Finish Ticket, Please Do Not Fight, PK, Rin Tin Tiger. Though I’ve seen all four multiple times, they never get old. I hear Finish Ticket may have a Christmas song in the works, which we hopefully will hear at this show. PDNF and RTT are now staples of the local music scene, growing a larger fan base every month. And PK might as well adopt the Bay Area as their second home, they definitely have enough fans here to call it that.

8. The Stone Foxes: http://www.facebook.com/thestonefoxes

Vanaprasta: http://www.facebook.com/vanaprasta

Battlehooch: http://www.facebook.com/battlehooch

Have you ever gone to a show not knowing any of the bands, and then being blown away by all the bands in the lineup? This happened to me when I went to see all three of these bands play at Club Fox. Battlehooch is such a strange band, but in an awesome way. I don’t know what else to say about them. Their live performance was awesome and unique. If you have not seen them, make sure you do! Vanaprasta just released their first album “Nine Equals Nine”. This album is awesome and deserves national recognition. Remember their name, some day you will see them play at bigger festivals. The Stone Foxes bring blues rock in a high energy fashion. Kind of a cross between Led Zeppelin and The Black Keys. They have two albums under their belt, and are starting to work on number three. After a sold-out final show in San Francisco, and a national appearance with “I’m A King Bee” on Jack Daniels commercials, this group is at the very edge of breaking out in a big way.

9. Sugar Water Purple: http://www.facebook.com/sugarwaterpurpleband

SWP just released their new self titled album. Get it now, it is simply awesome. I first learned of this band by seeing them at Red Rock Coffee. Beautiful singing, backed up by excellent musicianship. The music is soul, and I would call it uplifting soul music. It is a positive, lift-you-up music and message. “Show Your Love” and “Material Things” are two of my favorite. “I Realize” manages to be both sad and uplifting at the same time. Simply great stuff.

10. Tumbleweed Wanderers: http://www.facebook.com/tumbleweedwanderers

I received an email last spring with a demo of the song “Someday You’ll Understand”. Well, I understood on the first listen that there was something very special about this band. I have since seen them 5 times live. It is mind blowing music, with terrific three part harmony. Every time they debut a new song live, I have to ask them if it is a cover of some classic, or an original. And the answer is usually “it’s an original”. The songs are so good, that I honestly feel they surely can’t be originals. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing their debut E.P.. It is awesome. All four tracks are beautiful. I actually hope to hear a full length fairly soon. Based on their live performances, they definitely have enough original material for a full length. Go catch them at the Bottom of the Hill for their E.P. release the day after Thanksgiving. I know I’ll be there.