The roots of Lamb of God were planted in 1990 when Mark Morton, Chris Adler and John Campbell were floor mates at Virginia Commonwealth University. The trio began playing at Adler's house in Richmond weathering chilly conditions. "There was no heat at the house," recalls Campbell. "We would freeze our asses off, get really drunk and hang around the kerosene heaters trying to write metal songs. Kerosene fumes and Black Label beer were definitely what fueled our early days."
After graduation, Morton moved to Chicago to pursue a master's degree, but the band continued. A new guitarist, Abe Spear, replaced Morton as the band retired its instrumental sound and added Blythe on vocals.
The quartet, known then as Burn the Priest, became a fixture in the tightly-knit Richmond music scene. To compete with the high-level of musicianship displayed by their contemporaries, the band adopted a rigid practice schedule. "To this day, we practice five days a week out of necessity," says Campbell. "The bands in Richmond can flat outplay you and if you don't practice, they will blow you off the stage. Bands like Breadwinner and Sliang Laos - two local math-metal bands - could play insanely complicated music note perfect. They inspired us to raise the bar musically and taught us the work ethic we needed to be a success."
The band was playing around Virginia when Morton moved back from Chicago and re-joined the group. Soon after, Burn the Priest released a self-titled full length album on Legion Records. Abe left soon after, which opened a spot for guitarist, and brother to Chris - Willie Adler.
A year after the second Adler joined, Burn the Priest changed its name to Lamb of God and signed a record deal with Prosthetic Records. The band's independent-debut, New American Gospel, was released in 2000. "This album was all about creating a rhythmic and pummeling musical landscape with riff after riff," explains Morton. Drummer Adler notes: ÒThis is a classic record. We had all the elements come together to make one of the heaviest, yet contagious records of our career. It was difficult to contain us - we didn't even understand at the time what we had created."
Two years of extensive touring to support the album raised Lamb of God's profile before the band released the critically acclaimed, As The Palaces Burn (2003). ATPB won record of the year honors in such notable magazines as Revolver and Metal Hammer while garnering mainstream press in Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly.
The band hit the road again and began headlining tours across the globe. In the fall of 2003 Lamb of God was a co-headliner on the first ever MTV's Headbanger's Ball Tour which elevated Lamb of God beyond the underground. The band then released Terror and Hubris, a DVD featuring early live performances, videos for "Ruin" and "Black Label" and behind-the-scenes footage highlighting the work ethic, humility and sense of humor of one of the most respected and influential bands around today. The DVD proved to be a commercial success as it entered the Billboard Music DVD Charts at #32.
Gradually, Lamb of God's persistence paid off. Their 2003 disc, As The Palaces Burn earned them a new level of respect and admiration, but it was 2004's virulent major label debut (Epic Records) Ashes of the Wake that turned the band into true contenders for the metal throne. By mid 2006, the record had sold over 275,000 copies. Revolver magazine voted it the album of the year, a Guitar World readers poll deemed it best metal album and awarded the band "most valuable players," "best shredders" and "best riffs." The video for "Now You've Got Something to Die For" earned "best video" from both Headbanger's Ball and Revolver. And a DVD chronicling the tour and life on the road with the band, Killadelphia, has gone gold. Lamb of God supported Ashes with more relentless touring, now playing mostly arenas and festivals, starting with a headlining run on Second Stage at Ozzfest 2004, and ending by headlining the North American Sounds of The Undergroud Festival in 2005.
The political angst that fueled the lyrics on As The Palaces Burn continues unabated on Ashes of the Wake. However, Blythe admits that his plans to write songs about personal responsibility quickly changed. "Mark and I write most of the lyrics together, and at the start of this album we agreed that we wanted to concentrate on internal instead of external politics," he explains. "But as we got into it, considering the condition of the world today, we felt obligated as responsible artists to give accurate social commentary, and that meant writing a few indictments against the powers that be."
Mixing a call to arms with a sneering disdain balances Ashes of the Wake. "In the end, I think the album is stronger because we show the relation between internal and external politics instead of just focusing on one or the other," Blythe says. "These songs are a reality check for everyone because they rail against a wrong-headed government and against the apathetic people that ignore the government and allow it to exist."
After Ashes of the Wake, they had been praised as one of the leaders of the new American metal movement, and while they were flattered to be considered part of something so influential, this time they wanted to stand alone. "I believe it's important for us to create a legacy for this band, and I don't want that legacy to be in association with anyone else," Adler says. "In our minds, we're a cut above and we feel like we put out a whole lot more."
Towards the end of 2005, the band stopped all touring and came home to Richmond, VA, to begin writing the next chapter. An intense 8 month writing process followed. "We pretty much killed ourselves working on it five to six days a week for six to eight hours a day," says drummer Chris Adler. "It was important to push ourselves into uncomfortable territory as players. A lot of times one of us would say, 'I'm not sure if I can play that.' The typical response was, 'Well, you've got a year to figure it out.' We pushed ourselves to step it up and threw out a lot of decent material because we were insisting on only the best." One reason Lamb of God pushed so hard is because they wanted to create something that couldn't be classified, categorized or marginalized.
August 22, 2006 brought Sacrament, a stunning example of how diverse, articulate and pummeling metal can be. It's a record that emphasizes just how far the band members have come as players, writers and people and stands as a true testament of triumph over adversity. With Sacrament, Lamb of God has stoked the flames by stripping the flesh to the bone and examining the carnage. The songs are bleak and dark, yet key ingredients of a ride that's as breathless, exhilarating and terrifying as an overdose.
Guitarist and co-lyricist Mark Morton notes the band chose the name Sacrament based on a specific lyrical reference as well as a more general symbolic perspective. "We like it because it employs the idea of the traditional religious Sacrament, which is something you do as ritual to get to a different level of your faith," he says. "Also, I thought it was symbolic in terms of us putting out another record and getting to the next stage of our musical development." "This is definitely a personal record and it's the darkest thing we've ever done," adds Blythe. "It stems from a lot of depression and a fucked up worldview. In the last couple years I've been going through a lot of weird, bad shit."
The biggest difference between Sacrament and Ashes of the Wake is the lyrical content. In the past, Lamb of God has lyrically been motivated by the hypocrisy, greed and turmoil of politics and politicians. This time the band turned within to reveal an even greater source of despair and frustration.
Songs like 'Pathetic' and 'Descending' for instance are about the whirlpool of addiction and alcoholism, 'Walk With Me In Hell' addresses the destruction of codependency and 'Blacken the Cursed Sun' confronts suicidal depression.
"The lyrics were so intense for me, when I was recording, it was like breathing pain instead of breathing air," Blythe says. "So, when it was done, I couldn't listen to the record for another two months. It just took so much out of me to get all this stuff out, I didn't want to touch it right away."
In addition to being unbelievably heavy, Sacrament is a sincere expression of the turmoil that has tumbled through the last few years of the band's existence. In an era of stagnant, contrived metal, Lamb of God is a harrowing rush of honesty, a declaration that no matter what anyone else is playing, Lamb of God will always follow their own hearts.
"This band was started because no one out there was making the music that we wanted to hear," singer Randy Blythe says. "So, we decided to make that music, and from that point it has just been a continuation of that philosophy. We had never changed anything we do to appeal to anyone, appease anyone or seek any sort of approval from anyone other than ourselves."
2 Feb 2010
Lamb Of God
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta Marley
BORN: February 6, 1945, St. Ann, Jamaica
DIED: May 11, 1981, Miami, FL
In the year 1944, Captain Norval Marley married a young Jamaican girl named Cedalla Booker. On February 6, 1945 at two thirty in the morning their son, Robert Nesta Marley was born in his grandfather's house. Soon after Bob was born his father left his mother. He did however give financial support and occasionally returned to see his son.
It was now the late fifties, jobs were scarce in Jamaica, so Bob followed his mother from their home in St. Ann to Trenchtown (West Kingston) to seek employment in the big city. Trenchtown got it's name because it was built over a ditch which drained the sewage of old Kingston. In Trenchtown Bob spent a lot of his time with his good friend Neville Livingstone who people called by his nickname, Bunny. Also in the big city Bob was more exposed to the music which he had loved, including such greats as Fats Domino and Ray Charles. Bob and Bunny attended a music class together which was held by the famous Jamaican singer Joe Higgs. In that class they met Peter Macintosh and soon became good friends.
In the meantime Jamaican music evolving and became very popular throughout the Caribbean due to it's invention of Ska music. When Bob was 16, he started to follow his dream of becoming a musician. Music to many young Jamaicans was an escape from the harshness of everyday life. One of those kids was Jimmy Cliff who at the age of 14 had already recorded a couple of hits. After meeting Bob, Jimmy introduced him to Leslie Kong, a local record producer. Bob followed his advice and auditioned for Leslie Kong. Bob's musical talents shone much more brightly then anyone else that day and found himself in the studio recording his first single "Judge Not". Unfortunately neither "Judge Not" nor his 1962 single "One more cup of Coffee" did very well. Bob soon left Kong after she failed to give him his pay.
The following year Bob, Bunny and some other friends formed the Wailing Wailers. The didn't get off to a great start, after just a couple recording sessions two members, Cherry and Junior Braithwait left the band. The band continued on and were introduced to Clemet Dodd, a producer of the record company Coxsone. It was here where the Wailing Wailers recorded the first song "Simmer Down" which did quite well in Jamaica. To help with the recording of their songs the studio provided several talented Ska musicians. The Wailing Wailers consisting now of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny were starting to become quite popular locally. Their audiences rapidly grew and they recorded several more songs on the Coxsone label which included "It Hurts to be Alone" and "Rule the Roadie" Bob soon took on the role of the leader, being the main songwriter and all.
Bob's life continued to look more bright on February 10, 1966 when Bob Marley married girlfriend Rita Anderson. The next day Bob left for the United States to visit his mother who lived in Delaware. While in the US he worked to better finance his music and soon returned home. When Bob Marley returned the Wailing Wailers' music evolved from Ska to Rock Steady. This evolution conflicted with Coxsone who wanted a Ska band. So the newly Wailing Wailers left Coxsone to form and renamed themselves the Wailers. Instead of looking around for a new label the Wailers decided to form their own which they called Wail 'N' Soul. This coincided with the birth of the Marley's first born who they named Cedalla. They released a couple signals on their label such as "Bend down low" and "Mellow Mood" before it folded the very same year.
The ending of their label affected the band greatly, it wasn't until they met Lee Perry that they got back on track. With the help of Lee Perry the Wailers produced such great tracks as "Duppy Conquerer", "Soul Rebel", "400 Years" and "Small Axe".
1970 saw the Wailers family grow with the addition of Aston "Family Man" Barret and his brother Carleton. The Wailers were now quite popular throughout the Caribbean but still internationally unknown. With this popularity a second more successful label was formed by the Wailers called Tuff Gong after a nickname of Bob Marley. The Wailers met Johnny Nash and soon Bob accompanied Nash to Sweden and London. When in London, Bob recorded "Reggae on Broadway" which was released by CBS. After this the rest of the Wailers arrived in London to help promote the single only to find that there were out of money and stranded there. With little options available, Bob went into the Island Records Basing Street Studios and asked to speak to the boss, Chris Blackwell with hopes of a possible record deal.
Mr. Blackwell had already heard of the Wailers and signed them on the spot. He advanced them eight thousand pounds so that they could fly back home and record their first album for Island. This was a massive deal, for the first time a reggae band would have access to the finest recording facilities. The album they released was "Catch a Fire", it was very well received by critics and was one of the first reggae albums. Before the Wailers reggae was sold on signals or compilation albums.
In the Spring of 1973 the Wailers arrived back in London to kick off their three month tour of Britain. At the conclusion of the tour they returned back to Jamaica where Bunny decided to quit touring. He was replaced by Joe Higgs. The Wailers along with Higgs travelled to the US were they were scheduled to open 17 shows for the number one black act in the States, Sly and the Family Stone. The Wailers were fired after 4 shows because they were more popular then they band the opened for, the crowd often chanted "Wail-ers" well into the Sly and the Family Stone set. Also they opened a couple dates for Bruce Springsteen. After Sly and the Family Stone axed the Wailers they found themselves once again without money and stranded, this time in Las Vegas. Somehow they found their way to San Fransico. While there they did a live concert broadcast for the radio station KSAN-FM. The whole experience boosted their popularity in North America.
With 1973 winding down the Wailers released the much anticipated follow up album to "Catch a Fire" called "Burnin". On this album many Wailer classics appear such as "I shot the Sheriff" and "Get Up Stand Up". The Wailers popularity in North America grew even more when Eric Clapton re-recorded "I Shot the Sheriff", becoming a number one hit on the US singles charts.
1975 saw the release of the Wailers's third album, "Natty Dread" with such great tracks as "Talking Blues", "No Woman No Cry" and "Revolution". On the down side though two thirds of the original Wailing Wailers, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer quit the band to pursue solo careers. This caused the band to change their name again. This time to Bob Marley and the Wailers. The departure of the two members created a hole in the backing vocal section, this hole was filled and then some by the I-Threes (Rita Marley, Judy Mowatts and Marcia Grittiths). That summer the band started a new European tour. Two of those shows were at the Lyceum Ballroom, both shows were considered among the top of the decade.
Both shows were recorded and made the album "Live!" which included the unforgettable live version "No Woman No Cry" which was a world wide hit. The band underwent more changes with the addition of Al Anderson and Bernard Harvey who were later replaced by Junior Marvin and Tyrone Downie. The last time the original Wailers ever played together was at a Stevie Wonder concert for the Jamaican Institute for the blind. Bob Marley and the Wailers continued their roll releasing the incredible album "Rasta man Vibration" in 1976. This capped off a type of Reggae-Mania happening in the states. Rolling Stone named them band of the year. On the Rasta man Vibration album was the powerful track "War" which lyrics came from a speech given by Emperor Haile Selassie. Bob Marley decided to play a free concert at Kingston's National Heroes Park on December 5, 1976.
The idea behind the concert was a peaceful message against the ghetto wars happening in Trenchtown at the time. Tragedy struck two days before that he get on stage, gunmen broke into the Marley home and shot at Bob, Rita, and two friends. Luckily no one was killed. Despite this Bob Marley went on to put on a memorable show two days later at the Smile Jamaica concert. Following the show the band left for the UK. While they were there they recorded 1977's "Exodus". Possibly their best album to date, it solidified the band's international stardom. It went number one in many countries including England and Germany. It was also one of the top albums of the year.
During their European tour, the band did a week of shows at the Rainbow Theatre in London. It was at the start of the tour when Bob injured his toe playing football. It was later diagnosed as cancerous. Also during this tour Bob received a very important ring, who's previous owner was the Ethiopian Emperor. In May Bob was informed of his cancer. His cancer would most certainly be taken care of by amputating the toe but Bob refused. To do so would be against his Rastafarian faith. With this news the remainder of the Exodus tour was cancelled. His illness didn't prevent him from recording music though, 1978 saw the release of "Kaya" which had a much more mellow sound then previous albums. Bob was accused of selling out because many of the songs were love songs or tributes to ganja (marijuana). Rastafarians believed the smoking the holy herb would bring them closer to Jah (god).
In April 1978, Bob returned to Jamaica to play the One Love Peace Concert. In attendance was Jamaican President Michael Manley and the leader of the Opposition Edward Seaga. It was Bob who got them on stage and even got them to shake hands. On June 15 he was awarded the Peace Medal of the Third World from the United Nations. For the first time he visited Africa going to Kenya and Ethiopia. On this trip he started to work on the song "Zimbabwe". The band also released their second live album "Babylon by Bus" with was recorded in Paris. The album which followed it was Survival in 1978. Throughout the album the theme of black survival was evident.
The Seventies were now coming to a close, Bob Marley and the Wailers were the most popular band on the road breaking many festival records. In 1980 the band found themselves in Gabon to perform in Africa for the first time. Here Bob Marley discovered that there manager had defrauded the band, Bob gave him a beating and fired him. The Zimbabwean government invited the whole band to perform at the countries Independence Ceremony in April. Bob later said of the invitation to be the biggest honour of his life.
After the amazing honour and experience Bob Marley continue to record, "Uprising" was released in 1980. Everything was looking bright, the band was planning an American tour with Stevie Wonder for that winter. Bob's health was deteriorating, but he still got clearance from a doctor to go on the road. The tour started with Boston, followed by New York. During the New York show Bob's looked very sick and he almost fainted. The next morning on Sept. 21 while jogging through Central, Bob collapsed and was brought to the hospital. There a brain tumour was discovered and doctors gave him a month to live. Rita Marley wanted the tour cancelled but Bob wanted to continue on. He played an unforgettable show in Pittsburgh but was too ill to continue so the tour was finally cancelled.
It would be the last show he ever performed. Treatment prolonged his life somewhat but the inevitable was soon to happening. Bob was transported to a Miami hospital where he was baptized Berhane Selassie in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on November 4. In a final attempt to save his life he underwent a controversial treatment in Germany. While in Germany he celebrated his 36th and final birthday. Ultimately the treatment didn't work. Bob wanted to die at home so he was flown back. Unfortunately he didn't finish the trip, he died on May 11, 1981 in a Miami hospital. He was internationally mourned for and thousands showed up at his May 21 funeral to show their respects. In attendance wereboth the Jamaican President and the Leader of the Opposition. Bob Marley now rests in a mausoleum at his birthplace.
After his death he was awarded Jamaica's Order of Merit. The Prophet Gad insisted on becoming the owner of Bob's ring. However, amazingly the ring the disappeared and still has yet to be found. Bob's mother said that the ring was returned to it's place of origin.
Bob Marley knew of his fate. Being a visionary he foresaw this, his words will forever be immortalized in the lyrics in which he wrote.
"One bright morning when my work is over I will fly away home"
Taylor Swift
• Taylor Swift has been singing all her life and her motivation is her grandmother who was a professional opera singer.
• She began locally performing around her town at the age of 10 and at the age of 11 she sang the national anthem before a Philphadelphia 76ers game
• When she turned 12 she had picked up a guitar and began practicing for hours each day until her fingers began to bleed
• While performing at a showcase at Nashville's Bluebird Café, Swift caught the eye of music industry veteran Scott Borchetta. He had plans to create a new label and decided Swift was one of the first acts he wanted to sign. Still a high school student fascinated by love (which she uses as her muse), she released her debut single, "Tim McGraw," in August 2006
cat named Indi (who hates everyone in my family except for me) and two Dobermans
Favorite Color- white
Food- cheesecake
Holiday- Christmas
Hobby- driving fast
Place- anyplace around a creek
Season – summer
Things to do- write songs
Things to write about- LOVE
Guitars- Taylors Guitar
Artists- Tim McGraw and Miranda Lambert
Song- Can’t tell me nothing by Tim McGraw
Quality in other people- Honesty and sarcasm
Movie- Love actually
Memory- Living on a farm
Zodiac sign- Virgo
First single- Tim McGraw
TV Show: Law & Order, SVU, CSI & Grey's Anatomy
Straight A Honor Roll student
28 Jan 2010
Tips Cara Belajar Bermain Gitar dan Gitar Bass
Mempunyai hobi musik tidak lengkap rasanya kalau belum bisa memainkan alat musik seperti gitar yang terkenal yang dapat dijadikan teman pengiring semua jenis lagu yang ada di seluruh dunia dan akherat. Belajar bermain gitar awalnya memang sulit dan terkadang membuat stres orang yang mempelajarinya. Untuk belajar bass sebaiknya anda belajar gitar terlebih dahulu, karena orang yang dapat bermain gitar otomatis bisa bermain bass, namun jika anda bisa bermain bass tidak otomatis bisa gitar. Kunci dan nada pada bass gitar tidak jauh berbeda pada gitar, sehingga ada baiknya jika anda belajar kunci dasar gitar dahulu. Selain itu anda bisa menghemat uang, karena tidak perlu membeli bass, tetapi cukup gitar kopong yang murah saja sudah cukup.Untuk bermain gitar anda harus siap merasa agak sakit pada ujung jari kiri anda, karena akan digunakan untuk menekan senar untuk membuat formasi kunci gitar / kord gitar. Terkadang harus membuat ujung jari kita menjadi kapalan maupun melendung baik jari di tangan kiri maupun kanan. Untuk mendapatkan sesuatu anda memang harus mengorbankan sesuatu, itu adalah hukum kimia dan ekonomi yang wajar dan normal.Jika anda berencana untuk kursus sebaiknya anda jangan ikut kursus musik sebelum menguasai tehnik dasar tempo lagu, kunci dasar gitar dan kocokan gonjreng pada gitar. Jika anda belum menguasai hal itu anda hanya akan memperlama masa kursus anda yang akan menghabiskan uang. Untuk menghemat biaya anda bisa belajar pada teman, saudara atau tetangga yang anda kenal baik dan bisa barmain gitar. Jika tidak ada yang bisa bermain gitar maka anda harus belajar otodidak alias belajar sendiri.Yang diperlukan untuk belajar gitar dasar sendirian :
- Gitar apa saja boleh kopong dan boleh lisrik
- Buku atau majalah lagu-lagu yang ada kunci gitarnya beserta petunjuk kunci gitar
- Kaset, CD atau MP3 lagu yang ada di buku lagu
- Kemampuan stem atau menyetem gitarUntuk memulai latihan anda harus menyetem gitar anda terlebih dahulu agar suara 6 senar gitar bisa harmonis dan tepat. Jika tidak distem maka anda tidak akan bisa belajar, karena suaranya tidak mungkin pas. Untuk stem gitar anda bisa minta tolong orang lain atau stem sendiri dengan insting. Untuk masalah stem gitar anda bisa mencari buku panduan bermain gitar di toko buku. Jika anda mau stem sendiri, maka caranya adalah dengan menyamakan fret ke 5 suatu senar dengan satu senar setingkat di bawahnya pada fret 0. Kecuali pada senar ketiga dari bawah yang barus distem pada fret ke 4 dengan fret 0 di senar kedua dari bawah. Anda harus menggunakan filing anda apakah suara suatu fret dengan fret di bawahnya sudah sama suaranya. Jika tidak sama putar-putar pengendali tegangan senar pada ujung gitar sampai pas.Jika sudah OK, maka selanjutnya anda tinggal mencoba gonjreng pada kunci standar sampai jari anda anda terbiasa dengan posisi masing-masing kunci. Kemudian coba buka buku lagu-lagu yang ada kunci gitarnya, lalu coba ikuti perubahan dari kunci ke kunci dengan tempo yang sesuai dengan aslinya sebisa mungkin berdasarkan filing anda.Jika sudah bisa maka anda bisa mencoba bermain bareng dengan suara kaset atau lagu yang sebenarnya. Namun syaratnya adalah steman pada gitar anda sesuai dengan steman yang ada di kaset dan kunci lagu yang ada di buku atau majalah juga benar sesuai dengan yang di kaset dan gitar anda.Jika anda sudah agak lancar anda bisa melanjutkan ke kursus gitar atau inovasi sendiri belajar hal-hal lainnya dari buku mapun kenalan anda. Jika sudah menguasai anda bisa membentuk grup band anda sendiri bersama orang lain yang bisa memainkan alat musik lainnya. Selamat belajar dan semoga berhasil :)
Basic Technique to Play Drums. By Gideon
When playing drums should be noted is how to hold drumsticks the right, if one holds the drumsticks of the vote results will come out when we hit the snare drum or tom-tom result is not loud or inaudible. And to train a single stroke and double stroke is to use a drum pad or pillows can also be used, you only make time at least half an hour in one day to train a single stroke and double stroke. when done regularly you will certainly be more agile to play the drum sticks.
I will give examples of basic video learn drums, maybe this can help you who want to learn drums, it's very easy to follow. In my opinion more difficult to learn drums or learning guitar learning guitar is more difficult, why did I concluded that learning guitar is more difficult than learning the drums, it's because we only learn drums focus on the ball and not only will produce a tone, not like learning the guitar who must learn penjarian and tone.
Hertz Dyslexia Mini Album Terbaru The S.I.G.I.T
Setelah kembali ke Indonesia, The S.I.G.I.T yang beranggotakan Rekti (vokal), Farri (gitar), Acil (drum) dan Adit (bass) mulai bersiap untuk meluncurkan mini album terbaru bertajuk “Hertz Dyslexia”. Lagu “Money Making” dan “Midnight Mosque Song” yang berada dalam mini album tersebut sudah bisa didengar di myspace mereka.
“Hertz Dyslexia” sebenarnya dijadwalkan keluar Februari lalu. Akan tetapi, karena masih berada di tangan Lembaga Sensor Film, mini album tersebut belum bisa keluar.
Mini album mereka harus melalui Lembaga Sensor Film karena menyertakan DVD rekaman penampilan The S.I.G.I.T. “Jadi peraturan pemerintah sekarang kalau mau rilis video harus lewat badan sensor film. Nah itu stuck di situ. EP (extended play atau mini album) semua produksi sudah jadi, jadi tinggal menunggu DVD.
Rencananya, ada dua cakram padat berbeda dalam rilisan tersebut. Cakram padat pertama berupa tujuh lagu dengan bonus DVD, sementara cakram kedua berisi empat lagu jika pembeli membeli kaos bergambar sampul mini album “Hertz Dyslexia”.
Seperti mini album dan album perdana, lirik lagu di “Hertz Dyslexia” mayoritas dibuat Rekti. Sementara, musik digarap bersama-sama. Rekti dan Acil mengaku dalam mini album terbaru ini, mereka bisa lebih berimprovisasi.
“Kalau dulu kita kan lebih ngejar hook-nya yang lebih sinistik, lebih gampang ngikutin iramanya. Kalau sekarang lebih banyak pemahaman beat, noise,” atau “Lebih keras”. Di EP ini kan ada 11 lagu, dan Ini merupakan jembatan ke album kedua karena ada nuansa-nuansa album keduanya.
Selain mempersiapkan peluncuran album, The S.I.G.I.T juga akan menggelar The Dyslexia Concert di The Venue, Eldorado, Bandung , 20 Juni 2009. Setelah itu, mereka akan menyiapkan album baru dan merencanakan tur.
The Sigit - Menggigit
The S.I.G.I.T Bisa Kalem Namun Menggigit
Mengusung aliran musik rock and roll, The Super Insurgent Group of Intemperance Talent, biasa disingkat The S.I.G.I.T tidak tabu untuk tampil tanpa distorsi secara langsung di depan ribuan penggemarnya.
Hal itu dibuktikan oleh Rektivianto Yoewono [vokal, gitar], Aditya Bagja Mulyana alias Adit [bas], Donar Armando Ekana alias Acil [drum, vokal], dan Farri Icksan Wibisana [gitar] dalam konser tunggal berjudul “The Dyslexia Concert” di The Venue Eldorado Bandung, Sabtu [20/06/09] lalu.
Penampilan yang kalem namun menggigit itu mereka selipkan pada bagian kedua konser.
Untuk mendukung musiknya, grup musik yang sudah terbentuk sejak tahun 2002 ini menggandeng Hendi ‘Unyil’ Priyatna yang biasanya tampil bersama The Milo. “Ini pertama kali kita main akustik,” kata Rekti, sang penyanyi.
Sembari memetik gitarnya, dia melantunkan refrain ‘Provocateur’ yang merupakan versi kalem dari lagu ‘Black Amplifier’ yang jadi lagu pembuka dalam konser tunggal pertama The S.I.G.I.T di Indonesia ini. Menariknya lagi saat Insurgent Army-sebutan untuk penggemar mereka- menyanyi bersama, tiba-tiba dinding dan langit-langit The Venue mendadak berkerlap-kerlip dalam warna biru dan putih.
Kehangatan dan kebersamaan sekitar 2 ribu penonton malam itu benar-benar terasa. Satu persatu, lagu-lagu dari album pertama “Visible Idea of Perfection” seperti ‘New Generation’ dan ‘Live in New York’ dinyanyikan bersama-sama layaknya sebuah paduan suara.
Pengaruh Led Zeppelin pada grup musik ini terasa kental. Lihat saja gaya Farri menggesek senar gitarnya dengan bow atau alat gesek biola yang terbuat dari ekor kuda pada lagu ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’. Tembang milik rocker Inggris, Neil Young ini berhasil dibawakan dengan apik oleh Rekti, yang mengaku itu lagu favoritnya.
The S.I.G.I.T yang sempat menjelajah sembilan kota dan tampil di 16 panggung selama sebulan penuh saat di Australia itu melanjutkan konsernya dengan raungan gitar elektrik lewat ‘Alright’, ‘Up and Down’, ‘The Party’, ‘Bhang’, ‘Midnight Mosque Song’, dan ‘Did I Ask Your Opinion’ yang merupakan soundtrack dari film Catatan Akhir Sekolah.
Lepas itu, grup musik yang baru saja pulang dari tur di Amerika ini ‘berupaya’ menyudahi konsernya lewat ‘Nowhere End’. Sebelum dinyanyikan, para personil The S.I.G.I.T membagikan puluhan tamborin untuk dibunyikan bersama-sama.
Pada bagian akhir, masing-masing personil memegang stik drum dan meninggalkan instrumennya. Mereka menggebuk dengan irama yang semakin cepat sampai akhirnya keluar dari panggung.
Setelah melepas semua kemeja hitam yang sedari awal dikenakannya, Rekti, Adit, Acil, dan dan Farri kembali naik ke panggung. Mereka menyelesaikan encore dengan permainan musik yang lebih ‘liar’.
Encore adalah babak tambahan dalam suatu konser, yang biasa [dulunya] dimainkan berdasarkan permintaan penonton begitu pertunjukan berakhir. Dalam bahasa Prancis, encore berarti lagi.
Untung saja pilihan lagu pada bagian akhir ini tepat. Sehingga para penonton tanpa dikomando ikut menyanyikan lagu ‘Clove Doper’, ‘Soul Sister’, dan ‘Money Making’. Sebagai penyempurnanya, penonton diguyur oleh uang-uangan kertas dari atas gedung pertunjukkan.
“Buat kami ini merupakan konser yang sangat penting dan ini menjadi tonggak buat kami ke depannya,”
27 Jan 2010
JENNY-MANIFESTO
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JENNY teman pencerita ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terbentuk di kampus tercinta senirupa ISI Yogyakarta pada tengah tahun 2003. Adalah Roby Setiawan (gitar), Farid Stevy Asta (vokal), Arjuna Bangsawan (bass), dan Anis Setiaji (drum) yang bersepakat untuk membentuk sebuah band sebagai pengisi acara malam keakraban jurusan disain.
Sejak kemunculan pertama tersebut, band ini kemudian membaiat diri mereka sendiri sebagai arena merayakan dan menyembah berhala-berhala rock. Latar belakang referensi musik masing-masing anggota band yang sangat plural membawa band ini ke dalam proses panjang pencarian identitas musik mereka. Beberapa narator utama musik dunia menjadi penanda panggung-panggung awal JENNY. Terlihat dari sederet cover peformance dari lagu milik band-band hebat seperti Ramones, Jimi Hendrix, The Datsuns, Stones, Kings Of Leon, Libertines, The Strokes, White Stripes bahkan pantera yang sempat dibawakan jenny. Para guru tersebut menyumbang remah-remah dalam pembentukan identitas musikalitas jenny. Namun begitu, lagu-lagu jenny-lah sendiri yang kemudian mendefinisikan musik JENNY. Yaitu sebuah bentukan musik rock modern tanpa meninggalkan sari rasa finest ‘60 & ‘70's rock'n'roll dengan kecenderungan eksekusi musikal ke arah genre garage rock. Roby Setiawan memainkan gibson spirit di atas rangkaian pedal wah, digital delay dan overdrife effect, adalah orang yang paling bertanggung jawab terhadap bentukan karakter sound jenny. Pemuja sejati jimi hendrix, the edge, dan dylan, dan dia adalah seorang metal heads pada masa2 SMA'nya. Arjuna Bangsawan sering tidak bisa menutupi kekagumannya pada RHCP dan Beatles, dan dari situlah dia berangkat menjadi pemain bass yang sangat diandalkan oleh JENNY. Anis Setiaji, satu lagi metal heads di jenny, sosok yang tidak terlalu banyak bertutur lisan, namun benar-benar bisa berverbal ria dengan perantara seperangkat tetabuhan drum. Sedangkan Farid Stevy Asta adalah pelantun vokal, penulis lirik, dan art manager di JENNY. Gaya tarik suara throaty dan melodius yang dia gemari tersematkan pada tulisan -tulisan liriknya tentang broken trust, rutinitas sehari-hari, manusia-Tuhan-hidup-mati, dan hal-hal kecil yang dia alami dari panggung ke panggung bersama JENNY.
Lagu pertama JENNY berjudul Dance Song, adalah sebuah prototipe lagu klasik jenny (2004). kemudian menyusul lagu-lagu seperti Resistance is futile, The only way, Look with whom im talking to, Matimuda, Monster karaoke, Mahaoke, Menangisi akhir pekan, 120 dan Manifesto postmodernisme. 10 lagu inilah yang akan terangkum dalam album debut JENNY berjudul Manifesto (2009) yang di produseri secara independen oleh JENNY. Single berjudul Matimuda tercatat mengisi soundtrack film Radit & Jani (2008).
Lyric The Strokes
Trying Your Luck
Intro: Am F Dm G E
Am F
You said you couldn't stay
Dm G E
You've seen it all before, I know
Am F
And sold you on their way
Dm G E
Oh honey that's ok
Bridge
F Dm
No harm, he's armed
Am E
Settin' off all your alarms
F Dm
When I find out
Am E
I hope it's you who set this trap
Vers 2
Am F
And stuffers rarely change
Dm G E
At least I'm on my own again instead of
Am F
Anywhere with you
Dm G E
Oh tell me it's all the same
Chorus
Am F Dm
And I've lost my place again
G E
I know this is surreal
Am F Dm
But I'll try my luck with you
G E Am
This life is on my side
F Dm
Oh I am your one
G E
Believe me, this is a chance
Am F Dm G E
Oh, oh
Vers 3
Let's see what is for sale
He's trying not to give his job a chance
It's never gonna be
It's sad, but I agree
The signals don't seem right
It lasts for just one night, and then
I'm sorry that I said
That we were just good friends
Bridge
No harm, he's armed
Set it off all your alarms
Entranced, I can't
Be here in time I'll think about that
Chorus
And I've lost my page again
I know this is surreal
But I'll try my luck with you
This life is on my side
Well I am your one
Believe me, this is a chance
Oh, oh
Read More »»
Lyric
free chord download "My Friends Over You" by New Found Glory
"My Friends Over You"
New Found Glory
D5 G5
e||-----------------------------------|
b||---------7---------------7---------|
G||*--9-7-9---9-7-7-9-7-7-9---9-7-7-7-|
D||*----------------------------------|
A||-----------------------------------|
E||-----------------------------------|
D5
I’m drunk off your kiss
G5
For another night in a row
D5
This is becoming too routine for me
E5 G5
But I did not mean to lead you on
D5
And it’s all right to pretend
G5
That we still talk
D5
It’s just for show, isn’t it
E5 G5
It’s my fault that it fell apart
E5 G5
Just maybe, you need this
E5 G5
And I didn’t mean to
A5
Lead you on
D5 G5
You were everything I wanted
D5 G5
But I just can't finish what I've started
B5 G5
There’s no room left here on my back
B5
It was damaged long ago
G5
Though you swear that you are true
[G5 - F#5 - E5 - D5 - A5]
I still pick my friends over you
( D5 G5 ) x 2
My friends over you
D5
Please tell me everything,
G5
That you think that I should know
D5
About all the plans we made
E5 G5
When I was never to be found
D5
And it’s all right to forget
G5
That we still talk
D5
Its just for fun, isn’t it
E5 G5
It’s my fault that it fell apart
E5 G5
Cuz maybe, you need this
E5 G5
And I didn’t mean to
A5
Lead you on
You were everything ...
[ D5 F#5 G5 D5 F#5 G5 - B5 F#5 G5 B5 A5 G5 ] x 4
E5 G5
Just maybe, you need this
E5 G5
... .... You need this
E5 G5
And I didn’t mean to
A5
Lead you on
You were everything ... X 2
Red Hot Chili Papers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is a funk rock band based in Hollywood, California and was formed in 1983, in Los Angeles, California. The band currently consists of founding members Anthony Kiedis (vocals) and Michael “Flea” Balzary (bass) along with longtime member Chad Smith (drums). Guitarist John Frusciante recently announced he left the band.On January 2nd 2010 Josh Klinghoffer confirmed he replaced John on guitar. He has been playing with the Red Hot Chili Peppers since they reunited in October 2009.
The band initially formed for a one-off support act for a friend’s band, calling themselves Tony Flow And The Miraculously Majestic Masters Of Mayhem. Upon renaming themselves Red Hot Chili Peppers, they played a handful of small club venues in Los Angeles in 1983, before they were signed to EMI Records.
Current members:
Vocal: Anthony Kiedis (1983-present).
Guitar: Josh Klinghoffer (2009-present).
Bass: Michael Peter “Flea” Balzary (1983-present).
Drums: Chad Smith, (1988-present).
Previous members:
Notable guitarists (in chronological order):
Hillel Slovak (1983-1984),
Jack Sherman (1984),
Hillel Slovak (1985-1988),
John Frusciante (1988-1992),
Arik Marshall (1992-1993),
Jesse Tobias (1993)
Dave Navarro (1993-1998),
John Frusciante (1998-2009)
Notable drummers (in chronological order):
Jack Irons (1983-1984),
Cliff Martinez (1984-1987),
Jack Irons (1987-1988),
D.H. Peligro (1988),
Chad Smith, (1988-present)
The Chili Peppers’ original guitarist, Slovak, was replaced in 1984 by Jack Sherman, while Slovak and Irons recorded music with their band at the time, “What Is This?” Upon Slovak’s return, Sherman was fired from the band.
Following Slovak’s death of a heroin overdose, a young John Frusciante took over as guitarist in 1988. Frusciante, however, quit the band in 1992 due in part to his sadness at the band becoming so successful in such a short time; complex personal issues, involving an addiction to heroin, were also a factor. He was then replaced by Arik Marshall. Approximately a year later, Marshall left the band, to be replaced by former Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro.
After the release of 1995’s One Hot Minute, Navarro’s escalating drug habits became a subject of conflict. In 1998, Navarro was fired from the band, to be taken over by none other than former guitarist, Frusciante, who has remained in the band ever since.
Founder and guitarist Hillel Slovak did not actually appear on the self-titled debut album, despite performing and writing the content with the band prior to recording. He was replaced by Jack Sherman for the recording of the album, but returned to the band for second album, Freaky Styley. The third album, Uplift Mofo Party Plan, is in fact the only album to include all four founding members. After this, Slovak overdosed on heroin and was replaced on future albums (Mother’s Milk, Blood Sugar Sex Magik - on which Frusciante provides guitars, One Hot Minute - Navarro, Californication and By the Way - Frusciante) Frusciante is also on their latest release Stadium Arcadium.
Bassist flea claims to have nearly quit following the tour for 2002 album By the Way due to feeling sidelined following Frusciante’s development as a guitarist. Flea has been quoted as saying that the issue has now been resolved. Flea is also the only member to have been in the band perpetually as Anthony was kicked out for a short time in 1984 due to his drug problems.
Frusciante has also been making solo albums for a number of years. His new album with the band Ataxia came out May 2007, and is titled Automatic Writing II.
In 2003 Flea played bass on The Mars Volta’s album Deloused In The Comatorium. Frusciante added guitar to tracks on Deloused and 2005’s Frances The Mute. He also played rhythm guitar on The Mars Volta’s Amputechture. Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez, guitarist for The Mars Volta, appeared on Stadium Arcadium, playing the solo on “Especially In Michigan”.
A new era in the band’s history took place due Frusciante’s departure in 2009. He was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, who had already played shows as a second guitarist with the band during their 2007 tour dates. As of late 2009 the band is working on a new record.
Through the years, Kiedis’ lyrics have dealt with a variety of topics, which have shifted as time has progressed. Themes within his expansive repertoire include love and friendship, teenage angst and good-time aggression, various sexual topics and the link between sex and music, political and social commentary (Native American issues in particular), romance, drugs, loneliness, globalization and the cons of fame and Hollywood, poverty, alcohol, and dealing with death.
The Killers Biography
The Killers are a rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2002 and made up of Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion). Their first two albums to date have sold in excess of 12 million copies worldwide combined. They got their name from the fictional band “The Killers” in the video for New Order’s “Crystal.”
Initially, The Killers played at large clubs in Las Vegas. With the band’s line-up stable and their repertoire of songs expanding, the band began to attract attention from talent bookers, local agents, major label, scouts — and a UK representative for Warner Bros. Though the Warner Bros representative passed on the band, he took the demo back with him, showing it to a friend who worked at UK (London-based) indie label Lizard King Records (now Marrakesh Records). The Killers then signed in the summer of 2002 to a British label.
They released their debut album “Hot Fuss” on June 2004 in the United Kingdom and US (on Island Records). Their first single was “PlaySomebody Told Me”. The band also had chart success with their singles “PlayMr. Brightside,” which reached the Top 10 in the UK when released, and “All These Things That I’ve Done”.
The band started recording their second album, “Sam’s Town” on February 15, 2006, at The Palms Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. It was released on October 2006. Lead singer, Brandon Flowers said that Sam’s Town is “one of the best albums of the past 20 years”. Though the album has received a mixed response from critics and fans, it has still remained popular and sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
The first single, “PlayWhen You Were Young” debuted on radio stations in late July 2006. In late August 2006, it was offered as a downloadable track before the album’s debut. The single then entered the chart on downloads alone at #5, and the following week on its official release went to #2 in the UK. The video clip of the second single, “PlayBones”, was directed by Tim Burton. The third single was “PlayRead My Mind”. The video was filmed in Tokyo, Japan. The last one was “PlayFor Reasons Unknown” released in June, 2007.
The album sold over 700,000 copies worldwide in the first week of release, with a No. 2 debut on the United World chart. Brandon Flowers announced on August 22, 2007, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at the T Vital Festival, that it would be the last time that the album “Sam’s Town” would be played in Europe. The Killers played their last Sam’s Town concert in Melbourne, Australia on November, 2007.
Much of The Killers’ music is based on British influences and on the music of the 1980s, particularly New Wave. Flowers has also said in interviews that the larger-than-life sound of many of the band’s songs is due to the influence of living in Las Vegas, a city where everything is about flash and who can top whom. They appreciate post-punk bands that sprang up during the 80’s such as Joy Division, and they are also avowed fans of New Order (with whom Flowers has performed live), Pet Shop Boys, Dire Straits, David Bowie, The Smiths, Morrissey, Depeche Mode, U2, Queen, Oasis and The Beatles. Their second album was said to be greatly influenced by Bruce Springsteen’s music and lyrics.
The compilation album called “Sawdust”, containing B-sides, rarities, and some new material, was released on November 12, 2007. The album’s first single “PlayTranquilize,” a collaboration with Lou Reed, was released on October 2007. The band also released their cover of Joy Division’s “PlayShadowplay” on the U.S. iTunes Store. The album also contains the songs “PlayRuby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town” (a The First Edition cover), “PlayRomeo And Juliet” (a Dire Straits cover), and a new version of “PlayMove Away” (previously available on the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack). One of the tracks on Sawdust is “PlayLeave The Bourbon On The Shelf” the first but previously unreleased part of the so called “Murder Trilogy,” in which it is followed by “Midnight Show” then “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine”
The Killers released a Christmas single called “PlayDon’t Shoot Me Santa” on December 1, 2007. The song, like “PlayA Great Big Sled” benefits Bono’s Product Red campaign to fight AIDS in Africa. The recording is not included on Sawdust.
“Day and Age” was the title of The Killers third studio album. The title was confirmed in an NME video interview at Reading and Leeds Festival with lead singer Brandon Flowers. The band headed to the studio in June and the album is being produced by Stuart Price. In the October 2008 edition of German magazine Musikexpress, in an article dated August 15, 2008, Keuning says the new record was 99% finished. The Killers selected Paul Normansell to do the artwork for the new album, which should include some of Normansell’s artwork and portraits of the band themselves.
Flowers also stated in an interview with Q that he was excited to play a new song called “Tidal Wave”, influenced by David Bowie’s “PlayDrive-In Saturday” and “PlayI Drove All Night” by Roy Orbison. The setlist of The Killers’ July 29 and August 1, 2008 show at New York City’s Highline Ballroom and Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel and Spa contained two new songs: PlaySpaceman and PlayNeon Tiger. These songs were also played at The Killers’ show on July 31st at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. PlaySpaceman and PlayNeon Tiger are also included on “Day and Age”. During their brief summer tour in 2008, The Killers confirmed several other potential song titles for “Day and Age” including “Goodnight, Travel Well”, “Vibration”, “Joy Ride”, “I Can’t Stay”, “Losing Touch”, “Fairytale Dustland” and “Human”, although “Vibration” wasn’t included.
The Killers’ third studio album “Day and Age” (which was reviewed at http://www.silentsoundwaves.com/album-reviews/the-killers-day-age-review/) was released on 25th November 2008 (24th November for the UK). The album’s first single “Human” was debuted on 22nd September and on the 30th September, the single was made available on iTunes, with many radio DJ’s suggesting it was the best single by The Killers yet.
Killers frontman Brandon Flowers recently (December 2008) has said that he thinks his band will be bigger than U2 eventually, and sooner than you might think. He told The Daily Telegraph that “U2 are unbelievable, but they’re getting old. It feels like it’s time”.
www.thekillersmusic.com
2) The Killers were a Uruguayan rock band from the early 1970s which realeased one album in 1972.
3) Another The Killers were a hardcore band from Chicago, IL in the 90’s founded by former members of Charles Bronson. They releases records on Hater of God and Gloom, and had split records with A.P.B. & 9 Shocks Terror.
4) A 4th band named The Killers (aka Insanity and The Killers) came from Cleveland, Ohio. They released one 7″ on Huh? Oh? in 1981.
The Strokes Biography
The Strokes are a five-piece band hailing from New York. They’re made up of Julian Casablancas (Vocals), Nick Valensi (lead guitar), Albert Hammond, Jr. (rhythm guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass) and Fabrizio Moretti (drums). Their emergence has been tied to the “Garage Rock Revival” that surfaced in early 2000 (other bands include: The White Stripes, The Hives, The Vines, you get the deal). Ever since their debut back in 2001, The Strokes have been recognized as one of the perennial rock bands of our generation. Their sound is a healthy mix of glaring guitars, backed by speedy percussion and Julian’s facetious, sometimes dejected lyricism. The group’s overall work has progressively grown to be more explosive with every record.
Prior to any relevant exposure, Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi and Fab Morretti played together during their elementary school days in New York. Julian was also good friends with bassist Nikolai Fraiture around that time, even though Fraiture attended a different school. Casablancas was later sent to a boarding school in Switzerland at the age of 13, to improve his academic performance and his drinking problem (!). It was there where he went on to the-strokes-20070331-233522befriend Albert Hammond Jr. years later, Hammond moved to New York to share a room with Casablancas while both attended an arts college. With the five all knowing each other, they formed a band and played several gigs on the Lower East Side of New York. During a performance at the respected Mercury Lounge, Ryan Giles, the man who booked them for the venue, immediately quit his job to become the group’s manager. From then on, The Strokes rehearsed intensely, notable songs included “Someday,” “Last Nite,” and “The Modern Age.” With the help of Giles, who’s called by the band “The Sixth Stroke,” the group sent their demo to Rough Trade Records over in the UK. The label loved what they heard, and The Strokes went on to release their first collection of songs in The Modern Age EP. The record featured just three songs, (The Modern Age, Last Nite, Barely Legal) with slightly altered lyrics compared to the final recordings. The EP gained critical success, igniting one of the biggest label bidding wars for a rock band in recent history. RCA ultimately signed the band, and the went on to release their first complete album in 2001, titled Is This It.
Is This It was an international success for the group, sparking numerous favorable reviews. The band flexed their garage rock sound, everything glistened. The record led some critics to consider them as “the saviors of The Strokesrock.” The album’s lyrical composition itself was a admittedly a alcohol binged mess of frustration, depression, energy and exuberance. Songs such as “Someday” and “Barely Legal” glare the bearing elements of blues rock. “Alone, Together” and “Hard To Explain” rattle away with superb lyricism by Casablancas. Numbers such as “Last Nite” and “Take It Or Leave It” are played with unparalleled adrenaline during live sets. They went on to tour across the world, holding concerts in New Zealand, Japan, Australia, United States and Europe. Their live sets held staining tenacity. Casablancas would leak strict lyricism before tossing the mic stand before guitar solos, Albert Hammond shuffled his feet in some fluid motion while recklessly strumming, Valensi’s face expressions accompanied by his swift guitar picking some sort-of neo-Jimmy Page outlook, Fraiture held a composed gargoyle posture while consistently laying the bass, and Moretti held a subtle smack to his groove-lead drum pounding. The band was signature, their potential saw no ceilings.
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In 2002, the band hit the studio for a pivotal follow-up record. With pockets full and overwhelming expectations, the band were penned to work with Grammy-winning producer, Nigel Godrich. Godrich has worked for other acts such as Beck and Radiohead, but the final outcome of the production was shelved. The group, instead went back to their original producer, Gordon Raphael, stating “[Godrich] made the songs seam soulless.” Room On Fire was then released in 2003, led by the single, “12:51.” By this time, the Strokes were a heavily publicized act and were well-known. Their music videos began to erupt in terms of their creativity, “12:51″ featured a clever Tron concept, while “The End Has No End” included stars, Mila Kunis and Eva Mendes. Julian’s lyricism progressed in the second LP, most notably in tracks such as “Between Love & Hate” and “Automatic Stop.” While the reviews weren’t as stellar as their debut, Room On Fire was a step forward for the group. “What Ever Happened” rubs next to touching emotions, “12:51″ takes a page from the The Cars, “Reptilia” is powerfully original and “Automatic Stop” is just simply a moving track. The band supported the album with a more exotic tour across the world, hitting locales like London, Brazil and Argentina.
The Strokes had begun working on their third record around 2005, the album was recorded over a 10-month period. Initially riding off their home producer, Gordon Raphael until Albert Hammond Jr. suggested producer, David Kahne (Sublime, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett). The mesh between Raphael and Kahne never worked out, and Raphael ended up stepping down from the albums production. This marked eminent changes for the outlook of the record. The band’s third record, First Impressions of Earth, was then strokes-livereleased in January, 2006. It was their first LP with a “Parental Advisory” label. The overall sound of the record was more crisp, polished and noticeably different from their previous releases. Julian’s lyrics radiate stronger than ever on this record, as does Nick Valensi’s guitar. Fab Moretti’s drum fills are also felt. The record taints the ears much stronger than any other, with songs that smoothly string together, sporadically climaxing in their own respectful timetable. The first track, “You Only Live Once” to “Heart In A Cage” have the band in their most vibrant and loud sound to date. “On the Other Side” and “Vision of Division” pair together nicely, as “Killing Lies” to “Ize of the World” culminate the band’s strongest effort. The group explored many different aspects for the recording of this record. While Casablancas held the bulk of the songwriting, Moretti, Valensi and Fraiture all individually tapped song writing into three different songs. Despite harsh criticism, the record turned out to sound eccentrically well. Fab Moretti’s drumming flourish on tracks such as “Red Light,” and “Evening Sun.” Valensi’s guitar is heard infectiously through the album, peeling shivering guitar solos in “Vision of Division” and “Ize of the World.” Casablancas words are felt all through the record, especially “On the Other Side,” “Killing Lies,” “Fear of Sleep,” “15 Minutes (!),” and “Ize of the World.” The band then went on to tour extensively. Performing 18 sold-out shows in the UK, a tour in the U.S., another tour in Europe before performing another tour in the States. The band then went on to inform their manger, Giles about their much needed break.
the-strokes
During this break, the band has embarked in their own solo projects. Albert Hammond Jr. released two solo albums. The band’s drummer, Moretti showed his flexibility in his own side project called Little Joy, where he plays guitar, bass, piano and sings backing vocals. Nikolai Fraiture released a solo album of his own, mostly consisting of folk-rock. Julian Casablancas then also went on to released his own solo record, saying he wanted to keep himself busy during the downtime of the band. Julian’s solo effort, Phrazes for the Young gained critical success.
As for the plans to reunite for the band’s fourth LP, the band had primarily set a release date for sometime in 2009. They began working on the record in January of the same year. Dispersively continuing more work that same summer and hoping for a release before the end of the year. With fans anxiously waiting, the group hasn’t been able to put the final touches on the record in 2009, with Casablancas revealing that the bulk of the album is done but there’s disagreements between some members as to what songs should make the cut. The band is expected to get together again in early 2010 to try and finalize the record after a four-year hiatus.
Despite how frustrating these delays have been to the band’s fans, the Strokes have separated themselves from many modern bands with their originality. Each member of the band are all talented musicians, and have meshed together magnificently to produce an authentic sound. Their return will be the tipping point of the band’s legacy, and will most likely be worth the long wait.
The Beatles
The Beatles were an iconic rock group from Liverpool, England. They are frequently cited as the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed band in modern history, with innovative music, a cultural impact that helped define the 1960s and an enormous influence on music that is still felt today. Currently, The Beatles are one of the two musical acts to sell more than 1 billion records, with only Elvis Presley having been able to achieve the same feat.
After conquering Europe, with successful tours to Germany and Sweden, the Beatles led the mid-1960s musical ‘British Invasion’ into the United States. Although their initial musical style was rooted in 1950s rock and roll and homegrown skiffle, the group explored a great variety of musical styles including Psychedelic Rock, Experimental, Ballads, Western and Indian Classical among others. Their clothes, hairstyles, and statements made them trend-setters, while their growing social awareness saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.
Early on, the band consisted of George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Pete Best. The band got its first major break playing in Hamburg, Germany, at some rather seedy nightclubs, beginning in 1960. While in Germany, they also met Klaus Voormann, who would later design the cover of the group’s 1966 album Revolver. Stuart remained in Germany after the others decided to return to England, and became engaged to fellow artist Astrid Kirchherr, only to die a few years later of a brain hemorrhage.
In 1961, Brian Epstein heard their sound and was thrilled enough to sign on as their manager, even though he had no previous experience in that field. His efforts eventually led, in 1962, to an audition with EMI producer George Martin, who signed them to EMI’s Parlaphone label.
Later, due in part to Martin’s refusal to use him on recordings, Pete Best was replaced by Ringo Starr, the drummer from another big Liverpool band known as Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Ringo was supposed to play on their first single, “Love Me Do”, but George Martin had Alan White, a session drummer, play instead (Ringo can be heard on the album version of the song).
In 1963, The Beatles initiated a craze known as “Beatlemania” in the UK with the song “Please Please Me”. Their first album of the same title was recorded in just one day. This fame spread internationally and, in February of 1964, they arrived in the United States. Their first appearance in the States was on the Ed Sullivan Show, following “I Want to Hold Your Hand” going #1 in the States. With this success, the Beatles released two feature length films within the space of two years: A Hard Day’s Night and Help!. The songs from both films were penned by Lennon and McCartney, and albums followed their release. In Help!, the Beatles were given greater creative freedom, deciding for example to head to the exotic location of the Bahamas simply to shoot one scene.
The Beatles were comprised of four members in the long run: John Lennon (vocals, rhythm guitar, piano), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass guitar, piano, guitar), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals), and Ringo Starr (percussion, vocals). Lennon and McCartney were the main songwriters and singers, although songs penned by George started showing up more frequently on later albums. Ringo traditionally sang one song on each record. George Martin produced most of the Beatles’ records, and was a highly influential part of the band’s sound on most of their records. He also played the renowned solo on “In My Life” (Rubber Soul).
For years, The Beatles showed an amazing talent for writing hit after hit. In 1966, they ceased performing in concert (apparently they grew weary of the constant screaming from the fans, which always got so loud they could never hear themselves play; another contributing factor was the extraordinary lengths they had to go to for security reasons before and after each performance) and began exploring new sounds in the studio. This is especially apparent in albums such as Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Beatles, sometimes known as “The White Album”. The White Album is considered the band’s most experimental. The novel sounds featured are due to the growing presence of Yoko Ono (Lennon’s wife), as demonstrated by the song “Revolution 9”, and the band’s increasing use of drugs. The song “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” (off of Sgt. Pepper’s) was rumored to be an ode to LSD, although the band vehemently denied any link; they instead insisted that it described a drawing made by John Lennon’s son, Julian Lennon. After the death of Brian Epstein, the Beatles began to unravel at the seams. The Beatles officially split at the dawn of 1970; Lennon had unofficially quit the previous year and the band had maintained the front of being together to protect their business interests. McCartney, who was the first to announce that he had officially “quit” the band and that they no longer existed, was often blamed for the band’s ending although by the end he was the only one willing to carry on and was, by stating the group no longer existed, admitting to the facts.
The Beatles never reunited properly in the 1970s as they never fully recovered from the acrimony associated with their breakup. They did, however, make two new records in 1994, despite Lennon’s 1980 death, for the Anthology project. “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” were based on demo tapes made by Lennon and sent to McCartney by his widow Yoko Ono. They charted in the UK at #2 and #4 respectively.
The Beatles also created some of the first music videos, having filmed promotional films in 1965 for broadcasters to show across the US and Europe rather than have to appear live. Their 1967 film promos for “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane” have even more similarity to modern music videos, with each one created for just the individual song, and without the appearance of being a recording of a live performance.
The Beatles were also the source of a number of controversies and conspiracy theories. John Lennon was quoted in 1966 as saying the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus Christ”, causing protests in many parts of the USA; although he publicly apologized for the statement, he also later claimed it was a contributing factor in the Beatles ending touring.
A widespread urban legend that started in 1969 claimed that Paul McCartney was dead and had been replaced by a lookalike. The rumor was referred to by members of the Beatles a number of times, including John Lennon’s song “How Do You Sleep?”.
George Harrison passed away in 2001. His death was marked by a large concert event in the Albert Hall. The Concert for George took place a year to the day of George’s death. Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney continue to make music. Ringo released Choose Love and Paul released Chaos And Creation In The Backyard both in 2005. Paul’s latest release is 2007’s Memory Almost Full. Also in 2008 Ringo released Liverpool 8.
George Harrison once said “The Beatles will exist without us.” Deftly short and simple, this quote surmises their legacy, showing how The Beatles as an entity transcends not only the music or entertainment industry, but even the members themselves.
In 2006, a collaboration between Apple Corps, and Cirque du Soleil, culminated in a show called Love, showing only in Las Vegas. Starr, McCartney, Ono and Harrison’s widow, Olivia, all were involved in the production. The accompanying album is composed of new takes on original Beatles recordings, spliced together and creating new feels for several of their songs. The project was put together by renowned Beatles producer George Martin and his son Giles.
The tracks in “Love” contain parts from original Beatles demo recordings, and George Martin created a new orchestral arrangement for an acoustic demo version of Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.
In October 2007, Across the Universe, a musical film which incorporated Beatles songs into its narrative, was released in cinemas to mixed reviews. The film incorporates, and indeed appears to be built around, various songs throughout the Beatles’ career, sung by the principles. Songs such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Dear Prudence” actually tell the story at hand, while songs such as “Let It Be” and “Across the Universe” seem instead to provide a background or atmosphere around which the story is built.
