I was really excited to review Throw the Fight’s Paper Wings. I had heard really good things about this band and I have to say I wasn’t at all disappointed. The track is fast paced with a driving
Author: ShaneN
Villins – Crime
I’m not even sure where to start on this one. I had so much fun listening to this track. It’s got a great overall vibe that I find myself head bobbing to as an automatic response. Per Spotify
Lucid Rapture – Comet
Regular readers of this site know I’m not a huge Rap/Hip-Hop fan, I am however a huge fan of any one who is willing to put themselves out there like Lucid Rapture has. Comet is an interesting
As Strange As Angels – Curse
OH holy hell, this is my jam yo! I’ll admit it, this song is right up my ally. This is a guitar style, drum line and vocal track that I typically really like. This song is certainly as stand
Deep Dive #1 – Device’s Cover of Wish by NIN
I’m setting here working on the website, beating my head against a wall over a plugin when this song pops up on my Spotify list. I’ve listened to this song probably a thousand times both
Logans Circle – Moved On
I am really loving those choruses. So far I think that’s my favorite part of the song. The intro is slow with a really great funky bass line. Good job on that one yo! The addition of the guitar
Music to Quarantine with Part 1
We all know what kind of dumpster fire 2020 was. So far I can’t say that 2021 is looking much better. So how do we cope with things while some of us are back to or still in quarantine? As for
Agony In The Garden (@AgonyntheGarden) Q&A
Q&A Agony In The Garden
In doing the music reviews I’ve been lucky enough to become friends with some of the amazing artists that I’ve listened to. One such artist is Mack Perry of Agony In The Garden. I was so moved by his talent I knew I had to do a Q&A with him. For me it was simple, listening to his music brought about the questions naturally. Thankfully Mack was super cool about answering my questions. I hope you enjoy my brain picking session with the man behind Agony In The Garden, Mack Perry!
MB: As a one man band, what is your process like when it comes to writing music?
MP: I always hear the entire piece in my head complete. The tricky part is breaking it down. After running through the piece on guitar/piano my next step is then drums, bass, guitar and vocals. Everyone truly has their own way. I’m still looking for mine. Lol!
MB: Who are some of your musical influences and why?
MP: I have so many musical influences it is hard to name them. Being a child of the 80’s in an era so mixed and diverse allowed me to gain many. Later becoming a musician many guitarist and bands became more of an influence on my work. I have to say some of the most influential would be Dishwalla/JR. Richards, Alter Bridge, Tremonti Project, Ronnie James Dio, Sevendust, Joe Satriani, Killswitch Engage, Dream Theater, Andy James, Al Joseph. There are so many it’s almost impossible to mention them all. Each one of these artist and the innumerable list of my other favorites all share one thing; passion for what they do. It takes a lot to wake up every day and do anything over and over whether you like it or love it. They all do this seamlessly.
MB: I really love the drum and guitar work in all your songs. What is your favorite instrument to play?
MP: Thank you! I greatly appreciate the compliment. I have to say my first love is guitar. I believe it is the instrument I identify with the most. That has nothing to do with my recent sponsorship from WT. Foster Guitars lol! Although I have to say if guitar wasn’t my favorite it is hands down now! Thanks WT. Foster Guitars.
MB: Listening to your vocals I am often reminded of Ronnie James Dio. I know you have listed him as an influence in your work before. So I’m wondering if the vocal similarities are something you work towards or is it naturally epic.
MP: Lol! Wow what an incredible compliment. I am completely humbled by that. Dio gave 100% of himself. While doing this he wasn’t in character that was simply who he was. Pure legend man, pure legend. No if, ands or buts. If you say that you hear Ronnie James Dio just in 1% out of what I do, I’ll definitely take that! There are very few compliments in life capable of giving such an honor. I have listened to Dio not only for the vocal chops but for his bands incredible music. Holy Diver was a part of my regular practice regimen at one time. I think that he has influenced me. I don’t try to sound like him but rather borrow his theme on energy and attack on some of Agony’s songs.
MB: I was looking for a tour schedule or a list of upcoming shows. Are you doing any live shows? How do you handle playing live as a one man band?
MP: I don’t have a tour schedule up yet. I am hunting for band mates as we speak so as to bring Agony’s brand new EP Where Olympus Dwells to a stage near you delivering the best possible show Agony can. There are a couple of live radio shows I will be on. All the dates and links will be posted on Agony’s website, www.agonyinthegardenofficial.com I actually can’t wait to get out on the road and tour with mighty axe made by Hephaestus himself, AKA WT. Foster Guitars! www.wtfosterguitars.com Hey kids eat your veggies and get a WT. Foster Guitar.
MB: What would be your dream concert lineup?
MP: That’s a really tough question. Ok:
Agony In The Garden, a crowd warmer of course getting the stage ready for:
Yep, you guessed it Ronnie James Dio, Alter Bridge, Killswitch Engage, Sevendust, Black Label Society, oh heck any band I’ve ever heard before I would be honored and proud to share the stage with. It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid in a garage band or the biggest band on the planet. I treat everyone I meet the same way so definitely an honor.
DivaShane I’d like to take the time to thank you for this incredible interview and as well as thank anyone who took time to read it. I really appreciate it, more than words. Please allow me to add music is the one tie that binds us all, without friends, fans and family none of us would be allowed to dream awake. It’s ok to dream, perception is truly reality.
One last shameless plug, Agony’s EP Where Olympus Dwells and single Rain written for the book Garden by the most excellent author Jane Yates is now available at iTunes, Amazon and many other most excellent sites. You can also get a Fan Bundle (a Digital EP & Agony Tee) at http://www.band-brand.us/products/agony-in-the-garden-fan-bundle from the best merchandise dealer on the planet. Band-Brand Rocks!
Supernatural Parody to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”
So if you follow my twitter freed you know I’m a big old Supernatural freak. I love that show so much that I’ve watched every season more times than I’m comfortable admitting. So when it came to my attention that some one did a parody of the show set to Shake it Off, I had to check it out.
The video done by The Hillywood Show is one of the smartest parodies I’ve seen this side of Weird Al. It’s clear that these two love the show as much as I do. I was really impressed with the set and costume designs. The rewrite on the lyrics to the song are phenomenal. The song lent itself to the parody so easily as the main story line is about Dean having the Mark of Cain. Hilly and Hannah produced 7:01 of total bliss for fans of the show.
Not that this wouldn’t have been funny just having Hilly and Hannah do this with some friends or some random actors, but these girls were able to parlay this idea into something magnificent by getting several of the cast members from the show to appear in the video.
So here it is. Check it out and let me know what you thought.
I won’t lie, my favorite cameo’s were Osric, Jared, Jensen, Richard, Sebastian, Mark and Timothy I thought having Osric play Sam was just to much fun. Honestly I just can’t say enough about it. I also thought Jared’s bit was super funny as the almost angry supermodel. If you haven’t seen it yet you just have to watch it. I think I’ve shown it to every one I know now and they all loved it.
Make sure you check out some of their other parodies, you won’t be sorry!
You can find out more about The Hillywood Show here:
EARTHSIDE, GEARGODS.NET LAUNCH “A DREAM IN STATIC” STUDIO FOOTAGE
Debut album coming soon; first single “The Closest I’ve Come” streaming online
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – New Haven-based progressive ensemble, Earthside, has teamed
FOREVER STILL RELEASE “SAVE ME” AS PART TWO OF THEIR DEBUT ALBUM, LET FANS PAY WHAT THEY WANT
For immediate release, April 28, 2015.
Female fronted independent rock band Forever Still have released a new EP called “Save Me”. The EP is the the second of three digital EPs that will
To Comment, or Not To Comment
As a music lover I enjoy writing my song reviews and posting links to various social media sites. I’m always pleased when the subject of my post takes the time out on twitter to say thank you, honestly it makes my day but it’s also kind of a bite in the ass.
As with all bloggers I spend a fair amount of time researching, collecting links and writing my posts. I try to be fair and positive with everything I write. I also make sure that every post gets promoted on all my chosen social media outlets and to be fair I’ve had several bands that I’ve reviewed say thank you on Twitter or Facebook. Now, not that I’m bitching but let’s be honest a comment on your review is a great way to say thank you.
But it’s more than that.
Commenting when some one writes about you is also a way for you to communicate with the blogger who did the write up. Let’s face it, not every thing can be said in 140 characters. Letting a blogger know what you think about a review or opinion via comment will start a conversation and more often than not others will chime in. This is a win win for you and for the blogger.
It encourages others to read the review and in the case of sites like this, listen to your music so they can join the conversation. Every one wants to put their 2 cents in on something. Giving people the opportunity to share their own thoughts can give you a better idea of what fans (old and new) want to see or hear from you.
The short and skinny of things is this: There is never to much promotion. Any thing you can do to reach out to people is a good no great thing. Even if it’s just a short “read your review and I thought you nailed it” is going to endear you to the blogger and they will be far more likely to blog about you again. Plus fans/users always love to hear what you have to say. Your the reason they are reading that article, reward them by giving them a way to share their love (or hate for that matter). Yea, it’s a bitch and your going to spend a good amount of time a week doing it, but I promise you will see an increase in your users/fan-base in a short period of time.
Think I’m off my rocker crazy? Tell me all about it in the comments section below!