Orange County Music Blog

​There are few local rappers who can come with enough lyrical material to construct two whole albums based on just the "best of "their own songs. Most are content to just write enough rhymes and siphon enough beats to throw ten tracks together.  "Conflict" by user52708

​We've got something a little different for you this week on Release the Sounds. This time around, it looks like all the noise is coming from our own backyard. Recently, Costa Mesa singer/song writer/guerilla showman Will Crum unveiled the relaxed echo of his latest single "Lil RNR". This exclusive track is so new that not even the true fans have heard it yet. Yeah, that's right, not even you. Lil' RNR by user52708

​Former Gameface singer Jeff Caudill has been quite the productive artist since going solo a few years back. The OC native-- who now lives in LA--has a new EP titled Had To Be There available now. The acoustic five-track disc opens with a new version of the Gameface hit "My Star" and also includes a cover of "Let Go"... otherwise known as the song that plays at the end of the film Garden State. Also of note is the tune "Remember The Time," which features members of Gameface and fellow OC pop/punkers Farside.

Caudill's got a knack for writing catchy songs, the kinds that get stuck in your head for days. And I mean that in the good way, not the "I-can't-get-this-stupid-Lady-Gaga-chorus-out-of-my-head."

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For the average mortal musician, the idea of playing drums for eclectic funk megastars The Red Hot Chili Peppers would be more than sufficient. In fact who could imagine wanting to do anything else with your time? The answer: the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, that's who. Though Chad Smith, 47, has spent two decades weaving his legend as the hard hitting man on the toms behind Anthony Kiedis, he (along with his axe-wielding compadres in RHCP) has found other musical outlets to entertain himself and their fans. Smith, who has already been a member of rock-n-roll super group Chickenfoot, recently (yesterday) released an album of his latest endeavor:Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats  (currently on Warrior Records). Obviously this guy knows a great band name when he hears one.

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In most cases, waiting 14 years to release a sequel to a legendary album would be considered waiting, uh, too long. But in the case of Raekwon the Chef  (of the Wu-Tang Clan), the choice to wait almost decade and a half to serve us a follow up to his landmark album Only Built for Cuban Linx wasn't a sign of laziness. Far from it. It just means he was being picky about using right ingredients to produce a bomb hip hop dish. Finally, Only Built for Cuban Linx Pt.II hits stores today, Sep. 8.

 When it first hit the streets back in 1995, OBCL was not only Chef's first album, it also broke new ground for the 90s cavalcade of hip hop albums stitched together like dark, gangster novellas instead of a collection of singles. Remember those days, when mainstream hip hop used to release solid ALBUMS that were meant to be listened to from back to front?

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MCs Slug and Murs have released their third album under the moniker FELT. In 2002, the group issued A Tribute to Christina Ricci and followed that up in 2005 with A Tribute to Lisa Bonet. Then it comes as no surprise that the last offering is titled A Tribute to Rosie Perez.

On the real, straight up or however else rappers say it, I've never heard of FELT, but I gotta lotta love for them. Particularly the Rosie Perez tribute. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Christina Ricci, and to a lesser extent Lisa Bonet, but when I first saw White Men Can't Jump, I couldn't get Perez (or her naked boobs) off my mind for years. Please keep in mind, I saw this movie when I was about 12 and Rosie Perez's naked boobs can do damage to a 12-year-old boy. 

There's a new Alice in Chains song floating around the Intranets. Depending on what sort of music fan you are, you either A. think it's awesome that new singer William DuVall sounds eerily similar to the late Layne Staley or B. you think it's never a good idea for bands to replace dead members with musicians who ape the original sound.

Me? I couldn't care less. It ain't my band and the remaining members can do whatever they want with their music. Plus, as far as grunge is concerned, I always thought Alice in Chains wasn't some cookie cutter flannel-wearing group, so I'm open to hear any new tunes.

Maybe you disagree. Click below and find out for yourself.

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In the world of Danish alternative rock, it doesn't get much better than Mew. Anyone with a better frame of reference regarding this genre is welcomed to dispute that, but I'm pretty sure I'm right. Anyways, as we've mentioned before on this blog, this illustrious group of inventive Danes is coming to the hollowed halls of Detroit Bar on Sep. 7. Should be a good time.

Until then, it's worth mentioning that their new album No More Stories ... drops today, Aug. 25 on Sony Records in the U.S. The album, produced by Rich Costey (the man whose been behind the boards for everyone from Nine Inch Nails to The Mars Volta to Fiona Apple), No More Stories... is a stark contrast to the band's previous effort And the Glass Handed Kites back in 2005. Besides being a lot happier, some would say "dancier", it steers clear of the last album's penchant for continuous transitions from song to song. Oh and if you play the song "New Terrain" backwards, you end up with a different song they've titled "Nervous". How 70s of them. If you're interested in checking out their video for the single "Introducing Palace Players", please do so after the JUMP. And remember to come to Detroit Bar on Sep. 7 for some good Mewsic. 

​Have you ever tried to write, play and record a song in 10 minutes? It's probably a bit tough for the average mortal. But Jack White sure makes it look easy as he sits down to scribble out an impromptu track in a rickety old chair next to a microphone, a scene from the sure-to-be-epic documentary It Might Get Loud which hits theaters tomorrow, Aug. 14.

In case you're unfamiliar, this doc traces the careers and influences of White and two other mildly popular guitar heroes: Jimmy Page and The Edge. The 10 minute song we speak of is something White was challenged to do on the spot by director Davis Guggenheim during a scene in the film. What came out of it was a song, eventually a single, called "Fly Farm Blues".

At this point (if you've spent anytime lurking the internet for Jack White news) you know that not only has White releasing the song on 7" vinyl through Third Man Records, but also that it bares an uncanny similarity to a song called "Ball and Biscuit" written for the 2003 White Stripes album Elephant. But even if both tunes carry the same scatty blues guitar and throaty howls, there are a couple of notable differences in lyrical content, length and meter. But as a fan, do the similarities really matter enough to make you even think twice about the quality of the new tune? Listen closely after the JUMP, and tell us what you think.

The second Tuesday in August brings us some notable new releases including, The Fear of God, from Showbread, Let's Build Something To Break from After Midnight Project, Hot Mess from Cobra Starship, and a new single from Brand New, who's latest album, Daisy, hits shelves on September 22. 

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Irvine's Thrice is slated to release a new record in October. But like everything in the digital age, the record was leaked. Needless to say, the band isn't too thrilled.

Within the steel-studded cannon of heavy metal gods, there are a few essential names etched at the top of the list for eternity. And while their order of importance remains a serious topic of debate by any metal head with a joint, a couch and a half-hour to kill ,one thing is for certain, Judas Priest will always be on that list. As one of Britain's most legendary sonic exports, Priest's aura and legacy have inspired countless bands to follow in their foot steps. Today is another reason to celebrate the talents of vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis as the band releases their fifth live album.

A Touch of Evil:Live is the first live release with Halford since the band reunited  back in 2003 and encompasses 11 mostly rare live tracks from the band's 2005 and 2008 tours. It was also a reunion between the band and producer Tom Allom who last worked with the band on the 1988 studio album Ram It Down (suggestive title much?).

As it hits stores today, you'll want to make sure to grab a copy and get the full blood curdling, guitar-shredding experience of songs like "Between the Hammer and the Anvil" and time honored classics like "Pain Killer", though the album does seem to focus less on the band's smash hits and more on rare material that real fans tend to fiend after. While you're here check out the godliness of the band's pyro-filled trailer for the new live album and DVD. Hopefully it gets you pumped enough to buy tickets for their August 5 show at Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa as part of the OC Super Fair. That's right, Priest at the Fair, better get your tickets ASAP.

Chances are if you're a Roman Alexander fan you are quite aware of their relentless show schedule. And after about a year as an introspective, eclectic folk outfit, they ywill finall celebrate one of their biggest shows to date. I'm not necessarily talking about the venue per se, even though they ARE playing at a place called, uh, "Big's". No, I'm talking about the fact that the band is releasing their debut, self-titled album. You may or may not remember a reference to said album by yours truly in a write up I did on RA&TR back in April. Well, only four short months later, the album release party is finally here, which means you should be there.

Starting at 9 p.m., Big's Bar and Grill in Fullerton is hosting the show, which includes performances by local bands Fist Full of Leaves and Glass Puppets. Another thing every RA&TR fan should know: Big's loves these guys. At their old location in Fullerton, they pretty much played there every week for months. In an axis level of freewheeling internet album slanging, the band his decided to let people who show up to the party to "pick their price" when they buy the new album (only on the day of the show). So yeah, show up for free watch a few good bands, one of which that is willing to give you the fruits of their blood, sweat and labor for dirt cheap (if you choose).

For more details on the release party, or to just get a preview of the music you will be dancing to tomorrow, check out the band HERE!

Remember when I told you how the Beastie Boys 1992 classic Check Your Head was being re-released with all sorts of extra goodies? If not, click here.

In continuing with this fine tradition (can something be a tradition after it happens twice? I think so), the trio's 1994 follow-up, Ill Communication, is being given a make over and will be available July 14 (next Tuesday, people). But like everything in these times in which we live, the tunes are ready for your listening pleasure on the Intranets by clicking here.

Word on the street (and by street I mean their website) is this new Ill Communication features 32 remastered songs, a slew of b sides and rarities, including a bunch of songs that were available on the Root Down EP. 

For those who prefer tangible music, the record will be released on a three LP 180HQ vinyl set with a coffeetable book. But get on it quick cuz only 1,500 version of those are being made.

On a related note, the Beastie Boys new record, Hot Sauce Committee, is on shelves (are records still on shelves?) Sept. 15.

On another related note...why isn't anyone sending me these re-releases?

Long Beach's Chapter 11's new record, Premium Blend, is available now. Click here to buy that shit, yo.

Founded in 1998, Chapter 11 has played a blend of reggae and hip-hop at probably every local venue you could think of (and probably some you can't). They've got a show July 18 in San Bernadino with Eek-A-Mouse.

Wow, what a great day to spend your disposable income (even if its not so disposable). After a quick scan of all the new albums that drop today, I have to say that this is probably one of the biggest days for summer releases that you're likely to see. I counted about 20 new sonic gems that include just about every genre (from Deer Tick to Cheap Trick, Dream Theater to Regina Spektor). And with all the incessant touring, promotion and general awesomeness that comes with concert season, some of these bands have even been pushing their presence right in our own backyard.

Bands like Dinosaur Jr., whose album The Farm come out today, are fresh off a packed show last week at Detroit Bar. Rock and roll crooner Pete Yorn kicks off a tour in support of his latest, Back and Fourth, at an acoustic show courtesy of Fingerprints Record Store in Long Beach.

Then of course you have OC/LB's ubiquitous aural provacateur Ikey Owens, whose band, The Mars Volta (pictured), releases their highly anticipated album Octahedron. And yes I did mention Ginuwine in the title of this post (you remember that 90's jam "My Pony" right? How could you forget?). Today marks the R&B icon's first album in four years (A Man's Thoughts) as he reemerges with a national tour to follow.

But seriously, this IS definitely a day to celebrate your love for music by disregarding your cheap, penny-pinching ways for just one afternoon to drop some cash on some new ear candy. Follow me after the JUMP to check out a full list of today's releases, courtesy of Meta Critic (note: The new Roots album How I Got Over is NOT out today). Any new releases I missed? Plug your shit here.  

It's hard to believe it's time for Incubus to release a greatest hits album. For a band that entered the fray in the mid-to-late 90's and enjoyed considerable success in the early part of this decade, this release may feel rushed, but could be a sign they are entertaining the idea of slowing down... let's hope not. 

England's loudest band, Spinal Tap, was on Conan last night. Not only did they play "Heavy Duty," they sat down with the very tall redhead to discuss their new record, Back from the Dead, which comes out today.

The 19-track disc compiles classic tunes such as "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight," "Rock 'n' Roll Creation," "Hell Hole" and "Big Bottom" with six new songs powerful enough to kill even the toughest drummer. Back from the Dead also comes with a DVD and a fold-out/pop-up diorama of David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls, along with a mini Stonehenge.

Seriously folks, if you haven't seen "This is Spinal Tap," do yourself a favor, cancel whatever you're doing tonight and watch this. I can't recommend this flick enough and I hate movies. 

Before they embark on the Warped Tour's maiden voyage to Pomona, there's one major house keeping issue that some bands chose to attend to before traveling all over the country playing to thousands. That usually involves cranking out a new album.

Tomorrow, three of the tour's bands are releasing new material for die hard fans and downloaders alike. Veteran punks  Anit-Flag (pictured) release their eighth full -ength album of politically-driven protest anthems titled People or the Gun on Side One Dummy Records. Sacramento screamo/post hardcore artists Dance Gavin Dance are on their 4th release, titled Happiness on Rise Records, pregnant with angst and explosive breakdowns. Though you might leave a little room to actually dance to a sliver of snappy, pop driven song structures.

Then we have the gel-swept bangs and alt-rock offerings of Orlando four-piece There for Tomorrow, who are currently touring a Japan. Running the gamut from punk to pop, this handful of Warped Tour participants is looking for plenty of support heading into the summer so I'm sure they'd appreciate if you scraped up some of your extra gas money to support the cause. You're down right? Look at that pic, how could you say no to those faces?  

After a couple months of pre-ordering, downloading, and file sharing, today you'll finally be able to do it old school and walk into a record store to cop the new album by Dusty Rhodes and the River Band. The  release of the band's sophomore effort, Palace and Stage, marks another chapter in the band's career on Side One Dummy Records. And as their bio/press release on the album points out, lyrics like "It's time to shine, this time it's mine" hint at a spangly, folk-rock tour de force on the horizon.

Most of the people that bothered to click on this post have seen OC-based indie darlings of Dusty Rhodes perform at some point, somewhere in the last several years. That's because they've pretty much played EVERYWHERE. From pizza parlors in Placentia to The Alley (back when it still existed), to Chain Reaction to venues in across the pond in England, the endless touring schedule of this band sometimes borders on masochistic. You can also add tours with Blind Melon and Flogging Molly to their ever expanding resumes.

But the record itself should inspire your support as we see the DRRB sound take flight and mature in everything from song structure to production quality. And as summer rolls in to town, the genuine, boot-stomping soul of Palace and Stage could be the perfect sound track to all of your sweat drenched, half-drunk misadventures. Check out their Myspace to get a taste and then go buy the album.

No, that's new nu-metal, but new, as in not old.

Anyway, Richard Christy, famed metal drummer and the dude who does all sorts of gay shit on the Howard Stern Show, has put together an all-star metal group. I'd tell you all about it, but just read this.

"Metal Blade Records is proud to announce the signing of Richard Christy's new project, Charred Walls of the Damned! This newly formed outfit features some of the most talented musicians in metal. Their collective experience is colossal and their musical pedigrees speak louder than any verbal or written praise.

Kurupt, a solo rapper and one half of Tha Dogg Pound, released an iTunes-only mix yesterday. It's called Tha Penagon, Vol. 1 and based on the track list, it's sounds very promising.

Guests include B-Real (from Cypress Hill), Gail Gotti, Killah Priest, Roscoe, A Dub, Gillie Da Kid, Teknizzle, Nas and Prodigy.

For those who like to sample before they buy, there are a few tracks on Kurupt's myspace page. Click here for that.

The Beastie Boys' 1992 classic Check Your Head has now been given the re-issue/re-master treatment. Not sure why, as this disc sounded pretty good the last time I listened to it last week, but what do I know?

 

The new version comes with a total of 36 tracks (the 20-song original album and 16 B-sides and rarities and is available as very modern high-quality DRM downloads and the very old school four LP ultra-deluxe 180HQ vinyl. The latter comes in something described as a coffee table book and is limited to 2,000 copies. There's also a two-vinyl version for non- record collector geeks and a CD ecopack. Audio commentary regarding the album is available at the group's site for those who need to know where that first sample came from.

 

The B-Boys had an interesting career before Check Your Head. The group began as a hardcore punk act and somehow morphed into frat guy hip-hop. As great as License to Ill is, in hindsight, it's a bit, how do I say...cringe worthy? Some great tracks, but the shadow cast by "Fight For Your Right," "Brass Monkey" and "Girls" unfortunately dominates less embarrasing songs such as "Time to Get Ill," "Slow and Low" and "The New Style." Their follow-up was Paul's Boutique, perhaps the most beloved and unknown record in their collection. If only one hip-hop disc was needed to a time capsule of any era, this would be it. The production (provided by the Dust Brothers) is fucking sick. And the rhymes? Dope as dope can be.

 

Check Your Head was do or die time. The B-Boys could have gone in any direction and made the right choice by showing the world that they were not just emcees, but bona fide musicians. To date, I still can't think of a hip-hop disc as diverse and Check Your Head while still sounding 100 percent authentic. I'm also amazed at how the group didn't inspire more rappers to learn how to play instruments.

 

Just last week I was listening to Check Your Head and without even noticing, my feet got moving and my ass was shaking. Although the hits ("Pass the Mic" and "So What'cha Want") are amazing, I'll never get enough of "The Maestro," "Something's Got to Give," "Professor Booty" and "Gratitude."  

 

As I mentioned in my Pearl Jam post regarding the Ten re-issue, this whole thing is getting out of hand. Yes, we'd all love to hear the B-sides and whatnot of our favorite groups. And yes, we'd also love to hear our favorite albums sound even better than they do, but there's got to be a better way for people who already own these discs to get the current version without forking over dough for a record they already bought. In my case, Check Your Head was one of the first tapes I purchased. I still have that copy, along with a CD version. If ya ask me, the B-Boys got enough of my cash for this one.

 

But if you haven't already bought Check Your Head, you're either 11 years old or you think Chuck Mangione is God.

Yes, more Lady Sovereign news from me. Why? Because she rules. That's why.

Her latest disc is called Jigsaw and it's out today. You can buy it at these things called record stores or do what everyone else in 2009 does and get it at iTunes. Either way, I'm pretty sure the songs are the same.

The first single, "So Human," charted in the UK. Come on Americans, let's help out the biggest midget in the game. Buy that shit.

Holy shit! Last night I saw a commerical for the deluxe edition of Pearl Jam's debut Ten. I've been on this Earth for a mere 29 years, but suddenly I feel very, very, very old.

This re-issue includes a remastered version of the record and a remix done by long-time PJ producer Brendan O'Brien, six bonus tracks and a DVD of the group's 1992 performance on "MTV Unplugged."

By the time Ten came out in 1991, I was by no means a music novice. My tape collection (yes kids, there were these things called tapes) was pretty rad thanks to a healthy dose of Alice in Chains, Metallica, Guns n Roses, MC Hammer, the Beastie Boys, the Beatles, Living Colour and Nirvana, but I never liked those bands enough to buy a t-shirt.

Ten changed that.

I begged my mom to take me to the mall (cut me some slack, this was the 8th grade) to buy the band's infamous "nine out of 10 kids prefer crayons to guys" shirt. When you're in junior high, that's not just a cool band slogan, it's a fucking political statement. I didn't know then what statement I was making, nor do I know now, but I was definitely saying something.

By the time Pearl Jam's follow-up Vs. came out, my fandom was running pretty rampant. In fact, my cassette copy is called Five Against One, the album's original title. I listened to Vs. or Five Against One a handful of times and thought it was a solid come back to Ten.

But all was not well for me and Pearl Jam. In an ironic twist of fate, the grunge hype that I was spoonfed led me to check out other bands, those who were loosely or directly associated with the grunge all-stars of the early 1990s. So in a matter of weeks, Pearl Jam was out and Mudhoney was in. From there it was Black Flag, the Germs and the Descendents and I haven't thought about Pearl Jam since (although I never lost my love of Nirvana -- for some reason, they remained cool while Pearl Jam became really lame).

But I digress. This Ten reissue seems like a pretty good deal, unless you consider every motherfucker in America already owns this album. Seriously, I'm going to stop buying records and just wait a decade later until the re-issue comes out. Then I get what I want plus a whole lot more. Or wait...since the world's gone tech crazy, why not just gives record buyers (assuming those still exist) these complete packages from day one?

I know, it's wrong of me to take out my re-issue hate on Pearl Jam. They didn't start the fire and I'm sure it will continue to go on and on and on and on.

And let me go on record as saying this: All you fellow early '90s grunge rockers out there need to understand that music trends work in 20-year cycles. This means flannel and Big Muff pedals are about to make a major comeback, which leaves us with two options: Embrace this and frolic like we are young and dumb again or recognize how old and lame we've become and do our best to not jump off the nearest tall building.

A 25-track disc comprised of beats made by the late J Dilla is "dropping" (that's hip-hop for "being released") June 2 on Nature Sounds. Dilla was a much-heralded producer who gained fame in the late '80s with the group Slum Village. Many credit him for helping to place Detroit on the hip-hop map, but it was role in the production team The Ummah (with Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammed) that made him a hip-hop household name.

Dilla's time with The Ummah saw him work on A Tribe Called Quest's two final albums. He later went on to work with Prince, Janet Jackson, Common and Erykah Badu before passing away from Lupus-related issues at 32.

This latest disc, titled "Jay Stay Paid," is said to be mostly instrumental with a few vocals from Black Thought, MF Doom and M.O.P. The tracks were arranged and mixed by Pete Rock, who Dilla looked up to. Dilla's mom acts as executive producer and says her late son would have been "flabbergasted" that Rock was working on his beats.

The songs are compiled from Dilla's early career, floppy discs, DATs and stuff he did in the hospital.  

HB's Revelation Records is putting out its 150th release, and to celebrate, they're also issuing Adidas shoes styled after the label's aesthetic.

The new disc is a comp with newer acts such as Death by Stereo, Ignite, Set Your Goals and This is Hell covering classic youth crew groups such as Bold, Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits. Unfortunately, the Gayrilla Biscuits were not available and have been left off the track listing.

This sounds promising, but where's the hoodie? And what about an oversized foam finger so we can scream "Gooooo!" when the jerk in front of us hasn't noticed the light changed from red to green?

In all honesty, congrats Reveleation. 150 releases is something to be proud off. And on a personal note, if it wasn't for YOT, Bold and GB, I might have been doing all sorts of stupid things in high school. You know, shit like getting laid and drunk off my ass.

Drops? You like that? I'm hip with the kids.

Anyway, 5'1'' female British emcee released her new single, "So Human," today. The track is available for download here.

Or you hear it for free here.

The tune samples the Cure's "Close to Me," and while I'm on the fence about hip-hop butchering some of my favorite songs, I'm way into the S-O-V and the Cure, so it's a match made in heaven.

I got a copy of Lady Sovereign's debut, Public Warning, and let it sit on my desk for about six months because the hype was too much. Female. British. Short. Some sort of connection to Jay-Z. I'm a skeptic by nature and there was no way that record was anything other than a marketing scheme.

Well, for some reason that I still haven't figured out, I put the album on one day while taking a shower. I've got this rule: If I can dance to it in while scrubbing my nether regions, it's a hit. Needless to say, my shit got real clean that day.

I'm still bumping that disc and hope this new one is at least half as good. It's a killer party record and especially great for treadmill runs at the gym. Most would laugh at me, but Public Warning is easily the best hip-hop album of the past two-three years.

And since we're talking about Lady Sovereign, she's playing at the Echo in Silver Lake this Friday. Rumor has it she's doing a bunch of new songs, which is usually a bummer when you're never heard any new songs, but it's better than nothing.

I'll be there and so should you.

If you're reading this S-O-V, puh-leaze give us a few songs we know.

Long Beach's Crystal Antlers received a coveted “Best New Music” recommendation from popular webzine Pitchfork today, along with a lofty 8.5 rating for their self-released EP (produced by Ikey Owens). Expect the stormy rock quintet to enter a new tax bracket any minute now. (Check out Erin DeWitt's Crystal Antlers review in our Locals Only column from April 10.)

Crystal Antlers open for Dax Riggs at the Glass House, June 13 and play the Little Radio Summer Camp with Imaad Wasif and Two Part Beast and the Pity Party June 14.

Crystal Antlers at this year's SXSW fest [caution: very trebly].

Supermodel Agyness Deyn wants to show the world she's more than just a stunningly beautiful face by breaking into the music scene.

(Audible groans)

For her debut, she teamed up with New York's Five O'Clock Heroes.

Who

Gotta admit: She's better than Naomi Campbell.