"Hey! Pay Attention - Artists You Should Be Watching" Vol. 1: Dan Zimmerman ---by Jason @ Tempe

Lots of artists come with compelling backstories. But few have wracked up as much life points as Sounds Familyre recording artist Dan Zimmerman. A child of a Methodist preacher and the Sixties, a college dropout who traveled the tempestuous landscape of America in a van with an insane friend, a painter, a poet, a woodsman, an art-punk rocker, Zimmerman has wracked up a lot of life experience in his 61 years. “Cosmic Patriot,” his new record, testifies to that journey, his folk tales rich with Christian existentialism, punk rock textures melded with full poetic arrangements, his deep, unshakable voice resounding over beds of strings, synth and acoustic guitars.

“Prepare for war, total war,” Zimmerman sings on the title track, yet the song echoes a curious optimism, longing for spiritual release from “systems” that “debase the hearts of men” and denouncing nations and cities in favor of the kingdom of God. It’s a tender song, one more in line with the work-songs and spirituals of the fields and civil rights movement than anything like Underoath or Michael W. Smith. It’s the kind religious rock that makes most Christians uncomfortable; rock that eschews Right-Wing invocations in favor of something far more intangible, and ultimately, far more radical.

Produced by Dan Smith of Danielson, the album features members of weirdo-hip hop/indie rockers Why?, dark psych doommongers Serena Maneesh, and members of Danielson, and runs a wide stylistic breadth: “The Thing Itself” twists minor chords with buzzing fuzz, and sweeping, reverb drenched tremolo guitars. “Midnight Hours” utilizes violin and a Tom Waits-style carnival bounce. “Twilight Romance” offers southwestern mysticism that sounds like it could have been transplanted from a Calexico or Giant Sand record. Album closer “Trailing Clouds of Glory” melds the soundtracking vibe early-Scott Walker with pop song bliss. It’s an album that’s varied and possesses remarkable depth.

Zimmerman’s career has taken place under the shadow of obscurity, but his art has grown and taken on vibrant life, . “Cosmic Patriot” is not an album made by a young man, it’s an album made by a wise one, one with an open heart, a man who’s knife sharp mind, years of experimentation and honest green thumbing have served him and listeners well.

Hey Monday In-Store @ Zia Tbird --- Recap by Zak!

This last Wednesday we had an instore with the band “Hey Monday”.


Hey Monday is a Pop Punk band from West Palm Beach FL. They just started their first headlining tour and came by Zia Records on Thunderbird Rd. in Phoenix. The instore started at 5PM and the band immediately played a couple of songs off their debut record “Hold on Tight”. Including their hit “Homecoming” (see video below).

Cassadee (vocals, guitar) and Mike (guitar) played and talked to the crowd of 175 plus for about 15 minutes then joined the other members of the band for a signing session. The band was extremely gracious with fans! It’s refreshing to see bands that have genuine love for what they do and who they do it for.


PS: This show was completely unplugged and showcased Mike’s guitar playing and Cassadee’s vocals. That girl has pipes!

Rancid – Let the Dominoes Fall --Review---By Kris @ Sahara

Rancid – Let the Dominoes Fall



“New Orleans,” the eighth track off Rancid’s latest release, Let the Dominoes Fall, is one of the best songs the band has ever written and recorded. The song works as eulogy, celebration, and welcome back to the city dismembered by Katrina some 4 years ago.
“She’s got a pride like a millions lions. She’s got a scar on her velvet face. She’s got a smile like a newborn child. She’s got a walk of stoic grace,” laments Lars Frederiksen with his trademark fiery vocals.

It’s a shame such a high point in their musical career is sidetracked by a few poppy, chest-beating songs where the band brags about being around a long time and tries to prove to the haters that they are here to stay. “Last One to Die,” the band’s first single, has Tim Armstrong boasting, “We only listen to the words that we sing, now a million are singing along.” And “We sit on top of the word and we’re proving it every night.” “I Ain’t Worried,” perhaps the single worst song in the bands long run, sounds like a reject off Armstrong’s Transplants side-project and has Armstrong, Frederiksen, and Freeman each contributing repetitive rhymes proclaiming the band’s longevity and prominence in the punk world. It’s a boast track any hip hop artist would be proud of. The problem is it comes from Rancid, a band that has always been a humble, from-the-streets, working-class band since is start. We don’t need to hear devil-voiced Freeman proclaim, “I’m Matt Freeman and I’m coming in quick…I don’t give a goddamn what they say, I’m born in raised in the East Bay.” Was anyone even dissing them? Did I mix a mixtape? It’s embarrassingly silly.

Like 2003’s disappointing Indestructible, there are several redeeming tracks. In addition to “New Orleans,” the band’s return to ska rhythms is a welcome addition. “Up to No Good,” featuring label mate Booker T.’s (yes, the Booker T. of the & the MGs fame, and yes, they are label mates) keyboard is a definite toe tapper that is destined to become a staple of live shows and the punchy “That’s Just the Way It is Now” fits nicely among the best grooves from Armstrong’s solo record. “Damnnation” is a welcome throwback to the hardcore sounds of Rancid’s venomous 2000 self-titled release. Battling for poignancy with “New Orleans” is “Civilian Ways.” While other punk bands rail against the war and George Bush with bullshit rhetoric (it’s a punk prerequisite these days, it seems), Rancid channels Woody Gutherie for a country-by-way-of-folk observation of a soldier’s return home. Armstrong’s warthog-like voice grows quiet and somber as he sings about his brother’s return from Iraq a changed man battling inner demons. It’s followed up by another tribute to the troops, “The Bravest Kids I Know,” a faster, more traditional punk rocker paying tribute to the soldiers fighting overseas. “East Bay Night” is Rancid at its most Rancidest (if that’s a word) showing love and respect for their beloved East Bay. It does make you wonder if the next album will see a similar tribute to new drummer Branden Steineckert’s hometown of Pocatello, Utah. “Lulu,” “Dominoes Fall,” and “Liberty and Freedom” are also solid entries is Rancid’s catalog. And “L.A. River” features Matt Freemanon boom-shaka-lakas and shimmy-shimmy-shakes and stand-up bace will make even the most cynical Rancid fan smile.

Also like Indestructible, there are the throwaway tracks. The finale on the album, “The Highway,” is just a retread of “My Life” of Frederiksen’s Bastards side project with the band singing about their life of clubs and hookers on the road. “Locomotive,” “Disconnected.” “You Want It, We Got It,” and “Up to No Good,” “Skull City” are instantly forgettable.

It’s not exactly the Rancid we grew up - they’ve mainstreamed the sound somewhat over their last two released - but they’ve still manage to crank out a few good tracks and continue to play killer shows despite being in their early 40s.

Animal Collective Live show review H.O.B. Las Vegas by ---Karl @ Sahara

WOW!

What a show! I was fortunate enough to catch a great show last night (05/30/2009) at the HOB Las Vegas by the group Animal Collective. They are touring to support their latest release titled "Merriweather Post Pavilion". The band from Baltimore, Maryland, has four members, Josh Dibb, Noah Lennox, David Portner and Brian Weitz. They have been touring sans Josh Dibb as he has chosen to take a little time away from the band. Sonically, it doesn't seem like they have missed a beat, no pun intended.

As they started the show, you see a huge, round orb hanging from the ceiling. Throughout the show, many different images are projected onto and , seemingly, into the orb. They ranged from pictures to different colors and textures. The images would pulsate and flow as well. It was a nice effect complimenting the color-pulsating bases on which they had their various electronic devices and mics stationed. It was tough to get really good pictures with my phone as HOB does not allow cameras into the venue.



Since I have only listened to a few of their CD's, I found it difficult to believe that they could recreate the intricate sounds that they produce on their recordings. It was a real treat to see how they crafted this show. There were only a few true breaks in the music throughout as one song just flowed right into the next. To put a category on the style is doing the show an injustice. If forced to, I would say it was a mixture of rave, pop, electronic and experimental noise.



Unique does not begin to describe the show. There are so many different combinations of electronics from the keyboards and other equipment. Noises and samples are layered into the song structure that truly accentuate the texture of the experience, pulsating perfectly with the lights throughout the show. Didgeridoo, birds, and other abstract noises are recognizable and woven expertly throughout the show. Vocally, the band members sounded great. They would switch off duties every few songs while the other members would assume percussion or keyboard duties.

The videos from my phone sucked ass, too, but it will give you an idea of the light show aspect, if you want to click on the link below:

http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/squish033/Animal%20Collective/

The opening act was an artist named Grouper. Liz Harris is the mastermind behind this low-key style music. She uses a guitar as she sits and uses lots of overdubs and sound loops through the use of pedals and small sound boards right at her feet. One magazine recommends listening to Grouper if "you used to play Kate Bush records through a walkie-talkie for extra eerieness." A very appropriate description for her haunting vocals and shoegaze-style.

I will definitely see Animal Collective again, if they come back into town. They were danceable, fun, and etherial all at the same time. An interesting combination for a band that certainly defies catagorization. If they play at a venue near you, don't hesitate to pick up tickets to check out a very unique experience and one of the best shows I've seen in the past few years.

The High Strung In-store @ Zia T-bird --- Recap by Zak

This last Saturday (5/30) we were lucky enough to have an instore performance by The High Strung at our store on Thunderbird road. The High Strung is a band from Detroit Michigan (my home town!). They mix elements of pop and rock to create a very accessible sound. The band stopped by our store to promote their new record “Ode To The Inverse Of The Dude” while on their national tour.

Their current tour takes them to the usual clubs most bands visit while touring. Unlike other bands some of their stops include public libraries. The High Strung is promoting summer reading programs at libraries throughout the country as a continuation of their 2005 NPR program “The Dewey Decibel System”. Obviously these guy are different then most of the artist we have come through Zia. They came in and put together a nice little set for a small but appreciative audience. They played several songs for close to an hour two of which you can watch on the clips below. After the set the sat talked with customers. You should check out “Ode to The Inverse Dude “. Great record!

In The Middle


Real Stone