stellastarr

This band came on our radar many years ago and even at that time they already had a ton of momentum behind them. What seemed to suck us in was the intoxicating nature of the vocals intertwined with a sound that perfectly complimented the inflection of the vocals. Quickly we found that people who were big fans of The Damned and that vocal style as well as Joy Division/New Order really found that this band struck a musical chord with them. Some that may not know this band have certainly already heard a bit of their song "Stay Entertained" packaged within a commercial for Universal Studios in Los Angeles. They have a brand new album ‘Civilized’ hitting streets on July 7th, and stellastarr will be headlining a tour across the US, their first in three years. We highly recommend that you go see them when they play in your area around the country.

This interview was conducted with Shawn Christensen, vocalist and guitarist of stellastarr when we caught up with him recently.

Can you give us a sense of how the group comprised of yourself, Michael, Amanda and Arthur came together?
SC - Arthur, Amanda and I went to college together and had a band called Ghistor. Amanda and I did not sing in that band. After college, we formed stellastarr*, after Arthur found out that Michael, who was replacing him in his old apartment, could play a mean guitar.

What were some of the influences and bands that you guys were listening to that you felt made their way into the uniquely stellastarr sound?
SC - We all have different influences, but found common ground on bands like the Pixies, New Order, and Depeche Mode. Personally, the bands I listen to mainly derive from the 60's and 70's -- like Bob Dylan, the Zombies, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Blu Oyster Cult, etc.

Many people have commented to us that they find your songs have a contagious nature to them, between the vocal inflection, the melodic vibe and the change in tempo, making each song it's own. Help us understand from your prospective why these songs seem have that effect on people.
SC - Because we're moody, lol? Vocally, I often try to take on a character and put myself in their shoes for each song. I don't like singing the same way on every track. I like to take on a different persona and just be in that world for a few minutes.

Your latest album 'Civilized' which hits the street July 7th is is being released on your own label, Bloated Wife Records (ref: to the hidden track on Harmonies For The Haunted), why did you decide to do this one yourself?
SC - We got screwed with the second record, and kindly parted from RCA. The Sony merger was a disaster for many bands like us. Sony actually forced us to release our record with a 'block' on it, so that no one could upload it to iTunes. Real barbaric thinking. We had to leave.

How do you feel this album differs from the previous two albums?
SC - The songs are raw, like the first record, but crafted differently. There's a wider variety of emotions on this record, and more rock.

What has been the best experience or experiences for you so far with this band?
SC - Opening for James Brown and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in front of 90,000 people.

In July you have a 13 stop tour around the country, and we are sure fans are gonna ask, "Why is it 13 stops in those cities and not more", how is your tour schedule planned or predicated on?
SC - We're funding ourselves, and the record won't give us income until later this year. So, for now, we decided to do a shorter, more economical stint, to start off. We will definietely hit Florida, Georgia, Denver and other missed markets later this year.

Big Wheel wants to thank you for your time and the chance to catch up with you, are there any closing thoughts you want to leave the audience with?
SC - Eat lots of chocolate and see you soon!

Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/stellastarr


US Tour Dates:
July 8th || WFNX/Boston || tune in to WFNX for tix announcement
July 15th || Philadelphia, PA || Johnny Brenda’s
July 16th || NYC || Highline Ballroom || Official Record Release Show
July 17th || Washington, DC || Rock ‘N’ Roll Hotel
July 18th || Baltimore, MD || Ottobar
July 20th || Cincinnati, OH || 20th Century Theatre
July 21st || Columbus, OH || The Basement
July 23rd || Chicago, IL || Double Door
July 27th || Austin, TX || The Parish
July 30th || San Diego, CA || Casbah
July 31st || Los Angeles, CA || Troubadour
August 1st || San Francisco, CA || Slim’s
August 3rd || Portland, OR || Doug Fir
August 4th || Seattle, WA || Chop Suey

 

 

Black Mercies

When you are trolling the net doing research you never know what you may find and then you find a diamond in the rough. This is where the introduction to Black Mercies from Portland Oregon begins. After listening to some of their stuff online, a simple email was sent to the band letting them know that they had a great sound.

The band's story starts when they were doing some incredible studio session work for other bands and other commercial ventures. It was during 2006 that the bass player Colby decided to hell with helping others sound great, we will just do it ourself and form our own band, which is what he and drummer Storm did. Bringing Caleb in on keys and then in 2007 they found singer/guitarist BB on Craigslist, it was then that the current line up was formed. Although for a brief period prior to this line up they were a 5 peice band until it was decided that a 4 peice just made better sense to the sound and structure of the band. Their sound could be best summed up as the best elements of U2 from 80-83 with the vibe of The Cure and Echo and The Bunnyman mixed in. It is this mixture with their own Indie style that makes this band so infectuous.


Black Mercies are as pictured above:
Colby Hendricks - bass, Eric Storm - drums, Caleb Skinner - synth/keyboards, BB - vocals / guitar

Then to our suprise we get a wire from the band that they will be in Los Angeles for a few dates, so we knew that this would be our chance to see if they were everything that they were on their CD, yet in a live performance.

One of our photographers was available and went to catch their show. When we transcribed what was written on the quad folded piece of paper he took notes on, these were some of the comments that were written:  "Stage presence was very confident without being pretentious - Vocal range is phenomenal - Very bold sound -  I had to go look at the sound board to see if it was it live or was it Memorex, the sound was such a match with the sound on their CD, I had to check to make sure - These guys are the Real Deal."

It is our impression of Black Mercies that they are seriously destined to go on and do some very big things in their career. When that stepping off point does finally occur, many will remember that they read about it in Big Wheel first. Consider yourself tipped off, go see this band now so you can say you saw them play before they hit.

The band's first release, Murder It Sweetly is out now with 8 tracks on it to get you started.

1. Ballad of a Kept Man
2. Hellacopters
3. Wake Up Sunshine
4. The Arsonist
5. Wreckin' Ball
6. Death to Celebrity
7. As Good As Gold
8. Less Than Zero

Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/blackmercies
Band website: www.blackmercies.com


 

No For An Answer

Ask most people in the know to name a few Orange County hardcore bands from the late 80's and it could almost be guaranteed that they would mention No For An Answer. Along with Insted, Uniform Choice, and Doggy Style, No For An Answer helped the Orange County straight edge scene form its own identity. While Uniform Choice were known for being outspoken in their views many would surely argue that NFAA vocalist Dan O'Mahoney may have outdone Pat Dubar in this department at times.

On Sunday, March 22, No For An Answer will be playing a reunion show at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, California with A Chorus Of Disapproval, Headfirst, Blackspot, and Ice. According to O'Mahoney, the band will be playing with the lineup from their classic, "You Laugh" E.P.. This record, which was produced by Ron Martinez of Final Conflict, is often referred to as the quintessential NFAA recording. It featured the band's anthem, "Just Say No," along with other memorable hardcore blitzkriegs like "You Laugh," "Without A Reason," and "When Will It End," a song which condemned gang violence which plagued Orange County's punk scene in the late 1980's.

After recording their "A Thought Crusade" L.P., No For An Answer broke up in the early 1990's. Dan O'Mahoney also played in Carry Nation with NFAA guitarist, Gavin Ogeldsby (O'Mahoney told us that there will be some "Carry Nation cameos" at Sunday's show). Later O'Mahoney would go on to sing for 411 and Speak 714 and write books, such as Four Letter Word and Three Legged Race, in which he reflected on his departure from the straight edge lifestyle and subculture. Ogeldsby, who was also famous for his album artwork for bands like MIA, Uniform Choice, and Half Off, later played guitar for Trigger Man and Killing Flame. Other members of the band at various times played in bands such as Inside Out, Unity, Justice League, and Ignite.

O'Mahoney said that at the moment the reunion show is planned to be a "One of with no financial motivations" (all proceeds go to the fight against cancer), but in terms of other NFAA shows in the future he stated "I'm learning never to say never about the future." The idea for the reunion came about after a celebration for the release of the Radio Silence book in L.A. where Mr. O'Mahoney was part of a panel and was bombarded with questions about No For An Answer.

Band MySpace:  www.myspace.com/thoughtcrusade

Tour MySpace:  www.myspace.com/hardcorereunion

Radio Silence /
A Selected Visual History of American Hardcore Music

The Rowdy Ones

The Rowdy Ones emerged in 2005 into a then budding skate Punk scene in New England. While the band features members of bands like Concrete Facelift, the Knox, and Apeshit, the center of attention has usually been on their vocalist, who is commonly known as the Red Baron.

Always the life of any party, the Baron is not unlike a mentally unstable Punk rock version of Jeff Spicoli of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Their sound ranges from being influenced by Boston hardcore bands like Gang Green and Jerry's Kids to some darker sounding music a la TSOL or 45 Grave.

Within the next few weeks the band will be embarking on a U.S. tour and will make their way to Southern California in mid March. Their shows are not recommended for those who are freaked out by blood or other forms of masochism.

www.myspace.com/therowdyones 
 

Bad Antics

Since 2005 Bad Antics have been writing songs dealing with the skating, day to day struggles, and people they don’t like. But now as the band approaches their fourth anniversary they are about to release a new record showcasing the sound that makes them distinctively Bad Antics.

We've been following Bad Antics ever since we first saw them play at the Alley Club in Fullerton,CA back in 2005. This was way back when they were a 5 piece band with Jenn Agnew on drums. They have always been a fun, energetic band, sometimes refered to as  "skate punk", which is funny because they really don't have many songs about skating. Oh well.

Give these guys a listen if you're into fast, melodic punk bands like Agression.

Lyrically Bad Antics are a strong band touching on subjects like individuality such as in the song "Get in where you fit in" which talks about how one should hang out with like minded people, rather than changing your self to fit a mold of what other people want you to be. They also touch lightly on politics, without getting preachy and annoying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just in time for 2009!  Bad Antics have just released a 7 song E.P. titled "The Wave" out on Flat Black Records

Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/badantics

Bobot Adrenaline

Have you ever been a fan of a band for a few years? You wait and wait for them to release a record and then when they release it, you’re disappointed. The vocals sound all clean and the drums sound like a drum machine did them. This is not the case with Bobot Adrenaline’s new CD, Unfurled.

I’ve been going to Bobot Adrenaline’s shows for roughly 5 years. I’ve seen them through two drummers. I saw them open for Pinhead Gunpowder at the Troubadour. This disc captures their live sound almost perfectly. Almost every track sounds like the band is playing right next to you. Not to diminish Bobot’s own role in the production of these recordings, but when you read the producer credits and the Replacements’ Tommy Stinson and the Pixies’ Joey Santiago’s names jump out at you, it all sort of makes sense.

This band is not a Ska band but I do think that Pepper Berry’s guitar riffs sometime have a sort of Ska-Punk quality to them. Corey MacGregor’s bass lines groove in, out and around Pepper’s rhythmic playing. Brian Panzeri’s drums are way more technical than your average Punk band’s doop dap doop dap beat. The sound is tighter than spandex pants on a fat man. The horns of Midway members, Emily Weber and Kevin Fischer, on the song, “School of Americas”, is an added wonderful treat.

Lyrically, Pepper tackles more social issues than you can shake a stick at. However, this record isn’t your usual Bush Sucks-Punks Rule-Snobs vs. Slobs type fodder. Pepper is eloquent and well informed. In the song, “State of Affairs”, he writes about Coca Cola vs. the Farmers in india, U.S. arms deals with Pakistan and the Halliburton scandal just to name a few. More of Pepper’s takes on world issues can be found on his blog, citizenalert. blogspot. com.


What more can be said? Fan favorite, “Radio Tikrit” kicks it off and what better way to end a CD than with the song, “So Long”. This disc is guaranteed not to end up being a shiny coaster on your coffee table. Get it now.

Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/bobotadrenaline

-Joe Dana-

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