Search Results

Truly a Time to Let Your Soul Fly Free < Back Metal: The Killer of Trends Nicole Brice Nov 10, 2022 Share Truly a Time to Let Your Soul Fly Free To say that Metal , especially Southern Metal, had a HUGE impact on my life would truly be an understatement. To be honest, I cannot recall a single time when Metal was not a staple in constant rotation within my music collection. The one band, though, that I can attribute to me truly getting into super heavy music, though, would have to be Pantera , and I had the opportunity to not only see them once in my life, but twice . Those memories will never be forgotten, and those ticket stubs will forever be treasured heirlooms as will my 1996 concert tee from the tour for The Great Southern Trendkill . The ticket stubs from when I saw Pantera LIVE Tour shirt from July 11, 1996 Pantera always had that in-your-face / want to punch something sound. I can recall hearing ' Becoming ' for the first time in my brother's burgundy 1984 Honda Accord on his Alpine stereo at full blast while riding home from school one afternoon. The aggressive guitar that starts the track gives an instant punch to the cojones and what a musical journey that song is. It never lets up. Aggressive all the way through. Dimebag truly was a pioneer of his time and is so missed. 'Becoming' by Pantera Shows were a way of life growing up and every show that came to town was a "must see". In 1996, my brother and his friends heard that Pantera was coming to town, and so, I instantly HAD to go, right? Add in the fact that they were to play with White Zombie , and duh, no brainer! We were there! We ended up scoring balcony seats, fail , but at least we were getting to go to the concert, so there's that. On May 7, 1996 , The Great Southern Trendkill was released, and the cover was so sick that I knew before I even pressed play that I was in for an incredible experience. To this day, ' Floods ' is one of my favorite Pantera songs, hands down, because of Dimebag's amazing guitar solo , and I like to listen to that track on rainy days in my car at full volume. 'Floods' by Pantera Considered one of Pantera's most aggressive albums, The Great Southern Trendkill features some of the fastest tempos and down-tuned guitars in their entire anthology, and even though it was to be one of the last Pantera offerings for a long while after, it serves as a reminder of days past when Metal ruled, and life was simpler. The 1996 show with Pantera and White Zombie was killer, no lie, and was one of the BEST shows I have attended in my LIFE . White Zombie was incredible, Pantera was incredible, Eye Hate God ...not so much, but the entire show was definitely one to remember. Back then, it was my first time seeing Eye Hate God , and their set was lacking something. I can honestly say that after all these years, Eye Hate God has gotten so much better, and I really enjoy their live shows. They have become icons, in their own right. Many years later, on a whim, I bought tickets to see Pantera again, but this time they were playing with Soufly . Winner, winner, chicken dinner! I am a HUGE Max Cavalera fan, HUGE ! I, literally, cannot go a day without listening to at least one Sepultura or Soulfly song. Max's voice gets me so pumped up! Just a few of my fave Sepultura songs are ' Refuse/Resist ', ' Roots Bloody Roots ', and ' Ratamahatta '. I even religiously wore my brothers Soulfly t-shirt in high school, often pissing him off when he would go looking for it and couldn't find it. It was almost always in my room in my dresser, ha! Oopsie! No clue how it got there. ::grins:: I'm wearing the infamous Soulfly t-shirt here, but it's hidden behind this stuffed pig. No clue why I was holding a stuffed pig. Anyway, so ended up getting to that second Pantera show late and arrived in the middle of Soulfly's set, bummer, but at least I got to go, and Pantera did not disappoint, once again. Sadly, I did not get a t-shirt from that show, but I have the memories of who I went with and the experience. Those things can never be replaced. Even though, Pantera is no longer around with the OG's, the memories of seeing their brilliance on stage will forever live in my mind, and maybe if I'm lucky, I'll stumble upon a YouTube video in the future of someone who recorded the shows I attended. Even though we didn't have camera phones back then, some people did sneak video cameras into those shows, and I'm sure someone out there has footage. They just have to. Till next time, listen to good music, reflect on the memories, and let us teach the future generations what classifies as truly GOOD music. Love and Light -Nicole- Me in high school wearing my Pantera tour shirt in 10th grade Geometry class www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Biff Swenson is helping to foster a community of independent creatives. < Back Biff Swenson: An Architect of Asbury Park’s Indie Scene Nicole Brice Jun 2, 2025 Share Biff Swenson is helping to foster a community of independent creatives. When I first discovered the Asbury Park music scene, I found it to be a vibrant mix of sounds and genres, offering something for everyone, and I wanted to learn more. However, I didn’t know much about the locals who make things happen. Enter Biff Swenson. Biff is a key player in this community of creatives, as he plays in eight different bands and organizes the Happy Mondays series at The Wonder Bar , a role he has maintained since a couple of years after the COVID-19 pandemic along with his fellow musician and co-conspirator Brian Erickson. Credit: Jeff Crespi The Happy Mondays series is a showcase that offers a platform for local musicians, particularly at a time when many venues tend to focus primarily on cover bands and established artists. No particular format or genre rules are in place, as Biff is a multi-talented instrumentalist and vocalist himself, who fills various roles across his own projects, contributing whatever is needed. After a decade of being in existence, the Happy Mondays series has proven to be an excellent community outreach staple for the original music community of Asbury Park, New Jersey , and Biff is one of the guys that makes it happen. Credit: Jeff Crespi Our favorite New Jersey photographer, Jeff Crespi , has echoed these sentiments about the Happy Mondays series and its impact on the scene: “With all the smaller venues closing up, having Happy Mondays at a professional, well-known venue is incredibly essential. Professional audio and visual components on top of getting paid, and a stacked green room with snacks and drinks provided.” When I first heard about Biff , I was intrigued to explore his music, but I was left wondering: which band should I check out to get me started? With so many options to choose from, it was overwhelming, but I managed to dive into at least three, and after completing this interview, I had many more to check out. Credit: Jeff Crespi Biff Swenson is a genuine Renaissance man , dedicating his time to a diverse range of projects that span nearly every genre. His infectious enthusiasm makes him an invaluable asset to the Asbury Park music scene. Through an introduction from one of my favorite people, Jeff Crespi , I had the opportunity to learn more about Biff and his various endeavors. Although he initially presents as a typical alternative music enthusiast when you first meet him, our conversations revealed a much deeper and more complex personality. One full of laughter and wisdom. His creative passion is a driving force behind the Happy Mondays series, which he aims to keep inclusive and open to all styles and genres. If you ask him to book you, he will, regardless of whether he likes your music, as Happy Mondays is dedicated to fostering a community of independent creatives. Biff is THE man with many plans, and they usually involve more people. Read on to learn more. MaM : So, let’s dive in – I’ve heard you play in six bands. Tell me a little more about that. Biff : It’s actually eight. (laughter) MaM : Wow … eight bands … tell me what the genres are and the differences between them all? Biff : We have a very incestual crew. (laughter) There are four core guys, and between them, there are probably 15 or 16 bands total. We mostly just all play for each other. With Grasser , I write all the lyrics, but I’m not necessarily the lead singer. Dana Why is the singer of Grasser’s solo project, but we all play as his backing band. Bristler is Rudy’s band that he fronts, but then Dana and I are his rhythm section, so it’s like we’re aging. (laughter) We found the people who are willing to work hard and are not thrown off by the manner in which we carry ourselves. We jokingly say, at this point, it’s just mental illness. (laughter) Everytime we add a new band, we’re just unwell. (laughter) We found a really cool group of people, and this is our “golf”. What else are we gonna do? Sit around and watch TV? We spend most nights in our rehearsal space and studio. Some nights, we’re recording from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for Bristler , and then from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., we have Grasser practice. After that, we’ll do a shoot for a Yawn Mower music video . So, it’s usually seven days a week, and we miss most holidays. (laughter) Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Sounds about right. So, what bands are we missing? You mentioned Grasser, Dana Why, Bristler, Yawn Mower, and what else? Biff : Grasser is like a genre-less pop R&B hip-hop infused, but very punk rock ethos of DIY. We handle everything from engineering and mixing to mastering, artwork, photography, music videos, and more. The hardest thing to pull off with that band is live shows because it’s an eight-piece band. It began as a mostly recording project, which we eventually turned into a live band. It’s the most fun to do, but the most difficult to wrangle in and make happen. Yawn Mower is our most active band, and the one that I’ve been doing the longest. We hit ten years in August. That band started as a fuzzy rock two-piece, but at this point, members of all the other bands have joined, and it’s become a full band. We tour the most and even played at the Sea.Hear.Now.Festival a couple of years ago. It was the biggest thing we’ve ever done. Yawn Mower gets the most opportunities just based on how long we’ve been doing it. Bristler is a subdued indie rock band , reminiscent of Minus the Bear , Death Cab for Cutie , and Modest Mouse . MaM : Hell yeah Biff : Dana produces and sings for Grasser so that you would expect a lot of overlapping. He’s very introverted and maximalist, so most of his songs are pretty long, and they feel more cinematic than they do rock. It’s very ethereal, and you cannot passively listen to Dana’s music. If you’re not looking to hear an album, then it’s not for you. MaM : Right? Biff : So, some people find that one to be the most difficult to dive into, but it’s rewarding. He spends the most time on the most minute details that only a music fan is going to acknowledge or appreciate. Prop House is my newest band. I play bass in that band, whereas in my other bands, I typically play drums. It’s got like a 2000s emo revival sound, kind of like Thursday or Title Fight . Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : That’s awesome. I don’t know how you do it all. So, I have been told you are THE person to speak to about booking a show for Happy Mondays at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. Tell me a little more about how you got involved with that? Biff : The series started in town over a decade ago, and it’s switched hands many times. I believe I may be the sixth person to take over this role. I do all this with Brian Erickson ; he’s in a few bands around town. It was a staple here. We used to have a lot of smaller venues – 150-capacity rooms. There was a place called The Saint , and if you started a band, your first show was always at The Saint. It was never a “no”. Always allowed. We lost it after COVID, and so there are no real small rooms anymore, and the ones that are still out there don’t have sound, lights, or a stage. They’re all DIY. Post-COVID, Happy Mondays still hadn’t come back, and I reached out to see what I could do since we are an original music town. Ended up finding out that Brian had reached out before me, so they had the idea of us just doing it together. We took it back over, and this is our third year doing it. It’s community outreach. It does not make money, but it’s where new bands started. That’s what it always was. Have you heard of the band Separatr ? MaM : Yes! Love them! I actually got to interview them twice. They have had quite a journey. Biff : The first week they were in town, they approached me about booking a show, and it was a no-brainer after they told me their story. I was like, done. You guys can play. Anyone who has committed their lives to music to move across the country, like them, deserves to play. Booking Happy Mondays for me is about building connections and networking. It’s not that I enjoy booking shows I’m not playing, but every week when I’m feeling down and out or burnt out, there’s always one person who comes up to me at a Happy Mondays show and says the right thing at the right time, and then it all makes sense. This is very affirming. This is why it exists. Since I’m a drummer and I live in town, I always seem to have a spare drum kit in my car. (laugher) Biff : So many weeks, though, someone will show up and not have a drum set, so I’m like, ‘You can use mine.’ Then they’ll ask me, ‘Are you playing tonight?’, and I’m like ‘no.’ (laughter) Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Just gotta have that extra drum kit no matter what. Biff : Sometimes, they’ll go, ‘I don’t have a bass amp.’ I’ll be like, ‘No problem. My rehearsal space is just down the street. I’ll be right back.’ It’s about community. MaM : I’ve got a curveball for you, so we have a huge cover band scene down here. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming because a good majority of the venues will only book you if you play covers. What’s the cover band scene like up there in Jersey? Tell us a little more about the scene up there in general. Biff : Well, New Jersey , in general, is like cover band central. Asbury is an original music city, but ya know. Well, once COVID was over, I actually was in a cover band for a couple of years, and did it for money, but left because it wasn’t what I wanted to play, and it wasn’t fulfilling. Playing ‘ Flagpole Sitta ’ every night just wasn’t doing it for me. MaM : Throw a little Harvey Danger in there, why not … (laughter) Biff : The people I was in that cover band with were all guys from original bands, and after two years of not a single free weekend, we decided it was dumb. I think Asbury is Bruce country, and so there are a ton of classic Bruce-esque cover bands. People do respect you more for doing original music here, but nobody is shitting on cover bands. We have New Brunswick , which is about an hour away from here, and it is punk. 110% DIY punk. It’s where all the house shows are. If a band isn’t from Asbury , they are from New Brunswick. That would be the alternative. Then there is Jersey City, which is pretty much New York. It’s right at the top of the state, and you can see New York from there. They have a really cool music scene, but it’s really lo-fi. It’s punk in ethos, but dogshit in quality. People don’t mind out of tune guitars and piss drunk singers. Always a packed house. Jersey City has a place called Pet Shop , and it’s just a bar. No stage. No PA. No lights. But 100-150 people are going to be there every night. It’s one of the only hubs to see that type of stuff. Outside of those three scenes, though, it’s just cover bands. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : When did you first discover your love for music, and what band made you want to play music? Biff : There’s a couple of pillar points with this. Even today, I love hip-hop . I listen to more hip-hop than I do new bands because bands are getting worse. (laughter) Biff : At a young age, I got into rap, and then my sister, who is seven years older than me, brought home Green Day’s Dookie on cassette, knowing I was into hip-hop . She was like, ‘Yo, these guys curse a lot.’ I was like, ‘That’s pretty cool,’ so I listened to it, and that was the first time rock music seemed cool to me. It wasn’t all 80s hair metal. After a few more years, around sixth grade, I discovered Blink-182 , and they are 100% the reason I started playing music. As a drummer, even today, my friends often tease me because I tend to overplay the drums. I’m always in the pocket. I’m always like, ‘We could put a ton of shit there! This song could use a little more. Travis Barker would put a fill right there.’ (laughter) Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : So, you become like Animal from Muppet Babies ? (laughter) Biff : Exactly. I’ve been told that I look like Animal when I’m playing, but I don’t care about what I look like when I play. I only care about how it sounds. My first real concert was actually Green Day and Blink-182 together. MaM : Wow, I think I remember that – what year was that? Biff : 1999? Maybe? Around then. MaM : I’ve never seen Blink live, but I saw Green Day in like 2003? Maybe? Biff : It was The Pop Disaster Tour , if I remember, and Saves the Day opened. MaM : I used to love Saves the Day. They just dropped off the face of the earth. Biff : That day, though, I was watching Green Day pull kids on stage on the biggest stage in Jersey , in my eyes, and I was thinking about how I could do that and achieve that. Another thing, too, I was a church kid. Grew up around the church and even played in the church band. That’s how a lot of musicians cut their teeth playing music, though, because the church can’t exactly tell you no. After all, you’re doing it for the Lord. Oddly enough, the church influenced my music playing as much as Blink-182’s dick and fart jokes did. (laughter) Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : So, do you only play bass and drums, or can you play guitar, too? What’s your favorite instrument to play? Biff : I can play guitar, too, but I’m so bad in comparison to all of my friends. Drums are the one I am most comfortable on, and you can see the most of my personality in them. I’ve put in over 10,000 hours on the drums. (laughter) That’s the one where I’m reliable. I sing in Grasser , and that’s the most fun. I’ve been sitting down at my instrument for over 20 years, so any opportunity to stand at the front of the stage, and I’m like, ‘It’s really cool up here. You guys must have a lot of fun up here.’ I’m most able to serve a song on drums. When I play bass, it’s just like … tell me what to play. It’s so rare that I’m like, ‘What about this?’ (laughter) Bass is just the rhythm section. I like to play the bass for the drummer, but I’m never playing to make people be like, ‘Yo, the bassist is really good!’ (laughter) No, it’s like, the bassist made the drummer look really good. (laughter) Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : When it comes to writing new music for one of your gazillion bands, how do you approach that? Biff : It used to be compartmentalized, but in the last few years, it’s been more of an amalgamation of all of it. For Grasser , I'll demo the whole song, from soup to nuts, including bass, drums, vocals, and then I’ll send it to the group. Anything is up for change, so if the guitar part sucks, just delete it. Bristler is all Rudy . Dana Why is all him. Yawn Mower , the singer, Mike would write everything, and I’m just drumming on it. Since we became a full band, we have become a collective . Since the collective has been active as a group, it has been a collaborative writing process. Credit: Jeff Crespi Our new album is coming out soon. On that, I started three of the songs on guitar, Dana began two, and Mike brought full fleshed out ideas, but was open to all of us. As a singer, that’s fun. Now, I can write a whole melody and a batch of lyrics I would not have come up with on my own. It started with Grasser . I love to free associate. I love to riff. Eventually, it becomes this Frankenstein sentence that means nothing to nobody, but that’s when I think it’s a great idea to use it. We spend so much time together that we have our own language. We’re slowly not using regular words anymore. (laughter) By November, the four of us will have put out twenty albums in two years. Yes, you read that last line correctly. Biff Swenson is undoubtedly a seasoned artist and musician who will continue making music as long as he can. His dedication is truly inspiring, and I'm excited to see what he does next. I highly recommend that you create a list of the bands he has mentioned, look them up, and give their music a listen, and if you are in the Asbury Park area, stop in at the Wonderbar and discover some new talent. Where to learn more about Biff and his gazillion bands: Instagram: Yawn Mower Instagram: Grasser Instagram: Dana.why Instagram: ProphouseNJ Instagram: Bristler Instagram: Earth Telephone Instagram: Scumming Band Instagram: Quiltary *Photos by the one and only Jeff Crespi www.jeffcrespirocks.com JEFFCRESPIROCKS See through a different lens! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Musical Gumbo Master Continues with Spring Forward Tour and a New Album < Back Off the Charts: Otis Walker Bud Gambrell Mar 25, 2025 Share Musical Gumbo Master Continues with Spring Forward Tour and a New Album The making of this article goes back a few months. I first spoke with Otis Walker in November 2024. Otis had a new album release coming up, and my plans were to be there. Well, as sometimes happens, life steps in and changes your plans. Our original interview was set to be at the album release party on November 29, 2024, the day after Thanksgiving. The morning of the party, I woke up with a flare-up of vertigo . There go those plans. Fast-forward to March 17, 2025, where I received a message from Otis, “I would like to personally invite you to our show this Saturday night.” I had been attempting to fill up my schedule for the spring and summer, but it so happens that my Saturday night was open. So, my reply was, “I am going to see about taking you up on this invite. Thank you!” Saturday Night’s show was to be held at Tangled Strings Studio in Huntsville . I was familiar with the venue by name only. I have seen the shop, but since they specialize in custom guitars , I have never stopped by. Lo and behold, it is a concert venue, too! I am unsure of how I missed out on that news. This is a very special place for live music. It is not too large or too small. It is just right for a songwriter/storyteller-type event. I tell you all that to set the table, as they say, so you can get a better visual for the space. Saturday March 22, 2025 As I walked into Tangled Strings Studio , the first person I met was Lisa Chang . She was up front selling tickets. Lisa is also a local musician with a fantastic voice. Otis and Lisa did a vocal duo during Otis’ set. I had never seen either of them perform, so I was mind-blown! Credit: Bud Gambrell The second person I ran into was Otis himself. Sometimes, it’s odd how these things work out. Otis and I began conversing as if we’d known each other for a while. We had just met for the first time. It’s always a bit of a concern with me that an interview will be stale due to no chemistry within the interview. That was not to be a worry tonight. Credit: Bud Gambrell We quickly realized common ground while talking about the band and stage set-up for the night. Otis added Kim Coffey to the percussion to add that extra beat. At almost the same time, we said, “similar to The Allman Brothers ” dual drummers. Otis told me that they are his favorite band. Mine too! Kim’s husband Donnie Cox is also in the band playing lead guitar. The pair also play in another band I worked with a few months ago. The band is rounded out by Richard Best on drums and Otis’ son Eli Brown on bass . Many moons ago, I worked with Richard , so the band was no stranger to me. Local songwriter Brett Carlisle opened the show. You will meet Brett and read more about him in an upcoming Off the Charts article. Our second band of the night was The Silver Silos , led by Taylor Burton . The Silver Silos are Taylor on guitar , Jacob Greene on bass , and his brother Brad Greene on saxophone and lap steel . Taylor is a friend of mine, and it is always a pleasure to have a conversation with him and hear his songs. The following is part of our conversation. For time and space purposes, I cannot include the entire conversation. Our conversation seemed very open-ended and long-winded. OTC : Otis, it is great to see you! It's nice to meet you finally! OW : Thanks for having me, man! OTC : We were first supposed to meet in November at the album release party. I'm sorry I couldn’t make it. So, tell me how the new album is doing. OW : It's our first time ever doing an album, so, you know, I have no metrics to measure against another album, but the first release did all right. The second single has had over forty streams in less than a month on Spotify . So, I mean, I think that's pretty remarkable. Hardly any of the streams are from my hometown, which is funny. We got lucky to get on a playlist and move forward. This is funny because the album's name is ' Forward ', so that's what we're doing. We're just trying to keep one foot in front of the other. OTC : Where can we find this new album? OW : You can go on the website at otiswalkerband.com . We've got the full album up for sale there. We're releasing one single every six weeks out to the wild. If you want the entire album, you can go to the website and you can purchase it there. Click picture to purchase OTC : Where did you find inspiration to write this new album's songs? OW : Well, you know you're going to find that you came to the right show tonight because we're doing the storytellers type show. I will tell you different stories about the different songs tonight. But, you know, I get a lot of different inspirations. Sometimes, it's a personal experience. Sometimes, I hear a lyric from another song that sends me in another direction. And you know, I feel like I'm an old bird now. I’m in my late 40s now. When I first started songwriting, it all had to be about something I felt. And now, I like to stew on it and get a story. So, in my older years, it's more story based. OTC : We will stop talking about how old we are at this point in the interview. (laughter) OTC : Did you write the songs on the new album, or did you have any interesting collaborations? OW : Out of the ten songs, one song was co-written by a buddy from college. The other nine songs were 100% mine, and then as far as the way that we did in the studio, you know, we all sat down at Clear Wave Studio and came up with how we wanted to produce the songs. They were all 100% mine, minus ' Southern Twist '. OTC : Do you have any future plans for any collaborations? OW : I've talked with a few guys. Taylor Burton and me, who we're playing the show with tonight. We've talked about that. We're gonna get together. I have also talked to Brett Carlisle , who's opening up tonight. He is a young songwriter, and we're also looking at it. My life hero is Barry Billings ; he's a great songwriter. Hopefully, we'll get to sit down and write a song together one day. OTC : As spring and summer are here, you've got new show dates. Do you have any particular dates or venues that you're looking forward to playing? OW : Well, tonight is! Here in Huntsville is our ticketed advance show. We're playing many shows where I’m solo and with the whole band. I love coming out and playing at a Tangled String Studio show where we get to have such an intimate chance to be with the audience because you're four feet from the first row. I love that! Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Do you have any goals for 2025? OW : Man, I would love to get to the part where we become a regional act . That is my goal! My dream is to be able to start playing some festivals and take out on the road what we're doing here in Huntsville and take it out to the people not here. The Huntsville music scene is intense. We could take it out to the rest of the southeast. OTC : What got you into music? OW : Well, I'm going to tell that story tonight. When I was growing up, we had a Ford Falcon , and it had a tape deck in it, and in that tape deck, there was a Roger Miller tape. I heard a song from Roger Miller and all those stories he tells. Man, it just lit a fire under me. Now, the other side of it is that my uncle, Bo Jack Killingsworth , is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame , and so growing up with him, I got to see people and be around people that not everyone would get to be around and experience. My uncle is my hero. Roger Miller lit the flame, and going to see Uncle Bo at a show. I thought he walked on water. OTC : So, Roger Miller lit the flame, and Uncle Bo fanned that flame? OW : He sure did! OTC : Are there any past or present instructors that you look up to, and what qualities do they have that you admire? OW : I went to college and got a degree. But while in college, I got to play with the Iguana Party , which had Barry Billings , Danny Kirsch , and Joey Flippen . Those three men were my age now, and I was in college. They taught me everything I know about music. From how to roll up a cord to knowing the right song to play at the right time and how to play with dynamics. I mean, all those boys are my heroes. No guitar player can outdo Barry Billings . I'm sorry. I know some great players are around, but Barry hung the moon! OTC : What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you? OW : (laughs) That's a great question! I think that I was told once that I can't play everything in the first song. I get very emotional. One of my band mentors told me I had to leave something for the third set. When I first got up there, I just started trying to play everything simultaneously. OTC : What is it about music that makes you so emotional and feel passionate? OW : Man, you hear that bass drum, and then you hear that snare, and that's my heartbeat! And then my emotions kick in as soon as I hear the drums, and the passion comes out! Because I get to do something that is very much, honestly, my drug! I mean. I love music! It's not about money. It's not about fame. It is as if there's none of that. I'm still playing music in my basement on a Saturday night because I cannot live without getting the music out of me! The recommendation from this music lover to the music lover reading this is to get to an Otis Walker show if you are in the North Alabama area. Otis Walker 's music, a unique blend of styles, is something you won't want to miss. You will want to grab the LP or CD from the merch table while you are there, too. I know you will want to hear the songs repeatedly because the album is good but hearing them live is even better! For those not in the North Alabama area, let’s all hope that Otis Walker becomes a regional touring band so you will also get the chance to experience him live. One way that you can help make that happen is to support local original music in your scene wherever you may be. Show up for shows and let these musicians know you appreciate what they are doing. Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tzk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell My new book: Bud Gambrell Photography by Bud Gambrell | Blurb Books Where to find Otis Walker: Website: https://otiswalkerband.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OtisWalkerBand Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Otis Walker Band (@otiswalkerband) • Instagram photos and videos Soundcloud: Stream The Otis Walker Band music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud ‎ Apple Music: Otis Walker Band - Apple Music Where to find Tangled Strings Studio: Website: Tangled String Studios Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Tangled String Studios (@tangledstringstudios) • Instagram photos and videos *all photos by Bud Gambrell www.bgambrellphotography.com Bud Gambrell Photography Bud Gambrell Photography is a locally owned and operated photography business in North Alabama. Call or email us today for an appointment. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Got something for Bud to check out? Reach him at the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Cutting beneath the surface to explore the Saw franchise's inconsistencies in John Kramer’s convoluted morality, his supposed purpose, and the theme of pawn sacrifice. < Back The Philosophy of John Kramer and the Saw Franchise, Part 2: Film Analysis Ezekiel Kincaid Oct 23, 2023 Share Cutting beneath the surface to explore the Saw franchise's inconsistencies in John Kramer’s convoluted morality, his supposed purpose, and the theme of pawn sacrifice. Welcome back to part two of your blue-collar philosophy lesson led by your good Ole Uncle Zeke. In Part 1 of John Kramer and Saw ’s philosophy , I made the proposition that understanding John Kramer’s actions and statements from the Saw franchise only make sense when viewed through the philosophical lens of nihilism. In this post, I’m going to point out places in the Saw franchise where Kramer's morality seems to be confused , and then as we move forward, we are going to look at these things through both passive and radical nihilism (I will define these terms later in the series). But first, we need to investigate these instances and the criticism against Jigsaw in order to truly understand his ethical foundation in light of nihilism. To begin, much of the hate thrown at Jigsaw is understandable, given his poor word choices. What do I mean? Those of you who have watched the Saw movies will get where I’m coming from, but those of you who haven’t need to stick with me, because when you do go and watch the films, you can keep this in mind when exploring these places of convoluted morality. In the original Saw (2004), John Kramer/Jigsaw (Tobin Bell, of Let Us In ) tells Amanda (Shawnee Smith, of Kill Speed ) she needs a key to escape from the reverse bear trap wrapped around her face. He says the key is located in the stomach of her dead cellmate and assures her by stating, “Know that I am not lying.” Copyright Lionsgate Entertainment He says the key is located in the stomach of her dead cellmate and assures her by stating, “Know that I am not lying.” The only problem? Jigsaw was lying. Amanda’s cellmate is drugged, not dead. Now jump ahead to Saw III . Kramer says he is the only one who knows where Jeff’s abducted daughter is. Not true. Again, he lies; Hoffman also knows where she is. Granted, these could just be mistakes in the script but whatever they are, they make Kramer come across as completely incoherent, even more so when we move on to Saw IV (2007). In Saw IV , Jigsaw tells Rigg (Lyriq Bent, of She’s Gotta Have It ) to force Ivan (Marty Adams, of Hemlock Grove ) into a position and let him choose his own fate. The only catch? In 60 seconds, the choice will be made for him. If Kramer’s purpose is truly to teach Rigg that people must save themselves, this added caveat seems to nullify such ends . Moral critics of the Saw franchise have had a field day with the above-listed examples, saying they are proof positive John Kramer was a hypocrite. But the accusations don’t stop here. The critics further scrutinize his ethical demands by blasting Kramer for making his victims choose immoral actions. Let’s jump back to the original Saw movie. Kramer instructs Zep (Michael Emerson, of Lost ) to kill a mother and her child in order to save his own life. This makes Jigsaw come across as someone who loathes any type of altruism or self-sacrifice for others. To Kramer, it seems like self-sacrifice just gets in the way of people valuing their own lives. But it doesn’t stop there. Critics go after Kramer for his victim selection as well. Take Saw IV , for example. I’m trying to avoid spoilers when I can, so let’s just say Ivan and Brenda (Sarain Boylan, of Rookie Blue ) in this movie are both guilty of criminal acts. These acts, however, are vastly different and in no way deserving of equal punishment. But guess what? Jigsaw punishes them both in the same manner. This all takes place during Rigg’s game. And what was Rigg’s game? To teach him that he cannot save everyone, which means these victims were just pawns and meant to die. In fact, Rigg isn’t even given instructions on how to save Brenda at all! Then there is Adam (Leigh Whannell, of Insidious franchise) from Saw . Jigsaw never gives him a game of his own to play. He is just a pawn in Lawrence’s (Cary Elwes, of The Princess Bride ) game. This theme of “pawn sacrifice” carries on throughout the entire Saw series . Take Joyce (Gina Holden, of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem ) from Saw 3D (Saw VII) . She is completely innocent and is burned alive in order to punish her fiancé, Bobby (Sean Patrick Flanery, of The Boondock Saints ). Bobby even objects to Kramer by saying Joyce doesn’t deserve to be here. This random victim selection is a big problem in Saw 3D . We are never given any reasoning as to why Dina (Anne Lee Greene, of Femme Fatales ) or the racist gang are selected (other than they are racist). There is a great chance for Saw 3D to answer this question when Officer Mike asks himself, “Why them? Why now?” but these questions are never answered. There are more examples, but these are enough to show why critics say what they do about the Saw franchise, and about John Kramer’s convoluted morality and his supposed purpose. Indeed, these inconsistencies seem to really piss in the Cheerios of Kramer’s mission , which is to teach people how to value their lives . On the surface, his victim choice seems to be totally unjust and as random as natural selection in nature. This would indicate all of Kramer’s preaching on righteousness and justice are totally hypocritical. Mix this in with the fact many of the victims ARE NOT guilty of undervaluing their lives, and it is a glaring problem. Let’s go back to Rigg and Saw IV again. Rigg certainly seems to value life and seeks to preserve it. And what about the five victims in Saw V (2008)? I’ve watched it countless times and can’t find anywhere in the film where these people don’t value their lives. What is evident, however, is that they do not value the lives of other people. But the one victim in the entire franchise that doesn’t make a lick of sense according to Jigsaw’s mantra of appreciating life is Bobby in Saw 3D . He is not guilty of undervaluing his life or the lives of others—he simply lied about surviving a Jigsaw trap. Sure, it is a slap in the face to the real survivors, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t value his life. The critics come out in full force over these apparent inconsistencies, arguing there is a huge disconnect between Kramer’s desire to save people and to murder them. To the critics, John Kramer is a murderer rather than the saviour he claims to be. Credit: Getty Images Jigsaw then becomes nothing better than the erroneous view of God who plays “Duck, Duck, Damn” with his creations, choosing people at random to condemn to hell. In their eyes, Kramer selects people just to eliminate them. So, I close with this: Given this information, what is Kramer’s mission? What’s his end goal? Is it to rehabilitate people or to kill them? Are the two outcomes really any different? Is true change only possible through the destruction of one's own flesh? Such questions belong to the paradigm of nihilism, and it is these questions we will seek to answer in the next two articles, which will compare John Kramer to both passive nihilism and radical nihilism. Ezekiel Kincaid lives for horror and loves to watch it, write about, and talk about it, whether that be in his own horror novels or in reviews. His experience as a pastor and paranormal investigator brings everything he writes to life. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Tony Biggs < Back DJ Skillspinz: A Classically Trained Master of Combining Textures and Beats Nicole Brice Apr 7, 2023 Share Tony Biggs With so many aspects of music production being prefabricated these days, I’ve managed to find a man who is still mixing it up the old skool way. (Yes, we spelled it like that on purpose.) As a lover of hip-hop and rap my entire life, what initially drew me to DJ Skillspinz was his insane scratching techniques. Using nothing but his talent, turntables, and an ear for combining beats , he showcases his mad skills with each new mix he releases. His choices for his combinations are diverse and fascinating, and they showcase his knack for individuality in a world oversaturated with conformity. Based in Georgia with over 210k followers on Instagram alone, people are definitely loving what he's doing. Antonio “Tony” Biggs, aka DJ Skillspinz , is an Army veteran , a disc jockey, a producer, and a composer, who is widely known for music on the Peacock series One of Us is Lying , on S1E1 of the Netflix series Gentefied , and on the Starz program Step Up . He was an extra in the BET movie Redeemed as well and has produced/deejayed for GhostFace Killah’s Theodore Unit , Play (of Kid ‘n Play ), and Def Jef , Grits , the Ambassador , and Grammy artist Lecrae . Other credits include Xbox 360 ’s Project Gotham Racing 4 , and he is an Akai MPC Beat Battle Round 10 champ. What has this man not done, seriously? With an impressive history of production and music, further samples of his work can be heard on the Ghostface Killah Theodore Unit album 718 , where he produced track number 14 , and on the Rapland Records House Party Conversions album with Play of the famous rap duo, Kid ‘n Play . Additionally, Antonio was also nominated for a Dove Award for his debut album Reintroduction of the DJ and is the first Christian DJ to release a turntablist record on Rescue Records . His current album, Table Manners: The Mixtape , is available via all streaming platforms, and there’s even more new music on the way. He shared with me some mixes he plans on doing, but I was sworn to secrecy, so you’ll have to follow him and see what he releases in the future. We recently had the opportunity to chat more in depth with this turntable master to learn about his fascinating career and life, so, after you finish reading this, you’ll want to go check out his Instagram page. It is full of things sure to make your head spin, kind of like a record. Photo provided by artist MaM : Man, I am so impressed with all of your song combinations, because I am a huge, HUGE fan of old-school hip-hop. Some of the stuff you’ve done with A Tribe Called Quest, I’ve been like, “Damn … this is awesome!” So, how did you get into making music for TV shows and movies? TB : That’s something I always wanted to do [ever since] I was a kid. I am a big horror movie fan, and when I was 13—maybe 15—I used to record on cassettes different sound bites from my favorite horror movies and use that to make music myself. I guess you could say it came from my love of horror movies. I always wanted to do something in film and television, and so it just fits. Eventually, I started making beats , which got me into hip-hop . Being involved in the industry has led to great opportunities to submit my music to people for consideration. The rest is history. MaM : You’ve had your music licensed to Netflix and Peacock. I mean, dude, that’s awesome. Were you surprised to see your song on TV? TB: Well, the [Netflix] supervisor didn’t let me know it had been placed in the show, and sometimes that’ll happen, but it was crazy! I kept watching Gentefied and they played another one of my songs. I ended up with two songs in that one show. MaM : Wow, that is incredible! I read you were nominated for a Dove Award. Tell us a little more about that. TB: That was really cool. I think back then I wasn’t really focused and aware of what was really in front of me. I was younger and wasn’t really paying attention. I wish I could go back, honestly, to do it all over again and be more aware of what was going on around me at that time. I was just so focused on making more music and doing other things. Photo provided by the artist MaM : How old were you when you got that nomination? What year was that? TB: My record came out in 2000 , so it had to be later that year. I think I was 23 or 24. MaM : I also see that you were the first Christian DJ to release a turntablist record on Rescue Records. Are you still signed to a label, or are you just doing things independently? TB : I’m independent right now, but I was the first Christian DJ to do that. Of course, there were other DJs before me, you know, doing Christian hip-hop and other stuff, but no one had put out an actual turntablist record. It was a blessing to be able to do something like that, and there hasn’t been anyone else since me to put out another record like that. MaM : You were a trailblazer then and you still are because no one else has been able to do the same. I find these days that creativity is lacking because of all the prefab apps out there that do everything for you. TB : I think it takes away from the culture and from the skill used to create when you can press a button and have the computer scratching for you. You don’t really need a DJ . That’s what I hate, but it’s kind of a blessing and a curse with technology. Everyone thinks they can be a DJ now, but, for example, my sister recently bought herself a DJ controller, and now she talks like she’s a DJ . I’m over here thinking, ‘Why do you have this?’ MaM : See, all the technology scratching for you is just not the same to me. TB : I guess you gotta get in where you fit in, right? It is what it is. MaM : So, what first got you into DJing and music? TB : That’s a great question. I was in a group with my brother and a good friend of ours. He lived right across the street from us. We were probably 9 or 10 years old. We had a little rap group and my uncle, who is from up north and used to come down and visit all the time, heard us rapping. He kind of took us under his wing and took us to a friend’s house where we did a little demo. The guy recording us went around the room asking each of us what we did, and my brother was like, ‘I’m the rapper,’ and my friend was like, ‘I’m the rapper, too.’ They get to me, and I go, ‘I’m the DJ ’—mind you, I did not have any DJ equipment, but once I said that, it just stuck and we went from there. I always just wanted to be a DJ . It's crazy to think about. I can’t recall one specific DJ who made me think, ‘That’s what I wanna do.” Now, I used to use my mom’s turntable sometimes. I used to take her stuff apart to see how it worked. She would bring records home, so I guess I can credit her as being the one to introduce me to hip-hop. I remember her bringing a record home by the Fat Boys and telling me to listen to [it]. It was ‘ Jailhouse Rap’ and it stuck with me. She had also brought home a record by Roxanne Shanté . After that, though, I remember I was hooked. A 12-year-old DJ Skillspinz / Photo provided by artist MaM : So, she didn’t care you were taking apart her turntable? Wait, did she know? TB : I don’t think she knew. I used to take her speakers apart, too, just to see how they worked. MaM : Then you put it back together the same way so she never noticed? TB : Yeah. Still to this day she doesn’t know. MaM : Well, she does now! (laughter) MaM : So, let me ask you: Who are you inspired by from that period of growing up? TB : I would say Jam Master Jay was a huge influence, ya know? I mean, Jazzy Jeff was a huge influence, too. DJ Magic Mike from Vicious Base and DJ Scratch from EPMD , too. I love all those DJs . I love a lot of DJs . MaM : I miss the music from that time period. I would love to bring it back and teach this generation what good rap and good hip-hop is. TB : That’s one reason I’m doing what I’m doing … [to] keep it alive. I used to think there wasn’t a place for it anymore, and I tried to create new stuff for the newer generation and stuff. I was just sitting down one day, and I was like, ‘I’m gonna put this mix out, this Wu-Tang one,’ and it just took off! I was like, ‘Oh shoot! People are still out there still loving this.’ MaM : Yep, like me. I was creeping around on your Instagram page and was like, “Man, this dude is awesome!” TB : Thank you. MaM : Just being honest. I love everything I’ve seen so far. My next question for you would have to be, at what age did you officially start DJing with your own equipment and everything? TB : Here’s a funny story. My aunt, God bless her soul, she bought [me] my first turntable. I used to watch Yo! MTV Raps and I saw the turntables the DJs were using, and I thought to myself, ‘Man, what kind of turntables are they using?’ A guy from my neighborhood had this magazine called J&R Music World . It was in New York , and that is where my aunt is from. I was looking through the book one day and came across the turntable all the DJs were using [and] I knew I needed that turntable. We had a family gathering and my aunt knew I loved music, [so] I told her about the turntable I had seen. She told me that if I made As and Bs on my report card that she would buy me my first turntable. A young DJ Skillspinz / photo provided by artist MaM : How old were you at that point? TB : I was in high school … 9th grade. … I ended up not making [all] As and Bs on my report card; I actually made a C. I went back to my teacher, though, and I was able to convince her to change my grade to a B. (laughs) I went right [then] and called my aunt to tell her the news, and about a week later, I came home from school one day and there was a turntable sitting in the chair in my living room. From then on, it was uphill. MaM : That is really cool you had your family’s support. What did you say to the teacher to get your grade changed? (laughter) TB : See, I was supposed to be reading this story. The whole class was reading this book, and we had to fill out a form showing where we were in the book. My teacher told me I was supposed to be further ahead than I was. I explained to her that I had made a mistake and filled out the form wrong and that I really was further along than I had written, and so she changed my grade. MaM : Dude, nice. I wish I would have had those powers of persuasion back in the day when I made a C. (laughs) DJ Skillspinz in Waco, TX / photo provided by artist TB : I want to throw this in there, too, about the turntable. My aunt only bought me the one turntable and I needed a second one, so, [I worked at a program for teenagers during the summers] and used the money to purchase the second one. MaM : Nice. So, you live in Georgia now, but is that where you grew up? TB : I am from Columbus, Ga ., born and raised. MaM : Never lived anywhere else? TB : I lived in Nashville, Tenn ., … then [when I was 18] in California for a while in South Central . MaM : What made you decide to move out there? Did you always want to? TB : Nah, I was trying to pursue music and had family [who lived out there]. Then, this guy who claimed to be a manager took me down a little path for a bit. You know, [you’re] learning [and] just trying to trust people because they say they’re gonna do certain things and, well, you live, and you learn. MaM : Yep, that you do. When did the music stuff start to take off for you? Where were you living when that happened? TB : I was back in Columbus . [I’d made] a mixtape, and [this guy out in California had a copy and he] ended up leaving the tape at someone’s house, and that someone gave it to somebody else, and that somebody gave it to this A&R with Rescue Records . [This] A&R guy was a former dancer of Vanilla Ice ’s. (laughs) MaM : Oh my gosh, wow. (laughter) TB : Yeah, well, let me tell you a funny story about that. He heard my mixtape and was like, ‘We need to find this kid,’ [so] they [contacted] me and wanted to sign me. The crazy thing about that is, I remember Vanilla Ice coming to Columbus [on tour] and my brother and I used to sneak into concerts, but [at that time], I didn’t want to see Vanilla Ice . We had gone in and seen who we wanted to see, but I remember being outside the Civic Center and I could hear Vanilla Ice telling the crowd to say stuff to his DJ . I didn’t want to hear that. The crazy thing is, this guy ( A&R rep) was inside dancing with Vanilla Ice , and we didn’t even know each other. Come years later, and this same guy signs me to the label. MaM : Whoah. That’s insane. That’s something I like to call a universal happening. It all comes back full circle. TB : For the record, though, I respect Vanilla Ice , and I love what he did for hip-hop , pushing the culture forward. MaM : Definitely, I agree. If people like Vanilla Ice hadn’t come around, I don’t feel there would be an Eminem. He paved the way, even with as much hate as he got. As far as current projects are concerned, are you working on releasing any additional albums? TB : I’m about to do another album. ‘ Table Manners ’ is new, but I have a few mixtapes I want to put out but just haven’t yet. I’m gonna do an actual project because people have been hitting me up about it. … I have some things coming up that are so freakin’ dope, so [there’s more coming soon]. Photo provided by artist MaM : Last question: Do you feel the platforms musicians have to release their music on these days is sufficient, or do you miss the way things used to be? TB : Honestly, I miss how things used to be. As I was saying before, it took you having to have talent to get signed and technology is a blessing and a curse, but I think either you have it or you don’t, and you shouldn’t rely on technology to get you a record deal or to get you hundreds of thousands of followers. That’s crazy when you think about it. Things have been watered down so much. I wish more people would take the time with their craft to refine it. To check out the work of this genius of the turntables, be sure to hit one of the links below! The Meet-ups | Dj Skillspinz Make The Bass | DJ Skillspinz (bandcamp.com) ‎DJ Skillspinz on Apple Music DJ Skillspinz (@djskillspinz) • Instagram photos and videos DJ Skillspinz | Spotify Dj Skillspinz | Facebook Episode 23.1 DJ Skillspinz - YouTube www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nicole Brice is a lifelong lover of hip-hop from the late 80s and early 90s, and will often have A Tribe Called Quest blaring in her car. It annoys her kids. Want to be featured? E-mail her at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Originally Huntsville celebrates live music by showcasing local North Alabama talent in a monthly music concert series with a benevolent cause. < Back Originally Huntsville: Monthly Music Event Bud Gambrell Oct 27, 2023 Share Originally Huntsville celebrates live music by showcasing local North Alabama talent in a monthly music concert series with a benevolent cause. When most people think of “Music City,” Huntsville, Alabama, is likely not the first place that comes to mind … but Chris Hendley wants it to be. Having been working towards building a Music-City atmosphere in Huntsville for several years now, Hendley kicked off 2023 by bringing a monthly music concert series to the city that would put local artists and local music at the forefront. Hosted by The Electric Belle at Stovehouse and event management connoisseurs The Hendley Group , Originally Huntsville shines the spotlight on musicians with ties to North Alabama. There is a catch though: In order to be considered, you can’t play covers. According to Hendley, the Originally Huntsville showcase is about showcasing North Alabama’s local talent and providing them with a space to perform their own original music. Originally Huntsville doesn’t allow any cover songs and in order to even be considered, you must have a set of at least 45 minutes that features your own original music. Originally Huntsville, which kicked off in January 2023, has definitely set a tone on the Huntsville music scene. Every person who walks in the door is privy to what, exactly, they’ll be hearing, and that, my friends, is original music—the kind these artists poured their hearts and souls into—matched with an authentic performance. Here is the win-win to Originally Huntsville: Not only do we get to see local bands highlight their original music, but the concert series also has a charity side. Originally Huntsville benefits Huntsville Hospital Pediatric Audiology. It’s no surprise, then, that Originally Huntsville has seen success and been a huge draw for local lovers and players of music. October’s event, which featured local bands HunniVega and The Grassring with headliner 5ive O’clock Charlie , brought with it a big change that saw the event moved to Mars Music Hall in Von Braun Center. Mixed Alternative Magazine was at Originally Huntsville and got to chat with Mike Roberts of 5ive O’clock Charlie about how it feels to be headlining such a worthy event. We were also curious why the change in venue, so we managed to snag founder/promoter Chris Hendley for a quick chat too. See what they had to say! MaM : Mike, thanks for speaking with us before you go on. What were your feelings when you were asked if you would headline Originally Huntsville in October? MR : We're pretty happy about it! You know, I'm pretty excited! Credit: Bud Gambrell MaM : A lot of big acts come through Huntsville and play at Mars Music Hall. How does that feel as a musician to be able to play on that stage? MR : It's good to be back on that stage. I played it a couple of times. Yeah, it's always fun to play on a big stage. MaM : You've been playing as a four-piece, but tonight you’re down to a three-piece. How's it going to feel to be back down to a Power Trio? MR : We were three-piece for a long time, so it should be pretty comfortable. We were in Key West last night as a three-piece and it was solid! Looking forward to it! Next, we caught up with event founder and promoter Chris Hendley. Credit: Bud Gambrell MaM : Chris, thanks for a taking a second to speak with us. We are curious: What led you to change Originally Huntsville from The Electric Belle and bring it over to Von Braun Center at Mars Music Hall? CH : The Electric Bell Stovehouse people have been so gracious with the with the rent deal and the event deal that we have with them. With scheduling, we had the flexibility in our scheduling that if they came up with a client or someone who wanted to rent the room, we would slide [our event] one week up or one week back. But in talking with Mike Roberts, who curated with 5ive O'clock Charlie, October 19th was the date we had, and we couldn't get [Electric Belle] to slide one way or the other. So luckily, in having a relationship with Mars Music Hall, they were able to work with me … We worked a really good deal here. So, we are excited about it—5ive O'clock Charlie and HunniVega and The Grassring needed a little bit more space than what Stovehouse and the Electric Belle had, so it just kind of worked out. MaM : Not only is this a spotlight for local talent, but it also has a charity side to it as well. Would you please elaborate on that? CH : We work with the Huntsville Hospital Pediatric Audiology department, and it is really for families and children who have hearing deficiencies that are not going to be cured by a hearing aid. Most of these audiologists will tell you really quickly whether hearing aids are going to work or not. Most insurances require a family to have a hearing aid for an infant or a toddler for at least three to six months before they'll even consider them for a cochlear implant, and that hearing aid for a pediatric, or for a young child, costs between $8,000 and $10,000. They have a loaner program, and they need to refurbish those hearing aids. It's just a stopgap between the hearing aid before they can get the cochlear implant. They know the hearing aid isn’t going to work, so we've been blessed to work with these guys, and you know, it just made sense for music and kids. All of the bands love the idea of being able to support this type of cause because their music is their passion, and they want these kids to experience it. As you can see, there’s a more than one reason to get to November’s Originally Huntsville event , which is the last Originally Huntsville of the year and takes place Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.), back at The Electric Belle. November’s event will feature Tim Cannon , Drunk In Memphis , and 3 Below . Tis the season for giving and kindness, and for some badass live, local North Alabama music, so mark your calendars and make those plans to get out and support live local music and give to a worthy cause. For more information on Originally Huntsville, visit them online at www.TheHendleyGroup.com Check out some more photos from the event below, in case you missed it! 5 O'Clock Charlie Hunnivega The Grass Ring *All photos by Bud Gambrell with Dragonfly Imagery www.dragonflyaerialimagery.com Dragonfly Aerial Imagery Dragonfly Aerial Imagery is a locally owned and operated photography business in North Alabama. Call or email us today for an appointment. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

One studio drummer who's tearin' it up < Back Justin Holder: North Alabama's Self-Proclaimed Drummer Ho Keeley Brooks May 24, 2023 Share One studio drummer who's tearin' it up I love doing what I do because I stumble across so many independently talented artists—like musician Justin Holder, for example. If you live up in or close to the Muscle Shoals area of Alabama, chances are you know who he is and not just because of his super funky hairdo. Holder is the go-to drummer in North Alabama for studio work, and he’s also a live drummer. I first met him back in early 2022 when he sat in the drummer seat to accompany UNA Entertainment Industries Professor Dr. Charles Brooks on his Black History Month tribute to Jimi Hendrix, which was beyond badass and had everyone on their feet. In case you missed it, you can catch that show in its entirety HERE . For now, here’s a peek at Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady” mixed with a bit of “Purple Haze.” Brace yourselves, though—it will melt your face off in every aspect from melody to groove to overall musical experience. Each of the musicians on that project put on one hell of an outstanding show. Holder becomes another person when he sits in the captain’s chair, losing sight of everything but the drums and the groove. He plays masterfully with such professional intelligence and finesse that watching and listening to him sucks you right into the music to get lost in his rhythm. He’s always prepared to the nines, and he knows his shit. Don’t mistake anything about him, though; he’s a pro through and through. He studies hard the music he plays, and he keeps a notebook nearby full of meticulous notes so he doesn’t have to worry about what he’s going to hit; he can just be musical. He’s got an incredible ear and a gifted sense of awareness that allows him to play off the rest of the band. He’s able to mesh easily with other musicians, too. “He's a consummate professional,” says Brooks, “the very definition of a hired gun who can walk into any situation and not just adapt to a style but emulate it in a way that’s authentic to the source of origin and fresh for the listener.” I had to know more about this self-proclaimed drummer ho and go-to studio drummer (at least in the North Alabama area), so I sat down to rap with him about how he fell into studio drumming, what he loves most about everything he does, and what advice he has for up-and-coming drummers out there. Check out our conversation. MaM : Justin, thank you so much for taking the time to rap with me about your groovy talent and occupations. Are you a Muscle Shoals-area native or a transplant? Tell us about yourself. JH : Thank you for having me! I’m actually born, raised, and currently live in Florence, Alabama. I’m both a studio drummer and a live drummer. I started out as a live player and then converted over to studio work. I’ve wanted to do studio work my whole life. I grew up around it. I love it. MaM : It’s our pleasure! First, let’s address this “Drummer Ho” thing, because inquiring minds want to know its origin. Please, the floor is all yours. JH : (laughs) Well, I’m Justin Holder, and when JLo came out, my buddy started calling me “JHo” and it just stuck. I sign everything with that [moniker] and when I went to make an email, I just did DrummerHo because it fit. (laughs) MaM : Dude, that is hilarious. And awesome. It fits you perfectly. Never, ever change it, please. So, drummer ho, what type of equipment do you use to drum shit up, and what are your favorite symbols and sticks? JH : (laughs) I have a DW drum set and a 1969 Ludwig kit. But the current one I use is a Maple YAMAHA Custom kit. My preferred symbols are the companies. I'm sponsored with Sabian symbols and Vater drumsticks. credit: Justin Holder social media MaM : Has music always been a part of your life? JH : From birth, my dad was a musician and he toured around my whole life. He had a studio, so I would grow up just doing homework at his studio and listening to him mix. And, you know, all the legendary musicians from our area were there in my house, but I didn't know who they were. They were just guys my dad recorded with. So, I've been around music my entire life ever since I was born. MaM : What was your life like during middle school and high school? Were you playing any music then? If not, where were you headed after graduation? JH : So, during middle school and high school, that's all I did. I mean, coaches gave me a hard time because they wanted me to play sports and I was like, ‘Nah, I'm just gonna play drums.’ (laughs) So, I did. We had a band called Salvatron and I was in a band called Prototype, and we played a bunch of churches and stuff like that. One was a punk band, hardcore. So, different kinds of music all through my high school and middle school days. And I played at church, of course, with my dad. That's where I first got my start. I remember it was a Tuesday night and it was a worship night … he let me get up, and I was just terrified. And there were seven people in the auditorium or whatever. But, after graduation, nothing was really going on here. I graduated in 2001 and moved to North Carolina with a guy named Will McFarlane; we just wanted more opportunity in life. MaM : When did you know you wanted to play drums? JH : Oh, I knew from the first time I saw Animal from The Muppets. He was in a tree singing ‘Rockin’ Robin,’ and I saw his drum set and just went, ‘Whoa.’ And that was it. I remember just being a young kid, I had pots and pans I would beat on. And my dad, like I said, was in a band, so I saw all the drummers. MaM : (laughs) Ah, Animal. He was the best. Do you remember your first live show as a drummer? JH : Of course, I do. But my dad and Will McFarlane were the first two that gave me an early shot to play live. I think I was, gosh, maybe 13? And I can't remember which one of them it was, but one of them paid us 50 bucks and it was just like, ‘Wow, I can do this and make $50?!’ (laughs) credit: Justin Holder social media MaM : Haha. Hey, fifty bucks is fifty bucks, man! Do you ever get nervous at live gigs? JH : I did, and I still do, to this day, get anxiety and nervous. [I could have a gig] in front of four people [and I’d} still get nervous. And I love that, because once those nerves are gone, you might as well give it up, start something else that makes you nervous, and get your blood flowing. But I always have a process, kind of, when I have to learn a lot of songs. I cram, cram, cram, cram. And I constantly question myself and think, ‘I'm never gonna remember all this. I'm not. I'm just not.’ So, I let it go. The night before [and] the next day, I wake up freaking out, [saying to myself], ‘You're never gonna remember all this.’ But as long as I do my due diligence and notate everything—I need to notate on a piece of paper or chart—I can make it through anything, and I've figured that out along the way. And so, but I still get nervous for any show, really. When I'm setting up, once I hit that first note, I'm comfortable—maybe the first song, sometimes, depending on how much I'm feeling or how much I've drunk. But usually everything works out. The moment I hit that first note, I'm like, ‘Okay, you do remember this. You've practiced, you know what you're doing.’ So, yes, I do still get nervous at live gigs. MaM : I can dig that, man. I know many people can. What does playing drums mean to you as an artist? What is drumming a source of for you? JH : For me, it's a source of … that's a good question. My father was a musician, so for me, it's, it was important to be a musician like him. That was, to me, I guess being a man back then. As an artist, the drum is the groove you know because when we're in the studio and I'm listening to something and the guitar players listening to something, we're listening to totally different things. He's going to accomplish one thing, I'm going to accomplish another, but we're gonna tie them together. So, you have a room full of guys that kind of know what they're doing and [know] what to look for, and, you know, I'm not hearing melodic changes a lot. I'm hearing rhythmic changes and timing, so as a drummer, I'm totally focused on the groove, the timing, what the tempo should be, and just how to make the song better. It's always about making the song better. That's why we check our egos at the door, first and foremost, because that could definitely get in the way. There's no ego involved. It's just whatever is best for the song. MaM : What does your evolution as a drummer encompass from where you started versus where you are now? JH : Wow, I'm only 40 years old, and I feel like lately I've kind of just been like, ‘You know what? This is easier than I thought it was.’ … But where I was to now, it's just experience, honestly. I mean, 10 years ago, I wouldn't have listened to what I know now, because I would think I'm not gonna have to do all that, like country and blah, blah, this, and this, and now it's like, ‘That's my job.’ So, knowing a lot of different types of music [and being able to] instantly relate to an artist [by being] aware of where they're coming from, that’s my job—to understand where people are coming from and to know what they mean by saying this, this, and this. MaM : What do you love most about what you do? JH : My dad was a musician, and all I ever wanted to do was play music because I saw him do it. He passed away 13 years ago, and I'm just continuing the legacy. Studio work is forever. Live gigs are in one ear out the other. But when you track a song, it's there forever. And that's what I love about the studio. I love the fact that it's an art in the studio. It's decisiveness. It's a gut feeling. It's gut reaction. But I love the excitement and not knowing what I'm getting into. credit: Justin Holder social media People always said, ‘You want me to sing any songs beforehand?’ Nope, I don't. I want to meet the artist the day of. They're gonna look at me all weird, I'm gonna look at them all weird, and then all of a sudden, with the first time we kick into a song, or they hear me do a drum check, they're like, ‘Okay, I feel good now; this guy's good.’ So, that's what I love about studio. It's forever, and there's an art form to it, and getting better at this art form is really fun. MaM : That’s beautiful, man. Well, I know you're in a couple of bands, so tell us about them. JH : So, one band I'm in is called Drumb and Drumber with a guy named Chad Berdine. I play guitar and sing and play some hand drums. It started because I needed to pay my utility bill and drums weren't paying me a lot. (laughs) I didn't have a lot of work when i moved [back] here twelve years ago, and I didn't want to get a job, so I said, ‘You know what? I can play some covers,’ and I did it one night [and realized] I don't need to rely on anybody else anymore. I can do this all on my own. And then Chad came to me and said, ‘Let me play with you.’ Next thing you know, we called it Drumb and Drumber. We've opened McDonald's for corporate events, we've played at the National Predators Game nine times or something like that, and now he owns wedding venues. So primarily, we do a lot of weddings. I’m also in another group called Fathers and Sons . We put this together just for us. It's a bunch of studio guys: Jamie McFarlane, Kelvin Holly, Will McFarlane, Janet McFarlane, and C Thurman and me. We play whenever we get booked, but we mainly play every Tuesday night at FloBama Restaurant in downtown Florence from 7-10 p.m. We kind of put that together just for us to get our rocks off … cut loose and play. We just wanted to put together a band and have fun and do some songs that we wanted to do. I also play with a guy named Cole Nichols, but my other project is Gary Nichols. I've been playing with Gary for a long time, and he's a Grammy winner with The Steel Drivers who won Bluegrass Album of the Year. He and I just recorded his new record, and we're gonna be putting that out, hopefully see where that goes. I’m also currently playing with Dixie Mafia. So, a lot of exciting things on the horizon mixed in with also doing session work, you know? MaM : When did you become a session drummer? How did you fall into that? JH : My dad was a studio musician and [I grew] up around all The Swampers (aka The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section ) here in town. There's something special about recording. It really is special. I've grown up around it and I've seen the art form my whole life, so I wanted to do that. When I moved back from North Carolina to Muscle Shoals, I knew … there were session guys and they were getting the work, but, you know, they were all aging. And I hate to say it that way, because we had some greats: Bob Evans, Roger Clark, Milton Sledge, Roger Hawkins, and Mike Dylan, who's still around with us. But … there was a need for more drummers, I have to say it. So, I moved back and plugged myself in, and I got really close with the guys at Fame Studios , and they just started using me slowly but surely. And next thing you know, twelve years later, I feel like I'm the go-to guy. I don't wanna call myself that, but I'd like to think that I am, you know? I'm still aspiring to be ‘that guy’ and get better at things. I've sacrificed a lot to be a session drummer. I probably could have been on the road playing with other people, but I knew that that session drumming is what I wanted to do. I wanted to get better at that. I could get better at being a live player and going out and networking and schmoozing my way up the ladder like anybody could do, you know, but I wanted to plug away at the studio … because it's forever. It's very special to me and my father all that kind of stuff. credit: Justin Holder social media MaM : Drop some big names you’ve played with over the years. JH : Little Richard, Delbert McClinton, Kris Kristofferson, Foy Vance, Jason Isbell, John Paul White, Rick Hall, Jim Gaines, Jimmy Hall, Shenandoah, Donny Fritz, The Swampers, T. Graham Brown—I’m on his new record, which features Sammy Hagar, Billy Gibbons, and Daniel Tucker—but that hasn't come out yet. Those are just a few names. There’s many more. MaM : Your life must be pretty busy. Given all that you do, how do you find a balance between working, playing, and home life? JH : I'll be honest with you, I struggle at that a lot of times, because I'm a kind of guy who if I'm working from ten in the morning until ten at night, I'm gonna have time to myself in that night … I can't just come home and go to bed. I have to have my personal mental quiet time. I play Fortnight with my wife a lot. (laughs) I'm not a gamer, but something about that is very peaceful after I’ve been in the studio dissecting songs all day. It's not physically tiring on me; it's mentally draining. And that's tough. credit: Rachel Neal Pictures I have a 14-year-old daughter and a wife. We find our ways to bond with each other. I still am challenged with finding a balance in everything. Right now, I'm in a season of just working as much as possible. And whenever somebody calls me, I go; I'm a yes man. … I don't get a lot of days off, and so when I do, I do nothing … absolutely nothing. MaM : Any advice for those interested in maybe becoming a studio drummer? JH : If you're interested in becoming a drummer, the first thing I could tell you to do that I wish somebody would have told me to do is to suck it up, nancy boy, and listen to every kind of music you don't like! If you wanna be a studio guy, you're gonna do a lot of shit that you don't wanna do. And it's not that you can't find the joy in it, it's just, ‘Wow, this isn’t really my cup of tea. I don't really listen to this.’ Well, you f**king need to listen to it because you're gonna need to know how to do this kind of stuff in the studio. And I've learned that along the way. I was stubborn and didn't want to do that. And guess what? [They’ll just get] somebody that can do it. So, in my opinion, if you want to be an overall versatile player that gets called all the time, you gotta listen to so much crap you don't like and stuff you do like. If you want to be a Tik-Toker, you want to be a YouTuber, you wanna be a live drummer, go practice all the chops and the licks that you can do, get as fast as you want. But if you want to become a session studio drummer, nine times out of ten, you're not gonna get called for that. You know, they always say a bad drummer makes a good band sound bad, and a good drummer makes a bad band sound good. And that's very true. All an artist needs us to do is be the anchor and be the groove. So, I would say listen to every style of music there is [and] give yourself seven days out of the week. One day do jazz. Second day do country. Third day, do another genre. And just dissect how drumming is different in each one of those categories, because that's what you're gonna be using when you come into the studio. Also, learn how to tune a f**king drum set. I probably get hired more because of my tuning than I do my playing. And learn fundamentals. I think the three basic rudiments to start off with are singles, doubles, paradiddles. And there you have it, folks. Studio Drumming 411 from the studio drummer ho himself. To see Justin play live, you can catch him every Tuesday night at FloBama Downtown Restaurant and Music Venue in Florence, Alabama, from 7-10 p.m. Drumb and Drumber plays every other Thursday at the Marriott Inn in Florence from 5-7 p.m. at Swampers Lounge . For more on Justin Holder, hop over to YouTube and search “Justin Holder Drummer” or “Justin Holder Fame” and peruse through the many videos of him in the studio and elsewhere. You can also find Justin on Facebook @JustinHolderDrummer . www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Stockholm Syndrome is a mental exercise that challenges you to think critically. < Back Reviews on the Real: Stockholm Syndrome by Fishbone Nicole Brice Sep 25, 2025 Share Stockholm Syndrome is a mental exercise that challenges you to think critically. It's rare for an entire album to resonate with me as deeply as the latest release from Fishbone, titled Stockholm Syndrome . This masterfully crafted album is filled with profound truths that emerge in every song. Each track flows seamlessly into the next, and no two songs sound alike. The strength of this album lies in its lyrics, which convey wisdom to those who are awakened while also offering narratives that are accessible to the general audience. For those of us who truly understand, we recognize the significance of the messages on this album, and Fishbone provides the perfect soundtrack for our ongoing journey. Released June 20, 2025 Fishbone's latest album isn't just a collection of songs; it's a mental workout, challenging you to think critically in an age where mindless consumption is the norm. The band has never shied away from confronting uncomfortable truths, and this time they invite you to engage mentally—an idea that feels foreign in a culture hooked on passive scrolling and shallow perspectives. This fourth incarnation of the band includes: Angelo Moore (Vocals, Sax, Theremin, Percussion), Christopher Dowd (Vocals, Keyboards, Trombone), Tracey Singleton (guitar), Hassan Hurd (Drums), JS Williams (Trumpet, Vocals), and James Jones (Bass). Credit: Matt Dessner Thematically, the album explores the concept of psychological captivity, echoing the haunting complexity of Stockholm Syndrome, where the oppressed not only accept their chains but also defend their captors. It serves as a reminder that mental freedom begins with awareness, and Fishbone is here to shake things up. " Now that you've got a stake in the game. Now that you've got your own lane. On with the show, let's go... this is it! Now that you've got a full tank of gas. With a crew at your back when it's time to whoop ass. On with the show, let's go... this is it! " -Suckered by Sabotage Let’s roll with a detailed review of every track. Last Call in America (ft George Clinton) This is an upbeat tune that poses all the questions we have while announcing the "last call" for America. It’s truly remarkable! I found myself throwing my arms up and singing along while dancing in the laundry room to this one. "Last Call in America!" Who knew that doom and gloom could be so upbeat? I have to keep dancing until the world ends. Last Call in America Video Adolescent Regressive Behavior This track is high-energy and packed with the grooves that Fishbone is famous for—it's another solid addition to their repertoire. Dog Eat Dog Cheerful and engaging, yet it conveys a profound story. Pay attention to this one. Suckered by Sabotage I love everything about this song. The beginning has such a punk rock energy that I feel like bumping into people and slam dancing. Then, when it slows down and the groove takes over, it creates a laid-back vibe that's full of funk. And that chorus! It sneaks up on you, and before you know it, you'll be singing along. Video for Suckered by Sabotage Secret Police Truth. This song embodies all truth: the guitar, the groove, the drums, and the message. Listen closely. The guitar work on this track is truly exquisite; it establishes the tone for the powerful message. Secret Police Lyric Video Gelato the Clown Guess what? Bullies always get what’s coming to them, and Fishbone wants you to know this. Amazing track. Why Do We Keep on Dying This is an outstanding reggae track with a powerful message. You’re going to love it! Hellhounds On My Trail It’s just fun ska with a great message. Hellhounds on My Trail Video Racist Piece of Shit Try not to sing along to this one. I dare ya. I double dare ya. It’s just too damn catchy. Living On the Upside Down It’s got an ethereal 80s vibe with more truth. Dive in. All About Us The beginning has a great rockabilly vibe that makes you want to dance. When the horns start, be prepared to look for someone to dance with. Love is Love The most impactful message to conclude an album, especially in today's world. Experience it fully with headphones. I listened using my pink ones. What makes this album so important is its timing. In an era of political unrest, cultural upheaval, and increasing polarization, Fishbone serves up an urgent and unfiltered perspective rooted in decades of lived experience. This isn’t nostalgia – it’s resistance, revival, and a reckoning. To learn more about Fishbone: www.fishbone.net Fishbone Fishbone is Red Hot! Welcome to the official website for the legendary Ska-Punk band from California. Hailed as one of the greatest live bands of all time, Fishbone hasn't slept for 40 years and keeps getting better! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Drop us a line at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Jonathan Machen aka Profit is a lyrical prophet of rock and hip-hop subgenres fueled by the deepest levels of pain and enlightenment. < Back Jonathan Machen aka Profit: Finding Refuge in Music Nicole Brice Dec 11, 2023 Share Jonathan Machen aka Profit is a lyrical prophet of rock and hip-hop subgenres fueled by the deepest levels of pain and enlightenment. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

She Might Be a Beast unleashes the raw power of Neo-Grunge with their latest album, “Art Class” < Back She Might Be a Beast: An Enigma of Youth, Retro Vibes, and Energy Erica Machen Nov 29, 2023 Share She Might Be a Beast unleashes the raw power of Neo-Grunge with their latest album, “Art Class” She Might Be a Beast, hailing from the melting pot of eclectic music that is New Orleans, La., electrifies listeners with their unique Neo-grunge sound. The band is comprised of the Brezinsky brothers, Jake and Julian, alongside John Williams. Jake is the lead vocalist and guitarist, with Julian on bass and back-up vocals, while John bangs on the drums. They infuse their music with a blend of 90s-inspired grunge, punk, and metal, dashed with that distinctive NOLA spice. The trio's live performances are nothing short of exhilarating, which can be found all over their YouTube page. As a matter of fact, I was excited to interview them after just a few minutes of video watching. Following our chat, I am beyond motivated to catch a live performance. It doesn’t hurt that sharing the stage with iconic acts like Doyle from the Misfits and Powerman 5000 is propelling their rise in the local music scene, and their fan-base is gaining momentum. “ Art Class ” is the latest album from She Might Be a Beast, and it reveals their unwavering commitment and adeptness in showcasing their distinct Neo-grunge style that continues to bewitch their listeners and audiences. Released August 1, 2023 Their creative process is dynamic, with instrumentals and lyrics converging into powerful compositions at the band’s creative hub called "The Maze". That’s where spontaneous jam sessions become the breeding ground for evolving riffs and energizing lyrics that can transform into future hits. The band's future is brimming with excitement, with an upcoming single set to pump us up. They have a drive to provide unforgettable experiences through their music that sets them apart and makes way for an engaging journey ahead. With that being said, She Might Be a Beast's passion and exceptional talent have promise for lasting impact on the music scene. Keep an eye out for their next performance and be prepared, because they ARE a beast! Check out our conversation! MaM : Hey guys, thanks so much for speaking with me today. I have Jake, Julian, and John, correct? Jake : That’s right! We’re pretty excited for the interview! MaM : Cool, so am I! Since our readers are getting introduced to She Might Be a Beast today, and all three of you are here, how about each of you give a brief self intro? Jake : All right. Sounds good. I guess I'll go first. I'm Jake. I sing lead vocals, and I play guitar … And, yeah, I really enjoy playing in our band. I do a lot of the management for the band as well. I couldn't do it without Julian and John. John : What's up? I'm John. I'm a drummer, of course. What can I say? We got good thing going here. We’re really motivated with a level head and a lot of good and interesting material, from our writing to our live shows. Things have been moving forward and progressing, and we’ve really been putting in a lot of work. Julian : And I'm Julian, bassist and mostly harmony. It's such an awesome thing, being able to play music and do it, you know, semi-professionally right now. That's the dream, you know. So, we're having a great time! MaM : Jake and Julian, y'all are brothers, right? SMBAB : That’s right. MaM : John, how did you come into the mix? John : They had another drummer prior to me. He had some complications in his life and kind of wanted to take [a break from] music for a little bit. I met Jacob when he was still in another band called Everyday Addiction. [He] and I met up before the rehearsal, jammed in my space, and got pretty cool with each other. We kept each other's contact information, and once the other drummer decided to take a break, he called me. The next thing you know, I auditioned with them, and I was in the band. Credit: Facebook MaM : Awesome! Sometimes it just falls into place like that. Please, go on … John : Oh, yeah, it was a nice little thing how it happened. But, ya know … MaM : Y’all hit me out of nowhere with a blast of nostalgia coupled with some New Age sounds. How did you find your sound? Tell me about your influences. Jake : Well, we all love rock and roll, and some of our favorite bands are Alice in Chains, Green Day, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. We also mix that kind of heavier grungy metal vibe with the music that we've grown up with. You know, we are all born and raised in New Orleans, so there’s a dash of NOLA spice in there. We see our music as a mix of punk rock, 90’s grunge, metal, and then, like I said, that little dash of NOLA funk. MaM : I feel that! I immediately heard Green Day as one of your influences when I checked you guys out. I kind of even felt some 311 vibes in your instrumentals, with an STP edge. I even heard a little Brandon Boyd (Incubus) with you, Jake, in your vocals. Do you all get compared to other bands often? Julian : Yeah, people tell us all the time … that we sound just like whomever from the 80s or 90s, but it’s always a different band in every show that someone says we sound like. Some nights we get Alice in Chains, and the next weekend we hear Green Day. Credit: Facebook MaM : Do you find it flattering or are some of the comparisons confusing for y’all? Julian : I like it. I mean, if it was just one band all of the time we got compared to, I feel like it would get old. With the variety, sometimes I hear a band that I never even really knew I was very inspired by, but the connections were there. MaM : Tell me about She Might Be a Beast’s peaks and valleys through the industry so far? Jake : I feel like that's a good question for me, because I deal with a lot of the management and reaching out for booking and stuff. We've had a lot of support through a lot of the people we've met in this industry, and the community is really one of the biggest things that propels us to the next level. With that being said … 95% of the people that I reach out to will definitely ignore me. It's just something that happens, but that can't stop you. [Eventually] we started getting onto bigger shows where we’re opening for more famous people. … We actually opened for Doyle, who is the guitar player for the Misfits. Credit: Facebook MaM : What performance that y'all have done so far spoke to y'all? John : We’ve done a couple of House of Blues shows, and this placed called Southport Hall. We played a gig on a Monday night; I believe it was for a band called Cynic. They had a lot of fans there, especially that show, for the opening act. It's kind of a blessing whenever your fan base is semi-growing and starting to get established, but you don't really have to rely on your fans showing up with everyone at that show. You can gain new fans from playing for other people. MaM : How do you get so much energy going before you play? How do you shake the nerves and bring the same intense level every time? Jake : Well, we do really love to jam. It's what keeps us doing this. It's what started us doing this in the first place, and we get really excited playing our music. You're only on stage for a lot of these shows for maybe 30 minutes to an hour. So, we want to leave everything on the stage and give the fans the best, best show possible. They're paying for these shows. So, we want to give them all the energy. We want them to go to sleep thinking about the show and wake up and talk to their friends about how much fun they had. Credit: Facebook MaM : It truly looks like y'all are accomplishing that! So, with things like the pandemic, AI infiltration, and even social media algorithms directly impacting artists and bands, how do you stay motivated to keep pushing through all of that? Jake : You know, that is an interesting one, because it seems like every single day there's another AI to steal somebody's job doing the things a lot of creatives have done for a long time. At the same time, that AI can do some pretty impressive things, there's just no way for AI to replicate human soul and music in writing and stuff like that. I think there's always going to be something special about the human mind and heart when they're putting themself into a piece of work. You know? Credit: Facebook MaM : Absolutely, and you can't match that human experience. So, I am going to ask you my favorite question now. Just hear me out: What came first the chicken or the egg? SMBAB : Um … What do y'all think? I don’t know, the egg. I think it would have to be the egg, for sure. MaM : That’s my cheeky little way to ask you about your writing. SMBAB : There it is! (laughs) Julian : It’s different because there are lyrics that we will hold on to. If you come up with something that you really find to be a good lyric, you hold it. But then we’ll come up with instrumentals separately and pair them sometimes. Most of the time, because we are all heavy on improvisation, we’ll just be in the jam room together and come up with a riff. Usually, the riff comes first when we're playing together, we come up with a song, and the lyrics are usually added after. But like we said, sometimes those lyrics could have been saved from before. We are a musician’s band, so we love playing the instruments … totally playing chronologically like that—writing the riffs and the lyrics all in the same day. Credit: Facebook MaM : What are you currently working on? Jake : We just released our full-length album, ‘Art Class’, and we’re really happy with that. At the same time, we do have a few new songs we've been playing live and a few even newer ones we're trying to write at the same time. So, I think next for us, when it comes to the music, we're going to be releasing a single. It’s going to be called ‘Walk with Me’, and it’s a really, really high energy, exciting rock song. We’re told all the time that people have a lot of fun when we play that song. MaM : Very cool. Well, guys, congrats on the release of “Art Class”, and thank you guys for a dope interview! I appreciate your time! SMBAB : And thank you so much! *cover photo from Facebook For more on She Might Be a Beast, visit them online at www.SheMightBeABeast.com . Erica Machen is a beast when it comes to consuming, writing about, and reviewing music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Pure energy, speed, and catchy lyrics < Back VOID: Lafayette’s Answer to the Modern Thrash Metal Scene Je'an-Paul Keller Jul 9, 2023 Share Pure energy, speed, and catchy lyrics Coming up August 19, 2023, Louisiana’s own metal masters VOID are set to perform at Rad Fest 2023 at PARC International in Lafayette, Louisiana, and they are the first in our installment of interviews with all the acts on the bill. These guys are the new face of heavy metal and if you’re not familiar with them yet, you soon will be. The five-piece powerhouse of thrash metal goodness known as VOID formed in Lafayette, Louisiana, in 2019 by the Davenport brothers, Jackson and Logan, who grew up loving bands like Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Anthrax, to name a few. I truly went into the void when I listened to their debut album “Horrors of Reality.” It’s pure nostalgia and an excellent nod to the mid-to-late 80’s thrash metal days of the past—Jackson guitars and Marshall amps that punch through your ear drums straight to your brain. The current line-up is Jackson Davenport (vocals), Gabe LeJeune (guitar), Logan Davenport (bass), Alex Bernard (guitar), and Aaron Landry (drums). credit: Chad Besse Everything about this band is pure energy and speed, with catchy screaming lyrics that will make you think, make you laugh, or make you get lost in your own mind; either way, VOID’s music will leave you wanting more. These guys almost incite a riot every single night they take the stage due to the intensity of their shows, and they love interacting with their fans. Ready to emerge from the Louisiana metal scene and take the world by storm, VOID is like a pack of hungry sharks and is quickly gaining local and national attention. Tearing up the Gulf Coast with their in-your-face riffs, ripping dueling leads, melodic harmonies, tasteful bass lines, and fast and precise drumming, VOID is a band you need to check out now . Not to mention, they have insanely visual music videos. Currently on tour with Labyrinth and Life on Mars, I recently caught up with Jackson and Lily Shea, the band’s photographer and videographer, to rap about who they are, their live videos, and what the future holds for them. Here’s your chance to get to know a little more about VOID, then afterwards, be sure to catch them at Rad Fest 2023 in August. MaM : I’ve been listening to your album for the last two days and I really like it. The thrash metal sound totally brings me back to my childhood and growing up in the eighties. Jackson : Awesome, man, I appreciate that. MaM : Who or what has inspired your sound? Jackson : We formed back in 2019, and we were very driven by Black Sabbath, weirdly enough. We wanted to play stuff like Black Sabbath but heavier. Then, over the years, we [went] through a few different line-up changes, and we found thrash metal. You know, coming out of the big four, we found bands like Exodus, Testament, and Forbidden. I think those three bands are very big inspirations to us, and still are with the music that we write today. credit: Chad Besse MaM : Awesome. I actually thought you guys sounded a lot like Anthrax, MEGADETH, old school Metallica, and old school Slayer. Jackson : Those are definitely sources of inspiration as well. Whenever we started playing thrash, we wanted to be Metallica so bad, and then we kind of just grew out of that and found the better stuff, I guess. I mean, I still got [sic] love for Metallica, but that’s basically where it all came from, I guess. MaM : What would you say influences you to make music? Jackson : Music is a way for me, and I speak for all the guys, and I say this, but it’s a way for us to basically escape from our problems and stress and get together and work on something as a team to make something awesome that we’re all proud of. So, we always look forward to writing new music, because it gives us an excuse to go out and work as a team and create something. credit: Chad Besse MaM : Can you tell us a little more about how your band initially came together? Jackson : It started with me and two buddies. We were jamming some old Black Sabbath songs in the garage and were like, “DUDE, let’s start a band,” and we did. We all had musical differences, though, and kind of parted ways after that initial jam session, but the name VOID and the idea just kind of stuck with me and I ended up finding the people that had the same vision I had, and we just kind of started it from there. MaM : Love the name for the band and was wondering if you could give us a little background info on it? Jackson : So, it actually goes back to the whole Black Sabbath thing. We worshipped Black Sabbath and wanted to play music like that. We were playing at a party a long, long time ago, but we didn't have a name and decided on VOID because of “Into the Void” and the whole Black Sabbath imagery thing. It just kind of stuck. credit: Chad Besse MaM : I love your sound and your tone. What mic do you use? And whenever you generate your voice, what kind of vocal exercises do you do beforehand? Jackson : I'm the worst person to ask about this, but usually I'm using a Shure SM 58 for vocals. For other shows that are more like DIY, I have this one vocal mic that belongs to our drummer that I like to use. I cannot think of the name right now. I make sure I drink a lot of water with honey in it, too, because that helps. I'll run through scales with my voice, too, before shows and usually it helps lubricate my throat. MaM : I’ve noticed your fans like to join you on stage sometimes at shows. How does that make you feel? Jackson : It's awesome, dude! It's so cool, man. Makes me feel like all our hard work is paying off when people sing our songs with us. MaM : Your whole look and your music videos and images are quite unique. Will you shed a little light on the inspiration behind some of the videos you guys have done? Lily Shea : It has become second nature to have my camera out all the time because I never know when I'm gonna strike gold, but the music videos are just such a blast and everything we do is impulsive. credit: Chad Besse MaM : Was the video for “Voodoo” shot at a real cemetery or on a studio set? Jackson : It was shot at Fright Trail in Scott, Louisiana, which is almost like a haunted house attraction because it's all woods and creepy. MaM : You guys did a bad-ass cover of Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets.” Is there a particular reason you decided to cover that song? Jackson : We've only played that song maybe two or three times and it was because at a jam practice one time, I started singing the words “sweating bullets” in a Dave Mustaine-sounding voice and then we discussed playing it. We initially ran through it as a joke, but it sounded kind of cool. We played it for the next few shows after that until we got tired of it. credit: Chad Besse MaM : Can I ask how tagging Snoop Dogg for the “Feeding Frenzy” video came about? Jackson : We are so stupid and think that we're so funny. “Feeding Frenzy” was a brand-new song at the time, and when I was typing out the captions for the video, I asked the guys in the band what else should I put. ‘Is that all that I should put?’ Someone in the band mentioned tagging Snoop Dogg, so I put in the captions, “Everybody tag Snoop Dogg,” and I got so many comments tagging him because of it. Snoop never did see the video, but I’m sure he would have loved it. credit: Chad Besse MaM : What does the future hold for VOID? Jackson : Right now, we are working on a new single. We want to put out new music by August or September as a refresh for our fans. We probably won't do another full length for about a year or so, but we are also in talks with some big-name bands to play shows, too, so we’ve got quite a bit coming up. - To experience VOID for yourself, be sure to check out one of their links below, and don’t forget to catch them at Radfest in August! • VOID • | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree Void | Spotify *cover photo courtesy of Chad Besse Je’an Paul Keller is a member of the 501st Legion and a huge sci-fi nerd. He’s also a HUGE music lover and is very passionate about drawing, sketching, painting, and making cosplays and movie-accurate costumes. The force is strong with this one. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Aeternum Vale is heavy, ruthless, and unapologetically Southern. < Back Reviews on the Real: From Misery to Malice Bids Farewell with Ferocity on Aeternum Vale EP Nicole Brice Jun 30, 2025 Share Aeternum Vale is heavy, ruthless, and unapologetically Southern. Let me begin this review by expressing how refreshing it is to discover the music of From Misery to Malice , a Louisiana-based Deathcore and Death Metal band. Since they are the only band with their name, I don’t have to sift through ten other bands with the same name; there is a direct path to their music. Released on June 27, 2025, Aeternum Vale is an expertly crafted EP filled with layered sounds, making it difficult to categorize truly. It’s heavy, ruthless, and unapologetically Southern, and it’s best heard loud. Released June 27, 2025 The EP features two previously released singles from 2023 and 2024 , along with several new tracks. How would I describe the sound of From Misery to Malice? It’s brutal and unrelenting, blending punishing breakdowns, guttural vocals, and atmospheric elements that tap into the darker corners of human emotion. It’s real and embodies the chaos and aggression of classic deathcore while infusing modern influences that keep their sound fresh and hard-hitting. At its core, it's just good. There is something for everyone with this offering, so let's dive in. Circle of Death – thematic opening with piano that builds to a thunderous sound where a harpsichord is heard faintly in the background until the track just explodes. It’s got groove, it’s got heavy vocals, and you’ll find yourself nodding your head in unison with the groove. Great track. Strangers – the guitar opening on this one is incredible and then the song just starts rolling with this sludgy and heavy abyss of sounds. It’s dark, and it’s just good. Terraform – the drums that open this track are fierce, and then it just rolls, and never stops. I think this is my favorite track on the EP because it’s got so many layers to it with guitar breakdowns, etc. Skin of Glass – there is no thematic opening with this one – solid deathcore all the way through A Wilted Waltz – previously released in 2024 – this track is a great introduction to the music of From Misery to Malice because it defines their sound perfectly Is this Limbo … - released in 2023 – cinematic is the best way I could describe this song. It would make an excellent backing track for a horror film. It’s just intense. I rate this EP a perfect 10/10 for its artistic vision, diversity, and expression. It's an outstanding EP that captivates your attention from start to finish. No song feels boring; each one is distinctly different from the last. Be sure to stream Aeternum Vale now on your favorite platform! Aeternum Vale on YouTube To learn more about From Misery to Malice: Spotify: From Misery to Malice | Spotify Apple Music: ‎From Misery to Malice - Apple Music Facebook: Facebook Instagram: From Misery to Malice (@fmtmband) • Instagram photos and videos www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Sisu is an enjoyable homage to Rambo but with much more badassery < Back Sisu: Film Review Keeley Brooks Aug 9, 2023 Share Sisu is an enjoyable homage to Rambo but with much more badassery Rating: 5 out of 5 dead Nazis This past weekend while looking for a good movie to watch, I came across Sisu , a 2022 historical action thriller written and directed by Jalmari Helander ( Wing Man ). The film is an enjoyable homage to Rambo but with much more badassery and even sweeter fight scenes. And after engaging in an hour-and-a-half of action, blood, guts, and sheer badassery, I’m of the opinion that more movies would benefit from having more scenes where Nazis are mercilessly mowed down. Did I mention Sisu contains Nazis? No? My bad. Allow me. In a mostly wordless movie full of fist beating, excessive gunfire, and a plethora of exploding landmines, Sisu is set in 1944 during the last days of World War II on a scorched-earth retreat through Lapland, a snowy, northern region of Scandinavia. It follows Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila, of Rare Exports ), a grizzled gold prospector and former military commander whose family was slaughtered during the war. In their absence, he’s lived a solitary life roaming Finland’s countryside with his horse and loyal dog, embodying the movie’s title. Nearly untranslatable, the word sisu best translates, according to Helander , as, “a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination that manifests when all hope is lost” … the unrelenting will to survive. Aatami isn’t immortal, though; “he just refuses to die.” While out panning for gold one day, Aatami finds a tiny nugget that entices him to start digging holes, excavating the land as gunfire and exploding shells encroach upon his antiquated site. When he finally strikes the motherload, he falls back, crying tears of ecstasy. He gathers up as much gold as he can take with him, then packs up his horse to head home. On the way—his fortune of nuggets tucked away in his horse’s saddlebags—he comes across a band of sullen Nazis led by a brutal SS officer, who are also hauling their own find: a cadre of young Finnish women. Aatami never says a word as the Nazis find and take his gold, then threaten him, which turns out to be a big mistake. The fight to retrieve his loot inspires our hero with a supernatural kind of determination that’s as caked on him as the blood and mud lodged in the lines of his face. He fights across roads populated by landmines; he survives when the horse he’s riding triggers a landmine and explodes; he survives a hanging; he even slices men’s throats underwater and uses their air bubbles to stay underwater and breathe, thereby avoiding capture. Carnage drips from every corner of the frame in Sisu , which Director Jalmari Helander says is inspired by his favorite action movie of all time, Rambo . “I was so blown away by the scene,” he tells GQ Magazine , where Rambo takes a sewing kit out from the bottom of his knife and begins stitching up his lacerated arm on the edge of a cliff. “I wanted to make an homage to that but in a more badass way.” Sisu is a visceral gut-punch that’s every bit as entertaining as John Wick , Rambo , Nobody , Mad Max: Fury Road , and The Raid but very much features its own level of badassery in Aatami’s ferocity, mental and physical toughness, creative fight sequences, and undying will to survive. He is one tough SOB, enacting some pretty sweet kill maneuvers and digging out his own bullets with a dirty knife, then setting fire to his own wounds to close them … without passing out. He survives extreme hunger, thirst, a beating with a metal hook, knife gashes, and a plane crash. He also survives and kills more than 30 Nazis, and how he does so will have you on the edge of your seat watching with excitement. Throughout their cat-and-mouse game across the barren land, Aatami unleashes the worst of hell with a super creative imagination for gory retribution, as well as for slicing, dicing, decapitating, and blowing Nazis to smithereens—his underlying set of beliefs breathing fire out of life. With copious amounts of blood throughout its scenes, Sisu ’s effects department deserves some mad props for their outstanding efforts, as does the editing department. For example, in the scene where Aatami and his horse unknowingly trigger a landmine, the horse explodes, taking most of the brunt of the explosion. This scene is done extremely well. It’s the first big “Whoah!” moment of the movie. The horse explodes into chunks and bits, and every bit of it looks so very real. Don’t worry, though; no actual horses were harmed in the shooting of this movie. There’s also a great scene where a tank rolls over a dead Nazi; those effects are stellar. Sisu also has some great messages buried within its plot. The sisu legend is about refusing to give up, no matter what, even when the odds are against you and when Death is reaching out to grab you with its decrepit, old fingerbones. There’s also a message of female empowerment in the gang of captured Finnish women. Once Aatami takes out the Nazis driving the truck with the women in it, he greets the women wearing a shoulder full of automatic and bolt-action weapons. What was once a group of Nazi captures becomes a gang of ruthless, Nazi-killing, gunfighting badasses—a refreshing addition to the male-centric movie. Sisu is a mega-hit all the way around: great story with an encapsulating legend full of no-frills, high-octane action; smooth and well performed execution; well-choreographed kills and fight scenes; gorgeous cinematography; outstanding special effects; quality acting full of raw, brutal emotion; gnarly sound effects accompanying actions like crunching bones and poking a sharp needle through skin; and a perfectly accompanying soundtrack to heighten what’s happening on screen. Aatami is, essentially, a symbol for Finland’s masculinity: quiet, humble, and strong. “If I put it shortly,” Helander says, “the [main] message of the film is: ‘Don’t f**k with the Fins.’” Don’t mess with people in Finland ... noted! Sisu is currently available to rent on Video On Demand, Apple TV, Prime Video, and Roku. Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘High Desert Lows’ is an EP full of songs that speak of truth. < Back Reviews on the Real: Doctor Nez’s ‘High Desert Lows’ Nicole Brice Nov 22, 2024 Share ‘High Desert Lows’ is an EP full of songs that speak of truth. One thing I love about discovering new music is that you never know what you’ll find when you hit that play button. Case in point, the newest EP from Doctor Nez , aka Kenny Charters, a desert rock musician originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who now resides in Colorado. I had no clue what to expect upon listening to his newest EP for the first time, but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed once I sat down to consume all 27 minutes of his unique blend of desert rock . Photo provided by artist Doctor Nez's music, with its crisp, clean vocals, resonates with the human experience. His lyrics, which touch on truth, sorrow, focus, and determination, are a reflection of life’s ups and downs. His music is not just good rock with some twists and turns, but a mirror to our own life experiences and struggles. Doctor Nez, who has released two EPs of original material since early 2024, is a musician who is not just honing his craft but also making a significant impact. His music is a testament to his dedication and passion, inspiring others to strive for their best. His latest release, High Desert Lows , was released on November 15, 2024. It is a solid EP full of tunes sure to pique your interest. We break down the tracks for you below. Mark the Grave “Dead inside yet somehow breathing” – powerful opening lyrics for an opus of a song. Heavy guitars with a steady groove – this song pulls you in because of the powerful words. I had to turn it up and repeat it several times to truly take in all the lyrics. It's a solid rock tune. If You Know the Deal It's a head-nodding tune full of fuzz with a classic rock sound that starts loud but then tones down its vibe with softer lyrics full of introspection. As the chorus kicks in, this tune kicks it up a notch. Great track. Left All Alone It has an interesting vibe with the opening – I can’t exactly describe it. It's a very cool and laid-back tune that progresses into a heavy chorus. Among the Pages Tranquility is the word that pops into my head when I hear this instrumental tune. The guitar parts have a tranquil aura. It’s a bit softer than some of the other tunes on this EP, but I can hear the blues influence. In the Shadow of a Mountain It's another softer track that begins with a very ethereal sound. The crackling in the background makes me think I’m sitting around a campfire with an acoustic guitar. The vocals are soothing. I closed my eyes to listen to this one because I wanted to truly be immersed in it. It's a beautiful track. High Desert Lows It is an enjoyable track full of alt-grunge sensibilities. The vocals on this track soar. Left All Alone (radio cut) An altered version of the original track made radio-friendly. Photo provided by artist After I finished listening to High Desert Lows , I still had a few unanswered questions, so I reached out to Doctor Nez for more clarification. Check out our conversation below. MaM : What message would you like people to take away from your music? Your lyrics are potent and inspiring. Doctor Nez : My biggest goal is for listeners to extrapolate their own meanings from my music, but I can certainly give an idea of this EP's mood. ‘High Desert Lows’ is a labor of hate -- it is about places and situations where I was absolutely miserable and would never want to be again. That being said, I hope that every listener can relate at least one song to their own struggles and know they are not alone in feeling this way...they're not the first, and surely not the last. I hope people can bury themselves in at least one song, tunnel through, and come out the other side knowing that whatever they battled to relate to this, that by continuing, they've already won. You can find a similar message at the end of the 'Mark the Grave' music video on YouTube. MaM : Do you have a favorite track on this EP, and if so, which one? Doctor Nez : I have two. From a production standpoint, it's absolutely ‘ Mark the Grave .’ I think it's currently my "gold standard" for the minimum level of quality for future releases. The whole EP was written, recorded, and mixed by myself in my un-sound-treated basement, so I feel exceptionally proud that I was able to make something so (in my opinion) top-notch. From a music/songwriting perspective, it's ‘ High Desert Lows .' Sometimes, I almost forget that it's me; I really feel like I nailed the mood with the lyrics on that one, to the point that it didn't even need a true second verse. It'll also be tough to out-write that riff. MaM : I am in LOVE with the track, ' Among the Pages .' What was the inspiration behind it, and how did it come about? Doctor Nez : ‘ Among the Pages ’ is a funny one. Every record I make is likely to have a weird, atmospheric instrumental because that's one of the things I do in my free time. I'm the game master for a long-running Dungeons and Dragons campaign (which my wife, For the Love of Chuck, streams on Twitch ), and I decided early on in the game to make my own music for the game. ‘ Among the Pages ’ started as the background music for a huge, imposing magical archive belonging to a God. Over time, I felt it pulled the same emotional strings for me as some of the low moments while writing 'High Desert Lows', and I knew it had to be the sound that led into ‘ In the Shadow of a Mountain .’ MaM : Do you have any plans to tour in 2025? Doctor Nez : I'd love to play some shows in 2025. I'm doing everything myself right now, and it's very important to me that I find a few musicians who like the music enough to really get into it in a live setting. Economics is a big hurdle, too; I won't bring someone in to play my music if I can't pay them. I already have a prospective bassist interested, but rounding up a drummer and second guitarist could be challenging (Colorado Springs area players, DM me). MaM : Who do you cite as your ultimate vocal influence ? Doctor Nez : Gosh, that's a tough one. I don't sound like any of these guys, but my top 4 influences when it comes to stylistic choices are Ville Valo (HIM), Sahaj Ticotin (Ra), Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon), and Tom Templar (Green Lung). If you want to add a little desert rock to your playlist, start with High Desert Lows by Doctor Nez . Guaranteed you’ll like it. For more information about Doctor Nez: Apple Music : music.apple.com Doctor Nez on Apple Music Listen to music by Doctor Nez on Apple Music. Spotify : Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/doctor_nez/ YouTube : www.youtube.com Doctor Nez Doctor Nez provides a punchy, riff-driven hybrid of Alternative and Desert Rock with honest lyrics about the struggles of modern life, drawing influences from a wide range of sounds, such as Alice In Chains, HIM, Witchcraft, Vertical Horizon, Red Fang, Green Lung, Church of the Cosmic Skull, and Black Sabbath. From paranoia to substance dependence, loneliness to uncertainty, suicidal ideation to survivors' grief, Doctor Nez retells haunting stories from firsthand and secondhand accounts, all wrapped up in a package of gritty, overdriven guitar tones and unapologetically disheveled vocals. Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/doctornezmusic www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Do you have something you'd like us to review? Send us an e-mail at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

They Deserve ALL the Damn Attention < Back Holmes Holmes Keeley Brooks Dec 12, 2022 Share They Deserve ALL the Damn Attention I watch a lot of content. A whole lot of content. Someone has to, right? Otherwise, how would you people know what good stuff and quality talent is out there, especially in these days of everything-overload? And I love comedy, whether it be stand-up, movies, sitcoms, friends making me laugh—it doesn’t matter. I just love to laugh, often at myself, and that’s precisely what drew me into to the authentically talented and very down-to-Earth, candid queer comedian, improviser, actor, and writer Holmes Holmes (sometimes billed as just Holmes ), the hysterically funny star (and I do mean STAR) of FOX’s new mockumentary sitcom Welcome to Flatch . When Holmes and I spoke, we bonded over toes … broken toes. No, really—I’m serious. We hopped on Zoom to rap about who they are underneath the comedy and talent, their thoughts and opinions on life as it is today, the projects they’re working on, and, of course, the show, but the first place we went was to swapping toe stories, because they were home nursing a broken pinky. “I broke it literally waking up out of my bed, and then I just walked into a weight that was in my room. I have these 10-pound weights that I try to keep … in my room because then when I pass them, I’ll do a rep, because that’s how my brain works, and I just ran into them with my pinky toe and, like, broke her,” Holmes says, right before asking me if I’d ever broken a toe, to which I was honest and said yes. Two of 'em. After hearing about how I embarrassingly broke one of my toes, Holmes started giggling and said I had to include our stories in the article, and because I admire and respect them so much, this Dude shall abide. “I broke it as a teenager at the beach," I started. "I had on this hot little bikini number, and I’d gotten up to try that Baywatch-style run into the water when my foot planted deep in the sand and got stuck, I tripped, and my body went one way and my toes--a particular toe--went the other." It was an epic embarrassment. We laughed and talked more toes before getting back to the interview. Holmes were born in Texas , then lived in Florida , mostly grew up in Omaha , then went back to Florida for college, then (as an adult) Chicago until the pandemic, then on to Kansas City to be with family, and now they’re out in Los Angeles for work. Photo provided by Holmes “[T]he pandemic was horrible and obviously I would never choose for it to happen, but something positive that came out of it was people realizing they can live in different places and still work remotely,” they said. “This industry is also so look-based and shallow, and I’m not like that … it’s not that I hate what I look like … but I like to think about it the least of everything about me. I’d rather spend time thinking about my actions or what I’m creating so I definitely think that living somewhere else will be helpful with that because … you hear so many look-based things when you’re in this city.” As star of the new FOX mockumentary sitcom Welcome to Flatch , which also airs on Hulu and stars Seann William Scott ( American Pie ) and Jaime Pressly ( My Name is Earl ), Holmes plays the lead role of Kelly Mallet . The show follows a documentary crew exploring the lives, dreams, and concerns of residents with eccentric personalities in the small (fictional) American town of Flatch, Ohio . The crew finds more-than-worthy subjects in cousins and best friends Kelly Mallet and Lloyd “Shrub” Mallet , played by the very talented and handsome Sam Straley ( The Dropout ). Ironically enough, Straley’s character’s last name on The Dropout was Holmes , so I find it magically fitting that his co-star in Flatch is literally named Holmes ; they were absolutely meant to be. Kelly and Shrub spend their days hatching schemes and being themselves, and that’s the best part of the show: watching their organic shenanigans unfold. Season 1 Recap: Welcome to Flatch Don’t get me wrong—the entire show and its cast are hilariously funny and worth multiple watches, but there’s something special about the energy oscillating between Kelly and Shrub that just sucks you right in as a viewer. Flatch is Holmes’s first acting role , which is probably shocking to those who watch the show, because they operate with such a high level of comedic talent, you feel like you’re watching a veteran artist, minus the delightfully fresh and youthful appearance. Holmes isn’t just gifted in acting but also has some of the best, most organic improv skills on today’s scene. Not too much trips them up, short of a certain hot-tub scene with her co-stars Sam Straley and Jaime Pressly , and they’re constantly flowing within their own energy and being themselves. Watching them perform is like peering through a glass window into a family home full of hijinks. And love. They. Are. Genius. And everything coming out of their mouth is effortless—so effortless, in fact, it’s easy for a viewer to forget they’re watching a TV show. While Flatch itself is scripted, Holmes says they are allowed some room for improvisation but, honestly, everything Holmes does in the show makes it seem like all of their lines are improvised. That’s how much of a natural they are. And it doesn’t hurt that co-star Sam Straley (Shrub Mallet) is just as golden with comedic timing as Holmes is, so watching them together, feeding off of each other, is pure, unadulterated gut-bursting magic. Courtesy of Fox “I feel so grateful to work with Sam,” Holmes said, “because we both will let ourselves play, and we’re so tired at certain points and we get to places where we play, and I just wouldn’t want there to be anyone else to work with … yeah.” They continued, “It took us a second, [but] now we’re really close. He’s one of my best friends in the whole world. I love him so much. When we first met, I think there was a learning curve for both of us, because I came from improv and it was my second audition, and he came from the acting world very intensely, [and] he did have some improv experience, but all the actor stuff had just sort of really hammered a different style into him.” When asked what filming with Sam is like, they replied, “At first, I was adding lines left and right, and he was like, ‘Whoa,’ and I’d go, ‘Whoa,’ and I was like, ‘Why do you hate me? I’m funny!’ (laughs). But then, we’re both good communicators and we talked about it, and then what happened is that he’s made me a much better actor and he was already a good improviser, but I inspired him to remember he can play [around with improv because] Flatch isn’t like most shows. It’s a place where you can play. And now I really love him. He’s one of my best friends in the world.” Courtesy of Fox They didn’t stop there with their love for Sam: “He’s the best actor I know. He’s so talented. He can play Shrub so well, but it’s wild. When I do self-tapes with him, he can do anything … he can be scary, he can be a hot dick, and then he goes into Shrub, and it’s amazing.” Don’t let Holmes’s humility fool you, though; they are just as amazing to watch and equally as talented, especially for the kind of turn-around time on which the show operates. Holmes says they switch directors every couple of episodes and they film so fast (3-3.5 days/episode), they are constantly learning lines at all times, and that can get intense. But there is room for their improv. “We always get a script … and I’ll always give a take that is the script, but then I go back and add in some Holmes. If they say to take it back, I will, but sometimes they don’t say anything, so I keep doing it that way. Sam and I try to improvise and change it quite a bit.” There’s a fantastic scene in Episode 3 that showcases Holmes’s improv skills, and it’s so hysterically funny, one can’t help but develop an appreciation for their talent and how it carries the rest of the show. If you watch it, it’s the scene where Kelly is making a pitch to Barb (Jaime Pressly) to hire her as an assistant in Barb’s real estate business. Courtesy of Fox The show just aired its second season , which somehow was even funnier than the first, so I had to know how Holmes holds it together on set with Shrub when filming and if people are always breaking character and, respectively, losing their shit. “Well, we don’t hold it together great,” Holmes said through laughter. “I don’t make Sam break. I’ve probably only made him break twice, ever. [Episode 7] was the hardest in the whole entire time of working on the show not to break. When we were in the hot tub and stuff … I’m the worst at breaking of everyone. Sam does not break, really, whereas I really can’t struggle a lot. [In that scene], we were so tired at that point [during filming], and I could barely get through [one take in the hot tub]. I kept laughing because of Shrub’s persona with Barb. Every time I’d talk to him, he’s, like, kissing her ear or something and [that would make me break.]” Holmes went on to tell me a little about what they think is so cool about the show, aside from their co-workers. “I think one of the coolest parts of the entire experience is that all of the camera people are all women, so that is unheard of. It has to do with [Show Creator] Jenny Bicks and [Executive Producer] Paul [Feig] in a lot of ways. He really does care about having things be more equal in the industry than they are.” I have to say it was refreshing to hear that some out there in the industry are fighting for equal rights because they see the importance in it. Holmes landed their role on the show after being discovered on Twitter a few years back. They posted a video that Paul Feig ’s assistant saw and from that, Feig’s people reached out to a place where Holmes used to improv in Chicago and asked them to audition. It was only Holmes’s second audition ever. While we aren't certain which video the assistant saw, Holmes's Instagram page has a ton of reels that'll have you closing your eyes from laughing so hard. You're gonna want to bring a bucket of popcorn for your stay. “I was just doing improv every night and working a normal day job … at a gym selling memberships. I think it’s one of those things where it’s easy to get caught up in the life and find new things to get upset about, because that’s just how life works, but, I mean, I definitely really try to always remember how fortunate and lucky I am and how hard I worked to get to this place so I could be creative for my job,” they said. Something most may not know about Holmes is that they operate daily with both A.D.D. and Anxiety , and they’re very open about it, which is very courageous and inspiring, because more people out there who struggle should feel safe enough to voice their thoughts and feelings. It’s how we heal … one way, at least. “I think it makes me good at my job. I can hyper-focus, and now that I’ve learned about it, for me, moving outside and walking is helpful in controlling my A.D.D. It’s easier for me to think. I like to be moving. And now, because of my toe and not being able to walk, I’ve noticed a lot of my energy ruminating on negative thoughts. Now that I have this knowledge about [my issues], I’m able to realize I’m not in that bad of a place and this is only temporary.” Photo provided by Holmes Anxiety can make doing anything in life tough for anybody, even with basic functions like getting out of bed each morning or going out in public, let alone doing improv in front of a room full of people or playing a character on screen. I had to know how Holmes’s anxiety affected them in their career. “When I first started doing stand-up, because I was alone up there, I’d feel scared for a while [before I’d go on]. In the beginning of anything, I get nervous when I’d first start with art, but I don’t really have that now. I feel my anxiety is the worst within interpersonal relationships in my life. So, if I’m romantically interested in someone, or if I think a friend is mad at me, or I think I’ve disappointed someone close to me, that’s where my anxiety lies, whereas with performing in front of 300 people [who are] strangers, I kind of don’t feel scared. That’s where I love A.D.D.,” they said. “At first, having A.D.D. and Anxiety together was really hard, because they both fight each other. And because we live under capitalism, they cared about the A.D.D. first. So, when I was first getting mental health help, they addressed the A.D.D. and put me on medicine … that makes your heart rate high, and so I’m having these heart palpitations and panic attacks because they were trying to make me focus with the anxiety untreated.” When Holmes got to a stable place with their anxiety, they started looking at their A.D.D. from a different perspective, from someone who wasn’t trying to medicate them for it but instead was trying to teach them about it, and Holmes that really changed their life. “Now I’m able to understand my hyper-focus is a skill, and with A.D.D. specifically, I almost need the anxiety sometimes. I need the pressure to come alive. … For me, to write new material, I normally sign myself up for a bunch of shows or reach out to people, because then I know I have the show coming, so now I have to get it done, so I use A.D.D. and Anxiety together [now], where [before] it used to be a thing I felt so paralyzed by both that I couldn’t do anything.” Holmes has a solid network of support around them though, from friends, to family, to co-workers, to fellow comedians, and though Holmes loves acting, their heart lies deep in improvisation, and they credit long-form improv with saving their life. “Being able to be so free with my energy for years on stage in Chicago allowed me to release feelings through characters, and that saved me,” they said. “Laughter saves my life … and I feel ok right now, because I think I have such an amazing community [with comedians] and not just actors. I think if it was just actors all the time, it would feel harder, and it’s not their fault, because they’re getting self-taped in ways that describe them that aren’t true. I say no to a lot of self-tapes, because I’d rather spend time creating stuff, because it’s hard knowing you can create amazing and do amazing, but they see you in this box. That’s why I’m grateful to be a comedian, you know, because my comedian community doesn’t do that. It feels like we’re all making each other laugh and supporting each other.” Photo provided by Holmes Some of their favorite comedians and influences include Kate Berlant and John Early . Holmes recalls seeing their videos in college and remembering they were some of the first people they saw who made Holmes feel like they could make their weirdness mainstream. They’re also “super-inspired” by Issa Rae . “Not only is she so funny, but she’s groundbreaking,” Holmes said. “She changed TV for Black people completely. I look up to her both as a comedic influence and an icon.” Then there’s Maria Banford . “I look up to her because she talked about mental health so much in such a hilarious way, that I remember seeing when I was younger that meant the world to me. I really recommend her special on Netflix called The Special Special Special. She does it just for her parents. It’s just so weird and funny, and she’s so honest about it.” Michaela Coel also made a huge impression on Holmes . Coel made the show I May Destroy You on HBO . Holmes says she’s such an influence on them, because she takes time away from the public eye between projects and encourages others to make self-care a priority and do the same. “She has two shows: Chewing Gum and I May Destroy You, and both of them she took a break between and went offline, then came back with the best product ever and … she encouraged people not to be afraid to take time away. I just love her. I need to remember that because on purpose, this industry just wants to make money all the time, and every industry in America wants you to keep making money for them, so they don’t care about the quality of the art, and I just need to have people I can remember saying [that self-care is important].” Holmes also credits her friend Molly Kearney with being a favorite and an influence. You might best recognize Kearney as the newest cast member on Saturday Night Live and the first openly nonbinary cast member . Woohoo! And, like Holmes , she is brilliantly fun to watch. In discussing gender identity and commenting on seeing the world in terms of gray vs. black and white, and in terms of identifying as only male or female or this way or that, Holmes had this to say: “I feel like every day is a different energy I try to listen to, and it’s also a good reminder because before you have words for things, you can’t explain them, and that doesn’t mean they don’t exist, and so for me, as I get older, I want to be cautious and conscious about learning new stuff younger people are telling me about because I don’t want to be fighting change.” Photo provided by Holmes They continued, “I just feel so fortunate to be a comedian. Some days I feel funny, and some days I want to create other types of art, so I see myself as an artist more than a comedian but being a comedian does save my life because of the community. When I’m not in the mood to do stand-up, I’ll continue having it as part of my career, always, because of the community and because of getting to be around people multiple times a week, who are just the funniest people alive right now. I’m part of an alternative scene, so I do get to be around queer people [and] I get to be around people who aren’t just the nightmares in stand-up. I get to be around the boys in stand-up. … Life is just so dark in many ways, and I think getting to be around funny people is just so healing.” As far as what the role of Kelly Mallet means to them, Holmes paused then offered, “My siblings say that Kelly [has] always lived inside of me. I … had similarities to [her] in middle school, but [she] is a lot more confident than me, [but] it’s really nice to play her because she’s more masculine and more easily satisfied, and her resilience amazes me because she bounces back really fast.” Photo courtesy of Fox Holmes said playing Kelly is really fun and really freeing, but they noted there are differences. “… I think I knew who she was at [my] core, so that’s how I was able to play her for auditions and improvise with her … I wish more people were like her, honestly. She totally changed my life … and she’ll always be a part of me.” Holmes added they are truly grateful for FOX and Hulu and the show’s creators, as well as fellow mega co-stars Seann William Scott and Jaime Pressly , who’ve both given great industry advice when it was most needed. Photo courtesy of Fox Currently, the naturally gifted improv genius just wrapped up a benefit show in Kansas City with dear friend and improv collaborator Caleb Hearon to raise money for Kansas City residents who are unhoused. Holmes is also working on another KC-based project with Caleb , Jax Media , and Our Lady J , and they’re also working on an hour-long stand-up special for a tour. Wherever you can find Holmes online, on TV, in a club, or randomly doing humble, cool shit to help those in need, I strongly encourage you to sit still and engage in soaking up their talent and positive energy. It’s genuinely one of the funniest, most natural, and relatable experiences you’ll ever have. This comedic badass is one worth noting, following, madly supporting, and telling all your friends to watch. I know it sounds like I’m totally crushing on them and, I’ll be honest, I kind of am, but you will, too, as soon as you watch their stand-up, TikTok videos, Instagram videos, movie shorts, and, of course, Welcome to Flatch , then get sucked into what they’re doing simply because they’re just being who they are. And that, my friends, is genuine talent that is beyond refreshing. So, come with me and jump all up on their bandwagon. The party’s just getting started. For more information on Holmes: Website: www.holmeshome.me HOLMES All the info you could possibly want and need about Chicago-based comedian, actress, and writer Holmes Holmes. Instagram @_holmes_holmes TikTok @_holmes_holmes And if you haven’t seen Welcome to Flatch , you can catch that on FOX, Hulu, Spectrum TV, Vudu, Prime Video, or Apple TV. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Juan Blak’s version of “One of the Living” mesmerizes with outstanding vocals that evolve into an eargasmic blend of metal and industrial rock. < Back Juan Blak's Interpretation of Tina Turner's "One of the Living": A Powerful Metal Metamorphosis Erica Machen Oct 27, 2023 Share Juan Blak’s version of “One of the Living” mesmerizes with outstanding vocals that evolve into an eargasmic blend of metal and industrial rock. " You're one of the living, and if we can't stick together … " These words echo with profound resonance as Juan Blak brings this sentiment to life. He not only captures the essence of these lines but embodies their message in a remarkable way. By uniting a diverse group of living music artists for a cover of the late Tina Turner's ' One of the Living ', Juan Blak achieves something magical. It is truly an auditory delight. Over the course of roughly 22 years, Juan Blak been a part of the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles and later in Indianapolis . He reveals that his relocation to Indianapolis has yielded more musical progress than any of his time spent in Los Angeles . The connections made through his journey with his band BlaK SundaY and his own ever-evolving talent culminated in this incredible collaborative cover, redefining the sound of the rock anthem. Photo provided by artist This bold undertaking features Juan Blak on lead vocals, AIR-IK of Willow Wisp on guitar, Gene Migaki of Thorns of Sin on bass, Justin Hall of Artificial Zero and Synkhole Studios producing. What was once a classic rock song with outstanding vocals has now evolved into an eargasmic blend of metal and industrial rock. The infusion of heavy bass lines, symphonic vocals, and just the right touch of synth elements offers listeners a fresh perspective on the lyrics. GROUP As I sat astonished at what my ears were hearing, the lyrics took on new meaning to me. What once brought on the thoughts of Mad Max ’s post-apocalyptic world and survival now brings on the feelings of surviving life in the present. The depths of the lyrics are pushed by Blak’s force of a voice as the heavy instrumentals and synth deliver like a stake right through the heart of listeners. Lines like " They always said that the living would envy the dead " tug at the weariness of the human experience yet ultimately inspire us to persevere. In this metal-inspired rendition, Blak's unique baritone sound and tenor range shine, with hints of Chino Moreno from Deftones , making ' One of the Living ' an extraordinary listening experience. Even if you've never considered yourself a fan of metal, this cover demands your attention and leaves little room for disappointment. Blak's talent and vision are undeniably a force to be reckoned with in the music world. Photo provided by artist Blak mentions that a music video for ' One of the Living ' was in the works but was temporarily sidelined by his commitments with BlaK SundaY . The band remains his primary focus, as they are set to release their new album, Songs of Love, Death & Revolution , on Halloween. With live performances, recording sessions, and jam sessions, Blak's solo project serves as a fun creative outlet for him as well as an avenue for exciting collaborations with friends. In anticipation of their album release, BlaK SundaY has already shared a couple of videos, ' 11:59...Midnight ' and a cover of The Sisters of Mercy 's ' Lucretia, My Reflection '. Blak Sunday '11:59...Midnight' Whether you explore Juan Blak as a solo artist or immerse yourself in the sonic world of BlaK SundaY , you're in for a musical journey that's bound to leave a lasting impression. Don't miss the chance to witness his artistic prowess unfold. To learn more about Juan Blak: Bandcamp: https://juanblak.bandcamp.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@JuanBlaktv Patreon: https://patreon.com/blaktv www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘Pitiful’ sets a new direction for the music of XIII Minutes. < Back Reviews on the Real: XIII Minutes ‘Pitiful’ is a Hard-Hitting Reflection on Overcoming Adversity Nicole Brice Oct 30, 2024 Share ‘Pitiful’ sets a new direction for the music of XIII Minutes. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Zizzi’s music is an innovative approach to storytelling with a nod to the classic rock masters before them < Back Zizzi: A Rock ‘N Roll Force to Be Reckoned With Nicole Brice Aug 23, 2023 Share Zizzi’s music is an innovative approach to storytelling with a nod to the classic rock masters before them In a world filled with countless musical acts, it takes something truly special to stand out amongst the crowd. Enter Zizzi, a band from New Iberia, Louisiana. Fresh off their killer performance at Rad Fest 2023, the band has just released a new single called, “South Carolina Woman”, and it’s bluesy, fierce, and just plain rocks. Formed in 2019 with five guys who hardly knew each other and had never really pursued music, Zizzi is emerging as a force to be reckoned with because of their innovative approach to storytelling. Credit: Gary Governale - Zizzi at Radfest 2023 in Lafayette, LA August 19, 2023 The band is currently comprised of some exceptionally talented musicians: Evan Zizzi on lead vocals; Austin Stoltz on drums; Devin Boutte on lead guitar; Gray Walker on bass, vocals, and rhythm guitar; and Andre Broussard on bass and rhythm guitar. If Led Zeppelin, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Alice in Chains had a band baby, it would be Zizzi. Heavily influenced by the classics but providing a well-rounded retro sound, these guys are on to something and are on the rise, so take note. Drawing inspiration from Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and sounding like Andrew Wood from Mother Love Bone, Evan’s vocal delivery allows the listener to feel the trials and tribulations that come through in the music and brings a soulful melodic voice to the band’s dynamic sound. Drummer Austin Stoltz provides the driving beats that underpin Zizzi’s catchy tunes, while Gray Walker and Andre Broussard add depth and groove to the band’s compositions. Devin Boutte’s ethereal guitar playing brings it all together. Credit: Gary Governale The band’s trademark sound can be described as a fusion of alternative rock, blues, and classic rock with their music exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and the human experience. Offering a fresh take on alternative rock, their music is quickly garnering recognition locally, and they are undoubtedly a band to watch out for in the coming years. We were able to chat with vocalist Evan Zizzi recently to throw him a few questions, so check out a little Q & A below and then go check out their new single and much more! Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Any other notable shows besides Rad Fest that you guys have played? EZ : Every show is memorable and always allows us to see where improvements can be made. If we had to pick, it would either be when we won Battle of the Bands at Fred’s in Tigerland in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in Spring 202,2 or our recent show at Rock ‘N Bowl in Lafayette, Louisiana. Both crowds were electric, and we fed off the people. We tend to downplay our abilities and criticize our performance like we are Simon Cowell on American Idol, but we’ve packed out some nice venues, which always makes us feel like we are doing something right. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : How did you hear about Rad Fest? EZ : We were a late addition to Rad Fest but were stoked to be invited to play at the festival. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : What influences your lyrics, daily happenings or abstract ideas? EZ : You know … lyrics are strange. Sometimes we have an idea of what the motif of the song is originally meant to be, and we stick to it and develop it. Other times we start with an idea, and it turns into an entirely different musical piece once our process is complete. Ultimately, we want our lyrics to allow each individual listener to feel a certain way and to develop their own meaning. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Where do you see the band headed in the future? EZ : We have done covers for so many years but recently the gears have shifted to focusing on our own music. Being with a group of guys like Zizzi has been a gift. We would advise everyone who is hesitant to form a group, is filled with self-doubt about their abilities, or has stage fright to just say, “F**k it!” and take the jump. Life is scary and short, so why not go make a fool out of yourself and play shows for $20 in someone’s backyard and make some of the best friends you’ve ever had? There’s something magical about the days when we were ignorant idiots just trying to be rock stars, begging for someone to give us a chance. We have been blessed and somehow the stars aligned for us to do what we do. It would be a crime and an injustice to everyone who’s helped us out or supported us along the way to not see this storybook adventure to its final chapter when we finally get the girl and barely make it home before our parents get back from their trip. Credit: Gary Governale As they continue to refine their craft and break new ground, there is no doubt that Zizzi’s influence will continue to grow, shaping the future of the music industry. Be sure to check out one of their links below and show them some love on social media. Facebook : Facebook Instagram : Zizzi (@zizziband) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify : Zizzi | Spotify *Cover photo - Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Nicole Brice just loves music. It doesn’t matter the type. Do you have something you think she should hear? Hit her up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Eclipse Fest is coming May 10, 2025 < Back Eclipse Fest: A Pillar of the Louisiana Alternative Scene Nick Cline Dec 3, 2024 Share Eclipse Fest is coming May 10, 2025 What is Eclipse Fest ? This question has been thrown around a lot since its first incarnation at the beginning of 2024, and that only escalated once the show happened on June 15th, 2024 . Well, who better to answer the question? Hello, my name is Nick Cline , and I am the mastermind behind Eclipse Fest . Click to go to the Facebook page for Eclipse Fest 2025 Eclipse Fest is my brainchild, which I concocted in January 2024. It started as a statement of ability and love for the scene but became something I did not expect. It became more than a statement of ability. It became a statement for a unified scene across all the genres that desperately need light shined on them. I started Eclipse Fest because I genuinely love music. I love the community music makes regardless of who you are. Music truly binds us together as a people. That is the energy I put into the tireless hours I pour into the festival. The statement and mission I bring are an extension of my love of music, community, media, and everything in between. The craziest part of Eclipse Fest is that I have, for the most part, handled most of the planning stages by myself. Before Eclipse Fest 2024 , I had zero experience planning events, marketing on a big scale, or anything like that. I was solely working on my band, Phantum Sun . That changed once I took the mantle of running and concocting Eclipse Fest . I took the vision in my head and threw it into the wild. The event brought a lot of shine to the scene through unorthodox booking styles, genres that on paper shouldn't work together, and whatever other plans I had that would give a typical event planner a reason for a thousand-second glance. I'm shocked that it turned out as good as it did, but the help I had leading up to it, the connections I made going through the process, and the bands were a tremendous part of the success. I aim to make Eclipse Fest 2025 an even bigger statement for the overall scene. It will be a statement of the great original music that Louisiana can provide from one side of the state to the other. Finally, it will be a statement of community. Announcements will start rolling out on the first Friday of January ! Stay tuned because you won't want to miss this one! We have an amazing line-up of talent, and some of these bands are going to blow your mind. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nick Cline is the powerhouse behind the Louisiana-based band, Phantum Sun , and loves checking out new music. Got something you think he'd like? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

What Have I Won harnesses a raw energy that only a punk band can achieve when they are unapologetically themselves. < Back Music Reviews by Nick: What Have I Won by Spiller Nick Cline Jul 28, 2025 Share What Have I Won harnesses a raw energy that only a punk band can achieve when they are unapologetically themselves. Spiller , Massachusetts' very own dad-punk band, is back to energize listeners with their latest release, What Have I Won . This three-song EP features the tracks ‘ What Have I Won ,’ ‘ December ,’ and ‘ Game of Pricks/Hocus Pocus .’ Released July 28, 2025 From start to finish, these songs harness a raw energy that only a punk band can achieve when they are unapologetically themselves. Each track has its own unique identity while still retaining the common sound that makes Spiller distinctly theirs. Punk music thrives on individuality, and Spiller has excelled in this regard. What Have I Won by Spiller This EP carries an intriguing essence that is hard to define yet reminiscent of something familiar. It embodies a uniqueness that is particularly prominent in the New England punk scene. The undeniable passion that runs through this community is palpable in every note across the EP—it's more than just sound. My personal favorite track is ‘ December .’ It's my top pick because it captures the powerful energy that Spiller aims for in their music. The passion is evident right from the first strum. As soon as the song begins, the intensity is felt, laying a strong foundation that carries throughout, and continues on with a captivating hook that keeps you engaged for the entire duration. With its melodies, powerful chords, 4/4 beats, and driving bass, the song draws you in, combining pop sensibilities with punk energy and the strength of early 2000s rock. Video for Game of Pricks / Hocus Pocus by Spiller I believe this EP would be a fantastic addition to anyone’s playlist. If you enjoy bands like Rancid , Dropkick Murphys , 2000s Green Day , and power-pop , then you’re sure to love Spiller . They serve as an electric reminder of how music can evolve while preserving its original power and evocative energy. Spiller captures a sound that is truly unique to them—it’s a personal "lightning in a bottle" moment that adds to their vibrant character. So, do yourself a favor and check out What Have I Won . You won’t regret it! To learn more about Spiller: Spotify: Spiller | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Spiller - Apple Music Bandcamp: spillerdadpunk.bandcamp.com Spiller Dadpunk from Boston. Former members of Gang Green, Underball, Jerry's Kids, Northern Skulls and Green Magnet School. Jack Clark, Greg Fiore, Glen Stilphen and Chris Pearson www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nick Cline is the powerhouse behind the Louisiana-based band, Phantum Sun , and loves checking out new music. Got something you think he'd like? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Alternative music will have a huge impact on 2025. < Back Nick's Corner: January 2025 Recs Nick Cline Jan 7, 2025 Share Alternative music will have a huge impact on 2025. Hello everyone! First, I would like to apologize for the lateness of this one. December and January are some of the craziest times of the year, as most of you can attest. But, besides that, welcome! Welcome to the first playlist picks for 2025. I want to thank all of y'all for the support you've been giving since I started at this magazine in June of last year. I am very grateful for all the opportunities and people I have met through this magazine, and I hope to continue meeting all of you beautiful people in the future. Okay, enough with the yapping. Let's get into it! 1 Black Gives Way to Blue by Alice In Chains Click to listen Deets about the track : First up on the chopping block is this beautiful song from 90s legends Alice in Chains . This song is from their 2009 album, Black Gives Way to Blue . It is the title track of the album that we will be discussing today. The song, ' Black Gives Way to Blue ', is a song that gets me through the harsh months of December and January. It is a tonal masterpiece that will leave chilling reminders of your triumphs, darkness, and lives ahead of you and the lives before now. It is perfect for that somber feeling of winter, and it can give you hope to push past the harshness of the past year into the greatness you will become in this new year. 2 Bleed by Kris Russ Click to listen Deets about the track : Next up is a local Louisiana act, Kris Russ . His song ' Bleed ' is an absolute banger. It is a grand testament to the possibilities of the music scenes in Louisiana. His mixing of early 2000s alternative and pop rock is a masterful determination of sonic mixing with modern sounds. The lyricism hits every note of the broken-hearted minds that will find his music inspiring and soothing. I can't wait to see what awaits Kris Russ in 2025, so I hope y'all feel the same after checking out his music. Follow Kris Russ closely because he has crafted a sound all his own. 3 Drywall by Goodbye Academy Click to listen Deets about the track : The following two picks will be more local acts that light the stage on fire with every note and beat they lay across. First up, Goodbye Academy . Goodbye Academy is a band located in the Baton Rouge area, and let me tell you, everyone needs to treat themselves to their live set. They are a powerful trio of musicians with so much energy and personality, and their sound reflects this in perfect unity. Their song, ' Drywall ', is the ideal introduction to their music that fuses the sounds of midwest emo , punk , and high-octane rock . Please do yourself a favor and check out this song and their catalog. You will not be disappointed! 4 Daydream by Jean Claude Seagal and The Gosh Darn Dangs Click to listen Deets about the track : Next up, we have the last local pick for this installment. Welcome, Jean Claude Seagal . Their sound is reminiscent of alternative legends of the 80s and 90s, but they fit in the modern twist of hard rock and punk . The song I want to show off today is ' Daydream .' This song is a special treat to listeners because it shows off another great band, The Gosh Darn Dangs . They are an amazing group to check out as well. This song offers sonic pleasures that will show off both sides of the two bands involved in the project. ' Daydream ' reminds me of Dinosaur Jr. in every significant way, but it has its sonic uniqueness that I genuinely feel deserves more love. Mixing fuzzy, spacey melodies, progressive drum styles, and pounding bass lines offer a sonic palette that will satisfy just about anybody. Do yourself a favor and check out this band of wickedly talented people. 5 Dragonaut by Sleep Click to listen Deets about the track : The last of this first playlist picks is Sleep 's wicked song, ' Dragonaut .' The stoner rock legends Sleep offer a different light to the playlist picks. They are a heavy, droning, and ready to beat your eardrums into the ground type of band. If you are a fan of old-school Black Sabbath and a fan of walls of fuzz, then you are in luck because these guys offer that in strides. Please do yourself a favor and check out Sleep and their discography. They have cemented themselves as legends in the stoner rock genre. This song is an excellent introduction to them because of its familiar feel of blues-influenced rock with that twist of walls of fuzz, droning melodies, and a rhythm section that could floor just about anybody. Check these tracks out and let me know what you think. -Nick- www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nick Cline is the powerhouse behind the Louisiana-based band, Phantum Sun , and loves checking out new music. Got something you think he'd like? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Buckle up for the most horrific installment of the Evil Dead universe < Back Evil Dead Rise is Balls-to-the-Wall Blood, Guts, and Terror Ezekiel Kincaid Apr 25, 2023 Share Buckle up for the most horrific installment of the Evil Dead universe With the new Evil Dead installment, we didn’t get just another movie added to the franchise, we got a terrifying, new reimagining of the story. Much like the 2013 remake (which I liked), there is no Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams. There’s also no sarcasm or comedy, so don’t go into this movie expecting Army of Darkness or Ash vs Evil Dead . This was an hour and forty minutes of balls-to-the-wall blood, guts, and terror. From the opening scene to the credits, Evil Dead Rise doesn’t let you rise up for air. It is, by far, the creepiest, scariest, and most horrific installment into the Evil Dead universe. And I freaking loved it. That’s saying a lot, because I am a die-hard Bruce Campbell/Ash Williams fan. Those of you who have kept up with my writing can attest to that. After all, it was my love for Evil Dead and Ash Williams that inspired my epic horror comedy, “The Adventures of Johnny Walker Ranger: Demon Slayer”, which you can get on sale here at Godless. So, even though Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi produced Evil Dead Rise , I was still wondering in the back of my mind—like I did with the 2013 remake—if it would live up to the hype. Written and directed by award-winning writer/director Lee Cronin ( The Hole in the Ground ), Evil Dead Rise is produced by both Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi and stars Lily Sullivan ( MENTAL) , Alyssa Sutherland ( Vikings ) , Morgan Davies ( The Girlfriend Experience ), Gabrielle Echols ( Reminiscence ), and child actress Nell Fisher. The twisted tale follows two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable. courtesy of Warner Bros. images Unlike the 2013 remake, this new chapter deviates from the usual story line and focuses on a family in an old run-down apartment building in Los Angeles. Alyssa Sutherland plays single mom Ellie, who is possessed by a Deadite early on in the film after her sister, Beth (Lily Sullivan), comes to town for a visit and an earthquake unearths the Necronomicon, or book of the dead. From there, it funnels its evil straight to Ellie, who, as a result, psychologically and physically tortures her own children. Another change is in the recordings that are played. In Evil Dead Rise , we have recordings of a priest on some old records recounting his experiences with the Kandarian Demons (rather than a scholar regurgitating his findings), which releases the chaos. But don’t worry, Ash Williams fans, there are two Bruce cameos in the film, along with a nod to the chainsaw and boomstick. I caught the first cameo (hint: pay attention in the scene when Danny plays the records), but the second cameo I had to look up (and you will, too, because there is no way to tell from the movie itself; you’ll have to Google it). All in all, Evil Dead Rise , while giving homage to its roots, is successful as its own film. With that said, where does it fall within the franchise? The brilliance of this movie lies in the fact that it could function as any of the following: a continuation of the original trilogy, a sequel to Evil Dead (2013), a standalone, or a reboot. It all depends on how you look at the film. There was one scene in the movie that really hit home, tying them all together in my mind. I mentioned the scene where Danny is listening to the old records already, and I’m mentioning it again here. This is a pivotal scene because it masterfully links all the previous films to this one. When Danny plays one of the records next to the Necronomicon, it mentions that the book before him is just one of three volumes of the Necronomicon. courtesy of Warner Bros. images Hello, Army of Darkness fans! This ringing any bells? No? Then allow me three words: klaatu verata nikto—the three words Ash was supposed to say over the “right” Necronomicon. How many Necronomicons were in that scene? Yep, three. In Evil Dead Rise , this seems to indicate that ALL THREE books were real, and that Ash had to pick the right one for HIS particular circumstances (i.e., the one that had already been opened and read). Therefore, what we have is one version of the book in the original Evil Dead trilogy and Ash vs Evil Dead series, the second book in the 2013 remake, and the third book found under the Los Angeles apartment in Evil Dead Rise . courtesy of Warner Bros. images Do you need to see any of the previous films to understand this one? No, which is why it works well as a stand-alone film. However, if you haven’t seen any of the previous installments, you need to remedy that situation ASAP. I would also add that, for me, having seen the previous entries countless times, it did enhance my viewing of the film. With all that was great about the film, it did have one major flaw that the others avoided, and that is character development. The film starts out so fast and furious, we don’t get time to know the characters. This results in us not giving very many f**ks about what happens to them. This doesn’t happen in the original trilogy and series because, duh, Ash Williams. The 2013 remake, with all its blood and gore, still managed to get fans invested with what happens to the characters. This isn’t to say things aren’t revealed along the way to help get you to care about the characters because they are. Even so, it still lacks any real “hook” to create buckets of empathy for the characters. Those buckets of empathy are replaced with buckets of blood and guts (some of the most blood I’ve ever seen in a movie, and that’s saying a lot!) and one of the best woodchipper scenes in cinematic history. The crunching and popping sounds in the movie alone are worth seeing it on the big screen and in Dolby audio! Even with the lack of character development, I still give this movie five out of five chainsaws. The sheer terror, creepiness, blood, gore, and how they connected this to the rest of the movies helps make up for the character development flaws in my mind. Evil Dead Rise is, by far, the scariest entry to date in the Evil Dead franchise. Horror fans, get to the theater and see this one NOW! If you wait until the video release, you’ll regret it. Ezekiel Kincaid lives for horror and loves to write and talk about it, whether it be in his own novels or in movie/series reviews. His experience as both a pastor and a paranormal investigator bring everything he writes to life. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Everything Streaming in November < Back So Much to Watch, So Little Time Keeley Brooks Nov 4, 2022 Share Everything Streaming in November We’ve entered November, and so comes the holiday season of 2022. That means a lot of new content will be dropping, and lucky for you I’m a heavy consumer who loves to share it all with you guys. Here are new titles dropping on your favorite streaming platforms this month. NETFLIX After coming out swinging for the fences in October with Ryan Murphy’s Dahmer and The Watcher , which, if I do say so myself, really fizzled out with a very mediocre ending, Netflix is following up with a true-crime-a-palooza beginning Nov. 2 . Here's what's in store. Killer Sally – The true story of former professional bodybuilder Sally McNeil who, along with family and friends, charts her rocky marriage and its bloody end in a Valentine’s Day murder. Streaming Nov. 2 Enola Holmes 2 – You either love it or hate it, but regardless, Enola is back with her quirky girl boss personality. Here she takes on her first case with help from her hot brother, Sherlock, played by Henry Cavill, and I assume you need no reminder of who he is. *And speaking of Henry Cavill, this little birdie knows he will NOT be continuing on in his role as The Witcher , presumably because he is returning to his Superman role. The hunky Liam Hemsworth will be taking his place, so don’t be too sad about it. Helena Bonham Carter also returns as the Holmes’s mother. Streaming Nov. 4 Orgasm Inc.: The Story of OneTaste – OneTaste sprung from San Francisco’s tech bubble as a sexual wellness company hailed by top health & wellness outlets as a path to fulfillment. They gained global notoriety through the teaching of a practice called “orgasmic meditation.” This investigative doc employs access to 15 years of never-before-seen footage and interviews with former members who have shocking allegations to pull back the curtain on the organization and its controversial, enigmatic leader. Streaming Nov. 5 State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith – The harrowing story of a woman trying to use Alabama’s Stand Your Ground law after killing a man she says brutally attacked her. Streaming Nov. 10 Falling for Christmas – A young, newly engaged heiress has a skiing accident in the days before Christmas. After she’s diagnosed with amnesia, she finds herself in the care of the handsome cabin owner and his daughter. I’m sure what ensues will be nothing short of a big, fat shocker. Streaming Nov. 10 Pepsi, Where’s My Jet? – This doc tells the story of Pepsi’s ambitious campaign, a multimillion-dollar fighter jet, and a teenage boy who just wanted his plane back, so he decided to take on one of the largest corporations in America. This one’s gonna be a ride! Streaming Nov. 17 I Am Vanessa Guillen – Guillen was 20 years old when she was found murdered at a U.S. Army base. Rather than submit to silence, her family fought for justice and change. Streaming Nov. 17 Slumberland – Starring everyone’s favorite Horse Lord, Jason Momoa stars as a giant eccentric outlaw who helps a young girl who discovered a secret map to the dream world of Slumberland. They traverse dreams and flee nightmares in hopes she will be able to see her late father again, with the help of Momoa. Streaming Nov. 18 Wednesday - Netflix's Addams' Family series is all about the teen years of one of the O.G. goth girls. Having been booted from Nancy Reagan High School for defending her brother's honor by way of flesh-eating fish, Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) is now going to the school where her macabre and loving parents first met. But at Nevermore Academy, there's a mystery lurking underneath its floorboards, and I'm sure Wednesday will find it. Streaming Nov. 23 APPLETV Causeway - Starring Jennifer Lawrence as Lynsey, a U.S. soldier who experiences a traumatic brain injury during her tour in Afghanistan that forces her to return home. She struggles to reclaim her daily life at home in New Orleans with her mother as she waits for her eventual redeployment. Also stars Samira Wiley ( The Handmaid's Tale ) and Brian Tyree Henry ( Atlanta ). Streaming Nov. 4 Mosquito Coast , Season 2 - Based on the more nuanced 80s novel by Paul Theroux, Justin Theroux ( Wanderlust ) is back as a brilliant inventor and stubborn idealist who uproots his family for a dangerous quest through Mexico to flee the U.S. government and find safety. Streaming Nov. 4 Mythic Quest , Season 3 - If you're a Sunny in Philadelphia fan or a gamer, you should be watching this series. Starring Rob McElhenney, F. Murray Abraham, and Charlotte Nicdao, this hilarious workplace sitcom about video game development will keep you highly entertained. Streaming Nov. 11 Spirited - A musical version of Charles Dickens' story of a miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey. Stars Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. Streaming Nov. 11 Echo 3 - When scientist Amer Chesborough goes missing along the Colombia-Venezuela border, her brother and her husband struggle to find her against the backdrop of a secret war. Starring Luke Evans. Streaming Nov. 23 HULU God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty – A Miami pool boy finds himself trapped in a seven-year affair with a charming older woman … and her husband, the Evangelical Trump stalwart Jerry Falwell Jr., as he becomes increasingly entangled with the Falwell’s seemingly perfect lives. Currently streaming Fleishman is in Trouble – Starring Claire Danes, Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan, and Adam Brody, this one is based on a novel by the same name from author Taffy Brodesser-Akner. This limited series is about a divorced doctor and father who’d just started dipping his toes into the dating pool when his ex-wife mysteriously disappears. Streaming Nov. 17 Welcome to Chippendales – This true-crime series tells the real-life story of Chippendales founder Somen “Steve” Banejee (Kumail Nanjiani), an Indian immigrant who turned a failing Los Angeles bar into a global phenomenon … but as you all know with Chippendales, there’s more to see than meets the eye. Streaming November 22 Planet Sex – A six-episode docuseries that explores how sexuality differs from community to community and looks at what is studied at a scientific sex research lab. Cara Delevigne hosts. Streaming Nov. 29 PRIME My Policeman – An Amazon Prime Video Original, this romantic-drama tells the story of a forbidden romance and the changing social conventions surrounding it over the course of several decades. Starring Harry Styles, Linus Roache ( Mandy ), Emma Corrin ( The Crown ), Gina McKee ( Black Narcissus, The Rook ), David Dawson ( The Last Kingdom ), and Rupert Everett ( My Best Friend’s Wedding ). Streaming Nov. 4 The English – This six-episode-series is a Western-drama is about Pawnee scout Eli Whipp, played by Chaske Spencer ( Banshee, The Twilight Saga film series ), who is released from long-term army service in 1890 Oklahoma and hell-bent on returning north to his ancestral homelands in Nebraska to stake a legal land claim. Also stars Emily Blunt, Tom Hughes (The Laureate) and Ciarán Hinds ( Zack Snyder’s Justice League ). Streaming Nov. 11 The People We Hate at the Wedding – Another Amazon Prime Original movie, this raunchy new comedy is about dysfunctional siblings Kristen Bell and Ben Platt ( Pitch Perfect ) and their ever-optimistic mom, played by Allison Janney, as they receive a surprise invite to their estranged British half-sister’s wedding. Good for a watch with your own relative at Thanksgiving! Streaming Nov. 18 **Sidenote: If you haven’t seen LOU on Netflix, you absolutely should hop on over there and watch Allison Janney kick some serious ass and go toe-to-toe with her son, played by Logan Marshall Green. It’s really good. PEACOCK A Friend of the Family – This released back in early October, but IT’S SO UNBELIEVABLE (and still going), I just can’t pass on mentioning it again. It’s truly the most incredible true-crime story I’ve ever heard or seen. I usually have a lot to say during series I’m watching. With this one, literally the only three things my Dummy (husband) and I have said while watching it are, “HOLY SHIT,” “Oh my God,” and “I cannot believe this actually happened. WhAT the f***?!” I’m not kidding. This true-crime drama miniseries is based on true events and follows Robert Berchtold, a close friend of the Broberg family, who kidnaps young Jan Broberg twice over a period of two years, and the shit he tells her about why is absolutely astounding … and she believed it for years. Further making this so shocking is the fact that local, state, and national law enforcement pretty much cleared the way of any culpability for him to do it. There’s so much more to the story, but I won’t divulge it all here. I want you to go watch it for yourself. Then I want you to let me know how you reacted while watching it. Currently streaming The Independent – This political thriller stars Brian Cox ( Succession ), Jodie Turner-Smith ( White Noise ), John Cena, and Ann Dowd ( The Handmaid’s Tale )—to name a few. In the final weeks of the most consequential presidential election in history, and America is poised to elect either its first female president or its first viable independent candidate. An idealistic young journalist teams up with her idol, legendary journalist Nick Booker, to uncover a conspiracy that places the fate of the election, and the country, in their hands. Streaming exclusively on Peacock Nov. 2 The Calling, Season 1 – A Peacock Original, here’s a psychological crime thriller about NYPD detective Avraham Avraham, whose belief in mankind is his superpower when it comes to uncovering the truth. He’s guided by his sense of spirituality and religious principles, until a seemingly routine investigation turns everything upside down and leaves Avraham questioning his own humanity. Streaming Nov. 10 Leopard Skin, Season 1 – A criminal gang fleeing a botched jewelry heist is forced to hide out in a beachside estate where two women live in seclusion. Their world soon turns into a hothouse filled with secrets, betrayal, and desire. Stars Carla Gugino, Ana de la Reguera ( Goliath ), Philip Winchester ( Strike Back ), Gaite Jansen ( Peaky Blinders ), Margot Bingham ( The Walking Dead ), Gentry White ( Kingdom, Jett ), and Amelia Eve ( The Haunting of Bly Manor ). Streaming Nov. 17 Nope – I LOVED this film. I also will never again look at clouds the same way. This Jordan Peele flick offers a new take on the classic abduction story. Stars Academy Award Winner Daniel Kaluuya ( Get Out, Us ), Keke Palmer ( i), and Academy Award Nominee Steven Yuen ( The Walking Dead ). Nope makes its Peacock debut on Nov. 18. Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin – Everyone’s favorite acapella fool Adam Devine is back doin’ his thang, only this time he’s in Berlin. Having moved to Germany to revive his music career, Bumper is surprised when one of his tunes hits it big in Berlin. Also stars Jameela Jamil ( The Good Place ) and Sarah Hyland ( Modern Family ). Streaming exclusively on Peacock Nov. 23 PARAMOUNT+ Yellowstone , Season 5 - The Duttons are back, and this time John (Kevin Costner) is gonna get a taste of what we all already know: politics complicate your life. And, yes, Rip will no doubt be there. Binge seasons 1-4 now to catch up! Streaming Nov. 13 Transformers: EarthSpark – This heartwarming animated series introduces the first generation of Terrans-Transformers born on Earth. With the help of their human caretakers, these Terrans are redefining the meaning of the world family. Streaming Nov. 11 Tulsa King – A gritty new drama series from Yellowstone ’s Taylor Sheridon! After 25 years in prison, New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi is sent away to Tulsa, OK, to set up new territory for his mob family. However, upon arrival in town, the once-great mobster realizes his skills might be a bit rusty. Starring Sylvester Stallone. Streaming Nov. 13 HBO & HBO MAX * Film fanatics will be ecstatic to learn that HBO Max will now carry all eight films in the Harry Potter franchise, as well as the entirety of the Star Trek movie series, in case you were curious. Titans , Season 4 – In untypical fashion, the series is under a new airing strategy, dropping two episodes tonight in premiere, then four more episodes over the next four weeks. After that, it’s a who-knows-how-long mid-season break. Per Collider , this season suggests something dark is coming. After saving Gotham, the Titans hit the road to head back to San Francisco but after a stop in Metropolis, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a supernatural cult with powers unlike anything they’ve faced before. Looks like the main villain this season will be Sebastian Blood, aka Brother Blood, played by The Originals star Joseph Morgan. Streaming Nov. 3 Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty – This chilling three-part docuseries chronicles the legacy of the Murdaugh family, whose century long power influence over the legal system in South Carolina’s low country unravels amid acdcusations of fraud, deception, and murder. Intense and full of twists, it questions the unchecked power of privilege—and the trail of death and destruction left in one family’s wake. Season 3 streaming Nov. 3 Don’t Worry Darling – A psychological thriller film directed by Olivia Wilde. Set in the 1950s California desert, a housewife starts to suspect her husband (Harry Styles) and the idyllic community she lives in have a sinister secret. Don’t Worry Darling has become infamous for the off-screen drama between Wilde and Shia LaBeouf that dominated the media months before its release. Streaming Nov. 7 Say Hey, Willie Mays! – Follow Mays’ life both on and off the field over five decades as he navigated the American sports landscape and the country’s ever-evolving cultural backdrop, all while helping to define what it means to be one of America’s first Black sports superstars. Streaming Nov. 8 The Big Brunch, Season 1 – Everyone’s favorite Schitt’s Creek actor Dan Levy is back with a cooking competition show he created to celebrate inspiring, undiscovered culinary voices from every corner of the country. This eight-episode cooking series gives ten talented chefs the opportunity to share their stories and business dreams while vying for a life-altering $300,000 cash prize. Streaming Nov. 10 A Christmas Story Christmas – Annnd everyone’s favorite Christmas kid is back, only now he’s all grown up and returning to his hometown with his own kids to say goodbye to his father. Get your box of snot rags ready; this one’s poised to be more of a tearjerker than a comedy—though that’s not to say there won’t be any. Streaming Nov. 17 Santa Camp – Watch real-life Santas go to school in this Max Original documentary film. Every summer, a horde of professional Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and elves descend on a campsite in the New Hampshire woods to learn the tricks of their trade. But this year will be different. The organizers of the 100-strong New England Santa Society have decided to tackle the lack of diversity in the Santa industry. They enlist a Black Santa named Chris, a Santa with a disability named Finn, and a transgender Santa named Levi. Streaming Nov. 17 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - Streaming Nov. 19 Shaq – This documentary showcases the life of the L.A. Lakers champion from sports phenom to cultural figure. Streaming Nov. 23 Love, Lizzo – Personally, I can’t wait for this! I adore Lizzo. And what a message I’m certain she’ll be spreading. In this intimate documentary, the multi-platinum artist gets candid about body positivity, self-love, and recognizing Black women for their contributions. Streaming Nov. 24 My So-Called High School Rank – This documentary goes deep into the lives of high school students in three radically disparate communities as they navigate the pressures around college while staging a musical, until seismic events upend their dreams and expectations. Streaming Nov. 29 Other titles dropping this month on HBO/HBOMax – Chris Redd: Why Am I Like This? , Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines (Season 7), Sesame Street (Season 53), My Sesame Street Friends (Season 3), Batwheels (Season 1C), Craig of the Creek (Season 4D), We’re Here (Season 3), Holiday Harmony, A Christmas Mystery, King Tweety, Master of Light, Lil Rel Howery: I Said It: Y’all Thinking It DISNEY PLUS Willow - The fantasy epic every 80s kid loved is back with a sequel series featuring original cast member Warwick Davis as the titular dward sorcerer. So much is planned to happen, and the effects look pretty cool. It'll absolutely be worth watching. Streaming Nov. 24 Disenchanted - Disney would have us believe some spells take 15 years or more to kick in with how long they've made us wait for this one. Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Idina Menzel are back as Giselle, Robert Philip, Prince Edwards, and Nancy Tremaine are back in this sequel to 2007's movie of the same name that ponders what happens after your favorite Disney princesses and princes get their "happily ever after" moment. Drama and chaos will ensue! Streaming Nov. 24 Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday - The Guardians are back, at least for the holidays. Gamora is still MIA and Star-Lord is deep in his feels. Mantis and Drax are coming to the rescue, though: they plan to go to Peter's home planet Earth and find him the ultimate holiday gift. Hilariously, their choice is actor Kevin Bacon, played by none other than Kevin Bacon. With a runtime of just under an hour, this'll be a great holiday watch with your bigs and littles. Streaming Nov. 25 www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

No love songs this month! < Back Way Back When: The Love Month Playlist Picks Nicole Brice Feb 4, 2025 Share No love songs this month! It’s the love month … the month I despise because of all the mushy gushiness … in light of that, these are NOT love songs. Enjoy! 1. Incubus - Redefine Incubus has certainly come a long way since this banger was released. I remember seeing these guys open for 311 and No Doubt at the Baton Rouge River Center in the 90s. What an insane show! This song is fantastic. Turn it up loud! 1997 2. Less Than Jake - Johnny Quest (Thinks We’re Sellouts) I may or may not be humming this as I write this. Johnny Quest thinks we’re what? One of the best LTJ songs ever. 1996 3. Marilyn Manson - Dried Up, Tied and Dead to the World In my opinion, Antichrist Superstar is one of the best Marilyn Manson albums, and this song was my jam back in the day. 1996 4. Hole - She Walks On Me She walks … over me … (I’m humming this song, too). Live Through This is one of my favorite albums of all time. Amazing song. Amazing album. 1994 5. Stabbing Westward - Dead and Gone With the re-emergence of one of my fave bands of all time, Stabbing Westward , comes this banger. “How can I go on? When my last hope is gone?” 2022 Hey, if you don't like these, cool. If you've never heard them, check them out! Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Asteroid City is a fun science fiction story with dark and melancholic overtones < Back Asteroid City: Film Review Shaun Corley Aug 16, 2023 Share Asteroid City is a fun science fiction story with dark and melancholic overtones Acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson returns in a grand fashion with his latest offering, Asteroid City . After the fair-to-middling Isle of Dogs (2018) and The French Dispatch (2021), Anderson has found his verve once again with Asteroid City . The film is his first foray into the realm of science-fiction and while it contains all of his trademark idiosyncrasies and quirks, it is also one of his most melancholic efforts. Asteroid City is, without a doubt, a fine addition to the Wes Anderson canon. Wes Anderson exploded onto the scene with 1996’s Bottle Rocket and followed it up two years later with Rushmore (1998) before achieving mainstream recognition with 2001’s superlative The Royal Tenenbaums . This film earned Anderson his first Oscar nomination and remains a favorite among fans. Three years later, Anderson delivered the divisive The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou . While a commercial success, the film received mixed reviews from critics. After 2007’s The Darjeeling Limited , Anderson stretched his creative muscles on 2009’s classic stop-motion feature The Fantastic Mister Fox . Later films of Anderson’s have included Moonrise Kingdom (2012) and the Oscar-nominated The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). After Budapest , Anderson entered something of a creative lull. Isle of Dogs attempted to recreate the magic of Fantastic Mister Fox , and while an entertaining movie, it fell flat; the same can be said of 2020’s The French Dispatch , which saw Anderson stuck in a holding pattern. However, Asteroid City breaks this cycle and reasserts the formalist director as one of America’s greatest living filmmakers. Asteroid City can be best described as a “play within a movie.” The play, written by playwright Conrad Earp (Edward Norton) is about a group of children attending an astronomy convention in the town of Asteroid City. 3000 years prior, a giant asteroid hit the area, leaving behind a small fragment. Set in an alternate 1955, the convention is rocked when an alien steals the meteor fragment, leading to a government cover-up, which fails when the same youths who came for the astronomy convention help expose what is going on in Asteroid City. Meanwhile, interspersed throughout are stories of the play’s actors and crew and how their lives outside of the play start bleeding into it. If this sounds like an incredibly dark premise for a Wes Anderson movie, it is. However, Anderson employs his trademark style to soften the edges of the narrative. The kids attending the astronomy convention are typical, precocious Anderson youths, who in some ways are hipper to the world around them than their parents. They do not rely on a major news outlet such as The New York Times to get the story out, instead going with one of the kids’ school newspapers. Likewise, while the military is doing something morally questionable, they are depicted as buffoonish and, in the case of General Gibson (Jeffrey Wright), purely unhinged, spouting off seemingly random babble during a speech. Asteroid City does not just mine its drama from politics and conspiracy theories—there is a very real human element present in the story. Perhaps no one character better embodies this than photographer Augie Steenbeck, played by Anderson regular Jason Schwartzman . Schwartzman has been in many of Anderson’s movies, and here the director gets what might be one of Schwartzman’s best performances. Augie has been a distant father to his children, and when their mother dies, he finds himself suddenly saddled with four kids and no real clue as to what he is doing. Augie bonds with actress Midge Campbell, played by Scarlett Johansson , but this relationship brings no real solace. Augie is truly alone, and Schwartzman perfectly captures his melancholic nature. Schwartzman & Johansson as Augie & Midge Schwartzman is joined by a host of stars from Anderson’s seemingly growing stable of actors. Wes Anderson’s movies are always huge ensemble pieces, and Asteroid City is no different. Anderson regulars Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Liev Schreiber, Jeffrey Wright, and Adrien Brody are joined by several newcomers to Anderson’s world, including Maya Hawke, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Steve Carrell, Stephen Park, and Scarlett Johansson. Johansson in particular stands out as the aforementioned Midge Campbell; as Midge, Johansson channels Marilyn Monroe, right down to her voice and mannerisms. Science fiction is new ground for Anderson, and here he manages to employ tropes of the genre to tell a great story. The movie is steeped in the UFO lore of the 1950s, and Anderson successfully recreates this era, giving viewers an idealized version of 1955, with jet packs and disintegrator rays. Asteroid City downplays the Cold War paranoia that gripped the United States at the time, opting instead to focus more on the political than the personal. Now, 27 years into his career, Wes Anderson has firmly established himself as an American filmmaking institution. He has a distinct style unlike any other director working in America, and in Asteroid City he uses his trademark style to tell a fun science fiction story with dark and melancholic overtones. Asteroid City is currently available to stream exclusively on Peacock and to rent or buy on Video On Demand and Apple Movies. Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, but they're far outnumbered by comic books and the smell of rich mahogany lingering in the air. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

T. Mason and the Bricklayers < Back Laying the Foundation: Brick by Brick Nicole Brice Dec 12, 2022 Share T. Mason and the Bricklayers My late teens and early twenties were filled with nothing but punk music. At 41 years old, getting to hang with punk bands while conducting interviews for Mixed Alt Mag , I feel I am getting a chance to rediscover my youth and it’s almost as if I’m listening to punk music for the first time. Travis Mason has been a fixture on the South Louisiana music scene ever since I can remember. I first was acquainted with his talent and stylings via a friend’s punk band, The Skullniks , when I was 19 years old. With the nickname, “Tiny”, this man is nothing short of even being remotely small and that includes his talent. Getting to hang with him and learn a bit more about what all he brings to the music scene was a hilarious experience and I, literally, look up to him now. No, seriously, he’s so tall that I must stretch my neck to look up at him. May I present T. Mason & the Bricklayers . Josh Selser, Andy Clancy, and Travis Mason of T. Mason and the Bricklayers (credit: Gary Governale) Taking their band name from a combo of his own name and that of his beloved canine friend, this group of guys are full of personality, so get ready! Bricklayers, mount up! The next big band on the scene. I can feel it. The time is long overdue for some new and fresh good old-fashioned pop punk music. The band is comprised of Travis Mason of Justin Bailey on drums and vocals, Josh Selser of DeadCentered on bass, and Andy Clancy , formerly of Starscream’s Revenge, on guitar. Using the three-piece band formula made famous by many others before them, these guys bring the noise both musically and personality wise. credit: Gary Governale When Travis is not focusing on T. Mason and the Bricklayers, he is heavily involved with Justin Bailey , Audrey Seymour , and iLiaka , all of which have different sounds and are of different genres making him a very well-rounded musician. He also runs his own studio out of the house called Volcano Studios , which I had the pleasure of seeing and this beast of a set-up was impressive. What does this man NOT do? Growing up in a strictly country music household where he began writing song lyrics when he was an adolescent and citing Tre Cool from Green Day as the reason for his want and need to play drums at 13 years old, Travis is one of the most ferocious drummers on the kit locally. Not to mention, his sense of humor will leave you in stitches. credit: Gary Governale NB : So, I’ve been checking out some of your stuff and you are so talented. Anyone that can play drums and sing at the same time, do you know how incredible that is? TM : Well, thank you so much. NB : No, dude, I’m just being serious. First, love the band. Love “Future Retro”. TM : Have you gotten a chance to listen to the three-song demo? “Future Retro” is the single, bay-bay. NB : Yes, love it, too. Not sure if you’ve gotten this comparison, but if Fat Mike from NOFX joined Face to Face, that’s T. Mason & the Bricklayers. TM : Oh, honey, that is high praise. Thank you so much. Face to Face is like my favorite vocalist. NB : Your music takes me back to those days of skateboarding and just listening to music and just hanging out and it’s that feel good punk rock sound that we need these days. TM : Because when you’re young, especially in those times it’s like every day was an adventure and anything could happen and you’re on the edge of eternity. You get together with your friends and every day is a new exploration into something amazing. You’re working at McDonald’s three days a week, not giving a damn. Yep, I can see that. NB : I see good things for your band, because I don’t know if you notice, but the type of punk you play is making a comeback. It’s like there is a nostalgia for it. They say time repeats and it’s coming back, dude. So, Demolition demo, you have it on Bandcamp, but are you doing physical CDs at the shows? TM : Right. Exactly. I’ve got a CD burner and I’m burning them myself and putting in the work, writing on them, the whole handmade feel to it. NB : Well, you know that’s the whole punk aesthetic, the DIY attitude. Just do it yourself. So, production. Did you do all the production and recording on this yourself, too? TM : Absolutely. Very proud to be able to work on a lot of that self-sufficiently. I have a lot on there that I recorded myself, but I also had some other people help me mix it and finalize it and all. I’m finally getting confident enough to put out stuff I did solely in house, which is an achievement. It might not be as good as some of the other stuff, but I take a lot of pride in the fact that I took it from conception to production and then a final product. NB : Knuckles, homie. TM : That’s right, knuckle up! The thing I’m most proud of is the band I’ve put together. We’ve got Josh Selser on bass, kind of like a secret weapon, but it ain’t no secret that guy gets right out front with it. Everybody tells me after they hear us play or hear a recording, “Man, your bass player”, and I’m like, “I know”. credit: Gary Governale NB : Josh is so talented as a musician, and I keep telling him that. TM : Yeah, I recognized his talent when I first met him probably when I was 15 years old. Before I was in the Skullniks, I was in another band. He was in a band called Bleeding Power with Michael Poole. He’s always played with Michael Poole. NB : They’re like a duo. TM : Yeah, they’re like a duo. Yeah. Mike inspires me because his bands have put stuff out. They’re out there recording. Audrey Seymour hasn’t recorded anything and iLiaka has a few things, but nothing comprehensive. [Justin] Bailey is kind of coming back from extinction. credit: Gary Governale NB : Now, let’s turn to current. As far as currently, are there any current bands on your playlist inspiring you? TM : Oh boy. Man. Yeah, sure. One of my favorite bands is a band called High and they’re from New Orleans and they’re comprised of all kinds of dudes from way back in the day that I know from New Orleans. I remember the first show we ever played. It was at Library Joe’s. Those guys played in two different bands and we just kind of put on a show and then we recognized each other from other bands and so they’re like us. Guys that have chosen this lifestyle and persevered to do cool shit. NB : Well, that’s the best lifestyle to have, to be quite honest. TM : Absolutely. NB : So, I want to ask you one more thing. Everyone wants to know future goals. What do you want to achieve going forward or what would you like people to know about you and your music? TM : Well, a lot of my material is quite personal and draws from my personal experiences I go through and a lot of it is very relatable because we all go through a lot of the same stuff. I like to make light of it. Light of some of these heavy issues to make them not so bad. A lot of it deals with loneliness or other things. I feel it puts a positive spin on these things, though. Through the process of the lyrics and making sense of it, by the end, you have something you can be proud of that brings you joy, and I think, man…if I hadn’t been through that trying circumstance, then I wouldn’t have this final product. I like to take a feeling and make something great out of it. I want people to connect with the lyrics and concepts and be inspired by it. I want to get deep, but not over people’s heads. I want them to be able to relate. On one level, you can listen to my music, and it hits you one way, but then in another way, people can listen and go, “Whoa, this dude’s kind of insightful here”. credit: Gary Governale To hear T. Mason and the Bricklayer’s newest release, head on over to their social media pages, Bandcamp, or YouTube. “The Demolition Demo” is out NOW ! Bandcamp: the demolition demo | T. Mason & The Bricklayers | T. Mason and the Bricklayers (bandcamp.com) Facebook: T. Mason & The Bricklayers | Facebook Instagram: T. Mason & The Bricklayers (@t.mason_and_thebricklayers) • Instagram photos and videos YouTube: brick vs. window - YouTube *All photos by Gary Governale* www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Oppenheimer shines as Christopher Nolan’s best, most hypnotic film to date < Back Film Review: Oppenheimer Shaun Corley Jul 25, 2023 Share Oppenheimer shines as Christopher Nolan’s best, most hypnotic film to date Christopher Nolan has returned to theaters with Oppenheimer , which may stand as his best film to date. Nolan occupies a rare niche in American cinema: He makes intelligent, layered movies that are given the same marketing treatment as Mission Impossible or MCU offerings. Very few other filmmakers can pull this off; Nolan’s only peer in this realm may be Jordan Peele. For Oppenheimer , Nolan pulls out all the stops, creating a long, dense, and ultimately hypnotic film. Christopher Nolan left a grand impression on movie-goers with his second film, 2000’s Memento . Starring Guy Pearce, the movie followed an amnesiac as he attempted to piece together various clues, such as cryptic tattoos, in a bid to discover his life before. Memento was smart and did not insult the viewer’s intelligence. These qualities would be present in Nolan’s next movie, a 2002 remake of Insomnia . A career high for the late Robin Williams, Insomnia ensured Nolan’s place in American film, a promise that came to fruition with the director’s Batman trilogy. While movies such as Memento put Nolan on critics’ radars, Batman Begins and its two sequels made the director a household name, affording him a status unlike any other. In 2020, he released Tenet , which opened to fair reviews and a low box office–although to be fair, the film was released during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in his career, Nolan had polarized the critics and audiences. While Tenet may be ripe for rediscovery one day, it remains the one film that did not receive universal acclaim from critics. However, with Oppenheimer , Christopher Nolan comes roaring back, reasserting himself as one of the best directors working today. Oppenheimer is, at its core, a biopic. It tells the story of Doctor Robert J. Oppenheimer, a young physicist who is recruited to the Manhattan Project during World War 2. Cillian Murphy (L) as Robert Oppenheimer (R); Source: Associated Press At the beginning of the war, United States intelligence learned that Germany was conducting atomic experiments, with the goal of creating a weapon. In response, the U.S. created the Manhattan Project, with the intent of beating Germany to the punch. Oppenheimer was recruited to lead the Project, despite protests from the military. A key aspect of the Manhattan Project was its secrecy and compartmentalization; the facilities and scientists were scattered across the country, all working towards the same goal—even if they didn’t know what it was. Of course, America did develop the atomic bomb, dropping it on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945. The film touches on Oppenheimer’s ambivalence towards the bomb, particularly after it is dropped. In one powerful scene, the Los Alamos scientists learn the bomb worked, and Japan has surrendered. Many of the scientists celebrate joyfully, but a few do not. As Oppenheimer leaves the party, he sees his fellow researchers crying or vomiting in horror of what they unleashed. Source: Associated Press The film’s final part focuses on this fallout. Before the war, Oppenheimer had talked to (but never formally joined) the United States Communist Party—a fact that Lewis Strauss tried to use against him when it came time to extend Oppenheimer’s security clearance. Some of his friends, such as Doctor Edward Teller, sold him out in the hearings, and the film touches on this as well. Oppenheimer features a jam-packed cast: Cillian Murphy ( Peaky Blinders ) as Robert Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt ( A Quiet Place ) as his wife Kitty, and Robert Downey Jr. ( Iron Man ) as Lewis Strauss, the former chair of the Atomic Energy Commission. Each of these actors gives great, Oscar-worthy performances. Murphy, a frequent collaborator of Nolan’s, hits a career high as the titular physicist, embodying both his hopes and his fears for atomic energy. Emily Blunt, as Kitty Oppenheimer, stands out as well. She is the woman of an intelligent man, and she is every bit as smart herself but must take a back seat to her husband. A pointed commentary on gender roles at the time, Kitty still nevertheless supports Oppenheimer through thick and thin. Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt as Robert and Kitty Oppenheimer; Source: Associated Press Finally, Downey shines as Lewis Strauss. Strauss pretended to be Oppenheimer’s friend, but it was revealed he was ultimately the one who torpedoed Oppenheimer’s security clearance. Downey perfectly embodies this political sleaziness, pretending to be Oppenheimer’s friend while simultaneously selling him out. Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss; Source: Associated Press The supporting cast is enormous and also features some stand-out performances. Florence Pugh ( Black Widow ) plays Jean Tatlock, an ardent Communist who had an affair with Oppenheimer. Jack Quaid ( The Boys ) plays the notorious Richard Fenyman and Benny Safdie ( Licorice Pizza ) plays Edward Teller, two other scientists who worked with Oppeheimer on the Manhattan Project. Others turning in great performances include Tom Conti ( Peripheral ) as Albert Einstein, Josh Hartnett ( Penny Dreadful ) as Ernest Lawrence, and Gary Oldman ( Slow Horses ) as Harry Truman. As mentioned earlier, Oppenheimer is a biopic . This is a genre that has proven popular with moviegoers as well as critics. However, these films tend to be overproduced and over-sentimentalized; some use the term “Oscar Bait” to describe them. These arguments are not without merit, as these films can sometimes gloss over certain aspects of the subject’s life. Nolan breaks the biopic mold with Oppenheimer. The film is not a simple retelling of events but instead uses a challenging narrative structure to tell Oppenheimer’s story. The film regularly jumps from era to era, offering viewers the chance to see Oppenheimer both at the Manhattan Project and years later at his security clearance hearing after the Project ended. However, it is a testament to Nolan’s skills as a director that the story flows smoothly, despite the structure. There is much to like about Oppenheimer, such as the performances and its structure. It would be a disservice not to discuss Ludwing Goransson ’s stirring score, which he recorded in just five days. Nolan built a name for himself working with composer Hans Zimmer; however, Zimmer did not work with the director on Oppehemier . Instead, Goransson, whose other scores include Black Panther and Fruitvale Station, among others, delivers a fantastic soundtrack--his score perfectly complements the film. Oppenheimer ’s three-hour runtime may be daunting to some viewers, but rest assured it is time well spent. Between Nolan’s superior direction, the stellar performances, and a killer score, Oppenheimer is hypnotic, drawing fans in and keeping them hooked. While the film may be difficult to get through for some, patient viewers will be rewarded with not only one of the best films of the year, but also, perhaps, Christopher Nolan’s best as well. Oppenheimer is currently in theaters across the U.S. Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, but they're far outnumbered by comic books and the smell of rich mahogany lingering in the air. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Last Giant's music is nostalgic and fresh < Back Last Giant: Captivating and Catchy Chris Pryor Jun 21, 2023 Share Last Giant's music is nostalgic and fresh In the vast world of music, it's always a pleasant surprise to come across a band that manages to impress with its unique style and sound. Last Giant is one such band that has caught my attention, and in this review, I'll be focusing on two standout songs from their latest album, "Monuments" released on June 9, 2023, by indie label Little One Ate the Big One and distributed via The Orchard. Released on June 9, 2023 via indie label Little One Ate the Big One Beginning in 2014 from the ashes of former Northwest indie-rock heavy-hitters System and Station (1998-2013), Last Giant is comprised of frontman RFK Heise (vocals, guitar, keys), Palmer Cloud (bass), and Matt Willes (drums). Last Giant has toured the U.S. extensively and has been featured in film and television, as well as shows including Mike Watt's "The Watt from Pedro" and Allen Epley's "Third Gear Scratch." Last Giant's video for "Captain My Captain" was the winner of MTV's indie video award with over 70,000 votes and they were a featured artist on MTV2. courtesy indie label Little One Ate the Big One With "Monuments," demoing started in early 2021 before Last Giant's film release, "Live from The Hallowed Halls." Shortly after, personal tragedy derailed the band from living in a consistent zip code. Band leader RFK Heise continued to write and hone songs, most of which would become Monuments while living throughout Northwest and Southern California. Lyrical inspiration was found in observation and introspection on not having a consistent home and being a stranger in a constant strange circumstance. First up for review is "Lost and Losing," a track that immediately captures your attention with its captivating guitar work in the intro. The vocals exude a smooth yet bluesy/folksy quality reminiscent of the legendary Bob Dylan. However, Last Giant infuses their music with a modern touch, resulting in a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. "Lost and Losing" stands out as the perfect contrast to the rest of the album, and it's a fantastic choice for a closing track. The production is top-notch, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the West Coast scene that Last Giant expertly captures. Moving on to my personal favorite, "Soldiers." Right from the start, this song hits you with a heavy, crunching sound similar to the legendary Motley Crue. The riffs are undeniably catchy, while the driving drums keep the energy high throughout. The transition to the bridge and subsequent lead guitar solo is seamless and adds another layer of excitement to the track. As the song progresses, it momentarily slows down, building anticipation for a rockin' crescendo that doesn't disappoint. The structure of "Soldiers" is masterfully crafted, making it a perfect fit for modern rock radio. Last Giant's musicianship and production shine brightly throughout the entire album. The band has honed their style and sound, resulting in a cohesive body of work that showcases their talent and creativity. Last Giant is a well-rehearsed group of musicians who know how to captivate their audience. Based on their impressive performance on "Monuments," there's no doubt that Last Giant is a band destined to be seen and heard. Their ability to blend classic and modern rock influences sets them apart from the crowd, and I have no doubt that we'll be hearing even more from them in the future, so keep an ear out because they're ready to rock your world. To check out more from Last Giant, visit their website at www.LastGiantBand.com or hit one of the links below. Last Giant | Spotify ‎Last Giant on Apple Music Monuments | Last Giant (bandcamp.com) Christopher Pryor is a multi-talented Renaissance man who currently fronts the Louisiana-based band Chris Pryor & The Main Event. He loves to listen to new music and give his opinions. Got something you'd like him to listen to? Hit us up at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com or mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . *cover photo provided by indie label Little One Ate the Big One www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The PIT is Louisiana’s Bold New Stage for Live Music < Back Weekend Rock: Open Up The PIT Justin Hammer Sep 6, 2024 Share The PIT is Louisiana’s Bold New Stage for Live Music When people think of the metal scene in Louisiana, they mostly think of New Orleans or maybe Baton Rouge. However, the scene in Lafayette, La, is nothing to sleep on. The Lafayette scene is one of the fastest growing in the state, and this past weekend, that scene grew that much more with the opening of a brand-new ALL-AGES venue called THE PIT by EPIC! Credit: Justin Hammer Opened by Blake Benoit, singer and guitarist for Necromire , with help from Louisiana LOUD concert promoter and owner Seth Thomas, it is a new level for the alternative and metal music community in Lafayette for many reasons. First, it boasts a prime location for hosting. Located right off I-10’s exit 100, it makes finding, getting to, and getting out of as easy as possible. Alongside that, ample parking with a huge open parking lot could easily accommodate larger vehicles, such as buses or RVs, that may be stopping on a tour or traveling from neighboring cities. Just as vital as the location is the fact it will be an ALL-AGES venue, allowing parents to bring their kids and younger fans to be part of the local scene, helping breed a whole new generation of metal and alternative music lovers in the state. Credit: Justin Hammer Traveling inside the venue, you enter the first part of EPIC, a children’s gym complete with rock walls, foam pits, and trampolines. However, if you travel to your left after walking in, you will see a set of black double doors. The magic happens through those doors. Walking in, you will have a table to your right to pay for your admission. Just past that table, also to your right, is a fully stocked bar with a variety of drink options, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike. Just inside the door to your left will be an entire section of tables set up for bands to sell their merch and interact with their fans. Straight ahead you will see the stage, centered on the other side of a massive, wide-open floor with a very high, open ceiling. Their grand opening show was on August 30, 2024 and featured a power-packed lineup of Louisiana metal with Holeopener , Necromire , Muscle , Swampgrave , and the Louisiana metal bimbos themselves, BRAT . These bands brought the house down and made for one of the best local shows I’ve seen in Lafayette! BRAT courtesy of Justin Hammer Be sure to turn out for the next scheduled show at the PIT on Friday, October 4, 2024 . The line-up features local acts Dogma, Life on Mars , Glacial Coffin , and Phallic Laceration . Doors open at 7 p.m., and the Show starts at 8 p.m.! Make it a point to check out this brand-new venue at any of their upcoming shows, which can all be found on their social media accounts: Facebook : The Pit at Epic Instagram : @epic.thepit For booking information be sure to contact Seth Thomas with Louisiana LOUD . Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/louisianaloud/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/louisianaloud/ *All photos by Justin Hammer www.justinhammerphotography.com Shop Photography Art | Justin Hammer Photography Shop art is a collection of art that is currently available for purchase at Justin Hammer Photography. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

The latest from Hawthorne Oachs is another song full of depth and honesty. < Back Reviews on the Real: Must’ve Been the Wind by Hawthorne Oachs Nicole Brice Jun 8, 2025 Share The latest from Hawthorne Oachs is another song full of depth and honesty. Oh my gosh, Hawthorne Oachs is speaking from my soul again. Hawthorne , are you reading my mind? I swear if Hawthorne and I were the same age at the same time, we would have been best friends back in the day. The latest from singer/songwriter Hawthorne Oachs is another song full of depth and honesty. Titled ‘ Must’ve Been the Wind ’, it vividly illustrates the struggle between wanting to express feelings and the hesitation to do so, but in the end, admitting the truth to both yourself and the other person. I guess it must have just been the wind. I’ve faced situations like this many times before, especially in my youth, and it really sucks. You start to second-guess yourself, so, once again, it must have just been the wind. Released May 5, 2025 Hawthorne’s music in this song is upbeat , yet the lyrics convey that sense of longing for someone who doesn’t feel the same way. Through her remarkable storytelling abilities with songwriting, you feel every single note she sings. Each word carries more meaning than the one before it. There’s a sweetness and honesty in her songwriting, too, along with a wisdom that seems far beyond her years. In this rapidly changing era of technology, Hawthorne stands out as an inspiring role model for the upcoming generation of girls. She is deeply connected to the natural world , which is evident in every song she creates. Her work reflects her fascination with both the darkness and light of nature, as well as the complexities of human emotions. She is on a mission to help others through her music by addressing topics that resonate with people of all ages, resulting in conscious and uplifting pop music. Lyric video for 'Must've Been the Wind' Stream ‘ Must’ve Been the Wind ’ now on your favorite service. To learn more about Hawthorne Oachs: www.hawthorneoachs.com Musical Artist | Hawthorne Oachs Hawthorne Oachs is a teen multi-hyphenate songwriter, singer, producer, musical artist, digital artist, and award-nominated actress. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Reviving Britpop < Back A Wave of Nostalgia: The Clifftones Nicole Brice Feb 22, 2023 Share Reviving Britpop Ever so often, I will stumble upon a musician whose sound truly resonates with me all the way to my soul. This holds true with Boston singer/songwriter, Scott Clifford. Scott goes by the handle “The Clifftones” on Instagram, but he is a one-man show. He sings, he plays guitar, he makes his own promos, he produces and records his own music, AND he is one awesome guy. A fellow Veteran of the armed forces, such as myself, when Scott and I first connected, we were able to talk military, and that was initially how the conversation started. Scott served in the 82nd Airborne Division overseas in Iraq but has since ended his enlistment. His smooth, soulful voice is truly beautiful, though, and it puts me in such a calm space. I am certain it will do the same for you. Over the past few years, Clifford has released several original singles, but with his latest release, he has decided to pay homage to those who have inspired and influenced him since adolescence. “The Exchange St. Sessions” EP is available March 1st via all streaming platforms, and I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy. It has been on repeat for the past two weeks. This EP of cover songs is hauntingly beautiful and gives me the chills … the good kind you get when the music is truly special. With Scott’s renditions of such classics as “Fade into You” by Mazzy Star and “The Drugs Don’t Work” by The Verve, it’s as if I’m hearing this music for the first time. With a voice that is a cross between Ryan Adams and Tom Waits, I insist that everyone give a listen to his newest release launching soon. You will thank me; I’m sure of it. Scott and I sat down to have a lengthy discussion recently about his music, his career in the Army, and just everything in general. Take the time to read about this incredibly talented man, and then go check out his Instagram for everything Clifftones related. MaM : Good Morning! So, how’s it going? SC : It’s going alright. I was actually going to crack a joke with your text that said, “Alright, I’ll call you at 11:15.” I was going to say, “I don’t know what unit you were in, but it’s 11:18 here already … and then I realized you are an hour behind me.” (laughs) MaM : I forget that I’m in a different time zone from others sometimes, being in no-man’s-land Louisiana. (laughs) SC : At least people are polite there. MaM : Well, kinda sorta. My family isn’t from here. Dad is from San Diego and mom is from Ashtabula, Ohio, so I’ve always been the odd ball, but let’s get this started. First, I love your accent. I know I probably have a southern accent from being down here. (laughs) SC : Well, I wouldn’t say I have a thick one, but I wouldn’t say you have a thick one either, but now, if I have a drink, it really comes out. (laughs) MaM : So, I know you had mentioned prior to this that you were in the military. 82nd Airborne? SC : Yep, so I was stationed at Ft. Bragg and did basic at Ft. Benning and then did AIT at Ft. Gordon. MaM : I did both my basic and AIT at Ft. Jackson. SC : What was your MOS? MaM : It started out as 71 L, but when they did some restructuring, the nomenclature changed to 42 L, but no matter what the number was, was always a clerk. I think I processed more Article 15's than anything. It was as if someone was always in trouble. (laughs) SC: I was a Commo guy. I laughed when you had mentioned the “E-4 Mafia” when we spoke another time. MaM : It wasn’t like the opportunities weren’t there to advance past E-4, but I was happy with my MOS, so I figured, why change it just to gain rank. So, I was E-4 my entire military career and I like to say we knew stuff, but we didn’t want the responsibility. (laughs) SC : Oh, I’m one of ya. (laughs) Yeah, after my 15-month deployment to Iraq for the surge, I just didn’t really care about advancing. I got home from my deployment and just wanted out. That was in 2010, though. It’s been a while. MaM : Same. Ok, so let’s talk music. I could talk military forever. Give our readers a little more background info on you. SC : I am Scott Clifford, and I’m 38 years old. I live in Boston, Mass., and I’m inspired by Rock music, and from an early age always wanted to emulate my favorite artists. I like being able to convey feelings, thoughts, and experiences through music. It’s an outlet for me. While I’m from Massachusetts, I’ve lived and travelled all over the world. I am an 82nd airborne combat veteran, as we already spoke about, and while I’m glad I’m out, I am glad I served. Fun fact: While in Iraq, I managed to get ahold of a guitar and laptop, and in the rare event we had free time, I would make spoof songs with my friends and fellow soldiers. I made a song called “365 in the 325” (325th Infantry Regiment) where me and some of the other guys would sing about the monotony while serving and various broken promises our unit/leadership made. After my time in the military, I studied towards a bachelor’s degree and later a master’s degree in the United Kingdom. I loved living in the UK, and the music scene there was incredible. MaM : When did you first get the itch to make music? SC : The first time I recall music registering in my brain as something fun to do was when I was around four or five years old. I remember my grandparents having an old electric keyboard. I can recall slowly playing the piano from the highest note to the lowest, all the while daydreaming about a little red riding hood storyline in my mind. I really believe this is where I sort of picked up or wired my brain for melody. With every note, I associated a feeling and a picture in my mind. I still do! MaM : Name one influential person in your life who you can credit with putting you on your path to making music. SC : I was lucky as a kid. I remember my dad realizing that I was starting to care less about sports and more about music. He bought me my first guitar. That’s when I realized I didn’t just want to be a fan of music but also someone who creates music as well. Because of my age, I had just missed the Grunge movement, and then here comes this Brit-Pop stuff, which you know I love. In fact, I ended up talking to one of the Gallagher brothers. There is a third one, who is not famous, and he found me on Instagram a while back, and he said to me, ‘You know what your problem is?’ And I’m thinking, ‘Oh, here we go …’ (laughs) He says to me, though, ‘You’re not doing anything new.’ I’ve had so many people say that I’m stuck in the past with my music, but if I sound 80’s, 90’s, or even 60’s, I take that as a compliment. MaM : Well, you know what they say: What was once old will become new again. That’s just the nature of the game. What is your favorite type of music, and who is your favorite artist or musician? SC : My favorite type or genre of music? I’d have to say it is Alternative Rock with a solid Pop leaning. By that I mean everything I’m writing now is heavily based around hooks and a verse/bridge/chorus-sort of structure. Not only do I want the songs to be catchy but also meaningful with the lyrics (the hard part). One of my favorite musicians would have to be Noel Gallagher of Oasis, obviously. The way he crafts a song is often simple but so melodic and anthemic. MaM : What is one of your most memorable live shows you have played? SC: Live music … my experience playing live consists mainly of small pubs and open-mic nights. One of my favorite times playing was while I lived in England. A few of my friends knew I played the guitar and volunteered me to play. Learning all those Oasis songs as a kid paid off that night! MaM : Where do you see yourself headed in the future as far as your music career? SC : Well, so far, it’s looking like an eventful 2023. I’m releasing the acoustic five-track covers EP followed by an Originals EP. I’m also in talks to collaborate with an electronic artist from Europe (trying to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit) and possibly creating the soundtrack for an indie film set in NYC, not to mention planning some live dates and limited run merch for the upcoming EP. Exciting times! I’m still navigating the world of Indie music, but I’ve been fortunate to have had some talented musicians and artists reach out to talk about my work. It’s beyond flattering and tells me I’m on to something. To check out Scott’s music, be sure to follow him on Instagram and then download “The Exchange St. Sessions” EP out March 1, 2023! The Clifftones (@clifftonesmusic) • Instagram photos and videos The Exchange St Sessions (2021-2022) by The Clifftones - DistroKid Music | The Clifftones - Scott Clifford | BostonMA Spotify – The Clifftones TheClifftones (@clifftones) / Twitter *All photos provided by the artist* www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

New Titles in Theaters and On Demand < Back New Movies Out This Week Keeley Brooks Oct 21, 2022 Share New Titles in Theaters and On Demand Here's your weekly list of what's new in theaters and for rent! Watch away, my friends. And remember to eat your popcorn with your mouth closed. Nobody likes a smacker. Enjoy! In Theaters: Black Adam – Dwayne Johnson stars as Teth Adam, who was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods in ancient Kahndaq. After using these powers for vengeance, Adam was imprisoned and became Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed, and Black Adam has gone from man to myth to legend. Now free, his unique form of justice birthed by rage is challenged by modern-day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone. Ticket to Paradise – Julia Roberts and George Clooney are a divorced couple who teams up and travels to Bali to stop their daughter from making the same mistake they think they made 25 years ago. American Murderer – Starring Ryan Phillippe and Tom Pelphrey (Outer Range), this film is based on the true story of Jason Derek Brown, a charismatic con man turned party king who bankrolls his luxurious lifestyle through a series of scams. When his funds run low and his past catches up with him, he plots his most elaborate scheme yet and, in the process, becomes the FBI’s most unlikely—and elusive—top ten fugitive. Also available to rent. The Banshees of Inisherin – Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson lead this film about the relationship between two buddies. On a remote island off the coast of Ireland, Padraic is devastated when his buddy Colm suddenly puts an end to their lifelong friendship. With help from his sister and a troubled young islander, Padraic sets out to repair the damaged relationship by any means necessary. However, as Colm’s resolve only strengthens, he soon delivers an ultimatum that leads to shocking consequences. Also available to rent. Slayers – Vampire slayer Elliot Jones made it his life’s mission to take revenge on the bloodsuckers who killed his teenage daughter. After years of tracking them, he’s finally reached their secret and hidden base. To get to them, though, he’ll need help from a motley crew of social media superstars who’ve been invited to party at a compound that’s also a lair for ancient vampires. Starring Abigail Breslin, Malin Ackerman, and Thomas Jane Wendell & Wild – A stop-motion horror comedy directed by Henry Selick ( Coraline , James and the Giant Peach ) and from a screenplay co-written with Jordan Peele ( Us , Nope ). Two devious demon brothers have to face their arch-enemy with the help of nun Sister Helly, who is notorious for expelling demons. However, the brothers are not only plagued by her but also by her altar boys. New Titles On Demand: Bros https://youtu.be/BQIeBB9XMe8 Bitcon https://youtu.be/HwbIhXrJhIw Beyond the Neon https://youtu.be/p9S-QtP9PkE Hockeyland https://youtu.be/HC15J7GxPuo The Loneliest Boy in the World https://youtu.be/zBhGbSrixtE Kingslayer https://youtu.be/z5PxQVi9SfA Where Are You? https://youtu.be/_urNSZdg42w Detective Knight: Rogue https://youtu.be/0vJXSQoysXE Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders https://youtu.be/6303iTtM-mk www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Godzilla: Minus One deftly balances social commentary with eye-popping monster action amid personal trauma, drama, and guilt. < Back Godzilla: Minus One: Film Review Shaun Corley Dec 11, 2023 Share Godzilla: Minus One deftly balances social commentary with eye-popping monster action amid personal trauma, drama, and guilt. With a dense mythology, many argue the Godzilla franchise has drifted away from its original intent. While entertaining, the new Godzilla movies lack the social commentary that made the 1954 original so iconic. Fans looking for a Godzilla film that deftly balances social commentary with eye-popping monster action need look no further than this year’s Godzilla: Minus One . Directed by Takashi Yamazaki ( Parasyte: Part I and II ), Godzilla: Minus One is a back-to-basics approach to Godzilla , taking its cues from the original 1954 Godzilla film, perhaps more than any other Godzilla film to date. Godzilla: Minus One features not only one of the best-looking Godzillas ever, but it also remembers that people are just as essential to these movies as the monsters are. Godzilla: Minus One also dispenses any notions of heroism on Godzilla’s part, instead showing him as a primordial force, one that never relents and can never be killed. Photo: Toho Studios The original Godzilla film is a stone-cold classic, a potent allegory for the devastating effects of atomic radiation on both Japan and the rest of the world. Released in Japan in 1954, Godzilla introduced the movie-going public to the behemoth, and to the concept of “kaiju” as a whole. Godzilla made his way to Western audiences two years later when an Americanized version starring Raymond Burr ( Rear Window ) was released: Godzilla, King of the Monsters! However, during the transition, studios emptied Godzilla of his anti-atomic bomb context. While King of the Monsters! is a perfectly fun monster film, it lacks the punch and the heft of the Japanese original. Since 1954, there have been a few different Godzilla franchises, both in Japan and America. Each of these took different approaches: For example, in Godzilla’s Shōwa-era depiction (Japanese political era from 1926-89), he was a champion of humanity; the Heisei era (Japanese political era from 1989-2019) restored his reputation as a destructive force. Then there is also the Millenium era , which identifies films in the Godzilla series released from 1999-2004, as well as two different American reboots—the most recent being 2024’s Godzilla X Kong . That is also to note nothing of the various spin-offs, such as the Mothra films, Rodan , and others. Godzilla: Minus One is set shortly after the end of World War II and sees Japan largely in ruins. Koichi (Ryunosuke Kamiki, of The Great Yokai War ) is a kamikaze pilot who abandons his post in the war’s final days. Landing on Odo Island, Koichi bears witness to Godzilla’s first attack on humanity. During the ruckus, Koichi has a golden opportunity to end Godzilla’s reign before it starts. However, he freezes up, and Godzilla destroys the base, killing everyone except Koichi and another man named Sosaku (Munetaka Aoki, of Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part I - The Final ). Riddled with survivor’s guilt, Koichi desperately tries to put what he saw behind him. Fate has other plans, though, as Godzilla returns even bigger and more powerful than the first time. Now Koichi must overcome his trauma to help save Japan. As both the American and Japanese Godzilla films began moving away from the social and cultural commentaries, Godzilla became one of the good guys, often rising up to turn back other monsters, such as King Ghidorah. Photo: Legendary Pictures This was particularly true during the Shōwa era of Japan. While the Heisei era returned Godzilla to his destructive ways, the most recent American films have, once again, made him a hero. Godzilla: Minus One dispenses any notions of heroism on his part, instead showing him as a primordial force, one that never relents and can never be killed. With this return to villainy for Godzilla comes the social commentary for which the first movie was known. The 1954 version famously dealt with the fallout of the first atomic bomb tests; two such bombs were dropped, both on Japan. This incident scarred the Japanese psyche, and Godzilla was the result. The 1954 Godzilla was also released as the Cold War was ramping up, and the dangers of atomic radiation were on everyone’s mind. Godzilla tapped into these fears and doubts. Godzilla’s atomic aspects are baked into the character and are indeed present in Godzilla: Minus One . These issues, however, take a back seat to explorations of trauma and guilt . Koichi very much has PTSD, which holds him back both in his career and his life. He meets Noriko (Minami Hamabe, of Let Me Eat Your Pancreas ), a young woman living in the ruins of postwar Japan. Koichi cares very much for her, but his past will not let him love. Kiochi and Noriko (Photo: Toho Studios) Likewise, Koichi’s relationship with Sosaku, the other survivor of Odo Island, is also frayed: Sosaku is angry at Koichi for not opening fire on Godzilla when he had the chance. A key plot point of Godzilla: Minus One is Koichi’s attempts to get Sosaku to join the anti-Godzilla team. Sosaku and Koichi reconcile just in time for the final battle against Godzilla. In giant monster movies such as Godzilla: Minus One , it can be tricky balancing the monster action with personal drama; sometimes one gets little attention. However, Godzilla: Minus One blends the two well. Godzilla looks as good as he ever has—a remarkable feat given the film’s relatively low budget. The special effects, particularly when Godzilla activates his “atomic breath”, are first-rate. The human drama also sustains Minus One . Koichi’s anti-Godzilla team is perfectly cast, and the viewer is left with the impression they are a genuine family, one brought together not by blood but by shared traumas. 2024 marks 70 years of Godzilla. In that time, he has been many things to many people: hero, villain, and protector. While this has made for some fun movies, it ignores the original subtext that made the first Godzilla film so good: the social commentary. However, Godzilla: Minus One brings the monster back to form, using him to discuss themes of guilt, family, and trauma . Godzilla: Minus One is currently in theaters. Catch it on the big screen while you can! Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, which are far outnumbered by comics and the smell of rich mahogany. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

It's time for her to be heard! < Back Britney Spears: A Stifled Talent Nicole Brice Apr 25, 2024 Share It's time for her to be heard! Born and raised near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I’ve always felt a strange connection to the pop star known as Britney Spears . I always like to tell people my music tastes range from the music of Britney Spears to the metal masters of Slayer , which it actually does. Good music is good music, right? If it resonates with you, then that means something. I didn’t always like Britney's music, though. In the beginning, I thought it sounded too processed and fake. As the years passed, I would come to appreciate the music she was putting out and it became the soundtrack to the life I wanted. Also, too, I have always thought Britney’s public persona in the early years was my alter ego if I had the balls to truly be me. Instead, I am shy and timid, and I hide, but given the interviews and reports throughout the years on Ms. Spears, I feel she isn’t much different. She comes off as a very sweet and genuine human being who has been molded and shaped to fit the agenda of those who benefit from her talent. Initially when Britney came on the scene in 1999, I was envious and jealous of her beauty, career, and fame. After all, there was a girl the same age as me, from the same state as me, living out her dreams and I felt it just wasn’t fair, but who was I to be jealous of an individual with remarkable talent when I can’t carry a tune much less dance. Now, at 42 years old, I feel connected to the pop sensation more than ever due to us both being born in 1981, being mothers, and both having our families turn on us during times of need. I also feel, too, like me that Britney is gravely misunderstood. Beneath the sad eyes and erratic videos of her half naked dances, I see a woman confused on life, confused on her identity, and just plain confused about what she should do or where she should turn. She seems lost and hopeless but puts on a smile for her fans and does the only thing she has ever known to do, sell her body, in hopes that she is seen and heard . Britney’s talent goes far beyond her half-naked romps on the beach, though. She can sing and although her voice has been stifled all these years by those wanting her to portray a sexier image, proof of her true raw talent is on the track, “ Just Like Me ” from her album, “ Glory ”, released in 2016. “ Just Like Me ” starts with a simple acoustic guitar and only Britney's beautiful voice. The song then builds to a thunderous chorus and a hypnotizing electronic beat only to revert to the insatiable acoustic guitar sound. One of her most underrated songs in my opinion and proof that Britney’s voice is both soulful and full of heart. With reports saying she is on substances; I can see right through that. While I do not know the details of what is truly going on in her life, I do know she is throwing away amazing talent. If someone would just encourage her to write and record an album with an actual band playing music as the backing track instead of prefabricated mumbo jumbo made in the studio, I think everyone would see an entirely different side to Ms. Spears. Her voice is strong, and phenomenal. In fact, no one in the industry has ever sounded like her. I, for one, want her to use her voice to entertain the masses, but in a way she has never done before. No dance moves and no theatrical stage show. Just Britney on stage with her voice. Britney’s true voice, the one not sounding like a sex kitten, is bold and fierce and it needs to be seen and heard before it’s too late. “ Change Your Mind ” is another track that stands out amongst Ms. Spears’ catalog with its simple stripped-down intro that leads to a thundering bass and dance beat. Her strong vocals are heard in the first few bars of the track, and it is exquisite. In a world full of autotune, Britney does not really need it, yet the music industry has always forced it upon her. Why? Why not allow this beautiful human to just be who she is and showcase her unique voice? In fact, I feel her album, “ Glory ” is one of the most underrated albums ever. Almost every song is amazing, and her voice sounds so mature and womanly. It’s my go to album when I need to get into a certain headspace. Click the picture to experience "Glory" all over again. With all the negative press surrounding her lately, I think that starting today we should usher in a new era for Ms. Spears. Instead of speculating on her personal life and allowing others to trash her publicly, let us lift her up. In fact, I think we should initiate a “Free Britney’s voice” campaign. It’s 2024 and it’s time for Ms. Spears’ talent to make a comeback of unprecedented proportions. Let her music speak for her. Who’s with me? Society needs to stop beating people when they are down, and instead focus on the positive attributes these individuals possess. Spread love and kindness, I say! For me, I’d like to see less of a focus on individuals’ personal lives and more focus on talent. Let the music flourish. Music soothes the soul, after all, so who’s to say if Britney were pushed to record again with her rules and with her pure raw voice that we wouldn’t see something spectacular? Britney, if you end up reading this, you are amazing. Your talent is unparalleled, and you are an icon. Know that even though you may never meet any of us fans in person that we are all rooting for you and that we love you. You cannot be replaced. Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Runaway Bunny is an epic tale of strength and resilience. < Back Exploring Escapism: Hawthorne Oachs’ New Single is a Compelling Tale of Freedom Nicole Brice Jun 17, 2024 Share Runaway Bunny is an epic tale of strength and resilience. It’s rare and special when an artist’s music resonates with me on a deeply personal level. I can honestly say that it's been a while since I've been genuinely moved by a piece of music. However, last year, a young artist, musician, and actress captured my attention with her soul-stirring song, ' A Single Flower , ' and I have been a massive fan of hers ever since. Credit: Artist website At just 15 years old, Hawthorne Oachs is a free spirit unafraid to explore the depths of the human experience. Her advocacy for mental health is a testament to her courage and empathy, and her willingness to be raw and vulnerable in her music is truly inspiring. Her transparent, honest, and authentic lyrics have the power to make you think and cry, creating a unique and powerful dynamic in music. With wisdom exuding that of an old soul, Hawthorne’s latest song, released on June 6, 2024, “ Runaway Bunny ”, begins with an 80’s new wave synth vibe that transports you into a dreamlike sequence with angelic and haunting vocals. As the song progresses, the intensity builds, and at 1:48, when the twinkling synths come in, it builds even further until it ends so abruptly that you want more. This is, without a doubt, my favorite song from Hawthorne Oachs yet, and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us in the future. Add this to your list of songs to check out NOW! I recommend going down that rabbit hole if you have never experienced Hawthorne’s music. This is only the beginning for this remarkable young artist. Click the picture to experience "Runaway Bunny". Hawthorne Oachs can be found on: Website : https://www.hawthorneoachs.com Linktree : https://linktr.ee/hawthorneoachs Spotify : Hawthorne Oachs | Spotify YouTube : https://youtu.be/Cnrd0bbJ9fE?si=MJEYDUrrhLcBruOP www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Escape Your Fate blends alt-rock energy with undeniable conviction. < Back Reviews on the Real: Escape Your Fate by Caustic Waves Nicole Brice Sep 9, 2025 Share Escape Your Fate blends alt-rock energy with undeniable conviction. Released on September 5, 2025, ' Escape Your Fate ' makes a thunderous entrance, showcasing the strong alternative rock sound that Caustic Waves is becoming known for. This head-nodding track is filled with fuzzy guitars and a captivating groove. It’s truly impressive that Neil handles all the instruments and recordings himself for Caustic Waves . He is a remarkable Renaissance man . Released September 5, 2025 As a standout act, Caustic Waves is steadily building a reputation with their distinctive take on alternative rock , tailored for a new generation. They aren't just playing alternative rock; they are redefining it for an audience eager for something authentic. Neil’s voice, echoing shades of Brandon Boyd from Incubus , serves as the heartbeat of ' Escape Your Fate ,' providing the song with a timeless yet contemporary energy. One notable aspect of Neil’s compositions is that there is no build-up; each song kicks off with energy right from the start. The phrase “Trapped in a cage, there is no escape” resonates in my mind as I reflect on ' Escape Your Fate ' further. Around the 2:15 mark, an incredible guitar solo elevates the song to a new level, paving the way for Neil’s vocals to soar back in, continuing the strong lyrics and message. The official video for 'Escape Your Fate' by Caustic Waves ' Escape Your Fate ' showcases Neil at his best, blending his Boyd-like vocal grit with Caustic Waves’ heavy alt-rock energy, all delivered with undeniable conviction. Stream ' Escape Your Fate ' now and get ready for the full EP release in October. I know we can't wait for that! To learn more about Caustic Waves: Spotify: Caustic Waves | Spotify Bandcamp: Music | Caustic Waves YouTube: CAUSTIC WAVES - YouTube Apple Music: ‎Caustic Waves - Apple Music www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Top 5 Nostalgia Picks for October 2024 < Back Way Back When: Nostalgia Picks for your Playlist October Nicole Brice Oct 1, 2024 Share Top 5 Nostalgia Picks for October 2024 It’s my FAVORITE month in the entire world! Woo Hoo! I struggled to decide on these, but I think you’ll enjoy them all. … and if you don’t … I don’t care. My column. My rules. I’m winking at all of you as I type that, too. 1. AFI – Halloween This 1999 Misfit’s cover by AFI is more enjoyable than the original, in my opinion. Something about AFI’s persona during this period does it for me, too. I know bands must evolve, but this period between Black Sails and Art of Drowning is my fave. Turn this one up loud and enjoy! 1999 2. Ministry – Everyday Is Halloween In 1984 after Ministry left Arista , they recorded a couple of singles for Wax Trax! , and this was one of those singles. For those who know of Ministry with its more brutal sound , this track will surprise you. More in vain with bands like Depeche Mode , this track was released as the ultimate goth anthem, and when I first discovered it, I would play it nonstop in the control room at 90.9 KSLU while we were working on promos because I loved it so much. You’ll be bopping along in no time once you put this one on your list. Trust me. 1984 3. Def Leppard- Photograph Even though I was only two years old when this song was released, my earliest memories of hearing it were when the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair would come to town. I can remember this song being played on the sound systems with various rides that were going around. When I finally saw the video on VH1 years later, I became even more intrigued with the band. Forever one of my faves. 1983 4. How to Destroy Angels - BBB This song is from the first self-titled EP released under the How to Destroy Angels name, featuring Trent Reznor and his wife, Mariqueen . It is so infectious that you’ll be zoned in within minutes while nodding your head. 2010 5. Candlebox – Far Behind This song instantly transports me back to 6th grade in the fall. There is so much love for this song in my heart. If you’ve never heard it, turn it up! 1993 Hey, if you don't like these, cool. If you've never heard them, check them out! Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Unwelcome is Gremlins meets Straw Dogs and is rooted in tradition and mythology, infusing a creature feature with searing psychological horror. < Back Unwelcome: Film Review Shaun Corley Oct 16, 2023 Share Unwelcome is Gremlins meets Straw Dogs and is rooted in tradition and mythology, infusing a creature feature with searing psychological horror. The 2022 film Unwelcome mixes the real-world horrors of home invasions with a creature feature, and while the result can be a little uneven, it is still a satisfying watch. Directed by Jon Wright , who brought audiences Robot Overlords (2014) and Grabbers (2012), Unwelcome sets itself apart from other such movies by embracing 80’s style practical effects over CGI. Drawing on Irish folklore, Unwelcome was pitched by Wright as “ Gremlins meets Straw Dogs .” Unwelcome stars Hannah John-Kamen ( Ant-Man and the Wasp ) and Douglas Booth ( Great Expectations ) as Maya and Jamie, a young couple who are the victims of a brutal home invasion the night they learn Maya is pregnant. While Maya is unharmed in the invasion, Jamie is severely beaten. The trauma of the incident leads them to relocate to Ireland, where Jamie has just inherited his aunt’s old estate. Maya and Jamie are embraced by the locals—for the most part. The estate is in desperate need of repair, and the couple hire a family known as the Whelans to fix it up. credit: IMDb Colm Meaney as "Daddy" Whelan with Jamie & Maya (credit: IMDb) On their first night in the house, they are advised by local neighbor Maeve (Niamh Cusack, of The Tower ) to leave out a blood offering each night, to appease the “Redcaps.” Maya and Jamie dismiss Niamh’s warnings. The next day, the Whelan family arrives at the estate. “Daddy” Whelan (played to the hilt by Colm Meaney, of Hell on Wheels ) bullies his three grown children, played by Jamie-Lee O’Donnell ( Screw ), Kristian Nairn (Hodor, of Game of Thrones ) and Chris Walley ( The Last Voyage of Demeter ). The children, in turn, terrorize Maya and Jamie, starting by stealing small stuff from their house. Later, one of the children, Eoin (Nairn), tries to assault Maya, drawing the wrath of the Redcaps, who drag him away. Matters spiral out of control from there. Looking for his missing son, Daddy Whelan and his surviving brood ramp up their war against Maya and Jamie, ultimately culminating in another violent home invasion. All the while, the two must contend with the Redcaps and a legacy of evil that threatens to engulf them. The two stories collide in a brutal and unforgettable climax, ending on a truly horrifying note. Unwelcome has a good deal going for it. Like all good folk horror, Unwelcome is rooted in tradition and mythology, in this case from the British Isles. The film’s Redcaps are actual creatures from Scottish and English lore. Closely resembling leprechauns, Redcaps are said to kill those who enter their territory, staining their hats red with the blood of their victims. Also called the far darring , these creatures are evil and malevolent. The Redcaps are brought to glorious life using largely practical effects, which adds a layer of realism to their appearance. The Redcaps’ menacing look was designed by Paul Catling with prosthetics created by Shaune Harrison . The lack of CGI in Unwelcome is a breath of fresh air in today’s industry. credit: IMDb Yet Unwelcome is not merely another creature feature. Instead, Wright infuses the movie with searing psychological horror . Maya and Jamie have been through hell together, surviving a violent home invasion with their lives. Wright effectively explores the trauma the incident left on them: Jamie becomes increasingly violent and more protective of Maya, to the point of reading books on self-defense techniques. Maya, by and far, seems to have healed and moved on from the trauma, but Jamie cannot let it go. It is a bleak and stark reminder that recovering from trauma takes time, if it happens at all. Wright described the film as a “home invasion thriller,” invoking the classic Sam Peckinpah film Straw Dogs (1971). Indeed, there are a number of similarities. Maya and Jamie, much like David and Amy in Straw Dogs , have relocated to the countryside, running up against provincial thinking and customs and mores that are wildly different. And just like Straw Dogs , this mistrust and tension builds to an explosive final conflict, one in which there are no real victors. One of Straw Dogs ’ themes of violence causing us to lose our humanity is taken to its extreme here in a bloody and unsettling ending. These elements could make Unwelcome a truly great movie, but the execution is a little uneven. However, the performances, particularly from Colm Meaney, more than make up for any deficiencies in the script. Likewise, Douglas Booth does an excellent job of chronicling Jamie’s descent into madness, one spurred not only by painful memories from London but also by the supernatural events going on around him. A fine addition to the folk horror canon, Unwelcome manages to rise above any flaws to become an entertaining movie. Unwelcome is currently streaming on AMC+, Prime Video, and DirecTV and is available to rent or purchase on Shudder, Google Play, Vudu, AppleTV, and Roku Channel. Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, which are far outnumbered by comics and the smell of rich mahogany. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Stella Vir are progressive-infused sounds full of spatial concepts < Back Stella Vir: A Modern Ambient Rock Abyss Je'an-Paul Keller Aug 8, 2023 Share Stella Vir are progressive-infused sounds full of spatial concepts Coming up August 19, 2023, Louisiana’s own Stella Vir is set to perform at Rad Fest 2023 at PARC International in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. With tunes full of howling guitars and crisp clean vocals, this band hails from Hessmer, LA and they are the third band in our installment of interviews with all acts on the bill. The band was formed in 2019 by Josh Ferguson (vocals), Justin Theriot (lead guitar), Waylon Wilkinson (bass), and Shane Landry (drums). Gaining a following on the local scene due to their energetic performances and catchy, melodic songs, Stella Vir’s debut EP “Meridian”, released in 2020, is so good that you’ll want to turn the dial all the way up to eleven to engross yourself in the soothing sounds. And if you have an iPod handy, pop in those headphones and disappear into the abyss. Credit: Ahnvee Photography In 2022, the guys released their follow-up EP “City Lights”, continuing the band’s evolution with a more mature sound and showcasing more complex songwriting. With songs such as “Getaway” and “Full Speed” that provide ferocious guitar licks, Stella Vir is quickly solidifying itself as one of the most promising of all the up-and-coming rock bands coming out of Louisiana. Each member feeds off their own unique styles and the band has managed to find a cohesive sound that is distinct and one all their own. The band has the talent, the drive, and the sound to make it big and with their continued touring, Stella Vir is sure to become one of the most popular rock bands in the country. You must see them live to experience their sound in all its depth, truly. With a love for all things sci-fi, I was able to chat recently with Josh Ferguson, the lead vox, about everything from the band’s name to how their unique sound is achieved and his love of everything sci-fi related. Geek out with us and get lost in space by learning a bit more about what makes up the band known as Stella Vir. MaM : I dig your music. Who or what inspired your current sound? JF : So, I've been I've been playing music for about 20 years, and in the late 90s/ early 2000s. There is just something about the grunge era and when emo came out. Post-hardcore bands as well, such as Finch and Thursday … I really got into all of those styles of music. My writing style has always been somewhat of an emo-derived kind of sound. It's just a blend of all kinds of music that makes us what we are. MaM : With so much going on in the world, what influences you to make music? JF : It's kind of like a sickness. I had quit playing music about five times now, but I wake up some mornings with just ideas in my head. I feel like I can't do anything without writing these ideas down, and the next thing I know … I'm writing music in a band again. It's just been in me, and my guitarist. We've been writing music together for 20 years, and it's just something we can never shake off. MaM : Can you tell our readers how your band initially came about? JF : I went on tour with a band, and then when that tour finished up … I decided to be a husband, and a dad, and not really play music anymore. My guitarist from over 20 years ago … [He] and I started talking again. We decided to do something different. So rather than trying to write music that we thought people would like or would get people to go to shows, we decided to start writing stuff that we would wanna listen to, and that's where we ended up. The first song we wrote together is on our ‘Meridian’ EP! It is called ‘With Fire Comes Truth’. It's one of the most fun songs that we have to play. It's just about not caring what anybody else says [with the message to] just burn the world down if you must … TO BE HAPPY! Credit: Ahnvee Photography MaM : Love the name of the band. How did it come about? JF : So, Stella Vir! At first, we had decided on the name Meridian for the band. In the process of uploading our music to social media … We realized that there [were] 63 bands named Meridian at that time. Obviously, we can't go this route if we want anybody to find us. We spent a couple of days trying to think of something that would be original, and my buddy Justin, [who] plays guitar, mentioned Stella Vir, which in Latin is roughly translated to Man of the Stars. We are all just really into space-related themes. We were all in love with it as soon as he said it, and we never looked back. It's just the idea of extra-terrestrial beings in space looking down on us, and the planet Earth. That's the kind of vibe that we make all our artwork around and our merch. I absolutely love the space theme. I can't get enough of it. MaM : So, growing up? What sci-fi movies or series played a huge role in developing the concept for the band? JF : I'm a huge fan of Guardians of the Galaxy . I'm a huge fan of Star Wars . We are all fanboys of Star Wars . I also listen to a lot of podcasts that are sci-fi based, fiction, and non-fiction. Whatever I can find, I eat it up. I remember going to the NASA space center when I was a kid, and I really got into the whole idea of space. So, anything I come across, I'm just a huge fan. MaM : Are there any specific things that you like to use to achieve your sound? JF : Honestly, the main goal that we've had as a band from the beginning is we just wanna be natural. We want to write stuff that we can perform live, and we don't need a huge production to do it. If you hear us on the radio, when you see us live, or when you hear us on Spotify, it's nothing different than what you heard on our albums. Our main goal has always been to just be real, and natural. We don't spend a whole lot of time on post-production. It's just whatever we can play. We just put it on a track like that to make sure everything stays as real as possible. MaM : Do you have any specific brands of guitars or bass guitars that you like to use? JF : I have a Gibson Explorer, and I have an SG that I use. The other guitarist, he likes Fender. He also has a Gibson Les Paul, and that's his main guitar. We both really got into AXE-FX within the last two years. It's really simplified our consistency as far as our guitar tone goes. Every time we plug in, we know we're gonna sound the same regardless of the venue. That's really the main thing. We try to have a strong guitar front. The AXE-FX and Gibson guitars … That's our go-to. Credit: Ahnvee Photography MaM : What types of amps are you currently using? JF : We both started digging into the AXE-FX. For the last few years, I was using a Marshall DSL 100, and [the other guitarist] was using a Friedman BE-100. We try to stay in that Marshall, Friedman, Mesa/Boogie kind of sound on the fractal, but before you know it, you're dialing into six different cabs and five different amps. It's just kind of all over the place. Whatever sounds good for that particular song. We may switch it up for different songs, so it's kind of hard to nail that down. I can't say enough about the AXE-FX. You can do anything with it. MaM : Do you consider “City Lights” a concept album? JF : I wanna say the first song on that album was ‘City Lights’. We actually had that one written before we created the first album. I wanted to do a concept album, but I have two kids and three jobs. To write a concept album is a lot more time-consuming. The songs are kind of pieced together about different things. It's just about different things that have happened to us in our lives. That's what that album is all about. I wish I could say that it was a concept album, but I haven't had the time to really go down that rabbit hole. Hopefully, for this next album … That is the direction that I wanna go, and we'll see what happens. MaM : Any future plans or aspirations for the band? JF : I think RAD Fest is gonna open a lot of doors for us. You would think that social media would make it easy for people to get their music out. I think it makes it more difficult because there is just so much stuff thrown at you in a day. I think that a lot of stuff gets overlooked. RAD Fest is gonna be huge for us. Huge for all of the other bands too. I think it's gonna open the door for us to get shows with bands that we might not have been able to play with before. People will be able to see us that have not ever heard of us before. So, I'm looking forward to that. This is gonna be our biggest show, and I'm really looking forward to that. I can't wait to see what happens with it. MaM : Can I get any information about the new songs you are writing? JF : There's a new song that we play that is called ‘Anything at All’ and it is, by far, one of my favorite songs. We have a live version of it on our YouTube page from our last show if you wanted to check that out, but it's just a high-energy type of song. We try to keep our shows full of high energy, and that's probably the most pulled-up song that we have. MaM : Are there any memorable shows you have played so far? JF : We played at the Cajun Heartland State Fair last year. We're hoping to get on again this year, but I think we missed the deadline to apply. That's a cool thing that the Cajundome allows local bands like us to do. I can't say enough about the local scene in Lafayette. You have all these bands wanting to put on big shows and include us. The Cajun Heartland State Fair is probably the most notable thing that we've done so far, and I think RAD Fest is gonna be right there with it. Credit: Band's Facebook MaM : Do you have any other plans in the future after RAD Fest? JF : We do. We've been tracking some new songs, and hopefully, before the end of the summer, we'll have a release date for ‘Anything at All’. Then, we're gonna start working our way up to a full album release. That's the most exciting thing we have going on right now. I love writing music, and we all love recording it. That's definitely on the horizon. Facebook: @Stella Vir Instagram: @stellavirmusic YouTube: @stellavir8290 *cover photo by Ahnvee Photography https://www.ahnveephotography.com/ Je’an Paul Keller is a member of the 501st Legion and a huge sci-fi nerd. He’s also a HUGE music lover and is very passionate about drawing, sketching, painting, and making cosplays and movie-accurate costumes. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

< Back Masked Mutilator Ezekiel Kincaid Share Jan 25, 2024 Masked Mutilator combines horror and wrestling, making for the ultimate B-movie experience. Zeke’s rating: 4 out of 5 Choke Slams Two of the greatest things God blessed us with on this planet are horror movies and wrestling. But you know what’s even better? When horror and wrestling combine for the ultimate B-movie experience! This is what we have in today’s review of Masked Mutilator . As a child of the 80s, I was a huge wrestling fan. It was the golden age of the sport, filled with icons such as Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, The Undertaker, Sting, Lex Luger, and Ric Flair. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, we had the attitude era that started in the late 90s and carried into the early 2000s. This is when the more extreme stuff, like ECW ( Extreme Championship Wrestling ) went mainstream. And I loved it! I actually had the privilege of going to one of their events and saw a drunk guy pee all over the parking lot with a dazed look in his eyes and a smile on his face. Fun times. With that said, you can imagine my excitement when I came across a film called Masked Mutilator . I had high hopes for this movie, and it did not disappoint! To make things even better, one of my favorite B-movie actors of all time directed and played a leading role in this movie. Brick Bronsky , who passed in 2021, starred in the epic Troma films Class to Nuke’em High Part 3, Return to Nuke’em High Part 1, and Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. An interesting fact about Masked Mutilator is that it was filmed at two different times, over two decades apart. In 1994, the main storyline was filmed and was tucked away until 2018-2019, when the wrap-around segment was filmed. Filmmakers combined the two recordings and released it in 2019. Masked Mutilator opens with the wrap-around segment, in which Investigative Podcaster Jim Dorian (Steve Mittman, of Blood Hunter: Thirst and Rage ) hosts a show called “Dorian Investigates”. He has with him one of the surviving victims (and his girlfriend) of the Masked Mutilator’s carnage. As he begins to tell his story, the scene switches to Vic Mangino, aka Masked Mutilator (played by WCW, NWA wrestler, Jeff Sibbach), accidentally killing an opponent in the ring. Credit: IMDb He seems to show no remorse over his actions, and after leaving the sport, he takes a job as a house parent at a teenage rehabilitation center. And this is where the fun begins. We’ve got a great team of bad actors that play the teenagers in the home, and it makes for some hilarious interactions . First, there is bad boy Rocker (Glen Hetrick, Star Trek: Discovery 2019 and Face Off TV show judge) , who pretty much hates life and everyone else. He likes to play air guitar and bang his head to music only he can hear in his mind. Then we have Mason (Chet Cole, If Then Scenario ), Rocker’s right-hand man. He thinks he’s super tough but comes off as the type of guy who probably sleeps with stuffed unicorns and plays with dolls underneath his covers at night. We also have our “yes man” Jake (Paul Sutt, of Watchmen ), who’s a typical 90’s stoner and tags along with Rocker and Mason. But what would our story be without the promiscuous girl and the good kids who have fallen on hard times? Have no fear, reader, we have both in Masked Mutilator . Marcy (Amanda Kupchinsky) is the house slut. She denies it vehemently while attempting to bang everything that secretes the slightest amount of testosterone. Our good kids who have fallen on hard times are Greg and Leslie, a brother/sister duo played by Andrew Denzel and Heidi Shelhamer, whose only claim to fame—like Kupchinsky—is Masked Mutilator . And our story wouldn’t be complete without throwing in a presumptuous intern, a karate badass, and a chef who can’t cook for shit. The illustrious Brick Bronsky stars as Steve Carson, who comes on to serve as an intern to help Vic. He’s idealistic, pompous, and thinks he knows it all. Our karate expert is Brain Worth (Tom Taylor, of Blood Hunter: Thirst and Rage ), who winds up in the house for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Former professional wrestler Doug Yasinsky, aka Dashing Doug Flex, plays the part of Carl the Cook, serving the houseguests up with one inedible dish after another. With the stage set, the murders begin. One by one, the kids in the house are picked off by the Masked Mutilator. The kills are mostly done with wrestling moves, including Masked Mutilator’s finishing hold, which is basically a crude version of Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Dream. The gore is fun and done in typical B-movie fashion. Throw in some fake severed limbs and you got yourself a nice serving of B-movie soup . As the story unfolds, things take a turn, and Brian Worth must use his karate skills to try and save the day. There are some red herrings and twists to try and throw you off of guessing who the real killer is, but certainly don’t expect anything like Scream or Valentine . Lower your expectations, and when you’ve done that, lower them a little more. All in all, Masked Mutilator is an enjoyable B movie. If you like your wrestling mixed with horror, or your horror mixed with wrestling, I recommend you check out this little gem. Masked Mutilator is currently streaming on Tubi, Vudu, Prime Video, YouTube Premium, The Roku Channel, and Google Play. Ezekiel Kincaid lives for horror and loves to watch it, write about, and talk about it, whether that be in his own horror novels or in reviews. His experience as a pastor and paranormal investigator brings everything he writes to life. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

A Nod to the 90's < Back Melodic and Atmospheric Hailing from Manchester: What Will Be Nicole Brice Mar 21, 2023 Share A Nod to the 90's When one thinks of the music of Manchester , many bands come to mind, such as The Stone Roses , Oasis , and The Smiths , or, if you like more of the punk vibe, then the Buzzcocks will come to mind. If there is one thing that is certain, though, no two bands from Manchester sound alike, and this next band definitely continues this tradition. Hailing from Manchester, UK is What Will Be . These guys came onto the music scene in 2019 and wrote and self-released their self-titled EP , which debuted in September 2022. Credit: Hannah Reeves Their new single ' Something More ' was released earlier this month and is currently available on all streaming platforms. The newest single is an enjoyable mix of melodic rock with an outstanding mix of larger-than-life guitars, sing-along melodies, and atmospheric synth chords and is a truly solid offering from this five-piece Alternative Rock band. What Will Be is Bram (guitar/vocals), Jonny (guitar), James (bass/vocals), JK (drums/vocals), and Chris (keyboard/piano). Upon discovering their music, because we dig it so much, we had a few questions for them, so let us share with you a little more on this pretty bad-ass band from the UK with an uncommonly catchy sound. Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : With a strong nod to 90’s alternative, who would you cite as your influences to make music? What Will Be : In terms of bands from the 90s, we’d say Incubus and Deftones would be two of our main influences. However, we’re also inspired by newer bands, such as Alter Bridge , City and Colour , and Alexisonfire . Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : Vocals – your vocals are very different, and I can hear a tinge of David Byron from Uriah Heep within them. Who are your vocal inspirations, and why? What Will Be : Vocal-wise, our main influences would be Brandon Boyd of Incubus and Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge . In terms of why it would come down to the bands you listen to most would be the inspiration, I think in terms of vocally, their range is like what I can do with my voice. While these bands might be heavier musically, their vocal stylings are what inspire us with the music we create, even if it’s not as ‘heavy.’ Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : What type of guitars are the band’s preferred ones to play and why? What Will Be : Bram uses Chapman and PRS guitars . Jonny uses Fender and Gibson guitars. Dual humbucker coil tapped, on occasion … hollow body and solid body guitars. We like guitars with a thicker, higher output sound. MaM: What pedals / gear was used in the recording of the newest material? The guitar sound is incendiary and distinctive. What Will Be: Live we use Mooer Shimverb Pro , Marshall modulation pedal , Maxon OD 808 and a Boss delay . Recording we use the above but Marshall/ Blackstar plugins. These give us our unique guitar tone, which seems to separate us from other bands in sound. Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : You have an interesting band name. Where did the inspiration behind the band name come from? What Will Be : We’re a little bit older in terms of life experience than most ‘new’ bands. Lots of different names were in consideration; however, as it's probably our last stab at ‘trying to make it,’ the name reflects a certain type of fate. We just uttered the famous line, ‘What will be, will be,’ and that’s how it came about. Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : What led to the formation of the band? Give us a little more history on the beginnings. What Will Be : We’ve been in bands together for years from the ages of 16 onwards, then over the years bands come and go, but we all remained friends. A few years ago in James’s back garden, we jammed a few acoustic ideas Bram had, and things snowballed from there until 2019 when we added a different dynamic with Chris our keyboardist. Since then, we became an alternative unique five-piece band. Something More by What Will Be Experiencing What Will Be is a must for any music lover and appreciator. Be sure to visit their links below and explore all you can about these guys. Then, hit ‘em up with some love and support, no matter where in the world you are. To learn more about What Will Be: Instagram: What Will Be (@ whatwillbe.band ) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: Profile / Twitter Facebook: What Will Be | Manchester ( facebook.com ) Spotify: What Will Be - Single by What Will Be | Spotify www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

< Back Death Toilet: What the Hell Did I Just Watch? Ezekiel Kincaid Share Nov 28, 2023 Death Toilet is a fun concept but is ultimately just a horrendous amalgamation of cheap cinematic techniques and really bad storytelling. Rating: 1.5 out 5 toilet bowl stains Like many of the people who read these reviews, my sense of humor never graduated elementary school. As such, you can imagine my delight when I came across a movie called Death Toilet (2018) on Tubi. And speaking of Tubi, allow me to note that it is one of the best free streaming services for horrible movies. Take Death Toilet , for example. Any streaming service offering this movie obviously has no real standard … and I’m more than okay with that. It makes my job so much easier. I’ll start off by saying this: There are crappy movies, and then there is Death Toilet (see what I did there?). This film is on a level of awfulness all on its own. And if that’s not bad enough, the filmmaker thought it was a good idea to make four more of these movies. I’m not kidding. Now, I warn you, my faithful readers, this movie is bad. Like, really bad . It is so bad, I don’t know if there is a word in the English language to express this type of horrendous amalgamation of cheap cinematic techniques. The acting is worse than an elementary church musical; the special effects look like they came from the quarter machine at a grocery store; the props look like they came from Dollar General; and the script sounds like it was a class project for a bunch of third graders. That's me being nice. Death Toilet is directed by Evan Jacobs ( Insect, The Toll Collector ) and written by Mike Hartsfield. Hartsfield plays the main character in all the Toilet movies and is the one who came up with this original plot. So, from the get-go, at least it has that going for it. Death Toilet focuses on Brett Baxter (Hartsfield), a Vietnam vet. who comes home to take care of his dead brother’s affairs. Brett soon discovers the toilet in his brother’s house is not normal, and believes it might have something to do with his death. And Brett is right. Death Toilet opens with Brett’s brother getting stabbed in the crotch by the demon-possessed toilet and, goodness gracious, the crappy special effects start here. I’m certain the fake blood is nothing more than chocolate syrup because there’s a quick scene in the movie where viewers can clearly see a bottle of syrup sitting on the bathroom sink—a glaring accident that should've been caught during filming and if not then, at least in post-production. When the demon manifests in the toilet, a knife blade comes out of the seat. I have to say, this was pretty cool, but what ruined the effect for me was the dime-store-looking eyes floating around in the toilet bowl, and then the water turning red with a little food dye to indicate blood. After Brett moves in, it doesn’t take long for the toilet to start acting up. When he begins hearing laughing sounds coming from the bowl, Brett calls a plumber, but he can’t find anything wrong with it. As the film (and I use that word loosely) progresses, Brett suspects the toilet is possessed or haunted. So, what do you do if you think you have a haunted or possessed crapper in your house? Call a priest, of course! The man sent for the job is—and I kid you not—Father Dingleberry (Isaac Golub, who has directed a few music videos, and sadly passed away this past April). At first, our illustrious priest thinks this is all a joke. Then, the demon manifests in the toilet, and a less-than-lackluster battle between good and evil ensues. I won’t give away the ending, just in case any of you readers decide to subject yourself to it. All in all, Death Toilet was a huge letdown for me. With a runtime of around 54 minutes, I can honestly say it was still too long. About ten minutes into the movie, I was seriously questioning my life choices. About fifteen minutes in, I was debating turning it off. By twenty minutes, I was wondering if I could make it through to the end. Then, I thought about you. My readers. How could I let you down? It was time for me, the one who prides himself on being able to endure such trash, to pony up. So, I did. I made it through Death Toilet in its entirety. All for you, folks. My tolerance has now leveled up in a big way, and I am proud of myself. Where most would have faltered and turned it off (like my fiancé did, who was watching it with me over video chat), I endured. Don’t ever say Zeke didn’t do anything for you! In my mind, what needs to happen with these movies is this: A studio with a bigger budget should snatch this up. The idea is great and would be an epic B movie with better acting and better special effects. Someone out there, please do this, because I'd love to see a remake done right! I can’t believe I am suggesting this, but if any of y’all want me to watch the rest of the Death Toilet "franchise" and review it, I will. All you need to do is send us an email with "For Zeke!" as the subject and I'll get it. And I’m sure, like other choices I’ve made in life, I’ll end up regretting it, but hey, this is what I do and I love it. Where to watch: Tubi. If you actually want to pay for it: YouTube Premium and Google Play. Ezekiel Kincaid lives for horror and loves to watch it, write about, and talk about it, whether that be in his own horror novels or in reviews. His experience as a pastor and paranormal investigator brings everything he writes to life. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

“Chin Up, Kid” is a refreshing take on introspection, combining the emotional intensity of alt-rock with the edginess of 90’s punk and grunge. < Back alltheprettythings: A Soul-Baring Alt-Rock Anthem Erica Machen Nov 7, 2023 Share “Chin Up, Kid” is a refreshing take on introspection, combining the emotional intensity of alt-rock with the edginess of 90’s punk and grunge. alltheprettythings is keen on changing the way you look at rock music. This music supergroup out of Wilmington, N.C., has combined musicians from bands you might know to make music you wouldn’t expect. alltheprettythings features current, previous, and touring members of Alesana , Emarosa , He Is Legend , and Chiodos , and their newest single “Chin Up, Kid” is a bad-ass anthem of deep introspection set to release next week. "Chin Up, Kid" is a dynamic blend of alt rock, punk, and hard rock that digs deep into the emotional struggles of the heart and brain. The song is a refreshing take on introspection, offering a unique perspective as it portrays a conversation between the heart and the mind, and the lyrics are a beacon of hope and encouragement for those who find themselves trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and overthinking. The band's lineup is brimming with talent, featuring (from L to R in the cover photo) Will Sowers on bass, Tristan Matthew on guitar, Logan Tabor on lead vocals, Worth Weaver as the band's producer and guitarist, and drummer Jeremy Bryan. They bring with them diverse experiences, melding together in creation of an incredible and eclectic mix. “Chin Up, Kid” is an emotionally charged yet uplifting song with the depth of emo rock highlighting the heart's desire to help the mind navigate the challenges of life. This concept comes through in the lyrics, where the heart urges the mind to call for support and not succumb to the weight of overthinking—something to which we all can relate. What sets "Chin Up, Kid" apart is its ability to combine the emotional intensity of alt rock with the edginess of '90’s punk and grunge. It's a song that resonates with those who appreciate both the emotional and the rebellious sides of music. With remarkable depth and emotional power to their music, alltheprettythings shouldn’t go overlooked—they are easily one of the most exciting bands producing music today. The band saw very warm reception with their single “Teenage Lines” , which showcases lead singer Logan Tabor’s otherworldly range. While each track released by alltheprettythings is impactful in its own way, “Chin Up, Kid” serves as a powerful introduction to any new listeners and a must-listen for fans of alt rock, punk, and hard rock. Mixed Alternative had the chance to rap with Logan Tabor, who brought insight into the song's inspiration and the band's creative process. Here’s some of our conversation with him. Logan Tabor - photo provided by artist MaM : Logan, thanks so much for chatting with me today! Let's dive in with the upcoming release of "Chin Up, Kid". When I listened, I thought it was heavy but in all the right ways. Could you share the inspiration and what fans can expect? LT : ‘Chin Up, Kid’ is an interesting one for me. I don’t usually write this way. I've explained it to my bandmates and others as conversation between your heart and brain. The line, ‘If you love me, why don't you call me?’ sets the tone for the entire song. It's like your heart is trying to reel back your brain from what it’s caused, saying, ‘If you're struggling, why don't you reach out to me, and I can help.’ It's honest and has an uplifting element. I see it as a kind of pep talk. MaM : The way you've described it really comes through in the song. This brings me to a question I always like to ask: What comes first, the chicken or the egg? In other words, what comes first for you in your writing process: lyrics or instrumentals? LT : That's a big question, and I appreciate the big question! It's a bit of a mixed bag. I've got these books filled with lyrics I've been writing for about 20 years. Sometimes it's a single line, other times it's a hook, a full verse, or an entire song. But which one is the chicken, and which one is the egg? MaM : Let's go with the lyrics are the chicken. (laughter) LT : We do need to establish that. So, if we consider lyrics as the chicken, technically, the chicken came first. But it's not until it meets the egg, the instrumentals, that they truly come to life. The lyrics nor the instrumentals mean much on their own. I have these lyrics sitting around, and I know I want to do something great with them, but I can't until I have the right musical instrumental ideas … [which] often come from someone other than me, but sometimes I'm the guy … It’s more like the chicken and the egg coming together to create a new velociraptor. (more laughter) MaM : I'm curious about your bandmates and how ATPT formed. Can you share the story of how the band came together? LT : I've known Worth for a while from sharing bills in Wilmington. We were both playing in different bands. I was in Demona Waits, and he was in He is Legend. We crossed paths quite a bit, both locally and on the road. Later on, we ended up working at the same place just outside of Wilmington, selling guitar and amp parts for an online manufacturer. That's where we really got to know each other beyond occasionally sharing a bill. After I moved away and came back, I heard some stuff Worth and Tristan had recorded. I had wanted to sing over something like that for years. I'd been missing that vibe. I didn't know Tristan at all, but Worth did. They met while moving gear into a studio they'd be working in. Jeremy, who drums for Alesana and is now our drummer as well, and Will Sowers, who played bass for Emarosa and is now our bassist, were connections of Tristan and Worth. It's all a bit serendipitous, really. MaM : Your music incorporates a unique blend of sounds. Could you share some of the artists or bands that have influenced your music? LT : Are you open to me asking you what you hear? Then I can respond to that? MaM : Let's go for it! I'll try not to offend. I'm a child of the grunge era and was all about grunge, wallet chains, and Wet Seal. When I heard your music, it brought back that vibe. I picked up hints of Blink 182 and Deftones. But the first thing that struck me was the Christian alt-rock era. It's the power and emotion in ATPT's music. LT : I appreciate the comparison to Christian rock. Growing up in a musical family, I have immense respect for that genre. I'm not offended, although some might be. I'm not afraid of such comparisons. I grew up in church, playing music, running sound, and watching my parents direct choirs and contemporary music groups. And you're absolutely right: There was a wave of heavy, Christian-based music in the early 2000s. It provided an outlet for all of us. I understand the energy and praise-and-worship buildup in that style of music. Apart from that, I grew up listening to Blink 182's "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket" and "Enema of the State" and I love the Deftones. So, you're right on the money there. Beyond these influences, I have a deep admiration for Chris Cornell. I probably love that guy more than most people. Now, this throwback might freak people out more than the Christian rock comparison, but Genesis’ Peter Gabriel. I discussed this recently with Worth [as] we watched old 1980’s Peter Gabriel live concerts. I don’t understand why our generation doesn't connect with his music as strongly as the people from his generation did. I love artists like him, because, even at 70 years old, he has a more expansive imagination than most 11-year-olds. That's what kept him at the forefront of great songwriting, live performance, pyrotechnics, and all the theatrical elements of a great show. He stays a child at heart, and that inspires me to maintain my imagination. … Apart from Peter Gabriel, Chris Cornell is a significant influence, and my exposure to Schuylar Croom from He is Legend, whom I grew up with too; I see him often. If I'm honest, I've listened to everything he's ever done, even before his band was called He is Legend. All of his work has inspired me. He's one of the best songwriters in the heavy music genre. He excels in the studio and in songwriting. He's a great performer, and his entire band is great. MaM : Beyond music, do you have any other passions or creative outlets that drive your artistic expression? LT : Yeah, I professionally edit video and film. That’s a massive creative outlet for me. I do everything from editing to project management. It combines creativity with a structured and logistical approach. Occasionally, I get the opportunity to score a short film. Music and movies create sort of a Venn diagram. On a more global scale, there are very few industries larger than music and movies, except life and health insurance. Those are the two biggest things in demand at all times, and there's a reason for it. It's because it helps people. I just enjoy being a part of those things. MaM : What can we expect from ATPT in the near future? LT : 'Chin Up, Kid' (currently available for pre-save by clicking the image below) is the big thing coming up on November 15. [Following that, we’ll release more songs] roughly every six weeks until the album is complete. Including 'Chin Up, Kid', that will be seven songs. We're also working on something I'm pretty excited about: a cover of Garbage's 'Special'. The unique part is that it fits so seamlessly with the rest of our original music. It feels like it meshes with everything else we're doing. At times, it doesn't even feel like a cover. I didn't write it, but it goes so well with all the other stuff we're doing, especially in the way we're doing it. It may as well just be a part of the album. It's right there on par, and Garbage is f**king sick, dude. MaM : Anything else you'd like people to know? LT : Well, we all need to acknowledge that aliens are real. I feel like we've taken steps in that direction over the past couple of months. The only other thing I'd add is that you should play ‘Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’. It'll make you a happier person. We can link up online and have a great time playing the game with strangers. And there you have it, folks. The future looks bright for alltheprettythings as they continue to explore new creative avenues and connect with their audience. “Chin Up, Kid” releases November 15, 2023. While you wait for it, read more about alltheprettythings at either the links below! alltheprettythings | Official Website alltheprettythings | LinkTree Erica Machen is a beast when it comes to consuming, reviewing, and reviewing music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Journey of Making Dreams Come True < Back Rian's Den: From Vision to Reality Rian Nickels Apr 11, 2025 Share The Journey of Making Dreams Come True This may end up being too long, and who knows if anyone will read it, but if my story inspires even one person to pursue what they want to do in life, then I suppose I should share it, so here goes nothing. Around this time last year (2024) , I found myself craving more out of music photography. I got a few paid gigs for local Louisiana alternative bands in my inner circle of friends. Still, I knew I wasn't spending enough time doing what I was passionate about – taking photos of live music performances. I wondered if my work was good or interesting enough for me to join a music publication. I live in a small Louisiana town , so I never really considered that there might be something I could contribute to locally, so I looked around the good old World Wide Web to find some publications that could take me on. I sent out a lot of cold emails with my portfolio (which was really lacking, if I'm being honest) to different alternative music pubs, and unsurprisingly, I didn't get a single reply because most of them required you to also be a writer, which I had no confidence. Eventually, the idea faded from the forefront of my mind. Still, one day, as I was scrolling through the socials, I saw that my friends from Jean Claude Seagal had interviewed with an online magazine, Mixed Alternative Magazine , and decided to read it. After looking over the site, I couldn't believe what I found out! Mixed Alternative Magazine was run by a woman based in Louisiana , not only in my state but in a small town near Walker! Knowing someone in my town cared about the local music scene brought me joy, so I decided to reach out and try my shot at being a contributing photographer. To my surprise, Nicole Brice , editor-in-chief and founder of Mixed Alternative Magazine , reached out to me, loved my work, and graciously took me in with open arms! Unlike other publications, I loved working with Nicole because she didn't require or force me to write. However, she did encourage me to try it out and see how I felt about it. I didn't know what to expect, but I was excited to step deeper into the Louisiana music scene and be a part of a group of talented people passionate about capturing and documenting the growth of our local alternative community. For my first assignment as a contributing photographer, I captured Feel Alive Media and Events' first step back into the scene after a five-year hiatus. It was JAYD3D! 's release for their debut album Outstanding Gentlemen , at The Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans in April 2024 . This was a perfect place to start for me because not only is JAYD3D! my fiancé, but I am also co-founder of Feel Alive Media , so this was right in my comfort zone. Around this time, I had been dealing with a lot of social anxiety after being away from the scene for so long, and it was my first time back in New Orleans in years, but I was excited to embark on a new adventure. I went on to have a great night, make core memories, meet new friends like Kris Russ , and reinforce a connection with Coma Nights , whom I photographed a few months back at Phil Brady's in Baton Rouge . Since the gig turned out so well, I decided to try my hand at writing a show review, and it turns out people seemed to like my writing. The article had good traction, and people were kind enough to let me know they were excited to see what would come from me. Southern Happenings: Kriss Russ, JAYD3D!, and Coma Nights at the Howlin Wolf In May 2024 , I followed my good friend Michael Spoon 's band, The Gosh Darn Dangs, around for a night of Busking in Hammond, Louisiana . Documenting this meant a lot to me because I was able to work with people with whom I've had long-standing friendships and grow new ones. I loved strolling through my old stomping grounds. The best part was giving a glimpse of what a night in the quaint little downtown of Hammond was like. Southern Happenings: Meet The Gosh Darn Dangs By June 2024 , I got to take pictures at a well-loved venue in Baton Rouge , Chelsea's Live , for the first time. My friends at Goodbye Academy were releasing their new EP Last Minute Homework that they were set to perform at the local music showcase ' Harmonic Stew ' and asked me if I'd want to capture it for them. I mean, how could I refuse? Goodbye Academy is one of my favorite local bands, and just the thought of taking photos in Chelsea's Live stoked me. That night, I got to photograph GBA , Dale Harris Band , and a popular Louisiana band Hey Thanks! I'd have to say that this was one of my favorite gigs; it was so cool to see my friends perform on a proper stage, I loved the Louisiana-esque sound that Dale Harris brought to the stage, getting to photograph Hey Thanks! was a neat opportunity. Chelsea's Live was the perfect place to test the waters of bigger production concerts. On the Scene: Harmonic Stew at Chelsea's Live June 6th, 2024 In July 2024 , I got to cover another Feel Alive Media event, this time at another place I once frequented: The Green Room in Covington . On the line-up for that night were JAYD3D!, The Gosh Darn Dangs, and Jean Claude Seagal . This night was one for the books because, between the performers and the attendees, all my friends in my innermost circle were there to make memories and listen to good tunes. Hammond's Hottest Musicians Unite for a Showstopping Night, Powered by Feel Alive Media September 2024 was super busy, but you don't achieve goals without being somewhat busy. Two of my main goals were photographing a gig in a Theatre and covering a festival. I was hired on to photograph an event that was being put on by the Southeastern Louisiana University Theatre Department , 50 Years Of CBGB , at The Colombia Theatre in Hammond, LA . This would be my first time photographing from a stage and working around multiple photographers and a bigger crowd. I also got to photograph and reconnect with music friends from before my photography hiatus and, overall, was blessed to see that Hammond 's music scene was still breathing. I believe this night set some foundations for my growth in the professionalism side of music photography and gave me the confidence and experience I needed to attempt more significant events. By this point in my journey, my anxieties around crowds, my skills, and just life in general started to ease. I no longer felt on the edge of panic when on the way to events, but instead felt excitement. CBGB Spirit Revived: A Night of Punk Rock Nostalgia at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in Hammond Next up on the agenda for September (literally the day after CBGB) was my first time capturing a music festival. I got to attend Rock Around Downtown Fest , RAD Fest for short, with our very own Mixed Alternative founder, Nicole Brice . This was the first time Nicole , and I got to know each other. I even met Justin Hammer , a photographer I had looked up to for at least a decade. Justin had been doing concert photography for a while, but before that, he was taking photos of my friends at Dreamland Skatepark in Hammond , and I was excited to be on the same team as him! I was excited to be allowed back on the stage again but was even more eager to see what I could do when poor lighting wasn't an issue. Most of the shows before this one were all indoors at night, but RAD Fest was outside during the day on a beautiful afternoon in Lafayette, Louisiana . I got to take photos of many alternative bands from the South ; every single one brought rockstar energy to the stage. This day was so inspiring and exhilarating that it showed me that I could really thrive in the Music Festival setting. RAD FEST 2024 Video by Sixto6 Productions October 2024 was the busiest month by far, but launched me so much farther into the life of a Music Photographer . To Nicole and me, it was a complete surprise that Mixed Alternative Magazine and I were approved for our first press pass with a bigger venue and artist this month! After months of hard work and dedication, we were about to see some of those tireless nights pay off, and we were in disbelief that we were approved to cover Sleeping With Sirens at The House Of Blues in New Orleans . This was huge!! The last time I saw Sleeping With Sirens perform, I remember thinking, "I'm gonna do whatever it takes to photograph them one day," that day was here! It meant the absolute world to capture one of my favorite bands, and I've honestly never felt cooler in my life. This event was a real test of my progress with my anxiety; the show was sold out, so that meant I couldn't bring anyone along. I can't begin to tell you how incredibly nervous I was to take the journey to and through New Orleans alone, but I knew I couldn't dare miss the opportunity. Luckily, I met up with another one of my photographer role models, Whitney from WhitnessThis Photography , and even ended up running into an old friend. This reminded me that it's important to pursue things that, at the surface, scare the crap out of you; because the universe might just be looking out for you sometimes. Collision of Sound: Sleeping with Sirens, Teenage Joans, and Holding Absence Ignite the Stage with Powerful Performances Rian's Den: A Night to Remember with Sleeping with Sirens Only two days later, I found myself back in New Orleans at The House of Blues – with my best friend, I might add – to cover The Used and Plain White T's ! This show showed me what a photographer can pull off when given the right lights, stage presence, and opportunities. Weekend Rock: The Used Ignites House of Blues with an Explosive Night of Nostalgia and New Energy After that, I spent the rest of October photographing weddings, Halloween shoots, and spooky parties, and the holidays started to ramp up. I also did various music events for friends and gigs, but unfortunately, I didn't get the time to write any articles, or review shows from late October until late February . Now that most of the holidays were survived, Louisiana was looking forward to Mardi Gras , but I was ready for concert season to ramp up again. To kick off the season in February of 2025 , I got to photograph Johnnie Guilbert's first tour with a full band on the Death and Glory tour with Palaye Royale , artists who quickly made it to my top artists on Spotify . This show was just what I needed to get back into the groove of things after a long holiday season. Death and Glory Tour: Palaye Royale & Johnnie Guilbert at The Joy Theater in New Orleans It's April of 2025 now, and I've only done that one show, but I'm excited for what awaits this year with Mixed Alternative Magazine . I eagerly await my Her Riot Femme Voices Showcase on April 18th in Baton Rouge at Mid-City Ballroom and Eclipse Fest on May 10th at Feed' N' Seed in Lafayette . As far as goals for this year go, I'm hoping to get more involved in interviewing and photographing more local bands that I haven't had the chance to see, and I'd love to write more articles about past shows I've been to that deserve some recognition. My point with this article is to tell you to go for that thing you've been wanting to do because, to your surprise, it may turn out exactly how it should. You might be good at it, and others might also think so. You could meet some new friends who are into the same things you are and have similar goals as you, and y'all might help each other to be able to do the things you love. You might end up exactly where you need to be. Mixed Alternative Magazine has offered a space for a community to grow and thrive. They are bringing attention to talent hiding in Louisiana's nooks and crannies and bringing it to the forefront. They offer something different from your average music publications, allowing space for creativity, emotions, and passion to flow. A place where you can reject the mainstream, forge your own path, and make your own rules. (Jk Nicole makes the rules) :P www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions for comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The BIG Reveal are Off the Charts < Back Unveiling The BIG Reveal: Alabama’s Rising Alternative Rock Band Bud Gambrell Apr 7, 2025 Share The BIG Reveal are Off the Charts 395 ! Three hundred ninety-five miles. That amounts to a car ride lasting around six hours. You are likely asking yourself why this is relevant. Well, I will tell you. I was contacted on Tuesday of last week by my editor and publisher, Nicole , regarding a band she wanted me to research called The BIG Reveal . Just a quick sidenote: Nicole is the one who makes it possible for me to write these articles. She has been so very supportive of me since we first met. If you get the chance, stop by the contact page and show her some love. Let her know you appreciate what she does. Now, back to business. I reached out to the band she suggested, The BIG Reveal , and was able to interact with their manager, Chad Parker , to get things rolling. We had a nice conversation, and he provided me with some background information. It was enough information for me to dig in and learn what I could before I interviewed them. One thing to note about The BIG Reveal is that this is a young band , which I truly enjoy learning more about the up-and-coming talent out there. They are the future of music , so we need to delve deeply into the music they are creating. The music industry has become a shell of its former self, and with so many avenues to discover music, when you think about it, there really isn’t one good avenue. It’s all so cluttered, and amongst the clutter stands The BIG Reveal . Photo provided by band The number 395 I mentioned above represents the number of miles it would have taken me to get in my car and drive to Grand Bay, Alabama , where The BIG Reveal originates. Since that was not possible on short notice, I relied on the interwebs to assist me. We live in the glorious days of technology. We have YouTube , which hosts a plethora of videos. (Mark one off the bucket list. I got to use plethora in a sentence.) YouTube is great because you can see the video of a band, not just an audio recording . We also have social media pages at our disposal. Like many bands, The BIG Reveal has music available on their website , which is a feature that a good number of bands these days don’t even have. Can you believe that? When you can visit one spot to see it all, it makes things easier when researching a band. Once I did my homework, it was time to call the band and have a conversation. Dive in below to learn more about The BIG Reveal . OTC : Hello guys! Thanks for taking my call. Introduce me to the band. Gavin Parker : I'm Gavin . I play guitar and sing. Blake Hall : I'm Blake . I play drums. Luke Puckett : I'm Luke . I play bass and sing harmonies. OTC : How long have you guys been together? Gavin : We've been together for about a year, but Luke just came in a couple of months ago to play bass for us. OTC : How did you guys meet? Gavin : I started the band with a couple of friends from school, and we were having fun. We got pretty good, but then it started getting serious. So, they backed out because they had other commitments at school, such as sports. Then Blake , the drummer , ended up living like five minutes away from me. Someone gave me their number, and I contacted them. After we met, he started playing drums for me, and then we met Luke online a couple of months ago. Click to visit The Big Reveal's website OTC : Can you tell me about your musical background and how you got started? Gavin : My entire family plays music. I grew up around it and just listened to the ' 90s pop-rock stuff. It has been my favorite since I was a little kid. Blake : I started playing drums about two years ago. I have always liked music a lot and always loved the drums! Luke : No one in my family is musical whatsoever. I decided I really wanted to about four years ago. I've always been classically trained on the piano . That started when I was about six or seven years old. I took lessons, and then I self-taught myself the bass about four years ago. OTC : Did the bass clef from your piano lessons carry over to the bass guitar? Luke : Yes, sir, it did. It helped me learn bass guitar quickly. OTC : While I was talking to your manager, he mentioned the Arts Block Party at UAB . Tell me about that. Gavin : Yeah, that was back in September 2024 . We entered a competition they had. It was like 150 something submissions . People got to vote on four bands that they wanted to play at the Block Party . Our fans showed up to vote for us! So, we ended up playing there! Jemison Hall at UAB was really cool! Photo provided by band OTC : So, the competition with The Arts Block was going to be in Birmingham , and you guys are in South Alabama. Your fans must have really stepped up for that. Gavin : Yeah, so that's when our TikTok page was starting to get a lot of traction. We made a couple of videos, and they all went and voted for us. OTC : Tell me a little bit about your fan base. They seem to be loyal. Gavin : Our TikTok site started picking up around June 2024 . We currently have approximately 37,000 on there. The local fan base is pretty devoted! They come to a lot of our shows! Our fan base is pretty cool for voting for us in multiple competitions that we've won. OTC : You also won a radio competition for WCPR . Tell me about that competition. Gavin : That was a competition to play at the Biloxi Crawfish Festival . 97.9 , CPR Rocks was running an ad explaining where you could submit your band’s music, and then people could vote for you to play. So, again, the same people, the same thing. People voted for us to win. I guess they like us! We will be opening for Puddle of Mudd , Hinder , Cowboy Mouth , and Marcy Playground at the Crawfish Music Festival on April 26th . Click to go to 97.9 WCPR's website OTC : You have a new album coming out. I'm assuming it's your first time in the studio. Could you describe the process of recording the new album? Gavin : We tracked everything at our home studio. One of the bands that we met in Birmingham at the Arts Block Party connected us with their mixing engineer in Knoxville . So, we tracked everything at home, and then we sent it to him, and he makes it sound good. OTC : Can you share with me a memorable experience while recording the new album? Gavin : I'm trying to get everything right and not being too much of a perfectionist. Just getting it how we want it because it's going to be there forever. It’s our first album, so we’re trying to make it as good as possible. Upcoming shows for The BIG Reveal OTC : Did you learn anything about yourself through your music during that recording process? Gavin : The thing I learned is that I'm more of a perfectionist than I thought I was. It took a while for me to accept some stuff. Blake : I learned that recording is a lot harder than it seems. I prefer the live shows to the recordings. It's just a long process. OTC : How would you describe the music that you created for the new album? Gavin : I'll say that it's real close to ’ 90s alternative rock , pop rock , post-grunge stuff. One of my favorite bands is Sister Hazel . You can hear their influence on this album. The ’90s pop-rock stuff is really what this album is influenced by. OTC : Blake, what would you say your influences are? Blake : My influences are bands like Foo Fighters , Nirvana and Led Zeppelin . They have influenced the way I play. OTC : What about you, Luke? Luke : Nirvana for me as well, and The Beatles . And then there were a lot of the 90s bands, like Green Day . However, I also really enjoy alternative rock , such as Goo Goo Dolls and The Killers . OTC : What are your long-term goals for the band, and what are you most excited about for the future of your music? Gavin : I think the goal has always been to do it until we can't anymore. Just keep doing it, having fun, and getting a larger and larger fan base. Luke : I think for me, it's definitely that I want a tour. I would love to go on a tour. The BIG Reveal album release show coming on April 11, 2025 OTC : What role does your social media play in the way you're focusing your career? Gavin : Our social media got us some attention from a couple of major independent labels that we are keeping in contact with. It has really helped us out a lot. TikTok has been strong for us. We are able to record live videos of what we are doing. It’s a way to put yourself out there and let people know what you are doing. OTC : What's the most unusual fan interaction that you've had so far? Gavin : We had this guy at our very first show. He had a little too much to drink, and he ended up coming up and almost getting up on stage. He was pointing the finger at me and singing the wrong words. But he was having fun. Blake : They always want me to sign broken drumsticks. I hit hard during shows! OTC : You are a new band. Do you have a favorite venue that you’ve played at so far? Gavin : Bozos in Pascagoula. We're having our album release party there. People always show up there, and we always have a great time. We played at The Soul Kitchen in Mobile for 92.1 the ZEW 's Christmas show, which was pretty cool. OTC : I have one more question. I'm going to ask all three of you with this one to see what y'all come up with. If your band had a superpower, what would it be and why? Gavin : I would fly so that I could fly around. Fly around the shows and I could surf on my guitar—air surf, you know, with a wireless setup. OTC : Like the Silver Surfer ? Gavin : Yeah, that would be pretty cool. OTC : What about you, Luke? Luke : My mind is a little bit more practical. Just to be able to play everything and not mess up, and just be impervious to making mistakes. OTC : Blake, what do you got? If your band had a superpower, what would it be and why? Blake : Probably not to run out of energy. Three-hour shows can really take a toll on you! OTC : Any final thoughts for your fans, old and new? Gavin : Our debut album is set to release on April 11th on Spotify , TikTok , and across all our social media platforms. At an early stage in their musical journey, this group of young men already has a loyal following. The one thing missing from their fan base is you. Get on board! One thing I haven’t mentioned before is the band's age. I wanted this article to be based on their music, rather than having any preconceived notions about their youth. Gavin is only 16. Luke is 18 and Blake is 17. This is a promising young band, and they are only going to get better. Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell My new book Bud Gambrell Photography by Bud Gambrell | Blurb Books Where to find The Big Reveal: Website: The BIG Reveal Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557900071233 ‎ Apple Music: The BIG Reveal - Apple Music Spotify: The BIG Reveal | Spotify TikTok www.tiktok.com/@_thebigreveal *photos provided by the band www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Got something for Bud to check out? Reach him at the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Ever wonder what happens when a bear does blow? < Back Elizabeth Banks Successfully Delivers Bear on Cocaine Keeley Brooks Apr 17, 2023 Share Ever wonder what happens when a bear does blow? If you haven’t seen Cocaine Bear since its theatrical release in February, you’re in luck, because the drug-fueled horror flick inspired by a true story recently hit Video On Demand and, this past Friday, Peacock. If you've been wondering if it’s worth a watch, it 100% is. Here’s why. The dark, R-rated horror-comedy is loosely based on the true story of a 175-pound three-or four-year-old male black bear living in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia in 1985, who stumbled across three duffel bags full of Colombian cocaine and dives right in, consuming almost 77 pounds of the drug, then died within 45 minutes from cerebral hemorrhaging, respiratory failure, hyperthermia, renal failure, heart failure, and stroke, according to Bearwise . In the movie, the bear goes on a coke-fueled rampage and kills eight people. Like an addict in society, this addict in the wild will stop at nothing to get his next fix, regardless of what it entails. credit: Universal Pictures In real life, it all started with drug smuggler (and former narcotics detective) Andrew Thornton II, played in the film by Matthew Rhys ( The Americans) . In the 80s, Thornton was part of a huge, illegal drug ring operating out of Lexington, Kentucky. On Sept. 9, 1985, Thornton and a bodyguard flew a Cessna plane into Colombia and picked up 400 kilograms (roughly 880 pounds) of cocaine to smuggle back into the U.S. They returned to the U.S. on Sept. 11 and all was going well, until they got spooked after hearing on the radio the FBI was following them. With haste, Thornton began dumping duffel bags of blow out of the plane as they neared the state line between Georgia and Tennessee, then he and his bodyguard prepared to parachute safely to the ground near Knoxville and get away. The bodyguard landed safely and reportedly walked into a grocery store to call a cab so he could meet an accomplice nearby, then head north to Kentucky. Thornton did not. The movie shows us he was likely coked up on Colombian blow, put the plane on autopilot, strapped about 80 pounds of cocaine to his body, then prepared to jump … right to his death. Officials speculated the extra weight was too much for the parachute to deploy and carry the load safely to the ground. Thornton’s body was recovered in the driveway of a home in Knoxville, and the plane subsequently crashed in the mountains of North Carolina. Directed by actress and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks ( Pitch Perfect 2 , Zack and Miri Make a Porno ), the film is very successful as an action-comedy with a perfect touch of horror. Banks makes some creative decisions in fleshing out the storyline and introducing subplots with characters each affected by the bear’s drug-induced rage. Matching her Americans counterpart is Keri Russell, who plays a mother desperately searching for her kids in the Chattahoochee Forest after she learns they skipped school for the day to go hiking. She heads right to the ranger’s station and meets tough-as-nails park ranger Liz, played by the classically talented Margo Martindale ( Justified ), and her goofball trusty sidekick, wildlife protection representative Peter, played by the very funny Jesse Tyler Ferguson of Modern Family fame. Once they find her son terrified and up in a tree, they then come face to face with the drugged-up bear, who attacks Liz. Still alive, she is hell-bent on taking down the beast destroying her park. She and Peter's paired personalities intertwine organically to encompass the intelligent, devilishly sarcastic and humorous, I-don’t-give-a-shit energy that is Elizabeth Banks, and together they provide some much-needed levity at opportune moments racing with action, adrenaline, and fear. credit: Universal Pictures Enhancing those moments are Banks’s smart selections of 80’s music that accompany different scenes, which remind us that while the situation at hand is gruesomely horrific and anxiety inducing, it’s also completely ridiculous and warrants laughing at the absurdity of it all. Banks has a way of injecting her humorous style into the situation right from the film’s opening. We see the bear menacing and growling after having just mauled a hiker before being playfully distracted by a cute little butterfly. There are other moments as well, like when Matthew Rhys, who plays smuggler Andrew Thornton, goes to jump out of the plane but carelessly smacks his head on the lip of the door opening and knocks himself out cold, which prevents him from deploying his parachute in time, suggesting that his carelessness is what got him killed, not the extra 80 pounds of weight he was carrying. Consequently, he slams into the earth’s surface and kicks off a mystery that spread between Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. There’s even a great little moment where the bear sneaks up behind three guys also looking for the duffel bags. They freeze instantly and drop to the ground in stillness, then as the bear moves closer to them, he passes out right on top of one of them. credit: Universal Pictures And I'm here to tell you that shit is funny. Thinking about it still makes me giggle. So, how is the bear revived? With cocaine, of course! As soon as a brick of coke falls from the back pocket of the guy in the white shirt and lands on the ground near the bear, powder disperses into the air and awakens the beast, who is quickly back on his thirsty mission to quite literally, well, feed the bear . There’s even a fantastic action scene surrounding an attempted rescue at the park ranger’s station. While Liz escapes the first bear attack, she isn’t so lucky with the second, which happens at inside her station. When she walks in, she finds some local troublemakers, who are actually in there stealing from her, but she thinks they’re hiding from the bear. As she gets her gun, the bear shows up and attacks again, this time kicking off a wild shooting spree from Liz, who hits everything but the bear, including one of the troublemakers. It’s very reminiscent of a summer camp slasher scene with blood flying everywhere and splattering on the walls of the cabin and mauled bodies. Dead bodies. And here Banks makes creative use of the camera in how scenes are cut which also drives that campy feel. When the paramedics arrive for what they think is to help with a possible concussion, they’re met with a blood bath, remnants of human bodies, and a very wounded but barely alive Liz. While one paramedic, Beth, gets Liz to the ambulance, the bear pins the other paramedic down under a door--its bloodied teeth and mouth dripping with saliva and guts as it growls in paramedic Tom’s face. Tom manages to smack the bear with his medical bag, which doesn’t phase the beast because, well, it’s a damn coked-out bear. BUT, the last time the bear was hit with a duffel bag, it was filled with blow, so the bear becomes distracted by the potential to find more cocaine and follows the bag, which gives Tom a chance to escape. Outside, Beth has Liz strapped to a gurney, ambulance in idle, waiting for Tom. He comes running out, screaming for Beth to drive, and she does as he runs behind and jumps in at the last minute. But they’re still not safe. Coke Bear is right on their trail. Adding some levity, Depeche Mode’s hit “Just Can’t Get Enough” starts playing, and the chase is on. Beth franticly drives, Tom screams at her to go faster, and Liz screams at Tom to, “close the f**king door, you dumbass!"--a line Margo Martindale completely improvised, according to Decider . You just have to love Martindale in anything she does; she brings such force and attitude. Unfortunately, though, before Tom can close the doors, the bear takes a giant leap and lands in the back of the ambulance, destroying everyone inside. Ranger Liz—still strapped to a gurney—comes barreling out of the back, and the second the gurney hits the pavement, it flips over and Liz lands face down to experience the mother of all road rash scenarios. She does not survive. In an interview with Vulture , Banks says she had a specific inspiration for Martindale’s on-screen death: “You know how when you’re seven years old on your bike and you scrape your knee on the pavement? Everybody can relate to that feeling. So, I [wanted] one of these kills to be relatably horrifying." And it is. It’ll make you squirm and squint and bare your teeth while sucking in all the air from whatever room you're in. As for the bear, Banks knew it would only work if the audience believed the bear was real. She tells Variety , “It had to feel like a NatGeo documentary about a bear that did cocaine. It couldn’t be something silly. It couldn’t seem animated in any way.” And she is right. There are moments where you actually think the bear is real. He is very well and successfully designed by Peter Jackson's Weta FX. Banks, without a doubt, successfully establishes her own filmmaking voice with Cocaine Bear and its healthy balance of horror, action, and comedy (with a touch of drama), and it boasts the perfect amount of gore without exploiting it in all the violence, severed body parts, blood, and internal organs. Banks says she did some particularly graphic research of looking at actual animal attacks on humans. From Variety Magazine, “… it’s f**king gnarly as shit … I love gore. I grew up on ‘Evil Dead’. The gore is part of the fun of the ride. … I wanted to break down some of the mythology around what kinds of movies women are interested in making. For some bizarre reason, there are still executives in Hollywood who are like, ‘I don’t know if women can do technical stuff.’ There are literally people who are like, ‘Women don’t like math.’ It just persists.” In case you're interested, you can see the actual cocaine bear up close and personal. Its carcass was taxidermied and spent time on display in Georgia before winding up in the hands of outlaw country music star Waylan Jennings then onto the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington. credit: Matt Stone, Courier Journal My recommendation? For a bloody horrifically funny good time, watch this movie. It’s well worth your time, if you’ve got a sense of humor. Check out the trailer and see. Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches. Even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Ritual Killer < Back Cole Hauser and Morgan Freeman Team Up to Take Down Evil Keeley Brooks Mar 9, 2023 Share The Ritual Killer Buckle up, film fans, and fret no longer, Cole Hauser fans. Just because Yellowstone isn’t giving us our weekly Rip fix at the moment does not mean you can’t get it elsewhere. (wink) Today’s your lucky day because Hauser has a new movie dropping in select theaters and On Demand this week, and he’s still not taking any bullshit as he stares down the face of evil in a mystical crime action-thriller called The Ritual Killer . The official trailer (below) released in February 2023 by Screen Media, and as you can see, it has a very ominous True Detective kind of vibe. Hauser is a detective on the brink of retirement and a father grieving the death of his daughter. He’s on the hunt for a serial killer who has already claimed the lives of two innocent girls, and with no leads to go on, he approaches anthropology professor and African Studies expert in ancient cultures and their rituals Professor Mackles, played by the legendary Morgan Freeman. Together they work to find this mysterious murderer practicing the ancient magic of Muti by using ancient rituals to kill people and thereby gain power. But he isn’t just killing people in the United States; he’s also claiming victims across Europe, which makes him an international criminal—an extremely agile, swift, and calculated one at that. The film explores the dark and sinister world of said serial killer, as well as the secrets of the anthropology professor. In addition to its star leads, the flick also features Peter Stormare ( Fargo ), former NFL player Vernon Davis ( Chariot ), Franco-American actress Murielle Hilaire, Brian Kurlander ( Dopesick ), and Luke Stratte-McClure ( Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse ). Directed by George Gallo, who scripted Bad Boys and The Whole Ten Yards , the story dances the line between reality and madness, sanity and insanity, as Detective Boyd is forced to step inside the mind of the killer to outsmart him and take him down. ScreenRant acquired an exclusive clip from The Ritual Killer , which I have lovingly included here for all of you. In it, we see Det. Boyd chatting with his partner Det. Maria Kersch (Hilaire), who has her own questions for him about a recent arrest gone wrong. However, before she can probe too deeply into how Boyd handled himself in that situation, the pair get called out to a horrific crime scene. As Boyd views the cut-up body of a young teenage girl, it’s clear he’ll stop at nothing to take down the monster who committed such a gruesome, evil act. But he won’t be able to do it alone, and that’s where Morgan Freeman comes in. And because I'm just awesome and love doing this stuff, I found another clip to share with you, which features some action as Detective Boyd is out hunting, then chasing the killer (Vernon Davis), who is pretty damn quick with a knife in a fight as he takes out a few cops before escaping Boyd’s grasp. For the deets on Freeman’s character and the down-low on all his secrets, you’ll have to watch the movie. The Ritual Killer hits theaters and Video On Demand on March 10, 2023. *Side note: Also releasing in theaters the same day is the highly anticipated sixth installment of Scream , which I absolutely love. Even the crappy installments. I'm just a Ghostface fan, I suppose, but not in the murderous way. Critics are already calling it the best installment in the series with heart-pounding thrills and horrific Ghostface shenanigans. I know I can’t wait. Enjoy your weekend, my friends. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

While Auto-Tune may have a permanent place in the industry, it is the authentic voices that endure and stand the test of time. < Back Auto-Tune: The Great Debate on Perfection’s Place in Music Mo Thornton Mar 18, 2024 Share While Auto-Tune may have a permanent place in the industry, it is the authentic voices that endure and stand the test of time. Imagine for a moment a world without Tracy Chapman’s voice coming through your car speakers, those rough, urgent notes warning us, “We better leave tonight or live and die this way”. If Auto-Tune had been around in 1988 and used to pitch correct Chapman’s outlier contralto voice, the artist in her authenticity might never have been recorded. Chapman recently made history as the first Black woman to win a Country Music Association award for her smash hit “Fast Car”. She could well have been one of thousands of talented musical artists who never reached an audience beyond their hometown, and I daresay the music world in general, and Luke Combs, in particular, would be the poorer for it. In case you missed the news, Combs’ cover of Chapman’s “Fast Car” was awarded Country Music Association’s 2023 “Single of the Year”. Credit: Getty Images A full decade after Tracy Chapman’s award-winning and now history-making release, Auto-Tune arrived on the scene. The technology was invented in 1997 by geophysicist and engineer Dr. Andy Hildebrand, who applied mathematical algorithms to interpret sonar-generated data to help oil companies locate fuel deposits, an endeavor that made him quite wealthy. A Seismic Shift In 1989 Hildebrand left the lucrative field of seismology and launched his own company, Antares Audio Technology. As the story goes, he asked colleagues what should be invented. Someone jokingly said the world needed a machine to give her the ability to sing in tune. It was a eureka moment for Hildebrand: the same math that he used in oil exploration could be applied to pitch correction. “When voices or instruments are out of tune, the emotional qualities of the performance are lost,” the patent for Auto-Tune stated. That was quite a bold and sweeping assertion, one that has proven divisive in audio entertainment circles ever since. Ed Sheeran, Celine Dion, Bruno Mars, and, yes, even pop icon superstar Taylor Swift, are among the famous artists who refuse to use Auto-tune live. On the other side of the fence, Grammy-winning Rapper T-Pain, Nicki Minaj, and Cher are in favor of using the vocal modification software and other synthesizing techniques. In fact, Cher’s 1998 comeback megahit “Believe” is often cited as the first major commercial use of Auto-Tune. “The Cher Effect” has become synonymous with the over-exaggerated application of the software that creates an interesting combo of human and robotic vocals. Clearly this was not an attempt to mask Cher’s real voice but rather was an obvious and ear worm-creating technique that successfully contributed to the singer’s career reboot. Local Musicians Weigh In While the debate continues to rage on and play out on the international stage, local musicians also weigh in on the pros and cons of Auto-Tune. Mike Ball, who plays multiple instruments and performs with The Bubbanauts , a country band out of Huntsville, Alabama, says he uses pitch correction to ensure his voice is in tune before tackling certain songs. Mike Ball (Credit: Karen Ball) “I’m not against the use of the technology, but I am against hypocrisy,” says Ball, president of The Huntsville Traditional Music Association. “Auto-Tune is a tool but, in my opinion, should not be used as a crutch or a cheat-sheet in place of talent. In music, like anything else in life, if one person is too far out of tune, it’s going to create chaos rather than harmony.” Another Huntsville-based musician and songwriter, Ricky j Taylor , who has played rock, bluegrass, and folk music, among other genres, says he doesn’t see the benefit of creating an expectation of perfection when music is an art and expression of the human condition. Ricky j Taylor (Credit: MoonTown Photography) “These are my sentiments only,” Taylor says, “but some of the most expressive music is born from struggles and hard times, and I don’t know why that should be stripped of human qualities—human imperfections.” A physicist as well as a musician, Taylor does see the advantage of Auto-Tune for post-production adjustments in studio recording. “No doubt, Auto-Tune is a time- and money-saving tool,” he says. When used to correct a note here and there or adjust for something like a mic that was repositioned during recording, few refute the technology’s value. Sophie Buck is a multi-instrumentalist who performs solo and with groups that play old time, folk, Celtic, and roots music. A senior at Middle Tennessee State University, Buck is tech-savvy, like many of her generation. She says pitch correction technology is a powerful tool that, when applied, can be constructive or destructive. Sophie Buck (Credit: Valeri Buck) “I think it all comes down to the goal of the individual artist,” Buck says. “If the goal is to capture raw, human authenticity with the [inherent] imperfections, Auto-Tune might strip the music of that essence. However, if the goal is to create a highly polished or computer-generated project, the software is an asset.” “Sure, Auto-Tune has its place,” Taylor agrees. “But it can be a slippery slope when it becomes so widely accepted that live performers rely on it.” Taken to the extreme, if the software enables anyone to sing perfectly in tune, why not have that singer be a hot Urban Cowboy or Barbie Doll 10 in looks? And who decides what is “hot” and who is a “10”? And what exactly constitutes “perfect”? Is perfection hitting a note and holding it, or is it finding a thread of emotion that runs through the veins of everyone listening to a vocal cry of need, loss, love, hope, or grief that elevates it beyond the individual to the universal? Imperfectly Perfect Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” and Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” testify to the commercial appeal of imperfectly perfect voices. If that reference feels too lost in the mists of history for today’s music scene, just look at one of many viral video clips from the 2024 GRAMMY Awards ceremony of Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs performing together. Two incredible talents who differ in age, music genres, race, and orientation seem to have found something that defies differences and creates connection. That something is the fact that “Fast Car” is a timeless song. Though Auto-Tune may have a permanent place in the music industry, it is a comfort to know authentic voices, like Chapman’s, have an enduring place in the human expression that is music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Alabama Heathens are off the charts! < Back The Alabama Heathens: Southern Grit Meets Raw Rock Energy Bud Gambrell Apr 18, 2025 Share The Alabama Heathens are off the charts! Could there ever be a better way to begin an interview than with tacos ? That’s right, tacos . The only thing that could have made it any better would have been beer , but none of us were day-drinking, so the beer will have to wait another time. When I contacted Jude Roberts of The Alabama Heathens and asked about an interview, he picked the location for lunch. He chose a local restaurant, and away I went for a talk with Jude and The Heathens' lead singer, Dylan Johnson. It’s unusual for an interview to begin with a video, but in this instance, I feel it may be necessary to tempt your musical taste buds. Take my word for it. Turn this up! The Alabama Heathens - Here for the Whiskey I have known these two young men for a couple of years now. If memory serves me correctly, I met them both while shooting a video for Jude’s father, Mike Roberts . That was the second music video for 5ive O’clock Charlie , Mike’s band , for which I had shot a drone video. Jude brings up a funny story about the shoot later in the interview. Stay tuned. Mike Roberts is a musical staple in the Huntsville music scene. Our story goes back several years. I met Mike several times and saw him play with 5ive O’clock Charlie and Travis McCready . Around 2021 , our friendship just seemed to bloom. Mike has become one of my favorite people to run into, either by accident or a planned lunch. He is genuinely a good soul! That day was also the first time I saw the now Alabama Heathens play. At that time, they were playing together under a different band name. I was working, so I didn’t get to listen closely, but from what I can remember, they were very good. If you know Mike , you know he always wears a smile and has wonderful things to say. Much is the same way with Jude . The apple didn’t fall far from the tree in this case. Dylan and I have gotten to know each other better, too. He is also always a pleasure to work with and become friends with. Unfortunately, I do not know his father. They say your children are a reflection of you. If that is the case, his father is a wonderful man. Fast-forward to July 2024 . The Alabama Heathens performed in The Alabama Smoke Show , if you remember the article I wrote for that event. Seeing those guys play on that big stage at such a young age was impressive. I have seen them since, and they keep getting better. During our lunch, we spoke at length about many things. I couldn’t tell you much about our discussion, as I was not recording that part. The banter and laughs did not stop. The parts I recorded are in the sections you are about to read. My first question was for Dylan . Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Dylan, tell me, who are the Alabama Heathens? Dylan Johnson : The Alabama Heathens are a southern rock band out of North Alabama. On lead guitar , we have Jude Roberts . On drums , we have Ethan Chandler . On bass guitar, we have William O’Rear . And I'm on lead vocals. We pride ourselves on authenticity. I think we bring an old soul to our original music. OTC : What's the story behind the band's name? Dylan : It comes from a song I wrote two years ago called ' Alabama Heathens .' I wrote it about my buddies I grew up with. I felt like we were, you know, hometown heathens, I guess you could say. I can't really remember who mentioned it as the band name. I was initially against it, but maybe Jonathan said we should be The Alabama Heathens. The Alabama Heathens EP OTC : What got you into music? Jude Roberts : Well, my first instrument was the tuba in 6th grade, and by the end of 6th grade, I got braces. I didn't want to play because, you know, braces suck when you're trying to play a brass instrument. Michael Cline said, ‘Hey, you should play bass instead.’ So, Michael Cline got me playing bass. I've been into music since before I came out of the womb. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography I would like to give you a side note: Michael Cline plays bass for Mike Roberts’ band, Five O’clock Charlie . OTC : Why is that? Jude : My dad was reading a music theory book in the lobby while I was being born. I remember crawling on stage at an early age, maybe two or three, with headphones on while everybody played loud guitar amps and drums. And I've always just been around music, you know. I took my dad's CDs to go show the kindergarten class or the pre-school class. But I didn't really get into playing music on my own until Michael Cline got me playing bass, and until I heard The Clash's London Calling album. The entire album is golden! Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Dylan. what got you into music? Dylan : Well, I think listening to records at such a young age. And the earliest I can remember, I feel like it was the radio, too. Driving to school and riding in the car seat are the earliest I can remember. It was Johnny Cash . I guess it was the voice that I loved the most. I think it was ' Ring of Fire .' That was my favorite song. Kiss was another band that I loved as a kid. I would bang my head on my car seat. OTC : Were these your parents' records? Dylan : Well, some of these came from the radio, you know, from 95.1 The Rocket . My dad's records got me into wanting to play music. I just grew up listening to Bob Dylan , and Steely Dan was always on the record player. So much so that I would turn the record player off because I kept hearing the same song repeatedly. And then what got me into wanting to play was when I was 12, my dad took me to my first concert, ZZ Top . The production, the lights, the sound, the interaction of the crowd, you know, watching people cheer and laugh and cry, and seeing what music could do to somebody. It just hit me right away! I feel like I was born into it. Bud Gambrell with Jude and Dylan from The Alabama Heathens OTC : What are your main influences? Dylan : Ohh, man. I mean, musically, I would have to say one of my biggest influences would probably be Neil Young . As a songwriter, he has his sound; nobody else sounds like him or writes like Neil Young . Bob Dylan is the same way. Maybe it's because I was named after Bob. It's the reason that I'm so into him. But I just grew up on that music. OTC : Jude, what are your influences? Jude : My most significant influence is my father . You can't escape the DNA. That DNA influence , I guess, is a weird way to put it. I've always heard him playing, and he was my first reference for an electric guitar player and what an electric guitar player should be. That was my first taste of hearing music, and I love Jimi Hendrix . I'm a big Duane Allman and Derek Trucks fan on slide guitar . I'm a big Rory Gallagher fan, too. I like Paul Kossoff from Free and Mick Ralphs from Bad Company . For the longest time, I said my three significant influences were Mike Roberts , Jimi Hendrix , and B.B. King . I've added Rory Gallagher and Duane Allman to that list, making it five . Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Now you guys just did some dates in Florida. Tell me how that went for you. Jude : Oh, that was great! That was fun! We played Docie’s Dock in Fort Walton Beach , which you can't see, but I'm wearing a hat they so kindly allowed me to keep. It was a warm reception for our first time playing in Florida . The crowd had their attention on us, which you can't say for some venues. We just had a great old time! OTC : Dylan, tell me some things the Alabama Heathens have coming up for this spring and summer. Dylan : Tomorrow, we'll open up for a band called The Skeeters in Fort Payne, Alabama. That should be a massive gig for us! We're looking forward to that! I know the Alabama Smoke Show is coming back on July 19, 2025 . I'm not exactly sure who is all on the bill for that, but I'm looking forward to playing Mars Music Hall again. That's a staple of Huntsville , so I'm very grateful to be a part of that. Hopefully, we will visit Minnesota to play some shows around August or September . We're getting that worked up for about five days or something. We will try to sneak our way from Tennessee to Kentucky and Minnesota . I think it would be cool if we could get that done. We want to try to get some real touring going on. I mean, that's our main thing. Plus, we've been in the studio. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Speaking of that, I’ve seen pictures of you in the studio. Can we expect some more new material coming soon? Dylan : Absolutely! Hopefully, by mid-summer, our song ' Throw the Dog a Bone ' should be coming out. We've already been in the studio and cut it. We're excited to put some new music out! I think we're just going to do singles for the next couple of months and see where that takes us, and hopefully be prepared, you know, by next year to do a full 12-song album . OTC : Speaking of singles, the latest one is ' Here for the Whiskey ' . I've heard it, and I’ve watched the video multiple times. I love this song! Jude, tell me a little about how the initial idea and the song's recording came about. Jude : Well. ' Here for the Whiskey ' was written by Dylan Johnson, James LeBlanc, and Jonathan Moody. They had a recording sent to me when I first joined the band with all of the original songs to learn. So, you know, I joined the band not long ago compared to these guys. And I just figured out how to add slide guitar to the songs. Playing in a band with two guitar players is pretty hard to figure out where you're supposed to fit. We had a pretty good idea of what we were doing, but Jeremy Stephens at Clearwave Studios helped us orchestrate and arrange it to be more professional. OTC : I think the slide stands out on a great song. You mentioned Duane Allman . Where do you get your slight guitar influence from? Jude : Again, my dad was my first slide influence. The first riff I ever learned was ' Whole Lotta Love ' by Led Zeppelin , and he showed me how to do the slide part. I've been playing the slide technically since I first started playing guitar, but I didn't get into it until I heard Derek Trucks playing slide . Derek Trucks is probably one of the greatest guitar players ever to walk the earth. So that led me back to Duane Allman . I've been listening to Elmore James . Warren Haynes is a huge slide influence on me. Warren plays slide in the standard tuning instead of an open tuning like Duane or Derek. We play many songs, and it's easier for me to go ahead and play in standard tuning. I don't want to have to switch guitars if I want to play slide. I just put my slide on my finger. George Harrison is also a considerable influence. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Have you gotten any feedback from the new song yet? Dylan : We posted it on Facebook , and I've received a lot of great feedback from friends, family, and fans. We also put out a music video for it, which was super cool! It has almost 1000 views. I'm not sure what the streaming aspect of it looks like, but I think it's done pretty well so far. OTC : We have worked together a couple of times. We’ve done photo sessions together, but I think the first time I met you, Dylan, and Jude may have been the first time I met Jude. We were in the field on a rainy day, shooting ' Fast Country ' for your dad's band, 5ive O’clock Charlie . Do you remember that? Jude : Oh, I remember that like it was yesterday. OTC : I think y'all were still called the Debriefers at the time. Now, that's an interesting name. Tell me about the name Debriefers. Jude : Before I do that, I will say the biggest thing I remember about that day is Bud Gambrell dropping a smoke bomb on us! I looked back at my drummer, who's also named Dylan. Dylan Hurley. He is a wonderful human being! Seeing the expression of terror on his face as he got engulfed by smoke , and then slowly but surely, the entire band got engulfed. I watched the video. We all just looked panicked and confused! Then we're just engulfed by smoke, and you see Bud leaving the crime scene. (laughter) I add a little smoke to everything he remembers about that day. Well, it was supposed to be a “little”. The smoke would make the video more visually appealing, right? Somebody back me up here. Mike? Duane? Dylan? Anyone? If one smoke bomb was good, two smoke bombs would be great. Anyway, it was funny, a little? Here is the video . You be the judge. Fast Country by 5ive O'Clock Charlie Jude continues to explain the name of his previous band. Jude : The Debriefers is a spin-off of the Panty Droppers , a beautiful name. Dylan Johnson came up with that. We tried for a good month or two to figure out a name. Band names are hard. Man, it's just like a song title. You must find the right one but can't use any old name. So, I decided to do some Grissom academics and make it Debriefers . So, we were able to be school-friendly. OTC : Dylan, surely, there's something else you remember better about that day than the smoke. Dylan : Well, there was a damn downpour. I remember that. Yeah, I remember it rained like crazy! We were on a trailer. We were on a gooseneck trailer set up with a great sound system. And we had a crowd we were playing for. We played ' Whipping Post .' It was a bit rocky, but we had a good time that day. I remember it coming down in a downpour out of nowhere and packing up all that PA equipment in the rain. We were in Duane Walker's cow pasture. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography Duane Walker also plays in 5ive O’clock Charlie. I met Duane at a Blackberry Smoke concert before I knew he was joining 5ive O’clock Charlie. We started a conversation and became friends, as if we’d known each other for a long time. OTC : What are your long-term goals for the band, and what are you most excited about in the future of your music? Dylan : To go on tour. I mean to live that tour life and play music. We could have shows like we do back home, but out on the road. The main goal is to play our music to people who want to listen to original music. Make them dance. You know, make them cry. It's a compliment to make somebody cry with your song because it means they're living it. You know what I mean? I'm not afraid to listen to music and cry. Because, I mean, that shows its authenticity. You know what I mean? For the long term, man, I'd love to get an album, a couple of albums under our belt, and eventually be headlining shows instead of opening them. Our brand can sell, make people happy, and have a promising career. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : The headline shows are going to come. Trust me, it's coming. How do you define success as a musician? Jude : Playing something new every night that makes you happy. And if it gets you off, then great. If it gets the crowd off, too, then that’s what you're looking for. Being a musician, you're never going to be satisfied because you're always going to be working to be better or working to do something differently. So, having shows and getting paid for what you're doing is the goal: I'm happy if I can pay my bills by playing my guitar. But if I can be creative and expand my knowledge as a human being and musician, that's what you want. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : What's the most important thing you want people to take away from your music? Jude : I want people to know who I am and what I've been through by listening to my notes, lyrics, and everything I put forward. I want people to feel like I did when I heard Jimi Hendrix or Derek Trucks for the first time. I want people to have an excitement for life that drugs can't give you. The enthusiasm that only music and God can give you. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography Dylan : I want somebody to be able to listen to our music and relate to the hurt, the heartache, and even the good times of it. You know what I mean? I would hope that when people hear us, they don't think that we're just some other, you know, local band that's trying to do it. I mean, this is our full-time gig. This is full-time for me, and it is for Jude. I know that we put our heart and soul into this: traveling, playing, and riding. The writing is about things that we know. We're not trying to be somebody we're not, which happens often in this business because you get offered all this stuff, and then you buy into it. But I don't think we've ever settled for mediocrity either. I don't ever want to do that. And I want people to know that and keep on listening. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : If you could perform anywhere worldwide, where would it be and why? Dylan : Veterans Park in Priceville, AL. (laughs) Dylan : My first thought was the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville . The history there! I got to see Jason Isbell for my first show ever at the Ryman. He's one of my all-time favorites. Who wouldn't want to play at Red Rocks ? I guess it would be the Ryman , just because it's the Mother Church! Everyone sits on church pews , and all eyes are on you. Jude : Well, it would not be Veterans Park in Priceville, Alabama. (laughter) Jude : I also want to say the Ryman because my father has played there , and I feel I owe it to myself to have two Roberts play at the Ryman instead of just one. That would be cool! I would also love to play at one of the Fillmores or the Apollo Theater in New York . I’m a big fan of old R&B , blues , and soul music . Man, the Apollo is where all those guys were at. B.B. King , James Brown , and you know all those greats. So, that'd be cool to play that room. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : What's a fun fact about yourself that your fans may not know? Jude : Musically or not, musically? OTC : It can be either—just a fun fact about yourself. Jude : I've pissed on an Irish castle, and I found out later that it's a felony. I don't know if you can publish that, but you can. I'll give you permission. (laughter) OTC : As long as we don't say which one, they can't press charges, right? Jude : I reckon. I'll tell you which one. OTC : Let’s not invite the law into this. Jude : I was walking around, and I, you know, I had to go. It's really beautiful in Ireland ! It's beautiful with a lot of places to go to take a piss. (laughter) Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography Dylan : I used to be on a pool team. I love to shoot pool. I love playing golf when I'm not working. I have several hobbies. I love the gym. I try to eat clean. I don't eat the best, but I like physically caring for myself. I do kickboxing and boxing and run and all that. I enjoy that kind of stuff. I don't know if that's a fun fact. But that's what I'm doing when I’m not playing music. I'm either shooting pool, playing golf, or boxing. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC: One last question. If you had the chance to meet your favorite rock star and ask him or her one question. Who would you want to meet, and what would you ask them? Jude : I have two answers. Do I only have to give one? OTC : Two will be fine. Jude : My first one is Jimi Hendrix . He was always creating and on the forefront of just new shit and pushing everything to its boundary and to its edge and making new boundaries. And how did you do that? That'd be my question. How did you consistently break boundaries? OTC : Ok, number two? Jude : The second would be Gregg Allman . I would like to ask Gregg Allman what microphone he used on Eat a Peach . I've been wondering about that for the past month. Dylan : I mean, if I can meet anybody and ask anything, it would probably be Neil Young , honestly. How did you produce an album like Harvest ? You know, where does that sound come from? Who writes that? It's kind of the same with Bob Dylan . How does somebody write that kind of music and continue to write that kind of music in their late 70s? I would ask how they have made it this far. Being on the road and not losing their minds. I'm sure they're crazy, but you must be crazy to do what we're doing anyway. OTC : Do you have anything else to add for your fans, listeners, and new potential fans? Dylan : Man, come out and see us! Come talk to us. Buy a T-shirt and ask for a sticker. We'll give you a sticker. Follow us and like our music. We love y'all! We want to meet y'all and create a family, you know, that wants to support us. And we want to hear from you. You know what I mean? Just let us know if there's a certain song or anything you want to hear. Jude : Rock 'n' Roll isn’t dead, so come out and fucking rock with us! You heard Jude! Get up and get to a show to rock with this band. By all means, catch them between sets or after the show and introduce yourself. You will not meet a more sociable bunch of young men. Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! *All photos by Bud Gambrell Photography www.bgambrellphotography.com Bud Gambrell Photography Bud Gambrell Photography is a locally owned and operated photography business in North Alabama. Call or email us today for an appointment. Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell My new book: Bud Gambrell Photography by Bud Gambrell | Blurb Books Where to find the Alabama Heathens: YouTube: Alabama Heathens - Topic - YouTube Facebook: Facebook Instagram: The Alabama Heathens (@thealabamaheathens) • Instagram photos and videos Where to find Dylan Johnson: Facebook: Facebook X: Dylan Johnson (@D_JohnsonMusic) / X Where to find Jude Roberts: Facebook: Facebook www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com D o you have something that Bud should check out? Email him at the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Everfelt's mix of genres and sounds will leave you wanting more < Back Everfelt: A Harmonic Driving Force on the Rise Nicole Brice Jun 9, 2023 Share Everfelt's mix of genres and sounds will leave you wanting more With so much music being produced these days, sometimes it’s difficult to stand out amongst the clutter. One band from Johnston City, Illinois, is defining who they are with a sound so unique, it can’t be compared, and that band is Everfelt. The band has many years of musical experience between them and they know what they want to accomplish and even have a plan as to how to do it. Since forming in 2022, the band is steadily gaining momentum on social media and these guys are building a platform to show the world their brand and style of music. Photo provided by band Drawing inspiration from many genres and artists, Everfelt’s music is characterized by its heavy guitars, emotional and powerful vocals, and introspective lyrics. With guitar solos emanating like straight southern sludge rock, the sound coming from these talented musicians is sure to resonate with many. One might even say they have created the perfect soundtrack for the apocalypse with hints of blues, metal, post-punk, goth, and psychedelia. Everfelt isn’t afraid to be different, so if you are looking for a band with tunes that are both emotionally powerful and sonically heavy, these guys are for you. They are on the rise and are sure to grow in popularity in the years to come. Everfelt is comprised of Adam Steglich on lead vocals, Corey Robinson on lead guitar, Jacob Crawford on rhythm guitar, Jason Hensgen on bass, and Stone on the kit. Currently, the band is finalizing the tracks for their upcoming “Ascension” EP, which is scheduled for release later this summer. We had a few questions for the guys, so we sat down with them for a little Q & A, which you can dive into below. With plenty of music streaming on all platforms, we’re certain you’ll find something to pique your interest, so be sure to check them out. New album coming summer 2023 MaM : Hey guys, thanks for chatting with me today. We really appreciate you. So, how did the name for the band come about? Adam : Everfelt was created in memory of a friend of mine, whom I used to play music with, that passed away two years ago. He and I had a prior project called Angerfelt. [His] last name was Lingerfelt, and so that’s where Everfelt came from. I love the concept, too, of the music being forever felt in your mind and in your heart. That’s something you’ll remember no matter what. That was the original thought process behind Everfelt, but now it’s become something else between all of us. We want you to actually feel and experience the music. Stone : One of the things that makes this band so successful, I think, is that each member … does what they do best, and we work very well together. We’re very open-minded with each other. We don’t hide or harbor any BS. We get it out in the open. We get it taken care of and we work together as a team, and this is the result of it. MaM : With such a unique sound, as far as influences go, you are all over the board with STP, Zeppelin, etc., but who are your true inspirations as far as bands and musicians? Corey : My guitar influences are David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, and I grew up listening to Slayer and Metallica—stuff like that. I started playing guitar in 1991 during the grunge era. I developed my own style by listening to everything that I liked. Photo provided by band MaM : So, you have more of the metal influence, then? Corey : Yeah, but I listen to a good bit of blues and jazz, too, and I can honestly say I am just influenced by music in general—even hip-hop. Don’t get me wrong, though; I take some of their beats and ideas and throw it in music because I do have that respect for all genres of music. MaM : I take it, then, you have music in your collection ranging from “awesome” to “please don’t judge me?”(laughs) Corey : Yeah, I listen to a good bit of blues and solo stuff like Joe Bonamassa—every realm of music you could possibly think of. Adam : For me, growing up, it was Layne Staley from Alice in Chains and Jonathan Davis from Korn. Even Ozzy and Black Sabbath were huge influences for me. Maynard, of course, too. Vedder was an influence, too. MaM : Everyone wants to make fun of his vocals, but you couldn’t have had the 90s without Vedder, right? Adam : Right! (laughs) When I listen to us and what we’ve been coming up with, there’s even a hint of Danzig influence, too, but I can’t really put my finger on any one band that we sound like. What’s coming together and being created is because of the recipe of the people involved. It’s creating a new sound you’ve never heard before, and that is Everfelt. MaM : Your sound is very different, and I feel you are on to something with it. How did the band come together with the core grouping you have now? Stone : Let’s go back to 2018. We had a cover band out of my studio here, the Man Cave, called the Los Hombres. We were a five-piece cover band. Jacob, our rhythm guitar player, was a part of that. He went on to play with Adam a good bit, and then COVID hit, so after COVID, I’m sitting here … and I’ve been on a solo drum mission for a few years. I’m a fan of Motorhead, 5 Finger Death Punch, Judas Priest, Nickelback—and all the haters can just hate, but ... Photo provided by band MaM : I was just about to say something about that. (laughs) Stone : Hey, good music is good music . (laughs) So, I’m seeing Corey posting all these videos of himself playing with a blues track, ripping it up, and then I found out he was living close to me … four miles down the road … so I invited him to have coffee with me and … Corey : After the phone call for the coffee, we started playing cover songs of Santana and stuff like that. [We were] trying to get that psychedelic feel and vibe and I was like, ‘Screw this shit.’ We were doing good, but I was like, ‘If I’m going to do my own music, then I’m going to do it right.’ I wanted people to know my music and the music we create, so I started writing rhythms, and Adam had an ad on Craig’s List, so we brought him in. The first jam was perfect. Jacob came in, too, and it was like magic. We then had a first bass player come in, but he didn’t want to show up for practice, so … Jason : So, as the story goes along, I’m at home having a cup of coffee before work one day, and literally just a week before that, I had seen these guys on Facebook, and they were local guys, so I gave them a thumbs up. I listened to their jams and really liked it and thought it was fresh. A week later, I heard the hook of our song ‘Stranger’ in my head and [knew I had to] holler at these guys because their videos on FB at the time didn’t show a bass player in the lineup. I’m local, so, long story short, I hit them up and showed up to practice where we started jamming. Everyone in the band is easy to get along with and it all just came together. They appreciate good tones, and everything was meshing naturally and now here we are. It’s just a comfortable fit. Photo provided by band MaM : What inspires you to create, and what inspires the lyrics of your songs? Corey : The main reason for me creating these songs is that it allows me to sleep better at night. Adam : I completely concur with the sleeping better, but for me … the medium of art, whether it be writing or music or painting, helps me to fulfill my purpose here. Every single day we are practicing, not just at home, but everywhere. We are always focusing on the music. Giving back to the gift that has been given. This is a gift to us. [It’s] the energy and the opportunity to have a message and help people relate to us, not just to talk about their dark tunnel but also to talk about the light we have found. Corey : I envisioned this for a long time in my conscious state and in my daydreams and throughout life. I already know it’s part of my destiny. That’s how I created these songs: from dreams I had. It seems I have done this in a past life. Stone : This is blowing up bigger than we could have imagined. Jacob : I just look at music in a different way than most. There are multiple factors, though. It all depends on my mood. Jason : Music inspires me. Since I was young, I have always listened to rock. The basic rhythm of music … 1, 2, 3, 4 hand claps – stomp – sing – dance and 1, 2, 3, 4 two-steps. As simple and primal as that. The communication and synergy of multiple people doing it together, too, and then adding creativity to it as an expression is what I found works. It’s like magic. The music is invisible, but you can hear it and feel it. Being able to participate in a live band and being able to make live music with other guys is what it is for me. MaM : So, you guys have a new album slated for release this summer. What direction are the songs taking? Adam : We have 18 songs we are working on, but it’s going to be split into two albums with nine songs each on the albums. The first album is going to have some of our current releases. It is called ‘Ascension.’ We’ve seen an evolution with some songs that didn’t make the cut right now. We want every song to be a banger and we want you to be able to put the album on and just push play. Where we are right now, we are working on finishing all the pieces. It’s coming along. MaM : You can’t rush progress! Adam : It’s been a natural progression … allowing ourselves to become music. The music is not ours; we are the music. Each song has its own theme and its own way. Photo provided by band MaM : What would you say your mission as a band is? Adam : We would like to be playing arenas and stadiums in the next two years. We’ll be together a year on August 14, so we think we can get there. - To experience Everfelt’s sound, be sure to hit one of the links below. The guys have some shows booked for this summer, so be sure to check out their social media to stay up to date on all live performances. You’re gonna want to go ahead and put this indie band on your radar now! Home | EverFelt Facebook EverFelt Band - YouTube Eric Wilburn Corey Robinson Adam Steglich Jacob Crawford (@everfelt_band) on Instagram EverFelt | Spotify ‎EverFelt on Apple Music www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link