Louder Than Life 2017 at Champions Park in Louisville, KY: Day #2 October 1, 2017

[caption id="attachment_29702" align="aligncenter" width="3910"] Photo Credit: Robin Ervolina[/caption]
Written by Tiffany A. Mitchell
Sad to see Day Two of Danny Wimmer Presents Louder Than Life festival come to an end. But first, waking up in our super awesome Air BnB, started out not so fun, after realizing I needed to take a quick trip to the emergency room in Louisville, KY. )knowing how ER's can tie you down for several hours,) my boss Robin went ahead to the festival before the first band to photograph came on and I jumped in a cab to the nearest ER. No worries, I was in and out and the panic of missing my the days interviews and bands, subsided and I got back just in time to hear Greta Van Fleet's phenomenal performance echo across the festival grounds. What a voice that Josh Kiszka has (check out my interview with Josh in a later post).
Walking back to the media tent to grab my table, singing along to "Highway Tune," the weather was perfect and my bittersweet feelings began to lighten up as I passed friends laughing with friends and families enjoying themselves with smiles on their faces. Louder Than Life is more that just a sick lineup of your favorite bands, it's family fun, a place to connect and meet like minds. A place where we all share a commonality, our love of music and togetherness. I decided to take the long way around, to checkout some of  the other vendors that I may have missed yesterday and I've heard a lot of buzz about the FYE Fan Experience tent. It's like your one-stop-shop to find all your favorite band’s music and possibly do an artist meet & greet and autograph signing with your favorite Louder Than Life performer. How awesome is that? The crowd around the tent was massive and I knew getting up close would take some maneuvering, so I decided to come back in a few hours and I may get lucky.
In my travels I stopped at the Monster Energy viewing deck for some pink lemonade hydration and a perfect view of the Loudmouth Stage as the not so death metal, at all, Eagles of Death Metal were jamming on stage. Checking the time, I had a few more minutes before my next interview, so I took my time walking, taking in the sights and sounds of this epic weekend. With so many options for food, fun and drinks all around, I think I need a few more days of louder than life Danny Wimmer( wink,wink ) to hit every vendor on the grounds. There was the exclusive bar called Down The Rabbit Hole Feat. Proprietors LLC of Death & Co, Bourbon World Presented By Courier-Journal, World’s Loudest Bourbon Tent filled with some our favorite distilleries and The Big Cheesy, Gourmet Grilled Cheese with a New Orleans flair and many, many more that I know I'm missing.
As I wrapped up my last few interviews of the day, I checked the schedule to see what the rest of day two had to offer. As I turned my frown upside down and brushed the dreaded end away into the wind, I couldn't help but get excited for the rest of the evenings lineup. On the Loudmouth Stage, Stone Sour would play followed by Incubus and on the Monster Energy Stage, Thrice, Rise Against and Prophets of Rage. Now I must live under a rock because most people I talked to had seen each of these bands at some point in their lives, for me, it would be my first time for all of them. I arrived at the Loudmouth Stage as Rise Against was on and from the stands, it was an overwhelming sight to behold. Now I've worked and attended festivals before and enjoy myself every time, maybe I was nostalgic, maybe it was just me. But to see thousands of people singing in unison, jumping with excitement to their favorite songs, created some unforgettable moments for so many. It could be a couple first date, or a family's child is old enough now to experience these moments together, or it's someone's first festival ever. So many stories, memories being made, friendships being built and bonds growing stronger. Louder Than Life means many things to many people, and as my first Louder adventure, it will be one I'll remember forever.
Thank you Danny Wimmer Presents and thanks to all the participating vendors, sponsors, patrons and fans who make the magic happen.
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Danny Wimmer Presents Bourbon and Beyond: Louisville, KY Sept 22-23, 2017

Written and photographed by Robin Ervolina
Danny Wimmer Presents is no stranger to Louisville, Kentucky. Four years ago DWP launched the first rock and metal festival, Louder Than Life at Champions Park. The lineup was, of course, stellar; those in the know, know to expect nothing less from DWP. However, Louder Than Life did something unique; incorporating the Kentucky community into the festival, LTL brought us the best bourbon and gourmet comfort food Louisville had to offer. Champions Park became a condensed version of all the things Louisville is known and loved for. Imagine my excitement when DWP launched Bourbon and Beyond this year and invited Shockwave Magazine to experience this epic event.
Bourbon and Beyond took the Louder Than Life template (literally the exact same set up in terms of stages and vendors) and blended in some unique features. Attendees had the opportunity to take part in bourbon education seminars from some of the biggest distilleries, as well as cooking demos with renowned chefs. In between sampling bourbon and food from the Bluegrass State, festival goers secured shaded spaces with lawn chairs and enjoyed a variety of music from local blue grass outfits to headliners Steve Miller Band on Saturday and Stevie Nicks on Sunday. Though the heat was blistering, the crowd was not deterred. DWP provided outdoor a/c units and massive water coolers so attendees could stay hydrated throughout the day.
One girl and a camera can only cover so much ground, and I was determined to bring as much of the experience to this review as possible. I captured some of the most amazing acts, from Shockwave favorite Kenny Wayne Shepherd to personal favorite Amos Lee. I was also in place to discover some new-to-me talents such as rockers Band of Horses and genre defying Shawn James & The Shapeshifters. However, the highlight of Friday's music homecoming was experiencing the iconic Buddy Guy tearing up the stage and charming an audience with his personality and extraordinary gifts. I also downloaded ZZ Ward's CD on the spot, and hung around for an intimate acoustic performance by Eddie Vedder. Check out the slideshow below for a taste of Bourbon and Beyond, Day One.
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Day two held the promise of cooler weather, more bourbon, addicting food offerings, and music to die for. Due to an unfortunate Uber incident I didn't arrive in time to catch Nashville's Caitlyn Smith from the photo pit, but I listened to her set, spellbound by her vocals and relatable lyrics. It was Sunday gospel at the church of good damn music, and if that's what you're needing, check out her new LP Starfire now. Disclaimer: when she holds that note out in "Tacoma" you will drop to your knees and confess your sins. The woman behind Meghan Trainor's I'm Gonna Love you and Garth Brooks' "Tacoma" has been hidden away long enough, so definitely check her out. Following Smith, and one of the most anticipated performances of the weekend, was none other than Lost Boy Keifer Sutherland playing tunes off his upcoming CD Down in a Hole. Sutherland stated that while he can't stand actors that try to form bands, he finally gave in because he's too old to give a shit. His ease on stage was as evident as his love of song. It's just one more thing this gentleman does to the fullest. I was also lucky enough to finally catch up with my hometown sweetheart Jonny Lang after all these years. He was soulful as a child playing in blues clubs back when, but he's grown nearly godlike in depth and talent. The list of legends carried throughout the day with the the exhuberant Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Philly's G Love and Special Sauce, Gary Clark Jr, Paul Rodgers, Joe Bonamassa, and finally the lady herself, Stevie Nicks. Check out slides from Day Two below.
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Bourbon and Beyond is not your typical DWP festival. There, I said it. If you like the rock festival vibe with it's crowd surfing and mosh pits, you may find yourself feeling slightly out of place here. The crowd is laid back, all ages, and this event is more than music and mayhem. Bourbon and Beyond is you with your family or friends, a lawn chair and a cold drink, maybe a free-style dance off with the people perched next to you under the beer tree. Yes, you get all the upscale food and DWP amenities you've come to know and love, but you get something different, dare I say something more. I found the roots of the music I've loved for years and I found scraps of the the melodic quilt that make up the fabric of tears and cheers and "yes Jesus that's the stuff!" If that's your jam, I can't encourage you enough to check out next year's Bourbon and Beyond. Bring your lawn chair and your chill, an empty stomach and primed liver. Come to learn, to taste, to imbibe, and to enjoy! Personally, this festival will be a MUST for me from here going forward.

The Symmetry of Autumn Leaves: Perennial

Written by Robin Ervolina

Chaos leads way to chaos ... resolve the noise and then turn up the volume ... welcome to the first few seconds of The Symmetry of Autumn Leaves' CD Perennial.
This band of instrumental architects hails from New England and consists of Chelsey Hahn and Chad Jewett (formerly of Lions Club) and Will Mulheron (formerly of Airplane, 1929). They have pieced together an interesting collection of sounds and lyrics, and while neither outshines the other, their orchestral choices immediately stand out.
The title track opens the CD as the blueprint for Perennial: a few seconds of disorderly horns and strings leads into a full-throttle punk beat. The pandemonium creates tension, then fails to resolve with anything less than bedlam. My adrenaline surge is nearly piqued by the end of "Fauves," the second track from Perennial. Track three kicks in with a recitation that appeals to my own sense of symmetry.

My heart is a pile of leaves
My heart is a pile of leaves
My heart is a pile of leaves
Underneath the apple tree
Underneath the apple tree
Underneath the apple tree

Thus, you have "Evergreen, un deux troit" with its steady chant and jazz-like improv. "The Witching Witching Witching Hour Blues" channels The Doors lesser known works, my personal favorites as they were untainted by Hollywood and its damnable silver screen. Leading from that mellow moment is a Dead Kennedy-esque tune "Hippolyte," followed by "Welton 69," which drops straight into the grunge movement of the late 90s then leaves you hanging with a few string plucks for about a minute. As Perennial progresses I don't know whether I'm supposed to thrash to it, or flip the switch on my black light and stare at my lava lamp.
Each time I think I have The Symmetry of Autumn Leaves figured out, they pull some maddening auditory gymnastics. Perennial is like a curious ensemble of oddly matched mates; no one knows why they work, but they form the couple everyone wants to be like. This sublime dichotomy is not soothing, but rather sets the neurons afire with possibility, and that is what art should do.
Perennial is a quirky little bit of fun and worth a listen. You can check it out on The Symmetry of Autumn Leaves' Bandcamp page now. Follow, like and love them here:

www.facebook.com/perennialCT/

https://twitter.com/perennialband

Allday: Speeding

Written by Robin Ervolina
I'm going to ask you to stretch a little... and if you've ever taken a gym class you'll know that stretching is good. The purpose of stretching is to avoid injury by warming the muscles and easing them into activity. Now that you see the benefit, stretch with me.
I'm listening to Allday, a quick-witted lyricist laying thoughts on a bed of melodic down. Not all music is for every purpose or mood; maybe your mood is thrashing, or your mood is dancing, or your mood is not punching your boss. Allday brings a mood that is instantly soothing; seriously taking me down a notch from "Oh fuck with me not" to "Okay, I have no fucks. Go about your business."
From the initial track "First Light" I'm just a wee babe in his hands, and I understand now why he's selling out shows in Australia and getting tapped for festival slots. The second track, "In Motion," is playing now, and I'm all up in it with a head bob and a shoulder roll. Maybe it's that Ed Sheeran thing I've got going on, but when the drop hits, I can't think. Go on, try to multitask; Allday brings you back like ‘ahhhh.’
I abhor dance clubs, but my friends drag me there, so I'm pretty familiar with the "oonce oonce" beat and tried lyrics prevalent in the scene. This is NOT that club sound. It will play there, no doubt, because I'm still moving like someone slipped my drink a date, but it's got way more substance. I'm reminded (and remember, I said I want you to stretch) of the first time someone sat on me (literally) and forced me to listen to Kendrick Lamar. This is also the same person who sat on me and tickled me until I peed my pants, but I digress. It was good for me then, and this is good for you now. The lyrics and content are elevated. It's not vapid. It's not usual. It's inspired. Take the end of "10 Drinks," with a recording of a rambling man recalling a psychotic episode after a day of drinking; it becomes clear that Allday is interested in telling stories, and they're personal to someone, even if it's not him.

I haven't stopped listening yet, and that means Allday just exceeded my attention span, which is normally about 15 minutes. I'm on "Ghost" and my second glass of wine is nigh. I'm begging the world wide web for a lyric sheet for each of these songs because I know there's more to Allday than a great spin and catchy tune. Thanks to 240k fans on Facebook alone, they're available to me. I'm treated to gems like:

I'm not sure what this hole is I grew inside - "Ghost"
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
But sometimes you turn into a monster
But when you treat someone like they dirt
Then eventually they gon' turn around
And be the dirt that you said that they'd be - "Raceway"

Shaking me from my Google search is the track "Codeine 17" featuring the heavenly vocals of Graceland. It's not a sweet song, but it's brutal and honest. That day someone sat on me (Tyler) and made me listen to Lamar prepared me for the sound of struggle and choices. If an artist gives you their life in a song, you can appreciate the realness of that offering. I thought "Babyspiders" featuring Mallrat would be my favorite song on Speeding, with its steady rhythm line and once again, introspective and raw lyrics, but Allday saves the best for last with "Ultramarine," also featuring Mallrat. Says the artist:

 I also believe outro songs don’t count. So, I just went on a stream of consciousness trip through life with no drums because drums are for real songs, and an outro isn’t a real song. 

I'm not about to argue with him, but if this stream of consciousness isn't a real song, then to hell with real songs. I'm also not going to come at this like I'm some expert on hip hop and rap, but I'm going to come at this like I know what I like, and I like this.
Allday's "Speeding" is not PG-13, it's for adults, and it deserves an opportunity to lead you into your usual musical calisthenics. Check it out Speeding on iTunes now. Stretch with me.
Allday Tour Dates:

8/3 San Francisco CA - Rickshaw Stop 

8/5 Los Angeles CA - The Echo

8/6 Denver CO - Lost Lake Lounge

8/7 Chicago IL - Subterranean

8/9 Brooklyn NY - Rough Trade

8/12 Philadelphia PA - Voltage Lounge

8/13 Washington DC - DC9

8/14 Cambridge MA - Middle East Upstairs

Shockwave Outside The Rocks: Fame on Fire Covers Adele's "Hello"

Written by Robin Ervolina
I'm about to get tomatoes thrown at me, but I can't stand Adele's voice. WAIT! Let me explain. I was on board right up to her latest release. Her lyrics are painfully honest. Her melodies are mathmatecally structured to make you ugly cry. This last CD though? I actually paid for and then deleted 25. Her whining has reach level expert and I just can't. So guess what made me happy today?

Yes, Shockwave Outside The Rocks is featuring Fame on Fire AGAIN, because they're brilliant and they deserve another spotlight for this haunting cover. It's a great move, taking pop songs and twisting them up in the pop punk style, and while they're not the only ones doing it, they're my current favorite. Simply put, they have the midas touch when it comes to repurposing pop. And while pop punk has its own element of whine to their cheesy lyrics, it's one that's completely tolerable, and in the case of Fame on Fire, addicting as hell.

Doyle: II As We Die

by Robin Ervolina
When Jerry Only and Glenn Danzig taught a 16-year old Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein how to play guitar, they changed music forever. The sound of Doyle slamming his right hand onto the strings of the Annihilator, his custom axe, is unmistakable, identifiable, and celebrated. Considered the creator of an entire genre, Doyle and company paved the way for hundreds of bands inspired by Horror Punk. So why wouldn't I jump at the chance to review this legend's newest CD II As We Die?
Premiere track "Kiss Me as We Die" ushers in this collection of thirteen songs. It opens with an eerie, and instantly recognizable guitar riff leading into a distinct Doyle hammering. The emotive tone is matched, nay elevated, by vocalist Alex Story of Cancerslug. As a (trick or) treat, Doyle's girlfriend and Arch Enemy vocalist Alissa White-Gluz brings some heavenly backing vocals to this track, once again proving this queen of scream is the owner of the most masterful instrument in the metal world. 
Wicked energy prevails throughout II As We Die, but there are a few slight reprieves from the beating. The intro to "Darkside" is bone chillingly beautiful. It's a haunting strum followed by an infectious drum and bass line, establishing a rhythm so solid it possesses you. I'd call it the "feel good track" of the CD but the lyrics are pure evil, as the genre is known to do. Follow-up tune "Witchcraft" is slightly less disturbing and has a hip-swagger come hither command. "We Belong to The Dead" is a rockabilly feature tune invoking visions of no-good punks holed up in a cemetery making blood pledges and rolling cigarettes, while ducking from the cops and stirring up a shit storm. (Oh, to be young again.)
Story's vocals keep the blood-curdling mood intact, singing low, screaming loud, and delivering images my nightmares hadn't considered before listening to II As We Die. Each track is a chapter in the latest installment by the progenitor of Horror Punk. Other noteworthy tracks include "Virgin Sacrifice," featuring Lamb of God's Randy Blythe, and "Blood on the Axe," which is the most apropos title a Doyle song could ever announce.  II As We Die released 6/2 and Doyle is out there touring with it, in case you're brave enough to take this on live ... and you particularly enjoy sleeping with the lights on.

 

Shockwave Outside The Rocks: Kesha Covers Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"

By Robin Ervolina
About a million years ago, or maybe it was five or six, I came home from work and walked into my husband's office. "Are you listening to Nina Simone?" He replied, "Guess again." His eyes looked like he'd hacked down a pollen field. I listened for a moment and was convinced no one in the history of ever had delivered such an honest prose. Then it hit me that the timeline didn't work. I knew those words like the emo scarred back of my hand. This was The Poet Dylan. Nina couldn't cover Dylan. "Who?" He turned from his chair and said, "You should sit down, Babe. You're not going to like this."

That's how it happened for me, and this is how I think it should happen for you. Kesha, who has worked her ass off to make a name for herself speaking vapid lyrics about party girl ethos, can sing. She can, and she doesn't, and to this day it angers me. This version also makes me cry ugly because if everyone supported talent the way metal heads do, she'd never have to wake up feeling like P-Diddy again.