Megaphone - Exit Silent Mode

Orlando hard rock quartet Megaphone, released their latest album, Exit Silent Mode this past August. I wasn't sure what to expect when the record landed in my hands but, that's never stopped me for popping a disc in the player and giving a spin.

Megaphone, who formed in 2004 are, Matt Bloodwell (guitar/vocals), Paul Smith (lead guitar), James Woodrich (bass) and Scott Smith (drums). Exit Silent Mode, produced by Bloodwell and Justin O'Neill is the bands second full-length record.

The record kicks off with "Write It Down" a song that sounds like what would happen if Stone Temple Pilots and The Foo Fighters joined forces. I think it's a good opener for the album, a nice area rock anthem if you will, and is followed by the punchy "Gravitate" that works to get your head bobbing along. It also has the most noticeable guitar solo. As I continued to listen, I started to think they reminded me of The Goo Goo Dolls before they went well, gooey. At the same time I started to think I could hear some latter day Def Leppard type sounds floating about. What? You didn't think I could write about a record without offering up some sort of potentially questionable comparisons, did you?!

While this is a hard rock album, they offer enough hooks and pop nuances to entice casual hard rock listeners. Megaphone finds a nice comfortable blend of kick you in the gut, Mama said I shouldn't listen to this, guitar rock and easily digestible commercial rock.

The album overall is a solid piece of work. It reminds me of the stuff I listened to as a wee teen in the 80's (minus the Aqua Net induced hair nightmares) without sounding annoyingly dated as well as managing to touch on the 90's alternative rock sound. Exit Silent Mode is one of those records that makes you think you've heard it before but you haven't. It's just a comfortable, familiar sound that fits well in a hard rock fans music library.

The standout tracks on the record for me are "Whisper" which is my favorite, "Write It Down," "The Sin" and "Horse You Rode In On."

Check them out for yourself. Have a listen to "Write It Down" and "My Favorite New Disaster" from Exit Silent Mode below.

"Write It Down"

"My Favorite New Disaster"

Track Listing

• Write It Down
• Gravitate
• The Sin
• My Favorite new Disaster
• Bad To Good
• What If...
• Whisper
• Uncelebrated
• We Were Young
• Making Sense
• Horse You Rode In On
• The Last One

megaphonemusic.net
myspace.com/megaphone
twitter.com/megaphonemusic

Keegan DeWitt To Play Public Assembly, 9/13

Fellow New Yorkers, looking for a show to go to this weekend? Well, you can head on over to Public Assembly in the Borough of Brooklyn to check out Keegan DeWitt. He'll be over there this Sunday, September 13.

Can't make that show or just want to hear more of DeWitt? Well, he has a new record, Islands, coming out on Tuesday, September 15. If you're unfamiliar with his work, you can check out the song "Telephone" HERE.

Also, check out this video from his Lake Fever Session. He does a nice cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Wild Heart" with the lovely voiced Madi Diaz.

www.keegandewitt.com
www.myspace.com/keegandewittmusic

ResidentBand On iTunes!

The good folks of ResidentBand are now on iTunes! All of their videos can now be downloaded for FREE in HD. Just search the iTunes store for ResidentBand or click HERE. Well, what are you waiting for? Go download some videos!

www.residentband.tv

Video: Juliette Lewis - "Fantasy Bar"

Juliette Lewis released her new record, Terra Incognita on September 1. I'm a fan of Lewis' music endeavors; she rocks from her gut. But, I'm not sure I'm feeling Terra Incognita as much as I thought and hoped I would. While I like it, I don't know that it'll get as much play on my iPod as her last couple of records with The Licks, Four On The Floor and You're Speaking My Language.

If hearing the album just isn't enough for you New York, Lewis is doing a show here on Saturday, September 19 at Irving Plaza. If you're around, head on over and checheck her out. You'll get a from the gut, energetic, hot, sweaty, rock 'n' roll feast.

In the mean time, check out the video for "Fantasy Bar" which at the moment is my favorite song from Terra Incognita.

www.myspace.com/juliettelewis
www.facebook.com/pages/Juliette-Lewis/126010241551

Video: Miss Derringer - "Click Click (Bang Bang)"

Miss Derringer, the band that consists of Liz McGrath (vocals), Morgan Slade (guitar), Sylvain de Muizon (bass), Cody James (drums) and Ben Shields (lead guitar) released their new record, Winter Hill, on July 14. Not familiar with them? Think a punked out Shangri La's or Blondie and you get the delight that is known as Miss Derringer. Check out the video for the opening track on Winter Hill, "Click Click (Bang Bang) below.

www.myspace.com/missderringer
missderringer.com
twitter.com/MissDerringer

Happy Beatles Day!

Today, 09-09-09 has been declared Beatles Day. It's the day the much anticipated, digitally re-mastered Beatles catalogue, The Beatles, and the equally anticipated video game The Beatles: Rock Band are being released.

Yeah, yeah, yeah so it's not an official take off of work, have a cookout holiday or anything; but, you can still have some fun and blast a Beatles song or two or how about the whole spiffy collection. I'm sure your boss won't mind. So, toss on your Beatle boots, put on your mop top wig or if you're among those who prefer to go the more trippy years, get some peace and love facial hair going, wear some funky threads and enjoy the day. Now, if you get fired and or committed to an institution of the mental variety for any of the fully costumed, spontaneous, Beatles moments you may partake in today, don't blame me. But hey, send photos of yourself being carted off!

You know, I think every NY band should find a roof top and have their own concert to celebrate the day. Let your inner John, Paul, George & Ringo out. It's just a thought!

In the mean time, check out this little clip of The Beatles performing "I Saw Her Standing There" ... click HERE.

I searched high and low for this ... okay, I just popped The Beatles in the YouTube search box but, that doesn't sound as dramatic! Anyway, I pulled up "Get Back" from their legendary rooftop performance. I like that song. It's funky. Enjoy!

www.thebeatles.com

ResidentBand Features The Deadlies "One More Time"

Our friends over at ResidentBand have a new episode out, Episode 21. This episode features The Deadlies who used to be called The Neon Tigers. Check out "One More Time" below. Also, pop on over to the ResidentBand site ... they have a blog now with show reviews and other cool stuff.

ResidentBand - Episode 021 - The Deadlies

www.residentband.tv
www.myspace.com/thedeadliesmusic

Chris Kirby Checks Into The Vampire Hotel

Canadian musician Chris Kirby recently released his Gordie Johnson produced sophomore effort, Vampire Hotel. When I first looked at the CD, I thought, oh, no way in hell I'm going to like this. But, I popped it into the player to give it a listen. Always listen folks. I have been pleasantly surprised more than once in my lifetime by something I just knew I'd hate.

My thoughts after my first listen. It started off well enough but somewhere along the line it all went awry. What starts as a harmless revved up Michael Bolton/Chicago hybrid type of disc ends up sounding like someone dared the cabaret singing guy at the local piano bar to bust out some R&B. What? Was that mean? I'm just saying, if the guy started bustin' out show tunes, he'd probably sound right at home. I know y'all are thinking the mild mannered QNYC must be recovering from some summertime, outdoorsy, heat induced, brain damage or something of the sort to go there like that. That being said, I've never seen him live but I have a feeling he's probably a very energetic performer that probably puts on an entertaining show. You never know. Hey, my mind is still boggled at the fact that I found a Tony Bennett show to be entertaining!

Did I digress? Anyway, after a second listen, I decided that Vampire Hotel isn't a horrible record, it's just not my thing. Kirby sings on-key with a decent enough voice, even tilting in the direction of blue-eyed soul. And, the music and songwriting are decent enough too. Aspirations I think are bigger than the label that was slapped on this effort though. Who labeled it R&B/soul anyway? Let us just call it pop. I can swallow that label and appreciate the record more under the pop label. The two tunes that stand out for me are "Fool No More" which seems to be aiming for a Stevie Wonder vibe and "Don't Forget About Me" with it's feel good music.

For my tastes, as an R&B record, it misses. As an AM radio, adult contemporary, pop staple, it's a thumbs up.

Check him out for yourself. Have a listen to "Don't Forget About Me" from the album Vampire Hotel.

Track Listing

• Day Job
• Come Clean
• Lift This Fog
• Don't Forget About Me
• Heavy Rain
• See you Again
• Fool No More
• Princess
• Entertainer Of The Year
• Identity Crisis
• Golden Year
• Vampire Hotel

www.chriskirbyonline.com
www.myspace.com/chriskirbyandthemarquee
www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Kirby-the-Marquee/19093231573

New York Goes Calypso ... Now, The Rest Of The World

Brooklyn band Calypso have set loose a four song EP titled Teen Age. If you're in or around the NY area, you've probably already checked these guys out or at least know about them. But for those who aren't in the know, the band is fronted by brothers Sonny and Michael Kilfoyle, is terrifically fun and full of catchy tunes. Check out their wicked tune "Casually Sad Mercedes" HERE (right click, save as).

Track Listing

• Casually Sad Mercedes
• Son Of A Gun
• Post 110 Pills
• Santiago!

www.myspace.com/calypsony

U.S. Royalty Set To Play NY & Releases EP

DC band U.S. Royalty released their debut EP, Midsommar, on August 25 while the 7" vinyl version of the album will be available on October 6. The digital download will include a bonus track, the Bo Flex remix of "Keep It Cool." Speaking of cool, you can grab the first track off the record, "Every Summer," HERE and check out the video below.

For those in the New York area, U.S. Royalty have a couple of shows coming up so you can check them out live. They'll be on the LES at Mercury Lounge this coming Wednesday, September 2. Then, they'll be across the bridge in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 24.

Track Listing

• Every Summer
• Where Are You Now
• Keep It Cool
• Rats
• Keep It Cool (Bo Flex remix)

www.usroyaltymusic.com
www.myspace.com/usroyalty