Check out Hammer Radio's Newest installment featuring
The Shrugs
http://www.myspace.com/theshrugsmusic
Green Tree
http://www.myspace.com/greentree
and Mink Valley
http://www.myspace.com/minkvalley
HR2 The Shrugs, Green Tree and Mink Valley by HammerRadio
Welcome
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Vindicate Your Soul
The Shrugs have just released their new music video to go along with their single, "Vindicate", from their upcoming album! This video is amazing and is a treat to the eyes. Great lighting, original ideas, and amazing quality. Paired up with a super tight fantastic sounding recording. CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT!
See their album release on July 16th at Joe's Apartment!
See their album release on July 16th at Joe's Apartment!
Long Name, Good Results
Went to the Vancouver Seeds show on Friday and thought it was odd only putting two bands on the bill. But what i didn't realize is it doesn't matter how many, it just matters who.
Exit 200 just played a fantastic show with The Ataris ("Boys Of Summer") the previous night and showed no signs of fatigue as they rocked that stage. Incredible stage presence, great sound, super talented these boys looked ready to dominate the world. They had the "look", as in it was no wonder why the dance floor was full of ladies, all their eyes upward captivated by the band. Nothing was boring during their set, keeping things fresh with new grooves, ideas, and even an amazing alto sax being wielded single handily onstage. This band blew my ears off.
Ryan McMahon and the Company Damn was up next. Now i had YouTube this name before and I had seen a singer songwriter guy go up and sing. But turned it off before I had really heard anything. This band was absolutely amazing. The songs were so well written, lyrics so thoughtful, full of dynamics that i was mesmerized the whole set. His voice is the sound of sweet wine in my ears. Not much i can say except for go check out these guys. They are older but sound more experienced and had everyone from band new 19 year old to plenty of milfs to dance to their music as they rocked their set.
Two great bands packed the Roxy and inspired yet again that there is some incredible talent in Vancouver just waiting to be shared.
PS. Due to an accident with my camera i was unable to take pictures of the show. But i managed to snap some shots with my gf's camera.
Stay Hammered
Exit 200 just played a fantastic show with The Ataris ("Boys Of Summer") the previous night and showed no signs of fatigue as they rocked that stage. Incredible stage presence, great sound, super talented these boys looked ready to dominate the world. They had the "look", as in it was no wonder why the dance floor was full of ladies, all their eyes upward captivated by the band. Nothing was boring during their set, keeping things fresh with new grooves, ideas, and even an amazing alto sax being wielded single handily onstage. This band blew my ears off.
Ryan McMahon and the Company Damn was up next. Now i had YouTube this name before and I had seen a singer songwriter guy go up and sing. But turned it off before I had really heard anything. This band was absolutely amazing. The songs were so well written, lyrics so thoughtful, full of dynamics that i was mesmerized the whole set. His voice is the sound of sweet wine in my ears. Not much i can say except for go check out these guys. They are older but sound more experienced and had everyone from band new 19 year old to plenty of milfs to dance to their music as they rocked their set.
Two great bands packed the Roxy and inspired yet again that there is some incredible talent in Vancouver just waiting to be shared.
PS. Due to an accident with my camera i was unable to take pictures of the show. But i managed to snap some shots with my gf's camera.
Stay Hammered
Friday, June 24, 2011
First Taste Of Vancouver Seeds
So after missing quite a few bands I finally managed to get my self out to The Roxy to check out this years Vancouver Seeds 2011. Which for those who don't know is a contest pitting every local band against each other to rise to the top and whom ever wins receives a massive prize which puts them at a level to showcase themselves on a national level. Pretty cool.
Well getting there at 8pm it was completely dead. Just me and sound guy. After a quick walk down Granville and back by 8:30 the place was filling up quite nicely. Goes to show you what a difference 30 mins can make.
First up was Sharks On Fire. I kept hearing about this band and was excited to see them rock the stage. Well after a couple technical difficulties in the first song they settled into a tight groove and rocked out. First off.. they have the happiest drummer in the world. This guy looked as if he died and went to heaven. It was great seeing the whole band excited about being on stage. Everyone had huge grins and smiles and really made the crowd feel welcome. The singer made sure to acknowledge every single person on the dance floor. The energy was great. Great songs, great set, everything had a flow. The backup singer had some amazing vocals and was perfectly on pitch with harmonies and melodies. The singer ripped into his little keyboard like his fingers were on fire. Defiantly will go to another show!
Second up was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Bringing the heavy. Super tight band. Great stage presence. They moved all over the place rocking hard and headbanging. Only sad thing was the way it was mixed. The guitars were too quiet and all you could really hear was the drums and vocals with enough guitar to get pitch. But from their recordings i would have loved to hear the ground shaking palm mutes and screaming solos a bit more. While I'm speaking about that, blistering solos from their lead guitarist. You could barley hear it but you could see his fingers moving almost the speed of light. Lead singer played out to the audience the whole way through which was great even though a few times had a couple fail "clap your hands!" moments but still maintained his level of cool as this band shredded through their set. Tight band, Tight set, poor mixing. I want to see these guys at a grungier venue i bet it would be sick!!!! would love to be in a tiny little room with them all cranked up to max volume!
Calling All Wave finished up the night. This Nanimo band traveled far and brought their groupies. The usual wives/girlfriends, but that's about it. Which is almost expected from Traveling bands. But I remember last year when Dead Eyes Open played and packed the Bourbon. This was an older band, all looked around 30, maybe 35, so was playing a bit like "Been trying this too many times". But super tight band. The lead singer had the best vocals of the night, Perfectly in tune, hitting every note. But i guess that's expected when you don't move from in front of the mic stand. The lead guitarist played some great solos. Looking a lot like Jack Black trying to rock the stage for any rock fan he could see. Bringing a small crowd is fine, but they better rock out harder than any of the previous crowds to make up for it!
A little side note: I stood up front and center for all these bands, equally listening and enjoying the music. Usually headbanging or offering the band support. As being in a band i know the feeling of seeing at least one person headbanging to your tunes!
Now i was sad when Calling All Wave said "Who wants a free shirt!" and i yelled "I do!!!" but ignored.. and a bunch of random people from the band ran up and he gave it to them and watched as they returned to their seats. Sorry guys, play as hard as you like but respect your audience who is actually rocking out to you play.
But overall goodnight. Great bands. Cheap Drinks.
Stay Hammered
Well getting there at 8pm it was completely dead. Just me and sound guy. After a quick walk down Granville and back by 8:30 the place was filling up quite nicely. Goes to show you what a difference 30 mins can make.
First up was Sharks On Fire. I kept hearing about this band and was excited to see them rock the stage. Well after a couple technical difficulties in the first song they settled into a tight groove and rocked out. First off.. they have the happiest drummer in the world. This guy looked as if he died and went to heaven. It was great seeing the whole band excited about being on stage. Everyone had huge grins and smiles and really made the crowd feel welcome. The singer made sure to acknowledge every single person on the dance floor. The energy was great. Great songs, great set, everything had a flow. The backup singer had some amazing vocals and was perfectly on pitch with harmonies and melodies. The singer ripped into his little keyboard like his fingers were on fire. Defiantly will go to another show!
Second up was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Bringing the heavy. Super tight band. Great stage presence. They moved all over the place rocking hard and headbanging. Only sad thing was the way it was mixed. The guitars were too quiet and all you could really hear was the drums and vocals with enough guitar to get pitch. But from their recordings i would have loved to hear the ground shaking palm mutes and screaming solos a bit more. While I'm speaking about that, blistering solos from their lead guitarist. You could barley hear it but you could see his fingers moving almost the speed of light. Lead singer played out to the audience the whole way through which was great even though a few times had a couple fail "clap your hands!" moments but still maintained his level of cool as this band shredded through their set. Tight band, Tight set, poor mixing. I want to see these guys at a grungier venue i bet it would be sick!!!! would love to be in a tiny little room with them all cranked up to max volume!
Calling All Wave finished up the night. This Nanimo band traveled far and brought their groupies. The usual wives/girlfriends, but that's about it. Which is almost expected from Traveling bands. But I remember last year when Dead Eyes Open played and packed the Bourbon. This was an older band, all looked around 30, maybe 35, so was playing a bit like "Been trying this too many times". But super tight band. The lead singer had the best vocals of the night, Perfectly in tune, hitting every note. But i guess that's expected when you don't move from in front of the mic stand. The lead guitarist played some great solos. Looking a lot like Jack Black trying to rock the stage for any rock fan he could see. Bringing a small crowd is fine, but they better rock out harder than any of the previous crowds to make up for it!
A little side note: I stood up front and center for all these bands, equally listening and enjoying the music. Usually headbanging or offering the band support. As being in a band i know the feeling of seeing at least one person headbanging to your tunes!
Now i was sad when Calling All Wave said "Who wants a free shirt!" and i yelled "I do!!!" but ignored.. and a bunch of random people from the band ran up and he gave it to them and watched as they returned to their seats. Sorry guys, play as hard as you like but respect your audience who is actually rocking out to you play.
But overall goodnight. Great bands. Cheap Drinks.
Stay Hammered
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Down In The Cellar
Saturday night I find myself hobbling my way up Granville Street (having broken my foot a week before) I made my way to The Cellar. Three bands on the bill, a beer in hand, looks like it will be a good night.
The Grand took the stage to start off the show. Look at the article below to get the full scoop on this killer band. They were classic tonight. Played an amazing set, perfectly paced except for the two ballad type songs in the middle back to back, i just wished after a ballad they played something heavier or faster. But all great songs, well written and well performed. At their next show might have a surprise for them!
Doc Holiday roared into stage like a bull in heat and preceded to play what i can only describe as psychedelic metal. Some very doomy sludge metal tunes along with some amazing speed riffing from the guitar. The female bass player was entranced in the music and pounded her bass like it was her bf. Very System of A Down vocals with lots of awesome effects to really pull it through the mix. Tight band, tight sound. Huge!
To wrap up the night One Life Animal set up and played to a great sized crowd. This is the first show with their new singer and she turned out to be the "Animal" in One Life Animal. Absolutely ferocious into the microphone. Brought a new flavour of raw energy to the band. The whole group was tight. Playing a few old songs from their first record as well as a bunch of new tunes. This ending the night on a glorious high note.
Great bands! Great show! = Great Night!
Stay tuned, Stay Hammered
Friday, June 10, 2011
Want To Be Grand?
Think if the White Stripes, Queens Of The Stoneage, Wolfmother and Led Zepplin had a baby.. The Grand would be its name. This is becoming one of my favorite bands in Vancouver. A sound i can truly headbang to no matter when or where. These guys are bringing the ROCK back to Rock'N'Roll. Vocals sound a like a young Chris Cornell (Sound Garden), guitars sound like Queens Of The Stoneage and the bass sounds fat like Kyuss. And the drums sound they have every rock drummer rolled into one! The drums make the songs, adding that extra spice and flair which makes you just want to thrash your head and mosh until your bones shatter! This is a must hear!
Accomplishing so much for a fairly new band to the scene, but all the members are no strangers to playing. All coming from an assortment of different bands to form this beast. Their fan base continues to grow at an incredible rate. everyone who hears their fury instantly asks themselves why they aren't up front and center to absorb this madness. Making the top 20 in the Vancouver Seeds competition which have denied older more experienced bands many times, these guys rocked to the top and would have kicked ass except for a dumb rule by the rule makers of the Seeds. As rock law says "Rules are meant to be broken!"
So grab a beer, a joint, or both and take a listen to these guys blow your ears at
http://www.myspace.com/thegrandspace
And see them rock your face off at The Celler Nightclub
When: June 18th Doors at 7:30
How much beer money will it cost to get in: $10 or 12 at the door!
A Few Villains in Town
It only takes a few to rock the world... this rings true when listening to The Proper Villains. This group has been making waves in the local scene as well as spreading their word beyond BC. Sold out shows in distant places like Surrey where getting a crowd is harder than finding a corner without a hooker! Getting steady radio play on 94.5 The Beat FM isn't an easy feat either! These guys are kicking ass in the scene and taking names. Never taking no for an answer. They are pushing to the top and leaving everyone else in the dust! Playing big stages like the PNE for the Westcoast Tattoo and Culture Show and schedule to be playing the Ubran Culture Conference and Awards Show in august. Be sure to keep an eye for them in August when they share the stage with big names like Metric and Weezer.
Their sound is a combination of Pop, Hiphop and Rock all mend perfectly together to form this grooving sound which penetrates your soul. Check out their song "Your Heart" on the first ever Hammer Radio Webcast! To the right hand side of the page.
Keep your eyes on these guys and let them rock your body!
Hear them roar at:
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Updates! Hammer-riffic!
"Get Hammered"
You are going to be hearing that a lot. Another branch of Hammer Records has opened up. Webcasts. We are now expanding on putting on a bi-monthly webcast to update you of new artists, shows, and interivews. My promise. . . it will always be under 15 mins. So if you can spare 15 minutes to listen to some amazing artists please tune in!
www.soundcloud.com/hammerradio
The 2nd big news is that we are finally on Twitter!!
Follow our every move at Hammer_Records
We are hiring new hands to help us keep on top of this crazy music scene. So if you feel you can contribute please email us at hammerrecords@hotmail.ca
Cheers
James Weekes
Hammer Records
You are going to be hearing that a lot. Another branch of Hammer Records has opened up. Webcasts. We are now expanding on putting on a bi-monthly webcast to update you of new artists, shows, and interivews. My promise. . . it will always be under 15 mins. So if you can spare 15 minutes to listen to some amazing artists please tune in!
www.soundcloud.com/hammerradio
The 2nd big news is that we are finally on Twitter!!
Follow our every move at Hammer_Records
We are hiring new hands to help us keep on top of this crazy music scene. So if you feel you can contribute please email us at hammerrecords@hotmail.ca
Cheers
James Weekes
Hammer Records
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