"C.A.R.S," a vlog formed by Lord Nelson of Plastic Catastrophe that focuses on reviews of classic albums from the past. Lord Nelson, frontman of the band Plastic Catastrophe, created the "Live and Loud with the Lord: series with guests that include people from all positions in the music industry. Every Friday evening, a new installment is released to the public at midnight. This week's vlog is taking a look at Kraftwerk's most dynamic record, "Computer World".
"C.A.R.S." has been picked up by the CMS Network with 5 Royals Entertainment. We have gotten... Read More
Cross-platform technology and marketing alliance connects “Powered by Napster” tech service and AI audio innovations from Super Hi-Fi.
Napster and Super Hi-Fi are now working together to allow music streaming services and leading consumer companies to easily create the next generation of personalized and branded music. The two pioneers in music technology allow companies across a variety of industries, where music is a critical component of their business offerings, to add a critical layer of differentiation and customized listening features.
“Napster serves many brands... Read More
Charleston, SC has some fantastic local bands, and we at Independent Music Guide have been impressed with one particular cover band, The Novatones. While we don't usually write about cover bands, this one is filled with exceptional talent. A classically trained vocalist (Anna) is surrounded by equally talented guitar players (Scott and Dan), a phenomenal bassist (JB) and rounded off with a kick-ass drummer (Josh). We wanted to reach out and find out more about how this band got together, where they are headed, and how you can find them on the road as they go out on tour.
IMG: Can you tell... Read More
Belushi Speed Ball is the brainchild of Louisville, Kentucky teacher Vincent Castellano and are known for being one of the most energetic and crowd inspiring thrash metal bands around. Sean had a chance to zoom with Vinny the other night after witnessing Belushi Speed Ball win over a hometown crowd in Summerville, South Carolina.
Sean: Hey!
Vinny: Hey, I'm outside right now, grilling burgers!
S: Burgers? Where's the pizza?
V: *Laughs*
S: It's funny because I'm in a heavy metal group on Facebook and I asked the people there to come up with the craziest questions they... Read More
"Some people have told me it's a classic rock album," says Jonathan Epstein of his Detroit band the Glamour Machine's eponymous debut album. "I don't know, I kinda think it goes all over the place. A lot of bands say they're going to be goths or country or whatever. Thats not how we approached this. We're just gonna be who we are. Work on the songs for what the songs require. And I worried about it when we were doing the record and asked the producer is this going to sound crazy or be cohesive?" The vocalist/ guitarist need not worry about that last part... Read More
Apologies for the extreme lateness of this 2023 favorites list, but its been a hectic 2024 so far. You can check out the Heavy Metal Buddies metal top twenty (which is different from mine here) at this video: but as far as my list goes, its a lot of old favorites and couple of new surprises. Lots of metal and lots of local, how these tend to wind up for me. I might come back and do an honorable mentions add-on but needed to get this one out before 2025...
1. Bad//Dreems - HOO HA! Another stellar addition to the Baddies catalog. Australia in fine form for indie/ punk rock, as usual.
2.... Read More
Imagine being in a bustling music scene in New York City, hanging out at CBGB's and other niche clubs, while fully immersing yourself in the punk rock scene that encompassed your entire being. That's exactly what Arthur Alexander did before breaking out to Los Angeles as his previous band, Sorrows, came to a close. Alexander started out as a guitarist in The Poppees, who found great success in the early 70's punk scene. By the time 1976 rolled around, he found himself in a new band, Sorrows, who had big dreams and got on a major label looking towards huge success. That success did not... Read More
If you're into punk rock in the Southeast, you've probably heard of Atlanta's own Billy Batts & the Made Men. The trio of scrappy young dudes have been making a mark on the scene with prolific releases and as much touring as they can muster. Their latest album, produced by Joe Queer, is called My Empire is Crumbling! and is out on All Star Records/ Pistol Pete Records and it's a scorcher filled with old school hardcore jams. Sean sat down to talk with the two brothers at the core of the music.
Sean: I came with so many questions, yall are gonna be tired of me. Have you done... Read More
The 3rd Annual Drifter Fest was held earlier this month in honor of Drifter Merch's Founder, Bert Griggs. The event was held over two days at The Refinery, a beautiful location just outside of Downtown Charleston. Proceeds from the event went to local nonprofits, Carolina Studios and 96.3 FM Ohm Radio.
Bert Griggs, along with his wife Lorrie, created Drifter Merch in 2016 to help fund their passion for music. They designed merch and set up tables during events that showcased custom made designs for their favorite bands. After Bert's passing, Lorrie has continued his work and created... Read More
When those first cowbell hits merge with raging power chords at the beginning of Brandy and the Butcher's debut album, Dick Circus, a listener could be forgiven for thinking they had been transported back in the golden age of '70s muscle-guitars. It's when singer Elizabeth Hale drops in and the transmission changes focus with her punky and oft sardonic tone, you are kick-started forward into the days of Dale Bozzio-inspired new wave or even early-era Alison Mosshart hardcore. As a band of self-proclaimed "lifers", the Columbia, SC quartet wastes no time in dispelling any... Read More
Starting in the 70's and 80's, Hip Hop has become an influential artistic medium for black culture that includes poetry, music, and cognac? Yes, cognac has emerged with the hip hop culture as a powerful force in modernism. The Charleston Wine and Food Festival is featuring this vibrant combination with That Yak, where speakers will discuss the colorful history of how the two have come together to form an impactful, and tasty, partnership. Learn about cognac's French history and enjoy six delicious expressions of a spirit that has been name dropped by everyone from Tupac to Meghan Thee... Read More
Charleston's Wine and Food Festival is coming soon, and Independent Music Guide is proud to cover many of the events this year. The 2023 lineup looks fantastic! One of the most sought after performances will be the Southern Iconic band Nappy Roots, who will headline Hip Hops: The Remix at the Music Farm on March 3rd. The Grammy nominated band developed in 1995 and is known for hit singles "Po' Folks", "Awnaw", "Roun the Globe", and "Good Day".
DJ B-Lord, a Charleston native, will also perform.
Tickets are available now for $125 that include... Read More
Home Team BBQ hosts the 5th annual Rock the Block fundraiser and
blowout block party. Saturday, February 25th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m join the fun in front of the downtown
Williman Street Home Team BBQ location. The event’s mission is to raise funds and awareness for
families affected by pediatric brain cancer through donations to Hogs for the Cause, MUSC Shawn
Jenkins, and Ronald McDonald House of Charleston. Aaron Siegel, Chief Operation
Partner/Pitmaster says, “Rock the Block is truly one of our favorite events because it combines all the
things we love to do; food, music, good... Read More
"Rock and roll is dying!" "Rock and roll is dead!" "Nobody makes good rock and roll any more!" Those are the phrases I hear all the time by "peers" who think that there is no such thing as rock and roll these days. I say they are wrong, and Chicago's "The Outfit" is proving that it is still a strong and thriving genre. Brothers Mark (drums) and Matt (guitar) Nawara, along with fellow bandmates Mike Gorman (bass) and Andy Mitchell (vocals/guitar), are not new to the scene and bring a solid punch with their sophomore album, "Viking".... Read More
Better late than never, I have to admit the delayed nature of this year-end best of post is mostly thanks to me waiting for the perfect picture; so many vinyl records had delayed schedules and many of my faves are still not quite in my hands, physically. It's been a rough time the last couple of years for manufacturers of records and CDs and its an inevitable reality nowadays. At any rate, here's the list and I tried to compensate with discussing more albums than usual. Going on about 15 years now with "The List" and as usual, I tend to gravitate towards metal and local stuff,... Read More
Growing up a headbanger in the '80s, every one of us knew who Alcatrazz were, whether you were a hardcore thrasher, glammy pop metaller or just old an school hard rock/ AOR purist. Singer Graham Bonnet cemented his legendary status with the band after being in Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group. The band's three studio albums, made from '83 to '86, were primal tastes of what would eventually become a norm in heavy music: shredder metal, that bombastic heir to the throne of '70s prog rock. Alcatrazz played souped up hard rock/ metal with crazy, over the top virtuoso playing... Read More
Halfway through the latest album "By Blood" from Shovels and Rope, Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst sing pleadingly, almost desperately, to each other, "Carry me home, I'm no good when I'm alone". While there is no denying either musicians individual talents they are a force together and this notion rings true throughout "By Blood", an album about vulnerability, adapting, overcoming, but most of all the connection the duo shares as lovers, parents, and musicians. By Blood has everything you would want or expect from Shovels and Rope. Strumming acoustic guitars,... Read More
When the opportunity to speak with a member of one of our favorite bands pops up, there is not a moment wasted in reflection here at Independent Music Guide. So the chance to have a Zoom meeting with Michel Langevin, the drummer and conceptualist for Canadian metal legends Voivod and discuss the band's new releases, most notably the new Ultraman EP, was a bucket-list interview for yours truly. Known by the code-name "Away" since the band's formation nearly 40 years ago, he has always been in charge of their artwork and the themes of their many concept albums and is legendary... Read More
High Water 2022 saw the local festival get back on its feet after Covid put a temporary halt to the North Charleston exhibtion of both local and international musical talents. As always, under the curation of South Carolina emisarries of the arts, Shovels and Rope, the show returned with a hefty amount of star power and a venue that was filled with lots of Charleston-area food and beverage choices. Acts still rotated between two big stages so breakdown and setup times for bands would not affect the next act's schedule; the show ran like a well-oiled machine in this respect. The Edisto Stage... Read More
Grammy nominated band Southern Avenue is heading to Charleston this weekend to Home Team BBQ for a charity event, Rock the Block, at the downtown location. The annual street party benefits HOGS FOR THE CAUSE and features award winning chefs, craft cocktails, a kids area, as well as a special VIP section with an open bar and tasty treats. HOGS FOR THE CAUSE offers financial support and other support to families dealing with pediatric brain cancer.This year's band lineup includes The Pink Stoners, Travers Brothership, and headliner Southern Avenue.
We got a chance to speak with Southern... Read More
When the chance to interview one-man-metal-band Athenar (AKA Midnight), dropped in our collective laps, we ran straight to the front of the stage. All of his interviews display his dark sense of humor and his unapologetic love for all things metal and IMG's is no different. I recruited my fellow metal stalwarts over at Heavy Metal Buddies to brainstorm the most important questioning Athenar has ever experienced and the Cleveland rock genius handled our entreaties with the most evil of graciousness.
S: Hey, great to talk with you.
A: Yeah, same.
S: I'm going to get right into... Read More
So 2021 was A LOT. As ususal my list of favorite albums I bought or just jammed is heavy on local stuff and metal/ adjacent fare. I managed to give about 400 albums/ EPs a go the past year, so getting a little more back to normal for me. My thoughts on the greats of plague year II:
1. Descendents - 9th & Walnut The "lost" Descendents album pulls on my heart strings as it pulls no punches in demonstrating two things at once: the longevity of its players and the proto-brilliance at their center. The original punk band recorded versions of their earliest unreleased material after... Read More
1-a.) Wraith – Undo the Chains
Blistering black-speed-thrash-whatever-the-heck from Indiana. I love it. On this follow-up to 2019’s fantastic Absolute Power, Wraith employ the best parts of the New Wave of Whatever throughout the entirety of this latest offering. The breakneck opening riffs of “Mistress of the Void” will have you reaching for your seatbelt. The percussive dive-bomb stomp of “Cloaked in Black”’s first minute healed just a tiny fragment of the Texas-sized hole the passing of Power Trip’s Riley Gale left in our hearts last year.... Read More
The richness of Tony Brown's debut single, “Blessed Be the Rock” is a prime example of the gospel sound that echoes in the heart of Charleston, SC. This hymn is a burst of joyous praise offering thanksgiving. Throughout the song Tony Brown delivers a melody that lyrically describes the gratitude of the soul of a Christian, for the gift of salvation they receive once they are introduced to Christ. It is based on the scripture Psalm 18:46. Brown worked alongside his son; Tony Thompson professionally known as T-Strong Productions and was accompanied by Jerome Griffin.
Tony Brown... Read More
Well, it was a crazy year and I didn't get to listen to as much new music as I normally do (around 250 new releases test played front to back as compared to my usual 500-600) but I still found plenty of new music to keep my spirits up during one of the worst years of most of our lives. As usual, my list is heavy on both South Carolina artists and different varieties of rock/ metal and I wish I had found the time to listen to more - it would have contained a lot more genre and location variation. Without further ado, the stuff that got me through the end times:
1.Boo Hag - Burial Ground/... Read More
