Tag Archives: escapi music

Trouble @ Knitting Factory (9/15/2008)

Logo - Trouble

Artist: Trouble
Venue: The Knitting Factory (New York, NY)
Opener: Minsk
Date: 9/15/2008
Label: Independent Artist

I was always one of those casual fans of the band Trouble when they were hitting the clubs during their original heyday and I had to admit that while I leaned to the Melodic Power Metal side as a preference, I really enjoyed the crushing Doom riffs that they laid out. I had last caught the band back in 2007 for a show at B.B. King Blues Club where a mostly original lineup was celebrating not only their return but also the remastering of a few of their classic albums on the now defunct Escapi Music label. The short time that had passed from then to now found Trouble to be a band that was down some original members and now dishing out their new music on their own. The show tonight would be at The Knitting Factory in the venues main space and would feature Minsk as their direct support.
Continue reading Trouble @ Knitting Factory (9/15/2008)

“Viva Dictators” by The Dictators

Artist: The Dictators
Title: “Viva Dictators!”
Label: Escapi Music
Release Date: July 12, 2005
Genre: Punk
Rating: 2/5

Having held the distinction of being one of the pioneering groups of New York punk for over three decades, one must ask a simple question in regard to the Dictators: exactly why the fuck are they still around? Even during what passed for their heyday they weren’t really anything special, so their longevity is both inexplicable and perplexing. But there are those who love the Dictators with the affection normally reserved for a worn out old hound dog, so what do I know? This live retrospective of the band’s body of work didn’t do much for me, and provided somewhat-watered-down versions of the few Dictators tunes I genuinely give a shit about — “Master Race Rock,” “Pussy and Money,” “Minnesota Strip,” and the awesome “New York, New York” — but being as long in the tooth as they are doesn’t help the band, nor does it lend them much cred as champions of the New York-centric rock since that position will be filled for all time by the far superior Ramones (and to some extent, Blondie before they became a hit machine). Perhaps I’m being overly harsh to the venerable Dictators, but I’m merely calling it like I see it, and what I see is kind of like witnessing your Uncle Fred take the mic on “Punk Nite” at the local karaoke lounge, his hairy beer gut undulating as he belts out tunes about getting laid and generally being rude in that instantly recognizable punk way that’s much more effective coming from bands over half his age. Time to hang it up, guys, but I do give you points for longevity and integrity.
Continue reading “Viva Dictators” by The Dictators

Cactus @ B.B. King Blues Club (5/2/2008)

Cactus is often referred to as The American Led Zeppelin, and the band that found drummer Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert as their core membership was once again doing their thing at NYC’s favorite venue. PiercingMetal’s Joe Kaufman was on point to deliver the scoop in images and words so to learn more just click their logo below to see the item on the main site.

Logo - Cactus

Artist: Cactus
Venue: B.B. King Blues Club (New York, NY)
Date: 5/2/2008
Label: Escapi Music

Those classic 70’s rockers, Cactus returned once again to kick off the summer at B.B. King Blues Club in NYC with their brand of hard rocking classics in front of an eager hometown fan base. If you had attended any of the bands earlier appearances at this venue then tonight would be a little bit of a surprise to you as there is a slight lineup change to be aware of. Original guitarist Jim McCarty is no longer playing with the band and in his place is the talented Werner Fitzschings. Werner had replaced Jim McCarty back in 1972 for Cactus’s ’Ot ‘N’ Sweaty” album so he is really no stranger to the material and he brought an additional amount of enthusiastic vitality to the band. Another last minute switch in the lineup would be the presence of Pete Bremy who was apparently filling in on bass for Tim Bogert who was not able to perform due to illness. Pete’s bass playing was right on the money and I caught how he was throwing in specific “Tim Bogert-isims” to make it sound more authentic.
Continue reading Cactus @ B.B. King Blues Club (5/2/2008)

“Ultimate Guitar Zeus” by Carmine Appice

Artist: Carmine Appice
Title: Ultimate Guitar Zeus
Label: Escapi Music
Release Date: 8/15/2006
Genre: Hard Rock/Metal
Rating: 3

Carmine Appice’s “Guitar Zeus” and “Guitar Zeus 2” have been compiled into “Ultimate Guitar Zeus”. Drumming legend Carmine Appice teams up with old Blue Murder cohorts, Kelly Keeling vocals and guitar and Tony Franklin on bass. Boasting a long list of killer guitar players, Including Slash, Brian May, Zakk Wylde Yngwie Malmsteen, Richie Sambora, Mick Mars, Pat Travers, Steve Morse and more.
Continue reading “Ultimate Guitar Zeus” by Carmine Appice

“What The Mind Perceives” by Beyond The Flesh

Artist: Beyond The Flesh
Title: “What The Mind Perceives”
Label: Escapi Music
Release Date: March 25. 2005
Genre: Death Metal
Rating: 2/5

As a metal appreciator for nearly three decades, I think I’m qualified to offer the following advice to any would-be metal performers: enough with the shredded wheat vocals, already! Unless done with an intentional aim toward comedy, such stylings aren’t scary, more often than not end up sounding silly, and do not serve to mask your front man’s crooning deficiencies. This offering from Beyond The Flesh is not a bad album by any means, although admittedly a tad generic, but it’s almost sunk by the ludicrously laughable vocals that sound like what would ensue if your housecats stood up and made with a metal duet (listen to the track entitled “Fleshwound” and tell me I’m wrong).
Continue reading “What The Mind Perceives” by Beyond The Flesh