THE BLACK KEYS - Magic Potion (2006)

One of the better "LO-FI" Blues rock groove bands - The Black Keys. Named after a schizophrenic artist friend in Akron, who used the term "black keys" to describe things he disliked or people he did not trust. This is their new drop - "Magic Potion". If you like this check out their new live DVD too.

One of their trademarks is their preference for simple recording techniques. They refuse to use big name studios, and do most of the recording, producing, and mixing themselves. The album Thickfreakness was recorded mostly in its entirety in 14 hours in Carney's basement on an early 80's Tascam 388 8-track recorder. Another trademark is not following the 'norm'. They typically use odd recording techniques as well as what some may consider off the wall playing techniques.

The Black Keys were included in the soundtrack of the 2003 movie School of Rock with their song, "Set You Free."

The Black Keys have achieved increasing critical acclaim and recognition since their debut album. Time magazine named them one of the "10 Best Acts of 2003"

Black Keys
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BE BOP DELUXE - Axe Victim (1974)

Be Bop Deluxe was founded by Bill Nelson in 1972. They came out of the blues-based British rock scene of the late 1960s. At first they were compared to the more successful David Bowie, but Nelson never tried to copy Bowie, and appears to have disliked comparisons or being pigeon-holed. This artistic restlessness eventually led him to disband Be Bop Deluxe altogether and pursue less commercial paths of expression.

Influences on the band's music included David Bowie, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Van Der Graaf Generator and Frank Zappa. The band's sound emerged as a mixture of glam rock, synth rock, prog pock and straightforward rock and roll. Science fiction imagery (e.g. robots) was common in the band's lyrics, along with the more traditional themes of love and the human condition (albeit often hidden beneath Nelson's quirky lyrical and musical metaphors.)

Axe Victim (1974)

1. Axe Victim
2. Love Is Swift Arrows
3. Jet Silver and the Dolls of Venus
4. Third Floor Heaven
5. Night Creatures
6. Rocket Cathedrals (written and sung by Robert Bryan)
7. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape
8. Jets at Dawn
9. No Trains to Heaven
10. Darkness (L'Immoraliste)

CD Bonus Tracks:

1. Piece of Mine (live)
2. Mill Street Junction (live)
3. Adventures In a Yorkshire Landscape (live)

AXE VICTIM
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STEVE GAINS - One In The Sun

This album has a little bit everything. From the soul horns in " It's Alright" to the honkytonk piano playing in " Give It To Get It"
Or the great Les Paul pickin he's known for, in the blues number "Nothin Is New"...

I won't kid ya. This is mostly for fans of Gains. But on one those Saturday afternoons, when your locked down in the house, due to rain or housework. Kick this burn around give it a good listen. You may be surprised. Just pure songs from the late great Steve Gains.

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ONE IN THE SUN, the solo release from Steve Gaines--best known as a guitarist with Lynyrd Skynyrd, features nine tracks including "It's Alright."

Thanks to his backup singing sister Cassie, Steve Gaines joined the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1976, filling the spot vacated by ex-Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King 2 years before. Gaines and his sister (along with lead singer Ronnie Van Zandt) were killed in a tragic plane accident over Mississippi that silenced the band for many years. A decade later after fans had studied and investigated Gaines' background, MCA decided to release these recordings for the faithful who wanted to hear what he had done in the rest of his short life. The Oklahoman had recorded the tracks on this release with producer John Ryan prior to joining the supergroup. Having been out of print on CD for many years, Lemon Records made this album available once more in 2005.

1 - Give It To Get It
2 - It's Alright
3 - Blackjack Davy
4 - On The Road
5 - One In The Sun
6 - Talkin' About Love
7 - Nothin' Is New
8 - Take My Time
9 - Summertime's Here

Steve Gaines - guitar & vocals
Terry Emery - keyboards, tuba
John Moss - guitar & lead vocals on "On The Road"
John Seaberg - bass & vocals
Ron Brooks - drums & percussion
Tommy Lokey - horns
Bruce Blair - additional keyboards
Chip Miller - congas

STEVE GAINS - One in the Sun
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LOVE BATTERY - Between the Eyes (1990)

Love Battery formed in 1989 in Seattle, with U-Men bassist Jim Tillman and Mudhoney drummer Dan Peters. Their name comes from a song by punk band Buzzcocks. Peters left early and Skin Yard drummer Jason Finn took his place. They released their debut, an EP entitled Between the Eyes in 1990, on Sub Pop. Two years later, their first full-length album Dayglo was released, which got great reviews. Soon after, Tillman left to pursue other interests. He was replaced at first by Tommy Simpson, who in turn left and Bruce Fairweather became the band's permanent bassist.

Between them, the members of Love Battery have over 40 guitars, maybe more. Bruce Fairweather has even had one of his put into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but that's another story. Guitars are an important theme to remember when thinking about Love Battery because no matter what term is used to describe their music or what tag is applied to their genre, the essence of the band is the sound of strings resonating.

LOVE BATTERY - Between the Eyes (1990)

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STONEWALL - Stoner (US Hard Rock 1974)

This very rare and spectacular hard rock band from the USA circa 1974 is amazing. They got everything. Wah. Harp. Nice vox. Organ... And finally that classic 70's Marshall tone. (see cover) Check out the cut "Bloody Mary" with all it's salty harp solos. And if that wasn't enough of a brain melter, "Outer Space" slams in right behind that cut, with some monstrous astro mind blowing lyrics.

Okay you old school stoners from back in the day... go ahead...its' okay...I won't tell... break out your "Keep On Truckin" black light posters and play this LOUD! Great Album.

STONEWALL - Stoner
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BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - Howl (2005)

BRMC, as they are known for short, formed in 1998, taking their name from Marlon Brando's motorcycle gang in the film The Wild One (1953).

On their first two records they played hard-driving punkish rock influenced by Iggy Pop And The Stooges, The Ramones, The Doors, Sex Pistols, and 1980s British acts like Spacemen 3 and especially The Jesus & Mary Chain. Their style also encompassed slower paced psychedelic dreamy grooves influenced by shoegazers like My Bloody Valentine and Ride. Recently, with their third record Howl, they developed a new sound somewhere between blues, folk, gospel and rock, but still with their old melancholy.

Caught up in the hype of the Music-press fuelled 'New Rock Revolution' which included The Strokes and Kings of Leon, the band quickly separated themselves from the others in both sound and image.

After conflict with the label, the band were dropped by Virgin Records in 2004, with Nick Jago leaving the band at the end of their summer tour of the same year due to 'internal conflict' (later revealed to be a drink and drug addiction problem) .

After Jago was thrown out, Hayes and Been posted at the Official Website that the doors are open for him to come back if he has solved his problems. The surviving members then regrouped and recorded their third album.

In 2005 the band signed to Echo in the UK, and RCA in the US, with Jago also returning. Their third album Howl was recently released to widespread critical acclaim. Jago returned after most of the album was recorded but plays on Track 7, "Promise".

They have confirmed that they have begun recording their New "Yet-To-Be-Titled" 4th album, which should be released in early 2007.

Possible influences of the band include the "beat" poet generation, particularly Allen Ginsberg. This is evident in their name, which is a string of apparently incompatible words that create a rough amalgamated concept rather than a contingent meaning, and by the title of their latest album, "Howl", which is the namesake of Ginsberg's most celebrated work.

BRMC - Howl

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Audioslave

FINALLY!!!! ... a post. Audioslaves's new album due to drop soon. Some really nice wah guitar. One of my favorite current radio rock bands. Chris Cornell's vox is just the perfect rock voice. Kind of sounds like my cat when he's finished in his litter box. The guitar player anin't bad either. When is the tour ????? Ripped at 320. Enjoy

Audio Slave!

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