Black Friday is bullshit and the biggest steaming pile of crap is "Record Store Day."  A-F Records decided to do something a little different on this day to take a swing at this corporate monstrosity. You can get all these six rare Anti-Flag singles and 60 other releases for FREE/"pay what you want" from the A-F Records Bandcamp page.

It is a nice alternative to the over-priced, re-release garbage that all the major labels are forcing record stores to carry and mindless sheep are buying up with a chorus of "baaa baaaas." Go check out the list of stuff coming out....

Thanks A-F Records. And, by the way, DO NOT BE A CHEAPSKATE....throw them a few bucks.

We need a new record store day that focuses on new music and smaller artists.

 by Sharon Gissy

​Nashville band The Delta Saints released their new record Bones in August to widespread critical acclaim. They even have the approval of Pretenders front woman Chrissie Hynde, who called them a "great band" on the Bravo show "Watch What Happens Live."
         The Delta Saints have been building toward Bones for a long time. They were a heavy touring band for the last eight years, playing sold-out shows in America and all across Europe. The band was formed when lead singer and lyricist Ben Ringel began making music with bassist David Supica. They soon added keyboardist Nate Kremer and guitarist Dylan Fitch to complete their full-bodied, eclectic lineup. Though their music obviously draws from the roots of Americana rock and roll, incorporating genres like country, soul, and rhythm and blues, the band creates its own sound entirely. It is not unusual to hear Kremer's eerie B3 organ, for instance, layered on top of a melancholy blues tune, or to hear Ringel emoting like an old soul singer over the funkiest bass line this side of the White Stripes.
           Bones is gaining the Delta Saints even more praise and attention. It is common for critics to compare the band to the White Stripes or My Morning Jacket, two other bands that fused classic rock genres with a modern twist. The record is the group's first for Loud & Proud records. It was produced by Eddie Spear, who has produced artists such as Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, and Neil Young. The songs on the album were actually written spontaneously in the studio. Many of the tracks were based on band members' personal experience, such as the haunting "Dust," which is based on Ringel's East Kansas grandfather, and "Heavy Hammer," which is about being trapped in a thankless job.
            The Delta Saints are continuing to tour in support of Bones. At the moment of this writing they are in Europe, but they will return to America for a show in Lawrence, Kansas, on December 3, which kicks off their U.S. tour. If you'd like to catch The Delta Saints in one of their high-energy live shows, check their website for other American tour dates. 

   by Sharon Gissy
  
  ​Western Star is the authentic ideal as far
  as country rock is concerned. They have
  spent the last two years tirelessly gigging
  through the south and east coast areas of the            
  U.S. To fund their creative outlet, they helped
  out with construction projects on band
  members the Jeffers brothers' ranch in 
  Texas.
     With their heavily guitar-driven rock and lead singer Jeffers's wailing and sometimes screaming voice, the band has drawn comparisons to the Pixies, Joe Cocker, and Van Morrison. It seems to be equally inspired by the fast and heavy punk aesthetic and the country spirit of the southern states where they all lived. 
    The band came together and slowly forged their unique sound over a number of years. Max Jeffers first paired up with lead guitarist Justin Myers at a show he played in Virginia when he was only twelve years old. The pair toured as a duo until Max hooked up with his brother Nick and the drummer Bob Shade, who they met in Baltimore. The chemistry between the energetic youth is something they worked a long time to achieve, and that is still pleasing crowds across the south and the east coast.
   To listen to some of the adrenaline-pumped tracks of Fireball​ you can check out their Soundcloud page.

by Sharon Gissy

Following the trail of his successful self-titled LP, country singer and songwriter David Lane just released a new EP on October 30. Hello Georgia is a nostalgic, often melancholy collection, and its namesake Georgia is where Lane was born and raised. It is clear that although Lane splits his time between the Nashville country 
scene and Los Angeles, where his label MuSick is headquartered, he has never forgotten his working-class roots and home. Lane toured Georgia and Florida with his songs as a youth, building a fan base, before he flourished in the Nashville music community.

The six songs on this EP were co-written by Lane and Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame winning Roger Murrah. Murrah was so impressed with David's music and easygoing personality that he ended up producing the recording as well. Murrah was quoted as saying "David Lane's music begins in his heart and ends in the hearts of those who hear him." It's true that David Lane takes soulful country back to its roots, and sings about issues that are obviously personal and close to him. From the beginning track "Recession," about blue-collar blues, to "Hello Georgia," which recalls an idyllic past, Lane is an artist who wears his heart on his sleeve. The traditional sounds of slide guitars and slick production only heighten the effect of his mournful voice and lyrics. Lane offers that rare feat these days; a country singer who draws upon classic balladry, but puts a more modern twist on it relating to his own life. The result is melodic, a little sad, and compulsively listenable. 


     

​

by Sharon Gissy

Prolific keyboardist and singer Lee Michaels, whose music has been commercially unavailable for almost two decades, is due to release two collections on Manifesto Records. Long hidden since Michaels' retirement from music in 1981, fans as well as newcomers will be able to enjoy these buried treasures on a best-of disc as well as a complete recordings set. 

Heighty Hi, The Best Of Lee Michaels is a single CD compiling some of Michaels' greatest radio hits, including career-defining songs "Do You Know What I Mean," "Heighty Hi," and "Keep The Circle Turning." The other release, The Complete A&M Collection brings together all seven albums Michaels recorded for A&M Records between the years 1968 and 1973. Both recordings will be available for purchase on November 20.

A prolific and influential artist, Michaels and his drummer Frosty were pioneers of the organ and drum duo, anticipating future artists like Silver Apples and Suicide who employed a synthesizer and drum combo. Lee Michaels' music was heavily informed by the psychedelic acid movement of the era as well as its heated Vietnam War political protest. At his most complex, Michaels was known to layer multiple keyboards to build a wall of sound, such as the Hammond and church organ, electric and acoustic piano, and harpsichord, among others.

Since retiring from music in the 1980s, Lee Michaels has avoided any press or performances, focusing instead on a popular restaurant he founded in Los Angeles called Killer Shrimp. He still enjoys playing music at home, and now a new audience can reap the benefits of his talents since his music is back in print.



​

by Sharon Gissy

​Blues guitarist John Lisi, notable for his energetic live shows in New Orleans, has released his latest recording on the label Louisiana Red Hot Records. Lisi's lightning-fast, deft finger-picking style on the guitar belies the fact that he has mastered many other instruments, such as the dobro and the mandolin. A multi-talented man, Lisi also pens his own vibrant lyrics and sings them in his trademark torrid style.

John Lisi cites many influences for his multi-layered sound, from the frenetic guitar work of Jimi Hendrix to New Orleans mentors like Dr. John and Cyril Neville for coaching him in the city's funk and soul scene. The end result is a distinctive style that Lisi himself has dubbed Delta Funk!

Luckily for fans, John Lisi is touring outside of New Orleans to support this new recording, which was released in July. You can sample the new record and check out his remaining tour dates on his website.

by Sharon Gissy

Just when you think you have The Huntertones pegged, they take another left turn to surprise you. They're kind of jazzy sounding, with those rising, falling rhythms and horn work, but they create distinct, even hummable melodies. They bring on funky grooves that make you want to dance, and sometimes even beat-boxing, only to pull away to a spirited saxophone solo. Who are these guys, and how do they make instrumental music so fun and catchy?

Although based out of Brooklyn now, The Huntertones actually got their start in Columbus, Ohio, and reflect a humble marching-band spirit that echoes that midwestern beginning. The unique compositions and arrangements are a collaborative writing effort between the band's founders Jon Lampley, Chris Ott, and Dan White. Rather than slotting neatly into one genre, the musicians are equally inspired by jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, R & B, and rock. This sounds like a messy concoction, but the band's shifts in tone and featured instrument occur surprisingly fluidly, and manage to showcase every talented member. The full lineup of The Huntertones lists eight other members pitching in on drums, guitar, keys, and bass, which helps explain the complex, rich sound the band builds to---before dropping away to that unconventional three-piece of saxophone, sousaphone, and trombone/beatbox.

Luckily, The Huntertones have made a name for themselves through live shows, as well as through their individual collaborations with other artists as varied as Snarky Puppy and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Their self-titled EP (which boasts over a healthy half-hour of music) will be available on November 20th. Until then, you can sample their music and check out their upcoming show dates on their website.

​Nashville indie-folk pop duo Jenny & Tyler have built a loyal fan following by touring cross-country. However, now that they have signed to Residence Records for their new album Of This I'm Sure, widely available since October, they are sure to pick up even more fans on their fall tour. There are still upcoming tour dates, available here.

As a husband and wife duo who create lovely, seamless harmonies with their voices that often build to a lush, orchestrated emotional crescendo, Jenny & Tyler have naturally been compared to Glen Hansard and and Marketa Iglova. The couple, who have been making music independently for years, said of their signing with Residence Records "they have an artistic vision that matches up perfectly with our own." Andrew Lambeth, Manager of Artist Development at Residence Records, spoke highly of Jenny & Tyler, saying "they have a clear vision of what they want to do with their music and our hope is to build careers over time."

​

The first official music video utilizing Rockstar Games Rockstar Editor, a special filmmaking tool in Grand Theft Auto V, was released by the Grammy award-winning band Blues Traveler. The video was for their song "Blow Up The Moon," taken from their record of the same name released on April 7th. The video features recorded and edited scenes from the video game as well as live-action shots of Blues Traveler and their collaborators 30H!3 and JC Chasez (from *Nsync) behind the wheel dodging obstacles and explosions much like players would in the game.

The band stated that "Our video director, Will Schmidt, came to us with the idea of using Rockstar Editor in Grand Theft Auto V and we were intrigued and psyched to try it out." Never a band to shy away from innovation and new ideas, Blues Traveler partnered on their new record with artists as diverse as Hanson, Jewel, and the Plain White T's, to name just a few. 

You can watch this newest entry in a long line of quirky Blues Traveler videos on Vevo here. After a 25-year career, Blues Traveler still tours with strong live shows that draw thousands of fans. You can keep tabs on any upcoming tour dates here.