Worship The 'Witch as they open for the Ghost at the Webster

photo by Magdalena Wolinski 

In today's social media saturated world, many bands think that just sitting on their asses and collecting "likes" on Facebook equals popularity, instead of going out there and winning fans the old fashioned way by touring. Luckily, there are some bands that still go out there and lay it all on the line to win over people night by night, venue by venue. Ohio-heshers Skeletonwitch are one such band.

They go out and win fans the tried and true way, by touring their asses off. They always seem to be on the road, and they'll play anywhere with anyone, whether it be on a big stage at Ozzfest, or at less glamorous places like our beloved Cherry Street Station in Wallingford. Their modus operandi might seem like a grind to some people, but for the band, they thrive in these situations. "We always say that the worst day on the road is better than a good day at work," said guitarist Scott Hedrick. "We are out there doing what we love to do, so if you look at it that way, it isn't so bad."

Still, it must take a little toll on the band, which also features lead singer Chance Garnette, his brother guitarist Nate Garnette, bassist Evan Linger and drummer Dustin Boltjes, to deliver such a high energy set each night. Once again, Hedrick, says they have found ways to deal with the stresses and weariness that can happen when on the road. Hedrick said that they do little things to keep themselves fresh. They might not party as much on some nights, and they watch the type of food that they eat, also. For them, it's knowing how to find a balance between the fun and the rational that keeps them going.

Speaking of fresh, the band recently just finished recording their new album, named "Serpents Unleashed", with Converge guitarist, and go-to-heavy-metal producer, Kurt Ballou at his Godcity studio in Salem, Massachusetts. This is the band's first time working with Ballou, even though they have tried to record with him in the past, but schedules couldn't be worked out, and they are very happy with the results. In fact, they were psyched to finally record with him, citing his work with such bands as Torche, High On Fire and Disfear, as one of the major reasons to get him to produce one of their records. "We wanted someone to capture our live energy. See I get it when people say we are known as a great live band and that's a double edged sword when it comes to recording. The cool thing about Kurt was that he was able to bottle lightning," said Hedrick.

Hedrick also said to expect a lot more of those old school guitar harmonies and melodies that are reminiscent of their "Beyond The Permafrost" record. You see he had more of a role in writing this one. Usually, Nate writes a majority of the songs, and Hedrick explains that Nate likes to sprinkle a little sugar with the heavy riffs, while he likes to dump a whole bucket of it on top of the music. "It's like he's the chef, and I'm the sous-chef," said Hedrick.

The new record is slated to be released by Prosthetic in October, but before that, the band has a short run of dates as the handpicked direct support for Ghost B.C., as that mysterious group of occultists does a string of dates on its way to playing Lollapalooza. Hedrick said they were pleasantly surprised by this development. "We were asked to do it by the band. We were on the road in Canada and I received a call asking us if we wanted to open for them. I spent a lot of money calling the United States to confirm this. I needed to know if our label had anything to do with this, but in fact, they were the last to know," said Hedrick. "So, of course, we said yes". So, if you're heading to the Webster next Saturday, be sure to get there early in order to catch them doing what they do best, which is tearing up the stage, and having a ball while they do it.

You see, they live for these moments. They are very happy with what they do. "We like to tour. We see how this band which was started by five assholes in Ohio and how it has grown through our hard work into something cool. It's quite a trip," said Hedrick.  

Ghost B.C.SkeletonwitchSaturday, July 27 2013The Webster Theater31 Webster StreetHartford, CT 061147:00 pm - All Ages - $20

Holy Grail lay down some pyrotechnic heavy metal at the Arch on July 6

In some ways, it must suck to be a modern metal band these days and have to deal with people on the internet or in person always questioning your "tru-ness". You know, the type of people who try to act as scene police and will always question your band's sincerity, if you haven't heard of the same obscure bands that they have heard of.

New school heshers Cauldron get ready to lay waste to Dewey's Pub in Seymour with NWOBHM legends Diamond Head

Metal has splintered into many different genres of extremity over the years, but despite the fact that there will always be some band trying to take it louder, faster and growlier, there will always be a need for bands that honor the past by playing prefix free metal. You could call this keeping it tradish, but these new sets of band look to pay homage to the traditions of the past, mainly the early-to-mid eighties by playing music that is full of galloping rhythms, monster hooks, boundless energy and in most cases clean singing. Granted they do all this with a modern touch.

Nightbitch Commands You To Celebrate The Release Of Their New EP

Well, our favorite sleaze hounds, Nightbitch are about to release another vinyl EP, and guess what, they'll be celebrating this event with a show at Cherry Street Station in Wallingford this Saturday. The "Chainmaker" EP features two new 'Bitch jams, "Disrober" and the title track, as well as a cover of Deep Purple's "Into The Fire". These along with the "Peculiar Worship" cassingle which just came out a little while ago and feature the first recordings with drummer Chris Taylor Beaudette's killer pipes. It should get you all hot and bothered for a full length which is surely soon to come. (See what I did there?) So we decided we would send some questions to guitarist Ryan Adams and here are his answers, probably written in between viewings of Jess Franco flicks. Below we touch on the new release, the vinyl release show and the potentially controversial "yacht rock" project that has been mentioned in other circumstances. Enjoy. (And remember Nightbitch also features Mark Eles on bass. Don't want to leave him out.)

Vektor get ready to blast Cherry Street into outer space

photo: Emily Ibarra

There have been many thrash bands coming out of the woodwork in the past few years. It seems as if we've been invaded by a bunch of groups that try to mimic the sound and look of an earlier, supposedly more golden, age. Unfortunately, a lot of these bands may get some of the sound right and maybe some even dress the part, but very few are adding anything new to this most classic of heavy sounds. It's a rare band that pushes the genre forward and should be celebrated.

Vektor is one such band.

Nightbitch Return To Scotty's To Spread The Gospel Of Sleaze

Our favorite group of sleazy, occult metal playing miscreants return to action this Saturday with a new release in tow. Yes, Nightbitch will be playing their home away from home, Scotty O'Boyles Cafe, in Meriden to celebrate the release of their new cassingle release, "Peculiar Worship", which features two new Nightbitch songs and is being put out by one of our favorite local progenitors of undeground music, No Visible Scars. As always, the festivities start around 9pm, where DJs will be spinning all the classic metal cuts to get you all hot and bothered for when Nightbitch takes the stage around 11pm. This is sure to be some good "adult" fun. So come on down and get yer sleaze on!

Come spend Halloween with Witch Mountain at BAR

When Witch Mountain went on hiatus in 2002, after a five year span of activity, to tend other projects and some real life concerns, the future looked a little uncertain for these Portland, Orgeon-based doomlords. But things changed a bit in 2009, when they had their friend Uta Plotkin sing a song of their first record, "...Come The Mountain", at a show opening for Pentagram and Danava in their hometown. She was a hit and the band had a new permanent vocalist.

The Inaugural BATTLE STAG RECORDS Summer Stampede 8/25

Danbury newest record label Battle Stag Records is hosting their inaugural Summer Stampede at The Heirloom Arts Theatre!

Nightbitch Returns To Scotty O'Boyles Cafe This Friday

An evening of exotic hard rock delights with Nightbitch and Guest DJs.

DJ's will begin spinning the classics at 9 sharp. Think lots of Deep Purple, Priest, Sabbath, Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult, etc. Nightbitch will perform at midnight.

Drink specials and $2 PBR specials to keep your lazer burnin' HOTT!

Friday 4/20/12
Scotty O'Boyles Cafe
523 North Colony Street
Meriden, CT 06450
21+
Free Admission

The Evil Abba? Ghost Haunt The Oakdale On April 10 with Mastodon and Opeth

A few years ago, a mysterious and shadowy entity emerged from the Pits Of Hell, by way of Sweden, and enraptured the ears of metal heads worldwide with their sweet, yet evil songs. This entity, known as the band Ghost, has since, their first public appearance, as well and release of their debut album "Opus Eponymous", grown in popularity garnering, not only the layman, but quite a few celebrity musician fans. While nobody really knows who is in the band (though there has been speculation elsewhere), because they appear at their public rituals cloaked in hoods, and lead by a mysterious lead singer, simply known as Papa Emeritus, who dresses like an undead Satanic pope.

SEASONS SLEAZINGS WITH NIGHTBITCH

Friday December 9, 9pm
Scotty O'Boyle's
523 North Colony Street, Meriden, CT 06450
Free admission
21+

DJ's will begin spinning the classics at 9 sharp. Think lots of Deep Purple, Priest, Sabbath, Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult, etc. Nightbitch will perform at midnight

Drink specials and $2 PBR bottles guaranteed to keep your lazer burnin' HOTT
...reindeer fucker for those in the know


SEASONAL ATTIRE:
Gentlemen are encouraged to wear Santa outfits or homely sweaters.
Ladies are encouraged to dress as slutty elves.

Howl Brings The Heavy To Milford on November 17

Rhode Island’s Howl, deal in the type of filthy, down tuned riff worship that makes any fan of the loud and noisy stuff, grin from ear to ear. Over the course of one EP, and one critically lauded debut album, “Full Of Hell” (both on Relapse), the band has proven they have what it takes to make interesting and exciting heavy music. After getting the debut out of the way, the band is now getting ready to prep album number two, which according to drummer Timmy St. Amour is a very important one in a band’s career.

“There is definitely pressure because the second record is usually known as a make-or-break record. We’re just excited about the new material and we’re looking to show people how far we’ve progressed as a band. We can’t wait for this to come out,” said drummer Timmy St. Amour.
After playing an exhilarating gig at the first annual, Metalsucks.net, Suck Fest last week in New York City, the band is in writing mode, as they get ready to work on more new material for the record and do a string of headlining live dates.

So far, they have 8 songs ready for the record with about another 7 that need a little work. The plan is to have more songs than they need, so when they enter the studio in February or March of next year, they can pick and choose what works best for them. They plan on having the record out in late spring or early summer.

As far as the new material goes, St. Amour says that the new material is a little more straightforward and faster, belying some black metal and speed metal influences, but it’s still plenty heavy and filthy. It’s still Howl, through and through.

To help them out, new member, guitarist Josh Durocher-Jones, has flown in from his home in Cleveland to partake in the live activities and writing process. He is staying at St. Amour’s house.

While it might seem odd that while the rest the band, including guitarist/vocalist Vincent Hausman and bassist Rob Icaza make their homes in Rhode Island, their new member lives in the Midwest. Durocher-Jones came highly recommended from ex-touring mates (and metal warriors in their own right) Skeletonwitch, and has proved his mettle on the road for the band and will make his recorded debut with the band on the new record. St. Amour said it really is no big deal, because Durocher-Jones just flies in whenever they need him to write, record or tour.
They also recently completed and released a video for the “Full Of Hell” track, “Heavenless”, which is a gory and over the top rendering of the song full of bad table manners, fight scenes and pseudo-Victorian clothing. It’s a fun, yet slightly goofy introduction to the band.

St. Amour said it was fun to do, but next time they will exude a little more creative control and make the video a little more serious.

As noted from higher up in this article, Howl are from Rhode Island and so are a bunch of other great loud and heavy bands. For a state its size it seems to turn out a lot of great bands, almost more than should be expected and Howl are proud to come from such a rich scene.
“It’s a really unique music scene. The foundation was laid down by heavy noise bands like Lightning Bolt and the warehouse scene, but that goes back about 10 years. There is also Dropdead and the whole Armageddon record label and store, too. It’s a mixing pot, where kids from the noise scene will go see metal, and people from other scenes will go to another scene’s show. There are no weird competitions. It’s been breeding outside the box for quite some time,” said St. Amour.

(It will be noted that this writer has heard from several Connecticut residents who go to shows in state, that if they could afford it, they would go to Providence for shows. For me, I wish there was less competition between the scenes and maybe some co-operation, but I know that’s a pipe dream.)

But all griping aside, this looks to be fine bill with Howl headlining over a bunch of bands that are all excellent in their own right. Judging by the description on the Manic Productions web site, Worms In Women And Cattle look to bring it, while Sea Of Bones and Red Blade look to represent Connecticut metal in a good way. So why not? It’s a solid bill from top to bottom.


Manic Productions Presents:

Howl
Worms In Women And Cattle
Sea Of Bones
Red Blade

Thursday, November 17
Daniel Street
21 Daniel Street
Milford, CT

8pm - $10 – 21+ BUY TICKETS NOW or pick them up at Redscroll Records.

Get your sleaze on tonight with NightBitch in Meriden!

~photo: aaron michael pepelis

Sue us! One of our favorite local bands is NightBitch, purveyors of some of the finest occult-themed, sleazed-out, trad-flavored metal around. The band will be celebrating the release of their “Sex & Magic” EP on CD, this Saturday at Scotty O’Boyles in Meriden. We thought it would be a good time to check in with guitarist Ryan Adams and see what’s new since the last time we spoke. This show looks like a lot of fun and it’s free, so there is no reason why you can’t get down there and get your sleaze on!

So what’s new in the world of the ‘bitch?We're busying ourselves with writing songs for our debut full-length. We have a few labels in mind who we would like to see behind it and we may precede the full-length with a 7" featuring a cover as the B-side. Probably 10-12 tracks of what you've come to expect from Nightbitch... tradish heavy fucking metal, riffs and sleaze with a sensual, occult bent. We're about half-way to where we need to be. Tons of riffs and a few solid skeletons in place. Also working out a couple of killer new covers that we'll be unveiling Saturday night. Gird your loins and fasten thee chastity belt!

ALSO... Chris and I have just completed our contributions to the Vestal Claret (Phil Swanson project) full-length. I appear on three tracks doing guest rhythms and solos and Chris shares vocals on a track with Phil. Just this week, we received final mixes and we are nothing less than thrilled to have participated in such a stunning album with so many phenomenal guest appearances (Andy from Black Pyramid, Jason from Iron Age / Cyclopean recs, Leo from Forsaken and many more).

I see that you are celebrating the release of the EP on CD after it’s been on two other formats on two different labels. Can you tell me how this came about?Though we have parted ways as bandmates, Phil Swanson remains a very good friend and ally of the band and we have the utmost respect for him. He actually put us in touch with Mark at Psychedoomelic Records, who just released the "Sex and Magic" CD and we couldn't be more pleased with how it all turned out. It's a gorgeous release and we are nothing short of honored be on a label that has released the likes of Reverend fucking Bizarre, amongst other doom luminaries. After selling out of the No Visible Scars cassette and the Cyclopean vinyl pressings, the time was right to enter the digital realm.

There’s going to be a CD release party for it tonight at Scotty O’Boyles in Meriden, can you tell me about this? What’s the idea behind this?Scotty's is my favorite bar in my hometown of Meriden and is conveniently located down the fucking street. It will be nice for once to get shit-hammered and have a 30 second trip home, should I not wind up in the bed of some lucky lady. We'll be taking turns DJ'ing before our set and Handsome Bill Connolly from No Visible Scars will be doing a guest DJ set as well. Vinyl only. FUCK OFF DIGITAL BUTTDARTS! Expect lots of Sabbath, Purple, Priest, B.O.C., Rainbow, Sir Lord Baltimore and Mercyful fucking FATE!!! Basically a bunch of friends fucking off in the company of friends. If you're not into riffs, sigils, tits and Ritchie Blackmore... YOU ARE NOT OUR FRIEND.

You are playing at midnight, any special significance for the band?It's the fakkin witching hour, bro. DUH.

Are there any plans to put out a full length soon? You told me you had some labels interested in the band? Where does that stand? Chris has yet to make his singing debut on a NightBitch record…will that be happening soon?Oh yes. Full-length forthcoming. We'll be shopping around a few songs in the next couple months and hopefully releasing a 7" of one or two new jams and a cover. Chris will surely be singing on it, as he's been hitting it out of the fucking park since assuming vocal duties.

How do you find time for both of your bands? How do any of you find time, as a band, as you all have other projects going too…isn’t Chris in like 20 bands right now?If you're passionate about something, you make time for it. I've got both Nightbitch and Ipsissimus. Mark has De Omega and Nightbitch. Chris has five bands at last count. The man is a promiscuous dynamo, bless his fuck.

Are you hoping some hot nubiles will take it off to your song “Disrober” and then shake it to “Sex & Magic”?It is Hell-ordained, Thomas.


Saturday, June 18, 2011

Scotty O'Boyles Cafe
23 North Colony ST
Meriden, CT

Free admission
21+

"The vibe is SLEAZE: dress sleazy, drink too much and get sketchy!"