@brandonspeck
Winter Jam hits Tupelo Thursday and while rock fans should be particularly stoked to see Skillet and Family Force 5, here is a new band to get there early for:
Veridia released their debut EP, “Inseparable” a year ago and is getting a lot of exposure on this tour.
Here’s “Disconnected” to prime you for the show.
@brandonspeck
BSMF just announced its 2015 lineup and hallelujah, unlike the Grammys, the will be rock ‘n’ roll.
Among the headliners are Five Finger Death Punch and Cage the Elephant and John Fogerty, who hasn’t played Memphis in nearly 30 years.
Other include Rise Against, Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Breaking Benjamin, Flogging Molly, Of Mice & Men, Spin Doctors, Soul Asylum, In This Moment, Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts and Memphis rockers Prosevere.
@brandonspeck
I met late Drowning Pool frontman Dave Williams at Ozzfest in 2002. I was a 22-year old trying to get into rock journalism and he was a huge star.
I was also a nervous wreck walking onto his bus for an interview. Williams was kind, welcoming and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever encountered. He treated me like family for the brief time we talked. My heart broke weeks later when he died and I’ll never forget that encounter.
This Adrenaline release made my day.
Drowning Pool is on the second leg of their Sinner “Unlucky 13th Anniversary” Tour, performing the legendary debut album Sinner in its entirety, including “Bodies” with special guests Full Metal Jacket and Adrenaline Mob.
In memory of late vocalist Dave Williams, Drowning Pool have released their new music video for “Soul”. The video is comprised of archived live performance video featuring Williams and is being released via the band’s new IndieGoGo campaign, designed to raise money for the American Heart Association in his name. The band’s goal is set at $13,000, all of which will go to the AHA. Donators of $30 or more will receive a special “In Memoriam” t-shirt adorned with Williams’ image. Watch the video and check out the donation page here.
The “Sinner” 2-Disc Anniversary Deluxe Edition is out now, via Bicycle Music. Here are the dates.
3/12 – Daytona, FL @ Main Street Station – Daytona Bike Week
3/13 – Melbourne, FL @ County Line Saloon
3/14 – Jacksonville, FL @ Beach Blvd Concert Hall
3/15 – Knoxville, TN @ NV
3/17 – Clarksville, TN @ The Warehouse
3/19 – Baltimore, MD @ Fish Head Cantina
3/20 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
3/21 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
3/22 – Beckley, WV @ Muncheez
3/24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
3/25 – Kent, OH @ The Outpost
3/26 – Fredericksburg, VA @ Hard Times
3/27 – Lancaster, OH @ Mickey’s Bar
3/28 – Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
3/29 – Racine, WI @ Route 20
4/1 – Laporte, IN @ Johnny’s Roadhouse
4/2 – St. Louis, MO @ Mad Magician
4/3 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
Via release, here are the dates for Hellyeah, with DTD and Like a Storm.
Blood for Blood Tour
2/6 – Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
2/7 – Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory Concert House
2/8 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
2/10 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert House
2/11 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Concert House
2/13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex – Grand Room
2/14 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
2/15 – Wichita, KS @ The Cotilion
2/17 – Kansas City, MO @ Avest Bank Theatre @ Midland
2/18 – Lincoln, NE @ The Bourbon Theatre
2/20 – Columbia, MO @ Blue Note
2/21 – Sioux City, IA @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
2/22 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights
2/24 – Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
2/25 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
2/27 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero Theatre
2/28 – Uncaseville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Wolf Den
3/1 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
3/3 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
3/4 – Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse @ The International
3/6 – Wilmington, NC @ Ziggy’s By The Sea
3/7 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend
3/8 – Atlanta, GA @ Centerstage
@brandonspeck
There are two lines in the opening song on Disciple’s newly-released Attack that tell the record’s story.
“I’ve been radically loved, radically changed. By His grace, I have been radically saved.”
and…
“Never ashamed of the name of Jesus.”
Well, that and it’s one of the best rock records you’ll buy this year.
With yet another just solid, modern rock record – the band’s 10th – Disciple is back with a new lineup and even more gospel fire.
Kevin Young remains the genre’s most underrated vocalist. He is joined now by Josiah Prince (Philmont) and Andrew Stanton (I Am Empire) on guitars, Jason Wilkes (High Flight Society) on bass and vocals and Joey West (After Edmund) on drums.
The band is independent for the first time since 2003 and Young said he wanted to make a bold record. They did. The result is yet another modern rock masterpiece.
“Radical,” “Attack” and “Dead Militia” perfectly open the disc with clean rock n’ roll chorus. “Scarlet” and “Unbroken” give you a breather, but “In the Name” is a grungy hymn anthem and just another chance for Young to unapologetically profess Jesus.
It’s what the band does and does so eloquently on the new release with heavy drums, classic Disciple guitar and classic Young vocals.
Five of the last six tracks are non-stop and catchy, before “The Right Time” slows it down to close. But unlike a lot of bands with a Christian message can’t capture, Disciple’s thoughtful message comes through as well in their change-up as it does in the angst-driven guitars.
Disciple has one of the boldest messages on and off stage and again have an unheralded bold album.
bwspeck@gmail.com
Thou Shalt Rock 