Rev. Liaison on the Ex-Boogeymen’s new split with Waylon Thornton, both playing Atlantic tonight (2/15)

by Matt Posted on February 15, 2013

Tonight at the Atlantic in Gainesville, local “Devil Rock” ’n’ rollers Ex-Boogeymen and husband-and-wife “Grime Punk” duo Waylon Thornton and the Heavy Hands celebrate the release of their much anticipated split, Only Darkness Holds the Power. Ex-Boogeymen front man, Reverend Liaison, was kind enough to not only answer a few questions about the album, but to keep his pants on as well. Continue reading →

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Bad Comedy EP out now, download for free

by Matt Posted on February 1, 2013

The Bad Comedy EP, Parting Ways, is out now. You can download it for free from our Bandcamp page.

Bad Comedy is Jake Crown (Coffee Project, Savage Brewtality, Rehasher) on vocals, drums and guitar; Mike Collins (Whiskey & Co., Billy Reese Peters, The Takers, Radon?) on bass; and me (Matt Walker) on guitar.

The four-song EP was recorded in August 2012, by Ryan Williams and Matt Finch at Black Bear Studios in Gainesville. Artwork by Keeth Boyle. Continue reading →

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The Top Shelf Presents: Toys That Kill – The Citizen Abortion

by Matt Posted on February 1, 2013

You know when you look at something from the outside and you think, I’m going to crush this, and it doesn’t really go that way? There is an odd sense of…what happened? That’s kind of what happened when we sat down with Todd from Toys That Kill. When Dave and I first started the Top Shelf, The Citizen Abortion was one of the records that we each had on our list. It has everything you want in a great record…there was build up with the end of FYP and the beginning of a new era, killer songs, great live shows around the record. When we got in to the studio to start rolling, I just felt flat…not sure what happened. Todd was up for it and had some really funny stuff…I love the story of the drummer singing in the bar and the bartender having to track down the band to come get him. But some of the great questions that I had prepared just didn’t zing it like I thought it would. Oh well…just means we can do it again. So my advice is just listen to Todd and the music, as your humble tour guide(s) kinda lost it on this one. Luckily the music speaks for itself…you know out here’s a little bit stranger… Continue reading →

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Dave Grohl’s documentary Sound City playing at Hippodrome for one night only

by Matt Posted on January 29, 2013

I recently heard a cool interview with Dave Grohl on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast and he was talking about his new documentary, Sound City, and it sounds pretty awesome. And as it turns out, it’s playing at the Hippodrome this Thursday – one night only. 

The documentary is basically about Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, and the Neve 8028 recording console that was used to record some of the most legendary albums and bands in the history of rock and roll, like Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Guns N’ Roses, Neil Young, Metallica and Nirvana. You can read more on the Sound City movie website. Continue reading →

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Stream a song from upcoming Bad Comedy EP

by Matt Posted on January 25, 2013

Today, we’re glad to bring you the track “86 86ing” from the upcoming EP by Bad Comedy. The band features Jake Crown (Coffee Project, Savage Brewtality, Rehasher) on vocals, drums and guitar; Mike Collins (Whiskey & Co., Billy Reese Peters, The Takers, Radon?) on bass; and me (Matt Walker…self promotion alert) on guitar. The four-song EP, Parting Ways, will be available next Friday, Feb. 1 for free on Bandcamp, iTunes and some other places that exist in the digital world. It was recorded in August 2012, by Ryan Williams and Matt Finch at Black Bear Studios in Gainesville. Rad artwork by Keeth Boyle. Check back next Friday for links to the full download. Enjoy! Continue reading →

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Hot Water Music playing tomorrow (1/18), new live album out now

by Matt Posted on January 17, 2013

Hot Water Music
Live in Chicago
No Idea Records

I got to see the Pixies not once but twice back in 2004 when they reunited. They sounded just like they did on their albums, note for note. They didn’t move an inch in either direction on stage and there was no in-between-songs banter. I’m really glad I got to see them, they’re an amazing band, but the more time that passes, the easier it is to admit that their live show was kind of a disappointment. They hadn’t played these songs together in over a decade and they already looked like they were going through the motions. There was no fire, no passion. The exact opposite is the case on Hot Water Music’s Live in Chicago. It sounds raw, rough, impassioned and is pretty much what I think going to a live show is all about. Continue reading →

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Punk rock grows up – Forgetters playing High Dive Wednesday

by Matt Posted on January 7, 2013

It seems like ex-Jawbreaker frontman, Blake Schwarzenbach, has reached his poetic peak in his most recent project, the Forgetters’ latest self-titled album (released November 2012). After a two-year hiatus, Forgetters have finally gotten back together with the release of this 11-song collection that delves into some pretty heavy imagery with both amazing lyrics and a jazz-like meandering of the accompanying guitars. Continue reading →

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The Top Shelf Presents: The Measure [SA] – Songs About People…and Fruit N’ Shit

by Matt Posted on January 4, 2013

The Measure [SA] were one of the most prolific bands of the late 2000s. Bass players and drummers rotated around, but Fid and Lauren maintained as principle songwriters, guitar players and vocalists. Their chemistry is in full swing on this record. It was great to sit with Lauren and revisit this little capsule of time. This 12″ EP is Don Giovanni Records #26. We listened to one of the First Pressing Gold copies, only 500 of those made, but our listeners deserve the best. Dan Vapid happened to be in the studio and guest-interviewed for a hot minute. It’s a Happy New Year gift from The Top Shelf to you. Continue reading →

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Top albums of 2012

by Matt Posted on December 31, 2012

It’s the last day of 2012, we’re looking forward to the new year and all the great music on the horizon. But for the final post of the year, here’s a look back at some favorite albums of 2012 as chosen by some of the folks who help make the Gainesville music scene so diverse, rich and generally awesome. Enjoy and Happy New Year! Continue reading →

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