Terry & Louie - "... A Thousand Guitars"

Former Exploding Hearts Terry Six and Louie Bankston reinvent themselves as a songwriting partnership like Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds of the 21 century. After two and a half years in the making their debut length record entitled "...A Thousand Guitars" is finally out on Tuff Break Records in USA and Bachelor Records in Europe.

The album features 10 absolutely great and highly recommended original tracks penned by Terry and Louie. So it was time for this blog to have a very enlightening talk with Terry. 

1) For the viewers of this blog who would not know you, What would you tell about Terry & Louie to introduce yourselves? What are your backgrounds? How long are you guys together as a band?  Who are the other guys in the band (the rhythm section)? 

Terry:  Terry & Louie were formally a part of the late Exploding Hearts back in the early 2000's and we are back together as a songwriting duo and partnership. Live, we are a full four piece band as well as in the studio and we've been together since 2013. Apart from myself and Louie, we have Chad Savage (Battleme, Savage Family Band) on bass guitar and Garett Goddard (Personal & The Pizzas, King Tuff) on drums. Aaron Hill (EyeHateGod, Missing Monuments) was our drummer the majority of the time and also played on the album. He recently left to pursue EyeHateGod full time. But, Garett played on the Terry & Louie singles originally so it worked out well to have him back.

2) About the long awaited debut full length record "... A Thousand Guitars",  what can you tell about the recording process? Was this a "live" in the studio recording or a track by track recording with lots of overdubs? 

Terry: It was both. We tracked basics live as a band and then came the barrage of guitar overdubs throughout the entirety of the record. There was a lot of technical issues with basics, so I ended up having Aaron come out later on to re cut drums here and there. I also re cut most of the basic guitar parts again. And again...  As well as numerous vocal sessions from Louie and myself. The entire process from basics to final mix down took about 2 1/2 years to complete. I really took my time to make sure each song was getting the attention it needed.

3) Do you consider it should be foolish not to use the nowadays recording technology or do you guys only work with analog machines in analog studios?

Terry: Both mediums have their purpose. I think either one is fine. Analog and tape definitely sound better and makes sense to me as an operator. And digital is very convenient to work with, especially remotely. What I consider "foolish" is relying too heavily on the digital platform to enhance performances later on in post or the final mix down. Digital changed the game for the better in a lot of ways. This, is not one of them. I'm a performance based artist and engineer. I push myself and others to get it right then and there. That's my biggest problem with music today, in that a lot of bands and artists have this attitude that they don't need to try in the studio. That there is a magical wizard behind the computer to fix all of your off key notes and bad performances. And the final result suffers from greatly from it. It becomes detached and impersonal. Or it just sounds terrible. When I tracked Louie's vocals there were a few moments where he asked me to comp tracks and splice them together or nudge them to "sound good" but I said, "No Louie, do it again." Over and over we did this. And the pay off came when he finally sat down for playback and listened to what he did and was utterly shocked that it was him. He was so happy and proud, he even teared up a few times. That's what I want! Actual emotion. In the days of tape, you HAD to be good. You HAD to push yourself over and over until it was right. I don't think Elvis or Little Richard ever told the engineer to "fix it in post."

4) As far as composing a new song is concerned, how do you guys work? Is one of you writing the lyrics and the other composing the music? Or is everything done together "with 4 hands"? Or do you come each with your own finished songs (words and music)?

Terry: All of the above really. I write both sets of compositions on my own, so does Louie. We've tag teamed songs, riffed off each other, and built songs from the ground up as a four piece unit. Whatever works best for the song.

5) What is your favorite topic/topic that comes easily when you write a new song?

Terry: It depends. Whatever I'm currently feeling at the moment. For the album "... A Thousand Guitars" it was about heartbreak, loss, isolation, loneliness... but our new stuff we're working on is more storytelling based. I never want to pigeon hole us as songwriters. I think it's important to push boundaries early on so's not to throw a giant curveball at the listeners and then alienate them from us.

6) Terry & Louie is sometimes described as a "songwriting partnership" like Chinn and Chapman or like Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds. Do you agree with this comparison? Are you proud of it or do you consider there is way more than that? 

Terry:  Haha, I was the one that wrote that bit in our one sheet/press kit so I'd say I do! I've always liked the idea of doing a songwriting partnership. And we are both very proud of what we are doing together. We never thought we'd be able to do something like this ever again and it's working out better than I thought.

7) Do you have a new video on youtube  featuring a track from the new LP?? 

Terry: Nope. Sorry. Not sure if we're that kinda band yet. Time will tell.



8) What can concert goers expect at a Terry & Louie gig? Are you playing any famous cover songs? 

Terry: No. No covers. I've thought about it, and I'm not opposed to it. But none of us live in the same city as each other so we only have a short window of time together for rehearsals before every show, so we just focus on getting what we have in front of us done first. We throw in a few Exploding Hearts songs or a back list song from Louie's repertoire, but that's it.

9) Are there any bands in California today you consider yourself close to?

Terry: We all know and like each other well. As I mentioned, we don't all live in the the same city as each other, so we don't play locally or tour constantly and so that bond that develops with other bands in the scene doesn't really apply here. Louie and I, as well as Chad and Garett have toured vigorously before this band, so we've built a lot of very close bonds with bands from everywhere. And it's always nice to see them when we do happen to get out and play.

10) To what kind of music did you listen to as teenagers? What were your favorite bands as a teenager? Name 3 bands that you consider still have an influence on your own work today.

Terry: I listened to a lot of other music like The Mummies, Thee Headcoats, Motorhead, The Damned, Clash, etc... but I'd say The Ramones were my favorite. They were it for me as a teenager. I'd say Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe are my main songwriting influences still. It starts there, and all other influences trickle down from it.

11) What are the plans for 2019 as far as Terry & Louie are concerned?

Terry: We are playing The Burger Boogaloo at Mosswood Park in Oakland, Ca this summer. And we have hooked up with Otis Tours for a full European tour starting late August through September 2019.

12) Anything you wanna add?

Terry: Check for tour updates, news, and all things Terry & Louie through Tuffbreakrecords.com.  You can get your copy of "... A Thousand Guitars" on the website along with t shirts and more! New releases to come later this year from Touches (Louie's synth project) "Guitar Romantic" Remastered by The Exploding Hearts and a new full length album from Pat Kearns.


PURCHASE IT HERE:

https://shop.bachelorrecords.com/Albums/terry-and-louie-CD

FURIES - S/T

This glam influenced rock'n'roll trio hailing from Madrid, Spain, and led by lovely Maria Jimenez is delivering a very convincing debut full length. With pounding drums and steady bass lines, The Furies are the perfect playground for Maria to lay her guitar riffs and her hook filled vocals. 

What you have here is 8 original songs all penned by Maria and 2 covers , one by Bob Seger and one by Ike and Tina Turner. The album is out on Teenadelic Records, an Independent Powerpop/Punk/ Rock'n'Roll record label based in Rome. This is very recommended!

1) For the viewers of this blog who would not know you, What would you tell about Furies to introduce yourselves? How long are you  together as a band?  Who is playing what instrument in the band nowadays? 

María: It all started when Davide, the bassist, and me discovering glam music, which was something in the middle between the styles of music that we liked. I used to play blues and rock and roll, and he used to play punk so it was not very complicated for us to begin to play glam, since it has a lot of both styles. Then we started to compose what would become the first half of the album, found a drummer and went to record the EP in Rome. I think it was around 2015. We finished the second half of the album in 2017 with another drummer and then, we finally met Christopher Bongers, our latest drummer, who is much more related to the style of the band.

2) About the self titled debut full length record,  what can you tell about the recording process? Was this a "live" in the studio recording or a track by track recording with lots of overdubs? 

M.: Both times we went to the studio we used the same process. First of all, we recorded the rhythm guitar, the bass and the drums all together. Once we were satisfied with the take, we recorded the main voice and the second guitar. Then we recorded the guitar solos, chorus, arrangements and tried things that came to mind.

3) Do you consider it should be foolish not to use the nowadays recording technology or do you guys only work with analog machines in analog studios?

M.: We’d really like to record with analog machines because we prefer that sound but it’s more expensive and requires having more experience in the recording studio. But, of course, it’s is something that we’d like to do.

4) Is there a main composer in the band or is everybody involved in one way or another?

M.: I always write the songs, music and lyrics, but it’s in the rehearsal room that we finished them all together.

5) What is your favorite topic/topic that comes easily when you write a new song?

M.: I don’t think I have a favorite topic to write about but if something makes me feel angry then I’ll probably write a song about it.

6) Furies are sometimes described as a "glam" band. Do you agree with this label? Are you proud of it or do you consider there is way more than that?

M.: As I said before, glam was like our meeting point but the three of us listen to a lot of music so it’s inevitable that it is reflected in our music. Besides, bands must evolve, always in a smart and a meaningful way. I think that should be the natural development.

7) Do you have a new video on youtube featuring a track from the LP?? 

M.: Unfortunately, we don’t have it yet but we have a video of the European tour we made last year. So here is the full concert of 24.04.2018 at The Kulturak Klub in Bratislava



8) What can concert goers expect at a Furies gig? Are you playing any famous cover songs? 

M.: A power trio that gives everything on stage because they are doing what they like most, playing new songs with a great influence of the music of the sixties and the seventies. We also play two covers. Nutbush City Limits from Tina Turner and Get Out of Denver from Bob Seger.

9) Are there any bands in Spain today you consider yourself close to?

M.: Not really

10) Anything you wanna add?

M.: Thank you very much for you interest and if somebody wants to listen to us, they can do it here:



PURCHASE A DIGITAL COPY HERE:
https://furies.bandcamp.com/

PURCHASE A VINYL COPY HERE: https://www.discogs.com/label/925525-Teenadelic-Records

PALE LIPS - After Dark released on WATERSLIDE

The PALE LIPS from Montreal Québec is an all girl band featuring Jackie Blenkarn on vocals and keyboard, Jamie Radu on bass and back vocals, Ilona Szabo on guitar and back vocals and Lynn Poulin drums. But of course, you already know all this since the girls have already been featured on this blog previously. 

The reason for this second feature is the release , some weeks ago, on the Japanese label WATERSLIDE of their brilliant sophomore album "After Dark" full of  12 original Bubblegum Punk/ Power Pop/ Rock n' Roll tunes. So it was time for this blog to catch up with the PALE LIPS right in the middle of their European Tour.

1) What happened for you girls between the release of "Wanna Be Bad" and now?

We all broke up with our boyfriends and now have new ones! lol. Two of us are married. Lynn is getting married. Jamie moved to and from Germany and also her mom passed away. It was a very heavy couple of years for us but we are back on top!

2) About the new full length record "After Dark",  what can you tell about the recording process? Was this a "live" in the studio recording or a track by track recording with lots of overdubs?

Everything was done digitally by Ryan Battistuzzi. We did our pre production with him. He recorded and mixed the record. Jackie played keys on this record which was a first for us! We also had some guest musicians! We recorded it over two weeks in December of 2017.

3) Do you consider it should be foolish not to use the nowadays recording technology or do you guys only work with analog machines in analog studios?

It depends what you want your band to sound like. There is a place for analogue and a place for digital! We use digital.

4) Did you all compose song for this newly released album?

Three of us wrote songs individually and then brought the songs to the band. The songs really become Pale Lips songs when we work them out together!

5) What is your favorite topic/topic that comes easily when you write a new song?

Love, boys and Rock n Roll music!

6) Is there a new video made to promote one of the songs of the latest album?

We made a video for You’re a Doll! Please check it out :)



7) Are there any new bands in Montreal you consider yourself close to these days?

New Vogue, The Hundred Steeples and Dirty Cheetah! We also are close with some older bands like Jonesy and Priors. Montreal has a nice scene at the moment.

8) What are the plans for 2019? 

We are trying to tour as much as possible! We’re on tour in Europe right now... driving through France at the moment actually!

9) Anything you want to add?

We are currently touring with Otis tours in Europe. We would like to give them a little shout out for always helping us to promote our band and our music. We love our driver Marco!

PURCHASE IT HERE : http://watersliderecords.net/?pid=138039795

here are the tour dates:

The Italian label SURFIN' KI has re-released their smashing debut album "WANNA BE BAD" pressed on 180g vinyl specially for the occasion of this Euro Tour.

Pale Lips "Wanna Be Bad" LP - 2019 Euro Tour Edition!!!

GET IT HERE: http://surfinkirecords.bigcartel.com/product/pale-lips-wanna-be-bad-lp

The Mandates - DEAD IN THE FACE

A few months ago, THE MANDATES have released their third full length. This Canadian four piece rock'n'roll combo is tighter that ever and "Dead in the Face" is probably their best work so far. If you like your rock'n'roll in the vein of the Exploding hearts, this collection of 10 new hooky originals all penned by the band is gonna be right up your alley.

1) For the viewers of this blog who would not know you, What would you tell about The Mandates to introduce yourselves? How long are you guys together as a band?  Who is playing what instrument in the band nowadays?

Mandates have been a rock n roll band for about 8 years. Brady plays guitar and sings, Jimmy plays bass, Warren on drums and I (Matt) play guitar and sing. That’s the way it’s always been.

2) About the latest full length record "DEAD IN THE FACE",  what can you tell about the recording process? Was this a "live" in the studio recording or a track by track recording with lots of overdubs?

We recorded it with our good friend and Brady’s bandmate from FEEL ALRIGHT, Craig Fahner, in his basement studio. It was rad. Zero pressure, lots of laughs. I think the whole thing took about eight days or so. The backbone, like all of our records, was recorded live off the floor. Vocals and some extra guitars slapped on after. We sound best when we play all together, the instinctive tempo changes that happen, the rough edges, that’s all part of our sound.

3) Do you consider it should be foolish not to use the nowadays recording technology or do you guys only work with analog machines in analog studios?

I don’t think it’s foolish at all. There are a ton of examples of bands that record totally analog and sound rad doing it. We’ve talked about how awesome it would be to make a Mandates record on tape and we would jump at the chance if it came along. But, I have nothing bad to say about the technology we’ve used recording either. With the software we can go back and fix a guitar solo, or a flat vocal or add a cymbal hit in no time. Everything is analog until it hits the hard drive - we still want our records to sound like the mid-70s - but having a computer involved as an editing and mixing tool is really handy.

4) Is there a main composer in the band or is everybody involved in one way or another?

Brady or I will do the initial writing of the song but everybody is involved in shaping and rearranging it until we’re all satisfied. Mandates songs will change A LOT from the time they’re brought to the table to the time they are finished.

5) What is your favorite topic/topic that comes easily when you write a new song?

Romance.

6) The Mandates are sometimes described as a "punk/power-pop" band. Do you agree with this label? Are you proud of it or do you consider there is way more than that?

I think there is more to it. I mean, I get the label. We do have a punk/powerpop sound. But, at the same time, I don’t wanna play by the rules of the genre. I like that our songs have twists and turns that haven’t been heard before and structures that aren’t typical of a powerpop/punk band. These days if anyone asks what genre of music we play I just say Rock ’n’ Roll. All these little sub-genres like powerpop, punk, proto-punk, glam etc. that we draw influence from all fall under that umbrella.

7) Do you have a new video on youtube  featuring a track from the new LP??

    YES!


8) What can concert goers expect at a The Mandates gig? Are you playing any famous cover songs?

Mandates gigs are loud, high energy, a lot of fun. And yeah we throw in some covers. Classic stuff that you might expect like the Ramones, Dead Boys, Dictators etc. Lately we’ve been having some fun with a little AC/DC.

9) Are there any bands in Canada today you consider yourself close to?

We’ve got a lot of close friends in Canada. Mother’s Children, NEEDLES//PINS, Real Sickies, Steve Adamyk, Vicious Cycles, Fashionism, Chain Whip the list could go on forever.

10) Anything you wanna add?

Check out our new record and PURCHASE IT HERE: at https://mandates.bandcamp.com/




https://www.facebook.com/The-Mandates-197923143559474/

DEE RANGERS - "All You Need Tonight" on LOW IMPACT Records

Some months ago, LOW IMPACT Records released "All You Need Tonight" the seventh album by the Swedish veterans DEE RANGERS. This band is getting better by the years and delivers a full-blend of 60's Garage, Pub rock and Power Pop. This latest album is probably their best so far and contains 12 originals tracks penned by the band and one cover ("Older guys") from the Flying Burrito Brothers. All the songs are catchy as hell and will you keep humming for the rest of the day. 

So it was time for this blog to have a very enlightening conversation with bass player Johnny who is in the band since day one. 

1) For the viewers of this blog who don't know you, What would you tell about DEE RANGERS to introduce yourselves? How long are you guys together as a band? Who is playing what instrument in the band?

Hey there, thank you for your interest in our band. Dee Rangers have been around since the winter of 1994/95, when guitarist Nicke and bassist Johnny decided to start a new outfit to help resuscitate the punk/garage movement, that had been a little sleepy since the heyday of the mid to late 80’s. Johnny was already an experienced garage rock player, from his years with the Maryland Cookies. They eventually found a drummer in Ulf, who was also a Cookie, and a singer, Per, who unfortunately left the band due to youthful delusions of musical grandeur.

With Mike (also a former Cookie) at the mic, they burst onto the scene with the first EP ”This Is Not The Modern World” on the world famous Estrus label. After a few more singles and EP’s, they recorded two albums, ”So Far Out So Good” (2001) and ”Pretty Ugly Beat” (2003) for the White Jazz label, before parting company with Mike and re-enlisting Per on vocals in the summer of 2003.

Also, between 2003 and 2007, the band could count on the ever hip organ player Parsley the Lion - who merits an article all of his own - but for the last twelve or so years, the band has consisted of Johnny on bass, Nicke on guitar, Uffe on drums and Per on vocals and guitar, and together we’ve recorded another five albums and a handful of singles and EP’s.

2) About the recently released record "All You Need Tonight", what can you tell about the recording process? Was this a live in the studio recording or a track by track recording with lots of overdubs? 

We recorded the album with our good friend Stefan Brändström in his studio The Dust Ward in the old town of Stockholm. We always start with the basics; bass, guitar and drums, whereupon we add vocals and any other extra bling we want. We’re very happy with the recording, and we hope to work with Stefan again in the future.

3) Do you consider it should be foolish not to use the nowadays recording technology or do you guys only work with analog machines in analog studios?

We definitely want to record as much as possible in the analogue domain. For instance, we’ve been to Jorge Explosion’s fantastic studio Circo Perrotti in Gijón a bunch of times. He doesn’t have anything this side of 1970, or something. The Dust Ward is a similar place, chock full of old technology, and of course Stefan’s expertise; we loved it. We used our own amplifiers, that we are comfortable with, and that sound amazing.

4) Powerslam II, Powerslam III and now Powerslam VI on the latest record. First, what happened to the other Powerslam (I, IV, V)? Second, Will there one day be a record with nothing else than Powerslams?   

The first Powerslam was included on the first EP, and the fourth is somewhere … we don’t know, but number V is on the Take Me Home EP, and is supercool. As for a possible instrumental album, we don’t think it’s in our near future, as we like to sing pretty words for all the boys and girls.

5) What are your favorite topics to write about or the topics that come easily when you write a new song?

Anyone who’s ever heard an album by the Dee Rangers knows that our songs are predominantly about girls, lack of girls, and the joys and troubles they bring. We’ve never been very political or otherwise topical, with maybe a few exceptions. The lyrics are important, but not the be-all-and-end-all that maybe other writers and singers think. If you actually bother to listen to the lyrics, you’ll find a lot of honest emotion, and some really good rhymes. Per won’t sing anything he doesn’t like, but at the same time it’s only rock’n’roll.

6) Is there a main composer in the band or is everybody involved in one way or another?

Our most prolific writer is Johnny, hands down. On the new record, he’s responsible for more than half the songs. Over the years, everyone has contributed; sometimes we strike gold, other times not so much. Once a song is presented to the band, we all shape it with our playing and suggestions for arrangements and lyrics. It’s definitely a group effort, but every song needs a first idea from someone. And that could be anyone.


7) To what kind of music did you listen to as a teenager and does it still influence your today work? What was your favorite band as a teenager? Name 3 bands that you consider still have a influence on your own work today.

Uffe: Status Quo, Rory Gallagher, Grand Funk, Canned Heat. They all still kick ass.

Per: my all-time favorites are the Ramones and The Saints, and bands like the Sonics, Hard-ons, Stooges, Radio Birdman, Lyres, Chesterfield Kings, Big Star, Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Mudhoney etc all had a huge influence on me; some of them still do. And loads of others as well. My sister Anna, who was in The Stomachmouths when I was a kid, bears responsibility for most of my musical formation. And I think the 15-year old me would like what he’s doing now.

Nicke: My first idol was Elvis and the song ”Baby , let's play house” blew my mind.

Johnny: My first album given to me by my parents was ”Well Respected Kinks” by the Kinks (still got my scratched copy), so the Kinks was my first favourite band. Bands that has inspired me during the years is The Sonics, Hoodoo Gurus and yeah..the Kinks.


8) Do you have a video on youtube featuring a track from the latest release?

Our label boss, Ollie, made an impromptu video in our rehearsal room, for ”I’m Your Fool”, which should be available on various video sites online.



9) Are there any bands in Sweden today you consider yourself close to? 

We share a rehearsal space with The Maharajas, who we’re big fans of. They’re a fantastic band, full of talent and rock’n’roll. They’re almost a super-group. It’s cool that the best bands in the world share the same room. The only downside is they keep wrecking our gear. Every time we get down there something’s broken. Last night it was the fridge, a couple of weeks ago a drum-stand. What’s next, guys?

10) What can concert goers expect at a gig of DEE RANGERS? Are you playing any famous cover songs?

We always play a little bit of every album, we try to mix it up. And maybe we make a bit of an effort to play songs that we haven’t played in a while, so that it’s not always the same stuff. We’ve got loads of of our own songs to choose from, so covers are maybe not so important, although we’ve recorded and released more than a few.

11) What are the plans for 2019 as far as DEE RANGERS are concerned? Are you guys planning to tour Europe to promote this new record? 

We hope to play live a bit, and we’re currently setting up a kind of a weekend tour in Germany with The Satelliters in May. That should be a blast. Our new album is more or less sold out, we’re told, but there’s a cassette version coming out, so get your walkmans out. Also, it would be fun to play festivals or whatever, wherever. Spain is always on or near the top of our list.

12) Anything you would like to say to the viewers of this blog?

We’re happy you like the album! We haven’t been to France in years, so our french is rusty, but we’d love to come back and fire up le moteur. Á bientôt!



PURCHASE THE GOODIES HERE : http://lowimpact.tictail.com/

or HERE: https://deerangers.bandcamp.com/releases