What are the things that I hold most dear? For the sake of not boring you to death I will ramble on only one...
One thing that I hold most dear is my love for music. I am not a musician nor do I work in any music related industry, but what I do have is a passion and deep appreciation for music rangin' from Merle Haggard to Big Mama Thornton to Wilson Pickett to the Grateful Dead to Townes Van Zandt to The Psyatics to Reject Riot to Truth & Salvage Company and damn near everything in between. However, for the last year and a half, much of my music listenin' attention has been devoted to the local music scene and music created in a city that is but a mere hop, skip, and a jump away from the place I reside. The band that has peaked my interest... No More Heroes hailin' from a relatively small and quiet city nestled along Route 66 known as Kingman, Arizona.
Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape, or form a reputable "music critic" nor do I claim to be. I do not work for Rolling Stone Magazine, Paste Magazine, Spin Magazine, Relix Magazine nor do I work for any other fucked up flavor of the month, hipster dominated music publication. I am a music enthusiast that buys and listens to music. I also attend live shows and support the artists I like. If you do not like what you have read so far, stop now and go read a polished and edited "review" from one of the above listed publications or any similar publication so you may be enlightened and follow what they deem to be 5 out of 5 stars, 10 stars out of 10 stars or whatever the fuck their scale indicates an album being "good". The fact is I'm a ramblin' fool who loves music and I do not care whether you like what I like or not. This is my blog and it is appropriately titled "As I See It". Love it or leave it, it makes no difference to me. Without further ado...
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| "Hook, Line, & Sinker" - No More Heroes |
Who is No More Heroes?
No More Heroes is a blue collar, lunch bucket in hand, nose to the grindstone, white knuckled, balls to the wall, full throttle, independent punk band. Their 2013 debut album release, "Hook, Line, & Sinker" is loaded with infectious sound and catchy lyrics, the kind of lyrics that get stuck in your head. Their music grabs your ears and slings your heart around the room with songs loaded with a roller coaster of genuine, heartfelt lyrics that leave you with "a mouth full of blood and a fist full of hate". Crunchy guitar solos, heart on your sleeve style lyrics, and tight sound driven by featured bass lines and dynamic percussion. This is their recipe for their breed of punk music. They create punk music on their terms, not on anyone else's and if you don't like it, tough shit! Their style of punchy punk music provides a listenin' experience that will have you stuck singin' their clever one liner lyrics for days and days. Upon listenin'... They will have you... hook, line, & sinker.
"Rule of Five" ...
I have what I call a "Rule of five," meaning if I buy an album and it has at least five songs I believe to be good, I consider my money well spent. "Hook, Line, & Sinker" falls into the category of an album of money well spent. Five songs on "Hook, Line, & Sinker" that really grab my attention and lead me to believe this album is money well spent include:
Opening Track, "0 for 2 on Friday Night" The song title may lead one to believe the song is about striking out in a relationship, a relationship gone awry. Strike out or not, this song is a home run!!!
8) "Bottle Rocket" - The opening line in this song is the in your face, "I got a mouth full of blood and a fist full of hate" sung with conviction from Mr. Lee. This song will get your adrenaline a runnin', but please, keep your bottle rocket in your pants.
10) "Shipwrecked" - I love the featured opening bass lines provided by Mr. Weiche, the tight drum fills laid down by Mr. Feeney and the so easy to relate to opening lines "Give me some relief, cause I'm so tired of being tired".
11) "Treading Water/Right Now" - This song has starts, stops, and pauses that change on the fly and you may need to change your underwear after listenin'. A tight soundin' song, with a good change of direction near the 1:45 mark. Mr. Lay provides a hard drivin' lead at the 2:35 mark and Mr. Lee sings with passion that oozes of rage and angst.
Vocally, lead singer/guitarist, Mr. Bryan Lee has an easy on the ears voice and he will shed blood on the guitar. (No bullshit, I have seen this with my own two eyes!!!) His counterpart on the vocals and lead guitar is Mr. Chris Lay. Mr. Lay (no relation to Mr. Frito Lay) provides the very distinctive lead guitar parts that give their songs their signature catchy, crunchy, and edgy sound. Holdin' down the low end notes and providin' backup vocal support is Mr. Jeff Weiche on the bass. He puts down some sweet bass lines especially those featured in the songs "Bottle Rocket" and "Shipwrecked". Clangin' and a bangin' on the skins is Mr. John Feeney. Mr. Feeney knows a thing or two about a thing or two when it comes to music. He is educated in the art of recording, plays the drums, sings a bit, and can play a lick or two on the guitar as well. He is also the man at American't Records.
The verdict ...
The truth be told, "Hook, Line, & Sinker" is a solid debut album. Is there room for improvement? I'd be lyin' to you and myself if I said "no". The song "Fuck, You Michelle" does not exactly showcase their strong points, especially with the redundant lyrics, "Fuck, you Michelle." However, the five songs that grabbed my attention make it clear, they have plenty of music talent and a ton of potential. "Hook, Line, & Sinker" consists of twelve songs by four guys who know how to create and play listenable, melodic, and catchy punk music. By "play," I mean they create punk music that is more than just hammered out three chord tunes containing predictable drum beats and screamed lyrics. Screamin', three cord playin', predictable drum beat punk bands are a dime a dozen and there are a shit ton of them out there. The further development and maturity of their songwriting, along with a strong focus on their strength: their individual music talent which translates into their punchy tight sound as a group will be key in the evolution of their music. The foundation is all here. I look forward to the follow up.
Please note: A good portion of the punk bands that follow the aforementioned format for creating punk music, suck!!!
( ( (Listen) ) )
Watch their Official video of "Treading Water/Right Now"...
Video filmed by Mr. Nathaniel "Jappy" Glentz and Mr. Bryan Lee.
An in depth look into the making of the album,
Video directed by Mr. Bryan Lee of No More Heroes.
Informative Links...
No More Heroes Official Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/nomoreheroesaz?fref=ts
No More Heroes Official Reverbnation page:
http://www.reverbnation.com/nomoreheroesaz
No More Heroes Official Band Camp page is where you may purchase their cd and/or a download version of their album "Hook, Line, & Sinker" if you feel so inclined to do so:
http://nomoreheroesaz.bandcamp.com/album/hook-line-sinker
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| "Hook, Line, & Sinker" - No More Heroes |
Stats, most noteworthy people, and etc. ...
"Hook, Line, & Sinker" was released in January of 2013 on American't Records. The album was mixed and recorded at Kustom Sound and Media in Kingman, AZ by Mr. Shane Sattler who now resides in Oregon. The original album artwork was created by Mr. Maus Gomez from Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Credit given, where credit is due:
All photos are respectfully "borrowed" from No More Heroes and their Official affiliated sites and links listed above, with the exception of the "Support Local Music" photo which was obtained from the internet. Thank you No More Heroes and Internet.
The video documentary and the Official "Treading Water/Right Now" video were respectfully "borrowed" from Mr. Bryan Lee's YouTube page. Thank you Mr. Lee.
All photos are respectfully "borrowed" from No More Heroes and their Official affiliated sites and links listed above, with the exception of the "Support Local Music" photo which was obtained from the internet. Thank you No More Heroes and Internet.
The video documentary and the Official "Treading Water/Right Now" video were respectfully "borrowed" from Mr. Bryan Lee's YouTube page. Thank you Mr. Lee.
