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Review & Track Premiere, Various Artists, Alice in Chains: Dirt [Redux]

Posted in audiObelisk, Reviews on September 9th, 2020 by JJ Koczan

dirt redux

[Click play above to stream Howling Giant’s “Rooster” from Magnetic Eye Records’ Dirt [Redux] Alice in Chains tribute. LP/CD/DL out Sept. 18 with preorders here.]

Says Howling Giant’s Zach Wheeler:

“To be honest, getting ‘Rooster’ was a bit intimidating as it’s one of their most popular songs. We wanted to pay tribute to Alice in Chains as much as possible while giving the song that special Howling Giant sauce. We changed a few things around, but tried to reinforce the melodies that make the song so memorable in the first place.”

Says Howling Giant’s Tom Polzine:

“When I was growing up in Buffalo, Minnesota, there was a local band called Blood Root Mother made up of some dudes that were probably four or five years older than me. I remember sneaking out of my house to see them perform at this rundown venue called The Vault. The Vault was run by some 20 year olds that skipped college in order to renovate that old antique shop into a dirty DIY venue. If dirty and uncomfortable was the vibe they were going for, they nailed it. Anyway, Blood Root Mother were tight as hell and I’ll always remember their cover of ‘Rooster’ as one of the most moving performances I witnessed from a bunch of local, lovable scumbags. The energy was so raw, and the volume was overwhelming. I think that witnessing those guys performing that song in particular is the reason I started playing in rock bands in high school, and why I still play today.”

Released in September 1992, Alice in Chains‘ second full-length, Dirt, is a generational landmark. It remains one of a select few records of its era — along with Nirvana‘s Nevermind, Pearl Jam‘s Ten, Soundgarden‘s Badmotorfinger, and maybe one or two others — that helped define the “grunge” sound for which Seattle, Washington, would become almost inextricably known. With an underlying-and-at-times-right-up-front theme of drug addiction and ensuing personal fallout, Dirt was grimmer and could be more aggressive than most of its still-commercially-viable major label contemporaries, and as a result always had some more appeal to metal fans than, say, Pearl Jam, who were strictly a hard rock band at the time. Guitarist Jerry Cantrell‘s now-classic riffs and vocals, Sean Kinney‘s inventive drums, the fluid bass work of Mike Starr and Layne Staley‘s voice that would prove inimitable despite the attempts of three decades’ worth of singers — these essential elements came together around a group of particularly memorable songs, some radio hits, some B sides, and of course, “Iron Gland” for good measure, and served as the proverbial lightning in the bottle and the standard by which the band’s output ever since has been judged.

In continuing its tribute series of full album releases by embarking on a Dirt [Redux]Magnetic Eye Records takes on a no less crucial album than when the label put together compilation tributes to Pink Floyd or Jimi Hendrix. There are some recognizable acts from the Magnetic Eye stable as well as others clearly given to celebrating the work itself, and those who remain loyal to the original versions of the songs while other groups prefer to bring their appointed track into their own sonic context. Like the original DirtDirt [Redux] of course boasts 13 tracks — it’s a whole-album tribute; it wouldn’t do to leave something out — though its runtime is longer than the original, at 63 minutes as opposed to 57. The tracklisting reads as follows:

1. Thou – Them Bones
2. Low Flying Hawks – Dam That River
3. High Priest – Rain When I Die
4. Khemmis – Down in a Hole
5. These Beasts – Sickman
6. Howling Giant – Rooster
7. Forming the Void – Junkhead
8. Somnuri – Dirt
9. Backwoods Payback – God Smack
10. Black Electric – Iron Gland
11. -(16)- – Hate to Feel
12. Vokonis – Angry Chair
13. The Otolith – Would?

Their take on “Would?” — tracked by Alice in Chains first for an appearance on the soundtrack of the film Singles then reused on the album — marks the debut recording from post-SubRosa outfit The Otolith, and arrives with no shortage of anticipation. Bookending with “Them Bones” as interpreted by New Orleans art-sludgers Thou, the atmospheric breadth brought to the finale is a standout on the release and, at that point, one more instance of a band making the track their own. Thou‘s blend of harsh and cleaner vocals notwithstanding, they largely keep to the original tempo and arrangement of the leadoff track, whereas Low Flying Hawks take the subsequent “Dam That River” — a hooky follow-up to the opener — and turn it into an ambient drone only vaguely related to the original.

dirt redux vinyl

And why not? There’s no rule that says a band has to do an impression rather than an interpretation, and as Dirt [Redux] plays out, the likes of KhemmisThese Beasts, Howling GiantForming the Void-(16)- and Vokonis bring their own spin. Khemmis could hardly be a better fit for the emotive doom of “Down in a Hole,” and the crunch These Beasts deliver on “Sickman” is an intense precursor to what L.A.’s -(16)- do with “Hate to Feel” later on. Feeling very much like the vanguard of an up and coming generation of progressive heavy rock, Howling GiantForming the Void and Vokonis boldly tackle their respective cuts, with “Rooster” getting a bolstered melody (no easy feat), “Junkhead” receiving a newfound nodder groove, and “Angry Chair” highlighting a rhythmic complexity that is both a late surprise and oh, oh, oh so very Swedish.

To complement these forays, Somnuri find a glorious and elusive middle-ground on the album’s title-track, the Brooklynite trio not giving “Dirt” a total makeover so much as an organic-feeling performance that captures the subtle spaciousness that was so much a part of Dirt‘s lonely feel in the first place — all those sometimes empty reaches of its mix. Earlier, Chicago’s High Priest offer perhaps the most impressive vocal included on the redux with “Rain When I Die,” with the as-yet-underrated, very-much-need-to-put-an-album-out group play to their own Alice in Chains influence. Ditto that Backwoods Payback, who bleed their love of the original through their raw interpretation of “God Smack,” finding a space somewhere between punk, post-hardcore and heavy rock that is theirs alone on this release and in the wider underground sphere. These cuts serve the vital function of bringing Dirt [Redux] its sense of homage, making the tribute a tribute, and giving a listener who might not be familiar with all the bands on the Magnetic Eye roster a chance to reorient before, say, These Beasts unfurl their pummeling rendition of “Sickman” or Low Flying Hawks taffy-pull “Dam That River” to suit their own whims.

One would be remiss not to point out that the 43-second interlude “Iron Gland” is here covered by Black Electric, which features Magnetic Eye Records‘ own Mike Vitali (also ex-Ironweed and Greatdayforup) on guitar. Their version is almost eerily reminiscent of the original, on which Slayer‘s Tom Araya sat in for vocals, and gives way to -(16)-‘s roughed-up “Hate to Feel” with a similar flow to the progression between the two tracks on Dirt proper. If you come out of this Dirt [Redux] with a hankering to listen to Alice in Chains, don’t be surprised. I’ll admit to having an attachment to the album that borders on the familial, and whatever they do with it arrangement-wise, I have nothing but respect for anyone brave enough to cover songs that have so much specific heart and style behind them. Inevitably a listener’s experience with Dirt [Redux] will depend on their own context with the original record as well as with the bands involved, but when all is said and done, it is a more than worthy inclusion in Magnetic Eye‘s [Redux] series — Black Sabbath would seem to be next — and it points to just how broadly Alice in Chains‘ influence has spread over the last three decades. You can’t really go wrong.

Various Artists, Dirt [Redux] (2020)

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Days of Rona: Mike Vitali of Magnetic Eye Records & Black Electric

Posted in Features on April 30th, 2020 by JJ Koczan

The statistics of COVID-19 change with every news cycle, and with growing numbers, stay-at-home isolation and a near-universal disruption to society on a global scale, it is ever more important to consider the human aspect of this coronavirus. Amid the sad surrealism of living through social distancing, quarantines and bans on gatherings of groups of any size, creative professionals — artists, musicians, promoters, club owners, techs, producers, and more — are seeing an effect like nothing witnessed in the last century, and as humanity as a whole deals with this calamity, some perspective on who, what, where, when and how we’re all getting through is a needed reminder of why we’re doing so in the first place.

Thus, Days of Rona, in some attempt to help document the state of things as they are now, both so help can be asked for and given where needed, and so that when this is over it can be remembered.

Thanks to all who participate. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan

mike vitali

Days of Rona: Mike Vitali of Magnetic Eye Records & Black Electric (Voorheesville, New York)

How are you dealing with this crisis as a band? Have you had to rework plans at all? How is everyone’s health so far?

Well, in terms of Black Electric everyone is doing okay. Same goes for the Magnetic Eye Records crew – so far, so good. Everything has definitely had to be reworked for my and the band and of course for the label also. The news went out yesterday that as of January 1, 2020 MER has become part of Prophecy Productions and SPKR. Obviously everything was in a state of change due to that and we had a massive year planned for Magnetic Eye.

All the label releases and plans are still on track and moving forward however COVID-19 has certainly caused greater delays and just made everything we were working on more challenging. We are making good progress and are still looking forward to a very big year for the label.

In terms of Black Electric, we had just been finishing a second record and Mike Langone and I had just established a very strong live band working with old friends from Ironweed and Great Day for Up. So at the start of the new year we had these great rehearsals and we were psyched to start booking for 2020 and 2021. My wife and I also just had another baby on March 23rd. With the way my year looked I wanted to lay low until May or June so at the start of the year we had all this momentum and energy and then the virus came and placed everything on hold.

Anyway, with the state of everything being so uncertain I recently started going down into my basement recording just for fun and letting the material I am working on live on a Bandcamp page under my own name. I don’t know, I really just want to jam and travel so I figure I might as well keep busy on my own while I wait to reconnect with Black Electric and others.

What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?

Well, I work for New York State and I live just outside the capital, we are under a total lockdown. My family and I had all been getting sick repeatedly since February so we have taken quarantine and staying at home very seriously. Especially with my wife pregnant at the time also, we have been home for over 50 days now. I am sure parts of NYS will start lifting restrictions soon and we will all start to live in the new world that has been thrust upon us.

DOOM.

How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?

Well, at first everyone rallied and local radio and press was reaching out to a lot of local musicians, myself included. They did profiles and promoted the local art scene and then a few days later many layoffs hit in the local arts and entertainment community. When that happened I think the depression and hard feelings set in more. The realities. Who knows…who knows how long or what the impact will be.

What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?

Well, I guess above all I would want to encourage everyone to take good care of themselves and those around them. The impact of this virus to me and those around me without really getting specifics is enormous. My plan is continue to make my family’s wellbeing my sole priority while of course still playing and loving music all day, every day.

https://mikevitali.bandcamp.com/album/homegrown-session-vol-1
https://www.facebook.com/BlackElectric666/
https://www.instagram.com/blackelectric666/
https://theblackelectric.bandcamp.com/
http://store.merhq.com
http://magneticeyerecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MagneticEyeRecords

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Black Electric Debut Album Due on Vinyl Nov. 17; Streaming Now

Posted in Whathaveyou on September 20th, 2019 by JJ Koczan

black electric

So, maybe it’s not a surprise that Black Electric are releasing their debut album on CD and LP through Magnetic Eye Records this Nov., and less so when you consider that Mike Vitali, who handles multiple instruments as well as vocals on the offering — which the band put out digitally last month — is also the honcho behind the label. At that point, why go anywhere else?

Vitali has a live incarnation of the band playing shows now — two are booked for this weekend in Albany, New York, for example — and reportedly there’s already more new stuff in the works, so I’ll be curious to know which version of the band ultimately wins out, or if one does at all and there isn’t just a live version and a studio version going forward. That’d be kind of interesting too. Don’t see a lot of that kind of thing these days.

Did you catch the part where I said the album’s been out for a month? Cool, because I wouldn’t want you to miss it streaming at the bottom of the post. I know how easy it is to get to the links and begone. Here’s info from the PR wire before you get there:

Black Electric Black Electric

BLACK ELECTRIC Strips Rock Down to its Essence on Self-Titled Debut

Albany heavy blues rockers BLACK ELECTRIC have emerged with a stripped-down, hook-centric debut that’s as catchy as it is understated.

The creation of multi-instrumentalist Mike Vitali, Black Electric’s music has a bit in common with his previous bands, but draws far more from the intersection of traditional blues and early 70s dive bar rock ‘n roll.

With boundary-pushng and heavily distorted past projects like Ajna Chakra, Ironweed and Greatdayforup to his credit, Vitali spent several years building taste-maker independent label Magnetic Eye Records, which (of course) inevitably demanded much of the attention he’d once devoted to music.

So, in 2018, when he returned some of his energy to writing and playing, it was with a new shift in perspective. Vitali explains:

“Growing up next door to longtime Billy Joel drummer Liberty DeVitto and getting to know him, I learned that, at the end of the day, music is really all about the song. My other bands were always about everyone sharing the creative input and writing process each step of the way, but with Black Electric, I wanted to create material that’s singularly-focused on delivering the songs and hooks as concisely as possible.”

Re-emerging as a musician after years on the business side of rock has produced a new energy and passion for playing and performing that are evident on the Black Electric debut album.

With a full band assembled in the wake of completing the album with noted Saratoga engineer/producer David Tyo, Vitali and his cohorts have already undertaken their first live outings, with more to come and work already commencing on the band’s next studio release.

Upcoming Black Electric shows:
Sat Sept. 21 at Lark Fest, Albany, NY
Sun Sept. 22 at Pauly’s Hotel, Albany, NY (with High Reeper)

Black Electric is available now digitally on all streaming and download outlets including their Bandcamp, with physical formats forthcoming from Magnetic Eye Records.

Produced and engineered by David Tyo at Tyo Mixes
Mike Vitali – Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Piano
David Tyo – Drums, Percussion and Vocals
Mike Langone – Vocals track 5 ‘Fade Along’

Black Electric live is Mike Vitali / Mike Langone / George Lipscom / Zack Cohen / Stew Overocker

https://www.facebook.com/BlackElectric666/
https://theblackelectric.bandcamp.com
http://store.merhq.com
http://magneticeyerecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MagneticEyeRecords

Black Electric, Black Electric (2019)

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