Posted in Whathaveyou on November 26th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
I don’t care who you are or where you lie on the political or social spectrum — if you claim you don’t think there’s something interesting about competitive eating, you’re a liar. I’m not saying you have to fantasize about winning the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest on Coney Island, or that you dream of hoisting a trophy over your distended belly full of a 96 oz. steak surrounded by jealous cowboys at some restaurant in the Midwest where you just earned a free dinner for your entire family like the provider you are, but even if you’re a European looking across the ocean and wondering (once again) how on earth Americans can be so ridiculous and so excessive in our disdain for personal health, you have an opinion. You may find it gross, but you can’t look away.
For the last couple years I’ve posted about The Decemburger in Denver, both because I think the lineups have been cool and because DUST Presents, which puts it on, does good work generally, but there’s also a side of me that a little bit dreams of pounding sliders until the trophy below is secured, then taking that home and displaying it on my mantle — note: I do not have a mantle — for the rest of my days, relishing my moment of glory as it once was. I’m not especially proud of that, but it’s true.
That won’t happen, and I know that, but still. It’s a sick, kind of all over the place lineup this year, and even if you don’t enter the contest to get that trophy, well worth showing up to bear witness to whoever does.
Here’s the info:
The Decemburger III: The Greasy Gala
Dust Presents The Decemburger III: The Greasy Gala The World’s Only Heavy Metal / Competitive Eating Throwdown
When: Decemburger 15th, 2018 Where: Hi Dive – Denver, CO
Lineup: Uada, Axeslasher, Crypt Trip, Glacial Tomb, Bummer, The Ditch and the Delta, and The Decemburger Slider-Eating Contest
Tickets:www.thedecemburgeriii.eventbrite.com Eating Contest Rules: First to finish their plate of 10 sliders wins Water and cups are provided Vomiting = disqualification Interfering with another contestant = disqualification
1st Place Prizes: $100 cash Decemburger III Trophy Decemburger III poster Dust Presents merch package Ritual of Sin Magazine package All the Greasy Glory and more…
2nd Place Prize: Decemburger III poster Dust Presents merch package Ritual of Sin Magazine package
Sponsored by Terrapin Care Station, Atlas Cabinets, and Ritual of Sin Magazine
Posted in Whathaveyou on November 23rd, 2018 by JJ Koczan
Heavy Psych Sounds isn’t wasting any time getting preorders out there for those who want to reserve their copy early of Crypt Trip‘s Haze County, and that’s probably a good idea. Seems like the buzz around the album will be considerable, what with the quick turnaround the San Marcos, Texas, three-piece are making from their Rootstock LP, the time they put in on the road earlier this year alongside Cloud Catcher, the traditionalist spirit of their vibe generally, and what’s presumed to be an impending European tour — they’ve already been announced for Roadburn, and I’d think a stretch of touring is set to either follow or lead up to that performance; did I see something to that effect? am I making it up? — all that buzz feels well-enough justified. The first song from the album has been unveiled, and yeah, ain’t gonna argue against it.
March 8 is the release date, and I’d expect more to come, but as noted, the preorders are up now.
Here’s art and info from the PR wire:
Heavy Psych Sounds Records & Booking is really stoked to start the presale of the album *** CRYPT TRIP – Haze County ***
CRYPT TRIP return with their sophomore album “Haze County” this March 8th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records.
CRYPT TRIP returns! Following their debut album “Rootstock”, the Texas trio once again deliver their typical country-tinged southern rock for your ears, mind, and soul. New album “Haze County” explores the intricacy of space and time through nine songs that can easily be defined as the band’s most focused and organic work to date.
CRYPT TRIP tell us more about this new taster: “As a first look into Haze County, we present to you “Wordshot”. There is deep history in Texas prog and psychedelic music that Crypt Trip is trying to carry on and this song is a shining example of that. Featuring Geoff Queen on pedal steel, we hope that you find it easy to drift away in the varying tones and emotions this track has to offer.”
Blending elements of hard rock, psychedelia and folk music, each track has something different to say. Loud Fender amps and a pounding rhythm section deliver enticing grooves on some tracks, while dreamy guitars take you away on others. Staying true to their Texas tradition, the album features special guest Geoff Queen on pedal steel, adding an entirely different color to the tonal palette.
“Haze County” was recorded and mixed by James Campbell at Cibolo Studios in San Antonio, Texas. It was mastered by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Digital Audio in Austin, Texas. High quality analog equipment was used at every stage of production for the best possible “vintage” sound.
“Haze County” will be issued on the following formats: – 25 Test Press – 250 LTD orange Fluo vinyl – 500 Yellow Splatter vinyl – Black vinyl – CD and digital
CRYPT TRIP “Haze County” Out March 8th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records Preorder available now at this location
TRACKLIST 1. Forward 2. Hard Times 3. To Be Whole 4. Death After Life 5. Free Rain 6. Wordshot 7. 16 Ounce Blues 8. Pastures 9. Gotta Get Away
CRYPT TRIP is Ryan Lee – Vocals, Guitar Sam Bryant – Bass Cameron Martin – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on October 26th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
Yeah, I put it at about three festival’s worth of bands added to Roadburn in this announcement. Maybe four. Consider Tomas Lindberg‘s curated event its own fest. Then you have the Holy Roar Records showcase with five bands playing. Then you have the announcements besides, and that’s enough for at least one fest on their own, if not two, so yes, at least three festivals happening here as Roadburn 2019 continues its let’s-be-all-things-to-all-people-and-actually-get-away-with-it push into new aesthetic territory, working to redefine and proliferate ideas of what “heavy” can and needs to encompass. If you don’t see this as an art project, you’re looking at it wrong.
I haven’t heard whether or not we’ll be doing the Weirdo Canyon Dispatch daily ‘zine as part of Roadburn 2019 next April, but of course I’m hopeful it happens. Hard to imagine a year without a Roadburn at this point. I’d prefer not to, actually.
Here’s the latest announcement in its yes-this-is-all-happening-at-one-fest totality:
MONO, MYRKUR: FOLKESANGE, MARISSA NADLER, AND MORE ADDED TO ROADBURN 2019
– MONO to perform Hymn to the Immortal Wind as part of Tomas Lindberg’s curation – Myrkur: Folkesange set to captivate the main stage – Marissa Nadler will make her Roadburn debut – Holy Roar x Roadburn showcase to take over Hall of Fame – Day tickets on sale December 13
Of the new additions to the Roadburn line up, Artistic Director, Walter Hoeijmakers comments:
“We’re incredibly excited to announce this latest group of bands to the Roadburn line up. As well as representing well established artists, we have also included a huge array of boundary-pushing performances which will continue to expand the scope of the festival. These are artists that we believe will shape the future of heavy music.”
MONO & MORE FOR TOMAS LINDBERG’S CURATED EVENT
Tomas Lindberg has added a clutch of new bands to his curated event, The Burning Darkness, topped off by MONO who will be performing a special anniversary show.
The Japanese post-rock four piece will celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band, and the 10th anniversary of of their iconic album Hymn to the Immortal Wind with a full album set at Roadburn 2019. They will be joined on stage by the JO QUAIL QUARTET, adding another layer of lush instrumentation to their intricate tracks. Lindberg comments: “It is with great pride I present them as a part of my curation this year.”
In addition, Lindberg has chosen three further bands for his curated event. AGRIMONIA – who Lindberg loosely describes as “a more progressive Amebix” – plus Swedish dynamic prog outfit GÖSTA BERLINGS SAGA have also been confirmed. Rounding out the new additions is ORCHESTRA OF CONSTANT DISTRESS – a hybrid of Brainbombs and Skull Defekts.
MYRKUR: FOLKESANGE
MYRKUR: FOLKESANGE will bring some folk magic to the main stage as she is accompanied by musicians including Heilung’s Christopher Juul, and celebrated cellist Jo Quail. Folkesange brings together both traditional Nordic folk songs, as well as her own original compositions in a mesmerising swirl of ethereal darkness.
MYRKUR will be performing with her metal band at the 013 on December 16, with support from Jo Quail.
MARISSA NADLER
Darkness comes in many forms, and one of the most beautiful we’ve witnessed this year is on the tracks of MARISSA NADLER’s latest album, For My Crimes. We’re thrilled that she will bring these songs – and more – to life, on the Roadburn stage this coming April.
HOLY ROAR X ROADBURN
For 12 years now, HOLY ROAR have been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) releasing a steady stream of incredible albums. The label has become home to some of the most exciting rising bands around and we’re thrilled to team up with the label to bring you five of their brightest stars for HOLY ROAR X ROADBURN.
On Friday, April 12, the Hall of Fame venue will play host to the unapologetic abrasiveness of SVALBARD, the sonic alchemy of PIJN, the nihilistic post-metal of CONJURER, the genre-bending delights of SECRET CUTTER, and the label’s newest recruit, the haunting A.A.WILLIAMS
ALSO CONFIRMED…. BLACK BOMBAIM & PETER BRÖTZMAN will see Portuguese psych masters team up with a free jazz legend BLISS SIGNAL will be fusing the jagged edges of blast beats and black metal with the hypnotic tremors of dark electronics BOSSK will perform Audio Noir in full CRYPT TRIP are a righteous trip back to days when acid-tinged rock was both exciting and thriving on attitude and energy DEAF KIDS combine D-beat, and psychedelia with their South American roots DEAF KIDS X PETBRICK will team up to deliver audio chaos MALOKARPATAN offer a mix of the best classic heavy metal with an oblique take on black metal MORNE will deliver a crushing dose of sludge MYTHIC SUNSHIP are poised to deliver a set as iconic as their Another Shape of Psychedelic Music album PETBRICK mix together crushing electronics with grinding drum violence, featuring Iggor Cavalera RAKTA bring post punk, death rock, psych and just good old noisy garage rock’n’roll STUCK IN MOTION prove there’s vibrancy in classic forms TERRITOIRE performing Alix in full THE END is the new project of saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, bringing chaos and beauty to the Roadburn stage
TICKETS: Single day tickets will go on sale on Thursday, December 13. Weekend tickets are on sale now
Tickets are be priced as follows: 3 days ticket (Thu-Sat) €181 + €4,50 service fee 4 days ticket (Thu-Sun) €204 + €4,50 service fee Day ticket (Thu, Fri or Sat) €62 + €4,50 service fee Sunday ticket €55,50 + €4,50 service fee
Posted in Whathaveyou on May 3rd, 2018 by JJ Koczan
I’m just going to assume ‘Wheels of Fire’ is like ‘Chariots of Fire’ but with a much, much, much better soundtrack. The tour will unite Denver headspinners Cloud Catcher with Texas heavy rockers Crypt Trip, whose debut on Heavy Psych Sounds, Rootstock, is out next week. Presented by Hi-Wattage Booking, it looks like a healthy run, covering a goodly portion of California from north to south before swinging back to Texas and letting Cloud Catcher — still supporting last year’s righteous Trails of Kozmic Dust (review here) on Totem Cat play a gig in Oklahoma City on their way back to Colorado.
A little surprising they’re not hitting up the Pacific Northwest — Seattle, Portland, etc. — this trip, but Cloud Catcher were there last Fall, so it’s not exactly like the ground hasn’t been covered. Still, this seems like it’ll be a good time and I can’t help but wonder at this point if Cloud Catcher don’t have some new material they might be trying out on the road. If you get to see them, let me know.
Here’s the poster and dates:
CLOUD CATCHER & CRYPT TRIP
WHEELS OF FIRE 2018 TOUR May 19 Denver, CO Hi-Dive May 21 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge May 23 Las Vegas, NV Bunkhouse May 24 Reno, NV Jub Jubs May 25 Nevada City, CA Coopers Ale House May 26 San Francisco, CA Thee Parkside May 27 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp May 28 Los Angeles, CA The Griffin May 29 Long Beach, CA Que Sera May 30 San Diego, CA Brick By Brick June 1 San Antonio, TX The Mix June 2 Austin, TX Hotel Vegas June 3 Ft. Worth, TX Tin Panther June 4 Oklahoma City, OK Blue Note (CC ONLY)
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 15th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
May 11 is the set release date for Crypt Trip‘s sophomore album and label debut for Heavy Psych Sounds, Rootstock. Preorders are open now as well, if you’re the set-it-and-forget-it type. In either case, the Texas trio have done naught the last several years but build a fervent buzz around them what with the kicking ass and all, and as they hit the half-decade mark, they do so looking to reach a new stage and a new audience as a group, so as we’re now inside the two-month mark on the May 11 IPO, seems like it would be pretty exciting times to be in the band.
The inevitable question that remains? Tour dates. As in, how many will they have, where will they go, and when will they be? I suspect we’ll find out soon enough — or, you know, at least before the tour actually starts — but until then, here are album details from the PR wire:
Texas hard rockers CRYPT TRIP share details of new album “Rootstock”, coming May 11th on Heavy Psych Sounds.
Take a trip with “Rootstock”, the new album from the Texas natives CRYPT TRIP. You’ll find that the use of mind-altering substances is not necessary to feel the raw psychedelic power of the band’s sophomore effort. With its many peaks and valleys, “Rootstock” will take you on a journey through musical dynamics and diverse musicianship. You will be confronted throughout with both high-energy rock and gentle moments of refined delicacy. No gimmicks. No strings attached. This is a simple and pure representation of three musicians in a collaborative effort to give you unfiltered Texas hard rock.
“Rootstock” will be issued on Limited Clear Transparent vinyl, Black vinyl, CD and digital on Heavy Psych Sounds .
CRYPT TRIP “Rootstock” Out May 11th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records Preorder start March 13th here
TRACKLIST 1. Heartslave 2. Boogie #6 3. Aquarena Daydream 4. Rio Vista 5. Natural Child 6. Tears of Gaia 7. Mabon Songs 8. Soul Games
CRYPT TRIP is a hard rock trio originally formed in Dallas in 2013. The first incarnation of the band had a heavy psychedelic sound that was reminiscent of a dark 70s underground. It wasn’t long before guitarist/singer Ryan Lee and bassist Sam Bryant relocated to Central Texas, where they met drummer Cameron Martin and began to solidify their sound. Taking their cue from aged rock records, jazz methodology and their cultural roots in the cosmic American South, their music presents you with a genuinely personal experience.
CRYPT TRIP are Ryan Lee: Guitar, Vocals, Elec. Piano Cameron Martin: Drums, Vocals, Perc. Sam Bryant: Bass
Posted in Whathaveyou on February 28th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
Texas-based heavy rock trio Crypt Trip self-released their latest full-length, Rootstock, in January. You’ll find it streaming at the bottom of this post, and I’d imagine that if you want to actually take a listen to it — no reason not to, what with the rock and roll and all — your time to do so is limited. Seems to me that in signing to Heavy Psych Sounds, Crypt Trip‘s situation is somewhat similar to that of Philly’s High Reeper, who’d also self-released a full-length before getting picked up by the Italian label.
Does that mean we’ll see a new version of Rootstock coming up, perhaps with revamped artwork like High Reeper‘s self-titled? Hell if I know, but if you didn’t already press play on album opener “Heartslave” and hear the scorching guitar solos that cap the track, you’ll just have to take my word for it that you won’t regret doing so either way. So yeah. As High Reeper‘s record got pulled from streaming ahead of its official release, so too might Crypt Trip‘s. Get while the getting is good.
Congrats to Crypt Trip as well. They join fellow Lone Star Staters Duel in working with the label, and it’s not at all difficult to imagine the two pairing up for a European tour presented by Heavy Psych Sounds‘ booking arm, though of course I’ve no concrete evidence that such a thing is in the works.
Maybe better to just turn it over to the PR wire. Yeah, let’s do that:
Crypt Trip – Heavy Psych Sounds
HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS Records & Booking is really proud to present a new band *** CRYPT TRIP ***
We are stoked to announce the signing of the american hard rock band Crypt Trip !! More info coming soon .Crypt Trip is a group from Texas that plays hard rock music. Originally formed in Dallas in 2013, the first incarnation of the band had a heavy psychedelic sound that was reminiscent of a dark nineteen seventies underground.
It wasn’t long before guitarist/singer Ryan Lee and bassist Sam Bryant relocated to Central Texas where they met drummer Cameron Martin and began to solidify their sound. Taking influence from aged rock records, jazz methodology, and their cultural roots in the cosmic American South, their music presents you with a genuinely personal experience.
Their new album will be released on Heavy Psych Sounds this year.
CRYPT TRIP are Ryan Lee: Guitar, Vocals, Elec. Piano Cameron Martin: Drums, Vocals, Perc. Sam Bryant: Bass
Posted in Whathaveyou on August 14th, 2017 by JJ Koczan
I’m not gonna discount the notion of seeing the likes of Josefus sharing the stage with The Well and Doomstress, or of watching the almighty Acid King roll out their riffly triumphs next to Dead Meadow, Elder, Mothership and a megaslew of others, but I think the fact that if you buy a ticket for the second day of End Hip End It you get two slices of pizza speaks volumes to the vibe the Spring, Texas-based festival is going for, and that’s a vibe with which I think just about anybody can get down.
The lineup is varied from Funeral Horse and Switchblade Jesus to King Buffalo and Stone Machine Electric, but there’s a heaping representation of the fertile Texan underground here, and that’s likewise respectable. My understanding is they’ve run into some branding issues — I guess repeating any word in your fest name in Texas is verboten because you’re making fun of SXSW? seems to me SXSW could stand to be taken down a peg or two, but couldn’t we all? — and might rename the event for 2018, but whatever you call it, it looks like a good time to me.
Lineup, other info and ticket link follow:
END HIP END IT MUSIC FESTIVAL
OCT 21 – OLD TOWN SPRING, TEXAS
DAY 1 will feature 25 bands in Old Town Spring, Texas. Preservation Park will have three stages of music as well as many interactive art projects thanks to the Generators Playground.
Stage 1 Dead meadow 12:00 – 1:00 The Bright Light Social Hour 10:40 – 11:20 Golden Dawn Arkestra 9:20 – 10:00 Bayonne 8:00 – 8:40 The deer 6:40 – 7:20 AMERICAN SHARKS 5:20 – 6:00 ROSE ETTE 4:00 – 4:40 VANILLA WHALE 3:00 – 3:40 pyreship 2:00 – 2:30 JODY SEABODY & THE WHIRLS 1:00 – 1:30
Stage 3 John Evans Band 8:20 – 9:00 Flower Graves 7:10 – 7:50 The Cuckoos 6:10 – 6:50 Ancient Cat Society 5:10 – 5:50 The Mammoths 4:10 – 4:50 Mantra Love 3:10 – 3:50 Howard & the Nosebleeds 2:10 – 2:40
OCT 22 – WALTER’S DOWNTOWN SUNDAY at Walter’s Downtown there will be two stages with 13 bands on rotation. Ticket purchasers will receive two drink tickets and two pizza slices!
the well L.A. Witch doomstress amplified heat space villains* white dog josefus crypt trip stone machine electric only beast concrete heat daze shallow
KIP Passes get you… Entry to both days backstage access FREE T-shirt on Saturday access to hammock hangout one extra beer on Sunday
At End Hip End It you will find a tightly tucked 20 acre plot of land filled with green grass, craft breweries, interactive art projects, live music, beer tasting events, auctions for charities, Light shows, food trucks, VIP access, local vendors, and more. Interactive art projects will be hosted by Bao Pham of the Generators Playground.
Posted in Whathaveyou on June 12th, 2017 by JJ Koczan
This Friday in Denver marks the beginning of Electric Funeral Fest 2017. Kicking things off at 4:15PM will be West Coast boogie groovers Lords of Beacon House, followed immediately by High on the Mountain right across the street. I know these things because the festival has newly announced its full schedule for its two-day run, which features the likes of Slow Season, The Well, Sourvein, Goya, Oryx, headliners Acid King and Corky Laing’s Mountain, and many others. I’ve got kind of a whirlwind couple weeks coming up as it is, but if you were offering me a ticket and a flight, I’d have a hard time turning this one down. Looks like it’s going to be an incredible time for those fortunate enough to be there.
If that’s you, I hope you have a blast. Here’s the info:
SATURDAY JUNE 17th The Joint by Cannabis Stage at 3 Kings Tavern 4:15 – 4:50 Dizz Brew 5:15 – 5:50 Red Wizard 6:15 – 6:50 Feather Stone 7:15 – 7:50 Great Electric Quest 8:15 – 8:50 Barrows 9:15 – 9:55 The Heavy Eyes 10:15 – 11:00 Electric Citizen 11:40 – 12:40 ACID KING
Electric Funeral will once again be happening in the South Broadway district of Denver. Anyone that is familiar with Denver knows that S. Broadway is one of the greatest neighborhoods this city has to offer. In our second year of this event, we have added a second stage at Hi Dive. Hi Dive is across the street from 3 Kings Tavern and easily one of the greatest places to party in Denver.
There is also no shortage of other great bars and restaurants in the area for attendees to visit if they need a break from head-banging. Although both stages are indoors, this will feel like just as much of an outdoor event as people go back and forth between the two venues that will run simultaneously through both evenings. Hey hey, my my, rock n’ roll sure ain’t fuckin’ dying in Denver!
