Posted in Whathaveyou on September 14th, 2022 by JJ Koczan
All kidding aside, if Maryland Doom Fest wanted to rebrand as Sherman Fest, I feel like event-organizer JB Matson (also of Bloodshot, War Injun, Outside Truth, etc.) would be well within rights. There is no overstating the impact Dave Sherman — generally “Sherm” if you were saying hey at a show — of Earthride, Spirit Caravan, Weed is Weed and so many others had on Maryland’s ever-vital doom underground, and the tributes continue to come through in the wake of his passing on Sept. 4.
A benefit has been expected. This is what Maryland doom does. In the long tradition of the American working class looking out for its own because, well, it’s not like anyone else is stepping up to help, the underground based around Frederick — now with a home at Cafe 611 where the aforementioned Maryland Doom Fest is held; formerly centered at Krug’s Place down across the way from the 7-Eleven, where Stoner Hands of Doom resided for a few editions — a benefit festival for Sherman‘s family is well in character for that scene. They’ve done a ton of them over the years, from Evil Fanny to Rev. Jim Forrester to Adam Heinzmann of Foghound — who’ll play Sherman Fest — to any number of others. It’s part of the mourning process, and like the poster says in this case, part of celebrating the life and music of Dave Sherman.
And in the last week, having seen some of Sherm-stories these bands have told — Borracho, Thousand Vision Mist, even Place of Skulls — it’s clear this lineup is hand-picked for the purpose. I don’t know how you could play a benefit in this dude’s honor and not have the show of your life. Emotion and volume will flow in kind.
Poster and info follow. Doom bless Dave Sherman:
Sherman Fest – Live at Cafe 611
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022
611 N. Market St., Frederick, MD
This is a unique music scene and this get together is a tribute to Dave Sherman’s legacy.
All proceeds are in Dave’s name to support his mother through this tragedy.
Lineup: Place of Skulls Foghound Mangog Alex Wickham & Johnny Wretched Bloodshot Pimmit Hills Bonded by Darkness Borracho Thousand Vision Mist The Crows Eye Faith in Jane Born of Plagues
This year’s Maryland Doom Fest has already begun. It started last night and will continue through Sunday, packing as much volume as possible between the first switched on amplifier and the final, inevitable broom swept across the floor afterward at Cafe 611 in Frederick, MD, where the fest is held. These shows are jammed. They start early. They go late. There’s nothing else quite like Maryland Doom Fest out there, and when you go, you’re made welcome whether you’re a regular or not. It’s too intimate a space and too cool a crowd for bullshit attitudes to survive. Relax and enjoy the tunes.
I’m sad to say I’m not there this year — let’s call it “family stuff” and leave it there — but the lineup is incredible and I wanted to do at least some tiny measure of tribute to that, so here we are. Some of these bands are MDDF veterans — Apostle of Solitude, Zed, Foghound, Faith in Jane, Caustic Casanova, etc. — but some are new to the event as well — Coven, Great Electric Quest, Formula 400, and others — so it’s a good mix, and you know I’m a sucker for ending epic, so The Age of Truth seemed perfect for that. They’re gonna kill it this weekend playing songs from Resolute and everyone there will know it long before they go on and they’ll still kill it. That’s just how it goes down there. You’re gonna have a good time.
Thanks if you listen, thanks if you’re reading. Thanks in general. And if you’re at the fest this weekend, enjoy it.
The Obelisk Show airs 5PM Eastern today on the Gimme app or at: http://gimmemetal.com.
Full playlist:
The Obelisk Show – 06.24.22 (VT = voice track)
Coven
Wicked Woman
Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls
Zed
Chingus
Volume
Apostle of Solitude
Apathy in Isolation
Until the Darkness Goes
VT
Problem With Dragons
Live by the Sword
Accelerationist
Horseburner
A Joyless King
The Thief
Thunderbird Divine
Qualified
Magnasonic
Heavy Temple
A Desert Through the Trees
Lupi Amoris
Great Electric Quest
Seeker of the Flame
Chapter II – Of Earth
Formula 400
Ridin’ Easy
Heathens
Horehound
Hiraeth
Collapse
VT
Shadow Witch
Witches of Aendor
Under the Shadow of a Witch
Faces of Bayon
Ethereality
Heart of the Fire
Ol’ Time Moonshine
Raven vs. Hawk
The Apocalypse Trilogies
Caustic Casanova
Truth Syrup
God How I Envy the Deaf
Foghound
Known Wolves
Awaken to Destroy
Orodruin
Into the Light of the Sun
Ruins of Eternity
Faith in Jane
Gone Are the Days
Mother to Earth
Alms
The Offering
Act One
Guhts
The Mirror
Blood Feather
VT
The Age of Truth
Return to the Ships
Resolute
The Obelisk Show on Gimme Metal airs every Friday 5PM Eastern, with replays Sunday at 7PM Eastern. Next new episode is July 8 (subject to change). Thanks for listening if you do.
Posted in Whathaveyou on December 31st, 2021 by JJ Koczan
As suspected, the lineup announcement for the 2022 Maryland Doom Fest is relatively short on fluff. No flowery descriptions of the acts involved, no hype about how important it is to get together in these times of plague and support the community, the underground, whatever it is. That’s all true enough, but as ever, Maryland Doom Fest is putting the name out there for you to see, and if you know, you know. If you’re a part of that family down there in Frederick, you’ve already got your calendar marked. This is who’ll be at the reunion.
And to that, with bands like Horehound, Thunderbird Divine, Caustic Casanova, fest-organizer JB Matson‘s own Bloodshot, Faith in Jane, ZED, Helgamite, Shadow Witch, The Age of Truth, Apostle of Solitude, Horseburner, Dead East Garden, Strange Highways and Foghound on the bill, this one will no doubt feel like a reunion in no small part. These acts and some of the others as well have shared MDDF bills in the past, and indeed, some were included in the announcement for January’s Doom Hawg Day as well, as was speculated. Still cool to see some of those returning coming across the country to do it, though, be it ZED or Formula 400.
Set for June 23-26 at Cafe 611 and Olde Mother Brewing in Frederick, MD, and of course subject to some changes between now and June, the lineup for Maryland Doom Fest 2022 is as follows:
Maryland Doom Fest 2022 Lineup
Black Road Dust Prophet Ol’ Time Moonshine High Priestess Wrath of Typhon Alms Black Lung Thunderbird Divine Atomic Motel Byrgan Faces of Bayon Grief Collector Crystal Spiders Helgamite Shadow Witch The Age of Truth Heavy Temple Problem with Dragons Strange Highways Fellowcraft Formula 400 Tines Indus Valley Kings The Stone Eye Crow Hunter Caustic Casanova Coma Hole Wizzerd Mythosphere Horehound Bloodshot NobleSoul Coven ZED Faith in Jane Future Projektor Apostle of Solitude Orodruin Dead East Garden Ritual Earth Grave Next Door Black Sabbitch Lost Breed Horseburner Foghound Hot Ram Flummox
Posted in Whathaveyou on May 24th, 2021 by JJ Koczan
Outdoors all ages! Take your children to see Caustic Casanova and then put them to bed before Yatra or Solace go on. Ah, but that’s just night two of The Deviant Collective, a two-dayer scheduled for Aug. 13 and 14 in Baltimore, Maryland. Looking to leave lockdown in style? For those of us on the Eastern Seaboard, this might be the way to do it, as Blackseed Services out of Pittsburgh and Zentagram — soon to be formerly of MD — will present a monster lineup in The Depot and outside Oliver Brewing that boasts not only the aforementioned, but Horseburner, Foghound, Howling Giant, Spiral Grave and more and more and more.
The indoor portion (night one) has limited capacity, so if you’re feeling tentative about rejoining such togetherness-minded settings, wear your mask and consider this a way to test the waters. Both nights look stellar, as does the Bill Kole artwork that even with the cat I can’t help but think of as a dogwhistle to Man’s Ruin Records in a righteous update of Frank Kozik‘s once-upon-a-time label logo. Badass either way.
And that applies all around, not just to the art. Here’s the info:
The Deviant Collective – Baltimore Maryland
Fuzz-filled riffs and thick-toned grooves will fill the mid-August Baltimore air as Blackseed Services and Zentagram present THE DEVIANT COLLECTIVE: An assembly of Stoner, Psych, Doom and things of a Heavy Prog nature. This is a one-time event and the last Zentagram production this side of the Mississippi and you won’t want to miss it!
Night One Friday, August 13th Live at The Depot (Club Show 19+) Horseburner, Cavern, Foghound, and THUNDERCHIEF Doors at 6 PM/Bands at 7 PM 1228 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD $10, First come, first in (limited capacity)
Night Two Saturday, August 14th Live at Oliver Brewing Co. (Outdoor All Ages) SOLACE, YATRA, Howling Giant, Jakethehawk, Brimstone Coven, Hot Blood, I am The Liquor, Stonecutters, Caustic Casanova, Atomic Motel, and Spiral Grave Gates at 2 PM/ Bands at 3 PM 4216 Shannon Drive, Baltimore, MD
Rain or Shine $25, tickets available for Saturday only.
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 15th, 2021 by JJ Koczan
It’s hard to know in listening which came first, the title “Burn Slow” or the guitar solo featured in the song itself. In any case, if the other is the namesake of the one, it would only be too fitting, since, indeed, it’s a slow burner. The track was recorded by Foghound in the same session with Noel Mueller of Grimoire Records (what up Towson? you guys ever get down to Sparks?) that resulted in the Baltimorean outfit’s 2020 benefit single “Turn off the World” (discussed here). As it happens, “Burn Slow” is also a benefit release, this one intended to help out John Anthony Metichecchia, for whom there’s also a benefit show happening at Cafe 611 in Frederick, MD, on May 1. Foghound and a bunch of other cool bands are playing, as you can see from the list below.
And the track rules and the cause is just. Whatever more you’d ask, I don’t know.
Listen, support. Do the thing:
Foghound – Burn Slow
*Who/ Where/ When- Foghound recorded the single with Noel Mueller in Baltimore back in January 2020, at the same pre-pandemic time as the last single ” Turn Off The World” before ALL the shit hit the fan…
* What/ Why/ How – ” Burn Slow” will be released as a benefit ” Name Your Price” download alongside t-shirts and hoodies featuring the kickass artwork of Bill Kole.
All profits from the single and shirt sales will go directly towards the Johnny M. Benefit GoFundMe as well as the benefit show in Frederick MD. Saturday May 1st at Cafe 611: https://www.facebook.com/events/4184916461527869/
May 1 Benefit Lineup: Thousand Vision Mist Mangog Foghound Severed Satellites Dee Calhoun Bailjack
“Pay What You Want Single” to Benefit our MD DOOM Brother John Anthony Metichecchia and Family
Downloadable track with purchase of “Burn Slow” shirt/ hoodie Art by Bill Kole
released April 12, 2021 Recorded at Tiny Castle Studio by Noel Mueller: engineering, mixing, mastering Towson, Maryland January 2020
Foghound are: Adam Heinzmann- bass Bob Sipes- guitar Chuck Dukehart- drums & vox Dee Settar- guitar & vox
Posted in Questionnaire on March 9th, 2021 by JJ Koczan
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Adam Heinzmann of Foghound, Internal Void, and More
—
How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
What I do. Interesting question. I suppose at the heart of it, I play music for the possibilities. To make myself happy, of course. If it makes other people happy, well that’s a huge bonus. But it’s the connection. That part that you can’t put into words. Because words can’t describe it. With bandmates, that first time you make eye contact and you KNOW they’re in the same space as you. With fellow musicians, kinda the same thing. Whether I’m playing or watching the band or we’re both watching the band. That look. It’s priceless.
How it came about?
My best friend, to this day, told me to buy a guitar. I was 15. Maybe a year later my best friend and two other good dudes got together a needed a bass player. So, we had some smoke and the three of them said ‘sell all your guitar stuff and buy a bass’. Damnation was formed and, here I am.
Describe your first musical memory.
There are so many. Which I don’t take for granted. And while not my first memory it’s certainly the one that truly kickstarted the journey I’m on. December 8th, 1980. Or rather first thing December 9th. I had just turned 10. The Beatles were one of my first loves, still are. I had already been listening to KISS and Queen and had just discovered Neil Young. I didn’t understand at the time why I felt the way I felt. I get it now. And I still feel the same sadness I felt that day.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Hmmm… This one is tough. So many. But the two that pop into my head oddly enough happened in the same club. Different years. 2016 Internal Void at the MD Doom Fest. Our farewell show. It was everything I had hoped our finale would be. I miss that band.
Second. Foghound at the 2018 MD Doom Fest. Man. Honestly don’t know where to start. Still not sure I can.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
This one has too many to choose from. I’ll go with this one. Got into a heated argument with a then old friend. It was about the reason I play music. He was insistent on stating that the only reason I don’t care for most ‘big bands’ is because I’m jealous of their fame and fortune. Metallica was his constant reference. I tried my best to correct him. The reason I play is for the love of the music and all that comes with it. If fame and fortune are part of that? Well awesome. I’m tired of having a day job LOL. But he wouldn’t back down. And he got increasingly hostile about ‘proving’ his point. While I don’t like conflict, I also won’t hesitate to tell someone to Fuck Off if it’s the right thing to do. I told him to Fuck Off. Haven’t seen or talked to him since. And that’s not a bad thing.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
It leads you on the path you are making for yourself. If that path starts with your heart. You’ll love everything you create.
How do you define success?
Peace of mind. When you lay your head on the pillow, are you at peace? If you’re not, that’s ok. As long as your plan is to fix what is keeping you from your peace. It’s not always easy.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
My Grandma Rosemary a few weeks before she passed. It devastated me. Stuck with me for a long time. Her funeral was the catalyst for my dislike of open casket funerals. I’m getting cremated.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A huge sanctuary. It would be fully staffed and fully funded. And it would take in all of the homeless dogs and cats in this country.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To make someone say ‘WOW’ out loud. Think about it. Those moments stay with you. Not that grade on a test. Not that ‘atta boy’ you get from a boss. Art is meant to move you. And if it doesn’t move you, well it may move someone else. And that’s the beauty of art. One piece. One song. One poem. One of so many forms of artistic expression. If it makes just one person say ‘WOW!’ out loud. That’s all that matters.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Non-musical?
Attending the 105th Indianapolis 500 with my family and closest of friends. It’ll be my 35th 500.
Lastly. Setting myself up for the next 15 years. It involves a lot, obviously. But I’ve got a plan.
And finally. Thank you for this opportunity. I tend to go on a rant. I had to keep myself in check at times while answering these questions. Which is great. Good exercise for my brain and heart
Plenty of familiar stuff here if you’ve been hanging around the site lately, but there’s some stuff I haven’t written about yet too. The theme, such as it was — and man, themes are loose with this show anyway, but this one felt even more so — was just good stuff that happened in April. Today’s May 1, and it feels like last month was just lost on so many levels, that I wanted to highlight a few of the good things that happened despite the chaos and the dire feelings that defined so much of the time.
My point is the same as ever: Music still sounds good. If you’ve got that, you’ve got something to hold onto. If there’s nothing else, there’s music. That’s all I’m ever really saying. Sorry to spoil it. Now you don’t have to look at The Obelisk anymore. You’re all done.
You should still listen to the show though because I recorded the voice tracks for it on my phone while I was going to buy fresh mozzarella, and considering New Jersey’s got over 100,000 cases of COVID-19, the sheer Jersey-ness of the endeavor really I think shines through. Plus in the second break, if you stick it out, I say the word “awesome” like 50 times and sound like a total doofus, and that’s worth hearing. I overuse “awesome” anyway, but really, it sounds silly here. I listened back and heard it and decided to leave it in. Hell, at least it’s real.
Thanks for listening if you do.
The Obelisk Show airs 5PM Eastern today on the Gimme app or at http://gimmeradio.com
Full playlist:
The Obelisk Show – 05.01.20
Elder
Halcyon
Omens*
Elephant Tree
Exit the Soul
Habits*
Forming the Void
Ancient Satellite
Reverie*
BREAK
Foghound
Turn Off the World
Turn Off the World*
Lord Fowl
The Wraith
Glorious Babylon*
Soldati
Solar Tse
Doom Nacional*
Trippy Wicked
Green Memories
Three Leaves / Green Memories*
Satyrus
Black Satyrus
Rites*
Marrowfields
Dragged to the World Below
Metamorphoses*
Pale Divine
Tyrants / Pawns (Easy Prey)
Consequence of Time*
Paradise Lost
Fall From Grace
Obsidian*
Katatonia
Behind the Blood
City Burials*
Itus
Primordial
Primordial*
BREAK
River Cult
Chilling Effect
Chilling Effect*
Astral Bodies
Mythic Phantoms
Escape Death*
The Obelisk Show on Gimme Radio airs every Friday 5PM Eastern, with replays Sunday at 7PM Eastern. Next new episode is May 15 (subject to change). Thanks for listening if you do.
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 27th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
New material from Baltimore’s Foghound is always welcome, and as ‘Turn Off the World’ arrives today it does so not as the first benefit single the four-piece have put out. Come to think of it, in terms of prefacing an album or another kind of release, they could certainly do far worse. In this case, the proceeds from “Turn Off the World” go to Movable Feast, which helps not only feed, but council people on nutrition who are sick with terminal or life-threatening illnesses. Obviously someone with a specific kind of cancer is going to need different kinds of food than someone with HIV, so it’s no minor service and clearly goes beyond buying groceries for people or — in a far-more dickheaded example — just tossing paper towels and other such goods their way.
Adding another level of interest is the fact that “Turn Off the World” unites Foghound with another Marylander powerhouse in producer Noel Mueller. This is a significant pairing, and the results on “Turn Off the World” speak for themselves. The track was recorded in January, and one only wonders if there could possibly be more to come from that session?
Until we find out, the cause is just and the track is righteous and if you need more than that, you’re on the wrong site.
To the info:
FOGHOUND – Turn Off The World
As everyone is very aware, these are strange and extraordinary times we are living in right now.
With the Covid 19 outbreak, subsequent shutdowns, social distancing and quarantines in effect, those already in vulnerable positions find themselves in an even more disadvantaged place than before.
In times like these we have to band together, lend a hand of support and help those less fortunate get through these tough times as well.
While we may not be able to play any benefit shows for the time being, Foghound is proud to release our timely new single “Turn Off The World” as a name your price charity single through Ripple Music, as well as t-shirts featuring the accompanying artwork by Bill Kole, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit Moveable Feast.
The T-shirt presale order link will be open from Monday April 27th until Monday May 25th. We will then be getting the t-shirts ordered and printed for all those that purchased. We will not be getting extras made, these are being made on a per order, limited edition only.
T-shirts will be available for mail order( + postage), local pickup (maybe a show, if we ever get to have those anytime soon, or through band members as scheduled) and there will also be scheduled local delivery days to be determined in the future. Please allow us a few weeks after the end of sale date to get them printed, shipped and/ or available for delivery.
The mission of Moveable Feast is to foster a community that cares for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses by preparing and delivering nutritious meals and groceries and providing nutritional counseling and other services.
100% of the proceeds will go directly to Moveable Feast to enable them to keep providing their much needed services to the community.
This single was recorded back in January of this year at Tiny Castle Studio with Noel Mueller at the helm of engineering, mixing and mastering.
We would like to thank all at Ripple Music for releasing and hosting via their site, Bill Kole for the awesome artwork, Sage Printing, and we thank you all for your help and support.
