This is one of the best lineups I’ve seen for a US-based heavy fest in the 15-plus years I’ve been running this site. I don’t know what else to say about it, honestly. For the fact that Ripplefest Texas is bringing Dozer over alone, let alone any of the other Euro acts involved who have, say, been to North America in the last 20-plus years, it’s astonishing. And not just bigger bands like Dozer and Truckfighters or Mars Red Sky and Belzebong, but Domkraft and Kal-El, bands you know if you’re into this thing but that haven’t been around as long and aren’t as ‘huge’ in the whatever sense that applies in underground music.

And it’s not like they’re skimping on within-US geography either. Of course the desert is well represented, and Texas has a significant presence as it invariably would, but with Gozu and Leather Lung headed out from Boston, Borracho traveling from D.C., Temple of the Fuzz Witch from Michigan, Robots of the Ancient World from Portland, Oregon, and so on, they’ve got all the corners and between pretty well covered. La Chinga coming from Canada. Demons My Friends giving Mexico a nod. It is extensive.

And quality. I don’t know that I’ll be there to see it, but I’d imagine that for most who get to be, it’ll be the stuff of legend. Congrats to Ryan Garney and Lick of My Spoon for bringing it into the world, and safe travels to all involved:

Here it is! The lineup for RippleFest Texas and the amazing art by Simon Berndt @1horsetown 🤘🔥❤️

We still have a few surprises left but this roster is stacked! Don’t miss your chance to see the world’s best heavy music at the largest family reunion of the year. Plus this is the ONLY premier festival that has absolutely ZERO OVERLAPPING so you can see every second of every band! Get your tickets now and we will see you in September!

Tier 2 tickets are almost sold out and the price increases on Monday so get your tickets now:

www.lickofmyspoon.com

DOZER
TRUCKFIGHTERS
BONGZILLA
MARS RED SKY
BELZEBONG
DOMKRAFT
LEGIONS OF DOOM
FATSO JETSON
GOZU
HOWLING GIANT
THE HEAVY EYES
HIGH DESERT QUEEN
KAL-EL
20 WATT TOMBSTONE
THE OTOLITH
TEMPLE OF THE FUZZ WITCH
LEATHER LUNG
THUNDER HORSE
HASHTRONAUT
BONE CHURCH
BORRACHO
SUN CROW
CRYSTAL SPIDERS
TIA CARRERA
ROBOTS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD
MR. PLOW
LA CHINGA
FOSTERMOTHER
BLUE HERON
TEMPTRESS
FORMULA 400
DEMONS MY FRIENDS
VERMILION WHISKEY
VIOLET RISING
HUDU AKIL
BUZZ ELECTRO
SHADOW OF JUPITER

GRAND FINALE w/ MARIO LALLI & THE RUBBER SNAKE CHARMERS “Desert Jam Session”

Plus the best light show in the business by @themadalchemistliquidliteshow

https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/
http://www.ripple-music.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LOMSProductions
https://www.instagram.com/LOMSProductions/
http://www.lickofmyspoon.com/
https://linktr.ee/Lickofmyspoon

Mars Red Sky, Live at Rock in Bourlon 2023

Damn, Temptress. That’s quite a tour you’ve got there. The Dallas three-piece released their See album earlier this year, and I’ll tell you what I see, I see a band making a statement. I’ve written about them a few times over the last couple years but apparently whiffed on the record — there’s a good reason I never claim to be anything but terrible at this — but can’t help but think of the band in a different way after encountering a list of dates like this. And more, not only is this a month-plus on the road for the band, but it would seem to have been independently booked as well. It’s just a different scale of work put in than one usually sees, especially since the pandemic. Much, much respect, for what that’s worth.

They’ve got a teaser up for the run, and I’ve put the Bandcamp stream of See down there as well, not even for you — you’ve already heard it, I know — but for myself as a reminder. I’m sorry, but when somebody believes enough in what they do to put together a tour like this to support it, that’s probably something I want to hear. Never too late, whatever the internet’s two-week album hype cycles say.

From the PR wire:

Dallas Heavy Doom Trio TEMPTRESS Announces Fall 2023 Tour!

TEMPTRESS is a crew thunderously tempting fate to boom their way beyond Big Texas at sonic speed. They got together in early 2019, released an EP five months later, and haven’t stalled their velocity for even a moment since.

In less than five years, TEMPTRESS has drawn a loyal fan base and press support for their music, as well as an outstanding list of live performances supporting both legendary acts and current rising stars of the heavy music world (regardless of the recent chaotic fluctuations in the world of touring).

They continue to climb from underground with their first full-length album, SEE, released through Metal Assault Records on March 3, 2023. The trio is eager to resume their travels across the USA roadways and announces a new round of live shows to sustain the momentum for SEE.

Bassist/vocalist Christian Wright dispatches with tour particulars:

“We are excited to take our project through the upper midwest, west coast, and SW this Fall, in support of our latest effort ‘See’, which was released in March via Metal Assault. We can’t wait to catch up with friends, family, and peers both new and old along our journey. We have solid local support for the whole run and are thankful for those who helped in any way through the booking process. Community is key.

Our dear friends Dustlord (Tulsa, OK) will be joining us for the first six dates, and Grail (Phoenix, AZ) will be with us on the three Arizona dates. We extend a very special thanks to them. We are doing “An evening with” in Marfa, TX, which will likely include some heavy psych improv as well as new material. This will be a first for us and a glorious way to re-enter our home state of Texas. We look forward to seeing you out on the road.”

Temptress – Fall Tour 2023:
Oct. 04 – Joplin, MO @ Blackthorn #
Oct. 05 – Des Moines, IA @ Hull Ave Tavern #
Oct. 06 – Madison, WI @ The Wisco #
Oct. 07 – Minneapolis, MN @ Studio B #
Oct. 08 – Iowa City, IA @ Gabe’s #
Oct. 09 – Kansas City, MO @ Minibar #
Oct. 11 – Denver, CO @ The Crypt
Oct. 12 – SLC, UT @ Aces High Saloon
Oct. 13 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
Oct. 14 – Moscow, ID @ Mikeys
Oct. 15 – Seattle, WA @ Funhouse
Oct. 17 – Olympia, WA @ Cryptatropa Bar
Oct. 18 – Portland, OR @ High Water Mark
Oct. 19 – Medford, OR @ Johnny B’s
Oct. 20 – Oakland, CA @ The Golden Bull
Oct. 21 – San Francisco, CA @ Kilowatt Bar
Oct. 22 – Sacramento, CA @ Old Ironsides
Oct. 25 – Las Vegas, NV @ Dive Bar
Oct. 26 – Palmdale, CA @ Transplants Brewing
Oct. 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Permanent Records
Oct. 28 – San Diego, CA @ Til-Two Club
Oct. 29 – Tempe, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room **
Oct. 30 – Tucson, AZ @ House Of Bards **
Oct. 30 – Bisbee, AZ @ The Quarry **
Nov. 01 – ABQ, NM @ (TBA)
Nov. 02 – Taos, NM @ Mercury House
Nov. 04 – Marfa, TX @ Planet Marfa
Nov. 05 – San Angelo, TX @ The Deadhorse

# w/ Dustlord / ** w/ Grail

Temptress:
Kelsey Wilson – Guitar, Vocals
Andi Cuda – Drums, Vocals
Christian Wright – Bass, Vocals

http://www.facebook.com/temptressdfw/
http://www.instagram.com/temptressofficial/
http://temptressofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://temptressofficial.com/
https://linktr.ee/temptressofficial

http://facebook.com/metalassaultla
http://instagram.com/metalassault
https://metalassault.bandcamp.com/

Temptress, Fall Tour Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p_iw9rufDo

Looks like a good run. It’s more than three weeks on the road that Texas heavy troupes Monte Luna and Temptress will spend together, and that’s pretty significant. Frankly, I have to think that if these shows weren’t going to happen, they wouldn’t have been booked in the first place. Of course, like everything now, they’re pending too, but the tour starts at the Obelisk-presented Heavy Mash 2021 in Arlington on Oct. 2 before picking up on Oct. 5 and heading out from there.

What can you say at this point? Go safe? Observe any and all local precautions? You know, if there was ever any doubt that heavy bands do it for love, consider touring in a surging pandemic as evidence. I don’t know, but I doubt Monte Luna or Temptress are getting live-off-this-money guarantees, and it’s a marked risk being undertaken on their part. I’m not saying they shouldn’t tour, just that they’re clearly doing so because they believe in what they do, and that’s worthy of respect.

These are strange times.

From the PR wire:

Two Tons Of Texas Tone! MONTE LUNA & TEMPTRESS Confirm Fall U.S. Tour Dates

From Texas, by way of Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth, comes two tons of tone as MONTE LUNA and TEMPTRESS have joined together to ramble on with a slew of tour dates this Fall.

MONTE LUNA, a psychedelic sludge metal band from Austin Texas, is James Clarke, Danny Marschner, and Garth Condit. Joining forces in 2015, the heavy trio was largely influenced by dark and experimental bands such as Neurosis, The Melvins, and Eyehategod. With punishing riffs and titanic drumming, Monte Luna has been carving a name for themselves since the debut of their EP ‘The Hound’ (2016). They released their full-length, self-titled album in Fall 2017 to outstanding reviews and followed up with relentless touring in 2018.

The band signed with Italian label Argonauta Records in December 2018 and has since re-released their ‘Monte Luna’ debut on vinyl into the international markets. In 2019, Monte Luna successfully released their second album ‘Drowners Wives’, but, as with countless others, their accompanying U.S./EU. tour was postponed due to the pandemic. The band performed a CVLT Nation-Sponsored Livestream in 2020, with the audio released as a benefit to their local music venue The Lost Well. Monte Luna has slowly begun to return to shows over the past year with the culmination of this Fall 2021 tour with Temptress.

TEMPTRESS is a quartet of misfits thunderously tempting fate to boom their way across Big Texas and beyond at the speed of sound. Kelsey Wilson, Andi Cuba, Erica Pipes, and Christian Wright all decided to get together in mid-January 2019 for a simple afternoon of rocking out with the intent for nothing more than keeping their skills sharpened. They weren’t planning to be a band, it just worked.

In five months, these four seasoned players went from jamming for fun in a practice space to writing and recording some potent heavy metal songs. As Temptress, they began performing them live and in June 2019, they presented their first original songs in the ‘Temptress’ EP release. Temptress is currently putting the finishing touches on their debut full-length album, which is expected for release in early 2022.

Today, the Texas heavy duo of Temptress and Monte Luna share their travel plans in a run of U.S. tour dates for Fall 2021. Starting October 2nd in Arlington, Texas for HEAVY MASH FEST with the likes of Holy Death Trio, Summit, Warlung, Hippie Death Cult, and Rainbows Are Free, the tour then routes up the Eastern seaboard and winds across the Midwest and back down to finish in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Halloween, October 31st.

MONTE LUNA & TEMPTRESS – U.S. FALL TOUR 2021

Oct. 02 – Arlington, TX @ Division Brewing / Growl Records – Heavy Mash Fest
(w/ Holy Death Trio, Summit, Warlung, Hippie Death Cult, Rainbows Are Free)

Oct. 07 – Houston, TX @ 1810 Ojeman
Oct. 08 – Lafayette, LA @ Freetown Boom Boom Room
Oct. 09 – Baton Rouge, LA @ 524
Oct. 10 – New Orleans, LA @ Santos Bar
Oct. 11 – Panama City, FL @ Sharks’
Oct. 13 – Athens, GA @ Flicker Theatre
Oct. 14 – Asheville, NC @ Odditorium
Oct. 15 – Chapel Hill, NC @ The Kraken
Oct. 16 – TBA
Oct. 17 – Baltimore, MD @ The Depot
Oct. 18 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
Oct. 19 – Jewett City, CT @ Altone’s Music Hall
Oct. 20 – Brooklyn, NY @ Gold Sounds
Oct. 21 – Allston, MA @ O’Briens
Oct. 22 – Youngstown, OH @ Westside Bowl
Oct. 23 – Columbus, OH @ Spacebar
Oct. 24 – Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle Brewing Co.
Oct. 25 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies
Oct. 26 – Cincinnati, OH @ Legends
Oct. 27 – Louisville, KY @ Mag Bar
Oct. 28 – Nashville, TN @ The East Room
Oct. 29 – Birmingham, AL @ The Nick
Oct. 30 – Little Rock, AR @ Kanis Skatepark – Kanis Bash
Oct. 31 – Tulsa, OK @ The Whittier Bar

http://temptressofficial.com/
https://temptressofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/temptressdfw/
https://www.instagram.com/temptressofficial/
https://temptressband.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMLMPn5noaRSG1MXzsz34nw

www.facebook.com/pg/MonteLuna666
www.monteluna666.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/monte_luna_tx/
www.argonautarecords.com

Temptress, “Heavy Blues”

Monte Luna, ‘Live at Studio E’

Been a while, right? I can’t even remember what the last ‘The Obelisk Presents’ gig might’ve been, and to be honest I’d rather not make myself sad by looking it up. And let’s be clear: No, I’m not 100 percent certain that Heavy Mash Fest 2021 will happen on Oct. 2. I’m not 100 percent certain of the state that Texas, the entire United States, or the world at large will be in by the time October, or September, or a week from now comes around. And further, I’m not advocating you go if you’re uncomfortable entering a public setting. I’m not about to punk-rock-guilt anyone into leaving the house when they don’t want to do so. You need to decide where you stand on all that stuff, and any position you might take, for whatever reason, is valid. Unless you’ve refused a Covid vaccine. Then you’re dumb.

That said, I’ve supported Heavy Mash for years now, and Mark Kitchens (also of Stone Machine Electric and Slow Draw) has put together an awesome lineup with Rainbows are Free coming down from Oklahoma, Hippie Death Cult slated to travel all the way from Portland, Oregon, as well as Texas natives Monte Luna, Warlung, Holy Death Trio, Temptress and Summit. It’s a good show. I wish I could be there for it. I wish a lot of things. One way or the other, I’m happy to continue my association with the event by getting behind it in this admittedly small way. If you can make it — emphasis on “can” — I do not think you’ll come out the other end regretting it.

Full lineup announcement follows. Go with my best wishes, and probably a mask:

Heavy Mash – October 2nd, 2021

We are pleased to announce this year’s Heavy Mash! After a long year of no live show and not having Heavy Mash in 2020, our great friend Wade hosts this event at Division Brewing/Growl Records in Arlington, TX on October 2nd, 2021. Nothing but heavy music and great beer! Here is this year’s line-up:

Rainbows Are Free
Warlung
Temptress
Monte Luna
Hippie Death Cult
Holy Death Trio
Summit

Division Brewing, Growl Records, The Obelisk, Tokemage, and Fistful of Doom podcast sponsor this event. Big thanks to these folks for helping this event to flourish!

Follow Heavy Mash here to stay up to date: https://www.facebook.com/heavymash/

https://www.facebook.com/events/699442337558758/?
https://www.facebook.com/heavymash/
https://www.instagram.com/heavymashfest

Rainbows are Free, Head Pains (2019)

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

Days of Rona: Kelsey Wilson, Andi Cuba, Erica Pipes, and Christian Wright of Temptress (Dallas, Texas)

—

How are you dealing with this crisis as a band?

We are following established CDC recommendations and following our local ordinances. Three out of four of us are out of work at the moment due to business shutdowns. We hope things get back to normal in a reasonable amount of time. Safety first, we are just going with the flow at the moment.

Have you had to rework plans at all?

Indeed. We had to cancel all SXSW appearances, including Lucky Duck lineup, Stoner Jam and Spider ball. Our upcoming Arkansas and Oklahoma dates were scrapped, as well as our local/regional support slots for Weedeater/Goddamn Gallows, Weed Demon/Mother Iron Horse, War Cloud, Elder/Bask/Wo Fat, and our appearances at Sloth Fest and Thin Line Fest (Denton, TX) were all canned. We are 90 percent sure we will be cancelling our dates at the very end of May, as well. We are waiting until we are about two weeks out in hopes that the scale tips back in our favor, however it appears unlikely.

We had planned to finish recording the new album and have it pressed for a late summer/fall tour, but we all live separate and are practicing social distancing as not to put others at risk. This has stopped our rehearsal schedule and pushed back the remaining studio time we had planned. We looked at scheduling tour dates for late summer/fall regardless, since we seem to have a bit of time on our hands, however venues are saturated with holds as everyone is trying to move tours to that window at this time. Half the venues are worried about even surviving the storm. A lot are living off Go Fund Me donations and the like. I am sure we will gig regionally when things stabilize. Beyond that for 2020, only time will tell.

How is everyone’s health so far?

We are alright, stir crazy, but faring better than a lot of folks.

What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?

We are currently under stay at home orders until 5/20 in Dallas County. Otherwise, we are on par with other large urban centers nationally. https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/

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

Yes, retail, hospitality, event staff and venues are screwed. Working musicians screwed, streaming for tips seems to be a trend and pushing merch like timeshare salesmen. Got do what you have to do, that is the short of it. All the homies are feeling it.

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

We are going to persevere, personally and as a band. We are in uncharted waters, but we are strong. Look out for your family, friends, community and fellow humans, be kind and help when and where you can. We love you and we hope to see you soon. One love.

http://temptressofficial.com/
https://temptressofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/temptressdfw/
https://www.instagram.com/temptressofficial/
https://temptressband.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMLMPn5noaRSG1MXzsz34nw

Austin, Texas, is of course no stranger to hosting festival-type atmospherics. It’s the home to SXSW and Levitation Fest, among others. The first-ever Texas Jam Revival isn’t shooting for operating on the same scale — at least not in its first year — but its all-dayer bill for Sept. 6 is righteous nonetheless, with the likes of Temptress, Electric Age, Hexxus, Cloak and Mountain of Smoke supporting Forming the Void, Wo Fat and Black Tusk as a kind of triple-shot of headliner-worthy acts. I’m not sure if this is still the case, but as I recall, Forming the Void were going to hit the studio in September to record their fourth long-player, so this may well be one of the last shows they play before they do that. Go see them. Go early and see everybody. This is the kind of fest that’s done out of pure love, so if you’re in Austin, make it happen. I haven’t been down that way in a long time, but it was always worth the trip when I went.

Poster and show info follow, courtesy of Thee Facebooks:

I am so excited to introduce the first annual TEXAS JAM REVIVAL!

This year’s show is at Barracuda Austin and features:

Black Tusk
Wo Fat
Forming the Void
Mountain of Smoke (featuring Kyle Shutt of The Sword)
CLOAK
Hexxus
Electric Age
Temptress

T-shirts and silk-screen posters (featuring Daniel Augustus Marschner art) will be on sale at the show for $20 and $15 respectively, but you can get a sweetheart deal if you buy the ticket/merch combo when you buy your tickets at the Ticket Fairy link in this event.

$22 pre-sale ticket only
(fees included on all pre-sales)

$33 pre-sale ticket + shirt (ex.$45 day of show) SAVE $12 on this combo

$44 pre-sale ticket + shirt+ silkscreen poster
(ex. $60 day of show)
SAVE $16 on this combo

(Take your ticket to the TJR merchandise table for your t-shirt and/or poster)

$25 day of show

https://www.facebook.com/GRAVITOYDpresents/
https://www.facebook.com/events/472239823539755

Wo Fat, Midnight Cometh (2016)