Tag Archives: Mogwai

Thursday: Pallbearer & Royal Thunder at Ace of Cups

Pallbearer with Royal Thunder and Before the Eyewall play their only Ohio date at Ace of Cups on Thursday, September 13. Doors are at 8pm, show at 8:30. Tickets are $8 in advance (at Ace of Cups), $10 at the door.

How many times have I reviewed an instrumental band saying, “Not bad but find it hard to write more than a few words about the ebb and flow of the music. If they had vocals, there would be something I could latch onto and at least discuss that”? Arkansas’s Pallbearer has taken the metal instrumental sound (think of a heavier, doomier Mogwai) and added what could best (best? maybe not, but the best I can do) be described as early Ozzy-like vocals more for effect than for the listener to grab onto and singalong with.

On the current tour, sponsored by Scion A/V, Pallbearer is joined by (slipping into my Bill & Ted voice) the most excellent Royal Thunder who I had the great fortunate of interviewing earlier this year prior to the show at Ace of Cups with Baroness. For my money (and I’m sure some will disagree), Royal Thunder stole the show as Mlny Parsonz led the band through an amazing set of classic hard rock/stonerish anthems that I describe to the uninitiated as early Ann Wilson (Heart) fronting Led Sabbath.

First taste of Mogwai’s SubPop debut

While we patiently await until February 15 for the new Mogwai CD, the awesomely titled Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, the Scottish post-rock noisemakers – along with their new label, SubPop – are offering up a free download of “Rano Pano”

Check out the April/May 2011 tour dates.

Saturday night live: Crippled Black Phoenix @ The Ravari Room

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Crippled Black Phoenix/Ascent of Everest/Brainbow
Ravari Room
Saturday, April 4
$10

Six years ago, almost to the day, Chris Wood pulls off a major coup, booking Aereogramme at The Factory. Anybody remember that? It was an amazing show and the only time that the great Scottish band Aereogramme ever played in Columbus. Chris now book shows at the Ravari Room and has once again delivered a fantastic early April present to me (and the city of Columbus) – Crippled Black Phoenix. Unless you’re an Electric Wizard or Mogwai fan, you’re probably not too familiar with this band and that’s too bad. But you’ve got potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the band – 8 people strong – Saturday night. How they are all going to fit on the Ravari Room stage is worth the price of admission alone!

While the band likes to describe their music as “endtime ballads,” I think it sounds like Mogwai covering Pink Floyd for a movie soundtrack. Check it out for yourself:

MP3: Rise up and Fight

I interviewed Justin Greaves, singer/guitarist of Crippled Black Phoenix, earlier this week, the day before he (and band) were going to hop on a plane and fly halfway across the globe to play two weeks worth of dates in the U.S. Here’s a quick snippet from the interview: Continue reading

Brainbow: Trance Figure

MP3: Trance Figure by Brainbow

For a few years in Columbus, it seems like the most anticipated release has been the debut album by Brainbow. Their intricate music and epic live shows have made them a crowd favorite for a long time, drawing comparisons to everyone from Mogwai to Explosions in the Sky.

I’m happy to say that the time has come and it’s been worth the wait. They’re releasing the album Saturday, October 11 @ Skully’s. Joining them will be Sword Heaven and Envelope. Full details here. There will be lots of people. Get there early.