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SS-135 :: FIVE HORSE JOHNSON – The Taking Of The Black Heart

TRACK LIST

1. The Job
2. Keep On Diggin’
3. Black Heart Baby
4. Mexico
5. Beating In My Hand
6. Quick On The Trigger
7. Smash & Grab
8. Hangin’ Tree
9. You’re My Girl
10. Shoot My Way Out
11. Die In The River

 

ALBUM INFO

The blues means many things to many people. To some, the purists, it is the scratchy honesty of Robert Johnson with his devil-fueled fretwork. To others, it is the giants that followed him, from Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters to the Kings – Albert and BB. To others still, it is the rock ’n’ roll that those old guys influenced, be it Cream, the Stones or early Fleetwood Mac.

The truth, of course, is that the blues is whatever you want it to be. If a group of musicians wants to drink a few beers or a quart of bourbon, smoke some unfiltered cigarettes, plug in a guitar, see what happens and call it the blues, who are we to argue?

When Five Horse Johnson formed back in 1995, referring to itself as a Blues Band, a few brows might well have been furrowed. However, this is a band that has always understood that the blues isn’t a formula, but a way of looking at the world; their take on the blues is as a dirty, sensual thing, enhanced with a healthy dose of humor.

Five Horse Johnson is now seventeen years and six albums into its career, with a seventh about to drop. The band has dug out a niche of its own, combining their love and respect for traditional blues and classic rock to become one of the most loved and respected bands in the stoner rock community. Always a freight train live, the band has toured hard with the likes of Clutch and Halfway to Gone, in the process gathering fans, friends, and drinking partners all over the world.

Five Horse Johnson’s new album, The Taking of Black Heart is due for release via Small Stone Records in January 2013. It is the band’s first full-length record since 2006’s The Mystery Spot, which saw Five Horse Johnson, with the help of Clutch’s Jean Paul Gaster helming the drums, create its strongest album up to that point.

That record saw Gaster and Steve Smith provide more power than a Super Hemi. Brad Coffin’s guitar never sounded lither and his voice never stronger. Eric Oblander’s harp, meanwhile, is as sharp as a tailfin, his gravelly vocal delivery a growling, howling counterpoint to Coffin’s gruff style. Other collaborators on The Mystery Spot included Roadsaw/Antler’s Craig Riggs and Big Chief’s Phil Durr and Mark Dancey. Durr is now an official member of the band.

During the time away, Durr has been working with fellow Small Stone band Luder, while Oblander was chosen to front a semi-reunited Necros opening for hardcore heroes Negative Approach at St. Andrew’s Hall (the band was named Sorcen – Necros spelled backwards).

Now though, Five Horse Johnson is back, preparing to rip the world a new orifice all over again with The Taking of Black Heart, which again features Gaster on drums and is produced by J Robbins of Jawbox (who also contributes some organ and percussion).

The Five Horse Johnson lineup for the album is Eric Oblander (vox/harp), Brad Coffin (vox/ guitar), Steve Smith (bass) and Phil Dürr (guitar). The album also includes a special guest appearance from Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, who contributes vocals on the song “You’re My Girl (I Don’t Want To Talk About It)”.

The Taking of Black Heart was recorded at the Magpie Cage in Baltimore, MD. The vocals were recorded at Kozy’s Chop Shop at Sunroom Studio in Detroit, MI by Bill Kozy and Erik Maluchnik. “You’re My Girl (I Don’t Want To Talk About It)” was produced by Bill Kozy. The album was mastered by Chris Goosman at Baseline Audio Labs in Ann Arbor, MI. Fine arts are by Mark Dancey, and textiles are by Vince Williams at Creative Print in Warren, MI. Executive producer is Scott Hamilton. Robin Zander appears courtesy of Cheap Trick.

Five Horse Johnson is not a band that makes apologies. A decade into its life, compromise is not an option. The truth is, this is hard, heavy, dirty blues rock ’n’ roll for people that like that sort of thing. This music is for people who like the sound of an engine roaring or the feeling obtained by following a cold beer with a shot of good whisky. Five Horse Johnson will gladly kick your ass, and then wait for you to say thank you.

 

Credits

Five Horse Johnson is:
Eric Oblander: vox & harp
Brad Coffin: vox & guitar
Steve Smith: bass
Phil Dürr: Guitar

Additional Musicians:
Jean Paul Gaster: drums
Robin Zander: vox on “You’re My Girl (I Don’t Want To Talk About It)”
J. Robbins: organ, percussion

Recorded and Produced by J. Robbins.
Recorded at The Magpie Cage / Baltimore, MD.
Vox recorded by Bill Kozy and Erik Maluchnik at Kozy’s Chop Shop at Sunroom Studios – Detroit, MI.
“You’re My Girl (I Don’t Want To Talk About It)” produced by Bill Kozy.
Mastered by Chris Goosman at Baseline Audio Labs – Ann Arbor, MI.
Fine Arts: Mark Dancey.
Textiles: Vince Williams at Creative Print – Warren, MI.
Executive Producer: Scott Hamilton.
Robin Zander appears courtesy of Cheap Trick.

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2 January 2015 Read more

FIVE HORSE JOHNSON

Blues: a. a song, originating with American blacks, that is marked by the frequent occurrence of blue notes, and that takes the basic form, customarily improvised upon in performance, of a 12-bar chorus consisting of a 3-line stanza with the second line repeating the first. b. the genre constituting such songs.

~Dictionary.com

The blues means many things to many people. To some, the purists, it is the scratchy honesty of Robert Johnson with his devil-fueled fretwork. To others, it is the giants that followed him, from Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters to the Kings – Albert and BB. To others still, it is the rock ’n’ roll that those old guys influenced, be it Cream, the Stones or early Fleetwood Mac.

The truth, of course, is that the blues is whatever you want it to be. If a group of musicians wants to drink a few beers or a quart of bourbon, smoke some unfiltered cigarettes, plug in a guitar, see what happens and call it the blues, who are we to argue?

When Five Horse Johnson formed back in 1995, referring to itself as a Blues Band, a few brows might well have been furrowed. However, this is a band that has always understood that the blues isn’t a formula, but a way of looking at the world; their take on the blues is as a dirty, sensual thing, enhanced with a healthy dose of humor.

Five Horse Johnson is now seventeen years and six albums into its career, with a seventh about to drop. The band has dug out a niche of its own, combining their love and respect for traditional blues and classic rock to become one of the most loved and respected bands in the stoner rock community. Always a freight train live, the band has toured hard with the likes of Clutch and Halfway to Gone, in the process gathering fans, friends, and drinking partners all over the world.

Five Horse Johnson’s new album, The Taking of Black Heart is due for release via Small Stone Records in January 2013. It is the band’s first full-length record since 2006’s The Mystery Spot, which saw Five Horse Johnson, with the help of Clutch’s Jean Paul Gaster helming the drums, create its strongest album up to that point.

That record saw Gaster and Steve Smith provide more power than a Super Hemi. Brad Coffin’s guitar never sounded lither and his voice never stronger. Eric Oblander’s harp, meanwhile, is as sharp as a tailfin, his gravelly vocal delivery a growling, howling counterpoint to Coffin’s gruff style. Other collaborators on The Mystery Spot included Roadsaw/Antler’s Craig Riggs and Big Chief’s Phil Durr and Mark Dancey. Durr is now an official member of the band.

During the time away, Durr has been working with fellow Small Stone band Luder, while Oblander was chosen to front a semi-reunited Necrosopening for hardcore heroes Negative Approach at St. Andrew’s Hall (the band was named Sorcen – Necros spelled backwards).

Now though, Five Horse Johnson is back, preparing to rip the world a new orifice all over again with The Taking of Black Heart, which again features Gaster on drums and is produced by J Robbins of Jawbox(who also contributes some organ and percussion).

The Five Horse Johnson lineup for the album is Eric Oblander (vox/harp), Brad Coffin (vox/ guitar), Steve Smith (bass) and Phil Dürr (guitar). The album also includes a special guest appearance from Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, who contributes vocals on the song “You’re My Girl (I Don’t Want To Talk About It)”.

The Taking of Black Heart was recorded at the Magpie Cage in Baltimore, MD. The vocals were recorded at Kozy’s Chop Shop at Sunroom Studio in Detroit, MI by Bill Kozy and Erik Maluchnik. “You’re My Girl (I Don’t Want To Talk About It)” was produced by Bill Kozy. The album was mastered by Chris Goosman at Baseline Audio Labs in Ann Arbor, MI. Fine arts are by Mark Dancey, and textiles are by Vince Williams at Creative Print in Warren, MI. Executive producer is Scott Hamilton. Robin Zander appears courtesy of Cheap Trick.

Five Horse Johnson is not a band that makes apologies. A decade into its life, compromise is not an option. The truth is, this is hard, heavy, dirty blues rock ’n’ roll for people that like that sort of thing. This music is for people who like the sound of an engine roaring or the feeling obtained by following a cold beer with a shot of good whisky. Five Horse Johnson will gladly kick your ass, and then wait for you to say thank you.

  • Copyright© Small Stone Recordings

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9 December 2014 Read more

SS-142 :: LUDER – Adelphophagia

TRACK LIST

1. Never Liked You
2. Astrolabe
3. One Eye
4. Heartfelt
5. Ask The Sky
6. You Try It
7. Dirge
8. I’m Afraid Of Americans
9. Remember What I Said

 

 

 

ALBUM INFO:

 

The title of Luder’s 2009 debut, Sonoluminescence (released on Small Stone), referred to sound waves reacting on passing through a substance to create light — sort of a long way around to expressing the illumination the four players felt came through their collaborating, but fitting.

Progressive, psychedelic, stylistically intricate, the album was recorded and mixed by Eric Hoegemeyer at Rustbelt Studios and mastered by Chris Gooseman. Comprising 10 songs that effectively blended Luder’s diverse influences, tracks flowed seamlessly from driving dark prog to languid shoegazing, bassist Sue Lott’s vocals tying pieces together with the apparent effortlessness of a virtuoso.

So it is four years later, on Luder’s follow-up, Adelphophagia. Another research-worthy title – this one relating to the phenomenon of one embryo consuming another in utero – and another deeply varied collection of textural, smooth, frequently heavy rock and roll that has as much in common with Portishead as it does with Black Sabbath.

Sue, Phil, Scott and Eric once again recorded with Hoegemeyer (who also contributes piano, backing vocals, percussion, etc.), and as well as boldly taking on David Bowie’s 1997 single, “I’m Afraid of Americans,” the album pushes Luder’s creative breadth further; new, dominant ideas and methods consuming others over a years-long writing period to become the expansive scope of “Dirge” or the grunge-y attitude-drenched kissoff “Never Liked You.” Luder find room to balance their love of classic prog in “KrautJam” with an organic songwriting sensibility – the sweet melodies of its chorus are as memorable as they are exploding with color.

Shows are sporadic, but Luder has shared the stage with Kyuss Lives!, Fu Manchu, Lo-Pan, Freedom Hawk, Lord Fowl, Suplecs, Dixie Witch, House of Broken Promises, Gozu and many others. As Luder come into their own on Adelphophagia, look to catch them on stage periodically and expect to be consumed by their warm and eerily welcome wash.

 

Credits

Luder is:
Eric Miller: drums & percussion
Sue Lott: bass & vox
Phil Dürr: guitars & leads
Scott Hamilton: guitars & effects

Additional Players:
Eric Hoegemeyer: piano, backing vox, percussion, sounds
Matthew Richards: backing vocals and other noises

Produced by Eric Hoegemeyer and Luder .
Recorded and engineered by Eric Hoegemeyer, Steve Lehane, and Alex Kaye.
Recorded at Rust Belt Studios – Royal Oak, MI.
Vocals recorded and engineered by Clyde Wilson at Mount Doom Studio – Warren, MI.
Mixed by Eric Hoegemeyer at Tree Laboratory – Brooklyn, NY.
Mastered by Chris Goosman at Baseline Audio – Ann Arbor, MI.
Art by Matthew Richards and Sue Lott (mochimad.com).
Photography by Matthew Richards and Sue Lott.
Lighting assistance by Rich Watson (digitalfarm.net).
Textiles by The T-Shirt Guy – Warren, MI.

All songs written by Luder, except “I’m Afraid Of Americans” written by David Bowie, Brian Eno, published by TINTORETTO MUSIC / UPALA MUSIC INC (BMI).
Published by Small Stone Records (ASCAP).

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BOTTOM

p from the fiery bottom of New York City’s Lower East Side, sexier than Satan himself, the all-femme rock-outfit BOTTOM continues to raise hell. Lead by three siren mosh-heads, BOTTOM is volume drenched metal built on a foundation of riff and heavy groove.

BOTTOM’s second long player, “Feels So Good When You’re Gone,” was produced by studio guru Billy Anderson (Mr. Bungle, Neurosis, Sleep). After the fall of Mans Ruin Records, “Feels So” is proudly being re-issued by the band on Rise Above Records. Spinning a sinister tale in a glamorous landscape of the Apocalypse, “Feels so Good when You’re Gone” is thick with monster riffs, killer hooks and guaranteed to simultaneously make your ears bleed and your doomed heart leap with joy.

BOTTOM’s debut album, “Made in Voyage,” was recorded in NYC, produced by Greg Gordon (engineer for Slayer, Helmet, and Public Enemy) and released in 1999 on the band’s label Mudflap Records.

BOTTOM first escaped from New York City in April 1999, carving out a new world order for self-sufficient DIY touring bands: living in their van, playing 300 shows a year, taking no prisoners, and destroying a new town every night. Notorious road queens, BOTTOM spent the summer of 2001 cranking out a daily double-header with a crushing 70 shows in 40 odd days schedule: tearing up the Vans’ WARPed Tour by day and headlining at their club tour by night.

BOTTOM’s explosive live show has provided them billings with national acts such as: AFI, AlienAntFarm, Backyard Babies, BellRays, Blessing the Hogs, Buzzov*en, Buckcherry, Cannibal Corps, Candy Snatchers, Crisis, Cosmic Psychos, Electric Wizard, The Fall, Everlast, Drivin’n’Cryin’, H2O, Hank Williams Jr. III, Heroine Sheiks, High On Fire, HonkyToast, Joey Ramone and the Independents, Leadfoot, Lenny Kaye, Lunachicks, Nashville Pussy, Nile, Mike Watt, Misfits, Murphy’s Law, Raging Slab, Rancid, Rollins Band, Speedealer, Spirit Caravan, Suicide Kings, Step Kings, 60 Watt Shaman, 311, Toilet Boys, Trouble, and The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black.

BOTTOM proudly smashes, blows up, breaks, and explodes: Gibson, Fodera, Esh, and Ampeg.

  • Copyright© Small Stone Recordings

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9 December 2014 Read more