We have a new local metal band to add to our band links, that being the new local grindcore project Tomgrindy! We've covered them on the site in the past, but this is the first word I've seen of them beyond scattered song postings. This is the newest goregrind project to be signed to Blood Shed Productions, and their lineup features label owner/Crucify The Whore mainman Ringsnaps Gibson on vocals, guitar, and programming, along with vocalists/co-writers Jacob Tombari and Jean-Paul Archambault, neither of which I'm familiar with musically. They've posted two songs on Blood Shed Productions' YouTube channel so far, one of which has a title referencing the reality show "Jon & Kate + 8" that some might find offensive, while the other (embedded below) is called "Merry Grindmas". From what I can tell, Tomgrindy (who apparently have a demo in the works) is similar to C.T.W. in musical style, albeit with some different vocal effects to go along with the grind growling/squealing (even with some rapping & spoken word sections), but this is still very much an acquired taste that feels unfinished in both length and instrument use.Lyrics and imagery aside, I think Ringsnaps' projects would get off the ground more if he got a full lineup to flesh out the material, as many listeners (especially those who don't like grind music) will likely find that it just sounds like pig squeals over distorted guitar effects. Shit Liver are proof that grind music can work locally, so why not take it that next step? I think Tomgrindy & C.T.W. could be more impactful if they did, but for now, check out "Merry Grindmas" below, and Tomgrindy are now in our Sault Ontario metal band links!
Next up, Haggith drummer Mike Haggith's newest solo album "The Present Din" is now available for streaming! Coming just a few months after the release of the oft-delayed"Neighbourhood Watch", this is Mike's 46th solo album, it was recorded
at Galactic Records with vocal tracks recorded locally at PaperClip Productions (the Haggith band's label/studio) under the supervision of Mike's Haggith bandmate Daniel Horton. The album in full features 9 songs, including the previously announced "Her Song", "The Issue", "Drown", and "Careless Space", while the new songs include "Lost Time", "November Love Song", "Door To My Mind" (which was axed from early "Neighbourhood Watch track listings), "The Issue (Resurfaced)". and "It Takes Time" (a cover of a song by the Kincheloe alternative project The Black Hole Suns.) The album's streaming copy was posted as one combined YouTube video on Mike's YouTube channel on Saturday, though I'll note that as of today, a for sale copy on his Reverbnation page has not been posted.
A softer and more upbeat release than his other recent albums, definitely check out "The Present Din" above and below, but when might we see a review of it? It won't be for a while if we do, as we just reviewed "Neighbourhood Watch" in December, but if officially goes on sale (rather than being an exclusive free stream), it looks likely for a summer review! For now though, give "The Present Din" a listen, and don't miss Mike and his namesake band at The Rockstar Bar Battle of the Bands THIS WEDNESDAY!!!!
Also in the news, here's the latest lineup news for the Rabid Whole-headlined concert at The Roosevelt Hotel on April 11th (one week from Thursday.) Yesterday, the second and final local opening band was announced, and it will be local blue Chinese metal crash punk quartet Sykotyk Rampage, in what will be their first show since February (also a Thursday night Rosie concert!) It'll be good to see the Beckers and company bringing their alternative/blues/improv hybrid back to the stage, so don't miss them come next week, or on the 17th at the third night of the Rockstar Bar Battle of the Bands! That said, the other previously announced opening band, local progressive rock quartet Machines Dream, has been forced to drop out due to bassist Craig West being scheduled for wrist surgery the night before the show. That's a definite bummer, and it'd have been cool to see them back on stage again after a long break, but hopefully they play a make-up show sooner or later! A replacement band has not been announced, but of course, stay tuned to the SMS in case we hear anything, and click here for full details on this concert!
Finally for today, we've finally found live videos of a defunct local hard rock band, that being the 2011-2012 Sault Michigan quintet Swayze Train! During their brief, yet high profile run, the band (featuring current Toast bandmates Melissa Strand, Mike Libertoski, and Tony Rogers alongside Insipid Brutality guitarist Scott Savoie & ex-Clownsack drummer Tyler Tidwell) never posted videos on their now-deleted Facebook page, but I've came across a few on a personal Facebook page that I thought I'd acknowledge on here! Remember, I don't usually promote personal Facebook video uploads, but when it's all you have, you've gotta mention it. Sault Michigan resident Paul Steinkohl posted 6 videos (some incomplete, all unembeddable) from June & July 2011 gigs, including ones featuring Swayze Train covering Avenged Sevenfold' "Nightmare", Flyleaf's "Cassie", Saliva's "Ladies & Gentlemen", Chevelle's "The Red", and two different clips of them covering Tool's "Sober (here & here), so click each link to check them out! Note as well that Paul also filmed three videos of their partial successors Toast from shows last month, including them covering Rev Theory's "Hell Yeah", Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Born On The Bayou", and Deee-Lite's "Groove Is In The Heart", all of which were posted on Toast's Facebook page.Kudos to Paul for filming these, and it's good to finally see both bands in a video! Swayze Train were really good and had a ton of chemistry, with Melissa Strand's vocals and the guitar work really shining, but I wish the lighting was better. As for Toast, their videos, occasional acoustic shows, and indications I'd heard from drummer Bob Helsten do point to a bit more varied sound, but I'll give them credit, not every band can cover both Rev Theory & Deee-Lite and make it work! Check out both bands' only known videos above, and if I'm wrong on Toast not skewing heavier, I'll let you guys know!
That's all for today, but stay tuned for this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post, a preview of the first night of the Rockstar Bar Battle of the Bands, and more! Thanks everyone!
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