Tommy Gallagher and his Incredible Friends

Kick out the jams with Tommy Gallagher and friends ©

By Connie J. Schlosberg

Tommy Gallagher’s Incredible Friends’ music kicks off with a punch.  Self-described as a “Seasoned, Professional, Fun loving Jamband,” Tommy provides an innovative sound to some great favorites.  Their rendition of the Allman Brothers jazz-influenced instrumental “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” is phenomenal.  Versions of “Little Wing” and “Cosmic Ray” are remarkable.  Their approach is unconstrained, unhindered expression of complete freedom for the music.

Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tommy got together with award winning guitarist/vocalist Michael Reese, bassist Kim Stone, a five-time Grammy nominee, former Spyra Gyra alumni and current member of the Rippingtons, and drummer Lenny Campanaro, the formerly of Badfinger, Iron Butterfly and his own band Private Life in the autumn of 2007.  Both individually and collectively these guys rock the house.  No need for fancy showmanship – the music speaks for itself.  A vision of true musicianship!

You can listen to a sampler at www.myspace.com/tommygallagher.com.  I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

 

Upcoming Shows

ACID JAZZ JAM ‘WE’RE BACK’ Sunday, June 7, 2009, 8:30 PM Hosted by Kim Stone The Ancient Mariner 962 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO

For more information on Tommy Gallagher and his Incredible Friends, please visit:

http://www.tommygallagher.net

http://www.myspace.com/tommygallagher

Music and Censorship ©

 

Artists should be given free reign in the creation and display of their works regardless if

these said pieces of work offend or disparage some – or even – all persons’ beliefs and

values. Artists should be able to create, write and perform and use whatever it is that

drives them to accomplish the works that they do. Sometimes artists choose to use their

work as a forum for their political and religious beliefs and ideas. This is no different

than politicians and religious leaders using their positions to promote their ideologies.

There is no reason why an artist cannot use their freedom of expression in their songs,

books, or art. Suppressing freedom is damaging to the individual freedoms that are the

basic civil rights of all citizens. If even just one person is allowed to voice his/her

opinions and concerns – regardless of what form they choose to use – then every person

shall be able to do the same if he/she so desires. There is no guarantee that anyone else

will pay attention if the message is not appealing. However, it is the right of every

American citizen to practice free speech including various forms of artistic expression.

After the United States Constitution had been written, some of the Founding Fathers

wanted to ratify it to exclude such items as the Bill of Rights – including the first

amendment – to guarantee rights to all of its citizens. Not all Americans approved of the

new Constitution, arguing that it gave too much power to a centralized, federal

government and that it lacked a bill of rights to protect citizens against the coercive

powers of the state. The Federalist Papers were started by Alexander Hamilton and

James Madison to argue for these ratifications to the United States Constitution. These

publications attempted to finesse the country towards their way of thinking. Eventually

the desire for a stable federal government and the promise of the prompt addition of the

bill of rights, brought ratification from the required majority of states.

With that said, this is still a country comprised of “We the people” and artists are

certainly a part of that citizenry. Every voice shall be heard no matter how that voice is

parlayed whether it is via a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., a novel by Mark Twain, a

photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe or a song by Green Day. In Rolling Stone

magazine’s issue 1039, Eddie Vedder was asked if free speech is in danger. He replied,

“Absolutely, at the hands of those in power – big corporations… It doesn’t seem like a

far stretch – that our daily communication and access to information can be controlled

and monitored…” In August 2007, Vedder’s band Pearl Jam performed in Chicago at

Lollapalooza which was being broadcasted by AT&T. While playing their song

“Daughter,” they interjected riffs from Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” altering

lyrics to criticize President George Bush. No one who saw the broadcast heard more than

the first line because AT&T had censored the rest of it. After receiving a lot of flack, the

company apologized for its action, stating that it had made a mistake and changed current

company policy to respect freedom of expression and “believes it is a foundation of our

free society to express differing points of view.” AT&T stated they will not terminate,

disconnect or suspend service because of the views anyone expresses on public policy

matters, political issues or political campaigns.

Madonna is an artist who is no stranger to controversy with her work. Her video for

“Like a Prayer” caused a commotion with the Catholic Church. The video contained

images of stigmata, burning crosses and a rape scene which offended many Catholics.

Madonna should have the right to articulate how she wants to show the meaning of her

music. The American government and society ought not to interfere with her dalliances.

Their responsibility to artists as well as the rest of its inhabitants is to permit unalienable

natural rights that it supposedly stands for. As Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong said,

“I’m a musician and I want to say positive things. If it’s about self-indulgent depression

or overthrowing the government, it’s gotta come from my heart.” Perhaps this freedom

enhances the artist’s ability to make his/her audience think. Without this right to free

speech, the country may never have changed and grown. Even if the message is one that

not everyone agrees with, it still put forth a new or different perspective worth at least a

second glance or listen. A country cannot prosper without respecting the diversity of its

people.

Artists’ responsibility to society is to maintain their integrity with their work. No matter

what the message is from the artist, it should reflect the artist’s own beliefs and values. If

this message should attract an audience and inspire them to think or act differently, then

there should be no interference from the government or institutions that lead the country.

The only exception may be if a law was broken – unless of course – it is the law that is

being questioned. Even if the message repulses an audience, then maybe this is the intent

of the artist. Sometimes people need to see the reality in things even if those things are

ugly. That may be the only way to get people motivated to change. If they are not

inclined to do so, they have the option to turn it off or look away or create something in

protest of it.

Montreal Band Karmadoza pays tribute to The B-52s

 

 

Paying great homage to the “world’s greatest party” band but forgoing the bouffant hairdos, progressive band Karmadoza’s latest album – “K-52s – A Tribute to The B-52s” – is chock full of splendid songs from the new wave rock pioneers The B-52s.  Karmadoza features a collection of Montreal’s hip accomplished musicians:  Guitarist Stéphane Vigeant (Floating Widget, Madking Ludwig, Groovy Aardvark), Vocalist Vicky Martel (Vénus 3, Killing Venus), Guitarist François Legendre (Paranoland, Groovy Aardvark, Lumberjack), Drummer Raphaël Corbeil (Madking Ludwig), and Bassist/Vocalist Vincent Peake (Kosmos, Floating Widget, Groovy Aardvark, Grim Skunk).

     Karmadoza’s eleven song album – currently available for download through www.emusic.com – features The B-52s classics of their signature anthem 52 Girls, Lava, and 6060-842 from their kitschy self-titled debut album.  Karmadoza’s 52 Girls version rivals that of the Offspring’s cover.  The rhythm section really savages the beat.  Vicky’s melodious vocals equally match both Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson.  Vincent `a la Fred Schneider harmoniously duets with Vicky, keeping the music as amusing as it should be.  The more psychedelic Private Idaho, Dirty Back Road, Strobe Light, and Give Me Back My Man – a campy song about a woman losing her “man” to a man-eating shark – from the “Wild Planet album”.  Karmadoza exhibit these absurd renditions in fabulous style.  My favorite cover is Channel Z, a quirky tune about a fictional radio station. 

     This album is the pursuit of fun loving pop culture at its best.  Rather than being nostalgic, the usually rock/metal influenced Karmadoza modernizes The B-52s sound without imitating it.  Their purpose is pure; the quality is inventive.  It’s a fresh, liberating musicianship as opposed to cheesy pop-tart art.  If The B-52s welded punk rock into new wave, then Karmadoza transformed new wave back into punk rock. 

     To find out more, please visit Karmadoza’s Myspace page at www.myspace.com/karmadoza.

 

Click here for a free download of “52 Girls”  http://www.karmadoza.com/K52/52_Girls.mp3
Enjoy!

The Kosmic Konnection – Kosmos Premiere Album Reviewed

Kosmos – a new project by Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin – is dedicated to progressive music at its psychedelic best. Both friends and musicians, these guys must have launched together in the spaceship that traveled them back to atomic punk. All of them – experienced in their art – give them license to explore the genre further. Joining Away on his space odyssey is the flamboyant hip swiveling JetPhil giving us his smoky groove guitar playing, the omnipresent Vincent Peake providing his rocket-fueled bass, and Alex Crow, guitar extraordinaire and electrically-talented keyboardist.

Dedicated to Denis “Piggy” D’amour, Voivod’s singular guitarist, who succumbed to colon cancer in August 2005, the album’s 12 songs are each chock full of bizarre distortions set to the maximum level taking you on a time traveling journey. The first song, which happens to be my favorite, Psycho has flavors of 70s prog rock bands such as Yes and Rush. JetPhil captures Jeff Beck’s guitar sounds at his best and Alex Crow channels Rick Wakeman in this whirlwind ride. Dreams remind me of a lullaby high on laser beams while Grand Grizou flies the spaceship to the next galaxy. The space-induced whispers of Yawa leads into the cosmic shaman sounding Indu Kush complete with Indian chants and featuring Away’s notoriously thunderous drumming.

This mostly instrumental album also has a couple of tunes with vocals. The Mark Bolan-style bluesy Much Too Old featuring Xavier Caféϊne on vocals and the poetic spaced-out Amerique Innavouable showcasing Vince Peake’s incredible bass grooves. Krautrock is a generous tribute to all the Kraut rock bands like Hawkwind, Zombi, and Monster Magnet. Finishing the tour is rocket-fueled Septial and Mess Noire – a 70’s grooved song that’ll have you up and dancing wondering what happened to Be-ins.

The best thing about Kosmos is the dream journey they unwittingly take you on – letting you forget the troubles of today and finding a future in your tomorrows. Close your eyes and keep believing.

Please visit their website at www.myspace.com/kosmostheband.

Featured Band – The Asylum

THE ASYLUM – Hot Arizona Metal 

Looking for a great sound with an innovative crunch and ferocious complexity?  You’ll have that with The Asylum – an up and coming Phoenix-based heavy metal band.  Self-described as emotional, powerful, heavy and aggressive, The Asylum certainly live up to their expectations.  Reminiscent of old Metallica and Megadeth, they effectively break the sound barrier of mainstream metal.

Formed in the summer of 2005, the lineup consists of Jason Kendall’s spine chilling vocals, Vince LuPone’s faster than the speed of light guitar playing, Gerard Burick’ assailing thunderous bass and Dan Edwards’ head banging drums.

Recorded in Vince’s home studio, their debut album Closer to the Evil contains 11 songs of intense magnitude.  You can listen to a sampler at www.myspace.com/theasylummetalband.com.  The album starts with the riveting “This War Ends” which showcases each member’s talents.  Jason’s vocals sound like a pumped up Rob Zombie.  Mellower “Torn Apart” is The Asylum’s powerhouse ballad – metal style.  The album finishes with “Boundaries” a nine minute thought-provoking piece.  Lyrics are challenging with opalescent rendering.

The Asylum is currently touring Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico with a few dates at the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go in Los Angeles.  Make an effort to join Jason Kendall in lacing up your straight jackets and go see them live.  Tickets are available for the Whiskey shows at their MySpace page.  

The Asylum – “This War Ends” live at the Whisky a Go Go

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Current tour dates are as follows:

Upcoming Shows ( view all )

Aug 10 2007

9:00P

Andersons Fifth Estate Scottsdale, Arizona

Aug 15 2007

10:30P

Whisky a Go Go Los Angeles, California

Aug 24 2007

10:30P

Alice Cooperstown Phoenix, Arizona

Sep 28 2007

11:15P

Whisky a Go Go Los Angeles, California

Oct 27 2007

11:00P

Club Red Tempe, Arizona

 Please visit their websites at www.TheAsylumFans.net or www.myspace.com/theasylummetalband.com.