Scott Stapp - Slow Suicide - Proof of Life

Scott Stapp just released a new song called Slow Suicide for his upcoming album "Proof of Life" that's due to hit on November 11 this year. You've probably heard, Scott has made serious changes in his life and has even written a book about it called Sinner's Creed. By the sound of this song, his music is a little different now (my son thinks it's better than new Creed), and has a more straight up hard rock feel. I am glad that he didn't go in a more mellow direction. Part of what I liked about him in the early Creed years was how he brought the house down vocally, building on the choruses. It's good to have him back in an even better way. I'm excited to hear the rest of the album.

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Kevin Hayes

Kevin is a singer songwriter based out of the Chicago, Illinois area. A song passed through my desk that he just composed, and I must say, it is refreshing. Kevin is a dynamic soul singer teamed up with highly talented acoustic guitarist Matt Kupcso. They just released a new song called Never Felt This Kind of Love and are set to release an EP soon titled Pure. Their sound is very signature and not like something you would hear too often, if at all. It has a very bluesy, alternative-acoustic sound with soul. The lyrics are very thoughtful and sung beautifully. You can purchase their song on Itunes and CD Baby. Be on the lookout for this EP. I am sure it will be nice.

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Mouth of the South - Transparency

Ok, I don't feature a band on my blog very often unless they really get my attention. 2 or 3 years back I found out about Mouth of the South when they were a little band. I checked them out, found them worthy, and put them on my metal post with all the other bands. But lately, I have noticed a lot of buzz about this band. As with most of the tiny, underground bands I find, I figured they would make an EP and fold after about a year or so. But not these guys. After scoping two videos for their songs Riddance and Uprooted, I was blown away. These guys have definitely not only mastered their craft, but have brought a new sound the metal market. Finally, something truly heavy with groove. I hope this is an indicator of the direction metal is taking now, because this is good! Here is one of the songs that I mentioned. I think you'll agree too.

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Photo credit goes to:  Prison Mike

Deeper Well

There is some really nice music ministry brewing on the West Coast at Door of Hope. Door of Hope is a Portland, Oregon based church pastored by Josh White (formerly of Telecast, now with The Followers and Pilgrim). I also believe this is where Josh Garrels (my favorite musician) gathers. Deeper Well is the name given to their music ministry where those that desire to express their musical giftings get to. Artists like La Liberte, Wesley Randolph Eader, Holly Ann and others make up this group of musical troubadours. I recently received an email for a video of a song called Empty Me Out, sung by Liz Vice. She also sings with The Followers, and let me tell you, she's got that soul. Here are a couple of videos from the Deeper Well Collective. Enjoy!

P-Munnay

I just recently found out about an up and coming hip hop artist called P-Munnay. The thing that intrigues me about him is that he seems very ministry-oriented. He has a new album called Changed (The Gates) due to release in early September. On his website, he has a free track available off the album as well as a personalized promo video and music video. If Hip Hop is your thing, then you should check out P-Munnay.

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My Cat Puddinhead - Interview

An interview with Derek Close, bassist for the band My Cat Puddinhead.

Derek Close (Pictured Above)

So what years were you officially active as a band and where did you guys form?

• I think the total run was '93 to '96. Maybe '97? The two Mikes and Tony started the project and I'm not sure how they all got together. They had a bass player but things didn't work out. I had done some casual jamming with Mike Young a year or so before and he called me up and asked if I could fill in for an upcoming gig. During this time, the band I was playing with fell apart so I joined on as Puddinhead's bassist. I came in late '93 and was with them until June '94.

Who all was in the band?

• Mike Blake: Vocals, Lead/Rhythm Guitar
• Mike Young: Drums
• Tony Benedetti: Lead/Rhythm Guitar
• Derek Close: Bass (until June '94)
• Jeremy Christopherson: Bass (June/July '94 on)

Do you still keep in touch? And if so, what is everyone doing now?

• I've lost touch with the guys over the years. I haven't heard what Mike Young and Tony are up to these days. Mike Blake went on to play with Grammatrain for a bit then he and Paul Roraback joined forces and formed Gideon's Press which then became The Illustrated Band. I'm not sure what he's doing now but I'd be willing to bet it involves music.

So did you guys put out one album or do you have other recordings?

• There are 2 Puddinhead recordings. The Self-Titled cassette and the CD that I've heard referred to as For Sale by Owner.

Where did you record it?

• The first album was recorded at Creation Studios in Everett, WA. I was no longer in the band for the 2^nd release but I do have a copy of it. It was recorded at Audio Genesis Studios.

You guys have a really interesting sound. Kind of hard to pin down. It seems like it combines elements of many of the grunge sounds of the 90's. Did one person do the writing or was it more collaborative?

• Mike Blake was the principal writer. He'd come in with a song, or idea and we'd jam on it until it was complete. Each member would play along constructing our parts, throw in ideas for nuance or punch or the like. It worked for us and usually went really smooth.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

My personal favorite is Finger. Did you guys have a song off the album that you liked to play most?

• Wow. That's a tough question. I don't know about the other guys, but I really enjoyed most of the songs we played. I think it would be safe to say that we enjoyed the music we played and we enjoyed playing together.

What did most people seem to enjoy hearing live?

• Another tough question. I don't recall any specific song that people seemed to like most live or were drawn to. The feedback we did get was positive. At this time we were a young, unheard of band swimming in a sea of unknowns. So most shows we played were for people hearing us for the first time.

What was your favorite?

• If I had to pick one it would either be Sick or Kinda-Bent.

Describe a My Cat Puddinhead show for us who never got to see you play live?

• We played a lot of small clubs in Seattle so most shows where just us playing under whatever houselights the venue had. It would be pretty typical, four guys rocking with some fog or smoke with a little banter between songs. We didn't have any signature moves or choreographed “dance” steps or the like. We got up, played our songs then usually watched the next band or two.

I know Sub Pop was one of the big labels around that time. Were you ever approached by any labels?

• Non that I know of. Again, we were just getting our feet wet and starting to build a fan base. I didn't hear of any labels approaching them after I had departed.

Did you ever share the stage with some of the grunge icons of the past?

• Unfortunately not. We did do a couple of shows with Soulfood '76. They were really good and lasted longer than Puddinhead did.

What bands did you guys play with?

• I can't remember the names as most of them were unknowns also. Plus it's only been about 20 years. Besides Soulfood '76, there was Bucket, one called Mama, and another called Clutch or some kind of car part. I remember Chump, too.

What was it like being a part of that scene back in the day? I mean you were so close to where it all happened.

• The music scene was pretty nuts in Seattle. You had Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and Nirvana who were hometown heroes and all eyes were on Seattle. Everybody was hoping to be discovered so vying for attention was pretty difficult. It was hard to even get a good slot to play in. We did a lot of late night shows that were on the mid-week schedule. And a lot of those were in between 3 or 4 other bands that were scheduled for that night.
  
  
  
  
  

Do you ever think that if you stuck it out for another album or two you might have been a part of that success?

• I've always thought that Puddinhead had a real shot of being able to break through. Even after I left the band I expected them to go further than they did. As I mentioned before, they did release a 2^nd album that got fair reviews and a good reception from the established fan base. I picked up a copy, too. I think if they gave it more time they could have gone further.

How important was faith in Jesus to My Cat Puddinhead?

• Extremely! We were all believers, attended the same church and played on the Worship Team. As any believer knows, our walk with Christ is an every day, every moment thing. He is a part of you and not something you can pick up or set down at leisure. God is nn my mind the majority of the time.

Do you have any final words you would like to say to your readers?

• Thanks for your interest in My Cat Puddinhead. Finding out that people are still listening to and/or just discovering something you had a hand in is pretty cool. It was fun taking a walk down Memory Lane!
  
  
  
  
  
  
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Interviewer:  Cory Enderby

Interview done on July 30,2013

John Elefante

I'm stoked to announce today that I discovered a really nice musician, and his name is John Elefante. Some of you are asking, "Where have you been man?" The truth is, I've heard of Mastodon, and I know about Kerry Livgren, but to my knowledge, have never really checked out John until seeing this groovy album cover and a 5 star review from Bill Roxx. So hear it is, and believe me, if you dig progressive tunes that have a true "70's quality feel", then you will really dig on this. Check out this video recording to his 11 minute track titled "This is how the story goes". I'm impressed to the max, how about you?


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