Tag Archives: influences

Kurt Travis is a singer-songwriter based out of Sacramento, California. Best known for his former fronting of post-hardcore bands Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds, and current band Royal Coda, Travis continues to boost his profile as a solo artist. He had begun this endeavor in the early …

Max Cavalera continues on strong footing, having made tremendous strides amidst some serious hurdles in his nearly three-and-a-half-decade career. As a teenager, the born-and-bred Brazilian singer-guitarist would lead his Belo Horizonte band, Sepultura, out of the country’s largely isolated metal scene despite looming financial straits. Eventually relocating to Phoenix, Arizona …

Back in the early-to-mid 2000s, Tony West led the punk-tinged hard rock collective Blacklist Union toward a level of acclaim that burns strong to this day. The San Francisco-based band is presently in quintet form, rounded out by guitarists Em K and Johnny Johnson, bassist Joey Alva, and drummer Anthony …

Katie Knipp is an acclaimed, multifaceted blues rock musician hailing from northern California. Honing her indie craft since the late 90s, the singer/songwriter’s solo act transcends such stature. Poignant as it is undeterred, Knipp has thus earned a host of slots opening for the greats – everyone from Robert Cray, …

VNV Nation continues to earn international album success, live performance acclaim, and an exponentially growing fanbase. Throughout the project’s numerous permutations, which include both full-band and solo efforts, its principle proprietor has always been singer-songwriter and producer Ronan Harris, an Irishman based in Germany for nearly two decades. In its …

The Stars Revolt have achieved prominence on a national level through their melancholy-tinged, yet wholly palatable brand of rock. Hailing from Kentucky, the Louisville quartet first accumulated certain live buzz, which was accentuated by the release of their debut single, “Goodnight, Goodnight” last summer. Their core is driven by Richie …

Russ Carrick delivers a signature combination of bright power pop hooks and dingy alternative textures. Strongly influenced by 80s and 90s indie rock, the Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter has successfully implemented this formula into two albums, the most recent being Tense Present, which saw release back in early October. I caught up …

After a five-year lapse, Deuce has returned. His upcoming sophomore solo album, Invincible, sees release on December 1st, and features a tightly-strewn, revitalized blend of rock riffs atop a hip hop foundation. Since starting anew with TAG Publicity through his label, Better Noise Records, the Los Angeles-bred, Portland-based rapper deemed …

Castle Black’s dense riff sequences and contrasting harmonic structures prove a competent force to take in. Based out of Brooklyn, New York, the alt rock trio comprises vocalist/guitarist Leigh Celent, bassist Lisa Low and drummer Matthew Bronner. In a relatively short span, they have already received critical acclaim from such …

After a lapse of non-musical endeavors, veteran New Jersey guitarist Kenny Dubman released his debut solo album, Reckless Abandon. The album effectively channels Dubman’s roots—a hearty amalgamation of 70s-tinged hard rock—while celebrating his newfound inspiration. Its presentation comes off as a rarity in today’s modern rock climate, a majority of …

In 1981, Culture Club created a sound unifying the exotic and contemporary. Their presentation of reggae, blue-eyed soul, and dance elements, along with the visceral androgyny of front man Boy George, catapulted them to stardom just a year after forming. International chart toppers such as “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya,” “Time …