The LOCAL Recommended

Stephen Rey and the Slicks

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:21:00 GMT

"Old Fashioned Future" Album Review

Jun 1, 2011 | Universal Music Tribe | Album Reviews

"Stephen Rey & The Slicks are one fine West Coast rock and roll band, and their new album Old Fashioned Future rawks full tilt boogie, baby. From the damn near punk of “Starin’ at My Grave” to the rockabilly feel of the title track “Old Fashioned Future,” this is a non-stop sonic bombast and dance party on a plastic disc. Former Boxmasters guitar guru Mike Butler adds a lot of color to the picture, and there are a box load of great tunes here. “Diesel Dream” is a rockin’ tribute to truckers, and “Dirt Road” is made to be played loud. Just a great band and a seriously rocking record." Michael Buffalo Smith

http://www.stephenreyandtheslicks.com/

The Bloody Hollies

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:17:00 GMT

Ever since The BLOODY HOLLIES made their presence felt in their native rust belt home of Buffalo, New York, they have excelled as one of the premier Rock'n'Roll bands in the country. With their debut "Fire At Will" album receiving praise as one of the most viscous rock albums to come out in a long time, the band's sound continues to evolve into an even greater sonic explosion. Sometimes referred to as Garage, Punk, or the Blues, The BLOODY HOLLIES embody what great Rock'n'Roll should sound like: loud, brash, energetic, hypnotic, and to-the-point! The band received nods from the Washington Post, calling them one of the highlights of the 2004 SXSW music festival in Austin, TX, and by JOHN PEEL, who invited them to perform on his legendary "Peel Sessions" on the BBC. More importantly, they have earned the respect of just about everyone who has ever experienced them live on stage, the place where the band really comes alive.

Since relocating to San Diego, the band reformed, and released "If Footmen Tire You..." which was recorded in Detroit by Jim Diamond, and widely hailed as one of the year's best, including receiving the San Diego Music Award for "Rock Album of the Year." The band is fresh off of another European tour and is set to release "Who to Trust, Who to Kill, Who to Love," which is already being hailed as the band's best release to date.

The band is hitting it's stride, their sound continues to grow with every passing year, and this new record is a graduation of sorts for a band that has steadily demonstrated maturity in song writing, and a firm grasp of their influences. This album is the embodiment of the no frills, off the cuff, blues punk rock that The BLOODY HOLLIES are admired for. They do what they do with skill, perfection, and flat out better than anyone else.

http://bloodyhollies.com/

Kevin Martin

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:13:00 GMT

Meet Kevin Martin - a solo pop-rock songwriter with a sound that’s described as “Burt Bacharach meets Queen and Elton John.” A San Diego native, Kevin got his musical start in taking classical piano lessons after his parents overheard him singing. He started writing songs at age 12 and played his first bar gig with a band at age 16. In high school he honed his vocal skills and won multiple awards for his stage performances in a variety of musicals, and by senior year was voted “Most likely to be on MTV.”

While Kevin is technically making his debut as a solo performer, he is a seasoned veteran of performing in rock bands - most notably playing keyboards and co-writing for established San Diego pop-rockers, Get Back Loretta. The band has won a total of six San Diego Music Awards while Kevin has been part of the band. With Get Back Loretta, Kevin has played notable venues such as The Casbah, Belly Up, House of Blues, and the Warfield in SF to crowds of 3000+.

Kevin’s style of music is what he calls “Throwback Pop” - which takes his modern flair for performance and combines it with his love of vintage piano-pop stylings.

To create his self-titled album, Kevin Martin paired up with local music producer Lauren Scheff (Scheffxp.com). Lauren’s pop production and arrangement skills alongside Kevin’s upbeat melodies have created an album with a sound that is hooky as ever for the masses, while still maintaining that indie sense of creativity and originality. The album is set for release in May of 2011.

http://kevinmartinmusic.com/

Maren Parusel

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:10:00 GMT

"This worldly innocence comes across in Parusel's sweet, piano-driven music. She writes delicate melodies and matches them with her light, breathy voice, almost like a more angelic Feist ..."

Nina Garin SD Union Tribune

"Maren Parusel journeyed across an ocean and a continent, from her native Germany to Los Angeles and San Diego. Her music, meanwhile, seems to have traveled Across the Universe..."

Mikel Toombs SD News Network

"Maren Parusel could be singing directions from Google Maps and I'd be enthralled. ..."

Garrick Von Burren.com

http://marenparusel.com/