7 Stone Riot — “Time Will Tell”
Alabama bands
7 Stone Riot Premiere Official Video For “Scratching the Surface”
Birmingham, Alabama-based rock band 7 Stone Riot have released the video for the title track of their 2018 EP, Scratching the Surface. Check out the song below, and read my review of the EP here.
Playlist Challenge, Day 521
Shallow Side — “My Addiction”
Playlist Challenge, Day 512
Lynam — “Send You Back”
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#22)
1. 7 Stone Riot
Rock music from Alabama. For fans of Pearl Jam, Fuel, Like a Storm, etc. 7 Stone Riot released their Scratching the Surface EP earlier this year (read my review), and they have since been playing shows in support of the album. Check out “Buried” and “Talking in Circles.”
Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – Official Site
2. Aboleth
Stoner/blues/desert/dirt metal from California. For fans of Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin (if they had a female vocalist), Queens of the Stone Age, The Pretty Reckless, etc. Aboleth released their debut album Benthos back in May. Here are two tracks I’m rather fond of: “No Good” and “Wovenloaf.”
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Bandcamp
3. Zombiesuckers
Horror punk from Sweden. For fans of The Misfits, The Murderdolls, Rancid, etc. Zombiesuckers have not been very active lately. However, they did post from their Facebook that there might be new music in 2018. Fingers crossed! For now, though, enjoy “I Turned Into a Monster” and “Endless Sleep” (ft. Michale Graves).
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Bandcamp
4. Salems Lott
Shock metal from Hollywood, California. For fans of X Japan, Black Veil Brides, Mötley Crüe, etc. Salems Lott released Mask of Morality this year and have since enjoyed quite a bit of favorable press in regard to the album. Listen to “Shattered to Pieces” and “Royal Desperado,” both from this latest record.
Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – YouTube
5. Famous Last Words
Post-hardcore/metal from Michigan. For fans of Falling in Reverse, Pierce the Veil, Asking Alexandria, etc. Famous Last Words is touring with Escape the Fate and Slaves, and they are also busy in the studio! Check out “The Show Must Go On” and “Pretty in Porcelain.”
Bands You Should Know: Common Rarity
Last weekend, I went to 11th Frame Live to see Common Rarity. I was excited because I had familiarized myself with the Tuscaloosa-based band while writing the Alabama edition of “5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following.” Now that I have been to a show and heard their debut EP in full, I have plenty more to say.
First and foremost, I really really enjoyed Common Rarity’s performance. A balanced combination of talent and image, the band had a lot of energy, and their set list consisted mostly of covers meant to encourage crowd participation: “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “School’s Out,” “Rebel Yell,” etc. Singer/guitarist Bailey Rollins was a less exuberant showman than his band mates, particularly bassist JD Smalley and drummer Jaxon Hubbard, but it fit the vibe of their show. There was never a dull moment, the audience was definitely feeling it, and I had more fun with Common Rarity than I’ve had in a while.
Needless to say, I immediately bought their self-titled EP after their set. A mix of alternative, progressive, grunge, and the theatrical, Common Rarity has plenty to work with. The quartet channels Alice in Chains, The Cure, REM, and others while injecting their own flair, putting a more current spin on that late 80’s/early 90’s sound. Bailey is often reminiscent of Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), yet he can use his voice in a variety of ways, lending to that unique something that is simply Common Rarity.
Their standout tracks, thus far, are “Meteorite,” “The Fine Print,” and “Astray.”
In addition to this so-called review, I have to say that there is a lot going on for Common Rarity. The current lineup has been together for three years and are already very proficient at their craft. Talented, driven, and young, there seems to be nothing holding them back from achieving their goals. The members are also sweet and extremely fan-oriented, traits that — along with the music, of course — will draw even more people in.
After chatting with JD and Jaxon at the show, it is apparent the band have a pretty clear idea of what they are doing and what they want to do in the future. I have little doubt Common Rarity will become even more amazing, as they have been on an upward trajectory for a while now. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them!
Check CR out on Facebook and Spotify.
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#21)
1. Kempo Slice
Hip hop/alternative from Alabama. For fans of Eminem, Three 6 Mafia, Logic, etc. Kempo recently released Kempin’ Ain’t Easy (download available here), and he has been hinting that new music is on the way! Check out “Gumptown Blues,” which features Mike Bama, and “They Say.”
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
2. Shallow Side
Rock from Alabama. For fans of Default, Tantric, Theory of a Deadman, etc. Shallow Side released their Origins EP in July and are currently touring; you can visit their Facebook for dates. Since I’ve been a fan for a while, I am going to share two of my favorites from Shallow Side: “My Addiction” and “Out of Reach.”
Instagram – Twitter – YouTube – Official Site
3. Firmament
Progressive/alternative rock from Ohio. For fans of The Mars Volta, Coheed & Cambria, A Perfect Circle, etc. Firmament’s first full-length album, Spirit of Place, is available on such outlets as Spotify, iTunes, and Google Play. Hear “Bilateral” and “As One Watches the Rain” now!
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Official Site
4. YOU!
Alternative rock/”gunk” from London. For fans of Blur, Green Day, Radiohead, etc. YOU! is booking shows and have upcoming dates in Warwickshire and Camden. Visit their official site for a full list and updates from the band. YOU! shared their first official music video for a track entitled “Selfish” back in June. Listen to it and “A Bird’s Prey” below.
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
5. State of Illusion
Rock music from South Carolina. For fans of Breaking Benjamin, 10 Years, Cold, etc. State of Illusion will be playing the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, which takes place Labor Day weekend. Their album Aphelion is available through the official page and most digital retailers. Check out “Blind” and “Find Yourself.”
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#18)
1. Meka Nism
Metal from Florida. For fans of Arch Enemy, Within Temptation, Nightwish, etc. Meka Nism just released their latest EP, The War Inside, in May and are now booking shows. Check out the title track and “Bring the Sun Back.”
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
2. Love The Hate
Rock from Mobile, Alabama. For fans of 10 Years, Tantric, Chevelle, etc. Love The Hate recently opened for From Ashes to New and Bad Wolves at a hometown show. Their latest album, Burn, is available for purchase through various digital outlets. Get a taste of Burn on ReverbNation, and listen to “Bleed the Weak” now!
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
3. A Light in the Darkness
Progressive metal from Texas. For fans of Lamb of God, Soilwork, early Trivium, etc. A Light in the Darkness currently has two EPs available — Conspire and Athens to Piraeus — on digital platforms such as iTunes and BandCamp. Here is “Ransom,” from Conspire.
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
4. Skynd
Electronic/industrial/dubstep duo that formed in Australia. For fans of Sköld, Die Antwoord, Skrillex, etc. Skynd premiered their video for “Gary Heidnik” recently, which features Korn front man Jonathan Davis. This is my new favorite band. Thus far, their songs and videos have been delving into the minds of murderers, and I love it! Please check out both of their singles, “Elisa Lam” and “Gary Heidnik.”
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Twitter
5. Hank the Businessman
Folk/progressive rock from Pennsylvania. For fans of Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, etc. Hank the Businessman released the Mountain EP in June. Here are my two favorite songs, “One” and “Tangled.”
7 Stone Riot Releases ‘Scratching the Surface’ EP
7 Stone Riot is a hard rock band from Birmingham, Alabama. Formed in 2013, the five piece act has been crushing the local and regional scene since its conception, playing shows with such bands as Trapt and Nonpoint. They are soon to add Fozzy and Adelita’s Way to that list.
Last year, 7 Stone Riot shared two singles — “I’m Alive” and “Time Will Tell” — in preparation for the upcoming EP, and this past Wednesday Scratching the Surface was released.
7 Stone Riot has a raw energy that bleeds through on record. Front man Whit Millsap has a very distinctive voice, clean but not without a gritty edge, that works well over the heavy-yet-melodic approach the band takes to many of its songs. I would draw a comparison between them and Fuel, Like a Storm, Breaking Benjamin, etc.
Any track from Scratching the Surface would be at home on the airwaves of a rock/metal station. I particularly enjoyed “Talking in Circles” and “Time Will Tell.” The former has some standout work by bassist Tyler Millsap, while the latter is slower and threaded with beautiful guitars and the haunting lyrics to match.
I would highly recommend checking out Scratching the Surface. You can find the EP on all digital platforms. Signed physical copies are also available.
Learn more about 7 Stone Riot:
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#13)
This is the Alabama edition! We have a lot of talent in my home state and I wanted to share it with the rest of you!
1. Common Rarity
Self-proclaimed “alternative odd rock.” I discovered these guys when I added bassist JD Smalley on Facebook. (I always check out my FB friends’ bands.) For fans of The Cure, The Clash, The Smashing Pumpkins, etc. Common Rarity is currently working on their second album and booking shows to spread their brand of rock.
Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – Official Site
2. By All Means
Rock/Alternative/Heavy Metal. For fans of Sevendust, Shinedown, Tremonti, etc. By All Means have released the Buried EP, which you can hear on their official site or Soundcloud.
Official Site – Twitter – Facebook
3. Burn the Harlot
Hard Rock/Heavy Metal. For fans of Skindred, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains, etc. Burn the Harlot’s album Calm Before the Storm is now available!
Facebook — Instagram — Twitter
4. All or Nothing
Alternative/Metal. For fans of Escape the Fate, Black Veil Brides, Rise Against, etc. All or Nothing just released their self-titled EP, available on Spotify and iTunes. Listen to “Napalm” and “Mauled By Jackalopes” here:
5. Who Shot Lizzy?
Southern Rock/Country. I am familiar with Who Shot Lizzy? because of Roger Jones, who is an extremely talented musician that spans multiple genres. For fans of Zac Brown Band, David Allan Coe, Eric Church, etc. Who Shot Lizzy? is playing in Lyons, Georgia, at Kerrigan’s Lounge, July 5th — 7th.
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