have your drums or guitars custom painted by ... - RAG Magazine

Moving In Stereo:
Volume 3
as heard by
Darren Paltrowitz
Although only a month since the release
of Moving In Stereo: Volume 2, there is
definitely no shortage of worthwhile entertainment.
As we edge closer to the midpoint
of 2004, the status quo of the Billboard
Top 200 may be questionable as
ever. However, the loyalty of this column’s
readers definitely shows that there are
some self-sufficient, independent-minded
people out there looking to make things
better. And if you can think anything that
would make this column better, feel free
to get in touch with me via the e-mail address
listed below.
…From The Island
The annual South By Southwest music
conference may temporarily direct the music
industry’s attention to Texas, but Long
Island did breed its fair share of contenders.
One SXSW success story of note is
that of Bandcamp, who attracted its usual
fair share of A&R interest. Despite being a
pop-rock quartet, the attention remained on
16-year old frontman and songwriter Matt
Bair, who endorses Gibson Guitars and
has a publishing deal with BMI…The Arrogant
Sons Of Bitches didn’t make the trip
to Austin, but have been making up for that
in the album sales of their self-titled release.
A compilation featuring two new
tracks in addition to the distinct ska band’s
entire recorded output, also included for the
price of a single album is an enhanced CD
portion containing a music video and 25
unreleased tracks. Interested parties
won’t be able to find this in stores, as its
main distributors are Interpunk and Kill
Normal Records. Just as obedient of DIY
ethic is The Kelly Project, which has a 2-
CD release to push at
www.kellyproject.com. Similar to the excellent
and economical Anyone In Love
With You (Already Knows) set from the
Brooklyn-based Rainer Maria, the Kelly
folks offer a double-disc product that includes
a live CD and a live DVD – with an
option for 5.1. Surround sound – for an
ASOB-like price…These Enzymes,
Unitshifter favorites featuring former
members of Sons Of Abraham and The
Reunion Show, is another apparent bandon-the-rise
as its first full tour includes
upcoming shows alongside Taking Back
Sunday, Motion City Soundtrack,
16 • APRIL 2004 • RAG MAGAZINE
GREEN DAY
PIEBALD
Avenged Sevenfold and Sugarcult…In
the most recent edition of this column, it
was reported that some legendary area
bands might be reuniting to take part in a
Blood Red farewell show. One of said
groups turns out to be Inside, which included
Dearly Departed vocalist Mike
Mallamo. Ironically enough, Joe Rubino,
a current bandmate of Mallamo’s, will be
reuniting with his old bandmates in Tension
for an album (to be released on
California’s Sadistic Records) and several
performances in support of such.
…From The Studio
Whether or not you believe that it was actually
Green Day on the Adeline Recordsreleased
Money Money 2020 album by The
Network, a major-label follow-up to Warning
is currently being recorded. The disc
does not yet have a name, but 35 songs
have been written for it and a September
release date should be anticipated…Cave-
In recently completed several weeks of preproduction
in Boston with Andrew
Schneider. However, rumors are flying that
RCA isn’t pleased with the band’s return to
a heavier sound…Production is well-underway
on the solo debut of Superdrag
founder John Davis, who looks to be working
with Nashville-based legend R.S. Field;
Davis has not yet signed a record deal,
despite several offers being on the table.
Those seeking to hear a less-subdued
Davis may want to check out Shameless
Self-Destruction by The Used To Be, as out
on Wrecked ‘Em Records and featuring
the singer-songwriter alongside former
Superdrag members Tom Pappas and
Brandon Fisher. Fans of Asian Man
Records’ new EP from Toys That Kill ought
to be pleased with that attitude-driven racket
as well.
…From The Stereo
Have you heard the new CD from Piebald?
All Ears, All Eyes, All The Times is more
straight-forward with the rock than 2002’s
superb We Are The Only Friends We Have,
yet just as reflective. In the rare case of
Travis Shettel and company, a handful of
piano-based songs about maturity isn’t a
bad thing for this always-charismatic
band…The Living End may be one of the
biggest groups Australia has ever seen, but
they are still far from a Gold-selling act
(500,000 copies) in America. MODERN
ARTillery most likely won’t catapult the trio
into Beatlemania over here, although this
is a mostly-solid album filled with all the
expected anthem-like, sing-along cho-