One-Eyed Doll - Witches

In a world where so much music is processed media packaging, it's nice to know One-Eyed Doll exists and thrives.Vocalist/Guitarist Kimberly Freeman and drummer Jason Rufus Sewell (AKA "Junior") together form the goth punk duo One-Eyed Doll, but there's so much more to the story than that - probably more than I can adequately explain here, actually. Suffice it to say their unique blend of metal, punk, and indie rock is an acquired taste that may be your new jam if you're in the mood for something truly off the beaten path in today's saturated music business.

Their latest album Witches is actually a concept album based on the Salem witch trials of colonial America, with lyrics featuring direct quotes from the original handwritten witch trial court documents. True to their artistic nature, the music was written all at once almost completely on banjo and mandolin in the Redwood Forest near Santa Cruz, California, which vocalist Freeman says provided "this great 'forest metal' vibe". Tracks like Prayer and Remember serve to drive this idea home, coming off like a foreboding cross between Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. But don't worry that the band's gone straight up folky, as tunes like Black In The Rye often break in with their heavy chunk counterbalancing Freeman's fierce, beautiful voice. There be moshing here.

And it's the clever juxtaposition of so many disparate elements that is ultimately the true appeal beyond the enjoyable quirkiness of the band itself. Less talented performers would be quickly crushed under the weight of such ambition. There's Freeman's childlike stage persona versus her obvious (though downplayed) sexiness, the barebones live setup of guitar and drums versus the complex musical structure of their recordings, and the Rob Zombie-esque combination of horror, humor and showmanship that holds it all together. And for all of their artsy weirdness, their tireless DIY efforts clearly demonstrate that these people are totally legit. You got a new fan right here, kids.

The Bottom Line: One-Eyed Doll is an indie band filled with dichotomies. And it is the seamless - and successful - interplay between those dichotomies that makes this band so fascinating. If you get the chance, check them out live. In the meantime, here's to the true artists (in every sense of the word) of today's music scene.

- Genghis doesn't know if he's got what it takes to see these kids live...

Podcast #189: Fretted

The man that introduced Genghis to the phenomenon known as the bass solo, Joey Vera, is on deck tonight.It's another round of Thrash of the Titans at The Right To Rock, where two similar bands, artists, or icons are pitted against each other in a fight to the finish. Join Genghis & Ragman as they duke it out to decide which guitar (including all related models) is truly the greatest contributor to rock music: Gibson or Fender.

Next, the lads chat with bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning) about his latest project with Motor Sister as well as the new Armored Saint album Win Hands Down coming out this summer as well as tour plans.

Video Of The Show: Asking Alexandria - Live From Brixton

Beer of the Show: Boulevard and Odell Silver Anniversary Ale (collaboration ale)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.0 Palate: 3.0 Taste: 3.5 Overall: 3.0	"This tasty collaboration ale's malt profile helps to balance out the hoppy front, though Ragman thinks it's a bit on the watery side."

Featured Tracks: Motörhead - Heartbreaker; Asking Alexandria - Reckless and Relentless; Hanoi Rocks - Boulevard of Broken Dreams; We Are Harlot - Denial; Greg Howe - Kick It All Over; Gary Moore - Empty Rooms; Blue Murder - We All Fall Down; Yngwie Malmsteen - I'll See The Light Tonight; Ace Frehley - Space Invader; Yngwie Malmsteen - Deja Vu

Ragman's Classic Of The Show: Led Zeppelin - Fool In The Rain

Genghis' Classic Of The Show: Tesla - Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)

Ragman's Pick Of The Show: U.D.O. - Untouchable

Genghis' Pick Of The Show: Brandt Bjork and the Low Desert Punk Band - Buddha Time (Everything's Fine)

- Genghis is gonna be Screamin' In The Night this weekend...

Podcast #189: Fretted

AC/DC Every Which Way (40 Years of Rock)

As we all know, AC/DC has been killing it, for over 40 years.  The band keeps churning out that signature sound, and the fans continue to love it.  With their recent release of Rock or Bust, I was pretty excited, when I heard that there was a new documentary coming out about the band, called Every Which Way.  It appeared by the box, that this film would document their 40+ year existence.  Little did I know that this documentary was not sanctioned by the band, and that it would not include any of the bands music.  Argh!  That said, I still decided to give this one a chance.

The DVD takes you back to the very early days of the Young brothers, and documents their early beginnings, up until they created AC/DC.  The only actual AC/DC members interviewed, for the film were the original lead singer Dave Evans, as well as original drummer Colin Burgess. There are also a few clips of an interview with Bon Scott.  Other than the members of AC/DC you may not of heard of before, the documentary is filled with interview footage of friends of the band.  Malcom Dome is also featured quite abit in this rock doc.  What good rock doc doesn't have Malcom?  

The documentary isn't bad, but does include a little false advertising.  It states that it covers 40 years, but in reality, doesn't pass the Back in Black record.  That said, this is not a bad documentary.  It was pretty interesting to hear about the early days of the band, as well as hear from the earlier members.  This one will be for core fans of the band, die hards, if you will.

Bottom Line:  An interesting insight into the early beginnings of one of the greatest rock band of all time.  Unfortunately, since this was not sanctioned by the band, then there is no AC/DC music or performance footage, or interviews with current members.

-Ragman would like to see Banger Films do a documentary on the band.

All Saints Eve

I know it is April, and I'm still reviewing horror flicks.  Deal with it!  Ragman is horror 24/7 - 365 baby!  The latest in my arsenal is a flick called All Saints Eve.  The story begins, with a farmer, in the late 1700's, who puts a curse on a small village, just before he is executed.  You see, there is this evil preacher that wants the farmer's land, so he and his congregation, decide to off the farmer and his family.  That doesn't seem fair does it?  Well the farmer will have the last laugh, beyond the grave, because of the curse he puts on the small town. 

After the short interlude, in the beginning, the movie fast forwards to present day, to the site where the farmer was executed.  The area is now the site of a haunted house, which is about to be demolished.  This is the final Halloween, of the haunted house's existence, and wouldn't you guess, the last folks to enter, are going to get more than what they expected. 

Seriously, this is a good movie, which kept me entertained throughout.  The acting is pretty good, but the main thing that made the film for me, was the classic vibe it has.  It is kind of a throw back to 80's horror.  There is a fair amount of gore, but the storyline carries this one.  It is also one of those flicks that keeps you guessing a bit.  It is not your standard cookie cutter horror flick.  Enjoy this one in October or in April, like I did.

Bottom Line: Crafty horror flick with a classic feel.

-Ragman is thinking he may stay out of haunted houses this coming October.

Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith (30th Anniversary Edition)

Defenders of the Faith, goes down as one of my favorite Judas Priest records ever.  I have to say, Screaming for Vengeance is my top record from the band, but Defenders is not far behind.  Don't get me wrong, I love the predecessors as well, but these two records, were so solid, that it is hard to deny their greatness.  That being said, Defenders just celebrated it's 30th birthday. (Damn I'm getting old!)  Hard to believe this masterpiece came out 30 years ago. 

In line with, what the band did with the anniversary release of Screaming, they have also decided to give Defenders the royal treatment, by re-releasing the disk in an expanded format.  The deluxe edition comes with three disks.  The first disk is the re-mastered edition, of the original record.  The next 2 disks are a live show, that the band recorded in 84' on the Defenders tour, in Long Beach, CA.  (Man, Long Beach got recorded a lot in the 80's). 

It is a classic set list, featuring most of the Defenders record, as well as some classics.  It it pretty similar to the Screaming tour, but real heavy on Defenders material.  The show sounds amazing, with the exception of Desert Plains.  Man, they sped that one up for some reason.  If I had this one on vinyl, I would have had to check to see if my turntable had switched speeds on me. 

All in all, this is a solid package, and a must for Priest fans.  The only thing missing was a live DVD.  I know I sound greedy, but I am.  The audio was so good, from the live show, that I wanted to see it as well.  Listen to the disk and you'll know what I mean.

Bottom Line: A classic record re-masterd and given the royal treatment.  The main reason to buy it though, is for the live disks.

-Ragman is wanting to know where the video of this show is.  Release it already!