One of my favorite things about ninebullets.net is the the comments section. While I’m guessing every blog (other than songs:illinois) would love to see their comments section be more active (and I’m no exception) we do pretty well here on the 9b. One of the things I love about the comments section is the never ending suggestions for new bands to check out and believe it or not, I eventually check all of the said suggestions out. One recent suggestion that really blew me away came from Adam Fenwick in the Funeral Songs thread in the form of Deadman.

There ain’t much to be known about the band on the internet. From what I can tell, Deadman is Austin songwriter, Steven Collins. They’ve released 3 albums from 2005 to 2006 but it seems they have another coming out sometime this year. Based on the suggestions from the comments section I purchased their 2005 album, Paramour, and became completely enamored. I’m not sure about the rest of the albums but I know Paramour has this airy laid back sound/feel that I described to my friend as, “if Jesus and Mary Chain had made an Americana album with Mazzy Star with some influences from The Church”.

So, while it may not be the newest album consider it an introduction to an artist who is on the verge of releasing a new cd.

Deadman – Sun Go Down
Deadman – Ghost Story
Deadman – Pale Rider

Deadman’s Official Site, Deadman on myspace, Buy Paramour

I wasn’t too sure this podcast was even gonna happen in the middle of the month. The beginning of the month was all holidays, the middle was spent in the mountains on vacation and the end was spent prepping for, and then undergoing, some medical tests. All of this failed to allow me to do one thing, prep for the ninebullets.net January podcast. That said, I seriously think this might have turned out to be the best podcast I’ve done yet, quality wise. During the podcast I thought it was too mellow but after listening to it in the car I think I was wrong, and not only is this one of the best podcasts I’ve done quality wise, it very well may be one of the best I’ve done, period. On a final note, I tried something a little new on this podcast and mixed in music underneath me while I was talking. I’d love to hear how you guys think it turned out and if I should make it a regular thing.

Since it’s a new year I tried to focus on new or freshly released music. All of these songs were released in the past month or will be getting released in the coming month. So enjoy the hell out of it, lemme know what you think and, as always, please tell your friends and Facebook/Twitter followers about it, I’ll greatly appreciate it.
~ Autopsy IV (twitter/facebook/myspace)

TRACK LISTING:

1. Drive-By Truckers – This Fucking Job [00.00.00]
2. Tim Barry – (Memento Mori) [00.04.52]
3. Justin Townes Earle & Dawn Landes – Do I Ever Cross Your Mind [00.08.04]
4. Autopsy IV Talking [00.10.24]
5. Joe Pug – Not So Sure [00.11.52]
6. Kasey Anderson – Bellingham Blues [00.16.24]
7. Glossary – Through the Screen Door [00.20.36]
8. The Fox Hunt -Lower Than I Should Be [00.25.04]
9. Autopsy IV Talking [00.28.20]
10. Luther Dickinson & The Sons of Mudboy – Glory Glory [00.30.00]
11. Black Diamond Heavies – Bidin’ My Time [00.31.48]
12. KC McKanzie – Lovesick Boy [00.36.56]
13. Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs – Forget It [00.40.16]
14. Autopsy IV Talking [00.43.08]
15. Prison Book Club – Cold Front [00.45.08]
16. I Can Lick Any SOB In The House – Bad Days Ahead [00.48.12]
17. Autopsy IV Talking [00.58.20]
18. Grayson Capps – Big Ole Woman [00.53.12]

I did this with the last DBT album so I thought it would be fun to do it with The Big To-Do as well so I headed over to the always awesome Southern Shelter and collected live versions of all the songs on the album. The only track I couldn’t find was Track #13, “Eyes Like Glue” which is apparently sung by Cooley and will have to remain a surprise for the time being.

The Big To-Do is set to be released on ATO Records (yes, Dave Matthews’ label) on March 16. Till then, enjoy these live versions of the songs:

The Big To-Do Track Listing:

1. Daddy Learned to Fly
2. The Fourth Night of My Drinking
3. Birthday Boy
4. Drag the Lake Charlie
5. The Wig He Made Her Wear
6. You Got Another
7. This Fucking Job
8. Get Downtown
9. After the Scene Dies
10. (It’s Gonna Be) I Told You So
11. Santa Fe
12. The Flying Wallendas
13. Eyes Like Glue
14. Girls Who Smoke (Bonus track – vinyl only)

When I saw that the Black Diamond Heavies had a live album coming out I didn’t even bother to ask for it. When it appeared in my mailbox I wasn’t in any hurry to listen to it. I mean, I love the band on cd and I love the band’s live show even more. I just wasn’t confident that you could capture BDH in a live environment and have it sound good. My reasons were simple, a: they’re a really bass-heavy band, and to make capturing that even more difficult there’s b: they’re exceptionally loud live. With those doubts in mind, the cd sat on my kitchen counter for weeks before I decided to give it an obligatory listen.

With all that said, whomever recorded this show deserves a high-five, 2 shots and a hell yes.

In the end, I couldn’t have been more wrong about the overall sound of the cd. Alive As Fuck captures everything that is awesome about the Black Diamond Heavies. The grit, the grooves, the grime and the funk of a live BDH show are all present as well as well presented. The only things missing are John Wesley Myers’ ever-present cigarette and head banging and me, up front and center with my fifth whiskey.

This cd is not only a must-have for the current fan of the Black Diamond Heavies, but I also wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to offer this cd as an introduction for the BDH neophyte. It manages to capture everything that is The Black Diamond Heavies, which means it has to be Essential Listening….go get you some!

Black Diamond Heavies – Take A Ride
Black Diamond Heavies – Hambone
Black Diamond Heavies – Bidin’ My Time

Black Diamond Heavies on myspace, Buy Alive As Fuck

The rains made the night less than hospitable but those of us that made it out were treated to some wonderful music. We arrived just as Knoxville’s Matt Woods was wrapping up his set, so I immediately hit the bar for some social lubrication. Two Red Seal Ales into the night The Most Beautiful Losers took the stage. I’ve had their CD in my computer room for a few months now, but I’ve not managed to give it a listen. Live, they’re loud, rough and everything rock n’ roll is supposed to be. Watching them play made me want, nay, need whiskey and the moment their set was complete, I made the rain hindered-sprint over to Fuma Bella’s to quell the monster with a few shots before Will Quinlan took the stage. Seems great minds think alike as the bulk of Truckstop Coffee, Matt Woods and no shortage of show attendees were doing the same thing.

One thing is for sure — when Will Quinlan is on, there are few better and this past  night, Will was as on as I’ve seen him in quite some time. Joining Will on stage was his regular drummer Jesse Martin, Have Gun Will Travel guitarist Scott Anderson and Truckstop Coffee bassist, James (Bob) Hershberger. At some point during Will’s set, I tweeted (or Facebooked) a picture of Will with the text, “Will Quinlan, if you don’t know, ask me tomorrow.” I think it was best summed up by Larry (Truckstop’s drummer) when Will started playing the opening of “Beatitudes.” I leaned over to Larry, telling him how much I loved the song and he said, “I know! I can’t believe I know the guy who wrote it.” Will Quinlan is a rare treat and we’re lucky to have him, so seriously, if you don’t know … ask me about him or go check out his Myspace.

Will Quinlan – Beatitudes
Will Quinlan – Acrimony Blues

This could have easily been called the Truckstop Coffee CD release party, Take 2. See, the band came to town a few months back for their official CD release show but the road had chewed them up pretty good by the time they got to Tampa (read here) and the show ended up being a Pete Stein solo set. This time around, all the band members were present and the rock was brought. Unfortunately much of the crowd had filtered out or were hanging inside for Truckstop’s set but those that continued to brave the lingering humidity were greeted to a highly energetic show comprised mostly of songs from TC’s new album, For Dear Life.

Highlights (for me) were my two favorite songs from the new album, “Laredo Skies” and “Ghost or an Angel” as well as a full band version of “Fly Far Blackbird,” the standout track from Pete’s solo album. By the end of the night everyone, including the band, was lubed enough to make the crowd-to-band banter alone worth the price of admission.

Truckstop Coffee – Laredo Skies
Truckstop Coffee – Ballad of Joel Carpenter

In all, it was another night that served as a huge reminder that Florida is currently flush with amazing musical talent we should be supporting in full, and you can all start with the January 30 all-Florida bill featuring The Takers, Greenland is Melting and Nessie at New World Brewery. Come be a part of it.

For more pictures from this show or others, head over to James Zambon’s site.

I must say. It was nice to get back into the regular writing/posting routine this week (regardless of how brief it might have been) but it’s time for me to bid y’all another farewell. I am mere hours away from boarding that big ol’ Silver bird for 7 days in Colorado. Which also means I am mere hours away from Avalanche and Fat Tire on tap! Next week Romeo & Kasey will be holding down the fort while I’m:

• snowboarding
• getting drunk
• getting drunk AND snowboarding (the best)
• sleeping it off

And with that, here’s my annual posting of Jane’s Addiction’s, Mountain Song:

Jane’s Addiction – Mountain Song

Also! Here are some pictures of 9b shirts and stickers in the wild that I’ve received lately:

Recent Twitter entry:

@autopsy4: “badass” / function: noun / Date: 1956 / often vulgar: a person who is badass (see: Neil Fallon)

As far as I am concerned, Neil Fallon can do no wrong with Clutch and I took that same assumption into the first listen of his side project, The Company Band. The Company Band is a “stoner supergroup” of sorts featuring the aforementioned Neil Fallon (Clutch singer), James Rota (Fireball Ministry singer), Brad Davis (Fu Manchu bassist), Dave Bone (CKY guitarist) and Jess Margera (CKY drummer). Admittedly, I’ve never heard a single song from the other members’ bands (should I?) so I can’t say what you’d think an amalgam of those bands would sound like, but I can say they’re a must-hear for any fan of Clutch.

A couple of years back they released an EP, Sign Here, Here and Here, which was largely focused on anti-corporation material, but the 2+ years between it and the full-length allowed the band to broaden their songwriting focus.

Check it out.

The Company Band – Zombie Barricades
The Company Band – Hot Topic Woman
The Company Band – Djinn and Pentatonic

The Company Band on myspace, Buy The Company Band

My first exposure to Grayson Capps came via his limited acoustic release, Songbones. When writing about that album I described it as “simple – subtle – magical” and I think that’s still a perfect descriptor for this storyteller from New Orleans.

Live At The Paradiso was recorded in May 2008 during an solo acoustic show at The Paradiso in Amsterdamn. Grayson is obviously in his element as he plays for over 2 hours telling stories of his life and explaining the inspirations to some of the songs. As much as I like Grayson when he’s playing with his full-band I feel like you hear the songs the way they’re meant to be heard when it’s just Grayson and his guitar. Simple – Subtle – Magical.

Interestingly enough, the show was originally recorded via 5 high-def cameras but the master footage mysteriously vanished after the shoot. Then, a few months later a single DVD of the show turned up at the Hyena Records Amsterdam offices. That DVD has now been released along with a companion audio download of the show.

I found the video quality on the DVD to be a little grainy and lacking but the audio is spot on and will make you forget about a little grain in no time and the audio download makes this DVD/CD release well worth your hard earned dollars as well as my first Essential Listening member of 2010.

Grayson Capps – Ike
Grayson Capps – Love Song For Bobby Long
Grayson Capps – Give It To Me
Grayson Capps – Guitar

Grayson Capps Official Site, Grayson Capps on myspace, Buy Live At The Paradiso

My first exposure to Drivin’ N Cryin’ came via their national radio hit single and album of the same title, “Fly Me Courageous”. My friends and I probably listened to that album three times a day for an entire year. Matter of fact, when they came through town with Livin’ Color opening for them on the Fly Me Courageous tour, my little brother popped his parent-free concert cherry. However, by the time their 1993 followup “Smoke” came out four years later, there had been far too much time/life between the “Fly Me Courageous” high-schooler I had been and the then-twentysomething I had become, and Drivin’ N Cryin’ completely fell off my radar. That pretty much summed up my knowledge of D-n-C for the next 10+ years, up until I found alt-country and Kevn Kinney and realized he and D-n-C were tied at the hip. While I enjoyed Kevn’s solo material well enough, it never captured me the way that D-n-C album did and I just chalked that up to a period in time having passed.  But then I received D-n-C’s 2009 effort, The Great American Bubble Factory, in the mail.

The Great American Bubble Factory is an unapologetic rock and roll record. No genre bending or boundary pushing, just straight blue collar rock and roll from Hot-lanta. There is a great quote from the press sheet that came with the cd that, I believe, does a fantastic job of framing this album both in sound and attitude that I feel inclined to share:

“I come from an industrial land of things that used to be: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Class of 79…a town, back then, that encouraged you to leave high school, get a job in a factory, get injured and then get workman’s compensation while picking up a side job at a liquor store or record store where you get paid under the table”

To further press the point, Kevn found the inspiration for the title track while buying bubbles for the neighborhood kids when he noticed that the label said they were “Made In Taiwan”. This led to Kevn wondering how America had reached the point where even our soapy water with a plastic wand was an import.

All of that said, this album isn’t a 12 track lament of the blue collar worker. No, quite the opposite, it’s an ode to the blue collar worker’s audacity to hope.

Drivin’ N Cryin’ – I See Georgia
Drivin’ N Cryin’ – Detroit City
Drivin’ N Cryin’ – Preapproved, Predenied

Drivin’ N Cryin’s Official Web Site, Drivin’ N Cryin’ on myspace, Buy The Great American Bubble Factory

Well, I guess it’s my turn. Kasey and RSV have already dropped their faves of the year (here and here) on y’all, so there’s just no avoiding it for me now. This year was particularly difficult due to the sheer amount of great music that came out, and had I made this list tomorrow it would certainly change. That said, you can edit forever but eventually you have to settle on something and call it your list. So, with out further ado I am gonna steal RSV’s formatting and get this show on the road:

20. Eilen Jewell – Sea of Tears
19. Those Darlins – Those Darlins
18. Strawfoot – How We Prospered
17. Justin Townes Earl – Midnight at The Movies
16. Malcolm Holcombe – For The Mission Baby
15. Jon Snodgrass – Visitor’s Band
14. Ben Nichols – The Last Pale Light In The West
13. Cam Penner – Trouble and Mercy
12. The Fox Hunt – America’s Working So We Don’t Have To
11. William Elliott Whitmore – Animals In The Dark

Top 10 (with mp3s) are under the cut…

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