Artist Spotlight: Dirt Naps

Have another terrific edition of Artist Spotlight all ready for you today! We keep it local in Allston Rock City where we come across the down and dirty rock sounds of Dirt Naps. The band consists of Lincoln, Paul, Ben, Jerome, Jordan, and Pete. The band's sound is a raw and energetic blend of folk rhythms conjured upon a garage rock framework that is the purest music in all sense of the word and have a true creative outlet in place for all to let out their emotions in a barrage of high energy focus. I got the opportunity to catch these guys in concert the other night at Great Scott where they played with Today Junior (another Artist Spotlight alumni) and The Shones, and they really set the tempo for the night and for the other bands to follow with their highly stylized blend of rock showcasing their no holds barred attitude. Lincoln the guitarist was definitely feeling the energetic vibes as his shirt was nearly all the way unbuttoned, showcasing his sexy essence to the crowd while also indicating that they were playing a hell of a show as well. A terrific live band deserving of some serious love here on the site. Some tracks for you to check out include "Bees Knees" and "Skin Tight Jeans".

For more information on Dirt Naps, head on over to their Facebook page right here and give them a well deserved 'Like' to show your appreciation for all it is that they do. All of the music they have released thus far is available for free download and streaming on their Bandcamp site located here and find out for yourself what all the musical fuss is about.

The Decemberists Revealed As Surprise Guest for Boston Calling Festival

It has been revealed this morning as to who the special mystery artist will be for the Boston Calling festival in May. The final band added to the lineup is none other than The Decemberists who will be taking the stage on Saturday, May 24. Believe it or not, this is the band's first live performance since 2011 and their only scheduled festival performance for the entire year so if you're a huge fan of them, this will be your only chance to catch them in concert in a unique setting right in the heart of City Hall Plaza.

Single day festival tickets will go on sale later today at 12 noon via Ticketmaster, and keep checking Boston Calling's Facebook page here for all the latest festival updates as the weekend of May 23-25 draws ever so closer!

Washington Nationals Player Music Overview

Continuing my ongoing MLB Player Music Review with a look at the team occupying the nation's capital, the Washington Nationals! The team has been in existence since 2004, and before that the city didn't have a baseball team since the Washington Senators of the 1930's. The team is locked and loaded and ready to taste some dreams of the postseason magic they conjured up in 2012, when they captured the NL East crown, but lost in the NLDS to the St. Louis Cardinals. Here is a look at what the players enjoying listening to on their way out to the plate:

Adam LaRoche: Jason Aldean - My Kind of Party

The first baseman has some country flavor to add to the mix with this Jason Aldean number. At 34 years of age, Jason is still Mr. Dependable with his ability to grind out at bast with ease, usually being rewarded with a clutch hit or two here and there that can be the deciding run in some cases. This song ensures that his mission comes to fruition at the plate each and every time.

Bryce Harper: Moby - Flower

The most hyped prospect in recent memory has this Moby track as his personal walk up song of choice. Having a terrific year last year, Harper is looking to improve even more this year, and has become a multi faceted players with terrific offensive numbers and mind boggling defensive skills in the outfield. With a penchant for wearing eye black extravagantly, Bryce is a hitter to be feared but a presence to be loved in the clubhouse.

Danny Espinosa: Cage the Elephant - Ain't No Rest For The Wicked

The second base phenom has some seriously awesome music taste with this Cage The Elephant tune from a few years back. With amazing defensive metrics and outstanding offensive skills at the plate, Danny always looks for ways ti improve his game each and every time at the plate, and this song helps him do just that.

Jayson Werth: Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London

The majestic beard of Jayson Werth is in full force with this appropriately named tune by Warren Zevon. The former Phillie signed a 7 year, $126 million contract to join the Nats a few years ago, and has been a fan favorite just like he was in Philly with his greatly improved offensive skills and his clutch defense making him all the worthwhile. Oh yeah, plus his beard is pretty frickin awesome too!

Ryan Mattheus: Katy Perry - Firework

This relief pitcher for the Nats uses this Katy Perry number as his entrance song of choice. A relative unknown to many, Mattheus has a impressive repertoire consisting of a sinker and four seam fastball clocking in the mid-90's, with an ability to devastate opposing hitters on impact and is looking to get better year after year.

Ryan Zimmerman: Fall Out Boy - My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)

The longtime third baseman has this recent Fall Out Boy hit as his entrance music. With a terrific offensive mindset at the plate and a great defensive presence as well, Zimmerman is a constant presence in the Nats lineup and is continually regarded as a elite presence in the lineup that can be depended upon day in and day out.

 Stephen Strasburg: The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

The young ace of the pitching staff has some indie credibility that makes me love him even more with this popular White Stripes hit. The chiseled good looks of Strasburg are just on the surface, but with a veracious pitch speed nearing 100 mph and a windup that is a thing of beauty, Strasburg has become the must see player in baseball and is the stud that kids look up to and the model player young athletes aspire to be.

Tyler Clippard: Fugees - Ready or Not

The strong reliever for the Nats sports this classic Fugees number as his personal entrance song. With glasses that are reminiscent of the ones worn by Charlie Sheen in "Major League", Clippard sports a devastating pitch arsenal that regularly clocks in the 90's, and can be depended on to get a much needed out when the opportunity necessitates it. A strong arm to have in the back end of the bullpen.

The Nationals are a team chock full of young talent, most importantly Harper and Strasburg who are in my opinion, the future of the franchise and players that need to be locked into long term deals to stay in Washington for the forseeable future. I see great things on the horizon for them this year, and they have a strong chance to make it to the postseason come October.

Foster The People - Supermodel

LA's synth rock sensations Foster The People are back with their sophomore effort titled Supermodel. The follow up to 2011's Torches finds the eclectic trio continuing to bring their unique blend of indie influences stacked upon an electronic dance-rock vibe that is funky and presents an upbeat sound despite the lyrical content that touches upon the commercialization and decline of modern American music.

The disc starts out with the upbeat "Are You What You Want to Be?" a high energy, upbeat tracks featuring the extremely talented and versatile vocals of frontman Mark Foster who can adapt his vocals through any musical wavelength thrown at him and possesses a rare ability that is marveled at by fans and fellow musicians alike. "Ask Yourself" starts out with a neat acoustic guitar melody before a barrage of handclaps comes in and takes over the musical realm and space with a dazzling display of Mark's vocals and the upbeat instrumentation at bay that gives the song an indelible one-two punch that is indicative of the type of music that they're capable of playing. The album's highlight and my favorite track off the album is the disc's first single "Coming of Age" a barrage of indie-electro melodies conjured upon an indelible earworm that will wrap you up and pull you right into their world ripe with a bevy of out of this world sounds that you've never experienced before. "Psuedologia Fantastica" is an intriguing number with tripped out instrumentation and a change of pace from the group that are always an easy going, adventure loving bunch who always have a craving for experience the unknown musical wonders, and this number certainly does the trick.

The second half begins with the groove laden "Best Friend", an infectious jolt of lightning with Mark's vocals working wonders through the musical caverns and showcasing the talents of the other gentlemen in the group, Cubbie Fink and Mark Pontius who do a splendid job of rounding out the sound and topping it off for the prospective listener. "Goats In Trees" is a nifty little number with Mark presenting his talents in the company of an acoustic guitar which we heard earlier on in the album, and this is a totally organic number that relies on the musical environment around him to churn out a quality track that will be appreciated by those listening. The disc begins to close out with "The Truth", a distorted number punctuated by long, jarring sound effects that eventually mold into a sonic mixture that will take some time getting used to, but will learn to understand later on after listening to the album repeatedly. "Fire Escape" ends our stay here with a low key, downtempo number that brings in elements we've heard previously on the effort, and gives us the opportunity to come back into contact with all the sonic wonders and see what has transpired thus far musically. Foster the People have been one of those bands that came out of nowhere and dominated my playlist when they first came out a couple of years ago with "Pumped Up Kicks". At first, I thought they would be a one-hit wonder, but they surely proved me wrong after that, knocking off a score of other hits from Torches including "Helena Beat" "Call It What You Want" "Houdini" and "Don't Stop (Color on The Walls)". I've learned to respect and appreciate their music even more after repeated listens, and they have a definite knack for keeping their listening audience hooked and in check as well.

In summary, a solid follow up effort from Foster the People, who show no ill effects of the sophomore slump syndrome that usually plagues artists after first arriving on the scene, but Mark and Co. will prove those naysayers wrong with this delectable effort right here.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Are You What You Want to Be?
2. Ask Yourself
3. Coming of Age
4. Nevermind
5. Psuedologia Fantastica
6. The Angelic Welcome of Mr. Jones
7. Best Friend
8. A Beginner's Guide to Destroying The Moon
9. Goats in Trees
10. The Truth
11. Fire Escape 

Interview w/ Benjamin Christensen, Writer for Hats and Tats & Oakland A's Enthusiast

With baseball season rearing its head and just around the corner, we have another interview primed and ready for the masses! Today, we sit down with Benjamin Christensen, founder and writer for his own blog Hats and Tats and a devoted Oakland Athletics supporter. Ben was kind and gracious enough to devote some time out of his increasingly busy schedule to touch up on a few baseball and music related topics as we talk about what the A's need to do this year to go deeper in the playoffs, and what inspired him to write his own blog Hats and Tats, a site devoted to his ever growing baseball hat collection. Here is my interview with the majestically bearded and heavily tattooed individual:

Can you give us your name and what site you write for?

Benjamin Christensen. I write for eDraft Sports, Fantasy Trade 411 and I have my own blog at: hatsandtats.blogspot.com

How did you first become interested in journalism and writing?

I first got into writing when I was 13-years-old. My teachers were impressed with not only my ability to spell, but that I knew the definitions of and how to use $10-words in a complete sentence. From there my general curiosity and desire to learn combined with my writing talent around the time I was 16, which also happened to be the time I discovered Hunter S. Thompson. I had never felt so connected to a journalist, even a Gonzo journalist, at any other point in my life, and it's then that I understood that journalism goes beyond the newspaper and network news broadcasts. It's about hitting the streets, interacting with everyone around you and developing relatable stories.

What is your earliest recollection of seeing baseball either in person or on TV?

My earliest recollection of baseball came in the form of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. I have yet to view a more intense, heartbreaking game since.

What do the Oakland A's mean to you personally and how have they helped shape the person you are today?

The Oakland A's, much like the Boston Red Sox, are more than a team, they're the life-blood of the city and its people. I found myself drawn to them because they were a bit flashier than the Giants. Seeing Canseco and McGwire hitting bombs and then finishing it up with the “bash” warped my mind for life, in all the best ways possible.

What are your hopes for the A's going into this season, do you think they can duplicate the success they had last year?

I don’t have any doubt that we can win the American League West title for a third straight year, but my concern is whether or not we’ll have to face the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. If there was a way I could sell an organ to keep that from happening, I totally would. They’ve been the bane of our existence since 2006 as well have lost EVERY series we’ve played against them since then.

Talk about your site Hats and Tats and the concept surrounding it?

The blog actually started out as a tool to put in a better habit of writing every single day. Due to the fact that I collect New Era Caps and had so many of them, I felt that it was perfect subject material because I could write about something new, but keep consistent every single day. The first month-and-a-half I focused all of the attention on: where and when I got the hat, a history of when the hat was used by the particular team and then finally a story which pertained to the numbers I wrote on each cap. The numbers stood as my personal tribute to the players/fans/teams that each hat represents and the particular time period in which it was used. Once I got into February (2013) I noticed that my stores became a bit more longwinded as I had been keeping all of these great stories from my love affair with baseball locked up. As I started adding more depth and personal twang to each story I noticed that they were getting better, as was the public response.

If you were up at bat for the Athletics, what would your personal walk up song be?

I’ve actually thought about this question for the last decade or so and finally came up with a solid answer: “Don’t Speak (I Came to Make a Bang)” by Eagles of Death Metal.

What kind of music do you listen to regularly in your spare time? Any favorite artists and/or genres?

I will listen to almost everything, but my biggest influences fall in the punk, classic rock categories. If I could see ANY band perform live with all of its best/original members it would definitely be The Ramones. Even though I’m a huge Rolling Stones, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, etc. fan. No band has influenced and made me love life as much as The Ramones have.

How can people read your site and contact you via social media?

I tend to use the name Shakabrodie for everything these days, so that would be the best way to get ahold of me on Twitter and Instagram. As far as my blog is concerned, it's at: hatsandtats.blogspot.com

Lastly, what is one thing you would like people to know about you? 

Contrary to how much of a madman I look like on TV and in photos, I’m probably one of the most grounded people I know. For some weird reason looking like a member of the Manson Family has served my goal of bringing fans back to baseball. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Thanks once again to my friend Ben Christensen for taking some time out to do this interview! When I first saw him on the MLB Fan Cave about two years ago, I was impressed with his knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for the game of baseball ( and also his amazing beard), and I made it my mission to become friends with him and I'm so glad we bonded together over our observations of baseball over Twitter. And mark my words, me and Ben will attend an Oakland A's game at Fenway this year! Follow Ben on Twitter up at the link above, and get to know him as well as I have and you'll find an extremely vibrant and dedicated individual who loves life and baseball as much as I do.

Philadelphia Phillies Player Music Overview

Today on my MLB Player Music Recap, we head down to the City of Brotherly Love, otherwise known as Philadelphia, PA where the beloved Philadelphia Phillies reside. One of the oldest clubs in existence founded way back in 1883, the team is a description of the lifeblood of the city and its historical roots that go way back to America's beginnings. The team has had its share of struggles the last few years, and recently hired a new manager behind the helm none other than Ryne Sandberg, who is looking for none other than the team to return to its winning ways that was first exemplified when they won the World Series back in 2008 over the Tampa Bay Rays. Here is a look at what the team have going on in their walk up song choices:

Carlos Ruiz: Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight

This staple heard at countless stadiums throughout the country is the walk up song of choice of the catcher Carlos Ruiz. With fine defensive skills behind the plate and clutch walk off homeruns when needed, Ruiz helps the pitching staff figure out a gameplan to attack the hitting lineup and does it in fine Phillies fashion as well.

Chase Utley: Led Zeppelin - Kashmir

This Led Zep classic is the song choice of the longtime 2nd baseman Utley. Chase, who is now 35 years of age, has had a few medical surgeries over the last couple of years to repair the wear and tear baseball has had on his body, but he is now fully healed and ready to deliver in ways that the Philliy faithful can rejoice over.

Cliff Lee: Ted Nugent - Stranglehold

This classic most remembered by many as appearing on the soundtrack to "Dazed and Confused" is the entrance song for the team's ace, Cliff Lee. Having pitched for countless teams over the years, Lee possess a devastating pitch menu, and can go deep into ballgames when needed and is the model of consistency by his teammates and his abilities are marveled by at by fans and baseball in general.

Cole Hamels: AC/DC - Thunderstruck

This hard rocker from the Australian legends is the song choice of another one of the Phillies staff aces. Best known as the 2008 World Series MVP, Hamels has been a fan favorite in Philadelphia ever since his arrival with his incredible pitch arsenal that can whiff opposing hitters in a heartbeat, all while possessing extremely killer good looks to boot.

Jimmy Rollins: Chris Brown - Fine China

The veteran shortstop has this Chris Brown number as his walk up song selection. With blazing speed on the basepaths, Rollins is a force to be reckoned with his base stealing abilities in full force, and his timely hits here and there provide the offense it can muster against locked and loaded lineups in the National League.

Jonathan Papelbon: Metallica - For Whom The Bell Tolls

The former closer for the Red Sox has this hard rocking number from Metallica as his entrance song. Much like he did back in Boston when he walked out to Dropkick Murphy's "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" Pap is singing his own tune in Philadelphia, and when he is counted on to protect the lead, you know he will throw everything he can muster right at the hitters and send everyone home happy.

Kevin Frandsen: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh)

This infielder has Red Hot Chili peppers thrown into the mix with this tasty number here. The California native was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants and played for them as well, but he is now with the Phllies as a utility infelder and is depended upon to deliver timely and clutch hits when the opportunity presents itself, and make some spectacular catches as he sees fit.

Kyle Kendrick: Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

This song has proved to be overwhelmingly popular with baseball players, and is the favorite of this starting pitcher as his walk up song. Kendrick is known for throwing a considerable amount of sinkerballers that rapidly fall and allow the hitter to swing out of the zone, but he also possesses the ability to throw changeups and cutters as well that are equally as effective.

Ryan Howard: Tyga - Molly

This groove laden hip-hop track is the favorite of the star first baseman Ryan Howard. The big fella is recovering from a nasty injury he suffered on the last at bat in the 2011 NLDS when he tore his ACL while running to first base. He missed a great deal of the following season as well, but he has learned to move past that and continue to blast monster homeruns throughout Citizens Bank Park and at stadiums across the country.

I've always had an eye and affinity for the Phillies for some reason, and I know my fellow musician friends in Philly will grow to appreciate this as they have alot in common with Boston than most people realize, a historical connection and fondness for our baseball teams that allows us to bond together and become part of the general fabric around us.

Artist Spotlight: Hermigervill

Today, we kick off another week of Artist Spotlight and head over to Reykjavik, Iceland where we come across the ever vibrant sounds of Hermigervill. His music is a unique and refreshing blend of electronic music based upon a layer of synth waves that are extremely mellow and subtle that it goes down smoothly like the Reyka vodka that is native to their homeland, and you can tell how much he genuinely loves playing music to a room packed full of curious listeners. I got the opportunity to catch him in concert this past Saturday at the Reykjavik Calling festival at The Middle East Downstairs, and I was equally impressed with how he didn't take himself too seriously, and you can clearly tell how much he was enjoying playing while on stage and was having the time of his life with his long hair waving in the wind and his epic beard expressing the free wheeling and laid back personality that permeates his body. A terrific performer that is one of the most unique human beings that I've encountered in my musical travels. Some songs of his for you to check out include "I Reykjavikurborg" and "Gvendur a Eyrinni".

For more information on Hermigervill, give him a 'Like' on his Facebook page here to show your appreciation for everything he does musically. Check out his wide plethora of music available on iTunes here and for purchase on Bandcamp over here.

Anaheim Angels Player Music Listing

Our MLB Player Music Special continues with a look at a team that was once previously known as the California Angels, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels have fallen on hard times the last few years, consistently finishing the bottom half of the AL West despite a locked and loaded lineup including Albert Pujols, the brilliant phenom Mike Trout, hot power from Josh Hamilton, and incredible starting pitching from Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson. The team has made some tweaks in the lineup, including acquiring former Cardinal and World Series hero David Freese to complement the existing hitters in the lineup, and fortifying the back end of the bullpen as well to give the Angels a fighting chance in the division, and looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2009. Here is a look at what the players and grooving to as they head out to the field:

Albert Pujols: Juan Luis Guerra - Soldado

The legendary first baseman grooves out to this Latin flavored track that is a homage to his roots. While his numbers have gone done significantly since his St. Louis days, Albert still packs a formidable punch in a lineup that is chock full of talent, and is looking to help his team in any way possible get some timely hits and clutch home runs when needed.

 CJ Wilson: Chromeo - Night By Night

The former Ranger has this high energy and pumping track by the electronic masters as his entrance song. A very charismatic presence both in the clubhouse and on the mound, CJ packs a devastating arsenal of fastballs, changeups, and curveballs that can pose an insurmountable challenge to the hitter, and is on top of his game when healthy.

Chris Iannetta: Drake - Up All Night

The backstop has this groove lade Dranke track as his entrance song. Iannetta used to catch for the Rockies, and feels right at home with his new team and has started to develop a strong repoire with his pitchers and makes sure that they stay in tune each and every time so that they know what the gameplan is to attack opposing hitters.

David Freese: Tool - Forty Six and 2

The former hero for the Cardinals in the 2011 World Series has some hard rock courtesy of Tool and his entrance song. Freese's numbers have fallen off sharply in recent years, but he is looking to get back to his peak with a new ballclub and can be depended upon to deliver a timely and clutch hit here or there to put his team over the top.

Howie Kendrick: Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

This recent smash by Imagine Dragons has become a popular commodity among players, and is the choice of the Angels second basemen. With a strong visual acuity of seeing the ball and knowing where to hit it, Howie also has a strong glove that can allow him to jump over incoming readers, and making the strong presence of mind to throw to first to turn a double play when the opportunity presents itself.

Jered Weaver: Shinedown - Simple Man

The long haired ace of the pitching staff has this rocking number by Shinedown as his entrance song. The ace who threw a no-hitter a couple of years ago has been a fan favorite in Anaheim for several years now, and possesses the ability to go deep into ballgames, and deliver a stellar performance time and time again that makes him the envy of his teammates and certainly the fans as well.

  Josh Hamilton: Third Day - Trust In Jesus

The home run hitting machine has some relaxing Christian music to inspire him in his walk up song. With his struggles of alcoholism and drugs well documented, Josh is looking to put his demons behind him and eas back into the game he loves so much, and is a top notch defender while unraveling pitches as soon as he sees them, and deposits them into the upper bleachers of stadiums all over.

Mike Trout: Kanye West & Jay-Z - H.A.M.

The center field sensation has this delicious hip-hop combo as his walk up song. The big guy has churned up some serious numbers since being called up to the majors in 2012, and has been turning heads with his acrobatic catches, sizzling speed, and scorching hot bat that has made him the envy of baseball fans all across the country.

The Angels clearly have all the pieces in place to field a quality team that should be making the playoffs year in and year out. Why they haven't reached that point is news to me, but with Trout at the helm this is destined to be their year to return to the postseason.

WFNX: A Look Back One Year Later

It was 1 year ago today that the Boston Phoenix announced that they would be ceasing publication, effective immediately and also ending the 29-year run of WFNX, which was reinvented as an online only station 5 months prior after signing off terrestrial radio that summer.

Looking back, I still miss WFNX fondly and there honestly isn't a day where I don't think about it. I'm grateful for all the bands I discovered while listening to the station, I'm grateful for all the terrific memories that it provided me over the course of my teenage years, I owe a great deal of my musical existence on this planet to WFNX and it has repaid me plenty in ways that I can't possibly describe. This year marks the 5 year anniversary of writing for this site, and this will be a complete celebration of everything music related and all the important stories, bands, and features I've done on countless artists, plus a huge bash to follow which I'll discuss more info on at a later date, but WFNX will definitely be a part of that retrospective and it will always be a part of me and has helped me get to this point where I am now. Thanks once again to all the DJ's that were involved in some way, shape, or form to WFNX, especially Michael Marotta of Vanyaland who has been a great deal of inspiration me to start a writing career and while he is a competitor, we're both in this business to write about the local Boston music scene and share our individual viewpoints as to what constitutes great music, and break new artists in the New England area as well. Here's to WFNX and all the great memories and awesome people it has helped me interact with along the way!

Drummer Longineu Parsons Exits Yellowcard

Original and longtime Yellowcard drummer Longineu Parsons has announced that he won't be handling the drumsticks for the band any longer. The band released an official statement earlier today stating that he has left the band to pursue other musical endeavors, Here is the official statement from the band:

It has been announced that long-time drummer Longineu "LP" Parsons III has left YELLOWCARD. Said the band in a joint statement, "Longineu has decided to pursue other musical interests. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

This is a huge shock to me and one that I didn't see coming. Yellowcard have been one of my favorite bands since the very beginning and I'm so happy I got to see them in concert 3 years ago with All Time Low at the House of Blues, and they were the soundtrack to my summer the year before I went to college and have provided me with very fond memories that will last me a lifetime. The band won't be the same after this.

As It Is Strip Down For Critical Wave's "In The Tub" Series

The fine lads of Brighton, U.K.'s own As It Is were lucky enough to hop in the tub with Critical Wave in their very popular "In The Tub" interview series. The handsome chaps stripped down to show their voluptuous bods and chatted about a host of topics including their brand new EP, their love of the recently deceased AMC show "Breaking Bad", and soaking it up half naked in the bathtub much to the delight of their ever growing fanbase. These guys were featured on my recent Bandcamp compilation "Towering Over London", and they have an amazing skill of keeping the audience entertained all the way throughout their set and they are such extraordinarily nice gentlemen who truly care about their fans and I'm so thrilled they agreed to be a part of such a deep and talented roster of artists on that disc.

For more info on As It Is, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right here.

UPDATE: Steve Klein's Lawyer & NFG Respond to Sex Crime Allegations

Yesterday, I broke the story regarding former New Found Glory guitarist Steve Klein and the allegations that were levied against him of possession of child porn and inappropriate contact with a girl under the age of 14. Now, Steve's attorney Debra White released the following statement to Alternative Press magazine responding to the allegations against her client for the very first time late last night:

"It is a difficult challenge to defend oneself in the media when there is a pending criminal case. This is because people are quick to assume that if a person is charged with a crime, they are also guilty as charged. And it is especially difficult because criminal defense attorneys insist that their clients not talk about the case to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected. Furthermore, attorneys are limited by law as to what can and cannot be said about a case to the public. 

In the matter of Steve Klein, since his case has now been brought into issue by the media, I am permitted to make a few statements. To that effect, I offer you the following indisputable facts about the accusations:

1. Steve Klein is not accused of having any lewd actual physical contact with any minor. 

2. ALL charges against Steve are derived solely from online consensual video chats between Steve and some female strangers he met on an adult website. Steve believed the females were over the age of 18.

3. The females alleged to be “minors” in this case are not known females. This means that no one, not the prosecution, not the police, and not the defense, actually know who the females are and no one knows their true age. 

4. The possession of child pornography charge is based solely on Steve allegedly “possessing” the videos of chats with the female strangers from the adult website. 

This is about all I am permitted to disclose at this time. But I can tell you, from my many years of experience in this specialty area of criminal defense, I wholeheartedly believe that Steve Klein is innocent of all of these charges. 

Steve is devastated by these accusations. He has lost his band, his livelihood, and his ex-wife continues to push for full custody of his children using this case as her pawn while he literally fights for his life. Despite this heavy hand, Steve remains strong and hopeful that he will be vindicated."

Here is a statement that was posted on New Found Glory's Facebook page just a short time ago:

"Upon our return from Warped Tour Australia, Steve made us aware of possible allegations that might be made against him. At that point, not knowing all the details, we made the decision to part ways in order for him to deal with these personal issues. Us 4 members of New Found Glory have given our entire lives to this band and will continue to do so. We’ve been able to play all over the world for the most amazing fans. We can't wait to get in the studio to make a new album and we can't wait to get back on the road! Just coming off the Parahoy cruise and a surprise show in our hometown we are more inspired than ever! Thank you so much to everyone around the globe for always sticking by us. The future is bright."

Artist Spotlight: Bay Faction

Starting off your Thursday right with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we stay local and head over to the burgeoning Jamaica Plain music scene where we come across the sounds of Bay Faction. The group consists of James McDermott, Kris Roman, and Connor Godfrey. The band's music is an experimental, melodic driven indie rock sound similar to that of Vampire Weekend with a definite sound taking shape the moment you begin to listen to it. I was impressed with the overall subtlety of the sound and how mellow and relaxing it made me felt, and I really gravitated and grew to appreciate almost immediately the type of sound the band was aiming for when they were recording their music in the studio. I've been in the Jamaica Plain area only once, and I had no idea how big the music scene there was and is really growing exponentially in size at this given moment, and soon could become the next hotspot for local Boston area musicians to get their start. A great local band that is looking to expand beyond their region. Check out the song "Jasper" that exemplifies their sound perfectly to a T.

For more information on Bay Faction, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here so that you can stay in tune with everything going on in their world. Follow them on Twitter over here and see when they'll be playing the Boston area sometime soon. Check out "Jasper" over on their Bandcamp site conveniently located here.

311 - Stereolithic

Omaha, Nebraska's finest 311 have returned with their appropriately numbered eleventh studio album titled Stereolithic. The follow up to 2011's Universal Pulse finds the reggae rockers continuing to adhere to their independently released mainframe that they adhered to with their last release, and presents a huge challenge for the band who once relied on the help of major labels to get their way, but are finding that they don't need their assistance any longer and are more than capable of handling musical matters on their own.

Things kick off with "Ebb and Flow" a solid rocker with frontman Nick Hexum's familiar vocals working their way through the funk soaked interludes and providing for a familiar environment to the dedicated 311 fans who have stood by them all these years. The best song on the disc is the album's first single, "Five of Everything" a steady, reggae infused rocker with those familiar 311 rhythms working their way and P-Nut's insatiable bass licks providing the soundtrack to a terrific track that encapsulates the retro sound that the band were aiming for, hearkening back to their 1999 effort Soundsystem. "Revelation of The Year" is a decent rocker that features some dense electronic elements a la 1997's Transistor that give some listeners a hint of diversity and some retro musical images that take you back to the band's heyday, but mixed in with some of their newer material makes this song a bit jumbled and convoluted. "Sand Dollars" mixes in some elements from "Amber" off of 2001's From Chaos, and attempts to maintain our attention span with some earth tones and breezy ocean imagery that gives us a passable track to unwind to in the meantime. "Make It Rough" allows for an enjoyable stay with some seaside rhythms working their way into your consciousness and Nick's comforting vocals providing for an appropriate interlude as we dash into the second half of the effort.

The second half begins with the relaxing "Friday Afternoon", a delicately tuned track with ethereal guitars and a sun kissed melody that soars the second half into uncharted waters and presents a different sort of tempo than what was presented to us in the first portion. "Simple True" features a varied instrumental arrangement that runs the gamut all throughout the spectrum that has some promise, but comes across as being a tad bit overdone and suffers greatly in the process as a result. SA Martinez's vocals make up for the lack of effort here and prop the song up to a passable stage. "First Dimension" is a more complete band effort allowing you to see what happens when the full dynamic of the band is hard at work, making sure that their creative vision is being fully realized and that everyone is in tune as well. The disc's final three tracks feature "Existential Hero" a full fledged reggae-rocker that features dynamic shifts in vocals and instrumentation that echo classic 311 and feature a great deal of depth and variance that present itself quite well in the big picture. "The Call" has some sleek guitar riffs that are provided from Tim Mahoney and solid drumming from Chad Sexton give the album a late charge as we get ready to close out the album. "Tranquility" closes it out with a sonically eerie number that sows everything together in fine 311 fashion and presents us with a pathway as how we got to this point and where the cornerstones for the album were laid along our journey to the finish line. I have been a 311 fan since high school, and I have always respected them for sticking to their guns and doing what they want to do, not what corporate record label execs tell them. I think they should have done this DIY method a long time ago where they could have their own record label, their own finances, no one else to turn to but themselves to deliver quality music that fully satisfies their musical quest.

All in all, a decent and solid effort all around from 311, who are moving into the next phase of their careers as a band who have their own sense of self-identity and motivation that has accumulated all these years and coming to the realization that they are their own boss.

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Ebb and Flow
2. Five of Everything
3. Showdown
4. Revelation of the Year
5. Sand Dollars
6. Boom Shanka
7. Make It Rough
8. The Great Divide
9. Friday Afternoon
10. Simple True
11. First Dimension
12. Made In The Shade
13. Existential Hero
14. The All
15. Tranquility