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8th July Monday Morsel
Morning all Morslings and a welcome to summer! I think I have finally managed to recover from Download and I think I have managed to get most of the mud off.
Cracking few weeks in London town and a perfect backdrop to several new stoner offerings. On high rotation this week has been Wo Fat, Sasquatch and a new offering this week Vallient Thorr. Plenty of live music coming up also with tickets for Vista Chino, Karnivool and Karma to Burn booked and ready to go.
So straight into it this week and it's off to Argentina for Los Asteriodes. Not the most original of names but definitely some interesting fuzz dripping all over this lot. A three piece space, stoner outfit that have a classic sound and groove, mostly instrumental but enough interesting riffs and songs to keep me interested. This offering is called Lazer and I will let the music do the talking.
Secondly this week is an interesting band that I am having a hard time pidgeon holeing. Valient Thorr are coming over to support Mondo Generator in August so caught my attention. On further examination this band is great fun. Sounding somewhere between Suicidal Tendencies and Rollerball these guys seriously enjoy what they do and there videos are sensational. Have a look at this one. Valient Thorr: Double Crossed.
Fianlly this week we head back to a great band and a favourite of The Morsel. The mighty Glowsun! Having spent a long time listening to this band since the sensational set at Desertfest it is about time we revist this French power trio.
Glowsun: The End
So that's it guys and girls. Loads of live music coming up in the next few weeks. Earthless, Karma to Burn, The Atomic Bitchwax, Mondo Generator & Vallient Thorr. Good times to be a stoner rock fan in London.
24th June Monday Morsel
The Morsel returns after what can only be described as a lost weekend. Download 2013 was in a word BIG! This statistics should sum it up really 80,000 people = 1.2 Million pints sold. Now taking into account that figure includes under age, non drinking & non beer drinking people then the AVERAGE pints of beer consumed by punters is approximated at 25 pints per person. Trust me I have done the maths!!
Needless to say, alcahol was only one of the many substances consumed by the black, denim and leather throng, but this is just about setting the scene.
Throw in gail force winds, torrential rain, knee deep mud, blazing sunshine and sun burn and you have one hell of a weekend!!
So highlights!!! Please indulge me.
Friday
(This is being done with the help of the line up page open as relying on memory alone for a weekend such as this would be frivolous.
Rise to Remain got festivities underway after a 5.30am start, Kombi Van mission (Cheers Becs), tenting setting up (no thanks Chappy), Gum boot donning mud trudge to the main stage)
Son of the legendary Bruce Dickenson on lead vocal these guys put on a great show to a massive early crowd.
My first big highlight came unexpectanly while waiting for The Sword. Hang the Bastard came on with a sludge, doom dripping set which was the first, "shit, who are they?" moment.
Enter, The Sword! Having missed these guys in London after they sold out, I was really keen to see them and they were well worth the wait. Slick, tight, riff encrusted southern groove. They did what it said on the packet! Awesome.
The remainder of bands today had a lot to live up to. So meandering between the top of the Red Bull bar (through a cheeky contact) and main stage we took in Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo with Down, Korn who were VERY impressive (surprising) and Bullet for My Valentine. But it was pretty obvious who everyone was waiting for Slipknot! Having never seen them live before I was quite looking forward to it. What a show. Huge sound, huge stage, huge presence. Not a band I have ever really been drawn too but today they won a fan! (As did the pulled pork sandwich van)
Saturday
Hitting the Jack and Coke cans last night was a mistake but who hasn't gone too hard on the first night of a festival.
So the day started a little later than planned.
First up we saw the legendary "rebranded" Thin Lizzy. Whiskey in the Jar and Boys are back in town live were highlights.
Then the surprise of the weekend. Tool fans take note. Aussie band Karnivool were awesome! Talked into going by Matty and Becs they smashed a 45 min set with 3 songs. Like it. Sun shining (finally) these guys would be incredible live indoors. One to watch. Next highlight was a band I have waited a long time to see. Alice in Chains. New line up but indenticle sound they played an awesome greatest hits set finishing with Rooster. Blaze on people. Everyone remembers Alice in Chains at some time in the 90's. Worth the wait.
Next hours were Beer, beer beer, then Motorhead.
Inaudible rock n roll = Fun.
Enter surprise of the weekend number 2. Strangely named Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. This band has been making rumblings in the stoner scene for a while and played Roadburn this year. Boom. They have arrived. They blew up the Pepsi Max tent and lets just say the tent was filled with a lovely aroma mid set. To top off this bands meteorotic rise, they have just been named as Black Babbath support for European Tour.
At one stage in my life QOTSA were an absolute must. Since the heady heights of Rated R and Songs for the Deaf they have drifted off my radar and I was curious to see what they could bring to the table. Thankfully they ripped through an old school set only dipping into the new album a couple of times with the "less shit" numbers. No Regular John though. Boo.
Beer break then back to the tent which was fast becoming a den of smoke filled haze and a stoner meeting place, Kvelertak! Morsel featured last week, these guys were awesome, weird, terrifying, abrasive, aggressive, cool and groovy all in the same set. Incredible band. Give them a chance, they will grow on ya!!
So Iron Maiden.... hmmmmm. Such was the build up to this band in my head having never seen them and being really the first "metal" band I ever got into, I was hard to not get excited.
But.... this was short lived. Dated, poor sound, over the top production, What a disappointment. Oh well. Ticked them off. One highlight. A spitfire plane buzzing the crowd several times before they came on!
Trudge back to the tent wishing I had stayed for the duration of Kvelertak.
Sunday
Now Sunday should be a day of rest but when Cancer Bats are scheduled before midday it means an early start. This is a band that got bumped from the main stage last year after the weather went to armagedon so they were pretty keen to give a good showing this year. Blitzkrieg! Cancer Bats ripped through a set list I could not have hand picked any better. Closing with the Beasties classic "Sabotage," they certainly blew out the cobwebs. Now after an early start and with the sun finally shining, a lie down on the freshly laid hay was required. Down time and recharge before the onslaught that is Five Finger Death Punch. These guys can perform and charismatic talisman Ivan Moody whipped the crowd up to fever pitch with trademark taunts such as "Ivan Says" a spin on Simon Says, getting all the kids up out of the pit and up on stage with him for the set so that the pit can "Fuck shit Up" without anyone getting hurt and finally the following, "The organisers have said I am not allowed to tell you to storm the stage in fear of a riot, but what I can say is it would be really good to meet each of you in person, really soon." .....Begin mayhem! Bodies flying everywhere as every juiced up knuckle head in the pit scrambles towards the stage where Ivan stands and waits. GOLD!
My final band of the weekend was always going to be Red Fang. Knowing full well I was going to have to leave early I had always lined these guys up as my close out set! What a great bloody choice. I know fellow Morslings downunder missed these guys opening for Kyuss and it is a shame because these guys are brilliant. Down tuned, beer soaked, haze inducing stoner classics came thick and fast and there closer "Prehistoric Dog" is as good a closing song as I have heard.
So, drowned, wind blown, mud caked, broken and sun burnt? another Download was OVER! Never to return....... like hell!!! See you next year!
OK
Morsel Tracks this week.
Uncle Acid and the Dead Beats: I'll cut you Down
Karnivool: New Day
Five Finger Death Punch: Dying Breed
Red Fang: Prehistoric Dog
QOTSA: Regular John (Protest Song)
The Sword : Veil of Isis
Slipknot: Duality
13th May Monday Morsel
Welcome one and all the the post Desertfest/Sabbath/Cherry Rock Morsel where we can all take a collective breath and marvel in the live music we have all been blessed with over the last month.
The good news is fuzz fans the Morsel is back and research has resumed seeking out all that is cosmic and downtuned and spaced out from all corners of the globe. So from Europe and America we start this post apocalyptic series of the Morsel.
Now first up on the Morsel this week is not a new band. No, not by any means. In fact My Sleeping Karma released their first self titled EP back in 2006. New however to The Morsel, this German power quartet really bridge the gap between psy trance and stoner rock. For this reason I think it will divide the masses, however if your are into being taken on a trip through swirls of soundscapes and layers of fuzz and chorus then this band is for you. I have included 2 tracks this week and if you enjoy them, search around, there is plenty out there. Taking their main influences from the Hindu culture, My Sleeping Karma are going to blow some of you away. Tracks: Brahma & Tamas
On the bands wedsite it says they wanted to create something that was heavy and chilled at the same time. Who doesn't?!?
So onward and upward to this weeks second Morsel offering.
Sons of Otis are another American band from the every mighty Small Stone Records!!
These guys are laid back and fuzzed out and is it just me but is the guy in the middle a dead ringer for a young Dave Gilmore. Super cruisy feel with some cool effects dropped in occasionally, Deisel is a 7 min chilled offering which really showcases the bands stoner roots.
Last but not least this week we revisit an old favourite of The Morsel. I am still reeling from missing them at Desertfest, however Wo fat are BACK!! New EP released and here is the first offering. A monster of a track and one that I love. When they drop it, it is just so fucking heavy. Wo Fat, please come back to the UK!! The track Nameless Cults should go to further prove why they are a Morsel favorite.
So that's it this week. Live music a plenty on the way here with a whole range of bands coming through town courtesy of the mighty Desertscene.co.uk including Earthless, Karma to Burn, Atomic Bitchwax and Acid King. Download festival not to far away also with Red Fang, The Sword, QOTSA, Motorhead, Alice in Chains, Slipnot and the mighty Iron Maiden ready to smash up a muddy field in the midlands.
Fuzz f'n Tastic
20th May Monday Morsel
Morning Morslings!
Here I sit on another Sunday evening and wade through the trenches up to my knees in sludge, doom and stoner releases this week. All new this week which is exciting for the most part. Quiet week on the forum this week so I shall just put it down to solely being the immersion in the music and no time to write, as the tunes have sent you into a state of catatonic stoner bliss.
So off we go.
It is with great excitement I get to share with you the first "official" offering from the mightly Steak from their upcoming (Friday) new EP Corned Beef Colossus!
The track "Liquid Gold" is the first released "morsel" from the EP which was recorded at the Truckfighter's Studio Bombshelter in Sweden.
Firstly can I say, great idea. Take the sheer live power of Steak and recored it in the studio of one of the best live bands on the planet can not be a bad idea.
So what to make of this. Liquid Gold is BIG. Big sound, great bass and bottom end and a far more fuller sound from the band that, if I am honest, didn't quite capture their raw live power on the first EP. Don't get me wrong, I loved that also but when you hear Machine live and then compare it to the EP there is no comparision. So bottom end drop at about 4 mins is a highlight. Can't wait to here the rest of the EP and hear what other changes the band have made (new drummer) with the guidance of the Truckfighter boys.
Second of the track tonight it a California instrumental outfit who specialise in very long songs!! In the vein of Machine, (almost Hendrix Jams) Earthless, who are touring the UK later this year, are the whole package. They are a hard band to categorise other than psycaldelica, but one thing is for sure guitarist Isaiah Mitchell shreds! Have a listen to the work he does almost from the opening note on this new monster Red. Listen loud and uninterrupted to this San Diego power trio. This should be a gig to remember (or not as the case is)
Finally I am going to get controversial. No stranger to the Morsel. Josh Homme, what the fuck happened?
As this is a stoner rock website it would be completely remiss of me not to mention the new QOTSA record released this week. At first listen I was left asking "Where is the Riff?". Pop noodle after pop sound effect after pop falsetto chorus I just simply didn't get it. Especially after listening to such good music of late, I can only think you may share my opinion. Maybe not. Let us not forget Homme is royalty due to his roots with Kyuss but I cant help but ask "where is the riff?" Hey others out there will love this stuff and call him a genius and call for bad things to happen to me and my family for even suggesting such aweful opinions but it's the Morsel and opinion is all I ever promise to give.
This is the "best?" I could come up with.
I Sat by the Ocean: QOTSA
So there we are. Another week, some great new tunes and hopefully enough controversy to prompt a few more forum entries this week.
Gig News:
Download Festival approaching. Big names such as Slipnot, Maiden, QOTSA, Motorhead are all stealing the lights but for me it will be about seeing bands such as The Sword, Red Fang, Alice in Chains, Cancer Bats, Mastadon & Kvelertak for the first time which will be the highlight.
Anyway keep it downtuned and fuzzy.
Fuzz F'n Tastic
10th June Monday Morsel
Morning Moslings.
Well a few weeks have passed since the last update and plenty of music has been passing through my ears. The mighty Steak EP has been on high rotation and I encourage everyone to follow this LINK and buy it for yourself. Great EP. Sasquatch and The Sword have also been making some serious impressions (or indentations) on my ear drums recently. Some of the new tunes I have enjoyed will make it onto the Morsel this week.
First up we are heading back to Germany for some serious fuzz-ology. Deaf Proof is a 3 piece from the Black Forest and this epic slab of fuzz tipping the scales at 10 and a bit minutes is sure to tantalise even the most virginal of stoner rock disciples. Hell Ride!!
Second up this week is going to divide us. Fans of swedish punk core (me) and those how are not. Probably everyone else Haha. Kvelertak, not sure on pronunciation, is like nothing I have every heard. Part punk band, part stoner grooves and part metal core scream vocals. I found this band when I saw Truckfighters tour and support them earlier in the year. One first listen, I hated them! I just didn't get it. But with the belligerent persistence of a lingering beer fart I slowly came around and and they are now firmly on my Download Festival radar next weekend. This offering Blodtorst!
Finally, it is a first for the morsel. A tribute! Announced on Wednesday was the shattering news that Sungrazer have broken up!! Gutted. So to those of you how have never had the life altering experience of seeing these musical magicians at there best, LIVE, then sit back and enjoy and to those who have seen this band live, cherish it!!!
Well that is it for this week. Next weekend looms as very VERY large. 3 days, Donnington Race way, (The HOME of metal and the Monsters of Rock festival) at least 4 morslings will be gun slinging, boot scooting and generally causing havoc as we settle into Download Festival again. Plenty of fuzz available in the form of The Sword, Red Fang, Kvelertek, QOTSA, Alice in Chains, Motorhead and more metal than you can jam into a battle jacket including Slipnot, Cancerbats, Down, Korn, Mastodon,and ......................the band that started me down this luminous music journey 25 years ago.....IRON MAIDEN. I got Number of the Beast on dubbed cassette given to me by an older cousin when I was 12 and 25 years later I see the band live for the first time. Some what of a tick the box moment for me so please indulge this little gush!!
Finally, by the time you read this, Black Sabbath 13 will be released. Oh hell yes!!
Enjoy the tunes, keep listening and looking and let me know if you have any requests of find any hidden gems out there. Get on the forum!!
Fuzz f'n Tastic
22nd April Monday Morsel
Well the waiting is OVER. Time to talk clashes at the approaching Desertfest. Respectfully that discussion will not take place here as not all members are able to be present at next weeks event.
So onto the music.
As promised we will return to Sasquatch. I have listened to nothing much but this band this week and I tell you what, they are the real deal. There is a new album in the making but for this week we return to the album named "II" and the track "What have you done" . This epic number cruises and builds like old Soundgarden and all though SG are not technically a Stoner Rock band, the lashings of fuzzed out guitar ensure its place on the Morsel. (Chris Cornell on vocals?) It isn't but not a bad ringer.Wait for the riff change at 4mins.
Next up we have a first for the Morsel. A full concert making it onto the weekly review. The method in my madness is two fold. First and foremost, Coloyurhaze are the godfathers of European Stoner Rock and deserve every accolade thrown their way. Secondly it thrusts them front and centre to anyone attending Desertfest who have not fully appreciated what they are about to witness. Bands sound better when you know the songs. So with great sound, sit back and enjoy this one. Colourhaze FULL Concert.
OK finally a monster. We featured Elder several weeks back. They really impressed me and play Monday tonight at the Black Heart, Camden. Monster is what "Hexe" can only be described at. To drum this track would be a nightmare. (Can they possible play it live) So many time chages and different riffs in one offering is rarely attempted but this slab works! Ignore the vocals (a bit throaty for me) and just soak up the fuzz.Tipping the scales at a weighty 9 mins I don't really know what else to say other than, How do you tune a guitar THAT LOW!
So there it is people. Wrapped up for another week. It is good be back in the swing and on the verge of seeing about a dozen bands I never really thought I would ever see live.
The Morsel.. fuzz f'n tastic
No wait, it's not over.
I will give you one more in honour of the fact that there will be no Morsel next week (due to being wasted all weekend and not even wanting to think about it other than gig reviews mentally forming throughout the days.) So a week off for me or at least a late offering. Maybe the Wednesday Morsel.
This to leave you with.
Now speaking of Godfathers.............................
SABBATH ARE BACK PEOPLE!!!
The first track of the new album is out there (thanks TC) and it would be remiss..neh..irresponsible for me not to give it a spot immediately on The Morsel.
Only Sabbath can disappear for 10 or so years and then roll back into town with a track called "God is Dead!!"
This is an absolute monster. 9 mins in length and the best bit about it is that it is classic Sabbath. It could fit on any of the early albums and let me tell you people, when the riff drops, Tommi has lost nothing!! Creepy, melodic, building, OZZY, sing-a-long chorus. What more can I say.
Enjoy!!
7th May Monday Morsel
Welcome back to the Morsel after a well earned week off. Since last entry plenty has been going on. Obviously Desertfest has now been and gone and you can find a full review HERE. Also Molrslings in Australia have been treated to a rare week. Monday saw Black Sabbath roll into town followed by stoner royalty heading down under for the very first time in the way of Unida and Truckfighters.
So where to for the morsel this week? I feel it was only right to put together a selection of my best moments of Desertfest in the the way of a musical kaleidoscope. We a weekend with so many "oh my god" moments, it was hard to narrow it down to just 9. Each of these songs were huge and left me in awe and wonder (and beer and smoke hazed bliss) So sit back,
enjoy and be transported to what
I saw to be the stand out tracks
of the weekend.
Here is the list,
Kadavar : Purple Sage
Steak : Machine
House of Broken Promises: The Hurt
Lowrider: Ode to Io
Dozer: The Flood
Unida: Black Woman
Glowsun: Deaths Mask
Truckfighters: Chamelion
Colourhaze: Love
Enjoy.
Next week the Morsel returns to
normal duties.
fuzz f'n tastic
25th Feb Monday Morsel
Morning Morslings.
Well a relatively quiet week this week in the land of NWEASR. A few more big announcements for Desertfest including House of Broken Promises which should be fuzz tastic (click the icon left for the full line up), a lot of listening to Sungrazer and The Machine as we all dwell in the post gig haze of last Saturday's master class in kaleidoscopic rock and a few purchases namely a Orange Micro Terror and Sky Valley and Circus on Vinyl. Sweet.
Next week Oz Morslings is of course the mighty Kyuss Lives last gig. (check out Red Fang supporting) Check back here next week for photos and a gig review from one of our Australian Fuzz Correspondents. (The AFC)
So onto this weeks Morsel. Welcome to 4 new members this week Dan, Dan, Dane (Hope Soundwave was awesome yesterday) and Chris. I hope you enjoy the Fuzz. Scroll down to see what you missed.
So a few new ones this week.
First up, Deville. Another band from what is becoming the most important country in the world for New Wave Stoner Rock, Sweden. These guys are playing at Desertfest and are more out of the House of Broken Promises mould. They certainly rock out on this track: Lava. Look up the official film clip of this one. It is a pisser.
Tool fans out there will have welcomed the announcement of a new album but in the mean time a very Tool sounding track by Swiss outfit Monkey 3. I have featured these guys before and although far more polished than some of the stoner bands around (hence the Tool reference) they certainly know how to build up and eventually drop a riff. This weeks track is called: Xub
Third this week we head to France for Glowsun. This band have just signed for Desertfest and I think will be one of the lesser known bands on the bill, but one not to miss. I have featured them before however this weeks offering really showcases the bands stoner roots. Great sample at the start from what I can only assume is a french porno. Nice work boys.
Finally to round out a very diverse European power quartet we head to Germany for the mighty Rotor.
I saw these guys support Colour Haze a few years back and it was in fact the band playing when then infamous Quad Shot Jack and Coke incident happened. Anyway that is another story but this band have some really heavy riffs and although mostly instrumental (AKA Karma to Burn) are worthy of a Morsel tip of the hat for down tuned fuzzed out grooves. The track this week is a little more mellow but that is partly what this blog is about. Diversity. Costa Verde is a cruisy little number with enough fuzz to keep you metal heads happy.
Well that is it for another week. I expect to hear in full force the experience that is Kyuss Lives live. I would be expecting some contributions for guest Fuzzologists (yes that is a real word) in the gig review section.
On a visual aspect of rock, keep an eye out for Sound City, the Dave Grohl directed documentary on a famous (now deceased) studio in LA. Great story, Nirvana recorded their Nevermind Album there and Grohl loved it so much when it shut down, he bought the whole console and re built it in his own private studio. Long live Rock and Roll
Fuzz f'n Tastic
4th March Monday Morsel
Morning Morslings, and what a big week it has been for the stoner rock fans downunder. First of all, probably the biggest metal line up ever assembled on Aussie shores rolls into town in the form of Soundwave. Then the MIGHTY Kyuss Lives drop in with a few friends of the morsel Orange Goblin and Red Fang to tear the paint of The Palace in Melbourne. As the ever expanding arms of the Morsel continue to spread out across the rock and roll stratosphere, I am pleased, neh, HONOURED to say that we had Morslings attending both of these events. There are plenty of pics on the picture pages and you all saw the review Damon posted mid week.
Onto this week. To be fair, I found it a little difficult this week to come up with something new for Morsel readers but have found a suitable diverse power trio to brighten, shock, amaze or even disappoint for Monday fuzz cravings. The key to this week is don't switch off too soon. The first 2 tracks are songs I have skimmed over in the past few weeks and not really given much time too and in one instance after 1.30sec positively disliked. However persistence pays off and I tell you what, these songs came alive after the 2 min mark on each occasion. 3rd track speaks for itself.
First up is a US band called Elder who are playing a warm up Desertfest gig on the Monday before Desertfest at the Black Heart Camden (Any takers?)
They have a 5 track EP out and this epic contribution is a real grower. Don't write it off like I did. Love this sludgey, doom stoner concoction and it reminds me of WoFat at times. Riddle of Steel Part 1.
Second is another offering from the US. Stoners Naam. These guys are playing Sunday with Truckfighters, Glowsun and Colourhaze and this slab of fuzz is an interesting offering to enjoy. Definitely a tip of the hat to Jon Lord towards the end with some organ work. Skyling Slip.
Finally the MIGHTY.......STEAK. London's own riff monsters, really have the London stoner scene by the scruff of the neck. Not only is this band a sensational live act, the members of this band basically single-handedly started the whole Desertscene in London and now promote a lot of the stoner gigs in London and have a fair old hand in the success of Desert Fest. Legends! Nice blokes too when you inevitably run into them at every gig in town. Machine is a monster and live takes on an entire new entity. Love it
So there it is. Another week for the Morsel. Song of the week, well if this doesn't make you smile after last weeks (Commercial) offering, then I give up. Ha ha.
Have a good week people, keep the forum busy and I look forward to the feedback on this weeks slightly diverse offering.
Fuzz F'n Tastic
BOOM!
Bye the Bye, the AFC (Australian Fuzz Correspondent) submitted no gig review for the evening with Kyuss, so nothing to report.
OUT!
P.S As you can see the hit counter is alive and well. Take a screen shot with (Print Screen) if you are the 100th guest to receive a free prize. Really, I will give a prize!
11th March Monday Morsel
Diversity.
Stoner Rock is a sub genre. Agreed, but the diversity within this sub genre is immense.
This weeks Morsel offerings celebrate this diversity through the whole scope of metal to psychedelia.
First off this week is XII Boar (Pronounced Twelve Boar)These guys hail from Hampshire, UK and veer slightly more towards the metal end of stoner but definitely have that true stoner groove going on. "Smokin Bones" will punch you straight in the face and while your reeling from that, expect a fair old boot to the guts at the time change. To me, a definite nod in the direction of Ride the Lightning in the middle and look our for some serious noodle work during the solo. The vocals match up nicely and it is good to hear the bass right up in the mix. Great groove to finish. This track has been on serious high rotation this week and has saved me on the commute several times. Click the link on the right to take you to their download page if you like what you hear.
Not playing Desertfest because they played last year? Come On?
How FAT are Wo Fat? This band is so impressive. Hailing from the US and from none other than Small Stone Records, these guys, and particularly this song, has all but solved my Dozer or WoFat clash at Desertfest. I have to see this band live. The title track of their album The Black Code, this song is a beast! Listen loud and without distraction to this 10 minute sludge fest! When the riff finally drops at the 2.25 min mark, it is so fucking heavy but at the same time so fucking groovy. Can you imaging this band supporting Vista Chino? Yes I can!
So back to diversity.
It would be not a Morsel month without heading back to Europe and namely Sungrazer. Where as XII Boar punch you in the face, this new offering "Yo la Tengo" from Sungrazer from their split album with The Machine will caress you and take you off to somewhere better. An absolute cruiser and this song has been an nice accompanying piece of "Diversity" on the commute. The beauty of stoner rock!
So that's it this week.
Cheers for the final Kyuss Lives gig review TD. If you missed it, I have posted it on the reviews section.
I have also made it easier to join (see button on top) the weekly mail out.
The final touches are being made to merchandise for The Morsel, so keep an eye out for that.
Who wouldn't want a "Fuzz f'n Tastic" bumper sticker?
Anyway off to Cancer Bats on Friday in London and Mark of Cain play Melbourne the same day so that should be interesting. Gig reviews next week.
Fuzz f'n Tastic!
18th March Monday Morsel
Well a busy week in the land of the Morsel this week. Mark of Cain played the Hifi Bar in Melbourne Australia, the Cancer Bats smashed Koko in London, the Truckfighters slipped into town for a support act and last but not least the MIGHTY Machine have been booked for Desertfest. Oh yes and Karma to Burn play London in July.
Merchandise for the Morsel started rolling out (after a slight quality control issue) and at least one South West Train leaving Waterloo on Friday night is, what should I say.... branded!
OK onto the music. A mixed bag this week.
First up, retro stoner sounding, german fuzzed out bearded wonders, Kadavar have a new offering. This band are old school and have a great Sabbath sound through some fuzzed of SG's. Doomsday Machine. Enjoy
Back to a band which somehow have flown under the radar of the Desertfest hype and some amazing new bands but need no introduction here at the Morsel. Colourhaze! The one and only German psychedelia legends are playing Sunday and this offering from their latest double album "She Said." This one called Breath just oozes the classic Colourhaze sound.
Finally out of respect for what was a great night on Friday with fellow Morselings, Matt & Becky, this is just as much about the video as it is the song. Cancer Bats were brutal on Friday and the entire ground floor of Koko WAS the pit. All good fun and once the sound man remembered to turn on the house PA as opposed to listening to the first 3 songs straight from the amps....what the?, this cover was a crowning moment of a party atmosphere and a thoroughly enjoyable night. Next stop Elder, then Desertfest.
Anyway people, that's it for this week.
Keep it down tuned and fuzzed out.
Who only knows who Desertfest will name next week. My tip is Cliff Burton playing with Unida or Hendrix cameoing with the Machine. Who knows. What I do know is nothing would any longer be a surprise to me.
Fuzz f'n Tastic
25th March Monday Morsel
Welcome (Regular People) Morslings to another fuzz filled week of tunes.
Firstly a big thanks to DP for his contribution to the gigs page for his review of the atomic bomb laden Mark of Cain downunder. Sounds like a great gig. Just waiting on a Cancer Bats review now. Hmmm. Come back MC, we forgive you!
So, such was the response to this band a few weeks back, Monkey 3 have found their way back onto The Morsel with a tune that has been on high repeat for some time now and has just been waiting to be featured. This band really put space into their own brand of stoner rock, with definite influences from Monster Magnet, Tool and Zombie. From way back in 2006, Je et Bikkje is a great coming together of all these influences and when the riff finally drops, hold onto something. Not for everyone, and certainly an epic at just over 13mins, definite a worth mention and a nod from The Morsel.
Next stop, it's back to Sweden for a new one to the morsel, Asteriod. This is a band who have been around some time and this offering "Silver Leaf" was first released back in 2007. With a very retro sound and late sixties, early seventies swagger, this one cruises through a range of genres but I love it. Definitely more vocal based than some of the offerings here at Morsel HQ but still enough fuzz going on for everyone. When it rocks out towards the end there is plenty on noodling and one hell of a wah-ed out bass sound! Again I have a feeling this one might divide the morslings but that's what the forum is all about. (Need I mention A LOT of NON forum contributors in recent weeks)
Finally the mighty Freedom Hawk. I don't know what it is about this band. Cheesy vocals, bad lyrics, very rock sounding but I love em. As an album (2009 Freedom Hawk), it just works fro me. Good time rock n roll. Now, as in previous weeks, don't right this one off too soon. Listen Loud, get over the lyrics and at about 2 minutes in the song explodes in to a seriously cool dripping riff which is unrecognisable to the beginning of the song. Fans of Fu Manchu and perhaps some of the more mainstream rock stoner bands, Freedom Hawk (another offering from Small Stone Records, See link for a whole list of their bands) continue to grow on me. I can't help but think these guys are a certainty for next years Desertfest!!!! Come On.
Bad Man: Freedom Hawk.
So that's it for another Morsel. Should be plenty their for you to get stuck into on the forum. Soundscapes, retro and just good fun.
4 weeks to Desertfest friends and lets just see who they announce this week. I thinking no body as the boys from Steak aka Desertscence.uk have been smashing things up in Paris and in the French Alps on a mini tour. Love their work!
Fuzz f'n Tastic.
28th Jan Monday Morsel
One for the little man.
Well folks, if you don't ask you don't get and it appears the MIGHTY Truckfighters listened and are heading to OZ. It must have been the plea I made to the guys personally at the T-Shirt stand because indeed they are heading south. Not just that but with the equally mighty Unida. Enjoy Aussie Morslings. DO NOT MISS
Well the last few weeks have been pretty spaced out and epic but this week we return to in your face fuzz and we get things started with the men of very few words (or vocals) Karma to Burn. This one is loud, in your face and extremely fuzzy and for those out there who remember Mark of Cain (Song of the Week), yes D you are going to see them, they have a VERY similar sound. Love it.
Karma to Burn : 14
The next band is not a band I ever dreamt would make an appearance on the Morsel but with tickets purchased during the week but at least 5 Morslings how could it be over looked. This track is not particularly typical of the band but it is the most fuzztastic of their tracks "Road Sick" is just a fucking great track. Great riff, great chorus and just in your face. Enjoy
Finally if you get a chance to look up the official film clip of this song, do. It is a pisser but shit sound quality so I went for the album track instead. This band will support Kyuss Lives in OZ and are not fancy but I think thoroughly worthy of a mention on this weeks Morsel.
Redfang: Prehistoric Dog
As you can see from the right, hats off to Trav who produced this epic photo of the lads enjoying The Morsel. Great work and you get to request next weeks song of the week.
Tommy you were the ONLY person to give feedback from last weeks Morsel. I greatly appreciate seeing someone is reading it.
Cheers for now people, have a good week
Fuzz f'n tastic.
4th Feb Monday Morsel
Welcome all to another edition of The Morsel. Thanks for all the discussion last week. A record 24 emails in the forum this week and I am very grateful Thanks also for the link from Becky to the other Cancer Bats track "Lucifers Rocking Chair." That has been on high repeat this week at The Morsel Headquarters.
So on to a new week and Desertfest UK is beginning to look more like Morsel Fest with 7 (with the inclusion of Truckfighters and Glowsun this week) artists performing that I have reviewed here and that does not include Dozer and Lowrider who will be covered in the coming weeks. I have spoken to the organisers but they seem reluctant to change the name. Chappy Stants and I will be the Morsel representatives at this event.
On to the music. This is a band that have been around since the break up of Kyuss. John Garcia's Unida who are reforming to headline Desertfest and are also co-headlining a gig in Melbourne in May with Truckfighters, are a class act. This one is chosen by Trav as a result of winning the photo comp, from the album "Coping with the urban Coyote" Human Tornado is a flat out fuzz fest with Mr Garcia just adding his signature vocals. These gigs will be epic and probably not repeated.
As a spin off of this band as Gracia joined Hermano and then back to Kyuss Lives, the remaining members made House of Broken Promises and this slab of Fuzz is off their first major release "Using the Useless" called Highway Grit. In ya face rock.
Now what Morsel would be the same without another venture to the heart and soul of European Stoner Rock, (Sorry Germany) Sweden! Blowback hail from the home of the mighty Truckfighters and share some of their signature sound. Two albums down already, this is off their first release "Morning Wood," Karmasutra has a great tom tom (and Tommy I know how much you love the Toms) intro with a very Sabbath, Children of the Grave sound. As anyone who saw me at Download when Sabbath played the aforementioned song they would know how I feel about it. To put is loosely, I lost my shit!
Anyway that's it for this week. Good luck to fellow Morsling, Stants, whose band play there first gig this Thursday at the 100 Club in London. I will be there for support and down a few pints with you post gig.
Added this week on the Music Page is a treat for those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure of Kyuss. How this is possible, I dont know but 3 albums in full are there courtesy of Youtube.. I can't quite imagine what it would be like to discover them again for the first time. Very envious.
Next week it will be a Sungrazer and The Machine week as it will be the following week when they roll into town.
Keep the replies coming in, it makes my day after spending the time writing this, that someone is actually reading it. Song of the week next week goes to the person who can send me the most email addresses of potential new "legitimate" Morsel readers.
Permission sort first. I don't want to piss anyone off.
Fuzz f'n Tastic!
11th Feb Monday Morsel
Morning Morslings.
First and foremost. What does The Morsel, Alice Cooper, Motorhead and the Rolling Stones all have in common.
Answer: All have had members play at The 100 Club in London. Big up to Stants, whose band Gridlock rocked the place on Thursday night.
See Gigs for more details.
WARNING: This weeks Morsel is going to need time, space and quiet so take your time. We have moved from the rock focus of this week to some serious spaced out, down tuned morsels this week.
OK so to the big news of the week. Sungrazer and The Machine grace to shores of the UK this Saturday and their will be a strong Morsel representation. So as promised this week is a tribute to those two colossal stoner rock giants and favourites of the Morsel.
To choose 3 songs this week was impossible, so 4 it is.
First up we have the meandering and and fuzztastic "Behind" of their album Mirador this one builds and builds and really shows the strengths of this band. Trippy solo's, driving bass and very solid, almost jazz drums holding it all together.
Looking forward to this one live.
Second we move to The Machine and "First Unique Prime." Lets be honest, if all 4 songs this week and the previously featured tracks from these bands are played on Saturday we could be in for a 6 song 2 hr set. Any complaints? I think not. This one it dripping in early Pink Floyd "Echoes" type songs. Fans of Meddle or Live at Pompei (Andy Hurst) are going to love this. Simply put, an epic. A bit spacey-er than other tracks but it just builds and builds. Wait for the riff to drop and it is all worth it. An Interesting finish to this one too. Caught me a bit by surprise but definitely works. Clocking in at just under 18 mins, get comfortable and listen without distraction.
Back to Sungrazer then and the opening track off Mirador "Wild Goose." A bit more of a formal arrangement on this one with vocals more present but some of the cruisiest noodling and some serious fuzz coming through the chorus. Think this one might become an extended version live.
So we finish this week with The Machine and the oddly named "Tsiolkovsky's budget," named after a Russian rocket scientist. Without question, absinth was involved in both his and more recently their work! Another 15 min journey, this one holds this haunting little lick the whole way through. Vocal nicely set back and again, when this one's riff kicks in, sit back and enjoy 3 guys at the top of their game. We can only but hope all 6 guys get up for the encore of Holland's greatest music export since, well Mister Edward Van Halen!
It is going to be a big night, tune in next week for pictures and a review of the gig.
In other news, DESERTFEST tickets have been purchase! In a haze of beer and youthful exuberance an email arrived confirming the purchase sometime after midnight on Friday morning after a night at the 100 Club. It was the only way!
Noticing a few non contributors on the weekly forum. To save being named and shamed next week, get involved. This thing is becoming a monster and all feed back is the driving force for the following weeks edition. Forums stops, so does Morsel. Thanks to the Morslings who never miss a week. Fuzz f'n Tastic!
Chappy gets song of the week this week for introducing Chris. welcome aboard mate. I hope you enjoy.
That's it for this week. See you all on the otherside.....of the weekend.
Fuzz f'n Tastic.
18th Feb Monday Morsel
The morning after the night before.
Morslings, something incredible happened last night. Sungrazer and The Machine put on a show the likes I have never experienced before. I have created a new sub genre: Kaliedoscopic rock!
More details in the gig review.
So with that one in the bag, we turn our attention to Desert Fest! This weeks Morsel may not be new to all of you but it would just be simply irresponsible not to give these bands the respect they deserve through the media of the Morsel.
First Up, Swedens godfathers of stoner rock. DOZER! This band have been around since the mid 90's and got their big break with a split EP with the mighty Unida. They are well and trully going to rip the roof of Camden. Rising, from the Album Call it a Conspiracy.
Sweden just keeps on rolling on this week in the Morsel. Another band I can not wait to see at Desert Fest, Lowrider. This band is somewhat of an inigma. Formed in the mid 90's, recorded a split album with Nebula and then released their one and only record. Ode to Low. The band have not played since 2003 and get back together for Desert Fest.
Flat Earth: Lowrider.
This last band this week literally plyed themselves into a place on the Morsel. I have had this tune floating around for a few weeks now but when STUBB opened with it last night in the set before Sungrazer, it blew the place apart. A power trio from the UK made one hell of a noise and really established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the UK fuzz scene. I think this one is adequately fuzz fuckin tastic. Hard Hearted Woman.
If you like the sound of that, click their link on the right to take you to the bands download page.
Anyway folks, rock and roll stops for no one, so I will drag my hungover sorry ass to bed and hope that it was all worth it and will be inundated by forum posts this week. I was going to name and shame this week but I just can't be asses.
Have a good week and keep it low and downtuned.
Just Saying!!
