Mongolia, located in East Asia, is a country that is not necessarily known around the world for its rich Rock music heritage. The country is better known for the lovely and more traditional music that has attracted World Music lovers for years. Influenced by nature, nomadism, shamanism and Tibetan Buddhism, the traditional sound of Mongolian music is inspirational and soothing. However, there has been a movement within Mongolia that has been growing for decades. The Beatles-influenced band Soyol Erdene, formed in 1971, was the country’s first Rock band. The Rock movement continued to grow, heading into many directions including the heavy and hard sounds of bands like Mungunhurhree and Haranga. While largely unnoticed by the rest of the world, Mongolia’s Rock music scene continued to thrive, giving birth to new generations of bands… including The Hu.

While they are referred to as a ‘Heavy Metal’ band, The Hu – formed in 2016 – is a band that exists in their own musical universe. Formed by Galbadrakh ‘Gala’ Tsendbaatar, Nyamjantsan ‘Jaya’ Galsanjamts, Enkhsaikhan ‘Enkush’ Batjargal and Temuulen ‘Temka’ Naranbaatar, The Hu may play a form of music that is heavier than Mongolia’s more traditional Folk but labeling them as a Metal band is not entirely accurate. Creating  dark and heavy sounds with Mongolian instruments like the Morin khuur,  and Tovshuur and then incorporating Mongolian throat singing, The Hu has labeled their music as ‘Hunnu Rock’, a name inspired by the ancient empire Hunnu (AKA The Huns). The band’s unique sound has garnered praise from VICE, GQ, The Independent, and even Pop/Rock legend Elton John.

The Hu released their debut album, THE GEREG, in September 2019. Receiving critical praise across the board, audiences all over the world fell in love with the band’s unique approach to heavy Rock. The album reached #11 on the Australian Albums chart, #7 on the Scottish Albums chart, #21 on the UK Albums chart, and achieved similar successes in other countries. Now, the band releases a Deluxe Edition of THE GEREG that not only features the original album in all of its glory, it also includes six bonus tracks: acoustic versions of three of the album’s tracks plus new versions of three songs featuring modern Hard Rock luminaries Papa Roach, From Ashes To New, and Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale. The fusing of old-world traditions and new Rock rhythms is inspiring, and The Hu is proudly representing Mongolia in a way that audiences would have never expected. The gates are open – welcome to the world of The Hu!

THE HU

THE GEREG (Deluxe Edition)

7.10.2020

The Scottish music scene in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s was, for lack of a better term, amazing. While the ‘80s gave us glistening, glorious Pop from the likes of The Bluebells, Friends Again, Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, and loads of others, the roots of the Scottish Punk, Post-Punk, and New Wave scene started way back in 1977 or so. You know, when British bands like Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam, and all the other greats created a musical revolution. Punk Rock re-wrote the rule book, leading to dozens of new genres being created in a short period of time. One of the most endearing and enduring genres to rival Punk was something called Post-Punk. Relying less on melody and more on experimentation and mood, Post-Punk artists like Gang Of Four and PiL could still be abrasive without resorting to the Punk Rock stereotypes. And then there were bands influenced by Post-Punk that transcended the genre, bringing something new and exciting to the mix yet never achieving the acclaim they so richly deserved. Fingerprintz is one of those bands… but the three Scottish members of the band had to relocate to London before luck would bring them together. While they never quite connected with a larger audience, they certainly deserved fame, fortune, and a lifetime of adulation…

SOME HISTORY…

Scottish singer/songwriter/guitarist Jimme O’Neill formed Fingerprintz alongside guitarist Cha Burnz, drummer Bob Schilling (AKA Bogdan Wiczling), bassist Kenny Alton, and vocalist Step Lang. Fingerprintz’s sound was angular, quirky, a tad bit dark, and remarkably melodic and fun. Signing with Virgin Records, the quintet released two EPs before Step Lang left and Jimme slid into the lead vocal position. At this point, the band really found their voice.

Their 1979 debut album, THE VERY DAB, was daring and different. Not exactly an album filled with Pop songs (it wasn’t supposed to be), O’Neill was still capable of writing some great tunes including “Tough Luck,” “Close Circuit Connection,” and “Hey, Mr. Smith”. Elsewhere, the band offered up great songs that leaned towards the angular and experimental. The distinct guitar sounds – reflected in the cool little riffs that floated in and out of the songs – fluctuated between menacing and melodic. Infused with the energy of Punk and a unique musical vision, THE VERY DAB was an impressive debut and sounded like nobody else at the time.

The following year, the band released their sophomore album DISTINGUISHING MARKS. Produced by The Motors’ Nick Garvey, this platter was a completely different ball of wax. Perhaps one of the finest Pop albums of the era, DISTINGUISHING MARKS was jam packed with hooks. While the dark, experimental bits were stripped away, the band still sounded very much like the Fingerprintz that made THE VERY DAB, only much more confident. Garvey’s big, bold production added power to the band’s sound and brought out their best side (just listen to The Motors, Bram Tchaikovsky, and The A’s second album for proof that Garvey had ‘the Midas Pop Touch’!) The single “Bulletproof Heart” brought the band much-needed attention but was far from the best song on the album. I mean, this album was loaded with classics including “Amnesia,” “Yes Eyes,” “Houdini Love,” and many more. While New Wave and Power Pop fans ate up every moment of DISTINGUISHING MARKS, success still eluded the band.

Now, here is where things get confusing. In 1981, the band released their third album, BEAT NOIR, in Europe. Sonically, the album sounded very much like the true spiritual follow-up to their 1979 debut album. The arrangements were once again sparse, the mood was darker and more experimental, yet the songs were more melodic and charming than some of the material on THE VERY DAB. The original 11 track BEAT NOIR is a phenomenal Post-Punk album that is filled with shade and shadows. And yet there, in the darkness, you could feel that something more rhythmic and funky was going on. It wasn’t blatant… but it was there. Once the album was released, Jimme wanted to explore the rhythmic funkiness even further so they recorded a few new tracks, and reshaped BEAT NOIR by removing a few tracks in order to add songs like “The Beat Escape” and “Get Civilized” to the running order. Rereleasing the album in many different territories, the new tracklist sounded like a shiny new beast, breathing new life into an already fine album. In the U.S., they removed a few more songs from the original tracklist, making it a shorter, more danceable album… which only confused the matter even more. Most U.S. fans have only ever heard the American version of the album which bared little resemblance to the original release.

And that was it. The band split and went their separate ways. Bogdan Wiczling and Cha went on to tour with Adam Ant on the FRIEND OR FOE tour as well as record and tour his VIVA LE ROCK album. Jimme and Cha later formed The Silencers in the ‘80s and achieved much more success than Fingerprintz ever did.

THE REVIEW:

Surprisingly, over the years, not one single track by Fingerprintz has ever been officially released on CD – not even on an ‘80s compilation! For two decades, I have made suggestions to reissue labels, requesting a ‘best of’ or expanded editions of their albums but could never get any of them to commit. One label released an unofficial compilation mastered from vinyl, which, for a short time, was the only chance of owning Fingerprintz on CD. However, the tides have turned and I’m pleased to announce that Rubellan Remasters has just released the inspiring and downright wonderful THE BEST OF FINGERPRINTZ: BULLET PROOF HEART. Anyone into Post-Punk, New Wave, and Power Pop needs to own this collection!

First things first: this collection is digitally remastered from the original tapes and it sounds great. You no longer hear the slight vinyl distortion from your well-played copies of the original Fingerprintz vinyl LPs and 7” singles – the sound is crystal clear and really brings out the power of the original recordings. Even if you own the complete Fingerprintz catalog on vinyl, the punchy remaster gives these songs new life.

OK, I admit that some of my favorite Fingerprintz songs didn’t make the tracklist, but I prefer to focus on what IS here and not what is missing. “Bullet Proof Heart”, “Changing”, “Amnesia”, “Tough Luck”, “Get Civilized”, “Houdini Love”, “Who’s Your Friend”, “Close Circuit Connection”, “Yes Eyes”, and “Remorse Code” are just some of the life-affirming tracks you’ll find on this very healthy 22 track compilation. This is undoubtedly one of the best ‘reissues’ of the year. Fingerprintz deserve your love, respect, and attention and it is time you give it to them!

Metalcore is a genre that combines elements of Extreme Metal and Hardcore Punk. When listening to Metalcore, you’re likely to experience the pummeling audio experience of violent Metal yet the lyrics tend to be based in the real world of politics, personal tragedies, and other more emotionally dark topics. More often than not, the lyrics tend to be dark and shrouded in mystery and shadows. Some of the better-known Metalcore bands include Underoath, Silverstein, Shadows Fall, Of Mice And Men, and the oddly-named Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza. However, like any other genre, there are bands that may use Metalcore as a jumping off point, but they take it in new directions. Currents is one of those bands…

Currents was formed in Fairfield, Connecticut in 2011. Their first two releases – the VICTIMIZED EP (2013) and LIFE – LOST (2015) – were issued independently. The moody Metal quintet then signed with Sharptone Records and released THE PLACE I FEEL SAFEST in 2017. The album was followed by the I LET THE DEVIL IN EP in 2018. As the band’s sound matured, they began adding many elements into their sound. From Metalcore to Progressive Metal with a hint of Screamo, Currents charted their own musical course and set their phasers to stun! The band has had a few line-up changes but their ‘current’ configuration is their strongest yet: Brian Wille (vocals), Chris Wiseman (guitar), Ryan Castaldi (guitar). Matt Young (drums), and Christian Pulgarin (bass). And this line-up presents the band’s heaviest and strongest album to date, THE WAY IT ENDS.

THE WAY IT ENDS is a dark, angry album, but it is not completely without hope. Although written before the onset of a worldwide pandemic and the protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, the album now reflects the dark, cold, and tortured feelings that many people are experiencing at this time. The album is multi-layered, filled with emotional trauma that may shock the listener… but also help them realize that they are most certainly not alone in their own fears. This is an album that is focused on inner torment brought on by an unforgiving world. THE WAY IT ENDS is said to be ‘a thematic and spiritualsuccessor to their dense, bludgeoning, and smartly constructed full-length debut, THE PLACE I FEEL SAFEST, and a direct follow-up to the blistering and diverse EP, I LET THE DEVIL IN.’ While that may be the case, it certainly stands on its own as a massive punch to the gut in the best possible way. THE WAY IT ENDS may prove to be a prophetic title, or it could just end up being the best Currents album yet. Only time will tell.

CURRENTS

THE WAY IT ENDS

7.3.2020

Formed in Houston, Texas in 2009, Khruangbin is composed of bassist Laura Lee, guitarist Mark Speer, and drummer Donald ‘DJ’ Johnson. The band’s origins reach back to 2004 when Speer and Johnson met while playing in a church Gospel band. Three years on, Speer met Lee and he encouraged her to learn to play bass. They both ended up playing in Yppah’s live touring band. This experience encouraged the Speer and Lee to create original music together. The duo’s experimentation led to a unique Psychedelic sound that was bass-heavy and rooted in World Music. Speer brought in his old friend Johnson and Khruangbin (Thai for ‘flying engine’ or ‘airplane’) was born. The band’s initial musical output relied on the interplay between the instruments and vocals were not prominently featured on their recordings.

The trio’s first release was the 2014 EP THE INFAMOUS BILL, followed by their 2015 full-length debut album THE UNIVERSE SMILES UPON YOU. Influenced by Thai music, the album was nearly impossible to classify and defied all genres. Regardless, it was warmly embraced by music fans and critics. The band’s second album, CON TUDO EL MUNDO (2018), added Spanish and Middle Eastern influences, pushing the band further away from genre classification and making them one of the most riveting bands of the era. Playing small clubs and huge festivals alike, Khruangbin continued to tour and build a devoted audience. In 2019, they took a short break and focused on creating material for their next album.

Now, in 2020, Khruangbin return with their third album, MORDECHAI. Unsurprisingly, the trio adds new elements to their evolving sound including a stronger reliance on vocals. While the idea of emphasizing more vocals than usual on a Khruangbin album may seem to go against the flow of their previous releases, one spin of MORDECHAI and it all makes sense. This isn’t an album that finds the trio ‘selling out’ and aiming for the Pop charts. The vocals are a natural addition to their sound – they operate as instruments, adding a new layer of emotional depth to the songs. The grooves are as delectable as ever and the Psychedelic elements still keep the songs floating above the ozone, but the vocals help guide the listener through the ever-evolving musical world of Khruangbin. MORDECHAI is a unique listening experience that will keep you coming back for more helpings… and you will hear it differently with each spin. That is what music is all about.

KHRUANGBIN
MORDECHAI
(Dead Oceans)

6.26.2020

While melodic Pop-oriented Punk has existed since the late ‘70s, the term ‘Pop Punk’ (or ‘Punk Pop”) wasn’t widely used until bands like The Offspring, Green Day, Rancid, and Blink-182 brought the genre to the mainstream, selling millions of albums in the process. MTV and radio embraced this new movement that was as hook-filled as it was loud and aggressive. It is hard to tell whether Pop Punk was a reaction against the slick Pop and smooth R&B that filled the charts at the time or a full-on musical revolution but whatever happened, happened. Another band that made their mark in 1997 was New Found Glory, the Coral Springs, Florida-based band that seemed to have a never-ending supply of anthems for the Punk kids. Within two years of their debut EP, the band were one of the biggest Pop Punk bands in the land.

New Found Glory’s first full-length album, Nothing Gold Can Stay (1999) set the wheels in motion and by 2000, they had signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their self-titled second album. Over the next two decades, the band has released a series of hit records and spent plenty of time on the road, promoting their albums and entertaining audiences everywhere. They signed with Hopeless Records in 2014 and released Resurrection. The band returned three years later with Make Me Sick.  In 2019, they released the third in their From The Screen To Your Stereo series. Unlike many of their Pop Punk contemporaries, New Found Glory have shown no signs of slowing down.

Forever + Ever x Infinity is their 2020 album and their 10^th studio album of original material (the band’s catalog also includes covers albums, live releases, EPs, and a few ‘hits’ collections to boot). The songs on this new release combine the spirit of classic New Found Glory with the spit of heavy Rock. The melodies still soar, but the guitars have a meaner bite. The songs still come fast and furious, but the guitars have a lean Metal-like chug-chug that makes each song hit harder but without causing any damage to the listener. Produced by Steve Evetts, the album features key tracks like “Himalaya”, “Shook By Your Shaved Head”, and the first single “Greatest Of All Time”. Forever + Ever x Infinity, amen!

‘Dean Tabaac

Head of AMPED Distribution

Proving the vitality of physical music in a market with fewer places to sell it is a challenge that keeps Tabaac motivated. “I’m most proud of the combined tenacity of our labels and us to keep physical releases relevant, knowing that other distributors, and the labels they represent, are deemphasizing those configurations,” he says. Tabaac cites the ability of AMPED’s distribution centers to “continually get product into retailers, offline and online, faster than anyone else.”

Urgent Indie Issue: To meet the demand for vinyl, says Tabaac, “where we used to have a 40-foot row that was highly automated for processing CD orders, we had to build three mezzanines so our people could do manual LP picks more efficiently.”’

Read full article here:
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9400400/billboard-indie-power-players-executives-list-2020

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