Red Meat Reviews » Music

New Music Review Bites – Cage The Elephant, Jonquil, The Get Up Kids, Esben And The Witch, Say Hi, Chikita Violenta

Haaris Ahmed — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 06:16:26 +0000

Cage The Elephant – Thank You, Happy Birthday

A new year and Cage the Elephant kicks things off with their sophomore album, Thank You Happy Birthday. I have always pressed the fact that Cage the Elephant is a band to be experienced live, their 1st album was dope, but when I saw them live it all made sense. The second album is hardly much of the same, they don’t depart from their sound as much as they expand it and fuse new and exciting audio (like on Japanese Buffalo or Saber-tooth Tiger). They do have some really radio friendly that will rattle in your brain during your evening commute, buts songs like Indy Kidz, Sell Yourself, and Always Something rise above the rest of this highly recommended album.

Jonquil – One Hundred Suns EP

This one is for people who are fans of light hearted tracks, cause not everything has to be power chords and electronic beats. Jonquil comes at you with pure positivity and fun melodies with a heavy foot on keeping everything upbeat. For fans of bands like Vampire Weekend, Jonquil will scratch that indy itch for about 30 minutes, its an Ep people.

The Get Up Kids – There Are Rules

Can’t place my finger on why I like this band, I just do. Maybe its cause they are from the 90′s, maybe cause they are from the mid-west, or maybe its because this is their first new album since they broke up back in 2005. In any case this album is the Get Up Kids, only more grown up? I really cant tell cause it sounds like they had a blast making this album, which translates onto There are Rules. Worth a pick up if you are down with the Get Up Kids.

Esben And The Witch – Violet Cries

This is def my pic of the week. WARNING this album is not for everyone. I cant stress enough how much I dig this UK trio’s sound. When I hear any tracks off of Violet Cries it transports me to Sleepy Hallow (Disney Sleepy Hallow not Johnny Depp). I am suddenly walking under a full moon, I can smell the reeds as they rock to-and-fro in the night air, I hear the distant mating calls of toads and other amphibious swamp creatures getting it on; all while looking over my shoulder for the headless horseman and his flaming Jack-o-lantern.

To say this album is haunting would be a serious understatement. Harmonized vocals and drawn out guitar chords lulls the listener to a state of vulnerability that I haven’t felt since Tool. Esben and the Witch in no way sounds like Tool, but the effect is the same, scary music that doesn’t scare me.

Say Hi – Um, Uh Oh

How many albums can Say Hi put out? Um, Uh Oh is the 7th (i think). I have nothing bad to say about this album. If your a Say Hi fan then pick this one up. It sounds like some of these songs could have been on their previous album, Ohh’s and Ah’s, so theres nothing really new when it comes to the sound. Still its a solid pick up.

Chikita Violenta – TRE3S

Who the fuck is Chikita Violenta? Apparently they are a Mexican band that like to get down with that alternative sound. Chikita Violenta have a drastically different sound and style then what one is used to hearing coming from Mexico, in short they sound like they are art rock cats from Brooklyn. If you like lo fi pick up TRE3S

Foo Fighters at the Velvet Jones 1/28/11

Haaris Ahmed — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:09:14 +0000

You read the headline correctly, Dave, Nate, Pat, Taylor and Santa Barbara native Chris decided to do a show in SB, but instead of selling out a huge venue they opted to sweat it out at the Velvet Jones, a club that barely holds 300 people.

The concert was a secret, I didn’t find out about it till the day of the show. The rules to getting in were simple, follow the Foo Fighters on twitter and wait for some sort of sign. Between various twit pics of familiar features the California 101 North the Foo Fighter fanbase was in a nervous frenzy. I got a tip to que up outside Velvet Jones at 4pm from a buddy who was en route to pick me up. When we arrived we were greeted with small yet wide line of people. A bouncer came out announcing that you better have cash, be over 21 and the venue is only selling single wristbands. By the time my lady got off work and met up with our group the line was moving but luckily we got wrist banded up! A wave of 90′s nostalgia swept across my mind, it was rad to find out about a show via the internet and get tickets in an actual line and not an online fiasco.

I arrived at the nightclub around 9ish, caught some of the El Marichi Bronx, and then it was Foo Fighter time (around the 10pm mark). It was so surreal to see this band, who I have only experienced in a stadium setting. I was super close to the Foo, and so was everyone else because the venue is just that small.

So why were the Foo Fighters there? They decided to play their new album, cover to cover, no breaks, no bullshit, just pure Foo Fighter action. The new album rules, its super fast and aggressive, at least that’s how they rocked it on this particular Friday night. Instead of getting off stage after giving the crowd the entire new album(which is self titled, I think) they started busting out hit after hit form their extensive catalog of music.

I unfortunately had to leave at midnight, so I didn’t get to stay for the whole thing. Apparently the Foo Fighters played up until closing time, at least that is what the locals claim. I believe it, it looked like Dave Grohl was having a great time on stage, in between tracks he was talking shit and tweaking songs, he even gave his wife a little dedication. It was also a highlight seeing Pat Smear on stage, I have seen both Chris Shiflett and Taylor Hawkins bands at Velvet, but to see all those guys come collectively together as Foo Fighters at a place like Velvet Jones, well it doesn’t happen that often, I was just happy to be in the room.

The show was the tits. I hope more arena bands take a page from the Foo Fighters and play small club shows in Santa Barbara to work on new material as well as rock old hits until closing time; yeah I’m not going to hold my breath.

You are probably looking for a set list, Here is the set list that I ripped off of setlist.fm if you care about these types of things

1. Bridge Burning
2. Rope
3. Dear Rosemary
4. White Limo
5. Arlandria
6. These Days
7. Back & Forth
8. Matter of Time
9. Miss the Misery
10. I Should Have Known
11. Walk

12. All My Life
13. Times Like These
14. Generator
15. My Hero Play
16. Learn to Fly
17. Wattershed
18. Up in Arms
19. Big Me
20. Enough Space
21. Monkey Wrench
22. Hey, Johnny Park!
23. Everlong

Encore:

24. The Pretender
25. I’ll Stick Around
26. This is a Call

Also big ups to the Velvet Jones staff for being the best establishment for live music in Santa Barbara, you cats rule.

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Melvins Killing It at The Velvet Jones 9/16/2010

Haaris Ahmed — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:01:54 +0000

Before I get into the Melvins show quick shout out to the Velvet Jones. The club decided to do some remolding and it paid off in a huge way. They basically knocked off the awning above the bar, which opens up the entire space. It looks 10x bigger and you can hear a vast improvement in the acoustics, and the Melvins is a great band to showcase the now incredible sound that Velvet Jones houses. The owner decided to restructure some of the glasswork throughout the club as well, the entire place looks fantastic.

On to the show, it was AWESOME. The Melvins have played this venue before, and in true Melvins form, blasted the doors wide open. Coming out in Space Suits and matching capes King B and the rest of the band took the small club patrons on an audio journey that would be with you the next day, yeah it was that loud. Quick note, the openers were Totimoshi and they were awesome, I bought their 7inch, best $5 I have spent all year. Is there really anymore to say, we are talking about the FUCKING MELVINS. They were on point and it was a great show, end of story.

I may have had too much fun at the show, not only did I buy the wrong poster (i bought the slo poster not the Santa Barbara poster) i left the poster and a 7inch at the show. Lucky for me the people at Velvet held onto it and my lady picked up. Don’t mess with that brown liquor kids.

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Grinderman 2

Joe A. Melendez — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:20:49 +0000

If you read this website then I assume that you have a large pair of balls (physical or metaphorical). This impediment may make you the type of human that drools over the sight of a ’69 Triumph Scrambler being ridden past you. You may buckle to the sight of a calf muscle pulsating while perched above the ankle of a thoroughbred female. You might shoot guns into empty beer cans while standing next to a mountain or you might dive deep into the Amazon River in search of an elusive man-eating catfish. You are a man. You eat, breath and drink fire and brimstone. And because of this, you are selective of the music that you feed your manly brain.

This is Red Meat Reviews and we like our steaks rare, bloody, and marbleized. So when we feast upon the flank of a slaughtered beast, whilst we moisten our palette with the finest whiskey, there is only one thing that we rather listen to… Grinderman. And what we here at RMR have been listening to enthusiastically for the past few days is the new album from The Nick Cave and the Bad Seed’s side project. Grinderman 2 does not disappoint being another album inspired by man’s struggle with lust, passion, broken hearts and desire. Nick Cave is arguably one of the best lyricists living today and his band produces the right sound to help deliver his message.

Grinderman 2 is another example of how Nick Cave simply continues to improve musically. His lyrics have always been top notch, but often his albums were meant to be listened to while drowning your sorrows behind a bar, a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of gin. His new music does much more than that. It makes you want to forget your sorrows by urging you to get up, grab the best-looking or closest girl around and dance. Grinderman produces music that comes straight from the testicles. It is Warren Oates and Steve McQueen taking you out to the dessert of Nevada to shoot guns, eat peyote, race motorcycles and pick up show girls to take to the illegal cockfights before heading back to their hotel rooms.

Grinderman 2 is one cool motherfucker of an album with only one fault, not enough songs. I like to think that this was done on purpose. Too many songs might make lesser men crumble and fall dead on the spot. I, for one, was willing to take that risk. Buying this album is not a risk.

5 Bloody Steaks.

New Music Review Bites – The Black Angels, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, The Vasalines, Interpol, Of Montreal

Haaris Ahmed — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:21:26 +0000

The Black Angels – Phosphene Dream

Why have I never heard of this band? The Black Angels rule and so does their new album Phosphene Dream. This album could have come out in 1967, it definitely has a psychedelic sounds of bands like the Mamma’s and Pappas and Cream. Combine that throwback sound with elements of garage rock and some serious dissidence and you have the Black Angels. Tracks like Rivers of Blood, Telephone, Entrance Song and Yellow Elevator #2 are just some of the many great tracks on Phosphene Dream. Also worth noting is the packaging, its cool and tripped out. Buy this today.

Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s – Buzzard

Honestly I don’t know if I like or dislike this album. It’s a dilemma, so you can tell me what you think. Its random, fun, haunting, weird, random sound bits, folky, heavy, light and straight up strange. I dig the confusion. My favorite track is Tiny Vampire Robot, its one of the slower tracks on Buzzard but it’s a keeper. Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s get 3 cant make up my mind meats outta 5.

The Vasalines – Sex With an X

They are back years later on the Sub Pop label and I dig this record. If you haven’t heard of The Vasalines time to start your homework, just start with this album and work your way back to 1987. One of the few band from the late 80’s that are still kicking, and they are from Glasgow. If you like rock give these Scottish cats some love.

Interpol

This new self titled album is nothing new from Interpol. You would think that a band of this caliber would push their sound to somewhere new but much like most things from the past, they don’t hold up to the present. This is not to say the new Interpol album isn’t good, it is if you like Interpol. Its nothing new, all these songs could have been any Interpol record. If you like Interpol the pick this album up, if you have already got your share of Interpol in your collection it is not necessary to add this one to the group.

Of Montreal – False Priest

“You look like a playground to me” is a line taken from the song Sex Karma off the newest album by Of Montreal. This album rules. False Priest is all about fun, you can feel the happy take over your synapses. This album should come with a warning cause the funk level is so high it will cause permanent damage. Every track stands out in its own right yet are perfect when listened cover to cover, so I recommend pressing play on the first track and letting that motherfucker ride to the end. There are some guests on False Priest, Solange Knowles (Beyonce’s little sister) sings on Sex Karma, and Janelle Monae lends her vocals on Enemy Gene and Our Riotous Defects. Miss Monae is currently on tour with Of Montreal. I would love to go in detail on how much I like this album, but this is meaty bite so find a girl named Hello pick up this album!

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Nothing In Common

The Caped Tirader — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:32:09 +0000

Hip-hop is a genre that, since the close of the 90’s, has become nothing more than a piece of soft, artificial, flavorless, and valueless bubble gum that has been chewed on, popped by, and passed along by a bunch of tarts with no understanding of what once made it great. BUT it’s not these little tarts fault completely. This ABC gum was created to target them specifically by unidimensional MC’s in $1000 dollar an-hour labs paid for by tobacco-style execs. Hey- everyone’s gotta eat, right? So they market this garbage bubble gum like it was a meal and the kids…well, the kids just eat it up and shit it out faster than Violet turned into a blueberry (showing my age?).

The problem is, the artists are missing the point. Hip-hop is about truth. It is about telling a story from one’s perspective based on personal experiences or imaginations. It is also about and at its best when it discusses the state of the world; societal issues.

This inundation of auto-tuned, fake-diamond encrusted nursery rhymes makes the hunt for meaningful hip-hop both frustrating and extremely rewarding. With that I bring to you one of the my favorite groups that has nothing in common with what’s commonly on your radio:

Common Market! Common Market is a Seattle based group (Seattle has many great artists) consisting of one MC (Ra Scion) and a DJ (Sabzi). The group’s mission-To express through their art that the world is in a terrible state and that a change is necessary. Attacking everything from local to global politics to the sorry state of hip-hop, Ra Scion’s lyricism is on par with conscious greats of the genre such as KRS, Mos Def, Nas (circa ‘Illmatic’), Atmosphere, and Common.

Simply put (minus a few less than great beats), Common Market is hip-hop done right. Don’t take my word for it. Here is a quick list of songs you should buy off of amazon right now:

G’Dang Diggy

Escaping Arkham

Winter Takes All

Slow Down Moses

Tobacco Road

Love One

Poison

soothsayer – (video link)

As artists I give Common Market:

PRIMUS SUCKS at the Santa Barbara Bowl 8/15/10

Haaris Ahmed — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:27:57 +0000

Another beautiful Sunday night in Santa Barbara and what better way to spend it than with PRIMUS. Before I get into that Wolfmother opened and they did a solid job performing a good mix of new and old and some covers to a unenthusiastic audience. They were saving their energy for the main act that came onto the stage nice and early around the 8pm mark, and since curfew is 10pm this should make for a solid 2 hour Primus show, WRONG.

OK fist off look at this STRONG setlist.

1. Pudding Time
2. Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers
3. Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread
4. American Life
5. Golden Boy
6. Big in Japan (Tom Waits cover)
7. Over The Falls
8. The Toys Go Winding Down
9. Drum and Whamola Jam
10. Groundhog’s Day
11. Mrs. Blaileen
12. Jerry Was A Race Car Driver
13. In The Flesh (Pink Floyd cover)
14. Harold of the Rocks

Encore:
15. Southbound Pachyderm
16. Too Many Puppies

Awesome right? Southbound Pachyderm is a personal favorite. Les Claypool did his thing making complex bass moves look simple. The highlight is when he broke out the Whamola, totally awesome. The crowd was real into the show and if this was your first time seeing Primus then you were STOKED. Now on to people who have seen Primus. WTF is up with ending the show before curfew. Primus, who have not been to the Santa Barbara Bowl in years could have played a 2 hour kick ass set, instead they choose to only play a 1 hour and 25 minute kick ass set. Normally I would not complain, but we are talking about PRIMUS! These cats are supposed to jam out not call it in early. That left a bad taste in the collective mouths of seasoned fans, I especially feel bad for people who drove from LA to see Primus at this venue, its something else. The only thing I could think of was that they didnt sell out the Santa Barbara Bowl, that might be why they wanted to call it quits, or maybe they are getting old. One long time Primus fan and downtown venue/club owner that I will leave nameless stated he was “fistfucked in the face” along with a whole lotta of other super hallrouis shit that I could not retrain in my brain.

The verdict, despite calling it a night at 9:26pm it was a solid set. Weird visuals, on stage blow up astronauts and amazing musicianship made this a great Sunday night. HE COVERED TOM WAITS!!!! In the end they played 16 songs, and anytime you see a Whamola is a good time.

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New Music Review Bites – Autolux, Bear in Heaven, M.I.A., Best Coast

Haaris Ahmed — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:25:30 +0000

Autolux – Transit Transit

6 YEARS!!!!!!! Thats how long it took Autolux’s sophomore album to come out. Who do these cats think they are the, Wu Tang Clan? Despite the incredible gap between albums Autolux has continued playing kickass live shows and are essentially a live band. Both Autolux albums translates an idea of what they sound like rather than an actual blueprint of their music. Transit Transit reflects this feel of freedom. I will be honest, the first time I listened to Transit Transit I did not like it at all. They are only a couple of overpowering in your face jams and the rest just seemed like noise trash filler, but then I gave the album another listen, then another, and now I cant stop listening to it at all. Subtle sonic tunes like Highchair, Spots and The Bouncing Wall are complimented by aggressive Autolux tracks like Supertoys, Audience #2, Kissproof and Census. You quickly realize after a couple of listens cover to cover there is a LOT of stuff going on you just don’t pick up on it on the first run, like using xylophones, I LOVE xylophone’s. The real fun is seeing these 3 live and it will be interesting to see how they work this new material with their old all the time incorporating their signature live sound. This new album gets 4 meats, and Autolux please don’t make us wait another 6 years for a 3^rd album ridiculous

Bear In Heaven – Beast Rest Forth Mouth

Where did this band come from? How did they acquire such a rad name? None of this really matters cause this album is pretty dope. This is their second album but my first experience with this Brooklyn based band, and it’s a good one. The music is fun and will put a smile on your face if you are into experimental rock with harmonious jams and catchy baselines. Don’t let the hipsters turn you away for this band or this album, both are cooler than any hipster’s opinion, you know who you are.

4 ½ Meats

MIA – / \ / \ / \ Y / \

Do I need to do this review? I waited until the hype faded and to be honest with you I thought there would be more. Diplo who contributed to this album is talk shit and long time pitchfork supporters gave this album a 4.4. I guarantee in like 10 years they are gonna re score this gem of an album. I have a huge bias to great music and this is great music. Total revamp of sound and style from her previous work / \ / \ / \ Y / \ is a blast of everyday sounds and crunchy noise all married with M.I.A. distinct style and creativity. Get on your grind and pick up this 4 meaty approved album.

Best Coast – Crazy For You

If you are from Southern California or California you should pick up this album. Crazy For You sounds, well like California. It has a great lo-fi garage rock sound and hints of surf rock from the 50’s and 60’s but not corny at all. The longest song is 3 minutes, which is great for kids with short attention spans and weed smokers. Front woman Bethany Cosentino uses cliché subject matters like relationships, summer, love, hate and partying to create catchy tunes great for your next summer BBQ. Bethany’s cat is also talked about in her music as well on the cover and actual CD, lucky feline. 4 meats for this Katy Perry hater.(I support the hate)

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Pack Your Heart You Might Need It – Deftones at the Ventura Majestic Theater 8/6/2010

Haaris Ahmed — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:55:50 +0000

Another night in Southern California and another kickass show, this time by the Deftones.

These dudes always manage to come through to Ventura Majestic Theater and blast the doors right off. Yes this was a sell out show and looking at the set list you can see why.

1.Needles and Pins
2.Dai the Flu
3.Risk
4.Beauty School
5.Knife Prty
6.Digital Bath
7.Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
8.Lotion
9.Hole in the Earth
10.Diamond Eyes
11.Rocket Skates
12.Prince
13.You’ve Seen The Butcher
14.My Own Summer (Shove It)
15.Elite
16.Sextape
17.Lifter
18.Change (In the House of Flies)
19.Bored

Encore:
20.Caress (Drive Like Jehu cover)
21.7 Words

I TOLD YOU. Deftones have a large enough library of awesomeness that they could have played anything I would have been happy. As you can see the set list was super aggressive and they were on stage for quite a bit. The jams were tight and the acoustics were surprisingly crisp. Ventura Majestic Theater is an awesome venue, but it can be tricky on sound but lucky for me and the rest of the sold out crowd that was not an issue.

Chino was having way to much fun, smiling, screaming, running around and talking shit. Smack in the front center they constructed a raised level so Chino can be elevated so everyone could see him as he would rock the fuck out. The lights were pretty cool as well, they had these spot lights that looked all fragmented like in a comic book or something, you had to see it for yourself.

The only thing I didn’t like was the merch dude who wouldn’t sell me a limited edition poster print, he said it was for people that bought VIP tickets, damn that dude for doing his job!!!!!

4 Meaty Meats

Oh this is me talking with Chino outside the show. Funny story I met him at my first radio promotion for 89.5 WSOU Seton Halls Pirate Radio, we were doing the midnight release of White Pony at a Menlo Park Mall and I was lucky enough to me Chino and the rest of the Deftones and they were super nice. Thats what I told Chino outside, and although he doesn’t remember our 30 second encounter 12 years ago he does remember the midnight release and was still super nice. Big ups to Jen and her ninja camera skills for taking this candid shot.

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Right Ear Permanently Damaged – Boris at Casbah in San Diego 7/24/2010

Haaris Ahmed — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:53:35 +0000

For reals, my right ear has not been the same since. I should have worn ear plugs to the show, especially because of all the brutality I have but my poor eardrums through this past week, (Rage, Dead Weather and Tool) luckily the ringing has stopped. Oh the show? Out of all the shows I saw this past week this one took the feedback cake.

First off the drive to the venue and back was totally worth it, the Casbah (that is how they spell the name of the club) barely held 250 (rough estimate) plus it was Comic Con so there was a healthy presence of people from all over the world, I met 9 kids from Australia. There was 1 chick wearing a penguin costume, she was sweating and bouncing around like she was on “e” and smelled pretty bad. Oh the show….

HOLY CRAP BORIS IS AWSOME LIVE. 2 years ago I had to fly all the way to Ohio to see these 3 open for Nine Inch Nails in Ohio, and they killed it then, so when I heard about this being their 1st show on their North American tour I had to check it out. I got up right in front, my knees were touching the stage dead center.

As soon as that fist cord got pulled my ears and body got blown the fuck out!!! This show was LOUD, and loud is good in my book. They might have only played 13 songs, but the set actually clocked right around the 1 hour 45 minute mark. The set list was AMAZING, covering most of their recent work and throwing it back. Tracks like 16:47:52 were 8 were really nice low fi breaks where as the rest of the set was just exploding with blaring experimental rock audio. Since I was so close I was able to see their tricks/talents up close and personal. Atsuo is a MAD MAN on drums. He was one of the greatest drummers I have EVER seen, and his rock face was super duper awesome. In fact he was the most animated on stage, he was mic’ed upped for vocals and throughout the show as he was drumming he would belt out some shouts in the middle of songs just cause, AWESOME. Wata was the only one on stage not to break a sweat, she seemed like a statue, almost like a delicate piece of porcelain with that signature Japanese beauty, but then I noticed her fingers, wtf!!! She is an AMAZING guitar player, she was picking, soloing, feedbacking, plucking and just plain killing it, but all with that modest persona that the Japanese are known for. Takeshi played with his double neck the entire time, he was much like Wata on stage, but every once in a while he could not contain himself at times and rocked out. They were joined by a 4^th band mate on stage, I didn’t know who he was, but he loved the feedback and pulled some serious metal solo’s as well. There was no bullshit encore, just one awesome set. During their last song Atsuo jumped on his kit and threw up both his hands up the metal way \m/ \m/ and stood their looking over the crowd for what seemed to be a good 3-5minutes, then walked into the middle of the crowd to retire, there was another 5-10 minutes of just droned out feedback until the rest of the band exited into the middle of the crowd, fuck yeah….Here is the Set List

Set list
1. Farewell
2. Rainbow
3. 8
4. Lungs
5. Floor Shaker
6. Statement
7. A bao a qu
8. 16:47:52
9. Akirame Flower
10. PINK
11. korosu
12. 1970
13. untitled

Like I was stating before, the set was incredible, it was like a hurricane, started subtle then all of a sudden it was chaos, sounds bleeding in and out of your brain, chords clashing with non stop drum progression, then a clam cool slowdown, is it over? Oh no no, your just in the eye of the storm, and then before you know it your in that same world wind ride then spit out the other side, forever changed by this experience known as BORIS.

5 Metal Meats

Also…

The Merch was pretty awesome, no poster prints, but a shit ton of imported vinyl

Also this was the only picture i could take, in fact this was the last picture my Mytouch camera took, the camera no longer works, fucking technology.

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