Inter Arma at the Soapbox

 (Inter Arma)

I've been needing to see Inter Arma again. I've been enjoying their last release, "Destroyer," and looking forward to hearing the new stuff they've recorded for Relapse.

Also, I've been wanting to get out of Raleigh more. I've been living in this town for 18 years. The only other place I've lived that long was my hometown, Morehead City. Even though I occasionally get the urge to move back home, I don't think I could seriously live in a place where I'd have to drive at least two hours to see great music on a regular basis. I'd prefer to move to Asheville, but job and family concerns are keeping me closer to the coast, so I thought I'd check out Wilmington. What better way to accomplish two things at once (seeing Inter Arma and checking out Wilmington) than going to the No Turning Back Fest last weekend at the Soapbox.

(Mortal Man)

I can't say I learned a lot about Wilmington from just being there a few hours, but I do like the Soapbox. Inter Arma sounded great, despite playing for a small-ish crowd. Somehow the singer cut himself on the forehead during the set, which looked pretty freaky. I also got to see the awesomely doomy Mortal Man (from Wilmington) and crazy, female-led Raleigh punks Last Words.

Red Fang, Black Tusk at Kings

(Andrew Fidler of Black Tusk)

Vacation kept me from posting these photos of Red Fang and Black Tusk from last Thursday (Nov. 8) at Kings. It's just as well since I didn't get many photos I was happy with. Both bands rocked, but I was especially impressed with openers Lord Dying, who opened for Witch Mountain at Kings back in the summer. 

MAKE releases 3-song EP

I've spent the weekend listening to, and completely enjoying, MAKE's new mostly instrumental 3-song EP, "Axis." The first song, also called "Axis," sets the standard for the EP. At a whopping 17:01, the song builds slowly from a searing, electric drone, eventually forming a crushing, almost Eastern-sounding melody. The band runs through crushing, psychedelic sludge with the second song,  "Chimera," then winds down, ending with a quiet piano melody on "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters." MAKE's live show was one of my highlights for Hopscotch. I'm glad to see they lived up to their live show with this new EP. Buy it here.

Just in time for the election: The Infamous Sugar's "Stop Talking Politics"

I was at Slim's when The Infamous Sugar filmed the crowd scene for his first video, "Stop Talking Politics." I figured the finished product would be pretty hilarious, and I was right. If you're tired of the election (and of all the political posts on Facebook), take a look at this video.

Show of the Week & new music from The Infamous Sugar

This week's show of the week and .mp3 of the week are by the same artist, The Infamous Sugar, the famously filthy raunchy rock keyboard savant who will have his CD-release party this Saturday, Oct. 6, at Kings. The show is free, and you'll get to see the debut of the new video for his timely new single, "Stop Talkin' Politics," which was filmed on a recent Sunday Funday at Slim's with a cast of usual suspects all holding silly political signs. I was there and got to witness the filming first-hand (the "God Hates Homo Sapiens" sign was my doing). If the finished product is half as funny as the filming then you will not want to miss this. The Bleeding Hearts open the show. To get you in the mood for the show, here's my favorite song on the album (and really my favorite of all Suge's songs), "Sloppy Drunk."


The Infamous Sugar - "Sloppy Drunk"