Heroes Will Fall is an up and coming band from Orlando, FL whom I find pretty Awesome. I remember mentioning the fact that new talent is few and far between and it is, lucky for you – I found some.

Made up of Justin Peyatt (Vocals), Mike Allison (Guitar) and Fred Rabideau (Drums) they are a fresh new Metal band that makes my head shake like those bob-head dolls on the dashboard of a weirdo’s car, keeping rhythm on my office table and pulling my face as if I just escaped from prison.They have an “exciting blend of hard rock that flies seamlessly between metal, hardcore, and tasteful pockets of melody” (I decided to quote this off their facebook page, as there is no way to better describe it).

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=556267801#!/pages/Heroes-Will-Fall/146883767678?sk=wall

They were so kind to send me their debut album “The Red Chapter” released in 2010, I have not stopped listening to it. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but if you listen to Hardcore, Metal…MetalCore, anything along those lines, you will most definitely find something you love about them and the more you listen to them, the more you will want to. If I had to describe what I hear when I listen to them I would say; Perfect construction of vocals with epic drums, guitars and of course a melody that would get you hooked almost instantly. If you like the feel of Haste The Day, August Burns Red, and Silent Civilian, then this is most likely something for you too. This is most definitely one of the best new bands out there.

They are currently working on some new songs and if I am not mistaken, they are looking for a bassist. They did put a little sneak peak on their facebook page, recorded while in practice and I think it is splendid. If that is any indication of what is to come….let me tell you now and let me tell you honestly…WATCH THIS SPACE!!

For more Info on this band you can visit them at:

http://www.myspace.com/heroeswillfall

http://www.ourstage.com/profile/heroeswillfall

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=556267801#!/pages/Heroes-Will-Fall/146883767678

http://www.jango.com/music/Heroes+Will+Fall?l=0

http://signmeto.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/heroes-will-fall (If you want to do them a huge favor, you can go to this page and review their music and even rate them if you want, they need support and surely deserve it too.)

The founder of Band Crew “Mario Venter” believes that our local talent needs to be encouraged by making sure they can look and sound the best they can.

Band Crew records bands as well as solo artists and they shoot music videos too. This all happens in Bionic Records’ Studio. The studio has digital equipment and has rehearsal rooms available to accommodate the band/artist’s  requirements. They do have  green Screen facilities too, so your train of thought can go even further. Their producer and sound engineer goes by the name of Robert George Mitchley, a legend in the music game. He has already won 2 South African Music Awards, and that should say quite a bit.

If you need session musicians, no need to worry because that they have too. Band Crew’s target market is helping up and coming bands to fulfill their dreams of recording and being produced. They are prepared to make your dreams come true in the most affordable way they can, and do it at cost price.

This is a great opportunity for any Band/artist to expand their dreams without having to pay an arm and a leg.

So what are you waiting for…..Tell a friend, become a solo artist….who knows, just do it.

For more information you can contact Mario Venter @ 072 133 2864 – add him on Facebook (I am sure he won’t mind…if he does….Oops!! I am sure he will forgive me)

Lets make SA the world’s best Music scene…..or we can just take over the world too…..it all begins with a dream right?

The above article helped to solidify a few ideas I had been working on into something more or less coherent.  But when I started properly joining the dots, the realisation they led to disturbed a little.  We all know the world is changing, and this change is being led largely by changes in the Internet, technology, etc, as well as cultural and political forces.  But mostly the Internet right now.  Specifically in the way we use it, and the way it is becoming a place for us to live as social animals.

Ten years ago the Internet was a very different place.  You went to a web page to look at it, and to get information from it.  That was all.  Maybe you bought something. These days we go to websites to use them – there are things we can do on them, and in some places we can leave a lasting mark.  Some of them, like Facebook, are becoming a lot more than just a service or a playground.  They’re becoming places where we extend ourselves.

Here’s a map of all Facebook accounts and the connections between them:

Click to Embiggen

Our personalities, and social reaches, are expanding.  Never before have you been able to tell something to hundreds of people you know all in one go, for free.  To show your family pictures of your vacation you used to have to email them all to everyone – now you can just share them. With this comes online honesty – children used to be at risk in online chat rooms where anonymity ruled.  Now anonymity is a scarce, and widely mistrusted, online commodity.

As our online presence becomes more social and more connected it becomes easier for us to communicate to a wide audience, and to socialize much more widely.  In case you don’t know the numbers, it’s taken Facebook six years to grow from a small college network to 550 million users worldwide.  That’s a twelfth of the planet, connected by a single network, and run by a single company that knows more about each and every member than most parents know about their own kids.

I’m not going to preach about monopolies or Big Brother.  Far from it.  This is how the world is changing, and if you think it’s going fast now, just wait. As I explained in the article 5 Technologies That Will Lead to the Singularity, computing power is growing at an increasing rate.  Lagging only slightly behind that is what we can do with all that power.

The exponential growth of computing power available, comparing it to various animals.

I’d like to stress that what we’re seeing is only the beginning.  Zuckerberg seems to think so as well. There are limitations, but these will be overcome.  Facebook, and what it represents, is just an embryonic form of what it will become.  Before I get onto my actual point, this quote:

We are running our social lives over the Internet, an infrastructure that was not designed for that purpose, and we must be aware of the distortions it creates or we will be distorted by them.

I mentioned previously that Facebook knew a lot about us.  That means a lot of money, in the hands of good or evil. Facebook does it’s best to use it only in ways that are not harmful or invasive, and hopefully in ways that at worst will see us spend a few bucks or waste a few hours (a day, in the case of those who play Farmville). Sometimes they get it wrong, but we’ve turned out to be pretty forgiving. What it also means is that people have a new way to sell us things, and we are eating that shit up.

We’re not just buying the shit.  We’re picking it up with our hands and smearing it all over the place.  Most people don’t like ads, or pass them on, but some people do.  Some ads, like the Old Spice commercials, are hilarious and make you want to share them.  We tell our friends about them, quote them, turn them into memes.  That’s fine, but we will need to develop the same kind of immunity to it as we have against detergent ads soon, or we’ll end up like Idiocracy with fewer dick jokes.

Pictured: Dick Joke

Hell, I know I wanted to go out and buy some Old Spice after watching that guy.  But big advertising companies aren’t the only ones who are using this new media as a sales platform.  Individual professionals, entrepreneurs and the garden-variety soap-box loons you thought were normal people before you friended them are doing it too.

This is Samantha Laura Kaye, a girl I knew in University who went on to work in hair and makeup styling, and do a little bit of modeling and promoting from what I can tell.  She’s doing a damn fine job of it, as well.  In a short time her website’s undergone an impressive overhaul, and every few days I hear about a new hair serum or a mobile massage parlor on Facebook.

Now, her website isn’t everyone’s taste – especially if you’re not into makeup, fashion photo shoots, hairstyles, or scantily-clad models playing prison rules soccer while showing gratuitous underboob (sigh… here).  My point is she’s using the channels most of us use to make our friends’ profile pictures say I heart cock to promote her business, and sell herself as a personality on the side.

Now, this handsome devil is Craig Vine, another casual acquaintance of mine.  He also has a blog, The Bloody Cabaggatory. But Craig isn’t selling stuff.  He is making money from the ads on the side, but it’s mostly for his own and his audiences’ entertainment.  But what happens on his blog isn’t important.  What is important is that he uses things like Facebook, Twitter, and a whole host of social media services most of us don’t use, to distribute his writings.

He’s pushing an agenda.  As scattered and off-sides as it is, he’s selling a personality too.  But the people with blogs aren’t the only ones who are selling stuff through Facebook, because you’re doing it too.

Being socially successful, it seems to me, is the end result of coming out on top in the majority of a series of transactions. I’m not trying to sound like a sociopath here, but think about it. Some people just play well with others, and others want them around.  Some of it might be the genetic lottery, but I know a lot of unattractive people who have a lot of friends.

It’s the nub of my little theory here that social success means playing your cards right, making the most of what you’ve got in terms of looks, personality and phallic humour to win friends and influence people.  It’s not directly related to selling, but when you communicate more with a lot of people because you want to, and you have an engaging personality, you are going to thrive. Being able to sell your personality like a product, on any level, is a good skill to have.

But Facebook has its own rules. As the third largest country on Earth by population, it already has guidelines and famous faux-pas like you can find on sites like failbook.com: Don’t have an open divorce on Facebook.  Don’t put your sex life on Facebook, or anywhere near it if you have more than one sex life.  Learn how it works before you post lurid details about your latest conquest all over your best friend’s wall, and for God’s sake, stop clicking on these:

These are a lot like the things we call ‘manners’ or common sense, but are totally alien to someone who has never used Facebook. They were not a part of our culture in our parents’ generation, but they are in it now, and to our children it will be hard to imagine a world where that wasn’t the case.

Being able to communicate yourself well, make people laugh or command an audience, socially or for business, have always been valuable skills. With the growth both in size and complexity of our online lives, they will become more vital than ever.  When a good portion of your connection with humanity is shared data, you better make yours as good as it can be.

There is no escape, except at a high cost.  You can say that you don’t want to use Facebook for anything but sending the odd message.  You can ignore Farmville and all the links people post and invitations they send you.  But there’ll come a subtle point where non-involvement edges you out of the network you rely on.  If you’ve ever kept yourself out of the loop for a while, you tend to fade away from the group’s consciousness.  You don’t call them, they won’t call you.

The same goes for social media.  We have a choice: participate, and get used to the idea that large portions of your previously private life are now in the public domain, or skip out and risk alienation. Those aren’t the extremes yet, but I already see a world in which virtual interactions hold just as much weight as those in real life.  And I think it’ll be here before we have either the technology or the maturity to pull it off.

Stephen Keech
Mike Murphy
Dave Krysl
Giuseppe Capolupo
Scotty Whelan

I am quite sad to have found out that Haste The Day will be doing their final tour February – March 2011. They also have what they call the “The 12 Days of Christmas” where they will hit the cities that won’t be on their final tour. Unfortunately SA is not part of any of these.  I got the idea that they have been to Cape Town before, but now….that doesn’t really matter anymore.

Haste The Day is a Christian MetalCore band from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. This band has been going for 10years and has now finally decided to call it a day. They are breaking up end of their tour (feb-mar’10). Some fans say that it is a good thing, as there were no growth in the band anymore but some, like me, are quite sad and disappointed. It feels like I have just been dumped. I have just become a new fan and now I have to say goodbye, figures. Their reasons for this however is not convincing enough for me: “There are many reasons why HTD is ending, however we mainly feel as though we have created the best music we can and believe it is now time for us to move on to the next stage of our lives.” Quoted from:  http://www.hastetheday.com/ ,(Statement from the band).

I find it hard when I read things like this, there are a lot of talent in this world but not a lot like this. With bands coming out of the woodwork these days it’s hard to find “that one special aspect” a lot of us look for in a band. I suppose that all good things come to an end, and this has been their end.

Here’s my favorite song: Stitches

I will now have to go and contain myself *sob, sob* and pretend that I  just didn’t read what I read and wrote what I wrote, so if you will excuse me.

For more on Haste The Day, Check out their website:  http://www.hastetheday.com/ or Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=556267801#!/hastetheday

Laterz

The Black Dahlia is an Alternative Music Venue in Boksburg, on the East rand, where you can enjoy live entertainment, drink specials and more than a glass full of whiplash.

For who this venue might be of interest, you might wonder. Well let me tell you: If you are in to any Alternative music and you love the atmosphere of live music, partying and crazy people – much like yourself maybe – you have to put this on your “places to go”. If you have a fine love for Punk, Rock, Metal, Hardcore or Metalcore this is the place to find yourself in. You might even be surprised to find a few bands which vary between these genres.

You can most certainly expect a great night out with your buddies and you are guaranteed to have a hangover afterwards. I suppose you don’t have to drink, but with the shooter bar and the likes of the regular bar, you are sure to ward off evil spirits (that is by drinking them – of course).

The Black Dahlia also has a V.I.P lounge and pool tables for those that don’t fancy head banging, jumping and waking up with bruises the morning after. This fine establishment has plenty of secure parking too, so you don’t have to worry about your “babe” standing outside exposed to strange people, with questionable wear or hair – I dunno.

I can truly say that the atmosphere is riveting, from the moment you walk in the door, to the moment you leave it won’t disappoint you. With loads of bands playing throughout the week as well as specials and promotions, it’s all good.

Here is a little “gig guide” for you – ok not really, as there are no upcoming events listed – so I will give you a list of bands that has played there, and who you might expect to see there.

Here goes:

*Chromium *Submachine * Facing the Gallows

* The Vandetta Cartel * Gross Misconduct * Shots Fired

* Sons of Signal *Die the Betrayer * Kill Full Sin

* Maximum Carnage * 40 Day Journey* Adorned in Ash….etc.

They even featured the likes of: * Hog Hoggidy Hog * The Narrow * Underoath

*New found Disorder and The Dead will tell

* Might I mention too that Ensiferum(www.ensiferum.com – a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki) played there with their SA tour, and if I am not mistaken Riddare av Koden (Proudly South African) opened the show for them.

To be quite honest, the live music scene does exist here in Jozi but the really epic venues are few and far between. You have to know where to go and when to be there and you are surely going to find a good time. I have been around a long time in these parts and I am still learning of new places, but more often than not, I go home really disappointed.

The lack of Alternative clubs makes it hard for people like me, to go out and have a good scream and anger management session, so let us hope that will change.

Just for interest, a little peek in to the name “The Black Dahlia” – now I don’t really know if this is the reason that this Venue chose the name, but I think: “of course, what other reason can you think of”. There’s a band called “The Black Dahlia Murder” as well, they are a melodic death metal band, but I will stick with the original origin as their inspiration. Hence the girl in the picture – I suppose. I found this quite interesting so I have to share.

The Black Dahlia: “Elizabeth Short^[1][2][3] (July 29, 1924 – ca. January 15, 1947) was an American woman and the victim of a gruesome and much-publicized murder. She acquired the moniker The Black Dahlia posthumously by newspapers in the habit of nicknaming crimes they found particularly colourful. Short was found mutilated, her body severed at the waist, on January 15, 1947, in Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California. Short’s unsolved murder has been the source of widespread speculation along with several books and film adaptations.” (Thanks to Wikipedia who made the “copy and paste” option so alluring.)

Now back to my point, for those of you who want an idea of what to expect – here is what usually goes down at The Black Dahlia:

(Follow The Black Dahlia on Twitter)

? Talent scout competition every second Thursday from: 30 Sep – 25^th Nov.

?Pigs Night every second Thursday from: 7 Oct – 30^th Dec.

*Fridays & Saturdays – live Bands

* Every Wednesday – Free entry + 1 Free Drink + Bands + DJ Cd Promo’s and give aways. Doors open @ 7pm.

*Happy Hour 11pm/12pm

? Entrance: R30 or otherwise indicated

? No under 18’s (Id’s are checked at the door)

? Time: 19:00

They’ve blocked embedding for the 7 day video so here’s one of those silly vids with just the music

What is my point you may be asking. I have been made aware of visit to our fair shores. A look through the tours list on their website lists a show at Boschendal wine estate, the location of last year’s Synergy Live. They’ll also be playing at Emmerentia Dam but I don’ really give a damn about that.

Pick out the important one

This is band who’ve played pretty much every festival in the UK and all their scheduled European shows are sold out over a month in advance. so we know that they’re worth seeing live. Take a look at this clip from Glastonbury Fest:

Pretty Decent

When we click the link to buy tickets for the show we get taken to the Synergy Live page which at the time of writing gives us a rather useless countdown clock, backing track of Prime Circle and some crap about details coming soon. I can only assume after putting this info together that this means that Feeder will be playing at Synergy. Until they actually put up a proper website that means the only band we know is playing Synergy is Feeder. Guess who’s gonna be buying one of those early birds when they become available. I had enough fun last year that I was going to anyway to be honest

That ‘s me done babbling for today.

Thanks Nick J for the tipoff

Taylor Momsen is better known as one of the characters in the CW show Gossip Girl and also starred in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. With influences such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyed, Audioslave, Soundgarden, Oasis, and Nirvana – this girl gives it all she’s got. Questionable stockings, black eyeliner and a kick-ass voice.

I never really had a fancy for female artists as they tend to be either way drama queen or happy rainbow. I am only catching the vibe now and it just gets better and better. This girl really incorporates a lot of emotion without you wanting to bite your own wrists off. If I had to compare this band to any other I don’t think I would be able to. Merge Flyleaf with Paramore and kick in a hint of Evanescence in there if you will. I am inlove with the way the music is compiled and the way it all just comes together. For a better idea, here’s their video for “Make Me Wanna Die”.

In an article Taylor said that she doesn’t write stuff because she thinks people might like it, she writes it because she has something to say. “So many feelings go into the lyrics that it’s hard to explain what they’re about.” It’s all about romantic insecurity, people that hate and it’s full of emotional power. Their debut album “Light Me Up” might be a little rough from what people might expect, but Taylor keeps true to herself. “This album is the most honest expression of who I Truly am.”

I honestly think that this is an awesome band that really speaks for some of us that don’t really know how. That is if you have a twisted side in you somewhere. It’s plain to see where all her influences come in. ” ‘Light me up’sounds a bit like what might have happened had Led Zeppelin been fronted by a chick,” as quoted from their Biography (http://www.theprettyreckless.com.bio/). I think that’s a bold claim, but I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Whether you’re a bohemian ska musician from Cape Town in a bit of a funk or a moody 90s grunge singer contemplating suicide, unplugged sets are a great way to have an intimate evening with all of your fans, and possibly a very intimate evening with one of them.

Captain Stu, one of our favourites here at The Daily Discharge, does occasionally do some unplugged sets.  Also, as you know from Kyle’s last post, Dance, You’re On Fire is down in Cape Town for the next week or so doing a bit of a tour.  They decided to team up and grace us with an unplugged session at an awesome little cafe down in Kalk Bay called Octopus’ Garden on Thursday 22 July. (Facebook event)

(Shameless self-promotion: Kalk Bay is also the setting of my upcoming novel, ‘Dirty Nights in Cuba’ – which is available in serial form at Things By Chase)

Normally I would just stick this on the gig guide and let you find it for yourselves, but this one deserves a special mention. Captain Stu unplugged is an awesome thing to see, and Octopus’ Garden is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been there before.

The atmosphere is charming. The food is great. The beer is wet and cold. I’ve never seen Dance, You’re On Fire but from all the hubbub people are making about them I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you’re probably in for a treat.  In the meantime, here is a clip of Captain Stu playing an unplugged version of their song ‘The Journey’ for Channel MK’s Unplugged series.  Geniet.

[Thumbnail image graciously stolen from One Small Change photography - thanks Debs!]