So congratulations to Black Tie Vendetta, the winner of Rock ‘n’ Rumble Episode 3. Of course, we’ll take a little bit of credit if that blip gets a little higher.
For this Rock ‘n’ Rumble go-round, we stay in the name game. We’re curious about the dynamics at the local level when the frontman’s name is on the moniker. Are there undertones of jealousy? Does someone have a big ego? Or is it just good marketing? We had these in mind when we decided to pit some Gloomadeers against some Taints.
The Breakdown
How can you not fall in love with a name like Warren Jackson Hearne and the Merrie Murdre of Gloomadeers. It has a certain backwoods nostalgia sound that is both genuine and contrived. This acoustic punk starts out a little abrasive at first with Hearne’s heavy voice, but then fits right into the mélange of instruments that include a squeezebox, mandolin and “a chain-wielding percussionist.” You may not get it, but it’s a fascinating listen. We hope these guys are still around though as they have been fairly quiet for a while leaving Hearne to do his own thing. According to their Web site, the Denton-based band has been “described as death-folk Americana, stemming from their broken circus sounds led by Warren's whiskey-drenched baritone.” OK, sure.
Hear the band: On their MySpace page. Pay special attention to “La Llorona de las Montanas.” Next gig: No shows on the horizon. We hope that changes.
We can’t help but be curious by Sleezus Fist and the Latter Day Taints, but we were a little disappointed that there is no actual Mr. Fist. Whether that handicaps the rumble or not, we’re not sure. We are a little bummed that the Denton trio moved to Austin, but we like a bit of fisting and felt compelled to throw them in the mix. The Gothic thrash metal is the stuff nightmares are made of and the group cites its influences as horror movies, comic books and drinking. They’ve been releasing music every year since 2002, and in 2007 they released the Fry Street Tragedy EP. Maybe the controversy over the Denton spot is why the band moved.
Hear the band: Where else but their MySpace page …yeah, we know but it’s easy. “Dead Girls” is kind of funny. Intentionally? Hard to say. Next gig: Nothing local. Maybe votes will bring them back.
Get your voting habits started and tell us who should be our new Rock ‘n’ Rumble champ. -- Rich Lopez
