new format for the roller

Hello Steamroller reader. That is if that last reader is still even around, either way... So since The Steamroller has been inactive due to a number of different reasons, I have been forced to take a look at a new format for this blog. I have considered a few options as in, celebrity nude photo's and gossip, questions & answers regarding steamrollers, Micheal Vick - from a dog's viewpoint, or maybe even a page dedicated completely to Nickelback, and who they had blow for their success. Now these are all awesome ideas, but after much deliberation at the latest Steamroller board meeting with me and myself (I was on vacation), I have decided to go with a more personalized, traditional approach to this blog. Although this blog was originally designed to feature up and coming bands, and report indie music news on behalf of my indie record label Worn Records, that is going to slightly change as well. I will still report relevant indie music news, and do reviews for bands, but not as regularly. I plan on simply writing about a wider variety of topics. Whatever comes to mind that day. It could be music related. It could be about my record label, or about any of my bands, or projects I'm working on. Or it could be about the weather, or sports, or politics. I don't even know for sure yet. All I know is that I generally have a lot to say, so I may as well dump it on my blog. And until I can run and maintain a proper music blog, i figure this is the best way to go.

So anyway, thanks for your patience during this transitional period here at The Steamroller, and thanks to all the bands who have participated in the Indie Band Showdown over the last year. Feel free to continue sending me music to check out, but I am going to reserve publishing any reviews for bands and artists that leave a real lasting impression. Laters!

John Simmonds

Where are we?

As many of you have noticed, or perhaps you haven't, The Steamroller E-Zine has been inactictive for some time. We have had a difficult time keeping a consistent writing team, and this has forced us to re-think our format. At present we have not decided whether or not to continue with the indie band showdown, or simply do away with it and try to bring it back in the future.

I would also like to thank all the bands who have submitted their music for review, and apologize to those who we have not yet reviewed. In the meantime, while we work out our new format, if anybody would be interested in contributing to this blog in any way please email us with your ideas, comments, suggestions etc. We want to continue serving the independent music scene, and hope to be back on track soon. Thanks for your patience.

John Simmonds

Ours To Destroy - Review

Ours To Destroy describe themselves as an "anarchist folk abstract". In fact on their website, they reach out for fan participation in classifying their genre, as well as contributing to their next album. I was actually quite impressed with their website, even though I'm supposed to be reviewing their music.

Keeping in mind that this band is not your average pop/rock band, I was instantly intrigued by them. Having been my given my choice of band to write about, after hearing 10 seconds of "Checkmate", I new this was the band for me. As I listened more and read more about them I realized why I like them so much. They list their influences as Modest Mouse, Wilco, Ween, The Eels, the Flaming Lips, and Mark Lanegan. I can hear all of these bands within their sound and would even add Frank Zappa and The Drive By Truckers. I really enjoyed the folk country feel of "Two Thousand Sunsets", and "Skipping Rope OF Daisies". Our To Destroy seem to pride themselves on creating a mood with each song.

Out of the 5 songs on their website I would have to say "Exorcising Demons" was my favorite, but each is so different form the last it's truly difficult to pick a favorite. They are all so much their own sound, and they are all "bridged by sound montages captured during several guerilla recording sessions on the streets and in the malls of Calgary during 2005", according to their bio.

From a production standpoint, everything sounds polished and professional. The performances are all excellent, with at some times so much going on it leaves you having to listen again just to catch what you missed the first time around. There is some really nice guitar work, and vocally everything seems to fit. The samples are very tasteful, and a great use of percussion.

Ours To Destroy won't be for everyone, but anyone with an appreciation for good writing, and originality should give them a listen.

Ours To Destroy

"saved by the bell - rock rating"
zack


huh? what the hell does that mean?

jds308

Wireless

Going over Wireless' myspace page, the first sense was of a band that wants to rock out, wants to MAKE IT. After a cursory listen I felt like the best option in reviewing Wireless would be to enlist the aid of my 14 year old daughter. She patiently listened, and told me she'd like them if she heard them on the radio. Not a ringing endorsement, but fourteen year olds tend to regard anything a parent asks them about as automatically and fatally infected with uncoolness, so take it with a grain of salt. For all I know she's singing their songs 'n' praises to her squealing friends as we speak.
My own impression is one of a catchy band with a dense sound, at least on the three tracks I found on their Myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/wirelessharwich). Nothing revolutionary, but nothing that made me mash the keyboard desperately to escape. "Sold Us Out" is anthemic and driving, with a nice singalong chorus. I'll actually download this one and add it to the playlist. "Bad Dream" has a little more honkytonk to it, with a nice effect on the voice. "I Won't Be Free" is the least interesting to me of the three, a bit standard and expected.
I'd say Wireless is a good add to the playlist, especially if you drive a lot and want to sing along. I bet they rock out live...they have a kind of "over-studioed" sound that always makes me think of a group that loves killing on stage, riffing and going off on solos and whatnot.

From their myspace.com page:
"Hailing from Harwich, a miserable Essex coastal town, formerly a significant port but now in decline and left for dead, Wireless were launched to alleviate the boredom of their depressing home town.
Taking their time to develop their song-writing and stage-craft, Wireless drew on the experience of local bands and influences such as Doves, The Jam, Stereophonics and The Beatles to make sure, when they hit the stage people took notice. And they did.
Quickly building a fanatical loyal following, the bands blistering set of original songs has earnt them a reputation for exhilarating live performances and an excellent night out. Regular visits to London with coach-loads of fans and a summer festival gig playing to 4000 people in support of The Levellers have cemented their reputation as one of the best bands on the Essex scene.
2007 will see Wireless pushing hard for the recognition that is surely due."

Paul - Guitar and Vocals, Dan - Bass and Vocals, Rob - Guitar, Dave - Drums
Harwich, Essex, UK



"saved by the bell - rock rating"
kelly


huh? what the hell does that mean?

Saturna - Review

Saturna
First off, I have to ask, what is "Shoegaze"? On Saturna's myspace page they list their three musical genre's as, indie/rock/shoegaze. Well I tell you, you learn something everyday. Sure enough "Shoegaze" is an actual genre according to Wikipedia. And now that I know what it is I have realized that I'm probably the biggest "shoegazer" in the history of music, not having seen Saturna live yet. Which brings me to their music.

I was able to listen to three songs by this quartet from just south of the border down in Portland, Oregon. My first impression was good, I was intrigued, wanting to listen further, and thats a good sign for sure. I'm sitting in my studio with the speakers just pinned blasting "Pop Rocks". This song first makes me think of The Kills, but way better. It starts with a great beat, followed by a wicked bass line that people could dance to, or just bop their heads. The chorus, while maybe a tad cheesy, comes off really well. This song would go over well at any house party, shindig, get together, or bar mitzvah.

"Just For Thrills" kicks my ass right out of the gate. It starts with that same kind of "Kills" feel, and then busts into a more old school rock tune. It feels like that train that used to pass right by my house when I was a kid. The vocals in the chorus are reminiscent of a somewhat sober Scott Wieland in Velvet Revolver's "Set Me Free". I like that song in case you were wondering.

Lastly, a little gem entitled "Blanket Of Stars" hits my monitors. This song starts off a little slower than the others. It takes about minute before I realize that this is the best song of the bunch. Kind of Deftones, maybe a bit Floyd even, but I think their is really only one word to describe this last song..... Saturna. This song is incredible from the first second to the final fade out. I love the haunting vocals, the distant almost infectious guitar tones. This song just melts together.

Saturna is a band that I would love to watch live. I enjoyed their recordings, but I'm sure it wouldn't compare to seeing them in a small club, having a few pints. You know Vancouver B.C. is only a few hours away?

"saved by the bell - rock rating"
a.c. slater and a half a zack


huh? what the hell does that mean?

jds308

it's alright, cause we're saved by the bell

so since i will be reviewing bands for the steamroller starting this week, i have decided to create my own personal ranking system for the bands i review. i would encourage all of the writers here at the steamroller to do the same, or if they would like, feel free to use mine. my ranking system is called the "saved by the bell, rock rank". i know, it's ingenious. but before i start throwing out rankings like it's 1990 all over again, let me explain how it works. it's quite simple, there are 6 levels. the best being "zack", and the worst being "screech". here are all the possible levels:

best
zack

a.c. slater

jessie

kelly

lisa

screech

worst

happy music reviewing.

the writer formerly known as "lord steamroller"
jds308