by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: The_Network - "Corpse Paint" EDIT (MP3)

When we're talking about the_Network, it ain't about that stupid fucking commercial where 16,000 people appear out of nowhere in your basement led by a douche nozzle in Clark Kent glasses asking "Can you hear me now?". Well, now hear this. The_Network is controlled (and sometimes not so controlled) chaos in the form of a New England hardcore band on Black Market Activities (aka Guy from The Red Chord's imprint). The band, which takes notes from Botch and Coalesce, has already released an album (2007's This Is Your Pig's Portrait), a split (with UK's Throats), and an EP (2002's S/T), and now they're prepping their latest LP, Bishop Kent Manning, for a 9/15 release!

The new LP is a concept album about a televangelist in decline, which the band initally discussed on the BMA blog and then continued with Decibel Magazine. Produced by uber-knob twiddler and Converge riff-meister Kurt Ballou, the album was recorded in October of 2008. Dig on one of the album's tamer, yet still ripping, moments above in the form of "Corpse Paint" downloadable above! (FYI, the "EDIT" just removes a short intro)

the_Network are also on the road in the coming months, hitting the road with Australia's Robotosaurus and doing a double take in NYC at The Charleston on 10/11 and Lit Lounge on 10/12. Full tour dates, and a ton of live videos are below...

Continue reading "the Network - new album, MP3 & 2009 Tour Dates"

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Justina Villanueva

Karma to Burn is a desert rock/psychedelic rock band from Morgantown, West Virginia comprising guitarist William Mecum, bassist Rich Mullins and drummer Nathan Limbaugh (later to be replaced by Rob Oswald for Wild, Wonderful Purgatory). The band were noted for their uncompromising instrumental sound, echoing that of such desert rock bands as Kyuss and the Obsessed, although the band's preferred genre is "malternative". The band unofficially disbanded sometime in mid-2002, when bassist Rich Mullins joined Speedealer. Currently, Mullins is playing in the Los Angeles based band Year Long Disaster, Oswald is playing drums in Nebula, and Will Mecum is playing guitar for Treasure Cat. -[Wiki]

Karma to Burn played their first NYC show, since reuniting earlier this year, at Lit Lounge on April 20th. They were joined by Mabus, and the awesome Tiger Flowers. I unfortunately got to the show moments before Karma To Burn, missing both openers, but I am a fan of Tiger Flowers' discordant take on hardcore.

The threesome blasted through their numbered setlist (all of their "number" songs, that is), concentrating on later, post-Roadrunner/post-vocalist material. These guys definitely still have it, and I assume that if they had some more lead-time and some PR, these boys would have (and should have) been playing a venue twice the size (not that I'm complaining.... just meant a more concentrated dose of stoner-y metal for those of us in attendance). Hopefully they'll come back again. In the meantime, Karma To Burn have a couple dates on the West Coast, including one with Year Long Disaster, before they hit Europe in June and part of July.

All tour dates and more pictures from the show, below...

Continue reading "Karma to Burn - Lit Lounge pics & more 2009 tour dates"