The members of Dead City Rejects, about one of Louisville’s most recognizable punk bands, live the life they sing about. They are also hard to get in one place at the same time, unless they are playing in what has recently been a sporadic live performance schedule in and around Louisville. They are enjoying a break from an aggressive touring campaign across the East Coast, while warming up to new guitarist, Bobby Olliges, formerly of Magnetic Flux and Cornbread Mafia. The guts of The Rejects are long-term members Jeremy King, vocals and guitar and Brent Starkey, bass and backing vocals. King, formerly of Indigent Few and Speed Kills (also with Starkey) is DCR’s apparently fearless spokesperson, as he and Starkey were the only two who showed up to this interview. But, that is about what I expected. Like I said, they live the life they sing of. Oh yeah, lets not forget Chico, on drums, also formerly of Magnetic Flux and who currently plays with Jefferson TARC Bus, an established Louisville cover band.

King and Starkey, friends since the Nineties, first played together in a band called Speed Kills. King played drums for and Starkey was on bass. Both King and Starkey also had stints in other bands over the years and didn’t reunite again until Dead City Rejects formed in 2002. They initially called the band BSP, an acronym that is still unexplained. Over the past few years, DCR has been no stranger to line-up changes, as they have cut former mates for reasons both musical and, surprisingly enough, substance abuse-related. However, over the years and through the ever-changing lineup, they have also been no strangers to success in the independent music scene. DCR has managed to release two studio albums: The Rogue Album and an eponymous one. They also have a live album recorded in 2003 at New York’s infamous and now defunct punk haven, CBGB’s.

On the touring front, DCR has shared the stage with My Chemical Romance, Floggin Molly, Murphy’s Law, U.S. Bombs and Sloppy Seconds. Here at home, you can find these guys at Third Street Dive, Uncle Pleasants or Headliners on occasional nights. For LMN readers who get our issue early, make sure you can catch DCR playing live at Third Street Dive on Tuesday, August 3, or you can hit the road for a little road trip on September 25 to Lafayette, Indiana and catch them playing at Downtown Records with The Vibrators.

Also make sure you visit the Dead City Rejects on the web at www.deadcityrejects.com where you can catch videos and mp3 downloads, plus a tour schedule for when they hit the road again.

– Written by Jason Ashcraft

The Bad Boys Of Rock Tour came into town Tuesday and apparently vacated many metro area trailer parks to fill Louisville Gardens. So, basically, I fit right in is what I’m saying. Kind of. Actually, maybe not. My only disappointment the whole night was that I arrived late and missed Buckcherry. Damn it. It’s a good thing I saw them back in May down in good ole’ Alabama, or I would have really been disappointed.

Papa Roach was the first act I caught, and I gotta admit, they were much more entertaining than I anticipated. As a matter of fact, they were damn good at playing live and keeping their audience involved during the entire performance. At one point during the middle of their set, lead vocalist, Jacoby Shaddix, jumped off stage and into the crowd where he stayed for some time. Of course, by choice, and singing the entire time.

Hinder was the apparent headline of the tour, but you wouldn’t have guessed that judging from the crowd’s response alone. It’s not that they didn’t put on a good show, but the crowd just wasn’t that into them like they were with Papa Roach. It’s probably only because Hinder doesn’t yet possess the lengthy set list of radio hits that tour-mates Buckcherry and Papa Roach can charm their crowd with.

This became abundantly evident when the majority of the crowd hit the doors right after Hinder finished their most popular track, “Lips Of An Angel.” I was a little shocked because they really are a talented group of guys who change up the pace of their music from song to song. I stayed around for the rest of the show and pretty much concluded that these guys just need release a few more albums and they will be matching their tour-mates ability to work the crowd for their entire set.

–Written and photographed by Jason Ashcraft

This past weekend proved to be one of the most eventful set of days in Louisville’s music scene this year. Friday night started off with a free show by the Violent Femmes down at the corporate circus of bars. I unfortunately didn’t make it but heard the Femmes can still hold a beat live.

Of course Saturday night was headlined with all the original members of The Police playing at Churchill Downs. Since I didn’t have a few hundred bucks to burn for the occasion, I headed down to The Bulldog Cafe for the first time ever to check the place out. As it turned out the door staff did not welcome members of the media. He greedily insisted on me paying $10 to enter. Another issue - the overpriced cover charge. Mark my words, The Bulldog Cafe will go under within a year with this kind of attitude towards people such as myself. Another venue sloppily operated that will soon bite the dust!

I then headed down to Headliners where (intheclear) was playing with Halfway Hollow. I arrived to a all aged, half packed concert hall with the majority of the crowd packed around the stage watching a video playing while Halfway Hollow was setting up. Not to my surprise, the question of “will they keep the feud going with Eddy Metal?” was quickly answered. Turns out that some of Halfway Hollow’s fans made a parody video of Eddy based on biased and fictitious scenarios. Thus, a certain group of music scene supporters making an attempt to challenge Eddy’s most recent column in July 07’s Louisville Music News.

Not having much interest in keeping this feud going, I quickly made my way to a few friends I spotted in the crowd to chat with while the video wrapped up. At some point Jason Karfner, LRS DJ & vocalist for Halfway Hollow, came over to me and to my surprise, didn’t greet me with the confrontational attitude like he did at Eddy’s Phoenix Hill show. I was happy about that and commended him on his intelligence. He instead had a drink with me, and gave me a copy of Halfway Hollow’s newly released CD. He also made sure I knew that he did not have anything to do with the making of the parody video about Eddy. I believe that. I just basically told him that I had already said my piece on that subject and I have no reason to repeat anything that I have already published and said. So, long story short, we left on what I felt were good terms. I just hope Jason, Eddy, and all the others who have spoken up, can find a way to sort through their differences in a rationale manor and co-exist without insulting each other. No mockeries of east coast versus west coast rap wars please. Enough said.

(intheclear) gave their usual high powered performance with no hints of slowing down until the last note. Headed up by former Factor9 vocalist, Andy Paul, (intheclear) has been on the road for a better part of the year across the states. Apparently on a golden ticket tour break, they closed the night out a little sooner than I expected, but nonetheless, demonstrated why they are one of Louisville and Kentucky’s best hard rock bands. I also picked up a copy of their recently released full length album, ninetyseven11lyriclane which was produced by Malcolm Springer. Although I have only listened to a few songs, it sounded very professional, well mixed and represents their intent for a major record deal. Hopefully that is on the horizon for these guys because they sure measure up in all the areas that a record company invests in.

Also don’t forget to mark your calendars for Saturday 18August, featuring a FREE live show with Bryan Fox, Heaven Hill, and Black Stone Cherry at ear X-tacy at 1 pm. Make sure you get there early and bring your copy of my interview in the July 07′ issue of Louisville Music News to get it signed by Black Stone Cherry.

ash_ent@yahoo.com

As usual, I attended my fellow writing comrade’s Original Rock Showcase last night at Phoenix Hill Tavern to check out some Louisville talent I have never seen before. The night began with The Burial, whom I thought didn’t deserve getting stuck with the opening slot after delivering an above average performance. With a high energy post punk/anthem rock style, one of the only things these guys need to improve on is matching each other’s stage presence. Lead vocalist Johnny D made himself, at times; appear as the only one playing because the rest of his band didn’t consistently show an eagerness about playing. They are still good nonetheless and I look forward to seeing them again.

Next up was Boom Orangutan who again delivered a less then average and down right boring set. Since I don’t believe in wasting both my readers and my own time by patronizing everyone, I’ll just get strait to the point. Boom Orangutan just doesn’t seem to have a cohesiveness that all talented bands possess. They don’t really seem to be that into their music and aside from the guy with the mic drunkenly staggering around stage, they have absolutely no stage presence. But, I tried and I tried and I tried to listen long enough for a song that reached out and grabbed me but that never came. I then realized that the only crowd response they were receiving came from their random cliche’d questions to the audience in between their songs asking “Who is getting F**ked up tonight?” Duh. Everyone. Did you forget that you’re playing in Phoenix Hill Tavern? Besides, everyone asks that stupid question as soon as they get a mic and get onstage. It’s a clear sign of stage fright and a cheap way to get your audience involved. Back to the drawing board guys. Good luck.

Caldera, led by some of my Oldham County connections Todd Tripton (vocals) and Chris Marple (guitar), stole the limelight for the night. I usually can’t get myself into the death metal bands, but these guys brought it, and kept me engrossed for their entire set. Caldera has definitely mastered the art of bringing raw energy, emotion, and an undeniable stage presence to their performance, which made up for their cookie monster lyrics that went un-interpreted on my behalf. Also remember that if your standing near the stage next time they play, be sure to watch out for Todd hocking a luggie on you while he is pacing around stage singing. He spits like a camel.

I Will Defy, and 13^th Age closed the night out with well rehearsed, tight sets. I expect that both of these bands will continue to gain more support by our scene, especially 13^th Age who had quite a few catchy guitar licks and choruses that are still echoing in my head.

Last and definitely not least, the night was topped off with a WLRS DJ who showed up with a chip on his shoulder because of a message delivered by fellow writing comrade Eddy Metal, in his latest “News From The Pit” column in LMN. Jason, the LRS DJ, who is also lead vocalist for Halfway Hollow was downright unprofessional in his approach to both Eddy and me. He was not representing Radio One in the positive manner that most of the previous DJ’s who came before him always did. Just go read Eddy’s column and you’ll see that Eddy was merely delivering a message from a consensus of many avid supporters of our Louisville music scene, thus titling the article “Don’t Shoot The Messenger.” Looking at this from an unbiased perspective, it’s the truth. And, yes, that sometimes can be hard to swallow as Jason very well demonstrated with his inexcusable, unprofessional, and confrontational attitude. He obviously hasn’t learned the nature of the here today, gone today style of the radio business, but will in due time I’m sure.

I remember when WLRS used to be one of Louisville’s biggest supporters of Louisville based musicians. I know from experience with working with LRS myself on several projects a few years back when I promoted and wrote for The Ville Magazine. LRS sponsored countless events geared at supporting all Louisville musicians and not just those who brings the most fans. But, that was then and this is now. All things change for the better or the worse. Since Lance Hale, XXX Lex, Davie Hill, Anna Rae, and Mudd was taken off the LRS on-air staff (hint, hint Jason), and this new regime has taken over, and things have changed yet again.

I remember not so long ago when LRS Fest had a second stage that was only dedicated to Louisville based artists. All the Louisville artists who had a shot at making it nationally were put in the lineup and promoted equally. And you know what? They filled that field full of thousands of people.

So, Jason and all other LRS DJ’s who are reading this: All things considered, I’d feel pretty appreciative that not only myself, but Eddy Metal are taking our time out to let you know these things in an open and honest fashion. I could care less if you have a problem with honest and candid people. This isn’t just my opinion or Eddy’s opinion, but a consensus of many people that make up Louisville’s music scene who all share similar viewpoints.

Jason, I would check your confrontational and unprofessional attitude at the door the next time you want to talk to me, Eddy or the Louisville Music Scene about this ever again. The equally supportive and much more friendly aforementioned LRS DJ’s who came before you didn’t last long in the here today, gone today nature of your radio business, so what makes you think you will? Halfway Hollow? Think again.

Don’t burn all your bridges with us journalists. The fact is our words will last longer and reach more people then your on-air broadcasts can ever dream of. Last I checked you can still get a copy of “Beowulf” or Homer’s “Illiad.” So, that being said, sleep on it. Do whatever you need to do to make this right again. You can start off by apologizing to both me and Eddy for last night if your serious. But like Eddy said, “do the right thing, bro!”

– Written & Photographed by Jason Ashcraft