Listening Party: Ironhead, All Good Things and Albatross Party

This week’s opening act is Asheville-based metal act Ironhead. On the surface, the band presents themselves as being a gritty rock outfit much like local “sleazerockers” Crank County Daredevils (with whom they share guitarist Scotty P.), but Ironhead’s sound is decidedly less aggressive. Their new album, Road Whore is due out early next year. We suggest starting with the track “Crying Shame.”

Slowing things down a bit, we have local alt-rockers All Good Things. They describe their sound as a “healthy mix of the heavy, the clank-y, the elegant, the poppy, the noisy, and whatever else catches our collective ear for a day.” It’s a fitting enough description, although the band’s sound seems to be stuck in looking in indie rock’s rearview mirror for inspiration. Although there are worthy tracks on the band’s homepage, we suggest starting on their MySpace page to hear the bittersweet song “8mm.” Also, in the event you’d rather watch them perform (kind of) live, check out their featured performance on URTV’s Mount Dungeon

Finishing out this week’s selection we have Albatross Party. Unusual arrangements make it nearly impossible to neatly categorize the band’s sound, but vocalist Tiziana Severse’s talents seem to be the constant focal point in each song. We suggest starting with the tango-inspired track “Laid Me Down.” The group also recently taped a performance for Mount Dungeon, although it doesn’t appear to be available online yet.

Now, it’s your turn. Tell us your thoughts on these groups by posting into the comment fields below. This is your chance to be the music reviewer, so praise and pan as you see fit.

— Steve Shanafelt, A&E editor

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15 thoughts on “Listening Party: Ironhead, All Good Things and Albatross Party

  1. vibrant_elise

    Albatross party is one of the best local bands I have seen. They are fun, high energy, and refreshing. Their musical talents shine, and their band is a wonderful mesh of sounds. LOVE EM!

  2. sasquatch

    I was leading a semi-anonymous sheltered forest life when one day while sitting on a log overlooking asheville I heard the sweet sounds of Albatross Party echoing in the streets. (I have a highly developed sense of hearing)
    Their music has given a new sense of purpose and direction to my life and I no longer harm small mammals or scare the weirdos who believe in me. Since listening that night in Asheville I have completely shaved my entire body and got a job at Waffle House out on Airport Road, I have renounced my belief in Sasquatchamo, (The God of all Sasquatch.) and I have learned how to play the Zither. (And incidentally I have decided to start smoking pot!)

    Thanks Albatross Party! :)

  3. Chanel

    I’ve yet to see Albatross Party live, but I know well the vocal stylings of Miss Tiziana Severse. So haunting and melodic, it’s hard NOT to listen. Looking forward to bigger and better things for this rock ensemble.

  4. Gasmask

    IRONHEAD is great I’ve seen them at Stella Blue with the Crank County Daredevils & I must say they were the best band of the night. definitely my new favorite Asheville band.

  5. Adamm66

    IRONHEAD!If you want to be sonically destroyed, you MUST check out IRONHEAD ! This is a no B.S. rock n roll band that will entertain you on ALL levels & senses.
    Tired of all the cookie cutter, weak so called rock bands?? Then you MUST see Ironhead LIVE for a REAL dose of high octane, non stop destruction that will leave your ears bleeding with satisfaction!

    Adamm66

  6. Misty

    Ironhead, they are the very definition of Rock!! They have a live show to die for. With a powerful stage presence that grabs you and doesn’t let go.
    Anyone passionate about good music and I do mean GOOD MUSIC should make it a point to check them out.
    If i could only pick one band to listen to for the rest of my life it would be Ironhead. I fell inlove with their muisc the first time I heard it and I haven’t been the same since.

  7. Hollywood Vampires

    We have had the pleasure of seeing Ironhead play at Stella Blue with the Crank County Daredevils. It was an awesome night of sleazy rock-n-roll! How could it not be with such eye candy as Mrs. Angela Foxx on the bass. Not to mention her other half!!! But they rock even harder than they look. They definetly bring the ROCK to this city and they need to play here more often!

  8. Rob

    ironhead, Ironhead, IRONHEAD! Straight ahead rock-n-roll, with tons of energy and no BS… they’re the real deal!

    RT

  9. Brown Eyed Squirrel

    Ironhead Rocks! I’ve followed them since the day they were born and have watched them evolve into the full fledged Rockers they are today. They are hard to narrow down as far as genre goes, cause they run the gamut of punk, metal, blues and rock. They put on an extremely high energy show and if you haven’t seen them live, you have no idea what you’re missing. They’re loud, sexy, in your face Rockers! They get my vote for best local talent!

  10. Sleezeball

    There are very few bands left that still understand what true rock-n-roll is all about. Ive had the privlage to see Ironhead several times, and must say it has been a musical molestation everytime. If you havent had the chance to see them……well youve robbed yourself of a true rock-n-roll beatdown. Keep your eyes peeled they may just pop up soon!

  11. Swans Should Speak

    Ironhead reminded me of a straight up mix of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Kiss. Decidedly tight but nothing real refreshing as far as post-mid-80’s metal. Recording was done really well. Solo in ‘Ironhead’ is so mid-80’s I was almost transported back…where is that telephone booth when I need it? So-crates, are you there? Anyway, they sound like a fun live band.

    All Good Things has a more current alt/rock sound. I like the way they create the different textures between the instruments. Singer has a nice alt 80’s voice. Pretty cool stuff. The only ‘constructive’ criticism I have to offer is that all four songs seemed to have the same tempo. An up tempo song by this band could pull you out of the sad reverie it tends, for me at least, to put me in.

    Albatross Party overall is fairly eclectic and the vocalist helps keep continuity within the band. Her vocals remind me of Gwen S. It is well done and has some cool moments with the chromatic phrases and interesting rhythms, but where is the speed? I almost feel at any time the band could take off – like on Discarded, it feels like its in half time – even in the heavy part – sometimes ya just gotta give it up, you know what I’m sayin’?

  12. KAT

    All 3 bands have something good to offer, but of the 3, my pick would be Ironhead. We need more whiskey-fueled, sweat-laden, nasty ROCK in Ashevegas, and Ironhead’s shows here have certainly brought it. Looking forward to hearing and seeing more from them!

  13. Smutstutter

    Elect Ironhead! They support gambling, prostitution, and rock noise pollution. Sex, Drugs Rock and Death…aint gunna get much more face first than that!
    SS

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