It’s dark in here. The walls are narrow, painted a grim, flat black. Add the creeping fog, and it’s almost impossible to make out anything beyond a few feet. There’s noise everywhere — howls, shrieks. You get the feeling you’re being boxed in, and that somewhere, just around the corner, something gruesome awaits you. Your […]

Of note Splitsville: Members of local heavy band Unscathed have officially parted ways; vocalist Matthew Robinson and bassist Christopher Gorglione have left to pursue other interests. The group had planned to record their first full-length album later this year. According to the band’s Web site, the band’s remaining members, Ryan Dodd and Stephen Fesperman, are […]

This is the true story of rural Appalachians, picked to live in a Beverly Hills mansion to find out what happens when real-world “hillbillies” stop acting polite and start getting real. “You’re not going to make this some kind of negative thing, are you?” asks local casting director Marty Cherrix when I consult her about […]

“I wanted to be the rap equivalent of David Lee Roth. I wanted to be a star.” — Slug, MC for Atmosphere “We’re just gonna rap, rap, rap,” says Slug through the crackle of his cell phone. He really shouldn’t be talking. As the sole MC of the indie-rap group Atmosphere, his voice determines the […]

Of note New life for death metal Local death-metal act LIFESRUIN has announced plans to record their first full-length album, currently titled Destination Armageddon. According to band spokesman Mike Merchant, LIFESRUIN is currently in label negotiations. For more information, visit www.geocities.com/Lifesruin2001. Front-row reviews Who: Mad Tea Party CD release w/Quinto When: Friday, Oct. 4 Where: […]

Of note It’s another slow local-music-news week, so here are some items of minor note that have crossed this desk in the past few months. First, local cover band 99 Years are almost ready to release their first collection of original songs. The demo version, Who We Are, is currently making the rounds with the […]

Of note Steep Canyon Sweeps Fair WNC-based bluegrass headliners The Steep Canyon Rangers made their presence felt at this year’s N.C. Mountain State Fair. The band won Best Bluegrass group (which allowed them to open for Earl Scruggs, the Fair’s headlining act) as well as awards for Best Banjo, Best Fiddle, Best Guitar, Best Stand-up […]

It all began five years ago, when a Mexican weaver was coming to Asheville and looking for a place to display her work. Several local groups, including Catholic Social Services and the Asheville Art Museum, got together to help make something happen. “They decided that a good way for people to come in was to […]

Of note Not so fast … Former chunkstyle bassist Dan Taylor will not be joining local metal group New Dark Science as reported in the Sept. 4 edition of Random Acts. Taylor briefly agreed to work with the group as bassist, but due to creative differences, the arrangement ended late last month. For more information […]

Of note It’s official … Local roots-rock headliners Black Eyed Dog have a new project in the works. The group announced plans to record a (currently untitled) EP featuring the songs “Promise” and “Gears.” No word yet on a possible release date. For more information, visit www.blackeyeddog.com. Third of Nine? Asheville-based eclectic rockers Jr. James […]

After their final show, after the worn-out Town Pump crowd had left and just before the various pieces of musical gear were loaded back into cars and trucks to be taken away, I sat and had a few final words with The Unholy Trio. The melancholy of off-stage reality had begun to settle in around […]

Of note A rugburn by any other name … : Local rockers The Rugburners may soon be changing their name. The proposed change comes in the wake of major stylistic changes within the band. Fans of the group can submit suggestions to newname@therugburners.com. Zombie-Glam No More … : North Carolina-based horror-glam-rock headliners The Frankenstein Drag […]

Of note Low-down debut … Asheville-based rock group The Low Numbers is currently working on its debut demo/EP recording. A limited release of the as-yet-untitled album should be available at their Aug. 10 Vincent’s Ear show. For more information, e-mail the band at thelownumbers@wildmail.com. All apologies … Local bar-band venue The Hangar was slightly miffed […]

The Fast Horse Hootenanny is a many-headed beast. And if it’s hard to sort out who’s who in this hoedown, you’re missing the point, suggests former Screaming Trees drummer — and eager Tuatara spokesman — Barrett Martin. “I encourage everybody to come see Tuatara,” he says. “It’s a great band, and we’re playing a rippin’ […]

Of note The North Carolina-based rockabilly/country group Hobart Willis & The Back Forty plan to have their new album, Full Amigo Flavor, available sometime this fall. For more information, visit them on the Web at www.fullamigoflavor.com. Asheville-based eclectic rockers The Royal We will be taking full advantage of their appearance at Barley’s this Bele Chere. […]

The first colors you notice are the solid pools of drab browns, sickly whites and the crumbled yellow of old paper that cover nearly everything. Even the figures — the focal points and foregrounds of the paintings — seem to sink into the mire of dismal hues. You wonder where, exactly, the artist is trying […]

Of note Local bar-rockers 99 YEARS have recently finished recording their new six-song EP. Fans of the group can expect the album to be released later this summer. For more information visit www.99years.net. Regional funk-rock favorites Gran Torino recently signed a deal with The Redeye Label to release their new album. Although some details about […]

Of note News from the Ether: Asheville-based avant-garde rockers The Ether Bunnies are set to begin work on their new album. According to percussionist James Owen, the group is building their own home studio to record the currently untitled project. For more information, e-mail the band at bunnylist@hotmail.com. East meets West: A recent acoustic show […]

Of note New Dawn for Daylight Dies: Regional metal band Daylight Dies is nearly finished with its new record, No Reply. Expect it to hit stores in October. The group signed with Relapse Records earlier this year. For more information, visit www.daylight-dies.com. NDS throws in the towel: It seems that Asheville’s would-be rock stars New […]

Of note Jamehlo goes Collapseable: Asheville-based jam-metal band Les Jamehlo is currently working on its new CD at Collapseable Studios. The group expects to release the currently unnamed album in late August. For more information, visit www.lesjamehlo.com. Holiday Rd. gets Warped: Local punk trio Holiday Rd. was recently chosen as one of four North Carolina-based […]

Of note Shift in identity: The Asheville-based, experimental-metal band RedShift has officially changed its name to Underscore. The band can still be contacted via their Web site at www.redshiftband.cjb.net. Raven set to rock: Local performers George Martin and Michael Channing are set to record their debut CD as the new band Raven. Rock Bottom Island […]