Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:55:28 -0700 http://www.denverrocks.com/ Be a part of the Colorado Music Community en-us http://www.denverrocks.com/images/roclogo6.gif http://www.denverrocks.com/ webmaster@rockoncolorado.com http://www.denverrocks.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=184 Arn :     Hey guys.  What is the up ? Boss :      Yo.  You rang and we came.  I brought my cousin Floyd with me.  That cool ? Arn :      Sure.  Hey Floyd.      Floyd :     Hey. Boss :       He’s a little quiet. Arn :     Cool.  I have in my possession a few shorties.  You know, EP’s.  Boss :        Alright, man.  Let us listen. [ All three sit down in Arn’s living room ] Arn :       First up is a two-songer from Swankstars. Boss :        Never heard of ‘em.  You, Floyd ? Floyd :      Nope. Arn :       Maybe I saw their name at the Cricket.  Maybe. Boss :        Long live the Cricket. Arn:         The second song, “Glue”, is tight.  Great piano melody and vocals.  Classier than                    boring Coldplay. Boss :         Yeah.  I can dig the beat.  Gnarls Barkley and Chili Peppers.  “Piece by piece, I’m                     breaking up.  I’m falling apart.”  Nice.  The guy needs some sticky to pull it together. Arn :      Next up is a five-song from Away From Nothing, So Far.  Rock 2007.  Three-piece from                      Ft. Collins. Boss :       The first song, Otherside rocks.  But starts to sound the same after a few tunes. Floyd :     Do you have any Floyd ? B :            You into the Pink, dude ?                              Floyd :     I hate Pink. A :           Brother, so do I.  I think he means Pink Floyd, B. B :           Oh.  Didn’t quite follow you F-man. Floyd :     How about San Tropez ?  Dreamy. A :           Ah ya.  Maybe later.  Here’s another local, James and the Devil. B :           James and the Giant Peach was cool. A :          Let’s keep our heads vibing on our music.  K ?  Their myspace says they are “high energy acoustic rock” and “Rocky Mt. roll with a fiddle”. B :         I love violin with my rock. A :        A fiddle.  The violin is called a fiddle, I believe, when used in a country-type band.  A little Dave Matthews does ska. B :        OK.  And uplifting, positive grooves. Floyd :     I love Ummagumma.  A :         “Skitzo” is tight.  And “The Only Thing” totally rocks.  The wispy artwork is minimal and tasty. B :        A boy holding a devil balloon and you don’t see his face.  Interesting in a creepy way. A :        And the fiddler is Dave Fiddler.  Coincidence ? B :        He was born to fiddle. A :        They’ve been playing since 2005. B :        Sounds like they practice a lot.  ‘Some people take what they are given / Some people take all they can grab’.  Pleading vocals. A :      Like some It’s A Beautiful Day waves.  A hoedown like “Don and Dewey”.  But I think I            saved the best for last.  Vacant Excuses.  A five-track from a four-piece. B :      Is that the EP name ? A :      Nope dope.  It’s the groups’ name.  Vacant Excuses.  I’m not too keen on the first song            “Me and Bobby McGee”.  I didn’t like it when Kris Kristofferson wrote and sang it. B :      But Janis was great.  And Kube Hanson is scary good on it.  Terrific.  Though I hope they           don’t do all covers. Floyd :     Do they cover “Matilda Mother” ?  Great Syd Barrett song. B :      No, Floyd, I don’t think so but logging onto their myspace site, whoa.  A swirling logo            slowly coming into focus.  With mushrooms. A :      Maybe your computer needs some upgrading.  The second song, “Super Sonic Sub-           Harmonic”.  Great Hammond B-3 with chorus vocals.  And is that a freakin’ sax ? B :     Their site calls them rock/grunge/folk.  That is fitting.  And together since ’97.  Wah-wah           coming through loud ‘n’proud on “Sleepless”.  A Rossington/Collins Band band. A :     I need to pick up their 2008 CD if it’s out there. Floyd :    Is there anybody out there ? B :     Come on Corporal Clegg.  We’re out of here.  Peace. A :      Peace out. WITH SEVERE RESPECT TO ARTHUR MAGAZINE www.myspace.com/swankstars www.myspace.com/awayfromnothing www.myspace.com/jamesandthedevil www.myspace.com/vacantexcuses   Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:55:28 -0700