The Muddy Reds

It's been awhile since i've heard a good soulful rock'n'roll album I could honestly listen to from start to finish. That all ended when I found out about The Muddy Reds. Their latest release, Mannequin, is a nine track album that will have yourself asking why they're not signed-- at least that was my initial thought. This album has hints of Ryan Bingham's country style rock'n'roll peppered with a Kings Of Leon up-beat soulful feel. Give the album a good listen, because if the the swinging guitars and soulful vocals don't make your head nod you might want to check your pulse. Check their myspace, facebook, or bandcamp for updates. I believe they are touring around west at the moment.

Download/Purchase
Mysapce
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Knowledge Nick

Yet another young hip-hop artists who is emerging in the Memphis music scene. These dudes are coming out of nowhere! First Total Savage, then Cities Aviv, and now Knowledge Nick. In a city so thirsty for genuine hip hop, we are actually seeing some pretty good talent emerge! I don't need to write a paragraph on why I think knowledge is good, although I will say if you're a fan of Mission, Giant Panda, Zion I, Cunninglinguists, or any well written chill hip-hop, download his EP. Hope the dude keeps it up, we (Memphis) need to hear more. Also, the second link I provided is a track from "Royal T's LP- 4 All Seasons & Knowledge Nicks Second LP- Transcribed Sentiment. LP is set to release early spring 2011." If DJ Hush is writing these beats, don't stop. This shit is real.

The Enlightenment EP
Another Song
Myspace
Youtube

Artimus Pyledriver

This is real southern rock, none of that pussy footin' Scott Stapp vocal shit. Artimus Pyledrive sounds like Bon Scott vocals placed on top of a volcano of explosive southern riffs. In all seriousness, this band is great. Somehow, they've managed to drop an EP in 02 and a full-length in 05 and not been picked up. I can only speculate it's because of lack of exposure and touring? Regardless they have two albums that are 100 mph from start to finish. Check out their pages for updates. They're playing in the Atlanta area and hopefully touring more.

Southern Fried EP
Artimus Pyledriver

Myspace

The GunSlingers

This garage-rock/rockabilly/blues sound, so proudly hails from Memphis, TN and is some real roots soundin' shit-- I'm not kidding. With an attitude made of steel, this drum and guitar duo could rip through a lot of the mainstream southern crap that is so prevalent in the Memphis music scene. More light needs to be shed on bands like The Gunslingers, but on a major scale. The Gunslingers often remind me of Link Wray at times or maybe even some Flat Duo Jets. Either way, I'm proud to say it's from Memphis TN. Here is a link to listen. Check their myspace and facebook for updates and shows.

Myspace
Facebook
Buy / Download / Listen

Tanks

Here's another Rock'N'Roll band that is sure to blast you away. The four piece Memphis, TN based band just dropped their self-titled EP. With a musical style that most suitably fits in the stoner-rock category, this album is peppered with influence ranging from hardcore, punk, 90's rock, to roots based rock'n'roll like MC5. Who really gives a shit about categorizing them though, it's good! You can stream the album here or pick up a copy at a show.

Myspace
Bandcamp

Gypsyhawk

Dueling guitars, melodic riffs, and epic vocals-- all sorts of bad ass shit, rock is supposed to sound like. Gypsyhawk, Based out of California, is a four-piece band that manages to capture a very classic rock sound sprinkled with metal and hard rock influence. This album makes for a sound that is not forced or overdone. The band appears to be headed out on an eastward tour and is probably coming to your town so don't sleep on these guys.

Myspace
Gypsyhawk - Patience and Perseverance

Flight

When I think of Mississippi, deep-fried anything and the birth of blues comes to mind... not electro punk / psyche / lo-fi / garage / awesomeness!! So this next band is a bit mysterious to me and it seems I am not alone on that. As i've read on torrent site what.cd and other blogs, it remains unknown whether Flight is a one-man-band or a quartet. This only makes it more exciting, as Flight may be one big secret being that so few know about them. Regardless, they have an unmistakable sound that encompasses overly distorted vocals, fuzzy guitars and echoed drums that will send chills down your spine. For fans of Wavves, Mgmt, or Cheap Time.

Myspace
Flight - The Lead Riders LP

Duce & The Pit Vipers

Scouring myspace and blogspot for more unsigned and under-appreciated artists, I managed to find a few this week worth posting. Lately I've been listening to a lot of rock'n'roll and riff heavy music... I can't seem to get enough of this shit. With that said, here is one high energy rock'n'roll band from Memphis - Duce & The Pit Vipers. The four-piece, whiskey drinking, party-rock band makes me wish I owned a Harley and could survive a 140mph drive down I240 while being set on fire-- I'm serious. Well, not really, but the music is vigorous and has a driving force. Duce & The Pit Vipers most definitely remind me of a less stoner and more rock basedGlasspack or Nighthorse. Check 'em out.

Myspace

Valley Of The Sun

More stoner-rock! Valley Of The Sun comes from Cincinnati OH and do so with a driving force. With monster riffs in 'I Breathe The Earth' and 'Tail Of The Serpent' this four-piece stoner / rock'n'roll machine comes out strong from the start and is hard to pass up. For a band that's unsigned, they're easily compairable to bands like Priestess and The Sword. I hope to be hearing more from Valley Of The Sun soon. Check 'em out.


Myspace
Website
Bandcamp

Hellbender

This four piece stoner-rock extravaganza hails out of Cookville Tennessee and will melt your face if you are lucky enough to catch them live. I'm serious. This band sounds exactly like you think they sound-- loud. Aside from being incredibly loud they're groovy, riff heavy, and most obviously psychedelic. At times you may wonder if the songs are ever going go end, and if you're like me you'll wish they never did. This band could very well be the second coming of Earthless, but much more doomy. Hellbender keep the jam alive and hopefulle you'll keep them producing more music by supporting them. Check their myspace for tour dates and updates.

Myspace
Facebook
Meltface Records

Hong Faux

Holy shit. Good thing no one checks this blog or else I'd feel bad for not posting for an entire month. So, in that time I should have accumulated at least twenty different bands, right? No. Not at all. In fact, finding good unsinged music is pretty damn hard considering everyone and their mom has a "record label" now. So I'm bending the rules a little bit. Since finding bands that are completely unsigned is so hard, I'm considering small bands that are on small labels just as easily unheard. So with that said, I have three new bands I feel incredibly worthy of showcasing.



Hong Faux, a Sweden stoner/fuzz/rock band with vocals that sometimes remind me of Soundgarden and/or Kamchatka, I can't quite make up my mind. Either way, they're producing a sludgy fuzzy sound with catchy guitar riffs that are comparable to Queens Of The Stone Age with a Fu Manchu guitar tone. This band only has a three track demo that costs whatever you make it. The demo is available on their Bandcamp account. Check 'em out. Highly Recommended!

Bandcamp

Myspace

Facebook

Total Savage

Total Savage. One of two people producing some real hip-hop in Memphis (currently). Well, I shouldn't get ahead of myself. He's producing real hip-hop to my standards. I've grown up on Hieroglyphics, Souls Of Mischief, Mission (Crown City), Zion I, PUTS... & that vein of hip-hop. So, it's a major surprise to hear someone producing anything but Three Six Mafia styled hip-hop in Memphis. Not to mention, him and his DJ are the only ones on stage-- not an entourage of dudes with gym towels and gaudy jewelry. So when someone breaks away from the terrible trend I'm instantly impressed. Savage is creating an interesting blend of unorthodox beats that sound like something out of the early 90's or late 80's. It's funky, soulful at times, and mostly upbeat. What's interesting about Savage is how he doesn't sample anything. He writes all his beats from scratch, writes all his own material and produces a CD quality recoding in his own home studio having done all of this without any know-how. That to me is impressive. You can check him out on his Myspace or Facebook for tour dates where he can be found touring with Memphis's own, aristocrunk, whateverthefuckthatis, Lord T & Eloise. Don't sleep, this dude is good and up 'n coming.

Myspace

Facebook

Cities Aviv

Cities Aviv, woah! This dude has a killer flow. He only has two tracks up right now and the most recent was Coastin' which was produced by Fat Sandwich Records. Aviv is comparable to some jazzy, down-tempo, chill hip-hop and producing a similar sound for fans of PUTS, Mission, Arts The BeatDoctor, & The Visioneers. I can't wait to see more of this guy in Memphis. With a music scene so lacking of this style of hip-hop he could possibly shed light on a less gangster and more chill side of the music, which Memphis has hardly been exposed to-- with the exception of Total Savage, Iron Mic, and a few others in Memphis who are doing their thing. Watch out for him in Memphis and check Fat Sandwich Records for updates.

Myspace

Bandcamp

Cities Aviv Mixtape Download <--- Worth the download

Crusades

Damn! Blossoming out of North Carolina comes a psychedelic, high energy, metal duo that go by the name of Crusades. Similar to ASG and The Sword in some ways, the band has catchy melodies that leave you singing and fuzzy guitar riffs you can’t forget. The band caught my ear after vigorously searching for unsigned music worthy of posting and damnit, they’re beyond worthy. As far as their mysapce goes, there’s only two tracks up, but I’m determined to find an EP or something to post. Hopefully I will. In the meantime, support this band. Hell, book ‘em in Memphis if you can. I’d go see ‘em!

Myspace

Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons

It was a sluggish night for me, but I made it out to catch The Dirty Streets at the Buccaneer. Honestly, I thought I was coming to see The Streets & Tanks play, but to my surprise their was third band performing by the name of Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons. This four-piece rockabilly, hill-country blues sounding band caught my ear immediately into their first song and I was repeatedly impressed throughout their set. I made the mistake of not purchasing their album after the show, but have managed to consistently listen to the two tracks - 'Who Makes the Knives' and 'Sentimental Jury' since then. If your foot does not stomp during these songs you might want to check your pulse. I HIGHLY recommend seeing this band live if you can, if not, pick their album up from myspace or facebook.

Myspace

Facebook

Youtube

Mojo Possum

With blues influenced grooves and soulful melodies there's no question that Mojo Possums hails from Memphis, TN. What sounds like a happy, funky rhythmed, hill country blues sound with a hint of jam band influence, Mojo encompass an interesting mix of sounds. This powerful five man group formed in Knoxville and played steadily before moving back to Memphis where they currently play at Newbys every Thursday and many other appearances including music festivals in Mississippi and the occasional juke joint. Check 'em out!

Myspace

Youtube

Youtube- The Kimbrough Brothers & Mojo

Mojo Possum EP

Devil Train

Devil Train, the name says it all. This incredibly underrated bluegrass band is mentally scalping everyone with their absurd talent. For fans of bluegrass, it's six levels beyond refreshing to see a homegrown bluegrass band gaining the spotlight in Memphis. Even if you're iffy on whether or not you'd be into bluegrass at all I'd give it a shot. With their feel good melodies and foot stompin' rhythms it's hard not to enjoy. Catch 'em every monday at the Bucc; don't sleep on this one.

Myspace

Youtube

Del Rose

A band with traditional country roots in Memphis TN has to exist, right? Well, it does. I stumbled upon Del Rose after I noticed a flyer at the Poplar Lounge and honestly had no idea what they would sound like. Surprisingly, it was a real ass-kicking country-rock sound. While they only have two songs on their myspace, I’m hoping that they released the CD that was supposedly dropping in fall of 09. Check their myspace for updates.

Myspace

Youtube

Website

The Sheriffs of Nottingham

With their catchy blues-rock riffs and soulful vocals, it’s hard to mistake the sound of The Sheriffs of Nottingham. Based out of Memphis TN, this four-piece blues-rock band is carrying an intermingled sound of The Black Keys, Cedric Burnside, and The White Stripes. With the debut of their latest EP, Hard Places you might be seeing and hopefully hearing a lot more from these guys. Check out their myspace/facebook page for tour dates and be sure to download a digital copy of their album off bandcamp or support ‘em by buying a hardcopy.

Myspace

Youtube

The Sheriffs of Nottingham - Hard Places

The Sultana

After listening to The Sultana live, I was blown away that a sound like this was coming out of Memphis. Sultan consists of Sam Tomaszczuk (percussion), Jana Misener (cello), Jeff White (banjo, guitar), Jon Hart (vocals, guitar), Robert Humphreys (bass). With their folky, country & indie blend, and Hart's distinguished vocals that often remind me of a southern Neil Young, it’s hard not to fall into a trance listening to it and will more then likely leave you wishing there were more than three tracks. You can catch ‘em live in Memphis at The Cove on 7/24 or check their myspace for further dates.

Myspace

The Sultana - The Shooting Act

The Unbeheld

Hell yes, The Unbeheld! With their latest release- In The Arms Of Mother Chaos, this band’s sound will punch you in the face with the blasting guitars, psychedelic breaks & build-ups, and incredible vocals. At first, I thought it was going to be like any ordinary stoner rock album, but they have managed to set themselves far apart by brining more then just doomy guitars and catchy riffs. In my opinion, The Unbeheld have created a powerfully heavy yet catchy sound that will undoubtedly catch your ear. Download their latest album in the link below and be sure to check them out live at the Hi-Tone, Memphis TN, 10/1.

Myspace

Youtube

The Unbelehd- In The Arms of Mother Chaos

Chinamen

Despite their somewhat controversial name, Chinamen is bringing a solid garage rock & punk sound to the already prominent garage scene in Memphis TN. Their first album, We Just Work Here, is relentless with it's fuck you attitude ,rambunctious and roaring vocals and buzzing guitar. Download their album in the link below through bandcamp.com and be sure to catch 'em live.

Myspace

Youtube

Chinamen- We Just Work Here

Steez

Steez, a five-piece from Madison Wisconsin consisting of Matt WIlliams (keys/ synth), Steve Neary (guitar & vocals), Rob Bessert (drums), Chris Sell (bass), and Andrzej Benkowski ( sax, oboe, & violin) is an interesting mix of funk break beats, funky guitar and synth riffs, with a hint of a disco-jam sound. But in all honesty, trying to pin this band with a distinct sound is pointless. It's good music, it's upbeat, it's easy to enjoy so support this band by catching them live & buying their album - Creepfunk Crusade.

Myspace

Youtube

Steez- Creepfunk Crusade

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The Dirty Streets

The powerful 70's influenced blues-rock trio, The Dirty Streets, hail from Memphis, TN & North Mississippi. Thomas Storz (bass), Andrew Denham (drums), and Justin Toland (vocals & guitar) create the perfect blend by taking influence from 60's and 70's rock'n'roll such as Humble Pie, Led Zeppelin, Leaf Hound, and heavy influence from the raw, low-fi swampy Mississippi blues sound. I wouldn't skip out on getting Portrait Of A Man, the bands first album. I highly recommend catching this band if you ever get the chance. Check the bands myspace page for tour dates and updates. They're soon to be touring with Iron Tongue (members of Rwake.)

Myspace

Youtube

The Dirty Streets - Portrait Of A Man

Support