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

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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.

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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

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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