Sugar and spice and just a dash of…sludge? Last time, the New York three-piece Dead Empires released an album was in 2012, with the vastly interesting debut LP Waiting In Waves. Happily, new material is upon us! The group’s latest release, ...
CD Review: ‘Live At The Rutledge’ by Jenn Grinels
I’m a horrible Jenn Grinels fan. Despite how enamored I was with her stunning performance opening up for Carbon Leaf some time ago, or how her audience participation is the best I’ve witnessed since Frank Zappa, I’ve still managed to go forever and ...
CD Review: ‘Come And Get It’ by Blind Race
Whoa! Talk about an EP that wastes no time knocking you off your feet. Come And Get It is the new powerhouse release from the Toronto, Canada band, Blind Race, and the name is as much a challenge as it is an invitation. From the onset of the ...
Interview: Sean Delson of Agent Cooper (prev. of Fozzy/Stuck Mojo)
I’m honored today with the privilege of speaking to an incredible musician and bass player to the stars, Sean Delson. Sean has been a part of bands such as Salem Ash, rap-metal innovator Stuck Mojo, The Duke Project, Fozzy (featuring Chris ...
CD Review: ‘Far From Sleep’ by Agent Cooper
I initially heard about Agent Cooper’s album, Far From Sleep, during my first interview for Better B# over two years ago. During what turned out to be an incredibly long, but fun, talk with Cooper guitarist, Mike Martin, he told me about the ...
CD Review: “One By One” by Walking With Giants
Notes ring off the strings, echoing as if from reverberating bells. Thus is the beginning of Baltimore-based Walking With Giants' new EP, One By One, set for release on June 21. This promising hard-rock act blew me out of the water last year with it ...
CD Review: Into The True Country – David Benedict
I expect that most of you have never heard of David Benedict. It's not your fault! He's the new guy in town, hailing from the Southeast, and he's just getting settled. That being said, I'd like to introduce you to him. Since 2009, he has bee ...
Live Review: Shamrockfest 2014
All photos © Kristen Mankowski at The Muse Juice Cafe. There wasn't much of a breeze, but there was still a bit of a draft for quite a few kilt-wearers celebrating their Celtic pride at Shamrockfest D.C. last weekend. Plaid man-skirts in an ...
Edgar Meyer and Mike Marshall at The Barns at Wolf Trap – March 6
Stepping within this quiet sanctum, I could almost hear a pin drop. We weren't alone, my girlfriend and I, as we walked into The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va., but it certainly felt that way due to the atmosphere these walls evoked. I'm ...
CD Review: “Inward:Outward” by Mire
Slaving and working to serve the Hive... It's been some time since I listened to a truly progressive record. The last may have been Dream Theater's Train Of Thought, but even that was mainly a metal album from an artist considered to be prog ...