Archive for August 8th, 2009
You are currently browsing the geekCouch blog archives for the day Saturday, August 8th, 2009.
8
Aug
2009
Circa Survive Sign to Atlantic Records
Four years and two masterpiece albums under their belts, Circa Survive have completed their recording contract with Equal Vision Records and have signed with major label Atlantic Records.
In today’s music business, it’s hard to celebrate a great band moving on to the “Majors.” This is usually the point in a great bands history where they drop off the face of the earth (ahem….Noise Ratchet). We’ll see what happens. But I’m not too excited about this news.
The band has begun work on their third record in Toronto, ON with producer David Bottrill (Tool, King Crimson, Silverchair, Moneen).
Read the band’s full statement on their official website.
8
Aug
2009
Free Music: Latin For Truth
Scottsboro, Alabama’s Latin For Truth – with help from their friends at Pitfall Records – have released a free digital version of their latest EP, We Are Sick of Not Having The Courage To Be Absolute Nobodies. To download all three songs, as well as lyrics, artwork and a bio, go here.
Here’s a sample:
Song: 88 Says
Album: We Are Sick of Not Having The Courage To Be Absolute Nobodies
8
Aug
2009
Bands You Should Know: Gray Young
I’m going to start up a little weekly post or bi-weekly post called Bands You Should Know. I’ve been trying to keep up with music, but have been falling behind. Not a lot floats my boat anymore.
That’s changed with this week’s discovery of Raleigh, North Carolina’s Gray Young.
Check out a tune:
Song: Tilling the Wind
Album: Firmament
8
Aug
2009
GeekVault Reviews: Enemy Mine
Rating: 
Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr.
Plot Synopsis:
Two Warriors engaged in a savage, futuristic war between Earth and the planet Dracon, crash-land on a desolate, fiery planet. At first, the human (Dennis Quaid) and his reptilian, alien opponent (Louis Gossett Jr.) are intent on destroying each other. But after battling the elements and each other, the two stranded pilots gradually realize that the only way either of them will survive is to overcome their undying hatred.
Review:
Enemy Mine is one of those movies that slipped by me during childhood. I always would see the VHS box in the video section whenever I’d be browsing the Science Fiction section, but I never gave it a chance. If I would have been introduced to it then, I probably would have been bored by it, to be honest. I was too busy watching and re-watching Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and Explorers that year. Enemy Mine would have been over my head.
However, I can now say that Enemy Mine was probably ahead of it’s time both thematically and stylistically. This was the Art House Science Fiction film of 1985, and I’m surprised a studio backed a film like this. Even today, a science fiction film with only 2 characters on screen for an hour and 15 minutes wouldn’t be interesting to a major studio. Look at movies like Sunshine, The Fountain, Solaris and Moon. Not viewed by the mass movie-going public as popular films. However, to film geeks like myself those all are masterpieces that should be more profitable than they were. Enemy Mine is a thought provoking, slow build of a movie that has huge ideas and heart behind it.
8
Aug
2009
Music Review: NOFX-Coaster
Artist: NOFX
Album: Coaster
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Rating: 
NOFX has been a part of my life now for 16 years. I first was introduced to them in 1993 by a friend of mine and I can say that NOFX was my gateway drug into Punk Rock. The first song I remember hearing was The Moron Brothers off of their 1990 album Ribbed. (The song was later used in the movie Glory Daze with none other than Ben Affleck.) So, NOFX has always had a special place in my heart.
So, 16 years after my first introduction to the band and 22 years after their first full length (Liberal Animation) NOFX are still at it with their newest release, Coaster. A no holds barred, honest, insightful, thought provoking, and fun listen from a band that never seems to let up. What I like about NOFX is they’ve always stayed true to who they are as a band. Unlike their ska-punk peers The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, who I stopped listening to when their shit album Let’s Face It blew up. While NOFX isn’t breaking any musical barriors or experimenting, they’re a band that builds on their established sound and have given us the best album of their career with Coaster.
