Nokia is not All Static- Anime Everywhere

JBA meme courtesy of knowyourmeme.com

Hola Hola Mola Mola Mola.

Been traveling around the mountain til a new episode of one of my favorite animes come around (Ultimate Hint: Jojo's Bizarre Adventures).

Aaaaaand talking about animes, found a new artist through the Facebook newsfeed of Afropunk followed by the name of Princess Nokia aka Wavy Spice.

Her songs express a wave of trip-hop, electro-pop, mixing with rap lyrics on occassion that remind you of when Toonami was on and you watched your favorite anime.

Princess Nokia
(picture courtesy of Afropunk)

Princess Nokia also goes by Wavy Spice. You can check her out at her soundcloud here. Her current LP titled "Metallic Butterfly" is out and features clips from Dragon Ball Z and House elements. Hopefully she will bellow in the trippy festivals near you.


Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo



Oh Madame So Has a Video!

Remember my post back in January about this awesome artist by the name Madame So?

Well...a Youtube video was released with one of her songs on her album "Sell-by Date". Check.it.Out

And if you dig her music, please show some support by voting for her here. You do have to register with an email but you'll be able to vote for her multiple times (show that fandom *jazz hands*).

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo!

Discoveries and Other Finds pt. 2

picture courtesy of rollingstones.com

Hey folks, hope the weeks going great with the new year hub bub and holiday cheer.
Came back because as previously stated, I am going to share with you 2 other bands I found just recently.

Last blogpost in 2012, I talked about Tiger! Tiger!, a band from Atlanta and another band that is NYC based called Peelander-Z.

Today I am going to share with you two bands; one from New York (woo! NYC represent) that has quite some political ammo along with a mix of trombone and guitar riffs; and another artist who was born in Paris and is now living in London known for her sound similar to that of Hole.

Let's start with the band from New York. The way I stumbled on this one was looking at concerts that were going on during the month of December for the Knitting Factory (venue) in Brooklyn. I always have this thing of checking out the music on youtube or the link provided by the website before venturing out towards the venue. Its a good thing to do if you don't like wasting your 10 bucks on music that is just not you. Once I found Outernational, I fell in love with their album "Todos Somos Ilegales". Combining elements of trombones, guitar & bass riffs, drums, powerful lyrics and the occasional accordion; Outernational stands out from most alternative bands. They are very pro-active with the messages in their songs. According to a Rolling Stones article, after releasing their album, they went on tour and played in places like Tijuana and California, meeting those who have crossed the border and war veterans.  If you loved Rage Against the Machine and the powerful lyrics of songs like "Killing in the Name of" & "Testify", you will definitely dig Outernational.

Madame So (picture courtesy of afropunk.com)

As for the London based artist; her musical name is Madame So. I found her looking at some of the articles/blogposts on afropunk.com: a website centered on the afropunk movement. Using mostly drums and guitar riffs, Madame So brings a throwback to Hole & Polaris along with her own tint of lyrics in "Sell-by Date" and "Dig Deeper." And there is also the fact that her voice is smooth like melting sugar in your mouth. For those of you who love "Violet" & "This World" by Hole, you will definitely love Madame So. Check her out on her bandcamp website here.

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

P.S. here are the links to the articles I looked at for Outernational & Madame So:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tom-morello-chad-smith-help-indie-band-on-pro-immigration-video-20120709
http://www.afropunk.com/profiles/blogs/london-s-madame-so-makes-sincerely-bizarre-but-bizarrely-catchy

Tally Ho! Discoveries and Other Finds pt.1

Tiger! Tiger! (photo courtesy of tigertigerrocks.com)

Hello Hello. Long time no talk. Hope those who are celebrating are having a happy Thanksgiving day and those who aren't celebrating: I still wish you a good day.

So now at the matter at hand:
Lately I have been music cruising. Listening to some new rockin' sounds and determining which ones to actually put my two cents about. So far I found four to recommend and I'll be breaking 2 of them down in this post.

The first one is a band from Atlanta named Tiger! Tiger! This year they have released a new album with a hot cover titled "Cut Them Where They Bleed" that blend retro 60-ish rock elements with garage sounds and punk riff/drums combo. They've been around since 2005 and have made a name for themselves in Atlanta, Georgia. They are currently signed with a record company called Chicken Ranch Records that have signed other good underground artists. I find this band unique in that not only do they have different play in vocals with different albums (male and female), but they also use instrumental elements that were used in the 1960's such as the organ and saxophone. For those of you who are into garage, punk, and retro melodies that remind you of music such done by artists like The Doors, I definitely recommend listening to this band. You can check their website (tigertigerrocks.com) or preview their stuff on bandcamp. If you dig their album I also recommend purchasing on their bandcamp page or on their Ranch Records page since searching them on iTunes can be a bit too hectic AND you save a $1.

picture of Peelander-Z from their official site

The second awesome band I found is called Peelander-Z. Peelander-Z started in NYC in 1998 and since their first U.S. National tour in 2002, have been continuously performing with their crazy antics and dressing in expression of inspiration of the Power Rangers & other Japanese and American pop Sci-Fi culture icons. Although, they started in NYC, their band members are straight from Japan and have never lost their spunk on stage. Listening to their music, I enjoyed the vivaciousness and strong spirit that have been put in songs such as "Star Bowling" from their most recent album. Their sound kinda reminds me of the Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi show that appeared in Cartoon Network for a short time (if you remember I quantumly high five you). Point: For those of you who loved Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi or love Japanese pop rock (no not J-pop) then I recommend checking this band out. You can look them up on iTunes with no mess (as long as you type it correctly) or you can check their Chicken Ranch Records page that provides links to their different pages.

(Note: all highlighted underlined words are links to pages of aforementioned artists, guarantee of no fake pages.And all aforementioned information has been taken from the Chicken Ranch Records pages along with iTunes bio. Information provided is not owned by Rockinglicious but by the respected aformentioned parties (i.e bands and their pages)

Random Music Finds

Dead Sara

Hello all. Long time no post. Honestly, gotta say I had blog writer's block on what to post here and my apologies for that. But today things are different. Found an interesting band from a random list on Reverbnation, a website for underground and major artists.

Titled as Dead Sara, this band uses elements of blues, soul, and rock to make their own imprint of alternative rock. The vocals done mostly by Emily Armstrong & Siouxsie Medley are reminiscent of the era of the 70's. You could say that Armstrong sounds a bit like Janis Joplin.

With the addition of the drums (Sean Friday) and bass (Chris Null), the music becomes a fusion of rock, some grunge, and a little bit of punk. Their sound is a bit familiar and if you think about it, its similar to Veruca Salt & a little close to L7. Difference is this band will vary with sounds and don't provide the same rhythm for all of their songs. If you like Veruca Salt you will most likely dig this band. So why not check em out.








Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

No Doubt 2.0: New Album Out!

album cover courtesy of No Doubt's facebook

Hi guys, long time no see. Hope you all are starting your October with a bang if not wish you the best on one.

Hectic as usual I have been lost in transit most of the time going places and meeting people. However big news!!!!

No Doubt just came out on September 25, 2012 with their new album Push and Shove and so far have been able to climb up the Billboards as #33. Folks at Billboard predict that with 125,000 they will be able to be No.3 in the charts.

It was really unexpected that the group will come back with a new album after being "on hiatus" since 2004 (according to the interview on their facebook page) and each going onto their own projects (unexpected babies included). But after their North American tour on 2009, the band decided to get together and make a new album . These past summer months passing by, their facebook page has been updated with new pictures: anticipating their new album Push and Shove.

picture courtesy of celebritybug.net

Infused with old sounds and new sounds of ska, dancehall, and electronic pop, Push and Shove brings out the growth of No Doubt. You will find with songs like "Looking Hot" and "Undercover" the influence of the dancehall sound AND find their old ska elements in songs like "Settle Down" and "Push and Shove."With soft lyrics and Gwen Stefani's sultry voice. I definitely think with this new album they will be back on the charts as a cross-generational band. Hopefully they will be around for the long run.

Point: Check out their album.



Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

P.S. here's a video of one of their songs. Check. It. Out.

Afropunk Fest!



Das Racist! (courtesy of my phone)

 Hi fellow Rockinglicious readers, it's been a long time since I have written and let me just say things are happening again. This past Saturday and onward has been hectic with school, work and all sorts of things. However, I still look forward to writing stuff for you guys.

The reason why I say Saturday in the beginning is because this past weekend was the Afropunk festival. I myself didn't even know at the time until later on in the afternoon when a friend texted me "yo, come down to the Afropunk festival" (!!!). Once I got out of work, I set myself on the mission to primp, polish, and prepare because I was not going to let it slip out of my fingers. Once I headed out the door I was determined. I ran through some mishaps but eventually I got there and found the stage in which Das Racist was going to play.

Now, I never mentioned them, but now I will explain: Das Rascist is this epic (in my opinion) rap group that started out in Brooklyn and are now gaining quite a momentum. Their lyrics usually include references to stuff you learn in college or maybe high school (if your classes are that "high up" in enrichment) and give their own, dare I say, poetic twists. I love the fact that they bring something different than their usual "I smoke that and hit that and ride that and yadayada I am the biggest dog in town" (ok, came out corny so don't count for me to know how to rap). Either way, even if I am a rock girl at heart I still have my few fave rappers and Das Racist is one of them (will be writing a blog post on them soon).

Back to the festival......

The festival didn't end until 11 pm even though they said 9 pm on their flyer. There was a lot of technical difficulties with some of the machinery on stage but no worries it went on. And let me tell you about the awesomeness of this festival: there was a whole skateboarding and bike tricks going on the side that was just awesome. This went on for the whole day. In-cre-di-ble.

Not only that, while Das Rascist was playing there was a whole moshpit I had to take part. HAD TO. It was awesome. People crowd surfing and pushing and dancing. Eventually with all the moshing I got close enough to the stage. I did lose my glasses at some point with all the moshing. I gave up on that once I realized that it was 1.too dark to find them 2. there were people walking around making it harder to find and 3. Erykah Badu was on the green stage and I couldn't miss it. SO ....I headed across to the green stage without glasses (oh well). Took a while for her to come up and sing but it was worth it. At the end it was Miss Janelle Monae, but for personal reasons I ditch that and headed home. It was the best night ever! Oh and I hope you noticed: I never mentioned paying a ticket stub because yes, IT WAS FREE! So......

Lesson of the story is: if you are in NYC area;
DON'T MISS THE AFROPUNK FESTIVAL!


Til Next Blog post,
Miss Bobo


(Note: if you want to check out more pictures on this festival click on this link.)

Watch out! It's a Ssssnake!

ssssnake

album cover

As life is blasting through this summer, I have been stuck on a few tracks of some albums. One in particular is Hostile Takeover by ssssnake (exactly how its pronounced too).  I saw this guy live at Spike Hill a few weeks ago and got connected with his album, Hostile Takeover, which include the tracks he performed.
"Wolf and the Bear", "Under the Snow," and "Slow" have been stuck on me and have been 4-starred on my iTunes library.

Ssssnake is a "hip-hop, funk, and gospel-inflected soul project" managed, produced. and performed by Noah Tabakin, a man all the way from Chicago.

While on stage, he tends to not only sing but include the audience in his performances. Seeing him at Spike Hill up and close, I saw he will dance and move around while performing. I think he knows his tracks are irresistibly danceable (sorry Webster Dictionary) so he dances to them too while involving some humor. He of course, encourages dancing from his audience and includes any brave souls who do in his performances. Right now he is on a tour from Ohio to all the way in Austin. (Right now he is on his way to atlanta).

On his website you can play the tracks and buy them at whatever price you want if you really dig this album. However, I suggest at least a dollar or more because this guy really puts himself in his music.

If you want to find out more of this guy you can check his website: http://ssssnake.com/


Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

Pandora's Muse: Band Found

Victory At Sea Before they disbanded

Hey there, back on the ropes now. Hope you guys had a great Easter break (if any of you celebrate that).  Been MIA for personal drama with friends and now family. But I am back and with new things to share.

While working as an intern, I have been on Pandora a lot lately and found some good bands similar to the ones I love to listen to.The good thing about Pandora is that they pick out the sounds of the songs/bands you put as the title of the radio station; and pick out bands that sound similar to them. One band that has been stuck on me lately is Victory At Sea. I found this one from the Mazzy Star radio station I created on Pandora.

Victory At Sea was indie since they started 1996 but they (sadly) disbanded around 2007 according to their myspace.
However, if you dig their sound as much or even more as I do, I think you can still buy it from ITunes, myspace, or straight from Pandora. Here is the song I have been stuck on, hope you like it :D

Boohoo and Crazy Myth Daffodils

Well, no one submitted a Halloween story and I just didn't get online because of schoolwork and drama. My apologies. I will see to giving a heads up before I disappear into thin air. Now in other news....I have been musically addicted to a "tricky pixie" who is currently an underground artist. Her name is S.J. Tucker and she is as her facebook page says, "a constant musical journeywoman" on the road since 2004.
Her songs reaches into the depths of Celtic rock and sits in the dwellings of myth punk. Especially for those of you out there who love the mystical aspects of the realm of the Fantasy world you will love her music.
And not only does she do most of her own music, she also does spoken word and artwork. How awesome is that!


If  you are highly interested in her music you can click on her highlighted name above and can buy the tracks she has for a dollar. YES A DOLLAR! If you want to find out even more about her you can check her page on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sjtuckermusic?sk=info
or her blog: http://s00j.livejournal.com/


Til Next Blog Post,
Miss Bobo


P.S. I most likely will not have a blog post up tomorrow so Merry Thanksgiving Day everybody! 

It's Coming! It's Coming! (music and some news)

It's October and guess what that means: HALLOWEEN IS COMING! ITS COMING! Although, it is my favorite month it has been quite hectic. Despite it all I am expecting to cook up an awesome Halloween blog post in my handy dandy cauldron. If you have any stories to share; funny or rather ho-ho-horrifying send them to cupcakeriot45@aol.com.
As for other news: a blast from the past decade, I have come to introduce you a work of the fantastic macabre straight from the crypts of Los Angeles, California: a band of the name Creature Feature. Founded with band members Curtis Rx and Erik X,  CF creates the realm in which Hallows Eve is every day by using catchy synth rhythms, wicked guitar licks, voice recordings and creepy horror themed lyrics. Listening to their song "Aimed for the Head" I am already hooked line and sinker. Hopefully, like me, you would be hypnotized and enjoying it when listening to their music. Beware! or shall I say MWUAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

In the Music Box

dead Union Sq.

This fall so far proves to be one eventful season with tours, concerts, and Halloween to spread some music and fun stuff (with stars on the side). And to prove such theory: yesterday I had a fun day out at Union Square: with a new friend to hang with and awesome treasures bought in book form at the Strand. While doing some girrrl talk in a sudden happenstance of a surprise, I met a handsome young man by the musical name of Danny Madison who invited me and my friend to listen to his music.

With a voice that can cross the surface of soft indie, rough punk, and a dash of rap; Madison does a great job in dipping in the indie realm with a professional but fun sound that makes you think why isn't this sold in CD stores instead? You read correct, Madison's CD titled "Danny Madison" isn't sold yet in music stores but you can find him selling it on the NYC tri-state area for less than $10. So far, Madison has sold over 10 THOUSAND [and hopefully will be reaching more than a million].

If you are really diggin' his sound like I do, you are invited to click on his name above or search his music on iTunes. You might just buy some tracks or the whole album.

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

The Source for the Alternative Rock News!

So you wanna get the deal-i-o on whats going on in the alternative rock world? There is no channel for it and the show that does is well coming back on some other time.. Don't worry ol' friend, you can have your alternative rock news on the go with RockNRollTV podcast. The link is the official website to it but you can check that fun stuff out on ITunes and subscribe with your ITunes account for FREE! yes for  FREE! Hosted by this awesome once-musician, Share Ross, Ross shares the Rock N Roll news with her awesome humor and spunky attitude. You will be surprised as to what you will find out. And what is even more awesome about this podcast is that they give you coupon codes for online websites such as Angie's list, Eastbay, Zazzle, and other such websites. CHECK THAT PODCAST OUT! W00T!

what a looker right! taken from her website

Note: if you want to check Share Ross out and her impressive work, you can on her website: http://www.shareross.com/
or find her on facebook. 

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

It's Time for Some Music (An Underground Band)

I love music so much that lately I have been catching up on different sounds. One right now that has been consistently haunting me (in a good way) is a band named Divine Madness. With a prevalent classic touch, a dash of some rock, and some techno sounds here and there, this band gives you somewhat of its own gothic type of music. You wouldn't be wrong to say it reminds you of Evanescence but don't trip on that because in "Gentle" they prove they are unique. Especially with the lead singer's [Victoria Mazze] rich voice. Once you check out their page (you can click on their name above) you will definitely dig their sound once you check out their influences. For now they are on the underground surface but being on podcasts such as Hall of Mirrors: Tales of the Grotesque (which you can check out on ITunes) and some concerts, they will be able to gain some momentum. If you are on the look-out for a new goth sound I recommend this band.

Still "Taking Over"

After singing and revisiting some Evanescence oldies with my friends Nicky & Kay last night, I decided to go on a quest. And I have found quite some good results. I went on Evanescence's page and found this song playing in the background. With the new tracks so far on their page, Evanescence has proven that they are not "going under" like many other alternative popular bands that came out in the 2000's. The piano continues to be a strong influence in their music and Amy Lee (still looking good WOOT!) doesn't defraud with her voice intact as usual. Can't wait for more catchy rockin' tracks on October, and of course the video for this song! 

Something to Definitely Spin To (Band discovery)

Dramatic guitar chords, hypnotic drum beats, and a voice that will remind you of bands like Modest Mouse and maybe even Queens of the Stone Age; this band has something to offer. However, don't be fooled, The Growlers have their own spazzy spicy sound to add to the cauldron.

The Growlers

I came upon this band listening to the Indie Feed Alternative Podcast, in which songs from "new" bands are posted. The minute I heard their almost Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) sound in their song "Graveyard's Full" I was hypnotized and lured by their haunting but still yet groovy beat (yes, I used GROOVY!).  I had to check them out on youtube and yes, definitely stalk their page. 

They did not disappoint me at all. The members are hot! Especially the lead singer. Composed of Brooks Nielson (vocals), Matt Taylor (lead guitar, vocals), Brian Stewart (drums and vocals), and Scott Montoya (bass guitar, vocals); The Growlers started in 2006 in a somewhat funny story. According to the Indie Feed Alternative Podcast, they started out hanging out, drunk, and with a few instruments about them. There they all decided to team up and make this awesome hypnotic dancing beat of a band. Of course, since they aren't really big, some of their videos are a bit of the homemade status. Nevertheless, the sound is priceless. Check. Them. Out!