Archive for minnesota

Vampire Hands and Daughters of the Sun both stream new songs

Posted in Audio with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Local music fans look to be poised for one amazing year of psychedelic rock; within the fast few weeks, both Vampire Hands and Daughters of the Sun have uploaded new music from their forthcoming releases.

Vampire Hands are kind enough to present their listeners with two entire tracks streaming on their MySpace page for their soon-to-be-released Hannah in the Mansion full-length album. As someone who endlessly enjoyed the low-key psych rock of last year’s Me and You Cherry Red, this release is on my highly anticipated list; hearing these new songs hasn’t dampened my expectations at all. “Funny Stories” is a smoky, dark, sneering pop rock song that seasoned fans will be sure to appreciate, and “Invisible Stairs” is a new adaptation for VH – noisy, heavily layered orchestration and sound effects that retains their folksy charm but sees them progressing noticeably. Head to their site to listen in, and keep returning to Mind Inversion to see when we can expect an official release for Hannah in the Mansion!

LISTEN: Vampire Hands, “Invisible Stairs” (from Hannah in the Mansion, forthcoming)
LISTEN: Vampire Hands, “Funny Stories” (from Hannah in the Mansion, forthcoming)

Daughters of the Sun is a Minneapolis band that embraces psychedelia to an even more noticeable degree, and now their MySpace page is now hosting an excerpt of “The Long Way”, an extremely ethereal and meditative mirage of sound from the bands new album Ring that helped transport this listener to another dimension. Truthfully, the hallucinogenic rhythms and enchanting vocals are sure to only be a small precursor of epic noise adventure that is about to be released. This is an album to pay attention to, my friends! Follow the link below for a taste.

LISTEN: Daughters of the Sun, “The Long Way (excerpt)” (from Ring, available 4/25)

Keep reading to learn about the ongoing Wavves/Vampire Hands U.S. tour (show at the Entry on 4/5!) and see local dates from Daughters of the Sun (w/ an entry show on 4/2!)… Continue reading

Northern Outpost Ep. 7, Military Special performs and interviewed

Posted in Video with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Northern Outpost, the Max Becker created local music interview and performance online TV show, is back for their seventh episode. This week their featuring the Minneapolis-based spontaneous electro-rocking clan of Military Special who have just released their new album Civil Union. On this week’s show from Uptown’s Owl Recording, we get to hear about they band’s growth on Civil Union, what they enjoy about playing locally, and their take on the longevity of the high quality local indie rock scene that they are now a part of. Watch it til the end to see these young prodigies rock out to a very appropriate, highly entertaining cover  of “Space Humping $19.99” from the Fiestas and Fiascos LP by late-90s TC post-punk/synth-rock innovators Lifter Puller (featuring Craig and Tad currently of the Hold Steady). And don’t forget bookmark NorthernOutpost.net to stay tuned for the final episode of the season (and to check up on previous episodes you may have missed). Enjoy!

Keep reading to see all of Military Special’s forthcoming tour dates… Continue reading

Early Man, Valient Thorr plot tour to crusade through Midwest in April

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Anyone who’s anything more than a fringe listener of metal knows that thrash is back in a big way over the last few years, and it’s not just the classic bands who have propelled the rejuvenation of the thrash. In fact, it’s more likely that the formation of countless “revival” thrash acts such as Toxic Holocaust, Bonded By Blood, and Early Man reminded Metallica how to rock than the other way around (…one man’s POV…). While Exodus, Kreator, and Metallica all have tours coming through the area soon, it’s important not to overlook some of the excellent smaller thrash gigs that will be touring through the area. For instance, Warbringer will be playing a free show at Station 4 on Saturday, and now the boys in Early Man have booked a tour to come through the Triple Rock Social Club on the 20th of April!

For those still out of the loop, Early Man is a band known for their style of old school thrash and punk that’s both kick ass and super fun. These days, they’ve evolved past their two-man origins into a full-on, no-bullshit metal band, and thankfully the scale of their attack has only multiplied. Additionally, the guys in Valient Thorr will be there to open with a their own set of thrash, completing the package for one awesome night of low-cost rocking out and partying. If you’re still making plans for your 4/20 and don’t want to end up at the Cabooze with a bunch of stinky hippies, I strongly suggest you bring your herb buzz to this show to party with some dirty thrash punks instead!

All the tour dates are listed after the jump! See you there. Continue reading

Black Blondie introduces debut album Do You Remember..? with a tune

Posted in Downloads with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Black BlondieDisplaying an elegance and savvy soulfulness of a band wise beyond their years, it’s hard to believe that Black Blondie are only now making the announcement for what they consider to be their “debut”. The local fourpiece has been earning respect and acclaim both locally and nationally over the past few years for their danceable, experimental style of gritty, soul, pop, hip-hop and R&B; they’ve been tapped to open for everyone from the Roots to Jill Scott to K’naan to Amy Winehouse (as well as participated in countless much smaller local gigs) and even appeared on URB‘s shortlist of artists to watch out for in the Mar/Apr 2008 issue. Now, thanks to City Pages Gimme Noise, we’re aware that the group has scheduled an April 14th release for their first official LP, Do You Remember Who You Wanted To Be? The time couldn’t be better for them to release this, and from the sounds of the sample that they provided, “Candy Cigarettes”, they’re not holding anything back. As strong and powerful as it is soothing, the vocal combination of Black Blondie’s Samahra and Channy Moon Casselle from Roma di Luna is a something to be commended. Indeed, it’s a haunting mood they’ve created on this song, and I’m grooving on it; I can’t wait to hear more when the release comes April 14th and I’m sure many longtime Black Blondie fans are thinking the same thing.

MP3: Black Blondie, “Candy Cigarettes (featuring Channy Moon Casselle)” (from Do You Remember Who You Wanted To Be?, available 4/14)

Extreme Noise Records plans series of legendary 15th Anniversary shows

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Extreme Noise Records has been holding down the punk rock scene in Minneapolis to its roots since it began 15 years years ago, and for their anniversary coming up they plan to reaffirm that to anyone who may have forgot! The reputable independent/co-op punk record shop has planned a 15th Anniversary concert itinerary at the Triple Rock Social Club that is sure to make any local crusty as giddy as a schoolgirl; for me, the biggest excitement from this recent announcement is knowing that the reunited crust-punk innovators of Amebix will be making an appearance in our fair city, but the awesomeness of none of these shows can be understated. Among others, the legendary punks The Kids, Shitkids, and many of Minneapolis finest names in underground punk will be some of the personalities to contribute the soundtrack for these shows in honor of ENR. The party begins at the end of April when influential reunited Minnesota hardcore heroes in Disembodied headline their reunion show with tech masters in Coalesce, and it will continue until the respected, reclusive d-beat hardcore punks in Tragedy finish up the festivities on July 11th.

All shows take place at the Triple Rock Social Club. Please visit triplerocksocialclub.com for ticket information (starting at noon today). Keep reading for all the dates! Continue reading

Solid Gold rocks and rolls through London (on video)

Posted in Video with tags , , , , , , , , , on Monday, March 23, 2009 by Ryan Buege

It was already a month ago that Solid Gold went to the United Kingdom for a string of shows and showcases in London. Since then, the band has played a few local shows, headlined the super eclectic Are You Local? event (..unfortunately I forgot my camera in the car, sorry guys..), and made the trip to SXSW for over half a dozen shows in only a few days (they’re most likely headed back to Minneapolis now). But, we don’t want to forget about the guy’s trip abroad to impress the big wigs yet! Thankfully, a couple of Brits have decided to upload some live videos from the band’s recent trip and we are proud to link to them here at Mind Inversion for you. Hope this starts your Monday right..

Solid Gold, “Neon Rose” (live at Buffalo Bar in London, Feb 26. 2009)

Click ‘read more’ for a video of Solid Gold playing at Water Rats in London… Continue reading

Concert Photo Recap: Krisiun, Destruction @ Station 4

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , on Monday, March 16, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Krisiun live at Station 4

Krisiun and Destruction played a show at Station 4 in St. Paul on Friday, a small festival of all things metal. Unfortunately, I missed Mantic Ritual and a whole slew of awesome local thrash, grind and death metal due to a prior engagement, but the show that Krisiun and Destruction put on to close the night made my trip to St. Paul more than worth it. The Brazilian death metal trio of brethren known as Krisiun played their revered brutal death metal to perfection, drawing material mostly from their newest high quality albums. Songs such as “Bloodcraft” & “Combustion Inferno” threw the tight knit crowd into a frenzy that was very deserved, given the massive, spectacular sound coming from the stage. While I admit I’m not as familiar with the German thrash legends in Destruction as I am with many 80s thrash acts, their show was very, very awesome; no frills thrash metal at maximum headbanging velocity. Dates are remaining on this tour, and everyone is in top form; get out to it if you can, because these band’s deserve to be seen. Now, on to my set of photos from both the band’s performances.

Krisiun live at Station 4(Krisiun)

Krisiun live at Station 4(Krisiun)

Krisiun live at Station 4(Krisiun)

Destruction live at Station 4(Destruction)

Destruction live at Station 4(Destruction)

Continue reading

Northern Outpost airs new episode featuring The Absent Arch

Posted in Video with tags , , , , , , on Friday, March 13, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Northern Outpost is back with their newest episode, and this week they’re in the studio with The Absent Arch. “The Arch” sits down for a brief interview about their band and their passion for the vibrant and productive local music scene in the Twin Cities, and after a few minutes they dive into a tight live performance of their orchestrated yet organic style of heartfelt folk rock.  They only play one soulful new song live for four minutes, but by the time they’re done you can just tell that they’ve got a lot more to sing about. If you haven’t seen The Absent Arch live yet, I recommend that you make it out to their MoreCowbell.net sponsored show at the the Turf Club on April 16th and watch as they execute their craft on stage. For the next episode, Northern Outpost has scheduled an appearance from the praiseworthy MPLS based electro rockers in Military Special who will be hopefully playing some music from their brand new album Civil Union; don’t miss it here, March 27th!

Krisiun, Destruction, and more scheduled to decimate Station 4 tomorrow

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Thursday, March 12, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Calling all death metal fans! Calling all thrash metal fans! Tomorrow, Station 4 in St. Paul; it’s on!

What? Destruction, Krisiun, Mantic Ritual, Anal Blast, Rivet, We Are Legion, Hate Beast @ Station 4 in St. Paul, MN on March 13, 2009

Concert Review: Battlefields, Irepress, Frontier, Vernal Pool @ the Triple Rock Social Club

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on Thursday, March 12, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Battlefields live at the Triple Rock Social Club

It was Wednesday night, and the turnout was surprisingly good for the show at Triple Rock Social Club featuring a billing Battlefields, Irepress, Frontier, and Vernal Pool. For braving the cold, fans in attendance were treated to a perfectionist display of some visionary one-of-a-kind doom, post, and progressive metal from some bands that the music community is sure to be hearing much more of in the future. Though clearly young bands, both Battlefields and Irepress played like veterans of their craft during their brief appearances, with the former opting for a punishing, unpredictable brute force doom, gloom, and hardcore and the latter playing an impassioned, progressive and riff heavy style of post-rock. The enthusiasm was noticeably high (especially for a doom metal show) even throughout the open sets of slow, plodding doom by Vernal Pool and jagged, riff heavy post-metal from Frontier, as well, and I guarantee that every band playing earned themselves a few new fans that night. The Battlefields and Irepress tour is now headed down to SXSW, and I urge anyone in their path to go see it. For now check out the small set of photos from the Wednesday night show at Triple Rock (ps. unfortunately I could only get a few, as my camera battery died soon after Vernal Pool and I didn’t bring a spare – live and learn).

Battlefields live at the Triple Rock Social Club(Battlefields)

Irepress live at the Triple Rock Social Club(Irepress)

Frontier live at the Triple Rock Social Club(Frontier)

Vernal Pool live at the Triple Rock Social Club(Vernal Pool)

I’ve still got quite a few more photos after the jump.. Keep reading! Continue reading