Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has combined forces with Chevy Metal’s Wiley Hodgden and Mick Murphy to form what is being called an “American Progressive Rock Super Group.” This trio has assembled and already released a seven track self-titled disc that pays homage to a slew of 70’s groups like Queen, David Bowie, Aerosmith and more. Even fellow Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, Rami Jaffee and Pat Smear are all featured on the disc as well.
Track 1, “The Ballad of The Birds of Satan” sets the tone right out of the shoot with what can only be classified as their “opus;” a nine minute and twenty eight second roller coaster ride that has more twists, turns, stops, starts and timing changes then a steep mountain road.
The disc’s current single and Track 2 “Thanks For The Line,” is a syncopated, upbeat rocker with a Queen-like mid-section and bridge that gives way to the choppy, yet driving rhythm that makes this tune go.
The third track, “Pieces Of The Puzzle,” much like the entire album, features great drum and guitar work. This tune definitely has punk overtones and a definitively progressive sound; yet is packaged in a neat pop style that resonates well as the band flows from one style to the next flawlessly.
“Raspberries” is next in the four slot, which is shocking, as just when you think the boys are going to slow things down a bit with this offering; they kick it up a notch and it’s off to the races. This is perhaps the straightest forward cut on the record when it comes to just pure drive. Noticeably absent are the multiple changes that are present throughout the majority of this disc.
One of the things that will make this album a standout new release is the band makes incredible use of dynamics from start to finish. Track 5, “Nothing At All,” combines acoustic and electric guitar with some very poignant style changes and dominant drum parts; making this a great toe tapper or head banger whichever you prefer to do.
Track 6, “Wait Til Tomorrow” is once again full of timing changes over a fast punk beat and just flat out rocks from start to finish. With lyrics like, “Why can’t it wait til tomorrow, one more bad mistake is all I want…” the band gets your attention and holds it; don’t blink, you may miss something.
Finishing up this initial compilation of great talents and styles is the seventh and final Track, “Too Far Gone To See.” Like the opening cut which starts off with drums, this obviously slower piece with techno sound effects ends the same way; with Hawkins closing the door after another great riff laden passage.
Overall, it is amazing how these guys and this disc have flown under the radar a bit. Rife with superior musicianship, talent and songwriting; this is one of the better debut efforts produced in a very long time. Murphy’s guitar work simply sizzles throughout, Hodgden’s bass and at times haunting vocals force you to pay attention and Hawkins’ drum work proves that he fits easily into the upper echelon of his ilk. Shanabelle Records has a definite hit on their hands as they distribute this on iTunes and Amazon.
The Birds of Satan have several teaser videos available and a web site; both of which are as mysterious as the band themselves. Go to www.thebirdsofsatan.com to find out more.
This space welcomes any suggestions and/or comments. Please send them to: [email protected]
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Justin Turk
Sun. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti
All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. (6:30 p.m.)Pizza Night w/Scott Gager & Debbie (7:30 p.m.) Texas Hold'em
Fri. 8 p.m. The Blue Moons
Sat. 8 p.m. Larry D
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Blend
911 Rte. 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Daryl Yokley Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
(609) 394-7437
Fri. 5 p.m. "Head Bang for the Highway 2014" feat. Throat, Limb By Limb, Lies Beneath, Thrashole, A Life Thereafter, Burial Mound, Cracked Alice, Me With Creeps, Doing Better, (TBA). All ages, $15.
Sat. 4 p.m. "Head Bag for the Highway 2014" feat. The Anti Kythera Mechanism, Morta, ZFL, Bury The Memories, Julius Seizure, Reborn Divided, WE...Our War, Prosper Or Perish, Death Rattle and special appearances by Ashes Within and Toothgrinder. All ages,$10
Sun. 2 p.m. "Head Bang for the Highway" feat. Witness For Hope, Accident Prone, Sky Came Burning, Arabella, Closer To Closure, Destruction Upon us, A Crowd Like You, Handed To The Thousands, Inventure, A Wake In Providence, Lessons Learned, Proletariat, Zombie Frogs, In Depths & Tides. All ages, $10
Wed. 6 p.m. No Bragging Rights, Proletariat, Beyond Dishonor, My Flesh May Fail, DieVersE, Hopeless Martyr. All ages, $12.
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night
Sat. 8 p.m. Toga Party Band
Sun. 3 p.m. Tone Rangers
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. John & Mags
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 7 p.m. The Wailers w/ Makua Rothman and Jah People. Doors at 6 p.m., general admission, $35
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Sindi Raymond Band
Sat. (2 p.m.) School of Rock End of Season Concert. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Coast 2 Coast
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge
Tues. 8 p.m. XTU 30th Anniversary X STOP
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. The Dawgs
Sat. 10 p.m. Soul Custody
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Town Drunks Comedy & Music
Fri. 8 p.m. Red Rover Burlesque
Sat. (3 p.m.) Crosscut Saw (9:30 p.m.) The Late Ancients w/ Skip's Museum
Sun. (3 p.m.) Jamie Salvatore (9:30 p.m.) Chris Harford & The Band of Changes
Mon. Open Mic.
Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Millhill Basement
300 South Broad St. Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. Keith Monacchio, Johnny Ott, Chris Pinto, Johnny Affatato.
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9:30 p.m. John Love Band
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Steve Bross
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Sharks On Bicycle
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. No Way Out
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Paul Desisto
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Mark Giovi $10 buffet(8:30 p.m.) The Papa Deluxe Band (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo
Sat. Ladies Night (Bar Only)
Sun. 10 a.m. Mother's Day Brunch
All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
Fri. 8:30 p.m. DJ John Rossi
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Joe Kaplow
Fri. (6 p.m.) John Patrick (9:30 p.m.) King Mosquito
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Thomas Wesley Stern
Sun. Mother's Day Brunch
Mon. 7 p.m. Open Mic. and Karaoke w/ Rich Barry
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Counterfeiters
Sat. 9 p.m. Blues Tattoo
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Old School
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab
Sat. 10 p.m. Rhyme & Reason
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett) / Simon Kirke (Bad Co.).All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
Sun. 8 p.m. Dwight Twilley Band / The PezBand. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $25 (advance).
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ T Dogg
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kharma Train
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Sat. 8 p.m. Sonu Nigam Live in Concert w/ Symphony Orchestra. Doors at 6:30 p.m., $35, $55, $75, $100, (VIP) $125, (VVIP) $150
Sun. 2 p.m. Trenton Freedom vs. Harrisburg Stampede
Wed. 7 p.m. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents: Legends. Doors at 6 p.m., $15, (VIP) $45, (Front Row) $80
The Yardley Inn
82 E. Afton Ave. Yardley, PA.
(215) 493-3800
Sat. 10 p.m. Paul Plumeri & Jerry Monk
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Birmingham 6
Sat. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Taylor Reed
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: The Works of Sam Goetz
Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Philly Funk Authority. $5 (coverage)
Sat. 10 p.m. Anders & Friends. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night Hosted by Something Shiny
All shows 21+
Villa Romanza
429 Rte. 156 Hamilton
(609) 585-1717
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Trenton Freedom Coach's Show
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
