Long Island’s favorite hardcore sons have become the latest of several bands to jump ship from Trustkill and the second (the first being Bleeding Through) to continue on to Portland, Oregon-based Rise Records. The label’s press release concerning the signing is as follows:
“Rise Records is ecstatic to announce the signing of Long Island’s THIS IS HELL.
Since June of 2004, This Is Hell has been killing it with their signature brand of hardcore.
The band will release their 3rd full length in Spring 2010. In the meantime, be sure to
catch the band on tour.”
Additionally, TIH vocalist Travis Reilly has the following comments:
“For those of you who haven’t heard yet, we’ve found a new home at Rise Records. We have heard nothing but good things about the label and we are excited to work with them. Expect a new full length from us around spring time of 2010.”
So in honor of my absolute favorite holiday ever, I’ve compiled a list of the best movies to watch around Halloween (in no particular order) that you’ve probably not seen. If you have seen them, major props!
-G
Number 1
Title: Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Director: Scott Glosserman
Genre: Comedy/Horror
Synopsis: This film tells the tale of the serial killer Leslie Vernon, as told by the film crew following him around on his murders to make a documentary. This movie puts an interesting twist on the way we perceive the scary movie villain and hero, and rolls it up nicely in a package that is both hilarious and scary. Oh and did I mention that the serial killer hunter in this move is none other than the original Freddy Crugar himself, Robert Englund?
Number 2
Title: Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter (2001)
Director: Lee Demarbre
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: Readers who are uber evangelical or easily offended beware: This movie will scare the hell out of you. This over the top musical kung-fu masterpiece takes place in Ottawa, Canada, where Jesus Christ, along with the help of a Mexican wrestler, must save a group or lesbians from vampires with a lust for their blood. A fast cult classic, JCVH is so bad it will have you laughing so hard you cry.
Number 3
Title: Evil Dead (1981)
Director: Sam Raimi
Genre: Gore/Comedy
Synopsis: This movie is an odd combination of gore and comedy in the same way that Shawn of the Dead is, but the writing and acting is so much worse. There are times when the blood and guts are pretty graphic, but the cheesy special effects are so hilarious that this movie is a B-rated gem. Follow a group of friends to an abandoned cabin to party, and then enjoy as they battle evil demons who are after their souls. And the hero’s arm gets chopped off, so clearly he is forced to attach a chainsaw to his nubbin and hack his way to safety… its cliché awesomeness to the max. IF YOU LIKE THIS, SEE ALSO: Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness
Number 4
Title: Motel Hell
Director: Kevin Connor
Genre: Horror/Gore/Spoof
Synopsis: A farmer kidnaps unsuspecting travelers and then buries them in chambers underground, until he fattens them up to be served as burgers in his restaurant. While this movie is a spoof, is quite gory and actually a bit creepy. Maybe what scared me more than anything was the fact that I love burgers, and this movie had a severely adverse affect on my burger love for a little while, but it’s worth a watch in the spirit of the season.
Number 5
Title: The Innocents (1961)
Director: Jack Clayton
Genre: Suspense/Horror
Synopsis: When a governess comes to a lonely mansion to watch over what seems to be two young, well adjusted children, she soon finds herself questioning her sanity as the children seem to be overtaken by the souls of the former governess and groundskeeper of the property. Also known as “The Turn of the Screw,” this movie appears to be the basis for the idea of the move “The Others,” but is much more cinematically satisfying and well written as the lack of technology forced this black and white to create artful suspense through dramatic lighting and optical illusions.
A brilliant singer-songwriter with a pension for child-like veracity fused with soviet piano chord undertones, Regina Spektor’s music is unlike anything else out there. She uses her voice as instrument, and makes percussion sounds with her tongue as she stretches the notes to give her music a branded style that is solely Spektor.
This Russian-American songstress performed Wed., Oct. 14 at the historic Radio City Music hall in New York to a sold out crowd, and wowed the audience with impeccable vocal candor. Only Spektor could sing about subject matter ranging from sunbathing, Jesus and God, to exaggerated drug use, sexual promiscuity and the Holocaust all with the same toe-tapping cheer that makes her music a quizzical combination of enlightening and innocent.
The show had a minimal light display that basically just changed color with the mood of the songs or refracted off a disco ball to give the hall a starry night feel, but it fit perfectly as Spektor’s presence alone was enough to light up the stage.
The opening band, Jupiter One, was actually pretty enjoyable. They were like a Vampire Weekend/David Bowie/Brian Wilson amalgamation that I didn’t hate. And I was not able to confirm this as I could find no documentation of who was in Spektor’s band, but I’m maybe 80 percent confident that the lead singer of Jupiter One is also a violinist in Spektor’s band.
Overall it was a memorable night, and as always Spektor was more than sincerely gracious to her crowd, stating her amazement at having the opportunity to perform at Radio City Music Hall. Check out the set list below, and please, please check out Regina Spektor, because anyone who can make the phrase “someone next door is fucking to one of my songs” sound innocent, deserves some recognition.
Set List
The Calculation
Eet
Folding Chair
Ode To Divorce
Machine
Laughing With
One More Time With Feeling
Two Birds
Blue Lips
-November Rain Solo-
On The Radio
The Call
Dance Anthem Of The 80s
Silly Eye-Colour Generalizations
Bobbing For Apples
That Time
Apres Moi
Poor Little Rich Boy
Ink Stains
Human Of The Year
Man Of A Thousand Faces
-Encore-
Samson
Us
Fidelity
Hotel Song
Love, You’re A Whore
Regina Spektor’s newest album, “Far,” is in stores now waiting for you to buy it. Here is the video of “Laughing With,” from the album.
I also have this less-than-great video footage, but if you are a fan, you may appreciate it. My seats were far away so I found someone’s footage of the show on Youtube and the sound isn’t bad.
Snow Patrol to release a compilation album, Up To Now. The album comes out Nov. 10 and will feature the band’s singles, a few covers, rare tracks and even some previously unreleased songs.
-Converse and Journey’s announce the second annual Get Out of the Garage music contest. The two up-and-coming bands that win the contest will be flown to Austin, TX to perform with last year’s winner, Flying Machines, who has since been signed to EMI.
