Incognito Music, Models, and More - The Americana Issue (July 2012)

IncognitoMusic, Models, and More

The Americana Issue Vol.5, July 2012

Featuring:500 Miles to Memphis

Tattoo model Skyeann GiglioMississippi Bones | Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three

New columnist: Ask Uncle Salplus

We rate American Hefe Weizens

Phil Hummer:“Performing is the hard part.”

Incognito #5 - The Americana IssueChief writer, Editor‐in‐chief: Gary SchwindCopy editor: Bob BrowerContributors: Jason Bowman, Adam Griffith, John Kessler, Rachel Park© Groovy Rutabaga Publications 2012

incognitomusicmagazine.comSubmissions (models, music artists, writers): [email protected] orPO Box 2070Mission Viejo CA 92690

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Reverend Horton Heat is a REason I wanted to play GuitarAn interview with Ryan Malott of 500 Miles to Memphis by Gary Schwind

500 Miles to Memphis is a country punk band from Cincinnati. By phone, singer Ryan Malott discussed performing his own song terribly on Rock Band, sharing a bill with Reverend Horton Heat, and what he’d be doing if he weren’t making music.

How do you describe your music for someone who has never heard it?

I guess the genre is country punk. When I describe it, I just say imagine Green Day, but add some country to it. If Green Day, Social D, and Hank Williams teamed up...something like that I guess.

How has the band evolved since the early days?

Weʹve been through quite a few lineup changes. Sometimes itʹs hard to answer being so close to it. Itʹs hard to be objective. We always had aspirations to be pretty successful and make a living off of it. We started out in a garage. We got to a point where we started playing in bars, then going on the road. We released some albums, then got on to an indie label, which really helped us out. We got onto the Rock Band video game. Our songs were added to TV shows and things like that. It really kind of put us on the map. We started to take stuff more seriously after that.

I wanted to ask you about Rock Band. What was your reaction when one of your songs ended up in Rock Band?

I couldnʹt have been happier. It was awesome. I was super‐excited. I have a niece and three nephews and they love Rock Band. One of the

first things they did was to get on and download it.

Have you played the song on Rock Band and how did you do?

Yes, and I did terrible. Itʹs a lot easier to play it live. Itʹs way easier than the Rock Band game. The video game combines the steel, fiddle, and guitar part into one part that you have to play. In reality, itʹs not that hard to play. Itʹs a pretty easy song actually.

What was the reaction when you did terribly playing your own song?

I kind of figured I would. Itʹs just kind of funny. It makes total sense. It doesnʹt translate from being an actual guitar player to playing the game. I was a little embarrassed.

I normally stick with the drums when I play Rock Band.

That makes sense. Thatʹs pretty right on, I think. For guitar, it doesnʹt make a lot of sense.

You mentioned that you always had visions of being successful. When you started, did you ever think youʹd be on a bill with guys like the Reverend Horton Heat?

I always wanted to be. Listening to The Rev, that was one of the main reasons I played guitar. I always wanted it to happen. I never thought it

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would. It was a pretty big honor to play with those guys.

Take me back to when you shared the bill with the Reverend Horton Heat. What was your feeling of the whole night?

It was a pretty laid‐back atmosphere. I wasnʹt as nervous as I thought I would be. It was at a venue that weʹve played a few times before. It wasnʹt as nerve‐wracking as I expected it to be and I didnʹt think The Rev was watching us at all when we were playing. When we got off stage, Jimbo (the bassist) gave us his phone number. He said, ʺCome on tour with us. Hereʹs my phone number. We love you guys.ʺ Seriously? Awesome! It was really cool. Of course we called him and told him to call us if they ever need an opener. Thatʹs pretty much it. Our booking agent is talking to their manager and theyʹre trying to work that out. Weʹll see what happens.

In the list of moments your musical career, where does that rank?

Itʹs up there pretty freaking high.

What would you be doing if you werenʹt making music?

Hell, I donʹt know, man. Playing video games. I do that anyway.

The reason I ask that question goes back to a Colum‐bus band called Two Cow Garage.

Oh yeah.

I was talking with Micah (Schnabel) and he said if he werenʹt out on the road making music, heʹd be back in Columbus making pizzas and he hates making pizzas.

I gotcha. Iʹm a landscaper. I would be landscaping. That makes a little more sense. Itʹs not the job of choice, but itʹs a job.

For more about this band, visit 500mtm.com.

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Skyeann Giglio: Taking chancesSkyeann Giglio is a model from Los Angeles who has won awards for best tattoos at the 2011 Las Vegas Inked Expo. She discussed her tattoos (including what might be next), her love of basketball, and what is the next thing to cross off of her bucket list. All photos of Skyeann by Keith Selle.

How long have you been modeling?

I have been modeling since 2009. Modeling became Full Time for me last summer. And I have worked with so many amazing photographers so far and so many more amazing ones to work with along the way. Iʹm constantly adding new stuff to my portfolio and keeping everyone updated with what Iʹm coming out with next. I still have so much more I want to do and accomplish in my modeling journey.

What kind of modeling do you do?

Alternative, Tattooed, Fashion, Glamour. My main goal is to keep getting published in more tattoo magazines so everyone can see all the awesome artwork I have done by my amazing tattoo artist Chris Garcia.

What is something about you that people find surpris‐ing?

That I absolutely love NBA basketball! I donʹt look like your typical girl who would be into basketball, and it surprises people when I tell them. My team will always be the Lakers, but I watch all other teams play too, so I know about basketball very well and I love it! It’s always been such an awesome way for me and my Dad to bond as well!

Which of your tattoos means the most to you? Why?

All my tattoos hold great meaning to me through life, but one of them that means a lot to me would

be the top half of my sleeve. It represents me growing up and going through obstacles in life and overcoming them. Taking chances right then and there ‐ no procrastination. You might only get that one chance in life so donʹt let it pass you. It all ties into together and reminds me of all the things I went through growing up.

What do you have in mind for your next tattoo?

I really want some portraits. I donʹt have any yet. So that will definitely be one of my next projects. I really want to get a portrait of my grandma when she was 18 in the 1940s. It’s a beautiful photo of her and she was such a huge part of my life and means so much to me.

Who are your three favorite music artists?

I have so many favorite artists, I donʹt even know if I have a top three. My music ranges from


Florence and the Machine to Frank Sinatra, to many other different kinds of music.

What one thing would you want to ask your favorite artist if you were hanging out backstage?

Whoʹs their favorite NBA basketball team and then if they were not into basketball I would be kind of disappointed.

What is the next thing to cross off your bucket list?

Traveling! I really want to travel around the world and go to many different places such as Italy, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Japan, and many more places ‐ especially tropical places. I love being near the beach! So any tropical paradise would most likely be my first place to want to visit!


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Hefe Weizens: the good, the bad and the blahOur panel of four regular guys got together for a blind tasting of American hefe weizens. Beer Advocate has this to say about farmhouse ales and saisons. “A south German style of wheat beer made with a typical ratio of 50:50, or even higher, wheat. A yeast that produces unique phenolic flavors of banana and cloves with an often dry and tart edge. Little hop bitterness and a moderate level of alcohol. The hefe prefix means with yeast, hence the beer’s unfiltered and cloudy appearance.”The panel comprises Adam, Jason, John, and Gary: four guys who enjoy a good beer. We rated these on: • the technical stuff (nose, color, clarity, etc.)• taste • when we would drink this particular beer• who we would recommend it to• overall impression. Plus, we give you some food pairings to try with each of these.Two lessons were learned in this tasting. First, we learned that the hefe weizen is not an easy style to master. More than that, we learned that opinions about hefe weizens can vary wildly from one guy and one beer to the next.Tailgate Technical stuffAdam: Milky amber with a slight head.Gary: Very cloudy gold color, not a bad head, honey‐orange scent on the nose.Jason: Murky tan color.John: Cloudy at first, but cleared up fast. Very yeasty aroma. Zero head retention.TasteAdam: Lemon and wheat, mild tasting and semi‐sweet.Gary: Very fruity up front, very dry. There’s not much on the aftertaste.

Jason: Very light and yeasty.John: Boring! Flat, no distinct flavor. This is the Bud Light of hefe weizens.I would drink this…Adam: If I was short on cash.Gary: If someone thrust one into my hand…or poured it down my gullet.Jason: At a baseball game or a summer barbecue.John: If it was the last beer in my fridge.I would recommend this to…Adam: Someone I don’t like very much.Gary: Someone who is dying of thirst.Jason: Someone looking for a light, refreshing beer.John: An ex‐lover.Overall impressionAdam: This is sort of meh.Gary: This is pretty uneventful. It vanishes from the palate immediately.Jason: It’s an easy‐drinking beer. I could probably have a few of them in a short time.Food pairing suggestionAdam: BBQ ribs and watermelon.Gary: Grilled cheese (Kraft singles on Wonder Bread).Jason: Potato chipsJohn: Saltines.Score (out of 10)Adam: 5Gary: 4Jason: 6John: 2 Lightning ThunderweizenTechnical stuffAdam: Murky yellow with little to no head. Strong coriander odor.Gary: It’s a cloudy, pale gold. Clove, bubblegum, and something smoky on the nose.Jason: Yellow‐brown color, fruity and bubblegum on the nose. John: Nice cloudy color, poor head retention. Aroma of orange, bananas, and clove.TasteAdam: Sour.Gary: Coriander and orange with a nice hop bitterness at the finish.


Jason: Bubble gum, fruity citrus flavor.John: Nice and crisp up front. Smooth in the middle. Spicy, slightly bitter and sour finish.I would drink this…Adam: If it was the only beer at my mother‐in‐law’s house.Eric: Yes, but it might be too heavy and sweet to drink very much of it.Gary: Gladly on a hot day at the beach.Jason: On a hot day.John: Right before church or on hot summer days.I would recommend this to…Adam: People who enjoy a sour beer.Gary: Fans of hefe weizens and to drinkers who don’t drink a lot of hefe weizens.Jason: Someone who is not an avid beer drinker.John: An average beer snob, but not a high‐ender.Overall impressionGary: This goes down pretty easy and is a good example of the style.Food pairing suggestionAdam: Spicy food.Gary: Grilled fish with lemon butter.Jason: Sausage.John: Mango dishes, island pork, tropical shrimp.Score (out of 10)Adam: 4Gary: 6.8Jason: 7John: 7.5Blue FrogTechnical stuffAdam: Murky swamp‐water color. Little to no head. Smells spicy, I guess that’s coriander.Gary: It smells like orange, but also smells funky. Very hazy gold color.Jason: Cloudy gold, not much head. Clove on the nose. John: It’s a good color although a little on the light side. No head at all. Orange with a hint of coriander on the nose.TasteAdam: Spicy and a bit sour, very carbonated.Gary: Very dry and citrusy. It disappears from the palate quickly.

Jason: It’s somewhat fruity and carbonated with some bubblegum.John: It’s crisp up front, but has little finish.I would drink this…Adam: On a hot day when I am in my hammock.Gary: If it were the only beer in my fridge.Jason: With old high school friends.John: Today, but not tomorrow.I would recommend this to…Adam: People who enjoy a complex‐tasting brew.Gary: People who don’t know any better and drink Blue Moon.Jason: People who enjoy hefe weizens.John: A high school kid.Overall impressionGary: This is pretty bland. All the flavor is up front and it vanishes as soon as I swallow it.Jason: It’s very drinkable. I enjoyed the balance of fruit and carbonation.Food pairing suggestionAdam: A big pot of steamers.Gary: Anything you can buy at a carnival.Jason: Pretzels or chips.John: Chicken (boiled or broiled) with no seasoning and white rice.Score (out of 10)Adam: 7.5Gary: 4.8Jason: 8John: 5Rogue MoM Hefe WeizenTechnical stuffAdam: Light yellow color with a small head. I don’t smell shit.Gary: Very pale like a pale ale, and hazy. Not much on the nose; it’s slightly floral.Jason: Golden color. No head. Smells like yeast. John: Looks like a pale ale. Slight odor of yeast, but not much to smell. Zero head.TasteAdam: Super light with little flavor.Gary: A dry hop note. It’s very clean and dry, but doesn’t taste like a hefe weizen at all.Jason: Carbonated water with a twist of yeast.


John: Sharp almost cheddar‐cheese flavor up front that dissipates quickly into a very sour aftertaste that turns into a musty linger on the tongue. It’s like sucking on a dirty sock.I would drink this…Adam: When I don’t care anymore.Gary: With dinner.Jason: Never again.John: I didn’t.I would recommend this to…Adam: Novice drinkers.Gary: I wouldn’t have any trouble recommending this to anyone as long as they’re not expecting a hefe weizen.Jason: Light‐beer drinkers.John: A homeless drunk.Overall impressionAdam: This is not very good.Gary: This goes down real easy, but it is absolutely not a hefe weizen.Jason: Hazy, carbonated, zero flavor, not likable.John: It’s not a hefe weizen.Food pairing suggestionAdam: A late‐night fourth meal at Taco Bell.Gary: Something spicy like jambalaya.Jason: Bread.John: Grape jelly and peach schnapps.Score (out of 10)Adam: 2Gary: 7Jason: 2John: 2Editor’s note: John and Gary were right. It’s not a hefe weizen. On the Rogue website, this beer is advertised as a Belgian blonde. Why it says hefe weizen on the label is a mystery known only to the good folks at Rogue.Marin Star Brew Triple Wheat AleTechnical stuffAdam: Woohoo! Finally some good head.Gary: Decent head, hazy amber color. Smells like it has a good alcohol content with hints of banana.Jason: Gold‐orange color, not much head. John: Nice head and good retention. Nice color ‐ thick and milky.

Awesome odor, very clean. It smells like a fruit orchard with banana, lime, and orange.TasteAdam: Super flavorful. This is the first beer tonight with some wang in it.Gary: Wow! This has the sweetness of a wheat beer and the big hop finish to back it up. It’s like whiskey at the finish.Jason: Complex with some fruity bitterness.John: Very complex with a lot going on. Sweet banana, lime and spicy notes up front, smooth clean middle and a smoky smooth finish. I can tell there is a lot of alcohol.I would drink this…Adam: When I’m wearing my man pants.Gary: Anytime…as long as I don’t have to drive.Jason: With friends who enjoy drinking beer.John: Until the end of my days.I would recommend this to…Adam: People who want to get their drink on.Gary: People that want to get hosed in a hurry.Jason: Beer drinkers.John: Anyone who likes heavy, complex beers.Overall impressionAdam: This is my favorite of the night.Gary: This is a fine beer. I would take another, then retire for the evening.Jason: This is very complex with some fruity flavor and a smooth finish.Food pairing suggestionAdam: Something from the bar that’s bad for you—fried mozzarella, pickled eggs, etc.Gary: Sweet‐potato pie.Jason: Wings.John: Slow‐cooked northern barbecue with southern cornbread, cherries soaked in whiskey with whipped cream for dessert.Score (out of 10)Adam: 8.5Gary: 8.2Jason: 8.5John: 9


Performing

is the hard

part

An interview with Phil Hummer by Gary SchwindPhil Hummer is a guitarist from Nashville. By phone, he discussed the evolution of his music, the constant struggle of performing, and what he’d be doing if he weren’t making music.

You started playing guitar pretty young. What kind of stuff were you playing?

As a kid growing up in Michigan, my only access to music was the records my dad had and the radio. At that time I was real into bluegrass. That was my main influence as a kid. When I started playing, that was pretty much all I played. I started playing when I was six. My brother played guitar and he taught me how to play. When I was about 13, we moved to New York. That was when I first saw other kinds of stuff. The first show I saw in New York was probably some folk stuff on Bleecker Street. I remember playing there on open mic nights. Moving to New York was a culture shock for me. I didnʹt really feel any kind of connection. With the kids my age, what they were listening to, I was really out of it. It was Ramones and stuff like that I heard and said, ʺWow!ʺ I started singing in bands and not playing guitar. Iʹd join bands through The Village Voice. It was mostly hard rock or weird heavy shit. I sang or screamed. I did that a few years.I wanted to play guitar again and learn to write songs so I could play my music. I started to write and play in a band that was bluegrass and punk. My first band was called The Roadhouse Romeos. That was all my songs and it was some older dudes on upright bass, drums and lead guitar. I played acoustic guitar and sang. It was a good band. We did pretty good for a while.

That was Gas Pumperʹs Blues, right?

Yeah. Thereʹs some stuff I like on that record and thereʹs some kind of cheesy stuff. It holds up all right. That band broke up and I wanted to try to play lead guitar to simplify it a bit. Just have me, a bass, and drums. I got my first electric guitar and started figuring it out. I feel like thatʹs when the sound of bluegrass and punk started to come out. The first band I did that with was called The Buzzards.

Hard Hillbilly Hop is one that a friend of mine passed along to me.

Cool. Yeah. That was the one after The Roadhouse Romeos. That was cool. That was my first three‐piece band. Since then, Iʹve tried to do three‐piece bands,

but Iʹve had guitar players Iʹve worked with. Good lead players. The one after The Buzzards was Los Nitros. That was with this guitarist from New York named Simon Chardiet. Heʹs real awesome. Heʹs one of the best all‐around players Iʹve ever seen. That was a four‐piece.

Itʹs interesting that you talk about stripping down to a three‐piece. I just talked to one of the members of Deadstring Brothers. Heʹs doing that now where heʹs stripped it down to just him with a guitar, drum, and harmonica.

I think something happens where you just want to get to the simplest form of things. Thatʹs how itʹs been for me. It was hard to find people who could play what I was feeling. For me, thatʹs been a good and bad thing. For me, playing guitar is real personal. Iʹm not really a lead‐guitar player. A lot of people want to see someone who plays good. With me, itʹs kind of a battle between me and my guitar. It really comes off


in the show. Itʹs not just a happy experience. A lot of shit goes into it. Some people really like that and some people donʹt. I take it out on whoever Iʹm playing with. Itʹs worse when Iʹm the only guitar player. Iʹve noticed when thereʹs another guitar player, I can just play acoustic guitar and sing the songs and not really get too worked up about it. In a three‐piece itʹs really emotional. Itʹs the best stuff I guess but itʹs the hardest for some people to watch. Iʹve struggled with that as long as Iʹve played music ‐ whether to make something smooth and more accessible or just do what it really feels like to me. Itʹs hard to put it in any context except the moment. I struggle to get further so more people can hear my songs. Or do I just play it and say, ʺI want you to feel what Iʹm feeling. I donʹt want to smooth it over.ʺ

For me, raw is always better.

Cool. Thatʹs good to hear. Whenever I hear that, I know thatʹs how it should be. Itʹs a real underground kind of thing. So many people are not familiar with that kind of raw stuff. People that are really into music usually get it. A lot of people arenʹt used to that, especially in Nashville. Theyʹre used to a certain kind of performance thatʹs pretty professional and smoothed‐over. Iʹve been up against that since Iʹve been in Nashville. It works in a lot of ways because itʹs different than a lot of shit. I get a lot of advice that I shouldnʹt take it so personal or get so emotional. I havenʹt had any luck in trying to smooth it over. Iʹve tried it a couple times because people offered me stuff if I did. It didnʹt really sound good. (laughs) As I go along, Iʹm getting better at figuring out what I do and just try to be all right with that.

I have to agree with you. I never like hearing a CD that I can tell is too polished. The raw stuff grabs my attention more.

I think there are some people that can do it raw and good. I think my emotions make things harder for everybody. I guess itʹs always trying to figure out the best way to do it. Now I play with Ray, my wife. Iʹve always wanted to play with someone Iʹm so emotionally connected to. The beat that I hear is something in my head. With drummers especially, itʹs hard for me to tell them what Iʹm going for. It moves around a lot. Since Iʹve been playing with Ray, I feel itʹs getting closer. Weʹve been trying to find a drummer that can get with the two of us. Weʹve been

through a lot of drummers. Right now we got a drummer playing called Justin Collins. It kind of seems like he feels the same beat we do. Thatʹs been good. Sad Songs and Whiskey, that was with Crystal. That was pretty awesome. That felt like the last time it was about playing music. It felt real personal between the three of us. Crystal decided she didnʹt want to deal with music and the whole life of it and just to deal with me in general. I looked at the shows where we were trying to get our beat right...I didnʹt look at them like we were performing for other people. I wanted to get all our shit right. I would yell at Ray and Crystal if I felt we werenʹt playing right. Crystal felt like we should just play our shows and I shouldnʹt yell at her on stage. I can see not wanting to get yelled at. After that, weʹve been looking for different drummers. Weʹre about to start recording with Justin. I feel like itʹs going where itʹs supposed to go. Itʹs been good and bad, but mostly good.

What do you think of most of the music that comes out of Nashville?

Thereʹs a lot of good underground music coming out of Nashville. Nashvilleʹs been doing well not with pop/country bands but with rock and roll. I think Nashville is pretty good with music right now. A lot of the old systems in Nashville are struggling and a lot of new stuff is bubbling up. Generally, I have to give Nashville a thumbs‐up right now. All the crappy stuff it gets pegged with...it deserves that. A lot of crappy stuff comes out of here. Thereʹs a lot of clubs off the beaten track that are having bands play every night. The only thing about Nashville is that itʹs hard to get people to come out to your shows. Theyʹre just so inundated with people that play in bands that are here or coming through. Nashville is a good music town to live in and record in and play once a month. For touring, you can play a lot of towns in a few hours.


Compare the new album to previous albums.

Sad Songs and Whiskey is the best and truest one. Itʹs Ray and me, and Crystal. Some of the songs were before Crystal joined, with me or Ray on snare drum. Itʹs pretty country. I want to do some stuff that isnʹt country or rockabilly. But that one was the most cohesive ones Iʹve done. Itʹs pretty simple. Compare that with Michigan Stud with the band Long Gone that Simon Chardiet was also in. It had a different bassist and drummer than Los Nitros. I like Michigan Stud too. Itʹs more of a group effort. Sad Songs and Whiskey feels more personal.

What would you be doing if you werenʹt making music?

Iʹd like to write books or stories that I didnʹt have to perform. For me, writing is the easy part and performing is the hard part. If I didnʹt do that, Iʹd like to do paint. If not that, Iʹd like to do something in nature. Itʹs hard playing in bars. Itʹs one path to go on, but I always felt I wasnʹt cut out for that path.

Listen to three Phil Hummer and the White Falcons albums (including the two released this year) at songs.philhummer.com.


Have you heard…Horror Deluxe (Brazil)

Yeah, I know what you must be thinking. Brazil? What could I possibly have to say about music in Portuguese? It’s true, I don’t understand a word of Portuguese, but I don’t have to. This is just primitive punk. You don’t have to understand it to feel it. And primitive is the right word for it. This band is a guitarist and a drummer. That’s it. That’s all this band needs. As for what this band sounds like, let me just say that you could blindly choose any one of the songs and fit it pretty nicely into a monster movie. If you like The Cramps, you’ll like this band even if you don’t understand a word of one of its songs.

JJ and the Real Jerks (Los Angeles)

Some people will tell you that punk is dead. Those people clearly have not heard JJ and the Real Jerks. This band is balls‐to‐the‐wall punk rock. Don’t believe me? Just listen to the band’s EP High Anxiety Society. This not only has punk energy but the title track has a classic punk theme of not fitting in (and not wanting) to fit into the 9‐to‐5 world.Now, I will stand by the notion that this is a punk rock band, but this band isn’t just about three chords and a lot of volume. The song “High Anxiety Society” features some really good guitar work—definitely more elaborate than you hear in standard punk songs. And “Short Term Memory Lane” features not only harmonica but also saxophone. If you want some real punk music instead of the pop punk that is peddled on the radio, check out JJ and the Real Jerks.

Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three (St. Louis)

Did you ever get a CD from someone you know and the CD turns out to be a total revelation? That was the case when I

received a CD of Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three from someone I know. LaFarge and his band sound like a piece of musical history. You would be right to call this band old‐school, but it’s not old‐school as in 70s rock. No, this band goes way further back than that to ragtime and country blues. That’s right. There is a band going right now that plays ragtime.

And you know something? These guys are good. The songs are driven by an old‐time guitar sound and upright bass, but LaFarge also plays a pretty mean harmonica. Granted, the recordings don’t sound as scratchy as the old ragtime stuff, but these guys are authentic. Don’t just take my word for it. You could ask Jack White, who will have Pokey LaFarge opening up for him this summer. If you like James Mathus and His Knockdown Society, this is a band you will probably enjoy.

Acid Fascists (Edinburgh)

I’ll admit it. The name of this band is part of what drew me in. To be honest, it should be a lesson to all those bands out there that come up with really generic names. But this is no time to get on that soapbox. This is about the band. What happened when I went to the Acid Fascists Bandcamp page? I saw an album called Up Against the Wall, Motherfucker: These Are the Howling Sounds of the Acid Fascists. Suffice it to say I was pretty well hooked on this band before I even heard a note of their music.

Howling is a good word to describe the sound of this band. This is raw garage rock at its finest. This band makes songs that are high‐energy, low‐fi, and loud. Pick any song and it will fit that description. But if you want a real punk rock kick in the teeth, check out the song “Nothing Lasts Forever.”

I’ll be honest with you. You’ll play this for some people and they will ask you, “What is that noise?” At that point, just crank the volume a little louder to drown out the question. If you are a fan of raw garage punk, this is definitely a band you need to check out.


ReviewsMississippi Bones—Tracks

I found this album one day while searching for southern rock on Bandcamp. Southern isn’t necessarily the term I would use to describe it. But, you know something? It doesn’t really matter what adjective you use, this is rock. Clutch immediately comes to mind when I hear this band. I wouldn’t call it metal. I think heavy rock is probably a better term for it. That being said, there is also a fat groove in every song, just like you expect from Clutch. Probably the song that reminds me most of Clutch is “The Conspiracy Theorist.” The guitar in this track has some real meat to it. The only other thing I really need to say about this album is that it became one of my favorites shortly after I found it. It’s something I found myself playing pretty frequently on the iPod. Give this band a try and it might become one of your favorites too.

Pariah Records Split 10”—The Movements and The Angry Dead Pirates

Loyal reader, you should know something. This one makes our review section because a member of The Movements sent me the album. There is a world of music out there and sometimes we need an introduction to know what is out there. Oh, and also because this is pretty good stuff.When you listen to the three songs by The Movements, two things are pretty clear. First, this band is pretty steeped in psychedelia. Second, this band records with a great deal of energy. The tempo of “Deserted Town” is best described as frenetic, especially at the end where the guitar, bass, drums, and organ rise to a furious crescendo. “She Said” is an interesting tune. At the beginning and end, it sounds like music for a psychedelic spaghetti western. In between, you get a song that is kind of a blend of psychedelic and indie rock. The song is driven by the guitar and organ, but the rhythm section certainly doesn’t take a back seat.

The three songs from The Angry Dead Pirates (from Toulouse, France) are pure psychedelia. “Moon” has a spaced‐out organ sound and equally spacy vocals. Part of what I mean when I say spacy is that the vocals sound like they were almost recorded in the same room as the microphone. The distant sound of the vocals really enhances the whole psychedelic feel. If you are into psychedelic rock, pick up this split 10”.

The Nevermores—Now More than Never

This is another band whose name is part of what drew me in. How do you look past a band named after the writing of Edgar Allan Poe? Now, if you’re thinking that this is some kind of brooding, dark album, allow me to quote Lee Corso and say, “Not so fast, my friend!”The Nevermores play soulful garage rock with a healthy dose of psychedelia. The organ in “Lilly’s 11th” is straight out of the 60s psychedelic sound. The majority of the album, however, is filled with punchy guitar, fuzzy bass, and raspy vocals. I’ll say one thing for The Nevermores. For a garage band, this band plays some virtual marathon songs with four songs at nearly four minutes long and one song at almost six minutes. That is pretty unusual for a genre where the majority of the songs weigh in at three minutes or fewer.Do yourself a favor. Pick up this album, then put it on and blast it out your windows. Sure, your neighbors may not appreciate it, but your neighbors are squares…especially if they don’t like the rock and roll howls of this band.


Flashback

Two Cow Garage ‐ Please Turn the Gas Back on

Say what you want about the term alt‐country. I for one see the place for it, but I am not a huge fan of it because I’m not really sure what “alternative” music is. In any case, the first album from Two Cow Garage (for better or worse) landed them under the alt‐country umbrella. This debut is definitely the twangiest album (with fiddle, pedal steel, etc.) from the band and that is why it is in the Americana issue.One thing that is immediately clear with this album is that these guys record with a tremendous amount of energy. And if you think they record with energy, you should see them play live.This album is a good introduction to the songwriting chops of Micah Schnabel (guitar) and Shane Sweeney (bass). These guys have a way of writing songs about busted relationships, trying to escape a small town that are easily relatable. Schnabel wrote most of the songs on the album, but my favorite is “All Sins Forgiven” by Sweeney. This is a mellow tune (fairly unusual for this band) and just tells a good story, not unlike Steve Earle.The album feels a little homespun, but I think that’s part of the charm. After all, this was the first album for guys that were pretty young when they did this one. Plus, I think the raw feel of the album is perfect for this band. If you are a fan of alt‐country, this is definitely an album you should have. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be hooked and add all the Two Cow Garage albums to your collection.

CinephileMovie reviews by Rachel “Rae” Park From my experience, some months tend to be better than others in terms of whatʹs out. The month of June seems particularly promising, with releases like Prometheus and Brave. Iʹm not big on anything that has gore or horror elements to it, so you will not be seeing a review on Prometheus from me. From what Iʹve heard though, the story is a bit lacking, but the visuals are excellent and worth watching in 3D. As for Brave, it releases a couple days after my deadline, so youʹre going to have to stay tuned for my thoughts on that in next monthʹs issue!

This month, weʹll be looking at three very different movies, including one that pleasantly surprised me.

The Avengers

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom HiddlestonRuntime: 143 minutes

I admit, sometimes Iʹm slow to catch on. It wasnʹt until after I watched this that I realized that Marvel did an excellent job building up to this film. While itʹs definitely possible to enjoy the movie without having watched ʺprequelesqueʺ films such as Thor or Iron Man, I think having done so may have added more to the experience and made it a fuller

story. Depending on what your expectations are, some might feel a little cheated as this movie comes off as yet another marketing ploy to stay tuned for the next Marvel movie as well as a nudge to purchase previous ones.

Men in Black 3

Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh BrolinRuntime: 104 minutes


I think Josh Brolin really stole the show in this one. After the first few minutes of seeing him on screen he had me convinced that I wasnʹt watching him, but a younger Tommy Lee Jones. His accent and mannerisms were pretty spot‐on—I was definitely impressed. Unfortunately, the plot of the movie is rather flat and even the antagonist could have used a

character development boost. However, I honestly think that the movie is worth shelling out a few clams for Brolinʹs performance alone. If youʹre looking for a strong follow‐up to the first two movies though, you may find yourself disappointed. If thatʹs the case, you may be better off waiting for the DVD.

Snow White and the Hunstman

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris HemsworthRuntime: 127 minutes

I openly admit that I only wanted to see this because of the eye‐catching trailer and for Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron. This was a film I didnʹt have very high expectations for; Iʹm not a huge fan of Kristen Stewart or the Twilight series (I know, gasp), and Snow White was actually one of my least favorite fairytales, even in its Disney form. (Again, I know,

gasp.) Charlize Theron definitely had the strongest performance as the Evil Queen. I also felt chemistry between Stewart and Hemsworth that I never thought would have been possible prior to watching the film. Unfortunately, the ending left something to be desired.

To reach Rae: @raesblog (Twitter), cuttingedgecrativity.wordpress.com.


Editor’s note: Look here, all you Incognito readers. This here’s Uncle Sal Piccoli, and I’m gonna be takin’ over this here column. I read this magazine and I think it’s real fine, but I’ll tell ya what I did. I went to Incognito HQ and I went to the editor‐in‐chief and I told him this here Derek seems like a no‐account loafer. He’s had the column for two months and he ain’t written one of the columns yet. The boss told me he’d have to settle up with Derek first if he could find ‘im. Well, I read this magazine enough to know how to handle that. I left a day‐old doughnut and a can of Hamm’s out by the Dumpster with a note to Derek that his services ain’t needed anymore (not that he ever provided any services). If Derek wants this gig back, he’s gonna have to fight me for it. So without further ado, let’s get on to yer questions.

Hey Uncle Sal,

How does a white person handle an Asian womanʹs judgment lasers? Jon from Herro America (her‐rousa.blogspot.com)

Thanks for writin’, Jon. I read your post about the judgment lasers and I gotta tell ya I think yer a little off‐base on this one. I ain’t sayin’ Asian women don’t judge. What I am sayin’ is that this ain’t about race. Women are always gonna judge men, whether it’s for the shirt he wears or some bonehead thing he does.

Now, as for what a white guy or any guy does when he’s on the receiving end of one of these judgmental glares, that depends. If yer just startin’ a relationship with the woman who’s givin’ ya these glares, ya just hope she doesn’t throw one of them high‐heeled shoes (or sump’n worse, like an iron) at yer coconut. And if she does, ya duck.

But here’s the thing. Once ya been with the woman fer a while, that glare just becomes an eye

roll because she realizes yer hopeless. At that point ya kinda take pride that ya caused that eye roll and do whatever you can to induce the eye roll at every opportunity.

Dear Uncle Sal,

If pickled cucumbers is called pickles, why ain’t other stuff what’s pickled called pickles? How come them cucumbers get the nod? Miffed in Minnetonka

I gotta tell ya, I’m always surprised at the things that folks get hung up on. Miffed, if this here question is keepin’ ya up at night, I got the solution: whiskey. Ya pour a couple shots of whiskey down yer neck right before ya go to bed, things like this ain’t gonna keep ya awake anymore.

Say, that reminds me. Ya ever try “pickling” your cucumbers with vodka? I know it sounds pretty weird, but ya add some of that cucumber vodka to a Bloody Mary and ya got yerself a nice cocktail. A couple of them’ll get ya pickled for sure.

Hey Uncle Saul,

Why isn’t it OK to wear more than one necktie at once? Unfashionable in Unctor

Dear Unfashionable, I dunno who this Uncle Saul is, but I’ll answer yer question to him just the same. Matter of fact, I’ll answer yer question with a question. Who says it ain’t OK to wear more’n one necktie at once? I can’t imagine why ya’d wanna do sump’n like that, but ain’t no one gonna stop ya if that’s what ya wanna do. Except maybe yer woman. This here’s one of them things that’ll earn ya an eye roll from the old lady. Which is all the more reason ya should do it. At least once. If yer lady ain’t given up on ya yet, she’ll get one step closer to doing it if ya wear two neckties when ya go out to dinner with her.


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In our next issueThe August issue will be our funk issue featuring interviews with Orgone, and Sara Erde of Caramelo.

Plus:A brief Q&A with model Coli Hellraiser (photo of Coli by Derrick L. Mims Photography)More bands we think you should knowReviewsAsk Uncle Saland we review a variety of lagers.

IncognitoMusic, Models, and More

Vol. 5, July 2012

Featured model Skyeann Giglio

Incognito Music, Models, and More - The Americana Issue (July 2012)

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Transcript of Incognito Music, Models, and More - The Americana Issue (July 2012)