The LGDM Music Show

Submit Your Music

2006-09-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you've decided to submit your music to The LGDM Music Show to be reviewed or possibly played on the podcast. That means that your smart and that your hungry. We're starting to like you already. Send an email to submissions@lawngnomedeathmarch.net In your email please make sure you tell us where to find your music. Also please tell us in advanced if you want to be considered for play on the podcast. If you want to actually send us a CD then send an email to the address above, and we will reply with our physical address. Everyone that ask for a review gets one, eventually. It might take some time because we are only a couple of guys doing this.

Want To Be A Guest On The LGDM Music Show?

2006-09-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

If your a band, run a label, have written a book, or do something cool in music, and if you want to be interviewed on The LGDM Music Show then send us an email to theshow@lawngnomedeathmarch.net All interviews will be done on either Skype or the phone on Mondays or Tuesdays. So send us that email and if we are interested will set it up.

The LGDM Music Show Podcast Archive

2006-09-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

2006

Betsy Spivak: The Scratch On My Vinyl Soul

2006-09-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

Though I say this about every female vocalist band I review I must say it again; in general, I am not a fan of the female vocalist. But occasionally someone will come through and catch my ear, and Betsy Spivak is one of those people. If you'd like to find a female fronted band/group look no further, Betsy Spivak is your girl.Betsy's humor, good lyrics, and strong music ability provides the listener with music that evokes a smile (ie 'La Grenouille'). Tori Amos only gives frowns, how sad. The songs are upbeat and 'happy' sounding, which is quite nice for a change. Though her songs may not be as 'poetic' as Tori Amos she is still a great lyricist. Betsy is kind of a female Morrissey as you'll hear with her true tongue-in-cheek style lyrics (ie 'Hot Dog Breath', and 'Trailer Trash'). She is more in the school of Smiths style lyric writing, as opposed, to Tori who seems to be more of a Cure style lyricist. And though I adore both these bands the Smiths are much better in my opinion. So I guess, I have to say that Betsy is better than Tori. Which, I think most people would say that this is saying a lot, and they'd be right.Her CD "The Scratch On My Vinyl Soul" is a solid pop album which I'm sure will be a welcome addition to any cd collection (it has mine), and I urge you to buy it, now. If you have any questions about her music, or you just plain like it a lot email her and let her know, and let her know Lawn Gnome Death March sent you.

I give this album 4 out of 5 stars

Reviews for September 9, 2006

2006-09-09T02:38:00.000-07:00

Junkbox

So I'm not the biggest fan of bands with female vocalist. I don't know why I'm just not. So when a band not only has one female vocalist but two I usually want to shoot myself in the balls, but this band isn't half band. I wouldn't necessarily consider them great but they don't suck either. My favorite song of the three I was able to listen to on their myspace page was 'Shove' but 'Void' wasn't all that bad either. I wasn't really turned on by 'Itchy' but hey at least it didn't make me puke.

2 out of 5 stars

Junkload

Junkload's song 'Made in California' could and should be making the rounds on all the local radio stations, but of course it's not because radio hardley ever recognizes really good music. Junkload reminds me ever so slightly of Buckcherry but not enought to make them suck. Junkload reminds me of the Buckcherry who made 'For the Movies'. This is ugly music, for ugly people who love good music.

I give 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Ian Kudzinowski

This is really good pop music, which is quite rare to come by these days in a world of Britneys', Christinas', and Shakira's. Ian Kudzinowski's music is part pop, part rock, and part electronica; so when it is mixed all together it creates a great sound. Though he reminds me of Robbie Williams a tad I won't hold that against him (mainly because I'm a big pussy who like Robbie Williams). Mr. Kudzinowski might have been a member of Take That (Robbie Williams group before he went solo), he would have fit in. Well, despite all that Robbie Williams shit I must say that I quite appreciate Ian's music and I can't understand how any real pop fan wouldn't either. Listen to his shit or perish with Frankie Goes to Hollywood you pussy.

I give 4 out of 5 stars

John Anaya

Though his official homepage officially sucks; John Anaya officially does not. Although Mr. Anaya looks a little bit like Chino from the Deftones with less hair he doesn't play the same type of music which is a really good thing since they probably wouldn't make great music together anyways. His music is fantastic. Very chill rock, makes me want to be drunk on very cheap shots of vodka while wearing a crappy suit from Value Village. I like his shit. Like I said before I would recommend his myspace page to hear his music; he has the three main songs in full available for listen but also has 30 second segments of each song off his album, "CABARET POLITICO" available for listen (just make sure to pause the myspace player).

I give a definate 4 out of 5 stars

Underlying Dream

This is music that Jason of LGDM should probably be reviewing because these guys would have a better chance of a decent review, but since I'm doing the review I guess I need to be honest. I really did not like a single thing about these guys. I've heard this music before on every adult comtemporary, Christian, and Soft Rock radio station I've ever heard. I can't find anything I like about them besides the good guitar work. This is all I have to say about this band.

I give a 1/2 star out of 5

Drunksouls - Reggae from France?

2006-09-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

I found these guys on Jamendo, where I downloaded their whole creative commons licensed cd, "On Verra Plus Tard" (in English: one will see later) for free. The title of the cd should you a clue that they aren't from the States or Canada, but from France.

Drunksouls are a reggae/punk band from France with some really good music. Yes people France has more to offer than just croissants, wine, and cuisine. They have reggae, and good raggae at that. There songs are almost a perfect combination of the Police, Bob Marley, and the Specials, but way better because Sting isn't their vocalist, they never recorded a shitty song called 'Roxanne', the lead singer isn't dead, and their fucking ALBUM IS FREE!!!!!!!!!! My personal favorite songs are 'No More Fighting' and 'Promenons Nous Dans Les Bois' (in English: Let us take a walk in the woods). Do I understand everything they are saying? No, but some of their songs are in English. But if your bilingual in French and English, you'll be able to go to there site and understand it because the English version isn't working.

You need to check out this band, and especially if you like reggae.

I give the album 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Reviews for September 5, 2006

2006-09-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

Bixby

I was only able to find downloadable song by this band, so I had to sit at their site and listen to the songs over and over to get a feel for them. For my own personal feelings for the bands music I'd have to say that it was so-so. It's not music I'd rush out to buy, or go to see live. The songs are well written, lyrically and musically, with a blues-rock feel, but I just don't feel anything for the songs. If I had to pick a favorite though I'd have to go with "Rag Palace San Francisco", it is by far, in my opinion, their best song.

I give 2 1/2 out of 5 stars

Divisible

I didn't really hate or love this band, but I did like them and thats odd since I tend not to like bands with female-fronted vocals. I took me a few listens to really get a feel for their music, but it payed off. Divisible plays a blend of goth-rock and indie music, combined beautifully. I could picture this band opening up for Joy Division, or Bauhaus if they both played during the same years. I noticed that the music on their official site isn't as good recording quality as the one on their myspace page, so you might want to listen to the three songs available on myspace.

4 out of 5 stars

Flash Feruccio

Only has three songs available for listen and one of them didn't work time and time again. I wasn't really impressed with the two songs I could listen to, I guess they just seem to generic and I've heard it too many times before. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would enjoy his music, but I'm just not one of them.

I give 1 out of 5 stars.

Tenki - "On Such A Day"

I decided to review specifically this song by this band, because out of the three songs available for download/listening this is the only good one in my opinion. The other two songs, 'Universe Parts I and II' and 'Etaples' from their 2006 cd "Were Not Talking About the Universe We Are..." aren't necessarily terrible, I just don't like them at all. 'On Such a Day', from their 2000 release "Red Baby", is a fantastic indie-gem with great chord structure, lyrics, hooks, and great vocals. This is a fantastic song I can stress. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful.

The song gets 5 out of 5 stars

Reviews for September 2, 2006

2006-09-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

The Jawz

Very interesting music too say the least, whether or not its good is the question. The Jawz music is made by connecting a series of vocal noises into beats, and then rapped over. I don't really know whether or not I like it. The music is definately different; maybe I'm just not ready for it. But check it out who knows you may be inspired for better or for worse.

I give 2 1/2 Stars out of 5 (an extra 1/2 star for originality)

The Down Low

Out of the 3 songs I was able to listen to from this band I only liked one of them, "Haystack". The band is good, but is if for me...no. The music reminds me of the music you'd hear at some community-center music day; where 40-somethings can pretend to still be 'rockin' and 'cool' while their 2 1/4 children run around frantically. I wasn't really down with this band, but hey at least they're creating something, right?

I give 2 out of 5 stars

Van Stone

Van Stone have by far the best myspace page and official site. Very funny. They do for the 80's what the Darkness did for the 70's. I really like what they are doing. Guitar Solos, spandex, bad hair, and moustaches...what more could you ask for. Their clothing alone is so 'metal' that Motley Crue, Judas Priest, and the mighty Manowar are shitting themselves. Great music for really bad parties.

I give 4 out of 5 stars

Podcast 5-Heroine Music & Black Panthers

2006-09-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

Episode #5

On this podcast we introduce you to one of our new editors, Goose, who joined us for this show. We also include five great songs by Sleeper Union, Futuristic Sex Robotz, Drama Asylum, Wookie Pussy, and The Menzingers. We, as usual, thank these bands for either submiting us their music and/or licensing their music under Creative Commons.

We'll also tell you about a great independent short film, Nerdcore, and of course Goose. Also, we include black panthers, AIDS, Heroine, and what one politician we'd kill. We hope you enjoy this podcast, and please tell your friends.

Metalocalypse: Dethklok

2006-08-28T04:14:00.000-07:00

I have just recently come across a fantastic show called Metalocalypse on Adult Swim. This is a fantastic show created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha (the creator of Da Ali G Show) featuring great death metal in a Scandinavian vein. What is even more fantastic is that the fictional band that the show is based on, Dethklok, has their own myspace page with 3 songs available for download. You can listen to a great interview with Brendon Small on the Sound of Young America Podcast.

The Berklee College of Music graduate Brendon Small is not the only one of creators and brainchild of this show but also creates the music. He plays all the instruments, writes all the lyrics, and sings. He has also created the show Home Movies which played on Adult Swim also. Metalocalypse differs from Home Movies very much though....by kicking way more ass. Brendon will even show you how to play the theme song on the guitar.

With guest voices from Metallica, Nevermore, Arch Enemy, King Diamond already recorded and with many others sure to come this show is sure to be a hit with any metalhead with a sense of humor. Though, I'm not positive, but according to this post by 'the band' a full album should also becoming out sooner than later. IGN have already done an interview with the Dethklok. This 'band' is already much better than most of the crap death/black metal has out there right now, and they aren't even a real band.

I urge you to check out this show. At this moment there is nothing else out there like this.

Thank You's

2006-08-20T23:30:00.000-07:00

If you haven't listened to our latest podcast, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all that bands who have responded to our Craigslist postings, and the various forum postings. We will try to get to all the reviews as soon as we possibly can.

If we have reviewed your band please let other bands know about us

The Long Overdue Third Podcast

2006-08-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, finally, we have recorded our third podcast (listed as our 4th). This would have been the fourth but we lost the disk with the tracks for the last episode, it's a shame because it was really gool. We have been meaning to do another for so long. We hope to have another ten or more podcast before 2007.

Episode Three includes music by The Pubcrawlers, Milk, Ray O'Hara, He's Hers, Mark Silverman, The First Punic War, Chechny and the Rebels, Curiosity, and Should Have Thought of That. Amongst our shit chit-chat we also include small tidbits on web-based comics, our cheap-ass computers, and open-source software. The beer we drank during this show was Pacifico Clara, which taste basically like Corona when you add a slice of lime. And as always the Unofficial Official Beer of Lawn Gnome Death March is good ole PBR, Pabst Blue Ribbon.

If you like the show and would like to help us get the word out, you can print out this poster and post it everywhere you go and all over the world. We hope to continue to provide you with good music, and good reviews. Tell your friends and please subscribe to the podcast and blog.

3 More Review-Shorts

2006-08-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

Guy Michetti

NYC alt-country musician who writes well crafted and structured music in the vein of Ryan Adams, and Bruce Springsteen. He currently has two cds available for purchase: "All In My Mind" and "Headin' For The Crossroads". I was able to listen to about four or five songs from each album and every song is quite enjoyable. My favorite songs from what I listen too were "Dont Learn War" and "On the Steps of St. Josephs". This is a working man and womens music; and you'd expect to see him on VH1 Storytellers. I also feel a bit of the newer Tom Waits cds, maybe you'll be able to hear it too. And unlike a lot of bands Mr. Michetti has quite a bit of his songs available for download and/or listen.

I give 4 out of 5 stars

He's Hers

A true Hip-Hop artist! Whether handling the mic or controlling the mixing boards. He's Hers is Chris Brown; an emcee and producer from Irvine, CA (I'm necessarily sure of this). On his site he has over thirty mp3s available for download most of them without vocals. I think that if he were smart he would copyright those without vocals with the Creative Commons Copyright, that way other emcees could use his beats and still have to give him credit where its due. In my opinion Chris Brown is doing a much better job than other emcee/producers KanYe West, NERD, etc. His music is very original, i've never really heard any other rap/hip-hop beats like these before. His rhymes also flow very well, it almost seems effortless. We will be hearing much more of him in the upcoming years. Checkout "Vanity Press", "Today", and "You Are There".

I give 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Dawn Xiana Moon

I was able to listen to 4 songs by Ms. Moon including "Freedom", "Self-Destructive (If I Ran Away)", "Unyielding (Song of Songs), and "Walkaway". I was almost hit with a feeling of Deja Vu. I have spent many evenings relaxing (or crying during my worst) to Sarah McLachlan, but I did eventually get tired of her. I like Sarah McLachlan, but I'm just tired of her music. So I guess in a way I'm tired of that sound, which this music is. Her vocals are really good, the music is well composed, and the lyrics are McLachlan-esque, but there is just something about her music that highly annoys me but i just can't put my finger on it. If I heard this music 7 years ago while I lived in Buffalo, NY, when I had my tickets to Lilith Fair in my hand I would have probably loved it, but alas this is 2006 and not 1999.

I give 2 1/2 out of 5 stars
(gave an extra 1/2 star b/c I do recognize that she is good, its just that I'm not quite fond of her. I must admit though that I think she is quite the hotti)

The First Punic War: Unicorn EP

2006-08-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

The First Punic War is not only first of three battles fought between Carthage and Rome, but a band. And just like these wars, the band rides huge fucking elephants into battle. If this band had led Carthage instead of Hannibal maybe the Roman Empire would have never existed and Africa would be the center of the modern world as opposed to Europe.

The First Punic War is the vision of performer J. Warden who started the band in 1998, and has recorded five albums since; Unicorn is the one I am going to review.

Though only an EP, Unicorn (released on failURE RecOrds), has 3 highly unique, modern, fast-paced, and even slightly primative songs. "Unicorn" has pace filled-in with reckless abandon; "Simon the Sailor" kind of scares me; and "Punk Rock" is an hardcore electronic gem. This music could and will be legendary, and I highly expect this music to become a cult phenomenon, among true music afficinados; kind of like Weezers "Pinkerton" to the emo-kids.

I honestly cannot think of another band who really compares to them; Akimbo, the Bronx, Ninety Pound-Wuss come to mind but, this is a true indie treasure, those other bands, though good, can't compare. You should really take a listen to this disk, or better yet buy it. This is real balls-out music, with no apologies, and no remorse. It's about fucking time.

I'm going to do something I said I'd never do on reviews, I'm giving the Unicorn EP a:
6 out of 5 stars

Five Band Reviews, Yea!!!!!

2006-08-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

Geoff Antonio & the iLL fUNK nATION

Hip-Hop? Funk? Latin? Call it what you will, but the Ill Funk Nation is making some good music. No, I am not the biggest hip-hop/rap fan, but I can recognize good shit, and well This is some good shit. Reminiscent of Ozomatli's "Street Signs" What separates this group from other hip-hop groups is its use of intelligent lyrics with and actual fucking band. Yes, they play their own music. On the bands site they list their sound as "Total Original Sound", and while lots of bands say this hardly any of them follow through with it, but Geoff Antonio & the Ill Funk Nation do it. Now if only they actually had their songs on myspace available for download as opposed to just being able to listen to them. Check them out and hand them some support.

I give them 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Lorus

I am happy to have recieved an email from this band. Fantastic music hailing from Chicago, Illinois. No, they are not available for download but you can still give them a listen. Labeling themselves as rock, experimental, and ambient; they live up to it. You know, unlike the bands that list themselves and a punkband but only have one punk song in their whole fucking catalog. Their song "Hut Hut Hut" kind of reminds me of Tool, while "Parasitic Twin", in my opinion, is an instrumental masterpiece. I could hear Maynards howls deep within their music, even without any vocals. Lorus is ART

I give them 4 stars out of 5

Steve Taylor

Folk music from Berkeley, CA....well isn't that unheard of. Okay, Mr. Taylor isn't that bad. He is a good guitarist, and his lyrics are typically poetic like most folk musicians. Now, just so you know I don't hate Folk but it's just that it seems very hard to come across original folk. Well, I really don't know what to say. He only has two songs available for play/download, so maybe I just don't have enough to create an intelligent analysis of his music. But, alas, if you do thoroughly enjoy folk/acoustic music check him out.

I give Steve Taylor 2 out of 5 stars

Tommy Dynamite and the Blastingcaps

Well, like Folk music, Blues is really hard to find originality. Okay, here is where my bias comes in, I like the blues. I love the way you unconsciously start to bob your head to the music, the blunt but good lyrics. Blues is music that almost anybody can understand. Shit, this is the roots of rock and rap. The blues demand respect. TDBC has 3 pretty good songs available for listen and download, and each one is quality. I'd say my personal favorite out of the three is "Say Goodbye to the Blues" but "I'm a Bluesman" is good too with its self-depricating lyrics. This music makes me want to sit in a smoke-filled bar with a glass of cheap whiskey.

I give them 3 out of 5 stars

Gunter

I like this guy. If he had all his music available I'd listen to it alot more though. Gunter primarily plays folk / acoustic music, but with his lyrics being so well written without being seemingly forcefully poetic like a lot of folk musicians. He doesn't limit himself to just folk though, his album also contains alt-country, experimental, rock, indie sound. Gunter seems to take more blues sensibility within his music; meaning he seems to actually have some fun making it. This is an album that you could sit and chill too. I would love to play his music on our podcast but none of it is downloadable. But, Gunter is still a smart man, he lets you listen to his whole album for free. I cannot stress how good Gunter is.

I give 4 out of 5 stars

The Pubcrawlers

2006-08-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

Our player is always playing random songs varying in quality (shit..good...fantastic). So after ten to twenty shit songs a song called "the Last Saskatchewan Pirate" played; I was instantly elated, quality at last. When I realized that I had five other songs by the same band of course I checked them out also. I was overjoyed. It's always great when you discover a band that you've never heard before, and especially when they're really, really good. The Pubcrawlers are just that, and are now being played constantly in my apartment, especially when drinking is occuring which is often.The Pubcrawlers are a Celtic influenced punk-band who have definitely similarities with the Dropkick Murphy's, The Pogue's, The Real McKenzie's, Flogging Molly, and The Business. From what I've noticed most people either hate Celtic-Punk or they absolutely love it; I happen to be one of the latter. To me Celtic-Punk is symbolic of the working class, class struggle, and of course having a good time. This symbolism is prevalent in the Pubcrawlers music. They're able to write songs that each have a different feel to them, which I appreciate. If you like the Dropkick Murphy's, the Real McKenzie's, Flogging Molly, the Business, and the Pogue's you will love the Pubcrawlers; but although you can throw them in the Celtic-Punk genre you will find that this band actually has their own sound. This is a band I wish would play in the Seattle area; Shit, if I had a bigger apartment I put them up for a night or two. God-damn, they've played in the UK in the Holidays in the Sun Festival with the greats and legends of punk, but they can't get out here to play a show. A message to Northwest venues GIVE THESE GUYS A SHOW OUT HERE!!!!!!!!!!! This is a band worthy of having me wear their t-shirt, shit this is a band that deserves everybody wearing their t-shirts, in fact I'm gonna order one with my next check. We need more bands like this, bands that play great fucking music, bands with an ounce of originality, bands that perfectly accentuate a pint of Guinness, bands that deserve to have their t-shirt worn.

Note to Band: Play a show in Seattle....PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seattle Sound Magazine

2006-04-03T01:39:00.000-07:00

I've found a great new zine that specializes in Seattle music. It's called "Seattle Sound". I found it at the Redmond Fred Meyers, but I would imagine that you could find this at any good newsstand, or CD store. This is its first issue. Death Cab for Cutie are on the cover.

Please buy this magazine and help support the Seattle music scene, and those who help promote it.

The Vaccines

2006-04-03T01:33:00.000-07:00

The Vaccines
First Demo Recording Sessions

The Vaccines, out of the Portland, OR area; have written some really great and enjoyable music which could accompany any 80's John Hughes film or become the perfect background music for any stoner party. The songs have everything a good song should have: a great melody, good lyrics, and a nice hook. My personal favorites would have to be "Mt. Vernon" which is by far their 'hard' song, "Safer In The Sun, pt 2" which is the most fun and reminds me of Steve Miller Band a bit, there is also the track "Keep Me Late." Listening to it made me want to just make sweet spooning love all night....really it did. Though I was never able to actually hear any of their actual CD's, listening only to the tracks on their site; if I had to give them an overall sound I would have to say Country-Rock. This is actually a good genre if you give it a chance (Don't Be Afraid Of The Country Part); Old 97s were country-rock and so was Ryan Adams while in Whiskeytown.

In the end I give them 4 Stars (out of 5)

i-Tunes hates us

2006-02-21T01:41:00.000-08:00

Apparently, we've been kicked off i-Tune's. Our further probing suggest that they removed us from their directory due to "questionable-content". I, myself, don't fully understand what is "questionable"
about our show. i-Tunes has porn on it, it has explicit-lyric
music, what the fuck? So if you happen to know anybody
who has been subscribing to our show via i-Tunes, please let
them know to check this site out or go to many of the other
podcast directories.

Actually, just do a search for us on google. Make sure
to type in lawngnomedeathmarch, no spaces

Thank You Gangsta's

First Show finished

2006-01-22T00:26:00.000-08:00

Hell, Yes!!! We have finished our first podcast, and I hope you enjoy it.

Topics include the Bush Administration's supeona of Google; 1998's Child Online Protection Act; the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families. Okay, so it doesn't sound that interesting or exciting, but go ahead and give it a listen, you may just enjoy it. But just in case you don't enjoy the talking the show also includes song's by local bands: The Nemesis Theory, Fanny Alger, and Erraknid.

Thank You