Come On Down....Let's Party!

THE GLAMOUR
As the house music epidemic spreads across the country and more and more DJ's are making their mark on the scene, it would only be right to mention Milwaukee's own The Glamour. Certainly the Midwest wouldn't be the same without the DJ duo. Asher Gray (aka Diamonds) and Richard Galling (aka Kelly Green) make up the group. Both growing up in Milwaukee, WI, they were both influenced by the sounds of House, Hip-Hop, Rap, and Post Punk (Daft Punk, Cassius, The Clash, Run DMC, etc...). They met at a local rave in Milwaukee about ten years ago and have since been collaborating their individual styles, as well as separately DJing. "Respect the party", "Kidz Night", and "Feet 2 The Floor" are some of the songs that you can find from them. These songs invite you to "come on down, and party", "get crazy", "shout", and insist "you gotta freak out". Such songs make you feel as if you went to the party with them instead of just to see them perform. Even with already established songs being added to play lists of DJs everywhere, they constantly are in the studio producing new music. Since Richard claims he can't sing you'll find the songs graced with Asher's voice, but Asher and Richard both bring a lot of musical talent to table. Both equally being a part of the writing, sequencing, and the programing of the songs. You may have heard the excellent guitar riffs they use in their songs, which are done by Randy Gosa, a friend to both the DJs. Right now they are working on the release of their first EP with Calamity Jane Records. Hopefully with some success we will be seeing a second EP and an album later this year. If you're the kind of person that is dying to get a hold of their songs for your Ipod you are in luck because they are also working on some digital downloads. As for you anxious listeners whom need fast results you can find their songs at myspace.com/theglamour and bigstereo.net, and also can be heard on "88.9 Radio Milwaukee". You'll probably see The Glamour around with other DJ's such as OCD Automatic, No Request, Kid Cut Up, Why B, and Juiceboxxx. They have toured around New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and more. At the moment Richard attends school on the east coast but continues to DJ as Kelly Green. You can catch Asher DJing as Diamonds in the Midwest almost every Saturday at "Spaced Out" held at The Moct in Milwaukee, WI, and in other surrounding cities. Once a month the duo hooks up for mini tours and appearances and are working on a tour through Canada to take place sometime in March. Although they have not reached national status quite yet, The Glamour are defiantly contagious.

And Justice For All....(Justice CD review)

CD Review on: “Cross” by Justice

By: Steffie Freund

The electronic French Duo Justice released their long awaited L.P. “Cross” on June 10, 2007. This is not your average “glow stick” electronic techno music that you hear in clubs. Often being compared to Daft Punk, this album is not even comparable. Justice’s album “Cross” brings the rawness back to electronic music, but still remains to be easy to dance to, with no prior dance experience required. The album starts out with the song “Genesis” which starts slow as if it was announcing “I’m here, listen to me.” As soon as the track starts picking up, you hear sounds of pianos, lasers, and heavy guitar licks that you would have never thought would come together in such an orchestrated melody. Each song leads into the other to create a never-ending symphony of sound. Some people tend to think it’s just “bad noise”, while others disagree, and refuse to believe that the blended guitar riffs infused with robot and laser like sounds, and deep beats could be anything less than the perfect dance album. Songs like “Waters of Nazareth”, “Let there be light”, “Phantom, Pt. 2”, and “Stress” give you the hard beats to start a party of your own and have you dancing all night, while songs such as “Valentine” and “Phantom” are slower songs to listen to in your car. Slower songs might be disappointing if you’re looking for an entire album to throw in while you bust a move. The ups and downs through out the fast and slow songs on the album will have you fast forwarding to the next song so it doesn’t slow you down. If you’re in the mood for something to sing along to, don’t think you’re left out. “D.A.N.C.E.” has been the most popular track off the “Cross” album. It’s been all over www.youtube.com and has been performed on The Jimmy Kimmel Show and has won a MTV Music Video award. It is very easy to sing along to with lyrics featuring a children’s choir such as “Do the D.A.N.C.E” and “Stick to the B.E.A.T.” Most Justice fans agree that another disappointment to the “Cross” album is a track called “Tthhee Ppaarrttyy” featuring MC Uffie rapping to the track. Fans says it takes away from the albums flow, and interrupts it with a bunch of bad rap, others say it’s a great track, and the more you listen to it, the more you love it. It’s all opinion. More reason to buy the Album and hear for yourself. The album ends with the song “One Minute To Midnight” which slows things down for the ending, but leaves you wanting to repeat the album from the beginning because it seems as if the end and the beginning run together. Whether you’re at a club, dancing with yourself, or making your own dance moves in the car, Justice’s “Cross” album is certainly is the ultimate dance album of the year. Play it loud enough and you actually might feel like you’re at a Justice show.

Crystal Castles & Health Show (02-27-08)

Last night I was put on the guest list to see Health and Crystal Castles in Chicago. I was calling around to see if anyone would come with me. Sure enough since it was last minute, no one would go with except my friend Riley from Sheboygan. We finally left Milwaukee around 9pm, as Health went on at 10:25 pm we rushed to Chicago. Who knew Chicago is only 1 hour from my house...very nice. I had no idea that the tolls don't take credit cards...that was a mistake. Good thing my car is filthy...there was enough to get us by.

We get to the show at 10:20 right before Health takes the stage. I had no idea what to expect really, I've only heard their music previously online, never live. For what I like to classify as a Noise experimental band, they were better than expected. Health is more of a thrashy mix of beats, screaming, and noise...I didnt know if i was going to enjoy it or not. Their stage presence is what was amazed me. They started the show of with a the bass player forcefully hitting a drum in the middle of the stage to get the crowds attention. Every hit on that thing was so powerful, and he didnt stop moving from one side of the stage to the other. The members have so much energy on stage, it makes you just glued to what they're doing. The drumming is very amazing. At one moment the bassist wasn't even playing specific notes, in fact he was just strumming the base like a guitar. At first I was taken back that such screeching sound from the bass guitar mixed with the drummers beats could sound so great to my ears. The "noise" that some people would hear from it, turns out to be such a sweet melody. The sound soon mixed with guitar riffs and more drums, and a little screaming here and there...is an orgy of sound. I couldn't take my eyes away from their performance. Even somehow with a mix of noise coming from every direction, the songs had a melody and beat that you couldn't help move to. Most people in the crowd werent interested in this band, but that's just their faults for not really listening to it. I would say Health is a great band to see live if you get lucky to have them stop near you.

Health- "Crime waves" Just one of the many great songs. This just happens to be the song that Crystal Castles remixed and many people may know.


With a little break, next was Crystal Castles. I only started listening to them a year ago or so. I heard from a few people that they were a show to see, so I was anxious to see if they really would meet the standards that everyone made them so hyped up to be. Within the first few seconds of the show they defiantly delivered. Something about a motion light against this tiny screaming girl on stage singing to Nintendo like beats made me want to cum. Instead, I danced. I had no idea what she was singing about, or if it was even English, It was amazing. Everyone was dancing, and people would grab your hips and move them for you if you weren't. Of coarse they played their famous "crime wave" which is a very nice remix of a Health song. Everyone seemed to know that one for sure, screamed and yelled when it came on, and danced around like it was a drug. The front woman of the group has so much energy on stage, while the guy mixed out beats on whatever he was using (unsure). The best part of the stage performance was the drummer. I know it sounds silly to say that when it's not even the most important part of why the music is famous...but you don't really see many people using live instruments anymore. It just amazed me. I'm pretty sure the rest of the night i kept saying, "that was an amazing show."

Crystal Castles Live...


Thank god for Dunkin' Donuts to help a hangover...mmmmm!

Anyway- the point of this story is to say: Health is amazing- go see them. Crystal Castles is amazing- go see them. And for all you bitches who missed out of the invite with me, you defiantly missed out big time. REGRET IT!

To find out more information about these bands and hear their excellent music visit their websites.

Crystal Castles

www.myspace.com/crystalcastles

&

Health
www.myspace.com/healthmusic