Blood of the Prophets Brings Metal to Monterey

Blood of the Prophets has rapidly distinguished itself in the metal community with melodic fretwork, elements of thrash, and forays into synthesizers. Formed in 2008 in Toledo, Ohio, this sextet’s standouts are drummer Will Clark and keyboardist Elizabeth Croak, who affirm the intensity via blast beats, heavy cadence, and gothic…

Blast From the Past: Charlie Pickett — “If This Is Love…”

Charlie Pickett “If This Is Love, Can I Get My Money Back?/Slow Death” (Open Records) One of the beautiful things that we can wholeheartedly enjoy here while County Grinding is the fact that we don’t necessarily have to come up with explanations from the get-go. I’ve been enjoying a good…

Tonight! Gwen Stacy Leads Metalcore Bill at Ground Control

While Christian metalcore band Gwen Stacy takes its lyrical work seriously as a means to express its beliefs, the music clearly nods to the more polished version of metal as it conveys elements of hardcore. Posicore? The band named after Peter Parker’s girlfriend hails from Indianapolis and is well-versed on…

Local Motion: The Shrubs and Daze

We here who grind away in the County Grind like to respect and promote our local efforts. In today’s Local Motion, we look at a pair of releases by Boca Raton’s Livid Records, a fine compendium of local and out-of-state acts that is rapidly becoming one of the “friendliest” independent…

Gwen Stacy Leads Metalcore Bill at Ground Central

While Christian metalcore band Gwen Stacy takes its lyrical work seriously as a means to express its beliefs, the music clearly nods to the more polished version of metal as it conveys elements of hardcore. Posicore? The band named after Peter Parker’s girlfriend hails from Indianapolis and is well-versed on…

Trip Don’t Fall and OneDropSound at Propaganda

Trip Don’t Fall seems like a young quad of snappy dressers with hippie-leaning tastes that mirror their musical ambitions as well. Think soft, jazz-guided rock music that gets its cues from reggae and Caribbean rhythms under washes of distorted psychedelic guitars, plus touches of Peter Tosh in a canvas of…

MP3 of the Day: Evan Rowe / Catalonia

Evan Rowe is an opinionated and articulate young man with some good insights into the nuances of the music business as business. That’s what it is. Though an argument can be made as to the artistry behind music; in the end, when it becomes available, it falls into some type…

Charged GBH Brings Old-School Punk to Culture Room

Charged GBH was formed in 1978 by singer Collin Abrahall and guitarist Colin Blyth. Usually associated with the UK82 scene that begat the Exploited, Disorder, Discharge, and the Varukers, GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm), as it’s popularly known, has survived plenty during the past 30 years: from revolving-door rhythm sections to…

Local Motion: End of Power and Geoff Useless

We here who grind away in the County Grind like to respect and promote our local efforts. In today’s Local Motion, we look at a pair of releases by Boca Raton’s Livid Records, a fine compendium of local and out-of-state acts that is rapidly becoming one of the “friendliest” independent…

The Rolando Grooscors Sextet Plays the Van Dyke Tonight

​ Rolando Grooscors has worn the hats of producer, composer, and arranger, but is best known as an accomplished jazz guitarist. Impressively adequate in all these fields, he’s twice received Latin Grammy nods and his latest album, Thankful, has garnered positive criticism and acclaim from notable jazz musicians. Pianist and…

MP3 of the Day: Arsenal 88 – “Open Wound”

​Arsenal 88 is one of these bands I’ve been seeing on flyers a lot lately, and I’m pleased to share this MP3 with you, our valued readers. Looking over their factsheet I’m impressed by the local pedigree the members bring. Andres Aguero, vocalist, sang for Foolproof; pianist / guitarist /…

Between the Trees Tops Indie Rock Showcase at the Talent Farm

Formed in 2005 in Orlando, Between the Trees has risen steadily through two acclaimed releases and additions and deletions of personnel. Always centered on the well-gelled trio of Ryan Kirkland on vocals, guitar and keys and brothers Josh and Jeremy Butler on drums and bass, respectively, their latest effort, Spain,…

Get the Industrial Shock via 16 Volt at Respectable Street

Industrial rockers usually work alone — something akin to a mad scientist in the lab, solo, at all hours of the night. 16 Volt’s Eric Powell is no exception. A one-man machine since 1988, Powell’s been machinating within the fringes of the industrial scene, releasing seven full-lengths, a couple of…

Jazz Comes Back to Jazid; Singer LeNard Rutledge Tonight

​Since some of us actually like the idea of live music on South Beach, it’s without extra gravitas that week three of KCC Productions and Jazid spearheading a jazz revival on the Washington strip that I’m pleased to go a little apeshit on Miami’s own LeNard Rutledge dropping the smooth…

R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio, Heavy Metal Legend

Hell yeah!!!Now is not the time to argue as to who did what better for Black Sabbath. Now is the time to acknowledge facts. Fact one: Ronnie James Dio revitalized a sagging Sabbath after Ozzy was fired with 1980’s landmark album Heaven & Hell (which was recorded here in Miami…

Cannibal Corpse to Consume Their Fans at Culture Room

Certain creation myths dictate that evil was born 22 years ago in Buffalo, New York. Since then, the men who make up Cannibal Corpse have chugged along, maintaining relevance within a scene that often imitates and replicates within itself — no easy task. With 11 full-lengths behind them and thousands…

The Jazz Continues at Jazid With Diogo Brown!

KCC Productions​ The tally sheets are in, and last week’s triumphant return of jazz to Washington Ave was a raucous success. Finally! The people spoke, the venue listened and the people showed up. Simple as that. Tonight the party continues with Brazilian transplant and bass wunderkind Diogo Brown doing some…

R.I.P. Francisco Aguabella, Afro-Cuban Jazz Great

​ Francisco Aguabella left Cuba in the 1950’s and quickly established himself as a master conguero and bata musician in the American and nascent Afro-Cuban jazz scenes. Noted for his fluidity and energy, he was a sought-after performer who shared the stage with musicians as varied as Frank Sinatra, Dizzy…

Local Motion: Shroud Eater and Hit Play!

Shroud Eater​ Shroud Eater Self-Titled EP (Self-released) www.shroudeaterrocks.com If only the righteous will pass hereon then I’m an ecstatic little fuckin’ piggy to have received this EP in the mail because it is just what I had been craving. Talk about doctor’s orders. This heavy trio does the down-tuned stoner…

Seven Questions with Alex Caso

The elusive Cookieheadz​ If you’ve been living in South Florida for the last fifteen years or so, chances are you’ve walked into a musical experience guided by Alex Caso. Young, handsome, full of energy and one of the most knowledgeable individuals when it comes to ALL types of music, Caso…

Radar vs. Wolf Versus You at Sweat Records Saturday

​A long time ago I came to the painful realization that my dreams and aspirations would go unfulfilled. Publishing a collection of original poetry titled “Fetch Me the Pliers” by downtown Kabul’s most exclusive post-Soviet literary house didn’t bring in the cash. So I did what many failed losers do…