Lakota De Kai- Big Dad Wolf

Photo cred: Tyler Hill

So I REALLY fucking hate Ohio. A lot. However, these dudes (LAKOTA DE KAI) are outta Kent, OH and holy shit do they rule. Their newest release, Big Dad Wolf, is incredibly complete.  It'll thrash your brains out, and then let you feel safe just long enough before you break your neck trying to keep time with the break down. The vocals are raw and incredible. Every time their front man starts to remind you of someone, he changes personality just in time for you to forget. Don't get me wrong though- his sound is very much his own, despite the multiple personality disorder. The rhythm section is tight and rolls with the incredible dynamic punches. The guitar work is also on point. Incredible instrumentation all around. Did I mention that the vocals are fucking phenomenal?

Check the YouTube vid below to hear my favorite jam, "Spliff". Or just save yourself the time and download the whole fucking album on bandcamp. You won't miss the money you spend(only 7 bones!)- hell, you might wanna buy it twice just out of principle. 

Beautiful. They play out here every so often, too. I'm absolutely gonna go see this shit live ASAP.  Cheers to the only thing I like in Ohio that isn't waffle house(I fucking love waffles).

 

For fans of: Every Time I Die, Pianos Become the Teeth, Listener, La Dispute

Favorite Tracks: Spliff(see YouTube video above), Leslie Americus

Thanks for scopin' these dudes out! Keep it fuggin Vile, dudes and dudettes!

 

-XOXO Toph

JOHNS COLLIERS TOP TEN

JOHN COLLIER OF Cthulhu Entertainment IS ONE OF THE RADDEST PROMOTERS IN DETROIT! HE IS ALWAYS DOING WHAT HE CAN TO BUILD UP THE SCENE! THIS LIST IS HIS TOP TEN SHOWS OF 2014!

Top 10 bands I've seen or booked this year (no order)

1.  Shy, Low  (Richmond, VA) (Spartan Records) genre: post-rock

THE EMOTION THESE GUYS DISPLAY ARE SURREAL. THEY PLAY IN COMPLETE DARKNESS. A MIX OF AMBIENT AND HEAVY, LOTS OF HIGH'S AND LOWS. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FANS OF EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY.

 

2. Arsonists Get All the Girls (Santa Cruz, CA) (Independent) genre: grindcore/experimental

THIS BAND BRINGS THE PARTY. NEVER SEEN A BAND MAKE A CROWD REACT THE WAY THEY HAVE. TONS OF STAGE DIVES, ALL ABOUT CROWD INTERACTION.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FANS OF BANDS THAT BREAKDOWN, DO A WIDE RANGE OF HEAVY AND LIGHT VOCALS AND USE SYNTHS.

 

3. 1876 (Flint, MI) (independent) genre: thrash/rock

One of the most entertaining bands I've ever had. Never know what to expect from the vocalist (Fernando Solis). They know how to jam.  Highly recommended for fans of southern metal/rock and people who like to jump around.

Wolfé

1876

 

4.  The Venetia Fair (Boston, MA) (independent) genre: theatrical rock

Vocalist has an amazing voice, these guys know how to party and get weird. Vocalist has amazing range with clean vocals. Recommended for fans of Panic! At the Disco.

 

5. MONUMENTS (London, England) (Century Media Records) genre:  prog metal/groove

Talent, talent, talent. You want to see a band that can shred and mix in great vocals. They even mix in some jazzy influence, the vocalist also plays saxophone.  Recommended for people into technical metal and an appreciation for the ability to play period.

 

6.  Lakota De Kai (Kent, Ohio) (Independent) genre: punk/hardcore

Energy, lots of energy. Lots of movement. Basically a mixture of heavy and spoken word. If you're into La Dispute but want to see heavier mixed together this is your band.

 

7.  Hotel Books (Porterville, CA) (InVogue Records) genre: indie/spoken word

You want to see a band throw everything out on the stage, you'll find it with these guys. They are extremely intimate and inspiring to anyone who gets a chance to see them. Pure emotion. Fans of La Dispute, Twenty One Pilots but a little bit lighter.

 

8.  Post Season (Altoona, PA) (Broken Rim Records) genre: pop punk

Tons of fun, very crowd interacting. Tons of chants. They make you feel like you're a part of the show. They make you feel like they're a local band everyone knows. Fans of The Story So Far or anything with lots of bouncing and jumping around.

 

9. Save Us From the Archon (Pittsburgh, PA)  (Independent) genre: experimental/post hardcore/prog

Such a hard band to explain, one of those "you gotta see this live" type of bands. They basically all get on stage and play as hard as they can and somehow it blends weirdly together. I can't even compare them to anyone, they're that wild and "out there".

 

10.  The Hand in the Ocean (Detroit, MI) (independent) genre: folk/indie

A band that silences the crowd with emotion/awe. Just a vocalist, banjo and acoustic guitar. No drummer necessary. These fellas leave it all out there for everyone to see. They're worth every second of your time.  Fans of Mumford and Sons and anything with a folk twist.