A Connecticut Yankee in John Tru’s Court: My “Best Of” Hothfest 2015

Last weekend, I got to be “band wife” on Mission Hothfest with my husband’s symphonic metal outfit Lyra. They had a Sunday afternoon slot on Tru Entertainment’s two-day metal festival, but scene supporters that they are, we were at The Waterfront pretty much all weekend. Far from my southern Connecticut home with no set to… Continue reading A Connecticut Yankee in John Tru’s Court: My “Best Of” Hothfest 2015

Metal Manners, Part II: Bass-Droppin’ Some Knowledge

If you Google-Image "metal show meme," this is in the third row of results. VICTORY!

Editor’s Note: If you couldn’t figure it out from the title, this column is part of a series on metal etiquette. Vegetarian Metalhead just schooled the web on audience manners; now Jessie and Jeff have some tips for bands…. Jessie I’ve been playing in local bands for about ten years and booking shows for my… Continue reading Metal Manners, Part II: Bass-Droppin’ Some Knowledge

Metal Manners, Part I

   Editor’s Note: Howdy, folks!  Alternative Control is taking stab at an oft’ debated and oft’ blogged-about topic: metal manners.  There are so many lists of “39 Stupid Things Your Band Does” or “12 Ways to Be a Dick at a Show,” but still poor behavior prevails.  Will one more metal etiquette column change this?… Continue reading Metal Manners, Part I

The 9 Best Albums of 2014

  By Pixie I wanted 10, but well, that’s on you, AFI (Marilyn Manson) and Gaslight Anthem (I don’t even KNOW). I used to love you, you assholes!! 1.  The Theatre Zombies — In Early Mourning Local band or not, this is the best fucking album of the year. The Theatre Zombies, since the first… Continue reading The 9 Best Albums of 2014

It Was a Very Good Year… Tom’s Best Albums and Others of 2014

This has been a very good year for loud rock, from a purely artistic standpoint, in that there more albums this year that were worthy of this list. In fact, it was a little difficult to break this down into just 11 records, so what split the list between two parts. The first part is… Continue reading It Was a Very Good Year… Tom’s Best Albums and Others of 2014

EP Review: Manilow’s Cease and Desist

Sorry, Manilow, I will not Cease and Desist, your EP is way too much fun. The opening track “Missing” immediately made me think of the classic “movie-montage” featuring lots of story told only with moving pictures as the music perfectly punctuates the action. And the cover of the EP, with a speedboat racing a la… Continue reading EP Review: Manilow’s Cease and Desist

EP Review: EndAnd’s Fun Times With Shitty People

You know that friend. The one who you spend a whole night getting wasted with at the bar when you’re supposed to be doing something productive? The one you buy a pack of cigarettes before you go to see, because you know you’ll be smoking? If you’re of the opposite sex, the one that’s allowed… Continue reading EP Review: EndAnd’s Fun Times With Shitty People