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The Ripple Effect: Black Earth - Pink Champagne
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Black Earth. Dwell on the words for a second. Imagine it. Inhale it. Feel it in your hands.
Bla...Black Earth. Dwell on the words for a second. Imagine it. Inhale it. Feel it in your hands.
Black. Rich. Pungent. Dirty. Fertile. Moist.
Six words that best describe the uber talented shit kickin’ powerhouse three piece from Austin, Texas. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you Black Earth.
The essence of our existence is the earth itself. Where all good things come from. Under the sun. Holding the water. The earth. Black loam. The kind that gets under the nails and stains your cuticles. (cute testicals?). In the same gritty vein as Americana rocker greats Leroy Justice and the Brought Low from New York City, and sparked with a renewed vigor, Black Earth come roaring back with their euphoric sophomore album “Pink Champagne” produced by Chris “Frenchie” Smith.
Make no mistake, they have “that sound”. The sound that’s going to go big come hell or highwater. You can hear it in the strength and depth of their song writing prowess and musicianship, the sheer power of their delivery and the interwoven, in each other’s pocket, synchronous gel jamability of their live show. The chemistry is more than evident. These guys would KILL live! And they have a reputation for doing just that. As their bio reads, “they demonstrate a lot of versatility. They’re tenacious live and can perform at will”. They’re apt to “go off the deep end into an improvisational tangent”. According to legend, they once did a thirty minute set and only played three songs. The crowd ate it up. Singer/guitar player Jason Calise captures a potent vocal combination of Mark Lanegan from the Screaming Trees and Ian Astbury from The Cult. Influential moments from the Rolling Stones, Sheepdogs, Seven Mary Three, Faces also leak into their sound like friends dropping by for a drink and a tickle.
Their bio continues – “Lots of indie bands use titles so generic that their fans have no clue about the light and dark places in the heart that the songs emerge from. Not so with Black Earth, who declared ‘Hell Yeah’ from the get go on their 2008 album ‘That’s Right, We’re Goin’ Balls Deep’—a collection that also included high energy fare like ‘Whatever Happened to Drinkin’ Whiskey and Kickin’ Ass?’.
Don’t sugar coat it boys.
“Continuing the theme of high hopes followed by shattered expectations, the three began work on Pink Champagne during some of the darkest, heaviest individual periods of their lives. Yet amidst the darkness and personal crossroads, there’s also a feeling that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. This record also shows a different side of the band. ‘We've been through a lot of difficult times, member changes, you name it’ says bassist Dave Rangel. ‘The one thing that has kept us together is the fact that we persevere and our love for music. Through this perseverance, we've been able to create some of our greatest moments. When the chips are down, we keep stepping up’. Pink Champagne begins in and then emerges from a much darker place resulting in an emotionally compelling work”.
Ten songs in ten days. Take no prisoners fellas.
The album kicks off with the twangy bluesy, somewhat countrified DEAR LADY LEAN. It offers up a grass chewin’, tabacco spittin’ feel featuring the rich, raspy vocal work of Jason Calise. The keys sweetly blend the instrumentation on this number. To quote Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip, it conjures up images strollin’ down a corduroy dirt country road on a dusty hot summer’s day pondering where the next paycheck’s coming from and whether the power will still be on when you get home.
The opening chords of FACE DOWN IN THE GUTTER kick ass! The freakin’ tone drips with so much texture and taste it would make Gordon Ramsey blush. It transitions into a flat out rocker while the vocals take on a more condensed, urgent feel - a perfect fit. Skins monger Jason Reece performs rhythmic gymnastics on the kit while Dave Rangel ‘s bass runs are lockstep. A couple of timely fu
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CD REVIEW: Black Earth - Pink Champagne
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The CD kicks things off with “Dear Lady Lean” a melodic intro piece that serves up psychedelic rock ...The CD kicks things off with “Dear Lady Lean” a melodic intro piece that serves up psychedelic rock groove against well placed vocal harmonies and heartfelt vocals from Ving. Track 2 delivers more of the same raw intensity with “Face Down in the Gutter” an aggressive follow up piece that serves up aggressive drum intro against tenacious rock groove and no holds barred lyrical content. Track 3 “Her Song” shifts gears a bit with its melodic guitar, methodical musical build and dynamic vocal intensity. As the CD quickly unfolds I can hear influences ranging from The Cult, Social Distortion, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Rancid to old school Suicidal Tendencies. The music has everything you would expect from a high octane power driven punk CD. The musical style refuses to be pinned down, the vocals from Ving are gritty and are deep in your grill. The guitar playing is hot to the touch. Make no bones about it – this is total mosh-pit madness but there are also touches of Classic Jam band and Psychedelic Rock. Ving’s vocal style works extremely well with this style of music with its stereotypical jagged edge delivery. He reminds me of Roger Daltry (The Who), Ian Astbury (The Cult) and even Gene Simmons (Kiss). I might add his timing is spot on and his vocal intensity is off the charts. I also noticed a few hot to the touch guitar solos along the way. Rhythm section - lays down the low end groove thick as a brick. What I like most about the music is its sheer intensity; note for note and song for song. Like a heavy weight boxer the songs keep coming at you one after the other - with no sign of letting up. From grooving “Livin and Loving” and She Don’t Want It” to rocking “My Private Hell” to Dynamic “No Way Back” to the heartfelt “Single Stitch” and the title track this CD pretty much has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with "Something About You” the perfect finale statement for a CD of this caliber.
All songs over 4 minutes tend to drag you to the finish line. I would advise Black Earth trim up there songs and catalogue by 25%.
This latest release Pink Champagne from Black Earth is a solid and consistent CD from start to finish. Its strength – the raw song for song intensity that keeps coming at you. No doubt these guys are a total riot to check out live in the back clubs of Austin,TX. The music is dirty, rock solid, heavy and consistent. Like a heavy weight fighter this CD packs a powerful punch, and goes the full 12 rounds with no sign of letting up. Like a 1-2 punch the song keep coming at you, one after the other until you’re ready to tap out. WHat am I trying to say? Black Earth Rocks!
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Exclusive Interview With Southern Rockers Black Earth 3/6/12
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Southern hard rockers Black Earth speak with us today about the state of rock music as well as their...Southern hard rockers Black Earth speak with us today about the state of rock music as well as their fantastic new release “Pink Champagne”. Welcome to Independent Music Promotions, guys. I have to say, as a rock n’ roll fan I appreciate the raw, sludgy sound on “Pink Champagne”. Please tell us about the origins and themes of the album.
Thank you. “Pink Champange” was written in a time when our singer Ving was in a darker period in his life. It speaks about the darker themes of his psyche and reflects on hard times. There were a lot of crazy things happening to him at that time and it definitely influenced the record. This is also our first full length with Jason as our full time drummer, with his style of drumming it definitely created a more vigorous sound.
What are your thoughts on the state of rock music today?
Rock music has been in a state of disarray for some time but definately coming around again. In Europe and other countries overseas, rock music has been alive and well for some time. The U.S. just needs to catch up. Everyone is ready for some good ol rock n roll! We want to give it to them!
How do you create such a big sound as a 3-piece?
It’s like Old Jack Burton says, “It’s all in the reflexes!”
Why do you think more and more people are gravitating towards grittier music these days? Could it be that we’re finally starting to become sick of the Idol/karaoke state of music?
Well right now times are tough, so people want to let loose and rock! People are sick of idol/karaoke style of music because for the most part it’s not original, just a great sounding copy. In a sense there is no true grit. Sure they sound great, but there’s something to be said about writing a song that comes from the heart about something real.
Who are your music heroes?
The River Bottom Nightmare Band (Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas) and The Future Villain Band(Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club)
Who in music today do you admire and listen to often?
Jimmy Cliff, Free
What are your thoughts on the music industry’s recent changes as well as the attempted crackdowns on file sharing?
Personally I(dave) think file sharing is a great way to get your music out if you don’t have distribution or label support. It’s now easier to get your music out, and I’m glad that the industry is changing making it easier for this. Unfortunately, record companies are cracking down because they’re didn’t jump aboard early to where they could be a part of this dramatic change. I do like file sharing but I’m also still a big believer in purchasing records because I like the artwork and inserts.
Do you have any plans for touring or music videos?
We’re working on possibly doing a live DVD and definitely working on a new video. We have a few unreleased videos that are pretty funny, so those may come out pretty soon. As far as touring goes, we’re working on doing a few tours overseas, and hopefully some US dates.
What do you find inspiring about living in the South?
Debutantes
What else can we expect from Black Earth in 2012?
We’re excited to get back into rocking after being on a break for over a year, doing SXSW. We’re focused on getting back to Europe, writing a new record, but mostly you can expect more rock!
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Black Earth: Pink Champagne Heavy Rock 4.0/5.0
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Black Earth: Pink Champagne
Heavy Rock
4.0/5.0
www.myspace.com/blackearth
Purple Kush Records
...Black Earth: Pink Champagne
Heavy Rock
4.0/5.0
www.myspace.com/blackearth
Purple Kush Records
by Craig Hartranft, 03.05.2012
Moving like something between a freight train and a thundering herd is Austin Texas' Black Earth. If you're not familiar with this trio of heavy rockers, you might know their drummer, Jason Reece of the band And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. There's a good reason to check out this underground band.
Black Earth offers a hefty sound accented by blues, psychedelic, and stoner rock. They could be warped back to the late Sixties and early Seventies, with some paisley shirts, of course, and fit right in. Not to dismiss the rhythm section, but the centerpiece seems to be Jason 'Ving' Calise, and his gritty, fuzzy, groove busting lead licks, and he's not a bad singer either.
Mostly, on Pink Champagne, Black Earth is rocking, kicking ass, and taking names. Face Down in the Gutter, Livin' and Lovin', and My Private Hell are crafty, rumbling, even dirty, numbers that bring the groove and grit. Seat belts required. They also bring some slower tunes like Single Stitch or Dear Lady Lean. Is this Calise's softer side. Perhaps. But even these songs offer a heavy feel. Curious is the title cut, which closes the album; it's almost radio-friendly. It's not something you would expected from these ham-fisted heavy rock bruisers.
If you dig the recent resurgence of heavy rock from the likes of Trucker Diablo, Stubb, or Grifter, you need to jump on Black Earth's groovy heavy rock train. You'll be glad you did. Recommended.
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CD Review: Black Earth's 'Pink Champagne' Gritty, Combustible
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Austin rockers Black Earth nail the hard rock, blues rock sound in 10 tracks.
First things first...Austin rockers Black Earth nail the hard rock, blues rock sound in 10 tracks.
First things first - the pink has nothing to do with a dainty or pop rock sound in Black Earth's sophomore, Pink Champagne. What listeners will encounter is crushing guitar riffs, gritty vocals and superfluous drums. What listeners will also find is a CD chalked full of finely-produced tracks capable of bringing down the house on any given night. This CD is killer.
The opening track "Dear Lady Lean" has it all - vocals that sound like the singer had whiskey, cigarettes and burnt toast for breakfast, the guitarist that smashed Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd records into one and a drummer that has the attitude of Motley Crue's Tommy Lee mashed with the timing of seasoned, yet subtle Red Hot Chilli Peppers' Chad Smith. As if that weren't enough, this song has the makings to make fans of Kings of Leon weep with envy. What a great song to push down the gates! "Dear" has this Southern charm to it, an old school 70s rocker breath and an oh-so-cool guitar riff.
Track two, "Face Down in the Gutter," turns it up a notch. This song was the least favorite of this writer. It just didn't have the flare and core rock sound like "Dear Lady Lean." It's a heavier rock and the speed percussion took away the soul of the song. This is the only bad song on the entire album - because it's just okay.
Spellbinding Guitar
Track three "Her Song" brings it all back for this writer. Strangely enough, fans of The Cult's "She Sells Sanctuary" might like this tune. They just have to think less 80s punk and more core rock. "Livin and Lovin" is aggressive and sweaty as it sounds. Again, that spellbinding guitar fights alongside a bleeding percussion presentation. The guitar riff at times sounds like a screeching car muffler. This writer dares the listener to not bang their head back and forth listening to "Livin."
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CD Review: Kiseleff's 'A Sound Seal' is Mission Accomplished Review of Motorhead's The World Is Yours CD Review: Earth and the Next Society's Powerful 'Live Earth' And it just keeps getting better--"My Private Hell" unleashes a drum blitzkrieg with pounding lyrics. "No Way Back" (track six) touts a wider vocal range and still incorporates that crushing guitar and percussion combo. The title track (track seven) slows it down a bit - and has a bit acoustic guitar. Fans of The Black Crowes might like this charming tune.
Overall CD Review is A++
Overall, Pink Champagne gets an A++. Yes, that's two pluses at the end of that A. Trying not to sound repetitive here, but the combustible guitar riffs, memorable drumming and gritty vocals showcase a band capable of making their mark in the hard rock and blues rock annals. Fans of The Black Crowes, Kings of Leon, Ten Years After, Blues Traveler and Johnny Winter should make a point to listen to Black Earth's Pink Champagne
Read more at Suite101: CD Review: Black Earth's 'Pink Champagne' Gritty, Combustible | Suite101.com http://melissa-kucirek.suite101.com/cd-review-black-earths-pink-champagne-gritty-combustible-a394629#ixzz1c0NzwWIW
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ROCKWiRED RADiO PROFiLES PRESENTS: THE THUNDEROUS SOUND OF BLACK EARTH
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OCTOBER 17, 2011 - Lots of indie bands use titles so generic that their fans have no clue about the... OCTOBER 17, 2011 - Lots of indie bands use titles so generic that their fans have no clue about the light and dark places in the heart that the songs emerge from. Not so with BLACK EARTH, the Austin based power trio who declared “HELL YEAH” from the get go on their 2008 album THAT'S RIGHT- WE'RE GOING BALLS DEEP — a collection that also included high energy fare like WHATEVER HAPPENED TO DRINKIN WHISKEY AND KICKIN' ASS? The title track to their highly anticipated follow-up PINK CHAMPAGNE, on their label Purple Kush Records, is all about addiction to love, but the band—JASON “VING” CALISE (vocals/guitar), DAVE RANGEL (vocals/bass) and JASON REECE (drums)—begins in, and then emerges from, a much darker place, resulting in an emotionally compelling work that RANGEL calls “our best record to date.” PINK CHAMPAGNE was produced by Chris “Frenchie” Smith. As a title like PINK CHAMPAGNE might indicate, Black Earth has a lot to celebrate. They had just returned from a successful European tour and were feeling euphoric when they began working on their second album THAT'S RIGHT…During the recording, they lost their longtime drummer. They were mid-record without him when RANGEL got together for a drink with REECE, the drummer for …AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD; the group had just finished its latest project and REECE offered to fill in. The new trio spent one week rehearsing three songs and went into the studio a week later to finish the album. Though REECE is still with his original band, he has since become a full-time member of BLACK EARTH. “When Jason joined,” Rangel says, “it sparked a renewed vigor and it shows in the songs he recorded on our last album.”
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KNTRST pres.: BLACK EARTH Jason Reese of ... AND YOU KNOW U.S. FROM THE TRAIL OF DEAD with his new project on European tour
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Mon 20.09. KNTRST präs.: BLACK EARTH Jason Reese von ...AND YOU KNOW US FROM THE TRAIL OF DEAD mit s...Mon 20.09. KNTRST präs.: BLACK EARTH Jason Reese von ...AND YOU KNOW US FROM THE TRAIL OF DEAD mit seinem neuen Projekt auf Europatour KNTRST pres.: BLACK EARTH Jason Reese of ... AND YOU KNOW U.S. FROM THE TRAIL OF DEAD with his new project on European tour
Erdlinge, Black Earth sind gewiss keine neue Underground Rock'n'Roll Band. Earthlings, Black Earth is certainly not a new underground rock and roll band. Dafür sind unsere neuen Lieblings-Mannen um Jason Calisle aka Ving Ra (Vocals, Guit.) schon zu lange im Geschäft und können mit Stolz behaupten, erheblichen Einfluss auf die Palm-Springs-Desert-Rock Szene genommen zu haben. Relativ neu hingegen ist, dass Jason Reece, einer der Main-Männer bei ....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead seit dem letzten Jahr am Schlagzeug sitzt und ebenfalls an dem demnächst erscheinenden Rock 'n' Roll Monster "Pink Champagne" (recorded by Chris "Frenchie" Smith/ Jet etc.) verschärft beteiligt war. Komplettiert wird das erbarmungslose Power-Trio von Dave Rangel am Bass. Karten können im Vorverkauf unter www.ticketmaster.de erworben werden. That is our new favorite band around Jason Calisle aka Ving Ra (Vocals, Guit.) Too long in the business with pride and say, can on the Palm Springs Desert-rock scene have taken considerable influence. Relatively new, however, is that Jason Reece, one of the main men at .... And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead since last year, sits at the drums and also in the upcoming Rock 'n' Roll Monster "Pink Champagne" (recorded by Chris "Frenchie" Smith / Jet etc.) aggravated was involved. is completed, the ruthless power-trio by Dave Rangel on bass. Tickets can be purchased in advance in www.ticketmaster.de.
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Black Earth Artist Review for Reeperbahn Festival Hamburg Germany
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25.09.2010
Time: tba
Stage: tba
Rock / Stoner / Punk
If you want to be very exact, Black Ea... 25.09.2010
Time: tba
Stage: tba
Rock / Stoner / Punk
If you want to be very exact, Black Earth have been making music since 1997 Back then they were called Ving Ra And The Ultrasonic and still lived in San Diego. A lot has happened since then. The line-up changed frequently, the name Black Earth was adopted and together they moved to the “Live Music Capital Of The World”: Austin, Texas where they were joined by a celebrity: Jason Reece, drummer of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead.
To cut a long story short: Black Earth have been through a lot. Just listen to their new album “Pink Champagne” or come down to see them live at the Reeperbahn Festival. Black Earth have what it takes to join the higher leagues of their genre!
www.myspace.com/blackearth
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Black Earth That's Right We're Goin Ballz Deep Album Review by Desert-Rock.com
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All balls out...that's the name of the album. It attacks with 100% rock'n roll fuzz (noise) to your...All balls out...that's the name of the album. It attacks with 100% rock'n roll fuzz (noise) to your heart's content. Try to imagine Kyuss crossing swords with Iggy & The Stooges in a confrontation during their younger/earlier years. Think of it as equal to the rage of the first Mudhoney with the insolence/rudeness of Turbonegro's beginning debut.
From the loud/heavy sound delivered without frivolous details, the obvious refrains/choruses strengthened by the punkish chords, to the image on the record cover, you navigate into a very macho universe where the sideburns go all the way to the shoulders and where the beers are always cold, frothy like they should be and full to the brim.
Moreover the album mix sounds like a concert with attitude, the composition and the design: a rough piece without artifice and unnecessary ornamentation. The song titles are unquestionably along the same stride (Hell Yeah, Fuck All Y'All, Damn You...). Black Earth does not try to give an intellectual/geeky image of serious self-reflection in its music and the image of older teens messing around in detention in their super cool leather. (i'm not sure about the last half of that sentence).
I like listening to this album! Although not revolutionary for its genre, it gets merit for being cool and spontaneous where others turn around in circles being self absorbed. Watch or listen in your favorite bar at a party with your buddies and some pretty and alluring blond waitresses serving you booze!
---Thibaut
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Black Earth That's Right We're Goin Ballz Deep Album Review
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MONDAY, APRIL 07, 2008
Black Earth-That's right we're goin' ballz deep
Big Ape
2008
Some...MONDAY, APRIL 07, 2008
Black Earth-That's right we're goin' ballz deep
Big Ape
2008
Sometimes I look at a CD cover before playing the disc and wonder what the band's music might be like. For this particular entry with a name like "Black Earth" I was expecting something heavy. As for the title and cover I was expecting something with a sense of humor and a raw nastiness to it (in a good way). Low and behold when I played to disc it was heavy, humorous and had a slight nasty edge to it, although it certainly went beyond just that simple prediction in some aspects. This is kind of basic, but pleasing down and dirty stoner rock in the style of Fu Manchu, Roadsaw and Nebula. Although I would say there is perhaps much more of an emphasis on a stripped down rock feel than on the fuzzed out riffs that dominate the music by other bands in this genre. Perhaps they slip in just as much AC/DC and Ramones as they do Black Sabbath only they honor all of their influences with the same amount of enthusiasm. This Austin, Texas trio wastes little time or build-up in biting into the rabid style of rock. With song titles such as "Damn you", "Fuck all y'all" and "What ever happened (to drinking whiskey and kickin' ass)" you kind of know (or hope) that there is more of a focus on the music than on the lyrics. That's okay though because the music is a fine attempt at being real, no-apologies style rock. I only have two minor complaints with the first being that with only eight tracks it seemed like the CD ended a little too abruptly. The other is that the closer "More than friends" is a slow song and it just didn't feel like the most appropriate way to close an album like this. Still as a whole it was an enjoyable album and I took to it on the first play.
Metal Mark – Heavy Metal Time Machine
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2008/04/black-earth-thats-right-were-goin-ballz.html
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Bonus Tracks By Austin Powell
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Black Earth
That's Right We're Goin' Ballz Deep (Big Ape)
The sweltering scuzz punk emitted from...Black Earth
That's Right We're Goin' Ballz Deep (Big Ape)
The sweltering scuzz punk emitted from the bowels of Black Earth would make Josh Homme wish he had never left the California desert. Ballz Deep is as raunchy and volatile as one would hope, with fuzzy guitar time bombs erupting in canyon-sized grooves, while Jason Reece marks the trail of dead from behind the kit.
3 stars
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Black Earth SXSW 2005
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Make no mistake, Black Earth is one band that operates on the fringes of the local Austin music scen...Make no mistake, Black Earth is one band that operates on the fringes of the local Austin music scene. Sure, it's true, these guys don't play too many shows and definately don't get tons of press. Yet, maybe it really is for a predetermined reason. What could that be? Well, Shawn Paul Alvear, the fiery-tongued drummer of the band states in no apologetic terms. "It preserves the aura of mystery about our band."
So...who the hell are these guys anyway? Mention Black Earth up and down Red River and you may get some who haven't the slightest clue who they are or more often those who will tell you that these guys are simply "Rock n' Roll" bad-asses. Ving Ra(vocalist and guitarist) and Shawn Paul Alvear rolled into Austin in 1999 having been long established members of the San Diego rock scene. Their decision to make it to Texas was based on a few key factors. "We simply didn't want our band to be lumped into the cookie-cutter type bands who sprung up around us overnight" stated Ving Ra. As a longtime veteran of the Palm Springs desert rock scene, he went on further to say, "We knew we had a unique sound. And because of that, we were afraid that if we stayed in San Diego we would become one of those bands that would eventually cycle through different members, burnout and never want to touch a music instrument again." Instead of waiting around for a record deal, they left California and upon arrival in Austin they recruited David Rangel(bassist) and began working on archived material Ving Ra had written years before.
Suffice to say, these guys have made giant strides in their musical careers. They have been chosen as a showcase artist for SXSW 2005, are scheduled to play the 2005 Adirondak Music Festival and are planning an April tour in Europe. Furthermore, their debut album titled "Love Her, Thrill Her, Kill Her" is set to be released with a local Austin indie label. Black Earth's ear melting tunes that deplay hints of blues, fuzz rock, jazz and country, show that a group with versitility in a town with a thousand bands certainly stands out in the dark recesses of the Austin music scene.
-Zachary Lozier
supersonic
