Music Discovery Monday – 6/27/16

Music Discovery Monday – 6/27/16

Music Discovery Monday shines a light on artists that are not getting the radio attention that they deserve, while also showcasing new singles by established bands that are likely to get airplay in the future.

This week’s Music Discovery Monday features an exclusive interview with Mike Colucci of The BallRoom Babies, who discusses the inspiration behind the band’s single, “I Won’t Change.”

In addition to appearing on the embedded YouTube playlist below, all songs featured on Music Discovery Monday can be listened to individually by clicking on the hyper-linked song titles above each review.
 

 

 

 

 ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)

THE BALLROOM BABIES – “I Won’t Change”

When you think of Canadian power trios, the first thought likely to come to mind is Rush, followed by Triumph.  While this power trio is definitely influenced by both of the aforementioned bands, the riff that introduces “I Won’t Change” is more likely to have you thinking Led Zeppelin meets The Beatles.

The BallRoom Babies are not your typical power trio.  There’s a reason why their vocal harmonies are so tight, and their chemistry is so undeniable.  Their sound has been honed over the course of several years.  Lest anyone think, however, that those years have been spent flying under the radar struggling to build a fan base.  All three members are still in the 20s.  The reason for their vast experience is that the trio is comprised of three brothers.

Mike (drums), Steve (guitars) and Nathan (bass) Colucci are all skilled musicians and vocalists who have a profound appreciation for the blues rock bands of the 70s that laid the foundation for the hard rock and metal genres.  “I Won’t Change” is pure blues rock and roll at its finest.  Although many won’t get the reference (because the band’s success was mostly on the regional level) The Ballroom Babies are reminiscent of another Zeppelin-esque power trio with outstanding vocal harmonies…Zebra.

Make sure to check these guys out!  You’ll be hearing a lot more of them on Hard Rock Daddy in the coming months.

 

In an exclusive interview with Hard Rock Daddy, Mike Colucci (drummer) of The BallRoom Babies discussed the inspiration behind “I Won’t Change”…

“For a while, I was working in a coffee shop to help make ends meet while still playing music.  After doing this for a number of years, I decided to quit my day job to pursue music full-time.  I would no longer give up my time to do something other than my passion just to make a quick buck.  One day, I was in the middle of a conversation with someone at the coffee shop and they asked me why I was leaving.  I said that I was going to be doing music full-time.  They responded with a patronizing…‘So you’re going to be a starving artist?’  This song was sparked from that conversation.  It is basically about not listening to those people who tell you that you can’t do something.  Never listen to those people; always believe in yourself and don’t change who you are to be someone you’re not!”

 

 
THE LAZYS – “Black Rebel”

When speaking with Nathan Colucci of The BallRoom Babies, he mentioned a band that they have shared the stage with in Canada.  The Lazys are a five-piece hard rock outfit from Australia that has joined bands like The Ballroom Babies on the Toronto rock music scene.  “Black Rebel” – the title track of the band’s 2015 EP – is pure, energetic, anthemic rock and roll that will leave you banging your head and stomping your feet uncontrollably.  Think Buckcherry meets Guns N’ Roses with Iron Maiden-esque intense pacing.  This song is proof positive that their name is more than a little bit ironic.
 

 

 

 ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – “The Ectopic Stroll”

I’ve been on a Mathcore kick lately.  One of the best bands in this genre is North Carolina’s Between the Buried and Me.  This group of talented musicians blends elements of progressive metal, death metal, and metalcore, combining it all into a heavy, technical, fast frenzy of musical proficiency.  Watch these guys play and you can see the calculators in their brains working overtime.  “The Ectopic Stroll” is a single off of the band’s eighth studio album, Coma Ecliptic.  Give it a listen; there will be a test afterwards.

 

KILLER BE KILLED – “Curb Crusher”

I love supergroups!  Taking some of my favorite musicians and having them write an album together always makes for an interesting listen.  Case in point…Killer be Killed, which consists of Greg Puciato of Dillinger Escape Plan, Max Cavalera of Soulfly, Troy Sanders of Mastodon and Ben Koller of Converge.  Even though they all come from a similar genre of music, each musician brings their personal style to the table to come up with something brilliant like “Curb Crusher” from their self-titled album.  It’s an excellent, heavy, gloomy, sing-a-long, fist-pumping tune.
 

 

 

ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout

DGM – “Animal”

DGM is a progressive metal band out of Italy.  Each letter of the band’s name is the first initial of a founding member, none of whom, however, are part of the band anymore.  Still, the band has been around since 1994.  This single comes from the current lineup’s third album.  More importantly, the music is solid.  Strong vocals and driving guitars carry the piece, with relentless drums, atmospheric keyboards and hooks that are bigger than you find in a lot of progressive pieces (and that’s a good thing!).  All in all, this first release sparks anticipation for the new album, The Passage (due out at the end of August).

 

KING COMPANY – “In Wheels Of No Return”

Also due out at the end of August is One For The Road, the debut album from King Company, a melodic hard rock band out of Finland.  They bring together an all-star lineup for some great tunes with heavy Rainbow and Deep Purple influences in the music, and some David Coverdale influence in the vocals.
 

 

 

   CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout

OCEANS OF TIME – “Save You”

Self-billed as “Norway’s finest epic melodic power progressive band,” Oceans of Time is a truly terrific music group.  “Save You,” from their recent album, Trust, demonstrates their wide range, musical expertise and tremendous harmony.  This track breaks out immediately with a vibrant, electric rhythm (courtesy of Nicolay Ryen Christiansen and Geir Nilsen), Lasse Jensen’s guitar licks, and an excellent jam with a rousing vocal refrain from Ken Lyngfoss… “I will do whatever I can do to save you.”

 

ACT OF GOD – “Aiming High”

Symphonic power metal group Act of God hails from the Czech Republic.  The band has been around since 2001.  “Aiming High” bats clean-up on their new album, Deception of Freedom.  The track has a classical flair, dark and dramatic to start resolving to a fast and powerful machine-gun rhythm based anthem, highlighted by the bright-toned melodic vocals of Martin Hrachovec and Anna Burianová, complementing the lead guitar riffs and arrangements from the very talented Tomas Racek and Hrachovec.

 

SUBMISSIONS

To be considered for Music Discovery Monday, please e-mail a link to the song being submitted on YouTube and an artist bio to – submissions@MusicDiscoveryMonday.com