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 Shallow Side frontman Eric Boatright, who discusses the band’s latest single, “Rebel.”
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)
SHALLOW SIDE – “Rebel”
I always look forward to hearing new music from great up-and-coming bands, but this one is even more special for a number of reasons. The main one being that frontman Eric Boatright seems to be back in full swing after suffering life-threatening injuries in an accident in March of this year. This story hit home personally for me, which is probably why I followed it so closely on the band’s Facebook page.
Trying times tend to either tear people apart or bring them closer together. Although I didn’t know the relationship between the members of Shallow Side before, you can tell that they treat each other like brothers, which just makes you want to root for them even more. When you factor in their humility and true gratitude for their fans, your rooting interest continues to grow.
There’s a refreshing, down-home vibe to Shallow Side’s latest single, “Rebel.” Like Kid Rock, Shallow Side is able to deliver an edgy, “piss and vinegar” message with an upbeat feel that keeps your head nodding, your feet tapping and your fist pumping in the air. Paint a mental picture in your mind the first time that you listen to the song, and then go back and watch the video to experience it through the eyes of the band and their fans. Yes, you can listen to “Rebel” twice in a row and not get tired of it. In fact, twice might not be enough.
If the video for “Rebel” reminds you of something familiar, read on to see why that might be…
In a Hard Rock Daddy exclusive, Shallow Side frontman Eric Boatright shares the meaning and inspiration behind “Rebel”…
“Growing up I never really fit in. It’s easy to see that, if you take my personality and shove it into a small town in north Alabama. Have you seen Footloose? I’m Kevin Bacon and, by God, my small town wasn’t ready to dance when I showed up!
Where I’m from, you get two choices. You finish high school and go to work at the local factory, or you go to the community college where you learn your trade for that same factory. Either way, you’re having children at a young age and repeating the small town spiral.
This didn’t settle well with me. In fact, it terrifies me to this date. No dreams? No goals? No ambitions? You don’t want more than this? These questions made me an outcast, and finding answers only solidified resentment from the same people telling me how to live.
Ask me then what I wanted, and I honestly couldn’t tell you, but I knew I had dreams. I knew there was a goal I haven’t seen yet. I oozed ambition, and more was all I ever wanted.
After pushing harder and playing the lone wolf, I discovered music and the people in it. They too shared the same visions as I did. This ultimately was the backbone of the song ‘Rebel.’
I never wanted to be regular; it didn’t feel right. I never shot for mediocre; I always fought for more. After finding rock-n-roll, I learned that there were a lot more of my type of people.
I guess you could say…We’re all Rebels!”
PARKWAY DRIVE – “Devil’s Calling”
If there is a hard rock band around today that melds dark and light together as well as Parkway Drive, I’ve yet to discover them. If you isolated the vocals, you would expect the underlying guitars to be dirty, gritty and distorted. If you isolated the guitars, you would expect the vocals to harken back to the days of ‘80s metal. This is what makes Parkway Drive stand out in a meaningful way from the typical “active rock sound.”
The sweet melodic guitar intro of “Devil’s Calling” transitions into haunting raspy vocals before angst-ridden growls kick things into high gear like a shot of adrenaline mixed with testosterone. The gang vocals in the chorus give this song an arena anthem feel. It’s not hard to imagine a full-capacity arena crowd singing along in unison as fists fly in the air.
Powerful song both lyrically and musically. If you liked “Vice Grip,” you’re going to love “Devil’s Calling!”
ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout
DUNSMUIR – “The Bats (Are Hungry Tonight)”
I’m a huge Clutch fan, but since there are no new Clutch albums coming soon, the next best thing is a supergroup with Clutch’s Neil Fallon and drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio). The band’s self-titled new album rocks, with a distinct Clutch feel complemented by Appice’s hard-driving drumming, which gives the song more of a heavy metal vibe.
DESTRUCTION – “Under Attack”
Destruction is back with Under Attack, the 14th studio album from this German thrash band. It is a continuation of what they do best…heavy, straight-ahead thrash metal in the same vein as Motorhead and Mercyful Fate. “Under Attack” is a thrashy song with a memorable riff and power that feels like a kick in the face.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
PALACE OF THE KING – “Beyond The Valley”
Dripping with groove, this release from Palace of the King’s second album, Valles Marineris, tells you all you need to know about this six-piece band out of Australia. The brilliant songwriting continues from last year’s debut, merging classic blues rock of a bygone era with a funky modern sound. There are shades of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Deep Purple, but the infectious rhythms are very much their own.
KISSIN’ DYNAMITE – “Hashtag Your Life”
German metal band Kissin’ Dynamite pokes fun at a modern culture’s obsession with social media with this melodic number from their latest album, Generation Goodbye.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
THREEFOLD MAZE – “This Moment Calling”
Fort Worth, Texas Indie metal band Threefold Maze was formed back in 2001 under the name Aura Caelestis. Their latest album, Dollar of Dust, is the first under their new moniker. Their brand of prog metal is deft, articulate and melodic. This symphonic track showcases excellent musicianship, melding heavy undertones, classic metal guitar and bright vocals.
DARKTRIBE – “My Last Odyssey”
Saxony Euro power metal band Darktribe has released three albums since their inception in 2004. “My Last Odyssey” offers a bright, positive brand of melodic metal, with a driving rhythm and symphonic cues. Standouts for this track are Anthony Agnello’s powerful, ranging vocals (which have a similar tone to Stratovarius’ Timo Kotipelto) and the guitar work by Loïc Manuello.
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
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