A WORD FROM... Martin Brummeler of Mass Solo Revolt

Exciting news! Guess who's playing at the legendary 40 Watt Club in Athens tomorrow night? I'll let my friend and musician, Martin Brummeler of Mass Solo Revolt fill you in...

In the era where band members are spread out over the country... a new combination emerges:

Brummeler, a guitar, and amazing versions of songs from Easy Mark, Bend In Time, and the new (in the midst of being made) record!

I promise this show will be unique, intense, and especially for you.

Please consider coming out on a Tuesday night and supporting both me, and some really good bands from out of town. It'll be fun, and who knows if I will ever do this sort of thing again?

Yeah, so come cheer, heckle, throw shit...

THanks!
Brummeler

MASS SOLO REVOLT

40 Watt Club

with Kelli Scarr, The Shivers, and Night Nurses

July 13, 2010

Doors open at 9 PM

$6 (21+) $8 (18-20)

LIST: 10 Songs To Listen To - 02.23.10

Click on song titles to hear samples.

Love 'em like I do? Add them to your music collection.

10 Songs To Listen To (listed in no particular order)

John Brodeur - Make A Change
Sara Haze - Melt Into You
Mass Solo Revolt - Let's Pretend
Jeff Krantz - Roses On The Wall
The Orkids - Rain on Me
Lisa Jaeggi - All Over Now
The Goodfight - If We Were Stronger
The Blue Seeds - Lost and Delirious
Bat For Lashes - What's A Girl To Do?
Adriana Calcanotto - Fico Assim Sem Você
(Note - You can only get this on the UK iTunes Store. Not yet available in US Store.)

RELEASE: Mass Solo Revolt - Bend In Time

4 more days, people...

Mass Solo Revolt
"Bend In Time"

Release date: November 17, 2009.

www.masssolorevolt.com

SPECIAL: Mass Solo Revolt are Back with New Songs & New Shows!

(L to R) Russell Sherman, James Frye,
Martin Brummeler, Dave Harrison

Photo by Jason Thrasher (www.jasonthrasher.com)

One of my favorite bands, especially to see LIVE, are Mass Solo Revolt and I'm excited to inform you that they have new songs recorded and a new album coming out. Back in August, I wrote HERE about their fundraising efforts to get the new recordings out. Thanks to many contributors, it will be released very soon.

Word on the street, is November 17.


These hard-working rockers are kicking off the album release of "Bend In Time" with some shows lined up this month. Gotta go if you are in the area! I'll be at the Athens show, so come say "Hi!".

Chicago, IL - the Subterranean
Nov 17 - 7:30 pm
w/Killer Moon & Josiah Leming

Ann Arbor, MI - The Blind Pig
Nov 18 - 9:00 pm
w/ Wildcatting & Bars of Gold

Kalamazoo, MI - The Strutt
Nov 20 - 9:00 pm
w/ Wildcatting & Bars of Gold & Edsel Very

Athens, GA - The Caledonia Lounge
Nov 21 - 10:00 pm
w/ Pride Parade

By the way, just read a great article on Mass Solo Revolt in the recent issue of The Athens Blur magazine Click HERE to check it out.

SPECIAL: Mass Solo Revolt - The Band / Bend in Time - The Recording

The guys of Mass Solo Revolt are seriously talented musicians, know how to especially capture an audience at their live shows, and are now working hard to bring fresh new tracks to pleasure our ears and rock out our souls.

For various levels of contribution, you'll get anything from a cd, special edition stickers and shirts, your name in the CD liner, and more!

So come on, and help out. Every bit helps, and besides getting some cool limited edition merch, you can know you've contributed to something the world can never get enough of... the sounds of Mass Solo Revolt.

Click the image below for more information on how to take part.

FEST!: Athfest 2009 is Coming Soon + Mike White Gallery Bonus!

Spring Tigers @ Athfest 2008 - photography by Mike White

OMG. It's just under a month away! Better get your calendars marked and preparations made! It's almost here!

Athfest 2009
June 25-28
Downtown Athens, GA

www.athfest.com

I can't wait. I only attended one of the evenings last year, but plan on going all three days this time. I discovered one of my favorites, Mass Solo Revolt at last year's Athfest and wrote about them HERE.

Really excited to see who I discover this year! :)

Centro-matic @ Athfest 2008 - photography by Mike White

**BONUS**

Also, one of the most talented photographers, particularly in the field of music, has an exhibit opening the week of Athfest.

Featured HERE back in January, his work has also appeared in Paste, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and SPIN (look for him in the upcoming July '09 issue)... just to name a few!

Check out the incredibly rockin' and badass photography of Athens' own, Mike White!

We Versus the Shark @ Athfest 2008 - photography by Mike White

Mike White Photography Exhibit

June 21 - July 12

The Grit

199 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30601
(706) 543-6592

For all you facebook users, check out these 2 links:

Athfest 2009
Mike White's Photography Exhibit

Allison Weiss & The Way She Likes It @ Athfest 2008 - photography by Mike White

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE PROPERTY OF MIKE WHITE / DEADLYDESIGNS.COM AND SHOULD NOT BE USED WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION.

Thanks, Mike for letting me put these up here!

REALLY?: Mass Solo Revolt Rocks a New Guitarist

Mass Solo Revolt - Tasty World (Upstairs) Athens, GA - 03.14.09

photo courtesy of Catherine Wright

REALLY?!

Yes.

Mass Solo Revolt has made changes to their lineup. You may have noticed in the recent gallery pics (Go Bar on 02.28.09), there were only 3 of the guys playing.

Derek left the band. But, wish him well in his pursuits and endeavors. I certainly enjoyed his contribution to Mass Solo Revolt.

Mass Solo Revolt

photo coutesy of Catherine Wright

I hate that I missed the Tasty World show the following weekend (03.07), where the guys performed as a foursome!

Jim Frye and Dave Harrison
photo courtesy of Catherine Wright

That's right. Dave Harrison of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada is the fourth member and new guitarist rockin' with Marty, Jim and Russ.

Russell Sherman
photo courtesy of Catherine Wright

Mass Solo Revolt

photo courtesy of Catherine Wright

I've already been hearing great things about this new configuration! Yay! Can't wait to check it out for myself!

Are you curious too?

Then, come join me!

Go, see them later this month...

03.28.09
Rye Bar
140 E. Clayton Street
Athens, Georgia 30601
$5

Seriously. Do it.

Special thanks to Catherine Wright for sharing the photos used here. I wish I could've been there!

GALLERY: Mass Solo Revolt - Athens, GA - 02.28.09

Photos from the show at Go Bar in Athens, Georgia.

Click on image below for full gallery.

SPECIAL: Mike White

I thought I'd do a special post here, on the talents of Mike White. No, he's not a musician or in a band. But, he's definitely someone artists love to have around! And he's a 'rockstar' in my book. ;-)

Along with my love for music, is a love for photography. The work of Anton Corbijn and Patrick Rafanan have been my absolute favorites, though there are several others whose work I also admire. And now, Mike finishes up my top 3.

Mike is an incredible photographer out of Athens, GA whose specialty is in photographing concerts/live music. His talent is beyond description. I've been admiring his work for awhile, and in recent months have been fortunate to meet and get to know him. Awesome guy. Truly.

Talking with him at the Mass Solo Revolt show last Dec., it's easy to see that he loves what he does. And you've got to have that passion in addition to natural born talent, in order to be so good at capturing other artists doing what they love so passionately too! Mike's photography is so bad-ass, that I had a hard time deciding which ones to put up here. There were a lot of bands to choose from and so many great shots for each one!

In the end I had to pick images from a handful of my own favorite bands. I'll let the images speak for themselves.

Click on each of the photos to take you to galleries of more kick-ass images.

AC/DC| 12.16.08 | Atlanta, GA

Mass Solo Revolt | 12.14.08 | Athens, GA

Nine Inch Nails | 11.01.08 | Atlanta, GA

The Melvins | 08.18.08 | Athens, GA

Smashing Pumpkins | 11.07.07 | Athens, GA

Incredible, yeah? Umm. I say, Hell, yeah!

Now, go check out his full website at www.deadlydesigns.com. There is a massive portfolio of live concert photography to enjoy. Do it now! ;-)

Any bands, musicians etc. looking to have rockstar moments captured, should definitely get him behind the lens at their show.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE PROPERTY OF MIKE WHITE / DEADLYDESIGNS.COM AND SHOULD NOT BE USED WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION.

Thanks, Mike for letting me put these up here!

GALLERY: Mass Solo Revolt at Farm 255 - 12.14.08

Some snapshots from the show at Farm 255. It was soooo awesome. I freakin' love these guys. Yay, MASS SOLO REVOLT!

LIST: Music Makes For Great Gifts...

With the holidays here and Christmas fast approaching, I thought I'd help out and suggest some albums that would make for great gifts. These are albums (new and old) that I really enjoy. There's music from different genres, so hopefully there's a little something for everyone. Hope you agree...

(BTW... these are in no particular order, and like everything in this blog, is my own complete endorsement.)

1. Smashing Pumpkins - Any of their albums, I think would be a winner. I just LOVE this band. The end.
   
   
2. Radiohead - Anything by these guys. They are brilliant.
   
   
3. AA Bondy - American Hearts
   
   
4. Antje Duvekot - Snapshots
   
   
5. Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt
   
   
6. The Brilliant Mistakes - Distant Drumming
   
   
7. Five A.M. - Raise The Sun
   
   
8. Val Emmich - Little Daggers
   
   
9. Matt Nathanson - Some Mad Hope
   
   
10. O.A.R. - All Sides
    
    
11. Emerson Hart - Cigarettes & Gasoline
    
    
12. Adele - 19
    
    
13. Kira Fontana - Inner Revolution
    
    
14. The Interiors - The Interiors
    
    
15. Mass Solo Revolt - Easy Mark
    
    
16. Aleksis Bilmanis - World Around
    
    
17. The Fray - How To Save A Life
    
    
18. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
    
    
19. Leona Lewis - Spirit
    
    
20. Travis - Singles
    
    
21. The Kooks - Konk
    
    
22. The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
    
    
23. Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
    
    
24. Christian Brown - When It's Perfect
    
    
25. Deftones - White Pony

And just because it's the holidays... My favorite Christmas album to suggest would be:

Any of the Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas albums.

Happy Holidays!

MARK IT: Western Civ / Mass Solo Revolt

Hey everyone! I'm so excited about this Sunday night!

I recently came across this cool band, Western Civ, from Chapel Hill, NC. They will also be playing at Farm 255 this weekend with my favorites, Mass Solo Revolt of Athens, GA.

I'm really looking forward to both live shows! It's gonna be awesome.

If you can make it out to the show! DO IT!!! It's THIS SUNDAY!!! December 14th!

Farm 255 / Athens, GA / Show starts at 9:00!

If you can't...

Well, you can still check out both bands at the following links:

WESTERN CIV
www.westerncivrock.com
www.myspace.com/westernciv

MASS SOLO REVOLT
www.masssolorevolt.com
www.myspace.com/masssolorevolt

Then check back here next week, and read all that I have to say about it!

MARK IT: 3 Artists. 3 Live Shows. 3 Locations.

Heads up everyone! Mark your calendars for some upcoming live shows!

These are some of my favorites. Three different styles of music playing in 3 different locations in the U.S.! If you are lucky to be in any of the areas, you should definitely go! And if you aren't, check out their stuff on the links provided.

www.jeffkrantzmusic.com

Jeff Krantz: Live in Harlem, NY!
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008
7:00 PM
The Shrine: 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Junior Blvd., Harlem

www.myspace.com/jeff krantz

Jeff will be playing a 45 minute acoustic set at the coolest venue in Harlem!

www.masssolorevolt.com

Mass Solo Revolt: Live in Athens, GA!
also playing: Western Civ
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008
10:00 PM
Farm 255: 255 W. Washington Street, Athens

www.myspace.com/masssolorevolt

These guys will be back at Farm 255 to rock out Athens with their awesome sound! Also, it's their last show before they go into the recording studio! Don't miss it!

www.luckydiazmusic.com

Lucky Diaz: Live in Los Angeles, CA!
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008
8:00 PM
Genghis Cohen: 740 N. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles

www.myspace.com/luckydiaz

Stop by and hang at this legendary venue, while Lucky delivers an incredible set!

Footnote: It is by pure coincidence I wrote this on my lunch break at around 3 pm on the 3rd of this month. :)

(UNOFFICIAL) SHOW REVIEW: Mass Solo Revolt at Go Bar

Jim Frye, smiling after playing an incredible set.

Marty and Russ, tearing down equipment.

Me with Derek, less than an hour before he officially turned 23!

First of all, it's been awhile since I've posted much here. I apologize for that! Thanks for still coming back and reading, and for those of you who are new, welcome!

I know I've still got my album reviews that I'm rewriting/editing after losing the originals in a computer crash. I promise they are coming soon.

I really wasn't planning to write a music review on this show. Heck, as you can tell from above... I got a few photos, but not any of the performance. Just hangin' out shots really. After all, I was just there to enjoy the overall experience as a fan of the music. Not as a writer of this blog.

So, I guess this can be an officially 'unofficial' show review. :-) Because it's really hard not to share and write about how great a time I had Saturday night. What can I say? It was Mass Solo Revolt playing at Go Bar!

Once again, Jim, Marty, Russ and Derek delivered one hell of a show.

Let me set the mood...

The performance was in a cozy and intimate setting. Everyone crowded around to get a view of the band. Dim yet ambient lighting set an almost magical mood for what was to come. The room was filled with this raw energy I can't begin to describe. And when the first note was played, that magic kicked right in.

Now, it had been over a month since that last show at Farm 255, where these new songs debuted. Like many others there I'm sure, I was anxious to hear the songs again! The guys have been working hard on all this new material, and it clearly showed.

The songs were even better this time around!
(In fact, I would say that my only disappointment came when the set had ended. I wanted to hear more!)

The songs still have their edge, but I did notice some refinement between this performance and the last one. Particularly in one called Said;" because that is currently my favorite of all the new tracks.

I love the variance in their music. How it can seamlessly go from a slow, mesmerizing sound, to in-your-face energetic rock. With eyes closed, there were moments I was in an almost trance like state. Slightly swaying while I allowed the music to get inside me. While at other times, the music stirred like crazy in me and with eyes wide open, I rocked out in the little space I had.

I certainly was not the only one having this experience. There were definitely others in the crowd having just as great a time!

One of the things I've always loved about Mass Solo Revolt is their stage presence. Like the other shows I'd been to, the four of them filled the room with their awesome talent, spirit and vigor. It was like they had so much to say with this creativeness inside them, that even though their music was already so expressive, it still had to go further beyond.

During the last song, Marty stepped out from behind the keyboards, playing his guitar as he made a more intimate connection with the crowd. Derek was writhing on the floor, playing as if in order to live, he had to exert from himself that which also sustained him.

Seriously! If you were there you would know what I'm talking about. If you weren't, you are truly missing out! Man, I can only imagine what the next show is going to be like! Thankfully, I don't have to wait another month for that one. And neither do you! It's happening at The Caledonia Lounge on Tues. Dec. 2.

See you there!

www.masssolorevolt.com

MARK IT: Mass Solo Revolt - Upcoming Shows

Hey, all. The last dates I had posted for Mass Solo Revolt are no longer correct. The 10/28 show was cancelled, along with the one on 11/6. Bummer.

Great news though! There are 2 new dates in Athens, GA to catch these great guys. They are so awesome to see live. Definitely one of my favorites, and always worth the long drive (for me) to see. For their most recent show review, click HERE.

So if you're in the Athens area... or can drive out there from wherever you are, you should definitely go and rock out with Mass Solo Revolt and their newest songs!

Sat. 11/15
10 pm
Go Bar
195 Price Ave., Athens, GA
Also Playing: Odist

Tues. 12/2
10 pm
The Caledonia
256 W. Clayton St., Athens, GA
Also Playing: The Warm Fuzzies

www.masssolorevolt.com

SHOW REVIEW: Mass Solo Revolt - Farm 255

My first time in Athens on a Sunday night. Wow. Quiet streets, very little activity. All the times I've been, there is usually a lot of nightlife hustle and bustle. In fact, because of my previous trips, I purposefully got there a half hour early, this time, to insure a place to park!

Well, don't let that introductory description fool you. It was certainly not a quiet and mellow evening. After Chicago band, The Interiors played, Mass Solo Revolt took the stage. And they rocked it. They rocked hard.

click images to enlarge

Hangin' with MASS SOLO REVOLT: Russ, Jim, Martin, Derek

Farm 255 - Athens, GA - 10.05.08

I got the opportunity to meet and hang with the guys, both before and after the show. Y'know, they are just as cool on stage as off. I enjoyed conversing with them, and learning a bit of the band's history first hand. They let me know they appreciate my support and love for the music. That meant a lot.

Genuine guys. Genuine talent.

Not only can you hear it in the music, it shows in their performance. Mass Solo Revolt delivers raw, honest, unbridled passion when they play together. This was the first time the audience would get to hear these songs. The entire set was brand new. I knew I wouldn't be able to hear them again, until their next show. So, I did my best to commit to memory the new music and lyrics, and digest the whole experience.

MASS SOLO REVOLT

Knowing I'd write about this in my blog, and because I love photography, I had every intention of getting better shots of the band than my quick snapshots I took a few months ago. This was a bit of a challenge. I got a few shots per song. But, it wasn't until near the end, that I made a more conscious effort. I mean, I had to make sure I'd have something to accompany this review! (Similar to what happened at the Rye Bar show. Read older post HERE.)

I bring up this challenge, to emphasize just how audio/visually captivating Mass Solo Revolt are. So much so, that it's really hard to not pay them the well-deserved attention on stage! Good thing I managed to find a balance between the two. *wink* I hesitated to look behind the lens, only because I didn't want to miss out on any of the live experience. Thankfully, I got a lot of photos, and still enjoyed rockin' out to the new tunes. Yay, me!

OK, back to the music... the main difference between these new songs and the ones I'd heard from the last show, was that the new stuff is a more collaborative effort of the band.

I didn't know until that night, that the songs I heard before were a bit older, and that they were written and arranged by, Martin Brummeler (vocals, guitar, keys) only. He and Jim Frye (bass) are old friends and had been playing for years. But Russ Sherman (drums),who brought
in Derek Burdette (guitar), were relatively new to the lineup. So, having that insight, I had a deeper appreciation for the music I was getting to experience that night.

In the songs, there are slow melodies that pull you in. Mesmerizing rhythms of slow drum beats, complemented by guitars, keyboards and bass... then...BOOM!

You get smacked in the face with some rockin' more agressive sound and Martin's vocals tearing into the mic. So yeah... don't get too comfortable.


Man, that's what I love about their music. It seeps into your brain, settles a bit into your sensors, and then remain there. You get addicted, and you want more.

October 28.
Next show.
Tastyworld.
Athens.
Don't miss it.

Click HERE for more photos of the guys.

GALLERY: Mass Solo Revolt @ Farm 255 - 10.05.08

click images to enlarge

MASS SOLO REVOLT: Derek, Russ, Jim, Martin

Farm 255 - Athens, GA - 10.05.08

The show at Farm 255 was awesome, of course. How could it not have been? I'm still going through all the images I shot, so I can post them here to go along with my review of the evening. Promise to have something up within the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, enjoy a few of these photos from the show.

Martin Brummeler

Jim Frye

Derek Burdette

Russ Sherman

Mass Solo Revolt

Click HERE for more photos on flickr.

MARK IT: Mass Solo Revolt

Mass Solo Revolt | Rye Bar | Athfest 2008

UPDATED BLOG.
From Original Blog Date: 08.11.2008
I saw them during Athfest, and they kick some royal ass! October can't get here sooner. Rock on!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! I'M MARKING MINE!!

Mass Solo Revolt has THREE, that's right THREE upcoming shows in Athens. The first of which is THIS WEEKEND!

Mass Solo Revolt w/ The Interiors
10/05
9 pm
farm 255
255 W. Washington St. Athens, GA

AND... as if that isn't already awesome news... It's the first show they've done in almost 3 months! (I think that last one might've been the Rye Bar show I caught them at during Athfest '08).

AND...ALL NEW SONGS. Seriously?! I can't wait. :)

AND... I just saw in a myspace bulletin that this show is FREE!

I've got a few days, to make sure I find gas at a dang station, so I can be there. This shortage is a pain! Oh well, though I'm not fortunate to live in Athens, I'm within an hour's drive. Mass Solo Revolt are definitely worth going out there to see. If you already live in Athens, then there's no excuse to miss their shows!

Anyways... I plan on being there this Sunday. Will you?

Other upcoming dates:

Mass Solo Revolt w/ The Warm Fuzzies
10/28
10 pm
Tastyworld
312 E. Broad St. Athens, GA
Cover: $5

Mass Solo Revolt w/ Odist
11/06
10 pm
The Caledonia Lounge
256 W. Clayton St. Athens, GA
Cover: $6

I DIG: Mass Solo Revolt

Click on photo below to view Athfest 2008 collection on Flickr.

Mass Solo Revolt @ Rye Bar during Athfest 2008
Athens, Georgia

I have a new local band favorite! Mass Solo Revolt. Came across them when I saw their rockin' show at Rye Bar. As mentioned in my blog entry about Athfest 2008, their performance alone, was worth the trip to Athens, even if I didn't get to see as much of the festival as I wanted to.

Anyways, this band kicks ass. They rocked hard for every single song. I LOVED watching Derek Burdette's (guitars/keys) energy. He looked like he was going into convulsions jumpin' around so much! Hell yeah! Too bad I wasn't able to capture the intensity of his movements in one of my photos. Believe me, he was all over the place!

Besides, I was too engrossed in their music to think about photos. I had my camera in my hand the whole time, and it wasn't til their last song I even thought to use it! Oh well..

So anyways, Martin Brummeler's (guitars/vocals/keys) vocals were good too. I was surprised to be able to hear them over the loud jamming, but I did! I sat right up front, at a table next to the speaker, and due to a support beam, couldn't get a good view of Russ Sherman (drums) and only saw James Frye's (bass) back. LOL. But, no matter, the four of them together are freakin' AWESOME.

Don't believe me? Well you should! And if you still don't? Then go check them out at www.myspace.com/masssolorevolt or if they are playing in Athens, or somewhere near you when they tour. You can also download their music on iTunes. I'll refrain from saying "I told you so." ;-)

Mass Solo Revolt IS great music + infectious energy + rockin' stage presence. I can't wait to see them again! I can't decide yet which of their songs is my favorite... guess I'll just have to keep listening until I decide. Ha ha ha!

FEST!: ATHFEST 2008 - Sat. 06.21.08

I wore my Athfest 2008 souvenir shirt today, so I'd make the conscious effort to write my blog entry about it. :-)

I didn't get to take part in Athfest all day Saturday, like I originally planned. But, glad I was able to catch some of it. I went with a friend, and we didn't get there until around 8, but stayed until after 1:30 am.

Saw a little bit of the Modern Skirts on the main stage. I'd heard of these guys, but had never heard of any of their songs before. Only caugt the first few songs, since it was packed and I couldn't get a good view of the stage. Got a couple pics though.

My friend and I, then went to a bar and had a beer...OK, half a beer. I'm a lightweight and I don't drink often, so there. Whatever... I felt great and was enjoying the atmosphere and having good conversations and good times.

Walked around some more, checked out the scenery and some booths. Talked a little bit with a guy at the Performer Magazine booth. That was interesting and helpful. Especially, with some music projects I'm getting involved with.

Saw Mass Solo Revolt at the Rye Bar. They rocked! I like the venue too. It's small, but in an intimate kind of way. I was in the very front right next to a speaker. Should've brought earplugs to prevent going deaf. Ha ha ha. The show was awesome though. Just seeing them play was worth the drive to Athens! I'll have to write a little more about it in another blog.

Anyways, I didn't get to experience as much of Athfest as I wanted to. Still had a great time and will definitely spend more time at next year's event. But, what short of an experience I had, it was good times.