Connolly’s Pub and Restaurant, located at 121 W. 45th street in mid town, was the host for the launch of Not Fade Away Records’ third album “The Cost” by the Tim Young Band.

The party was a terrific celebration of over a year’s hard work. Recording began on the album during March of 2007. Tim had located the independent production team of Counter Clockwise Music through an association with Mike Stephens who hosts a podcast in Wayne, MI. Producer Mark Meisel heard the track ‘Renegade’ on Mike’s podcast and became interested in contacting Tim.

Tim Young - “The Cost”

That’s how the story begins. The rest, as they say, is history. The collaboration between Tim Young Band; Tim Young, rhythm guitar and lead vocals; and Sand Edwards, drums; and all involved from Counter Clockwise has been, in my humble opinion, a smashing success.

Since such strong bonds had been created during the week when basic tracks were recorded, not to say anything about the months of mixing through via emails, it only seemed damn appropriate that the entire Detroit team be on hand for the release party. Let’s say I was more than pleased when after I made the suggestion to Mark Meisel and Bob Becker that they get themselves to New York City for this party, they enthusiastically approved.

To make things even more complete, two other players who made such important contributions to ‘The Cost’ were also able to attend. Dave Leeds, who plays bass on all the tracks, as well as Bob’s brother, Rick Becker, who added the amazing electric guitar parts to the remake of ‘Renegade.’ Mark Meisel also tore the place up with his electric guitar. Mark added electric guitar to all the other tracks on the album in addition to all the keyboard parts.

It was the celebratory mood and the rejoining of old friends that helped to lift the party into the higher vibe at Connolly’s. The Klub Room is the party room and the good times are as easily spilled there as a pint of beer. Many old and new fans of the band were in attendance. Over one hundred in all. The constant gigging among the bars of Hell’s Kitchen’s ninth avenue have turned out to be so very valuable.

Aiding to the sounds of the party was Tim’s son, Adam, who brought along his laptop packed with great rock n roll to fill in the gaps when the band was not performing. Adam was also involved in one of the highlights of the show during a jam of Tim’s song ‘New Orleans’ at the very end of the performance when he and engineer Bob Becker popped up on stage to help sing the chorus.

That’s what was so appealing about the mood of the evening. An extended family brought back together for a reunion and I think everybody could feel those connections. Marks’ wife, Billie Meisel, also helped keep things flowing smoothly by seeing that everyone that came into the room received their copy of ‘The Cost’ for their five dollar contribution.

The music and enthusiasm would not be contained once the Klub Room had to dim the lights so an impromptu after party materialized at The famous bastion of dive bars, Rudy’s, over on ninth avenue and 44th street. The band and the entire Detroit contingent swooped into Rudy’s where, Danny, the most cordial manager, immediately tossed ‘The Cost’ CD on the player and everyone drank toasts aplenty. A fitting night cap to an evening replete with great friends and rock n roll.

http://www.timrocksweb.com
http://cdbaby.com/cd/timyoung3

To call them a hip-hop act serves no justice to the funk and soul elements that are perfectly crafted throughout their set. A paradigm of rhyme over a menagerie of supporting vocals, keys, and samples aligns the audience to stir an eruption of dance. Yes, yes, y’all. This is Austin hip-hop.

Afrofreque’s sound is reminiscent of The Roots, but only slightly. Add a mix of reggae, soul, funk, and old school hip hop and you can almost envision the picture. To get to hear them live would be the best description I could give. Once you add in some Prince and Nas samples, and a bit of wah guitars and funk-styled bass grooves, you can start to imagine what Afrofreque is all about. Their latest album release, Fresh Soul Frequencies, is sure to be the sound for the summer. Slick grooves and honest flow…. Austin hip-hop is alive. Afrofreque is a band to watch rise up over the next few seasons.

The progressive band has been doing just that, progressing, from high school basement band to full on money making rock musicians. The band has been working under their own indie label “Horch Studios” writing recording and producing their first EP “The Intricacies of Form”.

Recently the band played a show at the Good Times Cafe in Newmarket Ontario, a small cafe on the edge of town. The crowd packed the small cafe not built for a metal show and sat and watched as Fall The Loss ripped up the tiny cafe.

The crowd reaction to the band was better than expected, chanting for the band to play an encore. The band was more than excited to give the fans just a clip of a song that will certainly be on their highly anticipated LP due sometime in 2009.

Anticipation grows as Fall The Loss has two more shows planned in the coming weeks and probably more to come. One word can be used to describe the band: “Progressive”, the band has certainly come a long way from their high school days and their music has progressed beyond anything ever expected. The members have decided that this is what they want to do for a living and nothing is going to stop them.

So if anybody wants to check out Fall The Loss please visit their Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/falltheloss you won’t be disappointed.

Written by: Graham Coulter