Megan's Top 70 of 2010: #39 - Dead Confederate

Why I Decree it to Be So:

A couple years back I gave Athens, GA's Dead Confederate their own honorary day. After hearing their sophomore release, Sugar, that LET holiday still stands. Sugar feels distinctly different than the Spanish moss swampiness and shadowy haze of the most excellent debut Wrecking Ball, though it retains those dark complexities and the crushing heaviness that make Dead Confederate such an interesting rock band. Single "Run From the Gun" is a standout, with its deliberate sultry slowness and passionately calm and collected vocals. But my oh so favorite is the bad behavior ode of title track "Sugar," all come hither and full of that creeping, simmering slow burn that makes it a dynamite Dead Confederate song. And of course, that guitar is pretty epic, too. Who says second albums have to suck?

mp3: Run From The Gun (Dead Confederate from Sugar)

Ramble On #1: Walker Howle (Dead Confederate)

When I first met Walker Howle, Dead Confederate's imposingly tall and bountifully bearded axeman, I was told as a preface to have him tell me a story, since few people around can spin a yarn quite like Walker can. So ask for a story I did, of course, and so well-told and fantastic it was that I decided there was none better for this here new feature than Mr. Howle.

And now, without further ado, I hand it over to Walker.

TENDER HELL

The moon cast a glow that was pure hell....Man nor beast could come to terms with such a horrendous episode of visual interlude. Denny ripped not only his own arms off, but also the arms of the beautiful Miss Chaucey. They sat motionless in the horrible moonlight while the wild-eyed prairie hyenas drank from their shoulder holes....Meanwhile, on the other side of earth, Moyikami was getting married for the first time. It was an arranged marriage, and Moyikami felt quite lucky, seeing as how his wife to be was not only beautiful - but also a calm, thoughtful lady as well....Frank Stallone was the Monk that was to do the hitching....and Hitching He Did!.....Boy Howdy!

As an aside, if you're not already aware, the boys of Dead Confederate are currently touring their (amazing) new record, Sugar. They're here in DC Wednesday, so see y'all over at the Hotel for what promises to be a killer evening.

mp3: Run From The Gun (Dead Confederate from Sugar)

Best Live Band of 2008: Nine Inch Nails

This one was pretty much the hardest category to choose. I was fortunate enough to see dozens of amazing bands this year, and they sure did make this one big ole bastard of a tough choice, which is why I have about a billion Honorable Mentions. But in the end, I'm pretty happy with my final decision.

I can officially state, for the record, that Nine Inch Nails just might be the best live band out there these days.

This year I saw Mr. Reznor and co. twice, one at the Virgin Festival in Baltimore in August, and again in Charlottesville last month.

I've never been a huge NIN fan (which I'm working on correcting), but each time I've seen them I've been totally blown away. They're incredible live. As in, jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, ass-kicking incredible. It's not just that the music sounds so perfect, which it most certainly does. It's more than that. When you go to an NIN show, you're getting a total concert experience. The Charlottesville show was especially elaborate, a bonanza of fancy lighting and unique stage settings. Nearly every couple of songs, the stage setup and lighting would be rejigged to totally chage things up. And when it comes to showmanship, there are few people out there who can match the intensity of Trent Reznor.

Honorable Mention: The Stooges, Dead Confederate, These United States, Die! Die! Die! the Verve, the National, the Black Angels, Fleet Foxes, Spiritualized, My Bloody Valentine, Brian Wilson





[Photo by Megan Petty]

Megan's Top 18 of 2008 - #10 - Dead Confederate

Remember that Toadies' song, many many many years ago, "Possum Kingdom"? It had a creepy as all get out video, and was itself dark and ominous and full of grit and entirely, wickedly awesome. If not, you should immediately reacquaint yourself. Not only because the song is fabulous on its own, but because Athens' new favorite sons of Dead Confederate remind me a whole lot of that superb track. Both bands have that sound I love, big and unabashedly in your face. And I just can't get enough.

From the opening behemoth of "Heavy Petting", you'll immediately know you're onto something rather special with Wrecking Ball. Between the almost painful dual guitar riffs and pounding drums, not to mention singer Hardy Morris and that voice of his that is one moment pleading and plaintive and the next fierce and snarling, it's one of the most riveting songs (and albums) of the year. Popular single "The Rat" is a rock triumph, no doubt about it, and it sounds just about perfect here (check out the haunting video below). Current single "Start Me Laughing" is more of the same, deafening guitars taking the lead and complimenting those signature vocals, delivered at times like Morris is almost spitting out the lyrics. The album ends with my favorite track, the titular "Wrecking Ball". Starting quietly, it builds and builds and finally spills over into noisy oblivion. It's pretty much breathtaking.

Wrecking Ball is a heavy record, overcast and gloomy but beautiful all the same. When it comes right down to it, sometimes a gal just wants to hear some fucking rock. And Dead Confederate sure does oblige.

December 12: Dead Confederate Day

It’s 12/12, friends, and that can mean only one thing. Yes indeed, it’s Dead Confederate Day. Rejoice! That's right, today belongs to everyone’s favorite band (mine, anyway) to come out of Athens, GA, since that band with three letters…

You’ll soon be seeing Dead Confederate in my Top 18 of 2008 list, and if you haven’t yet heard their debut LP Wrecking Ball I strongly suggest you correct that situation. It’s some of the finest, loudest, messiest rock you’ll hear this year. You might have heard the term “grunge” bandied about in reference to Dead Confederate, but there’s a lot more to them than that.

For those of you here in Richmond, what better way to celebrate Dead Confederate Day than to head over to the Canal Club, where the band will be gracing the stage this very evening. I’ve been looking forward to this show since, well, the first time I heard about it. I have no doubt it’ll be one for the ages.

Here’s a glimpse at the band’s new clip for “Start Me Laughing”. Shockingly, it kicks all sorts of ass.

The Untitled Interview #11: Starring Hardy Morris (Dead Confederate)

This might be the first time Dead Confederate is making an appearance on LET, but I can guarantee you it won't be the last. Ever since first hearing the stunning, swirling nouveau psychrock drenched with backwoods moonshine of the Athens droners on WOXY many weeks ago, I've been pretty severely into them. The band is currently working hard and spreading their good word across the land, and will hold court (somewhat) locally in Baltimore on the 13th, with a Richmond date soon to follow. I strongly suggest if you're anywhere near one of their shows you go see what all the hullabaloo is about, because Dead Confederate is thisclose to blowing up something huge.

For your reading pleasure, I present to you the results of the when Megan sent mouthpiece Hardy Morris some questions. True, he cheated on the Beatles/Stones question, but our shared love of Radiohead means I can overlook it. You can also take a peek at Dead Confederate tearing it up something fierce live, with "The Rat," as a means to further whet your appetite.

Les Enfants Terribles: How the hell are you?
Hardy Morris: I am just fine.

LET: What was the last song you listened to?
HM: “Coast to Coast” by Elliott Smith.

LET: Playing music is ___
HM: The only thing I'm decent at.

LET: What album most made you realize that you wanted to make music?
HM: Harvest by Neil Young.

LET: Beatles or Stones?
HM: Neil Young.

LET: What're your top 5 albums?
HM: These were the most influential....
Harvest (Neil Young)
Dirty (Sonic Youth)
On the Beach (Neil Young)
OK Computer (Radiohead)
Bleach (Nirvana)

LET: Favorite music-related movie?
HM: "Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii".

LET: What city or venue would you like to play, but haven't yet been to?
HM: Amsterdam dude.

LET: Half-full or half-empty?
HM: Whichever.

LET: Apart from your band, which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
HM: I couldn't call them my peers, but Radiohead is obviously heads, shoulders, and miles ahead of the curve (that they already created!). It's very inspiring and humbling at the same time. Perfect.

LET: What's the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?
HM: "Need water!"

LET: The greatest record store in the world is:
HM: Wuxtry in Athens, GA man!!

LET: What's the longest flight you've ever been on, and where were you going?
HM: Flight to Seattle I guess.

LET: Favorite Dead Confederate?
HM: Never thought about it.

LET: Shaken or stirred?
HM: Whatever's quicker.

LET: If Dead Confederate was a drink, what would be in it?
HM: Bourbon and blood.

LET: If you weren't in a band, you'd be:
HM: Helping good bands and throwing shows.

LET: A tire blows on your van. Who's changing it, and how do you come to this decision?
HM: Whoever is awake and sober. Because they are awake and sober.

LET: Which feels better: leaving to go on tour, or coming home from a tour?
HM: Leaving for sure.

LET: Best song ever written?
HM: “Flesh Colored Canvas” (Dead Confederate).




[Photo by Skylar Reeves, via DC's Myspace]