The Neo-Kalashnikovs - Drama Queen Trailer Final Cut (At Flight 605)

The trailer for The Neo-Kalashnikov's new rock video 'Drama Queen' is here! Most of this footage will not make the final cut but it was so much fun filming it that the band wanted the fans to see what goes on behind the scenes!! Thank you to everyone that came along for this epic, crazy shoot!! Love the Neos xxx

The Neo-Kalashnikovs - On Kiwi FM with Phoebe Spiers On "Influential" (8 of our Fav Kiwi Songs)

Hey guys The Neo-Kalashnikovs will be on Kiwi FM tomorrow night Wednesday at 6pm on 102.2 FM (AUK) for a radio interview. It was with Phoebe for her great show "Influential" were you play 8 Kiwi songs that you really love and talk about how they have influenced you and your music. There are definitely a few surprises in terms of the songs we chose and some fun stories so if your free and want to catch us on air tune in! Best The Neos 

Here are also some stills from our music video shoot that we shot yesterday :)

Ukiah Brown's Solo Trip-Rock single - "Not Coming Back"

Here's the new track from Husk Lead singer Ukiah Brown called "Not Coming Back"! I'm digging the sweet and smooth guitar tone like a shot of good pricey Whiskey and nice snare work from the drummer, "give the drummer some huh" (James Brown talking).The song has strong influences of psychedelia  careful kids that stuff can trip you out!!.On a serious note I would be really interested to know how the guys tracked this record and what front end hard-ware they used to get it sounding so super-duper allyopper  nice. The song was recorded live underneath Crystal palace in some far-flung grotto of Mt Eden cue the hobo or hey was that Casper the friendly ghost I just saw! Anyway ramblings aside this is spooky..cool.  

https://www.facebook.com/huskband

Thanks to Phantom Billstickers and The Fold NZ for helping support The Neos NZ Rock Tour

Picked up a copy of The Fold last week and was super stoked to see The Neo-Kalashnikov and Southies tour poster up in the mix. Big thank you to Phantom for helping support local NZ music and the Fold for being brilliant. Still want to see the image of us that you drew when you were taking the mickey out of us haha gotta have a laugh :) Rock On Moss

Gig Details:
http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/40744/The-Neo-kalashnikovs-The-Southies-and-more.utr

The Neo-Kalashnikovs - "Turn the Tables" playing on US College Radio (WCNI)

The Neo-Kalashnikovs cranking out on US College radio in New London, Connecticut thanks to WCNI

 :) Footage courtesy of Jeff Buddington. 

"We want the world
and we want it know
We're gonna take it anyhow

We want the airwaves
We want the airwaves
We want the airwaves, baby
If rock is gonna stay alive

Oh yeah-well all right
Let's rock-tonite
All night"
~ Ramones "We Want the Airwaves" song lyrics

 — in New London, CT, United 

Spycc's "Self Progression" Mixtape: Holding Down Onehunga in WildStyle

Discovering the prodigious talent of Spycc was a real shock to my system. As an individual that went to Onehunga High I recognized his face and had no idea he was a much buzzed about rapper from that area. I have to admit that when I hear of rappers from NZ i've been somewhat blunted. Not withstanding the likes of Ddot Dallas the gangsta rap facade is something I have no time for. If a false reality is something your looking for smoke up tree because acting is sad if it's not at the very least on Shortland St.

To even contemplate being a gangsta rapper in Auckland, Nz is like a person trying to understand West coast gangsta rap without actually stepping foot in the U.S.A. One should really think about going to California or N.Y.C before rapping about all the hoopla that is associated with the gangsta genre that I do like, just not done badly. Inglewood and Brooklyn can really open ones eyes to where gangsta rap came from, and in all honest it came from desperation out of having nothing while being surrounded bt the wealth of Wall St or Hollywood. The streets are all the normal people have so why not song about and glorify them to the masses because thats where it's at.  In New York City even the smallest kid has a hunger that could eat most kiwi's alive it's one hell of a place to live thats for sure. 

Spycc in stark contrast to silly posers or NZ hardened criminals turned amateur rappers is a man that drops rhymes in every direction that resonate with the people, "the everyday New Zealander" as we like to say lol. I'd go so far as to say that he is 'the Proust' of Onehunga in direct parallel to Jay-z and his admiration of Brooklyn that offered the bulk of his inspiration for his raps. When I listen to Spycc zapping all the inspiration from the outskirts of the AK into his songs theres a genuine love for Onehunga that is hard not to like.

His free mixtape "Self Progression" offers amazing production value which I first heard on "The Young, Broke and Talented" underground physical mixtape made by Homebrew's associates. I've listened to the whole mixtape quite a few times blaring through my computer speakers and dig "Self Progressions" vibe. His raps don't stumble over themselves like most and his flow is immaculately complimented by his producer carving out some sick beats. If you want to cop something that is fire and the future of Nz rap check out his mixtape below and his awesome video that looks like it should have been sponsored by Woodstock if it wasn't.

DL Self Progression EP for Free HERE

The Grey Album Re-mastered and Banging

I recently downloaded the re-mastered version of Danger Mouse's break through debut "The Grey Album" were he mixed the Beatles' "White album" and Jay-Z's "Black Album" together into one mashed out grey masterpiece. The difference between this version and the first is the powerful sonic mastering that smacks with hard bass drums. Whereas the first official mastered "Grey Album" was arguably a bit thin and whimsical this is a solid re-issue. The low end is unforgettable and the top end of the audio has also had a serious shine. I will definitely be burning a cd to listen to this through some phat speakers because it bangs hard, and yes listening to it loud is a must.

I read somewhere that Danger Mouse was rumored to have spent 200 hours making "The Grey Album" and it shows in it's amazing creativity of looping samples with dispersed vintage drums buried in amongst classic rap flow. If your looking for a perfect match of acapella's to beats this album may be just a tad to raw for you but if you like the Gorillaz smashed with "Rock and Roll" and brought back to life by a heavy dosage of Jay-Z adrenaline I highly recommend downloading this album below.

I remember reading a quote from Danger Mouse saying that the hardest problem with making this record was cutting out Ringo's drums from the "White Album" I reckon Paul McCartney's bass playing must have been everywhere in the audio. Danger mouse has done himself proud in this ground breaking sample heavy record clearly referencing "Endtroducing" by Dj Shadow. The producers latest records being "Brothers" by The Black Keys as well as Norah Jones latest album are a testament to Dangers consistency.

 free to download here

Paranoia - The Neo-Kalashnikovs (an exclusive music video debut)

The Neo-Kalashnikovs release their latest music video "Paranoia" directed by the talented Nick Tidmarsh (Graduate of Design Unitec). As one of The Neo-Kalashnikovs in house directors he has created what the band labels as ecstasy in motion underscored by hear hitting rock. Gabriel the frenetic bass player who has also studied classical piano for 4 years said;

 "This is just what the band wanted, something to get the people fired up like Fish Filet" 

Lead singer Volita Bioletti was also beaming from the bands latest video release for "Paranoia" she said to me that she is so proud of the Neos for creating the track under heavy time constraints in the studio. She told me the recording took place in Point Chev Auckland, NZ at Tonewheel studios. I talked to her over the phone after the release, she said;

"Recording Paranoia was done fast, like the band had learnt the track the night before we were slamming it out a little sleep deprived (laughs) the next day in the studio. By the way we used some un-conventional microphone techniques to get the vocal sound which was something we were aiming for as a nod to our rock influences like the nine inch nails. Also if it wasn't for producer Justin James who worked tirelessly to create our vision this song would have been destined to be a no show, stuck in the vault as a draft. 

But you know, everyone rose to the occasion and were so glad we can present it to all our loyal fans. Paranoia is off our album "She's on Heat" which is available as a instant download so everyone can share our art, but anyone who buy it from our bandcamp gets a credit on the next album coming soon"

They're you have it guys rock music for all 

Clap Clap Riots' "Counting Spins" = Rock with Attitude

An album review of Clap Clap Riot's: Counting Spins 

Clap Clap Riots debut album Counting Spins has been finished to an extremely high standard that demands respect. Any rock musician or rock fan knows that budgets are tight and sales are down so when a flawlessly produced album drops its serious stuff. I also vividly remember catching the members talking about how they financed the album by the dearest mother getting a bank loan which I had real respect for. To me this album reeks of well spent money that is undeniably world-class. The actions of the young men to carve out such a strong album with a lot on the line is impressive. Pressure who needs it. 

From the "Kasabian-esque" guitar tone and thundering bass drum of opening track "Holiday" a dynamic rock sound erupts from my speakers. For a second it causes me to abruptly think about Clap Clap Riot as a band objectively. I personally believe it's important to note their original approach is direction that is not strictly commercial or alternative but somewhere in-between which is better. I'm not saying that all NZ bands aren't original but unique pieces of art in NZ music in most cases aren't always truly realized. I personal believe that being located so far away from any real music hot-spots globally NZ bands do have a tendency to follow instead of lead .However, the wickedly phased guitars and gated claps of "Moss-haired girl" are a testament to a band that flourishes under the imaginative pressures in the studio. Once in full swing "Moss haired girl" really comes alive chugging along like a testosterone fueled Ozzfest at it's peak. The solid groove and playful lyrics I strongly believe would do well on radio (perhaps not an obvious pick but a strong one nevertheless).

The evocative lyrics of Counting Spins also adds a great deal of weight to the L.P making for a great aesthetic experience. My favorite track based on lyrics is 'Forget You'. Clearly a therapeutic break up song the simple chorus "I won't forget you baby" really hits home. This song really has a strong feeling of emotion within it. By listening to the song I actually feel a feeling of genuine love in the singers voice and that maybe overly romantic but I definitely think that he's working out some heavy emotional issues because "he's so cold- so cold". 

As a rock music fan I know that there is always a struggle to keep up with pop musics boundary pushing production level standards. Maria and the diamonds latest album and Katy Perry's music are a testament to the level of U.S/U.K's music production prowess. Fortunately Counting Spins is easily equal. It's first single 'So You Say' has achieved fantastic results of heavy rotation on all the major radio stations in NZ and has stormed the itunes rock charts for multiple weeks. I highly recommend this album!.

Moss

The Neo-Kalashnikovs: She's On Heat

The Neo-Kalashnikovs: She's On Heat

[Here's a link to the album for instant download http://www.mediafire.com/?o58i803sulne38t  ]  

If you have ever wanted a record that brought back those pre 1990's vibes of 

hard rocking Nirvana She's on Heat is for you. Hailing from Auckland 

The Neo-Kalashnikovs know how to rock. From the drum shattering start of 

"Bohemia" a song reminiscent of Metillica's "Nothing else matters" I like it … lots.

Before I listened to She's on Heat I had the pleasure of talking to guitarist Volita Bioletti about her debut album. She said that her aim was to define a movement towards rock without the manufactured stupid girl stereotype. Judging from the first song off the album "Diamonds" I think she's achieved just that. From the twangy sting of what most certainly is a Gibson guitar my speakers imploded. However, what I really like about the lead single "Diamonds" is it's vintage distorted vocals that sound like lead singer Volita is singing down a well in Siberia.

My second favorite song off the swelteringly hot under the collar album was "Shining Star". It's more relaxed tone has a depth lyrically that punches home a theme of love with some tasty banjo. "In a State of Paranoia" was also a real stand out with a reminiscent Yeah Yeah Yeahs swag. Sick.

Gee Gee (L.A Rocker)