Monday, August 4, 2014

LAS CRUCES: Texan doom crew ink new contract with RIPPLE MUSIC


 
 
Burly, Texan doom rockers Las Cruces have signed to California’s Ripple Music for a world-wide onslaught of heavy rock. The group, who just completed a standout performance at the infamous Doom in June Festival, have already started writing and making demos and will enter an undisclosed studio this summer to record their Ripple Music debut and follow up to 2010's Dusk, which The Obelisk hailed as “something not to be missed by loyal doomers."

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Las Cruces has spent the past several years bludgeoning audiences with their doom-driven, precision sound. Originated in 1994 by George Trevino, their influences range from Venom, Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Fates Warning to vintage Sabbath. Las Cruces has risen to the top of the South Texas metal heap and left its mark across the Lone Star State, with a resume that includes opening slots with such acts as Overkill, Nebula, Kyuss, Trouble, Spirit Caravan, Solitude Aeturnus, Cathedral, Monster Magnet, Rob Zombie, Bio-Hazard, Pissing Razors, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Eyehategod, Crowbar, Sixty Watt Shaman, Vader, Kreator., Atomic Bitchwax, Gates of Slumber, Lo Pan, Earthride, Pale Devine, Kamelot, Sour Vein, Weedeater and many others.

Shortly after forming, Las Cruces began touring the Texas scene, gaining widespread recognition and the interest of John Perez, guitarist of Solitude Aeturnus & owner of Brainticket Records, thus forging the Debut release, S.O.L. After a year of touring Texas and the Southern States, Las Cruces decided to re-enter the studio. Driven by the hunger and sharpness of old school metal along with the power melodies of 70s rock, Las Cruces released their skull-crushing follow-up, 1998's Ringmaster. Las Cruces was invited to perform at the first-annual Stoner Hands of Doom Fest in August of 1999 and have been asked to perform regularly at many heavy rock festivals in North America ever since.

Over the years Las Cruces has gone through line-up changes and rumors of break-up. However, these things have not foiled the bands ideology.  The band was honored to be featured in The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal by author Daniel Bukszpan in 2003 as well as in the publication Rockdetector Music Presents: Stoner, Doom and Gothic Metal series published in 2003.

Described as "a journey into a parallel sonic universe of all that is heavy," their songs are sprinkled mighty, bludgeoning riffs; barn-burning guitar work, and apocalyptic vocals that melt listener's brains. Las Cruces is poised to begin the metal onslaught for the masses as they prepare to record their fourth full-length album.

"We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Ripple Music to unleash the fourth Las Cruces record upon the underground," comments Trevino.  "Many of our friends and contemporaries have passed through the ranks and we're thrilled to march onward into the streets with them at our side."

In addition to George Trevino on guitar, Las Cruces features Mando Tovar - Lead Guitar, Paul De Leon - Drums and vocals, and Jimmy Bell - Bass Guitar
   
Las Cruces is available to speak with interested media now. To chat with the band, contact southernxpr@gmail.com.

Dusk is rudely riffer’s doom. I hesitate, though, to call Las Cruces traditional doom. Guitarists George Trevino and Mando Tovar know their Sabbath, but there’s a grittier, more uniquely American thrust to their tones that feels more in line with modern biker metal. There are souls being burned, Christians being slaughtered and no shortage of blood being spilled otherwise.”  -- The Obelisk

Dusk is a welcome return from Las Cruces. This is another album that will be high up on peoples list for best albums for 2010 so you will want to check it out as soon as possible. 9/10” -- Doommantia
 
More Ripple Links:

Ripple Music:
Website
Facebook
Bandcamp
Twitter

Heavy Ripples Distribution:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
 

Saturday, August 2, 2014

RIPPLE MUSIC and STB RECORDS forge new partnership

 
 
Over the last few years, Ripple Music and STB Records had established hefty reputations as leaders in the heavy rock scene; blasting out killer albums of stoner, doom, heavy psych and sludge.  Both Labels have run up an impressive list of sold-out and highly sought after releases, such as Mothership, Mos Generator, Ape Machine, Poobah, Brimstone Coven, Doctor Doom, Dopethrone and Druglord.  Yet, deep down, both labels always hoped they could do more to help the underground scene reach a great audience.

Now that hope is a reality.

As of June 2014, Ripple Music and STB Records have forged a relationship that will expand upon the top-notch, limited releases by STB Records with a full complement of Digipack CD’s and Digital distribution via Ripple Music.  Both companies remain separate entities, each with their own roster of heavy-rocking bands, release schedules, and A&R, but the partnership allows the DIY Labels to work more closely together to get the music out to a world-wide fanbase that is clamoring for more.

In a very short period of time, STB Records had carved a place for itself with its boutique style deluxe, limited-edition vinyl releases. Die-hard editions, OBI editions, and multi-colored vinyl had heavy music fans salivating. Most STB releases sell out in a manner of hours and already command top dollar on the resale collectors market like Dopethrone, Spelljammer, Ancient Warlocks and Brimstone Coven.   Ripple Music established its reputation as a leading force in the resurrection of heavy rock with its keen ear for talent and partnership approach with its bands that led to a string of best-selling releases by Mothership, Mos Generator, Stone Axe, Ape Machine, Devil to Pay and Grifter as well as some highly regarded reissues of classic '70s albums and new releases by protometal giants like Leaf Hound, Poobah, JPT Scare Band and Iron Claw.  Ripple Music established a world-wide network of physical and digital distribution that it will employ to spread the CD and digital versions of STB artists around the globe.

“I’m a firm believer of cooperation amongst labels, not competition,” comments Ripple Music CEO Todd Severin.The goal is to get the music heard. Get it out there.  Help the bands. By working together in this capacity, Ripple Music and STB Records can make a huge impact.”

STB Records President, Steve Macioci agrees. “I think it’s only right that people with the same values and ethos work together for the common good. There is a DIY renaissance happening in the underground stoner rock/doom scene right now, STB and Ripple are right there at the forefront setting the plate for these amazing artists to be heard and discovered. We are carving a path for this new resurgence and its 100% DIY for music lovers by music lovers, untainted by greed or ego. It’s so exciting."

The first joint Ripple Music/STB release will be the CD and digital versions of STB’s immediate sold-out release by Ancient Warlocks, with more joint ventures to follow with the new Geezer album.

Ripple Music and STB Records. A new cooperation. A new force to reckon with in the underground heavy music scene.

Ripple Music: ripple-music.com
STB Records: stbrecords.bigcartel.com

 
More Ripple Links:

Ripple Music:
Website
Facebook
Bandcamp
Twitter

Heavy Ripples Distribution:
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Cult Acid Fuzz Rockers, Space Probe Taurus Sign Worldwide Deal With Ripple Music

RIPPLE MUSIC is proud to announce the signing of acclaimed, hard-hitting acid biker heavy rockers, SPACE PROBE TAURUS to their ever-expanding roster!

SPACE PROBE TAURUS has been around in one form or another since 1992, but it wasn’t until a name change and shortening of the songs in 1997 that the band settled down into doing what they still do today: preaching the gospel of dirty garage rock Swedish style.  Their music has been called Biker Movie Acid Fuzz and that sums it up as well as anything we could say!

Since the release of the Blue Cheer tribute CD “Blue Explosion”, by Black Widow Records, the band has been part of many compilations. And the year after saw the release of their first own record, the “Insect City” EP on Game Two/Slowdive Records. The band has also been involved deeply in the American low budget movie scene, first providing a song for the “I Am Vengeance” soundtrack (released by Meteor City Records in 2001), then having 12 songs in the movie “Actress Apocalypse”. Upcoming in 2014 is the movie “Franklin” which will include yet another song (a demo version of the song “Mondo Satan”).

In 2008 it was time for the first album, a self-titled debut released by the Belgian label Buzzville Records, which got good reviews all over the world.

Since the release of the album the band has kept writing new material, played live and kept recording new demos. In 2012 the general feeling was that a new album needed to be done, and after a long process of deciding on the songs the band started to record, what would become, the album “Mondo Satan”.

On “Mondo Satan” SPT are:

Sjöberg – vocals, guitars
Tömte – guitars, backing vocals
Enberg – bass, backing vocals
Boman – drums

Mondo Satan  tracklist:
1. Scorpio Queen
2. Kill City Death Cult
3. Spahn Ranch Motherfucker
4. Make Me Bleed

5. Galaxy Travelin’ Blues
6. Superfuzzed
7. Mondo Satan
8. Dust Joint
9. The Iguana
10. The Righteous One

For the growing ranks of Ripple fans, known as the Waveriders, Space Probe Taurus will be another must-hear addition to the ranks of bands that already include such heavy rockers as Volume IV, Devil to Pay, Mothership, and Ape Machine.

“Coming from our favorite musical Mecca of Sweden, and signed to Buzzville Records, the SPT boys ask one simple question, how much fuzz can you take in your rock? Ramrodding their beastly songs right down your throat, SPT are some ungodly mix of Stooges energy, MC5 attitude, Mudhoney riffs and enough fuzz pedals to fill a fleet of 18 wheelers, this is Steppenwolf for the new millennium, maxed out, fuzzed out garage rock for the open highways.. ”
— The Ripple Effect

“Taken on its own terms this album is a bit of a speedball classic. Each track bristles with an energy and excitement that so much “stoner” rock fails to match these days. In fact this is a relentless and remorseless assault from start to finish, each song hitting a peak flow of amphetamine fuelled grit. The only respite here are the brief pauses between songs to catch your breath before the next wave of rock and roll mentalism breaks overhead.” –The Sleeping Shaman

APE MACHINE announce new tour dates; opening for MOTÖRHEAD

 
 
Portland, Oregon stoner-rockers APE MACHINE have joined forces with TKO BOOKING and now share a roster with the likes of MotörheadAnthraxSuperjoint Ritual and other legendary acts. For now, they have revealed three new spring dates in support of their latest record, Mangled By The Machine, which is out now in the Ripple Music store here

Please 
contact southernxpr@gmail.com for any press inquiries, including guest list spots, photo passes and interviews.
 
4/13 Portland, OR @ The Know
(w/ Berri Txarrak, and Order of the Gash
4/14 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah - 2 sets on patio stage
4/15: Chandler, AZ @ Ovations Live!
(w/ Motörhead!)

The name APE MACHINE is a nod to the days of reel-to-reel magnetic tape audio recording; a fitting moniker for the heavy-hitting quartet as the band plays through vintage tube amplifiers and lays down its songs using exclusively throwback quality studio equipment. With a heady mix of animal aggression and technical precision, APE MACHINE's music carries an organic depth and warmth rarely heard since the time of rock's glorious early years (or your Dad's bad ass record collection) infused with an exceptional modern sensibility. When the mystical lyrics of vocalist Caleb Heinze lock in with the band's stone-cold groove, APE MACHINE demonstrates an earth-shaking ability to rock. A true four-piece, the group has been called "a rock and roll band with a finger on the pulse of the '70s and their asses firmly in the present" and "real heavy-psych for the iPhone generation" that delivers "true guts and glory rock and roll."

Blending equal parts rock 'n’ roll, blues, stoner rock and psychedelia, Ape Machine is out to melt faces and pound the apathy out of otherwise jaded listeners with a wall of heavy rock n’ roll tones unheard since the days of bell bottoms, long hair and blaring tube amplifiers.

Ape Machine's mission is to combine intense melody, cutting riffs and blistering live improvisation. Where many bands rely on meticulously rehearsed, just-like-the-record-parts, Ape Machine provides a live experience that is as unique as each evening it shares with an audience.
 
"Ape Machine retro-rocks for almost forty minutes in a way acts like The Sword and Witchcraft can only dream of."
- Lords of Metal

"Amidst all the hipster indie tameness of the Portland, OR, music scene, Ape Machine prove there's still some stoner salvation to be found."
- High Times
 
"Mangled By The Machine is just a brilliant and hard-rocking blast from start to finish. Riffs are the main selling point and Ape Machine are modern day masters of the riff. Excellent and Highly Recommended. Ignore this album at your peril!!!"
- The Sludgelord

Monday, April 7, 2014



Portland, Oregon stoner-rockers APE MACHINE have joined forces with TKO BOOKING and now share a roster with the likes of Motörhead, Anthrax, Superjoint Ritual and other legendary acts. For now, they have revealed three new spring dates in support of their latest record, Mangled By The Machine, which is out now in the Ripple Music store here.

The name APE MACHINE is a nod to the days of reel-to-reel magnetic tape audio recording; a fitting moniker for the heavy-hitting quartet as the band plays through vintage tube amplifiers and lays down its songs using exclusively throwback quality studio equipment. With a heady mix of animal aggression and technical precision, APE MACHINE’s music carries an organic depth and warmth rarely heard since the time of rock’s glorious early years (or your Dad’s bad ass record collection) infused with an exceptional modern sensibility. When the mystical lyrics of vocalist Caleb Heinze lock in with the band’s stone-cold groove, APE MACHINE demonstrates an earth-shaking ability to rock. A true four-piece, the group has been called “a rock and roll band with a finger on the pulse of the ’70s and their asses firmly in the present” and “real heavy-psych for the iPhone generation” that delivers “true guts and glory rock and roll.”

Blending equal parts rock ‘n’ roll, blues, stoner rock and psychedelia, Ape Machine is out to melt faces and pound the apathy out of otherwise jaded listeners with a wall of heavy rock n’ roll tones unheard since the days of bell bottoms, long hair and blaring tube amplifiers.

Ape Machine’s mission is to combine intense melody, cutting riffs and blistering live improvisation. Where many bands rely on meticulously rehearsed, just-like-the-record-parts, Ape Machine provides a live experience that is as unique as each evening it shares with an audience.

4/13 Portland, OR @ The Know (w/ Berri Txarrak, and Order of the Gash)
4/14 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah – 2 sets on patio stage
4/15: Chandler, AZ @ Ovations Live! (w/ Motörhead!)

ripple-music.com
apemachine.com
facebook.com/apemachinemusic

Ape Machine, Mangled by the Machine (2013)

Saturday, March 29, 2014

MOS GENERATOR: Ripple Music To Reissue Classic Album ‘Songs For Future Gods’


Mos Generator

Ripple Music and MOS GENERATOR have a long history of teaming up to bring the world the best in heavy stoner rock! Now, their latest collaboration is being unveiled.

Originally, MOS GENERATOR main man Tony Reed teamed with Ripple Music to release his then active band, Stone Axe (Stone Axe I, Stone Axe II, and Stone Axe Captured Live) and both parties knew they had to work together to bring back the raging sound of MOS GENERATOR. At that time, the band had been inactive for five years, but Reed and Ripple Music broke that silence with the glorious LP/CD combination package of the 10th Anniversary re-issue of MOS GENERATOR’s long-out-of-print debut album. Originally a CD only release, this was the debut album’s first ever release on vinyl (Available in the Ripple Store).

The response was so strong that Tony Reed re-united the band and soon released the critically hailed Ripple Music release, Nomads (review here and also in the Ripple Store) which led to resurgent tours of Europe and an ever-expanding audience for the heaviness of MOS GENERATOR.

Mos Generator 'Songs For Future Gods' Artwork

Now, on the eve of their Listenable Records debut release Electric Mountain Majesty, Ripple Music and Tony Reed once again announce their team-up to bring the definitive, “Director’s Cut” version of the MOS GENERATOR masterpiece album, Songs For Future Gods. Completely remastered, this re-issue of the 2007 release (originally on Small Stone Records) features a completely new mix and two songs from the aborted recording sessions from January 2006. The digipack also features modified cover art and packaging. This is the album as it was originally intended and still redefines the sound of MOS GENERATOR, a sprawling celebration of heavy amplification, fret-board psychotropics and kick-ass heavy rock. Songs From Future Gods is classic MOS GENERATOR and this is the definitive cut of the album.

While in the Ripple Store, you can also check out Tony Reed’s solo album, Ediz Hook, his psychedelic work as HeavyPink, the classic Stone Axe albums, as well as other MOS GENERATOR LP’s, 10” and CD goodies like Tales From The Vault, The Vault Sessions, Destroy! The Mos Generator, and The Late Great Planet Earth. Keep your eyes open for more Ripple Music and Tony Reed collaborations to come soon.


MOS GENERATOR is:
Tony Reed (guitar, vocals)
Scooter Haslip (bass)
Shawn Johnson (drums)

http://www.facebook.com/MosGenerator
http://mosgenerator.bandcamp.com
http://www.ripple-music.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ripple-Music/369610860064
http://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com
http://twitter.com/RippleMusic

Sunday, March 2, 2014

WHITE DYNOMITE Sign With California’s Ripple Music


White_Dynomite
 
 
To say these guys are unique would be an understatement.


Boston’s “punk soul explosion”  have announce signing with California-based label Ripple Music and the addition of second guitarist.

How does a sleazy super group top an incredible year like last year? By starting o! 2014 with an even bigger bang! First comes the announcement that premier hard rock music label Ripple Music has signed the band and will re-release their debut album late this spring. Pressed on white vinyl and including extra tracks, this dose of motor-punk soul will be an instant must-have for music fans who like it hard, fast-n-loud. WHITE DYNOMITE have also officially announced the addition of Jay Fortin to the band.

The ex-Scissorfight guitarist joins an already-heavy, veteran line up that includes former members of RoadsawWrecking Crew and Fast Acting Fuses. With this twin-guitar front line in place, the group promises to pack more action than previously thought possible.

More details to come this spring!

LINKS:
ripple-music.com
facebook.com/WhiteDynomiteBoston