A Review of Jonathan Warren & The Billy Goats’ Latest Album, Cletus: What is Progressive Psychobilly Folk Grass? Among other things, Jonathan Warren & The Billy Goats say that “it’s a goat chewing on a can” and “southern Appalachian, gypsy porch swing.” On Cletus, Jonathan Warren & The Billy Goats’

As I comb over the body of work that The Shaky Harlots have done so far, I look for signs of their growth as artists. I half expect to find a raw, playing-all-on-one-level beginning that gives evidence of the band trying to find itself in their early days, but I’m

The Patriots of Metal Proclaim That The Fire Never Dies Sylent Storm is a kick-ass traditional heavy metal band formed in Medford. I was lucky to catch founding member Jym Harris, who provides lead vocals, for a phone interview. Having incredible stage presence, counterpoint harmonies, killer guitar solos and thunder-like

About ten years ago, Greg Goebelt was battling an aggressive autoimmune disease which rendered him basically immobile. He stayed in bed for several months, depression and despair gripping his very core as he wondered what the future held for him. Goebelt was desperate for something to motivate him to get

  Astrofauna’s debut album explores the idea of discovering new frontiers by incorporating outer space concepts and sounds into the music. Four of the nine tracks are what is referred to as “sound skits,” each which contains snippets from JFK’s speech “We Go to the Moon.” These skits are infused

When faced with the competition at Southern Oregon’s Battle of the Bands, Sunday, March 8, it seemed like Beyond the Tide was a shoo-in for the victory, presenting polished songs that have plenty of hooks. The audience had voiced its approval and, in a crowded field of regional talent, Beyond

JD Rogers is a rocker. He originally hails from the “heartland,” just outside of Indianapolis. I don’t know how old he is or how many albums he’s released before “Twinkie Lips,” but when listening to this music, I can tell he’s been around the block a few times. His singing

There tends to be some confusion about this band: People make assumptions based on their name. One female DJ had said they were not at all what she expected. She thought she would basically hear <roar> <roar> <roar> with a name like Death Plant.  Initially, I also admit that I

“People sometimes like to ask what kind of music we play,” says Tess Minnick, the voice behind The Giantess. “I like to say, ‘dramatic.’” She proves it by singing seductively about a variety of intriguing topics, such as breaking up with Facebook, getting high, and anticipating murder in her home. 

They are straight guitar rock: guitar, bass, and drums. They stay away from keyboards. (“We like it raw.”) Rickishane is made up of Rick Bolz, a pioneering 60s rocker, his two sons, Shane and Kish, and an “adopted into the band” son, who just happens—and somewhat confusingly—also to be named