Kory's Recs: Zombies! Aliens! Werewolves! Vampires!

By: Kory Kasler, Promotions Director

For me, Halloween is a lot more than dressing up and marveling at the drunken spectacle that is the OU Halloween block party (in fact, I didn’t do either of those this year). Instead, Halloween is the time of the year when I can make myself a playlist full of punk and metal songs and watch a lot of horror flicks. So, for this edition of Exec Recs, I’ve decided to celebrate Halloween with a few of my favorite horror punk songs, black metal songs and an assortment of scenes from both classic and modern horror films. Many of these may not be new or obscure, but they are certainly good for Halloween, so Happy Halloween!

1. The Misfits – "Skulls"

Horror punk, or punk music influenced by horror and science fiction, owes an awful lot to The Misfits. They are no doubt the most well-known and most influential band in horror punk, and certainly one of the biggest players in punk in general.

“Skulls” is the perfect Halloween song, with lyrics like “Corpses all hang headless and limp / Bodies with no surprises / And the blood drains down like devil's rain / We'll bathe tonight / I want your skull / I need your skull” and “Collect the heads of little girls and put ‘em on my wall / Hack the heads off little girls and put ‘em on my wall.” I’d highly recommend playing through the entire Walk Among Us album on Halloween – there’s nothing more fitting for the occasion.

2. Halloween (1978)

While it’s a rather obvious choice to watch on Halloween based on its title alone, it’s also a great horror film in general. Halloween features the classic slasher film storyline – a masked killer wreaks havoc on a group of teenage friends, leaving one survivor by the end of the movie. Halloween was one of the slasher films, along with Friday the 13^th and A Nightmare on Elm Street, to popularize the genre in the late '70s and into the '80s.

3. False – “The Key of Passing Suffering”

False puts out some of the best black metal I’ve heard in a long time. This album only consists of two tracks, each a little over 12 minutes, and “The Key of Passing Suffering” is just great. It starts off with a lot of intensity without any intro at all, and continues all the way to the end, only pausing a little before the eight-minute mark to throw in a well placed organ piece in the middle. A lot of times the haunting organ piece can be a bit overdone in metal music, but this one is an example of when its use doesn’t take away from the rest of the song.

4. Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

This movie probably won’t scare you (unless you’ve got a fear of clowns), but it will definitely make you laugh. In the film, alien clowns come from outer space, terrorize a town and turn the townspeople into a ball of cotton candy. The only way these clowns can be killed is by destroying their noses, and to save the town the clowns must be stopped. Tell me that’s not hilarious.

5. AFI – “Halloween”

Once again, a very fitting song title, and another track that is great to listen to on Halloween. This song is actually a cover of a Misfits song, but I think it’s better than the original. The lyrics celebrate everything that makes Halloween what it is – fall imagery and horror-inspired verses like “Bonfires burning bright / Pumpkin faces in the night / I remember Halloween” and “Candy apples and razor blades / Little dead are soon in graves / I remember Halloween.” Definitely listen through the entire album. It’s one of AFI’s greatest, and certainly better than whatever pop-influenced stuff it is they’re putting out these days.

6. The Ring (2002)

Everyone has something that really creeps them out. For me, it’s creepy children, and The Ring definitely has plenty of that. The little girl in the film, Samara, is just plain creepy with her long black hair draped over her face, and it gets creepier in this scene with her crawling out of the well and out of the TV. It’s a great horror film, especially if creepy children get you as freaked out as me.

7. The Lurking Corpses – “Werewolf Queen”

All you have to do to know this band fits Halloween is look at the song titles. Songs like “Werewolf Queen,” “Mark of the Devil” and “We Are Vampires” all fit perfectly with the theme of Halloween, and clearly show the Misfits-like influence the band has. Definitely check them out.

8.  Evil Dead (1981)

Evil Dead is a classic low-budget horror film, and it’s definitely one of my favorites. The storyline is fairly simple, with a group of friends going to a remote cabin, being killed or turned into zombies. As with many horror films, only one of them is left after the rest are possessed, and it’s his job to survive. Evil Dead, in my opinion, is the best zombie movie ever, and it’s definitely perfect for Halloween.

9. The Misfits – “Vampira”

To finish off this edition of Exec Recs, I thought I’d throw in another Misfits song, since they’re the undisputed heavyweight champs of horror punk. Many Misfits songs are inspired by horror films, and this one is inspired by Vampira, a famous horror film actress, and the lady you see in this video. The lyrics clearly show someone had an attraction to Vampira, with lyrics like “Two inch nails / Micro waist / With a pale white feline face / Inclination eyebrows to there / Mistress to the horror kid / Cemetery of the white love ghoul, well / Take off your shabby dress / Come and lay beside me.”

10. Jerry Only Wrestling

Just for fun, here’s a video of the Misfits’ Jerry Only wrestling in a cage match. Somehow a guy ends up covered in barbecue sauce and Jerry Only ends up winning. Nothing more needs to be said.

Katie's Recs: American Horror Story

By: Katie O'Leary, Visual Media Director

In case anyone doesn’t know, I am obsessed with American Horror Story. I enjoy things that freak me out and blow my mind. American Horror Story is the definition of mind-blowing.

This season’s episodes revolve around an insane asylum in 1964. The patients’ minds are as corrupt as their caretakers’ methods of rehabilitation. Well, at least most of the patients are insane. A few slip through the cracks and end up in an earthly hell.

As a part of creators Brad Falchuck and Ryan Murphy’s horror anthology, American Horror Story has some returning characters from Season One. Their personalities and characters have changed completely. It’s an interesting experiment and it will be an imaginative way to continue the show.

One of Season One’s favorite characters, nosy neighbor Constance Langdon, is back to cause more trouble. In this season, actress Jessica Lange plays the head nun at the Briarcliff Manor (a.k.a. the insane asylum), Sister Jude. Let’s just say her character doesn’t take shit. This is one nun who does not hesitate to manipulate, use whips to punish and lock up innocent lesbians. 

It’s been hinted in the first two episodes that Sister Jude has not had one of the most holy pasts. So far, it looks like her troubled past will come back into play and the complexities of her character will only expand during this season of American Horror Story.

The hottie-heartthrob of American Horror Story’s first season, Tate, is back. He returned full force as Kit Walker, a man who was abducted by aliens, violated and left on earth to take the blame as a crazy, women-murdering psychopath. Poor guy.

It’s OK though. He’s making plans to escape and forming alliances with certain cast members. We’ll see if teamwork gets him out alive or ends up being his downfall.

Chad Warwick, Season One’s unhappy and untrusting gay fellow is back as Dr. Oliver Thredson. So far, Thredson is a tad more logical than the Briarcliff Manor staff. He focuses on behavioral psychology rather than the medieval tactics of Sister Jude. Because of this, he and Sister Jude are already butting heads.

Remember that creepy medium lady from Episode One that helped Constance in Season One? Well, she’s back as a lesbian journalist named Lana Winters with a thirst for knowledge.

After snooping around Briarcliff to research for a feature story on the place, Sister Jude captures her and enrolls her as a psychiatric patient. We’ll see if her story ever gets written or if she’ll become insane like the rest of the patients.

Nora Montgomery, the annoying ghost that always whined about getting her baby back, is a part of the second season's cast. She now has the roll of Sister Mary Eunice (what a name). The nun is Sister Jude’s right hand. She’s a sweet, innocent and naïve young woman. Her naivety has already landed her in a slew of trouble.

We’ll see what happens as the season continues. Blood, sex and indescribable horrors await the show's devoted audience.

Ben's Recs: YouTube Discoveries

By: Ben Haager, General Manager
 

Lately I have been using YouTube to discover bands more than any other source (other than the ACRN CD stacks). There is a lot of nonsense on YouTube, but there are also a lot of channels that produce some gems. Here are my favorite musical channels:

1.  KEXP Radio – A Seattle radio station with some killer in-studios. An incredible selection that varies from punk to hip hop to soul to folk. I’ve found mostly Seattle-based bands here, which makes me want to go to Seattle really badly, but even Athens’ own Southeast Engine has appeared. Here are The Cave Singers, one of those Seattle bands.

2.  The Mahogany Sessions - A series of busk-esque performances by phenomenal musicians in London. These videos are extremely pure when it comes to music, as most are stripped down, leaving the vocalist vulnerable. Here is Marques Toliver, a violinist singer/songwriter who has performed with the likes of Grizzly Bear and TV On the Radio. 

3.  97X  – A Tampa Bay radio station that used to be a lot more active on making in-studio performances. Yes, they do post a lot more mainstream rock and punk, but I am not ashamed to like mainstream music. I give you Blue October, and I defy you to present me with more genuine emotion in a track.

4.  95WIILROCK  – This is the station I listened to growing up so I can’t help but follow it. There is a lot of DJ nonsense on this station, but if you stick to the Studio East recordings, you can find some nice acoustic versions of hard rock songs.

5. Cover Artists – YouTube has always been a place where people like to show off their skills, whether they have them or not. These are three people that don’t suck (usually).

- Alex Pelzer (lots of covers of intolerable chart-toppers, but a really good voice) -  "Ain't No Sunshine"

- Dustin Prinz (goofy dude and great guitarist who arranges songs well for solo acoustic) - "Feel Good Inc."

- Lucas Silveira of The Cliks (Transgender vocalist of The Cliks who posts covers of songs occasionally) - "I'm Your Man"

Dave's Recs: Top Heartstring Pullers

By: Dave Griffiths, Programming Director

Music truly is a robust art form. From happiness to sadness, music covers the entire spectrum of human emotion and all it needs is a good combination of notes and arrangements. Now, I mainly listen to a lot of fast-paced music, but every now and then I have to slow things down for those moments when you just feel like staring at the ceiling and reminiscing about life. These are those top heartstring pullers, so go grab a box of tissues because we’re about to get real sentimental.

1. "Ahead On Our Way" by Nobuo Uematsu

If you have every played the Final Fantasy series of video games, then you’ve already heard of this guy. This song appears in Final Fantasy VII, arguably one of the best of the series. The entire soundtrack perfectly fits the setting, characters and storyline and helps create a truly memorable gaming experience. However, I chose this song because of its simple, calming melody with a subtle backing track that really knows where to hit you in the heart. The song reminds me of growing out of childhood innocence, yet never forgetting those times. Maybe you’ll feel the same way.

2. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" by Al Green

I would list almost every Al Green song in this category if I could, but sadly, I can only choose one.  The reason I chose this song was just because of how relatable and raw it really is. Listen to the lyrics layered over a low-tempo classic soul arrangement and you’ll hear and feel one of the most realistic accounts of heartbreak ever recorded. It’s a perfect song to put on when staring out of the window as rain slowly slides down the pane.

3. "Thinking Loudly" by El Ten Eleven

I already discussed in an earlier entry why El Ten Eleven is a band you should definitely listen to.  When I first heard this song, I was struck by the slowly growing, moderate tempo opening that just perfectly explodes into this slow, emotionally driven barrage of guitar chords and cymbal crashes. In that moment, I’m hearing emotion and it’s hard not to link an emotional instrumental tune to a tough moment in your life.

4. "Jesus Christ" by Brand New

I started listening to Brand New when I was in high school, so naturally, there were a lot of moments in my life that Brand New helped me get through. Out of all of their songs, I’ve always felt that "Jesus Christ" was one of their deepest and most personal. The subject matter in itself is deep enough, but the fact that these personal lyrics are being sung over this melancholy progression of simple guitars and rhythms only deepens that emotional response. It’s a beautiful song to listen to, but keep the Kleenex on hand just in case.

5. "Luna" by Smashing Pumpkins

This is probably the only song on this list that isn’t necessarily sad. The lyrics are about just being in love, and I guarantee the dreamy guitar sound and slow tempo will help to churn up some old memories of that first time you ever experienced that feeling.

6. "Blue Boy" by Texas is the Reason

I couldn’t do a list of emotional songs without touching on one of the big bands in the '90s emo movement. I chose this song because of its simple melodic intro and moderate tempo compared to some of their other songs. It’s definitely not a tear jerker, but it will still help you to look back on some of your memories of the past.

Hannah's Recs: "Don't trust me, but trust this"

By: Hannah Cook, Editorial Director

You can’t trust me with a lot of things. I already forget what you just told me, and the cookies? They’re burnt. Sorry.  BUT you can trust me with these Exec Recs. Sure, I may be making some shameless plugs for my friends, but they deserve it.  And yeah, we’ve all heard of Sigur Rós, but have you ever seen Shia Labeouf’s bare crotch region? Probably not, and you probably kinda want to. So here it goes, in no particular order. Each of these holds a part of my heart in one way or another.

1. Why?

Why? is a band of many strange colloquialisms.  You’ve probably heard of them, but I’m going to talk about them anyway because I’ve only recently starting listening to them (even though they’re from my hometown and their name is mumbled everywhere by everyone). Anyway, the Cincinnati natives are some kind of modern Cake with an indescribable edge. Half hip-hop, half indie and half weird (there’s three halves in a whole, you know), Why? creates the kind of sound one doesn’t often hear. The result is about a decade of bizarre music that hipsters across the land have grown to love.

2. Midpoint Music Festival 

Speaking of Cincinnati, at the end of September is the city’s own 11th annual Midpoint Music Festival. Since 11 is such an awkward age, the creators wanted to make up for the braces and training bra with a solid lineup: Andrew Bird, Grizzly Bear, Best Coast, Dinosaur Jr., Dirty Projectors, Sleigh Bells…need I say more? Fine. Stepdad, The Antlers, Pomegranates, Shovels and Rope, The Ridges, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. I’m out of breath. The festival is happening at various venues across Cincinnati, but most are all within walking distance. I’ve gone the past couple of years, and besides it being age discriminatory at most places (how wonderful it is to be of age now), it was a damn good time. Cincinnati’s up to something big, you guys.  

3. Fun Machine (Shameless plug number one) 

Speaking of Cincinnati one last time. There’s this band. They may or may not be friends of mine, but really, that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that they are earnest musicians, simultaneously young and old at heart.  Getting their footing in the Cincinnati music scene is proving to be easier said than done, but by golly, you better believe they’re one of the greater bands coming out of that town. Misunderstood suburban hoodrats (they’re not really all that hoodrat-y, it's just to say it) playing indie rock that’s special to where they’re from and who’s been in their lives.

4. Sigur Rós music videos

When one thinks of Sigur Rós, one thinks of soundscapes. When one watches Sigur Ros’ music videos, one sees those soundscapes perfectly materialized. Before your very eyes, unknown horizons and obscure characterizations are brought to life. The possibilities become endless.

The band’s latest endeavor is “Fjögur Píanó,” where Disney Channel's own early 2000s teenage babe, Shia LaBeouf, appears nude.  But that’s not even the weirdest part. It’s the story the video tells (mostly incomprehensible) as the characters show raw and desperate emotions. It’s eight minutes of confusion, but also some kind of aesthetic bliss.  

But Sigur Ros also wanted to put the creativity into the hands of its dearest fans, so it’s currently running a music video competition. (Shameless plug number two.) Hundreds, if not thousands, of videos from all over the world have been submitted, and students from our very own Ohio University are in the running. The video, shot at Strouds, is as peaceful as they come, showing the story of two “forest spirits” guiding a “wanderer” to where he needs to be. In and out of the top 50, these guys need your vote to keep their well-deserved spot at the top. You can place your vote here. 

5. Dan Deacon live 

Dan Deacon, a Baltimore native, is many things--a storyteller, a weirdo, a mastermind of electronics—but never, ever dull. That enthusiasm glimmers in his lengthy discography, but beams like the goddamn sun in his live shows. He is unlike any other musical performer. You don’t need to be an avid listener of Deacon’s electronic music to appreciate what he does, either. Heck, I wasn’t when I saw him for the first (and I pray not the last) time. You’ve just got to have an open mind--and I mean really open. Gaping. Free of all other thoughts irrelevant to the very moment you’re in. Unburdened, like a newborn baby. His audience participation is out of this world as he demands from the crowd dance-offs and appreciation for strangers. One can only oblige. Never has anyone possessed such a power over people and used it in all the right ways.

Kory's Recs: More Bandcamp Discoveries

By: Kory Kasler, Promotions Director

As some of my earlier Exec Recs posts have mentioned, most of the new music I find online comes from Bandcamp, and these recommendations are no exception. With the wonderfully large amount of free time I had over the summer to search around the site, I was able to stumble upon a nice group of artists that I have since added to my music library. If you’ve never spent time on Bandcamp before, I highly encourage you to do so.

1. Brown Recluse – Panoptic Mirror Maze

I wish I would have known about this album last year, because it probably would have made my ACRN Best of 2011 list. It’s really hard to slap a genre on the band, as the album is so eclectic in nature and has so many perfectly arranged elements of so many different musical styles. There are parts of the album that have a Beach Boys pop feel, some others that take inspiration from more modern synthpop, and some others that rely heavily on brass instruments all while sticking to a nice indie pop style that really puts the album into a league of its own. Definitely check it out!

2. Murmuüre – Murmuüre

This is one of the most interesting albums I’ve come across in some time. I found it while searching through black metal albums, and I really liked the cover art so I thought I’d take a listen and I was quite pleased with the album. It includes a lot of black metal elements, but is clearly built on elements of sound collage and experimental music. It lacks a consistent rhythm and has no set pace, but it just seems as though the album is hypnotizing in the way it flows from beginning to end without the listener ever knowing how they made it from point A to point B. I’ve never heard anything quite like it, and if you’re a fan of black metal or just want to hear something a little different, I would highly encourage you to check it out.

3. Soda Bomb – Hooligan

Hooligan is an interesting mix of post-punk and garage rock that is sure to be enjoyed by anyone looking for something new from the world of punk. With so many bands sounding the same, it’s nice to see Long Island’s Soda Bomb doing something a little different. There really isn’t much else to say about them other than this: LISTEN!

4. Nailbiter – S/T EP

While it’s not the only thing I look at when I find a hardcore band to check out, it’s usually a good sign when the longest song on the album is 1:17. The entire 8-song EP is only a little over eight minutes long total, but South Carolina hardcore act Nailbiter packs a big punch into that small amount of time. The album opens up with a small spoken intro, and then jumps into non-stop intensity from that point until the end. Definitely check it out if you’re a hardcore fan.

5. Ivory Wave - John Depp

I was really happy to find a new band from the Midwest punk scene in Bloomington, Indiana’s Ivory Wave. They definitely have a lo-fi sound, but it isn’t one that is overdone. It's a subtle use of the style that improves the sound of the album rather than hinders it. If you’re a fan of Midwestern punk, check this album out. It’s one I think you’ll really enjoy.

Dave's Recs: Top Songs to Go Jogging to

By: Dave Griffiths, Programming Director

One of my favorite parts of summer is jogging outdoors. You truly are the master of your own element while on a run and it’s a great way to shed some of those barbecue beer calories. However, in order to have a successful run, I have to have a good playlist on, and these are the songs that keep me going:

"The Adventure" - Angels and Airwaves

For my runs, the key to everything is the song that I start out with, and usually, it’s always Angel and Airwaves. I remember hearing this song on the radio as I was leaving from high school after taking my last final, so I’ve always associated it with summer. It’s a great song with a catchy riff and the perfect tempo to establish a pace for your run. The message is all about starting something new and going on a journey, sort of like the feeling you get whenever you start a run.

"Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)" - Elton John

Elton John is one of the greatest musicians that the world has ever seen and this song is a testament to that fact. It’s an upbeat song that never lets you slow down for a second. Whenever you need to get back on your pace or get things going a little faster, this is the song to be playing.

"Born to Run" - Bruce Springsteen

There’s a reason why this guy’s called the Boss. Although this is not my favorite Springsteen tune, this pure, high-speed American rock song is the perfect song to accompany a summer run. Its message of just letting go and seeing what happens is the perfect mindset to have while jogging.

"Congratulations Smack + Katy" - Reggie and the Full Effect

I love The Get Up Kids, so naturally I have a few Reggie and the Full Effect songs on my playlist.  This song is so simple with an insanely catchy beat and the backing synthesizer provides a nice background to the guitar riffs. The song is also wicked fast and it’s a necessity when you’re going for an endurance run and need a little help to get back on speed.

"Superheroes" - Daft Punk

At the end of my runs, I always like to end with a sprint. But by that time, I’m usually pretty tired and need something to amp me up. This song is always my standby because it gets you going from the very first 10 seconds. The repetitive chant built in with a building bass and synthesizer line is the perfect way to channel that last bit of energy to make it back to the finish line.