Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
Gia Farrell Takes a Ride on the Dark Side
When it comes to following your passions, there are times that the struggle is just too real. Especially when it seems the world is beating you down, and everytime you get up, the wave of life hits you again. But for one artist, no matter how many waves have knocked her down she gets right back up. From her external struggle with the music industry to the internal struggle of personal issues, Gia Farrell has made her way back to the top! For when it comes to following your passion she has the perfect advice, "Just do it. What do you have to lose? Never stop trying."
By Zanna Hintz9 years ago in Beat
A Pillar of Rock
In the world of the electric guitar, few guitars have been as influential to music and the innovation of the instrument as the Fender Stratocaster. In its more than 60 years of production, the Stratocaster has been used by many great players from various genres to create legendary music.
By Frederick Park9 years ago in Beat
Gospel Sampled
I am a child of the Golden Age of Hip Hop, which most would argue is the late 80s and early 90s. Many believe this time represents the golden age due to the evolution of lyrical content and delivery. Additionally, the musical styles and the artists that used them became more diverse. Another significant factor was the upgraded use of sampling. My favorite production team during this time was The Bomb Squad comprised of Hank Shocklee, Keith Shocklee, Chuck D. and Eric Sadler. This team powered the sound of Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and many others. They were one of the first to utilize multiple samples in a song. This is the period that I fell in love with Hip Hop.
By Jerome Simmons9 years ago in Beat
Odds and Ends
When one thinks of the history of the solid body electric guitar, Gibson is one of the first and most important brands that comes to mind. While guitars such as the Les Paul, SG Flying V, Explorer and Firebird were wildly successful either initially or eventually, Gibson also produced many guitars that are not as well remembered.
By Frederick Park9 years ago in Beat
Danny Worsnop Takes the Long Road Home
Growing up I knew music was something that made me feel different. When I was sad music made me feel good, when I was mad music understood my anger, when I was happy music basically told me to keep it up. Music can give me the best chills, and it can make me cry like a baby. It wasn't until I was a senior in high school that I learned where I belonged. The first time my friends and I ventured off to Warped Tour, we were in this magical world, and since then I have discovered so many of my favorite bands, bands who have gotten me through depression, hopelessness, anxiety, everything in the book.
By Zanna Hintz9 years ago in Beat
The Revivalists: Funky Rock and Soul
At a time when independent music is enjoying a great deal of exposure, new types of bands are arising from music cities across the country. In New Orleans, one such act is creating their own soulful, funky brand of rock to great acclaim. The Revivalists are a rock group consisting of David Shaw on vocals, Zack Feinberg on guitar, Ed Williams on pedal steel, Rob Ingraham on saxophone, George Gekas on bass, Andrew Campanelli on drums and Michael Girardot on keyboards and trumpet. With their large setup, the band has a very large and dynamic sound with many great subtleties.
By Frederick Park9 years ago in Beat
Iron Reagan: Crossover Ministry ALBUM REVIEW
Iron Reagan continue to keep the flame of crossover thrash burning on this new LP. To listen to this album is to listen to thirty minutes of fast, glorious and straightforward fury. Sometimes it feels good just to shout.
By Roland Tillyer9 years ago in Beat
Broken Record Part 1
As you know, album sales for the mainstream music industry peaked in 1995-1999. The decline since has been epic. This has been largely blamed on piracy and a transition to digital media, but is this decline more about a lack of consumer confidence? The music industry has set the bar in heavy-handed marketing, corporate oligarchies, and cheaping out every time they get the chance. Record companies are a caricature of overreaching big business. The public's perception of this industry was always poor; it could be considered sleazy at best. Now it’s completely isolated, soulless and outrightly despised across the board. Millennials are consumed by music and media yet at the same time not buying it. What’s different? One of the biggest barriers may be the lack of real choices.
By Brett Hogan9 years ago in Beat
Don't Forget the Flamin' Groovies
The Flamin Groovies released their third album, Teenage Head, back in 1971 to much critical praise. However, because the group was known only tentatively in the Midwest and San Fransisco (where they originated about 1968), the record won little popularity and no airplay.
By Will Vasquez9 years ago in Beat
Foxygen: Hang Album Review
After the total failure of their previous album and experimental venture …And Star Power, this new LP Hang could have seen the band going two different directions. Thankfully, they executed this new release with renewed focus and energy, creating something with some serious swagger and theatrical wistfulness.
By Roland Tillyer9 years ago in Beat
