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Music

How Kiki Wong Got The Gig With SMASHING PUMPKINS!

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Kiki Wong is a versatile guitarist, songwriter, and musician known for her work in the rock and metal genres. Kiki has gained recognition on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where she shares guitar tutorials, covers, and lifestyle content, often blending humor with her musical expertise. Now she has joined the Smashing Pumpkins as a touring guitarist and she’s kicking ass in the role!

The “top” Smashing Pumpkins songs can vary depending on personal taste, but here are five fan favorites and critically acclaimed tracks that consistently stand out:

  1. 1979 (from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, 1995)
    A dreamy, nostalgic anthem that captures the essence of youth and change with its mellow groove and heartfelt lyrics.
  2. Tonight, Tonight (from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, 1995)
    Grandiose and orchestral, this song combines hope and resilience, paired with one of the most iconic music videos ever.
  3. Bullet with Butterfly Wings (from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, 1995)
    Famous for the lyric “Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage,” this powerful track epitomizes 90s alt-rock angst.
  4. Cherub Rock (from Siamese Dream, 1993)
    A classic grunge-era anthem with soaring guitars and a rebellious, anthemic vibe.
  5. Disarm (from Siamese Dream, 1993)
    A hauntingly beautiful ballad featuring orchestral arrangements and deeply personal lyrics that tug at the heartstrings.
Music

Hated Albums In My Music Collection

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Brendon Snyder – Not all albums can be the best, that’s for sure. But sometimes the sound and direction is such a misstep that for me I can’t stand even having it in my music collection. However, I’m a completist and at times still want to try these “hated” albums and see if my opinion has changed. So join me as I run through some hated albums from my music collection.

*St. Anger* is Metallica’s version of a mid-life crisis—complete with a new snare drum that sounds like it fell out of a toolbox. This album has all the angst of a band trying to reconnect with their roots, but somehow ended up with a sound that’s, well, divisive, to put it politely. The production feels like they recorded it in an empty warehouse, left the reverb on max, and decided “Hey, what if we make Lars’s snare sound like he’s banging on a trash can?” It’s a bold move, for sure, and one that has since been lovingly referred to as the “ping of doom.”

The lyrics are like a mix of therapy session notes and heavy metal fortune cookies, with lines that range from “I’m madly in anger with you!” to “My lifestyle determines my deathstyle.” James Hetfield is trying to exorcise some serious demons, and you can tell he’s really feeling it—even if he’s not sure what “deathstyle” actually means. And while *St. Anger* lacks guitar solos, Kirk Hammett’s here for moral support, probably wondering where his chance to shred went. Love it or hate it, the album is like a car crash you can’t look away from—noisy, chaotic, and oddly fascinating.

Music

Vinyl Oddities: The Weird Side of Record Collecting

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This video from reccollect  highlights some of the coolest, craziest and weirdest vinyl record releases in the past 50 years. Some truly amazing gems here.

Music has seen its fair share of unusual releases, where artists really put their creative hearts (and possibly sanity) on the line. Here are five of the strangest ways people decided to distribute their music:

1. The Frozen Record (Shout Out Louds)

Swedish band Shout Out Louds released a single made out of ice. Yes, ice. Fans had to pour water into a custom mold, freeze it, and then play the fragile record before it melted. Listening quickly became a race against time. “How’d you like it?” “Well, I think I heard the chorus before the puddle on my turntable shorted out my speakers.”

2. The Chocolate Record (FC Judd)

In a rare attempt to combine auditory and digestive experiences, avant-garde electronic musician FC Judd created a playable record made of chocolate. This one hits that sweet spot: you can listen to it once, then chow down on it when you’re done. The downside? It sounds great until you reach the drum solo, where a suspicious crunch indicates you’ve just bitten off half the bridge.

3. The X-Ray Record (Soviet Bootlegs)

During the Cold War, enterprising Russians recorded banned Western music onto used X-rays because vinyl was strictly monitored. They called them “Bone Records” because they were literal X-ray images of skeletons. These were like the mixtapes of rebellion, complete with visible femurs. Imagine trying to explain to your friend, “Here’s that Beatles album… oh, and also, that’s Olga’s broken leg.”

4. The Blood Record (Kiss)

In true Kiss fashion, the band decided to mix their own blood into the red ink used to print their comic book in 1977, but Gene Simmons later hinted it ended up in a vinyl pressing too. So, yes, die-hard Kiss fans can say they literally own the band’s DNA. Just don’t expect it to pass any basic health inspections if you accidentally scratch yourself with it.

5. The Urine-Infused Record (Matthew Herbert)

For his 2019 release, experimental musician Matthew Herbert pressed vinyls using the sounds of his bathroom breaks, from the actual flush to… well, you get the idea. Yes, the album cover practically screams, “Sanitize after handling.” This was one record release that truly had fans divided: collectors loved it, but hygienists… not so much.

Music may be timeless, but these records prove that sometimes, it’s also best enjoyed on regular vinyl!

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Skid Row – Live In London – New Album Review

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Brendon Snyder – This is a review for the brand new Skid Row album Live In London. Record in 2023, it’s the band’s first full length live album from their 38 year career! Join me as I break it all down doing an in depth review.

Alright, let’s take a ride through the top 5 Skid Row songs!

1. “18 and Life”

Ah, teenage rebellion at its finest! This song is about Ricky, a guy who thought firing a gun was as harmless as firing off a witty comeback. Spoiler: it wasn’t. With its dramatic tale of mischief gone wrong, it’s basically the ‘80s hard rock version of every “Hold my beer” story you’ve ever heard, but with fewer mullets (barely).

2. “I Remember You”

This is Skid Row’s love ballad, so sappy it could glue your broken heart back together. Sebastian Bach belts out feelings so deep that even your ex might text you at 3 a.m. just to say, “I remember you too.” It’s a love song that’s basically the musical equivalent of sending 100 emoji hearts in a row.

3. “Youth Gone Wild”

This anthem is what happens when you mix teenage angst, loud guitars, and hair spray by the gallon. It’s like they took the energy of a sugar-fueled 5-year-old and slapped it onto the rebellious soul of a 1989 teenager. If you weren’t already wild, this song was an invitation to buy leather pants and misbehave immediately.

4. “Monkey Business”

No, it’s not about your annoying coworker. “Monkey Business” is Skid Row’s rock ‘n’ roll jungle where things get a little weird and wild. With riffs heavier than your morning regrets after Taco Tuesday, it’s a song that’ll make you want to swing from the ceiling fan—though not advised without proper safety gear.

5. “Slave to the Grind”

This song is like your Monday morning alarm, but with killer guitar solos and less snooze-button smashing. It’s the anthem for anyone who feels like life has them running on a hamster wheel made of iron chains and paperwork. Heavy, fast, and with more attitude than a teenager denied concert tickets, this track could make even the most laid-back person throw down some air punches.

Let’s face it—Skid Row’s top tracks are a blend of teenage chaos, love gone wrong, and riffs sharp enough to shred your soul (and maybe your hair). Enjoy responsibly!

 

Music

Ranking the ’90s + albums of Aerosmith, KISS, Blue Oyster Cult, and Ted Nugent (Sea of Tranquility)

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Pete Pardo (Sea of Tranquility) & Martin Popoff rank the ’90s & 2000s albums of Aerosmith, KISS, Blue Oyster Cult, and Ted Nugent. #kiss #tednugent #aerosmith #blueoystercult

The 1990s rock and metal scene in the U.S. was characterized by a diverse array of subgenres and a shift towards alternative and grunge rock. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden emerged from the Pacific Northwest with a raw, introspective sound that resonated with disillusioned youth. Grunge, with its distorted guitars, anguished vocals, and introspective lyrics, captured the zeitgeist of the era, reflecting a sense of alienation and discontent. Meanwhile, alternative rock bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots found commercial success with their blend of catchy melodies, heavy riffs, and introspective lyrics, offering a counterpoint to the excesses of mainstream rock.

In the realm of metal, the 1990s saw the rise of several influential subgenres, including thrash, death, and nu metal. Bands like Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer continued to dominate the thrash metal scene, refining their sound and pushing the boundaries of technical proficiency. Death metal bands like Death, Morbid Angel, and Cannibal Corpse explored darker themes and pushed the limits of brutality and speed. Meanwhile, nu metal emerged as a fusion of metal, hip-hop, and alternative rock, with bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Deftones blending aggressive riffs with rap-influenced vocals and electronic elements. Despite the diversity of styles, the 1990s rock and metal scene in the U.S. shared a sense of defiance and authenticity, as artists sought to express themselves honestly in a rapidly changing musical landscape.

Music

This is the pro-level MIDI GUITAR I have wanted for decades! Seriously…

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Jamstik just released their Classic MIDI Guitar – a 22-fret electric guitar with full MIDI capabilities. Powered by Jamstik signal processing technology & proprietary algorithms, the Jamstik MIDI guitar line represents state-of-the-art MIDI guitar performance built into a convenient all-in-one solution. As an electric guitar, the Jamstik Classic has everything you need. It features an HSS pickup configuration, 5-position toggle pickup switching, 2 tone knobs, 1 volume knob, and a standard 1/4” out. Wired MIDI-out options include a USB-C to USB-A cable or a 3.5mm TRS-MIDI cable. You can also connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.

Creating a MIDI guitar presents a unique set of challenges due to the fundamental differences between guitars and traditional MIDI controllers like keyboards. One significant hurdle is accurately capturing the nuances of guitar playing, such as string bending, vibrato, and palm muting, and translating them into MIDI data. Guitars produce sound through physical vibrations of strings, while MIDI controllers generate electronic signals, requiring sophisticated sensors and algorithms to interpret the guitarist’s movements accurately. Moreover, the wide variety of playing techniques and styles adds complexity, as the MIDI guitar must accommodate the diverse preferences of musicians, from shredding electric guitar solos to intricate fingerstyle patterns on acoustic guitars.

Another challenge lies in achieving reliable tracking of notes and chords in real-time. Unlike keyboards, where each key triggers a discrete note, guitars allow for polyphonic playing, where multiple notes can sound simultaneously. This requires robust detection algorithms capable of distinguishing between individual notes and chords amidst the complex interplay of strings. Additionally, latency becomes a critical concern, as any delay between the guitarist’s actions and the MIDI output can disrupt the flow of performance. Achieving low latency necessitates optimized hardware and software integration, as well as efficient signal processing techniques to ensure instantaneous response to the guitarist’s input. Despite these challenges, advancements in technology continue to push the boundaries of MIDI guitar innovation, offering new possibilities for musicians to explore and express themselves creatively.

Music

Top 10 Judas Priest Songs

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In celebration of the excellent new album Invincible Shield by Judas Priest, let’s Rank the Top 10 Judas Priest Songs!

1. “Painkiller” – This speed metal anthem is often considered one of Judas Priest’s greatest achievements. With its blistering guitar solos, powerful vocals by Rob Halford, and relentless drumming, “Painkiller” showcases the band at the height of their musical prowess.

2. “Breaking the Law” – A classic heavy metal anthem, “Breaking the Law” is instantly recognizable with its catchy riff and rebellious lyrics. It’s become a staple of Judas Priest’s live performances and remains one of their most popular songs.

3. “Electric Eye” – Known for its driving rhythm and futuristic lyrics, “Electric Eye” is a standout track from the album “Screaming for Vengeance.” The song’s catchy chorus and memorable guitar work make it a fan favorite.

4. “Victim of Changes” – This epic track from the album “Sad Wings of Destiny” showcases the band’s versatility and musical complexity. From its haunting intro to its powerful crescendo, “Victim of Changes” is a masterpiece of progressive metal.

5. “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” – With its anthemic chorus and infectious energy, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” became one of Judas Priest’s biggest hits. The song’s driving rhythm and memorable guitar solo have made it a classic of the heavy metal genre.

6. “The Hellion / Electric Eye” – Opening with the ominous instrumental “The Hellion” before launching into the electrifying “Electric Eye,” this track sets the tone for the album “Screaming for Vengeance.” It’s a perfect example of Judas Priest’s ability to create powerful and memorable music.

7. “Living After Midnight” – A staple of radio airplay and arena sing-alongs, “Living After Midnight” is a quintessential Judas Priest anthem. Its infectious melody and catchy chorus make it impossible not to sing along to. My band would play this as our encore song during live gigs. It always brought the house down.

8. “Turbo Lover” – From the album “Turbo,” this song showcases Judas Priest’s foray into a more glam metal sound. With its synthesizers and catchy hooks, “Turbo Lover” is a departure from their classic style but remains a fan favorite.

9. “Hell Bent for Leather” – This fast-paced anthem is a perfect showcase for Judas Priest’s trademark sound. With its driving rhythm and memorable chorus, “Hell Bent for Leather” is a classic example of heavy metal at its finest.

10. “Beyond the Realms of Death” – Often hailed as one of Judas Priest’s most emotionally powerful songs, “Beyond the Realms of Death” explores themes of isolation and despair. With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, it’s a standout track from the album “Stained Class.”