Ventura, CA - 8/30/2009
Photos by: Ama Reeves
BETRAYED
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Rise and Fall US Tour!
10/05: Baltimore, MD @ Sidebar w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/06: Richmond, VA @ Alley Katz w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/07: Raleigh, NC @ Brewery w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/08: West Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/09: Atlanta, GA @ PS Warehouse w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/10: Birmingham, AL @ Green Cup w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/11: Little Rock, AR @ Vinos w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/12: 1919 Hemphill @ Fort Worth, TX w/ Bitter End, Mammoth Grinder, Creatures
10/13: Austin, TX @ Emo's w/ Bitter End, Mammoth Grinder, Creatures
10/14: San Antonio, TX @ Ten Eleven w/ Bitter End, Mammoth Grinder, Creatures
10/15: Tucson, AZ @ Living Room w/ Creatures
10/16: San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe w/ Ceremony, Lewd Acts, Black Breath
10/17: Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction w/ Ceremony, Lewd Acts, Black Breath
10/18: Salinas, CA @ Building E w/ Ceremony, Lewd Acts, Black Breath
10/19: Las Vegas, NV @ Eastside Joes w/ Creatures
10/20: Albuqeurque, NM @ Taylair w/ Creatures
10/21: Denver, CO @ Blast O Mat w/ Creatures
10/22: Kansas City, MO @ Mission Theatre w/ Creatures
10/23: St Louis, MO @ Fubar w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/24: Chicago, IL @ tbd w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/25: Indianapolis, IN @ Murphy Building w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/26: Cincinnati, OH @ Warsaw Arena w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/27: Romeo, MI @ Static Age w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/28: Cleveland, OH @ Tower 2012 w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/29: Lemoyne, PA @ Championship w/ Cold World, Creatures
10/30: Edison, NJ @ Clara Burton Hall w/ Cold World, Creatures
10/31: Albany, NY @ Valentines w/ Cold World, Creatures, Title Fight, Cruel Hand, Mother Of Mercy
11/01: Holyoke, MA @ Waterfront Tavern w/ Cold World, Death Before Dishonor, Creatures
10/06: Richmond, VA @ Alley Katz w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/07: Raleigh, NC @ Brewery w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/08: West Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/09: Atlanta, GA @ PS Warehouse w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/10: Birmingham, AL @ Green Cup w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/11: Little Rock, AR @ Vinos w/ Bracewar, Creatures
10/12: 1919 Hemphill @ Fort Worth, TX w/ Bitter End, Mammoth Grinder, Creatures
10/13: Austin, TX @ Emo's w/ Bitter End, Mammoth Grinder, Creatures
10/14: San Antonio, TX @ Ten Eleven w/ Bitter End, Mammoth Grinder, Creatures
10/15: Tucson, AZ @ Living Room w/ Creatures
10/16: San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe w/ Ceremony, Lewd Acts, Black Breath
10/17: Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction w/ Ceremony, Lewd Acts, Black Breath
10/18: Salinas, CA @ Building E w/ Ceremony, Lewd Acts, Black Breath
10/19: Las Vegas, NV @ Eastside Joes w/ Creatures
10/20: Albuqeurque, NM @ Taylair w/ Creatures
10/21: Denver, CO @ Blast O Mat w/ Creatures
10/22: Kansas City, MO @ Mission Theatre w/ Creatures
10/23: St Louis, MO @ Fubar w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/24: Chicago, IL @ tbd w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/25: Indianapolis, IN @ Murphy Building w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/26: Cincinnati, OH @ Warsaw Arena w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/27: Romeo, MI @ Static Age w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/28: Cleveland, OH @ Tower 2012 w/ Harms Way, Creatures
10/29: Lemoyne, PA @ Championship w/ Cold World, Creatures
10/30: Edison, NJ @ Clara Burton Hall w/ Cold World, Creatures
10/31: Albany, NY @ Valentines w/ Cold World, Creatures, Title Fight, Cruel Hand, Mother Of Mercy
11/01: Holyoke, MA @ Waterfront Tavern w/ Cold World, Death Before Dishonor, Creatures
Monday, August 24, 2009
Alana Potocnik of Abigail Williams
Interview- Ama Reeves
Ama: What is your name and what do you do?
Photos Submitted by Alana from Various Artists
In a genre that runs rapid with testosterone, beer, blood, and groupies there stands very little space or desire for female musicians. With Abigail Williams, this is not the case. This epic black metal band is now on it's third female (and completely gorgeous) keyboardist, Alana Potocnick. Just as predecessors (who've moved on to the likes of Cradle of Filth and Winds of Plague), Alana isn't there just for her looks. Her talent and song writing capabilities put her in a league or her own and that's why Invasion loves her!
Alana:My name is Alana Potocnik and i play keyboards in Abigail Williams
Ama: Were you ever in any bands before Abigail Williams?
Alana: Yes, iv been playing in bands since i was 14, but my most recent national act i played in was called The Breathing Process
Ama: Abigail Williams has had alot of line up changes, is this the permanent line up?
Alana: Not to sure yet, were still undergoing some tryouts. We want to make sure the line up is solid before announcing anything set in stone.
Ama: Your predecessors Ashley and Kristen have gone on to do some great things, are you stoked for them?
Alana: Of course, its always awesome to hear other girls in metal, succeeding. Best of luck to them, they are going far!
Ama: Was it hard to fill their shoes?
Alana: I was worried as to of what people may think about me or fans comparing me to ashely alot, but i think alot of people respect me as a pianist because trust me, ashleys work is not easy. She is an amazing musician and im glad i had the opportunity to undergo the challenge of filling her shoes.
Ama: Your band sits on a lot of fences genre-wise what would you say you are?
Alana: I would like to label us as symphonic black metal. The music is very keyboard driven but dark guitars and fast drums.
Ama: Are you a classically trained musician?
Alana: Yes. i started with music when i was young, although i began playing guitar when i was 8, but i was convinced to take piano lessons also. I was first trained in jazz piano and then switched to classical.
Ama: What's the hardest part about being a girl in an all male touring band?
Alana: Haha, im pretty used to being on tour with a bunch of smelly guys, but the hardest part id say is being able to maintain my hygiene the way i like to. Also having to deal with the guys farting and talking about their sex stories although most of them make me laugh.
Ama: Your band is touring relentlessly for the next six months, is this hard on you?
Alana: I get homesick alot, but i love being on the road, its what i live for. I tend to get really sick on tour also so i know there will be a bunch of times where i wont be enjoying tour as much as usual. haha
Ama: What are some tour essentials, being a girl?
Alana: Hmm, some tour essentials. My green and black fuzzy blanket definatly, macbook and wireless card, make up bag, hair straightener etc. Showers, laundry rooms, BED, and a gym are some essentials are hard to find on tour that the guys dont need as much as i do.
Ama: Do you have any advice for girls trying to start bands?
Alana: Dont be discouraged because you are a girl, be strong and show them guys what we can do!
Ama: What's next for you and your band?
Alana:We have a tour in october with God Dethroned and a tour in January with Nile with more in the works. We are at home working on the next album currently.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Drag Me to Hell Review
By Ama Reeves
Of course the anticipation of a new Sam Raimi horror film just about drove me insane so when I saw that the Century 8 (the most ghetto theatre in the valley) was doing a midnight sneak preview on Thursday I was the first one in line. I had certain expectations for this film and I already had in mind that they would probably not be met. To my surprise it was everything that I hoped and dreamed it could be. Simple plot and wonderful visuals paying homage to classic horror and specifically, the Argento camp. Spot on lighting and no over dramatic CGI.
Quick Premise: A loan officer ordered to evict an old woman from her home finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse, which turns her life into a living hell. Desperate, she turns to a seer to try and save her soul, while evil forces work to push her to a breaking point
For Sam Raimi fans "the Classic", his Delta Oldsmobile is seen in the first fifteen minutes as the gypsy's car. A great treat! On top of that Ted Raimi and the rest of the Raimi family have cameos. Along with that plenty of scenes have the oh so Raimi style very reminiscent of Evil Dead 1 and 2. Keeping the campy mid-70's film alive is something that Raimi has strived to do throughout his entire career and seeing his renewed love and inspiration for the horror genre in full effect is absolutely incredible and resulted in 2 hours of thrilling nail biting entertainment.
In Defense of Depression- An Essay
By- Eros Marcello
I'd much rather be in a state of utter turmoil. You see, turmoil leads to
such vices as self-destruction, which is a supremely better method of creation
and expression. There's so much more to it. After all, the only things that
come from contentment are idleness, age and ego. Feeling happy is only
an omen for the bad things to come. The way I see it, if you're miserable every
second of every day, you always win. Nothing can bring you down lower. You
expect the worst all the time. No surprises, nothing. If your mother dies, if
your girlfriend fucks your best friend, if your car explodes, if your
dad gambles away your college funds, if the asshole at work gets the big
promotion instead of you, if you lose a breast to cancer...these are all things
that take part in the grand shit storm of your life.
Take a look around, and I mean take a good look around. Is there anything
worth being happy about? Is there any justification for being optimistic?
There isn't ever a bright side. There is no "other hand." The people
that tote and gloat about how positive and upbeat they are almost always the
people that are up to their wastes in debt, were abused as children or get off
to defecating on themselves.
The truth is that we are all damaged. Some just mask it with temporary pleasure
and most just deny it all together, but don't just take my word for it, it's an
industry. Thousands of people every year purchase anti-depressants and walk
into counseling offices, and my question is...
Why?
Am I missing something here? Am I the only one who recognizes the malevolent
beauty in introverted agony? My crippling doubt, my dirt low self-esteem, my
heartaches, my heartbreaks....I couldn't live without them. I dwell, sulk and
mope and do it all without shame.
Still skeptical? How about this, get your hands on the most depressed,
negative, lonely, good-for-nothing person you can find and put a gun right
between their eyes. Watch them tear up like a thirteen year old girl during her
first period. Listen to them beg for their lives and grovel at your feet. Press
the cold metal right up against their skin and just watch their hysteria ensue.
Now, if a legitimately depressed person loathed their existence so, why would
they fear a swift end to their troubles? Well, the same reason why teens cut
themselves and purposely botch their suicide attempts, the same reason people
waste themselves away with hard drugs and alcohol. These are individuals who
are unable to ascertain their intrigue, their lust for depression. The masses
claim they're merely "cries for help." Such cop-outs are laughable,
and only exist to serve as fitting scapegoats for a generation of parents who
are far more destructive and oblivious than the kids they're raising.
Ask yourself, which is stronger: Great joy or great sadness? Why is there
such heavy persuasion to disregard our negativity and our pessimism? By doing
so, you're overlooking an element of our primal nature as human beings. Put
down the Dr. Phil book, turn off Oprah. Life is not easy. Life is not simple.
Life is not pleasant. Life is not fair. Stop wasting your potential by
pretending otherwise and spawn something with your desperation instead of
hiding it in the lump in your throat.
It's the people that cling to their happiness who carry the most misery but
it's the people who embrace their despair who bear the most humanity. It's the
few who wave their emotional masochism like a flag that are truly to credit for
all beneficial, heartfelt, intelligent creation while the rest of the world
gallivants in their hollow, pointless glory. Which would you rather be, the
promotion instead of you, if you lose a breast to cancer...these are all things
that take part in the grand shit storm of your life.
Take a look around, and I mean take a good look around. Is there anything
worth being happy about? Is there any justification for being optimistic?
There isn't ever a bright side. There is no "other hand." The people
that tote and gloat about how positive and upbeat they are almost always the
people that are up to their wastes in debt, were abused as children or get off
to defecating on themselves.
The truth is that we are all damaged. Some just mask it with temporary pleasure
and most just deny it all together, but don't just take my word for it, it's an
industry. Thousands of people every year purchase anti-depressants and walk
into counseling offices, and my question is...
Why?
Am I missing something here? Am I the only one who recognizes the malevolent
beauty in introverted agony? My crippling doubt, my dirt low self-esteem, my
heartaches, my heartbreaks....I couldn't live without them. I dwell, sulk and
mope and do it all without shame.
Still skeptical? How about this, get your hands on the most depressed,
negative, lonely, good-for-nothing person you can find and put a gun right
between their eyes. Watch them tear up like a thirteen year old girl during her
first period. Listen to them beg for their lives and grovel at your feet. Press
the cold metal right up against their skin and just watch their hysteria ensue.
Now, if a legitimately depressed person loathed their existence so, why would
they fear a swift end to their troubles? Well, the same reason why teens cut
themselves and purposely botch their suicide attempts, the same reason people
waste themselves away with hard drugs and alcohol. These are individuals who
are unable to ascertain their intrigue, their lust for depression. The masses
claim they're merely "cries for help." Such cop-outs are laughable,
and only exist to serve as fitting scapegoats for a generation of parents who
are far more destructive and oblivious than the kids they're raising.
Ask yourself, which is stronger: Great joy or great sadness? Why is there
such heavy persuasion to disregard our negativity and our pessimism? By doing
so, you're overlooking an element of our primal nature as human beings. Put
down the Dr. Phil book, turn off Oprah. Life is not easy. Life is not simple.
Life is not pleasant. Life is not fair. Stop wasting your potential by
pretending otherwise and spawn something with your desperation instead of
hiding it in the lump in your throat.
It's the people that cling to their happiness who carry the most misery but
it's the people who embrace their despair who bear the most humanity. It's the
few who wave their emotional masochism like a flag that are truly to credit for
all beneficial, heartfelt, intelligent creation while the rest of the world
gallivants in their hollow, pointless glory. Which would you rather be, the
forest or the tree?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Artist Profile: Jay Jacoby
Interview- Ama Reeves
If you're a fan of modern youth crew one name is synonymous with this scene and it's album art- Jay Jacoby. He is our generation and genre's Raymond Pettibon. Not only is an amazing artist but did we mention he works for free? Keep an eye out for this talented artist with tons of great projects in the works with great up and coming bands!
Ama: What are you some of your favorite current bands?
Jay: Man, where to start? There are a lot of great bands going right now, it’s easy to be stoked on hardcore. Let’s see, Mindset and Right Idea, On, pretty much anything on React!, Alert, Force Fed, Remission, Outlast, Reveal the Truth, the list goes on and on.
Ama: Tell us some things you're posi about it?
Jay: Man, there are so many things, I guess I’ll break it down like, this: I love my wife and kids, my family and friends, my job is amazing. I can’t ask for more than that, really. Then on top of that, I’m doing art for a scene I love, full of individuals that, for the most part, are conscious and caring and are (hopefully) trying to affect a change, both within themselves and hopefully, the world around them. Let’s see what else? Talking to younger local kids that are stoked on the core, hearing a good band for the first time, getting e-mails from all over the world asking me to do art for their band, free shit in the mail, etc.
Ama:How long have you been doing art in the hardcore scene, what got you started?
Jay: After a couple of misfires, I really got my start about a year and a half ago. I had mentioned to Jeff Hess from Right Idea that if the band ever needed art, I’d be more than happy to do something for them. When Hess was working on his zine, he contacted me about doing a profile on me and several other artists and asked me if I would like to contribute something. I gave him an old drawing and a new drawing which he used and it’s just kind of snowballed from there. It’s come full circle too I just did the test press cover for the 7” version of the Right Idea Our World EP.
Ama: You seem to work primarily with youth crew bands, any specific reason why?
Jay: HAHA I never set out to do it that way, that’s just kind of the way it happened. And to be honest, it’s not really been a goal or anything, but the youth crew scene is small and pretty close-knit right now, and word travels fast. You put out the word you’re doing art for free and it attracts attention. I also think that the aesthetics of the original youth crew stuff holds up, it’s really clean and crisp (if that makes sense) and so is my “style”, if that’s what you want to call it, is kind of similar. I would never turn a band down based on the fact that they aren’t “youth crew”.
Ama: Are there any artists you look up to?
Jay: I have to say, I look at art constantly, there are so many talented people out there doing/have done, so many different things. Here’s a short list of people whose work I really admire and have a lot of respect for: Linas Garsys, Wassily Kandinsky, Mike Bukowski, Mike Mignola, Hokusai, Frank Miller, Brian Walsby, Pablo Picasso, Yoshitoshi, Jackson Pollack, Jake Bannon, M.C. Escher, the list goes on.
Ama: What are some of your inspirations?
Jay: As far as artistic? I’d have to say that I’m inspired mainly by the music I listen too, you know? I also think that a lot of the hardcore punk artists that have come before, Raymond Pettibon, Mad Marc Rude, and a lot of the guys listed above, always make me want to push it that much further. The idea that I’m trying to create something that conveys so much, either a band’s shirt or demo or record cover, into one singular image is a challenge. I’d like to think I do a fairly decent job of that. And other inspiration? This thing of ours, hardcore really.
Ama: What mediums do you enjoy working in the most?
Jay: As far as what I’m doing in HC, it’s pretty straight forward- pencil, eraser, and pen/marker; it’s really basic and really immediate. I’ve got very little experience on the computer so I’m hoping to remedy that and learn my way around the different programs to further help me. I also dig a lot of printmaking, which is what I got my first degree in college. It encompasses a lot of stuff, such as linoleum cutting and wood cutting, monotype, silk-screening, and lithography. One of these days, I would love to do something that combines both. We’ll see…
Ama: In a time where artists are making bank off bands why do you choose to work for free?
Jay: I’ve gotten so much from HC. The city I’ve grown up in has never really lent itself to my particular tastes in hardcore, even still, I’ve been able to connect to a lot of great people and bands over the years. I always wanted to do something, to contribute, to give back, as corny as that sounds. I figured that the best way to do that was to do something for the bands I love, do some art. I think that at some point, I may say “Hey, if you want to give me a little money, I would take it”, make it kind of an optional thing. Either way, it isn’t a part of what I’m about or where my interests lie. There are several bands that I’m doing stuff for that are paying me now because they want too and won’t take no for an answer. HAHA
Ama: Any new artists we should be checking out?
Jay: Really, the main guy that I always tell people to check out is XSlabaX. He and I bounce ideas off of each other, one of these days we’re going to collaborate on something epic, we just don’t know what yet. He is extremely talented and gets me stoked on the core and art on a regular basis. Also, Michiel Walrave, another good hardcore artist, he’s got a real bold style that lends itself well to the color he uses.
Ama: Tell us some big projects you have coming up?
Jay: My plate is full right now and really, I try and treat everybody and every band the same so I try not to look at certain projects as “bigger” than others. I’m working on stuff for Chapters from CAN, Stand Clear from the UK, Channel X from Malaysia, HoldXTrue from Hungary, something cool coming up for Outlast and Reveal the Truth from NJ and FL respectively, and some other cool stuff that I’m really stoked on.
Ama: Any last words?
Jay: First of all, thanks to Invasion, really appreciate this. Also, big shout outs to all of the bands that have asked me to work for them or are waiting on something from me, the Alert Crew, Dave and Outlast, Youth Crew Alex Records, XSlabaX, HYE, Jeff Hess, Evan and Mindset, Jym 129, and Aram and React!. If you want to get ahold of me, check out my blog at http://positiveartlook.
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