Fans With Bands

A chat with Art, Foot, Deanna, and Daryl from Hate Unbound with fans Deli, Mike, Sean, Stewie, and Melinda. We talk about the new Hate Unbound album Darkness Becomes All and their unique songwriting approach which features beers and post hockey rage. The laughs are continuous as we talk about infamous touring stories, first albums, first concerts, and travel destinations such as the Bar-hamas.

A chat with Carrie and Lawrence of The Whiskey Charmers with their fan Ben. We talk about our favorite songs from their new album Lost On The Range. In addition, we touch on the songwriting magic of placeholder words. This conversation then delves into the power of video soundtracks to broaden an artists reach.

Favorite Songs

I asked about my favorite song from the new album called “Crossfire”. Carrie hints that perhaps the song is a reflection of a time when she wasn’t quite being kind to herself. One of Ben’s favorite songs is “Human” which is in the video game "Detroit: Become Human" by Quantic Dream. He thinks the band should play that more often in their live sets. What do you think?

Lawrence and Carrie said part of the problem is that they have so much material it can be hard to pick a set. They once did a special event and played five full sets without repeating a song or adding a cover. That is a ton of material to choose from. Lawrence said the new songs tend to be the favorites. Older tunes sometimes get lost in the mix. In a dream world where cash is no limit, The Whiskey Charmers would love to put out a double live album. Sounds like we fans need to get a crowdfunding project underway.

Songwriting and First Albums

In a nod to the writing of William S. Burroughs and David Bowie, Carrie uses an approach to writing lyrics that borders on the cut up technique. As she works out a melody, she inserts a placeholder word. A random word that fits the melody. While they seem to be just placeholders, they magically transform into the actual lyrics in a sort of transcendental meditation spontaneous spark. Like David Bowie, the Whiskey Charmers do write songs about space travel and musings on what this all means.

As music lovers, we had to chat about first albums. Carrie’s first was the soundtrack to the movie “Grease”. Lawrence from the tender young age of six was into the mean and gritty rocking blues of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell. Ben went big on his first musical purchase with Black Sabbath’s “We Sold Our Souls For Rock and Roll”. Facing the wrath of his parents, Ben walked up to Kmart and proceeded to revel in the glorious power chords of Black Sabbath.

Guitars and First Concerts

While we were talking, Ben showed off his sweet Dean Psychobilly Cabbie hollowbody archtop electric guitar in taxi cab yellow with black and white checkerboard. Don’t even ask, as Ben isn’t selling this baby. Carrie then showed off Lawrence’s sweet Les Paul which was a gift from his brother. Lawrence loves the guitar since it reminds him of his guitar hero, Randy Rhoads.

Chatting about guitar heroes leads to first concerts with Elton John, Kiss, Bob Seger and Ozzy. This included some fun family memories with Lawrence. Ben remembers his family taking him to see Bob Seger. Ben eventually becomes good friends with Cole Seger (Bob’s son) who happens to be a hell of a filmmaker.

Video Games and Satanic Doo-wop

Somehow we looped back to playlists, Spotify, and the Detroit: Become Human game which featured The Whiskey Charmers as well as other Detroit artists Thornetta Davis, Emily Rose, Rocket 455, White Shag and Model 500. The power of a video game soundtrack can’t be overstated.

Ben mentioned that he listens to the Whiskey Charmers daily. In his weekly mix he also recommends The Gaslight Anthem “The ‘59 Sound” and Twin Temple a Satanic doo-wop band. Yes, you heard correctly, satanic doo-wop. You never know what an episode of Fans With Bands can bring.

Links and Such

Dig into all the stories on this episode of Fans With Bands with The Whiskey Charmers. We hope you enjoy it! Subscribe to Fans With Bands on your favorite podcast service such as Apple, Google, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Audible or Stitcher.  Be sure to rate the show and please send us feedback. We would love to hear from you.

 

Check out The Whiskey Charmers music on Bandcamp

Follow The Whiskey Charmers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Keep an eye out for Ben's new podcast called

A chat with Mike, Matt, and Tommy of the band Slumlord Radio with fans Cindi and Darrell. This conversation was infectious and fun. We started off sharing our astrological signs. Then moved into the backstory of Slumlord Radio and the perils of moving from Sweden as impressionable youths with dreams of stardom. We marveled at how well Matt, Tommy and Mike have no hint of their former Norwegian accents.

A chat with Matt the vocalist for the legendary technical death metal band Cryptopsy and the host of an amazing podcast called Vox & Hops which features stories about the best of metal music and craft beer. Joining us for this conversation is craft beer and metal fan extraordinaire, Jerry.

A chat with Kristin and EZ from the band LadyShip Warship. Their self-titled debut is raw emotive rock music that sings to the soul. Joining us for our conversation are fans Lee and Spencer. We talk about music inspiring art, DIY music, the local scene, and life.

A chat with Clint the vocalist for the Lansing, Michigan extreme metal band Recorruptor and Nick a fan of band.

Fans With Bands is a brand new podcast where we talk with fans and the bands they dig about music, life, and whatever else we can think of. Our first episode is a brief introduction to the podcast.