The Skinny: The Bands You DON’T Want to Miss! – Volume #01

what’s The Skinny? here’s the deal. There are SO many sick bands out there that just don’t get enough love. Well, with The Skinny, that’s all going to change. We have taken it upon ourselves to get together and bust out a list once a month where we tell you about a handful of sick-ass bands that we feel NEED to be heard. Signed or unsigned, new or old, these are just bands that deserve some additional attention. We challenge you to take the time to check each one out; they are amazing, they are loved, and now they have been Skinned.

02. Earshot (Rock/Metal) [ skinned by: Amanda Symynuk ]
the skinny: an alternative metal band from Los Angeles, California, currently signed to Indegoot/Fontana/Universal Records. The band has released three albums: Letting Go, Two, and most recently, The Silver Lining on August 26, 2008. The band has often been compared to Tool, and in particular, singer Wil Martin has often been compared to Tool’s singer Maynard James Keenan. In early 2007, Earshot signed with Indegoot/Fontana/Universal Recordings, and began working on a new album, produced by Brian Garcia and co-produced by Wil Martin. This band has so much talent and ought to be given way more recognition.
links: MySpace | Pure Volume | Home | Label

03. Separation Of Self (Metal/Rock/Progressive) [ skinned by: Jenny Wixom ]
the skinny: this Salt Lake City progressive metal act already has a huge following in Utah and is on the verge of receiving much deserved national recognition. Formed in 2004, they have shared the stage with Snot, Machine Head, American Head Charge, Life of Agony, Otep and many others. Check out the track “Before and Again,” you won’t be disappointed!
links: MySpace | Home

04. The Eyes Of A Traitor (Metal/Progressive/Hardcore) [ skinned by: Grewsome Geddes ]
the skinny: a technical/melodic metalcore band from Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. The band had been together since they were all the age of 16. Now after a few years, their hard work has paid off as on February 23rd, 2009 the band will release A Clear Perception an amazing album that sets the bar for all metalcore that is technical, catchy and heavy… yet with a touch of soft melodic tones. Listen to The Eyes Of A Traitor now, you will not be let down.
links: MySpace | Label

05. The Courtship (Rock) [ skinned by: Matt Murphy ]
the skinny: a band hailing from Ottawa, Ontario. They combine all the great things about southern metal and metalcore. They have been ripping up lower Ontario since their birth, which was only a few months ago. Their debut EP comes out February 21st, 2009 and it’s called Complete Protection from the Living Dead. Check out the song “Take Her Easy” on their MySpace.
links: MySpace

06. Meg & Dia (Rock) [ skinned by: Robin Tarnowetzki ]
the skinny: Meg (Guitar) and Dia (lead singer) are two sisters who formed a band in 2004. Originally an acoustic duo, they were eventually joined by Nicholas Price (drums), Jonathan Snyder (bass) and Carlo Gimenez (guitar) for a more fleshed out, rock sound. They have released three albums and three EPs, along with putting out music with two side projects. Girls have a bad reputation in music, but Meg and Dia know how to rock. An antithesis to pop music, a lot of their music is influenced by literature, but it’s far from being pretentious. Meg’s harmonies complement Dia’s lead singing perfectly, and I highly recommend the band.
links: MySpace | Home | Label

07. Pygmy Lush (Folk, Punk, Experimental) [ skinned by: Amanda Cuda ]
the skinny: formed by ex-Pg.99 members Mike Taylor, Chris Taylor and Johnny Ward in 2005, Pygmy Lush have released two albums that sound like they have a little case of schizophrenia. The latest, Mount Hope, was recorded by none other than Converge’s Kurt Ballou and released in 2008. Their sound hops between the kind of hardcore that you’d expect from these guys to a really dark sounding acoustic folk rock. At first, I didn’t know what to make of it, but variety is the spice of life my friends so give it a chance.
links: MySpace | Label

08. Ensiferum (Metal, Folk, Viking) [ skinned by: Lina Gosselin ]
the skinny: a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. Formed in 1995 by guitarist Markus Toivonen, who picked the name Ensiferum (“sword-bearing”) from a Latin dictionary and released their 3rd full-length album April 20th, 2007. This band incorporates a perfect blend of folk metal, Viking metal and melodic death metal. Their music is both epic and addictive. I highly recommend them to any serious folk metal or Viking metal fans.
links: MySpace | Home | Label

10. Da Royal Family (Alternative, Hip-Hop, Metal) [ skinned by: Andrea Hitchman ]
the skinny: a fresh mix of rock, metal, rap, hip hop and trip hop. This band has always been about one thing: rocking hard for the fans and originality. They formed in 2004 and were at first just jamming odd mixes of metal and hip hop on guitar and bass. Once joined by specs one on the drums in 2005. however in late 2006 DA ROYAL FAMILY as it is today wuz formed. with the addition of two new members, a swap in instruments and a firm line up, DA ROYAL FAMILY now had new energy and direction. with DA Hen on the drums, Specs Ones killin the mic as the M.C ,Akbar Roosevelt still on guitar and verbal assult, Jimmy T now keepin tabs on the low end /vocals and Dj Brisco adding icing to the cake. Now armed with a set of killah tracks, DA ROYAL FAMILY is ready to start recording their first full length disk in spring 2009..
links: MySpace

11. Rotting Christ (Black Metal) [ skinned by: Zhubin Salehi ]
the skinny: a melodic black metal band from Greece formed in 1987 by brothers Sakis Tolis (vocals and guitar) and Themis Tolis ( drums). Originally started as a grindcore band, they later became a black metal act. I checked them out for the first time last January at the Annex Wreckroom in Toronto, ON. I didn’t know them before but I heard about them from friends. As the started to play in front of a very enthusiastic audience, I enjoyed every single song they played although it was my first time hearing them and I was wondering how I missed them for the last 20 years. I know I won’t miss another show ever and I highly recommend their music.
links: MySpace | Home | Label

12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Indie, Alternative) [ skinned by: Will Lyon ]
the skinny: YYY’s are an alternative rock band, based in New York City. They were formed in 2000 and consist of Karen O (vocals), Nick Zinner (Guitar) and Brain Chase (Drums). They announced on 13th February 2009 that their 3rd album, titled ‘It’s Blitz!” would be released on 13th April 2009. This album emerges after recording half of it in “a barn in snowy Massachusetts and half in the Texan desert.” Releasing an album every three years, 2009 is set to be another massive year for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They have a great sound of thick, shredding guitar with Karen’s piercing vocals and there is no doubt their sound is unique. This album is going to be big and make sure you catch them on their forthcoming tour as they are truly mind blowing live.
links: MySpace | Home | Label

13. No Assembly Required (Metal, Alternative, Hardcore) [ skinned by: Brad Hoath ]
the skinny: an alternative band from Toronto, Canada who formed in 1999 in a music scene that didn’t want to acknowledge their existence. NAR fought for their success and are triumphing. In 2009, NAR will release their newest album, St. Petersburg. This band is full of some of the most dedicated guys in the music business and it is their drive and talent, combined with patience that will lead them to the top of the Alternative music charts.
links: MySpace | Pure Volume | Home | Label

15. ChthoniC (Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal) [ skinned by: The Governor ]
the skinny: a melodic black metal band from Taiwan who add traditional Taiwanese music, such as the er-hu, the Japanese funeral violin, to their sinister sound. Drenched in black and corpse paint the band has become the most popular rock band in Taiwan, winning best band at Golden Melody awards (the equivelent of a Grammy) presented to them by the President. The music embraces the legends and history of Taiwan, much of it related to the movement for an independant Taiwan. ChthoniC is very active within this movement, particularly vocalist Freddy Lim who spoke at the United Nations, as a part of the band’s UNlimited Taiwan tour, intended to pressure the UN to recognize Taiwan as seperate from China.
links: MySpace | Home | Label

17. Unearth (Metal, Hardcore, Metalcore) [ skinned by: Bruce Moore ]
the skinny: A smokin’ Metalcore band that was formed in 1998 in Massachusetts. They released their latest and what I feel is their greatest disc, The March, in October 2008 on Metal Blade Records. According to Billboard Magazine, The March as of January 2009 has sold over 100,000 copies. This is a phenomenal band and you owe it to yourself to check them out.
links: MySpace | Home | Label

we want YOUR input! so do you think we suck at skinning bands? Do you have a group that you want to see posted here? Well then take two minutes and send us an email to mail[at]puregrainaudio.com with your thoughts. We’ll take each letter seriously and with any luck you’ll see your nomination live in one of our future installments of The Skinny!