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July 26, 2007

Alliens

Recorded July 16, 2007

Producer Notes: When I heard Alliens were coming to the studio, I knew very little about them - reggae, three piece, somewhat confusing name. By the time they pulled out of the lot, I had become a gawking fan. The name stems from their common last name, Allen, as the drummer and keyboardist are brothers and the guitarist a close cousin. I recognized the drummer from an old Blacksburg reggae band Carbon Culture, but this project blows the doors of the genre wide open. Check them out if you can, and if you're lucky you'll see them with a special guest or two.

See more of Alliens
Alliens' Myspace Profile

June 14, 2007

August

Recorded May 14, 2007

Producer Notes: It often takes a good amount of time for bands to unload their gear, set it up, do soundchecks and finally to record the songs, and about midway through the session I realized that I wouldn't be able to catch the bus I needed to get back home to Blacksburg. The guys in August lived in the NRV, and graciously offered to give me a ride after the recording was done, so we finished up the last song and headed out. Before hitting the interstate, we decided it would be fun to stop by the local shopping mall in Roanoke to grab a bite to eat and check out the record store. After knowing these guys a total of 3 hours, I felt like I'd known them for years. It was fun to hang out with the guys and get to know their different personalities, but when it comes to music they're completely professional. All in all, these guys are a band that is on track to explode (and young enough to have the ambition).

See more of August
TimesCast premiere
Myspace profile

May 8, 2007

Affliction Kid

Recorded February 19, 2007

Producer Notes: The members of Affliction Kid have been around the Roanoke punk rock scene for quite a while, but that doesn't stop them from bringing the fast-paced, upbeat and fun energy every time. Their visit to the MusicCast was no different, and being genuinely nice guys didn't hurt either.

See more Affliction Kid
TimesCast premiere
Myspace profile

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About this blog


Top 5 music videos this week on the MusicCast

Updated May 14: We have a new number one music video in MusicCast land. For six weeks, The Seed ruled the top spot with "No More." Well, no more. This past week, the Pickin Buds from Rocky Mount moved into the top spot on our list of most-played local music videos with "Demijohn."

The Seed didn't fall far, though. The jamsters still own three spots in the Top 5. And the Roanoke Allstars continued to hang in there, as well. Falling out of the Top 5 this week: The Wading Girl.

If you think your band's video should be in the Top 5, well, post it to our site, and maybe it will be. We base this list on who gets the most plays each week, so keep clicking. Details are below.

Here’s the week Top 5, based on number of plays on this MusicCast this past week:

1. Demijohn," by the Pickin Buds
2. "No More," by The Seed"
3. "Can You Understand?," by The Seed
4. "OxyContin Rock," by the Roanoke Allstars
5. "A New Season," by The Seed

Next update coming: May 21.

Next band coming to the MusicCast: Maybe yours, if you submit a video.


What is the MusicCast?

The MusicCast is a video blog of local bands. We started in the fall of '06 bringing bands into our studio at The Roanoke Times. That proved popular with fans, not so much with our co-workers -- especially after one metal band brought in amps the size of a small house. We're told that things were rattling on desks on the second floor.

Now we're recording out of Jake Dempsey's Red Room Studio in Roanoke.

Along with the videos themselves, you'll find links to the band's website and MySpace profile. Click the MySpace profile link to see when the band is playing again and to contact them directly.

How do I navigate this site?

Below, you'll find an alphabetical list which contains all of the MusicCast videos. Don't know what you're looking for? Just click around until you find what you like - it's all here.

How do I upload my band's video?

Got questions? Got a request? Want to know how to get your band on the MusicCast? Contact music writer Tad Dickens or click here to upload your video(s).


For more about the local music scene . . .

Check out our local music blog, cutNscratch by Tad Dickens and Ralph Berrier.

Recent comments

  • These guys totally rock! Not many people knew that I jam out to bluegrass, but ...more - Edwina Prunty
  • Great Band, hope to see a lot more of these guysmore - Tom
  • ladies and gentlemen the one , the only Allan Mower…without whom…more - Papa Joe
  • Defining the genre of "Epidemic Rock."more - Mower
  • sounds amazing! marvelous job all around. :)more - Kenny V

Monthly archives

Band List

Other music videos

Here are some other music-related videos we have:

* Benefit concert at Jefferson Center for musicians who lost instruments in fire.

* Blame James, a feature on the Blacksburg band.

* Christmas song contest winner Jeremy Lorton.

* Concert for Virginia Tech, featuring highlights from Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Phil Vassar and Naz, September 2007.

* Guitarists Dan Dunlap, Charlie Hamill and Kenny Seay talk about Eric Clapton’s influence.

* Harper, an Australian musician, leads a workshop on the didgeridoo. That's an instrument, by the way.

* Harper performs at Blue 5.

* Hip-hop at the Roanoke library.

* North American music blends three styles, from Quebec to Appalachia to Mexico.

* Roanoke punk rockers talk about music and anger.

* And we also have more than 50 podcasts with musicians, ranging from locals such as The Wading Girl and TK-421 to national acts such as Aaron Neville, Southern Culture on the Skids, and Col. Bruce Hampton.

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