Thoughts Become Things Vol. I

I first came across Thoughts Become Things Volume I at the first round of the Bodog Battle way back last year, and I can’t apologize enough for taking so long to get to this review. The CD is a compilation of mainly Arizona artists with a small handful of out-of-state bands put together by Static Management and Red Balloon Records. The diversity is vast, from folk music to “hardcore”. The focus of Thoughts Become Things Volume 1 seems to be to drum up some excitement about the local scene with this 22 track disk. Selling for mere pocket change, this treasure can be found locally at Zia's, Rockzone Records, Stinkweeds and Cotown Records in Chandler. You can also purchase it at the live shows of the artists found on the CD (see below), you can email ami@staticmanagementONLINE.com OR hit her up on myspace HERE and she will hook you up!

Overall the CD is addictive and fun. I have had Thoughts Become Things Volume I for months, so I have listened to it thousands of times… basically tracks that may have blended into the background upon first listen have now grown on me. There are a few tracks that definitely stand apart from the rest like Neba’s “My Heart Always Beats Her,” The Stiletto Formal’s “The Fall of Ambrose Bierce,” and Black Carl’s “Chemistry.” Two of my favorite tracks are out-of-state bands, so I feel guilty mentioning them… but I will – Skybox’s (from Chicago, IL) “Various Kitchen Utensils” and The Craze’s (from Los Angeles, CA) “The Executive”.

Static Management and Big Red Balloon Records are already in the process of gathering bands for the next volume, and I am excited to see what it will have in store for us. Volume I is a great collection of up and coming bands, but I would like them to try to step away from “safe” mode and take a chance with some metal or maybe even punk genres (just an idea).

Get out there and get your copy of Thoughts Become Things Volume I featuring: Skybox, Underwater Getdown, This Century, What Laura Says Thinks and Feels, Good With Grenades, Get Down! To Brass Tacks, The Craze, Dakota and the Black River Bandit, Telescope, Desole, Deer or the Doe,Yellow Minute, The Loveblisters, Rocketline, Black Carl, The Stiletto Formal, Mercy Fall, The Cover Up", Vitruvian (now The Revival), Fight the Quiet, Neba, and Caecelia.

February 28th at the Modified Arts Center, Static Management will be having a show to help Thoughts Become Things transition into Volume II (currently in the works.) A mere 5 BUCKS gets you in the door. The line up for the night will feature Volume II artists such as: Princess Ladyfriend, Evan Brightly, Kinch and Black Carl.

Spider Hole - Dames

Originally posted by Alana Word

Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet
Eating her curds and whey

When along came The Spider Hole
Playing their rock and roll
Blowing Miss Muffet away.

The Spider Hole has officially arrived on the AZ scene with their first feature length recording "Vainglorious", produced by Larry Elyea at Mind's Eye Digital Studios in Phoenix.

The band, consisting of Ethan Scott: Vocals; Xerxes Quinn: Rhythm Guitar, Keys, Bass, Programming; Jai Sexton: Guitar; Future: Percussion, accurately describes their music as a "spin-cycle of rock-n-roll, cabaret, goth, and alternative". To me it sounds like divine inspiration, and maybe a blend of The Doors and Madness.

This album is poised for global domination with the obvious hit "Dames", for which the band has filmed a video. Though every song on the album is amazing my favorites are "Detective Show Boogie" and "The Great Dutch Reveal". The lyrics at first listen seem absurd with a flair for the ridiculous (which I absolutely adore) but later reveal themselves with relevancy to life. Every track of this CD is unique, with cleverly written lyrics and perfectly complimentary music. This band is packed with talent and creativity, there are no weak links. I can't wait to see what's next. I am a smitten kitten, and you will be too.

- Alana Word

Purchase Vainglorius at o22 HERE

Visit The Spider Hole on Myspace