May 15, 2010

Ram Jam 2010

Ears are still ringing from–you know–that's a tad bit unoriginal to start your blog out like that. We available ll, in my time Tyler Talking...it seems to be. So that being said, in addition to the new Tyler Talk site launching and debuting, let's get into the talk about Ram Jam '10.

I slapped together a short Valor Dictus online blurb about it, which drew a fairly modest crowd. But once you make the link  on Facebook...it's insane.

What I really have to say though is this is the first Ram Jam I went to where every single band was really, really, really talented and enjoyable. No–I'm not saying that to look nice and fluffy for this blog post. In past Ram Jams, there have been many crappy bands.

Now, let's get into the highlights of Ram Jam:



  • Connor Diez of Downtown Jive shredded like no other, especially in their cover of Newborn by Muse
  • ...then again...not sure if it could top off Ryan Brady's (Thunder Autopsy) energetic solo
  • Be Easy was a soothing siesta following Autopsy's performance, mixing in a bit of ska
  • Crafty and creative, Tchakalla Romeo and Booyaka took a new ambitious approach far different from other bands, and were pretty damn good at it too
  • Sure Nate Banks was solid with Triumvirate, but hey...the sax with Booyaka...by far the best. Without any doubt
  • In spite of some one noticeable problem with Jonah Welt's amp, HyeTension manages to take first place in the competition. 
Garrett has a couple videos from all of the bands, so when he posts them up on GKS, Facebook, YouTube and any other site that as video sharing...I'll link it up on the above highlights. 

Band recap:

Triumvirate

Okay, I'll be honest. I missed their performance of Sunday, Bloody, Sunday. Why? Well, just in case some of you forgot, there was a crazy hailstorm yesterday and hailstones the size of ping pong balls were falling at my house. Seriously, though not exaggurating. And I hadn't had dinner yet, so stopped at Subway for a sub before heading over. 

When I did walk in though, they were...well I'm not sure what song they were playing. Mainly because they finished up as I walked into the theatre. Sat down to hear them play their Beatles' cover of "I Saw Her Standing There", and what I liked the most was their drummer also backing up on vocals. Though I missed half their performance it seems like they really got the audience of what had to be at least 500+ people, quite energetic.

Downtown Jive

Apparently the band formed together just two weeks prior to Ram Jam. A little bit skeptical about that, because I remember a GMR clip running saying that tapes had to be in about two-and-a-half weeks prior to the event itself. Never the less, in their "short time forming", they placed a spectacular performance. Their closing cover of Muse's Newborn was what I thought, had to be the best solo at the event. That was Connor Diez. Since I'm music retarded, I'm not sure what it's called when you...ah forget it. It was a sick solo, anyone there would back me up for it.





Joy In Court

Evidentially they had a good deal of heavy metal influence. Not talking about modern-day, metal-core or nu metal, metal from the late 80's kinda deal. Emphasizing on root beer, big arms and a tribute to some girl (All apologies, I forgot the name. SHAME ON ME!), they were primarily an instrumental band with a knack for chugging out heavy riffs. Andy DeBoard's tranquil intro was hysterical, but I don't think a lot of people were picking up on his humor.

Thunder Autopsy




If there's any band I'm not going to forget, it's this band. Well one: because I practically know the entire band, two: Ryan Brady. Three: Ryan Brady, and four: Ryan Brady. Holy crap. He took the auidence by surprise by his signing of 'I Believe In a Thing Called Love' by the Darkness. If that wasn't enough: solo one: air guitar solo. The ultimate comic relief to JIC's tribute song, but that wasn't enough.
Take solo two. Running behind Kyle Barry's amp and picking up a guitar hero controller. The mocking of all the band members was great. Going balls out with Trajan Smeeth, aggresive "riffs" with Kyle Barry, pretending to smash down David Janas' symbols, and then–some what–playing with Collin Schumpp on bass.


Be Easy

"After that last band, lets tone thing down a bit," is what Connor Riley (?) said before their cover of Down, Down, Down by the Expendables. 

Booyaka

Nate Banks did incredible with the sax...but he seemed pissed the whole time.



He played well though, as did the whole band. Won't waste time yet again priding another group, so here's a their performance of "Dat Fiyah" so you can have your own judgement.


HyeTension

At this point do I even bother praising the band that one it all? Probably not. Collectively...everyone knew how great they performed. That being said, another video I saw on Facebook of them performing.


My "Awards" to the Ram Jam artists

Best Vocalist: Tchakalla Romeo – Booyaka
Best Guitarist: Connor Diez – Downtown Jive
Best Bassist: Jonah Welt – HyeTension
Best Drummer: Jake Simon – HyeTension
Best Sax: Nate Banks – Booyaka & Triumvirate
Best Pianist:
Best Cover: Sublime's "Santeria" – Be Easy
Most Energy: Ryan Brady – Thunder Autopsy
Fourth Band (best band that didn't come in the top three by the judges): Thunder Autopsy

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Has laoreet percipitur ad. Vide interesset in mei, no his legimus verterem. Et nostrum imperdiet appellantur usu, mnesarchum referrentur id vim.

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who da hell is trajan smeeth?

 

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