KRANKEN WELPEN…. WHAT THE F$%#@-IN... DAS IST GOOD YAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!

KRANKEN WELPEN is a German/American heavy metal polka band based out of Southern California.

OK, this guy call me out of the blue and asks me about the magazine and what we do, and we start talking and he tells me he is with a “Metal Polka” Band… right out of the funny papers I do a verbal double take. “A Metal Polka” Band … I thought maybe he was pulling my leg, but they are the real deal, like straight out of the Black Forrest they are a real band, I got the CD and I have to tell you these guys are phenomenal.

 

KRANKEN WELPEN has played many a venue and have entertained many a folks with driving riffs and a seriously hilarious take on a cultural music that is often parodied, not since Weird Al has anyone been able to play Polka music with the enjoyable irreverence yet attentive to detail attitude.

“The music is original, melodic heavy metal in addition to songs that incorporate heavy polka elements” said the founders and creative team of the band are Professor Slaughter and Chaos, a married couple of German / Hungarian decent, who also compose actual polkas for Dutch and German clients.

KRANKEN WELPEN is’t de Bomb, complete with authentic costume of the old country and musical diversity moving from the comical to the serious in the measure of a chord

The band is known for theatrical live performances and crowd engagement, and often headlines Oktoberfests and beer festivals. In addition to original music, they perform live "heavy metal polka" renditions of classic Dr. Demento songs, as well as a heavy metal polka composition of Brahms "Hungarian Dance no. 5", complete with lyrics.

 

Kranken Welpen

KRANKEN WELPEN have a large following across all social media ,having shared the stage with other like Great White and Dive Bomber, a local LA favorite lead by singer / performer Kris Keyes. KRANKEN WELPEN headlined the Fender Center Corona, Stone Brewery's 17th anniversary show, and was the featured band for Big Bear's Rocktoberfest at the Cave and also the featured band the final Saturday night at Big Bear's official Oktoberfest.

KRANKEN WELPEN is:

Karpathia KrankenChaos.....Vocals/guitar/various instruments

Professor Slaughter............Bass/vocals/guitar/accordion

Deakon Lekross.................Lead guitars

Auf Trinken........................Second lead guitars

Willy Weisen.....................Rhythm guitars

ThunderStix.......................Drums

 

 

Read more and enjoy the band at:

www.facebook.com/krankenwelpen

www.reverbnation.com/krankenwelpen

www.youtube.com/krankenwelpen

~Remember, it's all fun und games until someone gets an eye polka-ed out. Then the REAL fun begins!

 

 

 

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The Fluidity of a Personal Nervous Breakdown the Heals

CD Review: A Separate / Divide by Liquid Casing

Happy Astronaut Recordings 2013

http://www.liquidcasingmusic.com

Review by Joseph Timmons: Xombiewoof.Com Magazine

The newest offering of music by Liquid Casing is a triumph of introspective ambience and soulful vibrato, it is not an album to be listened to but experienced. With atonal qualities and resonating dissonance, it works its way into your very fiber and swells into a living part of you.

Such is Music Therapy

Akin to music created by historic groundbreaking artists like King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Spooky Tooth and of recent years Tool / A Perfect Circle, A Separate / Divide gives the listener something to hear, energetic, original and fresh, it speaks to you on an inner plane. This album is edgy and asymmetric; yet whole, not a moment is wasted in its highly emotional rollercoaster of sound.

I harken to King Crimson’s Court of The Crimson King, an album that was in its day the apex of experimental sound, like that album, A Separate / Divide, with its quick tempo changes, choral structures and use of horns and instrumental waves creates an environment into which the listener is thrown hoping to find something to cling to while floating in its rapids of sound.

From out of Houston, TX they come to energize the music scene of America, and not a moment too soon, their album is available in CD and digital download, but it belongs on Vinyl, 180gm to be exact, Archival quality to be sure.

In this review I will not list tracks, I want you to get this album and be struck in awe from the beginning.

For my favorite track…. Every song is just part of one; it is all encompassing, get it and love it, I Did !

Now, go take your meds.

Follow Liquid Casing on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/liquidcasingmusic

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CD Review - Jumpin’ Java: A Smooth Bebop Blend

Jumpin’ Java: A Smooth Bebop Blend By The Rich Severson Quartet

Available at http://www.guitarcollege.net/cds.html and http://www.guitarcollege.com

Album Review by Joseph Timmons: Xombiewoof Magazine

Jazz is a truly mysterious blend of limitless chords, of harmonics and un-syncopated rhythms. Jazz is the music that frees the soul and moves with an energizing spark that lights up the night. Since its inception Jazz is a course of music that is an entity unto itself and is never the same song twice. I have known Jazz Musicians that can play in a studio then play the same song live and it sounds completely different. The great jazz artists of our times are legendary musicians shrouded in shadowy clubs and guarded secrets of the ins and outs of the musical trade. No matter what style of music one may claim to adore, the same person will also like Jazz, it is in every heart and soul or every music lover, from its gentle single note riffs to the massive leg twitching, dance motivating ensembles, Jazz is everywhere and in everything.

The Rich Severson Jazz Quartet’s album Jumpin’ Java: A Smooth Bebop Blend is a collection of triumphs in Jazz, from its slow moving suites to its rip roaring grooves, it is a great album by a group of musicians that, until now, may not have been recognized or respected for their talents.

From the first track “Jumpin’ Java” to the last track “My Bird” this is a great, self-produced disc of what should, and still could be world renown pieces of great music . All the songs are original compositions by Rich Severson, whom is also a founding educator of Guitar College ( http://www.guitarcollege.com ) a website developed to teach any and every guitar enthusiast from beginner to experienced player the note and chord progressions, composition and “fingering” skills needed to perfect a truly unique and strong guitar playing style. His tutorials range in price starting at .99 cents and there are downloadable notes, materials and Home DVD course videos available.

Jumpin’ Java: A Smooth Bebop Blend is not just a coffeehouse background music CD that melts away the stress of the day, it is a get the blood pumping, can’t sit still in your chair, lets raise the roof type of album that makes you want to dress to the nines and get your boogie on!

Click here to visit their web page, to order the CD and listen to a track off the album Jumpin' Java, a very upbeat and loveable piece.

Other songs range from dark and smoky to high perk, funky and soulful & bluesy scores. There is something for everyone on Jumpin’ Java: A Smooth Bebop Blend, you will just want to have this CD for your collection, a collection of fantastic music, created by a group of great musical artists.

Available as a CD Disc or MP3 Download, you can also get the sheet music for this album, to learn from, play along with or play for friends and family. You may find other albums done by Rich Severson and enjoy those selections of music as well. If you are a musician looking to earn your Jazz Marks, you can get the class materials and learn how Rich Severson created these masterpieces of music.

The album Jumpin’ Java: A Smooth Bebop Blend by the Rich Severson Quartet is a must for any music lover, especially for the Jazz aficionado that loves to get down in southbound style.

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The Sight and Sound of Pure Innovation From SONY

New Software from Sony: Vegas Pro and Spectra Layers Pro, bringing the Pro Studio into the Home Studio

Review by Joseph Timmons – Xombiewoof Magazine

Sony has for many years been recognized as a leader in audio and video technology, everything from personal audio players and cameras to full performance stage equipment and the software that drives the industry. At the NAMM convention in Anaheim California, Sony gave convention participants a chance to see and work with the most recent tools of the trade that will inevitably change how studio sound and video will be processed. I met with the representatives and was blown away by the versatility of 2 of the titles that I feel will be their most popular and truly innovative offerings. After the convention I introduced the following titles into our studios here at Xombiewoof Magazine and put the software to the test and I have great news to report.

Spectra Layers Pro, sound editing software that gives you literally complete control of the sound editing process post recording to and throughout the editing stages. Those familiar with computer design are knowledgeable of the layer editing process in regards to graphic and photo manipulation. The premise of Layers allows you to add, subtract and / or reduce and images properties to create an image that is both accurate and visually stunning. Until the creation of Spectra Layers Pro, this was a very difficult process to do with audio files; Spectra Layers Pro allows the music files to be separated into “Layers” by variables on decibels and sound wavelengths. One can take a sound file, say an audio interview in the field and edit the sound qualities- let’s say you had an audio file that had a siren or distractive element, you can locate and either reduce or completely remove this sound from the sound file without damaging or needing to re-record / re-engineer the entire file. Spectra Layers Pro will also allow the introduction of sound or modifications of sound to enhance, duplicate or increase said files audio attributes. Similar to the forensic software that is available at a much higher price range but with an ease of use that makes this software perfect for the smaller budgeted or home studio enthusiast. This software is for use with either Mac or PC based systems and has versatile keystroke and hot-key functions.

Configurable tools include Harmonics, Frequency, and Area – you can predict what your desired selection should be and dial them in to highlight only what you need, quickly, cleanly, and intuitively. Spectra Layers Pro takes audio copy and paste functionality into whole new dimensions, shuttling blocks of sound between layers can be used in analysis and repair tasks as well as for radically creative arranging and rearranging of sound. You're never more than three easy steps away from a new audio layer in Spectra Layers Pro; you can reach directly into the core DNA of a sound and extract it out to develop new audio life forms. You'll never again see unwanted noise in the same light after working with it in Spectra Layers Pro.

Supported File Formats –

Read: AAC, AIFF, Apple Core Audio Format (.caf), Apple Lossless (.alac), FLAC, MP3, RAW/PCM, Real Media (.rm), Sun (.au, .snd), Video (AVI, MXF, MP1, MP2, MP4, MKV, Quicktime, .vob, .wmv), Ogg Vorbis, Wave, WMA

Write: AAC - 256kbps, AIFF - 24-bit PCM, Apple Core Audio Format (.caf), Apple Lossless (.alac), FLAC, MP3 - 320kbps, Wave - 24-bit, Wave - 32-bit, RAW/PCM 32-bit, Ogg Vorbis - 320kbps, WMA

PC Based Systems

· Microsoft® Windows Vista™ 32-bit or 64-bit SP2, Windows® 7 32-bit or 64-bit SP1, or Windows® 8 32-bit or 64-bit operating system - Dual-core processor (quad-core processor recommended) 2 GB RAM with 2 GB of free hard disk space (for temporary files) - Supported NVIDIA or AMD/ATI GPU with 512 MB or more RAM / NVIDIA: GeForce GTX 2xx Series or higher with driver 285.62 or later. Quadro 400 or higher (or Quadro FX x700 or higher) with driver 285.62 or later.

· AMD/ATI: Radeon HD 47xx or higher GPU with Catalyst driver 11.7 or later. If using a FirePro GPU, FirePro unified driver 8.85 or later is required with 1280x720 display resolution.

· Windows-compatible audio hardware - Internet Explorer 8 or later, Firefox 10 or later, or Google Chrome 13 or later (for viewing help)

Mac OS

· Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) 10.7 (Lion) 10.8 (Mountain Lion)

· Intel dual-core processor (quad-core processor recommended)2 GB RAM

· 2 GB of free hard disk space (for temporary files)

· OpenGL 2.1 compatible graphics card with 256MB - 1280x720 display resolution

· CoreAudio-compatible audio hardware

Vegas Pro 12 is an integrated, forward-thinking production environment designed for a new generation of creative professionals. Combining a familiar track-based timeline with hundreds of thoughtful workflow innovations, Vegas Pro 12 is a modern approach to post-production, supporting more formats, more workflows, and more creative control than ever before, Vegas Pro 12 makes it easy to deliver your message and express your artistic vision.

In the same way that large television studios and video production units can input signal from multiple camera inputs and edit sound compared to a master track, Vegas Pro 12 can create a stunning visual final product in half the time and at a very reduced cost in post-production hours, included is the ability to create titles, credits and captions, sub mix audio tracks and author final product to video and Blu-Ray.

You can import and export images, graphics and footage with easy and flawless motion. Editing video is a snap with simple point and click features, easy to navigate tools and menus. Edit images to mask objects, such as a t-shirt with a questionable image, or artistic image editing, all on one screen, no need to export and reimport from external auxiliary or 3^rd party titles that may or may not match the desired quality.

Vegas Pro 12 is the top of the line title from Sony with a suggested price of $ 599.00; it costs less than many titles with only 1/3 of the features.

Vegas Pro 12 system requirements PC Based Systems:

· Microsoft® Windows Vista® 64-bit SP2, Windows 7 64-bit, or Windows® 8 64-bit operating system

· 2 GHz processor (multicore or multiprocessor CPU recommended for HD or stereoscopic 3D)

· 500 MB hard-disk space for program installation - 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

· OHCI-compatible IEEE-1394DV card (for DV and HDV capture and print-to-tape)

· USB 2.0 connection (for importing from AVCHD, XDCAM EX, NXCAM, or DVD camcorders)

· 512 MB GPU memory

· Windows-compatible sound card

· DVD-ROM drive (for installation from a DVD only)

· Supported CD-recordable drive (for CD burning only)

· Supported DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW (for DVD burning only)

· Supported BD-R/-RE drive (for Blu-ray Disc™ burning only)

· Microsoft .NET Framework 3.51 (included on application disc)

· Apple® QuickTime® 7.1.6 or later for reading and writing QuickTime files

· Internet Connection (for Gracenote MusicID Service)

· GPU-accelerated video processing and rendering require an OpenCL™-supported NVIDIA®, AMD/ATI™, or Intel® GPU with 512MB memory or more.

Go to http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com to learn more about, or better yet, to get your own copy of Vegas Pro and Spectra Layers Pro, 2 of the newest, and by far the best of what is being offered by Sony for the highest quality of sound and video production.

 

* Specifications and context fact checked at Sony Creative Website and photos / artwork courtesy of Sony Creative

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Music Returns to Being Real

Lately I have been hearing quite a bit of bragging about how bands are going back to analogue (analog) means of recording and mixing.  Over the past few years this "return to realness" is being broadcast by the likes of David Grohl, Slash, Jack White and many others.  So why the hype?  What's the difference?  Here's a short lesson for you kids out there..

Being a mediocre singer myself, I am shamefully not opposed to a little digital boost to widen range, round out a tone or help me reach thru a long phrase without feeling like I will pass out before my next breath. One such commonly used program for this is Pro Tools. Created by 2 college students in 1989, it has capabilities to make anyone singing or playing an instrument sound fantastic by digitally altering the sound frequency to the tiniest slightest degree or completely alter to something you could not imagine possible. . The Beach Boys were first to record an album with Pro Tools.  Was it really necessary?  The Beach Boys have already established great harmonies and a unique sound? So, yeah, those legendary harmonies got a bit of a boost but did they need it, really?

There is a place for altered music, electronica, dance, all use sound manipulation technology to create their booming or exceptional to nature sound. Films, TV shows, commercials require things to be done quickly and may require fantasy type scores.  Even remastering old soundtracks benefit from a bit of tooling.

Analogue on the other hand, is as close to live performance as you can get. The first recording device is a debate between a German company in 1935 and Thomas Edison in 1877. Over the past few centuries, the technology has evolved, but analogue means, as close to real as one can get.

Some ensembles will perform their part individually, mixed in later, there is no fixing it. If you screw up, the tape stops, gets physically cut out or re-wound and you start over.  This is time consuming and expensive so the process requires one to be prepared and know what they are doing.  Analogue also has less ability to manipulate a sound; a tonality of a piece will depend on the instrument, mic type, style,placement and quality. Other variables include the mixing boards frequency control and the ears of all involved in producing the sound.  Comparison, hand tossed or microwave  pizza, you don't really want a machine to make that do you?

The realness of music is deeper than just the lyrics of an artist pouring his / her heart out for all to relate to and sing along. Being against the use of digital enhancement of music Jack White said;"I think Pro Tools is highly inappropriate to record music... It's too easy to correct mistakes, it's too easy to fix things. We hear this sort of clean, plastic perfection that's been applied to all the tracks. That is not the kind of music we grew up loving and listening to and wanting to be a part of".

The return to realness is a direct reflection of a demand for quality. First and foremost, the demand of an artists expectations for their work, above all must be authentic to their vision. Second, from the consumer / fan perspective, the fallen economic status of many has inspired the astute frugal consumer to clip and save; but, how can you ( legally) do that with music? ( Or any art for that matter?)  To demand quality and authenticity is one way to get your monies worth.

If you're old enough to recall a time when electronic music ruled the charts, it was a time of prosperity, people had more money to spend, music acts came and went quickly.  Quality was not a priority due to disposable income. If you don't like something, you bought it knowing it would fade and you could buy more.  That's not the case now a days. And the consumer is now demanding higher quality from everywhere. In the music community, its not always cheaper to use analogue methods. You have to hire one or two extra people to work with the machines, tapes and transfers. Then, the extra step of transferring that to a digital format.  But its well worth it when you see the concert and can recognize the breaks, the breaths and while listening to your personal music purchases digitally, you don't loose out on hearing the pick hit the strings.

Some bands have always used analogue, but most have been tempted to stray. The return to realness is a welcome revival of a retro means of giving us just a little bit more, getting us just a little bit closer to our Favorited Lords of music we love to worship.