WV Sound Blog - WVLIVING.COM

05/22/13

Miniature Giant Defies Definition

While a band bonded to the essential guitar, drums, and bass, Michael Workman, lead vocalist and guitar player of Charleston’s Miniature Giant, says the group prefers to ditch the purist punk rock attitude and stay as broad and leash-free as possible. “When it comes to writing songs, we’re very open to a range of sounds,” he says. “Our ears are always at work, grabbing tidbits from all sorts of music we listen to—bringing those experiences together is what it’s about for us.” Since the summer of 2011, Michael, Jeremy Brown, and Johnny Ballard have held this mentality, and while most of their songs follow a strict three-chord structure, it’s noticeable that the guys are aiming for more. Songs like “Young and Broke”...

Posted at 06:32 AM Comments

05/15/13

Meet Yellowdog Union

You could say a stolen wallet motivated Morgantown punk rock band Yellowdog Union to start playing music. Though Adrian Larry, Cameron Proffitt, Dano McCawley, and Jamie Simmons briefly performed together in the rock band Draegerman in the early ’90s, Yellowdog Union didn’t materialize until one night at 123 Pleasant Street in 2012. “Dan and I were sitting at the bar, and he asked me if I wanted to start playing music again with the Draegerman crew,” guitarist Adrian says. “After a few rounds, I said yes. Dan got me drunk and stole my wallet, and I had to join so I could get my credit cards back.” Yellowdog Union might be fairly new to the local band scene, but the members are experienced performers who’ve played in local rock favorites...

Posted at 05:45 AM Comments

05/08/13

Dance a Decade Later

Free Morgantown dance party will travel down memory lane.

Posted at 09:07 AM Comments

05/01/13

John Denver Tribute to Play Metropolitan Theatre

“I don’t go onstage and try to imitate, and I think that’s why the audience responds so well,” says Chris Collins, singer of the John Denver Tribute band Boulder Canyon. “They can sense our genuine approach to his music, and ultimately that’s what matters.” On Saturday, May 11, 2013, Boulder Canyon will roll through Morgantown to perform at the Metropolitan Theatre on High Street. The show will kick off the band’s 2013 tour, a new attempt, Chris says, to really get out there and push celebrating Denver’s life and work. Chris says he naturally connects to Denver’s lyrics, and when he sings his songs he feels as if he’s chatting with an old friend. “I’ve never seen many distinctions between the...

Posted at 06:26 AM Comments

04/24/13

Rock Duo Keepin’ It Haggard

With only a couple of drums and an electric guitar, Morgantown rock duo Haggard Wülf delivers a captivating macabre vibe with its own twist on blues, folk, and rockabilly. Playing a snare drum and a bass drum while standing up, lead singer and drummer Michael Kulina belts out chilling lyrics with his gruff, soulful voice. Guitarist Chris Shuttlesworth plays mischievously, spurring electric guitar riffs while donning a bit of an outlaw stage presence—a bandana over the bottom of his face. Songs like “Death Parade,” “The Floorboards,” and “Never Bet the Devil Your Head” are popular ditties from their 2011 album, Those Who Cried Wulf, and newer songs “Bath Salt Blues” and “Night of the Vampire” are other local...

Posted at 05:05 AM Comments

04/17/13

Big Ass Manatee Reunites for Mayday Prom

Morgantown remix dance-band returns to 123 Pleasant Street.

Posted at 07:22 AM Comments

04/10/13

D.I.Y. Provides Slate Dump Signature Sound

Sometimes, you have to do it yourself. The budget’s either too tight to hire professional help or there’s discomfort with placing your baby into unknown hands. Sometimes, boys, you just have to do it yourself. For Jason McQuillen, a.k.a. one-man-band Slate Dump, both are reasons to self-produce, record, and release his passionately, low-fi records. And he prefers it. “That style of recording sounds more organic, down to the root, and are more sincere,” he says. “It’s less contrived and conveys more of the original emotion.” Along with his D.I.Y. aesthetic, Jason makes it a point to record and use only first takes as his final product. His latest record, Memphis Women Don’t Wear No Shoes, as well as his previous four albums, all...

Posted at 08:30 AM Comments

04/03/13

Support This Sutton Music Festival

The Elk River Music and Arts Festival aims to raise funds for the Elk Theatre.

Posted at 08:58 AM Comments: 1

03/27/13

Nine Artists to Take McClafferty’s Stage in Songwriter Showcase

Morgantown songwriter showcase set for April 6, 2013.

Posted at 06:25 AM Comments

03/20/13

The Cathartic Beats of Bishops

Martinsburg’s Bishops writes rock songs with a catchy, smart simplicity.

Posted at 06:58 AM Comments

	05/22/13 Miniature Giant Defies Definition While a band bonded to the essential guitar, drums, and bass, Michael Workman, lead vocalist and guitar player of Charleston’s Miniature Giant, says the group prefers to ditch the purist punk rock attitude and stay as broad and leash-free as possible. “When it comes to writing songs, we’re very open to a range of sounds,” he says. “Our ears are always at work, grabbing tidbits from all sorts of music we listen to—bringing those experiences together is what it’s about for us.” Since the summer of 2011, Michael, Jeremy Brown, and Johnny Ballard have held this mentality, and while most of their songs follow a strict three-chord structure, it’s noticeable that the guys are aiming for more. Songs like “Young and Broke”... Posted at 06:32 AM Comments
	05/15/13 Meet Yellowdog Union You could say a stolen wallet motivated Morgantown punk rock band Yellowdog Union to start playing music. Though Adrian Larry, Cameron Proffitt, Dano McCawley, and Jamie Simmons briefly performed together in the rock band Draegerman in the early ’90s, Yellowdog Union didn’t materialize until one night at 123 Pleasant Street in 2012. “Dan and I were sitting at the bar, and he asked me if I wanted to start playing music again with the Draegerman crew,” guitarist Adrian says. “After a few rounds, I said yes. Dan got me drunk and stole my wallet, and I had to join so I could get my credit cards back.” Yellowdog Union might be fairly new to the local band scene, but the members are experienced performers who’ve played in local rock favorites... Posted at 05:45 AM Comments
	05/08/13 Dance a Decade Later Free Morgantown dance party will travel down memory lane. Posted at 09:07 AM Comments
	05/01/13 John Denver Tribute to Play Metropolitan Theatre “I don’t go onstage and try to imitate, and I think that’s why the audience responds so well,” says Chris Collins, singer of the John Denver Tribute band Boulder Canyon. “They can sense our genuine approach to his music, and ultimately that’s what matters.” On Saturday, May 11, 2013, Boulder Canyon will roll through Morgantown to perform at the Metropolitan Theatre on High Street. The show will kick off the band’s 2013 tour, a new attempt, Chris says, to really get out there and push celebrating Denver’s life and work. Chris says he naturally connects to Denver’s lyrics, and when he sings his songs he feels as if he’s chatting with an old friend. “I’ve never seen many distinctions between the... Posted at 06:26 AM Comments
	04/24/13 Rock Duo Keepin’ It Haggard With only a couple of drums and an electric guitar, Morgantown rock duo Haggard Wülf delivers a captivating macabre vibe with its own twist on blues, folk, and rockabilly. Playing a snare drum and a bass drum while standing up, lead singer and drummer Michael Kulina belts out chilling lyrics with his gruff, soulful voice. Guitarist Chris Shuttlesworth plays mischievously, spurring electric guitar riffs while donning a bit of an outlaw stage presence—a bandana over the bottom of his face. Songs like “Death Parade,” “The Floorboards,” and “Never Bet the Devil Your Head” are popular ditties from their 2011 album, Those Who Cried Wulf, and newer songs “Bath Salt Blues” and “Night of the Vampire” are other local... Posted at 05:05 AM Comments
	04/17/13 Big Ass Manatee Reunites for Mayday Prom Morgantown remix dance-band returns to 123 Pleasant Street. Posted at 07:22 AM Comments
	04/10/13 D.I.Y. Provides Slate Dump Signature Sound Sometimes, you have to do it yourself. The budget’s either too tight to hire professional help or there’s discomfort with placing your baby into unknown hands. Sometimes, boys, you just have to do it yourself. For Jason McQuillen, a.k.a. one-man-band Slate Dump, both are reasons to self-produce, record, and release his passionately, low-fi records. And he prefers it. “That style of recording sounds more organic, down to the root, and are more sincere,” he says. “It’s less contrived and conveys more of the original emotion.” Along with his D.I.Y. aesthetic, Jason makes it a point to record and use only first takes as his final product. His latest record, Memphis Women Don’t Wear No Shoes, as well as his previous four albums, all... Posted at 08:30 AM Comments
	04/03/13 Support This Sutton Music Festival The Elk River Music and Arts Festival aims to raise funds for the Elk Theatre. Posted at 08:58 AM Comments: 1
	03/27/13 Nine Artists to Take McClafferty’s Stage in Songwriter Showcase Morgantown songwriter showcase set for April 6, 2013. Posted at 06:25 AM Comments
	03/20/13 The Cathartic Beats of Bishops Martinsburg’s Bishops writes rock songs with a catchy, smart simplicity. Posted at 06:58 AM Comments

WV Sound

Keeping a beat in the Mountain State