{"id":33764,"date":"2017-02-11T09:12:09","date_gmt":"2017-02-11T14:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=33764"},"modified":"2017-02-11T09:12:15","modified_gmt":"2017-02-11T14:12:15","slug":"on-stage-bonus-twiztid-continues-to-chart-its-own-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=33764","title":{"rendered":"On Stage (Bonus): Twiztid continues to chart its own course"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Formed in 1997, Twiztid is an 11-time Billboard chart-topping rap duo featuring Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child (a.k.a. Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric). The two former members of the group House of Krazees departed that group and formed Twiztid in 1997.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, 20 years later, the Twiztid guys are still going strong with more than 20 albums in their catalogue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Madrox and Monoxide Child could be content to settle into the cycle of releasing an album, touring extensively in support of the disc and then starting the cycle all over again with a new album.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, that\u2019s never going to happen. That\u2019s the \u201cstraight\u201d way and Spaniolo and Methric do things the \u201cTwiztid\u201d way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Twiztid will visit the area on February 11 for a convert at Reverb (1402 North Ninth Street, Reading, 610-743-3069, www.reverbconcerts.com<\/span><\/a>). The show is part of the duo\u2019s \u201cEat Your Heart Out\u201d U.S. tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back in October, Twiztid played a gig at the Troc in Philly as part of its \u201cSpooktacular Horror Show\u201d tour. On February 14, the pair will present Twiztid\u2019s \u201cFourth Annual \u2018Be My Bloody Valentine\u2019 Show in Virginia Beach and then will embark on its \u201cFreektasteless Show\u201d tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

Twiztid has its own record label and management company called Majik Ninja Entertainment and has just released its 12th album \u201cThe Continuous Evilution Of Life\u2019s ?\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018The Continuous Evilution Of Life\u2019s ?\u2019s\u2019 came out just over a week ago and charted at Number 28 on the Billboard Top 200 charts,\u201d said Madrox, during a phone interview Tuesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been working our asses off \u2013 staying the course and keeping true to the cause. Right now, we\u2019re in the middle of our \u2018Eat Your Heart Out\u2019 tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were recording the album all of last year. But, we stopped everything when it was time to go on the road. After the tours, it was re-getting familiar with the songs and getting back in the zone. It helped taking a break from the songs and then going back to them. We\u2019re absolutely happy with how the record came out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Continuous Evilution Of Life\u2019s ?\u2019s\u201d might just be Twiztid\u2019s best album ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe new album dropped on January 27,\u201d said Madrox. \u201cWhat I like about the new one \u2013 we didn\u2019t have any boundaries. We did songs we like to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t about doing what was expected of anyone. We catered to ourselves and we had a great time in the studio. I feel this time around there is a nice blend of everything. There is something for everyone \u2013 even if they didn\u2019t know they wanted it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was taking shape for a year out. The writing was different. Usually, it was one of three ways \u2013 one, Monoxide and I would hear a beat and write it on the spot; two, we\u2019d write separately; three, I\u2019d write a song with no music and sing it to him. This time, we worked together more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Continuous Evilution Of Life’s?’s\u201d features 12 all new tracks, primarily produced by longtime Twiztid producer Seven. However, the new album features four tracks with a clear hard rock influence — a crossover genre the duo has successfully dabbled in for over a decade. These tracks were produced by famed goth rock front man Davey Suicide and his keyboardist Needlz.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a catalyst for us doing a few hard rock songs,\u201d said Madrox. \u201cRight around the time we made our \u2018Freekshow\u2019 album in 2000, was when rap rock started taking off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like rock. Monoxide is more rap. Together, we\u2019re like peanut butter and jelly. We were primarily introduced as a rap duo but we\u2019ve become an entertainment duo. We\u2019re doing shit that we want to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two long-time friends from the Motor City have also devoted a lot of time and energy to building Majik Ninja Entertainment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a really busy time \u2013 not only with the band thing but we\u2019re also doing the record company thing,\u201d said Madrox.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe signed a shitload of new talent. We have some great young acts that are going to reshape the next 20 years of music. Most importantly, we make their drams become reality.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Twiztid \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/4QtokETDSiQ<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Reverb, which also features Blaze- Ya Dead Homie, Iamtheroc, G-Mo Skee, Lex The Hexmaster, Boondox The Scarecrow, The R.O.C, DRANGD, Kourt Jester and Lungz the Soulstealer, will start at 6 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Peter Cannella<\/p><\/div>\n

Another area show on February 11 checks in at the opposite end of the musical spectrum when The Block at Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia (777 Harrahs Boulevard, Chester, 484-490-1800, https:\/\/www.caesars.com\/harrahs-philly<\/span><\/a>) presents a special holiday event billed as \u201cValentine\u2019s with Sinatra at Harrah\u2019s Philly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fans of romantic music are invited to come out to Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia for a night with the music of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble’, Dean Martin and the other great crooners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hosted by Rotation Records, Peter Cannella and the Choper Jazz Project will treat the audience to an evening of romantic standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cannella, who has a distinctive voice, continually impresses audiences when he covers these great songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cannella describes his sound as traditional pop, swing and jazz. Also an accomplished songwriter and arranger, the singer and his band \u2013 The Choper Jazz Project — throw in an occasional original featuring a combination of traditional pop and dominant elements of modern music.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cannella\u2019s favorite singer has always been Sinatra. Growing up in New Jersey, his father played him Sinatra\u2019s CDs, and together they faithfully listened every Sunday to the radio show \u201cSunday with Sinatra.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When he was just eight years old, Canella began singing songs by Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Dean Martin and has been singing these standards ever since. Some of the tenor\u2019s favorite classics include Frank Sinatra\u2019s \u201cMy Way\u201d and Bobby Darin\u2019s \u201cMack the Knife.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrah\u2019s is issuing an invitation to music fans to come with friends or their special love and enjoy a night like it was back in 1960\u2019s Las Vegas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Peter Cannella — https:\/\/youtu.be\/-I4AFfWU-wk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Doors at The Block open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Annabelle’s Curse<\/p><\/div>\n

Another local show on February 11 will fall in the middle of these two extremes when Annabelle\u2019s Curse plays Ortlieb\u2019s (847 North Third Street, Philadelphia, 267- 324-3348, www.ticketfly.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Annabelle\u2019s Curse is an alt-folk band from Bristol, TN\/VA. Its members are Tim Kilbourne (vocals, banjo, guitar), Carly Booher (vocals, mandolin), Zack Edwards (guitar), Travis Goyette (percussion), and Tyler Luttrell (bass).<\/span><\/p>\n

As an independent band, Annabelle\u2019s Curse\u2019s fan support has been instrumental to the group\u2019s success. The quintet has released three full-length albums. The band\u2019s two most-recent albums \u2013 \u201cHollow Creature\u201d and \u201cWorn Out Skin\u201d — were fully funded by fans.
\nSince forming in 2010, Annabelle\u2019s Curse has toured extensively, developing a devoted fan base throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt started out as a three-piece with Zack, another guy and Tim,\u201d said Booher, during a phone interview Tuesday from Virginia. \u201cTim and Zack are the only two original members left. Travis and I were local and we all got to know each other as friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI used to go over and jam with them at their band practice \u2013 and I never left. Me not being in their band was not an option for me. I made up my mind I knew this was my musical family. That was back around the end of 2012.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Annabelle\u2019s Curse is an Americana band with some added elements.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Edwards, \u201cWe have kind of strayed from our roots a little more with each new album, leaning a little more on the electric side of things. That\u2019s also allowed for us to get weirder with our effects and textures.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith each album, we\u2019ve put a lot more effort and a larger budget towards the sound production. Over time, we\u2019ve gained more conviction, confidence and certainty in our sound. The music has kind of grown up along with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The group\u2019s new EP,\u00a0\u201cHere and Now\u201d\u00a0(due for release February 17, 2017), was produced by Bill Moriarty and Zach Goldstein.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the EP at the same time we were recording our last album,\u201d said Booher. \u201cWe cut the album last July at Kawari in Philadelphia (Kawari Sound Recording Studio in Wyncote).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe also made our third album there with Bill Moriarty. This time, we were in the studio for 10 days. We recorded 12 songs \u2013 three of which are on the EP. We recorded live as much as possible. A couple songs are 100 per cent live.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Writing is a band effort \u2013 and a never-ending endeavor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur writing process is never stop and start writing for an album,\u201d said Booher. \u201cIt\u2019s a continual thing \u2013 a process that doesn\u2019t really start and stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe great thing about this band is that it\u2019s more like we\u2019re best friends rather than bandmates. Musically, we really feed off each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Annabelle\u2019s Curse \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/1amkV1VnCc0<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Ortleib\u2019s, which also features Sing, Bird of Prey, and Nicklas Hughes<\/span><\/a>, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

John McCutcheon<\/p><\/div>\n

John McCutcheon will make a rare area appearance with a concert on February 12 at The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

McCutcheon is a Renaissance Man \u2013 one who prefers the rustic vibe of rural America to the pomp of a royal court. He is one of America\u2019s most respected and loved folksingers.<\/span><\/p>\n

As an instrumentalist, he is a master of a dozen different traditional instruments. His career has already spanned more than four decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

McCutcheon has received every imaginable honor, including six Grammy nominations. He has produced more than 20 albums for other artists. He also has written numerous books and instructional guides and helped start the first traveling musician\u2019s union — the Local 1000.<\/span><\/p>\n

McCutcheon plays numerous instruments including piano, guitar, auto harp and banjo.\u00a0 He is one of the world\u2019s master players of the beautiful hammered dulcimer.\u00a0 Usually, he plays all or most of these instruments during his one man show.<\/span><\/p>\n

On February 3, McCutcheon released his latest album \u201cTrolling for Dreams.\u201d It is his 38<\/span>th<\/sup><\/span> album \u2013 the same amount released by Bob Dylan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe songs for \u2018Trolling for Dreams\u2019 came in two parts,\u201d said McCutcheon, during a phone interview Tuesday from his home in the Atlanta suburb of Smokerise, Georgia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the songs were written six or seven years ago. I have this file where I keep different parts of songs \u2013 notes that I\u2019ve written on napkins or airplane barf bags. The file has all these scraps.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got sick last January and was confined to home for two months. I went through the entire file. Some songs were fully done. Some just needed fine-tuning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I went in to Bias Studios in Springfield, Virginia to make the album with engineer Bob Dawson, I had 35 songs ready. And then, some things were written on the way to the studio.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to work with Bob because he can make voice sound better than any other engineer in the world. I put my band back together and flew them in. It\u2019s a core band with guitar, keyboards, bass and drums.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI worked pretty quickly in the studio. I was acting as producer as well. We recorded most of it live. The bottom line was \u2013 did it feel right? We ended up using a lot of first takes. As a producer, I don\u2019t come in with charts and say \u2013 play I this way. I hire musicians for their musicality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter all the recording in Virginia was done, I drove to Nashville and got some of my friends there to add some stuff to the album. Then, the mixing process was slow, arduous and the most boring part.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Like many of the folksingers from the past, McCutcheon does not shy away from writing political songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA couple of the songs were written as a response to current events,\u201d said McCutcheon, a native of Wausau, Wisconsin. \u201cI don\u2019t need to go heavy on politics in front of the microphone. Instead, I like to present questions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for John McCutcheon \u2013 https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PtnHMKW0oZk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show on February 12 will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $39.50.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Mona<\/p><\/div>\n

For the longest time, the name \u201cMona\u201d meant one thing in the world of music \u2013 a song that was recorded by Bo Diddley in 1957, the Rolling Stones in 1964 and Quicksilver Messenger Service in 1969.\u00a0 The song, which was written by Ellas McDaniel, was also recorded by the Troggs, the Nashville Teens, and the Grateful Dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

That changed 10 years ago with the emergence of Mona, an alt-rock band from the Midwest. Mona — Nick Brown (lead vocals<\/span><\/a>, guitar<\/span><\/a>), Vince Gard (drums<\/span><\/a>, percussion<\/span><\/a>), Zach Lindsey (bass<\/span><\/a>, backing vocals<\/span><\/a>) and Jordan Young (guitar<\/span><\/a>, backing vocals<\/span><\/a>) \u2013 has its roots in Dayton, Ohio<\/span><\/a> and Bowling Green, Kentucky<\/span><\/a> and now calls Nashville home.<\/span><\/p>\n

On February 15, Mona\u2019s current tour will touch down at Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The band is touring in support of its new EP \u201cIn The Middle,\u201d which was released in October 28 on Bright Antenna Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded a group of songs over the last two-and-a-half years,\u201d said Brown, during a phone interview from a tour stop in St. Louis, Missouri.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe six songs on the EP were all done at different times. We originally were looking to do an album but then decided to go with an EP.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe hadn\u2019t released anything in a while so we wanted to re-introduce ourselves. It\u2019s a lot easier to do this with a smaller batch of songs. We\u2019re constantly compiling ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI own our studio so we are able to record at our own pace. There was no pressure. We never set time aside to write and we never run out of material.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did six songs at six times with five engineers. I think we were able to make it work because we were working at our own pace. And nowadays, with genres expanding, things fit together well. There really weren\u2019t any adverse effects form the variety of recording.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that the EP has seen the light of day, Mona is looking ahead to its next full-length.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have 10 songs that we already know could be the album,\u201d said Brown. \u201cYou never know. Songs are constantly beating each other out. We\u2019ll be writing and recording right up to the time we release the album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn our live show, we\u2019re playing a handful of tracks from all our releases and maybe four from the new EP. I\u2019m not a big fan of set lists. I just try to go out and read the crowd each night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Mona — https:\/\/youtu.be\/rgK_zzfYoUU<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Boot and Saddle, which also features July Talk and Little Junior, will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times Formed in 1997, Twiztid is an 11-time Billboard chart-topping rap duo featuring Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child (a.k.a. Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric). The two former members of the group House of Krazees departed that group and formed Twiztid in 1997. Now, 20 years later, the Twiztid guys are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33766,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[9444,7426,9445,9443,9442,6847],"class_list":["post-33764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-annabells-curse","tag-featured","tag-john-mccutcheon","tag-mona","tag-peter-cannella","tag-twiztid"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=33764"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33765,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33764\/revisions\/33765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/33766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}