This one's for the fans of alternative, grungy, good old Rock-n-Roll. Hailing from Poway, CA comes Monkeys in Space. The band formed in December of 2008 with one main goal-- to spread the badassery of rock, of course. The band members consist of Johnny Rukkus on guitar and vocals, Jeremy Vara also on guitar and vocals, Scott Szikla on bass, and Jason Dean on the drums. Sweet riffs and a truly awesome solo make its way throughout the seven tracks on this EP titled Flying Under the Influence. Monkeys in Space represent all that is Rock-n-Roll. They're totally grunge, groovy, and sound like a mix of awesome bands. You're in for a treat with these guys.
| | It has been said that rock is dead, but Monkeys in Space prove that this cliché is far from the truth. The dudes in this band show listeners everywhere that every aspect of rock is alive and it is proven in this EP. With grungy and groovy tunes, MiS reel in the listener with no hesitation. "Supermodel Suitcase" is totally and completely the highlight of the EP. Raspy vocals and groovy guitar make the song so unbelievably rock, it almost hurts. These guys make it obvious that they know rock and they know how to replicate it in the best way possible.
Grunge is the word that I'd use to describe the band's overall sound. Each track has its own grungy moment that reminds the listener of bands like Nirvana and Alice in Chains. Although I would describe them as a grunge band, MiS are most definitely not limited to that label. Their vibes seem to be infinitely multifarious. The genre of the EP morphs throughout each track which is a fascinating thing to capture when listening to an album. If you're into grungy music with a pinch of alternative and a boost of rock, this band is for you.
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Monkeys in Space can be compared to many notable bands such as Foo Fighters and Muse. Johnny's vocals are so much like Dave Grohl's with a twist of personal flair. It'd be absurd if a fan of rock couldn't hear the comparison between this band and many other popular alt/rock bands. This makes MiS much more prone to positive exposure with the rock scene. For all we know, they could open up for a Grammy award-winning band and get a standing ovation while the crowd asks, "Who the hell are these guys? They rock!"
Once the end is near, you won't want it to end. The guitar work is truly impressive and those lyrics and vocals are 100% badass. The number one thing that can be said about this EP? Rock, rock, rock. It couldn't be more simple than that and that's the beauty of it. Upon listening to Monkeys in Space, the listener will reminisce those true rock bands that made their way to the top by making music that is just like the tracks on this EP. It's safe to say that MiS is going somewhere. Download this and I guarantee you won't be sorry. Rock on!
Rating: 8.5/10
Listen to: Whiskey Kings, Supermodel Suitcase, and Scream
Sounds like: Foo Fighters, Muse, and Rage Against the Machine
- Tunage
Written by Jordan Mafi
Are you in to ponder the oddities and simple pleasures of life or just smoke a bowl and relax the night away? Listen to Dayfade tonight. In this all-new beat tape, Vol(you)(me) 1, the listener will experience the sounds of life interpreted by Devin McGuire, the man who is behind this city's upcoming face of hip hop. The sounds of Dayfade are easy-going and totally chill. The many beats are usually slow and utterly relaxing, yet the tracks are very concise which brings variety to the beat tape. Dayfade is the face of true hip hop around SD and shows it well in all of these tracks.
Dayfade's beats are best described as chill. To be in the zone with these beats, you gotta close your eyes and just take it in. When the first track begins to play, the first element that is noticeable is the soothing vibe. Each song eases you in and it is almost sedating. The smooth beats of every track lulls the listener into a new state of mind. It's evident that Dayfade's goal is to bring you into a fresh mood and become one with the music.
An element that is redoubtable in this beat tape is the fact that Dayfade can produce such short and sweet tracks yet still grab the listener's attention. The tracklist is a whopping 21 tracks, but the variety of each track is undeniable. The exciting thing about this beat tape is the fact that the listener doesn't know what to expect of the next track. Some songs are chill and calming and others are upbeat and groovy. The short runtime of each song disables the listener to be bored with a song. Although almost every track is this way, the last one is a four-minute tune to leave you feeling good vibes.
The main reason this beat tape should be respected and listened to is the fact that it is true hip hop. There's no judging, no opinions, and no offense in any of these beats. Dayfade shows that hip hop is almost unspoken in a sense that it can be respected and understood by just a mere beat. For hip hop lovers and newbies alike, these tracks say something. A track could be telling listeners to think deeply about the world around them or even just to kick back and chill out. The latter is the greatest way to enjoy this beat tape for sure.
With the right state of mind (and even with the wrong one), these beats can speak to a longtime hip hop fan one way or another. There's nothing like killing all your stress with a great beat tape to listen to and resonate with. Dayfade mixes it up with these repetitive yet pleasantly catchy songs by getting to the point without dragging out any beat. These tracks are killer for a late night in, a kickback with your buddies, or playlist when you're completely stoned. Take a listen and become one with hip hop.
Rating: 7/10
Listen to: I Can Make Love
Sounds like: A unique composition of music that cannot be compared!
- Tunage
Written by Jordan Mafi
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