Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 12:39 AM, (1108 Reads)
Graphic Tales: Freakhouse Reviewed
Six months ago I found the band Freakhouse and shared information about their music and videos. Now, we're going back for a review of their new album and to take a peak at their creative "Dead on the Inside" video, using Daz Studio, Shake, Final Cut Pro and After Effects.
Freakhouse
Rob Escher - vocals
Matt Clark - guitar
Scott Freak - bass
Sean Topham - drums
From the moment I heard Living the Lie, the first cut on the new self-titled Freakhouse album, I was hooked! I am such a sucker for a tuned down jammin bass riff with a good hook. Freakhouse did not disappoint and delivered a powerful song right out of the chute.
Dead on the Inside rocks things out with a force that made it the perfect song choice for their recently released video, which can be seen on the You Tube link below. Dead on the Inside was also featured on Yahoo Music's New
Videos. Check it out!
Freakhouse - Dead On The Inside
When I heard Stitches, I knew it was the perfect for my video interviews, which they graciously permitted me to use. (THANK YOU GUYS!) I've listened to Stitches over and over and adore the dark, haunting lyrics. I could listen to this song a thousand more times and still want to hear it again. Well done!
Then we move into their Cold song which cuts right through your ears and into a rough driving chorus. It's a harsh, edgy movement of music that made me want to move. All that moving around leads us to Motion Sickness with it's ambient noises that certainly evoke that sensation, if nothing else.
Pushing Away takes us to different place with a more melodic and vocally clean musical experience, combined with a driving hard core chorus. It was a delightful combination of well integrated styles.
Then they go into Dreams starts out with clean guitar notes and clear vocals, rapidly speeding up into another good groove and interesting musical experience.
Tommy's Revenge appears to me to be a beautiful piano homage to The Who...after having a few drinks. The Answer replies with a sudden jolt to the system which melts into a deep, smooth groove with throaty, sexy vocals. Submit follows with some great licks and complicated chops throwing in the deep bass and husky vocals that I adore so much.
Listen to the Voice sounds like a throw back to the LSD days with it's mystical, flowing runs weaving in between each of the instruments. The vibrato style flows into the next song Creep, where the musical picture painted is one of self-deprecation with an honest, yet stark admission.
The last track "Plowed" finishes things up with a few rounds of a remix from Sponge. And all this time I thought that song was called Human Wreckage. But, what ever you call it, it was very enjoyable!
After listening to their new album, I had some questions. Once again guitarist Matt Clark took time out of his busy schedule to answer these questions and share some insight on their new album.
Totally enjoyed your Dead on the Inside video! Did you put it together? Yes- I did this new one, too.
[Matt created the Liars, Inc. and Beautiful Misery videos.]
What software program(s) did you use to create your Dead on the Inside video?
I used Shake and Final Cut Pro. Animations were done in After Effects. The crowds of people were done with Daz Studio. Stage and walls of amps were done by Philip Spencer in Bryce. Kateyes Wingtips helped with that as well. They made my life a lot easier and allowed me to not have to do that end of the 3d design which was great. Philip has a lot better knowledge of Bryce than I do so I was stoked to have him be part of this project. It made doing the background plates a snap.
I would just look at the footage I shot and move my camera around in Bryce to match it to the live action. Totally eyeballed it, but it worked fine. Adam Curcio and I shot the video. He did some shooting on the Liars, Inc. video as well. When I'm on camera Adam does the shooting for example. We have a really cool crew to do videos and it is becoming a well oiled machine.
Big thanks to Kendall and Becky as well for their help with the makeup. This was a really fun video to make and everyone definitely stepped up to the plate and hit it out the park. Everyone who has seen this video is really reacting to it.
There are many different styles on your new album. What was the inspiration for the interesting musical diversity?
We try and make each song it's own statement and not repeat ourselves. Having said that we know what the Freakhouse sound is and that people expect certain things from us. Our fans are top priority, so we give them want they want.
So, are you the spiky helmet headed guy? What were the inspirations for the characters for each of you?
Yes, I am the helmet guy, aka Black 13. Rob is the cowboy from hell if you will. Scott is the devil incarnate. Sean is the cannibal. Really those characters are a natural extension of each of our personalities. It didn't take us long to figure out what we would look like, let's put it that way.
Did guys work with the folks at Guitar Hero on your CD? Are there any plans for you to be featured on Guitar Hero in the future?
No, we did not work with them. We are talking to a video game company but that is all I can comment on at the moment.
Are you guys planning a tour any time soon? Yes, we are, but no official announcement yet. Please go to Demand It and let us know you want us to come to your area.
We will be playing Saturday, February 28 at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, CA at 11 p.m. opening up for the Big Ball Stars which features members of Motley Crue, Ratt, Guns n' Roses, WASP, and Alice Cooper. It will be a packed show so get there early. Also, we cover the classic track Blew on the new Nirvana Tribute record Heart Shaped Box which is available now on iTunes.
Are you still hosting the Epiphone Guitar Giveaway? When will the winner be drawn and announced?
Yes we are. There will be multiple winners, one given away every 3 months.
Sign up now for a chance to win: ROCK BAND 2 and Epiphone Guitar and GUITAR HERO 3 and Epiphone Guitar.
Matt, thank you for sharing your new album and for the interview. Cool thanks, Lillian!
Get the new Freakhouse album now at iTunes and Amazon.com and please leave a comment!
Off World Designs
Yes we are. There will be multiple winners, one given away every 3 months.
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Comments
Great article Lil and great band!
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