This new feature is called No Place Like Home. The point of it is to interview bands about their hometowns and why they love where they’re from. When traveling it is always best to have a local to direct you to the spots worth spending your time and hard earned money.
When one of our readers travels to a place that is foreign to them they will have some solid recommendations from an awesome source, one of their favorite bands!
I know I look forward to checking out some of these places and am sure that there are many others who would be interested. Eventually the intention is to have a full blown travel guide here at B.G.M.!
Magic Bullet Records released the second LP from Meatwound on 5/12/2017. We are now nearly a month since Largo was available to the world and it has barely left my record player. These 7 songs are off the charts good. Right from the start “Séance” sets the tone. This listen is going to be at maximum speed for the duration. After listening to Largo I was left conflicted though.
I couldn’t decide if it made me want to fight or fuck.
At the end of the day I’m a lover, not a fighter. Across the world and throughout every culture there are foods, medicines, drinks and practices that are said to be good for virility. Snake blood wine, being scared, bull penis soup and countless other methods need to make way for the newest libido enhancer. Meatwound.
Dan’s deep and gravelly vocal styling is a prevalent sound in the hardcore world. However, his specific take on it in conjunction with the music his bandmates make would make it criminal to pigeonhole them as a hardcore band. “Jungle Heart” is exhibit A. The relentless bass, snarling vocals, otherworldly drumming and Ari’s soaring guitars (usually found in spaced out noise rock jams) create a sound that is uniquely Meatwound.
During the first few listens I was overly focused on one aspect of the music. The bass. Every single song on this it is a standout component. The current Mt. Rushmore for my favorite bassists was occupied by one man prior to being introduced to Meatwound. That would be Shane Mehling of Great Falls. Now Shane is going to have some company because hot damn Mariano is mesmerizing.
Somehow in this unforgiving and devastating rhythm section Mariano is able to add playfulness and creativity to the mix.
The whole record gets you going. “The Killer, The Princess and The King” is the second to last track. In the middle of the song they slow it down and let the drums come back in gradually raising the energy. Resulting in a feeling similar to the incline to the apex of a roller coaster and then you start you go down, fast. The descent is exhilarating. Close your eyes and lose yourself in Leo’s (drums) magic. To keep the sexual theme going, this is the climax. Boom goes the dynamite.
The album finishes with “Largo”. Just like most normal people you need some time to recharge after a good romp. This final track is about six minutes in length. Perfect amount of time for a triumphant shower and some self-reflection before you do it all over again. No time for cuddling though.
Pick up a copy on purple wax for super cheap HERE.
Rating: 5/5
I would like to thank Daniel (vocalist for Meatwound) for being so kind and answering the questions for this edition of No Place Like Home. If you are reading this, Daniel, I would feel awful if I didn’t pass along a message from fellow BGM contributor/movie maker/musician Brandon ( @bloodbelieve ). Back when you were in The Holy Mountain and played Providence with Asshole Parade he had a moment similar to the “Dreamweaver” scene in Wayne’s world when he saw you. Hit him up if you want to kick it.
Where does Meatwound call home and how long have you been there?
Home is Tampa, FL. More accurately, the Tampa Bay area which also includes the other side of the bridge – St. Petersburg, Clearwater, all the beaches, and LARGO. All of us were born here except Ari who comes from south of the equator but even he has been here for 20 years.
Are there any attractions you would consider touristy that you would also consider a can’t-miss for visitors?
The Dali museum in St Pete is worth seeing. The permanent collection is no joke. Plus they do a movie series and the rotating exhibits usually feature equally iconic artists. Tampa Theater is old and awesome, they still pop the organ player out of the stage before movies. Dinosaur World in Plant City. All the murals in downtown St Pete are kind of badass. We got one of those artists to paint the parking garage in Tampa and we are slowly starting to get more of that large scale art over here. It makes walking around the city more interesting. The Riverwalk is also a good way to see Tampa.
If you are hosting friends or family for a weekend, where would you bring people for grub?
If I’m in Largo, Thai Bay. In Tampa, Trang Vietnamese. I’ve been gorging myself on Trang for about two decades and the curry stew is still my favorite food on the Earth. I would also check out Cafe Hey in downtown for coffee/soup/sandwiches and Cappy’s in Seminole Heights for pizza and beer.
A key to any hometown is a local watering hole. Any spots that you like to go for drinks? Breweries, dive bars, distilleries…whatever floats your boat.
Yeah, the American Legion on Florida Ave is a favorite and cheap enough to get you into trouble. In Ybor City, check out New World, Boneyard, Crowbar, Reservoir. Of course, The Hub in downtown. In St. Pete, try Fubar, The Emerald, Mastry’s, or The Bends.
Music is life. What music venues should people be checking the calendars for shows to catch?
New World books anything from Torche to Gruesome to acoustic BBQ. The Orpheum does bigger metal shows. Crowbar has a little of everything, specifically on Sundays when they bring in the DJs and the breakdance party happens. The Bunker does smaller eclectic/noise shows lately. Microgroove has been doing two shows a month. Fubar and Local 662 handle a lot of touring punk shows. The Brass Mug still lives and supports the local metal scene. I just saw Vader there last weekend.
After working up a sweat at a good show are there any late night spots to grab a bite or a night cap?
There are multiple Taco Bus locations, depending on which one the health inspector has shut down that week. New York, New York Pizza in Ybor has the most reliable slices to break up the alcohol in your stomach. Three Coins diner is open 24 hours and shouldn’t cost more than $10.
The morning after can be rough. Where is your go-to for breakfast and/or coffee?
Cafe Hey in downtown. I have nursed many hangovers there. Or Kahwa, I drink my coffee black and theirs is great all on its own.
To get out of town life, what are the nature based options surrounding your city? Any good hikes, camping and other fun outdoors stuff to do?
Fort Desoto is definitely worth checking out for a beach day. The Chassahowitzka River has camping and swimming and all that. Weeki Wachee Springs has a water park and mermaids. Or you can just drive west until you hit water cause we have miles of beaches.