by antiGUY
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Screw the mainstream if you really want to get your rocks off you have to go to the underground. That's just what we plan to do with this series, take some of the best emerging bands that are out blowing away hardcore fans on the underground music scene.

Dragpipe - Music for the Last Day of Your Life
Label: Interscope
Rating:

Dragpipe are here to take metal to a different extreme. We're not talking about heaviness for heaviness sake, or plowing through powerchords so that they sound like just about every heavy band on the scene. Dragpipe is an anomaly in this day and age of cookie cutter bands, even in the heavy music scene, they actually try to bring something different to the genre instead of latching on to the latest trends and milking them for all they are worth. Simply put, Dragpipe want your attention and they are not afraid to be unconventional to get it.

The band's frontman described their sound as "gasoline rock" in a recent interview but it goes a little deeper than that, it's really the soundtrack to chaos and encompasses so many things from hardcore to nu-metal, stoner rock, punk to arty alternative of the Perry Farrell variety and a little dose of industrial goth thrown in. Vocalist Jai Diablo commands this musical asylum through a surprisingly dynamic mix of music that is hard to ignore.

Before they officially went into the studio to record, "Music for the Last Day of Your Life" with producer Dave Sardy (Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Bush), they did some pre-production with former Marilyn Manson bassist Twiggy Ramirez and also worked with Jason Newsted (he was originally going to produce the CD but scheduling conflicts and prior commitments kept that from happening). It's interesting to ponder how different the album might have been if it had been produced by Newsted or Ramirez but I'm willing to put money down that Dave Sardy was the inmate they need to lead this musical asylum to their final victory.

Fans of heavy rock of many varieties should really get into this album. It has a bit of nu-metal for fans of Korn but also has a healthy dose of stoner rock for those into that and let's not overlook the moments where they enter the realm of Corrosion of Conformity. Despite all of these similarities, Dragpipe takes these ranging influences to capture their own vibe and insane sound that has be heard to be appreciated. This is definitely a new band to watch in the months and years to come!

MUSIC FOR THE LAST DAY OF YOUR LIFE- INTERSCOPE RECORDS

The debut record from New Jersey's DRAGPIPE.

In the spirit of monumental visionaries such as BAD BRAINS and JANE'S ADDICTION, DRAGPIPE responds to the vastly bland trends of today's pop culture. Their live shows are a virtual assault. Front man Jai Diablo is known for his psychotic antics both on and off stage, stirring crowds into an uproar and leaving a mess for the bands that are unfortunate enough to follow. After destroying the New Jersey scene, their reputation spread rapidly throughout New York City, with armies of chaotic youth packing the local clubs to get a glimpse of the new anti-heroes.
Many a prominent producer courted the band, but ultimately it was DAVE SARDY's (Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Helmet, Barkmarket) vision that settled behind the mixing board �and at last the debut record has been delivered�

MUSIC FOR THE LAST DAY OF YOUR LIFE

GUILTY PARTIES

JAI DIABLO (VOCALS): Possibly the living inspiration for the album title, as Jai's recent history involves � most notoriously - stealing monkeys from a local zoo (and subsequently turning himself into the police for arrest after said monkey went apes***), and surprising Interscope executives by urinating in the conference room centerpiece. And this is just off-stage�

RICHIE GARCIA (GUITAR): Sometimes referred to as "Slick," Richie fully immersed himself in the Rock �n' Roll (intentionally or not) by taking up permanent residence in the band's rehearsal space.

GINO DEPINTO (GUITAR): The tattooed pit bull�the Italian, pizza eating, muscle car driving, old school hardcore Jersey boy� Gino recently caused a major town disturbance by reacting with his sarcastic laugh when his car burst into flames�

MONTE (GUITAR): The cowboy hat-wearing porn star. Monte is the one at the roulette table surrounded by women, with only three dollars in his pocket. His composure deteriorates considerably during Dragpipe's live shows, where Monte is a hyper-caffeinated presence, and threatens to vibrate right off the stage.

JENO (BASS): The disturbing, silent type. Jeno Comes out of his shell only occasionally; usually to torture fellow bandmates by lighting their apartments on fire, or leaving foul-smelling food behind.

PETE BARRERA (DRUMS): The no-nonsense businessman. The least flamboyant, but perhaps the smartest. Pete enjoys his successes in the privacy of his home state, as the owner of more than a few businesses�

From the explosive, turbulent aggression of "Seeds of Change," to the uncomfortable soothing melody of "Fountains of Pain," this album will destroy you.

It is the movie soundtrack to their minds, an honest representation of the band member's lives. The music is ferocious and brutally real.