Album Review: The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo by Mr. Bungle (Ipecac Recordings)

*Mr. Bungle: The Raging Wrath of The Easter Bunny Demo*

Avant-garde metal martyr’s Mr. Bungle released the best thrash metal album of 1986 on October 30, 2020. Possibly one the best things to come out of what would end up becoming such a hellish year. Of course I’m referring to Bungle’s fourth studio album, The Raging Wrath of The Easter Bunny Demo. A demo most have never heard, and one I thought would never be legitimately re-recorded and released as an album. Eureka!

This album is fucking awesome. Beautiful and brutal. That’s about all I can say. It’s a true soundtrack for the times, particularly in the US, but also for the world’s chaos at large. With legends like Mike Patton, Scott Ian, Dave Lombardo, Trevor Dunn, and Trey Spruance, how can Mr. Bungle go wrong?!? They can’t. Anyway, in this album review Hazy Eye Music Media’s contributor Joseph Strand reviews The Raging Wrath of The Easter Bunny Demo by Mr. Bungle. Continue reading below for Joseph’s full album review.

Concert Review: Goose @ Frederick Fairgrounds 10/19/20 — Frederick, MD

Goose and their musical gaggle landed at the Frederick Fairgrounds in Frederick, MD on October 19, 2020 and sold the place out. Showtime At The Drive-In has been hosting drive-in concert events at the fairgrounds and Goose have been the best act yet. This was my introduction to the band and honestly, I was blown away by their musical performance and uplifting vibes. Goose are definitely not your average “jam band” or “indie band.”

Continue reading below for my full concert review and more images of Goose performing for a sold out (socially-distanced) crowd at the Frederick Fairgrounds on 10/19/20. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson.

Photo Flashback: Bumpin Uglies w/ Higher Education @ The Family Drive-In 10/18/20 — Stephens City, VA

Bumpin Uglies performed in Stephens City, VA at The Family Drive-In on October 18, 2020 and I was there documenting some of the action. This was my third drive-in concert of the season and my first time attempting to take promo shots for a band.

Bumpin Uglies brought along fellow East Coasters Higher Education to kick off the show and both bands were obviously enjoying being back on stage again. The fans in attendance also seemed to have had a hell of a time. Continue reading below for more photos of Bumpin Uglies and Higher Education performing at The Family Drive-In on 10/18/20. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson.

*Higher Education (Photo by Andy Jillson)*

Photo Flashback: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong @ Frederick Fairgrounds 10/15/20 — Frederick, MD

*Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (Photo by Andy Jillson)*

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and their flock of fans rocked out at the Frederick Fairgrounds in Frederick, MD on October 15, 2020. Showtime At The Drive-In has been hosting drive-in concert events at the fairgrounds and still has multiple shows scheduled. This was my second drive-in concert and Pigeons did not disappoint.

Continue reading below for more photos of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performing at the Frederick Fairgrounds on 10/15/20. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson. Tickets and schedule for all upcoming Showtime At The Drive-In concerts are available HERE & HERE.

Photo Flashback: Mt. Joy “Live-In Drive-In” Performance @ Citizens Bank Park 8/25/20 — Philadelphia, PA

This past Tuesday, August 25, Mt. Joy rocked out for the parking lot crowd at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. Their live musical performance was a part of the “Live-In Drive-In” concert series courtesy of Live Nation. Looks like the band and audience had a great time. Live-In Drive-In is a drive-in concert series featuring live performances on stage in the parking lot at Citizens Bank Park in Philly. The series allows you to enjoy live concerts, while still maintaining social distancing from the comfort of your own individual vehicle.

The Live-In Drive-In series continues throughout September 2020 and features performances by artists such as Smith & Myers, Lotus, and Dark Star Orchestra among others. Tickets for all upcoming concerts within the drive-in series are available HERE & HERE. Continue reading below for more photos of Mt. Joy performing at Citizens Bank Park on August 25, 2020. All images copyright and courtesy of Gabby Barbieri & Skylar Watkins. Images made available via Live Nation & Ike Richman Communications.

Photo Flashback: The Front Bottoms “Live-In Drive-In” Performance @ Citizens Bank Park 8/23/20 — Philadelphia, PA

*The Front Bottoms (Photo by Skylar Watkins)*

This past Sunday, August 23, The Front Bottoms rocked out for the parking lot crowd at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. Their live musical performance was a part of the “Live-In Drive-In” concert series courtesy of Live Nation. Looks like the band and audience had a great time. Live-In Drive-In is a drive-in concert series featuring live performances on stage in the parking lot at Citizens Bank Park in Philly. The series allows you to enjoy live concerts, while still maintaining social distancing from the comfort of your own individual vehicle.

The Live-In Drive-In series continues throughout September 2020 and features performances by artists such as Subtronics, Smith & Myers, Lotus, and Dark Star Orchestra among others. Tickets for all upcoming concerts within the drive-in series are available HERE & HERE. Continue reading below for more photos of The Front Bottoms performing at Citizens Bank Park on August 23, 2020. All images copyright and courtesy of Skylar Watkins & Steve Garfinkel. Images made available via Live Nation & Ike Richman Communications.

Photo Flashback: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong “Live-In Drive-In” Performance @ Citizens Bank Park 8/21/20 — Philadelphia, PA

*Pigeons Playing Ping Pong @ Citizens Bank Park*

This past Friday, August 21, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brought their unique brand of psychedelic funk to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. Their live musical performance was a part of the “Live-In Drive-In” concert series courtesy of Live Nation. Looks like the band and audience had a great time. Live-In Drive-In is a drive-in concert series featuring live performances on stage in the parking lot at Citizens Bank Park in Philly. The series allows you to enjoy live concerts, while still maintaining social distancing from the comfort of your own individual vehicle.

The Live-In Drive-In series continues throughout September 2020 and features performances by artists such as Mt. Joy, Subtronics, Smith & Myers, Lotus, and Dark Star Orchestra among others. Tickets for all upcoming concerts within the drive-in series are available HERE & HERE. Continue reading below for more photos of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performing at Citizens Bank Park on August 21, 2020. All images copyright and courtesy of Live Nation & Ike Richman Communications.

Interview: Lisa A. Walker (Concert Photographer)

*Foo Fighters @ Merriweather Post Pavilion*

Hazy Eye Music Media is proud to present another interview in a series of interviews I’ve been conducting with some of my favorite concert photographers. I’ve stepped outside of my comfort zone and have begun picking the brains of some phenomenal photographers. My interviews in this series focus on “local” concert photographers. That is photographers around DC, MD, and Northern VA. The DMV as we call it.

Anyway, check it out! I, Andy Jillson, was fortunate enough to chat with Lisa Walker. Lisa is an extremely talented photographer and travel blogger. I met her last summer at a Slayer farewell show at Merriweather Post Pavilion. She shoots festivals, world tours, small gigs, and has traveled overseas on assignment for a NatGeo travel blog. Her work is amazing. Continue reading below for my full interview with Lisa A. Walker. All photos copyright and courtesy of Lisa A. Walker (Shots from the Dark).

Show Preview: Eli Cook Band @ The Birchmere 8/14/20 — Alexandria, VA

The Eli Cook Band will be performing at “America’s Legendary Music Hall” The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA Friday August 22, 2020. The Birchmere is open and has taken all enhanced health and safety measures, and are following all procedures set forth by the CDC and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Tickets for the Eli Cook Band’s performance at The Birchmere can be purchased HERE or HERE.

“Everybody knows the story of the crossroads, where blues guitarists go at midnight to trade their souls to the devil for musical prowess. It’s just a myth, of course, but if it were true, firebrand Eli Cook could have bragging rights, as his scarifying solo-country blues chill like a hellhound on your trail.” – Guitar Player (2007)

Interview: Hayden Menzies of METZ

Hazy Eye Music Media is proud to post another interview in a series of interviews I’m currently conducting with some of my favorite artists. This time I was fortunate enough to chat with Hayden Menzies — drummer of the phenomenally talented noise-rock band METZ. METZ recently announced the upcoming release of their fourth full-length album, Atlas Vending. Along with this announcement, the band released a new single and accompanying video for the song, “A Boat to Drown In.”

In this interview Hayden discusses the new album, single and video — and talks about art, drumming, and recording Strange Peace with Steve Albini. Continue reading below for my full interview with Hayden Menzies. All images copyright and courtesy of Sub Pop Records & Oblique Artist Management. Pre-order Atlas Vending on METZ’ Official Website or METZ’ Sub Pop Page. Also check out some of Hayden’s artwork HERE.