ReverbNation and Colorado Music Buzz Present: Featured Artists of the Month

Heading into the second month of ReverbNation Artists of the Month, we had over 4,000 submissions from artists across the country. What we were looking for this month was blatant personality, and San Diego’s PERMACRUSH has just that. Here is what they had to say about themselves:

PERMACRUSH is a dynamic Rock Band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2005 in Indianapolis, IN by frontman – singer/songwriter Chris Crush, the band has been on a tear. They recently played their first gig in L.A. at the world famous Whisky a Go Go on Halloween in support of Sunset Strip veterans, Faster Pussycat, and two more shows at The Whisky in support of Don Dokken and Stephen Pearcy, the voice of Ratt. Permacrush has been on the Indie 500 Records label in Indianapolis, IN and the Dirtbag Records label in San Diego, CA. Permacrush is currently releasing music on their own label Green Crush Records. Described as Classic inspired Rock with a modern sensibility… Permacrush.

They first gained national notoriety on MySpace for their over 3.5 MILLION song plays. Then there’s the uber-popular Snake Oil, E.P., featuring the hit single Only Friend which netted over 360,000 downloads on Microsoft’s Windows 7 Playlist 7 competition in just 3 months. The band has four studio albums under their belt in addition to their latest release, the single Love To Hate You, which is currently getting airplay in the USA and the UK. PC was on the Indie 500 Records label in Indianapolis until being signed to a development deal with Dirtbag Records, San Diego, CA – a division of Warner Music Group, in April 2010.

Locally, we were impressed by singer/songwriter outfit Mike Ring and The Connection. Mike plays ecstatic sets around the front range, with or without the help of other musicians, and rocks “a mix of Folk based guitar work and a electric overtone. With a big percussion sound.” Look for Mike Ring and the Connection to come out with new music shortly, they are currently recording at  KMG Studios.

 Black Postcards

Denver-based Black Postcards is an experimental indie rock band consisting of multi-instrumentalist Adam Brinkman, guitarist Candace Horgan, singer Justin Newport, and drummer Brian Estep. Their music has been described as, in a word, “indescribable.”
The group was formed by Adam and Candace in 2010. The two had previously played and recorded music coast to coast, and had performed together in other groups. They began writing and recording in Adam’s home studio, which would later become the home of independent label Basement Flat Records. Adam played bass, keys, drums, and rhythm guitar, while Candace added most of the lead guitar parts and some keys.
After a year of developing the catchy hooks that form the basis of the band’s sound, the two sought a vocalist to tie it all together. Enter Justin Newport. Justin was on a musical hiatus from the business that had been his life for the better part of six years. After touring the U.S. and making his home in New York, Justin relocated to Colorado and began searching out his final attempt at creating something truly original. From the first audition at Basement Flat Records, the three had an unmistakable connection. Adam and Candace had over 10 songs completely written, arranged, and recorded, and Justin began to add lyrics and melodies to the first three songs that would later make up the band’s debut EP, “Inside the Shadow Box.”

Online: blackpostcardsmusic.com

Cozmic Box

COZMIC BOX is a trans-Atlantic band formed from two musicians that met on MySpace in
2007. John Hohnstein (keyboards) resides in Evergreen Colorado, USA and Jed McConkey
(guitars, vocals) hails from Northern Ireland. Cultivated by the diversity in their backgrounds,
ages and geography, their unique music is a blend of many styles & influences that they fondly
describe as “Progressive Tranceadelic”. They have become fast and great friends and are looking
forward to many years of songwriting and performing. Their first album, “Flame of Truth” also
includes the special guest vocal performances of Hetty Lane, also from Northern Ireland. Last
but not least, COZMIC BOX is honored and grateful to use the beautiful lyrics and poetry
channeled by Claudia many moons ago, which is such an inspiration today- and the amazing
visual talents and art from Mark Anthony King, who creates the awesome design and
photography for the band.

Because of restrictions in Immigration law, and the fact that John and Jed live 7000 miles apart,
they are not able to perform currently here in the U.S. (Not that they don’t want to…) Seems like
their best hope is that their powerful music will get it’s due exposure through the media and
word of mouth. And they need all the help they can find.
COZMIC BOX is currently working on their next CD via the internet and hopes to release it by
the end of Summer 2013 !

Online: reverbnation.com/cozmicbox

Coyote Poets of the Universe

Coyote Poets of the Universe formed in 2000 to write and perform supporting music and poetry
for the radio show JazzTales, still broadcast weekly on radio station KUVO in Denver.
Founding members Andy O’Leary and Gary Hoover eventually left their day jobs to
devote their time to the Coyote Poets, playing around Denver and recording.
Their first three CD’s were critically acclaimed and charted on media world-wide
with a mix of Jazz Fusion, World Beat and Spoken Word, but the pair were at a creative
crossroads and decided that the band needed to evolve both in sound and personnel.
The result has been two more albums with a band filled with multi instrumentalists
and a powerful lead singer helping further shape the sound.  Moving from, but not abandoning
their previous sound, the band has focused on melding Jazz, Blues, Folk, Rock and Country,
resulting in a unique new sound recalling the 60’s roots of O’Leary and Hoover with the
contemporary music sensibilities of violinist Kelly O’Dea (also of Tarentella and Bad Luck City) and the
bluesy vocal style of Melissa Gates.  Violinist Josie Quick (also with Perpetual Motion) replaced
Kelly as she moved on to new projects, and multi-sax player Patty Shaw, multi-reed wizard Jochannon and
pianist/banjoplayer Robert McLean (aka Toad) fill out the sound.   Drummer Shannon Spencer completes the group and
provides the power behind the melodies.   Each project has received outstanding
reviews and international airplay.

The Coyote Poets are currently busy recording their sixth album for
their own label Square Shaped Records, and playing in the Denver area.
They maintain their belief that music is a healing force in these tumultuous times with
the motto – Unity In Diversity.

Online: coyotepoetsoftheuniverse.com

Tags: reverbnation, black postcards, cozmic box, mike ring and the connection, PERMACRUSH, Artists of the Month

Category: On The Scene