Introducing:Eagle Claw

Introducing:Eagle Claw



First heard about Eagle Claw via Bart, the drummer of the group a few years ago and he told me about it. I thought it was really interesting and was all about watching a band just get up there and shred kinda like listening to the instrumental B-side of a record. Saw them play for the first time at this spot called Hole in the Wall and had a blast watching everyone going Donkey Kong. Overall I thought it was really innovative and all about attending their future shows. The music is well produced and just awesome. Here's a little interview I did with the group recently.

What is the Story behind Eagle Claw on how you formed in the Fall of 2007?

It was never really supposed to be anything. Bart (Drums) had been jamming with Luther (Bass) off and on just for fun, but it was really infrequent. I don't recall exactly how it happened, but they found out somehow that I could play guitar and asked if I wanted to jam.I said yes, but the only amp I had at the time was a little 8: VOX. Hardly enough to contend with a drum kit and a bass rig. Like I said, it was all just for fun. Eventually though, songs began to form and we all really liked where it was heading. As an instrumental band, we could also see that there was a ton of room sonically to add another guitarist. The process of trying out guitarists took a lot longer than you might think. There's a lot of talented musicians in Austin, but for all of their particular reasons, we knew we had the right guy when Mike joined the band! We never looked back since.

For a metal band you have a very unique sound and wondering why you made the choice of going instrumental versus having vocals?

It really wasn't a conscious decision. We never had playing shows in mind but out sound just kinda grew organically into what it is now. We like what we are doing and so do the people who come out to see us. I can't say that we are against the option of lyrics but for us, now is not the time.

You have a release titled Poacher with some interesting artwork, how was it working on the release and who did the design?

We all had a lot of fun with the release of Poacher! I guess there was a lot to be learned though. We were so unorganized. Instead of trying to get everything done at or around the same time, we did each part individually, which stretched the amount of time from start to finish tremendously. Lesson learned. Bryan Richie recorded and mixed the album, Conrad Keely did the front cover artwork and puregrease.com did the rest of the album artwork.

What are some of your most enjoyable gigs?

Free week shows in ATX are always bad ass! Other than that we have had a lot of opportunities lately to play with a lot of bands that we respect and listen to! The Sword has also been taking us out quite a bit which is always fuckin rad! We had a killer time at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 too! We really just like to play live and we always enjoy it.

Any future plans such as a tour?

Of course! I don't know how soon anyone will be reading this but we have a show in OKC on the 11th and Dallas on the 12th, both of which we will be opening for The Sword. After that we will be playing a couple one0off dates from till SXSW ( which we are playing and can announce those shows soon) After SXSW we will be going on a 3 week tour heading Northeast to NYC and back down again. Check eagleclawhurts.com for more listings.

What is your favorite film monster?

Mike is the movie guy, so I had to ask him. Seriously he is that guy you know that remembers every movie and the actors name who played in it. I don't even know who this is but I looked up pictures of this monster and he looks pretty rad. Mike's favorite film monster is C.H.U.D.

More info can be found about Eagle Claw at:
www.eagleclawhurts.com
www.myspace.com/eagleclawatx

Vincent by Tim Burton

Vincent by Tim Burton

Tim Burton made this short stop motion film while he was working for Disney in the animation department during the early 80s. Vincent Price narrates the film whom is one my many life long heroes. If you look closely you might catch a glimpse of Jack Skellington from the Nightmare before Christmas years before production was considered for the Nightmare before Christmas. Tim Burton, Edgar Allan Poe and Vincent Price.

Film Review: No Distance Left to Run

Film Review:No Distance Left to Run

A music documentary by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace that captures the 2009 reunion and tour from the British Quintet. A comprehensive documentary that captures a celebration of music and friendship. The directors did they're homework on this one for sure starting the film out with the beginning to the close end of Blur to the several side projects that they have taken. It's filled with commentary from the band and live behind the scene footage unearthed to the screen. I found the film to be refreshing and very enjoyable with it's colorful images. It's a time line of one of the quintessential bands of the 90s. Starting off with Damon and Graham meeting each other in grade school then reconnecting at Goldsmith University to form Blur with Alex James and Dave Roundtree. If you were curious about the 90s British music movement then this would be a must have for the library also for any Blur fan out there. This is going in my film collection.

4 out of 4 stars.

To Kill a Dead Man by Portishead

To Kill A Deadman
by Portishead

A 1994 short film written by Geoff Barrows of Portishead and directed by Alexander Hemming. It's pretty interesting to see the band create this little short. It's very spy and neo film noir type of style. Overall it's pretty cool that they made this when they where starting out. It stars the entire band in the video and Beth Gibbons is lovely as her voice. Check it out.

Film Review: Black Swan

Film Review:Black Swan

Darren Aronofsky directed this horror themed thriller film of pressure and the presence of a doppelganger. The film stars Natalie Portman as the main character playing the young perfectionist to take on the task of the white swan but also find trouble undertaking the transformation of the black swan. Her friend Lily played by Mila Kunis fits the part for the black swan perfectly whom becomes competition that leads to her losing touch of reality. Her overbearing mother has a failed ballet career and puts the pressure by reliving her career through her daughter. It's terrible how this happens and adds to her caving in under pressure. The film was shot in a real type format rather than the pretty film stock. It gave it a sense of raw realness to make many of the shots believable. The camera work in the film was impressive with the many scenes having a horror type element leaving you at the edge of your seat in wonder. Natalie Portman does not get naked in the film if you were looking for a cheap thrill, just to let you know but there is a sultry scene in the film that heats up the coldest theatres. There was months of training for the film and ballet is just more than standing in the middle of a stage with a tutu looking cute. It's serious pressure. I found this film to be simply amazing and see it winning many awards for ceromonies to come. This is the same director from requiem for a Dream and Pi. Expect intense. I highly reccommend to watch this.

four out four stars.

Film Review: Lynch (one)

Film Review:Lynch (one)

A documentary on the creative film director David Lynch while finishing his film Inland Empire. The film is over two years of footage of David Lynch working and discussing his process in film with many in depth interviews that reveals a more personal side and perspective. The director of the film basically lived with him and followed him during this period. The film starts out with his obsession with taking photos and one of his many journeys in Polish abandoned factories. Lynch seems to be a rather calm and collected individual that has a racing imagination that he produces onto film. I found it rather amusing to watch him talk to a camera for online updates for his personal website that is ran by him to his fans and he has a few quirks caught on film. Overall I found this film to be entertaining and inspiring for anyone in the film community or would like to see how things get done in a more different fashion. He just seems like a cool person overall. I plan on purchasing this as an early Christmas gift for myself. I would recommend this film for the curious and the fan.

3 out of 4 stars

Film Review: Them

Film Review:Them

Co Directed/ Written by David Moreau and Xavier Palud, the tension in this French horror film is from start to finish that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The film is supposedly based on a true story and as the film progresses I can actually see this happening in real life from some twisted types. The begins with a young couple from France moving into a lovely home nestled in the countryside of Romania. Later during the evening they are being chased for their life by a group of small hooded people with the intent of putting them into harms way with a tense feel. The ending of the film leaves you in a confused state though. The cinematography in the film is superb but there's not much of a plot in the film except for an isolated couple running for their lives from a band of small hooded killers in a very brutal manner. I found this film to be enjoyable and tense at the same time.

3 out of 4 stars.