Egypt Central recently released their second album, White Rabbit (Fat Lady/ILG). The band is featured in the September/October issue of Revolver, available here now and on stands everywhere tomorrow, and is also giving away a guitar signed by the band right here. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Egypt Central are premiering a live video for their song “Kick Ass” below. Let us know what you think of it in the comments.
]]>
Profiled in the September/October issue of Revolver, which will be available everywhere on August 16 (or you can order it right here), Egypt Central have had a rough time breaking through in the music industry. While the melodic hard-rock band seemed to have the world at its feet when being signed to Lava Records in 2006, the label dissolved before its self-titled debut record was released. Despite an attempt to self-release the album, it wasn’t until signing with Fat Lady/ILG Records that a remixed version of Egypt Central finally saw the light of day in 2008. Now with the recent release of their latest disc, White Rabbit, things seem to be firmly back-on-track for the Memphis quartet. Having survived their surreal, disorienting trip down the rabbit’s hole, Egypt Central frontman John Falls talked to Revolver about his five favorite features of Lewis Carroll’s trippy children’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Alice eats and drinks and grows and shrinks
“When I went through a major depression after our record didn’t get released, I ate and drank a lot and put on a lot of weight, and since October I lost 50 pounds. You can chose to eat or drink but there are consequences.”
The Caterpillar
“If I don’t mention the guy who’s over there constantly pulling on a pipe, Joey
The Cheshire Cat
“I always loved his wit and humor. When I was a kid, I thought that was the coolest thing ever. He was the first smart-ass I felt like I was friends with.”
The Red Queen
“She’s just misunderstood, and that’s why she acts like an asshole. I can understand and relate to her feelings because I’ve been like that sometimes.”
The Mad Hatter
“He wasn’t as much of a character in the book as he was in the movies or the cartoons, but watching Johnny Depp bring that character to life onscreen in the Tim Burton update of Alice in Wonderland was brilliant. He really got into Lewis Caroll’s head and showed people what the Hatter was capable of in the right hands.”
Yesterday alt rockers Egypt Central released their sophomore record, White Rabbit, a concept album telling the story of what happens when one accepts or declines the invitation from the “White Rabbit.” Bassist Joey Chicago is the artist behind the artwork included in the CD booklet, which features the first four cells of a comic strip series that Revolver has been unveiling over the last two weeks. Needlessly to say, Chicago is a big-time comic-book fan; here, he picks his favorite characters.
The Joker
“He is, to me, the greatest villain in comic history. He is the perfect blend of genius and madman.”
Spawn
“I alway connect with a character that has been to hell and back, and come out the unlikely hero.”
Wolverine
“Not only is his healing ability one of the most valuable in comic history, but he is also a true anti-authority personality. I love that mindset.”
The Punisher
“I always used to love collecting The Punisher Armories that they would release. I would stare at his arsenal for hours as a kid, wishing I could have each and every awesome weapon.”
The Hulk
“I relate to this character more than any other. I have a beast in me as well. I try to be a Bruce Banner, except for onstage. I wish I would turn green when I play–I’d have a one up on everybody!”
And from the opening song, “Ghost Town,” there’s plenty to follow. The listener is instantly dragged down the rabbit hole, so to speak, by the raging guitars, punchy drum fills, and lead vocalist John Falls’ trademark screeches and growls. The journey reaches an early climax with the contrasting songs “Good Night” and “Kick Ass,” which typify the mix of tragedy and comedy within the album. “Good Night” is a depiction of death: Watching what is perhaps a drug overdose of a girlfriend or loved one, the main character in the record’s narrative looks on helplessly as she dies, and is forced almost immediately to deal with the harsh reality of what just happened. The music is as emotionally draining as the lyrics are, with its melancholy guitars and tender breakdown. Then, like an adrenaline shot to the chest, follow-up track “Kick Ass” shocks the listener out of the latter song’s reverie. An almost punk anthem of revenge, about seeking out and ultimately destroying the supplier and enemy (the comic strip names the villain as one Fatty McArbuckle—the White Rabbit himself), its theme is perfectly matched by its speedy guitars and heavy hitting drums.
But if those back-to-back songs are White Rabbit‘s highlight, the album doesn’t have any letdowns. Fans already won over by Egypt Central’s previous record will recognize the band’s original sound here, and new listeners will be taken a wild ride to a strange, dark wonderland and back. Follow the White Rabbit. SARAH B. KOENIG
]]>
“The Four begin to feel the unknown world that surrounds them. Their families are put through the worst anguish they have ever endured, and they have their eyes and minds opened to the struggle they are now a part of.”
]]>