Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
George Glenn Jones: Hell Raiser. Country Music Advocate. Legend.
No country singer holds a legacy quite like George Jones. Born on September 12, 1931, in Saratoga, Texas, he was a significant country musician, singer, and songwriter. He reached international fame, with over 150 hit records to his name, including his signature song, "He Stopped Loving Her Today." With his unique tone and "jaw clenching" phrasing, he is frequently referred to as the greatest country singer—one who completely immersed himself in the lyrics he was delivering. Indeed, he is the one that "up-and-rising" country singers listen to and the ones of his generation did their best to imitate. But there was, and will only be, one George Glenn Jones.
By Carlos Gonzalez9 years ago in Beat
10 Obscure Old School Thrash Bands to Check Out
In my previous article, I provided coverage for modern-day thrash bands that are worthy of your attention and respect. These results were based on bands that moved thrash forward in the current times as opposed to bands that keep thrash stuck in the 80s. While this does thrash no favors today, the 80s and early 90s remain the golden age of not only thrash, but metal as a whole. Other articles do provide earnest coverage on notable albums throughout the genre's history, but the top spots are usually clogged up by The Big Four, often resulting in a coin flip for Reign In Blood and Master of Puppets over the #1 spot. While 80s metal is vast and complex, there are several bands I always felt deserved a second look. While a few bands may be recognizable to die-hard thrashers, many of these bands survived by word of mouth during their time coupled with increased availability in the digital media age. Submitted for your approval, 10 Obscure Old School Thrash Bands.
By Dustin Miller9 years ago in Beat
A Waltz for the Final Fragmenting Symphony
Fading, I watch you skip to the dressing table. No longer having to stand on your toes, you turn on the radio. I’ve watched you every day, yet you seem so different. Yes, you’re taller and older; but you also seem to be someone I’ve never known before.
By Jamie Wills9 years ago in Beat
8EEZ Playlist: Richard Marx
"It don't mean nothin' till you sign it on the dotted line" Hello again and welcome to our little fun 'list. This artist is a "cherry pick" indeed. My buddy Calvin "Oates" Cherry has seen this artist numerous times in concert (he's seen him seven times) and he is a lifelong fan. Don't believe me? Here's the proof.
By Carlos Gonzalez9 years ago in Beat
Memphis Rapper Young Dolph Survives Shooting Again This Year; LAPD Says Yo Gotti is Not Currently a Person of Interest
On Tuesday, September 26, Memphis, Tennessee-bred rapper Adolph "Young Dolph" Thornton ended up in a Los Angeles-area hospital after being shot multiple times in the torso, according to the LAPD.
By Victor Trammell9 years ago in Beat
8EEZ Playlist: U2. Top Story - September 2017.
"It's alright, it's alright, it's alright. She moves in mysterious ways." Hello, one and all. This one's a special list, as it profiles a band that both my BFF, Oates, and I love. They're a band from Dublin, Ireland who had already established themselves as stars in their native UK, but took awhile to make a stronger dent here in the states — and it happened exactly 30 years ago!
By Carlos Gonzalez9 years ago in Beat
Being a Music Student and How To Get Through It (Part 1)
Now, before anyone loses their minds about the title, being a music student is hard, painful work. Especially in Illinois, collegiate music programs are some of the most strict and in-depth programs in the country. Since there's a lot to talk about, and I don't want to make this too long, I'll be breaking this up into parts. Part one will primarily focus on preparing to be a music major and practicing outside of class.
By Lanie Jose9 years ago in Beat
Best US Summer Music Festivals
Summertime, and the livin' is easy. Festival season! The most wonderful time of the year. Good music, warm weather, and copious amounts of bad decisions. What more can you ask for? The states are filled with various festivals, and it's important to decipher which are worth going to. Here are my top 4 favorite US summer festivals that you should definitely consider being at.
By Josh A. Gutkin9 years ago in Beat
15 Great Alternative Halloween Tracks
Any good Halloween party needs a pitch-perfect soundtrack. But how many times can you listen to "Monster Mash," or, if you're the edgier type, "Bela Lugosi's Dead"? This list of suggestions for your party playlist should help diversify your Halloween music library.
By Eden Roquelaire9 years ago in Beat
Different
It was once suggested that I like the extreme music I like and the often-strange films just to be different. While I am happy to be different, it’s not intentional. I like the music I like because of what it is, how I feel listening to it and the enjoyment I get. It’s not down to me if I am in a minority. My music doesn’t make the charts, rarely sells stadium tours but is truly cathartic and life saving for me.
By ASHLEY SMITH9 years ago in Beat
Top 3 Most Influential Musicians
The greatest singer of all time, Whitney Houston, once said, “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will” (“Music.” Pinterest). And so she did, as she created a timeless array of music that will live on forever in the hearts of many other artists and be passed down to our posterity. For the most part, she was trying to convey an honest and poignant message that we are all on this planet for a limited time and our job is to find our purpose—what we are supposed to give back to the world—and not to die with the music still inside of us. Notably, 2016 was a rough year for many music lovers all over the world. They mourned the deaths of Michael Jackson, George Michael, David Bowie, and just recently Glen Campbell who passed away on August 8th of this year in his late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, these artists all died at a young age. As the world of music lost some of its most prolific, innovative, unique and charismatic artists, all of these musicians have left something behind that people centuries from now could dig out of the ground. When I come to think of the musicians that left a footprint in my heart, three people stand out the most. Even though Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, and Whitney Houston all struggled with addiction, they still launched successful careers and remain very influential in today’s youth.
By Giulia Elena Salice9 years ago in Beat
