I had so much on my mind that I would like to write earlier tonight when I wasn’t by a computer and now all I can draw is a blank. Doesn’t it always seem to work that way?

As you can see, this is the first The John Dunphy Experience I have written since November 10. And this edition does not mean that I have come back to a regular weekly write-up, not at all. I soon realized, when I was still maintaining a semi-steady column here at MusicTAP, that I’m just not very interesting. And so, to be asked to call up wit, charm, or at least be tolerable EVERY-SINGLE-WEEK I realized to be impossible. To the millions of my fans out there who flooded my inbox for weeks following my departure begging me to come back, wondering I had abandoned the faithful, I apologize; a man has got to do what a man has got to do.

But now I am back, at least for this week, and I even have something to give away. But, we’ll get to that at the end of the column. Oh, you thought it would all be so easy.

I just discovered an awesome melodic rock/metal band based out of Virginia named Brave. Their album, Searching for the Sun, came out sometime in 2002 but I am seriously considering giving it a review, which might not be ready to post until January. I mean have you heard of it? Probably not, and that needs to change. Not only is the music so well written, so memorable but the voice of vocalist Michelle Loose is absolutely amazing. I must admit I’m smitten. What can I say a great set of pipes (steady, I’m referring to vocals, perv) do it to me every time. Not only is the music and singing awesome, but these are just some of the hardest working musicians I think I have ever known. Just reading their tour diary entries and some of the shit they have had to go through just to get their music out and all the while maintaining a positive life attitude, well, it’s great to see such heart. So, yeah, stay tuned for more info about them from me, and also check out their site, it’s worth a long look: www.bravemusic.com.

Brave

There’s also been some other music that’s been pleasing to the ear as of late. Two bands in particular have remained constant companions over the last month. One, some of our faithful canuck readers might be aware of while our European friends might be familiar with the other.

The Tea Party, who is on the heels of releasing their sixth LP, has gone double platinum on a number of their albums in Canada but chances are, most Americans have no idea who they are. Combining hard rock with Middle Eastern instruments, they are one of the freshest breezes to pass through in a while. And, the funny thing is, I’ve been aware of them for over a year! While still attending school at Alfred University in NY, my friend Steve introduced this Toronto based three-piece to me and, while I caught on to a couple tracks, most notably their infinitely catchy, almost U2esque “Heaven Coming Down” hit from Triptych in 1999, I didn’t really get the fever. That is, until I went back up to NY to visit friends last month and, while hanging out at Steve’s apartment in Rochester, we decided to watch The Tea Party’s music video collection, Illuminations (music video collection you say? I told you they were big). Actually seeing the band performing these songs brought them out and has totally sparked my interests.

Tea Party

The other band that has taken over my CD player is the self-proclaimed “love metal” band, HIM from Finland. Now, you might be thinking, “love metal, what the hell is that? Sounds gay.” But, not only is most of the music well crafted, extremely melodic gothic metal at its finest, but it’s also different while feeling very familiar and very accessible. Founding member, vocalist, and primary songwriter Ville Valo explains, “Love Metal is music that includes elements of pop, metal, goth, glam… it’s music inspired by the feelings you have before the first touch, before the first kiss. Love Metal is like the movie poster for Gone With The Wind, you know, except having Lemmy Kilminster embracing Madonna in the sunset.”

The band’s signature symbol, the Heartagram, is the combination of a heart and the perpetual symbol of evil metal, the pentagram. Metalheads show their soft side? Check it out for yourself, if you haven’t already done so: www.heartagram.com. You can also check out their site on Universal Records, who has released their 2000 album, Razorblade Romance, for the first time in the U.S. http://www.universalrecords.com/him.

Add all of this to a steady diet of Christmas shopping, job hunting and working extra hours at my current job and I have been busy, broke and tired. But, it’s a good time of year. I’ve finished all of my shopping, I have new music to obsess over, and my gym membership is paid up until the end of the month. Life is good.

Oh, yeah, there’s that little thing about a giveaway I mentioned before. Anyway, yes, I have something to give away. It’s Matchbox Twenty’s latest, an EP of live material purloined from a couple of concerts plus what appears to be a new song. Also, and I cannot confirm this because I haven’t checked it out yet, but I think there’s a live video of them on there you can access via computer as well! Oooh! All this for absolutely nothing! Can you believe it?! No, you can’t, but that’s OK, you can still win. How? It’s simple, simple because it’s late, I’m tired and I can’t really think of anything cooler than this. Basically, email me at johndunphy@musictap.net with the subject line “What’s your 20?” and answer these questions three:

1. What song by Canadian band The Tea Party did I say was “U2esque”?

2. Where is the melodic rock/metal band Brave based out of?

3. What album by Finnish goth superstars HIM is the first to be released in the U.S.?

The first to do this wins the CD! Simple right? OK, then get cracking!

Well, that’s it for this special edition of The John Dunphy Experience. Hope you enjoyed my reappearance and I hope everyone has a joyous holiday full of food, family, presents and more. And to all a good night! Goodnight.