Megan Dawson, Author at ALARM

Gear: Verellen Amplifiers’ Meatsmoke preamp pedal

On a quest for a more explosive sound at a less perilous price, Helms Alee guitarist Ben Verellen designed the Meatsmoke preamp, delivering an overdrive boost for bass or guitar via a pedal format.

Windy City Rollers all-star Sargentina talks tunes, thigh circumference, and hangover scrimmages

This interview appears in ALARM #40. Subscribe here to get your copy!

If you think of dudes and disco music when you think of roller skates, think again. Tough chicks are sweeping the nation with roller derby, a contact sport on skates that is more gladiator than glamorous — and they like it that way. We caught up with Chicago’s Alisa “Sargentina” DePedro, Windy City Rollers all-star. The hard-hitter took off her helmet and pads for ALARM to talk about hangover scrimmages and thigh circumference.

MC Sole says “fuck the vote” in co-opted Jay-Z track

Rapper/producer turned Occupy Denver devotee/politico Tim “Sole” Holland rhymes about the police state, class war, and the failure of presidency in “No Presidents,” a subverted version of Jay-Z‘s “Dead Presidents.”

Metal mashup: Dillinger Escape Plan’s Ben Weinman to collaborate with Kimbra

The Dillinger Escape Plan lead guitarist Ben Weinman shall bestow metalcore songwriting wisdom on New Zealand singer-songwriter Kimbra.

Post-metal powerhouse Russian Circles performs “309” for in-studio video series (pt. 1)

In the first of a three-part in-studio series, Chicago post-metal triad Russian Circles displays its explosive live chops and knack for dynamics.

Video Premiere: Judgement Day’s “Forest Battle”

Judgement Day: Polar Shift (Minus Head, 7/31/12)

After months of creative seclusion in a northern California barn, string-metal trio Judgement Day has reemerged with an acoustic album, Polar Shift, that deviates from its electrically enhanced material — all without sacrificing its dark, metal-washed sound. The band’s third full-length studio album goes back to its street-performer roots with un-doctored instrumentals that embrace the dynamic variation of the drums, cello, and violin.

Video: Justice’s “New Lands”

Justice: Audio, Video, Disco (Ed Banger, 10/25/11)

French dance-rock duo Justice brings a new dose of energy to the old-school, electro vibe of “New Lands” with an epically ridiculous video directed by Spanish collective Canada and shot in Barcelona.

Video: Soulsavers’ “Take Me Back Home”

Soulsavers: The Light the Dead See (Mute, 5/22/12)

In May, Depeche Mode front-man Dave Gahan delivered powerful vocals on Soulsavers’ The Light the Dead See, a collaboration that bred soulful melodies with feel-it-in-your-bones lyrics. On its latest production, the British duo — comprised of Rich Machin and Ian Glover — painted a moving portrait achieved with a variety instruments, from strings to organs and choir-like backing vocals. Even Gahan’s harmonica can be heard on several occasions.