It’s about time these bands have their own little section!  All you fans out there will be able to learn all about your favorite underground bands right here at BranchOutMusic.com.  Band Bio pages will be released soon and when I say soon, realistically I mean in a months time.   You will have picture, videos, links, merchandise and everything that you need, to better learn more about the bands you like that we support here.

Thank you for the continued support and I will do everything in my power to make this site as useful for everyone who comes and visits from the fans to the bands.

A lot more content to be added in the coming weeks as well as some things going on in the production end.  So please look out for some shows we will be presenting in the next couple months.  As well as a something a little bigger then just a show.

Thank You,

Ryan McKeldin

First and foremost, it was the most beautiful day they could ever ask for to host such an event on.  The Rez Ball has been going on for 5 years, most of the time twice a year.    A very laid back small festival that really didn’t seem like a festival at all, but just a really big party with a lot of good friends. Let’s just say The Rez know how to throw a party with all the right kind of home cooked munchies to keep you feeling fine. For just $10.00 to enter and to have all you could drink beer while listening to some great music, you couldn’t ask for anything more.

Before I jump into the reviews of the bands and artist that were featured at the gathering, let me paint the picture of the scene. A beautiful piece of property in the outskirts of a small community, when I arrived on the property I felt like I was in a whole different state. The property begins with a long drive way on both sides surrounded by towering trees until I reached almost to the top where my ID was checked and I was given my bracelet. Finishing the walk up the hill I arrived to find a small wooden cabin and around 100 to 200 feet away was where the stage was set up right under a couple bigger trees, it was in the perfect position and was a great back drop for all of the bands. Their was a good amount of people present when I arrived who were either kicking the soccer ball around, chilling in the “music circle”, some over by the tent with all the food and beverages and the others just exploring some of the property.

Their were a total of 7 bands all bringing different genres of music and I had yet to see any of these bands live and only knew 2 of them before the ball. The first band was Woo-Yellow Dubmarine, which unfortunately I wasn’t able to see but from what I heard they played a great set. The second band to go on was The New Retro who played a good set defiantly bringing that funky, blues & soul sound with them. Powerful vocals with that constant groove style, but would have liked a little more upbeat, move my feet instrumentals but it was a more relaxed playing style. The next band to go on was Proper S.K.A.N.K.S. who brought a reggae, soul, hip-hop vibe with them. Defiantly a lot more upbeat, some excellent bass and heavy guitar rifts but sometimes seemed out of place, one thing that was really cool about this band was it’s  versatile of instruments used in the set. The next band that was up was Eat It Raw which is really what we got, some straight up rock your socks off shit.  The Spinsters were the next band to go on, more of a poppy bluegrass but these guy’s really harmonize their vocals and another band that loved playing “musical chairs” with the instruments.  Between the guitar, bandjo and mandolin it was a excellent.  The next band to go on was The Flying Eyes, who I would consider more of a “Classic Rock” sounding bringing in that little bit of blues, a lot of energy, killer vocals and something to bang your head too.   The Rez was the last band to go that night, who played an awesome set, very jammy, which had everyone in the crowed moving and grooving to the sound of the beat.

If you have the opportunity to hit the next Rez Ball up, please do it!  It’s an experience like no other and everyone who attended the event was very relaxed and an amazing time.  I want to thank the owners of the land for having us over and all the volunteers that built the fire, cooked the food, watched the gate and everything else under the sun. I hope to see everyone there next time around.

Great Job to all the bands and artist that played and a special thanks to the Rez for hosting such a great event.

That’s right folks!  Our boys from Ontario, Canada have just won not one, not two, but count them three awards at this years Niagra Music Awards.   The first award was “Music Video of the Year” for their music video “Welcome 2 tha Street Pharmacy”.  The second award was for “Entertainers of the Year” and their third award, that they have captured now two consecutive times is “Peoples Choice Award”.  Congratulations to these guy’s for all their hard work and dedication.  We are very thrilled for their next two albums, which both will hopefully be launched by Fall of 2009.  If you have never heard of Street Pharmacy, they are a reggae/rock band.   Please click here to listen to some of their music.  If you like what you hear please purchase their albums and help spread the word.

Dear Havanah is an Accoustic Rock Jam band from Boston, Massachusetts.  They released their debut alubm “Chasing Butterflies” earlier this year.   But right now you can check out their whole album on myspace. Check it out by clicking on the album cover!  If you like what you hear, click and buy it on their myspace.

Scott Woodruff, the man behind Stick Figure just posted a jam of their version of “Youth are Getting Restless” into some other sublime jams.    It featured Brendan Dane on Bass & Todd Smith on Drums. Click the picture above to check it out!  It’s pretty freaking cool.

For a mere $10 admission you get:
-An eclectic variety of bands from the afternoon into the night
-Beer for 21+ crowd
-A campfire to keep your warm
-Lots of fun loving, good-natured people to chill with

Inexpensive, freshly grilled food will be prepared throughout the day with vegetarian items available. Feel free to bring your own booze and food if you prefer.

Gates open at noon.

The venue:
Nick and Julie’s Magical Fairy Tale Land
7121 Riverdale Road
Lanham, MD

The line-up:

The Rez
The Flying Eyes
The Spinsters
Eat it Raw
Proper S.K.A.N.K.S.
The New Retro
Woo-Yellow Dubmarine

Set times and bios:

12:30-1:20 WOO-YELLOW DUBMARINE

This 8-piece College Park-based band will be opening the Rez Ball with a mix of original tunes and Beatles songs in reggae.

1:40-2:40 THE NEW RETRO

The New Retro, as dubbed by drummer Jason Stewart, was founded in February 2007 after both playing locally in College Park and freelancing in the nation’s capital. The band’s name encompasses their eclectic playing style, hinting at the sounds and theory of several music genres. If you didn’t know, then it’s time you knew… the old retro’s old, and the New Retro’s new.
www.myspace.com/thenew_retro
3-4 PROPER S.K.A.N.K.S.

This African drumming ensemble gave jaw-dropping performances at the second and third Rez Balls. The group features some of the best djembe players from Baltimore and D.C., who have spent years perfecting their craft, which has been passed down for centuries, originating in West Africa. The group has recently added guitar, bass and keyboards to create what it calls “world rock music.” Don’t miss this unique performance, which will draw on generations of tradition from Senegal, Mali and Guinea.

4:20-5:20 EAT IT RAW

We were honored to have these Bethesda rockers open the inaugural Rez Ball and co-headline Rez Ball III. Fusing elements of various genres (funk, metal, hard rock and jazz) to create a uniquely raw musical experience, Eat It Raw’s live performance takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of unpredictable turns, gut-wrenching drops, and smooth climbs back to the top.

5:40-6:40 THE SPINSTERS

Founded in 2008, The Spinsters spontaneously manifested from a closet-full of old instruments, four good friends, and a mutual love for their cruel mistress, Lady Music. With three song writers playing various acoustic instruments, and a percussion section comprised primarily of cajon, these strapping young musicians cram into an area no bigger than a closet, and leave their ridiculously charming impression in the minds of all who witness their performance.

7-8:10 THE FLYING EYES

The Flying Eyes are always pushing forward to the borders of their creativity. The result is a spirited musical odyssey with rich characters, moods and places all embedded in their music. Their influences range from psychedelic legends such as Pink Floyd and Cream, while also drawing inspiration from the modern likes of Dead Meadow and The Black Keys. Since group won the prestigious Towson Free to Breathe Battle of the Bands (conducted by the John Lennon Sound Bus) at the end of 2006, they have had featured interviews and performances on 98 Rock and 88.1 WMUC, write-ups in the Baltimore Sun, as well as opening slots for esteemed bands such as Witch, Spindrift, The Black Hollies, Ringo Deathstarr and An Albatross.

8:30-10 THE REZ

It’s honest, heartfelt rock and roll for those with an eclectic musical palette — The Rez’s debut recording evokes a whole spectrum of emotions in just six tracks. Inspired by everything, but imitating nothing, The Rez’s ambitious and unrestrained style positions them at the crest of a new wave of rock and roll — one that evokes the sounds of yesterday as much as those of today.
For more information please check

The Rez Ball Myspace

The Rez Ball Facebook

That’s right, the album is at a factory in Texas RIGHT NOW being printed! But if you can’t wait until May 19th to pick up a copy you can Pre-Order the album now and get “See America” before anyone else does…but wait there’s more! Act now and get a free “See America” T-Shirt!.  $12 will get you the CD, T-Shirt, and they’ll mail you it as soon as we get it pack from the factory.

Click Here to Pre-Order Still Time’s New Album “See America” Now!