This review can be found @ www.myspace.com/rockfistreviews

July 26th Review of Martians See Red

The first time I heard Martians See Red was on St. Patty's Day earlier this year. They opened for another local band, The Bastard Suns, and made a lasting impression. Their expressive and poetic lyrics, paired with simple and catchy melodies create a chill and fun vibe throughout their performance. The show I reviewed took place at Three Bears Café in Marietta, GA. With a center high-rise stage, balcony, and long horseshoe bar, this venue has a good set-up for the local scene, despite its suburban location. Brew in hand, I settled in near the bar right as the first chord resounded. Ambient undertones and drums mimicking a rattlesnake grabbed the crowd's attention, and the set began to take off.

First off, this band has great energy. The bassist was all over the place, from the first song to the close of their set. They have both comfort and confidence on stage. Their overall sound reminded me of mid- 90's bands like Weezer and Gin Blossoms intertwined with a rebellious guitar. They keep it simple, not overly technical, and the result is a very chill vibe. The vocalist, Kenny Brown, has a unique voice that mirrors the emotions behind the music. He is definitely a romantic, and it is reflected in the poetic lyrics and the band's general style. It was no surprise he had a circle of ladies jamming out front row. The band's songs can be playful, like Channeling Aero, melancholy, like Everything is Falling, or just plain pretty, like Open Words. But fear not guys, they've got guitar solos and songs like Maybe, Vilena, and The Drunk's Awake that you can rock out to with one of those lovely ladies.

They performed two covers that night that were received with enthusiasm from everyone in the room. The first was NIB by Black Sabbath. I myself stood straight up as my ears recognized what song it was and began rock fisting with everyone. The second was For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica, which once again they nailed. They chose to close with that one, and definitely were given a proper farewell as the curtain closed.

Channeling Aero was a favorite of mine that night. I danced and enjoyed the heavy guitar chiming in, with an echo on Brown's vocals during the chorus.  I thought bassist, Gerr, and drummer, Troy Wolf, did a great job on this song as well. You could tell they branched out on this song from their usual sound. They had a guest appearance from some crazed fan, who probably had one to many drinks, but this provided extra flavor during the set. I also enjoyed their new songs, Vilena and Springtime. Vilena has a punk undertone to it, which yet again allows them to branch out from their norm. Springtime has a great chorus in which Brown and Justin Mewborn (guitarist) create one harmonious sound with both guitars.

If you are looking for screamo, fast-paced punk, or an industrial sound- this is not the show for you. But if you enjoy the relaxed pleasure of acoustic or reggae, the simplicity and depth of alternative, and lyrics that go beyond beers and chicks, you should definitely check out Martians See Red. Their next hometown show will be August 23^rd at North River Tavern in Sandy Springs, and again on September 19^th at Three Bears Café in Marietta. These guys put on a great show and you are sure to have a good time, so put those Rock Fists Up!

Kris Melton
Rock Fist Reviews

Our band name came from a chapter in a wonderful book by V.S. Ramachandran called Phantoms in the Brain:Human Nature and the Architecture of the Mind.I borrowed the book from my lovely friend Richelle at the time Troy and I were forming the band and when I came to the chapter Do martians see red?,I thought it would work out for the time being.Well,four and a half years later we still have it, and unless we get big enough for Ramachandran to hear of us and think we suck,I guess it will do.Hehe.                                                                                                   While I am on the subject of neuroscience,I would recommend checking out a book by Daniel J. Levitin entitled This Is Your Brain On Music.Before he became a neuroscientist he was a record producer and sound engineer for artists like Stevie Wonder and Blue Oyster Cult.It is all about the connection between music and our brain and helps me to better understand why certain songs resonate with 10 million people,but I hear them and want to feed my ears to an alligator.The point is,all of our listening and the subsequent pleasure or revulsion  we feel from a certain song or album is subjective.It is why I listen to The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips and feel it is the greatest album I have ever heard.Levitin also explains that the music we love activates memory traces of emotional times in our lives.I highly recommend reading this book if you love music as much I do.Anyway,I have been asked for a long time where our name came from and figured it was about time I told everyone.I am a horrible typer so if there are a lot of grammatical errors,well,you know,I'm a horrible typer.See you on the 29th dears.     Kenny

http://www.performermag.com/sep.recordedreviews.0710.php

Martians See Red — When All Seems Lost

Daniel Maldonado Collins

When Martians See Red singer and guitarist Kenny Brown and drummer Troy Wolf left their native South Carolina in search of greener musical pastures, they found them in the thriving Atlanta music scene. After picking up guitarist Justin Mewborn and bassist Matt "Gerr" Gerlinger, Martians See Red slugged it out in the local trenches. The eclectic and competitive reality of a major music town helped them develop the hard alt-rock sound that would highlight When All Seems Lost.

Martians See Red delivers energy, texture and thoughtful song craft with a heavy and dirty yet bouncy and wholly palatable sound. Separating Martians See Red from the pack of alt-rock/post hardcore groups is a gritty, go-for-broke intensity that underpins everything on the album. Like The Ramones and Metallica on their early breakthrough recordings, Martians See Red have created a debut disc full of veracity and "do or die" attitude. Since Martians grab from artists like Clutch, Elvis Costello and Pantera, one can expect a bit of zealous genre-hopping from the talented quartet throughout the album. Opener "Watercolor" is a punchy power-pop number with an infectious punk chorus, while "Channeling Aero" is propulsive, grungy number with a majestic, down-tempo chorus fit for early David Bowie. "The Drunk's Awake" stomps along with a thrashing, snotty West Coast punk approach a la NOFX. All the while, Martians See Red put their own stamp on whatever style they utilize. However they play, it's not difficult to tell that it's the same band. When All Seems Lost is a coherent, thoroughly-listenable effort delivered by a band with energy and conviction.

(Self-released)

www.myspace.com/martiansseered

-Matthew S. Maynard