SIX MINUTE CENTURY – “Wasting Time”

SIX MINUTE CENTURY 

Chuck Williams- Lead Vocals
Don LaFon- Guitars, keyboards, and sequencing
Dr. Froth- NSStick
Mikey Lewis- Drums

“If you wouldn’t fist the mallard 24 hours a day you might get some work done. That duck is not a puppet, son.”~ Dr. Froth

Its been a very long time coming.

The arrival of the new album by SIX MINUTE CENTURY is now upon us. Spreading mirth and moistitude.

“Wasting Time” has more meaning behind it than any other album title I have ever seen. Especially if you ask the members of the band or their family and friends.

The album gives the listeners something different than what was on their first album. The progression of the overall talent of the band.

Even with a few changes in the band with Dr. Froth on the NSStick, the departure of Darren Davis, and Mikey Lewis (from Helstar) taking over on drums. These guys have come a very long way to prove that they are not some fly by night band that just plays whatever music they think will appeal to the masses. Instead they have opened their selves up to a total world of improvement and excellence.

As a fan that has seen them play live so many times (almost every time) some of the tracks on the album are recognizable. The rest of them serve as a treat to the listeners and it just blows your mind away into a far, far, far away place of elation, and overall a sense of total eargasm. 

Thanks to a much darker tone and feel by vocal front man Chuck Williams and his mind which has sprung forth the most intense and dark song lyrics; it is definitely a step away from their previous work.

Tracks such as “Last Days In Paradise” and “Hell’s Gate” is very fetching to say the least. I find myself wanting to know more…. wanting to research these stories. Even if they creep me out.

Songs like “City of Hope”, “Killing Fields”, and “Baptized in Flames” takes the listener on a journey through times since passed and surrounds you with such a unique sense that you want to listen to it over and over and over again. The album is full of both melodies and savagery with their songs which cover subject matter of recent history.

The kick ass riffs done by Don LaFon throughout much of the album makes things memorable.

Dr. Froth as well with his intense style of play is also given a bit or two of feature to many tracks on the album as he is put up front on a number of tracks, and from what I am understanding, he wrote one of the songs on the album. I have a new found respect for the man.

Actually, my respect for everyone involved has grown.  

This quartet of music geniuses have collided and gelled together to make “Wasting Time” a very much desired thing to listen to.

There are other reviews out there, more professional than in this blog, and they too agree when they are given either 3 or 4 out of 4 stars, or even 4 out of 5.

It will be available through Amazon and other online outlets, as well as through their record label, Nightmare Records.

SIX MINUTE CENTURY will celebrate their album release on the 19^th of October at BFE Rock Club in Houston, Texas. If you are within a few hundred miles of Houston, this will be a show that you will NOT want to miss. It will be worth the drive, trust me.

 

14 January 2012: French Toast, Fruit, & Six Minute Century

‘Happy Birthday, Don!’

“We need more French Fry on the monitor?!”~ Dr. Froth

 

Well, I forgot the fruit. Thankfully, that is not a serious offense. And the ONLY offense of the entire trip.

 

But off I went again to Houston to see SIX MINUTE CENTURY play. My third show in less than nine months. The first time since last August. And believe me when I say, that it gets better every-stinkin’-time!!

 

Not having been to a “January show”, I didn’t know what to expect, other than awesome music and a guaranteed great time. This time around, they were celebrating the birthday of guitarist, Don LaFon. (a.k.a. “The Frenchman” as he is better and affectionately known.)

 

It was great as I was also there to celebrate my own birthday just a few weeks early. What better way to do so, than with SIX MINUTE CENTURY, right??

 

But I never would have truly, truly, truly expected the fun, the excitement, and the all-around fellowship of everyone there.

 

Don LaFon is a very experienced and elite guitarist. The poor guy was on stage the entire night, playing in with every act which included Logan and Mystic Cross. So he had a full evening.

 

Chuck Williams, lead singer, announced Don’s 55th birthday. The comment is hilarious as there is a video on YouTube when Chuck announced last year, that it was Don’s 22nd birthday. Way to go, talk about leap years!

 

And of course, I need to give a great big “hats off” to Chuck for his courage and strength has he had been battling with laryngitis for the past two months and he STILL nailed it, vocally.

 

I think the grand moment was that when the rest of the band gave Don an air balloon-typed walker and they set it up in front of his microphone stand. Signs that said “Senility Ahead!”, and what not to signify that yes, The Frenchman is old. The way these guys pick on one another and just have fun is so great.

 

I was surprised that Don didn’t think about kicking it off the stage. I am guessing that it stayed there the rest of the night. SIX MINUTE CENTURY was the first act, and Logan was second, and throughout the Logan set, it remained.

 

But as I said the fellowship amongst the family and friends of the band was so great. I was able to actually capture several of them in photographs with a camera and some of them I actually held decent conversations in the loud and rocking music club.

 

And then I would be stunned.

 

I got this logo necklace. I had seen it worn before by Dr. Froth’s wife, a.k.a. “Vampiress of Metal”. (yes, they all must have nicknames, cuz they said so!) I had told her that I would want one, but they had never given one to a male before. So some of the frills of the original piece were removed to make it more masculine I suppose. Still, it was really awesome. I tried to pay for it but I was denied. Looking at me like I was insane or something.

 

I’ve always said that I am the “SMC VIP”. And yes to a degree I still believe that I am. I think that its so cool.

 

I also was able to replace my t-shirt and CD as both were originally autographed by the entire band last August. Now I’ve got something to wear and listen to, and the originals can be placed on my shelf as rare collectibles.

 

After the show, I went to hang out with half of the band at a restaurant. I think that’s always a wonderful bonus. But I did kinda beg for that to happen. A few days before, suffering a little bit of personal issues, this trip was the perfect thing to do to be able to re-group and relax. Either way, I’ve got a “neener neener” moment of “I hung out with the bannnnd!!…”.

 

It truly does get better each time I go see SIX MINUTE CENTURY. The music is great, even live. The people of the circles are just so wonderful and precious to me that I always have such a hard time leaving Houston when I come back home.

 

I still believe it is worth the effort to go.

 

The band usually will have shows in January, April, and in August. Celebrating the birthdays of the members of the band. As I said, I went in April and August of last year. Now I’ve got January under my belt.

 

SIX MINUTE CENTURY is nearing the finish line of the completion of their second album. They hope to have it done this spring/summer. I understand that they will have a CD release party, and I WILL be going! I was told that I was, and I couldn’t argue about it. (As if I would have!)

 

I love the people of the band, their families, and all of the friends I’ve made and continue to make each time I make this trip. They are the best group of wild individuals that I’ve met. And now that I am home, it is time to plan the next trip. And I cannot wait.

 

So Happy Birthday, Don! You’re one of the best musicians I have ever met!!

 

And, after all. I AM A CENTURION!