By Charlie Maybee
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The recently rebranded DMV-based alternative rock band, Nasty Lil Virus, released their latest song titled “Manipulation,” which has a surprising amount of funk combined with old school metal vibes á la Black Sabbath and Faith No More during the era of “The Real Thing.”
The mixing of the song allows the potent and funky bass groove to come forward in an exciting way during the verses and choruses, while the rest of the song is primarily guitar driven. Revolving around a chugging guitar riff, there’s a clear sense of syncopation that seems to be the drive of the song regardless of which instrument is at the forefront of the mix. There’s plenty of blues influence in the gritty vocals which harken to gruff stylings of vocalists like Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Tom Waits.
With their wide network of influences in this song alone, Nasty Lil Virus seems to promise some cool experimentation and genre melding that is sure to remain engaging. The only downside is that this is the only song currently available on the band’s Spotify page, but if you go to their Apple Music page, you’ll be able to find another song titled “Bumpin’ Nasties” which, while more straightforward, still has plenty of noise and funk to tide us over until their next release.
“Manipulation” is currently available to stream on Spotify. Follow our Alchemical Weekly Spotify Playlist for this and more great music featured on the site.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
