I'm not ashamed to admit that I am pretty stoked on the idea of Sum 41 coming back, making a new album and hitting the road again. It was definitely a surprise to see them on the Warped Tour line up but I know what they have been working on is going to be great! Every day, they have been posting a new studio blog from the recording process and I though this one was pretty genius. It talks about Deryck's writing style (the way he spells his name has always been a wonder to me, I don't even know if that way is right!) and more in the one they just posted about fifteen minutes ago.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Something that made me smile: Pokerface..the screamo way!
Catchy as hell, the cover of Pokerface by Of Mice and Men has been on repeat all day. Since I caught a live set from these boys on Sunday night and got a chance to talk to them, I have realized how good it truly is.With the contrast between Austin and Shayley on this song, it is undeniably a great cover and one that has definitely propelled the band to a good level of fame. With out even releasing a full length (their debut comes out March 9th!), this band is already a common name in the scene. Check them out on their myspace and pick up the album when it hits stores. Believe me, it's going to be great!
Monday, February 15, 2010
POV: The Emptiness Tour! Valentine's Day at the Palladium!
Last night, I made it out to the Palladium in Worcester for the second date of the Emptiness Tour, Alesana's first headlining tour in support of the new album with the same namesake. It was a packed crowd of about 1,500 kids and with the bands that were playing on this tour, it was understandable why.
To have We Came As Romans, Of Mice and Men, The Word Alive, A Skylit Drive and Alesana all on the same bill is a little insane and when I walked into the venue, the pit had already filled up. I had never been at a show at the Palladium Downstairs before and in comparison to the upstairs room, it's strange to think that the two are even in the same building!
The night started off with We Came As Romans. I got the chance to sit down with Joshua, Lou and Kyle before doors opened where we talked about everything from their tour plans (watch out for those dates soon!) to if they were a conversation heart, what would they say.
Their set itself set off with a huge bang. As is the style today, there are two vocalists in this band with one doing the screaming and Kyle singing. The mixing of the two in their tracks really is something that makes them different from others in their genre and may be one of the reasons the crowd was so into their set from start to finish. They made a great start to the night and definitely had some fans in the audience!
Next up was Of Mice and Men. The band and The Word Alive alternate playing the second and third slots. Earlier in the evening, I also sat down with a few members of the band being Jaxin, Shayley, Tino and Phil. With their debut full length album coming out March 9th of this year, there was plenty of serious things to talk about but we also covered s
uch important things as what "Snarf" is. Snarf is a collaboration between these guys and Nick and Joey from A Skylit Drive, which as I learned can also be used as an adjective or a verb and involves actual pigs in some way. We also talked about some of their first shows as kids along with who would be a dream tour for them. The interview was also the first one Shayley had ever done with Of Mice and Men so it was great to be a part of that experience!
As I saw them come on stage as the second band of the night, there were a few technical difficulties but the crowd soon forgot them as Jaxin talked to the crowd through it. The crowd progressively improved and got more into the show. The band has a lot to prove due to for a long time just having two songs on their myspace..and one of them was a cover but with their debut album coming out in just under three weeks the crowd was definitely liking what they were hearing, especially when it came to Gaga time. Switching off vocals with Austin who was providing the screams, their cover of Pokerface illuminated the kids. The contrast between Austin and Shayley in this song is great and the crowd was definitely into it. I have a strong feeling this band is going to blow up with this new album if they weren't already huge.
Next up were The Word Alive who are a familiar face to me (You can find our first interview here.) and it was great to see the boys again. Our interview was a little more serious then the last considering the band is currently working on their debut full length album. As we learned from bands like Mice and Men and We Came As Romans who just released their debut in November, it is a very trying and stressful time but the band seems to be coming through it just fine and with humor. We talked about their dream tour, their music video fiasco, Telle's special connection with the late Stewart Tegger and I was able to meet the new drummer who will be formally announced very soon on their myspace who recently replaced Tony Aguilera on drums. Look for a lot to come with this band over this year, but for now just catch their amazing live show!
The first time I caught these boys was in New Haven and I had to jet pretty quickly but tonight will be my first full set. They started off their set with their now common jump warm ups and that's when their passion began. With Dusty shredding on the keys and Zach on guitar, the liveliness in the band was undeniable, and the crowds was completely sold! They had a few technical difficulties in their set but besides that, the crowd was definitely loving it and when they ended on Battle Royale and were jumping and head banging in synchronization, it was a great set!
Next up was A Skylit Drive. Definitely not a new band to the site (find our second interview here), as I walked into the room, it was definitely a warm setting and talked to the band prior to the interview. Even though We Came As Romans came on during our interview, I was able to sit down for a smile filled one with Joey and Jag and we talked everything from possible careers for Joey and how they hope their experience in Europe with tour mates Alesana will be in comparison to their headlining tour there in December to the inspiration for their song Eva The Carrier which was semi-based a bit off of an actual real person.
They started off their set with the track and it was clear right from the beginning that no one was going to be disappointed in the crowd. Playing a fair amount of tracks both off of their latest effort 'Adelphia' and 'Wires and the Concept of Breathing', the crowd was definitely pleased. This band is one that is very active with their crowd which included a body surfing competition and if you reached Jag, that's how you got a point. With Jag going into the crowd several times during his set and Nick actually stage diving while holding his guitar, both the band and the crowd were absolutely at the top of their game. Playing songs like 'Knights of the Round' and 'I'm Not A Thief, I'm a Treasure Hunter' along with 'Children of Adelphia' and 'Wires and the Concept of Breathing', the crowd was singing along the whole time and it was a great show!
To be perfectly honest with you, for the last show of the night, I was intimidated by their set design and after the first few tracks, decided to call it quits for the night show review wise. I was not a fan but I know there were plenty of people there just for him so they definitely had a good crowd!
Look for all the interviews from these bands on Music Remedy and some here within the next two weeks as we still have a few more interviews to put up for you prior with bands like Puddle of Mudd, Sleeperstar, Green River Ordinance and more coming your way before then! Keep on coming back to catch everything new happening here. Hopefully 2010 is our year!
To have We Came As Romans, Of Mice and Men, The Word Alive, A Skylit Drive and Alesana all on the same bill is a little insane and when I walked into the venue, the pit had already filled up. I had never been at a show at the Palladium Downstairs before and in comparison to the upstairs room, it's strange to think that the two are even in the same building!
The night started off with We Came As Romans. I got the chance to sit down with Joshua, Lou and Kyle before doors opened where we talked about everything from their tour plans (watch out for those dates soon!) to if they were a conversation heart, what would they say.
Their set itself set off with a huge bang. As is the style today, there are two vocalists in this band with one doing the screaming and Kyle singing. The mixing of the two in their tracks really is something that makes them different from others in their genre and may be one of the reasons the crowd was so into their set from start to finish. They made a great start to the night and definitely had some fans in the audience!
Next up was Of Mice and Men. The band and The Word Alive alternate playing the second and third slots. Earlier in the evening, I also sat down with a few members of the band being Jaxin, Shayley, Tino and Phil. With their debut full length album coming out March 9th of this year, there was plenty of serious things to talk about but we also covered s
uch important things as what "Snarf" is. Snarf is a collaboration between these guys and Nick and Joey from A Skylit Drive, which as I learned can also be used as an adjective or a verb and involves actual pigs in some way. We also talked about some of their first shows as kids along with who would be a dream tour for them. The interview was also the first one Shayley had ever done with Of Mice and Men so it was great to be a part of that experience!As I saw them come on stage as the second band of the night, there were a few technical difficulties but the crowd soon forgot them as Jaxin talked to the crowd through it. The crowd progressively improved and got more into the show. The band has a lot to prove due to for a long time just having two songs on their myspace..and one of them was a cover but with their debut album coming out in just under three weeks the crowd was definitely liking what they were hearing, especially when it came to Gaga time. Switching off vocals with Austin who was providing the screams, their cover of Pokerface illuminated the kids. The contrast between Austin and Shayley in this song is great and the crowd was definitely into it. I have a strong feeling this band is going to blow up with this new album if they weren't already huge.
Next up were The Word Alive who are a familiar face to me (You can find our first interview here.) and it was great to see the boys again. Our interview was a little more serious then the last considering the band is currently working on their debut full length album. As we learned from bands like Mice and Men and We Came As Romans who just released their debut in November, it is a very trying and stressful time but the band seems to be coming through it just fine and with humor. We talked about their dream tour, their music video fiasco, Telle's special connection with the late Stewart Tegger and I was able to meet the new drummer who will be formally announced very soon on their myspace who recently replaced Tony Aguilera on drums. Look for a lot to come with this band over this year, but for now just catch their amazing live show!The first time I caught these boys was in New Haven and I had to jet pretty quickly but tonight will be my first full set. They started off their set with their now common jump warm ups and that's when their passion began. With Dusty shredding on the keys and Zach on guitar, the liveliness in the band was undeniable, and the crowds was completely sold! They had a few technical difficulties in their set but besides that, the crowd was definitely loving it and when they ended on Battle Royale and were jumping and head banging in synchronization, it was a great set!
Next up was A Skylit Drive. Definitely not a new band to the site (find our second interview here), as I walked into the room, it was definitely a warm setting and talked to the band prior to the interview. Even though We Came As Romans came on during our interview, I was able to sit down for a smile filled one with Joey and Jag and we talked everything from possible careers for Joey and how they hope their experience in Europe with tour mates Alesana will be in comparison to their headlining tour there in December to the inspiration for their song Eva The Carrier which was semi-based a bit off of an actual real person.
They started off their set with the track and it was clear right from the beginning that no one was going to be disappointed in the crowd. Playing a fair amount of tracks both off of their latest effort 'Adelphia' and 'Wires and the Concept of Breathing', the crowd was definitely pleased. This band is one that is very active with their crowd which included a body surfing competition and if you reached Jag, that's how you got a point. With Jag going into the crowd several times during his set and Nick actually stage diving while holding his guitar, both the band and the crowd were absolutely at the top of their game. Playing songs like 'Knights of the Round' and 'I'm Not A Thief, I'm a Treasure Hunter' along with 'Children of Adelphia' and 'Wires and the Concept of Breathing', the crowd was singing along the whole time and it was a great show!
To be perfectly honest with you, for the last show of the night, I was intimidated by their set design and after the first few tracks, decided to call it quits for the night show review wise. I was not a fan but I know there were plenty of people there just for him so they definitely had a good crowd!
Look for all the interviews from these bands on Music Remedy and some here within the next two weeks as we still have a few more interviews to put up for you prior with bands like Puddle of Mudd, Sleeperstar, Green River Ordinance and more coming your way before then! Keep on coming back to catch everything new happening here. Hopefully 2010 is our year!
Quick Rehash of where I have disappeared too!
This weekend was my first major weekend back into the music scene and that's why I disappeared for a few days on here! I did exclusive interviews with a bunch of bands including Strike Anywhere, A Skylit Drive, This Time Next Year, Sleeperstar, Of Mice and Men, Green River Ordinance, The Word Alive and We Came As Romans!
It was great to catch up again with the boys in The Word Alive and A Skylit Drive, and all of the shows I was able to attend this weekend were awesome. I just got back home from the weekend, but I'm working on transcribing all of our interviews. Last night especially was a packed crowd with around 1,500 kids in the audience.
I'll be posting my review of The Emptiness tour later today so look for that as well! To all of the bands I sat down with this weekend, thanks so much for your time! It was a blast to meet all of you!
It was great to catch up again with the boys in The Word Alive and A Skylit Drive, and all of the shows I was able to attend this weekend were awesome. I just got back home from the weekend, but I'm working on transcribing all of our interviews. Last night especially was a packed crowd with around 1,500 kids in the audience.
I'll be posting my review of The Emptiness tour later today so look for that as well! To all of the bands I sat down with this weekend, thanks so much for your time! It was a blast to meet all of you!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Go because I can't. "Harmonies for Haiti"
For all you Cali folk, there is an amazing benefit concert happening tonight at the House of Blues in Los Angeles called Harmonies for Haiti that was organized by Chelsea Staub. We all know of the after effects of this horrible disaster situation in Haiti right now due to the earthquake that has affected millions of people's lives and homes. There are lots of benefit dinners and concerts going around right now but this is one you should definitely make a point to attend.Fourteen acts/bands will be taking part in the concert including Drake Bell, The Summer Set and a past interview for Mix and Mark Eye Alaska amongst many others. Make it a point to stop by there tonight!
Side Projects..and why they are a good thing!
Lately in the music industry (& in this case film), a lot of bands are breaking out into both solo side projects and other bands. The same goes for some actors and unfortunately, fans of these bands are quick to jump to conclusions that it means they are ending their first band, or stopping acting or something of the like.
I had been laying low about it but now it's just making me pretty angry. It first started when I heard about Ryan Gosling doing a band on the side of his acting career. Dead Man's Bones is one of the best bands I've seen live and it's definitely not your typical pop mainstream that you hear from actresses and actors who decide to break into the music scene. Music is where Ryan seems incredibly happy. Zach Shields and him pretty much make a dream team on stage and in their music. Their death themed indie rock sound is so great and when they recorded their first album (which came out October 2009), they recorded it with the Silverlake Conservatory who they now bring on the road with them! What annoys me though is that fans are incredibly naive about it and go to his shows and just stare at him while on stage and don't even really listen to the music beforehand so when they go and see what their music truly is, they don't even really pay attention. A lot of them just shout out" You're so Dreamy!" "Noah Calhoun, I love you!" and stuff of the like.
An example like Dead Man's Bones brings me to my main point here. Side projects aren't the sign of demise of someone's career in the other area of his life. Ryan Gosling has two new movies out this year yet still continues to have his band. For me, I see side projects as where their "real passion" or dreams may lay. Take for example, another actor/musician Robert Schwartzman, who more like triples as the lead singer of Rooney, has a project called SoloBob and acts in movies. He's most well known acting wise for playing Michael Moscovitz in The Princess Diaries but this film came out like eight years ago and yet at their
last show I saw them at in Boston, some idiot in the crowd yelled it out. It's also rumored that he will be filming a new movie soon which also includes his brother but it's not stalling his part in Rooney. Taylor also has started a side band called The Roughs and they are fantastic. If someone was a real fan of the band, they would know that the band isn't coming to an end. They just released their new EP 'Wild One' and have also finished their new full length. It just hasn't been publicized as much since they got dropped from their record label but they are so motivated in working to play as many shows as they can and to release this album. They would not be working this hard if they didn't believe in the band. It's a problem a lot of bands have found lately.Recently, someone posted on the rooney forum this rant and reason why she thinks Rooney is fading out. No new music? Inform yourself, there is plenty of it. All the songs are amazing and another point she made..the band has more of a part now in the writing and singing? How is this a problem? Have you heard Ned sing? He is so great and takes the leads on Wild One. How is that an issue?
Finally, the elephant in the room. Really awesome fans are saying that side projects are the reason for the demise of Fall Out Boy. I really question your loyalty to the band considering everyone in that band is doing their own side project/band and all are extremely happy doing it. Joe and Andy have the Damned Things, Pete is working on what is sure to be a fantastic deal with Craig Owens and Patrick is recording, producing, doing everything for his own solo album.
Overall, just realize that side projects are never a bad thing. Enjoy them for what they are.
Acoustic Rock to Screamo..all in one weekend!
Hey readers!
This Valentine's day weekend instead of the traditional chocolate filled dates and candy hearts, I'll be doing something a little bit different. I'll be out covering the new Alesana tour "The Emptiness", the new Green River Ordinance Tour and the hometown show on Four Year Strong's current tour! During this weekend, I'll be interviewing some familiar faces to Mix and Mark with A Skylit Drive and The Word Alive along with a bunch of first time interviews with the bands We Came As Romans, Of Mice and Men, Sleeperstar, This Time Next Year, Strike Anywhere along with putting the last details on Four Year Strong and Alesana! It's going to be a busy weekend and definitely filled with some interviews that I would love to include some fan questions in!
I started doing fan questions in my interviews with some favorites of ours like Breathe Carolina
and Cash Cash and would love to continue this tradition! If you have a question you've been dying to ask for any of these bands, just drop a comment here or give me a shout at cojohns1@gmail.com!Thanks again for coming back and posting your views on things happening in music today and let me know who you would like to see more of on here! Also check me out at MusicRemedy.com where I work as a features editor!
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