"I've been waiting for far too long, let's stick together...."(Silverchair, Reflections of a Sound)
When my friend told me the new Silverchair CD is even better than Diorama, I brushed it off. That was a hard album to top. I eventually got my hands on the new release, Young Modern, thanks to my friend's ex-fiance who brought it to America with him from New Zealand. All I can say about it is "Wow."
I got a taste of it when the band played NYC a few months ago and immediately fell in love with the song "Mind Reader." It's still my most played track and I hope it becomes a single.
Young Modern is an upbeat, dancemania-type album that is at times, fit for a Broadway musical. Seriously. Daniel John's vocals are as smooth, serene and trance inducing as always. These are perfect songs to get lost in. They demand your attention and when they're playing, there's little else you'll want to do.
Silverchair is the most evolutionary band of our time and anyone who fell off track after Freak and Frogstomp and just brushed them off as a grunge band should be sorry and redeem themselves by finding a way to import this album. Word has it that Silverchair just signed a new American deal, so hopefully we can get these awesome Aussies on a US tour. For now, if you're lucky, catch them at Lollapalooza.
*By Joelle, who says go read our other blogs about Silverchair and watch our LIVE You Tube footage!
When recalling days past of sitting in Italian class for four years in high school, I cringe. Thoughts of my practically Alzheimer teacher, the guidos who put thumbtacks on his chair, and having to read paragraphs aloud fill my mind. Thank someone up above that those days are over.
Oh, and then there was college, where learning a foreign language sucked even more because they really didn't teach it too well and expected you to be able to read novels! I failed and switched to Spanish, which was not too pleasant, either.
The point is, if I successfully learned Italian, like my younger brother did, perhaps I would be able to understand what the band Lost was singing about!
Hailing from Thiene, Vicenza in the country of my heritage (Italy, in case you're slow) is this really awesome pop punk band with a logo I love. I can't tell you anything about them because their MySpace is not in English! But you should go there and listen just for fun. And I'll stay here and make up my own lyrical story.
www.myspace.com/lostrock
* Joelle, who wants some Lost merch!
Oh snap, I just realized the second song is in English! Yay!!!11
Trig.com is our new savior. MySpace was cool, but I'm sure you will agree when I say it's so ANNOYING that pretty much every e-mail or comment you receive is spam. I'm missing all the important e-mails from bands and people who are actually our Planet Verge fans because I'm so flooded with fake Macy's coupons and porn in my Inbox.
I decided to check out Trig after reading a bulletin lostprophets posted about it. They're big Trig supporters and suggested all serious musicians and industry folk move over to Trig. So I did. And I Love it!
One of my favorite things about Trig is that you can see everyone who visits your page- and you don't need any secret codes to do it! You can customize your page right in your profile and don't need to go to any external sites. And if you're in a band, you can easily add friends without even having to open up their profile page! Did I mention that you can create separate pages for each member of your band directly on your Trig profile? It's way rad. And you can even add entire band song players to your page. I'm not going to tell you any more about Trig (other than the people who run it are awesome and we'll have an interview with them soon!), you have to go there and see for yourself how evolutionary it is. The site just launched in March and already has over 50,000 users. So don't be left out! Join now.
Just got this really nice e-mail today that I wanted to share with you all:
Hey Guys!!!
Well my name is Robbie im writing from Santo Domingo , Dominican Republic in the heart of the Carribean! Wanted to let you know that your mag is rocking and its pretty sweet! been reading lately the blogspot and thanks for the postings on bamboozle for me been here not able to go feels like im there hehe some of my favorite bands up there in your country :D !!!
much support always to Planet Verge from us to you! anytime you guys have a home here in Dominican Republic!! keep on rocking! :) adios amigos!
Robbie Cabral vocalist of darkmiracle www.myspace.com/darkmiracle
In his Minus Hollywood EP, Ryan Artrip combines lovely acoustics (everything), occasional chuckles ("Hint of Spring"), and the most vivid lyrical imagery you'll probably ever hear ("Duck Pond")--his descriptions are so detailed that you truly can see everything. As a result, I don't recommend listening to this if you're on 'shrooms, because it might be too vivid, to the point where you think you're actually in the song yourself.
A really killer track? Number fo', "A Song for Sore Arms and Lungs," which opens with violins to make you think it's a sappy ole' ballad, then switches to a lightly head bobbing tune, then slows again, then adds in a piano, and then--it's just batshit crazy good, and it's about fireflies (on the surface, anyway). Everyone loves fireflies. Naturally, they're a metaphor for something considerably less pleasant, but regardless of the context in which you delight your ears with this, they're still gonna be delighted.
Another fun tidbit? Mr. Artrip's voice can at times be likened to a certain Mr. Lacey's. Oh yes. Ohhhh, yes.
www.ryanartrip.com www.myspace.com/ryanartrip
The Peasantry
I know I've mentioned these guys before, but damn, they're good. Their latest, Don't Harm Barbara Gordon, opens with "Tie Off Before You Go Out," which may have the catchiest intro to any song by anyone ever. Pianos, handclaps, guitars, a hint of a gang vocal--it is two minutes and sixteen seconds of total, utter audio bliss... And the rest of the CD is just as good.
Also take a listen to Dear Ulysses--they share members (and have really cute merch)!
A seventeen year old straight edge Texan (who went to rehab at fourteen for just about everything) plays with a computer and sings about his girlfriend, who's a smidgen older than he is. Fans of Rediscover and Hellogoodbye will absolutely love this kid.
And, uh, he's met Jay-Z. Who is my hero. Yes, I am a fan.
www.myspace.com/playradioplay
*By Jess, who learned the difference between Lebanese and Egyptian bellydance shimmies today
Instead of baking just for my friends and for cute musicians, I've decided to bake for a cause.
I've enlisted in the Great American Bake Sale. All proceeds from my confections, as well as any donations, are going to hunger relief efforts. It's all legit, and it's all flippin' tasty.
Satisfy your sweet tooth and do some good in the world.
Click on my heart-shaped cake (which is a lot healthier than Marilyn Manson's "Heart Shaped Glasses" video--how GROSS was that?) for more information.
<3 jessica, who is excited that John Mayer's single again
We didn't dress warm enough for Day 2. And didn't eat any more pretzels after it took literally 20 mintues to move through five customers in the line the day before. But we did realize that after this, there's no need for Warped Tour. Oh wait, I lied. Funeral For A Friend are on Warped Tour this year...
Back to Bamboozle:
12:15-12:35 Phil Bensen in the Bamboozle TV studio. He shot the video for his ultra catchy tune "Bruised." Can't wait to see it. The girls love this boy. It's cute to watch. And I'm getting really addicted to the songs.
1:10-1:35 Drive By. No wait, they moved Drive By's stage and the security guard didn't know to where! So we missed them. Luckily, I met up with Chris later and we did an impromtu interview for his company, Rebirth Clothing, during Armor For Sleep's set.
1:50-2:20 The Matches. Two times in two days is not enough of these guys. And guess who we caught in the crowd? Yep, our old buddy Sprout with his new band, A Hero From A Thousand Paces. Gotta love him.
Speaking of random meetings, we saw Mike from Senses Fail watching Saves The Day and he filled us in on what the band has been up to. Australia tours, if I recall correctly.
Then there was The Banner's Joey Southside watching his brother, Greg, on the comedy stage. Good news- The Banner is back together and Joe has a cool clothing company now.
Greg was the funniest comic of the day. And I'm not just saying that because he was the only comic I saw. Check him out at http://www.myspace.com/gregcoralluzzocomedy and thank me later.
Next sighting of the day- Doug from The Sleeping playing hackey sac with some friends. Doug is awesome.
Most random meeting- Circa Survive's Anthony Green and I tried to have a convo in the middle of a crowd stampeed. It sorta worked. No sausage sandwhich in his hand this year.
2:15-2:45 The Early November. Well, that was the plan. Instead I ended up in the Stadium spilting a cheesesteak with Jen and talking to Adam from Perfuma about his band's set that night:
Adam thanks his fans here.
I later found out that was The Early Novemeber's last show EVER. Oh well, if I really liked them still I guess I would've bought their last album, right?
3:45-4:15 Circa Survive. The big boys. With big balls. Literally. They threw out ginormous balloons to the crowd. It was great. The fans were rowdy and we had to move away from the front of the stage to avoid getting crushed. That's what shows are all about, right? Well not when you are weak girls. lol Anyway, they have a new album coming out and major labels stalking them. I predict a bright future.
Watch Circa Survive's set!
4:15-4:45 Armor For Sleep. The main stage was too insane. So we sipped on some coconut smoothies and baked on the concrete while the band played the soundtrack to our conversation.
4:45-5:15- Killswitch Engage. I wanted to watch them. But I think we were on a mission to find merch for The Matches and The Sleeping. So I simply grazed by.
5:20-5:50- The Sleeping.
They put on such an exciting live show. I didn't see any frontman interact with the crowd as much as Doug did. These videos speak for themselves. And I am still mad that I couldn't find their merch!
6:15- 6:50- Thrice. We got locked out of the TV studio when I wanted to see them. The main stage was chaos, so I watched from afar as I set up Perfuma's merch. But I'm interested in hearing what their new 4 disk concept album will be like. Sounds innovative.
The rest of the night- We FROZE waiting for Perfuma. Froze. Froze. But it was worth the wait. Perfuma are going to be rock stars. Their new songs are a leap forward and as one of The Break Contest winners, it appears people are finally realizing this. www.myspace.com/perfuma. I never miss a show. Adam interviewed for Bamboozle TV
When Gloria Gaynor penned her tune "I Will Survive," she must have had some psychic insight into music festivals. After avoiding being crushed in a stampeed of people coming from all directions at Bamboozle last year by gripping our fingers into a metal fence (and that was just the first five minutes upon entering festival gates), Jen and I were not all too excited to take on the masses this year. I'd say we pretty much survived by holding hands and weaving our way through what seemed like endless crowds (anyone else get caught in that Yellowcard mess we tried to escpape?) of people and cutting lines to get through the entrance gates.
We prepared in advance by smuggling in caps to water bottles since the vendors conficate them and dressing for comfort. The only thing we failed with was sunblock. Who thought we'd get burned in this cold spring weather? I can only imagine how those high-heeled girls busting out their bras (and ONLY their bras) must have fried.
So Bamboozle... We came, overdosed on bands, and conquered both days.
*By Joelle
Day One:
Wake up call- around 9 am for a 10:30 departure. Much better than when we work at Warped Tour and must load in at 8 am.
12:25-12:55- Phil Bensen on the main stage. There's a big buzz around this 17 year-old NJ native right now. Several major labels showed up to check out his set and there's little doubt that he'll be signed soon. As Phil played his acoustic jazzy pop spectacular, the crowd just kept growing and growing and cheering. He's already landed opening slots for acts like Blues Traveler, Pete Yorn, Teddy Geiger, Nick Lachey, and Lifehouse. It was great to start off the day with a breath of fresh air and see my old friend Rich Andruska (who is producing for Phil and playing on stage with him) from the bands pete. and Sonicult. If you're in NJ, make sure you come see Phil at the Stone Pony on June 8. The Crowd for Phil Bensen
12:55-1:25- Forgive Durden. They were a time waster and boring. Not much action on that stage. Why is it that people think they are cool dressing like Gerard Way? Do they not see they are posers? Posers are not cool, Mr. Lead Singer of Forgive Durden!
1:25-1:55- Play Radio Play. I like this kid. He's got spunk. Well, who wouldn't after being in rehab at 14 and is now only 17? If you dig electronic music, then pick up his album (Island Records).
Play Radio Play live at Bamboozle!
4:20- Interview with The Rocket Summer. I like Bryce Avery. He's a really cool, down to earth guy. And pretty lucky because he got to hang out in his tour bus the whole day. Jen and I hopped on board and got talking about his upcoming major label debut on Island Records. On July 17, the world will know what a tight indie community has known all along- The Rocket rocks. He's a mere 24 years-old with a decade of industry experience under his belt and an enviable talent. But is there pressure now that he upstreamed from The Militia Group to Island?
"There’s no denying that there’s pressure. It’s like ‘OK, it’s up to you to write every song, every word, every note of every part. And if it sucks it your fault. But it’s kind of exciting, it’s an adventure," he revealed.
The whole making-the-album experience is way more intense now-- "I feel the heat. But making the record was awesome. I didn’t have to sleep on a floor," say Avery.
Fans are excited and so is the media. Avery says it's "The coolest thing ever," to be mentioned as a Most Anticipated Release in Alternative Press and that he couldn't be happier than he is right now.
We discussed how he wants to contribute to make the world a better place- like supporting causes such as Write Love On Her Arms. “It’s in my heart to want to do it," he shares. "Some people listen, some people throw things at you.”
And how through his years in the biz, he's found that years “It’s so important to stay true, have a good time and don’t take it to seriously."
He advices fellow musicians to seperate business and music, as hard as it may be. "I’ve seen peers go from their original love of music to being overwhelmed by the business of it and all of a sudden changing things. It’s kinda gross to watch. I’ve definitely fallen into that category sometimes, too. There’s no getting around it sometimes. Just have fun with it. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s really cool if you get to do it a long time as your business. Work as hard as you can while having a good time.”
While we were talking, his lovely wife and former tour manager was busy selling merch. He hadn't made his way out yet, other than to watch labelmate and fellow hometown native, Play Radio Play, because most of the bands he wanted to see were alas, on the same time as him.
My favorite thing that he said was "I feel like I’m a jaded person sometimes. There’s too many bands doing stuff that doesn’t mean anything. I don’t want to start a fight with anyone, so I’m going to shut up."
We're right there with you. Be sure to catch him on a headlining tour this summer and then Warped Tour!
5:15-5:45 Hit The Lights. Boy these guys have come along way since playing Hamilton Street and Planet Verge buying them dinner a few years ago. The crowd for them was enormous! They were one of the best acts on the bill, no doubt.
Watch Hit The Lights at Bamboozle!
Someunknown time- The Matches in the Bamboozle TV Studio. I don't own any of their albums, but I should. Each time I see this band, I love them more and more. I'd say they were the best band of the day. The lead singer is S-T-A-R.
Watch The Matches Live at Bamboozle!
7:55-8:25 The Rocket Summer performance. It was cold and we were tired but The Rocket Summer lifted our spirits and was a perfect ending to the night. This was my first time seeing TRS, but I'd deff. catch another show. The performance was quite impressive and I think more people should have been there watching!
Watch The Rocket Summer Perform at Bamboozle!
That's all for day one. We deff. wanted to see My Chem and Muse, but fatigue and the fact that we had to get up bright and early and do it all over again the following day put an end to that. Hey, we're like the old ladies of Bamboozle now. lol Although, some bitch did yell at Jen, "What are you, 18?," as she pushed her way through the crowd. Add about eight years on that....
Joelle and Jen. Most Dressed.
PV commentary on Bamboozle.
And one last shout-out to our new friends in Where Legends Die. You may recognize Dom from The Escape Engine. They made a really cool video for us but You Tube is being annoying and won't upload it! Check them out.
This past fall, for my very first music related article EVER I had the opportunity to interview Scary Kid Scaring Kids' keyboardist, Pouyan. The unique charismatic nature of his personality makes it hard not to laugh and thoroughly enjoy yourself while talking with him. After the interview had come and gone and the article was up for the public to enjoy, it was hard for me to turn away from my newly discovered love for their music. Their first full length album had not been out for too long, and in my eyes was a complete success. They achieved a sound unlike any other band in the genre, and they were totally humble to boot. Every time they have come locally I always try to make it out to their show, they put on the kind of performance and stage presence that most major label bands should aspire and pray to have. I have yet to encounter a performance that I have not been completely riveted by, Bamboozle 2007 was no exception.
One of the only real reasons I decided to attend the notorious spring music festival is because I knew that Scary Kids were going to be performing Sunday and they have an album coming out VERY SOON and it is pretty safe to assume they would be pulling out some of their new stuff to throw at fans to kinda mix it up. I had the opportunity to chat with front man Tyson for a bit (whom might I add is one of the nicest guys ever), and from what he was telling me..."this new album is going to be huge." When I asked him what would be different about this album, his eyes lit up like a kid in a candy shop and he took a moment to put together and explain to me that this is going to be an album that is going to bring ALL their fans together and all the miscellaneous genres they have merely touched on and nearly conquered...every kid, every genre...its a little of everything, Scary Kid style. As we continued to talk about it I got more and more excited for this album that Tyson and they guys have been dedicated to for so long and even brought in producer Don Gilman (Linkin Park, etc) to hook it up.
Even thought the guys have been working tirelessly on their new album (having JUST finished the day before they flew in) they were able to put on an awesome show playing favorites of their last releases and some unexpected surprises. Anyone who was lucky enough to be there to watch it definitely left with that in-awe-speechless feeling any true music fan gets after seeing a great live performance. Regardless of how windy it was (there was some wind issues...) or how the wind caught the stage, they rocked it. Tyson's voice sounded awesome, and for once that day, the sound system seemed to be working and making each instrument sound the way it should as opposed to the blob-ish fuzzy sounds I heard earlier in the day. Watching Scary Kids perform is always an experience, as I have said before, but there is always a twist or there is a new song..something that's different. Going along with true Scary Kids fashion, i knew that Pouyan would probably do something crazy or maybe this time his little "near de-pantsing" routine would back-fire. After a set filled with older favorites and some newer ballads that were sure to please, Pouyan scaled the stage. That tall tower thing you always see on either side of the stage, yeah, Pouyan climbed it....and then jumped into the crowd. He rules.
Bottom line here kids- from Tyson's mouth, to my ears, to your eyes..."Please go check out this album, it means a lot, its going to be huge..there's something on it for everyone."
COMING THIS SUMMER. BUY IT.
PICTURES COMING SOOOON...
By Amanda (who will buy at least 3 copies...car, house, and extra cause on is bound to get scratched from use)
April 2007 @ UC Irvine's Wayzgoose Festival (Irvine, CA)
By: Jackie Rudolph & Photo Credit: Jen Sung
Hey remember those studly looking guys who made an appearance in the hit drama, “The OC” or how about that one guy who was Anne Hathaway’s love desire in the movie, “Princess Diaries” or what about that song that you just could not get out of your head back in the year 2003, “I’m Shakin”? Oh, the good old days. Well, they’re here to return. That’s right, Rooney is back and they’re coming out with a new record this summer! Whaaaaat? Yes, they are back for another round of tunes! If you ever wanted to know what happened to Rooney since their self titled album release in 2003, well 4 years later, they are back with their new album, “Calling The World” which hits stores this July! Rooney performed last month at the University of California, Irvine, or as how I like to call it, UC Newport Beach. These guys steamed up the stage at the university’s yearly event called Wayzgoose. The crowd was enormous with tons of love by both the fans, and of course the band members themselves. I was able to score an interview with this shaggy haired front man, who goes by the name of Robert Schwartzman. Speaking with him made me realize how much work it truly takes to put into an actual album. Robert explained that for a good number of years, the guys of Rooney made three different records and created them into one single record. Robert comments that there was a ton of writing, demoing, and recording which basically exhausted the band to the maximum. At least we can now see how much dedication was put into the making of this album. So with all these songs written by the band, are all of these songs true? I was curious about one particular song off of Rooney’s old album called, “Daisy Duke.” Robert explained, “Not all of the songs are 100% true, but there are a good number of songs that are true. In some songs, we are bending the truth. Like for “Daisy Duke”, I kind of like writing songs from other point of views.” It’s cool to see what kind of thoughts are actually circulating through the minds of Rooney. Goes to show that inspiration comes from their own ideas and not from phony lip syncers who have to have their material written by other people (I won’t name names). Love it.
Talking more about the music biz, Robert commented, “I love how instant it is. If you feel something, you just write about it. You can pick up the guitar and just write and play about anything. On your cd, you have your song. So quick, people can hear what you’re feeling, it’s a quick turn around. I wanted to express myself through music. It felt so good. I thought it would be fun to start the band. The thing is the people loved the band right away. We built ourselves up in town. There were all these grateful people who liked us. I was just like ‘Wow, I’ll keep working on this.’ To me, music is just an amazing thing to create and to write a song one day is just special.” Wow, it really is true love with the work he does. Seeing this, I’m putting my own faith in their success, especially for this summer…Just make sure to catch Rooney this summer as their cd hits stores, and don’t forget of course their tour with Fergie as well! Even if their music is not exactly in the same category, it’s all good in your neighborhood this summer because at least you’ll get a variety of different tastes of music, plus it will be quite G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S. Just make sure you’re shakin’ your head at their show, especially since the guys of Rooney are quite proud of the music and are excited to see both new and old fans at their concerts! Oh, and P.S. Be sure to check out their new song, “When Did Your Heart Go Missing.” I’d have to say worth your while, so give it a go to their myspace at www.myspace.com/rooney, or even better go to www.rooney-band.com for even more information.
Good news for the left coasters! Planet Verge is teaming up with Reflection Music Management for a bunch of shows in Los Angeles. First up, is a free event sponsored by ASCAP! Check it out:
If you like Bamboozle, you gotta check this out...
Projekt Revolution Tour 2007 featuring- Linkin park, SAOSIN, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, My Chemical Romance and more....
Here are the dates: Wed Jul 25 TBA To be announced May 22 Fri Jul 27 Marysville , CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre Sat Jul 28 San Bernardino , CA Hyundai Pavilion Sun Jul 29 Mountain View , CA Shoreline Amphitheatre Tue Jul 31 TBA To be announced May 21 Wed Aug 01 Phoenix , AZ Cricket Pavilion Fri Aug 03 Selma , TX Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Sat Aug 04 Dallas , TX Smirnoff Music Centre Sun Aug 05 Woodlands, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pav Tue Aug 07 Atlanta , GA HiFi Buys Amphitheatre Wed Aug 08 Charlotte , NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Fri Aug 10 West Palm Beach , FL Sound Advice Amphitheatre Sat Aug 11 Tampa , FL Ford Amphitheatre Mon Aug 13 Raleigh , NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre Tue Aug 14 Virginia Beach , VA Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Wed Aug 15 Wantagh , NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Fri Aug 17 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center Sat Aug 18 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Sun Aug 19 Bristow , VA Nissan Pavilion Tue Aug 21 Toronto , ON Molson Amphitheatre Wed Aug 22 Clarkston , MI DTE Energy Music Theatre Fri Aug 24 Mansfield , MA Tweeter Center for the Perf Arts Sat Aug 25 Camden , NJ Tweeter Center at the Waterfront Sun Aug 26 Hartford , CT New England Dodge Music Center Tue Aug 28 Syracuse , NY NY State Fair Wed Aug 29 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center Fri Aug 31 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center Sat Sep 01 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre Mon Sep 03 Englewood , CO Coors Amphitheatre
I was so excited to see Third Eye Blind on their "comeback tour." In their glory days, I never missed a show. At his prime time (and prob. most drugged up) Stephen Jenkins was one of the best frontmen around. So when the sold-out show hit Starland Ballroom last week, I couldn't wait to see if they still had it. On the way down, I was wishing I had brought their CDs with me- the first two, the good ones. But it didn't matter because once they hit the stage, it all came back to me. Except, the good 'ol feeling. I don't know if the songs lacked power now or it is just the simple fact that I have changed musical taste so much since my younger high school days, but it just wasn't working for me. During the second song, one of the fat ladies in front of me farted and I could no longer take being packed like a sardine among frat boys, soccer moms and fiteen year-olds who I can't even figure out would hear of Third Eye Blind. I left and went to go chat with The Upwelling.
These New York natives were the only opening act on the tour and get this---they are unsigned. So how does an unsigned act get picked to open an entire 3eb tour? They must rock. The Upwelling have gotten the chance to perform with All American Rejects, Motion City Soundtrack, the Wrens and other well known acts by word of mouth. People like them and word spread as far as Spin magazine, which recently featured The Upwelling on its Web site.
In the case of this show, a very rare thing happened. The opening act stole the headliner's thunder (at least for me and my crew). I've never seen fans cheer for a virtually unknown opening act. There was not a "boo" or chant for the headliner to be heard. Just raised arms and smiles all around. I wasn't even familiar with all the songs, but they hooked me in.
Be sure to check out The Upwelling . Tracks I recommend are "Love is Dead" and "Ruth."
Now just to defend my opinion of 3eb, my friend and former 3eb concert partner, Noelle, saw the Nokia Theater show and said the band did an excessive three encores and by then even she had enough. I can't say the whole show sucked though. I had a great time listening to them in the lobby by The Upwelling's merch, breathing in clear air. They're prob. still good for all basic listeners out there and maybe I would've enjoyed it more in a different venue. But I'm glad I went because I found The Upwelling!
*Joelle
WATCH THE UPWELLING PERFORMING AT STARLAND BALLROOM:
Lately I've decided to do a half-hour of hula hoopping a day (it's a great workout and rumored to be how Beyonce gets so bootylicious) and with that comes another excuse to listen to loud music. Here's what's been keeping my energy pumping.
1. Avril Lavigne, The Best Damn Thing- I know! I know... It's a guilty pleasure. I always listened to Avril on the radio and once two of my favorite artists, Butch Walker and Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida both worked on her last album I had to buy it. This time around, Butch was back and so was I. Here's what I learned from watching the accompanying DVD. 1-Butch wasn't in it enough, 2- Derek Whibly still needs a nose job, 3- Marriage hasn't made Avril more mature, she seems a little bratty. 4- A lot of her fanbase is going to be alienated or not allowed to listen to her potty mouth. Bottom line, this CD may not be The Best Damn Thing, but it's mighty delish. Some songs feel like she's going backwards in evolution as an artist. Some are a giant leap forward (credit Butch). Don't take it too seriously and you'll have a good time singing along. Best of the bunch- "When Your Gone," is sure to be a Number One radio hit. I will keep this on rotation with my hula hooping sountrack.
2. Good Charlotte, Good Morning Revival- I cringed when they did a song, "The River," with Avenged Sevenfold and ended up liking it anyway. I didn't know who sold out more with that one. However, I love this album. While I have a strong alliance to their debut and much boredom with their last effort, I must say, this is new CD anything but a let down. Even the slight rapping that I didn't like at first, I like now. "Keep Your Hands off My Girl" is a winner. "All Black" is a bore (seriously, what is the point of that track??). Good Charlotte are at a place in their career where they could've tanked and followed the same old format that got them famous, but they proved that they're sailing on into safe waters and aren't going anywhere just yet by branching out into new musical territory. The CD gets my hips moving. It'll stay on rotation. Try to get your hands on issue 2 of Planet Verge (from like six years ago, so good luck) and read my interview with Billy. He was blonde then. ah, memories...
3. 1997, A Better View of The Rising Moon- Flat out, Victory Records has been sorta sucking lately (no Black Maria tour??) It's to the point where I don't even want to open CDs from them. But I'm glad I took a chance and spinned 1997. Honestly, the fact that there is a girl in the band (and her hair is cute) grabbed my interest. But I really like the songs and the smooth contrast between male and female vocals. Deff. check out this band.
It's hard to imagine that such a little family gig started in just 1998 would turn into the worldwide success that it is today....the band went from a little side project (recording and writing was put on hold for a shirt while while front man Jared Leto pursued a career in film) to a band that can now headline and co-headline MAJOR tours. Kinda like Taste of Chaos.
For the duration of Spring 2007 the band was on tour with The Used, Aiden, Senses Fail, Chiodos, and Evaline. Even though early in the tour bassist Matt Wachter announced that he would be leaving the band that did not stop them from having a commanding presence on stage...and off.
While standing in the boxy convention hall that has inhabited Asbury Park since the dinosaurs have roamed, 2 things crossed my mind. 1.)Can 30 Seconds to Mars pull it off live? and 2.)When are they going to remodel this performance un-friendly venue? My second question is one that could not be answered, but I was able to successfully answer my first question....
It was my first time visiting and spectating a stop of the Taste of Chaos tour, in previous years I had always been busy...but not this year, thank God. Arriving kinda late I was able to catch the tail end of Aiden's performance and all of Senses Fail. As the "stage swap" as I call it was going down to get ready for 30 Seconds to Mars set you could see by looking around that many of the shirts adorned by the dedicated fans were for none other than...30 Seconds to Mars. Just being in the presence of hard core fans gets me excited...its hard not to feed off of there ever glowing excitement.
As soon as Leto and the guys hit the stage to begin their performance shouts and screams from overly excited fans filled the boxy room and bellowed about. It was evident in their performance that the band is certainly one that feeds off the energy of their spectators. Leto's voice is unmistakably captivating and you can easily get lost in the overall unity and resonance of their music. The band made sure to play all their hits including some that you may not have expected to hear... They played extremely well and left their fans wanting more. I am definitely glad that I was able to see them.
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