Tune In: Tokyo Rose

There must have been something in the water fountains of Bloomfield High School, because some pretty cool people in our little "scene" have emerged to make a name for themselves beyond the hallways.

1. Joey Southside: Hardcore's favorite frontman from The Banner (Ferret Records).


2. Obi Fernandez: Ska-elites all know and love Westbound Train (Hellcat-Epitaph).



3. Matt Reilly: Once a member of Tokyo Rose and former singer for The Finals (Immortal Records).

4. Ryan Dominguez: Singer for Tokyo Rose (Side Cho).
Which brings me to....


The new Tokyo Rose album, The Promise in Compromise, is good I can barely concentrate on writing this review because I'm singing along with it.

Leaps and bounds ahead of the band's past effort, New American Saint, (which was also great), these 11 new tracks show a riskier Tokyo Rose. Track 3, "We Can Be Best Friend's Tonight, But Tomorrow I'll Be..." introduces some dance floor tunes from the band. It's one of my favorites and should be on the playlist at MisShapes if it's not already. I can just picture the hipsters doing the steps along with the song. Classic.

The songwriting comes across as carefully penned and is quite impressive. The choruses are big and the verses are more than just filler. "Love is just a lyric we all sing along to" from track 9 is one of my favorite new lines. The Promise in Compromise should give Tokyo Rose a good push towards the forefront of the scene and by the next album, mainstream recognition shouldn't be too far behind.

On July 31, make sure you get your hands on this disk and if you have the chance to see the band- with a new line-up- I recommed it for a good time.

*By Joelle, who graduated with Obi and Ryan, but writes about them only because she likes the music.

The Replacements

Today, Hit The Lights frontman, Colin, announced his departure. Turns out the touring life is just not for him. It's sad but understandable. I'd never want to live life on the road and never have a homebase, time for love, or puppy kisses greeting me at my front door every night, either.




A similar announcement came about a month ago from NYC-based band, Fixer, when their usually shirtless guitarist, Wilson Lihn left for the same reason. That was a huge shock to me, because I worked with the band for years and Wilson was one of the members who besides frontman, Evan Saffer, handled a lot of the business aspects of the band. I guess everything eventually took it's toll. And as time goes on, sometimes reality sets in and it's time to settle down and appreciate the less hectic side of life. Like a wife and family, perhaps.





It always takes a bit getting used to a new band member. Most of the time, I don't like the replacements. But then, look at The Finals. Their new singer really improves the band. I was never too much of a fan of their original singer Matt's voice and can't wait to hear the new recordings. The live show already rocks.




The only thing that hurts in the process is having the old songs up promoting the band when a singer leaves. The Finals are dealing with this and now Hit The Lights will, too.

When Tucker (bass) and Sprout (guitar) left The Pennyroyals, I pretty much decided that band is over and their name should be changed. After all, once the founding member and most recognizable faces from the band are gone, it's a totally different band. Mike (vocals) was pretty new to band at the time and I think it would have done them well to change their name. I'm sure they wanted to hold onto the acclaim and fan base, but none of it holds true because everyone who worked hard for it is pretty much finito.

Fixer's new guitar player doesn't have Wilson's looks or shirtless appeal that all the ladies loved. But maybe he adds a new dimension to the band and should be checked out.

I can't say I'll still love Hit the Lights. Sure, Omar and his 'fro are awesome. But, if Colin wrote most of the songs, then the remaining members have a lot to work on to keep things going. However, I'm looking forward to see who steps up to the mic.


*Joelle

PV LA show Recap

Most of Planet Verge was stuck in NJ while while our good friends Carrie at Reflection Music Management and MTV and Jennifer at ATN Management brought PV on board to co-sponsor a rockin' evening at The Key Club. This ASCAP reccomended show featured The Scene, The Good Cheer, The Ringers, Dirty Kings and OK Stranger.

Superb-photographer, Don Richner of DRZ Images captured the action:

Rooney & The Rewinds (say that five times fast)

I had the pleasure of a guest list spot at Rooney's show in Hoboken at Maxwell's, their first Jersey appearance in three years. Friendly, energetic, and interactive, they played a variety of new and old material and engaged the over-sold out crowd in their Beach Boys-with-a-twist style singalongs. I strongly encourage you all to get their new album when it drops next month, because everything they played from it was just as good, if not better, than their self-titled debut. I loved their set so much that I spent the entire length of it recording it on my friend's voicemail for us to relive later on.

Another fun part of the evening was the sole opening act, The Rewinds, who were just as catchy and fun and infectious as their headliners. Discovered and handpicked by Rooney through the ubiquitous MySpace, the Birmingham, Alabama natives will probably be headliners soon, if not for their killer songs, then for their neat merch--they have ribcage shirts (similar to Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap, who is one of my heroes) and--get this--a Rewinds gumball machine. It's clear that they're going places, and hopefully one of those places is a return to Jersey. We like them here.


*By Jess, who feels like she's hogging this blog space and got a killer haircut at the Hoboken Beauty Parlour this weekend.

Darfur for Dummies

Courtesy of Wikipedia.

"Date 2003–present
Location Darfur
Result Humanitarian catastrophe (est. 200,000-400,000 or more dead and 2,500,000 refugees)

There are many casualty estimates, most concurring on a range within the hundreds of thousands. The United Nations (UN) estimates that the conflict has left as many as 450,000 dead from violence and disease.

Most NGOs (non-governmental organizations) use 200,000 to over 400,000, a figure from the Coalition for International Justice that has since been cited by the UN. Sudan's government claims that over 9,000 people have been killed, although this figure is seen as counterfactual (that means the Sudanese government is lying).

As many as 2.5 million are thought to have been displaced as of October 2006.

The Sudanese government has succeeded in suppressing information by jailing and murdering witnesses since 2004 and tampering with evidence such as disturbing mass graves and by doing so eliminating their forensic value. In addition, by obstructing and arresting journalists, the Sudanese government has been able to obscure much of what has gone on. The mass media once described the conflict as both 'ethnic cleansing' and 'genocide,' and now do so without hesitation."



*By Jess, who encourages you to spend the ten bucks on iTunes and get Instant Karma.

Do yourself (and the world) a favor.

I recently purchased the Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur album because it was a cause I believed in.

Even if you are completely ignorant to what's going on in Darfur (for once, I'm not going to lecture you about it), I urge you to buy this as a music fan. Why? Regina Spektor's cover of "Real Love." I wasn't a fan of hers before and couldn't understand what the fuss was about, but upon hearing this song... I get it. It gives me the chills.

There's something on this for everyone, really. Buy buy buy! And bye.


*By Jess, who made some nice money at a bake sale/basement show this weekend

More on the musical act that makes Jay-Z bob his head

Remember a little bit ago when I introduced y'all to PlayRadioPlay?

Since then, I got to talk to him on the phone (while baking biscuits, no less!), and now I just love him even more. And don't be fooled by his Texan roots--he's not an idiot (like one really famous, powerful person from that state, or my older brother--hi Steve!), nor does he have a really strong accent. However, they say everything is bigger in Texas--and if they're talking about potential for greatness in powerpop, by God, they finally got something right with Dan.

Tell us a bit about your newest EP, The Frequency.
Ah, The Frequency--it's six songs; they're demos I recorded by myself at my house over a year. Half of it is very electronic-y--is that a word?--and half's a lil' mellow but dancy. I'm actually working on a full length that should be out in January.

Oh, neat! Wanna dish a little about that?
We might redo one or two songs from The Frequency EP, but things are going well in studio, so now maybe we won't. And I'm recording with producers! So it's gonna be a lil'–-still really electronic, but a lil' bit more full band interaction, too.

Do you prefer working with a full band, or do you like to be on your own to have more control over your sound?
You know, I'm excited for the chance to do a full album on my own, but I'm definitely not in a place yet where I can make a full album by myself. I'm working with Garrett Lee and Dr. Luke--and we're all from such diff backgrounds, with different musical experiences... I'm just taking it all in right now, and I'm really learning a lot. But, I would like to do one on my own in future.

One of your marketing points is "straight edge Texas softcore." Do you listen to any hardcore bands at all?
Hmmm, I dunno'. I listen to metal, but I'm not a connoisseur. I do like harder stuff definitely, but I'm not the best versed person. I will never be an encyclopedia of metal bands.

You're straight edge after a pretty tough battle with substances. Is it hard for you on the road, like if you're playing with other acts that don't share that quality?
Ah, straight edge--I started being straight edge right out of rehab. It was really difficult at first, but now it's really just not an issue.

What could we find if we invaded your iPod right now?
Muse, Arcade Fire—-I actually just saw them live last night at the Amphitheater in LA, and man, it was quite an experience!—Sigur Ros too. And my all time favorite, the Smashing Pumpkins.

You must be excited for their new material.
Ohhh yeah, definitely. The new album will be awesome, I'm sure.

You just played Bamboozle, which is pretty huge. Do you prefer big crowds or smaller, more intimate shows?
Oh boy, the bigger the better! But I definitely like small shows where everyone knows the words. Bamboozle was unreal--it was such great experience, and I really liked it a lot, but I definitely do like more intimate shows too.

You've accomplished all this before you even graduated high school. Are you gonna don the cap and gown with your class?
I finished school two months ago with online courses. The ceremony is next week, but I'm not really excited…

As a rehab veteran, what do you think of Lindsay and Britney? You think they'll make it?
Ha, I'm not sure, but you know what? Any press is good press, so rehab press is good press.

And naturally, I have to ask. What was it like meeting Hova?
Jay-Z works at Def Jam, which is a part of Island, and I played for everyone there, and he was there, and he was bobbing his head discreetly in back room while I played. And we had an awkward handshake and an extremely awkward picture taken.


*By Jess, whose biscuits are better than Red Lobster's (are you paying attention, Joelle?)

They Aren't So Invisible Anymore....

It's not everyday that you are afforded the opportunity to learn about a truly life changing documentary that does not show case the horros of skateboarding injuries or the effect a good solid tour has on one's liver...

The 2007 Honda Civic Tour (feat. Fall Out Boy, +44, The Academy Is..., Cobra Starship, and Paul Wall) signed on a bunch of "roadies" to promote this "life-umentary" at the venues being played to help spread the word and educate the general population of teenies attending...I was lucky enough to find these roadies. Being an avid reader of basically all public accessable documents published on modern conflicts, I was aware of the civil unrest in the African nation of Uganda. This documentary is called Invisible Children and it captures the up close and personal experience of three guys who really didn't know anything but discovered everything...everything from the lords to the rebels to the childrens'involvement in internal militant ventures to the massive displacement of people. Living on hardly anything each day, they work and they fight to survive not only the harsh weather, but the harsh world they live in. There is certainly an unexplainable sense of emotional tormoil, you get to witness it all in their story...its just incredible.

The reality of this horror is crippling and the world is in vital need of awareness.

Help me spread the word.
Help us change the world.

www.invisiblechildren.com

*By Amanda whose life was changed by two guys under a tent who had a passion, and a message...worth hearing. Thank you.

Five Reasons Why Paolo Nutini Would Be The Perfect Boyfriend

Foremost and first, he has a song called "New Shoes," so he'd understand my fetish for them and wouldn't roll his eyes at my excitement for yet another pair of gogo boots, Chucks, or some other fun footwear.

Second, he could sing me to sleep. "Last Request," though it makes me misty occasionally, is just very relaxing to hear.

Third, he can easily be--and has been--likened to Al Green.

Fourth, he's from Scotland with an Italian name, so not only does he have an adorable accent, but my mother would just die.

Fifth--Jesus Christ, he looks like this.




Paolo, I will show you my prowess any time you damn well please. Just come to the US, because I don't have a passport, and no amount of eyelash batting can get me around that.


*By Jess, who got a rack today (for her shoes).

Alternative Press Isn't Just a Magazine...it's a tour.

Friday, April 20th 2007
To a successful tour, you have to get bands on board that can A) get along without wanting to commit some kind illegal assault on another band members life, B) have relatively “complimenting” sounds/styles, and C) the drive to rock hard almost every night for…well, months. AP Magazine was able to find four bands that fit the criteria. The tour was made up of Cute is What We Aim For, Circa Survive, As Tall As Lions, and Envy on the Coast.

When you arrive at the Stone Pony it is always exciting when almost all of your senses can feel the emanating presence of talent waiting to be unleashed. Fans were lining the sidewalks waiting to get in well before the doors were slated to open. I knew by the excitement of the fans that it would be a good night. The fans possibly more dedicated than Yankee fans. The show had been sold out and there was an expected 1,500 fans attending. For those of you reading this and have been to the Pony, and have any kind of minds eye…you can imagine that the environment inside was not exactly conducive to having a nice chat with the person standing next to you.

Standing backstage looking at the stage as Envy on the Coast went on, it became obvious to me that even though they are still pretty young they have the talent, drive, passion, and the work ethic of a band that has been in the industry for decades and touring for longer than they have been alive.



Envy walked on stage with a level of confidence that I have to say, I did not expect. With many of the “younger” bands in the business you find that they are complete jokers or don’t take their talent seriously. That was not the case with Envy on the Coast. While you could tell they are fun loving guys, you are also able to see that they have complete respect for their art form and they are in love with music. They played a set filled with skillful keys, powerful guitar and exceptionally energetic vocals. By far one of the highlights of the whole night was when lead singers of Circa Survive (Anthony Green) and As Tall As Lions (Dan Nigro) joined the guys on stage for one of their final songs. It is so inspiring to watch seasoned talent compliment the sound of the young rising talent on stage. You could tell that everyone has respect for everyone else’s expression, very cool to see.

As Envy left the stage, they did so to the yells and cheers of their fans. It was certainly a performance that left you wanting more.

ATAL (As Tall As Lions) singer Dan Nigro had little time to waste as he hopped off stage after helping out Envy on the Coast with their last tune. After accompanying his band with loading their equipment, the band was warmly welcomed to the stage for what would be one of the most amazing live performances I have ever seen.

Before hearing about the AP tour and the bands that would be on it, I had heard extremely little about As Tall As Lions, but from what I had heard…they were good. I found that ATAL’s is one of those bands that you go buy their record because someone told you it was good, you listen to it and you think “ehhh, they are pretty good.” THEN, if you are one of the lucky ones, you stumble upon one of their shows and you walk away from it in awe. You come away from their performance thinking about creativity and wondering if you ever creative at all. They played a set filled with songs that are certainly melodically driven and have deeply rooted lyrics. They played what is now one of my ring-tones, “Love, Love, Love” which certainly set the mood and the majority of the crowd was able to sing back. This was the second band in a row that used synth’s in a way that I actually enjoyed.



I had the pleasure of standing next to Mr. Anthony Green (circa Survive) for ATAL’s set, and after a couple of their songs I saw him looking over at me trying to figure out what I thought. All I was able to do was turn to him and say without any hesitation was “that was amazing.” He smiled, nodded and went back to watching the show. Unless you have a true appreciation for the LOVE of music and the drive for one to convey their passions and emotions through lyrics and performance, I don’t know that you could truly get the whole experience that is an As Tall As Lions performance.


ARTIST SPOTLIGHT…CIRCA SURVIVE
Circa Survive. What was once just a thought in Anthony Green’s head is now a reality…a reality that they actually having to recognize themselves as a “bigger band.” With the upcoming release of their 2nd studio album, the guys are living the dream. With Juturna, their first release as a band, being a genre success of barrier breaking proportion their 2nd album entitled On Letting Go with a release date slated for this month, promises to give us a look at how the band has grown, changed, and developed after touring and living life together as Circa Survive following Juturna.

I got to the Stone Pony with just enough time to joint the Circa Survive guys on their bus for a chat before they had to do an autograph signing… Let’s just say I walked on the bus and my “hello” was a poke in the stomach from the guys foam pirate swords that they had acquired at some point on the road. After talking about their experience recording this new album I was able to establish that they have completely tranquil confidence about this record. They seem to be extremely happy about the place in which they mentally and emotionally recorded it. I was happy to hear it.

They are fun guys and responded well to my not-so-conventional interview questions. When asked what super hero they would be, I get an array of responses…superman, batman, aquaman?

The band went on later that night to put on a show stopping performance. Out of the many times I have seen them perform live, this was probably my favorite. Playing some songs of their upcoming release, it was a nice sneak peak at what is to come. I was overjoyed when they played some of my very favorite “classic” Circa songs such as Stop the Car, and The Great Golden Baby.



To end the night on an acoustic note Anthony Green came out to perform an encore that rivals the best I have ever seen. His voice penetrated every emotional nerve in the room and it was certainly a unique and inspiring way to end their set. I was not expecting it, but I was certainly glad I was able to experience it.



Cute is What We Aim For…what can I say? As soon as front man Shannt walked in the side stage door to begin prepping for his bands portion of the show, it was hard not to wince at the screeching and screaming of his female fan section attempting to convey their love to the long haired rocker. Certainly one of the crowd’s favorite bands, their were high expectations for their performance. Not to fear, the “Cute” band brought it, the stars were certainly in line. The band could not perform a song that at least 70% of the crowd could belt back.

Playing “Curse of Curves” along with other crowd favorite about ripped jeans, they guys could not go wrong. Cute is definitely a band that gives the crowd what they want, and they do it in style…and with talent. You know that your band has a good performance when you are able to look out at the crowd and see almost everyone rubbing their sore throats from yelling to many lyrics, i bet 7-11 was packed that night. Props boyzzz.

ALL photos were shot by Amanda Tumulty.

*By Amanda who thanks Circa Survive for their KICK ASS new album....BUY IT

How To Get Your Band Taken Like, Really, Super Duper Seriously

Want to show the world your musical act is the real deal? That you're not just a bunch of post-emo pansies, and that you're like, sooooooo totally deep? It's much easier than you might believe.


Obviously, as a band of musicians, it is of utmost importance that you begin your transformation into a Serious Band with your outward appearance. There are a couple of ways to accomplish this, but it's best if you combine all of the following:

- All of you must dye your hair black. Aryans do not have feelings, do not have thoughts, do not have even the slightest hint of cognitive or emotional ability. Emotions and thoughts are for like, gays.

- All of you must wear black t-shirts. Not black pants, though. What do you want to do, be like, goth or something? So old. And like, really gay.

- One of you must wear more eyeliner than the byproduct of the post-nookie pillowcase stains of Dave Navarro and Jenna Jameson. Not all of you, because that would be overkill. And that might look... You know... Gay. And you're totally not gay. You hate gays. You know for a fact that gays killed the dinosaurs, and even though you've never heard them before, you have to make sure everyone knows you listen to T-Rex.

- Your frontman should, after roughly a year, decide black hair isn't working and Prell his way back to blonde roots. Chicks dig blonde guys. The rest of you need to grow it out, because roots look punk. Not that you're punk. Punk and hair dye, you'll decide, are for stupid girly bands. And gays.


Next in your quest not for "rockstardom," but like, really serious musicianship is your stage show.

- You must--must--thrash a great deal. Otherwise, you'll sound like, emo. And emo is for gays.

- When you introduce songs, do so ambiguously. Being obvious is for punks, and you're not a loser fag pop-punker. "This is a song about a girl" will not work for you, because your songs are like, never about girls. Singing about girls is for gays.


Finally, your songwriting has to be like, really, really deep. Like, Marianas Trench deep, brah.

- You really need to use metaphors. "The world is an open herpes sore on my parched lower lip" would be lyrical genius. If you're discussing a relationship, you need to mask it under this same literary device, because you shouldn't even be doing it to begin with. "She's a Motel Six in need of a sugar fix" works nicely.

- Nickelback are your rolemodels as far as music goes. You need to be as unique, as groundbreaking, as innovative, and as evolutionary as these greats. Except you're going to be even better, because you have a keyboard. Not a synth, though, because synths are gay.





By Jess, who recently acquired tan lines