Concert Junkie: Rambles about Zeppelin Rumors

Anticipation is growing, rumors are flying, and I'm screaming in agony. I first heard the announcement of the legendary Led Zeppelin holding auditions for Robert Plant replacements earlier this week. I shrugged and said 'Meh.' However, I just read on the LA Times music blog of who the mighty Zeppelin might settle on for a replacement, I can't stay quiet any longer.


Myles Kennedy should not be the new Plant for Zep. First off, his voice does not compare to Plant. Scott Weiland, in his hay-day with STP, would have been a more sufficient choice than no-name Kennedy. I do not want Zeppelin to turn into the non-Robert Halford years of Judas Priest. If you are not sure about what I mean, try to watch the movie Rock Star. I know it is painful to get through the awful plot holes and extensions in Jennifer Anniston's hair, but that's why I said try. However, I wholeheartedly understand if you pass. The movie is about how Halford left Judas Priest, and how they hired Tim "Ripper" Owens, a no-name, who sang in a Judas Priest tribute band. He shared the stage with Priest for a brief stint, until the band realized they could set their egos aside and hire back the great one.

Another strike against Kennedy is he's from Creed. Now, for those who know me well know that I find Creed to be repulsive and talentless. They shared the same Christian rock fad as P.O.D(remember them?), which then spawned South Park's awesome episode of when Cartman started a Christian Rock Band. Kennedy will not generate people to go flocking to the arenas or outdoor theaters. Currently, according to the LA Times blog survey, over 60 percent of the readers surveyed, don't care for a tour if its not Plant, while four percent find this decision "awesome."

When Zep announced their charity show last year, millions of people from all over the world, registered in the lottery within the first hour alone. I don't think die hard Nickleback or Creed fans combined can generate anything close.

Please Jimmy, John, and Jason, stop your auditions and bring Plant to the table. You guys can most definitely negotiate something. Don't turn into the non-Halferd years! Plant put the Krauss album on hold. You know we'll want to hear it in another year or so, but while you still can hit the notes, go on tour with Zeppelin. It can seriously save the world economy. Think about it. Remember the old mantra guys: One rock show can save the world.

By Lori, who would sell her first unborn child for Zeppelin to come to North America.

Houston Calls: We have no problem here.

What's unique about Houston Calls isn't just their ability to craft some of the best uptempo hooks in music today (though that certainly applies, too). It's their ability to convey wide ranges of genuine emotions, not just in one album, but in single songs.

In "Modest Manifesto," Tom Keiger sings of disheartening "graves of debt," a reflection on the difficulty to balance doing what you love with making a decent living. Building upon that theme, in "Life Won't Wait," Keiger laments, "I've got no four walls to call my own," while revealing a not-so-clandestine love for the Bouncing Souls; "A Shot in the Dark" says, just within its title, how making it in the music industry and in the realm of romance both require not only hard work and dedication, but also quite a bit of luck.

As usual, the band succeeds with their singalong tracks ("Modest Manifesto," "Life Won't Wait," "A Shot in the Dark," and the gang-vocal glory of "Abandone"). Their ballads generally fare relatively well ("Stay With Me Tonight," "The Oaks on Prince St."), but their strength was, is, and likely will remain with their most uptempo tracks.

"It's disheartening and it drives me crazy," Keiger sings of the music scene in "Modest Manifesto." A song later, he changes his tune and sticks up his chin: "Whatever was I thinking? The best times of my life are just beginning." Throughout the album's examinations of both relationships and the difficulties of making it in the music business, no matter how hard either one seems, the band maintains a decided and determined optimism, making them a true gem for listeners.

Hopefully, Houston Calls won't fall with this record. But if they do, fans can rest easy: They'll get back up again, and if their evolution up to this point is any indicator, they'll be even better when they do.



*By Jess, who rediscovered her love for shortbread cookies today.

It's Coming!

The Devil Wears Prada CD/DVD Re-Release!

It came out this past Tuesday and it has been well worth the wait. My good friend Ben filmed the DVD and I must say, it came out awesome. If you are a fan of TDWP or you just like checking out new music and getting a sneak peak at what life on the road is like... This is an investment you should make.


Be sure to check out The Devil Wears Prada on the "American Siege Tour" with UNDEROATH, and Saosin!!




**By Amanda, who has a kick-booty costume for tomorrow.

UnderOATH is Set to Take on the World.

In an age where the most popular radio hits are those that follow the trends and give in to what they know is safe, those artists are rarely remembered when the trends evolve. Thankfully there are still some bands that stay true to their beliefs and make an album condensed with raw emotion that unless used in a creative context would never be uttered as words and blend together a perfect mess of transcending creative mayhem. That is just what UnderOATH has done with their latest full-length success, Lost in the Sound of Separation, they achieved and went above and beyond.

This album is a collaboration of naked emotion that reveals both triumph and defeat and the pursuit of devastatingly furious instrumentals to accompany the audacious and guttural screams of vocalist Spencer Chamberlain. The sound on this album is bombastic and hard-rocking yet it’s crisp and refined. This album will crawl under your skin and entice your senses.

Without a doubt Lost in the Sound of Separation is one of the top 3 albums of 2008.

After selling out shows in 8 different countries around the world, UnderOATH is back on American soil to do similar. The ‘American Siege Tour’ (covering 34 dates nationwide) is being supported by two of the biggest alternative/hardcore bands out there right now, Saosin (who just released a new full length on Capital Records) and The Devil Wears Prada (whom this week had the major re-release of their sophomore success, Plagues). Only about two weeks into the tour many of the dates thus far have been selling out.

Terminal 5 in New York City, which has a capacity of 3,000, hosted one of the stops on the tour. Even though the show was on a Sunday night and school was being anticipated the next day, kids came out and brought illuminating energy.

Spencer’s vocals throughout the entire set were memorizing. His intense screams boosted by his melodic singing parts gave their live performance such depth. Every aspect of the instrumentals are tight enough to make the sounds cohesive yet loose enough to make the music full. UnderOATH’s performance is well rounded and jaw dropping but it’s the gall they put behind the delivery that makes the walls around you shake.

At one point in their set Spencer’s mic cut out and what were we left with? Those lucky enough to be standing up against the barrier and close to the stage were able to hear his voice in the raw, never once did he let up or draw attention to the fact that there was some equipment failure. Some of those kids that got to experience it passed by me as they were walking out. I could see them grabbing the sides of their heads and blinking heavily as if they had seen a ghost, they described Spencer in those few moments as “God-like” and “one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

UnderOath give’s kids a hardcore/rock concert they will not soon forget.

POS, a ‘hip-hopper’ out of Minnesota, was such a cool way kick off a night of hardcore rock. He is a one-man show, do not underestimate him just because he doesn’t travel with a posse (but now he has the support and friendship of the rockers on this tour), he brings it to the stage and draws the crowd in with his REAL lyrics and catchy beats. If you have not had a chance to check him out, or he is not going to be playing at the UnderOATH tour date you are attending, check our his MySpace and give him a listen.
www.myspace.com/pos

“Planet Verge’s Warped Tour Band of the Year,” The Devil Wears Prada is also an opener on this tour. They have been drawing out a solid crowd every night of the tour and have been selling mountains of merchandise, which you will be seeing on the streets any minute now. The Devil Wears Prada’s live performance is full of life and has matured and grown since their summer on Warped Tour. In between Warped Tour and now they took some time to write and refine themselves as musicians, it shows instrumentally, vocally, and is evident through the performance of a brand new song. They are one of the strongest bands in the genre today. There impact is immeasurable and their music is fast becoming an IPod essential. Spring 2009 has been slated for the release of their next studio album. Keep your eyes and your ears open.
www.myspace.com/thedevilwearsprada

For the past two years Saosin has been riding the train of success generated by their self-entitled album, they came to this tour with a newly released LP and a rejuvenated and awe-inspiring performance. Lead singer, Cover Reber, has such a versatile vocal range. He is able to achieve deep guttural screams and then sing with a crisp and unique tone capable of giving anyone goose bumps. While there old songs were the obvious crowd favorite, their new ones were greeted with open arms and given positive feed back.
www.myspace.com/saosin



This tour, without a doubt, is one of the most talent packed we will see over the next year. Each band is linked together by their alternative roots yet each band has their own interpretation and creative take on the music making art form. The entire concert was like reading a book, each band a chapter and each song kept you wanting to read more.



**By Amanda, who is listening to Interpol.

Sohodolls at CMJ

Oct. 25
Ace of Clubs

WOW. Deff. worth the 2+ yr. wait for them to come to America. If you weren't there, you really missed out! There's lots more, including an interview coming, but you'll have to wait for that! Big Planet Verge news on the way (wink)

*By Joelle, who spent the day with Sohodolls

CMJ SHOWS!

Don't miss these shows at CMJ.




(PERFUMA!)