Burn Halo Stole the Show (And not just cause the opening act sucked and we didn't stay for the headliners...)

Burn Halo.

The moment of truth...

What's it like to see James Hart fronting a band that's not Eighteen Visions?

As I found out a few weeks ago, quite enjoyable!

Burn Halo songs have instant radio appeal baked into each scrumptious tune. Mainstream music fans will--pardon the pun-- eat them up. The band's debut album is good, but I have to say the live set puts the recording to shame. I actually prefer the demo of "Dirty Little Girl" (the favorite of mine and I'm sure a million others) to the version that made the final cut. And of course, the live version was the highlight of the night.

There didn't seem to be any Eighteen Visions fans in the crowd. I would have been able to tell. They would have been the cool people. Everyone in attendance at this show was a bit weird. The kind of people who wear the t-shirt of the band they're there to see at the show. And apparently also the kind who go out in public wearing nothing but bras, pleather underwear and boots up to their crotches. But I blame that on the fact that this was Snocore and Static-X was headlining.

The point I was trying to make, however, is that the original hardcore Eighteen Visions fans are most likely NOT going to be at these shows. Those who jumped on the bandwagon for their final album, which was much more melodic and mainstream friendly, may have carried over. But unfortunately, as usual, the major label 18V was on never did them justice and rarely seemed to make them a priority. So those fans never had a chance to get a head start on the Burn Halo train.

It was great to see that Hart hasn't lost his edge. He's a captivating frontman and I look forward to seeing another show.

One thing I have to say, however, is that the other guys in the band scream "LA rock." There is totally a different breed of rock musician out there on the west coast. I wish the other band members didn't try so hard to look like they just came back from hanging out with Avenged Sevenfold. That's when I shed a few tears in remembrance of Eighteen Visions. They eluded their own brand of cool.

Expect to hear lots more about Burn Halo this year. They've got the total easy to market package and unlike some of their peers- talent.

I spoke with James while this new musical venture of his was still forming.
CLICK HERE TO READ IT

*By Joelle, who wishes she had Sirius right now so she can be listening as our PV Girl, Jordana, chat with Cosmo Radio.

BAMBOOZLE! 2009

Who's coming out this weekend?! Hopefully everyone!

As we speak(...or as I type) many of the top bands are closing in on the Meadowlands. This year we have acts such as THIRD EYE BLIND, NO DOUBT, Fall Out Boy, This Providence, The Maine, All Time Low, SILVERSTEIN, Our Last Night, Forever the Sickest Kids, Demi Lovado, Sing It Loud and MANY, MANY MORE. Woah. It's going to be insane.

I urge you to come say hello to me, Amanda, at the ShoreAlternative.com tent (we will be located with LyncStar Records). Throughout the day we will be interviewing the who's who of Bamboozle and there will even be some surprise meet and greet opportunities as well! We are going to be posting many of our interviews on Bamboozle TV so if you miss it, you can check them all out later! Awesome, right?? We will also be running contests and have KILLER prize packs.

Stay tuned for more info, but in the mean time head over to www.shorealternative.com and check out our "Top 20" playlists.


**By Amanda who is getting antsy for the weekend.

Live Radio Drama-esque Story-telling @ NYU 4/24

Join a community of writers and audio book lovers in a live radio drama-esque reading celebrating the launch of Gather 'Round: New Audio Stories, a series of stories recorded and produced by Recorded Music senior Vanessa Harris.


Friday, April 24, 2009
Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Location: NYU's Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House
Street: 58 W. 10th St. (closer to 6th Ave. than 5th) New York, NY

The 411: Live radio drama-esque readings, live music, sound effects made by chosen audience participants, wine and refreshments. This is a FREE event.


This is no ordinary reading! Chosen audience participants will be given scripts with directions and items (can of coins, windchime, etc...) to create LIVE SOUND EFFECTS.

Voice over artists will be reading the parts of various characters.

Acoustic guitarist Katie Buchanan will be accompanying the readings to create DRAMA, and will also be playing her own material before and after the event. You can check out her music here:
http://www.myspace.com/katiebuchananmusic

The story-telling line up:

"Electrolytes"
written and narrated by Mary Shyne

"My Father, the Gun Harboring Vietnam Vet" and
"My Mother, the Murderer"
written and narrated by Barbara Sueko McGuire

"How to Avoid Turf Wars in Your Classroom"
written and narrated by Ilana Garon

"Until the Next Check Comes"
by Nicki Gill, narrated by Allyson Briggs

"Chant For Glory"
by Bianca E. Schreiber, narrated by Vanessa Harris

ALSO
There may be another surprise musical guest...
There will be wine and refreshments.

This is a FREE event, guaranteed to be like no other reading you've been to before......
Mark your calendars!!

Slumdog Thousand-aire

Since it is entirely possible that you’ve been living under a rock for the past six or seven months, here’s a recap – Obama won (yep, the black guy), everyone hates rich people, and the Oscar’s were swept by a little movie called Slumdog Millionaire.

Ok, so now that we’re all caught up, let’s talk about this movie. Slumdog Millionaire is the story of a scrappy kid growing up in (no spoiler here) the slums. These slums happen to be in India, making Slumdog arguably the most successful movie - in American markets - with India starring front and center. The implausible love story and game show tension are not really the main attractions. (Really, did anyone not see the Three Musketeers question coming?)

What made the movie unique was the frank depiction of Indian poverty and the stark contrast between the country’s wealthy and poor. For Americans watching from the safety of a multiplex, the plight of the impoverished in India is astounding and probably helped propel the movie to Oscar and box-office glory.

The film has been criticized by some for glossing up the slums a bit too much. (As one Indian friend put it “go to those slums. You’re not going to find Freida Pinto.”) And, yes, there have been more realistic films made illustrating these this poverty. But the fact of the matter is that this is the first Indian-centric film to achieve significant critical and audience success in America, and it shows a small, if less than realistic, shot of the hardships endured by too many every day.

20% of all children who die before age 5 do so in India. And in the five minutes you’ve spent reading this, an Indian woman has died, as one dies every 5 minutes. There is a severe need for improved healthcare and last week, the New York Young Professionals Chapter of the American India Foundation (AIF) hosted their second annual benefit dinner to raise money in an attempt to make an impact on this appalling situation. Raising money for the Apna Clinic, a public health initiative, the Young Professionals will help fund a center to serve 50,000 – 60,000 migrant workers and their families in Mustafabad. The clinic will provide basic screenings and education as well as reproductive and women’s care.

Saturday night is not generally when most people want to hang out and discuss issues of poverty, but the 200+ people who showed up to Vermillion on Manhattan’s east side were happy to use their weekend to try and help. And the many volunteers who spent weeks planning the event were thrilled that such an enthusiastic crowd gathered for this cause. An undeniable success, the event raised over $14,000 for the Apna Clinic. Not quite 20 million rupees, but an impressive effort nonetheless! [Ed note: suddenly thinking we should get one of these volunteers on a game show...]

Whether people are drawn to Indian causes because of a popular film, family connections, or other interests, there is a real and growing need for change in the country. If a mildly cheesy Bollywood type film helps raise awareness among people who can help, then it can be as glossy as it wants to be.

By Jesy, who falls firmly into the "Other" category

Getting ready for our photoshoot!

Sneak a peak as the On The Verge hosts- Joelle, Jordana & Jessica- raid Posche Boutique in Wayne, NJ to pick out clothes for their upcoming photoshoot!













The Glam Fairy is going to do our makeup. We're so excited!





Posche's super sexy owner styled us.

Olsen Haus It!

We stopped by Elizabeth Olsen's NYC studio to pick out some posh feet decor for our On the Verge tapings. Elizabeth's 100% vegan shoes are so stylish we had a hard time choosing! Joelle fell in love with the heels and swears they are the ONLY heels she can walk in! Not only are they comfortable, but they form to your feet so you don't feel like you're going to fall over.

Anyway, keep an eye on our feet to see which ones we picked and head over to www.olsenhaus.com to get a pair of your own! Celebs including Emily Deschanel, Finola Hughes, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Princess Superstar are fans. You will be, too.

Bad idea

E! Online reports that Medium casted Rumer Willis as a prostitute in an upcoming episode.

This is an extremely poor casting decision on a few different fronts. One, Rumer can't act. Two, no one actually likes her, so this won't garner any viewers. And three, it'll be hard for anyone to believe that anyone would pay to hit this (in the non-Chris Brown sense, at least).

*By Jess, whose coffee equivalent is Pepsi Max.

Jordana's Going on CosmoRadio!