Lineup For Next Week!

Our scheduled guests for next week:

Monday:

The Four Kicks



Wednesday:
Rantings of Eva



Thursday: Tentative Guest

Friday:
Impulsive Decision


Stay tuned! :-)

-Blondie

I'm not the milk and cheerios in your spoon.

Friday, February 29th, 2008
First Ave (listen to the podcast)


Two college students, an ESPN Employee, and...someone else with a full-time-job (thanks Paul for not telling us what he does!), make up the almost entirely left-handed, four-piece band, "First Ave".

Having released their album "The Big Time", the low-key band mates are doing their best to get their music out to the general Connecticut area by taking it easy and generating a huge home fan-base!

Paul Chasse called into the show and we really got a great chance to be able to get to know him, and they sound like they have a really great thing going (not to mention the fact that they sound amazing)! Paul and Joe (drummer) have known each other since highschool, and since being at college they've befriended and met the other two of their band mates; John (bass) and Tim (guitar and vocals). Listen to the podcast to get the scoop on that and their crazy left-handed guitar stories.

Listen to these fine fellas HERE and buy their album while you're at it!

From the land of much beer taxation...

...comes forth Slowking!

Thursday, February 28th
SlowKing (listen to the podcast, man)


They sound like "the low moan of a barking sea horse during rush hour traffic"

Guitar teacher, guitarist and vocalist, Luke Michielsen called in for the second time on the show! Last time he called in, we goofed and forgot to give him the local number. Since he's in Canada, toll-free numbers don't work too well for him.

Slowking has been together for two years, and have been playing shows for a year and a half.
Luke and drummer, Matthew Comper came up with the idea of the band "from doing the university, party, thing", and upon hearing the cover bands that played at them, they thought,"Common, we can write better songs than Kiss and Neal Diamond!"
A few childhood/university friends later, SlowKing was formed and they released their first album, "Rival Cities" in October of 2007.

You can see their beautiful faces HERE, and you can order their album HERE, and see the remote city that they live in HERE (listen to the podcast and you'll see why we must educate everyone where Guelph is)

Much lurv,
-Blondie

Lolcat Approves

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
The Wading Girl (podcast up soon)


"Hi, we're The Wading Girl, and we're an American band based in the Roanoke Valley in Southwestern Virginia. We play rock n' roll music that finds it's influence in many places, from punk to Americana, and we try to use these things that we love to make our own sound. We sing about our friends, our families, religion, politics, whiskey, books, traveling, geography, and love (both lost and found). Sometimes we sing about all of the above at the same time. We ride around in our bright red van and play shows. We've undergone a lot of changes in our three years of existence; we've played in a lot of different places, met a lot of people and made a lot of friends (and maybe some enemies?). We've self-released two full length albums. We're currently working on another one. We try our damnedest to be honest and real in what we do. We don't like writing bios. Chances are we'll be on tour soon. Maybe we'll see you. "These kids can give you loud, rockin' guitars with great hooks or they can dial it back a notch and give you soft melodies and heartfelt lyrics." – My Old Kentucky Blog "The genius of the Wading Girl is that the band makes it look so easy, as if writing sparkling, perfect pop was as pedestrian as purchasing stamps." – The Roanoke Times "

Fixing to head off on a tour down the east coast and back, the trio (plus friends who fill in for certain instrument parts) Sarah, Billy and Josh make up the Raonoke, VA based band, The Wading Girl. Sarah and Billy called into the show this morning and gave us some details about the band ranging from how they met, down to the custom album art they created for their CD's.

Listen to the podcast come tomorrow morning! The link will be posted!

Catching up! I promise!

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
GreyTide (listen to podcast)


"GREY TIDE HAS A SOUND THAT IS UNLIKE MOST BANDS OUT THERE TODAY. IT'S CLEAN, MATURE, AND ORIGINAL. THE SINGER IS A FUTURE STAR THAT KNOCKS YOU ON YOUR *REAR (edited for content) WHEN YOU SEE HIM AT THEIR LIVE SHOW. YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF HIM. THESE GUYS ARE GOING PLACES." -Josh Grabelle, President, Trustkill Records

"Melding the sounds of the post hardcore underground, Euro-pop and the
genre once known as art rock, Grey Tide forges upon a musical wilderness
where many have been afraid to tread. Hailing from the upstate region of
Central New York, Grey Tide has a powerful and hypnotic rhythm section
(Daniel Bebber, Bass and Steve Lowe, Drums) sculpted together with a dual
guitar attack (Devin Chavis and Brandon Smith), brought full circle by a
unique and stylized vocalist (Dj Hopkins). Grey Tide paints a musical
landscape with both broad strokes and fine detail. They are more than a
band. They are artists."

DJ (AKA: The Singer Vocalist Dude) and Devin (AKA: The Laughing Guy) joined me and The Viking (The Tamborine Cowbell Playing Dude) yesterday on the show. Listen to the podcast and get the history of why they call themselves GreyTide, how they came to be a group, and how they think the independent music world is changing the way everyone looks at music.

Blam!

Friday, February 22nd, 2008
Easton Legacy (listen to the podcast...seriously)


Brian, Charles, Jesse, Joe, and Ryan all called the show in their fury of awesomeness. Anyone that can make The Viking and I laugh for an entire interview is "A-Okay" in our book. I could say a lot about these guys, but the podcast actually says it all a lot better than I could! So listen to it, and be sure to check out their website, and order their album that they made by shutting themselves up in their studio with no contact with the outside world. That's dedication, folks.

Code Black Video

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

-Blondie

She’s the kind of girl that smiles when you wake up, She really loves the beach and she’s pretty without makeup.

She listens to Johnny Cash and Dylan too,
I’m glad I found you, I’m so glad I found you.

- The Bumper Sticker Song by Last November

Speaking of which...

Thursday, February 21st, 2008
Last November (listen to podcast)


Luke Pilgrim - Guitar & Vocals
Tyler Ayers - Bass
Chris Jones - Guitar, Keys & Vocals
Taylor Woodruff - Drums & Vocals

"An honest feel pours out every time Last November takes stage. Their fans are absolutely amazing, and their word of mouth has pushed the band to true heights. Playing small towns, college and major metro venue shows. Last November has taken all the beauties and beast the road can offer. Their intention of spreading their sound by just continuing in their efforts is truly paying off.

Last November is a band that quickly exceeds expectations. Their debut release, entitled all the gory details is a compilation of honest, thought-provoking lyrics that echo passionately through the voice of lead singer Luke Pilgrim. The album featured on "The Real World" and other MTV shows, is undeniably artistic, filled with indie rock-influenced tunes that will leave you wondering where this band has been hiding." Read More...

We've had two firsts on Blondie and The Viking in the past couple of days! Yesterday we interviewed our first contemporary Christian band (Fairgreen), and today we interviewed our first band that is signed to a label! Funky, huh? (yes we have permission to play their stuff; don't worry)

But anyway! As I'm sure you've guessed, Last November is the band that is signed to a label (Southern Track Records)! Luke Pilgrim, guitarist, vocalist, graphics artist and music mastermind, called into the show and even through his head cold, managed to answer every question I had (which was a lot...it's cool having a completely different aspect to look at seeing that they're on the other side of the "signed" spectrum).

Their sophomore album, "Over The Top, Or Under The Weather" is scheduled to be released in stores March 13th for $12.99, but if you hurry and order their Pre-Order Package, you can get a signed copy of the album, a bumper sticker, and two band merch buttons for $7.99 (sign me up!).


Last November "The Bumper Sticker Song"

Are you as fair as the green grass grows?

Fairgreen is! And they're right nice too!

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
Fairgreen (podcast up soon)


They're fair. They're green. They have rockin' t-shirts and album art (OKAY SORRY, I know I comment on art a lot, but hey...it's a compliment!), AND they sound awesome to boot.

"Every band now days claims to be that new revolutionary sound, with total originality. But what ever happened to just making good music with a good message, and letting the listener decide just how revolutionary you sound. Its not always all about the fastest guitar solo, or the quickest bassline, but more about how much that song moves the listener. Fairgreen is a christian band, who writes christian songs intended to uplift anyone out there who may feel like its time to give up."

Kenny and John called in to give us the scoop on the band and as I listened to them, I really liked how chill they were about what they do. It's simple: work hard and do what you're called to do to the best of your ability, and boom - life is good.

SO, order their EP HERE! And check out their merch while you're at it. Also, they have a tour coming up and YOU need to look at their tour-dates to see if they're coming to a city near you.

Here's their video for their song: "Don't Look Back".

Fairgreen "Don't Look Back"

Add to My Profile | More Videos

The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life.

Time gets away from you. It's like butter. Butter slopped in grease. Buttery, grease footprints on a slick, icy sidewalk.

CATCHING UP FROM THE WEEKEND:

Friday, February 15th, 2008
SlowKing (listen to podcast)


Poor lead vocalist and guitarist, Luke Michielsen. Bless his heart, I didn't give him the local number to call into the show with (he's in Canada), so twenty minutes of his interview time went up in smoke due to my negligence. But don't worry! We're in 2nd interview scheduling negotiations! He'll be back!

"SlowKing is about playing good music and having fun doing it."
Being together for two-years and only having played live shows for one year, Slowking has released their debut album "Rival Cities" with ten complete songs on it. (Order Album Here)

"I guess you'd say that it's the lyricism of that music that's always appealed to me," Michielsen says. "For some reason I've always felt that it's given me more of a sense of empowerment. I get that feeling from bands like Depeche Mode, Blur, and Radiohead too. I suppose I'm partial to most bands that come from Britain." - The Guelph Mercury Read More...


Friday, February 15th, 2008
Stairwell Collapse (listen to podcast)


Originally an acoustic side project, Stairwell Collapse has evolved into a full-fledged rock/pop/indie band with a mighty internet presence. Vocalist Mike Buchanan, guitarist Rick Craft, and drummer Billy Toti called into the show with exuberance, looking for more cowbell.

The Virginia Beach, VA band have been fighting a battle against the "severe uprising of screamo bands" in their area. "We're trying to do something different."
Having yet to debut an album or EP, their song "The Empathy Of" on their myspace has an incredible play-count of over 58K, showing the power of internet and "word of mouth" publicity.

I got a cute message from one of their fans this morning via myspace:

"Hey guys... just heard your interview with Stairwell Collapse (and yes, it's StairWELL, not StairWAY Viking... grrrr) and wanted to say thanks for having them on :) They are really amazing guys and I know they're going to be huuuuge soon. I've supported them since the beginning and I'm not going anywhere :D Annnnnnd on that note, I'd love it if you could also put the link to their merch store on your page :)

It's and the new shirt looks like this

Come on! Order a t-shirt (or FIVE!) :D They'll love you for it and so will I (awwwwwwwwwwwww) "

You heard the woman! Go listen to their music and order their t-shirt! Or five!
(Oh, and major props to their myspace page art and album art)


Monday, February 18th, 2008
The Everyday Visuals (podcast up soon)


The Everyday Visuals is a group of five young gentlemen playing rock music with independent spirit. The current line up was formed in the spring of 2006:

Christopher Pappas (Vocals, guitar, keyboards) has an irrational fear of being a passenger in a fast moving car and cries every time he hears the Durfle Requiem.

Eli Scheer (Guitar, vocals, keyboards) has a family member in every U.S. time zone and likes to meet people with a good story to tell.

Joseph Seiders (Drums, vocals, keyboards) should eat more vegetables and panics when he feels his heart beating.

Chris Zembower (Bass, vocals) would rather read a textbook than a fiction novel and doesn't run when he gets caught in the rain.

Kyle Fredrickson (Guitar, keyboards) is frequently late and at age 16 hid the first electric guitar he bought from his mother for three months.

"The Everyday Visuals have the makings of serious rock gods among mere rock men...The band just clicks and you can’t help but want to join them, dance upon (read: worship) the very ground before them." - WERS (88.9 FM)

These guys are practically TogiNet Alumni! They've been our friends since last September - October, and did an interview with us at around the same time we first came in contact with them. They'd just signed with booking agency "Concerted Efforts" and were pretty dang stoked about it. They said that signing with a great booking agency was more important to them than finding a record label.
Since then, they've been playing shows and doing a bit of winter hibernation to create a new album, tentatively to be released in the fall of 08'. (woot!)
ALSO, some big news for them - they produced a music video to their song "Dance and Holler", directed by their friend Sam Molleur. Check it out.


OH and before I forget (I had published this post and then remembered what I FORGOT!)

Our guest lineup this week:

Wednesday: Fairgreen
Thursday: Last November
Friday: Easton Legacy

Cup o' Java?

That's my motto!

Monday, February 11th, 2008 (listen to PodCast)
The Mocha Band


Adam, Lantz, Parker, Jacob and Zach are the members that make up the warm, flavorful tones of Oklahoma City's, "The Mocha Band".
Being able to take advantage of Oklahoma's prestigious indie music scene, it won't be long before their fan base begins to take off as they play at venues such as the Bricktown Ballroom, and The Opolis.
Check out their tunes HERE!


Tuesday, February 12th, 2008
Phar Fletcher (podcast up soon)


"Phar Fletcher is a group of musicians, students of the craft of making and playing music. Categorically speaking, modern rock/alternative would nail it down, but would grossly underestimate the number and variety of influences drawn from to create the sound that defines Phar Fletcher. Growing from influences of power from the likes of Weezer, the Black Crowes, Seattle grunge, and Michael Jackson Maturing from influences of lyrical relevancy and realism from artists such as Charlie Daniels, Kurt Cobain, Brandon Boyd, Ronnie Van Zant, and Eminem Humbled by influences of taste and dynamics from such artists as Sade, The Police, and Vertical Horizon, Phar Fletcher has harvested an anti-generic sound that is easily recognized and related to. In its four years in existence, Phar Fletcher has garnished awards, won battles of bands, opened for some of the hottest national acts, and had songs riding the airwaves." Read More...

Every time I look at that picture, I think, "Because they're hardcore like that."

Phar Fletcher has worked hard over the past four years to establish themselves and a fan base in the deep southern states by playing in clubs and venues reaching all the way to Baton Rouge, LA. Nocturnal lead vocalist, Les Hall, says that they're all able to support themselves with the band and live comfortably, but it's been a hard road having to implement and develop a cover-band aspect to their name to book as many gigs as they have. "People want to hear a song they know". Apart from the fans of their original music, they find that once they have fans that've only heard their cover-songs, it's easy to get their EP's and the news about their up and coming full-length album into their hands.

Check out their music HERE!

Oh, and also! Tune in tomorrow morning to listen for our guests from Lansdowne!




-Blondie

Hang in there, buddy.

Valentines Day (Singles Awareness Day) is around the corner. Starting Monday, you'll either be giddy with Valentines anticipation, or softly nestling into a week-long bout of misery.

EITHER WAY! Hang in there! *huge thumbs up* ;-)


Friday, February 8th, 2008
Band Marino (podcast up soon)


" Hello fine feathered friends, We at Band Marino are pleased that you could join us for jolly exchanges and improvisational dance moves. Our first full length release "The Sea & The Beast" is available on iTunes, our website, and come March 4, 2008 it will be available in just about any indie record shop! In addition, we did the soundtrack/score to a feature film, "The Last Romantic", which made it's debut at SXSW Film 2006 and is currently playing at both U.S. & international film festivals. The cast includes James Urbaniak (American Splendor, Henry Fool, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind), and Shalom Harlow (Vanilla Sky, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days). We will be touring throughout most of 2008, so keep on checking back to see if we'll be in your area! If you would like to know more, we suggest you head on over to www.bandmarino.net for a good ole time!"

He ages like fine wine. He can be likened unto George Clooney, but without the surgeries to stay lookin' good. His name is Bond. Nathan Bond. (no...really)
He was chosen among the band members to come as a representative for all that is Band Marino, and came prepared for anything we threw at him. Including sheep.

No but seriously. They're an extremely well put together band, with kick-rear album art, dedication, motivation, and a sound that is influenced by all kinds of different artists ranging from The Pixies, to Johnny Cash. They're heading out on a nation-wide tour later this month, including South By South West and some stuff with PureVolume.

Now, this is a really cool part. They've been able to get their album into indie stores across the nation. So click on this banner and type in your city to find a store NEAR YOU that carries it!



Check back on Monday morning, and listen to the show to enjoy the musings of "The Mocha Band".



Have a safe weekend,
-Blondie

You fill up my senses like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain, like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean...

...Come let me love you, let me give my life to you,
let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms,
let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you.
Come let me love you, come love me again.

- Annie's Song by John Denver

"Denver "wrote this song in about ten-and-a-half minutes one day on a ski lift" to the top of Bell Mountain in Aspen, Colorado as the physical exhilaration of having "just skied down a very difficult run" and the feeling of total immersion in the beauty of the colors and sounds that filled all senses inspired him to think about his wife." (Compliments of Wikipedia: AKA - Fountain of Knowledge)

This song is my new obsession. I'm a sucker for lyrics followed up by a story like that. Even though he eventually divorced her, and his second wife...and then died.

Thursday, February 7th, 2008
The Coming Weak (listen to podcast)


The Coming Weak officially formed in December of 2006 in a small apartment above a garage in northern Rhode Island. We are just four guys who eat, sleep, breathe and live music. We have been playing all our lives, this is the end result.

"...this is the end result"...Well, The Viking and I think it's a very good end result. We were genuinely delighted talking to lead vocalist Tim White, and drummer John Berard for a good forty-five minutes this morning.
I think for me, they represent what independent artistry is about: Working your proverbial tail off until you get where you want to be.
The members of The Coming Weak have built their band up from ground zero; handling both sides of having/being in a band: the creativity side, in writing and playing all of their own music, and the business side, in booking their own shows, tours, studio time, and all of which that entails (it's a lot!). And on top of that, they sound absolutely amazing.

Check them out HERE, and order their EP titled "Consider This".

Also! Be sure to listen to the show tomorrow to check out our guests, "Band Marino"


In other news! The Viking just ordered this on a t-shirt.


He's achieved new levels of "awesome" upon purchase..ment.

Until tomorrow,
-Blondie

(Instrumental)

Contrary to popular belief, when you are singing Karaoke, you're not supposed to say/sing everything the screen puts up in front of you. IE: (Instrumental)

Ron Burgandy can attest to that.



Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
The Letters (Listen to the PodCast)


"Current members include Jeramy Krone, Layne Mcnish, Rachel Rome and Kirk Melton.
In a Hot Topic in 2006 Rachel and Jeramy meet. They performed for about 6 months under the band name "The Euphemism." Playing song to include, Missing, Hopeful/Desperate, Cycles, and Winter. With one demo thus far, "Winter EP." The current live lineup is Jeramy Krone-Rhythm guitar-Lead Vocalists, Rachel Rome- Lead Vocals and Guitar,Layne Mcnish on Cello and Keyboard, and Kirk Melton-Bass. *All Music written by Jeramy Krone and Rachel Rome*"

While The Viking was out sick (he contracted malaria from the swamps of Nicaragua), DJ Johnny Hotcakes was kind enough to fill in for him! We had The Letter's Jeramy Krone and Rachel Rome as guests on the show! The witty pair dazzled us with their humor and intellect (they're talented, too), and we were indeed amused. So check out the podcast!

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
RedFlecks (listen to the podcast)


"I looked them up on Myspace and after validating that I wouldn’t be making an embarrassment of myself, I dragged my ‘sound engineer/hip-hop producing/musical snob’ housemates out to support. We didn’t really expect what we saw and heard that night. We were in awe of everything about this Nashville-based band, but mostly by how much they convinced us. They stood on stage and believed that what they were giving us was worthy. The conversations came to a complete halt and it was like that for the rest of the assembled crowd as well - people were actually paying attention to this band…” Live gig review @ The Annex, NYC by freelance writer, Tamsyn ten Krooden"

The Viking and I had the privilege of interviewing these lovely, lovely people from Nashville, TN. Absolutely brimming with talent and ambition, releasing a second EP titled, "The Shiny Part" on the 18th, and even going on a South African tour next month! Check out their music; you won't be disappointed.

Tune in tomorrow morning to catch The Coming Weak!



Until next time (one day when I'm not distracted - Johnny's waving his armpits at me),
-Blondie

RedFlecks! Tomorrow morning!

New Guest Graphic: Applying to all guests...NOW