"In your arms I am safe now..."

Monday, March 31st, 2008
The Lasting (podcast up soon)


"Throughout music history, between genres, and even the hybrids of genres there’s one class in particular that has a special place in everyone as well as standing the test of time: Rock and Roll. The Lasting wants to continue in that legacy. In a volatile music industry, with music being led by niche groups, the 4 guys in this band are filling a need in music by bringing back an era of deeply textured guitars, even deeper lyrics as well as soaring guitar solos and melodies that come from a level of musicianship that is rarely found in young bands today. The Lasting has not only tapped into creative and timeless music, but they have also received the full attention of Nashville. In 2006, the band was promptly signed to an Artist Development Deal with EMI CMG. They have truly hit the ground running since February of 2007, having already played 70+ shows across the eastern US. Currently, the band is plotting global domination."

Three unemployed dudes and a Starbucks barista make up what is, "The Lasting". ;-) Just kidding. I'm sure they're not unemployed...
Okay, I'm not that mean. Really.
The four-piece from Nashville, TN have a great rock/pop sound that targets a younger demographic; but yet they're still able to hook listeners from outside of that younger scene!

And they're sending me autographed underwear. Score.

Check out their website (www.myspace.com/thelastingrocks) and also listen to the podcast of the interview you might've missed. ;-) Link will be at the top of the post tomorrow!

There's more to life...

Than being really, really ridiculously good looking.


I watched SOME of Zoolander a couple weeks ago. My brain cells? Yeah, they're gone.

Friday, March 28th, 2008
McClain (Listen to Podcast)


"We met in Los Angeles. We moved to New York. We moved to Nashville. We got married. We wrote some songs. We recorded an album. That should catch you up.

"McClain’s sweet harmonies, earnest songwriting and warm, full sound invokes memories of artists like Ryan Adams and Eastmountainsouth." -Arjan Writes (www.arjanwrites.com)

"It’s brilliant...Listen to “Central Park” - it’s the song that would have kept me from abandoning song-writing, had I written it." -Addison Road (www.addisonrd.com) "

Viking and I told Travis and Lindsay that we think they're both ridiculously good looking. Seriously, look how cute they are!

I'm not really one to be able to determine what is considered to be "good" Americana type music; a lot of what I've heard before had tended to be on the corny side and just turned me off altogether. But McClain might have changed my mind about the genre. Go decide for yourselves what you think; I think they're pretty neat!

Fallen Late

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
Latefallen (podcast up soon)


WHO'S LATEFALLEN?

Latefallen is a rising band based out of the competitive Toronto scene. (The Kings Of A&R newsletter used the words “Edgy, yet addictive, melodic-driven hard rock/alternative” to describe their powerful sound). The sound is a combination of heavy-influenced guitars, youthful energy and unrelenting melody, with a focus on actual songwriting that is rare in today’s music scene. Their music is a seamless merging of powerful melodies with a hardcore background. Stephan LaCasse’s vocals are drenched with emotion and melody. The attack of Vanya's thrashing yet elegant guitar-playing along with the rhythm section of Gregg Wolfe on bass and Bob Onyskiw on drums deliver the punch of Latefallen’s full sound.

“This music is intensely personal to us. We’ve invested a lot of energy and emotion into our songs. When we share these songs, we’re purging the energy and emotion that we’ve invested,” explains vocalist Stephan LaCasse. “It’s like showing ourselves from the inside-out, like a twisted kind of exhibitionism.”

“Our music is heavy, high-energy and melodic. That’s what we offer the music scene. No bullsht, no indy-cred posturing and no excuses,” says vocalist Stephan LaCasse. “We have a tight, professional, high-energy show and we have achieved our own sound within a crowded genre.”

Latefallen is putting the finishing touches on their debut full-length album, entitled "Bloody Kiss" which was mixed by Michael Barbiero (G'NR, Metallica, Maroon5, Evans Blue).

Their bio says it all! They're top-o-the-line, the creme of the crop; they are in fact the sharpest tool in the shed, the brightest crayons in the box; the lights are on upstairs and they're really home!
Vanya and Gregg called into the show in all of their hardcore fury and gave us the rundown of the band! Listen to the podcast, you know...the one that you probably missed if you didn't catch the interview. ;-)

ur doin it rong

Monday, March 24th, 2008
Victory Lane (listen to podcast)


"THE VICTORY LANE STORY

Pittsburgh, PA powerpop rock quartet VICTORY LANE has one goal in mind; writing and performing songs at an extremely passionate level.

VICTORY LANE's story begins when Jason Romanus (guitar/vocals) and Jimi Romanus (bass) were joined by long time friends Pat Dee (drums) and Josh Morton (guitar/vocals) in the Fall of 2004.

VICTORY LANE spent the latter half of 2005 and first few months in 2006 writing close to 30 new songs. In March, the band headed 15 hours westward to Eudora, Kansas to record its latest effort at the infamous Black Lodge Studios (Motion City Soundtrack, The Get Up Kids, Houston Calls). The outcome is a five song EP full of hook driven choruses, well-developed emotional lyrics, and songs fit for radio airplay. The newest batch of songs shows how far the band has grown in the past year since the release of its April 2005 full-length album, LISTEN AND BELIEVE.

Drive Thru Records President Richard Reines on Victory Lane, "They are prolific songwriters and are constantly improving their craft. They are really good guys, and I hope they get the break they deserve. I will always help them out whenever I can."

VICTORY LANE has toured both the east coast and the midwest multiple times. The band has shared the stage with the likes of national acts Head Automatica, Gym Class Heroes, Halifax, The Violent Femmes, Spitalfield, HomeGrown, My American Heart, Mest, Punchline, Bayside, Socratic, Allister, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and David Melillo to name some, as well as a spot on the 2005 and 2006 Vans Warped Tour."

They're from Pittsburgh, and one of their albums is called "The Kansas Sessions"...maybe they didn't quite ace geography is school? ;-)

Just kidding, guys. Jason Romanus called into the show on Monday morning and gave us the 411 on Victory Lane. Really funny interview, so go listen to it! The link's up there *points to northern region of page*. There are exciting things happening with this band, so listen to their stuff and give 'em support!

Wear tights. They don't bunch like panty hose, apparently.

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
Thick As Thieves (podcast up soon)


Thick As Thieves was formed in the summer of 2004 by guitarist Aaron Benson and drummer Mike Cotter. The two first met on an eastbound train from Chicago to Boston. During the course of the resulting conversation they realized that they shared many musical interests. Aaron was in the process of completing his MP&E major at a local music college but having just purchased a guitar, he was interested in getting involved in the process of songwriting. Mike had been playing drums from a young age but was forced to abandon the instrument to help his family recover from the locust plagues and drought that had devastated their farm in northern Illinois.

The Midwestern pair began composing lengthy guitar/drum arrangements that defied conventional timing and song structures. The songs generally originated in a brief guitar riff or a snippet of a beat before developing into full-blown tunes. Their work culminated in an experimental album called "Telemakos Airlines" and accompanying light show ofthe same name. While it was an artistic success, it lacked the immediacy and energy of a full band. After a lengthy discussion an effort was made to bring new players into the fold. Bassist Kellen Kleinfelter had been working on his own material while playing in a variety of local bands. He crossed paths with Aaron while the two were waiting in line at a vegan diner in Allston and found an immediate connection. At the same time in late August, Mike met an up and coming writer named Tyler Blake. He was persuaded to set aside the novel he had been working on and return to his first love: music.

After a string of noisy but fruitless rehearsals, the quartet began to come together. Despite getting banned from the first venue (thanks, Madison!) they played at, the band spent two years touring and writing songs. Inspired by a childhood spent next to the ocean, Tyler had written a 235 line poem called "Overshore & Undersky." This text became the framework for the band's first album, "We Planted Driftwood And Nothing Changed" which was released in May of 2006. A sophomore album entitled "True Believers In The Long Walk Home" will be released 5/2/08.

"On the bands debut, Thick as Thieves write songs that, for all their appealing hooks and smooth vocals, are filled with doubt and ambivalence. The band often plays with a tense, suspenseful softness, seemingly holding back while containing its sound within a limited frame...when Thick as Thieves is on, the sound is arresting"
Northeast Performer


"Although an average track length under four minutes isn’t usually the mark of what would be described as epic, these compositions are certainly worthy of the label. The group seamlessly transitions between numerous musical themes creating dynamic soundscapes and an engrossing musical experience sure to make listeners thankful that the quartet chose to form Thick as Thieves"
The Philler

The reviews go on and on and Thick As Thieves certainly deserve each and every one of them.
The Viking said to Tyler Littwin in the interview this morning, "Tyler, I think you guys have it."
I completely agree and can't think of any better words to describe them, so YEAH, listen to their music and give 'em all the support you can! They're releasing their new album on May 2nd! If you're out that way, be sure to drop by their CD release party!

Embrace the poop...don't ask.

Friday, March 14th, 2008
Love You Long Time (listen to podcast)

"Love You Long Time has tapped into the youthful buoyancy and optimism that motivated synth-pop/dance-punk electronica in the past, something like being second cousins to the bands of the 80s." THE NEXT TO INHERIT THE THRONE OF SYNTH-POP." -Absolutepunk.net

Love You Long Tizzle are party rockers. Their live show is nutso to the max. Freestyle raps, breakdancing, keytars, lots of neon green stuff. Oz plays the microphone, Liam plays drums, Sal and Shane are married and Sally and Oz are brother and sister. Liam comes along for family dinners and visits to grandparents. The band just finnished its second 5 week western U.S. tour, is going back out on tour in December and is not stopping. PARTY TILL YOU'RE POOPED was released in April and has blogs buzzing already. When you see the band play give them an arm pump like Arsenio Hall. Party on. They've recently shared the stage with The Format, Dashboard Confessional, The Aquabats, MC Lars, Meg & Dia, Family Force Five and The Higher.

Love You Long Time has a special place in the portion of my brain that I store bits of pieces of awesome. I mean...just look at their pants.
Oz called into the show and put up with me and Codename (the Viking was out doing...lame stuff) and all of the questions that we had; be sure to listen to the podcast!
Listen to their stuff HERE and pick up their album while you're at it!



Monday, March 17th, 2008
Manna and Quail (podcast available soon)


Manna and Quail
By Jeff Milo
Jul 3, 2007, 12:23

With The Warmth of the Day:
Manna and Quail

Manna and Quail conjure grand, sweeping dream-pop narratives, forming surreal landscapes onto themselves ... a world in which one can easily get lost. M&Q is the vision of singer/pianist/guitarist Steve Saputo who, up until ‘05 had spent time honing his writing skills in another band that wasn’t getting off the ground. Towards its demise, Steve met drummer Adam Davis and after the friendship blossomed, Adam said he’d be happy to start a new band with Steve, on the condition that Steve branch off and start singing (as he’d been singing only back up in those days). With Steve singing, Adam invited his old friend Gjon Gegaj, intense performer and intrepid traveler of genres (from speed metal to Motown) to bring the bass groove while Steve’s friend from a previous band, Matt Walsh, brought his guitar.

With the stately pop-allure of the British invasion, the soft timbre of chamber pop and the swooning theatrics of progressive folk, Steve’s tunes are perfectly complemented by the incredible rhythm of Gjon and Adam and the dreamy-effects laden guitar of Matt. The songs are cathartic, dark and mystic, but always with an overture of hope.

“I don’t try,” said Steve, “in my personal life, to avoid emotional situations, I enjoy them, good or bad. Well, obviously I don’t enjoy the bad ones, but I just don’t avoid them and I think that comes out in the music.”

Amidst The Viking's fury unleashed when Barrack Obama, Oprah and Jeremiah A. Wright were spoken of, Steve, vocalist and pianist for Manna and Quail, called in to give us the heads up on what they're all about. Listen to the podcast for extra info and shoot...just go listen to their music!

Update!

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
A Dead Giveaway (listen to podcast)


For five and a half years now A Dead Giveaway has stood firm in the ever changing world of Kansas City local music. Remaining unaffected through pop-punk movements and metal chaos, these five young musicians have already weathered their fair share of fights, disappointments and insults.
Heaven, Hell, Earth and the Moon is a concept that A Dead Giveaway hopes to bring to life this coming summer with the release of their third studio album. A definite coming of age album for the band, Heaven, Hell, Earth and the Moon also hides a story that symbolizes the struggle we all face in our search for self worth.

They're a hard rock band in Independence, MO. They've been together for 5-6 years. They are...

A Dead Giveaway

They released their first album "In Loving Memory" in 05'. The album is dedicated to their good friend, Chris Gammin who had passed away the year before. The lyrics in the songs still bring out a lot of emotions from their fans, a lot of whom knew and were close to Chris. A second album is now in the works with plans for release this summer!

Be sure to listen to "In Loving Memory" on their myspace, and hey, while you're there, buy the album!



Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Gone By Daylight (Listen to Podcast)


In 1997 two friends recognized a dream and passion for rock & roll. Eric Paquette picked up a guitar in the 5th grade and joined his good friend Shaanan King who already had been playing the drums. By the next school year they were playing the town fireworks and sharing girlfriends. This would lay down the framework for a life long friendship and partnership as band mates. By the 7th grade Shaanan's older brother Jordan King joined the duo to round out the sound and make the trio mobile. The band that evolved to become Gone By Daylight, came to light when bass player Dan Rivera joined in the summer of 2005.

The band first decided to tour in early 2006. By March they self-booked a tour down the east coast to Florida and back. Using their first album Love Grooves to support themselves they stopped in every mall/public space selling the album to anyone who would listen. These initial introductions helped them establish relationships with people on the road. In the summer of 2006 Gone By Daylight hit the road for three weeks going again down to Florida and this time as far as Texas. Furthering the tactics they used on the first tour they sold over 500 copies of their disk during the three weeks they were out. It was during this time Gone By Daylight realized the road is where they need to be.

In 2007 Gone By Daylight worked hard to write and save enough money to record their next record. By April the band went into Big Blue Meanie Studios in Jersey City to record an album that captured the spirit of the band. This latest effort "Sold My Soul" was released in October of 2007 to a sold-out crowd of 600 plus people in the ballroom of the Pearl Street Night Club in Northampton, MA. They've gained support from numerous online and printed publications as well as radio stations. The momentum at home has further fueled the band to spread their music and message to the rest of the United States.

During the last two years of being a solid band they have gained a new sense of drive and direction beyond what kept them together since childhood. There dedication and passion to their dream and way of life has been evident in there unending self promotion at home and on the road. They introduce a modern and lively rock sound capturing music that will push forward without forgetting what has been laid out for them by rock n roll in the past. Gone by Daylight intends to tour nationally and spend every possible day on the road, sharing their energetic stage presence, catchy grooves and love for good times with everyone they meet.

Influenced by the classics, Gone By Daylight cranks out your basic rock-n-roll music that's a breath of fresh air in the independent realm. Unlike a lot of artists today, they're not worrying about obsessing over inner angst or other chronic emotional issues; they're there to have fun, and their lyrics are simply written to either tell you how it is, or to get you up and out of your seat.

You can buy their album "Sold My Soul" HERE!

Oh, hai!

I've come to a conclusion that I never imagined I'd come to.

Sugar is bad for you.

Shocking, I know. But...so are artificial sweeteners. What's a girl to do?

Now before I get into this, don't believe that I'm jumping on the "Go Green!" band wagon. I know it's all the rage right now, but that's only because people have what my brother likes to call the "sheep mentality". If enough people jumped off a cliff and got Al Gore to support them, it'd be all the rage too.

I was visiting a good friend of mine in Monroe, Louisiana a couple weekends ago, and she'd just been visiting with her next door neighbor who knows pretty much everything there is to know about organic...everything. She'd found out that fresh-squeezed lemon or grapefruit mixed with water and a sweetener(optional) makes for a means of "cleansing your liver" (no, it's not painful, Viking). Now, this sweetener isn't SweetandLow or Equal (as I said before...those are bad for you because they actually make you retain fat as opposed to burning it (thanks Mom for the info!). It's an "herbal dietary supplement" made from the leafs of a plant called Stevia rebaudiana.


(THIS IS NOT POT, VIKING!)

Technically, it's original purpose was to be sold as a natural sweetener, but the FDA ruled it an "unsafe food additive" (BS!), so it now may only be legally sold in the States as a "herbal dietary supplement".

It's an all natural, zero-calorie sweetener that's literally 300 times more sweet than sugar. Can you really go wrong? (just don't put a cup of it in your batch of cookies)

No way on earth am I giving up sugar, but, this is a good alternative when you feel like making yourself feel better by eating green leafy crap. :-)


But this really doesn't have anything to do with bands. Here are our guests from the past two days!

Monday, March 11th, 2008
The Walks (listen to podcast)


Stop by their site and listen to there music HERE!

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008
Slow Motion Crash (listen to podcast)


"Formed in 2004, by Brian Fisher (vocals, guitar) and Ryan Holmes (guitar, vocals) longtime musical partners/friends decided to leave the bustling St. Louis music scene and relocate to Atlanta to peruse a new musical direction. After recruiting several Atlanta area musicians, the band formally known as Creve Coeur debuted “Vast and Danger" and caught a regional buzz.

2006 yielded many changes to the band in the form of a new band name that everyone could spell and remember, a more crafted refined band sound, and a new bassist, New Orleans native Melissa Giorgio to the fold.

In 2007, the band released their self-titled album to positive reviews and toured relentlessly in support opening for notable bands; The Start, Snowden, Forward Russia, and The Birthday Massacre. The material on the new album explores a wide-range of sounds and genre shifting. They infuse precise layering of melodic and discordant guitar riffs, big bottom bass ends, unobtrusive semi-electronic landscapes, and dance-laden drums.

With the latest band member additions of Atlanta natives Joshua Broughton (keys, vocals) and Jason Curtis (drums) firmly in place, the band will continue to craft material that fuses their love of post punk, shoegazer, and electronic music to foster their own unique distinct voice and create an environment where any music fan can harmoniously coexist."

Read their full band bio HERE!



For all of you in the Atlanta area, they're going to be playing at these locations on these dates:

Mar 22 2008 9:00P	THE DEPOT -w/ Tx/Rx + The Swear	Covington, Georgia
May 16 2008 9:00P	SOHO -w/ The Winter Sounds	Columbus, Georgia

(Sweet...myspace copies and pastes that format)

Their album is available HERE! Be sure to check it out; their sound incorporates a conglomeration of warm tones and sounds from so many different genres. It's very intriguing!



-Blondie

Did you know...

...that St. Patrick wasn't Irish?

Nor was he canonized by a Pope?

can·on·ize /ˈkænəˌnaɪz/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunci[kan-uh-nahyz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –verb (used with object), -ized, -iz·ing.

1.	Ecclesiastical. to place in the canon of saints.

2.	to glorify.

3.	to make canonical; place or include within a canon, esp. of scriptural works: They canonized the Song of Solomon after much controversy.

4.	to consider or treat as sacrosanct or holy: They canonized his many verbal foibles and made them gospel.

5.	to sanction or approve authoritatively, esp. ecclesiastically.

6.	Archaic. to deify.

Kinda makes you wonder why on earth half the world paints their faces green and chugs bottles of Guiness 'till they hurl!

But then again...who really needs a reason? *grin*
*Disclaimer - I don't drink Guinness 'till I hurl.*

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
Rantings of Eva (listen to podcast)


"With a buttery smooth, vocally-centered sound, Rantings of Eva rapidly made a name for themselves on the local music circuit in Atlanta, and has kept their reputation pristine for the past six years by delivering performances of the highest caliber every single time they hit a stage. With an emphasis on dramatic and sumptuous music, Rantings of Eva delivers the type of sound you won’t find from any other band available to you today, unsigned or not. They practice the elusive technique of variety in their music, making each song quite different from the rest, a feat not easily or readily accomplished by the majority of mediocre bands in the pool today, and that’s what sets Rantings of Eva apart from everyone else you’ve heard.

Rantings of Eva has added appeal, as they cater to the taste of music fans across genres from alternative to pop to those who love a more obscure “indie” feel – it matters not who is listening, only that they’re responding in a positive way, and for very good reason.

Rantings of Eva’s latest recording was done with Jason Elgin of Synchromesh Studios (Wayne, Haste, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster). Lowering the Curtain on Memphis boasts a collection of tunes that are tried and true. A testament to this is the fact that the track “Infrared” has been on the top of Garage Band’s Alternative Rock Chart for a number of weeks and remains there still. They’re also the only band to have not one, but two tracks (“Still Holding On”) currently listed in the top 20. The newest single, “Bright Side,” has received accolades from bloggers and Internet streamed radio, such as Break Thru Radio and Cable & Tweed.

Southeast print publications are buzzing about Rantings, as well. Their live performances were featured in the October 2006 and January 2007 issues of Southeast Performer."

In my mind, Rantings of Eva has accomplished something many bands today struggle with. Having the ability to produce songs that each have a very unique air about them. From hearing their tracks, it's evident that listeners will be able to sit through their new record (soon to be released) without sensing any redundancy of any kind.

Check out their myspace HERE and keep an eye out for the release date of their record!

What's kickin'?

Monday, March 3rd, 2008
The Four Kicks (podcast up soon)


"This Nashville based band is bringing music back to the melodic roots pioneered by The Beatles, The Eagles, Rod Stewart, and Van Morrison. They are currently playing shows around the country, rapidly increasing their fan base with every chosen venue. The Four Kicks is comprised of members Jordan Phillips, Adam Stark, Gabe Anderson, and Lucas Cummins.

In 2004, Jordan brought his vision for a rock band from Atlanta to Nashville. For the first two years, Jordan honed in on his songwriting talents and began preparing songs that would be released on the debut EP “Jordan Phillips and The Four Kicks”. As fate would have it, Jordan was randomly selected to room with current band member Adam Stark. Adam, a Nashville native, came to college with a very similar vision of his own: to be a soul-filled singer/songwriter with mild rock undertones. Having an eclectic musical palette and a very strong background in rock music, Adam was open to the idea of being in a band with Jordan. They began writing together and immediately found a connection. With the help of bass player and long time friend Gabe Anderson (Staples, Minnesota) and drummer Lucas Cummins (Atlanta, Georgia), the group released their 2007 EP, which was recorded with producer/engineer Mike Odmark (Tyler James, Emily Clark, Jars of Clay).

The Four Kicks’ guitar-driven rock features honest and unpretentious lyrics that portray a key value of the band. That value is musical integrity. “We’re not like other rock bands, we don’t try to be something we’re not…we sing honest music that resonates in all of us…our goal isn’t to portray the rock n roll lifestyle it is to make genuinely relevant music”. The Four Kicks offer well-crafted songwriting along with hooky harmonies from singers Jordan, Adam, and Gabe. All tied into one energetic rock show that is guaranteed to keep you on your feet. One show is all it will take to become a fan."

"Kid Tested, Mother Approved!" The Four Kicks are a driven and down-to-earth band based in Nashville, TN, with a sound that leaves nothing to be desired. And on top of that, they love cowbell.

Listen to them HERE, buy their album HERE, and of course, don't forget to listen to the podcast from the show (which will be up tomorrow morning)!