Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Dance Gavin Dance Loses Lead Singer
On Sunday, November 25, 2007 Dance Gavin Dance was supposed to be making their way to Ybor with Heavy Heavy Low Low, Foxy Shazam and Tera Melos. I was excited about seeing them play, especially since the release of their newest album, Downtown Battle Mountain.
However, band drama got in the way.
November 9, 2007, the band posted a blog stating that the lead singer, Jonny Mess, was no longer a member.
The original blog is no longer posted on the band's MySpace page, but it went into heated detail about Jonny's drug abuse and argumentative nature:
"Unfortunately, after this much abuse we were unable to continue to let Jonny continue with his usual idiotic ways, and we left him in New Jersey and drove home..."
Because Jonny is no longer with the band, DGD quit the remainder of the tour.
They are, however, looking for a new singer, as stated in their blog.
I can't help but wonder if DGD will ever make it now after their trademark voice is gone.
Either way, my best wishes go out to the boys. I hope things work out for such a talented group.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Love Hate Hero
Tuesday Nov. 13
Love Hate Hero, So They Say, Tokyo Rose,
Stab the Sky and locals
Orpheum
School has been getting me down. And this night, all I wanted to do was sit in my room and sulk.
But, I had already bought a ticket to go to this show, so I dragged my ass out of bed and trudged down to Ybor.
And boy, it did me some good.
I missed the first two of the local bands, but caught Tampa's own Stab the Sky. I've seen them play several times, and they just get better and better. They've definitely come into their own, so you guys will have to look out for them.
I was most excited about Tokyo Rose. They were a high school favorite of mine. Tokyo Rose played songs off several of their albums, and I couldn't help but dance. I only wish more people would have shown up to appreciate their talent.
So They Say was next. They were pretty good, even if they were tripping balls and the treble was too loud.
Love Hate Hero finished up the night. More of a screamo type band with a hint of metal in their guitar chord progressions, Kevin "Thrasher" shredded some great guitar riffs to compliment the music of the night.
A great show reminiscent of my younger years.
Love Hate Hero, So They Say, Tokyo Rose,
Stab the Sky and locals
Orpheum
School has been getting me down. And this night, all I wanted to do was sit in my room and sulk.
But, I had already bought a ticket to go to this show, so I dragged my ass out of bed and trudged down to Ybor.
And boy, it did me some good.
I missed the first two of the local bands, but caught Tampa's own Stab the Sky. I've seen them play several times, and they just get better and better. They've definitely come into their own, so you guys will have to look out for them.
I was most excited about Tokyo Rose. They were a high school favorite of mine. Tokyo Rose played songs off several of their albums, and I couldn't help but dance. I only wish more people would have shown up to appreciate their talent.
So They Say was next. They were pretty good, even if they were tripping balls and the treble was too loud.
Love Hate Hero finished up the night. More of a screamo type band with a hint of metal in their guitar chord progressions, Kevin "Thrasher" shredded some great guitar riffs to compliment the music of the night.
A great show reminiscent of my younger years.
Underoath
Sunday, Nov. 4 2007
Underoath, Every Time I Die, Poison the Well
with Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Jannus Landing
“Hey there, girl, I’m a cunt!” we all yelled along as Every Time I Die played “Bored Stiff” to a sold out show of all ages and types. We had been looking forward to it for months.
Maylene opened the night with a dose of southern hardcore music. I was interested to see them play with Underoath because Maylene’s front man, Dallas Taylor, actually used to be a part of Underoath. It’s great to see that the two bands can get along enough to play a tour together.
Poison the Well, originating in Miami, was up next. I am really just not a fan of the newest singer, Jeffrey Moreira. However, I was very pleased to hear them play "Nerdy," one of their oldest, yet best songs. "Nerdy" was dedicated to ETID, who played an amazing set their last night on the tour.
Then was the main attraction, Underoath. When Spencer Chamberlain walked on stage, the crowd went wild.
They played four “old” songs, songs from They’re Only Chasing Safety. The rest of the songs in their hour set were from their newest album, Define the Great Line, which debuted in 2006.
The thing that disappointed me most about Underoath’s show was that they only played music from their two most recent albums (They're Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line). I was really hoping they would play something from their best record to date, The Changing of Times (made with Dallas), or maybe even something from Act of Depression or Cries of the Past. But that was only wishful thinking,because Underoath has taken a completely new direction with their newest albums and I doubt we will ever hear much from their beginnings.
It’s funny. They are from here, from Tampa, yet they have no support from us. Is it because they sold out? Is it because they have changed too much? Is it because they haven’t come home to play a show in over two years?
You tell me.
As for me and Underoath shows, this may have been the last one I’m going to go out to. They didn’t play a bad show by any means, but maybe I’ve just grown out of what Underoath has become.
Underoath, Every Time I Die, Poison the Well
with Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Jannus Landing
“Hey there, girl, I’m a cunt!” we all yelled along as Every Time I Die played “Bored Stiff” to a sold out show of all ages and types. We had been looking forward to it for months.
Maylene opened the night with a dose of southern hardcore music. I was interested to see them play with Underoath because Maylene’s front man, Dallas Taylor, actually used to be a part of Underoath. It’s great to see that the two bands can get along enough to play a tour together.
Poison the Well, originating in Miami, was up next. I am really just not a fan of the newest singer, Jeffrey Moreira. However, I was very pleased to hear them play "Nerdy," one of their oldest, yet best songs. "Nerdy" was dedicated to ETID, who played an amazing set their last night on the tour.
Then was the main attraction, Underoath. When Spencer Chamberlain walked on stage, the crowd went wild.
They played four “old” songs, songs from They’re Only Chasing Safety. The rest of the songs in their hour set were from their newest album, Define the Great Line, which debuted in 2006.
The thing that disappointed me most about Underoath’s show was that they only played music from their two most recent albums (They're Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line). I was really hoping they would play something from their best record to date, The Changing of Times (made with Dallas), or maybe even something from Act of Depression or Cries of the Past. But that was only wishful thinking,because Underoath has taken a completely new direction with their newest albums and I doubt we will ever hear much from their beginnings.
It’s funny. They are from here, from Tampa, yet they have no support from us. Is it because they sold out? Is it because they have changed too much? Is it because they haven’t come home to play a show in over two years?
You tell me.
As for me and Underoath shows, this may have been the last one I’m going to go out to. They didn’t play a bad show by any means, but maybe I’ve just grown out of what Underoath has become.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thrice Album Review: The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II
On Oct. 16, Thrice released The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II, Fire and Water. This two-disc feature is the initial part of a self-recorded album based on the four elements: fire, water, earth and air.
The first six-song disc of the package, Fire, actually sounds like fire. Chaotic and dramatic, Fire is the more intense of the two discs, with every song mentioning or referencing fire in one way or another. The sound of the album is more traditionally “Thrice;” however, some of the songs are sonically a little harder than those on their previous album, Vheissu. The most epic song on this disc is “The Flame Deluge.” The song plays a haunting melody that peaks and fades out into the successfully smoky aura of music created.
Water, the second six-song disc of the set, achieves a much slower, flowing feel. Thrice recreates the sound of water on this disc, as the listener can hear nighttime waves crashing at the ocean through piano, muted tones, soft rhythms and melodic voices referencing water. The sound is very different from what Thrice has done before, but they do different well in this case. “Digital Sea” particularly impresses me, as the song fades out into digital white noise, giving the impression of an actual digital sea.
Without a doubt, this project is probably one of the best things Thrice has made to date. Well done.
Sunday Drivers Album Review: Archetypes EP
Think The Cars meets Death From Above 1979. The Sunday Drivers achieve a retro 80s pop rock sound in their EP, Archetypes. The four song album they have created is full of steady beats and rhythms. Lyrically, the songs are just as catchy. Archetypes is easy going, fun and danceable. Danceable as in I just can’t sit still as it plays because I’m too busy wiggling in my chair and tapping my toes thinking about a nighttime party at the beach. With lots of synthesizers. And we all know that you can’t go wrong with that. Being from LA, the band may have first-hand experience in that department. I’m of course referencing their song “Endless Summer.” This three-piece band released the self-made album May 8, 2007. With the help of MySpace, of course. Their third band member was first contacted via the wonderful, cliché internet community that we all love to hate oh-so-much. But apparently that worked out pretty well for them, because after listening to this, I’m definitely going to be watching out for the Sunday Drivers.
Oslo Album Review: The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate
Oslo’s sophomore album, The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate, has serious and intellectual tones about it. The album picks up on themes such as determination and will power, like in the songs “No Regrets” and “Things Fall Apart.” To be released Nov. 6, Oslo’s new album is full of alternative rock melodies, definitely influenced by the sounds of British bands. Oslo is like a more transparent version of Oasis. However, despite my British band stereotype, Oslo is actually from LA. The singer’s twang is just a plus. The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate had help from Ryan Hewitt, who was a nominated Grammy engineer/mixer, Mickey P and Sam Fogarino of Interpol.
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