Introducing - TEAM

Last night, the elusive members of the band TEAM took to the Gunz Show and finally revealed their identities. The announcement captured quite a bit of attention, considering the band is comprised mostly of former/current members of other bands. Most notably around this blog is Bryan Donahue, ex bassist of Boys Like Girls who spent the spring touring with All Time Low. Also in the mix are Caleb Turman (Forever the Sickest Kids), Rico Garcia (Colours), Jay Vilardi (The Almost) and Ally Hoffmann.

You can get caught up with the interview Gunz did with Caleb and Rico below.


The rumors I’d heard about this project had me excited for what was to come and to hear things announced properly. The first track and the accompanying video can be seen here:

They’re both awesome and made me an instant fan.

If you happen to live in Texas, be sure to make it out to one of the two shows they have on the books. I definitely recommend it, you won’t be disappointed. You can also pick up the single, “Am I Alive” on iTunes.

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Music for Monday - Sleep On It

There's something new brewing out of Chicago, IL and I have the pleasure of knowing one of the guys in the new pop punk group Sleep On It. They're currently working on a studio album, but you can check out the demos they've already put together on their bandcamp or right here.



I'm not the biggest fan of "Out in the Cold" because it's a bit too Blink 182 for me, but even if you don't dig it, stick it out and give the other two tracks a shot. They're less trite and definitely full of potential. Think something a little like A Loss For Words meets Man Overboard maybe? It's a throwback to how the genre used to sound, which is actually kind of nice. I love the direction that pop punk has taken, but it's nice to throw it back a from time to time. I'm looking forward to seeing what the studio versions sound like.

Check it out, tell me what you think, then hit them up.

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Stages and Stereos - New EP and Tour Update!

I've mentioned the guys from Stages and Stereos before, but not with a stack of news like this. They've got a new EP coming out next month! The single off the EP "Small Town Favorites" is up on Sound Cloud and will be available on iTunes next week!



It might be a deviation from the Anchorless EP, but if you go back and listen to the older Stages and Stereos, this seems like a completely natural progression. The vocals are just as stunning though as Anchorless, possibly even more refined. I definitely take to this song, being from a small town as well and knowing the exact feeling in the message and lyrics, but I think it's relatable for anyone who's wanted to be more.

The guys will also be be hitting the road in the Florida/Georgia area for a couple of shows, supporting Truth or Consequence (a side project from Brook Betts of Mayday Parade). I'll be hitting the Atlanta show for sure.

If that's not headed your way, don't fret. Just last week it was announced that they'll be supporting Mayday Parade as part of the Glamour Kills Tour. Also on the line up is Man Overboard and Cartel. As if you even had to ask, I'll be there as well.

While any tour is a big deal, in a way this one is bigger. There's obvious ties between Mayday and Stages, including front man, Daniel Lancaster's, voice backing brother Jason on "Jamie All Over" off the studio album, but this isn't just any old friends getting together to tour. The unsigned band out of Tallahassee is taking their show on the road, joining up with three of the hardest working bands in the genre. I don't think there's a moment when Mayday isn't on tour, I knew Man Overboard's logo long before I fell into their sound. And Cartel, you know them from when they released Chroma almost a decade ago. It's huge news, and I couldn't be happier.

Get out there and catch these guys in concert and trust me, you won't be let down. And get your hands on the EP when it comes out next month!

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Our Last Night - Summer of Covers

I've got a new band that had caught my eyes and ears (yes eyes too) and while my inner rager kid loves a good screaming song, they massively pulled me in with their covers.

I know.

Covers you say. They aren't creative. They aren't original. Fair enough but there's something original about turning Rhianna's "Stay" into an alt rock, dueling vocals masterpiece. There is. So far they've dropped covers of "Stay" and Justin Timberlake's "Mirror" into songs I actually enjoy. Do yourself a favor and check it out. Then give the rest of their stuff a listen. You won't regret it.

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Is Fall Out Boy Saving Rock and Roll?

At first listen to the new Fall Out Boy album Save Rock and Roll I was hooked. More than hooked probably. It's possible that if you live in the Atlanta area, you've seen me, windows rolled down jamming out to the single off the album "My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light Em Up)". I love that song. It's catchy and dark and angry and it's fantastic loud and with the windows down as summer finally starts to find its way here.

I like the entire album actually. There are a few things I could have gone without. I'm not sure why Big Sean was needed on "The Mighty Fall" unless you subscribe to the notion that in order to be a Top 40 hit, every son needs a rap interlude (or turns into whatever it is that Nelly did to "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line--which by the way wasn't a good song to begin with). Since I don't that annoyed me, but the actual lyrics to the rap interlude to amuse me and it is good even if the song doesn't need it.

I maybe wouldn't have gone with Courtney Love. Yes, she was chic rock of the 90s, with Hole and being married to the heart of rock and roll at the time. (Agree with that or not but you know ever 90s rocker kid had a soft spot for Kurt Cobain even if it was just because he was the first person to make them feel something.) But her post-Kurt life looks quite a bit like Lindsay Lohan's trainwreck of a life (though at least Courtney has good reason and not 'Disney made me popular' a la Miss Lohan) and the kids we need to save rock and roll for don't remember when. Sometimes I don't think they even can. Of course what are your other options? Gwen Stefani who is farther removed from the Tragic Kingdom rocker girl days than her husband Gavin-used-to-be-in-a-rock-band-Rosdale. (You know my friends went to a Bush show and threw bras at the stage. It's weird to think of that.) So maybe Courtney is the only choice and maybe she's right. I sure as hell associate with what her lyrics were saying. Who cares about what the kids think?

On a whole though, that seems to be the tone. It's not Take This To Your Grave. It's not even close. I watched my younger friends all but murder and maim to get tickets to the new tour this spring, pre-order the album and flip out about the reunion. Then, a few days after the album came out, one friend tweeted me "It's not the same".

She's right. It's not.

It's not even in the same ballpark. Because Fall Out Boy isn't the same angsty teens running around Warped Tour like these kids who love them are. They grew up. They have lives, families. They watched friends in the business, leave the business for "real" lives. They were honored as ushering in rock and roll to pop music when it was devoid of it then hung out to dry by the media overplaying the shit out of their singles. Their bassist played a love interest on One Tree Hill. More than once. As himself. It was cool to hate FOB and cooler to give those of us the same age as the band shit for liking them.

How on earth can you hope for an album about young love and hurting like hell?

No, this album is for those of us in our late twenties, to plug into and remember that we aren't alone. Other people feel the same way. It's been a long while since someone over 25 i has been on the pop charts singing about what it feels like to be over 25. Songs like "Miss Missing You" and "Alone Together' aren't songs about college hook ups. They're something beyond that, a step that comes after.

The kids won't get it.

They won't understand the way "Young Volcanoes" reminds me of "Here I am Alive" by Yellowcard and an attitude towards the industry. (I could be wrong here, but damnit they do remind me of one another in tone).

So it begs the question, are they doing it? Are Fall Out Boy Saving Rock and Roll?:

No.

Not even close. I give saving rock and roll, but I'd rather give that credit to bands like THe Wonder Years or The Swellers. Bands that can fill a room full of 17 year old boys yelling and feeling things. Not Fall Out Boy.

That said, I do think they are saving pop music. At least until they release that Big Sean track as a single.

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Jocelyn Release New Song, "Hold On to This"

Jocelyn, my new favorite midwest band, just released a new song to compliment the existing EP they've been peddling the past year, and "Hold On To This" doesn't disappoint.

A lovely song, full of truthful, cutting lyrics and beautiful music. This band is going to blow up so huge and I can't wait to see it.

Check out the lyric video and then follow it up with picking up the tune on iTunes (Starting at 12am EST tonight!).



Nothing these guys do is a disappointment and they're easily some of the nicest guys I've met in the music world so far. Easily. Give it a listen and let your night get better.

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The Best of 2012

It's that time of year again (or a little past it), where I break down my bests of the year.

All in all, it was a good year. There were a lot of greats that started with a trek to Boston and seeing my favorites The Tower and The Fool for two shows in 3 days and seeing a ton of friends. But that was just one (well 2) show. There was so much more.

Top 2102 Albums

I had more than one album I was anticpiating but didn't see (especially from my small bands) and one snuck in at the last moment. There were some that I was excited about and just disappointed by altogether (can you say Boys Like Girls). But there was quite a bit of good. So, in no particular order:

The Tower and The Fool - "How Long"

I'm still in love with this one even after all this time. It's quintessential sad music and fantastic on top of it. Definitely give the vinyl a listen if you can.

Go Radio - "Close the Distance"

Every single track on this album is great. This band has come a long way since "Do Overs and Second Chances" and they're still doing amazing things. There's been a lot of chatter about bands growing up and this is a band doing it right.

Yellowcard - "Southern Air"

I'm still happy that Yellowcard is back, more happy that this album takes a grow up turn as well. Their last album touched on more adult topics, but I definitely feel myself relating to "Southern Air" as a late 20-something than almost anything else I've heard lately. That's a good thing.

Matchbox Twenty - "North"

Cheesy radio music, maybe, but Matchbox has been one of my favorites since their debut somewhere around when I was in high school. Their new release, which I was highly anticipating doesn't let down. It's true to their sound, not caving to be one the radio because tthey're MB20. They do what they want. And it's beautiful.

William Beckett - the EP trio

William dropped 3 EPs this year and everything on them is great. He's taking a familiar feel and making it something new entirely. I'm excited to see what else comes from him.

Imagine Dragons - "Night Visions"

I added this at the last minute because I got it about 4 days ago but I already love it. It's a fantastic album that makes me wish my life had a movie soundtrack (and maybe was an action movie)

Ghost Thrower / Foreign Tongues - Split EP

This one slid in at the last minute too since it just came out. I was hoping for new Ghost Thrower tunes this year and though I'd never listened to Foreign Tongues, I'm a convert now. The split is great and I love where Ghost Thrower is going sound-wise.

Honorable Mentions: The Lumineers, Fun., The Maine, Of Monsters and Men

What did I miss?

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Album Review: "Crazy World" by Boys Like Girls

After so much anticipation, including a year-long hiatus, a change in lineup, and rumors or all sorts, I was looking forward to Crazy World.

Then the EP came out and I wasn't impressed by that. I started to get worried. I wanted good things from a band that took so much time off, that had really started to define where my music tastes lie, and that indirectly saw to it that I made some of the best friends of my life and had some of the best experiences of my life. And when I saw them live I got some of that faith back. They were great to meet after, super excited like I expected them to be and maybe I might learn to like the new music.

Only now I've heard the whole album and I have to say...it's not very good.

As before, "The First Time" has that opening synth line that's so jarring it hurts to hear it. Cringe-worthy. The words are alright, but they still feel sort of vapid, like a bad country song. Which of course makes one worry of the rest of the album. Is it all going to be bad country music.

The short answer?

Yes.

I'm still skipping past "Life of the Party" because that one doesn't get any better. It's still dumb. "Shoot" and "Red Cup"? Also terrible. "Shoot" sings about having a 9 to 5 life and getting away from the grind like they've suddenly become Kenny Chesney or something. Which is weird since Martin hasn't ever had anything close to a 9 to 5 and from what I've seen, doesn't know many down home folk either (if his twitter account is anything to be believed, full of trips to go skiing, outings with other LA types). What about that song is supposed to appeal to their existing fanbase of teenaged to early twenty-something girls is beyond me. The argument at this point could be made that maybe they're going down a new route, maybe they're trying something different.

That's all fine and dandy, hell I support them in that if that's what they want to do, but we really should rethink the fanbase. Who you're talking to via twitter. How you look. What shows you're playing. Opening for Carly Rae Jepson and All American Rejects is not the right show. Go open for Blake Shelton, or hell, Taylor Swift.

Speaking of Miss Swift, if you like her music? You'll love "Cheated". Actually I feel like she should take it and put it on her album. Sounds like one of her songs for sure.

I also have to say, I'm from the south and "Red Cup"? It's almost insulting to hear. It's hard to hear someone write about things they don't know, they haven't experienced and anyone from here can tell you that six months in Nashville doesn't make you completely aware of how our culture is. Stop putting out songs like you're Toby Keith. He did that song already and as much as I don't get it, he did it better.

All that said, there's a few bright points on the album. "Stuck in the Middle" sort of sounds like a country version of a Coldplay cover, but it's not bad. I'd listen to it again. "Be Your Everything" still stands up, even over laced with all the poptacular back beat. I really liked "Leaving California", which was good despite some lyrics that don't make sense, and that bugging-me aspect of the fact that Martin has a house in California and still lives there full time, but again it's a more grown up sound musically even if the lyrics are weaker. The last track, "Hey You", also stands up pretty well.

It's frustrating. I'd heard acoustic versions of "Crazy World" and was excited for it, but apparently the album version isn't very good. Actually it's not good at all. "Take Me Home" is probably good live, but the album just sounds like trounced up drum beats that don't fit properly. (Which is a shame considering John Keefe is a damn good drummer and doesn't need his instrument trumped up.)

As a whole, the entire album is depressingly not good. It's not up to par, not what anyone would expect from Boys Like Girls. Vapid lyrics, when their previous albums toted songs like "Go" and "Holiday". A pointless change in direction, that doesn't seem completely committed to, only half. It wasn't worth the wait, nor would I say, worth the money. There's about three songs on the album I would pay money for and I kind of don't want to.

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Young Alive Release new EP "American Gentleman"

My favorite dudes in Young Alive (formerly Anchors), dropped their new EP, American Gentleman, today. Go get your hands on a copy on their bandcamp page today. It's epic, and totally worth it.

I've heard a few of the tunes before (actually all but 1) and everything is fantastic. These guys have a great hold on alternative rock, though I do have to admit the re-done version (almost acoustic) of "The Weight of a Hummingbird" is my favorite. It's beautiful and intoxicating. I've said it before, but it's haunting. And I love that about it.

The rest of the tracks don't fail though. "Kingdom Come" starts off strong and keeps that energy throughout the track, same with the title track "American Gentleman". I believe I'm echoing myself again, but I don't mind repeating it: Young Alive is bringing talent back to the alternative rock genre.

Grab your copy and get a jumpstart on the weekend.

Like what you hear? The guys have a few shows coming up in December/January in the Boston area. Find the date closest to you and head out to see them.

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Music for Monday: Stages and Stereos

This Monday hurts, but I'm blaming that one on age, starting to become nocturnal and possibly sleeping on the couch after a show on Saturday night. That said? It was one of the best shows I've been to in a bit.

There'll be more to come on it later (and everything else I've been up to concert wise), but I wanted to get one thing out there, straight away, and that thing being, the next big thing you'll be listening to.

If you've got plans to see the Go Radio Go To Hell tour that's coming through your town do it. Not only are Go Radio perfect, Paradise Fears a ton of fun, but the first opener is the pure gold sounds of Stages and Stereos. And it is pure gold. The group is fronted by Daniel Lancaster, who's name, yes, does sound familiar as he's the younger sibling of Go Radio front man Jason Lancaster. Don't think this means they're a copycat of all things Go Radio, because they aren't. Stages and Stereos marches to their own drum, and does it well. Daniel's voice resembles Jason's, but not enough to sound the same and their style is more of a Taking Back Sunday (or even, shockingly enough, early Mayday Parade). They just released and EP that I picked up at the show, Anchorless and it's fantastic. Really it is. Four songs of great music, vocals, all of it. Bonus? If you get to see the guys out on tour with Go Radio, look for guitarist Zach. He's a total doll, super friendly and eager to talk about the band, anything. Give him a hug and tell him he's great.

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