Track by Track Review of Never Shout Never’s Album Harmony

Nsn

There is no denying that Never Shout Never is a popular topic, especially on Dad's Car Radio. A big reason for this is because lead singer Christofer Drew never takes a break. He has been constantly touring for the past two years with maybe three months of off time when you add it all up. The boy is always on the move and on Tuesday is releasing his second album of the year, third if you include his side project EatMeWhileImHot. So without further ado, here is the track by track review of the album everyone will soon be buzzing about.

1. Harmony-Something unique about Christofer Drew is he doesn't hesitate to leak his songs early to the public or post a demo whenever he feels like it, and that's exactly what he did with this album, especially the title track.

2. This shit getz old- One of the many tracks that was uploaded three months ago as a YouTube demo This Shit Getz Old is one of the few negative tracks NSN has released to the public. The song contains the usual catchy lyrics but it has something different that also continues to go through the rest of the album, it has a much deeper meaning than the usual boppy songs. It's been interesting to see the band grow musically and as people over the past few years and to see the finished product all reflected in the music.

3. Cheatercheaterbestfriendeater- CCBFE has been already listened to by most of the NSN fan base because it was one of the few tracks on the Melody EP, the same day the music video was also released. Being cheated on is never a good thing, and this track really can speak to the listener and make them sympathize with these horrible feels so many people have gone through.

4. Lovesick-Another feeling so many people feel is that total feeling of being lovesick, where that special someone is always on your mind. The album slows down for a bit with Lovesick and it might be the NyQuil I took to get rid of my cough but when I close my eyes and listen I see a record player with young girls fantasizing over their musical crushes, wether it be Elvis, The Beatles, or Christofer Drew himself.

5. Piggybank-It's one of the shorter songs on the album and not even two minutes long but Piggybank is probably one of the fastest songs on the album. Plus, is has some pretty kick-ass harmonica.

6. I love you more than you will ever know-It's not a Never Shout Never album without a song proclaiming the ultimate love for someone. Perhaps when NSN gets more popular this song will be played at school dances as a slow song, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a signature for the bands style and absolutely adorable.

7. First dance- First Dance is a song that I have personally been waiting an entire year to hear the studio version of. A year ago when back home in Joplin Christofer uploaded this song in a video just hours after he finished writing it. The song was boppy and cute but obviously needed some work, which is where the studio instruments and backing vocals come in. Although Chris did all the work the things he added to the song create a world of difference between a finished studio track and a viral video on YouTube.

8. Lousy truth- Bringing back the negative, or should I say lousy, this track does exactly what it implies, speak the lousy truth, those things that are sad but true. Mostly acoustic guitar it's a slower track but it's obvious that it speaks from the heart.

9. Trampoline-Another song that made it's YouTube debut three months ago Trampoline is a cute little tune that brings on the urge to snap your fingers and sing along. The song really reflects the sincerity of Christofer Drew that so many people have grown to love but it also reflects the maturity that can be seen over the past three EP's and an album and how it's progressed into Harmony.

10. Sweet perfection-This song is probably one of the only songs on this album that I hadn't heard before and it's probably one of my favorites on the album. The piano work is spectacular when paired with the banjo and it also brings in the great harmonica again. Definitely a solid track, I see why they kept it secret for so long.

11. Sellout-Besides Sweet Perfection, Sellout is my favorite song on this entire album. First thing that comes to mind is the phrase that they really saved the best for last when it comes to this track. Most artists wait until they've already finished their reunion tour and been retired for so many years before making public comments against the industry, but Christofer has a habit of breaking rules so this is really no surprise. The fact that this song really brings the issues that matter to Never Shout Never to the table, and still was able to make it into the album is a surprising yet great thing. I stand by this track, and this album 100%. Set the music free.

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Boys Like Girls in Columbia, MD on the Bamboozle Roadshow

www.myspace.com/boyslikegirls

Interview with Fight The Lion Lead Singer Jake Mimikos

Fight the lion

Fight The Lion is a band from the Virginia area who are currently gearing up to play Jiffy Lube Live for the Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival. Other bands on the bill are Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Seven Sour and many more. In promotion for them playing the festival on August 31st I was able to ask lead vocalist Jake Mimikos a few questions. The bands most recent album When The Mighty Fall is available on iTunes and other digital retailers.

http://www.myspace.com/fightthelionmusic

How did the band get its name?

While we were recording our album we were going crazy trying to figure out a name that no one had, that sounded good and represented an overall feel of the band.  We wanted something that connected with the lyrics, our sound and our energy.  So honestly we were just throwing names out randomly and our drummer (Shawn) threw out "Fight the Lion".  At first we kind of laughed it off and went on to the next ridiculous name.  When we were leaving the studio the next day, Ron (Lead Guitar) said, FIGHT THE LION and we all looked at each other and agreed, that was it.  It represents conquering whatever it is in life that is bigger than you, your struggle and overcoming the odds.

What come first, music or lyrics?

It really depends, sometimes a riff spurs a thought and sometimes a concept inspires the music.  So really there is no set way that we write the songs; we just go with a feeling.  Often the final lyrics come last.  We will have a basic concept but it usually takes a while to make everything fit, so changes are often made.

Does everyone contribute to writing or is a solo type thing?

Everyone contributes to the writing.  I usually write all of the lyrics but the others contribute some parts of the songs on occasion.  The lyrical content usually comes from true life experiences.  Musically, we all contribute.  For example, Time Taker started with a beat and we really designed the song over the drums.  Other times, Ron, Jason and I will come with a guitar riff and we build from there.

You've shared the stage with acts such as Poison and Def Leppard, who are your musical influences?

We all have a wide variety of musical influences that contribute to our sound.  Def Leppard is one of them for probably all of us.  Ron really digs Van Halen and more of the 70s rock era, Jason is all about Led Zepplin, Shawn's Idol growing up was Tommy Lee from Motley Crue and I grew up inspired by the 90s grunge like Pearl Jam and more modern progressive rock like Coheed and Cambria.  I think you can also hear influences like Stone Temple Pilots, Tool and Sound Garden.

What do you imagine your listeners doing when hearing your album, When The Mighty Fall?

We want our listeners to be able to hear this music doing anything. Before new technologies were introduced, music was mostly played in your car stereo. These days, the great thing is you can listen to music anywhere with your iPod. So now we hope people are able to hear our music doing just about anything. We still hope people are cruising down the highway with the windows down cranking our album and singing out loud to the music!

You're playing Jiffy Lube Live for the Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival, are you playing all songs off of your most recent album or planning on trying out some new material?

Well since we just released our album 'When The Mighty Fall' we will only be performing those select songs. Since this is a hard rock show we're choosing our heaviest and most rocking material we have. Two of them being 'Long Shot Kid' and 'Bleed Me Dry'. We are definitely planning on keeping the energy up! Also, we are already talking about working on new material and are excited to have some new stuff ready soon.

If you weren't in Fight The Lion what do you think you'd be doing for a profession?

Shawn would be a big game fisherman in the keys.
Ron would be a flight mechanic. (his old job)
Jason would be institutionalized.
And I would be fighting lions for Sparta.

What's next for the band this coming fall?

We have some big things in the works and we are definitely working on keeping this momentum going. A tour is in the works and we're planning to play as much as possible to support our album. We wanna thank all our fans for the constant support!!!

Photo of The Day

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White Tie Affair at The Recher Theatre on August 4th

www.myspace.com/whitetieaffair

An Interview with Intercept

Intercept 2

The band Intercept is a California based band made up of four guys who share a common love for music. The boys are releasing their third album, Symphony for Somebody Else on September 14th. An album review will be posted closer to the release date of the album but for now please enjoy this interview with the band members and be sure to check out their website. Symphony for Somebody Else will be available at digital retailers everywhere.

www.intercepttheband.com

This is your third album – how does it differ from your other albums?

Jeff:  Our last two albums were a little eclectic.  We’d have a rock song, then a ballad, then a rock song – a lot of ups and downs, and I don’t know if it helped us or hurt us.  On this album, our producer wanted us to get to the point quicker – we went from 5 and 6 minute songs down to 3 and 4 minute songs.  We’re really excited about the final product and it has a lot more direction and consistency as a rock album.

Jason: Erik wanted everybody to play even less notes and do less fancy stuff than we are used to.  At first you feel like all the emotion is gone, but a few weeks later you listen and it’s all opened up and way better.  A good producer is like a translator – you speak your language as a band, but a lot of people can’t hear the song if there’s too much going on.

How did the band get it’s start?

Jeff: Everyone sort of fell into place – everyone in Intercept was a member in some other band I was in at some point.  Christian had a solo album and I called a couple other guys to play on it and that was it – we were a band in a matter of a few phone calls!  The easiest, most effortless band-forming I’ve ever been a part of.

 

Who are your musical influences?

Phil: Between the 4 of us?  Pretty much everything you can think of.  Everyone in the band has different tastes, and actually we have very few similar influences.  Those few are like, Radiohead, Muse, Foo Fighters and that kind of stuff.

 

Who is the most mature in the band?

Jason: Phil is the oldest and Jeff is the youngest – better leave it at that!

What are your musical guilty pleasures?

Jeff:  I always rock out to Linkin Park!  They’re a huge band, but I can’t always play their stuff around my friends.

Christian:  Huey Lewis and the News – the Sports album.  I don’t think it’s a guilty pleasure, personally – I think it’s just good – but other people hear me listening to it and sort of laugh.  They are dumb.

 

Any plans to make a music video for any of the songs on the new album?

Christian: We should.  We probably will for all of them, eventually.  For “So Say Whatever,” I have a whole video planned out involving a herd of T-Rex attacking some cheerleaders, and then wizards coming to the rescue.

 

The band is from California – are there any stereotypical or non-stereotypical Californian hobbies you have?

Jeff:  I don’t get to the beach as much as I want, I know that.  I know all the band members go to In ‘n’ Out sometimes – that’s pretty stereotypical.  Jason owns a surfboard.  Is it “stereotypical Californian” to go out drinking at Irish bars?  Also, I own carpet skates – if we’re at a party in an apartment building someone can put on the carpet skates and  I can run full speed down the hallway and pull them along like they are skiing.

Any plans for touring and supporting the album in the future?

Phil: Oh, definitely – we’re setting up shows and special events like crazy.  We can’t wait to get this album out there!   We’re going to keep on announcing new shows on our website and this year will probably get busier and busier before it’s over.  This is just the beginning!

 

Official Hey Monday Fall Tour Dates Revealed

Hey monday

Last week rumors were flying about where Hey Monday, Cartel, We Are The In Crowd, The Ready Set, and This Century were touring this fall. Well today the rumors were finally cleared up and the full tour schedule has been released.

10/20/10      TAMPA, FL -STATE THEATRE
10/21/10      JACKSONVILLE, FL-FREEBIRD LIVE
10/22/10      ATLANTA, GA -THE MASQUERADE
10/23/10      NASHVILLE, TN -ROCKETOWN
10/24/10      CINCINNATI, OH -MAD HATTER
10/26/10      BALTIMORE, MD -THE RECHER THEATER
10/27/10      NEW YORK CITY, NY -HIGHLINE
10/28/10      HACKENSACK, NJ -SCHOOL OF ROCK
10/29/10      PHILADELPHIA, PA -FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
10/30/10      NEW HAVEN, CT -TOADS PLACE
10/31/10      FARMINGDALE, NY-CRAZY DONKEY
11/02/10      FOXBORO, MA -SHOWCASE LIVE
11/03/10      POUGHKEEPSIE, AR -THE CHANCE
11/04/10      FOURTH AVE, PA-THE ALTAR BAR
11/05/10      CLEVELAND, OH -GROG SHOP
11/06/10      DETROIT, MI -ST. ANDREWS HALL
11/08/10      CHICAGO, IL -THE BOTTOM LOUNGE
11/09/10      MILWAUKEE, WI -THE RAVE
11/10/10      MINNEAPOLIS, MN -STATION 4
11/12/10      DENVER, CO -MARQUIS THEATER
11/13/10      SALT LAKE CITY, UT -AVALON
11/15/10      SEATTLE, WA -EL CORAZON
11/16/10      E. PORTLAND, OR -HAWTHORNE THEATRE
11/17/10      SAN FRANCISCO, CA -GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL
11/18/10      POMONA, CA -GLASSHOUSE
11/19/10      LOS ANGELES, CA-EL REY THEATER
11/20/10      SAN DIEGO, CA -EPICENTRE
11/21/10      PHOENIX, AZ -THE NILE
11/23/10      DALLAS, TX -THE DOOR
11/24/10      AUSTIN, TX -EMOS
11/26/10      ORLANDO, FL -HOUSE OF BLUES
11/27/10      FT. LAUDERDALE, FL -CULTURE ROOM

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Nick of Runner Runner at The Recher Theatre on August 4th

www.myspace.com/runnerrunnermusic

Fun Reveal Trippy New Music Video For Walking The Dog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPLMwI1wabE&feature=player_embedded

Fun posted the music video for their song Walking The Dog from their debut album Aim and Ignite. The song is catchy and for lack of a better word, fun. The video is trippy and full of insanely bright colors, it really is just 3 and a half minutes of dancing that puts a smile on your face. The band has a busy fall schedule, taking over the US and the UK while on tour. Check out the dates below to see if they're coming to you. If not, be sure to pick up Aim and Ignite on iTunes now.

http://itunes.com/fun.

Sep 17 2010 7:00P
University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Find Tickets
Sep 29 2010 7:00P
Higher Ground Burlington, VT Find Tickets
Sep 30 2010 9:00P
Bell House **FREE SHOW**SOLD OUT** Brooklyn – Gowanus, New York
Oct 1 2010 7:00P
World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA Find Tickets
Oct 2 2010 7:00P
Mr. Small's Theatre Pittsburgh, PA Find Tickets
Oct 3 2010 7:00P
Grog Shop Cleveland, OH Find Tickets
Oct 5 2010 7:00P
The Basement Columbus, OH Find Tickets
Oct 6 2010 7:00P
Brick Street Oxford, OH Find Tickets
Oct 7 2010 7:00P
The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI Find Tickets
Oct 8 2010 7:00P
The Firebird St. Louis, MO Find Tickets
Oct 9 2010 7:00P
House of Blues Chicago, Illinois Find Tickets
Oct 10 2010 7:00P
Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN Find Tickets
Oct 12 2010 7:00P
Peoples Court Des Moines, Iowa Find Tickets
Oct 13 2010 7:00P
Blue Moose Iowa City, IA Find Tickets
Oct 14 2010 7:00P
The Bottleneck Lawrence, Kansas Find Tickets
Oct 15 2010 7:00P
Fox Theater & Cafe Boulder, CO Find Tickets
Oct 16 2010 7:00P
Club Sound Salt Lake City, UT Find Tickets
Oct 21 2010 7:00P
Media Club Vancouver, BC, BC Find Tickets
Oct 22 2010 7:00P
El Corazon Seattle, wa Find Tickets
Oct 23 2010 7:00P
Hawthorne Theater Portland, Or Find Tickets
Oct 26 2010 7:00P
Starline Fresno, CA Find Tickets
Oct 27 2010 7:00P
Great American Music Hall San Francisco, California Find Tickets
Oct 28 2010 7:00P
The Music Box at the Fonda Hollywood, CA Find Tickets
Oct 30 2010 7:00P
The Nile mesa, az Find Tickets
Nov 2 2010 6:30P
The Cambridge Room @ The House of Blues Dallas, TX Find Tickets
Nov 4 2010 9:00P
Stubb's BBQ Austin, Texas Find Tickets
Nov 5 2010 6:30P
House of Blues Houston, TX Find Tickets
Nov 8 2010 7:00P
Trent FM Arena Nottingham Nottingham, United Kin, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets
Nov 10 2010 7:00P
Echo Arena Liverpool Liverpool, United Kin, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets
Nov 11 2010 7:00P
Sheffield Arena Sheffield, United Kin, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets
Nov 13 2010 7:00P
O2 Arena London, United Kin, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets
Nov 15 2010 7:00P
O2 Arena London, United Kin, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets
Nov 16 2010 7:00P
LG Arena Birmingham Birmingham, United Kin, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets
Nov 18 2010 7:00P
Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Newcastle, United Kin, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets
Nov 19 2010 7:00P
Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester, UK, UNITED KINGDOM Find Tickets
Nov 20 2010 7:00P
AECC Arena Aberdeen, Scotland Find Tickets
Nov 27 2010 6:30P
Webster Hall New York, NY Find Tickets

Interview with Your Word Is Law

Your word is law

After doing six hours of press behind the main stage of Merriwether Post Pavilion at the Vans Warped Tour I finally got the chance to walk around for a bit before my next call time. As I walked through the rows I looked at the various merch tents, with colorful banners and shirts with various band names and amusing, although sometimes crude, phrases. I turned the corner into the highest row and walked by a tent containing a few boys around my age, with one holding a sign. "Give our band a listen?" The cardboard sign read and I raised an eyebrow, already knowing I wasn't going to resist denying listening to a new band. But then, the boy holding the sign made the experience ten times better. He flipped the sign over to reveal the words, "I promise we don't suck" written on the back. Already knowing these boys were in good spirits out in the sweltering heat I gave Your Word Is Law a listen, and absolutely loved what I found.

The rest is history, we exchanged information and once the tour was over for the boys I was able to work out a written interview, questions answered by drummer Cote.

How would you describe your sound?

I actually really didn't know what to think about how or what we sounded like until we actually started getting feedback from people on Warped Tour. Our two most common comments from listeners would be along the lines of "You guys sound like old All Time Low!". which made me incredibly stoked because All Time Low is one of my favorite bands. If I had to put it to words myself, I'd say that if you liked "Put Up Or Shut Up, or "This Could Be A Possibility", I have a feeling you'll like us.

How did the band get it's name?

This is a funny story. When we first started the band, (originally Cole, Bryan and I) we had no clue what to name it. We had a few temporary, joke names here and there but nothing really stuck. Finally when Chris (Sanacore) joined the band, we came up with the name Your Word Is Law, which is actually from the song Gimme the Loot by Biggie Smalls.

What do you imagine people doing when listening to your music?

A few things, actually. I imagine a bunch of sweaty people packed into a small room singing their hearts out, which is what a majority of our shows have become. Either that, or people making sweet, sweet love to it. Either or.

Any fun stories from when you spent 20 days following Warped Tour?

Oh yes. We kind of had a running thing with Johnny Craig, singer of Emarosa. Our friend Rod Pires (The Night Alive, Sparks Will Fly) was convinced that Cole (guitar, lead vocals- Your Word is Law) was going to fight Johnny by the end of tour. Never happened, but watching the two interact every day was beyond hilarious.Outside of the Massachusetts date, we bet Rod that he wouldn't run around a gas station in his underwear, swinging his shirt over his head yelling "Spain won". He did.There was also the night in an Atlanta hotel room, but I'm not allowed to talk about that for SEVERAL reasons, haha.

Who is the most mature and immature in the band?

We're all the most immature and the most mature in our own ways. There are times when we all sit around and just play joke songs we've written, laugh at our own stupidity and basically laugh at anything. There are also times when we really have gotten serious to get things done. We can all be very serious when we want to be, we just usually choose not to. Chris Sanacore is probably the most hilarious in the band, he has turned many practices into Cole, Bryan and I literally rolling on the ground, tears in our eyes laughing.

What's the plan for the future of the band? Tour wise and EP/Album wise?

We honestly don't know a lot at the moment. We just got off warped tour, and played a show with Go Radio in our hometown, which was amazing. Jason Lancaster is in my opinion one of the best singer/songwriters of our generation, and it was an honor to share the stage with him.  Next summer we plan to do a little touring on our own, in addition to following Warped Tour 2011 as well. We may even play a few dates next summer. We are also writing for a new EP. No word on when it may be out, but who knows, we may also have a few surprises in store.

Backstreet Boys Plan Comeback Tour With NKOTB for Spring 2011

Back_street_boys

Backstreet is back? It was announced today that everyone's favorite late 90's early 00's boy  band The Backstreet Boys will be going on tour with New Kids on The Block as early as spring 2011. Girls now 16-26 are screaming all over the world at the once again revival of their favorite band. Another exciting part of this news is that new tour, means new music. No word as to if the boys have hit the studio yet, or when they plan to, but we're sure details will be leaking soon. This tour is also rumored to possibly have Boys II Men on the bill, even though we personally would have preferred Hanson. Either way, this boy band tour is one that could only come from some nostalgic-once-teenage-girls head, we'll just be satisfied if they put The Call on the set-list.