What if you had time to sit down and ask some of your favourite bands whatever you wanted? FBD is giving a few random readers that chance later this year. For now, you have to listen to our questions. MxPx Mike Herrera of the legendary pop-punk band MxPx took 20 minutes off to talk to us on June 15. Read Caustic Lilly and I met up with Jason of Caustic on June 28. Read Space Rangers Online interview with Billy of The Space Rangers on July 14. Read Dead Star Diary Online interview with Stevo of Dead Star Diary on July 16. Read Hidden in Plain View After basically following Rob all day (coincidentally, I swear), we got an interview with Joe on August 2 at Vans Warped in Charlotte NC. Read Hidden in Plain View Done the same day as the interview with Joe, an interview with Spencer. Read
Album Reviews
Either it's short and straight to the point or down to the nitty-gritty, here's what FBD and fellow readers think of some of the latest and greatest albums.
Brand New: Deja Entendu What exactly is there to say that hasn't already been said about Brand New? This album is almost a 180 from their past album (Your Favourite Weapon), but the lyrics are still has sharp tongued as of the past. Definitley a change for the better, and a break through album for one of 2003's best emo artists. (website) Dead Star Diary Self-Titled Demo When I bought Dead Star Diary's four song demo at their show, I wasn't sure if I'd listen to it more than once. Don't get me wrong, the show was amazing, but I'm just that way. Ever since I've put that demo in my CD player, it rarely ventures out of it. It's now one of my new favourite CDs, and it's only four tracks long! If you ever get a chance to watch one of their shows, I'd advise you to do so--if not, at least download their MP3s off of hxcmp3.com! This band is definitley one of my favourites. (website) Hidden in Plain View Self-Titled EP Pure emotions, heart wrenching screams and lyrics that will make you want to confess your love to.. er... well... the one you love? Hidden in Plain View has hit screamo dead-on and they're relentless. New album coming soon, you'll definitley want to buy it as soon as it's released. (website) MXPX Before Everything & After In the spirit of plaid and classic pop-punk, MxPx has proved their greatness all over again. Their most recent release is no dissapointment for the fans. (website) The Space Rangers (Coming to a Galaxy Near You) First things first. This band recorded this CD partially at a show and partially in the studio: having said that, there are no suprises when you go to their shows and compare them to the CD, or vice versa. Secondly, the songs are just awesome. Hard to sing along with, like any hxc album, but awesome nonetheless. You'll find some suprises with the bonus tracks and some laughs with their version of MxPx's "Chick Magnet." All I have to say is, that it's sort of sad when you can't spell your own band's name, Billy (just kidding)... I could ramble on about their song "It's Hard to Be a Space Rangers With No Space Ship" and it's entire anti-pop being (whether that was it's original purpose or not) or any of the other tracks (like "Asteroid Blues" or "Emo Song #1"), but I probably should just stop here with this: Just buy the album or download the songs, already. It's awesome and will make you want to "shake the ground". That's all you have to know. (website) The Starting Line The Make Yourself at Home EP Who would have thought that the Starting Line going acoustic would be so pleasing to the ears. A personal favourite track from the EP would have to be "Lasting Impressions." The CD is great for whenever you just need to relax and want to sing along rather than rock out. One of the best pop-punk releases of 2003. Recommended for those who don't mind taking down the guitar riffs a notch and chilling out. (website) Yellowcard: Ocean Avenue Now signed onto Capitol Records, Yellowcard's music has been overthrown with infectious pop-punk hooks, but it's obviously working for them (they're headlining the Vans Warped Tour this year and more successful than ever). As a fan of the music before Ocean Avenue, the latest from Yellowcard isn't very impressive, I say go buy the Underdog EP and One for the Kids before you make any final judgements on this band. (website)
Band Reviews
Short and sweet band reviews. What FBD and it's readers think of some of the best (and worst) bands out there.
Another Loss 4 Words Influenced by bands such as Taking Back Sunday, Senses Fail and other scremo bands, you would have to guess they would be at least decent, right? Well, thank God that they are. Actually, they're better than decent, they're wicked awesome. I'd recommend them to anyone who is looking for a band that combines the tortured poetic lyrics, screaming and the ability to pull the two off. (website) Brand New Screamo, emo, pop-punk, whatever you want to call them, they are definitley changing the face of indie rock. What I don't see is why they didn't have any real credit before Deja Entendu? (website) Hellogoodbye A quirky new band from Drive Thru Records that is only interested in having fun and making music. From synths that will bring your Nintendo playing days back to the front of your mind to lyrics that are helplessly optimistic, HelloGoodbye is definitley a new kind of music and a nice addition to the DTR family. (website) Gay for Johnny Depp Gay For Johnny Depp? Yes, it is the real name of this band. Just the name alone will catch your attention. But besides the name, it's all about their music. At the moment, their CD is only available in the UK. Their indie-punk and metallic sound will get you charged up, screaming along with their songs. If you love hardcore punk music, I suggest you tune in to this band at their official website for their free song download of "Kill the Cool Kids" and their music video, "She Said, I'd Like This One". (website) Nerd Riot Okay, when I've said something was catchy before, I was wrong. This band (who are "eclectic guitar pop") creates songs that you and your friends will die before they escape your head. Not that that's exactly a bad thing. This band is perfect for anyone who loves fun. This "pop" band is simply sugarcoated rock, don't let their genre set fear in your heart. Just go download their music, today! (website) Never Heard of It A catchy, kick ass punk band who prove that you don't need to be signed to a record label to be successful. The band has been touring on the Warped Tour for years and has a huge fanbase. Who could blame the fans, though? The band is always proving to be amazing, never a let down. I'd suggest you to check out this band either online or whenever they play a date near you. (website) Sullivan North Carolina punk band, a personal favourite. Recommended listening: "Valerie", it will have you humming, singing, drumming, strumming, whatever ever it is that you do, along with it before long. (website)
Concert/Show Reviews
Have you been to a wicked concert lately? Been dissapointed? FBD wants to know! Log onto the message board and warn all others today! Feel free to share your opinions on the message board!
Allister I wasn't quite sure if it was or wasn't Allister at first when I saw them setting up during Motion City Soundtrack at Warped. Not only had I lost my set list, again but.. well... I hadn't heard their entire CD yet! So when I walked up to the crowd of the masses and heard "Radio Player" (I think that's what it was...) I was thrilled. Immediatley started jumping along and singing along to the songs I knew. There wasn't a period of time where there weren't kids singing or crowd surfing. It was too crowded to get to the mosh pit, so I don't know how well that was going but I assume VERY well... Even my mom enjoyed the show and was singing along at her seat where she was holding all of my merch (sorry, mom). Let's just say this to shorten the review: another Warped must if you can manage it. Allister was very fun and.. well.. funny. With their comments and throwing of the canned water, not to mention their 42 second long mosh-heaven of a song... It was... well... wicked awesome. All I can say is thank God for Drive-Thru Records. (website) Hidden in Plain View (Okay, this is not an actual concert review, it's just their set from VWT in Charlotte, NC.) After a long day of baking in the sun (baking, not basking, BAKING), I was looking for a remedy to my sore heels and my sunburn. Well, the closest thing I got was to watch Hidden in Plain View perform. Not only did Joe interact with the crowd more than I had seen all day (i.e. jumping into the crowd, lending the vocals to the crowd... you know, the basics, but it was better), but they were better live than on their CD. The kids in the crowd were so into the music, knew every word to every song (save their preview of "Ashes, Ashes" from their upcoming album which hits in, I believe, Feb 05) and were moshing/jumping/screaming (complete with the kid who fell down while crowd surfing because of me being too short to grab them, SORRY!) along with Reo & Co. After their set, I was pumped up and ready for more, but nope. It's Warped guys, they have set set-lists... BUT I did manage to get an interview and to talk to each member. The only thing I was dissapointed in was that they had to cut down the set list for the next band to get on before the rain (from the hurricane that I was blamed for!) and that they didn't sing "Bleed for You." By the way, that is Mike's natural hair colour (the sandy blonde). Don't ask him, I'm telling you. I felt like a moron when asking him. Ha. So, if you see one band at Warped this year, make it Hidden in Plain View, they've been working their butts off trying to put on a good show for every city that Warped has hit this year and they've done a great job at it. I just can't wait to see them when they come on their headlining tour in September... (website) Space Rangers/Dead Star Diary On June 26 at the Upper Room, Lilly and I got the chance to watch the local hardcore/emo bands Space Rangers and Dead Star Diary. Even though the people were scarce (hey, it's Statesvile, our scene isn't too strong), we were definitley feeling it. Space Rangers were very enthusiastic (even though they had to have a replacement drummer, theirs was a no-show) and hyper (Drew and Billy were bouncing on and off stage the entire show). After the Space Rangers performed, we had a five minute break. In which break, we got free hugs, bought merch (the CD is great) and handed out a flyer to TSR. Then Dead Star Diary performed (their member Justin Fox recently left the band because he's moving). Also great. Although I think I was more into the Space Rangers. At the end of the show, the two bands went on stage and did a song together, which was...actually good (not that I'm suprised or anything, the entire show was, even though the sound was crappy because it was a basement show). They're really good even if you're not Christian (I could barely tell it was a Christian show, minus the talking about getting saved and some songs). If you're into hardcore music and live in NC, you should check out these bands. Space Rangers, Dead Star Diary
