So you call yourself a Christian…rock band?

Before I saw this show, I have to admit I was one of those people that thought Christian music was all preachy and churchy, but these 5 bands proved me wrong, in a big way.

For All Those Sleeping – These guys are from St.Cloud and I think that this was their first show. They have a hardcore screaming style and they caught my attention right away with their energy. I could have used a little more singing than screaming but I really enjoyed the actual music. They impressed me, and if they tighten up the vocals I think they might get something going. (myspace.com/forallthosesleeping)

sosaveme – These guys were rad. They’re a 4 piece band from Michigan. The drummer, Jon, and one of the guitar players, Nick, sing. At first the timing seemed a little bit off, but I think that might have been the venue’s fault. It’s a new venue and they’re still working with the sound, but tonight they had their stuff together, it sounded great. They had a good balance of upbeat punk songs and heavier songs with a little more raw energy. I really appreciated the way they used a lot of different ideas to bring a new sound to their show. In one song Justin, the other guitar player, used a violin bow to play his guitar. It gave off this sweet dreamy sound. The bassist, Rhett, used his foot to play a tambourine and it always impresses me when someone can play 2 instruments at once. Rhett and Justin didn’t have mics, but still sang along during parts and it sounded like an extra chorus. It made the songs sound bigger. I really like their style and I hope to see more of them in the future. If you’re a label, look at these guys, because whoever gets the chance to sign them is gonna have something good in their hands. (myspace.com/sosaveme)

A Dream Too Late – They had a really put together sound. At times it reminded me of The Early November (whom I love, love love). It was a surprisingly big sound for a band with only 2 guitars and no bass. It’s too bad the stage was so small, because the lead singer is a TALL guy. It seemed like he was afraid to really get into it because he might bust through the ceiling, but they still had an awesome amount of stage presence. They obviously knew what they were doing, and knew how to get the crowd into it. Their soon to be released album’s title track, Intermission to the Moon, is definitely one to check out. Another song that caught my attention was Trendsetter. It was so freakin catchy! I started singing along even though I had never heard it before. They’re album drops November 6th on Tooth and Nail, and I really think I’m gonna get it. My interest has been sparked and I wanna hear more. (myspace.com/adreamtoolate)

The Send – This guy has an amazing voice with an equally amazing quality to it that made people stop and listen. It was just him, a drummer and a keyboardist. The drums were a little bit too loud, but the venue is so small that I don’t think you can avoid that. It still sounded good, it was such a clear crisp sound and I could hear every word he was singing. It had a little bit of a Rocket Summer feel, but deeper. The sound cut out in the middle of a song, but the crowd started clapping and the bass drum kept a beat, and they came back just as strong as they were at the beginning. He didn’t seem to let the technical difficulty faze him. He prefaced the last song with a little information about it. He talked about life getting monotonous, no matter if you’re going to school or work or to another city, and how we have to have something to live for which is love. Love for each other, love for God, love for yourself. It was a preachy moment, but it was sincere and it made the song really personal. OH! Also, I got his vinyl for 5 bucks! And it’s super rad, check him out, it’ll be worth your time. (myspace.com/thesend)

Run Kid Run – These guys came out and rocked my face off. The style is pretty punky, but with a little more edge, there’s more to hold on to. The songs were super catchy, but not in a shallow way that would get annoying over time. It was catchy in a way where you could start singing along without ever hearing the songs before. The sound cut out again, but they were able to power through it too. The guitars still had sound, so they kept going and singing and the crowd joined in. Sometime I heard a little bit of Offspring melodies (like off of Americana) and sometimes there was some New Found Glory spunk, they were able to pull everything off really well. I really liked their sound, if I hadn’t spent my money on sosaveme’s album and the Send vinyl, I would have bought this CD, no doubt. It’s an awesome show, and the lyrics held more depth that some bands just don’t give us anymore. (myspace.com/runkidrun)

I was so surprised by this show, because I never would have expected a venue of this size to hold a show so huge. The crowd started dwindling at the end (the show went well past 11) but it's quality over quantity. If you’re ever able to check out The Quarry in St.Cloud, do it. They’ve got a good lineup in the next few months, and I don’t doubt that the spring will be full of awesome shows as well. (myspace.com/thequarryvenue)

Derrick Frost...an interview

When I got in touch with Derrick Frost from Chiodos about an interview, I knew it wasn’t going to be a traditional interview. I thought maybe we would meet up and talk outside the venue or maybe even on the bus, but I didn’t think we’d be meeting up after the show at the bar next door, well into our night of having a few drinks.
I was supposed to meet Derrick by the busses before their show, but he never showed up. I was a little disappointed, but still stoked to see the show. I don’t want to get too much into that show because that’s an entirely different story (real quick though, it was rad). After the concert my friend and I went over to The Joint, which is connected to The Cabooze, to have a drink because the show was over by 10:00.
After a couple beers I saw a bunch of the guys from Emery and Chiodos, jokingly I shouted out “Hey that Derrick owes me and interview!” and at first I thought I scared him away, but he came over and said he could do the interview right there. So we ended up at a picnic table in the outside bar. I’m sure this interview could have been more professional, but we were both having a good time, and like they say, “A drunk mind speaks the sober soul”. I don’t know who said that first, but I do know that I’ve said it enough times to make it legit.

YO! MUSIC! – While listening to this album I couldn’t stop myself from noticing the musicality of it and all the different layers. I can tell you guys know what you’re doing. What’s your musical background?

Derrick – My dad played acoustic guitar in church when he was younger, my mom didn’t really do anything like that. I just got interested in music when I was younger and I played various instruments. I played the saxophone, the trumpet and the clarinet, but I got tired of carrying an instrument home so I started playing drums in marching band and orchestra. The other guys were classically trained, except for Pat and Jason.

Y!M! - Can you remember your first musical experience?

D – My first memory was being in middle school at a talent show, playing a show in front of a ton of kids. It wasn’t even a band but I played the drums on a keyboard to Lean On Me, just like, do do cha, do do cha. That was my first experience playing in front of people, other than band concerts where you have to get all dressed up in the suits.

Y!M! - How do you guys get together when you’re ready to write a new album? Because when you’re not on tour, you live in Texas and most of the other guys live in Michigan, right?

D - Yeah, I just recently moved back to Texas, that’s where Jason and I are both from. I go there when I have time off. I own my own house in Texas so I go there and hang out in my home and just chill, whatever, do my thing. When it’s time to go on tour or record an album, obviously I’m gonna fly back up to Michigan and I stay with Pat’s mom. Pat doesn’t even live with Pat’s mom. She’s lives there by herself, she’s retired and I just stay with her and hang out and go to practice. It’s not bad, it’s an easy situation.

Y!M! - There seems to be a concept that carries throughout the whole album. What were you guys doing or watching or listening to when you recorded this? Did anything influence you?

D - It’s been 3 years since we’ve written new music as a band, and so we’re writing this record and we’re like dude, we’re not into this or this or that. Honestly when you’re on tour so much you don’t really listen to a lot of music, well I do, but I don’t listen to anything that’s new. A lot of my dudes listen to weird kinda stuff, like Craig is into this weird indie shit that I’ve never heard about, but it’s awesome. Like Radiohead and this European band he showed me I forgot the name it’s like me… something,

Y!M! - Mew?

D – No, not Mew. Actually, yes it’s Mew. He’s got the high voice?

Y!M! – Yeah.

D – Yeah, he showed me a youtube video of them live and I was like, dude this is fucking incredible. What is this? And he’s like this is Mew. He’s got a t-shirt of theirs too. He’s in total support of the band. I think they’re rad. I think they’re fucking awesome. They’re definitely insanely inspirational for sure, but I think everybody pulls inspiration from different things so that’s what’s good about our band. We don’t really all like the same things we just get along very well.

Y!M! - You all have your own ideas that you bring to the table.

D - Yeah. Jason is more of a metal screaming kid and I don’t listen to any screaming music at all.

Y!M! - What do you listen to?

D - I listen to a lot of old shit, I like classic rock and blues and folk.

Y!M! - Do you have an i-Pod?

D - No. I have a record player, I have quite a bit on vinyl. It just sounds so much better. It’s just so raw, it’s a good feeling.

Y!M! - It’s cool because now a lot of bands are putting out their records on vinyl, and also offering mp3’s of the whole album with it.

D - What we did with our vinyl on this tour, we were like yeah we kinda wanna make this option available for whatever, for the fan or two that are record junkies like I am. Our vinyl is for sale on this tour for 20 bucks, and the vinyl, it’s a full fledged vinyl disc and the cover, and you get the mp3 album and the album booklet. So you pretty much get everything for 20 bucks, which is pretty rare.

Y!M! - Have you ever thought about what might happen to music in the future?

D - Not really. I think obviously with technology taking over whatever, it’s gonna come to a point where you don’t ever buy a CD. You’re just gonna walk into Best Buy and say, “I want this CD” and you stick your i-Pod into a thing and upload it. If there's even a Best Buy around.

Y!M! - How do you think the changing record industry is going to affect you, if at all. Don’t let anything else influence you, what do you think right now?

D - Mind state right now… to be honest, I think the music industry is gonna roll me up a huge ass blunt and I’m gonna smoke it until its ass is on fire. That’s what I think the music industry is gonna do for me.

fin

I gotta say, I was nervous I wasn’t going to get this interview. I haven’t had the best luck in the past with these things, but Derrick was rad and I’m so glad I got the chance to meet him. Hopefully if I ever get the chance to interview him again, it will be before the show.
(photo credit www.pearldrummersforum.com)

a little taste

i'm too busy right now to write the review of the chiodos, emery, scary kids scaring kids and the devil wears prada, but i will tell you this; it was an all ages show, sold out, smelled like feet and i've never seen so many stupid haircuts in one place in my entire life. but the show was awesome, i'll have more details later along with an interview with derrick from chiodos. here's some pics to tide you over.

Bad Religion.... a review, by my buddy Tom

So, my friend from highschool, Tom, wrote this review because I had too much homework and not enough funds to attend this concert. I'm a smidge bit jealous, but not just because he went to the concert, but because I think he reviews better than me! I've got a bar to reach up to now! Anyways, he does a rad job, you'll feel like you're there if you play a BR album and read this review. Enjoy mon frère.


So my first ever show at First Ave. I was way excited just to finally see a show there, minus the fact that Bad Religion was going to be there. Gallows and The Briggs were also playing, so I figured I should at least check them out. Logged onto my iTunes, looked them up. Gallows, screaming band, not really my jams. The Briggs on the other hand, a mess of Dropkick Murphys, The Clash, and at time Rancid... my kind of band. I only listened to the first 4 songs and said, fuck it! and I downloaded 2 albums right there. If you haven't checked them out yet, you should at least look up their latest, "Back to Higher Ground", it's worth it. Also, Dropkick Murphys latest, "The Meanest of Times", this is one of my recent favorites. A powerhouse, all for one and one for all, beers and cheers punk rock album.

Anyway, back to the show. A friend Tim and I get there about half way into Gallows set, we stopped at the Irish pub across the street for a Guinness. Needless to say, we didn't miss much. The croud wasn't really into them, which the lead singer wasn't taking kindly too. After many "fuck yous!", they played their last song. About half way through, the leader just gets fed up throws the mic down and walks off, leaving the band to finish the song.

Up next is The Briggs, which after just listening to them the day before, I was ready for a killer show from them. They came out pretty quickly, which I've always liked about small venues and punk shows; they never take their sweet ass time setting up. They played a great set, the only real drag was the crowd reaction. They were into the Briggs, but they just didn't show it much, a small pit, good applause, but that's about it. The Briggs is one of those bands that I love seeing live, because they rock so much harder than on the record. Don't get me wrong, the albums sound great, but nothing like the explosive guitar of a live show. They played a killer set, just as expected.

Another 15 mins for the almighty Bad Religion to come on. While we wait, we head up to the bar for a beer. I notice a poster for the upcoming Against Me! show, which happens to be on my golden birthday. I point it out to Tim, he says "dude, let me know when you get tickets, i want to go!" He's never heard them before, but he doesn't care. This was his first punk concert, and he's hooked. Another one taken by punk, welcome buddy!
The lights go out, bassist Jay walks out, plugs in and begins to play a few notes. It's Fuck Armageddon, one of my favorites, the show is already off to a great start. Bad Religion rocks out many of the classics; 21st Century Digital Boy, American Jesus, You, Suffer, Generator, Kyoto Now, Atomic Garden... They also played a few very old AND newer ones I didn't think they ever would play; God's Song and one of my all time favorites from Process of Belief, The Defense. I never thought they would ever play that song live. Fuck, this is a great night! If you've never seen a BR show, they like to do a lot of rockin and a lot of talkin. Always bringing up facts about they city they are in, about past shows in that state, etc. They talked a little bit about how the Quest sucked and began to play an improv song about Prince and how he started 1st Ave. Always a good time with BR. They play a few from the new record, not as many as I thought they would though. They finished it all off with Infected, where Jay played the entire song using a crab claw that was tossed on stage. "This is the best guitar pick ever! go crab claw!", Jay.

In the end, they rocked everyone's faces clear off, no one seemed to mind. This was my first review of a concert, I hope after reading it you all become super jealous of me, because you missed such a bad ass show that next time you see me on the street, you have the urge to punch my face. I think i'd be ok with it though, because I went to the show.

i think i might be one of those to punch him in the face... haha. thanks tom!

and now for something completely different

Alright, so this isn’t the kind of music I usually write about, but it’s a big deal, so I’m writing. The new Britney Spears video, it’s not horrible. When I signed onto the i-Tunes store today to spend more money that I don’t have, the first thing I saw was BRITNEY SPEARS WORLD PREMIRE, GIMME MORE! And I said to myself, “I should probably check it out, for research purposes, eh”.
I wish I knew the timeline of this video in relation to the rest of her incidents, because Britney doesn’t look drunk, or drugged or unfit. She actually looks really good and in the moment. Was this before or after the infamous VMA performance (featured right)? Even though she looks amazing in the video and only one of her 2 characters has a bad wig, it’s still an unusual video. The beginning starts with Brit in a bad blonde wig with 2 others girls in equally faux hair. Totally normal and innocent, BUT WAIT! cut to the stripper that just came on stage, it’s Britney! The whole video is basically Britney, dancing around a stripper pole, but not like teen pop choreographed dancing. It looks like some girl you would see at a bar, dancing with a pole for the attention of the drunk Chads and Brads around her, hoping for a free drink. It had no plot, even though there were a few obvious characters. My guess is that they started with a plot, but then Britney saw the pole dancing scenes and decided to just keep those, because who really needs a plot these days?
So to sum this review up, Britney looks good, the video is shot very well, somehow this single is a hit, one bad wig, no plot, just Britney.
(photo credit www.eonline.com)