Review: Born To Suffer- The Rambler (2012)

Band: Born To Suffer

Release: The Rambler

Genre: Metalcore/Post-Hardcore

Label: Independently Released

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BornToSuffer.RUSSIA

Tracklist:

1. Insolation

2. Dream Follower

3. Nuclear Heart

4. Sagittarius A

5. Dr. Manhattan

6. Arjuna (Feat. Alexej Pechkin)

7. Crusades

8. The Rambler

9. Airborne

10. Recurrence

11. Path

Review: 7.2/10

Starting off with a basic metalcore breakdown to electronic post-hardcore 2-step to a heavier deathcore-ish breakdown in the intro “Insolation,” Born To Suffer kick things off to a fast start with “Dream Follower.” It’s basically a cross between standard metalcore with a combo of deep singing and screaming with heavy post-hardcore influences. It’s a more upbeat track than most metalcore bands these days. Overall it’s very As I Lay Dying-ish.

Gang vocals are always nice, and “Nuclear Heart” kicks it off with some from the start. The singer comes in and it really feels as though he sings from the heart. I like how you can hear him putting himself into the song to give it more meaning. The music, however, isn’t anything you haven’t heard before. Not saying it’s bad at all, but that it’s nothing new. I actually feel that this track should be made into a video, no doubt –core kids will eat this right up.

They really fool the listener into thinking they’re playing a really aggressive track on “Crusades,” with a fast Trivium-esque opening, but it tones down right away when the singing/screaming combo comes in with more breakdowns. It melds together a bit of blast beats a couple times which is pretty cool. It repeatedly leaves off on a high note that almost always leads to yet another breakdown.

This whole album is very reflective of the 2006-2008 era of the metalcore/post-hardcore crossover scene. The one thing that sets this apart from all other releases is the singer’s tone and the way he projects his voice. The music isn’t really anything to write home about, but like stated before, it’s not bad. They use a good mixture of the two main –core genres with a occasional dose of electronics. 

Review: In Dying Arms - "The Core Of My Existence" Single

Band: In Dying Arms

Release: "The Core Of My Existence" Single

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Metalcore

Label: Matchless Records

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/indyingarms

Tracklist:

1. The Core Of My Existence

Review: 8.1/10

In Dying Arms just released a brand new single entitled “The Core Of My Existence,” and it’s a lot different from their self titled album.

First and foremost, they switched vocalists. Instead of Toby, they now have Orion on vocals, and it’s better than before. The first impression on the track is that it’s a lot more of a cleaner, slightly more metalcore style than the deathcore infused album.

The chorus is more of a post-hardcore influence and has a lot of singing. The bridge after the first chorus is a good note, while going into a heavy yet atmospheric realm that is shown through the guitars, and the music really builds off of this bridge before then heading into a basic melodic hardcore breakdown. Not too heavy, not too soft, just basic meat and potatoes. Not really a bad thing though.

I like the growls and screaming much better, but I liked the old singing style used in the chorus’ on the self-titled to be honest. The music, however, is more experimental and seems to stretch out more into different music styles than the limitations that were shown in the album.

My main thing with this song is that I really feel Orion can sing more outward with his voice and that he’s really holding himself back. Other than that, this is a great song and I hope to see more of this in the future.

Review: Escalon - As Oceans Dry and Mountains Fade EP (2011)

Band: Escalon

Release: As Oceans Dry And Mountains Fade EP

Genre: Metalcore/Post-Hardcore/Deathcore

Label: Unsigned 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/escalon916

Tracklist:

1. Purple Flowers

2. IDAF

3. As Oceans Dry And Mountains Fade

4. Illusion Of Control

Review: 7.5/10

Escalon is a unique band in the over populated hardcore capital of the world, Sacramento, CA. They have a blend of old school and new school hardcore, along with metalcore bridges, post-hardcore choruses and deathcore influences that really prove their worth, starting with the track “Purple Flowers.” After a lengthy scream, they break out into simple metalcore verses over post-hardcore singing. All in all, it’s not really anything stand out, but it derives a classic new school hardcore feeling that Sacramento used to have hundreds of, but nowadays there isn’t much of.

My favorite song off of this EP is the song “As Oceans Dry and Mountains Fade.” Pure, nostalgic metalcore with post-hardcore musical elements thrown here and there. Heavy and brutal breakdowns is how I like my music, and it’s pulled off quite nicely. The whole song is pretty much built off of different variations of metalcore and hardcore breakdowns, not really something you see much of these days. “Illusion Of Control” builds off of this same premise by continuing the same influences as the last song. It’s a little bit repetitive, but the brutal lows that are more exhibited here are awesome.

Overall, this is a decent EP, but I know that they will have much better things to show us in the future. These are only the beginnings of a band that I know will become a household name in the hardcore music scene. Go buy their EP off of iTunes now!!!

Review: Are Those Your Friends- Lambs Turn Into Lions (2011)

Band: Are Those Your Friends

Release: Lambs Turn Into Lions

Genre: Post-Hardcore

Label: Independently Released

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arethoseyourfriends

Tracklist:

1. Unleash The Fury

2. Backstabber

3. Path Of Prosperity

4. Bloodbrothers

5. Fingerprints

6. The Inner Voice

7. Shoulder To Shoulder

8. Pictures Of You

9. Is That Being A Real Man?

10. Lambs Turn Into Lions

Review: 8.4/10

Are Those Your Friends have recently released their debut album Lambs Turn Into Lions and I wasn’t too sure of what to expect. I was thinking pop punk (since the name sounds like it) but this band is actually post-hardcore, with more of an emphasis on the hardcore side. These guys definitely know how to throw down, as evidenced on the song “Unleash The Fury.” Catchy guitar hooks, vocals that could skin cattle if it had knives, and drums that come to the guitar fight to back up everything.

“Backstabber” is a brutal track, with excellent stop-on-a-dime breakdowns thrown in bite sized chunks throughout the song. The singing vocals are a tad unclean, and I think that builds off the unclean screaming vocals, giving a one-two effect on the listener. The transition between the hardcore verses and the post-hardcore chorus is done very effectively.

To start off with a bang, “Fingerprints” has crashing cymbals, coupled with a trade off of the unclean and clean vocals during the verse and chorus to avoid a constant vocal structure, as a lot of post-hardcore bands do today. The guitars throw in a tiny bit of southern hardcore influence to give a little more depth into the song, more notable on the breakdown about 2:00 into the song.

Overall, this is a great album. It does set itself apart in many ways from other bands, but I feel that they can definitely use some work here. I would suggest throwing in a little bit of a hard rock influence into their music, in the sense of We Are The Ocean. I think that they can definitely play around with some different styles of music and mold it into their own so that they can really branch out and take the music world by the horns.

Review: That's Outrageous!- Teenage Scream (2011)

Band: That's Outrageous!

Release: Teenage Scream

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Electro

Label: Rise Records

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thatsoutrageous

Tracklist:

1. The Poughkeepsie Tapes

2. Headshot At The Ballet Recital

3. Teenage Scream

4. #Winning

5. Star 69

6. So, I'm Thinking Of Starting A Clothing Line...

7. Is It 2012 Yet?

8. New York Chainsaw Massacre, The

9. Re: Why I Killed My Girlfriend

10. What Happens In Azeroth, Stays In Azeroth

Review: 2.5/10

Yeah, That’s Outrageous! is yet another Rise Records band that throws electronic influences into their breakdowns to set themselves apart from the rest. Definitely not the most original release of the year, but certainly not the worst. For a freshman release,Teenage Scream is not that bad. This is strictly for fans of bands like Attack Attack! andOf Mice & Men.

To start off, “Headshot at the Ballet Recital” begins with a generically heavy post-hardcore breakdown you’ve heard before, but one thing that sets this band slightly apart from the rest is that they really expand on the usage of the electronic elements more than the bands that just use it to expand their breakdowns, choruses and verses. After the initial breakdown, they give a lengthy electronic section that has decent singing vocals over it. The screams in this song are definitely not my choice as standout worthy and are forgettable.

The title track “Teenage Scream” is nothing you haven’t heard already. Though I do like the singing vocals, the rest of the track is just a band following others instead of creating their own sound and setting themselves apart from the pack. The drummer is straight up happy hardcore all around. About two minutes into the song, they break out into a shitty rap that uses cliché rhymes like “now tonight is the night, yeah I’m ready to rock/ I’m gonna chase you all around till you’re ready to drop.” Painful, I know.

Next item up for bid is the first single “#Winning,” which you should know where that hashtag comes from. It’s different (barely) from the other songs by being a little faster paced and being more hardcore-sounding than the rest of the electronic-infused album. The singing has been diminished at this point and sounds more strained for some odd reason. The mixes that are used in the vocals are quite lame because again, it’s all been heard before.

The song titles aren’t even original. I mean, how many bands can you think of that use random titles like “So, I’m Thinking Of Starting A Clothing Line…” and indeed have nothing to do with starting an actual clothing line? The chorus says “I wanna be worth it,” making for some band trying to hide their emotional lines behind a generic song title. Been there, heard that. The guitars are very monotone and hardly show any talent whatsoever.

Oh yeah, this is where it gets interesting. Not. “Is It 2012 Yet?” is straight electro without any instrumentation, and is that dubstep I hear? Well, not many post-hardcore bands incorporate dubstep into their music, so they get a C- for originality. Garbage is all I can say for this.

If you haven’t gotten the idea yet, I like to critique actual music, not generic garbage like this. On the only positive note I will leave about this album, the singing is really good. If you are a fan of Attack Attack! and Asking Alexandria, then you might dig this album, though even that is saying a lot.

Review: The Light Iris- Cities Built On Ruins Of Regret EP (2011)

Band: The Light Iris

Release: Cities Built On Ruins Of Regret EP

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Electronica

Members: Andy, Brandon, Alesandro, Edward, Dennis, Marco

Label: Unsigned

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLightIris

Tracklist:

1. Introduction

2. I Hate Song Titles Pt. 2

3. Battle For Athens (Feat. Aaron Pauley from Jamie's Elsewhere)

4. Betrayer

5. Architects

6. Weast

7. I Hate Song Titles Pt. 2 (iNexus Remix)

8. Architects (Skollie Remix)

Review: 7.4/10

The Light Iris is a new band on the scene that formed in late 2009, yet have already gained a following. Cities Built On Ruins Of Regret EP is their debut, of which they also self-produced.

Being a new band, most people will expect to hear a band that has yet to find their “sound,” meaning that they have yet to find their groove and to put their strengths into their songs. The Light Iris is a electronically infused post-hardcore band, and on this EP they threw on a couple dubstep remixes as well. The first song “I Hate Song Titles Pt. 2” has a uptuned riff over a basic breakdown with slight synths thrown in for good measure. The vocals kick in and they trade off between unclean and clean vocals throughout the song. This band reminds me of when post-hardcore first started coming around, when most of the popular bands of today were just starting out. If you have any idea of A Skylit Drive or Attack Attack! In their beginning days, then you would have a good idea of what these guys sound like.

“Battle For Athens” is the stand out track on the album, not only because it features Aaron Pauley from Jamie’s Elsewhere, but also that the music sounds noticeably polished as compared to the rest of the album. The clean vocals don’t sound as rough as the rest of the album, the guitars sound tightly composed, and the drums help keep it all in line. Being new in the post-hardcore genre, it’s hard for any band to truly stand out among other bands, as it’s likely that when they play a breakdown or bridge, it will sound like some other band.

One thing about the dubstep remixes is that they really lack the bass that most artists use in their songs. “I Hate Song Titles Pt. 2 (iNexus Remix)” is a case in point. It sounds like a weird cross of dubstep and electro music while only retaining the vocals and some of the drums. It really didn’t tickle my fancy, even though I am a fan of dubstep. It doesn’t really get good for me until around the 2:25 mark.

Overall, this could be a band to watch out for in the future. They don’t showcase it yet, but practice makes perfect. I have faith that these guys find a unique sound and rise above the so called “Risecore” bands of today.

Review: Verah Falls - All Our Yesterdays EP (2011)

Mindequalsblown.net link: Not available yet

Band: Verah Falls

Release: All Our Yesterdays EP

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Metal

Members: Craig, Ty, Kyle, Forrest, Grant

Label: BlkHeart Group

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VerahFalls

Buy here: http://www.blkmarketmerch.com/collections/verah-falls/products/vf-pre-order-1

Tracklist: 

1. Season Tickets To The Opera

2. Portland: Stay Golden

3. The Cover-Up (Uncovered)

4. So I Hear You Start Riots

5. A Family Affair

Review: 9.2/10

Verah Falls is a new band that just released their debut All Our  Yesterdays EP on June 7^th, 2011. When I saw what genre they are on their Facebook (metal, hardcore, pop) I though “h boy, yet another generic poppy hardcore band. Well, I am here to tell you I was wrong.

The first thing you will notice here is the vocals. They have a unique sound and don’t try to sound like any other vocalist out there today. The screamed vocals are surprisingly polished, the death growls don’t lack any ferocity and the sung vocals really stand out and make a mark in the music scene. While listening more closely, you will start to notice that the actual music flows like water. Nothing sounds like it’s forced or someone is trying to play outside of their ability, or even worse, sounding overproduced.  

In the opening track “Seasons To The Opera,” vocalist Craig wastes no time screaming in your face with the dual guitars and drums jamming to his beat, shortly before heading into a breakdown that is a force on its own. One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that his screamed vocals are very easy to understand. I really admire this fact because I can’t think of many other hardcore bands that are like this. Usually I would have to pause the track and go look up the lyrics, then listen to the track over again. In this song he addresses his darkest hour, seemingly to a significant other that apparently didn’t work out. (How could I forget / The way you made me feel so alive … So young and so confused / where did we go wrong … I keep wondering / What if we never fell apart).

They are from Portland, Oregon, and they throw out some love in the song title of the second song “Portland: Stay Golden.” The music starts as a metalcore-tinged train coming for your head, then slows down without sacrificing any of the heaviness into a verse, then the guitars go back and forth while the singing and screaming trade off. I don’t think the lyrics are a throw to the city, and most likely another personal story, as shown in the chorus “How long will it take for you to come to terms with yourself / With yourself and what you’ve done / Your fall from grace was anything but graceful / You’re only fooling yourself.” Nonetheless, the song is full of catchy vocals and guitars that will please everyone.

“So I Hear You Start Riots” has a breakdown from the get go that will capture the attention of both the casual listener and someone who thinks they have heard everything in the genre (such as myself). Overall, it has a August Burns Red sort of influence without sounding too much like them. When they break off and start the fast paced metal, you’re already hooked on the slight soloish guitars mixed with heavy, pounding drums that match the guitars and bass perfectly. The march of the snare drum part way through the song brings forth the mayhem of the next breakdown that isn’t too soft, but not too heavy, that is until the lows kick in and blow you away like “Whoa I wasn’t expecting that!”

I really like this album, and I know this band will be getting some attention in the next few months or so. I heard that they will be on Warped Tour, but I don’t see them on the roster :/ hopefully that will change because these guys will bring the energy to their live set. This EP is only $3.99 on iTunes, so make sure you go grab it and show some love for them. 

Interview: Carcery's Vale

Interview @ 5/13/2011

Like them here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000156196551

I have followed CV ever since I saw them live at Club Retro a number of years ago (I think it was battle of the bands I don't remember). They are on the verge of blowing up any time now, they just need some more exposure. So I hit them up for this interview for people to read and get to know CV a little better and to promote their upcoming EP.

So when did Carcery's Vale first get together and start playing music? What's the meaning behind the name?

CV formed August 8th, 2008. We are coming up on our third year as a band.  We got the name 'Carcerys Vale' from a book series that all of us really liked called 'The Demonata' by Darren Shan. Great series! Carcerys Vale was the village the main character lived in. There were no bands we were in before CV was started. We started it as a hobby and something to do for fun, but it has evolved into something we never thought it would.

So I saw you guys play at last years Warped Tour. After you played there, did anything change for you guys? Did you guys get more recognition from Warped?

Warped Tour gained us a lot more fans and it was one of the biggest crowds we had played in front. It was an awesome experience and we are hoping to make it on this year again!

What's been your favorite show you've played so far? Any strange gigs you've played so far?

Thanks for everything man! Our favorite shows we played so far have been Rocking Roots, Warped Tour, Crest Theatre, this 9/11 show we played at Club Retro and the recent ones have been fun. The weirdest show we've played was probably in Marysville, CA for this girls birthday. It was at the top of a three story library and there was like a dance party in the basement

So you guys just finished up with a new EP if i'm not mistaken. What's the name of it and when will it be released? What message are you trying to give in this EP?

The name still hasn't been decided, we are trying to make it catch on. We are looking to master the tracks and release it early next month. The message is basically to have fun, live your life for yourself and nobody else, and to always be watching your back because people are SHADY. People will always be shady. We didn't want a dark feel on this EP like 'Fears' gave off. It's more catchy and uplifting. Our new album is a mix of all different styles of music from rock and roll to pop to metal to southern upbeat hardcore shit we’re kinda flirting with the boundaries on what styles one band can use. Our lyrics are about living life to the fullest and rising above your demons and staying positive and keeping your real friends close along the ride of life.

What bands do you guys look up to and draw your influence from to incorporate into your playing style? Do you play any covers live?

We have yet to play any covers live. And honestly, too many bands to name! We like to listen to all kinds of music, acoustic, metal, death metal, rap, anything. and it all comes together for what we write as a band. Also, with this new EP we wanted to listen to a lot less of our genre during the writing process so we didn't accidentally copy any breakdowns or riffs, because that can easily happen.

What bands would you like to tour with in the near future?

Some awesome bands to tour with would be A Day to Remember, BMTH, The Devil Wears Prada, basically any top notch band in the genre right now because the venues would be  JAM PACKED! We love playing with all bands music is something to be supported by everyone bands need to support other bands it doesn't really matter who we play with. We wanna come out and rock with our friends and far as we’re concerned everyone’s our friends.

What comes first when writing? The lyrics or the music?

The music always comes first in our band, then Jeremiah writes the lyrics to the mood the song gives off.

Where do you see yourselves in about 5 years from now?

Two things realistically. Either in 5 years we will be a National touring band making a career out of this or we will have to give it up eventually and we will probably be working day jobs and going to school. Let's hope for the first one though :)

What was your first song?

Our first song we ever wrote was a terrible (we thought it was the shit) song called "Lights, Camera, Slaughter!"

Tell the fans about your upcoming shows and what they're missing out on.

The fans neeeeed to come out to our next show in Rocklin at Studio 21. Tickets are only five dollars and the show is on May 13th. What fans miss out on our shows is an original rock and roll live experience. we jump all over the place, we grab kids by the skulls, we shred for the girls, we wanna have everyone moving the whole time so we love getting fans involved and having fun and enjoying our music. That's what it’s about is them getting a place to release all frustrations and leave our show with a smile on their face

Any shout outs you want to give?

Shout out to our best friends and management : Tommy Bauer, Steve Villar, and Matt Oliver! And of course our badass producer Zac Z Rokk Diebels! Who helped us create a kickass 6 song EP, with crushing quality :)

Any last words for the fans?

The fans have always been amazing to us. You either love CV or hate us, and for the ones who have stuck it out, keep holding on tight because we are almost there. Your support is so amazing and we wouldn't be ANYTHING without you all. Love, CV.

Interview: Skyline For Tomorrow

Interview @ 4/28/2011

"Like" Skyline For Tomorrow here: http://www.facebook.com/skylinefortomorrow

Follow them on Twitter here: http://www.twitter.com/skylineft

Skyline For Tomorrow is a relatively new post-hardcore/screamo band from Kentucky. I decided to have this interview with them because they’re music, although very unpolished and rough, has a lot of potential. I know these guys will do great once they get some decent recordings out there.

R: So tell me a little about Skyline For Tomorrow? When did you guys form?

SFT: Hello! We are a band from the Nashville, TN / Bowling Green, Ky area. I
guess if we had to describe our "sound" then it would be post-hardcore. We take
influence from a lot of bands and put our own spin on it. We love bands like Chiodos,
Pierce the Veil, Emarosa, and Saosin. Lately we have channeled a lot of a
Oceana/Decoder feel to our music. It's sounding very sludgy at times. Haha.

R: What is the meaning of the band name?

SFT: Skyline for Tomorrow was something that just came about one day. At the
time, three of the members had come from another band that had just broken up.
We were pretty discouraged as far as music is concerned because of that breakup.
Then it came time to look ahead, rebuild, and move forward. A skyline is
something you build. Tomorrow represents the future. This is pretty much us building our
future and choosing our own path.

R: Are there any other projects that you guys are involved in that you would
like people to know about?

SFT: I know Seth and Trevor have been talking about Doing something together for
awhile now. Trevor has a solo type thing going too. Our friend Tim that
did the drums on our Parallels EP is in a Christian rock band called Cord of 3.
All of those guys are pretty cool.

R: What message are you trying to send with your music?

SFT: Well when it comes to writing, I just try to write what I feel. I'm still
growing up and going through the same things everyone else goes through.
Hopefully people relate to that.

R: What are your biggest music idols?

SFT: I have so many. It's unreal. Haha. I love everything from oasis to Chides to
Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Oceana. Lately I've been jamming some
Architects and Bring Me the Horizon. I used to hate BMTH, but their last album is one of my
favorites ever now. I love how dynamic it is. Oh, and Decoder. Love
those guys. Everyone else in the band likes a lot of the same bands. They are also
heavy into Pierce the Veil and Emarosa. Good bands.

R: Do you have any demos for fans to download?

SFT: Um yeah. If you check out our Facebook page you can download an old,
old song. Not a great representation of where we are as a band right now, but you
can also hear some clips of our new stuff there too.

R: When will your debut EP Parallels be released?

SFT: It's coming out very soon! Swear. This thing has become our Chinese
Democracy. Haha. Between replacing members, changing our sound around, building a new
studio, and physical confrontations with former bassists, the process
has been very interesting. It's coming before we head out. That's for sure.

R: Do you have any shows coming up?

SFT: We are getting ready to head out for the summer with some really cool
bands. We have been in talks with a band we did some stuff with last fall called
Ironsides. That's gonna take up July. We had a band pull out of our June
run. Hopefully we can get them replaced in time to do those shows. And for
august we have been talking to a band that is one of our favorites. It will hands
down be our favorite tour if we get this together.

R: Where do you guys plan on touring in the summer?

SFT: Literally, everywhere in the United States. June will be west coast
mainly. We will be in the southeast July. August is kind of a mix between
everywhere. So there are plenty of chances to come see us.

R: Any last words for the fans?

SFT: We love you guys. We love the people that come out to the shows. We love the
venues and venue promoters that have had us so far. We hope to see you
all real soon. Don't ever give up on us. Check out Parallels when it drops and
keep in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter.
http://www.facebook.com/skylinefortomorrow
http://www.twitter.com/skylineft
Click "LIKE" and Suggest to Friends!

Interview: Trey of From Tomorrow

Interview @ 4/10/2011
"Like" From Tomorrow here: http://www.facebook.com/fromtomorrowband

From Tomorrow is definitely a band to look out for in the near future. They bring a destructive blend of Cancer Bats and Attack Attack! to the table with unrelenting force. Personally, I really dig this band and would suggest them to anyone that's reading this. Go buy yourself a copy of their latest album The Fear Of Forever Off of their Bandcamp site (listed below). To find out where they currently stand in the progress of their new album, I decided to contact Trey (2nd from left in above picture) for this interview:

1. So how did you guys meet? What's the story behind the name From Tomorrow?

T: I met Matt a long time ago in middle school and we ended up being best friends later on. We were both fans of Josh's old band, which is how we got to know Tyler (even though I went to high school with him) because we always saw him at shows. We picked up James through a friend that recorded our first CD and we picked up Alan from another band.

2. Do you guys have any releases out/coming up?

T: We are currently working on new material. We have three or four songs ready, but have not been in the studio.

3. What is the message that you are trying to send with your music?

T: I don't write the lyrics, so I can't speak for Tyler...but I just want people to know that not all people who believe in God are so judgmental and hypocritical. So many people get turned off from God because of crazy people. 

4. What bands have you shared the stage with? What bands would you like to play with?

T: The list is way too long, but some mentionables are Alesana, Asking Alexandria, In This Moment, In Fear and Faith, From First to Last, Memphis May Fire, A Plea for Purging, Sent By Ravens and many, many more.

We also played the Charlotte date of Warped Tour in 2009 with UnderOath, The Devil Wears Prada, Attack Attack!, A Day to Remember and several others.

5. Random question - What is your guys’ favorite movie?

T: So hard to say! I'd have to take a vote with the band or something haha. I think most of us could agree on The Lost Boys as a good movie.

6. Tell people about your next show (or tour) and why we should be there.

T: Our next show is at GroundZero in Spartanburg, SC on April 29th. It is a benefit for our friend Luke Holliday of Chivalry who recently died in a tragic car accident. The proceeds will go to Luke's family for funeral and hospital costs. It's a good cause and it will definitely be a good time and a celebration of his memory. Everyone should come out! Also, May 3rd we are playing with Arsonists Get All the Girls, A Plea for Purging and more in Greenville, SC!

7. What bands have inspired you guys to come together and play?

T: Deftones would probably be someone that everyone in the band could agree on.

8. Ah yes another excellent Sacramento band :) What has been your biggest challenge as a band so far?

T: MONEY!!! We are broke!

9. Do any of you have any other projects you would like the fans to know about?

T: None of us are currently doing any other musical projects.

10. What was your first song together? Do you guys play any covers?

T: The first ever From Tomorrow song was "Endless Ocean" off of the Hell or High Water CD. I think the first song written with our current line-up was "Bill Brasky." We don't currently play any covers, but we're talking about playing one.

11. Any shout outs you want to give?

T: We want to give a shout out to all of our friends, family and fans! Jamie the Skynub, Richard and Tammy Cox, Krazy Kyle, Mick Minchow @ GroundZero, Clint Owens, Embracing Goodbye, Chivalry, Set Apart...just to name a FEW! If you weren't mentioned, it doesn't mean you're not appreciated! It's 7am and I haven't been to sleep yet so don't kill me if I forgot you!

12. Any last words for your fans and other people who haven't heard you yet?

T: Everything is because of you guys and everything we will have is because of you guys! Please continue to support us, local music and metal in general. We can't thank our friends, family and fans enough! To those who haven't heard us, you can download our album at a "name your price" option @ www.fromtomorrowband.bandcamp.com ...check us out and let us know what you think @www.facebook.com/fromtomorrowband ...thanks so much, everyone!

Interview: Jordan Blake of Trances/Watchout! There's Ghosts

 

Interview @ 4/7/2011

"Like" Trances here: http://www.facebook.com/trancesband

"Like" Watchout! There's Ghosts here: http://www.facebook.com/watchouttheresghosts2011

If you don’t know who Jordan Blake is by now, then crawl out from under that rock you’re living. As one of the founders of A Skylit Drive (he performed on the Industry Demos and She Watched The Sky EP) his voice took the world by storm. Then he fell ill and was eventually let go from ASD. So he then formed Watchout! There’s Ghosts and after only 2 shows was picked up by Rise Records and released “Ghost Town.” But for reasons explained in the interview below, he formed a “heavier” band and named it Trances, which just released “The Alphament EP.” He also made an EP with Etienne Sin called “The Legend The Leader” in the span of just days (readers can read the interview with Etienne Sin here http://fridayreviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/interview-etienne-sin.html and you can also read the review I gave of the EP here http://fridayreviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/jordan-blake-etienne-sin-legend-leader.html). As one of the most respected and renowned voices of the post-hardcore/scream genre, Jordan Blake decided to have this interview with me to talk about some of his influences and some uplifting comments for the fans:

RB:  So, Etienne has told me that your newest EP "The Legend the Leader" was all your idea. What made you want to do an entire project with him? 

JB: When his manager hit me up to fly my out to New York, I thought it only made sense to complete as much work as we could while I was there.

RB: What are some of your biggest influences in music? What are some of the bands that you listen to today? 

JB: Ellie Goulding, is my biggest influence right now, America better watch out for her!

RB: So how did you meet the guys in Trances? What motivated you to make that band and also resurrect Watchout! There's Ghosts? 

JB: Well to answer your W!TG question, you can not kill something that is already dead. No one ever know what is going on with W!TG cause I am W!TG. Indeed I do have help making the music, but I am the only one that makes shit happen.The idea of Trances hit me while I was on the road with W!TG, my label at the time had called bitching about my album sales,telling me they wouldn't work me unless I made a heavy band. I made a heavy band, called it Trances

RB: What has been your biggest challenge so far in the various bands that you've performed and recorded with? 

JB: Staying happy.

RB: What message are you sending out with your music? 

JB: I write the soundtracks to the end of the world.
I have been warning people for so long. Now that its a trend to believe it, everyone is a follower. I think that is what happend to America in the first place, one stupid fuck, following another stupid fuck, believing everything that a guy in a suit has to say. I mean oxy cotten seems to be saving everyone's life right...WRONG, that is just one of the substances created to destroy america, but shit, i'm not punk rocker I shouldn't piss on to many peoples jobs in one interview

RB: I am from Sacramento and as we both know, Sacramento has a huge (mainly hardcore) music scene. What 

are a few of the local scene bands you like?

JB: I am not from Sacramento, and I do not like the band's from Sacramento, I liked Dance Gavin Dance when Kurt Travis was in the band, and I do really enjoy anything that Kurt Travis has recording since 03, but other then that, I don't listen to anything out of the area.

RB: There being so many bands in the area, was there any trouble breaking out with Watchout! There's Ghosts or Trances? 

JB: Watchout! never had to break out, we had 2 show cases then we went on tour for the whole year, Trances hasn't found to many band's in the area with the same sound we are still searching for new bands to play with in the area.


RB: Yeah one of my all time favorite shows was the Halloween show you played that year at the Empire Theater in Stockton, CA. So what are the meanings of the band names Watchout! There's Ghosts and Trances? How did you and the band come up with them? 

JB: W!TG, was something I thought would be a clever thing to spray paint on a bridge above a narrow turn by my house back home.


RB: What upcoming projects are you working on now? New Watchout!, Trances, or something else entirely?

JB: I have been working on Trances recently,

RB: What has been your favorite venue or city overall that you've performed in? 

JB: WHITE RABBIT, SAN ANTONIO TEXAS

RB: What's been your strangest gig or fan experience so far? 

JB: Strangest would have been playing a sold out show then getting jumped by methed out security gaurds in New York City. Fucking faggots.

RB: Fucking A! That's straight up bullshit right there! What advice can you give for any up and coming bands out there that look up to you? 

JB: Stay true to yourself, always believe you are #1. because your are. I have been through a lot of shit, and have had labels, managers, fans and haters all tell me I will never make it in my career. But i'm still going til the end.

RB: Any shoutouts you would like to give? 

JB: A big one out to my Manager Judi Padilla, and my girlfriend and her band Twin Of Novae.

RB: Any last words for your fans? 

JB: Thanks so much for still buying my music and coming out to my shows! Make sure to check out Trances if you havent yet. I love you, stay true to yourself, fall in love young, never get a job, move out of America.

*A legend of our time*

Interview: Cory & Tahm of Troubled Coast

From left to right: Cory (Guitar/Backing Vox), Brandon (Guitar), Randy (Bass), Tahm (Drums/Backing Vox), & Mile (Vox)

Interview @ 4/3/2011

Add Troubled Coast here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Troubled-Coast/125546696562

Having just released their new album "Letters" on Creator-Destructor Records, Troubled Coast is bringing poetry and raw energy to the post-hardcore/pop punk genre few bands have tried at and succeeded. To understand them a little bit better and where they draw their influence from (Hint: it's Thrice), we decided to have this interview for the fans. For the album review, click HERE

1. So when did you form your band? How did you all meet?

(Cory)We started writing the beginnings of our first album in Spring of 2009. The line-up has changed a couple times since then, but our current group of dudes has kinda known each other for a while. Me and Tahm have been friends since early high school. We all knew each other from previous bands and seeing each other at shows, back when there was a scene.

2. What decides that the time is right to go into the studio to record an album? Or is is an ongoing process?

(Cory) Tahm writes most of the material, and when we get a good number of songs fine tuned, we start preparing for recording.

3. Tell the readers a little about your new album Letters and the overall message of the album.

(Tahm) Letters is a mix of a bunch of different influences. It combines all of the styles of music we like to play into one album. 

(Cory) Musically, we definitely spent a lot more time molding our sound into something we could be proud of. As for the message, I think we just want people to take what they want from each song, and the album as a whole.

4. It certainly was a fresh, new sound and familiar at the same time. I feel that is the perfect blend for anyone that listens to music to experience. So what idols do you bring your influence from?

(Tahm) The dudes from Thrice, Dallas Green (City And Colour), Arizona Iced Tea, Aaron Weiss (mewithoutYou), BTBAM, Spiderman, Master Chief.

(Cory) Thrice. As Cities Burn. The Chariot. Maps And Atlases and all the Seattle math rock.

5. Imagine you're at a concert and a member of a band gets abducted by aliens right before they go up. They ask you to fill in. What band would that be?

(Tahm) Thrice or BTBAM.

(Cory) Thrice.

6. If you could play on your dream tour, what bands would be on it?

(Tahm) Thrice, Alexisonfire, Millencolin, Moving Mountains.

(Cory) Thrice, As Cities Burn, Incubus, Gwar, John Mayer, Defeater, The Chariot, Tegan and Sara, us, and Thrice again. In that order. We would tour the world twice.

7. Ah, seems like Thrice would definitely be your biggest influence musically. I mean, who honestly doesn't like them? What would you say was your biggest challenge as a band?

(Tahm) Not rushing into things. We haven’t been around long enough to deal with too many problems.

(Cory) Balancing a band with the other aspects of our life.

8. So far, what are your favorite venues and cities to play in? Favorite covers to play live (if applicable)?

(Cory) We play at Submission in SF a bunch, and that’s always a good time. CYC in Fresno is great also. We definitely need to play more covers live. They’re so fun.

(Tahm) The Quesadilla Factory in Centralia, Washington. So good.

9. What is your strangest gig?

(Tahm) When nobody showed up to our show in Grants Pass, OR.

(Cory) Yeah, the only people there were the bands and the venue owner. And two dudes that showed up to check on their band’s upcoming show.

10. Yeah I can only imagine what that must have felt like. But it's only because they don't know you guys just yet haha. What was your first song as a band?

(Tahm) Chasing Windmills.

(Cory) A straightedge song in a band with 1 straightedge member.

11. Any shout outs you would like to give?

(Cory) James Phillips. We love you and thanks for helping us so much in the studio. Thank you Seahaven for a sweet tour/vacation. Thank you Elise for lending your amazing voice to this album.

(Tahm) Hi Mom. Thanks for always believing in me.

12. Any last words for your fans, cats and iguanas of the world?

(Cory) Listen to Lagwagon.

(Tahm) Thanks to anyone who has listened to our album, bought any merch, or came to our shows. We appreciate you guys.

(Cory) Ditto. We don’t make any money off of this, so we love to see people enjoying our band. It keeps us going.


*Red Sky*