Name Dropping 101 ; Across The Pond

America's not the only place with rad music.

>>Twin Atlantic (@TwinAtlantic) ; Scotland
I recently found them through New Music Inferno (@NEWMUSICINFERNO), and I basically fell in love.. They're pretty much everything you'd want in an alternative band, plus a sick accent. "Old Grey Face (And the Way of the Magenta)" has more of an upbeat vibe to it, and "You're Turning into John Wayne" has a softer tone. "What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?" is definitely my second favorite by them, it draws you in from the beginning and holds your attention with riffs you'd expect to hear from a band like Senses Fail. I'm not sure my description will do it justice, so just watch the video fer their song "Lightspeed" below, it's my favorite by them :D Also, check out their album, Vivarium, on iTunes now.


>>Summerlin ; Leeds, England
They've got a really cool pop-punk feel that makes you want to party. "I've Got A Future and You're Not In It" is a great example of that.. and really, so are all the songs on their page :) Feel free to follow each of the guys on twitter! Their links are on their myspace page. Also, check out their album, So Make Your Move, on iTunes & their other merchandise on their bigcartel page (prices in Euros).

>>Me Vs. Hero (@mevshero); Blackpool, UK
I found this band while looking at Summerlin's page, and I'm glad I did. They're more punk rock, and their tracks have a lot of energy. "Cashing Cheques" is one of those songs that draws you in from the start, & keeps you listening with a killer chorus.

>>My Passion ; London
This band, who I also found through Summerlin, has a heavier sound. Check out their video for "Day Of The Bees" below.


>>McFly (@mcflymusic); London
Remember that movie Just My Luck from 2006? Remember that awesome band the main guy managed? That band is a real one, and their name is McFly. Not only were they in that movie, but their album (with the same title) came out that year, too. There are a bunch of great songs on that record, including "Five Colours In Her Hair" & "I've Got You" which they played in the movie. I love a bunch of their older stuff too, including one of my favorites, "Sorry's Not Good Enough." Look them up, their pop rock sound is bound to make you smile.

>>Heart In Hand ; Bournemouth, UK
Their song "Indelible Mistakes" starts out really sweet, but after about a minute, it starts to change. Around 2 minutes in, you get a true taste of what the band is like- a hard rock / screamo band that knows how to go crazy. Listen to their music, and make sure to stop by their online store.

>>Gallows ; Hertfordshire, London and South East United Kingdom
As I've said before, I'm not usually a big fan of really heavy music, but there's something about this band that makes me want to listen to them. I caught some of their set at Warped this year, and maybe that was all I needed- they were great. I missed them when they played nearby recently, but they're still on tour. Try to make it out to one of their shows if you get the chance (tour dates listed on their MySpace).

>>Muse ; England
Their vocalist has an almost chilling aspect to his voice that really helps set the band apart. The music as a whole has a similar effect, listening to "Invincible" will demonstrate that pretty well. "Plug In Baby" is basically love in song form.. to me, at least. "Thoughts of A Dying Atheist" is another of my favorites. I would strongly suggest this band to anyone looking for a different kind of rock song that still packs a punch.


>>You Me At Six ; UK
They're a genuinely good rock band with catchy songs. What else do you need? Sign up HERE to get a free download of their song "Finders Keepers". Be sure to try & catch them on the AP Tour with Mayday Parade, The Academy Is..., and more!
Here's their video for "Kiss and Sell":

Kiss and Tell

You Me At Six ( UK Headline Tour On Sale Now) | MySpace Video

>>Does It Offend You, Yeah? (@dioyy); UK
"Dawn Of The Dead" was the first song I'd ever heard by them, and let's just say it was a hell of an introduction :) Anytime I sing it, I feel the need to do so with an accent... I hate being one of those typical Americans who loves different accents, but hey, can you really blame us? All of their songs are really different, each with a different combination of alternative, synth, and rock qualities that make them pretty addicting.

>>Ellington (@JakeAshley); Brisbane, Australia
Need some truly adorable, smile-enducing music to fall in love with? Well, stop searching- you've found what you've been looking for. Ellington has a really sweet, soft-rock / acoustic sound to every song, but their sound isn't generic. If you happen to be in their area, catch Ellington with Save Us For Summer, Courage, and more on December 12th (Check the poster below & their myspace for more info).


>>Courage ; Queensland, Australia
They only have one song on their MySpace at the moment, but listening to it, you can't help but smile. Playing with Ellington on December 12th.


Bonus: BandCentral.com (@BandCentral)
BandCentral is a London based website made for the benefit of bands who like to keep things as simple as possible, but get things done all at the same time. The site allows bands to eliminate long email threads with band-specific message boards. There's also a band calender and a gig manager, and if you're forgetful, you can get SMS updates sent to you as a reminder. You can also create set lists and guest lists for each event. There's a "Fan Alert" feature that, combined with the automatic twitter/facebook/myspace status updates, will help let your fans know about upcoming shows, releases, and more. Of course, you can also keep track of your band's finances, create & update a to-do list, and upload files for easy storage & sharing. This site is pretty much any band's best friend, a great thing to have.

"BandCentral gives you your very own online 'Band HUB', which enables you to manage everything associated with a hard working band (gigs, promotion, files and finances etc..) all in one instantly accessible place."

(^demo vid)
Interested? Click here to try out the site & all of its features free for 30 days.

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What I'm Listening To #10 (Thee MySpace Playlist)

Click the picture to hear the songs :)

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Name Dropping 101 ; Part 23

10 bands I couldn't help but fall in love with.

Check em out, you'll see why :)

• Band - "[Some of my favorite songs by them]"
• Anarbor- "Passion For Publication", "The Brightest Green",
  
• Artist vs. Poet- "Assurance, Closure", "Runaway", "Lisa-Marie"
• Cash Cash- "Concerta", "Electric Hearts", "Breakout", "Sugar Rush"
• Mandy K- "Plans", "Are You From Tennessee? Cause You're The Only Ten I See" "Sunflower"
• Mercy Mercedes- "Shiver Me Timbers", "Drop Top", "Revolution"
• Owl City - "The Bird and the Worm", "Fireflies", "Tidal Wave", "On The Wing"
• Sparks The Rescue- "My Heart Radio", "Autumn", "Skeleton", "The Gravity"
• The Bay State- "1944 (Kicking & Screaming)", "Hey Hey Glamour Kills", "Liars"
• The Scenic- "The American Way", "Bon Voyage Mr. Bones", "Are You Down?"
  
• You, Me, and Everyone We Know- "I Can Get Back Up Now", "Happy Birthday", "Colorful Language"

BONUS!:

Summers Last Wave- "Forever Never Ends", "She Never Gets What She Wants", "Reach In"

So.. who have you fallen in love with lately? ;]

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Interview: The Reserve

>> About a month ago, I asked the guys from The Reserve a couple of questions.

These were their answers. (John Rossi's now included too!)

1. Who does what in the band?
Pete Nappi: I play the drums, percussion and keyboards.
Peter Catalano: My name is Peter Catalano and I sing and play guitar. Pete Nappi takes up the drums. John Rossi attempts the bass guitar :].
John Rossi: my name is john dominick rossi, im the one in the band who stands there and looks good♥ peter catalano plays the guitar and uses his golden pipes, and pete nappi plays the sh*t out of his drums.

2. If you could play any other instrument besides the one(s) you play now, what would it be & why?
PN: I would definitely play the banjo. Its a fun instrument and i would love to jam out on it.
PC: DRUMS! Pete Nappi always seems to have so much fun playing.
JR: i would definitely play the trumpet, or to be really good at the piano. i think the trumpet is a rad cool instrument, and i love the piano

3. What are some of your earliest memories that made you want to get into music?
PN: Just seeing that if you work hard enough, you can do what you love to do every night of your life. Without music in my life i probably would not be the same person.
PC: 4th grade. Tom delonges lead guitar riff at the end of dumpweed made me buy a guitar.
JR: i remember my dad showing me bands like tool and rage against the machine at a early age of my life, he really got me into my musical life i have now. but i really fell in love with linkin park and there sound♥ . also kurt cobain played a hug part in my life his life really caught my eye and i realized a whole different world of music that i live in right now.

4. Would you say music runs in your family?
PN: Id say so. My dad plays some guitar. My italian grandpa plays the accordion♥ and piano. My great grandfather played the sax in a band in italy.
PC: My mom can sing. Thats about it.
JR: i think so, me and my dad bond alot. we always watch and listen to alot of blues together, its enjoyable.

5. Biggest influences, both musical and otherwise?
PN: Angels and Airwaves, U2, Basically all good music. I like to listen to music that is very different, or music that can make u think differently. Also the stars and the planet can influence my life as well♥
PC: Musical- Blink-182, Otherwise my grandparents♥
JR: muse, blink 182, angels and airwaves, plus 44...... my grandma, and my family.... and the moon.

6. What made you realize you wanted to start/join a band?
PN: When i was younger, i was always into music, banging on stuff and singing along. For my 8th birthday, i got my first drum set. I went to my first concert also when i was 8, which was u2 in boston, and i knew immediately from that night, i wanted to play music for the rest of my life.
PC: I want to be able to reach people on both an artistic and personal level.
JR: my best friend pete nappi always wanted me to play an instrument, and i want to inspire kids the way musicians inspire me.

7. How’d you guys get together?
PN: To make a long story short, Peter knew my friend Kevin. Kevin told me they needed a drummer, i called pete and history was made. John is my best friend so he later joined.
PC: I started the band in December of 2007. The Reserve has gone through so many different members but things were finally put into place when my friend Kevin introduced me to Pete Nappi.
JR: um i believe peter made the band back in 07, he got pete nappi and they needed a bass player and im a bass player!

8. Who named the band? How’d you come up with that name?
PN: Peter came up with the name. I think he was driving in his car and thinking about his cousin in the army or something.
PC: I came up with the band name when I heard my cousin was joining the marine reserves and heading off to Afghanistan. My cousin wants to protect our nation. I'm trying to motivate people to stop all the hate through music and art. Anyone that wants to change the world really is part of The Reserve.
JR: peter came up with it, i think it has something to do with his cousin.

9. What do you find inspires most of your lyrics/music/etc?
PN: I think if you look around you, anything can inspire you to do something. Everyday life experiences can cause you to create music. Also, just listening to other music can make you get inspired. The time when i get most inspired, is when i go to a concert. It makes me realize that i could play music everyday for the rest of my life if i just keep working hard. After a concert i usually go home and write a new song.
PC: Most of the music and lyrics I write are based off of personally experience that were happening at my life at that time. The new record that I just started writing is based on a story that I came up with only three days ago. I started writing lyrics and music last night. (*Answered on Aug 27th)
JR: what inspires me is anything that makes me driven, anything that gives me motivation to do something with my life.... mainly its making fun of guidos.

10. How do you guys come up with the lyrics and the music behind it?
PN: Usually me and peter write something, and record a short demo of it. Then we go to the studio and write rest of the music in there. Then Peter usually writes lyrics and a song is born!
PC: See question 9.
JR: peter and pete normally write everything, i just throw in judgments.


>I was going to post the whole thing, but it's pretty long. Check out the rest on my fan page, I posted it as a note :] (*Click here)





>>Although their release week has passed, you can still get their new Ignite EP on iTunes (click here) if you haven't already. I'm working on a review for that right now, it's definitely worth looking into. My personal favorites are probably "Man Of Your Dreams" and "Ignite", but they're all great. Next time you get the chance, I would definitely advise checking out one of their shows; seeing them in person is always a good time. And they love meeting fans. Couldn't be better than that :)
Thanks again guys <3

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Seen It Live: 9/12/09

Would using the word "phenominal" be over doing it?

Probably. OH WELL.

>>So a week or two beforehand, I'd been told about The Reserve, Table 21, Kelsey and the Chaos, and Patent Pending all having a show on September 12th. I kind of freaked out, like honestly how am I supposed to choose.. Upon being given specific details, I realized I wouldn't have to- They all invited me to the same show. With a line up like that, and including a bunch of other awesome bands, I knew it was gonna be an epic night.

>>I got to the show later than I really wanted to, as usual :\
>I didn't find out until later that one of the bands who's set I missed was Kelsey and the Chaos, one of the reasons I went to the show. BUMMERRRR. Luckily, when I saw her later, Kelsey told me they're coming back to Long Island in November :D (On November 11th, playing on the Cheap Date Tour* with FTSK, The Rocket Summer, Sing It Loud, and more, at the Crazy Donkey<3)be> Shut Up and Deal EP on iTunes. I got it from them at Warped, and honestly I still listen to it at least once a week :]
>I also missed Last Days of Summer. I'd heard of them but I'd never really heard anything by them. Apparently they're also friends with The Reserve, small worldd :]. I looked em up fer real when I got home, and they're seriously good. They've only got 2 songs up on their MySpace right now ("Moving On" & "What You're Leaving Behind") but they're both pretty rad. Be sure to look at their most recent blog post so you know what's going on. From the band: "...we are now working on 2 new songs that will be released at the next show we play which will be november 14th at amityville for the $10000 battle of the bands soo come show your support and have a kick ass time with us and maybe we'll have a shot!.." You should definitely go check them out :]

>>After missing their set 3 separate times, I can FINALLY say I've seen Table 21 live, and at their last show. Yeah, it's over.. but T21 most definitely went out with a bang. They played "Party! In My Pants", "Crash and Fall", "Showeys and Goeys", and more.. they even played some songs with their pants ON! And yes, that's exactly what I meant ;] The guys went all out, and they put on one hell of a show. There was confetti.. but somehow they 'misplaced' the glow sticks, so we couldn't rave during their set :\ Regardless, it was an awesome set. PS, You can still get their CD on iTunes. I still listen to it all the time, it's so damn catchy I can't help it :]

>>Not counting acoustic sets or their band practices, this was the first time I'd seen The Reserve play an actual show. Let me just say their stage presence was ridiculoussssss, they really put on a great show. Everyone around me seemed to think so too, they're a band that grabs the crowd's attention and keeps it until their set is finished. Oh, and their playing wasn't half bad either ;] They played my favorite songs by them, "Ignite" & "Man Of Your Dreams" as well as a bunch of other great ones. You'd think I would have it already, but this was also the night I got their Ignite EP. So stokeddddd. It's mad good, pick it up if you haven't already :D They're all great guys, and they love talking to fans. Next chance you get, I'd suggest going to one of their shows & saying hey. You won't be disappointed, trust me :]

>>There was a point during the show when me and a few friends were hanging out by KATC's tour bus, and I ended up meeting & talking to 2 guys from Pull The Pin. A few people had suggested the band to me, but I hadn't really gotten the chance to look them up.. After talking to them about their friendship with Tyler of KATC, Blink 182, & The Beastie Boys, I bought their CD. Why not, right? Later on, I saw them play. Long story short, buying their CD was a really good choice. It's called "Anyone In The Universe...Other Than Me", click here to get it on iTunes! I like them a lot. I'm not sure which songs they played that night, but I love "Let's Start From The End" by them. That, and "A Place Like Home" are probably my favorites, but they're all super good.

>>I also got Valet Parking 's Blackout EP, you should tooooo. "Just Pretend" is my favorite :] Overall, they're pretty rad.

>>Considering I was supposed to see Patent Pending live a solid 3 times before this, I was so stoked to fiiinally see them play. I'm not a huge fan; I didn't know their songs specifically (except for "The June Spirit" :D) until that day. I was standing pretty much on stage with them (in the back though, no worries hah) during their set, and their performance was just amazing. I had such a great spot, I could see the band play, and I got to wave to the guitarist ahahah, aaand I got to see how the crowd just went crazy for every song. They played "Anti-Everything", "Dear Stacy, I Hate You", and by request "She's a Ho Ho Ho." Just from that one show, I saw how they've got such a great, dedicated fan base that any band would be happy to have. Even though it was a fairly small venue, there was crowd surfing like you wouldn't believe. Literally people went all out, and it was truly a great experience.
Next time Patent Pending plays nearby, you can bet I'll do my best to be there :]
OH, and after dying to do so since it came out, I actually got a chance to buy their CD, Attack Of The Awesome, which I'm actually listening to right now :] SO GOOD. The songs are mad catchy; I can see why their hardcore fans love them so much. Aside from waving to the drummer & guitarist during their set, I also got to meet Joe when I got their CD. He's such a sweetheart, and pretty funny too. This all added to their stage presence, and the overall badassness of the nighttt<3>>As you've probably noticed, this was one of the best shows I've been to in a whiiile. I felt like such a dork coming out of it with 5 new cds & a poster, but it was totally worth it. The KATC poster (that only cost a dollar!) is up on my wall, and the CDs are all still in my CD player. Although I went to see bands I'm friends with, I got so much more out of that show. Between meeting almost all of the bands, talking to various new people, being introduced to bands and their music, and being able to see a bunch of great bands live, I couldn't ask for more. Yeah, I know I'm rambling, but it was seriously an epic night.

Local shows ftw <3

*PS, Kelsey and The Chaos is only playing a few dates of the Cheap Date tour. Check which ones HERE. If you can, make sure you go see them! I am on 11/11/09- how perfect :]

[Finished on 9/27/09 <3]

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Name Dropping 101 ; Part 22

Things to mention:

• The weekend of shows from The Reserve is here! Catch them acoustic at the Smith Haven Mall tonight at 7pm, and playing a full band show tomorrow in Amityville. (Click here for full details). Also, they band is going to be interviewed on the New Music Inferno TONIGHT at 10pm. Be sure to tune in :]
• I posted my interview with them^ as a note on the Facebook Fan Page. Check it out there for now, and I'll post something on this, the actual site, as soon as I can :]
• The Back To School Bro-Down is tomorrow. Patent Pending, Kelsey and The Chaos, Table 21, and more are playing. Going? RSVP on Facebook! See you there :]
  PS, this is actually Table 21's last show.. if you needed another reason to come out, now you've got one.
• Phone Calls From Home is releasing their full-length album, "Connected", on September 29th. The album includes two unreleased acoustic tracks, a dance remix, and their music video for "Light The Fuse". Psyched?! Me too :]
• Want to win free Owl City tees? Enter the contest here.
• Colors In The Air premiered their music video for "Urgency". Watch it, love it, share it. 
• Click here & watch the video for a sneak peek of The Vans Warped Tour 15th Anniversary Event, in theaters on, & only on September 17th.
• Not sure if anyone noticed, but I don't really mention rappers or hip hop artists all that often.. I intend to change that.For now, go listen to some tracks by Mike Edwards.
• Yesterday, a friend suggested I check out a band called The Compromise. I listened to them, and I think you guys should too! You can listen on their MySpace, and if you like what you hear, feel free to download their full album here.
• Find out how to win an autographed copy of Every Time I Die's new album, New Junk Aesthetic here.
• Be sure to listen to Mercy Mercedes' cover of Fire Burning by Sean Kingston on their MySpace, I love it :] While yer there, check out their tour dates!

Bonus: Today's Freebies

• Panic! At The Disco has a free download of their new single, "New Perspective"! Available here, just click 'music' to get it!
• *A message from Lansdowne:
• "As we all know, 8 years ago we suffered the worst attack on US soil in the history of our country. Thousands of innocent people died or were severely injured, leaving families and friends across our nation devastated. But we've shown that even in the wake of our worst tragedy that we can stand united, show our strength, and persevere. In honor of those who passed, and the heroic firefighters and officers who went in to save as many lives as they could, "I'll See You Again" will be available for free download all day today on our purevolume page. Proud to be Americans, Lansdowne." (I posted the video for this song below)
  

  
  xoxo.

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Get Hyped: The Reserve's Release Week 09

The Reserve CD Release Week!:

9/8: Ignite released on iTunes worldwide
9/11: Free acoustic show/signing at the Hot Topic in the Smith Haven Mall, 6pm
9/11: Online radio interview- New Music Inferno - www.blogtalkradio.com
9/12: CD Release Show (with Kelsey and The Chaos, Table 21, Patent Pending, and more) @ Broadway Bar in Amityville, all ages. $10, Doors @ 4pm

If you can go to these shows, I highly suggest you do so.
I'll be at both, see you there? :]
No matter what, make sure to get a copy of Ignite on iTunes, available tomorrow <3>

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Click it for codes, then post it everywhere <3

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