Station Static

Set to release next Tuesday, February 23rd, the upcoming album from The Rocket Summer titled “Of Men and Angels” is able to be heard in its entirety on their Myspace found here. This album created by Bryce Avary shows a maturity and talent gained in him, that outdoes everything previously shown in “Do You Feel” or “Hello, Good Friend”. Listen to it before anyone else, and give him credit for coming out with the most remarkable work The Rocket Summer has released since his first EP back in 2000.

On the same epic day I asked some kid to TWIRP (hello to you if you’re reading this), the Once It Hits Your Lips Tour was hitting the streets Milwaukee. It was made up of men from The Friday Night Boys, Anarbor, The Bigger Lights, and The Ready Set. Surprisingly, the tour was a relatively small event, being held on the smallest stage of the Rave. There were less than 50 people there, and that could possibly be due to the fact that it was on a Tuesday night, haha. Favorite highlight of the show would have to be Matt (merch man of the night) who gave us love advice and received a lecture from me on the dangers of smoking. Another moment of epic was hiding in a Kim Possible blanket with Slade and Josh (members of the tour), after running from gangsters and being ignored by McDonalds workers. As the teethbrushing Ke$ha would say, we went till “they kicked us out” and were forced to go outside. And as the snow continued to fall, we realized it probably wasn’t the smartest idea to leave coats in the car. But overall the setlists were good, the fan girls were kept at a minimum, and the musicians were polite and smelled alright.

On the 9th of February, Hopeless Records and Sub City are going to release the ninth volume of their Take Action Compilations. They went up on presale in January, and all profits made from the sales of the album will go towards charities. This year, Take Action is spotlighted by the “Driving for Donors” charity, who have traveled around America in their “Donormobile” with the hope of signing people up to the National Marrow Registry to help find bone marrow matches for people in need of a transplant. Since then, they have added over 22,000 donors to the registry. This album will include tracks from bands such as We The Kings, Mayday Parade, and Cobra Starship. Also, on the discs will be all of the bands we saw on the Once It Hits Your Lip tour that is still going on currently. These songs will include exclusive tracks not yet heard, and also remixes of certain singles. The Take Action Tour and foundation, is a love child of Sub City and Hopeless formed in 1999. It brings various bands together on a nation-wide tour for weeks. At all tour dates, they sell compilations, to help raise and promote awareness on important issues such as suicide Read More

1) What do you think of music labels sometimes signing contracts with seemingly untalented musicians, and good bands staying underground?
I think it’s a pretty good example of how music is becoming more of a business, and less of an privilege. I know people that make music, because they just want to be in bands. Usually labels sign these kinds of artists, because of the 12-14 year old fan base, that doesn’t have much musical knowledge. And as for the underground part, I think it’s kind of cool, but I really wish some artists I knew got the attention they deserve.

2) What are some things you wish fans would stop doing? Are there any things you’d like them to start?
I can honestly say, I wish our fans would stop being so damn awesome, it makes me realize how un-rad I am. But in all seriousness, nothing really, I wouldn’t change a thing, they have been really supportive and hands on, and we appreciate it.

3) Do you enjoy playing the shows in people’s basements with only 11 people in attendance?
Those are the best shows to play, I used to play at the internet cafe in Red Bank, New Jersey, and seriously Read More

All the way from Belgium five piece rock band, Palomine is doing one of the more interesting things ever seen leading up to an album release. Although “Attention Alpha” (their newest album) is finished, it will not be released until the band receives a video message from one person in every country of the world saying “my name is…and I listen to Palomine,” In their native tongue. The most interesting of the videos will be put together to help form the music video for the single “Never be the Same.” Those who send in video messages will receive a digital download of the album before it is officially released. The album is similar to Kings of Leon but has a sound of its own. This project will hopefully be finished in January or February of 2010. I was given the opportunity to exchange a series of emails with Palomine bassist, Levi Lenaerts and the following is our interview regarding the band and their unique project.

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I always told people that if they wanted me dead, they’d only need to kill Craig Owens and I would locate the nearest rooftop. Not as intense but equally as horrific, the departure of Craig from Chiodos will most likely lose a countless amount of fans, and torture the hearts of many young teenage boys and girls, including myself.

Brad, Jason, Pat, and Matt: “To all of our friends, family, and fans: We would like to let you know that we have let Craig Owens go as the singer of Chiodos. This decision was a necessary one. Out of respect for all of the hard work that we have put in together for all of these years we will not be discussing the specific reasons that this needed to happen. We wish Craig well. We will absolutely be continuing on as a band and we will keep you informed as this next chapter unfolds. Chiodos fans are the best fans in the world and all we can ask of you, after everything you have already given us, is to share in our excitement for this next album. We promise you will not be disappointed…“

Honestly, I just might.

But that isn’t the case for the Plain White T’s. They might have polished and spruced up their looks from v-necks to ties, but their personalities and care for fans is still the same. A few weeks ago, there was a semi-formal fundraiser I received free tickets worth $75 to. Open bar, strange hor’dourves, snazzy hotel, that whole ordeal. I went to see the T’s, and during one of their songs I asked them to play one song they wrote years ago called Kitty Cat Shirt. They couldn’t because it wouldn’t be the best song to play for this type of older audience, so I was fairly disappointed. And they could tell. It was as if they had broken the heart of the only girl in the room who knew all 20 of the songs they played. They’d look down to see if I’d crack the slightest smile, and out of love for the band I did. After closing the set with Someday, Tom Higgenson got up from his chair and handed me his custom guitar pick with a look that said he was sorry. He then crouched down to have a conversation with my friend and I. I showed him the picture of him and me from the first time I met him and he said, “I remember meeting you. It was in Milwaukee, right?” That was almost three years ago. This band is part of the reason I started this whole site. They were my first concert, and I’ve been to over 14 since then. I became addicted to music and started playing guitar because of them. So to the Plain White T’s, thank you.

“Hanging out behind the club on the weekend, acting stupid, getting drunk with my best friends, I couldn’t wait for the summer and the Warped Tour, I remember it’s the first time that I saw her there.” –Blink 182

Warped is the most important days of the year to kids like me. When everyone is shoved back into the cramped halls of their local high school, this summer tour is the epitome of heaven, only instead of God and angels, you have Kevin Lyman and sweaty kids with smeared “FREE HUGS” written on their chests. Every year I find that the Milwaukee date is always relatively small, giving you easier access to your favorite musicians, and the Chicago date is always packed to the core with bikini-sporting girls and stunningly scrawny men. Dragging fellow writers Jordan and Vada, along with myself, to both dates, we all had a different little take on this geniously crafted summer festival which is finally coming to a close on the 23rd of August. Read More

This band has practically exploded over the year. Now with over two million plays, they’re tracing about the entire continental U.S. adding on to their seemingly endless and devoted fanbase. It’s a wonder to everyone how they aren’t yet under a major label and dominating the cover of Alternative Press. But for now they’re going to play a few major dates of this summer’s Warped in the middle of their tour with Stephen Jerzak, Chase Coy, & Romance on a Rocketship. Their essential album, which no SmartPunk user is complete without, titled Honestly, is now being followed by sophomore EP, Emotion, available August 18th. Released from that EP tomorrow is “What Would You Say”, featuring Chicago dweller Tom Higgenson who will never be forgotten as the genius who brought you Hey There Delilah. Breathe Electric’s Grant Harris, Jeff, Carter, Jake, and a man who is frequently mentioned on this page, Vince Pierri, are all headed to your town any day now, but will never stray too far away from their home residing in cornfield covered Lake County. Just recently, I ran into Jeff Geisser (synth player of Breathe Electric) at a small show for Goodbye Gravity (formerly War Against Reality). He was wondering why I never uploaded the video we took almost a year ago. The last time I saw this man it was almost eleven months ago, he had no shirt on, was sporting a full-on beard, and we were in a church. For the longest time, no one has bothered to Read More

since we brought this music site to life. Happy one year to us and happy 15th birthday to my best friend Nate. We’d like to thank everyone who helped out throughout the year. Every band who has ever asked for an interview, and all of the musicians who have helped out with promotion and chose not to ignore and overlook us because of our young age. Warped Tour is going to be amazing, and we want to meet you all. We love you!