tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15261297435720628622024-02-21T04:09:56.557-05:004/4: A Zach Fraser BlogA conglomerate of thoughts and the soundtrack to my movieZach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-9868174678801342342009-06-14T19:03:00.001-04:002009-06-14T19:05:08.296-04:00Portugal. The ManHere's my article on Portugal. The Man for Creative Loafing.<div><br /></div><div>http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/cribnotes/2009/06/12/portugal-the-man-plays-the-earl-on-saturday/<br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px; "><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 10px; text-decoration: none; "><a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/cribnotes/2009/06/12/portugal-the-man-plays-the-earl-on-saturday/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Portugal. The Man plays the Earl on Saturday" style="color: rgb(74, 160, 26); text-decoration: none; ">Portugal. The Man plays the Earl on Saturday</a></h2><small style="font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 1.5em; color: rgb(119, 119, 119); ">June 12th, 2009 by <a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/cribnotes/author/zachfraser/" title="Posts by Zach Fraser" style="color: rgb(74, 160, 26); text-decoration: none; ">Zach Fraser</a> in <a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/cribnotes/category/music-news/" title="View all posts in Music news" rel="category tag" style="color: rgb(74, 160, 26); text-decoration: none; ">Music news</a></small><div class="entry" style="line-height: 1.2em; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; "><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/cribnotes-downloads/cribnotes/files/2009/06/l_2a6cf756342322ee1435d3501906e446.jpg');" href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/cribnotes/files/2009/06/l_2a6cf756342322ee1435d3501906e446.jpg" style="color: rgb(74, 160, 26); text-decoration: none; "><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8011" title="l_2a6cf756342322ee1435d3501906e446" src="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/cribnotes/files/2009/06/l_2a6cf756342322ee1435d3501906e446.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; " /></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; "><strong>Portugal. The Man, Batata Doce and Noel Stephen. $10. 9 p.m. Sat., June 13. The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com.</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; ">Portugal. The Man does whatever the hell they want to when it comes to making music.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; ">Ranging from alternative, to post-hardcore and even all the way to country — whatever the genre may be — these guys have the balls to make any kind of music that suits their mood. Touring in the wake of their fourh studio album in four years, <em>The Satanic Satanist, </em>the band proves that being prolific is their only priority.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; ">“Honestly, I think we should be putting out more music,” lead singer Jouh Baldwin Gourley told<em>Alternative Press</em>. “It keeps you thinking, keeps you growing and progressing. If you stop and let it sit for too long, I feel like you start to lose track of where you were going.”<br /><span id="more-8010"></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; ">Maybe it comes from their past experiences in bands (Anatomy Of a Ghost), their ambitious music endeavors, or the fact that three of four members grew up in Alaska. Regardless of the members motivations or influences, Portugal. The Man has gathered a cult following based on their live shows, dense lyrics and willingness to experiment.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; "><em>The Satanic Satanist</em> opens with, “Save me, I can’t be saved,” while the album’s closing line counters with, “I don’t believe.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; ">And that’s how it works for Portugal. The Man. They’ll sing about anything: faith, conformity within the music industry, even Hunter S. Thompson references. While other bands have started taking the easy road to fame and fortune by wearing the right clothes and singing radio-friendly songs that will garner them MTV air-time, Portugal. The Man has stuck to their roots by playing the music they want to make regardless of what anyone else thinks. And in the end isn’t that what it’s all about?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; "><strong>Portugal. The Man, Batata Doce and Noel Stephen. $10. 9 p.m. Sat., June 13. The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com.</strong></p></div></span></div></div>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-73107836915022326502009-06-05T12:11:00.002-04:002009-06-05T12:12:03.799-04:00Passion Pit review/preview ATLCheck out my article on Passion Pit for the alt-weekly Creative Loafing.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/cribnotes/2009/06/05/passion-pits-penchant-for-disenfranchised-vocals-and-infectious-beats/#more-7658">http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/cribnotes/2009/06/05/passion-pits-penchant-for-disenfranchised-vocals-and-infectious-beats/#more-7658</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-67197966014844103582009-05-17T22:38:00.003-04:002009-05-17T22:46:02.275-04:00Everything Must Go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDwI1-aPkKH-wiBJ7cRx8SVJAnv1EJt416aJKI0R3HsYgY9Oayvul7eZDkFRQ8DVxxjZE4aoBTBgWoM-_OKfUlGPQ-dOUAO54WxXvqd3G_Bazj0Rsxmk3gvaG4KzEpAJz_SWRLWxikzU/s1600-h/l_68a2e23bf85449119e411a1065adee11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDwI1-aPkKH-wiBJ7cRx8SVJAnv1EJt416aJKI0R3HsYgY9Oayvul7eZDkFRQ8DVxxjZE4aoBTBgWoM-_OKfUlGPQ-dOUAO54WxXvqd3G_Bazj0Rsxmk3gvaG4KzEpAJz_SWRLWxikzU/s320/l_68a2e23bf85449119e411a1065adee11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336989675890254818" /></a><br />Taking Back Sunday have released another song of their new album, "<a href="http://www.takingbacksunday.com/preorder-page/">New Again</a>," out June 2. <div><br /></div><div>The song brings some great passion and emotion out of lead singer Adam Lazzara as he sings, "You quote the good book when it's convenient."</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the most clever and relatable lines I've heard in a long while.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Head over to their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/takingbacksunday">Myspace </a>to stream the last song off their upcoming album, "Everything Must Go."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-85189027661737860032009-05-16T22:21:00.002-04:002009-05-16T22:24:45.816-04:00"Left Right Left Right Left"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEp_3T5vQHAgunDRI0Nm3Gxqj0GVLFwZtEJyKPAHGfMX5bxfmLONYp7Dzi4XSXeSUeORat0UtpjXlWPaH12S8_RI53C0P8bsnJSTzUdx98O89lMgM3TKSOlM25YXGZ4k-t_Btao91Hp8/s1600-h/leftright_tracklist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEp_3T5vQHAgunDRI0Nm3Gxqj0GVLFwZtEJyKPAHGfMX5bxfmLONYp7Dzi4XSXeSUeORat0UtpjXlWPaH12S8_RI53C0P8bsnJSTzUdx98O89lMgM3TKSOlM25YXGZ4k-t_Btao91Hp8/s320/leftright_tracklist.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336613118969592786" /></a><br />As if the band couldn't be more fan-friendly.<div><br /></div><div>Coldplay have released a free live album that they recorded to show their appreciation to us, the fans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Head over here to <a href="http://lrlrl.coldplay.com/leftright.html">download </a>"Left Right Left Right Left" and enjoy.</div>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-35477116789833195132009-05-16T22:17:00.002-04:002009-05-16T22:21:15.259-04:00CD ShoppingJust bought:<div><br /></div><div>Vampire Weekend-"Vampire Weekend" (been streaming this for ages, finally got around to purchasing)</div><div><br /></div><div>Cursive-"Mama, I'm Swollen"</div><div><br /></div><div>The Devil Wears Prada-"With Roots Above and Branches Below"</div><div><br /></div><div>Manchester Orchestra-"Mean Everything to Nothing"</div><div><br /></div><div>Green Day-"21st Century Breakdown"</div><div><br /></div><div>Blink 182-Live "B" side from 2002 show in Chicago</div><div><br /></div><div>Here We Go Magic-"Here We Go Magic"</div><div><br /></div><div>Coldplay-"Left Right Left Right Left"</div><div><br /></div><div>Once CDs are fully digested I'll blog about them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div>Z</div><div><br /></div>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-6266029828341334462009-05-15T22:52:00.003-04:002009-05-15T23:07:24.368-04:00First Show Back!Blink 182 made a surprise appearance at Paramount studios last night to perform together for the first time since thier hiatus.<div><br />The band rolled through a 3-song setlist playing, "Rock Show","Feeling This" and finally ending with "Dammit."</div><div><br /></div><div>The jokes, the fun and the overall "fell good" vibe the band used to bring was all present Thursday night.</div><div><br /></div><div>For anyone who knows me or has read the <a href="http://zachfraser.blogspot.com/2009/02/blink-182-reunion-confirmed.html">blog </a>before knows how monumental this is to me. I've loved this band since middle school and can't wait to see them on <a href="http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1060652">tour </a>this summer. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"Rock Show"</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LJpfgCf7f-I&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LJpfgCf7f-I&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"Feeling This"</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/L8g6ZfDv71E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/L8g6ZfDv71E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"Dammit"</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Vzj28OcfdQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Vzj28OcfdQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div><div><br /></div>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-10935337726093738702009-05-14T16:47:00.005-04:002009-05-14T17:09:00.618-04:00My Favorite Highway-How To Call A Bluff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBeCpy9jMTuuf-Wz0BVQEXtKIhi-ezlHRcuWt4VaXdpyl995hmUblzm2O1mGB13N_bC9wes3sq4CV3a4grK9qi6sNvjXOBGztGKUJC9Yvu86rz6cr3OkfDG-DklnshoTe_eDbh0NDB7c/s1600-h/3397883599_f396ef8c96.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBeCpy9jMTuuf-Wz0BVQEXtKIhi-ezlHRcuWt4VaXdpyl995hmUblzm2O1mGB13N_bC9wes3sq4CV3a4grK9qi6sNvjXOBGztGKUJC9Yvu86rz6cr3OkfDG-DklnshoTe_eDbh0NDB7c/s320/3397883599_f396ef8c96.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335788806053159378" /></a><br />With the re-issue of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/myfavoritehighway">My Favorite Highway's</a> debut album "How To Call A Bluff" last week, I thought it was only appropriate to blog about them.<br /><br />The quartet have been stirring up some commotion in the record industry for some while as they recently signed to <a href="http://www.virginrecords.com/">Virgin records</a>. <br /><br />Although I'm usually not for major record labels, I am in My Favorite Highway's case. Virgin records has given the band a chance to re-release their debut album that flew under the radar due to distribution difficulties. <br /><br />The CD's 11 songs pave the way for one hell of a ride. Lead singer <a href="http://www.iamdavidcook.com/">David Cook</a> acts as the backbone of the band as his crystal-clear voice brings every song to the forefront as "How To Call A Bluff" proves to be a great first effort from these Virgina natives.<br /><br />Songs like "Bittersweet Life" and "Steel City" bring out the emotional side of everyone. Lyrics that produce witty, yet sappy punches are plentiful on these two, and every song for that matter.<br /><br />My Favorite Highway are heading out on tour all summer long with bands such as: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/aceendersandamilliondifferentpeople">Ace Enders</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thecab">The Cab</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/personl">Person L</a>(new band from Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line), <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thesecrethandshake">The Secret Handshake</a> and much more. Make sure to keep an eye on their dates as they surely will be stopping near your hometown.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-31774604411455687862009-05-13T22:38:00.002-04:002009-05-13T22:50:04.079-04:00Passion Pit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMRhs-Q_FgVoAzbx_kr7ITbQ0yIP1IY88mG2IXzrEhCe-F3bAc4pCg1PADFyKt2jqPwiR34rwelYL17AVHigLBdqE9_wJVNoOZwwMFOwI0jjN6CkK5N1y8h_n125qkXVaKf2bVfiDlBg/s1600-h/Passion+Pit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMRhs-Q_FgVoAzbx_kr7ITbQ0yIP1IY88mG2IXzrEhCe-F3bAc4pCg1PADFyKt2jqPwiR34rwelYL17AVHigLBdqE9_wJVNoOZwwMFOwI0jjN6CkK5N1y8h_n125qkXVaKf2bVfiDlBg/s320/Passion+Pit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335506352981372434" /></a><br />Passion Pit have produced one of the most refreshing indie-esque sounds I've heard in a very long time.<br /><br />The band blends the uplifting sound of electronica music with the smooth flow of the indie scene. Passion Pit, who hail from Cambridge, Mass. are surely on the rise with their debut album dropping Tuesday, May 19 on Frenchkiss records.<br /><br />If you're into bands like Vampire Weekend, Ra Ra Riot, or others in this sub genre of indie music, make sure to head over to their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/passionpitjams">myspace </a>and stream "Moth's Wings," my favorite track of their upcoming album.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-85018181860722499222009-04-27T16:06:00.002-04:002009-04-27T16:11:59.716-04:00The Exclusive Interview with Gym Class Heroes' Guitarist<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfjPRT2fZHPboQiGVi71KBASQveDWakP6Yr2wO7qCGAHwOshoXiS2YG6sgto3tXzzSe-S6g72-Xq4YY-SPZ3Lcl22uhqgIS-C9xd5kAY9ZHmCbs-NSoJD2dqK5wZ6g2tCsjBqF6_GC9w/s1600-h/3509835735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfjPRT2fZHPboQiGVi71KBASQveDWakP6Yr2wO7qCGAHwOshoXiS2YG6sgto3tXzzSe-S6g72-Xq4YY-SPZ3Lcl22uhqgIS-C9xd5kAY9ZHmCbs-NSoJD2dqK5wZ6g2tCsjBqF6_GC9w/s320/3509835735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329465469003098738" /></a><br />Assistant A&E Editor<br /><br />Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009<br /><br />Photo by Abby Sanford<br /><br />Zach Fraser: For a UT student who hasn’t heard your music, how would you describe your sound?<br /><br />Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo: Um, I think I’d just say it’s rooted in hip hop but influenced by everything, that’s about the best description I can give you ‘cause it’s all over the place.<br /><br />ZF: Very few bands can say they’ve toured with such a wide variety of genres. You’ve toured with The Academy Is… and Fall Out Boy and on the last tour with Lil’ Wayne and T-Pain, is there a genre you prefer to tour with?<br /><br />DL-K: No, I mean, not necessarily. I would say I really enjoy touring with the Academy and Fall Out Boy because we know those guys so it’s kind of like going out with old friends. But I think every tour we go on is a new experience, we can take something away from each of those.<br /><br />ZF: How has the crowd been reacting to the new album, “The Quilt?”<br /><br />DL-K : Good. It’s been a really good reaction I think, especially on this last tour. We have done, like you said, arena tours before. We did that with the All American Rejects and Fall Out Boy but Lil’ Wayne was the first hip-hop arena tour we ever did and it was really cool to see the fans react really well, cause’ on tours like that there are a lot of people who don’t know Gym Class Heroes or maybe they’ve only heard “Cupid’s Chokehold,” so it feels good to win over new fans every time.<br /><br />ZF: Is there a favorite song of yours of the new album?<br /><br />DL-K: Um, I have a couple. I like “Live a Little” and “No Place to Run.” I really like “Live Forever,” it’s a really meaningful one too. But I think that answer changes everyday<br /><br />ZF: On your Last album, “As Cruel as School Children” you had appearances from William Beckett of The Academy Is… On this new album you have appearances from The Dream and Busta Rymes, is that a testament to the direction the band is going in?<br /><br />DL-K: I wouldn’t say necessarily, I think that those appearances we felt would work well for those songs so we got a hold of those people. Actually Busta Ryhmes heard the song we were working on while we were in the studio and Travis was in the studio and then he was like, “I gotta get on this, I gotta get on this,” so I think in that case even he wanted to be on the song and pursue that. I think people only make guest appearances on any song that we have, I think its more important to us that the song fits the person who’s playing with us rather than getting someone for the sake of getting a name with us.<br /><br />ZF: I noticed a few college shows after tonight, maybe a handful, but not too much after that, do you know what the future entails for the band?<br /><br />DL-K: I think we’re going to be writing for most of the summer and yeah, that’s the only plan right now which is kind of cool because I haven’t had a summer in like five years, so it’s kind of sweet.<br /><br />ZF: You know the whole thing is going on with the music industry, how it’s changing, with online piracy and everything. As an artist, how does that affect your band and how do you view it?<br /><br />DL-K: Well, financially speaking it takes away from the band because, you know not that bands really get that much off of record sales, but the record labels do. When the record labels lose money, then they start holding back on the money they allocate [to the band] but, in terms of people hearing the music I mean it’s really good actually because it allows more people to get access to our music so I think it’s kind of just changing the way that music works, which happens you know, every so often, you had tapes and CD’s and then CD’s with burning and after that came the whole digital revolution so I think it’s just a natural evolution of music. I think it’s good to find ways to evolve with it, which I’m sure will happen, but it’s a new thing so it’s a real transitional period for the music industry. But I’m still for what it holds in the future, because I think that people are going to start taking music into their own hands more and they’re relying less on labels which could be a good thing so we’ll see.<br /><br />ZF: What bands have influenced you and the band as a whole?<br /><br />DL-K: As a whole I’d say probably the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, the very very early Black Eyed Peas stuff, as far as me personally a lot of music has influenced me. When I was first getting into guitar I’d say bands like Green Day, Nirvana, the alternative music. And I think later in college underground hip-hop and hip-hop in general and at this point it’s whatever I think sounds cool, I listen to, I’m really into Muse, I think they’re amazing.<br /><br />ZF: I know you’re on the record label Decadyance which is part of Fueled By Ramen which is in Tampa so is anyone going to be here from the record label tonight?<br /><br />DL-K: Probably (laughs). I don’t know actually. But there was one of our friends I knew was gonna be here, but she can’t because she has to do some teaching stuff.<br /><br />ZF: Has there been any differences in the college shows compared to a normal crowd that would buy tickets as is, have you noticed any differences in the crowd?<br /><br />DL-K: Yeah, the transition between the Lil’ Wayne tour and this. It’s hard to tell differences in the crowd, but in terms of the overall show, these shows are a lot more intimate because we’ve been playing arenas. It’s kind of a little bit harder to connect with the individual people because there’s so many, but these shows are cool. They’re a lot more laid back and people kind of come to these shows I think like chill out and have a party mentality which is just really cool.<br /><br />ZF: And finally, what do you expect from the UT audience tonight?<br /><br />DL-K: Debauchery (laughs), madness, just a good time I hope. It’s cool ‘cause we’ve been playing a couple outdoor shows and spring is finally here so we’re coming out of the east coast where it still might be snowing, so it’s good to get out.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">To hear the interview, make sure to tune into WUTT 1080 AM, or campus cable channel 95.</span><br /><a href="http://www.theminaretonline.com/a-e/the-exclusive-interview-with-gym-class-heroes-guitarist-1.1728453"><br />The Minaret Online Article</a><br /><br /><a href=" http://uwire.com/Article.aspx?id=4034996">Uwire Link</a>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-43724303221960348452009-04-27T15:57:00.001-04:002009-04-27T16:06:43.873-04:00UTunes: Plant Park Heroes Rock Campus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7YmEzh5jM6v3IqzXDbKNvmBI-uTalyP_WBlyMMHzXLwnWoMLT4s-YWTEXBWB6xlQTPaHDnAeAw4ictASyomz9QbEU_GKMDZzaDfRt6M34h0Y99BLYWmJGSoYwX1Bb5sPi5Du_tPBNHo/s1600-h/2434229421.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7YmEzh5jM6v3IqzXDbKNvmBI-uTalyP_WBlyMMHzXLwnWoMLT4s-YWTEXBWB6xlQTPaHDnAeAw4ictASyomz9QbEU_GKMDZzaDfRt6M34h0Y99BLYWmJGSoYwX1Bb5sPi5Du_tPBNHo/s320/2434229421.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329465024194725122" /></a><br />Zach Fraser<br /><br />Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009<br /><br />The second annual concert in the park continued in the footsteps of last year’s event, making the Gym Class Heroes show one of UT’s most memorable moments of the year.<br />The concert, which was funded and provided by student government and Student Productions, turned out to be entertainment for everyone.<br /> <br />Julissa Veloz, UT student and recent American Idol contestant, opened up the concert with a quick song backed up by two choreographed dancers.<br /> <br />Veloz’s quick performance lead into the true opening band of the night, Quietdrive.<br />The alternative-rock band from Minneapolis was well rehearsed and polished on stage as they entertained the growing audience of UT students. Quietdrive rolled through roughly a 5-6 song set list, ending with their fan favorite rendition of Cindi Lauper’s, "Time After Time."<br /> <br />After Quietdrive exited and an intermission, the unique sound of Chester French took the stage. Whether you loved or hated this band, they were quite entertaining. The eclectic range of sounds and over-the-top antics provided for great eye candy.<br />Chester French entered the concert with a bang asking UT students the question, "Are you guys ready to f***?"<br /> <br />This brought laughter and chuckles from UT students and was foreshadowing of what was to come from these Harvard alumni.<br /> <br />The band played roughly eight songs, a few of which were off their free album, "Jacques James Vol. 1: Endurance." Make sure to go to chesterfrench.com to download your free album, which features appearances from artists such as Lady Gaga, Diddy, Pharell and many more.<br /> <br />It’s safe to say that the UT crowd was beginning to become anxious with nearly 40 minutes of waiting time between Chester French and Gym Class Heroes sets, but as the sun set and more students flooded into Plant Park, Gym Class Heroes finally took the stage and the adrenaline kicked back in.<br /> <br />UT students began to go wild as the lights dimmed and the band entered playing, "Peace Sign/Index Down."<br /> <br />"Forget every f****** thing your teachers have taught you," shouted lead singer Travis McCoy as he took the stage.<br /> <br />At this point, if you were to look to the back of Plant Park it would seem as UT students were being evacuated out of the dormitories and into the concert as tons of students swamped the venue.<br /> <br />Gym Class Heroes continued to entertain as they rolled through a few more songs and into their breakout single, "Cupid’s Chokehold."<br /> <br />Once again the band humored and won students over as they preached, "scream like there’s a new president in this m*****f****!"<br /> <br />Gym Class Heroes had everyone in Plant Park on their feet as they continued to play crowd favorites "Taxi Driver" and "Clothes Off!"<br /> <br />Without a doubt, the best moment of the night was when GCH played their hit single, "Cookie Jar." As the intro to the song sounded, the light show illuminated a portrait of hands raised and fans cheering along to what seemed to be the UT audience’s favorite song.<br /> <br />"I like girls, they like me, they look so good, in they Seven jeans," the chorus goes. "Want you to be the one and my only, I want to be faithful, but I can’t keep my hands out the cookie jar."<br /> <br />As the band concluded their nearly 75 minute set list and left the stage, most UT students proved that they had never been to a concert.<br /> <br />Nearly half the crowd exited thinking the show was over to find the band come back on stage to play an encore.<br /> <br />Dumbfounded and embarrassed, the fans that had left sprinted back to catch the final act of the night to find the lead singer not present on stage.<br /> <br />Before you knew it, the crowd erupted and revealed McCoy in the middle of the crowd. A rock star amongst UT students proved to be all it needed for most girls as they mauled the lead singer as he exited the crowd and show for good.<br /> <br />I found myself several times throughout the show being absolutely blown away by Gym Class Heroes stage presence. They were truly sensational live, and, above all else, seemed to be having a great time playing to our campus.<br /> <br />While a lot of UT students may have never heard of Gym Class Heroes before last week’s concert, it is safe to say that the band is probably currently being played on many students’ iTunes. I know they’re on mine right now.<br /><br />http://www.theminaretonline.com/news/utunes-plant-park-heroes-rock-campus-1.1728001Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-24969930600741071332009-04-23T00:16:00.005-04:002009-04-23T00:27:19.857-04:00The Narrative<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPLXmqcvpmdeD21s9iMXT5TFkcmiYpT8DSMxlYyaXY1pfZLHbk9ocUC9Nu6CtV7yXdLwqMuW9K3j9boWmwKM8Ma7PmCCspmTA2MbSh5VhvM1Ei1f34SKPoe_sM3DzLwb4H1eb3BUuPzE/s1600-h/The+Narrative.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 161px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPLXmqcvpmdeD21s9iMXT5TFkcmiYpT8DSMxlYyaXY1pfZLHbk9ocUC9Nu6CtV7yXdLwqMuW9K3j9boWmwKM8Ma7PmCCspmTA2MbSh5VhvM1Ei1f34SKPoe_sM3DzLwb4H1eb3BUuPzE/s320/The+Narrative.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327737816146943138" /></a><br /><br /><br />What a sigh of relief it is to find a band like <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thenarrative">The Narrative</a>.<br /><br />A band that blends the intimacy of singer/songwriter lyrics with the smooth sounds of alternative music is really a rare, but great find now-a-days. These New Yorkers are stirring up quite a bit of commotion lately after being featured on <a href="http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=993362">absolutepunk.net</a>.<br /><br />What's their catch?<br /><br />They're unsigned.<br /><br />Jump on board and fall in love with this band before they get signed, I have a feeling a record company is right around the corner from signing them.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-74463850980068396232009-04-15T14:39:00.001-04:002009-04-15T14:41:44.729-04:00This Providence Breaks The Mold With New Album<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRA9NaLyrXPA9AWJCZKQ_R8VLfLWawWAmW20OimmjjeqFvdCzgulyNzO71MuIm4D_u8vlkQRkMwycLikQhcph8TRv8jGHr_a8cwZwnYOvPeukeN-FoyzbI_V5Cf1pU44X-WDQ74GFi00/s1600-h/2983484431.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRA9NaLyrXPA9AWJCZKQ_R8VLfLWawWAmW20OimmjjeqFvdCzgulyNzO71MuIm4D_u8vlkQRkMwycLikQhcph8TRv8jGHr_a8cwZwnYOvPeukeN-FoyzbI_V5Cf1pU44X-WDQ74GFi00/s320/2983484431.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324989994853754066" /></a><br />Zach Fraser<br /><br />Published: Wednesday, April 8, 2009<br /><br />Record label Fueled By Ramen is home to some of the biggest names in music today, but still manages to house one of the industry’s most under-appreciated acts, This Providence.<br /><br />The Seattle natives are looking to finally gain the notary they deserve and make a name for themselves on a label that is home to bands such as: Paramore, Panic at the Disco and Gym Class Heroes.<br /><br />The third studio album from This Providence, “Who Are You Now,” is a collection of 13 songs that feature lightly-distorted guitars, falsetto choruses and longing-for-love, yet redeeming lyrics.<br /><br />“Nothing Matters, I’m just chasing the wind,” hums lead singer Daniel Young. “If I can’t have you, darling.”<br /><br />“Who Are You Now?” doesn’t break musical boundaries by any means, but serves strictly as ear candy, making it as contagious and entertaining as it is simple.<br /><br />“Sure As Hell,” opens up the album with echoing and almost even eerie guitars as the band pronounces, “And as long as there’s a God in Heaven, I will want you.”<br />While the opening track fades away, the next song and single from the album, “Letdown,” jolts into your system and sets the pace for the next half of the album.<br />“My Beautiful Rescue (Renovated)” as the name explains, is ultimately a renovation of This Providence’s most famous song from their self-titled sophomore release.<br /><br />To many fans surprise, the song fits in perfectly to the album and even gives the original a run for its money. More upbeat and lively than the mostly acoustic first version, “My Beautiful Rescue (Renovated)” is one of the highest moments on, “Who Are You Now?”<br /><br />As the album begins to wind down, tracks such as “Sand In Your Shoes” change the pace of the LP and really showcase lead singer Daniel Young’s vocal range and abilities.<br />“Falling in love is easy to do with the wind in your hair and the sand in your shoes” Young sings. “And though it may hurt to have your heart broken in two, that didn’t stop me from falling for you.”<br /><br />This Providence always seems to be the unsung heroes of the powerhouse record label that they are on. The fame and fortune of the other artists makes it very easy for smaller bands like This Providence to be lost in their shadows.<br /><br />Only time will tell if This Providence and their third release “Who Are You Now?” will be the album that propels them into the limelight and gives them the credit they deserve.<br /><br />Although the songs may not press the means of musical progression, the band has surely provided its audience with one of the best albums of 2009, containing songs that just sound great and are fun to listen to.<br /><br />-<a href="http://www.theminaretonline.com/">The Minaret</a>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-17638706832339068362009-04-05T23:31:00.003-04:002009-04-23T10:31:35.640-04:00Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death and All His FriendsAs of tomorrow I will be checking into a rehabilitation facility, my diagnosis: addiction to the familiar drug/band Coldplay.<br /><br />That being said, I've been listening to a ton of Coldplay lately, not just early, "Yellow" or "In My Place" Coldplay, but their whole catalog in its entirety.<br /><br />They say addiction to some things acts as a gateway drug, well I'm glad to say my addiction lead my to stumble upon the most recent and yet most overlooked album from the British rock act, Coldplay.<br /><br />"Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends," the fourth album from the band has so much more to offer than meets the eye.<br /><br />I will hands down agree with most critics and fans alike that say the album didn't produce that hit track or emotionally connecting song, but at the same time it offered musicianship, art and storytelling. <br /><br />I didn't know, "Life in Technicolor," a song without lyrics, could make such a lasting impression and great start to an album in this day and age.<br /><br />Songs like, "42," "Loves In Japan" and "Death and All his friends" have for the most part have been overlooked by many and I strongly encourage you to take another listen.<br /><br />The rhythm changes and array of instruments on "Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends" are an eclectic mix, this we know, but they end up working out extremely well.<br /><br />Some bands best works can be found in the cracks and seems of an artist's music catalog.<br /><br />"Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends" may be a collection of "Deep Cuts," but true beauty lies beneath, so give this album another try, I promise it won't disappoint. <br /><br />42 Live:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KmqmKwbaQZA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KmqmKwbaQZA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Life In Technicolor ii live:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4G6jGopRMCk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4G6jGopRMCk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-15345666653200939092009-03-29T17:47:00.001-04:002009-03-29T17:48:50.770-04:00M. Ward<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ToEPFDIzhNA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ToEPFDIzhNA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Rekindled love with this song. Great video from a great singer/songwriter.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-42872402189528195792009-03-29T17:39:00.005-04:002009-03-29T17:51:25.572-04:00Virgin Records<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhPIsEaOMciP9gZg0wr86cvqFvJKXLwzBC-rcU7RLja79jfNSMaYVhzGkeizC9e6GXPaUjCcos4H0U-DG0xBHNeaA4WqQJbrRVa85lUbQNEk4btHfEeDW-VnsH9dXj2OlU-_5bnmwTWY/s1600-h/Virgin-Records_image_780.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhPIsEaOMciP9gZg0wr86cvqFvJKXLwzBC-rcU7RLja79jfNSMaYVhzGkeizC9e6GXPaUjCcos4H0U-DG0xBHNeaA4WqQJbrRVa85lUbQNEk4btHfEeDW-VnsH9dXj2OlU-_5bnmwTWY/s400/Virgin-Records_image_780.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318730396571375858" /></a><br /><br />How many bands can you find in the picture? (link to larger picture <a href="http://www.photochopz.com/forum/misc/386-virgin-records-band-poster.html">here</a>.)<br /><br />i.e. blimp in sky=Led Zeppelin<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65741850@N00/66722414/"><br />Answers.</a>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-60635701611910997832009-03-26T23:29:00.000-04:002009-03-26T23:29:32.808-04:00...Music thoughtsAs of recently I have been going through a lot of cynicism when it comes to music these days.<br /><br />Sure, there are great bands out there, but the problem that confronts us is the undeniable fall of the music industry. Only in times like today can bands such as brokenCYDE and Hollywood Undead survive.<br /><br />I'm not stubborn, I know the way we consume music(and all our media for that matter)has taken a turn down the digital age road, but it doesn't help the fact that I don't like where music is at or what it has become.<br /><br />The days of playing shows to get noticed are long gone and I miss them...badly. <br /><br />As venues go bankrupt and are forced to foreclose, there is surely another .com that spurts up in its place to further the online music business.<br /><br />Yes downloading music is easy and convenient, but what's lost in the process is everything that is good about music, the Cd art, the intimacy and the ACTUAL sound of the song not being washed away and reduced to .mp3 format.<br /><br />I sometimes find myself thinking back at my earlier years and all the great Cd's that I grew up listening to. I can tell you what the Cd art looked like, who the band members were, every lyric to every song and the overall lasting effect the music gave me. <br /><br />On the other hand, I sometimes find myself thinking if there will be any Cd's that I can sit back and reminisce on in ten years.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, there are good bands out there, no, there are great bands still, but when you reduce yourself to the instant gratification of downloading music the art becomes lost in the process. <br /><br />One song here, one song there. You know you've done it, downloaded that one song and neglected the possibility of the whole picture, the album. Sure, you'll make bad purchases, but you'll also find those albums that will be ingrained in you forever.<br /><br />Think about it, what if you were to have just bought Led Zeppelin's single, "Whole Lotta Love"? There's no argue that this is a fantastic single, but in the process of the quick fix of music, we lose out on what was to become one of the best records of all time, "Led Zeppelin II"<br /><br />The online music industry is great in theory, giving us means to discover new great bands, but at the same time it gives means for bands like 3oh!3 and Cobra Starship the chance to not only get heard, but actually make it in the industry. <br /><br />There is nothing real and worthy about two skinny emo kids singing about, "doing the Helen Keller." Oh yeah, and I'm from Colorado, I've TRIED to like these guys, there's just nothing there at all.<br /><br />There once was a day and an age where playing in a band started actually by picking up an instrument first. Today, starting your own band begins at your local Urban Outfitters where people learn to be in a band for the fame, not the art. <br /><br />Maybe I'm old fashioned, I'd agree with you on this, but for me, I won't reduce myself to this kind of music, I can not and will not do so. <br /><br />There are so many good bands out there for the bad ones to ruin it for everybody, so I beg you, buy a physical CD, give music a chance and find something <span style="font-style:italic;">real</span> in one of the lost arts of our time, music.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-45365178281594598392009-03-26T22:41:00.001-04:002009-03-26T22:41:51.864-04:00Thursday Brings The Best of the WeekZach Fraser<br /><br />Assistant A&E Editor<br /><br />Published: Wednesday, March 25, 2009<br /><br />Thursday Common Existence<br /><br />Thursday has either been loved or loathed by critics since their beginnings, some media hailing them as the pioneers of the post-hardcore genre and other’s treating them as nothing more than a musical scapegoat.<br /><br />The band is no stranger to being accused of falling into the abyss by the shadow their successful breakthrough album “Full Collapse” cast, but Thursday looked to rid the “washed up” stigma that plagues the band once and for all with their most recent release.<br /><br />“Common Existence” is the fifth-studio album from the New Jersey natives and one of the hardest hitting Thursday records since the bands beginnings.<br /><br />Make sure to catch your breath before you take your first listen to “Common Existence" because the only breath of calamity you’ll find on this album is in the fractions of seconds between tracks.<br /><br />The first song on the album, “Resuscitation of a Dead Man” opens like a bullet flying out of a .22. The song draws on up-beat drums, hard hitting guitars and guest vocals from Tim McIIrath of Rise Against.<br /><br />Lyrics from the entire Thursday catalog never seize to draw connections to the deepest of human emotions, and “Common Existence” is no different when lead singer Geoff Rickley expresses his inner-struggles on “Last Call.”<br /><br />“Everything we build,” sings Rickley, “It falls apart, and the architect abandons us."<br /><br />The rest of “Common Existence” follows in the path of highly distorted guitars, deep bass lines and sonic keyboards with key tracks such as “Unintended Long Term Effects” and “You Were the Cancer,” keeping your pulse straight through the rough until the 11-song album concludes.<br />For a band that has struggled against harsh critics and fans for the last eight years, it seems that the light at the end of the tunnel is finally shining trough for Thursday.<br /><br />Rickley, who knows the battle is far from over for Thursday, confesses on the album that their common existence has been revived and the future may be uncertain, but is surely on the horizon.<br /><br />“Can you feel a pulse? It’s been gone for so long, can you start it? Can you feel a pulse? It’s been gone for so long, let’s restart it.”Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-74636298120742511702009-03-19T11:04:00.002-04:002009-03-19T11:15:47.602-04:00Neil Nathan - Do YaI recently stumbled upon Neil Nathan at the end of an episode on my new-favorite show, Californication.<br /><br />Neil Nathan, a musician based out of New York City blends folk rock with an edgy new take on songwriting. <br /><br />The song that immediately caught my eye was "Do Ya," a remake of the classic song by Electric Light Orchestra.<br /><br />The song can be heard at the end of episode 5, in season 2, on the hit showtime series Californication.<br /><br />Also, you can stream the mp3 right <a href="http://www.myspace.com/neilnathan">here </a>at Neil Nathan's Myspace.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-38721320526516412702009-03-18T13:53:00.004-04:002009-03-18T14:01:04.659-04:00More Blink :)Mark Hoppus, bassist/singer of Blink-182, recently updated his twitter about the songs he is going to rehearse for the upcoming Blink tour. He explains that this is not a set list for the upcoming tour, but is just what he's rehearsing today.<br /><br />Oh man, I can't help but look at the set list and get excited for what's to come from the tour, album, and whatever the future of the band entails.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/markhoppus">Mark Hoppus Twitter</a><br /><br />Here's the pic:<br /><br /><a href="http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f381/LittleKOSTONsk8r/?action=view¤t=BlinkPractice.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f381/LittleKOSTONsk8r/BlinkPractice.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-63332372654165790202009-03-13T11:06:00.005-04:002009-03-13T11:39:40.592-04:002009 - The Year of the Reunion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAk7z9C67fV9W7nYzFwUWEBAt1omdFKUarjVoM2uFLFlfG3s5YwoOCQXWYZvgucU8lLPJ3e2caWNgXcXY2DvDHE6YlRYJUNefAiX5-_FitA4ljCsbwvX7Ti8sVkU1YF0AQGaJKvvWuLo/s1600-h/MR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAk7z9C67fV9W7nYzFwUWEBAt1omdFKUarjVoM2uFLFlfG3s5YwoOCQXWYZvgucU8lLPJ3e2caWNgXcXY2DvDHE6YlRYJUNefAiX5-_FitA4ljCsbwvX7Ti8sVkU1YF0AQGaJKvvWuLo/s320/MR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312697475908005522" /></a><br />It seems that reuniting in 2009 is <span style="font-style:italic;">almost</span> as trendy as auto-tune has become in every rap/R&B single as of late.<br /><br />With bands like Blink-182, No Doubt, Phish, The Get Up Kids,(well, late 2008 carried into 2009) and Blur getting back together it seems that everyone is hopping on the band wagon.<br /><br />The latest band to set aside past issues and decide to make music again is the members of emo/alternative Matchbook Romance.<br /><br />The band which announced their indefinite hiatus in March of 2007 have posted a <a href="http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=461970&blogId=476364961">blog</a> with details on their upcoming reunion shows.<br /><br />Matchbook Romance released two albums and shared the stage with bands such as Chiodos, Yellowcard, and Sugarcult.<br /><br />Haven't heard any of their music? Take a listen here on <a href="http://www.purevolume.com/matchbookromance">purevolume</a> where you can download all 5 songs for free.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-5352715871382159732009-03-11T20:21:00.004-04:002009-03-11T21:27:22.850-04:00Fall Out BoyI don't want to hear it.<br /><br />Whatever line that you're going to throw out at the band or any of its members has already been said, so take it elsewhere, because I highly doubt you have accomplished anything that casts a shadow as close to the band's accolades.<br /><br />People's bitterness towards Fall Out Boy has become so redundant and overdone that it actually sounds as if those criticizing the band believe they can do better than the band itself.<br /><br />So for this blog, let's compare your accomplishments against the bands. Then, it really will be apparent how out of place your accusations are. <br /><br />--Everyone Vs. Fall Out Boy--<br /><br />"Their music sucks."<br /><br />OK. I dare you to make ONE song that has the lasting value and catchiness of any of their songs, I dare you. You're probably to busy playing one show a month at the local bar that only alcoholics frequent, so let's take this argument and throw it in the waste basket, because if you don't have a catchy song, you don't have anything.<br /><br />"They changed their sound when they made it big."<br /><br />Have you listened to the bands releases before <span style="font-style:italic;">From Under The Cork tree?</span> Because if you have, then you'd know the singles form <span style="font-style:italic;">Take This To Your Grave</span> like, "Grand Theft Autumn" and "Dead on Arrival" sound strikingly similar, strikingly. Also, their first release <span style="font-style:italic;">Evening Out With Your Girlfriend</span> sounds like most first records would sound on a D.I.Y. record label like Uprising Records, the band could only go up from here.<br /><br />"Fall Out Boy didn't pay their dues"<br /><br />The band has been touring since 2001. 2005 was the year they made their breakthrough album. Four years is a lot of time to be sleeping on friends floors and riding in broken down buses, please don't bring this argument around anymore.<br /><br />--Everyone vs. Pete Wentz--<br /><br />*Tours the entire country in one of the most successful bands of our generation<br />*Plays in a band that has gone platinum<br />*Wrote and published a book<br />*Started and runs highly successful Clandestine clothing company<br />*Maintains and has signed multiple bands that have sold thousands of records to, oh yeah, his own label<br />*Runs a film company<br />*Has his own bass model<br />*Runs a night club in NYC<br />*Opened his own art gallery<br />*Married Ashlee Simpson<br />*Acted on One Tree Hill<br />*Created one of the only shows on MTV that <span style="font-style:italic;">actually</span>plays music.<br /><br />OK now, if you have a fraction of these accomplishments then let's hear your argument, because otherwise, sorry to break the news to you, he's done all of this in eight years which is more than you're probably going to accomplish in your whole life.<br /><br />Now that I've typed up all these accomplishments, I really can see why everyone is so bitter. <br /><br />But, next time while you're bashing the band on some music thread in a common self pity moment, Fall Out Boy will probably care less what you think, because hey, they're playing a sold out show tonight on the other side of the world and you're still living in mom and dad's basement.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-15681072872530716202009-03-08T20:31:00.000-04:002009-03-08T21:23:22.579-04:00Weekly Recommendation - Lydia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/60/96/orig-2764501.0.0.0x0.400x300.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/60/96/orig-2764501.0.0.0x0.400x300.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Indie music attracts a certain brand of music consumers who love a raw and unique sound and loathe the instant gratification singles that are commonplace on the radio today.<br /><br />Well, indie fans everywhere rejoice, for we have <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lydia">Lydia</a>.<br /><br />The Arizona natives have been stirring up quite a bit of commotion in the underground music scene for some while and are looking to leave their mark on the music industry.<br /><br />A band that fuses reverberated guitars with a hypnotizing sound, Lydia takes pride in their chilling unpolished music. <br /><br />Songs like, "This Is Twice Now" produce lyrics that ring spiteful when lead singer Leighton Antelman confesses, "It's never much when I sing about you."<br /><br />Antelman's high-pitched voice is complemented by keyboardist Mindy White, who provides a harmonious tone that defines Lydia's distinctive sound.<br /><br />Lydia, who released their sophomore album "Illuminate" early last year, looks to build off their loyal fan base on their first-ever headlining tour, "Illuminate Yourself."<br /><br />Check out their <a href="http://lydiamusic.com/">website</a> for upcoming tour dates in your area.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-82765557871899444032009-03-05T14:06:00.000-05:002009-03-05T18:10:58.464-05:00Upcoming Events - Spring Break (3/8-3/14)If you're not retreating back home or to a tropical paradise for break, make sure to catch some great live music this upcoming week.<br /><br />Sunday(3/8) Britney Spears<br /> St. Pete Times Forum, 8:00 p.m.<br /> $36.75/$52.25/$95/$125/$250/$375/$500/$750<br /><br />Monday(3/9) - KRS-1<br /> Jannus Landing, 7:00 p.m.<br /> $18<br /><br />Tuesday(3/10) - Less Than Jake & The Expendables, 7:00 p.m.<br /> Jannus Landing<br /> $20/$22<br /><br />Wednesday(3/11) - Stephen Pearcy<br /> State Theater, 7:00 p.m.<br /> $14<br /><br /> Willie Nelson<br /> Lakeland Center Youkey Theater, 8:00 p.m.<br /> $36.50/$56.50/$66.50/$97<br /><br />Thursday(3/12) - The Florida Orchestra<br /> Progress Energy's Center's Mahaffey Theater, 11:00 a.m.<br /> $26/$29/$34/$42<br /><br /> Mason Jennings<br /> Orpheum, 7:00 p.m.<br /> $16/$17<br /><br /> New Kids On The Block<br /> Germain Arena (Estero, FL), 7:30 p.m.<br /> $25/$35/$45/$65<br /><br />Friday(3/13) - Craig Owens, Ace Enders, Gay Blades, Versa Emerge<br /> Orpheum, 7:00 p.m.<br /> $13.50/$15<br /><br /> Pat Green<br /> The Dallas Bull, 7:00 p.m.<br /> $9.95<br /><br /> Andy McKee<br /> Jannus Landing, 8:00 p.m.<br /> $12<br /><br />Saturday(3/14)- David Allan Coe<br /> State Theater, 7:00<br /> $18<br /><br /> The Wholigans: A tribute to The Who, Sin City, Ascension<br /> Jannus Landing, 7:00 p.m.<br /> $16<br /><br /> The Lee Boys<br /> Jannus Landing, 9:00 p.m.<br /> $9Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-48454848043506908312009-02-20T15:56:00.000-05:002009-02-20T12:55:49.131-05:00I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwCYhOirDsoImG2Z_NYUSHZWevXWx39Tnjynimkdtmtfdvkgw8JIM8DwmxD4P2IHUYAFLMOEZZHvQURFozMEtm2a_yCMfBavr_CIyDkEtPP3AQ414jWDNMYQdUHxhFWYPJAmfhffkIpY/s1600-h/00018783_bright-eyes-press-shot-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwCYhOirDsoImG2Z_NYUSHZWevXWx39Tnjynimkdtmtfdvkgw8JIM8DwmxD4P2IHUYAFLMOEZZHvQURFozMEtm2a_yCMfBavr_CIyDkEtPP3AQ414jWDNMYQdUHxhFWYPJAmfhffkIpY/s320/00018783_bright-eyes-press-shot-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304939607661535298" /></a><br />Happy Belated!<br /><br />Connor Oberst, the singer/songwriter mastermind behind the band Bright Eyes celebrated his 29th birthday earlier this week. I took this not-so newsworthy information and used it as an excuse to blog about one of the best songwriters of our generation, so here we are!<br /><br />A man that has been hailed as the "next Bob Dylan" (although I wouldn't go that far) has been writing some of the most unique and intriguing material for the past decade. The man who seems to eat, sleep, and breathe music has been in and out of bands since he was 13 years old. Acts that range from The Faint (Early years), Desparecidos, his solo projects, and his most notable musical vehicle, Bright Eyes, all bands have provided Oberst with the means of publishing his poetic lyrics and stories.<br /><br />And where do I begin with Bright Eyes?<br /><br />A band that functions as Oberst's respiratory system has made a name for itself chugging out some of the most thought out and lyrically dense songs that our generation has seen.<br /><br />Often labeled as "emo," Oberst has made a reputation for himself showing his highest moments and then also his lowest throughout his career.<br /><br />On 2002's LIFTED or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground, Oberst puts a smile on the listener's face with such uplifting lyrics such as:<br /><br />"And I came upon a doctor, who appeared in quite poor health, I said, 'There's nothing I can do for you, you can't do for yourself.' He said, 'Oh, yes you can, just hold my hand, I think that that would help.' So I sat with him a while and I asked him how he felt, he said, 'I think I'm cured, No, in fact I'm sure of it, Thank you stranger, For your therapeutic smile.'<br /><br />But at the same time, Bright Eye's Finest hour, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning shows some of the most disturbing lyrics in "Poison Oak" when he confesses,<br /><br />"The sound of loneliness, makes me happier." <br /><br />Yes, the contrast in lyrics, moods, and emotions expressed in a Bright Eyes song have almost become synonymous with Oberst.<br /><br />But is that necessarily a bad thing?<br /><br />The music that Conor Oberst has made is not the bubble-gum pop you hear on the radio nor the catchy single you see on MTV. The lyrics might not always be pleasant and uplifting, but that's the way life is, and that's why Oberst has been so successful. <br /><br />He ventures into a side of songwriting few artist's like to go, it's not the easiest route, but the emotional spectrum in a Bright Eyes album is what makes their music so meaningful and intriguing. <br /><br />It almost sounds as an odd contradiction to say that in Oberst's deepest and darkest moments he puts together some of his best work, but that's just the way it is.Zach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526129743572062862.post-50266628983838300952009-02-19T10:21:00.001-05:002009-02-19T10:24:05.005-05:00The Legend of 182: A Blink to the PastZach Fraser<br /><br />Published: Wednesday, February 18, 2009<br /><br />Blink-182<br /><br />For those who have been living under a rock for the past 15 years, you might not have heard the name “Blink-182”, but for the rest of us, the band’s name probably strikes a chord somewhere in the memories of our youth. So let’s take a journey down Nostalgia Lane and relive the wondrous years of “Blink-182” to better appreciate the future of the most talked about band of 2009.<br /><br />“Cheshire Cat” (1994)<br />“Blink-182” had released a number of demos in years prior that would later be re-released, but technically speaking, “Cheshire Cat” is the band’s first studio album. An album that is punk to its core, the CD highlights the sounds that would define “Blink-182” for the rest of their career. Immature jokes, quick ballads and up-tempo songs are all common ground on their first release. Although the album is unpolished (as most first albums are), “Cheshire Cat” is an album that is overall a good first release that paved the way for the band’s future.<br /><br />“Dude Ranch” (1997)<br />“Dude Ranch”, the second studio release from Blink, saw the band start to receive more attention with roughly 1.5 million copies sold. The album’s most popular single, “Dammit” gave Blink a touch of commercial success and showed the band’s promising future. Other key tracks on the album are “Pathetic” and “Josie,” which are entreatingly catchy. Even though the album wasn’t necessarily considered their breakout album, most die-hard Blink fans swear by “Dude Ranch’s” sound as it separates the early years of Blink from their more commercial years.<br /><br />“Enema of the State” (1999)<br />After original drummer Scott Raynor was asked to leave the band, Travis Barker stepped in for his first album with “Blink-182”, “Enema of the State”. An album that most people will forever remember as the album that catapulted “Blink-182” into the mainstream, their third studio album resulted in huge commercial success for the band with singles like “What’s My Age Again?”, “All the Small Things” and “Adam’s Song.” All three songs resulted in extremely successful music videos that saw an enormous amount of airtime on MTV’s prominent TV show “Total Request Live”. “Enema of the State” further strayed away from the raw punk sounds of their earlier demo’s such as “Flyswatter” and “Buddha” and stepped in the direction of their signature pop-punk sound that defined a generation and paved the way for bands for years to come.<br /><br />“Take Off Your Pants and Jacket” (2001)<br />A clever play on words, don’t you think? If the title didn’t give it away, this album followed in the footsteps of inappropriate and crude jokes that are just downright hilarious. Songs like “Happy Holidays You B******” are strikingly offensive and, yet, addicting and enjoyable. “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket” was yet another successful release for Blink with singles. “The Rock Show”, “First Date” and “Stay Together for the Kids” all received huge amounts of radio play.<br /><br />“Blink-182” (2003)<br />Blink’s fifth studio album saw a departure from the pop-punk sound of their previous two releases and showed a more mature side to the group. Although different, the album was received well by critics and most fans. Songs on the self-titled “Blink-182” showed more meaning in the lyrics and experimentation with different instruments. “Feeling This”, “I Miss You”, “Down” and “Always” were the four singles chosen from the album, which scored a huge success on radio and TV station. “Blink-182” was the last studio release before the band announced their indefinite hiatus in early 2005.<br /><br />“Sixth Studio Album” (Summer 2009)<br />As confirmed recently at the 51st annual Grammy’s, “Blink-182” has made their heavily anticipated return to the music scene and plans to record new material and tour in the summer of 2009. “It’s not really a reunion,” said singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge in a live video feed Sunday night. “It’s a continuation…we are picking up exactly where we left off.” The band, which took nearly a four-year hiatus, is currently working on their sixth studio album with a release date set for sometime later this year.<br />CommentsZach Fraserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16056318055422461666noreply@blogger.com0