The EP is not a lie. Fighting Nessie: now available on iTunes. Or in real live cd form if you hit up the merch table at a show. Five songs for $5, it's a good deal.
Showing posts with label local music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local music. Show all posts
my heart is beating so fast
The EP is not a lie. Fighting Nessie: now available on iTunes. Or in real live cd form if you hit up the merch table at a show. Five songs for $5, it's a good deal.
between the living dead and these robot men
Dorkfaces, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
I don't know if you've been paying attention or not, but I'm kind of fond of them. Photos from last Saturday's acoustic show are up at my flickr.
not a hologram
Jordan, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
My favorites, Robots and Racecars had the honor of being my first show of the year. They have new music up on the myspace and it is so much better than the crappy bootleg I have been listening to for months, so you should really go check it out.
2008, year in review
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." - Edith Lovejoy Pierce
The following is brutally honest and painfully earnest, don't say you haven't been warned.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
My first thought was get tattooed or travel a ridiculous distance for a concert, but I did both of those at the very end of 2007 so this is a tough one. Spend a lot of time in church basements? Go to two shows in one day? Learn how to silkscreen? I don't know, maybe I'll think of something a little more exciting later on.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't know that I necessarily made any resolutions, other than to be happy and positive really. I wanted 2008 to be the best year of my life and it was. So I think I'll do the same for this year and see how that goes.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, a close friend of the family had a baby boy.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
An elderly neighbor that I'd grown up with passed away, but we weren't really close. (I've had enough of this happen in my life, I'm glad for the year off.)
5. What countries did you visit?
While I did a lot of travelling this year, it was all inside the U.S. of A.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time with which to edit all the photos I took and get stuff for Falsestart Junkyard together.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 7 - My Chemical Romance at the Electric Factory. Spent all day waiting in line with friends and it was worth every minute, one of the best experiences of my life. Especially since I got to talk to Frank afterward and tell him how much they mean to me.
July 25 - My first time going to Warped! Had a great time, but it was really the stuff that happened after that made it great. For a few hours, being nervous and sixteen was awesome.
December 2 - Spent almost 13 hours in the car the day before driving to Chicago. Fall Out Boy at the Chicago Theatre. Amazing seats, an amazing show and I got to share it with one of my best friends right next to me. ♥
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Deciding, in some respects, what I want to do with the rest of my life. There's going to be a long road to get there, but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and all that jazz.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my job? I really had started to hate it though, so I guess what I really consider the biggest failure was really not being able to find another job for so long and working more.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I saw The Cab quite a few times, I was sick a lot this year. Also, I had a couple of panic attacks and those are never fun.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My DSLR. It was a splurge but it was so worth it.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Barack Obama
13. Whose behavior appalled you?
Sarah Palin
14. Where did most of your money go?
My gas tank, Pete Wentz and his affiliates.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing MCR for the first time. Empires and the Gaslight Anthem's record release shows. A joint birthday party with two of my closest friends and the field trip we took to see Robots & Racecars before hand.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Yellow Cab and a Five Cent Cigar.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, by far.
ii. thinner or fatter? Probably about the same.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer, but only because I was dead broke this time last year.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Slept. I definitely had a lot of "I'll sleep when I'm dead" moments this year.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Been sick. I blame Alex Marshall and his disease spreading band for a lot of this.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas morning with my grandmother and parents, had lunch with them and them drove down to my aunt's house to have dinner with her and my grandfather and my cousins.
21. How will you be spending New Year's?
I spent it in Cherry Hill, NJ having a great time with friends, watching the fireworks from inside the warmth of my friend's high rise apt. and occasionally scrambling over to the tv to watch those Fall Out Boys.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes. It kind of just reaffirmed my opinion that the risk isn't worth the reward, but I don't regret it. Maybe 2009 will be different, who knows. (If this dude can live happily ever after maybe there's hope for me yet.)
23. How many one-night stands?
None. Even if I'd had the opportunity, I don't really believe in them.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who/Torchwood was really the only thing I had time to keep up with.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. I am full of love, baby.
26. What was the best book you read?
I don't even remember what I read this year. Let's go with Watchmen because I know for certain that I read it this year and that it was awesome.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Gaslight Anthem (Runners up include: Robots & Racecars, Team Goldie, and Steel Train.)
28. What did you want and get?
An exciting life.
29. What did you want and not get?
To be in a relationship.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight.
31. What did you do on your birthday?
Spent some time with my grandmother, had sushi lunch with my mom and got together with the Team Philly girls and Nicholas at the Pub for dinner.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
At the risk of being horribly inappropriate, more kissing. My 2008 was sadly lacking in that area.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans, a band t-shirt, and chucks? Also, a lot more eyeliner than I have ever worn in any other year of my life.
34. What kept you sane?
Team Philly and our adventures in the local music scene.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have no celebrity crushes. I don't know what you're talking about.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The complete and utter bullshit that is Prop 8.
(But hey, BARACK OBAMA IS GOING TO BE PRESIDENT. And just thinking that still makes me grin like an idiot.)
37. Who did you miss?
My cats. And Rei, once she left us for Chicago.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met so many amazing people this year, it's really hard to pick just one. But if I have to choose, Jen is going to get the award for this one. As was said before, you are the best of us, and the craziest. I can hardly believe there was a time when I wasn't taking spontaneous roadtrips to Connecticut or, you know Chicago.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
1. STAY HYDRATED!
2. When you have the opportunity to use a clean bathroom, take it!
3. Trying to love someone who doesn't want your love doesn't end well.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
The following is brutally honest and painfully earnest, don't say you haven't been warned.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
My first thought was get tattooed or travel a ridiculous distance for a concert, but I did both of those at the very end of 2007 so this is a tough one. Spend a lot of time in church basements? Go to two shows in one day? Learn how to silkscreen? I don't know, maybe I'll think of something a little more exciting later on.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't know that I necessarily made any resolutions, other than to be happy and positive really. I wanted 2008 to be the best year of my life and it was. So I think I'll do the same for this year and see how that goes.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, a close friend of the family had a baby boy.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
An elderly neighbor that I'd grown up with passed away, but we weren't really close. (I've had enough of this happen in my life, I'm glad for the year off.)
5. What countries did you visit?
While I did a lot of travelling this year, it was all inside the U.S. of A.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time with which to edit all the photos I took and get stuff for Falsestart Junkyard together.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 7 - My Chemical Romance at the Electric Factory. Spent all day waiting in line with friends and it was worth every minute, one of the best experiences of my life. Especially since I got to talk to Frank afterward and tell him how much they mean to me.
July 25 - My first time going to Warped! Had a great time, but it was really the stuff that happened after that made it great. For a few hours, being nervous and sixteen was awesome.
December 2 - Spent almost 13 hours in the car the day before driving to Chicago. Fall Out Boy at the Chicago Theatre. Amazing seats, an amazing show and I got to share it with one of my best friends right next to me. ♥
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Deciding, in some respects, what I want to do with the rest of my life. There's going to be a long road to get there, but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and all that jazz.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my job? I really had started to hate it though, so I guess what I really consider the biggest failure was really not being able to find another job for so long and working more.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I saw The Cab quite a few times, I was sick a lot this year. Also, I had a couple of panic attacks and those are never fun.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My DSLR. It was a splurge but it was so worth it.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Barack Obama
13. Whose behavior appalled you?
Sarah Palin
14. Where did most of your money go?
My gas tank, Pete Wentz and his affiliates.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing MCR for the first time. Empires and the Gaslight Anthem's record release shows. A joint birthday party with two of my closest friends and the field trip we took to see Robots & Racecars before hand.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Yellow Cab and a Five Cent Cigar.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, by far.
ii. thinner or fatter? Probably about the same.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer, but only because I was dead broke this time last year.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Slept. I definitely had a lot of "I'll sleep when I'm dead" moments this year.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Been sick. I blame Alex Marshall and his disease spreading band for a lot of this.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas morning with my grandmother and parents, had lunch with them and them drove down to my aunt's house to have dinner with her and my grandfather and my cousins.
21. How will you be spending New Year's?
I spent it in Cherry Hill, NJ having a great time with friends, watching the fireworks from inside the warmth of my friend's high rise apt. and occasionally scrambling over to the tv to watch those Fall Out Boys.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes. It kind of just reaffirmed my opinion that the risk isn't worth the reward, but I don't regret it. Maybe 2009 will be different, who knows. (If this dude can live happily ever after maybe there's hope for me yet.)
23. How many one-night stands?
None. Even if I'd had the opportunity, I don't really believe in them.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who/Torchwood was really the only thing I had time to keep up with.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. I am full of love, baby.
26. What was the best book you read?
I don't even remember what I read this year. Let's go with Watchmen because I know for certain that I read it this year and that it was awesome.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Gaslight Anthem (Runners up include: Robots & Racecars, Team Goldie, and Steel Train.)
28. What did you want and get?
An exciting life.
29. What did you want and not get?
To be in a relationship.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight.
31. What did you do on your birthday?
Spent some time with my grandmother, had sushi lunch with my mom and got together with the Team Philly girls and Nicholas at the Pub for dinner.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
At the risk of being horribly inappropriate, more kissing. My 2008 was sadly lacking in that area.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans, a band t-shirt, and chucks? Also, a lot more eyeliner than I have ever worn in any other year of my life.
34. What kept you sane?
Team Philly and our adventures in the local music scene.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have no celebrity crushes. I don't know what you're talking about.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The complete and utter bullshit that is Prop 8.
(But hey, BARACK OBAMA IS GOING TO BE PRESIDENT. And just thinking that still makes me grin like an idiot.)
37. Who did you miss?
My cats. And Rei, once she left us for Chicago.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met so many amazing people this year, it's really hard to pick just one. But if I have to choose, Jen is going to get the award for this one. As was said before, you are the best of us, and the craziest. I can hardly believe there was a time when I wasn't taking spontaneous roadtrips to Connecticut or, you know Chicago.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
1. STAY HYDRATED!
2. When you have the opportunity to use a clean bathroom, take it!
3. Trying to love someone who doesn't want your love doesn't end well.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"i really like your band, matt"
Matthew, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
Robots & Racecars: They cover Fraggle Rock for sound check, and their van has Free Candy has a three headed dragon spray painted on the side. What more could you want from a band? (Also, their music is pretty okay, I suppose.)
my swagger is my championship belt
Team Goldie, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
No lie, Team Goldie is at the top of my list of people I would give a record deal to in a heartbeat if I had that power.
we were the magnificent dreamers
Empires Record Release Show, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
Sometimes for fun I like to imagine up dream tours that I want to go see. My previous favorite was Robots & Racecars and Team Goldie opening on a Ludo headlining tour. Just this morning I decided that Empires and The Gaslight Anthem opening for The Loved Ones would pretty much be the best thing ever.
Thoughts? What are your dream lineups?
here we go around again
I know it's been about a million years since I actually talked about music in this blog, so here's some content for you.
How I Became Invisible is the solo side project of Robots & Racecars bassist, Nicholas Reed. New songs went up last night and they are A+. Check it out.
How I Became Invisible is the solo side project of Robots & Racecars bassist, Nicholas Reed. New songs went up last night and they are A+. Check it out.
down the shore with the gin blossoms
A spring full of following Cobra Starship up and down the East Coast left my judgement for how early one needs to arrive at a show completely skewed. After a surprisingly easy trip down the shore (Thank you proper signage!), I arrived at the Jenkinson's boardwalk to find very few shops open and killed some time in a souvenir shop and grabbed dinner at a pizza place before going in to get in line for the Gin Blossoms. By the way, the candy store across the boardwalk from the pavillion has excellent chocolate caramel fudge, if you're into that sort of thing.
The first openers were a band called "Love Child" who I had never heard of. As far as their music goes, they played their instruments well and they weren't bad by any stretch, but they weren't terribly memorable. Their stage banter could definitely use work, as it was practically non-existent. They announced their name at the beginning of their set and didn't say another word between the next three songs. Both of the vocalists were very laid back and didn't do much in the way of movement or interacting with the crowd.
Speaking of the vocalists, I want to say that I was initially going to skip this band since I'd never heard of them but when I saw they had a female vocalist I stuck around. It's my opinion that there aren't nearly enough women in the music industry and I always make it a point to check out a band with women in it. That said, the female vocalist in this band didn't really impress me. She had a good voice, but my big complaint is that she barely sang. She did back up oooh's and such on some songs, but there were entire songs where she sang nothing at all. And given that she didn't play an instrument, it was a good thing that she was comfortable on stage while not doing anything because she had plently of down time. I have seen people on stage who are uncomfortable with nothing to do and it is just as awkward to watch.
The drummer is really the only one who stood out to me because he had a lot of energy. Or at least, he had a lot of energy in comparison to the rest of the band. As I said, the vocalists were rather laid back, not only in their stage perfomance, but in the type of music that they played. Without the beat of the drums, it would be the type of music one would expect to hear in a low lit coffee shop. So good on you drummer, for keeping my interest.
And like I said, it isn't that they were bad at all, but for someone like myself who likes to be entertained when at a show, their live performance left something to be desired.
Next up was Kinda Like True Love, a band not far from my hometown. I first saw Chris Sterlacci last November as a solo act and since the last time I saw him in January he has gained himself a full band. I wouldn't have even know about this show if not for having their myspace friended and when I saw I could get a local band that I loved and the Gin Blossoms in one show, well that was pretty hard to resist. I did grow up in the 90's after all. The Gin Blossoms are pretty near and dear to my heart.
Getting back to KLTL, they started off with a new song, and right away I loved how they sounded as a full band. Chris has a great presence on stage, and he and bassist Phil bantered the way good friends do during the first few songs and they crowd definitely warmed to them. They also sang a demo that was once called "From My Bed to Yours," now changed to "Bedside," and I think I approve of the title change. From Open Hearts & Empty Pages they sang "I'd Give Anything For August," "Open Hearts," and my favorite, "Self-Titled."
They had a few technical difficulties, but they barely disrupted the set. The only complaint I had was that Chris's guitar was up just a bit too loud, and it drowned out his vocals a bit. If I hadn't already known the words to some of the songs, I don't know that I would have been able to decipher them. The song they did with him on acoustic guitar however, sounded great. I wish he'd been on acoustic the whole time actually, but I may just be used to seeing him in coffee shops.
They announced towards the end of the set that they have a new ep coming out July 5th. (For those unwilling to wait, it's available on itunes right now.) There's been some new stuff up on their myspace in the past few months that I really liked so I'll be looking forward to this ep when it comes out.
Finally, the Gin Blossoms were up. And isn't is always the way, ten minutes before they came on, a somewhat drunk (and more than somewhat annoying) girl barrelled her way to the front and stood right next to me. Despite her I managed to have thoroughly awesome time.
I was unaware of this at the time, but the Gin Blossoms did not dissappear into a black hole for the past decade or so while my musical interests diverged elsewhere. They did however breakup in 1997, only to reunite in 2002 and they released Major Lodge Victory in 2006. Although I was unfamiliar with the new stuff I really enjoyed it. They managed to have the same sound without seeming like they were rewriting the same songs over and over again.
The fact that I was literally inches away from guitarist, Scott Johnson is probably a big part of the reason I was able to block out the annoyance to my left. (I don't want to be in your myspace shots, Drunk Girl. You're at a concert, please watch the band and leave me alone.) But I digress. He was awesome to watch and the fact that he had a penchant for coming up and playing right in the audience's faces made for a memorable perfomance. Especially during "Til I Hear It From You," when I concert-called a friend and he played into my phone.
Similarly, lead singer Robin Wilson took phones from audience members throughout the set and sang directly into the them. In addition he also took photos with people in the front row when he wasn't singing and passed his tamborine to various audience members, one of which was the nine year old boy to my right. (Not a bad first concert experience for him, I'll bet.) Robin was very excited about toasting with the crowd and making them drink with him. At one point he dedicated a song to someone at the bar for "singing along and knowing all the words."
I could list the entire set list for you, as I managed to snag one at the end of the show, but as I'm too lazy to dig it out of my bag o' concert memorabilia I'm just going to list the highlights.
Naturally they performed all their hits, "Found Out About You," "Alison Road," "Til I Hear It From You," "Jealousy," and lastly during their encore, "Follow You Down." The one new song that stood out to me was "Learning the Hard Way," and the absolute highlight of the set was the cover of "Rocketman" they started their encore with. It started with just Robin and eventually he was joined one by one by the rest of the band, a tactic I really enjoy so that was definitely A+.
In a completely unrelated note, Robin has one of the coolest text tattoos I've ever seen. "Is this the real life..." down the back of his forearm. Can't go wrong with some Bohemian Rhapsody.
You can catch the Gin Blossoms later this summer at the Quick Check Festival of Ballooning. (Go for the band, skip the rest of the fair, as I know from experience it's pretty lame.)
The first openers were a band called "Love Child" who I had never heard of. As far as their music goes, they played their instruments well and they weren't bad by any stretch, but they weren't terribly memorable. Their stage banter could definitely use work, as it was practically non-existent. They announced their name at the beginning of their set and didn't say another word between the next three songs. Both of the vocalists were very laid back and didn't do much in the way of movement or interacting with the crowd.
Speaking of the vocalists, I want to say that I was initially going to skip this band since I'd never heard of them but when I saw they had a female vocalist I stuck around. It's my opinion that there aren't nearly enough women in the music industry and I always make it a point to check out a band with women in it. That said, the female vocalist in this band didn't really impress me. She had a good voice, but my big complaint is that she barely sang. She did back up oooh's and such on some songs, but there were entire songs where she sang nothing at all. And given that she didn't play an instrument, it was a good thing that she was comfortable on stage while not doing anything because she had plently of down time. I have seen people on stage who are uncomfortable with nothing to do and it is just as awkward to watch.
The drummer is really the only one who stood out to me because he had a lot of energy. Or at least, he had a lot of energy in comparison to the rest of the band. As I said, the vocalists were rather laid back, not only in their stage perfomance, but in the type of music that they played. Without the beat of the drums, it would be the type of music one would expect to hear in a low lit coffee shop. So good on you drummer, for keeping my interest.
And like I said, it isn't that they were bad at all, but for someone like myself who likes to be entertained when at a show, their live performance left something to be desired.
Next up was Kinda Like True Love, a band not far from my hometown. I first saw Chris Sterlacci last November as a solo act and since the last time I saw him in January he has gained himself a full band. I wouldn't have even know about this show if not for having their myspace friended and when I saw I could get a local band that I loved and the Gin Blossoms in one show, well that was pretty hard to resist. I did grow up in the 90's after all. The Gin Blossoms are pretty near and dear to my heart.
Getting back to KLTL, they started off with a new song, and right away I loved how they sounded as a full band. Chris has a great presence on stage, and he and bassist Phil bantered the way good friends do during the first few songs and they crowd definitely warmed to them. They also sang a demo that was once called "From My Bed to Yours," now changed to "Bedside," and I think I approve of the title change. From Open Hearts & Empty Pages they sang "I'd Give Anything For August," "Open Hearts," and my favorite, "Self-Titled."
They had a few technical difficulties, but they barely disrupted the set. The only complaint I had was that Chris's guitar was up just a bit too loud, and it drowned out his vocals a bit. If I hadn't already known the words to some of the songs, I don't know that I would have been able to decipher them. The song they did with him on acoustic guitar however, sounded great. I wish he'd been on acoustic the whole time actually, but I may just be used to seeing him in coffee shops.
They announced towards the end of the set that they have a new ep coming out July 5th. (For those unwilling to wait, it's available on itunes right now.) There's been some new stuff up on their myspace in the past few months that I really liked so I'll be looking forward to this ep when it comes out.
Finally, the Gin Blossoms were up. And isn't is always the way, ten minutes before they came on, a somewhat drunk (and more than somewhat annoying) girl barrelled her way to the front and stood right next to me. Despite her I managed to have thoroughly awesome time.
I was unaware of this at the time, but the Gin Blossoms did not dissappear into a black hole for the past decade or so while my musical interests diverged elsewhere. They did however breakup in 1997, only to reunite in 2002 and they released Major Lodge Victory in 2006. Although I was unfamiliar with the new stuff I really enjoyed it. They managed to have the same sound without seeming like they were rewriting the same songs over and over again.
The fact that I was literally inches away from guitarist, Scott Johnson is probably a big part of the reason I was able to block out the annoyance to my left. (I don't want to be in your myspace shots, Drunk Girl. You're at a concert, please watch the band and leave me alone.) But I digress. He was awesome to watch and the fact that he had a penchant for coming up and playing right in the audience's faces made for a memorable perfomance. Especially during "Til I Hear It From You," when I concert-called a friend and he played into my phone.
Similarly, lead singer Robin Wilson took phones from audience members throughout the set and sang directly into the them. In addition he also took photos with people in the front row when he wasn't singing and passed his tamborine to various audience members, one of which was the nine year old boy to my right. (Not a bad first concert experience for him, I'll bet.) Robin was very excited about toasting with the crowd and making them drink with him. At one point he dedicated a song to someone at the bar for "singing along and knowing all the words."
I could list the entire set list for you, as I managed to snag one at the end of the show, but as I'm too lazy to dig it out of my bag o' concert memorabilia I'm just going to list the highlights.
Naturally they performed all their hits, "Found Out About You," "Alison Road," "Til I Hear It From You," "Jealousy," and lastly during their encore, "Follow You Down." The one new song that stood out to me was "Learning the Hard Way," and the absolute highlight of the set was the cover of "Rocketman" they started their encore with. It started with just Robin and eventually he was joined one by one by the rest of the band, a tactic I really enjoy so that was definitely A+.
In a completely unrelated note, Robin has one of the coolest text tattoos I've ever seen. "Is this the real life..." down the back of his forearm. Can't go wrong with some Bohemian Rhapsody.
You can catch the Gin Blossoms later this summer at the Quick Check Festival of Ballooning. (Go for the band, skip the rest of the fair, as I know from experience it's pretty lame.)
robots & racecars
Last night at the Trocadero was the fifth time I have seen Robots & Racecars. They were just as awesome as they ever are. As you'll recall from an earlier entry I promised to explain exactly why this band is awesome and this is that post.
Robots & Racecars is a four piece band based out of Bristol, PA and they classify themselves as Pop-Punk/Powerpop on their myspace. I'm not exactly certain on the definition of "powperpop" but I'm going to take their word for it. Genre categorizations mean little to me really, all you need to know is these guys rock.
If you know anything about what I like in a band, it's not just being able to play your instruments, it's entertaining me whether you're playing or not. Not only are these dudes talented, what makes them stand out among some of the other bands I listen to is the fact that they are hilarious on stage, they have great energy and they are generally awesome dudes. I don't think I've been to a show yet where lead singer/guitarist Matthew hasn't encouraged the crowd to get closer/dance/rock out, etc.
For a band that's less than two years old, they are amazingly accomplished. Their sets are tight and tons of fun to watch. Their full length album, We Can't All Be Astronauts has great variety and I can't wait to see what their next album will be like. Also, they would like you to know that the cover art is yellow and they would never lie about that.
Recently, they've been playing some new stuff and it amuses/amazes me when I manage to learn the words to songs just from seeing the band so many times. (There are only two bands this has actually only happened to me with, R&R is one, The Cab is the other.) The point I'm trying to make here is the new stuff is also awesome and I'm a sucker for songs where the audience has a part to sing.
If you're in the NJ/PA area, I highly recommend you check these guys out in person. And if you happen to be at Hamilton Lanes, make them bowl with you. That's always a good time.
If not, I suggest heading over to their myspace and giving their music a listen. Part-Time Boyfriend is a personal favorite of mine.
Robots & Racecars is a four piece band based out of Bristol, PA and they classify themselves as Pop-Punk/Powerpop on their myspace. I'm not exactly certain on the definition of "powperpop" but I'm going to take their word for it. Genre categorizations mean little to me really, all you need to know is these guys rock.
If you know anything about what I like in a band, it's not just being able to play your instruments, it's entertaining me whether you're playing or not. Not only are these dudes talented, what makes them stand out among some of the other bands I listen to is the fact that they are hilarious on stage, they have great energy and they are generally awesome dudes. I don't think I've been to a show yet where lead singer/guitarist Matthew hasn't encouraged the crowd to get closer/dance/rock out, etc.
For a band that's less than two years old, they are amazingly accomplished. Their sets are tight and tons of fun to watch. Their full length album, We Can't All Be Astronauts has great variety and I can't wait to see what their next album will be like. Also, they would like you to know that the cover art is yellow and they would never lie about that.
Recently, they've been playing some new stuff and it amuses/amazes me when I manage to learn the words to songs just from seeing the band so many times. (There are only two bands this has actually only happened to me with, R&R is one, The Cab is the other.) The point I'm trying to make here is the new stuff is also awesome and I'm a sucker for songs where the audience has a part to sing.
If you're in the NJ/PA area, I highly recommend you check these guys out in person. And if you happen to be at Hamilton Lanes, make them bowl with you. That's always a good time.
If not, I suggest heading over to their myspace and giving their music a listen. Part-Time Boyfriend is a personal favorite of mine.
i don't want to be your part-time boyfriend
Hopefully very soon I will make a much longer entry detailing all the ways this band is awesome and why you should go see them, but as I'm on my way out the door, you should just take my word for it, and check them out.
starting off the year right
A Lifelike Story, Kinda Like True Love and Daybreak playing an acoustic show @ Bucks County Coffee in Flemington, NJ on January 11th.
This was my first show of the new year, and if I can see one show a month that was this good, I will be a very happy person.
A Lifelike Story
I didn't know that they were going to be playing until I got there and saw them setting up so that was an awesome surprise. I don't know how old these kids are but I can't say enough good things about this band. Taylor's voice is amazing. I just wish they had an EP or something I could buy so I could listen to them all the time. According to their myspace they are going to be playing @ Grape Street in March which is actually local for me and I cannot wait for that show.
"We've Got The Night"
♪
Kinda Like True Love
I am convinced that in two or three years this guy is going to be huge and I will be so glad that I got to see him play tiny little acoustic shows in coffee houses. (I think that about all three of these bands, actually.) He played "Self-Titled" which is my favorite song and you can watch the video below (and also listen to it on his myspace) and the only complaint I had about this show was that he cut his set short.
"Self-Titled"
♪
Daybreak
The first time I saw this band, I thought they were a little rough around the edges, but in a couple of years they could be awesome. After having seen them three times, (this show was the second), I still think that, but I definately feel like they get a little bit better everytime I see them. In the middle of "Don't Leave," Eric forgot some of the words, and I've seen a lot of bands/singers screw up in the middle of the song and I think the best save I've ever seen was Brian saying, "Just sing anything, be like 'I like frogs, they are so cool...'"
"Welcome Home"
They put that video up on their myspace, and I'm not gonna lie, I think that's pretty cool.
This was my first show of the new year, and if I can see one show a month that was this good, I will be a very happy person.
I didn't know that they were going to be playing until I got there and saw them setting up so that was an awesome surprise. I don't know how old these kids are but I can't say enough good things about this band. Taylor's voice is amazing. I just wish they had an EP or something I could buy so I could listen to them all the time. According to their myspace they are going to be playing @ Grape Street in March which is actually local for me and I cannot wait for that show.
"We've Got The Night"
Kinda Like True Love
I am convinced that in two or three years this guy is going to be huge and I will be so glad that I got to see him play tiny little acoustic shows in coffee houses. (I think that about all three of these bands, actually.) He played "Self-Titled" which is my favorite song and you can watch the video below (and also listen to it on his myspace) and the only complaint I had about this show was that he cut his set short.
"Self-Titled"
♪
Daybreak
The first time I saw this band, I thought they were a little rough around the edges, but in a couple of years they could be awesome. After having seen them three times, (this show was the second), I still think that, but I definately feel like they get a little bit better everytime I see them. In the middle of "Don't Leave," Eric forgot some of the words, and I've seen a lot of bands/singers screw up in the middle of the song and I think the best save I've ever seen was Brian saying, "Just sing anything, be like 'I like frogs, they are so cool...'"
"Welcome Home"
They put that video up on their myspace, and I'm not gonna lie, I think that's pretty cool.
exciting times at the moose lodge
More photos from the November 23rd show at the Moose Lodge in Flemington, NJ. I went to this show about two weeks after having found both of these guys on Myspace. I was definately not disappointed, I picked up Open Books & Empty Pages that night and it's only been out of my cd player a couple of times since then.
Daybreak
♪
Kinda Like True Love
♪
Kinda Like True Love
i had a dream last night
Still working on resizing and de-red-eyeing my most recent concert photos, so until then I've got this tidbit for you.
I'd Give Anything For August (Live) - Kinda Like True Love
(And if you like that you should check out his myspace.)
I'd Give Anything For August (Live) - Kinda Like True Love
(And if you like that you should check out his myspace.)
i am still dreaming
The Union Hotel, Flemington, NJ.
I saw A Lifelike Story, Kinda Like True Love and Daybreak last night. Going to see Desoto Jones for their cd release at the Troc tonight. I have many things to update with.
Have good days, everyone.