The Politics of Dancing By Mitch Clem
Posted by EMPIRE | Filed under COMICS
By Mitch Clem
Upcoming Shows
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Emmure: Interview
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- Emmure
Western Connecticut, producer of dairy farms, cemeteries and now what is arguably its greatest product,
Emmure. Frank Palmeri (vocals), Joe Lionetti (drums), Ben Lionetti (guitar), Jesse Ketive (guitar) and Mark Davis (bass) comprise the band.
Things fell into place in the Spring of 2003 when the members met online. Their initial purpose was to reach the level of success that they’ve recently found. They didn’t have to look far, in fact a simple Myspace bulletin is what got them their first record deal. Within three days of the bulletin they were signed to This City Is Burning, a young indie label based out of California. Two days later Emmure was welcomed by the arms of one of the underground’s strongest titans, Victory Records.
Since then the band has been touring non-stop. We had the chance to sit with the band at a festival in upstate NY for some interrogating.
What does your name mean:
“It was originally going to be Immure, that’s when someone is entombed alive inside a wall. Emmure rolled
off the tongue better.”
What’s your favorite venue to play:
“The Penny Arcade or Showcase Theater and everywhere in Canada.”
What inspires your music:
“Pain, frustration, laughter. We’re proud of the music we make and we’ve been able to reach a lot of
kids.”Frank: “It keeps me from dying, if I wasn’t busy like this I’d go crazy. I’m lucky I’m not dead.”
What do you think is the most common misconception people have about you:
“That we’re assholes, maybe because of how far we’ve taken it. Come say hey, we’re all really cool dudes.”
How do you feel about the Acacia Strain:
“No comment.”
Is it still exciting for you to perform:
“It’s all we know, it’s awesome, riveting, rich. Performance is a big deal to us. A lot of bands don’t take that
into consideration.”
What’s the deal with Capcom:
“We used to say that we sounded like a bulldozer versus Capcom.”
Anything you want to add:
“My Bitter End go fuck yourself, Tyler you’re miserable. Check out our albums, buy them don’t download
them and come to shows!”
For more on Emmure check out emmure.com & our live show footage of the band!
Gwen Stacy: Interview
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Gwen Stacy
An Interview with Gwen Stacy’s T.J. Sego
By Brandon Ridberg
When growing up what did you listen to:
TJ: When I was in middle school I was obsessed with MxPx. In high school I was really into Beloved. I’ve also always been a big fan of hip hop. Not radio rap, but good hip hop. Sage Francis for life.
What musical experience did you have before you formed Gwen Stacy:
Brent and I played in a band together before Gwen Stacy. GS is my fifth band.
When & how was Gwen Stacy formed:
We started in December ‘04. We got together to jam on the weekends and things took off from there. (more…)
Fear Before: Interview
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- Fear Before plays Northern Lights in Clifton Park, NY
Spreading like wild fire Fear Before makes it from Colorado to New York where we got together to extinguish myths and illuminate truths.
Who they are:
Adam Fisher (guitar & vocals)
David Marion (vocals)
Mike Madruga (bass)
Clayton ‘Goose’ Holyoak (drums)
Zach ‘Binks’ Hutchings (guitar)
Where they’re from:
Aurora, Colorado
What it’s like there:
“Normal, suburban.”
When they began:
2002
Reason formed:
“Liked music, seemed like the dream, thought we’d just play with our friends bands, never thought would actually tour, just wanted to write music.”
Band name origin:
News headline about wild fires, the headline was “The Fear Before The March Of Flames” (more…)
Matt Manning-From First To Last: Interview
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Where are you from:
Manning: Georgia
Travis: Georgia
Derek: L.A.
Matt G: Florida
I think Matt Good is from space. Travis and I just moved back to Georgia from L.A. We wanted to get back to the country, live the quiet life, ride four-wheelers and grill and do whatever we want basically.
Previous bands you’ve been in:
I was in a band called Dead Reckless.
Nothing Nice To Say: Pop Rocks
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BY Mitch Clem
Warriors: Social Media Helps Breathe Life into Suffering Industry
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Recon looks like they're about to kill some pirates in this oldie but goodie..
A decade ago few could have predicted that social media would emerge from the depths of the web with such prowess as to change entire industries. Many have used its power to gain recognition, boost sales, and interact with audiences, but is social media the true sling-shot of triumph in an industry facing the Goliaths of piracy and economic uncertainty?
Circa Survive’s New Video: Get Out
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Circa Survive’s Blue Sky Noise is out 4/20.
10 KILLER Online Tools for Bands (ALL FREE)
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Ten of the lesser-known tools that every band/musician should know about and take advantage of.
TourZag
If this list had been compiled in any purposeful order TourZag would be #1. This is a powerful online band manager that was made by musicians for musicians. It offers a gig tracker, tour route generator, customizable contact list, a financial tracker, merch manager, to-do lists and reminders. You can even sync this with your Twitter account so fans know immediately when a new show is added. TourZag is simply amazing.
ePressKitz
E-press kits otherwise known as EPKs are a more professional way to link industry contacts to your bio, songs and contact info. than by simply sending a link to your social networking page. Another feature of the EPK is that you can target your message specifically to the press or other industry contacts. The free plan allows a flash intro with music, a bio page, three videos, three high res photos (or three mp3’s), a contact page and unlimited e-mails with tracking.
Noteflight
If you’ve ever tried to find a decent music writing program then you know just how ridiculously expensive they can be. Noteflight is an amazing browser-based tool that lets you create and hear your music notation in professional quality. You can even print your sheet music or embed it in your web site so fans can learn your songs.
Amarna Reign Releases New Video
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Amarna Reign has a new video for the track “The Fight (Isn’t Over),” which was featured on their self-produced and released EP Atonement. The video was directed by Jeremy E. Jackson (Foxy Shazam, Gwen Stacy, Alesana).
Amarna Reign is: Brad Kilburn (vocals), Brian Thorburn (guitar), David Kilburn (guitar), Matt Knuteson (bass, vocals), Josh Sales (drums). To hear more stop by the Amarna Reign site.
Lyrics:
The end has come for us
a dream crushed by perfections lies
it’s a god damn shame to fall such victim
to our own foolish lives
hand in hand we toe this cliff
laughing death in the face
no one changing, no one moving
to fall, to fall
no one can save you now
So don’t ever take for granted
this fucking life you have learned to loathe
to fill your mind with such petty thoughts
it’s all a lie just to kill your hope
Now fight these tidal waves
to make a stand
this is life is yours, so take it back
so make a move, make a move
This life is yours
Now take it back
How has it come to this
before my eyes is the final chapter
and I don’t know if I can turn the page
So here we are, knelt down at the crossroads
there’s no turning back
and neither path leads home
So take the reigns,
This fight isn’t over
Hassle Records’ Signing Spree
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Hassle Records, an independent label based out of London signed three acts in the course of two weeks. Between February 25 and March 5 Hassle signed: US indie rockers The Get Up Kids, UK math rock group 65daysofstatic and Japanese post-hardcore band FACT. More well known artists on the Hassle roster include August Burns Red, A Skylit Drive and Alkaline Trio. The Get Up Kids and FACT are also signed to Vagrant Records, which has been known to “share” artist relationships with Hassle. Mike of Hassle Records attempted to clarify their relationship in a recent blog,
“Think of us as good buddies, but with two very distinct personalities. True we may cross over in some ways (we’ve released Alexisonfire & City and Colour in the UK, they do it in America), but we’re separate entities. We just like to hang out with each other all day.”
65daysofstatic is set to release ‘We Were Exploding Anyway’, the band’s first album since 2007, on April 26.
The Get Up Kids’ ‘Simple Science’ will be released April 17 under Hassle as a 10″ EP. The release will mark the band’s first new material in six years. The CD version will be available in Summer 2010.
Coheed Fans Fight to the Death
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Or at least to the point of disdain. Fans of Coheed And Cambria have been having mixed reactions to the band’s new video teaser “The Book” which was released exclusively for Twitter account holders a week ago. The video involves Claudio discussing his new novel that comes with the ‘Year of the Black Rainbow’ Deluxe Hardcover Edition. The new album will be available 04.13.2010. Watch the 4th installment of teasers here.
Some fans are saying it isn’t fair that they should have to sign up for a Twitter account to view the third teaser, while others are saying it’s no big deal and that fans should be more supportive of the band. It is unclear whether the exclusive posting was a decision made by the band or one made by their management or label execs.
Read some excerpts from the duel below and check out the video that’s causing heat, no Twitter account required ;)
From coheedandcambria.com:
“I have sworn a blood oath to never have anything to do with twitter.”
“Take 2 seconds to sign up for a damn account and fans are acting like it’s the end of the world, and Coheed is betraying them.”
“It will be a very cold day in hell before i make a twitter.”
“I just tried the obvious USERNAME: “Coheed” and PASSWORD: “Cambria” and had no problem getting access to the movie.”
Check out Coheed And Cambria’s upcoming NY dates:
March 23 Rochester, NY – Harro East Theatre & Ballroom
March 24 Syracuse, NY – The Westcott Theater (SOLD OUT)
March 25 Clifton Park , NY – Northern Lights
New Foxy Shazam Album
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Foxy Shazam’s new album will be released on April 13, 2010. The album will be self-titled and released by Sire Records, a recently reactivated unit of Warner Music. This album will be the band’s first major label release and was produced by John Feldmann (Atryeu, The Used). The band released a single in February called “Unstoppable” from the new album, which is available at itunes.
Digital Pre-order live March 9, 2010 at foxyshazam.com.
Upcoming tour dates for New York include:
3/29 – Studio @ Webster Hall – New York, NY
3/31 – Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY
4/06 – Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY
Check out a live performance of one of their new tracks “Only Way To My Heart”
The Ruby Suns : Fight Softly Review
Posted by EMPIRE | Filed under REVIEWS
The Ruby Suns: Fight Softly
Sub Pop Records: 03.02.10
Proof that indie doesn’t have to sound like watered-down-coffee tastes? Eh.. almost. New Zealand’s Ryan McPhun, Amee Robinson and Bevan Smith did manage to bring a much more refined and interesting taste level to the new record.
Fight Softly is The Ruby Suns’ third album (2nd for Sub Pop) and will be offered in limited edition vinyl alongside the standard release mediums. The band’s older tracks such as ‘There Are Birds’ and ‘Oh Mojave’ could have been by any generic indie rock band, you couldn’t honestly hear what made the band stand out.
World elements that characterized much of The Ruby Suns’ previous albums now take a back seat, and only traces can be found in tracks like ‘Cinco’ and ‘Dusty Fruit’. Fight Softly brings forth wide and dreamy atmospheres layered with 8-bit-esque techy synths. McPhun’s vocals, highlighted in the track ‘Closet Astrologer’, seem to float, drifting up to great heights yet held back by the gravity of what might be “trying too hard” to keep that signature indie sound.
It seems like they’re undecided between being safe (as with songs like ‘Cranberry’) and really pushing the envelope as with ‘Olympics on Pot’, which offers delightful experimentation with the use of unique spacing. It would be great to see the band take it further and be more daring.
If you eliminate the vocals from this record you get what literally sounds like a Mario Kart soundtrack. It’s unpredictable, unique, enjoyable.. but still too watered down to distract you from the fact that you just drove into a banana peel, did a 360, then plowed into a brick wall.
Tracklist:
| 1 | Sun Lake Rinsed | |
| 2 | Mingus and Pike | |
| 3 | Cinco | |
| 4 | Cranberry | |
| 5 | Closet Astrologer | |
| 6 | Haunted House | |
| 7 | How Kids Fail | |
| 8 | Dusty Fruit | |
| 9 | Two Humans | |
| 10 | Olympics On Pot |
