Tune In. Drop Out. + Get Loud with CREEM Magazine's New Documentary

“Ripping back the curtain on legendary rock rag CREEM Magazine’s wild and disruptive newsroom; a dysfunctional band of unruly outsiders who weren’t all that different from the artists they covered.”

“America’s Only Rock N Roll Magazine” and one of our biggest inspirations, CREEM Magazine has released their very own documentary today!

Featuring a star studded cast including Alice Cooper, Joan Jett,Cameron Crowe, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Kirk Hammett, and more, the documentary captures “the messy upheaval of the '70s just as rock was re-inventing itself” It dives into the magazines humble beginnings all through their climb to become a powerhouse to it’s downfall with the loss of two incredible staffers, Barry Kramer and Lester Bangs. But fear not, CREEM is still alive and ROCKIN’.

BANDED partner, Carol’s Vinyl, has teamed up with the magazine for the screening of the documentary. Give her a follow on Instagram, and after you buy your tickets for the screening below, tag her in a story/post with your email confirmation to be entered for a chance to win a CREEM 50 T-shirt.

BUY TICKETS

Beyond Hollywood Fest features American Idol Favorites

We’re giving you a ticket to Beyond Hollywood! On August 8th, get ready to tune in for an evening of live music from the comfort of your home. No overpriced drinks, no bathroom lines, and you can even wear your pajamas!

Beyond Hollywood is a new online festival featuring familiar faces from your favorite tv stage! On August 8th, tune into one of a kind performances by 2020 contestants -  Erin Kirby, Geena Fontanella, Jimmy Levy, Kimmy Gabriela, Lauren Mascitti, Lauren Spencer-Smith, Natalie Jane, Nick Merico, and Shannon Gibbons. 

Purchase a ticket from your favorite artist and it will give you access to their performance as well as all other performances. With live music on hold, proceeds go directly to the artists.

CLICK AN ARTIST TO BUY TICKETS

Band To Watch, Tetrarch, is ON FIRE With New Track, 'I'm Not Right'

Sorry, didn’t see you there - we were too busy headbanging to Tetrarch’s new release, ‘I’m Not Right’. The new track is a precursor to Tetrarch’s sophomore album, Unstable, set to release sometime this Fall. Dig into the lyrics and you may just find yourself relating to their meaning.

TETRARCH

“Tetrarch is a tried-and-true blend of intense heavy riffage and driving drums with the dark vibes and haunting choruses of hooky modern hard rock. Tetrarch’s influences are evident but never replicated.”

“I’m Not Right” describes a moment when a person looks in the mirror and does not like what is looking back. Instead of dwelling on negativity, “I’m Not Right” is about seeking the drive to change a person’s situation and become the best version of oneself. We are a band that believes in embracing flaws and being who you are. But sometimes there’s a journey to get to that point, and that’s what this song really encompasses. It is normal to feel a bit off. Sometimes you just don’t like something about yourself but how you go about changing that is what’s really important.”

In just a week, ‘I’m Not Right’ no surprisingly garnered 80K+ streams on Spotify, 100,000+ views on Youtube, landed spots on 8 major Spotify / Apple Music playlists⁣, AND Tetrarch was the #6 most heard band on SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal. Now, a month later the single is still blazing through milestones. Safe to say Tetrarch is here for the come up and they’re catapulting to the top.

Watch the official music video or stream it below…

Journey To Generation Clash - An Interview With Author, Carmela Carr

For many of us, music makes up almost every fiber of our being. It’s how we spend our time, how we share our emotions, how we connect, and sometimes how we make a living. As time goes on, the way we experience music changes regardless of whether we’re actively aware or not. How we discover music can be part of a well-thought out marketing plan or it can be a beautiful journey of self discovery.

Author Carmela Carr takes us through her experiences on the impact technology, music, and trends had on her, how these things helped to find herself, and how they can help you in her upcoming book, Journey to Generation Clash.

“..Utimately I want you to see this book as a tool to help you see that you’re not obligated to like something just because it’s popular, or because other people like it.”

We were able to dive into some details with Carmela. Give the interview a read and head over to save a copy for yourself! Less than 40 hours remain to pre-order The Road to Generation Clash .

Journey To Generation Clash

The unique journey of the girl who always knew that she was different and became who she wanted to be.

Q: Tell us who you are and a little about yourself...

My name is Carmela Carr. I'm an artist, writer, music lover among a gazillion other things.

Q: What exactly is Generation Clash?

Generation Clash is my music blog. It was founded in 2019. It's a platform to showcase unique artists and show people that digging deeper is worth it and you can find so many amazing artists by going beyond what's in front of you.

Q: What inspired you to write Journey to Generation Clash?

When I was first approached about writing a book, I wasn't sure what I was going to write about. As I started thinking about it, I realized that writing about all the moments in my life that impacted me and made me who I am, and how that tied into me finally using my knowledge to create my own platform.

Q: What do you hope people get out of reading it?

I hope that it shows people that being different is cool. I want people to see that there is so much amazing music out there. I want people to know that it's cool to find yourself and figure out who you are.

Q: Where can people pre-order?

I'm currently running a campaign on Indiegogo to raise $4,000 to cover my publishing costs. Every pre-order adds to the fund and it will allow me to have my book published! By pre-ordering, you get to be a part of my beta reader's community, and you get to read snippets of the book before it's released. I also have a special contest since I know that people are struggling with money due to COVID-19, where you can order the $15 e-book and be entered for a chance to win a signed paperback copy which is worth $40! There's only going to be 10 winners. Pre-orders end on April 17th!

Keeping Busy // 2019

46 Likes, 1 Comments - 🌹⚡CC⚡🌹 (@retronautqueen) on Instagram: "Keeping Busy // 2019"

Q: What’s the story behind your Blackberry?

My mom found it when she was out shopping one day, and she brought it home and asked me if I could use it for anything. I figured out how to put music on it, and it became my music player. I found out about the memo feature, and the camera, and I started using it as an offline device. It allowed me to get away from being online every second. It made me realize the importance of online time and offline time.

Q: Who are you currently listening to?

I've been listening to Love/Hate, BRKN LOVE, Mother May I, AKA George, Baton Rouge, Waterparks, and a bunch of other artists. I actually have a quarantine playlist on Spotify that I've been updating everyday with everything I've been listening to!

Q: Anything else you’d like to share?

I'm really proud of this book, and I can't wait for everyone to read it! I hope everyone is staying safe in this crazy time!

Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes Shake Down Alexandra Palace – London, UK

Alexandra Palace has been host to several legendary artists and performances. From the likes of Pink Floyd to The Stone Roses, many remarkable artists have performed on this famed stage. The countless number of remarkable artists and performances are what make Alexandra Palace the “go to” place for a memorable show. The memorability has also stuck with the fans; as Alexandra Palace is fondly known amongst concertgoers as Ally Pally; but in a day and age where O2 dominates, it’s rare to witness a show at Alexandra Palace. Which only means that when there is a show there, you are guaranteed to have one memorable night; as now fans of Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes can readily attest.  

On the journey to Alexandra Palace, the W3 Bus transports you up a winding road which overlooks the city. A normally gorgeous view, had it not been obscured due to the pouring rain due to Storm Denis’ incoming landfall. Regardless, the impending deluge didn’t prevent fans from pouring into Alexandra Palace. Instead, as the minutes slipped by fans eagerly packed like sardines into the venue to see the band perform. By the time Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes were poised to take the stage; opening acts Ho99o9 and Cleopatrick had managed to excite and enthral the crowd which had arrived early. 

While the rain beat down on the sidewalks and steps surrounding Alexandra Palace, a different kind of beat-down was about to occur inside. As Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes stormed the stage (with a gusto) and delivered their first one-two punch with their energetic opening track, ‘Why A Butterfly Can’t Love A Spider.’ From the first note, it was apparent that Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes came to deliver a knock-out performance to the sold-out crowd. All of whom had crammed into the Great Hall of Alexandra Palace. 

As individuals packed into the Great Hall of Alexandra Palace to watch the raucous performance from Frank Carter, the area to which fans were confined became incredibly crowded. Which was to be expected; but luckily the team behind Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes had anticipated this. As the stage design and videography were primed to ensure that everyone could have a view of the show. Even if you happened to be stuck behind a rather tall individual (as was my case).

Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes undeniably put on one hell of a performance. Ask anyone who was there that night, and I can guarantee they’ll rant and rave about performances like ‘Supervillain’ and ‘I Hate You;’ as being highlights. If you ask me, however, my favourite performance of the entire night had to be ‘Crowbar’; off their 2019 release, ‘The End of Suffering.’ Simply due to the raw energy that Frank, Dean, Tom ‘Tank’, and Gareth exuded throughout their performance. It was a difficult energy to put into words; but the energy seemingly penetrated through the packed air of Alexandra Palace and encouraged you to let loose, to be unequivocally yourself, and to reject the call of uniformity. 

Further moments only served to solidify Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes’ performance as a memorable night. From Frank walking on the crowd to the brief but genuine discussion about mental illness, the band authentically connected with the audience. Whether it be because Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes had forgone the typical “rockstar attitude” or because of something else entirely; their performance at Alexandra Palace resonated and connected with the audience in a mystical sort of way. 

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BRAND OF JULEZ ANNOUNCE FIRST 2020 SHOW WITH KIX

New York rock band Brand of Julez gears up to join platinum-selling hard rock icons Kix as direct support on January 31st at the legendary Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA. This marks the first show of the year for what will be stacked year of tour dates and new releases for Brand of Julez.

“I am SO stoked that Brand of Julez first show of 2020 will be with KIX at Chameleon Club ! So many bands I love have come through that place, just another one off the list!” - Julez 

For tickets and more go to www.brandofjulez.bigcartel.com 

SHOW DETAILS

01/31 - Chameleon Club - Lancaster, PA

Start Time: 7PM 

18+ Show 

Tickets: $20 and available NOW at www.brandofjulez.bigcartel.com  

WATCH | LISTEN 

“Take It All Away”

WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

ABOUT BRAND OF JULEZ

When you think of the South Bronx, you don’t think of modern, melodic rock anthems, passionately aggressive vocals, heavy guitars, ripping solos, driving bass lines or pounding drums fills. However, that is exactly what Brand of Julez delivers night after night.

Formed by brothers Julez Zamora (vocals/guitar) and Brandon Zamora (bass/backing vocals) in 2011 at the ripe old age of 16 and 13, Brand of Julez have raged their way up the NYC ranks with a passion and fury that cannot be denied. Their powerful performances have brought them to share the stage with recording artists like Pop Evil, Red Sun Rising, Ace Frehley, Drowning Pool, Adrenaline Mod, Burn Halo, Orianthi, Alice Cooper, Full Devil Jacket, and more.

Brand of Julez deliver their heavy rage of rock that will have you banging your head, with your horns raised and leave you with songs that you'll be singing long after the show has ended.

STRANGE 90S NASHVILLE BENEFIT CONCERT

Strange 90s Nashville is gearing up to take over Marathon Music Works this weekend on Saturday, November 23rd. If you haven’t gotten your tickets for the once in lifetime experience, you’re in luck as Charity Bomb and AEG Presents have launched a 2-for-1-ticket sale. Dozens of musicians, songwriters and rock stars will join together to form super groups that will perform the anthems of this golden decade in a real-life recreation of the era. Confirmed performers include members of Florida Georgia Line, Sixpence None The Richer, Judas Priest, Eagles of Death Metal, The All-American Rejects, Lit, Relient K, 3 Doors Down and more. 2-for-1 tickets are available now here.

All proceeds will go to Nashville organization The Beat of Life, a homegrown organization that provides therapeutic songwriting and music programs with the most talented musicians teaching children and inmates how to write and perform music as a preventive and coping mechanism. For more information on The Beat Of Life, click here.

The full list of performers includes Sean Fuller (Florida Georgia Line), Jeffrey Steele, Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), Jennie Vee (Eagles of Death Metal), A. Jay & Jeremy Popoff (Lit), Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), Dez Dickerson (Prince’s Band The Revolution), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats), Chet Roberts (3 Doors Down), Nick Weeler (The All-American Rejects), Matt Thiessen (Relient K), Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger), Josh Paul (Infectious Grooves), Ira Dean (Trick Poney) and Jam Alker (The Jab).

Iconic songwriters including Matt Warren, Ryman Wooten, Josh Wooten, Bridgette Tatum, Jess Cayne, Damien Horne, Danny Myrick, Keesy Timmer, Kim McClean Kasl as well as Casey Levasseur, Kurtis John, Alissa Morena, Sarah Jane Nelson and Brian Irwin will round out the night’s performers.

Strange 90s Nashville will be hosted by Jessie McNamara and will feature amazing opportunities for concert-goers to time warp back to the 90s complete with Tony Hawk Pro-Skater 360 Virtual Reality Experiences, Vans Skate ramps, iconic 90’s accessories and costume giveaways, live graffiti walls and more.

PREMIERE: Life After Youth Release 'RIP Youth' Video + Grunge Pop Vol. 1

Life After Youth - RIP YOUTH Grunge Pop Vol. 1 - Available Everywhere: https://life-after-youth.lnk.to/LAY -Lyrics- I was born dead, what's the problem?

This Halloween, we’re celebrating a little different musically. Texas “Grunge Rock Boy Band”, Life After Youth, has just released their long awaited Grunge Pop Vol. 1 mixtape featuring their most popular track, ‘beetlejuicebeetlejuicebeetlejuice.’ To sweeten the deal, they’ve also released their video for ‘RIP Youth’ premiering right here on Banded. Check it out above…

LIFE AFTER YOUTH

The original “grunge rock boy band”, Life After Youth formed in Austin, Texas in early 2017 with Luke Johnson, Alex Fort, and Luke Smith and released their debut single “Drag You Down” at the beginning of 2018.

Life After Youth seamlessly blend grunge rock and pop to create their own unique sound. Their live performances are full of high energy and an aggressive stage presence, silhouetted against a backdrop of pop songs. A hole exists in popular music where guitars, drums, and humanity used to live; this is the space in which Life After Youth thrives.

So what IS Grunge Pop exactly? It’s a concept Life After Youth created years ago as a tongue-in-cheek reference to what the the band would be sonically. “It’s the idea that grunge instrumentation and energy could be channeled into what are classically “pop” song structures, offering a fresh take on the music we loved as kids…..it’s a mixtape we made for the versions of ourselves we lost as we got older.”

Technically the first track on the mixtape, ‘RIP Youth’ kicks things off with a heavy dose of grunge and energy. “RIP YOUTH is a song which embraces the sobering fact that we’re all dying, all of the time. I was born to die, and so were you. This song is meant to inspire a sense of urgency, knowing that we’re all always getting closer to the end. Adults are dead kids, “RIP YOUTH”.”

Give the full mixtape a listen below + on all streaming platforms.

FOLLOW LIFE AFTER YOUTH

SPOTIFY | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Here’s to Issues’ Sold Out London Show

Amidst a deluge of rain and chilly nights in London, Issues and their tour package; [consisting of openers Ground Culture and Lotus Eater] braved the inclement weather to perform for hundreds of fans packed into Camden’s Underworld. A venue and club with a harrowing name, but as I descended the stairs into the venue; it became blatantly obvious that the show at hand would be anything but harrowing. 

Instead, the London, UK date of Issues’ ‘Beautiful Oblivion’ tour was momentous; as the show not only marked the end of their EU/UK tour but was a show which had sold-out in a matter of hours. At this point in the tour, each band had their performance dialed in; allowing for each band to fully devote their energy into putting on the best performance possible. Nowhere was this more evident than when Ground Culture took to the stage; as within minutes the band had commanded the crowd’s attention. As lead singer Roy Watson incited mosh pits and even jumped into one; where he encouraged the crowd to let loose and mosh along to Ground Culture’s intense yet melodic tones.  

The night only continued to build in intensity as Lotus Eater took to the stage; a band from Glasgow, Scotland whose melodic stylings resembled that of Ground Culture’s. As Lotus Eater ripped through their debut EP “Social Hazard,” it became clear as to why these guys are becoming increasingly popular; their music holds the power to make you move. Not in the kitschy sense of movement, but in the visceral cathartic sense of movement; as even though the crowd was packed like sardines into The Underworld, people still found a way to let out their aggressions via slam dancing or headbanging. 

At this point, if you hadn’t seen or heard of Issues before, you might have expected a more aggressive sound; however, since their release of “Beautiful Oblivion” Issues has traversed a more R&B path; blending elements of metalcore with smooth hooks and memorable choruses. All of which are prominently featured on their latest album [Beautiful Oblivion]; which debuted on October 4th via Rise Records. 

As Issues took to the stage, it was clear their recent release wouldn’t impede the performance; as from the first note in “Here’s to You” to the final note in “Flexin,” it was clear that Issues had the crowd wrapped around their finger. As numerous fans were excited to dance, listen, and sing along to the new material; so much so, that after Issues’ performance of “Flexin,” the crowd chanted, “Encore!” even though we were nowhere near the end of their performance. Instead, the rousing performance had several more surprises left in store; ranging from bassist Skyler Acord’s animated antics to a special performance of “Mad at Myself.” All of which combined into a carefully crafted night, where fans could release their demons and forget the worries of the world; even if it was only for a few hours on a damp Thursday night.

As simple as it sounded, it’s shows like these without the pomp and circumstance which renew my faith within the pop-punk community. Because Issues was able to construct and maintain a space where fans could not only connect but release all of their worries in the purest way possible: singing your fucking heart out and for that, here’s to Issues’ sold-out London show. 

Interested in seeing Issues? Even though the EU/UK tour may be over; Issues is gearing up to embark on their US Tour starting on November 7th at the Diamond Ballroom in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tickets for Issues’ ‘Beautiful Oblivion’ US Tour featuring support from Sleep Token, Lil Aaron, and Polyphia can be purchased here. 

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PREMIERE: Loyalty To Me Release The Most Relatable Song EVER [Lyric Video]

If you’re an avid reader here, we know you can’t say no to a little emo angst. Couple that with something we all go through no matter what season in life we’re in and BAM, you’ve got yourself one catchy and relatable tune. Hailing from central New Jersey, Loyalty To Me, releases their fourth single today, “Paying For Friends” complete with lyric video. Scroll down to check it out below and stream it on Spotify here.

LOYALTY TO ME

Loyalty To Me was started in November 2017 as frontman Will Patrick Jackson's solo project, but by Summer it began shifting into a full band venture. After releasing their debut single, Radio Off, a final lineup was solidified and Loyalty To Me officially put itself out into the world as a band: Will Patrick Jackson on lead vocals, Devin Mcguire on guitar/vocals, Ryan Keller on bass/vocals, James Conrad on guitar/keys/vocals, and Kevin Castro on drums. Based in central New Jersey, Loyalty To Me prides itself on being a band that plays to each member's strengths and straddles the line between 2000s emo angst and modern pop sensibilities.

The track is so upbeat that you can’t help but to dance around…and then like any good emo tune, you start contemplating everything. Fun yet serious, this one really hits home. Talking with lead vocalist, Will Patrick, he says that “Paying For Friends” came from a real place that he believe others can relate to.

“We all know what it's like to fall out of affection with someone because of the direction they've taken in life--even if that direction is a positive one. It's hard to completely set aside your bitterness toward someone's choices when they don't align with your personal beliefs, but you have to remember that if those choices are having a positive impact on their life, it's for the better. And even if they're not, there's a point where you just have to let someone live and learn. The song focuses on these ideas through the lens of someone who's watching their significant other go away to college and get involved with greek life. It's a bouncy song with a cheeky attitude, but at its core it's about learning to handle change in a realistic and (hopefully) mature way.”

Outside of the general excitement from releasing a new track, the band is thrilled to share ‘Paying For Friends’ with the world as it’s a sort of closing chapter. “Our four songs have thus far been standalone singles, and we're tackling a debut EP of all new material next. We've been having a lot of fun doing that,” shared Will. Stay tuned for a lot more from Loyalty To Me! We can’t wait to see what they do next.

TOUR DATES

Friday, August 23rd at Nublu in New York City with Wikka and Upstart Crows

And September 4th at Championship Bar in Trenton with Rarity, City Mouth, Young Culture, and Goalkeeper

FOLLOW LOYALTY TO ME

SPOTIFY | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Harbour Releases The Perfect Summer Anthem 'Radiate"

If you’re in search for the perfect Summer song..or just a band that all around radiates positivity through their tunes, Harbour is your band.

Hailing from the Queen City, Harbour is a 5-piece indie pop rock band who always fill a room with their high energy and good vibes. Their latest release “Radiate” reflects just that. It’s the perfect Summer anthem. Listen closely and you may just guess that they’re singing about….Bonnaroo?

Don’t miss their “Thoughts On Letting Go” Album Release Show at The Woodward Theater on September 6th. Details here.

Friday Giants Release New EP and New Sound

Photo by: Chris Hughes

“Strap me in for another ride. This rollercoaster life sounds like paradise.”

Friday Giants is back with a brand new ep, debuting their new lineup and new sound. Something Worth Saving released today on all streaming platforms with five new tracks strong enough to all stand on their own.

STREAM IT HERE.

From playing Bunbury Festival and Vans Warped Tour to losing vocalist, Gavin Bonar, just shortly before studio time, this past year has been quite the rollercoaster for the Cincinnati-based band. With this new ep, Zac Taylor steps out from behind the bass into lead vocals. With the new arrangement, the guys headed out to Always Be Genius Recording Studio where Real Friends, Knucklepuck, The Devil Wears Prada, and more have all recorded.

Through the ups, the downs, and the in betweens, Zac, Chuck, and Logan pulled through. Putting their blood, sweat, tears, and talent to create the most authentic piece of work. You feel every emotion, every guitar riff. This is it. This is their voice. This is their sound. and it's BAD ASS.

Read what Zac had to say about the new direction of the band and the inspiration behind Something Worth Saving below and hear the EP live at Bogart’s on June 15th. Get tickets here.

---

How would you describe the new direction of the band?

Focused. The falling-out at the end of our 2018 run was strangely the best thing that could have happened to the band. Last year was a clear sign that this had become more than a hobby, and that this group was capable of the things we've been dreaming about as kids. When things jumped to that level, It became very clear who was serious about this and whose priorities were elsewhere, and that's a tricky thing about being in a serious band. If you are not 100% in, you're dragging everyone down with you and that's just not fair to the ones putting everything on the line. We took a look around the table at the last ones standing and Chuck, Logan and myself knew that we were far from done with this. We had a guitarist, bassist, drummer, lyricist, and vocalist just between the three of us and we thought to ourselves "What the hell are we freaking out about? We've got everything we need to write this record!". From that point forward we looked at the demos we were writing and we all noticed a consistency in the sound that wasn't there before. Focus. An actual identity. It's still very much Friday Giants, just in its most concentrated form. No artificial flavors or sweeteners.

Where did you find the inspiration behind the EP?

I think the title says it all. We felt this was something we couldn't let die, it was Something Worth Saving. This band has endured so much since its founding back in 2013. From day one, Chuck has been behind the boards shaping this band into what he knew it could be. I think it's kind of funny that we've gotten so much harsh feedback from people that think we should just put a bullet in this thing. A former member actually used those words at one point, just before he left.

It's nearly impossible to find a band that got it right the first time. Change is necessary for growth, and it breeds strength and persistence (zing!). If the dice don't match, you keep what's working and roll again and before you know it, Yahtzee! It is important to know that I am not sorry about that metaphor, in fact I feel like we should rename this EP now. Can we do that without getting sued?

I think the title says it all. We felt this was something we couldn't let die, it was Something Worth Saving.

Did any particular artists inspire the sound or writing style of the new EP?  

There are so many of our favorite bands that were even included in some of the demo names. The song "Something Worth Saving" was originally titled "Paraunderstein" in the studio. And yes, that would be Paramore, Underoath and Silverstein smashed together and if you listen closely I think you'll be able to hear the influences in that track. However, there is definitely one band we are all completely obsessed with that just skyrocketed to the top in the last couple years. That band is Beartooth. Disease hit the charts right when everything was falling apart last year and Logan, Chuck and I clung to it as a guiding light. The perfect recipe of mainstream rock and balls to the wall heavy metal. Something this band has been trying to do for years. For me in particular, Caleb Shomo as an individual, is someone I feel that I can relate to. Here we have a guy that sat in the background for years only playing an instrument and when the going got tough, he stepped up took his place behind the mic to get shit done. Not because he wanted to, and certainly not because he knew he could, but because someone had to. It was there that he saw what he was capable of and where he found the confidence and the will power to do something he never thought he could pull off. That was me with this release. We won't quit until our name is on their tour lineup, and we won't even stop there. We are hungry, and that's what it takes.

Persistence, a song by Friday Giants on Spotify

Beartooth Get Upclose and Personal on Disease Tour

On April 30th, fresh off the heels of their “South by So What?!” performance Beartooth barreled into the Cannery Ballroom; as they brought the second leg of the “Disease” tour to Nashville, TN. As fans crossed roads and parking lots to arrive at the venue, excited chatter floated across the airwaves; as fans couldn’t believe Beartooth was finally going to perform in Nashville. Granted, this wasn’t the first time Beartooth had made an appearance in Nashville; as Caleb Shomo [Lead Singer] had remarked how Beartooth had recorded their latest album “Disease,” just down the road at Blackbird Studios. Before Beartooth took the stage however, fans were treated to performances from opening acts Dead American, Hands Like Houses, and Of Mice and Men.

Dead American kicked the night off by performing songs like “Ants and Pawns” and “False Intentions” which got the crowd raring and ready to go. As lead singer Cove Reber [former lead singer of Saosin] interacted with the crowd and exhibited genuine excitement to be back in a city that he “never thought he’d be back in again.” As Dead American’s set wound down the lively energy continued; as Australian-rockers Hands Like Houses stormed the stage with their latest hit off Anon, “Monster.” Even though their set didn’t last long [only 5 short songs], it was clear fans were vibing with the energy and music of HLH. As Hands Like Houses’ set reached its apex, the Cannery Ballroom began to fill with throngs of fans. All of which had arrived just in time to witness legendary metalcore rockers Of Mice and Men take the stage.

Of Mice and Men’s set list consisted of an immense variety of songs; yet a majority of them were off of their 2018 release “Defy.” An album which grapples with the familiar human emotion of hopelessness and how one can go about discovering their own inner strength amongst the darkest of times. A subject which clearly resonated with the crowd in Nashville; as fans clung to the barricade and screamed the lyrics at the top of their lungs. Clearly, Of Mice and Men made a positive impact upon their fans by encouraging them to dig deep within themselves and uncover what makes them “unbreakable.” By the end of OM&M’s set, only one artist remained, Beartooth. From passing conversations around the venue, I could sense that tonight was much more than watching an artist perform. Instead, for many individuals, it was a night where they could release their inner demons; a cathartic exorcism, as Beartooth’s latest album “Disease” tackled subject matter that was personal to everyone in the room.

“Disease” released via Red Bull Records on September 28th, 2018, was Beartooth’s “make or break album;” as Caleb Shomo put it, “It all came down to this album. Everything I had bottled up was released in this album.” If you aren’t aware, Caleb Shomo is incredibly upfront and personal about his struggles with mental illness, both in the press and on “Disease.” Which explains why the album is such an intimate album for the band and fans alike. As “Disease” was one of the primary catalysts in helping Caleb realize “that no matter how I feel, or how others feel about me. That does not mean in any way that I am weak, small, or worthless.” By being upfront and personal, the need for words dissipated; as Beartooth let the album speak for itself.

By the end of the night, it was clear the excitement was valid; as The Disease Tour Pt. II ended up being a night of high-energy music and cathartic release. As artists and fans confronted their demons and lifted each other up. As Beartooth encouraged each and every individual in the room to speak up and “stop being quiet;” and instead take the moment to talk to someone “and discover who they are outside of their own body.”

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression please reach out via 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.

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Joyous Wolf Rock Knoxville Before Album Release [REVIEW + PHOTOS]

Tucked away in the suburbs of Knoxville, Cotton Eyed Joe set aside their country roots for a night of rock ‘n’ roll. Support for Buckcherry’s Warpaint tour, Joyous Wolf kicked off the night guns blazing. 

A rare night, we were blessed to have had the opportunity to experience a longer set than normal - giving time to offer up a full set list of released songs, new music from their upcoming EP, and a few covers. 

Joyous Wolf’s energy struck the stage and ricocheted to every corner of the venue. With Nick as the frontman, Blake on guitar, Greg on bass, and Robert on drums, together - INCENDIARY. It felt natural, real, and raw. As Blake dug into his solos, Nick and Greg would feed off the energy and vice versa. 

The music took over Nick like a shot of electricity. Twisting, turning, and shaking. His unruly energy keeps you intrigued, but his voice captures the emotion. Listening to Joyous Wold’s music lifts your spirits, but seeing them perform brings it to life in ways you’d never expect. Interacting with the crowd throughout the show and even after, the entire experience felt genuine. It makes you want to root them on even more so.

Joyous Wolf release their new EP, Place In Time, through Roadrunner Records this Friday, April 19th. Pre-order it here.

SET LIST

Undesired

Place In Time

Holy Driver

Had Enough

Said Too Much

Feel the Low

Slow Hand

Mississippi Queen

The Mechanic

Mother Rebel

Quiet Heart

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WATCH: The Ultra's New Music Video Is One Wild Ride

Got the need for speed?! Watch The Ultra’s brand new music video. Setting out to write a fun rock song, The band created the high speed chase track, ‘Hightail’.  Now, they’ve teamed up with producer, Jake Stark, to bring the song to life.

Discovered in 2018 by the same producer as Good Charlotte, All Time Low, 5SOS, and more, The Ultra have been on their own wild ride ever since. Their debut EP reached the Top 10 on Billboard Heatseekers and now they’re currently on tour. Catch them in Nashville on April 17th.

Stay up to date on new releases and show dates by following The Ultra on Instagram + Facebook.