School Boy Humor

http://www.facebook.com/schoolboyhumor

I won't lie, when I saw that I was being followed on Twitter by School Boy Humor, I thought it was something like Total Frat Move. Don't ask me why that was my first thought, because I'm not really sure why either. It just kinda happened.

But curiosity got the better of me and I looked into them, and I was quite surprised to find that SBH isn't a website about douchey things guys do, but in fact a rather good band.

Based out of Little Rock, AR, School Boy Humor is made up of twin brothers Phil and Anthony Evans and they have some of the catchiest beats I have heard. Their sound runs somewhere between The After Party and Breathe Carolina. What does that mean, you ask? It means they come at you harder than just your usual pop-punk/rock, but without the extra screaming vocals. (Not that I have anything against either, as my readers very well know.)

In fact, their beats are so infectious that as I sit here typing this, I can't help but bob my head with it. If you need something to get you pumped up or just want to listen to some damn good and catchy songs, SBH is the band for you.

But don't think that means they only do upbeat dance songs. These boys are versatile enough to make a heartwrenching love song or two. Don't believe me? Check out these lyrics. "There's nobody like your body when it's next to mine. I'm holding my breathe while you're holding on tight." Now, call me a sucker for love, but that is just sweet, ok.

There is also something to be said about a band that gets shit done. Since I have liked them on Facebook and followed them on Twitter, I don't go a day without seeing them promoting shows they're doing and responding to fans and inviting them to shows. Not only are they doing their time, but they seem like genuinely nice dudes, which gets you pretty damn far in my book. I missed them while they were here in Texas because I had work, but you don't have to miss them! They have tour dates up HERE. From what I can tell, they're currently up north, but it's only a matter of time before they get back down to the south.

Also, if you're in Texas and wanna see them in Arlington on your Spring Break, you definitely should. If it weren't for me working and covering SXSW, I'd be there in a second. (But mark my words, I WILL see these boys.) Information about that event HERE!

(One last sidenote: They definitely did a song with Jeffree Star, which is kind of badass. Just sayin.)

Go Download: You can pick up their albums, EPs and singles on iTunes. But personally, if you want a super fun song, check out their latest singles "Sex & Rock 'n Roll" and "7 Minutes In Heaven" :)





Also, I enjoy this cover. So you get TWO videos for these boys :D

Interview with Marcel Gadacz

I had the chance to interview Marcel Gadacz of Dream On, Dreamer on Valentine's day!
So here's a link!

You guys should check it out :)

http://www.rockedition.com/interviews/artist-interviews/interview-with-marcel-gadacz-of-dream-on-dreamer/

We Caught the Castle

http://www.wecaughtthecastle.com/

So I was checking my Tumblr, you know, to see if anyone thought any of my posts were interesting enough to reblog and whatnot when I saw that I gained a new follower! Gaining a new follower on Tumblr always excites me because I figure they're following me because the genuinely like what I post, which means they like me because my Tumblr is basically what the inside of my head looks like. Anyway, so I checked out who followed me, and much to my surprise, it was a guy by the name of Joe Sellers, and he is in a band.

Upon clicking on the video he had posted of his band, I just HAD to listen to more of their music. I have mentioned before that I am not a fan of the female voice. My iPod is dominated by men, mainly because women can just be so damn whiney. But We Caught the Castle's front woman Hollie Elizabeth could sure as HELL hold her own on my iTunes library. While I come to find that many female vocalists in the pop-rock/punk genre are often compared to Hayley Williams or Cassadee Pope, I can't help but feel that Hollie not only could run circles around the two, but should be one of the voices others are compared to instead. (Not that I have anything against Hayley Williams or Cassadee Pope. They just are not my favorite female vocalists.)

But Ms. Elizabeth's voice isn't the the main component of what makes WCTC so good. No, this band is one of those bands that has found the magical combination. Maybe separately they are all great, but together... well... together they're fucking menace. While Hollie is the main voice, Robbie Everett (Bass), Simon Jackman (Lead Guitar) and the aforementioned Joe (Rhythm Guitar) all contribute vocals, creating such a wonderful contrast to blast from my speakers.

Don't think that this means I've forgotten Zak Watson, the band's drummer, because this boy holds it down. Generally, I'm not immediately captured by drums. I am aware that they're there, but I get caught up in voices first, and then guitars, and so on. However, this time around, my ears are just drawn to the pulsing, driving, crashing sounds that he's doling out on his drum set, and boy are they pleased.

I also think I should mention that Simon rocks a killer guitar solo in their song "Say What You Want." (Fun fact: I just listened to that song three times in a row because I liked it so much.)

Basically, these guys are where it's at. As far as I'm concerned, I would consider them my favorite female fronted band, and that is saying something. They are definitely a gem, and I kind of feel like I need to personally thank Joe for following me on Tumblr so that I could discover them.

ALSO, they're going to drop an album in March. They're doing a launch party for it March 23, so I can only assume that it comes out around that time. So if you're in Reading, you should DEFINITELY check it out. (Just add this to the many list of reasons as to why I live in the wrong country. -.- I need to get to the England. STAT.)


Go Download: Everything they have on iTunes. Seriously. That's like, $6. So worth it.

Attack Attack! Interview

Hey guys!

This isn't really a band promotion as much as it is me spreading my interview with Andrew Wetzel of Attack Attack!

Check it out HERE!!!

The Victory

http://www.facebook.com/thevictoryofficial

It has been a very busy week. Very busy indeed. I've had assignments due for school, I had interviews for Rock Edition (shameless plug. My interviews aren't up yet, but you can still check the site!)and a concert to shoot. AND, on top of all that, I have accrued a countless number of awesome bands to post about via Twitter and I just could not decide who to write about in the limited free time that I had. That was until I went to finally make a decision and saw I had acquired a new street team follower. Curiosity got the better of me and holy cow am I glad it.

The Victory hails from Bergen County, NJ. Now, while many people may think of Jersey Shore first and foremost when thinking about New Jersey, my mind definitely jumps to the great musical talent that they have produced. Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli, Bruce Springsteen, My Chemical Romance, Jon Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah, Skid Row, Thursday, Senses Fail, The Early November. Seriously, the list goes on and on. Not to say that The Victory is comparable to acts like Frank Sinatra and whatnot, but it really doesn't come as a shock to me that these boys have talent. They seem to breed it in New Jersey.

The band themselves claim to "bring the edge of the Foo Fighters" with the "pop sensibility of Relient K" and had I not heard it for myself, I probably wouldn't believe that, only because what an odd combination! But they hit it right on the head with that one. If you just listen to the music Steve Conley, Mike Palatella, Jeff Lamber and Ryan Bertone lay down, you could imagine a harder voice laying over it. But personally, I enjoy these boys just as they are; with the roaring guitars and crashing drums supporting the sugar sweet vocals of Conley. (In fact, I enjoy it so much that I listened to their songs on repeat for like three goes before actually typing anything because I enjoyed it that much.)

And, on top of that, I can highly support a band who holds a strong stance on suicide prevention and awareness. They seem to have clear heads on their shoulders and are definitely making music that will get them somewhere.

I tip my hat to these boys and look forward to hearing much more from them.

Go Download: You can pick up their EP "Together" for free from their Bandcamp! It is so very worth it if I do say so myself. But my favorite song from them is "Lexi" which you can hear on their Facebook.

We Are The Ocean

http://wearetheocean.co.uk/

It always blows my mind how a band can be so popular in one place and then not known in another. Now, I will admit that this time around I was a part of the "not knowing" category, but I have rectified the situation as it is a TERRIBLE category to be in.

You see, I got to catch We Are The Ocean on tour with You Me At Six, The Swellers and Twin Atlantic earlier this week and if we're being quite honest, I wasn't sure what I was expecting. Aside from knowing that they were British, I knew nothing of them. They definitely blew my mind though when they played. They were SO energetic even though the crowd was not. (Not only was it a really small crowd, we didn't know them.) One of their vocalists, Dan Brown, would come into the crowd and sing and rock the fuck out. It was actually in the moment that he came down from the stage and into the crowd that I decided these guys were gonna be HUGE. So of course, after the show I bought their album from them and talked with their guitarists Liam Cromby (who is also the second vocalist) and Alfie Scully and let me tell you they are some pretty cool dudes. I'm sad I missed meeting the others because I can only imagine that they're just as cool. (For real though. They are just so nice. I can't emphasize that enough.)

Anyway, I researched them the next day, and was really surprised to find that they weren't as little known as I had assumed they were. They actually have the second highest amount of Facebook likes of the four on the tour, which made me feel even worse about having just now discovered them.

I think what I love most is the contrast in Dan and Liam's voices. Liam's is like silk. It's fine and soothing and pulls you in and then Dan comes in and vocally punches you in the face. And what's weirdest of all is that on paper they shouldn't be able to blend so wonderfully together. But honestly, their voices come together to create one of the most unique sounds I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.

Now, what I have deduced from having their album on repeat since purchasing it two days ago, is that these guys offer something that we just don't grow in the US. In fact, I can't think of any band from the US that I could possibly compare them to. They remind me of Fightstar, but I mean, Fightstar wasn't from America either. So, I think what I'm trying to tell you is that these boys know rock.

There are people out there who will say that they are "rock" and maybe they're a category of rock, but WATO is the real deal.

So if you like your drums hard hitting (Thank you Tom Whittaker!), your bass causing your chest cavity to vibrate (Thanks Jack Spence!), your guitars ripping up the air (Here's lookin at you Alfie and Liam!) and your vocals dirty and gritty (Get it Dan!) than you have found the band for you.

I can promise you that checking them out will only lead to one of the best musical experiences you could have.

Go Download: Their latest album, "Go Now And Live," from iTunes!!! (However, I would suggest seeing them in concert so you can buy the physical copy because it comes with a download card to get 10 acoustic tracks. And between you and me, their acoustic stuff is just as mindblowing as the full band stuff.)

Hollywood Ending

http://www.facebook.com/hollywoodendingband

To start this post, I’d like to quote what I told Siri when we saw this band live.

“It’s like I’m witnessing the beginning of Boy Band Era 2.0. And I like it.”

Where do I start with Hollywood Ending? The first time I had ever heard of them was when I saw them live in San Antonio. Thus, I had a completely clean slate when hearing them. I won’t lie, when they walked onstage my first thought was “Daw, aren’t they just adorable!” And it’s true! They’re like, the cutest things ever. And then they started playing and then I was like, oh well they’re kind of awesome.

They brought the energy and they brought the talent. True, it’s raw talent, they’re such a young band that they have so much growth left, but that’s the crazy part. They’re starting at a place many pop acts end at. It’s kind of exciting, you know?

They reminded me a lot of Busted and McFly, a huge compliment since I adore them both (and funny, because the bassist’s brother was in Busted), and I couldn’t help but want to dance to their music. It was just light hearted fun music.

Now, I guess I should fill you in on the facts. They were a part of Disney’s Next Big Thing, like Allstar Weekend, and while I don’t like Disney acts (not because it’s Disney, but because to me it feels like a cash cow sort of deal. How many actors/actresses have they thrown into singing?) I can appreciate what they do with the Next Big Thing competition. They also don’t have an EP or album out, just singles released through N.B.T. They’re from ALL over, be it different states or even different countries, and that kind of blew my mind, because most bands can’t get it together when they’re from the same place let alone all over. They’re between the ages of 17-19 and I do believe that N.B.T. was the first thing they did as a band. (In case you were wondering, all this Disney stuff went down summer/ fall 2011. So they are seriously a young band.) AAAAND, they didn’t win N.B.T.

Not that that is a bad thing. You see, now they aren’t tied down to the mouse shaped anchor that would have held them back. Like I said, these boys are young, but they won’t be young forever and while Disney gave them the exposure they needed, they now can do what they want and head in the direction that won’t have them written off as “just another Disney band.”

Also, like just about every band I’ve written about, they’re really sweet, which made me appreciate them that much more.

So if I were you, I’d be on the lookout for some stuff from them. I foresee them going down the same route as ADub (Allstar Weekend for you non-fangirls. Lmao.) and if they DO follow that path, I will VERY much enjoy watching them in the future :3

Go Download: Well, like I said, all they have out right now are two singles. So go get em on iTunes!!!!

The After Party

http://www.facebook.com/theafterpartymusic\

You know when a blockbuster comes out? And everyone hypes it up SOOOOO much and your expectations are so high that by the time you finally do get around to seeing the movie, it just can't live up to the hype? (Here's lookin at you Shutter Island.) Well, that was my biggest fear with The After Party. You see, my dear friend Siri actually knows these guys, so of course she told me about how awesome they were. So yeah, they had a lot to live up to.

And you wanna know what?

They definitely met my expectations, if not exceeded them. I got the chance to see them on the "All The Way" Tour with Allstar Weekend, Hollywood Ending and Before You Exit when they were in San Antonio. (You know, because for some reason bands have an aversion to Austin in the Spring. We're cool too, ok!) And boy did they put on a show. They were up beat, and dancing, and just having a damn good time even though the venue was seriously lacking in AC.

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I can appreciate a song with a good catchy beat that is like caffeine for the soul, and this band has managed to capture that in all their songs.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! You think they're just a fun pop group that can only make songs that make you wanna dance, be it at a show or around in your room with a hairbrush microphone (I'm still allowed to do that even though I'm turning 21 this year, right?), but you're wrong! They even have the sentimental ballad, "California," that is just so sweet. When they played it at the show-- with doctored lyrics to say San Antonio instead-- My heart may have melted just a little bit. It probably would have melted more if I was actually from San Antonio, but whatever. I can still appreciate lol.

BUT WAIT! IT GETS EVEN BETTER! They are really nice guys. And you guys know by now that I hold bands with nice guys up pretty high. We talked with them for a bit after the show and they just seemed like genuinely nice guys. (Ok, well I didn't get to talk to Kenny, the lead singer, but he seems like a cool dude too lol)

Anyway, now that I've digressed multiple times, you guys should know that I've fallen pretty hardcore for these boys, and their CD that Siri made me isn't going to be leaving my car CD player anytime soon.

Go Download: Their self-titled EP from iTunes!!! (And also, have I mentioned that they covered *NSYNC and actually did them justice? I didn't? Well. They did.)

Can I also just say that I can back any boys that rock the fake moustache XD

Summit Grove

http://www.facebook.com/summitgroveband

Before I start this post, I just want to let you guys know that I went to an awesome concert last night, and now have a handful of bands to promote. But I'm going to start with a band that DIDN'T perform last night.

How does that work you ask? Well, I bought my little sister an Allstar Weekend shirt because she loves them just as much as I do, but lives in Alabama, thus couldn't come with me. In buying that shirt, their super nice merch guy handed me this flyer type dealy for his band.



Well, because he was so nice, I HAD to give him a chance, right? And I'm glad I did. In fact, I wish this band had been on the ticket as well because they would have fit in wonderfully amongst the others. I really like Jason Carter's voice (he was the merch guy, guitarist Vincent Rennie adds beautiful guitar to those vocals and Dominic Rennie has the percussion down on lock. For real, the longer I sit here at my computer listening to their release "What We're Fighting For," the more I wish I had gotten to seen them live.

That's ok though. I guess this just means that they will have to come to Austin sometime :)

They kind of remind me of Cartel with a hint of Allstar Weekend. Allstar Cartel. (Hah, was that funny? No? Womp.) And I will certainly be adding them to my iPod. I highly suggest you do the same and keep watch for them.

Their sound is definitely something I can imagine getting big. You go, Summit Grove! (And really. You should come to Austin. Just sayin.)

Go Download: Their whole EP on iTunes! It is DEFINITELY worth the $4.95. (But if you're wondering which song is my fave, then check out "Waiting On One Knee")