Review - Jonny Manak and the Depressives

Band: Jonny Manak and The Depressives
Album: Rebound Town
Label: Reach Around Records
Rating: 2.5/5

In all my years of listening to music I haven’t come across a band that I would label “punk n’ roll,” mainly because it’s super cheesy. Jonny Manak and The Depressives definitely would fit into that genre. Some songs are purely punk, others are purely 50-60s rock n’ roll and then there are also songs that mix the two. The most impressive thing about Rebound Town is that Jonny Manak recorded each instrument on his own. There shouldn’t be a doubt in anybody’s mind that Jonny is talented. The guy can play violin, clarinet, trumpet, guitar, bass, and drums and also find time to become a professional skateboarder.

The opening track “Down the Drain” is one song that mixes punk and 50-60s rock n’ roll. Frankly it’s a bore and not a great way to start off an album. The next track “She said Yeah” begins the album’s redemption. The hailing guitar in the intro and the catchy melody is what you would hope to find throughout the whole record. Unfortunately, it only happens a couple of times. Possibly the best part of the whole record is that the songs only range in time from one to two minutes. Any track you don’t like is pretty much over by the time you’re ready to go to the next one.

I would have liked to see Jonny display some more of his guitar skills that can be found in tracks like “She said Yeah” and “Young Girls.” Those are the songs that seem to really work for this band.

Rebound Town as a whole comes off as Jonny being super confused about whether punk or rock n’ roll is his favorite genre. It was almost like a fight between the two. They square off as equals on the track “Down the Drain.” On the track “Sacrifice” punk starts to break away… but wait! Rock n’ roll comes back with a nasty uppercut on the track “No More Lucy.” Whether punk or rock n’ roll ends up winning, you have to be cheering for both sides to be able to enjoy this album.

Say Anything Song on Scrubs

Say Anthing's song "Alive with Glory" will be played on tonights episode of Scrubs on NBC which airs at 9:30.

UK Tour

Hellogoodbye, Say Anything, Sherwood and Go Audio (Epic UK) are going on a string of UK dates starting 11/27 in Cardiff.

Tue 11/27 Cardiff, UKUni Great Hall
Wed 11/28 Exeter, UKLemon Grove
Thu 11/29 Portsmouth, UKPyramids Centre
Fri 11/30 Cambridge, UKCorn Exchange
Sat 12/1 OFF
Sun 12/2 Sheffield, UKLeadmill
Mon 12/3 Newcastle, UKAcademy
Tue 12/4 Glasgow, Scotland
Wed 12/5 Leeds, UKCockpit
Thu 12/6 OFF
Fri 12/7 Brixton, UKAcademy
Sat 12/8 Folkstone, UKLees Cliff Hall
Sun 12/9 Norwich, UKUEA
Mon 12/10 Birmingham, UKAcademy
Tue 12/11 Manchester, UKAcademy

Light the Night

Jack's Mannequin is spreading the word about the Light the Night Walk. Here's what they have to say:

Jack's Mannequin has teamed up with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for its second national Light the Night Walk team. These walks happen throughout the nation help raise funds and awareness about blood diseases. In 2006, the Jack's Mannequin Team raised $30,000, and we're hoping that we can do even better this year. There is a lot of power in numbers. If each of us signs up and helps to raise a little bit, than we can help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in raising more money this year. Even if you are physically unable to make it to the actual walksite, you can still help by being a virtual walker and fundraising.

Signing up is easy! All you have to do is go to www.lightthenight.org and sign up for the Jack's Mannequin Team. You can also visit the Dear Jack Foundation site for detailed instructions on how to sign up. Once you're signed up, you can set your fundraising goal, and then send out e-mails to your friends and family about sponsoring your walk.

We've also got a few prizes going on for the walksite teams and individual that raise the most money.

- Walksite Team prize : Signed Jack's Mannequin lithographs
- Individual prize : Signed Jack's Mannequin lithograph, signed piano key, 2 tickets and private meet and greet to any upcoming Jack's Mannequin show.

Thanks!
Team Jack's Mannequin

Radiohead Tour

An international Radiohead tour is in the works starting in May 2008 and lasting until about the end of the year.

RIP - Joey Bishop and The Rat Pack

Yesterday they announced that Joey Bishop, the last surviving member of the Rat Pack, died at 89. I was lucky enough to meet him a couple of times since he was my neighbor. He had some incredible stories. A couple of the stories that he told me include how he gave Regis Philbin his start as an announcer on his late night talk show and how he was the one that introduced Sammy Davis Jr to Sinatra. It is a sad day but he is in a much better place now reconnected with his wife.

Interview - The Spill Canvas

This is the interview that I did with The Spill Canvas for forthesound.com. I wrote a majority of the question minus the last few. I was happy that I could be part of this interview it should be a fun read for fans of The Spill Canvas. Enjoy!

For the record can you please first state your name and the instrument you play.

Nick Thomas: Nick Thomas, and I play guitar and sing in The Spill Canvas.

How would you compare the recording process on No Really, I'm Fine to One Fell Swoop?

Nick Thomas: Completely different worlds, but both ventures were still amazing. NRIF was a huge step for us as musicians and people, where as OFS was more of a test run as a full rock band.

What inspired the title of your new album?

Nick Thomas: It's one of those things that the listener can plug into their own context. To me, it represented the lyrical content of the album, and what I was going through in my life. It's obviously laced in sarcasm and I always enjoy some good dark humor.

What is your favorite track off of the new album?

Nick Thomas: It's a toss up between Low Fidelity and Battles

What was it like working with Andrew McMahon on "Saved"?

Nick Thomas: It was amazing. He's such an awesome person as well as a great musician. He was home while we were in LA recording and we just hung out and he tickled some ivory. I love collaborating, and I would do anything with that guy again in a heartbeat.

How did you get hooked up with Andrew?

Nick Thomas: We were friends from bamboozle and had hung out as much as we could while were in the same area doing business, and he is now a labelmate. It was just a natural choice to have him on the record.

How did you get chosen to be part of the Punk Goes Acoustic 2
compilation?

Nick Thomas: I honestly have no idea, sorry, haha. But it was awesome
being a part of it!

What do you think about Radiohead letting listeners set the price for their new album?

Nick Thomas: I had never heard about that, but that is fucking amazing regardless. The music "business" is actually a business that needs money to survive. Bypassing all the downloading/pirating crap music is still music at the end of the day. A band like Radiohead knows that too.

What has been the most memorable concert that you have played to date?

Nick Thomas: Bamboozle 2007. Amazing.

What was the first concert that you ever attended?

Nick Thomas: Rod Stewart. With my dad. I was 7 and fell asleep after a few songs.

What would be the dream line-up and location for a concert you
would go to?

Nick Thomas:: Van Morrison, Jimmy Eat World, Saves the Day, G&R, Coldplay.

If not mentioned previously, could you please provide an insight to the track "All Over You". What are the emotions running behind this track?

Nick Thomas: It's a classic love song. I would go into more detail, but I
would have to kill you.

If you weren't doing what you do now, making music....What would you see yourself doing?

Nick Thomas: Zamboni Driver. Maybe a teacher. Maybe both.

This last question may be a little brash, however if you could pick just one song that best describes The Spill Canvas and to have it blast on every radio station across this planet, which song would it be and why.

Nick Thomas: I, unfortunately, cannot answer this jam because I am close to all of the songs. If I had to pick, my head would explode like that guy from scanners. Remember that movie? crazy....

Thank you to Nick and Carlos from Total Assault for making this interview posible.

Video Teaser

Say Anything has created a video teaser for their new album In Defense of the Genre. The video says that now the album wont be available in stores until 10/23.

Review - Steel Train

Band: Steel Train
Album: Trampoline
Label: Drive-Thru Records
Rating: 4/5

Steel Train has always been a band that puts out unbelievably good music and gets little recognition for it.

I remember hearing the song “Alley Cat” off of Steel Train’s debut EP For You My Dear. The track pulled me in and proved that the album was worth buying. “Night Falls,” another track off that album, was the song that completely hooked me. Those accustomed to the band’s sound likely noticed a big change when Steel Train released their first full-length album Twilight Tales From the Prairies of the Sun. They strayed away from the acoustic base and Scott Irby-Rannier handed over lead vocals to Jack Antonoff. The full-band continues to allow Steel Train to be creative and expand their sound. Despite this, there is still a part of me longing for another brilliant song along the lines of “Night Falls.”

With their sophomore and newest album Trampoline, Steel Train’s sound has progressed but the change isn’t as drastic as it was between their first two releases. Trampoline still has a distinct folk-rock feel but this time around the band has added an indie pop dimension. It’s different and amazing. The opening track “I Feel Weird” has an upbeat tempo that hooks you from the very first down beat. The next track, “Black Eye,” is a good example of how the group’s back-up vocals work to develop and solidify all of their songs.

The band has a solid fan base but I would expect their music to draw a bigger audience. It could be because of their relationship with pop punk based Drive Thru Records. Steel Train might be one of the biggest bands in the indie world if they were signed to a label like Sub Pop. Either way, the band has returned with another amazing record and simply continues jamming.

I wouldn’t say that every song on Trampoline is an instant hit, but all the tracks are pretty solid. If you’re a fan of 70s rock, folk-rock, jam music or indie pop you should definitely give Trampoline a listen.


Recommended Tracks: “I Feel Weird,” “Black Eye,” and “Firecracker”

Rage Announces More Dates

When Rage Against the Machine announced they would play Coachella and then three dates on Rock the Bells that was supposed to be it, right? Apparently Rage had other plans in mind as every Rage fan had hoped. I caught them at the San Bernardino show on Rock the Bells. I wanted to catch them just in case they never played again but it looks like I might get another chance one day as Rage just announced new dates in Japan and Australia. This can only add more hope that there might be a new Rage album on the horizon, it just might happen.

Dates:

Jan. 18 - Auckland, New Zealand @ Mt. Smart Stadium
Jan. 20 - Gold Coast, Australia @ Parklands
Jan. 25 - Sydney, Australia @ Olympic Park Showgrounds
Jan. 28 - Melbourne, Australia @ Flemington Racecourse
Feb. 01 - Adelaide, Australia @ RA&HS Showgrounds
Feb. 03 - Perth, Australia @ Claremont Showgrounds
Feb. 07 - Osaka, Castle Hall
Feb. 09 - Tokyo, Makuhari Messe
Feb. 10 - Tokyo, Makuhari Messe

Stream New Thrice

You can stream Thrice's new album on their myspace.

Ska Makes A Return

When the Mighty Mighty Bosstones took a four year break it seemed that ska went on hiatus. The Bosstones recently announced their triumphant come back by playing 5 shows in their hometown of Boston which is being promoted as Hometown Throwdown. The message from the band's website can be seen below.

"FINALLY!!

After a four+ year break in the action the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are geared up and ready to make some MORE NOISE!!! The band will mark their return to action with HOMETOWN THROWDOWN #10 @ the Middle East Club in Cambridge, MA December 26, 27, 28, 29 + 30. Tickets for the now legendary, ultra-intimate holiday home stand will go on-sale through Ticketmaster on Friday, October 19 at 10AM. Advance tickets for all shows are available without fees or service charges at the Middle East Box Office (open 1pm-7pm EST daily) located at 472 Mass Ave. in Cambridge, Central Square stop on the Red Line. All shows are 18+ and there will be a two ticket limit per show."

Review - The Frantic

Band: The Frantic
Album: Audio & Murder
Label: Sinister Muse Records
Rating: 1 out of 5

In a world that is now dominated by pop punk The Frantic take the purely punk rock route. You might expect another Fallout Boy wannabe from a band comprised mostly of 17 year olds. Instead, The Frantic is more like The Ramones. The step back to punk rock could be refreshing but unfortunately The Frantic is nothing to get too excited about.

If you’re looking for some good punk rock you should go ahead and pick up The Ramones, Bad Religion, or Alkaline Trio. The big difference between those bands and The Frantic is that the classic punk rock bands have songs that are actually catchy. Throughout the 25 minutes of The Frantic’s debut album Audio & Murder there isn’t one track that stands out. Each song could easily blend with the next and pass by without you even noticing. The track “Movin’ Along”, which has an alt country feel, seems like the group’s only attempt at originality. Unfortunately the track just comes off as being really cheesy and out of place.

The Frantic has accomplished a lot at a young age but still need plenty of time to progress their sound. I recommend they keep playing and try to write songs that are a little more distinct. Some maturing should help their sound, but for now Audio & Murder has little value. I wouldn’t even consider adding it to your music collection.

AP Cover

Say Anything will be featured on the cover of the December issue of Alternative Press.

Facebook Singing a New Tune

It appears that Facebook.com’s “secret” music project won’t be an iTunes-like music store as rumored but a venue for musician profiles venue similar to that of MySpace.com.

Rafat Ali of PaidContent says that the project is a sort of “artist platform” that will let bands and labels make artist profiles. It will also “allow various widgets to be embedded for music promotion, organizing events, etc.,” said Ali. These widgets will be similar to current Facebook “applications” and will continue to be made by third-party programmers.

The project promises to take the Facebook versus MySpace competition to new heights. This is especially true since MySpace’s music enterprise is one of the things that made them popular in the first place and until now has set them apart from many other social networking sites.

Hopefully the competition between the two Internet super powers will result in constant improvements in the quality and performance of each website. That should show the world that sweet sweet capitalism is still alive and well.

RIAA Using Fear as their Tactic

RIAA has filed tons of lawsuits against people that have illegally downloaded music. Most of the cases have been settled or dismissed before they have gotten to court. The first trial that has made its way to court was a victory for the RIAA and the record industry. Jammie Thomas is liable for $222,000 of copyright infringement damage. A little harsh? Or did Thomas get what she deserved? Either way the RIAA has decided that inflicting fear into users is the only way to stop illegal downloading. Read the story here.

Eve 6 is Back?

Eve 6 have reunited after the band broke up in July of 2004. I'm not sure that anybody really realized they were gone until this moment. But what the hell get in your delorean and gun it to 88 mph and lets go back to the 90s because Eve 6 is planing on recording a new album and following it up with a headlining tour.

Review - The Wonder Years

Band: The Wonder Years
Album: Get Stoked On It!
Label: No Sleep Records
Rating: 3 out 5

The Wonder Years fall under a little subgenre that I like to call popcore. For those who can’t figure it out, it’s a mix between pop punk and hardcore. Basically take Set Your Goals and Motion City Soundtrack and you should get a pretty good idea what The Wonder Years sounds like. Like many other pop punk bands The Wonder Years like to sing about random and funny topics like the Kool-Aid Man, pirates going to the prom, dinosaurs going extinct and the constant anxiety felt by the wife of a ninja. It’s clear that on their debut album Get Stoked On It! the band is out to have a good time and make fun music.

Despite the album’s overall catchiness, opening track “Keystone State Dude-core” doesn’t seem well placed on the album. It might have been better located in the middle of the record as an interlude between two songs because the song alone lacks a little in the catchy department. A better choice would have been to open the album with the track “Bout to Get Fruit Punched, Homie,” which is probably the best song on the album. This track really demonstrates the best qualities of the band: Jordan Pundik-like vocals, Motion City Soundtrack keyboards, and Comeback Kid group vocals. In addition, Set Your Goal fans that are looking for something else to listen to should really enjoy this release.

Get Stoked On It! is a fun listen for lovers of popcore with lyrics that are ridiculously funny. Will this be anybody’s favorite album (or band for that matter)? I would venture to say no. Still it’s a decent debut album and should allow The Wonder Years to continue making music for a living. On their next release I would like to see them be a little bit more experimental with their sound and separate themselves from the crowd.

"Did I do that?"

Halloween came early for Kanye West as he sported his best Urkel costume to the Dior fashion show in Paris on Monday. The only thing missing from his attempt at high fashion were some seriously high waisted pants.

Although West schooled 50 Cent in album sales, it looks like his Graduation from style school is still a long time coming.

Yes Kanye, you did do that.

Radiohead Distrubution Madness

Radiohead is making headlines for the way they are going to distribute their new record. For the first time ever the fans can decide how much they want to pay for the album. Simply type in the amount and pay it, although this is only for the digital download. They are selling a "disc box" which includes the cd, a vinyl copy of the album, artwork and lyric booklets and an enhanced album that includes extra songs, photographs and artwork. This will come to you at a steep price of $80.

I personally tried to go and do the digital download and it was a lengthy process. I set up an account and then typed in my username and password and it said that their was an error with my details. I will go back later today and try it again. If I have any success I will let you know.