Jared Kaufman
02/22/04, 07:26 AM
This week I'm going to recommend a couple bands that I'm sure some of you know, but I feel they are VERY underrated and could use a lot more exposure or not enough people know of them yet. So until these bands reach the final mark of world domination I won't stop making sure people know who they are. Also, my boy Nick from The Junior Varsity will be sending out some of his picks so peep those under mine as well. Enjoy.
Park (http://www.parkmusic.com) - I finally just bought their latest album, It Won't Snow Where You're Going, and now I'm kicking myself for not getting it sooner. I had always heard great things about it and didn't doubt it would be good, but other things just always came before it. Now I must admit I regret that and wish I had bought it when it was first released. With that aside, this album is marvelous. I think Ladd has some amazing vocals mixed with his bands amazing harmonies and perfect timing on additional effects (i.e., screams, sounds, etc). Standout track: "Dear Sweet Imapler"
Brazil (http://www.braziltheband.com/) - I had heard this band a long time ago and wasn't too impressed so I just tossed them aside. Then I heard they'd be on the Coheed & Cambria and Funeral For A Friend tour so I decided to check them out again. With their new song just released on their site they have taken a new stand in my opinion. This band has me anticipating their upcoming record A Hostage And The Meaning of Life just as much as some other big names dropping this year. I think what caught me about this band was at how some parts the lead singer's voice reminded me of Cedric (The Mars Volta) from when he was in At The Drive In (just as some parts not all the time). I definitely can't wait to check out these guys on the upcoming tour as well. Do yourself a favor and go listen to their song at their site.
Northstar (http://www.isthisthingloaded.com) - I LOVE THIS BAND. Another album, Pollyanna, that I'm anticipating just as much as the big names coming out this year. Is This Thing Loaded is definitely one of my favorite albums and sure as heck does not receive a lot of the credit that it deserves. I've heard a lot of people talk about this band and I've NEVER heard anyone say anything bad about them. I just think more people need to know them and get into them. Alabama CAN rock!
Moneen (http://www.moneen.com) - And this band proves that Canada can rock too. These guys are by far nowhere near where they need to be on the popularity level. This is one of the bands that puts their heart and soul into every performance every night. You can tell this band loves their music and loves what they're doing .. with a passion. They possibly are some of the nicest guys ever as well which even rubs off from their live show while you watch them. I mean these guys have to have something to offer if bands like Taking Back Sunday, Saves The Day, Brand New, Senses Fail, and more continue to scoop them up to take them on tour.
As Patient Stars Align (http://www.purevolume.com/aspatientstarsalign) - I know there are some fans of synth rock (i.e. Motion City Soundtrack, The Junior Varsity, etc) here so all of you need to check out this band. This band is making it's way onto my set of recommendations for the third week in a row. This band has it guys. Chris March (February, October, whatever his name is) and I have not stopped listening to this band. We can see it .. they have the potential to go far. I will not stop 'til this band is on the tips of everyone's tongues. Might I add, this band has probably only been a band for two or three months. Now tell me what you think.
Anyway, I hope some of you are digging my recommendations and either 1). haven't heard of some of these bands are going to check them out, 2). have heard of them and just haven't listened in awhile, or 3). were skeptical at first to even check them out and will so now. With that said, check out my boy Nick's (The Junior Varsity) recommendations below. 'Til next week...
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Disclaimer: The coincidences in our picks was just that .. they were not planned. It's just great minds think alike.
Nick - The Junior Varsity (http://www.thejuniorvarsity.com)
Fire When Ready (http://www.firewhenready.com) - This band hails from New York and we have played a couple shows with them. They are really good Indie-rock-emo-i-dont-even-know. These guys are currently touring like MACHINES all over the place. Do yourself a favor and go see them.
June (http://www.drivelikejune.com) - Formerly, Drive Like June, this is a band to look out for this summer . They put on a great show, have great tunes and are like brothers to us. I'm really excited to hear this bands album that they will be putting out with The Vinyl Summer Recordings (http://www.thevinylsummer.com) this summer. But for now go check them out here (http://www.purevolume.com/june).
Moneen (http://www.moneen.com) - Friends of ours from Canada. Hands down - The BEST "Agressive Melodic Pop" band I have ever heard. Their newest album "Are we really happy.." is incredible. The only thing that tops their music is their live show and their kindness as humans.
The Phoenix Rising (http://www.thephoenixrising.net) - These guys are from our neck of the woods. We played our CO-CD release show with them in Chicago and had a really good time. Their new album Lullaby out on Action Height Records (http://www.actionheights.com/) sounds incredible and was recorded at Nada Studios.
Park (www.parkmusic.com) - We play with these guys more than most of you kids wash your girl jeans. Great friends of ours with an INCREDIBLE new album out on Lobster. If you haven't checked these guys out you're wasting your time with anything you listen to right now. Also be sure to say hi to their brand new bass player Jansen he is on tour with them right now and has a great heart.
Also, I'd like to thank Chris from Blame Twilight (http://www.blametwilight.com) for filling in on drums for us last week because Tony could not make a show. He did an incredible job and it means more than the world to us that he filled in for us at the last minute by listening to our CD for 2 1/2 hours straight all the way to the show to learn his parts.
Park (http://www.parkmusic.com) - I finally just bought their latest album, It Won't Snow Where You're Going, and now I'm kicking myself for not getting it sooner. I had always heard great things about it and didn't doubt it would be good, but other things just always came before it. Now I must admit I regret that and wish I had bought it when it was first released. With that aside, this album is marvelous. I think Ladd has some amazing vocals mixed with his bands amazing harmonies and perfect timing on additional effects (i.e., screams, sounds, etc). Standout track: "Dear Sweet Imapler"
Brazil (http://www.braziltheband.com/) - I had heard this band a long time ago and wasn't too impressed so I just tossed them aside. Then I heard they'd be on the Coheed & Cambria and Funeral For A Friend tour so I decided to check them out again. With their new song just released on their site they have taken a new stand in my opinion. This band has me anticipating their upcoming record A Hostage And The Meaning of Life just as much as some other big names dropping this year. I think what caught me about this band was at how some parts the lead singer's voice reminded me of Cedric (The Mars Volta) from when he was in At The Drive In (just as some parts not all the time). I definitely can't wait to check out these guys on the upcoming tour as well. Do yourself a favor and go listen to their song at their site.
Northstar (http://www.isthisthingloaded.com) - I LOVE THIS BAND. Another album, Pollyanna, that I'm anticipating just as much as the big names coming out this year. Is This Thing Loaded is definitely one of my favorite albums and sure as heck does not receive a lot of the credit that it deserves. I've heard a lot of people talk about this band and I've NEVER heard anyone say anything bad about them. I just think more people need to know them and get into them. Alabama CAN rock!
Moneen (http://www.moneen.com) - And this band proves that Canada can rock too. These guys are by far nowhere near where they need to be on the popularity level. This is one of the bands that puts their heart and soul into every performance every night. You can tell this band loves their music and loves what they're doing .. with a passion. They possibly are some of the nicest guys ever as well which even rubs off from their live show while you watch them. I mean these guys have to have something to offer if bands like Taking Back Sunday, Saves The Day, Brand New, Senses Fail, and more continue to scoop them up to take them on tour.
As Patient Stars Align (http://www.purevolume.com/aspatientstarsalign) - I know there are some fans of synth rock (i.e. Motion City Soundtrack, The Junior Varsity, etc) here so all of you need to check out this band. This band is making it's way onto my set of recommendations for the third week in a row. This band has it guys. Chris March (February, October, whatever his name is) and I have not stopped listening to this band. We can see it .. they have the potential to go far. I will not stop 'til this band is on the tips of everyone's tongues. Might I add, this band has probably only been a band for two or three months. Now tell me what you think.
Anyway, I hope some of you are digging my recommendations and either 1). haven't heard of some of these bands are going to check them out, 2). have heard of them and just haven't listened in awhile, or 3). were skeptical at first to even check them out and will so now. With that said, check out my boy Nick's (The Junior Varsity) recommendations below. 'Til next week...
___________________________________ ___________________________________ _________________________
Disclaimer: The coincidences in our picks was just that .. they were not planned. It's just great minds think alike.
Nick - The Junior Varsity (http://www.thejuniorvarsity.com)
Fire When Ready (http://www.firewhenready.com) - This band hails from New York and we have played a couple shows with them. They are really good Indie-rock-emo-i-dont-even-know. These guys are currently touring like MACHINES all over the place. Do yourself a favor and go see them.
June (http://www.drivelikejune.com) - Formerly, Drive Like June, this is a band to look out for this summer . They put on a great show, have great tunes and are like brothers to us. I'm really excited to hear this bands album that they will be putting out with The Vinyl Summer Recordings (http://www.thevinylsummer.com) this summer. But for now go check them out here (http://www.purevolume.com/june).
Moneen (http://www.moneen.com) - Friends of ours from Canada. Hands down - The BEST "Agressive Melodic Pop" band I have ever heard. Their newest album "Are we really happy.." is incredible. The only thing that tops their music is their live show and their kindness as humans.
The Phoenix Rising (http://www.thephoenixrising.net) - These guys are from our neck of the woods. We played our CO-CD release show with them in Chicago and had a really good time. Their new album Lullaby out on Action Height Records (http://www.actionheights.com/) sounds incredible and was recorded at Nada Studios.
Park (www.parkmusic.com) - We play with these guys more than most of you kids wash your girl jeans. Great friends of ours with an INCREDIBLE new album out on Lobster. If you haven't checked these guys out you're wasting your time with anything you listen to right now. Also be sure to say hi to their brand new bass player Jansen he is on tour with them right now and has a great heart.
Also, I'd like to thank Chris from Blame Twilight (http://www.blametwilight.com) for filling in on drums for us last week because Tony could not make a show. He did an incredible job and it means more than the world to us that he filled in for us at the last minute by listening to our CD for 2 1/2 hours straight all the way to the show to learn his parts.