Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Jason LaRocca of the Briggs

I was able to catch up with Briggs' guitarist Jason LaRocca to find out how the tour was going, what the reaction has been to their new album, Come All You Madmen, and what's up next.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

Been good, we have our crew of bands that we are having a great time with; The Aggrolites, Against Me!, The Bouncing Souls, Reel Big Fish. It's going very well.


RnRnMN: Have you played Warped Tours in the past? If so, how does this year compare?

We have done bits and pieces of the tour since 2002. I would say that so far this one has been the toughest as far as the punk scene goes. There aren't that many of us out on the tour this year. So far I would say that 2007 was the best line up in my opinion. The tour this year is by no means however bumming me out. It's great. It isn't the same however without a band like Bad Religion on the tour.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for?

Some yes, some no. Sometimes we play very early and a lot of our fans miss our set. Sometimes you play right in the middle of the day and play for a thousand people or more.


RnRnMN: How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

The smaller shows are great. They are intimate and always are a great time. It is fun though to be able to see so much music in the course of a single day. It's a different animal.


RnRnMN: How has the reaction been to the songs off the new album, Come All You Madmen?

A lot better than I was expecting. Even before the record came out when we started the tour there were tons of kids singing along to the new songs. That is a great feeling!!


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

Dillinger Escape Plan


RnRnMN: There are a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

Well, in the first place someone who is coming to see a punk show only has about four bands to choose from this year. It actually makes the decision process nice and easy.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

All I know is that I show up and there is a stage and a bunch of kids and we go completely fucking nuts and that's that. It doesn't really affect my world any different than any other "non-sponsored" show would. Maybe it's nicer to someone else's pocket? But not mine.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

Leeds and Reading Fest in the UK with Rage Against The Machine!

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Check out the Briggs' latest video for "Charge At The Sun".

Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Annabel - Summer of Fun Tour (July 23 - Aug 02)

* Tour of Southeast with Delay begins today
* In support of debut EP Now That We're Alive


Beginning today, Annabel (Kent, OH) is hitting the road for a little southern lovin' in support of its well-received debut EP Now That We're Alive. Playing an infectious brand of indie pop laced with feverish melodies, Annabel balances it all with post-punk dynamics that convey a heightened sense of urgency. The trio takes the best from several different genres, forging their own unique path as Now That We're Alive shines a bright light on the band's future.

Check out a free mp3s for the song "Boquet Mines."

You can also watch Annabel's Pink Couch Session where they perform a great acoustic version of "Parade Rest." The video comes courtesy of the always entertaining and endlessly explorable If You Make It.

TOUR
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JUL 23 - Durham, NC @ Bull City Headquarters w/ Delay, Friendly Fire, Resist Not
JUL 24 - Saint Augustine, FL @ Nobby's Sports Bar w/ Delay, The Winslows, Cough, Dark Castle
JUL 25 - Jacksonville, FL @ Shanty Town Pub w/ Delay, Monikers
JUL 26 - Orlando, FL @ The Black Box Collective w/ Delay, Monikers
JUL 27 - Naples, FL @ TBA w/ Delay
JUL 28 - Tampa, FL @ Skate Park of Tampa w/ The Tim Version, New Bruises, Inertia!, Crow's Path
JUL 29 - Gainesville, FL @ Wayward Council w/ Jammy Dodgers
JUL 30 - Tallahassee, FL @ Oafhouse
JUL 31 - Pensacola, FL @ Sluggo's w/ Delay
AUG 01 - Atlanta, GA @ 141 Moreland w/ Delay, Shang-A-Lang, Jonsin'
AUG 02 - Athens, GA @ The Hangar w/ Delay, Nana Grizol

A collection of infectious indie pop tunes with sharp melodies, released just in time to serve as the soundtrack for the spring and summer months. - Absolutepunk

Packing in driving, spiraling shoegaze guitars with the vocals hidden behind the ever so pleasant sounds they deliver. Highly recommended! - Collective Zine

Songs explode with lush layers of harmony vocals that take your breath away. This is a record you should own. - Jersey Beat

Annabel have the cojones to stand with some of the powerhouses in indie and post-rock. - Pastepunk

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Angels and Airwaves

This set is from Angels and Airwaves' set on the Highway 1 stage.



See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

War of Ages on tour, Arise and Conquer out today!

From Facedown Records:

Today we are happy to finally announce the release of the highly anticipated War of Ages album Arise and Conquer! War of Ages' collaboration with Tim Lambesis has produced incredible results and now you can hear the album in its entirety. See the Facedown website for more information on where to pick up a copy of Arise and Conquer. High quality DRM-free mp3s are also available directly from the Facedown site.

War of Ages is finishing up the Scream the Prayer tour right now in the northwest and will then play a couple of cd release shows in Erie, PA in August before they head out on the road again with Oh, Sleeper.


TOUR DATES:

July 22 - Portland, OR @ Rock N Roll Pizza
July 23 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
July 24 - Spokane, WA @ Service Station
July 25 - Boise, ID @ The Venue
July 26 - Orangevale, CA @ Club Retro
Aug. 8 – Erie, PA @ Forward Hall
Aug. 9 – Erie, PA @ Forward Hall

(Aug. 11 – 24 w/ Oh Sleeper, A Kiss For Jersey, Agraceful)
Aug. 12 - Chattanooga, TN @ The Warehouse
Aug. 13 - Toledo, OH @ Frankies
Aug. 14 - Westland, MI @ Skateland West
Aug. 15 - Dover, OH @ The Rock Bottom
Aug. 16 - Lewisberry, PA @ Ski Roundtop(Purple Door Festival)
Aug. 17 - Davidisonville, MD @ Riva Trace
Aug. 18 - Fredericksburg, VA @ The Refuge
Aug. 19 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Club Relevant
Aug. 20 - Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
Aug. 21 - Pilot Mountain,NC @ Downtown Pilot Mountain
Aug. 22 - Danville, VA @ Plan B
Aug. 23 - Jacksonville, NC @ Jacksonville USO
Aug. 24 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
Aug. 25 - Jacksonville, FL @ Fuel Coffeehouse
Aug. 26 - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
Aug. 27 - Pensacola, FL @ The Red Door w/ In Fear and Faith
Aug. 28 - Metairie, LA @ The High Ground w/ In Fear and Faith

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Cory Brandan of Norma Jean

Norma Jean is no stranger to touring festivals. They're one of the few bands that have played both Ozzfest and the Warped Tour. I caught their set at the tour stop in Columbia, MD on July 16th and they tore it up. I got a chance to check in with vocalist Cory Brandan to see how the tour has been going and what else is going on with the band.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

CB: She has been really good to us. She makes us pancakes every morning and showers us with gifts… it’s been a good time needless to say.


RnRnMN: You've also played Ozzfest. How do the two tours compare? Do you have a preference?

CB: They don’t really, two totally different vibes. The age difference alone will make you explode… or at least think really hard about how different the ages are. I honestly prefer Warped though. We have had such a good response on this tour.


RnRnMN: What did you expect from the Warped Tour going in? Has it lived up to your expectations?

CB: We played five dates last year and loved it. We had no real expectations but whatever they were I am sure that they were surpassed. This tour rules. How much more do I need to pump up this tour really??


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

CB: I would definitely say Every Time I Die, they are some of our best friends in the world and it just so happens that they have one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get there and look at the schedule. Theres no way to see everyone. Why should someone see you?

CB: If you come see Norma Jean it will rain million dollar bills and ice cream. You won’t be hot at all and your God will suddenly know English. I don’t know… it’s a freakin party though.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

CB: I have no problem with that at all. They are supporting this tour and these bands ultimately, including Norma Jean, so we have no complaints. I think it’s actually really great they are supporting music.


RnRnMN: For years, Christian rock meant things like Stryper and Petra as well as a host of Christian pop artists that just never seemed all that inspiring or intense. Over the last decade or so though, there seems to be an increasing number of Christian bands playing very heavy and intense music like Demon Hunter, Spitfire, you and others. What do you think accounts for that? Is there any conflict between rock and roll and Christianity?

CB: Not at all… something I always tell people is that a sound can’t hold a belief. Whether its whistling, clapping, humming or a riff. A sound can’t be Christian or non-Christian, good or evil. It’s music. The content behind the music is a different story, but even then we are no different from our peers… we sing about what we believe in as most bands do.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

CB: Our new record The Anti Mother comes out on August 5th in stores and online everywhere. We will be playing this years Revelation Generation festival in New Jersey, after that we be headlining the US on the Solid State Records tour this fall. Heck yeah!!

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Website

Myspace

See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Warped Tour 2008 Pictures: Every Time I Die

Here's a few from Every Time I Die's blistering set at the Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD on 7/16/2008.

Review: Cinematic Sunrise - A Coloring Storybook and Long Playing Record

Label: Equal Vision

Released: May 13, 2008

The presense of Chiodos' Craig Owens and Bradley Bell will likely lead listeners to expect that band's bold and expansive offshoot from hardcore, but nothing could be further from Cinematic Sunrise. This project replaces punch with pop and challenges with safety. While that might not make every Chiodos fan happy, it at least gives this side-project a purpose and life of its own.

Cinematic Sunrise leans heavily on 80s pop style and production values and mixes it up with more recent emo crunchiness without creating a harder sound. Whether they're drawing on 80s piano-pop or folk-pop along the lines of the Church, it all taps into that long tradition of teenage drama songs.

These songs are all well-played, but lite and that begs the question: Is the material believable? The hooks make me want to believe, yet they're just so slick that there's that nagging feeling that there isn't much under the surface. Perhaps the answer comes on the EP's final track, "You Told Me You Loved Me." It rings about as true as "Sister Christian" and makes me think more of those K-Tel collections from the 80s that compiled "rock's sensitive side."

While the songs are well-crafted and the packaging (see below) shows a great sense of childlike fun, in the end they are, like the band's name implies, ultimately just an image even when they seem beautiful.



All that being said, I did catch their set on the Warped Tour and the music has some teeth live. Don't get me wrong, it's still nothing like Chiodos, but some of the slickness is tempered by hints of edginess and a lot of good-natured fun.

Ratings
Satriani: 7/10
Zappa: 4/10
Dylan: 6/10
Aretha: 4/10
Overall: 5/10

Website

Myspace

If you're curious about my rating categories, read the description.

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Chap Stique of Family Force 5

Family Force 5 have played all but a few dates on the Warped Tour since it began last month. Their brand of Voltron-inspired electro-punk certainly makes them one of the more unique bands on the tour. I got the chance to catch up with guitarist Chap Stique to see how things have been going.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

CS: It's been incredible! Warped has seen the debut of the Family Force 5000, a 6 foot-tall, 760-pound drum machine that inhales electricity and exhales lightning. It looks like a giant NASA experiment that illuminates when you punch it. So the question isn't, how as the Warped Tour treated us..." it's really, "How has the Family Force 5000 treated Warped Tour?"


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

CS: The catering rules, the crowds are insane, and the water comes in a can, so it was a no-brainer decision for us. Warped has certainly lived up to our expectations, but the distinct detail in our tank-top tans has been the most awe-inspiring part thus far.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for? How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

CS: No, our crowds were a bit bigger on the Van Halen, U2, Devo, Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones, and Family Force 5 tour. We headlined.

We have a blast playing anywhere. Three years ago, our band played a show in Pittsburgh for two people. We bought a bunch of He-man action figures and threw them around the club while we danced on tables and sprinted in circles. It was one of the most amazing shows we've ever done!


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

CS: Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. Those guys kill it every day. They throw a football with the crowd and smash cans on one another's faces throughout the show. Soul Glow sang with them sans shirt last night because Dallas (their lead vocalist) was sick. Crouton and I played air-guitar and stage-dove during the last song.

I also like Norma Jean, Cobra Starship, Story of the Year, and Katy Perry.


RnRnMN: There's a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

CS: Because we dress up in Voltron-esque spacesuits! We also have the biggest drum machine in the universe, and our lead singer wears silver hulk fists that glow in the dark. We have a professional dancer named Xanadu...nobody else has that.

Somebody once said, "Watching Family Force 5 is like watching 5 A-D-D kids who forgot to take their Ritalin and broke into the Red Bull truck." That's a pretty accurate description, except now it's progressed to being like 5 A-D-D kids in the future that forgot to take their electrons, and their shocking the system!


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

CS: Although a lot of Warped Tour kids don't think it's "punk" to create a partnership with a company (I respect and understand this stance), they don't realize that without the help of companies like AT&T, Hurley, and Monster, their favorite bands aren't able to eat. It's definitely crappy when bands or tours become overly corporate and lose their identities or compromise their beliefs, but partnering with other companies is essential in an era in which record labels are dying and album sales are plummeting. Sponsors are the new labels, and without them, artists won't be able to tour or record.


RnRnMN: You're considered a Christian band, but your songs contain little overt Christian lyrics. Is that by design or just the way you write? Do feel like you can reach more people by keeping the direct religious references to a minimum?

CS: Christian music has pigeon-holed itself into a predictable formula, and we strive to break out of that mold. God is much bigger than JPM (Jesus' per minute)'s and watered-down, cuss-word-free versions of mainstream pop music. We try to convey that in our message. Jesus didn't simply give answers: he spoke in enigmatic parables that made people think. We feel that Christianity and Christian music should do the same.

Family Force 5 tries to be real and to be relevant. We have written a lot of songs about faith and spiritual experiences ("Luv Addict," "Replace Me," "Radiator," "Face Down," "Never Let Me Go," etc.), but plenty of our tunes are about break-dancing and ex-girlfriends! Our hearts don't desire to have big alter-calls. We'd rather hug a kid who might not normally get a hug than beat him or her over the head with a Bible. We don't believe that statistics reach people the way relationships do, so we spend a lot of time writing our fans, hanging out with them, and giving them high-5's. We find a lot of significance in these interactions.


RnRnMN: Christian bands have made serious inroads into both the punk and metal scenes. What bands do you think have done the most to accomplish that? How do you see your role in that scene?

CS: Stryper, DC Talk, and Jars of Clay were some of the first Christian rockers to gain acceptance from the mainstream audience. They paved the way for the next stream of bands like MXPX, Blindside, and Zao. Now, it's becoming more and more common for spiritual bands to appear on tours like Warped, Ozzfest, etc. Underoath, Norma Jean, The Devil Wears Prada, Anberlin, and countless others are continuing to accomplish similar feats, but each in their own unique way.

Throughout this gradual growth, we have watched the purpose of Christian music change. It used to serve as a safe alternative that allowed kids to listen to music without foul language or explicit material. Now, we hope that it goes much deeper and follows an inclusive approach that allows people to connect on deep, personal levels. We want Family Force 5 to resonate with anybody, and to be relevant to people of any faith, race, gender, or galaxy. We don't want to sound melodramatic, but we're a part of a movement, and we hope that the movement will tear away the box that has been put around "Christian" culture and music. Family Force 5 would rather see the word “Christian” be used as a noun than an adjective.


RnRnMN: What should we expect from the new album, Dance or Die? When will it be available?

CS: Bombs, lasers, explosions, aliens, robots, and love. It's available August 19 in Hot Topic, Best Buy, Wal Mart, iTunes, and hopefully many other locations.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

CS: We start our headlining club tour (called Dance Rawr Dance II) on October 6. It will feature Play Radio Play, Ultraviolet Sound, and Danger Radio. We just had a production meeting for the tour last night, and it's going to be crazier than a Kiss show!

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Website

See all of my coverage from Warped Tour date in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

Review: Billy Idol - Idolize Yourself: The Very Best of Billy Idol

Label: Capitol Records

Released: June 24, 2008

Billy Idol's early career in Generation X is of questionable importance, even in the UK where they had a handful of charting singles. If you like early British punk, Generation X put out a couple records worth hearing, but neither is a definitive album in any way. It was as a solo artist however, that Idol found his niche by melding his punk roots with two burgeoning sounds of the early 80s: guitar-driven hard rock and danceable synth pop.

The best material on Idolize Yourself is really in the first seven tracks, culled from his self-titled album and Rebel Yell. Whiplash Smile gives old rock n roll an 80s production treatment which in retrospect does it no favors. It's listenable, but also forgettable. Things things go downhill from there until Idol sinks to his lowest with his butchering of "LA Woman" and the title track to the Speed soundtrack. However, "World Comin' Down," from 2005's quickly forgotten Devil's Playground and two new tracks are pleasant surprises (at least relatively speaking) to close the album.

One thing that often gets lost in the overly commercial legacy of Billy Idol is that he had a pretty good guitarist with him through it all. Someone once said to me that Steve Stevens was doing for electronic effects what Hendrix did for distortion. That's an overstatement, but not an overly dramatic one. Stevens was more than just another flashy guitarist from a period that churned them out as fast as their ridiculous runs up and down the fretboard. He did a lot with effects to give himself a distinctive sound and his playing is perhaps the music's most valuable element.

To really put Idol's career into perspective, Idolize Yourself comes with a DVD collection of his music videos. From the low-budget charm of "Dancing with Myself" to the high-end production of "Cradle of Love" an "LA Woman," the DVD shows both why Idol was such a big hit in the early days of music videos as well as the quick progression of those videos from inexpensive promotional material to big-budget mini-movies. He simply wasn't timid about making silly videos with not just a straight face, but a believable commitment that prouder artists would have balked at. "White Wedding" for instance is pleasantly goofy now, but 25 years ago (when I was 12 mind you), it was cool and it remains a classic of the golden age of music video. Billy Idol was one of the first rock artists to fully embrace the video age and he's continued to reap the benefits of that early foresight. In fact, Idol's image was so ubiquitous at the time, that we all forgot he stole that sneering lip from Elvis. Without the DVD, this hits retrospective would only give a small, very limited picture of Billy Idol. With it, however, the package is really all the Billy Idol you need (and then some).

Whether Billy Idol was a commercial visionary or just a major label tool, he remains an icon of 80s rock. Not one of his albums is essential, but his continued presence in my generation's collective conscience makes a collection like this convenient and worthwhile, particularly with the DVD.

Ratings
Satriani: 7/10
Zappa: 7/10
Dylan: 6/10
Aretha: 4/10
Overall: 6/10

If you're curious about my rating categories, read the description.

One Small Step for Landmines release Good Men Die Young and I'm Not Feeling Well digital EP

One Small Step for Landmines Good Men Die Young And I'm Not Feeling Well - Digital EP Out Now
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* Includes title track, Jim Ward cover, unreleased B-side


One Small Step For Landmines (Tallahassee, F.L.) has just released a digital EP for the single "Good Men Die Young And I'm Not Feeling Well." In total, the EP contains the title track, a cover version of "Good Men Die Young" by Jim Ward (Sparta / Sleepercar) and an unreleased B-side from the band's 2007 Self-titled full-length which features guest vocals from Look Mexico's Matt Agrella.

For pure downloading rapture, click here.

Additionally, you can check out a video of "Good Men Die Young" here. It was conceived and directed by Jerrod Landon Porter, who also also designed the art for the EP. There are plans for a seven-inch version of the EP later this year as well. It will feature a bonus fourth track - a cover of "Girlfriend In A Coma" by the Smiths.

In other news, front man Kevin Allen recently recorded a few new songs in Los Angeles with drummer Tony Hajjar (Sparta, At The Drive In) and Sol Snyder (Year of the Rabbit) on bass duty. More news on the future of those tracks soon...

One Small Step For Landmines' Self-titled debut full-length was released in September of 2007 by Doghouse imprint Civil Defense League. Angular-yet-driving rock built around unforgettable melodies, massively catchy songs and a propulsive rhythm section, this Florida three piece is dynamically compelling as they are unpredictable and explosive.

"Take Me, Seriously" mp3

- One Small Step For Landmines have done something very, very right with their debut. - For The Sound

- A prime example of how to promote joy and quality in pop music, two essential qualities all too often forgotten. - New-Noise

- Landmines churns out fun, straight ahead rock, but there is a deeper significance to their work that makes this so compelling. - Jersey Beat

- An astonishingly energetic and fresh piece of work that makes the overwrought whining of the haircut bands look irrelevant and tired. - Subba-Cultcha

- Boasting pleasantly unexpected complexities - off-kilter drumbeats, bittersweet melodies and a certain battered charm - watch out for this trio. - Rock Sound

Review: David Bowie - Live Santa Monica '72

Label: Virgin

Released: July 22, 2008

This set has long been known to Bowie fans, because of its quality and accessibility (it was broadcast on LA's now-defunct KMET after all). But there's more to it than just that. The show finds Bowie on his first US tour, completely immersed in his new Ziggy Stardust persona and at the first of his several artistic peaks. As far as his live performances go, his later, more refined periods probably couldn't match this for theatrics and raw power.

The great thing about Live Santa Monica '72 is that it captures Bowie's flamboyance, but also reveals the substance beneath. Without the benefit of a visual, the album still shows just how over-the-top the Spiders from Mars were. In the middle of the set, three acoustic tracks scale things back and make the set more intimate without losing its drama. Bowie's fearless improvisation of the things he couldn't bring from the studio to the live setting show tremendous trust for his music.

Something else of interest on Live Santa Monica '72 is that it makes two things even more clear than they are on his studio albums. First, he was heavily influenced by the Velvet Underground. His cover of "Waiting for the Man" is far from the only evidence of the connection as Bowie dips into Lou Reed's arty minimalism over the full course of the concert. Second, Bowie was a huge influence on punk. The raw energy and disregard for perfection on this album had to be an injection into the already bloated world of rock music. Even the extended jam of "The Width of a Circle" maintains an intensity that doesn't let up over its 10 minutes.

This had to be a pretty incredible time to see David Bowie and even though I'm sure the recording pales in comparison to being there, it manages to convey an amazing breadth of what he was doing. It's raw, yet theatrical. It's flamboyant, but never grandiose.

Check out that ticket on the album cover. Wouldn't you love to see Bowie for $5.50 today?!?!?

Ratings
Satriani: 6/10
Zappa: 8/10
Dylan: 8/10
Aretha: 7/10
Overall: 8/10

If you're curious about my rating categories, read the description.

Vans Warped Tour 2008!

I spent all day yesterday enjoying plenty of sunshine and rock and roll at the Baltimore/Washington stop of the Vans Warped Tour. Coverage and pictures are on the way, but here's a quick shot of the huge circle pit that the Street Dogs had going around the sound tent.



See all of my Warped Tour coverage here.