Pop – Music Bank

Louis Tomlinson – Defenseless

This is such a sweet little ditty! Not normally a fan of pop songs, I have to say this one has wormed its way into my grapefruit and isn’t letting go. I appreciate the tone and pacing of this track as well as the story the song is telling. I feel like we’ve all been here and that makes the song highly relatable. It’s going to have me up all night thinking about it!

I love the vocal tone through out the song. There is some really good falsetto work and his regular tone is just beautiful. There is just the tiniest bit of an edge to his vocals in the beginning but that levels out to this buttery tone for the rest of the track. One thing I enjoyed was at the beginning the music is very minimal and almost hidden behind the vocals. As the song continues the music becomes more apparent, but you can still hear that the focus is the vocal track.

Musically it’s a pop track so there aren’t any heavy guitar solos or blasting drums. Both the drum and guitar lines are fairly simple but extremely effecting for the song. There is certainly an emotional connection that is underplayed by the drum beat. While it’s not shoved in your face it’s pacing does keep the listener interested. As the music rises and falls through out the song it’s solid punctuation for the vocals. I am digging that guitar riff that pops up during the verses. There is something familiar about this song I can’t quite put my finger on, but the feeling I’m left with is a happy one.

As I said I don’t listen to a lot of pop music. I have some exposure to Ed Sheeran, Pink, Bruno Mars and a handful of others, so my take on this song may be a bit skewed. That being said occasionally you do want to take a break from headbanging and I think this is a great track in that respect. It’s fun to listen to and you will find yourself bobbing along listening to it.

Villins – Crime

I’m not even sure where to start on this one. I had so much fun listening to this track. It’s got a great overall vibe that I find myself head bobbing to as an automatic response. Per Spotify they classify themselves as Goth, Disco, Hard Rock. I would say that just about covers it, but this track certainly brings the big sounds of Pop and blends it with everything else to produce something truly unique.

The whole time I was listening to this (I’m up to 6) I keep getting some crazy 80’s vibes! Not so much with the whole piece by any means, but little bits here and there. Her vocals are so insanely solid and some how give me this whole Madonna circa the late 80’s. Her tone and style is unpredictable and runs the gamut in this track. There is a higher tone that is clear and almost sweet that marries nicely with the lower register she pulls in the versus and just a smidge of grit every now and again.

The guitar work is equally amazing! The talent that is flowing from my computer listening to this really makes me wish that I had stuck with the guitar and had actual talent. That one riff (listen to it and you’ll now) is so bouncy and light and FUN that you can’t help but be entranced by it. It’s a pitch perfect match to the vocals and really what more could you ask for? The drum work is a little hidden and that’s AOK with me. I think for this particular song the focus should be on the vocals and guitar work.

I can’t really explain it but to me this song screams Harley Quin circa Suicide Squad. I could see this being one of Harley’s favorite songs, you know something she would play for Joker before they go out for some fun. If your looking for something fresh and fun this is the track for you. Let me know what you thought of it!

Check them out of Spotify!

John Taglieri – Fly

I love the guitar work, it’s not a complicated line but it’s a lot more than just the standard country line. There is some thing about his voice though that at times really makes me think of Jon Bon Jovi. It’s the same rich full tone that Jon has when he sings. I also love the higher notes that this John is able to rock in in an effortless style. The drum line takes a nice backseat to feature the vocals and guitar. Loving the arrangement going on, that totally rock bridge is brilliant in the midst of what most would call a country song. Lyrically this is a really “up” song. I mean if you don’t feel a sense of empowerment after listening to this song, get your feel good looked at.

I enjoyed this song well enough I would certainly listen to his songs for entertainment only purposes. As I mentioned before I see some solid similarities to J.B.J that I would pair this with some Bon Jovi tunes, some Daughtry and 3 Doors Down. I would call it my feel good list and put it on every time I’m feeling down. I would love to get a chance to see John play live.

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With his twelfth release, Days Like These, John Taglieri defines why his career is right where he wants it to be. He has shown that musicians can make a comfortable living in the 2000’s without being a household name and relying on major label advances just to get through the years. He has an equal balance of career and family life and he is living both sides of the coin to the absolute extreme.

It’s finding that great balance which led Taglieri to Days Like These. “I’m very lucky” says Taglieri. “I have had an amazing career which has led me to amazing places. My wife and new baby are a fantastic support base and allow me to be all I can be musically.” The record adds to that balance with a great mix of upbeat material and ballads…songs about life and the ins and outs of it. “”Days Like These” was written the day my wife and I found out we were having a baby and truly talks about the amazing feeling of becoming a dad. ‘Finish Line’ is that song that I’ve always wanted to write…realizing that you need the downs in life to really appreciate the ups and how high they can go, and that its not where you’re going in life, but what you do along the way that really matters. ‘Toasting The Man In The Moon’ is a very introspective song. Sitting and thinking about life and all it offers and realizing that sometimes you only have to look at yourself to find the answers. This was a really fun Ep to write and one I’m really proud of.”

With the new Ep, Taglieri returns to his roots in a way. It’s his first full on melodic rock release since his debut album, Leap of Faith in 1999. Since then he’s explored the singer/songwriter format, pop music and with his last Ep, ‘Southern Paradise,’ he tackled his country side. “Its always been fun seeing what I can do. I’ve been called a bit schizophrenic as a writer since I have sort of gone all over but I like that. Ya never really know what to expect from one of my releases.”

For the Days Like These release, Taglieri recruited Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, Elton John, Bob Seger, etc), Alan Jax Bowers (Parrot Bay, Rachel Allyn) , Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean, Ludacris, Kelly Clarkson, etc), Lee Turner (Darius Rucker, Sara Evans, Big and Rich), Eric Ragno (Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley, Billy Gibbons, etc), Joe Gilder, Greg Juliano (Juliano Brothers), Chad Cunningham and Keith Lubrant (whose music you have heard on TV shows such as Real Housewives of Miami, Beavis and Butthead, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Young and the Restless and dozens more). “Its been SO cool to have my friends help me make this EP. Keith and I go back 15 years and started out together. Eric and I grew up together and its like life coming full circle. Its also amazing to me to be able to have some of my idols like Kenny Aronoff and Rich Redmond on this release. Its been very surreal to be working with them and really part of what my ‘Days Like These’ is about.”

One thing that has come up over the years is why John prefers to release Ep’s rather than full albums anymore, a practice he began in 2008 with his ‘Everything We Are’ Ep. “I sorta of saw the writing on the wall with how fans were wanting more than just one release a year. Two Eps was the same output but feeding the fans more regularly, engaging and building a great relationship with them.”

Becoming a father hasn’t slowed John’s touring schedule down a bit. He will still put over 200 shows on the books in 2014 and is once again slated to cross oceans to perform for the troops “Its been my honor to perform for the troops around the world for several years now and I’m looking forward to it always being a part of my career.” He also still has a residency in Key West, FL, where he performs every other month and he will once again hit the pubs, cafes and clubs of the Northeastern US and Mid Atlantic area to support Days Like These. “I LOVE being on the road. I’m looking to expand even more on where I’m touring in the coming year. Key West will always be a big part of it since I spend 6 months a year there. Its unlike any place I’ve ever played and has helped me really build my fan base.”

If everyone had days like these the world would be a much happier place.

John Taglieri – Vocals, Guitar

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Where You Can Get It:

Shock & Awe – Peace of Mind

I was quite surprised at how well this came together considering the ages of the players in the band. While you can tell that the vocalist has some maturing to do vocally it’s not what I would consider an issue with the music. The lyrics are really song and I felt that there was a strong connection between the vocals and the lyrics. The musical composition had a few hitches I thought. There are moments where the musical layering gets a bit muddled, but that is some thing I think they will work out as they continue their journey as a band. I gotta give it up to the guitarist because there are some pretty damn decent licks in this track. The vocalist has a good range and showcases an beautifully clean vocal style. The drum line is nice and tight keeping good time for the rest of the band.

I admit I am curious enough about this band to listen to some more tracks. I don’t know that I would have this one on one of my playlist but that has less to do with the talent of the band and more to do with the fact I just don’t normally listen to this style of music. I will say that it had an overall “up” feeling to it and would work well in lists that are meant to put you in a smiley happy kind of mood.

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Who They Are:

Shock & Awe is currently working on their first CD release. The band has already recorded several original songs. Their originals are very diverse and they also play a wide range of cover songs from Alternative to Pop to Punk to Rock with the ability to entertain tween/teens as well adult crowds.

Although all the members are 16 or under, Shock & Awe are seasoned musicians playing for over 7 years and have a lifetime of natural talent. The band members have always had an overwhelming fascination with music. Siblings Eddie, Alexa and Jesse received their first instruments at ages 9, 8 & 7 and created an original song the same day. Since then they have been dedicated to perfecting their talents. The dedication and persistence over the years paid off as they got a little older. Since their dad is a drummer, they were able to participate in jam sessions and play parties and gigs where his band was playing from a young age. Now they are booking shows of their own.

Eddie and Shawn have been bros since the 5th grade so it was a natural decision for him to take over the role as bassists when Alexa decided to focus mainly on vocals and songwriting in 2009.

Their goal is to record a full length CD in 2012.

Band Members

Shock & Awe:Vocals: Alexa Stephenson

Drums: Jesse Stephenson

Bass/Vocals: Chandler Scott

Rhythm Guitar: Colby Ross

Lead Guitar/Vocals: Eddie Stephenson

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Where You Can Get It:

Lexie Miller – Awkward Moments

I have to be honest and tell you I wasn’t expecting a lot from this song, but that’s what I get. This is an awesome pop track! It’s like someone merged Adel and P!nk. It breaks down like this: She sounds a bit like Adel in her vocals but the singing style is so P!nk I can barely stand it!! I don’t mean any of this as a negative but a serious positive. She has a great sense of song styles and is able to carry this song all the way down the line. Her cadence is damn near perfect and her range is strong. I like that she knows when to go full on and when to pull back. That’s something that is really hard for some vocalists to get.

She really needs to tour with P!nk for real. That would be a ticket I would pay for! I would love to see her with a better musical backing track. Not that there was anything wrong with the music itself it just came off kind of generic. That could have been because she is so much stronger than the music. In case you didn’t figure it out playlist wise I wanna put it on with my P!nk collection and some of my Katy Perry cause she has some awesome tunes as well.

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Who They Are:
I am a spunky fun loving girl that loves life and everything that it offers!!’ I am a Singer/Songwriter and an Actress from Portland Oregon.

The Band is:
Lexie Miller

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Where You Can Get It:

Luke Potter – Time of your Life (Green Day cover)

For the record, I know and love the original version of this song. Green Day happens to be one of my top 10 favorite bands ever. When I saw Luke Potter did a cover I knew I had to hear it, and if I’m going to listen to it I’m going to review it. This is not a song you can hide behind. As an acoustic song it’s all about the vocals. Not to trash the guitar line in the song but let’s be honest if you can’t sing, this song falls apart.

I liked some of the vocal styles he’s working with in his cover however I think some of it came out a bit harsh. I was looking for a specific connect to this track that I didn’t get. To be fair I may be judging this one a bit harshly due to the love I have for the original. My suggestion would be to use a filter when doing this type of song. That would reduce the sharpness of his s and t sounds. I liked his voice enough I would love to hear some of his other songs. I suspect that this was just not the right song for me to review. All that being said, take a listen and check out his other music with me.

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Who They Are:

Luke is a young artist / songwriter from the UK who’s starting to make a buzz with his songs.

He cites “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls as the song that, the moment he heard it playing, made him realize he wanted to be a songwriter.

Shortly after, at the age of 17, Luke picked up an acoustic guitar for the first time and started writing songs not only about love but also about growing up…

Other artists that have influenced Luke include the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Jason Mraz, Fountains of Wayne, Goo Goo Dolls and the music of his father who played in bands way back when…!

In a short time he’s become a natural songwriter and emerging artist in the making. Music Week selected Luke as one of their ten ‘favorite’ new talents of 2011 and commented saying “Luke’s songs are beautiful.” Promo Only agrees saying it’s “exciting hearing such a fresh new and exciting talent like Luke… it’s perfect for US radio”.

Luke’s debut radio single, “We’re Alive” impacted several stations on the East Coast in the summer of 2012, having top 30 airplay in Boston and San Francisco with video rotation at Hard Rock Cafes (“Great video”) around the world.

In his relatively short career Luke has got to work with some of the finest producers in the industry including Steve Power (Robbie Williams, McFly, Andrea Bocelli…), Eric Rosse (Sara Bareilles, Tori Amos…), Ken Caillat (Fleetwood Mac, Colbie Caillat) who commented “Luke Potter is a great singer-songwriter” and Bleu who writes “Luke Potter writes ear-sticking songs that just won’t leave your brain!”

January 2013 saw the release of Luke’s EP, ‘One Day’ which met with a great critical reaction.

Ken Morton of LA based ‘Highwire Daze’ wrote, “The combination of Potter and Bleu has presented a stunning work of pure pop perfection that is not to be missed. Judging by the three wondrous tracks heard on the One Day EP, expect the future to be very bright for this massively talented singer / songwriter. It will be exciting to hear what exquisite tunes Luke Potter has in store for the world at large in the months ahead.”

Luke has recorded an album of his songs with Bleu (Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers…) and is just waiting patiently for the right time to release them to everyone.

In September 2013 he signed a management contract with WEG (Wright Entertainment Group) and Orrigami.

Since then he’s been even busier with writing trips to Sweden, Canada and USA during 2014 where he’s worked with some amazing collaborators.

He also did a short UK school tour and a small tour (10 shows) in the USA in July / August 2014 to a great reaction.

The ‘So Sugar’ album (CD, iTunes and all places digital) was self-released on November 18th, 2014 to a great critical reaction (see reviews section on this website) and alongside it a video for the title track was also uploaded to YouTube.

And at the end of the year Luke played a set at The House of Blues in Orlando. This was very special as it was on the same stage that Luke had seen so many of his heroes perform (Goo Goo Dolls, Parachute, Ed Sheeran etc) and he received a great response.

With a 2nd album planned for 2015 and tours being lined up it’s all set to be a great New Year!

The Band is:
Luke Potter

Where You Can Get It:

Fearless Vampire Killers – Bow Ties On Dead Guys

Dude, I’m really loving this song! I’m seriously crushing on just about every part of this song right now. The vocals are super sweet with a nice clean style and an excellent range. This guy has a hell of a falsetto! His midrange is rich, full and so much fun. The guitars are nice and grungy, with a tinge of dark going on. The drums are nice and in your face with a good upbeat tempo. I love the change ups in this track, keeps every thing nice and interesting.

If I have any complaints at all about the song, it’s that the song is just too damn short! Other than that there is no bad here. I would love to have this song on my server and my phone. I can see putting it on a list with my Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco! and Third Place. This rock/pop style music has really been earning a place in my heart for a while now and I gotta say every time I hear another band working it I love it even more. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to get to know this band better and perhaps see them in concert. I bet that rocks ass!

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Who They Are:

To listen to most bands is to be briefly submerged into the scene they’re a part of. That’s not the case with Fearless Vampire Killers. No, this most willfully unconventional of rock bands have more ambitious plans in store. This five-piece cordially invite their listeners to Grandomina, the fictional world they chronicle in their music, providing what Rock Sound describes as: ‘an instant antidote to everything predictable and mundane,’ in the process.

Formed in Suffolk’s Waveney Valley (via Hemel Hempstead) in 2008, the band released the EPs In Grandomina… (2010) and …The Blood Never Dries (2011) before self-releasing their full-length debut Militia of the Lost (2012), through their Goremount Records imprint. Militia… received overwhelmingly positive reviews, including an 8/10 rating from Rock Sound and KKKK from Kerrang! labelling them: ‘The new band of our dreams,’ and shortlisting them in the Best British Newcomer category at the 2012 Kerrang! Awards.

Live peaks so far have included headlining a stage at Download Festival on only their second appearance (apologies to main stage headliners Slipknot for stealing their crowd!), the Kerrang! Tour 2013, alongside Tonight Alive, Chiodos and fellow make up botherers Black Veil Brides and the main-support slot on Aiden frontman WiL Francis’ solo project, William Control’s UK tour (of which more of him shortly!)

This year saw the release of Exposition: The Five Before The Flames, an EP serving as a prequel to the events of Militia of the Lost. This not only gave the uninitiated the chance to familiarise themselves with Fearless Vampire Killers and acclimatise to the story of Grandomina, it also provided the band with an opportunity to hone their individual songwriting chops. Impressively, a different member of the band wrote each of Exposition’s five tracks. It was a creative gamble that paid off, with Kerrang! suggesting: ‘if ever there was a time to embrace Fearless Vampire Killers, it’s now.’

The last song on Exposition… ‘The Prince: Diamond Dust and Crimson Reign’ was the only track to take the narrative beyond Militia… teasing the exciting things that are to come. Those things include the band’s first US shows, supporting William Control on his ‘Revel Without A Cause’ tour and, of course, a second full-length album – produced by Mr Control himself – and partly recorded in his native Seattle. Empowered by their increased songwriting confidence, the forthcoming, as yet untitled opus will detail the final days of Grandomina and is sure to be one of 2014’s most eagerly anticipated rock releases.

The Band is:

Kier Kemp and Laurence Beveridge (co-vocalists)
Cyrus Barrone (guitar)
Drew Woolnough (bass)
Luke Illingworth (drums)

Where You Can Get It:

Maggie Cocco – Get Me (Down)

Well this is a very different kind of song from what I’m used to. It has a very old school almost Motown feel to it. Maggie’s voice is really amazing. She really knows what her voice can do and she works it like no one’s business. I love how strong and confident she is in her delivery. And those clipped notes are absolutely perfect. The musical composition is also superb! Nice work with the guitar and drum lines, and the occasional addition of the keyboards and sax are just an awesome addition.

I loved grooving to this track. It’s so different from what I’m used to that it just puts a smile on my face. I think about the only thing I have in my collection that would work well with this song is some of my soundtrack music. I have Eddie and the Cruisers as well as Streets of Fire. Both of those cult classic movies have killer soundtracks that would be a perfect fit for Maggie Cocco’s song.

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Who They Are:
Maggie Cocco’s debut album, Get Me, dropped on 12/13/14. Recorded at PreSonus Studio Blue in Baton Rouge and featuring Jim Odom (guitar – Louisiana LeRoux), Jeff LaBarr (guitar – Cinderella), Neal Laymon (guitar – War N’ Love), Roland Guerin (bass – Allen Toussaint), Nelson Blanchard (keys – Louisiana LeRoux), Mark Jordan (keys – Bonnie Raitt) and Tim Courville (drums – Gregg Martinez), “Get Me” is a collection of songs composed by Maggie in her first 22 years. The result is an eclectic, genre-bending album that spans the gamut of Maggie’s influence and experiences to date.

The Maggie Cocco Band performs works from “Get Me” and even newer Maggie Cocco Originals. Operating out of Southeastern Michigan, The Maggie Cocco Band features Neal Love (guitar – War N’ Love), Brian Edwards (bass – War N’ Love), Justin Bates (keys – SunTribe) and Christopher Williams (drums – Ode to Canvas).

The Band is:
Maggie Cocco
Neal Love
Christopher Williams
Brian Edwards
Justin Bates

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Where You Can Get It:

We Are Leo – Supernova Sunrise

Where has this song been all my life? That is my question. I can see tons of teenage girls falling all over themselves over these guys. Hell I may even be one of them! There is something about the slow burn yet constant guitar work that always gets my attention. The drum line is well done, nice tight and keeps a good pace for the song. Nothing here is overly intrusive, which is nice because you can hear all the players. The vocals are a nice mid-range with just a touch of auto tune (not everywhere cause it’s not necessary. I’m talking to you Rihanna). The players here are working it with those instruments.

My first thought when the song started was, “Hello! Have you met Yellowcard?”. Only because I think those two bands would fit well together at least based on this song. I’m not a huge fan of auto tune because it’s become a crutch for singers who can’t really sing (see comment in above paragraph) but these guys only use it to add a bit of spice to the song. That I can live with, even like. While this song doesn’t pack the immediate gut punch of some songs it’s going to be one your thoughts keep returning to. I liked it well enough I would download it and put it on my server so I could move it to my phone. Honestly you could also match this song up with some Maroon 5 or Neon Trees.

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[bctt tweet=” I can see tons of teenage girls falling all over themselves over these guys. Hell I may even be one of them!”]

Who They Are:
Strong and steady like a lion, We Are Leo has grown tenaciously after saying “Hello” with their premier album in 2011. Pulsing with an electric energy and a vibrant sound, their spirited shows nurture a fiercely loyal fan base that rose to the occasion in 2013 when the artists called on them to fund their Kickstarter project. Now, We Are Leo continues to build on that momentum as they come roaring back into the national music scene with their sophomore release “Fightback Soundtrack”. Fusing together a blend of heartfelt emotion, love-charged lyrics, and relentless faith, “Fightback Soundtrack” is a declaration of the undying passion the band has for their fans, their art, and their message.

We Are Leo’s singer, David Duffield, says, “What we are aspiring to do is write and sing songs that will express a real sense of Love to our fans and friends… songs that will become anthems of faith, hope and new life. I want to make music that grabs people’s attention; that is relevant to them musically and spiritually.” He goes on to say, “Our band name, We Are Leo, is about being bold and courageous like the lion (leo being the Greek word for Lion), and also that we aspire to shine like stars: like the constellation Leo.”

The Band is:
David Duffield
Jonny Duffield
Doug Weier
Andrew Alojipan

Where You Can Get It:

The River Chickens – First Date Fracture

I don’t know what I was expecting from a band called The River Chickens, but this wasn’t it. What we have here is a smooth as butter jam. It’s got that sexy tempo that makes you want to get down if you know what I mean. I love the full round sound they are giving me with the guitar. We have some hella Santana like guitar work that would be a reason by itself to love the song. The vocalist has an awesome range including a rather bad ass falsetto. I caught that one particular high note.

Can I have this one now please? I’ve been on this whole 70’s thing the last week or so and I want to put this on a list with Santana, Sanford and Townsend (don’t know em? Look that band up) and Atlanta Rhythm Section. OMG that would be such an awesome list. I would have to put that on my phone so I could take it with me wherever I went.

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Where You Can Get It:

Of Course Not – Contagious

I really like this tune! It reminds me of some of the Paramour I’ve heard. The lead vocals are so strong and yet it sounds absolutely effortless. The musical composition is so damn well done. Instead of having the standard track style, they were able to create a layered sound. At first listen one might confuse it for a chaotic melding of instruments, but listen a little longer and you’ll catch the layering effect I’m talking about. If feels like the drums, bass and guitar are weaving in and out of each other. Another thing I really enjoyed was the vocal play between their female and male singers. They play off each other so well! The drum work really stands out for me, I love that thunderous drum work there in that middle break. The guitar line is equally impressive with some straight up power riffs that continuously make this an interesting, fun and entertaining track to listen to.

Of course I would listen to more Of Course Not! The poppy punkish nature of this song is one I’ve always tended to gravitate to. I would love to have it on my server and my phone. I would pair this one up with some Paramour, P!nk (I’m thinking Blow Me One Last Kiss) and Green Day. There are elements of these bands that would match Of Course Not’s song brilliantly.

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Who They Are:
Of Course Not formed as a rock band in Joplin, Missouri in December 2011. Taking influence from artists like Weezer, Ludo, and My Chemical Romance, the band set out to differentiate themselves from the clutter of unoriginal music. Of Course Not started playing shows soon after forming, and by the spring of 2012 they had performed in several different states with national acts such as Never Shout Never, The Rocket Summer, and I Fight Dragons.
Of Course Not released their first demo CD in 2012, and entered the studio for their debut studio effort in December of 2012 at Zombielife Studios. The 8-track EP, titled Pushing Pencils, was released on February 8, 2013.
The band has now toured over 9000 miles in 22 different states. They are currently writing new material and seeking representation for the release of their first full-length album.

The Band is:
Guitars, Bass, Vox: Luke DeWitt
Keyboard, Vox: Torey Smart
Drums, Vox: Gerardo Rojas
Produced & mixed by: Kevin Gates

Where You Can Get It:

High/Low – Crashland

Looking for something upbeat and full of energy? This may be your jam! While it’s not really what I would consider punk, it’s not that far off the mark. So maybe more like Pop/Punk style. I’m loving that straight up in your face drum line. The guitar work is spot on. I love that blazing pace! I have to mention there are some excellent drum rolls in this piece as well. Vocally, I dig the guys range and tone. It’s a bit nasally, but I think in this song it works perfectly. This would be a great tune to throw on when you have to get motivated. I wasn’t able to catch a lot of the lyrics, but what I did catch I liked. I think I may have to listen to it a few more times to catch all of what they are saying.

I liked this one enough I would check out more of their work, however I’m not sure that I would download this particular track. I can’t really quantify why exactly. I liked it, but I’m not sure I see myself loading this track up in a playlist. But like I said I plan to check out more of their work, I have a feeling that they have something that I will find I have to have.

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Who They Are:
Fuzzy Alternative Rock Band. Full of energy and riff’s.

The Band is:
Steve Weston: Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Fx Pedals
Lee ‘Meat Arm’ Yates: Bass Fuzz, Noises

Where You Can Get It:

Rival Tides – Out of Body (Casino Gold remix)

The intro reminds me of the midi music of old. Now please don’t take that the wrong way, because when it mixes with this guy’s voice its musical perfection. I love his range and the epic nature of his vocal style. I’m betting this guy could rock the shit out of an arena. It’s a poppy/rockish song with a lot of synth work. I’ll be honest I’m not a big fan of building a song on a synthesizer. It’s a personal choice so I don’t hold anything against them as far as the review. The synth music is pretty damn solid, but for my money his voice is what this song is all about.

I would really like to hear this guy backed by a full band. His voice is made for singing! Be it pop, rock or metal, it’s his voice that you’re going to be really listening for. Synth lovers are going to love this track but if you’re like me and prefer a full on band experience this may not be the song for you. I did like the way his voice melded with the synth music in the intro but about half way through I was really wanting some guitar work to underscore his vocals. I’m not sure I would download this particular track, but I would like to investigate the band a bit more to see what else they have to offer.

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Who They Are:

For LA-based rock band RIVAL TIDES, time has been of the essence since day one. The band formed in November of 2012, and not even a year into its existence, they’re off and running with their first release – a seven song self-titled EP produced by Erik Ron (Panic! at the Disco, I the Mighty, VersaEmerge) at Grey Area Studios in North Hollywood, CA.

Vocalist Robyn August, bassist Jason Friday, drummer Greg Fulleman, and guitarists Caleb Healey and Alex von Hollen draw listeners in with their captivating high-energy. The five friends actually birthed Rival Tides from the now defunct Harris Grade in an attempt to wholly transition—and succeed—into a new, more refined writing style.

“The musical style was a bit different and we felt like the name should be changed to be more fitting with our new direction,” says drummer Greg Fulleman on the recent transition from Harris Grade to Rival Tides. “I think the change brought us closer together, and is truly giving us the ability to start a new and exciting chapter.”

“My Insomnia,” the opening track, first single, and captivating music video from the debut record, personifies the band’s billowing Anberlin-like sound while also giving listeners new and old a close look at the sincerity of Robyn August’s vocal ability.

“I wrote “My Insomnia” about the chapters in life, including the environment and people that surround them, as well as my own personal struggle with the disorder,” said August. “Writing the new material helped me better focus on my drive to move forward, without worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.”

Songs like “Maybe” and “Out of Body” showcase spacious, encapsulating choruses that seem to explode out of the speakers blaring them – sure to make fans of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and 30 Seconds to Mars salivate.

With their first release being a polished product indicative of experience and maturity, Rival Tides is setting their sights on reaching the real fans of rock music.

“In the closing track ‘Oceans,’ there’s a line that reads ‘there’s a sea in you,’” explains Robyn August. “It helped inspire our name and fits the overall idea of this band. There’s always positivity to be found, even in the most difficult of times.”

The Band is:

Robyn
Caleb
Alex
Jason
Greg

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Where You Can Get It:

Avery Davies – In Tall Buildings (cover)

I am not familiar with the original song here, just thought you should know.
O, wait… I just got Rick Rolled, for real. This guy’s voice is absolutely amazing but doesn’t seem like it should come from him. If he was on the voice the coaches would be like “I didn’t even see that coming!”. He has this deep raspy quality that I tend to think of when I hear Otis Redding or Chuck Berry. Do you know what I mean? It’s a voice that conveys an age and wisdom that makes you believe just about anything he has to say. You can feel his elation and his heartbreak is the tone and edge to the vocals alone. I think his choice to play with an acoustic guitar was nothing short of brilliant. It was the perfect highlight for his voice.

I loved his voice so much, I plan to listen to more of his stuff. I think Avery has a ton of vocal talent so I would like to see him doing an original song. That’s what I’m going to look for. While I love a good cover song as much as the next music fan, I really wanna hear original tunes. I am all about the lyrics, so I want to know what their struggles, wishes, hopes and dreams are. I would put this on a playlist with some John Mayer and/or Cold Play.

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Who They Are:
I’m a musician out of southeastern Connecticut and you guys will probably be hearing some covers and maybe some originals too. Thanks much!

The Band is:
Avery Davies

Twitter

Youtube