Author Archives: heymikebarnes

Bands You Need To Know: Young Ladies

When you start listing the bands that Ryan Seagrist and Pat Schramm have been involved with, it kind of makes sense that they have produced a demo that leaves you desperate for more. Between them, they have played with bands such as Discount, Latterman, Bridge & Tunnel, Fellow Project, and Monikers.

But with Young Ladies, these two friends based in NYC have produced something that is a departure from their trademark sound and lets them showcase a different side of their song writing, leaning more towards indie rock or 90s alternative than straight forward punk rock.

I spoke to Ryan and asked him how the project came about.

“I work in a recording studio sometimes in the city, had a couple of free days, and Pat and I went in and just finished those three tunes. We posted the songs and have already gone through a few hundred downloads. So we’re really stoked,” Ryan explained.

With this demo, Young Ladies have taken the themes of friendship, loss, loneliness, and big city life that have run through so many of their previous bands lyrics and delivered them in way that lets them step out from the shadows of their other projects and I, for one, can’t wait to hear more.


Bands You Need To Know: No Weather Talks

No Weather Talks

It has been quite a year for No Weather Talks. Next month they will play their first US show at FEST 11, coming only weeks after sharing stages with bands such as Latterman, Banner Pilot, and Crusades in their native Germany. Despite only forming late last year, Hamburg’s No Weather Talks has been making a lot of Festers’ “must see” lists after releasing an incredible demo earlier this year.

The 4-song demo opens with “Separation Perfected,” where Painted Thin-esque melodies wrestle with driving guitars and a sing-a-long chorus. “Forever Tomorrow” brings the demo to a close with female/male dual vocals working in perfect harmony, never fighting for attention, but rather complementing each other over Dischord-influenced angular guitar riffs.

Sadly, any new female-fronted band seems to receive the same old, lazy comparisons to those that have gone before, but these five friends are not the new Discount or Germany’s Fifth Hour Hero; they are No Weather Talks and they could be your new favourite band.

You can catch No Weather Talks at FEST 11 on Saturday, October 26 at Boca Fiesta at 7:10pm.


The Inside Scoop on FEST 11 from Rocket Fuel Podcast

Jeff, at the always brilliant Rocket Fuel Podcast, just released his annual FEST preview special. Jeff sits down for an in depth interview with FEST main man Tony Weinbender. Tony discusses how FEST 11 came together, his picks of the weekend, and details of other projects he has been working on, like a Gainesville outdoor concert series and even a Tampa leg of FEST.

In addition to the interview, check out music from Latterman, Masked Intruder, Braid, and many more bands who will be descending on Gainesville late next month.


Bands You Need To Know: Leagues Apart

Leagues Apart

If you were fortunate enough to see Leagues Apart at Fest last year, you are probably already a fan. The Manchester, UK based band has been making friends around the world with their frenetic and fun live shows for years now. If you are in the crowd for their show at what is sure to be a packed Loosey’s at FEST 11, expect jokes, human pyramids, and plenty of beer. But, most importantly, expect to see one of the best bands England has to offer.

Leagues Apart proudly wears their influences on their sleeve – early Menzingers or Hot Water Music are a good reference point – but the band’s clever lyrics and amazing shared vocals add something uniquely English to the mix, making a sound that is all their own. With their most recent EP, Buffalo Club, the band does something very few manage; they capture all the passion, energy, and urgency you find at their shows and, in the process, make an EP that is virtually impossible to listen to without hitting the play button the second it ends.

Make sure you catch them at FEST 11 on Sunday October, 28 at Loosey’s at 5:10pm.