Ah, these past few years have been quite the rollercoaster ride. We’ve seen metalcore rise and wane almost as quickly as it came. Screamo is not a bad word anymore. Hot Topic emo kids have now moved on to American Apparel and became hipsters. Gruff voiced beard punks are the new 90’s skatepunkers and yet, amidst the constant waves of change, emerges Long Beach, CA’s own Joyce Manor.
Category Archives: News
Joyce Manor- S/T
Hot Water Music Recording New Material (Finally)
How are you spending your summer vacation? Recording a highly anticipated reunion album? I doubt it, but that is exactly what Chris Wollard, Chuck Ragan, Jason Black and George Robello are up to this summer. Hot Water Music has been back together playing shows together since 2008 but have not released any new material since 2004’s The New What Next.
Through the band’s official and the band mamber’s personal Twitter accounts Hot Water Music has announced that they are all back in Florida and are currently working on their next album.
Bands You Need To Know- Sloane Peterson
Sloane Peterson was bright beacon from an otherwise gloomy Miami punk scene. Let me lay my bias on the table, the members include some of my best friends and I have some the band’s artwork tattooed above my left knee. They were a pop punk band but were also relatively hard to pigeon hole. Doing my best to force a comparison, I would say their sound was somewhere in between The Marked Men and The Thermals. In Miami, good music is usually created in flashes, which end when the members of those bands become frustrated with the limitations of the city. The release of Sloane Peterson’s full length will forever be marred by those frustrations…
Interview: Dan Andriano
Dan Andriano has been involved in various projects throughout recent years. His latest endeavor is a solo effort officially deemed Dan Andriano and The Emergency Room, whose debut full-length is scheduled for release on Asian Man Records this summer. Additionally, Dan has kept busy with his full-time band by putting together an album of reworked Alkaline Trio songs in celebration of the band’s fifteenth anniversary. After playing Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, Dan, despite a painful foot injury, shared some of his thoughts regarding the upcoming solo material and Alkaline Trio’s longevity while he and I walked from the venue to his hotel. Derek Grant arrived near the end of the interview to help contribute. Continue reading
Interview: Less Than Jake
Interview by Kristen Swanson
I could go on forever about the wonders of the ska/punk band Less Than Jake.  These guys have been making a name for themselves ever since their first full length Pezcore came out in 1995, and they’re still going strong.  LTJ is still dedicated to their music, they still put on an amazing show, and their music still sends a nostalgic chill down your spine.  Check out this interview with saxophonist JR Wasilewski as he discusses the dynamic of the band, record labels, and what it’s really like to be a part of a legendary band.
Interview: Pianos Become the Teeth
Baltimore’s Pianos Become the Teeth is among several noteworthy bands said to be reviving the golden era of screamo. The band offers a notably dark, emotionally draining brand of post-hardcore, to which each member contributes a focused, dedicated approach. Mike, Kyle, Zac, Chad, and David, having driven several hours to play at My Heart to Joy’s recent record release show, were all extremely vocal in sharing their feelings regarding the pressures of being in a band, the process of arranging specific song structures, and in-depth details concerning the band’s current material.
Interview: Hold Tight!
Interview by Kristen Swanson
Hold Tight! is the packaged deal of bassist/vocalist James Goodson, guitarist/vocalist Jake Guralnik, guitarist Eric Kelly, and drummer Alex Wilhelm. With their song “Virginia Is Beautiful, Wish You Were Here,” you’ll be wishing you were in Virginia too after listening to Hold Tight! These Richmond, VA natives are proving that the DIY scene is still alive, with their constant touring and fresh pop punk tunes. Check out this interview with Alex as he reveals how the band got started, their love for Lifetime, and what’s next for Hold Tight! Then, make sure you check out the band’s Facebook, and download their songs for free here.
Interview: My Heart to Joy
My Heart to Joy’s recently announced breakup broke the hearts of many, but in spite of this, the band remains optimistic. Its members look forward to future endeavors, pursuing various other projects and remaining active within the Connecticut music scene. Upon clearing out of Lily’s Pad after playing a record release show for the newly released Reasons to Be EP, Greg, Chris, and Alan sat down with me at a nearby deli at well past midnight. We discussed the new record, Connecticut bands, and the many accomplishments from which the band feels a great sense of pride.
Touché Amoré Posts Studio Updates, to Tour with The Menzingers, Title Fight, and Dead End Path
Jeremy Bolm of Touché Amoré has posted two studio updates on his Youtube channel. In addition to these videos, Jeremy is periodically posting the lyrics to Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me, the band’s upcoming album. The lyrics to these songs can be read on Jeremy’s Tumblr page. Touché Amoré recently finished recording the followup to 2009’s …to the Beat of a Dead Horse.
The band also announced a US tour with The Menzingers, Title Fight,Dead End Path, and, on a few select dates in California, Shook Ones.
Click “Continue Reading” for the dates.
National Underground 