Straight Up Random

T.G.I.F. Featured Band: Vega Under Fire

This week’s T.G.I.F. Featured Band is South Florida’s very own Vega Under Fire! Check them out on their MySpace for music and tour dates!

INTERVIEW:

How did the band come together?

It started with 2 friends in different bands. Our singer Brian Blount who played guitar and sang in a soft indie rock band and our guitarist Bradley Shellito who played guitar in a Reggae/Surf rock band.

They decided to jam together and write songs as Vega Under Fire. Eventually recruiting our Drummer Aaron Maloney from his old Punk band our Keyboardist Ryan Birmingham, and myself Bassist Jason Giardina from my old band.

We released our first EP Hello followed by our 2nd EP Life Of The Party about a year later. All songs are available on itunes, at shows and through our myspace.

How’d you come up with your name?

Vega Under Fire is us. The words might not have much a meaning to most people, but it is our music, our lives and our souls. There are many stories as to how we actually decided on the words. Some think it has to do with the car, some think its a star, some think its from Pulp Fiction… I kinda like people guessing! :)

What bands/artists are you influenced by?

Could never name them all. Too many. We could be influenced by anyone that makes music.

How would you describe your music for people who have never heard it before?

Our last EP Life Of The Party which is currently on sale was sort of a dancey rock album. Very high energy as is our live shows. We will be releasing new music and a new EP for this summer.

As for our new songs?

Think of any band from any genre you enjoy. Now imagine 5 musicians that come from all backgrounds of music creating new music with no limits or restrictions. Chances are, out of all the songs they create your gonna at least enjoy a verse or a chorus or maybe instruments part or something.

We are the band that listens to everything we get our hands on from Jazz, Rock, Metal, Folk, Classical, Punk, Indie, Rap, Hip Hop, Reggae, Blues, Bluegrass, Swing, Big Band……I could go on forever.

What makes your band different from all the other ones out there?

As far as our music goes,there are a lot of faddy bands out there that try and do “what’s hot” at the moment. When we are writing music and performing, we keep a structure to our music but don’t hold back on the ideas and different styles of music we are into. Rather than having lots of fans who are into us because we are the new hype or playing recycled music, we believe in having a fan base that enjoys our music because it touches them in some way, or maybe reminds them of a lot of things they enjoy in music because we are so diverse.

Every band runs their band a little differently. We run our band as a business but create music as musicians and friends. We tour all the time, usually over 150 days a year and we treat our fans well. We are currently unsigned but choose to keep it that way until the right offer comes to us. We are not out to bite on any offer we get until we feel it will be the best choice for us.

Bless The Fall Headlining Tour

Phoenix, AZ’s blessthefall is excited to announce that they will headline The Bangover Tour this March/April. The U.S. and Canadian run follows up their slot on The Atticus Tour Oct/Nov 2009, and features support from Miss May I, Greeley Estates and Before Their Eyes.

TOUR DATES:

03/24 - Pocatello, ID @ The Icon
03/26 - Edmonton, AB @ The Avenue
03/27 - Regina, SK @ The Exchange
03/29 - Winnipeg, MB @ WECC
03/30 - Thunder Bay, ON @ The Roxy
04/01 - Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
04/02 - Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks
04/03 - Montreal, QC @ Underworld
04/05 - Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
04/06 - Dayton, OH @ The Attic Club
04/07 - Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasants
04/08 - Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theatre
04/09 - Little Rock, AR @ The Village
04/10 - Metaire, LA @ High Ground
04/11 - Houston, TX @ Meridian
04/12 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
04/14 - Las Vegas, NV @ Area 702 Skatepark

Therefore I Am Tour Dates

Therefore I Am, have announced a full US Spring tour with Equal Vision alumni, Alexisonfire, kicking off April 21st. A special fan pre-sale will launch tomorrow, February 17th, through ArtistArena, with the regular on-sale date scheduled for later in the week.

TOUR DATES: w/Alexisonfire 4/21 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s Down Under

4/22 Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall

4/23 Buffalo, NY @ The Town Ballroom

4/24 Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar

4/25 Richmond, VA @ Canal Club

4/27 West Palm Beach, FL @ Ground Control

4/28 Orlando, FL @ The Social

4/29 St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre

4/30 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 5/1 Greensboro, NC @ Greene Street Club

5/3 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

5/4 Dallas, TX @ The Door

5/5 Austin, TX @ Emo’s

5/7 Mesa, AZ @ The Nile

5/8 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction

5/9 West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour

5/10 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s

5/12 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

5/13 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

5/14 Boise, ID @ The Venue

5/15 Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue

5/16 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre

5/18 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock \

5/19 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall

5/21 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

5/22 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

5/23 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium

Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival

BYO Records is excited to announce that AGAINST ME!, ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES, TSOL, ADOLESCENTS, FILTHY THIEVING BASTARDS and STRETCH MARKS have been added to the lineup for the 12th annual Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival. The bands join a previously announced lineup that includes FLOGGING MOLLY, NOFX, YOUTH BRIGADE, F**CKED UP, THE REVIVAL TOUR and many more.

This year’s event will take place May 6-9, 2010 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hotel and bowling registration is now available at the newly revamped PunkRockBowling.com site. Beginning this Monday, Feb. 22, a limited number of “Early Bird Special Weekend Passes” will be available for purchase on the PRB website. The passes, selling for $70, include admission for all 3 nights of the festival in the outdoor amphitheatre at Sunset Station.

There is NO service charge for all tickets purchased directly through www.PunkRockBowling.com .

Now in its 12th year, Punk Rock Bowling features an all ages outdoor amphitheatre as well as a 21+ indoor lounge for late night shows. Celebrating the independent music community, this year 850 bowlers are expected to be among 210 participating teams. Made up of industry insiders (bands, agents, managers, fanzines, radio stations, labels, punk rock clothing and merchandise companies), and now, for the first time in the 12 year history, open to the general public, Punk Rock Bowling is one of the largest and most recognized indie music events of the year.

The hugely popular Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament is back to kick off the weekend as well as an expanded music program over a 3-day span in Las Vegas. The entire hotel has been blocked out for event attendees along with additional rooms at surrounding hotels. Book your hotel and register your bowling team at the PunkRockBowling.com site.

Anarbor Album Release Date & Pre-Order

Fresh on the heels of two well-received EP’s, the band is preparing the 4/20 release of its full length debut, The Words You Don’t Swallow.

Music fans can now pre-order The Words You Don’t Swallow at www.anarbor.net, where it is available for the special “early bird” price of $5.99 + shipping for a limited time only. A $20 bundle that includes the CD, album art poster and an exclusive t-shirt is also available.

The first single, “Gypsy Woman” is now streaming on www.anarbor.net and is available for purchase on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gypsy-woman-single/id355631297www.anarbor.net and is available for purchase on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gypsy-woman-single/id355631297) and all other DSP’s.

Known for its dynamic guitar sound with soul-shaking howls and relatable melodies, ANARBOR has become a live juggernaut thanks to non-stop touring, on such bills as Take Action Tour, and the Vans Warped Tour which it will be a part of again this summer.

Catch ANABOR on tour with This Providence, The Audition, The Bigger Lights, Artist vs. Poet, and on the entire run of this summer’s Vans Warped Tour.

Punk Goes Classic Rock Tracklisting

Punk Goes Classic Rock is the ninth in the series of the highly-successful Punk Goes… compilation series that has already sold over 600,000 albums and 1.5 singles over the past decade. The latest installment features a selection of the best up-and-coming alternative rock bands doing their own cover versions of classic tracks by such bands as Journey, Queen, KISS, Def Leppard, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Blue Oyster Cult. The album is set for release on April 27th, 2010.

A full tracklisting is as below:

1. Hit The Lights “More Than A Feeling” (originally recorded by Boston)

2. Versa Emerge “Paint It Black” (originally recorded by The Rolling Stones)

3. The Almost “Free Fallin’” (originally recorded by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)

4. Mayday Parade “We Are The Champions” (originally recorded by Queen)

5. The Summer Set “Rock ‘n Roll All Nite” (originally recorded by KISS)

6. We The Kings “Caught Up In You” (originally recorded by .38 Special)

7. A Skylit Drive “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” (originally recorded by Journey)

8. I See Stars “Your Love” (originally recorded by The Outfield)

9. Pierce The Veil “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” (originally recorded by Blue Oyster Cult)

10. Forever The Sickest Kids “Crazy Train” (originally recorded by Ozzy Osbourne)

11. The Maine “Pour Some Sugar On Me” (originally recorded by Def Leppard)

12. Envy On The Coast “All Along The Watchtower” (originally recorded by Jimi Hendrix)

13. Every Avenue “Take Me Home Tonight” (originally recorded by Eddie Money)

14. Never Shout Never “Bohemian Rhapsody” (originally recorded by Queen)

15. blessthefall “Dream On” (originally recorded by Aerosmith)

Fans can also get an exclusive listen to a preview of The Almost’s stunning cover of “Free Fallin’” by going to myspace.com/punkgoesclassicrock and using Microsoft Tag. Follow the instructions on the page to be able to listen to a teaser of the song!

Circa Survive “Blue Sky Noise” Cover Art

Check out this cool time lapse video on the making of Circa Survive’s Blue Sky Noise cover art!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1513658651?bctid=68205292001

15th Annual Extreme Thing Sports & Musical Festival

The 15th annual Extreme Thing Sports & Music Festival will be back in Las Vegas this year. Held Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Desert Breeze Skate Park, this year’s event will again offer fans a full day of rock and extreme sports, including a Pro BMX dirt jump competition, professional wrestling, roller derby, as well as the Vegas AmJam amateur BMX and skate competition.

For the first time ever, the festival will feature three live music stages, including the Verizon Wireless main stage, the newly formed AP (Alternative Press) Stage featuring the Alternative Press Tour, and the XPOZ Local Band Stage consisting of local area acts. Bands performing at Extreme Thing 2010 include The Used, Five Finger Death Punch, Escape The Fate, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, Story of the Year, Never Shout Never, Call The Cops, Hey Monday, Every Avenue, The Summer Set and The Ready Set. More artists will be announced shortly.

Concertgoers should note, only a personal “unopened” bottle of water can be brought into the festival along with still cameras and sunscreen. There will be multiple ATM’s on site, plus an array of food for purchase, from barbecue to Thai, along with beverages. Please note: no alcohol will be sold. No animals, coolers, weapons or chairs will be permitted.

Extreme Thing Sports & Music Festival sponsors include X107.5 FM, Verizon Wireless, City Life, My LV TV, CW Las Vegas, Red Bull, Qdoba Mexican Grill and The XPOZ Coalition.

Extreme Thing will take place Saturday, March 27 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Desert Breeze Skate Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Road at Durango Drive. Tickets are on sale now and are $17 for GA or $35 for a combo package, which includes a GA ticket, event t-shirt and commemorative event poster in advance, or $20 at the door.

Bamboozle Roadshow Announced

The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 will be an ALL-DAY Event with 2 stages of talent, a main stage with rotating artists ALL TIME LOW, BOYS LIKE GIRLS, LMFAO, THIRD EYE BLIND, GOOD CHARLOTTE, HANSON, FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS, HELLOGOODBYE, & CARTEL, and a Second Stage showcasing the talents of many up & comers.

More artists to be announced soon! (All festival dates may not feature all artists, check your local listings.)

Pre-sale will begin at 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, March 2, and run though 10 p.m. on Friday March 5, with Public on-sale beginning Saturday March 6 @ 10 a.m. Local Time. Pre-sale tickets are available here: http://www.thebamboozleroadshow.com.

TOUR DATES:

May 21 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
May 22 – Charlotte, NC – Uptown Amphitheatre @ The Music Factory
May 23 – Atlanta, GA – Six Flags Over Georgia
May 25 – West Palm Beach, FL – Cruzan Amphitheatre
May 26 – Tampa, FL – Ford Amphitheatre
May 28 – Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theatre (No 2nd Stage)
May 29 – San Antonio, TX – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
May 30 – Arlington, TX – Six Flags Over Texas
June 2 – Phoenix, AZ – Cricket Amphitheatre 
June 5 – Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord
June 6 – Chula Vista, CA – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre – Parking Lot
June 10 – Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze Plaza
June 11 – Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
June 12 – Chicago, IL- Soldier Field - Parking Lot
June 13 – Eureka, MO – Six Flags St. Louis
June 15 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
June 18 – Cleveland, OH – Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre @ Tower City
June 19 – Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion @ Riverbend Music Center
June 20 – Philadelphia, PA – Festival Pier @ Penn’s Landing
June 23 – Pittsburgh, PA – Amphitheatre @ Station Square
June 24 – Jackson, NJ – Six Flags Great Adventure
June 25 – Hershey, PA – Hershey Park Pavilion & Stadium
June 26 – Nassau, NY – Nassau Coliseum - Parking Lot
June 27 – Boston, MA - Comcast Center

CD Review: Nothing Personal by All Time Low

The Band: All Time Low

The Album: Nothing Personal

Stand Out Tracks: “Weightless,” “Lost In Stereo,” “Hello Brooklyn”

The Review: All Time Low is the go to band when referring to the current Pop-Punk Scene. Their catchy choruses and quirky guitar riffs are the main reason their style has been imitated since their debut “Put Up or Shut Up”. This time, Alex Gaskarth and company introduce us to “Nothing Personal”, an album that while may not be anything different, doesn’t upset.

Starting off with the pop anthem “Weightless” and ending with the softer “Therapy”, All Time Low keeps a mostly consistent sound that will provide diehard fans with a record to put on constant repeat. On the other hand, the album can get predictable for the average listener, not offering anything different than expected from the genre.

In the end, the “Nothing Personal” provides material designed for the Pop-Punk Scene, but with enough flavor to satisfy those who may not indulge themselves in it.

The Rating: 3 out of 5

The Reviewer: Jo Otero