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Best of 2005: DFO

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Bryce Jacobson

Top 10 Albums
1. Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This To Memory
2. Mae – The Everglow
3. Acceptance – Phantoms
4. Spitalfield – Stop Doing Bad Things
5. The Academy Is… – Almost Here
6. Death Cab For Cutie – Plans
7. Cartel – Chroma
8. Sherwood – Sing, But Keep Going
9. JamisonParker – Sleepwalker
10. The Good Fight – Home Again

Close Calls No Order
Panic! At The Disco – A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out
Paramore – All We Know Is Falling
Fall Out Boy – From Under The Cork Tree
Jacks Mannequin – Everything In Transit
Waking Ashland – Composure
Number One Gun – Promises For The Imperfect
Forever Changed – The Need To Feel Alive
Anberlin – Never Take Friendship Personal
Thrice – Vheissu
The Receiving End Of Sirens – Between The Heart And The Synapse
Hidden In Plain View – Life In Dreaming
Coheed And Cambria – Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV
Houston Calls – A Collection of Short Stories
The Spill Canvas – One Fell Swoop
The Starting Line – Based On A True Story
Copeland – In Motion
Over It – Silverstrand

Top EP’s
1. Jimmy Eat World – Stay On My Side Tonight
2. Relient K – Apathetic EP
3. Self Against City – Take It How You Want It
4. The Arrival – Residence Lift
5. Big City Dreams – Honesty
6. Echo Screen – An American Tale
7. Hit The Lights – Until We Get Caught

Most Anticipated For 2006
1. Underoath
2. The Early November
3. The Adademy Is…
4. Angels & Airwaves
5. Mae
6. Thursday
7. Saosin
8. Matchbook Romance
9. From First To Last
10. The Good Fight

Close Calls No Order
Taking Back Sunday
New Found Glory
The Starting Line
Bloc Party
Hellogoodbye
The Used
Less Than Jake
Saves The Day
The Class of 98
The Honorary Title

Best New Bands
1. Panic! At The Disco
2. Paramore
3. The Good Fight
4. Terminal
5. Let Go
6. The Panic Division
7. The Class of 98
8. Valencia
9. Self Against City
10. Sullivan

Best Labels
1. The Militia Group / Sidecho
2. Tooth & Nail
3. Fueled By Ramen / Decaydance
4. Drive-Thru / Rushmore
5. Victory
6. Epitaph
7. Equal Vision
8. Fearless
9. Lobster
10. Takeover

Best Movies No Order
Batman Begins
Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire
The Chronicles Of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Sin City
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

Most Anticipated Movies For 2006
X-Men 3
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Superman Returns
Ice Age 2

Best Tours
Warped Tour
Acceptance, The Receiving End Of Sirens, Cartel, Panic! At The Disco

Past Years
2005 Mid Year Review
Best of 2004

I determine my best of the year by what has moved me the most. If I’m still listening to something that was released at the beginning of the year I know it must be good. And if I’m still listening to something from 2005 this time next year that it must be something that has really caught my ear.

Now lets hear what your thoughts about 2005 are and what your outlook for 2006 is as well.

Julie Watanabe
2005 Best List

So my end of the year review is compiled differently than Bryce’s. Personally, I think that music genres today have become so diverse that comparing them against one another is a daunting and precarious task. Sometimes you want to listen to a record with raw agression, sometimes you just want some music that makes you feel good. Hopefully doing my review this way will help to recognize specific bands’ strengths and get you to listen to them.

Best Overall Album
Imogen Heap “Speak For Yourself”

Best Album Lyrics
Gym Class Heroes “Papercut Chronicles”

Best Crossover Album
The Panic Division “Verses” (electronic/rock)

Best Album Concept
Thrice “Vheissu”

Best Album Music
The Receiving End Of Sirens “Between the Heart and the Synapse”

Best Progressive Album
Gatsbys American Dream “Volcano”

Best Debut Album
Emanuel “Soundtrack To A Headrush”

Best Overseas Album (international talent)
Days In Grief “Behind The Curtain Of A Modern Tomorrow”

Best Complilation Album
Drive-Thru Records & Purevolume.com “Bands You Love, Have Heard Of, And Should Know”

Best Improvement (most growth from previous release)
Chasing Victory “I Call This Abandonment”

Best Album Art
Mae “The Everglow”

Best EP
(Tied) Castles In The Sky “Whispers Are Hollowpoints EP” / Quietdrive “Fall From The Ceiling EP”

Best Movie Soundtrack
Rent OST

Best “Feel Good” Album
The Rocket Summer “Hello, Good Friend”

Best “Driving Music” Album
The Fray “How To Save A Life”

Best “Cathartic” Album
Darkest Hour “Undoing Ruin”

Best Demo
(Tied) Glory Nights – 2005 Demo / Saosin Capitol & Instrumental Demos

Best Label
(Tied) Fueled By Ramen / The Militia Group

******************************
2005 Letdown List

I guess you can’t have the best without knowing the worst…so here are my 2005 disappointments. For the record, not all these albums were bad, I just had higher expectations for them.

Aiden “Nightmare Anatomy”
Blindside “The Great Depression”
Circa Survive “Juturna”
CKY “An Answer Can Be Found”
Finch “Say Hello To Sunshine”
From Autumn To Ashes “Abandon Your Friends”
Maida “Renaissance In Reverse”
Over It “Silverstrand”
Seemless “Seemless”
Story Of The Year “In The Wake Of Determination”
The Juliana Theory “Deadbeat Sweetheart”
Thousand Foot Krutch “The Art Of Breaking”

******************************
2006 On The Rise

Here are albums I’m keeping my eye out for in the new year. There’ll be some HUGE releases from lesser known talents in 2006.

Saosin
Novice
Adair
Dead Poetic
Glory Nights
Rock Kills Kids
Clear Static
Atreyu
The Classic Crime
Brand New
The Ataris
Portugal The Man
Matchbook Romance
Yellowcard
Quietdrive
Damone
Lostprophets
National Product
36 Crazyfists
Goo Goo Dolls
Glory Of This
Rookie Of The Year
More Than A Thousand
New Years Day
Day Two
Rides Again
Hit The Lights
Waterdown
Hellogoodbye
October Fall
Strike Fire Fall
Brandtson

Joe Kominowski

Here’s my tops of 2005. Sorry it’s been forever since I’ve posted anything. My New Year’s Resolution is to get back on track here. I really miss the whole music scene. Look for more reviews/interviews and posts coming up soon!

Top 10 Albums of 2005
1. Fall Out Boy- From Under the Cork Tree
2. Motion City Soundtrack- Commit this to Memory
3. The Academy Isâ┚¬Ã‚¦- Almost Here
4. Panic! At the Disco- A Fever You Canâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t Sweat Out
5. Hidden in Plain View- Life in Dreaming
6. Jackâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Mannequin- Everything in Transit
7. Gym Class Heroes- Papercut Chronicles
8. Rocket Summer- Hello Good Friend
9. Cartel- Chroma
10. Rufio- Comfort of Home

Close Calls:
Spitalfield- Stop Doing Bad Things
JamisonParker- Sleepwalker
Midnight Aria- The Deep End
Sydney- Self Titled
Paramore- All We Know is Falling
Starting Line- Based on a True Story
Alkaline Trio- Crimson
Spill Canvas- One Fell Swoop
Just Surrender- If These Streets Could Talk
Unwritten Law- Hereâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s to the Mourning
Skeptics- Hearts and Spades

Best â┚¬Ã…”Non-Genre”
1. Kanye West- Late Registration

Best Song Names of 2004:
1. Panic! At the Disco- Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking her Clothes Off
2. Fall Out Boy- Our Lawyer Made us Change the Name of this Song So We Donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t Get Sued
3. Spitalfield- So I Heard You Joined a Convent
4. Sydney- Got Some Purple Stuffâ┚¬Ã‚¦ Hey Sunny D!

Most Anticipated for 2006:
1. Yellowcard
2. Brand New!!! (P-P-P-P-Please!!!)
3. Taking Back Sunday
4. Matchbook Romance
5. The Academy Is..
6. Hit the Lights
7. Something Corporate
8. Race The Sun
9. Senses Fail
10. My Chemical Romance

Close Calls:
Hawthorne Heights
Ataris
Midtown
New Found Glory
12 Summers Old
Novice
Punchline
Jimmy Eat World
Sugarcult
Fall Out Boy (I hear possibly a late 2006 which would obviously blow everything else away)

Best New Bands of 2005
1. Panic! At The Disco
2. Jackâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Mannequin
3. Midnight Aria
4. Skeptics
5. Sydney
6. Paramore
7. Just Surrender
8. Spoken
9. A Day at the Fair
10. The Panic Division

Best Label of 2005
1. Fueled By Ramen / Decaydance
2. Militia Group
3. Epitaph
4. Drive Thru
5. Victory
6. One Eleven
7. Equal Vision
8. Takeover

Best Movies
1. 40 Year Old Virgin
2. Wedding Crashers
3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Best Single:
1. Fall Out Boy- Sugar Weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re Goin Down

What do you think? Way off, right on? let us know…

Valida Prentice

My Best of 2005 List…
Music is very personal. Yes, some is of higher quality (production, talent) but what really matters is how we breathe the music in and out – how we interact with the music and how the music interacts with us. What I feel the deepest connection to is generally what I listen to the most; my list will reflect that (I think… I haven’t made it yet).

Best Overall Album
Coldplay – X&Y
Runner-up: Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This to Memory
Honorable Mention: Coheed and Cambria – Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV

Album Most Indicative of My Year
Sherwood – Sing, But Keep Going

Biggest Surprises of 05
Surprised that I liked it as much as I did: Steel Train – Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun
Surprised that I disliked it as much as I did: Daphne Loves Derby – On the Strength of All Convinced

Best EP of 2005
Straylight Run – Prepare to Be Wrong

Best Album in a Foreign Language of 2005
El Sueno del Morfeo – S/t

Biggest Letdown of 05
Finch – Say Hello to Sunshine

Songs of 05 That Will Stick with Me
Acceptance – “Different”
The All-American Rejects – “It Ends Tonight”
Waking Ashland – “Hands on Deck”

Best Chill Music of 05
Iron & Wine – The Woman King EP

Best Feel-Good Album of 05
Jack’s Mannequin – Everything in Transit

Best Driving Music of 05
Fall Out Boy – From Under the Cork Tree

Most Overlooked of 05
Copeland – In Motion

Most Overhyped of 05
Panic! At the Disco – A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out

Best Music on a TV Series
The OC

Best 2004 Release That Everyone Thinks Was from 2005
The Killers – Hot Fuss (I saw it on the “Best of 2005” rack in Sam Goody the other day)

2005 Break-Up That Saddened Me the Most
Name Taken

Trevor Bivens

This is lame because there’s so much I wish I could include in my top ten.

Top 10 Full Lengths
1. Fall Out Boy – From Under the Cork Tree
2. theAudition – Controversy Loves Company
3. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
4. Anberlin – Never Take Friendship Personal
5. Paramore – All We Know Is Falling
6. Jamisonparker – Sleepwalker
7. theAcademyIs… – Almost Here
8. Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This to Memory
9. Spitalfield – Stop Doing Bad Things
10. TIE – Panic! At the Disco – A Fever You Can Sweat Out / Gym Class Heroes – The Papercut Chronicles

Honorable Mentions

The All American Rejects – Move Along
As Cities Burn – Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest
Cartel – Chroma
Chiodos – All’s Well That Ends Well
Circa Survive – Juturna
Copeland – In Motion
Daphne Loves Derby – On The Strength of All Convinced
The Decemberists – Picaresque
Emery – The Question
Finch – Say Hello To Sunshine
Funeral For a Friend – Hours
Jack’s Mannequin – Everything In Transit
June – If You Speak Any Faster
Just Surrender – If These Streets Could Talk
Lydia – This December; It’s One More and I’m Free
Mae – The Everglow
The Most Serene Republic – Underwater Cinematographer
Nightmare of You – S/T

Top EPs
A Healing Season – Raise the Ground
Self Against City – Take It How You Want It
Halifax – A Writer’s Reference(Reissue)

Letdowns
1. The Starting Line – Based on a True Story
2. Over It – Silverstrand
3. The Junior Varsity – Wide Eyed

Worst Album of 2005
Aiden – Nightmare Anatomy

Top Labels
1. Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance
2. Victory
3.Tooth and Nail

Best Spoken Word Album
Dane Cook – Retaliation

Top DVDs
Clandestine Industries – Release the Bats
Northstar – The Uncomfortable Camera
Epitaph Tour 2005
Sugarcult – Back to the Disaster
Underoath – They’re Only Chasing Safety Special Edition

—————————————–
Random Stuff:

Best Makeout Album
Jamison Parker – Sleepwalker

Best Driving Music
Paramore – All We Know Is Falling

Best Album to Convert Radio-Junkies
Panic! At the Disco – A Fever That You Can’t Sweat Out

Biggest Breakout of 2005
Fall Out Boy

Worst Breakup of 2005
Name Taken

Best Cover Song of 2005
Underoath – Wrapped Around Your Finger(The Police)
———————————————————————-

Looking Forward To:
Lostprophets
Brand New
From First to Last
Spitalfield
Atreyu
Matchbook Romance
Taking Back Sunday
Bloc Party

Podcast Episode #4

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Our 4th installment of our Podcast is now up for downloading!

Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes here or listen below.

Music By:
Blood On The Tracks – “Love Is Dead”
Scary Kids Scaring Kids – “The City Sleeps In Flames”
June – “Patrick”
Meriwether – “B Quiet”
The Good Fight – “The Fallout”

Podcast Episdoe #1

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The first Podcast is now live! You can download it from the links below.

Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes here or listen below.

Music By:
The Appleseed Cast – “Fight Song”
The Class of 98 – “Everywhere You Go”
Matchbook Romance – “Monsters”
MC Goldie Wilson – “What’s An Old Timer Like You Want With A Two Timer Like Me”
Big City Dreams – “Death Of An Insurance Salesman”
From Aphony – “Result Of A Murder”
Quietdrive – “Rise From The Ashes”

Taylor Gahm Industry Interview

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Taylor Gahm

Here is our first interview in our Industry series where we interview people throughout the music business. Filmmaker Taylor Gahm was nice enough to give us his views.

Could you give us your name and what it is you do?

My name is Taylor Gahm and I am a filmmaker from Texas.

When did you know that working with multimedia was something you wanted to do with your life?

About 3 years ago. I got a late start because I was sidetracked by the glamour and prestige of pursuing my post high school dream of being a career waiter at “Los Cha Cha’s” Mexican restaurant.

How did you start off as a cinematographer? What were your initial projects?

I started helping a friend of mine with his wedding videography business. I eventually bought my own gear, shot a documentary for a TV show called MXTV and then won an award for it. This was all within 9 months of picking up my first digital video camera, I guess it just made sense to me.

What do you think the difference between ordinary cinematography and digital cinematography is?

They are very similar acquisition formats. Film is so expensive but the resolution is second to none. Digital is cheaper, more forgiving and can give you similar results if you know how to set things up from pre to post production.

What kind of planning goes into shooting a tour dvd and a music video?

A tour DVD consist of me grabbing my gear and going. I bring clean underwear and jeans and then steal tees and hoodies from the merch table- it’s a good deal. After that I just shoot everything and figure it out in post.

Music videos are a bit different. It’s usually a juggling act between the expectations and ideas of the label, the band, and myself.

How do you go about coming up with treatments for the videos story, etc?

I usually just copy everyone elses ideas- it seemed to work for me in high school…. I don’t really know to be honest. I think it usually hits you when you first hear a song. You initially get an amazing conceptual idea that is so incredible and progressive that a solemn tear forms in your left eye then you take a look at the budget, laugh and go with a performance video.

Interesting. What person has had the biggest influence in your career?

Steve Bache.

Who is Steve Bache?

He is the drummer for He Is Legend.

Really? How is it that he has had such an influence in your life?

Well he hasn’t really. We just have a sweet deal where we mention each others names in press interviews. Sup dude?

Okay then…. Um, How much input does the artist have on your projects?

It depends. I have helped a couple bands sign to major and indie labels. Generally the unsigned bands come to me with a check and tell me to do my magic.

The Project 86 DVD was a bit different. It was kinda like “idea pinball” during the whole post-production process. I would put clips together online, and then adjust the edits accordingly to feedback.

I am currently working with He Is Legend and Dead Poetic on their DVD’s and they are a bit different. They are pretty much just telling me to do my thing. There really is no “right” way. My take is to just adapt to the ebb and flow of the tour and have fun.

Do you need to be trained collegiately in film to suceed in the business?

No, but it wouldn’t hurt a bit to be trained in business to suceed in film. The same goes for bands’ I think a course or two in marketing or economics would do more good than courses in music theory.

Do you feel that it is important/benetifical for an artist to get signed to a record label?

Sure. But the reality is that most bands look at a record deal as an easy way out. Landing a deal is a ton of hard work and dedication. Landing a deal is benificial, but it isnt totally necessary to be successful.

What does it take for you to work with an unsigned artist?

Talent. And money.

So do you have any advice for the upcoming filmmaker?

Get your hands dirty. Make your own movies. Forge your own path. Don’t wait for opportunity- create it. Don’t listen to negative people- they are jealous and they are wasting away their lives. Cling to those who inspire and support you. Glean from others- keep what you like, discard what you don’t. Brush your teeth. Please don’t drink and drive.

Where do you see the film and music industry going in the future with all of the technology making things easier?

Dude I have no idea. I am sure you wanted something better than that but I got nothing. I am still eagerly anticiapting flying cars like in Back to the Future II.

What do you see yourself doing in the future whether it’s continuing with cinematography or moving on to something else?

I am pretty much counting on marrying a doctor. Once that happens I will probably play a lot of golf. If that falls through, then I would like to be directing music videos for the next few years and then move on to feature films when the time is right.

I am also in the process of starting a non-profit organization to benefit touring musicians. I am hoping that it wont be too long before it is making a difference in this business.

Thanks for your time and insight on your thoughts of the industry. We hope to hear more about you in the future and wish you the best with your work.

Thanks for having me. Take care.

underOATH Interview October 18th, 2005

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Underoath

I had the honor of sitting down with Spencer of underOATH before their show in Fargo, ND on October 18th 2005. We talk about their tour with Thrice, their upcoming studio time,new album, and other good things.

Bryce: Can we get your name and position in the band?
Spencer: My name is Spencer and I do vocals.

Bryce: How has your tour been going with Thrice?
Spencer: It’s been awesome, the shows have been awesome. Everyone on the tour is really cool. We’ve known everyone but Veda for longer then this tour.

Bryce: Have you toured with Thrice before?
Spencer: No, unless you count Warped Tour. Its like when we met them and The Bled we’ve toured with a couple of times before.

Bryce: You guys are going back into the studio soon. What can we expect with your new album?
Spencer: We go into the studio in January and we are going with Adam D who did Killswitch. We’re trying to record something that you know if you see us live we are completely different from CD. A lot of stuff thats hard for people to capture for some reason, it gets dried out and kind of stale feeling. We’re hoping that someone like Adam who is our friend before he’s a producer to us you know like someone that’s excited about us even if we aren’t recording with him and not someone who’s just excited about getting paid. Not saying thats how lots of people are but that’s how a lot of producers are. Like we were on tour with them and we were writing new songs and he was excited and thats hopefully something that will shine through our new recordings. All of us having fun and just being awesome so hopefully that will come through when you hear the CD you will be able to tell we’re having a good time and you can tell that the people who are working on it are excited.

Bryce: You don’t have to sell yourself to him.
Spencer: Right, yeah.

Bryce: Do you guys have a specific writing process?
Spencer: Not really. Someone will come up with an idea like a riff for an example and that will be like Tim or me or someone who’s playing guitar coming up with something. If we’re home we’ll work on it a lot at home but this last two years we haven’t really been home. Normally on sound check we’ll play around or we’ll play around in the back of our bus we have like a crappy little thing to record with. But now that we have the basic sculpting done on tour and then we come home and we practice every day when we are at home and we just tear it up and what goes wear and switch stuff around. It’s a long process but it’s cool because you get to sit on it for a while even though that happens all the time no matter what.

Bryce: Are you looking forward to going back to the studio?
Spencer: I’m not looking forward to being home. I go crazy when I’m at home because i’ve got nothing to do. I am looking forward to going into the studio for sure. We have like eight songs done already, like done. Like we’re almost done with the record.

Bryce: Will we hear any new ones tonight?
Spencer: Yeah you will.

Bryce: Your the second vocalist for this band. Do you still get people comparing you to Dallas?
Spencer: It’s been over two years, its like a totally different thing.

Bryce: What if someone says I like the old underOATH better?
Spencer: I understand why someone would say they don’t like the last record. I don’t even like all the last record. Thats what we were into at that time. The record we are about to record is completely different. It’s heavier then any underOATH record. It’s not metal it’s just really heavy and some people will be really excited and probably some people who like us now might not be but that’s never our concern. If your concerned of what people are going to think then your going to writ crappy records. There are six of us so to get six of us to record something its the best it could possibly be.

Bryce: Your Special Edition version of “They’re Only Chasing Safety” just came out. Was it your idea to release it?
Spencer: It was kinda the labels idea. We’ve been doing video stuff forever and it was kind the labels idea to do a re-release thing because that seems like something all the bands are doing these days. We were really strict about it being the same price as the regular record. We were just like the DVD has to be really good, we want kids to buy it because it’s worth it not to make more money. We don’t make money off that crap anyways (laughter) we make our money on tours. We were a little worried about it at first but when we got the edit for the DVD we were pretty like I think kids will be stoked about it. Everyone we have talked to was like dude we’ve watched it like ten times. There are like bands that I’m really into and if they re-release something i would go out and buy it. And same thing if they like release the digapack instead of the hard case, i’ll go buy it. It’s worth it and having like a DVD that’s funny is worth it. Selling a DVD alone is like so weird because stores are going to overcharge for it, we are going to try and do a full DVD but that’s so hard to do so we might wait and put it out with the next record. But we thought that was the coolest way to get the DVD out.

Bryce: The videos on the DVD are funny and thats like what you guys get to do in your free time right?
Spencer: Ya we get to mess around a lot in our free time.

Bryce: Do you guys have any pre show rituals?
Spencer: Like normal stretching and pumping yourself up before the show. We always pray before we go on. I warm up every day.

Bryce: Is that all the exercise you get?
Spencer: Normally when the first band goes on I go warm up somewhere and come back and watch the band before us, for me.

Bryce: What can we find in your tour bus?
Spencer: The company we rent from it always costs the same and sometimes you get a nicer bus and sometimes you don’t. They all have TV’s but we bring like our own XBox and stuff. Grant is probably in the bus right now playing games. (laughter)

Bryce: Do you have any favorite places to tour?
Spencer: Well we’re from the south east so down there is always awesome. California is always awesome, and Texas is always good as well. I like being everywhere, I mean there are definitely places that are better then others where kids are just like more excited about what’s going on.

Bryce: Are you listening to anything in particular at the moment?
Spencer: Right now I got the new Sigur Ros thats really good, the new Pelican record thats pretty good, just older stuff.

Bryce: Are you into newer stuff?
Spencer: Umm, like what’s going on now?

Bryce: Yeah, like Thrice’s new record?
Spencer: Yeah Thrice’s new record is pretty good. But most stuff thats going on right now I’m not really into. I’m not saying that we are anything special or awesome but most things that are like cool right now I’m not really into. The bands I’m into are like Botch, Isis, Red Sparrows, Radiohead, and Sigur Ros. Weirder bands like that, but nothing thats really like indie whatever popular like Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance kind of stuff I’m not into that stuff. I like those dudes as people but whatever that scene is has taken over.

Bryce: How was the Taste of Chaos tour?
Spencer: That was awesome.

Bryce: What has been one of your favorite tours?
Spencer: There are things about every tour. Like warped tour when this past record came out seeing things grow. We were out there passing out records working our butts off in the heat and seeing it pay off in the end was cool. Things like Taste of Chaos which is like a huge opportunity that you don’t get all the time and headlining. I can’t really pick a favorite all the tours have stuck out.

Bryce: What do you think is the difference between a christian band today then one ten years ago?
Spencer: There’s not much difference at all thats what sucks about christian music. Like we try to do something different. I look at us as just another band in the secular market like with all these other hardcore bands and we just happen to be a christian band that has different beliefs. We’re the sore thumb we’re like not in the christian scene that’s doing something different. We went to this christian award show one time and it was the weirdest thing I’ve ever been to. That to me is like I know why people hate christians and think the scene is lame and the people are lame cause for the most part they are, that’s why we are here trying to change it.

Bryce: I think it’s way more acceptable today.
Spencer: Right, it’s acceptable because it’s not forced. We don’t get up there and say your going to hell because you don’t believe what we believe thats a bunch of crap. I know when I was 15 and going to hardcore metal shows and I didn’t believe in God that wasn’t what was going to help me out at all.

Bryce: Bands that get on the radio like Switchfoot and all those that are christian makes people look at it different look at it different but they have to figure it out for themselves.

We are interrupted by a man running through the curtains and tripping while trying to get outside to get cell phone reception. Watch where your going buddy, lol.

Bryce: Are you guys going to be on Warped Tour next year?
Spencer: Hopefully, we don’t know yet but we’ve been on the last two years a bit. Its hot and you hear a lot of the same thing everyday but its good for bands and kids who might not get out to a normal show.

Bryce: Well thanks for hanging out Spencer. We all look forward to your new record and seeing you again.
Spencer: Cool, thanks!

www.underoat777.com
www.purevolume.com/underoath

June Interview August 15th, 2005

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June
I got to talk to Mark from the band June while they are out on the road touring right now. We talked about their new album “If You Speak Any Faster” and other great things as well. June’s new album comes out August 23rd 2005 on Victory Records.

Bryce: Ok well lets start off with your name and position in the band.
Mark: Name is Mark Sutor, I play drums in the band.

Bryce: Ok so since our last time chatting with you, you guys have been signed to Victory Records, can you tell us a little bit about how that came about?
Mark: Well, Victory is based out of Chicago, so it was always a huge dream in our eyes to get signed to that label.
We were starting to meet alot of the staff from Victory at shows and other things just because they’re so involved with the Chicago scene, so we at least knew that they would give any of our music a listen.

Bryce: Thats a great way to get your music heard, cause it can be hard.
Mark: Yeah definitely, it really helped that we got to know alot of them over there.
So once we could see the opportunity, we didn’t want to blow it. We worked insanely hard at writing and recorded an EP at Big Gold Studios with Dan Duszynski.
The songs came together amazingly and Dan did an awesome job with the recording. We sent the EP’s everywhere we possibly could and booked our own tour last july-august, and then waited patiently for people to get back to us. When we heard Tony from Victory wanted to meet, we went in right away, worked out a deal and got things moving.
Ever since, everything has been going amazing. He gave us alot of time to concentrate on writing the new album, gave us a budget to work with Brian McTernan (who is absolutely incredible) and has supported everything we have done 100%.

Bryce: Yeah! Your EP came as a great shock to me, it was quite simple yet it was full of surprising elements that made it stand out a lot.
Mark: Well thank you.
To conclude with Victory, everything has been going amazing and we’re stoked to finally get a CD out (in a week!)

Bryce: Yes it should go nice with the fans. A lot of the victory bands are hardcore but its great to see your style on the label as well.

Bryce: On your new album you have re-recorded some of the songs you had on your EP and they sounds amazing. They basically sound like totally new songs, was it your intent to make them that much different or just polish them up a bit?
Mark: We had no idea what was going to happen to them. We wanted to go into the studio with a bunch of new ideas but without any direction (keeping it the same, changing it, etc.). We showed Brian the songs we wanted to re-record and he helped us figure out our ideas.
And they came out incredible. We are VERY happy with the new versions of the songs.

Bryce: Yes I think the fans will really like them too, because sometimes when songs are re-recorded they can be overdone but these are perfect.
Mark: Thank you very much, yeah, we were hoping not to scare some fans off with the new versions, but we felt like they were alot more powerful but still very memorable (for those fans that enjoy the EP).

Bryce: They will enjoy them!
Now your video for Patrick looks like it was a blast to shoot, can you tell us a little about that.
Mark: it was AWESOME.
we had no idea that amount of people would show up.
We seriously played the song like 35 times, and after every time, the crowd would cheer like we just finished an encore at a huge show somewhere. The energy was so high in that room, so consistent. I can’t remember having that much fun in a long time.
Also, what was funny the director, Shane Drake (who did an amazing job), was like “OK everybody, only 4 more takes and then you can all go home!” thinking that everybody was tired (it was about midnight by the time we were done) and would be happy to leave, and everyone booed! It was hilarious!
But so much fun.
As for the “Stand By Me” concept, we can’t believe how good that turned out

Bryce: Ya, is that the story behind the kids?
Mark: we had that exact idea planned out, and those kids that acted in the video weren’t found until the NIGHT before he was going to shoot.
It was very nervewrecking, we wanted to make sure the concept was kick-ass, and everything just came together so well.

Bryce: Ya it goes with the rest of the video pretty good. The bear part is rather funny.
Mark: Have you seen stand by me?

Bryce: I have… But can’t remember much lol.
Mark: Well, at the end, the kid who scares the bully off actually pulls out a gun, and we couldn’t do that in the video. So we wanted to make something that started off pretty serious and straight-forward and then gradually get funnier, ending with the bear suit (which we all thought of the day before the shoot as well). We definitely love that part.

Bryce: Haha ya it turned out great if you ask me.

Bryce: So your out on the road right now, who are you touring with?
Mark: We are touring with a band on Tooth and Nail called “Terminal”

Bryce: I love them by the way
Mark: As do I, haha

Bryce: haha
Mark: Halifax just dropped off the tour before we got to play any dates with them because the singer got strep throat…that’s what we were told.
So now it’s only a Terminal/June tour, and it’s been going on since the 8th

Bryce: Any locals opening for you on any dates?
Mark: Yes, locals are on every show because it was only a 3 band package to begin with, but now with only us 2 there are definitely locals on every show.

Bryce: Thats a good way to hear some potentially good music.
Mark: yes it is

Bryce: So what are your tour plans for this fall like after your CD release show (which has a great lineup by the way)
Mark: We will be routing out to CMJ in New York by ourselves, then we play CMJ on the Victory showcase (which is going to be kick ass), and then we’re going to be touring with Bayside/I Am The Avalanche/The Forecast
Everything after that is in the works right now.

Bryce Is there anyone you would love to tour with? If you could choose.
Mark: I say this every time, haha. Foo Fighters
Such an amazing live show, amazing songs, and I bet they would be amazing people.

Bryce: Haha ya I bet they would be. Great writers. So on that note do you have a favorite album for 2005 yet?
Mark: hmm
new Foo Fighters, definitely
haha
if you can’t tell, I’m a huge fan

Bryce: haha ya I kinda thought would be your choice. So has their drumming inspired you at all to want to try new things?
Mark: Who? Dave Grohl’s?

Bryce: ya
Mark: hell yeah, I can listen to the colour and the shape, and every time hear this amazing new thing they did on drums and be dumbfounded

Bryce: haha I hear ya there, so many things make me wish I was good at playing something.
Like those songs you hear and you just know that if you could do that you would be like king.
Mark: yep that’s a rough feeling to deal with, haha

Bryce: Ya it is, but it makes you want to try harder and become better, so its a good inspiration tool.
Mark: of course, if you don’t use that feeling of pure “awe” at somebody’s effort and feeling they put into something, then something is wrong. It’s very inspiring to hear music like that and actually feel how much went into a song.

[b]So is there any particular thing that got you into music.
Mark: There is 1 thing that got me into music
my first concert ever, seeing Blink 182 at The Tweeter Center
when I was 15

Bryce: Haha, that band changed my whole thought on music with one note.
Mark: I was astounded that 3 guys that were writing music they loved drew over 20,000 people to come and sing along
so I bought their CD
and then the rest of their CD’s
and have been changed by it forever

Bryce: Same here! I was your normal rock band lover before I heard Blink and ever since I have been after looking for great new music and it never fails to amaze me how much stuff is out there.

Bryce: So back to the recording a bit, it can be a fun but long process but do you enjoy the down time to get all your ideas out and recorded?
Mark: Of course. It’s such a creative experience
It’s definitely a bit draining at times, when you need to get something done, but songwriting can never be entirely a “get done on time” process
or else the songs just sound manufactured and boring

Bryce: Yeah thats for sure.

Bryce: So your cover art for your new album… Is there a story or meaning behind it? It looks really cool.
Not really either. We just wanted something that looked very slick and stood out, and we loved that picture from the second we saw it. Credits to Jac Vanek.

Bryce: Well it came out unique for sure.
Mark: Yeah, we’re getting alot of cool reactions to it

Bryce: So are there any bands out there right now that you think we should know of, like someone you heard that not very many people know about yet?
Mark: I don’t know of any really young bands, or very unnoticed
but people are definitely going to like the audition and the hush sound
both bands are going to make nice impacts on the chicagoland area, and more importantly this genre altogether

Bryce: Ya they will get some good coverage as well.

Bryce: Ok well thats about all I have, is there anything else you would like to add for the fans?
Mark: Talk to us. We have a new website coming on August 23rd
It will have all of our screen names
talk to us on myspace
email us
we want to be available for communication in a very personal way
drumlikejune is my AIM name
let them know
haha

Bryce: Haha, everyone should be sending you messages soon letting you know what they think of the new album which everyone needs to go out and get on August 23rd.
Mark: exactly. Let me know what you think.

Bryce: I will
Mark: If you’re at all interested, definitely check out our E-card at http://www.victoryrecords.com/june/ecards/
and get the record! tell all your friends!
that’s all i’ve got
haha

Bryce: Awesome! Look for your feature on www.drivenfaroff.com next week and I’ll have a review of your album up sometime soon as well!
Mark: excellent
thank you

Bryce: Thank you for your time, and have fun out on the road!

You can check out June at these places
www.junerock.com
www.purevolume.com/june

Number One Gun Interview March 9th, 2004

By 1 Comment

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Bryce: First off i would to thank you guys for the awesome show, it was a really good time.

Trevor: Sure
Jeff: Thanks
Trevor: Thank You

Bryce: Ok first off lets get your names and what you play in the band.

Trevor: My name is Trevor Sellers and i play bass, in a band!
Jeff: I’m Jeff Schneeweis i sing and play guitar.

Bryce: Alright very cool.

Bryce: You guys have been touring non stop since your album came out.

Jeff: Pretty Much
Trevor: For the most part, yeah. Before it came out actually.
Jeff: Yeah, actually before it came out. It’s been really good. You’ve asked how it’s been?

Bryce: Yeah

Jeff: It’s been really fun, we have met a lot of cool people.

Bryce: Any bigger shows, bigger then tonight, i know it’s not very big here.

Jeff: Yeah, i mean we just played with Reliant K on the west coast. Those are big shows, that was fun, a good tour.

Bryce: So who has been your favorite?

Trevor: Bleach
Jeff: Or Pax too, it’s hard to tell.
Trevor: I think the most fun i’ve had was with Bleach and John Reuben.

Bryce: So pretty much all good friends?

Jeff: Oh yeah
Trevor: Yeah

Bryce: Do you guys prefer being on the road, or do you like recording too?

Trevor: Touring is so much fun, but then like i think when it kinda feels like time to write new songs that seems like fun. We haven’t really done that yet, like we didn’t tour at all, we wrote songs and then we started touring. I think it would fun to take a break.

Bryce: Have you guys written anything new? I know your album just came out in August.

Jeff: Yeah we played that new one tonight. And we have some in the works, but they aren’t complete, but we are going to start writing, putting it all together soon here.

Bryce: The kids have been reacting pretty good to the shows?

Jeff: Yeah it’s been really good.
Trevor: Yeah

Bryce: What can i find in your CD players right now?

Trevor: Today we listened to Beloved. We listened to As I Lay Dying. We listened to a lot of Copeland.
Jeff: Blindside, Emery. We have so many CD’s its unreal.

Bryce: Do you guys fight over what your going to listen too?

Jeff: No. We actually kinda are the same.
Trevor: There are certain times where its like we don’t want to listen to something.
Jeff: Yeah

Bryce: So something laid back now and harder later?

Trevor: It’s been a lot laid back lately just cause we have a lot of CD’s like that. They are nice to drive too.

Bryce: Have you guys heard of of Spitalfield?

Trevor: Yeah heard of them.

Bryce: Thats good stuff, I have been listening to them a lot.

Bryce: So do you guys have any crazy stories from being on the road?

Jeff: Wait wasn’t that just one we had or something?
Trevor: No that was Sensfield
Jeff: Oh
Trevor: Or something like that.
Jeff: Alright
Trevor: Haha ok.

Jeff: Oh yeah, that one we can’t say that one. Bleach
Trevor: Oh that one
Jeff: No we can’t say that one. The motel one.
Trevor: Yeah we can’t say that one, lol.
Jeff: Other then that i wish we could say that one. But that was pretty funny.
Trevor: I’m trying to think of crazy stuff. We don’t go out and like find trouble at all so it’s like. It hasn’t come to us yet so we have been pretty lucky.
Jeff: We try to have fun!! Oh yeah tell them about the guy that chased us.
Trevor: Oh yeah, there was a guy in a laundry-mat in Nebraska.
Jeff: Something like that.
Trevor: Yeah and we kept yelling at him through this megaphone we have.

Bryce: lol

Jeff: Just like total noises.
Trevor: We like saw him all over town, like two or three different times. Finally the last time we were in the parking-lot at the laundry-mat and we yelled at him. He put down his food and starting chasing after our car.

Bryce: lol

Jeff: He was driving so we just took off in the van.
Trevor: There was traffic coming so we couldn’t pull out in the street so we pulled into this alley. He ran up and hid in these bushes.
Jeff: He threw a water bottle at us.
Trevor: It was pretty crazy, he was like chasing after the car.
Jeff: We weren’t doing it to be rude, we were just having fun, making noises.

Bryce: I heard Side Walk Slam was held at gunpoint one time?

Trevor: Oh yeah they said they were at a Waffle House and somebody came in a demanded everyone to put there wallets on the table. The drummer or somebody stood up and the guy like put the gun up against him.
Jeff: When was this?
Trevor: Like on their last tour or something.
Jeff: Wow

Bryce: Probably don’t want that happening to you.

Jeff: No.
Trevor: No not at all.

Bryce: So anything else guys? It was a good show.

Trevor: Thank You.
Jeff: Thanks. It was a good show, in a basement!

Bryce: I haven’t been here before. We don’t get very many concerts here so we try to hit everyone we can.

Trevor: Yeah thats what it seems like.

Bryce: So you drive to South Dakota next.

Trevor: Yeah.
Jeff: Yeah.
Trevor: We look day to day.
Jeff: Yeah we go day by day.
Trevor: Just need to know how long to drive.

Bryce: I just saw your video for “Starting Line”, your in the back of a truck trailer, how was that?

Jeff: That was awesome, it was like the most fun we ever had. All the kids were in there, it was so energetic.
Trevor: Like on our end was all the lights and that was the closed end. The open end was like a walk-in freezer.
Jeff: It didn’t even matter, where we were was really hot.

Bryce: Were those lighting effects actual lights or were they just put in the video.

Jeff: There were floodlights behind us, and like lights on the sides. But they added some stuff to the video.

Bryce: Well its very cool.

Jeff: Thanks.

Bryce: Well thank you for your time guys. Have fun on tour.

Jeff: Yeah, thanks.
Trevor: Yeah.