Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

Show Review: Butch Walker and the Lets Go Out Tonights

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butch1.jpg

As Fast As, Boys Like Girls, Butch Walker and the Letâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Go Out Tonights
July 28, 2006
Boston, MA
Axis

Boston was full of excitement on this night. I was running late as usual. The trains were packed with Red Sox fans. There was a baseball game going on right next to the club and Lansdowne Street was bustling with people. There are sausage vendors and scalpers all yelling. I canâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t even recount how many times I got ask if I needed tickets to the game. I just barely made it inside before As Fast As started. As Fast As had so much energy. Being my first time even hearing of them, they definitely caught my attention and held it. Spencerâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s vocals were strong and I was definitely impressed. Zach was crazy with his guitar and full of energy. The crowd seemed to absorb their energy and really got into their set. In between the sets there was karaoke. It was thoroughly entertaining. People picked songs like Baby Got Back, Material Girl, You Oughtta Know, and Donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t Stop Believing. Next up was Boys Like Girls. They are a definite favorite around here because Boston is their hometown. There was a definite buzz in the air as they hit the stage. Martinâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s vocals werenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t as strong as I hoped but he was still pretty good. The stage presence of the band as a whole was amazing. They definitely know how to put on a show for their hometown. I will admit that I was dancing around by myself and cheering like crazy. BLG will do that to you. Butch Walker followed Boys Like Girls. Butch Walker and The Letâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Go Out Tonights put on such an amazing show complete with amazing stage lights, back up singers and amazing music. Butch is crazy on the guitar and his vocals were amazing. The Letâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Go Out Tonights were also entertaining to watch. Their two female back up singers put on quite a show singing and dancing, dressed in their 80â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s attire. Butch would throw his pick up in the air multiple times and catch it in his mouth, hands, etc. Martin from Boys Like Girls jumped up on stage with Butch at one point and they sang a cover of Gnarls Barkleyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”Crazyâ┚¬?. This night was amazing. One of my favorite shows of the year. I hope you all got to check it out before they finished the tour.

(photo from butchwalker.com)

Boys Like Girls – Boys Like Girls

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Boys Like Girls

Artist: Boys Like Girls
Album: Boys Like Girls
Label: Red Ink / Columbia
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 22, 2006

Overall: 9.3
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9.2
Production: 9.5

Every year, one band tends to stick out to me more than others. Last year, it was Paramore. This year, it’s Boston’s Boys Like Girls. If pure, hook-filled, melodic, pop music is your thing, then BLG’s self-titled debut is right up your alley.

I can’t stress enough how every track on this album has the potential to be a hit single.
From the opening three songs “The Great Escape,” “Five Minutes to Midnight,” and the first single “Hero/Heroine,” this album screams “next big thing.” The rest of the disc is hook after hook of sugarcoated goodness. Following the tradition of The Academy Is…, Paramore, theAudition, and Hit the Lights, Boys Like Girls are my new favorite sing a long band.

Martin’s voice has a ridiculously varied range. It’s showcased on every song on the album. John, Paul, and Bryan back him up, bringing on some of the best music I’ve heard in this genre since every high school kid with a guitar listened to one pop-punk song and said, “I can do that.”

Lyrically, the songs tackle issues like taking on life head-on, relationships, and making the best of things. If you’re ever feeling down, this album will help perk up your attitude.

This is the Matt Squire production I knew and loved. That other album must have been a fluke.

With a great live show, and an excellent debut under their belts, Boys Like Girls are standing on the edge of being this year’s Panic! or Fall Out Boy, practically begging for mainstream success. If you’re not too much of a snob to admit you like ridiculously poppy music, pick this album up.

Track Listing
1. The Great Escape
2. Five Minutes To Midnight
3. Hero/Heroine
4. On Top Of The World
5. Thunder
6. Me, You, And My Medication
7. Up Against A Wall
8. Dance Hall Drug
9. Learning To Fall
10. Heels Over Head
11. Broken Man
12. Holiday

Videos: Hit The Lights, Boys Like Girls

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Here are the first Driven Far Off videos to hit the website. Check out songs by Hit The Lights and Boys Like Girls below by right clicking and downloading the videos.

Hit The Lights – “309” (iPod Video)
Hit The Lights – “Bodybag” (iPod Video)
Hit The Lights – “Hey Jealousy” (iPod Video)
Hit The Lights – “These Backs Are Made For Stabbing” (iPod Video)
Boys Like Girls – “Learning to Fall” (iPod Video)
Boys Like Girls – “Untitled” (iPod Video)
Boys Like Girls – “The Great Escape” (iPod Video)