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Sub-genres in music have to be some of the stupidest things I have ever heard of, especially when they are argued about whether or not a band qualifies as part of that genre. I consider music just that music, but since the industry likes to label the music with genres, lets take the time to explore them. Pop has bubblegum pop, pop/rock, and just pop. Bubblegum pop is meant for the teenagers and kids of the world with the innocent lyrics and catchy hooks and beats. Pop/rock leans a little more toward the rock end with the harder guitars and drums being used. Pop is meant for popular music and rightfully I feel that any genres music that appeals to the masses should be able to put their music in this category, but according to the industry the only ones that are allowed to do so are the Britney Spears and Fall Out Boys of the world.
Rock has a few genres, such as classic rock, soft rock, rock, hard rock. Classic rock is anything that happened over 20 years ago. This includes some of Bon Jovis music, who is still going strong today. Do you think they ever thought that they would still be playing music and have some of their stuff considered classic rock at the same time? Soft rock is more like the ballads of our time, some say it is the sappy version of songs and for the people that are just finding love or suffering the ultimate heartbreak. This can be held true for any music really, because essentially that is what music from any genre is written about, some kind of heartbreak. Rock covers a large spectrum, incorporating pop/rock, and just that music that you are unsure if it is hard or soft. Hard rock is on the edge of heavy metal but not quite there. You have bands like Def Leppard, Van Halen, and all the hair bands from the 80s that were categorized as this type of music, which leads me into the heavy metal category.
This category is the most argued in the industry. There is metal, heavy metal, nu metal, hardcore, grindcore, death and black metal. It had been said that hardcore and grindcore are not known as metal, but ultimately it you are growling and screaming with the hardest drums and guitars out there, it can be considered metal. Most of the time in any of genres you can barely understand what the person is saying, so to the average music listener it is all the same, but to the metal enthusiast it is not the same. There will not be a time in history that this genre of music will not be argued and the people placed in each of these categories will go as far as not liking the other sub-genres music because they are not the same. So I as you this what are your thoughts?
Your musical purchases should be an investment. When you purchase a CD you should be able to wrap your head around more than the two songs that are constantly shoved down your throat by radio stations. iTunes is great for the reason that you have the option to purchase the songs that you hear on the radio. But, there is a down fall to this. What if there are other songs on that CD that are worthy of a listen and you miss out on them? Unlike most people nowadays, I still purchase an entire CD, whether on iTunes or in the store. Most of the time, I will get sick of the songs that are on the radio and completely skip those songs on the CD, but there are some other songs that peak my interest. Sometimes, there are bands that are only able to write two good songs and the rest of the CD is a waste of money. I know people that will only play the songs on the radio after purchasing the CD without giving any other song a chance. When I first get the CD, I immediately listen to the whole thing.
I realize people dont listen to anything, but what is on the radio by an artist when attending a concert. When the performer is on the stage singing a song that has never been played on the radio and the audience is completely silent except for a few of us that have listened to the entire CD. Do you think that the bands notice how the audience is reacting to all of their music? I believe that they look out to see who is a true fan of everything they do and not just brainwashed by radio airplay.
This brings me to my take on local bands. I simply love the local music scene. Their music is in its purest form. It is not played out on the local radio stations, so there is no chance of you being brainwashed into liking it. I have heard it time and time again that someone doesnt like the local music scene. My answer is always the same. Do you listen to the radio? How do you think those bands got started? They just didnt form and get a record deal immediately. They had to pay their dues and bust the humps in their local music scene in order to get noticed by the record companies. Sometimes, it makes the person think about it and will catch them at a local show. The local musician is a hardworking, blue collar average joe just like you who is going through the same trials and tribulations you are seeing in your own life. So my advice is to walk into a local show and sit and really listen to the lyrics that are coming off that stage. You just might find the musical answer you have been looking for.
There is a little band I would like to tell you about, they are called 20WT (Twenty Weight). This band is a fusion of reggae, ska, and metal. You would never expect to hear all three genres mixed together to become one. These guys will blow your mind when they hit that stage. It is amazing what a three piece band can do. They began creating their music in 2001. Ryan, the lead guitar player and singer, and Jay, the bass player met when they were teenagers and have been writing and playing music ever since. In 2007, the found the perfect drummer, Dave. Ever since then the band has been writing hard and playing harder. This mix of genres is one of the most original things I have ever seen. From Ryans vocal range and guitar playing to Jays energetic bass playing and Daves kick you in the gut drums, you cant go wrong with a little 20WT in your life. We simply cant forget about Cousin Andy who runs their merchandise table. He is one of the hardest working merchandise people I have ever seen. Once the band is done and one of them can sit and watch the merchandise he will walk around with a clipboard to get people to sign up for their mailing address. This band will send emails out and even give you links to pass along to your friends for them to checkout and download some of their music for free. These guys are simply something to be seen. If you are looking for originality, then this the band you should be seeing or at least listening to. They love meeting new fans and traveling all over Florida to do it. Every weekend they have two to three shows and they are even looking to possibly take this thing nation wide, if not further.
These guys call me their stalker. It is said all in good fun and I most likely am their one and only follower from a few towns. I have seen them play in three different towns and I am proud to show up to a few different cities to see them create their craft on stage. They are definitely a band that takes their music as serious as they take their partying off the stage. Once they have played, they like to mingle and drink with the crowd that is at the venue, thus creating a rapport and building up their fan base in each town they play in. This definitely has the makings of an already popular band to take their lively hood even farther.
I have seen it many times before when a band gets on and off stage they will either sit in the corner mingling with their band mates, ignoring the fans, or only speak to those that have been around a while. This band is not like that and I am proud to call myself a fan and friend of them. If you want to check the out be sure to check out their website, MySpace, or facebook.
Have you ever been waiting to see a band for a few years and suddenly you get the opportunity only to have them exceed your expectations? Yeah, that is what this concert was for me.
It was my third encounter with Adelitas Way. They never fail to amaze me when they take the stage. These five guys are very high energy and will perform to the best of their abilities, to the amazement of the crowd who may have never seen them before. There is never a lack of energy when it comes to these guys. They have toured with Saliva, Hurt and are currently touring the country with Shinedown. Be sure you check them out, you will not be disappointed.
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I have come to the realization that not every band will sound the same as they do on their myspace pages or their websites. It takes a good sound man to create the perfect combination of instruments and voices in order to make them sound as good as they should. Sometimes the bands themselves are unable to get the high quality recordings together in order to sound they way they should be mixed, so people will be intrigued enough to come out and see them play. There should not be judgments cast upon these bands until you are able to see them perform live in front of a crowd. Then and only then can you make a decision on whether or not you are going to see them again. A sound man will mix the elements of that band to make you listen to them in the proper setting and then you are hearing them properly. Once you have listened to their set, you can see how they are meant to be heard and absorb the true meaning and feeling of their music. The passion put behind the songs will come through during a live performance. Make sure that you check out you local bands, even if you dont like what is on their pages because you never know what is going to touch your soul.
The loss Michael Jackson has hit me harder than I had expected it too. No matter what the man did or did not do in his personal life he change the way music was listened to and the way videos were seen.
This mans videos, or mini movies, were some of the most profound in the industry. He was artistic, thought provoking and made the most visually stunning material anyone has ever seen. He was a role model to a lot of the industries current artist. If you watch videos, when they are actually played on TV, you can see hints of him in everyone elses videos, whether it is in their dance moves or the way the video was shot to look like a movie, no matter the genre. It was because of him that these videos and artist are making them or dancing the way that they do.
The feelings that his death has brought to the hearts of so many people proves that no matter what his personal life may have stated about him he was still the icon we always knew he was. I watched the memorial service today and tears strolled down my cheeks, especially when his little girl stood up and said to the world how she felt about her daddy. That is who I feel for in this tragedy. His untimely death has left three children without the loving father they have known their whole lives.
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If I had a nickel for every time some one asked me what my favorite type of music was I think I would be rich. I dont discriminate against and kind of music. Music to me is what drives my soul. It is my one true lover, the one that has never left my side or left me heart broken. Ok yes there are those heart wrenching songs that will bring a tear to my eye every now and again but it is a rarity that I actually find them on the radio. Most of the time it is the local acts that write the song that strike a cord that sings to my very core.
Gorillafight is a five piece metal/hardcore/rock band that hails from Orlando, Fl and consists of Dave; vocals, Brian; guitar, Chucky; bass, Mike; guitar and Kevin; drums. I have seen them a few times now and I have to say they definitely feed off the energy of the crowd. The rowdier the crowd the more energetic this band seems to get. In one of my previous articles I talked about a band called (un)SAID, these two bands have shared the stage quite a few times and it is definitely something not to be missed. It is like they challenge either other on who is going to be more into it that night. These guys are currently working on a long awaited CD. For now they have one song on their profile called A Place in the Sun that will keep you satisfied. I, as I am sure there other fans feel the same way, cannot wait for them to release it. Meanwhile, keep a close eye on them here: http://www.myspace.com/gorillafight.
Thomas Wynn & the Believers is a five piece rock/country/southern rock band that hails from Orlando, Fl and consists of Thomas Wynn; lead vocals and guitar, Olivia Wynn; vocals, organ and piano, Justin Beckler; guitar, Showcat Luise; bass and Thom Damon; drums. From their song that will make your heart melt called Desert Rose to the songs that make you want to dance like Hard Road there is something to be said about this band that can take you from one extreme to the next. They just came back from recording their CD and with any luck it will be released soon. Till that time comes keep an eye on them here: http://www.myspace.com/thomaswynnandthebelievers.
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I love the singer/songwriter genre. You can find some of the most talented songwriters by just watching a person with their guitar pouring their heart out to you. Some of these acts go on to be the writers behind the big names in music today. Then when given the opportunity they become big stars themselves.
Nora Ricci is an acoustic wonder. She hails from Orlando, Fl. She plays both the keyboards and guitar and moves from one to the other with such ease. She has anything from funny songs to the sweet and sentimental songs that tug at your heartstrings. From songs like Beer Goggle Blues to Someone you will either be laughing or feeling her pain. Keep an eye on her at http://www.myspace.com/noraricci.I]
Chris Dagnese is one of my favorites to watch play. He also comes from Orlando, Fl. He does have a full band but I have only ever seen him acoustically. He has an incredible voice and a stage presence that has to be seen to be believed. From songs like Come Over After to Desperate Feeling he will have you captivated. Keep an eye on him at http://www.myspace.com/chrisdagnese.
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Local live music is where it is at. If you have never ventured out to see a local band in your area you have no idea what you are missing. Take it from me, there are bands that came out of this state that I never got to see live before they made it big. Shinedown and Yellowcard are both bands that came out of Jacksonville, Fl and I never made it up there to see them before they went big. One band that is just hitting the mainstream big is Another Black Day, these guys I have seen a few times and they are something not to be missed. Now with that being said here are some local and not so local acts I have seen come through on tour.
The first band I am going to talk about tonight is Lo Mass Republic. This 5 piece rock band hails from Los Angeles and consists of Jesse Glick; vocals and rhythm guitar, Steve Cordre; bass, Corbin Long; keyboards, Jason Degorse; lead guitar and Andy Bonura; drums. I had the pleasure of seeing and meeting these guys when they came through here on tour with Live last year. I was simply blown away with their lyrics and instrumental accords. If you live in this area or anywhere near it be sure to keep a close eye on these guys. Keep up with all their happening here: http://www.myspace.com/ellamar.
The next band I would like to tell you about is Say When. This rock band hails from Boston, Mass and consists of Maxwell Latif; vocals, Zack Starikov; guitars, John Zaremba; guitars, Mike Marvuglio; bass and Mark McCarthy; drums. These guys came through Florida on tour by themselves and are still touring. They are currently doing a Midwest west tour. Be sure to look out for them in your town. Their stage presence is one you need to see to believe and off the stage they are very approachable. Check out where they will be next at: www.myspace.com/saywhenmusic.
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Your text goes here A local band that I enjoy watching is Voodoo Hodown! This southern rock band consists of 4 members
DW; vocals, Mojo Resin; guitars, Voodoo Vinny; bass, Mattissimo; drums. From their voodoo inspired getup to the way they engage the entire audience this band had the total package. With catchy hooks and great drum beats this band caught your ears as well as your eyes. A hearty congratulations goes out to this band. Check out their music as well as where they will be next at www.myspace.com/voodoohodown.
Another one of the bands that played was Power Kor. This rock band is from Deland, Florida and has 5 members
Sledge Devlin; vocals, Bubba; guitars and backing vocals, Big Mike; guitars and backing vocals, Joe Quest; bass and PJ the wicked; drums. From Rough Patch to Judgment Day they offer a little bit of everything in their songs. Check out where they will be next at www.myspace.com/powerkor2007.
The third and final band of the evening was Black Market Diamond. This Daytona based rock trio consists of
Michael Juliano; vocals, guitars and piano, Mathew Ross; bass and Jhion Raabe; drums. With some of the most melodically infused lyrics you will ever hear you really cant go wrong watching this band play. Keep in touch and find out where they will be heading next at www.myspace.com/blackmarketdiamond
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Comment by musiclover
on Touring Acts
Only Rock N Roll