Danny Says!

Dannys Says! now on Tumblr!

2011-04-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

http://www.dannysayszine.tumblr.com

End Of An Era

2011-03-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

By Jenine Clancy

Butch Walker, the famous (yet reclusive) southern artist said it best, "if I make up my own “ism” no one can say anything or tell me what I'm doin is wrong.” Making up your own word leads to a self-defying opportunity. End of an Era, the hard rock-techno mash-up from Toms River probably would reject the words I just used to describe them, for lead Drummer Jeff S. Aka “Spags” says their music should be labeled “sex pretzel.” To defend my words, the five-piece band is unique, in that the hard driven guitar riffs and fast drum beats go well with thumps you would usually hear at a rave. Mixing heavy electronics and a hard rock sound is always something the band wanted to do since their formation in the early 2000’s. All of the members including lead singer Jeff Wallace, guitarists Jeff Brogan and Chris Matsinger, and bassist Justin Mazyk had all been in previous bands all over the Jersey Shore, but according to Spags “failed miserably.” What they took was the best part of those bands (themselves), and made a super, better band. Ironically, End of an Era was the start of something new and a name that Spags says “just sounded cool and would look good on a poster.”
Their songs get you going from the beginning. In the song “No Tomorrow,” it blasts with crunching guitars and high-pitched key boards. Wallace’s throaty, baritone voice sounds like he should be grouped into the likes of singers such as Seether, Three Days Grace and Staind. Perfect for top 40, but that is not what End of an Era is trying to attain. In their song “Malevolent Nation" the lyrics play out like an ad against America’s obsession with celebrity: “We’re not trying to sell a product/we’re not trying to sell a trend/we are not the American Idols, We don’t live in Laguna Beach.” Lauren Conrad they are not…Spags described the songs meaning: “It basically explains the band in a nutshell. Many people seem to be infatuated with pop culture and we just want them to know from the get-go that we're not the popular kids who realized they all wore the same brand of jeans and decided to start a band. We're basically a freak show. ” The boys seem like they are socially aware of what’s going on in the world and would say that is a factor, however they are doing what any band would do: “We don't consider ourselves a "political" band, per say. However, we do consider our songs to be more of a social commentary. We filter the things we see, hear, and feel in our everyday lives down into our music.”
The rigorous lifestyle of playing 8-10 shows a month took its toll on the band and they took a short break in 2010. They found themselves back in a room writing new music with everything falling back into place. The band knew they had unfinished business. The band took home first place in The Jersey Showdown in January and created a self-titled album full of eleven new songs which was released in March. As far as the future they plan to continue to tour and are headed up the east coast in
April and in the mid-west in June. You can catch them on April 1st at Station 36 in Waretown, NJ, at the Trocadero Theatre in Philly on April 23rd, Yardley Community Center in Yardley, PA May 7th, and HHVFW in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ on May 21st.
They plan to continue to tour and are headed up the east coast in April, mid-west in June and hopefully a full U.S. tour.
Check them out at www.endofanera.org

Foo Fighters have a busy April!

2011-03-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

Seattle rock legends Foo Fighters are releasing two albums and a documentary within two weeks of each other in April. On Tuesday April 5th, the documentary Foo Fighters: Back and Forth will screen in select theatres across the country as voted by a website. The screenings will also be followed by a live concert of the band performing their new album Wasting Light in its entirety which releases the following week April 12th. And as if that wasn't enough on Record Store Day- April 16th, Foo Fighters will release Medium Rare, a collection of classic rock covers on vinyl! Included in the tracklisting is a cover of the Ramones' classic "Danny Says". Check it out:

Medium Rare Tracklist:
01. “Band on the Run” (Paul McCartney & Wings)
02. “I Feel Free” (Cream)
03. “Life of Illusion” (Joe Walsh)
04. “Young Man Blues” (Mose Allison)
05. “Bad Reputation” (Thin Lizzy)
06. “Darling Nikki” (Prince)
07. “Down in the Park” (Gary Numan)
08. “Baker Street” (Gerry Rafferty)
09. “Danny Says” (The Ramones)
10. “Have A Cigar” (Pink Floyd)
11. “Never Talking to You Again” (Hüsker Dü)
12. “Gas Chamber” (Angry Samoans)
13. “This Will Be Our Year” (The Zombies)

Patent Pending

2011-03-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy

Patent Pending seem to have a love/hate relationship with the scene they are a part of. Putting out a DVD for “Not Alone,” the band busts out with the lyrics “if this punk rock scene don't be the death of me/ then let this east coast weather kill the rest of me/ cause if these tattoos on my skin don't mean a thing/ then let this beating in my chest cease to believe.” A typical pop punk band they are not. They might sound very poppy and melodic, but they have a very hedonistic attitude about life and the scene. They say on their Myspace that they “have in- your face energy and optimistic views on the American music scene and life in general.” They sing and scream “this beat is in my soul, take this beat and lose control, and in a syncopated rhythm sing “this is a song about the way you make me shake.” If you listen to “The Way You Make Me Shake,” you literally will want to dance for hours. Sure, they talk about missing girls and partying, but these guys don’t display any signs of slacking off.
The band toured vigorously on the Vans Warped Tour, eventually going on tour with national acts like Bowling For Soup, Cobra Starship and Gym Class Heroes. Their videos have been played on numerous outlets including MTV, Fuse and Much Music. The band has had two albums “Attack of the Awesome” (09) and their latest “I’m Not Alone.” Matty Lewis from Zebrahead even lent some of his talent to “Not Alone.” Plans for this spring include recording a new EP with producer Jordan Shmidt (All Time Low, Motion City Soundtrack, Sing It Loud), and a cross-country tour with Bowling for Soup.

Patent Pending are playing Friday March 11th at Marlboro Rec Center in Marlboro, NJ.

Blacktop Kids: Right In The Street

2011-03-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

By Lauren-Oliva "Liv" Simister

Monroe Township, New Jersey, most notably home to athletes and a woman who thought she could fly, is finally getting a new shot at rock n’ roll redemption in the form of Blacktop Kids. Comprised of Max (vox), Steve (bass), and twin brothers Sam (guitar/vox) and Dylan (drums), The Blacktop Kids are slowly earning their place in the spotlight. After working on their new album, Right in the Street, produced by Pete Steinkopf (of The Bouncing Souls), it’s no wonder the band is rising in popularity! In a sea of auto-tune, Blacktop Kids give listener’s a break, playing music that will take many back to the days of old-school punk, and drawing in younger listeners with the modern hardcore sounds. “Well I think the sound of punk and hardcore is really a raw and organic sound, as opposed to the kind of digital sound that auto-tune has,” Dylan says. “It would be hard to fit auto-tune into our style.” The rest of the band agrees; punk was made to be raw, basement-like.
“It’s like cheating,” says Max. “Why would an artist want to put out something that wasn’t them?” Right in the Street is definitely an example of honest-work. “The recording process was a little unorganized, because we were all in different states, and Pete [Steinkopf] was touring,” Max admits.
“The next time we go into the studio, we’re definitely going to be more organized,” Sam says. “But that being said, having the recording process spaced out gave us time to think of things to add and improve the songs.”
“Overall, we’re happy with the record, and even happier that it’s out there,” says Steve. They also had a benefit many artists only dream about—going into the studio with an idol. “It was the most surreal experience we’ve ever had,” the band say, in reference to working with Pete Steinkopf. “We’ve looked up to The Bouncing Souls for years.” “[Pete] made the recording process easy, because he knew exactly what it took. He had some cool ideas for certain songs,” says Max.
After years of being friends (the band go way back—Junior High), it’s no wonder fans recognize the band by their great stage presence and chemistry.
Behind the scenes, the members of Blacktop Kids all have different ways of getting fired up for a show. “I hate the time leading up to a show. You just want to get up there and go nuts, but you have to wait,” admits Max.
The twins, Sam and Dylan, are polar opposites. “Dylan always tells me I get really pessimistic right before we play,” says Sam. “You know, just thinking we’re going to sound shitty, but then getting on-stage, and having a blast.”
Dylan, however, remains…ice-cold. “I just put on my favorite cut-off shorts and smash ice blocks over my head,” he states.
“We just get fired up playing music we love,” Steve says, keeping it simple. “We love playing with each other and for anyone who will listen.”
As musicians and concert-goers, The Blacktop Kids have been to their fair share of concerts. “We all love to see fans go nuts, respectfully,” the band says. “We hate seeing people just sitting and not getting into the music.”
“We’re doing this for the music,” Max says. “Not to get drunk.”
“I think the band and the concert-goers need to have fun,” says Sam. “Energy is infectious.”
Unfortunately, due to being so “scattered about,” Blacktop Kids are finding touring difficult. “We’re definitely excited to tour when we can,” they say. “But for now, we’re just getting stoked for our future shows, like playing a basement in The Holy Mess on the fifth of March.”
As disappointing as the wait can be, fans can rest easy, knowing this may mean an even more energetic show. “Because we can’t get on-stage often, when we do get on [stage] or even get a band practice in, the anticipation kind of explodes,” they laugh.
Blacktop Kids are playing Friday March 11th @ Marlboro Rec Center in Marlboro, NJ.
Check out Blacktop Kids on myspace.com/blacktopkidsnj, and on blacktopkidsnj.com, and order their new album, Right in the Street at blacktopkidsnj.bigcartel.com

Show Me Some School Boy Humor

2011-02-24T13:28:00.001-08:00

By Lauren-Olivia "Liv" Simister
Though they’re young, Little Rock AR’s own School Boy Humor (comprised of twin brothers Phil and Anthony Evans) know a thing or two about putting everything on the line for their art.
Like many musicians, the Evans twins sometimes wonder when money is going to come in, or even when their next meal will be….but they do this all for music, to give their passion all they’ve got, rather than work that nine to five job so many of us try our best to avoid.
After a successful EP (Camera Shy But Still a Star), and a wonderfully-done full-length as their Vagrant, the duo have pulled in many a fan with their catchy hooks and melodies. With vibrant lyrics, they’re quick to earn a spot on your mp3 player.
Known for their straight-forward, honest lyrics, School Boy Humor are quickly gaining popularity, proving worthy of every bit of attention they get.
Despite the difficulties SBH have faced, there’s no stopping them.
Check them out on Facebook, or on myspace.com/schoolboyhumor
On March 5th, they will be performing at the Freehold VFW in Freehold, NJ with Chase Coy, Jimmy Robbins, Hollander, Call Me Anything, plus more. Get your tickets now on Ticketweb!

Just Surrender to the music!

2011-02-17T12:56:00.000-08:00

By Lauren-Olivia "Liv" Simister

Just Surrender, previously known as ‘A Second Chance,’ is headed to Freehold, NJ on February 18th, 2011.
Known for having two vocalists who “share the spotlight,” as well as for their catchy, melodic tunes that are sure to please, Just Surrender is a talented group, made up of Jason Maffucci (vocals), Dan Simons (vox/guitar), Steve Miller (drums), and Kyle Shellhammer (bass/vox). Hailing from Poughkeepsie/Dover Plains, NY, Just Surrender have made quite a name for themselves, though it’s no surprise with how much they tour!
After the successful 2007 release of “We’re In like Sin,” and a successful tour, Just Surrender went back into the studio, later emerging with “Phoenix” on June 22, 2010.
Since then, Just Surrender has toured with The Maine and Hit The Lights on the Zumiez Couch Tour.
Now signed with Razor & Tie Records, Just Surrender is fully emerging as a success, even appearing on MTV.com and forums throughout the music scene.
Fully embracing that success, Just Surrender is great with fans, before and after performances.
Check them out on February 18th, and also on myspace.com/justsurrenderrock
Their album, “Phoenix” is out on Itunes and Amazon now.

Safety Word Orange

2011-02-07T10:55:00.000-08:00

Usually when you hear an obscure band name it could be perceived the band members just made it up on the spot. The meaning behind Safety Word Orange has a sentimental story. Guitarist Robbie Rusbuldt explained that lead singer James Mason “had hit a low point living in L.A. and his friends had joked if things ever got really bad, the safety word would be orange. Years later, when he was no longer in a rut, his friend sent him a package with Safety Word Orange on the front. I guess it stuck with hm because it is now our name. We think of it as something there to remind us of where we have been and where we are headed.”

That humble attitude had brought the boys from Virginia very far. Recording their self-titled in 2007 the band has seen much success, even being featured in AP. Rusbuldt was more than ecstatic: "AMAZED! Haha it was crazy to think that a nationally recognized magazine that we have all grown up reading wanted anything to do with us. It was a dream come true."

When you listen SWO it sounds like something that isn’t on the scene right now. Yes, they are pop-punk, but have a hard rock sound. The way that Mason’s words have a certain syncopation, reminisces sounds reggae-less 311. This year they released two EP’S. An acoustic record and their amplified mix “On Your Mark, Get Set.” Rusbuldt explained there was a vast difference: There was a pretty big difference. When working on, On Your Mark, Get Set... our music was stripped to the bone. Every chord, riff, lyric was put under a microscope. haha It was a huge learning experience. On the other hand, when we were working on our acoustic EP we weren't as concerned with putting things under too much of a microscope. We just wanted to put out some good songs that people would like. It was interesting to see how Andrew and Bryan work. Both have different ways of going about the production/recording process.”

Expect to see SWO out on tour and a release of another EP. And exemplifying that humble attitude, SWO couldn’t be more excited to tour: “our favorite part about being on the road comes from playing to a different group of kids every night. It's cool to meet so many people and bands. Not to mention we get to see parts of the US that we would normally not get to see. One of the coolest parts of going out on the road is when we all begin to think of the van as home. We all have lives outside the band, but when we go out it really brings us together and reinforces why we are playing music at all.”

Safety Word Orange will be performing on February 11th at the Marlboro Rec Center in Marlboro, NJ.

Love Via Dance Machine

2011-02-01T09:20:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy

If J.J. Abrams were to pick a band to represent his obsession with time and space, New England’s Love Via Dance Machine might as well have gotten stuck on an island or come from a parallel universe. With lyrics like “I was thinking everything was fine, until I heard you were lost in time,” and “the futures wastin, only the few survive,” you wonder if these guys loved “Star Wars” growing up or simply wanted to understand time, hoping their current status as rock stars doesn’t end anytime soon.

The futuristic pop-punkers formation is in the eyes of the beholder. If you are already a fan of the band you have been through time as a “time traveler.” They say they are from the years 2050 and are saving humanity from “the modern day pop trash that relentlessly burrows itself into your ears on a daily basis.” If you are a bit of a skeptic, the back-story of lead singer Eric Grava and guitarist Alex Badanes bonding over tight pants and Saves The Day at Berklee college might be more believable.

After recording their EP “All Is Fair In Love And Dance" in April 09, they toured relentlessly, and this year released their latest single produced by Rob Freeman, former guitarist of Hidden in Plain View. When asked how it was working with him the band said: “working with Rob Freeman was awesome. Personally, we were huge fans of Hidden In Plain View and it was awesome to work with someone that wrote a lot of our favorite songs. He did a great job with the song and got it done real quick which was awesome.”

The boys also decided to put out a documentary, capturing life on the road: “We wanted to put out a video to represent what kind of guys we are and funny things we do when we are on tour. This documentary definitely will show some of our time travelers what we are really like outside of playing shows and it’s also got some great live footage. We are super proud of it.”

So what do these boys from the future have planned for the future? Expect a tour and a cameo on Fringe…well maybe no J.J. Abrams show, but a tour is planned to have you dancing all the way into 2050.

Love Via Dance Machine are playing on February 11th at the Marlboro Rec Center in Marlboro, NJ.

Say "Hello" to Farewell Fighter

2011-01-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

by Lauren-Olivia "Liv" Simister

After recently winning the Alternative Press Hometown Hero competition, Farewell Fighter makes their Danny Says debut.
Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, the headquarters of gospel and country, Farewell Fighter, a powerpop/rock ensemble, comprised of Kenny Fleetwood (vox/guitar), Lee Morton (guitar/vox), Matt Hooper (drums), and David Jahns (bass), has made their name known throughout the United States with their win. Like many bands today, this bro-mance began on Craigslist, an act of serendipity many listeners fully appreciate.
“We received an e-mail from the editor of Alternative Press about a month before the issue hit the shelves informing us that we made it into the Top 10 Hometown Heroes,” says Fleetwood. “The catch, however, was that they didn't inform us of where we ranked in the top 10.”
“We had to wait until the issue came out,” laughs Jahns. “Needless to say, it was a very intense month for us.”
An intense month largely worth the wait.
“We were all in our respective hometowns when we found out. It was Christmas Eve, and Hooper saw a tweet from a fan on Twitter saying that they got the issue early and that we were the #1 band” says Morton happily. “He relayed the message immediately and we all freaked out pretty hard. It was a very exciting and proud moment for us, and we couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present!”
On January 18th, Farewell Fighter released their EP, “The Way We Learn.” An EP that they claim “didn’t have a set writing process.” This means all the energy put into the songs is raw, real, and perfect for that summer road-trip all listeners are craving.
This raw energy translates well into live performances, with a lot of fan-interaction. “We love to get the crowd singing in key parts. That's how we get fired up on stage,” says Fleetwood.
Obviously, this works for Farwell Fighter, because fans cannot say enough about how fantastic their performances are. (If you have an opportunity to see them live, go for it!)
“[By getting the crowd involved] it makes the show more fun and personal,” agrees Hooper.
Before a gig with another band, Farewell Fighter also likes to get familiar with the other bands’ music, which is a contributing factor as to why the band is so popular amongst listeners and musicians.
After being in the studio for months, Farewell Fighter is more than ready to try out their new material. “It’s exciting and very refreshing,” admits Morton.
“We have a larger selection of songs to choose from,” says Hooper. “It makes it easier for us to fill out our tour set.”
Starting out on the right foot (they played the anniversary show for Rocketown, a premier venue in Nashville), and continuing to shine, Farewell Fighter is a must-watch band.
They’ll be in Freehold, New Jersey on February 4th, so save your cash kiddies! And head to myspace.com/farewellfighter or purevolume.com/farewellfighter to stream their EP, “The Way We Learn.”
“The Way We Learn” is available on Itunes and Amazon---check it out now!

Sharon Van Etten tours with The National and more

2011-01-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

Singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten originally of Hampton, NJ will be touring this year with The National as well as collaborating with Aaron Dessner of the band for “more intimately heart-wrenching songs". A few years ago Sharon could be seen at places like Red Bank, NJ's now defunct Internet Cafe now you can catch her on one of these dates:

Sharon Van Etten 2011 Tour Dates:
01/19 – New Haven, CT @ BAR
01/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s %
01/21 – Columbus, OH @ Wexner Center at Ohio State %
01/22 – Nashville, TN @ The 5 Spot %
01/23 – Asheville, NC @ Broadways %
02/13 – London, UK @ Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen
02/15 – Brussels, BE @ Forest National *
02/17 – Utrecht, NL @ Netherlands Cross-Linx Fest
02/18 – Eindhoven, NL @ Netherlands Cross-Linx Fest
02/19 – Groningen, NL @ Netherlands Cross-Linx Fest
02/20 – Rotterdam, NL @ Netherlands Cross-Linx Fest
02/22 – Krakow, PL – Studio *
02/24 – Warsaw PL – Stodola *
02/25 – Berlin, DE @ C-Halle *
02/26 – Aarhus, DK @ SCC *
02/28 – Lund, SE @ Färs & Frosta *
03/01 – Stockholm, SE @ Cirkus *
03/03 – Helsinki, FI @ The House of Culture *
03/04 – Helsinki, FI @ The House of Culture *
03/10 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
03/11 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade
03/12 – Atlanta, GA @ 529
03/17 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/18 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/19 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/22 – Tucson, AZ @ Solar Culture ^
03/23 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room ^
03/24 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar ^
03/25 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite ^
03/26 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar ^
03/27 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill ^
03/29 – Vancouver, BC @ Media Club ^
03/30 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir ^
04/01 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux ^
04/02 – Salt Lake City, UT @ State Room ^
04/03 – Denver, CO @ Walnut Room ^
04/04 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown ^
04/06 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center ^
04/07 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater ^
04/08 – Madison, WI @ University of Wisconsin ^
04/09 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall ^
04/10 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern ^
04/12 – Toronto, ON @ Drake Hotel ^
04/13 – Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo ^
04/14 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall ^
04/17 – Washington, DC @ Red Palace ^

* = w/ The National
# = w/ War On Drugs, Sebastian Blanck
% = w/ Julianna Barwick
^ = w/ Little Scream

Top 10 Films of 2010

2011-01-03T10:47:00.000-08:00

By Danny Wreck

10. The Wolfman- A Horror movie done the old fashioned way for the most part. This was more stylized than any horror movie I've seen of recent and just for that it's made my top list.
9. Babies- This documentary was both strange and funny. There is no dialouge, just footage of babies!
8. Death At A Funeral- This remake of the Frank Oz film from just a few years ago took the best parts of the original and added some new jokes to it. This is one of those comedys where seeing it in a big audience in a theater is better than watching it at home.
7. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid- This is not just a kids movie, it's meant for the adults to remember funny memories of their childhood.
6. Cyrus- This indie film was not the typical indie artsy fartsy fair, nor was it the typical Jonah Hill fart joke movie.
5. Oceans- One of the best uses of 3D was for this film where you actually feel like you're in the ocean. This pre-BP spill film also spent a small amount of time on conservation which is more important now than ever.
4. Tangled- Part Disney, part Shrek, both elements together equal something entirely better than either of those elements on their own.
3. The Social Network- This is the film which will define 2010, when we look back years from now and remember just how popular Facebook was as we can now look back on the former popularity of Myspace.
2. Dinner For Schmucks- The funniest comedy I've seen since 2009's Bruno.
1. Alice In Wonderland- Combining Alice In Wonderland, Disney, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Danny Elfman, and 3D? Instant Classic.

Thieves and Villains

2010-12-20T10:17:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy

When you listen to “Virginia Woolf,” the first song on Thieves and Villains Myspace page you would swear this was Patrick Stump’s next project. Do not be fooled, because even though lead singer Sergio Otaegui’s voice sounds a lot like the former Fall Out Boy front man, there is something harder and grittier wrapped around his vocal cords that makes Thieves and Villains a lot like their name. The meaning behind the name comes from lyrics written by guitarist/pianist Chris Pennings. Even though in this interview they band said it could be determined as open-ended, the band has said in the past : "People often have to engage in sketchy behavior to get ahead, so we decided that instead of ever allowing ourselves to follow that path we'd name our band 'Thieves and Villains' so that we as people don't have to be."

The band had first formed in 2007 when Pennings and Otaegui decided to start playing together. Several lineup changes later they finally solidified things in Spring 2009. They had known each other from the local music scene in the New York area. After relentless touring, the band signed to Victory Records in 2008 and released their first full-length, “Movement.” Their songs had appeared on “Gossip Girl,” “The Real World,” and “Making the Band.” Their second album “South America” was released in august of this year. Absolute punk, offering some constructive criticism, praised “South America”: “Everything about Thieves and Villains is bigger and better now, a lot better. Sergio Otaegui has certainly breathed life into his voice now, adding more drive and heart into it. That goes for the entire band as a matter of fact." When asked if the band felt that this album was a step up from “Movement,” Otaegui replied: “Yeah, the new album is definitely a lot different than the first album. We just wanted to grow and take the band where we always wanted it to go.” And taking heat from the critics and if they have any influence… “We take the criticism and if it’s constructive then its even more welcome. But no, we never have anyone in mind when we're making music. We like to just go with our own vibe and make ourselves happy. Hopefully others will be on the same page.”

For The Foxes

2010-12-15T09:20:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy

In the never-ending debate of nature versus nurture, it could be argued your surroundings make you who you are. The Jersey shore band For the Foxes, growing up with the cool breeze and sea air, the ambience is like the wind, blowing in and out of their music. Their two EP’s “Six Ways to Love,” released in 2008 and the self-titled in 2009 have catchy, carefree tunes about having fun and the trials and tribulations of the girls who inspire them. They are pure indie-pop, sometimes sounding having some rougher edges like on “Not Like I Like You” and circus-filled twee-pop in “I Know, You Know, I Know It’s True.” The band members agree that their unique sound could have come from their hometown of Barnegat, but not too keen on the idea that their was their main influence saying: “I'd imagine it has had some sort of influence on the music, any environment can.”

Lead singer Nick Dungo started the band in 2008 after recording demos and playing local shows. Guitarist Jimmy Brindley and drummer Danny Vassallo both joined in 2009. The name “For the Foxes” was derived from the title of Charles Burkowski’s poem. When reading the poem lines like : be sorry for the others who fidget, complain. who constantly
rearrange their lives like furniture. beware of them: one of their key words is"love." You could interpret these boys are cautiously optimistic about falling for the girls they sing about. It could also be interpreted that they show a sign of independence, not letting anything negative interfere with their positive aura.

Nick Dungo takes that independent attitude and strategically places it when determining how to write a hit. In past interviews he described how his band would sit and discuss what other bands were doing to make them so successful. They would take bits and pieces of others success, but then in-turn, make it their own. Their songs like their hit single “OMG” have appeared on MTV and “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” They just released their latest catchy single "Where the Heartache Is,” full of claps and danceable beats. A full EP is expected for 2011.

Having the ability to have hit songs also contributed to getting recently signed to Hopeless Records, the same record label that is trying to put Yellowcard back into the spotlight. With the positive attitude the band holds, they were again, cautiously optimistic about being the new kids on the block and being on a label with a band who had experienced the pitfalls on being on a major label: “Being signed to Hopeless is an incredible feeling. I remember buying my first Hopeless compilation at the Atlantic City boardwalk when I was just eleven years old. Now that we're signed to Hopeless we're ready and willing to work harder than we ever have before. I can't believe were on the same label as Yellowcard as well as bunch of other Hopeless bands. They've done amazing things as a band and hopefully someday we can have the same success that they've had. The music industry can be intimidating thing to get into, but we just try to stay focused on the goals we have for the band and try our best to achieve them.”

For the Foxes are playing at the Marlboro Rec Center on Friday January 14th, 2010.

Anthony Green Announces Title for Second Solo Album

2010-12-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy

When Anthony Green's 2008 solo album " Avalon" debuted, fans and critics knew the Circa Survive frontman had reached a different point in his life. After a tumultuous relationship with his on-and off- again girlfriend Meredith, the two wed that year. Flash-forward two years later Green and his love have a baby, and now this week announced he will start recording his second solo album titled "Beautiful Things." Green has made note in the past that he is not qutting Circa. In fact after the 2010 release of "Blue Sky Noise," Green grew as a lyricist, tackling deeply personal issues, such as his wife losing a baby, not once, but twice.

In regards to his second solo album, Green gave us a preview earlier this year of things to come in an interview with The Aquarian:
"Yeah, I have all these songs ready to go, and they’re the coolest songs. There’s this one song that I’ve been working on just on this tour, and it’s all about just wanting to be around somebody so bad and not know why. It’s kind of like a beggar’s song, telling someone that they’re fucking crazy and they’re awesome to be around. I wrote a song about antidepressants called ‘I Love You When I’m On Pills,’ and it’s a work in progress. There’s a song that’s an apology to Meredith for cheating on her for so many years and being such a terrible partner."

April Smith Playing Asbury Park on December 11...A ghost onto herself

2010-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy

April Smith is not one to follow trends. Listening to her album "Songs for a Sinking Ship'' it would appear she was following the cabaret-esque type sound that many mainstream pop stars like Pink, Christina Aguilera and even Britney Spears have dabbled with the last couple years. Like an old-time magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat, do not be fooled, for Ms. Smith has been conjuring her brew of vaudeville-pop-rock for a long time.
The Toms River native, whose influences range from Tom Waits to Queen, gained her epic sound and archaic-like showmanship by performing for anyone and everyone, trying to impress, as she says on her website, “her insanely talented” siblings. Her haunting, yet euphonious voice blends well with her songs that sound like they came from an era where blues and swing were at the top of the charts, a time where the Andrew Sisters performed "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and not Katy Perry.
Now Living in Brooklyn, Smith will be returning to the Shore with her band, the Great Picture Show, to perform at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park on Saturday (Dec. 11). The show will be a holiday event held by “Hey Cole,” a promotional and booking service for musicians, whose founder Nicole Lipman, who after seeing Smith perform live, years ago, convinced Smith to be her very first client.
Asbury Park is like a second home to bodacious singer, whose video for "Bright White Jackets',” off her first full-length "Loveletterbombs,” debuted in 2007 at the Baronet Theatre. The 97-year-old theater was demolished this September after it was determined to be an imminent hazard by city officials. In an interview with the Asbury Park Press Smith lamented on the issue: “that just makes me so mad. A lot of people, instead of restoring buildings and preserving history, they just want to tear things down and put up condos, and I think that's such a stupid thing to do.” Also adding: “How do you tear down the Baronet? I don't know, but clearly that person had no connection with history.''
History…that is why April Smith works so well in Asbury, for the era she sings about is lost in this Jersey Shore town, but like a ghost, she serves as a cultural stand-in of a time that we yearn for, but can never get back.

The School House in Brooklyn Gets a Reclusive Indie God Out of the House

2010-12-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy

Anyone part of the local scene for sometime knows it’s always a right of passage to proclaim you knew a band “way back when.” However, what if it was in reverse? What if an already established musician decided to randomly come out of hiding to play a show, giving you the credentials to brag I witnessed history being made? Well, if you were one of 75 people at The School House in Brooklyn Friday night then you would have witnessed Neutral Milk Hotel frontman Jeff Magnum make a rare appearance performing songs off the band’s, now legendary albums, “On Avery Island” and “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.”
The 90’s indie band who disbanded after the 1998 release of “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” has been looked at as a band way ahead of its’ time. Stuck in-between post-grunge and the height of the alternative wave, Neutral Milk Hotel boisterous instrumentation and lyrical content gained the band some critical success. Not knowing something is good until it’s gone, NMH grew in popularity as time went on. In “Aeroplane Over the Sea” the album was rumored (and now confirmed) to be about the life of Anne Frank, making it at the time, unique for an indie band to do a concept album, way before concept albums were the cool thing to do.
In an interview with Pitchfork Ben Goldberg of Ba Da Bing Records, who helped set up the show, says, "I really can't say what this means in terms of future performances. This was a last minute show, done intentionally without buildup to let it be as simple and easy going as possible. It seems to have gone exactly like that. What I honestly feel like I saw tonight wasn't The Greatest Musician In The World Performing The Most Amazing Songs Ever, but rather a fantastic musician performing his wonderful songs. God, I have to say that is so much more gratifying than trying to look at it as a life -altering event. I bet others who were there would agree with me."

Flogging Molly announces tour dates

2010-12-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

Irish Punk legends Flogging Molly have just announced their annual Green 17 Tour which as always includes stops to our neck of the woods! They're currently working on a new album which should release in the spring sometime after the tour so expect to hear some new material!

Flogging Molly 2011 Tour Dates:
02/08 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
02/09 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
02/11 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
02/12 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
02/13 – Tampa, FL @ Ritz Ybor
02/14 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
02/15 – Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
02/17 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ Hosue of Blues
02/18 – Norfolk, VA @ NorVa
02/19 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
02/20 – Albany, NY @ Northern Lights
02/22 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s
02/24 – Rochester, NY @ The Armory
02/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
02/26 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre
02/27 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
03/02 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
03/03 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
03/04 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
03/05 – Nashville, TN @ War Memorial Auditorium
03/07 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
03/08 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
03/10 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room
03/11 – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
03/12 – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
03/13 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater
03/15 – Oklahoma, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
03/17 – Tempe, AZ @ Luckyman’s St. Patrick’s Day Bash
03/18 – Las Vegas, NV @ Beach at Mandalay Bay
03/19 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater

Nicole Atkins goes "indie" for new album

2010-12-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

After being dropped by Columbia Records for not making a "commercially successful" enough record, New Jersey/Brooklyn (for hipster cred)'s Nicole Atkins is back with a new album coming out on indie label Razor and Tie. The new album "Mondo Amore" will have a sound that is described by Atkins as "psychadelic funk". You can catch her in NY or Philly during her tour:

Nicole Atkins 2011 Tour Dates:
02/09 – New York, NY @ The Bowery Ballroom
02/11 – Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
02/12 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
02/13 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
02/15 – San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
02/16 – West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
02/18 – La Jolla, CA @ The Loft at UCSD
02/23 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
02/25 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
02/26 - Toronto, ON @ The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
02/27 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
03/01 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
03/02 – Madison, WI @ The Frequency
03/04 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
03/05 – St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird
03/07 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
03/09 – Washington, DC @ The Rock and Roll Hotel
03/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s

Jay Weinberg joins Against Me!

2010-11-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

Punk band Against Me! are going out on tour the next few months with Dropkick Murphys and have added New Jersey's own Jay Weinberg (son of Max) as their drummer. Jay had previously played in local band Chaosis and had the opportunity to fill in for his father with the E Street Band as well as the Max Weinberg Seven on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. While the Florida based band will not be stopping at Starland this time, nor New Jersey at all, you can check them out in NY or Philly.

Against Me! 2010/2011 Tour Dates:
12/03 – Jacksonville, FL @ WXXJ 102.9’s “The Big Ticket”
12/04 – West Palm Beach, FL @ WPBZ 103.1’s “Buzz Bake Sale”
12/05 – Tampa, FL @ WSUN 97X’s “Next Big Thing”
12/11 – La Jolla, CA @ KBZT 94.9’s “Holiday Hootenanny”
02/23 – Niagara Falls, NY @ The Rapids Theatre *
02/24 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore *
02/25 – Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
02/27 – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater *
03/01 – Denver, CO @ The Fillmore *
03/02 – Kansas City, MO @ The Beaumont Club *
03/03 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue *
03/04 – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom *
03/05 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant *
03/06 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues *
03/08 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory *
03/10 – New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom *
03/12 – Washington, DC @ Shamrock Fest
03/16 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues *
03/17 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues (sold out) *
03/18 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues (sold out) *
03/19 – Lowell, MA @ Tsongas Arena *

* = with Dropkick Murphys

New Danny Says physical zine out now!

2010-11-29T12:40:00.000-08:00

Available at the following shows:
Crossroads- Garwood, NJ: December 5th
Marlboro Rec Center- Marlboro, NJ: December 10th
Court Tavern- New Brunswick, NJ: December 12th
Freehold VFW- Freehold, NJ: December 17th

Happy Buy Nothing Day!

2010-11-26T08:09:00.001-08:00

Celebrate by buying nothing today! Anybody can do it!

STATELMAN: Hittin’ The Road Quick

2010-11-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

By Lauren-Olivia “Liv” Simister

When looking for the perfect concert (i.e. one that will get your heart pumping, and leave you with unruly hair that makes you smile), look no further than Statelman, a New Jersey based band notorious for giving one heck of a live performance.

Recently, Statelman have uploaded two new singles on their Myspace, which will be available in late December.

“The writing process for our songs was just putting ideas on the table, and we sat down and turned them into songs,” says Tim James (bass).
“I like songs that you can understand exactly what the person was thinking the moment they wrote the lyrics,” says Meg Diguilio (vocals). “That’s really what I try to do when I write.”

Statelman have also recently welcomed two new additions:Jon Stolpe (guitar) and Donny Saraceno (drums). “Having new members has brought us to a new level as a band overall. We are all on the same page, and the songs that we write and play together mean a lot to us and have a lot of emotion which only makes our stage presence even bigger,” says Tim.

With a reputation for giving a great, energetic show, Statelman describe their stage-presence as “in-your-face.” “We try to start off strong and give every second of the show our all, and we also do our best to get some crowd participation happening, without coming off as forced,” says Dan O’Connor (guitar/vox).

Throughout their extensive east-coast touring, Statelman have encountered many a fan, and they’re not keeping quiet about it! “One time, I caught a girl taking a picture of Dan. Not with Dan, but of him…and he was facing the opposite direction,” Donny laughs.

Despite being in a mostly-male scene, Meg, who started off playing guitar in the band, has transitioned wonderfully into the role of being the band’s front-lady. “Honestly, I just give every performance my all because that’s when I feel like people see past the whole girl-fronted band thing,” she states. “I just try to remind myself not to compare myself to anyone else out there either, because I want people to see me, not say I’m trying to be someone else.

“If you ask any of the guys, they’ll say I’m a dude just like them,” she laughs.

Keep an eye out for their new singles, “Hit The Road Quick,” and “Back Against The Wall,” available December 28th. Listen to the singles on myspace.com/statelman

Count Your Blessings

2010-11-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy
Count Your Blessings is at the “Top of the Naughty List...,” and no, not THAT naughty list that Santa Claus puts young boys and girls on, but rather the name of the pop-punk band’s new Christmas Album. Labeled a “transitional album” from the band, “Naughty List” was a fun record to make in between touring for their debut album “Like Gum in Your Hair” and recording their second full-length. Hailing from Good Charlotte’s hometown of Waldorff Maryland, this five-piece group of guys who shared a passion for music (and like most bands origins,) decided to start a band.
The band that describes themselves as “an abrasive, honest and muscular approach to the rock/pop genre,” have a pop-punk sound that is catchy enough to make any young kid mosh and dance at the same time. CYB’S fans are constantly rewarded with the bands tenacity and amazing work ethic. Their goal is to constantly prove they are not like every other band, and to give their fans something different. That altruistic philosophy gave way to “Top of the Naughty List. Lead singer Michael Miller explained the band’s motivation: “We didn't think anyone understood how much we love music by listening to the first CYB CD. It was pretty much... just an unbelievable lie. We thought a good holiday album would be a nice way to let people know we're playing music because it's fun, not because it's what everyone else does. Not many play Christmas songs right?” Miller screams on classic Christmas songs like “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree”and “Two Front Teeth.” In “Two Front Teeth,” the lyrics are changed a bit, modernizing the tune: “back in ’95 we didn’t have Facebook, 9-years-old didn’t have friends old enough to cook.” Guitarist Antonio Ricci even said that “Teeth” was their favorite song to record because they got a chance to reminisce about their childhoods. After the holiday season wears down, CYB plans to promote their second full-length on Stand-by Records, which currently doesn’t have a title. They plan to give it a name once the album is complete and gave an analogy about the thought process: “When you are writing an album it's like creating your offspring. Which makes us about 8 months pregnant and we haven't got a name picked out yet. We're waiting ‘til birth to know the sex.” Once the name is given, everything will come full circle to a band who wrote on their Facebook status:
“ Kenny and Miller here! Jammin our first bands cd (10 years ago!) and we're
glad we've been lucky enough to still be here creating music! We will not let
you down on this album. NO WAY NO HOW!” It’s nice to know that some bands count their blessings. Count Your Blessings are playing at Freehold VFW in Freehold, NJ on December 17th and at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia, PA on December 18th.

Time and Distance

2010-11-19T14:04:00.001-08:00

By Jenine Clancy
Stolen instruments and equipment, car accidents, canceled shows,
and the loss of members would break down any band, but Time and
Distance surely have lived up to their name. Lead singer Greg
McGowan has had a tenacious outlook on it all, saying his band
just keeps on “rockin and rollin.” That “rockin and rollin”
philosophy has been with McGowan since the beginning. Hailing
from West Virginia, in high school he created what he called a
“solo acoustic thing,” and in later years turned it into a
full-fledged band. While the band’s sound is heavier,
McGowan’s adds a melodic tone, resembling a feel from his
earlier work. In 2009 Time and Distances put out their first
full-length album, “Gravity,” on “Not Alone Records.” Produced
by former “Hidden in Plainview” guitarist Rob Freeman, the
album brought the band to a different level. McGowan says
Freeman would push them to “outdo themselves” and “to do things
they thought they couldn’t do.” Lyrically, everything on the
album is introspective. In the song “Away We Go,” McGowan
quizzically tries to figure out a girl singing “says she misses
me, but never wants to kiss when her friends are around.”
Psychology still plays a part in “For Real,” in which McGowan
defiantly sings “Because all we are is all we’re told,”
ironically telling the world he's more than just a lead singer
in a band. To promote the album the boys hit the road playing
with bands like Mayday Parade and The Material. Also,
they teamed up with forty-five independent record stores with
in-store listening stations. Like streaming online, the
listening stations allow people to hear the album before even
buying it… when asked if this was a good thing or a bad thing
McGowan replied “ I don’t know if it makes people want an
entire record or not. I personally prefer records as a whole
and we try to present our records as a whole picture, instead
of a bunch of songs, but if kids just like a couple that's cool
too… (just as) long as they're listening.”
Time and Distance’s fans are sure to keep listening
with more tour dates, a recorded Alkaline Trio cover and
some acoustic songs on the way, you can say luck is bound to
be on their side.
Time and Distance are playing at the Marlboro Recreation Center
in Marlboro, New Jersey on December 10th.

Thursday set to play "Full Collapse" in its entirety.

2010-11-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

By Jenine Clancy
The year 2010 has blessed music fans with a "nostalgia trend." With Weezer touring and playing "The Blue Album" and "Pinkerton" in their entireties, to Dashboard Confessional playing all of "Swiss Army Romance" at The Stone Pony in December, it seems like everyone is yearing for the past. Thursday, grateful for their past accomplishments, is set to play their 2001 hit album "Full Collapse" in it entirety at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ on December 30th. Expected to play their other hits alongside "Full Collapse," the band wanted to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the album that sky-rocketed them to mainstream success. In an interview with AP, lead singer Geoff Rickly said: "Full Collapse was a record that changed the course and shape of my life. We began touring for it in basements and VFW halls, continued, opening for bands like the Murder City Devils and Rivals Schools and ended up a full-time touring band meeting hundreds of thousands of people with whom we formed deep and lasting connections. Time passes and we embrace new music and different goals, but 10 years later, Full Collapse continues to move people and for that we are very grateful. This tour is a celebration of those times and the end of a chapter in the life of Thursday."

Critically, "Full Collapse" was deemed a success, with many critics declaring them pioneers for the early 2000's wave of screamo bands. One critic's review held true to this belief saying "Thursday splits the difference between the puffy sounds of pop emo and the ear-shattering fare that holds the hardcore ethos in higher regard with a style that’s fairly unique in post-hardcore circles." Pre-Myspace and Facebook, the success of "Full Collaspe" was due to word-of-mouth and extensive touring. However, without Thursday's knowledge, Victory Records had put out a video for the song "Understanding in a Car Crash," using live footage from the band and forcing it to be band's first single. This incident would mark the continuous internal struggle with Victory Records, leading them to part ways with the label.
When talking about some of the bands on the nostalgia bandwagon like Thursday, Weezer, Dashboard, NFG, The Starting Line and Something Corporate, it could be debated that these anniversary albums and reunions represented a time that we remembered fondly, or that the current music and scene just isn't as great as it used to be. One thing is for sure though, that this only might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...otherwise, we might have to wait for them to change their minds and say "happy 20th anniversary!"

NJ Venue Spotlight: Crossroads

2010-11-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

Typically while going to a show, you'll have to pre-game eating before the show or wait until after the show is over to hit up your local 24 hour diner (isn't Jersey great?!). At some shows you have the option of something like candy or if you're lucky pizza to hold you over. At Crossroads in Garwood, NJ you can not only see great shows, but also have a really good meal. The kitchen offers a variety of Cajun and American options which is limited to a smaller menu during shows, but still pretty decent none-the-less. My personal favorite that'd I'd recommend are the Thai Spring rolls, something that they normally have only during restaurant hours rather than during shows but will still make for you! Being that this is a restaurant, this is one of the few places that hosts all ages shows that still has the bar open for those over 21. This helps bridge the gap for older bands to perform for younger audiences and vice versa. The decor of Crossroads is like stepping into what I'd imagine a New Orleans pub to look like, completley decked out with saxaphones, alligators, and a sign that states the rule "No Spitting". The sound system at Crossroads is better than average and the stage while small compared to some other places has still managed to fit bands such as Outnumbered's 8 person ska lineup or Calamity Menagerie's 6 people and a xylophone (that sounds like a sequel to "Three Men and a Baby"). Crossroads is located at 78 North Ave. in Garwood, NJ. For a listing of all ages shows go to: www.jerseyshows.com For a listing of a variety of 21+ shows which includes cover bands, jazz, blues, open mics, DJs, karaoke, and comedy go to: www.xxroads.com

PUNK ROCK 101: Ska

2010-10-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

By Skippy Rodman
What do you think of when you hear the word “skank?”
Most people probably think of a promiscuous
individual. Not me. I think of dancing at a ska show.
Ska has been pretty much dead for the most part of the
new millennium. It is evident in our local scene. You
can probably only count the number of local ska bands
on one hand.

A few weeks ago I attended a local show that
featured a ska band from Jersey. The band had great
energy, just like every ska band should. However, I
was disappointed. I looked at the crowd and most of
the fans were just standing around. I believe there
was one or two individuals attempting to “skank.” It
looked like just a bunch of bouncing around, though,
without any clear movement or rhythm. I came to the
conclusion that the local scene just doesn’t know how
to “skank.”

How can we get the scene to start “skankin” again?
First, go to a ska show. Even though our local scene
doesn’t have real ska shows anymore, they’re still out
there. A lot of amazing ska bands are still touring.
Go to the show and observe the crowd. You’ll be sure
to pick up a move or two. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
even has a member of the band who “skanks” all around
the stage. If you can’t get out to a ska show, go on
Youtube. You can learn everything on Youtube these
days and that includes how to “skank.” Finally, we
need to rebuild our ska scene so everyone has a chance
to actually practice these crazy moves. Every kid
playing in their high scho

2010 Asbury Music Awards

2010-10-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Asbury Music Awards have been announced and you'll find that none other than yours truly, Danny Wreck has been nominated for the "Top Journalist in Support Of Local Music" category. I'd like to thank the academy or whoever it was that nominated me! This is a huge honor as I'm only into my 10th month of this whole journalism in support of local music venture. I'd like to thank all of my contributers including Lauren "Liv" Simister, Skippy Rodman, Scurrow, the guys at Dynameecho, and Jersey Shows without whom this whole project would not be possible.
All Nominees can be read here:
http://www.mazi401.com/AMA-NOMINEES-2010-Final.pdf

Secret Secret Dino Club—Not a Secret Anymore!

2010-10-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

By Lauren-Olivia “Liv” Simister

If you have them, you want to share them. But if you share them, you no longer have them. What is the object in question? (Psst…it’s a secret!)
Secret Secret Dino Club, a secret no more, thanks to tours with bands like Young & Divine, We Are The In Crowd, Allstar Weekend, and Thieves and Villains, is a band known for their unique sounds, and amazing stage-presence.
Hailing from Saratoga Springs, New York, SSDC has a bit of something for everyone (yes, even that weird guy in your apartment building), with an Indie/Pop-Rock/Hip-Hop sound, and catchy lyrics that beg every listener to sing along.
SSDC was formed by Jayce Kalinkewicz in 2006. It was formed when “I was conceived presumably in a hotel bed or a state college dorm room,” Jayce jokes. “It was actually the name of my under-bed studio when I was in college. I kept it as a band name for amusement.
“Although, now, I refer to it as just ‘Dino Club.’”
In 2009, after three years of independently recording three albums (Big Whoop Wanna Fight About It, Welcome To Dixieland, and Up To No Good) as well as four EPs (Fort Jayce Henry, Abraham Lincoln, Ho Ho Ho No!, and Super Fun Party Songs), SSDC signed with Drive-Thru Records. The first release was a split called “Chicken Finger Fingers” with Allstar Weekend.
In December 2009, SSDC released a two-song EP “Snow Buddies,” on Glamour Kills and Purevolume. Following later in 2010, the band released “Cinco,” a song-a-day project in which the band wrote, recorded, and released a song by sending the fans on an Internet scavenger-hunt.
“ No one talks to each other unless it’s over the Internet or on their mobile phones,” Jayce says. “I see so many tables of kids at dinner just sitting on their phones, not saying a word to each other.
“They are probably on the Internet listening to my band,” he jokes.
“Cinco is all about getting older, and less attractive…about being misunderstood in today’s scene.”
Despite getting older, Jayce still has his fun on tour. “Yesterday, I woke up in a stranger’s kitchen in the hood, and I actually had to use the location services on my phone to figure out where I was!”
Be sure to check out Jayce and the guys as Secret Secret Dino Club on tour, and in Marlboro, New Jersey on November 5th!
Don’t forget to head to SSDC’s Myspace (myspace.com/secretsecretdinoclub), and check out the latest EP “Cinco” now.

Calamity Menagerie: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?!

2010-09-24T10:32:00.000-07:00

By Lauren-Olivia “Liv” Simister

To say Calamity Menagerie is a diverse group with members from all over New
Jersey may be an understatement. With a revolving line-up, this band never gets
dull! Calamity Menagerie all began when Jamie (vocals/guitar) and Mike
(bass/accordion) began performing acoustic sets at open-mic nights. From there,
the band’s line-up grew, and they were soon joined by Stefanie
(bass recorder/bass/keyboards/congas/xylophone/synth/harp/bass drum), Ryan
(drums), Scruff (percussion/bass/vocals), and Allison (vocals/keyboards/
xylophone/bass drum/tambourine/synth), forming a diversely talented group.
“I’m also part of The O>MATICS, and I wrote a ton of stuff that just didn’t fit
in with the band, so Calamity Menagerie was my outlet for that, I guess,” Jamie
says. Working with more than one band is not uncommon for the members of
Calamity Menagerie, as many of the past/current members have been/are part of
other bands. Jamie is currently part of Calamity Menagerie, the O>Matics, and
working on a solo-project. Scruff is also currently a member of The Tea and
Whiskey. “Sometimes it’s easier to be part of two bands, like when there’s a
show we can play, and if one band can’t do it, then hopefully, the other can.
And if I can’t play with either one, I could do a solo thing. So if I find a
show I want to play, I’m going to play no matter what,” Jamie laughs.
“Being part of two bands, a dog-owner, and a newlywed is a little hectic, so I don’t get to play as often as I’d like, but when I do, I always have a lot of
fun,” claims Scruff. Calamity Menagerie are known for having upbeat, fun shows,
drawing people of all ages in. “We’re not really profane. We have like, one song
where we curse…and one that gets mistaken for cursing a lot,” the band jokes.
“When we do an all-ages show, it’s the funniest thing, because you’ll have these
families, like with the kids and the parents or grandparents, and in our song,
‘Happy Lucky Fun Duck,’ there’s a line that goes, ‘All I wanna do is fun, fun,
fun, FUN.’ You just see these adults’ jaws…drop,” Jamie chuckles. “When we
finish the song, I have to say, ‘I was saying ‘fun’, just, you know, by the way.’”
“You just hear this collective sigh of relief, and then this huge applause,”
Calamity laughs. Calamity Menagerie have struck a chord with adults and kids
alike, much like their own influence, Oingo Boingo, struck with them.
“Oingo Boingo is a band from the ‘80’s, and it’s fronted by Danny Elfman, who is a famous composer,” Jamie states. (Side-note: Most might recognize Danny Elfman as the composer for The Simpson’s theme song, as well as the singing voice of
Jack Skellington in ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’) Calamity Menagerie is playing a Halloween show in which they will be covering Oingo Boingo (check out location and time on the band’s Myspace). On October 8th, they will be working once again with Jason Webley (accordion player). “He can transform a room by getting everyone into his music, and by the end of the night, everyone is singing with their arms around each other. “We got to back for him once, and I think that was a pivotal moment in Calamity Menagerie’s career,” Jamie laughs.
Along with being musically-inclined, the band is also good on film
(check out Tom Devil’s New Year). “I think we got all our profanity out of our
system with that movie. It had like no budget,” exclaims Jamie. The band laughs, recalling the amount of cursing the movie involved. Calamity Menagerie is a band for the ages, and a sure delight! Check them out on Myspace
(www.myspace.com/calamitymenagerie)
and Facebook www.facebook.com/calamitymenagerie), and buy their EP ‘What Could Possibly Go Wrong?’ on Itunes now.

Eleven Questions with Jason Webley!

2010-09-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Jason Webley is like a character from a movie or a book. He travels the world
with an accordion, acoustic guitar, and his hat. When he's at home in Seattle,
he lives on a houseboat. He has shared the stage with the likes of The Dresden
Dolls, The Avett Brothers, and more. Most recently he did a collaboration with
Amanda Palmer in which they had a slew of special guests including Weird Al,
Francis Bean Cobain, Tegan and Sara, and Gerard Way submit vocals to the album's
closing track. Danny Says! sat down with Jason to ask him 11 questions (a number
he seems to obsess over)

1. Which album of yours is your personal favorite?

JW: That is hard... they are all different sorts of albums, and each is my
favorite in different ways. Even my least favorite, "Counterpoint" in some ways
I am most proud of, as it was probably the most ambitious of them all. But
generally I prefer the last two, "Only Just Beginning" and "The Cost of Living."
I think they are both strongest in terms of songwriting and production. They
lack whimsy a bit, but I think that actually makes them hold together better
than the older records did.

2. On average, between touring, how long do you stay at your house boat?

JW: It depends. Sometimes a few days, sometimes a month or more. I was
home for all of August which was nice.

3. How many countries have you performed in?

JW: More than eleven... let's count. Canada, US, Mexico, Ireland, UK, Spain,
France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Austria,
Italy, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Austalia,
New Zealand, Morocco. So twenty four, unless I am forgetting something.

4. Where’s been your favorite place to play?

JW: I guess I don't like to think in terms of favorites. I love places, all
sorts of different places. I love visiting new places for the first time, and I
love revisiting familiar spots.

5. How many times have you played in New Jersey?

JW: I'm not sure. The first time was opening for the Dolls in Asbury Park...
I've probably been back 4 or 5 times since then?

6. Have you been able to visit the Jersey Shore
between your shows?

JW: I have a couple times! Before that first show
in Asbury Park, I spent a bit of time walking along
the beach. It was there actually that the first
seeds of the Evelyn Evelyn project were born.

7. Do you have any new collaborative records coming out?

JW: I just finished two earlier this year, but I have a few more coming down the pipe. I had hoped to have one finished this autumn, but just had my laptop stolen and am probably not going to make that deadline.

8. Who is your biggest accordion influence?

JW: I don't really have one. I started playing in a bit of an accordion bubble - not really having heard much of the music, and while I have grown to like a lot of different accordion music, not much of it has affected the way I play.

9. Who is your biggest punk influence?

JW: I liked the pop punk stuff that was happening in the late 80's... Operation Ivy, Crimpshrine, Jawbreaker. I was also into the DC Dischord scene... Fugazi, Jawbox. I'm not sure who the biggest "influence" was. The main thing that inspired me was the whole attitude that you can play shows and make records without really being
plugged into any sort of industry.

10. What is your favorite non-curse word?

JW: You like favorites a lot.... there are so many nice words out there. Tergiversation. Dirigible. Transmography. I also like made up words... Sinceriously. Nongratulations.

11. And finally the question everybody needs to know: What’s your favorite
vegetable other than tomato?

JW: Another favorite question! But this one is easier, because the artichoke is by far the tastiest, sexiest, thistliest vegetable that I am currently aware of. Do not pickle them and pizza them. Steam them and eat them with butter and salt.

Jason Webley is performing at The Saint in Asbury Park on Friday October 8th with Calamity Menagerie.

review: The O>MATICS ON PARADE

2010-09-14T13:07:00.001-07:00

The O>MATICS are releasing their fifth full length album "O>MATICS on Parade!" today on iTunes and various other online retailers. Their new album which has songs produced by Paul Carabello formally of The Ataris as well as by themselves in their home studio features a cavalcade of fourteensongs in a variety of styles. It opens with a new wave dance song called "Horns", which is reminicent of MGMT, DEVO, and The Killers at certain points. The second track "Blanket of Snow" recalls They Might Be Giants and Elvis Costello. "Make It Last 2.5", apparently a partial sequel to another song has Flaming Lips influence all over. The rest of the album recalls everything from Spongebob Squarepants (Peachy Keen), to Fountains of Wayne (Milltown), to Nada Surf (Distance Inbetween), to James Brown (Seymour), to punk
(Not Up to You), to steel drum conga line music (Conga Inferno), to Eastern Indian sounds (Mysterious One). I'm told the online version of the album will also have three bonus tracks which are only available through iTunes and other online retailers. Tomorrow, September 15th at 8PM (EST) they'll be doing a live webcast from their site omatics.net where they'll be performing live. They are supporting the release all month with live shows all over including a 21+ record release show at The Loop Lounge in Passaic, NJ on September 17th and an all ages record release at HHVFW in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ on September 24th where everybody with a ticket gets the CD free. They'll also be playing September 18th in Yardley, PA, September 19th in Westville, NJ, September 25th in Freehold, NJ, and September 26th as a guest on the Jersey Showdown Regional Finals at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ along with Running Late, March Fourth, Rise of Razel, Overboard, Alter The Ending, and more.

Statelman adds Solfege Radio members

2010-09-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

There are rumors of the demise of Solfege Radio (twice featured band on Danny Says!) and this may just be fueling the fire but Statelman seems to have slid their drummer Dan over to guitar and added Solfege Radio drummer Donny and SR guitarist Jon. Whether this is a permanent thing or not we'll have to wait and see, Donny did play drums for them at Get Heard Fest back in June... Check out this video of the new lineup from the Union County Music Fest:

PUNK ROCK 101: Posers

2010-09-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

By Skippy Rodman

Standing outside a club in Asbury Park recently, an
individual with a mohawk and a punk rock sense of style
asked me what type of music I preferred. I said I
listened mostly to punk and used some examples of my
favorite bands that included the Bouncing Souls and the
Descendents. Naturally, he knew of the Bouncing Souls.
After all, we were in Asbury and unless you live under
a rock in that area I’m sure you’ve heard of them once
or twice (there is sarcasm in that statement). To my
surprise, though, there was a blank stare as I spoke of
the Descendents being one of my favorite bands. After
having a very unsatisfying conversation with this
individual, I turned to my friend and said, “This guy
had no idea who the Descendents were.” My friend agreed
and I went on one of my rants.
My most current rant… Everyone dresses all punk rock,
but really doesn’t know the music or has any passion for
the scene. Try walking through the mall on a Friday
night. You’ll see a bunch of “I’m so punk rock and
cool” kids walking around. Why aren’t they at a show?
At that age, I was at a show on a Friday night. Then
there’s individuals who go to shows, but don’t actually
watch any bands. They just hang outside. These are the
people that get dressed up in their best “Hot Topic”
clothes, pay to get into a show, and don’t watch any
bands.
It bothers me that so many kids don’t know the roots
to our scene. If you like a band, read about their
influences. It will open a whole new punk rock door to
your life. For instance, if you love Green Day you
should know that they used to be on a little label
called Lookout Records and then you will discover
Operation Ivy. If you are a hardcore fan, do some
research on it’s history and you may just stumble upon
a band called Minor Threat. And finally just for me…
look up the Descendents! They have influenced some of
the biggest pop punk bands of today.

Class 6: The New Movement

2010-08-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

Six musicians make up Class 6. They are a hard rock/ hip hop
hybrid that has far more class than any of the rap/rock bands
that surged in the late 90's, infact it's something refreshingly
new. Danny Says sat down with the recently victorious winners of
the Philly Showdown to find out a little more.
DS: Congratulations on winning the Philly Showdown!
Can you tell me what you guys plan on doing with the
$5,000 that you won?
C6: First off, we would like to thank Jersey Shows for the
opportunity to participate in this competition, along with the
countless other events they have involved us in. We plan on using
the $5000 to get back in the studio and record new material. We
also plan on getting some new t-shirts, stickers, and various
other merchandise made up. So be on the lookout!
DS: How long have you guys been playing together for?
C6: Kyle (synth) and Chris (vocals) were previously in a Black Eyed
Peas-esque hip hop group before meeting up with James (guitar)
and Harry (bass/vocals) to take a different musical direction.
This collaboration happened in late 2007, and Dan (drums) was on
board by early 2008. That was the birth of Class 6, but we
weren't complete until Tony (piano) joined us in early 2009.
DS: You guys seem to have a wide reach playing all over NJ, PA,
and DE, what are some of the venues you have played?
C6: We've played at the Trocadero several times, including
Concerts First's Next Big Thing competition in September of 2008,
in which we came in 1st place. We've also played at JC Dobbs,
Starland Ballroom, Alexander's, and countless coffee houses,
churches and fire halls throughout the tri-state area.
DS: I can remember seeing you over a year ago at Starland
Ballroom and you played a song about Michael Jackson less than
about 2 weeks after he died which incorporated an original song
into some Jackson 5/MJ riffs, if I'm right I believe that song
became "Nostalgia" can you tell me about how your wrote that
song so quickly and how developed it into the song it is now?
C6: 'Nostalgia' was actually one of our earlier songs from our
first collection of original music that we decided to revamp.
After the death of Michael Jackson, we wanted to pay tribute in
some way. 'Nostalgia' was the perfect song for the job because
it's all about reminiscing on pop culture and what was "big" in
past years. A few days before Starland, we decided to integrate
some elements of Jackson 5 into our song and it just seemed to
fit.
DS: What is your writing process like in general, do you often
freestyle at practices and develop them into songs?
C6: Each song has a different story behind it. Our earlier songs
were loose interpretations of instrumentals Kyle (synth) had made
himself, with him and Chris writing lyrics. Now, we often start
with original ideas that any one of us will bring to the table,
whether it be entire songs or just lyrics or a rough instrumental.
We'll all listen to it and add our own touch in different areas.
Our new song 'Inertia', for example, was an entire song that James
(guitar) had wrote, with Chris adding a 2nd verse and Harry (bass)
and Dan (drums) tweaking their parts. An inspired idea can come from
any one of us individually or collectively, so we try to be keep as
much diversity in our music as possible by exploring different sounds
and vibes.
DS: What does Class 6 have in store for the future?
C6: We plan on continually writing and recording new material and
broadening our fan base by reaching as many listeners as possible.
Just continuing to grow as overall musicians and performers, while
putting out eclectic music that everyone can enjoy.

Check them out at myspace.com/class6live

Solfege Radio: Tell Your Mom

2010-07-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

By Lauren-Olivia “Liv” Simister
Many people dream of being traveling the country, especially when they’re fresh out of high school. For the guys of Solfege Radio, a band from Florham, New Jersey, that dream came true.
Starting out in January 2008, the band was comprised of long-time friends Marco Torriani (vocals) and brothers Jon (guitar) and Matt (drums) Stolpe. In July of 2008, Joey Nester (guitar/vocals), another childhood-friend, joined the trio. A year later, in August 2009, Donny Saraceno (bass) became the bass player for the band.
Though they hadn’t been together long, Solfege Radio won the preliminary rounds of the 9th Annual Jersey Shows Battle of the Bands, and began touring the east-coast non-stop for two years.
Still early on in their career, Solfege Radio has played shows like the Get Heard Fest in 2009, and the Monmouth Park Racetrack date of Warped Tour 2010. “Headlining the past year’s Get Heard Fest was pretty incredible. Not being from Central Jersey but more towards the North, we had an incredibly welcoming and responsive crowd. It made us remember why we love what we do. Playing this year’s Warped Tour was also an amazing experience. It's one of those things you dream about from the first time you walk on to one of those parking lots.”
When asked how they’re music has evolved since their formation, Jon Stolpe says, “Our music has definitely matured a lot since then, including our song writing and stage performance. With the help of John Collura and Paul Carabello (producers of our "Tell My Mom I'll Be Okay EP"), we've learned a lot about the art of "song writing" as well as the business.”
It’s hard to imagine there was a lot to teach the guys of Solfege Radio, especially considering they can’t remember not playing an instrument! “It’s hard to remember exactly when we all started playing. We all got into music at a very young age and have been with it ever since,” Jon claims.
High school, however, was a different story. “High school was lame,” Jon says. “The only thing I thought about was when our next show was. I gained absolutely nothing from high school except disgust for public education.”
Solfege Radio has stolen the hearts of fans all over, though it was no easy task. They’re known for working non-stop on promotion, making sure their shows are nothing short of spectacular (either go see them live, or look up a live performance via Youtube), and making sure they get to know their fans.
The songs on their recently released first EP, “Tell My Mom I’ll Be Okay,” are filled with the punk-pop energy the quintet are known for, as well as the catchy beats that will have concert-goers jumping like they’re at Warped all over again.
The EP’s title took on significant meaning to Solfege Radio, used almost as a declaration of self-confidence. “Sometimes it's really hard for parents to see through the insanity of what we're trying to do here. The amount of money, time, and effort that it takes doesn't seem quite worth it to a lot of people. ‘Tell My Mom I'll Be Okay,’ is homage to that pretty much. Not that our parents are unsupportive but maybe this will help keep them off our backs,” they laugh. “The name goes along with the idea that this is what we want to do no matter how crazy it might seem, and we won’t stop, ever.”
When listening to Tell My Mom I’ll Be Okay EP, Solfege Radio want you to come away with one thing: a smile.
Tell My Mom I’ll Be Okay EP is available now. Head to myspace.com/SolfegeRadio to order your copy now!

What's your basicneed?

2010-07-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Punk rock will never die. As a sub-genre of rock and roll, which obviously has the elixir of life, it’s offspring (not the band) punk rock has the same standing the test of time strength. Proof is in the pudding with the likes of Princeton, NJ based band Basicneed who is caring on the almighty punk rock torch.

DS: You guys are really solid for your young age, how old are you guys and what’s your schedule like as a band?
BN: Mike and Pat just turned 15, our drummer Sam is still 13 and going into high school this year. This passed school year we played every weekend we could, which was rough on the parental units, but we managed to sell tickets and get a ride every time. It was tough focusing on school work when all we wanted to do was play bigger shows, sell more tickets and write better songs. This school year we played about 20 shows.

DS: How old were you when you first started playing your instruments and how did you learn them?
BN: Mike had easy access to his dad's equipment since he played guitar. Once Sam and Mike decided to start a band, Sam threw some drums together and we got his cousin Pat to buy a bass. So there, all youngins, about 12 years old, taught each other everything, and here we are. We started basicneed before we knew how many strings were on a guitar.

DS: How did you get into punk rock and what is it about punk that drew you in?
BN: The 80's hardcore movement is really what drew us in to playing punk rock. Bands like Minor Threat and Bad Brains were all about DIY, do it yourself; find shows, record, put out albums and merch, and promote everything yourself. With the help from Jersey Shows and our friends, we've been able to do all of this and we are very grateful for it. Punk is the most true and real type of music out there. Plus there are so many places to go with punk rock, we never feel limited to playing one type of music.

DS: Where are some of the places you have played at?
BN: The first thing we did as a band was the Jersey Showdown in 2009. Total scrubs...but we managed to advance to the semi finals at the Starland Ballroom, which was our 3rd show ever. Since then we've played all over Jersey; Trenton, Princeton, New Brunswick, Hanover, Waretown, Freehold, Hasbrouck Heights, South Brunswick, Sayerville, East Windsor (yes, we have a list). Two shows out of Jersey, in Yardley and Philly at the Trocadero.

DS: Who are some bands that you have played with that you enjoy?
BN: We love all local bands (pretty much...) and we love the fact that people are doing it. We'd have to say our top five favorite bands we've played with are (not in any order) The Waffle Stompers, Madcats & Beehives, ASBPK, and Liberal Media Bias... and Statelman...and the O>Matics. Okay we love everybody.

DS: Do you have any favorite memories from the shows you have played at?
BN: One of our best memories is definitely when we couldn't find the venue we were supposed to play at in Trenton. We ended up breaking into an apartment, almost getting slaughtered by a pissed off Trentonian, and not even getting a good show in return when we actually found the venue. We played the show and were then shuffled off to a corner in the venue that was surrounded by strip show posters and bullet proof glass. Another good time was in Philly, playing the Trocadero when we were walking around chinatown with our buddies from Statelman, going to the hello kitty store and looking at mystical antiques and whatnot.

DS: What are some of your goals as a band, do you see yourselves playing together still in 5 years or beyond?
BN: Our main priority is world domination...but right now we're just focused on getting our name out to Jersey and surrounding states. We're planning on releasing an album before 2011. Right now we're preparing for the finals of the Jersey Shows battle of the bands, which is a very important event for us. Who knows where we'll be in 5 years, but we're going to try to take basicneed as far as it can go.

Check them out at: myspace.com/basicneed

Ted Leo hints at retiring

2010-07-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

New Jersey Native Ted Leo of Ted Leo and The Pharmacists says he's having a hard time keeping music his full time job in this economy and with the fall of album sales. See that, all you music pirates are bringing down the middle of the road indie artists! Don't fear Ted Leo fans, as he says music will be more of a part time job for him. Read more here

The Waffle Stompers!

2010-07-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Post-ska band The Waffle Stompers have a busy summer ahead of them. Just this month they’re playing with Catch 22, a ska fest at the Garwood VFW, The Trocadero Theatre mainstage, and at the Oceanport, NJ stop at Warped Tour. We sat down with guitarist Ted Moore to find out a little more.

DS: New tour dates were posted on your myspace recently, What are you looking forward to most about this new tour?
Ted: We're really looking forward to getting back to places we've played before. It's cool to see the same friends again in other states each time we go out.

DS: I saw that you guys are playing with Catch 22, can you give us some information on that show?
Ted: Sure! It's at the School of Rock East in Hackensack, NJ. Sexy Heroes are also on the bill so it's sure to be a killer show. We're excited to play with another childhood idol... it's actually hard to believe. Also, we're on at 7 sharp so don't be late!

DS: How does it feel to see your band on the Warped Tour line-up this year?
Ted: It's absolutely incredible. Warped Tour has been a fantasy and a staple growing up-- the punk rock summer camp out. So many bands get launched from a stint on warped because there's so many listeners open to so much different music. This year our goal is to make a good enough impression to be invited to take our flying circus out of state on Warped in 2011.

DS: Who are you most excited to see on the Warped tour this year?
Ted: For me, it's Bring Me the Horizon. Bet you didn't see that coming, haha. Those dudes seriously make the most brutal music I've ever heard and their live show is completely nuts. I'm going to take bets on how many kids get carried out on stretchers during their set.

DS: Recently, you stopped performing the “Serious dance” as seen your music video at live shows, is there any chance you guys will incorporate it back into your set?
Ted: There's always a chance! We've even done it on request a few times. We love putting on a show and we love dancing but we're not looking to be a schtick band so we can't do it every time. If we do it, we do it, if not there's always next time ;-).

DS: Are there any new songs or recordings that fans can look forward to this summer or in the fall?
Ted: Hopefully! We're working tirelessly behind the scenes right now talking and negotiating. We're going to do a release soon, but it's too early to know when just yet. It's coming though.

DS: What is your advice for other ska bands who are trying to make it out into the scene?
Ted: Practice, practice, practice. Ska bands always have twice as many members as other bands, so it's SO important to be tight with one another. Then go on tour to get your recordings out to as many fans as you can in as many states as you can. Also, Pilots sell the best coffee anywhere on the highway.

DS: Is there anything you want to say to your fans?
Ted: Keep coming out to shows and supporting touring bands! It means the world to all of us band dudes. We'll have new music for you soon, and THAT'S A PROMISE. Love you guys.

Check them out at myspace.com/thewafflestompers

This is The End of An Era

2010-06-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

By Lauren-Olivia “Liv” Simister

In 2004, the End of an Era began in Toms River, New Jersey in a garage; where the band spent a year recording their first demo. By 2005, they had solidified their line-up, and taken the name, “End of an Era.”
In March 2010, the group, comprised of Jeff Wallace (vocals), Steven Blair (keyboard), Justin Mazyk (bass), and Jeff Spags (drums) were joined by Chris Matsinger as their new guitarist.
When asked if they ever still get stage-fright, Steven Blair says, “We don’t get nervous…It’s more of an adrenaline rush. We’ve all been performing on-stage with bands for, like, ten years, so any stage fright we once had, is gone, unless we’re playing in front of a massive, and I mean massive, crowd.”
They’re not picky when it comes to venues either! “Any place with a P.A. system, and an audience; be it an audience of four or forty thousand, is our favorite venue,” Steve laughs.
Their rehearsals can be described in one word: “Chaotic.” During rehearsals, End of an Era are geared towards specific shows, making sure each song is perfect, as well as going over new songs.
The way they behave on stage is not just a front though. Off-stage, the guys of End of an Era have been friends for a long time. “It’s not like we have sex with each other or anything like that. We’re very close; we love each other very much. It’s pretty much like having 4 girlfriends,” Steve says. “You live with each other, you see each other all the time, and you get on each other’s nerves. All in all, we have a common goal, a common mind-set, and at the end of the day, all shit aside, we’re focused on the common goal.”
While End of an Era are always up for a party, despite what many people believe, life on the road is not a non-stop party. “It might work if you’re as big as Mötley Crüe or KISS, but if you’re a band whose struggling to get gas from one venue to the next, it’s a little different. You actually have to think if you can afford food, let alone a beer!”
In End of an Era’s experience, they say, “If you can put up with ten years of boringness, then it’s [the music business is] for you!”
So what would they do if the music business weren’t for them? “We’d either be serial killers or dead,” Steve says chuckling. “I’m actually serious about that. Music is the centerpiece of our lives, and I think without it, we wouldn’t know what to do.”

You can check out End of an Era at www.endofanera.org, and follow the links to purchase their album, The War Against, also available on Itunes now.

The O>MATICS cross mediums!

2010-06-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

NJ's own The O>MATICS cross mediums, from Rock and Roll to The Price Is Right (which re-aired today on CBS!) to the pages of Comics! Read this in depth editorial!
Tabling the Debate: Comics, The Cultural Mainstream, and the OMatics

July preview!

2010-06-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's almost July?! The Danny Says! zine has some big things coming your way with a better design (clearer pictures!) and major distribution at the Oceanport, NJ Warped Tour stop on July 18th! July will feature a new story on The Waffle Stompers who will be tearing it up all month at shows such as Catch 22 @ School of Rock, a ska fest in Garwood VFW, The Trocadero Mainstage, and at Warped Tour! See you in the circle pit!

Whale sighting the biggest news story of the week!

2010-06-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a slow news week, and Channel 12 News in New Jersey has posted the latest internet sensation, video and pictures of a whale off of Pt. Pleasant, NJ. There's this pretty impressive image of the whale jumping only about 10 feet from a small speed boat, I certainly wouldn't be standing up in that thing with a whale splashing so close!
click here to check out more pics and a video!

LIVE and IN PERSON! EVELYN EVELYN- the singing Siamese Twins!

2010-06-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

Starting tonight at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City and running until June 12th, you can catch the world famous conjoined twin sister act Evelyn Evelyn
"EVELYN and EVELYN NEVILLE are a songwriting duo performing original compositions on piano, ukulele, guitar and accordion. The sisters are parapagus tripus dibrachius twins, sharing three legs, two arms, three lungs, two hearts and a single liver.
Their unique musical style is inspired by their many eclectic influences - from 80's music to showtunes, Joy Division to the Andrews Sisters."
The show features special guests Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls) and Jason Webley who produced their full length self titled album. The album features many special guests including the much hyped about singing debut of Francis Bean Cobain (daughter of Kurt and Courtney), Weird Al Yankovic, Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, Andrew W.K., Tegan and Sarah, and many more.

Paul McCartney honored by White House

2010-06-03T11:09:00.001-07:00

"Sir" Paul McCartney (you know that guy from a little band called THE BEATLES) was honored with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. A gala concert event was held at the White House including appearances by Dave Grohl, Jack White, Elvis Costello, Stevie Wonder, Jersey's own Jonas Brothers, and more. The event will be aired on PBS on July 28th, but you can catch a little preview below featuring the above mentioned singing "Hey Jude" with none other than President Obama and The First Lady!

Get Heard Fest digital sampler out now!

2010-06-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 12th is Get Heard Fest in Marlboro, NJ. There are over 40 bands playing including national and local acts. The whole premise of the festival is to expose some unknown acts along with some acts that you might already know. It's a concept that started with the "Get Heard" compilations which featured local bands alongside bands like Pepper, Halifax, Just Surrender, The Ready Set, Houston Calls, Karate High School, Crash Romeo, Jason Webley, and more. This is the 3rd Annual Get Heard Fest and now there is a digital sampler featuring the bands playing the fest including: Ian Walsh, Solfege Radio, The Waffle Stompers, Calamity Menagerie, and more
Get it HERE

Danny Says June issue premieres!

2010-05-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

With Memorial Day Weekend almost here and the lack of shows during the holiday weekend. The Danny Says! zine is coming out a week early in select venues. You can find it this weekend at:
Vintage Vinyl- Fords, NJ
5/21 Dock Street- Staten Island, NY
5/22 The Saint- Asbury Park, NJ
5/23 The Saint- Asbury Park, NJ
5/23 Station 36- Waretown, NJ

In addition the special edition May issue will still be available at:
5/21 Marlboro Rec Center- Marlboro, NJ
5/22 Hasbrouck Heights VFW- Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
5/23 The Trocadero Theatre- Philadelphia, PA

Philly music scene in danger!

2010-05-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

As if Philadelphia's live music clubs staying in business wasn't a problem enough, now if Bill No.100267 is ratified then Philadelphia's music scene is in even greater danger! The new bill would require all promoters to apply for a permit from the Philadelphia Police a minimum of 30 days before any event is to take place. Besides the massive amounts of paperwork and redtape proposed for doing a single show, the police can deny the event from happening as little as 11 days before the show. The bill will also hold the promoter liable for the crowd's behavior at a show. (So if a fight breaks out, it's the promoter's fault?).

If you're opposed to this bill you can sign this: online petition

Crash Romeo, For The Foxes, Mourning District added to Get Heard Fest '10 lineup

2010-05-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Garden State's own Pop-punk band Crash Romeo and pop-pop band For The Foxes have been added to the lineup for the indoor festival Get Heard Fest along with NY's Mourning District which features three ex-members of the Ataris. Get Heard Fest is happening June 12th in Marlboro, NJ. The 40+ lineup includes The Morning Of, Thieves & Villains, Young & Divine, Ian Walsh, Set In Color, The Waffle Stompers, Calamity Menagerie, Solfege Radio, Statelman, and way more bands than I care to type!

Happy Birthday Joey Ramone!

2010-05-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

Today would have been the 59th birthday of Ramones' front man Joey Ramone. Tonight at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza is the 10th Annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash featuring HR of Bad Brains, Jesse Malin, Matt Pinfield, and more paying tribute to the Punk icon. "Danny Says" takes its name from the Ramones song of the same title and wishes to thank Joey for the legacy that he helped create!

Set In Color

2010-05-19T11:31:00.001-07:00

By Lauren-Olivia “Liv” Simister

Long Island is home to many well-known names in music, such as Pat Benetar and Billy Joel. Emerging from the ever-growing music scene, Set In Color, a power-pop quartet, is intent on joining the ranks of the famous Long-Islanders.
Set In Color, comprised of Trey Ewald (lead vocals/guitar), Anthony Purpura (guitar/vocals), Chris “Topher” Mayer (bass), and Chris Capuano (Drums), is known for being a musically-diverse group.
So what inspired the members of Set In Color to come together? “My uncle plays music and it was constantly around me when I was younger, so as soon as I found people with a similar love for music I knew I wanted to start a band,” says lead singer Trey Ewald.
Practicing almost everyday, these guys are no strangers to hard work.
All that hard work paid off, scoring Set In Color gigs like the home date of Warped Tour ’09, Bamboozle ’06, and even Six Flags! They are also competing in the 14th Annual Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands (so don’t forget to go to battleofthebands.com/setincolor to vote for Set In Color to play at Warped Tour!)
When asked what their career choices would be if not a musician, most of the band said they would stay within the music business, either in the studio or on the road. However, Anthony Purpura (guitar) claimed that if he were not a musician, he would be “A history teacher.”
But don’t be expecting Set In Color to throw in the towel anytime soon! They expect to be back in the studio by summer, working on a follow-up for their self-titled debut.
After building a dedicated fanbase, the guys are anxious to get back onto the road.
While on tour, fans can expect to see Set In Color showing off their brand loyalty.
“I like to use Fender bass guitars, an Ampeg cabinet and an Orange bass head,” says Topher (bass).
Set In Color also gave a shout-out to Gibson, as well as thanking their sponsors (SJC and Zildjian, Vic Firth and DW, D'Addario, Planet Waves, Evans, and Orange).
Set In Color are playing June 12th at Get Heard Fest in Marlboro, NJ. For more information on Set In Color, go to setincolor.com or myspace.com/setincolor
Their self-titled debut is available online now.

Ian Walsh is Seeing Stars

2010-05-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

By Lauren-Olivia "Liv" Simister

Ian Walsh, a singer/songwriter from New England, has proven that a sophomore album can be just as amazing as the first. 2008's notable, *Please Remember EP,* struck a chord with many listeners, debuting Ian Walsh as a rising star. Following the debut was 2009's "Seeing Stars" EP, which was released on September 25th.

Taking a leave of absence from Berkley College of Music, Ian Walsh is focused solely on his career and making a connection with his fans.
His music is known for having a powerful sense of raw emotion. When asked where he gets the creativity and energy to turn that emotion into such a collective group of songs, the singer says, "For my last two records, Seeing Stars and Please Remember, it has been a very natural process. I would sit at the piano or sit down with a guitar and I could translate anything I was feeling easily through music. These records were a great outlet during everyday life. But on the contrary to the music, I'm a very happy guy!"

Of his songwriting process, Ian claims, "Every song happens a different way for me. I could spend weeks reworking a tune and putting a lot of thought into it, or I could simply hear a song playing in my head while driving my car. For each song there is a very different way it came to be. I start most of my ballads by banging away on the piano and most of the rock tunes are written on a loud guitar or the drums. But I'm always looking for a new instrument and a new way to start writing songs."

When looking for a new instrument, Ian is loyal to the Fender brand. "I love Fender guitars and 65 amps. This may be a plug, but it's very true. Hauling instruments around from place to place, meeting fan after fan, and sitting through long drives is part of an ordinary working-day for a musician, but how does a musician balance their home-life and their career? This is the hardest part of being a musician. Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to have more than the life of a musician. Every day you spend doing other things can hurt you and harsh schedules find any way they can to ruin any life you have outside of your music life. You have to be born to do this."

Focusing on making connections with his fans, Ian Walsh has seen his fair share of crazy tour moments and fan-encounters.
"Every memory on tour seems like a crazy one, but the memory that comes to mind right now was a very drunken night in the parking lot of a venue in Kentucky. The whole tour package was partying and we somehow accidentally broke multiple windows and left a huge ruckus. Other things happened, but I'm not at liberty to discuss," he laughs. Ian is also keeping his lips sealed about crazy fan-encounters, saying he "won't call anyone out!"

Of his family, Ian Walsh claims they are quite musical, "Most of the music I make is with the assistance of my Dad, who could crush me on the guitar any day of the week."

When listening to Seeing Stars, Ian Walsh wants listeners, both long-time fans and first-time listeners, to come away realizing, "It was purposely made different from the rest. Most bands today just play the same song over and over again. I want people to take in a good vibe and realize that different is good (and that is NOT in any stretch of the imagination "pop-punk")."

Ian Walsh is playing June 12th at Get Heard Fest in Marlboro, NJ. For more information on Ian Walsh, go to myspace.com/ianwalsh or ian-walsh.com
His second EP, "Seeing Stars", is available now, along with a deluxe edition of "Please Remember".

Danny Wreck's Bamboozle must see list!

2010-04-30T10:47:00.001-07:00

The Bamboozle is going down May 1st and 2nd in East Rutherford, NJ. A ton of bands ranging from great to terrible are playing, here is my (Danny Wreck's) list of who to check out:
Saturday May 1st:
The Aquabats- The only good band any member of Blink 182 was ever involved in. Some silly new wave/ska!
The Ready Set- Electro pop that has gone from home DIY recordings to huge in a years time.
Four Year Strong- Ditto, these guys were playing halls just a few years ago, now they're post-HC headliners!
Sexy Heroes- Entertaining/energetic/funny pop punk
Sunday May 2nd:
Weezer- Whether you're a Pinkerton purist, fan of everything, or just know their singles, everybody loves at least one Weezer song!
OK GO- Their videos are the best out there and their live show? Awesome.
MGMT- This year's lineup isn't just for 14 year old girls anymore, they actually got some credible bands that will bring out the college kids.
Kevin Devine- As previously stated, this is some good indie (the genre).
Foxy Shazam- Imagine Queen meets r&b/soul, meets punk rock. The singer is completely out of his mind and will amaze you with his antics!
Say Anything- I wanted to hate this band, I wound up liking them!
Hey Monday- Featuring Mikey Mo who now goes by "Jersey" (ex Someday Never)
The Parlor Mob- You know how Weird Al Yankovic does original songs in the style of a band? Imagine that, but a band that's in the style of Led Zepplin. Back in the day these Jersey guys were What About Frank?

Danny Says! issue number 5 out this weekend!

2010-04-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

You can pick up your free copy of Danny Says! this weekend at Bamboozle. They will be handed out at the Fat Rat Press Tent in their bag! This marks the first time the zine is a total of 12 pages (including the cover) and also the first time it was printed by a print shop with the staple in the side rather than hand done!

The O>MATICS celebrate a decade as a band

2010-04-22T11:12:00.001-07:00

An article by Lauren-Olivia *Liv* Simister
Think back ten years ago. The first year of the 3rd millennium began, and pop music reigned supreme. In 2000, amidst all the pop-icons of the world, The O>MATICS emerged. Now, after many shows, laughs, and comic-strips, the band will celebrate their first decade together.
The band calls this first decade *ten years of rock n* roll fun.*
Having recently been on The Price Is Right (and winning), we can*t blame them!

So how does this band plan on celebrating their first decade together?
The O>MATICS: *We*re having a 10th anniversary show at the Loop Lounge in Passaic Park, NJ on May 7th, and we*re just hoping friends and fans who have gone to our shows over the past ten years come and celebrate with us. We also have a slew of shows within the next couple of months.*

Liv: What are some things you have to have or do before a show?
Chris O>MATIC (drums): Every time I*m driving to a venue, or the House O>matic, I have to listen to Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses. We also all stretch before every show.
*
Liv: Do you ever crave a certain food or drink before or after a show?
Jamie (bass): I*m a vegan, so I like to eat a lot of lentils before I play, because they just give me a ton of energy.
Mark (vocals, guitar): Our dad (Mark and Chris*s) used to give us pasta, which is the reason I named one of our songs "Zitis and Meat Sauce".
Chris: I don*t eat much before a show, because I*m just too excited, but as soon as that show's over, I just go crazy.

Liv: Are there any bands you would love to do a concert with?
Mark: They Might Be Giants, definitely.
Jamie: Flaming Lips
Chris: Cake, they have such an original sound, and their dance party sound would mix well with our dance party sound.

Liv: What are some artists now that you are impressed with?
The O>MATICS: Kevin Devine. We played with him, and he was awesome. He started off in clubs, and now he*s headlining festivals. Just seeing how well he*s doing for himself and his progression just amazes us.

Their shows are known for getting the crowd pumped, but if you can*t manage to see them live, check out their website omatics.net, especially the O>MATICS in Comic. Mark O>MATIC creates all the comics, and even made an O>MATICS comic book which you can order at mypalmark.com

Ten years of rock n* roll gone by, and here*s to another ten! Don*t forget to celebrate the O>MATIC*s 10th year and catch them live this month!
myspace.com/theomatics

Pete Steele of Type O Negative has died

2010-04-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn, New York's own Pete Steele of goth/metal band Type of Negative died last night April 14th of heart failure. They were best known for their single "Black No. 1" (the type of dye goths would use to color their hair) with the line "Loving you was like loving the dead". He will be mourned mostly by the people who were already mourning.

April's issue coming this weekend!

2010-03-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

The fourth issue of Danny Says! is coming out this weekend you can find it at the following venues:
3/26 Freehold VFW in Freehold, NJ
3/27 HHVFW in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
3/28 The Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ

It will be appearing at many other shows during April as well as Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ with an estimated 1,000 issues being distributed for free! For a copy to be mailed send a self addressed/stamped envelope to:
Danny Says!
Box 912
Old Bridge, NJ 08857

The Kill Gene

2010-03-26T10:45:00.001-07:00

The Kill Gene
By Lauren-Olivia “Liv” Simister

The Kill Gene is a group comprised of “five guys from Jersey.” With vocalist Dave Boland, guitarists Dave Kaminski and Dave “JD” Lisowski, bassist Josh Roman, and drummer George “Huzzy” Hazinikitas, The Kill Gene is trailblazing forward, releasing an EP next month, “From Tears Of Those Who Grieve,” which has been called a “must-have” of the year.

Liv: Where did the name, “The Kill Gene,” come from?

TKG: The name is a long story. We all wanted to come up with a better name from what we were using at the time. Josh was looking at different things about serial killers, and then we all pretty much started to as well. So we all decided that we come up with 5-10 names each. Then we all got together at Georges' house (where we practice) to settle on one. The way we went about it was to vote. So we went through 50 names or so until we hit The Kill Gene. The story behind is, basically it's a gene that certain scientists believe predisposes them to their behavior, hence The Kill Gene.

Liv: When did you guys get together, and how did The Kill Gene come about?

TKG: Well George and Dave K. were hanging out back in January 2009 and decided it was time to start a new band. After the forever process of trying to find a guitarist, bassist, and singer we started looking on Craigslist. We then found Dave L. from Freehold, NJ. He sent us some clips of what he does and we asked him to come on down! Then we found our old friend Josh who used to play guitar but wanted something new, so we threw a bass in his hands and BOOM! We had our bassist. So, The Kill Gene was almost complete. After about five different singers auditioning and not hearing what we were looking for, back to Craiglist it was... We then found an ad on there for Dave B. from Iselin, NJ. We had him come down for an audition and loved everything about it!! The final piece to The Kill Gene was found! This band went from almost strangers to a Brotherhood! So The Kill Gene officially started around July 2009.

Liv: How far would you say you guys have come since forming The Kill Gene? Are you in the same place goal-wise?

TKG: Since we came together, we have released a demo, have played roughly twenty-five shows, recorded our first E.P., and will be releasing it in less then a month. We've grown tremendously! Our song writing has become easier due to our styles finally coming together. We are all very different and I think it shows in our music. It’s not even a full year yet and we plan on going back into the studio to record a single by June. We don't think this band will ever be okay with just staying the same. We always try to push the envelope musically and lyrically. Our goals change every week, they just become bigger and harder to reach but then we just work harder and faster.

Liv: You have a new album coming out within the next month. What was the writing process like?

TKG: The writing process was probably the biggest wake up call since we started. We all, as individuals, found out a lot about ourselves and our band mates. It was a long process with some really early days and some really late ones as well. Only as we got more comfortable with each other's playing, did we start to incorporate more melodic, intricate idea, like in "Last Chance To Dance." But toward the end of it all we realized what we need to do for the next album to come. If it weren’t for Jeff Wallace of Entrolab Studios who engineered and produced our E.P., we would have been lost. His patience and love for music made the process as smooth as possible!!

Liv: Is there a song on the album that you love to play live, or is just a personal favorite?

Dave B: I love performing, "I Thought You Died Yesterday," it starts off soft and slow and then it hits you with heaviness. It gets me pumped up.

Josh: “I Thought You Died Yesterday” is the most fun to play live (personally). It has a lot of emotions that all get released at the very last breakdown and it gets pretty intense live. As far as a personal favorite in general, “Last Chance to Dance” is the song that really captures just how much we've grown as a band and gives you a little insight on where our music is headed.

Dave K: Personally, “I Thought You Died Yesterday” is my favorite to play live and just my favorite because it has soothing melodic riffs and brutal breakdowns!

George: All of them. I really can’t narrow it down. In every song, there’s parts that I just love.

Dave L: Well, “Last Chance To Dance” is my personal favorite. It mixes all of the things I love in music: harmony, beautiful instrumentation, brutal riffage, and breakdowns that can split skulls. But I like to play “I Thought You Died Yesterday” live, because the song speaks to the crowd and they go crazy for it. I guess the thought of a girl coming back from the dead interests them.

Liv: What’s your advice for people who want to form a band?

Dave K: If you’re going to form a band make sure your heart is in it until the end. And never take things too personal during the writing process, because people say things they don’t mean at that point pretty often!

Dave L: Find people that you vibe with on a musical and personal level. For all intents and purposes, this is a second family, so you have to trust the guys or girls in your band that have your back, because it's only you guys on stage for thirty minutes to one hour, there is no other safety net.

Josh: Go for it! Just have an open mind. It’s like a relationship. Communication and compromise are key. On the other hand, if you want to go anywhere with the band, you better have your heart invested or don't bother wasting your band-mates’ time.

Dave B: Do it! Making music is so much fun, and all the people you meet and the friends you make, rockin’ out in front of people, the ridiculous things that go on in the studio, it’s a blast!

George: Communication. If you don't have it you will go nowhere. It’s true, no BS. Also practice a lot.

Liv: Who influenced your sound?

Josh: Pretty much any one that has ever made music. We really do all have much different tastes in music and that’s what helps bring us together.

Dave K: My biggest influence is Parkway Drive. From the first moment I listened to them, I wanted to start playing guitar again.

Dave L: I'm usually laughed at for my influences, because I'm the oldest, I have a lot of tastes that date back to the 80's, Metallica, Poison, Motley Crue, but a lot of my playing style has come from As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage (especially), and bands like that, that crunchiness and just straight-up metal...also Chicago and Journey! Hahahah I love ‘em.

George: For me, it’s In Flames, As I lay Dying, Parkway Drive, Killswitch, Devil Wears Prada, and Poison The Well.

Dave B: I am a huge death-metal fan, but when it comes to The Kill Gene, Parkway Drive and As I Lay Dying were my main influences.

Liv: What is your favorite part about live-shows?

George: The crowd. The fans. And the PITS.

Dave L: I love the energy before the show - that feeling you get when you see a packed room with all eyes on you, they're looking for a great show and they're looking at you to give ‘em one...It's kind of a pressure, but more of a goal...I am determined to make every last person in that crowd fall in love with our band and make every hater pay for their words!!!

Dave B: Girls!!

Dave K: Playing live is cool in so many different ways. But the best is just being on stage and owning it! There is no better feeling then to have the crowd in awe!

Josh: The breakdowns and watching the crowd go nuts! Connecting with other bands is great as well. It helps open the doors to new things (venues, crowds, et cetera).

Liv: You’ve shared the stage with so many bands. Who would you like to perform with most?

Dave L: Easily Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, A Day To Remember, Parkway Drive...and possibly Journey if it was like a festival or something!

Josh: The list is huge! With any luck, we'll find our way on some festivals in the near future that will remedy that.

Dave B: I'm gonna have to say Parkway Drive. They're just awesome in so many ways.

George: Any One We Can!

Dave K: I would have to say Parkway Drive as my Number One, but As I Lay Dying is a very close Number Two.

Smash- the guitar that you're supposed to smash!

2010-03-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

Out of Japan comes a guitar that is designed for you to smash. But hold on a minute, you have to sign a waiver as smashing this guitar you could be electrocuted or have small parts hurt you or other people. Also once it's smashed you can't just put it back together and smash it again. Once it's done, it's done but you can send parts back to the company that they can recycle so you can buy another one!

http://www.smash-guitar.com/spec_eng.html

Rocksville Station- March

2010-03-08T12:18:00.001-08:00

Here is a comic from Richard Alaya and Nick Clemente called "Rocksville Station".

Statelman interview

2010-03-04T14:07:00.000-08:00

So it has been almost a year since you guys have won the 10th annual battle of the bands. What has been going on since then? Are you enjoying everything that has came along with winning or are there some days where you still feel that this isn’t real?

Tim: We can't believe it has already been a year since the 10th Annual Battle of the Bands! We have been working harder then ever, we recently signed with Danimal Records, relaunched our myspace, and recorded our new single “Back Against The Wall” with John Collura (former guitarist of The Ataris) and that’s just scratching the surface. We are grateful everyday, we have been able to play guest spots at other Jersey Shows Battle of the Bands, meet amazing people, and play at some really great venues. We have the 1st place certificate hanging up in our rehearsal space and it definitely still gives us chills, we hope that it will be our first of many great achievements as not only as individuals but together as a band.

Sean: This band has been together for a while and honestly we had never won anything. We had never even been ranked in a battle of the bands before. So for us to actually have one is still a little shocking to me.

Dan: Winning the battle and the things it has done for us have made the past few months the most exciting and promising of my life.
Anything exciting in the works? What do your fans have to look forward to in the next couple of months? How do you feel about what you have planned?

Sean: After recording our first single, "Back Against the Wall," with Danimal Records, and touring constantly to support it, we're planning on recording another new song. I'm really excited about the new one we're going to do. It's got a lot of energy and I'm really happy with lyrics. The whole thing came together really fast. This year is going to be another busy one. After we record this next single, we're getting going on finishing up our next EP. I'm stoked to get going on putting out more music for fans to listen to.

If there was one band that you would love to work with who would it be and why?

Sean: A band to work with? I'd love to have Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead make some weird noises with us. I'd love to play a show with Glassjaw or Fear Before.

Meg: I would want to work with coheed & cambria and paramore, because the world needs two awesome red headed women on tour together.

Tim: Coheed and Cambria.

Dan: I’d love to work with The Scenic since they’re really good dudes and solid players.

You have been going on tour for the past couple of months, what do you have to say about that? What was the most exciting part of touring?

Dan: We’ve been able to play our music and interact with new fans more than was ever possible in the past. It’s been great to experience new things and check out new areas.

Meg: Tour probably been one of the best things we have done. Tour allows us to become closer as a group of friends and band mates. It is great to be spreading the word about our music to kids all over, and meeting new bands. That is definitely the most exciting part of touring. Our best tour experience so far has definitely been our trip to the Boston area where we played with Kiss Kiss and the Venetia Fair. Both bands were awesome and fun to talk to and see perform. We also met a lot of cool kids at these shows.

Advice for new bands:

Sean: Practice constantly. If you’re anything like us, you’re probably going to suck for a while until you get the hang of it.

Meg: Never give up and stick to your guns, as cliche as it sounds. If you believe in what you are doing keep doing it, and all the hard work will pay off. Don't let small bumps in the road discourage you.

Warped Tour iPhone/iPod Touch App

2010-02-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION NEW & RETURNING WARPED TOUR GOERS!! Are you always checking your Twitter for all things Warped related? Are you always on warpedtour.com? Are you absolutely stoked for this summer's lineup? Last question....are you an iPhone or iPod touch user?? Well Tiffany Mink has got some amazing news to share with YOU! Head on over to YouTube and check out her video!

WHAT! A WARPED TOUR APP?! FOR FREE?!?! The moment I found out I freaked! I'm an iPhone addict, so of course I was beyond stoked and downloaded it immediately.

Now, last year is when Twitter really took off. Bands, musicians, record companies, tours, fans, and so on all joined and had updates about whatever they needed to share with the world. During Warped Tour 2009, bands would tweet their set times, vendors would tweet when bands were signing at their tents, pit reporter Tiffany Mink would tweet outrageous contests, and so on. I actually bought an extra battery plugin for my iPhone so it wouldn't die during the day!

I looked through the app myself and the only thing I wish it had was Twitter updates from the bands playing (let me know if I missed it if that's available!). However, if you use Echofon, you can always make a separate Warped Tour "List" to separate those updates from friends and such. I'm not sure if other Twitter apps let you check specific lists, so check that out before making the switch!

Anyway, as you saw in the video, the app lets you plan out your own set list for your Warped Tour date. It won't load into the app, so you'll still need to grab a Warped set list or rush to the giant inflatable when you get in. Good news about this is you DON'T need the internet to use the set list! That way iPod touch users won't get jipped! However, in past years since there was no app, I would always grab a set list they were selling or handing out right inside the doors and figure out who I was seeing. On that sheet, I would also write down signing times and tents, so since the app probably won't let you do that, make sure you have a sharpie with you or just record them in the Notes app.

Besides all that, I'm super stoked about this app and can't wait to use it when the tour starts...even if it's several months away, haha. So if you have an iPhone or iPod touch, be sure to check this Warped Tour app out! IT'S FREE! Once you get it, make sure to spread the word!!!

PS. If you choose to bring your iPhone/iPod Touch to Warped Tour, remember to be careful with it in the pits!

Written by Stephanie Gomez [stephgomez.net]

Pee-wee Herman Takes Manhattan!

2010-02-02T13:20:00.001-08:00

Pee-wee Herman is back! And after a successful comeback run of "The Pee-wee Herman Show" in Los Angeles which ends February 7th @ Club Nokia, Pee-wee is taking the show to Broadway! Danny Says correspondents attended a Q&A session with Mr. Herman this weekend where he said that he was working on bringing the show to Broadway but was having trouble finding a theater who would let them run the show for a short amount of time. Inside sources confrirmed today that concert promoter giant AEG who hosted the LA shows will be hosting Pee-wee and the gang in New York City this summer for a several week engagement. The venue itself has not yet been confirmed but one might speculate it could be at Nokia in Times Square. We'll see you there!

Everything you want to know about the Waffle Stompers by Stephanie Gomez

2010-02-02T11:27:00.001-08:00

Somewhere in the middle of assigned seating and somewhat caring about gym
class, the ska band, The Waffle Stompers, first emerged. After a lot of
stop and go over a number of years, the band finally set sail into
practicing, writing, and playing shows. Having played with childhood
idols, Reel Big Fish, just this past summer, the band has no intentions
of stopping. "Our goal as a group is to just keep going, because we love
what we do," guitarist Ted Moore confirms.
When asked about the ska genre and where it's going, Moore responded,
"the reason ska kinda declined recently was because the last wave was
just that good. Every band wanted to sound just like Reel Big Fish, Less
Than Jake, or The Mighty Mighty Bosstones...Something that we strive for,
and some of our friends' ska bands too, is to be a bit more aggressive,
edgey, or faster than the traditional ska mold...We're calling the genre
Post-Ska."
If anyone has heard or seen The Waffle Stompers', you would agree they
are certainly heading in the right direction of a fourth-wave of ska.
Even after watching over 300 bands perform in the past myself, I'd have
to say The Waffle Stompers remain one of my favorites to see live;
they're just so much fun. As Moore puts it, "it's the adreneline just
kind of kicking in when we hit the stage and whatever happens happens."
Now that you're dying to see this six-piece in action, all you have to do
is round up some friends and get to Starland Ballroom on February 27 to
catch The Waffle Stompers share the stage with Big D and the Kids Table!
For more shows, check out their myspace:
www.myspace.com/thewafflestompers.
Between going to some shows (because you'll want to see them more than
once), stay tuned for new material and big news when the band is ready to
let the world know!
On a last note, Mr. Moore would like to send this message out: "I just
want to encourage music fans to stay active in their scene! Go to shows,
put on shows, start a band, join a street team, buy a t-shirt, etc. In
the words of hometown idol Richie Knuckles 'Support the scene, we all
succeed'."

And here's the Q&A (we did it over AIM because I can't hear people for
shit over the phone) -

THE WAFFLE STOMPERS INTERVIEW:

1. How did the band start?
The band has a long and complicated history. Adam and Marc were both a
part of a ska band known as The Waffle Stompers when they were in middle
school. However, that group disbanded after one show and the first
incarnation of TWS as we know it today happened by chance between me and
adam. I happened to be singing the song 'Trendy' by Reel Big Fish after
school one day, and Adam approached me saying 'dude, you like ska? I've
got this ska band called The Waffle Stompers, you want to be in it?... Oh
yea, do you play guitar?' fortunately for me, I did play guitar. We
didn't end up actually practicing for about 3 years after that, it was
just kind of our joke of this band we would start one day. Then we did
it, and it was awesome.

2. How did you come up with the name "The Waffle Stompers"
The name was chosen by a member of that original group in middle school.
There's many urban legends about its origin, and we do our best to
confront these head on in The Waffle Stompers Video Log 6 on YouTube.
Long story short, on the classic Vans skate sneaker, there's a part on the
sole that changes from diamonds to what's known as the 'waffle.' I think
the waffle stomper was a skate trick they used to do, and they wrote
'waffle' on their soles right at that part.

3. What are the bands goals?
Our goal as a group is to just keep going, because we love what we do.
The band has become such a huge part of our lives, it's like each of our
second girlfriend (if that make sense). We have to spend time with the
band, take ourselves out to dinner, talk on the phone haha. But really,
we're not going to let life get in the way of doing what we love. We're
looking to make a big splash on some of our new releases coming up and
hopefully get broader regional or national attention with them.

4. What are your thoughts on the ska genre, like the more pop-punk side?
Do you think it's coming back and reaching it's peak?
+
5. Do you think third wave ska is over? (first wave - 60's, second wave-
80's, 90's, third wave- reel big fish, mighty mighty bosstones; Do you
think fourth wave is coming up?
I think we're about to see a new breed of ska bands. The reason ska kinda
declined recently was because the last wave was just that good. EVERY
band wanted to sounds just like RBF, LTJ or The MMB. Now we're starting
to get a wave of us that loved those bands, but are letting tons of other
music influence us. So I guess you could call it the 4th wave!
Something that we strive for, and some of our friends' ska bands too, is
to be a bit more aggressive, edgey, or faster than the traditional ska
mold. It's way fun to play, so I think it's going to start catching on.
We're calling the genre Post-Ska, haha.

6. What's your/the band's most memorable show so far?
July 11, 2009 at Starland Ballroom with Reel Big Fish. It was way badass
to be able to play with our childhood idols. Plus there were close to
2000 people there so we really got a chance to meet a lot of cool new
people. Then RBF dedicated a song to us, so we went absolutely nuts in
the pit.

7. What's your favorite song to play live?
Sex Appeal is so much fun to play. Even if our energy is down becaus
we're having a bad show or bad day, the minute we get to the first little
bridge we're all WAY back into it.

8. What would be your dream tour lineup?
well genre lines would need to be broken, but Reel Big Fish, Less Than
Jake and New Found Glory, with yours truly on the bill. I guess NFG would
have to headline.

9. I've seen you a few times before and wanted to know if the band's
always been so energetic on stage. Do you practice like that during
rehearsals?
umm, believe it or not, no we don't really practice with that much pizzaz.
Part of the problem is because the ceiling is so low we'd hit our heads,
haha. Really, a lot of us have done that. It's the adreneline just kind
of kicking in when we hit the stage and whatever happens happens. It has
a propensity to end up in injuries.

10. Also, when did you decided to get dressed up for shows?
The very first show we played as a band we dressed up like KISS and
Twister Sister, and played We're Not Gonna Take it so we layed the
groundwork early. We used to do elaborate themes like Mario Bros, Slumber
Party, Braveheart, Ghostbusters, everything. If you perooze our Myspace
pics, you'll get an idea of some of the things we did. Eventually we ran
out of themes, and it became so much work to try to put something together
we had to let it go. So a few years later we decided to at least look
more uniform, so we found Sazz Vintage clothing and ended up ordering
green tux jackets for everyone! They're uber suave, so everyone's usually
excited for show days when they can wear them. They get hot in the
summer, though. And under stage lights.

11. Do you have any exciting shows coming up?
We've got bunches of exciting shows coming up! This Friday, Jan 29th with
Chase Long Beach and Outlaw Nation at Soundwaves in Union should be a
really good time. Plus Saturday, Feb 27th we've got another Starland
Ballroom gig, this time with Big D and the Kids Table! And in between
we've got a tour the first week of Feburary with our buddies from
Montreal, The Real Deal. Our schedule is packed and we're amped up to go.

12. What are your other plans for the new year?
When we're not touring this year, we're going to release new material.
We're working on the behind-the-scenes-nitty-gritty right now, but when
it's all sorted our we'll definitely get to put out some new songs. We've
been talking with a couple big-name producers and studios to figure out
where we want to go. There's some REALLY exciting offers out there, so we
can't wait. Of course, I can't really say anything until its finalized,
but there will be some big news soon and we'll let everyone know!

13. Is there anything you'd like to add or want the fans to know?
I just want to encourage music fans to stay active in their scene! Go to
shows, put on shows, start a band, join a street team, buy a t-shirt. In
the words of hometown idol Richie Knuckles 'suppot the scene, we all
succeed.

Vampire Weekend's album is #1

2010-01-27T15:38:00.001-08:00

Vampire Weekend has become the 12th band on an independent label to reach #1 on the billboard charts. The majors are no longer the only players in town! Check out this commentary by Yahya Chaudhry from the Indiana Daily Student:
http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=73122

Waffle Stompers' Stomping Grounds

2010-01-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

With 3 EPs, 1st Place Jersey Shows
BOTB bragging rights, and several
tours behind them, New Brunswick, NJ
ska/punk band The Waffle Stompers
are all over the place. If you've
seen one of their energetic live
shows you'll know just why. We talked
with drummer Adam Kishbauch to find out a little about the stompers of waffles.

DS: I've seen your name all over for a long time now, how long have you guys been around?
Adam: I'm the most original member you'll find, it started as an idea when I was in 8th grade about 8 years ago. The current lineup you'll find now has been playing together for 5 years.

DS: In the early days you guys used to do costumed themed shows, what were some of the ones you did, and why did you stop?
Adam: Our very first show was for the Amnesty club at our high school, we decided to over-promote this band called "The Waffle Stompers" We blew everybody's expectations when we came out from behind the curtain dressed as the members of Kiss and covered "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister. We love classic rock and punk rock, and we were trying to be ironic and stay away from anything typically associated with ska. For 20-25 shows after that we had a different theme for every show which included cops & robbers, superheroes, bikers, kung fu ninjas, and Mario characters. We even had props to go along, like for the Mario show we had a Question Mark block which when we broke it, was filled with candy. We found that doing these different themed shows with the costumes and props was very expensive. Now we rely more on our energy, we start off every show wearing green tuxedo jackets which eventually come off to reveal whatever we feel like wearing that day.

DS: You guys won first place in the 10th Annual Jersey Shows Battle of the Bands, what have you guys done so far with your winnings?
Adam: We won $5,000 cash and we thought that's all it would entail. Our original idea was to spend the money on recording a full length, but now we're working
with Jersey Shows performing all over the place and we're in talks with Danimal Records.

DS: Ska seems to be making a comeback, why do you think that is and how do you guys fit into that?
Adam: Ska music makes people happy. You can't hear music with horns and not feel happy even if you're Streetlight Manifesto and have depressing lyrics. People can
only be depressed for so long and they want something to believe in. We always wanted to be like the Suicide Machines, they were a punk band that ska kids like.
We want to be the ska band that plays punk music which is harmony, melody, and vocal based. We have two music majors in the band and would like to add complexity
to pop music. One of our favorite reviews was "The Waffle Stompers aren't paving any new ground, but they know that". It's the honest truth, we want people to say "When was the last time
you heard a ska band?" This was music that made us happy growing up and if you believe in something than you might as well give all you've got.

The Waffle Stompers are touring with The Real Deal from Canada (Stomp Records) from February 3rd until Saturday Febaruary 6th when they hit NJ at the Clinton Community Center in Clinton, NJ. On Saturday February 27th, they open for Big D & the Kids Table at Starland Ballroom. They are also hitting up the tri-state area all month for headlining and featured spots.

Check out their myspace

Man fined for "Rocking Out" to John Denver

2010-01-20T12:52:00.000-08:00

A Wisconsin man was fined for listening to John Denver too loudly, more info here:
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=456&sid=1866859

Try to stop the merge of Ticketmaster and Live Nation

2010-01-18T11:30:00.001-08:00

Here's the content of an email forwarded from an independent promoter:

There's a train wreck about to happen and consumer groups say YOU will be the victim - if the two most powerful corporate interests in the live concert business get their way. But you can help stop the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation. The government needs to hear from music fans now. Tell the Department of Justice that you're against these monopolies amassing illegal power over consumers, before it's too late. antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov

As a concertgoer you have already felt the pain, and if Ticketmaster and Live Nation get their way, it'll get worse. In the last 12 years, since Live Nation and its predecessor started its widespread take over of the concert industry, concert tickets have shot up 82% while the consumer price index has gone up just 17%*. We are concerned that if the two concert industry behemoths, Live Nation and Ticketmaster, were permitted to merge, the variety and quality of artists coming to local venues would be affected, and your prices could rise further and faster.

Five of the nation's most prominent public interest groups called on the Department of Justice to block the proposed merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

In the consumer groups' and lawmakers' words:

"Consumers deserve a fair deal in the entertainment marketplace, not the fewer choices and higher prices that would result from this merger," said Susan Grant, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Federation of America.

"This merger is an insult to both musicians and consumers," said James Love, Director of Knowledge Ecology International

"We cannot envision a remedy that would ease this chilling impediment to competition… In the absence of other effective, expeditious remedies, the proposed transaction should be prohibited." American Antitrust Institute White Paper

As described by Senator Herb Kohl (WI) in the Senate Antitrust hearing, "This merger will not only expand Ticketmaster's control of the ticketing market by eliminating a competitor, but it is also creating an entity that will control the entire chain of the concert business – from artist management to concert promotion and production to ticketing and ticket resale."

"This merger would be a disaster for consumers. Nothing short of blocking this takeover of the ticket market by two industry behemoths will be acceptable," said National Consumers League Executive Director Sally Greenberg.

"As president, I will direct my administration to reinvigorate antitrust enforcement. I will step up review of merger activity and take effective action to stop or restructure those mergers that are likely to harm consumer welfare…," said Senator Barak Obama when he was campaigning for the presidency.

If you agree with the consumer groups and lawmakers, make a difference and LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD NOW.

If you are tired of paying exorbitant ticket prices and service charges and paying for parking on a per head basis and dealing with the gouging, unregulated secondary ticket market in an effort to get good seating. If you are disgusted with paying more and more every year for the live concert experience THAN ACT NOW, CLICK ON THE LINK IMMEDIATELY BELOW AND SEND A MESSAGE TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE URGING THEM TO STOP THIS MERGER!
antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov

To learn more, check out:

ticketdisaster.org

Public Interest Groups Call on Justice Department to Block Ticketmaster/LiveNation/Comcast Merger

American Antitrust Institute's White Paper TICKETMASTER - LIVE NATION

Philadelphia Weekly's cover story "Monopoly Rules"

Signed,

The 9:30 Club, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Jam Productions, Metropolitan Talent, Another Planet, Frank Productions, Stone City Attractions, Rams Head Live, The Black Cat …… and independent concert promoters and venue operators nationwide.

*Study by Princeton University economist Alan Krueger

Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic defends Bono on Twitter, etc.

2010-01-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

Here's an excerpt from Krist Novoselic's blog on Seattle Weekly:

When I logged onto Twitter yesterday, I discovered U2's Bono going down in Tweeted flames. Turns out the singer/philanthropist wrote a forward-looking Top-10 list for The New York Times in which he states, "A decade's worth of music file-sharing and swiping has made clear that the people it hurts are the creators." Bono just ripped the lid off the tension between a free and open Internet and the natural course of commerce that drives our information revolution.
I love Twitter, and it's disappointing to see the service manifest itself as a lynch mob. Bono is the latest in a line of good people who get trashed in the continuing file-sharing controversy. Hilary Rosen, Lars Ulrich, Prince, and Howard King are some of the most prominent of those who've gotten flamed by rhetoric more suited for the revolutions that brought in the 20th century.

Venture capital, risk, and the promise of wealth is what makes our networks expand and our processors speed up, to provide all the wonderful free content available at our fingertips today. Remember the old song "Working in a Coal Mine," with the line "How long can this go on?" The song alludes to the toil of the working man, but I'll put it another way: How long can free Twitter and YouTube go on?"

A new decade, a new retro

2010-01-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Ever since the 1970's (as far as I can tell) pop culture, music, and fashion from 15-30 years ago has seem to come back into popularity, generally averaged out to the "twenty year rule". Here are just a few examples:

-In the 1970's the 50's came back with the movie "American Graffiti", the "Happy Days" TV show, "American Pie" by Don Mclean about the 50's rock and roll, the "Buddy Holly Story" starring Gary Busey, and Grease. Punk rock which drew on early rock and roll came into fruitation during this decade as well.

-In the 1980's aspects of the 60's came back with films like "Eddie and The Cruisers" and "The Blues Brothers" which brought back Motown, Soul, and Blues of the 1960's. "Back to the Beach" was a straight up retro beach movie starring 60's teen idols Annete Funicello and Frankie Avalon. On top of that the 60's fashion made a comeback as represented in "Pee-wee's Playhouse" and the band the B-52's. Bands like The Beatles and The Doors had a resurgance of popularity during this period.

-In the 1990's the "classic rock" format was created comprising of mostly music from the 1970s. Grunge bands with long hair and a stripped down format came into the mainstream combining elements of influence from Led Zepplin to punk rock. Jam bands had a surge in popularity (Dave Matthews Band?) Punk rock also made a comeback with a new wave of punk bands such as Green Day and Rancid. The 90's saw a "Brady Bunch movie" a TV show based on the 70's "That 70's Show", and a huge resurgance for the "Star Wars trilogy".

-In the 2000's or the "aughts" we saw the resurgance and reunions of bands like The Police, Devo, Oingo Boingo, The Go-Gos, The Pixies. Not to mention new bands using synths again with a clear 80's influence such as The Killers, The Bravery, Peter Bjorn and John, MGMT, Vampire Weekend. Most recently with the death of Michael Jackson, his heyday of the 1980's became as popular as ever. Even spandex came back (as seen on "some" people) do you believe it?!

- While we're just days into the new decade, the 1990's retro movement has already begain in the late aughts with reunions (in some cases "reunions") of Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Superdrag, The Toadies, and the recently announced reunion of Soundgarden. Haven't you noticed everybody wearing flannel recently?

Danny Says' Top 10 Films of 2009

2009-12-30T14:13:00.001-08:00

Every other blog does it, so why can't we?! 2009 was a great year for films, Here's Danny Says' list of the Best 10 films of 2009:
10: "9" directed by Shane Acker
Based on the 2005 Oscar nominated short of the same name, Shane Acker gets the financial and namesake support of Tim Burton for this feature length computer animated film more aimed at teenagers and adults than any typical American family. This dark and gritty post-apocalyptic film is most visually stunning among everything else.

9. "Adventureland" directed by Greg Mottola
While not a straight up comedy like Greg Mottola's previous film, "Superbad" this is all and all a better movie. While it's nostalgic look back at the 1980's, it's also a nostalgic look at growing up in general for any generation.

8. "Coraline" directed by Henry Selick
Stop motion is a far more impressive medium than CG, and Henry Selick's (Nightmare Before Christmas) Coraline is a prime example of this statement.

7. "Bruno" directed by Larry Charles
Sacha Baron Cohen is a genius and more daring than any other comedian! Who else would risk their life in real life situations and wave their wang in front of the camera? The brilliance isn't in the wang waving but in the expose of real life people's ignorance and intolerance. More than half the time we're laughing AT the people and with Cohen.

6. "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" directed by Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson (The Royal Tennenbaums) has a very distinct style and he has successfully combined that with the world of Roald Dahl (Charlie and The Chocolate Factory). If films were tangible artwork for sale, you'd find this one on Etsy.com. While not the slick stop motion style of "Coraline" or "Corpse Bride" of recent years, this film was purposely done to showcase the handmade aspect of the medium reminiscent to the stop motion TV specials of the 1960's (Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer). Some hipsters have grown up and have kids, this is the film the whole hipster family can love for years to come!

5. "Where The Wild Things Are" directed by Spike Jonze
I stand by my previous statement, this is a film that appeals as much to adults and teenagers in the know as much as it does to kids. This is Spike Jonze's (Being John Malkovich) long awaited return to film after a 7 year gap since 2002's Adaptation. In this adaptation of Maurice Sendak's beloved childrens' book, Spike has created a surreal but real world inhabited by Jim Henson Creature shop animatronics with CG facial features. This is one that kids of today will be proud of enjoying when they're teenagers. (Think merchandise boost 10 years from now ala Nightmare Before Christmas)

4. "Food Inc" directed by Robert Kenner
I urge every consumer of food to watch this film. Open up your mind before you open up your mouth. The food industry is responsible for some of America's biggest health problems including obesity and diabetes most of which affect the majority of children who don't really have a say in what is fed to them.

3. "Capitalism: A Love Story" directed by Michael Moore
This film in my opinion is Michael Moore's best film. It's at times funny, depressing, and enraging. Say what you will about the outspoken man himself, but the content of this film about America's obsession with corporations and their greed is too powerful to pass up.

2. "Anvil! The Story Of Anvil" directed by Sacha Gersavi
This rock documentary is the story of a once successful metal band whose coherts including Metallica, Anthrax, and Pantera went onto superstardom while they went into obsecurity. This film is both hilarious and sad with a happy ending including a real life comeback as a result of this film.

1. "The Cove" directed by Louie Psihoyos
This should win best documentary for every awards show out there. Not is it only the best documentary of the year, I'd say it's the best film of the year. A group of activists risk their lives in Japan to expose the slaughter of thousands of dolphins as a result of the dolphin entertainment industry including places like Sea World and dolphin swim resorts. (Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ is also a participant in these kind of "shows") Richard O'Barry, the man responsible for the whole dolphin training industry as a result of his work on the "Flipper" TV show tries to bring down the very industry he created. This film exposes Japan's fisherman' inhumanity at its worst through hidden hi-def cameras.

Avenged Sevenfold drummer has passed away

2009-12-29T09:49:00.001-08:00

Avenged Sevenfold's drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan has died at the age of 28. Huntington Beach, CA police are investigating the death with an autopsy to follow.

The band released this statement:
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time

Statelman bassist hospitalized

2009-12-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

Statelman was forced to cancel their show at the Saint in Asbury Park, NJ yesterday after bassist Tim James was rushed to the hospital for extreme abdominal pains which turned out to be a ruptured appendix. He had surgery last night and is currently recovering. No word yet on their upcoming shows at Fuel House Coffee in Vineland, NJ or Yardley Community Centre in Yardley, PA this weekend.

Patent Pending show 12/27/09

2009-12-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

On 12/27/09 Nine bands played @ Soundwaves in Union, NJ. Included in the lineup was: Playground Beatdown, Scissors in A Cupcake, Mania in Urbania, The O>matics,
Solfege Radio, Freedom Comes Friday, 4 Normandy, from VA Murphy's Kids, and headliners Patent Pending. Enjoy these pictures and video from the show.

Danny Says zine premieres!

2009-12-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

This weekend the Danny Says zine premieres at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ and at the following shows:
Saturday December 26th at Station 36 in Waretown, NJ (with Betrayus and BOB)
Sunday December 27th at:
The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ (with Statelman and Blue Ray)
Crossroads in Garwood, NJ (with Stormcaller and Bye Bye Box)
Soundwaves Academy in Union, NJ (with Patent Pending, Murphy's Kids, The O>matics, and Solfege Radio)

Chase Long Beach interview

2009-12-22T11:57:00.001-08:00

Chase Long Beach-
Danny Says! sat down with (over the phone) Patrick "Fitzie", bass player of Victory Records' Chase Long Beach to talk about their big break on Victory and how they feel they fit within the genre of ska.

DS: How’s the tour?

Fitzie: “The past tour was good; definitely our favorite places to play are Florida, because it’s just like home town in California. We also like to play in Colorado; we have lots of friends out in Denver.”

DS: How has the band progressed?

Fitzie: Our band is definitely growing. It was dead when we started because the scene was rusty. It’s going really well though, first ska west coast signed band in 10 years.

DS: How has it been working with Victory Records?

Fitzie: We were signed in February 2009 by them and it’s definitely a lot of fun, it’s a HUGE learning experience and a great to be a part of. They are the ultimate marking machine; their job is to make us big.”

DS: Would you say this is your first big break?

Fitzie: “Absolutely. It just opens up so much. There are so many more people that do work that you can’t do on your own.”

DS: Do more instruments make the band harder or more fun?

Fitzie: More musicians is key. It works when there are lots of dedicated members. It’s basically all my friends playing instruments. It was harder to tour when we were traveling without the bus. Using the new bus to tour is so much better, much more personal room.

DS: Do you feel you're still part of the 3rd wave ska movement or are you ushering a new perhaps "4th wave" of ska bands?

Fitzie:“I wouldn’t say we are the 3rd wave. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were the big guys on the block, and still are. We started in 2002, 3rd wave bands started earlier. We are attempting to push the limitiations of the ska scene, we want more of a wider audience.

DS: How’s the new CD "Gravity Is What You Make It" doing?

Fitzie: Really REALLY well. It’s been doing better in the UK, because the tour is the same length of time, and it covers smaller ground. We’ve toured 3 times over there, it sells better. All bands do twice as good over there.

DS: We heard you were supposed to tour Japan, Australia, and China in 2010 but it was pushed back?

Fitzie: It was pushed back to save money. The label wanted to concentrate on the US marketing.

DS: How has the new single “We’ve Got Pockets Like Nobody’s Business” been doing and what do you have planned for the future?

Fitzie: “We have gotten 10,000 plays in 2 weeks. Victory Record’s digital distributor accidentally took our music off. We lost everything. We also plan on redoing the website. We want more of a live feed, twitter style, type site. We plan on having a tour diary on there. “

DS: Now here's the obligatroy question, who are your biggest influences?

Fitzie: We all have a bunch of different influences, being in that there are 7 people in the band. Simply walking down the street influences me. As far as bands, I’ve been listening to a lot of Alkaline Trio, Motion City Soundtrack, Atmosphere, and The Queers.

Chase Long Beach are playing Friday January 29th, 2010 @ Soundwaves Academy in Union, NJ with The Waffle Stompers, Sexy Heroes, Pilots in Orbit, After Shock, Four In Reserve, Six Ways To Saturday, and Touchdown Boy. Tickets will be available through www.jerseyshows.com

Forever The Sickest Kids- Sick

2009-12-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

It seems the video that posted to MTV's site is currently "sick" so here's a link to it on YouTube. The staff of Starland Ballroom was notified after the video shoot and their show that night that two of the members of Forever The Sickest Kids have the Swine Flu. So it's not just a clever name.

Forever The Sickest Kids' new video

2009-12-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

Check out the brand new video from Forever the Sickest Kids. While the song is a progression that Blink 182 and a million other bands have overused, the video is pretty entertaining featuring Verne Troyer (Mini Me) as the band's manager. The whole video was shot at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ

Forever The Sickest Kids - New Music - More Music Videos

Sexy Heroes live at Starland Ballroom- Sayreville, NJ

2009-12-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

Check out this two camera shoot from Bergen County New Jersey based band Sexy Heroes. (Formally known as Sexy Heroes in Transit aka S.H... you get it..) This was from The Jersey Showdown semi-finals in November, they'll be playing Starland again on January 9th competing for a share of $10,000 cash!

2010 Warped Tour dates announced

2009-12-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Vans Warped Tour dates have been announced. The festival which is the longest running traveling fest in its 16th year is making its way to New Jersey in two stops again. There's the ever so dangerous Camden, NJ stop which is where the Philly area can dare venture to on Friday July 16th. And returning for the second year in a row will be Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ on Sunday July 18th. New Jersey has had the honor of being the biggest, best attended stop in the past, lets hope for a great lineup (last years' was pretty sweet), more on that when it's announced! Head over to www.vanswarpedtour.com for all the dates

Danny Says!

2009-12-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the online blog of Danny Says! Danny Says is a brand new music zine based out of New Jersey premiering in January 2010. Here you'll find exclusive content not found in the zine, but you'll also find content in the zine not found on this blog.