2012 is on its way.  We at Mind Equals Blown have an idea of some bright young bands rearing to make their mark on the scene in 2012. Below is a list of bands that each staff member feels has what it takes to make it big in 2012, but only time will tell who the big winner is.

Jacob’s picks:

Farewell Fighter

With two incredible EPs under their belt and having played over 160 shows in 2011, Farewell Fighter is exactly the sort of band that should be primed to do big things in 2012.  Their debut, 2010′s The Winning Team (which you can download for free here) is great, but they built upon their sound with The Way We Learn to make my favorite work of music of 2011.  Powerful, personal lyrics, tight instrumental work, and just the right energy combined with genuinely nice people puts Farewell Fighter in position to take the spot of “Favorite Band” from whoever might currently hold it for you.  Look out.

Bad Rabbits

Bringing a bit of nostalgia stemming from their 70s soul and funk influences, Bad Rabbits played Warped Tour this year.  Yeah, the skate-punk tour that has been the summer home of a slew of hardcore, post-hardcore, and pop-punk bands over the past few years.  Aside from being unique, they put on the best set of any I saw, drawing fans from all of the above genres to make them dance, laugh, and stop taking themselves so seriously.  I’d like to compare them to Foxy Shazam in terms of how they might fit into the scene.  They’re something unique with enough energy and musicianship to draw fans from anywhere.  If you don’t believe me, check out their Stick Up Kids EP for free here.  Look out for not one, but possibly two records and a ton of touring in 2012.  It’s going to be fun.

The Weeknd

Judging from the popularity of the three free mixtapes (available for download here) released by The Weeknd this year, you might have already heard of this atmospheric R&B act.  Featuring the smooth vocals of mastermind Abel Tesfaye, this is music made for the night, but it’s also perfect for just the right kind of party.  What’s impressive about these mixtapes is their high level of quality, leading some to put them above albums by established acts on their year-end lists and wonder, if these are mixtapes, how insane an album will be.  In any case, the combination of his past work and his connections to Drake, Lady Gaga, and Florence & The Machine makes it a safe bet that whatever The Weeknd does in 2012 will have a huge impact on the music world.

Dylan’s picks:

Such Gold

With such a great year for pop-punk under our belts, Such Gold are the odd men out. Earning the old-school pop-punk fans’ and the new fans’ respect and love with incredible energy and quick pacing Such Gold quickly joined in on the thriving pop-punk scene. Even though they released a couple of splits with pals Koji and A Loss For Words in 2011 (along with a few other small releases in the past) we have yet to see the New York-based punk group release a proper full-length. 2012 will change that. With a brand new record deal with Razor & Tie Records and their first full-length on the way, I expect great pop-punk to be carried over into 2012.

Into It. Over It.

Proper could not be a more fitting title for Into It. Over It.’s (more formally known as Evan Weiss)  2011 release. Being Weiss’ first “proper” full-length after releasing a series of EPs in his 12 Towns collection (12 songs about 12 different towns) along with the monstrous and bold 52 Weeks project (Weiss wrote a song a week for 52 weeks and released it all in one…you did not read wrong) Proper included a more full-band sound from the talented mind of Weiss. This full-length, Weiss’ ambitious behavior and his obvious affiliation with 2011′s pop-punk leaders scream potential success and I feel that is what we will see in 2012.

Title Fight

Breaking the generic pop-punk mold, SideOneDummy’s Title Fight’s debut full-length Shed witnessed the band’s eagerness to avoid being misbranded. Digging into their roots and delivering a strong 90s emo vibe Shed marked the beginning of Title Fight’s growth and was received well enough to land them a direct supporting spot on the Alternative Press Fall tour with the likes of the rapidly growing Four Year Strong. Personally I’ve been hearing Title Fight’s name pop up among people that I would never expect to enjoy the band and that, plus their impressive track record, is enough for me to keep an eye on them in 2012.

Daytrader

I know it is hard to believe, but 2011 really was Rise Records’ big year. Contributing to this success aside from the big signings was the signing of Daytrader after the release of their fantastic 2011 EP Last Days of Rome. When a pop-punk band shows signs of vast maturity in the vein of Bayside and current Saves The Day it is easy to see the potential that lies within them. There must be something in the water over in Long Island, for this band has what it takes to join the likes of The Movielife and Midtown.

Tim’s picks:

Middle Class Rut

The duo’s debut, No Name No Color, was one of my favorite albums of 2010. It just seemed like the band had great chemistry together, as the album featured many heavy-hitters and an overall energetic vibe. It also had a few great radio singles to keep more alternative fans happy. But the band’s grittier, more hardcore side is where their roots are. As long as the band keeps to their roots and just keeps doing what’s working well for them, I see no problem with the band’s sophomore release being one of the best albums of 2012.

Write This Down

Being such a big fan of Tooth & Nail Records, I was enthralled when Write This Down released their debut in 2010. With a sound that brings together the metal element of Underoath and the crunch of Thousand Foot Krutch, Write This Down has a sound that I felt very comfortable with. But the thing I enjoyed most about the band’s debut was the heavy amounts of passion that drove the music. Now the band has a chance to rise or fall with their sophomore release, which could decide their fate and also help the band find their niche as one of Tooth & Nail’s rising stars.

Abel

Usually free music is pretty lame, but indie worship band Abel, who’s on the priceless record-producing Come&Live! Records, is one of a kind when it comes to Christian music. Their last album, Lesser Men (which can be downloaded here), embraced a soft sound that reminded me of artists like Paper Route and even Thrice. The thing that made this album stick out the most though was the fact that there was very little filler to be found; Lesser Men was fairly open-ended and carried a very fixed message. With a new record hopefully due out sometime in 2012, it will definitely be something to keep an eye on, because Abel is one of the better bands of their genre out there right now.

Make Do And Mend 

After signing with Rise Records a short while ago, hardcore quartet Make Do And Mend said they were already producing a new album. Their last work, End Measured Mile, which came out in 2010, was one of the bigger surprises that year, considering that the band had a very polished sound with little hints of pop and catchiness in it. Even with how memorable the songs are, there was enough raw emotion in End Measured Mile to keep me coming back again and again. Let’s just hope that when the band leaves the studio in February that the band’s forthcoming release is anything but a sophomore slump.

Jason’s picks:

Childish Gambino 

In a matter of months, Donald Glover‘s rapping pseudonym has racked up enough buzz to propel him to a ridiculously huge headlining tour in the coming months. How a man goes from selling out small clubs to headlining 3,000 capacity venues in less than a year has to say something, but a listen to his new album Camp proves the dude can do more than just act. Crossing his humor and wordplay over into his rap game, Gambino’s clever lyricism and energetic beats make him a shoo-in for someone to watch next year.

Native 

After seeing them open for Thursday on their farewell tour, I guess you could say something to the tune of third time’s a charm. While they’ve always been enjoyable with their mix of bombastic and noodly post-hardcore, word of a new full-length next year should be more than enough to spark or rekindle our love for Native. If you haven’t managed to stumble upon Wrestling Moves, the band’s 2009 LP, do yourself a favor and listen to it immediately. Look for this and a hectic touring schedule to continue to build buzz for this criminally underrated band.

Sebastian’s picks:

Girls’ Generation

If you’ve spent an unhealthy amount of time on the internet then chances are you’ve already heard of Girls’ Generation, more likely than not, from the music video to their incredibly infectious single “Gee”. With more than 50 million views on that music video alone and tons of awards and recognition in their native South Korea, it’s safe to say that these girls are no strangers to fame. Yet their true moment of stardom here in the states has yet to come, but all signs point to it happening in 2012. Packed with infectious tracks, their latest record, The Boys, has received a marketing campaign in the U.S. with promotion on iTunes and a release show in Madison Square Garden. Their music presents the future of pop, one that is without bland tracks and imitation. With nine members in the group, the girls constantly bring in new ideas and voices, preventing themselves from getting stale. With our online access and the rising popularity of K-pop it’s only a matter of time until the language barrier between English and Korean is broken, and you can bet that Girls’ Generation will be more than partly responsible for it.

 Clams Casino 

Clams Casino (a.k.a. Mike Volpe) isn’t the kind of name you’ll see on MTV, or being constantly uttered by mainstream music fans. Instead it’s the kind of name you’ll find in the liner notes of hip-hop’s biggest albums. The New Jersey producer has already made a name for himself by working with popular artists such as SouljaBoy and Lil B, however it’s his connections with the upstarts like A$AP Rocky and Main Attrakionz that will get him far. This producer’s work is far from being your run of the mill hip-hop beats, instead it’s dark and haunting, yet it lends itself to the swagger of those rapping over it so easily. Even if hip-hop isn’t your thing, his solo work also works by itself and makes for a damn good listen.

 Big K.R.I.T.  

Justin Scott is honest, friendly, old-school, and all around hard-working. With eight mixtapes already under his belt, it’s clear that Big K.R.I.T. (King Remembered in Time) is no rookie in the rap game. After years of constant work it seems like his chance to shine has finally surfaced. Signing with Def Jam put him in a good situation, it also doesn’t hurt that he has collaborated with big names such as T.I., Wiz Khalifa, Ludacris, and Chris Brown. Set for release in early 2012, K.R.I.T.’s debut full-length, Live From the Underground, has the potential to be a successful record that bring back that funky southern flavor that artists such as Outkast were know for. The cards are all in place for him, it’s all a matter of how they play out, if talent is the prime factor however, Big K.R.I.T. has this one in the bag.

King Krule 

Previously known as Zoo Kid, 17 year old Archy Marshall has already gained quite the following both from fans and critics. His bizarre mix of folk and new wave electronics has helped him stand out from the pack of singer/songwriters. Marshall’s main asset however is his low heartbroken voice that can turn all of his tales into believable stories. Inking a deal with growing indie label True Panther Sounds earlier this year, King Krule released a self-titled EP that has left listeners yearning for more. With a full-length scheduled for sometime in 2012 and comparisons to Morrissey, Marshall is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming year.

Lana Del Rey

When your first song becomes so extremely polarizing that Interscope records offers you a record deal based purely on that track, then chances are you’re on your way to stardom. Lana Del Rey isn’t some pop hack who has become famous for making intolerable music (I’m looking at you Kreayshwan), she has the backing of music critics as well as Damon Albarn and Bobby Womack, who have asked her to collaborate in the latter’s upcoming LP. Lana is simply one of those stars who appeared on the scene ready for fame, which is what has irked many listeners, who have branded her a “phony”. Her voice however, speaks for itself and with her debut album Born to Die already set for a January 30^th release, there is no doubt that Lana has her eyes set of the world.

Kaitlin’s picks:

The Head and The Heart

An indie folk band from Seattle, The Head and the Heart has been quickly capturing the hearts of fans across the nation. Hailing from the same town as Fleet Foxes (and both signed to Sub Pop!), this band brings similarly loveable folk music. Having released their incredible self-titled in 2010 and recently releasing a beautiful iTunes session, The Head and the Heart is only getting started. If you’re a fan of bands like Fleet Foxes and Iron & Wine, be sure to keep an eye out for this heavenly folk ensemble on tour in 2012.

Larry and His Flask 

Originally a grunge punk band, the members of Larry and His Flask have transformed themselves into a punk-infused high-energy bluegrass phenomenon. Kicking off the transformation was their self-titled EP in 2010, but the true extent of their greatness became apparent with this year’s All That We Know. They started turning heads on a grand scale at 2011’s Vans Warped Tour, with Alternative Press naming them as one of the 10 Must See Under-The-Radar Warped Tour Acts. They’re putting out a new album in 2012 and are perpetually on tour, so check them out if you enjoy the likes of Dropkick Murphys, Old Crow Medicine Show, or Trampled By Turtles.

Tennis 

Husband-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley first came onto radars with the touching story behind 2011’s Cape Dory: they met in college then pulled all their money to sail the Eastern Seaboard for nearly a year and, upon arriving home, felt the urge to document their experiences of travel and love. How better to do this than musically? Cape Dory is an album that was never intended (they never planned on making music together until the inspiration of the trip) but is so beautifully retro-pop and nautical that it seems incredibly well thought-out. Tennis sounds like a combination of Best Coast and La Sera; surf-rock with noise-pop seemingly straight out of the 60s. Can’t wait for the new album in 2012 titled Young & Old.

SOPA and PIPA may have been shut down (for now at least), but the fight is not over. ACTA (the Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement) is currently in the process of being signed by countries that are willing to follow along with its laws and values.

In a nutshell, this is a proposed plurilateral agreement that will establish international standards and regulations for the purpose of intellectual rights enforcement. Perhaps the most alarming fact of this agreement is that it will establish its own legal framework outside of any single country’s jurisdiction and laws, which places this on par with other organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and even the United Nations (UN).

The main scope of this agreement is counterfeit goods, generic medicines, and copyright infringement on the internet. So just think of SOPA and PIPA combined, with all of the lovely ramifications they would have brought to the world, and mold that with the fact that you will no longer be able to save money buying generic medicine from your local Rite Aid because it will be considered “illegal” and not being able to buy those cheap, lead paint toys from your local flea market.

Since ACTA is an international treaty, it is an example of policy laundering used to establish and implement legal changes. Policy laundering allows legal provisions to be pushed through via closed negotiations among private members of the executive bodies of the signatories. This method avoids use of public legislation and its judiciary oversight. Once ratified, companies belonging to non-members may be forced to follow the ACTA requirements since they will otherwise fall out of the safe harbor protections. Also, the use of trade incentives and the like to persuade other nations to adopt treaties is a standard approach in international relationships. Additional signatories would have to accept ACTA’s terms without much scope for negotiation.

Thing is, NO ONE knows jack shit about this because both the Bush administration and the Obama administration had rejected requests to make the text of ACTA public, with the White House saying that disclosure would cause “damage to the national security.”

Similarly, it provides for the criminalization of copyright infringement, granting law enforcement the powers to perform criminal investigation, arrests and pursue criminal citations or prosecution of suspects who may have infringed on copyright. Perhaps the main word that worries me is “flexibility,” which is used in the sentence issued by the European Commission: “the European Commission explains that a free-standing agreement provides the most flexibility ‘to pursue this project among interested countries.’”

The USTR (United States Trade Representative) has invited a number of industry groups composed of traditional large intellectual property-based corporations to give input and suggestions during the drafting of ACTA. These groups include the International Intellectual Property Alliance (which includes the Business Software Alliance (BSA), Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA or MPA), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The RIAA supports the agreement, and has given input and suggestions to the creation of ACTA.

Let’s get stupid here. The draft agreement would empower security officials at airports and other international borders to conduct random ex officio searches of laptops, MP3 players, and cellular phones for illegally downloaded or “ripped” music and movies. Travelers with infringing content would be subject to a fine and may have their devices confiscated or destroyed.

But perhaps the most confusing part of all this is their view on software that is INTENTIONALLY made to be free. The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has published “Speak out against ACTA,” stating that ACTA threatens free software by creating a culture “in which the freedom that is required to produce free software is seen as dangerous and threatening rather than creative, innovative, and exciting.” The FSF also argues that ACTA will make it harder for users of free operating systems to play non-free media because DRM protected media would not be legally playable with free software.

Aaron Shaw, Research Fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, argues that “ACTA would create unduly harsh legal standards that do not reflect contemporary principles of democratic government, free market exchange, or civil liberties. Even though the precise terms of ACTA remain undecided, the negotiants’ preliminary documents reveal many troubling aspects of the proposed agreement” such as removing “legal safeguards that protect Internet Service Providers from liability for the actions of their subscribers,” in effect giving ISPs no option but to comply with privacy invasions. Shaw goes on to say that “[ACTA] would also facilitate privacy violations by trademark and copyright holders against private citizens suspected of infringement activities without any sort of legal due process.”

The USA could give a rat’s ass if SOPA and PIPA were turned down; this bill covers that and so much more.

Only in Uhmerica (this may be an international treaty, but this piece of shit was drafted here in the good ol’ U. S. of Derp.)

After a somewhat lackluster Week 5, it’s a brand new week with seven new acts being announced, ranging everywhere from pop-rock to ravecore, and reggae to hardcore. Get ready, readers. You’re in for a treat this week.

Band: The Green (All Dates)
Check Out: “Love & Affection” from Ways & Means
Similar To: Common Kings, The Aggrolites, The Supervillains

My Reaction: If any genre’s getting an appropriate amount of love so far with announcements for this summer, reggae is definitely one of the top contenders. With the inclusion of Mighty Mongo, Echo Movement and Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds on the festival already, it certainly seems that the tour is trying to recreate a ska-heavy line-up once again. Now being added to the line-up is Oahu, Hawaii’s own The Green, who’ll be providing the festival with some of the most laid-back music available thus far. As far as lyrical content goes, the band falls somewhere between Echo Movement’s ganja-happy good vibes and Mighty Mongo’s personal heartache, providing for a set that should prove to be both poignant and enjoyable.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: If you’re going to Warped Tour this year solely in hopes of watching mostly reggae-oriented groups, then you’ll want to see them. There’ll be more than enough time in your day to stop by their set. However, everybody else I would dissuade from attending. It’s nothing personal against the band or their members; it’s just that with there being such a wide variety of acts on the festival this year, The Green kind of fall flat in comparison to some of the more energetic acts. All around, with their music being as relaxed as it is, I can’t imagine their set being an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Rating: 4/10

Band: Make Do & Mend (All Dates)
Check Out: “Unknowingly Strong” from End Measured Mile
Similar To: Red City Radio, The Menzingers, Iron Chic

My Reaction: Keeping with this year’s trend of gritty pop-punk (see Polar Bear Club and Living With Lions), the tour has added Hartford, Connecticut quartet Make Do & Mend for a full run this summer. After signing with Rise Records last year, which was heavily anchored by the success of their latest Paper + Plastik release End Measured Mile, the band has really started to branch out of its relatively unknown status to reach great heights. Resultantly, the band has been on tours with similar up-and-comers such as The Wonder Years and Title Fight. Now with a soon to be sophomore album currently in the works, it definitely seems like MD&M will be a band that has the ability to make a splash in an already eclectic line-up.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: At the beginning of announcements, when everyone was anxiously awaiting the news of who would be gracing the festival with their presence, I was pleased to see such an abundance of pop-punk and hardcore being among the first announced. With Man Overboard, Polar Bear Club and Bayside being among these bands, I was delightfully ecstatic with the festival’s decision to expand their horizons as far as searching for new genres goes. However, with there being so many bands of this genre being announced, it’s getting to the point where bands are going to have to compete for the largest crowds. That being said, I personally think because of this, I’m only going to see Make Do & Mend if there aren’t any band conflicts. In no way does that mean I’m not recommending MD&M, but I still think there are better ways of filling the voids in your day.

Rating: 6/10

Band: Mayday Parade (All Dates)
Check Out: “Call Me Hopeless, But Not Romantic” from Self-Titled
Similar To: The Maine, The Spill Canvas, Every Avenue

My Reaction: In a current scene overrun with countless imitators, bores and rehashes of the bands that came before them, it’s refreshing to know that no matter how unambitious some musicians continue to remain, there will always be a select group of elite bands that stand out above the rest in their genre. There’s no doubt in my mind that Tallahassee, Florida emo-pop quintet Mayday Parade will forever be one of those select few. Ever since their explosive indie success with 2007’s A Lesson in Romantics, mostly anchored by the stellar lyrics of ex-vocalist Jason Lancaster, the band has turned out countless teen anthems for today’s youth over the past five years. However, now that Lancaster is belting out lyrics for other Fearless Records band Go Radio, the remaining five members are attempting to stand out on their own merits, proving that though their style may have been altered, some change is for the best.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: Without hesitation. Though the band unfortunately received very little praise from fans for their 2009 release Anywhere But Here, the band is sure to win over Warped Tour audiences everywhere with their newest self-titled album. The new record, in my opinion, was a complete game-changer for the group, showing a wide range of musical styles and lyrical attitudes that showcase their best attributes. Not to mention, I personally can state that their live show is one that shouldn’t be missed. After seeing them twice, I can already tell that they’re the real deal when it comes to putting on one hell of a show. Whatever you do, don’t miss seeing Mayday Parade this summer.

Rating: 10/10

Band: Sick of Sarah (7/19-8/5)
Check Out: “Autograph” from 2205
Similar To: The Donnas, The Go-Gos, Vanity Theft

My Reaction: For reasons unknown, over the past five years it has been extremely difficult to find a great female-fronted pop-punk band. However, with Paramore currently in the limelight for reasons besides their music and The Donnas remaining stagnant with making music for the time being, it’s time for bands like Dead Sara, Tonight Alive and Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Sick of Sarah to step up to the plate for their chance at mainstream success. Currently signed under indie label Adament Records, the all-female line-up of Sick of Sarah boasts radio-friendly pop-punk reminiscent of the classic punk-rock of the 1970’s with a modern new-wave twist all their own (imagine if The Go-Go’s Belinda Carlisle fronted The Ramones).

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: After playing a similar stint on last summer’s Warped Tour, Sick of Sarah proved to be one of the more energetic and entertaining bands to play the Kevin Says stage. Resultantly, it doesn’t surprise me that Kevin Lyman asked them to take part in this year’s edition of the tour. If they were playing Detroit’s stop of the tour, I’d probably be more excited for the band, but regardless, if you’re looking to fill a void in your day, make sure you give Sick of Sarah a shot. From what I’ve seen, they’re ready to jump out of the gate and show the world they know how to rock.

Rating: 6/10

Band: Skip The Foreplay (All Dates)
Check Out: “This City (We’re Taking Over)” from Nightlife
Similar To: Attack Attack, Abandon All Ships, Emmure

My Reaction: Let’s face it: in today’s scene, there won’t be a lack of ravecore bands anytime soon. Ever since the trend became popular with bands such as Attack Attack and Abandon All Ships blowing up, it seems as if labels are trying to soak up every last ounce up of the frenzy before scene kids everywhere move on to the next big thing. And, by God, it looks like Epitaph Records found their piece of the ravecore pie. Skip The Foreplay, the Montreal, Canada based sextet, have certainly been making waves lately in the metalcore scene with the video for their latest single “This City (We’re Taking Over)”. Not to mention, it doesn’t hurt to virally release a heart-thumping, bass-pummeling cover of LMFAO’s “Champagne Showers” to help cross over to the mainstream subgenres.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: I’m not the kind of guy to go out recommending bands who I know will most likely be obsolete in the next year or so. I know for a fact that once a new trend starts to become more popular, all the bands that have put their time and effort into this genre will begin to fall by the wayside. However, because ravecore, or whatever you want to call it, is such a staple in today’s metalcore scene, I’m not going to immediately turn down a recommendation for Skip the Foreplay. From what I can tell through live performances on YouTube and reviews from my close friends, they do have the ability to put on a live show that’s just as infectious as Family Force 5 and can consistently stay that way through tours. So, for the sake of seeing a great live performance, I won’t totally dissuade those attending the festival this summer to “skip” this band.

Rating: 5/10

Band: Twin Atlantic (7/10-8/5)
Check Out: “Edit Me” from Free
Similar To: Manchester Orchestra, Frightened Rabbit, Moving Mountains

My Reaction: Though the band will be as much as 5,000 miles away from their hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, indie-rock group Twin Atlantic are sure to make waves as they make their rounds on Warped Tour this summer. For over half a decade, Twin Atlantic has been making their homeland proud by boasting passionate, accent-heavy vocals, distortion-infused guitars and some of the finest drumwork I’ve heard in a long time. After putting their latest, heavily-acclaimed full length Free under Red Bull Records, Twin Atlantic has surely shown their ability to make great music on their own merits, which has allowed them to tour with everyone from The Gaslight Anthem to My Chemical Romance. With this impressive resume, it looks as if Twin Atlantic is set to make their Warped debut in style.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: If you’re looking for a healthy, alternative-rock substitute to make up for acts like T. Mills and It Boys being on the tour this summer, Twin Atlantic definitely will be the band for you. Providing enough of a hard-hitting rock sound to satisfy the rock crowds of Warped Tour, while simultaneously not conforming to the countless gimmicks of today’s music scene, Twin Atlantic is certainly planted in the right middle ground for music fans everywhere. This will, undoubtedly, give them the support they deserve this summer.

Rating: 7/10

Band: Vanna (All Dates)
Check Out: “The Same Graceful Wind” from A New Hope
Similar To: Underoath, Gwen Stacy, Therefore I Am

My Reaction: Are you looking to punk out with your junk out this summer? Are you looking to satisfy your need for a legitimately talented and exciting post-hardcore band? If so, you may want to consider checking out Boston, Massachusetts’ own Vanna. Though the quartet has been together for eight years, altering their line-up and record label numerous times, it has in no way affected their ability to create some of the most hard-hitting and tenacious hardcore in ages. After a thorough listen to their 2009 Epitaph release A New Hope, I was immediately taken by the album’s raw, visceral qualities, producing tracks such as “Sleepwalker” and “The Same Graceful Wind”. However, that’s not to say one should discount the offerings on their latest Artery Recordings release And They Came Baring Bones, which continues to boast a lot of the same qualities, while attempting to push the boundaries of their music to greater heights.

Would I Recommend Seeing Him?: Yes. Though Vanna has played Warped Tour in the past, it’s only been through short, two-week stints on the Kevin Says stage. However, it looks like Vanna’s luck has certainly changed, being given their first ever full run on the festival. For good reason too: From what I can see through YouTube videos, lead singer Joe Bragel’s live screamed vocals closely mirror his recorded ones. This type of vocal enthusiasm should produce an energetic and fulfilling live set. Hold on to your hats…Vanna is ready to blow them off.

Rating: 7/10

This week definitely provided the best announcements yet. With this week finally offering a wide variety of genres and acts, there was something for everyone. Keep up the good work, Warped Tour!

With the fifth week of band announcements, it seems that the festival mainly tailored to those who are into either metal or reggae and ska. Could the reason be that these bands in particular stand above in the rest?

Band: After The Burial (All Dates)
Check Out: “Your Troubles Will Cease and Fortune Will Smile Upon You” from In Dreams
Similar To: Veil of Maya, Within The Ruins, Knights of the Abyss

My Reaction: For the past three weeks of announcements, I have been rather surprised that 2012’s Warped Tour line-up has been pretty stingy with bands whose fans may be going to Mayhem or Summer Slaughter this summer. With Impending Doom only playing select dates and Chelsea Grin having been the only source of deathcore up until now, I can empathize with the fans, even though I don’t consider myself an enthusiastic fan of the genre. Enter After The Burial, the Twin Cities, Minnesota quintet whose founding contributions to the “djent” music scene have not gone unnoticed by the metal-loving masses. Be on the lookout for the large crowds they’ll draw in at whatever stage they end up playing.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: Though I haven’t typically been the biggest supporter of really heavy metal, I must admit the tour tends to book a large variety of genres. Ever since bands like Whitechapel and Suicide Silence burst in popularity when they played the tour in 2010, there has been a large demand for bands of a similar nature to play the festival. With every genre there are bands that stand out, bands that show promise, bands that blend in and bands that violate eardrums everywhere. After The Burial seems to fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, showing enough promise to stand on their own merit, but not enough to blow me out of the water. So, until After the Burial decides to prove me wrong, they’ll remain somewhere in the middle.

Rating: 4/10 

Band: Dead Sara (6/16-8/1)
Check Out: “Baby Rock” from Self-Titled
Similar To: Heart, The Runaways, Sick of Sarah

My Reaction: It’s no secret that Warped Tour isn’t exactly parent friendly. With the generation gap so thick between the genres played at the festival and what was played at Woodstock some forty odd years ago, there really isn’t much to draw in parental units, with the exception of Reverse Day Care and the protection of their music-crazed offspring. However, with Los Angeles rock quartet Dead Sara doing almost a full-run on the festival this summer, chances are that parents attending will find something to watch. Combining a mixture of older-style rock and roll from the ‘60s with the female fronted pop bands of today’s scene (VersaEmerge’s Sierra Kusterbeck comes to mind), Dead Sara is definitely looking to tailor to both sides of the musical spectrum. With a new self-titled album under their belt currently gaining momentum, it’s shaping up that Dead Sara will do just fine this summer.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: After getting a glimpse into Dead Sara’s music, I find them to be a very hit and miss band. Some songs soar, and have an admirable energy to them, (“Some Have It Bad”, “Rock Baby”), while others are downright pitchy and problematic (“Weatherman”, “Whispers & Ashes”). It appears that Dead Sara’s combination of musical styles is well-thought out, but as far as the band itself goes, their execution falls flat in many instances. If you’re a huge fan of the bands I mentioned earlier, however, you may be impressed with what they have to offer. But for me, however, I’m gonna have to pass.

Rating: 4/10

Band: Echo Movement (All Dates)
Check Out: “Ganja” from Music Played On
Similar To: The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Brother Nolan

My Reaction: Do you feel as if your eardrums are being slammed with the massive amounts of metalcore and post-hardcore bumming you out? Would you give anything for a little bit of relaxation between your sets in the pit? Well, maybe Echo Movement is the band for you. Ever since their beginnings as a band in 2004, the Asbury, New Jersey outfit has certainly expanded their numbers, growing from the sibling duo of Stephen and David Fowler, to a seven-piece alternative-reggae outfit, generating cult success on the east coast. Since then, they’ve done a leg on Warped Tour 2009, put out four albums as of last year, and have worked with other punk staples such as Streetlight Manifesto. With this week’s announcement showing some love for one of the founding genres of Warped, it looks like Echo Movement will feel right at home this summer.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: I’m leaning toward it. Though some of the other reggae/ska bands announced so far have left me a little indifferent, Echo Movement brings a certain breeziness and relaxation to the genre. Whenever there’s a large saturation of reggae on the tour, there needs to be that one act that people can unwind with and have a good time, and I have a feeling Echo Movement is destined to be that band. Relax, brother. Warped Tour’s got you covered.

Rating: 6/10

Band: The Ghost Inside (All Dates)
Check Out: “Between The Lines” from Returners
Similar To: Parkway Drive, August Burns Red, Hundredth

My Reaction: The hybridization of music is always tough for musicians to implement. How does one effortlessly combine two enjoyable genres of music into one, and as a result, have it coalesce into something worthwhile? Well, just ask Los Angeles, California’s The Ghost Inside. For over half a decade, the band has been making some of the finest melodic hardcore around. It’s about time the festival got around to getting ahold of The Ghost Inside for a full run. After their recent signing to Epitaph Records, the band has started gaining universal appeal among the metalcore markets, making positive comparisons to fellow Epitaphers Parkway Drive. This comparison will serve them well as they take the stage, one rollicking performance at a time.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: The Ghost Inside’s music shouldn’t have moved me the way it has. Usually, when I listen to heavier stuff, there has to be a foil of clean vocals to be included, in addition to the aforementioned screams. However, the members of The Ghost Inside redeem themselves though the passion they display in the music they make. In addition, I wouldn’t normally recommend people going to see bands that I personally, am not very fond of; however, I would make a rare exception for The Ghost Inside. I may possibly be seeing them in the pit this summer.

Rating: 6/10

Band: It Boys! (6/16-7/3)
Check Out: “Guys Don’t Like Me” from Guys Don’t Like Me
Similar To: Metro Station, Jeffree Star, Breathe Carolina

My Reaction: Joining other scene darling T. Mills this summer on the festival is It Boys!, the five piece group from Los Angeles, California who are ready to spread their own energetic brand of glam-pop for the two-week stint they’re performing. After signing to Century Media and playing the first leg of the festival last year, It Boys! is definitely riding that line between the small local band you saw open for Breathe Carolina and a band that is ready for mainstream success. Their success with their own brand of dance pop is definitely a good reason why they’re playing Warped Tour again this summer. Fresh off the heels of making their first music video for their single “Guys Don’t Like Me”, with a new album currently in the works, 2012 definitely looks like it’s going to be the year for It Boys!

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: When dealing with the sudden hype of any up and coming band, one must take into consideration both the quality of their music and the level of deservedness brought on by the hype. With It Boys!, however, I must say that the latter is lacking heavily. With the heavy saturation of pop-rock bands in the scene today, It Boys! just doesn’t seem to have that carnal drive to make music that has the ability to make an impact. Sadly, I must decline a recommendation.

Rating: 3/10

Band:  Mighty Mongo (7/19-8/5)
Check Out: “Broken Wings” from Let’s Make Serious Life Decisions
Similar To: Sublime, Save Ferris, Pepper

My Reaction: So far with announcements, Warped Tour 2012 isn’t anywhere near as close to having the huge amount of ska-related bands as last year. Had Echo Movement not been announced this week, then Mighty Mongo, the St. Petersberg, Florida quartet, would’ve been able to solely sweep up a lot of the genre’s followers. That’s not to say that Mighty Mongo doesn’t stand on their own merits though. On their 2011 release Let’s Make Serious Life Decisions, the band talks about desire (“Happy Place”), vulnerability (“Clark Kent”) and running on empty (“Broken Wings”), among other topics, in an energetic, yet relaxed way that feels genuine. Resultantly, it should translate to a very personal, exciting set.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: I’m thinking yes! Mighty Mongo’s music is some of the most refreshing reggae I’ve heard in a while. While listening to their music, I’ve felt something special that I haven’t really experienced with the genre since the good old days of Reel Big Fish and Save Ferris (RIP), bands I feel like they’d be more than comfortable opening for. Even though I typically don’t see ska as much as other genres at Warped Tour, MM is certainly a band I feel good about recommending to someone who does. Mighty Mongo is mighty fine…in all the best ways.

Rating: 6/10

Band: Senses Fail (All Dates)
Check Out: “Can’t Be Saved” from Still Searching
Similar To: Silverstein, Taking Back Sunday, Funeral For A Friend

My Reaction: In the almighty days of punk/emo domination in the early 2000’s, bands like Saves The Day, Brand New and recently announced New Jersey quintet Senses Fail, ruled the festival circuit and alternative airwaves. Now, more than ten years later after that explosion, Buddy Nielsen and the gang are back this summer for their fifth year on Warped Tour. Forming in 2002 (therefore, celebrating their ten year anniversary this year), Senses Fail has been one of the finest examples of how a post-hardcore/emo hybrid can be done exceptionally well, and still retain its validity after so many years of being played, sung and memorized. Fronted by a lead singer who’s not afraid to pour his soul out on either a lyrics sheet or on stage, and backed by a group of extremely talented musicians, Senses Fail’s ability to play an incredible live show is well-known worldwide, and will definitely help draw enormous crowds.

Would I Recommend Seeing Him?: From what I’ve observed through Youtube videos and their Halloween concert DVD, Senses Fail seems to be a band whose live show is both energetic and entertaining. However, from what I’ve heard from friends, Nielsen’s consistency through entire tours can be hit and miss. Given this discrepancy, it’s difficult to distinguish which side to lean toward, considering that there are only half hour sets every day, I can’t imagine Nielsen’s voice being extremely strained by the end of the tour. So, for now, I’ll recommend them with hesitation, especially if you’re anticipating their new material, or at the very least are looking forward to Nielsen’s commentary about this year’s eclectic line-up.

Rating: 6/10

With the fifth week having come and gone, I must say, I wasn’t hugely impressed with the offerings. However, I still hold fast to my belief that there’s nowhere to go but up from here.

For what many may think is a dead format, the fact is that sales of vinyl records are increasing year after year. Nielsen SoundScan projects vinyl in 2011 to have a 25 percent increase in sales from the previous year. But how much is really sold, who buys it, and why?

For perspective, Nielsen has reported about 1 million vinyl sales every year in the past decade stating in 1995. Then in 2008, sales jumped to 2 million and then another half million the following two years.

The projections show this year to have a total finishing sale of 3.6 million, including many from top-selling artists such as Radiohead, Foo Fighters and Mumford & Sons. While it is true that digital downloads account for more than half of all music sales, the June mid-year report by Nielsen showed 155 million records were sold in all formats. Rock is the most popular genre with 52 million sales and rock’s close partner genre, alternative, makes up another 27 million in sales. “About 93 of the 100 best selling vinyl albums in 2011 fall within the rock or alternative genres,” the report states.

Even if vinyl records only account for about 2 percent of the music industry’s sales, the trend cannot be ignored because of one of the final statements worth noting – “Two out of every three vinyl albums are purchased at an independent music store.”

Therefore, a vast majority of these vinyl sales go unreported when transactions take place at independent stores (it’s estimated that there are over 700 independently owned record stores in the US), concerts, and on Web sites. The real number of sales is unknown but what is clear is the success of events such as Record Store Day- where sales for that week in April alone raised 39 percent.

“Independent” may be the buzz word here, but it’s still a business. After all, legend blues guitarist Chuck Berry once said, “Music is an important part of our culture and record stores play a vital part in keeping the power of music alive.”

Infinity Records President Joseph Ostermeier says, “Vinyl business is still a niche business. If you do not stock what is hot, same as the CD format, you will be short lived in the business.”

Infinity Records opened their shop in 1990 in Long Island’s Massapequa Park and is known for their collection of jazz and soul records.

Ostermeier sees the changes in the industry saying, “Younger people are purchasing vinyl more now than in the past, ten years or so, but only if the price point is good ($12-24.99). Once the audiophile pressing pricing kicks in, $30 to $75, younger people cannot afford that.”

This is a realization that Bridge Nine Records knows as well as their shift in vinyl sales has been “noticeable over the last few years.” The label, which works with artists such as Agnostic Front, New Found Glory and Defeater knows that people are hard-up on cash.

“When we launch sales for a new album fans like to be able to get more than just the release, so we put together package deals for those fans who want multiple items, says Bridge Nine employee Seth Decoteau. “It helps people save a little since we tend to make the packages discounted and they don’t have to go add four items to their shopping cart.”

And as people feel the necessity for the tangible product, the large artwork, or increased sound quality. “You feel a closer connection to the music when you own the album,” says Sound Fix owner James Bradley.

Sound Fix opened eight years ago in Brooklyn and they are still catering to the indie world of music. “People like the idea of building a personal collection- it reveals a great deal about your personality,” says Bradley.

The store’s future will still hold vinyl, but what will happen for the future of the CD?  Bradley sees the CD may be extinct one day, he doesn’t think it will happen for a while saying that labels aren’t ready to go to an all digital format.

Chunksaah Records works with artists such as Hot Water Music and Tim Barry, and they are one of those labels that promote vinyl. Based out of New Jersey and owned by members of the punk band The Bouncing Souls and their manager k8, the label has and probably will always produce vinyl records.

Zak Kaplan has been working at Chunksaah for over 11 years and has seen their vinyl sales rise during that time. They like to have fun by pressing different versions because they know the fans are into the collectable nature of it.

But Kaplan sees the practical uses for CDs too, mentioning the ease of file transporting, that CD drivers are in computers, and that older folks purchase them. And while Kaplan doesn’t see the death of the CD format in general soon, he says, “We at Chunksaah don’t really like CDs, they don’t sell as well as they used to, but we leave it up to the bands to decide. If the band, via their fans demand, want us to make CDs for them, we probably wouldn’t say no.”

And they don’t have a problem with their fans. Kaplan says, “We really appreciate the people who support us.  We know they could illegally download whatever they want, anytime they want, but they choose to support us anyway.”

Deathwish Inc. is also another label that will manufacture and distribute what their fans and bands desire.

“We’ve always released vinyl as it’s been an important part of hardcore and punk subcultures since its birth,” says label owner and singer of Converge, Jacob Bannon. “I don’t envision that changing any time soon.”

Deathwish Inc. is mainly a hardcore and metal label whose artists include Touché Amoré and Deafheaven. The label hosts many events at their headquarters in Beverly, MA, where fans and supporters can buy vinyl and other products. “It’s important for us to know them, just as it’s important for them to know that we are a small business, simply doing what we love,” says Bannon.

These independent stores and record labels love vinyl. Whether it’s the collectable factor, the different colors, or the gram weights- vinyl continues to sell more and more every year. Today, when compared to two decades ago, fans have nearly tripled vinyl record sales.

Though vinyl isn’t exclusive to one particular genre, it does have a specific mentality according to Bannon. “Symbolically it’s quite the opposite of how many people experience music on a surface level. It’s [vinyl] meant to be a line in the sand between a casual listener and an audiophile.”

Lana Del Rey: perhaps one of the most controversial hipsters in pop culture today. Some love her, most hate her, and I am certainly a member of the latter. After this weekend’s crash and burn performance on Saturday Night Live, more and more people are coming to agree with me. People think she is awful and fake, something I have been saying for months. To my chagrin, she was one of the most blogged about and over-hyped indie artists of 2011, despite a very monotonous sound and contrived image.

Let’s start by looking at the music video for her hit “Video Games.” First off, I would just like to complain about how this song was written about an ex-boyfriend whom she would just watch play video games. What kind of girlfriend are you when you’re not indulging in the gaming, too?! Okay, moving on. The music video is basically a combination of vintage-looking footage of her looking entirely bored and poor-quality footage of…well, random things that I assume are supposed to look cool. Going with the vintage look is just so played out and contrived, vying to be hipster and begging for a preteen re-blog on Tumblr. This is just one example of how she/her manufactured image is trying to appeal to what is cool right now: all things vintage, indie, and hipster.

Okay, so her music video is lame and she herself seems so bored and uninterested that it is a major turn off (why would we be interested in your music if even you aren’t?) but that could all be fine if she were very talented and, even better, a great performer. So, let’s take a look at some live performances. Before tanking on SNL, she performed on the UK’s Jonathan Ross Show, where she did…well, horribly. I understand that “Video Games” is a slow song and it is therefore hard to incorporate some choreography with the performance, but do something. If nothing else, at least maybe pull an Adele, a-la the “Rolling in the Deep” music video, and sit on a stool; slightly swaying and awkwardly moving around your free hand just isn’t doing it. Furthermore, her voice is shaky and blasé, and she really fails to impress in terms of talent. Needless to say, I did not have high hopes for the SNL performance.

The performance, in which she sang both “Video Games” and newer “Blue Jeans,” was just as boring as her vocal delivery. She again barely moved and continued with the awkward swaying and hand gestures. I did notice, however, that she must have heard some criticism about certain lines because she altered her delivery for this performance a bit, though it somehow sounded even less refined. I really don’t mean to sound so rude and insensitive, but I literally laughed out loud at certain points. Genuinely, I cannot see the appeal. And, yes, I understand that she is a new artist and still hasn’t really gotten comfortable with being on stage and that it is perhaps unfair of me to be so critical. But, with that being said, does she have any place on as sought-after a stage as that of SNL? She is only the second artist to ever get booked for an SNL performance without having released an album yet; she proved that she was not deserving of that honor.

The last item I would like to complain about is also the one that irks me the most about Lana Del Rey. It is, in fact, that she is not at all the Lana Del Rey we all believe her to be.  A few years back, she attempted to become a pop star under her birth name of Lizzy Grant. After trying and failing, she and her marketing team completely remade her persona: dyed her hair, got her lip injections (unconfirmed, but almost unarguable — check an older picture for comparison) and gave her a new name. They dressed her up in everything hipster, took pictures of her looking vintage from head to toe, and used grainy footage and the like to remake her into the definitive indie girl.  She signed with Interscope and her new image has been, in my opinion, so cliché and contrived that I can’t even begin to appreciate her as an artist.

Now, I can understand why people would think this is too harsh and that it is very understandable for her to do all of this in order to make it in this industry. But, musicians are artists and they should artistically express themselves; they should not do and be whatever and whomever they think they should in order to garner fame, attention, and money. Especially because she is supposed to be an alternative icon, she is the epitome of a hypocrite by selling out and being so seemingly fake and forced. Everything about her seems contrived and manufactured by marketing professionals trying to make a profit — right down to her tagline of being a “gangsta Nancy Sinatra” (whom she admits is not even a musical influence of hers). Lana Del Rey is a creation of music industry experts who know what is hot right now; she is not a genuine artist, and for that I cannot respect her as one. Hopefully she will fade away soon despite the upcoming release of her debut album Born to Die, but until then I will be turning to the likes of Zooey Deschanel for all my indie-queen desires.

You’ve already heard the brilliance that is A Lot Like Birds‘ 2011 record Conversation Piece. We can all agree that producer Kris Crummett did a hell of a job putting together one of the year’s most eclectic records.

But maybe you can do better.

We at MEB are proud to team up with Doghouse Records to bring you the official A Lot Like Birds Remix Contest. You can download the stems of EVERY track on Conversation Piece and remix ‘em to your heart’s desire. Make slight tweaks, make major changes, take out full instruments, or add whatever you want; you’re now in the band, and you can have your way with the songs.

The prize is pretty nuts:

• The winner will have their remix featured on the deluxe release of Conversation Piece
•  A USB with ALLB music
• Some signed merch
• A wolf skull

Here’s the rules:

1. Download the stems to your song of choice.
2. Remix the song and upload it to SoundCloud
3. Tweet a link to the band’s Twitter (@ALotLikeBirds) with the hashtag #ALLBREMIX

Now go play around with the trumpets in “Vanity’s Fair,” the screams in “THINK DIRTY OUT LOUD,” or the bleeps from “A Satire…” You’re only limited by your imagination.

The contest is only open to US citizens

DOWNLOAD THE STEMS HERE 

]]> http://mindequalsblown.net/2012/01/16/a-lot-like-birds-remix-contest/feed/ 2 http://mindequalsblown.net/2012/01/13/warped-tour-2012-week-four/ http://mindequalsblown.net/2012/01/13/warped-tour-2012-week-four/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:24:36 +0000 Landon Defever http://mindequalsblown.net/?p=19480

Last Wednesday, seven more acts were announced to be playing this coming summer’s installment of Warped Tour. However, with this week providing a large variation of bands playing select dates, will this week live up to the hype of the last three weeks?

Band: Funeral Party (All Dates)
Check Out: “Giant” from The Golden Age of Knowhere
Similar To: Phoenix, The Vaccines, Neon Trees

My Reaction: As a tour that continues to show its diversity, Warped has further exemplified this week that they are attempting to hit up as many genres as possible to play this summer. This week in bands, the tour has shown its love for those who may read SPIN instead of Alternative Press by booking Funeral Party, the four piece indie-rock group hailing from Whittier, California. After putting out their first EP entitled Bootleg under long-time Warped affiliates Fearless Records, and soon after signing to RCA, the quartet are quick to establish their name in the music scene, currently promoting their latest record The Golden Age of Knowhere. The new record really showcases the best attributes of the band; especially lead singer Chad Elliot’s mature, passionate vocals that I’m sure will transfer well to their live set.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: Even though Warped kind of let me down last week by giving a full run on the tour to Stepdad, whose music, to me, sort of came off as mundane and uninteresting, the tour has really stepped up their game this week with Funeral Party, whose set I’m sure will be just as energetic and infectious as their latest release. And, while I tend to go for more of the pop-punk acts that play Warped Tour, I believe that I may have to stop by and check out Funeral Party’s set, which from what I can tell, will be one to remember.

Rating: 7/10.

Band: Hyro Da Hero (6/16-7/8)
Check Out: “Fuck You (Say It To Your Face)” from Birth, School, Work, Death
Similar To: Rage Against The Machine, P.O.S., Beastie Boys

My Reaction: In a world where there seems to be thousands of hip-hop stars trying to make a name for themselves, so few tend to stand out in the crowd and dare to be edgy. Enter Hyro Da Hero, who ever since the mid-2000’s has been coming out with some of the most daring lyrics the genre has provided. Native from his hometown of Houston, Texas, HDH is no stranger to putting on an incredible live show or producing lyrics that are sure to turn heads (“I don’t like John Mayer, he don’t like black women/And fuck Mel Gibson ‘cause he think we rape bitches”). Not only this, but HDH’s vocal style is unlike most of his contemporaries, falling somewhere along the lines between Chiddy Bang’s Chidera Anamege and Rage Against The Machine’s Zack de la Rocha. With all of these factors, it’s hard to find a reason why you WOULDN’T want to see such a promising and entertaining young star.

Would I Recommend Seeing Him?: Absolutely. I’ve heard from multiple sources that Hyro Da Hero, not to mention his backing band, put 110% into their live show and, as a result, have toured with everyone from 3OH!3 and Hollywood Undead, to Hatebreed and 50 Cent. I feel that during the act’s two week run on the west coast, they’ll be sure to find new found fans and will satisfy those who’ve been lucky enough to have already discovered him.

Rating: 8/10.

Band: Living With Lions (6/16-7/3)
Check Out: “Regret Song” from Holy Shit
Similar To: Polar Bear Club, Make Do & Mend, Crucial Dudes

My Reaction: Living With Lions’ road to fandom has been long and winding. Since the Vancouver, British Columbia quintet first formed in 2007, Living with Lions has been making a name for themselves in the pop-punk scene by putting their hard-hitting lyrics and riveting riffs before the disputes that have proved to be nothing but turmoil for success. In the past four years, they’ve lost both their original lead singer and bassist, as well as found problems producing their records after taking criticism for their latest release Holy Shit from the Canadian Heritage minister James Moore, whose committee helped publically fund the record. However, with Holy Shit getting praise from fans all across the nation, LWL are set for their two week stint on Warped, ready to make more and more fans in the process.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: Absolutely. Not only did LWL put out easily the best record of their career, which showcases new lead singer Stuart Ross’ rich punk vocals, but they are also fresh off of a successful Kickstarter campaign that really rejuvenated my faith in this band to really show they have the ability to stand up for what they believe in, no matter how large the odds are stacked up against them. Oh yeah, and after seeing their fantastic set at Bled Fest last year, it totally would have sealed it for me. I encourage all to go see Living with Lions, or you may just end up kicking yourself.

Rating: 9/10.

Band: Lost In Society (7/5-7/18)
Check Out: “Everybody’s Gone” from Eastern Empire
Similar To: The Bouncing Souls, Alkaline Trio, Far From Finished

My Reaction: Let’s face it: every band tends to have a band that came before them from which they’ve taken a great amount of influence. However, in today’s fast moving society, very few bands ever get the chance to actually meet those idols. Well, for Asbury, New Jersey trio Lost in Society, it’s a very different story. Within the eight years the band has been together, they’ve been lucky enough to play shows with punk staples such as The Bouncing Souls, Strike Anywhere and The Misfits. Not only that, but their upcoming split with American Pinup will be produced by none other than The Bouncing Souls’ own Pete Steinkopf. With all of this buzz and assistance being given from such large names in the punk industry, it seems that Lost in Society may be difficult to ignore if they’re what you’re looking for.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: I’m kind of on the fence. While I am a fan of the bands they’ve taken influence from, I’m still unsure of their ability to put on a riveting set without all the assistance from their predecessors. However, I did notice on their Facebook account that under their description, they noted they “have a stage presence that will give any veteran concert-goer the chills”. That’s a pretty big pedestal to put yourself on, but for now, I’ll trust their judgment.

Rating: 5/10.

Band: Rise To Remain (All Dates)
Check Out: “Nothing Left” from City of Vultures
Similar To: Bullet For My Valentine, Papa Roach, Falling In Reverse

My Reaction: When looking at the last couple years, there has been a common theme that’s been gracing the tour: metal bands from across the pond that use Warped as a way of breaking out in America. In 2010 we had Bring Me The Horizon, last year was Asking Alexandria, and now this year, Rise To Remain could potentially be that band…provided that Enter Shikari doesn’t end up playing Main Stage…*crosses fingers*. However, with Rise To Remain’s latest release City of Vultures just getting put out on EMI/Century Media, RTR does show potential to, at the very least, scoop up some fans on their full run.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: No, I don’t think so. I know there are those out there that will be immediately attracted to the overall ethos their music provides, but I am far from one of those people. If you’re into one of the bands in either the “Similar To” section and/or the overall re-coming of the British Invasion for the Warped scene, you’ll want to pay attention to Rise To Remain, but to all others, I’d just go to a different stage.

Rating: 3/10.

Band: Title Fight (6/16-7/18, 7/24-8/5)
Check Out: “Symmetry” from The Last Thing You Forget
Similar To: Death Is Not Glamorous, Lifetime, Kid Dynamite

My Reaction: Bands in the scene with false intentions be damned: Title Fight is here to show the poignancy that the new wave of hardcore/punk can provide. Coming from Kingston, Pennsylvania, the quartet has made its presence in the scene clear with both its stellar 2009 Run For Cover release The Last Thing You Forget and its latest SideOneDummy release Shed, which is currently getting massive amounts of critical acceptance for its very personal lyric content, as well as the well-executed dual vocal handoff between Jamie Rhoden and Ned Russin. Not only this, but with the exception of a few east coast dates, Title Fight will be able to spread the hope and angst the band has provided to so many listeners all across the nation. With all of this sudden frenzy being brought on by Title Fight’s music, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the band ends up having a long, thoughtful career making the music that inspires so many today.

Would I Recommend Seeing Them?: Right now, I’m still in the process of diving into Title Fight’s back catalogue of music. While I’ve heard many things about both their live performance, mostly from their stint of opening up for Four Year Strong and Gallows on last Fall’s AP Tour, I still kind of have a mixed opinion of Jamie Rhoden’s vocal style. While I appreciate his passion that he displays both on record and during live shows, it tends to rub me the wrong way, especially on Shed, an album that’s been a tough sell on me. However, around this time last year, I was just discovering bands like The Wonder Years and La Dispute, bands who I had similar opinions of. Now I consider them to be bands I respect and deeply enjoy. So, for the time being, I’m going to assume that I’ll eventually warm up to Title Fight and give them a…

Rating: 6/10.

Band: T. Mills (All Dates)
Check Out: “Couldn’t Do You” from Ready, Fire, Aim!
Similar To: Mac Miller, Stephen Jerzak, Vonnegutt

My Reaction: Boasting a sensibility similar to Mac Miller, as well as lyrics and production from Uprising Records, T. Mills has really made a dent in developing a large number of fans in small demographics. However, the 22-year-old Californian has taken it upon himself to dive into expanding his horizons to hip-hop stardom with a full stint on Warped Tour this summer. With guest appearances on his latest album Ready, Fire, Aim! from Kyle Lucas of Vonnegutt to Dev, better known for her assistance to Far East Movement’s smash single “Like A G6”, it certainly seems that T. Mills has connections in all the right places.

Would I Recommend Seeing Him?: Everything about T. Mills as an artist points to the fact that I should dislike him. Now, don’t get me wrong; whenever I listen to an artist, I attempt to fully form an opinion about their music AND character…not just the latter. But honestly, even with keeping an open mind with T. Mills’ releases, there just isn’t a whole lot that can be enjoyed about it. The production has its moments, but some of his lyrics are so frustratingly mediocre that it totally turns off a lot of the enjoyment. Not to mention, with Warped Tour already possessing it’s fair share of hip-hop and electronic acts (seek Hyro Da Hero for your hip-hop needs), the only mark he seems to be hitting is the Brokencyde-Millionaires-Blood on the Dance Floor demographic. So, unfortunately, I’ll be heading to another artist to fulfill my love for hip-hop.

Rating: 3/10.

Overall, this week was kind of a disappointment; especially since there really aren’t any acts worth altering my Top 5 this week (Hyro and LWL aren’t playing Detroit). However, let’s just hope for the best when next Wednesday rolls around.

Signing off,
Landon Defever

1. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Their second studio album, Helplessness Blues has gained a ton of much-deserved praise. This year, it was nominated for the Grammy for Best Folk Album, and received one of our coveted MEBbies for Folk Album of the Year. Filled with beautiful tracks and insightful lyricism, Helplessness Blues is a favorite among seasoned folk fanatics, and proves that Fleet Foxes is a great band to get started with for any folk newbie.

2. Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean

Another folk mainstay, Iron & Wine has come close to perfection with the fourth studio album Kiss Each Other Clean. This album goes in multiple directions, fusing pop and blues with their signature folk sound. From the likability of “Walking Far from Home” to the beauty of “Godless Brother in Love” to the horns in “Big Burned Hand” and the album’s namesake coming from lyrics in the awesome seven-minute closer “Your Fake Name Is Good Enough for Me,” Kiss Each Other Clean is a must-have in any folk repertoire.

3. The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow

The first album from folk duo The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow has received great critical acclaim including being nominated this year for Grammys for both Best Folk Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. After becoming the #1 downloaded album on iTunes the week it was released, it charted at #2 on the Billboard Folk Albums chart and has been named one of the best albums of 2011 by NPR, Time, iTunes, Amazon, and- of course -Mind Equals Blown. The best song of the album is easily the title track, but “20 Years,” “Poison & Wine,” “C’est la mort” and more are incredible songs as well. The Civil Wars is a passionate folk duo with a unique sound that is surely here to stay.

4. The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart

Hailing from Seattle, the same town that produced folk greats Fleet Foxes (and they’re both signed to Sub Pop, too), The Head and the Heart has created a masterpiece in their self-titled debut album. Having charted at #4 on Billboard’s Folk chart, this band is deserving of every bit of praise they get. With a delightful mix of guitar, violin, and piano, The Head and the Heart is one of the most promising up-and-comers in folk music.

5. First Aid Kit - The Big Black & The Blue 

Granted, their first studio album came out in 2010, but they have released a gorgeous rendition of Buffy-Sainte Marie’s “Universal Soldier” on their 2011 7” and are about to release another full-length, The Lion’s Roar, in 2012. First Aid Kit is a unique folk duo consisting of young Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Soderberg, who are 21 and 18 respectively. They employ incredible harmonies and strong yet light vocals to make a sound all their own, and will inevitably become a huge part of the folk scene in the years to come.

6. Blitzen Trapper – American Goldwing

Also signed to Sub Pop, Blitzen Trapper presents the more Americana side of folk music. American Goldwing errs to the traditional side of folk, evoking memories of Bob Dylan with some songs seemingly coming straight out of an old Western. This is the sixth studio album from the Portland group, and with it Blitzen Trapper continues to blur the lines between the subgenres of folk music. True folk is evident in tracks like “The Tailor,” but some funk also comes out in tracks like “Astronaut.” With a varied sound that is different from its Sub Pop counterparts, Blitzen Trapper is a great pick for any folk fan.

7. Larry and His Flask – All That We Know 

I really can’t say enough good things about Larry and His Flask. Having given them the number one spot for my EOTY List this year, and writing a 9/10 review for All That We Know, it is no surprise that I consider them to be one of the strongest bands in folk for 2011. LAHF was originally a grunge-punk band that recently transformed itself into a punk-infused bluegrass tour de force. With so much energy and passion, they create songs that are darker folk rock as well as sing-along folk reminiscent of The Avett Brothers, and then of course down-and-dirty bluegrass much like Old Crow Medicine Show or Trampled By Turtles. With a new album dropping in 2012, LAHF is bound to hit it big.

8. Josh Eagle & The Harvest City – A Good One is Hard to Find

For lovers of alternative country and Americana, may I present to you Josh Eagle. A Good One is Hard to Find is JEHC’s second album and is somehow even greater than their first. With guitar twang and drums, Josh Eagle presents track after track of emotion and growth. Songs like “Radio” and “Feathers in My Name” shine as some of the best tracks on the album, with every song being rooted in passion and exhibiting intelligently symbolic lyricism. Don’t be alarmed at my naming this album as “country” rather than “folk”; this is no album about tractors or farms. A Good One is Hard to Find is a great album for folk lovers who tend towards roots music.

9. Carolina Chocolate Drops – Carolina Chocolate Drops/Luminescent Orchestrii EP

Speaking of roots, the Carolina Chocolate Drops are some of the most passionate artists in traditional folk (and one of the only modern African-American string bands) today. 2010’s Genuine Negro Jig stood out with awesome tracks like “Cornbread and Butterbeans” and incredible covers of “Hit Em Up Style” and “Why Don’t You Do Right?,” so much so that this album won the Grammy last year for Best Traditional Folk Album. This year, they teamed up with Luminescent Orchestrii to produce an EP of four perfectly collaborated tracks. Off this, “Knockin” is easily my favorite, making me ever-excited for what the Chocolate Drops have in store for the future.

10. Canon Blue – Rumspringa

For those of you who are unaware, rumspringa is the traditional rite in Amish societies for teenagers to essentially get all the crazy partying out of their system before they choose to buckle down for the rest of their lives. Aptly titled, Canon Blue’s Rumspringa is a fascinating folk party. They have managed to increasingly stretch the boundaries, combining strings, horns, and synthesizers to create brilliantly folksy orchestral pop. With tracks like “Chicago” and “Honeysuckle (Milwaukee),” folk-infused pop has never been so fun.

Corey Hoffmeyer:

Punchline, a band that has struggled for nearly fifteen years to reach an audience, are finally at a make-it-or-break-it point in their careers. Their newest EP So Nice To Meet You, along with bassist Chris Fafalios’ promise to quit the band if the EP doesn’t reach number one on iTunes, is proof of this. The question stirs in everyone’s minds however: is Fafalios’ little stunt merely a temper tantrum or is it an acknowledgement of a career that should be something more? I tend to lead more towards the latter opinion. Punchline should be a band on top of the world, yet instead they’re the very definition of the word “underrated.”

To me, Fafalios isn’t trying to throw a tantrum, nor is he trying to con fans into purchasing their album (although, even if he was, I have to honestly ask: who cares? It’s about time people started buying music again). Fafalios has set a goal for himself, and he intends to reach that goal. Punchline is not on a major label (they manage and run their own) or a band with millions of dollars. They simply want to survive by doing what they love: making music. I honestly don’t see the gimmick in that.

Of course, I won’t deny that Fafalios setting such a goal and then threatening to quit definitely ensured Punchline tons of publicity, but to me, if the music wasn’t satisfying to their fans, it wouldn’t be selling. He took a chance because he believed this was their best material to date and he put a lot of faith in his fans. It seems to be paying off. Bad image, good image – it doesn’t really matter. What Punchline is doing is extraordinary; they’re taking a do-it-yourself approach to music and asking their fans to help spread the word. What may have started off as an ultimatum to fans has turned into an ingenious marketing strategy.

Will some continue to question Punchline and Fafalios’ perhaps unorthodox approach to reaching fans and inspiring them to purchase music? Obviously. But they have reached people; they’ve inspired their fans to buy music again. For a band that can’t ever hope to reach as many people as, say Adele, Punchline has finally reached an audience. The momentum can’t last forever, but it’s encouraging to see a band that simply loves to make music achieve their goals. After all, if you don’t have goals, you’ll never know failure or success. Punchline has perhaps dabbled in the former waters far too often; it’s about time they’ve tasted some of the latter.

Samantha Esgro:

Not all publicity is good publicity, and stunts like the one Chris Fafalios pulled lands the band in publicity purgatory, awaiting the final explanation of the mindset he was in when he made such a decision. Look at the artists on the top ten chart of iTunes. Those artists got there the fair way: the way of hard work, marketing, and proper promoting. Never once did Adele claim that if people didn’t recognize her talent, that she was going to give up on her career, her passion. Yet she is number one, and deservedly so; she got to that point fair and square.

Honestly, the majority of the crowd that listens to bands like Punchline are unlikely to be purchasing that music from iTunes and are more likely to be downloading it for free online. The generation that buys music are the ones who put artists like LMFAO and Flo Rida above a band that is able to play instruments without the aid of synthetic sounds and computers at live shows. In order to rise above all these other artists who lay mainly in the rap genre, they would have to change the majority – kids who listen to bands and go to shows would have to become the 99%. How likely is it that that happens with one album, due to one disgruntled tweet? Not likely.

Not that Punchline is undeserving of recognition, but now there is a blurred line of reason – did they get this much attention because they are talented enough to earn it, or are all their fans proving a point and saving Fafalios’ bass from gathering dust in the corner of his room as he works a nine-to-five job? I’m going to go with the latter. Some say it’s a goal-setting tactic – I call it a tantrum. If someone really loves something, that is why they do it – not for money, or for chart reps. Therefore, the fact that he is so willing to call it quits if they don’t make it to the very, very unrealistic place of number one on an iTunes chart, is just a little childish.

Fafalios’ threat gives the band as a whole a bad image, when the whole thing could have been avoided by a different approach to the matter, such as a positive promoting technique, a simple “let’s see if we can get to number one!” as opposed to “I quit if I don’t get my way.” So yes, this move did get the band a lot of attention – and maybe it will work out for the best because of it – but it also landed them in a lot of hot water with fans and casual onlookers.