Warped Tour 2010
July 25 is going to be a big day for me. Y'all in Orlando know what's up: Warped Tour is coming to the Central Florida Fairgrounds (if they don't move it again). I'm sure some of y'all are asking "aren't you a little old to be hitting up Warped Tour still?" and to you, I quote Andre 3000: "w-w-well yes and no," last year's Warped Tour wasn't really my cup of tea, lots of major-label artists, shitty, trendy bands played, and there was a lot of stuff for 12 year-olds who could only listen to what Alternative Press recommended for them (in short, the abomination that is 3oh!3 was a headliner). I was pretty much done, I had decided I was done with Warped Tour altogether, but this year, I checked it out again and boy, was I surprised. This year's lineup is actually pretty damn good.
H2O Live: Devoured By Pestilence, Via Maris and guests
I'm a visual guy. When I go to a show, a lot of what I'm doing is watching. I've already told you how in love with H2O Live I am right now and with the way I love local shows, I think I'll start to spend a lot of time there. My second time at H2O, I went to see Devoured by Pestilence, The Rookies, Condemned to Conspiracy, Leviathan and Via Maris. All of the bands were tight and played good music, but perhaps the lack of experience showed through with some of the bands. A severe lack of confidence was the only thing that prevented the show from being wonderful throughout, but despite that, there were some great finds at H2O. Well worth the $5.
Come What May at H2O Live
I think every city should have its own all-ages venue. Swayze's was my home away from home when I was in high school. My love of underground music was born and bred in that place. I got my first taste of hardcore there and it brought me a lot closer to who I am and what I do today.
City of Ships at Will’s Pub
Every Monday, Will's Pub does its special "Low Dough Mondays," with a $3 cover, $1 Pabst and $2 Domestic beers. I don't drink, so I don't know, but judging by the name, I'm guessing that's quite a deal. Last Monday, June 14, Low Dough featured 3 bands, Copper Bones, Nights on Fire and City of Ships, who played the tightest set I have ever seen. The way the group layed down such a heavy groove was really exciting and engaging.
Album Preview: Ressentiment
East of the Wall have a lot going for them on their new full-length, Ressentiment, which is set for release July 20, 2010. The whole album is very well put-together, beautifully written, and ceaselessly interesting. Ressentiment goes through changes almost thematically, switching up smoothly while making it so that nothing feels cheap or gimmicky, thrown in or unnecessary. Every aspect of every song seems to contribute to the record in its own little way.
Some Mistakes Demo Review
Some Mistakes, is a new band for fans of Verse, Ruiner, and Defeater, with whom Some Mistakes played their second show, in February of 2010. Despite the recording quality, the Some Mistakes demo is a strong offering from such an inexperienced band. The demo has lyrics with deep political and personal meanings, which, along with the heartfelt, emotional vocals may be the strongest point of the album.
Some Mistakes open their three-song demo with “Burn the Papers”, a slow and melodic emotional roller coaster of song. While it builds, vocalist Will Turner (former bassist of Word Travels Fast) transforms into an angry, screaming ball of energy. The second track “Into Myself” chronicles the struggle in Turner’s home life and his childhood. “Aspirations (…Reprise)”, is the story of Will’s older brother dying while both boys were young.
Abdomen Canvas at Will’s Pub
Five dollars at the door Abdomen Canvas is on the stage already pummeling those who dare to stand in front of them. I've seen this band before at places like Club Firestone and The Haven, and let's say they were slightly less than impressive, but tonight they crushed.
Rosetta: Interview with Dave Grossman
Rosetta have been together, doing the DIY thing for 7 years now, blending ambience and brutality to create some of the most intensely diverse records available. Last month, they released their most brilliant record to date, A Determinism of Reality (on Translation Loss Records). "Uncompromisingly beautiful and absolutely devastating" sums it up in a few words. Bassist, Dave Grossman was kind enough to let me run up his phone bill while he told me about the band, the new album and what it's like on the road, in Philly and overseas.