Immovable Objects, Coming to America, again

September 22, 2012 Stephanie Amadeus Leave a comment

Since guitarist/composer/multi-instrumentalist/man about town Matt Gagin moved from the United States to Australia, fans of may have been wondering what’s in store for the instrumental rock band. No need to fear! Immovable Objects will be here again. The band announced US tour dates, officially making them an international touring act. Way cool.

“It was a long time coming,” says Matt Gagin, the man behind Immovable Objects, when asked about his recent move to Perth, Australia. “I was just ready to leave and some of the things that were and are happening in the U.S. were weighing on me and I think I needed a break. My wife wanted to be near her family who live in Sydney and Perth, it wasn’t a really hard decision but it took a little time for the Australian government to decide to let me reside in their country.” While waiting for the green light for migration Gagin and Immovable Objects created their most recent recording, I’ll Know to Believe in Sparrows, where the band explores the nuance of the album as a complete piece and the ideas of instrumental music as an emotive and visual experience. For his first return to the U.S. this October, Gagin plans to perform the latest Immovable Objects’ record in its entirety with a video accompaniment. “I feel like the music expresses itself with or without a projected narrative but I think without lyrics or a true front man to engage the audience, and believe me I ‘m no front man, their can be a lack of connection for some people. Others, however, enjoy it more because there is no voice.”

Immovable Objects return to the U.S. October 22nd through 27th for a brief southwest tour. They play San Diego October 26th with Sleep Lady and Gypsy Blood at Bar Eleven. For more tour information, check out their official website.

News, Photos, Shows

Get Scared at SOMA, San Diego

September 22, 2012 Stephanie Amadeus Leave a comment

The title of this post is almost in time for Halloween. But we’re not asking you for trick or treats just yet. Get Scared is the hard rocking, intense group of guys that melted faces at their SOMA San Diego show on September 15th. If you weren’t there, you can check out these photos and be there in spirit. If you were there, you can still check out these photos and reminisce about all the good times. Either way, it’s candy for your eyes, and you didn’t have to dress up and go door to door to get it!

Photos by Christian Rodas, Soul Venture Productions.

Click photos to launch full-screen.

Get Scared got brutal at SOMA, San Diego

Interviews, News

Neo Geo’s Rainy Terrell: “I hate fake!”

August 12, 2012 Stephanie Amadeus Leave a comment

Have I mentioned how much I love female-fronted bands? How about female-fronted bands who REALLY know how to rock? Take my love for rock music and add the intensity and dynamic that can come from a female voice, and you’ve got Orange County natives Neo Geo. Their sound is just the right amount of edgy, their lyrics are unapologetic, and their music is diverse and moving. Truly a band to see live, as they will make sure you have an experience that you won’t soon forget.

I got the chance to talk with Rainy Terrell of Neo Geo about the passion behind their music, and what the band is up to next. Trust me, you’ll have a new-found appreciation for the badass-ness that is Rainy Terrell after reading this, or your money back. Which doesn’t really apply because this site is free, but read below anyway, and possibly discover a new favorite band in the process.

I know how difficult it is for “female-fronted rock” in this genre. How do you feel about that?

I see it as an opportunity more than anything. I don’t see it as a challenge; I see it as something new and it can be really awesome for our younger generations to see that also women are so captivating and emotionally very invested. I truly love it and it’s a challenge but yet it’s not. I see it as an opportunity more than anything to really convey how I feel. I really want to be an inspiration for younger women and kind of help them find their way. I’m trying to inspire younger women to find themselves.

You have a little bit more of an edgier, brash sound. How much of that is conveyed from your personal life?

Honestly, I used to do theater and I was in opera and that’s how I studied technically how to sing. As I got older I realized I really didn’t want to sing other people’s things. I wanted to be able to be in a band and actually convey what I feel and my emotions. So anything that you ever see on stage or anything that I write about is honest and true. I love artists that are real. I think that’s really important for any kind of music, because you expect to get something from the energy. I am theatrical, but I would never be a gimmicky band.

I can tell that your group has the passion for it! You can tell when a band is passionate about their music as opposed to gimmicky.

Exactly, I would never be a gimmick band. It’s always very real. I am human and there are some times when I am in a bad mood, or I’m in a great mood, or I am hurt about something, like anybody. I think it’s important to express that and not be fake about it. I hate fake!

So Neo Geo has been hitting some of the western tour dates. How has it been being on the road with the guys?

You know, I think I’m used to it by now. I have three brothers … and then being in a band with four other guys, and then all the techs are guys. So, it’s something that I find me picking up on certain things in their personalities. There are some things that I find myself doing that are kind of guy like, even though I am very feminine. Like, I’m okay with being able to be around them, and doing work. I do understand when they talk about girls or whatever. I feel like a little sister to them.

What kind of fan base have you noticed with Neo Geo? How do you interact with your fans?

It’s really cool because our fan base is a wide variety. I have women that are coming up to me that are in their 40s and 50s and guys that are in their 40s or 50s in our fan base. They’ll come to Warped Tour and they’re like, “Don’t ever stop what you’re doing.” A woman told me, “You’re like the next Gaga or Pink or No Doubt.” It feels really good to hear something like that.

What does the band have coming up in the future?

We just released a single called “Superstar”. When we go home [after Warped Tour] we’re going to be recording the second record. So that’s going to be really fun. I absolutely love [the single] “I’ve Done It Alone”, it’s even more of a favorite than “Superstar” but I love them both. Then we have a lot of other songs, another awesome ballad as well. So there’s a lot of really good songs that are going to be on the next record. It’s still going to be Neo Geo but it has a little more of an electronic/hip hop type feel, but it’s still very rock. It’s really hard to put a genre on it. It’s just Neo Geo; just a little different, but the same at the same time. It’s evolving.

Make sure you check out Neo Geo’s next show at The Roxy, September 12th, and if you’re not in the So Cal area, why not grab a free download of their latest single, “Superstar”? You’re welcome.

Interviews, News, Shows, Video Interviews, Videos

Hoopties, the Hollywood Bowl, and one rockin’ Liar

August 7, 2012 Stephanie Amadeus 1 Comment

I got the chance to sit down with Chad Wolf of Carolina Liar, and I don’t think it’s possible for this guy to have a boring tour story. Chad, along with band mates Rickard and Johan, have seen it all: from hoopties to out of control Midwest parties, the famous Hollywood Bowl, and of course, an amazing city called San Diego.

You know an interview is getting off on the right foot when someone starts quoting Anchorman, and that’s exactly what happened when I asked Chad the very first question. He had nothing but glowing reviews for San Diego and the Griffin (Oh Mr. Wolf, flattery will get you everywhere and SD loves her compliments), and he reminisced about some of the most exciting moments that the band has had in other cities. Another notable tour stop on his list? Apparently, the Midwest. Chad noted that despite seeming like it should be a calm atmosphere, going to Kansas City is like “going to Vegas in the middle of the Midwest.” The lead singer told a hilarious story about one bar in particular:

“People just get crazy! The first time we played in Kansas City, we ended up in a bar … and it just turned into this full on free for all of just people and just madness. I remember reaching down to tap the waitress who was helping us out that night and she just grabs my face and starts making out with me. People were spraying water all over, it was turning into a wet t-shirt contest … and we were all just kind of looking at each other like ‘What is going on in this place?’ And Kansas from that point on has always been absolutely just crazy. One of our favorite places to play of course.”

The guys of Carolina Liar have even more miles on their agenda this year, including opening for Kelly Clarkson and the Fray. The band had just played at the Hollywood Bowl the previous night, and lead singer Chad was still glowing from the iconic experience. “The energy when you walk out [on stage], you just get the goosebumps,” he said about the famous landmark, which has welcomed artists like the Beatles and Aretha Franklin. “As you’re walking closer and closer to the front of the stage, you just feel the chills from the whole thing. It was amazing.”

The band is having a lot of fun playing songs from their latest album, Wild Blessed Freedom, (and of course sprinkling in tunes from their first album), and talking with Chad made me realize how much of an uphill battle it’s been for the group. Knowing the hard work and dedication that goes behind music can really add an appreciation to it, and that’s no exception for Carolina Liar. The group split amicably with Atlantic Records and decided to release their second album on their own label, and Chad mentioned it’s been a learning experience. “The difference between working for a major [label] and then working for yourself is the amount of time…things take.” But the group is pulling through it, and Chad stated that almost a year later, “now, this record is starting to get it’s own little motor behind it. It’s a wild ride.”

The album, which definitely touches on everything from power pop ballads to punchy, lyrical rhythms, has a mainstream sound that temporarily painted a very One Tree Hill-ish atmosphere inside the Griffin, which is actually a lot cooler than it sounds on paper. And each song, as the lead singer stated, has “it’s own little story.” Most of the songs seem to be a product of pure inspiration, teamwork, and….Thin Lizzy. “[Rick] and I were listening to Thin Lizzy like crazy at the time. No matter when or where we were at, it was all Thin Lizzy, all day long.” Take all of that into consideration, and you get this well-oiled ready to rock machine with songs that are both honest and ready for the radio.

If you want to hear even more about Chad and the rest of Carolina Liar’s experiences in San Diego, check out the video above! And if you’re not in San Diego, don’t miss these guys during one of their tour stops with Kelly Clarkson and the Fray.

Interviews, News, Reviews

This Treatment Doesn’t “Hurt”

August 4, 2012 Jonathan McMahon Leave a comment

Let me take you back to another time, friends. It was a day when men were men, women were women, and not every rock band wore skinny jeans and guyliner. Bands like AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, and all their counterparts were dominating stages and airwaves. These days, those bands are considered legendary, but their style and presence are long considered a thing of the past.

Well worry no more, friends. If you like that style, then The Treatment is for you.

Formed in Cambridge, UK in 2008, this five-piece rock band is currently traveling through the US for their first tour of the country, opening up for rock icons KISS and Mötley Crüe on their not-just-cleverly titled “The Tour”. With their debut album, “This Might Hurt”, currently available for download on iTunes, the album also comes attached with their EP of covers, “Then & Again”. San Supersonic had a chance to catch up with lead singer Matt Jones on the cusp of their show on August 12th at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre in Chula Vista.

If you’ve had a chance to listen to their first single, “Nothing to Lose but Our Minds” (which you can right here), then you’ll notice that the band happens to be pretty classic sounding. It’s less of a current style of rock, and has drawn a lot of comparisons to the earlier bands. It was one of the reasons Nikki Sixx championed the band and was instrumental in getting them on board as the opening act of this tour. “We couldn’t ask for more,” said Jones about the tour. “We grew up listening to both bands, and I had posters of them on my wall.”

The craziest part is that these aren’t the only rock juggernauts these guys have already put in miles with. They’ve also shared performances with Motorhead, Black Stone Cherry, and Alice Cooper among others. Big name performances? They’ve notched those too. They’ve already gained experience playing at Download and Sonisphere, two of the biggest European festivals for music.

It’s easy to understand why Jones couldn’t ask for more. The group’s origins began in 2008, when Dani Mansworth began looking to start a band. With him as the drummer, he quickly recruited Ben Brookland and Tagore Grey on guitar, along with Rick “Swoggle” Newman on bass. After a six-month search for a vocalist, the group found Jones in Norwich and the road began for the five-piece. The members of the band packed up and moved in with Mansworth and his father Laurie, who was no stranger to music himself. The elder Mansworth has worked with such UK acts as More, Airrace, and Roadstar. The group began almost daily practices, knowing exactly in which direction they wanted to go. The sound is incredibly vintage for a band where all the members are in their late teens and early 20’s, but considering they list Aerosmith, AC/DC, and Thin Lizzy as influences, it should come as no surprise. “We didn’t think we could be doing this all this quick,” said Jones. “We all work hard at what we do.”

It’s easy to talk comparisons to some of these bands though, and often PR pieces will tend to use a lot of hyperbole when discussing a new band’s sound, strictly to get others to warm them up. When Jones was given the chance to put the band’s style into his own words, he gave an opinion not far from others I’ve spoken with. “We’re just a rock band. We’ve got a classic rock feel with a youthful twist.”

The 14-track debut just premiered in the States on July 17th, being distributed through Spinefarm Records, and the upcoming EP features tracks that not everyone would recognize as “iconic” right away. Picking tracks from artists like Canned Heat, Electric Light Orchestra, Slade, Jo Jo Gunne, and Chris Spedding, none of these tracks may possibly click in someone’s head. The most notorious, at least people I spoke to can remember, is ELO’s “Evil Woman”, which is still not a track someone can point out instantly.

“We wanted to do songs people our age might not have heard of,” said Jones, and the selection work. Instead of taking the safe route and tossing in something like “Back In Black” or “The Boys Are Back In Town”, the group threw in tracks like Canned Heat’s “Let’s Work Together”, or Spedding’s “Motorbikin'”.

The band is still young and there’s still several thousands of miles for this group to log before they near the number their heroes have traveled, but if their hard work is any indication, the group is more than up to the task. “This Might Hurt” is available on iTunes, and “Then & Again” is actually available as part of the album on the iTunes store. If you can’t see The Treatment in Chula Vista, they also play Irvine on August 14th.

News, Shows

Carolina Liar to headline The Griffin

July 24, 2012 Stephanie Amadeus 3 Comments

Have you ever been to a show by your favorite band in the perfect, intimate setting that made it possible to not only enjoy the show, but also feel like that band is singing right to you? Well, if you haven’t, get out to the Griffin while the summer’s hot (or, while the summer’s as sticky as a roll of duct tape). The Griffin is getting a shiny new summer series, including a stop by pop rockers Carolina Liar on July 31st. And this is quite possibly the perfect setting for them.

Carolina Liar has been making serious waves while they (successfully) battle the sophomore slump with their second album Wild Blessed Freedom, and when you’re touring with heavy hitters like One Republic, Kelly Clarkson, and fellow up-and-comers We the Kings, you’re bound to make some important friends along the way. They’ve been compared to about a million and one solid acts, from the Killers to U2, but this group isn’t trying to fit into anyone else’s shoes.

They’re holding their own, delicately navigating the atmosphere of pop, while not being afraid to throw an out-of-the-box lyric your way. Lead singer Chad Wolf is brave enough to test the limits of his vocal prowess, and in songs like “Beautiful People”, he dares to sing the lyrics “‘Cause it’s beautiful people like you/Who get whatever they want/And it’s beautiful people like you/Who suck the life right outta my heart.”
Add in the catchy melodrama of tracks like “I Don’t Think So”, and the album starts to sound like a fresh approach on pop.

Check out the brand new video for their single “Drown” and let me know what you think.

Sure, there are a couple cookie cutter pop medleys that fall into a familiar pattern (namely, “King of Broken Hearts” and “Daddy’s Little Girl”), but overall, Carolina Liar isn’t just content with the ordinary. And a band that is willing to push its songwriting limits is pretty much guaranteed to impress you live.

Not to mention, venues like the Griffin make shows by bands like Carolina Liar an experience. There’s just something missing from the large arenas; a personal touch that really gives you the chance to enjoy the music, no matter what you listen to. So if you’re interested in being a part of that kind of experience, check out Carolina Liar at the Griffin on July 31st.

Silver Snakes is getting a little more colorful

July 23, 2012 Jonathan McMahon Leave a comment

Silver Snakes Album Cover It takes a lot these days to stand out. You get a lot of bands that blend right into one another and it makes listening to new music rather tedious. However, every now and then comes a band that catches your ear for one reason or another, and this band (at least in my opinion) is about to release their debut on vinyl on July 24th.

Los Angeles’ Silver Snakes, who actually dropped this album late last year, is re-releasing “Pictures of a Floating World” in limited quantities in three different colors, all pressings coming with a special code to digitally download two new songs from their digital single “Old Light.”

The real question is this – how does it play?

Well for post-hardcore fans, people who found themselves with bands like Thursday and At the Drive-In will probably find themselves enjoying this band, and the music actually even gave me flashbacks to other things in that vein as well. For those of you into vocalists who aren’t necessarily screaming every lyric, this will do you well. For the rest of you that enjoy a good scream, you’ll probably enjoy this too. There’s definitely elements of Underoath circa They’re Only Chasing Safety-era. These are the kind of things that I enjoy putting in my iPod, and the news over its re-release in a few short days is a great chance for you to experience this band for the first time if you haven’t checked them out.

If you need a pedigree, or even just a small hint that this band has chops, know that Steve Choi (RX Bandits) and Roger Camero (No Motiv) actually helmed the effort, who has been out on tour with Aegis and has a show coming up in Tuscon on August 7th. Who do they happen to be playing with that night? Why, Coheed and Cambria of course.

Animal Style Records is the one responsible for putting out the vinyl, and tracks like “Lungs and Lanterns” and “Rebuild Us” are fairly catchy and could keep you wanting more. If you’re ready to give these throwbacks a chance, you can pre-order the vinyl before its release on the 24th, or head on over to iTunes and pick up the release now.

STORY BY JONATHAN M

Warped Interviews: Tonight, we are Alive!

July 18, 2012 Stephanie Amadeus Leave a comment

Meet Australian pop rockers Tonight Alive, Warped Tour’s resident “foreign exchange students” as one guy enthusiastically yelled out before their interview, during their stop in San Diego, CA. I got to sit down with Jenna McDougall and Whakaio Taahi and discuss everything from their experience so far on Warped, to their first full length album, What Are You So Scared Of? For a band that is barely graduating from their freshman year in the game, Tonight Alive is quickly making a name for themselves and putting a few of the seniors in their place, too. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be the most humble, down to earth people from down under. And….. cue the unison “awww”!

Being a ‘female-fronted band’ in a typically perceived man’s world, Jenna and Whakaio had wise words to say about their music and the bands that share this rather broad category with them. Some people may argue that it’s easier or more difficult for a female-fronted band, but lead singer Jenna notes that Tonight Alive have had no special treatment, and “if you’re doing it right, it’s as hard as it is for everyone else.” Whakaio further adds that he doesn’t see the group as being a female-fronted band. “The thing about Jenna,” he states, “is it’s not because she’s female, it’s because she’s talented as a songwriter and as a vocalist.”

Talent is the first factor that catches your eyes (and ears) when listening to Tonight Alive. Another trait that is hard to ignore is how seasoned the band seems, even though they currently have released only one full length album. Whakaio accredits this to the band touring with each other for over 2 years now, making them a tight-knit group. Even so, Warped Tour is a whole other world and it’s obvious that the band is still riding on cloud nine. Whakaio adds that “It’s been two weeks and still it hasn’t worn off that we’re in this thing finally.”

Jenna’s face lights up when she mentions how excited she’s been for the entire experience and the fans that come out to the shows. “It’s nice to know that the people that are standing in front of us when we play are not waiting for the band that’s coming on next,” says Jenna, and she’s got a good point. For a freshman band to attract so much attention while on a tour with over 90 other musicians, I must say, it’s impressive.

The band has obviously put a lot of thought into their tours, their performances and their music, as Jenna and Whakaio describe the feelings behind their album, What Are You So Scared Of? Jenna states the album’s theme is a number of things, but mainly it hopes to ask others the question, “what’s holding you back?” For a first album, the idea of facing your fears head-on seems like the perfect theme. Whakaio adds that he wanted to “help those people that are…searching for something.” with Jenna adding in to “take chances.”

Maybe that’s why the album has been quite popular. It sounds like YOLO, only smarter and a little more relatable. And I’m loving that. What do you think?

Another reason why I like this band? They signed that poster that we’re giving away on the site! If you’re interested in winning it, make sure you check out the giveaways section.

News

All aboard the S.S. Coachella

Aside July 17, 2012 theindiestaff Leave a comment

If you can afford it, board it! I should write the advertising campaign for Coachella’s brand new water version of its sold out, three day, hippie & hipster music lovers’ festival. While the theory seems kind of neat (many artists have done cruises in the past, including Weezer), I’m just going to guess that the only people who can afford this cruise are the same people who bought three day Coachella passes just to listen to two artists and spend the rest of their time drunk in a field. Basically, if you can throw the money away, why not throw it overboard a classy cruiseliner?

I’d be much more excited if the lineup was better — Sleigh Bells and Girl Talk are about the only acts on here that would make this cruise a party, and while Yeasayer and Hot Chip are interesting, are they $700 worth of interesting?

On a side note, it is nearly impossible to hide contraband booze or weed on a cruise ship headed for an international destination. Maybe the high prices are to deter the criminal masterminds from getting detained in the Bahamas because Maui Wowie does not count as a valid proof of US citizenship?

What do you think? Would you go on a Coachella cruise? Let me know in the comments!

Behind the Scenes of the Warped Tour Interviews

July 11, 2012 Stephanie Amadeus 4 Comments

Yours truly got the chance to interview some amazing bands from Van’s Warped Tour including Taking Back Sunday, Tonight Alive, Every Time I Die, Cali natives G-Eazy and Pierce the Veil, and Austin from Of Mice & Men, among others! The videos will be here soon, but until then, here’s some behind-the-scenes eye candy to drool over. Happy Hump Day!

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