Weezer Keep Throwing Curve Balls with RADITUDE

Weezer are not a band to follow the traditional rock and roll path. Each album the band seems to run farther away from the brand of quirky and mystical rock they gave to the music world with its debut, simply titled WEEZER but best known as the Blue Album.  Then there was the emotionally charged rocker that took them to another level lyrical, PINKERTON, which seems to be a longtime Weezer’s fan favorite but was the least commercially successful of the band’s albums.  Then there was another self-titled effort but referred to as the Green Album and then MALADROIT, which were both departures of the bands early sound and sparked a few great singles but overall the albums were not the best thing the band has done.  Then came the commercial blockbuster, “MAKE BELIEVE, produced by Rick Rubin, which spawned the massive hit, “Beverly Hills,” and overall was a good release but not a great one. Next came another album with the title of Weezer and is now known as the Red Album, which was supposed to be the band’s rebellion record.  With hits like “Pork and  Beans” and “Troublemaker” the effort had some quality songs but overall was not anything as spectacular as the bands first two releases.  Now, Weezer are back again with RADITUDE, which combines the band’s signature quirky rock style with electronic beats and hip-hop hooks.  It sounds strange but it actually works.  I don’t know if I have ser come to the realization that Weezer are not going to make another album which achieves the greatness of the Blue Album or PINKERTON but i think this is one of the best albums the band has put out since about 1997.  It also has the infectious and amazing single, “(If Your Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To.” I would recommend picking it up.  The band consistently put out quality albums that achieve at least a few alternative rock singles, which is a lot to say for a band these days.  So be sure to check out information about the band at Weezer.com and pick up a copy of  RADITUDE.

AFI’S NEW ALBUM “CRASH LOVE” OUT TODAY 09/29/09!!!

The incredible goth-punk-rockers, AFI are back with its new album, CRASH LOVE. Over the last few albums, the band has transformed from kings of the underground punk scene with albums on the groundbreaking punk label, Nitro Records.  But since the band’s album, THE ART OF DROWNING, its last on Nitro, it has become an alternative rock radio mainstay.  Pick up CRASH LOVE by AFI!  For More information check out www.afireinside.net.

9/11-8 Years

There is nothing that can really be said about 9/11 unless you live in New York.  The sadness, the disillusionment and anger of people seeing where they live get destroyed.  The World Trade Centers represent America.  There were all types of people in those buildings on Tuesday, 09/11/01.  There were people of different races, sexuality preference, nationalities, ages, economic level and gender.  I woke up the morning of September 11, 2001, after the Towers were hit, about 7:30 AM and watched the news in disbelief.   It was like an awful movie but it was real.  Words can’t express what 09/11 means for Americans.  The next day, I remember going to school at Cal State Long Beach and running into my friend, Cindy, whose father was in New York and she could not reach him. She had such a horror in her face as she asked me to take notes for her at a class we both had.  It was insane.  I could not imagine how the people in New York City felt.  I had actually been on a road trip with one of my best friend’s, Matt the summer before 09/11 in 2000 and we went to New York City. However, we did not go into the World Trade Center buildings. I have not been back to New York City since but I really want to go.  September 11th is such an important day in our country’s history.  It’s strange that I decided to write this at about 10:30 at night, which would be 09/12/09 in New York but I felt I needed to be voice my memories of this monumental day for America. We are the strongest and most accepting country in the world.

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Warped Tour 15th Year Anniversary Show 09/06/09

A crazy show celebrating the Warped Tour’s 15th Anniversary will be Sunday 09/06/09 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.  The lineup includes The All-American Rejects, Bad Religion, NOFX, Pennywise (with a new lead singer), and Rise Against.  It should be an amazing event.  The show will be taped for a DVD celebrating the 15th anniversary for the music changed Warped Tour, which will be out 09/17/09.  There are some general admission tickets left for the event but they may be gone soon.  For tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com.

DJ AM Dies at Age 36

August 28, 2009, DJ AM, (Adam Goldsetin) died at the age of 36 of an alleged drug overdose.  AM struggled with addiction but was sober for over nine years.  He was found in his apartment in New York City.  DJ AM became well-known by playing shows with Travis Barker from Blink-182.  AM and Travis were involved in a plane crash last year, which left four dead.  This makes his death all the more tragic.  He was also known for being engaged to Nicole Richie.  It is not often that DJ’s are even slightly known by the mainstream, so it is a sad day for music to not know what AM may have created in the future.

The Gaslight Anthem-The ’59 Sound

The Gaslight Anthem

The ’59 Sound

SideOneDummy Records

 

The ’59 Sound by the Gaslight Anthem has been out for almost a year now with its August 2008 release but the album is definitely worth checking out. With fist pumping rock and a pulsing punk rock backdrop, The Gaslight Anthem is a band that can’t be easily categorized. The ’59 Sound is an exhilarating and innovative rock album from start to finish. Singer, Brian Fallon has a raspy but melodic voice that is somewhat similar to the legendary, Bruce Springsteen. I am always spectacle of a band that sounds like anyone else but the Gaslight Anthem definitely has its own sound. One of the most unique things about the album is that many of the songs are stories about actual people.  The songs are cohesive and together form a complete album. I can see big things in store for the Gaslight Anthem and the ’59 Sound will further their fan base and propel the band’s success.

Michael Jackson Dies at 50

As almost everyone should know by now Michael Jackson has passed away today, June 25, 2009 at 50 years old. It’s a very sad day for the music industry and the world. Jackson changed the world through music. Michael Jackson was an entertainment super star combining incredible musicianship, dance moves, creativity and charisma. When I was about five years old I remember dancing to “Beat It” and knowing the music on the album “Thriller” was genius. Songs like, “Smooth Criminal”, “Billy Jean” and “Bad” showed his amazing musical ability. Where Michael Jackson made his mark for my generation was the music video. His videos were like small movies. Michael Jackson constantly raised the bar musically and continued to have success throughout his career.  With countless hits, Michael Jackson does not need a huge story about him and his life but I am sure there will be many. This should be a time to remember Michael Jackson for an amazing performer and musical revolutionary.

Rise Against/Rancid Take Over The Forum in LA 07/11

Rise Against will hit the road with punk vets Rancid for a summer tour which hits The Forum in Los Angeles, Calif. on Saturday 07/11/09. Chicago punk rockers, Rise Against have had a lot of success in the last five years which have given them the opportunity to headline at the enormous venue, The Forum. The bands mainstream success with many songs on the radio make people easy to be the typical music snob and call them sell outs, however Rise Against have kept their sound in tact and have not lost one ounce of passion for their music. Rancid have been around for many years, with the band’s best selling album in the 1990′s with “And Out Come the Wolves.” However, they have recently released the incredible, “Let the Dominoes Fall” and are back big time. For anyone who wants to see a great punk show I would recommend they see this tour. Los Angeles will see the magic happen on Friday 07/11. For more information check out www.riseagainst.com or www.rancidrancid.com.

Warped Tour Kicks Off It’s 15th Year Friday 06/26 in Pomona!

The longest running punk rock super tour, The Warped Tour is in its 15th year. The tour started back in 1995 with only about 15 bands and has grown into an enormous summer event. In 1995  some of the bands who played the tour were No Doubt, Sublime, L7, Face to Face and The Deftones and it was created to combine the skating scene with the music scene by Kevin Lyman. My first Warped Tour was 1997 when a strange mix of bands played. On the main stage some of the heavy hitters were Blink 182, Social Distortion, Reel Big Fish and Limp Bizkit, yes, strange as it may sound Limp Bizkit was actually on the tour. However, other tours also included Eminem, Billy Idol, Weezer, Green Day and Ice-T. The tour kicks off June 26, 2009 in Pomona and has punk champs NOFX and Bad Religion leading the show along with Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake, TSOL, The Adolescents, Guttermouth, Gallows and Senses Fail.  So, this year should be another great Warped. The tour concludes August 23, 2009 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Be sure to check out more about the tour at http://www.warpedtour.com/.