The Buzz: On The Run

Band Members: John Ross Green
                            Tyler Miller
                            Brian Fisher
                            Ryan Weaver


Based In: East Freedom, PA, USA
Sounds Like: Bayside, The Swellers, The Used, Relient K, Taking Back Sunday



Mood: Defiant


On The Run has really been 'on the run' ever since their formation in December 2008. Their gig calendar is choc-a-block with one exciting show after another. Needless to say, they've never looked back once.

On The Run's musical style can typically be described as Alt/Punk, especially when their lead vocalist hits those slightly off-key, but immensely effective notes that are such a trademark of the genre. The riffs are (mostly) decidedly alt/rock, though. 'Monsters Like Me' is their most popular track 'til date, and rightly so! The best part about On The Run's music is that each of their songs has a unique hook that'll keep you interested no matter how many times you've heard the songs before. Another of my personal favorites is 'Leave Me Alone.'

You can connect with them on Facebook or Fan them on Reverbnation.

Artist Review + Free Album Download: Gates

Gates is an ambient Rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Formed in 2010, this fledgling ensemble has already recorded two albums, the latter of which (named You Are All You Have Left To Fear) released just last week on 29th May, 2012.

The band includes guitarist Ethan Koozer, once part of the dreamy indie-rock band Lydia. Though, don’t expect to hear Lydia-influenced music here! Whereas Lydia’s tunes were reminiscent of chill-wave indie rock sounds, Gates assumes a more aggressive tone – like that of an angsty teenager denied of his/her dreams. Like this you mean is a far cry from the vibes given out by guitarist Ethan Koozer's former musical mates.

Although Gates has been compared to the likes of Jimmy Eat World and Mineral, there is also a dash of Three Days Grace to their music. The song The Sound of Letting Go, with its powerful riffs and emphatic chorus is an excellent example of this.

All their songs have an angst, which hits you in the form of crashing cymbals, dreamy leads and aggressive bass lines. The lead vocals are an appropriate match for the sometimes-hot-sometimes-cold emotion of both the music and lyrics. Sometimes he lovingly croons into the microphone, sometimes laments his misfortunes and at other times screams his heart out as the instruments behind him hit a heartfelt crescendo.

Check out their limited edition CDs and Vinyl records. Apparently, the artwork and the overall aesthetic aspects were personally looked after by all members of the band. That is something you don’t get to see often. Personally, I feel their artwork pretty much represents what their music stands for. It definitely is a good idea to snag one of their original limited edition CD or vinyl while it lasts!

Gates have opened for acts like Moving Mountains, Pianos Become the Teeth, Brian Bonz, Rival Schools, Prawn, Gifts from Enola, and Punchline. They have even completed a successful tour of the US (or at least half of the US). Both their albums are up for free download.

So, my verdict is, they definitely deserve a listen!

You can DOWNLOAD both their albums for FREE.

Rating: 4/5

Song Review: Heartbeat by The Fray

One of my most favorite bands is coming out with their new album this February. The Fray, whose last self-titled album was released in 2009, have released the first single off of their third studio album titled Scars and Stories.



Heartbeat is a little different from what I identify as 'The Fray style'. It is a little on 'The Script' side. The Fray have this way of making the electric guitar behave like an acoustic one. The end result is a beautiful riff that can sound just as surreal on a piano. They do just that in Heartbeat.
I love it when Slade hits the falsetto notes! Some singers sound real bad in that pitch, but he makes it work 'real horrorshow'. The chorus is very catchy, you'll find yourself humming along to it very often. I especially like the lines, "If you can love somebody, love them all the same/You gotta love somebody, love them all the same".
But I have one major complaint. What's with the generic, cliched lyrics? I mean,what happened to stuff like 'Over My Head (Cable Car)'? Those were some good lyrics. Good lyrics should present the intended imagery with different ideas, newer comparisons; they should convey their meaning while still keeping you thinking whether that's what the songwriter meant by those words. I didn't see that in this song. It was all so 'been there, done that' boring. I could remember a thousand movies with the exact same scenario - rain, lovers running away on a truck, emotions running high, yada yada. What's new?

Verdict: A good song. Don't miss it if you are a fan of The Fray. For all others, there's plenty out there if you want choices.

Song Review: How We End Up Alone by HURT

There are some songs you just can't get out your head, however hard you may try. But this time, I'm not at all trying to get this song out my head. It is just so catchy! And honestly, I have a thing for brooding, dark songs with whiny guitars riffs and crashing drums. So there.


How We End Up Alone is the first single from HURT's upcoming album 'The Crux' which hits the stores 27th March, 2012. The song starts with a heavy guitar riff that contrasts beautifully with J. Loren Wince's brooding voice as he laments: There's no more use in trying/ When there's no more use denying/ I gave you the proof/ I don't care what you'll do.

As the song progresses, the guitars turn more menacing and the drums more pronounced. And finally, just when you anticipate it, the whiny riff of the catchy bridge and chorus hit you! I just LOVED how it all comes together perfectly in the chorus - the vocals, the guitars, the drums.

But the lyrics could have been better. The chorus and the bridge don't really mean much. They're basically just the same sentence repeated over and over. Sample this: If you fear for my way/ well then you's see it from my way/ 'Cause when you see it from my way/ Well then you see it from my way// You will see things from my way/ Because you will see things my way/ I gave her my youth just to make me the proof/ That's how we end up alone.

Verdict: The song may not have eloquent lyrics, but the music is great! HURT fans shouldn't miss this one.

Absie Recommends # 1: Tackle That Angst

I've had such a crappy time in college these last few days that I invariably end up listening to some pretty angst-ridden songs to let out steam. For me, that is a great stress-buster. So I thought I would post a compilation of all those songs that have helped me mentally bash up my detractors. ;)

Awake and Alive - Skillet

Thoughtless - KoЯn

What You Want - Evanescence

Cold (But Im Still Here) - Evans Blue

Man in the box - Alice in chains

Sleep - My Chemical Romance

Snuff - Slipknot

In The Shadows - The Rasmus

Goin' Down - The Pretty Reckless

Voices in My Head - Rev Theory

Band Review: Splendid Chaos

I am HOOKED! I just can't stop listening to this band ever since I found them a month or so ago. It won't be too far away from the truth if I said that their song "Staring at the Sun" has been kind of a soundtrack for some of my more intense moments. It gives me a kind of enthusiasm, a zest to tackle the difficult phase I've been facing lately. Well, that and my beloved books and close friends. The chorus that goes "I'm not the one/ who will burn out/ staring at the sun/ Inside of me/ is a fire like you've never seen", perfectly describes what I feel right now.

Band Name: Splendid Chaos

Members: Mike Hall - Vocals/Guitars

Terry Sharp - Guitars/Backing Vocals

Mike Oakley - Drums/Samples

Jake Fountain - Bass/Backing Vocals

Genre: Rock/Alternative Rock/Metal

Formed: 2000

Location: Brandon, Mississippi (USA)

The band from Brandon, MS (USA) was formed in the year 2000 and has made music that spans the Alternative/Hard Rock/Metal genres. They’ve performed with such bands as Hinder, Staind, Trapt, Saliva and Three Days Grace. Their music could well be categorized as being a reflection of the bands they’ve performed with. Emotions and angst just ooze out of every one of their compositions, painting before us a brilliant display of creativity coupled with prodigious skill.

They released the CD Burn It Down in early 2010, of which “Staring at the Sun” is a product. Mike Hall’s vocals, Terry Sharp’s guitars, Mike Oakley’s drums, and Jake Fountain’s bass do make a truly splendid chaos! “Come and Get It”, “Energy”, and the titular track “Burn It Down” literally pulsate with a raw energy that is totally infectious. The various element of the band gel together so perfectly, they seem as various limbs of the selfsame being. Okay, enough said; I better let you sample their music and decide for yourself whether YOU like them or not.

Verdict: Abso-fucking-lutely AWESOME music! \m/

Band Review: In Cages

Who knew I'd have my first request for a review so soon? And I am so thankful that it was a good band like In Cages that requested it. That means I dared not refuse them the review they deserve. So, being me, I jumped at the opportunity to spread the word about their talent!

So, our Fresh New Artist today is In Cages from Hillsdale, New Jersey, US. Formed by "Five minus one, musicians from New Jersey who had similar views", this band is a motley crew of four quirky beings.

Band Review: The Longest Night

Band Name: The Longest Night

Members: Robbi Selin - Vocals & Guitars

Will O' Donnell - Guitar

Jared Greaves - Bass

Jason Rampersad - Drum

Label: Unsigned

Location: Barbados

Band Review: Fighting Gemini

Sometimes, you just stumble upon good music when you least expect it. That is how I found Fighting Gemini   very unexpectedly. The first song I came across was 'Naked or Buried Alive', and I thought, "Cool! A new Daughtry song." But then a minute into the song, I was like, "Now wait a minute, that's not Daughtry." Fighting Gemini have their signature stamped all over the chorus of that song. Though not a completely new sound, it was intriguing enough to make check them out. And I'm glad I did too. 

                                 

                                                       Photo Courtesy Fighting Gemini

Their other song, 'New Friend', has a sound that is more their own. It is a pacy song with some awesome crunchy guitars and drums that totally hit you in the gut! 'Test Drive' has the rough, edgy quality that can get the blood coursing through your veins and rushing in your ears. The gritty guitar riffs and punchy drums woven with Mike Donnell's spirited vocals make for a great Alt/Rock number. One of them's sure going on my playlist. (Check the sidebar). 'Tonight' is a clean piece of Adult Rock that should not be passed up if you really want to know what this band is really about.

I found it amusing that they should cover "Poker Face' by Lady Gaga; they just didn't seem the type. But they've done a good job making the song more alternative than the theatrical pop it originally was. Fighting Gemini has now officially joined the ranks of rock bands who have covered a Gaga song. They're soon coming out with their first full studio album. Hmmm... the songs have sure piqued my interest enough to wait for the album. Let's see how that turns out.

Verdict: They are like a tribute band to Nickelback and Daughtry.

Official Website: www.fightinggemini.com

Myspace: www.myspace.com/fightinggemini

Some Awesome Bands You've Probably Never Heard Of

They say music is the best way to unwind after a day’s hard work. Whether you prefer Ludwig van Beethoven or Lynyrd Skynyrd, there is a tune out there for every soul and every mood. Often we have that one artist that we follow diligently and try to find others with a similar sound. But most of us have a limited search radius that doesn’t go beyond mainstream music. More often than not the indie and local scenes can afford us much more and sometimes much better entertainment.

Here are some bands that have the potential to make it to the main stream but haven’t had the opportunity to. Conversely, some make it a point to stay indie to escape the pressures of delivering for a commercial record label just for the sake of churning out EP’s, LP’s, and singles. From the world of indie and underground music here are some of the gems that you MUST have on your playlist.

1. NEEDMORE: Formed in the year 2007, this band from Dayton, Ohio (USA) is a strong contender for an impending mainstream exposure. Having already topped MTV OurStage’s Rock charts,

NEEDMORE has also composed music for a few commercials and worked with producers Jeff Juliano (John Mayer, Train, Lifehouse, DMB), Dave McNair (Sara Barielles, OAR, Flyleaf), and Tony Alany on their newest single “Lost My Way”. Impeccable production values, sleek sound and that one hidden ingredient you really can’t point out makes this band a truly enigmatic act. Lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist Garett McArthur has a captivating voice that works well with the band’s overall musical style. Their song “Late Night Drive” is a must-hear for anyone looking to judge their musical prowess, although “Lost My Way” is a good candidate too.

Official Website: http://www.needmore.net/fr_home.cfm

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NEEDMORE/76368671232?v=app_178091127385

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/NEEDMORE

2. Fools For Rowan: They have a smashing female vocalist, a rocking female lead guitarist and freaking awesome line-up of musicians. What more do you look for in a great rock band? FFR, from Nashville, Tennessee (USA) came up with their first full album “Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled.” in November 2009. It included the hit single “Dead” which happens to have a great video to go along with the equally great music. Comprising of five members, FFR recently opened for Evanescence in Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium. The lead vocalist, Erin Mullins, has a vast vocal range. According to the band’s website, “She brings her brand of “Lipstick Rock” to the group…a style of “male oriented rock” from a woman’s point of view. It’s a touch of Nickelback and Kings of Leon…but also reminiscent of such female led acts as Paramore, Heart, Pink and Pat Benatar.”

Official Website: https://www.foolsforrowan.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/foolsforrowan?v=wall&viewas=0

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/foolsforrowan

3. Cynical Recess: Well, these guys aren’t completely unheard of, but they still deserve a place here. Why, you ask? Because a powerful musical act like that should not be passed on without a mention! This six-piece progressive glam rock/ metal band from Kolkata (India) has won various accolades in the past three years, including performances at I-Rock, Hornbill National Rock Fest, RSJ Pub Rock Fest and Unseen Underground Pub Rock Fest, among others. Lead vocalist Abhishek has the kind of voice that brings to mind the likes of Gene Simmons (KISS) and Steven Tyler (Aerosmith). The guitars and the drums strike just the right balance required to bring the best qualities of their music to the fore. “Move On”, “Chains”, “Goodbye Sunday”___ take your pick, ‘cause this band has got no dearth of good songs.

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thecynicalrecess

Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/cynicalrecessindia

4. Damian Cullen Band: “The new Finnish [sic] based Damian Cullen Band stinks of angst & attitude, contains more glamour than any top shelf dirty magazine and is armed with what can only be described as classic rock anthems that bite deep into the bone. Damian Cullen Band is Jim Morrison, Johnny Rotten & Glen Danzig in a melting pot.” That’s what you’ll find on the profile page of the band. In short, DCB has a sound that is sometimes similar to their fellow countrymen The 69 Eyes but they still manage to maintain their own identity. Goth, glam, classic, punk___ DCB is all this and even more.

Official Website: http://www.damiancullenband.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/damiancullenfi

5. Requinox: With a style that spans the Rock/Heavy Rock/Metal genres, this tenacious band from Oslo (Norway) is quite a handful. What I like about them is their weird choice of song names. Sample these: “Jackie the Stripper”, “Mr. Maniac Murderer”. Heavily reliant on powerful guitar riffs and drums, their music has the pick-me-up effect you need when you feel like pounding the next person to dirt. Although you may end up pounding them anyway, but with Requinox’s music as a fitting background score! Jokes apart, if you are the kind to like your music raw and rough ‘round the edges, Requinox is your band.

Official Website: http://www.requinox.net/

Myspace: http://myspace.com/requinox

6. Cure for Caska: Mixing classical instruments like upright bass, cello and violin with pop/modern rock, CFC have come up with a sound that appeals instantly to all your senses. The lyrics, combined with Matthew Hayes’s soft voice carry you to a happy place. This quintet from Orlando, Florida (USA) has already found a place on several local charts and radio stations. The song “13 Hours, 3 State Lines (Give Rosette Away)” from their new album “Wait and Hope” is an excellent representation of what this band stands for. Go check them out if you are in need of a musical fix.

ReverbNation:  http://www.reverbnation.com/cureforcaska

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cureforcaska

Note: All pictures used above are the properties of the respective artists.  I do not claim any right to the same.