Paramore Fights Back With Third Album

     Paramore, a five-member alternative rock band hailing from Tennessee, was at the highest point in its career in late 2007 after the release of its sophomore album, "Riot!"  But behind the scenes, the quintet was facing a devastating break up.  Rumors for years about lead singer Hayley Williams and guitarist Josh Farro dating had been hushed by the band, but the two revealed to AP Magazine that they had in fact dated until late 2007.  When they broke up, tensions rose between everyone, including drummer and brother to the guitarist Zac Farro and bassist Jeremy Davis.  After cancelling the end of a European tour in early 2008, Paramore came back in 2009 with a new album, a new sound, and a new band member, Taylor York.  On Sept. 22, 2009, Paramore's third album, "Brand New Eyes," was released.
     "Brand New Eyes," originally the title of a song the band cut from the track listing, begins with the track "Careful," a song with a message.  "You can't be too careful anymore/when all that is waiting for you/won't come any closer/you've got to reach out a little more."  The song capture's the album's essence and vibe from the very beginning, Williams' strength and resilience to the tension between the band members.
     The first single off the record, "Ignorance," was released in July 2009 and is the second track on "Brand New Eyes."  The song was written from Williams' perspective, how she felt like an outside of the band, isolated from the world that used to be Paramore.  "You treat me just like another stranger/well it's nice to meet you sir/I guess I'll go/I best be on my way out."  Williams talks of the tension between everyone, how the band was splitting down the middle, how she felt like they were falling apart.  The edgy beats and hard vocals by Williams relieve more tension that any amount of conversation ever will.  For anyone who doubted Paramore's musical talent and ability to resolve issues hasn't listened to "Ignorance."
     The album continues with a number of other catchy songs, all pointing to the inner struggles, all hashing out the pain of all of the members.  Williams croons a haunting, yet begging tune in "Playing God," almost pleading for everyone to see what was happening to them.  "If God's the game that you're playing/well we must get more acquainted/because it has to be so lonely/to be the only one who's holy." Songs of shots of self realization and a bright light at the end of the tunnel ("Turn It Off") and bits of disappointment ("Feeling Sorry") fill the track listings.  A ballad, "The Only Exception," was released as the third single from "Brand New Eyes."  A sweet song, filled with the realization that love exists and the person who allowed Williams to make an exception.
     The second single released off the album, "Brick By Boring Brick," is a story of a little girl who is stuck in a fairy tale world.  The familiar guitar starts the song off, the drums setting a head bopping beat for the imagination of a child.  "She lives in a fairy tale/someone too far for us to find/Forgotten the taste and smell/a whole world that she's left behind."  Gone is the edginess of "Ignorance," what's left is the determination to drag this girl out of a fantasy world and into reality.
     Williams and co-writer York didn't leave out the more blunt observations of what the band could have missed if it had broken up.  "Looking Up" shows how the band won't give up on each other yet through feet stomping beats and words of wonder.  "God knows the world doesn't need another band/but what a waste it would have been."  "Where The Lines Overlap" has the same concept, maybe in a less catchy version of "Looking Up."  The idea is still there, proclaiming "no one is as lucky as us."
     The album closes with a haunting song, showing all the gold in Williams' vocal chords.  In "All I Wanted," all of the pain and tension and contempt Williams was feeling as an outsider is released through an amazing vocal performance that no one was expecting.
     "Brand New Eyes," while written for fans of the band, I feel is more written for the band themselves. It's messages are clear, the variety from song to song is obvious, and the talent of Paramore is unmatched.  For those who doubt that they are here to stay hasn't heard this album yet.  They're not going anywhere.

All Time Low Post Studio Update

All Time Low has posted the first video update of the follow up album to 2009's "Nothing Personal."  The video catches the band recording new songs for the album, still untitled.

Click here to watch All Time Low work on their fifth album.

Metro Station Calls It Quits

A web site for Towson University in Maryland broke the news that power-pop, alternative band Metro Station has officially broken up.  The band was supposed to play for the school's "Tigerfest" yesterday and reps for the school's Campus Activities Board received news the band had called it quits and would not be attending.

Metro Station, who is known for it's hit song, "Shake It" from 2006, lost two of its members, keyboardist Blake Healy in November 2009, and Anythony Improgro a month later in December.

The band's rep confirmed the break up of the two remaining members Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso, but no further news has been released by the band or its rep.

Young Veins (Ex-Panic! At The Disco) release anticipated first single

The Young Veins, a new indie rock band formed of ex-Panic! At The Disco guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker, have debuted their new song, "Young Veins (Die Tonight)."  The song was recorded, along with the other ten songs off the debut full-length album, "Take A Vacation," with Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald, new frontman Ross, and bassist-turned-guitarist Walker before the band added bassist Andy Soukal, keyboardist Nick White and drummer Nick Murray.

Check out "Young Veins (Die Tonight)" here, along with "Change."  "Take A Vacation" is due to release this summer.

We The Kings Frontman Posts Solo Song

Frontman of alternative band We The Kings, Travis Clark, posted a new song, "Let's Sleep In Forever" on his blog, saying, "I've been working on some new stuff for my little Naked 'Stripped Down' Project :) here is a little glimpse, hope you likey!"

Listen to "Let's Sleep In Forever" here. 

Clark's band, We The Kings, can be seen in New Haven, CT as a guest of the AP Tour on April 30.

Local Band Signed To sonaBLAST! Records

The Pass, a quartet based in Louisville, was signed to sonaBLAST! Records, also based in Louisville.  The computerized pop sounds of The Pass were last seen at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, IN, just 20 minutes from Louisville.

Two members, Kyle Peters and Will Roberts, hail from Jersey, while the remaining members, Brian Healey and Neal Lucas are Kentucky natives.  After meeting at the University of Louisville, the four men converged their unique styles.

The Pass released their EP album, Colors EP, on iTunes in February, already gaining nine rates of five out of five stars.  Currently they are working on their debut full-length album, due out this summer.

Fact or Fast?

    Luke O'Neil wrote an article on the site of Alternative Press on Monday, "Exclusive! In Online Music Reporting, Is It Better To Be First Or Factual?"  Is it better to be the first to report on something or the most accurate?  While this topic deals with every aspect of journalism, it was interesting to see how it pertains to music news as well.
     Rumors affect everyday life, but for bands these days, there are certainly more of them.  The biggest bands have been rumored to be on hiatus, including Fall Out Boy, The Academy Is..., The Killers, Straylight Run and, most recently, Brand New.  While the success of journalism relies on how quickly news is released to the public, it's only successful if it's true.  There is no point in reporting on something that is false.  It ends up being a whole lot of trouble for a whole lot of people.
     While there is, as Gina Chen says, an "adrenaline rush when you break a big story," it loses it's appeal if it happens to be a rumor.  While some of these bands have confirmed the truth of hiatus, Fall Out Boy and Straylight Run have both confirmed hiatus, but denied break up, the fact of the matter is most news is full of half truths.  The most important aspect of journalism is FACT.
     In a speech about good writing, Michael Gartner, president of NBC News and Pulitzer Prize winner, said "Words alone aren't enough.  Good writing needs facts.  You cannot be a good writer if you are not a good reporter.  You need facts and details."  He goes on to say that even fiction needs fact.  "Writing is just the pie crust; facts are the pie."
     Some blame the growing popularity of music blogs for readers wanting their information immediately.  This may be true, the internet has placed a lot of pressure on getting news out faster, but not necessarily accurately.  Whether it's an inexperienced blogger behind a Mac computer in a dorm room or an esteemed reporter of Rolling Stone, fact is fact is fact.  There is no substitute for fact being the most important aspect of a story.
     As John Nolan of Straylight Run said,"I think in the end, the blogs and news organization that are ethical and found to be credible will win in the end.  Eventually, people will stop going to blogs that put out a lot of hype that turns out not to be true."

Avenged Sevenfold Recruit New Drummer

After the sudden death of James "The Rev" Sullivan, this past December, the remaining members of Avenged Sevenfold were forced to search for a replacement drummer.  The band announced the addition of Dream Theater drummer, Mike Portnoy, to help record their upcoming album.  

The band released this statement about the addition: Mike [Portnoy] said it would be an honor and without question that's what Jim would have wanted. It's comforting to us that someone like Mike, who is undoubtedly revered as one of the best drummers in the world, held such respect and adoration for the Rev's abilities."


"Even under normal circumstances, I would've been happy to help the guys out in any way I could as I think Avenged Sevenfold are a great band...but under these incredibly sad and tragic circumstances, I must say I am truly honored to have been asked to play with them and I didn't even have to think twice about saying 'yes,'" said Portnoy.


"These guys are a true family and it is an incredibly emotional experience to be here with them for the first time without their lost brother. But they have welcomed me into the family with open arms and there's a real excitement to make the record they had set out to make. 

I want their fans to realize that I'm not trying to step into or fill The Rev's shoes...I'm just merely lacing 'em up for him!"


The latest album by the hardcore band was a self-titled album released in 2007, followed by Live in the LBC: Diamonds in the Rough released in 2008.

Nine Hospitalized During Alexisonfire Performance

Canadian-bred rockers Alexisonfire had to cancel a free performance at Yaletown LiveCity surrounding the Olympics in Vancouver when the crowd knocked over a barricade near the stage.  About 20 fans were treated for injuries, nine moved to a nearby hospital.  Only one serious injury, a compound leg fracture, was reported.

The quintet had been on stage for less than a minute when the crowd surged forward and the fence failed.  The concert was immediately cancelled and the members of Alexisonfire came back on stage to explain the situation.  "We were all so excited that you completely decimated the whole barrier," said guitarist/vocalist Wade MacNeil.  "The reality of the situation is that it's completely destroyed and it's really dangerous and there's an incredible amount of sharp objects up here and a lot of people got hurt when that happened."

The crowd booed the band as vocalist George Pettit announced that the show was cancelled and apologized numerous times to the awaiting fans.  The band further promised to make it up to the fans in the future.

Alexisonfire can be seen next in Brisbane on February 20.

30 Seconds To Mars Experience Bomb Scare

Fresh off a new album released and a cover story on the new issue of Alternative Press, 30 Seconds To Mars experienced what few people have ever been a part of: a bomb scare.  


Fans gathered to watch 20 minutes of the band's upcoming documentary at the Hive in L.A. on Thursday night.  A young man in a hoodie stormed into the venue with a large wrapped box that he dropped at the feet of 30 Seconds To Mars frontman, Jared Leto.  He stood on stage for a few minutes before saying, "It's time for a little self-help."  


Leto interrupted him, saying "I think he's got some sort of agenda or something," and pulled him out of the room through a back door.


A fan at the event left a comment on Alternative Press' website, giving a little more insight to the incident and Leto's involvement.  "So we're all in sitting, waiting to watch 20 mins of their documentary. I was at the the back by the door. Jared came in to introduce the film and then there was a BANG on the front door (right next to me). Some dude came in (young guy with a lit cigarette in his mouth) carrying a big box wrapped in gold paper, and with a big stack of $20s taped to the top. Weird. Everyone in the room watched him walk toward Jared. Jared said "someone stop him" 3 or 4 times, but no one did. The guy got to Jared, dropped the box on the floor and started to give a speech. Jared grabbed him by the shoulders and basically drug him out the back door."


Updates via the Hive's twitter account had been given out beginning at about 8:30 EST and roughly an hour later, it said the bomb squad had arrived at the even and, if the area was secured, the show would continue as scheduled.  


Nobody was injured and the show was postponed to the following night.  "we are going to do the event tomorrow night.  sorry to everyone who waited and didn't make it in.  stay tuned for more info. sorry!"


A video was posted of the event via twitter.


TMZ posted a video of Leto explaining what happened after the incident.  


"Obviously, it was a pretty intense night. [The police] apprehended the guy. The guy's obviously disturbed and hopefully he's gonna get some help." Leto says the man told him that there were "maybe some" explosives in the box. Reports are saying that the package actually contained a blender and candy." Leto told the crowd, "Everything's alright and everyone's safe."

Fall Out Boy Still Not Calling It Quits

Rumors have started and comments have been made.  But neither bassist Pete Wentz nor drummer Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy have officially announced the band's split up.  Wentz took to his blog to try and clear up the fogginess surrounding the band's status.  


"I dont know the future of fall out boy. its embarrassing to say one thing and then have the future dictate another. as far as i know fall out boy is on break. (no one wants to say the "h" word). as much as i dont have a solo project, i also cant predict that id ever play in fall out boy again. not due to personal relationships as much as a band we grew apart. in this statement id like to include there is the possibility that fob will play again with out me or i will be a part of it when everyone is on the same page. it is no ones fault and there is no animosity about the decision. i felt as fans you deserve to know. there is no singular reason for this. the side projects or bands are supported by all members of the band. i am the single biggest fan of fob and if this is our legacy than so be it. i am proud of it."


The band began their "break" in November and since then, frontman Patrick Stump has announced his plans of releasing a solo project on his website.  Hurley will continue to drum with his side project, hardcore band Burning Empires, as well as continue his involvement with the Damned Things with fellow FOB-er Joe Trohman, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax, and Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die.


Hurley also added his two cents in about the situation on his messageboard.


"I really wish I could tell everyone if we were done or not. But I just don't know. It's not looking great right now, but when we went into the break it was for sure that we'd come back in 2 or 3 years. I still think we will come back, but I just don't know. There's no official decision one way or another. Pete loves fob. I love fob. Patrick loves fob. and Joe loves fob. It's just that we're in different places right this very instant. which is why we took the break.

I honestly think all the pressure of people asking stuff like they are on Twitter every five seconds is more damning to the band than anything. The whole point of the break was to just get away, and not think about it, and in 2 years or so, come back and decide where to go from there. I believe in us, and I believe we will get in a room, hash out the bullshit like in Some Kind Of Monster (haha) and we will be super stoked to do another record. I know all of us are already, but just not at this exact moment."

Paramore's Brand New Eyes Officially Certified Gold

Paramore's third album, Brand New Eyes, released September 29th 2009, was officially certified gold in the United States, having sold over half a million copies.

Vocalist, Hayley Williams broke the news via Twitter earlier in the week, "BRAND NEW EYES is OFFICIALLY GOLD!!!  Thank you to everyone who's picked it up or listened to it at all.  2010 is gonna be nuts."

The Tennessee-bred quintet's official website announced the news earlier today in their blog.  The album currently rests at number 85 on the Billboard Top 200.

Vampire Weekend Hits High With Sophomore Album

Only ten days after the release of Contra, Vampire Weekend's second album, the ten song compilation is at the top of the charts.  Not just the Billboard Top 200, but the rock, digital, independent, alternative and Canadian albums as well.  As one of Alternative Press Magazine's web exclusive (also) Most Anticipated Albums of 2010, Contra earned itself four stars and a very nice review from Rolling Stone.

"I think people will have a bigger picture of us as musicians and know that there are so many possibilities with what we can do with our sound," said bassist Chris Baio to AP Magazine.

He was right.  With fast guitars, clever words, and hints of reggage, the quartet hailing from New York put together a great album.  Beginning with a fast tempo and soft drumming, "Horchata" will start your feet tapping.  The fun doesn't stop as the synth beats and reggae swing carries through the rest of the album.  "Holiday" brings in a little more of the guitar and vocalist Ezra Koenig's ordinarily smooth voice turns electric in "California English." The tempo slows down a little in bittersweet realization ("Taxi Cab") and sad reminiscence ("I Think UR a Contra").  Contra isn't just made up of meaningless words and an electric keyboard.  In the words of Rolling Stone's Will Dana, "There's soul, too."