As It Stands
www.myspace.com/asitstandsmusic

Northern Ontario is probably not the first place one would think would produce a good metal band, but As It Stands is proving that a bunch of kids from Sault Ste. Marie can rock just as hard as anyone else.

Justin Pregent (vocals), Garrett Masters (guitar), Albert Bourrier (guitar), Angelo Huckson (bass) and John Mignacca (drums) started As It Stands in 2004. Over the past three years, the band’s style has changed from ‘emo’ to metal, and the bands influences evolved from Senses Fail to Everytime I Die.

The band has just released their first EP titled Kill the Music, Save the Children earlier this year, and have been doing their best to promote it in their area. After asking guitarist Garrett Masters what the title meant, he replied “I just thought of it when we were all stoned and recording, it’s just the kind of state the industry’s in today, everyone’s obsessed about everything being all nice and orderly when life’s not like that, and they tend to pick on the musicians for that. They’d rather have their kids listen to nothing than listen to something with a message”

The guys are going to be touring all over Ontario this summer, playing shows everywhere from department stores, community centers, and small clubs. Ask any successful musician the best way to start your career, and they’ll reply that you need to play whenever and wherever you can - which is exactly what As It Stands are doing.

Hopefully this is just the start of a long successful career for these five guys from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. God knows they’ve got the talent, and seeing as the progress they’ve already made, it’s fairly evident they’ve got the drive as well. Check out the tour dates on their MySpace, and if you’re in the area be sure to check out a show - I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

 Later Days
http://www.myspace.com/laterdaysrock

I have to admit, I don’t know very much history about this band, but I heard about them from friend and thought they were awesome. Awesome enough to be featured in SHOUT! that is.

I had to listen to a few Later Days songs to figure out what genre I felt they fit in. I came to the conclusion that what they play is unique, but very modern rock. Something that would be heard on any good rock station out there. I’m actually quite shocked that this band is still unsigned.

Their newest full length album Epidemic can be found on Smartpunk.com, being sold for a whole $6. Later days is also embarking on a cross-country tour of the United States, going everywhere from North Carolina, to Georgia, to Florida.

There isn’t much else I can say about this band or their history, but I would strongly suggest everyone to check out their MySpace, and try and get to a Later Days show if possible - these guys are truly awesome.

Third Grade Haters
www.myspace.com/thirdgradehaters

An indie band from Knoxville, Tennessee that were influenced by The Beatles, AC/DC, The Subways, Oasis and Jet - say hello to Third Grade Haters.

The first thing I noticed about Third Grade Haters was that they were different, very unique. But at the same time, each song reminds me of a different band, a different genre. For instance, “The Bathroom Song” definitely has a Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie-era vibe to it, and the song “Get on Board” reminded me of The Pink Spiders - which are two very different bands.

I think when a band is able to have all these different aspects to their sound, it makes them less likely to fade into oblivion over time. Some of the most successful bands/ artists made it for the long haul because they were constantly re-inventing themselves, and changing their sound.

Look at The Beatles, Madonna, and even Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Redundancy is probably the leading ’cause of death’ with bands - I don’t think Third Grade haters will ever have that problem.