The sucky part of staying overnight out of town is the early checkout of the hotel. What are you to do for hours upon hours before you have to get back home? Duh, go interview and hang out with My American Heart! Well, I don’t know if anyone can say that but I sure can! It was a rainy day in Atlanta so I got to stay dry while hanging out at the venue and chatting with Larry Soliman. He dished on his views on MySpace, Warped Tour, and you, THE FANS!

S!: You’re featured on Punk Goes Crunk with the song “California Love”. What was it like remaking that song and putting your own touch on it?

Larry Soliman: It was fun! I mean, I’ve never rapped before but it was really awesome. I’m from California and I grew up listening to Tu Pac and Dr. Dre so that felt natural. It was a lot of fun.

S!: Fearless has made many Punk Goes… albums. Where would you like to see punk go next?

Larry: Uh, I’d like to see Punk go… disco. [Laughs]

S!: What song would you remake to put on said album?

Larry: Maybe some… um…Can I change my answer to Punk Goes Soul? And I’d want to remake some Al Green.

S!: In 2005, you were featured all summer long on the Ernie Ball stage on Warped Tour. Tell us about your experiences on a festival like Warped compared to club shows.

Larry: We’ve done it for like, three years in a row now. It’s not as fun as it may seem. It’s really hot, repetitive, and tedious. Just like loading your gear and walking everywhere all day. The fun part is hanging out with all the bands. Hanging out, meeting new people, new fans, new bands …  Continued »

When I got word that The A.K.A.’s were coming, I freaked. Then when I realized that I couldn’t make their live show, I had to find a way to ask them the questions that have been on my mind for a while now. Luckily I didn’t have to rely too much on my begging skills, as they were just as stoked to talk with us as I was with them! If you haven’t yet comprehended why I am in total lust with them and you aren’t quite following the situation I’ve come into, you really should keep reading (like you’d stop now!) The A.K.A.’s are a one of a kind band on a mission. Vocalist Mike Ski, was nice enough to chat us up on that misson, the industry, and how they plan to take over your town during Warped Tour…

Shout!: Can you shed some light on the background of the band?

Mike Ski: We started The A.K.A.s in 2003 in New York City with a mission in mind to create an ongoing musical reaction that would evolve as music, culture, and society evolved around it. Music, art, and history are a series of actions and reactions. We were tired of popular music and the way underground music was heading down a similar road, so we started a band with the freedom to do and say  what we felt was missing in the world around us. However idealistic it was, we’ve been equally successful making people stoked and keeping others pissed.

We’ve since released 2 full length albums and played over 400 shows all around  the US, UK and Europe. We’re still trucking and on a mission to empower listeners and create an open forum of discussion and debate. We’re impassioned about …  Continued »

Warped Superiors

Warped Tour, as we all know, is the mecha of summer festivals. It is the only place where you can walk around in fifty circles and by the end of the day have bags full of free stuff, cameras packed with band pictures, and a tan line to laugh about for the next month. It is the gathering spot where a hundred bands can come together and play old and new fans alike.

Tweleve hours in the heat, millions of screaming fans, and chaos that is just basically unexplainable is just the beginning for the bands the trudge out the summer. It’s a great starting point in a career of a new band on the scene to get their music out to as many people as they can. However, I’m not qutie sure if all the bands know just what they are getting into when they sign up for music camp. Some bands that have dealt with the frenzy and have chosen to take it on again headstrong this year.

Here is a list of bands that will play this years Warped Tour that can now have the senority title under their belt:

• 3OH!3
• The Academy Is…
• Against Me!
• Alesana
• Anberlin
• As I Lay Dying
• The Audition
• Chiodos
• Cinematic Sunrise
• Every Time I Die
• Forever The Sickest Kids
• Fear
• From First To Last
• Gym Class Heroes
• The Human Abstract
• Ludo
• Mayday Parade
• Maylene and Sons of Disaster
• Norma Jean
• Motion City Soundtrack
• Paramore
• Patent Pending
• Pennywise
• Rise Against
• Set Your Goals
• Street Drum Corps
• Tat
• Valencia
• The Vandals

The Presidents of The United States Of America is one band I can say has the attitude to do what they want, the way they want to do it. Anyone you talk to, including the band, will go on and on about how happy-go-lucky their music is. Without any rules, these Presidents are a lot more laid back than your traditional government officials. That doesn’t stop them from chiming in on this years election however. Read on to find out more about the music, the views, and what’s next for The Presidents…

Shout!: Coming out of the grunge era, was it hard to break out of the music scene in Seattle?

The Presidents: Not for this band! The Presidents are so different from everything that was happening then it wasn’t hard to tell the difference…and it seemed like people were ready for something a little more fun and a little less heavy.

S!: How do you feel the music scene has changed overall in the past 15 years?

The Presidents: Which one? The overall music scene or the Seattle scene? I’ll assume you mean the latter…the Seattle scene hasn’t changed too much, other than different bands coming along and such. It’s still a vibrant community with lots of new music and great clubs.

S!: Why do you think your style of music hasn’t had to evolve with the many different sub-genres of today?

The Presidents: Personally, I don’t care about evolution when it comes to rock and roll! My favorite bands don’t evolve…they are who they are, they do what they do, and if they keep playing kick ass rock and roll, then I stay with ‘em. When they stop making music that turns my crank, I move on. Keeping up with the Joneses is not what the Presidents are about. We’re about having a …  Continued »

Many bands that moved from the 90’s into the 2000’s have not made it as far as The Banner. I could remind you that numerous bands go on hiatus, go through member changes, and end up in conflict. The difference between those bands that didn’t make it and the crew from The Banner is that these guys have heart. Sure, they’ve had more members than you have fingers, but the key to the band is their determination to overcome any obstacle they face and continue doing what they do. Read on to learn more of their hiatus, their latest album, and life on the road…

Shout!: Who are some of your biggest musical influences personally and as a band?

Joey Southside: For this record I would definitely say Ink & Dagger, Bastard, Murder by Death, His Hero Is Gone and Tears Of Frustration.

S!: What was the last straw that brought on the hiatus of the band?

Joey: The “hiatus”, as it has come to be called, really didn’t last more than 2 weeks. Honestly the last tour I had done with that line up was just draining, those dudes were from a completely different background and school of thought on music and punk than I was, and the clash just became more and more a hurdle as time progressed. I suppose when we decided they were done I was more concerned with perception of the situation than anything else. The band is very important to me and I didn’t want it to be viewed as one of those band member lottery things. The band honestly has always been mine or me and Garrett’s so I got over that nonsense pretty quickly. I still loved it and wanted to do more, bottom line.

S!: What encouraged a comeback?

Joey: I just really …  Continued »

Most people say that wisdom comes with age but since Elysia formed in 2003, their views have grown and spread through their music. Everything from being banned from venues, drugs, and even this year’s election is touched on, with a style and attitude all their own. Read on about this passionate band about their numerous opinions, their latest album, and you, the fans!

Shout!: Your band has had an abundance of lineup changes in the past. What do you feel the key to longevity is with this current lineup?

Elysia: This current lineup has toured a lot together, we’ve been through great moments, as well as awful moments. That really helps bring a band together and I think this lineup is the most solid yet. We all wrote this new album with equal input, which is quite rare usually, so everyone in this band has a lot invested in this new album emotionally. That makes us very tight-knit.

S!: I’ve read that your new album is said to mark a new era. How do you think your fans will react to this new material?

Elysia: I think our old fans are excited about it, like our fans and friends from when this band was first starting to play shows outside of Sacramento, in Vegas and southern California. All of us were just a bunch of young kids who grew up, and the music of Elysia has finally caught up with us. I also think there’re going to be kids who are sick of the same sounding bands all trying to copy all the major acts, who are going to be into this album. It’s a refreshing album if you’re sick of trends. However, we do know that there will be a lot of more recent Elysia fans who probably won’t …  Continued »

Another rising band joining the Ferret Young Guns tour is See You Next Tuesday. If you haven’t heard the controversy over the band’s nickname, you’re in for a treat! C.U.N.T, in the past three years, has already toured with the scene’s biggest influences and birthed three albums.

After mixing up their lineup a bit and escaping the next to nothing local scene in Bay City, MI, the band has come to what you know and love…or at least know of. Their latest CD had received mixed reviews, but I think you should go on what you know. Read on for the history everyone wants to know about, the coolest tour this summer, and their latest album. Then you can make your own decisions on just how much they rock!

Shout!: Wikipedia pegs you as “experimental deathcore”. What do you think this term means and do you feel it applies to your music?

CUNT: I am guessing it means a band that “experiments” with the genre that is “deathcore”. Which I don’t think we do or are. Honestly, people can call us whatever they want to, we just like playing music and having a good time doing so.

S!: The acronym of the band’s name is a fun play on words. (C. U. N.ext T.uesday) How did you come up with that?

CUNT: Well I wish it was us that actually came up with it, but its more of just a saying that’s been around. The first time I heard it was used on the TV show Sex and the City. Ever since then I have wanted to name a band that.

S!: How has the music scene changed in Bay City, MI since you formed?

CUNT: Well Bay City is a small town of 30,000, so there never really was one here, and honestly there …  Continued »

I hear people say “music is my life” day in and day out. It got me wondering to what lengths will music push someone? It can affect everybody in many different ways. Some hold it more true to their hearts than others it seems. One person I can say that truly lives for music is Richard Patrick of Filter. Since being a part of Filter, Richard has created something that has lasted over 15 years, been to rehab, and is still going strong today. That, my friends, is living for music. But I don’t have to try and convince you, I’ll let him tell you himself…

Shout!: Most bands break up within the first five years of forming. What is it like to be a part of something for over 15 years?

Richard Patrick: Filter has been around for about 15 years but the members of the band have changed during that time. The only constant is me. By alternating members, I have been able to keep it fresh and I allow the new guys to bring in ideas as well. The current lineup – Mitchell Marlow on guitar, John Spiker on bass and Mika Fineo on drums – is perhaps the most talented I’ve ever had. These guys were hired strictly for their talent, which is a first for this band.
 
S!: 15 years have passed now, but where do you see yourself in the next 15?

Richard: I see myself continuing my music career. I don’t think I will ever stop making music. I have had a lot of success writing music for films so I can see myself branching out into that arena as well.
 
S!: Some newer bands on the scene are being compared to you. Who do you think you would compare yourself to?

Richard: I come …  Continued »

It seems that just yesterday that Shout! was gushing over a certain up and coming band that we knew was going to blow everyone’s mind. Alesana. Oddly enough, the band you’re about to read about just toured with them, and if they keep going the way that their tourmates did, watch out! These first-time Warped Tourers are in for a ride!

Forming just three years ago, Sky Eats Airplane has already produced 2 albums, graced some kick ass tours, and are wining and dining their label. I think the staff here at Shout! have a pretty good feel to which band will be the next big thing, so get ahead of the crowd and read on about SEA and their new Wikipedia page, relationships with their fans [you!] and what’s in store for them next so you have something to ask them at their next meet and greet!

S!: It seems you can find everything on Wikipedia these days. Except you! Your album has a page but the band itself doesn’t. Why doesn’t SEA have a Wikipedia page and will one be in the works?

Lee: [Laughs] Well we actually had a Wikipedia a few times. The first time we had it everything was fine, and then a friend of mine, Daniel Hunter from Playradioplay, thought it would be funny to put a bunch of funny crap on there and apparently an admin saw it and locked it up. Recently we got it unlocked again after giving them enough info to make us wiki-worthy, but then someone else relocked it up. Its the most cursed thing ever! Hopefully being signed now they will unlock it. [Laughs] who knows.

S!: You finally signed to Equal Vision Records this year. What prerequisites did you have before signing with a label?

Lee: We already had …  Continued »

The name Seether has been tossed around here and there since 2002. I remember hearing random songs from their Disclaimer album and figured if Amy Lee agreed to do a duet with them then they couldn’t be so bad. My mom on the other hand has been completely obsessed with them since day one. At the time, I was just getting into music and concert photography and I remember telling myself one day I would photograph them.

Apparently that old saying “you can do anything you put your mind to” is right because six years later, here I am telling you how I’ve accomplished just that! Not only have I photographed them numerous times (as you have seen throughout previous issues) but I finally got the once in a lifetime chance to chat with bassist Dale Stewart. Read on to find out the answers we’ve all been dying to know about lineup changes, their expanding loyal fanbase, and their latest album…

S!: Having formed in South Africa, what were some advantages/disadvantages you had to deal with to place on American billboards?

Dale Stewart: It was actually not that hard once we had landed on the scene. I mean, when we first started out and started touring in South Africa, of course no one had heard of us anywhere else. Once we started to play gigs though and managed to get over to the US, the name I guess kind of stuck. It’s not like if you’re a band from Canada hitting the US Billboards or anything like that. I think our music was just ready for the US and we were welcomed on the charts since then.

S!: Why did Veruca Salts’ single inspire you to create a band name from it?

Dale: [Laughs] We just liked it. It was just something we were …  Continued »

As many shows as I’ve been to, not often am I on the stage taking pictures of the crowd. While trying my best to stay out of Steve Righ?’s way as he rocked out on guitar next to me at a recent Mindless Self Indulgence show, I was suddenly grabbed by Jimmy Urine and pulled from the relative safety of the photographer’s pit to center stage. I’ll never forget how the fans cheered and posed for the massive crowd picture. It was all gone in a flash of my camera when Jimmy pushed me back from whence I came, but that short moment sharing the spotlight with such an energetic band gave me fuel for my interview. Read on about more of their antics on stage, their lastest album, IF, and poptarts…

Shout!: Before we begin, I just wanted to thank Jimmy for pulling me on stage the other night to get an awesome crowd shot!

Jimmy Urine: That’s what you get for being in my way! [Laughs]

S!: Your MySpace has had 27,063,900+ plays since you joined in June 2004. Do you feel that sites like MySpace and Purevolume are hurting or helping the music industry as a whole?

Jimmy: Man, if you even have to ask that question you must live in 1999. You’re going to be extinct soon like every other dinosaur!

S!: Your fifth installment, IF, has topped charts globally. MSI also has sat in the top 10 spot on charts consecutively since MySpace Music has appeared. Being the only band to do so, what do you feel sets you apart from other bands to be able to accomplish that?

Jimmy: Well the fact that we don’t just have a unique sound and live show but we have a unique approach to business and marketing. Shit, we were using the internet to our advantage way before …  Continued »

It was just shy of a year ago that our very own staff writer, Vanessa, got to do the first of many interviews with the as she said “soon-to-be-huge” band, Alesana. I must say that it’s always fun to do multiple interviews with a band from when they first start out. It’s like watching them grow right before your very eyes, and you always have so much to talk about as time passes.

If you marked Vanessa’s words, you see now that she was right. Alesana is going back this year on Warped Tour as veterans and dates are being sold out by the minute. They’ve already accomplished their headlining tour where I got a chance to meet bus-side with guitarist Shawn Milke right before he went to get a new tattoo! 

S!: I promise not to take up too much of your time, seeing as you all are quite busy!

Shawn Milke: Oh, it’s not a problem. I’m just going to get another tattoo here on my arm when we’re done here.

S!: Awesome! So, Wikipedia dubs the band as “post-hardcore” What does that term mean to you and do you think it applies to your music?

Shawn: I think that “post-hardcore” is an earlier in the decade term. I don’t think they really even exist anymore. It’s been innovated into a more melodic state. I’m not a really big fan of genre terms anyways and we call ourselves “sweet-core” just because we think it is funny. [Laughs] I don’t get it when kids call us screamo, or emo or anything else. It’s just to pigeonhole bands and we don’t like it when they do it to us.

S!: It’s always interesting to see how bands feel about it. Wikipedia has been claiming every other band as “post-hardcore” and half of …  Continued »

You always get the best parking spots when you arrive early to a concert. It’s a great feeling to not have to search for your car later, but not the real reason you get there early. You go to support your favorite band and wait in line for hours doing so. That, my friends, is dedication. Luckily in my line of work I get to push that dedication up one step further. Arriving early means a super rad interview for you to read! That’s what happened when I got the chance to chat with guitarist Rainbow of The Birthday Massacre. Hailing from Canada, this band has made quite a name for themselves. Besides, if tourmates Mindless Self Indulgence likes them then they’re OK in my book! The Birthday Massacre has been flooding the music scene for almost a decade. It’s about time I got to pick their minds about their music, dreams, and what it was like trashing a school. Please, do read on to find more…

S!: If you had to explain your music to a new fan, how would you describe it?

Rainbow: I guess it’s a mix of metal, electro and pop. It is really visual and a lot of it is the imagery and live performance that comes with it as well.

S!: What would be the one song you would recommend to hook a new fan and why?

Rainbow: I think that different songs have different moods to them so it just depends. I’m not really a “favorite song” kind of person, I’m a different songs for different moods kind of a guy. [Laughs] I don’t think I can answer that for ya.

S!: Do you feel there are any advantages to having a woman in the music industry these days?

Rainbow: I’m not sure. I mean, the way things …  Continued »

It was just over two years ago when I first saw Bullet For My Valentine play. Unfortunately at the time, I had not really heard too much from them. I drove 3 hours to their concert with my three friends, one of which was completely obsessed with them. The whole drive there he gushed over how awesome they were and told me everything there was to know about them.

I kept an open mind. While the opening bands played, the mosh pits grew and fans impatiently demanded that B4MV take the stage. I remember vividly that the lights began to dim and the crowd fell silent as the Wales rockers made their way out. As soon as the first chord was plucked, the crowd turned into a rabid fury of insane ADHD monkeys! The crowd swayed, suddenly someone’s feet were by my head, and my little obsessed friend was already at the front of the stage getting crushed. By the end of the eventful night, all I can say is that he was right. I limped out of the pit, smiling, and left the venue a new fan.

If you’re a fan (or want to be) read on while Jason talks with us about the new album, BulletTV, and their experience on Taste of Chaos!

S!: Your diary on your official site hasn’t been updated since Spring 2007, but your MySpace page has since then. Do you feel that MySpace has a bigger impact on reaching fans than an official site these days?

Jason James: Yeah, MySpace is huge, you know?  It’s like we’ve got thousands and thousands and thousands of people on our MySpace , so yeah, I think that’s an amazing way of reaching out to fans! We try and get on there [official site] as much …  Continued »

I wouldn’t assume when you hear the name 36 Crazyfists, you think of a 1977 Chinese Kung-Fu kick ass movie…unless you’re just really into that culture and musically retarded. Maybe, on the other hand, you would recall an Alaskan metal band and their journey throughout the past decade on the music scene.

The arts from martial to musical usually have no correlation unless you count fingers of fury on the guitar, or the crouching tiger behind the drum kit. This band has it’s own way of impacting an audience without doing some crazy upside-down leg wrap. The lyrics, guitar riffs, and involvement with the crowd has its own appeal. Singer Brock Lindow took a moment from “training” to talk about his journey in the last decade, his competitors, and his musical achievements.

S!: Forming in 1994, how does it feel to have been apart of something for well over a decade?

Brock Lindow: It’s pretty surprising. [Laughs] Sometimes I’m not sure exactly how we got this far. It’s cool you know though, to be apart of something for fourteen years or so now. It’s pretty awesome.

S!: It took 6 years to finally sign with RoadRunner Records in 2000. What were some prerequisites you had before signing with them?

Brock: We didn’t even know about labels or anything. We moved out of Anchorage to Seattle and I wasn’t even 21 yet. We just moved so we could start playing shows and touring. You can’t really tour from Alaska when it takes five days just to get to Seattle. We didn’t have any real lofty goals or anything when we started out. We just wanted to play more shows to more people and tour. We really just partied in Portland and we weren’t even really productive. [Laughs] We met a guy …  Continued »