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Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. My gift to you (if you choose to accept it) is my review in music, 2023 edition! Here's some of the best (and worst) music I heard this year. Link in source.

#review #end of year review #my writing #rock music #album of the year #creeper #blink-182 #ville valo #corey taylor #model actriz #3teeth #metal #heavy metal #depeche mode #2023 music #thanks for reading

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Testosterone Boys, Harlequin Girls, and Burlesque Queens: 18 Years of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out

When Panic! At the Disco called it quits earlier this year, it bared little resemblance to the band Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz signed to his Deycandance Label back in 2005 after getting demos from former lead guitarist Ryan Ross via Live Journal. In fact, there was no band. After years of lineup changes, Brendon Urie used the Panic! At the Disco name for his solo project starting in 2015. But this dramatic shift didn’t hinder their success. If anything, they seemed to be bigger than ever thanks to chart-topping albums like Death of a Bachelor and Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! But before the lineup changes and Urie’s solo career, Panic! At the Disco were five friends from Vegas who shook up the alt-rock scene with their stellar debut album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.

Check out my new retrospective of A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out over at Chorus.fm

Link in source

#rock music #my writing #alternative #emo #panic at the disco #patd #brendon urie #pop punk #electronic music #dance music #review #retrospective #album anniversary

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New book review!

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When you think of music that’s gloomy, bleak, and moody, The Cure often springs to mind. While they have no shortage of songs that perfectly fit the bill, there’s more to their discography than darkness and despair. There’s the oh-so-madly in love with love Cure that makes for pop song perfection, the wild, trippy version that’s not afraid of a little experimentation, and the funky side that just wants to dance, shout, and howl. The Cure’s wide-ranging discography is explored and analyzed in Martin Popoff’s latest book Wild Mood Swings: Disintegrating The Cure Album by Album.

All of The Cure’s studio albums are dissected by Popoff and a panel of music critics culled from his and Marco D’Auria’s YouTube channel The Contrarians. They’re also Cure fans. Gathering fans together to discuss a beloved band runs the risk of turning conversations into an absolute love fest. While they do discuss what they like about The Cure, they’re not shy about casting a critical eye on the band’s discography, highlighting the low points, songs that don’t hold up, and albums that don’t show The Cure at their finest."

Read the full review on Genre Is Dead! Link in the source

#review #book review #my writing #the cure #robert smith #books #post punk #alternative rock #alternative #wild mood swings

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New Book Review!

Goth never dies. From its rise in the 1980s to mainstream infiltration in the 1990s and its current mainstream resurgence, it continues to recruit misfits that don’t belong. It’s fascinating and mysterious. It’s also misunderstood. There’s more to Goth than wearing black and being morose. It’s a culture that’s produced timeless art, especially music. The music along with Goth’s origins and history are explored in John Robb’s new book The Art Of Darkness: History of Goth.

Read the full review on Genre is Dead! Link in source

#book review #review #goth music #art of darkness #my writing #post punk

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I was blessed by the post-punk gods and was granted access to The Cure’s Chicago show!

“Seven years to the date of their 2016 Chicago appearance, The Cure returned for another stunning show in the Windy City. The post-punk elder statesmen delivered a phenomenal 31-song set at United Center filled with classic hits, deep cuts, and new material from their long-awaited album (Songs From a Lost World), proving again why they remain one of alternative music’s best live bands.

The two-and-a-half-hour career-spanning setlist perfectly captured the chameleon nature of The Cure. One minute, things are bleak and gloomy with cuts like “A Forest,” “Plainsong,” and “A Night Like This.” The next, everything is bright, upbeat, and vibrant with hits like “Friday I’m In Love,” “The Walk,” “Lovesong,” and “Just Like Heaven.” Fan favorites like “Lullaby,” “Pictures of You,” “Play for Today,” and “Shake Dog Shake” earned the biggest screams from the crowd, often drowning out the band. And as a reward for (im)patient fans, the band performed new songs “I Can Never Say Goodbye,” “A Fragile Thing,” “Endsong,” “And Nothing Is Forever,” and “It Can Never Be the Same” as a preview of what’s to come. Spoiler alert: it’s deliciously dark.“

Read the full review on Illinois Entertainer. Link in source.

#The cure #cure #cureheads #robert smith #my writing #live review #concert review #chicago #post punk #alternative rock #rock music

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New interview alert! 

Chatted with the Ultra Q boys for a second time to talk about their new album, evolution of the band, and finding their voice. 

IE: Last time we spoke, you mentioned having a file with lots of songs in it. So, when it came time for the album, how did you decide which songs make the final cut?

JA: I’m constantly making demos and recordings and songs. I’m always making stuff. I think there was a very real, I dunno if [Kevin] feels the same way about this, but there was a very clear switch when it went from, I was writing stuff to write to we’re writing stuff for this album. The first demo I made was “Wrip,” and I showed it to Kevin –

KJ: And I was like, huh?

JA: And that was a very clear switch of having a different style than before, a different sound, aesthetic.

KJ: It’s gonna feel very different. But also, I feel like we, [Jakob] especially, are kind of always thinking about our current roster of songs in terms of tracklists and what songs we like together. I feel like [Jakob’s] always making new folders of, oh, look at these set of songs together. So, we’re always thinking in that way. Just in general, not even necessarily in terms of a project in the future we’re already thinking about. Just like, these are the songs that have been written, and they sound cool together.

Read it on Illinois Entertainer. Link in the source.

#interview #my writing #music news #ultra q #jakob armstrong #indie rock #alternative #punk rock

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With the much-hyped return of Tom DeLonge, forthcoming new album, and their massive (yet pricey) world tour, blink-182 have a lot to live up to. Their highly anticipated reunion tour rolled into Chicago for the first of two nights at the United Center on Saturday (May 6th) and they showed Coachella wasn’t a fluke. They did not disappoint. Let’s be real, blink-182 aren’t exactly known for their live shows. Even their fans would admit they could be a little shoddy and sloppy. But over the weekend, they proved they’ve matured and grown (in some ways) sounding tighter than ever with a thrilling performance that included pyro, towering stage props, and confetti. Lots of confetti.

Check out my full review on genreisdead.com. Link in source.

#blink-182 #live review #concert review #my picture #pop punk #rock music #tom delonge #travis barker #mark hoppus

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The album pulls no punches and starts with a bang. The heavy-hitting “Buried Alive By Love” roars to life with that signature guitar riff that sucks you into the song. That riff is irresistible. Just try not to headbang when it comes on. Right as you’re ready to start moshing, the band slows things down with “The Funeral of Hearts,” which is still intense thanks to Mikko Lindström aka Lilly Lazer’s fiery guitar skills and Gas Lipstick’s thundering drums. Each song captures a different essence of HIM. “Soul On Fire” and “Sweet Pandemonium” evoke Black Sabbath with their fuzzy crunching riffs. “Endless Dark” and “Beyond Redemption” delve into their goth rock side, and the sentimental “This Fortress of Tears” is one of several heart-aching ballads.

While albums like Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 and Razorblade Romance are favorites, this is the album I keep coming back to. It’s nearly perfect. It’s beautifully paced with raging, high-energy rock songs mixed with gothic-inspired ballads that can still punch you in the gut. There’s enough sonic variety to keep you engaged, resisting the urge to hit the skip button. It strikes a perfect balance between light and darkness in terms of sound and lyrics, which is at the very core of HIM. This is the band is at its peak, firing on all cylinders and finally finding its voice and distinct sound. With a shiny golden Heartagram emblazoned on the cover – as if knowing this would be their magnum opus – the album is downright iconic.

I wax nostalgic about HIM’s Love Metal, the album that made me a fan, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Read it on Chorus.fm. 

Link in source.

#him #ville valo #retrospective #love metal #rock music #my writing #metal #i can't believe it's been 20 years #has it really

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IE: What’s it been like performing those songs without the other HIM guys?

VV: I’ve only done it a few times. It felt really weird. [Tavastia] where we performed was the club where HIM played their last gig. So, I’m hopping on that same stage and singing some of the same songs with a fresh bunch. Then again there were actually a lot of familiar faces in the audience. [Mikko Paananen] Mige the bass player of HIM was in the audience. He was throwing the horns and really going for it. I think it was weird for a lot of my mates because they thought that it was HIM. They knew it wasn’t, but it was hard for them to separate or realize it was a new thing. It’s quite endearing. It’s not a negative at all. A lot of weird emotions and the fact that I haven’t done any harder-hitting stuff in English since HIM disbanded. It was kind of like riding a bike, but I think I rode my bikes before electrical ones were invented (laughs).

Check out my latest interview with Mr. Ville Valo himself (our second time chatting!) on Illinois Entertainer. You can also read my recap of his show at the House Of Blues in the same article.

By the way, Ville was very sweet, very upbeat, and chatty! He was an absolute blast to speak to and as a huge HIM fan it was surreal to be interviewing him again but this time face to face. Being an independent writer with little to no pay isn’t easy, but it’s moments like this that make it so rewarding.

Link in source.

#him #vv #ville valo #interview #my writing #rock music #love metal #metal

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The Cure – Songs of a Lost World

Release Date: TBA

The Cure haven’t released new music since 2008’s 4:13 Dream. Frontman Robert Smith has spent the last 5 years teasing a new album, then a double album, then two new albums, then a solo album? Fans have been waiting for some form of new music since Smith mentioned it in 2019. At this point, it feels like an inside joke among the community. And just when we’re ready to give up hope of this thing ever seeing the light of day, Smith emerges from his gothic lair with updates that make it sound like the album could actually be happening this year. Then we get excited again counting down the days til an official announcement. Then the year closes with no new Cure album. Rinse and repeat. Still, I’d be lying to say I wasn’t excited for this long overdue album. So, I’ll just cross my fingers and pray to the post-punk gods that The Cure will release Songs of a Lost World this year.

See what other albums I’m looking forward to this year in Chorus.fm’s Most Anticipated of 2023 List!

Link in the source

#my wrtitng #list #most anticipated #rock music #green day #the cure #depche Mode #music writing

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Don’t think I ever share this one, but last year I spoke with Jakob and Kevin of Ultra Q! My favorite part was nerding out about the The Cure with Jakob, who’s also a big fun. It was a super fun interview. You can read the interview at GENRE IS DEAD! Link in the source.

#Ultra Q #jakob armstrong #kevin judd #rock music #mt. eddy #alternative rock #interview #my writing #.

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Beauty School Dropout’s Cole Hutzler on what the band hopes to bring to the rock scene:

“I think it’s truly the next generation of this scene. There’s definitely a lot of artists floating around within the rock space right now, but I feel there’s a separation in the way that everyone’s killing it, but so on their own wave. For us, we’re about cultivating in mass and bringing people together and doing that whole thing. Even last night, that was the first show we ever had openers and it was the coolest thing ever. To be able to curate and be tastemakers in the space, that’s a big thing for us. Doing that at scale, growing, and doing what we want to do – like we’ve talked about doing a traveling circus, yet to be named, maybe the Drop Out Bazaar. Things like that where we’re contributing to the culture as a whole.”

Read the full interview on GENRE IS DEAD! Link in the source.

#beauty school dropout #interview #my writing #rock music #pop punk

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The Soft Moon’s Luis Vasquez on his evolution:

“It’s been a roller coaster. At first, I wasn’t understanding what I was doing or how it was going to connect with people. I was kind of numb. I’ve always been a little numb, but I was more numb back then. Then there was the phase of okay I get signed and go on my first world tour. I go holy shit this is really happening. Always still humble though. Then after a while, I get a little used to it. I moved to Berlin and things were going well and I got used to it, so I kind of became reckless. Harming my body. I was in Berlin; a lot of people harm their bodies in Berlin (laughs). Then I wrote an angry record which is Criminal. It’s just been personal growth. It’s been a roller coaster to get there which would be normal for people who wouldn’t be writing or having musical projects or writing albums; it’s just mine that happened through music and in the public’s eyes. Now I’m here.”

Read the full interview on GENRE IS DEAD! Link in the source.

#The soft moon #Luis Vasquez #interview #my writing #synth music #dark wave #electronic music #alternative #synth #synth wave

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Been a while since I’ve posted here - moving house after a decade really took up most of my time. But I’m back and have been working on some great interviews that I’m happy to share with you!

Recently, I spoke with Drowning Pool’s CJ Pierce and Jasen Moreno about their new album, the evolution of the band, and Drowning Pool’s legacy. 

Read the interview in the source link.

#Drowning Pool #Rock Music #Heavy Metal #Interview #Jasen Moreno #CJ Pierce #Strike a Nerve

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Very proud to share my first cover story for Illinois Entertainer!! I spoke with PUP’s Stefan Babcock about the making of their new album THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND. Still can’t believe it. Such a surreal moment. It’s times like these that remind me why I love doing this thing. 

Not to mention, the issue also features my interview with Biffy Clyro’s James Johnston. 

Read the interview in the source link.

#pup #puptheband #interview #illinois entertainer #punk rock #My writing #rock music #stefan babcock #biffy clyro #cover story

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Underoath’s Chris Dudley on self-producing Voyeurist :

“The process in general was a bit daunting because we had never self-produced a record of ours before. Different members of the band write with a bunch of different people. [Drummer] Aaron [Gillespie] writes with a bunch of different people. I do film scoring and [guitarist] Tim [McTague] records bands. We’ve all done this sort of thing for other people, but taking an Underoath record and being completely in charge has really never happened. We’ve always gone with a producer. At first, when we made that decision it was a little scary but also exciting. I remember I was on the phone with Tim, and I literally said, “wow we’re doing this huh?” And he’s like “yup” and I was like “all right let’s go!”

Obviously, it’s a lot more work on our end because we didn’t have a producer pulling all that weight. It was us from beginning to end. We had our friend JJ Revell, who does our front-of-house, engineer the record, and then we had our friend Chad Howat mix it. But yeah, it was a lot more work for us. I said the other day it was 500% more work but 1000% worth it because when I listen back to it, I think this is us. This is who we are. I can really look at this record and say if you listen to this record and you like it, you like us. And if you don’t then you don’t and that’s fine. It’s nice to be able to put our name on it and be like this is who are. Hope you dig it.”

Read my full interview with Chris Dudley on GENRE IS DEAD! Link in source.

#Underoath #chris dudley #interview #mywriting #rock music #metalcore #post hardcore #Voyeurist

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After two long years, PUP made their triumphant return to Chicago on Sunday night for their sold-out show at The Riviera Theatre. Playing one of their largest headline shows so far, the night was not only a celebration of their new album, THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, it was also a celebration of being able to enjoy music together once again. The crowd buzz with anticipation as they impatiently waited for their favorite Toronto punks. And when the opening riff of “Totally Fine” finally rang out, the crowd exploded.

Massive mosh pits opened up. Bodies collided with each other. The room grew hot as everyone piled on top of each other. Even those who tried to avoid the pit were swept up in the chaos. Luckily, the crowd was kind and made to sure look out for one another to avoid major injuries. It’s this kind of camaraderie everyone in the room had missed since the pandemic.

As always, PUP slayed during their 18-song set. They were brash, furious, destructive, and only a little self-deprecating. While classic PUP songs, like “If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You, I Will,” “DVP,” and “Reservoir” got the biggest reaction, new tracks like “Waiting,” “Totally Fine,” and “Robot Writes a Love Song,” still got the crowd riled up. Many of them already had the lyrics memorized; impressive for an album that only dropped two days prior. Babcock even made one of his “dreams come true” by playing the iconic “Hotel California” solo in front of thousands of people.

Read the full review and see the photo gallery on Illinois Entertainer. Link in source.

#pup #puptheband #punk rock #my writing #illinois entertainer #rock music #concert review #live review #stefan babcock