Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

MxPx Interview

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MxPx

Here’s a quick email interview with Mike Herrera, lead singer of MxPx.

What record label is MxPx on right now, and if you are on one will that be changing?

We are officially unsigned. Haven’t decided yet.

How was working with Aaron Sprinkle (for the 3 new songs on the Let it happen deluxe edition)? Will you guys be working with him again anytime soon?

It was great working with Aaron and thereâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s definitely a possibility we will be working with him again. We would love to. Recording with him was a great experience. He’s been a long time friend and we’re comfortable working with him. Another thing which makes recording easy is that we don’t have to labor over details with him. We get to focus on what we do, as does he, and it comes together perfectly which makes it a fun process.

I’m sure as long as MxPx is around you will get questions about your faith. What kind of effect does that have on you? Do you get tired of it or does it help strengthen your faith?

It does both. Each situation is different. It just depends where I am in my life when each question is asked. Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m not inconsistent with my answers, just honest with what I say. I don’t have a stock answer. I think about each question in depth each time it asked and give the most honest, up to date and best answer possible. And my faith is sometimes strong yet it is sometimes weak too. Sometimes I doubt what I believe in, other times I’ve never been so sure. I deal with each situation on a personal level, which definitely reflects in my song writing.

What’s the deal with Arthur? (The guyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s from MxPx side project), when is that album coming out?

It’s been a slow process, but we are still recording. Half of the record has been done for awhile, and we will have something ready and out in 2007.

Being the end of the year… what was a favorite album of 2006?

I love Bob Dylan’s new album, Modern Times.

What is in your CD player (iPod) right now?

Gasoline Heart’s “You Know Who You Are”

MxPx has been going for a long time, realistically what are your plans as a band in 2007?

Record a brand new record and tour a ton.

Non DRM Relient K song

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In one of the first times (by a major label) Relient K’s new single “Must Have Done Something Right” is being offered in mp3 format with no copy protection DRM [Digital Rights Management] which means you can play the song on your iPod, Sandisk, Zune or anywhere else you want to.

Click Here to buy the single and get a free bonus track “Fallen Man”

Note: If you were planning on buying the single please consider buying it from the link and send a message that DRM is not something consumers want.

Stellar Kart – We Can’t Stand Sitting Down

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Stellar Kart We Can't Stand Sitting Down

Artist: Stellar Kart
Album: We Can’t Stand Sitting Down
Label: Word Entertainment
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: July 25th, 2006

Overall: 6.9
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

How many times have you been sitting around thinking, I wish there was a new pop punk band/record I could listen to? My guess is that not too many people are raising their hands, and well, who can blame you. Stellar Kart has already released one fairly solid (although pretty straight forward) record, and to follow it up they released a little bit better second one.

With nothing against the band, or the genre, this release is just average. In the same way Simple Plan or Good Charlotte at one point may have grabbed some of your listening time, so Stellar Kart now takes the stage. â┚¬Ã…”Always Waitingâ┚¬? Sounds very familiar, think Blink-182, in the verses, and almost moves away from it in the choruses yet there is always this little voice saying â┚¬Ã…”I think Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve heard this beforeâ┚¬?. Not all the tracks are as familiar though, with some of the better ones being â┚¬Ã…”Angels In Chorusâ┚¬?, â┚¬Ã…”Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m Pretty Goodâ┚¬?, and â┚¬Ã…”Activateâ┚¬?.

The vocals are very solid and easy to listen to. The guitars are strong and in your face when they need to be, and the drums are spot on every time. Production is top notch and completes the pretty pop punk package very well.

Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve said it before, but I do think that this band is a good listen. Whether you they are guilty pleasure for you, or youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve been a fan for years, I think most people will find something they like about this record. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s average and overdone, yet it is just done so well.

Tracklisting

1. Procrastinating
2. Activate
3. Me And Jesus
4. Lose Control
5. Hold On
6. Always Waiting
7. Only Wanted
8. Finding Out
9. Wishes And Dreams
10. I’m Pretty Good
11. I Wanna Live
12. Angels In Chorus

MxPx – Let It Happen Deluxe Edition

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mxpx

Artist: MxPx
Album: Let It Happen Deluxe Edition
Label: Tooth and Nail
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: November 21, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 7.0

The first time around, back in 1998, â┚¬Ã…”Let It Happenâ┚¬? literally was the soundtrack to my high school years. I remember getting it for Christmas and being in amazement at how they fit 30+ songs on one CD. Well the time has come, and like all good things that can make money, it’s now time to be â┚¬Ã…”re-releasedâ┚¬? and sold again, (although, they never stopped selling it).

There are 3 new songs, which are being pushed pretty hard. 2 out of the 3 are quality MxPx songs, with â┚¬Ã…”Prozacâ┚¬? falling short and leaving much to be desired. They put 9 music videos on the DVD portion, which may be worth the 10 bucks alone to some people. The old demos that were added to the record are fun to listen to, but I wouldn’t buy the record just for the old demos. My feeling is that the collection of songs that made up the original â┚¬Ã…”Let It Happenâ┚¬? is classic. In my opinion, it did not need to be re-released, but on the other hand if you do not yet own the record, this is a good excuse to go out and buy it.

It’s good to hear the new songs that were recorded with Aaron Sprinkle who of course recorded MxPx’s first CD. I hope they team up for the next recording that MxPx does, because we all know they can’t stand to be out of the studio for too long. If you have the record you might skip the â┚¬Ã…”Deluxeâ┚¬? edition but if you don’t have it, please pick up the record.

Tracklisting

1. Role Remodeling
2. Prozac
3. Your Turn
4. Never Learn
5. Begin To Start
6. Swing Set Girl
7. Sick Boy
8. Oh Donna
9. Small Town Minds
10. First Class Mail
11. Can’t See Not Saying
12. GSF
13. Thoughts and Ideas
14. Easier Said Than Done
15. Rock and Roll Girl
16. Important Enough To Mention
17. Elvis Is Dead
18. Lifetime Enlightment
19. Let It Happen
20. Hot and Cold
21. So Kill Me
22. Suggestion Box
23. Creation
24. Want Ad (Alternate Version)
25. Honest Answers
26. Late Last Night
27. Biased Bigotry
28. Circumstance
29. Do Your Feet Hurt (Critter Version)
30. Twister Words (Original Demo)
31. Suggestion Box (Original Demo)
32. Too Much Thinking (Original Demo)

Future Of Forestry – Future Of Forestry

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Future of Forestry Self Titled

Artist: Future of Forestry
Album: Self Titled
Label: Credential Recordings
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: August 15th, 2006

Overall: 8.3
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 8.5

While this EP did not hit me hard at first, when it finally did, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Only every once in awhile does an album come along that demands more of the listener than just causal listening, and this is one of those CDâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s.

Future of Forestry is still a fairly young band, but has already been gaining a ton of well deserved momentum. The 6 song self titled EP starts with â┚¬Ã…”All I Wantâ┚¬? which begins soft and ambient, quickly adding the soothing vocals of Eric Owyoung then jumps in intensely very quickly in to the chorus only to come back down to the mellow verse.

There are probably several ways to describe the music and sound of Future of Forestry but â┚¬Ã…”Passion Rockâ┚¬? keeps coming to mind. The music is anything from mellow to hard rock, but it is always successful at putting you in the mood that the band wants you to be in order to fully receive what they are trying to get across in the song. That should be the goal of any song writer and/or band, but this band just does it perfectly.

The song that got me hook first was â┚¬Ã…”Stilledâ┚¬?. The chorus, which is carried along primarily by the vocals and the rim shots by the drummer has a very catchy and moving melody. Please go listen to some songs from the band and if you like what you hear purchase the EP. I know I cannot wait until a full length comes out.

Tracklisting
1. Open Wide
2. Renovation
3. All I Want
4. Untitled
5. Stilled
6. Twilight

Limbeck Interview – November 14th, 2006

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limbeck

This was a short, fun interview with Patrick from the band Limbeck. There’s some stuff about the new record that will be coming out next year, I can’t wait.

1) First, who’s answering this… and what do you contribute to Limbeck?

This is Patrick. I play guitar and sing in the limbeck band. I also drive the van sometimes… and on our new record I play a good amount of keys, and a whistle.

2) I know you guys tour a lot, is there any places you like to stop, anything you make sure and do while youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re out touring?

There might be too many places we really like to stop. Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll start with Tucson, Arizona. Thereâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s a hotel there called Hotel Congress which is where the gangster John Dillinger was captured. It also has a club we love to play, also two great bars, and an amazing restaurant. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s the epitome of the southwest. We dig it.

Oklahoma Joeâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s bbq in Kansas City, it’s the best bbq in the whole country, and it’s in a gas stationâ┚¬Ã‚¦ go figure.

As far as gas stations go… we love Quik Trips. Theyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re not everywhere, but they have the best selection of drinks and snacks ever. They have great milkshakes for 2 bucks… crushed ice… diet dr. pepper… and they have those kettle cooked Cape Cod chips. Did I mention their sodas are 59 cents?

We like cheesy tourist stops, too. We don’t do them all the time, but stuff likeâ┚¬Ã‚¦

*Billy the kid’s grave site…

*The thing…

*Deepest hand-dug well in America… we dig that kind of stuff when we have the time. (no pun intended)

Oh, and we’re suckers for Mexican food. EVERYWHERE.

3) Whatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s the new record going to be like? Musically and lyrically

I think it’s us spreading out a bit musically and lyrically. There are a few songs about places and people, but then there’s a song or two about dreams, a song about California’s weather. Musically, we had more time than we’ve ever had in the past, so we messed around with a few other fun instruments, and a lot of vocal stuff. Our last record was definitely pretty basic, but we got to explore different areas with this record. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s the same, but different too.

4) Going along with question 3, is there any specific theme to the new record?

Weâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re going to call it “the bear”. We have a new drummer with us, Jon Phillip. Heâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s from Milwaukee, and he’s a super great dude. After we got Jon, we’ve always wanted to call our band the Bears, because we kind of turned over a new leaf. The theme of this record is, turning over a new leaf. Does that make sense?

5) What is spinning in the CD player right? (or iPod)

Beach boys “friends”, ELO “out of the blue”, the new Ben Kweller, Fleetwood Mac “rumors”.

6) Also any up and coming bands you are liking?

I know they’re not up and coming, but we dig The Format. Also another Arizona band called Reuben’s Accomplice.

7) Random I know, but what does the song “Brand new orange” mean or refer to?

At the time Robb wrote the song, he was living in the city of Orange, in southern California. He was also working as a waiter. The song was about how working in the city was killing his thoughts about how much he loved the place.

Thereâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s a picture he took of the downtown which I think is in the artwork, on the postcard for the song. “Brand new orange” is the city of Orange that’s on the postcard, and where Robb would rather live.

8) Any last words, websites or things you’d like to promote?

We’re taking a few months off to get sorted out, and get a new player or two to go out on tour with us next year but when next year rolls around, we’re gonna be real busy.

Websites Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢d like to promote would www.limbeck.net (that’s our website and it’s got some good stuff on it, as well as good links to good places.)

And www.petfinder.com because dogs and cats out there need nice homes.

See you around.

Check them out on Purevolume also

Tahiti 80 – Fosbury

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Tahiti 80 Fosbury

Artist: Tahiti 80
Album: Fosbury
Label: The Militia Group
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: November 14, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.9
Production: 8.0

This album has something for most people looking to have a little fun and step outside the four chord, tradition “scene” band. With a little bit of dance, a little bit groove, and a lot of smooth pop vocals, “Fosbury (us edition)” really does shake things up in the all too often predictable music world.

Songs like “Big Day”, “Changes”, and “Chinatown” really bring the beats and make it hard to stay sitting down. Other songs on the record such as “Cherry Pie”, and “Alloveragain” slow it down a tad while really coming through big time on the melody.

“Fosbury” has two sides to it, one is the energetic pop side and the other is the mellower, almost somber side. It’s seems more and more rare to hear such a diverse record anymore. Both, and actually all, styles on the record are good in their own context, but at the same time it does make it hard to label this band as a certain genre because they do venture into many.

Whether you throw this record on in the background while having people over, or you’re listening by yourself I’m pretty sure, given the chance, this is a disc that will be well received by most people. Apparently this record is also coming with a 4 song EP. The EP includes a remix of â┚¬Ã…”Changesâ┚¬? and a cover of â┚¬Ã…”Happy Togetherâ┚¬? in addition to two other songs. With a total of 17 songs this release defenitly becomes well worth the price. I encourage you to check out a song or too if you have been getting tired of the same old thing over and over again.

Tracklisting
1. Big Day
2. Changes
3. Here Comes…
4. Chinatowun (US Exclusive Song)
5. Alloveragain
6. Something About You Girl
7. Take Me Back
8. Your Love Shines
9. Matter Of Time
10. One The Run
11. Cherry Pie
12. Somebody New (US Exclusive Song)
13. Empty And Amused