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.
Bryce Jacobson
This week Motion City Soundtrack‘s new album, Even If It Kills Me, hits stoes and I highly suggest everyone go and pick up a copy.
I highly suggest you check out Four Year Strong‘s new album, Rise or Die Trying, this week as well. This album is packed with power and doesn’t fail to please the ears either.
Trevor Bivens
I’ve been listening to way too much lately. Stuff sticking out on the un-signed front comes from The Real You(think Acceptance meets Ivory) and The Thief. And if you’re into electronic-ish stuff, Murfreesboro, TN’s Mr. Satisfaction has totally been rocking my world. Best party music ever. Awesome live show, too. New Archie Star and All Time Low songs are up and amazing, too.
Bryce Jacobson
Pop punk, pop rock… whatever you want to call has been a big part of my life ever since Blink 182 broke it to me a decade ago. This year has been filled with a lot of pop rock releases and there is still more to come. This week is the release of Barley Blind‘s new EP, The Way We Operate. This is a great EP for fans of the genre.
How many of you were disappointed with Cartel‘s sophomore album? I found it rather a disappointment with only a few catchy songs like “Lose It”, “The Fortunate”, and “Tonight.” Other then that the album seriously put me to sleep, something I didn’t expect from a band who’s EP and first album I loved and promoted to everyone. There has been several bands in the past that I believe that this site has helped break to the mainstream and that has been Cartel and Boys Like Girls. With Cartel’s self-titled album coming in as a disappointment for me, I’m still not sure weather to blame “The Bubble” or just call it off as a sophomore slump. In the wake of this Cartel void there is a need of a great new band that we can promote here at DFO that hasn’t yet hit the radars of anyone else. Today I would like to tell you about We The Kings. The band hails from Florida and they bring a sound that I can literally say consists of a van crash between Cartel and Boys Like Girls. Crazy right? Well it happened and We The Kings will be on everyones radar in the near future but I wanted you all to know about them now before your friends do. If you have ever wondered what we really do here at Driven Far Off this is what we do, we tell you about upcoming bands before anyone else. Enjoy!
Julie Watanabe
It’s been incredibly long since I’ve shown face here, let alone had time to show face here, but before I head back to Washington, here’s a quick pop-rock rec for everyone. From the great country that brought you Sick Puppies, Parkway Drive, and The Veronicas(!) as well as Vegemite comes Aussie’s new rock sensation The Mission In Motion. Their EP The Window debuted about 5 months ago, but its tracks have had a considerable staying power on my playlist over the past few weeks. With great riffs, high energy deliveries, fetching lyrics, and a breed of polished cohesiveness that’s rare in a young band, The Mission In Motion are certainly living up to their moniker. Check out “The Window” and “Don’t You Just Love Theater” to hear TMIM at their best.
Adam Weidman
Variety is the spice of life: Nice Peter is a singer/songwriter based out of Chicago and his catchy, irreverent and very comical songs haven’t left the stereo or my head. His latest album Suburban Highschool is set for release in late August, however you can now go to his website and purchase the songs digitally. Jena Berlin has been making waves underground with their unique gritty-punk fused anthems. The recently released, Quo Vadimus is their latest album and the group tours constantly so definitely check them out if you have the chance. Lastly, Forever The Sickest Kids are making some of the most undeniably catchy music around today. It’s no wonder they have gained such a rapid fanbase. The future looks more than promising, keep both eyes on this band.
Bryce Jacobson
Again this week I think everyone should check out The Dangerous Summer. Their new EP hasn’t left my car since I got it. Also get your ears ready for Barely Blind‘s new EP by checking them out now.
Bryce Jacobson
Be sure to give Mae‘s new album a listen on their MySpace page. Also check out Every Avenue who’s new EP, AH!, will be in stores this Tuesday.
Adam Weidman
Check out Broadway Calls, they’re a great up and coming gritty pop-punk band. As well as Envy on the Coast, whose new record Lucy Gray hit stores last week.
Sam Anacker
Both Simian and You Say Party! We Say Die! have been hogging my play time. YSP! WSD! has their new release, Lose All Time dropping in the U.S. on August 18. And, if you’d like to see the charred remains of Simian, check out .
Bryce Jacobson
Be sure to check out these bands that are currently gaining a lot of attention that we previously featured on our “On The Rise” section, The Dangerous Summer and Metro Station. The Dangerous Summer‘s new EP will be out August 21st on Hopeless Records, and Metro Station will be on some big tours this fall including Just Surrender, Motion City Soundtrack, Mae and Anberlin.
For current releases be sure to pick up Tokyo Rose, The International Drive, Down to Earth Approach, and The Send‘s new albums.
Adam Weidman
The new album, Direction from The Starting Line is quite solid! Also The Receiving End of Sirens have their upcoming record streaming in its entirety on Myspace.
Sam Anacker
Interpol’s new album Our Love to Admire is another solid album, as is the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s new EP Is Is which features songs written during touring for their first record. As for upcoming releases look forward to Minus the Bear’s Planet of Ice, slated to hit August 21, and the nation-wide tour to follow!
I just wanted to take a second and encourage everyone reading this to check out The High Court. Their debut record entitled Puppet Strings comes out today, you can pick up a copy from Smart Punk and recieve an autographed booklet and a personal phone call from the band. The album is truly great, but you don’t have to take my word for it, you can head to the band’s PureVolume and listen to Puppet Strings in its entirety.
Bryce Jacobson
I was never a huge fan of The Rocket Summer but I’m really digging Do You Feel. Also be sure to check out the new MxPx and Sound The Alarm albums.
Jeff Watson
In between “Take Home Chef” segments, I saw (for the 5th-ish time) a commercial for the new TLC series, “Diagnosis X”.
During each preview-commercial, I progressively got more and more into the theme music..
..Looked up who did the background/theme and found this band, the Athlete.
New to me, they’ve opened for U2.
Also, I can never get enough of Hail Social .
Adam Weidman
Down to Earth Approach just released a great record entitled Come Back to You. This Tuesday a stellar group known as Scenes from a Movie release their debut full length, The Pulse. Everyone have a great week, and who’s stoked for The Simpson’s Movie?
Tyler Hayes
The Weepies, Sara Bareilles, The Album Leaf Check out those artists/bands
Tyler Hayes
Go listen to the new Lifehouse record. They have always had records with a few good songs, but their new one, who we are, is solid the whole way through.
Bryce Jacobson
Be sure to check out our current on the rise bands including Paper Rival, Parade The Day and Metro Station.
Adam Weidman
With their last show looming overhead, give any Allister record a listen and remember the great music they made. Also Just Surrender recently added a track to their Myspace page from their upcoming album We’re In Like Sin.
Bryce Jacobson
Take a listen to the new Silverstein being released this week.
Also if your in for something that will really work your mind, go and get a virtual haircut. Its truly amazing, just put on a pair of good headphones, close your eyes and sit back and be amazed.
Jeff Watson
The Silence Tree combines Explosion’s in the Sky-esque guitars with the vocals of calm, catchy, beautiful love.
Tyler Hayes
The Rocket Summer’s new song “Save” that Rolling Stone has made available for download is awesome. I can not wait for the new record.
Bryce Jacobson
Lately I have been addicted to A Thorn For Every Heart‘s new album, It’s Hard To Move You. Due out in July this will be one of the years best sing along albums.
Also be sure to check out Boys Night Out who’s new self-titled album is in stores this Tuesday.
Adam Weidman
This past week I’ve really enjoyed Straylight Run‘s new album, The Needles the Space.
The Morning Light has impressed me as well with their debut effort, The Sounds of Love.
Lastly, on Thursday I caught a set by a great band called Love Me Electric. Have a great week everyone!