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.

Weatherbox Get Jacked Hard

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Weatherbox had their van and all of their gear stolen while in New York City. You can read the press release below.

The rumors are true. Weatherbox was about to go on their first national tour ever. Since they live in San Diego and the tour started in New York City, they had to drive cross-country to start this shindig with The Casket Salesmen. They arrived in NYC this past Tuesday when…bam! it happened. Apparently, some good Samaritans in Brooklyn thought it would be awesome to steal the band’s van, all of their equipment, and pre-made vegan snacks ready to eat. Bummer. It was a bitter-sweet day. On one hand, the band got to release their first full-length record, American Art. On the other hand, they got jacked hard and thought they’d have to cancel the tour.

Luckily, The Casket Salesmen are great dudes; they’re letting Weatherbox use their equipment for the entire tour letting the show still go on!

However, if you have any information about the band’s stolen gear, van, and vegan cheese, please contact weatherboxes@gmail.com. In lieu of accepting any donations, the band is just asking for supporters to check out their music at Interpunk or iTunes

Covington Post New Demo

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Covington (Jamison ex. JamisonParker) has posted a new demo and studio update. You can read the post below.

i posted a demo that’s not actually new to me but you’ve never heard it so technically its still “new” as far as you’re concerned. anyway, i wanted to share one more demo with you guys and gals before heading into the studio very soon. as soon as its solidified i’ll be posting info on the recording which will be very very soon.
on a side note… heat is a horrible horrible thing.

take care…
jamison

p.s. the songs are now available on www.purevolume.com/abandnamedcovington

Cloak/Dagger “Pinata Breaks, Demo Takes” Digital Release Out Now

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After signing to Jade Tree last summer, CLOAK/DAGGER began preparing songs for their Jade Tree debut EP. Months later and a few technical difficulties overcome, the band has now turned the release into a full length album which they are currently in the studio recording. Details of that album will be posted soon, but in the meantime Piñata Breaks, Demo Takes is a digital only release that features the band’s most recent Piñata 7″, originally released and still available on Grave Mistake Records. The nine songs will trigger memories of favorites such as Black Flag, Circle Jerks and even Hot Snakes, but they offer an entirely new experience with raw energy that can only be rivaled by the band’s live show.

Bayside- The Walking Wounded

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Bayside

Artist: Bayside
Album: The Walking Wounded
Label: Victory Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: February 6, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.5

Following up their wildly successful album Devotion and Desire released on Victory Records, Bayside are set to attract more fans to them. The Walking Wounded is twelve tracks packed with emotion and vitality. From the opening track “The Walking Wounded” which features Vinnie (I Am the Avalanche/The Movielife) to their single “Duality”, Bayside offers thundering anthems that introduces newfound maturity and urgency to their sound.

Bayside is one of the bands I like to listen and actually pay attention to their lyrics. Although they might cover some of the same topics as their previous albums, the sound is what makes them new and different. One of my favorite songs from The Walking Wounded is the album titled song “The Walking Wounded”, because it has the recognizable Bayside sound and not to mention guest vocalist done by Vinnie who was in my favorite band The Movielife. As you start to enter the album and pass “They’re Not Horses, They’re Unicorns” and “Duality” you are immediately in a crossfire between judging the next song “Carry On” as a good song or an ok song. However, “I and I” makes up for it with the Bayside sing along sections as well as does the rest of the album. One thing I really like about Bayside is that Anthony has a voice that makes you want to get caught up in their heartfelt lyrics and emotion he’s singing about in a addition with Jacks guitar interludes. Plus, at a concert, which I have witnessed, many fans can get caught up in the moment and be at one with the songs. This release, despite its maturity, will not alienate their old fans or the ones they made by sharing bills with groups like The Sleeping, Smoking Popes, I Am The Avalanche, Halifax . If you haven’t heard of Bayside, I suggest you go and pick up a copy of every cd they have put out, you’re missing out.

Track Listing:
1. The Walking Wounded
2. They’re Not Horses, They’re Unicorns
3. Duality
4.Carry On
5. I and I
6. Choice Hops and Bottled Self Esteem
7.Head on A Plate
8. Dear Your Holiness
9.Landing Feet First
10.Thankfully
11.A Rite of Passage
12.(POP)Ular ScencE

William Tell – You Can Hold Me Down

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william tell you can hold me down

Artist: William Tell
Album: You Can Hold Me Down
Label: New Door Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: March 6th, 2007

Overall: 6.5
Music: 6.0
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 4.5

Starting in the band Something Corporate, which most people would consider a fairly successful band only to leave seemingly suddenly to work on his solo career, William Tell finally has released his debut album for all to hear and judge him on.

Well I think Mr. Tell should have stuck to cranking out piano rock in Something Corporate because although his debut album is OK, it just does not leave you fulfilled. William has a solid voice and it blends to the music very well. Songs like “Young at heart” showcase the singer’s sense of urgency and comes off as a believable lead singer. Songs like “Jeannie” though don’t hit their marks, both musically and vocally and leave a lot to be desired.

The production on the album is mediocre at best and is probably the worst part of “You Can Hold Me Down”. There are a few songs that try to be emotional and almost ballad like but that lack of good production brings them down.

With all that said, I still do like the record. There are a lot of songs that are so catchy it will drive you crazy, but there are just some smaller things that bring the record down and it’s a shame. I recommend Checking out some songs before making the purchase, just in case you feel the same as I do. Who knows maybe William made the right choice to ditch SoCo and do his own thing, with the way he has been being pushing marketing wise I wouldn’t be surprised if he made it big.

Tracklisting
1. Jeannie
2. Slipping Under (Sing Along To Your Favorite Song)
3. Maybe Tonight
4. Fairfax (You’re Still The Same)
5. Like You, Only Sweeter
6. Trouble
7. Young At Heart
8. Sounds
9. Just For You
10. You Can Hold Me Down

Tonight On DJ Rossstar 5-9-07

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Socratic (Drive Thru Records) will be studio guests tonight (Wednesday May 9th 2007) on
DJ Rossstar’s Punk Rock Show.  The show airs live from 7-8pm PST (10-11pm EST). Also, on the show tonight…..The Dear Hunter (Triple Crown Records) will be calling in for a live phone interview. You can listen to the show on www.idobiradio.com. If you have questions for the guests, send them to the screen name: staridobi