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Stop The Bleeding Tour

November 9, 2006 By Michael Schneider 1 Comment

To Write Love On Her Arms has put together an incredible idea in the Stop The Bleeding Tour. They will be doing a short run next week and the dates are below! This tour includes the talents of Between The Trees, Bradley Hathaway and other artists. If you have a chance to check this out, it’d be well worth your time and effort.

November 15
Rocketown – Nashville, TN
TWLOHA presents Stop the Bleeding. w/ Bradley Hathaway, Between the Trees, Damion Suomi
November 16
Thirsty Thursdays – Chattanooga, TN
TWLOHA presents Stop the Bleeding. W/ Bradley Hathaway, Damion Suomi, Perelandra
November 17
Under the Couch – Georgia Tech Campus, GA
TWLOHA presents Stop the Bleeding. W/ Bradley Hathaway, Between The Trees, Damion Suomi
November 18
Murray Hill Theatre – Jacksonville, FL
TWLOHA presents Stop the Bleeding. W/ Sleeping At Last, Bradley Hathaway, Emerson
November 19
New Life Christian Fellowship
Jacksonville, FL – Jamie speaking at 6pm service. Contact: Amy Wilson, awilson@nlcf.org

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Between-The-Trees, Bradley-Hathaway, Damion-Suomi, Emerson, To-Write-Love-On-Her-Arms

Cobra Starship Interview – October 14th, 2006

October 24, 2006 By Michael Schneider 5 Comments

Cobra Starship
A big thank you to Christina at Atlantic Records for setting this up for me and also Cobra Starship’s management and Gabe. This was done at the Bamboozle Left Festival before their set.

M: So who are you and what’s your role in Cobra Starship?
G: I’m Gabe and I am Cobra Starship, My role is I sing in the band, and I wrote everything and recorded the majority of the stuff myself. I’m also the dance machine.

M: Awesome, can you give us a little history of the band?

G: Yeah, basically I was in a band called Midtown and after the last Midtown tour we did I had a lot of questions for my life. Where I was goin’ so I went on this spiritual quest, you know like a retreat? I was out there meditating for days and one night I was staring out into the night sky and contemplating the universe and I had this epiphany when I looked down at my hand.
I realized the same energy that is contained in the universe is contained with in ourselves, all the molecules and stuff, and all of the sudden this fuckin cobra comes out of nowhere and bites me in the fuckin neck. So I’m there and I almost die and I’m having hot flashes and sweating and shit and I’m hallucenating for like a week and I wake up and the cobra is still there and it starts talking to me and said it was sent from the future to find me and teach me how to make beats and how to dance and not take myself so seriously. We spent the next few weeks there in the desert practicing our beats, you know? Dancing and shit, you know he told me to start Cobra Starship in honor of the spacecraft that brought him back from the future in order to find me.

M: So why did Midtown break up?
G: Well, Midtown’s not broken up. Basically, after our last tour we were supposed to start writing new stuff and then our friends in Senses Fail needed a guitar player so they asked Heath to go out and that turned into a longer thing. I had been working with beats, like on the last Midtown album I did a lot of experimenting with beats and I wanted to take a different approach to song-writing. I wanted to do something a little more fun, because Midtown had gotten really serious which was good and it was a good outlet for me but I wanted to do something that would showcase my personality.

M: Are any of the others doing other
G: Rob has a label called I-Surrender, one of his bands Valencia is playing here today…(Gabe yells to one of his bandmates)…Dude you don’t understand what happened to us. Our bus driver is in the hospital and shitting his blood. So we all had to find different ways to get here. Tyler has a new band also called Bandit of Thieves.

M: Snakes on a Plane, was that just fate?
G: It was, you know I had written some songs, Bring It was one of the first after I got back from the desert. So I was doing these songs and nothing was happening and I started to lose faith in the Cobra and I was like “Gabe, weren’t you smoking peote for six straight days and couldn’t some of this be in your mind?” All of the sudden Snakes On A Plane happened and it was like Snakes On A Plane – Cobra Starship? I’ll never doubt the cobra again!

M: Did you see the video of USC’s marching band playing Snakes On A Plane?
G: No, I don’t get on the internet much but that’s amazing! That’s how you know you’ve made it when a marching band plays your song.

M: How’d you connect with Decaydence?
G: Well, I’ve known Pete forever. He used to come to Midtown shows at the Fireside Bowl in Chicago, we have the same managers. You know, Midtown did Fueled By Ramen & Friends Tour and I was stuck on Columbia and I had to get out and after that it was no question.

M: Your record has been tagged ‘dancy’ and ‘infectious’, how would you describe it?
G: If I could tag it that it would be awesome, I also like to think that it does have a wide spectrum of shit that it goes through, some songs might even be Midtown songs and some songs that are straight up. I wanted it to represent all my different music.

M: How did recording it work?
G: It was crazy, I would just start with a beat and layer shit on top of that and then shit on top of that. Sometimes it’s all different cause it’s studio where you record and chop it up. Sometimes you’d do guitars on top of the beat and keep the guitars and change all the beats around or sometimes you would keep some of each and change all the instruments on top of it. That was awesome though cause it was a totally different approach to song-writing. Usually, when I write songs I would just sit down with a guitar and just write songs but with this I’d start with a beat and layer-layer-layer.

M: Cobra Starship, explain the name, at least the Starship part-
G: Cause there was a space vehicle that brought back the cobra, I could have called it cobra spaceship but I like starship. Jefferson Starship was a band, you know they built this city on rock n roll, we built the city on disco beats bro.

M: Anything to say about Hollaback Boy?
G: That was the first thing I got to try and it really got a lot of press for the band and the name Cobra Starship. Like I said, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a real thing and Gwen, she thought it was really funny. She doesn’t let me use it anymore but it’s all good.

M: So what’s next?

G: We’re touring on this record cause it just came out on Tuesday. We’re doing the 30 Second To Mars tour (MTV $2 Bill Tour) and it all depends on how this record does. I really want to put out another record soon with this new band I have together cause they’re fuckin’ awesome.

I just want to thank all of the Midtown fans who have been supportive to me from Midtown to this, dancin and rockin out. THANKS!

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Cobra Starship

Rob Dobi – Industry Interview

October 23, 2006 By Michael Schneider 2 Comments

Rob Dobi

A big thank you to Rob Dobi for taking some time to answer some of my questions and a few that were submitted by our staff and readers.
Check out some of his latest work at his myspace or his website

Introduce yourself however you’d like to.

My name is Rob Dobi, I currently reside in NJ and i do a bunch of work for bands (Thursday, Fall Out Boy, New Found Glory, Angels & Airwaves, etc.) and photograph the abandoned buildings of the northeast.

Generally speaking, What projects are you currently involved in?

I just finished illustrating two books, one was written by two writers from alternative press and should be out spring 2007. The band work i’m involved with changes from week to week so there is never really a constant there.

First, tell me about how you started into designing and what programs you use to digitize your work.

I started drawing when I was four years old which eventually led to me working digital when i was a sophomore in highschool in 96, jesus that seems like a long time. I’ve always used Photoshop and illustrator as my main programs and I wouldn’t live without my wacom tablet.

How did you get started? Did you pay for everything out of your own pocket?

Fraid so, fronting a t-shirt store yourself can be pretty pricey. On the last run I had to pony up around $20,000 to get thousands of shirts printed. That put quite a dent in my checking account.

Your Fullbleed project has become quite successful, actually I’m currently wearing Oh Dear, tell me about what’s going on in that regard, especially the inspiration for your 4th season.

Fullbleed started as just a few bloody black tees as a way for me to make a few bucks but it has really grown into a fulltime job. I grey away from the standard blood spatter broken heart aesthetic and moved onto more conceptual colorful imagery. The inspiration for my shirts usually just comes from looking at everyday events and attempting to juxtapose them in some manner that may or may not make sense.

Do you have any plans to release fullbleed in stores? (I might be behind on that one).

Some shirts are going to be tested in urban outfitters soon, shhhhhh.

Your photography is incredible, and at times quite disturbing, how did you become intested in abandoned buildings (prisons, mental health institutions, etc.)

I always liked exploring old buildings as a kid, when I was at summer camp in 7th grade about 3/4 of the school the camp took place at was abandoned. a few friends and i would sometimes break free of the pack and wander around the place. I never really outgrew that curiousity I as a kid and once I hit college in providence I was surrounded by these massive abandoned buildings (all of which are now turning into luxury condos). My roommates and I spent the weekends exploring them inside and out and i decided i had to take photos of these places to document them for others to see because soon enough they would be gone.

one night i was watching mtv’s “fear” with my old roommate katherine gerdes (who was on season 3 of project runway!) and i couldn’t believe how bad the kids on the show were freaking out in these abandoned places. one episode we watched took place in an old asylum and i told katherine i would like nothing more to check out these places, she called me a pussy and said i didn’t have the balls.

That summer I did some research and found out the very asylum used in the show was about 20 minutes from my parents house in CT. the next day I spent all day exploring several buildings and haven’t stopped since.

What equipment do you use for your photography?

I shoot all digital with a nikon d70s, a ton of lenses and a manfrotto tripod which looks like it has been through hell and back.

I know you said one of the prisons you most recently shot is inhabited by homeless people, do you have any other strange experiences you can share?

I don’t really have any “paranormal” experiences if that is what you are looking for, I’ve had plenty of close calls with security guards which is always fun. I’ve fallen through a number of staircases and come close to killing myself (by accident of course) on a number of occasions. Last week I set off the loudest goddamn alarm I have ever heard, I was out of the building and speeding away in my car in about 30 seconds flat.

If you had to pick designing or photography as your only concentration, which would you choose and why.

If I didn’t have to pay bills? Photography. Unfortunately it doesn’t really bring in much income to me so I sort of have to resort to designing stuff for other people. I would love nothing more than to travel across the country and sea all of the abandoned locations the US has to offer.

You work with a lot of bands that, well, are basically the biggest bands in rock music right now, do you have any favorites to work with?

I always like working with Thursday, they always seem to be the most appreciative of the work I do and they gave me my start in the business. They always give me creative freedom on what I do which is a plus and you couldn’t find nicer guys.

Do you find that a band’s name crafts what type of design you do for them?

Not really their name, their sound certainly does. I’m not going to make a shirt for atreyu with unicorns and rainbows on it.

Do you wear your own stuff?

If I’m at the end of my laundry, sure.

Any last comments?

sdf

Well said!

Dobi3-1.jpg4.jpgshirts2-1.jpg

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Rob-Dobi

Between The Trees – The Story And The Song

October 22, 2006 By Michael Schneider 3 Comments

Between The Trees - The Story And The Song

Artist: Between The Trees
Album: The Story & The Song
Label: Bonded Records
Purchase: Amazon.com or Itunes
Release Date: October 31, 2006

Overall: 9.4
Music: 9.3
Lyrics: 9.5
Production: 9.0

First and foremost, I will take any opportunity to plug organizations that are making an impact and this is no exception. To Write Love On Her Arms is one that is waging a war against depression and cutting through the antitode of love. The story and history of it can be read on their page. How that relates to this review is that Between The Trees is one of the first of many bands who now support TWLOHA. (The list includes Thrice, Copeland, Switchfoot, Paramore, Anberlin, Underoath, Brightwood & more each day.) Hearing that BTT had written two songs on their record for TWLOHA, I wanted to hear them and checked out their myspace. Finding out they had won their way into a set at the Bamboozle Left Festival I was attending, I requested the record and caught their set.

Between The Trees has crafted one of the most mature & fulfilling albums released this year. Anyone who knows me can vouch that I am absolutely obsessed with this band after only a few weeks. With a mean age of 19, I can hardly believe that someone my age is involved in a band like this, let alone the entire band. The flavor they have tastes a bit like The Fray, Melee & Sherwood swirled together, mix in a vocalist that easily can keep up with all three of those bands, and you have something really special.

Of the 11 songs, I don’t hear a single weak track. There’s no difference in quality of song-writing or musicianship from the start to the finish. Also, there are no filler tracks. I mentioned earlier a song written for To Write Love On Her Arms, which is track three. Lyrically, I can’t even conceive how it could’ve been written with more passion or honesty. ‘The Greatest Of These’ is beautiful lyrically and shows the collective talents of the band as musicians. ‘Darlin’ captures the beauty of beginning a relationship, ‘She Is’ is a tribute that I wish I would have written to my well-deserving mother. ‘You Cry A Tear To Start A River’ is a little different from the rest of the record and reminds me a lot of The Format.
Now, no record is perfect, and as close as this one comes, everyone makes mistakes. First of these would be the use of programming and synth. On a couple of the tracks it’s just not consistent enough. While it’s not noticeable unless you focus on it, I’m struggling to find something other than praise to say for this CD. Second, would have to be that White Lines & Red Lights should have been the first track on this record. While The Forward is an amazing song, the beginning to White Lines is a perfect introduction to this CD as a whole.
I don’t even feel like I need to sell it to you. This band is adept at creating music that will satisfy many different types of listeners, and it should only be a short time before they jump to a major label. If you’re a major, and you want the next breakthrough band, look no further. Between The Trees is not just another band adding to the noise, they are equipped to take over, and by this time next year I believe they will have done it. The Story & The Song is just the beginning.

Track Listing:
1. The Forward
2. White Lines & Red Lights
3. The Way She Feels
4. Words
5. The Greatest of These (A Little Love)
6. Darlin’
7. A Time for Yohe
8. She is…
9. Fairweather
10. The Fort
11. You Cry A Tear to Start Another River

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Between-The-Trees, Bonded-Records

Bamboozle Left Photos

October 16, 2006 By Michael Schneider Leave a Comment

On Saturday I attended the Bamboozle Left Festival and enjoyed an amazing day of music, my review will soon follow, but for now head to our photos page and check out my photos!

Filed Under: News

Bamboozle Left

October 11, 2006 By Michael Schneider Leave a Comment

On Saturday I will be attending the Bamboozle Left festival in Pomona, CA. I’m going to be doing an interview with Cobra Starship so feel free to send in any questions you may have!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Cobra Starship

MxPx – Let’s Rock

October 11, 2006 By Michael Schneider 6 Comments

MxPx - Let's Rock album art

Artist: MxPx
Album: Let’s Rock
Label: Side One Dummy
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: October 24, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.4
Lyrics: 7.6
Production: 8.0

MxPx; it would be nearly impossible to say something that hasn’t already been said about this band. Beginning their legacy back in 1992, these musical pioneers have written and released hundreds of songs, yet some still remain unheard. Let’s Rock is a compilation of rare and tracks compiled over the last few years since their last b-sides album, Let It Happen.
It’s understatement to say this record spans the bands’ different stages. Some songs contain the commercially successful sound of The Ever Passing Moment, and others really do rock as hard as the band ever has. Mike’s vocals contrast from screaming to swooning but never lose the clarity and passion I’ve grown accustomed to in their music.

Mike (bass, vocals), Tom (guitars), & Yuri (drums) have again crafted another welcomed addition to the MxPx discography. If you’re looking for a ‘new record,’ wait for the follow-up to Panic. While this is a record truly put out for MxPx fans, it’s a solid release that could easily win over new audiences…what rock have you been under if you’ve never heard MxPx?

Track Listing
1. You Walk, I Run
2. Every Light
3. 1 And 3
4. Don’t Forget Me (When You’re Gone)
5. Breathe Deep
6. Make Up Your Mind
7. Running Out Of Time
8. Slow Ride
9. Where Did You Go?
10. Sweet Sweet Thing (Acoustic Demo)
11. Last Train (Acoustic Demo)
12. You Walk, I Run (Acoustic Demo)

Filed Under: Album, News, Reviews Tagged With: MxPx, sideonedummy

New Projects From Old Favorites

October 1, 2006 By Michael Schneider Leave a Comment

Jeff, former lead singer of Number One Gun, has a new project titled The North Pole Project and they just put up another song on their myspace. Also, some of the members of the late Vendetta Red now have a new band with an EP already released called Sirens Sister.

Filed Under: News

Bamboozle Secret Bands…

September 28, 2006 By Michael Schneider 5 Comments

A little birdie told me that there will be more bands added to the Bamboozle Left lineup soon, as well as some playing under fake names…

Filed Under: News

Industry Interview Incoming!

September 27, 2006 By Michael Schneider 2 Comments

In the near future I will be doing an interview with one of the most prominent and well-respected members of today’s industry, Rob Dobi. He has done work for Thursday, Fall Out Boy, The Used, and Shirts For A Cure as well as released his own artwork under the name Fullbleed. Please submit any questions you have as a comment on here!

Filed Under: News

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