Song Of The Week: 12/30/18

Song: "Everybody Knows That You're Insane"

Artist: Queens Of The Stone Age

Album: "Lullabies To Paralyze"

Year: 2005

Place Of Origin: Palm Desert, California

Years Active: 1996 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Everybody Knows That You're Insane" appears to be a song about a fear of being perceived as different. It makes the vocalist think that other people think he's insane but it seems he tends to overthink things or tries to hard to be something that he's not. His issues are really with himself. He needs to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and just be true to himself. His perceived insanity is his own doing by his own actions.

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - Queens Of The Stone Age (Loosegroove Records)
2000 - Rated R (Interscope Records)
2002 - Songs For The Deaf (Interscope Records)
2005 - Lullabies To Paralyze (Interscope Records)
2005 - Over The Years And Through The Woods (Interscope Records)
2007 - Era Vulgaris (Interscope Records)
2013 - Like Clockwork (Matador Records)
2017 - Villains (Matador Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE:

Queens Of The Stone Age formed out of the ashes of the band Kyuss. The project is essentially guitarist/vocalist Josh Homme's baby. The band was originally called Gamma Ray but changed to Queens Of The Stone Age to avoid legal action from a German band called Gamma Ray. The band dropped their first full length album in 1998 on Loosegroove Records, which was owned by Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard. It wasn't long before the major labels came calling and in 2000, Queens signed a long deal with Interscope Records which would last until 2007. 2000's "Rated R" was the band's first album to be certified gold, but it would not be their last. In fact, their 2002 album, "Songs For The Deaf", was a pivotal moment for the band. With the help of Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters) on drums, Queens released what would be their most successful album, thanks to hit singles "No One Knows" and "Go With The Flow". While this album achieved gold status in the U.S., it went platinum in places like the U.K., Canada and Australia. The band would continue to have a major international following right up to the current date. The 2005 album "Lullabies To Paralyze" debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 charts, cementing Queens Of The Stone Age as headliner material. 2007's "Era Vulgaris" was a dark and heavy album by Queens' standards. It was also the last album the band released through Interscope Records. The band would go on a little bit of a hiatus after this album. Homme formed a supergroup with Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones called Them Crooked Vultures, who released one album and toured in support of it. After that, Homme got an infection from a botched knee surgery that nearly took his life. Homme would recover and in 2013, Queens dropped "Like Clockwork", the band's first album to hit #1 on the Billboard 200 charts! The band's most recent release was 2017's "Villains" through Matador Records. Queens also put a major tour together to support this album which included their very first time headlining Madison Square Garden in New York, a very proud moment for Homme indeed. I said earlier in this paragraph that Queens Of The Stone Age is Josh Homme's baby and this is true. He is the only constant member from the conception of this band to the present day. Many artists have collaborated with this band, both in the studio and live performances. This list includes Joey Castillo, Chris Goss, Dave Grohl, Brody Dalle, Alain Johannes, Mark Lanegan, Troy Van Leeuwen, Nick Oliveri and many more. While Homme is the main songwriter, he encourages any musicians working with him at the time to bring music and ideas to the table. As for style and sound, Queens has been labeled "stoner rock" by some, a label that Homme hates himself and one that made him write the mocking song "Feel Good Hit Of The Summer" which basically just reels off names of drugs in the lyrics. Homme refers to the band as "robot rock". I just look at them as riff rock. You could tell they're influenced by 70's big riff bands. Their style is pretty unique when you think of what was going on in rock music in the late 90's and 2000's. Queens almost used electronic music grooves in a hard rock band format while other rock bands were trying to go for more melodic driven, big chorus type songs at the time. If Jimmy Page is the riff master, Josh Homme is sort of like the riff master lite. His songs aren't quite as iconic as Zeppelin's but if you like hard charging guitar riffs, then you'd like Queens Of The Stone Age.

TEN QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. No One Knows
2. Little Sister
3. 3's & 7's
4. Make It Wit Chu
5. Go With The Flow
6. The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret
7. If Only
8. The Way You Used To Do
9. I Sat By The Ocean
10. My God Is The Sun

Song Of The Week: 12/23/18

Song: "Kicking And Screaming"

Artist: MxPx

Album: "Panic"

Year: 2005

Place Of Origin: Bremerton, Washington

Years Active: 1992 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Kicking And Screaming appears to be a song about pulling your hair out because the person you're in a relationship with lacks honesty and constantly stabs you in the back. It seems like the vocalist has finally lost it and is at wits end with this person. It's almost as if he's throwing a child's tantrum because of their antics.

MXPX DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Pokinatcha (Tooth & Nail Records)
1995 - Teenage Politics (Tooth & Nail Records)
1996 - Life In General (Tooth & Nail Records)
1998 - Let It Happen (Tooth & Nail Records)
1998 - Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo (A&M Records)
1999 - At The Show (Tooth & Nail Records)
2000 - The Ever Passing Moment (Tooth & Nail Records)
2003 - Before Everything & After (A&M Records)
2005 - Panic (SideOneDummy Records)
2006 - Let's Rock (SideOneDummy Records)
2007 - Secret Weapon (Tooth & Nail Records)
2009 - On The Cover II (Tooth & Nail Records)
2012 - Plans Within Plans (Rock City Recording Co.)
2014 - The Acoustic Collection (Rock City Recording Co.)
2017 - Left Coast Live (Rock City Recording Co.)
2018 - MxPx (independently released)

CURRENT STATUS OF MXPX:

MxPx formed as a band back in 1992 in Bremerton, Washington when all the members were 15 years old and still in high school. The band was originally called Magnified Plaid and featured Mike Herrera on bass and vocals, Yuri Ruley on drums and Andy Husted on guitar. Husted would depart the band after the release of their debut album, 1994's "Pokinatcha". "Pokinatcha began a relationship with Christian punk label Tooth & Nail which would last up to 2007. Tom Wisniewski, a good friend of Herrera's, would replace Husted on guitar and that line-up has been intact to the present day. In 1996, the band dropped "Life In General". With the hit song, "Chick Magnet", and it's accompanying video, MxPx began creating a niche for itself in the exploding pop punk and skate punk scene of the mid 90's. Major label A&M Records signed the band for the release of their 1998 album, "Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo". This album peaked at #99 on the Billboard 200 charts and has been certified gold. To me, this is the band's pinnacle. In my mind, "Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo" is MxPx's finest moment. But that's not to say they didn't have great material before that and would continue to drop high quality pop punk after that as well. 2000's "The Ever Passing Moment" featured the band's highest charting single, "Responsibility", which reached #24 on Billboard's Modern Rock charts. 2003's "Before Everything & After" would be the band's highest charting album, #51 on the Billboard 200. 2005's "Panic" featured the single "Heard That Sound" which also gained some popularity on alternative rock stations. And, 2007's "Secret Weapon" peaked at #1 on Billboard's Christian charts. After years of bouncing from Tooth & Nail to A&M Records and a short stint with SideOneDummy records, MxPx decided to release future material on their own label, Rock City Recording Company. 2012's "Plans Within Plans" would be the first full length studio album on their own label. After the release of this album, drummer Yuri Ruley decided that he was going to retire from touring but he would still be active when the band records future music. In 2015, chief songwriter Mike Herrera announced that he is totally distancing himself from the "Christian" label. While he still has personal beliefs, he no longer adheres to any form of organized religion. 2017 saw the release of the band's second live album, "Left Coast Live". On November 7, 2017, MxPx officially announced that they were heading to the studio to record a new album and in 2018, that album was released, the self-titled "MxPx". That album was totally funded by the fans in a GoFundMe campaign. Later in 2018, the band released an EP called "Best Life" so the band has definitely ratcheted up it's activity in 2018. MxPx was kind of on that second wave of punk bands behind bands like Rancid, Offspring, Green Day and Bad Religion that really rejuvenated the punk scene. MxPx, along with No Use For A Name and Lagwagon and bands of that ilk, didn't quite get the pop of those other four bands, but that doesn't mean they weren't equally as great. When I think pop punk, MxPx is one of the first bands that comes to mind. They wrote great songs that were catchy and melodic but don't be fooled, they could amp it up when they had to. In fact, the band's first album, "Pokinatcha", was more hardcore than pop punk, as well as being probably their most religious effort. MxPx was considered a Christian punk band early on, but as the years went by, they distanced themselves from that label. Similar artists? If you enjoy bands like Slick Shoes, Green Day, Pulley, No Use For A Name or The Ataris, then you would probably enjoy the music of MxPx. Quite simply, MxPx is one of my favorite bands. Have been for a long time and I still get excited when I hear that they are working on new music.

TEN MXPX SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Secret Weapon
2. Heard That Sound
3. Under Lock And Key
4. Well Adjusted
5. Middlename
6. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Ramones cover)
7. Far Away
8. Running Away
9. My Life Story
10. Let's Ride

Song Of The Week: 12/16/18

Song: "Heaven's Dead"

Artist: Audioslave

Album: "Out Of Exile"

Year: 2005

Place Of Origin: Glendale, California

Years Active: 2001 - 2007



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Heaven's Dead" appears to be a song about doing everything it takes to make someone you love happy. It sounds as if it's written about someone's child or children. The vocalist, Chris Cornell, has two young daughters and the song sounds more as if it was to one of them or both of them. It's about doing everything to protect the one you love at all costs and ensuring their happiness every day.

AUDIOSLAVE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Audioslave (Epic/Interscope Records)
2005 - Out Of Exile (Epic/Interscope Records)
2006 - Revelations (Epic/Interscope Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF AUDIOSLAVE:

In 2001, the three remaining members of Rage Against The Machine, Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums) decided to find a new lead singer to form a new band. Enter music producer Rick Rubin who suggested that Morello ask Chris Cornell who had been doing solo stuff after the break-up of Soundgarden. The band's chemistry was apparent from the very first time they jammed and after a short period named as Civilian, the band adopted the name Audioslave. The band's debut album, "Audioslave", debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200 charts, achieved gold status in one month and by 2006, was certified triple platinum! The lead single "Cochise" introduced the band to the world but it was the second single "Like A Stone" that catapulted the band to major success. "Like A Stone" became a #1 single for the band and they were on top of the rock and roll mountain, even as Chris Cornell had to enter rehab and finalize a divorce from his first wife. In 2005, Cornell was now clean and sober and the band was clicking on all cylinders with the release of their sophomore album, "Out Of Exile". This album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts and was certified platinum in just three weeks after it's release date! The band secured their second #1 single as well with the song "Be Yourself". After releasing that album and touring in support, the band quickly re-entered the studio and released their third and what would be final album, "Revelations" in 2006. Since the band's inception, their was always some turmoil going on, whether it was on the business side or the creative side. The tensions came to a head in February of 2007 as Chris Cornell announced he was departing the band, ultimately closing the door on Audioslave as a band. Morello, Commerford and Wilk reunited with Zack de la Rocha and performed a few one-off live reunion shows with Rage Against The Machine but ultimately, that band still couldn't get over thier differences to do anything long term. Morello also had a solo project called The Nightwatchman and currently, he, Wilk and Commerford have teamed up with B-Real of Cypress Hill and Chuck D. of Public Enemy and formed a new rock/rap outfit called Prophets Of Rage. Cornell had resurrected his solo career as well as reuniting with Soundgarden. Not only had Soundgarden been touring worldwide, they also released a new album called "King Animal". In 2017, Chris Cornell performed some songs with his Audioslave bandmates during a Prophets Of Rage show marking the only time since 2007 that the band had performed together. There was even talk that Audioslave could possibly be reuniting for some live shows and perhaps even new studio material. All of those hopes were dashed however when Chris Cornell was found dead in his hotel room on May 18, 2017. Audioslave was a true supergroup. Though they were only a band for 6 years, they received three Grammy nominations, sold over 8 million albums worldwide and in 2005, became the very first American rock band to perform an open-air concert in Cuba. They were big time to say the least! If you loved Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden, then this band just seemed like a match made in heaven. And they no doubt were. Chris Cornell, in my mind, was the greatest hard rock vocalist of all time. This dude was just an amazing singer with an amazing range. Tom Morello is such an innovator on guitar. He gets sounds out of that thing that no other guitarist gets. Wilk and Commerford have just a steady groove that works together and really is the glue of the songs. Even though I love Audioslave, I was much happier when I found out that Soundgarden would be reforming. Soundgarden is just a beast of a band and in my mind, that is where Chris Cornell rightfully belonged. It was just one of the worst days when Cornell died because we will all miss his amazing voice on new songs, whether he did them with Soundgarden, Audioslave or solo. We will never have new songs and that sucks. Thank God he left us with so much material that we can go back and enjoy and his Audioslave songs always find a spot on my car stereo rotation!

TEN AUDIOSLAVE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Cochise
2. I Am The Highway
3. Show Me How To Live
4. Be Yourself
5. Doesn't Remind Me
6. Like A Stone
7. Shape Of Things To Come
8. Revelations
9. Out Of Exile
10. Wide Awake

Song Of The Week: 12/9/18

Song: "Thermals"

Artist: The Movielife

Album: "Red Demo"

Year: 1997

Place Of Origin: Long Island, New York

Years Active: 1997 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Thermals" appears to be a song about having someone that seems to be blocking your path to reach goals that you are trying to attain. The vocalist has a vision of the future he wants and he sees the path with which to take, but until he gets this person out of his life, he won't be able to follow that path. It's important that he has people in his life that support his journey. That's when he feels the possibilities will be endless.

THE MOVIELIFE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1999 - It's Go Time (Fadeaway Records)
2000 - This Time Next Year (Revelation Records)
2003 - Forty Hour Train Back To Penn (Drive-Thru/MCA Records)
2017 - Cities In Search Of A Heart (Rise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF THE MOVIELIFE:

The Movielife formed as a band back in 1997. This Long Island, New York outfit put out a couple of demo tapes early on, "Red Demo" in 1997 and "White Demo" in 1998. The band managed to hook up with Fadeaway Records to record their debut full length album, "It's Go Time". In 2000, the band released their sophomore effort, "This Time Next Year", through Revelation Records. By this point, The Movielife was gaining a reputation as a great, high energy live act. Their reputation was being legitimized in the underground music scene as well. In 2001, the band signed up with punk rock label Drive-Thru Records and released an EP, "The Movielife Has A Gambling Problem". In 2003, the band released their third and most successful album, "Forty Hour Train Back To Penn". Thanks to the single "Jamestown", this album would reach #164 on the Billboard 200 chart. Just as it seemed the band was gaining some momentum, they threw a curveball to fans and announced that they had broken up in 2003. The band's vocalist and songwriter, Vinny Caruana went on to form the band I Am The Avalanche at this time. In 2008, Caruana played a set of The Movielife songs with the band Set Your Goals at Bamboozle Fest. 2011 saw Caruana and longtime The Movielife bandmate Brandon Reilly reform the band to play the New Jersey Bamboozle Fest. 2015 saw another live show at Irving Plaza in New York City. Caruana and Reilly were finally at a point where they could begin writing material for a new Movielife album. In 2016, the band dropped the single "Future Feeling (Afraid Of Drugs) and in 2017, The Movielife returned with the long awaited full length album, "Cities In Search Of A Heart". The Movielife are definitely well respected in punk rock circles. They are probably the birth of the hardcore/emo type band. They don't necessarily fall into either category all together, but there are definite elements of both in their music as well as some melodic punk. When I think of bands like Thursday or Thrice, I can see that The Movielife surely had an influence in their sound. Some contemporaries of The Movielife that you might also enjoy would be bands like Midtown, The Menzingers, Lifetime, Bayside and obviously I Am The Avalanche. I have mixed feeling about the reunion of The Movielife. I mean, I love the band. But I really love I Am The Avalanche. I'm not sure if Vinny Caruana is going to keep both bands going, as well as his solo career. I guess I just have to be happy that he continues to make great music, no matter what outlet he prefers to use.

TEN THE MOVIELIFE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Jamestown
2. This Time Next Year
3. Kelly Song
4. Maybe It's Nothing
5. Hand Grenade
6. Future Feeling (Afraid Of Drugs)
7. Mercy Is Asleep At The Wheel
8. Champ
9. Walking On Glass
10. Pinky Swear

Song Of The Week: 12/2/18

Song: "Needles In The Camel's Eye"

Artist: Queens Of The Stone Age

Album: "Make It Wit Chu" single

Year: 2007

Place Of Origin: Palm Desert, California

Years Active: 1996 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I read a great explanation of this song on the site www.songmeanings.com so I'll credit the poster "thezpn" and paste what he/she wrote: "The title plays off of the parable that it is harder for a rich man to cross through the gates of heaven than it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. The painful image of the needle in the eye of the camel is a witty revenge against this, and as Brian Eno is a meta-rocker, I think here he is poking fun at the limitations of conventional morality and humility in favor of a rock and roll lifestyle. Rockers aren't concerned with the why, and the mysteries of existence, just the by and by of fun and pleasure seeking." Brian Eno, of Roxy Music fame, wrote and recorded this song for his 1974 solo album "Here Come The Warm Jets". For my song of the week, I used a cover version of the song by Queens Of The Stone Age. It is a b-side on the band's 2007 single "Make It Wit Chu".

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - Queens Of The Stone Age (Loosegroove Records)
2000 - Rated R (Interscope Records)
2002 - Songs For The Deaf (Interscope Records)
2005 - Lullabies To Paralyze (Interscope Records)
2005 - Over The Years And Through The Woods (Interscope Records)
2007 - Era Vulgaris (Interscope Records)
2013 - Like Clockwork (Matador Records)
2017 - Villains (Matador Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE:

Queens Of The Stone Age formed out of the ashes of the band Kyuss. The project is essentially guitarist/vocalist Josh Homme's baby. The band was originally called Gamma Ray but changed to Queens Of The Stone Age to avoid legal action from a German band called Gamma Ray. The band dropped their first full length album in 1998 on Loosegroove Records, which was owned by Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard. It wasn't long before the major labels came calling and in 2000, Queens signed a long deal with Interscope Records which would last until 2007. 2000's "Rated R" was the band's first album to be certified gold, but it would not be their last. In fact, their 2002 album, "Songs For The Deaf", was a pivotal moment for the band. With the help of Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters) on drums, Queens released what would be their most successful album, thanks to hit singles "No One Knows" and "Go With The Flow". While this album achieved gold status in the U.S., it went platinum in places like the U.K., Canada and Australia. The band would continue to have a major international following right up to the current date. The 2005 album "Lullabies To Paralyze" debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 charts, cementing Queens Of The Stone Age as headliner material. 2007's "Era Vulgaris" was a dark and heavy album by Queens' standards. It was also the last album the band released through Interscope Records. The band would go on a little bit of a hiatus after this album. Homme formed a supergroup with Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones called Them Crooked Vultures, who released one album and toured in support of it. After that, Homme got an infection from a botched knee surgery that nearly took his life. Homme would recover and in 2013, Queens dropped "Like Clockwork", the band's first album to hit #1 on the Billboard 200 charts! The band's most recent release was 2017's "Villains" through Matador Records. Queens also put a major tour together to support this album which included their very first time headlining Madison Square Garden in New York, a very proud moment for Homme indeed. I said earlier in this paragraph that Queens Of The Stone Age is Josh Homme's baby and this is true. He is the only constant member from the conception of this band to the present day. Many artists have collaborated with this band, both in the studio and live performances. This list includes Joey Castillo, Chris Goss, Dave Grohl, Brody Dalle, Alain Johannes, Mark Lanegan, Troy Van Leeuwen, Nick Oliveri and many more. While Homme is the main songwriter, he encourages any musicians working with him at the time to bring music and ideas to the table. As for style and sound, Queens has been labeled "stoner rock" by some, a label that Homme hates himself and one that made him write the mocking song "Feel Good Hit Of The Summer" which basically just reels off names of drugs in the lyrics. Homme refers to the band as "robot rock". I just look at them as riff rock. You could tell they're influenced by 70's big riff bands. Their style is pretty unique when you think of what was going on in rock music in the late 90's and 2000's. Queens almost used electronic music grooves in a hard rock band format while other rock bands were trying to go for more melodic driven, big chorus type songs at the time. If Jimmy Page is the riff master, Josh Homme is sort of like the riff master lite. His songs aren't quite as iconic as Zeppelin's but if you like hard charging guitar riffs, then you'd like Queens Of The Stone Age.

TEN QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. No One Knows
2. Little Sister
3. 3's & 7's
4. Make It Wit Chu
5. Go With The Flow
6. The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret
7. If Only
8. The Way You Used To Do
9. I Sat By The Ocean
10. My God Is The Sun

Song Of The Week: 11/25/18

Song: "Wax And Wane"

Artist: Deftones

Album: "B-Sides & Rarities"

Year: 2005

Place Of Origin: Sacramento, California

Years Active: 1988 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Wax And Wane" appears to be a song about being tempted by the devil or, by things that can be harmful to you. Sometimes you give in and fall victim to these things. Other times you resist the temptations. I believe that's where the whole "wax and wane" comes to play within the song. "Wax And Wane" was written and originally recorded by Scotland's Cocteau Twins and appeared on that band's 1982 debut album "Garlands". The version I chose for my song of the week is a cover by the Deftones, which appears on their 2005 "B-Sides & Rarities" compilation.

DEFTONES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Adrenaline (Maverick Records)
1997 - Around The Fur (Maverick Records)
2000 - White Pony (Maverick Records)
2003 - Deftones (Maverick Records)
2005 - B-Sides & Rarities (Maverick Records)
2006 - Saturday Night Wrist (Maverick Records)
2010 - Diamond Eyes (Reprise Records)
2011 - Covers (Reprise Records)
2012 - Koi No Yokan (Reprise Records)
2016 - Gore (Reprise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF DEFTONES:

The Deftones formed as a band as far back as 1988 when all the guys were in high school. After years of making demos, playing shows locally and working hard to get their name out there, they were finally rewarded and signed to Maverick Records. In 1995, the band released it's debut album, "Adrenaline". This album was basically recorded live in the studio. It definitely set the tone right out of the gate that the Deftones were a band that meant business. This album achieved platinum status by 2008. The follow up album, "Around The Fur", started to see a band that was more comfortable and experimental in the studio. This album peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200 charts, thanks in part to the hit singles "My Own Summer" and "Be Quiet And Drive", and would also achieve platinum status. 2000 saw the band drop it's most successful album, the also certified platinum "White Pony". This album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts, selling over 1.3 million units in the U.S. alone. The band also won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song "Elite". Success continued for the Deftones with album number four, "Deftones". Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200, this album would also spend nine weeks in Billboard's Top 100. Though the 2006 album, "Saturday Night Wrist", would debut at #10 on the Billboard 200, record sales would eventually fall well below the band's previous albums. This could be due to the changing atmosphere in which music was getting out to the masses. More and more people were getting their music through free streams or other avenues over the internet so record sales in general began diminishing at this point for most bands, including the Deftones. Tensions were also creeping to the surface between band members at this time because of personal issues and musical directions. The band was, however, working on an album slated to be called "Eros" but in 2008, bassist Chi Cheng got into a serious car accident which basically left him in a minimally conscious state. The band had to push forward with new bassist, Sergio Vega, due to Cheng's condition. At this point, the band left Maverick and joined the Reprise label. Not a far leap as both Maverick and Reprise are subsidiaries of Warner Bros. 2010 saw the release of "Diamond Eyes", featuring the singles "Rocket Skates" and "Diamond Eyes", the latter doing well on rock radio. In 2012, the band released their seventh full length studio album, "Koi No Yokan". Some four months after the release of that album, Chi Cheng passed away from cardiac arrest. Vocalist Chino Moreno has stated that the never released album "Eros", the last album Cheng played on with the Deftones, will most definitely see the light at some point in the future. On the one year anniversary of Cheng's passing, Deftones released the song "Smile" which was recorded during the "Eros" sessions. The band's most recent release was 2016's "Gore" which featured the singles "Prayers/Triangles" and "Phantom Bride", the latter of which features a guitar solo from Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains. Word is that the band is currently working on new music which could see the light of day in 2019. Deftones can be labeled many things. Some call them nu-metal. Some call them post-grunge or post-hardcore. Some even call them art rock or experimental rock. They have often been called "the Radiohead of metal" because of their experimental nature when it comes to their music. I know this, there were a lot of bands that tried carrying the torch from the Seattle grunge bands in the mid to late 90's and most of them failed and were really nothing more than watered down carbon copies of those Seattle bands. The Deftones were not one of those carbon copies. This band could stand on their own and had no problem standing side by side along the likes of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. For some reason, popular rock music started being won over by bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit and I always thought to myself, are these people stupid?!! Are they not listening to the Deftones?!! The Deftones should have been one of those bands that carried that rock torch into the 2000's and steamrolled. Don't get me wrong, they were successful, especially those first four albums, but they never seemed to get the credit I always believed they should have as one of the best rock bands on the planet. That being said, if you dig bands like Taproot, A Perfect Circle, Chevelle, Drowning Pool or Alice In Chains, then you would most likely enjoy the Deftones. Sick band!!

TEN DEFTONES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Digital Bath
2. Minerva
3. 7 Words
4. Tempest
5. Diamond Eyes
6. Change (In The House Of Flies)
7. My Own Summer (Shove It)
8. Prayers/Triagles
9. Hole In The Earth
10. No Ordinary Love (Sade cover)

Song Of The Week: 11/18/18

Song: "The Hanging Garden"

Artist: AFI

Album: "A Fire Inside" EP

Year: 1998

Place Of Origin: Ukiah, California

Years Active: 1991 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

There's a book that came out in 1980 by David Wagoner called "The Hanging Garden". It's about a patch of ground where someone has been making a practice of hanging every sort of animal, from dogs to spiders. After reading the lyrics to "The Hanging Garden", I get the sense that the Wagoner novel may in fact have influenced the lyrics to this song. "The Hanging Garden" was written by Robert Smith and released on his band, The Cure's 1982 album "Pornography". The version of the song I chose for my song of the week is a cover by the band AFI and was released on their 1998 EP "A Fire Inside".

AFI DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Answer That And Stay Fashionable (Wingnut Records)
1996 - Very Proud Of Ya (Nitro Records)
1997 - Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes (Nitro Records)
1999 - Black Sails In The Sunset (Nitro Records)
2000 - The Art Of Drowning (Nitro Records)
2003 - Sing The Sorrow (DreamWorks Records)
2006 - Decemberunderground (Interscope Records)
2007 - I Heard A Voice - Live From Long Beach Arena (Interscope Records)
2009 - Crash Love (Interscope Records)
2013 - Burials (Republic Records)
2017 - AFI (Concord Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF AFI:

AFI formed as a band when the members were all in high school in 1991, solidified itself when those members moved on to college and by the time their debut full length album, 1995's "Answer That And Stay Fashionable", was released, AFI had already released a slew of 7" vinyl singles. The band spent the rest of the 90's pumping out a full length album nearly every year, all of which were released through Nitro Records which was owned by Offspring frontman Dexter Holland. In 2000, AFI's fifth album, "The Art Of Drowning", proved to be the band's first album to crack the Billboard 200 charts, peaking at #174. At this point, AFI began getting offers from major labels. In 2003, the band signed on with DreamWorks and released "Sing The Sorrow". Enter success!! This album hit #5 on the Billboard 200 charts and remained on the charts for 51 consecutive weeks. The album spawned three hit singles, "Girls Not Grey", "The Leaving Song Pt. II" and "Silver And Cold" and to date has been certified 2X platinum. AFI continued to ride the wave of success with the 2006 release "Decemberunderground". This album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, featured megahits "Miss Murder" and "Love Like Winter" and has also been certified 2X platinum. This would mark the height of success for AFI as a band. Though their next three releases still charted well, 2009's "Crash Love" at #12, 2013's "Burials" at #9 and the band's most recent release, 2017's "AFI" at #5, the record sales would never touch that "Sing The Sorrow"/"Decemberunderground" era of the band. AFI is set to release a brand new EP called "The Missing Man" in December of 2018. AFI is a band that had to work for it's success and really paid it's dues for more than 10 years until their hard work paid off. Perhaps it's for that very reason that they are well respected in punk rock circles. A product of the east bay hardcore scene, AFI's music crossed many different styles which all melded together to form their sound. Parts hardcore, parts horror punk, parts pop punk and parts skate punk, if you could put bands like the Misfits, Green Day and The Cure and mix them in a pot, you may get something that sounds like AFI. Some contemporaries that are similar to AFI in style and sound would be bands like Alkaline Trio, Anti-Flag, Aiden, The Offspring and Rise Against. There's a handful of punk bands that are leaders and a whole lot more bands who fall into the followers category. AFI is definitely a leader and one of the more successful punk acts on the scene.

TEN AFI SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Love Like Winter
2. The Leaving Song Pt. II
3. Totalimmortal
4. Girl's Not Grey
5. Miss Murder
6. The Days Of The Phoenix
7. Medicate
8. 17 Crimes
9. White Offerings
10. Third Season

Song Of The Week: 11/11/18

Song: "Ramble On"

Artist: Kevin Martin

Album: "This Is Rock Anthems"

Year: 2006

Place Of Origin: Elgin, Illinois

Years Active: 1985 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Who knew that Led Zeppelin were such big "Lord Of The Rings" fans?! The song's lyrics were influenced by the famous J.R.R. Tolkien novel. The vocalist is on a journey to find the girl of his dreams and when he does finally find her in Mordor, the evil Gollum steals here away from him! The version of "Ramble On" I chose for my song of the week is a 2006 cover of the song by Kevin Martin, of Candlebox fame. The original version of "Ramble On" can be found on the classic "Led Zeppelin II" album which was released in 1969.

KEVIN MARTIN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - The Possibility Of Being (Tympanic Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF KEVIN MARTIN:

While Kevin Martin was born in Illinois, his musical roots began in Seattle, Washington. In 1990, he and drummer Scott Mercado set out to form a band. Add guitarist Peter Klett and bassist Bardi Martin and Candlebox was formed. While not 100% a "grunge" band, Candlebox still managed to catch that wave of the early 90's grunge explosion. Songs like "Far Behind", "Change" and "You" put Candlebox on the map but by 2000, with three albums under their belt, Candlebox was in a bit of a tailspin as a band. When Kevin's contract was terminated, he decided to part ways with the band and form his own band, the Hiwatts. Kevin Martin & The Hiwatts was essentially a Kevin Martin solo project. The band put out one full length studio album, 2003's "The Possibility Of Being", which featured the songs "Enemy", "If We Could" and "Thoughtless Innuendos". When Candlebox released their greatest hits package in 2006, the band convinced Kevin to rejoin and Candlebox set out on a tour to support the album. While Candlebox is still alive and well, releasing music and performing live shows, Kevin Martin has been involved in some other projects as well. In 2008, he provided vocals on the Tantric song "The One", which appeared on the Tantric album "The End Begins". In 2010, Martin formed a band with the guys from Live called The Gracious Few. That band has released one album together. 2011 saw Martin provide vocals on the Century song "Oak God", which can be found on their "Red Giant" album. In 2013, Martin along with Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose and Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society created the single called "The Pride", released under the band moniker The Infinite Staircase. The song turned out to be a surprise rock radio hit. This prompted Martin and The Infinite Staircase guys, minus Wylde, to work on new music under a new name, Le Projet. So far, the band has written three songs together. A lot of times when you hear a singer's voice, right off the bat you know who he is or what band he plays for. When you hear Kevin Martin, you instantly hear Candlebox. Perhaps that makes it hard to do any other projects because his voice is so synonomous with Candlebox. Candlebox was always looked at as the little brother of the grunge bands. They never got the respect of the legends, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. I can see why. They just weren't as good as those bands. But, they had their moments. "Far Behind" is a great song. Some have said it's a tribute to Martin's friend Andrew Wood, the late singer of Mother Love Bone who died of a drug overdose. I look at Kevin Martin's vocal style to be more in line with Wood than that of Eddie Vedder or Chris Cornell. But he also has some bluesy Robert Plant in him too. The dude's got a pretty damn good voice is all I'm saying! Maybe this new project he's working on, Le Projet, will be something to check out. How would Candlebox, Sevendust and Black Label Society mesh? Well, the song "The Pride" provides a pretty good picture of what this collaboration could be all about, and it could be very sweet!

TEN KEVIN MARTIN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Enemy
2. The Pride (w/ The Infinite Staircase)
3. Thoughtless Innuendos
4. If We Could
5. Gathering Stones
6. Wax Paper Mache
7. Ramble On (Led Zeppelin cover)
8. Walk Away
9. Tears Of Africa
10. Favorite Stranger

Song Of The Week: 11/4/18

Song: "Ben Zanotto"

Artist: Rancid

Album: "Let Me Go" single

Year: 2000

Place Of Origin: Berkeley, California

Years Active: 1991 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Ben Zanotto" is a song that is dedicated to Lars Frederiksen's best friend growing up, Ben Zanotto. The song talks about how they hung out on a street called Sharmon Palms with all the punk kids and misfits. Ben would die of a drug overdose and his ashes were spread at the spot where he and Lars spent many a night hanging out and drinking. "Ben Zanotto" is a b-side off the single "Let Me Go". The song also appeared on the 2007 compilation album, "B Sides And C Sides".

RANCID DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1993 - Rancid (Epitaph Records)
1994 - Let's Go (Epitaph Records)
1995 - And Out Come The Wolves (Epitaph Records)
1998 - Life Won't Wait (Epitaph Records)
2000 - Rancid (Hellcat Records)
2003 - Indestructible (Warner Bros Records)
2007 - B Sides And C Sides (Hellcat Records)
2009 - Let The Dominoes Fall (Hellcat Records)
2014 - Honor Is All We Know (Hellcat Records)
2017 - Trouble Maker (Hellcat Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF RANCID:

Rancid formed out the ashes of legendary Bay Area punk/ska band Operation Ivy. In the early 90's when Op Ivy was falling apart, guitarist Tim Armstrong and bassist Matt Freeman decided to hook up with Tim's roommate Brett Reed who played drums and formed the band Rancid. After releasing an EP in 1992 through Lookout! Records, Rancid quickly signed a deal with Epitaph Records and released their debut full length, "Rancid", in 1993. After this release, guitarist Lars Frederiksen of the UK Subs would join Rancid as second guitarist and vocalist. The band's second album, 1994's "Let's Go", peaked at #97 on the Billboard 200 charts and scored the band the opening slot on The Offspring's tour. Funny thing happened at this time. The Offspring's album, "Smash", blew up on the charts and a punk revival of sorts was in it's beginning stages. Rancid was primed to hop on that wave with their next release, "And Out Come The Wolves". This album would eventually be certified platinum, selling over a million copies in the U.S. alone! The singles "Ruby Soho", "Timebomb" and "Roots Radical" were being played on rock radio across the nation and bands like Rancid, Offspring, Bad Religion and Green Day were suddenly in major demand. 1998 saw the band drop the album "Life Won't Wait". Though the band would never see the success that "And Out Come The Wolves" would garner, "Life Won't Wait" was critically acclaimed and many call it Rancid's "Sandinista!", the classic punk/reggae album by the legendary punk band, The Clash. In 2000, Rancid dropped their second self-titled album and this one showcased the band's hardcore influences. In 2003, the band worked out a deal with major label Warner Bros. where the album "Indestructible" would be distributed by Warner Bros., Epitaph Records and Tim's own label Hellcat Records, which is a subsidiary of Epitaph. Many consider this album perhaps Rancid's most radio friendly effort. There would be a six year gap from "Indestructible" and the band's next album, 2009's "Let The Dominoes Fall". In those years some Rancid side projects saw the light of day including Tim's band The Transplants, featuring Blink 182's Travis Barker on the drums and Lars' side project Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards. It also marked the departure of long time drummer Brett Reed. Branden Steineckert, formerly of The Used, would take over drumming duties for the band in 2006. "Let The Dominoes Fall" was a solid return to the game for Rancid and definitely showed why Rancid is the main focus of these guys. Those side bands are great, but Rancid is just on another level. But, those side projects commanded some time from those band members so it would be another five years till their next release, 2014's "Honor Is All We Know". Rancid's most recent release would be "Trouble Maker" in 2017. Rancid is a powerhouse of a punk rock band! You can see they are heavily influenced by The Clash, and who wouldn't be? They could switch from hardcore punk, to ska/reggae, to oi! and to melodic punk all within the same album. Rancid offers a huge catalogue of music for listeners, and if that ain't enough to wet your beak, the member's side projects are also off the chain. Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards, Devils Brigade, The Transplants and Old Firm Casuals are all awesome bands in their own right, not to mention the legendary Operation Ivy where Armstrong and Freeman got their start. Rancid just keeps delivering the goods whether it's in the form of studio releases or in their live performances, not to mention the shitload of b-sides, cover songs and other rarities that are out there by the band. Living punk rock legends no doubt!

TEN RANCID SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Last One To Die
2. Fall Back Down
3. Bloodclot
4. Roots Radical
5. Salvation
6. Brad Logan
7. Honor Is All We Know
8. Antennas
9. Hyena
10. Ghost Of A Chance

Song Of The Week: 10/28/18

Song: "Amber Changing"

Artist: Rise Against

Album: "Revolutions Per Minute"

Year: 2003

Place Of Origin: Chicago, Illinois

Years Active: 1999 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Amber Changing" is a song that appears to be about a relationship that has run it's course. The first verse kind of represents the relationship at it's end while the second verse shows that they are in fact separated. Even though the vocalist could see that this relationship wasn't going to last, he still has strong feelings for her. he's still trying to mend fences and she's still pushing him away. Despite their problems, he still feels that he'd rather be with her and hopes that one day, she'll feel the same.

RISE AGAINST DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2001 - The Unraveling (Fat Wreck Chords)
2003 - Revolutions Per Minute (Fat Wreck Chords)
2004 - Siren Song Of The Counter Culture (Geffen Records)
2006 - The Sufferer & The Witness (Geffen Records)
2008 - Appeal To Reason (DGC/Interscope Records)
2011 - Endgame (DGC/Interscope Records)
2013 - Long Forgotten Songs: B-sides & Covers 2000-2013 (Interscope Records)
2014 - The Black Market (Interscope Records)
2017 - Wolves (Virgin Records)
2018 - The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1 (Virgin Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF RISE AGAINST:

Joe Principe, formerly of punk band 88 Fingers Louie, had sights set on forming a new band. He found the perfect vocalist in Tim Mcllrath and Rise Against was formed. Now early on, it took some time to mesh Principe's aggressive punk rock to Mcllrath's darker vocals but before long, they would catch lightning in a bottle. The band quickly signed to Fat Wreck Chords and released "The Unraveling" in 2001 and "Revolutions Per Minute" in 2003. The latter album is when Rise Against really began to find their sound as a band. And the majors came calling. The band signed a deal with Dreamworks which they were really happy about, but not so happy when Dreamworks was bought out by Geffen Records. Either way, their 2004 major label debut, "Siren Song Of The Counter Culture" would reach #136 on the Billboard 200 charts and eventually go gold thanks to the hit singles "Give It All" and "Swing Life Away". 2006 saw a band that was comfortable live as well as in the studio and it showed with their album "The Sufferer & The Witness". Full of stomp along, sing alongs, this album reached #10 on the Billboard 200 charts and went platinum in Canada. In fact, very early on, Canada became a big time supporter of Rise Against. 2008 saw the band move to Interscope Records and the release of their highest charting album "Appeal To Reason", which peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts. The single "Savior" would remain on the Modern Rock Charts for 65 weeks. In 2011, the band released "Endgame" which featured such social/political singles as "Help Is On The Way" and "Make It Stop (September's Children)". In 2013, the band released a b-sides and covers compilation called "Long Forgotten Songs" and in 2014 released their seventh full length studio album, "The Black Market". In 2017, the band moved to Virgin Records for the release of the album "Wolves" and their most recent release, 2018's "The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1", which features new acoustic takes on some of the band's classic songs. At it's heart, Rise Against is a hardcore, melodic punk band. But, their style couldn't be contained in that one genre and their songs eventually became accepted in mainstream rock circles. Of course, when this happens you get the people coming out of the cracks yelling about "sell outs" and what not, but Rise Against has never lost their fire. Many of their songs shine a light on various social injustices or political issues as well as personal issues. They use their voice and their platform to try to invoke some good and hope in a world gone mad at times. If you like bands like Anti-Flag, Strike Anywhere, Pennywise, AFI or Bad Religion, then you'd most likely enjoy the songs of Rise Against. I consider Tim Mcllrath one of the best vocalists in rock music today. That's any genre, period. The songwriting team of Mcllrath and Principe create anthems that are both melodic and heavy. Simply put, in my mind Rise Against is one of the best bands out there today. Definitely one of my favorite bands.

TEN RISE AGAINST SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Prayer Of The Refugee
2. Savior
3. Like The Angel
4. I Don't Want To Be Here Anymore
5. The Violence
6. Hero Of War
7. Swing Life Away
8. Everchanging
9. Death Blossoms
10. Satellite

Song Of The Week: 10/21/18

Song: "La Cerca"

Artist: Sparta

Album: "Porcelain"

Year: 2004

Place Of Origin: El Paso, Texas

Years Active: 2001 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"La Cerca" appears to be a song about opening yourself up to the realities of life going on around you. As you're young, there is a certain feeling of being safe within the walls of your house. But, outside of that window lies truths that are not so pretty. This song is kind of about gaining knowledge of the world outside, and some things you discover are hard to comprehend but, the more you learn, the more you grow as a human being.

SPARTA DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Wiretap Scars (DreamWorks Records)
2004 - Porcelain (Geffen Records)
2006 - Threes (Hollywood Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF SPARTA:

When legendary El Paso, Texas hardcore band At The Drive In called it quits, three members of that band, guitarist/vocalist Jim Ward, drummer Tony Hajjar and bassist Paul Hinojos decided to form a new band and Sparta was born. The band first broke on the scene with their debut EP "Austere" which showed a band who quite didn't have their sound figured out yet, but the promise was certainly there. In 2002, the band released it's first full length album through DreamWorks called "Wiretap Scars". This album earned the band an opening slot on Pearl Jam's 2003 tour. The band would release a live EP, "Live At La Zona", in 2004 which tried to capture the energy of the band's live performances. Sparta signed with Geffen for their next release, 2004's Porcelain. This album peaked at #60 on the Billboard 200 charts and featured the single "Breaking The Broken" which received modest radio play. By 2006, the band went through some line-up changes and vocalist Jim Ward was beginning to question whether or not he was going to continue on with the band. Luckily, "Threes" would be released that year featuring the great single, "Taking Back Control". The band toured in support of "Threes" but by 2008, Ward announced that the band was on hiatus and without a record label. Ward began working with his new band, Sleepercar, at this time. In 2011, however, Sparta reunited to perform some shows in their hometown of El Paso, Texas. Showing some signs of life, Sparta released a new song in 2012 called "Chemical Feel". At The Drive In decided to reunite in 2012 as well, perhaps putting a delay on new Sparta material. By 2016, however, Ward parted ways with At The Drive In and announced a new Sparta line-up. Two more songs were released as well. "Graveyard Luck" in 2017 and "Cat Scream" in 2018. With any luck, this is a sign that a new Sparta album is right around the corner. Sparta has it's roots in hardcore or post-hardcore. They possess a cleaner sound than what they had when the members were in At The Drive In, but it still is a sound that carries intensity and purpose. Personally, I'm a bigger fan of Sparta than At The Drive In. I think they are a really good band and they seemed like they were getting better and better with each album. I thought "Threes" was an incredible album and "Taking Back Control", to this day, is one of my favorite songs. This is yet another band that I can't believe didn't have more success. I'm glad that it seems Jim Ward is currently working on new Sparta material and I can't wait to see what the band sounds like in 2018. If you like bands like At The Drive In, Rival Schools, Thursday, Thrice or Finch, then you would probably like what you hear from Sparta. Check em out!!

TEN SPARTA SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Taking Back Control
2. Breaking The Broken
3. Air
4. While Oceana Sleeps
5. Cut Your Ribbon
6. Erase It Again
7. Collapse
8. Farewell Ruins
9. Untreatable Disease
10. Glasshouse Tarot

Song Of The Week: 10/14/18

Song: "Breach Birth"

Artist: Chevelle

Album: "This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)"

Year: 2004

Place Of Origin: Grayslake, Illinois

Years Active: 1995 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Breach Birth" appears to be a song about not conforming to a pre-determined mold of what other people think that you should be. In an interview, the band claimed that this song takes a jab at things like "American Idol", where people are giving you a formula and a path that they believe you should follow to become successful. But, a real artist wants to bend the mold or go under the mold or even better, break the mold. They want to tweak and shape their own path and let their vision become their own vision, not what someone else expects them to be.

CHEVELLE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1999 - Point #1 (Squint Records)
2002 - Wonder What's Next (Epic Records)
2003 - Live From The Road (Epic Records)
2004 - This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (Epic Records)
2007 - Vena Sera (Epic Records)
2009 - Sci-Fi Crimes (Epic Records)
2011 - Hats Off To The Bull (Epic Records)
2011 - Any Last Words (Sony Music Entertainment)
2014 - La Gargola (Epic Records)
2016 - The North Corridor (Epic Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF CHEVELLE:

Hailing from Grayslake, Illinois, Chevelle got it's start as a band back in 1995 when brothers Pete Loeffler (guitar/vocals), Sam Loeffler (drums) and Joe Loeffler (bass) began playing music together when they were still in high school. After playing live locally and getting a demo out there, the band was signed by Squint Records who released their debut album "Point #1". Soon after the release of this album, the band's record label, Squint, folded. Luckily, their first album garnered them interest from Epic Records who quickly signed Chevelle. The pinnacle! The band's 2002 album "Wonder What Next" would prove to be the band's most successful album, debuting at #14 on the Billboard 200 charts and within a year, becoming certified platinum. Singles "The Red" and "Send The Pain Below" reached #3 and #1 respectively on the Mainstream Rock charts. The band's next album, 2004's "This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)", debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 charts and also became certified gold. Singles "The Clincher" and "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)" reached #3 and #1 respectively on the Mainstream Rock charts as well. Joe Loeffler would leave the band, or get fired depending on who you ask, in 2005 and be replaced by Pete and Sam's brother-in-law Dean Bernardini on bass. 2007's "Vena Sera" would debut at #12 on the Billboard 200 and 2009's "Sci-Fi Crimes" would reach as high as #6. In 2011, Chevelle released "Hats Off To The Bull". This album received some positive critical reviews for being a much tighter product without losing the band's signature alternative metal sound. "Face To The Floor" would be yet another top 10 single for the band, reaching #3 on the Mainstream Rock charts. Continuing to be a hard working band, Chevelle would release "La Gargola" in 2014 and their most recent album release, 2016's "The North Corridor". The single "Joyride (Omen)" reached #1 on the Mainstream Rock charts, proving that the band is still relevant and vital. The band is set to release a b-sides compilation called "12 Bloody Spies" in late October of 2018. Call them alternative metal, nu metal or post grunge, whatever you want to label them, Chevelle is a pretty solid band. Vocally, Pete's singing is similar to Maynard James Keenan of Tool but Chevelle's style is more melodic than Tool while still retaining a heavy edge to it. If you enjoy bands like Staind, Seether, Taproot, Breaking Benjamin or Trapt then you would most likely enjoy the music of Chevelle. While Chevelle had radio hits like those bands I just mentioned, they always gave me the feel of an underground band. They never quite polished up their singles to crossover like some of those other bands seemed to do. Chevelle is a hard working band, releasing new material every 2 to 3 years and constantly touring. A clear case that good rock music is still alive and kicking amidst changing music landscapes.

TEN CHEVELLE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Face To The Floor
2. Send The Pain Below
3. The Clincher
4. The Red
5. Jars
6. Take Out The Gunman
7. Point #1
8. Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)
9. I Get It
10. Joyride (Omen)

Song Of The Week: 10/7/18

Song: "Slowdance On The Inside"

Artist: Taking Back Sunday

Album: "Where You Want To Be"

Year: 2004

Place Of Origin: Long Island, New York

Years Active: 1999 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

There are two possibilities of what I think that "Slowdance On The Inside" could be about. And both involve drama between band members involving a girl. One possibility is the song is aimed at guitarist John Nolan, who left Taking Back Sunday after a rocky relationship between his sister and TBS frontman Adam Lazzara. The other possibility is a shot against Taking Back Sunday founder and current frontman of Brand New, Jesse Lacey. Insults hurled between these two bands is nothing new. The backstory is that Nolan was caught making out with Lacey's then girlfriend. This prompted Lacey to leave the band, form Brand New and write a song called "Seventy Times 7", directed at Nolan. Taking Back Sunday fired back with "There's No 'I' In Team" directed at Lacey. Perhaps Lazzara joined in on the emo feud with "Slowdance On The Inside", which, right off the bat, references key lyrics from Brand New's "Soco Amaretto Lime". Ahh these silly emo kids!!

TAKING BACK SUNDAY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Tell All Your Friends (Victory Records)
2004 - Where You Want To Be (Victory Records)
2006 - Louder Now (Warner Bros. Records)
2007 - The Louder Now: Part Two (Warner Bros. Records)
2009 - New Again (Warner Bros. Records)
2010 - Live From Orensanz (Warner Bros. Records)
2011 - Taking Back Sunday (Warner Bros. Records)
2013 - TAYF10 Acoustic (Sorry Records)
2014 - Happiness Is (Hopeless Records)
2016 - Tidal Wave (Hopeless Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF TAKING BACK SUNDAY:

Taking Back Sunday formed as a band back in 1999, founded by guitarists Eddie Reyes and Jesse Lacey. John Nolan soon joined the band on guitar shifting Lacey to bass. Lacey would leave the band soon after due to incident with Nolan that I referred to previously. Adam Lazzara was originally brought in to take over bass duties but eventually would become the lead singer. The band dropped an EP which caught the ear of Victory Records who signed the band and would release their first two albums. "Tell All You Friends" dropped in 2002 as Taking Back Sunday got their musical feet wet. Eventually this album would sell over a million units worldwide. Making the album and constant touring proved to be too much for guitarist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper as they left the band and would go on to form Straylight Run. Enter guitarist Fred Mascherino and bassist Matt Rubano. With a new line-up, Taking Back Sunday dropped their next album, "Where You Want To Be". This album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts and the singles "A Decade Under The Influence" and "This Photograph Is Proof" made Taking Back Sunday a band on the rise. 2006's "Louder Now" debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts and is still the bands most successful record. "MakeDamnSure" would pretty much become the band's signature song and the band's first three albums would all be certified gold. Fred Mascherino would leave the band after this release. 2009 saw the band release "New Again" and for the band's 2011 self-titled release, the "Tell All Your Friends" line-up would be reunited as John Nolan and Shaun Cooper rejoined the band. "Taking Back Sunday" would be the last album released through major label Warner Bros., who signed the band back in 2006. The band decided to go on a 10 year anniversary tour in support of "Tell All Your Friends" and released a live acoustic album called "TAYF10 Acoustic" as well to pay homage to their debut album. By 2014, the band would sign with famed punk/emo label Hopeless Records and drop "Happiness Is". The band's most recent release was 2016's "Tidal Wave", also through Hopeless Records. In 2018, original member and founder Eddie Reyes would leave the band in order to deal with his alcohol struggles. Taking Back Sunday could be considered pop punk, definitely emo or melodic pop rock. From 2002 to 2007, they were a band that seemed to be on the rise but by 2009, record sales began to decline big time. Again, a lot of this could be due to the way people consume music now. Album sales and cd sales aren't what they used to be. And there are so many ways to get songs on the internet, whether digitally or through streaming, that it's easy not to pay anything for music today. I look at Taking Back Sunday as a definite leader of it's genre. For a really good treat, check out their live acoustic album "Live From Orensanz" which is a stripped down masterpiece of an album in my mind. If you are into bands like The Starting Line, Armor For Sleep, The Early November, The Used or Bayside, then you would most likely enjoy the music of Taking Back Sunday so check em out if you haven't already!

TEN TAKING BACK SUNDAY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)
2. A Decade Under The Influence
3. MakeDamnSure
4. This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know)
5. Liar (It Takes One To Know One)
6. Flicker, Fade
7. You're So Last Summer
8. Faith (When I Let You Down)
9. Tidal Wave
10. Sink Into Me

Song Of The Week: 9/30/18

Song: "Feiticeira"

Artist: Deftones

Album: "White Pony"

Year: 2000

Place Of Origin: Sacramento, California

Years Active: 1988 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Here is what the song "Feiticeira" is all about straight from Deftones lead singer Chino Moreno. "The name Feiticeira is some Portuguese name that I read in a magazine and just liked. It's based on the scenario of being taken captive. It's completely fictional. I want that people who listen to it feel like they are the ones in the situation. Because of that I sing it in first person. It's up to people to figure out if i'm having fun (with them) or not, even though it sounds a bit eerie".

DEFTONES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Adrenaline (Maverick Records)
1997 - Around The Fur (Maverick Records)
2000 - White Pony (Maverick Records)
2003 - Deftones (Maverick Records)
2005 - B-Sides & Rarities (Maverick Records)
2006 - Saturday Night Wrist (Maverick Records)
2010 - Diamond Eyes (Reprise Records)
2011 - Covers (Reprise Records)
2012 - Koi No Yokan (Reprise Records)
2016 - Gore (Reprise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF DEFTONES:

The Deftones formed as a band as far back as 1988 when all the guys were in high school. After years of making demos, playing shows locally and working hard to get their name out there, they were finally rewarded and signed to Maverick Records. In 1995, the band released it's debut album, "Adrenaline". This album was basically recorded live in the studio. It definitely set the tone right out of the gate that the Deftones were a band that meant business. This album achieved platinum status by 2008. The follow up album, "Around The Fur", started to see a band that was more comfortable and experimental in the studio. This album peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200 charts, thanks in part to the hit singles "My Own Summer" and "Be Quiet And Drive", and would also achieve platinum status. 2000 saw the band drop it's most successful album, the also certified platinum "White Pony". This album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts, selling over 1.3 million units in the U.S. alone. The band also won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song "Elite". Success continued for the Deftones with album number four, "Deftones". Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200, this album would also spend nine weeks in Billboard's Top 100. Though the 2006 album, "Saturday Night Wrist", would debut at #10 on the Billboard 200, record sales would eventually fall well below the band's previous albums. This could be due to the changing atmosphere in which music was getting out to the masses. More and more people were getting their music through free streams or other avenues over the internet so record sales in general began diminishing at this point for most bands, including the Deftones. Tensions were also creeping to the surface between band members at this time because of personal issues and musical directions. The band was, however, working on an album slated to be called "Eros" but in 2008, bassist Chi Cheng got into a serious car accident which basically left him in a minimally conscious state. The band had to push forward with new bassist, Sergio Vega, due to Cheng's condition. At this point, the band left Maverick and joined the Reprise label. Not a far leap as both Maverick and Reprise are subsidiaries of Warner Bros. 2010 saw the release of "Diamond Eyes", featuring the singles "Rocket Skates" and "Diamond Eyes", the latter doing well on rock radio. In 2012, the band released their seventh full length studio album, "Koi No Yokan". Some four months after the release of that album, Chi Cheng passed away from cardiac arrest. Vocalist Chino Moreno has stated that the never released album "Eros", the last album Cheng played on with the Deftones, will most definitely see the light at some point in the future. On the one year anniversary of Cheng's passing, Deftones released the song "Smile" which was recorded during the "Eros" sessions. The band's most recent release was 2016's "Gore" which featured the singles "Prayers/Triangles" and "Phantom Bride", the latter of which features a guitar solo from Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains. Deftones can be labeled many things. Some call them nu-metal. Some call them post-grunge or post-hardcore. Some even call them art rock or experimental rock. They have often been called "the Radiohead of metal" because of their experimental nature when it comes to their music. I know this, there were a lot of bands that tried carrying the torch from the Seattle grunge bands in the mid to late 90's and most of them failed and were really nothing more than watered down carbon copies of those Seattle bands. The Deftones were not one of those carbon copies. This band could stand on their own and had no problem standing side by side along the likes of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. For some reason, popular rock music started being won over by bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit and I always thought to myself, are these people stupid?!! Are they not listening to the Deftones?!! The Deftones should have been one of those bands that carried that rock torch into the 2000's and steamrolled. Don't get me wrong, they were successful, especially those first four albums, but they never seemed to get the credit I always believed they should have as one of the best rock bands on the planet. That being said, if you dig bands like Taproot, A Perfect Circle, Chevelle, Drowning Pool or Alice In Chains, then you would most likely enjoy the Deftones. Sick band!!

TEN DEFTONES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Digital Bath
2. Minerva
3. 7 Words
4. Tempest
5. Diamond Eyes
6. Change (In The House Of Flies)
7. My Own Summer (Shove It)
8. Prayers/Triagles
9. Hole In The Earth
10. No Ordinary Love (Sade cover)

Song Of The Week: 9/23/18

Song: "Hexagram"

Artist: Deftones

Album: "Deftones"

Year: 2003

Place Of Origin: Sacramento, California

Years Active: 1988 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Hexagram" is a song that appears to be about a suicide bomber. The vocalist speaks of how these extremists are brainwashed at an early age to believe that becoming a martyr is a beautiful thing, even encouraged by their own parents to take their own life and the lives of innocent people who happen to be near them at the wrong time. He speaks of the chaos in the streets and the panic and fear after the bomb goes off. What is it all for? The vocalist feels we should be protecting life not engaging in senseless acts of terrorism. After all, we are all human.

DEFTONES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Adrenaline (Maverick Records)
1997 - Around The Fur (Maverick Records)
2000 - White Pony (Maverick Records)
2003 - Deftones (Maverick Records)
2005 - B-Sides & Rarities (Maverick Records)
2006 - Saturday Night Wrist (Maverick Records)
2010 - Diamond Eyes (Reprise Records)
2011 - Covers (Reprise Records)
2012 - Koi No Yokan (Reprise Records)
2016 - Gore (Reprise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF DEFTONES:

The Deftones formed as a band as far back as 1988 when all the guys were in high school. After years of making demos, playing shows locally and working hard to get their name out there, they were finally rewarded and signed to Maverick Records. In 1995, the band released it's debut album, "Adrenaline". This album was basically recorded live in the studio. It definitely set the tone right out of the gate that the Deftones were a band that meant business. This album achieved platinum status by 2008. The follow up album, "Around The Fur", started to see a band that was more comfortable and experimental in the studio. This album peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200 charts, thanks in part to the hit singles "My Own Summer" and "Be Quiet And Drive", and would also achieve platinum status. 2000 saw the band drop it's most successful album, the also certified platinum "White Pony". This album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts, selling over 1.3 million units in the U.S. alone. The band also won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song "Elite". Success continued for the Deftones with album number four, "Deftones". Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200, this album would also spend nine weeks in Billboard's Top 100. Though the 2006 album, "Saturday Night Wrist", would debut at #10 on the Billboard 200, record sales would eventually fall well below the band's previous albums. This could be due to the changing atmosphere in which music was getting out to the masses. More and more people were getting their music through free streams or other avenues over the internet so record sales in general began diminishing at this point for most bands, including the Deftones. Tensions were also creeping to the surface between band members at this time because of personal issues and musical directions. The band was, however, working on an album slated to be called "Eros" but in 2008, bassist Chi Cheng got into a serious car accident which basically left him in a minimally conscious state. The band had to push forward with new bassist, Sergio Vega, due to Cheng's condition. At this point, the band left Maverick and joined the Reprise label. Not a far leap as both Maverick and Reprise are subsidiaries of Warner Bros. 2010 saw the release of "Diamond Eyes", featuring the singles "Rocket Skates" and "Diamond Eyes", the latter doing well on rock radio. In 2012, the band released their seventh full length studio album, "Koi No Yokan". Some four months after the release of that album, Chi Cheng passed away from cardiac arrest. Vocalist Chino Moreno has stated that the never released album "Eros", the last album Cheng played on with the Deftones, will most definitely see the light at some point in the future. On the one year anniversary of Cheng's passing, Deftones released the song "Smile" which was recorded during the "Eros" sessions. The band's most recent release was 2016's "Gore" which featured the singles "Prayers/Triangles" and "Phantom Bride", the latter of which features a guitar solo from Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains. Deftones can be labeled many things. Some call them nu-metal. Some call them post-grunge or post-hardcore. Some even call them art rock or experimental rock. They have often been called "the Radiohead of metal" because of their experimental nature when it comes to their music. I know this, there were a lot of bands that tried carrying the torch from the Seattle grunge bands in the mid to late 90's and most of them failed and were really nothing more than watered down carbon copies of those Seattle bands. The Deftones were not one of those carbon copies. This band could stand on their own and had no problem standing side by side along the likes of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. For some reason, popular rock music started being won over by bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit and I always thought to myself, are these people stupid?!! Are they not listening to the Deftones?!! The Deftones should have been one of those bands that carried that rock torch into the 2000's and steamrolled. Don't get me wrong, they were successful, especially those first four albums, but they never seemed to get the credit I always believed they should have as one of the best rock bands on the planet. That being said, if you dig bands like Taproot, A Perfect Circle, Chevelle, Drowning Pool or Alice In Chains, then you would most likely enjoy the Deftones. Sick band!!

TEN DEFTONES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Digital Bath
2. Minerva
3. 7 Words
4. Tempest
5. Diamond Eyes
6. Change (In The House Of Flies)
7. My Own Summer (Shove It)
8. Prayers/Triagles
9. Hole In The Earth
10. No Ordinary Love (Sade cover)

Song Of The Week: 9/16/18

Song: "Darkside Lightside"

Artist: Ash

Album: "Meltdown Live"

Year: 2004

Place Of Origin: Downpatrick, Northern Ireland

Years Active: 1992 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Darkside Lightside" is a song that appears to be about meeting someone or having a relationship with someone who makes you nostalgic about older, easier times. Perhaps this person seems to trigger old memories for the vocalist and feelings that over the years, he has forgotten. These are definitely good feelings for the vocalist, almost as if she makes him feel like she is his first love again. Her smile brings those feelings and memories back. This version of "Darkside Lightside" was recorded live during Ash's U.K. "Clones" tour. The original version of the song can be found on the 1996 Ash album "1977".

ASH DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1993 - Garage Girl (self-released)
1993 - Trailer (Infectious Records)
1996 - 1977 (Infectious Records)
1997 - Live At The Wireless (Death Star Records)
1998 - Nuclear Sounds (Infectious Records)
2001 - Free All Angels (Infectious Records)
2002 - Cosmic Debris (Infectious Records)
2004 - Meltdown (Infectious Records)
2007 - Twilight Of The Innocents (Infectious Records)
2010 - A-Z Vol. 1 (Atomic Heart Records)
2010 - A-Z Vol. 2 (Atomic Heart Records)
2015 - Kablammo! (Atomic Heart Records)
2016 - Live On Mars: London Astoria 1997 (Atomic Heart Records)
2018 - Islands (Infectious Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF ASH:

Ash formed as a band back in 1992, hailing from Northern Ireland. The band first began creating some noise with their song "Jack Names The Planets" but it was their 1996 album, "1977", that really put the band on the map thanks to the singles "Goldfinger", "Girl From Mars" and "Oh Yeah". That album quickly shot to number 1 on U.K. music charts and eventually went platinum. The band, then a trio of Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray, decided to add a second guitarist/vocalist to the line-up, Charlotte Hatherley. While releasing their next album, "Nuclear Sounds", Ash almost went bankrupt. It was their 2001 album, "Free All Angels", which once again thrusted Ash's popularity, especially in their native Ireland and in England. With singles like "Shining Light" and "Burn Baby Burn", "Free All Angels" also claimed a #1 spot in England and also sold platinum. After 2004's "Meltdown", the band decided to go back to being a trio and split amicably with Hatherley. In 2010, the band decided to release a single every two weeks. This was called the A to Z series, each single named relative to the letters of the alphabet. Eventually, the band released two albums which featured the 26 singles, "A-Z" volumes 1 and 2. At this time, it would also mark the band's relationship with Atomic Heart Records after pretty much spending the first 15 years as a band on Infectious Records. The band's last proper full length studio album was 2015's "Kablammo!" and their most recent release was a live album in 2016, "Live On Mars: London Astoria 1997". The band was touring in early 2017 in support of that live album. Ash has also confirmed that on May 18, 2018, their new album, "Islands", will be released. Ash broke on the music scene right at a time when Seattle's grunge was king but there was a burgeoning alternative rock movement that was creeping to the surface. Though they're from Ireland, they sometimes get tossed in with the Brit pop scene that was beginning to happen as well. Though they got some love in the United States, especially when "1977" came out, they were a pretty big deal in Europe, especially Ireland and England. Their style is alternative rock with definite hints of pop and at times punk. If you like the music of bands like Superdrag, Everclear, Donots, The Vines and Oasis, then you'd most likely enjoy Ash. Ash is one of my favorite bands, moreso when I was younger, but I still love their music. It's a shame that Charlotte isn't still in the band though. She added a dynamic to the band that I miss, especially her harmonizing background vocals that fit so well with Tim Wheeler's lead vocals. To this day still, when I hear "Goldfinger" or "Burn Baby Burn" I get excited. Definitely takes me back to my younger days getting loaded with good friends!!

TEN ASH SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Goldfinger
2. Burn Baby Burn
3. A Life Less Ordinary
4. Shining Light
5. Jesus Says
6. Starcrossed
7. What Deaner Was Talking About
8. Tracers (featuring Emmy The Great)
9. Cocoon
10. Warmer Than Fire

Song Of The Week: 9/9/18

Song: "Moby Dick"

Artist: Led Zeppelin

Album: "How The West Was Won"

Year: 2003

Place Of Origin: London, England

Years Active: 1968 - 1980



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Moby Dick" has no lyrics. The song essentially is a showcase for what a bad ass John Bonham is on the drum kit!! Starting off with a bluesy riff, "Moby Dick" eventually leaves Bonham to himself for a LONG drum solo. Bonham has always been considered one of the best, if not THE best drummer in rock and roll and "Moby Dick" is part of the evidence in his favor along with the entire Zeppelin music catalog. This was a live performance of the song which was recorded on June 25, 1972 at the L.A. Forum but wasn't released until 2003 as part of Led Zeppelin's triple disc live album, "How The West Was Won". The studio version of "Moby Dick" is on the 1969 album "Led Zeppelin II".

LED ZEPPELIN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1969 - Led Zeppelin (Atlantic Records)
1969 - Led Zeppelin II (Atlantic Records)
1970 - Led Zeppelin III (Atlantic Records)
1971 - Led Zeppelin IV (Atlantic Records)
1973 - Houses Of The Holy (Atlantic Records)
1975 - Physical Graffiti (Swan Song Records)
1976 - The Song Remains The Same (Swan Song Records)
1976 - Presence (Swan Song Records)
1979 - In Through The Out Door (Swan Song Records)
1982 - Coda (Swan Song Records)
1997 - BBC Sessions (Atlantic Records)
2003 - How The West Was Won (Atlantic Records)
2012 - Celebration Day (Atlantic Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF LED ZEPPELIN:

Formed in 1968 out of the ashes of The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin signed a deal with Atlantic Records before the label even saw the band play. Atlantic also gave Zeppelin total creative freedom when it came to recording their music. With the release of their debut self-titled album in 1969, Led Zeppelin took blues driven songs, amped them up, and gave them a heavy bottom, thanks to the drumming of John Bonham. In the very same year, Zeppelin released "Led Zeppelin II". Recorded during breaks from touring, "Led Zeppelin II" is an iconic album. From the opening riff of "Whole Lotta Love" to the fiery "Bring It On Home" to close out the album, "Zeppelin II" would mark the first time a Zeppelin record would reach #1 on the Billboard charts. It would not be the last however. In fact, the next six studio albums that Zeppelin would release would hit #1. 1970's "Led Zeppelin III" showed a departure in style and the diversity the band had. This album almost had a folksy feel at times, featuring more acoustic guitars on the majority of songs. Then there was 1971. An album with no title, most often called "Led Zeppelin IV" by fans, exploded on the music scene. This album incorporated heavy songs like the first two albums and some acoustic tracks like "Zeppelin III". Side 1 says it all. "Black Dog", "Rock And Roll", "The Battle Of Evermore" and "Stairway To Heaven"!! Are you shitting me?!! And Side 2 is no slouch either with tracks like "Going To California" and "When The Levee Breaks". This album is closing in on reaching 3X Diamond status!! What does that mean? That's almost 40 million sold!! Zeppelin was officially the king of the hard rock mountain at this time. The band's next two albums, 1973's "Houses Of The Holy" and 1975's "Physical Graffiti" have also achieved Diamond status, over 10 million sold for each. Injuries suffered during a car accident made it virtually impossible for lead singer Robert Plant to tour after "Physical Graffiti" was released so the band put out a video and album titled "The Song Remains The Same", highlighting live performances and behind the scenes footage featuring all the band members. While recording their next album, 1976's "Presence", Plant was still confined to a wheelchair. Jimmy Page, guitarist for the band, was also falling into a heroin addiction at this time as well. You can see it was affecting the band not only on "Presence", but also on their next album "In Through The Out Door". Jimmy Page, who was so actively involved in the songwriting processes of all the albums up to "Presence", was not putting as much into the band as he was before. "In Through The Out Door" is basically a Robert Plant and John Paul Jones (bassist, keyboards) album. While both albums have some great tracks, "Achilles Last Stand" and "Fool In The Rain" to name a few, they both seem to be missing some teeth that their earlier albums had. On September 25, 1980, tragedy struck the band when John Bonham died from choking on his own vomit after a full day of heavy drinking. That was the day that Led Zeppelin ended as the remaining band members refused to replace Bonham out of respect for him as a friend and from the fact that he was basically irreplaceable in that band. Zeppelin released "Coda" in 1982 which basically featured some unreleased tracks mostly recorded earlier in the band's career. Led Zeppelin only reunited on four one-off occasions. 1985's "Live Aid" concert. 1988's Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary show. 1995's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. And probably the biggest event for the band, the 2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert which featured Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham's son Jason for a full on concert at London's O2 Arena. This show would be captured for a CD/DVD release called "Celebration Day". This unfortunately would mark the last time that Led Zeppelin has performed together. Rumors are that Page, Jones and Jason Bonham wanted to do a full Zeppelin tour and possibly even create new music but for whatever reason, Plant does not want to commit to that. Many say that The Beatles are the most important band in rock and roll and I can agree with that. But when it comes to hard rock? Led Zeppelin is the most important band to that genre. Zeppelin had an edge and a mystery about them. They almost felt dangerous. They took American blues and injected an aggression and a sexual tension into it. They had the ability to change styles from blues, to metal, to hard rock, to folk, to Indian inspired music. Robert Plant is the epitome of a front man. He had crowds eating out of the palm of his hands and he could channel Janis Joplin with his screams. Jimmy Page, one of the most influential guitarists of all time. The riff master!! Bluesy and powerful. One of the most iconic songwriters of all time. John Paul Jones. Underrated. Slick bass player and superb multi-instrumentalist. John Bonham. The backbone. One of, if not the greatest drummer of all time. Heavy on the kit. Ferocious drummer. The albums. Zeppelin's first six albums could be on any "best of all time" list. You talk about front to back, every song is killer, amazing music. I'm gonna list my 10 top songs at the bottom of this blog, but those could change daily really. This band just has so many awesome songs! Simply put, Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest musical artists of all time!

TEN LED ZEPPELIN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Immigrant Song
2. Kashmir
3. Whole Lotta Love
4. Travelling Riverside Blues
5. When The Levee Breaks
6. The Battle Of Evermore
7. Going To California
8. What Is And What Should Never Be
9. Over The Hills And Far Away
10. Thank You

Song Of The Week: 9/2/18

Song: "On Legendary"

Artist: Further Seems Forever

Album: "How To Start A Fire"

Year: 2003

Place Of Origin: Pompano Beach, Florida

Years Active: 1998 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"On Legendary" is a song that appears to be about finding that special someone that completes your life and makes you feel whole. You get the sense that the vocalist feels that his life has really begun the moment he and his girl became one. She is his true soulmate.

FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2001 - The Moon Is Down (Tooth & Nail Records)
2003 - How To Start A Fire (Tooth & Nail Records)
2004 - Hide Nothing (Tooth & Nail Records)
2007 - The Final Curtain (567 Records)
2012 - Penny Black (Rise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER:

Further Seems Forever formed as a band back in 1998, hailing from Pompano Beach, Florida. When Christian hardcore band Strongarm dissolved, the band members sought out a new lead singer and a change of direction musically. Enter Chris Carrabba. The band's very first release was a song called "Vengeance Factor" which appeared on a 1999 compilation cd. After dropping an EP the very same year, Carrabba was already set to work on his own project, Dashboard Confessional. He did however lay down the vocals for Further Seems Forever's debut full length album, "The Moon Is Down". Shortly after the release of this album, Carrabba announced his departure from the band. Enter Jason Gleason. Gleason was the lead singer of a band called Affinity which had recently disbanded. He was asked to replace Carrabba on vocals for the band's second album, 2003's "How To Start A Fire". This would prove to be a short-lived stint with the band as inner turmoil between band members would lead to Gleason's departure. Enter Jon Bunch. Bunch was the lead singer of the band Sense Field which had recently broke up. He joined Further Seems Forever for the release of 2004's "Hide Nothing". By 2006, Further Seems Forever appeared to have burned out. Many of the band members wanted to focus on their families and it seemed that being in a band full time was not in the cards for everyone involved. The band released a live album called "The Final Curtain" in 2007 that was supposed to close the book on Further Seems Forever as a band. Chris Carrabba and Jon Bunch formed a band called Fields Forever in which they toured and performed acoustic renditions of Further Seems Forever songs. In 2010, Carrabba decided to reform "The Moon Is Down" Further Seems Forever line-up and the band released their fourth full length studio album, "Penny Black" in 2012. In 2015, Jason Gleason rejoined the band for some live shows. In 2016 tragedy befell the band as former vocalist Jon Bunch had died on January 31st, his death ruled a suicidal overdose. As of the current date, it appears Carrabba is still the vocalist for the band. Not sure if Gleason is also still a part of the band or not. Further Seems Forever is considered a Christian emo band. They spent their early years on famed Christian label Tooth & Nail Records. The band members however, don't like to be labeled as Christian as it tends to pidgeonhole them into one criteria. As for similar sounding artists, Further Seems Forever could be lumped in with bands such as The Early November, Hot Rod Circuit, Armor For Sleep, Sense Field and Acceptance. For me personally, I prefer the Gleason era of Further Seems Forever. I just prefer his vocal style compared to Carrabba and Bunch, not that those two guys are bad. "How To Start A Fire" is just my favorite album by the band. Further Seems Forever is a decent band, not my favorite by any stretch, but not a bad band. It's been quite a stretch of time, 6 years, since their last album and not much news out there as to whether they are working on new material. They have played live over the last few years so, they do remain active.

TEN FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. How To Start A Fire
2. The Sound
3. Light Up Ahead
4. So Cold
5. Vengeance Factor
6. Hide Nothing
7. On Legendary
8. The Moon Is Down
9. Janie
10. New Year's Project