Song Of The Week: 3/31/19

Song: "Tomorrow" (acoustic)

Artist: Silverchair

Album: "Sounds Like Teen Screaming"

Year: 1996

Place Of Origin: New Castle, New South Wales, Australia

Years Active: 1992 - 2011



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Tomorrow", as told by Silverchair lead singer Daniel Johns, "That was on a TV show. There was this poor guy taking a rich guy through a hotel to experience the losses of the less fortunate than him. The rich guy is just complaining because he just wants to get out and the poor guy is saying you have to wait till tomorrow to get out. That's one of our least serious songs but it still has meaning to it." Basically, it's showing someone who has the money and the means how some people who are less fortunate than him have to live. Kind of forcing the guy to have some sympathy for those who have to struggle to survive. This is an acoustic performance of the song that recorded backstage at the 1995 Roskilde Festival. The original version can be found on Silverchair's 1995 debut album "Frogstomp".

SILVERCHAIR DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Frogstomp (Sony Music)
1997 - Freak Show (Sony Music)
1999 - Neon Ballroom (Sony Music)
2002 - Rarities (Sony Records)
2002 - Diorama (Eleven Records)
2003 - Live From Faraway Stables (Eleven Records)
2007 - Young Modern (Eleven Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF SILVERCHAIR:

Australia's Silverchair formed back in 1992, originally under the moniker Innocent Criminals. The band started out covering Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath songs before starting to write their own material. The band consisted of Daniel Johns on guitar and vocals, Chris Joannou on bass and Ben Gillies on drums. A demo recording of their song "Tomorrow" won Silverchair a battle of the bands contest on Australia's famous Triple J radio show. Soon the band would ink a three album deal with major label Sony Music. When Silverchair released their debut album in 1995, "Frogstomp", the members were just 15 years old! Hopping on the momentum of the grunge explosion in the United States, "Frogstomp" not only exploded in the band's native Australia, it also peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 charts and was certified double platinum in the United States. The single "Tomorrow" became the most played song on U.S. modern rock radio in 1995. The band followed that album with "Freak Show" in 1997. This album went gold in the U.S. and was probably the band's heaviest album of their career. As the guys in the band were growing more mature, their sound was also beginning to evolve. 1999's "Neon Ballroom" saw Silverchair incorporate some piano and synth's and provide some heartfelt ballads like "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" and "Miss You Love". For my money, the opening track "Emotion Sickness" is the band's finest moment. That is just an epic song!! In 2001, Silverchair performed to over 250,000 people at the Rock In Rio concert which was a major highlight for all the band members. After fulfilling their contract with Sony, Silverchair created their own label, "Eleven", for all of their future releases starting with 2002's "Diorama". Yet again, Silverchair's sound changed, even more drastically than from "Freak Show" to "Neon Ballroom". The songs were much more pop orientated with less guitars and more piano, synth's and orchestration. While their popularity in the States was waning, Australia was still showing mad love for Silverchair. Think of how the Foo Fighters seem to do really well here in the U.S., that was Silverchair in Australia. They were a major deal in their homeland. In 2003, Silverchair went on a hiatus for a few years as all the band members worked on some side projects. A benefit concert in Australia called WaveAid reunited the band in 2005 and got the juices flowing again for the guys. In 2007, Silverchair released what would be their last album, "Young Modern". This album produced the single "Straight Lines", another wicked good song! In 2009, the band was working on some songs for a new album. A couple of those, "16" and "Machina Collecta" were played at some live shows but by 2011, the guys decided to go on what they termed "an indefinite hibernation". The chemistry that the band had for so many years just wasn't there while trying to record a new album. The guys did not rule out ever getting back together again, whether for live shows like benefits or even recording but there has been nothing for over seven years now. There was a rumor that the members may try to finish up some of the material they were working on before they broke up to release their sixth album but that seems to be on the back burner right now. When Silverchair first broke on the scene, their style was definitely in that grunge, post-grunge mold. Eventually by the early 2000's, their sound moved away from that style and into a more pop direction. In their native Australia, all five of Silverchair's studio album reached #1! The won more ARIA Music Awards (21) than any other artist in history!! To say they were and are a big deal Down Under would be a gross understatemant. World wide, Silverchair has sold over 10 million records so they had a very successful run in their 9 years as a band. If you were into artists like Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Candlebox or Alice In Chains then I could see you digging Silverchair's music. The 90's really was a great time for hard rock and alternative bands and Silverchair was a really good band.

TEN SILVERCHAIR SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Emotion Sickness
2. Straight Lines
3. Israel's Son
4. New Race (Radio Birdman cover)
5. Slave
6. Miss You Love
7. Pop Song For Us Rejects
8. The Greatest View
9. The Door
10. Tomorrow

Song Of The Week: 3/24/19

Song: "Our Core"

Artist: 7 Seconds

Album: "Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over"

Year: 2005

Place Of Origin: Reno, Nevada

Years Active: 1980 - 2018



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Our Core" appears to be about the reason why these guys started a band to create music. The vocalist is yearning for someone to come along who has the same ideals as he did when he was younger and to create the music, in this case hardcore punk, that meant so much to the vocalist. I don't think he wants re-creations, it seems like he wants a band to create new hardcore songs and sounds that are steeped in the same ideology that he had when he was starting out. It's almost as if he wants someone to take charge of the scene and take it over while maintaining purity and honesty.

7 SECONDS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1984 - The Crew (BYO Records)
1985 - Walk Together, Rock Together (Positive Force/BYO Records)
1986 - New Wind (Positive Force/BYO Records)
1987 - Live! One Plus One (Positive Force/Giant Records)
1988 - Ourselves (Restless Records)
1989 - Soulforce Revolution (Restless Records)
1991 - Old School (Headhunter/Cargo Records)
1993 - Out The Shizzy (Headhunter/Cargo Records)
1995 - alt.music.hardcore (Headhunter/Cargo Records)
1995 - The Music, The Message (Sony/BMI Records)
1999 - Good To Go (SideOneDummy Records)
2000 - Scream Real Loud...Live! (SideOneDummy Records)
2005 - Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over (SideOneDummy Records)
2014 - Leave A Light On (Rise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF 7 SECONDS:

7 Seconds is a hardcore punk band from Reno, Nevada that formed back in 1980. After recording several demo's and EP's, most of which were re-recorded and released on future albums like 1991's "Old School" and 1995's "alt.music.hardcore", the band released their debut full length album in 1984 called "The Crew". This album was followed by the legendary "Walk Together, Rock Together" in 1985. Up until this point, 7 Seconds was a hardcore punk band, but with the release of 1986's "New Wind", the band's musical style was beginning to alter. This album was much more melodic and slower paced than their previous efforts. The band continued to alter it's sound on their next couple of releases, almost having a U2 feel to some of their songs. In 1995, 7 Seconds was signed to major label Sony/BMI, most likely catching the wave of the punk revival of the mid 1990's. The album "The Music, The Message" got back to a punk rock feel, yet still more melodic than the band's hardcore roots. It was 1999's "Good To Go" where 7 Seconds would finally get back to the hardcore sound that made them one of the most influential punk bands of all time. Thankfully, this sound continued with their next release, 2005's "Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over". It took the band almost ten years to release their next full length album, 2014's "Leave A Light On". While this album proved that 7 Seconds still had it and could be very much relevant along side any punk band new or old, this album would prove to be the band's final album as in 2018, 7 Seconds decided to call it quits as a band. 7 Seconds is definitely one of the most influential hardcore punk bands out there. If you're a fan of bands like Circle Jerks, H2O, Adolescents, Youth Brigade or Minor Threat, then you would most likely enjoy the music of 7 Seconds. They had that weird period from 1986 to about 1993 where they were kind of branching out musically, perhaps not in a good way for this particular band. I like U2. I just don't want to hear 7 Seconds try to write songs like U2. I want to hear hardcore punk or at least melodic punk from 7 Seconds! At least they got back to their roots by the close of the 90's and into the 2000's. While the band is no more, frontman Kevin Seconds still releases solo material which is very good, more acoustic feel however. 7 Seconds is firmly entrenched as one of the forefathers of hardcore punk and should be respected as such.

TEN 7 SECONDS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Walk Together, Rock Together
2. Young 'Til I Die
3. Clenched Fists, Black Eyes
4. Still On It
5. Panic Attack
6. Leave A Light On
7. Satyagraha
8. Here We Go Again Kids
9. Escape And Run
10. Slogan On A Shirt

Song Of The Week: 3/17/19

Song: "Somthing Bad Is Gonna Happen"

Artist: Fenix TX

Album: "Purple Reign In Blood"

Year: 2005

Place Of Origin: Houston, Texas

Years Active: 1995 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Something Bad Is Gonna Happen" appears to be about creating havoc! It's about doing things you normally wouldn't do just to see if you can get away with it. Could be vandalizing. Could be stealing. Hell, it could be just kicking someone's ass! The point is just to get that adrenaline rush from the possiblility of getting caught or getting away with it. A very mischievous song perhaps! This is a live version of the song that was featured on the 2005 album "Purple Reign In Blood". The original version can be found on Fenix TX's 2001 album "Lechuza".

FENIX TX DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1997 - Riverfenix (Drive-Thru Records)
1999 - Fenix TX (MCA/Drive-Thru Records)
2001 - Lechuza (MCA/Drive-Thru Records)
2005 - Purple Reign In Blood (Adrenaline Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF FENIX TX:

Fenix TX formed as a band back in 1995. Original called Riverfenix, the band tried to make a name for themselves in the Houston, Texas punk rock scene. After putting out an EP in 1996, a full length album in 1997, "Riverfenix" and earning opening slots on tours with Good Riddance and Goldfinger, the band inked a deal with Drive-Thru Records. In fact, Fenix TX is the very first band to sign to that label. By 1999, the band was forced to change their name to Fenix TX due to legal action that was going to be taken by the estate of actor River Phoenix. Around this time, Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 took a liking to the band, actually even becoming their manager for a short stint. Blink 182's label shared Hoppus' liking of Fenix TX and worked out a deal with Drive-Thru Records so that Fenix TX would get some major label love! The band's first record with MCA would be the self-titled "Fenix TX". This album would reach #115 on the Billboard 200 charts and the single "All My Fault" would rank as high as #21 on Billboard's Modern Rock charts. For the band's next release, 2001's "Lechuza", there was some dissension in the band as to what musical directions to take. Lead singer William Salazar wanted to stay true to Fenix TX's pop punk sound while bassist Adam Lewis and drummer Damon DeLaPaz wanted to have a more metal/hardcore sound. Thus, the album was almost split in two different styles which negatively affected some of the band's loyal fanbase. Still, the album peaked at #87 on the Billboard 200 charts. Internal conflicts tore the band apart however and in 2002, Fenix TX decided to break up. After doing some other projects, all of the band members decided to reunite for a few shows in 2005. The band released it's very first live album, "Purple Reign In Blood", that year as well. What started out as a few tour dates, turned into a couple "farewell" tours and eventually, even talk of creating new music together. In 2016, the band released the EP "Cre-EP". Fenix TX at it's core is a pop punk band. Early on, they were kind of pegged by critics as a Blink 182 rip off, probably because of their poppy sound and comical lyrics. Their 2001 album "Lechuza" kind of broke that mold with a more intense sound for the band. The band has been plagued with internal issues between band members that they've had to deal with even after they got back together again. The band is signed to Cyber-Tracks currently, which is a label owned by El Hefe of NOFX, so perhaps they are working on new material for a future project. As for some contemporaries, if you like bands like Allister, MxPx, Rufio, The Ataris or Midtown then you would most likely enjoy the music of Fenix TX. "Lechuza" is the album for me!

TEN FENIX TX SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Tearjerker
2. All My Fault
3. Threesome
4. Flight 601 (All I Got Is Time)
5. Katie W.
6. Phoebe Cates
7. Ordinary World (Duran Duran cover)
8. I Don't Know What To Say
9. A Song For Everyone
10. Rooster Song

Song Of The Week: 3/10/19

Song: "Molotov"

Artist: Dead Poetic

Album: "New Medicines"

Year: 2004

Place Of Origin: Dayton, Ohio

Years Active: 1997 - 2007



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Molotov" appears to be a song about cleansing yourself of something that doesn't feel real or right for you. It definitely feels as though the vocalist is reeling against the system or "the machine" as he calls it. Perhaps there are people or things trying to make him conform to something that he doesn't believe in. It sounds as if he tried to conform but it's eating him inside with guilt, so he's ready to let that guilt fly away and burn, like a molotov cocktail!

DEAD POETIC DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Four Wall Blackmail (Solid State Records)
2004 - New Medicines (Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records)
2006 - Vices (Tooth & Nail Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF DEAD POETIC:

Ohio's own Dead Poetic formed as a band back when the guys were as young as 13 years old! They managed to put out two EP's, 1999's "Invasion" and 2001's "Song" before signing on with Solid State Records, which is a subsidiary of Tooth & Nail Records, for the release of their debut full length album, 2002's "Four Wall Blackmail". Behind the single "August Winterman", this album started generating a little bit of buzz for the band. 2004's "New Medicines" officially put Dead Poetic on the map. The lead single and title track of this album, "New Medicines", began receiving steady rotation on music video channels MTV 2 and Fuse. Yes, there was a time when "music video channels" actually showed music videos! Unfortunately, as soon as success seemed to find the band, three of the five members quit! Dead Poetic re-tooled and re-organized to release their third and what would be their final studio album, 2006's "Vices". This album peaked at #7 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and the band had a planned tour with the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus to support it. However, more internal issues caused the band to cancel this tour. In late 2006 and during 2007, there were conflicting stories coming from members of Dead Poetic. One had posted that the band had indeed broken up and vocalist Brandon Rike announced his departure from the band. Then another post from the band's official website said that the band had not broken up and they planned a "best of" release to honor their Tooth & Nail contract, which did come out in 2007, and also they had planned to record and release a fourth album. Then, there was silence. Nothing more was heard from the Dead Poetic camp until finally, Brandon Rike appeared on a podcast in 2015 and officially announced that Dead Poetic has no intentions to reform or to release any new music. So, I guess that settles that! Dead Poetic was a post-hardcore band that balanced clean and screaming vocals up until their "Vices" album, which eliminated the screaming and gave the band a more mainstream rock feel. The early and mid-2000's seemed to be a breeding ground for these types of bands. These guys were pretty good though. I don't know if I'd consider them a first tier band in this particular genre but definitely second tier. I'd say if you enjoy listening to bands like Blindside, A Static Lullaby, Finch, Secret And Whisper or Funeral For A Friend then you should check out Dead Poetic and you wouldn't be disappointed. A shame they couldn't keep it together longer but it's gotta be tough in this day and age to make money as a band. Not the same as it used to be.

TEN DEAD POETIC SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. New Medicines
2. In Coma
3. Narcotic
4. Glass In The Trees
5. Paralytic
6. The Dream Club Murders
7. August Winterman
8. Bliss Tearing Eyes
9. Cannibal vs. Cunning
10. Burgundy

Song Of The Week: 3/3/19

Song: "Wasted"

Artist: I Am The Avalanche

Album: "I Am The Avalanche"

Year: 2005

Place Of Origin: Brooklyn, New York

Years Active: 2014 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Wasted" appears to be a song about an intense relationship, especially sexually, that the vocalist seems to finally be letting go and moving on from. But is he? Memories are hard to forget for him and perhaps everything about the relationship, excluding the sex, was wrong. But as he moves away from the relationship, he's conflicted on whether he's doing the right thing or not.

I AM THE AVALANCHE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005 - I Am The Avalanche (Drive-Thru Records)
2011 - Avalanche United (I Surrender Records)
2014 - Wolverines (I Surrender Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF I AM THE AVALANCHE:

I Am The Avalanche formed as a band back in 2004 out of the ashes of The Movielife. Vinnie Caruana, lead singer and songwriter for The Movielife, put together I Am The Avalanche when The Movielife broke up in 2003. The band went on a tour of Europe before playing any shows in the United States. When they returned home, they signed with Drive-Thru Records and released their debut full length album "I Am The Avalanche". This album was released two years to the day that The Movielife broke up. It would take the band six years before their sophomore effort was released, 2011's "Avalanche United". This album reached #9 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. The wait was much shorter for the band's third and most recent release, 2014's "Wolverines". This album would peak at #108 on the Billboard 200 charts. Both "Avalanche United" and "Wolverines" received many positive reviews from critics. I Am The Avalanche also released split EP's with The Early November, Bayside, Saves The Day and Transit. As for touring? I Am The Avalanche has shared the stage with many top punk acts including Bayside, The Sleeping, No Use For A Name, Halifax, The Fully Down, Senses Fail, Bouncing Souls, The Loved Ones, Brand New and Four Year Strong. I Am The Avalanche seems like a natural progression for Vinnie Caruana as an artist and a vehicle for him to continue growing as a musician away from The Movielife. In 2014 however, The Movielife reformed, going on a major tour and even releasing a brand new album, 2017's "Cities In Search Of A Heart". There's been no word as to whether Caruana is going to disband I Am The Avalanche and continue on with The Movielife at this time. Hopefully, he releases music through both vehicles as I'm a fan of both and actually, I kinda like I Am The Avalanche better. Either way, as long as Vinnie's making music I'm a happy camper! If you enjoy bands like The Movielife (duh!), Bayside, The Menzingers, The Swellers or Polar Bear Club, then you would most definitely like the music of I Am The Avalanche. Great band bro ;)

TEN I AM THE AVALANCHE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Holy Fuck
2. New Disaster
3. The Shape I'm In
4. 177
5. Conan O'Brien
6. Brooklyn Dodgers
7. Green Eyes
8. I Took A Beating
9. Amsterdam
10. Two Runaways