Song Of The Week: 4/17/16

Song: "Peace Signs"

Artist: Stray Bullets

Album: "Ghost Town Rockers"

Year: 2014

Place Of Origin: Boston, Massachusetts

Years Active: late 90's-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Peace Signs" appears to be about how the upper class, local government, and even federal government seem to keep a blind eye to the problems and issues that surround areas of poverty. All these people seem to get is a "peace sign" on a tenement, while guns are all over the street, drugs are ruining people's lives and crime is just infesting the area. People with money and power should be investing in these communities to try to break the vicious cycle of criminal behavior but this does not happen and the situation continues to grow worse and worse.

STRAY BULLETS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - The Slings And Arrows Of Outrageous Fortune (Fork In Hand Records)
2014 - Ghost Town Rockers (Dying Scene Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF STRAY BULLETS:

Stray Bullets is a band that got it's start sometime in the late 90's. 2004 saw the band release it's debut album, "The Slings And Arrows Of Outrageous Fortune". For those familiar with the punk rock scene in Boston, Massachusetts, the name Jon Cauztik may be very familiar. Cauztik, lead singer and guitarist for Stray Bullets, also handles the very same duties for another Boston punk band, The Have Nots. The Have Nots took up most of Cauztik's time from 2006 till 2013 when they went on an un-official hiatus. This led Cauztik to regroup Stray Bullets and the band hooked up with label Dying Scene Records who released the band's latest album, "Ghost Town Rockers". Currently, Stray Bullets are a constant in the Boston local punk scene, playing shows and doing several local benefits. In 2015, it was announced that Stray Bullets and fellow Boston punk band The Warning Shots (featuring Mark Lind of The Ducky Boys) were set to release a split 7" together. Stray Bullets' main influences are The Clash and Operation Ivy. The band is very much a punk band with some ska influence. Think bands like Rancid and Less Than Jake. Their sound is very similar to The Have Nots which is no surprise seeing that Jon Cauztik is the vocalist and chief songwriter for both bands. This is a band to really check out. In fact, Stray Bullets and The Have Nots are must haves in my book.

TEN STRAY BULLETS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Knife For The Pusherman
2. Peace Signs
3. New Prisons
4. Rocketship
5. The Anchor
6. Ghost Town Rockers
7. Campesino Blood
8. P.C.
9. Whiskey In My Coffee
10. Walls Come Crumbling

Song Of The Week: 4/10/16

Song: "Too Close"

Artist: Trapt

Album: "The Acoustic Collection"

Year: 2014

Place Of Origin: Los Gatos, California

Years Active: 1995-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Too Close" appears to be a song about a relationship where the vocalist wants to take the next step and seriously move forward, but his partner is starting to shy away and back away from the relationship. You get a sense that she just can't handle letting people get too close to her and when they start to, she starts to pull away from them. She has even warned him of this, but he admits to the mistake of wanting something more between them. I think he felt like he could change how she felt and make her feel comfortable getting closer to him but it appears he was wrong. I chose the acoustic version of "Too Close" for my song of the week. You can check out the original version on the band's 2013 album "Reborn".

TRAPT DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1999 - Amalgamation (Self Released)
2002 - Trapt (Warner Bros. Records)
2005 - Someone In Control (Warner Bros. Records)
2007 - Live! (Eleven Seven Music)
2008 - Only Through The Pain (Eleven Seven Music)
2010 - No Apologies (Eleven Seven Music)
2013 - Reborn (Epochal Artist Records)
2014 - The Acoustic Collection (Crash Collide Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF TRAPT:

Trapt began playing music together when the members were in high school in 1995. From the mid to late 90's, the band mostly played local shows, often opening up for the band Papa Roach. Though they self released the album "Amalgamation" in 1999, their big break came when they hooked up with major label Warner Bros. and released 2002's "Trapt". This album put Trapt on the musical map. The singles "Headstrong" and "Still Frame" both reached #1 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Charts and the album itself has been certified platinum, making it Trapt's most successful effort to date. It would be very hard for Trapt to live up to the success of that self-titled album however. The band's next album was their highest peak position on the charts at #14, but it ultimately couldn't keep up with the sales of the self-titled release. All of Trapt's albums would peak higher than 50 on the charts however, so they are still achieving success. It has definitely earned the right to be a headliner when it comes to touring. Most recently, Trapt has gone through some line-up changes, however this is not affecting their progress. In 2014, the band released "The Acoustic Collection" which features stripped down takes of some of their classic songs. The band also announced that they were working on a brand new studio album that was to be titled "DNA". By November of 2015, the band has already released three singles that are going to be on their upcoming release, "Passenger", "It's Over" and "Human (Like The Rest Of Us)". "DNA" is set to be released in 2016. Trapt is a typical mainstream hard rock band. Their songs are melodic with choruses that inspire sing-a-long chants during live performances. If you enjoy mainstream rock bands like Papa Roach, Trust Company, Thousand Foot Krutch, Chevelle and Three Days Grace, then you would most likely enjoy the music of Trapt. They are a pretty good mainstream band.

TEN TRAPT SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Headstrong
2. Stand Up
3. Who's Going Home With You Tonight
4. Contagious
5. Echo
6. Still Frame
7. Waiting
8. Sound Off
9. Love Hate Relationship
10. Bring It

Song Of The Week: 4/3/16

Song: "Crawling In The Dark"

Artist: Hoobastank

Album: "Live From The Wiltern"

Year: 2009

Place Of Origin: Agoura Hills, California

Years Active: 1994-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Crawling In The Dark" appears to be a song about the vocalist seeking validation, even just for a moment, that the decisions he's making in life are the right ones for him to make. He wants to know if he's going down the right path or are the things he's doing now all for nothing. It's a pivotal moment for someone, especially someone who is full throttle, following their dreams. It would be cool to see into the future and see if your choices have paid off, but reality is, a lot of these choices and decisions have to be made blind to what the future holds. The studio version of "Crawling In The Dark" appears on Hoobastank's 2001 self-titled album.

HOOBASTANK DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - The Sure Don't Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To (Self Released)
2001 - Hoobastank (Island Records)
2003 - The Reason (Island Records)
2006 - Every Man For Himself (Island Def Jam Music Group)
2009 - For(N)ever (Island Def Jam Music Group)
2009 - Live From The Wiltern (Island Records)
2010 - Is This The Day? (Universal Music)
2012 - Fight Or Flight (Open E Entertainment)

CURRENT STATUS OF HOOBASTANK:

Hoobastank formed as a band back in 1994. Originally, the band was a kind of funk metal outfit, complete with hip hop vocals. They are often compared to the band Incubus and rightfully so. Both bands' members grew up close to each other and both bands often played together at local gigs. Both bands also were heavily influenced by hip hop and incorporated that in their form of rock music. Eventually, both bands shifted their sound to a more straightforward, melodic, mainstream, hard rock sound as well. Hoobastank's big break was hooking up with Island Records, who would distribute the band's first 5 albums. 2001's "Hoobastank" is the band's first proper release though they did self release and album before this. Singles such as "Crawling In The Dark", "Running Away" and "Remember Me" shot Hoobastank up the charts. But, it was the band's sophmore effort, "The Reason", that established Hoobastank as a major player on the modern rock scene. This album was the band's highest charting effort, reaching #3 on the Billboard 200 charts and the single, "The Reason", reached #1 on the U.S. and World Modern Rock charts. Though the band's next album, 2006's "Every Man For Himself", would peak as high as #12 on the U.S. rock charts, it marked a trend of falling sales numbers which would continue on the band's subsequent releases following that album. The band and Island Records ended their relationship in 2009. In 2010, the band released the all acoustic album, "Is This The Day?" through Universal. The band's most recent release was 2012's "Fight Or Flight". The band released 3 singles off that album and toured in support of the album through the fall of 2012 and into early 2013. Currently, there's not much news on the Hoobastank front. The band could possibly be just taking a break, regrouping and recharging the batteries before they work on new material. It could be the decline in sales possibly as the reason, but Hoobastank is a band that was on a major label for the majority of their career so that tells me their music is still in demand out there. As I said before, the band's biggest comparison in style is that of Incubus. But you can also compare their sound to many melodic rock/mainstream rock bands like Finger Eleven, Seether, Three Days Grace and bands of that ilk. I'm not a crazy fan of Hoobastank, but I consider them a pretty good mainstream band.

TEN HOOBASTANK SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Crawling In The Dark
2. Running Away
3. Out Of Control
4. Same Direction
5. Inside Of You
6. The Reason
7. So Close, So Far
8. Disappear
9. If I Were You
10. Remember Me

Song Of The Week: 3/27/16

Song: "Dirty Hands"

Artist: Archers And Arrows

Album: "Alone Together"

Year: 2013

Place Of Origin: Switzerland

Years Active: 2010-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Dirty Hands" appears to be a song about coming to the realization that the dreams you had for yourself as a teenager are not going to be attainable anymore. You sense that the vocalist almost has to come back with his tail between his legs and face his doubters and hope they still accept him even with his failures. You really get the idea that he doesn't want to go back to that place however.

ARCHERS AND ARROWS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2013 - Alone Together (Sirkel Pit Music)

CURRENT STATUS OF ARCHERS AND ARROWS:

Archers And Arrows are a Swiss punk band that meshes styles of melodic hardcore with indie punk and splashes of emo. In 2010, the band formed and released their debut EP, "Archers And Arrows". The band released a 3 song demo through their bandcamp page in 2011 and in 2013, the band released it's debut full length album titled "Alone Together", releasing music videos for the songs "Self-Made Man" and "Sing And Play". Over the course of Archers And Arrows' brief career, the band has shared the stage with some legendary punk rock bands such as The Gaslight Anthem, Bouncing Souls and The Get Up Kids. The band's main influence may be Hot Water Music and their sound is similar. Along with Hot Water Music, Archers And Arrows also shares similarities with bands such as Polar Bear Club, Dead To Me, Latterman, Venerea and Thrice. If you're a fan of any of those bands, it's worthwhile to give this Swiss band a listen to. Currently, there hasn't been much news on the Archers And Arrows front since they released "Alone Together" in 2013, but I wouldn't be surprised if new material by the band pops up sooner rather than later.

TEN ARCHERS AND ARROWS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Sing To The Wind
2. The Support
3. Sing And Play
4. Innocence
5. Numb/Dumb
6. My Own God
7. The Young Carpetbaggers
8. Swan Song
9. Self-Made Man
10. Danse Macabre

Song Of The Week: 3/20/16

Song: "I See Red"

Artist: Thousand Foot Krutch

Album: "Oxygen:Inhale"

Year: 2014

Place Of Origin: Ontario, Canada

Years Active: 1995-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"I See Red" appears to be about facing certain obstacles in life, whether they be physical, mental or emotional, and trying to steer clear of them or get through them. Often you find that it's not always easy to do this alone and you need support. Being that Thousand Foot Krutch does often wear it's faith in God on it's sleeve, perhaps the vocalist is insinuating that it's with his faith, that he finds the strength to overcome his obstacles and his direction in life is seen much clearer. Or perhaps, he's leaning on family and loved ones. I'm sure it can be a little of both.

THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Shutterbug (as Oddball) (Independent Release)
1997 - That's What People Do (Independent Release)
2001 - Set It Off (DJD Entertainment Group)
2003 - Phenomenon (Tooth & Nail Records)
2005 - The Art Of Breaking (Tooth & Nail Records)
2007 - The Flame In All Of Us (Tooth & Nail Records)
2009 - Welcome To The Masquerade (Tooth & Nail Records)
2011 - Live At The Masquerade (Tooth & Nail Records)
2012 - The End Is Where We Begin (Independent Release)
2014 - Oxygen:Inhale (Independent Release)

CURRENT STATUS OF THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH:

Thousand Foot Krutch was the brainchild of vocalist Trevor McNevan. Formed in 1995 and originally called Oddball, McNevan decided to form a band influenced by merging nu metal sounds with hip hop grooves and lyrics. Not hard and edgy like rock/rap legends Rage Against The Machine, but more party rock/rap. The band independently released their first two albums and by 2001, released "Set It Off" through DJD Entertainment Group. By 2003, the band signed on with Christian punk rock label Tooth & Nail records. Their sound also began to shift to a more mainstream rock sound. With the release of 2005's "The Art Of Breaking", the band basically transformed into a total mainstream rock outfit, gone were the rap style lyrics. "The Art Of Breaking" featured the band's highest charting single, "Move", which peaked at #16 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. 2009's "Welcome To The Masquerade", 2012's "The End Is Where We Begin" and 2014's "Oxygen:Inhale" peaked at #35, #14 and #11 respectively on the charts, proving that Thousand Foot Krutch is a band who is trending upwards after each release, a bit of an odd occurence given that most bands have huge success early, then began fading out. Currently, Thousand Foot Krutch appear to be on the verge of releasing their "sister" album, if you would, to "Oxygen:Inhale" sometime in 2016. The album is called "Exhale" and two singles have already been released for the album, "Born Again" and "Running With Giants". The band has been sans label since 2011 and have been releasing albums independently since 2012's "The End Is Where We Begin". As for musical style, as I said, the early rock/rap days of the band have been virtually non-existent since 2003. Their sound is more on the line with bands such as Three Days Grace, Finger Eleven, P.O.D., Fuel and Papa Roach. The band is a very big deal in it's native Canada and is pretty successful worldwide as well. As of February of 2014, the band has sold over 1 million albums worldwide. The band is considered a Christian rock band as it's beliefs and faith do tend to fill through in their lyrics but that does not mean that this is not a damn good rocking band! If you like more mainstream, melodic rock acts like the contemporaries I mentioned above, then you will most likely enjoy the music of Thousand Foot Krutch.

TEN THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Fire It Up
2. Phenomenon
3. Shook
4. Falls Apart
5. Untraveled Road
6. War Of Change
7. Move
8. Welcome To The Masquerade
9. Rawkfist
10. Running With Giants

Song Of The Week: 3/13/16

Song: "She Takes It So Well"

Artist: Hot Water Music

Album: "A Flight And A Crash"

Year: 2001

Place Of Origin: Gainesville, Florida

Years Active: 1993-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"She Takes It So Well" appears to be about seeing someone, most likely someone you love, wife, mother, sister, etc, perhaps succumbing to a fatal disease or sickness. I get the feeling that she takes the news much better than the loved ones that surround her and her strength in that very tough situation is somewhat inspirational, but you can sense the vocalist is feeling really helpless and it's weighing on him heavily, as matters like this usually do.

HOT WATER MUSIC DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Finding The Rhythms (No Idea Records)
1997 - Fuel For The Hate Game (No Idea Records)
1997 - Forever And Counting (Rise Records)
1999 - No Division (No Idea Records)
1999 - Live At The Hardback (No Idea Records)
2001 - A Flight And A Crash (Epitaph Records)
2001 - Never Ender (No Idea Records)
2002 - Caution (Epitaph Records)
2004 - The New What Next (Epitaph Records)
2008 - Till The Wheels Come Off (No Idea Records)
2012 - Exister (Rise Records)
2013 - Live In Chicago (No Idea Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF HOT WATER MUSIC:

Hot Water Music formed as a band back in 1993 in Gainesville, Florida and features guitarist/vocalist Chuck Ragan, guitarist/vocalist Chris Wollard, bassist/vocalist Jason Black and drummer George Rebelo. From 1995 till 2004, the band dropped a whopping 9 albums, including a few b-sides and rarities compilations and a live album. You could say that Hot Water Music is sort of like the Bruce Springsteen of punk rock music in that, their live performances were always seen as epic shows, full of energy and the band members leaving everything of themselves out there on stage. Early on, Hot Water Music was a staple on punk rock label No Idea Records but in 2002, the band hooked up with legendary punk label Epitaph and released perhaps their most influential album, "Caution", which featured such punk rock classics as "Remedy", "Trusty Chords" and "Wayfarer". After the 2004 release "The New What Next" and subsequent tour in support of that album, Hot Water Music went on a bit of a hiatus. Most members focused on various side projects. Chuck Ragan focused on his solo material and began setting up "The Revival Tours", which featured many punk rock frontmen in an acoustic, bar room type atmosphere. The remaining members of Hot Water Music formed the band The Draft in 2006 and released an album. Chris Wollard formed a band called The Ship Thieves in 2009 which is still active today. Jason Black played bass for Senses Fail from 2008 till 2012 and is in a new band called Unwed and George Rebelo has been playing drums for Against Me! since 2009. Hot Water Music would get back together in 2008 for a handful of shows and by 2012,drop a brand new album, "Exister", through Rise Records. With singles like "Drag My Body" and "State Of Grace", Hot Water Music shows that they still very much have their chops and they continue to be relevant and a key component of the punk rock landscape. Currently, Hot Water Music appears to be a project that all the members come back to after a few years of doing their own thing. I'm not sure that the band is the main focus of all the members any more, but none of them take the band or it's accomplishments lightly and when the do all get back together, they all make sure their focus is tight as not to disrespect the legacy of this great band. The band's most recent stint was a 20th anniversary tour in 2014 which featured The Flatliners and Dave Hause as opening acts. In punk rock circles, Hot Water Music is a legendary act. Though, their music can't completely be defined as punk. I view it as aggressive rock and roll with punk rock elements for sure. Ragan and Wollard are excellent songwriters and vocalists as well. Their lyrics are often very passionate and meaningful. I'd say their contemporaries are bands like Face To Face, Samiam, Swingin' Utters and A Wilhelm Scream and their influence is clear in bands like Red City Radio, The Flatliners and All Eyes West.

TEN HOT WATER MUSIC SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Remedy
2. Drag My Body
3. Trusty Chords
4. Radio (Alkaline Trio cover)
5. Freightliner
6. God Deciding
7. Moonpies For Misfits
8. Rooftops
9. Jack Of All Trades
10. All Heads Down

Song Of The Week: 3/6/16

Song: "San Ysidro"

Artist: Chris Cresswell

Album: "One Week Record"

Year: 2014

Place Of Origin: Ontario, Canada

Years Active: 2002-present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"San Ysidro" appears to be a song about growing old together. It's about a relationship so strong that nothing else matters other than the fact that the two are together. It also appears that the two will leave behind their cold climate home to start a new life in a warmer climate, which is San Ysidro.

CHRIS CRESSWELL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2014 - "One Week Record" (One Week Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF CHRIS CRESSWELL:

Ontario, Canada's Chris Cresswell has been active in the music scene dating back to 2002. It was back then when he formed the band The Flatliners. As frontman for The Flatliners, he and the band have released five full length albums, the latest being the 2015 compilation album "Division Of Spoils", as well as releasing several EP's and 7" singles and being involved on several punk rock compilation albums. In between touring and recording with The Flatliners, Cresswell did tour a bit as a solo artist doing acoustic performances. Lagwagon frontman Joey Cape formed a new label called One Week Records. The purpose of his label was to have an artist spend one week at his house and write and record 10 songs that Cape would record in his home studio. It was a way to have songs in their beginning stages or demo stage which is what Cape was striving for with this project. Cresswell was one of the first to record his album with Cape. The release came out in 2014. Cresswell, you can tell, is highly influenced by another punk rocker gone acoustic, Tony Sly of No Use For A Name. One listen to Cresswell's "One Week Record" and the influence of Sly is obvious. Cresswell joins an ever growing list of punk rock frontmen that have done solo acoustic projects. It's a who's who of punk rock royalty. Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!), Dave Hause (The Loved Ones), Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Tim Barry (Avail) and Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio) to name a few. Cresswell's last solo tour was in 2015, where he toured the U.S. and Canada. More recently, he and The Flatliners went on a European tour with punk rock super cover group, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes in early 2016. So, currently, it appears Cresswell has his focus squarely on his main project, The Flatliners. While that band is touring, I haven't heard any news as to new material coming out or being worked on, either of The Flatliners or solo material.

TEN CHRIS CRESSWELL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Meet Me In The Shade
2. Liver Alone
3. Concrete Dialogue
4. Arrythmic Palpitations
5. Little Bones
6. Prove Me Wrong
7. San Ysidro
8. Daggers
9. On The Day That You Dies
10. Waking Is Still Honest (Against Me! cover)