Song Of The Week: 3/26/17

Song: "Heartless" (Re-recorded)

Artist: A Day To Remember

Album: "For Those Who Have Heart" (Re-issue)

Year: 2008

Place Of Origin: Ocala, Florida

Years Active: 2003 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Heartless" appears to be a typical "relationship on the outs" type of song. The vocalist has done everything in his power to make this relationship work but he refuses to be just a shoulder to cry on. There's so much more to a relationship than that. Her lies and betrayals are too much to stomach for him. He'll live with the pain of her cheating ways, but his first step to healing himself is ending his relationship with her for good. "Heartless" originally appeared on A Day To Remember's debut album, "And Their Name Was Treason". The band re-recorded the track for the re-issue of their second album, "For Those Who Have Heart", which is the version I chose for my "song of the week".

A DAY TO REMEMBER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005/2008 - And Their Name Was Treason/Old Record (Indianola Records/Victory Records)
2007 - For Those Who Have Heart (Victory Records)
2009 - Homesick (Victory Records)
2010 - What Separates Me From You (Victory Records)
2013 - Common Courtesy (ADTR Records)
2016 - Bad Vibrations (ADTR Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF A DAY TO REMEMBER:

A Day To Remember formed as a band back in 2003, hailing from Florida. The band's first recording was the 2004 self released EP, "Halos For Heroes, Dirt For The Dead". The band soon released their debut album a year later through Indianola Records called "And Their Name Was Treason". A Day To Remember then began a long relationship with Victory Records after this release. Their second album , 2007's "For Those Who Have Heart", peaked at #17 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart and the follow up to that, 2009's "Homesick", would reach #21 on the Billboard 200 charts. After the release of their 2010 album, "What Separates Me From You", A Day To Remember got into a legal battle with Victory Records that would ultimately delay the release of their fifth album. Victory did release a re-recorded version of the band's debut album in 2008 under the new name, "Old Record". Eventually, A Day To Remember was allowed to release their 2013 album, "Common Courtesy", through their own label, ADTR Records. The band's most recent release is 2016's "Bad Vibrations". The band toured Europe and Australia in December of 2016 and carried through to the new year to support that album. A Day To Remember is parts pop punk, parts metalcore and parts screamo. They kind of jump around from style to style on their albums, and sometimes even in the same song. As for bands that have similar styles, I would go with bands like The Used, Silverstein, Four Year Strong, Falling In Reverse and Escape The Fate. I would say that A Day To Remember, The Used and Silverstein are at the head of this particular style, pop punk/metalcore. A Day To Remember got a boost to their popularity back in 2007 when they covered pop artist Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" with their own pop punk version. After that, their popularity began to rise and by 2009, they were a headlining act. They are an extremely active band. If they are not in the studio, they are on the road. When not headlining their own tours, they are often performing at festivals such as Warped Tours, Bamboozle Fests and Download Festivals. Not my favorite pop punk/metalcore band, but very, very solid band no doubt about it.

TEN A DAY TO REMEMBER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Right Back At It Again
2. All I Want
3. The Downfall Of Us All
4. All Signs Point To Lauderdale
5. Paranoia
6. You Had Me At Hello
7. End Of Me
8. Bad Vibrations
9. Better Off This Way
10. If It Means A Lot To You

Song Of The Week: 3/19/17

Song: "Your Name In Lights"

Artist: Sic Waiting

Album: "Your Name In Lights"

Year: 2005

Place Of Origin: Oceanside, California

Years Active: 2000 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Your Name In Lights" appears to be a song about moving out west, chasing your Hollywood dream. The price for fame is often steep however. To see "your name in lights" often means you sign your rights away to people who don't always have your best interests at heart. For every one person who lives out their dream, there are thousands who get swept under the rug.

SIC WAITING DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2005 - Your Name In Lights (CD Baby Records)
2010 - Anchors Astray (self-released)
2015 - Derailer (Felony Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF SIC WAITING:

Sic Waiting got it's start back in 2000, hailing from southern California. Very much influenced by the heyday of Fat Wreck and Epitaph skate punk bands of the 90's, Sic Waiting's released their debut full length album in 2005 called "Your Name In Lights". Taking their cue from a bands like Social Distortion, Sic Waiting seems to wait 5 years between their releases. It wouldn't be till 2010 that the band self-released their sophmore effort, "Anchors Astray". They did manage to squeeze an EP between full lengths when they dropped "Vices" in 2012. Their latest full length album was 2015's "Derailer". Most recently, the band has been doing tours of the west coast, first with 88 Fingers Louie, then later on with Pour Habit. As I said earlier, Sic Waiting is very much a product of the 90's skate punk bands, mostly on Fat Wreck Chords and Epitaph Records. Those bands were right in my wheelhouse when I was growing up so when I hear a band like Sic Waiting, they immediately spark my interest. As for their sound, they are very similar to bands like Face To Face, Ignite, Rise Against, No Use For A Name and Bad Religion, though not as heavy as Ignite, more on the melodic side like No Use, but Stinson's voice is similar to Zoli Teglas from Ignite. Sic Waiting is an awesome band. My only complaint is the lack of albums. I mean, they have been a band for 16 years and only 3 albums?!! Some of this is due to Jared Stinson focusing on his solo stuff as well. He often tours solo doing acoustic sets or with his side project, Dead Frets. In fact, Dead Frets just released a new album on March 10, 2017 called "True South". "Derailer" is such a great album that hopefully, Sic Waiting drops some new material a little sooner than 5 years!!

TEN SIC WAITING SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Active Alumni
2. The Salesman
3. Okay, I Lied
4. Victims
5. This Town Is Burning (And I Couldn't Care Less)
6. Maps
7. Lines In The Road
8. The Price Of A Good Night's Sleep
9. Question Of The Season
10. In Compatible Love

Song Of The Week: 3/12/17

Song: "To Those You'll Never Know"

Artist: The Exposed

Album: "Static Armageddon"

Year: 2013

Place Of Origin: United Kingdom

Years Active: 2006 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"To Those You'll Never Know" appears to be a song about a person who seeks attention. Almost like a "woe is me" person who has to shine a light on all of their problems as if no one else has any of their own. The act gets old and the vocalist seems to have had enough of listening to it.

THE EXPOSED DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Marching On (Headcase Records)
2010 - In The Face Of Resistance (Up & Atom Records)
2013 - Static Armageddon (Up & Atom Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF THE EXPOSED:

The Exposed is a punk band from the U.K. that got it's start back in 2006. The band released their debut album that same year called "Marching On". The band followed that up with an EP release in 2008 called "Rock N' Riot". By 2010, The Exposed hooked up with Up & Atom Records to handle the distribution of their albums "In The Face Of Resistance" (2010) and "Static Armageddon" (2013). The band has made a bit of a name for itself on the road supporting such acts as Rancid and Bouncing Souls to name a few. There hasn't been much action on The Exposed front for a couple of years now. After releasing "Static Armageddon" in 2013, the band toured to support the album but 2016 and now into 2017, the band members all appear focused on other side projects. Guitarist Sim Williams confirmed that the members are currently all over the world focusing on those projects but they all still remain in contact and are all still friends so he did not rule out new material in the future for The Exposed. The Exposed play a brand of street punk rock with hints of ska, much like one of their main influences, Rancid. In fact, the guys in Rancid heavily endorsed The Exposed as a band to keep an eye out for. So, if you are a fan of bands like Rancid, Have Nots, The Ducky Boys, Blacklist Royals or the Bouncing Souls, then you would most likely enjoy the music of The Exposed.

TEN THE EXPOSED SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Rebel City Rockers
2. Sleeping's A Waste Of My Youth
3. Young, Dead & Remembered
4. College Park Blues
5. Static Armageddon
6. Marching On
7. R.C.P.
8. Another Excuse
9. King Of Queens
10. To Your Demise

Song Of The Week: 3/5/17

Song: "Given To Fly"

Artist: Pearl Jam

Album: "Fenway Park, Boston, MA 8/5/16"

Year: 2016

Place Of Origin: Seattle, Washington

Years Active: 1990 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Given To Fly" appears to be a song about a man who at first runs away from his own demons and struggles in life but soon has an epiphany. Something happens to him that has such an effect on him that he finally sees a way to break the chains of all that held him down. It's such a strong moment that he wants to go back and share what he's learned and help others who were just like him. Of course, there are always those who want to still keep him down but he will not be grounded and he will fight off hate with love no matter what. This version of "Given To Fly" was performed live at Boston's historical Fenway Park on August 5, 2016. The original version of the song appears on Pearl Jam's 1998 album "Yield".

PEARL JAM DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1991 - Ten (Epic Records)
1993 - VS (Epic Records)
1994 - Vitalogy (Epic Records)
1996 - No Code (Epic Records)
1998 - Yield (Epic Records)
1998 - Live On Two Legs (Epic Records)
2000 - Binaural (Epic Records)
2002 - Riot Act (Epic Records)
2003 - Lost Dogs (Epic Records)
2004 - Live At Benaroya Hall (BMG Records)
2006 - Pearl Jam (J Records)
2009 - Backspacer (Monkeywrench/Universal Music Group)
2011 - Live On Ten Legs (Universal Music Group)
2013 - Lightning Bolt (Monkeywrench Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF PEARL JAM:

Pearl Jam came from the ashes of Mother Love Bone and exploded on the Seattle music scene in 1990. The band's debut album "Ten" is a landmark album which has been certified diamond. What does that mean? It means that album has sold massively worldwide! It also propelled the band to superstardom, almost before they knew what had hit them. At the forefront of the grunge explosion of the early 90's, along with bands like Nirvana, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden, Pearl Jam kept the heat on with their next two releases, 1993's "VS" and 1994's "Vitalogy". The pressures of being that big, that fast began to weigh on the band, especially vocalist Eddie Vedder and the band made a conscious effort to start pulling back the reigns. No more videos and less media obligations. They also did a 180 on their next album, "No Code". This was a much softer, more experimental side of the band and really an effort to change it up musically. Battles with Ticketmaster and going into a shell of sorts began to alienate the band from some of it's fans. The band itself was having some inner struggles and wondering if they were even going to co-exist much longer. Luckily, 1998's "Yield" was a return to form for the band. It also marked a full band collaboration whereas Vedder really took over creative reigns on "Vitalogy" and "No Code". From this album on, every band member would contribute to all future Pearl Jam releases. The early 2000's were a bit of a weird time for the band. "Binaural" and "Riot Act" were both good albums but seemed to be lacking something. The band also began offerering their bootlegs from every show available at this time, beginning with the "Binaural" world tour. Their bootlegs continue to be offered through their website to this day. This period also marked the biggest tragedy that the band was a part of, the 2000 Roskilde tragedy where 9 of their fans were trampled to death during their performance. In 2006, the country was becoming more and more split over the actions of the Bush administration post-9/11. The scene was ripe for a band like Pearl Jam to get their creative juices flowing and write what is perhaps their most political album yet, the self-titled "Pearl Jam", sometimes referred to as "Avocado". This album was a breath of fresh air to me. Urgent and hard hitting, an album with a definitive purpose. 2009's "Backspacer" is probably the band's most positive and fun album. The band's most recent effort was 2013's "Lightning Bolt". This album proved that Pearl Jam is still relevant in an ever-evolving music scene. Pearl Jam's sound is a culmination of a slew of influences from The Who, The Ramones, Kiss, Neil Young, Dead Kennedys, Pink Floyd and many, many more! Of the 4 major grunge bands to emerge from the early 90's, Pearl Jam's sound always commanded arena crowds. Their music is powerful. Their lyrics personal and emotional. They have influenced hundreds of rock bands who came after them. They are equally comfortable playing arena anthems ("Alive"), acoustic ballads ("Elderly Woman"), punk influenced hardcore ("Mind Your Manners") and groove laced stompers ("Evenflow"). The band takes more time between albums as they tend to focus more time on their growing families as well as keeping busy with solo and side projects, but they always get back together to tour all over the world and their shows are always epic and must see performances that rival Springsteen and the Grateful Dead. I'd say they are overdue for a new album. Perhaps the band will be inspired by their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017 or the current political turmoil in the United States and drop another aggressive album with a purpose!

TEN PEARL JAM SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Alive
2. Release
3. Yellow Ledbetter
4. Corduroy
5. Rearviewmirror
6. Go
7. Given To Fly
8. Not For You
9. In My Tree
10. Light Years

Song Of The Week: 2/26/17

Song: "Bent Strings"

Artist: Apologies, I Have None

Album: "Two Sticks & Six Strings"

Year: 2009

Place Of Origin: London, England

Years Active: 2004 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Bent Strings" appears to be about a mother who has to deal with the death of her child. It goes against everything that the cycle of life is supposed to be. Parents are not supposed to have to bury their children. It also touches on the awkwardness of those who try to console this person, but can never quite understand what to say or how to say it because they can't possible understand what she is going through. Sometimes there is just nothing you can say. You just hope that time somehow heals the wounds, though that may be unlikely in this situation.

APOLOGIES, I HAVE NONE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2012 - London (Household Name Records)
2016 - Pharmacie (Animal Style Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF APOLOGIES, I HAVE NONE:

Apologies, I Have None formed as a band back in 2004. This English based band actually began as a 2 piece. In fact, their first two EP's were released as just a 2 piece band, those being 2007's "Done" and 2009's "Two Sticks & Six Strings". Soon after these releases, Apologies, I Have None filled out and became a four piece band, which enhanced their sound. They released their debut full length, full band album in 2012, called "London". After releasing some split 7" singles and an EP, the band's most recent full length would be 2016's "Pharmacie". Apologies, I Have None has drawn some comparisons to bands such as Against Me!, The Menzingers, Thrice, The Flatliners and Trash Boat. Though at their core, they have some punk elements and influences, I don't necessarily consider Apologies, I Have None a full on punk band. I'd almost say if you kinda made a punk band out of U2, you might get a sound that compares to Apologies, I Have None. Their themes are often melancholic and some of their songs can build to an emotional rage. I think this is one of the better bands that I have come across recently. As I said earlier, though they incorporate some similar sounds to other bands, I think their style is really all their own and it's quite refreshing.

TEN APOLOGIES, I HAVE NONE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Love & Medication
2. Clapton Pond
3. Coffee, Alcohol, Codeine, Repeat
4. Everybody Wants To Talk About Mental Health
5. 60 Miles
6. Raging Through The Thick And Heavy Darkness Of A Bloodlust
7. Green Green Mabley Green
8. A Pharmacie In Paris
9. Foundations
10. Wraith

Song Of The Week: 2/19/17

Song: "Dilated Eyes"

Artist: Curbside

Album: "Decades" EP

Year: 2016

Place Of Origin: Ontario, Canada

Years Active: 2011 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Dilated Eyes" appears to be a song about trying and failing to pull someone out of a bad situation, likely involving drug addiction. You get a sense by the end of the song that the vocalist is starting to pull away, thinking that he's done all he can do for this person and his help is just not getting through. Though it's a difficult choice, it appears that he is trying to move forward in his own life knowing that he could not stop this person's downward spiral.

CURBSIDE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2012 - The Sound I Know (Bells On Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF CURBSIDE:

Curbside formed as a band sometime around 2011. This Canadian melodic/skate punk band released their debut album in 2012, entitled "The Sound I Know". It took 4 years after that release to hear back from this band as they most recently released an EP called "Decades" in 2016. There is not a whole lot out there on the internet on this band to put forth a little more info but, I would say their style and sound evokes such bands as Strung Out, Face To Face, Asado, Implants and 1000 Degrees. This band is definitely under the radar but, in my mind, this is a band that warrants attention. Being a huge Face To Face fan, I see a lot of that style in Curbside's music. Here's hoping that this Canadian punk outfit continues bringing high energy melodic punk for years to come!

TEN CURBSIDE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Having To Tell You
2. Days In Strides
3. I've Made Amends
4. Saving Face
5. For Those Left Behind
6. In Pieces
7. The Thankless Few
8. Dilated Eyes
9. Breaking In
10. Get It Going

Song Of The Week: 2/12/17

Song: "Honest"

Artist: Thousand Foot Krutch

Album: "Exhale"

Year: 2016

Place Of Origin: Ontario, Canada

Years Active: 1995 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Honest" appears to be a song about hope. No matter what pain or torment you've suffered in life. No matter how often you haven't been honest with yourself or others. No matter how much the struggle brings you down. There is always time to change for the better. There is always a light at the end of every tunnel. Of course, with Thousand Foot Krutch being a Christian rock band, there is often a tie to God and Heaven in their songs and "Honest" is definitely one of them.

THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1997 - That's What People Do (self-released)
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 (self-released)
2014 - Oxygen: Inhale (TFKMusic)
2016 - Exhale (TFKMusic)

CURRENT STATUS OF THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH:

Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian band that got it's start back in 1995. Originally called Oddball, the band released one album under that moniker called "Shutterbug". Soon after they changed their name to Thousand Foot Krutch. Early on in the band's career, they were very much a nu metal band utilizing a rock/rap sound. By the time their third album, "Phenomenon" dropped, the band started to alter it's sound to a more mainstream rock sound. Once album number four, "The Art Of Breaking", was released, the rapping was pretty much gone from the band's sound. The band had a nice 8 year run with famous Christian rock label Tooth & Nail Records from 2003 till 2011 and since have released their albums through their own label, TFKMusic. The band's 2012 release, "The End Is Where We Begin" debuted at #5 on Itunes while their 2014 album, "Oxygen: Inhale", peaked at #11 on the Billboard charts, making it their highest charting album to date. As of February 2014, Thousand Foot Krutch has sold over 1 million albums world wide. The band's most recent effort was 2016's "Exhale". Thousand Foot Krutch is huge in it's native Canada as well as being a very successful act in the United States as well. When it comes to mainstream rock music, TFK is a clear headlining act. If you are a fan of bands like Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach, 12 Stones or Trapt then you would most likely enjoy the music of Thousand Foot Krutch. Most, if not all of TFK's music has hopeful themes to them. This is most likely because the band is very up front with their Christian values and religious beliefs and they definitely incorporate those beliefs in their lyrics and songs. I'm not really a big religious person, but good music is good music and TFK has played good music for more than 20 years now!

TEN THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. War Of Change
2. Rawkfist
3. Falls Apart
4. Move
5. Fire It Up
6. Untraveled Road
7. Lifeline
8. Courtesy Call
9. Phenomenon
10. Born This Way