Leggybowtwanger's Journals

Bands You Need To Know vol. 2

Here comes my second installment of "Bands You Need To Know!"

Name: Lannen Fall
Location: Boston, MA
Fave Song: "Dead Air"
Sounds Like: Old Fall Out Boy, The Starting Line
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lannenfall

Name: The Summet Set
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Fave Song: "She's Got the Rhythm"
Sounds Like: The Maine, Forever The Sickest Kids
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thesummerset

Name: The Bigger Lights
Location: Virginia City, VA
Fave Song: "The Chemicals of You"
Sounds Like: Old Panic! at the Disco, The Maine
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thebiggerlights

Name: The Wonder Years
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Fave Song: "My Geraldine Lies Over The Delaware"
Sounds Like: Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thewonderyearspa

Name: Cash Cash
Location: Roseland, NJ
Fave Song: "CSL F-Bomb Remix"
Sounds Like: The Cab, Danger Radio
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cashcash

Name: Go Crash Audio
Location: Omaha, NE
Fave Song: "First Place Baby"
Sounds Like: Just really good and unique poppunk
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gocrashaudio

Name: Asteria
Location: Crown Point, IN
Fave Song: "Hoods and Capers"
Sounds Like: The Audition meets The Early November
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/asteria

Name: You Me and Everyone We Know
Location: Washington DC
Fave Song: "Do it Again!"
Sounds Like: Old Panic! at the Disco, All Time Low
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/youmeandeveryoneweknow

Name: Friends For Hire
Location: Charleston, SC
Fave Song: "Danger Us"
Sounds Like: Farewell, Forever The Sickest Kids
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/friendsforhire

What are some of your favourite "underground" bands? Share your faves in the comments of this blog!

Bands You Need To Know

I have decided to comprise a detailed list of some of my favourite "underground" bands that many of you may have never heard of before. I love to share my music with all of my friends so here you go!

Name: Rides Again
Location: Oshawa, ON
Fave Song: "Let Down"
Sounds Like: Three Days Grace meets Switchfoot
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ridesagain

Name: There For Tomorrow
Location: Orlando, FL
Fave Song: "Pages" (side note: their cover of Omarion's "Ice Box" is SICK!)
Sounds Like: Valencia meets Silverstein
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/therefortomorrow

Name: UhOh! Explosion
Location: Orange County, CA
Fave Song: "Jenna Jameson"
Sounds Like: Old The Pink Spiders
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/uhohexplosion

Name: Teeter
Location: Toronto, ON
Fave Song: "Kiss Me and Kill Me After"
Sounds Like: Old All Time Low meets New Found Glory
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/teeter

Name: Mercy Mercedes
Location: Greensboro, NC
Fave Song: "The Perfect Scene"
Sounds Like: Farewell meets All Time Low
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mercymercedes

Name: Settings
Location: Buffalo, NY
Fave Song: "Creatures"
Sounds Like: Scaring Kids Scaring Kids meets Forever The Sickest Kids
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/settingsband

Name: A Kidnap in Color
Location: Chicago, IL
Fave Song: "The Rumours Are Flying"
Sounds Like: The Audition meets All Time Low
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/akidnapincolor

Name: Go:Audio
Location: London, UK
Fave Song: "Made Up Stories"
Sounds Like: You Me At Six meets Old Cartel
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/goaudioband

Name: The Friday Night Boys
Location: Fairfax, VA
Fave Song: "High School (Acoustic)"
Sounds Like: Forever The Sickest Kids meets Holiday Parade
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thefridaynightboys

What are some of your favourite "underground" bands? Share your faves in the comments of this blog!

Heather's Guide on How to Meet Bands

Taken from my MySpace blog.

Lately I've been getting a lot of "omg ur so lucky, how do you get to meet all these people?!" questions in regards to meeting people from bands. I figured I'd share some tips on how to make your show experience better and give you the chance to meet some awesome people! :D[cut=Read How!]

1. Do your research before shows. Add the band to MySpace, join LiveJournal communities, mailing lists, street teams and whatever else you can. Even adding record labels to MySpace can help. These places can usually give you any and all the information you will need about shows and tell you about in-store performances, meet and greets, exclusive contests, signings, etc.

2. Go early to shows. The bigger the band, the earlier you might want to get to the venue.

-For arena-type tours, your best bet is arriving sometime before lunch, because once the afternoon comes around, the bands will most likely be either a) doing soundcheck; b) interviews and media stuff; or c) hiding from the masses of screaming girls outside.
-Find out where the buses are and hang around there and sometimes bandmembers will come over and take pictures/sign stuff before or after a show
-For smaller venues such as clubs, two to three hours before doors is usually enough time to meet most people. Bandmembers will usually just be walking around before the show. Some bands will even come out before a show for the sole purpose of the chance to meet and talk to fans.
-Also after shows, most smaller bands will either be hanging around their merch table or actually selling merch.

3. Don't be obnoxious. Be kind to the person and their security/family/significant others/friends/groupies because you never know when this will pay off later. Being a jerk won't get you anywhere except causing drama or hurting feelings. Musicians have feelings too!

4. Don't be a fangirl/camera whore. Yes, it is nice if you say you liked the set and thank them for playing a show in your city, but you do not have to use the phrases "OH MY GOD" or "I LIKE TOTALLY LOVE YOU." Be original in your compliments and they'll be remembered. Also, don't ask for like 35 pictures because you'll only anger the people around you who are waiting for their turn (unless the musician says you need/wants you to take another picture or you screwed up the first picture by being dyslexic or something *cough*).

5. Be patient. Nobody needs to hear you whine about having to wait.

6. Don't be shy. You'll regret it if you miss you chance to talk to someone. Your best bet is a handshake and to introduce yourself. Most bands are actually surprised at this, seeing as it is not a very common occurrence. If the person looks busy, then you can ask if they have a spare minute, and if they say they really are busy, don't pester them about it.

7. Tip the merch guy. Just do it. They need money too ... and sometimes they'll give you free stickers and stuff ... or strip. Merch guys are pretty amazing.

8. Always say thank you if you get a picture or autograph.

9. Show enthusiasm during the band's set and sing along if you know the words. You never know when a bandmember will decide to hand the mic over to someone in the audience (such as with Hellogoodbye and Cobra Starship). If they do hand the mic to you and you don't know the words, GIVE THE MIC TO SOMEONE ELSE. Don't just stand there with a blank look on your face. Also, don't go up onstage if you don't know the words. You'll only embarass yourself and frustrate the band.

10. If you want to be remembered, stand out! For me, being the tall girl in the front is usually enough to get me noticed. Wear something colourful or, if your venue allows, you can make a sign. If you do go the sign route, don't be holding it up the whole time because you'll piss off the people behind you who now can't see because your sign is in the way.

11. DO NOT STALK THE BAND. That's just kind of creepy...

12. If a bandmember/manager/tech person gives you a private e-mail or phone number, do not go sharing it around with all your friends. They trusted you enough to give you their number/e-mail, and if they have to change their number/e-mail because of spam messages, they will NOT be happy.

13. When a band says they have to leave, let them leave. Goodbye means goodbye, not stick around for another two hours or come back later.

14. Try not to cry when meeting someone in a band. A few might find it flattering, but most of the time you'll just end up freaking them out. Also, if you can't hold back the tears, try not to cry on their clothes and ruin them.

15. Make friends with people in line at shows. You never know who has connections with bands, and you can make some of the best friends you've ever had! Maybe someone has a spare ticket to that show next week that you really wanted to go to and maybe you can let someone crash at your house because they're coming from out of town to a show.

Well, that's all I can think of for the time being. Feel free to add stuff in the comments.[/cut]

Heatherâ�™s Guide to Warped Tour

Taken from my Myspace Blog.

I figure I might as well add a guide to Warped Tour seeing as Warped is in a whole league of itâ�™s own and thereâ�™s a lot of stuff that you should know!

GENERAL INFORMATION

1) Stages:
On Warped Tour there are usually around 9 various stages throughout the park. There are 2 main stages with several smaller stages and a couple battle of the bands stages. The names and number of stages changes every year depending on sponsors and size of the tour. When you get inside the park, get yourself familiar with where all the stages are.

2) Set Times:
Set times change every day for all the bands and are chosen the day of the show. There is no way of knowing when your band will be playing until you get into the park so I suggest showing up early and staying the whole day. To find out when bands are playing, look for a giant inflatable sign that will list of all the stages and the times that each band is playing.

On the large inflatable sign, there will be one band that will be circled in orange. This means this band has won the chance to play a 10 mins longer set. Sets are always 30 mins long unless they have the orange border, then they are 40 mins.

3) Bands:
The band lineup changes every year, getting bigger and bigger. There are usually several "headlining" acts who play the main stages while the other bands play the various other stages. Also bands are added/drop off the tour at various points througout the tour. Just because a band may say they are on the tour does not mean that they will necessarily be playing your date. Keep checking the band list on the Warped Tour website (http://www.warpedtour.com/warpedtour/bands.asp) to be up to date on what bands are playing when.

Note to Canadians: a lot of bands drop off before entering Canada or get stuck at the border. Donâ�™t be too crushed if one of the smaller bands you wanted to see doesnâ�™t show up the day or your show. Most of the time the problem has to do with VISAs and is completely out of the bandâ�™s hands. Most larger bands get across, itâ�™s the smaller ones that tend to have more problems.

The main point of Warped Tour is to experience not only your favouite bands but to get introduced to newer bands as well. This means donâ�™t spend your whole day just at the main stages! Go out and explore! You never know where you may find your next favourite band!

3) Merch and Merch Dudes
Each band gets itâ�™s own merch tent on the tour. The mass number of tents can usually be like a maze and it can be hard to find specific bandsâ�™ tents right away. Merch can range anywhere from $10 for a t-shirt to $35 for a t-shirt. The bigger the band, the more youâ�™re going to pay. Merch tents are also the best place to find out if any bands are doing signings or acoustic sets. Usually theyâ�™ll post signs saying when and where any signings or acoustic sets will take place.

Bands arenâ�™t the only ones to be selling merch! There are also various clothing companies and organizations supporting various charities on the tour.

Always tip the merch dude! Even if itâ�™s only 25 cents, itâ�™s still worth it! Like Iâ�™ve said before you never know what free stuff youâ�™ll get out of it and most likely youâ�™ll get a hug or a high five. If you donâ�™t have enough money to tip all the merch dudes you buy from make it into a contest! Who ever has the best tip-me sign gets the tip. Trust me, some of the signs are HILARIOUS! Also donâ�™t constantly bug the merch dudes asking where the band is. Most likely theyâ�™ll have no clue as the parks are huge and a lot of stuff is going on all at once.

After sets a lot of bands like to hang around their merch tents so you just might be lucky to run into a few people here and there.

If youâ�™re going to buy merch, be sure to bring plenty of money with you. The parks will prob. have ATMs but the lines for them will be insanely long! You donâ�™t want to end up missing a bandâ�™s set due to the fact you were waiting to get money for half an hour.

NOTE: Most merch tents start getting torn down around 6-7pm so donâ�™t wait until the very last minute to buy stuff. Also they can sell out of stuff at dates so if you really have to get something, donâ�™t hesitate!

4) Arriving at Warped Tour:
Arrive early! If you arrive right when the gates open you will most likely not get inside the park for another hour and a half. I am not even joking. I got stuck in traffic this year and arrived right when gates opened at 11am and didnâ�™t get inside until 12:35! Bands usually start playing 30 mins to an hour after gates open so you want to make sure you get in in time. Usually getting in line 2 hours early is good enough.

A lot of smaller bands will be walking the lines telling you when theyâ�™re playing and where. Also a lot of them will ask you to listen to their CD. If someone asks you to listen, be nice and give them a listen! You donâ�™t have to necessarily buy the CD (although you will be helping a struggling band out) but at least tell them what you think of their music after youâ�™ve listened. Plus some bands will give you major discounts if you buy their CD right then from them!

HOW TO SURVIVE

1) Bring a bottle of water with you if your park allows and if not, buy water when inside the park. Yes it will be expensive (usually around $4) but you will need it! Make sure you drinks LOTS during the day because it will be hot and you will get dehydrated! I have seen many people pass out from dehydration and Iâ�™m pretty sure it isnâ�™t that much fun.

2) WEAR SUNSCREEN OR YOU WILL BURN AND DIE!
I am being completely serious. SPF 50 or high quality sunscreen is best. Donâ�™t cheap out on sunscreen because you WILL regret it and you WILL be in pain and I WILL laugh at you for looking like a lobster!

3) Eat. Eating is important. Your body needs food to function and if you donâ�™t eat you will die. Food at the park will most likely be really expensive but you donâ�™t want to pass out from lack of nutrition. If your park allows, pack yourself a paper bag lunch to eat during the day.

4) Wear clothes you donâ�™t really care about and tight shoes that donâ�™t come off easily. Itâ�™s going to be sweaty, dusty, dirty and possibly bloody in the crowd not to mention packed. You donâ�™t want to ruin your favourite clothes and you donâ�™t want to lose a shoe in a crowd because you will most likely never find it again. DO NOT WEAR SANDALS for obvious reasons as well as the fact that you could contract scabies (bugs that burrow under your skin aka crabs but not in that "area") from wearing sandals or being barefoot at Warped. I am telling the truth. If you donâ�™t believe me, ask Luther of Crush Luther and heâ�™ll confirm it. Also donâ�™t wear any jewerly because necklaces and rings could end up getting ripped off/caught on things or people and many injuries could occur.

Girls: Donâ�™t wear shirts with huge amounts of cleavage or skirts. Thatâ�™s like putting up a neon sign that says SEXUALLY HARASS ME! Well, unless you like being groped by slightly drunks dudes in mosh pits.

5) Rest when you arenâ�™t doing anything. Find a shady spot and relax between you favourite bandsâ�™ sets. Itâ�™ll allow you to have energy later in the day.

6) Donâ�™t go into mosh pits if you donâ�™t want to be pushed around or hit.

7) Bring a bandana to your show. No, itâ�™s not so that you can look "scene" or "hardcore" itâ�™s so that you donâ�™t suffocate on dust. Some of the parks Warped Tour take place in are extremely sandy and once you get a couple thousand people running around the dust really starts to fly. If you wet your bandana a bit and keep your mouth and nose covered your throat and lungs will be thankful. If you choose not to wear a bandana be prepared to be sneezing or coughing up black stuff for the next few days. Itâ�™s not pleasant.

8) Avoid bringing in anything you donâ�™t 100% need. The more you bring the more you have to get lost or stolen. Iâ�™ve seen many bags get ripped open in mosh pits and you will never get the contents back. If you have to bring a backpack I suggest those mini-backpacks, you know they were cool back in like the early 90â�™s? Iâ�™ve been using mine every year and itâ�™s never let me down.

MEETING BANDS AT WARPED

See my guide on How To Meet Bands.

HAVE FUN AND SEE YOU AT WARPED NEXT YEAR!

Top 10 Albums and Top 10 Shows of 2007

2007 is coming to an end. Most albums have been released and only re-relases are left before Chirstmas. Most tours have come to an end leaving only a vast amount of Christmas shows to be held. It's time to sum up everything in 2 lists: Top 10 Albums and Top 10 Shows of 2007.

Top 10 Albums:
10) Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High
9) The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel
8) The Used - Lies For The Liars
7) New Found Glory - From The Screen To Your Stereo Part II
6) Four Year Strong - Rise or Die Trying
5) Farewell - Isn't This Supposed To Be Fun?
4) Armor For Sleep - Smile For Them
3) Cobra Starship - iViva la Cobra!
2) All Time Low - So Wrong It's Right
1) We The Kings - We The Kings

Top 10 Shows:
10) The Black Parade Tour - My Chemical Romance, The Bled
May 12 - The John Labatt Centre - London, Ontario

9) Marianas Trench, Faber Drive
April 14 - The MOD Club - Toronto, Ontario

8) The Epitaph Tour 2007 - The Matches, I Am Ghost, The Higher, Vanna
February 25 - El Mocambo - Toronto, Ontario

7) Canadian Music Week DriveThru Showcase - Hellogoodbye
March 10 - The Reverb - Toronto, Ontario

6) Motion City Soundtrack, Sherwood, The Higher, The Forecast
August 7 - The Opera House - Toronto, Ontario

5) Cartel, Cobra Starship, Boys Like Girls, New Atlantic
March 14 - The Phoenix - Toronto, Ontario

4) Projekt Revolution 2007 - Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, Placebo, Julien K, Mindless Self Indulgence, Saosin, The Bled, Styles of Beyond, Madina Lake
August 21 - The Molson Amphitheatre - Toronto, Ontario

3) Honda Civic Tour - Fall Out Boy, +44, The Academy Is..., Paul Wall, Cobra Starship
May 31 - The Tweeter Center - Mansfield, Massachusetts

2) Tourzilla - Boys Like Girls, All Time Low, TheAUDITION, Valencia
November 28 - The Opera House - Toronto, Ontario (end of tour show)

1) Warped Tour 2007
August 11 - Park Place - Barrie, Ontario (aka the dustiest show ever known to man)