The Band Bloggers

During the past month, Sleeping with Sirens toured the U.S. with The Summer Set and Nick Santino. The shows were completely acoustic and played in smaller, more intimate venues.

Sleeping With Sirens Photo by Rachel Ungos

LIV SLABY

I drove into the city on May 29 with my friend and very low expectations for the show we were about to see. Several months ago, I bought Falling In Reverse tickets on a whim, but as we approached one of Chicago's most beautiful venues, I was starting to regret my decision. Considering the sheer amount of people who said "I'm sorry" when I told them I was going to a Falling In Reverse show paired with the reputation they have (ahem, kicking people out and throwing mic stands), I was a bit concerned that I was wasting my money. The show started later than I thought it did, leaving my friend and I squished together in a hot room for two hours. However, I tried to keep a smile on my face, and when the opening band Ghost Town came on I breathed a sigh of relief.

Ghost Town had great sound quality and gave an entertaining performance, but no one really knew their music so the crowd experience wasn't very exciting. Ghost Town's blend of rock and electronic pop was refreshing; Falling In Reverse picked a good opener. Next up was Falling in Reverse themselves performing the entirety of "Dying is Your Latest Fashion," a feat that would require a lot of stamina considering they would turn around afterwards and play a normal hour long set. Finally hearing "Not Good Enough For Truth In Cliche" live (pardon the cliche) made my heart jump for joy, "The Webs We Weave" was an absolutely magical opening statement, and their performance of "The Day I Left The Womb" was just as emotional and heartfelt as the song deserves.

Never to be outdone - even by themselves - Falling In Reverse hopped back onstage after their musical trip down memory lane, this time in front of a circus tent backdrop decorated with flashing strings of lights. They opened with "Chemical Prisoner," which features one of their best guitar solos, technically complex and full of beautiful runs. From the start, it was clear that the pit was pretty intense, and the show had a minimal number of twelve-year-olds in attendance unlike what I was prepared for. "Rolling Stone" was one of the most memorable songs, the band giving it their all as the audience tried to keep up with the constant switching between rap, pop and metalcore. During the breakdown before the final chorus, the audience went absolutely wild, and many - myself included - dove into the pit.

Ronnie Radke performing on the Three-Ring Circus - source

A particularly memorable moment occurred when singer Ronnie Radke introduced a song by splitting the crowd down the middle and saying, "If you brought an infant or a toddler tonight, I want you to throw them right in the middle of that pit, this is the heaviest song you'll ever hear." I was immediately filled with buzzing nerves, but I barely had time to process my fear before the band launched into "Bad Girls Club," complete with neon colored strobe lights. I danced my ass off during that song, 80's club style, and probably made a complete fool of myself. The best part was that I didn't care at all, and no one else did either. I fell in love with "Guillotine IV (The Final Chapter)" that night (which I highly recommend you check out, it's gnarly), and had an amazing time jamming to "Alone" even though it's a total guilty pleasure song. Ronnie's energy captivated the crowd that night and brought us all together. As I found out, a Falling in Reverse show is the only place you can mosh, dance like you're in the club, and get the experience of a rap concert all in one.

From the moment Ronnie started a sentence with, "I am very, very aware....", fans erupted with screams and streamers flew through the air as Falling In Reverse launched into their final song, "Just Like You." Audience members put their arms around each other and swayed back and forth, and in that moment I realized the true bonding power of music, even if it's not the best or most meaningful music. I walked in to House of Blues that night with the bar set very low, and I left covered in streamers, with several new friends and the memories of the most amazing night I'd had in a long time. Well done, Falling In Reverse - people can say what they want, but you really know how to put on a damn good show.

BY LIV SLABY

Twenty One Pilots is back and bolder than ever with their new album "Blurryface", out May 19 from Fueled By Ramen. Although "Vessel" speaks of hope, "Blurryface" shows Tyler Joseph facing his demons head-on. He has spoken about the immensity of his insecurities and why he feels that it helps to give them a face and a name, and the character Blurryface is referenced several times on the album. "Blurryface" has caused quite the buzz in the online community after its leak on May 10. Responses were very positive as fans embraced the band's expansion into new frontiers of music.

Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph for their upcoming Blurryface Tour

After finding a solid niche in indie pop on "Vessel", it sounds like the duo is either trying to find their sound again or showcasing their musical diversity on this album. "Blurryface" is a mishmash of rap, pop, indie, and a reggae flair. Although this shows Twenty One Pilots' functionality in many facets of music, the lack of a clear "sound" leaves the album with little direction and makes it hard to listen to straight down.

However, the success is in the concept of the album. The character of Blurryface is an original idea and something that everyone can relate to. It's clear that the album is cathartic for Joseph, providing an outlet for his darkest feelings. With these themes often come a darker sound, evident in "Fairly Local" and "Stressed Out". The lyrics are full of pure honesty and nothing is veiled, which gives the album an intimate side. Listening to "Blurryface" feels like being inside Joseph's mind for an hour.

Standout tracks include "Tear In My Heart", "The Judge", and "Hometown", which show Twenty One Pilots at their best with an upbeat pop sound and lyrics with a poetic honesty that could only come from one band. "Blurryface" is definitely worth the listen, but it's safe to say we haven't seen the best Twenty One Pilots has to offer yet.

You can buy "Blurryface" on iTunes here.

After keeping their fans on edge for a couple of days, mainly due to an anonymous twitter account posting pictures and clips that have to do with new music, Twenty One Pilots have released a third song from their upcoming album "Blurryface". The album is suppose to be out May 19, and will feature a total of 14 tracks, the previously released Fairly Local, Tear In My Heart and now a song called Stressed Out.

Why this song marks the start of a new era for Panic!
By Marielou Obdeijn

Brendon Urie

After much anticipation, Panic! At The Disco have released a new song called "Hallelujah" on April 20. This song, the first to be released in an era when lead singer Brendon Urie is the last original member of the band, has a completely new sound to it. In the past we’ve seen songs strongly influenced by the likes of The Beatles, Queen, The Smiths, and Fall Out Boy, but this song has stronger musical ties to the song he wrote with Travie McCoy last year and more emphasized pop flair than the band's previous work. Not that anyone is surprised; Panic! is known to change their sound with every new album.

What a catch, Fearless Records. With the help of quasi-famous YouTuber Patty Walters as their frontman, As It Is had huge potential and a built-in fan base from the beginning. The band definitely came out swinging with a summer soundtrack of upbeat pop-punk anthems and sizzling hooks.

"Never Happy, Ever After" gives an extra shot of adrenaline to the modern emo-tinged pop punk scene. Although their sound isn't necessarily original, these Brits add another layer to pop punk, incorporating a Man Overboard-esque vocal duet dynamic with catchy choruses perfect for radio.

The album is a reflection of this generation, the sound bright with youthfulness despite an edge of sadness in the lyrics. "Dial Tones" and "Cheap Shots & Setbacks" stand out with anthemic choruses and a general get-up-and-dance sound. "My Oceans Were Lakes" is mostly an acoustic ballad, Walters' vocals almost whispered at times. It provides a positive message and showcases a different, gentler side of the band.

This successful debut means it only gets better from here for As It Is. Although they are still finding their sound, this band has proven that they are talented, hardworking and don't have any intentions of stopping until they reach the top.

You can (and definitely should) catch As It Is on Vans Warped Tour this summer. Check out "Never Happy, Ever After" here!

By Marielou Obdeijn

BY LIV SLABY



I think I’ve found a new soundtrack to my adolescence. In a collection of songs that all seem meant to be played while driving late at night with the windows down, All Time Low recaptures a youthful sound in their sixth album, "Future Hearts".