New Kids on You Block tour

This July Rockstar Energy drink and Epidemic Music will present the New Kids on You Block tour with Tysen, Thieves and Villains and The Real You. Making a loop around the United States in just three weeks, the tour will reach Seattle on July 19 at the Showbox. Until then, fans of melodic rock and post hardcore should listen to these bands. Below you will find links and videos on each band, as well as information on the Seattle show.

The Real You
MySpace Page
Web site



Tysen
MySpace Page
purevolume





Villains and Thieves
MySpace Page
purevolume



Click here fore more information on the July 19 show in Seattle!

Amber Pacific and Melee

This was a great show. Unfortunately the time was posted differently on different band's websites so I arrived very late, missing Search/Rescue and Monty are I. However Melee and Amber Pacific more than made up for it. I've been pretty attached to Melee's latest record, Devils and Angels and it sounded amazing life. What's more, the band's upbeat energy and was contagious. The vocals were gorgeous and I didn't want the set to end. Luckily, after it did, Amber Pacific took the stage and played a great set. The majority of the crowd were fans of theirs who had never heard the new album live, and the band blew them away.

Unfortunately Melee won't be back in town anytime soon, but you can see Amber Pacific on June 16 at The Showbox.

Listen to both bands below:
Melee Myspace
Melee web site
Amber Pacific Myspace
Amber Pacific web site

Exciting summer concerts

I recently wrote an article about some outdoor concerts coming up this summer in Seattle. You can find it by clicking here, or check out the list below to enjoy the sunshine and some awesome music in our rainey state!

The Gorge Amphitheatre: George, WA

August 18 Vans Warped Tour
August 31-September 2 Dave Mathews Band

White River Amphitheatre: Auburn, WA

June 16 Gwen Stephani
July 25 Projekt Revolution Tour
July 27 Toby Keith
July 28 Kube 93.3 Summer Jam

Marymoor Park

June 22 O.A.R.
July 11 The Tragically Hip
July 27-28 The Fray
August 29 311

Seattle Center

Sept 1-3 Bumbershoot

Alki Beach

Seattle Music Fest August 18-20

On The Last Day loses lead singer

Photo: courtesy of flickr.com

I just read that local post-hardcore band On The Last Day's lead singer Geoff Walker is no longer in the band. On their website the band does not specify whether he quit or was kicked out, but they did explain that Geoff did not want to take the band in the same direction as the rest of the members. Apparently this was not a difference they could overcome. Now the band is auditioning new vocalists that it seems they want to add immediately. When considering applicants, On the Last Day wants someone who fits with their current sound and is in their 20's (but younger can still apply). If you, or someone you know, is interested in auditioning On The Last Day requests you email them at singforotld@gmail.com with something that the band can listen to.

These will certainly be big shoes to fill.

If you haven't heard this band check them out here:
MySpace
Pure Volume
Victory Records web site

You can watch On The Last Day with Geoff Walker in the video below.

Moneta with A Chance Without

Friday night I stopped by the Showbox to see Moneta and caught opening act A Chance Without before hand. I have to say, I was pretty disappointed. A Chance Without is a band who has seen multiple member changes but has been playing around Seattle for over three years now. Those years of experience didn't show. While one guitarist, who resembled side show bob, stood out for his awesome skills and energy, the music itself was unpolished and sloppy. It was hard punk meets whiny emo vocals and I just could not appreciate it. The drummer also had some skill, but overall I found myself watching the set and wondering, what have they been doing over the years? Are there that many new members?
Nonetheless give them a listen and decide for yourself. If you like it Check out the band on
June 8 at Studio Seven or June 9 at Kirkland Teen Center

A Chance Without Myspace page
Moneta Myspace page

Here's a video of A Chance Without live at The Showbox in January.

Dating Delilah

Sorry for not posting in so long! Finals are coming up and I have been swamped with homework. Any how, today I wanted to write about a band I can't quite make up my mind about. Dating Delilah is pretty popular in Seattle. They will be playing tonight with A Chance Without and Moneta. The last time I saw the band live I was impressed with their energy onstage and cultic fan following, but not with their music. Bits of their songs drag without continuity and I couldn't connect with any of the lyrics. Still I have not listened to the band too much, so give me some input. What do you think? And all those die hard Dating Delilah fans that are appalled with me right now, what do you like about them? Lets get the discussion going.

Listen to Dating Delilah's music at

Their web page
Their Myspace

And enjoy this video of Dating Delilah at the Showbox playing "Blood On The Dance Floor!"

RIAA recent legal action against music downloading

It has recently come to my attention that since late February the RIAA has threatened more than 1600 university students in the United States with lawsuits accusing them of illegally downloading music.
Now I must say in this day and age where you can buy a song on iTunes for 99 cents and most albums for $10 I cannot see justification for stealing music. And furthermore, illegal downloading is stealing so who can justify that? Still, I'm not sure that the RIAA is handling the situation best. For one, rather than seeking out so many college students, perhaps they should look for a creative, new way to profit from young peoples in music consumption. This seems like a much more realistic option than stopping music downloading one person at a time.
Lastly, the damages per copy right file can range from $750-$30,000, an enormous amount if you ask me. These values have kept many infringers with less financial means, or less knowledge of the law, out of court and paying settlements to the RIAA.

Read up on the RIAA's actions at their website
Read my article about the issue on The Spectator's website
Read another article in The Seattle Post Intelligencer

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!