Tampa Calling

Looking over my notes from Thursday night’s show, I’m inclined to call Nightmare of You unique. Words like “nuts,” “dub” and “sultry” jump off the page, infiltrating my consciousness and recreating the music of this NYC band.

The four-piece put on an incredible show. After a little bit of gambling with members of other bands (Plushgun, Brian Bonz, and Aushua), these guys jumped on stage and rocked it. There was no need for onstage shenanigans — the music said it all. Read the rest of this entry »

I think it is safe to say that we are all “RIOT”ed out.

In 2007, Paramore proved itself as a band not to be reckoned with, putting out single after single, and continually making it to the top of the charts with songs like “Misery Business,” “Crush Crush Crush” and “Decode,” which hit the radio and moved into the homes and iPods of teens all over the world.

If you’re a Paramore fan, I have some good news. The band released a new single, “Ignorance,” on July 6. The song is more of a push towards punk-rock than previous Paramore albums. Frontwoman Hayley Williams recently told a journalist from Entertainment Weekly’s Music Mix blog, “the album is really soley based on friendship and betrayal, losing people you thought would be there forever, and then maybe either finding them again or not finding them again.”

These ideas are more than apparent in “Ignorance.” The new single illustrates a more confident Paramore, perhaps due to their recent flush of fame. Could this tune be aimed at ex-band members or maybe even ex-boyfriends? We may not ever know, but listening to it brings us closer to Hayley, in a way. “Ignorance” is spunky and catchy — watch out, it could get stuck in your head for weeks after listening. The single is available on iTunes or at Paramore’s official website. The new album, Brand New Eyes, will hit stores September 29. You can pre-order it now, also on their website. (Check out the new single performed live after the jump.)

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As I type this review, the memories of an unbelievable show put on by The Lonely H linger in my mind and make my heart soar. I’ve always sworn that I was born in the wrong era, and these guys give me hope that great throwback music can be found in this day and age.

To start the show, lead singer Mark Fredson gave us an important tidbit of information: “This is Eric’s first show with out a mustache. He’s had it since high school.”

Eric admitted, “I feel naked.” On that note, the audience was given a clue about the general vibe put off by these dudes: super laid back.

Hailing all the way from the rainy town of Port Angeles, Wash., The Lonely H takes us back to the classic sounds of American blues rock ala The Eagles, Tom Petty, and the Stones. This foursome has been all over the country (NY, IL, NB, MS, and more) in a crappy old van “with no AC!” When prompted, they said that “a European tour would be ideal. Like Spain or Prague.” They call themselves a “denim rock” band. What exactly is denim rock? Well, I had to ask…

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Don’t let her goofy personality and head full of dreads fool you. Emily Turnage is a young musician with huge potential. “I think I’ve been playing since I was about 14,” she told me in a recent conversation. A Saint Petersburg native, this flower child finds her peace through the strings of her guitar.

Her love of guitar paved her way to joining band after band, never giving up on her dream. “I want to have 30,000 people sing my songs with me.”

Raw talent flows through her veins. She has never taken a guitar lesson in her life. “I taught me-self!” she exclaimed with a laugh.

Emily took inspiration from the music around her. “My best friend Jacob is an excellent musician and whenever he played I just fell in love with it. Hayley Williams [Paramore] influences me as well.”

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It’s about time Incubus graced us with their musical presence again. For the past three years we’ve had to make do with listening to their 2006 album Light Grenades. Don’t get me wrong — my ears thoroughly enjoyed it (It was, after all,  No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200), but after a good week of replaying the CD in my car, I carelessly tossed it in the back seat and retrograded back to my faithful Led Zeppelin collection.

I almost forgot all about my long-time love of Incubus. But I have good news friends; They’re back! Monuments and Melodies hit stores June 15th and it has been playing in my car and on my laptop ever since. The two-disc album showcases their greatest hits and new favorites to add to your list. For fans, this disc a must-have.

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