It's a Simple Plan...Trust Me!

Simple Plan 

Support: The Bottom Line (UK) and Ghost Town (USA)

24^th March 2016

O2 Forum Kentish Town

You know what? I'm sure my post titles are getting worse...ahh well I guess you all just have to live with it.

Anyways, hello my pretties,

Would you look at that I’m back again! Aren’t you lucky being blessed with my company multiple times this month!

Well I have something extra special for you to indulge your senses on today. A little review, wait let me be more accurate, an entry to make you all jealous that you weren’t there with me. Last night I was fortunate enough to see…wait for it…waaaiiiitt...okay I can’t contain my excitement:

SIMPLE PLAN! (It's just clicked I said this post was about Simple Plan at the top of this entry...ah well!)

First things first though, a quick note about the support bands:

The Bottom Line: 

Finally a decent pop punk to emerge from the last 3 years! These guys cater to everything you could want from a pop punk band. They’re catchy, their cute and they leave you wanting more whilst giving the rest of the world the finger.

Highlight from their set was their cover of Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus. They know how to cater for their audience. Being a support band is difficult as it is, but to be the first on to warm up their crowd, that’s another trick altogether.  

Check them out here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrENgB7ytNazd1mT1v5jJA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebottomlineUK

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBottomLineUK

Ghost Town:

Personally I fell in love with this band, couldn’t help but start dancing to their tracks. Although I will say I was surprised they were supporting Simple Plan, simply because some of their tracks were slightly heavy, can see them more appropriate to support bands like Fearless Vampire Killers. However, it was a pleasant break between the two pop punk bands, not that it’s possible to have too much pop punk, it was the best kind of surprise. Fully recommend you guys checking this band out.

Here’s a links to start you off:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialGhosttown

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialGhostTown/?fref=ts 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GhostTown 

Now for the main act:

Yes, that’s right I managed to witness one of the original pop punk pioneers…AGAIN! And this quintet does not disappoint. They provide a show that you can’t help but dance, jump and scream lyrics at the top of your lungs too. The energy they emit on stage is addictive, contagious that you can’t help but have a good time. If you can introduce me to someone who’s mouth didn’t pull at the corners, or at least tap a foot in time to this band, then I will…I will…okay I don’t know what I’ll do so just insert a dramatic bet because I can guarantee that that person does not exist. It’s impossible.

Purchase their new album 'Taking One For
The Team' on Amazon or iTunes.

Keep up to date on:
Twitter
Facebook

Here's a quick peek at their Setlist:

1.     Opinion Overload

2.     Jet Lag

3.     Jump/I Got A Feeling

4.     I’d Do Anything

5.     Boom

6.     Welcome to My Life

7.     The Rest Of Us

8.     Your Love Is a Lie

9.     I Refuse

10. Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars Cover)

11. Can’t Feel My Face (The Weekend Cover)

12. Can’t Keep My Hands Off You

13. Summer Paradise

14. Farewell

15. Crazy

16. I’m Just a Kid

Encore:

17. Shut Up

18. Perfect World

19.  This Song Saved My Life

20. Perfect

One thing that did strike me was how diverse their audience was. You had original fans that were teens when their debut album “No Pad’s” was released, people like me who discovered them in their pre-teens era, allowing them to aid you in any problems you had growing up, and have been in love with their music ever since as it etc. Younger audiences who have fallen in love with their last album Taking One For The Team and are slowly rewinding their history, discovering the tracks that helped me through an awful lot. Then the parents. The ones who want their kids to have the time of their lives, live young but aren’t quite old enough to venture into a venue on their own.

Taken by Rebel Yell

Beach balls added to Summer Paradise was a amusing touch, allowing the audience to become even more immersed into the blithe ambiance they created, encouraging their fans to simply forget about any issues or troubles waiting for them outside of the venue. That in that moment. Right then. Right there. Nothing in the world matter other then you and the music. Even with songs such as Welcome To My Life, This Song Saved My Life and Perfect the band continuously remind their followers that they will never be alone in life because they have Simple Plan to fall back on for support. That is what matters in a band I think, how you treat your fans. That understanding and connection is something that can’t be replicated in any other relationship. 15 years later and they are still one of the most sincere, considerate, humble bands I know of, and have had the pleasure watching and following over the years. It’s easy to get lost in fame and arrogance; it can destroy your career. But this band hasn’t forgotten who got them there. You can have the world’s best artist but they are nothing without the fans, as it’s the fans that carry and support the band, just like the band carry them. I say that as a musician and songwriter, not as a fan of Simple Plan. That is one of many, many reasons I have so much respect for this band.

If you ever get a chance to see them live, I fully recommend it. It’s an escapism route that is indescribable.

I'm going to leave you on that note. Seems like a deep and thoughtful note to leave you on. Something a little new from me.

Until next time,

Unpleasant Dreams.

Back in Black

Hello my lovelies,

Before you give me the same old lecture about how I’ve been gone awhile and how much you’ve missed me give me a moment to explain. I’ve been doing a bit of collaboration with a good friend over a Treble With The Bass about an upcoming Brighton artist. Read it? Why not?! I suggest you get yourselves over there to check out my astounding writing…I mean…the astounding artist?

Here’s a little link for those too lazy to scroll down:

http://treblewiththebass.com/2016/03/17/bass-interview-sami-james/

Anyway, moving swiftly on.  As anyone and everyone knows I have a particular love for the band Black Veil Brides? Well frontman Andy Biersack began a sideline solo career about a year ago, under the name Andy Black. Still maintaining his gothic theme from Andy Sixx to Black Veil Brides to Black. Releasing “They Don’t Need to Understand” in May last year giving fans a glimpse into his new world.

Check the video below:

As we can see he adapts a 50’s ambiance and attire, however with the still poetically honest lyrics. I personally fell in love with the single immediately, although I know others it has taken a while for them to fall or others who are stuck at comparing it to BVB…but I’m going to bite my tongue instead of going into more detail on those people…then there are some who genuinely don’t like it, but each to their own I guess.

A week ago Andy released details to a UK tour as well as the pre-order of his solo record, which I admittedly clicked “buy” a little too quickly…hey don’t judge me! You’ve done far worse; yes I’m looking at you mister in the third row. Details can be found below about tour dates and a link to his site to purchase his album. But I’m going to make you read the rest of this entry first…muhahaha…unless you quickly scroll to the bottom…but lets be honest you’re too indulged in my writing to move on and miss a word!

To top it all off he release the official video to “We Don’t Have To Dance “ this morning. Have a quick peak:

As we can see he carries on the theme of black and white, but incorporates a James Dean look as well as the stylist shirt, tie and braces.

We can also see elements of his fascination with Religion creep into this project too. So he is still maintaining specific elements that make him the writer he is.

I love the lyrics, as a songwriter, I find them clever and intriguing making you think after the record has come to an end. One of many reasons as to why I have so much respect for him. The chorus combines the idea of artistic intrigity (his honest, self-reflexive lyric) with..if this is a genre that is...if not I copyright it aha...a rock-lounge music ambiance.
How can you not love these:

“We don’t have to talk,

We don’t have to dance,

We don’t have to smile,

We don’t have to be friends,

It’s so nice to meet you lets never meet again,

We don’t have to talk,

We don’t have to dance”

As a songwriter the hardest thing to do is write relatable lyrics, whilst retaining the factor of it being ‘catchy’ and easy to listen to. I find with Black’s, and even Biersack’s work with BVB, that he manages to write songs that I can fully relate to on a lyrical level…that’s right folks I’m a dark and twisted soul…you’d have never have guessed right? Right?! Either way, he manages this whilst making them easily listenable to a…dare I say it…a mainstream audience.

“You’re never gonna get it I’m a hazard to myself,

I’ll break it to you easy this is hell, this is hell,

You’re looking and whispering you think its someone else

This is hell, I am in is hell”

That’s it for today my pretties.

Here’s the information I promised you:

Tickets to this UK Tour: 
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Andy-Black-tickets/artist/2220204?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module 

Pre Order Here:
http://www.andyblackmusic.com/#home

Until next time,

Unpleasant Dreams.

Treble With The Bass

So we did a little collaboration with Treble With The Bass with Brighton artist Sami James. Check it.

http://treblewiththebass.com/2016/03/17/bass-interview-sami-james/

Watch this Space.

Hello my pretties,

Yes yes I know. I know. I know I've been neither here nor there these passed few months, there's so much to do...wait I know you don't want to hear my excuses. But I will say this. I have so many gigs lined up in May so there will be multiple posts heading your way then. Also been doing some blog work for my good friend Treble With The Bass, which I will link you guys up to as soon as it's made public!

Hope you are all as miserable as ever!

Until next time,
Unpleasant dreams.

Moving On Up

Our boys over at Rory Indiana are hitting the big leagues with a killer review in this weeks Kerrang! Recieving KKKK rating for 'Ruling Class Crooks' buy to read the full review.
I've been watching, listening and blogging about them for little over a year now, and now they're hitting the big leagues. But trust me I'll keep getting all the dirt you guys want to hear about them first.


Short and sweet just like me...except I'm not short...or that sweet...still you get what I mean!

Unpleasant dreams my pretties.

"Death of a Bachelor" Panic! At The Disco

I’m back again! Twice in the space of a one week? What’s going on?!

This time I bring you the delighted review of Panic! At The Disco’s new album “Death of  A Bachelor”. I pre-ordered this about a week ago, then received an email last night saying it would be delivered today! Safe to say I got minimal sleep last night due to how excited I was for it! Ever since seeing Panic! at Reading I have been absolutely in love with them! Seriously, ask anybody they're all I’ve been rambling on about for months now, especially the video for Emperor’s New Clothes…I mean have you seen it?! It’s amazing so theatrical! Wait…you haven’t seen it?! Well it’s a good thing there’s a link at the bottom for it then!

This is only going to be a mini review as I am slightly tight for time at the moment. Oh don’t judge me! You’re getting some of my precious time!

There are so many songs on this album that shouldn’t necessarily work together as a compilation, somehow Panic! make it work. The key thing to note about this album is that is it very different from any previous album they’ve ever produced. Good different though so don’t you worry your pretty little heads about it!

As a songwriter, you can really see how Brendon Urie has developed and really honed in on every musical influence he has. There’s Jazz, there’s Rock, there’s club feel, there’s the ‘typical Panic! sound’ this album has everything you could want.

Album song by song briefly:

1. Victorious – You couldn’t have started with a more appropriate track if you has tried. I love the children’s choir that starts it, and then pops up in various choruses. This is just one of those songs you can’t help but have fun to, dance. Have a good time. Stop caring about the world around you can just focus on you and a good time.
2. Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time – admittedly not one of my favourite songs off the album, but still catchy and you can’t help but dance to it. Has more of a club feel, and if I was drunk enough, or drunk at all I could totally feel vibe. It’s a good song, as it goes on I fall more under the beat and bass. The chorus is definitely the thing that steals my attention on this track. Worth a listen. 
3. Hallelujah – This song has the same vibe as the entire album of Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die and could have quite easily fit on there, or been a single, however it is pleasant to see how this could be used as a transition track to link both the albums. Here the harmonises are remarkable, again, Queen ambiance being portrayed. With lyrics that are vivid and emotive beyond compare.
4. Emperor’s New Clothes – I’ve already mentioned how theatrical this song is, but also have a heavy Queen ambiance, which not a lot of artists can pull of successfully.  The song includes elements of tracks from Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die. Lyrical content has to be my favourite of any Panic! track. Without going into depth like the songwriter I am, I will say that there is such vivid imagery that you couldn’t ignore if you had tried!
5. Death of a Bachelor – now this song took me a while to fall for, but I do love Brendon’s voice in this, he shows his talent as a singer. What’s more, demonstrates perfectly how if an artist is set on one genre it can become somewhat mundane. Yet through dabbling with diverse genres you are immediately made more interesting to listen to. The unexpected nature of this song, with the brass and lounge style gives the album that final sparkle.
6. Crazy = Genius ­– I love the concept behind this song too, Panic! have definitely nailed this idea of catchy, fun tunes whilst still having a deeper meaning. Illustrating perfectly how they are entertainers not just talented musicians.
7. L.A. Devotee -  Again one of my favourites off the album, you can’t help but dance to it. Feel good track that still manages to have remarkable lyrics and musical composition. You have to play this song on full volume either driving down a country lane in the sun, singing at the top of your voice or on full volume in your bedroom, dancing around and singing like you don’t have a care in the world…until your neighbours knock on your wall telling you to keep it down.
8. Golden Days – I love the theme of this song, the first verse revolving around finding Polaroid’s in a record shop taken in 1979. Such an intriguing concept to revolve a song around.
9. The Good, The Bad and The Dirty – This song seems to sew together all genres that have appeared in this album so far. This is almost like the fight song of the album, has a particular drive that seems to ignite a force of determination. With an addictive chorus that you can help but sing along to and dance to.
10. House of Memories – The song starts chilled, again Brendon shows how strong his vocal range is here. A new style whilst still incorporating the typical Panic! sound. The song feels somewhat haunting, but not in a freaky, run away from the hell house creepy, more the haunted of past memories that you sit alone and stew in.
11. Impossible Year – Sweet and beautiful piano starts this song, following the same jazz, lounge room ambiance of Death of a Bachelor. Again with a chilling feel, but one that completely captivates you and leaves you intrigued by past memories. A bittersweet pain that everyone feels from time to time.

(This did start as my top five but I found it so difficult to simply choose five songs I just had to write about the full album!)

Brendon has to be one of my favourite songwriters of today, it is difficult to see a true specimen of pure talent when it comes to songwriting but Brendon seems to have nailed composition as well as lyrics. Lyrics are my forte and something I pay particular attention to. What’s more he is a tremendous performer on stage too, I liked a few Panic! songs before hand, but his performance at Reading 2015 is when I sold my soul to them. I tilt my hat to you Mr. Urie, I hope to be able to work with you some day, but we’ll see.

Fully recommend you get your mitts on this album!

You can purchase it below:

iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/death-of-a-bachelor/id1050385369

Amazon – http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016ZJH7T6?keywords=death%20of%20a%20bachelor&qid=1452865852&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Well for now my pretties, unpleasant dreams.