Hometown Heroes

Speaker For The Dead "I Hope You Have Fun While You Sleep" Album Review

2012-01-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

Under normal circumstances, Speaker For The Dead is a solo project of Worcester, MA local self proclaimed “folk-punk/hired-gun/community-organizer/fledgling poet/queer/DIY-idealist” Greg Mckillop who usually plays acoustic folk music. Although he seems to have changed things up a little for his newest record “I Hope You Have Fun While You Sleep,” beginning the record with instrumental track “Journal” which falls somewhere between post-rock, emo, and folk. The rest of the record follows suit as with songs landing in various spots of the music spectrum between folk, emo, post-rock, and indie, including a great cover of “Pile of Dirt” by Allenby Beardsly. I asked him about his reason for the recent genre jump and he said “Ever since I first started playing guitar everything I ever worked on was meant to be full band. All the bands I listened to were rock bands and come to think of it I never really intentionally listened to acoustic music. Most of my earlier stuff is actually full band songs recorded acoustic because that is really all I had access to. But then as I played more and more by myself I ended up playing with more and more solo folk players and my music got introduced to that line of songwriting. So surprisingly, by the time I got to my later albums and started playing full band, the songs were all written to be solo folk songs, but with other layers thrown over it.”
Overall, I would give this record a 4.5/5 simply because I wish there was more of it! I also got to ask Greg about other aspects of his music career, and he is wonderfully enlightening to talk to. When I asked about his reason for becoming such an active advocate of his community music scene, he said “I started getting involved with booking shows and open mics because point blank, growing up NOBODY would book bands that I was in. It was incredibly hard. Hell, even up until last year I had a hard time getting gigs. I don't think it should be that hard if some kid has a band with 4 songs and wants to play a show for ten of their friends. So I started booking shows. If the cool kids wont let you sit at their table, build your own table, right?” He spends nearly half of his time on the road, touring all across the U.S. Living an almost nomadic lifestyle. He makes his entire income off of his cd sales and donations. A bold lifestyle that requires true dedication and willpower which not many people seem to have anymore. Greg is both an amazing musician, and an amazing person. You can listen to his new record “I Hope You Have Fun While You Sleep” below.

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Hour 24

2012-01-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

Hour 24 is a new band from Michigan that combines the guitar driven heavy metal style of bands like avenged sevenfold with the female vocal centered alternative style of bands like paramore and versa emerge to make music that will make you wish your stereo went to 11. “We like to write songs that are really catchy but also complex. We feel that the heavy guitar parts with female vocals really stands out from other music and the guitar solos really add a unique touch.”

But Hour 24 isn't the first band that their members have been in, according to the band, “ Dan and Cody had been friends for years before the band formed and played guitar together in a classic rock cover band. After that band, Dan joined another band with our singer, Rachel. About a year after that band broke up, Dan, Cody, and Rachel formed Hour 24 with Marcus and Luke.”
Hour 24 is fairly new, having only been around for a year, but they work together very well and bring together all of their seperate influences into their music. “All of us share musical interests but are also individually influenced by different styles. Cody listens to a lot of hardcore bands such as Of Mice and Men; Dan, Cody, and Rachel also like a lot of older rock groups like Guns N' Roses, and The Beatles; and Luke likes Ska, and funk music.

If you dig alternative music that's melodic, yet heavy, head over to facebook.com/hour24band and check out Hour 24.

LCF Interview

2012-01-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

The music of LCF is unique to say the least. He combines elements of Folk, Punk, Garage rock, and Indie to make music that sounds like it came straight from Scott Pilgrim VS. The World. If I had to describe it, I guess I'd say it falls somewhere between early Beck and Readiohead, but there's no real easy way to categorize the music of LCF, so you'll have to check it out yourself at www.facebook.com/LCFMUSIC. I recently had an opportunity to ask him a few questions about his music.

Your music is pretty unique. What types of different influences do you have and how to they come together in your music?

My musical influences...man. I could go on and on. My main influences, are Nirvana, Radiohead, The Beatles, Neutral Milk Hotel, Pavement, and probably the Pixies.
I'm a son of my city though. Dayton's local music has really changed my life. The Motel Beds, Shrug, Smug Brothers, Astro Fang, King Elk...I could go on and on about all the local acts that
just really rock. One day, I'm hoping I can jump up into their ranks.

How long have you been playing music? How did you get into writing music?
I've been playing music for about 2.5 years. I started writing about 3 weeks after I started. My songwriting was never anything really decent though until I got
on my own, and just started exploring my thoughts and such. Nowadays, I'm much more proud of my music, than ever.

Have you ever played in any bands? What do you like more or less about playing solo as opposed to playing in a band?

LCF itself, was actually a band when it first started. Playing solo, I like that I get my very own, unfiltered ideas out into the world.
Bad parts for that are: No actual "shows". Have to stick to open mics and the like for now. And having to pay for EVERYTHING can be a pain sometimes.

What is the future for your music? Any big releases or shows coming up?

I plan on actually hitting up a studio soon. Hopefully put out an EP of some sort, maybe do a few shows around the Dayton area.
But I never really know. I've always got a trick up my sleeve, and I like it that way.

Kid Disaster EP Review

2012-01-22T11:06:00.000-08:00

Kid Disaster's debut EP kicks off with a great opening track “Paperweight” which begins with a surge of power that doesn't cease throughout the entire EP. They include everything a good modern Pop Punk record should have; energetic instrumentals, powerful guitars, impressive harmonies, and catchy vocal melodies that will be stuck in your head for days. This EP is consistently good from start to finish. 5 solid songs that are great by any standards. Though they stuck with a traditional modern Pop Punk style on this EP, I had a chance to talk with one band member who told me that they're currently working on their second release which will showcase more musical depth and different genres. Be on the lookout for that next month.
Since forming, Kid Disaster has made some great strides in gaining popularity in the MA scene. They had the opportunity to work with producer John Naclerio (Brand New, My Chemical Romance) on their EP and they even got to play at the Mansfield date of warped tour 2011. If you want to support them, you can hear their music on their facebook page www.facebook.com/kiddisaster. If you like bands such as Cartel, and Taking Back Sunday, you'll love Kid Disaster.

Send The City

2012-01-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

Send The City is an alternative band from VA that will leave your mind- and your speakers- blown. Although STC has many obvious musical influenced in their music such as alternative, pop punk, and hardcore bands such as A Day To Remeber and Conditions, they also have a large range of other music influences which are incorperated into their music. Rhythm guitarist Alex sites bands such as Fleet Foxes and Rodrigo y Gabriela as influences on his playing style. Send The City has been a band almost since they all started playing music. According to Guitarist Andrew, “As of this month it's been a whopping 4 years [since the formation of STC]! A lot of that time was also spent improving our skill on our instruments, focusing in on our style, changing our band name twice, and just progressively getting better and better.”
Recently, STC has been gaining a lot of popularity in their scene. Lead guitarist Andrew says “ Each day I look at our facebook page, the likes and the positive comments just keep piling up.” They have 2 Eps out on Itunes and a new one coming out this February. If you're into alternative, pop punk, or hardcore, check out Send The City. http://www.facebook.com/sendthecity

Psycho Circus

2012-01-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

"I wont let this bring me down" seems to be the modo of new pop punk powerhouse Psycho Circus that has taken the Rhode Island music scene by storm in the past year.They fuse together upbeat intros, catchy choruses, powerful verses, and earth shattering breakdowns to create a unique style of pop punk that is quickly earning them fans all over New England. Front man Chris Piquette, has been an advocate of the Rhode Island scene for years, owning and operating No Boundaries Studio in Providence. No Boundaries started as a small studio set up in his parents basement when he was in high school and has rapidly evolved into a very successful business catering to bands of all genres. They back up their music with fun, energetic live performances that will leave you in awe. You can listen to and download their music at http://www.facebook.com/psychocircusri and check out their music video for "Decisively Indecisive" Below.

Indy Ana

2012-01-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

Themusic of local Fort Worth, TX musicial Indy Ana can be described bestby a quote taken directly from his facebook page. "Indy Ana isall about catchy melodies, and happy faces, the kinda music thatmakes you wanna clap,snap and jump!" Indy Ana plays fun, upbeatacoustic/indie/pop music which varies from stricly acoustic songslike his new version of "If I Wish", to catchy ukuleletunes with an old school NSN feel to them such as his popular "ReasonFor This Treason."

IGot a chance to talk to Nick of Indy Ana recently about his music andinfluences; This is what he said.

Howlong have you been playing under the moniker of Indy Ana?

WellIndy Ana all started back when i was 15 ( 2008 ) at that time therewas another member involved Dylan Ewen he played guitar,keys,tamboect. while I was just vocals. Our girlfriends at that time were named'Ana' so we thought that was sweet, we also had a friend who wastrying to run away to Indiana too so it all made sense at the time,'Indy' is a nickname i made for myself and also the type of genre(Indie) i play/make so i instantly fell in love, it was a way for meand her to be together through anything, so with that being said'Indy Ana' was made.

Whatwere your influences when you first started playing? What are yourinfluences now? How have your changing influenced changed your musicstyle throughout your career?

Mymain influences are Forrest Kline (hellogoodbye), Christpoher DrewIngle(nevershoutnever), Nick Santino(A Rocket To The Moon), JohnVesely(Secondhand Serenade), Conor Oberst(Bright Eyes) & Andrewde Torres.(The Scene Aesthetic)

Myinfluence's today are still the same, ive built my way of writing andsound from all of these inspiring artist.

Wellcomparing my old tunes to the ones i make now are alot different,back then I was all about the happy and cheerful sound now im aboutbeing happy but also serious at the same time, I want a wide range ofaudience being able to relate to everyone no matter what age, i lovewriting about things you can relate to, its nice to know others havefelt that same way at some point in time, so its changing for thebetter id say.

Haveyou played in any other bands before? If so, how did it differ fromIndy Ana? Do you prefer the complete artistic control which playingas a solo musician allows over playing in a band which is more aboutcollaberation?

I'vealways wanted to be apart of something different from 'Indy Ana' butjust really never got the chance, seems like flying solo is my thing.

Ilove being able to do everything on my own the way i want things, butat the same time id like to have others to converse with and agree onthings as a whole so that's iffy! & im always willing tocollaborate, the more people who know me the better, i can only do somuch being one guy!

Soif you're looking for some really nice catchy feel good tunes, lookno further. Indy Ana is sure to leave a smile on your face! Youcan check out his music at http://www.facebook.com/indyanamusic