popwreckoning updates |
- Interview with: Christian McAlhaney of Anberlin
- MP3 Minute: Shill “Pick A Fight” and “Play”
- Story in Photos: Of Montreal @ Bonnaroo, This Tent
- Dave Matthews Band @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO
- Victor Victor Band @ North Star Bar, Philadelphia
Interview with: Christian McAlhaney of Anberlin Posted: 19 Jun 2009 12:45 PM PDT After relentlessly touring KC multiple times over the past year, Bethany finally caught up with Alt rockers Anberlin. Guitarist Christian McAlhaney, formerly of Acceptance, filled PopWreckoning in on life on the road and at a major label. Bethany, PopWreckoning: You guys are one of the most popular alternative bands now, but it wasn't always that way. What were some of the challenges of breaking into mainstream? PW: You used to play in another group that I really liked called Acceptance, what was it like coming over to Anberlin and do you ever miss Acceptance? PW: You touched on the major label thing and Anberlin just released New Surrender on a major label. That was also the first for a lot of things: 1st without Aaron Sprinkle and on Universal. What did you think of that whole process after just coming from the Acceptance deal? PW: Talking about "Feel Good Drag," I notice some similarities between the chorus, musically at least, of that and another single, "Paperthin Hymns." Was that intentional at all like as an homage or just a coincidence? PW: How difficult is it to translate that into, like I saw you play acoustic today, how difficult is it to transition your songs into that format? Caitlin, PopWreckoning: On that note, any chance we'll see an acoustic album any time soon? You guys sounded great today that way. PW: I know Stephen is kind of working on a side project called Anchor and Braille. Do the rest of you have any other side projects in the works or what will you do while he is doing that? PW: I know you guys do a lot of humanitarian work. Is there a project right now that you want to draw attention to? PW: Cool. You guys released a video called "Compound Lockdown," which kind of was described as a response to people calling you sell-outs. Is there even a such thing as a sell-out anymore in today's industry and why did you make that video? PW: OK. That makes sense. We are getting kind of close to the 15 minute cut-off mark when your manager was coming back. PW: Oh and before I forget, I'm supposed to name drop Dayna of Big Picture Media. What's it been like working with Dayna? Anberlin: website | myspace | @ city market Related Posts |
MP3 Minute: Shill “Pick A Fight” and “Play” Posted: 19 Jun 2009 12:39 PM PDT Nashville’s Shill is an alt rock trio with a simple but catchy sound. To celebrate this lovely Friday, we’ve got a 2 for 1 MP3 Minute with a couple tracks from Shill’s full-length In There Somewhere… “Pick A Fight” is mild mannered considering the name of the tune, but “Play” enjoys a more whimsical and upbeat nature, featuring some solid licks and a catchy beat. Sit back, relax, and give a listen as you give into the happiness that comes with the clock ticking every closer to a Friday quittin’ time. Shill is Jonathan Perrow (guitar, vocals), Brook Sutton (bass), Robert Crawford (drums and whatever) and Chauncey Catharsis (anything he wants). Shill: myspace Related Posts |
Story in Photos: Of Montreal @ Bonnaroo, This Tent Posted: 19 Jun 2009 10:06 AM PDT St. Louis’ Beatle Bob walked up to the microphone just as he had done to announce hundreds of bands over the years at Bonnaroo. However, this time would be different from all the rest because the band he was about to announce was extremely different from any act that stage, err This Tent, had seen. The crowd, which had been tossing balloons around as they waited quickly settled down and all eyes turned toward Bob. As Bob spoke, strange painted men appeared crawling around the stage. They surrounded Bob. One of them, a Tigerman, took out a bottle and knocked Bob out the moment he announced the next performers as Of Montreal. “Unconscious” Bob was quickly dragged off the stage by the painted men. The Tigerman took one last celebratory look around and vanished. With this strange introduction, it was now time for Of Montreal. These rockers are as unique in sound as they are in dress. Their strange, but often bubbly falsetto sound was countered by their just as strange, and feathery garb. As if their music didn’t already tell enough of a story, a rather disturbing tale was acted out on stage. In this tale, it was Christmas. A man in a gas mask carried out some presents. Three children arrived, eager to open their presents. The first two were overjoyed to receive matching gas masks. But the third, in twisted fate, just received gas. This was just the beginning. Of Montreal continued to become more eclectic as the set went on. Even without the theatrics, they would have been a great sounding band, but the showmanship really made them stand out. By the end of their performance, they were jumping on the crowd, shooting feathers and confetti out of cannons, and breaking all their instruments. Look at this entire guitar neck that one kid walked away with: Set List: Of Montreal: website | myspace | @ the electric factory Related Posts |
Dave Matthews Band @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO Posted: 19 Jun 2009 07:48 AM PDT After a rather breezy opening set by The Hold Steady, I was rather surprised by how soon Dave Matthews Band was scheduled to follow the opener with a gap of maybe 20 minutes which is something I appreciated. Noticing about five more additional photographers join the pit for DMB (now making 8), I knew I had my worked cut out for me, especially so when a curtain cut off any chance of getting a look at the stage set up. Luckily I guessed right as I was just stage left of Mr. Dave Matthews as the curtains fell to the side. One thing to appreciate, the sheer length of their songs with interludes meant that the three song limit I was allotted stretched well beyond my expectations and bordered on around 15-20 minutes which gave me plenty of time to try and catch Dave when he broke out some dance grooves. For starters, I had never experienced what went into a DMB show, but I was rather surprised by the rather rich sound and ability to just have fun. It's refreshing to see when a band genuinely enjoys performing. You can tell who phones it in and with the smiles permanently plastered on the member's faces, you know they appreciate it, even when losing the founding-band member, LeRoi Moore, tragically less than a year ago. While near the end, the extended solos wore a tad thin, I could still appreciate the band's abilities as they mixed new material with the old (I was told by a friend to check out the new album, Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King, and I have to say, I like it. Criticize me if you must, but don't knock it until you give it a shot). As the show stretched over the two-hour mark, the lightning and rain slowly crept closer and I decided I would not appreciate getting hit by lightning so I made my way to my car as the encore continued as I exited the gates as the band closed out the evening with a cover medley of "All Along The Watchtower” and “Stairway to Heaven". My thanks go out to Erin and Ambrosia at Red Light Management for the photo pass. Set List: Dave Matthews Band: website | myspace Setlist courtesy of the On The Road Section of DMB's website Related Posts |
Victor Victor Band @ North Star Bar, Philadelphia Posted: 18 Jun 2009 10:06 PM PDT Catch Victor Victor Band at tonight’s performance at North Star Bar for Popwreckoning in the ‘Battle of the Blogs’. Check back for a proper review and photos! Victor Victor Band: website | myspace Related Posts |
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