Saves The Day have been one of the most influential bands in their genre, but do they still feel connected with music the way they did eight years ago? Organised Sound sat down with them before their headlining show in Newcastle to find out about their new album `Daybreak´ and the efforts it has taken to get them to where they are today.
2011 has been an incredible year for music and shining brightly as one of the best albums thus far is Touché Amoré's second full-length 'Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me'. Capturing the volatile and aggressive nature of the band's brand of post-hardcore, whilst remaining entirely genuine and heart-wrenching, the nineteen-minute record is entirely stunning.
By Sarah Jamieson and Vicky Forster...
After their success in the UK in 2009 and 2010, Mayday Parade returned to our shores again in May 2011 along with Blitz Kids, We are the in Crowd and A Rocket to the Moon on a headline tour. It's clear to see from the crowds turning out early to see them that over the past couple of years, their popularity has grown massively.
Back when 3OH!3 first emerged, for most people, it was hard to imagine that they'd ever amount to anything more than just being, "that 'Don't Trust a Ho' band." However, the non-believers are eating their words as they're still riding out the success of their second album 'Streets of Gold', whilst undoubtedly being the most fun band to ever headline at Slam Dunk Festival.
Ever since they burst into our lives with their brand of deliciously addictive pop punk, it's been difficult to get Set Your Goals out of our heads. Releasing their debut album 'Mutiny!' back in 2006, they single-handedly seemed to redefine the standards of the current alternative music scene, before doing it all again with their hardcore-tinged effort 'This Will Be The Death Of Us' in 2009.
Since the last time Organised-Sound interviewed VersaEmerge, the band have seemed to grown a lot. At the end of the AP Spring Tour which ended not even a month ago, Devin Ingelido (their now ex-bassist) announced his departure from the band. However, despite losing another member, frontwoman Sierra Kusterbeck and guitarist Blake Harnage seem to have taken this in their stride and carried on strong with the band.
It has been a long time since Hellogoodbye last graced our shores all the way back in 2008. However, with the recent release of their brand new album 'Would It Kill You?', upcoming appearances at the Slam Dunk Festivals alongside a UK headline tour, it seems as though they're planning on making up for lost time. We had a quick catch up with front man Forrest Kline just in time to prepare for their visit. Get ready!
Earlier this year, We Are The Ocean unleashed 'Go Now And Live' upon our ears; an album that shone as an example of great British alternative music, proving how accomplished and confident the band have become with their sound. Making a natural departure from the more aggressive screamed vocals of demos past, we see their second record allow for the exploration of a more mature tone, whilst still being as powerful as ever.
The Maine have grown a tremendous amount from when they were first overseas in 2008. The then teens are now grown up and have released two albums and a short film. During one of the warmer days of the year back at the end of March, Organised-Sound caught up with John O'Callaghan and Garrett Nickelsen on The Maine's UK tour with NeverShoutNever to get an insight of how far they've come and what their goals are.
The past few years have been a less than easy ride for Welsh six-piece The Blackout. Following the release of their second album 'The Best In Town', the band from Merthyr Tydfil came face to face with a good handful of the industry's worst pressures. Seeing themselves part ways with their label Epitaph, the band were left with little choice but to raise their own funds in order to record their newest album, whilst simultaneously coming to terms with the fickle nature of the music industry itself. Throw in a severe lack of live dates, and it's hard to know how they survived. The simple answer would be to say it came in the form of 'Hope'; their aptly-titled third album, born out of both hard work, and the love and support of their fans.
By Sarah Jamieson...It may have been a few months ago now, but there's no denying that Fireworks' most recent UK tour was a pretty unforgettable experience for anyone in attendance. Returning to the UK for the third time, the five-piece from Detroit laid to waste venues all over the country with their meaningful yet insatiably catchy brand of rock, whilst bring along friends Make Do And Mend and rising British act Save Your Breath.
With everything from their high-energy live shows and perfected hook-laden tracks to their toilet humour and boyish charms, All Time Low really do feel like the modern connoisseurs of mainstream pop rock. Since the release of their third full-length album 'Nothing Personal' back in 2009, the band have boasted not one, but three sold out UK headline tours - including the Kerrang! Tour in early 2010 - as well as main stage slots at last year's Reading and Leeds Festivals.
With a stunning début full-length like 'End Measured Mile', Make Do And Mend are probably one of the best and most refreshing bands you'll hear in 2011. Packed with raw power and emotion, their songs and live performances are unforgettable and it's no wonder that they're beginning to garner huge levels of respect and admiration throughout the current music scene.
Back in 2009, Manchester Orchestra released their second album 'Mean Everything To Nothing' to absolute adoration. Being heralded as one of the best releases of that year, it's unsurprising to discover that the anticipation is already building tremendously in the wake of their third record. With 'Simple Math' being released on May 10th, the five-piece from Atlanta, Georgia visited the UK for three intimate shows last week and we were lucky enough to ask frontman Andy Hull a couple of questions after their tour.
To say that this time last year was tough for Flood of Red would be a major understatement. After remaining quiet for the opening few months of 2010, before losing their long time bassist and friend Jim McGowan to "other projects" in April, there seemed to be a lot more going on behind the scenes than people would've ever realised.