Hanging Over From Another Good Time - Papa Roach @ Barrowlands, Glasgow

Words literally can not describe how amazing Papa Roach were on Saturday night. The set list was brilliant, the crowd was decent and the atmosphere was just something else. I may be biased seen as how I am pretty obsessed with the band but fuck me, it was just something else.

The whole night was just incredible, from the opening of "Face Everything and Rise", to the encore featuring "Last Resort", "Scars" and "...To Be Loved." And since I feel like if I keep attempting to use actual words it will just end up being a repeat of "Papa Roach are amazing," and "they are so beautiful," or "I am in love with Jacoby Shaddix," I will stop talking and just post some pictures, some I took at the gig (I am a shit photographer and these pictures show this) and some from Papa Roach's social media. 

Jacoby with a Scotland flag

How beautiful is he....

I feel like it is blatantly obvious which photo's I took and which ones are from social media. But how beautiful is the whole band? It is obvious from their live performances and from the content on their social media they are so grateful and appreciative of their fans. And the Scottish flag Jacoby was carrying about and the Celtic football top (which may have pissed off some people) shows just how much love they have.

So thanks for one of the best nights of my life, can't wait for the next time!

The Webs We Weave

Continuing from my post/rant on Saturday (find it here) I've just read on Rocksound that Max Green had left Escape the Fate. And not only has he done this, he's joined up with Falling In Reverse.

Escape the Fate formed in 2004, releasing début album 'Dying Is Your Latest Fashion' in 2006, which has one of my all time favourite Escape the Fate songs, 'Situations,' a beautiful and sleazy track, so obviously I would love it. By this time the line up of the band had already changed around, something that would go on to continue through their career. 

In 2006 lead vocalist Ronnie Radke was involved in an incident resulting in a death, and following his broken probation conditions ended up in jail. The other members of the band kicked him out, and in my opinion it wasn't a malicious thing, it was for the good of their career. Which to be fair is what most bands do/have done in this situation, Vince Neil being one of the few exceptions, but he was only locked up for 15 days...

Radke was then replaced with former Blessthefall vocalist Craig Mabbit, and you can tell there is a difference in vocals on their subsequent releases but it still sounds amazing. 

Green had left the band in early 2011 due to addiction problems, but later rejoined the band, left again, came back, and finally announced on the 9th of May that he's left the band. Just days later he's joined Falling in Reverse, the band Radke formed while in prison and launched upon his release. While I've only recently started to listen to Falling In Reverse they becoming a constant feature in my daily playlists. 

But is there a conspiracy here? It's hard to believe that Green joining FIR just days after leaving EtF is a coincidence. Surely this was a planned move, and it could be said Green was looking for the best way to piss off his former band mates? Because if EtF's vision isn't what Green wanted any more then surely the best solution is to start from scratch? Or maybe the original line up will one day be back together under FIR? Who knows.

Now some may argue that the bassist of a band is not the most important feature in it, but these people have clearly not listened to Motorhead. Lemmy once, controversially, said in an interview (if I remember right, which I probably don't, it was in Kerrang!) that bassists are just failed guitarists, however this was in relation to his failed attempt to learn guitar and moved on to the bass. But jesus chirst, he plays it in his own way, many of the riffs in their music coming from him, and not just guitarist Mikkey Dee. 

However the change in bassist within Escape the Fate has not caused any noticeable changes in the music, although I'm sure it's been turmoil for the other members. Escape the Fate is no stranger to line up changes and I'm sure that this latest change will not affect the quality music they put out there. 

Escape the Fate have just released the video for 'Picture Perfect', the fourth single from their fourth studio album, 'Ungrateful.' Another hit from EtF.

Falling In Reverse have released the video for their cover of 'Gangsta's Paradise' from the Punk Goes 90's 2 album. A strange but good cover, rap meets rock, with their style thrown into the mix.

I'm looking forward to see what comes next with both bands. Although this latest change in line ups may have thrown away the peace they bands appear to have formed with each other. This is going to get interesting. If anyone has any thoughts they want to share please do, I'd love to hear them. And find me on Twitter.

I Won't Be Ignored

This is something that I came across on Twitter the other day. And it's so true. Now I'm not saying I know everything about all the members of the bands I listen to, in fact some bands I don't even know any of their names. To be it's about the music that's being put out there, not who's in the band. Although a pretty face (or hot body, lots of tattoos, cool hair, whatever....) to look at does help.

The amount of people who can give every detail of the vocalist or front man/woman but doesn't know the names of the rest of the band, or what they look like, is in my opinion not a fan. I will admit, there are 'bands' I have posters of, that is really just the front man... But a half naked Ville Valo is really hot and I (did) need some motivation to get through my uni work or what ever else I'm doing. But at the same time, I know he's been to rehab, is friends with Bam Margera (who is also hot) and that's about it. I don't really know the names of the other band members, and I don't pretend otherwise. Although I have no idea how to even pronounce these so that could have something to do with it. 

This isn't just the fans though, the media buys into it too. Rarely will there be an interview with or feature on a band member who isn't the front man/woman without the rest of the band present, unless they've been involved in a scandal. It tends to be all or front. Although when looking at the 'legends' from the past, they are all as in the spot light as each other. That could just be because they all have so many stories to share though. Thing that you or I could never even imagine. Seriously, Nikki Sixx's autobiography (another slight obsession of mine, and he's still pretty hot for his age) is full of things that are so crazy they could be made up.

Another band I know absolutely nothing about, Through Colour. Another Twitter find, and another brilliant band. Broken is a new favourite song. The first like 10 seconds of All Singing All Dancing Baby! did however, make me think my Spotify had gone back to playing adverts. But after I got over my confusion (easily done) it's another great song, and another one starting to become a favourite (that list is endless, so I don't know if it's really favourites any more..) And you never know, I might even one day (probably soon) learn their names...

If anyone has anything to share please do. (I like to argue/talk shit...) And if anyone feels like reading the very pointless and random stuff I post on Twitter find it here.

For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

AC/DC is a legendary band. There is no question about this. It is astounding that they have never had a UK number 1, considering some of the shit that has... Everyone remember the Ketchup Song? Yeah that made it to number 1! The highest AC/DC have made it in the UK charts is to number 4 at the end of last year after yet another Facebook campaign to beat X-Factor for Christmas Number 1. 

But AC/DC's status is not what's keeping them in the media at he moment, it's the replacement of founding member Malcolm Young, while he recovers from an illness. Some are for it, some against. Personally I say it's a good thing. No band want's to go out on the back burner, and that's not a fate fitting to AC/DC.

Yes it sucks, and it won't be the same band without him, but AC/DC deserve a proper send off before they go. And I know it sounds pessimistic looking at it in this way, but let's be fair, they are getting older, and like all the other legends we know and love they won't be here forever.

Some bands can replace members and get it right. Some turn to shit. I mean the joke that is 'Guns 'n' Roses' now adays... Axl Rose go please just fuck off and stop trying. It's over. But so many more bands have been able to pull it off. Escape the Fate has had a few line up changes, they still sound amazing, Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed after the devastating fateful plane crash, AC/DC have had to do it before, and I'm more than sure they can nail it again. And anyone who disagrees needs to get over themselves and the past.

So Much To Do, So Little Time

Once again it's taken me a while to blog, but unfortunately I have so much coursework to do and my work is still pretty crazy. But I only have one month left of uni, which is really scary. Time to make some big decisions, namely if my sanity can cope with actually doing my masters. Terrifying times ahead. On the plus side, when uni is finished I will (hopefully) have more time to blog, and more time to check out new music. Which is also a plus side. And working full time means I can afford to buy even more CD's, to add to my collection sitting on my bed room floor, maybe time to invest in another CD rack...

Another new band I've discovered from Twitter, A New Day, a pop rock band from Essex. Listening to them for the first time the other day I was reminded a bit of Simple Plan, a little bit of Bowling For Soup and a little bit Death Cab for Cutie, although more upbeat. I can really see them as the type of band that would be featured at the Bait Shop in The OC. And the video for Faith In Me is brilliant, I love that it's like watching a TV. Check it out

Face The Ocean is another band I'v been listening to. They have a more chilled out sound to them, perfect for coursework background music, or a lazy hangover day. They kind of sound a bit like Dirty Pretty Things at times, a little bit like All American Rejects, and a bit like something I can't put my finger on just now. Having just finished a UK tour the band announced of their Facebook yesterday they are taking a short break but have some big announcements coming soon. Can't wait! Check them out on Spotify or YouTube!

Now it's time for me to go back to drinking too much coffee so I can stay awake at work tonight.

If anyone wants to fine follow me on twitter find it here. And again if anyone can fill out my dissertation survey I will love you forever! Thanks :)

Music Is For Everyone

A friend sent me this link a couple hours ago, and it's got me in a bit of a rage. Music should not be about gender, it's meant to be a form of escapism, a way to relax at the end of a shit day, something to inspire you or to keep you going when the bastards try to get you down.

While doing a literature search for my fourth year dissertation I came across a journal article that basically said that women are only interested in rock music because they are/want to be groupies. Now while I will admit that I think some of the guys in the bands I like are hot that is not why I listen to them. I listen to them because they make good music. I want to make a career in the music industry so I can fuck my way around rock star's but because I love music, a passion I've always had.

Take The Pretty Reckless for example, so much of the press coverage they get (and not just main stream but from music publications too) is about Taylor Momsen, the "pretty young blonde" who likes to dress provocatively, and was naked for like 20 seconds of the video for Heaven Knows. But when male band members are topless no one bats an eye. No one gives a shit that Biffy Clyro play top less all the time.

Fair enough rock music started out as a predominantly male industry, but it's the 21st Centuary. Get with it people! 

Another new discovery of mine, recently signed Glasgow band Altered Sky. Check them out. Where I Belong is a brilliant song, "If I close my eye's will I still be your fairytale?" is a line that is pretty unforgettable line, and with a female singer and drummer I wish you all the best getting people over there outdated stereotypes about music.

If anyone would like to de me a huge favour and fill out this survey as part of the research for my dissertation I will be very grateful. Thanks!

Rock and Roll Will Never Die...

It's been a while, sorry life got in the way again. And a bit of writers block. But I'm back! Last month's issue of Classic Rock magazine had a long and interesting article on the death of rock music. It's been a long time coming and it's something that had been immanent from the start.

But it's not rock music that's dying, it's the music industry itself. No one gives a shit any more. We just pick and choose the songs we want, not genres that we love. Our generation has become lazy with music, we don't listen to a whole album any more to discover the unknown songs, hell people don't even buy the whole album any more! Our generation will go on iTunes (the ones that will actually pay money for songs) and buy the latest single's from the charts and that's the extent of their music knowledge, what is played on the radio and what they've been told is popular. 

Today we still remember bands such as Metallica, Motley Crue, Motorhead, Slayer, Guns 'n' Roses, among others, the legends of rock, but they are dying out too, Motley Crue have already announced their final tour, Guns 'n' Roses have faded through their line up changes, Motorhead have cancelled tours due to front man Lemmy's declining health. In a decades time we won't have these bands any more, and personally I can't see many of the bands we have today being remembered in 30-40 years time.

People will buy the band t-shirts sold in high street stores (I admit I've done this too) without knowing who they really are or what their music was, they just do it cause it's fashionable. But music isn't fashion, for me it's a way of life. 

Music Became My Religion

Dave Grohl has summed up my view of music here. And although we still have the religion, the saints and the hymns, our churches are disappearing. Part of this is from online shops, part of it from technology no longer requiring us to purchase a physical CD, but just download the music instead. I will admit I buy all my music off Amazon now, but I refuse to download it, legally or illegally, because I want to have the actual CD in in my hands, not just a version of it on my laptop. I'll be the crazy old woman with a house full of CD's!

Rock 'N' Roll Music Is The True Religion - Top 10 Bands Part 2

The second half of my top ten bands.

1. Motley Crue - I'm waiting (very impatiently) for the announcement of the UK dates of their farewell tour, something that I will not miss. As some of my friends will tell you I'm determined I will see Motley Crue before its impossible to do so, even if I have to travel further than Glasgow and go on my own, I'll be there. Celebrating their 30th anniversary last month Motley Crue are an example that good bands will last. I can't see it being 30 years down the line and people still being excited for half the music that is released today. There just not made like they used to be any more.
2. The Subways - The Subways are another band that are (according again to Twitter) finishing up a new album, so another one I'm excited for this year. And we all know with a new album comes a tour to promote it, and this time I will see them. I caught the end of Rock & Roll Queen when they were supporting AC/DC in 2009 (it wasn't my fault we were late, I blame my Dad for that one!). 
3. Seether - Seether are a relatively new discovery of mine, despite having been around since 1999 (although named Saron Gas until 2002) thanks to Spotify and their constant suggestion of new bands. The influence Nirvana and Kurt Cobain had on vocalist Shaun Morgan can be heard in their music, a couple of their songs I actually thought could have been Nirvana covers. And their cover of Careless Whisper actually makes the song sound good!
4. Motorhead - A top ten list could never be complete without Motorhead, total legends in their own right. Between Lemmy's musical talents and debauched lifestyle he is a living legend. From controversial comments like people who play the bass are failed guitarists (which is ironic since he tried and failed at playing guitar) and his reported drinking habits, if you don't know who he is go hang your head in shame then Google it. Although he has gave up his daily litre of JD for the sake of his health. His distinctive gravely voice  and Ace of Spades had become a trademark for the band. Tomorrow would have been the 5th or 6th time I'd of seen them (I lost count) but the tour was cancelled to allow Lemmy to recuperate more from his recent health problems, so get well soon Lemmy, and instead I will play the songs as loud as my laptop will let me and pretend it's live.
5. I couldn't pick a final band. I have too many favourites to decided between and it was just too hard. I would probably drive myself insane trying to finish it, and that isn't something I want to do. I can just picture myself pulling a Shining on Lisa (my flatmate) and attacking her door with an axe shouting "Here's Johnny!" Although I would probably use a cultural reference I actually knew, like "Give me your tears gypsy" or "YOLO." So heads up Lisa, when I start saying YOLO....

And Just Maybe, I'm To Blame For All I've Heard - Top 10 Bands, Part 1

My last post has got me thinking, if I was to try and list my favourite bands I would be here all day, and constantly changing it depending on my mood, and my latest addiction of the week. I can get really obsessive when it comes to music, be it a band on repeat for weeks, sometimes an album that I just can't get enough of, or even sometimes just one song, over and over and over. Then I start to sing along, which my flatmate will tell you is not something you want to be hearing. But this is my attempt at picking out my top ten bands, in no particular order, because that would just be impossible!

1. Nirvana - As I mentioned before, one of my biggest regrets in life is that I never had the opportunity to see Nirvana live, but they still continue to be one of my favourite bands. My favourite song would probably be Lithium, but ask me this next week and I'll have a different answer for you. From the (often weird and nonsensical) lyrics to the guitar riffs, there is something magical about them. RIP Kurt Cobain.
2. Papa Roach - As you may have already guessed from previous posts, Papa Roach are a favourite of mine. As long as giving me the motivation to get on with uni work, they have a song for every mood, whether it's questioning life and society, a broken heart or feeling like giving up, I can put on Papa Roach and it all feels better. That's one of the key qualities music has to have in my book, the power to change your perspective.
3. Aiden - Like with Papa Roach, the first time I saw Aiden live was another of the best nights of my life. Meeting them before hand in One Up Records then being right at the front of the stage at Moshulu (totally showing my age here!) was just indescribable. Especially when Wil Francis took a "selfie" (back before it was cool) with the crowd in the background with my camera. I almost died. I was just searching through my external hard drive for the photos from that night, and of course I didn't back them up after transferring them to my old laptop, which is fucked! So unless I can get them off of there they may be lost forever. Aiden were just as good the second time around, as was the trip to Glasgow to see them. Aiden are a teenage favourite that may become forgotten in years to come by the music fans of today, but they will always have a place in my heart.
4. HIM - I started listening to HIM after Dark Light was released, and have never looked back since. There is just something about the sound of Ville Valo's voice that transcends into an experience of listening that no other has replicated, and it doesn't matter what he looks like (although I do think he's hot, I have a thing for tattoos!) you can't help but fall a little bit in love with him. HIM is a band that you constantly go back to and rediscover the enchantment of the music, as I discovered last year with the release of their latest album, "Tears on Tape", an amazing birthday gift from my dad who shares my love of music. 
5. Sixx AM - The band originally formed to provide the harrowing and emotional soundtrack to Nikki Sixx's book "The Heroin Diaries," but have now (according to Sixx's twitter) recorded their third album, a release that I can't wait for. I first heard them when the Life Is Beautiful video played on Kerrang! and instantly fell for the band. Years later and The Heroin Diaries is still one of my most played DVD's, and I know the book nearly word for word having read it so many times. Their second album, "This Is Gunna Hurt" is just as good, as is the book that accompanies it. I have no doubts what so ever that the next album will be great, especially after Sixx tweeted "I think we're topping ourselves..."

The second half will be up soon, apparently I have too much to say about each band, this is just scratching the surface of my very opinionated views.

Come As You Are

I just found this blog post, http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2013/10/nirvanas-eight-most-rock-n-roll-moments.html that list's Nirvana's eight most rock and roll moments, and I was probably overly amused by it. Easily pleased obviously. 

Nirvana are unarguably one of my favourite bands, and one of my biggest regrets in life will always be never having the opportunity to see them live. But unfortunately I was days away from turning three when Kurt Cobain died, RIP. Instead I settle for youtube clips, live DVD's and just listening to the music. I am borderline obsessed. 

So obsessed that in Higher English when we were told to write our persuasive essay's on an issue we cared about, while the majority of my class wrote about abortion laws and such like, I chose to write about whether or not Kurt Cobain committed suicide or if it was murder. I wrote about it so passionatly that I had my English teacher convinced it was murder. [This is my own opinion, formed through research carried out for the essay, I am NOT trying to say this is a fact!]

One Track Mind

I am so beyond excited right now. Jacoby Shaddix instagrammed a photo of himself back in the studio recording Papa Roach's 8th album! Ahhhhhh!

Papa Roach are one of my favourite bands, and have been for many years. Their lyrics are so inspirational, their music is just amazing, and I have no doubt that the next one will be just as good.

One of the best nights of last year was going to see them live at Glasgow Barrowlands, and it honestly can't describe how good it was. My best friend, Frances, who was with me said she actually hasn't seen me so happy before, as I stood staring at the stage with a huge grin on my face, repeating "He's just such a total babe" about Jacoby. Despite my bag being stolen afterwards it was still one of the highlights of last year, and of course being me I was more upset about the t-shirt I'd just bought being in the bag, and of course the first thing I did when I got my bank card replaced I bought a new t-shirt, then replaced my ID, cause you know that's the logical thing.

Motivation

Music is like that escape that you need each day, the few minutes you get to yourself, the thing that keeps you going and the way to express yourself when you can't find the words to say it yourself. As HIM front man Ville Valo said, "A lot of that stuff people consider 'rock 'n' roll' is based on insecurity. You hide behind the flamboyance. All that excess - it's just trying to be accepted." *All opinions and interpretations of the songs are my own, these are how I feel about the songs.*

So here it is, my top ten motivational songs, and why.

1. Papa Roach - Not Listening. As I mentioned in the last post this is the song that gets me through all my uni coursework. "Am I a failure, if I've got nothing to lose. No I'm not a failure, I've got something to prove." This song helps to keep me inspired when I feel like I'm not getting through it. A lot of the time when I do things I feel like it's not good enough, that I'm not good enough, but then I listen to this song and it makes me realise that I need to prove to myself, more than to anyone else, that I can do it, and that I can get through everything. So fuck the world, I'm not a failure, and no one else deserves to feel that 
2. Sixx AM - Skin. "Cause they don't even know you, all they see is scars. They don't see the angel living in your heart. Let them find the real you, buried deep within. Let them know with all you've got, that you are not your skin." When people try to put you down, or judge you on what they see, fuck them. Simple as. Life is way too short for that. 
3. Rage Against the Machine - Killing In The Name. When you just need angry music after a bad day. It's like a big fuck you to all the people trying to put you down, and it always makes me want to jump about like an idiot. In my opinion it's a rebellion against authority, and the brutality of institutions in the name of something.
4. Bullet For My Valentine - All These Things I Hate. To me this song is about admitting that not all your problems are forced on you, that some of it is stuff you've caused by yourself, and that you need to learn to accept them before you can move on from them. It's about accepting that you can be at fault, and it's motivation to change, and accept yourself so others will too.
5. Aiden - Life I Left Behind. The song is pretty much about remembering your past, and how things can be empty but that they don't lose meaning. "This life has never mad me question, is it wrong to think, how empty is the answer." You can't forget the past, you need to learn from mistakes you've made and regrets you have to become the person you should be.
6. +44 - Baby Come On. There's a few parts of this song that always stand out to me, but essentially they all come down to the same message. "And I can always find her, at the bottom of a plastic cup. Drowning in drunk's insanity. A sad and lonely girl.", I think this is like saying that alcohol is not the answer (a message I really need to take on board) and you'll still have you're problems when you sober up. "And all my best friends will be death of me.", All my friends are a bad influence on each other, we corrupt each other and it will end us one day, simple as, but I still love them all. "The past is only the future with the lights on." You know what happened in the past (lights on) but you can't predict the future (it's in the dark) but you can change it so it doesn't resemble the past, again it's learn from mistakes and move on from the past.
7. Escape the Fate - Live Fast, Die Beautiful. So the title of this song is pretty self explanatory. Make the most of life!
8. Nirvana - Lithium. Like every Nirvana song it's not really about what the lyrics actually say, its about the feel and sound of the music as a whole, and although if you really listen to it, it is about Kurt Cobain being bi-polar, you can take it how you want to. To me it's motivational, "I'm not gunna crack," repeated over and over to me is saying the pressure is on but don't let it get to you, don't let it break you.
9. Three Days Grace - Now or Never. The song is about making changes, and now is the time to do it. Don't just bitch about the problems you have, do something, and do it fast.
10. The Subways - Friday. "This is Friday, this is my day, you can't take that from me." The song is basically, it's my weekend and you can't take it away, but the deeper meaning is that you can't let people take anything from you. And Friday is my favourite night to go out.

So some of these are more inspirational than motivational, but really we all always need some inspiration and motivation in life.