David's Fucked Up

When I came across Fucked Up's latest work, David Comes To Life, I was drawn by it's story of love and betrayal. This marked the first time I came across any records from the Canadian hardcore band. Intrigued, I picked up the record and gave it a listen.

The beauty of a conceptual record is that it can be interpreted in many a hundred different ways. In the case of David however, it's feels more like a thousand. As I mentioned earlier, David Comes To Life is story of love and betrayal, but it was not clear what it's really about. In fact, and I'm not afraid to admit this, I was able to get the idea behind the story from the Youtube video below. The members of Fucked Up mention that it was a man and a beautiful woman that he falls in love with. Tragically, disaster struck and the woman dies. At this point on, it gets even more confusing. I'm not sure if he dies and comes back to life again. Although, that would make more sense due to the title of the album. But then again, if all conceptual albums were that easy to interpret than it would not be something worth listening. To add to that, the best kind of albums are that ones that expect the listener to look beyond the music and see the story behind it. Overall, David Comes To Life is an extraordinary story...if though until this day, I still don't know how it ends.


As far as music goes, absolutely gorgeous. Fucked Up has outshined many hardcore bands with their dynamic musicianship and brilliant songwriting. What makes David Comes To Life standout from the rest of their catalog is their daring attempt in experimenting with pop music. I'm not saying the band went Britney Spears or Justin Bieber on us (Thank God...). I'm saying that they made some tweaks and adjustments to their sound to create a more pop-like vibe. As a result they have created one of the most unconventional sounding albums this year. What's even amazing is that music sounds very cohesive and that the two genres don't collide with one another.

I give mad props to Damian Abraham (aka Pink Eyes) for having one of the most gnarly hardcore voices the game. Strong and aggressive, but highly melodic. Plus, the fact that he's not afraid to perform half naked in front of thousands of people only proves what an amazing frontman he truly his. If any one goes to a Fucked Up show, be in for a wild ride.

Destroy Restore Until God Shows

For the past few months, there was been plenty of speculation over Craig Owens' new band. Slowly, there had been announcements made about recording sessions and new band members (Matt Good, formerly of From First To Last was the most recent and more likely last addition to the band). But despite all these, the one thing that I was absolutely curious about was what the band name will be. I was imagining that it would be something cool or something outrageous. Turns out it happens to be a little both. On August 17th, Craig Owens and his new crew finally announced the name of their band.

 Destroy Restore Until God Shows

My first thought was that it was about time that the band officially announced their name, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but be a little confused. For one, I thought the name was rather strange, but rather cool at the same time. Plus, I was a little curious about the meaning behind it and what was their inspiration. Still, I have to admit it. The acronym D.R.U.G.S. does roll off the tongue very nicely. In any case, I’m excited about Craig Owen’s and his new venture with D.R.U.G.S. With the band lineup complete, the band are hard at work on recording their debut record. Who knows what announcement will come from D.R.U.G.S. camp, but I think Craig Owens’ has something up his sleeve.

Thermacare

A few months ago, I found out on Absolutepunk.net of the departure of Craig Owens from post hardcore outfit, Chiodos. The news saddened me because Chiodos was one of my favorite band and Craig Owen was one of my favorite vocalists. I was fortunate enough to see the band live when they came down to Hawaii to perform at Pipeline Cafe (there is more to this story; will be told later). Besides Anthony Green, I never seen a more charasmatic and energetic singer in the music scene. The way he can switch off vocals from his melodic almost-falsetto-like voice to his harsh screaming. He is also very dynamic on stage and has a way to connect with his audience to the point where the crowd will carry him by his legs as he performs. I've witnessed that when they came down here and it was pretty amazing.

No news of a singer's departure from a band surprised more people since Anthony Green's departure from Saosin a few years ago. It was news that baffled everyone and for a longest time, people have wondered what went down with between Craig Owens and the band. But like anything that happens in our lives, whether it be good or bad, eventually people move on with their lives. Chiodos moved on by bringing in Brandon Bolmer formerly from Yesterday's Rising, to be the new lead vocalist (along with Tanner Wayne who replaced Derrick Frost a few months earlier) and Craig Owens is working on some new material with his new, soon-to-be named band. Things were starting to look up for both parties, but something that happened that prevented old wounds from healing.

A song entitled "Thermacare", which was a demo that Chiodos was working on before the departure of Craig Owens, was leaked into the internet a few weeks ago. The leak not only surprised both Owens and Chiodos, but also many other people as well. There was talk that Chiodos was in the process of recording a follow-up to Bone Palace Ballet, but many were surprised that the vocalist they were listening to on the track was Craig Owens and not Brandon Bolmer. It made people wonder if he really did leave the group or if this was some sort of cruel joke someone's playing. Both parties were disappointed, but no one was more disappointed about the leak than Craig Owens. According to the statement he made through Alternative Press, he stated that his intention was to have that demo rerecorded with his new band. The press conference also mentioned that there was an agreement made to split the song into two with Chiodos keeping the music while Craig Owens kept the melodies/lyrics. Unfortunately that did not go as planned and somehow the song was leaked.

Thermacare by Chiodos by Future Phonograph

I'm not sure what will become of "Thermacare", whether it be recorded for Chiodos or Craig Owen's new band, but whatever the case may be I understand the disappointment felt from both parties. When there is a breakup like this within a band, it's not easy for everyone especially when they all been together since the beginning. I may not know much about the departure of Craig Owens, but at this time I believe that both parties want to simply move from this incident and start fresh with their new ventures. In any case, I look forward to hearing Brandon Bolmer being the new frontman for Chiodos and to hear their new album. As for Craig Owens, I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve. I know that with his talent and charisma, it's going to be excited to hear what he has in store in the near future.

Oh, and for the record I just want to say that "Thermacare" would have been one hell of a single if Craig Owens stayed with Chiodos...

Art With Ferocity

I enjoy looking at the cover art of many of my favorite albums. I know that you should never judge a book by its cover, but if you look at the artwork, you can't help but imagine what the tone of the music might sound like. For musicians, who take complete control of the art direction for their albums, it is another medium for them to express themselves. One of the best examples is Jacob Bannon. Jacob Bannon is the vocalist of the punk infused metalcore act Converge. Prior to music, he attended the Art Institute of Boston and earned his Bachelor's in Fine Arts in 1998. Today, while making music with Converge, he still continues to work on his craft as an artist by doing various works for other bands. Some of his works include As I Lay Dying, Bane, Norma Jean, Shadows Fall and even Fall Out Boy. Also, he does all the cover art for all of Converge's records.

I really admire his work (and his music). Jacob Bannon has a unique way of capturing the aggression and intensity of his band's music and mold that into his artwork. His artwork is original and mind-blowing. Jacob Bannon is truly an amazing artist and one hell of vocalist/musician. For more information on Jacob Bannon and the artwork that he does, click HERE or click on the picture below. His band's current record, Axe to Fall is out now and it is one of my favorite records of 2009.

Band of the Year

I just got my January issue of Alternative Press in the mail the other day. Featured on the cover is one of my favorite bands, The Devil Wear Prada. All I can say is that the cover is pretty sick. It reflects the intensity and aggression of their music. The cover is featured below.

If you love anything and everything about alternative music, I highly recommend subscribing to the magazine. Also, pick up The Devil Wears Prada's new album, With Roots Above and Branches Below, which is a really awesome metalcore album.

Heads Will Roll

Just in case if you are wondering, this is not about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' video "Heads Will Roll" but feel free to click the link above to check out their stellar video.

I am referring to Protest The Hero's video, "Bloodmeat". I love the pure and raw energy this video reaps. It is that particular quality that the director wanted to capture about the band. Check out the video below. Trust me, it will make heads roll...

Remembering The Chaos

One of my favorite hardcore "thrash" bands that I ever listen to was none other than the infamous Blood Brothers from Seattle Washington. In fact, to simply call their music hardcore or thrash sounds a little insulting for these guys are much more than that. They were able to combine different genres of hardcore, indie rock and, punk rock and even bits of ska and thrash into their music to make one explosive sound. The first time I heard them literally blew my mind. It was original, innovative, aggressive and chaotic all at the same time. It's pretty extraordinary. Unfortunately the chaos ended when the band officially broke up in 2007 after 10 years as a band. After the breakup, Johnny Whitney and Cody Votolato formed the indie rock influenced Jaguar Love while the rest of the band Jordan Billie, Morgan Henderson and Mark Gajadhar formed the experimental Past Lives.

Now for the good news. It turns out that Epitaph records will be reissuing their albums Burn Piano Island Burn, Crimes, March On Electric Children and Young Machetes on November 17 with exclusive B-sides, live tracks and music videos as well as the infamous Jungle Rules Live on DVD. Click here for more information.