Warped tour is well under way, and has been playing a huge factor in the personal life of Immortal Music. I'll spare you the details, unless you're interested in hearing more. If you are interested in learning more about that, please click here, as its been discussed in previous blogs, and videos -you name it. The point is, its been talked about a lot.
Most people though, only think of the well known bands that are on the tour. Those bands include Of Mice And Men, Mayday Parade, The Ready Set, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Maine. People forget though that there is a lot of bands already set on the tour, and competing to play select dates of the tour that deserve some recongition, but aren't well known yet. So, as the manager of one of those bands, I felt it was only right to check some of them out. There has been several names on the official Warped tour list and the Battle Of The Bands list that have caught my attention, but are unknown to me. I'll start with the main Warped tour list and then in a seperate blog, I will talk about the Battle Of The Bands list. If you want to just read that, and not the main Warped tour list, please click here. If you want to read about my thoughts on some of the official Warped tour bands, please keep reading. These are just my first impressions of the bands, they might not be factual and the thoughts may change over time. Also, please keep in mind that there are over 100 bands on the over all Warped tour list, and a majority of them are unknown bands. So, this list might be very long, because while I might not be curious about them all, I do just generally love music, so I might end up checking out a lot of bands. Feel free to skim this, read it all , or turn away now-that's up to you. Before I begin though, I want to state that you can find all of these bands on vanswarpedtour.com, and I have not talked to any of them about doing this. I just felt like it because new music is always awesome and this is the perfect chance to find some new bands to listen to. The first band to catch my attention on the main Warped tour list was Air Dubai. They say they are a hip hop alternative band hailing from Denver, CO, and I admit, I only have listened to one song, because I had a lot of ground to cover here, but as far as first impressions go, I'm not overly impressed. They're not bad, but they're not quite my taste. I get a slight Hollywood Undead feel from them, only with more of a typical, hip hop/ rap style to it, where as Hollywood Undead leans more toward rock and electronic beats. They're a very talented group, but not my cup of tea. The second name to catch my attention was One Ok Rock, who identify themselves as an emo rock band from Japan. I decided to give their song, "Be The Light" a listen, and was instantly intrigued. I love their singer's voice, and the lyrics to this song in particular are beautiful and quite relatable. I see myself looking into these guys more often. I don't exactly see the "emo" feel to it, but frankly, most songs with meaning are emotional, and that's all emo stands for. So, maybe that's where it comes from. Interestingly, I almost feel like this song could be a cover of a 90s boy band song. Its not, its certainly an original, but the chorus gives me a vibe like Backstreet Boys or NYSNC's slow songs do. Only its a rock version. Some may not like that, and many might disagree with me, but that's the vibe I pick up, and I like it. Next up on the list is actually one I've known about for a while, which is Icon For Hire. They are a female fronted pop rock band from Decatur, IL, and I was quite pleased to see them get on Warped tour because a friend showed me them a few years ago and I instantly wondered, "Why are they not well known? They deserve to be." Pop rock is not for everyone, but I think many people will be impressed with them. Plague Vendor feels like your typical alternative punk band to me, and at first, I was not feeling it at all. Then the singer started singing. He has a voice remisenct of My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way. That's interesting. Still wouldn't say I'm exactly a fan, but that did catch my attention. Sleeper Agent caught my attention because by their name, I was expecting something post hardcore or metalcore. Instead, they are a pop rock band from Bowling Green, KY. They're actually quite good, I have to say, though honestly, I wouldn't have normally pegged them for the "Warped tour" type. Does Warped tour even have a type anymore? I don't think so, I think its just music in general anymore. Some people hate that, I think its quite cool. With their singer's voice and particular sound, I'd picture them on tour with people like Icona Pop and Demi Lovato, but I quite like it. I also think their music video for, "Waves" is quite interesting as its a lyric video, and they did actually write out the lyrics in many ways. In sharpies, tattoo, ink, chalk, paint, Scrabble Titles ect. Creative -I like it. They're not my typical taste, but I could see myself enjoying them from time to time. State Champs is right up my alley! I actually first heard them in Hot Topic and actually had to stop an employee and ask who it was because I was interested in them right away. They are a pop punk/ rock band from Albany, NY and I honestly want them to be a big deal. They fit perfectly with the sounds of All Time Low, We The Kings, Mayday Parade, ect. Anyone out there who likes pop punk probably will love these guys. This is one of the few bands I am actually really hoping to see at Warped tour 2014. This Wild LIfe caught my attention not with their name but their genre. They say they are acoustic and pop, and come from Long Beach, CA. I decided to listen to their song, "Over It", and it gives me a slight Jazon Mraz feel. I feel like they'd be the perfect band to listen to when you're stressed out and need something to ease your mind, or just simply because you like acoustic songs! Acoustic songs are generally pretty great, and to have it be the majority of their music -that's just great. I can't say they'd become a new favorite or anything, but I could see myself adding this to a playlist among other things. ACIDIC -Some might call my dumb for this, but I misread their band name about seven times before I realized it was saying "acidic", meaning something had a lot of acid in it. I read it as something like ACDC, but with i's added in at first and could not figure out how to say it outloud until one day, I just happened to read it right. Don't know what was up with that, but you can feel free to laugh at my stupidity. Anyways, they are an alternative rock band and frankly, their video for "Cooper Man" makes me wonder if they were full of acid while watching infomercials. The song isn't bad, but I'm not really into it. A Lot Like Birds is a hardcore rock band from Sacramento, CA and perhaps this is just me, but their song "Connector", and the video to go with it, had a Death Cab For Cutie feel to it. Except with more screaming than they've ever done. I'm not loving the video, but I do like the song. The vocals are great, and the lyrics I'm picking up on are wonderful. I might look into them further. Better Off is another alternative rock band, this one hails from Nashville,TN, and they're another one that I definitely need to look into more. Within about ten seconds of their song "A Fool Walks Into A Bar And Cries Wolf", I was hooked. I love the beat, the lyrics, and especially the singer's voice. If they don't end up famous sometime soon, then someone out there better get on that. They deserve to be known. Beartooth reminds me of Of Mice And Men! They should remind me more of Attack Attack! as their front man, Caleb Shomo is the ex singer of Attack Attack, but thats not what came to mind first. Their song, "I Have A Problem." barely started and I picked up on that. They are a hardcore metal band from Columbus, OH, and while I normally do not like nearly full screaming in songs, they fall into that same unique catagory that a few select others, including Of Mice and Men and Attack Attack do for me. I'm impressed, and others will be impressed as well. Maybe Caleb and Austin just know how to do it right. Again, like many other things that I've said in the past, even in this blog, that's my opinion. Others are free to disagree with that. Beebs And Her Money Makers is a ska rock band, and I knew going into it that it wouldn't be my cup of tea but curiousity got the better of me. With a name like that, and finding out they come from Orlando, FL which is only hours away from me, I had to give it a listen. I'm not a ska fan, that's why I don't see the appeal of them, but their name amused me, and I do think any ska fans out there might want to check them out! Also, I have to say the video for, "Jumpin'" seems rather creative, so good job on that, Beebs (and Her Money Makers)! Blackbird -all their information, music included was removed from the Warped tour page. Only information left was a short bio that did not state their location, and their genre. I had never heard anyone use the term 'alternative pop' before, so I was curious. I took to YouTube for this, and found their song, "Can't Make Somebody Love You" and this is another one that doesn't seem to make me think of Warped tour. Honestly, this seems like something that would come out of a Disney Channel Original Movie. To some, that might be an insult, but I actually like a lot of former Disney Channel artists, and a lot of the movies that they produced. Its very catchy, and I like it. They definitely will not be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoy them, I think. Or at least, this song. They left a good first impression on me. Another alternative pop band sparked my attention, and they are called Candy Hearts. Their photograph lead me believe that they were going to have a Paramore feel to them, and that's not exactly the case. Vocally, I don't think I've ever heard anyone quite like her, and the lyrics remind me a lot of Avril Lavigne's writing style. I like! I have to ask though, where is Warped tour coming up with these bands? This is the third one or so, that has not seemed 'typical' for Warped tour. Perhaps that's a good thing, branching out can be good. Also, "Forever doesn't seem so awful with you." Why do I love that lyric so much? Its from their song, "I MISS YOU", for those who might be curious. For Today claims to be both hardcore and metalcore and that's not something I see very often. I see one or the other, rarely both. This band from Sioux City, IA is awesome! "Fight The Silence" not only has a great message about speaking out about what's wrong, but they have an A Day To Remember feel to them. That's just amazing! I recommend checking these guys out. Chances are, you will not be disappointed. Heart To Heart is a hardcore punk band from Pismo Beach, CA and frankly, they're great. They have apparently toured with The Story So Far, and Rotten Out, but I think fans of not only them, but Simple Plan, A Day To Remember, and many others would like them! They blur the lines a bit between genres and I feel like they won't have just one set fan base. They can do a lot, with their music, I believe. Which is impressive! Bands that can keep themselves out of the box of a set genre sometimes stand out more, because you don't quite know what to call them and they can draw many types of people. Light Years -they're a pop punk band from Cleveland, OH. Of course I had to check them out The genres listed though are 'pop-punk' and 'punk' and after listenin I can see why. They remind me a bit of Weezer and Blink 182 combined....some people might love that, but I am not loving it at all. I really don't like the singer's vocals, if I'm honest. I can't exactly pin point what it is about it I don't like, but I just find it to be alright. Nothing special in my eyes. Sorry, Light Years. Someone else will enjoy you more than I do. Me Like Bees -The name sounds like awful grammar. It sounds like you're trying to say "I like bees." but used the wrong wording all together. This alternative indie band is very talented for their genre, but their genre does not exactly appeal to me, I'm afraid. Naked Walrus -What a name. They are a rock band from Los Angeles, CA and while this might sound harsh, to be, they don't sound like anything unique. The most unique thing about them is their band name. At least, that's what the first impression leads me to believe. I chose to listen to their song, "All In", and for some reason it just seems like every background song in any movie that chooses not to use mainstream pop for a filler scene. Its catchy, don't get me wrong, but like I said, I'm not seeing the uniqueness here. I decided to listen to another song, and found "Acceptance", and its the same sort of deal for the most part. Though the vocals seemed more unique this time around. Am I missing something here? I feel like I'm missing something, like there's more there than I'm personally hearing. Guess its not my taste, but the band name definitely amuses me! Strangers You Know -Aren't those friends? If you know a person, they're not a stronger anymore. They are an alternative pop band from LA, and its another that falls into the "Not bad, but not my taste." and "This isn't what I think of when I think of Warped tour, but alright." catagories. Warped seems to be full of bands like that this year. Perhaps its like that every year and I've just never looked into it that much. That's Not My Baby -Their name alone makes me laugh. They are from Pasadena, CA, and are an alternative punk band. They remind me a bit of Simple Plan, honestly -which is a great thing. I also am loving the lyrics to "White Collar Dream." I might have to see what else they have in store for their fans. Unlocking The Truth is slightly impressive just because they fully state that they are three seventh grade boys (So between the ages of 12-14) making hard rock/ heavy metal music from Brooklyn, NY. They're pretty good -especially for kids! Proof that age doesn't matter -you can have talent and a drive for anything at any age. Good for them! They appear to have no vocals, at least in the one song. "Monster", but the instrumentals are very good. There were a few other bands that I decided not to talk about, but did check out. I only decided to leave some out because they were more bands that I had a reaction of, "Alright, not not that great." and felt like I have been rambling on long enough. Can people tell what I tend to gravitate toward? If its pop punk, post hardcore, or rock, chances are, I'm going to love it. I might try to get in contact with some of these bands and request interviews once Warped tour is over, so if you have questions for any of the bands listed above, please feel free to message the page with your questions. Just be sure to tell me who you're sending the question for and if you'd like your name included in the question or not. So, I think that about covers it. If you managed to make it to the end -thank you! I'm surprised you read this far. Hopefully you enjoyed reading my thoughts on some of these bands. Did you listen to any of the bands on the list? What did you think of them? Please let me know in the comments, or over on Facebook. Also, do remember that while this might have been a long post, the Battle of The Bands list will be much longer as that list has thousands of bands on it. I do not plan on trying to listen to all of them, though there are about twenty at least that I am planning on listening to. So, if you'd like to read that either stay tuned or if its already up, I would have linked it right here and at the beginning of this blog post. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this! I can only assume that if you read such a long blog about bands you may have never heard of that you really just love music. I think that's awesome, and I will never understand how there's people out there that don't love music. Music is immortal after all. Not much is immortal in this world, and nothing else can bring people together quite the same as much does. Or comfort the same, so
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