Warped tour is a major thing every year, and it appears to consume the entire year. Between the band announcements in the Fall and Winter, the anticipation for the start of it in Sping, and then the tour actually happening in the summer. I wrote an article about some of the lesser known bands that are on the main lineup's list a few days back, and decided to write one about some bands on the Warped tour Battle of The Bands list.
Surprisingly, most people do not know of the Battle Of The Bands, though it has happened for eighteen years now. Up and coming bands promote themselves to climb up a list, and a certain number gets to play various dates. This particular year, there are exactly 4,326 bands and artists on this list, and obviously not all of them even got a fair chance. Some might not have even promoted at all, just joined the list and forgot about it. Better luck next year to most, and to those who are getting in, congratulations. Immortal Music has been very actively invlolved with the BOTB this year, as many of you should know. Because of this, several bands have caught my attention, and I decided to bring light to some of them as they are all up and coming and need the attention. Not many bands have my support on this list, as I haven't taken the time to listen to most of them (until I decided to write up this article.) but many names caught my attention, so I decided to talk about as many bands as I could. The majority of the bands on this list are up and coming bands. The fanbases vary, but none are considered to be 'big bands'. That is except for one artist.The number one on the over all list is the solo artist, SayWeCanFly, and frankly, Warped tour should have just included him on the official list, not allowed him to go onto the BOTB list. 400,000 Facebook fans says you have made it, you are no longer up and coming. Letting him on this list is both unfair to him, and to everyone else on the list. Many people have said that they are voting for him and no one else, because they know who he is. People are unaware that you can vote for as many bands as you want, as often as you want, and he is fully in the clear. This article is not to talk about the skewed details of this battle, but to celebrate the talent this list holds. So, without further adue, let's get into this. First, let me add that some of these bands I have some information on, beyond their name, location and genre. I might talk about what I know, or I may not. We shall see. Forever In Combat: They actually slightly irritated me, if I'm honest. A few months back, I heard that they were not even remotely close to being ready to play Warped tour as they currently did not have a drummer. They will be playing the Saint Petersburg, FL date, as they are number one on the list for that venue, and number two on the over all list. Here's hoping they're ready, because frankly, if you're doing so well on both lists, and don't even have a full band, there is something wrong there. This might have been false information I was given, though.I never heard for sure one way or the other if they had their full lineup or if someone had their information wrong. However, they do seem like they'll get a great reaction from Warped tour fans. They are an alternative metal band, and I must say, I like the screaming, and clean vocals, as well as the instrumentals. I see fans of Of Mice And Men, The Ghost Inside, Motionless In White and others really enjoying them. They're very talented, I just do question if they are ready for what they're getting themselves into. I am looking forward to possibly catching their set and meeting them at Warped tour. Shout London: I have no choice but to give Shout London a ton of credit. They will be playing the Orlando, FL date, and are an alternative pop rock band. I love their enthusasim. Every single member of this band somehow found me on Twitter and made it a point to introduce themselves and thank me for supporting them. For the most part, I have not voted for many bands on this Battle, just because it felt wrong to vote for anyone else but the band I manage. I did vote for them though, their teamwork and enthusiasm won me over. Their music is pretty good too. Anyone who is a fan of Mayday Parade, We The Kings or The Maine probably should check them out as they might just love them. Murp: The first picture I saw did not appear to be who it actually is. It looked similar to Wednesday 13, then when I listened to the first song, "Zombie Skin" I realized who this was. Murp was featured before on America's Got Talent, and was a couple kids, featuring a six year old girl that was doing the vocals. They are a metal, rock and 'screamo' band from Boston. Personally, I'm not a big fan, but it does impress me that a young child is able to do this. Good for them! I'm glad to see they're doing so well on the Warped tour list. I can't see who would be a fan of them, but I recommend everyone check it out because how many six year olds do you know that scream in a metal fashion? Not many. Kuza: I had been curious about this one for a while because I know that name is connected to Motionless In White directly. If I'm understanding correctly, Mike Kuza was a touring member with MIW, but stopped for personal reasons. None the less, people still associate the two names, and because of that, he's another one I do feel is a bit unfair to have on the Warped tour Battle Of The Bands list. It gives him a huge advantage above everyone else, just because of who he is connected with. But, I can't complain too much because its not like he's still in MIW, and this is just a side project. He can't help who he knows. I actually don't have much to say about the music, its not bad, but I don't love it. I'm not big on the screaming style, and it kind of reminds me of old MIW, which I was not a fan of. Its up to you though, listen for yourself and choose what you think about it. To Trust A Liar: This is a band I have supported since I started getting involved with the Warped tour BOTB. Their name speaks to me for some reason, and I quite enjoy their music. They say they are a metal band from Chicago, IL, and I would say they're more metalcore than straight up metal, but I am awful at naming genres. So, I will just say they are very talented, and I'm very glad to see they are so high on the list. I hope to see them go far. I feel like fans of The Devil Wears Prada, Alesana, Asking Alexandria, Memphis May Fire, and others would really enjoy them. Breathe TIll Dawn: This is one that I actually hadn't listened to until I started writing this list. They are a female fronted pop punk/ rock band from Toledo, OH! I decided to click on them because I liked their band name, but I must say I actually am kind of impressed! They appear to be an interesting mix between We Are The In Crowd and A Day To Remember. That might sound like a weird combination, and it is, but it kind works. Their vocalist is what gives the WATIC feel, as she is remisenct of Taylor Jardine, and their sound and screamer remind me greatly of ADTR. I see this band going far as well. It Lives, It Breathes: It Lives, It Breathes is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but I feel that many might just really enjoy them. They are an experimental eletronic, metal band from Providence, Rhode Island. Definitely unique, and in a good way. They kind of remind me of Breathe Carolina, but heavier. I'm honestly quite liking the vocals a lot, and can definitely see myself looking into them more. Chasing The Riots: I see them going far. They are a pop punk rock band from Lapeer / Davison, MI. Their influences include A Day To Remember, All Time Low, Blink 182, Yellowcard and more and it shows! The vocals are also slightly reminscent of Charlie Simpson of Busted. If they don't get well known, and eventually get to share the stage with many of their influences, I will be very disappointed in whoever was dumb enough to turn them down. A Need For A Reason: This is another alternative metal band, hailing from New Jersey. I love their name, but for some reason, they don't really appeal to me. There's nothing really wrong with them, but they're not exactly sparking my attention either. Assuming We Survive: This is probably your typical pop punk band, but frankly, I love it! I like the vocals, the lyrics, and the music. Its all just great. The clean vocals and screams remind me of someone that I cannot quite place, but I can say its a good reminder. They are coming out of Inland Empire, CA and are inspired by Four Year Strong, New Found Glory, Thrice and more. They're highly talented themselves, and I hope to see them play along side their inspirations one day. I feel they'd actually compliment NFG or even Fall Out Boy very well. Olbvious Signal: This is a band that I have been hearing of outside of Warped tour quite a bit recently. They are growing a fanbase quite rapidly here in Florida, which makes perfect sense as they come from Fort Lauderdale, FL. They are a female fronted hard rock band, and while that might sound very simple and vague, they are extremely talented and deserve to be extremely well known. Even if you are not into female fronted bands, such as myself, I recommend giving them a chance as I feel they will certainly surprise you. Love, Robot: The first impression I had of them had a Sleeping With Sirens feel to it, but that was just based off of the opening instrumentals to their song, "Machine" and the first photograph that came up. I like the music, but I'm not feeling the vocals. The screams from the vocalist, yes, but not the main vocals. There's nothing actively wrong with her voice, its just not my taste. They are a female fronted band from Long Island that claims to be an alternative pop rock band. I don't hear the pop part at all, because they do all around remind me of Sleeping With Sirens, which at least for me is a plus. I do recommend people check them out, but the vocals do slightly throw me off. I don't love her voice, as I just said, but I don't hate it either. Awoken Shadows: Their name for some reason sounds to me like it should be a fantasy book series. Which is cool, if you ask me. The first song I decided to listen to is called "Graveyard Romance", which actually has a Marilyn Manson/ new Motionless In White feel to it. Its darker than I was expecting but pretty good, I have to say. I think I'd recommend them to other people. Awoken Shadows comes from Lakeport, CA and claim to be a metal, screamo band. Curses: This is a band that I've been hearing of A LOT over the past couple months. People really seem to like them, and I can see the appeal. They are a metal band from Bluefield, VA and I'm impressed! The screaming is very powerful, and strong, and the vocals are just great! I also quite like the lyrics that I am catching. I admit, I am not catching them all, but what I am understanding, I like. I recommend people check them out if they're into heavier bands, but not "melt your face off" heavy. Boys Of Fall: This one caught my attention because 1) I liked the name and 2) They have their genres listed as pop punk, rock and metal. They actually live up those genres, I must say. Its kind of like how A Day To Remember is called pop punk, but they're heavier. I'm impressed. I might have compared them to ADTR, but they're not actually anything like them, that was just the best explaination I had. I love the screams, clean vocals and music. Yet another band that deserves a real shot at getting known. Boys Of Fall comes from Detroit, MI, by the way. False Puppet: A pop rock, alternative band from Santa Barbara, CA that frankly, I love. They're probably not for everyone, but I love it. I hear a bit of an NYSNC feel to them, which is different for a rock band. I also hear a bit of an All Time Low vibe, and I cannot tell if that is intentional or not as they appear to have no influences listed anywhere! This rises some questions, and they just might be hearing from me soon. Legacy At Dawn: First let me say, I love their name. I don't know why, there's just something about it that is awesome to me. Second, they are a badass metal band from San Antonio, TX. I accidentally asked one of their members to vote for Remedy X on Twitter and they said yes, and asked if I'd vote for them as well. I did not have the heart to say no, since they were so nice about me asking them to vote, and not even having a clue who they were, and was actually really impressed. Normally, the screaming style they have does not appeal to me, but for some reason I quite liked it with them. I can't explain who they are most like, nor can I give you any of their influences ad they have none listed and I just suck at naming things like that sometimes. So, I guess you'll just have to listen to them for yourself and decide if they're someone you'd like or not. Shattered Silence: The name reminded me of Suicide Silence for some reason, but their sound is nothing like that at all. Their vocalist actually reminds me quite a bit of Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch or Michael Poulsen of Volbeat, and they are an alternative rock band from Angleton, TX. Some of their influences are Switchfoot, Skillet, Trice, and DemonHunter. I can see that, actually. I think they're quite good, maybe you'd like them too. Nobody Yet: I really liked their name, but I also really like their music. They are a pop punk, alternative band from Philediphia, PA and I hear a major New Found Glory influence in there. Except, I think I might actually dare to say they're btter than NFG. Its a big claim, but I think I'm going to stick to that. They also appear to have a sense of humor as their interests on Facebook state, "Liftin', Drinkin' Jurassic Park, Suckin' Dick." Why does that sound like something All Time Low would say? I feel like I might just have to talk with these guys. A Liar's Eyes: This is another one that I have kept track of over the past few months of promotion. They are an alternative rock metal band from Cinnicinati, OH and I LOVE their music. If they don't get famous, that'd be a shame because they are extremely talented. I can't quite place what I like about them so much, but I certainly really enjoy them and hope to hear more from them in the future. Nothing Personal: I admit, their name caught my attention just because Nothing Personal is the name of All Time Low's album from 2009. I was honestly expecting something pop punk, just because of that fact, but they actually appear to be an alternative rock band with both a female and male vocalist. They're alright. I see nothing wrong with them, but they are not quite my taste. Chin Up, Kid: This is a pop punk band from Indianapolis, IN, and they're another that I have been watching very closely as they climbed the list. Their influences include All Time Low, A Day To Remember, Hit The Lights and Four Year Strong, and that makes them be right up my alley. They are just awesome, and I recommend any pop punk fan out there checks them out at the earliest convience. The Sweet Escape: They have been direct competition with Remedy X (The reason I have been so involved with this year's Battle Of The Bands.) and I actually have refused to listen to them until now. I only refused because they have stayed neck and neck with us for several weeks now on the over all list and the list for the Saint Petersburg, FL date. They are an alternative pop rock band from Port Saint Lucie, FL and I almost hate to say that I really like them. They're actually the only band on this list that I have listened to every song they had listed on the website. Honorable mentions to other bands go to Us, Ghosts, Give Up, Ghost, Malya, Seven Years Past, Rebirth, Eyes Of A Sinner, Murder On Her Mind, Scouts Honor, Lessons Learned, Goodbyejuly, Roses Unread, Whispers of Wonder, Bad Case Of Big Mouth, Partycat, Time Will Tell, The Gravity Project, Moovalya, Dr. Awkward, Awake At Last, Outline In Color, Awake And Create, Provoke, Destroy, Lions Named Leo, Kissing Candace, Final Last Words, Never Met a Deadman, The Last Sleepless CIty, and all the other great bands on this list. Also, people should know that a lot of these bands are not in direct competition with one another. As previously stated, the rules are not very clear. Part of the site says the top 200 get in, but the rules state that its the top 100 bands to get considered. That has also proven to be false, as they are picking four to five bands per venue to play. So, it actually seems to be more so based on the list for each venues. All bands have until two weeks prior to the date they are trying to play to promote themselves and get as many votes as possible. I made it clear that Immortal Music has been involved with the Saint Petersburg, FL date and the voting for that ends Friday, July 11. It appears as though all winners are being posted on an official Ernie Ball page, which can be found here. This is a stressful Battle to be part of, and its full of a lot of incredible artists. Warped tour has its issues, but its full of great chances for up and coming bands, and fans to meet a ton of bands. Be sure to look for the Battle Of The Bands for Warped tour every year, because there's more than likely going to be a lot of great bands you've never heard of on there. All of which are working very hard to get a chance at a huge opprotunity. Don't forget to share your support, or if nothing else, don't be rude to anyone who asks you to vote. If you don't wish to vote for someone, simply say so politely or just do not respond. To you, it might be annoying, but to them, they are just working for a very difficult goal. (There's also some lesser known bands already on the official Warped tour list, and Immortal Music wrote about that as well. Please click here to read that, if you are interested.)
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