Dear Bands, Stop Charging To Meet You

Dear Bands,

There seems to be a new trend with musical artists. And although the concept is by no means new, it has become more and more popular among bands. And every time I see a band I like doing it, it irks me more and more. What I'm talking about is charging to meet you. And in most cases, I'm obviously very against it. But a few bands are doing it right and some wrong. To me, I see it as a sort of money grab. The scene I see it happening the most is the Pop Punk/Metal scene. So the average consumer for these types of shows are in college and working a part time, minimum wage job. So their take home (going off California rates) is around $800-$1000/month. Now add in a phone bill and maybe an apartment. That same person was probably lucky to afford your show in the first place. Now, just to meet you, you're charging another $50-$100 to meet you for a minute? Bands like PVRIS are doing it totally wrong. From what I've heard from several people, they're doing paid meet and greets but the CDs and posters are pre-autographed, they won't write out lyrics for tattoos (which if you haven't noticed, getting your favorite band's lyrics in their handwriting tattooed is also a pretty popular trend.), and won't hug you or touch you during the pictures. While I kind of understand the last one, the other parts don't add up. I'm glad I met them before they got big and super stuck up. Now on the other hand, you have a band like Neck Deep doing meet and greets the right way. They just announced their Fall US Tour and although its $85, their VIP package includes and acoustic set around a freaking campfire. You also get photos, poster, and an enamel pin, but a campfire set sounds worth every penny alone. Another band getting it right is Memphis May Fire. For their spring tour, for their VIP, you got to hang backstage with the band, listening to the new record while eating pizza. Those are the couple times I'll forgive bands for charging.

Now another situation is the band may be too big to hang out by the bus waiting to meet fans. Now unless you're playing to rooms of 750 or more people, you shouldn't be charging for meet and greets. Chances are, most of those fans will go home and not wait for you. Even with smaller bands and paid meet and greets, you're still gonna find a few people hanging by the tour bus. Pictures, conversations, and autographs cost literally nothing except maybe a little bit of your time.

One last problem is putting wealthier fans on a sort of "pedestal." Rich people already are a lot of the times stuck up and snooty, but now you have fans that want to spend time with you but can't afford it and that can make it even worse. Like I said, unless you can absolutely not avoid it, have some cool merch and experiences, or plan on hanging out by the bus or merch booth after the show, stop charging for VIP. Just stop. Please.

Until Next Time,

Alex

PS. Thank you to The Maine for inspiring this and being an advocate for never charging for meet and greets.

Top 20 Albums of 2017

Can you believe 2017 is almost over? Me neither, but I'm glad it is. Below is a list of my top 20 albums of the year!


20.) Deadweight by Wage War

I don't listen to a whole lot of metalcore, but Wage War is an exception. I discovered them last year via Warped Tour and have been hooked ever since. When I heard the lead single Stitch, I knew it was gonna be one hell of an album. After I saw that Jeremy McKinnon (of A Day To Remember) was producing it, my expectations were even higher. They were met, if not exceeded.


19.) Wonderful Wonderful by The Killers

Ah, The Killers. Honestly, I'm very surprised I'm putting them on this list. Not because they make bad music, because they don't. But, because they actually made new music. I'm glad they finally got together and made a new record though. Maybe it's not as good as the 5-year wait suggests but its still a solid record from front to back.


18.) Inside A Dream (EP) by Echosmith

Similar to The Killers, Echosmith finally returned in 2017 after a long drought of no new music. Although Inside A Dream is very different from their debut, Talking Dreams, its still full of the love and energy that made the band famous in the first place. A standout song in the effort is definitely Dear World which was co-written with Switchfoot's frontman, Jon Foreman. It's the song the world needs right now.


17.) How To Be Human by The Classic Crime

In the 5th studio album by The Classic Crime, they took a different approach. Although still talking about faith in the songs, its very subtle. They even take it as far as using the f-word in Wonder, which is definitely one of the album's best. Every Christian has gone through seasons where they struggled to find any faith anywhere. In How To Be Human, The Classic Crime put it to lyrics and energy filled Pop Punk.


16.) I Don't Believe We've Met by Danielle Bradbery

What do you do when you win The Voice at 16? Well for Danielle Bradbery, she made an album that she didn't feel represented her very well. She didn't write the songs, but she still sung them with passion as if they were hers. Well now it's 4 years later and the rising Country/Pop Star is 21. She finally released a new album that she truly felt was hers, and you can tell in the way she sings these songs. I'm glad she finally found her voice, because this album will stand the test of time.


15.) One Way Conversations by Hollyn

Hollyn caught the attention of many when she released her debut single "Alone" back in 2015. The song threw us way back to the early 2000s era of Pop that artists such as Britney Spears or Avril Lavigne made famous. Not to mention her voice was unmatched. 2 years later, she comes back and releases her debut album that explores pop, r&b, and hip-hop influences. She's already huge on both the Christian and Mainstream markets and she is just gonna keep getting bigger.


14.) DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar's surprise album DAMN. took the world by storm, almost immediately. I wasn't sold on it immediately, but then I took a second listen and really began to appreciate the art. The album starts off with a man getting murdered and shows him going through seeing what people thing about him after he has passed


13.) Magic and Bird by Wordsplayed & Andy Mineo

Where rap is becoming very shallow and unlistenable, there are always one or two albums that shine. Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed play Basketball coaches in what I believe is the rap album of the year. Yes, even ahead of DAMN. I don't know what it is, just this one strikes a nerve and in my opinion, is even more unique than DAMN.


12.) reputation by Taylor Swift

2017 finally saw the return of Taylor Swift after a 2 year break of no touring and no album. She solidifies herself as the queen of pop with reputation. I wasn't sold completely at first but as the singles and eventually entire record was rolled out, I was a fan. The album has 2 themes: Fighting with friends and Finding True Love. I'm really glad this album came out and I'm happy that she has finally found true love.


11.) Harry Styles by Harry Styles

When One Direction split up last year, I always wondered what kind of record Harry would put out. Although I was surprised, It was a very pleasant surprise. The singer-songwriter takes influence from the 60s and 70s era of Rock for the record and he really pulled it off. Mr. Styles would fit really well with The Beatles or The Rolling Stones with the album he made here.


10.) Shapeshifter by Knuckle Puck

When Knuckle Puck released their 2 song Calendar Days / Indecisive EP in March, I was wondering if they were actually going to release a full length record in 2017. Well we did get a record and it doesn't disappoint. The band expands their music to places we haven't heard before and I'm glad they did because its (obviously) one of the best of the year


9.) Zombies On Broadway by Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness

A few years ago, Andrew McMahon finally had a hit song with Cecelia & The Satellite. And the self-titled record that it was on was equally as good so I was excited when he announced Zombies on Broadway. He topped the self-titled record by turning up the guitars on his second solo record. And, of course, there's super emotional songs because it wouldn't be an Andrew McMahon record without it.


8.) How Will You Know If You Never Try? by COIN

I didn't discover COIN until about mid this year, because of my friend's recommendation but I'm glad I did eventually check them out. When I started listening to this record and saw that it was released in 2017, I knew it would be pretty high up on my albums of the year list. Boy was I right. They kinda sound like Walk The Moon, so if you like their older material, I would definitely give this album a spin.


7.) As You Please by Citizen

I never had any experience with Citizen before I listened to their 2015 release, Everybody Is Going To Heaven and I wasn't a fan at all of it so I wasn't exactly looking forward to this record. Until I heard Jet and In The Middle Of It All and the whole record. It took me (and apparently the entire fanbase) by surprise, but it was a very good surprise.


6.) Feel Something by Movements

When an album is called Feel Something, your hopes are probably that it does exactly that. Well props to my fellow Southern Californians, Movements for achieving just that. The band's debut record hits you in the gut with its emotional lyrics and hard-hitting guitars. They pulled off one of the best debut records ever, in my opinion.


5.) Vacation by Seaway

Just like Citizen, I wasn't the biggest fan of the last Seaway record. But when I heard this record, I was completely taken by surprise. The only thing I am going to complain about is that I wish they released this in June and not September, because the Summer vibes in this record are so huge. It's one that I find myself constantly coming back to.


4.) Adornment by Grayscale

Grayscale is the best Pop Punk band that you've never heard of. Regardless, they put out one of the best records of the year. Their lyrics are some of the most emotionally heart wrenching I think I've ever heard in Pop Punk. I dare you to listen to this record without shedding a tear. It won't happen. But don't sleep on this band. I repeat DO. NOT.


3.) After Laughter by Paramore

While most people were surprised by Paramore's sound on the new record, I wasn't. This is honestly EXACTLY how I imagined this record sounding. The band exceeded my expectations, and then some. After almost calling it quits, they put the best record of their careers out into the world. And just like cheese gets better the longer it's aged, After Laughter gets better with every listen.


2.) All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell by PVRIS

I was wondering how PVRIS would top 2014's White Noise but they did and in a major way. This album was recorded in an abandoned church, which adds to the eerie effect that their music already has. But there's elements in this record that could make them become the biggest band in the world. They're still relatively small, so get into them while you can.


1.) Lovely Little Lonely by The Maine

Let me first say that from the first listen of this record, I knew nothing would beat it for my album of the year. And it stood the test of time and 8 months later, it still was. The battle for the top was hard fought with the top 3 always changing with their position in my list. But congrats to The Maine, our album that was recorded in secret is at the very top of my list. I think I've listened to it 50 times and it never gets old.


So there you have it! My list of the best albums of the year! Did I miss any that you think should be on this? Also, stay tuned because I have a couple more year end posts coming this week and next!

Until Next Time, Alex

The Fan Voted 2017 Alternative Sound Awards

If you paid attention to any of the scene this past week, you would have noticed that Rock Sound released their 2017 Award Winners. Most people were confused at some of the winners, especially All Time Low winning their Album of the Year with their really bad album Last Young Renegade. In response to that, I did my own sort of "awards" and let people vote on it. Voting was in 2 rounds, started on Sunday afternoon and ended yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. Note that though some of these might not be my personal choices, its the majority's rule. Now, on with the show!

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Adornment by Grayscale

ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Neck Deep

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Trophy Eyes

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Movements

ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Feel Something by Movements

POP PUNK ALBUM OF THE YEAR - The Peace and The Panic by Neck Deep

SONG OF THE YEAR - Out Of It by The Story So Far

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR - Don't Wait by Neck Deep feat. Sam Carter of Architects

TOUR OF THE YEAR - Knuckle Puck/With Confidence/Movements/Homesafe

Well there you have it! Thank you to everyone that voted! Have a Happy Holidays and may 2018 be filled with more terrific music!

Until Next Time, Alex

An Honest Discussion About Sexual Assault (Part 2)

I do not know if you saw it, but the other day, I did a post on all the sexual assault allegations we have seen over the past month. Now, I want to talk about the other side. The victims. Or should I say "victims." Don't stop reading because this isn't what you think.

Every time that we see a bunch of sexual assault claims, there's always those people who want either their 5 minutes of fame, or they just want to get revenge. This isn't just true with this subject. It's true with anytime something controversial comes up. It's just as disgusting and just like actual sexual assault, it isn't cool. Over the past few days, I've seen several girls claim to get sexually abused only to remove it because they knew they were wrong or proved wrong. That was the case in 2015 with Neck Deep's original guitarist, Lloyd Roberts. His allegations were proved false. I even saw the following tweet yesterday about The Maine's lead singer:

Should I tell her about John O’Callaghan orrrrrr https://t.co/sGGwq09IkP

— Jade. (@BLOODMlLK) November 15, 2017

Now that is completely unnecessary. I'm not saying John doesn't have any allegations but this tweet has 40+ replies asking her what she means. If she really has something against him, she needs to say it instead of literally causing problems. It's sick. If you do say something and it's wrong, you can be sued for defamation and I'm really glad that Don Broco is taking that approach.

Sexual allegations, true or not, can literally ruin a person's life. So if you just really don't like the person or just want to be famous, think twice before you post something.

Jayden Seeley of the band With Confidence was accused of it the other day and although he admitted to receiving nudes from a girl, she never revealed her age and sent those pictures to him without consent. Not to mention, she also constantly tried to get him to perform oral sex on her. Since shes the one who forced herself on him, she's really the one in the wrong and she had no right to keep screenshots then accuse him 4 years later when he's famous. If the stuff about With Con's guitarist, Luke Rockets never came out, this likely would have never happened. I'll post his statement below and as you can tell, he is very hurt by these allegations.

pic.twitter.com/ATpu3uPFWJ

— jayden seeley (@jaydenwithcon) November 15, 2017

In a lot of these cases (not all of them), the accused don't know the victim's age. And it's because these fangirls will do ANYTHING to get into the guy's pants.

Now to close this, I want to clear up something you may be thinking. I AM NOT victim shaming. I am calling out, the problem though. Fake allegations are so so so so wrong. And also, Twitter and Facebook are no place to make claims. Go to the police and tell them. Go ahead and talk about it comments.

Until Next Time,
Alex

An Honest Discussion About Sexual Assault

It's been in our world since really the beginning of time. And it isn't funny. It isn't cool. I'm talking about any form of sexual assault. Whether that's grabbing someone's ass without permission or a full on rape, that doesn't matter to me. It all violates people. It all makes people depressed and suicidal. It makes people blame themselves like its their fault. I've had friends that are victims. That hurts me man. Seeing #metoo posted constantly by friends last month just broke my heart every time. And now the past week, 3 members of bands that I very much look up to and listen to have been accused of either sexual assault or texting a minor about sex. It's so disgusting. They are famous and have thousands of fangirls. They'll invite them backstage only to be betrayed by a member of their favorite band. But they don't tell them to stop. And don't you freaking dare tell me "they easily could have told them to stop." Bullshit. If you've ever met your favorite band or a musician that you love, speaking is really hard to do. The people you look up to are talking to you. You don't want it to top. Although I have never texted with a band member, I have talked to them. It's exactly how I described it above. Now if that person or persons are texting you every day, you're constantly happy. You probably don't care that they are sending you nudes or asking you to have sex with them. You're just happy that you're texting them. It disgusts me. These people have control over the victims and they have so much power and they know that most people, especially minors do not know how to reply. If you struggle with depression or anxiety, like me, even a moment of happiness is addicting. When you're talking to your favorite band, you're obviously going to be nonstop happy. Now listen. Everyone. Yes. E V E R Y O N E struggles with lust and sexual thoughts. We are human. You can't stop it. Buuuuut what you can do is control it. Not act on those feelings. It really isn't hard. I've done it.

If you do act on it, let me speak to you. You're a pig. A monster. I don't want you to die but I want you to suffer. You're not cool. You're not funny. And you're ruining your life. And if you already have, I hope your life is ruined. I hope you just rot in jail with those other jackasses. I hope you never find a job. I hope your family disowns you. I hope you never find friends. I hope you never get married. I hope you're isolated to an island and never get to talk to another human being ever again. Don't die. Don't kill yourself. But your life is over. Not in the sense of death. But you're in for a world of hurt.

Jesse Lacey, Luke Rockets, Rob Damiani, Havey Weinstein, Dr. Luke, George Takei, Louis CK, Kevin Spacey, and anyone else who will be accused because there will be more: You all suck and are a disgusting excuse for human beings.

Until Next Time,
Alex Vanderspek

5 Bands Not To Sleep On

It's been a busy year and I just realized that I haven't done my annual 5 Bands To Look Out for post yet. So here it is! Enjoy!!

1.) Trophy Eyes

Trophy Eyes is a Pop Punk/Melodic Hardcore band from Australia. I discovered them earlier this year when looking up some of the smaller bands that were on Warped Tour. Besides "Chlorine," it took me a little bit to get used to them. But it didn't take long for me to become a fan. Over the past few months of being a fan, I've become borderline obsessed with these guys. Their music is like nothing else you've ever heard. Seriously, check out these guys before they blow up
FOR FANS OF: A Day To Remember, Being As An Ocean, The Story So Far
BEST SONGS: "Chlorine," "Nosebleed," "Chemical"

2.) Coin

Coin is an indie pop 4 piece that met at Belmont University in Nashville. They already do have quite a following, but they could still be considered "underrated." My friend told me to look them up and the second I did, I was hooked. They're currently doing a couple of headlining tours to support their latest effort How Will You Know If You Never Try? that came out in April of this year. I hope to see them because the music is phenomenal.
FOR FANS OF: Walk The Moon, Echosmith, Cage The Elephant
BEST SONGS: "Boyfriend," "Talk Too Much," "Don't Cry"

3.) LOYALS

Why not feature another Indie band out of Nashville? LOYALS is a trio that recently signed with Tooth & Nail Records. They only have two songs out so far, but don't let that fool you. I am constantly listening to them on repeat. Don't let them being signed to a "Christian" label fool you either. Yes, the band are Christians but its not obvious in their music. To me, this might be the best band that the 22 year old label has signed. Come back to me in a year or 2, because they are going to be YUUGE.
FOR FANS OF: The 1975, Imagine Dragons, Coldplay
BEST SONGS: "Skyline," "Alright"

4.) HAWAI 

"If this is for real, then maybe reel me in." Those are lyrics from the the title track of HAWAI's debut 2016 EP Working All Night. But don't be fooled. HAWAI is a band, not a state. They are also my friends. They've already released one EP and are about to release their second, which you can hear a small preview of right now with the song Alive. I can't get behind these guys enough. I was playing their song In My Head one day in Florida when my roommate walked in and said "This could be a hit." It really could and so could all of their music. Their bass-led, ocean-inspired indie rock is like nothing that I've heard. I'm really excited to hear what's next from these guys because it's only up from hear, especially since they've opened for bands like Switchfoot and are getting played on KROQ.
FOR FANS OF: Cold War Kids, Echosmith, Moon Taxi
BEST SONGS: "On My Own," "Alive," "I'm Not Dead"

5.) Turnover

Turnover is a Pop Punk turned Ambient Pop band out of Virginia. Before you say "oh, it's just another band that sold out," they are far from it. Their brand of pop is so different from everything else on the radio, which is why they'll get big. Once more people start hearing them, they will get huge and fast. They just put out their latest album, "Good Nature," on my birthday and although it isn't as good as 2015's Peripheral Vision, it's still a great album. Like many other fans have said, "Had Peripheral Vision not come before this, it would be a better album and that's what I've been saying to. But don't sleep on this band. Before you know it, they'll be playing huge venues.
FOR FANS OF: All Time Low, HAIM, Coldplay
BEST SONGS: "Good Nature," "Super Natural," "Dizzy On The Comedown"

Well there you go! There's this year's list of bands you should check out. Now why don't you sit down for a bit and listen to them?

Until Next Time, Alex

Review: Inside A Dream EP by Echosmith

Well, after a 3 year drought of new music, the Indie Pop trio Echosmith finally return in the form of a Summery, Pop laden EP that is sure to please many fans. After the departure of their brother, Jamie, many questioned what kind of music the band would make from that point on. Some people (like me) said pop, others said they were going to quit. It certainly felt like the latter with no new music for such a long time. But, fear not! Echosmith is back with what I think to be the best music of their career. I'm eager to hear the full record in April, but these 7 songs will do just fine for now.

The EP starts out with "Lessons," a song that begins with an acoustic guitar, and may remind many fans of the lead single "Goodbye." It's a track that many people may find relatable. It basically says that sometimes love feels so good that you really dont know how fast its going or where it's going and that we should learn from other love songs. They end the song by saying "Maybe one day someone can learn from our love song," which is really clever writing.

"Lessons" goes straight into "Get Into My Car." Its a song that is very guitar and synth-driven and could find major success on pop radio. Sometimes, you just really like someone but they don't feel the same. That's what I feel like this song talks about. Like you just want to show said person how much love you have, but they aren't willing to even give you a frickin chance. I know I, for one, can relate to that.

The third song on the EP is easily my favorite. They teased "Hurts To Be 18" about a year ago, when lead vocalist Sydney announced her fashion line with Hollister. Me, as well as hundreds of others have been dying to hear it since. After hearing the full track, I can say it's my favorite on the EP and definitely one of my favorite songs by them to date. It's a song about not being ready to grow up, and I know many people, including me have said that.

"Future Me" is a song that, lyrically is like their breakout single "Cool Kids." It's about being ready for what the future has to bring. You don't want to change for anyone. It kind of, to me, is a continuation of "Hurts To Be 18." The previous song was talking about not wanting to grow up, but in this one, she realizes that she is ready to grow up and that her future is who she is right now.

In June is when we finally got the taste of new Echosmith in the form of "Goodbye," which is also the 5th song on the EP. The song came with a tour and album announcement, both releases got pushed back to the spring. But "Goodbye" is about people in your life that gave up on you. But when you find who you are, they want back in, when truth is, you've moved on and grown up and don't want them in your life anymore.

The 6th song on the EP, is my least favorite. "Hungry" is a good song, but it's not a song that I would find myself listening to on its own. It's another song about wanting someone's love really bad, but not as memorable as "Get Into My Car." Overall, the song is okay, but not one I would find myself coming back to unless it came on shuffle or I was listening to the EP.

The EP closes with the acoustic song "Dear World." Its a song that the world definitely needed. We see all these Hurricanes, Fires, Shootings, etc. and the world doesn't seem like its getting any better. It's a love letter telling the world that you want the be the one to start the change. It was co-written by the singer of my favorite band, Switchfoot. When I first heard it, I really though "Whoa, it feels like this could be a Jon Foreman song." Sure enough, he tweeted that he cowrote it with the band. It's also the first song Jamie has played on since 2014's "Terminal."

Overall, Inside A Dream, is full of bops, that I will keep jamming for the next 6 months till the full record comes out. I'm really hoping they'll add an Orlando, Florida date, seeing as I will be there during the tour. I'm happy to finally have new music from Echosmith and can't wait to hear more already.

Top 3 Songs: Get Into My Car, Future Me, Hurts To Be 18

Rating: 3.5/4 out of 5


Until Next Time, Alex