seattle summer

For the few of you who remember, "Almost Live" was this long-running sketch comedy show that was based here in Seattle. It was basically one inside joke after another, but it did feature people who would eventually rocket to superstardom (namely: Bill Nye and dudes from Soundgarden, Nirvana, etc etc.) Anyway, I came across this little gem via the youtubes (embbed was disabled, so you have to click the link).

Come Widdit: Empires

Empires
Location: Chicago, IL
Sounds Like: Your new favorite band

I don’t think I did a very good job trying to describe Empires, but they’re really one of those bands that you’ll get into once you listen to them. Having gained an instant fanbase by boasting a former member of the Academy Is…, Empires is not your run-of-mill pop-punk band. Shit, they’re not even a pop-punk band. On their self-released album, “Howl,” they wear their influences all over their collective sleeves: “Modern Love” is equal parts Elvis Costello and the Police, “Believe” sounds like the Beatles redux, “Spit the Dark” is a less frenetic take on Joy Division or Depeche Mode. That being said, Empires is also one of the most refreshing rock bands in some time.

Like Phantom Planet, Empires is really difficult to peg down in terms of appeal. They can play for the hipsters as much as they can play for the Warped Tour set; they could be your brother’s favorite band or your mom’s. I don’t think I’ve heard too many bands like these guys who can have such a wide fanbase. It’s possible that due to Tom Conrad’s role as guitarist, it would be easy for some narrow minded person to say, “Hey I bet that will sound like that other pop-punk band,” and they’ll spend their career dodging the pop-punk bullet (like Brand New). But I don’t see that. Empires have taken a huge risk by not only self-releasing a record, but by creating a record that is so chameleon-like in nature, I doubt people will try to ask them to play Blink 182 covers.

Related Links:

Empires (Official Site)

Empires Myspace

YOU! BUY REDEFINE! NOW!!!1!

the new issue of redefine is out. i contributed some interviews with 2*sweet and sleepercar for it, but there's also a really awesome feature about polaroid film and a great interview with one of my favorite bands of all time, saves the day. get one from the redefine webstore or one of the locations listed here.

Summer Jams Video Series: Dove Shack, "Summertime in the LBC"

Does this video even need an introduction? Dudes, it's "Summertime in the LBC!"

slapping fools in the face just for living

so a couple nights ago, i posted some shit about why "high school musical" sucks (here's a quick version: "hsm" doesn't have too many non-white kids and it's a glorification of an institution that breaks your spirit and there's no reason why anybody over the age of 15 should like it). long story short: kids got pissed. they jumped to the defense of their favorite whitebread heroes and burned crosses in the name of mickey (okay, i made that last part up, but you get the point).

the former, however, was true and i personally think that kids should be embarrassed for supporting such a film that promotes being a dunderhead.

here are the facts: "high school musical" is not like real life; hell, high school isn't like real life. high school is stupid. the only reason why i would want to go back to high school is just to see if the thing that i left in the panel above my locker is still there (apologies to whoever got stuck with locker number 423).

i have these ideals and i like to rattle the cages, other people seem to have the same idea about teenagers today. save the empire, damn the man.