Contesting Headlines

Welcome back music fans! You'll be glad you clicked on this one...

This time around we have some exciting news about the goings-on in the local Philly scene, sad news on the star scene, and of course - reviews of up and coming artists.

First let's get to the exciting stuff. Philly-based artists, Pompton Lakes, have entered a contest to play at Radio 104.5's 6th Birthday Show.  They've done really well to get in the top 25 bands, and YOU can help.  You can vote for Pompton Lakes by clicking here, and while your at it, register to WIN TICKETS to the show!  You can vote once per day until March 31.  Best of luck to Pompton Lakes!!  If you want to check the band out, be sure to visit their website, Facebook, and Twitter pages!

R.I.P Clive Burr

Former drummer of Iron Maiden, Clive Burr, passed away yesterday.  Reports say that he had been suffering from poor health for a long time now.  Burr had wrestled with Multiple Sclerosis.  He passed peacefully in his sleep at home. The band has released official statements on their website.  You can read more about this by clicking here.  Burr played with Iron Maiden from 1979 - 1982.  He was 56.

Another (less important) piece of news is a personal one.  I have joined the Philadelphia Chapter of The Recording Academy!  This means absolutely nothing in terms of the content of this blog, but I just thought I would gloat a little bit.....

Moving on.

Steal The Stars cover

The state of Ohio has brought us many great things such as, The Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, The Buckeyes (Ohio State Football), and a band called State Your Cause.  Their most recent album, Steal The Stars, released in July of 2012 and features a sound that parallels Lost Prophets or Disciple. They still manage to maintain a distinctive edge to remain unique too. In fact, certain songs on the album have more of a Story Of The Year kind of feel to them.  The album, as a whole, has a great balance from song to song.  There are also some great moving guitar lines!  As an added bonus, these riffs don't overpower the rest of the mix... nicely done fellas!

State Your Cause is currently on hiatus, but there is a side-project called F.A.M (From Another Mother) that features the two brothers in the band.  You can find the video "Catfish" by clicking here.


If you want more of State Your Cause, or if you want to beg them to come out of hiatus, check out their Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, or YouTube pages.  You can also find them on iTunes!

State Your Cause

That Left Turn at Albuquerque

Sometimes life takes unexpected turns, and things don't really end up the way we plan.  This is what this post is all about.

Vince Neil

Following the post about bands making come backs, the first strange piece of news is from Revolver Magazine. Vince Neil, front man for Motley Crue, was hospitalized during a show they were playing on the Australian leg of their tour.  The article, found here, states that when the band was nine songs in, Nikki Sixx came out and announced that Neil had been taken to the hospital for kidney stones.  The surgery was this morning, and all is reported to be well.  The only question that remains now is whether or not the fans get a refund.

August Burns Red

August Burns Red lead guitarist, JB Brubaker, has opened up about the bands history in the studio.  He shares the top 5 memories (good and bad) in the history of the bands recording experience.  They have more memories to make very soon too. The band is currently in the studio tracking for their 5th album due out in late summer.... they need to finish up the Warped Tour first.  Want to find out what the top 5 memories are?  Make sure you read this.

Another Lost Year

Also making the list of unexpectedness is a band called Another Lost Year.  Hailing from North Carolina (NC), these guys have done pretty well for themselves.  They have been featured on Nikki Sixx's radio show, and have been on tour with the likes of Flyleaf, RED, and 30 Seconds to Mars. Their first single "War On The Inside" met with some success and the second single from the album Better Days, called "Writing On The Wall", is due out soon.  The band features a sound that is similar to mid-90s Creed, or 12 Stones, but with more of a metal edge on certain tracks.  The unique vocal stylings, and balanced instrumentation make for an album that is very easy to listen to, and get stuck in your head.  The unexpected shock, for me, came with the song "Angels".  Out of nowhere came this stunning female vocal part, it really added an awesome element to the song!

Better Days cover

I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of good, solid, rock records.  The only downfall (if one is to be had) is the slightly "canned" approach to the music. Otherwise, the mix is great. All the instruments and vocals are balanced where everything has it's own voice without overpowering.

Be sure to learn more about Another Lost Year (ALY for the fans) by checking them out on the web, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.