Review - Hacienda by Hacienda

The band is Hacienda and it’s a family affair, with brothers and a cousin making the kind of infectious, rootsy rock and roll that makes you wish you were living in some bygone time period where bobby socks and soda fountains were the norm, not online gaming and cell phones. It’s the kind of music that one can look to for the spice and for the retro-fitting groove, for the bass hopping that could speed up pulses, that could make you want to roll your shirt sleeves up to your mid-bicep and store a package of cigarettes in the fold..



.. It’s music that makes a person want to move their hips in bizarre and new ways though there’s no cognizant recognition that any of it is happening, just the spontaneous movement that springs from the ears comprehending what Hacienda is bringing to the table. It’s a home-cooked meal. It’s getting into a bit of a scrap. It’s wearing tight blue jeans and it’s smoking hand-rolled cigs. It’s a dirty and raw version of all of the amazing things that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Elvis Presley presented when they were walking and singing. It’s all that you can ask for in music that needs to felt, more than described, that needs to be witnessed to appreciate. It’s all inside – a direct reflection of the heart shining like it means it, the feet jittering as if they’re out of control and the sweat glands getting a workout.

There is something to get excited about in south-central Texas. In fact the buzz surrounding San Antonio's Hacienda may signal a rebirth of young rock n' roll -with emphasis on the "roll"- to the country's landscape. Formed by cousins Abraham Villanueva (piano/vocals) and Dante Schwebel (guitar/vocals), together with Abraham's brothers Jaime (drums/vocals) and Rene Villanueva (bass/vocals), this Mexican-American quartet blends a raw yet sophisticated style of pop music with harmonies reminiscent of the Beatles and Beach Boys. As fate would have it, a demo of 6 songs landed in the hands of Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, and the band's life was forever changed. Soon after they were opening for The Black Keys in Austin Texas, as well as for Dr. Dog, gaining some much needed exposure. Under Auerbach's watch, Hacienda would write and arrange more than twenty songs, sending him demos periodically in preparation for their debut album, ultimately recording in Dan's own studio in Akron, Ohio.

In order to keep the integrity of the music, "Loud Is The Night" was largely captured live in the room with a helping hand from new friends Scott and Frank of Dr. Dog. With them they worked on existing vocal harmonies and created new ones, greatly embellishing the album. The result is a beautiful collection of songs played with integrity and soul to spare, and while the band is aware of its 60's influences, the music on "Loud is the Night" is far from derivative, and the finished product is modern pop music performed with genuineness and taste.

Hacienda's official site
Hacienda on myspace

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Review - Those Darlins by Those Darlins

Those Darlins are a four-piece band from Tennessee, led by three absolute devils, firecrackers who could sweet-talk their way into as much trouble as they could handle. Kelley Darlin, Jessi Darlin and Nikki Darlin chronicle it all in their songs, going down the storytelling route of the outlaws that came before them (the hard ass men and women who messed a lot of their life and others up, but still laughed and carried on heartily through it all), giving themselves all of the alcoholic lubrication that would be needed to pull off all of the embellishments and get to that point in the night where they’ve..



..forgotten more than they’ll ever remember the next day, when their temples are splitting and their voices sound as rough as a hog’s hide. Kelly Darlin sings, “Drinkin’ and pain go hand-in-hand,” and there’s no determination if that’s part of a chicken and egg riddle or it’s just a declaration of fact. It happens so often in Darlins music that there’s no clear-cut understanding – the drinking’s always there as an elixir and as an anti-depressant candy. It’s both the boon and the bane of any of the backfiring interactions that they’ve gotten mixed up in with (mainly) men who can’t handle their wooly, scrappy ways.

They probably get drunk under the table by these ladies too, whose capacity for the adult beverages can be confirmed from eyewitness testimony. They’re like three cacti, three spit storms and three ladies of the rodeo that every man could recognize as being dangerous commodities and not worth the trouble, but that doesn’t usually stop men and that’s why Venus flytraps work as well. There is everything enticing about Those Darlins as they dare you to come closer, to lean in, to buy them another round and then you’re sunk, but there will be a good tale to spin when you’ve come to.

Those Darlins, singing about being snaggle-toothed mamas without any shoes, having corncrib daddies and living so far out in the country that the milk’s gone sour by the time they arrive home, are an intoxicating blend of country fire and homespun charm and without knowing what’s happening, you’re suddenly smitten by their Wanda Jackson-ish ways and their tasty June Carter modes, had June Carter actually been Johnny and killed a man in Reno just to watch him die – amongst other things.

The music is built ramshackle and yet sturdy like that old house that is still standing in spite of the odds and in deference to its sagging floors, drafty walls and muskiness. Out behind that house is a pyramid of empty cans and bottles, all with a story to tell, all probably flung aside like an outcast, a failure when the last drop slipped from its glass belly. It’s just on to the next victim and the next headache.

Those Darlins official site
Those Darlins myspace

PARAMORE - THE FINAL RIOT

I used to post about this awesome band, Paramore. As we'll know that this band have released their debut album All We Know is Falling in 2005, and their sophomore Riot! in 2007 became a million-seller in the United States. They also have released a live album, The Final Riot. and true to the album's name, their last concert of 2008 in Chicago was nothing short of remarkable.

The performance of one of their biggest hits, That's What You Get, elicits a euphoric reaction from the audience who is spurred on by Williams. At times (particularly on Fences), Paramore sound a bit like NO Doubt and the band also gives a good account of itself while covering Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. All in all, a good effort with the concert DVD an added bonus for Paramore's hardcore followers.

For all the oddmalaya readers, I have prepared to you all about Hayley Williams, vocalist of Paramore.



Hayley Nichole Williams (was born on December 27, 1988 in Meridian, Mississippi) is an American rock singer and songwriter. In 2002 at the age of 12, Hayley moved to Franklin, Tennessee where she met fellow band members Josh and Zac Farro in a private school. Shortly after arriving, she began taking vocal lesson with Brett Manning. While still in school she tried out for a local funk cover band called The Factory, where she met Jeremy Davis. After The Factory disbanded, Hayley and Jeremy began writing songs with Farro brothers and became Paramore.

In 2005, John Janick, founder of record label Fueled by Ramen, signed a contract with them. Hayley commented about the signing, saying, "Fueled By Ramen has been amazing to us. So many kids started checking us out because our name is on their roster. It is like a big family; we all share such a massive unit of fans." She has also done guest vocals on 'Then Came to Kill' by Chariot, 'Keep Dreaming Upside Down' by October Fall, 'Fallen' by Death in the park, 'The Church Channel' and 'Plea' by Say Anything, and 'Kiss Me' by New Found Glory.

KAISER CHIEFS - NAMED AFTER THE SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL CLUB

Kaiser Chiefs are an English indie rock band who formed in 1997. Hailing from Leeds, the group consist of vocalist Ricky Wilson, Andrew 'White' White (guitar), Simon Rix (bassist), Nick 'Peanut' Baines (keyboardist), and Nick Hodgson (drummer). They were named the South African football club Kaizer Chiefs, a team which former Leeds United defender , Lucas Rabede played for. The group's debut album, Employment, was released in 2005. It was primarily inspired by new wave and punk rock music of late 1970's, and enjoyed international success with sales of over three million. In 2005, the album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. Kaiser Chiefs' second album, Yours Truly, Angry Mob (2007), yielded "Ruby", a number one single in the United Kingdom.



Rewind the history about them, when they were around eleven years old, Nick Hodgson, Nick Baines and Simon Rix met in the same class at St. Mary's School, Menston in Bradford. After leaving school, Rix and Baines left for university in 1996 whereas Hodgson remained in the Leeds area, meeting both with Andrew White and Ricky Wilson. Hodgson, White and Wilson formed the band Runston Parva. It's a name a deliberate misspelling of a small Yorkshire village called Ruston Parva. After Runston Parva failed to secure a record deal, the group would re-form as Parva upon the return of Rix and Baines from university. Parva's career would go beyond the boundaries of Leeds, and the band was able to obtain both a record and publishing deal. However, after Beggars Banquets closed the Mantra label, Parva were dropped and left desolate and without any direction after the release of an album and three singles. The band decided that they would aim for a longer term record deal and started afresh with new songs and a new name; Kaiser Chiefs. The new name was taken from South African football club, Kaizer Chiefs, where former Leeds United captain Lucas Rabede had once played.

The group's debut album Employment was released in March 2005, being primarily inspired by new wave and punk rock music of late 1970's. The album was well received by music critics, described as "thrilling from the beginning to the end" and "quintessentially British, without pretension and most important, a whole lot of fun". It reached number two on the UK albums chart, and was certified five times platinum. In 2005, Employment was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, an anual music prize awarded for the best British or Irish album for the previous year. The first single released from the album was "Oh My God" in 2004, which reached number six on the UK singles chart when it was reissued in February 2005. In 2007, the song was covered by Mark Ronson and Lily Allen for Ronson's album Version. "I predict a Riot" soon followed as the album's second released. In 2007, the song was ranked number thirty-six on the NME "Greatest Indie Anthems Ever" countdown. The top twenty singles "Everyday I Love You Less and Less" and "Modern Way" followed in late 2005. The band opened and performed several of their singles at the Philadelphia Live Eight concert in 2005. The song "Saturday Night" was featured in a pre-release video for the XBOX 360 gaming console. It was posted on the official XBOX 360 page before its launch. In August 2006 the band released a book entitled A Record Of Employment, which along with photos by Peter Hill, documented the band's rise from being unsigned to their triumph at the Brit Awards that year.

Kaiser Chiefs' second album Yours Truly, Angry Mob was released in February 2007. The group recorded the album throughout the September and October 2006 at Hook End Studio in Oxfordshire, England. the group took inspiration from Led Zeppelin and American rock music, and recorded over twenty-two songs. Like Employment, the album received mixed reviews from the critics who found it to be "an album full of jukebox hits" and "predictable". Yours Truly, Angry Mob reached number one on the UK albums chart and number forty-five on the Billboard 200 albums chart. "Ruby", the album's lead single, became Kaiser Chiefs' first UK number one single. "Everything Is Average Nowadays" was released as the album's second single, and reached number nineteen in the UK. The album's third single "The Angry Mob", described by The Sun as a "clever, accessible pop" song, peaked at number twenty-two in the UK. The fourth single, "Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning)", was released on 12 November as a collector's edition 7" only single via their website.

On August 2008, the band confirmed the name of their third album as Off With Their Heads. It was released on 20 October 2008. The first single "Never Miss a Beat" was released on 6 October 2008. The band also released a DVD of their live performance at Elland Road from May 24th. the DVD contains the full set from the home of Leeds United as well as the Kaiser Chiefs performance for the 2007 BBC Electric Proms. Kaiser Chiefs set out on a UK tour in October 2008 with Castle Donington band Late of the Pier and The Hair. The tour started at Leeds Academy, a new venue where they were the first headlining band to play. Other dates include Manchester Academy, Southampton Guildhall, Reading Rivermead, Glasgow Barrowlands, Leicester De Montfort Hall and London Forum. It has also announced that Kaiser Chiefs are to head out on a UK Arena tour kicking off in Nottingham and ending in London. The tour was also visited Sheffield, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff & Dublin. This was be the album tour to promote Off With Their Heads.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - MUSICAL STYLE

Death Cab for Cutie's early work on You Can Play These Song with Chords was described by Rolling Stones as "emotion through its lack of emotion". Pitchfork Media also remarked that the work on the cassette was "ultra-lo-fi". On Something About Airplanes the band's style remained similar, with some new instrumental work introduced; "flute, synth, or cello" were noted by Allmusic's Nitsuh Abede. On We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes the band again expanded their use of unorthodox instrument, including organ and glockenspiel. Pitchfork Media called them a "gentle niche" in the current rock climate, compared with bands such as Modest Mouse and Built to Spill.


Rolling Stone reviewed Transatlanticism and commented that it contained "melodic, melancholy songs about feeling both smart and confused, hopelessly romantic but wary of love." Gibbard's voice was described as "plaintive boy-next-door" Entertainment Weekly commented on the music on Plans, saying "The lush arrangements are long on hothouse organs and pianos, but short on the squirmy guitarist and squirrelly beats that, on Gibbard's best work, offset his sweet voice and borderline-maudlin poetics with a sense of emotional danger." The band's music on Plans was described by the Dallas Morning News as "literate, whispery style, the kind of stuff that normally sounds better in headphones than in large venues".

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DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - SIGNING to ATLANTIC

In November 2004, Death Cab for Cutie signed a "long-term worldwide deal" with Atlantic Records, leaving their long-time label Barsuk Records. Gibbard stated on the official website that nothing would change except that "next to picture of Barsuk holding a "7", there will be a letter "A" on both the spine and back of our upcoming albums". After signing to Atlantic, the band was still nervous about corporate economics, and encouraged fans to download its songs from the Internet.



The first and second singles from the band's Atlantic Records release Plans were "Soul Meets Body" and "Crooked Teeth" respectively (which they performed on Saturday Night Live on January 14, 2006). The full album was released in August 2005. Plans was well received by critics and fans, and received a nomination of the Grammy Award for the Best Alternative Album of 2005. It achieved Gold Status in 2006 after charting on Billboard for 47 consecutive weeks and was certified platinum by the RIAA at the beginning of May in 2008. The band released a touring DVD titled Drive Well, Sleep Carefully, in 2005. Known for their contribution to animal rights, the band is supporting the activist group PETA in giving away copies of the DVD to promote animal rights. In early 2006, the band announced the upcoming release of Directions, eleven short film inspired by songs from the Plans album, each directed by a different person. The videos were posted one at a time at the band's website and the DVD went on sale April 11, 2006. The iTunes Store began selling the videos (formatted for iPod) early on March 28, 2006. Lance Bangs, P.R. Brown, Ace Norton, Jeffrey Brown, Lightborne, Autumn de Wilde, Rob Schrab, Laurent Briet and Monkmus, as well as Aaron Stewart-Ahn, are among directors that have contributed to the project. An episode of MTV2's Subterranean played these videos for the whole hour plus discussion with members of the band. In 2006, the band made completed their lenghty 2006 tour of the USA on December 10, 2006, finishing with a show at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington.
Walla claimed on October 18, 2007 that the new album was "in full swing" and that they had six songs completed. He went on to call the music "weird", "spectacular", and "creepy", saying that it contained "lot of blood". He noted that the album had a "Can jam" that lasted for 10 minutes, which Walla said that he would have never imagined doing in 1998. In a Billboard piece in January '08, the band promised the album to be a "curve ball", and said that although it would have slower songs, there would be some surprises. Walla said, "I'm really excited about it. It's really got some teeth. The landscape of the thing is way, way more lunar than the urban meadow sort of thing that has been happening for the last couple of records.". Walla added that the album was "louder and more dissonant and.... abrasive." They claimed that they were influenced by "synth-punk band Brainiac." The album, titled Narrow Stairs, was released on May 12, 2008. The band released the first single, "I Will Posses Your Heart" from the album on March 18, 2008. It was met with plaudits from the band's official fan club, the DCFC Union, as well as some concern from more casual fans, saying the musical introduction, though powerful and emotive with the driving bass line, was too long. The radio edit version does not include the extended introduction. In an album reviews, MTV writer James Montgomery said that although "Death Cab for Cutie had gone insane," he also believes that it could make "an early contender for the best album of 2008". And eventually, would be nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for the "Best Rock Song", as well as Narrow Stairs nominated for "Best Alternative Music Album". The band won in neither category, but prompted debate after appearing at the excessive use of Auto-Tune in the music industry. He also said that "Narrow Stairs is a great album, one that could make them very famous, but could very well also kill their careers." The album was their first album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 chart on May 31, 2008. "No Sunlight" is the third single from the album. Bassist Nick Harmer has said that the band will release an EP in April. The EP is expected to contain songs left off of Narrow Stairs.

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DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - GRAMMY NOMINATED INDIE BAND

Death Cab for Cutie is a Grammy nominated American indie rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consist of Benjamin Gibbard (vocalist, guitar), Chris Walla (guitar, production), Nicholas Harmer (bassist), and Jason McGerr (drummer). Gibbard took the band name from the title of the song written by Neil Innes and Vivian Stanshall and performed by their group the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band in The Beatles' 1967 film Magical Mystery Tour. Their best-selling song currently is "I Will Possess Your Heart" on their most recent album, "Narrow Stairs". Gibbard's first album, You Can Play These Songs with Chords, was release as a demo, leading to a record deal with Barsuk Record. It was at this time that Gibbard decided to expand the project into a complete band, and recruited band members to join. The band has released six studio albums, four EPs, and one demo to date. Their most recent album, Narrow Stairs, was released on May 12, 2008 in the United Kingdom and was released on May 13, 2008 in the United States.

Death Cab for Cutie began as a solo project of Ben Gibbard while he was the guitar player for the band Pinwheel and was recording under the same name All-Time Quaterback. As Death Cab for Cutie, Gibbard released a cassette tittled You Can Play These Songs with Chords; the relesead was surprisingly successful and Gibbard decided to expand the band into the complete project. He recruited Chris Walla (who also had worked on the cassette) as a guitarist, Nick Harmer as a bassist, and Nathan Good to play drums. Death Cab for Cutie was officially formed at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington and lyrics from early songs include local references that were important to the band's development. Many of the early songs were recorded in the basement of an Ellis Street home Gibbard lived in with several roommates in Bellingham. The four released the LP Something About Airplanes on August 18, 1998. The album was favorably reviewed in the independent music scene and in the 2000 the band released the We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes. Nathan Good left the band at some point during this album's production. His playing on "The Employment Pages" and "Company Calls Epilogue" was kept, but Gibbard played drums on all other songs. Good's replacement Jayson Tolzdorf-Larson joined the band during the recording of their second record, We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes. Although Jayson did not contributed to the album, he did appear on the song, "Spring Break Broke" from "Death Cab for Fiver "7" record. He also joined the band on two tours, including their first full U.S tour. He was later replaced by Micheal Schorr who would first appear on The Forbidden Love EP, released on October 24, 2000. In 2001, another LP was released, entitled The Photo Album. Limited editions of this album contained three bonus tracks, which were later released separately as The Stability EP.
In 2003, there was yet another change of drummer, with Jason McGerr of Eureka Farm replacing Schorr. McGerr would play drums on the next release, Transatlanticism, which was release in October 2003. Tracks from the album appeared in the soundtracks of the television shows The O.C, Six Feet Under, CSI : Miami and Californication. The 2005 movies Wedding Crashers and Mean Creek also included album tracks. In spring of 2004, the band recorded a live EP titled The John Byrd EP, named for their sound engineer. The EP was released on Barsuk Records in March 2004.

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PARAMORE - WILLIAMS; THE GREAT ORANGE HOPE

Paramore is an American rock band that formed in Fraklin, Tennessee in 2004 consisting of Hayley Williams (vocalist, keyboard), Josh Farro (lead guitar, back-up vocals), Taylor York (rhythm guitar), Jeremy Davis (bassist), and Zac Farro (drummer). The group released their debut album All We Know Is Falling in 2005, and their second album Riot! in 2007, which was certified platinum in the US and gold in the UK and Ireland. The majority of Paramore's recordings come from collaborations between lead vocalist Hayley Williams and lead guitarist Josh Ferro - Farro first writes music, afterwards taking it to Williams for melody and lyrics, and from that point the song worked up between two. Once the foundation is laid out, the remaining band members help to work on sound and arrangement. The duo's song-writing has had its critics, being called "contrastly cliched and weak at points", while others have said the songs are "ridiculously catchy" and "sing-a-long worthy". Joshua Martin had written after an interview with Williams, "The band isn't just a short pop-punk girl with red hair and a spunky attitude. Their music is like them, it's aged differently. It's sped up, and slowed down. It's emo without being whiney, or bratty. Almost a very literal anti-Avril Lavigne." Alternative Press magazine had commented that the band was "young sounding", while consistently being "honest". Paramore's that was "delivered particularly well" and the combination of the two had created a "refined rock infused pop/punk album". The band's second released, Riot! was said to explore a 'diverse range of styles', however, not straying far from "their signature sound".

Alternative Press and various other reviewers have noted that the band's stage performances have helped boost them to larger frame. Alternative Press states that Williams "has more charisma than singer twice her age, and her band aren't far behind in their chops, either". Singer-songwriter John Mayer had prised Williams' voice in a blog in October 2007, calling her "The great orange hope"; orange referred to her hair color. Due to the female fronted aspect of the band, Paramore has gained comparisons to Kelly Clarkson and the afore mentioned Avril Lavigne, to which one reviewers said was "sorely unfounded". Paramore has expressed appreciation for Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, Chicago, Sunny Day Real Estate, Death Cab for Cutie, Fall Out Boy and failure; Williams citing her personal influences as Robert Smith of The Cure and Etta James. Williams explained that the band such as U2, "who are massive , and do whatever they want and they stand for something", Jimmy Eat World, "who I don't think ever disappoint their fans", and No Doubt, "have done amazing things", act as a pattern for the path in which Paramore would like to take their career.

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ARCTIC MONKEYS - MUSIC STYLE AND POPULARITY

Arctic Monkeys, one of the best international band, I continued with more others facts about this awesome band. The major musical influences of Arctic Monkeys are Oasis, The Strokes, Queens of the Stone Age, and Roots Manuva. The lyrics of Arctic Monkeys' singles often feature social realism as typified by "A Certain Romance", which comments on chav and indie culture; and observations of working class life, as typified by "When the Sun Goes Down", described as a "witty, poignant song about prostitution in the Neepsend district of Sheffield". Based on their lyrical style, Arctic Monkeys have been compared to acts such as the British rapper Mike Skinner of The Street and earlier artist such as Steven Patrick Morrissey and Jarvis Cocker, both known of their combination of observational lyrics and humour. Alex Turner sings in a strong Yorkshire accent, typified by the contraction of "something" to "summat" (as summit or like summut), use of "dun't" (like dunt) instead of don't. Their songs also include frequent references to popular culture both common and obscure; What Ever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not includes references to Romeo and Juliet, "Roxanne" by The Police and Franks Spencer, from Some Mother Do 'Ave 'Em, leading one journalist to describe the band as having a "camp retro-futurist fascination" for 1980s popular culture. Arctic Monkeys have twice referred to Duran Duran in their lyrics. The first is in 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' ("Your name isn't Rio, but I don't care for sand"). The second appears in the song 'Teddy Picker' ("Save it for the morning after" - a steal from the song 'Save A Prayer').
The popularity of the Arctic Monkeys in the UK, especially among young people, has led to politicians and journalist referring to the band in speeches and text. In May 2006, then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown stated in a interview with New Women magazine that he listened to them every day, claiming "they really wake you up in the morning", although in a later interview he was unable to name any of their songs. This has later been reported as a misquote. Subsequent interviews Brown has clarified that he said he didn't actually like them. He says he simply stated that they would certainly wake you up in the morning. He went to references this on his speech at the 2006 Labour Party Conference about the risk of global warming, joking that he was "more interested in the future of the Arctic Circle than the future of the Arctic Monkeys". Then, Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell also refered to the band at the 2006 Liberal Democrat Party Conference, mistakenly claiming that they had sold more records than The Beatles, a comment which led to much derision from the media. Helders and O'Malley have also expressed doubts about the Live Earth concerts in the 2007. They stated that it would be "patronising" given their age and that people should pay more attention to experts than to musicians about climate change. They also stated that it would leave them open to accusations of hypocrisy owing to the amount of energy they used in concerts. They did, however, claim to travel on normal airlines as opposed to private jets.

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ARCTIC MONKEYS - HIGH GREEN INDIE ROCK BAND

Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band from High Green, a suburb of Sheffield. Was formed in 2002, the band consisted of Alex Turner (vocalist,guitar), Jamie Cook (guitar), Matt Helders (drummer,back-up vocalist), and Nick O'Malley (bassist, back-up vocalist), who replaced Andy Nicholson. Arctic Monkeys achieved chart success with their first single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart. Their debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not ", released in January 2006, became the fasttest-selling debut in Brittish music history, surpassing Oasis' Definitely Maybe. It remains the fasttest-selling debut album for a band. It received critical acclaim, winning both the 2006 Mercury Prize and the 2007 BRIT Award for Best British Album. The band's second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, was released on 23 April 2007, sold over 225'000 copies in its debut week, and was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Prize. The group also picked up the award for Best British Group at the BRIT Awards in 2008. Arctic Monkeys achieved their success through fan-made demo tapes and online file sharing. They were heralded as one of the first acts to come to public attention via the Internet, with commentators suggesting they represented the possibility of a changed in the way in which new bands are promoted and marketed. The band eventually signed to the independent record label Domino Records.
The band has received criticism based around the media circus that has both surrounded and contributed to their rise. Critics described them as one in a long line of largely overhyped "NME bands", while the release of the EP Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys just three months after their record-breaking debut album has been criticised by some, who have seen it as "money-grabbing" and "cashing in on their success". The band countered that they regularly released new music not to make money, but to avoid the "boredom" of "spending three years touring on one album". The cover sleeve of Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, showing Chris McClure, a friend of the band, smoking a cigarette, was criticised by the head of the NHS in Scotland for "reinforcing the idea that smoking is OK". The image on the CD itself is a shot of an ashtray full of cigarette. The band's product manager denied the accusation, and suggested the opposite - "You can see from the image smoking is not doing him the world of good". The band was part of a chaotic and much-criticized 2008 Brit Award ceremony; While accepting their Brit Award for Best British group in 2008, the band make jokes about being from the BRIT School in Croydon. Students who attend the school are offered the chance to be in the audience; the Brit Awards heavily support the school. Rather, they were mocking previous winners of the night Adele and Kate Nash, who thanked the crowd and the school in their acceptance speech, having graduated from the school themselves. The speech was cut short by ITV.

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FRANZ FERDINAND

Last night,when I was on my break, I went to my friend's room and wanted to have a little rest before I started my work again. While I have a little conversation with my buddy, I saw a CD lying on the room floor. Hurm? Franz Ferdinand!!! This band was really awesome. I wonder how this CD can get in this room because my buddy do not like the foreign song or band either. Well let hear them. And I put it on the player..
Franz Ferdinand's song really awesome! Great vocal, unpredictable guitar playing. And they really maked me feel like to be a part of them on that stage! :p Really amazing band! I cannot stop my leg!!! To make my post today longer, (hahaha), I wrote something about this awesome band, FRANZ FERDINAND!

Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 2002. Named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the band comprised Alex Kapranos (lead vocal,guitar), Bob Hardy (bassist,back-up vocal), Nick McCarthy (rythm guitar,keyboard and back-up vocal), and Paul Thompson (drummer, back-up vocal). Theirs' genre(s) alternative rock, dance punk, Indie rock, post-punk revival, art rock.

P/s: I did not manage to wrote the title for each FF's song because I'm afraid to make a mistake and wrote the wrong title for theirs' song. Any help for me?

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WEEZER - GEEK ROCK?

Weezer is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1992. At their first formed, the band consisted of Rivers Cuomo as lead vocal and guitar, Patrick Wilson as drummer and backing vocalist, Matt sharp as bassist, and Jason Cropper as guitar. Then Cropper was later replaced by Brian Bell. Matt Sharp was subsequently replaced by Mikey Welsh who was then later replaced with Scott Shriner. They released six full-length albums, three EPs, and a DVD. Weezer has sold more than six million records in the US to date. Their genre(s) alternative rock, Emo, Geek rock, punk rock, power pop. Geek rock rule man.



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STEVEN PATRICK MORRISSEY

Steven Patrick Morrissey is a British singer and lyricist.After a short in the punk rock band The Nosebleeds in the late 1970s, he rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist for the alternative rock band The Smiths. Then, he start his solo career as a singer. I take a look for Morrisey fact in wikipedia. Then I realized that this Morrissey is vegetarian since he was 11 years old! He explained his vegetarianism by saying '"If you love animals, obviously it doesn't make sense to hurt them."


Hear Morrissey's song here.

THE VINES - COMBINED OLD FASHIONED PUNK AND ADRENALINE FUELLED RIFFS

The Vines are an Australian garage rock band notable for producing a musical hybrid of '60s rock and '90s alternative rock. Since 2006 their line-up has consisted of vocalist and lead guitarist Craig Nicholls, rythm guitarist Ryan Griffiths, bassist Brad Heald and drummer Hamish Rosser. Enjoy!


Hear The Vines' Song.

AVRIL LAVIGNE - AMAZED MOST GIRL TEENS IN MALAYA

Avril Lavigne Whibley borned on September 27, 1984, better known as Avril Lavigne is a pop punk/Canadian pop singer, songwritter, fashion designer, and actress. Her music contains element of modern rock, pop punk, power pop and alternative rock.


Hear Avril Lavigne Song Here.

PANIC AT THE DISCO - SO PANIC THAT YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD ON!

Panic at The Disco a.k.a PATD is a rock band from Nevada, Las Vegas. When their first debut PATD had barely graduated high school. Their debut 'A Fever You Can't Sweat Out' transformed the suburban Las Vegas teenagers into national emo-pop stars. PATD member(s) are Brendon Urie-vocal, Ryan Ross-guitar, John Walker, Brent Wilson-bass, Spencer Smith-drum. Genre(s) emo, alternative rock, pop punk.

Hear panic! at the disco here.

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE - POP PUNK OR EMO?

My Chemical Romance a.k.a Mcr is an American band formed in 2001 in Belleville, New Jersey. The member of the band are Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Frank Iero, Ray Toro, and Bob Bryar. Mcr has been described by the media as 'pop punk' and 'emo'. Their music style as simply rock and violent.


Hear MCR music here.

Travis - Closer to you

Travis are Scottish alternative rock band.Fran Healy - Fender Telecaster electric, Taylor 310CE acoustic, Banjo Andy Dunlop - Gibson Les Paul, Gibson ES-335, Banjo Dougie Payne - Fender P-Bass, Fender Jazz Bass Neil Primrose - Yamaha Drums, Sabian cymbals, Gong Claes Björklund - Keyboards, Accordion.

Hear Travis here.

THE SOUNDS THAT SHAKE YOUR HEAD

The Sounds is the post-punk revival band from Sweden founded in 1999. Their musical style mixes punk and pop/electronica, alternatif rock, dance-punk, indie rock. Member(s) Maja Ivarsson-vocal, Felix Rodriguez-guitar, Johan Bengtsson-bass, Jesper Anderberg-keyboard,piano,guitar, Fredrik Nilsson-drum.

US singles

• Living in America / The S.O.U.N.D.S. (August 2002)
• Song with a Mission / Goodbye 70s (January 2006)
• Painted By Numbers (2006)
• Tony the Beat (2006)

UK singles

• Tony The Beat (2007)
• Painted By Numbers (UK version) (2007) The song is receiving repeated exposure due to its use as a jingle on BBC Radio Five Live.
  

Hear The Sounds Music Here. Yes, sure.

YOU AND YOU AND YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!!

"You Only Live Once" is the opening track and third single from First Impressions of Earth, the third album from American rock band The Strokes. They have performed this song on several programs, most recently The Tonight Show and Late Night with Conan O' Brien. Released on July 24, 2006, the single hit #35 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also was the band's first single to fail to reach the UK charts.

A cover of Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me" was recorded as a b-side and features Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam sharing vocals with Julian Casablancas while Josh Homme, (of Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal), plays drums alongside Fabrizio Moretti.

The video for the single was directed by Samuel Bayer, who had previously helmed the "Heart In A Cage" video, and features the band performing the song in an enclosed room while sewage pours from the walls and fills the room. The video was set to premiere in the UK on May 24, 2006, but was delayed, due to last-minute edits, until June 21, 2006. Yahoo! premiered the video in the US on June 27.

An early demo version of the song, entitled "I'll Try Anything Once" is included as one of the b-sides on the "Heart In A Cage" single. It features only Nick Valensi playing keyboard while Julian Casablancas sings the lyrics softly, which are quite different from the album version of the song. Some of these lyrics were also present when The Strokes played the song for the BBC's Radio 1 Session, which aired on March 8, 2006.

It was also listed at #16 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2006.

An alternate music video for the song (directed by Warren Fu) was premiered on the social media site imeem on May 29, 2007. It contains the very end of "Ize of the World" and it works as a homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey and as a video protest against war, hunger and consumerism.

When the song was released as a single, The Strokes launched Operation YOLO (You Only Live Once), prompting all of their fans to call and request the single on radio stations. Their goal was to try to get out the word of the new single as fast as possible, by spreading the song by word of mouth. The Strokes Myspace page asked all users to put the song in their profile in an attempt to spread the single among the online community. ---coming soon +the sounds+ ----

Hear The Strokes' musics here.