Country, Heavy Hitters take the Burgh'

  Hot Country Songs chart. He also set the record for the most country, number one hit singles. Paisley's lyrics are very meaningful and heartfelt, but he does have the typical songs too. His hit record, Alcohol, may be the song that put him on my radar. It was a fun and catchy tune that was stuck in my head months after listening to it. From a guitarist's perspective, Brad Paisley is a country great in that category. Paisley has released 8 albums, all of which had singles that were on Billboard's

   I'm not personally a country connoisseur, but this tour has put together the ones I can listen to all day. They put together a great tour to open the summer lineup of country concerts. Paisley is bringing along two other popular country artists with him.

   The first of the two is Lee Brice. Brice has had several records peek to the top ten of Billboard's, Hot Country Song chart. His most recent album, Hard 2 Love, has had two No. 1 singles, "A Woman Like You" and the title track "Hard to Love". Brice's music has a pop-country feel to it, he is very similar to Paisley. Most of his songs are written by him, so they are each very meaningful to him. He has also co-written several songs for, Garth Brooks, Eli Young Band, and Tim McGraw, just to name a few.

   The second is Chris Young, who's deep voice makes me think of old school country hits. Young won the show Nashville Star, back in 2006, which shot him to stardom. He has released 3 albums, all of which have well known singles. His most recent album Neon is the album that caught my eye and made me like him. His song, "Tomorrow", has his iconic deep voice, along with very deep lyrics.

   The tour stops in Pittsburgh on Jun 1, at First Niagara Pavilion. It's a great way to start the summer and tickets aren't very expensive either, so I better see you there! -Dante

Sources:

-Videos Taken from OpryLive YouTube channel

-Information taken from each artist's website

Tickets:

http://concerts.livenation.com/event/16004A2EAF8D4ABA?tm_link=artist_msg-0_16004A2EAF8D4ABA&crosssite=TM_US:714837:180232

Bringin' Sexy Back!

   Justin Timberlake is back from his 7 year hiatus, and in my personal opinion he's better than ever. The first single off the record, Suit & Tie, offers up a smooth and sexy beat along with soulful RnB lyrics from Timberlake. It also has a rap verse thrown in by Jay-Z, which makes the song a great collaboration hit.
   For those of you who don't know who Justin Timberlake is, which how could you not, he was originally in the 90's boy band N*SYNC. After over 50 million record sales, the group broke up in 2002 when Timberlake decided to focus on a solo career.
   In November of that year, he released his first solo record Justified which shed his boy band image for a more RnB and Hip-Hop feel. The album opened with the song Rock Your Body, which had the great pop feel of N*SYNC but had an adult feel to it. The album went on to sale over 7 million copies worldwide.
   His second album, Future Sex/Love Sounds, was released in 2006 and gave Timberlake a new look and sound all together. Many say this is his defining album because he broke completely away from his pop past and no longer put out music that could be linked to his boy band sound. The top tracks from the album, Sexy Back, My Love and What Goes Around, were strictly RnB and Hip-Hop. The song My Love even had a rap verse from T.I, a hot rapper at that time. This album was his best seller as of now, selling over 10 million copies.

   Now with The 20/20 Experience, Justin Timberlake delivers his return to the music industry. Timberlake has completely shed his pop look for a much more sophisticated, motown singer look. He even has his own band called The Tennessee Kids, which will accompany him to every performance he does with this record. You can definitely feel that he has grown into an adult with this CD because his lyrics have gotten deeper and his songs have gotten more creative.
He has said that this album is his love child of the last 7 years and the best part is that it's only part one.
  Unfortunately though he has not released a date for a Pittsburgh show yet but he does have one in Philadelphia on Aug. 13 this year. Ill put a link for tickets below and update if a date is added for Pittsburgh.
-Dante

Tickets:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/Justin-Timberlake-tickets/artist/847841#artist_table_focus
Photo Sources:
Taken from Justin Timberlake's Website

Pittsburgh Music Makes a Scene

From Left to Right: Nate Hall, Alex Foht, Steve Foht, Steve Pearson

I’m back with a second post about the band Music From Another Room. The band is bringing all their friends along this time, and I’m proud to say I’ve seen 4 out of the 5 bands. I’m so excited for their first headlining show on March 30th at Stage AE.

 

The bands opening for them are Crash City, Gypsy, Young Fox, Paper States and Before You. All the bands have a similar energy but are of different genres.

Crash City, which I have posted about before, is a high octane Punk/Pop/Rock band. Their shows always consist of head banging guitar riffs and catchy lyrics that you know by the time their set is over. Here is their most recent single to the right.

Gypsy is a folk rock singer from the band Gypsy and his band of Ghosts. His music consists of guitar rhythms that are fun and lyrics that are deep. I was never a fan of folk music until I came across him and I never knew watching a band like his perform could be so much fun. Here is a link to their Facebook. facebook.com/gypsyandhisbandofghosts

Young Fox, which is the only band I haven’t seen, is a Rock and Roll band. They consist of Luke Cypher, vocals/lead guitar, Martin Lunn, bass, Brian Schultz, guitar, and Chris Lehberger, drums. Unfortunately they don’t have any music up on their Facebook but I will link you to it anyways. facebook.com/youngfoxband

Paper States is a band that I first saw over my Christmas Break when they opened for Punchline. They are a pop rock band that consists of Ryan Stack, lead vocals, James Wolff, guitar and back-up vocals, Max Clark, bass, and Sam Smith, drums. They were a band that I had no intentions on seeing because I had no clue who they were, but to my surprise they had me singing along and dancing after their first song. All their songs have great melodies that you can’t help but move to. Here’s a link to their Facebook along with their first single. facebook.com/paperstates

 

The last band is Before You, which I saw last year, is a Pop Rock band. They consist of Philip Arena, Bret Pusateri, Jason Capela, and Jed Dixon. The factor that makes their band so cool is the mix of dual vocals from raspy vocalist Philip Arena and pop vocals from Bret Pusateri. The band has a heavier pop rock feel but definitely stays true to their genre. Here is a link to their Facebook along with their new video to the right. facebook.com/BeforeYouRock

I hope to see a bunch of you guys at this show because I know I will be there, if you guys want to buy tickets the link is below! -Dante

 

Sources:

All photos taken from the band's Facebook sites

Links:

Buy Tickets Here- http://musicfromanotherroom.bigcartel.com/product/ticket-3-30-13-stage-ae

THON 2013

   This year at THON, which is a 46 hour dance marathon to raise money for pediatric cancer, many great bands performed. Among the bands were two that stuck out to me, Pistol Peg, a country band from Altoona, PA and My Hero Zero, an alternative band from State College, PA.

   Pistol Peg stuck out because of their singing ability. The band consists of brother and sister lead singers, Mark and Jill Simanski, acoustic and electric guitarist, Joe Scott, electric guitarist, Brandon Kane, bassist, Justin Brown, and drummer, Steve Holtz.

   They performed a variety of country hits from Lady Antebellum to Little Big Town. I’m not a huge fan of country music but I have to say they caught my interest because they had a hard rock feel to each of their covers.

Check out their Facebook below.

   My Hero Zero was amazing because of their energy and overall vibe. The band consists of lead vocalist, Justin Olcese, guitarist, Greg Folsom, bassist, Mike Lee, and drummer, Noah Connolly. They all sang a song at least once which was very different, most bands don’t have multiple singers and talented ones at that.

   Their cover of “All the Small Things” by Blink 182 was phenomenal, they had synchronized head bangs and would have the crowd singing along throughout the whole song. Check out some of their music below.

Oh yeah by the way Penn State raised $12,374,034.46 breaking over $100,000,000 as a total from all the years THON has existed.

If these bands come to Pittsburgh anytime soon I will let you guys know!- Dante

Sources/ Links:
Photos:
1. Taken By Me
2. Taken from Pistol Peg Facebook
3. Taken by Jonny Rabbit

Facebook Links:
Pistol Peg- https://www.facebook.com/pistolpegband
My Hero Zero- https://www.facebook.com/mhzlive
My Hero Zero YouTube-  http://www.youtube.com/user/jasonovideo

Don't Be Afraid to Fall, Out Boy!







Left to Right: Patrick Stump, Andy Hurley, Pete Wentz, Joe Trohman

 

   Fall Out Boy is back with a vengeance after a 3 year break! Today they released a new single called "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" and it is a lot different than what we know.
   Fall Out Boy consist of lead singer, Patrick Stump, bassist, Pete Wentz, guitarist, Joe Trohman, and drummer, Andy Hurley. They are a pop-punk band that formed in Illinois. They have sold over 3 million records since they became a group in 2001. They are best known for their single "Sugar, We're Going Down", which in my personal opinion is still their best.
   Their new album is titled "Save Rock and Roll", which to me is a statement saying rock is dead, in which I agree 100 percent with. Although their single doesn't sound anything like their original feel, I wouldn't call them sellouts because they are just twisting a genre that doesn't really exist anymore.
   Overall their new single is great, it has catchy lyrics and a great beat. I am definitely looking forward to more of them. Along with a new album always comes a tour and that tour stops in Pittsburgh on May 21st at Stage AE and is open to all ages!

Give the song a listen and tell me what you think in the comments.-Dante

 

Links:
YouTube-http://www.youtube.com/user/FallOutBoyVEVO
Band Site-http://www.falloutboyrock.com/
Buy Tickets Here:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/16004A44A4D74C19?brand=promowestns&camefrom=CFC_STAGEAE_pwlive
Sources:
Picture from AltPress
Info from Fall Out Boy Wikipedia

A Boyband overload!

From Left to Right: Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Jonathan Knight

  After their tour with Backstreet Boys as NKOTBSB last year, the New Kids on The Block are back at it and this time its not a super group, its a "package". When they closed the NKOTBSB, they had one thought that no matter what they do they have to give fans more. They are currently in the studio for a new album that will give them a wider arsenal of great dance tunes and ballads. On the package tour they plan on bringing another two generations of "boyband" with them.

left to right: Nathan Morris,
Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris

   One boyband they are bringing is a generation before them, the best selling R&B group, Boyz II Men who have sold over 12 million records in the United States alone. Boyz II Men consist of Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman. The group focuses on smooth R&B ballads with an expertise in acapella. Most will recognize their song "End of the Road". They are also heading of to create new material.

left to right: Justin Jeffre, Jeff Timmons,
Drew Lachey, Nick Lachey

    The last band they're bringing along is, the now out of retirement 98 Degrees. They have more of a pop feel than the groups combined. They consist of brothers, Nick and Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre. They have sold over 10 million records combined.

 

   The tour comes to Consol Energy Center on June 11, 2013. Links to the tour's YouTube page and the bands sites are at the bottom. I know NKOTB are great entertainers so this tour is going to be very good!

 

-Dante

 

 

YouTube Page:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePackageTour2013

 

Band Sites:

NKOTB- http://nkotb.com

Boyz II Men- http://www.boyziimen.com/

98 Degrees- http://www.98degrees.com/

 

Get Tickets Here:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/New-Kids-On-the-Block-tickets/artist/735744?brand=none&tm_link=tm_homeA_rc_name1

 

Sources:

Images taken from The Package Tour site

Information taken from respective band's Wikipedia





 

Whats Your Resolution?

From Left to Right: Alex Foht, Steve Foht, Nate Hall, Steve Pearson



  

   Music From Another Room is a very unique band for several reasons. The first is that they make sure to personally know all of their fans. They will add you on Facebook right after a show, just to keep in touch. They put their fans first through Facebook and other social networking sites.

   The second thing that makes them unique is their music style. I cannot really pinpoint their genre. On one hand they have a high octane, high energy punk rock feel but on the other hand they have the musicality of a pop band.

   A great example of their pop style is their cover of Bruno Mar’s “Locked out of Heaven”, which is up on their YouTube page.

   The band consists of Steve Foht on lead vocals, Alex, his brother on guitar, Steve Pearson on the bass, and Nate Hall on the drums. The drummer, Nate is new to the band. He was the bassist for Crash City, who joined the band after their original drummer left for personal reasons.

Departures Album

   I saw them at Club Diesel in Pittsburgh over the Christmas season and the atmosphere in the room completely changed when they went on. They were extremely engaging and aimed to entertain the audience. I was immediately drawn in and hooked on them, so much so that I went straight home and downloaded their Departures CD.

   Music From Another Room is another band that more folks in Pittsburgh need to realize are here. The amount of talent from Pittsburgh’s unsigned bands is phenomenal but very much unseen because they are not talked about or publicized properly and that’s what this blog is about.

   Music From Another Room has a show coming up next week on February 8^th with Action Item and Before You Exit at The Altar Bar, for Action Item's stop in Pittsburgh on their Resolution Tour. I’ve posted links to where you can get tickets for that show and so you can check out their music, definitely check them out!

-Dante

Purchase Tickets Here
http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/eventV2/185609?utm_medium=bks&wrKey=E34F897BDDFD3B8BEFAAA4896EE04B4A
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MFAROfficial

Sources:
Photo 1- Me
Photo 2 & 3- The bands Facebook

*Additional info from the band itself*