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*