It was a far less familiar name in the No. 3 position, however, with Orlando by way of Grand Rapids, Mich., band Sleeping with Sirens moving 59,000 copies of the band’s third album, Feel — easily the best sales week in the young “scene-core” rock band’s burgeoning career. (The band’s second album, 2011 effort Let’s Cheer to This, debuted with 18,000 in its first week out.)

“Obviously, we’re very excited,”  lead singer Kellin Quinn Radio.com told this week. “We’ve worked really hard to get to where we are, and it’s just really awesome.”

It’s a major milestone for Sleeping with Sirens, a band eager to break through to the rock mainstream after paying their dues on the indie post-hardcore circuit since forming in 2009.

“This album is about us becoming more of a rock band, and escape from the scene of music that we were in when we first started,” Quinn said, citing the Foo Fighters as a major influence. “The lyrics are straightforward, the music is straightforward, the album is easy to get into. That’s the idea behind Feel, to really put across what Sleeping with Sirens is all about right from the beginning.”

The album is led by first single, “Alone,” a dynamic track that features notorious Ohio rapper Machine Gun Kelly (aka, MGK) amidst the crashing guitars and Quinn’s distinctive high-pitched vocals and throaty screams.

“We were on the Warped tour together last year,” Quinn said in regards to the pairing. “I was sitting outside in a circle with the band and a cooler of beers. He kind of moseyed by, and he’s this really tall, lanky, awkward-looking dude. He walked up and was like, ‘I really like that one track (“If You Can’t Hang” from Let’s Cheer to This), I listened to it all last summer. It was like my anthem.’ It took me completely by surprise.”

He continued: “He was really complimentary about the band, and I’m a big fan of what he does. We ended up connecting. It felt right, so we did two tracks together. He did ‘Alone’ on our album, and I’m on his new mixtape that’s coming out. We did a cover of Rise Against song ‘Swing Life Away.’”

Sleeping with Sirens is one of the handful of bands who’ve been invited to perform on back-to-back Warped tours, following their 2012 slot with an encore run on the 2013 edition of the long-running emo-rock outing.

“Warped Tour is one of those festivals where you come out and just do your banger songs,” Quinn said. “We’re playing two tracks off our new record – ‘Congratulations’ with Matty Mullins from Memphis May Fire and ‘Alone’ with MGK coming out on a few dates. The rest of the tracks will be the hits, just get kids really amped up and excited, string a lot of energy together.”

While Sleeping with Sirens are considered a staple of the “scene-core” circuit, Quinn is confident that the band’s fanbase is eager to make the transition to a broader stage.

“I think our fans are very loyal, and they listen to an eclectic mix of music,” the singer insisted. “You get pigeonholed into a certain genre of music, and it’s hard to go on tour with different-sounding bands. We want to start bridging the gap and going on tour with some pop bands and stuff. Pierce the Veil did an All Time Low tour that was really successful. That’s kind of what we’re trying to do with our band, bring different genres of music out.”

Quinn went on to admit that he’s “always been more like a pop kid.”

“I’ve always written music to acoustic guitars and stuff,” he said. “When I joined the band, it was an opportunity for me to get out of the town I was in. Now that all of the members are on the same page, we’re just trying to do us. We don’t want to be stuck in metal-core or some sub-genre that people put us in. We just want to be a rock band.”

William Beckett will release his debut full-length album, Genuine & Counterfeit, on August 20 via Equal Vision Records. 

The solo artist is going to performance live all this summer around US (Warped Tour) and then in Australia with Anberlin and The Maine. 

More info and dates here.

Yesterday, June 13, 2013, marks the two-year anniversary of this blog. It honestly baffles me to think that I decided to make this blog only two years ago when I was an unhappy 13 year-old who felt like an outcast to the rest of her school. That’s where my name came from, you know. From my need to find somewhere I could be different and be accepted for that difference. The strange thing about the internet is, it’s one large community of people who vaguely no each other and sometimes things get catty and ugly, but we still all come from the same general place: we all want to be heard. By someone, anyone.

From my years exploring social networking, that’s the one thing that I have taken out of the experience starting with Myspace in 7th grade up until now. It’s strange to think that 7th grade was 4 full years ago and now I’m going to start my junior year of high school which means ACTs and the beginning of scholarship applications.

Time seems to just fly by, you know?

Chiodos will be playing a new song this summer on Warped Tour called ”Expensive Conversations In Cheap Motels.” Check out what they said below:

“This summer on the @VansWarpedTour we will be playing a new song titled “Expensive Conversations In Cheap Motels”

Real Friends

If you’re from the Chicago area like I am, you know how hard it is to find good local bands. In a sea of drug-laden DJ bar shows and soft, confusingly deep hipster music, there is Real Friends. With lyrics about girl troubles and everything you’ve thought about at 4 in the morning all alone, and, yes, sleepy eyes and bony knees, Real Friends is there when you need to scream. And you know what a good place to scream is? The pit. At Warped Tour. Duh.

The jam: “Dead”

Where to catch them: 6/15-7/3 on Kevin Says Stage

The Story So Far

The Story So Far are an amazing group from Walnut Creek, California. They’ve been steadily gaining popularity with their new release, “What You Don’t See”, which has been on repeat for me since I first heard it. The band has matured from their last release in 2011, evolving to a more complex sound. Lead singer Parker Cannon’s vocals are still as violently passionate as ever, but the hooks are more melodic. This is definitely another band for the angrier Warped Tour goer that I believe can even bridge the gap for those not typically into pop-punk.

The jam: “Stifled”

Where to catch them: Entire tour on Tilly’s Stage

Mixtapes

Mixtapes come from the lovely Cincinatti, Ohio. And – what’s that – a wild female appears! The band consists of two fellas and a lovely lady on guitar and vocals. With both genders on vocals, it adds something different to the usual bro-band aesthetic of pop punk. Their latest release is more acoustic based than anything, but they definitely qualify. I suggest you check them out – definitely a band to watch out for!

The jam: “You Must Not Be From Around Here”

Where to catch them: 7/23 – 8/4 on Kevin Says Stage

Handguns

Handguns come from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They seem to be one of those bands you hear about a lot in passing. With lots of lyrical heartbreak and catchy riffs, this band could definitely establish themselves further in the scene. I’m a huge fan of their Don’t Bite Your Tongue EP, especially the closing track, which offers a refreshing take on the “no really, I’m happy for you” tactic. Handguns just want you to call back, but in all honestly, your life being ruined would be a sweet twist too. Definitely a recommendation, especially to fans of a Man Overboard-like sound – especially the song “Scream Goodbye.” Listen and find out why!

The jam: “I Hope He Kills You”

Where to catch them: 6/15 – 7/3 and 7/6 – 8/4 on Kevin Says Stage

The Wonder Years

Lansdale, Pennsylvania’s own, The Wonder Years, have definitely made a name for themselves, especially in the last year. With lyrics that can approve to the non-religious, conspiracy theorist haters, the heartbroken, the lonely, and especially those who can feel like they’re wasting away as they grow older and those who just don’t fit in with any of this, almost everyone can relate to a Wonder Years jam or two. Their new release is phenomenal, and this band doesn’t seem to be falling victim to changing sound (for the worse) any time soon. Dan “Soupy” Campbell‘s extremely honest, quirky, and out-of-the-blue-accurate lyrics will hit you somewhere, and why not in the middle of summer when feelings always seem amplified?

The jam: “Passing Through a Screen Door”

Where to catch them: Entire tour on Kia Forte Stage

Man Overboard

Who on this website honestly hasn’t heard of Williamstown, New Jersey’s Man Overboard? They’ve absolutely blown up lately, and are often one of the first bands you think of when you think modern pop punk. With lyrics to range every kind of heartbreak, disappointment, or bad feeling you could ever experience, Man Overboard is the band for almost any situation. Bassist/vocalist Nik Bruzzese’s vocal depth paired with guitarist/vocalist Zac Eisenstein’s pleasantly strange vocals make an odd pair, but it works. The mood set by the music ties this all in for a band you’ll definitely want to catch in the middle of summer to forget issues you’re having with any guy or gal at the time. Watch for their merch booth, where they usually have a song request box. They’ll probably also give you hugs if you tell them about the aforementioned guy or gal.

The jam: “Montrose”, but honestly all of them

Where to catch them: Entire  tour on Tilly’s Stage

Now go on and have the Best Day Ever with these 6 fabulous bands!

Chiodos will be performing a new song, “Expensive Conversations In Cheap Motels” at this year’s Warped Tour.

CrashCarBurn is a power-pop rock band from Johannesburg that was founded in 2006. Originally formed in London, this band’s first single ‘Serenade’ became known nation wide in 2007 and in 2008 and they made history by becoming the first South African band to join Warped Tour. Their second album, “Long Live Tonight”, won two South African Music Award nominations; a product of producer Mark Trombino. Mark is best known for his work on Blink 182‘s ‘Dude Ranch’ and Jimmy Eat World’s ‘Bleed American’.  Their song ‘Twisted’ from that album became the most downloaded track on the Nokia Music Store. CrashCarBurn played their first tour in Asia in 2011 and are set to return later this year.

I’m blown away by how mainstream these guys are. And I don’t mean that as a bad thing. Lead singer, Garth’s slightly raspy vocals push the band’s uniqueness to a new level. With an overall sound reminiscent of cross over artist, Switchfoot, this band surely just needs exposure to get to that level. And maybe a couple really big UK and US tours. Which might essentially be the same thing. They are catchy and versatile as demonstrated with two of the videos I will be posting for you: “Twisted” and “Skin vs. Bone”.

Don’t they have awesome music videos? They even LOOK like famous musicians. Sorry… This band has quickly become one of my favorites. Clearly I’m not alone in this either because after releasing their single ‘Heartbeat Racing’ it quickly claimed the MK TV’s charts, rising to number 1 in April of this year. And no wonder. These guys create genuine music that would thrive in this community.

Check out their facebook and their website.

https://www.facebook.com/crashcarburn

I made a checklist of things to bring to Warped Tour. This will be my 8th consecutive summer attending this punk rock summer camp and I always forget something because I am the worst when it comes to packing.

Without further ado, let’s get started:

Rainbow

The first store we went to this weekend was Rainbow. Personally, I had only ever been there once before, right when it was opening, and I wasn’t very impressed. Needless to say, I didn’t expect to find anything I might particularly liked. I was shocked! From a wide array of colors, to classy blacks, to an entire wall of pleather and cameo print (which I drooled over for a good ten minutes) there was literally something there for every style, including mine. And the best part is, it was all for relatively cheap!

The first thing I got here was a very basic-shaped muscle top that says “You Are My Universe”. The print is of a galaxy/universe, but unlike most other prints it wasn’t trying to be the most ‘realistic’ . It’s actually a very messy, almost bleached effect, which matches the very laid back shape. I absolutely adore it!

Universe top: $10.50 at Rainbow. 

The next piece I picked up was an adorable teal peplum dress. It’s not something I would wear normally, but I’m not against mixing it up every once and a while. Hey, if you’re always wearing the same stuff you become predictable, and what’s the fun in that? Anyways, the second I tried this on I couldn’t leave it. First of all, it has the style that can make any  body type look a-ma-zing! The color was gorgeous, and with the bold black details it wasn’t easily forgettable. And here’s the part that snagged me: this well-made, amazing dress only cost $18!

Teal Peplum Dress: $18 at Rainbow

Hot Topic

Hot Topic was having a wonderful sale this weekend on their Morbid Metals and I had to  get my hands on them! I’ve always wanted a pair but have been too cheap to actually fork over the money for them. However, when it’s buy one get one $1 how could I say no? I’ve had my eyes on the purple ones for a loooooong time now, and the rainbow pair were just the icing on the cake. The purple packet came with an extra set of silver earrings while the rainbow came with black. Normally, these bad boys would’ve been $18 a piece, however I got them both for $19.

Warped Tour

I’m going to try to keep this one short: FINALLY I GOT MY WARPED TOUR T SHIRT WOO-HOO! I’m so, so excited, especially now that I have the tee it just makes me anticipate it more. But Warped is for another blog post.

Warped Tour T Shirt: $22 at Ticketmaster

Rue 21

I was in the store Rue 21 for about .2 seconds this weekend. However I saw this and had to have it! I love how it’s both silver and gold spikes, considering it will match everything. Warning! This sucker hurts if you headbutt someone with it!

Gold and Silver Spiked Headband: $4 at Rue 21

Forever 21

Another store with 21 in the name! Haha. We recently upgraded our F21 in our mall and I am ridiculously excited about it. More excited than I should be, that’s for sure! The first two things I picked up were this “Metal” crop top and a pair of high-waist shorts. The top is awesome considering the spike ( not stud, but spike, there is a difference) detail on the “cross” T and the extra surprise in back where it is shredded. I don’t know what it is about studs and things that are shredded on purpose but I’m a sucker for them. It’s perfectly okay though, considering it was a cheap $15. The other piece I snagged was the last pair of these super-cute high-waist shorts with button up detail. Coincidence that they were in my size? I think not. I love these because they’re not uncomfortably tight, they go up the perfect height, and they weren’t ridiculously expensive (only about $16). And c’mon, the buttons remind me of sailors!

“Metal” Crop Top: $15 at Forever 21

High Waist Button-Up Shorts: $16 at Forever 21.

The last item I picked up has to be my favorite. It’s the perfect soft-grunge/tumblr-eske snapback. I had so much fun taking pictures in it! On the hat it says “Bad” in bold white letters and underneath is a very pastel flower print. Perfect for summer and perfect for my style! I felt like the luckiest girl in the world when I found it (even though it was literally just sitting on a display shelf in the front window so everyone who went to F21 probably saw it already). For only $8.50 I could not leave this behind.

Soft Grunge Snapback: $8.50 at Forever 21

That’s all for this post everyone. Have an amazing day!

Working alongside fellow roadie Stesha Durante, we’re bringing all things Invisible Children straight to the masses. We see music as an integral part of social movements, not only on a cultural level and as a way to start conversations, but also as a way to connect with thousands of people face-to-face through opportunities such as Warped Tour.

As we train the next few days, we want to give our biggest supporters an insight on what to expect from us on tour and how to be part of it all by volunteering at one of the 41 stops. Email music@invisiblechildren.com for more info if you can make it to city listed below.

Three reasons you should volunteer with us on Warped Tour:

1. Real world action. You’ve supported us online, you’ve attended our events, and now you have the chance to help us raise awareness about the LRA and IC by interacting with hundreds of music fans and supporters throughout the festival day. Plus, you’ll get a first-hand look at what IC is up to next.

2. Get a behind-scenes look. We’ve partnered with Epitaph Records this summer to present artist signings and various side-performances at our tent. So, when volunteers aren’t helping us start conversations, they’ll get a chance to see how it’s all coordinated on our side of things.

3. We’ll have an AmigoBooth running all day. What’s an AmigoBooth you ask? It’s a mobile photobooth where you’ll be able to capture all the Warped memories you’d like and share them with your friends.

Oh, and I guess it’d be good to mention, volunteers get free entrance to Warped Tour and have time to watch a few sets. See you all on the road. Email music@invisiblechildren.com for details.

Open volunteer spots at:

- Phoenix, AZ (6/27)
- Salt Lake City, UT (6/29)
- Indianapolis, IN (7/3)
- Buffalo, NY (7/6)
- Pittsburgh, PA (7/17)
- Cleveland, OH (7/18)
- Minneapolis, MN (7/21)
- Atlanta, GA (7/25)
- W. Palm Beach, fl (7/27)
- Milwaukee, WI (7/31)
- Houston, TX (8/4)

+ Juan Frausto

Blessthefall has announced the album title, release date and track listing!! The album, Hollow Bodies, will be released on August 20th! The tracking is below! Are you stoked?! You can also catch BTF on this summer Vans Warped Tour all summer!!

1. Exodus
2. You Wear A Crown But You’re No King
3. Hollow Bodies
4. Deja Vu
5. Buried In These Walls
6. See You On The Outside
7. Youngbloods (feat. Jesse Barnett)
8. Standing On The Ashes
9. Carry On (feat. Jake Luhrs)
10. The Sound Of Starting Over
11. Open Water (feat. Lights)

The Vans Warped Tour starts Saturday, so this week I will be making lists of what you will need to bring, possible festival outfits, and feature some bands you need to check out on the tour. I won’t be able to actually go to Warped Tour until early August, but I still want you to be well-prepared.

Here is my OOTD:

All I will say is, I’m rocking the these in my OOTD. I have had them for over 3 years now, and they’re still kicking.

This Music Monday, you should check out two of my favorite bands, Balance and Composure and Title Fight.

And if you haven’t already heard the big news, here it is:

Title Fight, Balance and Composure, and Cruel Hand are touring together this fall. Such a great line up, so don’t miss it.

Check out the full list of tour dates here.

Again, more about Warped Tour later on in the week.

-Chels

In 5 days I will be going to the beach with my very best friend, her boyfriend, my boyfriend, and various other people. I am actually quite excited for this much needed stress relieving vacation. I am ready for nothing but the salty air, and the constant sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Is there really anything better? 

and then in 27 days I will be going with my favorite person to Warped Tour/VA Beach for a night. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to WT, but I’m looking forward to it. Even though it’s really not my type of music, I am excited to be going with Carter, and spending the day listening to all sorts of new music. 

Nonetheless, this is going to be the start of one hell of a summer. Good times with good friends, what more could you ask for?

Laissez les bon temps rouler.

1. Oh No Fiasco

I first heard ONF on Warped Tour last summer. They quickly drew a crowd with their dance rock sound and originality. They mix an electronic sound with a feel good vibe. This Knoxville based band just recently ended a tour with Shiny Toy Guns. Don’t let them slip under your radar. Check out their music video:

https://www.facebook.com/ohnofiascomusic?ref=ts&fref=ts

2. Reachback

Reachback is a band from London/Essex area. They have made quite a hit in their first few years, including being picked up by MTV to shoot a music video, winning several awards, and having their song “Butterflies” play on the MTV show, World of Jenks. They just released a new song, “Pretty Slick for a White Chick” that you can buy on iTunes.

http://www.reachbackband.com/#/

3. The Nearly Deads

The Nearly Deads are an eclectic mix of grunge and pop. They made #14 on the Billboard Next Big Sound Chart and have been receiving accolades ever since. Also from Tennessee, this Nashville band’s influences include DefTones, My Chemical Romance and No Doubt.

https://www.facebook.com/thenearlydeads?fref=ts

4. Icon For Hire

This female fronted band from Illinois became the highest new artist debut from Tooth & Nail Records. They are known in both the music and fashion industry and are currently in the studio recording their second album with producer Mike Green (All Time Low, Pierce The Veil).

https://www.facebook.com/iconforhireofficial

5. The Material

You can check out The Material on this summer’s Ernie Ball Stage at Warped Tour 2013. They are a South Cali Rock band striving to produce original, organic, inspiring music. (Taken from their Bio on Facebook… I did not just call them organic for no reason.) Their music was featured on MTV The Hills, Rock Band, and they are the theme song for MTV Australia’s Fresh Water Blue’s.

*Fun Fact: We have a favorite band in common, I The Mighty.

https://www.facebook.com/Thematerialmusic

Image (c) Natalia Balcerska

Boston based bass player (a tongue twister if there ever was one) Max Lavelle has played in a fair amount of bands since he took up the instrument many years ago. From Twisted Sacrifice to Trauma Concept, none of them sound particularly joyful; the comically named Compost Pile is probably the least aggressive (although it’s unlikely they sang about gardening and eco-friendly issues).

It is of course his time in Goratory (albums include Orgasm Induced Diarrea and Sexual Intercorpse) and deathcore stalwarts Despised Icon that he’s most known for. And now with one of Amercia’s finest modern day death metal acts: The Black Dahlia Murder. Like many metal musicians it’s a similar story that drew him into the world of extreme music.

“Rock music and metal was always attached to my soul,” Max explains. “From a young age I was always interested in finding, like, obscure and underground bands and death metal, heavy metal in general, just really gripped me from a young age and I just tried to pursue it. It’s what I’ve always listened to and it’s just part of my scene, what I really like to listen to.”

“I would say my major influences from a pile, I guess would be like early Metallica, Megadeth, Cryptopsy, and much earlier, all that Carnage stuff,” he adds. “Death Metal, like early 2000 New York death metal pretty much.”

Image (c) Natalia Balcerska

By trade Max is actually a graphic designer, running a little company in his free time, whether at home or on tour, but music is now his full-time occupation and has been for a few years. His previous gig in Despised Icon came to an end in 2010 when the band called it a day, but after touring with The Black Dahlia Murder while their previous bassist contemplated his future, he officially joined in April 2012.

About to release the first album Max appears on, Everblack, he may not have been involved in much of the writing (so can’t be held responsible for song titles such as ‘Phantom Limb Masturbation’ or ‘Raped In Hatred By Vines Of Thorn’) he did have a special helping hand in laying down the bass.

“Recording was great. All the guys I worked with were really professional and really easy to work with. When we were producing the bass tracks I was actually working with Bart Williams the previous bass player,” he explains. “To work with him was great because we were really speaking the same language, in the same tones and could just talk about the bass parts, you know.”

To those uninitiated into the extreme metal world the common ‘it all sounds the same’ or ‘it’s just noise’ claims that show no appreciation for the work the musicians put into their recordings can get a bit frustrating. Max explains there’s a clear difference between playing with The Black Dahlia Murder than Despised Icon, and despite both sometimes being tagged as deathcore, it clearly isn’t the case.

“The music styles are a lot different. The material with Despised [Icon] is a little bit more rhythmic, more just kind of heavy stuff. The Black Dahlia Murder is a more melodic bass, there’s a little bit more melody with the Black Dahlia stuff.

If death metal and deathCORE (geddit?) were fruits

“This is more like comparing apples with oranges here but some stuff with Despised is a little bit different to the Black Dahlia stuff but whenever you’re playing something that’s a little bit more melodic it gets a little bit more difficult because you have to be really aware of really playing on points. It’s fluid and the rhythm’s a little, it’s not as kind of ingrained as some of the really traditional death metal stuff.”

His love of rhythm is just one reason he chose to pick up and continue with the bass.

“A lot of my friends learnt guitar and my father was the one that bought me my first bass when I think I was nine or ten years old. Guitarists are, you know, [one every] half a dozen. I figured I’d just play bass and get good at it. I really liked being unique, there’s a lot of rhythm. I mean I really like bass. I think bass has a really good personality. It’s a really good instrument. It really suits me well, I feel very comfortable with it and how I feel about it.”

With a summer set to be spent touring across America on the Vans Warped Tour, Max has plenty to look forward to and it doesn’t look like he’ll be packing it all in to go join Coldplay any time soon.

“We’re just going to keep going until none of us can do it anymore. We’re just going to keep going 100 miles an hour, we’re just going to keep going and hopefully people will keep supporting us. That’s what people can expect from us, to always be around and to always give it 110%.”

Check out The Black Dahlia Murder on record, but also on Facebook

Images (c) Natalia Balcerska

My thoughts on Vans Warped Tour ^^^^^^^^^^

IT’S WARPED TOUR SEASON
Oh wait.. That’s right, I live in fucking Canada.
Seriously Canada, get it together. You’re just Americas hat.

I guess it’s that time of year when I start to a weep a bit more because I can’t go to Warped Tour..

To make it worse on myself, last year my family and I went to Seattle the weekend it was there and I couldn’t go. Plus, I saw Jack Fowler, Matty Mullins, and a bunch of other people that when we were driving by but I couldn’t be like
“yo mom. I’m just gonna jump out of this car and awkwardly caress some people I loves faces. I’ll catch up to you never, because if I did that I’d have a heart attack