May 27, 2010 5pm
Skully’s Music Diner
1151 N. High Street
(614) 291-8856
$13 adv / $15 door
all ages - no underage fee
Mayday Parade
http://www.myspace.com/maydayparade
Mayday Parade arose from the merger of two popular Tallahassee local bands, Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment, whose combination helped the emo-pop unit amass a quick buzz around its hometown scene. The sextet was initially comprised of vocalist Derek Sanders, vocalist/guitarist Jason Lancaster, bassist/vocalist Jeremy Lenzo, drummer Jake Bundrick, and guitarists Alex Garcia and Brooks Betts. After playing shows on the 2005 Warped Tour, along with sporadic gigs alongside bands like Armor for Sleep, the Rocket Summer, the Starting Line, and Emery, the band hooked up with Fearless Records in August 2006 and released its debut EP, Tales Told by Dead Friends, three months later. Lancaster left Mayday Parade in March 2007 and formed Go Radio; meanwhile, Mayday Parade signed with Atlantic Records and issued their first album without Lancaster, Anywhere But Here, in late 2009. - ©2010 Rovi, All Music Guide
A Rocket To The Moon
http://www.myspace.com/arockettothemoon
Rooted in the sounds of late-’90s alternative rock and the poppier sounds of emocore, Braintree, MA’s A Rocket to the Moon formed in 2006. Essentially the brainchild — and one-man band — of Nick Santino, Rocket to the Moon started as an experiment. A plethora of positive raves and reviews of his work under the moniker led Santino to continue, eventually releasing — by 2008 — a pair of EPs, including that years’ Greetings From… Signed to Fueled by Ramen, Santino — that is to say, Rocket to the Moon, won over more hearts and ears on high profile tours with such similar acts as Cute Is What We Aim For and Hit the Lights. The group’s debut album, On Your Side, was released in October of 2009.
Sing It Loud
Sing It Loud
http://www.myspace.com/singitloud
Sing It Loud’s peppy mix of emo and alternative pop/rock is created by vocalist Pat Brown, bassist Nate Flynn, keyboardist Ben Peterson, guitarist Kieren Smith, and drummer Chris Lee. The Minneapolis natives formed the band in 2007 after the dissolution of Brown’s previous group, the Semester. After only a few shows together, they were offered a deal with Epitaph Records. They also began recording a self-titled EP with Motion City Soundtrack’s Josh Cain, which was released in early 2008. Sing It Loud’s debut album, Come Around, followed several months later. After spending the summer of 2009 as part of the Warped Tour, the band headed back to the studio to record a second album. The more thoughtful and mature-sounding Everything Collide was released in May of 2010.
Sparks The Rescue
http://www.myspace.com/sparkstherescue
Every once in awhile, a band happens to take a 180 degree turn. Sometimes the reasons are evident, other times not so much. Sparks the Rescue falls under the latter. Somewhere between releasing a well received EP, being signed to Double Blind Music and the departure of a member, the band took this turn.
When Sparks the Rescue released their The Secrets We Can’t Keep EP they had a sound that could be somewhat compared to Chiodos. But in late June 2008 the keyboardist Marty parted ways with the band. This had a huge impact on the band’s sound, which can be heard on their debut record.
Usually when bands change their sound, a lot of their original fan base tends to worry. This should not be the case for this album as there is a good mix to go around. For the most part, screams and heavy riffs have been traded in for catchy choruses and pop rock chords.
Eyes To The Sun starts off with the incredibly catchy “My Heart Radio”, which sets the pace for the majority of the album. Followed by “I Swear She’s The One”, which drills itself into your head with an echoed chorus you can’t help but love. “Autumn”, the album’s first single, would be all over the radio if it was promoted better. “Hello Mexico” has become a fan favorite since they started playing it live and it doesn’t disappoint on record. “Skeleton” and “The Gravity” are sort of the crossing of styles. While they still are heavily influenced by the pop hooks, they have a heavier feel to them that is featured on the album’s remaining songs. “Chemistry Set” is where older fans will be pleased, from here on out the record is chunkier and more reminiscent of the old Sparks the Rescue. Next is a re-done “Saco Boy’s Have No Class”, which sounds better then ever. Finally the record closes with “Pangaea,” probably the most mellow track, but it closes the album nicely.
Sparks the Rescue have proved that they can write some of the catchiest songs out there today, but sadly their label doesn’t promote them as much as they should. If they did, you would hear Sparks being mentioned with some of the top bands of the genre. But if they continue to release albums like this, it won’t be long before they have their eyes set on something other then the sun. - Keagan Ilvonen, Absolute Punk