Most artists slap together a hodgepodge of unappealing songs or release a slew of equally forgettable singles as a way to build up anticipation for an upcoming album. Meanwhile, the Future Idiots endlessly toiled for 17 tracks to get the hype train started for their original LP. That's called commitment. That's also why they've been kicking some Pop Punk ass for over a decade. So here it is, in all it's Pop Star/Punker/Rock King/Diva laden glory, GTA3.
Zebrahead
Dying Scene appropriately decided to rep what is probably the punkest of songs on GTA3. More specifically, they're exclusively streaming Zebrahead's 'Hello Tomorrow' right on their main page. I think the track shows the variety that FI is capable of handling. I mean, who else covers Zebrahead, U2 and Taylor Swift on the same album?
Taylor Swift
Punk/Hardcore e-zine New Noise Magazine was awesome enough to rep what I can only imagine is their first Taylor Swift song. I'd like to believe that the Future Idiots gave it the appropriate level of Punk to make them proud. Don't take my word for it, though, judge for yourself. Stream I Knew You Were Trouble right here.
Kelly Clarkson
First of 17, baby.
Grand Theft Audio 3, arriving in your ears on March 15th.
S.A.D: Songs of a Decade
The Future Idiots got a little fan love. Some of their more passionate listeners decided to secretly recruit some touring comrades to cover a few of their more popular songs in honor of their ten years as an active artist. It's not lost on me or the band that there was some hard earned money and well placed thought spent on the original art by Illustrations by Christian Wallin and the recording of all the new tunes. Amazing job by everyone.
Princess Leia
The Future Idiots are celebrating their nerdom by paying homage to two cultural giants, Star Wars and Blink 182. I'd say that's a trio of delightfulness that ranks somewhere between the Empire Strikes Back and Hayden Christensen's acting. I'll let you decide where for yourself.
Hybrid Moments
As if the promise of two new full length albums in 2016 wasn't enough, the Future Idiots decided to pull out both a trick and a treat for Halloween. They tricked everyone by unexpectedly dishing out a song (hell, I didn't even know it was coming) and they managed to treat fans of punk to a delightful Misfits cover. Enjoy!
Effort Should Be Rewarded
Here's a project that I've been fortunate enough to work on for the past couple of months. It's a music site that brings back the glory days of discovering, listening to and supporting new unsigned/indie label artists.
EFTMEGA.COM
Introducing Brock Landers
I'm stoked to announce the release of a physical and digital album by the former Scene, Vol. 5 artist, Brock Landers. Their 10 track album titled, Introducing Brock Landers is available everywhere right freakin' now.
I'd recommend the album for fans of Dance Gavin Dance, Hail The Sun, post-hardcore and saxophones. I'd personally say the standout songs include the title track 'Introducing Brock Landers' and 'Squintin Tarantino Part Two.' Both of which can be conveniently streamed right here:
'Better Than Everyone Else,' Out Now
The new Future Idiots single "Better Than Everyone Else" can now be bought, streamed, watched, downloaded and molested in all the usual ways!
If you hadn't noticed, their new material has a little bit more of a kick to it, which you'll be pleasantly surprised to know is just a taste of what they're going to bring to the turntable on their upcoming full length/vinyl.
New Future Idiots Song and Video
As the headline suggests, this is a new tune and video by the Future Idiots. It's the first in a number of new songs that will ultimately appear on their upcoming full-length album, Murphy's Law. The song's titled 'Better Than Everyone Else.' More information about the album and the song can be found at their music pledge project.
New Future Idiots Album
The Future Idiots have started a Pledge Music campaign for their next album. Both the band and I are going to be investing heavily in this project despite the fact that we're all broke because the music industry is awful, so if you're a fan and you want to essentially preorder some primo stuff, toss a little love their way and make this project a GD success. Seriously, we're going whole-hog with this; vinyl, CD's, bonus songs, etc.
Scholar & the Alzheimer's Association
In honor of Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month I'm going to be selling the album Choose Adventure by the pop punk band Scholar. It's an older release, but it's under-appreciated just like the human brain. Seriously, we're essentially the culmination of the meat in our head, and In my humble opinion, we need to make sure that that meat is fully understood, completely researched and well funded so our friends and families can have it running as smooth as possible for as long as possible. That's why 100% of any sales that roll on in for this album will go straight to the Alzheimer's Association. For more information on the Alzheimer's Association just visit alz.org.
Now that I've got the serious business out of the way, I want to thank Scholar for participating on this project. I wanted to work with them in some capacity ever since I released their song 'I Wish I Knew How to Quit You' on The Scene, Vol. 4. And honestly, I can't think of a better way to work together than to collaborate for something worthwhile.
For those that might be unfamiliar with the band, I'd say that they have a classic pop punk sound that has a technical and grand side to it. Another way to describe the album would be to say that it would be like if Blink 182, Four Year Strong and Icarus The Owl had a child, and that child had ADD and a penchant for including kickass guitar riffs.
Song Stream: Luciano Ferrara
Luciano Ferrara made his way onto The Scene, Vol. 5 because his sound brought me back to the classic days of Promise of Redemption. Clapping, raw emotion, a feeling of quality without obviously being overproduced; they all strike me as traits of early Shane Henderson material. I'm not accusing Luciano Ferrara of plagiarism or anything, I'm just saying that it's nice to finally get more of a throwback pop/punk singer songwriter style. It's not all that common of a genre and it's difficult to do well.
Song Stream: Jenna Mason-Brase
Jenna Mason-Bras made the best song to sit and listen to in the rain with a mug of steaming hot tea. I just love the simplicity of the sound and the distinct vocals.
Song Stream: Moving Brooklyn
I could use a lot of glowing adjectives to describe the band Moving Brooklyn. There's just no point, because all I really have to do is put their song 'Symmetry' up to stream. It's one of the first few tracks off of the The Scene, Vol. 5/TBS tribute, and I'm warning you right now, the Chorus will haunt your dreams. Don't believe me? Just hit play. I'll let the earworm do the rest of the work.
A Tribute to Taking Back Sunday and The Scene, Vol. 5, Available Now
I have some severely mixed feelings today. I have 'A Tribute to Taking Back Sunday' and 'The Scene, Vol. 5' dropping today. Both of which have taken me the better part of a year to put out. I'm definitely proud of the double disc project as a whole. The albums have even been getting a decent amount of press at well respected places like Alternative Press, Absolutepunk, Under The Gun, Dying Scene, Already Heard and more. Then I got sick. For about two weeks now I've been unable to work on a project that I've worked so hard to put together for so long. It's finally here, though, and I guess that's all that really matters.
I really can't thank all the bands enough for their contributions. From Everyone Dies In Utah's opening track to Jenna Mason-Brase's closer 35 tracks later, I couldn't be happier. It turned out almost exactly how I wanted it to with the exception of the last two weeks where everything stalled out.
My only wish is that the artists enjoyed the end product too, because there's definitely no denying that there's an immense amount of talent on these compilations. That being said, here's to hoping that all the artists that participated go on to do bigger and better things (and occasionally come back and slum it with me on another comp).
Both albums can be fully streamed for free and purchased anywhere.
Song Stream: Face Value - Members Only
In my opinion there's just nothing better than straight, no frills pop punk. If the material is well performed and has enough of a lyrical hook, the genre just sort of has an energy about it that can't be matched. That's why I'm excited to have landed a pure pop punk group in Face Value. They are the epitome of what The Scene series is supposed to be, so a huge thanks goes out to those guys for their participation.
Song Stream: Icarus The Owl's Cover of 'You Know How I Do.'
Icarus The Owl injects a little technical pop punk into their cover of Taking Back Sunday's song, 'You Know How I Do.'
Song Stream: The Apprehended's 'Scene, Vol. 5' Contribution, 'Can We Just Speak?'
There's no better way to celebrate Easter than with a little post-hardcore.
Hopefully The Apprehended will enjoy the company they'll be sharing on A Tribute to Taking Back Sunday/The Scene, Vol. 5 enough to where they'll want to bring their talents to the next tribucomp. I think with their quality vocals and crisp sound, and with my ability to not really do anything besides look good, it could be a partnering that could lead to a hell of a cover on any future project.
