2013 Vans Warped Tour

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The Vans Warped Tour has added some new bands to their lineup this year, proving that this year will be better than the last. Although more bands are still being announced, confirmed artists include Hawthorne Heights, Chiodos, Sleeping with Sirens, Motion City Soundtrack, Blessthefall, We Came as Romans, and I See Stars among several others. The next band announcement is this Friday, February 8th. 

Tickets are now on sale for all the tour dates through the Vans Warped Tour website and Ticketmaster. Check out the Vans Warped Tour blog for more information.

Anthony Raneri and TWLOHA

Anthony Raneri

Last year Anthony Raneri, Bayside’s frontman, released his first solo album, “New Cathedrals.” For only $5 on iTunes, fans could pick up the five song album to see what the singer/songwriter is like without the talents of Jack O’shea, Chris Guglielmo, and Nich Ghanbarian. Needless to say “New Cathedrals” is very different from what Bayside fans are used to. It is lighter and upbeat, proving that Raneri must be drawing from different influences.

Matchbook Romance Reunites for GK! Holiday Festival

A Very GK! Holiday Festival

This weekend, A Very GK! Holiday Festival is coming to New York for it’s final show this year in Poughkeepsie. In October, the Alternative Press announced that Matchbook Romance will reunite to headline the GK! Holiday Festival for the New York Date. Matchbook Romance released two albums, “Stories and Alibis” in 2003 and “Monsters” in 2006 (Billboard). Among the band’s major hits were “Monsters,” and “Promise,” both were featured on MTV and VH1. In the past, they’ve toured with big names such as Yellowcard, Fall Out Boy, and Chiodos and have been members of the Take Action Tour. Originally from Poughkeepsie, New York, it made sense for Matchbook Romance to come back from hiatus for this show, it will be their first live performance in over 3 years.

August Burns Red goes Christmas

Blabbermouth.net

The holidays always provide an opportunity for artists to capitalize on merchandise sales by offering limited edition products, bundles, discounts, and other promotions. A great way to seize the season is to release a Christmas cover song album just as August Burns Red released “Sleddin’ Hill” this year. The album features 13 tracks by the Christian metal band, each one taking a familiar holiday song. “Sleddin’ Hill” redefines Christmas songs to include a double bass pedal, fast tempos, and technical guitar solos.

The first track of the album, “Flurries,” sets the tone for what is to come. August Burns Red uses the song to show the listener that although this is a Christmas album, it does not mean that there is going to only be sleigh bells and soft melodies. The song starts of with characteristic sleigh bells to set the mood and gradually progresses to a faster tempo adding in harder drums and guitar melodies. Throughout the entire song, August Burns Red effectively uses breakdowns and tempo changes to keep the listener guessing what is coming next. August Burns Red did a fantastic job of incorporating traditional Christmas elements with their well-known sound, especially in this song. The entire album can be streamed on Youtube.

Bayside's Hurricane Sandy Benefit Shirt

Bayside

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, several people are still without power while others are left with nothing, trying to rebuild their lives. There are a lot of unanswered questions about the future; how will those affected continue to live their lives and how will they fare without electricity, food, water, and other basic needs? Volunteers have come together to try and help out by bringing donations or contributing monetarily to the American Red Cross.

Some musicians are using their national reach to get fans to help out in any way possible. Bayside, a band I wrote about just a few weeks ago, has always called New York “home.” Although they are on the road touring now with Taking Back Sunday, they are still looking to help any possible way they can. And now, through their merchandise website, they are offering a Hurricane Sandy Benefit shirt to their fans. All of the proceeds from the sale of this shirt will go to the Greater New York American Red Cross (Bayside).

Business Plans? Are they necessary?

An article in the New York Times details the opinions of several business plan experts about the importance of an entrepreneur writing a business plan. A study was conducted in 2009 by the University of Maryland’s business school to find out how important business plans were to venture capitalists, who fund entrepreneurs and start up businesses (New York Times). It was found that several venture capitalists rely more on experience and gut feeling rather than the details of an entrepreneur’s business plan (New York Times).

Bayside Pre-Order Bundles

Bayside

Bayside, the alternative rock band from New York, announced last month that they would be releasing a cover EP this fall. Their last full-length album was “Killing Time,” which was released in February 2011 (Billboard). Since then, Bayside has been touring with Taking Back Sunday and the Vans Warped Tour. This fall, Bayside is hitting the road once again with Taking Back Sunday, who is promoting the 10-year anniversary of their album, “Tell all Your Friends.”

With news of the cover EP, comes the news of new Bayside merchandise and bundles. Starting today, fans can pre-order the CD along with 8 different merchandise bundles through their online store. Various bundles include combinations of hats, scarves, hoodies, and shirts, varying in price from $22-$120. Each bundle comes with the album, a sticker, and a signed poster, along with whatever other items the fans select.