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.

An Artist Manager's Dream or Nightmare?

Idolator

Billie Joe, lead singer of Green Day, gave quite the performance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival last week. According to WPTV, Billie Joe’s reaction was in response to his set being cut short during the concert. After throwing around a few f-bombs, Billie Joe went on to smash his guitar on stage, outwardly displaying his anger and frustration. For the past few days, fans have been buzzing about the performance and the allegation that Billy Joe has checked into rehab for substance abuse (Alternative Press).

Punk Goes Pop Volume 5 Release Date

Punk Goes

Fearless Records just announced that ‘Punk Goes Pop Volume 5’ is to be released on November 6. This album is the fifth volume in the Punk Goes Pop series and includes performances by The Maine, Mayday Parade, We Came as Romans, Breathe Carolina, and Forever the Sickest Kids. The collection is well known for their other albums such as ‘Punk Goes Crunk,’ which features alternative rock artists covering R&B songs, ‘Punk Goes Classic Rock’, which features classic rock songs, and ‘Punk Goes Acoustic’, which features alternative rock songs.