TOXIC
New Member
www.toxicpromotions.net presents:
Bouncing Souls
+ special guests The Draft (ex Hot Water Music)
The Voodoo Lounge
Saturday 17th of February 2006
Tickets onsale next week www.tickets.ie
http://www.bouncingsouls.com
http://www.myspace.com/bouncingsouls
http://www.thedraftband.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedraft
http://www.myspace.com/hotwatermusic
BOUNCING SOULS
Asbury Park, NJ is Bruce Springsteens town. Theres no two ways about it. So when The Bouncing Souls moved there to write what would become The Gold Record, Bruces old ghosts, spirits which permeate the area, were almost sure to appear. It happens to anyone whos ever been to a rock show at The Stone Pony, Asburys most famous jaunt. Ive seen it time and time again. Shit, Ive even seen the Souls cover Springsteen at the Pony. Anyway, in 1999 Springsteen made it into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame for the songwriting abilities he honed on the Jersey Shore. In 2006 its fitting that the Souls create their latest album on the same hallowed streets. The result is undoubtedly the Bouncing Souls greatest achievement in songwriting and what will be one of the best albums of the year.
Sure, the Bouncing Souls have written some great tunes, but never have so many been put onto one cohesive disc. All the energy of their first few albums are evident as well as the youthful melody of their latter ones. The difference here is an obvious maturity in their ability to craft a multi-layered song that isnt overly complicated and still accessible to old school fans.
The first track, The Gold Song serves as a proper introduction. You can picture it as a fist-pumping, show-opener for years to come. When the chorus comes around and singer Greg Attonito boasts I heard someone say that nothing gold can stay, but theres a love in all our souls and it shines like gold, you realize the Bouncing Souls wear their souls on their sleeves and yes you can feel the love.
The second track is where I mostly draw the Springsteen parallel. Its called, oddly enough, So Jersey and its a love song about risking it all, growing up and the music that provides the soundtrack of hope. The ever-so faint backdrop of piano provides a touch of straight up rock n roll, right out of Born to Run. It works beautifully and takes the song to a whole new level, a level only a punk band with the integrity of the Bouncing Souls could pull off without sounding manufactured. The E-Street Band would be proud.
While most of the songs are about love, life, music, and the unspoken for, the lyrics to one of the most heartfelt songs werent even written by the band. They were written by a soldier with the U.S. military. Letters From Iraq stems from a page on bouncingsouls.com featuring soul baring insight into the thoughts and feelings of soldiers overseas. To hear the words from the pen of someone living in a warzone can be downright chilling. Underneath the palms, theres improvised bombs. Because, Jihad Johnny knows Yankee is a liar. Back that up with a thumping beat and youve got yourself the protest song Anti-Flag wish they wrote.
Theres been plenty of positive words written about the Bouncing Souls over the years. I asked a friend not too long ago if he liked them and his response was who doesnt like the Bouncing Souls? Theyve cemented themselves as a group a lot of bands want to be and you know something? They just get better as time goes on. To hear them do what they do is pure love and when youre that passionate about something, the love does indeed shine like gold.
THE DRAFT
Reinvention can be a bitch. But for the men behind The Draft three-fourths of whom recently crawled from the wreckage of the now-defunct, legendary post-punk outfit Hot Water Music taking a powder was never, ever an option. Instead, frontman/guitarist Chris Wollard, bassist/spokesman Jason Black and drummer George Rebelo the nucleus of what became this new band stared down their collective doubts and insecurities, flipped off their detractors, recruited a new guitarist in longtime associate Todd Rockhill and took the next evolutionary step.
Although their captivating, incendiary debut offering is called In A Million Pieces, its by no means a reflection of The Draft. Arguably as cohesive an album, if not more so, than anything HWM ever laid down in its decade-plus of existence, the disc is downright daring in certain respects. And with that notion, Blacks enthusiasm comes as little surprise. Theres nothing on this one that I want to bury, he says proudly. I love all twelve songs.
The cathartic but melodic Alive Or Dead from which the disc draws its title is as much of a vibrant, memorable anthem as it is a testimonial to the difficulties ushered in by unexpected change. Not to be outdone, the simply awesome All We Can Count On with its irresistible, chant-along refrain and xylophone touches is just another in a number of vigorous swings on an album conceived and realized with the shackles off.
I think we all knew there was no way that we wouldnt just completely start over as a new band, Black explains. We always said that the minute one of us walked away from Hot Water, then that was it. But it was totally scary. At the same time, I dont think we had the desire to keep pushing it as Hot Water Music. Wed done a lot.
With a new moniker derived from old school military connotations in place, the band soldiered forth, driving up to the new Baltimore facility of longtime HWM producer Brian McTernan to cut demos in the Spring of 2005. While iconic punk guitarist Brian Baker (of Bad Religion, Dag Nasty and Minor Threat fame) was in tow for those early sessions and toyed with the thought of joining The Draft, it wasnt until the addition of Rockhill a man with one of the coolest genuine surnames in music that the lineup cemented and In A Million Pieces was perfected.
Initially we wanted to just be a three-piece but after writing for a while we knew that by the time we got out of the studio we wouldnt be able to pull it off live, Black explains. Weve known Todd for almost ten years, He played in a band called Discount that Hot Water went to Europe with in 99 and we knew he was a super good guitar player. Bringing Todd into the band was just one of those things that we knew would work.
And one needs to look no further than the scorching, ska-inspired thump of Let It Go or the blissful, bombastic rock & roll opus Wired to hear how In A Million Pieces not only thrives on equal parts effort and innovation. There were definitely some confines in Hot Water Music that dont exist any more, Black says of the rejuvenated foursome. Were a whole new band. And even if our fans arent looking at it that way, we are especially from the writing standpoint. So for us, its nice to say, Shit. I dont care if we would never do something like this before. On some level, Im sure it was purposeful for us to do some stuff thats different as a way to get our own identity going.
And if Wollard despite dalliances with the microphone here and there during HWMs decade long existence had any trepidations about moving out in front of the band full time, The Drafts positively received live shows last summer coupled with his bandmates enthusiasm for In A Million Pieces helped put them to rest. I think Chris was born to do it, Black says. Im glad that whatever we had to go through on this record, the end result is that this record is great. This is the best stuff Chris has ever written.
From the edgy, hook-laden Bordering catches Wollards and Rockhills respective guitars ringing atop Blacks rumbling bass and Rebelos furious drumming, its just one example of how The Draft have lined their debut disc with sonic gold. Be it the urgent charge of Longshot, the memorable punk rocker Not What I Want To Do or the scorching, gang-chorused Lo Zee Rose, the band has cut a new melodic path.
For Black, the kick of trying something new far outweighs the risk of mixed public opinion. We kind of feel like, if you dont want to put yourselves out there for public scrutiny, then dont play shows and dont play records, he says.
I figure there will be three types of people that hear the record, the outspoken bassist continues. One people that never heard Hot Water Music and can listen completely without bias. Two people that purchased it because they were supportive of Hot Water and are into it; and Three people that hear it and were into Hot Water and want to hate it. So Im just ready for all three and we expect that theres going to be detractors no matter what.
Backbiters be damned. The Draft are alive with zeal and optimism as captured to perfection on the explosive, victorious New Eyes Open. With it, Wollard captures what it means to not only stare down adversity, but kick it in the pants. Or as Black sums up confidently, Its kind of nice because even though were using most of the same people, its like having a whole new set of tools.
New eyes open, indeed.
Bouncing Souls
+ special guests The Draft (ex Hot Water Music)
The Voodoo Lounge
Saturday 17th of February 2006
Tickets onsale next week www.tickets.ie
http://www.bouncingsouls.com
http://www.myspace.com/bouncingsouls
http://www.thedraftband.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedraft
http://www.myspace.com/hotwatermusic
BOUNCING SOULS
Asbury Park, NJ is Bruce Springsteens town. Theres no two ways about it. So when The Bouncing Souls moved there to write what would become The Gold Record, Bruces old ghosts, spirits which permeate the area, were almost sure to appear. It happens to anyone whos ever been to a rock show at The Stone Pony, Asburys most famous jaunt. Ive seen it time and time again. Shit, Ive even seen the Souls cover Springsteen at the Pony. Anyway, in 1999 Springsteen made it into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame for the songwriting abilities he honed on the Jersey Shore. In 2006 its fitting that the Souls create their latest album on the same hallowed streets. The result is undoubtedly the Bouncing Souls greatest achievement in songwriting and what will be one of the best albums of the year.
Sure, the Bouncing Souls have written some great tunes, but never have so many been put onto one cohesive disc. All the energy of their first few albums are evident as well as the youthful melody of their latter ones. The difference here is an obvious maturity in their ability to craft a multi-layered song that isnt overly complicated and still accessible to old school fans.
The first track, The Gold Song serves as a proper introduction. You can picture it as a fist-pumping, show-opener for years to come. When the chorus comes around and singer Greg Attonito boasts I heard someone say that nothing gold can stay, but theres a love in all our souls and it shines like gold, you realize the Bouncing Souls wear their souls on their sleeves and yes you can feel the love.
The second track is where I mostly draw the Springsteen parallel. Its called, oddly enough, So Jersey and its a love song about risking it all, growing up and the music that provides the soundtrack of hope. The ever-so faint backdrop of piano provides a touch of straight up rock n roll, right out of Born to Run. It works beautifully and takes the song to a whole new level, a level only a punk band with the integrity of the Bouncing Souls could pull off without sounding manufactured. The E-Street Band would be proud.
While most of the songs are about love, life, music, and the unspoken for, the lyrics to one of the most heartfelt songs werent even written by the band. They were written by a soldier with the U.S. military. Letters From Iraq stems from a page on bouncingsouls.com featuring soul baring insight into the thoughts and feelings of soldiers overseas. To hear the words from the pen of someone living in a warzone can be downright chilling. Underneath the palms, theres improvised bombs. Because, Jihad Johnny knows Yankee is a liar. Back that up with a thumping beat and youve got yourself the protest song Anti-Flag wish they wrote.
Theres been plenty of positive words written about the Bouncing Souls over the years. I asked a friend not too long ago if he liked them and his response was who doesnt like the Bouncing Souls? Theyve cemented themselves as a group a lot of bands want to be and you know something? They just get better as time goes on. To hear them do what they do is pure love and when youre that passionate about something, the love does indeed shine like gold.
THE DRAFT
Reinvention can be a bitch. But for the men behind The Draft three-fourths of whom recently crawled from the wreckage of the now-defunct, legendary post-punk outfit Hot Water Music taking a powder was never, ever an option. Instead, frontman/guitarist Chris Wollard, bassist/spokesman Jason Black and drummer George Rebelo the nucleus of what became this new band stared down their collective doubts and insecurities, flipped off their detractors, recruited a new guitarist in longtime associate Todd Rockhill and took the next evolutionary step.
Although their captivating, incendiary debut offering is called In A Million Pieces, its by no means a reflection of The Draft. Arguably as cohesive an album, if not more so, than anything HWM ever laid down in its decade-plus of existence, the disc is downright daring in certain respects. And with that notion, Blacks enthusiasm comes as little surprise. Theres nothing on this one that I want to bury, he says proudly. I love all twelve songs.
The cathartic but melodic Alive Or Dead from which the disc draws its title is as much of a vibrant, memorable anthem as it is a testimonial to the difficulties ushered in by unexpected change. Not to be outdone, the simply awesome All We Can Count On with its irresistible, chant-along refrain and xylophone touches is just another in a number of vigorous swings on an album conceived and realized with the shackles off.
I think we all knew there was no way that we wouldnt just completely start over as a new band, Black explains. We always said that the minute one of us walked away from Hot Water, then that was it. But it was totally scary. At the same time, I dont think we had the desire to keep pushing it as Hot Water Music. Wed done a lot.
With a new moniker derived from old school military connotations in place, the band soldiered forth, driving up to the new Baltimore facility of longtime HWM producer Brian McTernan to cut demos in the Spring of 2005. While iconic punk guitarist Brian Baker (of Bad Religion, Dag Nasty and Minor Threat fame) was in tow for those early sessions and toyed with the thought of joining The Draft, it wasnt until the addition of Rockhill a man with one of the coolest genuine surnames in music that the lineup cemented and In A Million Pieces was perfected.
Initially we wanted to just be a three-piece but after writing for a while we knew that by the time we got out of the studio we wouldnt be able to pull it off live, Black explains. Weve known Todd for almost ten years, He played in a band called Discount that Hot Water went to Europe with in 99 and we knew he was a super good guitar player. Bringing Todd into the band was just one of those things that we knew would work.
And one needs to look no further than the scorching, ska-inspired thump of Let It Go or the blissful, bombastic rock & roll opus Wired to hear how In A Million Pieces not only thrives on equal parts effort and innovation. There were definitely some confines in Hot Water Music that dont exist any more, Black says of the rejuvenated foursome. Were a whole new band. And even if our fans arent looking at it that way, we are especially from the writing standpoint. So for us, its nice to say, Shit. I dont care if we would never do something like this before. On some level, Im sure it was purposeful for us to do some stuff thats different as a way to get our own identity going.
And if Wollard despite dalliances with the microphone here and there during HWMs decade long existence had any trepidations about moving out in front of the band full time, The Drafts positively received live shows last summer coupled with his bandmates enthusiasm for In A Million Pieces helped put them to rest. I think Chris was born to do it, Black says. Im glad that whatever we had to go through on this record, the end result is that this record is great. This is the best stuff Chris has ever written.
From the edgy, hook-laden Bordering catches Wollards and Rockhills respective guitars ringing atop Blacks rumbling bass and Rebelos furious drumming, its just one example of how The Draft have lined their debut disc with sonic gold. Be it the urgent charge of Longshot, the memorable punk rocker Not What I Want To Do or the scorching, gang-chorused Lo Zee Rose, the band has cut a new melodic path.
For Black, the kick of trying something new far outweighs the risk of mixed public opinion. We kind of feel like, if you dont want to put yourselves out there for public scrutiny, then dont play shows and dont play records, he says.
I figure there will be three types of people that hear the record, the outspoken bassist continues. One people that never heard Hot Water Music and can listen completely without bias. Two people that purchased it because they were supportive of Hot Water and are into it; and Three people that hear it and were into Hot Water and want to hate it. So Im just ready for all three and we expect that theres going to be detractors no matter what.
Backbiters be damned. The Draft are alive with zeal and optimism as captured to perfection on the explosive, victorious New Eyes Open. With it, Wollard captures what it means to not only stare down adversity, but kick it in the pants. Or as Black sums up confidently, Its kind of nice because even though were using most of the same people, its like having a whole new set of tools.
New eyes open, indeed.
