Excitement continues to rise this morning for Jimmy Eat World‘s forthcoming album, Damage, and now we have some insight on the inspiration for the record.

In a new interview with Billboard, JEW frontman Jim Adkins was asked what inspired the band’s latest material. Though his response is a bit more in depth than our headline might lead you to believe, Adkins essentially reveals that a great deal of the album is intended to be what he calls an “adult break-up record.” You can view an excerpt from the article below. Click here for the full feature. Continue reading ‘Jimmy Eat World Frontman Says ‘Damage’ Is An Adult Breakup Album’

What’s with lyric videos these days, right?

Just days after premiering the audio, Jimmy Eat World have released a lyric video for their new single “I Will Steal You Back.

Taking cues from their earlier work and adding a mature twist of reflection, Jimmy Eat World’s latest goes down like cool lemonade on a hot Summer’s day. The band has clearly settled into their own groove at this point, and as long as the album doesn’t pull too many surprise punches I’m sure it will be another fantastic release to add to their beloved catalog. I’m still unsure whether or not a lyric video two days after a song premiere is necessary, but it’s a fun extra for those who want to experience the band’s latest in a different way.

Damage hits stores June 11. Continue reading ‘Jimmy Eat World Release “I Will Steal You Back” Lyric Video’

With 2012 behind us and a new year in front of us, what better time to put those New Year’s resolutions to the test? This week’s playlist is comprised of songs designed to inspire and motivate, so you’ll be able to tackle resolutions of all sizes with a little more ease. The playlist includes OurStage artist and Boston natives, The Hush Now.

More like this:

• Soundtrax: Songs For Early Winter
• SoundTrax: Summer Road Trip

Canons

Some bands use music as catharsis, grinding their axe against the injustices of the world. Some use it to broadcast emotion, bearing their hearts for all to see. And maybe some use it to ask questions—to ponder the inner workings of the universe. Canons, out of Tecumseh, Mich., uses music to celebrate their faith. But it’s not all choirs of angels and heavenly trumpets. Their music draws not only from divine inspiration, but from secular bands like Jimmy Eat World and Coldplay. “Someday Soon” is angular and turbulent, a caveat for those wasting their time here on Earth. “Someday we’ll wake up and see the dream is gone,” sings Dustin Lolli over crystalline guitars and thrashing drums. If that’s too dark a thought for you, skip over to “Take Hold Of My Hand,” a power ballad that compels you to wave your lighter in the air. Reverent rock isn’t for everyone, but if the spirit moves you, let there be light.

June Divided

The genesis story of June Divided isn’t that different from the vast majority of bands. Boy meets girl at college. Boy and girl write songs in dorm rooms. Boy and girl find drummer through Craigstlist; recruit college buddy on bass. But not every band immediately goes on to gigs at SXSW, Warped Tour, and mtvU. The velocity of June Divided’s career can be attributed to the band’s potent pop rock. Think Jimmy Eats world meets Thrice meets Paramore. On “Bullet” jagged guitars intersect with the candy-coated barb of singer Melissa Menago’s vocals. It’s a joyride through distortion and melody, meant to be cranked up and rocked out to. The adrenaline levels don’t dip in “Perfect Storm” where guitars are braided together, drums crash, and Menago’s plaintive voice reaches up into the firmament. “I think this might be the calm before the storm,” she sings. So do we.

I arrived at The Bamboozle Festival on Friday evening, just as the sun was setting over the Jersey Shore. I’d never been to Asbury Park before, so I decided to get the lay of the land before I wandered over to see Incubus. The layout of the festival was much different than it’s been the past few years, since it moved a bit farther south from its past location at the Giants’ Stadium parking lot.

I caught the second half of Incubus’ set and continue to be amazed at how tight they are as a live band…they’re as good as their recordings, if not better. One awesome thing about having the festival at Asbury Park is having the Main Stage right on the beach. Watching Incubus play “Wish You Were Here” with my toes in the sand was pretty cool.

It’s always surprising how many more people come to Bamboozle on the second day. By the time I arrived on Saturday afternoon, the beach was packed and people were ready to party. There was a rave on the sand, The All-American Rejects were rockin’ out on the Main Stage and I was headed to the Berkeley Hotel to interview Dan Didier, drummer for The Promise Ring. He had some interesting and insightful things to say about the band’s reunion and upcoming tour. Keep an eye on OurStage Magazine for the full article!

After the interview, I ran over to the Main Stage to catch Jimmy Eat World and My Chemical Romance (original headlining act Blink-182 had to pull out last minute due to a medical emergency, so My Chem filled in). Jimmy Eat World played a full set of classics and singles like “The Middle” and “Bleed American.” They put on a fun and dynamic performance that clearly satisfied their hungry fanbase.

My Chemical Romance has been one of my favorite bands for ten years, so it was a special treat to catch them at Bamboozle and performing in their home state of New Jersey. Playing a great mix of their four albums, the guys were as energetic as ever. Unfortunately, there seemed to be a problem with the live mix, so it was almost impossible to hear them for about half of the set. Even so, the crowd was certainly happy to see them and pleased with the eclectic setlist.

Continue reading ‘A Look Back at Bamboozle 2012′

With all this talk about Warped Tour, I’ve been getting pumped up for summer…which means blasting loud, energetic pop rock from my car stereo whenever possible. I’m a firm believer that the right music can change your mood, and I guarantee that these tunes will have you feeling stoked and stress-free. OurStage artists Letterday, The Reel, Bright and Early and Forget Paris join Jimmy Eat World, Paramore, Sugarcult, Fall Out Boy and Something Corporate in this Pop Rock Party playlist. What are you waiting for? Put on your shades, roll down your windows and crank it up.

Flagstaff, Arizona’s Fight The Quiet has a long list of influences, from Death Can For Cutie to Foo Fighters to Guns ‘N Roses. You can catch snippets of all of them in the band’s fervent rock. There’s the gnarly guitar solo of “Sway” that tips its top hat to Slash, and the motivational artillery of “This Is The Moment” that follows the earnest, post-punk footsteps of alternative bands like Jimmy Eat World. You might think these influences are strange bedfellows, but what holds them all together is Fight The Quiet’s tenderhearted take on what it means to kick ass. Guitars chug and charge through banks of distortion, drums thrash, unrest creeps in—but as intense as things can get, the band always wears its heart on its sleeve. It’s hard to pull off lyrics like “Living without you / That ain’t living at all” while still maintaining your edge. But Fight The Quiet does it, and does it well.

The Good

2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees announced

Champagne’s a flowin’ at the homes of Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, LL Cool J and Dr. John, who among others, were all nominated into the 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this week. The induction ceremony will take place on March 14th in Cleveland, Ohio. We would like an Alice Cooper/Neil Diamond duet please … to whoever is taking requests.

Joe Jonas is ridin’ solo

Following in his little bro’s footsteps, or maybe heeding the advice of Jason Derülo, Joe Jonas announced plans to record a solo all by himself. Something with “a sexier, Justin Timberlake vibe,” says the Middle One. Sexier than “Camp Rock”? Can it be done? We’ll all find out in 2011…

The Bad

Mariah Carey falls in Singapore

If you’re gonna fall, fall with class. Like Mariah Carey, who took a tumble in Singapore but smiled the whole way down. Then things got a little more diva-ish when Carey yelled for her assistant to come help her take her shoes off while the band kept playing “Make It Happen.” Check it out below.

Katy Perry avenges her “Sesame Street” snub

On SNL this past weekend, Katy Perry avenged her Sesame Street-banned bust by donning a low-cut Elmo t-shirt and bouncing around on a sofa. Those muppets must be seeing red!

The Ugly

MC Hammer starts beef with Jay Z

This would be funny if it weren’t so sad. Back story: On Kanye West’s song “So Appalled,” Jay-Z delivers a line about “blowing through $30,000 like Hammer.” Well, Mr. MC Hammer was none too pleased about that, and responded on Twitter by linking to a video of himself beating up a punching bag. “You want my attention [Jigga] you got it.” Punch, punch, punch. It’s all kind of embarrassing and feeble, but we’ll play along. Please Hammer, don’t hurt him!

Miscellany

• Kanye West to drop new album on 11/22
• Pete Doherty busted for cocaine possession
• Daft Punk’s Tron Legacy soundtrack drops 11/22
• MGMT drummer gets hit in head by thrown object, walks off stage
• Lady Gaga’s grandfather passes away from Parkinson’s
• Peaches brings Peaches Christ Superstar to North America
• Jimmy Eat World new album Invented released
• John Legend and the Roots cover Arcade Fire
• Kid Cudi pleads guilty to possessing a jar (!) of cocaine
• Wyclef Jean hospitalized for exhaustion
• Bruce Springsteen photo bombs couple’s engagement shoot
• M.I.A. to play free show at Brooklyn Bowl