Tag: "travis barker"

Three weeks after its release, many of you long-time Blink-182 fans have probably given a listen to their new 5-track EP, Dogs Eating Dogs. I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive putting my headphones on, as I was not too thrilled with the results of their 2011 reunion album, Neighborhoods. Recent press and interviews with the band, however, indicated a possible shift in the right direction. Drummer Travis Barker was quoted saying, “To me, this EP is a hundred times better than Neighborhoods.” The band realizing that there was something not quite right with the prior LP bode well for the EP. Neighborhoods was apparently recorded via file sharing, where each member individually worked their parts out and sent them back and forth, rather than working collectively. Having recently parted with their long-time label, Interscope Records, Blink hit the studio on their own for the first time since Flyswatter (throwback much?) and did so in traditional fashion – together, as a band.

Continue reading ‘Review: Blink-182′s ‘Dogs Eating Dogs’ EP’

Merry Blinkmas! According to bassist Mark Hoppus, Blink-182′s first release as an independent band, following their departure from Universal Music Group, will drop on December 18. The still-untitled EP will be the first new music from the band since their 2011 full-length effort Neighborhoods, the album that brought the band back out of their extended indefinite hiatus. In addition to new music, fans will have the ability to receive ”a special screened, museum-quality poster, limited-edition T-shirts and sweatshirts, wrapping paper, holiday cards” and more through a pre-order at the band’s website. The band supposedly has been enjoying an unprecedented amount of creative freedom with the absence of a major label contract. Blink’s decision to release an EP of new music, instead of a full-length, is reminiscent of Hawthorne Heights’ recent string of EPs, which the band has independently released through their own record label. Check out our interview with Hawthorne Heights to hear their thoughts on the promising future of short format releases.

Can’t wait for the new Blink EP? Check out OurStage’s own Aimless Again!

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• Blink-182 Working On New Album
• Aimless Again Vs. Blink-182

Pop-punk veterans Blink-182 have plans to write and record a follow up to 2011′s return from hiatus, Neighborhoods. According to NME.com, bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus says the trio are “starting to write a new record right now… [but the] new album probably won’t happen for about a year,” due to current tour schedules. Hoppus hopes to bring some life back into the music world after what he believes to have been “a dry summer” in 2011, “devoid of a lot of great new music.” Drummer Travis Barker adds, ”I feel like the best is yet to come, the next album is going to be exciting.” So keep your ear to the ground for more updates on the next album from Blink-182!

If you like Blink-182, then you might also like OurStage’s own Aimless Again.

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• Aimless Again Vs. Blink-182
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Since their win in Guitar Center’s “Your Next Record with Travis Barker” Competition last March, Twin Berlin have been busy. Not only were they flown to LA to record at Red Bull Studios with renowned drummer Travis Barker, but they were also interviewed by MTV, wined and dined by Guitar Center and hooked up with some new swag from The Fast Life, Travis Barker’s clothing line. It’s safe to say their time in LA was a whirlwind adventure! Check out what Matt, Sean and James had to say about their experience.

SUNDAY: ”We landed in LA and everything started to really sink in. Picked up the rental car, rolled up to the hotel where we were met with screaming fans trying to bust in the front lobby. OK, that didn’t really happen, but we can pretend, right?”

MONDAY: “Day 2 in Los Angeles kicked off our recording at Red Bull Studios with Travis Barker. Even before we got there the crew was loading in Travis’ drums and getting everything together to start tracking (oh, and James is using Travis’ kit for the recordings!!)”

TUESDAY: “Tuesday started out with more of the same… potty humor, working out the click track/setting the tempo, tracking like a pro. We’ve done some things in studio that I never thought would happen in a million years.”

WEDNESDAY: ”When we arrived in studio, it was a madhouse. Travis and crew were already there, Haven was setting up for the EPK interviews and MTV news stopped in to do a brief interview with us and with Trav.” Continue reading ‘Twin Berlin Hits The Studio With Travis Barker’

Travis Barker is perhaps one of the most, if not the only, universally recognized drummer in today’s musical landscape. In March, we came together with Guitar Center to give one OurStage artist a chance to work with him. Now, after battling their way through thousands of other entrants and pleasing the ears of the judging panel—including Travis Barker himself—Twin Berlin is taking home Guitar Center’s “Your Next Record with Travis Barker” Competition Grand Prize!

The Connecticut-based trio spends their time bridging the gap between New York City and Boston with an aim to take over the local indie scene. Steadfast in their mission to bring back the no frills rock ‘n’ roll good times, the group is turning heads quickly thanks to television appearances and an MTV “Best Breakout Boston” Award nomination. Twin Berlin landed the Grand Prize with their song “Can’t Take, Take, Take“. Be sure to check out their OurStage profile for more info and tunes. 

Congrats to Twin Berlin from everyone at OurStage and Guitar Center! Check back to the OurStage magazine for our interview with Twin Berlin about their experience.

We’ve had some fun, but all good things must come to an end and the Guitar Center’s “Your Next Record with Travis Barker” Song Competition is no exception. Now, Fans, you have a job to do! Your judging could be the deciding voice that helps one artist get a  $10,000 shopping spree at Guitar Center and the chance to record with the one and only Travis Barker. Don’t think that helping out your favorite artist is your only reward though. For judging in the channel, fans have a chance at some awesome swag. Each week, one lucky fan who judges in the competition wins an autographed OCDP snare drum head from Mr. Barker himself. Pretty sweet, right? Well there’s still one week left to judge, so you have one last chance to win!  Get yourself over to the channel now and let your voice be heard by May 15th! Helping out the bands you love and winning some one of a kind gear along the way? Doesn’t get much better than that. Check out the playlist below to get a taste of the kind of music you can discover while judging.

It’s not too late people—there’s still time to enter your song in Guitar Center’s “Your Next Record with Travis Barker” Competition on OurStage! One Grand Prize winner will join the ranks of the many killer artists that Barker has lent his talents to over the years including Tom Morello, Raekwon, RZA, Slash and Game. How might you ask? The best way he knows how: by rocking out on the drums of course.  The Grand Prize winner will receive the ultimate rock star prize package including a trip to Los Angeles to record a 3-song EP with Barker at the Red Bull Studios and a $10,000 shopping spree at Guitar Center. Barker will play drums on one single from the EP, which will be distributed worldwide by TuneCore. It’s pretty much your one-way ticket to rock super-stardom, so enter your best track by April 30, 2011 for your chance to win!

Fans can also join in on the rock ‘n’ roll party by judging in Guitar Center’s “Your Next Record with Travis Barker” Sweepstakes. Judge in the competition by May 15, 2011 and you could win an OCDP snare drum autographed by Travis Barker himself! Help the best artists get their big break, and you could walk away with a priceless piece of rock history. Everyone goes home happy. Cruise through the playlist below to check out some of the hottest artists in the competition.