Banner Pilot

If you guys know me, you'd laugh at the thought of me doing Jiu-Jistu. Even I think its ridiculous, especially when I'm deep in someone's guillotine choke hold, gasping for air, futilely trying to squirm my way out of my attackers rock hard death grip. That's usually what I think, when I'm 5 seconds away from black out or a hyper extended elbow, 'This is ridiculous! (substituted with ridonkulous, depending on how saucy I am feeling that day).' It truly is, considering I've got the killer instinct of a buddhist monk in deep meditation. 

....My long winded point, and there is one, is that normally, that's what runs through the anti-fighter's head (yours truly) bout after bout, submission after submission. But tonight was different. Hours before, after stumbling upon (because I am never graceful) Banner Pilot's 2008 release 'Resignation Day', all I could think about was getting back and listening to it some more. It was clearly all I talked about pre fight, and instead of picking up tips from my more experienced younger brother, I got lost in recapturing that feeling I first felt when hearing Banner Pilot. 

I was met with an in your face pop punk record that would not escape my head, just like I couldn't escape my brother's guard position. Infectious melodies and driving bass lines, hit hard (like a knee to the stomach) and coupled with the gruff vocals which make you wonder if the vocalist has any vocal chords left (or what they are made of) that we all know and love from our Minneapolis punk bands. Seriously, do all people sound like this in Minneapolis? The women would be intimidating to say the least (I probably would tap to them too)

I can't imagine how fun it would be to see a Banner Pilot show - the songs just make you want to get up and dance like only a white person could, grabbing unsuspecting neighbors who join in  with your uncoordinated 'dance', doing your best Jackson Pollock impression (inadvertently), the venue floor in a sticky coat of over priced beer. Ah...if only. Way better than getting your ass handed to you in Jiu-Jitsu! By your kid brother no less!

Banner Pilot myspace

Emery - While Broken Hearts Prevail EP

Emery is a band I've often overlooked. I went through this period or phase where, I believe the scientific term is, I thought I was 'too cool for school'. I slapped a label on these guys, dismissing them as a run of the mill generic pop punk band. And maybe they are, or were, but their 2008 release, a 7 song EP is still a strong release. The subject matter may feel a bit exhausted, with the title of the EP aptly foreshadowing what's to come on the 25 minute long disc, and that might the the major downfall, which combined with cheesy lyrics (all IMO of course) have Emery looking like a dime a dozen in todays scene. Thoughtlife, with a piano romping thourghout the track newar the end of the EP has lyrics that just seem so lame and matter of fact, that you'll want to slap whoever thought them up.

"I would have offered my life! Taken you home! Made you my wife (eww barf) but hearing you now, filling your mouth with a cowards lines, you're just a disguise, of the girl of my dreams. But I know she's waiting for me." (laaame sauce man!)

Barf unducing cringe-worthy lameness aside,  the first half of the EP is quite strong and well worth hearing, especially if you are a fan. The vocals and for the most part strong song writing make Emery seem capable of bigger and better things in the future. Now if you'll excuse me..."I would  have offered my liiiiiife, taken you hoooooooome! made you my wiiiife. (yuck)

Check These Guys Out!

Just some stuff I've been listening to lately. 

1) Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground

From Seattle, and listed as Alternative/Experimental/Lounge, I'm making my way through their self titled as I'm typing this up, and I still don't know what to make of the band, much less write something clever about them. Saying that members from Gatsby's American Dream were involved piqued my interest, but if you're expecting the catchy but non-conventional pop/punk stylings of GAD, you won't find it here. Except maybe the quirkiness of the aforementioned band, one easy way to describe these guys is fresh! A pleasant surprise. Strong vocals and song writing will keep you interested. Imagine if Panic At The Disco were successful at trying to do it is they do.

2) Demians

Nicholas Chapel just seems like a guy who's so sure of himself and what he's good at and I'm not the only one to notice. Steven Wilson, of Porcupine Tree fame seems to think so, and the one man machine that is the French outfit Demians succeeds in creating an amazing, emotional and just damn good debut in Building an Empire. Prog rock that isn't boring? Oui, s'il vous plait!

3) Anberlin

Looking at the past couple of entries, it's no secret I dig these guys. But check out the myspace if I haven't persuaded you to do so yet- you can peep their rerecording of their song Feel Good Drag, which features on the recently released New Surrender. A great way to sum up what's good about the band - besides being a  strong track, this track represent how the band utilize strong song writing and instrumentation to breathe life into an older song that could've sounded stale if just plucked from their back catalogue - just like they do to the pop punk genre they unfortunately are grouped into.

4) The Riot Before

It seems like there are a lot of soulful, impassioned white dudes around these days. But instead of losing its appeal with the whole 'folk-punk!?been there done that!' schpiel, The Riot Before squeak by and put a smile on my face. With the word on the street being they sound like Against Me! and The Gaslight Anthem (and I'm inclined to agree), I could see these guys blowing up. I can't believe they're not from Gainesville! 

5) Emarosa

Energetic, fast, with amazing vocals make this hard for me to pass up. With Jonny Craig and his godly pipes searing through walls of quick picked riffs and hard hitting chords. You may see it all over Hot Topic and in scene kids Ipods, but don't let that deter you from enjoying a great band.

6) Lisa Hannigan

I just picture the streets of Dublin teeming with red-haired, Guiness wielding musicians singing gaily, arm in arm. Sort of like a scene straight out of a Disney flick (don't pay attention to my warped mind, I don't understand it either). You may recognize Lisa Hannigan's name from another famous Irish musician, the ever-melancholy tear jerker Damien Rice. Up until his latest release, 9, she graced his songs and added a beautiful, haunting contrast to his sincere and pained voice. But enough about him, because Miss Hannigan's ethereal voice definitely holds its own on her debut release Sea Sew

7) Thursday/Envy

NJ and Japan may not have very much in common, but these two bands seem to be on the same page with this 7 track EP split. With equally strong showings from both sides of the world, the bands create atmospheric post rock with exciting, crushing vocals (especially Envy!) Lots of moments where you're mouth will hit the floor and stay there, which is saying a lot for an EP