Issue #11

ISSUE 11

HIGHLIGHT

featuring

craig owens

MAGAZINE

RIVAL SUMMERS // MAN OVERBOARD // AMITY AFFLICTION // YELLOWCARD // NEVER SHOUT NEVER

HIGHLIGHT STAFF co-founder – Editor-In-chief – Press – photography Ashley Osborn

Art Director – Magazine Production – Photography Cara Bahniuk

CO-founder – legal McKenzie Hughes

Features Editor – Writer Liz Brossard

Online Editor

Jenn Stookey

Digital Marketing Coordinator Misty Frederick

online media coordinator Anjel Lopez

copy editor Haley Todd

Contributing Photographers

Derrick Austinson, Jared Kocka, Charlie Martel, Heather Phillips, Sammy Roenfeldt, Sam San Roman and Nesha Torres

Contributing writers (Online & Publication)

Ryan Argast, Haley Black, Jennifer Boylen, Colleen Casey, Tamara Fuentes, Will Howard, Logan Kant, Jessica Klinner, Taylor Pittman and Morgan Waldorf

BECOME SOCIAL WITH US website - www,highlightmagazine.net facebook - www.facebook.com/highlightmagazine twitter - @highlightzine INSTAGRAM - @highlight_mag

INSIDE FEATURES

28 Craig owens

INSIDE FEATURES

8 current trends

“What I think your clothing can do for you is make you feel comfortable and confident.” Come meet your new favorite clothing company, Wishful Thinker Clothing!

14 rival summers

If a musician describes their sound as passionate, sincere and positive, you know they’re definitely some one worth checking out. Come meet Michigan natives (and you’re new favorite band), Rival Summers.

9 industry Highlight 18 man overboard If you’ve attended Warped Tour recently, you’ve probably become familiar with Feed Our Children NOW! We caught up with Tour Manager Franny Lopez and we’re giving you the inside scoop!

10 label highlight

Legendary Los Angeles-based Epitaph Records has gained respect as one of the largest independent labels in the world.

Come see who we highlighted as our favorite artists on their current roster!

With a full-length album, an incredible spring tour and a full run on the 2013 Vans Warped Tour ahead of them, Man Overboard is certainly preparing now more than ever to defend pop punk.

12 New Year Resolutions

We all make them every year - see what your favorite artists and bands had to say about what they want to accomplish in 2013!

Through ups and downs, several successful bands, and years later, Craig Owens could not be stronger and still genuinely excited about being a musician. We at Highlight are here to prove once and for all that Craig Owens represents everything that is right in the music industry.

38 photos

Missed any tours this winter? Well - we’re here to help make you feel like you were front and center.

20 the amity affliction 42 reviews After forming over eight years ago, The Amity Affliction is rapidly taking over the music industry. However, the journey hasn’t all been a walk in the park. Vocalist Joel Birch gave us the details.

11 venue highlight 22 yellowcard The Palladium in Worcester, MA. is the heart of the Massachusetts music scene.

We’re got the backstory and we’re giving you the 411 on this incredible venue!

28 craig owens

Yellowcard has been a band for around fifteen years. Can you imagine how much they’ve seen change in the industry? We caught up with vocalist Ryan Key to get his opinions and words of wisdom.

Come and see who made the cut for the new year! Happy 2013!

THank you

Craig Owens and Management, Equal Vision Records, Ryan Key, Reybee Inc., Working Group Management, Never Shout Never, Roadrunner Records, Rival Summers and of course the amazing tour managers who helped us coordinate on-site, and all of our amazing readers!

We’re looking forward to another amazing year with you!

24 never shout never mailing list Never Shout Never has had a pretty crazy few years - to say the least. “It’s been a long year and a lot of phases we’ve gone through, but we’ve grown as a band after it all,” said drummer Hayden Kaiser.

Make sure you subscribe to our exclusive mailing list!

INSIDE PHOTOGRAPHS page 6-7

craig owens

Grouplove

Rival Summers

Yellowcard

Man overboard

Twenty | One | pilots

Anberlin

Never shout never

Chicago, IL, Ashley Osborn

Chicago, IL, Ashley Osborn

Chicago, IL, Ashley Osborn

Chicago, IL, Ashley Osborn

Dover, DE, Cara Bahniuk

Chicago, IL, Ashley Osborn

Chicago, IL, Ashley Osborn

Chicago, IL, Ashley Osborn

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 5

Craig Owens - 28

rival summers - 14

man overboard - 18

anberlin

grouplove

22 - yellowcard

20 - amity affliction

24 - never shout never

TRENDS YOU’LL LOVE COMPANY: Wishful Thinker Clothing LOCATION: Chicago, IL OWNER/FOUNDER: Isabel Lee - Founder/Designer WEBSITE: http://www.wishfulthinkerclothing.com

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Company story?

While I was in high school, I had pondered what I would name a brand if I ever started one. Of course “wishful thinker” has been in a ton of songs, but it stuck with me after listening to Taking Back Sunday’s “You’re So Last Summer” a million times. The words alone exude positivity as well, and that’s what I try to do. It officially began in 2009. Just this last year, I began working with Charles and Henry as business partners. From here, the sky’s the limit.

What do you feel your brand represents?

Wishful Thinker represents creativity and positivity. I have never been one to believe that what you wear represents who you are. Your shirt should never have to speak for you. Your style should be all your own. What I think your clothing can do for you is make you feel comfortable and confident. We’re strong supporters of the arts and artists.

I would like to think that we’re encouraging others to do whatever it is they’re passionate about. I feel Wishful Thinker offers that subtle “you do you and we’re right behind ya” vibe.

Reason you started your brand?

I have always been a t-shirt and jeans kinda girl. I knew that shirts were my gateway to get involved with the music scene (which I am such a huge fan of) with my own form of expression. I also come from a family with an entrepreneurial background. So, it just made sense. Also, girl power, right?! Dudes run the show in many industries and t-shirt lines is one of them. (Nothing against guys, though, as I work with two of the best.)

Three personal favorite moments?

1. “Loose Lips Sink Ships” - This phrase goes back to the Navy where you were supposed to keep your mouth shut or the enemy would find out where your ship was located.

The phrase resonates in various ways. And yes, it struck me in the form of a Fall Out Boy song.

2. “Adventure” - I fell in love with the quote, “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” I made my own phrase that I felt executed the same sentiment. We have to get out of our comfort zones to really get the most out of life sometimes. The picture was taken a couple summers ago at Belmont Harbor on the last day of the summer with one of my closest friends.

3. “Deer Head” - I knew for almost a full year that I wanted a deer head shirt. Everything I came up with was either too plain or too busy with no real direction. While playing around with little accessory ideas to add, I just really dug the crown. The rest came easy. The design feels complete but not crazy. Cue New Found Glory’s cover of “King of Wishful Thinking”.

Why people should check out your brand?

Wishful Thinker is still growing as I am still growing and changing. If you take note, you can see how my taste redefines itself over each new release. Some people may find that inconsistency as a negative quality. But I think it makes the brand feel like a living thing. That being said, you may find something that suits you, if not now, in the future. In the least, it is the product of love and passion with ol’ big dreams.

Highlight of

franny lopez who Tour Manages

Name: Franny Lopez Location: Camden, NJ Company: Tour Manager - Feed Our Children NOW

about Franny How did you become a tour manager?

After Warped Tour 2010, I emailed Lana Posner who is the Founder of Feed Our Children NOW and told her that I wanted to be a part of the charity. I had previously been on Warped so she gave me the opportunity to join the team and I’ve been working with the charity ever since. We continue to grow and expand every day and I’m happy to be a part of the team.

What are two personal career highlights?

Collecting over 200,000 cans of food on Warped Tour 2012! Being able to travel the country and helping to make a difference in people lives!

What you want to accomplish still in your career?

I want to keep traveling. I don’t think I’ll be satisfied until I see everything there is to see. Having a job that allows me to travel while making a difference is very important to be because I’m getting to do what I love while helping people out at the same time. Some people were made for 9-5 jobs and I wasn’t which is why Feed Our Children NOW is very important to me.

Keep updated with Feed Our Children NOW! www.feedourchildrennow.org www.feedourchildrennow.tumblr.com www.twitter.com/FeedOurChildren

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 9

label highlight

WRITE-UP: Logan Kant

Legendary Los Angeles-based Epitaph Records has gained respect as one of the largest independent labels in the world. Brett Gurewitz founded the label in the ‘80s to record and release his band Bad Religion, running productions out of his recording studio closet. Epitaph’s big breakthrough came in 1994 when it unleashed hit record releases from The Offspring and Rancid. Quickly, Epitaph became a mecca for the aspiring punk rock bands of the ‘90s while building a sturdy roster of mostly alternative musicians. Epitaph manages to stay relevant by embracing new genres and giving creative freedom to its artists. The label now includes sister-labels like Hellcat Records (1996), owned by Tim Armstrong of Rancid. Listen to noteworthy veterans NOFX, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio and Dropkick Murphys, but don’t miss out on the following Epitaph artists.

Frank Turner -

English folk/punk singer-songwriter Frank Turner started his musical career in 2001 as the lead singer of posthardcore band, Million Dead, and went solo in 2005 after the band’s split. In swapping hardcore for folksier acoustic music, the wellspoken singer continues to show his fierce roots in punk and protest while preserving his folk and country ties. Turner is gaining steam in the U.S. with help from an adoring word-of-mouth fan base. Touring constantly with his band, Sleeping Souls, Turner has successfully sold out a headlining show at Wembley Arena and performed at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. In late 2008, Turner’s Londonbased label signed a distribution deal with Epitaph and Poetry of the Deed (2009) became his first release in the U.S. Listen to Turner’s fifth studio album, Last Minutes and Lost Evenings (2012).

Don’t overlook his rarities and earlier EPs.

Listen to: “Wessex Boy”

Set Your Goals -

Bay Area band Set Your Goals (SYG) formed in 2004 and soon after released their first self-titled EP. Set Your Goals signed with Epitaph in 2009 to release a second album, This Will Be the Death of Us, produced by Mike Green (Paramore).

The six-piece band is composed of dual vocalists Jordan Brown and Matt Wilson, guitarists Audelio Flores Jr. and Dan Coddaire, bassist Joe Saucedo and drummer Mike Ambrose. SYG has proved itself over time by working hard and relentlessly touring with bands that span the musical spectrum. Their hardcore-influenced, infectious pop punk melodies fuse with motivating and positive lyrics that dare you to sing-a-long. SYG’s newer releases include Burning at Both Ends (2011) and two tracks released in April 2012.

Don’t forget to check out their fan favorite debut album, Mutiny!

Listen To: “Certain” Story of the Year - Story of the Year (SOTY) first came onto

the scene in the ‘90 as the St. Louis breakout act, Big Blue Monkey.

By 2002, the band had changed its name to Story of the Year and solidified its lineup to include lead vocalist Dan Marsala, bassist Adam Russell, drummer Josh Willis and guitarists Ryan Phillips and Philip Sneed. Their first commercial success was Page Avenue in 2003, produced by John Feldman (the Used, Atreyu). A later success, the 2008 Epitaph release of Black Swan, gained them headliner status on Warped Tour 2008. Known for a tireless DIY work ethic and a willingness to push musical boundaries, SOTY touts an excessively long touring list and a devout following. While their music can be characterized as a variety of pop/rock styles, the band offers no shortage of ballsy, big hooks and smooth, yet powerful vocal melodies. Another trip to the studio is eminent. In the meantime, check out The Constant (2010).

Listen to: “Until the Day I Die”

venue highlight History:

The Palladium in Worcester, Mass. is the heart of the Massachusetts music scene. The premier venue for alternative music especially metal and hardcore, the Palladium is the birthplace of countless Massachusetts’s icons. Originally opened as a theatre in 1928, the Palladium was converted into a concert hall in 1990.

Now, two decades later, the Palladium operates a tworoom setup; the upstairs and the downstairs. The upstairs venue caters to the local music scene that still thrives in Worcester. With a makeshift stage constructed out of the platform just before the balcony to the downstairs venue and a decent sound system the upstairs stage is a local music fans ideal venue. The downstairs venue takes the converted theatre, ripping out most of its seating creating a unique and “homey” concert-going experience. Riddled with the constant smell of sweat and a venue full of kids five nights of the week, the Palladium is the birthplace of the Massachusetts music scene.

why play here?

Home to bands like Killswitch Engage, Lions Lions, Vanna and Four Year Strong, The Palladium has given birth to stars, both on the local and national level. The meeting place of friends and fans alike, The Palladium is the quintessential venue for any Massachusetts band.

With the small upstairs room booked almost daily to local unknown bands to play and grow, the Palladium is the breeding ground of new and unheard talent. As the bands grow so does the scene, moving from a random band on a festival of locals to the headliner of upstairs to opening for national acts on the Downstairs stage, the Palladium is focused on preserving the Massachusetts music scene.

Play a show there and you may just see your favorite local rockers hanging out supporting some old friends.

MUst attend shows JANUARY 13th Underoath

REVIEW: Will Howard PHOTO: Venue’s Instagram

JANUARY 15th The Almost

January 26th

Black Veil Brides

FEBRUARY 1ST

Memphis May Fire

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 11

s n o i t u l o s e r r a e New y “We tend to do a lot of cooking on the road rather than buying fast food and have become quite talented (and shameless) specifically with our crock pot skills.

Sometimes we show up to a club or venue and ask if we can plug in our crock pot somewhere. There have been plenty of instances where we ended up crock potting on a bar or on the side of a stage!

Our new years resolution is to get two crock pots going at once and eat pre-show mega meals!”

-Rico Rodriguez from PK

“My New Years resolution is to spend more time with my family and friends. Since we are busy touring and aren’t home alot, it’s easy to forget about the people closest to me.”

- Slade from Anarbor

“My new years resolution is to make sure and get out in the woods as much as possible; I had a pretty good run this year but I start to get really weird if I can’t stroll through the woods regularly.”

- Josh Lyford from Foxfires (ex- Four Year Strong) “My New Years resolution is to eat more fruit! It’s nature’s candy!

Haha.. People think 13 is unlucky, but I don’t buy into that. 2013 is the year we make our own luck. We want to develop “Sheppard” to its full potential. Better songs, a more exciting live show, a more defined unified style and a bigger fan base :) Bring it on 2013!”

- Sheppard

“Quit Smoking!!! And keep doing what we love, play shows and meet fans!”

- Never Shout Never

“In addition to working on my next album, touring, and exploring new film ventures, I would like to achieve my 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and compete in at least one national competition this upcoming year (hopefully I’ll have time!).

I also want to be the best Maid of Honor of ALL time because my best friend Rosemarie is getting married and she deserves nothing less than awesome.

I will make 2013 the year of my best album, my best voice, my best dancing, my best everything. Givin’ it my all!”

- Emii

14 - HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET

“My New Years resolution is to be more active in the fight against bullying. To be more vocal about the situation and try and get kids to realize how awful it truly is.

I will be making a music video about my situation as a kid and hope it will help people not feel so down on themselves or feel like they are alone. 2013 is a year to think with an open mind and just enjoy people no matter the color, religion, or even sexual preferences.”

- Matty Arsenault from A Loss For Words

“I resolve to not let the weight of the world bring me down, to find the meaning in the mundanities in every day life, and to tell the people close to me I care about them more often.”

- Andrew Cook from A Rocket to the Moon

“My New Years resolution is to really focus on the creation of our music. We are hitting the studio at the beginning of the year and plan to record the best Move Out West tracks to date.” - LJ Bunker from Move Out West “To be able to throw a frisbee 100 yards and to become the best ‘hiphop’ dancer in the band.” -Simon, “Invent a new musican genre with the Kazoo and Accordion as the signifying instruments.” -Tasso, “To meet Kurt Russell” -Nik, “To finally finish the life-size bronze sculptures of my bandmates.” -Alice, “To lose 327 pounds and work out 3 times a day.” -Sam from Youngblood Hawke

“In 2013 I’m gonna try to blur the lines between some genres you probably wouldn’t think go together.” - Larzz

“One thing I think we can all benefit from is taking advantage of every day, in some way or another. I know that sounds generic, but I’ve spent so many beautiful days cooped up inside when what I really should have done was taken a 5 minute walk around the neighborhood. Be more mindful of the little things we can do to enjoy what we have!” - Rachel Brown “In 2013, I resolve to be a louder voice for peace and justice through my work as an artist.” - Koji

“Collectively as a band, I think we resolve to not change anything. We love and appreciate what we get to do and fucking work hard at it, so we’re going to continue to do the same next year, just as we’ve done these past 10.

Personally, I resolve to watch last year’s season of The Office so I can catch up and know what’s happening for the series finale this year. On that note, I need to catch up on all the shows I missed while on tour this past year. I also resolve to actually sit down and enjoy the stacks of records I buy on tour that wait patiently for me to find the time to play them. And I resolve to build the record dresser I’ve been planning to make for years so I can get them off the floor and out of the girlfriend’s way in the living room. Oh man, and that brings to mind all the other junk around the house I’ve been promising to do...I’ve got a lot on my list this year. Let’s just leave it at that....”

- Mike Kennerty from The All-American Rejects

“Our New Years Resolution is to play, play, play more shows, more music, more frisbee.”

- Jacob Jeffries Band

“Put out a new EP, begin writing a follow up to our last full length, and tour more places we have never been before.”

- Brendan Stephens from Perfect Future

“I guess my New Years Resolution would be to learn a new skill or get good at something I’ve never tried. Maybe surfing?” -Nick Addison from Simple As Surgery HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 15

rival summers

HOME: Sterling Heights, MI NOW jamming: Learning To Live - Full Length (Self-Released)

If a musician describes their sound as passionate, sincere and positive, you know

they’re definitely someone worth checking out. Since the start of Rival Summers about five years ago in Michigan, Leo Bautista has taken the acoustic pop genre by storm and Highlight caught up with him during his recent tour.

Even though Rival Summers tours with a band, he is considered a solo act of just Leo Bautista. His intention was to always become a full band, but he put that on the back burner to get himself out there right away.

“I had tried for a few years before to start a band, but I was so impatient to start playing shows with the songs I had already written so I decided to start performing solo under the name Rival Summers. I performed solo for so long because I had never found the right lineup of people that shared the same dreams and values as me or could commit to this as much as I do,” he said.

He feels now, Rival Summers is ready to be a band. “I believe now though, with the addition of Sam (Ridgell) and Caleb (Sanchez), I’ve found not only band mates, but brothers. I’ve grown so much in the last year, not only as a musician, but as a person because of these guys and I’m stoked to have them aboard,” Bautista added.

Even though Rival Summers has been in the scene since 2008, Bautista still remains an independent, unsigned artist and he has learned a lot from it, such as being in the business and being a genuine artist.

“I’ve learned as an unsigned artist that it is important to have crocodile skin. Everything that could potentially go bad will most likely happen. There has been and will be so much disappointment along the road. Another big thing I believe is important is to have purpose and to be sincere. Everyone can see right through people who only get into this business for the money. I’d much rather be struggling and respected than to sell my integrity for fame,” he said.

Through out the ups and downs of being a musician, being on the road, and just life in general Rival Summers always reminds himself to stay sincere and keep a positive outlook on anything he does.

“A lot of my positivity comes from my faith. Knowing that I’ve been blessed with so much in my life makes the struggles I do have to face something I’m not too concerned about. At this point in my life, I can look back and see so many moments where God intervened and took care of me, so to know that I have someone looking out for me is so incredibly comforting. I nearly lost both

of my parents the summer before my freshman year of high school,” Bautista said. “I struggled with anxiety and self affliction for some time after that due to the overwhelming pressure of having to deal with that on top of the transition between middle and high school.

It was through God that everything got better and I found writing music to be what saved my life. I’ve been blessed with the most incredibly loving, supportive and patient parents and such a supportive community I’ve found through these songs and I couldn’t be more grateful for everything and everyone.”

Even with hardships, Bautista knows that music is exactly what he is supposed to be doing. “I feel so strongly that it is my purpose to share my stories in hopes that I can relate my own life with others through my music. And it is because I know that what I’m working towards is worthwhile and because I have so many people who believe in what I’m doing that I am so positive,” he said.

Rival Summers came out with his second release, Learning to Live in May and Bautista relied on Kickstarter to fund a portion of the album cost and to make it all happen. He couldn’t be more grateful that the fans wanted to help his cause through donating to his Kickstarter campaign.

“I feel like it was more of a validation if anything that the Kickstarter campaign for Learning To Live was a success. Knowing that there were people who believed in Rival Summers enough to want to help me release a record that I put so much of myself into and I worked so hard for was and still is incredibly humbling. I had everything set to release the record, minus the funding, and if it weren’t for everyone who pledged to the campaign, it wouldn’t have been able to be released and none of the amazing things that have happened this year would’ve happened. I’m so grateful for the people who gave some of their own money to see this happen,” Bautista said.

When an artist releases a record, each song is a part of them. Every song is part of their life set to music and each has a different meaning to the person who wrote it. That being said, Rival Summers still managed to pick songs that he had the strongest emotional connection to.

“The eighth song on the record is called ‘Hold Strong, Have Faith’ and I would say that I have the strongest emotional connection with of all the songs on Learning To Live. Throughout the five years of Rival Summers, there have been countless disappointments and indescribable discouragement that there have been many times where it was really hard to justify continuing the pursuit of my dreams,” said Bautista.

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET -15

“Over the past couple years, I’ve been pursuing a strong relationship with God because he was someone that was always around growing up, but I never knew personally for myself. It was my faith in Him that brought me out of my fear and because of Him, I know that I have no reason to be afraid of pushing forward whether it be with Rival Summers or my life in general no matter how hard things get. This is something I now strongly believe in, that God has a plan for me and there’s a reason for every struggle.”

because I am able to hear their stories and how my songs have impacted them. It’s great that we’re all so connected on these sites because it allows for a strong community to grow of people who believe in the music and share the same values and interests. Usually the connection I make with people online through Rival Summers translates in person when I see them at shows and it’s great to be able to build these relationships stemming from talking online then meeting in person,” he said.

Not only does Rival Summers have a strong connection to “Hold Strong, Have Faith,” but many of his fans have connected to it as well.

Rival Summers may currently have a relatively short career but he still has quite a few highlights including playing on Warped Tour, being featured in Alternative Press Magazine, having a nearly sold out CD release show for Learning to Live at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac, Mich, touring nationally and almost meeting Taylor Swift in Nashville on his last tour. Even with so many accomplishments under his belt, Rival Summers still has a lot planned for the future.

“Since Learning To Live has been released, there have been some people who come up to me at shows and tell me how that specific song has helped them through their struggles. Some of them have even gotten the words ‘Hold Strong, Have Faith’ permanently written on themselves because they believe in that sentiment just as much as I do. To know that I’m making a difference in these people’s lives with the tools and gifts I was given

by God is something I really appreciate and remind myself of during my struggles. That is why this song holds the strongest emotional connection with me,” he said.

Although Rival Summers meets fans on tour, he is dedicated to staying plugged in to social media. He loves being able to stay connected to fans at all times and believes that community has contributed to his success.

“I’ve always been a super geek about my social media and being connected to the people who support Rival Summers and believe in what we’re doing. It’s amazing to have the ability to stay in contact with those we meet on tour even if they’re hundreds of miles away. Having this close relationship with everyone that follows Rival Summers has really had a significant impact on my life

“The next big thing I want to accomplish is to tour the west side of the country and that’s what you can expect from us in 2013. We’re going to make it happen, and possibly have some new music out sometime next year too. There are still a lot of people who haven’t heard Learning To Live yet. There’s still so much I believe we can do with these songs so I’m not too concerned about new material just yet, but I’m always writing so I won’t rule out anything,” he said.

Not only can we expect lots of touring and traveling from Rival Summers, but he also hopes to sell out all the physical copies of Learning To Live as well as get vinyl’s pressed for “all his hipster friends.” Rival Summers is definitely one to keep an eye on, especially for those of you on the west coast. Plus, one of his New Year resolutions is “World domination through positivity and hugs.”

STORY: Jen Boylen INTERVIEW: Anjel Lopez PHOTO: Ashley Osborn

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HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET -16

HOME: New Jersey NOW jamming: Man Overboard - Full Length (Rise Records) CURRENTLY: Preparing for a busy year of touring and a new album release

2012 proved to be nothing short of a busy year for the New Jersey natives in Man Overboard.

Besides their continuing battle to “Defend Pop Punk,” these guys managed to tackle a heavy year of touring overseas along with a full summer on The Vans Warped Tour, two new music videos, the re-release of their selftitled album and even the departure of drummer Mike Hyrcenko.

Man Overboard participated in a not-so-typical tour lineup at the end of 2012, featuring bands like Never Shout Never, Mod Sun, and Me Like Bees. The variety in genre and sound made the tour a unique experience, with varying types of fans scattered around the venue waiting for the artist they came to see, and also the opportunity to discover new musical territory. All of the artists on the tour were high-energy in their own respect, and brought a different vibe as each band played their set.

Lead vocalist of the pop-punk five-piece band, Zac Eisenstein, definitely saw the variance in the crowd.

“This tour was different than other tours because we’ve been playing to different kinds of kids, which is cool for us. It’s not our normal crowd of - not that there’s anything wrong with this - but a sea of Polar Bear Club shirts and Transit, you know what I mean? So it’s cool to reach a new crowd and engage some new fans,” said Eisenstein.

Now, with 2013 fresh on our hands, Man Overboard show no signs of stopping. One of the first things on their agenda is to start working on a new album with none other than Steve Klein of New Found Glory. The upcoming release will be their second full-length that they’ve worked on with Klein, along with being the second LP to come from the band through Rise Records.

“He [Klein] just started helping us write songs one day, and we just thought he was a good guy to have around,” Eisenstein said.

With this being the second time the guys have had an album produced by Klein, it’s safe to say that his wellseasoned pop-punk background in New Found Glory has been a great influence on the band.

When it comes to writing the actual record, it seems like the guys have a science down for what works for them. “Usually Zac has a song, and he’ll come to me and Wayne, and then Wayne & I will go into the studio and mess around with it,” said vocalist and bassist, Nik Bruzzese.

“I have my own recording studio in Jersey, so we’ll sit there and mess with it before we even show it to anyone else. So we kind of have an advantage that way. But yeah,

we’ll write it and mess with it, then show it to Joe, and it’s like the first draft of five before we finally have it to where we want to show it to Steve [Klein],” Bruzzese said.

The band calls it their “four step process” before Klein will fly in and go over what they worked on before they “do it for real.”

Another to-do on their agenda for the spring is their newly announced ‘Suppy Nation Tour,’ which features their friends in The Story So Far, Tonight Alive, Citizen and The American Scene. The tour will begin March 8 in Dallas, Texas and wrap up about a little over a month later on April 12 in Chicago, Ill. “It’ll be a full US tour & a little bit of Canada,” said resident guitarist Justin Collier. “It should be cool, we toured with The Story So Far twice in England, and when we’d go out to California they’d always play the shows, so we’ve known them for a while. Steve [Klein] is doing their record as well so we’re all buds. It should be fun,” he said.

And, as the seasons change and their spring tour ends, summer will be quickly approaching. And what does everyone look forward to every summer? Well, nothing other than what some call the highlight of their year; The Vans Warped Tour.

Man Overboard took part in the 2012 summer festival where they slayed the Tilly’s stage so hard that Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman extended an offer for the guys to come back and play the upcoming 2013 festival.

The guys also had the opportunity to fly over to the UK to play the special Warped UK event at the beginning of November, which according to Collier, was “really cool.”

Bruzzese showed his enthusiasm about returning to Warped Tour again this summer. “We just did it the last year, and we were lucky enough to have Kevin Lyman like our band and ask us to come back this year and right off the bat we were like ‘yeah, of course,” he said.

However, vocalist Eisenstein couldn’t have summed up their excitement better; “Warped Tour, it’s gonna rule!”

Man Overboard had a busy and extremely successful 2012, and we know they are more than prepared to accomplish bigger things in 2013. These guys may be considered one of the hardest working bands in the industry and are very hands on with everything they do.

Their plans for the new year are big ones, but with the enthusiasm the guys show for their music and fans, we have no doubt that Man Overboard are going to have a stellar 2013.

STORY AND INTERVIEW: Anjel Lopez PHOTO: Ashley Osborn

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET -19

HOME: Brisbane, Australia NOW jamming: Chasing Ghosts - Full Length (Roadrunner/Shock) CURRENTLY: Touring the world one country at a time

Australian based band, the Amity

Affliction is making a splash in the United States with the release of their third full-length record Chasing Ghosts.

The four-piece act is far from new to the music scene; taking roots back in 2004 the band set high hopes for the project. Now eight years later the lineup is not quite the same, and the music a bit more mature, fully flushed and powerful, the Amity Affliction is blowing up. Released in early September, Chasing Ghosts is the bands first release off of Roadrunner Records, a North American based powerhouse label known for their work with Metal powerhouse acts like Trivium and Killswitch Engage.

The bands success; however, is not due to some sudden change in tastes from music listeners, or from the bands wish to sell records. No, the Amity Affliction spent nearly a decade touring, both at home and abroad, developing a tight knit and passionate fan base. So what’s their secret?

Play to the tiniest crowd, in the smallest most obscure venues and as long as there is one fan there dying to see you it is worth it. The Amity Affliction has made a career out of playing venues most touring bands are too afraid, or too cool to bother playing. They have been making the extra effort to play clubs in small towns, and keeping the tours personal, passionate and humble.

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with vocalist Joel Birch during their U.S. tour under Miss May I and the Ghost Inside. Getting into the depths of the bands extensive member changes Birch talked about the formation of the current lineup.

“I met Troy in Brisbane at one of our first shows, they heard that I was in another band and called me up,” said Birch.

Ahron Stringer switched from guitar to bass, and a guitarist was added. Ryan Burt was then added on drums, as his brother was the current guitarist. Chris, Ryan’s brother was later kicked out.

“I don’t think they spoke for like two years. But they’re okay now,” he said. “People quitting was really difficult for most of us, especially Troy .They were all really close. But I mean things eventually work themselves out.”

The only remaining original members Troy Brady and Ahren Stringer have had the toughest go of it. With a list of seven former members to the band, the band has seemed like a revolving door to them, with the two as the only pillars of support.

The Amity Affliction is certainly not your average band trying to jump the pond. With nearly a decade of experience and a fierce and loyal Australian following The Amity Affliction is only doing what feels natural. Playing shows, and making music because they love it, not for the paychecks.

“Watching bands form just to get big; that’s been happening and that disgusts me,” said Birch. “None of use thought we’d ever get to where we are. We just played in bands just to play”.

The honesty beams through in all of the band’s releases.

Their website is simple and focused on the music, their Facebook updated only when necessary; The Amity Affliction is a band about the music, not about the fluff.

The Amity Affliction is a band caught between two decades. Taking form in the early 2000’s the Amity Affliction came into existence in a time when record labels were still essential to a bands success. Now almost a decade later it’s unclear whether this is still the case.

The Amity Affliction has chosen to stick by the method which has brought them so much success, signing with Roadrunner Records before releasing their full length Chasing Ghosts. Whether or not this was a smart decision still remains to be seen. However, the Amity Affliction seems to be happy with their choice, headlining their first tour across Australia, gaining notoriety and respect in the United States and cultivating the passionate and personal fan base needed for further success. The Amity Affliction has earned the right to be on top with or without the help of a label.

PHOTOS AND INTERVIEW: Ashley Osborn STORY: Will Howard

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HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET -21

yellowcard

HOME: Everywhere, USA NOW jamming: Southern Air - Full Length (Hopeless Records) CURRENTLY: Preparing for a busy year of touring

Let’s travel back to a time when the Internet didn’t exist (horrifying to think of isn’t it?). Record players and radio were the only means of listening to music. Television and radio ads were the only ways of knowing about upcoming shows. You didn’t know the band’s set list until the show started (GASP!). This is a world none of us today could ever imagine living in. The Internet has changed the music industry in more ways than anyone could have imagined. While most current bands have always had the Internet as exposure, there still remain those who remember the days when it had no effect on music at all.

While pop-rock band Yellowcard came up in a time where Twitter was nonexistent and Facebook was still exclusively for college students, they have adapted to the social media world in which we live in today. The year Ocean Avenue came out was Yellowcard’s biggest year.

Billboard topping singles, headlining tours and radio play were just a few things contributing to the band’s success.

Yellowcard was on top of the world and felt like nothing could ever bring them down. Fast forward a few years and the band hit a road block. Things weren’t going as well as they had been. Albums weren’t selling well and people seemed to have generally lost interest in the band.

Yellowcard had to make an executive decision. They either stopped making music or they fought through a valley to hopefully end up on another mountain top. After a short hiatus, the band decided to get back out there and be better than ever.

With the release of their eighth studio album Southern Air, Yellowcard is once again thriving in the scene they were once kings of. This scene; however, had undergone a bit of plastic surgery. The Internet now played a more prominent role in the music industry than ever before.

With these new changes came both positive and negative effects.

many, many records, they have always thrived off of their live shows. The emergence of YouTube has required them to work even harder to sell tickets to their shows.

While they may draw a crowd to shows, there is one thing Yellowcard has yet to get used to; fans became like paparazzi wanting to capture every moment they have with the band.

“It’s not every night. It’s not every city, but some shows are a little bit upsetting because you see out in the crowd how many people are experiencing the show through a three and a half inch screen the whole show. I mean they film the whole show on their phone. They never put it in their pocket,” said Key. “They never look at the band. They never watch the show with their eyes. They watch it with the lens of their phone and I think that’s really sad. It’s not gonna get better; it’s gonna get worse. It’s one of those things you have to deal with as a performer looking out there and realizing that’s a show-goer in 2012.”

While Key spat off a few more negative effects of the Internet on the music industry, he also gave many positives. One of the biggest being the exposure that it allows bands.

“The Internet has also been an incredible tool for musicians, especially rock and independent musicians.

If we had had access to the tools we have now when we were starting our band and when we started touring a decade ago, I can’t imagine even how much farther we would have gone,” said Key. “I think we could have multiplied those by who knows how many if we had had access to the stuff we have now.

I’ve got the ability right now to send out a message on Facebook. On a good day, I end up hitting half a million people when I send a post out. That’s an incredible reach and for that I enjoy the fact that we have the Internet.”

“I think that the biggest negative has been YouTube in particular because it has started to creep into hurting everyone’s live shows as far as attendance. With the economy the way it is right now, why not sit at home and watch the whole show on Youtube? Because you can, from 30 different camera angles,” said lead singer and guitarist Ryan Key.

The music industry is ever changing and who knows how much more it will evolve in the next decade or two.

It is something both musicians and fans have to adapt to and learn to live with. Despite all of the changes in the music industry, Yellowcard still remains one of the oldest and greatest pop rock bands out there. 2012 was great year for the band, but we feel like something even more exciting is hiding away in 2013 waiting to be found.

Yellowcard has never been a big record selling band.

While they may have had a time period where they sold

PHOTOS AND INTERVIEW: Ashley Osborn STORY: Jessica Klinner

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www.facebook.com/yellowcard HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET -23

NEVER SHOUT NEVER

HOME: Joplin, MO NOW jamming: Indigo - Full Length (Sire) CURRENTLY: Touring to support their new album, Indigo!

Taking chances and spreading love

through music seems to be the goal for most musicians, but there is one band that has constantly done both since the beginning of their career. Never Shout Never started in the basement of lead singer Christofer Drew’s home circa 2007. While Drew was involved with another band at the time, Never Shout Never became an acoustic side project.

As was popular in those days, he posted a few songs on his Myspace and received a massive following. Drew had catapulted into a whirlwind of success. Never Shout Never became a full time commitment that eventually paid off and put him at the top of the pop rock world.

It took a few years and touring band member changes before Drew decided he no longer wanted to be a solo act. He wanted his friends and band mates to step into the light and join him in becoming the image of Never Shout Never. While this change may have confused fans, at first they easily adapted. It is still difficult for some to not associate Drew as a solo act, but he would never consider going back. Drew’s new band mates, Taylor MacFee (bass) and Hayden Kaiser (drums) are also his best friends. The guys all grew up together in the town of Joplin, MO. Since the guys had played in bands together when they were growing up, adding them to the lineup was a no brainer.

“It was labeled as a solo thing, but as time went on I realized I wanted to make it a full band. But I really wanted to make it with people that were in it for the long haul and who were in it for the right reasons so we pretty much narrowed it down and these are just my two homies who I’ve been playing with forever and just a three-piece seemed right, so we’re just going all out with it. We really want that to be the image of the band and not anything solo, so going forward it’s just a three-piece band, we’re all equal members, and we all work our asses off,” said Drew.

While Drew has experienced some major highs along with a fair share of lows during his career, he has never once stopped making music or even considered it. When people were caught up in the drama surrounding his life, he was in the studio with Never Shout Never creating an album. The negativity and hype surrounding a few events this year involving Drew haven’t seemed to faze him or the band at all.

“I stay out of the drama; I don’t take anything to heart that anybody says about me. I don’t even read about it, so I don’t really care,” said Drew.

“No drama, no, no, no, no drama,” chanted MacFee playfully.

Maybe it’s the level headedness of Drew and his band that allows them to create such care free and happy music. The catchy beats and poppy lyrics will get stuck in your head and become impossible to get out. It’s the type of music to listen to on a warm, sunny day in spring while having a picnic or cruising around town with friends.

Musically, Never Shout Never has always pushed the boundaries. It’s this experimentation that allows the band to keep things interesting and keep fans on their toes.

Although they change in sound from album to album has caused them to lose fans, the band is certain that they have gained more than they have lost. They want their fans to be genuinely interested in what they are creating and are thankful for the ones who have stuck beside them since the beginning.

“It’s been a long year and a lot of phases we’ve gone through, but we’ve grown as a band after it all,” said Kaiser. “It’s all for da kids,” chimed MacFee. Never Shout Never released their fourth studio album Indigo in November 2012. Indigo may not be dramatically different than its predecessor, but it holds elements that transcend it to the next level for Never Shout Never. While most of the album has a psychedelic and dreamy tone, there are a few tracks with hints of rock and even country.

Drew, MacFee and Kaiser like to get outside of their comfort zones to create elements their fans would never imagine hearing in their music.

“We just wanted to make a record that was still us growing stylistically and musically and trying new things out, but at the same time we wanted to put a record out that kind of ties everything together and shows we’re going to keep experimenting,” said Drew.

“I think it was just another step in us growing up and growing into who we are musically, and what we want to be doing in the future. It’ll be different next record and the record after that will probably be a little different than that record. So yeah, just another stepping-stone in the whole scheme of it all,” said MacFee. Never Shout Never seeks to bring joy to the lives of their fans through music. The positive vibes exude from Drew and the band and easily transfer into their live performances. Fans will almost always leave with a sense of renewing almost like they have experienced something spiritual. It seems that nothing will ever be able to bring this band down. They keep their head above water and challenge any sharks that try to attack them and drag them under.

“The times are a’changing, and we’re good guys trying to do good things,” said Drew.

2013 looks overwhelmingly positive for Never Shout Never.

The band plans on recording another solid record to be released at some point during the year. They also expect to spend most of the year on the road and overseas touring. We also hear that they are planning to be on a long summer tour, but they can’t let the cat out of the bag yet so for now you’ll have to sit and wonder what it could possibly be.

STORY: Jessica Klinner INTERVIEW: Anjel Lopez PHOTOS: Ashley Osborn

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 25

“it was just another step in us growing up and growing into who we are musically.�

Craig Owens

HOME: Flint, MI NOW jamming: Paradise (Cover) - Single CURRENTLY: Preparing to make 2013 the best year Chiodos has ever had!

It’s amazing to see an artist who

is still truly just in the business for the music and Craig Owens is definitely one of those people. Through ups and downs, several successful bands, and years later, Craig could not be stronger and he is still genuinely excited about being a musician. Since his solo tour just finished, Craig is gearing up to focus on Chiodos completely. With a spot on The Kerrang Tour (with Black Veil Brides, Tonight Alive, and Fearless Vampire Killers) overseas early next year and plans for a brand new record, Chiodos is just starting to gain momentum for their domination of the music scene and we are going right along for the ride.

Since the recent revival of Chiodos, Highlight caught up with Craig Owens to not only learn more about the band but also about Owens himself straight from the source.

Chiodos has always been a huge part of Owens’ career, but many fans thought that chapter had ended in 2009 with his temporary hiatus as lead singer; until now. As of August 2012, Owens has been reinstated as Chiodos front man, and the fans are partly responsible for that. Chiodos couldn’t be more excited to be a part of what they are now doing and thankful for being welcomed back with open arms. Owens feels the encouragement originally came from the fans but for the band, reuniting has been a journey they are stoked to be taking.

“It wasn’t an easy process, but definitely an enjoyable one. Now we are regrouped, and focused on the future.

Working hard, and focused on our next record,” said Owens.

Not only is Chiodos excited to be back but it was something Owens never thought was even in the cards for them. Many fans thought the debut of Destroy Rebuild Until Go Shows was officially the end of the Chiodos they knew and loved, even Owens seems to have been under that impression.

“Getting back together was never a plan”, he said. “Simply never thought that it was an option. I like to say that I was away staying at a nice hotel and hotels are great, but they aren’t really a place that you want to live. Now I feel like I’m home.”

Recently, Riot Fest had the honor of being the band’s first show back as Chiodos, or so we thought.

“It was actually the first announced, but not the first one back. We had to have our first show back in our home town of Flint, MI, for our sakes and our family, friends and fans that have supported us from day one,” said Owens. No one can really blame them for wanting to test the waters a bit before throwing themselves back into the game.

Owens also acknowledged the minor challenges of reuniting, “It was much more of a mental challenge over

anything. I told myself it would be a bit odd, then walked on stage and it all just came back like a day away never had happened.” And if anyone was at Riot Fest, they can attest to that. Chiodos was phenomenal, like no time had ever passed.

Along with Chiodos, Craig Owens has also had his share of success as a solo act. Even though he reassures us that as long as he wants to be a full time musician he plans on being with a band, and that band will be Chiodos. For Owens there are major differences between being a solo artist and being in a band, but he still opens up a little bit about the career he has had on his own.

“It really is as simple as having a guitar around me, or not.” Owens said. “Vocally, I really enjoy the solo work because I can be much more dynamic. Also performance wise - I believe that on stage with Chiodos is much more of a ‘show’ and that I find different parts to bring out of me that help me become the ‘performer’. With my solo work, I really just come out as myself, as is - and you get what you get.”

“My passion and ups and downs are a bit more controlled in the solo environment.” Owens added.

Craig also opened up about the hardships that come with being in the spotlight and said that dealing with his personal life while the whole world is watching has been a learning experience to say the least. He pinpoints the fact he did most of his growing up in front of an audience.

Anyone can agree growing up is not easy but even more so when people are paying attention to your every move, but Owens isn’t bitter about it.

“And even with some public trial and error situations the spotlight was there for me even before the band began, people have always been drawn to me whether positively or negatively,” He said.

There are a lot of people and fans that have misconceptions about Owens, especially after he confirmed his stint in rehab, but he is just able to take it with a grain of salt.

“If it were as easy as me simply saying otherwise, they’d already be changed. People love to talk, and the truth is, as long as they love to talk, I don’t mind being the one that they talk about. When people stop talking - that’s when I will begin to worry.”

“I think the biggest misconception is that misconceptions affect my career, actually. Literally the only thing that truly affects my career is music. I think that my fans are smart enough, they have seen enough and care about what comes out musically,” Owens said.

Even though Owens is fully aware people are paying attention to his actions, he is fully confident in who he is and does not feel the need to justify and defend who he is to other people.

HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET -29

“I had always set out to do what I was told that I simply could not. There is no difference now, except that I’m a little more ‘uncut’ now, and not afraid to do things that upset others,” he said.

Now that he realizes it, he wishes he could have told himself that ten years ago. Well, that and “you deserve the things you work for, and that not fitting in is what you do best, use it.” And he definitely deserves everything he has achieved. Not many musicians can snap back from leaving a band and taking the time to care for themselves the way Owens has. The fact that everyone, himself included, is so excited about his comeback of sorts Owens has made is inspiring.

Even with so much success, Owens still lives for the music and it is his key motivation in life. Not many people can honestly say that in this industry anymore and it deserves to be noticed when we find one.

is necessary, it’s key to stay true to what you’re good at and just simply ‘adapt your settings’ to stay afloat in a continually evolving industry such as music.

“I don’t care what statistics or odds say, if you have the music, and the passion to back it up then you’re good to go in our industry. The rest is just talking heads, seemed to be focused on the scraps.”

On top of being a genuine musician, Owens manages to stay absolutely humble. When we, at Highlight, ask bands about what they consider the “Highlight” of their career, most musicians rattle off a list of the biggest shows they’ve played or the most famous musicians they opened for, but not Owens.

“Music is my therapy, my passion. Music is my love. I wouldn’t do this if I wasn’t completely in love with music itself. I would end the day at 5, leave work at home and begin a mind numbing sort of routine focusing on family and friends. However, I have what I believe I consider both a blessing and a curse in my love for every facet of music, and art,” said Owens.

“Honestly, I know that this may sound odd, but I think that the highlight of my career was the last show that I played with Chiodos in Pontiac, MI at the Crofoot only a week or two ago. I only see myself moving forward, and getting better. I see the same for Chiodos. I think the best is yet to come for us,” he said.

That’s what music should be about. To appreciate every single show like that is a breath of fresh air. Even when acknowledging his biggest accomplishment, personal or otherwise, Owens was unbelievably bashful and equally admirable.

In a constantly changing industry, Owens still stays true to the music. He also admits that although reinvention

“I would have to say that my entire career is it, even the fact that we are having this interview now. The fact

that I can inspire human beings through something that means so much to me and what keeps me going,” said Owens. “It’s an everyday blessing and experience.

One that I don’t take for granted. I’ve worked hard to be where I am, and I only plan on working harder to get where I plan on going.”

We cannot wait to see whatever else Owens and Chiodos have in store for the fans. As far as Chiodos goes, Owens knows the best is yet to come from them.

“We have come together and I truly believe that we are stronger, more ambitious than ever. We are going to settle in to our writing shoes and work hard on our next record. The focus for Chiodos is all on the future,” he said.

Even with an ongoing solo tour, Owens is already looking forward to what comes next for the band. After wrapping up an amazing year and his solo tour he says that it’s Chiodos time.

“We will disappear for a second, then come out stronger, faster and better then we have ever been. Watch, and see what happens next.”

Owens deserves every bit of attention he gets, and you don’t want to miss out on all the wicked things Chiodos and Owens have in store – including a brand new album set for sometime this coming year. Let’s hope this reunion is for the long haul, but regardless, seeing such a great, influential band back on the scene in its original form is force to be reckoned with. The fans are so ecstatic it’s overwhelming but even more so, the band wants to be exactly where they are. It’s so easy to love a band that loves what they’re doing and I haven’t heard a single word against everything Chiodos and Craig Owens have been up to. Just wait and see, with the fans, the band, and Craig Owens on board Chiodos will be unstoppable.

PHOTOS: Ashley Osborn INTERVIEW AND STORY: Jen Boylen

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HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET -31

y m , y p a r e h t y m is ic s “ Mu . ” e v o l y m is ic s u M . n io s s pa

“I had always set out

d l o t s a w I t a h w o to d ” . t o n d l u o c y l p m i s I t tha

paramore

WHERE: Marcus Ampitheater, Milwaukee, WI PHOTOs: Ashley Osborn

WHERE: Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL PHOTOs: Ashley Osborn

of monsters & men

The Head & The HEart

WHERE: Firefly Music Festival, Dover, DE PHOTOs: Cara Bahniuk

Jack White

WHERE: Firefly Music Festival, Dover, DE PHOTOs: Cara Bahniuk

review: Ashley Osborn

artist:

twenty | one | pilots album:

Vessel rating:

sounds like: Passion Pit Imagine Dragons Neon Trees GROUPLOVE

recommended tracks:

“Semi-Automatic” “The Run and Go” “Fake You Out”

tracklisting:

Ode To Sleep 2 Holding On To You 3 Mirgraine 4 House of Gold 5 Car Radio 6 Semi-Automatic 7 Screen 8 The Run and Go 9 Fake You Out 10 Guns For Hands 10 Trees 11 Truce 1

release date: January 8th

website:

www.twentyonepilots.com

If you haven’t heard of twenty | one | pilots let me give you the low-down. The band is from Columbia, OH and were signed to the incredible Fueled By Ramen about a year ago. The band consists of two brilliant members: Tyler Joseph (vocals, piano, keyboard, synth, etc) and Josh Dun (drums).

Since being signed, the band has shared the stage with household names and released an EP entitled Three Songs to prepare fans and strangers alike for what was to come. We now have the final result, VESSEL, which is complexly a flawless twelve-track anthem in which the band has been able to share every unknown aspect of their musical preference, personalities and TRULY give birth to a real breath of fresh air to an over-populated repetitive music industry. Honestly, words can’t really describe this album. You just have to listen but I’m giving this review my best shot.

The album opens with an eerie track entitled “Ode To Sleep” (also on the band’s three songs EP) and will most likely immediately make you think, “Who the hell is this band?” In my opinion it’s a perfect set up for what the rest of the album holds for listeners new and old. It’s certainly an attention grabber and the beats in this are sure to make you want to move.

‘House of Gold’ and ‘Screen’ are both incredibly notable tracks that in my opinion include the very best of twenty | one | pilots’ sound as well a ukulele. Two things that I would never have pictured would work together and two things in which I’m pretty sure nobody but twenty | one | pilots could ever actually make work.

The closing track, “Truce,” is a short two-minute track that actually feels very dark. It opens with a piano and Joseph’s trembling more than ever. “Now the night is coming to an end / The sun will rise and we will try again / Stay alive, stay alive for me / You will die but now your life is free / Take pride in what is sure to die / I will fear the night again / I hope I’m not my only friend.”

Overall, after listening to the band’s previous full-lengths Regional At Best and twenty | one | pilots (which were both solid albums), it becomes clear that the band’s partnership with Fueled By Ramen has done them absolutely nothing but the very best. It’s clear that both parties certainly had a clear understanding going into this and if I may so so myself, I think this is not only twenty | one | pilots’ best release, but possibly one of the best Fueled By Ramen releases that we’ve seen in years. What a perfect way to start the New Year! I only see nothing but incredible things for this band. And, if you like this album… just wait until you see them live and have your mind blown.

Artist: City Lights Album: Acoustic EP

It seems acoustic releases are the new trend and nobody should be complaining.

When a pop punk band takes on the task of performing acoustic, you never really know exactly how it’s going to turn out. Sometimes they just can’t deliver with out the full band, rhythm filled vibe behind them, but City Lights is NOT one of those bands. Resembling the likes of Major League and The Story So Far, City Lights Acoustic EP is flawless. The Ohio band still manages to keep their pop punk style in the vocals while mellowing out on the instrumentals. Although it would have been nice to get a brand new song written solely for this EP, it’s still great to hear songs off their full length In It To Win It in a whole new way.

recommended tracks: “What It Takes” & “I Made A Song On Garage Band and All I Got Was This Lousy Record Deal” review: Jennifer Boylen

Artist: Defeater Album: Live on BBC Radio 1

Graced with the honor to record a live set in the notorious BBC Studios, Defeater took the opportunity to reinterpret and recreate four of their songs to release on this special Live from BBC album. Beginning with their reinterpretation of the song “But Breathing”, Defeater takes this traditionally acoustic track and reimagines it for the full band sound. A new second guitar part invites a whole new essence, taking a southern rock approach to the track brining a new power and creativity; an inspired recreation. Following that track the band plays “Warm Blood Rush”.

Losing the over perfected and meticulously created sounds of Empty Days and Sleepless Nights, the band allows their raw emotion and creativity to take hold. With an occasional missed word and a voice crack or two the song sounds real, honest and pure. Defeater has re-imagined and recreated perfection in live versions of these four songs. They’ve created a live, unique and personal perspective of the band. Defeater’s Live on BBC Radio 1-EP is a true creative genius.

recommended tracks: “But Breather” & “Brothers” review: Will Howard

Artist: DRGN King Album: Paragraph Nights

For those of you who haven’t been introduced to the band DRGN King, I recommend you listen to them immediately. The Philadelphia based duo just signed with Bar None Records and, with this, comes the release of their first full-length album; Paragraph Nights. In November, the band released its debut single “Holy Ghost,” and things have only been getting better since. If I could use one word to describe DRGN King’s music, it would be eclectic. Every song flows cleanly into the next and showcases the talents of the song-writing as well as their melody-making abilities. The opening track, “Paragraph Nights,” is the perfect lead-in to an album with simple piano chords and soft vocals; it reminded me of what Kings of Leon aspire to be. “The Cardy Boys” is reminiscent of Coldplay (whenever they have a brief moment of genius). The only song I wouldn’t recommend would be “Menswear.” I felt as if it was a little too electronic and grunge pop for the rest of the album. Overall, DRGN King put out an absolutely solid 11-track album.

recommended tracks: “Holy Ghost” & “Paragraph Nights” review: Liz Brossard HIGHLIGHTMAGAZINE.NET - 43