Winter Issue by Becky Elliott

Contents Interviews:

pg. 2-6 : - Backstage Photography: Photo of the Week -Takeover Management: Jaymes Stephens, Braeden Mitchell, New Hands, and You As I pg. 7-12: - Campusfest: Arkells, and These Kids Wear Crowns - Dead and Divine - Your Friends Favourite Band - Oliver Pigott - Local Talent: Risk We Take and Becky Elliott Concert Reviews: pg. 15-19: -Misfits -NSP and USS - Luck and Romance - Jo-Bromance with JoJo and Jay Sean - Change Concert Album Reviews: pg. 21-26: - “Band-Aid,” Blink-182, Beastie Boys, Coldplay, -Evanescence, Ryan Adams, Drake, and Howie D

Cover:

pg. 27-28: - Advertisements REVERSE SIDE : pg. 29-32: - BET HIP-HOP Awards -Watch The Throne Tour -Wiz Kahlifa -Toby Mac pg. 33-35: - Classified - Peter Jackson - D-Thang

Photo of the Week Backstage Photography is a student run photography company affiliated with Durham College through the Music Business Management program. It is comprised of highly enthusiastic and creative individuals who have one objective: to capture the musical styles and personalities of local acts through the art of photography. Our professional pictures will assist aspiring local musicians with their portfolios and any promotional avenues they wish to explore. Our ambitious team of photographers is constantly on the hunt for bands and solo artists in need of professional, appealing, and unique photo opportunities. If our team is not in the studio or directing a professional photo session, then we are on location throughout the GTA doing live shoots at client performances Every week, members of the Backstage Photography team have the opportunity to go out and photograph a music-related item off a Scavenger Hunt list. The creation of the “Photo of the Week” Scavenger Hunt has really taken off within the initiative. The intention of this scavenger hunt is to broaden photography skills and seek out different photography opportunities not only for themselves, but for the Backstage Photography initiative and the Music Business Management program as a whole.

pg.13 BLACK VEIL BRIDES

TakeOver Management is an initiative which offers a lot of hands on experience. The reason being is because TakeOver is the place where emerging bands and artists can go to if they are looking for those willing and dedicated to managing their career. The management initiative is organized in such a way that it is capable of working with several clients. Each client is assigned a dedicated team and together they plan strategies to help further their career in music. Whether it is booking shows, getting airplay, obtaining and selling merchandise, booking studio time, TakeOver provides an excellent opportunity for artists to set the groundwork in reaching their goals. It is through the special attention that each team gives to their clients that TakeOver Management continues to be the unique entity in Campus Entertainment. Challenges abound but those that join TakeOver enjoy learning from those challenges.

Jaymes was born in Peterborough, Ontario, he started learning how to play the guitar at the age of 12. He was inspired by the everyday life, nature and significant events over the years. The combination of electric and acoustic comes from the vast amount of musical influence from being involved in many different musical projects. Jaymes Stephen happened to have undergone an innovative musical change. He is detailed on how he’s breaking out of his old indie style of playing into a more punk inspired, folk genre of music. He speaks confidently about how he wants to “keep it simple so it’s recognizable, but also turn my music into something new that people haven’t necessarily heard before”. One can only imagine that the reinvention of a personal sound would be quite a process and would need inspiration from influential artists. When asked which artists are helping to inspire this new project, Jaymes answers, “Primarily, for what I am doing right now with chord structures, I’d say a lot of Bob Dylan. This Bike is a Pipe Bomb has really inspired me with their whole ‘this should be played on acoustic, but we’re playing it on electric’ live approach”. “Also, Defiance, Ohio has been influential to me.” That answer made it clear who has helped to inspire Jaymes musically, but what about the lyrics? His inspiration for writing comes in many forms, “Everyday life, things that I pick up on that are interesting to me or that inspire me to write a story, come up with a concept, or a new idea.” Jaymes really has a clear idea of what he wants his music to sound like and also with what he wants to accomplish with TakeOver Artist Management this year. He wants to take advantage of working with a management company by “doing a lot of the promotional things that I haven’t had the opportunity to do yet like professional photos and recordings.

Also I just want to get my name out there as an artist and really explore the new material that I have been writing.” After Jaymes finishes school, he expresses how he wants to get into music publishing and be a professional songwriter/ artist. It was refreshing to talk with such an original songwriter and made me interested to find out if he had any advice for aspiring musicians like himself. He told me that he would tell musicians like himself to “find as many scenes as you can and be loyal to them, don’t ever think you’re better than them- that’s where you started and they’re the ones who will remember you when you get big. Also, try to be original and do what you feel instead of what you think people want. You can’t get up there every night playing songs you hate because you think kids are going to dig-it they won’t if they know you’re not digging it.”

Although Braeden’s interest in music began at an early age, it was not until he was a bit older that he developed such a deep appreciation for it. Over the years he has created a diverse music collection which has allowed him to fine tune his original style. The most common theme within his music typically has to do with relationships, but he is currently branching out into other topics. He is writing less material based upon what he knows, and more material based on stories or tales of change, self-esteem, and humanity.

Braeden is always eager to tell of his style and what he wants to do with his music. He finds it impossible to brand himself with one genre, though: “It’s a bit of a mixture because I like to listen to and incorporate a lot of different things. My main genres would be blues, pop, and R&B, but I find it kind of hard to describe my music under one umbrella”. Braeden does an excellent job of fusing these genres together and has help from some of his major musical influences John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and Tommy Emmanuel. Braeden is used to getting things done on his own, and has never worked with a management team, which made me curious to know what he hoped to accomplish with TakeOver Artist Management this year. “More shows, more exposure, more on-line activity. Hopefully they can help push my EP which is pending release this year.”

Make sure to check out Jaymes Stephen’s music at: www.facebook.com/jaymesmusic

Braeden is also hoping to receive a FACTOR grant this year to help him with the recording of his full length CD. It was obvious just talking to Braeden that he’s a very passionate artist, but he also dreams of becoming a professional songwriter. “I want to be a songwriter and I want to potentially get a publishing deal. In order for me to get anywhere with that and for me to experience new things to help my song writing improve and grow, I need to be a performer for a while, but that’s great because I love being on stage and playing my music!” It is refreshing to see an artist with such ambition and clear goals, yet this is just the tip of the iceberg, “It’s a lot of hard work and I haven’t even scratched the surface yet. If you’re in it, you have to make sure you’re in it for the long haul and not to get discouraged, you have to persevere.”

Alex Hurst

ALEX HURST

Make sure to check out Braeden’s music at: www.reverbnation.com/#!/braedenmitchell www.youtube.com/user/BraedenOvation www.myspace.com/braedenmitchell

The playful dynamic between all five members of New Hands is overwhelmingly evident. It’s clear they’re serious about their music but also that they’re great friends, having fun. They consider themselves to be members of a few genres. “Rock, Indie, and Alternative. We’ve got a lot of different sounds coming from each of us, which makes it hard to identify. It’s a wide variety of influences.” What bands helped to influence this sound causes obvious divide in opinions, but can be narrowed down to The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, The National, and Caribou. They have high hopes for their accomplishments as part of TakeOver Artist Management this year:

Also, I think the thing that really drew us to this is that it’s not based in Hamilton, where we always play, it will help us to get exposure outside of Hamilton. Exposure is a key thing and the timing is really good with us releasing our single.” Also, it has to be said, “We want to be famous, mention that we want to be famous.” With fame at the end of the tunnel, they cannot decide who their dream tourmates would be: “Anyone? This is a purely hypothetical situation? Then Radiohead for sure... or maybe The Beatles, The Strokes, or Neil Young.” Another divided answer, but that can be expected when five musicians have to decide which of their favourite artists they’d tour with. They maintain a positive attitude, and a clear focus, no matter the situation thrust upon them. “Keep at it, be hyper-critical, and make friends with every one you play with. Making friends with everyone, that’s the key for me because you never know where someone will end up. Make friends, make contacts, and take it seriously.” Make sure to check out New Hands on: http://www. facebook.com/#!/newhands And download their tracks for free at: http://newhands. bandcamp.com/ ALEX HURST

You as I

“We spend most of our free time with one another, speaking only in insults. We hate each other, but inside every insult is our profound love for one another”. The group was formed in high school, inspired by an array of styles and sounds. This collection of influences we see as colours; colours that make us want to dance and create our own music. “This is our common language, a way to communicate without insults. Now in University, ready to exit our teenage years, we thought it fitting to have our first release”.

You As I is a metal band hailing from Oshawa, Ontario. Forming in 2010 as The Cannanibals, they have recently changed their name along with their line up. The band utilizes groove, metal, punk, and blues as an interesting twist on the heavy sound of metal. The band consists of brothers Jake (vocals) and Jesse (Guitar) Wells, Alan Tang (Guitar), and Jordan Clark (Drums). They have just recently been signed with TakeOver Artist Management and are currently recording their first EP release. The guys have been playing music together for years, but have only been playing with this current line up for just under three months. When asked what they thought about their own sound, they confidently answered, “Groovy thrash metal with hardcore influences. It’s pretty heavy metal at times, but also has a melodic feel to it”. A mix of genres like that definitely makes sense considering the vast amount of influences the band has and the different sounds they each bring to the table. The guys agreed on having influence from bands they grew up listening to like Metallica and Black Sabbath, but had a mixed response of what influences each of them now like Children of Bodom, Atreyu, Bullet for my Valentine, August Burns Red, and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. Many wonder what kind of reaction this hybrid mix of metal sub-genres would get from a crowd and by the sounds of it, it’s a positive one. “People have come up to us after shows and told us ‘I don’t like metal, but I like your band.’ I feel like with us things just happen, and it’s not hard for us to come up with things that people will enjoy”. It is obvious that there is a great band dynamic ,with all members on the same page when it comes to what they want to do with TakeOver Artist Management this year. “We want to record an EP and just get our name out there. We also want to play a lot more professional shows and get shows outside of Oshawa like in Toronto or Montreal that would be incredible.” Considering the dedication the band has and how well they mesh and work together, I have confidence that we’ll be hearing a lot from You As I in the near future. Though their journey is just beginning, You As I has a helpful tip for other aspiring artists: “Practice, practice, practice. Stop talking about it and actually do it. And make sure you find people that you can work with and want the same things as you”. ALEX HURST

CAMPUS FEST

The Arkells have come quite far since they were signed to Dine Alone Records in 2006. Still, they continue on a fast track to success, with a growing reputation and expanding profile. With a Juno Award win under their belt, and having played milestone-venue Air Canada Centre, the success of their second studio album, Michigan Left, was inevitable. “We like all the songs equally. There are 10 songs on the album, and we like each of them a lot, for different reasons,” says lead vocalist Max Kerman. The first single from Michigan Left, “Whistleblower”, may have been successful on the radio airwaves, but don’t limit your expectations—it does not necessarily represent the album as a whole. Says Kerman, “It’s definitely the most heavy kind of song on the record, in terms of being heavily guitarbased. The rest of the album isn’t necessarily like that, but it’s a pretty cohesive record”. Although their journey has just begun, the Arkells are heading into the future full-throttle. They are currently on tour in western Canada, working their way towards the East into December 2011, and hitting all the spots they skim past into 2012. No strangers to touring now, they have, undeniably, learned a lot. When asked what they wished they knew before they hit the road, Kerman muses, and concludes, “Try your best to get a good night’s rest when you’re touring—you’ll pay for it later”. ELISA KRITIOTIS

These Kids Wear Crowns, and They Want Somebody to Dance With These Kids Wear Crowns may not have had the most conventional start (as finalists on Much Music’s Disband), they have already left their mark on Canadian music, though their success was not always a certainty. “We knew the opportunity was a big one, but you don’t know how it’s going to work out at the end. It can work out very well for you if you get the thumbs up. I hear there was a split and we were close to getting a thumbsdown, but you really don’t know,” says lead singer Alex Johnson.

The Arkells: Full Throttle

Through the uncertainty, TKWC managed to break through the Canadian popular music scene, and have toured with big names such as Faber Drive, Hedley, Lights, and even took their act overseas to Singapore with Simple Plan. “Generally, people are all the same. When they come out to a show, they like to have fun and party. I can say that our music transcends the boundaries of language… they were very receptive of our sound,” recalls Johnson.

In case of the slight chance anyone doubts whether they have heard a song by These Kids Wear Crowns, direct them to the nearest radio or television set, where they will surely hear “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”—a cover of Whitney Houston’s 1987 hit that seems to be in constant rotation. The inspiration to cover the song may have been on a whim, though it is an absolute representation of TKWC’s energy, “We love Whitney Houston’s music video for it. We did it as just a live cover, went through, and took it to another level,” says Johnson, with a laugh. These Kids Wear Crowns are currently completing an Australian tour, and have no plans on stopping any time soon. They will be hitting the road with Simple Plan, Mariana’s Trench, and All Time Low in February 2012, for a Canadian tour that’s going to be “pretty much awesome, coast-to-coast”. ELISA KRITIOTIS

If you haven’t heard about the band Teenage Kicks, it’s about time you listen up. This indie, classic rock, soul band out of Toronto, has the feel of classic rock with the sound and energy that’s cranked up to 11. For all you non music fans, check your facts and take note that this band is here to stay. The band consists of 5 members all hailing from Georgetown. The lead singer Peter and the bassist Jeff are brothers who have been playing since they were teenagers. They played in a few different bands together before Jeff left to teach English in Mexico for 4 months. Peter, however, wanted to continue playing and formed a band some may know as “Ulysses and the Siren” with now band mate Christian. After Jeff’s return from Mexico it seemed as if things were slowly falling into place as he was invited into “Ulysses and the Siren”. With constant revolving members and a name change in the works, they decided on the 5 piece you hear now and moved the band to Toronto. After forming their 5 piece, Peter was able to focus heavier on singing which has lead to the powerful vocals you hear on such tracks as “Brooklyn Bridge” and “Shook our Bones”.

With a title like “Antimacy”, fans expected something heavy and this album delivers just that. Formed in 2003, and originally from Burlington, Ontario, Dead and Divine has been dominating the local hard-core scene for years with their southern influenced style and upbeat riffs. They were quickly on the radar, and before long, were signed by Verona Records, which is owned by Shane Told of Silverstein fame. They recorded their first EP “What Really Happened at Lover’s Lane” in 2005 under this label, which landed them a deal with Rise Records to release their first full length album “The Fanciful,” which was then released in March of2008. Just over a year later, they released their second full length album “The Machines We Are” in August of 2009, under their current label, Distort Records. This album was criticized by many because of feelings that the band held back their original sound during the writing process. The band took a year off from touring to write what is now called “Antimacy,” which was released in August of this year. This record was heavily promoted through their Facebook page, as well as other social media with claims of this being a “no holds back” record. Past releases were composed of music that made each song applicable for radio play. This time around, they threw caution to the wind, and it shows. There isn’t one song on the record that would be considered low-tempo, and most of their choruses are very short, some with screaming verses. There is even a song with no singing in it at all, which is a first for a Dead and Divine record.

This album takes the melodic style from the Fanciful, and mixes it with heavy “breakdown” patterns. This is a major comeback for the band musically, and this could be their big break in the music industry. One of the biggest differences between this record and their previous ones is how dark the songs are. As always, vocalist Matt Tobin writes very descriptive and personal opinions in his lyrics. He takes a very hateful turn on this album, as he writes about his animosity. Matt has always been very open about what he believes in, but this record it shows more than ever. Another major difference is the shift in their sound. They are slowly dropping the southern feel that was apparent on their previous records, and playing faster songs that some would consider “punk hard-core”. Generally, when bands change their sound, it can ruin them. Dead and Divine have managed to pull off this transition and still play what comes from them naturally, and the fans love it. For anyone who hasn’t heard of Dead and Divine, pick up a copy of this record. It’s intense from start to finish, and something you can rock out to on full blast.

With having such a unique sound, both with vocals and melodies, it’s only right that you would have a band name that evokes the same amount of force. When asked about the final name change and influence, Jeff explained that Peter had actually gotten the name “Teenage Kicks” from a Jack Kerouac novel and not from The Undertone’s song like many would assume. Jeff went on to say that the band’s name “exemplifies the feeling of being in a band” and you couldn’t agree more. The thought of Teenage Kicks, whatever that may be, ignites the feeling of raw, passionate, summer rock and roll. This was all easy to understand, when asked about their influences the following names came up; CCR, Beatles, Zeppelin, Sloan, and The Constantines. Teenage Kicks are your typical diamond in the rough, the band that you want all of your friends to know you found. With knowledge of the industry and the fact that it’s currently a gift market (better to hear then to sell), it’s no wonder why all of Teenage Kicks’ recorded work is currently up for free on their Myspace and website. But with festivals approaching and needy fans waiting, the band has gone into recording new material this November and will more than likely show their faces around Canadian Music Week this year. For now you’ll have to embrace their 7 inch and EP “Rational Anthems” but don’t be mistaken, this band is not only here but they’re here to stay. KYLE POTTER

SEAN CAMPBELL

Check them out at: http://teenagekicksteenagekicks.tumblr.com/ Follow them at: http://twitter.com/#!/teenagekicksss

Quickies With Jesse: Oliver Pigott

Let’s face it: real talent is rare these days. We live in a world where auto-tune and nepotism seem to get you farther than anything else in the music industry. Earlier this year in February, at Tranzac in Toronto, I had the pleasure of witnessing one of the first acts of raw talent that I’ve seen in a long time. Oliver Pigott has a stage presence so commanding that he doesn’t need to be backed by heavy guitars or an obnoxious set of drums; give him an acoustic guitar and a microphone and he’ll capture your attention from the first note. I was lucky enough to have the chance to sit down with Oliver at a Timothy’s in Toronto, to ask him some questions about social networking, breakup songs, and a few other things that I was genuinely curious about. While setting up the interview, I was surprised to learn that a guy with such a huge presence on Twitter and Facebook doesn’t have a cell phone. When I asked him about it, what he said actually made a lot of sense: it’s because of this online presence that he doesn’t feel the need for a cell phone. He is accessible enough online, and it lets him have that necessary amount of privacy that all musicians strive for. Oliver is able to maintain a good balance between his personal and professional lives, by keeping all of his non-music related photos and videos private on Facebook. And really, it was refreshing to meet someone who isn’t constantly tied to their Blackberry like the rest of us. I have always been curious about the infamous breakup song. Not being a performer myself, I’ve wondered how it feels to play one live, and whether it still hurts or if it gives a sort of ha-ha-look-at-me-now satisfaction. Thankfully, Oliver was able to clear that up for me. According to this half of The Pigott Brothers, the most romantic aspect of a breakup song is the writing process, which allows the writer to “shed their demons” and let go, while the actual performance is based on the rhythm and melody, and just being in the moment. During the show at Tranzac, Oliver debuted a new song titled ‘What it Takes to Love You’, sparking my curiosity yet again. When I inquired about whether Oliver feels nervous when performing a new song in front of an audience for the first time, he said that his confidence in the song wins out over any apprehension. Usually a new song will come from a crop of about ten new tunes, so the one he chooses to debut will have been perfectly chosen beforehand by his musician’s instinct. One of the first things I noticed about Oliver during his performance was his lack of footwear. Oliver informed me that this started because during his live shows, he moves back and forth between a standing and sitting position, and it’s just easier to make this transition without shoes. While living in England it became part of his stage persona and a topic of interest to those watching him perform, so ever since then it’s been bare feet on stage. When asked if he had any advice for those of us trying to network within the music industry, Oliver gave an answer that I think could benefit us all: take time to focus on personal relationships with people, not just what you think they can do for you, and the rest will fall into place. With so many people trying to use others just to further their

careers, it was nice to hear that not everyone has a hidden agenda. Now, I know I said the Quickies in the last issue were my last ones, but I just couldn’t resist asking them one more time to Oliver Pigott. So, here are the actual last Quickies for the year! 1. What is your favourite concert you’ve ever been to? “The Hives in England” - also notable, Big Sugar and The Black Keys 2.

What was your favourite place you’ve played at so far? “A show last August with Earl Stevenson in Lloydminster, Alberta”

What lyric from one of your songs means the most to you? “They all have equally significant meaning, but ‘Let Your Devil Die’ stands out.” 4. What are your top four desert island songs? “Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles, Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin, Manic Depression - Jimmy Hendrix, Helter Skelter - The Beatles” 5.

What is the best piece of life advice anyone ever gave you? “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” 6.

What song do you want played at your funeral? “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”

The final question I asked Oliver had to do with a pants-ripping incident that may or may not have occurred at Tranzac. I wanted to know how he would handle such an issue, and what he does to deal with situations that are out of his control during live shows. According to Oliver, he’s seen everything possible go wrong on a show night, and it’s better to address such things up front and make them part of the actual show. Something he said about this incident really stuck with me: “You can make everything into some sort of art.” And being the talented lyricist that he is, Oliver really does know how to turn words into a genuine work of art. Looking back on the interview, it just felt like I was in a coffee shop having a conversation with a friend. Oliver’s sincerity and courteousness stand out almost as much as his talent. To check out Oliver Pigott’s music, look him up on iTunes or go to www.oliverpigott.com, and keep checking back for upcoming tour dates, and the forthcoming release date of the new album from The Pigott Brothers. JESSE LETFORD

A large portion of our society tends to go buy the newest Katy Perry CD or download the newest single by Jay-Z, but what about local bands and singers in your own hometown? What about the artists that are trying their best to make it in the music industry? Many find it hard to establish a solid fan-base and are not always given those lucky opportunities. They work very hard, but in the end their music is not heard. Two local talents dedicated their time to answer a couple of questions about the challenges of the music industry and how they deal with each. First, I spoke with Oshawa-based band The Risk We Take, members include Sean Campbell (vocals), Ariel Rivera (guitar/vocals), Matt Anttila (bass), and Kris Collins (drums). Ariel Rivera took the time to answer a few questions for me. Volume 11: What makes your sound/music unique? Also, describe your sound. Ariel: I think what makes our sound unique is what everyone in this band is influenced by- there are so many different styles of music that we are each individually into that it kind of brings out a bit of everything into our songs. Also, I think that our sound comes from the fact that we avoid doing what a lot of bands are doing. We are constantly looking for alternative ways of writing songs. I’d like to think that our music is pretty energetic, and it’s appropriately heavy when it has to be. I guess it’s a mix of a bit of hardcore and metalcore V11: In your opinion, how would you describe the music industry? A: I think it’s really terrible. There’s not much money in it for bands in our genre, which is hard if you’re a touring band or recording. It’s, also, very backstabbing, and it’s hard to trust people in it (mostly promoters). V11: Is it hard trying to get your music heard and gain a fan-base? A: Yeah, it’s probably the hardest part about being a band, especially a band without a record deal. People don’t always take you as seriously cause they assume that you’re just doing it as a hobby or something. Fan growth is slow at first and it really depends on people spreading the word and playing the right shows with the right bands. V11: What do you want to bring to the music industry? A: We want to bring songs that will move people and that anyone could relate to, also we want to bring fun shows. You can ‘Like’ The Risk We Take on Facebook to find more information, news, and updates on this up-andcoming, local band. Local bands and singers need your support. Recommend and promote local talent in your city!

Country singer/songwriter Becky Elliott was kind enough to share some of her experiences within the music industry in her career thus far, and the difference a positive outlook can make. Volume 11 Magazine: In your opinion, how would you describe the music industry? Becky: The music industry is really intimidating and scary, but once you have a way in, you’ve got it made. It’s definitely an asset having (or almost having) a diploma in the music industry. I’ve learned so much from my studies that have helped me become successful as an artist. V11: Is it hard trying to get your music heard and gain a fan-base? B: It definitely is. I mean, you go out and do shows and you hope that people enjoy what you’re doing. You hope that they’ll go home and find you on Facebook or YouTube and become an instant fan, but it’s not always that simple. For me, I love going out after the shows and talking to people and finding out what they enjoyed about the songs and finding out ways that I can improve as a musician. I have a great bunch of followers and my friends and family are beyond supportive. I really couldn’t ask for anything more than that. V11: What do you want to bring to the music industry? B: I was never the most popular girl in school, or the beauty of my town but I always had my music and I knew that I loved it and couldn’t see myself doing anything else but music. I want to bring a new mentality to the music industry whereby music isn’t just about the way you look or how pretty you are, but it’s about the music, the talent, and the lyrics. I want to be able to prove that music doesn’t discriminate so the music industry shouldn’t either. V11: Are you trying to bring something new with your music or lyrics? B: My main goal with my music is to make it relatable. I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to look out of the stage and see people singing my own songs back to me; it shows me that I’m not alone when I write my songs, but that I’m writing to hundreds, maybe thousands, of people that have been in the same situation a million times before me. I also really enjoy writing songs about my friends and family (both good and bad –haha). You can help support Becky Elliott on Facebook (Becky Elliott Music), on YouTube (www.youtube.com/beckyelliottmusic), or Twitter (@BElliottMusic). Nicole Corcoran

Andy, along with the rest of Black Veil Brides, love what they do, even though the life of being on the road is not as great as it is thought to be performers always have something to look forward to and that is when they are to perform for their fans. Their favourite part of performing is the connection they have with the fans—meeting them after shows and hearing their stories, and learning how their music has touched each of their lives. It is an overall magnificent experience for the band.

“Touring is not all that glamorous; you sleep in a bus, wake up fairly early drag yourself out of bed and you play your show. Those moments you have with your fans when you connect with the audience is what means the most”

“This Record Is For The Outcasts...”

By: Victoria Church

From being on the cover of popular music magazines such as Alternative Press and Kerrang, to being a part of AP tour and Vans Warped Tour 2011, Black Veil Brides have shown that they are moving up in the music world. Kerrang magazine quotes “ Is Andy The New God Of Rock?” From the 80’s hair metal look to the dark rock sound, this is nowhere near impossible. I have had the greatest honor to speak with Andy about the success of BVB. ver since the beginning, 20-yearyears and I feel awesome it always it represents me as a kid, as a character old band front man Andy Six ends up in someone almost dying I played because I started a band when knew that Black Veil Brides or actually end up dying and that’s I was 14; initially I was a weird kid who would be successful, and it was not something I am interested in. “ got kicked down a lot. Andy Six rephis dream and he would have it no other resented my escape, when I was Andy Not only does their music capture the way. “ I think that should be everyone’s, Six I could do anything and get away young generation of today with the intention to be successful in whatever with anything. Now Andy Biersack and topics of love, life and never giving in, they do. When we first started our intenAndy Six have become one person, I but also their style. They have a very tion is try to make a band to be there for am more Andy Biersack now than I am unique style, they are bringing back the outcasts kids create a community for it represents me as a kid, as a character the look of rock ‘n’ roll They have had people who feel like they’re a loner, or their fan base increase immensely and those with a rebellious spirit or someno long are called their fans. Like their thing. For us we are heavily influenced 80’s inspiration KISS, Black Veil Brides by 80’s hair metal and early punk rock now has an army: The BVB Army. This music and that kind of stuff, and we try army will swarm the venue just to meet to make a modernize version of that their rock gods, and during their shows make something that can resonate with are not afraid to show their devotion the kids. In terms of success, we always by singing along and on occasion ripintended of being successful I think everyone does at least, you should always BVB is changing the whole SEX, ping Andy’s clothes off of him. When want to do the best in what you do and DRUGS and ROCK’N’ROLL game speaking to him, he told me it creates great stories to tell, that it is fun. Howcontinue to grow with what you do that follows the whole Rock ‘N’ Roll ever he learns that with performing and or else you should stop doing it.” Scene. “ Like any band, we like to have knowing how his crazed fans are he will Andy wishes for the band to be a call a drink every now and then, when it not be wearing anything that is valuable for the outcasts, and whom we know as comes to the sex and drugs I don’t see it or nice, with the chances of the clothAndy Six was and to some could pos- being productive, and even as you mening getting ripped off his own back. sibly still be one of those outcasts. His tioned rock stars having drug problems, past, ultimately, is what created the char- I think it’s insane to do the same stuacter we know as THE ANDY SIX to- pid things and expect different results. day “ I do use my actual name, Andy No one has had a positive heroin story, Biersack is my actual name and the fans there’s never been a time where someknow that. What the nickname to me is, one has said wow I had heroin for 10

“I think that I love everything about it, I can’t imagine a life without performing.”

“ I’m going to perform until I physically can’t perform anymore”

It is evident that Andy displays his serious appetite for success with pride. These rock sensations are living it up in the right ways and we are looking forward to seeing

them back on tour in Canada, and hearing their new record, which was released this past summer. Without a doubt , the Black Veil Brides will reign in

“ We are the Black Veil Brides...” 14

REVIEWS USS- Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker I have to admit that walking into the venue that night, I had no idea what to expect from a USS show. I knew a few songs of theirs and had heard good things from friends who have seen them live, but this would be my first time seeing a show myself. The show started with StereoKids, which was a really good way of getting the crowd pumped and excited. After the crowd was warmed up, USS appeared on stage to a room of deafening screams of anticipation. Their performance is definitely not your typical concert, with walking headstands, band members sitting on each other’s shoulders, and the interesting choice of outfits worn by the band, and this is what set them apart—entertainment. Their talent far exceeds their reputation. My favourite song they performed was “Anti-Venom” and the cover they did of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” where they paid Oshawa a little tribute by tweaking the lyrics a little bit to say, “And after all, you’re my dirty Shwa”. Overall, the show was really well put together and USS more than delivered an amazing show. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see them live, I suggest you round up some friends and head on out to a show. KATRINA ARAUJO

When it comes to Horror Punk, the first band that comes to mind is The Misfits. On Wednesday, October 26, 2011 The Misfits stormed Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre and casted down The Devil’s Reign! My experience, as a Misfits fan, was one to never be forgotten- This one is for all the Fiends. As I arrived to the venue the first band immediately began to play and I started to get pumped-up from the second I heard the pounding drums and heavy guitar. After a while, I began to grow bored and weary as opening band after opening band hit the stage. After a total of four opening acts, Juicehead (The co-headliner) finally started to play. To my surprise Juicehead, a band on the bill that I have never heard of, put on an amazing performance. Even though the band was missing a member, front man Rob Vannice, they didn’t let that slow them down. Returning the energy to the weary crowd before the Misfits hit the stage; Juicehead played a crucial part in the outcome of this show.

As Juicehead finished their set, I realized the crowd had grown considerably in size compared to the draw earlier in the evening. As fans anticipated the set of the Misfits, I was scoping the crowd and to my surprise I spotted the Misfits drummer, Goat, meeting some fans before his set. As I approached the horror-punk drummer, I was almost blown over in surprise with how loving and polite this man was to his fans. When you think punk, you think aggression, but not with these guys; their fans are a priority and it’s obvious. As my eyes wandered to the stage I witnessed smoke fill the room and an eerie feeling take over me, the show was about to begin. With the electric entrance of The Misfits came the screams of the roaring crowd. Front man Jerry Only kept things at a quick pace by counting 1,2,3,4! in between songs and playing the music at an accelerated speed. The Misfits played new songs like ‘Land of the Dead’ and ‘Devils Rain’ which made the newer fans freak out, but what made my heart drop was when Jerry began playing a string of Misfits classics such as ‘Devilock’, ‘The Shining’,’ The Haunting’, and ‘Scream.’ I sang along until my throat burned as I was captivated by Punk icon Jerry Only. All I can say is if you haven’t seen the Misfits then do so, and if you’re one of those self hating fiends who say “The Misfits don’t have it anymore,” then I’m sorry to say, but you are very wrong. The Misfits blew my mind that night and embedded one of the most memorable shows I have ever attended into my brain. SHAWN BELLEFEUILLE

THE NSP How do you pump up new fans to a fresh local music scene? Give the fans a bus party! How do you create a following? Invite your fans to the stage! I’ve been to shows where the listeners are like bystanders unsure how to react to the music. This was not that kind of show. There was no distance between bands and the fans, just connection. When you scream and sing in synch listeners chant and mosh expressing freedom of Punk. The Not So Punk are not so quiet, giving their all in true Punk style, they shredded the stage at El Mocambo in Toronto. With Shawn’s screams bleeding into the microphone and Jaymes’ vocals connecting us to the melody, the audience had awoken and there was no denying The NSP’s demanding presence. Banging on the drums you’ll find Bodan, and working the bass was Ryan aka Da’Bron. Invited or not, I made my way to the stage to hear their not-so-ordinary sound. Influenced by Punk, Ska, Rock and Metal, their sound truly is a split punk personality. So if you’re ready to scream your heart out and mosh with music fans alike, get to one of their shows, or get the punk out! KAYLA COWAN

If you’ve never been to “the shoe”, you’ve never witnessed the rock n roll history that the “lucky” bar, The Horseshoe Tavern, has to offer. Walking down the front of the venue, you can see press clippings and photos of some of Rock and Rolls stars that have graced the stage. Tonight, a little bit of romance was present as The Fast Romantics were added to that list of greats.

Their sound can reach audiences of the younger generation and older generation which is hard to find in today’s music. With influences like The Kinks, The Beatles, and Motown, it’s no wonder you feel the positive vibes from every song.

The band has now moved to Toronto to conquer the scene here and if they can do it anywhere, it will be here. The Fast Romantics started 4 years ago in Calgary through They incorporate all facets of a successful band whether it’s their rock and roll presence on stage, their modestly, a cluster of mishap meetings which now forms the 5 piece band. The lead singer (Matthew) and the bassist (Jeff) had friendly personality off stage or nonstop work ethic. Matthew comments on the fact that it’s no longer enough to been in bands here and there since they were children. Their drummer (Alan) was an Ontario native that moved to be a band that “looks cool” and if you’re not ready to put Calgary, which is ironic being that the Calgary based band your heart and soul into your work then it’s time to move over for the bands that are. has now moved to Toronto. During their time in Calgary, they poached another member (Laurna) who was known If you haven’t been swept up by The Fast Romantics, be as “that girl who works in the local record store”. Well that girl is now front and centre as The Fast Romantics backup assured that there will be a constant buzz coming your way soon. The band has just released the EP “Kid Cutvocals and keyboardist. ter” with the single “Cool Kids” that was featured on the hit show “Vampire Diaries”. If what was played last night Breaking down this bands genre isn’t as easy as one may was any indication of what is to come for The Fast Roassume. When asked about his take on their sound, Matmantics, the anticipation level couldn’t be further through thew described it as “pretty good (laughing)”. To take the easy way out, one could say that they are simply indie rock the roof. but isn’t every breaking band nowadays? The Fast Romantics come at you with an arrangement of hard hitting drums, KYLE POTTER soothing melodies, and piano and guitar riffs that will have the sternest statue bouncing along

Jo-Bromance with JoJo and Jay Sean

What do you get when you mix a smooth R&B singer, a Jonas Brother, and a diva with a crazy set of pipes? A high energy, in-your-face, spectacular show that you’ll still be feeling the next morning. As I walked into the venue, I couldn’t help but notice that a good portion of the crowd was girls, with many dressed in their Jonas brothers tees, and even some with “I love Joe” written on their arms or faces. Nevertheless; when the lights dimmed down, the opening beats started and JoJo made her way on stage, it was forgotten who exactly we were all there for. As she broke out into her smash single, “Leave, Get Out”, the crowd was belting it out along with her and by the end of her set she had the whole place roaring and cheering for an encore. By the time Jay Sean made his way on stage, the crowd was pumped up and ready for another great performance. With his smooth accent and his wicked beats, it was clear that he won over the heart of almost every girl in that room. Then came moment anticipated by many—the lights went down and the opening beats for “Love Slayer” started and the screams that came from the crowd were deafening as the middle brother of the Jonas trio stepped out on stage. His stage presence in itself was amazing, and he had every girl in the place swooning by the time he pulled up a stool and covered Chris Brown’s “Beautiful People” , while he gazed out into the crowd, looked into everyone’s eyes and handed roses out to some lucky girls in the first few rows. For his first tour without the support of his brothers, he showed just how talented and capable he is all on his own. The entire show was so well put together and so full of energy. I left the venue at the end of the night wishing I could rewind and re-start the show and watch it over and over again. KATRINA ARAUJO

CONCERT REVIEWS

Do you or your friends play in a band, or do you know any musicians? Here is a list of equipment you should check out!

When you offer yourself to a song, you give yourself away to a moment in time. To Tell is that moment in time that you look to when all hope is a memory in the past; To Tell is a memory of the future. I may have been thrown into their music on Friday night, but they welcomed me in song and in heart when they opened themselves to their fans both on stage and backstage. Each song in their set melted the negativity in my brain and created a safe, positive space for me and the audience to sail away on. Though they look up to acts who tell personal stories of tribulation, To Tell prefers to spread a contagious, positive vibe to their fans.

Guitars: The Kramer series has made a huge comeback. It was at its highest selling peak in the Mid 80s, beating out Gibson and Fender. It was most famous for being Eddie Van Halen's main guitar- every photo of him shredding, he would be using it. 11 years ago, Gibson bought the revered Kramer brand and at that point, the guitar was past its prime. However, Gibson has refurnished many of the Kramer models, and has made them even better than the originals. Kramer has quickly risen back to its former popularity and soon enough it will be dominating the guitar market once again.

Sharing their wisdom and knowledge, I was amazed at what I learned about Christian Rock music and its impact on music fans from all walks of life. On Friday, October 14 I attended the Change Concert and witnessed a mass following of all ages and ethnicities. You can stereotype a genre all you want, but until you experience a concert among loyal fans, you won’t understand the impact music has on people. After experiencing the show and speaking with one of the bands, I heard the positive messages the bands were offering to their fans. There are no egos or sense of hierarchy between the performers and the fans. The artists identify themselves with their fans and vice versa. Rapper/ rock star, Manafest is a mix between Eminem’s aggression and Marilyn Manson’s dark presence. After he caused a ruckus, he changed the atmosphere by walking to the front of the stage and told his story of growing up as the “weirdo” in high school. He never felt like he belonged until he started skateboarding and writing music. He told the crowd that they too could be successful and powerful regardless of how others perceived them.

Microphones: The Shure SM58 is the industry standard for any live performance, used by most signed acts. This cardioid polar pattern dynamic mic is built with a low frequency boost when used close to the source. The response reduces pick-up from the sides and rear, which helps reduce feedback onstage. The frequency response ranges from 50 Hz to 15 kHz.

Stellar Kart has to be the only band that can combine punk rock and Disney, and keep their audience screaming and hungry for more. These boys offer positive messages in a punk rock sound. After an infectious cover of Living on a Prayer, the boys played two new songs off their Disney EP, A Whole New World. Young fans and old fans sang along to the Disney classics we’ve all grown up with and created a connection between the age gaps. Though they are new to the scene, I have a lot of respect for these artists because they told their stories with integrity, no walls, just truth. I invite you to immerse yourself in an unfamiliar genre and realize that music connects all. KAYLA COWAN

Drums: Pearl drums are a generic, yet a great product. Pearls can be very expensive, but also very cheap depending on the kit, and are great quality for what you pay. Not only does Pearl sell kits, they distribute many other percussion piecesPearl has made shells for over 30 companies. This is one of their best qualities because they are known for their SST, or "Superior Shell Technology." They are also known for their snare drums, their low-end quality comes with a kit. To purchase one of their best snare drums, you have to buy it separately. Pearl also has renowned hardware, including the Gyro lock tilter, which allows the drummer to make more precise angle adjustments to their toms and cymbals at 360 degrees.

SEAN CAMPBELL

OLD SCHOOL ... Music is solidarity, a branch, an out reach, and a cry for undisputed help. That “Band-Aid” we all linger for. ~ Chelsey Rogatinsky Old releases you need to know. 2006 Band: Saosin

This song is a must have download off that album, despite how it is not getting any younger. Saosin is a post-hardcore band with an essence of pop that originated in California, having released this album in 2006. Anyone who grew up and was able to see the development of Saosin can all relate to the nostalgic memory of this song. It holds onto a meaning of sincerity in the sense that it is a powerful “go-to” song when you essentially don’t want to feel alone. Tragically cliché, I know, but we have all been there.

Song: You’re Not Alone Album: Self Titled

When you cross paths with that song that utterly and completely hits home, you crave for a need to play it on repeat. If the song eventually dies out for you or not, that branch intertwines leading you to a group of tangled artists all gathered in a kindred realm. Music heels, music distracts, and music impacts are the ideas based off how it is there when nothing else is left. The impact is a personal, intangible spirit that for the most part remains indescribable. Have you ever listened to a song so good that you wanted for a longer continuity? Wishing it was never over? I want to provide you with songs that impact me and may do the same for you.

Private School... NEW SCHOOL... New Releases to be aware of. 2011 Band: Close Your Eyes Song: Wormwood Album: Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts The Christian hardcore/punk band hailing from Texas is undoubtedly all about deliverance. The slow eerie intro leads you into a straight raw chant from Shane (lead vocalist) that feels like the vocals are speaking to you. Feeding off this genuine empowerment you receive as the listener, it is just as meaningful as the first line of the chorus that translates over to clean vocals. That musical lick is stamped to that catalogue in your brain. That place where you always have a song stuck in your head. That stamp would not stick without that lick, and that originated from their first single, “Song for the Broken,” off their first album, We Will Overcome. Highly recommended to check it out.

If my mom can with stand four minutes of listening to my music, that is a colossal statement in itself. This band goes unnoticed to the posthardcore scene within Canada because they are based out of Oklahoma. They represent substantial amounts of clean and screaming vocals, hints of electro synth, and a voice that has the ability to soar. This acoustic song can be categorized as the typical demeaning burden in the bewilderment that someone just broke your so-called heart filled feelings. Complicated? Break it down to that derailed breach your feeling. It goes handin-hand with the relevancy to the lyrics. “Don’t tell me it’s better off this way.” It is a meaningful and irresistible song to say the least.

Providing you up and coming unknown bands to look out for. 2010 Band: Outline In Color Song: Promises Album: Self Titled EP

TO BE CONTINUED....

Also check out: Molotov Solution – Heavy Metal City Lights – Pop-Punk/Hardcore Heart In Hand – Melodic Hardcore

ALBUMS Beastie Boys Hot Sauce Committee Part Two

Instead, we get the sound of master musicians in their comfort zone, doing everything their own way. Nobody would want to hear the Beasties try anything else. - Brandon Lovery

Coldplay

Who’s in your NEIGHBOURHOOD ? It has been over two years since Blink-182 announced their official return as a band. They toured throughout the summer of 2009 and have since been M.I.A., until this past summer. They have recently been headlining the Honda Civic Tour to promote their new album that was released in stores on September 27, 2011. Who is Blink-182? Blink-182 is composed of Tom DeLonge on guitar, Mark Hoppus on bass, and Travis Barker on drums with shared vocals. In the past they always sang their own songs, whereas now their music seems to be more about a sense of collaboration. It has been 8 years since the release of their previous untitled record, which left fans unsure as to what they can expect. That’s a long-time to change and to grow as musicians, and no one could have predicted that they would bounce back with their classic sound. An obvious influence in their most recent release, “Neighborhoods”, was their side projects—from Tom’s Angels and Airwaves, to Mark and Travis’ +44. Their first single “Up All Night” premiered in July as the first song the band had written after their return. Only recently has the band been playing new releases during their live show. They started out only playing a select few including “Up All Night,” “Hearts All Gone,” “After Midnight,” and “Ghost On The Dance Floor” on their most recent tour. “After Midnight” was then announced as their third single. Although Tom shows a change in his vocal style, he did write some songs that sound as if they could be one of the Blink-182 songs that originally brought this band to fame. Travis outdid himself this time on the record, some of the best drum patterns he has ever recorded were apparent. Some of the tracks on this record that show a more “old-school” side of Blink-182 are “Natives”, “This Is Home”, “MH 41.8.2011”, and “Even If She Falls”. Overall, this is a record that deserves more than one listen. For any die-hard fan of this band, you need to get over the fact they aren’t the same band—only after that will you realize this is actually one of the best records they have ever recorded. SEAN CAMPBELL

The Beastie Boys have come a long way in terms of their overall sound of music they develop and their sense of still living under the hip-hop genre as veterans of the craft. In a lot of earlier Beastie Boys music, they had structured songs that had right to the point rhythms and lyrics. The Beastie Boys that we listen to now have changed in a sense of differentiating their styles and recordings then what they used to be. Hot Sauce Committee Part Two is the eighth studio album by the Beastie Boys, released in 2011. The album was originally planned for release on September 15, 2009 under the title Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 1, as the first installment of a two part set. The album was delayed after band member Adam “MCA” Yauch was diagnosed with cancer. After a two year delay, only one album has been released and it is not clear if the plan for a two part album has been abandoned. The Hot Sauce Committee album has a combination of playing and sampling different sounds as their playing to come up with background music for their tracks. Most of their records on the album can be described as very obscure sounding and they all change in terms of length aswell which in turn all sort of run into each other as the songs go along. To put this whole album into a better understanding the Beastie Boys don’t give a rats tail about sounding young still. The more you listen to the album, the more you realize that the Beasties reveal a lot of their old school references and cultural touchstones in this album. Simply put, they’re not sweating to impress anyone except one another. Beastie Boys were already oldschool back when they were young-school, so it’s no surprise that on Hot Sauce Committee Part Two they make no effort to accommodate or even acknowledge any of the latest hip-hop trends.

Mylo Xyloto

From the first look of the front cover to the inside of the album, Coldplay brings another artistic dynamic to their newest album Mylo Xyloto. 1970s New York graffiti and White Rose, the Nazi resistance movement, is the inspiration behind Mylo Xyloto. Although there are many mixed reviews from critics, Coldplay’s fifth studio album sold 447,000 copies in the first week of its release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Comparing to other Coldplay albums such as X&Y and Viva La Vida, the album has the same texture of sound, but incorporates fresh, warm instrumentation, lyrics, and vocals. This can be heard through the entire album and more specifically songs such as, “Paradise”, “Princess Of China”, and “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall”. While Chris Martin, Will Champion, Guy Berryman, of Coldplay, have been experimenting, creating and evolving together for two decades, so has their music. Josh Eells, Rolling Stones writer, believes, “the choruses are bigger, the textures grander, the optimism more optimistic.” Mylo Xyloto definitely shows how much growth Coldplay has overcome over the years. This album is one the best albums Coldplay has produced. If you don’t love it now, in time you will grow to love the new, evolved sound. From their first album over ten years ago, Coldplay has continually recreated there intriguing sound and for the first time, incorporated a duet featuring Rihanna (“Princess Of China”). This new album has proved yet again that Coldplay has the musical ability to continue to produce new and evolving music that reaches many ages. -Nicole Corcoran

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xuCyj332EqM/SZZ65kiQV6I/AAAAAAAAAY4/pE5d36s7yV0/s400/Fivestars.jpg http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/news/drake-broody-official-take-care-cover-art.jpg

ALBUMS

Evanescence Evanescence

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ALBUMS

ASHES & FIRE

TAKE CARE

RYAN ADAMS

DRAKE

The powerhouse, angelic vocalist Amy Lee has once again surprised the world with her self-titled album, Evanescence. With lyrics that fall in the lines of love and hate, followed by orchestral accents and her piano playing, has created a sound that the fans have been longing for. Amy Lee in my opinion has improved her voice, I have always found the vocal arrangements beautiful however once I played this album, I was captured.

I consider Ryan Adam’s latest album, “Ashes&Fire” to be one of the more memorable albums I have come across this year. The soft and soothing acoustic songs on the album combined with his even softer voice, make for a relaxing experience.

Octobers Very Own “Drake” dropped his highly anticipated sophomore album “Take Care” on November 15th. He balances his album with clever metaphors in his raps and his unique style of singing. It could be called a Hip Hop album or an R&B album—either way, Drake’s heart and soul are evident on every track. There are already a couple tracks that have found success on the radio waves, such as “Headlines” and Marvin’s Room.” Drake pays homage to his hometown multiple times, and features Toronto talent The Weekend, and producer’s 40, Boi-1da and T-Minus. He also features rap heavy weights like Lil Wayne, Andre 3000 and Rick Ross. I would recommend this album to anyone who likes to listen to Hip Hop and R&B in unity.

The song that really caught my attention and my emotions was “ Lost In Paradise with lyrics “I’ve been believing in something so distant As if I was human And I’ve been denying this feeling of hopelessness In me, in me”

The range of smooth, soulful, and raw songs such as “Come Home” and “Kindness” are well written and really gets in touch with your emotions. The other more upbeat songs such as, “Lucky” have a way of warming your soul and gets your feet taping and a smile creeping onto your face.

JACOB NORONHA

This song has a very strong meaning from what I could take from it, it a what seems like a conversation with herself or to another person, a song about losing yourself in life and having to change for the worst and ridding of all the people you may end up hurting in the long run. Possible fear of living and seeing whom one may become within the course of life. The focus on just Amy Lee’s voice and her beautiful piano playing accented the song perfectly. Even though Evanescence has had a heavy sound every now and then, this album you can hear the heavier sound that has influenced this particular new sound to the album. Is Evanescence going in a newer direction? Or is Terry Balsamo former musician of Limp Bizkit just rubbing off on the sound. Either way it is an magnificent sound for the band, I can see this band performing and writing for many more years to come. My reactions and thoughts of the new album were if not expected already from a great band like Evanescence, it was above the expectations I had. VICTORIA CHURCH

This is the kind of cd you would want to have along while driving along the open roads or even just sitting and enjoying a night in with someone you cherish. Katrina Araujo

BACK TO ME HOWIE D

When you first hear the name Howie Dorough, you’re taken back to the early 90’s when jean overalls, heavy knit sweaters, and frosted tips were the rage and boy bands were the it thing in the music world. Having been 1/5th of the Backstreet Boys, one of the 90’s biggest boy band phenomena’s, Howie has recently shed his Backstreet Boy name and gone the solo route with his newest solo album, “Back to Me”, with his single, “100”. I would give this album just that; 100 thumbs up for a job well done. This cd is jammed with catchy tunes that don’t stray too far from his pop roots, but still gives him a little bit more of an edge with a combination of Euro Electro and modern pop. Whether he’s singing to sold out crowds with the Boys of Backstreet, or singing on Canada AM as a solo artist; Howie’s got the goods and he’s showcasing it for the world to see. If you haven’t picked up this album, then I highly suggest you do. It’s like a warm hug on a cold winters day, or love for your ears. Katrina Araujo

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2011 BET Hip Hop Awards Multiple Absences Cannot Dim The Light of the BET Awards The 2011 BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta was a high profile affair on Tuesday, October 11, with dazzling performances from the likes of DMX and Wiz Khalifa, among other hip-hop heavy hitters. Though he was the recipient of three awards, rapper Chris Brown was not in the house to collect his trophies. Instead, hip-hop veteran Busta Rhymes accepted the honours on behalf of his friend. Brown won awards for ‘Best Hip Hop Video’ and ‘Best Collaboration’, while also being named the ‘People’s Champ’. Young Money boss Lil Wayne was victorious in the categories of ‘Best Live Performer’ and ‘Lyricist of the Year’, however, he too was absent from the ceremony held at the Atlanta Civic Centre. Nicki Minaj did her best to represent her Young Money team, and did so while winning two awards of her own. This year’s ceremony, hosted by comedian Mike Epps, featured a tribute to rapper LL Cool J who was honoured with the ‘I am Hip Hop Icon’ Award. Coming in to the 6th annual BET Hip Hop Awards, Lil Wayne was leading the pack with 18 nominations, absolutely smothering the competition in just about every category. Though not an overwhelming number, Wayne did walk away with five wins, including three for his role in Chris Brown’s smash hit “Look at Me Now.” Overall, the awards were fairly well spread, with Chris Brown, LilWayne, Busta Rhymes, Nicki Minaj, Wiz Khalifa, and producer Lex Luger all pulling in multiple wins. Additional wins went to Jay-Z, Hype Williams, J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame, DJ Khaled, and Kanye West. BRANDON LOVERY

Winners Best Hip-Hop Video - Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now” Reese’s Perfect Combo Award (Best Collaboration) - Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now” Best Live Performer – Lil Wayne Lyricist of the Year – Lil Wayne Video Director of the Year – Hype Williams Producer of the Year – Lex Luger MVP of the Year – Nicki Minaj Track of the Year – “Black and Yellow” – Wiz Khalifa CD of the Year – Kanye West (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy) DJ of the Year – DJ Khaled Rookie of the Year – Wiz Khalifa

WATCH THE THRONE Without a doubt Kanye and Jay-Z ‘wowed’ the audience with their amazing performance on November 23 & 24. There was definitely no shortage of lights, fire, or animal clipping throughout the show, nor was there any shortage of their top throwback songs. Although it was the Watch The Throne concert, they didn’t focus on the songs from their album, they mixed it up with old songs and new songs, which made the sold out Air Canada Centre, go crazy! Here is a sample of the setlist played in Toronto: 1. H.A.M. 2. Who Gon Stop Me 3. Otis 4. Can’t Tell Me Nothing 5. Jesus Walks 6. Izzo 7. Dirt Off Your Shoulders 8. Runaway 9. All Of The Lights 10. 99 Problems 11. Welcome to the Jungle 12. Gotta Have It 13. Where I’m From 14. Hard Knock Life 15. Big Pimpin’ 16. Heartless 17. Stronger 18. New Day

For those who are familiar with Jay-Z and Kanye, you will know that that is an unreal setlist. The beginning of the concert Jay and Kanye performed on two separate cubes on each end of the floor (where the pit is). The cubes started off at floor level and throughout their performance they raised approximately 15-20 feet. On each side of the cubes there were videos of an animal. During on performance a video of a shark swimming around the cube was played, it almost looking three-dimensional, and in between a song, a video of a Rottweiler barking was played. The concert was split up equally, Jay and Yeezy each performing their hit songs separately, and then both of them coming together to perform their songs from WTT. There was no opening act or guest appearance, but yet again… who could really open for Kanye West and Jay-Z? The encore was the beginning of their hit song “Niggas In Paris” five times. The audience loved it and was screaming the words at the top of their lungs. Overall it was an absolutely amazing concert. The atmosphere, the audience, the music, the beer, all was excellent. DANAE ROWAN

Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style) – Nicki Minaj Best Club Banger - Waka Flocka Flame – “No Hands” Best Mixtape – J Cole (Friday Night Lights) Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse- Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now” Hustler of the Year - Jay-Z Verizon People’s Champ Award (Viewers’ Choice) - Chris Brown f/ Lil Verizon People’s Champ Award (Viewers’ Choice)

CONCERT REVIEWS

+ For Toby

Who says you can’t mix business with pleasure?

From the words of Toby Mac, “I feel revived again, I am alive again.” Toby revived my high for shows. Sharing the stage with a DJ, gospel keyboardist, a bongo player, and a phenomenal vocalist named Nirva singing by his side I was blown away. Upon entering the venue, I immediately felt the diversity by the age group which ranged from a 1 year old to parents in their forties. Parents and children came out of all ethnicities to immerse themselves in the Christian faith. Labelling themselves as Jesus Freaks, they brush off what others think of them and are truly proud in what they believe in. The Christian rapper equally incorporated rock into the set with an energetic Lenny Kravitz look a-like. It was my first time experiencing a rock show in the church and to those sceptics out there, I can honestly say: music, no matter what the genre has its place in the temple. Aside from the musical energy, there was something greater in that room Saturday night. TobyMac took a moment to let the audience know that we were there to honour God and his presence.

There is a beauty in knowing there is something greater than music, greater than his opener Jamie Grace and Toby himself. He was real and I respect that, he put the talent aside and reminded us all that no matter what dark place we may find ourselves in, “there is always a rose between the thorns.” Toby brought the crowd together, acknowledging all of our backgrounds and struggles and admitted that he too still struggles in his walk of faith. He not only expresses the beauty of his words, but the beauty of his fans and actually thanked us for spending our hard earned money to be at this show. After being in the business for 20 years Toby Mac is as genuine as his young opener, Jamie Grace. Jamie is just 19 years old and her story is the Christian version of the Justin Bieber Youtube story. Toby may have found her on the video sharing website but her powerhouse vocals are what’s keeping fans coming back to visit her stage. KAYLA COWAN At the second of two shows; Tobymac gave his fans a special treat with Burn for You. The recording vs. the song live has no comparison, as the song says he lifted the crowd up and revived us once again.

Wiz Khalifa is just one of those artists that doesn’t want to take any time off. Riding off of his first major album, Rolling Papers, which dropped late March, Khalifa has spent the majority of his summer touring, promoting Rolling Papers, and kicking it back with his hometown buddies and high-profile model girlfriend Amber Rose. With such a busy schedule, you would think that the young hip hop star would spend most of his downtime living it up, but still, he manages to stay focused and keeps putting out hit songs. Who says you can’t mix business with pleasure? Amber Kush is not an official mixtape from Wiz, but it’s more of a compilation of all his most recent tracks featuring a lot of other young talent in the game, as well as a few new songs. Highlights include Curren$y, Big Sean, Wale, and Lupe Fiasco. If you’re looking for some chill hip hop to roll to, this is it. Very similar sound to his other classics that have already topped the charts, Wiz is running with it. Enjoy. - Brandon Lovery

Wiz Khalifa & Chevy Woods sell out Toronto When starting this review I found myself trying to pinpoint when the moment during the concert when I realized there was a new air to hip hop. The tension and anxiety of waiting for it to start built up inside me like no other concert had done before, and not just because it is one of my favourite rap/hip-hop artists. I first found myself standing in line at the Sound Academy in Toronto that Sunday night for Wiz Khalifa’s Rolling Papers Tour with special guest Chevy Woods. The guys behind me were arguing about whether Soulja Boy is legit, who the hottest producer at the moment is (it came down to Kanye vs. Ski Beats) and name dropping every “obscure” MC they could think of. The guys in front were trading phone numbers because one was absolutely offended that this stranger didn’t know who Wale was. I felt refreshed to know that these ‘90s babies like me had hip hop to believe in still. Wiz Khalifa and Chevy Woods embraced this new movement and, since the show was sold out, it was something to take note of. They both started out the night with a high energy performance. Most of the crowd were right up front trying to get the best look at them.

They delivered all their popular efforts, from “The Statement” to Chevy’s “Crazy”, when suddenly more and more hands went up. With every hand in the air, DJ Ill Will dropped Rick Ross’ “Super High” remix and right after Curren$y’s first verse, Wiz Khalifa came on stage puffing smoke clouds during the chorus. At the end of the song, he said “I’m so motherf******* happy to be here right now”, in a groggy tone. After introducing his hilarious hypeman/DJ, “Will”, who didn’t even have a mic but instead a really big smile and a purple backpack, Wiz did “Cabin Fever“ and the Empire Of A Sun remix “The Thrill,” which was enough to have the audience prepared for the main course. He went through more than half of the mixtape including his verse off the Curren$y and Big KRiT assisted “Glass House”, “Still Blazin’” and the apparent fan favourite, “Never Been”. Wiz knows that this mixtape is a classic and he didn’t disappoint, but he also found room to cram in songs from his previous album Deal Or No Deal as well as mixtapes from previous years. Before his last song, Wiz had three things to share before he left: “1. Smoke w**d everyday. 2. Get home safe, but smoke w**d while you doing it. 3. Y’all are the best fans in the world”. He then dropped “This Plane” to a satisfied crowd. Without even fully leaving the stage, he jumped right back for the encore with “The Statement”. The performance as a whole was very intimate and it’s clear that he has a close bond with his fans. He captivated the audience and the time he spent smiling and giggling during and in between songs suggested that the audience had captivated him as well. Wiz is a very smart guy that cares too much about his fans to ever let them down and that’s what will keep him around. Wiz Khalifa is starting to enjoy success because of talent, hard work, and dedication. The amount of thought he puts into his performance, his nonchalance, even his silly laughs are very well disguised and that’s what makes his music and the brand of Wiz Khalifa so brilliant and one of the leaders in a entire new class of MCs at the top of the hip-hop game.

CLASSIFIED @ CAMPUS FEST If you catch a glimpse of him on stage or accepting one of his many awards, you would think Classified was born into the spotlight. With such a degree of talent, this level of fame seems to have been achieved effortlessly, though this cannot be further from the base. This year, his latest release (which is also his 14th full-length studio album) Handshakes and Middle Fingers rapidly climbed the charts to be his highest debuting album to date at #7. Though, he has no plans on stopping there, “Every album, I find, seems to do a little bit better. Hopefully more people get to hear every album, and tell a couple people about it”, he says, with hopes of his upcoming 15th release soaring to #1. CLASSIFIED: Underground to Arenas Having won Much Music Video Awards and being nominated for prestigious Juno Awards, Classified has obviously solidified his success on the Canadian market. However, his main aspiration is not to necessarily break through to the American market, “I’ll be real, I don’t think I have the drive to do what I did in Canada—to go out and tour and play for 10 people a night… I think there are a lot of opportunities, and if you can take advantage of them, maybe something happens. If by. After touring with some of hip hop’s biggest names such as Snoop Dogg, Nas and Ludacris, he attributes Canadian rapper Choclair as his greatest mentor. “He was doing his thing, he was a big name and he was touring, but he would always take the time to talk to the guys that opened up. I learned a lot from him just from seeing him perform”, says Classified, with a tone that can reassure anyone that he’s still one of those guys that appreciates the time, which seems to be growing more rare by the minute in the industry. When reflecting on his career to date, he can say that he feels it is best represented by one of his earliest songs, “No Mistakes”, and for a good reason: “We all make mistakes, you’ve just got to keep moving”. Now, those are words to live ELISA KRITIOTIS

SCHOOLED BY THE BEST One may think a town like Ajax could only produce rockers such as Sum 41 or hockey players like Glenn Healy. The town that boarders Pickering isn’t known for much when it comes to local talent but that is changing with the growing music industry. Peter Jackson was raised in Ajax, Ontario and started writing/ free styling at a young age. He started doing it as a hobby and never really considered himself a serious artist. Jackson found it difficult to take himself serious but as he progressed and realized he had the skill, he was quick to prove himself to the “nay sayers”. As Peter grew into the artist he is today, the thing that set him apart from other rappers was the understanding and commitment to the business side of the industry. After years of hard work and commitment, Jackson hooked up with now manager Chris McKee and started really making moves within the industry. Alongside his group featuring Zaze and Flex, Jackson started 90nickelentertainment and started promoting local showcases and eventually, his Canada wide tours. There is a lot of comparison in today’s music scene among many different artists and Peter Jackson has obviously been compared to the likes of Eminem. When asked about the comparison, Jackson said “It’s not fair. There will always be comparison between artists especially when it comes to white hip hop artists”. Jackson went on to say “It’s flattering but if you look at our styles were completely different and as of now I’m not in the same level as Eminem”. As humble artist as one could meet, Jackson explained that after touring with such influential names in hip hop like Royce Da 5’9, Busta Rhymes, Naughty by Nature and D12, he can still come back home and showcase artists in the Durham Region. Jackson was involved in a car accident in March 2010 that led him to reflect on his life and career. As he climbed out of the vehicle into the harsh Calgary winter, he realized his luck and that he was meant to continue down his path in music. He immediately booked a flight home to be with family and friends to recoup and was back on tour within 2 weeks. It’s that kind of dedication that has lead to such opportunities as recording in the same studio as Bob Marley in Jamaica. If you look at artists today and break down their dedication and talent, you’ll look no further then Peter Jackson. He is among the hardest working musicians in music today and at the same time he could be the most humble. When Jackson looks at Hip Hop in today’s age, compared to the next 5 years he says” Hip Hop is Hip Hop. If we continue to say Canadian hip hop is garbage then Americans will believe it’s garbage”. To be blessed with talent is one thing, but to carry the determination Peter Jackson has it’s no wonder he lives by the advice of his manager, “it’s not show friends, it’s show business”. KYLE POTTER

We Couldn’t Have Done it Without You: remember shows in 2008-2009 having huge crowds for not so big local bands, there was more bands, a lot more different groups of friends and not so much hate amongst people. I haven’t been in the Toronto local scene for a very long time but this is what I noticed. As well we lost a great venue in Toronto called The Big Bop, a 3 level venue and it was very convenient for everyone, after it was closed, everything just suddenly went downhill. To this day, we are still losing some venues and its making it harder for promoters to put on What is Dthang Videography? shows for people to come to. The music has changed in way Dthang Videography is a project business company type from bands going for a different genre, I remember a lot more of thing and it is me filming bands in the GTA, local and deathcore bands and now it’s more metalcore bands. And in my opinion, the bands back in the 2008 were more originon-local bands. It’s really hard to say what Dthang Videography is to be nal and never were really tried to copy some local band that became big from the area. honest. It’s just me helping out bands that I love and enjoy, helpAs a videographer what are some of the bands that ing friends, and many more reasons! you’ve taped that you are most proud of? So based on that, what made you start filming the local bands in the GTA? Back in September 2008, my best friend Brie took me to my first local show ever. I went to go to see her friend’s band Oh The Agony and while I was enjoying the show, I noticed something, there was a ton of photographers but no videographers. The next OTA show, I brought my mom’s digital camera to take a few videos of the show of some bands like Charitys, A Sentence To Silence and of course, Oh The Agony. After that, I noticed that the camera had decent audio but not so good video. A month later, I bought a small camcorder from Canadian Tire and at times, I filmed with my school’s camcorder. I’ve always found a way to film a show, I never wanted to miss a recording of a OTA show and during the shows I recorded them, some bands noticed me and asked me to film them. From there on, I have been going to more shows, meeting new friends, finding out some great bands, and etc. I managed to get into something I enjoy doing which is being a videographer and shooting bands. A few other reasons that I wanted to start recording bands was that I know that a photo says 1000 words but a video is like 10000 pictures put together so that’s a lot more words haha. Lastly, I was getting sick of people recording bands for like 20 seconds, really bad quality, video and sound, so I’ve always tried to get the best video sound and picture quality I can get in my situation.

I would say for locally Oh The Agony, Repercussions, Destain (known as Drag The Lake now), Charitys/Structures, A Sentence to Silence, and especially Fear Of Romance. Non locally I would say The Holly Springs Disaster, Abacabb, Monsters, and many more. To be honest, I am proud to have taped bands that I love and enjoy. Overall, the last The Holly Springs Disaster show was the most proud thing I ever taped, one of the best days of my life and I have brought fans videos that they can listen, view and share forever and witness this amazing show. As of right now, what’s going on with Dthang videographey? Right now, I am trying to get better equipment and start doing music videos. I want to give my viewers better quality videos and start doing music videos for bands; it is something I always wanted to do. So what are some bands that you personally love recording now? Locally I love recording Drag the Lake, Amongst The De ceased, Transcend The Skies and there’s a few others. Nonlocally I would say Stray from the Path, The Chariot, and the Wonder Years. With 2011 coming to an end, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of the year? And what do you have coming up in 2012?

How has the scene and the music changed since you I want to try to get to make at least one music video by the end started filming bands back in 2008? of the year, that’s something I have been trying to do all year. In 2012, I am hoping to have a fully functional online merch Well, the hardcore scene in Toronto has been dying store, new equipment, new projects including music videos, documentaries and etc. and as well, tour with a band and film the experience!

A Big Thank You to: Staff of Volume 11 Sean Campbell Katrina Araujo Samantha Gordon Kayla Cowan Jacob Naronha Brandon Lovery Shawn Bellefeuille Elisa Kritiotis (Editor in Chief) Victoria Church (Head of Design & Layout) Alex Hurst (Assistant Editor) & Other Music Buiness Management Students that contributed to the magazine On behalf of the Volume 11 staff, we would like to thank all the bands/artists for their cooperation and contributiong to this issue. We would also like to thank all our advertisers. One BIG Thank You! to everyone who has supported Volume 11 all these years, it is greatly appreciated. Keep on supporting V11.