WHITE NOISE ZINE - ISSUE 3

Issue 3 // Sept 2015

PALISADES TAKE ON VANS WARPED TOUR 2015

+ OUR LAST NIGHT + meghann wright + memphis may fire + MORE!

White Noise (noun) - A steady, unobtrusive sound, as an electronically produced drone or the sound of rain, used to mask or obliterate unwanted sounds.

Co-Founder - Photographer Crisanne Glasser Co-Founder - Editor in Chief Danielle Gittleman Contributing Writers Tori Pisco, Nicole Cortese, Layne Edwards, Casey Wolfe, Olivia Carpenter, Danielle Gittleman, and Kasey Seifried Contributing Photographers Sheri Berman, Alyssa Kromelis, Crisanne Glasser, Amber James, Amanda Damelio, and Sam Polonsky

Thank You 8123, This Century, Meghann Wright, Mallory Knox, Palisades, Ship Captain Crew, The Relapse Symphony, Then Now Always, Memphis May Fire, Our Last Night, Juliet Simms, Rise Records, BoyMeetsWorld, Midwest Rising PR, Vans Warped Tour, Kevin Lyman. We would also like to thank everyone who had a hand in making this magazine possible and for all of the continuous support over the last few months. We couldn’t do any of this without you guys!

We are currently in the process of expanding our team. If you would like to become part of White Noise, please reach out to either crissy@whitenoisezine.com or danielle@whitenoisezine.com.

Website: http://whitenoisezine.com // Twitter: @whitenoisezine // Facebook: http://facebook.com/whitenoisezine

CONTENTS Meghann Wright

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Mallory Knox

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This Century

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Palisades

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Ship Captain Crew

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The Relapse Symphony

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Then, Now, Always

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Memphis May Fire

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Our Last Night

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Juliet Simms

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Album Reviews

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MEGHANN WRIGHT FACING WARPED AS A FIERCE FEMALE Interview by Tori Pisco // Photos courtesy of Effective Immediately PR

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WNZ: Performing as a solo artist is somewhat new in the realm of your musical history and career. What are some of the projects or bands you were involved with before deciding to take the solo route?

I was in a few fun metal and hardcore bands like Mortencia (MA Death Metal), NC17 (MA Throwback Hardcore), but the last band I was in to release a full length was Running With Karma (MA Indie Rock, Frequency Deleted Records). Our record FEROCIOUS is available on Spotify, iTunes, etc. It was a fun project I’m really proud of. Most of the members were a little older than me at the time and were getting out of the music scene so I took it upon myself to strike out as a solo artist and see what I could do in that arena. It’s been a wild ride.

WNZ: Having relocated from Hawaii to Brooklyn, you’re clearly motivated and have immersed yourself into a densely artistic population. How do you feel about the music community in Brooklyn and the surrounding city now that you’re a part of it?

I love the energy and diversity of New York. The scope of talent there challenges you to work hard at your craft which is very motivating. There’s a great sense of camaraderie as well.

WNZ: Some interested people might have heard of you first through your unsigned female artist support organization, The City and The Heart. Were there unexpected challenges to overcome in getting this project started?

TC&TH actually formed really organically which has helped us accomplish so much between producing fundraising showcases to compilation albums for Safe Horizon (a nonprofit benefitting victims of domestic violence). It’s been rewarding seeing everything the individual artists like Lindsay

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Dunphy and Alison Clancy have been accomplishing.

WNZ: It’s really amazing that you’ve offered free, personal studio time to female artists interested in contributing to The City and The Heart’s compilation projects. Since hosting a number of events and releasing the first compilation of works in 2014, are there any women you’ve worked with that have particularly inspired you in some way?

Tatiana Moroz and Christina LaRocca have really inspired me because they both run their own music companies while maintaining their positions as professional musicians. I look up to them a lot. Also be sure to check out TC&TH Volume 2 which we just released last month!

WNZ: What are some of your biggest goals or visions in building the community you’ve started through The City and The Heart? Do they coincide with your personal music career, or how do you balance working towards, and being successful, in both endeavors?

It is challenging to balance both but I hope that as I grow as an artist that I will have more resources and allies to devote to developing the New York organization of TC&TH and I hope to inspire artists in other cities to start their own chapters.

WNZ: Focusing now on your personal music, what made you decide to pursue a solo career?

Do you have any interest or future plans in adding other musicians into the mix? After working as a guitarist/bassist for a number of projects, you must have seen your fair share of the ups and downs of group artistry.

I think a mistaken perception of “solo artists” is that they just want to make art and perform alone. For me, that is the furthest thing from the truth. I love collaborating with other people and there is a certain amount of collaboration that goes into recording and production of my records and my live shows. It is not typical for me to perform solo, I much prefer playing with a band. It just so happens that as an artist I often find myself writing alone, when inspiration strikes or when I have time off from touring. I do hope to have a full time band with whom I can collaborate on my next record. That would rock.

WNZ: You’ve been performing on the Acoustic Basement stage at Vans Warped Tour. If you had to chose one, which date has been the most memorable thus far, and why?

The most memorable date so far has been the Nashville stop. My record just came out and I was stoked to play. A huge storm hit and we had to cut power for a while due to lightening issues which set the lineup back by a couple of hours. The fans were instructed to take shelter in a large building nearby. Once power came back and the fans were allowed back out onto the grounds, there was heightened excitement. Not just because of the weather but because Front Porch Step was scheduled to play our stage. There is a cloud of controversy surrounding that artist and the fact that he was added to the VWT lineup that day. I played directly before him to a packed crowd.

It was challenging but rewarding. I am a professional and I have my own beliefs about the issues surrounding this date but in the end I’m glad I performed. Vans Warped Tour to me is supposed to be a safe place for artists and fans. It’s also an arena for voices to be heard. I’m proud of everyone involved in the Acoustic Basement stage for being professional and executing their craft that day in spite of being put into a difficult situation.

WNZ: What are your plans, in terms of sharing and promoting your new full-length, Nothin’ Left To Lose, once Warped wraps up?

Keep touring. Keep writing. Keep learning. Keep living. http://whitenoisezine.com

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MALLORY MALLORY KNOX KNOX success success overseas overseas Words by Layne Edwards // Photos by Crisanne Glasser

UK

based Pop-Rock band Mallory Knox traveled a long way this summer to hop on this year’s Vans Warped Tour. While it was not their first visit to the States, it is still their first Warped for the five newcomers. “Warped tour has been something we’ve dreamt of doing since we were very young. So to be here and to be learning what it takes to be on Warped Tour is a fantastic honor,” said vocalist Mikey Chapman.

Mallory Knox formed in 2009 coming out of Cambridge, United Kingdom and just recently released their second album, Asymmetry, in the United States. The band first hit the ground running in the States when they jumped on tour with Pierce The Veil during the North American leg of their world tour. Chapman expressed

their surprise at the sheer size of venues they were met with when they landed. “It was our first time here in the US on the world tour and we were straight into arenas and three thousand cap venues and things. Any band will tell you as a first time in the country is absolutely absurd,” he said.

The guys in Mallory Knox have been busy collecting milestones this year, including a spot at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Norwich, where Mallory Knox was featured on the, In New Music We Trust Stage. Warped Tour not being their first taste of the festival life.

“Obviously different festivals have different vibes and that’s why we have different festivals,” said Chapman.

“I think when it comes to Warped Tour I am always very impressed by the logistics and

the team work and the running of this festival. How anyone can maneuver this many people and this much gear and manage this kind of crew over fifty dates over the whole country, it blows my mind. Radio 1’s Big Weekend is a two day festival that stays in the same place it doesn’t really even cut it in terms of comparison. It’s a whole different machine altogether. It’s a great thing to come over here and see just how this is run.”

Warped Tour is known for feeling more like summer camp to the artists who make the trek across the States. Many of the artists on the tour note the amazing experiences and opportunities that have come up throughout the summer. “The shows have been fantastic, meeting new fans have been phenomenal, but I think the social aspect of this tour has

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been what’s really exciting be playing on that same level have time for anything else this about thus far,” said Chapman. now is the most mind blowing year, but Mallory Knox won’t “The fact that we get to meet up thing,” said Chapman. let their busy schedules stop and hangout with new bands,

With all of this extra time them. and bands that we haven’t really together on Warped, both MK

“We are beginning the had the chance to meet and see and Set it Off are really excited long arduous project of writing and interact with before. Its a to tour overseas together. and recording a new record,” real pleasure to be able to sort

“Cody and I have been said Chapman. “There’s not of set ourselves up with a new talking about it. It’s been a great a lot to say about that right friendship group and basis here opportunity here on Warped now besides the fact it’s in in the United States.”

Tour to kind of get to know our to do list, and we will be

After the final stop this those guys as well as we can working on that but we won’t summer, the band is taking before we bring them over,” said be rushing. We’ve always said the long journey overseas to Chapman. “I’m really excited you can’t rush something of that start their Homecoming Tour, to show them a lot of places in scale of that magnitude of that kicking off in Glasgow. This the UK and the little things that importance to us.”

Homecoming Tour is their make the UK what it is, as they

Chapman is incredibly biggest headlining tour to date. have done and are doing for us thankful for everything that the “We’ve got a whole bunch on this tour in the States. It’s fans have done for the band, of venues that we’ve never a great thing of give and take and is looking forward for what’s played before and that we’ve they seem really keen for it and next for Mallory Knox. “Fans always dreamt of playing. The they’re the nicest dudes it’s an and folks here in the US and Roundhouse in London is a absolute pleasure to be taking back home in the UK, in fact staple for many bands that them out back home.” across the world, thank you so we’ve watched over the years

With the non-stop touring much for picking up the record.” and dreamt of playing with. To its crazy to think the band would http://whitenoisezine.com 11

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This Century put out one of their most catchy and diverse albums with the release of Soul Sucker back in June. And with a record like that, calling it quits wasn’t the easiest thing to do. The guys of This Century made that album their farewell, and it’ll definitely make them remembered for the next year, maybe even century.

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eing a successful band for several years and having to throw in the towel isn’t the easiest thing to do. This past May the guys of This Century announced that after their next album, they would be calling it quits.

Lead singer Joel Kanitz, guitarist Sean Silverman, and drummer Ryan Gose made the sudden announcement to fans that their final album, Soul Sucker would be their last and would perform a few farewell shows. They did note, however, that they did make the decision together and that there was no bad blood.

“I think we collectively agreed that it was just time to move on and explore other things,” said Kanitz. “It wasn’t a reaction to something negative that happened. It was very peaceful for all of us. It was kind of like a positive thing. We’re just going to do our own thing.

We had a good run.”

Good news for fans, Soul Sucker would be released the following month before the band would say farewell for good — and the band couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Kanitz admits that it has to be his favorite album in This Century’s discography. “I think it’s awesome, and to me, I really feel the emotion that we were feeling while we were making it more than any other record that we’ve made,” said Kanitz.

“It’s kind of like this little token or polaroid of this moment in our life from the past year and a half. I think that’s probably a reason why I’m partial to it.”

The band couldn’t be happier to end on this album and the

fan reaction to it has been outstanding.

Although the guys are finished making music in This Century, it isn’t the end for them individually. In the band’s farewell statement, they made sure to reassure fans that they would continue to make music, just not together.

Kanitz notes that Gose will be working on his side project Stop Dead, which has more of a rock heavy sound

“I think that’s probably my favorite thing about This Century — we were fortunate enough to have impact on some lives.” to it, and Silverman will be more on the production side of things —songwriting and touring with other bands for the time being. As for Kanitz, he will be debuting some solo music in the future that he’s been working on for a while. “My plan is to kind of pick up where This Century left off,” explained Kanitz. “Not necessarily making the same music as This Century, but there’s a lot of places that we didn’t get to go that I would like to try and go with my music.

I’ve seen the impact that our music has had. We’ve been fortunate enough to positively affect some fan’s lives and I think that’s such a cool thing and that’s something that I

want to continue to do. That’s my number one goal; music is kind of second to me. Any way that I can do that would be awesome.”

Kanitz has no set plans as of yet, he has just been writing and recording. He hopes to release some singles or an EP; he’s not quite sure what the future will hold for him.

Being in This Century for eight years really allowed Kanitz to see how much the band’s music meant to fans. That aspect was by far his favorite part about being in the band, and is definitely what keeps him going.

“I’ve always wanted to — even before I was in This Century — use music in a positive way, the same way a lot of bands did for me when I was in high school,” said Kanitz.

“Everyone has rough patches in their lives, and a lot of people turn to music which is so cool.

There’s something almost transformative about music, it’s very uplifting, and that’s something that I want to do for people. It’s just such a powerful tool. I think that’s probably my favorite thing about This Century — we were fortunate enough to have impact on some lives.

Our fans have had such an amazingly positive impact on our lives, so it’s like a two-way street. I definitely enjoy that the most, the people and the fans and building relationships with them.”

Kanitz mentioned that the band is in a good place and are incredibly happy with what they’ve accomplished over the years, which was why it wasn’t

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a difficult decision to end things. Looking back, they’re satisfied with everything they’ve done and wouldn’t change the experience for anything.

“We wouldn’t be calling it quits in such a positive light if we hadn’t felt that way,” said Kanitz. “We all kind of felt very accomplished and satisfied with what This Century had done and I think that’s why we’re so comfortable and peaceful.”

Of course there are things in life that we wish we could go back and change, and Kanitz believes there are some things he knew earlier.

However, living through ups and downs helped This Century for the better. “We’re a lot different people now and a lot of that is because of the rough patches in our career, and I’m incredibly thankful for that because none of us would be the people that we are today. We wouldn’t be nearly as well prepared or the mature adults that I feel we are now,” said Kanitz. “Starting out at twenty years old, looking back I don’t think I nearly was well rounded or prepared for the challenges that life is going to be throwing me.”

Learning from mistakes is all a part of life, and This Century has learned and grown from

it. Nothing, however, can last forever and even though it is the end of the road for This Century, it’s definitely not the end for the guys. They have so much going on for them in the future.

“I know it gets so old hearing thank you all of the time but we really do mean it. [The fans’] support never goes unnoticed, we appreciate them for everything.”

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PALISADES keep on going Words by Danielle Gittleman // Photos by Crisanne Glasser

The Vans Warped Tour might be notorious for having some unbearable, sweltering hot days, but for post-hardcore/EDM band, Palisades, life on Warped Tour is just one big party.

Hailing from Iselin, New Jersey, lead singer Louis Miceli, guitarist Matt Marshall, guitarist and vocalist Xavier Adames, producer/ DJ Earl Halasan, bassist Brandon Sidney and drummer Aaron Rosa can’t get enough of those hot Warped Tour days. The Vans Warped Tour is known to many as a “punk rock summer camp,” and the guys of Palisades would have to agree.

“There’s such a community here and you really feel like you’re in this giant ‘Truman Show’ with the whole community,” said Miceli. “It’s cool and I love it. It’s probably one of my favorite parts about Warped Tour.”

“I feel like if you don’t enjoy playing your own music, then you’re not doing something right.”

Surrounded by fellow musicians, Miceli loves the camaraderie between bands, and that he can hang out with them everyday. “The cool thing about this tour is even though there are different genres, everyone has such a mutual respect for everybody and that’s the way it should be.”

Miceli loves being on tour not only for the music aspect, but the social one, too. Warped Tour is a friendly place, and Miceli finds himself right in his element — meeting new people every day playing music to hundreds and thousands of fans. In fact, meeting fans is one of Miceli’s favorite parts about Warped — he never knows who he’s going to meet, but it’s always an exciting moment. “It’s a different experience each time. It’s always great to meet people that admire and look up to things that you do as an artist,” said Miceli. “It’s really cool. Its really cool to see love come full circle.”

Warped Tour can also become really grueling with the constant traveling and unbearable heat, but it’s all in a day’s work for Palisades. “It’s really hard sometimes. Honestly we just feed off the crowd and off each other.

When we go on stage it’s not like an act, we’re actually just genuinely having fun. The music we make is just fun, we enjoy playing it,” said Miceli.

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“I feel like if you don’t enjoy playing your own music, then you’re not doing something right.

Especially if you don’t like playing it with the other people you’re with. I just look at the five other dudes on stage and just realize that these are my best friends and I love going on stage and jumping around and having fun.”

The band recently released their latest album, Mind Games back in January, and have been playing the new songs live for their fans all summer long on Warped Tour. “It’s been incredible, especially more so on Warped Tour,” explained Miceli. “We’re really getting to play to the full market — all the kids that might not have been able to come see us, or have never heard of us, maybe only heard our name, or never listened to our music before. Especially because our live shows are much different than the album, it’s such an experience. It’s been really great.”

Mind Games had a number of collaborations, including Champs, blackbear and Garret Rapp of The Color Morale. In the future, the band would love to keep these collaborations going and have bigger and better ones. “I’d love

to work with a lot of people,” said Miceli. “I know me and Lynn from PVRIS have talked about some stuff, she’s one of my good friends, so we would love to do a collab in the future.”

Even though Warped Tour has come to a close, Palisades aren’t stopping any time soon.

The band has a lot going on for them in the upcoming months, and they’re excited to stay busy. “We are going to Japan in September, so that’s really, really exciting. It’s our first time over there and we’re all really obsessed with Japanese culture, so that should be really fun,” said Miceli. “We’re going to be doing a bunch of tours and we’re trying to put out the free EP, or a remix EP, we’re not exactly sure what we’re going to do with it yet. And we hope to have a new album out by sometime next year. So we’re going to be really busy.”

With such a packed schedule for the rest of the year, Palisades make sure that they thank their fans.

“I love you, and thank you for supporting us,” said Mieli. “6o6 Crew, come see us!”

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BOYMEETSWORLD PHOTO BY CRISANNE GLASSER

SET IT OFF PHOTO BY CRISANNE GLASSER

SIMPLE PLAN PHOTO BY CRISANNE GLASSER

BLACK VEIL BRIDES PHOTO BY CRISANNE GLASSER

SHI P CA P T A I N CREW SAILIN G : F OR SU C CE S S Words by

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a sea of catchy band names and rockin’ riffs, Ship Captain Crew has been making their own waves in redefining what it means to be part of the pop-punk scene.

These five guys have been working non stop touring with their current EP House of Mercury, and spending hours in the studio with their upcoming summer release of The Ocean Floor.

It all started in 2006 when Drummer Mike Reda and Vocalist Roger Moreno paired

up and started writing music in various bands and developing chemistry. “It’s something you have to work at to figure out how to be the catalyst to someone else’s song writing, but mostly you just gotta write a lot of shitty songs before you write a good one,” the band said.

After the arrival of Bassist Roy Coghil and Guitarists Ben Darling and Angelo Sakellaropoulos the band has been focused on new ways to write music together and create what sets them

apart from the rest. In fact, Ship Captain Crew takes a lot of pride in, “refusing to conform to the pop-punk stereotypes.”

“What sets Ship Captain Crew apart is our approach to pop-punk as a genre,” the band explained.

“Bands like Blink 182, Motion City Soundtrack and Fall Out Boy are definitely at the core of where our music comes from. However a lot of our peers are more directly influenced by the previous generation of bands, we try to seek

out new perspectives…

That’s not to say that we aren’t also influenced by our friends’ bands, and Pop Punk is a very circulatory community.”

And they have managed to do just that.

Over the summer, the band announced that they would be playing a show on Warped Tour on July 25th, on the Ernie Ball Stage in Illinois. The guys of Ship Captain Crew entered in Warped Tour’s battle of the bands competition, and

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they were absolutely stoked to be apart of it. “Warped Tour has been a huge part of our lives for so long, just being in attendance.

To be a part of that, even on a small stage would be a milestone in our careers as both musicians and fanboys.

Having the opportunity to meet and play for all of those people would be absolutely incredible,” they said.

Surely a milestone in any band’s career to be apart of such a large and iconic tour, but Ship Captain Crew has been

paving their own way of opportunity. The band got the chance to head to ABG Studios to work with producer Seth Henderson, who has worked with artists such as Real Friends and Knuckle Puck.

“Working with Seth is phenomenal.

He really puts his whole heart into all of his projects and it shows,” the guys said.

“He’s the most qualified person around when it comes to finding the sound that we’re after for each song. He’s also

producing some of the best records in the business right now and we’re honored to call him a friend.”

Since all of the excitement of battle of the bands and Warped Tour, the guys have been hard at work for their upcoming release of their new EP, The Ocean Floor. Ship Captain Crew assure fans that this EP is worth the wait.

This is us exploring our sound in further directions.

If House Of Mercury was a voyage, The Ocean Floor will be a

nosedive off a cliff, into the abyss. There are plenty of influences you wouldn’t expect in pop punk music,” they said.

Big things are in store for Ship Captain Crew and with the amazing opportunities they’ve had this summer, they’re excited to see what’s next for them.

THE THERELAPSE RELAPSE SYMPHONY SYMPHONY BORN BORNTO TOBE BE SOMEONE SOMEONE Words by Kasey Seifried // Photos courtesy of Earshot Media

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The

Relapse Symphony, stemming from Washington, D.C. headed out on their first Warped Tour this summer, and they have nothing by kind words to say. “It’s our favorite tour yet, we have two days left and all we can thing is that we don’t want to go home,” JC Charles, guitarist and songwriter for the band explained. “They give us free beer everyday, that’s the fun part of it.” As for their sets this summer, well the band is particularly excited to play from their new, recently released record Born To Burn. “We’ve been playing mostly new stuff, it’s been really cool. It’s getting to the point where people are starting to know it. Even after we just released it, It was like it’s been out for two years,” Charles explains.

With the new album, the guys tested the waters a little bit with things like instrumental intros, inspired by their long time love for bands like Good Charlotte, which seem to betting positive fan feedback, according to Charles. “I love when you buy a record and there’s this buildup, this tension, and you go and see them live and you know what’s coming. It’s going over really well for us. This is the most positive reception we’ve ever had to our music.”

But there was a bit of a bumpy road in the records production, and by that we mean there were actually two records written. The guys explain “this album was weird. We wrote a record, then we threw it away. Then we wrote a whole other album

two weeks before we went into the studio. It was super collaborative between the band.” Collaborative it was, but not in the way that the guys are used to. In past recordings, The Relapse Symphony were known for getting some help in the writing process from fellow bands, but this release was done all on their own. Lead singer, Bret Von Dehl explains, “with past releases we were a brand new band and we had a lot of people helping us out, but at the time I think we needed that.”

“This is the most positive reception we’ve ever had to our music.”

“We did a lot of cowriting with a lot of great bands and great artists, but on this record it’s just us and it’s really cool that it’s done better than previous works,” Charles chimed in. But don’t get them wrong, they’re not bashing the power of co-writing, considering that’s where they learned most of what they know about the art of songwriting.

“It’s just about knowing who you are. I think as a new band doing co-writes is a risky thing because you don’t know where the line is where you can say ‘no, that’s not us,’ and we didn’t know that. And now I think we found our sound; I’ve said this since the moment we finished it, the longer its been

out the more it feels true, but this feels like our first record.

I feel like we’ve had two years of experimenting and being a band and this is the sound we were going for. I feel like we finally found who we are as a band,” said Charles.

But as for Warped Tour, it seems like the band will look back on their first year very fondly, leaving with a new family behind them. Charles captures the sense of unity quite perfectly, “there’s a lot of solidarity on this tour, we’re all in it as a team, we’re all suffering through it. It’s kind of cool; there’s a lot of mutual respect. It doesn’t feel like a tour, it feels like a family.”

But just because their run on Warped Tour is over, doesn’t mean you won’t be hearing from The Relapse Symphony anytime soon, “we have more music videos coming out. new music? No, but lots of tours! We want to stay on tour for a year, that’s the challenge we gave ourselves.” So, be sure to keep an eye out for The Relapse Symphony all year long, that is if they keep their promise.

Charles does however, thank the fans for everything so far, and they’re especially grateful. “Thank you guys for watching us and coming out. I think the best thing I’ve heard was when were playing at the same time as a band like Atilla, Pierce the Veil or Black Veil Brides and I think man, no ones going to come see us play, and kids say ‘I’ve seen them, I want to see you guys.’ Thank you to everybody that’s been giving us a shot and checking us out.”

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Then, Now, Always Words by Nicole Cortese // Photos courtesy of Then, Now, Always

Bible

verse Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This simple ideology is the sole basis, inspiration and launching point of Then, Now, Always, a clothing line featured on the Vans Warped Tour that founder and owner, Troy Lano stumbled upon a few years ago and adopted as his life motto.

Before immediately jumping to conclusions, Lano realizes that religion is no longer a topic that is considered a popular opinion by many people. Through his clothing line, he hopes to spread positive messages which involves simultaneously inspiring buyers through religious verses while also appealing to the masses.

“What we do is make it relevant to everybody’s life by showing them there’s a whole ‘nother side that’s relational and not religious,” Lano said. “We have stuff like the glasses which encourages people to ‘walk in the light’ and not choose darkness in their life, whether it’s negativity, depression or isolation. We also have a tank top called ‘Be Transformed’ which is from Romans: ‘Be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, don’t be conformed by the patterns of this world.’ Honestly, I get all of my inspiration from either verses or things I’ll hear in a powerful sermon.”

Lano originally sold necklaces when first starting out, but since the expansion of the brand, majority of his design ideas draw from the unique lifestyle of the Oregon Coast and the Pacific Northwest region.

“We started with the necklaces, but I was always kind of fascinated by the Northwest and just how everything was like cool and wooden,” said Lano. “Ultimately, the inspiration will come through in a lot of the quotes we do on our designs. Then, Now, Always, itself was an inspiration.”

When Lano was younger, he worked part time in retail and hated it. He always swore to himself that he would never work somewhere like that when he grew up, but now he owns an entire retail store.

“It’s an interesting thing because I started from the hustle aspect of it and just hustled stuff out in the [Warped] lines in the morning,” he said. “That’s how I built the company. It was all about building momentum.”

He got his start back in 2011 selling items to concert-goers waiting in line and finally had the opportunity to become a vendor in 2013. Over the past two years, he focused his goals on connecting with the fans that remember him from the hustling days, since they can now find him and come say hi on Warped Tour.

“Being a clothing brand is kind of tough because there’s so much other competition with band merch and being cooler than band merch,” said Lano. “You need to show people that there’s value

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and quality with what you’re doing as well and work on becoming a lifestyle brand.”

Becoming a successful lifestyle brand involves coming out with the highest quality product.

Kids who come out for Warped Tour — or any other music festival — normally don’t expect to spend a lot of money on clothes. Lano points out that they probably lose some sales by having higher prices, but the quality of what they’re getting more than makes up for it.

“They’re not used to the $40 tank top or the $50 shades, but we want to represent that,” he said. “You’re purchasing a better quality item that will last longer, and it’s made in the USA with integrity. At the same time all of our pieces are a conversation starter.”

Then, Now, Always offers a different type of message than other brands out there, and Lano hopes people get encouraged when they buy his clothing. He prides himself on the fact that the brand coincides with a simple yet strong message.

“I saw a poster and it had the Hebrews 13:8 verse on it — which I didn’t even know was a verse — and just saw a picture of Jesus hanging on a cross and it said, ‘Jesus then, now, always,’” said Lano. “That’s kind of how God directly talked to me. The reminder of, ‘Hey, you can change all you want, but I’m still here.’”

While creating the logo design, he tried coming up with something that was relatable, evoked individuality and carried a strong meaning.

“We wanted to embody the representation that no matter what changes in our life, God’s love never changes. It’s the same yesterday, today, forever, and that’s represented in the triangles,” said Lano.

Since the Then, Now, Always team was slammed with Warped Tour this summer, they had a late release for their summer line, Made For Life, Not Death, in mid-July.

“I guess we’ve really been building up the anticipation,” said Lano. “Expect new crop tops and tank tops for the ladies, sunglasses are going to be available online and a couple new sublimation photographic tank tops.”

The team has been exhausting themselves on the road nine months out of the year working to expand the brand past Warped Tour.

“You’ll see us at Riot Fest, Firefly Music Festival and at a bunch of local radio festivals, but we are really transitioning everything to online. Rather than just solely being able trying to sell and support the business that way, expect more online discounts and deals, and a lot more presence through social media.”

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memphis may

“UNCONDITION Words by Nicole Cortese // Photos by Crisanne Glasser

y fire

NAL LOVE”

Memphis

May Fire are no strangers to the heat, but after a hot day in the sun at the Camden, NJ stop on the Vans Warped Tour, things cooled off a little when the band jumped into the empty beer fridge for a quick photo.

The band — which consists of singer/keyboardist, Matty Mullins, lead guitarist, Kellen McGregor, rhythm guitarist, Anthony Sepe, bass guitarist, Cory Elder, and drummer Jake Garland — took a break from their busy schedule to discuss their music, upcoming tours and what it’s like when fans party with them.

On July 17, the band released its deluxe edition of Unconditional which includes two brand new songs, “My Generation,” and “Stay the Course.”

“We had some new songs that we talked about maybe doing singles, an EP, or a new album because we’re always working on new stuff,” said McGregor. “And we wanted to do some acoustic renditions of the older songs, and do a new spin on Unconditional — a new mix remastered and everything. ”

The newly remastered acoustic tracks, “Need To Be” and “Beneath the Skin,” were chosen for two very different reasons from a musical standpoint.

“Well, ‘Need to Be’ was already one of the chill songs on the record,” said McGregor.

Mullins added, “We chose ‘Beneath the Skin’ because it was easiest to translate the riffs from that song to acoustic than our other songs. Either way — with the message in that song — it turned out pretty well for acoustic, so it’s sweet.”

While the band’s arguably most important part of the day includes performing on the Unicorn Stage — this year’s main stage — they have a busy day running around behind the scenes as well.

Mullins gives an insight to a band member’s priority on a typical day.

“You gotta find time to poop because everybody poops,” said Mullins. “There’s no secret about that. Also, we eat, we do press, we sign, we take pictures, we play our show. We poop. We eat. We sleep. That’s it. That’s what we do.”

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When they have some additional free time, they’ll make an effort to support other bands in the Warped community.

“Anytime we have down time we’ll check out some bands - actually during our signing we just got to watch Beartooth and they were sick,” said Mullins.

After the U.S. Warped Tour wraps up on August 5, the band will have a short break before they continent-hop around the globe.

“We’re not going straight to Europe,” Mullins said. “We have a little time off for like a month or whatever, and then we go to Australia with Parkway Drive. Then we’ll be in Europe with Asking Alexandria and August Burns Red. When we come home, we’re headlining an arena tour…I’m kidding.

But, we’ll probably be doing more stuff later in the year in America as well.”

They discussed the major differences between the American and European versions of Warped.

“It’s Inside, first of all, so it’s like a different atmosphere, different sound, different vibe,” said McGregor.

Mullins added, “Everything you could imagine would be different is different - the food, the people, the language, the air - everything about Europe is different.”

For every band, the drive behind their success relies on the dedicated fanbases that listen to their music and go out to shows. After spending about 45 minutes at their merch tent meeting Warped fans who were lucky enough to snag a wrist band for an exclusive meet and greet, they hung out for a few extra minutes to sign setlists and take selfies with a few eagerly awaiting leftover fans before being escorted back to their bus.

“We’ve been told multiple times that we have the best meet and greets out there,” said Mullins.

“We do pizza, corn hole, so it’s not just a like a hi, hello, goodbye type of thing.”

Although it’s difficult to get the full effect of a normal meet and greet during a festival tour like Warped, they really go the extra mile to ensure everyone gets a chance to interact. Memphis May Fire is one of those bands that loves to meet as many fans as possible in any city, state, or continent they visit.

“I really love doing club tours and the VIP packages every day,” said Elder. “We do a hangout for like an hour for anybody who wants to come out and hang. Just hearing stories from different fans and how they’ve connected with our music is the best part of the day.”

Fire is one of those bands t hat loves to meet as many fans as possible in any city, state, or continent they visit.

“I really love doing club tours and the VIP packages every day,” said Elder. “We do a hangout for like an hour for anybody who wants to come out and hang. Just hearing stories from different fans and how they’ve connected with our music is the best part of the day.”

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Our Last Night Fufilling Younger Dreams Words by Danielle Gittleman // Photos by Crisanne Glasser

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Kicking

off the Vans Warped Tour with a brand new album is one of the best ways to start off the tour. All of the buzz around new music and playing it for the first time in front of a packed crowd is enough to get any band’s blood pumping. Fortunately for rockers Our Last Night, their recent release really kicked off the start of Warped Tour.

Originating from New Hampshire, the guys of Our Last Night released their fifth studio album, Younger Dreams, at the start of Warped Tour in June. With brand new material and crowds of fans to play for, the guys of Our Last Night were excited to kick off this year’s Warped Tour.

“We’ve been waiting for a few years to play some new songs finally, so it’s fun for us and fun for the fans to hear some new stuff,” said Matt Wentworth. “Every show I notice more and more people singing along to the new songs, which is cool.”

The title Younger Dreams is an inspirational one, with a lot of meaning behind it. Growing up as individuals and as a band isn’t

always easy, and Our Last Night makes sure that their fans know that they’re going through the growing up process too.

“[The title] was a song first. The verses talked about a time where we were rock bottom, and the chorus talks about wishing we could go back to a time where things were easier and we were more passionate,” said Matt Wentworth.

“There was less pressure — it wasn’t a job, you didn’t have to make money to keep going. It’s kind of just wishing you could go back to a time like that, and you can, mentally.”

“That’s easy to forget with the whole growing up thing and real world stuff,” Woodrow added.

And that’s exactly what the guys of Our Last Night have done — they’ve grown up not only as people, but musically as well. The band has been known to cover a lot of songs, and they think that by learning how to play other artist’s songs, they’ve gotten better at creating their own.

“I think we’ve learned a lot from doing covers because those are some of the best songs in the world at the moment,” said Matt

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Wentworth. “When you have to cover a song you just study the chord progressions, the lyrics, and singing melodies and harmonies. There’s so much you learn just by having to learn how to play their songs.”

The guys already has several EPs and LPs under their belts, and it is easy for fans to see the progression they’ve made over the since the beginning.

Although Our Last Night have been a band since 2007, they’ve had some lineup changes and plenty of ups and downs. But fans can rest assured that they’re not going to be stopping any time soon.

“The fans help a lot. We’re really in touch with them and they inspire us a lot with how passionate that they are. We have great fans,” explained Woodrow.

Warped Tour has helped the guys of Our Last Night stay connected to their fans and they know that they couldn’t do this without them.

“It’s great doing the signings every day out here because you can actually see them personally instead of just playing for a lot of people. You can

just see person to person how our music affects people,” said Matt Wentworth.

The guys have been on Warped Tour a number of times during the past few years that they’ve been a band, and to them nothing can compare to the experiences they’ve had on Warped.

“I really like the community, everyone’s kind of in the same boat. There’s no room for an ego,” said Woodrow. “We’re up at 8 A.M. loading the truck every day. It’s a completely different tour. But also you have a lot of down time. It is busy, but at the same time you’re done by the latest, eight or eight-thirty.”

“I think for show-wise, like the performance, you can’t even compare it,” added Matt Wentworth. “Because in a club you have lights, and it’s dark, and everyone’s like, closed in. It’s just a little different. I think sometimes it is easier to have a high-energy show in a club.

But out here when you have a show where everyone is just going crazy, you feel even more accomplished since you don’t have all the advantages of being inside.”

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This year was the first year that the guys in Our Last Night have played the entire Warped Tour and they’ve learned a lot from the experience.

“You have to go into it with the mentality that you’re going to work hard, and kick-ass and make friends,” said Woodrow. “You just got to go in there with an open mind.”

“You definitely get out of it what you put into it,” agreed Matt Wentworth.

“It’s definitely one of those things.”

Since Warped has come to a close, the guys of Our Last Night are ready to get right back out there and play for their fans. The guys have a little time off before they’re on the road again.

“We’ll be gone between probably from October until Christmas time between the U.K. and Europe and the U.S.,” said Woodrow. The guys are really looking forward to getting out and seeing even more fans outside of Warped.

Woodrow added, “Make sure you come see us and hang out and check out our new CD!”

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Juliet Simms70

Following your Heart Words by Olivia Carpenter // Photos by Acacia Evans

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Warped Tour is known for its crazy antics and expecting the unexpected. Singer Juliet Simms is no exception to the craziness of Warped Tour. In fact, the day before Camden, New Jersey Warped, Simms had sustained a minor ankle injury, only proving how hard she pushes herself to put on a great set each and every time.

Even though Simms loves Warped Tour, she really looks forward to Canadian fans and scenery, along with a day off after a voice-straining long streak of shows day after day. Being out on the road for what she described as “Groundhog’s Day,” playing the same stages and sets, but in a different city every day.

Simms previously played on the Warped Tour lineup a few years back with her former band, Automatic Love Letter, but is now venturing the tour as a solo artist. Setting the summer apart by calling all the shots herself this time around, self-proclaimed “Boss Bitch” proudly expressing, “being out here this summer is really on my own terms.”

Although Simms may be going at it alone most of the time on stage, but not entirely, as she’s joined by her boyfriend of four years Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides. Biersack has been known to join Simms on stage to lend vocals on “Not Broken Yet,” from her most recent EP All or Nothing, released in January of this year. Simms described having him out with her as privilege, with him being “her best friend and love of her life.”

Days are jam packed for many of the artists on Warped; many carry other responsibilities in addition to their sets. With meet and greets, press, signings, and prepping for her time on stage Simms said that she finds herself ready to turn in by eight or nine. She poked fun at herself, saying, “they’ve started calling me Grandma Juliet”.

In addition to her daily sets, most often in one of the earliest slots, she has been involved in The Entertainment Institute’s workshops featured this year. Fans can get the dish from experienced folks with varying roles in the music industry from musicianship to photography, and Juliet’s on Girl Power. Simms smiled as she said that fans can most definitely expect to catch her on side-stage during Black Veil Brides sets, but lately she’s been keen on coming out to watch PVRIS play daily. As for after the tour, Juliet has plans to record a new album in the coming months. There seemed to be a hint toward a possible tour, but for now just a confirmation of a few U.S. dates. Simms is excited to see what’s next for her in the future.

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A L

APPROACHING TROY

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Dear Sadie

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M R E V I

Long Island quintet, Approaching Troy released their 5-track EP, Dear Sadie on May 3 and plans to take the indie rock genre by storm following in the steps of predecessors such as Taking Back Sunday and Brand New did before them.

Although they are relatively new to the scene, they have gained an increasingly dedicated fan base along the east coast, while supporting established bands such as The Ataris, Hawthorne Heights and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

Lead singer/songwriter and frontman, Jake Salazar, initially embarked on a solo project which developed into a cohesive five piece including Sean Doherty, Jay Sutherland, Dom Bono and Joe Neglia, that is now Approaching Troy.

On Dear Sadie, the band took a risk opening the EP with a non-vocal track, “Somnium,” but the musicality more than makes up for the lack of vocals. The title track, “Dear Sadie,” a typical break-up anthem, has a sound that crosses between a familiarity of Bayside and Taking Back Sunday with dual-vocal harmonies and energetic rhythm. “Here’s to Ohio” is another example of the bands heavier/screamo side, while “The Rescue” and “This Victory” touches on more of the lighter, alternative rock side.

Approaching Troy has a diverse sound that can appeal to fans of many different genres. The reputation of Long Island bands is surrounded by the excitement they produce from live shows, whether it’s in the local NYC/Long Island area or around the globe.

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CHANGE IS

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Insomnia

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Metal/hardcore band Change Is, hailing from Saginaw, Michigan released full length album Insomnia on June 9th. The album as a whole features a heavy guitar influence, paired with drum dominating moments in each track. Carrying a classic metal feel for much of the album, there are nods to both hip-hop and 90’s rock influence. The opening song “Eternal Sleep” starts it all off as the perfect introduction to what the band plans on achieving throughout the rest of Insomnia. The track begins with a slower pace and solid vocals, building into a steady rhythm. Clearly bearing much instrumental talent, paired with powerful lead vocals, Change Is explores the art of hardcore musicianship with attention to detail in the layering of elements. “False Psyche” being a prime example, featuring an interesting heartbeat that fades the track out.

Placed in the middle, is “Loss,” featuring Devin MacGillivray of Villains. The song keeps the energy at the same level, but breaks up the record a bit stylistically. There is an attention to detail in regards to transitions between tracks. The album’s title song “Insomnia,” blends seamlessly with “Ready to Turn In,” which has a beat reminiscent of classic hip-hop tracks.

It will be interesting to see where these guys find themselves in the current resurgence of more classic styles as heard in bands garnering popularity recently like Beartooth, Illinois-based Sworn In, and those with an established fanbase like Asking Alexandria.

Insomnia closes out with “‘Til June,” a slower paced track which plays its role as an energy fading outro to the rest of the well-built preceding tracks.

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ALVAREZ KINGS

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Fear to Feel

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M R

Indie rock band Alvarez Kings are of powerful echoed vocals, this time with a melodic alternative group from the UK more instrumentals. The melodies of a piano whose soft vocals and rhythmic tempos combined with the sounds of a horn create make up their latest EP, Fear to Feel. In a a powerful harmony that will both lull and new take on alternative rock, vocalist Simon empower listeners. This song has a dreamThompson introduces listeners to a soft, like feel with lyrics such as “We were almost echoing sound in the opening track “Run From there/ but your feet won’t touch the ground/am You”. The song sounds almost haunting as it I a ghost to these strangers now?” At the end repeats the phrase, “I’ll never run from you,” of the song, the vocalist repeats the question between verses. About half way through, the “Am I a stranger?” After which the song winds instrumentals pick up, reinforcing the intention down and the vocals slow, forcing the listener of the singer to stay close to the subject of the to think about the music and lyrics they just song. experienced.

The next track, “Tell-Tale Heart,” picks

Last on Fear to Feel is titled “Tortured & up with the electronics as the tempo quickens the Tears.” This track starts out like most of the while still moving at a gentle pace. Thompson’s previous songs on the EP, dramatic and slow voice becomes a stronger force as the song with a rhythmic beat. builds up to the EP’s anthematic, “we’re

Thomson captivates listeners in a lullaby already there,” and settles back down to a trans with deeper lyrics in every song on Fear soft, soothing vocal track backed by unique to Feel. Contrary to the EP’s title, these four echoing instrumentals. Opening with a line like, songs will bring out feelings in listeners that “It was her eyes, yes her eyes/that took me they may have long since forgotten. With by surprise/ it was the stare, yes the stare/her lyrics that will provoke the deepest parts of eyes were everywhere,” in a suspenseful tune the imagination, harmonies that listeners have makes the listener curious to what’s coming never heard from an indie band and a sound next, both musically and lyrically. Thankfully, that is both new-aged and classic, Alvarez listeners will not be disappointed by the well clearly do not, as their EP states, fear to feel. written and moderately paced chorus.

This EP dares listeners to feel, and every one

Following “Tell-Tale Heart” is the of them should take that challenge. ballad and title track of the EP, “Fear to Feel.”

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THE IVORY

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Gloom

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Words by Olivia Carpenter

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Almost everyone has gone through a tough breakup at one point or another. But when that happens, what’s next? Many of us turn to our good friends Ben & Jerry or a bottle of wine for some comfort, while others turn to music. Shane Crump took it a leap further by forming The Ivory, and releasing his new EP, Gloom. Five songs reminiscent of heartbreak, packaged like our favorite pop-rock classics. For fans of The Maine, This Century, or even We The Kings, these songs will ring true to every string that they pull on your heart.

Tracks like “My Bittersweet” are reflective of a relationship gone awry, and how Crump’s life will be now that it is over. Lyrics like, “I thought you were love at first sight” in “Be Young, Be Free” reveals hurt, but leaves the tone hopeful for their futures now apart. “I Miss You,” and the accompanying video, are both raw and emotional. Creativity through heartbreak has proved itself a strength for Crump.

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