Because they are no emo band.

And don’t even begin to mouth the words screamo either.

Alexisonfire at a glance doesn’t seem very unique. They have equal parts melody and hardcore, they have clean vocals mixed with screams and growls. And they have rhythm driven breakdowns. But they do it differently. They do it with purpose and a talent that is more original and pleasing to listen to than most if not all of their peers.

Also being named after the world’s only lactating contortionist stripper doesn’t hurt either.

I caught up with them backstage at the Phoenix stop along the Warped Tour and asked them about this genre they seemed to be holed into and their new record Old Crows/Young Cardinals that is being released through Dine Alone Records.

Sean (azr): Seeing that it’s 108 degrees outside right now I bet Canada sounds pretty nice right now?

Dallas: Actually it’s quite hot in the summertime where we’re from. If you look on a map, where we live is as south as the most northern point of California.

Wade: It’s a different kind of heat though. It’s a really wet heat. At least here it’s dry!

Dallas: Yeah where we’re from it’s like having the flu walking around in the summer.

George: And the winter is like having the cold part of the flu. Living in Canada is basically like having the flu year round. (Band laughs)

Sean (azr): So. The band name is from apparently the world’s only lactating contortionist stripper. Is that a real thing?

Band as a whole: Yes it is!

Dallas: She is truly an inspiration to everyone.

Sean (azr): I have read that you wanted to “kill screamo” with this new record. What exactly did you mean by this?

George: I think its just the whole idea of what its become is what we want to “kill”. We have been doing this for about eight years now, and back when we started there were these bands that we thought was the ACTUAL screamo, these bands that had come out of the hardcore scene and had influenced us. Level Plane records stuff. Bands like Saetia and Taken, and then as things became more marketable it became more about the hair and makeup. That’s more of what we were taking about not wanting to be a part of.

Wade: I think “Screamo” has become a dirty word. And I feel like what it is and what it has become doesn’t have a lot to do with us and how we look at music or why we started this band. It’s just like the first wave of “punk” bands were all these dramatically different sounding bands. But they were still all called “punk”.

Dallas: yeah remember “alternative”? There used to be this section at the record store? (Laughs)

Sean (azr): So I noticed on the new tracks a kind of different dynamic to the screaming. What did you do differently?

George: Yes. Well I basically stopped screaming for the most part. Its still there, for example there is this new song “Northern” where I’m still screaming but I’m using it mostly for an accent now. Screaming seems almost too written in stone; I wanted to do something different, trying to get a new tool for writing songs.

Sean (azr): So you guys on the whole tour?

Wade: yes we are, and things have been going really well. The new songs seem to be well received, and we might be having Andy from Every Time I Die join us onstage in Buffalo to do some stand up comedy in between songs. Which is going to be AWESOME.

One of the most impressive things that were taken away from the brief time that I spent with Alexisonfire is how seriously they take their music, but not themselves. This band is the real deal, and not only makes very well crafted music, but also puts on a very impressive show full of energy. Now almost veterans of a scene that many young fans know as the norm, the experience that they have certainly comes through, and reflects how they don’t need the makeup, day glow shirts or scenester haircuts to survive at a time when many bands are clinging to what ever gimmick might bring them a few new fans and that have the music as an after thought to very contrived image.

Make it a point to go an experience Alexisonfire for you.

Alexisonfire is:

George Pettit

Dallas Green

Wade MacNeil

Chris Steele

Jordan Hastings

12►

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Capital recording artist Saosin is a melodic post hardcore quintet originally from Newport Beach, California that is a hold fast rock in an otherwise swarming sea of mediocrity and trends. While most bands that would be considered their peers are out trying to find the hottest day glow retro t-shirts and 80’s sunglasses, Saosin is busy writing music. VERY good music.

And hopefully with In Search Of Solid Ground the follow up to their much loved and critically acclaimed self titled 2006 release Saosin, the throngs of loyal fans and the band members themselves will see a much greater and further reaching success that will catapult them into being a headlining force to be reckoned with. And if the few songs that I have been privileged to hear off the new record are any indication of things to come; it will be a bright future indeed for the guys in Saosin.

I caught up with them backstage at The Vans Warped Tour in Phoenix to ask them a few questions about their past, the present, and what they would like to see the future bring.

Sean (AZR): I wanted to first off ask you about the name of the band. It can mean a few different things depending on which way you look at it, from the Chinese translation of “little heart” to a cautionary tale of not having too much emotional attachment. As the band has progressed, what does it mean to you now?

Justin: Well, we have discovered that as we tour in different places the band name means different things in different languages. We were in Jakarta, Indonesia and found out that if you order noodles with sauce you order noodles “saosin”. So I think “with sauce” is the main meaning we are hanging on to at the moment (laughs).

Sean (AZR): (laughs) that is awesome!

Justin: yeah, I think that is the one that takes the cake at the moment.

Sean (AZR): Your newest record you worked with Butch Walker as a producer. How was it working with him?

Cove: Things went very smoothly. He just kind of let us be “us” really. Butch let us do our own thing. He watched over the whole process and made sure everything sounded the way it was supposed to. It was very cool in that sense; we got some very organic sounding songs out of working with him. We have been playing a few new songs on this tour, and today we played a song called “On My Own” that I feel he really just let us play how we would normally play and I think it came out really sweet.

Alex: he wasn’t too over controlling or anything, he didn’t dictate what he wanted over what we wanted to do; he just simply worked really well with all of us.

Beau: The coolest thing for me is that we recorded these songs with him in Malibu in this big house on top of this hill, and everyday Butch would drive one of his crazy Harley-chopper-motorcycles up this private dirt road to get to the house. So by the time he got to the house he would take off his goggles and his face would be covered in dirt, his hair all frazzled, it just looked so rad and he did it every day!

Cove: (laughs) he was a really cool dude. He also wore the exact same flannel shirt everyday. It was awesome.

Sean (AZR): So I am one of those few remaining people that actually like to go out and buy an album instead of downloading it…

Cove: Ha! Well you are a dying breed my friend!

Sean (AZR): I just like seeing who is thanked in the linear notes, having the album art…

Cove: It’s a real piece of evidence isn’t it? It’s something more tangible?

Beau: Exactly! And something I just discovered is that if you computer crashes, and completely dies on you, you miraculously still have that piece of music to listen to!

Sean (AZR): (laughs) what a crazy concept!

Beau: Yeah isn’t that nuts??? (Laughs)

Sean (AZR): Speaking of music downloading versus going out and buying the record, do you think bands have to work harder these days?

Alex: I think yes and no. Because of technology, you are able to, if you want something, just reach into cyberspace and grab it. But because of that, you don’t necessarily have to put in the same amount of work with touring like you used to. You can just make a record on Garage Band and just put it up. Someone could then grab that the same way that someone could grab a record that cost a million dollars to make and was produced by Quincy Jones or something. It levels out the playing field in a positive sense for everyone I think.

Cove: I think the biggest downside to everything just being downloaded now is its training a lot of kids to think that is okay and normal. It’s kind of like how you see more kids texting each other instead of actually talking to people; it’s not a way to make a real connection. People are being trained to think that’s real when its not. Its just like downloading, some of these kids are forgetting that these records are even there to go pick up, it’s a tangible object you can make a connection with and you can’t really do that if you just download it.

Justin: Bands have to get more creative, having to offer some sort of incentive to actually sell their album. For example on this tour, what we are doing is you get a shirt when you buy a pre ordered copy of the new album. We thought it’s a really good deal and we understand that people who come to the Warped Tour have a limited amount of cash to spend. Its something to level the playing field for bands that aren’t HUGE you know?

Cove: Not only leveling the playing field but I think its something that almost all bands are going to have to start doing in the future.

Sean (AZR): So this is the third time you have been on the Warped Tour?

Cove: Yes we have, but this is this first time we have been on the whole thing. Its been going really well. Phoenix has been a little rough though. When it’s a 100 plus degrees outside at midnight that kind of sucks. (Laughs).

Sean (AZR): I am a native of Phoenix and I assure, you don’t get used to it. Summertime here can be very difficult to deal with sometimes.

Cove: I actually grew up in a place kind of in the middle of Death Valley, where it was legitimately 120 degrees at midnight, and no, you don’t actually get used to it!

Sean (AZR): Well thank you so much for you time guys. Anything else you would like to say?

Cove: well let’s give Chris the last word here…

Chris: “CHEESEBURGERS”

Everyone: (laughs)

After the initial interview I had some time to talk to Cove Reber about Anthony Green, the original lead singer for Saosin. Not knowing what to expect, I talked with him first off the record. He quickly assured me that it is not an uncomfortable subject for him to speak about, and that I could go ahead and let the fans of both Saosin and Circa Survive know that Anthony and him are not only on good terms, but they are friends.

Cove went into detail about how great of a guy Anthony is and how supportive he has been of Saosin’s now –not- so –new lineup. Cove told me about the first time Anthony Green and himself ever met face to face and that Green told him “ I think you sing those songs better than I ever did,” which has been something that still resonates with Reber to this day. The rumors that have been circulating of a Saosin/Circa Survive tour are unfortunately not true, but, as Cove said, “if there is enough demand and support for something like that to happen we would love to do it.”

Saosin is:

Cove Reber

Beau Burchell

Justin Shekoski

Chris Sorenson

Alex Rodriguez

Check out their music on Myspace!

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NOTHING PERSONAL

AS PART OF “THE LEAK” FOR ONE WEEK STARTING JUNE 30TH

VIDEO FOR “WEIGHTLESS” TO DEBUT JULY 6TH

Hopeless Records is excited to announce that for one week starting on June 30th, MTV.com will be the first place fans will be able to stream All Time Low’s new album, the highly anticipated Nothing Personal, in its entirety. The premiere is a part of the website’s ongoing series called “The Leak.” The first video from the album, “Weightless,” will debut on July 6th on MTV, MTV2, mtvU and HITS. Nothing Personal is the band’s second full-length record and will hits stores July 7. For a sneak preview of the album, check out the trailer streaming exclusively on Buzznet here: Buzznet Stream

All Time Low will perform a string of dates on the Main Stage of this summer’s Vans Warped Tour. Having just recently finished a tour with Fall Out Boy, the Maryland foursome will be jumping on Warped Tour in Oceanport, NJ, and staying on it until the end in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to these dates, they will do a short headlining tour with We The Kings and Cartel, hitting several cities on the East Coast.

Lead singer Alex Gaskarth is currently featured on the cover of the Vans Warped Tour issue of Alternative Press magazine along with eight other frontmen from this summer’s lineup.

Full album online stream!

Click here to listen to the full album online!

Track Listing for Nothing Personal is below:
1. Weightless
2. Break Your Little Heart
3. Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t)
4. Lost In Stereo
5. Stella
6. Sick Little Games
7. Hello, Brooklyn
8. Walls
9. Too Much
10. Keep The Change, You Filthy Animal
11. A Party Song (The Walk of Shame)
12. Therapy

Tour dates with We The Kings, Cartel, & Days Difference:
7/09/09 Richmond, VA – The National
7/10/09 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
7/11/09 Towson, MD – Towson Center – Towson University
7/12/09 Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
7/13/09 Wantagh, NY – The Bay Stage @ Jones Beach
7/15/09 Toronto, ON – Kool Haus
7/16/09 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland
7/17/09 Pittsburgh, PA – Riverplex Amphitheatre
7/18/09 Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock Café

All Time Low Warped Tour dates:
7/19/09 Oceanport, NJ – Monmouth Park Racetrack
7/21/09 Boston, MA – Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
7/22/09 Virginia Beach, VA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7/23/09 Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7/24/09 Orlando, FL – Central Florida Fairgrounds
7/25/09 Miami, FL – Cruzan Amphitheater
7/26/09 Tampa, FL – Vinoy Park
7/28/09 Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheater
7/29/09 Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
7/30/09 Milwaukee, WI – Marcus Amphitheater
7/31/09 Detroit, MI – Comerica Park
8/01/09 Chicago, IL – First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
8/02/09 Minneapolis, MN – Canterbury Park
8/03/09 St. Louis, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/04/09 Kansas City, MO – Sandstone Amphitheater
8/07/09 Boise, ID – Idaho Center Amphitheater
8/08/09 Salt Lake City, UT – Utah State Fairgrounds
8/09/09 Denver, CO – Invesco Field
8/12/09 Calgary, AB – Race City Speedway
8/14/09 Vancouver, BC – Thunderbird Stadium
8/15/09 Seattle, WA – Gorge Amphitheater
8/16/09 Portland, OR – Washington County Fairgrounds
8/19/09 Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
8/20/09 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheater
8/21/09 Sacramento, CA – Sleep Train Amphitheater
8/22/09 San Diego, CA – Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
8/23/09 Los Angeles, CA – Home Depot Center

For more info on All Time Low please visit their myspace: myspace.com/alltimelow

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Los Angeles, CA – In these rough economic times, certain sacrifices must be made, and Los Angeles based independent label Not Alone Records wants to make sure that your yearly ritual of attending the Vans Warped Tour is NOT one of them. In conjunction with the release of GRAVITY, the newest album from West Virigina rockers TIME AND DISTANCE, Not Alone Records is offering fans a FREE Time And Distance song AND a chance at winning a pair of tickets to the 2009 Van’s Warped Tour show of their choice.

Not Alone Records is also pleased to announce that Time And Distance’s new album is available for pre-order exclusively at www.SmartPunk.com. While supplies last, fans will receive a copy of Gravity, a FREE autographed poster and a sticker. Pre-order here: smartpunk.com/product.php?item_id=30846.

The Charleston, WV trio’s third studio album was produced by Rob Freeman (of Hidden In Plain View) and boasts twelve incredibly catchy pop-rock gems. Racket Magazine claims Gravity “is a richly woven album full of angst, regrets, and wit… [that] delivers honest truths, straight up,” and Guestlist Magazine raves “It is absolutely flawless from start to finish.”

Time And Distance have shared the stage with Boys Like Girls, Midtown, Hit The Lights, Reliant K, Rookie Of The Year, Mae, The Spill Canvas, and Sugarcult, to name a few, and plan to hit the road this summer. Tour dates will be announced shortly.

www.myspace.com/timeanddistance

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