Check them out at Anthony’s Flickr account!
-Melissa
February 7, 2010
Album Review: ‘On Your Side’
In 2008, Pete Wentz announced that he was signing a band called A Rocket To The Moon. On October 13, 2009 through Fueled By Ramen Records, A Rocket To The Moon released their first full length CD together, officially titled On Your Side. Popular producer of some big time hits, Matt Squire, was along for the ride to help produce the high quality CD, with the four members; Nick Santino who sings and plays guitar, Justin Richards, the band’s guitarist, Eric Halvorsen on bass and Andrew Cook rocking the drums.
The CD begins with Annabelle, followed by eleven more tracks. The opener is the perfect song that any guy would play for the girl who he wants to wash his hands of. It’s almost your typical high school, angst-filled break up song, especially when vocalist Nick Santino sings, “I got a heart and you got lipstick” because no girl likes being told she’s heartless, especially to a crowd.
The next couple of songs are pretty upbeat and happy songs, ones that catch your attention and are stuck in your head all day. The catchiness of Mr. Right explains why it was chosen from the CD as their single and video choice. A Rocket To The Moon also manages to keep your interest through their uses of rhythmic clapping on songs such as Give A Damn. Dakota is a track that was previously released by A Rocket To The Moon on Greetings From. The only major difference between the separate tracks that is easily distinguishable, is the way they were each mixed. The sound of the version recorded for On Your Side sounds like it was specially mixed for radio, which is not a bad thing when you are trying to get your name out there as a smaller band on the scene. When On Your Side comes to On A Lonely Night, it’s a song that makes you stop and realize that guys do, in fact, have a genuine bone in their body. As I listen to it, I find myself going “aw” in my mind at a boy being so in love with a girl. Many girls will more than likely, hold this song close to their heart with hope. Like We Used To and Baby Blue Eyes are two other songs that, along with On A Lonely Night, are the slower songs of the album. The chorus to Like We Used to is the most memorable part of the song. Though some people believe that a song should catch your attention at the beginning and keep it throughout the entirety of a song, my attention is caught while the chorus is sung and only then. The third ballad on the CD is Baby Blue Eyes and though not everyone agrees that three songs of the slower variety belong on one CD, it would be a shame not having it because the track does add some variety to their sound.
When creating and producing a record, not all bands decide to have guests in the studio to add to their songs. However, the band chose to let Caitlin Harnett appear on the song On A Lonely Night adding a soft backing melody to contrast with Santino’s voice. Brandon Wronski, from Eye Alaska, also shows up during the song Sometimes.
Listening to the CD in it‘s entirety, the mood created fluctuates. Through some parts, the lyrics, the beats and the melodies speak volumes about the song. It’s always been a personal belief of mine that lyrics and sound are an equal part in a great song, but if there isn’t a catchy beat, you can easily lose the interest of a listener, causing them to no longer want to listen to any more of it.
No fan is ever happy when a band changes their sound, which is how many of the fans from the bands older days seem to be feeling about A Rocket To The Moon’s latest release, especially when you listen back to songs from the Summer 07 EP as well as Your Best Idea. However, people grow and change, as does the line up of a band. Since those previous releases, the band has grown and is no longer a single person as it was originally. When Nick Santino had Richards, Halvorsen and Cook join his band, it was apparent that A Rocket To The Moon’s sound was beginning to transform when Greetings From was released. Broadening their talents and learning to cooperate and accommodate everyone in one band’s musical taste, it is easy to see why the change occurred. The band managed to do so gracefully and wonderfully, as is shown by the welcoming support of what On Your Side has received.
- Kelsi Ward
February 5, 2010
We are Interviewing ERIC from A ROCKET TO THE MOON!
We are interviewing Eric from A ROCKET TO THE MOON. Have a question for him? Leave us a comment or shoot us an email at coasttocoastmelissa@gmail.com
- Melissa
February 3, 2010
Know Your Scene: Someone Like You!
I met the Someone Like You guys back in December at a benefit show. They blew me away within playing the first song. They’re like a mix between Forever the Sickest Kids and Four Year Strong, and something totally different in the Columbus Ohio music scene. Check out my interview with them and make sure you check out their Myspace!
Introduce yourselves!
Tim: Hi, my name’s Tim and I sing and play guitar.
Garry: You play keys too!
Tim: Oh yeah, I play keys too.
Garry: I just sing and play guitar.
Stephen: (In Borat voice) I play da bass!
Pat: What’s up, I’m Pat, the new guy. I play guitar and drink Mountain Dew.
Zach: I play drums on stage and ukulele at the merch table.
How long have you all known each other? How did you guys meet?
SLY: Tim and Garry have been playing together for about two years. They started recording some demos and decided to recruit a full band.
When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
SLY: We all met about a year ago and decided to form the band about 6 months ago. We all started jamming together and it just clicked so we decided to stick together and make it happen.
There are many bands in the Columbus area. How do you guys stand out?
SLY: Someone Like You stands out because of our unique sound and style. We have breakdowns, piano ballads, two lead singers, and we always keep it interesting.
Tell us about your new record. What can we expect from it? Once it’s out, where can the fans buy it?
SLY: When we first started writing this EP, all of the songs were either extremely heavy or extremely soft, so we all took some time off to collaborate in the studio and come out with a mix between the two. We finally found a balance, and the EP will be released in March on iTunes and some local Ohio stores as well. Make sure to check out our myspace for updates and follow us @SLYband
Who are your influences? How have they influenced you when it comes to music?
SLY: Our influences are anything and everything we have ever heard before. Pop punk is a mainstay, and bands like New Found Glory, Four Your Strong, and Forever The Sickest Kids have really paved the way for bands like us.
If you could tour with any artist or be on any big lineup (IE: Bamboozle) who would it be with and why?
SLY: I think that our ideal tour would be Warped Tour. It is a great tour that allows us to work hard, meet new friends, expose our music to new people, and have a great time with people just like us.
If you could have anyone’s music career, who would it be and why?
SLY: Green Day for sure. They’ve gone 20 years without slowing down and have a sound and work ethic that transcends generations.
Any big touring plans for 2010?
SLY: We are starting with regional and hometown shows in order to build our fanbase and do things the right way. For all of you out of state readers, you can be sure you’ll see us sometime in the near future!
Any last words?
Garry: Thanks for interviewing us!
Tim: Check out our new single “Don’t Count On Me” on iTunes now!
Stephen: Buy our single and look out for our EP soon!
Zach: Yeah, so I can eat!
-Melissa
January 25, 2010
The Ready Set Photos Uploaded!
Photos from the Ready Set show at the School of Rock! Click on the photo for more from the show!
January 13, 2010
REVIEW: MY AMERICAN HEART @ THE REFUGE 01-09-10
By: Anthony Buada
My American Heart, a band that has stuck with me for about 5-6 years now. Some might say that they are just your ordinary 5 piece band coming straight from San Diego .. but no, this group has one of the best stage performances and creativity than other bands have today. I remember listening to them one day on Purevolume and ‘Certainty Kills‘ was the only song on there. Even though it was one song, I knew this band had potential to go all the way to the top.
2010, a year I would never expect them to go their own ways, arrives and greets me with their last tour ever. Only having to play in CA, I knew I was blessed to have them play somewhere close. To make a long story short, I’ll go straight to the part where the lights go low and they approach the stage. So, Jesse, Dustin, Nick & Jake goes on and opens with a collab intro. Larry then step on to the stage and the whole crowd is hyped up. I knew I was in for .. what was going to be .. ‘the craziest shows I’ve ever been to’. The first song they played was ‘Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather‘ and from then on .. I was just in awe. Push after push I was falling onto my hands on the stage and it was getting hard for me to enjoy the show and take photos. I had no chance but to get on the 2nd step and enjoy the show on both my knees. It worked! I didn’t feel no pushing at all. Haha.
A few songs in and I was drenched with sweat all over! It looked like I just came out of the shower! Seriously! When they finished up playing ‘Poison’ they got off stage, leaving fans wanting more. “MAH MAH MAH”, the chant that filled the room. They then came back and played 3 more songs. From all the headbanging I was doing during the show, I knew I wasn’t going to like the feeling for the next couple of days (its still in pain by the way). ‘Process‘ was the last song that cluttered my ears produced by My American Heart. It was that moment that I realized.. ‘this was the last time I was going to see MAH live’. Sadness! When the song ended, I said ‘fuck it’ and got up on stage. My mission was to ask Jake for his setlist but when I was walking towards him, Larry stopped me and said ‘You were my favorite out there man. Thanks so much for everything’ and hugged me. I felt how much he loved doing this, making music for everyone to love and enjoy. And then I asked Jake and he said ‘I saw you up there man, you were going cRz!’ (sorry if I get the message wrong.. I knew it was around those lines). He then gave me his setlist and I turned towards the crowd and screamed on the top of my lungs! This was the best feeling I had in a long time!
(Dustin’s pick. This is the last one I will be getting from him. I have a bunch from other shows)
(MAH’s setlist and signed!)
After the show, I met up with my friends and we chilled for a bit. Taking in all that just happened was for real. We then went outside to see if MAH was there and they were. So we got to meet them and take a photo with them. When I asked for them to sign my setlist, they each said how I was their favorite and I was what made moments like that memorable. Man! I am going to miss MAH! I will support whatever they each tend to do from then on and I hope the best for them. Thanks for everything! MAH<3
(Allan, Me, Nikka & Jenn with MAH! Haha I look hella grimey but its all good. I had the best time of my life!)
NOTE: All photos were taken by me. If you would like to see more from the show, click here
January 13, 2010
Interview with Brandon Wronski of Eye Alaska!
In November, my friend and I got the chance to sit down with Brandon Wronski of Eye Alaska durning the PacSun Tour. They played an amazing set that night. Please check out their music if you haven’t already!
- Melissa
January 12, 2010
My American Heart Final Show Photos Now Up!
San Diego’s My American Heart has called it quits after many years of playing numerous countries and winning the hearts of many. They had their last show in San Jose last week and Anthony was lucky enough to go! Check out his photos here.
My American Heart will truly be missed.
January 12, 2010
We added a Gallery page!
Now it’s easier than ever to view our photos (kinda). We added a gallery page! It’s still under construction so it will take some time until it is updated. Keep checking back for some more photos!
January 12, 2010
New email!
Just wanted to let everyone know that I have made a new email for my personal and business use. It’s coasttocoastmelissa@gmail.com
Please email me with your favorite bands that you want us to interview, local bands that you think are talented and the next big thing, suggestions or anything like that!
We want to hear from you guys the most.
Best,
Melissa Chu
