Smash Magazine Album Reviews

March/April Album Reviews

Check out my album reviews for issue 99 of Smash Magazine, including PVRIS, Turnover, Hawthorne Heights, Highly Suspect, and Bring Me the Horizon. PVRIS – Hallucinations EP & Acoustic Single ReviewAs a band that blurs the line between rock and pop, the latest release from Massachusetts trio* PVRIS, Hallucinations, with its synth-driven track “Death of Me” and its dance-worthy beats on “Nightmare,” leans more toward the band’s pop side. But even if the electropop sounds…Continue reading March/April Album Reviews

Thrice Drumstick

My Top 10 Unique Concert Moments

I’ve made it no secret–I love going to shows. And while I’m not sure I could ever pick a favorite concert overall, I can think of ten crazy, epic, surreal or just plain lucky concert moments that I will never forget. Here they are: Billy Burning BrightOne of the first concerts I ever went to as a kid was Billy Joel with my family. I was pretty young, so I don’t remember a lot, but…Continue reading My Top 10 Unique Concert Moments

New Found Glory

Earthquake? Psh, the show must go on.

Last night, there was an earthquake in Southern California that reverberated all the way to Las Vegas. Where was I? In a swaying balcony at a concert at the House of Blues. The whole experience, nay, the whole night, was a big, surreal experience for more than one earth-shaking reason. First and foremost, I went to the show specifically to see The Early November (TEN). This was my first time seeing them live and they…Continue reading Earthquake? Psh, the show must go on.

Thrice

To the Aging Rocker…

I still love going to concerts. I love that feeling when your heart starts racing as the lights dim and each band member takes the stage. The rush as the first notes ring out and you are immediately enveloped in sound. The carefree way you can get lost in the music and the crowd, truly singing like no one is listening, because in most cases, no one can hear you nor do they want to.…Continue reading To the Aging Rocker…

Thrice Live

Forever Thrice

This past weekend I went to see one of my favorite bands, Thrice, play live at the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas for the fourth time. It’s a show I didn’t expect to see after the band announced their breakup in 2011. Thankfully, the stars aligned and the band returned in 2016 with a new album, To Be Everywhere Is to Be Nowhere, and a tour to support it. With a vast and eclectic catalogue,…Continue reading Forever Thrice

Jimmy Eat World

Welcome Back Jimmy Eat World

With the announcement of a new album and tour, I can’t help but get retrospective for one of my favorite bands, Jimmy Eat World. While I’d like to say I was cool enough to be a fan when the band first formed in 1993 and I was 10, it wasn’t until their album Clarity came out in 1999 that I discovered them. Still, I feel like maybe I did fall in love with their music…Continue reading Welcome Back Jimmy Eat World

Alternative Press Covers

You Know You Were an Emo Kid if…

If you were into the rock music scene in the 2000s, you probably listened to Emo, Screamo, Hardcore, or some other sub-genre you rattled off when the poser listening to Good Charlotte asked you your favorite type of music. Here were some of your most identifying characteristics back then: You heard Atreyu’s song “Bleeding Mascara” and immediately used it as your MySpace screen name. Alternative Press was your bible. You considered slam dancing at a…Continue reading You Know You Were an Emo Kid if…

Headphones

Reunited and it Sounds so Good

If you are an emo kid at heart, the music scene was probably bringing tears to your eyes for a while, and not in a good way. With the rise of the hipster, emo and screamo started to give way to the indie and folk-rock takeover. Many genre essential bands broke up, went on hiatus, or started side projects. A few booted founding band members and tried to continue on with replacements, but somehow their…Continue reading Reunited and it Sounds so Good