popwreckoning

Photographer Hilary J. Corts hit up the New York Warped Tour stop in Uniondale. She documented her day at the pop-punk-rock traveling festival. Check out her photos below:

All-American Rejects:

Andrew W.K.:

Breathe Electric:

Every Time I Die:

Jac Vanek & TWLOHA:

Polar Bear Club:

Sum 41:

The Bigger Lights:

The Rocket Summer:

The Summer Set:

View more of Hilary’s work at www.hilaryjcorts.com.

Expecting a return to the days of the Blue album or Pinkerton from Weezer?  Quit living in a world of naivety. Weezer doesn’t want to be that band. They’ve been there; they’ve done that. This new change in direction is due to Rivers Cuomo’s new found flair for pop music , allowing the touch of Butch Walker and a cast of pop/rock masterminds such as Tyson Ritter of All-American Rejects. I’m here to pose the question that’s the elephant in the room, and that would be, is that really such a bad thing? Here me out now, Weezer was always at their best with crunchy guitars and geeky hooks and with this album they offer a glimpse into the promise they can have in a new found world of making pop music.

While I prefer the Weezer of old, like I’m sure most of you do, I can’t help but appreciate Rivers and gang for taking a big, big chance with this change in style demonstrated to a T with the incredibly catchy single “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To.” Weezer was never one to add too many things to the melting pot, so with these new found collaborations, one can only imagine the random Rivers has in store for us. I’m referring to those Spinner performances with Kenny G (yes, Kenny G, Chamillionaire and Sara Bareilles which you can see here

While the flair for pop doesn’t always work, I’m looking at you “Can’t Stop Partying,” the pop shines through when they let the whoa’s fly in “The Girl Got Hot.” One gripe I have is that some of the lyrics are a little too tongue in cheek with their references to partying, clubbing and simple premises, but this definitely is their best album in quite some time following the so-so Red album of 2008 and Make Believe of 2005. For those who lost faith, this album could make you a believer again.

Simply put, Weezer just wants to have fun, won’t you join them?

Track listing:
01. (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
02. I’m Your Daddy
03. Girl Got Hot
04. Can’t Stop Partying
05. Put Me Back Together
06. Trippin’ Down the Freeway
07. Love Is the Answer
08. Let It All Hang Out
09. In the Mall
10. I Don’t Want to Let You Go

Weezer: website | myspace | @ maryland heights

While on break in the UK, the guitarist, Mike Kennerty, of Oklahoma Top 40 Rockers All-American Rejects took some time to chat with Bethany about the current tour, Tyson’s injury and more.

Bethany, PopWreckoning: Let’s start here. You all are touring in Europe at this moment. How is that going?
Mike Kennerty, All-American Rejects: It is going great. We’ve been here for about four shows now and they’ve all been insane. The crowds over here are awesome so it has all been a blast.
PW: Are European crowds really different than the fans you have back in the states?
MK: They, lately, they seem to go a little crazier than American crowds. American crowds have become a little tame lately it seems, so it is fun to come over here and still be all hot and sweaty and wild.

PW: Now you guys, these are some of your first shows since Tyson’s injury. What kind of happened there? How did fans react when they found out that Tyson was in the hospital for five days?
MK: He had an infection in his leg and it just got bad. We tried to power through some shows, but ended up having to get it taken care of. We canceled some shows and yeah, coming back, these are some of the first shows we’ve done and luckily, we were afraid he wasn’t going to be able to do some of these shows. It turns out he heals quick. I don’t think anyone here can tell the difference. He has been rocking it out regardless. The fans are all really nice and very supportive and understanding about the shows that we’ve had to cancel. We very rarely ever have to do it, so when we do, it is when it matters.
PW: It seemed like when that happened, there were tons of internet rumors that kind of just got away from what was really going on. Did you have any reactions as you were reading these rumors?
MK: I hadn’t heard them? What were they?
PW: Oh things like, a massive tumor had to be removed.
MK: Haha. That one comes from…that was Ty’s kind of own rumor he started. A few shows before we started to cancel, he was playing with a knee brace on and he would make up things on stage just to be entertaining and that was one of them. It was funny. He says a bunch of shit on stage every night and nothing ever gets out until that one thing and that one just kind of spread. But yeah, no tumors.

PW: Now with the shows you had to cancel, you were on the Blink-182 tour. What was it like to be on one of the biggest tours of the summer? It seemed like everyone was just talking about that.
MK: It was great and a great line of bands. It was a blast and great to have it. Unfortunately, it had to be cut short, which wasn’t fun, but we still got to do a few weeks of it. We got to live it up and experience what it was like to tour with a band of that caliber. It was cool.
PW: Next, you guys are coming back to tour the states with Taking Back Sunday, who was also on the Blink tour. What can fans expect to be different this time around when it is just you and Taking Back?
MK: I think it will be a more aggressive show. Of all the bands that were on the Blink tour, us and Taking Back are the two that were definitely, you know, tear it up the most live and put our hearts into it live. I think the people just need to be prepared for lots of energy and lots of people just screaming in their faces. That’s what both of our bands bring.

PW: Sounds great. Can you tell me a little about Edmond Records? You just put out an album by a group called the Upwelling, right? Is this everybody in the band that is involved or?
MK: It is just me and Tyson. It started off a few years ago. I produced a record for a guy named Ben Weasel and I wanted to put it out. We put that out and the Upwelling is a band that we’re friends with and we’ve taken out on tour a few times. When it came time for them to do their first record, we just begged and pleaded with them to just come with us and take a chance on our label. They did and we put that out. It’s a great record and things are going great. They’re actually in the UK with us right now, so it is good times.
PW: Awesome. What are some of the future projects that Edmond has coming up?
MK: There’s a band called the City Lives that are from Oklahoma as well that we’ve been friends with and have also taken out as well. We’re kind of taking it slow. A lot of people start these labels and just kind of hull out bands that sound just like them and capitalize on that. We’re not into doing that. We just want to help out friends when we can and take it in more as a hobby than an alternate source of income. We just want to help find great music.

PW: Great. Tell me a little about your involvement with Tck Tck Tck and the Climate Change Project?
MK: (whispers) I don’t know anything about that.
PW: Haha.
MK: What is it?
PW: Your band, er, Tyson was recently in a promo for it.
MK: I don’t know. I’m a bad band dude right now.

PW: No worries. We’ll move on to the next question. Let’s do something fun. You just fill in the blank. You just released a video for “I Wanna.” So today, you wanna…
MK: Oh shit. Today I wanna go see a movie because it is a day off and there’s nothing else to do and being in Europe, everything is so expensive. Even a movie is expensive, but it is the cheapest thing to do, but there’s an early bus call. So I can’t. That’s what I really wanna go do.
PW: What movie would you see?
MK: “Zombieland.”
PW: It is funny. You should try and see that.
MK: Awesome. Can’t do it today. Next day off.

PW: It is nearing the end of 2009 and the close of a decade. For that entire ‘naught’ decade, you guys have been a band and producing music. What has changed for you over this decade and what have you learned as a band?
MK: Well, obviously, our whole lives have changed. We’ve somehow stumbled into this success that we never expected, but are incredibly stoked on. As people, we’ve tried to remain the same. We come from Oklahoma, which is pretty humble territory. Our family wouldn’t let us get a big head even if we wanted to. The main thing, we’ve watched a lot of other bands and other people kind of come up and let their egos grow unchecked. We’ve watched them get cut down to size because of that. If anything, we’ve learned keeping yourself in check is very important and not letting everything build up like egos and not getting to feeling like your better than everything, because you’re not. I think that has kind of helped us last as long as we have. We don’t take ourselves as seriously…we don’t demand that of other people. That’s all that matters.

PW: That is good advice for bands just starting off. What’s next for you guys with the new decade?
MK: We’ll probably start working on a new album and see where that takes us and hopefully keep this train moving.
PW: Have you already started working on some songs?
MK: Very small pieces. Nothing full on yet. We usually wait to get off the road and clear our heads a little bit and then start buckling down and getting stuff going.
PW: So no sneak peeks on this upcoming tour?
MK: No, unfortunately not.

PW: So for a final question, continuing this last decade trend, what would you say are your best of the ‘naughts’ looking back over the past ten years. Your favorite song or memory of the last ten years?
MK: Oh man. That’s a tough one. I don’t even know. So many experiences, it is hard to break it down when I think about it. There are so many good times that I’ve had and they’re associated with music and movies, so trying to pick one thing is pretty tough. I will say right now with this tour we’re doing in the UK with the Upwelling and American Steel, we’re having an amazing time and I love both bands. It is just really great and it got me thinking when we had this tour a few years ago like in 2003 when we brought Limbeck and Motion City Soundtrack. That was like one of the funnest tours that I’ve ever had and it got me reminiscing on that. That was one of the best times of my life, those three weeks we were over here. Such an amazing, fun tour. That would be one of my favorite things ever.
PW: Those guys are so much fun. Both bands.
MK: Totally.
PW: Well I know it is your day off, so I’ll let you go have some fun and relax, but I appreciate you speaking with me. Those were great answers. Thank you.
MK: Thanks so much.
PW: Have a good day.
MK: Talk to you later. Bye.

Seattle was asking for it when they named the music and arts festival “Bumbershoot.” I mean, it means umbrella, so it’s almost inevitable that there will be at least one drop of rain at one point during the weekend.

Thankfully today, Saturday, it only rained for about 15 minutes. But even the rain could not stop the upbeat feel of Bumbershoot on this day.

Saturday’s main stage lineup included Katy Perry, the All-American Rejects and Sheryl Crow, probably the three most popular artists of the festival. So naturally, the Seattle Center was loaded with everyone from tweeny boppers with their parents coming to see Katy Perry or the All-American Rejects to middle-aged moms there to see Sheryl Crow. Quite the wide spectrum for one day.

I only caught Katy Perry on the main stage, mainly because my sister wanted to see her, but surprisingly, I was much more entertained than I thought I would be. Perry rocked a one-piece with a butt tutu, even in the seemingly gloomy weather, and jumped around the stage just about as much as the huge crowd of teenage girls right in front. But what stood out most to me was how good her voice sounded today. I’ve only seen her sing live on MTV award shows and other such things, and her voice has always been a little off, not quite powerful enough to carry a huge venue, but today was totally different. Even with the jumping around the stage, Perry sang her ass off. At one point, Perry mentioned her music idols – Queen, and broke out into a fun cover of “Don’t Stop Me Now.” I’m pretty sure none of the 13-year-olds knew any words to the song, but it made me smile, and oddly enough, made me think of the scene at the end of “Shaun of the Dead” when Shaun and the other survivors smack a zombie into submission to the beat of the jukebox with pool cues. That song, in itself, was worth missing seeing Maria Bamford’s kooky comedy stylings at Comedy Stage North at the exact same time.

After I left the main stage, my sister and I took a little hiatus before heading over to the Broad Street Stage to see Seattle electro dance-punk band Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head. And I must say, it’s pretty much the greatest band name I’ve heard in a very long time. My sister had never listened to any of their stuff, but it didn’t matter. The five young Seattle natives and their ridiculously infectious songs turned the entire lawn into a dance party. Since they’ve only released one album, the crowd easily knew the words to all the songs – especially the short ditty “Sophisticated Side Ponytail,” a minute-and-a-half cheer of constant – “do you like my ponytail? I do, I do! My sideways ponytail? It’s true, it’s true!” It’s so eighties, yet not outdated in the slightest – with references to Shamu, tilt-a-whirls, the use of the word “bomb,” and steel drums. The eighties have had their second coming – and Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head are the leaders of that revolution. Another of their songs centered around sexy hair – “Beard Lust,” which vocalist and various percussionist Shaun Libman declared the first song they ever wrote, right around the corner, while attending The Center School in their teens. Departing from the harmonies of the other songs, “Beard Lust” featured lots of rapping.

Shaun, Luke, David, Claire and Liam were by far the most at home at Bumbershoot, which carried into their performance – causing the entire crowd to dance like maniacs. From any other band – “Iceage Babeland” and “Confections” would cause people to stand with their mouths ajar with confusion, but the campyness of the songs fit perfectly with the youthful vibe of Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head. I loved it. And to top it all off, during their final song, Shaun busted out a wine bottle filled with glitter to pour all over the crowd. The whole set was so much glittery deliciousness that it made you forget that you haven’t eaten in 10 hours.

Hey, who needs food when you’ve got a sweaty dance party to enjoy?

Speaking of food – apparently everyone during Matt & Kim’s set was starving, since the crowd kept throwing tortillas up on stage.

“I don’t know who told you guys, but tacos are my favorite food. So this is perfect,” keyboardist Matt said in some fashion or another. “Really, all sandwiches.”

So naturally, someone threw a wrapped sandwich up on stage by the time they were finished.

There is only one word to describe Matt & Kim – well, an adjective and a noun – relentlessly happy. I assure you, if you ever see them play, you will never see another band smile more. Kim didn’t stop grinning, I don’t think once. Someone was always making her laugh as she ferociously beat on her small drum kit while her husband Matt rocked out on his keyboard as if he were playing a double-necked axe. Their joy was contagious, even with just the two of them alone in the middle of the Broad Street Stage. And one could not find a more humble band. Numerous times, Matt spouted off thank you and “you guys rock” and other terms of gratitude that I can’t seem to remember. About halfway through their set – that’s when the rain slowly started. As the rain reached a pour, Matt started the opening riffs of one of their biggest hits “Daylight” to give the weather a little hint of what was yet to come. Five minutes later, they did the same thing again, and lo and behold, the rain stopped. The power of Matt & Kim’s music and the crowd’s equal enthusiasm stopped Seattle rain. Now that takes some strength.

The fact that we were on a huge lawn didn’t make any difference in the intimacy of the performance. Afterward, I felt like I could walk up to Matt or Kim and start up a conversation with them. They made the crowd feel like we were all friends, which Kim took even further when she jumped onto the lawn to crowd surf with the rest of us. I haven’t had that much fun at a show since…well, 3 hours earlier when I saw Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, but that’s a testament to how Bumbershoot, along with other festivals, work. They bring people together to have fun and enjoy music that they love.

I got all of that out of one day at Bumbershoot, and I still have two days left. Goodness, I’m excited for what’s to come.

Bumbershoot: website | day 2

Written by: Abby Williamson

(RED) and Live Nation have recently announced (RED)NIGHTS, a series of 26 live concerts in the U.S. to combat AIDS in Africa. To kick off the series, (RED)NIGHTS artists Santigold, Gomez, O.A.R., Fall Out Boy, Lisa Hannigan, the Veronicas and the All-American Rejects will turn one of their upcoming concerts (RED). A portion of the proceeds of each show goes directly to the Global Fund.

I believe no person deserves to suffer from a preventable, treatable disease simply because they can’t afford medicine. If bringing awareness to what (RED) is doing helps one person receive antiretroviral treatment and live a healthy life, we have accomplished our goal.” – Marc Roberge of O.A.R

(RED) will present the (RED)NIGHTS concert series at select Live Nation clubs and theaters across the country. (RED) and Live Nation are collaborating to link acclaimed artists with their fans to join the fight against AIDS in Africa. Information about the events already scheduled for the (RED)NIGHTS concert series can be found here.

(RED) was looking to engage more people in its mission…The (RED)NIGHTS series is an innovative concept that combines the power of Live Nation’s live music platform and venues to use people’s passion for music to raise awareness and, ultimately, generate more money to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. – Russell Wallach, President of North American Alliances for Live Nation.

Ultimately, it is the goal of (RED)NIGHTS to build a community—of artists, concertgoers and music fans everywhere—that is passionate about helping to save lives in Africa. A portion of the proceeds of each (RED)NIGHTS concert goes directly to the Global Fund.

The first (RED) Night begins on June 12th with a concert by The Veronicas at New Orleans’ House of Blues, followed by shows from Santigold in Dallas and Katy Perry in New York. For a full list of participating artists and venues and to buy tickets, go here.

(RED): website