popwreckoning

It was announced on November 21, 2011 that members of Thrice would be taking some time off after their upcoming tour. Front man, Dustin Kensrue, stated that the band is not breaking up, however after thirteen years of relentless touring and recording, it’s time for a bit of repose:

“Thrice is not breaking up.  If nothing has broken us up by now, I doubt anything ever could.

However, we will be taking a break from being a full-time band, and the upcoming tour in the Spring will be the last one for the foreseeable future.

Playing music for the past 13 years with Riley, Ed, and Teppei has been such a gift.  We have been able to see the world, share music with thousands and thousands of people, and make records with a variety of talented and inspiring people.  The four of us have been through many highs and lows and overcome them together…”

Click here for the full statement

Watch the video for “Promises” here.

Be sure to purchase Major/Minor in stores and on iTunes now, and catch Thrice on their upcoming tour. Check out their Official Site for more info on dates, releases, and details on their hiatus.

Written by Stephanie Castor

Some of the nations favorite frontmen embark on a national tour together starting January 19. After three years of short regional tours, this will be the first time WTB? sets out nationally.

Matt Pryor (of The Get Up Kids), Chris Conley (of Saves The Day), Anthony Raneri (of Bayside) and for the first time, Ace Enders (The Early November, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business) and Evan Weiss (of Into It. Over It.) will be joining them.  Dustin Kensrue (of Thrice) will also be joining for three dates in Southern California. The tour features each of these frontmen performing solo acts and possible collaborative sets for 20 dates together across the country.

Pre-sale tickets are on sale now at wherestheband.ducatking.com and general public onsale will be available Wednesday, November 30 at noon local time.

This is definitely a tour you don’t want to miss.

Tour Dates:

Jan 19 — Stroudsburg PA — Sherman Theater
Jan 20 — Philadelphia PA — Theatre of Living Arts
Jan 21 — Brooklyn NY — Music Hall of Williamsburg
Jan 22 — Baltimore MD — Ottobar
Jan 24 — Carrboro NC — Cat’s Cradle
Jan 25 — West Columbia SC — New Brookland Tavern
Jan 26 — St. Augustine FL — Cafe 11
Jan 27 — Gainesville FL — Double Down
Jan 28 — Orlando FL — The Social
Jan 29 — Atlanta GA — The Masquerade – Hell Stage
Jan 31 — Dallas TX — Club Dada
Feb 1 — Austin TX — Antone’s
Feb 3 — Phoenix AZ — The Crescent Ballroom
Feb 4 — San Diego CA — House of Blues *
Feb 5 — West Hollywood CA — The Troubadour *
Feb 7 — Santa Ana CA — Yost Theater *
Feb 8 — San Luis Obispo CA — Downtown Brew
Feb 9 — San Francisco CA — Bottom of the Hill
Feb 10 — Portland OR — Doug Fir Lounge
Feb 11 — Seattle WA — Tractor Tavern

* includes Dustin Kensrue

Where’s The Band? | Facebook

Thrice has always been a band full of surprises, with each album sounding radically different from the one before it. Just when you think you have their sound pinned down and figured out, they find a way to go above and beyond your expectations. While their bold shifts in style may have alienated a handful of fans, if you’ve stuck around over the last decade it’s something to marvel at. Their early work is more punk while Vheissu takes an experimental turn. And then there’s The Alchemy Index, a rather lofty project that in my opinion is a true showcase of the band’s talent and one of my favorites. Beggars just didn’t do it for me and seemed rather forgettable, so I was really excited to see what the band would come up with next.

Major/Minor not only met my expectations but exceeded them. It feels like a natural follow up of all their releases to date and they may have finally settled into a comfortable sound. “Settling” and “comfortable” can be negative descriptors when it comes to bands and new albums, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth in this case. This album is cohesive and strong and is an excellent culmination of all their albums thus far. Thrice has found a sound they like and are going steam ahead with it. Better get on the train before you’re left behind.

“Yellow Belly” is a heavy, grungy opener and I can’t get enough of it. What a great way to start an album. Tell me your head isn’t bobbing and I’ll have to call you a liar. Lead singer Dustin Kensrue’s gritty vocals command attention and right off the bat it’s intensity from here on out. The grunge theme manifests itself throughout the album, particularly on “Blinded” and “Cataracts.” We get a taste of their softer side in the first half of “Call it in the Air” which is reminscent of their experiments with Air and Water of The Alchemy Index and it finishes strong and dark with nods to Fire. “Anthology” by far is the real gem of this album. It’s completely different from what we’ve heard from Thrice before as it has clear emo guitars and a post-rock feel. “Disarmed” closes the album nicely on a calmer note with choir-like vocals and melancholy guitars fading into silence. Clocking in at forty-eight minutes with most songs in the five to six minute range, it sounds like a dense piece of work, but it flies by once you put those headphones on.

Thrice seems to have found their sound and I dig it. With a soft spot in my heart for The Alchemy Index and a nostalgic spot for Artist in the Ambulance, I can definitely find room for Major/Minor‘s stellar achievements in sound.

Track list:

1. Yellow Belly
2. Promises
3. Blinded
4. Cataracts
5. Call It In The Air
6. Treading Paper
7. Blur
8. Words In The Water
9. Listen Through Me
10. Anthology
11. Disarmed

www.thrice.net 

La Dispute have recently announced they will be hitting the road this fall with Thrice, Moving Mountains, and O’Brother. The tour will kick off on September 30 and tickets are available now. Full tour dates are listed below:

Sep 30 – Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock
Oct 01 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theater
Oct 03 – Dallas, TX – The Door
Oct 04 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
Oct 05 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Oct 07 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
Oct 08 – Orlando, FL – Beacham Theater
Oct 09 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Theater
Oct 11 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
Oct 12 – Richmond, VA – The National
Oct 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
Oct 14 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
Oct 15 – Towson, MD – Recher Theater
Oct 16 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Oct 18 – Boston, MA – Royale
Oct 19 – Montreal, QC – Club Soda
Oct 20 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Theatre
Oct 21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo
Oct 22 – Covington, KY – Madison Theatre
Oct 23 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
Oct 25 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
Oct 26 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
Oct 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro
Oct 28 – St. Louis, MO – Pop’s
Oct 29 – Lawrence, KS – Granada
Oct 30 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
Nov 01 – Magna, UT – SaltAir
Nov 03 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market
Nov 04 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Nov 05 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
Nov 06 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
Nov 08 – Los Angeles, CA – Mayan Theater
Nov 09 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Nov 10 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Nov 11 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues

www.ladisputemusic.com

I hate to be cliche (ok, maybe I do), but you know how there’s that Forrest Gump quote that says, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get”? I kind of feel that way about shows at Kansas City’s Midland Theatre. Sometimes you get something that’s a bit nutty such as comedian Conan O’Brien. Sometimes you get something that’s sweet such as the State Ballet’s The Nutcracker. And other times, you get something that’s a box of mixed chocolates within itself. That’s what the recent Thrice tour was like: a box of mixed chocolates; and with each act on the bill, ‘you never knew what you were gonna get.’
First act of the night, The Dig, is what I like to imagine as one of those caramel-filled chocolates. Just like caramel, their music had a tendency to stick with you for a bit. They delivered catchy, rock tunes (I say rock because they are more rock live than they are power pop like their website says) that were just the right level of messy raucousness to help them stand out. Their last number turned into a big party as members of later acts came out with extra drum sticks and percussion instruments to add to the band’s already explosive sound.

Next, was indie pop duo Bad Veins and their reel-to-reel machine, Irene. In my musical box of chocolates, I picture these guys as one of those fruit-filled chocolates. Something that’s a bit sweeter than the other chocolates in the box, but in a vintage kind of way. Bad Veins has perhaps the happiest drummer you’ll ever see, which I surprisingly enjoyed despite the odd pairing of his happiness while singer Benjamin Davis belted his heartbroken lyrics through an old-fashioned telephone. This band is definitely doing something unique, but I’d like to see them refine it just a little bit more. At times they went for a more danceable kind of the Bravery type sound and other times they had more of a straight rock sound. I think the dance-ier side of them worked a bit better with the vocal style, especially when Davis sang through the telephone.

The third act, Kevin Devine, is your favorite piece of chocolate in the box. The one that no matter what other surprises you find in the assorted box, you know you can count on this reliable candy…for me that’s the peanut butter one. Kevin Devine began alone on the stage with just his guitar for back up. Later, he was joined by the Goddamn Band. I liked the solo start. It let people really experience the personality of Kevin. He began small, gently strumming and singing closely into the mic before hitting an emotional explosion that makes him hop back and yowl his choruses. It’s an interesting dynamic technique and one that works well for him. Like preceding acts, Devine was also joined by other acts on the roster for a tune. This comraderie between the bands helped provide some relief from the tension of some of Devine’s harsher lyrics.

Finally, there’s Thrice. In my metaphorical box of chocolates, they’re the chocolate you try out anyways, even though you’re not entirely sure you’ll like if from past experiences. They’re my coconut chocolate. Based off the crowd, there are plenty of fans of this particular flavor, but it was just not for me. I tried it, but I’d rather stick with my trusty old peanut butter flavor. Now don’t get me wrong; I respected the tour’s dear headliners with their impressive lights and passionate playing. There was some yelling, but not the kind that makes ears bleed. This just didn’t connect with me and it seemed a bit out out of place even with the diversity of the openers. Sorry Thrice fans, but c’est la vie. I can’t be expected to love everyone.

Thrice has announced the second leg of their Summer headlining tour. 

The band recently canceled their co-headlining tour with Manchester Orchestra due to a family emergency, but they’re now ready to tour again. They’ll be going back on the road with Kevin Devine, Bad Veins and The Dig.

The tour starts June 3 in San Francisco, CA and goes until July 17 in Pomona, CA. Presale tickets for the second leg of the tour are available May 11 at 1 p.m. local time in each city. Tickets go on sale to the public on May 17.

Tour Dates:
Jun 3 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom *
Jun 4 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater *
Jun 5 – Seattle, WA @ King Cat Theater *
Jun 7 – Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room *
Jun 8 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom *
Jun 9 – Saskatoon, SAS @ Louis’ Pub
Jun 11 – St. Paul, MN @ Station 4 ^ #
Jun 12 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues * ^ #
Jun 13 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall * ^
Jun 15 – Toronto, ONT @ Phoenix Concert Theatre * ^ #
Jun 16 – Montreal, QC @ Le National* ^ #
Jun 17 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues* ^ #
Jun 18 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place * ^ #
Jun 19 – Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights* ^ #
Jun 21 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon* ^ #
Jun 22 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock Café * ^ #
Jun 23 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero * ^ #
Jun 24 – New York, NY @ The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza * ^ #
Jun 25 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom* ^ #
Jun 26 – Towson, MD @ The Recher Theatre * ^ #
Jun 28 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa * ^ #
Jun 29 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle * ^ #
Jun 30 – Charleston, SC @ The Music Farm * ^ #
Jul 1 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues * ^ #
Jul 2 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution * ^ #
Jul 3 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre * ^ #
Jul 6 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live * ^ #
Jul 7 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s * ^ #
Jul 8 – Dallas, TX @ The Palladium * ^ #
Jul 9 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom * ^ #
Jul 10 – Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre * ^ #
Jul 11 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre * ^ #
Jul 13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue * ^ #
Jul 15 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee * ^ #
Jul 16 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues * ^ #
Jul 17 – Pomona, CA @ Fox Theatre * ^ #
* Supported by Kevin Devine
^ Supported by Bad Veins
# Supported by The Dig

Rock, electronica, hip hop…oh my! Pac Sun Tour offers a diverse line up and it going into the show, I knew this could either be really scary or something truly special. It wasn’t long before I could confirm that this the latter.

For select major cities, a local band is given the chance to open the show after winning a Battle of the Bands competition. Headliners Saosin came up with the idea to help local scenes out. For the Kansas City show, piano rockers A.M.I.M. won the battle and kicked things off. I’m not sure if they just brought a lot of their friends or if they just impressed the audience that much, but people were really into their set. I could see some potential. They had great stage presence and had skills on their various instrument. They were unified and didn’t overpower each other, which would be easy to do in a young band. However, they still have lots of room for improvement before they can start taking over radio waves. Lyrically they are a  bit weak…”It’s been three years. It’s so sincere. The chandeliers have disappeared.” Um, wtf?

After A.M.I.M. was Eye Alaska. These guys might have been my favorite act of the night even if I thought some of their set got a little repetitive. I went into their set with a curiosity. I hadn’t really heard them, but I had heard that their pianist/guitarist is the brother of Thrice‘s Dustin Kensrue. Eye Alaska stand out on their own and I after hearing them, while the brother connection most likely helps, they don’t need it. They don’t sound anything like Thrice, so the tidbit should just fade aways as some random trivia as they continue making their own impression on thew world of music. They were phenomenal and I think they’re poised to blow up as big as other popular warped bands likes Paramore. I’ve heard them described as “new wave,” but aside from the piano on a few songs, I don’t get that at all. They’re more pop rock/alternative. They’re incredibly hardworking too. The guys are doing acoustic instores at practically every stop and they’re down to earth. Even if their brand of music isn’t your style, their work ethic alone should make you want to support them.

I had similar feelings toward P.O.S. Hip hop isn’t my usual style, but I just wanted to support the guy. Again, you had yet another down to earth guy (in fact, all the bands on this tour were super down to earth, humble and genuine) that has music different than your usual expectations associated with that genre. Forget how Soulja Boy made you hate hip hop with his sleazy “Crank Dat,” P.O.S. actually has something to say with his music and he samples a wider variety of influences such as jazz. This is hip hop the way it was meant to be. The way that groups like Run-DMC envisioned it. Not those guys other guys on MTV that are wearing so many grillz you can’t even understand a word they’re saying.

True to their name, Innerpartysystem brought a party. With a light show that they say is actually a bit toned down from their usual show, they had carefully thought out their presentation just as thoroughly as their set list. The electronica beats effortlessly glided the party from one song to the next so the crowd keep up with “Don’t Stop” and other songs without a stop.

I’m not sure I can do headliners Saosin justice for their performance with a full review since I was off doing interviews during much of their set. From what I did see, I enjoyed. They are an alternative rock group with high energy and an edginess that makes them appeal to the screamo-sort of loves-to-mosh crowd, yet they have a softness and a vocal control that makes it so they’d still be pretty awesome for a guy to take a girl out on a date to see. With the way the various genres that opened for them and their own ability to appeal to various genres, I could see why they were given the headlining slot.

The tour continues until December 20. Check out additional information and dates here: pacsun.com/pactour.

PopWreckoning has interviewed all these bands. Check out the interview with Innerpartysystem here. The rest are coming soon!

Where’s The Band? is a tour featuring solo acoustic performances by four frontmen of successful groups. Dustin Kensrue of Thrice, Matt Pryor of  The Get Up Kids and New Amsterdams, Chris Conley of Saves the Day and Two Tongues and Anthony Raneri of Bayside will bring Where’s The Band? to the West Coast for the first time in January, performing in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Anaheim.

Tour Dates:
Jan. 7, 2010 – The Troubadour / West Hollywood, CA
Jan. 8, 2010 – House of Blues / San Diego, CA
Jan. 9, 2010 – House of Blues / Anaheim, CA
Jan. 10, 2010 – Bottom of the Hill / San Francisco, CA

The inaugural Where’s The Band? tour in January 2009 included 10 dates in the Midwest, all of which sold out. The four singers sat in during each other’s sets, creating a unique and special event for fans.

A limited number of tickets have been held for Where’s The Band? fans and will be available through an exclusive Ducat King presale that begins today, Thursday, November 5, 2009. General public onsale is the following Thursday, November 12.

Buy tickets at wherestheband.ducatking.com.

Where’s the Band: myspace

Brand New announced the full lineup for massive November 28th hometown show at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale,NY. Joining Brand New on the main stage will be close friends and familiar faces Glassjaw, Thrice, Manchester Orchestra, and Kevin Devine. There will also be an acoustic stage with special guests including Andy Jackson (Hot Rod Circuit/Death in the Park), Vinnie Caruana (I Am the Avalanche), Robbers, and Brian Bonz. To commemorate this very special event, a limited edition silk-screened poster will be available for purchase with a minimum donation of two canned food items to Island Harvest, Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization (for more information on Island Harvest visit this site).

Brand New recently released their fourth album, the critically-acclaimed Daisy which has received raves from SPIN, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and led NME to proclaim “such unassuming people never made transcendent music since Radiohead.” Daisy debuted at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 and soon after the release, Brand New hit the road, playing sold out shows at venues across North America including the Aragon Ballroom (Chicago), Fillmore (Detroit), Palladium (LA), La Zona Rosa (Austin), Electric Factory (Philadelphia-2 nights), House of Blues (San Diego-2 nights), Kool Haus (Toronto), and House of Blues (Boston-2 nights) amongst others. Brand New will end this incredibly successful Fall headlining tour with this huge hometown show at Nassau Coliseum, a venue they grew up going to for hockey games and concerts. This is another step in what has been an exciting and amazing journey for the four guys from Long Island.

Brand New: website | myspace | @ uptown | Daisy review