Play Pretend

I am trying to broaden my fanbase by talking about different bands, because I feel like I pretty much only talk about alternative bands.  The only hardcore band I have talked about is Mom Fight, so today will be dedicated to introducing all of you to a hardcore band called MVA.

[Photo:  Silvio Capoferri & MVA]

Hailing from Bloomfield, NJ, their unique sound sets them apart from other bands in the same genre. Their style somewhat combines elements of skate punk, as well as metal and traditional hardcore.  "Circular / In Between," from their 2017 EP Eternal, encompasses skate punk chord progressions and hard-hitting drum sounds from hardcore.

The fifth song on the EP, "Play Pretend," is the perfect closing to an EP of this nature.  The track starts off as a break-neck speed hardcore song, but over the course of the song slowly disintegrates into a breakdown that consists mostly of drums.  One of the hardest-hitting songs on the EP, "Play Pretend" overall summarizes their main purpose and sound.

I know this post is short and sweet, but at only 9 minutes, it fits the EP very well.

Pumpin Blood

Swedish band NONONO was the second opening act at the twenty one pilots concert and they were pretty good like Hunter Hunted (click here to read about Hunter Hunted).

The alternative trio consists of Stina Wäppling, Tobias "Astma" Jimson, and Michel "Rocwell" Flygare.  Their debut single (and my favorite) "Pumpin' Blood" peaked at 22 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.

Like Hunter Hunted, they were also a pretty solid group.  They kept the crowd engaged and had energetic songs.

[Source:  Google]

Their EP, Pumpin Blood, is available on iTunes and has five tracks:

1. Pumpin Blood
2. Jungle
3. Fire Without a Flame
4. Like the Wind
5. Pumpin Blood (Acoustic)

I have never been to a concert where they have been from a place other than the US, Canada, England, or Ireland, so I enjoyed their Swedish accents very much.

I thought they were a fun band to see live.

Here are pictures and a video I took.

Keep Together

I spent last night at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ for the Twenty One Pilots (AKA twenty one pilots) concert.

There were two opening acts:  Hunter Hunted and NONONO.  Today I'll be talking about the first act, Hunter Hunted, tomorrow's post will be about NONONO, and on Saturday, I'll end this little series by talking about twenty one pilots.

Hunter Hunted is a 2012 indie pop band from Los Angeles and consists of Michael Garner (keys and vocals) and Dan Chang (guitar and vocals).  I had never heard of them until I got the tickets for the concert, but I'm glad I now know who they are because they are awesome!  Sometimes artists have trouble performing at a small venue because it's so intimate, but they were so interactive and energetic, so they fit the atmosphere perfectly.

My favorite song of theirs would have to be "Keep Together."  They performed songs off their self-titled EP and gave us a sneak peek of their upcoming album which they are in the midst of recording.  The group also did a cover of the Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" which was also pretty great.

[Source:  SoundCloud]

Their EP is available on iTunes and includes five tracks:

1. Operating
2. Keep Together
3. End of the World
4. Dora Maar
5. Gentle Folks

They're very talented musicians and their songs sound perfect from start to finish.  I also enjoyed the drummer.....Below is are a picture and video I took.

The Nerds

On Thursday night I saw a band called The Nerds.  They are a cover band that has been around for quite some time - my mom used to see them with her friend in the '80s.  I've seen them before and they are absolutely incredible!!  Their name fits them well because they are dressed up as, well, nerds.  

They performed a very diverse group of songs:

1.  The Boys Of Summer - Don Henley

2.  Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

3.  Locked Out Of Heaven - Bruno Mars

4.  Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

5.  An insert from Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Several more were in this mix but unfortunately the concert had to be cut short due to rain since the show was outdoors.  

Here is a picture of the stage before the concert. 

I am unable to post the short video I took of their performance of "The Boys Of Summer," but if you have an Instagram you can watch it on there. My Instagram is @jordanhanley03 

Almost at the end

2012 is coming to an end, so I thought it would be a nice idea to remember some of the singers and musicians who have passed this past year.

• Etta James:  January 25, 1938-January 20, 2012
• Don Cornelius:  September 27, 1936-February 1, 2012
• Whitney Houston:  August 9, 1963-February 11, 2012
• Davy Jones:  December 30, 1945-February 29, 2012
• Earl Scruggs:  January 6, 1924-March 28, 2012
• Levon Helm:  May 26, 1940:  April 19, 2012
• Adam "MCA" Yauch:  August 5, 1964-May 4, 2012
• Donald "Duck" Dunn:  November 24, 1941-May 13, 2012
• Donna Summer:  December 31, 1948-May 17, 2012
• Robin Gibb:  December 22, 1949-May 20, 2012
• Kitty Wells:  August 30, 1919-July 16, 2012