Music To Know

The Cool Kids - “Black Mags” (Bake Sale, 2008) I...

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:47:28 -0400

The Cool Kids - “Black Mags” (Bake Sale, 2008)

I can’t think about summer 2008 without instantly pulling this song to mind. However, if you happened to miss this album when it was released, it’s not too late to jump on the wagon. The Cool Kids define summer to me, so while we’re smack in the middle of it, put this on your ipod and i dare you to not nod your head.

The Lashes - “Sometimes The Sun” The Lashes are a...

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:50:58 -0400

The Lashes - “Sometimes The Sun”

The Lashes are a power-pop band formed in Seattle in 2000. This track is off their second album released in 2006 titled Get It. If you’re into the whole mid-2000’s throwback sound, this song was made for you.

Hey Mercedes - “Knowing When To Stop” An obvious...

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:57:09 -0400

Hey Mercedes - “Knowing When To Stop”

An obvious choice for the first song back in a while, this song has been on loop on my personal iPod for the last two months. This track is off their album “Loses Control”.

Hey Mercedes was a emo band from Chicago, IL, USA, that formed in 1999/2000 after the dissolution of Braid. The band consisted of Bob Nanna on guitar and vocals, Todd Bell on bass and vocals, Mark Dawursk on guitar and vocals and Damon Atkinson on drums.

Hey Mercedes’ first release was a Self Titled EP on Polyvinyl Records in 2000. Soon after its release, they signed to Vagrant Records and started touring for support of their upcoming Vagrant full length. In 2001 alone, they performed 114 shows. After the release of the band’s first full length at the end of 2001, Dawursk left the band and was replaced with Mike Shumaker.

Hey Mercedes proved a more melodic antidote to Bob Nanna’s previous band, Braid. The band quickly gained popularity in an audience that had never been exposed to the scene. With 2 full lengths, 3 EP’s and 358 shows under their belt, Hey Mercedes called it quits in 2005.

Wow, thanks for still following!

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:26:45 -0400

M2K is coming back from the dead. Expect an update tomorrow! Tell your friends!

Today’s M2K on Under The Gun Review is PINBACK check it...

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:49:40 -0400

Today’s M2K on Under The Gun Review is PINBACK

check it out here.

Pavement - “Shady Lane” (Brighten The Colors,...

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:31:47 -0400

Pavement - “Shady Lane” (Brighten The Colors, 1996)

The internet is abuzz because Pavement is reuniting next year, ten years after breaking up, to do another tour. And let me tell you I personally could not be more excited.

Pavement is a 1990’s post-hardcore band that is one of the main influences for a majority of today’s current indie rock scene. They originated in Stockholm, California in 1989. They released a series of albums before the band started to deteriate and eventually broke up for the forseeable future to ” 1. Start families 2. Sail around the world 3. Get into the computer industry 4. Dance 5. Get some attention.”

But have no fear, if you’re lucky you may be able to catch these talented and very ahead of their time musicians next fall as they embark on tour again.

this weeks music to know is The Boy Least Likely To. check it...

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:15:13 -0400

this weeks music to know is The Boy Least Likely To. check it out over on UTG.

M2K on UTG TODAY! CLICK HERE!

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:38:26 -0400

M2K on UTG TODAY! CLICK HERE!:

Summer may be over, but music to know is getting ready to bring you some great fall music! Check out this special labor day edition of M2K over at under the gun review!

cheers! Happy Labor Day!

Big City Dreams - “You Won’t Be The Last” (To...

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:09:08 -0400

Big City Dreams - “You Won’t Be The Last” (To Say The Least)

This Gainesville,FL band (Home of the great Against Me!) was far too shortlived and never got the attention they obviously deserved. This track was one I aquired from a friend who lived in the area, and I’ve been beyond obsessed since. They broke up back in 2006, only after two short years of being a group, but this song will never leave my heart or my ipod.

you can check out their myspace that features free downloads of all their releases here.

M2K on UTG TODAY! CLICK HERE!

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:31:41 -0400

M2K on UTG TODAY! CLICK HERE!:

Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s! Awesome!

Heya there kids

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:54:34 -0400

sorry about the lack of updates this week. I’ve been moving from Boston to Kentucky and it’s been nothing sort of hectic.

M2k will still be on utg this week, and next week I’ll resume my M-W-F posting when I’m cozy and moved back into my apartment.

Excuse the dust, I promise to make it worth your wait. :)

xo,

backtogray

Solea - "Leaving Today"

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:56:35 -0400

Solea - "Leaving Today":

Former lead singer of Texas Is The Reason

check it out on UTG today. <3

The Get Up Kids - “I’m A Loner Dottie, A...

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:53:38 -0400

The Get Up Kids - “I’m A Loner Dottie, A Rebel…” (Something To Write Home About, 1999)

Sure, the title is a pee-wees big adventure quote/reference, and TGUK aren’t exactly obscure, but today the Something To Write Home About 10th anniversary pre-release was announced, and I was so excited that I decided they were an obvious canidate today

TGUK are a post-harcore group from Kansas City, MO that formed in 1995. They were one of the major players in the 90’s emo scene, helping kick start and influence a later generation of emo bands. However, earlier this summer they appologized for helping invent emo (ouch!) or at least it’s current form.

They founded Heroes & Villains Records, an imprint of the successful indie rock label Vagrant Records. While the imprint was started to release albums by The Get Up Kids, it served as a launching pad for several side-projects such as The New Amsterdams and Reggie and the Full Effect.

They broke up in 2005 due to internal band problems, however they have now reunited to tour in honor of their 10th anniversary of Something To Write Home About. I highly encourage you to check them out if they come within 500 miles of where you live.

Enjoy!

Check out Today's M2K on UTG! Rocket From The Crypt!

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:27:25 -0400

Check out Today's M2K on UTG! Rocket From The Crypt!

Bear vs. Shark - “Don’t Tell The Horses, The Stables...

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:09:28 -0400

Bear vs. Shark - “Don’t Tell The Horses, The Stables On Fire” (Right Now, You’re In The Best Of Hands, 2003)

In honor of shark week oh nine.

The members of the group have known each other all their lives with some members forming friendships as early as pre-school. The band actually formed during their college years when the members were playing in separate projects. The group’s original drummer Brandon Moss left the group and was replaced by Ashley Horak. The group has cited classic rock and punk as well as The Clash, Fugazi, and Motown as influences to the group’s unique sound.

The group initially sent a demo to Equal Vision Records and a representative from the label flew out immediately to sign the group. Since the release of Right Now You’re in the Best of Hands… the band has toured the United States extensively headlining & opening for other major acts such as Coheed and Cambria. The group quickly gained attention from fans and fellow musicians as well. The group is also known for their high-energy stage show most notably by Marc Paffi, who is known to move around the stage frantically during performances. Most of the band members also switched playing instruments during their sets, which was a regular occasion. Though it has been circulated that the band’s name comes from the shape of Michigan, Gaviglio has said in an interview that they believed it was “super badass and sounded interesting.”

On December 21, 2005 the band posted on their website that they decided to call it quits. Although the band didn’t cite any specific reason for the break up John Gaviglio was featured in the December issue of Alternative Press where he did an op-ed piece on the hardships of touring extensively. The band has also been very vocal that they didn’t like their touring conditions

I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business - “Best...

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:40:41 -0400

I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business - “Best Happiness Money Can Buy” (Self Titled, 2004)

In honor of my interview with Ace Enders today, I thought I’d feature my favorite of his solo songs.

I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business is the solo project of Ace Enders (Formerly of The Early November) and is the only release under this title. He now releases his solo material as Ace Enders and A Million Different People. He released the self titled album in 2004 with Drive Thru records where it found immense success. The single, “Best Happiness Money Can Buy” was featured in the trailer for the movie Must Love Dogs. Ace is now touring with his new solo project with the BBQ Across America Tour featuring The Gay Blades.

Enjoy. xo

Comeback Kid - “Something Less” (Turn It Around,...

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:55:09 -0400

Comeback Kid - “Something Less” (Turn It Around, 2003)

Comeback Kid (commonly abbreviated as CBK ) is a hardcore punk band from Winnipeg, Canada. Their name comes from a headline in a newspaper about hockey player, Mario Lemieux coming back to the NHL. The band was formed in 2002 by Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy Hiebert who were both members of the band Figure Four, which is currently on hiatus. They were joined by their friends Scott Wade and Kyle Profetta, but CBK was originally intended only to be a side project. Their initial popularity was mainly due to word of mouth within the metalcore/hardcore scene. The band released Turn It Around on Facedown Records in 2003 before moving to Smallman Records in Canada and Victory Records in the rest of the world the following year. In the summer of 2005, CBK toured with Rise Against.

Check out Today's M2K on UTG!

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:39:13 -0400

Check out Today's M2K on UTG! :

comment! check out! enjoy! <3

Bayside - “Existing In A Crisis (Evelyn)” (Bayside,...

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:03:06 -0400

Bayside - “Existing In A Crisis (Evelyn)” (Bayside, 2005)

After going to warped in Boston yesterday, I’m obsessing over this song. So, sorry if you’re not a fan. :)

Long Island band, Bayside, is known for their infectious music and insane following. Calling their fanclub the cult is nothing short of dead on. Forming in 2000, the band has kept a consistant lineup apart from their original drummer John “Beatz” Holohan, who died in a tour bus accident in October 2005 while they were promoting their self titled release.

This song is the perfect breakup song, and seeing it yesterday in the pouring rain reminded me of my insane love of this album and this band.

enjoy!

Dinosaur Jr. - “Just Like Heaven” (You’re...

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:38:00 -0400

Dinosaur Jr. - “Just Like Heaven” (You’re Living All Over Me, 1987)

I love covers more than the average person, and although this may be one of the most covered songs of our generation, something is very unique about the way Dinosaur Jr. does this one.

College Radio ledgends Dinosaur Jr. hail from Amherst, MA and were formed back in 1984. They were originally called Dinosaur prior to legal issues that forced the group to change their name, the band disbanded in 1997 until reuniting in 2005.

This track is off their 1987 album, You’re living all over me and made the UK charts in 1989. The abum itself was also featured as one of Spin Magazine’s “Top 100 albums”