2013: A Year in Pictures

A full year of rock ‘n’ roll pictures, January to December, New York to Boston to Philadelphia to Brooklyn. They might not be the best pictures ever, but they are mine.

Magic Trick, Webster Hall, New York, NY, January 14, 2013
 

Father John Misty, Webster Hall, New York, NY, January 14, 2013
 

Wildstreet, Best Buy Theater, New York, NY, January 24, 2013
 

William Control, Best Buy Theater, New York, NY, January 24, 2013
 

Andy Biersack, Black Veil Brides, Best Buy Theater, New York, NY, January 24, 2013
 

Andy Biersack, Black Veil Brides, Best Buy Theater, New York, NY, January 24, 2013
 

Ashley Purdy, Black Veil Brides, Best Buy Theater, New York, NY, January 24, 2013
 

Jake Pitts and Jinxx, Black Veil Brides, Best Buy Theater, New York, NY, January 24, 2013
 

Jinxx, Black Veil Brides, Best Buy Theater, New York, NY, January 24, 2013
 

Pete Wentz book signing, New York, NY, February 21, … Continue reading

Video: Fall Out Boy, Alone Together

For some of you, today is just Thursday. For others, and for me, it’s Thanksgiving.

One of the very many things I’m thankful for this year is Fall Out Boy, who came back, after a long time away. Here they are with Alone Together, one of my favorite songs from Save Rock and Roll.
 

Watch this video on YouTube

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Light ‘Em Up: A Compendium of Halloween Music and Light Shows

And today, fresh-fished from YouTube, a selection of my favorite Halloween house displays synchronized to music.

There is an art to this; selection of music is important – there are several songs that are apparently popular for these shows that are hot right now but not especially seasonal – but choreography is just as crucial. The following are videos that I thought nailed the idea of “Halloween Musical Light Show” in terms of both form and content.

First, from Naperville, Illinois: a show set to My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light ‘Em Up) by Fall Out Boy, because YES, perfect use of this song!!!! and also they pick the right thing to highlight during the actual Light ‘Em Up section of the chorus. They have multiple videos: there is also one for Du Hast, by Rammstein (unusual but also classic music choice!!) and Dragula, by Rob Zombie.
 
Thomas Halloween 2013 Naperville, Fall Out Boy, My Songs Know What You did in the Dark, Light Em UpThomas Halloween 2013 Naperville, Fall Out Boy, My Songs Know What You did in the Dark, Light Em Up Continue reading

Postcards from the Pit: Fall Out Boy / NK, House of Blues Boston, 5/26/13

In which I went to Boston for Fall Out Boy, and it was an awesome, sweaty, raucous festival of joy.

But to back up a little bit: Up first was NK, which is Ryan Hunter and Brian Byrne (Envy on The Coast) and Billy Rymer (Dillinger Escape Plan), and they’re currently touring with Isaac Bolivar and Matt Fazzi (Taking Back Sunday).

They have a heavy rap-rock Rage Against The Machine vibe going. I didn’t know any of their songs but I could nonetheless appreciate the barely controlled surge and snarl of their drums and guitars. I’m pretty sure it isn’t possible to listen to their set and not suddenly find yourself banging your head.

Some highlights:

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This really is Ryan Hunter (Envy on the Coast). He cut all of his dreads off!
 
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Joe Trohman and Isaac Bolivar, headbanging.
 
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The right side of the stage … Continue reading

Video: Fall Out Boy feat. 2 Chainz, My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light Em Up)

So, y’all, this is how my day went today:

7:15 AM: While going about my normal morning business of GChatting with a friend and scrolling through Tumblr, I clicked on something purporting to be the “New FOB single!!” – rumors have been swirling for a while now, but more intensely in the last week or so; evidence had surfaced of their appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show later this month; and my pre-caffeine judgement is often poor – and was Taylor Swift-rolled.

Well, I suppose I deserved that, I typed into the GChat window, as the strains of We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together emanated from my computer. (Yes, I left it on. That one and I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In have grown on me, and not like a fungus, either.)

My friend commiserated with my rueful amusement, and the conversation moved on.

8:15 AM: Hum Hallelujah floats up on shuffle as I’m walking to the train. I spend a few minutes pondering pop music; Pete Wentz’s pirate smile and tendency to throw himself off the stage and into the pit; the shimmery golden quality of light in Harlem in the morning; whether it … Continue reading

Video: Fall Out Boy, Sugar We’re Going Down

Fall Out Boy didn’t play Fueled by Ramen’s 15th anniversary shows last fall, but they were there in spirit, via the music between sets. At some point during night two, this song came on over the PA.

I was deep in the crowd, half listening, half trying to wriggle into a better spot, when I noticed a female voice in the chorus that I was pretty sure hadn’t been there before. I actually spent 30 seconds trying to remember if they had pulled someone in to guest vocals – Maja Ivarsson from The Sounds, maybe? – before the penny dropped.

It wasn’t Maja.

It was the room.

It was hundreds of girls – including me – singing along so loudly they had become one voice, soaring and swooping and almost drowning Patrick Stump out. And it remains one of my favorite concert memories.

This video is from 2006, and is a classic FOB dash of visual absurdity.

 

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