Concert Preview / Noise vs. Hardcore / February 19, 2010 / Brown Town

Somewhere within the pockets of Athens' West side, an array of bands and solo acts are set to destroy the sound barrier this Friday.

While the Union will offer Dance or Die to those itching to bust out their dancing shoes, Brown Town is equipped with a collection of lacerating acts under the show name "Noise vs. Hardcore," which is set to start around 6 p.m.

One of the acts, Athens' own Vivi C. Diem, is a solo project of Ohio University student Jared Rubinstein-Towler, who trekked from an upper-middle class suburb outside of Cincinnati, which he openly detested, to Athens. What he didn't expect upon arrival was a thriving underground scene amidst "the bar rock and acoustic acts."

Click here to read the rest of the preview. This article was published in ACRN.com on February 18, 2010.

Interview: Seeking Heart With Mayday Parade's Derek Sanders

Pop-rock Floridians Mayday Parade have spent the past four years touring endlessly and connecting with their growing fan base, who falls numb to the heart-drenched lyrics. Since late January, Mayday Parade has teamed up with Take Action Tour, with supporting acts that include We the Kings and A Rocket to the Moon, to convert a collection of upcoming shows into a philanthropic effort -- not just by the band, but also the fans who attend.

ACRN caught up with frontman Derek Sanders in the midst of this annual tour, of which the proceeds go to Driving for Donors. Discussions include the tour, their Twitter contest, and connecting dots between Mayday Parade and Queen.

Click here to read the interview. This article was published in ACRN.com on February 7, 2010.

Image credit: Atlantic Records

SXSW 2010 Q&A: Allo Darlin'

This was my first - rather simple - freelance assignment with a major publication. Spinner posted a wanted entry on its website declaring online search for writers who would be interested in covering one of the 2,000 bands scheduled to play SXSW 2010. So I signed up, did the interview, published it, and voila! Note: this was a contributing assignment as a freelance writer, I am not employed under Spinner or AOL.

Since the UK-based band formed at Christmas in 2008, Allo Darlin' has garnered media buzz with just three EPs under their belt. The Guardian called Allo Darlin's single 'Henry Rollins Don't Dance' "the best indiepop song for years." All their hard work and notability has earned the quartet a trip to the States to perform at SXSW this March, around the release date of the band's first full-length under Fortuna POP! Spinner recently corresponded with vocalist/songwriter Elizabeth Morris about the band and tour antics.

Click hereto read the Q&A section. This article was published in Spinner.com on February 5, 2010.

Album review: Overkill "Ironbound"

When Overkill secured a multi-album deal with their new label Nuclear Blast Records back in October, fans of the thrash-bringers showed nothing but anticipation over the latest release. It's amazing that after 14 full-lengths and 30 years of activity, Overkill manages to trump the modern generation of metal with Ironbound -- an album that encompasses what Metallica should have done in St. Anger.

Click here to read the rest of the review. This article was published in ACRN.com on January 7, 2010.

Live Review: Pentagram in Cleveland, OH

As single-digit degree wind crept through the crevices of Cleveland's major rock venue Peabody's, a sparse but intimate crowd socialized among the dimly lit bar and main stage areas. In patched jackets and shirts adorned with the logos of classic bands like Sodom and Saint Vitus, the head count consisted mostly of those over 25, yet there were none more excited for the legendary Pentagram to take the stage than the X-ed up minority.

Elbow room grew scarce once bar dwellers migrated to the edge of the stage. A woman in her 50s rested her breasts on the stage, and, in a pugnacious manner, frantically pleaded for Pentagram to "take away her drunken soul." Within darkness, members of the current line-up took the stage and each walked on to hearty applause. But it was the jewelry-adorned vocalist and only remaining original member, Bobby Liebling, who had the crowd erupting in screams.

Click here to read the rest of the article. This review was published on ACRN.com on January 30, 2010.