Chin Up Chin Up: "We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers" Video
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We're not mouth-breathers--except when confronted with these cars. How do you keep your chin off the floor around these audacious rides?
Just have a look at something you've never seen before.
In a world of bands where truth often gets bogged down in the mire of genres, trends and politics, Over it would like to think they have stayed afloat. Out of Orange County, California, by way of Alexandria, Virginia, they have taken in the road and a host of adventures, discovering the things they value most. For this band, what matters is the sincerity of every last one of their hundreds of performances, a personal connection with their fans, and the quest for the inspiring song. Over it lives for furious sounds and a hopeful future. Nearly five years ago in the Fall of 1998, chance drew the members of Over It together. Peter, Nick, Seth and James were four bright-eyed teenagers then, staring down the dawn of what was to become a dazzling, liberating vision. "Looking back, it seems ironic that music left such an indelible mark on the four of us," relates Munters, the group?s lead vocalist and guitar player. ?The suburbs offered us no big brother bands to emulate, and beyond the dark outskirts of DC no form of music-centered scene or shows really existed. Still, somehow the boys in Over It found and sought out the sounds that opened their minds to the possibility of music as a serious creative outlet. Recording and touring in support of their indie-released demo ep, "Over It" and a full length album, "The Ready Series" (both on Oakland?s Negative Progression Records) became more and more a priority for the band as they waited for Ulrich (drums, 20) to finish high school. So much that in the spring of 2001 Munters (22), Watts(21), and Bailey (21), already attending universities, decided to push their education to the back-burner, and persuade their youngest band-mate to wait for college, instead joining them in the full-time pursuit of their love for music. To this day, the band reflects on this decision as the most pivotal turning point in Over It?s story. "We were all good students, but distracted from our studies by the rewards we found in the studio and on the road," remembers Watts. "We just told one another that if we could survive as a productive force, hear our songs featured on dozens of compilations worldwide and find content at each day?s end, we owed it to the world to work fully toward a musical destiny." Following the release of their "Hindsight 20/20" ep in 2001, the band garnered the attention of Santa Barbara?s own Lobster Records, who recognized the bands unflagging work ethic and positive energy. Encouraging Over It to continue and amplify their rigorous touring and eventually relocate to the Southern California markets, Lobster helped spawn "Timing Is Everything", the band?s second full length, and most critically acclaimed work to date. Received by good press, and the approval of a growing fan base, the record propelled Over It through several national tours and two-week stints on the grueling and infamous Vans Warped Tour in both 2002 and 2003 (as well as ?04). ?Being on warped tour was all at one our greatest blessing and the most burdensome weight the band has carried," notes Munters. "We drove our van alongside the coaches of so many-of our idols, and touched base with more fans than we ever thought we would meet, working all day and driving all night to find as much as we could. It was truly a testament to how far a little dedication and sincerity can take four friends." Nearly three years later, the band is still full of wonder and grateful for the path they?ve traveled. None of us ever thought to just step up and live a dream, that?s just the way it keeps happening.
The 404 362: Where The 404 goes CNET LIVE
We're proud to announce the debut of CNET LIVE, the new portal for all live shows, including The 404, on CNET. Don't worry, the transition won't be as difficult as DTV. We'll give you detailed instructions on how to tell all your friends about the show! Listen in for all the juicy details on our weekend staycation and why Wilson should never consume liquor again.
Pitbull feat. Lil Jon and Ying Yang Twins: "Bojangles"
Keeping his brand image alive and kicking, Pitbull's fierce bite is still killing competitors and luring in new loyal fans. His staple, Miami, Florida; let it be known. But since Pitbull's success continues to grow so does his national and international fame. The recipe for having longevity in the music business is that it's deeper then music, Pitbull says, you gotta be straight with relationships, able to keep them and you can't burn bridges. On top of that you gotta know how to put out hit records. Pitbull knew he was onto something great with the success of his debut release on TVT Records, M.I.A.M.I. (Money Is A Major Issue). Singles like 'Toma' and 'Culo' can still be heard in clubs all over the nation and beyond, and the crowd reacts like they have never heard it before. The energy rises, basses bump, asses shake, bodies grind and all the while 24-year-old Pitbull is just doing what he does best. Part of that comes from his upbringing. His parents, both first generation Cuban immigrants had him memorize the poems of legendary Cuban poet, Jose Mart when he was just a boy. This ritual instilled in him an early appreciation for the power of language, as well as the importance of his Cuban roots and looking beyond his own experience for inspiration. Pitbull explains, That's one thing people don?t realize about Miami -- we have all kinds of people down here. So early on I learned to appreciate different types of music." M.I.A.M.I. has surpassed expectations in the market. The album has been certified gold and Pitbull has provided a new face in hip-hop for the Latinos by becoming the most highly recognized Latino emcee since Fat Joe. Media attention keeps growing and Pitbull has already landed features in magazines like Latina, Rolling Stone, Maxim en Espanol, XXL and The Source to name a few. Not only does the media want to write about Pitbull but he himself writes a column for the NBA Espanol website. Pitbull understands that to stay on top you have to be on the grind constantly, "not everybody can stay on top -- there are more failed hustlers than there are successful ones." While a lot of Sunshine State rappers focus their hip-hop attentions strictly below the Mason-Dixon line, the teenage Pitbull's wide interests led him to classics like Nas "Illmatic" and G-Funk blueprints like "The Chronic" and "Doggystyle." Soon he was developing the freestyle skills that would later earn him fame, flooding the Miami streets with mixtapes (like his latest, "Unleashed Volume 5"). After missing connections with Irv Gotti - a chance meeting brought them into the same studio, but the planned recording session never happened - Pitbull turned to home base for his entry in the game. In the late 90s, he was tapped by bass music legend Luke to flow over his hit single "Lollipop". " I am grateful for him, not just because "Lollipop" did mad business all through the south, Pitbull says. But because he helped me learn the ropes of the business." music is a universal language.
Raging Speedhorn: "How Much Can a Man Take"
Raging Speedhorn first came to be in August of 1998. The forming of the band was a result of the combination of the bands 'Soulcellar' and 'Box'. Guitarist Gareth Smith, drummer Frank Regan and bassist Darren Smith from 'Soulcellar' met up with guitarist Tony Loughlin, vocalist Jon Loughlin and drummer Gordon Morison from 'Box' to form Raging speedhorn. Frank Regan, formerly a drummer then changed to vocals along with Jon Loughlin to make an outstanding team. As the songs began to flow, Speedhorn recorded demos, and got a few good giggs, getting strong reviews in important magazines like Kerrang! and Metal Hammer.Their first big break came when they supported the legindary 'Ministry' at the London Astoria. From then on they never looked back, and have got stronger and stronger. Speedhorn have now recorded about 20 songs in just over a year together, and they play live regularly, with some great acts. Easily their biggest gig so far was at the Ozzfest UK, along with the likes of the mighty SlipKnoT and Amen.They have also been touring regularly, sponsored by Kerrang! and Metal Hammer. Their first demo song [selling over 800 coppies], Thumper, has since been released on Metal Hammer's December 1999 cover mount CD. Ian Camfield has also given Speedhorn plenty of airplay on his Xfm show. All this has built up to the release of their debut album, entitled 'Raging Speedhorn', which was released in the spring of 2001. After the success of their debut album, Raging Speedhorn kept up the tough schedule and started working towards a new album. Touring the country regularly, as well as trying to maintain part-time jobs meant that time to write was limmited. However, two years on from when we were first greeted by the din of Speedhorn, 'We'll Be Dead by Tomorrow' is set for release in the summer this year. 'The Hate Song' is the first single from this album, and was released on June 24, 2002. Appearing on the main stage at the Reading Festival this summer, as well as having more than one headline tour is sure to give them the publicity they deserve. And so, my friends, the story comes to an end... for now, anyway.
Luciano was born in 1974 as Jepther McClymont in Davey Town, Jamaica. He grew up in Manchester, in the country. Then he becomes a orange-seller in Montego Bay. He began singing in his local parish church before assuming the name of Stepper John and migrating to Kingston in 1992. His debut tune was for Herman Chin-Loy at Aquarius, then he did half an album with Pressley for Mau Mau producer Sky High. His name was then changed into Luciano. 'Give my love a try' was his first Jamaican hit. Phillip 'Fattis' Burrell produced his first two UK hits: 'Chant Out' and 'Poor and Simple', that was in the summer of 1993 on Exterminator. His debut solo album, Moving Up was released in 93 (RAS/Exterminator). Sly and Robbie and their Taxi label helped Luciano, who later joined Freddie McGregor's Big Ship organisation. 'Shake It Up Tonight' was his first UK number 1. This song came from the album with the same name (Big Ship 1993).
"It's Never Been Like That," was conceived with a live mentality, in a straight line, summing up a lot of the band's emotions and past experiences, sometimes conflicting, often disrupting. All the songs are autobiographic and set down emotional equations where disillusion and exaltation try to find a common language. This is a romantic album although very rigorously made. Rhythms are hard, arrangements straightforward, violently simple and close to the bone.
The Early Years: "So Far Gone"
The Early Years David Malkinson, Roger Mackin and Phil Raines (guitar, guitar and drums) ? only formed in late-2004 and not along after, their demo tape received the on-air backing of Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq on Radio One and John Kennedy on XFM (they were even invited in to record sessions for both stations), Beggars Banquet were alerted to their talent. Less than a year on and their debut album is ready to go. Furthermore, it?s a delight. Both live and on record, the results are stunning; never swaying from their ambition to make inventive, original and accessible music. You might have already been converted to their ?noisy majesty? (Drowned in Sound) at this year?s Tapestry, Truck and Latitude festivals, supporting bands like Electrelane and / or at numerous club nights across the capital. You might even have been turned on to them by seeing them on constant late-night MTV2 rotation or soundtracking a recent Nike World Cup advert. Either way, once their music takes hold, you?ll not be sorry. The Early Years say themselves that they offer a sound that lies somewhere between their joint love for ambient noise, motorik beats, drones, feedback, harmony and melody. Dave cites his influences as Acid Mother?s Temple, The Boredoms and Spiritualized, Roger talks of his love for The 13th Floor Elevators, Julian Cope, The Velvet Underground and Storm in Heaven-era Verve and Phil talks of Can, Neu! and Tortoise as being his major sources of inspiration; all this helps to explain both the bands depth and integrity
Pela is an American rock & roll band. At a time when the word 'America' has never been more fraught with meaning, songs that speak to our basic feelings and emotions about life could never be more resonant. Lost amongst all the geo-political tumult are the stories of every day America; the aches and pains and the beautiful possibilities. Yet amidst all the turmoil and uncertainty, new stories are being written and told by a new generation of American bands. Pela is clearly one of those voices.
