Punk Goes...

For anyone who loves song covers, the 'Punk Goes...' series made by Fearless Records are records which expose them to different interpretations of some of the 'most listened to' songs.

This year, Fearless Records are releasing 'Punk Goes Pop Volume 3'.
From a couple of the 'Punk Goes...' series I've found some absolute gems so I thought for any alternative fans or just curious people this could be something worth looking at...

Here's the track list:

1. Breathe Carolina - 'Down' (Originally by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne)
2. Woe, Is Me - 'Hot 'N Cold' (Originally by Katy Perry)
3. Artist Vs Poet - 'Bad Romance' (Originally by Lady GaGa)
4. Mayday Parade - 'In My Head' (Originally by Jason Derülo)
5. Asking Alexandria - 'Right Now (Na Na Na)' (Originally by Akon)
6. This Century - 'Paper Planes' (Originally by M.I.A.)
7. The Word Alive - 'Heartless' (Originally by Kanye West)
8. Family Force 5 - 'Bulletproof' (Originally by La Roux)
9. Of Mice & Men - 'Blame It' (Originally by Jamie Foxx ft. T-Pain)
10. Miss May I - 'Run This Town' (Originally by Jay-Z ft. Kanye West and Rihanna)
11. The Ready Set - 'Airplanes' (Originally by B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams)
12. Cute Is What We Aim For - 'Dead And Gone' (Originally by T.I. ft. Justin Timberlake)
13. Sparks The Rescue - 'Need You Now' (Originally by Lady Antebellum)
14. We Came As Romans - 'My Love' (Originally by Justin Timberlake ft. T.I.)

While we can debate on whether the bands covering the songs are actually punk bands and if the songs being covered are actually pop songs, the real idea of these records (in my opinion) is 'alternative covering mainstream'.

Currently only samples of each song can be heard on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Punk-Goes-Three-digital-booklet/dp/B0047P3Q3M
I do warn, not all the covers on this record will be everyone's piece of cake (and not mine either).
I don't think it's as good as some of their previous records. However, (from the samples) I am looking forward to 'In My Head', 'Paper Planes' and 'Dead and Gone'.


[The full album goes on sale Nov 1/2 on iTunes and other major online retailers]

A full version of 'In My Head', 'Down' and 'Right Now (Na Na Na)' can be found to listen to at:
http://www.myspace.com/punkgoes

Recommendations from previous albums:
Silverstein - 'Apologize' (Originally by One Republic)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 2
The Almost - 'Free Fallin'' (Originally by Tom Petty)-Punk Goes Classic Rock
NeverShoutNever - 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (Originally by Queen)-Punk Goes Classic Rock
Mayday Parade - 'When I Grow Up' (Originally by The Pussycat Dolls)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 2
The Cab - 'Disturbia' (Originally by Rihanna)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 2
All Time Low - 'Umbrella' (Originally by Rihanna)-Punk Goes Crunk
The Maine - 'I Wanna Love You' (Originally by Akon)-Punk Goes Crunk
Further Seems Forever - 'Bye,Bye,Bye' (Originally by N'Sync)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 1
Dynamite Boy - 'I Want It That Way' (Originally by Backstreet Boys)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 1
Cartel - 'Wonderwall' (Originally by Oasis)-Punk Goes 90's
Plain White T's - 'Song 2' (Originally by Blur)-Punk Goes 90'

Leave your thoughts...

THREE MUST-HAVE BANDS

Now I can't say I've listened to every band in the history of bands.....but if I were to pick three I would recommend for ANYONE (regardless of music taste) to listen to.....well it would be these three(in no particular order):
----Paramore
----You Me At Six
----The Maine


Ok, so all three probably fall under similar category/genre types and you'd probably find it hard to get a someone solely into Hip Hop (or such as) to listen to it, but I genuinly think that it is impossible to dislike any of these three.


Paramore of course is probably the most well known of the three, with many hits such as 'Misery Business', 'That's What You Get' and 'Decode' . Voted 'Best International Band' at this year's NME awards, I don't have to justify why they're so great, they just are....like any good band, its melodies are strong, tunes catchy and lyrics are meanigful; and even though they're best known for writing fast-tempo loud 'shout-it-out-loud' kind of anthems, their slower songs such as 'The Only Exception' are jsut as good if not better.
If you've only a few of the songs that Paramore have written, I would definitely recommend listening to 'Where the Lines Overlap' and 'Looking Up' from their latest album 'Brand New Eyes'. These are two of my favourite songs, they're upbeat, motivating sort of affairs which are certain to lift your mood if you are having an awful day, or even if you just need a wake up.
http://www.paramore.net/


You Me At Six are the british band on this list. Set to be one of the biggest british bands, they certainly have been very sucessful with their album 'Hold Me Down' which debuted at #5 in the charts and are now on a US tour with a UK tour later this year.  For those of you who occasionally flick through MTV channels or such proabably have seen the video for their single 'Liquid Confidence' which is undoubtely up their with their best songs. Again like any good band (and all three on the list) they have the catchy melodies and riffs.
If you've only heard 'Liquid Confidence' I'd definitely say listen to MORE. I would recommend a listen to 'Stay With Me' slightly slower and more melancholy as well as 'Fireworks' which is a slower song which for some reasons provokes me to think of a sad version of 'Chasing Cars'. If you want more upbeat stuff, 'Underdog' is definitely a great song for motivation and 'Kiss and Tell'.
http://www.myspace.com/youmeatsix


And last but not least, The Maine.....a favourite on my iTunes for a while now, I haven't got tired of these songs yet and I find myself on the hunt for more from them...
They not really that well known in the UK, [it's the one band name that is always greeted by confused faces when i mention it] but I don't think it's a reflection on their music...they are the newest band on my list and will be doing their first headlining tour through the USA this summer so I hopefully think they'll be coming over soon.
Recommendations are mostly from their album 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop' and they include 'We All Roll Along', 'I Must Be Dreaming', 'Everything I Ask For' and 'Girls Do What They Want' ....all very up-tempo, great mood lifters...work wonders on a monday morning. And then the more slower ones, such as 'Whoever She Is' and 'Into Your Arms'.
http://www.myspace.com/themaine


So maybe...just maybe I have changed a little piece of your life....and if not....if you already knew all these bands, then i'm so glad i'm not the only one. Tell me what you think...
Enjoy.

EVERY AVENUE

Had this song in my head for over a week now, so I might aswell tell you about it
It's fairly old, but it's definitely worth a listen if you haven't heard it....


'Think of You Later (In My Empty Room)' by Every Avenue.
It's from their 2008 album 'Shh. Just Go With It'
 www.myspace.com/everyavenue


Hope you like.