alternative rock
Song of the Day — Future Theory: “Hang Your Hat”
Pop Evil Announces 2023 Summer Dates For Their Skeletons Tour
Pop Evil is bringing the Skeletons Tour to several festivals and fairs this summer. In July and August, they will be playing a few shows with special guests Eva Under Fire, and on July 29th, you can see them supporting Bush in Cincinnati! You can get tickets at popevil.com.
- 6/24 – Sarnia, ON – Bluewater BorderFest 2023
- 7/13 – Milwaukee, WI – Harley Davidson Homecoming Festival 2023
- 7/20 – Menahga, MN – Mid Summer Music Fest Rock Week 2023
- 7/21 – Escanaba, MI – Northern Lights Music Festival 2023
- 7/23 – Jefferson City, MO – Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater+ (VIP available)
- 7/25 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen+ (VIP available)
- 7/26 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues+ (VIP available)
- 7/28 – Grover Hill, OH – Wetzelland 2023
- 7/29 – Cincinnati, OH – Hard Rock Casino^
- 7/30 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre+ (VIP available)
- 8/2 – Rock Springs, WY – Sweetwater County Fair 2023
- 8/3 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep (VIP available)
- 8/5 – Kalamazoo, MI – Kalamazoo Ribfest 2023
- 8/9 – Minot, ND – The Original Bar and Nightclub (VIP available)
- 8/10 – Sturgis, SD – Sturgis Buffalo Chip 2023
- 8/11 – Three Forks, MT – Rockin’ the Rivers 2023
- 8/13 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line+ (VIP available)
- 8/15 – East Moline, IL – The Rust Belt+ (VIP available)
- 8/17 – Ottumwa, IA – Bridge View Center+ (VIP available)
- 8/18 – Glen Flora, WI – Northwoods Rock Rally 2023
- 8/19 – Yankton, SD – Yankton’s Riverboat Days and Summer Arts Festival 2023
- 9/1 – Grand Island, NE – Nebraska State Fair
Album Review: Breathing Theory’s Artificial
Breathing Theory is a band that toes the line between heavy and melodic with an unrivaled precision (think Starset meets Gemini Syndrome meets Breaking Benjamin), and they have proven this yet again with the release of their new album. Artificial hit all streaming services on May 26th. The album is made up of ten songs that run the gamut from provoking thought to tugging the heartstrings, and all are unforgiving in their extremes.
Artificial opens with the electro-metal-symphonic “Replicas,” an introduction to the theme set by the album’s title: a dystopian future run by artificial intelligence. The very first song begs the questions “Can we define what it is that makes us human? Are we alive, or are we just replicas?”
“Replicas” is succeeded by “Beautiful Disaster,” which showcases Breathing Theory’s hard-hitting riffs paired with heartfelt lyrics and frontman Cory Britt’s strong singing voice. The band sends listeners into audio whiplash by diving straight into the relentless “Collapse.” Here is a prime example of Cory’s harsh growls and screams, echoing the anger and frustration of the lyrics – “They’re starting fires so the smoke and hate won’t clear/Misdirection keeps you trapped in fear” – and juxtaposed by the pure cleans of the chorus.
The next track – “Your Frequency” – is another switch, not exactly a ballad but certainly on the more melodic end of things. This is one of my favorites on the record. The words are gorgeous, and I have the utmost respect for Breathing Theory’s refusal to shy away from that side of their genre.
“The Cure” is crafted into solid verses and an extremely catchy chorus. It is followed by “Transcend,” the heaviest song on the album, and “My Cancer,” the softest. “Tethers” feels like something you would hear on the radio (in the best possible way). It makes the head bob and is easily imaginable as one of the sing-along moments during a Breathing Theory show.
And then, the band drops in their rendition of Journey’s “Separate Ways.” I’ll admit, I didn’t see that one coming, but I cannot stress enough how much it absolutely works! Breathing Theory manages to maintain the integrity of the original while also making it their own, a truly impressive feat.
Artificial wraps with “Blackout,” and I am going to call this a ballad. Slow and steady, with sad lyrics, Cory’s haunting vocals, and a moody guitar solo (can guitar solos be moody?), I think it fits the bill.
There is not a single track on this record that I don’t like. A mix of alternative rock and metal with a metalcore edge and a trace of the grunge element, Breathing Theory definitely knows how to keep listeners intrigued and on their toes. Give Artificial a listen, or several, and follow Breathing Theory on their socials to see what’s next!
“Collapse” was the first single from Artificial. I knew I was going to love this album solely because of this song.
New Music Alert! Dead City Riots: “Whisky Summer Junkie”
Alter Bridge Shares North American Summer Dates For Their Pawns & Kings Tour
This will be the final leg of the Pawns & Kings Tour in North America! Alter Bridge is doing it big with special guests Sevendust, Mammoth WVH, and MJT. Grab your tickets at alterbridge.com.
- 8/1 – Buffalo, NY – Outer Harbor Event Complex^
- 8/2 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage^
- 8/4 – Charlestown, WV – The Event Center at Hollywood Casino*^
- 8/5 – Grantville, PA – Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course^
- 8/7 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union Live!^
- 8/8 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica^
- 8/10 – Quebec City, QC – Quebec City Old Port Agora^
- 8/12 – Ledyard, CT – Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resorts Casino^
- 8/13 – Johnstown, PA – 1st Summit Arena^
- 8/16 – Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fair#^
- 8/17 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live*^
- 8/19 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Amphitheater^
- 8/20 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port^
- 8/22 – Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre*
- 8/23 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J. Brady Music Center*
- 8/25 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe*
- 8/26 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club*
- 8/28 – Fargo, ND – Fargo Brewing Company*
- 8/29 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore*
- 8/31 – Council Bluffs, IA – Stir Concert Cove: Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel*
^ No MJT
# No Sevendust
* No Mammoth WVH
Interview: Clay Soldiers
Clay Soldiers hail from the UK and blend elements of alternative, grunge, and stoner rock in their music. Formed in 2020, the band consists of vocalist/guitarist Leon, bassist Stu, and drummer Pablo. They have already seen a few notable achievements, including 16,000+ all-time streams across the various services and listeners in forty different countries.
I recently chatted with Clay Soldiers about their backgrounds in music, influences, playing live, and their debut EP, Life After Death.
**
First and foremost, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. Let’s start with the story behind the band’s name. I always find those interesting.
Stu: Initially, we were talking about Greek mythology and we were looking for names along the lines of mythological beasts and history. However, Leon states that “Clay Soldiers” came from the idea that people are molded in terms of their way of thinking, their resilience – they are not as strong as they think they are and are made to believe they are invincible.
Clay Soldiers’ sound encompasses multiple styles. Who are the band’s influences?
Stu: Our biggest influences are the bands and sounds of the 90s, such as Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Queens of the Stone Age, and Faith No More. We also take inspiration from classic rock, like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, and lately we’ve drawn from some newer bands on the scene, particularly our friends in Dunes, The Grudge, and High Desert Queen, in terms of their performance and style.
So, if you don’t mind, can you tell me how you got started in music? What made you decide this is what you wanted to do?
Stu: We have always been interested in music in a big way. However, truly thinking about it, we lived through the 80s and 90s, where the music was an inspirational element in our lives. So, seeing bands that had grown considerably from the late 80s to the mid-90s and beyond, it was something that we had always felt that it wasn’t out of reach to do. It was a case of finding the instrument that we could share the rocking vibes with and over time, learning what it means to write songs, what it means to write from the heart through our own lived experiences that listeners can relate to.
And now, y’all have released your debut EP, Life After Death, and have garnered some well-deserved attention with it. Can you tell me a little about the writing and recording process? From where did y’all draw inspiration?
Stu: We tried to make music to reflect life experiences and take to heart how the lyrics can resonate to a wider audience. We wanted to write in a more thoughtful way and build connections with people as they find they can relate to it.
In terms of the recording, we often lay down all our demo stems on an app called Bandlab. It is a piece of software that really helped us to lay out and structure our ideas for the EP. The artwork was an awesome piece hand-painted by UK tattoo artist Jeep Bluezone (who is originally from Thailand). Initially, it was painted on canvas, then she offered to let us use it for the EP cover. We felt the image reflected every song on the EP, which is all about death and recovery – hence the name ‘Life After Death’. In other words, the day the world halts and then we start again.
On a personal level, what’s your favorite song on the EP?
Leon: All songs are very meaningful. If there was one overall song, I would choose “Ghost,” as that is the most epic sounding song.
Stu: I would choose “Ghost,” as it was one of the first tracks we actually wrote by accident and became one of our most evolved tracks. It has quite a cinematic, epic sound to it.
Pablo: “Ghost” for me.
I saw that you guys just played a show with Elkapath, Doomicidal, and At War With the Sun. What is your favorite thing about playing live?
Stu: That was a great show. Our favourite thing about playing live is seeing people enjoying and sharing the moments with us where the music is creating a positive atmosphere like no other. In that moment, we are family!
And on the topic of playing live, how is playing live and writing music in the studio connected? When you write, do you think about how it will translate in a live performance?
Stu: Everything we do in the studio is connected to live shows because everything we work for in the studio, it all comes to a conclusion in live shows. We want everyone to get a first glance of our music. For new fans who are seeing us for the first time, it is about how we can connect to those people and make new friends. For existing fans, it is showing how our music evolves and the fans grow with us.
What is next for Clay Soldiers? I saw y’all hinting at new music on Facebook (I say hopefully).
Stu: Social media is a massive tool, definitely, and it is helping us to reach more people and all around the world. New music is constantly coming, new songs and new forms of composition are there, and we are taking all different styles to create our own way to make music.
What do you feel is the ultimate goal for the band?
Stu: The goal is to keep growing, musically and as a band. To be able to perform regularly. It is not about being famous but is about being original and offering something to people where they can identify. We are now at a stage where we are building a brand and we invite everyone to the opportunity to get involved and be a part of that process.
Is there any message you’d like to give your fans, old and new?
Stu: We would wholeheartedly like to say a massive thanks with much love and respect for all the love and support everyone has shown us. Absolutely everyone is welcome to come and see us, no-one should be left out, regardless of pronoun, gender, sex, where you are from, etc. We just want everyone to be united in the moment, take care of each other and enjoy good times again! All we ask is just come and support local artists, local music! Keep the dream alive!
And a fun question I always ask, just to wrap this up: what would your dream concert lineup be? Clay Soldiers and…?
Stu: Dream lineup… to play an international open air festival, with bands who would love to play
with Clay Soldiers! We would also absolutely love to be on the same lineup as the bands which have inspired us
from the start of our musical inception, such as Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters. Would be nice!
**
Clay Soldiers are on a steady upward trajectory, earning new fans and followers with every released single and live show. They bring the best of rock in everything they do. From what I’ve seen, the band will be giving us a taste of their darker, heavier side with their new music. Be sure to find them on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, etc., and check them out! Here is the track that the trio voted as their favorite from Life After Death.
Song of the Day — Jumping the Gun: “Talking With the Devil”
Any Given Sin + Shallow Side: The Sinful Side Tour 2023
Any Given Sin and Shallow Side are hitting the road this August with special guest Ovtlier. Tickets are available here. (The Cincinnati and Johnson City dates do not yet have tickets on sale, but they will soon!)
- 8/9 – Cincinnati, OH – Madison Live
- 8/10 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Cafe
- 8/11 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester Music Tavern
- 8/12 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall
- 8/13 – Millersville, PA – Phantom Power
- 8/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse
- 8/16 – Brooklyn, NY – Kingsland
- 8/17 – Concord, NH – Bank of NH Stage
- 8/18 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
- 8/20 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
- 8/23 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
- 8/24 – Spartanburg, SC – Ground Zero
- 8/25 – Huntsville, AL – Rocket Republic
- 8/26 – Johnson City, TN – Capone’s
Underoath Announces Co-Headlining Tour With The Ghost Inside
Underoath and The Ghost Inside will be co-headlining a tour this summer, and they’re bringing along We Came As Romans and Better Lovers. Tickets and VIP can be found at underoath777.com.
- 7/15 – Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration Festival 2023*
- 7/16 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
- 7/17 – Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
- 7/19 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena
- 7/21 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
- 7/22 – Syracuse, NY – Sharkey’s Summer Stage
- 7/23 – Toronto, ON – RBC Echo Beach
- 7/24 – Montreal, QC – L’Olympia
- 7/27 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage
- 7/28 – Coney Island, NY – Coney Island Amphitheater
- 7/29 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion
- 7/30 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium Outdoors
- 8/1 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
- 8/3 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center
- 8/4 – Boca Raton, FL – Sunset Cove Amphitheater
- 8/5 – St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- 8/6 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
- 8/8 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theater
- 8/10 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
- 8/11 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
- 8/12 – Dallas, TX – The Factory in Deep Ellum
- 8/14 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel Entertainment Center^
- 8/15 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre^
- 8/18 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield^
- 8/19 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory Festival Grounds^
* No We Came As Romans or Better Lovers
^ No Better Lovers
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