Powerman 5000 is kicking off a West Coast run in six days. Featuring special guests Julien-K and Makes My Blood Dance, this 12-date mini-tour includes stops in Anaheim, San Francisco, Tucson, and Las Vegas. Tickets can be purchased via the venues’ sites or Powerman 5000’s Bandsintown!
4/11 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
4/12 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
4/13 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
4/15 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
4/16 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
4/18 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
4/19 – Fresno, CA – Full Circle Brewing Co.
4/20 – Modesto, CA – Persuasion Brewing
4/22 – Tucson, AZ – The Rock
4/23 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
4/25 – Bakersfield, CA – The Nile Theater (There was a change. This is the correct city and venue.)
4/26 – Temecula, CA – Temecula Sports Lounge/Restaurant
Hot on the heels of releasing their first new single in four years, Chevelle has announced a 2025 summer tour with special guests Asking Alexandria and Dead Poet Society. This 39-date trek (not including the spring festival dates) kicks off August 7th in San Antonio and has stops in New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, and Nashville before wrapping up October 4th in Sacramento. Tickets are now on sale at getmorechevelle.com! Or you can visit askingalexandria.com for tickets and VIP experiences!
Spring Festival Dates (Chevelle Only)
4/20 – Palm Springs, CA – Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2025
5/11 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2025
5/17 – Ocean City, MD – Boardwalk Rock 2025
5/18 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville 2025
5/24 – The Woodlands, TX – BuzzFest 2025
5/25 – Dallas, TX – 97.1 The Eagle’s BFD 2025
Summer 2025 Dates w/Asking Alexandria and Dead Poet Society
8/7 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
8/9 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater
8/10 – Kansas City, MO – VooDoo Lounge
8/12 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
8/14 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
8/15 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
8/16 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater
8/19 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
8/20 – Toronto, ON – The Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort
8/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
8/23 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage
8/24 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
8/26 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17
8/27 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center
8/28 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre
8/30 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
8/31 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
9/3 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
9/4 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
9/5 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
9/7 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
9/9 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
9/10 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion
9/11 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club
9/13 – Maryland Heights, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
9/14 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
9/16 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
9/17 – Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park
9/18 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel
9/20 – Las Vegas, NV – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
9/21 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
9/23 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
9/26 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
9/27 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
9/28 – Redding, CA – Redding Civic Auditorium
9/30 – Idaho Falls, ID – Mountain America Center
10/1 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
10/2 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest
10/4 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival 2025 (Chevelle only)
Collide the Gemini is a post-hardcore band hailing from El Paso, Texas. The trio consists of guitarist/vocalist Chris Reza, bassist Nate Sansom, and drummer Brian Carbajal. They have released one EP so far, 2022’s Dioscuri, but another EP is on the horizon!
I had the pleasure to chat with Chris about the band’s beginnings, their influences, the upcoming EP, and even his favorite sci-fi movies. (We also might have briefly touched on the topic of the Backstreet Boys…) Read on for more!
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Mostly Music: So I always start super basic out of the gate. How did Collide the Gemini form, and what’s the story behind the band name?
Chris Reza: Collide started out of the end of a previous band my drummer and I were in called The Roaring Twenties. Brian [drummer] and I wanted to continue pursuing music so we kept going, but we felt like the new songs and new lineup needed to be under a new name, so we decided to change it to Collide the Gemini.
The name came from my weird obsession with the word Gemini. The more I researched the story behind the Gemini and the twins, the more I felt it connected with our music. The name basically reflects what we try to do musically, colliding opposing sounds – light and dark, heavy and soft, simple and complex – and creating a balance between the two.
MM: That is one of the better stories behind a name I’ve heard, and it serves a purpose while being memorable.
So let’s go back a bit and talk about you. What inspired you to start creating music? Is that something you’ve always wanted to do, or did you have a defining moment that changed your trajectory?
CR: Well, I think art in general has always been something that I’ve wanted to do. Since I was a kid I’ve loved drawing, and growing up, I got into film and photography and graphic design. Music was just another creative outlet and one in which I could combine everything else. Even now I do a lot of our merch designs, music videos, and promos.
MM: Oh, so you’re a multi-talented creative person. I’m jealous. Lol. I want to be good – or…capable, I guess – at so many things, and I’m not. Writing is just about it.
Who would you say is your biggest musical influence?
CR: That’s a tough one. It changes all the time. I would say The Mars Volta. Mainly because they are hometown heroes of ours and also musical geniuses. But I would say we strive to sound more along the lines of a Dance Gavin Dance or Fall of Troy.
MM: On a related note, but also just for fun, is there anyone you listen to that might surprise people? (I refuse to call them “guilty pleasures,” because I don’t feel guilty about anything I listen to. Lol.)
CR: Haha, yeah, I totally agree with you! Like what you like, you know? I would say most people are surprised that I listen to hip hop. I’ve also been known to jam to some Olivia Rodrigo as well, haha!
MM: I still pull out some Backstreet Boys on occasion. (I’m old.) I went to see them in 2019 and my coworkers judged me. Lol. They were used to me listening to rock and metal. Anyway, let me get back on topic.
Y’all released “Take to the Skies” at the end of January. Can you tell me the story behind the song?
CR: Oh nice! Nah, the Backstreet Boys are awesome!
So “Take to the Skies” is a song that will be on our upcoming EP that will be out later this year. The EP is a concept record that I wrote. It’s loosely based on some of my favorite sci-fi films. “Take to the Skies” is told through the eyes of the protagonist’s wife, who must see him leave for this journey to save humanity in hopes he’ll return.
MM: And now you have caused me to debate whether to go ahead with music questions or dive into your taste in films. I can’t help it: that’s the stuff I love to know about my favorite musicians.Okay, I have to ask. Favorite sci-fi film(s)?
CR: Haha, no worries, I love talking about that stuff! For sure, the film that really inspired me to write this record was Interstellar. It’s a masterpiece! But Alien, Event Horizon, and The Thing are all in my top 5.
MM: I watched Event Horizon for the first time last year, which is odd considering what a horror buff I am. Haha. I loved it. My dad is a big sci-fi guy, but it’s all the really old films (he’s about to turn 70). I’ll have to check out Interstellar, though. I’ve never seen it.
CR: Oh, you have to watch it! It phenomenal.
MM: In regard to the EP, I like the idea of a concept album. Has your writing process been much different for this record? And (let me see if I can word this correctly) – do you think it’s been easier to write with a story to tell, or has it made the process more complex?
CR: The writing hasn’t changed much. We’ve had some kind of concept or story in mind while writing all of our previous material. I find that’s easier, at least for me, to write this way. Writing in the moment or from my personal experience can be a really good catalyst for songs, but I find that it’s sometimes hard to complete them. Whatever I felt about that topic at the time might change the next day, and I always find myself disinterested in continuing with the song. That being said, I have written about my own experiences. They’ve just been masked by a story, which makes it feel like I’m writing about someone else. If that makes sense, haha.
MM: I was thinking I could see both sides to working with a story. Like, it would be easier in a way because you have a set focus and a point to work towards, but at the same time, there might be difficulties because you’d be confined to working within certain parameters, i.e. your story. I guess that’s why I wanted to ask the question.
Piggybacking off your answer: do you think that masking your personal experiences behind a story makes them more relatable to your listeners? Maybe it’s easier for them to apply it to themselves when they don’t feel so much of the artist’s personal element? (Or maybe I’m overthinking it…)
CR: That’s a good question. I think listeners are going to relate it back to themselves regardless, whether it’s a song about a personal experience from the artist or one about space travel. At the end of the day if the song is hitting us at an emotional level that’s all that matters. We tend to find a way of connecting to it if we love it.
MM: I feel that on a spiritual level. I don’t understand how there are people out there who don’t “get” music. I always wonder if they just haven’t been fortunate enough to find that song or artist that grabs their soul and won’t let go. Lol. Not to be overly dramatic about it, but music means a lot to me.
What are Collide The Gemini’s plans for the rest of 2025? I know you said y’all are going to release the EP…
CR: Collide has a few things planned for 2025. We have our EP coming out this year titled A Spark in the Horizon. No set release date yet, but hopefully before the end of the year. We also have some plans to do some touring this year. We’re gonna do a small Texas run, hopefully this summer. Other than that, we will be dropping singles until we release the EP. So be on the look out for that!
MM: While I have you here, I’m gonna ask just a couple more questions. What’s your favorite thing about playing live?
CR: I would say connecting with fans, for sure. Seeing how our music affects them and sharing that experience. Also, as a fan of live music myself, seeing a band live and being in the moment with them is such a great experience.
MM: I think it would be so cool to experience it from both sides! Last but not least, do you have a dream tour lineup? Collide the Gemini with…?
CR: Oh God, I have too many to list, hahaha. I would love to do a tour with Hail the Sun. We’ve gotten to open up for them a few times and it’s always a good time. But maybe my dream lineup would be The Mars Volta headlining, maybe Coheed and Cambria supporting or something like that.
MM: Thank you so much for your time! And I look forward to all you guys have coming this year!
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Check out Collide the Gemini’s latest single, “Take to the Skies,” and be sure to follow their socials, as well as on your favorite streaming platforms so you don’t miss their upcoming releases or updates about the new EP!
South African alt-metal band Seether will be touring the U.S. this May with support from Mammoth WVH, POD, and Nonpoint. This 21-date run is to promote Seether’s upcoming album, The Surface Seems So Far, which was released on September 20, 2024. Tickets and VIP are available at shopseether.com!
5/3 – Phoenix, AZ – 98 KUPD U Fest 2025+
5/5 – Colorado Springs, CO – Ford Amphitheater+*
5/7 – Cedar Rapids, IA – McGrath Amphitheatre+*
5/8 – Peoria, IL – Prairie Home Alliance Theater+*
5/9 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center^*
5/10 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe^*
5/12 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club^*
5/13 – Mankato, MN – Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center^*
5/14 – Bismarck, ND – Bismarck Event Center^
5/16 – Missoula, MT – The Wilma*
5/17 – Billings, MT – The Pub Station Ballroom*
5/18 – Idaho Falls, ID – Mountain America Center^*
Canadian post-hardcore band Silverstein is turning 25 this year! To celebrate, they have announced the “25 Years of Noise” tour. The spring run will take place in North America and features support from Real Friends, Broadside, and greyhaven. Tickets on sale now at silversteinmusic.com!
4/18 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
4/19 – Portland, ME – Aura
4/20 – Hartford, CT – The Webster
4/22 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
4/23 – Knoxville, TN – The Mill & Mine
4/24 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
4/26 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
4/27 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall
4/29 – Little Rock, AR – The Hall
4/30 – Fort Worth, TX – Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall
5/2 – Wichita, KS – TempleLive at Wichita Scottish Rite Center
5/3 – West Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
5/4 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
5/6 – Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall
5/7 – London, ON – London Music Hall
5/8 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
5/10 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2025
5/11 – Allentown, PA – Archer Music Hall
5/13 – Richmond, VA – The National
5/14 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
5/16 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville 2025
Alternative/dark pop artist Romy Flores, known professionally as DeathbyRomy, is embarking on her first North American headlining tour this spring. This run is to promote her debut album, Hollywood Forever, which will be released April 25th, and kicks off the same day in Anaheim, California. Support varies by city and will be either bodyimage, heffy, or PrettyUgly. Tickets are available at deathbyromy.com!
4/25 – Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction*
4/26 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at House of Blues*
4/27 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar*
4/29 – Dallas, TX – Dada*
4/30 – Austin, TX – Empire Control Room*
5/2 – Orlando, FL – The Social^
5/3 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade^
5/4 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506^
5/6 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere^
5/8 – Washington, DC – Atlantis^
5/9 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall^
5/10 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at The Fillmore^
Robbie Ekblom, Jr., is a Finnish/American guitarist who focuses on lead and has influences ranging across the metal and metalcore landscapes. Philadelphia-based Hall of Lost is a hard rock/alt-metal project put together by singer and guitarist Jeff McAllister.
And when the two acts come together, listeners are gifted with a track like “Darkness Befalls.”
I had the chance to chat with Jeff and Robbie about their collaboration – how the artists met, how the song came to fruition, and what the odds are of them making more music together in the future.
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Mostly Music: Okay, so tell me how this came together. I’ve talked to artists who have worked on a track from different places, but I’m not sure they’ve ever been from different countries!
Robbie: Long story short, we were able to get acquainted on Instagram and combined our appreciations for artists like Breaking Benjamin, Tool, Seether, and create our own track using our studio setups from across the Atlantic. That’s how our collaboration came to be. I think this story could motivate people who want to work together but don’t live near one another. You really can come out with some pretty cool stuff, and you can get pretty creative these days when it comes to recording.
MM: How did you and Hall of Lost handle writing “Darkness Befalls”?
Robbie: I had come up with an instrumental track for “Darkness Befalls,” and Hall of Lost contacted me on Instagram after hearing some of my other music and said that they’d be interested in doing a collaboration. So then Jeff and I started messaging each other and he said one of your tracks is something that I really wanna work on and beef it out with some lyrics and his own instrumental additions.
For the recording itself, we both have our own setups. I have a home studio, and he has his setup over there in the U.S. So we just combined sounds and sent one another the music files and kept adding bits and pieces until the final version was fully edited.
It’s been a first for me working with somebody as talented as Hall of Lost. Jeff is a phenomenal musician and really has an incredible appetite for creating music and creative arts in general.
MM: That’s a great segue into Jeff’s side of the story. Ha ha! Jeff, what was your inspiration for “Darkness Befalls”?
Jeff: Sure thing, Melia. This track was a fun one to work with because Robbie had all of the instrumental completed, and most importantly, he had a title for the song. So many songwriters attempt to write a tune without first having a title, and there’s nothing wrong with it…I’ve done it myself, but what you typically find is that if you have a solid title, that drives the whole process forward. Needless to say, with a title like “Darkness Befalls”, I had a lot to work with!
Those riffs Robbie plays on the song emote plenty of feelings, so the inspiration came pretty naturally. I wanted to capture a sense of an alter ego, an anger hidden inside, being taken to a place you don’t want to go. When the anger takes over, that’s when darkness befalls.
MM: This question may sound almost naive, but how different is it writing and recording a song remotely as opposed to physically being in a room (or the studio) with those you are creating with? I imagine it requires a change to your normal approach?
Robbie: From my perspective, being in a studio or in a recording space together has the advantage of being able to adapt or change things on the fly because you’re all together and can discuss recording, or certain segments of a song, lyrical changes, whatever it might be, in person immediately. Whereas doing it remotely like this has sort of a time lag between making the changes, especially given the distance between Jeff and myself. We have a 6 hour time difference. That means anything we want to discuss has a one day, or at least one night, lag. But what is really nice about this is, because we both have our own studios and equipment, and are familiar with our own recording infrastructures, it – at least, for my part – has been very comfortable, because I know exactly how to use my stuff. There hasn’t been a need for any gear changes or adjustments to any of the actual tech we’re using. I do imagine, depending on how much we continue to work with Jeff, it would be cool to get into a room and just jam out and make music in person.
Jeff: I think Robbie said it well. This really worked out very smoothly, and I think what it came down to mostly was faith. I had complete faith in the musical track Robbie laid down. In fact, upon hearing what he crafted, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. It was such a big sound. Conversely, he allowed me a lot of creative freedom with his baby, allowing me to suggest a few arrangement suggestions and modifications to fit the lyrical delivery. From there, I would run the lyrical ideas by him and send him some samples, and we would go back and forth on any edits needed, volume changes, etc., but all in all, those were minimal. The fact that Robbie doesn’t seem to sleep also helped.
It would be great to eventually get in a room together. We’ve become great friends throughout the process, so beyond the creative chemistry, I’m sure he and I would down some beers together and come away with another great track.
Robbie: 100% on the downing of some amber lager and making magic happen! That day will come eventually, guaranteed! Haha!
As for the sleep; I had to get myself into somewhat of a routine of maximizing the time to keep in touch and to discuss music with the time difference. Now I’m in this loop where I stay up late, but it doesn’t bother me much because I’m so excited about the music and our project.
MM: So y’all are definitely working together again in the future? Can we expect another collab anytime soon? Because I would be 100% behind that.
Jeff: I can go on record saying that is definitely going to happen, especially if you’re making a request, Melia.
We have something in the works right now, actually. Schedules have been a bit tight, but the process has started, so it won’t be long. We really appreciate the support.
I imagine that won’t even be the last of it. Robbie is a riff machine. He has probably pumped out 2 songs before eating his morning Cheerios today.
MM: If I’m making a request? Okay! Consider this my request. And y’all are very welcome! I’m excited to hear what’s next!!!
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Y’all be sure to check out “Darkness Befalls,” and then do a deep dive into both artists! I’ve shared links to their socials below.
Also, this is not my only conversation with Jeff and Robbie. I will be back with a second interview in which we discuss their respective musical journeys, and maybe some off-the-wall topics as well, so please keep your eyes open for that!
Mostly Music 