Alternative | Music Junkie Press

The Bolts Transformation Into Island Apollo at Silverlake Lounge

August 3, 2014

The Bolts Transformation Into Island Apollo at Silverlake Lounge Orange-County based indie rockers The Bolts made a bold move early last month—they changed their name to Island Apollo. Bolder still, the five-some headed north to hipster haven Silverlake previewing work through their new material as Island Apollo, taking up residency at the gritty Silverlake Lounge for four Mondays in July. The band—comprised of guitarists Heath Farmer and Ryan Kilpatrick, bassist Addam Farmer, keyboardist Austin Farmer, and drummer Matt Champagne—gained considerable fame as The Bolts after forming as teenagers in Orange County. In short order, they picked up airplay on KROQ, won Orange County’s “Best Pop Artist” from the OC Music Awards, opened for Capital Cities and Third Eye Blind, appeared across local TV and, realizing every young man’s dream, had a song placed in a commercial featuring supermodel Kate Upton. At Silverlake Lounge, the group took the stage as relative newcomers. From the first show through the last, Island Apollo was not what you’d call tentative. Despite the new name (coined for the artificial islands [Read More]

Time to put the spotlight on Grey for some new hard rock!

August 2, 2014

The other day I heard someone at a concert talking about how they couldn’t find any new music that is good. I instantly remembered a quote from Leon of Ragdoll during one of our interviews as he said, “If you can’t find new music, then you’re the problem”. That is so true because with all the different ways to listen to music, there should never be a reason that you can’t find a new band to check out. Also listen to people when they recommend a band, actually take the time and check them out. If you don’t, you just might be missing what could be your new favorite band. Perfect example, earlier this week, I received a message from a music lover named Jenna on our Music Junkie Press Facebook page with a recommendation to check out a new band. I am grateful to the recommendation because you know what? I LOVE THEM!!! The band she told me about is Grey and they are an alternative rock/metal band that really deserve to be in the spotlight. [Read More]

Girls and Boys open for Goo Goo Dolls at Sonoma Mountain Village

July 31, 2014

Last night we ventured out to the new music venue at Sonoma Mountain Village for the inaugural concert which featured Goo Goo Dolls. It was an awesome night. Check out coverage of the Goo Goo Dolls here: Goo Goo Dolls at Sonoma Mountain Village Let me tell you about the opening band. The Goo Goo Dolls are currently out on tour with Daughtry and the Plain White T’s. This show was off of their regular tour dates and we were unsure if there was going to be an opening band. We were excited when we saw another drum set on the stage giving us the assurance of an opening act. What I really love is seeing a completely new band with out knowing anything about them. I wish more people would get excited about warm up bands. You never know if you are about to find yourself a new favorite band. Well that happened last night for us. The band happened to be a local band from Santa Rosa, Girls & Boys and they blew [Read More]

Catch The Tragic Thrills and Air Traffic Controller on their stop in San Francisco

July 30, 2014

We are just a week away from The Tragic Thrills stopping in San Francisco for their show at the Bottom of the Hill. San Francisco is ready for a night of great alternative rock as The Tragic Thrills are sure to capture the crowd with their emotionally driven pop/rock songs that will have everyone agreeing that we need more Northern California shows from them. The music of The Tragic Thrills can be described as a blend of folk/rock/alternative/pop. With the great fusion of superb songwriting, powerful lyrics and penchant for fun in song, The Tragic Thrills are sure to please fans of any music genre. There is no need to place a label or genre title to them, they are purely great music and very well deserving of your attention. Check the tour dates below as The Tragic Thrills and Air Traffic Controller will be touring across the country. You definitely want to get yourself to a show. We will be heading to the San Francisco show at the Bottom of the Hill and [Read More]

Homemade Crazy premiere new song, Cumulo Nimbus from their forthcoming album Synergy

July 25, 2014

There is a great band I have to tell you about and that is Homemade Crazy. They are an indie pop rock band that fused together everything from blues, punk, alternative, pop and rock together and created their own unique and fun sound. Homemade Crazy is Breezy Ortega (keyboard synthesis, vocals), Max Kugler (percussion), Aaron Paiz (bass), and Koby Blake (vocals, guitar) and was formed in 2012 in Southwest Nebraska. The band’s approach to music, especially their live show, is to translate their love and joy of music combined with sharing their own individual stories through their songs. Homemade Crazy are ready to unleash their fun pop rock songs on their debut album, Synergy which is set for an August 19th release. Homemade Crazy’s vocal duo of Ortega and Blake will capture your attention with emotionally charged lyrics and melodies that will stick with you for days at a time. The rhythm section, featuring Paiz and Kugler, will keep your feet tapping all night with their syncopation mastery. They are premiering their new song, Cumulo Nimbus from their album, check it out here: [Read More]

Megosh premiere new music video for Body Works

July 24, 2014

The progressive indie rock band Megosh are premiering a new music video for their song, Body Works. The song is off their new EP of the same name that was released via Revival Recordings and is available on iTunes. The video was directed by Justin Reich and the song (and whole EP) was produced by Shawn Milke guitarist/vocalist for Alesana and owner of Revival Recordings. Check out the song here: “I would love to just sum up the meaning of the song by saying it’s about promiscuous sex, however there’s more to it than that!” says vocalist/guitarist Josh Grosscup. “We’ve all had someone from our past who strayed from the moral path and might have even dragged us down a little with them. In this case, the girl in this story takes advantage of a less promiscuous partner. The song showcases the hesitance and guilt that follows.” Megosh are currently on the “Crash Your Couch Tour” with The Dear Hunter…sort of. The unique concept involves Megosh following The Dear Hunter’s tour around the East coast and Midwest, where [Read More]

Check out the new song Feels Like Work by The Slang and get hooked on their alternative rock

July 22, 2014

The Slang is an alternative/power pop/rock band from Columbus, Ohio that will easily soon become one of your favorites. The Slang consists of John Bobo on Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist, Michael Dillon on Drums and John Newsome on Bass. They have recently released their new single, Feels Like Work which is off their upcoming self-titled due September 2nd. The album was recorded at the Cutting Room, the album was mixed by Mark Needham (Imagine Dragons, Tokyo Police Club) and Mastered by Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys). Check out the song here in their official video for it: The song really captures the a particular time in my life for me back in the 90’s where my music taste was satiated by the independent music underground of alternative rock which I was fed my fix daily through college radio stations. I really love this song and the vocals bring me back to my love for Thom Yorke in which they have the similar engaging style. You are just drawn into the vocals and your mind meshes with [Read More]