
"Sludge, Slackers and Schwagg: Bronson Arm Breaks Out of the Basement"

Accidental Musician: How Sam Beam Became Iron & Wine

It's difficult to just slap an all-encompassing genre on a band, as many pull from a variety of influences to shape their sound. But to not acknowledge New Found Glory as a pop-punk group is to ignore their influence on the genre's rise to mainstream popularity.
The Dillinger Escape Plan has pretty much become synonymous with the mathcore genre, though the members readily admit they never set out to become figureheads of the genre. Still, it only makes sense they have a proven formula for writing songs.
As the cliché goes, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ That seems to be the mantra for Frederik Meijer Gardens’ 2013 Outdoor Summer Concert Series lineup, which has multiple acts coming back to the amphitheater.
The lineup, which was released today and is the venue’s biggest to-date with 30 acts, features returning artists – many that have sold out the venue.
"Neon" is the way Jamie Lidell describes his music. Like the descriptor implies, Lidell's music is bright, vibrant and eclectic. But before he gets too out there, he reels his listeners back in with his voice, creating a fusion he refers to as "post-modern soul."
He creates this mix by modernizing his music influences such as Quincy Jones, Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye with electronic elements.
For more than 20 years, Clutch has been bringing its own unique brand of hard rock to the mainstream. Fusing elements of blues, metal and even punk, the guys know not only the importance of staying true to their own music, but also that of recognizing the influences that have shaped them.
Since 1996, Sum 41 has been unleashing its impenitent punk stylings on the masses, including its highly successful debut album, All Killer, No Filler, which went platinum in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.
In 2011, the dreams and musical potential of new club/concert venue The Pyramid Scheme were huge. Many hoped it would become a sought-after destination for local bands, as well as national touring acts.
The cozy South Haven performance venue has been going strong with a steady diet of local and national acts. All the while, the building has been up for sale, and one local band is making sure it becomes the venue's permanent home.
While Harold Camping shot arrows at his Rapture calendar and Dec. 21, 2012 was still a thing, The Devil Wears Prada – a Christian metalcore band from Ohio – had already released an apocalyptic record about a zombie invasion.
With so much music available via radio, television and YouTube, music doesn't have to just entertain us, the performers themselves need to be interesting and stand out of the crowd. Here Come the Mummies has no problem getting noticed.
After all, it's kind of hard to ignore a band of more than a dozen musicians wrapped up like the embalmed dead of ancient Egypt.
This month, the British singer released her third full-length album, "Girl Talk". A change from the catchy pop that carried her two previous albums, "Girl Talk" tackles deeper subject matter, according to the singer.
This morning, Frederik Meijer Gardens announced the first four acts of its summer concert series. On July 5, chart-topping country duo Montgomery Gentry brings its version of Southern rock to Grand Rapids. A couple days later, in what could be the most eccentric show of the season, David Byrne and St. Vincent perform on July 7.
Pop-punk heavyweight New Found Glory is announcing a 10 Year "Sticks and Stones" Anniversary Tour, celebrating the band's first major-label album that was certified gold in September 2002. "Sticks and Stones" features hits such as "My Friends Over You" and "Head on Collision."
Though the name may be deceiving, The Expendables is not based on the 2010 Sylvester Stallone film. In fact, the band has held onto that name since 1997, when the future of the band was up in the air.