op-ed
"There is nothing rock about artists who filter what they say"—Frankie Palmeri on self-censorship
Back in AP Issue 323, we asked readers and rockers “Should artists be more mindful of what language they use or acts they sing about?” for our AP Poll. The results were split nearly down the middle, and one Frankie Palmeri from Emmure highlighted his thoughts on the issue in a longer piece. We present […]
The Saddest Songs: Getting Through a Breakup with Dashboard Confessional
“And I knew / that you meant it / that you meant it.” “Hands Down” – Dashboard Confessional The first thing I did when she told me was nothing. I didn’t do anything. She walked out of my dorm room, and I watched her leave. I didn’t say a word. Instead, I sat on the […]
"Demand a little more from your favorite bands and from yourself"—A plea for creativity
Last fall when we premiered the (Kansas City) Architects Border Wars Episode II and previewed its graphic novel companion, vocalist Brandon Phillips had some impassioned words about uncompromising creativity and the world that often inhibits it. “We live in an age of amphibian attention-spans, rampant stupidity and an economy for music and art that oppressively […]
"Plot holes the size of Buicks"—Laura Jane Grace on the worst romance movie ever
In the “Best And Worst” column in this month’s AP (320), we asked AGAINST ME! founder/vocalist LAURA JANE GRACE what she thought was the worst romantic movie. Boy, did she deliver. Grace lambasted The Lake House, the 2006 “thespian” vehicle starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, their first time acting together since the 1994 legendary […]
"Airing band drama publicly is usually a last-resort"—a musician's perspective on Blink-182
The Swellers drummer Jonathan Diener weighs in on the recent back-and-forth between Tom Delonge and the other members of Blink-182. After Tom Delonge’s unexpected departure from Blink-182, outspoken fan reaction is probably taking over all of your social media feeds. Diehard followers are heartbroken their favorite band’s troubles are finally out in the open, and naysayers keep making the same […]
In Defense Of The Fangirl—an op-ed
Our scene has a huge problem with girls. One search of the word within our recent Facebook comments will show you all manner of vitriol aimed at young women, including but not limited to: “Calling all Austin Carlile fangirls that don't care about the rest of the band members” “Just because the majority of their […]
How not to spend $150,000 on a 28-day tour—an op-ed by the Artery Foundation’s Will Stevenson
Recently, Jack Conte, one half of indie-pop duo Pomplamoose, wrote an article detailing the band’s expenses and revenue generated from their recent 28-day, 24-show tour, resulting in them making nearly $136,000 but finishing the tour nearly $12,000 in the hole. If you haven’t read it yet, check out Conte’s breakdown of where each dollar went. We […]
Why Fugazi are still the best punk band in the world—an Op-Ed
Hearing Fugazi’s 1987 demo session in its entirety for the first time last week as the proper release titled First Demo made my brain fire off in several directions. Like many fans, I had a previously owned a 386th generation copy, but next to the Instrument soundtrack, it was my least listened-to Fugazi recording. That’s […]
"If someone charges to meet them, do they deserve to be met?"—Rou Reynolds on paid fan experiences
In the new issue of AP, we asked “should bands offer VIP tour packages to fans” with 70 percent of readers responding “yes” and 30 percent saying “no.” This is an issue close to the heart for ENTER SHIKARI frontman ROU REYNOLDS (pictured second from left), who hit us up almost immediately after we first […]
Why it's time for a new Saosin album—even if it means no Circa Survive for a while
To Saosin fans, the very idea of Anthony Green reuniting with the band was nothing more than a fairytale delusion, yet here we are, and the delusion has become reality. We’ve gone from essentially having no Saosin—compliments of their musical hibernation after kicking out Cove Reber in 2010—to having Saosin in its most desired form. […]
“When do lyrics stop being entertainment and start becoming mind altering?”—Fit For An Autopsy Op-Ed
By: Patrick Sheridan, guitarist of Fit For An Autopsy In a world filled with pop stars gone bad, drug abuse and overdoses, sex tapes, hate crimes and a truck load of murders every year, you would think that censors and conservative parental units would be less worried about lyrical content in today's music, even though […]
The Color Morale’s Garret Rapp on authenticity–"Will our music culture always be fueled by gimmick?"
As many of you know, I’ve lived on the road the last five years as a full-time touring artist and vocalist for the Color Morale. I’ve spent most of that time with an ear to the ground watching trends come and go, while always trying to maintain authenticity in who I am and what I’m […]
"The subject has been volatile and divisive for years”–Good Riddance’s Russ Rankin on health care
In this week's AltPress Op-Ed, Good Riddance vocalist Russ Rankin (pictured right) shares his thoughts on the health care debate in the U.S. The subject of health care in the United States has been volatile and divisive for years, culminating in October’s government shutdown promulgated by republicans in the House of Representatives, in opposition to the […]
Op-Ed: “I've never cared what a critic has to say”–Less Than Jake's JR Wasilewski on music criticism
It's sometimes difficult to fathom how long I’ve been in a band. When I think about it long enough, it scares me. The combination of the sacrifices I’ve made and the fact that I've done it mostly on my own terms has kept me hungry—not for fame, but for the challenge. The challenge of continuing […]
7 tips for tour fitness with Adam Blake of H2O
Unless you’re a one-name artist (Bono, Cher, Gaga) the life of a touring artist isn’t always glamorous. Adam Blake has been playing bass for H2O for more than 15 years, and he knows all about the effects a life on the road can have on your physical health. No matter how young you are or […]
Brendan Benson on starting a label and embracing the DIY ethos
With seven full-length albums under his belt (five solo and two with the Raconteurs), BRENDAN BENSON is no stranger to the inner workings of the music business. Which is why, after more than a decade in the biz, he decided to take control of the recording process and release his own music through his own […]
Op-Ed: Josh Eppard (Coheed And Cambria) on overcoming his drug problem
This Op-Ed originally ran in AP 276. Eppard has since left Terrible Things and rejoined Coheed And Cambria. To buy a copy of AP 276, head here. A half-decade ago, JOSH EPPARD was flying high as the polyrhythmic drummer of Coheed And Cambria, playing sold-out shows, selling hundreds of thousands of records and appearing on […]
Op-Ed: KOJI on overcoming discrimination
This Op-Ed originally ran in AP 280. To buy a copy, head here. As Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Singer/songwriter Andrew Shiraki, better known as KOJI, has taken that advice to heart: He’s become one of contemporary punk’s most active supporters of non-profits and tirelessly […]
Op-Ed: Ben Witkowski of Texas In July on standing up against adversity
This Op-Ed originally ran in AP 277. To buy a copy, head here. Up-and-coming metalcore quintet TEXAS IN JULY were at the center of a rather unusual controversy this spring. The band, who identify as Christian, were part of this year’s Take Action Tour, which benefited Sex, Etc., a teen sex-education organization that has ties […]
Op-Ed: Jack Barakat (All Time Low) on the erosion of the rock 'n roll lifestyle
This Op-Ed originally ran in AP 279. To buy a back issue, head here. ALL TIME LOW guitarist/court jester JACK BARAKAT has never been shy about speaking his mind—although what usually comes out of his mouth is of the potty-humor variety. When Barakat reached out to AP about writing an Op-Ed, we were concerned we’d […]
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