Hit The Lights Interview - Slam Dunk

Walking through the merch village at Slam Dunk South a couple of weeks ago one song being blasted from the DJ’s speakers got everyone singing and put a smile on my face - swathes of kids singing ‘You’re gonna need a bodybag...’ as they make their way to the next stage to watch another band. Hit The Lights exploded onto the pop-punk scene five years ago but after the release of their second album, Skip School Start Fights in 2008 it’s fair to say it’s all gone a bit quiet. Rest assured, the Ohio five piece have been busy working away on a new record penciled in for release this autumn on Universal Records. The boys played Slam Dunk 2010 and returned to smash it this year once again, rocking the crowd for a fun-filled set; Even MC Lars is a fan (“Yeah I went to see Hit The Lights - it’s like hardcore pop punk, I can get behind that”). I had had a quick catch up with guitarist Omar Zehery to find out exactly what the band have been up to this last year.

Some Updates...

So it's been just about forever since I really did any proper work on this blog but I've got some fun things lined up so don't lose faith just yet!

Slam Dunk is coming up, and as last year, we'll be posting set times as well as having a couple of exciting interviews and reviews from the festival.

Also I've started writing some reviews for the guys over at Alter The Press - you can check out my first review right here. Let me know what you think!

Thankszgain for still believing in the site and to all those who do still read - it means a lot!

Wolves At Heart

Hot on the heels of yesterday's Brit-pop-punk feature on Maycomb, today we're here to talk about Wolves at Heart. They're Scotland's premier pop punkers and are about to play with their idols, Senses Fail, in Glasgow tomorrow and the day after with New Yorkers Such Gold.

Aside from having the honour of being our first Scottish band to have a feature, the boys have also been making a name for themselves within the scene through their pay-what-you-want record, Be Your Own Best Friend, as well as opening up for bands like Transit, Man Overboard and I Call Fives. 

Their sound is reminiscent of mid 90s Blink (think Cheshire Cat...) with swathes of classic Drive-Thru bands (such as Allister and Home Grown) thrown in for good measure, whilst their lambaste lyrics match up to the likes of Hit The Lights with songs like 'You Can't Buy A Backbone' and 'Sorry Excuse for a Scene'.

Kiki Vs Everyone had a cheeky little word with Shug (drums) and Keir (guitars/vocals) about what it's like over the border and their upcoming Senses Fail show...

Roundup Rodeo

So it's been all quiet on the blog front of late and I can only apologise. This post might be a little late but here's Kiki vs Everyone's brief round up of 2010:

Kiki Vs Myspace

Having recently branched out into the world of Facebook, Kiki Vs Everyone now has a Myspace too! If you still use it then head on over and let's be friends!

In other blog-related news I'm excited to reveal that Kiki Vs Everyone will be interviewing Forever The Sickest Kids in October when they cross the pond on a UK tour with Bowling For Soup. So, as we did with the Hit the Lights interview back in May we will be asking for your questions for the band! Leave a comment, drop me an email (kikivseveryone{at}gmail.com) or head over to the Twitter, Facebook or Myspace to give me your questions.

I look forward to hearing all your wonderful questions!

"...all we wanted to be was Hit The Lights": Interview with Nick Thompson, Hit The Lights

"I'll build a throne made from the bones. Of those who died searching for gold. Just to find it's found inside our hearts"

Hit the Lights have come a long way since I saw them last in Gainesville, Florida four years ago. Fast forward to 2010 and with two full length albums and two EPs under their belts, the boys from Lima, Ohio have exploded, completing stints on the Take Action, Alternative Press and Warped Tours over in the states they are now featuring on the Slam Dunk tour in the UK.

2007 saw them face the biggest challenge of their careers when vocalist Colin Ross decided to leave the band. Hit the Lights went on a break as they tried to find a new singer and nine months later Nick Thompson, their guitarist, embraced the role and they came back stronger than ever.

Whilst their vocalist might have changed, their anthemic pop punk tunes continue to ooze energy and their live shows are electric. Because of their rocky past the boys are particularly appreciative of their fans and extremely humble. With bands like Hit the Lights around pop-punk has a very bright future.

They're also refreshingly down to earth and I was honoured to catch up with Nick for a chat about the band's history and it's future...

Slam Dunk Special: Hit The Lights Review

The only negative about festivals and shows like Slam Dunk is that the bands just don't get enough time. Ohio's Hit The Lights made the best of their measly half hour set by banging out tunes like 'Coast To Coast', 'Hangs 'Em High', 'Save Your Breath' and 'Stay Out'. 

Coming out fighting with album opener 'Count It', the five piece blasted through the show with infectious energy and excitement. Seasoned pros at playing cracking live shows with stints at Warped tour and UK slots with Bayside , Paramore and New Found Glory the boys' genuine passion and talent for writing catchy polished pop-punk tunes shone through.

Although it was obvious there were kids in the crowd who'd not heard of them before, the collection of future classics like 'Drop The Girl' well and truly won them over by the time their 30 minutes was up. 

Don't forget to check out the Hit The Lights feature coming soon.

Suggestions for Questions

I have an interview with the awesome Hit The Lights next week and I want to hear your suggestions for questions! Drop me an email at kikivseveryone(at)gmail(dot)com and let me hear em!

Please send in your suggestions before Thursday 27th June 2010 and your could see your questions answered!

What Can You Do With A Sentimental Heart?

Just wanted to take the time and thank everyone who's been to the site and give a few updates!

Coming your way soon is a feature & interview with Hit The Lights, gig and music reviews galore and two new authors have been invited to contribute as and when they can so keep your eyes peeled for those posts in the future!

Hopefully there will also be a nice little flyer at some point to feature and share around too which i'm sure will be bloody better than my crude Paint job above!

Thanks for everyone who's been supporting the site and a massive thanks to Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory/What's Eating Gilbert for a twitter thumbs up too!

As always, If there's anything you want me to give a listen to and feature on the site let me know - kikivseveryone(at)gmail(dot)com.

Kiki Vs Covers

With Fearless Records having released the latest installment of their 'Punk goes...' series this week (...Classic Rock), the first subject to step into the Vs ring is cover versions.

Kicking off the fight with a questionable cover is Cancer Bats' recent interpretation of the Beastie Boys' classic 'Sabotage'. Don't get me wrong, Cancer Bats are a great band, but the Beasties are better. And it shows. Moral of the story is: don't mess with perfection, boys. It really is a risky foray for anyone - given that the song is so brilliant and ageless to start with.