Less Than Jake Interview - Slam Dunk

JR's drawing of the interview we did. L-R Kiki, JR, Vinnie

Less Than Jake are synonymous with ‘veterans’. Having been prominent in the music scene for the best part of 2 decades, it’s not hard to see why that connection is so readily made. Yet, in spite of being clocking up the miles, they manage keep it surprisingly fresh. When music genres phase in and out of vogue, Less than Jake are always around with a solid fanbase. No matter how many times I've seen them play, no two shows are ever the same. This year they headlined Slam Dunk and were on the run of satellite shows around the country with Goldfinger, Anti Flag and Set your Goals. I had a chat to Vinnie and JR about the music industry and their love for Gainesville, Florida.

Welcome back! Thankfully we never seem to have to wait too long until another Less Than Jake show here in the UK, do you do it intentionally?
Vinnie: It is a coincidence. The November tour we were on - our headliner - then Slam Dunk approached us and they really wanted us and Reel Big Fish to headline to celebrate their tenth anniversary. So during that time were like “we were just there” but they really wanted us to come up so we said OK.

The Starting Line Interview - Slam Dunk

One of the undoubted highlights of the other weekend’s Slam Dunk shows was the triumphant return of Pennsylvania pop-punkers, The Starting Line. It’s been 5 years since the boys played a show on UK soil and I was lucky enough to get a chance to catch up with Mike, Matt and Brian to see what they’ve been doing for half a decade and what’s in store for the future.

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.

Weerd Science Interview - Slam Dunk South

Ok so here's another Slam Dunk interview with the introduction that I actually wrote - unlike the intro on Alter The Press. It's not wildly different but it's actually what I wrote and wanted to say accompanying the interview, so there we go. 

Josh also drew my favourite picture of the day (story on why the pictures to come...) which he spent the whole interview drawing. The blue dots on the picture are actually snowflakes apparently and are my absolute favourite part! Thanks so much Josh!

MC Lars Interview - Slam Dunk South

So I'm not entirely sure that this will be posted at all on Alter The Press so I'm posting it here myself as I don't want anyone to miss out on this interview and the amazing artwork that MC Lars drew (see above. L-R MC Lars, Kiki, Weerd Science). Enjoy...

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!

Slam Dunk Special: Hassle Records Free EP

So the Slam Dunk festivals have been and gone with mixed reviews (glad to report the by-the-sea stint went swimmingly). In commemoration of this year's festivals the brilliant Hassle Records are giving away a free 10 track Slam Dunk sampler featuring Alkaline Trio, Fireworks, Fact, Cancer Bats and Fun. Make sure you go get your quota of free and relive those good memories!

"...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.

Slam Dunk Special: New Found Glory Review

As Omar from Hit The Lights said during their earlier set, if it wasn't for New Found Glory all of the bands playing that night would probably not be bands right now and he really wasn't exaggerating. There is no question that New Found Glory are the long reigning Kings of pop-punk and Friday's show at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth proves exactly why that is. 

Slam Dunk Special: Moneen

It can't be easy being the opening act for the phenomenal Rx Bandits, but Canadians Moneen do it effortlessly. throwing themselves (literally!) into a passionate performance night after night. Leaping through songs like 'The Passing Of America', 'Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do' and 'Believe' from the new record makes for a classic show. The band's frenzied, energetic stage presence combined melodic harmonies and melodramatic tunes sees them sure to be one of the highlights of this weekend's Slam Dunk festivals.

Moneen play the Jagermeister stage at Slam Dunk South at 4.20pm and the Atticus stage Slam Dunk North at  4.15pm.

The album 'The World I Want to Leave Behind' came out in March and they continue on with Rx Bandits on a European tour in June. Check their Myspace for more details. 

Click here to check out more photos from their recent shows at Southampton Joiners & Bristol Fleece.

Slam Dunk Special: Stage Times

 

For all you lucky people out there going to Slam Dunk Festival in the UK this weekend here are the all important stage times so you can plan your day ahead and not miss out on any of the bands you want to see:

Slam Dunk Special: All Or Nothing

Slam Dunk Festival is fast approaching and there are tonnes of amazing bands playing. Kiki Vs Everything was lucky enough to catch up with one of the homegrown stars of the line up, All or Nothing.
Taking influence from Saves the Day, New Found Glory and NOFX the Birmingham quartet have been spreading their infectious brand of punk rock for six years now. They've played shows with everyone from Cancer Bats to You Me At Six and in locations as far fetched as Russia! This year they round out a UK tour with a spot at the Slam Dunk festivals. 

Here's what Nick (Drums) had to say when we caught up with him:

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!