The LGM Project » Insight

Tell All Your Friends

Chad Braga — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:40:58 +0000

“Emo – Genre of softcore punk music that integrates unenthusiastic melodramatic 17 year olds who dont smile, high pitched overwrought lyrics and inaudible guitar rifts with tight wool sweaters, tighter jeans, itchy scarfs (even in the summer), ripped chucks with favorite bands signature, black square rimmed glasses, and ebony greasy unwashed hair that is required to cover at least 3/5 ths of the face at an angle.” (UrbanDictionary.com)

Yes, I concur entirely with this definition. And yes, I was “emo” at one point (though I did smile and didn’t have greasy hair). In this time period, where my angst and anger ran my middle school days and part of high school, “emo” provided its followers with some truly genuine artists, at least for its genre. Enough with the introduction, let’s talk about TAKING BACK SUNDAY.

Taking Back Sunday – a quintet formed in 1999 from Amityville, Long Island, New York- shined in the “emo” scene with their emotionally driven songs, espeically found in their first LP Tell All Your Friends (2002). Tell All Your Friends was not only an album that claimed a base for Taking Back Sunday, but almost set a standard of what the “emo” genre can or should be. But of course as the years passed, their sound naturally changed, probably due to its crucial lineup changes with its members.

Up to the present, the band has been through multiple changes, including through their guitarists (John Nolan replaced by Fred Mascherino in 2003, who was then replaced by Matthew Fazzi in 2007 ) and their bassist (Shaun Cooper replaced by Matt Rubano in 2003).

This did not stop the band though. Their efforts after Tell All Your Friends were huge successes, pleasing old fans to gaining new ones with their albums Where You Want to Be (2004) and Louder Now (2006). Unfortunately, a couple months after the release of their fourth album New Again (2009), the band announce that their most recent members (Fazzi and Rubano) have left the band. At this stand still, we can only ask WHAT’S NEXT FOR TAKING BACK SUNDAY?

Answer: a reunion. This reunion comes in full circle for the band, as original members John Nolan (guitarist/vocalists) and Shaun Cooper (bassist) once again join Adam Lazzara (vocals), Eddie Reyes (guitarist), and Mark O’Connell (drums) almost a decade later. On the band’s website (takingbacksunday.com), a pop-up appears showing a picture of the original members with censors over their eyes (the picture shown above). One of the recent posts on the site is a short video where you see the members hanging out with Shaun Cooper and John Nolan present. At the end of the video, a quote streams “Sometimes it takes some time to remember where you were headed in the first place and the people you intended to to go there with. There’s no hard feelings, just the future.”

So yes, the original team that brought you Tell All Your Friends are apparently back with new material currently in the works. Now we can REALLY ask: WHAT’S NEXT FOR TAKING BACK SUNDAY…?

You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

*A teaser “announcing” the return of the original members of Taking Back Sunday.

Get Ready for Supersonic

Grant Kiessling — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:04:09 +0000

Baumgartner and Red Bull have yet to release a launch date as the team is still working out the minute details and inspecting the conditions for the perfect date.

Remember Frankie Muniz…?

Chad Braga — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:39:23 +0000

Known for playing Malcolm, a ”normal” middle sibling in a family of lunatics in Malcolm in the Middle, and the superkid spy in Agent Cody Banks, Frankie Muniz is now found with a bit of more facial hair, a fohawk or mohawk (whatever the hell it is) and piercings as a drummer for a band called You Hang Up.

This rock piece comes from Phoenix, AZ. In first impressions, they don’t really stick to me- they’re kind of plain, a little boring, no hooks, nothing catchy. Sorry, but it’s just my opinion, so you be the judge.

Taken from You Hang Up’s myspace biography: “…Frankie moved to Arizona in 2008 to take a break from acting and pursue a professional career in racing, but has now become a permanent fixture of You Hang Up. Between Frankie’s incredible drumming skills and his passion for music in general, he adds a flavor to You Hang Up that could not blend better with the group.”

What I just found to be intriguing is the image Muniz is going for now. It’s actually kind of humorous. He looks ridiculous- the piercings, the mohawk, the facial hair- it’s impossible to take him seriously. We get it Muniz, you’re no Cody Banks anymore, but really..??

Cleared For Launch

Grant Kiessling — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:14:03 +0000

For Those of You Who Missed the X-Games

Grant Kiessling — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:10:27 +0000

Welcome to the “iFamily”

Grant Kiessling — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:12:31 +0000

The reign of Apple is still far from being over. With the newest release of the iPad to the clan of Apple products, who knows what’s next! This do-all tablet has a lot to live up to especially growing up under the shadow of the successful iPods, iPhones and Mac. At first glance, the handheld tablet looks like a giant iPhone, but the capabilities hidden inside this technology wonder, sets it apart from it’s elder siblings. Just imagine a touch screen Mac that you carry everywhere with you and you have the iPad. Appealing right? This beast is jam packed with Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, YouTube, iPod, iTunes, App Store, iBooks, Maps, Calendar, Contacts and Spotlight Search says Apple.com. All these functions are within a reasonable price well within reach, especially for college kids, ranging from $499 to $829. With this latest innovation from Apple, the end is nowhere in sight so hopefully you’re accustomed to seeing that half eaten apple by now!

Everyone Has Limits…

Lance Christensen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:53:13 +0000

Meet Feliz Baumgartner. This Austrian skydiver and BASE jumper has an impressive list of successful mind blowing jumps but has one jump that he has been training for for 3 years that will top them all. With nicknames such as “Fearless Felix” and “God of the Skies” one can only imagine what this extreme athlete has up his sleeve. Best known as the first person to skydive across the English Channel with a carbon wing in 2003 and also for the highest and lowest BASE jump world records, this attempt will stump even top thrill seekers.

Red Bull Stratos was finally revealed today and the details are simply astounding. Baumgartner plans on breaking Mach 1.0, more than 690 mph or also known as the speed of sound, with his body when he free falls in a “space suit” from 120,000 feet above the Earth. 120,000 feet or 23 miles, would shatter the previous world record of the longest 102,800 feet set in 1960 by United States Air Force Colonel (Ret.) Joseph Kittinger whos impressive jump opened the way to space exploration. This extraordinary feat Baumgartner plans to accomplish has been attempted by many individuals in the past 50 years and every venture has failed, some ending in death.

The target launch for this mission is set for 2010 and will be broadcasted on live televison and on a webcast. The BBC will also produce a 90 minute documentary that will air in the US on the National Geographic channel and on BBC Worldwide. Once again, Red Bull is pushing the limits! Keep an eye out for commercials and interviews with Baumgartner as the launch date steadily approaches. (Red Bull)

Mini-Album Review: John Mayer’s “Battle Studies”

Chad Braga — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:10:11 +0000

What will make this mini-album review different than some of my past ones is that for once I’m not worried about what the artist is saying, but how it makes the listener initially feel without understanding what the songs truly mean. Follow the music, and let your own theme unveil. I will say “Battle Studies” does paint a color blue, but presents plenty of different shades to it to let you decide where it takes you.

Not really having it as a main focus (ergo, why this is a mini-album review), what I can only guarantee about John Mayer’s “Battle Studies” is that it’s your perfect album for this winter season. Don’t get me wrong, an intimate connection can definitely be made as it explores heartbreak and love and the insecurity of it all, but for the most part, looking at it as a soundtrack in life, the music takes you on a winter-wonderland walk down a city’s downtown covered in white Christmas. Continuing with this imagery, the only catch is is that you’re not sure whether or not your love is walking right next to you….

All in all, badass album. Can’t wait to connect with it on a personal level…

Need something to cheer you up for the Holidays?

Maxwell Rowe — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:45 +0000

I love the holidays, more than you could possibly imagine. Gifts, food, carols, snow, fat jolly guys, little people, red, green, bells, lights, credit cards, debt, frolicking, family, and the list could go on and on. But this holiday season I found something that has really brought a daily holiday delight right to my computer. I recently discovered Santa Claus on Twitter! I thought well I should share such a joyous occasion with all, so here’s his address; http://twitter.com/loadedsanta and from what I understand following him gains you major “nice” points. No lump of coal for me this year. Fuck ya!

Red Bull’s Headquarters in London

Lance Christensen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:45:33 +0000

I think unique might be an understatement.