5 Bands You Should Know: July

A post by "Chris Stratton" To see more posts click here

Welcome back my patriotic ladies and gentlemen! Running a little late with this months installment but the beach was just too nice to spoil with things like laptops and work…….

Okay so back to business. This months theme is breakups; no not you whining about how your boyfriend refuses to listening or your girl won’t do that thing you like. All of this months bands have broken up or are the result of a break up, proof that  splitting up is not always a bad thing.

1. The Receiving End of Sirens

This band formed in ‘03 and released two major label albums before breaking up in ‘08 because of a shift in priorities to parenting. (Who can really get mad at that?) Anyways, their music has an almost operatic feel to it and some pretty damn introspective lyrics. TREOS may have only briefly existed, but they put two awesome cds in that short amount of time. (The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi, and Between the Heart and the Synapse)

Planning A Prison Break – Between the Heart and the Synapse

2. Places to Park

I first heard the band Places to Park in a snowboarding video, and upon seeing that they were on Volcom Entertainment in the credits I had to check them out. It took a lot of searching but I eventually got my grubby little hands on their 2002 album Better Sights Were Set. The album was critically acclaimed but the band for some reason could not cope with writing a follow-up. The music is incredible road trip music and if you can’t find it, drop me a line and I’ll hook you up.

Part of It – Better Sights Were Set

3. Sparta

I could do an entire feature on this band. When the legendary band At the Drive in broke up in 2001, the members split into two groups. One formed the wildly popular and experimental Mars Volta, and the other members created a band called Sparta. Most people immediately sided with the Mars Volta because they most resembled what At the Drive In was, but they have severely underestimated the quality and importance of Sparta. Releasing three records over the past 8 years, Sparta has crafted some of the most beautifully delicate rock songs that I have heard in my life. My favorite Wiretap Scars, remains one of my most treasured and listened to albums of the last ten years. Unfortunately, Sparta is currently on an indefinite hiatus and it kills me to think that they may never make music together again.

Air – Wiretap Scars

4. Straylight Run

Taking Back Sunday has achieved massive fame since forming in 1999. Very few bands can say this but even fewer can say that former members of their band have gone on to form two other successful acts. In 2003, then gutairist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper left the band to form Straylight Run (previous bassist Jesse Lacey also left the band and spawned the band Brand New). Now I like Taking Back Sunday, but to be honest, where Taking Back Sunday sometimes come off as stirring and hyper genuine the bands that formed from them are these things. Straylight Run tugs at the heartstrings of anybody who takes the time to listen, and the brother-sister vocals of Nolan and DaRosa are haunting. This song is my favorite.

Existentialism on Prom Night – Straylight Run

5. Anthony Green

Previously the lead singer for the band Saosin, Anthony Green attained a cult following amongst fans of the band. His incredible voice and personality endeared himself to people who followed Saosin, so when he left the band in 2003 it caused a serious stir. Fans of the band to this day swear allegiance to either the Green era or Post Green era of the band. However, Anthony has not just been sitting at home. Playing in several bands including The Sound of Animals Fighting and currently fronting Circa Survive, he has remained a prominent figure in the music scene. Green also found time to release his first solo offering Avalon in August of 2008.

Dear Child (I’ve Been Dying to Reach You) – Avalon

….udothedishes

Related posts:

1. 5 Bands You Should Know: June
2. 5 Bands You Should Know: May
3. Local Ish: Your Alternative 4th of July
4. 5 Artists You Should Know: January
5. Gift of Gab: Escape 2 Mars
6. 311 and my Band of Brothers
7. “I’ve never seen so many white people…”
8. The Roots: Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper
9. 5 Artists You Should Know: December
10. Shwayze: Shwayze

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