Simple Plan To Hit Warped Tour 2015!

Canadian band, Simple Plan, has announced that they will be playing four dates of the 2015 Vans Warped Tour. Fans can catch the quintet on the tour in Holmdel on July 19, Scranton on July 21, Detroit on July 24, and Chicago on July 25. General tickets can be purchased here.

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Meet the CD factory worker who leaked 2,000 albums (via AltPress.com)

Originally from Alternative Press Magazine
Published April 27, 2015 by Matt Crane on AltPress.com.

The New Yorker has ran a fascinating story about Bennie Glover, a (former) CD factory worker whose job involved packaging albums from some of the biggest artists in the world. Glover was considered the top leaker from the early, influential music/piracy group RNS—then called “the most pervasive and infamous Internet piracy group in history”—which leaked more than 20,000 albums.

Glover, who worked at the massive Kings Mountain compact disk manufacturing plant in North Carolina, was held responsible for leaking albums from around 2,000 artists, ranging from Blink-182 to Jay-Z to Fall Out Boy. Starting in the mid-‘90s, Glover’s leaking came at a time when the music industry was in a period of pure extravagance: CDs cost around $2 to manufacture and were selling for $18. Basically, major record labels had license to print money.

If you downloaded music during the Napster era, there’s pretty a solid chance some of it came from this guy. He served three months in jail. "RNS’s final leak, released on January 19, 2007, was Fall Out Boy’s 'Infinity on High,' sourced from inside the plant by Glover," TNY reports.

Here are some interesting points from the story:

A look at the subculture of early music pirates:

"Also, he could share files. Online, pirated media files were known as “warez,” from “software,” and were distributed through a subculture dating back to at least 1980, which called itself the Warez Scene. The Scene was organized in loosely affiliated digital crews, which raced one another to be the first to put new material on the IRC channel. Software was often available on the same day that it was officially released. Sometimes it was even possible, by hacking company servers, or through an employee, to pirate a piece of software before it was available in stores."

Inside Glover’s head when he started leaking:

"At work, Glover manufactured CDs for mass consumption. At home, he had spent more than two thousand dollars on burners and other hardware to produce them individually. His livelihood depended on continued demand for the product. But Glover had to wonder: if the MP3 could reproduce Tupac at one-eleventh the bandwidth, and if Tupac could then be distributed, free, on the Internet, what the hell was the point of a compact disk?"

Some of what he leaked:

"By 2002, the duffelbag held more than five hundred disks, including nearly every major release to have come through the Kings Mountain plant. Glover leaked Lil Wayne’s “500 Degreez” and Jay Z’s “The Blueprint.” He leaked Queens of the Stone Age’s “Rated R” and 3 Doors Down’s “Away from the Sun.” He leaked Björk. He leaked Ashanti. He leaked Ja Rule. He leaked Nelly. He leaked Blink-182’s “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket.”

Read the full story at the New Yorker’s website. 

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Song Spotlight: All Time Low's "Missing You"

As part of our Song Spotlight special, And The Crowd Goes WHOA! is going to feature a review of a specific track from a band's record. This week, due to the recent release of All Time Low's new album, "Future Hearts," we are going to feature a review of "Missing You" in our Song Spotlight special.

"Missing You" is All Time Low's acoustic, upbeat song with meaningfully deep lyrics on Future Hearts. The deep lyrics tend to be a theme on the entire record, but adding in simply the acoustic guitar and a little bit of percussion allows those lyrics to stand out and hit home.

The first verse starts "I've heard that you've been self-medicating in the quiet of your room, the sweet suburban tomb. And if you need a friend, I'll help you stitch up your wounds." This line really embodies All Time Low's relationship with their fans; Many times on Twitter, Alex, Jack, Zack, or Rian will respond to their fans who come to them with their problems (such as cutting, drugs, etc.) and they are a friend to them.

"Hold on tight, this ride is a wild one," starts the chorus. The words reminded me of an older teenager sitting down with their younger self and setting the reminder that life is a roller coaster, but if you just hold on tight enough, everything's going to be just fine. "Don't lose your fight, kid. It only takes a little push to pull on through," has the same connotation as the first half of the chorus; giving the advice to hang in there because things will improve.

The second first is a repeat of part of the first verse: "I heard that you've been having some trouble finding your place in the world/I know how much that hurts. But if you need a friend, then please just say the word." It goes back to the meaning of the first verse: the band always being a friend to their fans when they need one.

The bridge is, to me, the most meaningful part of the whole song: "Grit your teeth, pull your hair, paint the walls black and scream, **** the world 'cause it's my life. I'm gonna take it back and never for a second blame yourself." The feeling that the bridge gives me is one of being sixteen again, and being lost and scared as you face the rest of your life and trying to figure everything out.

Although Future Hearts is a killer album and all of the tracks are absolutely fantastic, "Missing You" most deserves Song Spotlight because it's a song that currently, and in the future, will mean so much to All Time Low fans.

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"Dear Maria" Certifies Platinum!

Yet another congratulations is due to All Time Low, this time for their early single "Dear Maria, Count Me In" being certified platinum by RIAA Gold & Platinum Awards Program!

In order for a single to be certified platinum, a single has to sell one million units. So, congratulations to All Time Low!

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Marianas Trench Announce US Tour

Canadian pop punk band Marianas Trench have announced a new trek to the US on their "The Legend Continues" Summer Tour.

The tour starts in Minneapolis on June 26 and winds up in New York on July 8.

Dates for the tour are below, and we'll keep you updated on new information as it comes out!

June 26--Minneapolis, MN--Varsity Theater
June 27--Chicago, IL--House of Blues
June 28--Detroit, MI--St. Andrews Hall
July 1--Lewiston, NY--Artpark
July 2--Philadelphia, PA--Theatre of Living Arts
July 3--Boston, MA--House of Blues
July 5--Asbury Park, NJ--The Stone Pony
July 7--Baltimore, MD--Baltimore Sound Stage
July 8--New York, NY--Irving Plaza

AC/DC's Phil Rudd Pleads Guilty To Threatening To Kill (via Kerrang!)

Originally from Kerrang!
April 21, 2015 by Emily Carter

Phil Rudd has pleaded guilty on charges of threatening to kill and drug possession.

After initially pleading not guilty to the charges of attempting to arrange the murders of two men, as well as possession of drugs (methamphetamine and cannabis) and threatening to kill, the 60-year-old’s trial was scheduled to start this morning. But, the drummer changed his plea to guilty, and now remains on bail – scheduled to appear for sentencing in June.

According to the BBC, the court heard that Phil Rudd had asked for former employees to be “taken out”, after the release of his solo album, Head Job, “did not go well”. He reportedly offered $200,000 ($153,000; £100,000), a car, a bike or a house as a form of payment to the associate for carrying out his request.

The former AC/DC man then called his victim and threatened to “come over and kill you”, which left them “genuinely very fearful for his safety”.

Phil Rudd faces up to seven years in prison for the charges if he’s convicted.

Kerrang.com will continue to bring you updates on the situation – check back for more information as it becomes available.

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New Music Monday: Panic! At The Disco Release New Song

Panic! At The Disco has released a new song, following the announcement of the departure of drummer, Spencer Smith, and ahead of a looming new album. Check out the song below and read frontman Brendon Urie's message!

Hello my fellow sinners,

First off, thank you. Thank you for always being there. For speaking your mind. For following what you believe. For allowing me to grow. For granting me the opportunity to live my dream. Words simply can’t express my full appreciation and gratitude for you.

As I begin what feels like a new chapter of my life, I’m filled with immense excitement and a fresh sense of hope. I’ve seen this band through every phase, every change, every hardship. And yet my appreciation and love grows with every breath.

So I lift my arms in praise of your greatness. YOU are great. YOU are beautiful. YOU are talented, and smart, and kind, and loving, and generous, and simply amazing.

And you make me want to scream “HALLELUJAH!” from the top of my lungs with every bit of fervor and strength I possess. And I invite you to join me as you have over and over again.

So Hallelujah, my fellow sinners. Hallelujah.

Love,
Brendon Urie
Panic! At The Disco

The Big Time To Tackle The Almost Famous Tour

The Big Time

The Big Time, the pop rock band from Altoona, PA, is set to start the Almost Famous Tour, with An Honest Year and The Resolution tonight in Springfield, VA. Tour dates are below and ticket links can be found on the band's Twitter and below.

April 18-Empire-Springfield, VA TICKETS
April 20-The High Note-Birmingham, AL TICKETS
April 21-Rocketown-Nashville, TN TICKETS
April 22-Under The Couch-Atlanta, GA TICKETS
April 23-Fubar-St. Louis, MO TICKETS
April 24-Gabe's-Iowa City, IA TICKETS
April 25-Mill City Nights Nether Bar-Minneapolis, MN TICKETS
April 26-Wire-Berwyn, IL TICKETS
April 27-Flint Local 432-Flint, MI TICKETS
April 29-Emerson Theater-Indianapolis, IN TICKETS
May 1-Ink Division-Pittsburgh, PA TICKETS
May 2-Amityville Music Hall-Amityville, NY TICKETS
May 3-Voltage Lounge-Philadelphia, PA TICKETS

An Honest Year

The Resolution

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The Upsides Post New Cover

Central PA's own acoustic pop punk band, The Upsides, posted their new cover of Fallout by Marianas Trench! Check it out!!

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All Time Low Lands #1 Album in USA!

Congratulations to All Time Low, who nabbed the #1 album spot in the USA! In its first week, ATL's newest album, "Future Hearts," sold 70,054 copies at the closing of the charts.

The album also debuted #1 in the UK, #3 in Canada, #4 in Australia, #7 in New Zealand, and #7 in Ireland.

Tweet a congratulations to All Time Low!

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The Tide Post New Cover

The Tide, a pop rock band from Los Angeles, California, has released a new cover today. Check out their cover of "Don't Stop" by 5 Seconds of Summer here. The Tide is on tour with The Vamps in Europe, and has recently been signed to The Vamps' new label in affiliation with EMI/Universal.

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As It Is Releases New Music Video

As It Is, the pop punk band from Brighton via Minneapolis, has released their second single from their new album, "Cheap Shots & Setbacks." The album, "Never Happy, Ever After" is due out April 21.

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Brand New Release New Music

After playing a new song live for the first time in six years, Brand New has officially released a new tune, which you can download for free by signing up for their mailing list. The track should hit digital retailers on Wednesday.

New Music Monday: Young Lungs

Young Lungs, a four-piece indie pop rock band from Pittsburgh, PA, is beginning to take the pop punk world by storm. Formed in 2014, the group consists of lead singer and pianist Meg Wills, lead guitarist Andy Mathias, bassist Tyler Miller, and drummer Evan Oslund. The band pulls influence from Paramore, Jimmy Eat World, and Bayside, among others. This month marks eight months since the band's formation.

In November of 2014, Young Lungs released their first single, "What We Believe (What We Become)," to much success. The video was filmed by Kenny Lewis in Roaring Springs, PA. It follows the band around a few beautiful places in their town.

On Christmas Eve 2014, the band released their second single and video, "Take It Back." Starting off with a single electric guitar and lyrics "If you wrote me off today, I wouldn't stand in your way." Meg's fiery vocals and the band's driving pop punk walks the song to the ending with a soft piano fade.

The band has been posting acoustic covers over the past few months, including Bayside's "Don't Call Me Peanut" and Blink-182's "Stay Together For The Kids."

On April 3, 2015, they released their third song, an emotionally fused ballad called, "Rain," and posted a video explaining the meaning to the song. A mainly acoustic ballad, the song's lyrics will hit home for anyone who has lost someone close to them, especially to suicide.

"It fell together perfectly and all at once," Meg said in an exclusive interview with And The Crowd Goes WHOA. "After years and months of wanting something so badly we made it an actuality and found the right pieces to the puzzle."

"I'm proud of how fast we've gotten things rolling and really, became a band," says Meg, when asked what she is most proud of with the band.

When talking to her, the thing that stuck out to me most was the band's dedication. "We quit our jobs, moved from our hometowns, and made a new home together to make it all happen. It's been an incredible experience."

Young Lungs is due out with an EP later this year. In addition to that, the band plans to have "more music videos, a plethora of recordings, and some touring along the way."

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Buy "Rain."
Download Young Lungs music!

What We Believe (What We Become) Acoustic

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There's a Smartwatch for Musicians Now (via AltPressMagazine)

Originally from Alternative Press Magazine
April 3, 2015 bv Matt Crane

“The world’s first wearable device for musicians” is what Soundbrenner call their new wrist band. It doesn’t run apps or track your health like an Apple Watch—all it does is precisely keep the beat.

“The Soundbrenner Pulse is a wearable, connected device for musicians that you can control from your phone,” the company says. “It’s designed for use with any instrument by musicians of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals.”

The Pulse uses tactile vibrations—much stronger than your cellphone’s—so the musician can feel and follow along with the beat. The device can ensure that each performer onstage is in sync with the other.

Tech blog Gizmodo reports: “ The Pulse's BPM can be set or changed on the fly in many different ways. The wearable connects to an accompanying app on a smartphone over Bluetooth that allows the user to set a specific BPM with a touchscreen. The app can also be used to set the color of the Pulse's flashing light, or turn it off completely, and it even allows the wearer to customize the intensity of the wearable's vibrations.”

Check out a promo video below:

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Spencer Smith Leaves Panic! At The Disco

After taking a leave of absence in 2013, Spencer Smith has officially departed from Panic! At The Disco. In his statement, he was especially grateful to fans of P!ATD and the members of the band he had spent the last decade with.

Smith took a leave in 2013 to enter rehab to treat his alcohol and prescription drug addiction that he was battling. During his leave, Panic continued to record and tour, releasing "Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die" and going on tours with Brendon Urie (P!ATD's frontman) to be the face of the band.

Spencer released a statement on Panic! At The Disco's official webpage, reminiscing about his history  with addiction (two years sober of prescription drugs, working on a year sober of alcohol) and talking about memories with the band and its fans.

We wish Spencer the best as he moves on with his life and music, and look forward to what Panic! At The Disco will bring to the table next.