Caleb from Reluctant Hero submitted their EP, Paper Boats, a few months (yes, months, shame on me) ago for review after seeing their buddy The Body Rampant get reviewed (The Body Rampant Review).

The one band that these guys remind me of is Fivespeed, some obscure band that I found out about like four years ago. They had (have, if they still exist) an equal mix of hard rock, alternative, and punk influences in their music. Overall, I would classify Reluctant Hero as rock (‘Defining Gravity’); although they do mix in equal pieces of alternative (‘New Beginnings’) and punk (‘Resistance to Resilience’) into their tunes.

I can’t say that the spot on Vans Warped Tour seems appropriate, since RH is much more rock-oriented as opposed to pop-punk, screamo, etc.; but then again, this is the same touring festival that has had Eminem, Kid Rock, and As I Lay Dying on it, so what do I know?

Here is the bio on Reluctant Hero:

Reluctant Hero was created in the tiny north corner of California in the county of Humboldt. With members staying, leaving, going to college, Reluctant Hero seemed like it would forever just be a high school memory. However, time had other things in store for the band, and now with several West Coast tours under their belts, Reluctant Hero has relocated to Ventura, California, and plans to tour much more in the near future. Landing a spot on the Vans 2009 Warped Tour and Summerfest 2010 in Milwaukee Wisconsin, along with sharing the stage with Sum 41, Hawthorne Heights, Confide, Memphis May Fire, and Agraceful, Reluctant Hero is well on the way to taking over the scene. With influences from hardcore to pop, they are sure to find their way into your heart one way or another.

For more information on Reluctant Hero, check out the Reluctant Hero Facebook Page.

Here is the track ‘Resistance to Resilience’:

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The I Drive are like a high drive down the highway; relaxing while exhilarating, steady but never boring.

“Do It Again”, the opening track to The I Drive’s self titled album, takes no time to get your head bobbing. As with the whole album, “Do It Again” is catchy enough to keep you listening and strange enough to have you listen again. With each listen, the yea-we-might-smoke-weed-but-don’t-play-phish guitar lines (guitarists Seth Milberger and Collin Tokarsky) and layered vocals provide something new to taste with your ear buds.

The second track, “I Can’t Speak” provides more neck aches. If you aren’t singing the chorus after the first time you hear it, you’re either dead or your pants are too tight and you need to get over the fact that these songs are guiltless pleasures. Guiltless in the sense that any listener can tell The I Drive thinks not about how they will sound, or who they will sound like, they just are.

Syncopation and a solid rhythm section(Bassist Johnny Grushecky, Drummer Chris Dillow) allow The I Drive to seem simple but not bothersome. “Not Another Christmas Song” celebrates these attributes. While it might not change the world, it’s the type of song that can hit you hard if your emotional galaxy is aligned correctly.

“Time Is All It Takes”, the ep’s ballad (not that one is needed, it’s just what it is), is interesting. A few key changes, some piano, and acoustic guitar aren’t what the previous songs led to, but it works due to the intricacies; like a movie you watch again for the details.

ERRR! Hit the brakes if you thought you knew how the album was going to end. The last track, “Change”, is reminiscent of Oasis. Somewhat self fulfilling, Seth Milberger, singer/guitarist proclaims, “Some people say you won’t change, but I know you’ve got it in you”. A perfect ending to an unashamed chameleon of an album.

If you don’t like truly good pop-rock then this isn’t the album for you, but then again if you don’t like a genre and don’t give every band a chance, you probably don’t matter anyways.

Here’s a live video of The I Drive performing ‘I Can’t Speak’:

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All photos, music, and videos copyright of their respective owners. Used only for promotional purposes and to gain notoriety for the artists featured.

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Swing the Coast has been on tour with some of the biggest up-and-coming names in the pop-rock/powerpop genre, so now seems like a great time to review their self-titled EP, which was recently submitted to the site for review.

The band is currently on some Warped Tour dates and will also be on a portion of the “Rock Yourself to Sleep Tour” with Every Avenue, Sing It Loud, The Secret Handshake, and There For Tomorrow.

Here is a brief bio of the band:

Swing the Coast is a quartet based out of Detroit, MI. Consisting of Josh (vocals, guitar), Travy (lead guitar), Corey (bass) and Myles (Drums). Formed in late spring 2009. The band has been leaving fans wanting more all over the country with the hit single and Worldwide sensation “Suburban girls (Make Me Crazy)” off of their Self- Titled Debut EP, which was Recorded with Producer/Engineer John Naclerio (Every Avenue, The Audition, Senses Fail, My Chemical Romance). With the Deluxe CD being released in the summer of 2010 There is so much more to look forward to with the previously unreleased single “Young In Love” feat. Dave Melillo (Cute is What We Aim For, Nocturnal Me), and other bonus tracks! Swing The Coast has a busy year ahead of them, being on the road, writing and recording the new record, and keeping in touch with their long time and dedicated fans! With undeniably catchy songs, mixed in with their classic charm, The band has proved it’s self to be one of the industry’s top unsigned bands on the verge of stardom. Having made the relationships and networking contacts at such a young age, Swing The Coast can win you over with their all around package and have you singing the next soundtrack to your summer.

As noted above, ‘Suburban Girls Drive Me Crazy’ is the single released from their EP, although I actually prefer the songs ‘Scream (With the Radio)’ [embedded below] and ‘Take This City.’ I’m so used to listening to pop-punk by now that the songs with the biggest hooks and guitar riffs always catch my ear right away in these genres.

If you do happen to be one of the fans that loves ‘Suburban Girls…’, the EP also includes an acoustic version of the song as well.

The new single, ‘Young Love’, is a sure-fire hit among fans of this genre, and should get them some new fans on the Warped Tour dates they are playing.

As mentioned before, the band has been on tour with a lot of the biggest names in the powerpop/pop-punk genres, and it’s easy to see why.

The bottom line here is that if you are a fan of big hooks and catchy choruses, you want to take a listen to Swing the Coast. They may end up on your pop-punk playlist right beside The Starting Line and Sugarcult.

For more information on Swing the Coast, visit the Swing the Coast MySpace Page.

Recommended If You Like: Any of the bands they will be alongside on the “Rock Yourself To Sleep Tour”

Swing the Coast – Scream (With the Radio)

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All photos, music, and videos copyright of their respective owners. Used only for promotional purposes and to gain notoriety for the artists featured.

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Chasing Jones, a four piece Pop Rock band, has defined themselves with high energy performances, catchy lyrics and steady grooves…In 2008 they independently released their first EP, The Lie, to a sold out release party at the Starlite Room in Edmonton…With an invitation to showcase at Canadian Music Week 2010, radio play on stations across Canada, and great reviews coming in from all over, the groups name and distinct sound is being recognized on the local and national music scene…Chasing Jones has recently released their second album ‘Stay Tonight’ including their single ‘Anniversary’ which has been selected to be on Big Rock’s Untapped Volume 3. The band has just returned from their first Canadian Tour which included a showcase at Canadian Music Week in Toronto.

It’s obvious to see why Chasing Jones decided to release ‘Anniversary’ (embedded below) as their first single – the song is crazily catchy. As I write this, I’m thinking of the people who I want to play it for because I think they will really like the sound.

‘Say You Were Right’ gives the impression that it was recorded live due to the clapping at the end of the track. I actually had to go back and listen because – if this is true and not just a trick in the studio – the quality of that recording is top-notch.

By the time you get to ‘Amelia’ (the third track on the album) it becomes more and more obvious that, really, Chasing Jones could have picked one of a number of songs to be their lead single.

All in all, you should definitely keep an eye (and ear) out for these guys – as far as the ear goes, start with the video embedded below.

For more information, check out the Chasing Jones MySpace Page.

Recommended If You Like: Brighten, Black Lab, Sherwood

Chasing Jones – Anniversary

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All photos, music, and videos copyright of their respective owners. Used only for promotional purposes and to gain notoriety for the artists featured.

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