Panasonicyouth's Journals

AFI Announces New Tour Dates & Contest

On the heels of the release of their new album, Crash Love, perennial rockers AFI have announced a new string of tour dates, taking them throughout the West in January. Fans who have checked out the band's East Coast dates have been treated night after night with a mix of old and new songs spanning AFI's massive eight album catalog. I have been on tour capturing AFI In Transmission ... [cut=Check it ...]

Also, before you read through all these tour dates, wrap your head around this contest we have going on?!!?!? You can win a Canon G10. No really. The Canon G10 that AFI is using to document their tour.

TOUR DATES:

November 03 Tulsa, OK Cain's Ballroom
November 04 St Louis, MO The Pageant
November 06 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater
November 07 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
November 09 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
November 10 Toronto, ONT, Canada Sound Academy
November 12 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
November 13 New York City, NY Roseland Ballroom
November 15 North Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
November 16 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
November 18 West Palm Beach, FL Pompano Beach Amphitheatre
November 19 Lake Bueuna Vista, FL House of Blues
November 21 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater
November 22 Austin, TX Stubbs
December 4 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre
December 6 Denver, CO Magness Arena
December 8 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
December 11 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
December 13 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena
December 15 Winnepeg, MB Canada Winnipeg Convention Center
December 16 Saskatoon, SK, Canada Prairieland Park
December 18 Edmonton, AB, Canada Shaw Conference Center
December 19 Calgary, AB Canada Big Four Building
December 21 Victoria, BC, Canada Save On Foods Centre
January 16 Reno, NV Knitting Factory
January 18 Boise, ID The Big Easy
January 19 Missoula, MT Wilma Theater
January 21 Spokane, WA The Big Easy
January 22 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
January 24 Vancouver, BC The Commodore
January 25 Portland, OR Roseland
January 27 Fresno, CA Rainbow Ballroom
January 30 Tempe, AZ The Marque
January 31 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues

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Buzz Guide: Where The Wild Things Are, Giant Robot And Glee

We're starting a new weekly feature here at Buzznet in an effort to spread propaganda share with you things that we think are awesome. Each week, a different Buzznet staff member (and sometimes, a band member or community member) will give praise to the best in music, movies, art, television, books, and whatever else they're digging. AND YOU WILL LIKE IT! Or not. But come on in and enjoy the fun!

So I'm (Panasonicyouth) handling this week's inaugural run of the Buzz Guide. Expect the unexpected!

MUSIC

There's few things I am more excited and enthused by right now than Strike Anywhere's Iron Front. Released less than a month ago on Bridge 9 Records, it's a refreshing and inspiring slab of incredibly catchy melodic hardcore. Half this site listens to pop "punk" and completely ignores melodic hardcore. WHY. I am changing that. If you like your music to be infectious, fast, and thoughtful, get into this.

BOOKS

So, reading the Twilight series is painful to me, so I need something to wash away all the bad feelings. I've been doing that with John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let The Right One In before I go to bed. It's incredibly haunting, poetic, and terrifying. I've got less than 60 pages left and I'm in love. THIS is how you write about vampires and love. Also, it's all about being bullied and we all know my childhood was TRAUMATIC, so this book has already earned a soft spot in my heart.

MOVIES

Look, call me a hipster. I DON'T CARE. This movie is so wonderful for expanding on the subtext in the children's novel to create a two-hour extravaganza of joy, anger, fear, and sadness. THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN'S MOVIE, ALSO. It's a movie for adults who read the book as children. And it is glorious. Near tears? Yep. Smiling ear to ear? Gotcha. Wishing it never ended? That makes a fine movie. Go see Where The Wild Things Are.

TELEVISION

I don't actually have cable (THANK YOU, HULU), but I don't miss this show. GLEE is not perfect, but what it does get right redeems everything else. Subversive, hilarious, and wildly entertaining. It's an appreciation of music and, to a greater extent, of all of us in high school who did what we loved, even though it made us unpopular. Also: Jane Lynch. I'm a fan.

ART

The Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles (located in Little Tokyo) just started their sequel to their 2007 Giant Robot exhibit. Let it be known: I LOVE GIANT ROBOT. This exhibit is a celebration of all things Giant Robot and focuses on artists who have either appeared in the pages or on the cover of the magazine. If you live in Los Angeles or you're going to be here before January 24, 2010, make a point to go.

INTERNET

And the best thing I've come across on the Internet this week is Movember, a movement to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. Grow gross, disgusting, and slightly ironic mustaches during the month of November for a good cause. I'm sorry, that sounds like the best idea of all time. Head on over to the Movember site and see how you can help!

Signing off,

Mark/Panasonicyouth

Show Off Your GLEEkness And Win!

Look, if you're not watching GLEE these days, you're missing out on a show that's unique, hilarious, subversive, and FULL OF MUSICAL GOODNESS. In honor of one of the best shows on modern television, Buzznet is giving away 5 prize packs to the best representations of your love for GLEE. Bust out your cameras and get entering!

[cut=Full instructions on how to win a GLEE prize pack inside...]This contest is easy. This contest is fun. And this contest is all centered around an awesome show. Never watched GLEE? Let me share with you the best reason why you should start watching this:

It's like Mean Girls meets bits of Arrested Development and every musical ever made. Love. LOVE.

So you like GLEE? You want to win this?

5 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS WIN a GLEE PRIZE PACKAGE:

Autographed poster

Glee folder (like a school folder)

Glee sticker sheet

Copy of the album (Covers record)

Then here's what you need to do!

Join the Show Off Your Glee Group on Buzznet

Take a picture of yourself that MUST INCLUDE the Glee "L." I have demonstrated this for you below:

Post the picture to the GLEE group and make sure to add a title that creatively references the show.

Get your friends to buzz it!

Deadline to enter is 11/18 at 11:59 am PST.

OH MY GOD GET ON IT RIGHT NOW. Show us your best photo!

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30 Seconds To Mars Shutting Down Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood

In an attempt to break a world record or two and to capture images for their upcoming video for their new single, "Kings and Queens," 30 Seconds To Mars will be shutting down the world-famous Santa Monica Pier on the evening of October 12th. Additionally, they'll also be taking over Hollywood and Highland. What do they need from you to help them reach this insane accomplishment? Your bicycle!

[cut=Find out why 30 Seconds To Mars need bicycles for their new music video...]For the past 12+ hours, I've been hanging out with 30 Seconds To Mars and a huge group of my fellow urban cyclists from all over Los Angeles to help the band shoot their music video "Kings and Queens." (I use "music video" lightly; it's much more like a short film.)

Over the course of 12 hours, all overnight, cyclists took over the Sixth Street Bridge, Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, and stormed the Second and Third Street tunnels under Bunker Hill. Don't believe me? Photographic proof, dudes.

(You can see the full gallery from the night right over here.)

Jared Leto, frontman for 30STM, was ecstatic about the turn-out for the first day of the shoot after the night's events were completed. "Thanks so much to all the riders that came out tonight," he said. "It was unforgettable and amazing and we are so thankful to you all!"

But if you live near LA and have a bicycle, you haven't missed out on the fun yet.

Tonight, the band will be taking over both the Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood and Highland. They're going to try to assemble the most people on bicycles on the pier and create the largest "circle of death" possible at Hollywood and Highland.

"[We are] shutting down santa monica pier," he said. "The goal is to get more riders on a pier than ever before. It will be the last shot of the film. Very epic and beautiful but we need the help from all the riders on the west side!"

He also gave me more information about what's going on in Hollywood. "We will then do what we hope will be the largest 'circle of death' ever recorded at Hollywood and Highland," he explained. "Then ride to La Brea. Short and sweet. Come out and join the chaos and fun!"

If you live and Los Angeles and would love to be a part of history (and a 30 Seconds To Mars video!), all you have to do is show up at Ocean and Colorado in Santa Monica at 4PM. You get that?

4PM
OCEAN AND COLORADO
SANTA MONICA

And bring a bike! I had a blast riding around downtown LA with streets empty and with friends I hadn't seen in months. You're not going to want to miss this. Grab some friends, hop on your bikes, and get down to the ocean tonight![/cut]

Win a Special Edition 'Where The Wild Things Are' Book

Dudes. Dudettes. Do you love Where The Wild Things Are? Are you excited to see Spike Jonze's adaptation on the big screen? Do you have an endless supply of wit? Then I have the best contest for you! Buzznet is giving away 15 special edition "furry" editions of the The Wild Things that covers the making of the film. All you have to do is provide the best caption for one of the images pulled directly from the movie in order to win!

[cut=Full instructions for our caption contest inside...]Buzznet is giving away 15 limited edition The Wild Things (Fur-covered Edition) (Hardcover) books. Enter to win 1 of 15 of these fabulous and furry books.

15 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:
- Receive a copy of The Wild Things (Fur-covered Edition) (Hardcover)

HOW TO ENTER:
- Leave a comment on one of the pictures in this gallery with an original caption for the photo.
- You can enter up to 6 times, each time with a different caption.
- Be creative, be unique, be funny and be poetic!!!

DEADLINE TO ENTER is October 15th at 11:59 am PST. This contest is open to registered members of Buzznet, ages 13 years or older as of the date of entry. Please make sure the email you have associated with your account on Buzznet is accurate so we may contact you if you win. Winners will be notified via email 3-4 days after the contest closes.

The book you can win:

YES. THAT IS WONDERFUL AND AWESOME.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions about this.[/cut]

Photo Assignment #57 Results / #58: Light/Dark

You would think that after making a QOTD thread specifically to remind me to post this new photo assignment, I wouldn't forget about it. Talk about irony. Anyway, we're marching forward by wrapping up assignment #57 (Near/Far) and moving onto our new assignment: Light/Dark. Yes, this is going to fun. Yes, it's going to rule. Get out your cameras and start shooting!

[cut=Full results of assignment 57 inside, along with instructions for new assignment...]First of all, my favorite image from assignment #57 belongs to the talented xris:

I love that depth of focus!

Make sure to check out the other submissions below and visit the tag page to see all of them.

For week #58, we're going to tackle a contrast that has multiple meanings. I'm excited to see what you'll all come up with!

1) You have until Friday, October 9th at 3:00pm (PST) to post your image.
2) Your photo can be of anything that fits the theme; however, it must be YOUR photo.
3) You can either submit one photo each of both words in the theme OR you can combine them (through Photoshop magic) to one single photo.
4) Upload the photo to your account and add this week's tag.

This week's tag: lightdark09

Enjoy![/cut]

AFI's Crash Love Reignites Band's Vision

With a band like A Fire Inside (AFI), fans become used to seismic shifts in appearance and musical direction. It's been three years since decemberunderground and the band's widespread exposure influenced a scathing and upbeat set of songs that make up their new record, Crash Love. And, of course, they've brought with them a complete shift in their sound and presentation. Will you love Crash Love?

[cut=Full review of AFI's Crash Love inside...]I've rewritten this review twice already and it's time for me to admit that I can't seem to find a way to write a traditional review of this record while including every song. It's just not possible. So here's what you get instead: a song-by-song thought vomit. Bare with me.

"Torch Song": There's no traditional "opener" to Crash Love, but I'm ok with this as long as it's "Torch Song." Think "...but home is nowhere" meets "Endlessly, She Said." 6/8 timing, an amazing lead over the intro, HUGE chorus with angelic gang vocals singing, "ANYTHING!", and one hell of a mid-break. Lyrically, it's a literal "torch song" (i.e. a sentimental love song form the perspective of one person to another who's oblivious), but seems to tread closer to a commentary on obsessive relationships with celebrities. It's clever and, despite a complete departure from what the band normally sings about, fits right into their catalogue. One of the best songs on the record and their entire career.

"Beautiful Thieves": I'm still not entirely sold on this song. (There's another like this on Crash Love.) It's a strange song and, besides the very loud chorus, nothing sticks out for me like most of the record. Lots of reverb, lots of quiet parts, and a decent breakdown. I generally skip over this track.

"End Transmission": Jesus, this is exactly the kind of song I wanted from decemberunderground. There's nothing like this song in AFI's entire history. Bass-and-drum heavy verses push the momentum of Davey's voice to perhaps the best chorus on the entire record. The guitar tone rules, the bass rules, the drums really help build the energy of this song, and Davey sounds wonderful. It's different and I welcome this new AFI. DANCE PARTY.

"Too Shy To Scream": When I heard the 30 second clip of this song (just the chorus), I thought, "OH HELL NO THIS IS STUPID WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS AFI." Then I heard the rest of the song and immediately regretted doubting this band. This song is ridiculously catchy and upbeat. It opens with a drum shuffle that's a first for drummer Adam Carson, and the entire time is spent bouncing with energy. Glad to hear the band experiment with different rhythms. I approve.

"Veronica Sawyer Smokes": I hated this song the first few times I heard it, but the more I think about it as AFI's version of a Smiths song, the more I think it's kind of amazing. Musically, it's wonderful, especially Jade Puget's warm guitar tone. I'm still a bit iffy on the lyrics, which, unsurprisingly, are about Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder in the movie Heathers) smoking and how it ruined Davey's preconceived notions of her. In theory, it's brilliant, but I'm still not sure about the execution.

"Ok, I Feel Better Now": I'm a sucker for the slow AFI song that builds into a dramatic, sweeping finish. That's this song. Great guitar and bass tone and perfectly matched vocals from Davey. The end of this song is full of a metric shit-ton of the much-missed "whoas" that made me fall in love with this band and were tragically missing from decemberunderground. Also, try not to lose your mind over the awesome riff Jade plays after the first chorus.

"Medicate": I initially heard this in the studio back in February when I went to record backing vocals on "I Am Trying Very Hard To Be Here." At the time, I managed to pull out two song titles to explain to longtime fans what the song sounded like: "Affliction" (decemberunderground) and "A Story At Three." (The Art of Drowning) After listening to this song pretty heavily since the single came out, I'm not so sure about those comparisons, but I understand why I said it. It's upbeat as hell, catchy, features a ton of open-note chords from Jade, and features a huge melodic break that briefly reminded me of "A Story At Three." I think it's the best single from the band since "Girl's Not Grey."

"I Am Trying Very Hard To Be Here": FULL DISCLOSURE: I sing back-up vocals on this track, so if you hate this song, don't blame me. The song sounds so much fuller than the rough track I heard in the studio and I love every second of it. It reminds me of "Miss Murder," but much faster, much better lyrics, and a fucking fantastic breakdown. Get into it.

"Sacrilege": COULD THIS BE THE BEST AFI SONG EVER OH MY GOD I LOVE IT. My favorite lyrics on the record, my favorite riffs, and some of the best vocal melodies. Like most of the record, the lyrics are so straightforward and lack nearly all ambiguity, as AFI fans had come to expect. It's a refreshing change and I back it so hard. Also, this song sounds like The Art of Drowning filtered through Sing The Sorrow. I basically just described the best song in the world, so stop denying it.

"Darling, I Want To Destroy You": And now I'll be a Debbie Downer. This is the only song I don't like on the record. I'm not a fan of heavy vocal processing, and there's some sort of filter on Davey's voice throughout most of the song and I don't like it. At all. It's a mid-tempo rock song that sort of reminds me of the bridge of "Summer Shudder." It's ok, but pretty forgettable for me. Hunter's bass tone is, however, out of this world, so don't give up on it based solely on my whiny review.

"Cold Hands": How this band manages to combine some of the heaviest riffs they've ever written with the catchiest chorus on the record is BEYOND ME. There have to be unicorns in their studio or something. This song is RAD and that's the best way I can describe it. As others have mused on the AFI message board (Ian, I believe?), this song is like a brother to "This Celluloid Dream," especially in the lyrical department. Davey addresses disillusionment with someone once respected and it's pretty brutal. Again, I love this newfound focus and direction. Plus, THOSE RIFFS. A+, WILL LISTEN AGAIN.

"It Was Mine": Not the best album closer they've ever had (because have you SERIOUSLY heard "...but home is nowhere" YEAH THAT'S RIGHT), but a fitting end to a record steeped heavily in scathing sarcasm, social commentary, and outward reflection. It's a song about fatalism, about inaction, about accepting the doom that's about to come. It begins with Jade's slow guitar pluckings and gradually builds to a break with the band singing back up vocals that sound like a church choir. I'd like it more if that section was much longer, but the chorus returns again and you're left wanting more.

Reading the Crash Love Deluxe LP extras last night when the record became available, I realized I had to rewrite everything I'd penned down. The band spent almost all of their time writing this record here in Los Angeles, where I was born and where I've spent the last four and a half years. A lot of people are possibly going to be put off, most of all, by the lyrical content of Crash Love. Gone are the days of references to demons, self hatred, and personal catharsis. By turning their view outward, the band have found a new sense of purpose and determination. It's an LA record, through and through and I've found myself able to strangely relate to most of the songs on the record.

Perhaps some context will help. AFI have most certainly grown in popularity over the years and, because of this, have been exposed to avenues in the entertainment world they may never have been a part of. Living here in LA (and a couple of those years in the heart of Hollywood), it's hard to ignore the culture present here, from the class wars to the self-involved army of plastic "people" to the businesses with capitalism in their hearts. Crash Love, to me, is a reflection on all of these things (and more) and, ultimately, a rejection of this world. It reads precisely like a band growing up in the East Bay hardcore scene, getting popular, and experiencing the disgust that comes with those who are outsiders to the world of LA.

And I love that out of this, they've created a wonderful piece of music to respond to it.

There's a whole lot of experimentation on Crash Love, but, unlike decemberundergound, this doesn't feel like an experimental record. It sounds like an intentional and confident album from a group of guys who knew exactly what they wanted to say and how they wanted to say it. The record, therefore, has far more cohesion than their previous effort, despite being just as varied.

It's not a punk record by any means and surely it will be met with legions of kids crying about how much the band is ignoring their roots, but, to me, this sounds exactly like an AFI record: passionate, energetic, and melodic. The vocal melodies are top notch; the gang vocals are a welcome return; and the focus on pushing the instrumentation to the forefront makes me really happy. This is a guitar, bass, and drum-heavy album and, I can safely say, it really makes this band shine.[/cut]

Buzznet Needs YOU To Help Tegan and Sara Interview Each Other

So, we're set to host a really interesting interview with the wonderfully talented Tegan and Sara. We're going to have the two singers/songwriters interview each other. Here's your task: What would you have them ask of each other? What would you want to learn about the band from its members? Get out your thinking caps!

[cut=Full instructions for our unique Tegan and Sara interview inside...]So here's the deal:

1) Please submit questions in the comments!

2) Please specify who is asking the question. Is Tegan asking Sara? Is Sara asking Tegan?

3) Deadline to submit questions is Thursday, September 24 at 12:00pm PST.

4) You can submit as many questions as you like!

go go go go GO GO GO![/cut]

AFI Streaming All of 'Crash Love' RIGHT NOW

Your life is significantly lacking in quality if you don't get your butt over to AFI's MySpace IMMEDIATELY to give Crash Love a full spin while it streams for the next 48 hours. The record, which comes out in a week on September 29, is totally different from decemberunderground and welcomes a new era for the group. What am I saying? GO LISTEN NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW.

[cut=Listen to AFI's new record and tell us what you think...]Head on over to AFI's MySpace to listen to Crash Love.

Thoughts?

First of all, "Sacrilege" is driving me up the wall. SO FANTASTICALLY AMAZING. And it speaks directly to my black, heartless soul. OH GOD I LOVE IT.

Check out "I Am Trying Very Hard To Be Here" and see if you can (sort of?) hear me singing backing vocals! If you recall, AFI ran the Begin Transmission contest to learn more about their fans and, in the process, brought six of them (myself included) into the studio to sing on the record.

Obviously, I am biased as hell. Don't really care. I am so proud of these guys and the record they've created. What are your thoughts?

One last thing: There's still time to visit AFI's new webstore to pre-order the record, which comes in 11 (!!!!!) different packages at various prices for you! ROCK![/cut]

Photo Assignment #56 Results / Assignment #57: Near/Far

Our photo assignment for the past week, "Fear/Courage" did quite well for such a difficult subject. You'll definitely want to see how your fellow Buzznet photographers interpreted the idea of contrasting emotions. Additionally, we're set to start our next assignment, which will allow you to experiment with depth of field. Get into it!

[cut=Full results for photo assignment 56 and instructions for number 57 inside...]First of all, my favorite image from this week's assignment belongs to the talented drzwi.

Shower her with praise!

Make sure to visit this week's tag page to see all of the submissions. Some of my other favorites are down below.

Now, on to next week! Your assignment: "Near/Far." This should be pretty easy, but I'm excited to see how you'll interpret distance this time around.

Instructions:

1) You have until Friday, September 25th at 3:00pm (PST) to post your image.
2) Your photo can be of anything that fits the theme; however, it must be YOUR photo.
3) You can either submit one photo each of both words in the theme OR you can combine them (through Photoshop magic) to one single photo.
4) Upload the photo to your account and add this week's tag.

This week's tag: nearfar09

Good luck![/cut]