Set It Off

Alright, it's been a while and I'm breaking my silence for a good reason. I have fallen in love. Never did I think that I would find something that includes all that I look for and love. Set It Off has captured my heart and can definitely be ranked in my top 5 favorite bands. I first heard their song "Uncontainable" when I was binge watching Luke Holland drumming videos. Apparently they did an extended music video with Luke and had him doing a drum battle in the middle of a ring with someone. I liked the song, so I added it to my Spotify and kept it on reply. As anyone in the music world knows, one song leads to another. The next thing you know, you have a new addiction.
Set It Off was formed in 2008. Current members are Cody Carson (lead singer), Maxx Danziger (drummer), Dan Clermont (guitarist), Zach DeWall (Bassist). Maxx is 26 while the rest are 27. Do they look their age? Hell no. Fun Maxx fact: He was nominated for Best Drummer at the 2016 APMAs. Anyways, the band can be classified in many genres. However, they fit more in to pop-punk, pop-rock, and alternative. If you listen to a couple of different songs, you can see how they are hard to fit in one clique. Their influences come from many different musicians. They draw inspiration from bands like Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, All Time Low, A Day to Remember, and even *NSYNC and Destiny's Child.
Cody Carson got his start in college. Alex Gaskarth from All Time Low helped him pursue his real dream by giving him permission to perform and film "Coffee Shop Soundtrack". Cody had shared multiple videos and messages with Alex who obviously supported him. After his success with that, he dropped out to start Set It Off with hometown friends Dan, Zach, and Austin Kerr. The group went through 3 drummers in one year before sucking Maxx Danziger in to the whirlwind of success they are in now. Austin was a long term member. He left the band 2015 due to allegations against him for sexual assault. The band didn't want to be associated with those allegations. Austin didn't want them to be drug down with him either, so it was a mutual decision to split with Kerr. Austin apologized for his actions and said that he would be working on himself. He also promised that he never meant to make anyone ever feel uncomfortable. The fans of Set It Off were the most important thing to him and he would do nothing to harm them. That was the backbone of reasoning when he left the band.
On to their success. Their first EP Baby, You Don't Tripajaharda was released in 2008. Calm Before the Storm was their second EP and was released in 2009. Their first single "Hush, Hush" was released in 2010. The accompanying music video was released that October. 2011 was the year they released the Horrible Kids EP. All of this was a build up for 2012. The released their first full length album "Cinematics". For the release of this album, they partnered with VH1 Save the Music Foundation. For every album sold they donated a $1 to help support school music programs. In total they raised $5,000. You can figure out how many albums were sold then!
2013 was the release of a Christmas song on Fearless Record's Punk Goes Christmas. "This Christmas (I'll Burn it to the Ground)" has got to be one of the best Christmas songs out there ha! It has a creepily awesome music video to accompany it. 2014 was another big year for the group. They released "Duality", their second full length album. It earned a well deserved #5 spot on Rock Sounds Top 50 Albums of the Year. They also did a cover of Ariana Grande's "Problem" on Punk goes Pop. They released an acoustic version of "Duality" in 2015. Their third full length album is soon to be released! (Another reason I'm writing). Upside Down will be available soon. Pre-order on iTunes NOW! On another note, they have also put out 12 music videos and have 4 official lyric videos.
The band has also been on so many tours for a group that hasn't been around all too long. They have played in over 19 tours! I'll list a few, but not them all. In 2013 they toured around with Yellowcard, Tonight Alive, and Warped. 2014 consisted of WATIC's reunion tour, Come Alive Tour with Our Last Night, and supported on the Black Mass Tour. Their first headlining tour was the Glamour Kills Spring Break Tour in 2015. They were also on the Rise of the Runaways Tour, Warped, and they did a tour in the UK. In 2016 they did the Fight For Something Tour and Warped again.
So that's Set It Off! They recently released a new single and a hilarious music video to go with it. When you get a chance look up "Something New". Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Play their Spotify, buy their music, binge on YouTube, and finally pre-order Upside Down on iTunes! If you message me or comment, I might be able to gift it to you! :)       <l>

The End of the World.... Tour Starring 5SOS

I am drowning in tears of emotion because my four young boys from Sydney Australia finished their first ever headlining world tour. I think I'm taking this harder than the end of their tours with One Direction. And that was the end of an era! It was two years of 5SOS and 1D. Now 5 Seconds of Summer are off on their own, headlining their own shows around the world. They went from filming in a bedroom with pink speakers, to playing gigs with 12 people, and ended up with a headlining world tour, playing to hundreds-sometimes thousands-of people every night.
If you don't know who 5SOS is, you're going to have to use this awesome thing called Google. I could go on forever over these boys. The basics I can handle. Despite their name, their are only 4 members. Luke Hemmings (guitar), Ashton Irwin (percussion), Calum Hood (bass), Michael Clifford (guitar). All four contribute vocals, but Luke is the front man. Ashton is the oldest at 21. The rest are 19. The band started out with just Luke, Calum, and Michael. Ashton joined shortly before their first gig. The band has released multiple EPs and two full length CDs. They have won plenty of awards in the short amount of time they've been in the spotlight. Most recently, they won MTVs Song of the Summer for the second year in a row. The first was because of their first single "She Looks So Perfect". This year the fuss was all about "She's Kinda Hot". The band has also started their own record company called "Hi or Hey Records". Also, they are punk-rock. Punk-pop is acceptable, but they are NOT a boy band.

As many people already know, they got a huge helping hand from One Direction when they were asked to open for them on their Take Me Home tour. They asked them to come back for parts of their Where We Are tour. So, yes, a good portion of their fan base are Directioners, but 5SOS still has a die-hard fandom that I'm proud to be a part of. The fans are what makes the band. The boys realize that. It's one of the reasons I love them so much. They know they owe everything to their fans and they give back everything they have. They are such down to earth amazing musicians. I honestly can't imagine my life without them in it. They have had a huge influence on me and the person that I am today. I have a lot to thank them for. They always tell their fans that they have a lot to thank us for, but really it's the least we could do.
I was lucky enough to attend one of their concerts for this tour, Rock Out With Your Socks Out. (Amazing name btw!) It was literally the best night of my life. The only time I have ever cried from joy was when my purchase went through for my tickets. The second time I cried because of happiness was when I saw the four of them walk out on to the stage in front of me. They put on the best show I have ever seen. They were bouncing all around, interacting with each other and the crowd, and they never missed a beat. They performed songs that haven't been released yet, their most popular ones, and for the ones that have been there since the beginning they played a few of their originals. They managed to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. The best part was that they didn't hold back and hide who they really are. They were on stage doing what they love and being their weird, funny, adorable selves. They have a special talent that not many people posses.
The best part is that they're using their talent to spread a message, to show support for people who are struggling. They are using their name and talent to raise their voices and shed some light on issues and people that get over-looked. Towards the end of the tour, they announced that they are releasing their second full length album "Sounds Good Feels Good". Along with that, they started a new age. The age of the New Broken Scene. It's something that their fans can get behind, support, and allows them to be themselves according to the band. How many people create something just so their fans feel like they belong to something important? Actually, to show them that they are a part of something important. So, not only was it the end of their first world tour (cue tears), it was the start of something new, exciting, and meaningful. I wish that these boys could've stayed my little secret, but I am overwhelmed with joy that they are making a name for themselves and doing something to make a difference. They deserve the world. They've come so far and learned so much, but we still don't know if it's hi or hey.

Calibraska

"Hey it's that guy! Aren't you from vine?"

"Hell nah, I'm from Nebraska get your facts in line."

Two dudes with the same name came from Nebraska and are now killing it in LA. Jack and Jack are two teens from Nebraska, as I just said. Yes, they are well known from their Vines. They broke out in the music world in 2013-2014. They bring a whole new ingredient to pop and hip/hop music. The two of them have managed to mix the two genres perfectly! Don't believe me, check out their EP along with all of their other singles! I've touched on them before, but if you don't know who they are keep reading! :)

Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson is the smaller of the Jacks with blonde hair. He is also known as the rapper of the group. A lot of people say that white boys can't rap. They obviously haven't heard Johnson. He spits fire! Honestly, I think that he raps faster than a lot of the rappers that are all over the airways now. However, that's not a very popular opinion, so I better watch myself. Many people say that they speed up the verses. They can't exactly do that live and Johnson still kills it every time.

Jack Gilinsky

Jack Gilinsky is the other Jack in the duo. My Lord is he a looker! Both of them are pretty fine, but DAMN! Gilinsky isn't much of a rapper. He's a lot better with the actual singing parts of their music. He harmonizes well with Johnson and is a master with echoes. He vocally dominates most of the choruses. Gilinsky has a wide vocal range which is impressive for someone his age and his build.
Calibraska is a perfect example of who they are as artists and what their story is. The first track in California, which is about them moving from Nebraska to California to follow their dreams and that they're never going home. Shallow Love doesn't need much explaining. The title itself does that. The third track on the EP is How We Livin' and basically describes how they are living their life now. The fourth and final track on their EP is Wrong One. Personally it's my favorite, right next to California that is. The last track is pretty chill and is a story about falling in love with the wrong person and how that can fuck with your life and emotions. My opinion on the EP is that it is fricking awesome and deserves a shit ton of credit.
Both of them are very talented vocalists and lyricist. On top of that, they also have great senses of humor. That's actually how they got started--by posting humorous videos on Vine. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention that they dabble in dancing. Bottom line is that these guys are talented weather you like them or not. I don't see how anyone can hate them when they're both so kind and down to earth. Their songs are always personal to them and are written from their own pasts and stories. They use it to help and encourage their fans. Not many artists do that now-a-days. So mad respect for that.
Today, Johnson actually spoke up about that. He said that he realizes their music isn't strictly rap/hip or pop, but more of a mix and that they're influences by a lot of different artists as well as themselves. He says that they write music for themselves and for their fans. He has a love for lyricism and Jack & Jack are going to keep progressing in the music industry because it's one of their true passions. They're going to keep doing what they love whether "you rock with it or not. End of story". -Jack J.