Music Wednesday - Kane/Carlson/Smith/Nutter

This was supposed to be for Music Monday then Tune Tuesday but instead it's for today, just plain old Hump Wednesday. You'll know one of the artists (at least from my blog) but maybe not the others, so have a listen. I get razzed at home for my *coughs* obsessions but being interested in one artist or actor or whatever can also broaden the mind to others that you wouldn't have even knew existed without the initial obsession. That's what I tell myself anyhow. ;)

Also, I have a special guest on my blog on Friday - Mell Eight from Less Than Three Press will be making a stop on her blog tour to talk about dragons so make sure you pop by. So here we go - Music Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Enjoy. (PS Damn blogger was being difficult in embedding these vids - took me two days - ugh)

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Music Monday - Goo Goo Dolls

I'm doing the Goo Goo Dolls for obvious reasons - I saw them on Friday and they were Goo-tacular. Best show I've seen them do in a long time. They were relaxed and John had a couple of giggle fits during a song. Robby was sock-footed as usual, and someone threw him baby shoes for his new baby. He was so happy - they both were just a joy really.

The Goos are working on a new album and have been around for, like, ever. Hard to believe John is 46 and still so damn pretty. That's all I'm gonna say. Goo Goo Dolls are a must buy, must see, top ten on my list. I'm including a couple of pics and vids I shot on Friday - not saying they're good because I'm shaky and keep putting my finger over the mic - but I think they're still cute. :)  Enjoy.

Music Monday - Kill Hannah

Kill Hannah - formed in 1993 in Chicago Illinois - word has it the band name came from Mat Devine's ex-girlfriend. I've seen them described as a band you either love or hate - there's no happy medium. I think they're awesome.

And speaking of awesome and of Mat Devine - yeah, I admit I might have started listening to them because of how freaking cute and adorable and weird and tiny he is (not to mention his awesome hair that just never does what it's supposed to), but I do love his voice as well - it's very unique. He's also freaking funny and you should totally follow his twitter and his blog Raccoon Society. The guy speaks his mind and lets others do the same. He's made of awesome.

But um... back to Kill Hannah. They've grown as men, as a group and in a musical way over the past few years as you can attest to in the videos. I guess you could call them more pop than rock but I personally love Mat's voice and lyrics so that's the hook for me. My kids still claim it has to be a girl singing that high - and yeah, he's tiny and looks like a girl sometimes, too. :D Anyhow - enjoy Kill Hannah.

Music Monday - randomly random

So I'm wracking my brain for what group to post and there is just nothing zapping up there. Sooo I'm going to just post a few random songs and groups I've been listening to. If you like let me know and I can post more on said band. Or if you have anything you'd like to see me blog about - just ask. :)

Here we go - starting with Evans Blue - both these songs are on the album "The Melody and the Energetic Nature of Volume". The vids are only lyrics but the songs have been on repeat the past few days. Also, I may have posted some of these songs before or at least the bands.

Music Mondays - Great Big Sea (kitchen party, anyone?)

Great Big Sea is a Canadian treasure, another band on my top 5 list and one I've seen them at least 5 times, as well. They're from Newfoundland, formed in 1993 and are still going strong. They've been described as folk-rock and rock-celtic and are known for their interpretations of traditional Newfie sea shanties... BUT they are so much more than that.

Over the years GBS has explored different kinds of music from folk to rock to more poppier tunes, and of course, beer-drinking kitchen-party music. They're songs inspire fun and hope and just plain inspiration. They are an absolutely awesome band to see live no matter how big the venue but the smaller ones are more suited to some of the a capella songs they like to sing.

Alan Doyle does the main vocals but they all take a turn or two at the mic, especially when it comes to the raucous, teasing banter that always sounds so natural and unforced. These guys have known each other since they were young so there's a lot of stories to be told, a lot of ribbing to be done (lately it's been about Alan's starry-eyed appearance in the movie Robin Hood with his bff Russell Crowe) and a lot of caring in everything they say to each other. And may I mention the amount of instruments involved in a Great Big Sea concert? The norms like drums, acoustic and electric guitars, but also mandolins, fiddles, tin whistles, bouzouki, bodhran, bones, accordions, concertinas and hell, even bagpipes on occasion.

Music Monday - SEETHER!!!

I usually post new music here - try to expand your minds with bands you may not have heard but today has to go to one of my top 5 bands of all time. Seether. Plus my sis and I are seeing them for the 7th or 8th time on Wednesday and I'm stoked.

Seether was formed by lead singer and guitarist Shaun Morgan and his childhood friend Dale Stewart (bass). They started out with the name Saragon Gas in 1999, then changed to Seether in 2002. Current drummer John Humprey signed on is 2004 and the threesome was officially set. They've had other guitarists come and go but in general, it's the three of them that make up the band.

Seether's music has been described as post-grunge/alternative metal but I think that depends on who you talk to and who's listening. I love their harder stuff, Shaun is nothing but awesome when he lets out his killer screams but I also love the slower songs. Their lyrics run from angry to emotional to hopeful, and that's always the most important part of any band for me. I absolutely adore their acoustic songs too. (they did a cover of Careless Whisper that I was afraid to watch - being a *coughs* Wham fan in the 80's - BUT it was made of awesome)

They don't have the reputation as the most exciting or entertaining band on stage, at least not if you're looking for endless banter and special effects. It's just them on stage, and the music says it all. I've seen them in big venues, small venues and intimate acoustic sessions - at a record store in the mall, front and centre. Even stalked Shaun a little in the store and he was gracious and asked me what CDs i thought he should buy.

Music Monday - HURT

HURT was formed in the early 2000's. They have five albums, the latest released this year called "The Crux". I don't really know a lot about them except they came out of Virginia but their music sounds very European to me. It could just be J. Loren Wince's voice (which I love) but something in their sound reminds me of bands like Apocalyptica. I prefer their slower, more emotional songs, but that's nothing unusual for me. Not a lot of videos out there for these guys and only one so-called official ones but hope you enjoy anyway.

Falls Apart (yeah video has a typo) acoustic
(I love the normal version too - it's actually my fave song of theirs)

Music Monday - Cassidy Haley

Cassidy Haley started out as a designer and founder of the company Skin.Graf - described as "raw underground fashion and sleek high-end couture". Celebrities such as Adam Lambert, David Cook and Fergie were amongst the fans of the line. He sold his half in 2009 to go into music.


He's quirky, flamboyant, sexy and has a unique voice. His music became more known when his friend, Adam Lambert, tweeted about Cassidy's new music video. I like his sound, the edgy creativity in his videos, his independent spirit and how he doesn't shy away from being openly gay in his videos. Oh and he's really easy on the eyes, too. Have a peek.

First some eye candy - yeah I know it's about the music
but he's so beautiful and he wears guyliner (so shoot me)

Music Monday - Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica is a Finnish band formed in 1993 when four classically trained cellists gathered to play Metallica covers at Sibelius Academy. Since then Apocalyptica (I really love their name) with its three members --Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen, Perttu Kivilaakso and Mikko Siren (Jesus - try spelling those even while you're looking at them) --have sold over four million albums. Their music has been called everything from classical to neo-classical metal to thrash metal and even symphonic metal. I just call it and them very unique.

The first time I heard of the band was in fanfiction of all places and I immediately checked them out. The combination of hard-rocking music, beautiful long-haired (you gotta admit they're pretty hot) and kick-ass cellos suits me just fine. I love that they have guest-vocalists that fit perfectly into the dynamics of the band, that their videos are freaky awesome, that they wear guy-liner, and basically, I just think the whole band and their music is cool as hell. Check them out. 
(they're coming to the University here but I don't wanna go alone - any takers?)

Music Monday - Anberlin

Anberlin - a Florida-based rock band with a little harder edge to some of their songs. I saw them in concert during The Next Best Thing and they put on an awesome show. Not sure what else to say except I like them. Enjoy.

Music Monday - Thriving Ivory

San Francisco band whose first album came out in 2008. I love the melodies, the lyrics and the lead singer's voice totally draws me in. I find their songs very emotional and that right there, does it for me every time. They remind me a little of Savage Garden. Take a listen.


White lines that never fade
Burn deep with everyday
And I need to know

You live here in a photograph
No sound and no regrets
And I need to know

Heart-stained but never weak
You lay down alone but you don't mind
Questions that never breathe
Your face on a wall that I can't shake

I'm walking on air, close to you
Through a long hallway with a broken light
And I, I need to know
If you're still alive

You hold me like a bag of bones
Wrapped up and underground
Pull me out so I can feel
Make me believe, that one more night's
Not a minute too long when a moment's all I need

I'm walking on air, close to you
Through a long hallway with a broken light
And I, I need to know
If you're still alive

You'll marry the night
Dance with the pain but you don't mind
See the city burn tonight, hearts up in flames
Would you carry me away?

I'm walking on air, close to you
Through a long hallway with a broken light
And I, I need to know
If you're still alive

~~"Long Hallway with a Broken Light", Thriving Ivory

Music Monday - Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace - fabulous Canadian band fronted by the more-than-gorgeous, Adam Gontier, who has to be like seven feet tall - or he sure looks like it on stage. I can't really put their music into a specific genre box - rock, alternative. There's nothing fluffy about them, their music is a little dark and tense, and so are their videos.

Adam has an amazing voice that sends shivers down my spine whether he's belting out something hard and fast or purring emotively into the mic. Their songs are hard-rocking, emotion-building, but also involve some pretty intense issues and problems. I've had the pleasure of seeing them many times in concert and they put on a fabulous show. If you ever get a chance to see them - GO!  Here's a couple faves.

Music Monday - Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Described as emo or often times screamo, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus made the jump to the more acceptable category of alternative when their first EP was released. I really love their mixed style of music - soft, hard, fast, slow, screamo, and I really love Ronnie Winter's voice.

I do a lot of writing to RJA and they also pick me up when I need a boost. Your Guardian Angel is such a beautiful song and I swear I loved it strictly by the lyrics and sound, before I saw the video that "to me" has homo-erotic undertones. (my son does not agree - "mom, you can just make anything gay, can't you?) ☺

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Lyrics


When I see your smile

Monday's Mood Music - Staind

"Pardon me
if I can't fake it
while you still
believe"