New Rock Release: "Buried Alive" by One Day Waiting!

Photo: JPM Photograpy

If you dig bands like Breaking Benjamin, Sevendust and 3 Years Hollow, you can add four-piece rock band, One Day Waiting to your playlist!  Hailing from Hudson Valley, NY, these hard-working guys have shared the stage with some of the best bands out there within the past six years (Can we say Nothing More, Jinjer, Nonpoint, A Killer's Confession, Adelita's Way, and September Mourning, just to name a few?? Whaaat!!) 

Check out the video for their latest single Buried Alive below!

Like what you hear? Get social! Follow the guys on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on new releases and shows near you!

@thatchickkrys

Interview with J.C. Sandoval of The Crooked!

Photo: Dylan Weller

It's always exciting to see artists from your local scene get out
there and do big things like gearing up to tour Europe and opening
for national acts at a notable music festival in your city.

I got the chance to chat with frontman and guitarist, J.C. Sandoval
of Toronto-based alt-rock band The Crooked about all that and then
some! Here is the interview:

How did you all meet?

I’ve known our drummer Dell’Orso through the Toronto music scene for
many years now and then the both of us met our bassist Russ in a
similar fashion. We may or may not have met our lead guitarist Neelesh
through the Casual Encounters section of Craigslist.

[laughs] What are the highlights of the band’s career so
far?

We've done many things in a short time, but getting asked to play the
main stage at Norway’s Rockstream Festival this summer is it for us
right now. We’re beyond excited for this show when we tour Europe

Photo: Kirsten Sonntag

this summer. We’ll announce dates soon.



That's amazing! Congratulations! That sounds like an amazing
opportunity! Favorite thing about playing your style of alternative
rock?

From the start, we’ve always tried to be unconventional within rock
music. For example, we fused calypso rhythms with heavy guitar riffs
on our song Tarot Cards. Lately, we enjoy adding subtle dissonance
to our songs. We’re essentially tricking the audience into liking
something “ugly” by rewarding them later with something pretty
or familiar.


What is your favorite song you guys play live?

At the moment it’s an unreleased song called Villain. It’s getting a
really good reaction from the crowd. We’re planning on recording it
this month, and releasing it in the fall as a single.

I see you guys are playing a showcase at CMW on May 11. How do you prepare for events like that? Is the prep any different than that of regular shows around the

Photo: Dylan Weller

city?

Nothing prepares you for a big show like hitting the road. We’ve almost
completed the Uncivil Service Tour. We have one more show in Barrie
on May 9, and then play with Danko Jones at Horseshoe Tavern for
CMW the following Saturday.

Photo: Kirsten Sonntag

If you were to form a dream tour with artists -dead or alive- who
would be on it with you?

We would love to form a tour where we open for ourselves in
disguises and play extremely bizarre music. That “band” would then
amass a large cult following, which would demote The Crooked to
openers for the next tour. This is the kind of stuff we think about.


[laughs] I would be interested in seeing this happen! If there was
one message you would like to spread to your fans, what
would it be?

We think the world right now could use less conformity and a lot more
of the peculiar. Open your ears, open your mind and open your heart.

Amen! Thank you so much for your time, J.C and I look forward to
seeing what's next for the band!

For upcoming tour dates, announcements and new music, get social!
Follow The Crooked on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

@thatchickkrys

Interview with Brandon Gregory of Drop Top Alibi!

Photo: Francesca Ludikar

Sometimes your ears stumble upon a band that takes you to another era (or a hybrid of a few) you weren't even old enough to enjoy. Toronto-based rock band, Drop Top Alibi is one of those bands!

Here is my interview with frontman, Brandon Gregory!

I hear you guys are back in the studio cooking up some new music! Can you spill some details on what the flavor of the new tunes will be like? 

BG: Yes we are! And it’s such a great feeling. These songs are definitely a lot more mature and fearless from a songwriting point of view. We’ve spent the last few years really trying to figure out a way to blend the darkness and the light that exists in all of our styles. Led Zeppelin and Alice in Chains are two great examples. Zeppelin could go from Immigrant Song, into The Rain Song and nobody would bat an eye. Alice could go from We Die Young  to No Excuses and the fan base would sing along to both. That was something we always wanted to achieve, and knew we could. The key has been to stop giving a fuck really. It’s good to have both, and each song still undeniably sounds like us. 

Photo: Josh Qubti

Having a solidified line up that has been touring and writing for a year now has made a huge difference as well. We are in tune with each other and are having a lot of fun blending everything and anything to see what can happen. Drop Top is definitely still a heavy and grooving band, but the spectrum of sounds and groove elements have become far more in depth. But again, the key has been being fearless and not giving a fuck.

What are your top 3 favorite things about the songwriting process?

BG: Comradery is definitely one of them. It’s always a rewarding process when one person pitches an idea for a section, or maybe has a verse and a chorus ready but nothing else really, and everyone gets an opportunity to bring an idea forward. Brandon typically comes up with the original ideas or has a song about 75% done, and then everyone leaves their mark. Some times the groove or pocket will change, someone will have a different melody idea, harmony starts to come into play and of course tone selection. That’s Dylan’s specialty, and it adds so much to the overall mood of the song.

For me, when I’m writing on my acoustic at home, and I really start to feel like I’m onto something, that rush is unlike no other. It’s excitement, anxiousness, anticipation, nervousness, and even extreme happiness or sadness depending on where the music is taking me. It’s always exhilarating, and that feeling of “Oh man I fucking can’t wait to show the boys,” always puts me in a good place.

Lastly, the element of the chase and the fact that we are all in it

Photo: Melissa Aquino

together trying to make the song exactly what it should be. That chase doesn’t end until you’ve received your final master back, and it is by far the most rewarding part of the process. Production, mixing, and arrangement are all so important to the songwriting process, and it is the part that everyone has a place to speak every time. Sometimes, someone will write a song front to back and not much needs to be worked on. When that happens, other than writing your own part for yourself, input doesn’t need to come from everyone. But the chase -until the song is mastered and all finished- involves everyone, and truly is a team effort.

Brandon- your vocals are unreal. I’m sure others would agree it’s very Vince Neil meets Axl Rose, with a modern twist. Any tips on how you keep your voice conditioned for gigs?

BG: Thank you Krystal, I really appreciate it! Honestly, the biggest help for me has been my experience singing in choirs. I went to the University of Windsor for two years studying guitar, and I had to do ensemble credits while I was there. I always opted to sing in choirs, and learned how to use a technique called “head voice.” That has saved me from having to belt my lungs out to sing high and with power. Preparation on show day usually entails making sure I haven’t eaten too much to close to show time and a couple shots of vodka. It’s important for your body to not be doing anything that drains energy, like digesting. Plus smoking is a no go, until after the show and only if it’s green.

What are your favorite things about performing live? Least fave?

BG: Our favorite things about it are definitely connecting with the crowd through our music, feeding off their energy and channeling it into our performance. The sheer workout of a high energy set is always fun, and meeting new people and hanging out after the show is great too!

It’s safe to say the least favorite thing is lugging gear around.

If there were a fair food (like weird food at the CNE) named after the band, what would be in it?

BG: If something was ever created and named after the band, it would more then likely be some sort of moonshine. May contain pure gasoline.

Photo: Michelle Pellegrino

It's safe to say, that would be the the craziest thing served at a fair! What are some of the highlights of the band’s career so far?

BG: We’ve had the opportunity to work with some legendary people like Norwood Fisher (Fishbone) and Gilby Clarke (Formerly of GnR). Their mentorship and friendship have been invaluable, and we are hoping to get back to LA soon with our new tunes! We got to tour with Gilby in 2017, and party with him and his family in LA when we went down there to visit earlier that same year. Working with him at Metal Works was an amazing experience as well. The wealth of knowledge that man has about rock n roll and how to make it is amazing to be around.

We did a tour run throughout the summer of 2018 supporting our single Heavy Metal Baby, which was a blast. Lastly, the current recording process we are in the middle of has been great as well. There are no timelines, no clocks, and everything we’re trying to make happen sonically is coming together! We are very excited. Having a five-time Juno Award-winning producer in Michael Hanson who is both fearless and creative has been a blessing. 

Sounds like good times all around! If you were to form a dream tour with any artists-dead or alive- who would you tour with?

BG: This question is too hard to answer! Maybe a dream festival line up with bands like; Led Zeppelin, QOTSA, Aerosmith, Guns n’ Roses, Soundgarden, Queen, The Stones, The Beatles, Hendrix, Oasis, Chili Peppers...We should probably stop there!

Anything else you would like to add?

Photo: Josh Qubti

BG: Rock 'n' Roll Ain’t fucking dead! It’s hard to see that sometimes in North America, where hip hop and club music is the big thing. All across the world, rock music is thriving, and there is an uprising of youth that feel alienated from current pop culture, who want to rebel and be heard. Bands like Cleopatrick have made this abundantly clear to us.

History repeats itself. We just came out of a disco phase with EDM, now we’re in a time with mumble rap that is reminiscent of Glam Metal in terms of decadence, excess, and bad behavior. So what comes next? An alienated generation of suburban kids who don’t identify with any of that bull shit. Last time that happened, Kurt Cobain came along. We’re excited to see how the next chapter pans out, and we hope to be a part of a movement that makes these kids feel like there is something to be a part of.

 #DTARNR

Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to seeing what's next for the band!

Like what you hear? Get social! Click here to find Drop Top Alibi on social media!

@thatchickkrys

Interview with Ben Gleason of Source!

Once upon a time, in the U.S of A, I was a merch girl for

Photo: Randy Edwards

rock bands. While on a five-week run with a different band a couple of years back, I watched Boulder, CO-based prog-metal trio, Source play pretty much every night as they promoted their debut album Return To Nothing.

Despite the band's busy schedule (jumping from releasing their latest album Totality, straight into a six-week tour they are currently on), I got the chance to catch up with front man, Ben Gleason! 


Your single “Totality” off the namesake album sounds great! What are your favorite experiences working on the latest album? 

BG: I took a vacation to my parents lake house in the summer when I was writing the album. I ended up writing a lot of the music for Embodied, The Changes, Constant and Intimacy on that trip. My parents' beautiful little cabin on a lake in the Northwoods is where I spent a lot of my childhood. It's definitely my fondest memory of creating the new album. 


Sounds like a zen spot! The current lineup of the band sounds great! How did you all meet? 

BG: I met Justin at a show our old drummer was filling in on. He saw that Georges (former drummer) left the band a year later, sent us a video of him playing and I knew he was the perfect drummer for Source. My friend Andy recommended Riley to us after Dan (former bassist) quit 2 weeks after finishing the record to join (the band) Flaw. 

When I heard Riley's solo project Lightstory, where he plays pretty much every guitar, bass and drum part, I knew he was going to take Source to a whole new level.

Photo: Randy Edwards

Sounds like divine timing was definitely at play for you guys! How do you stay mentally and emotionally balanced while keeping up with the crazy schedules on tour? 

BG: I meditate, do lots of stretching and foam rolling, shower at the gym so I feel like a person, and try to find really good restaurants to eat at. It's easy to stay emotionally balanced with my new band mates. There is very little stress these days, which I am beyond grateful for.


Yes to gym showers- because the 'Whore Baths' just don't cut it when you want to feel like a person again! What are the highlights of the band’s career? 

BG: Touring with HELLYEAH and In Flames as well as working with producer Ulrich Wild for our new record. 


Legendary! Favorite part of performing live? Least favorite? 

BG: My favorite part of performing are the moments where I feel like the 3 of us are transcending reality. Sometimes we are so connected to each other, the music and the audience, that I feel like we are literally ascending to a higher plane of existence. 

My least favorite part of performing is moving gear. We need robots

Photo: Randy Edwards

to do it for us- that would be dope.


Maybe one day there will be an app for that. If there was a food dish at a restaurant named after the band, what would be in it? 

BG: The "Source Hash" would have fried potatoes, onions, mushrooms, turkey sausage and fried eggs.


If you were to form a dream tour with artists -dead or alive- who would be on it with you? 

BG: Source and Tool, that is the dream tour. We got to open for a well known Tool tribute band and their fans LOVED us! I want to play for as many Tool fans as I can!


Anything else you would like to add? 

BG: Get our new record Totality anywhere digital music is sold, you won't regret it!

Thank you so much for your time, Ben! Have a safe and successful the remainder of the tour, and I look forward to seeing what's next for the band! 

Want more from Source? Get social! Find their social media links here!

@thatchickkrys

Interview with Blair Ryan Barton of The Divided Line!

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

Sometimes, a gal's just got to get dolled-up, brave a snow storm on a Sunday and head out to remind herself of the awesome live bands her city has to offer.


I recently got to check out Toronto-based prog-rock band, The Divided Line at Rockpile! With their recently released video for their single Deja off their latest album Paramnesia, I noticed it's not their usual sound, so it peaked my curiosity.  

Here is my interview with guitarist, Blair Ryan Barton! 

The current lineup sounds great! How did you
guys find each other?

BRB: Rez and I have been playing music together for about 8 years now. We actually went to high school together, but we didn't play music together then. When I started the project, I I got him involved, we had a couple of different band members, then we saw Greg perform at one of my best friends' stag and he was just performing that night at the bar, so we snagged him up. Our drummer Luke was actually from Rumsfield before, so we were very familiar with him. He reached out to us when he saw we were looking for a drummer, we knew his work and figured he'd be a great fit and things have been going really well.

That drummer's sick!

BRB: Yeah he's great!

Like, I was just telling my sister 'Holy shit - that guy's sick!"

BRB: When we play in bars, we don't even mic him.

{both laughing}

BRB: We can't turn him down, so...

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

{both laughing}

I'm digging the new realease Deja off your latest album Paramnesia. Your song writing style seems to have changed with that one. What inspired that style for that particular tune?

BRB: Typically, I would do most of the writing, the original writing and everyone contributes to the completion. Usually I would come up with the idea. This one - our singer, Greg wrote- the base
of the song, we kind of wrote around that. It was a last minute song- it actually wasn't supposed to be on the record. We kind of came up with it a couple of days before we went into the studio and we just nailed it in the studio so it's like, we captured lightning in a bottle - we like it- we have more like it coming.

That's rad! What's your favorite thing about performing live and your least fave?

BRB: I don't like anything about playing live.

{both laughing}

No, but really!

BRB: Playing live scares the shit out of me. Petrified. No- but the best thing I like about playing live is getting lost in song, you kind of escape that (fear). The thing I'd say I don't like is it's not perfect every time. {laughs}

But that's part of the charm!

BRB: Yeah, exactly. Yeah- I guess if I'd have to choose, it'd be that it's not perfect every single time and I'm a perfectionist so.. {laughs} So that's my downfall.

You know- every show has quirks and something different to add to the experience that make each show unique- which could be a good thing!

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

BRB: Yeah I get it- because if every band can play perfect, then that wouldn't separate the greats from the decent.

Exactly.

BRB: In the past, we would just run through the shows and now we're working on incorporating different aspects into shows. Right now, we're working on a light show as well; co-ordinating lights with the music.

With ego boxes and all that?

BRB: Everything.

Whaaaat!? That's awesome! Looking forward to seeing that! So if you were to go on tour with any artists- dead or alive- who would your dream tour be with?

BRB: That's a tough one because we all have very different tastes in music, believe it or not. Obviously, people say we sound a lot like Tool, and that's a common influence throughout the band. Other than that, we don't really listen to the same bands.

{both laughing}

BRB: I guess we would say Tool, Incubus is a big influence, Finger Eleven.

You mean Rainbow Butt Monkeys?

{both laughing}

I saw them live last year at Sound Of Music (in Burlington) and I was like "Whaaat!?" (laughs) So, what are the highlights of your music career so far?

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

BRB: The first time hearing ourselves on the radio - it was with a different lineup but in 2014.. you know.. I cried...

{both laughing}

BRB: I've played music my whole life so to finally get that recognition was great. But I think the thing I'm most proud of would be the release of Paramnesia. Once that came out, it all just fit together. We were all a little worried going into it..

Why?

BRB: Because we (this lineup) have only been in a band for like 8 months at the time when we recorded it and some of the songs were really old, and a lot of them are pretty new, like Deja, like I said we wrote it last minute.


Yeah- but that song is so sick! What were you worried about? {laughs}

BRB: I wouldn't change anything on the record, even the way it looks- I love everything about it. We're still doing more music videos for a couple more of the tracks, so I'm looking forward to that.

Awesome! So, if a distillery were to make a beer named after the band, what kind of beer would it be?

BRB: Oh, it would definitely be a session IPA.

Noice!

{both laughing}

Delicious! {in a heavy lisp}

BRB: Something like Detour, with a more citrus-y hops.

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

Oh my Gahd- you're speaking my language! Holy! There's this beer I tried like that, Heavy Seas Tropicannon Citrus IPA- it was something like 7.3% alcohol. So good!

BRB: Yeah I love that stuff!

Anything else you would like to add?

BRB: Right now we're taking care of management- we have a candidate that we feel great about, so we're meeting with him in the next couple of weeks, setting a game plan- we're getting ready to record our next album.

Already? Wow! Whaaat!

BRB: Well, we did Paramnesia two years ago so it's time! We got a lot of stuff to do and it's just a matter of narrowing it down to the best 6. We've got like 20.

(both laughing)

So sick! Well, thank you so much for your time, Blair! I look forward to your future endeavors!

BRB: Thanks so much!

For announcements, upcoming shows in your area, new releases, etc. get social! Follow The Divided Line on their social media!

@thatchickkrys