SERIOUSLY WARPED.Byline: George A. Paul Staff Writer The Australian band The Living End first drew attention here in 1999, when the fiery ``Prisoner of Society'' became a minor hit on alternative radio (particularly KROQ, where it remains in rotation). Back home down under, the track spent nine months on the charts and became the biggest homegrown single of the '90s. The rousing 1998 self-titled debut disc by the punkabilly trio of singer/guitarist Chris Cheney Christopher John Cheney (born January 2, 1975) is the guitarist and lead vocalist in the Australian rock band, The Living End. A talented guitarist, his trademark guitar is a Gretsch White Falcon and he uses mainly distortion and modulation effects. , bassist Scott Owen Scott Bradley Owen (born February 14 1975) plays the double bass in the Australian rock band The Living End. After playing the piano for many years, he decided that the keys would not work for a rockabilly band, so at age 17 he purchased and taught himself double bass, letting him and drummer Andy Strachan Andrew Douglas Strachan (born August 20 1974) is the current drummer in the Australian punkabilly band, The Living End. He has been playing in the band since 2002, after previous drummer Trav Demsey left. went on to quintuple-platinum sales. Soon after, the band did its first Warped Tour. Its second CD, the 2000 ``Roll On,'' branched out into heavier rock territory, while 2004's ``Modern Artillery'' found Chris Cheney taking his songwriting to new levels. This past April, the band members opened for the Rolling Stones in Sydney, and they are about to release ``State of Emergency'' (due in stores Tuesday) in the States. Produced by Nick Launay (PiL, Gang of Four), it entered the Aussie charts at No. 1, and is easily the best collection of songs the band has assembled to date. Recently, Cheney phoned early in the morning from his Melbourne home to chat about the new disc: Q: Are you looking forward to playing the Warped Tour again this month in America? A: I am. We're playing better than we ever have and feel really good about the album. We can't wait to see the reaction over there. ... I've just got to remember to pack my sunscreen sunscreen /sun·screen/ (-skren) a substance applied to the skin to protect it from the effects of the sun's rays. sun·screen n. . Q: How was it re-teaming with Nick Launay in the studio? A: He was a taskmaster task·mas·ter n. 1. One who imposes tasks, especially burdensome or laborious ones. 2. A source of burden or responsibility: The profession of medicine is a stern taskmaster. , but he also had to tell me to stop redoing takes. I was determined to do this album right (even) if it killed me. Q: One of the first things I noticed about ``Emergency'' was the difference in your vocals. A: Yeah, it was something that I wanted to stand out more on this album. ... I feel like we've still got so much to prove. Q: ``Nothing Lasts Forever'' has a late-'60s Who-meets-The- Jam vibe. Is that what you were shooting for? A: The Jam -- very much so. And the way Paul Weller conveys a story. (The song) describes a working-class couple struggling to keep their relationship together, and it doesn't work. But that can be a good thing. Q: Was ``Wake Up'' inspired by the London terrorist attacks last July? A: Yeah, everything that led up to it and what's still going on now. It's absurd that people are still blowing themselves up, left, right and center for the idea of going to a better life. I think life is now. This is it for all we know. Q: That children's choir at the end has prompted some people to liken lik·en tr.v. lik·ened, lik·en·ing, lik·ens To see, mention, or show as similar; compare. [Middle English liknen, from like, similar; see like2 it to Pink Floyd's ``Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2).'' A: It's bound to get comparisons because the word ``education'' is in there and kids are singing it. Being compared to Pink Floyd is OK. I think it's the one and only time in our career it's ever going to happen (laughs). Q: You initially wanted to record the CD live, but it didn't end up that way with the horn section, choir and other bits. Are you glad the embellishments were added? A: Totally. If we had songs like Iggy & the Stooges or The Ramones, then fair enough, we'd go in and slam them out in a few takes and keep it fresh. But these songs needed to be performed and honed a bit. THE LIVING END What: The Aussie band is one of the headliners of the Vans Warped Tour. Where: Tuesday, Seaside Park at Ventura County Fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. ; Wednesday, Dodger Stadium parking lot, Los Angeles. When: Show starts at noon both days. Tickets: $29.75. www.ticketmaster.com, www.warpedtour.com. SIX WORTH SEEING ON THE WARPED TOUR With 50-plus bands scheduled to perform at the Warped Tour, choosing which ones to watch can be a daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin task. These are some worth checking out: JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS Latest disc: ``Sinner'' (Blackheart) The lowdown low·down n. Slang The whole truth: gave us the lowdown on what happened at the party. lowdown low (inf) n he gave me the lowdown on it → : Outside of a few festival performances in recent years, Joan Jett gigs have been scarce in the Southland. That should change since the former Runaway and tough chick who once sang about her bad reputation just released her first studio album in a decade. Still rocking hard as ever, Jett JETT Joint Expeditionary Tactical Trainer (US DoD) JETT Java Engagement for Teacher Training Program (ACM) JETT Joint Ergonomics Technicians Team reteamed with producer/co-writer Kenny Laguna and tackles classic Sweet and Replacements tunes. LESS THAN JAKE Latest disc: ``In With the Out Crowd'' (Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) .) The lowdown: The whimsical ska-punk band has done several previous Warped Tours, once released an album whose title was an ode to Pez candy and another that paid tribute to the musical ``Grease.'' Essentially, they like to party. Always fun in concert, the five-piece continues its shrewd lyrical outlook on such new songs as ``Overrated Overrated was a Horde World of Warcraft guild, based on the US Black Dragonflight Realm. On November 2 2006, the majority of the guild members were indefinitely banned from the game for use of (or directly benefiting from) a third-party "wall-hack", used to bypass content (Everything Is)'' and ``Don't Fall Asleep on the Subway.'' THE BOUNCING SOULS Latest disc: ``The Gold Record'' (Epitaph epitaph, strictly, an inscription on a tomb; by extension, a statement, usually in verse, commemorating the dead. The earliest such inscriptions are those found on Egyptian sarcophagi. ) The lowdown: Formed in the early '90s, the Bouncing Souls make melodic punk rock with anthemic chants that rival Rancid ran·cid adj. Having the disagreeable odor or taste of decomposing oils or fats. rancid having a musty, rank taste or smell; applied to fats that have undergone decomposition, with the liberation of fatty acids. and Pennywise (but not as angry as either of those bands). Prime example: the title track to ``The Gold Record,'' where Greg Attonito sings ``there's a love in all our souls, and it shines like gold.'' The CD also includes a cover of The Kinks' ``Better Days.'' THURSDAY Latest disc: ``A City by the Light Divided'' (Island) The lowdown: Thursday gained an underground following by putting on basement shows around its hometown. Word spread, and it quickly became one of the leading screamo groups around. Interband tensions and the ongoing health concerns of singer Geoff Rickly prompted a brief breakup in 2004, but they're back with a dark and eclectic album helmed by Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips). Rickly has said it sounds like My Bloody Valentine in a punk mood. PLAIN WHITE T'S Latest disc: ``Hey There Delilah'' (Fearless) The lowdown: Ranging from power pop to alt-rock that would appeal to fans of Jimmy Eat World and those old enough to remember Bob Mould's Sugar, Plain White T's makes music with widespread appeal. The T's came across like a breath of fresh air when we caught them at Warped 2003. Their latest EP features acoustic and live versions of concert favorites. CARTEL Latest disc: ``Chroma'' (Epic/Militia Group) The lowdown: It's no surprise this fresh-faced alternative rock band jumped to a major label -- mere months after putting out a winsome win·some adj. Charming, often in a childlike or naive way. [Middle English winsum, from Old English wynsum : from wynn, joy; see wen-1 debut on influential O.C.-indie Militia Group. Alternative Press magazine called Cartel one of 2005's ``Bands You Need to Know,'' and Yahoo! Music anointed "Anointed" redirects here. For the process of anointing, see Anointing. Anointed is a Contemporary Christian music duo consisting of siblings Steve and Da'dra Crawford. Their musical style includes elements of R&B, funk, and piano ballads. them winner of its ``Who's Next'' competition. -- Staff Writers CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: no caption (The Living End) Box: SIX WORTH SEEING ON THE WARPED TOUR (see text) |
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