Veishea 2009

Today the bands/artists for Veishea 2009 were released and I'm pretty excited about the lineup. This year will feature Trapt, Cartel, Ludo, Straylight Run, The Morning Light, Red, and some other artists.

So what is Veisha you ask? Veishea, which stands for Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Home Economics, and Agriculture, is an annual celebration of the school (Iowa State) and is one of ISU's oldest traditions. It last all week with comedy shows, various tournaments, cherry pies, and other things. A quick look at the Veishea website or the wikipedia page will tell you more about it. In 2004 a riot broke out, which led to canceling of the celebration in 2005. Students have been warned that if another one happens, then Veishea as we know it will be gone for good. Peep the vids:

Holiday Parade Album Teaser

One of my favorite bands, Holiday Parade, has just released a teaser of their new album "Tickets and Passports" on youtube and I couldn't be more excited.

Check it out:

enjoy

Dream Shows

Hello everyone! My name is Andrew Cook and I am also a campus rep for Iowa state!

I've had alot of trouble picking out bands for a dream show.  So many options and genres I didn't know where to start.  But, friends gave advice to check the iTunes top 25 played list and jackpot.  This dream is purely mood based and for now, seeing how I am in the calm, acoustic mood, we've decided on a small stage with tables and chairs venue with a max capacity of around 40.

Headlining this "tour" would be the talented Seattle based Daphne loves derby.  Opening with the newly formed Clouds and Cities duo of the late Parade the Day.  Followed by the brilliant acoustic work of The Scene Aesthetic.

Calming, yet complex, the lyrics mixed with layers of acoustic guitar would provide bliss for the seeking mind.

Thanks for putting this idea in my head, now I actually am going to dream of this show. =]

Pretty In Pink

On Sunday I got the chance to see my first "Pink Out/Pink Zone" game here at Iowa State. This was the second annual Pink Zone game in support of raising awareness for breast cancer. Cyclone Alley, ISU's student section, were given pink shirts (see picture above) and the team also sported white & pink jerseys and shoes. Our girls, ranked #20 nationally, led most of the game against the #13 Texas Longhorns but couldn't close it out in the final minutes, losing the game by 3 points. Although we lost the game as a team and as a school, I feel that we won in continuing to raise awareness.

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and ever since then, I've tried my best to do what I could to help raise support. Today I am proud to say that my mom is a survivor and I know she feels the same. I don't feel embarrassed when I wear my pink cyclone alley shirts because I know what it represents. I know a lot of you hear all the time that it could be your mom, sister, cousin, girlfriend, daughter, friend, grandma, etc. but the fact of the matter is its true. I encourage you all to go out and support those women and support the cause because you never know when its going to hit home.

--Reed--

Dream Shows

I'm actually pretty excited for this week's blog assignment..not that I wasn't excited about last week's, just that it was pretty fun (and hard) trying to figure out what my dream line-ups would be. I've gone back and forth on all the line-ups but I think I've finally settled on everything. So to quote the great plumber Mario..Here we go!

Rock
This is a line up of some of my favorite ex-Tooth and Nail/Solid State bands. Blindside and Dead Poetic are two of my all time favorite Christian bands, while The Juliana Theory are a band that I always liked but never got the chance to see live.
-Headliner: Blindside
-Middle: Dead Poetic
-Opener: Juliana Theory

Hip Hop
This one was interesting, because I had originally chosen The Cool Kids to open, Lupe Fiasco for the middle, and Kanye West featuring tons of people. I then realize that I can choose people that aren't performing anymore, different time frames etc. So here's what I have for Hip Hop.
-Headliner: Run DMC
-Middle: LL Cool J
-Opener: The Cool Kids
I chose The Cool Kids to open because I feel like their style fits with the rest of the bill. For me, that's what makes a good show; when all the acts fit together. Next I chose LL Cool J for the middle act. Not the LL now, but the LL from Bigger and Deffer to Mr. Smith. I've always wanted to see Run DMC in their prime. I think back in the day they were some of the best performers and had some of the best rhymes. They set the standard for a lot of artists that we have now, so they are the headliner.

Jazz
This was the hardest one because I don't know a lot of jazz musicians outside of the 3 that I chose. I once did a research paper on Dizzy Gillespie, so I know a lot about his history and just his style of music. Being a fellow trumpet player, I would love to have seen him play.
-Headline: Nat King Cole
-Middle: Dizzy Gillespie
-Opener: Fats Waller

For the "My Choice" category I chose an acoustic show/tour. I've heard acoustic stuff from Anberlin and The Rocket Summer and I feel like its just as good as their full band songs. Between The Trees would also put on a good acoustic show, since they often incorporate piano/keys into their songs. I think the best way to experience these 3 bands would be in a coffee shop, sitting at a table with a hot apple cider (I don't like coffee). This could also be an event/tour sponsored by To Write Love On Her Arms, since all three bands are big supporters of the organization.
-Headliner: Anberlin
-Middle: The Rocket Summer
-Opener: Between The Trees

On a small side note, my birthday (May 19th) is on a Tuesday this year, which is usually release day for music. I'm hoping for some good albums to be released (coughnewblink182cough).

--Reed--

Keep On Rollin' Baby

Bands break up. Bands re-unite. It happens all the time. the last band I was in, Five and Two, had about 3 reunion shows. This has been happening since bands have been bands.

Last week we saw the reunion of Blink-182, a long awaited reunion that made a lot of people happy. Now, a band that also had a little influence on me as a young musician, Limp Bizkit, is looking to be the next band to jump on the wagon. NME has the link to the story.

Although this intrigues me, I'm not going to jump on this one just yet. I'm not even ashamed to admit that they were one of my favorite bands back in the day of $3 dollar bill y'all, Significant Other, and Choc. Starfish, and I even sorta liked Results May Vary (Eat You Alive was a pretty sick song/video). but until I hear some new music from the Biz, I'm going to have to pass on this. It's not that I don't have faith in this band (pun intended), I just wonder if they can reclaim their place in the music world.

Stay Together For The Kids

Welcome back boys..we've missed you.

I remember it like it was yesterday. At the Mark of the QC in Moline, IL with my 3 friends who were also my band mates at the time, going to see Alkaline Trio, New Found Glory and Blink 182. I was a freshman in high school at the time and I'm pretty sure I turn back into that freshman tonight when Blink announced that not only were they back together but were doing an album and touring. The only reason I even watched the grammys this year was because I knew they were going to be on together. Now I'm glad I did watch because I got to see a great performance by a very preggo M.I.A, Kanye, Jay-z, T.I and Lil wayne.

but back on topic. Blink-182. Reunited. I'm really trying not to sound like a 14 year old fan girl right now. But really, these guys had a big influence on me as a musician and as a person when I was younger. I caught on to Famous Stars and Straps right at the beginning, I sported the Hurley, I played the Fender P-bass (still do), I wore the Dickie shorts, and my bands did Blink covers. I don't worship the ground these guys walk on, but I'm glad to see them back as friends and back making music. Can't wait to see what the future holds for them.

-Reed