13 posts tagged “rock”
After having listened to this disc at least 20 times since it's release; I can simply say it gets better w/ every play. This record catches Springfield stepping outside the box and at his best in 20 years. This collection has two "Springfield Radio Ready" tracks,("Victoria's Secret" & "I'll Miss That Someday") while the majority of the tracks explore different sounds and textures he hasn't explored before.
What's different? This time he is writing w/ his longtime touring bass player; Matt Maisonette who also shares production credit with Springfield on the album.
The songs explore a more mature side of Springfield dressed in very modern landscape. The song "Oblivious" is inspired by the death of Maisonette's mother and "Saint Sahara" is a touching ode written for a young fan who's battle with cancer took her life last year. These songs have a very reflective mood and also great chorus' with rock in' guitars and big vocals. Springfield voice has worn well with time. He is still able to sing his ass off!
"Mr. PC" rocks as hard as any recent Green Day-Wheezier track and is convincing. The chorus is so catchy & Foo Futures; it has you beating on the steering wheel at the red light and singing the infectious chorus "on & on & on you go". It rocks hard & has you hitting repeat after 1 play.
"She" is one of the best pop rock songs I've heard since the 2007 release of Jason Faulkner's "I'm O.K.,You're O.K." This song hints to Beatles arrangements and undertones of Jellyfish. The songs don't sound like Springfield but they are. At 58; Springfield shows just how relevant he still is after nearly 40 years in the business.
"Victoria's Secret"; the first single; is reminiscent of the "Jessie's Girl" riff but stands on it's own with a powerful chorus that has you singing "VS" in shower after subjected to it's irresistible hook. Like most singles, this is by no means the best the set has to offer. Songs like "One Passenger" and "I'll Miss That Someday" are deep reflective songs about the journeys of love and life. Springfield doesn't seem to be angry anymore. He seems to have a sense of hope for the future. All songs are passionately driven, executed with loud guitars, big drums, bass and incredibly arranged vocals and harmonies.
There isn't a bad track in the bunch. Buy with confidence! You might find yourself revisiting 'Working Class Dog" and reminding ourselves just how great of a writer and 'ROCKER" he is. I would recommend 'Venus In Overdrive" to all Fire Ape fans or any one who likes catchy loud pop rock!
P.S. Real men listen to Rick Springfield!!!
Frank Royster/Fire Apes
Think summer, shorts, beach, skateboards... very danceable, jumpable and buyable!
A rocking cover of The Beatles - "Can't Buy Me Love"
Recorded live on May 24, 2008 at Wet Willies, Charleston, SC during the Spoleto Festival.
AirSpun, Inc. today announced The Fire Apes AirSpun’s "Best of 2007" Music AirGods poll in the Rock genre category. The Fire Apes will be highlighted as a "Best of 2007" artist on the AirSpun homepage, and featured in an upcoming "Best of 2007" AirSpun artists radio showcase featuring their winning music alongside other "Best of 2007" winners Brittney Elizabeth - Best Pop/AC and Laura Lambert - Best R&B.
The Fire Apes, an Indie Rock/Powerpop band from Charleston, SC, consists of John Seymour on lead guitar and vocals, Julian Volpe on bass and backing vocals, Hugh Knight on keyboards, and Aron Robinson on drums.
The distinction is not the first for the band, having emerged as AirSpun's monthly winner in September. The year also saw them named the winners of the Net Music Maker's Live Band competition in January, College of Charleston's Battle of the Bands in March, and 96 Wave's Locals Only Live Competition in June.
Early success with their first single, "Hey Kate!" placed them on the radio map and the band is poised for a breakout in 2008. The song caught the attention of Adam Curry's on his Daily Source Code Podcast, and was spotlighted on MyCoke.com. Chart recognition followed in recent months; this time with the college, internet, and terrestrial radio markets. "This is EXACTLY what radio listeners are looking for", states Jay Anderson, at Popbang radio based in St. Paul, MN.
Positioned on commercial and college radio charts has not been the only positive movement for The Fire Apes. Respected musician site GarageBand.com has also generated recognition, this time with the fans; where "Hey Kate!" twice garnered Track of the Day and Track of the Week honors, and continues to rise on their charts.
AirSpun, Inc., a Silicon Valley start-up, offers online and broadcast marketing and promotional tools for independent music and digital media artists. The company's unique web services give independent artists equal access to commercial radio time and a chance to be heard by a global fanbase. AirSpun's mission is to democratize the hitmaking process worldwide.
For more information on The Fire Apes visit www.thefireapes.com or www.myspace.com/fireapes.
We did a great interview this week with C.G. over at Channel 27.net. They're getting it ready to air on Boxing Day, December 26th, and will it be incorporated into their Christmas Countdown show. Log on and listen by going to www.channel27.net
Forget Idol, this is the voting event of the season - The Christmas Countdown. Every week they give you the chance to vote for your favorite Christmas songs. Then, on Saturday evening Leo Andrews counts down the 30 biggest songs as voted for by you.
Songs featured on this Episode: Last Christmas - The Fire Apes
Coverville is a podcast, produced three times a week, that focuses on cover songs - a new rendition of a previously recorded song. The show is produced and hosted by Brian Ibbott, in his home in Arvada, Colorado - about 10 miles West of Denver.
The show features a combination of music and information about the music, delivered in a very relaxed, informal style. On average, each show runs about 35 minutes and features six selections. Information about the performing artist, and source album is provided, along with information about the artist being covered.http://www.coverville.com/archives/2007/12/coverville_399.html
Songs featured on this Episode: Only You Could Make Me Happy - The Fire Apes
This week's POWER POP SHOW devoted two full hours to the best bands/artists your host, Jeff found (...and those who've discovered him!)
Download the full Podcast or STREAM IT....at:
http://www.midwestusergroup.org/KSCU_Podcasts.htm
** PLAYLIST: The Power Pop Show**
12.14.07 (5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT)
---Hour 1---
THE DROWNERS - Yeah Now What (Cease To Be)
www.myspace.com/thedrowners
THE RULERS - World I Left Behind
www.myspace.com/rulersmusic
THE ORCHID HIGHWAY - Sofa Surfer Girl (s/t)
www.myspace.com/orchidhighway
JUNIOR LEAGUE - Let Me Win (Catchy)
www.myspace.com/juniorleague
CARELESS HEARTS - Box Step (s/t)
www.myspace.com/carelesshearts
CALEXICO - Cruel (Garden Ruin)
BIRDS OF AVALON - Bicentenniel Baby (Bazaar bazaar)
www.myspace.com/birdsofavalon
THE FIRE APES - Only You Could Make Me Happy (s/t EP)
www.myspace.com/thefireapes
MONKEEMAN - Man In My Head (s/t)
www.myspace.com/monkeeman
THE ALICE ROSE - Save Me (Phonographic Memory)
www.myspace.com/thealicerose
IAN AXEL - Afterglow (I'm Onto You EP)
www.myspace.com/ianaxel
DJ Kali featured The Fire Apes on 12/10/07 on Aiiradio.net.
To stream the show click here or visit: http://www.aiiradio.net/
They have a chatroom on the front page you can not only listen, but chat along with her as she chats with people from around the world!
Aiiradio.net 6-8pm EST
The Fire Apes have been selected as one of outstanding artists/groups in Airspun's "Best of 2007" new music AirGods poll (in the Rock category)!
Please stop by, listen all of the great tracks and vote for The Fire Apes.
"Hey Kate!" has been selected for international syndicated radio airplay on "The Kickradio Show" - with listeners in more than 140 countries worldwide. The song will be part of "Episode 14" which will be broadcast on Tuesday, November 27.
Listeners and fans can listen to the show at www.kickradio.com, and check out the show notes http://kickradiolive.info/wordpress/podcast-the-kickradio-show-episode-14.htm.
The song becomes eligible as a nominee for the Global Top 50 Charts show which will soon be making a new debut of its own.
In the words of Silverfox, Host of theKickradio Show, "Hey Kate! is the type of song that our talent scouts and producers search worldwide for that elevates it to a class of its own. Each month hundreds of thousands of songs are uploaded on the internet at digital delivery download services such as iTunes, Rhapsody, Snocap, and Napster which makes it near impossible to find that really 'good' music, But Kickradio.com identifies the best of the best NEW music on the internet through their exclusive vetting and selection process.
"Listeners and fans at Kickradio who love The Fire Apes can sign up for free at www.globaltop40.com to help select the 40 best new songs in the world each month.
