Mates of State @ Highline Ballroom, NYC 8/7/08

Mates of State the power-duo couple, Jason and Kori performed at Highline Ballroom in NYC to a packed room, where they played a solid, dance-able set filled with cello, violin, guitar, and songs off all its releases.

Click read more for setlist.

Mates of State- Highline Ballroom, NYC- Aug. 7, 2008 Setlist

Fraud in the '80s
Now
Like U Crazy
Get Better
Think Long
You Are Free
Jigsaw
Goods (All in Your Head)
Beautiful Dreamer
Blue and Gold Print
Haha
Offer
Re-Arranger

Encore:
Proofs
So Many Ways

The Material/ The Scenic/ The Goodnight Anthem @ Knitting Factory, NYC 7/30

The Material @ Knitting Factory, NYC - July 30, 2008
photos by C.W.
























The "Pop Til You Drop Tour" or as I called it, the triple "the" tour rolled around to NYC’s Knitting Factory where The Material, The Scenic, and The Goodnight Anthem performed for a feel good night of delicious and danceable pop-rock. It was nice seeing the bands talk to fans, talk to each other, and walking around making themselves present. Before the show started I was able to talk with Colleen, The Material's lead singer. The band has garnered the attention from PureVolume and Alternative Press Magazine two starting points for what looks to be a nice foundation for a good career ahead. They’re from San Diego and are unsigned, but perform strongly

The first two bands up were from Philadelphia, PA. The Goodnight Anthem provided a nice dose of pop-rock. They had a lot of energy, which was impressive and also were very appreciated and spoke to the crowd. They played song of their EP “Nights to Know You.” You call tell the members were happy to be playing and they all moved around, especially lead singer Tony. This 4-piece certainly rocked and is worth checking out.

For some reason the Scenic were the only signed band on this tour, but they didn’t headline tonight. At this point the room was nicely filled for a Wednesday night. Recently signed to Victory Records, these guys played songs off their “Find Yourself Here” full length. It was a shame The Scenic and The Goodnight Anthem only got about a 25-minute set, much too short for the eager fans and myself who couldn't get enough and expected more.

By the time The Material came on it seemed like a few people had left, which was unfortunate as they put on a great show. The band performed songs off its “Tomorrow,” EP such as “The Long Way Home,” and “The Truth About Reality.” They’re an alternative-pop rock group, for fans of Paramore, The Academy Is, and Envy on the Coast. The groups sound comes together well, often having a nice melody, which explodes into a catchy rock break down. The band seemed excited to be performing its first "real" NYC show. The first time was for the Dew Circuit Break contest. With the move to the side kind of beats the crowd quickly got moving. The sound was alright during the sets, but could’ve been better. I could barely hear the keyboard during the Material and Colleen’s vocals at points. Good set.

THE POP TIL YOU DROP TOUR- 2008 REMAINING DATES
W/ THE MATERIAL, THE SCENIC AND THE GOODNIGHT ANTHEM
Aug. 4 SWAYZES- Marietta, Georgia
Aug.5 BACKBOOTH, Orlando, Florida
Aug. 6 TRANSITIONS SKATE PARK, Tampa, Florida with Vega Under Fire
Aug. 7. THE TALENT FARM, Permbroke Pines, Florida w/ Vega Under Fire
Aug. 8 THILLZE ARCADE, Palm Coast, Florida w/ Vega Under Fire
Aug. 9 THE CAPITOL, Ocala, Florida

After this tour, the Goodnight Anthem do a few more dates with The Scenic. The Material play more shows, then start “The Everlasting Sound” Tour in the fall with Blameshift & And Then There Was You. These bands know how to keep busy. Check out the bands MySpace pages for details.

The Goodnight Anthem


The Scenic


The Material

Free Genki Shock Concert featuring Aesma Daeva & Me Talk Pretty @ Club Europa in Brooklyn 9/7

GENKI SHOCK TO PRESENT “SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION” CONCERT ON SEPTEMBER 7TH IN BROOKLYN

By: Star Child

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (August 1, 2008) – Genki Shock International will present “Symphony of Destruction,” an evening of metal and hardrock on Sunday, September 7 at Club Europa in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The concert will feature metal opera band, Aesma Daeva with Me Talk Pretty, KHZ, DMD, Travesty, Dudes of Doom, Target Earth, and a surprise guest.

“The shows keep getting better and better,” said Genki Shock founder Zak Novak. “The more work we do, the more recognition we receive, and it seems easier to get bands to play for us because of that. I am really excited about this one. Really hot bands, again.”

Aesma Daeva’s Lori will be in Poland with Therion, so Melissa Ferlaak (ex-Visions of Atlantis) will fill in on lead vocals for this show.

Genki Shock was founded on February 11, 2007. It started with Zak sponsoring Japanese events, festivals, and concerts, where he worked closely with major Japanese/ American newspapers, like the Daily Sun. The organization was a major sponsor for Japan Nite, a yearly concert held at the Knitting Factory in New York City.

“It was run by my inspiration, Audrey Kimura Benten,” said Novak. “She brings awesome Japanese punk bands to New York.”

As a result of the event, Novak got calls from promoters on the west coast to help promote a show. The show was held on June 19, 2007 at Knitting Factory and featured Swinging Popsicle from Tokyo, Japan.

“But ever since, I have been putting on shows alone, with no needed support, and having great hospitality for everyone and treating everyone with much respect,” said Novak.

Zak invests his time and money to put these free shows together, for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone. He’s working closely with Club Europa’s Robert Johnson to put on this show.

“No one benefits, but the bands and the fans,” said Novak. “I pay the venue, the bands, and the kids get in free.”

The shows Genki Shock has sponsored or organized includes:
• March 11, 2007: Sponsor for Japan Nite. It was an Audrey Benton show.
• August 7, 2007: Sponsor for Audrey Benten. Benten/ Tokyo event at Knitting Factory in NYC with GO! GO! 7188.
• October 26, 2008: Genki Shocks first official show. Halloween Music Festival, “The Witching Hour,” featuring Echostream, Leiana, Ghost Orgy, Phillip Eno and Kiyomi.
• March 1, 2008: 89.5 FM WSOU and Genki Shock Present “A Lovers Nightmare.” featuring Marc Rizzo, Mahavator, Echostream, Leiana, and more at Club Europa.
• March 16, 2008: Major sponsor for Japan Nite at Knitting Factory in NYC.
• April 11, 2008: Mahavatar, Kite Operations, Travesty, Cheap Perfume and local Korean Bands at KV Open Center in Flushing, Queens.
• July 11 & 12, 2008: 2 day festival! Genki Shock Presents “Tora Tora Tora,” featuring Jucifer, Moja, Suicide City, Merauder, Travesty, Mahavatar, and Black Water Rising. s

“Genki Shock’s goal is to give amazing concerts in a beautiful setting,” said Novak. “I want the bands to feel good and the fans to enjoy the night.”

Genki Shock is committed to making all its shows free and all ages.

Club Europa is located on 98 Meserole Ave (at Manhattan Ave) in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N.Y. Take the G train to the Nassau Ave. stop, walk one block north to Meserole Ave. and Manhattan Ave to arrive to the venue.

AESMA DAEVA
Aesma Daeva has been delivering the finest metal opera since its formation in 1998. Lead singer Lori Lewis’ voice is captivating and eloquent. The band is rounded out by John Prassas on guitar, Chris Quinn on bass, and Tim Klatt on drums. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota this act incorporates world instruments into their sound. They have performed with H.I.M, Therion, and Kamelot. The band is recommended for fans of Nightwish, Within Temptation, and Epica.

ME TALK PRETTY
Me Talk Pretty is led by Romanian-Armenian vocalist, Julia Preotu, along with guitarist Leon Lyazidi, AJ Pappas and Nate Meng on bass, and James Kluz on drums. The band’s latest 5-song EP “Ruby,” is filled with powerful, melodic and catchy rock tracks. Me Talk Pretty are this year’s 2008 Sabian Dream Spot Band Contest Winners. They’re touring all summer long on the Vans Warped Tour.

kHz
kHz is Raina on vocals, Pull on guitar, keyboards, and programming, Will Wood on bass, and Joe Migz on drums. This New York hard rock outfit released “Disconnected” in July. The album is filled with 15 tracks of passionate melodies, and crunching guitars with soft and screaming vocals. Two tracks also features Dave Navarro on guitar. The band is influenced by The Cure, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, The Deftones, and Marilyn Manson.

DMD
DMD is a Brooklyn-based metal/ experimental rock outfit.

TRAVESTY
Travesty is a three-piece metal outfit from New York.

DUDES OF DOOM
Dudes of Doom is a metal band from New York.

TARGET EARTH
Target Earth is a Black Sabbath cover band.

ABOUT GENKI SHOCK:
Genki Shock International is a music organization formed February 2007, devoted to putting on free, all ages concerts in NYC and Brooklyn featuring eclectic, hard rock and metal acts from the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Originally starting as a meet-up group, it exploded into a place where, founder Zak Novak put on concerts. Genki Shock is based out of Queens, NY.

For more information, http://japanese.meetup.com/375/ or www.europalive.net

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