Bamboozle 2009: Six Breakout Bands to Watch
This year’s Bamboozle crammed more than 70 bands a day into the most pop-friendly lineup the fest has seen in its four-year history. No Doubt and Fall Out Boy claimed the biggest headlines, but a six-pack of up-and-coming acts were making noise on the smaller stages. Here’s a rundown:
Name: All the Day Holiday
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Sounds Like: Dreamily ambient rock, like Sigur Ros or Explosions in the Sky
Their Story: Born from the remains of a screamo act featuring singer Daniel Simmons and drummer Mark Ventura, All the Day Holiday’s current sound blends layered arrangements into gorgeous, atmospheric tracks. The band released its debut album, The Things We’ve Grown to Love on indie label Linc Star records last month.
Name: Danger Radio
From: Seattle, Washington
Sounds Like: Jonas Brothers fronted by Justin Timberlake
Their Story: With members hailing from across the continental United States, Puerto Rico and Finland, the pop-savvy six-piece blends rock, pop and R&B into sugary sweet grooves, and covers songs by Britney Spears, Timberlake, John Mayer and Oasis live. Danger Radios’ debut LP, Used and Abused came out last July and the band is currently on tour with the Plain White T’s with additional gigs lined up through the end of May.
Name: Hey Monday
From: West Palm Beach, Florida
Sounds Like: Paramore injected with a dose of Disney pop
Their Story: Hey Monday released their debut on Pete Wentz’s Decaydance label last fall, drawing comparisons to Hayley Williams and Avril Lavigne thanks to fresh-faced, spunky frontwoman Cassadee Pope. The band is currently opening for Fall Out Boy on their Believers Never Die, Part Deux tour and will embark on its first headlining trek this summer.
Name: Honor Society
From: New Jersey
Sounds Like: The boy-band sounds of *N SYNC mixed with the R&B funk of Maroon 5
Their Story: Last summer Honor Society were discovered by another group of New Jerseyites, the Jonas Brothers, who have since introduced Honor Society’s brand of radio-friendly slick R&B pop to its fans and grabbed them as openers on the JoBros’ upcoming world tour. Even though its members skew slightly older than Jonas (Honor Society’s four members are all in their twenties), Honor Society has already achieved heartthrob status and nearly two million MySpace plays.
Name: Lights Resolve
From: New York, New York
Sounds Like: The theatrics and power of Muse mixed with the New York flavor of bands like the Bravery
Their Story: Lights Resolve (once known as Last Week) formed in 2006 and earned a spot opening for Panic at the Disco and Dashboard Confessional last fall after winning MTV2 and Time Warner’s Rock Battle NYC. With two self-released albums under their belt, the band is honing its live act and working on new material.
Name: Locksley
From: New York, NY
Sounds Like: The concise pop of early Beatles paired with the grittier edge of the Strokes
Their Story: Back in 2006 RS named Locksley one of the 25 best bands on MySpace. Since then, the band’s retro rock has been used in numerous commercials and MTV shows, and the quartet has opened for Rooney and Hanson. With influences ranging from the Beatles and the Kinks to Cold War Kids and the Cribs, Locksley are prepping the release of its next album, Be In Love.
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