THE ATARIS BIOGRAPHY AND DOWNLOAD NEW ALBUMS

The Ataris story reads like a punk-rock fairy tale: teenager lives in boring mid-western town (Anderson, Indiana); goes to a Vandals show and gives the band a tape; weeks later gets a call from Vandals bassist (and owner of Kung Fu Records) Joe Escalante asking him to record for his label; moves to California and puts band together with drummer Derrick Plourde (ex-Lagwagon); makes record "Anywhere But Here" (produced by Vandals' guitarist, Warren Fitzgerald); gets invited to tour with some of his favorite bands (see below); puts together solid new line-up; becomes Fat Mike's (NOFX) favorite new band, who then releases their EP, "Look Forward to Failure" (Fat Wreck Chords), produced by members of the Descendents. The saga continues with "Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits" (produced by Lagwagon singer/producer, Joey Cape), for Kung Fu Records, which has sold an average of over 600 copies per week worldwide since its April 1999 release, and still growing.

Just days after completing a triumphant 3-month U.S./Canada tour, The Ataris continued supporting "Blue Skies..." on the U.S. Fat Tour 2000 with No Use For A Name and then jumped on the Warped Tour. By fall, they were opening for MXPX in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii, ending the year in the U.K. and Europe with The Vandals.

Based in Santa Barbara, California and together just over 3 years, their unbelievably catchy songs, tireless work ethic, and non-stop touring have made them the fastest growing band in recent punk history.

Some bands The Ataris have toured with include: MxPx, Blink 182, NOFX, Social Distortion, Zebrahead, Good Riddance, Unwritten Law, No Use For A Name, Lagwagon, The Vandals, Dance Hall Crashers, Nerf Herder, Fenix TX, and Madd Caddies; will be touring the U.S. with Lagwagon and The Vandals in March 2001, then head straight to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. for April and early May, and finish up with a few dates with Blink-182 and Alkaline Trio in the Mid-West. June-July - Warped Tour, then a headling tour of U.S./Canada/Europe in the fall.

MEMBER

Kris Roe: Lead Vocals/Guitar
Marco Pena: Guitar/Vocals
Mike Davenport: Bass/Vocals
Chris "Kid" Knapp: Drums

ALBUMS

Album: Anywhere But Here
Date: 04/29/1997











Album: Look Forward To Failure
Date: 05/17/1998











Album: Blue Skies, Broken Hearts... Next 12 Exits
Date: 04/13/1999










Album: Let It Burn (Ataris/Useless ID)
Date: 05/17/2000










Album: Welcome The Night










Album: End Is Forever
Date: 02/06/2001










Album: So Long, Astoria
Date: 03/04/2003

LAGWAGON BIOGRAPHY AND DOWNLOAD NEW ALBUMS

Lagwagon is a punk rock band based in the small town Goleta located just outside Santa Barbara, California. They have released 8 albums through Fat Wreck Chords (What about leftovers was released through My Records), and lead singer Joey Cape is also in punk rock cover band Me First & The Gimme Gimmes and Bad Astronaut with whom he released two albums. In 2004, Joey released a split acoustic album (called Acoustic) together with No Use For A Name vocalist Tony Sly, which features acoustic versions of songs by both bands. Their latest album, entitled Resolve, was released on the 1st of November 2005.

Current lineup

Joey Cape - Vocals
Chris Flippin - Guitar
Chris Rest - Guitar
Jesse Buglione - Bass
Dave Raun - Drums

Former members
Shawn Dewey - Guitar (1990-1997)
Derrick Plourde - Drums (1990-1996)
Ken Stringfellow - Guitar (1997)

The new album Resolve is a homage to the life of Derrick Plourde, original drummer for Lagwagon and Bad Astronaut. The twelve songs on Resolve take the listener on an emotional trek filled with passion, power, and the melodious angst you know and love from Lagwagon.

ALBUMS 

Album: Trashed
Date: 06/20/1994






 




Album: Hoss
Date: 11/21/1995












Album: Double Plaidinum
Date: 08/12/1997

Album: Duh
Date: 10/01/1998

Album: Let's Talk About Feelings
Date: 11/24/1998










Album: Let's Talk About Leftovers
Date: 02/08/2000











Album: Blaze
Date: 04/07/2003











Album: Resolve
Date: 11/01/2005












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MXPX BIOGRAPHY AND DOWNLOAD NEW ALBUMS

At the age of 20, the members of Bremerton, Washington's MxPx are already punk rock veterans. Heck, they've shared a stage with the Sex Pistols (at Seattle's 1996 Bumbershoot festival) - what more proof do you need that these guys are the real deal?

They started proving it at an exceedingly young age. Four years ago, three 15 year-old kids calling themselves Magnified Plaid started pounding out music inspired by and similar to the Descendants and other Southern California pop-punk bands. They didn't really love their band name, however, which was a tribute to the original guitarist's penchant for wearing one particularly loud plaid shirt. Consequently, the name was abbreviated to M.P., but in Yuri's handwriting, periods become "X"'s and since he made up the show posters for the band, the four-letter moniker stuck.

Tom was added two years ago ( replacing the aesthetically offensive former guitarist) to solidify the line-up that would take the band into their post-teen years. Maybe his background as a drummer made up for his relative inexperience playing guitar (he had only played for a year at the time). He and Yuri lock into backbreakingly fast rhythms that rank with vintage Minor Threat for speed and percussive attack. Mike then adds to the mix his signature sing-along melodies that call to mind SoCal punk bands from the early '80s. Listen to "My Mom Still Cleans My Room" from the new album for a perfect example of this infectious juxtaposition.

Bremerton had been a town most famous for its naval shipyards until MxPx caught the attention of Tooth & Nail records when they played a "showcase" for the label in 1993 in Herrera's parents' garage. Since then, Tooth & Nail has released the band's debut, "Pokinatcha" and the follow up, "Teenage Politics" (which sold one-third of its 60,000 copies in Southern California, their musical Mecca).

November, 1996 Tooth & Nail released MxPx's highly anticipated "Life In General" which, incidentally, includes a tribute to the band's hometown: "Move To Bremerton," a standout track on an album already chock full of exciting and fresh updates of traditional pop-punk stylings. Check out "Andrea," "Today Is In My Way," or "Your Problem, My Emergency," and if you're not at least tapping your feet and humming along - let alone moshing uncontrollably and screaming the words at the top of your lungs - then check your pulse, buddy.

Though there is a heaping helping of songs about everyday young male concerns on the record (unrequited love, quitting jobs, giving girls rides home on your Vespa), don't be surprised when you confront mature lyrics dealing with issues like leading a moral life in an increasingly disillusioning world, defending your personal integrity, or railing against the unfeeling capitalist motives of people trying to manipulate you.

Whatever you do, don't discount the collective experience of these three deceptively young punk rockers. Turn up "Life In General" and kick back; you may even learn something.

A follow up to "Life in general" album are, "Slowly Moving the way Of The Buffalo" With the single "i'm Ok your Ok". Also last 2000 MxPx releasd an audio/multimedia CD album called "The EverPassing Moment" which was Produced By Famed Blink 182 album producer Jerry Finn. Tracks that are Bionically fast to listen and extensively melodic in this album are, "My Life Story", "The Next Big Thing" which is about how predictable the upcoming sound trends in the music biz is, and the single "Responsibility" That only proves that Shreds of adolescence stays with us when we grow old. Truly Herrera and the rest of the band Are still The "Good Guys Of PUnk". Fast And Riffy but never makes you feel negative about life.

 ALBUMS

Album: Pokinatcha
Date: 07/01/1995




















Album: On The Cover
Date: 11/28/1995










Album: Teenage Politics
Date: 11/01/1995










Album: Life In General
Date: 09/01/1996










Album: Move To Bremerton
Date: 10/21/1996










Album: Let It Happen
Date: 11/03/1998










Album: Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo
Date: 06/16/1998










Album: Ever Passing Moment
Date: 05/16/2000










Album: The Renaissance
Date: 11/01/2001










Album: Before Everything And After
Date: 08/01/2003
















Album: PanicDate: 06/14/2005










Album: Let's Rock
Date: 10/24/2006










Album: Secret Weapon
Date: 07/17/2007











Album: On The Cover II
Date: 03/24/2009










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PANTERA BIOGRAPHY AND DOWNLOAD NEW ALBUMS

Critics writing about Pantera fall over themselves in search of adjectives to describe the fiercely independent foursome: "Boot kicking" "A Metal massacre" "Crushing" "Searing" - the list goes on and on. Log onto the numerous websites manned by rabid and loyal fans, and you'll find chat rooms filled with their own testaments of faith to the band: "They never sold out." "They're as heavy as shit." "They always speak their mind." "They don't give a flying fuck about any of the others." But ask Philip Anselmo, the charismatic, often merciless frontman of Pantera about his take on their success and you get the true, living, breathing definition of this uncompromising phenomenon. "We've survived every fucking trend. Heavy metal, grunge metal, funk metal, rap metal - and we're still here. We put everyone on notice that we don't fuck around. Our fans know we're true right down to the fucking core.
"Now, with Reinventing The Steel, their first studio album in four years, Pantera can once again let their music do the talking, and, as one writer has already noted about the band: "You can hear them coming a mile away." The new disc, following on the heels of 1997's gold-selling live opus, Official Live: 101 Proof, reverberates with a depth and intensity that secures Pantera's rep as the cream of modern metal.

"We took more time on this album, much more time," says Vinnie. The album was crafted in their own home studio in Texas, with the band also anointing Vinnie and Dimebag Darrell as sole producers on this one. Terry Date, who has helped guide their four other studio albums, agreed it was time to let Vinnie and Dimebag fly solo on this effort.

"He was real cool about it," says Vinnie. "This just seemed like a natural progression to let us have a go at it. We were able to concentrate and work at a steadier pace, going in for a couple of days a week. It gave us a better perspective on what we were trying to achieve."

And though Vinnie is reluctant to describe the songs on Reinventing The Steel, Phil's riveting bolts of passionate, in-your-face vocals are again faithfully discharged under the familiar Pantera squall of Dimebag's guitars, Vinnie's drums, and Rex's deft bass playing. "It was great having Vinnie and Dimebag producing," says Phil. "We were able to come in and do our thing with none of the pressures. 100% bullshit proof. The evidence is in the music. We've been through so much together you can just feel the energy that went into making this album." Soulfully brutal tracks like "Revolution Is My Name," and "We'll Grind That Axe For A Long Time," pulse with the restless angst fans have come to expect, but soar, as well, under the steady hands of Vinnie and Dime. '"We'll Grind That Axe' is in a way, our motto," says Phil. "We'll keep fucking kicking ass, giving our all, until we can't fucking do it anymore. Our fans can breathe fucking easy - we're back."

As if they ever left. Pantera's incredible rise to the top of the metal heap has been nothing short of miraculous when you consider they've made their historic climb with virtually no radio support or MTV exposure. With 4 platinum albums under their belt, 3 gold home videos and 2 Grammy nominations, Pantera are just beginning to garner the recognition they deserve. Relentless touring since 1990's breakthrough album Cowboys From Hell, has seen them go from local Texas phenoms to mortifying trailblazers of the legendary Ozzfest. Touring with their idols was one of the highlights of Pantera's career. One of the most hellraising songs on the new disc, "Yesterday Don't Mean Shit," was penned on their most recent run on the Black Sabbath Reunion Tour. "It was the first song written for the new album," says Vinnie. "I think it establishes the code."

That code has held Pantera well through what many consider their classic album, 1992's Vulgar Display Of Power, to 1994's #1 Billboard debut Far Beyond Driven, to their most recent studio effort 1996's The Great Southern Trendkill. (TGST was the first album recorded at their custom built Texas studio.) "It makes all the difference in the world," says Vinnie. "We totally control our own destiny now. And that's just the way we want it."

The band's relentless touring and fierce dedication to their fans have inoculated them against the usual trappings that have brought down other metal bands, making them the standard-bearers for integrity minded rock.A crown that came naturally, says Vinnie: "We don't ever try to be anything we aren't. The bond between us and our fans can't be broken because they see themselves up there when we play. You can never fake that."

PANTERA USES AND ABUSES:

Washburn "Dimebag Darrell Signature Series" and Culprip monster Guitars, Randall Warhead Amplification, Ampeg Amplifiers, Spector Basses, Fender Basses, Pearl drums, hardware & pedals, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Dunlop pics, Nady Wireless, Morley Pedals, Neuman Tackified Gloves, Zon Straps, Dr. Strings,Dean Markley Strings, Shure Brothers Microphones & Accessories, Furman Technology, Spectraflex cables, Digitech, Korg, Rocktron, goodies from Production Supply, Art Signal Processors, Hafler Power Amps, Rockford Fosgate Car Stereos, All kinds of Mackie stuff, Converse, Crown Royal, Seagrams 7, Wild Turkey, Coors Light, St paulie Girl, Beck's Beer, Zig Zag Papers, Free weed from fans, casinos and titty bars.

ALBUMS


Album: Metal Magic
Date: 08/19/1983










Album: I Am The Night
Date: 03/01/1985










Album: Power Metal
Date: 03/01/1988












Album: Cowboys from Hell
Date: 07/01/1990











 Album: Far Beyond Driven
Date: 03/15/1994











Album: The Great Southern Trendkill
Date: 03/01/1996










Album: Vulgar Display of Power
Date: 02/25/1992











Album: 101 Proof - Official Live
Date: 08/19/1998











Album: Reinventing the Steel
Date: 03/14/2000
 











 Album: The Best Of Pantera: Far Beyond The Great Southern Cowboy's Vulgar Hits
Date: 08/19/2003












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REEL BIG FISH BIOGRAPHY AND DOWNLOAD NEW ALBUM

It has been almost two years since REEL BIG FISH raised a mighty middle finger to humorless music snobs everywhere with their single "Sell Out,'' and what a whirlwind it has been.

The monumental leap Aaron Barrett, Matt Wong, Tavis Werts, Dan Regan, Scott Klopfenstein, Andrew Gonzales, and Grant Barry took from being just a bunch of Orange County high school geeks to world-touring pros is nothing to be sneezed at. Not only has their debut album, Turn The Radio Off, surpassed gold status and continues to sell very well, they've reached beyond the confines of alt-rock stardom to convert the rest of humanity to the pleasures of REEL BIG FISH.

Last year their song "Trendy," had everyone doing the Fish, including the 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins, who made it their theme song which led to the band crooning the national anthem at a Miami Dolphins/Buffalo Bills game on Monday Night Football. The guys even made their movie debut (playing themselves, of course) as the house band in Universal Pictures' "BASEketball" with Matt Stone and Trey Parker, creators of "South Park".

To top these successes, the suburban septet won BAMMIES from local magazine BAM for best ska album and best ska artists of 1998. In addition, the band's horn section had the opportunity to play with Green Day on several North American tour dates this past summer and the rhythm section played a memorable gig backing up the legendary Don Ho on "Tiny Bubbles" at the KROQ Weenie Roast. In the course of their touring history, REEL BIG FISH have opened for artists such as KISS, The Cure, The Blues Brothers and Coolio.

It should come as no surprise that rabid fans of all ages have not only gobbled up the sarcastic ska party of their first album, but kept demand at such a fever pitch that the group had no choice but to put together a five-song enhanced EP, Keep Your Receipt, to ease their yearning. Devotees who've wanted to wear their RBF-infatuated hearts on their sleeves have been clamoring for key chains, antennae balls, frisbees, t-shirts (and the mysterious, still-in-development Andrew Gonzales whoopee cushion) that are all part of the band's fan-friendly merchandise.

It's hard to believe that eight years ago, with little more than a desire to play classic metal covers and pick up chicks, original members Barrett, Gonzales and Wong were just hashing out Poison riffs until ska slapped them upside the head. In fact, so much has happened so fast for the band, even the most devoted Fish fans may wonder if the bright lights and big cities haven't softened the group's sharp edges, turning gleeful young punks into tiresome, glamour-soaked rock stars.

"Fame has only brought me heartache and woe," sighs Barrett.

"And a good case of paranoid schizophrenia," offers Werts. But what about growth? Insight? Maturity? "Maturity?" snorts Werts. "I had to go from shaving once a week to shaving twice a week,that's how I've matured."

Rest assured, they're still REEL BIG FISH.

And yet on the eve of the debut of their second album for MOJO Records, Why Do They Rock So Hard, it is abundantly clear that this band has grown, managing an even finer balance of churning out the sharp hooks while keeping its soul intact.

Months of touring have paid off in a wealth of sonic riches, such as the aggressive pop of "The Set-Up" and the deceptively bouncy assault of "Somebody Hates Me." And it's not every band that can get away with the chorus "Scott's A Dork," but REEL BIG FISH makes it sing. As Werts explains it, "When we were coming up with the chorus, that fit, and we said we'd change it when we came up with something better, that was a year and a half ago."

The sharper focus may have something to do with the band jumping into the studio mix to an even greater degree this time around. "This is our record," explains Barrett. "I'm taking the attitude now that it's gotta sound right."

Nevertheless, the sound on Why Do They Rock So Hard has received a resounding thumbs up from all involved. "I think on the album we concentrated a lot more on harmonies and melodies, and musically it's just better," says bassist Wong. "It's a lot catchier, a lot poppier. But it's still ska. It's still reggae. We're just changing it up a little bit." Not bad for a band that can cover the '80's a-ha chestnut "Take On Me" and The Cure and make both merrily, unironically their own.

Their unabashedly mix-and-match style, which Barrett attributes to the fact that "whether I've liked it or not, I've taken from it," is one of the band's strengths, and a happy by-product of seven very different personalities ranging in age from 21-25 plugging into the mix. While having so many distinct personalities rubbing up against each other on the road isn't always fun, in the studio it's magic. "I don't know if we'd be friends if we weren't playing music together," says Barrett. "But I think that helps make the music. If we were all the same and listened to the same music, it just wouldn't work as well."

Even if they haggle over what goes in the CD player, the group does agree on a few things. While fan appreciation is just a hollow promise for most musicians, REEL BIG FISH goes the distance. "We always answer our mail, especially the hate mail (well almost always)" says Barrett. No fan hoping to hobnob with the guys will be turned away. "If people like your band, you should talk to them," says Barrett. "What if you wanted to meet somebody and they were mean to you?" To keep their younger fans in on the fun, the band has even adopted a policy of exclusively playing all-ages shows.

That down-to-earth attitude may have more than a little to do with the fact that these guys are still bug-eyed, knee-shaking fans themselves. "That's our problem, we're way too starstruck," says Barrett, recalling the thrill of playing with the King of "Tiny Bubbles," Don Ho. No disaffected cool for these guys, thank you very much.

Maybe it's exactly that sweet nougat center that makes pull-no-punches songs like "Big Star" go down so easy, that makes their raucous live shows rejuvenating rather than punishing. Deep down REEL BIG FISH is just a bunch of decent, hardworking guys who couldn't care less about becoming ridiculous rock gods. But don't tell them that. "My dream is to date an actress," says Werts.

"I want to be really super rich and famous. That would be fun," Barrett adds. Werts shrugs. "So would dating an actress." Oh yeah. They're still REEL BIG FISH.

 ALBUMS

Album: Turn the Radio Off
Date: 08/13/1996

















 
Album: Why Do They Rock So Hard?
Date: 10/20/1998











Album: Everything Sucks
Date: 01/25/2000










Album: Cheer Up!
Date: 07/01/2002











Album: We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy
Date: 04/05/2005











Album: Monkeys For Nothin' And The Chimps For Free
Date: 07/10/2007











Album: Fame, Fortune and Fornication












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