I know this Pick of the Week is a day late and I really have no excuse except for pure laziness. Eh, what are you gonna do? I thought a lot about who was going to be this week's Pick of the Week and it came to me during a time of immense physical pain. I'm talking about the gym. What did you think…? Basically I have a Youtube playlist literally titled "Don't Listen to the Pain." It has a bunch of my favorite music videos and acoustic vids that help me get through that whole ugly, sweaty mess. Long story short, I've been obsessing over a cover this past week and I figured the only people who make sense to be the Pick of the Week are the guys of The Big Time! Check them out…
The Big Time: (from left) Derek Mrdjenovich,
Brandon Porta, Dylan Auerbeck, Aaron Porta
If you happened to read my Freaks & Geeks Tour review, you'll remember that I mentioned a couple guys involved in 7 Minutes in Heaven's set. Derek Mrdjenovich and Aaron Porta are only 2/4 of The Big Time. Along with Dylan Auerbeck and Brandon Porta, The Big Time is a pop rock/alternative band from Altoona, Pennsylvania. These guys are crazy talented and strangely addicting might I add. A couple weeks ago, MKTO was my Pick of the Week and since I already can't get enough of "Classic," I was ecstatic when The Big Time covered the song….and they did a hell of a job. Derek's pop/rock voice was perfect for their version of the song and literally brought it back to life.
One thing I absolutely love about these guys is how real they are. They aren't trying to fool anyone into thinking they're above all of the other homegrown bands trying to make it big. They've even just recently started an Indiegogo campaign to fund the making of their new album. Their current goal is $5,000 *which is only about half of the cost it will take to actually make this album* but it's already clear to see that The Big Time without a doubt has a big time fanbase. They're already over halfway to reaching their goal. If you do decide to listen to anything I'm saying and check out this band, I highly encourage you to contribute to their campaign because the new album is bound to be amazing.
Speaking of albums, The Big Time has already released three albums since 2009 including their latest, Dreamers and Believers, released spring of last year. The band has been featured on The Gunz Show and the Pup Fresh Tour. They've also rocked the stage with artists like Breathe Carolina, Mayday Parade, and We Are The In Crowd *just to name a few*. Even as I'm typing this they are playing a show with none other than All Time Low! These guys have a big future ahead of them and I can't wait to see them in full hopefully later in the year promoting their new album. If you have the chance, check out The Big Time and head out to see them if there's a show near you. They are the greatest group of guys and I promise it will be a great time.
The Big Time's amazing cover of "Classic" feat. Timmy
Rasmussen of 7MIH:
Check out the band talking about their Indiegogo
campaign and how you can help out!
*Click here to check out The Big Time's campaign and contribute to the new album! You may get an awesome perk…just saying*
This past Friday I went to the Freaks & Geeks Tour at the Firebird in St. Louis. Now we all know that the Firebird is one of my absolute favorite venues! So take the intimacy and cool rock vibe from this venue and mix in 5 crazy talented pop punk/rock/pop bands with a dash of post hardcore jumping, head banging, and sweating and you've got The Freaks & Geeks Tour. Depending on the date, there were different bands performing but on Friday, The Strive, This Is All Now, 7 Minutes in Heaven, Late Nite Reading, and Hollywood Ending took the stage so sit back and try to convince yourself why missing out on one of these shows is a good idea. *Good luck with that*
THE STRIVE:
The Strive:from left--Greg Dowd, Nick Stacy,
Brendan Stevens, Luke Davis, Michael Zenk
I had never even heard of The Strive until frontman Brendan Stevens came up to me in line and was nothing but charismatic and enthusiastic about getting the band's name out there. I wasn't sure what to expect from this Kansas City group but let me say this…they.do.not.disappoint. The whole "ugh I don't know this opening act do they really have to perform right now" feeling is always something present at shows but it wasn't even a minute into their first song and this band had the crowd raving. It didn't really matter anymore if you didn't know the words because it was just that great. Definitely keep The Strive fresh in your mind as one to watch this year.
This Is All Now:from left--Mike Pitelli, Louie Malpeli,
Okan Kazdal, Jordan Caroleo, Tom Angenbroich
This Is All Now! I was really looking forward to seeing these guys and, yes, it was fantastic! These New York natives were a long way from home but right in their element throughout the entire set. They performed their fan favorites like "Supernova" and "Another" and even threw in a little rock-esque One Direction cover that kept the crowd on their feet. Their onstage banter was matched well with their natural talent and insane hype. If you've missed out on the first leg of the Freaks & Geeks Tour, the This Is All Now guys will be playing a few dates of Against the Current's upcoming Sink or Swim Tour. It's guaranteed to be a great time.
Before Friday I had only ever heard of 7 Minutes in Heaven. I had never really gotten around to checking out any music and I'm really angry that I hadn't. Timmy Rasmussen is one talented kid. He also had Derek Mrdjenovich and Aaron Porta from The Big Time as well as Alex Rogers from She's Alive helping out. At one point they had the entire crowd running around in a giant circle just because. How can you not have a great time?? His alternative/rock style is a huge breath of fresh air right now. There are so many people trying to get in and have a go at the same edgy alt scene and flopping. Timmy's clearly got his mind made up about what 7 Minutes in Heaven is all about and he's good at showing fans that. I'm looking forward to seeing him sometime soon at his own headlining tour…*hopefully*
"Here's to Never Growing Up" cover by 7 Minutes in Heaven:
Late Nite Reading: from left--Clayton Collins, Brady
Szuhaj, Dalton Wixom, Drew Cottrell
All I can say is thank the lord these Indiana boys are doing what they're doing because WOW. I've been a fan of Late Nite Reading for awhile and this was my first time seeing them live. I couldn't believe how absolutely crazy it was! They've got the look, the talent, the style, and the ability to turn a venue upside down. Their pop-punk style did not disappoint in the slightest and once they finished their set all I wanted was for them to come back onstage and do it all over again. I highly suggest checking out this band and turning up to one of their future shows. They are one of the best live performers I have seen and I'm sure you'll agree.
Hollywood Ending: from left--Chris Bourne, Cameron Byrd,
Tyler Wilson, Dan Geraghty
The main event…and a good one at that. It's an understatement to say Hollywood Ending have come a long way from their start as a five-piece pop band which later became a four-piece and then a three-piece and then a four-piece again. Did you get all that? The Freaks & Geeks Tour is their first headlining tour and has so far been a huge success. They have been crossing the country, playing for fans who are nothing but ecstatic to see them on this new venture. They played songs from their first EP along with their newest release, "Freak Like Me," and a few new songs that are to be released *as Tyler said* "eventually." Well, they'll be out soon enough and are bound to cause a craze among Hollywood Ending fans everywhere. Their songs are catchy and insanely fun to jump and dance along to in a crowded general admission concert. What these guys do best is make every fan feel involved in the show. They aren't afraid to show how grateful they are that people made the effort to drive out just to see them perform. It's been a bit of a weird ride for Hollywood Ending over the years but I can see these four guys really going far in the next year. I'm personally looking forward to their new music and many more headlining tours to come. If you have the chance, head out and see them. You won't be disappointed.
Hollywood Ending's latest music video--"Freak Like Me":
The Freaks & Geeks Tour is hitting Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, NYC, and Boston before wrapping up in Allentown, PA on the ninth of March. All of these bands are insanely talented and some of the nicest people I've ever met. Tickets are still available so grab yourself a pair and head out to the tour because you don't want to miss this!
I'll be posting lots of pictures from the show over the next week so don't forget to follow me on Twitter!
I've also made a page with a handful of pictures from the show so click through and enjoy!
HOLLYWOOD ENDING--THE FREAKS & GEEKS TOUR~AS TOLD BY MADS
