The [Social Media] Hit

Social media has taken over our lives. Even in the golden years of MySpace dominance, none of us could have guessed how huge the platform would one day become. We plan our lives around it, define our relationships with it and rely on it for contact with nearly everyone we have ever met.

Facebook and Twitter have also blossomed into a way to keep track with our favorite bands. Both platforms give fans a way to feel like they’re best “friends” with each singer, guitarist and drummer in their iTunes library. 

With the recent addition of Google Plus, there’s no doubt it’s tough to keep track of the best ways to keep tabs on everyone. It must undoubtedly be just as difficult for those in the music industry to stay on top of all the latest trends and remain ahead of the curve. Alternative Press contributor Matthew Colwell recently wrote a “how not-to” article for social media music promotion. The list includes spamming, forcing “likes” and focusing too much on numbers. 

One record company that should write the “how-to” counterpart is Pittsburgh-based Modern Short Stories. Co-owners Steve Soboslai and Chris Fafalios are social media role models that have developed a unique way to keep their fans following. 

Despite regular humorous yet sincere status updates, the home of bands like their own Punchline, Spontaneo and The Composure, the guys use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and personal Web sites to produce a network like none other. 

 The Modern Short Stories family

Fans can even find a little bit of Modern Short Stories’ unique personality in their inbox. Whereas typical e-mail blasts can be nothing but annoying, this record label newsletter is one of the most entertaining thing I’ve ever read. I urge you to sign up here. 

Despite the usual entertaining music videos, Punchline bassist Fafalios constantly posts clips that both promote and entertain. His most recent venture, “Quinterviews,” features a five question interview with various friends, most of which are in a band. Here’s the first (and my personal favorite) with Punchline guitarist Paul Menotiades:

Whereas most band pages are updated by people who aren’t clearly the artists or publicists, it’s obvious that each member of the Modern Short Stories family has a hand in the marketing scheme. They post their own words, comment to fans and encourage as much interaction as possible.  Soon enough, before a show at the Altar Bar, we’ll be seeing these guys teach a “Web Marketing for Music… For Dummies” seminar. You heard it here first.  

"The Hit" by Punchline

You're So Vain, You Probably Think This Song is About You

This post began as a bit of a selfish rant. In her lifetime, nearly every woman comes across a song that speaks to her, literally. Despite Carly Simon's efforts to make us believe otherwise, only a select few can honestly say a song was written about them. But with the drop of our name, we can believe in a fantasy.

I have never had such luck. In my time, there's never been a song on the radio serenading "Stephanie." The only one that came close was this gem from Full House.

But, as any true girl of the nineties knows, Tommy Page actually wrote that song for his girlfriend Melanie.

My name is a little long. I always had issues with the nine letters. There's plenty a songwriter could do with it, though. It flows well and it's very elegant. So why is no one using it? Even with this classic, which includes an abundance of females' names, there's nothing for me.

Yes, this post began as a desperate plea for someone to write a song about me. But upon research, as any good blogger does, I found I was completely mistaken. There are several songs written about ... me ... ranging from R&B to rock to rap. One I cannot believe my mother didn't tell me about is by none other than David Cassidy and The Partridge Family.

In the end, this post likely interests no one but myself (and anyone named Stephanie), but it certainly made my night. 


You're So Vain by Carly Simon

Confessions of a Broken Heart

I came across an article earlier this month detailing a study performed by the University of Pittsburgh. It warned that parents should pay close attention if their kids are listening to a lot of music, because teenagers who listen to a uniquely copious amount of music are more likely to have major depression.

This notion had the Parents’ Music Resource Center (PMRC) written all over it. Between high school and college, I completed two research papers focusing on music censorship. A major component of the issue revolved around Tipper Gore and the PMRC in the 1980s. They worked to establish the Parental Advisory stickers we see on albums today. Efforts were also concentrated on explicit artists that were believed to have a major influence on the way listeners acted. Artists like Marilyn Manson have been blamed for teen suicide as a result of extreme lyrics.

I am not here to debate the validity of those cases. Instead, I found myself faced with a serious problem with the recent study. Upon further reading, I realized it was not based on the PMRC rationalization at all. The conclusion was simply that teens diagnosed with depression more often chose to spend their time listening to music over other media, like reading or watching television. They drew the obvious conclusion, that the participants were turning to music to help deal with their feelings.

Music "may provide companionship in a way for people,” said Dr. Primack.“It may be specific songs about loss or difficulty they find solace in or identify with. There's sort of [that] in the purpose of music since it began."

Although the study does not directly link music to the cause of depression, the article suggests that parents be wary of a child who listens to music and shows signs of the disease. It shines a negative light on the study, making it seem more than a simplistic look at what depressed individuals do in their spare time.

To suggest that the correlation between music and feelings of sadness is a bad thing is not only biased, but completely unfounded. Primack stated himself that these individuals can find solace in music.

Sadness isn’t the only emotion connected to music. In each and every emotion we go through in the day, a song can be associated with it. Have you ever been driving in your car and skipped a song on your iPod because it’s not what you feel like hearing at that moment? The notion that a song can change your day, attitude or state of mind is what I love about music. Personally, I have playlists dedicated to exercising, going out and falling asleep. The songs on these lists have been chosen because of how they make me feel and the attitude they induce.

Once you assign a particular track to a feeling, person or situation, it stays that way forever. Under no circumstances will you forget how that song made you feel. There have been many situations in my own life that one song –  one great chorus – has helped me get through. If there’s anyone out there that hasn’t found that, I am sorry for you. There is no greater healing than the power of music.

Confessions of a Broken Heart by Lindsay Lohan (although I wish a different artist would've written this song, it is one track that has spoken to me more than any other)

PMA Tour Leaves a Bitter Pittsburgh

Live Concert Review – Senses Fail, The Ghost Inside, Man Overboard, Transit – Mr. Small’s – 4.9.11

If there’s one thing everyone knows when coming to Pittsburgh, it’s to not mess with the sports teams. Whether it be the Penguins, Steelers or even the Pirates, nearly each person in the city is protective and loyal to the teams and players dressed in black and gold.

It seems that this was not explained to the bands on the PMA Tour Saturday night. An excited and jovial crowd quickly became defensive when drummer Mike Hrycenko of Man Overboard came onstage in a Philadelphia Flyers T-shirt. After just one song, the crowd began a “F*ck the Flyers” chant, followed by “Let’s go Pens.”

 As the members of the New Jersey band joked and played along with the crowd, things went from awkward to hostile when vocalist Zac Eiestenstein decided to add his opinion. “This is all I’m going to say,” he stated, “Sidney Crosby is the biggest bitch in the NHL.” For the remainder of the set, the songs were nearly impossible to hear over the booing, but Eiestenstein egged it on with frequent “Let’s go Flyers” chants thrown into the lyrics. When the following bands threw the obligatory shout out to Man Overboard, the crowd continued to jeer.

The Pittsburgh trash talk continued even before The Ghost Inside took the stage. As they were doing sound check, “Matt Cooke is a fugitive” rang through the speakers. When vocalist Jonathan Vigil hit the stage, it seemed he may not have even known what city he was in as he continued to say things like, “What’s up Pennsylvania,” instead of referring to the city. Later he made it obvious he knew where he was. “I usually talk sh*t on the Pens too, but I won’t tonight,” he said. “I just have two words: Super Bowl.”

Keeping with the classy commentary, Senses Fail frontman Buddy Neilson came on stage with an “I Y GB” shirt on, yelling “Super Bowl champions!” Throughout his set he commented on Ben Roethlisberger’s controversy, referring to him as a “rapist,” and called Mike Tomlin “the coolest coach in all of hip hop.”

When fans swallowed their pride and let the music play, the sold out crowd at Mr. Small’s was very energetic and had a strong response to each band on the tour.

Senses Fail was in Pittsburgh for the first time since 2009. Celebrating their fourth full-length album, the band set out on the PMA tour March 10 and have played a show nearly every day since. Released in October, ‘The Fire’ hoped to please fans after some disappointment in their third release, ‘Life is Not a Waiting Room.’ Neilson agreed and vowed to make this one the best yet. That is no easy task after ten years together and a sophomore release in the Billboard Top 15. The latest was well-received in reviews, being praised for the usual aggressive lyrics and refreshing optimism. Neilson has also been commended on his consistently improving vocals. “Even though I’ve been going through vocal coaches the entire time I’ve been singing, it’s just like something clicked,” he said in an interview with PropertyofZack.com.

When the band announced the Spring tour on their Web site in January, they also had another major change to tell the fans. Through a statement from Neilson, it was revealed that guitarist Garrett Zablocki was leaving the band. With a seemingly amicable departure, he wished Zablocki the best and stated Matt Smith from Strike Anywhere would be taking his place. Zablocki followed with a statement that he was pursuing his college degree while playing music on the side.

The quintet mixed it up with old favorites, like “Bonecrusher,” that kept fans singing along, and new ones from their latest album, like “Lifeboats.” In the long, sometimes awkward, breaks to talk to the crowd, Neilson explained the stories behind the lyrics. For instance, “Fire” is about finding your place in “this crazy world.”

California rockers The Ghost Inside were one of the most well-received openers on the tour. With their immense energy, it was no wonder the audience enjoyed the show, even though they did not perform the same type of music as the rest of the bands. Vigil recognized this, dedicating a song to Senses Fail for including them because “[they] don’t sound like the other bands on the tour.” Vigil dedicated many other songs, like “Overlooked” to closed minded people and “Shriner” to everyone who’s been to see them at Altar Bar.

While dodging angry fans’ hostility, Man Overboard played songs like “Parting Gift,” from their latest EP ‘Real Talk,’ and “Leavin.” It was hard to tell if the band cut their set short due to the audience response, but they seemed to be happy to get off stage.

Opening in the show was Transit from Boston, Massachusetts. They had a strong response from the start. They played “1978” off of their new EP, ‘Something Left Behind,’ “I Was Going to Cross this Out” and “For the World,” which they dedicated to the fans in Pennsylvania.

Whether Pittsburgh ever welcomes the bands on the Etnies PMA tour again remains to be seen. Transit may be the only one safe, as they made no negative Pittsburgh comments. As much as they may try to forget, the audience left this show with their ears ringing from both post-hardcore rock and verbal abuse. That is something no black and gold blooded Pennsylvanian will soon forget.

Written for SteelTownRock.com

Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued

If one should never judge a book by its cover, should one judge a band by its name? Imagine how much thought goes into the cover art of a novel: photography, text, font, color … the wrong size title could automatically deter a future purchase. 

What’s in a name for a band? Let’s try a game: As you read the following band names, think of the first genre that comes to mind. Even if you are familiar with the group, go with your first instinct. 

1.      1.  All Time Low

2.      2.  Dance Gavin Dance

3.      3. Isetmyfriendsonfire

4.      4.   Asshole Parade

Perhaps the somber meaning behind number one suggests emo. In reality, All Time Low typically features very upbeat tunes and got their name from a favorite New Found Glory song. Number two suggests something easy to dance to. On the contrary, the screaming isn’t very danceable. And so on. 

This music fan is guilty of judging a band by its name. I couldn’t wait to look up number four out of pure curiosity from an outrageous name. Although the style of music was not my cup of tea, I can’t help but think of what it would be like if I had added them to my list of favorites. When a colleague asks what concert I’m heading to, what looks would I get with the answer, “Asshole Parade”?

Another band I’ve researched exclusively for the name was Go Rydell. Why? Because Grease is my favorite movie and a reference to it immediately peaks my interest. Again, it wasn’t the kind of music I gravitate to. 

The point is not that I did not like either of these bands in the end. The intent of my story is that I researched the bands in the first place. For no other reason than what they decided to call themselves, I searched out new music and formed an educated opinion. These bands will continue to gain exposure because of what they call themselves.

In marketing, focus is on branding. Creating an image of a product is everything and without it one cannot expect to go anywhere. The same goes for music. Bands can go through several names before settling on the final one. New Found Glory seems to be in constant debate over the addition and deletion of the “A” before the title. To the average eye, one letter doesn’t make much of a difference. But obviously it means something huge to the members of the group, as they bothered to drop it in the first place. 

Names have oftentimes plagued me when reviewing shows. My first interview was with the band Saosin and my first obstacle was assuring that I did not pronounce the name wrong. Luckily, the guys have obviously battled this problem before I found the problem, so they had an explanation on their web site, complete with phonetic spelling (Say-oh-sin). If I had not found this key information, the interview could have gone in an entirely different direction. 

Pittsburgh band Spontaneo designed a clever video to help fans:

Next time you hear a name that strikes you as odd, obscene or obscure, look for the music. Don’t judge by the name; appreciate it, embrace it, you may find your new favorite band. (I’ll give you your first: The String Cheese Incident)

Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued by Fall Out Boy

We ain't got no place to go, so let's go to a punk rawk show

Welcome to my newest venture, Lost In Stereo. I love to write. I love music. I am combining the two. There are no promises that everything will be highly original or what you’d like to read, but I appreciate you giving me a chance. 

hearts, stars and horseshoes, Stephanie 

Punk Rawk Show by MxPx