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Vision's Team Members Best Of 2011. |
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2011
has been a massive hardworking year for Alternative
Vision, we have covered hundreds of gigs, reviewed
hundreds of albums and EP's, covered many festivals
such as Download, Sonisphere, Bloodstock, NASS,
High Voltage, Hub Festival and many more and also
conducted over 100 interviews with both high profile
and up and coming bands such as Trivium, Murderdolls,
The Hype Theory, The Defield, Angels And Airwaves
and many others, we already have plans in place to make 2012 just as fun and exciting for everyone but in the meantime check out the teams hightlights of 2011.
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Trigger |
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This
year has been a very diverse year for me at Alternative
Vision, it all started back in January when I
headed down to Bristol Colston Hall to review
Thin Lizzy and also catch up with current front
man Ricky Warwick for a short interview about
the band reforming and their plans for the future
and nearly 12 months on Thin Lizzy have completed
a success UK tour played many UK festivals and
are currently gearing up for another headline
UK tour which kicks off January 2012.
February saw me interview Wednesday 13 from the
Murderdolls and also Andy Biersack from the Black
Veil Brides, both were a pleasure to do and the
live show that followed after from both the Murderdolls
and Black Veil Brides was fantastic and also not
to forget how good The Defiled were on the day
opening for these bands.
The summer months were spent in tents at various
festivals across the country such as Sonisphere,
Download and High Voltage and a great time was
had at each festival for various different reasons.
The reason why 2011 was so diverse for me was
because it saw me cover such a wide variety of
bands such as VersaEmerge, D.R.U.G.S, The Saturdays,
Scouting For Girls, Rise Against, Electric Six,
Incubus and even the superstar acoustic tour was
the Revival Tour which featured a stellar line
up this year of Chuck Ragan, Dan Andriano, Dave
Hause and Brian Fallon.
The main highlight of 2011 for me was interviewing
Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio at the Revival
Tour as the man is one of my hero's, and also
getting to photograph Incubus live was amazing.
Like everything there have been a few downsides
but most of these were mainly out of anyone's
control such as Alkaline Trio postponing their
tour to 2012 due to Matt Skiba breaking his foot
and the Black Veil Brides also moving the remaining
dates of their 2011 tour to 2012 due to Andy Biersack
breaking his nose on stage, but moments like this
are just helping to make 2012 worth looking forward
to even more but also a shame for fans who had
planned to go to the orginal shows.
I would also like to say that without the fantastic
team we have at Alternative Vision, the various
pr's and record labels we work alongside with
and also the fans and viewers we have 2011 would
nowhere near of been as good as it was, so thank
you all so much and here is to an even better
2012.
Top 5 Albums Of
2011
After Ryan left Deaf Havana the band decided to
carry on as a four piece and it seems to have
been the most important decision that the band
have ever made as 'Fools And Worthless Liars'
is one of the most emotional charged fantastic
written albums I have heard in a long time and
see's Deaf Havana come across in a more mature
light.
have always been a fan of Sum 41 but in recent
years their album releases have been a bit below
average until now, when they released 'Screaming
Bloody Murder' back in March I was blown away
with how two sided and schizophrenic the album
sounded with Dereck Whibly going quite personal
and close to his heart with his song writing after
a bitter split up from his wife Avril Lavigne.
When Social Distortion released 'Hard Times And
Nursery Rhymes' back in January I was convinced
back then that I was listening to my album of
the year even though 2011 was only weeks old,
and here we are 12 months on and 'Hard Times And
Nursery Rhymes' may not be my album of the year
but it is defiantly one of the best punk albums
released all year and easily deserves the number
3 spot.
When Craig Owens’s Destroy Rebuild Until
God Shows premiered their debut single 'If You
Think This Song Is About You, It Probably Is'
back at the end of 2010 I just knew they were
going to be a band worth keeping an eye on and
then they came and released their self-titled
debut album in February and wow what an album
it is from a band who clearly have a strong future
ahead of them.
Twin Atlantic are a band that I have loved ever
since I first heard their single 'Lightspeed'
and since then they have gone on to release their
mini album 'Vivarium' and have now also released
their debut studio album 'Free' and it was as
fantastic as everyone was expecting, there is
not a dull moment in sight and the clear Scottish
vocals from Sam McTrusty is enough to convert
anyone to Twin Atlantic.
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James
Webb |
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My
highlights here at AV definitely include the group
meet up at Sonisphere this year with all the disasters
I in particular had to deal with, damn tent. Drinking
beer with Rise To Remain when I interviewed them
has to be another one, alongside all the comical
problems chasing tour managers and band members
around venues was funny looking back at it now.
Without a doubt the best gig I’ve been in
attendance this year was Rob Zombie at the Birmingham
Academy, a mere month of working here, it was
the best thing that I have ever witnessed. The
best thing I can say though is the times I’ve
spent with co-worker Robert Laurence, my partner
in crime wreaking havoc at venues all year with
small cases of assault on my person and general
debauchery, if next year contains anymore outings
between the pair of us I think 2012 will definitely
be the end of the world haha!
Top 5 Albums Of
2011
My number 1 album of this year is Black Stone
Cherry’s latest album. The reason I gave
it the top spot is because it’s a really
mature style considering the band are only in
their mid 20’s and it’s some of the
catchiest, bounciest rock music I’ve ever
heard.
Possibly the best metal release of the year, it’s
good to see them not caring about who calls them
sell outs or saying they aren’t metal and
exploring the potential ranges of their sound.
I really relate to TOADM’s new album. It’s
got that symphonic edge now which is pulling them
away from their past comparisons, really coming
into their own with fun themes.
Not a major release of the year but debut album
from The Browning blew me away this year. When
bands are beginning to take dance music into their
sound and making people throw up, it was astonishing
that these guys pulled it off flawlessly.
The final spot in my top five goes to Sum 41.
Well deserved, they received a lot of bad criticism
for this release due to its dark themes and depressing
feel, but at the end of the day music has always
been a way to deal with things for both artists
and fans, the power that this raw emotion brings
to the songs is unmatched this year. |
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Lauren
Mullineaux |
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One
of the best gigs I was lucky enough to review this
year was Japanese Voyeurs playing the tiny Roadhouse
in Manchester--undoubtedly a one time opportunity
before they become a huge deal, it was a fairly
straight forward gig, but then that's what made
it so memorable; no tricks, no props, just bloody
good songs played live. Two other gigs from this
year really stand out and they are Thursday, god
rest their soul, yes it was on their most recent
tour, but they played Full Collapse in full for
the tenth anniversary which was the best idea they
possibly ever had. Taking things on a different
tangent the other is Das Racist a hip-hop trio from
L.A. who mercilessly mock the genre as much as they
use it. Live they are one of the best groups around
with an unparalleled sense of crowd camaraderie
and a rather lax attitude to actually playing songs.
I did almost get thrown of a tour bus by the arrogant
Wes Scatlin of Puddle Of Mudd who refused to acknowledge
I was with his band member and friend, personally
I think it was drugs, but you know how it is when
you once had a hit song....but my favourite interview
definitely goes to Tellison who let us have a little
photo shoot with them all in their matching bowling
jackets--they get those things specially made for
each tour--after we finished talking; lovely chaps.
Top 5 Albums Of 2011
 It's a god damn punk opera in four parts,
now tell me what's not good about that?
A blinding debut album on which you will find it
difficult to pick a song you don't like they proved
women can be just as ballsy as men in the alt rock
scene without morphing into Amy Lee.
Consistently bloody brilliant this is a band and
a record doing what they do best; destroying everything
with beauty.
This has been played non-stop since I heard it.
It's just ferociously catchy post-rock, which isn't
something you will hear said often. This a little
band from leeds having a very well rehearsed breakdown.
I expect big things from these boys.
For me this year hasn't had as many stand-out records as the last, but none the less there have been some corkers and some released early on that many lists are relentlessly forgetting. So finally at number five with a vengeful comeback it had to be:
After a few lacklustre efforts this showed everyone's
favourite welsh boys still have it and that when
they're on form there isn't quite anyone like them.
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James
Daly |
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This year hasn't been the best for me personally; I lost my father and have found it hard to deal with. But Alternative Vision has helped make this year better, I didn't get to go to Download and Sonisphere but I got to go to one of my favorite up and coming festivals, Hevy! It was a great weekend; I got to meet lots of bands and interesting people, whilst watching some great sets! My highlights of the weekend, was watching The Bronx and getting free booze from the 2 hour free bar that Hevy put on for the bands, staff and media! The best interview I did was probably Good Charlotte, I got to interview Dean and Paul, who wouldn't stop talking, it was immense, I was there chatting away for about half hour! I got to see some great bands this year; The Wonder Years, Yellowcard, The Swellers, Capdown, Bowling For Soup, A Day To Remember, Good Charlotte, Four Year Strong, Twin Atlantic and The Bouncing Souls, But the best live gig of the year was one that I didn't review(but AV did), it was the Jagermeister Ice Cold Birmingham, I won some VIP tickets and the night was wicked, Yashin and Skindred blew me away, I also got 8 free pints of beer so I was a very happy man! Overall this year has been amazing for gigs, AV have been awesome and have got me out of the house and into fun situations and for that I’m really grateful to be a part of the team!
Top 5 Albums Of 2011
My first choice is definitely The Hype Theory, as
soon as I heard their single "Kid At Heart"
I was hooked, it's fun, pop punk that you can't
help but smile and sing along with, luckily the
album is packed full of the same sort of songs.
If you’re feeling down then this album will
instantly cheer you up!
 Only just recently hearing this
album all the way through, it has shot up to be
one of my favorite albums of the year! Its rocky
and catchy and has great production values. This
is a great sounding album that shows why Twin Atlantic
are one of the hottest bands around!
I know this isn't an album, but being a big Gallows
fan I was eager to see what new singer 'Dallas Green'
sounds like and how the band have progressed, and
although it doesn't feel like the Gallows anymore
it's fresh punk rock that, I’m sure, will
be amazing live! It hits hard and cuts deep, it’s
a great EP that makes me want more, and I can't
wait for the album next year!
I know that most people reading this have no idea
who Frenzal Rhomb are, but they are one of my favorite
punk bands and are on NOFX's label Fat Wreck. This
band has been going for almost 20 years and this
album shows why they've lasted this long. It’s
fun, fast and loud! The songs are a mixture of serious
political punk songs mixed in with songs about balls
and shit, with great track names such as "Mummy
doesn't know you're a Nazi" its childish, smart
and amazing!
This album is pop punk at its core, it’s an
album with lots of meanings and for pop punk it
is pretty deep. It has the energy of their live
shows put into this album and you can tell that
each song has been worked on with lots of passion
and allot of thought. This album is a great mix
of heart and soul!
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Robert
Lawrence |
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Highlights
of the year you say, where to start, favourite
gigs of the year in no particular order, Angels
and Airwaves, Kyuss Lives is one of my top live
shows of the year they came of smoking then played
superbly also the interview I did with John Garcia
from the band was pretty cool. Amon Amarth and
Children of bodom at the same gig was just fucking
killer as there two of my favourite bands and
such good fun to shoot as well, almost impossible
to take a bad shot of them really, and the music
kicks ass too! Interviewing Innerpartysystem was
a top top highlight for me as they are such nice
guys and really superb live, I hope they reform
sooner rather than later. Went to sonisphere with
my reviewer wingman Mr James Webb, finally got
to see The Mars Volta live and they played new
material, was so happy at that, Metallica mixing
it up with there set list, great to hear a few
songs seldom played and them playing songs in
a totally different order was a joy to watch,
and an emotional end to the festival with a storming
set by Slipknot.
I got to see and shoot a fair few classic rock
bands, Styx and Foreigner supporting Journey,
I have to say them two bands out shone the headliner
by a mile, Rush took me on an odyssey of prog
rock for about 3 hours, superb gig, Deep purple,
what a superb gig that was, backed up by an orchestra
the band have still got it in all the right places,
sounded the best I've ever heard them, Judas Priest
the legends that they are on there last tour!
The defenders of the faith tour was pretty awesome
and found a new band in the form of ghost then
I subsequently head butted my camera while head
banging to Triviums set opener in waves, gave
me quite a headache I can tell you, but some beer
soon fixed that, then a few days later I rocked
out to Machine FUCKING Head, hearing the new songs
live were just steller........ And that was my
year in gigs, other gigs I enjoyed were Within
Temptation, YES, Lacuna Coil, Skindred, Enter
Shikari, Evile, The Ocean, Funeral for a Friend
and the numerous Turn Off the Sun gigs I attended.
Top 5 Albums Of
2011
Probably one of the top metal bands at the moment,
was great to hear that this album is as every
bit as good as the blackening and going from strength
to strength superb heavy thrash album.
Before anyone points out that is was released
in 2010, I know but I didn't hear it till January
and I don't care either. Such a fantastic electronica
album to some really catchy beats and some nice
orchestral stuff in there too, given the Daft
punk twist, fantastic.
return to form for such a superb live band, catchy
as fuck with so many top tunes in one album and
will be very difficult for them to top this effort
next time around.
Local unsigned Birmingham Alt rock band, this
EP is their best yet with so many catchy lyrics
and hooks and riffs, Cardiac is the highlight
for me, and is available to download for free
on their facebook page which is a bonus too.
4 tracks that didn't make Death Magnetic, who
knows why though, although slightly not as polished
as the album tracks, their easily better than
some that made the album, some superb riffs and
catchy as hell to, Metallica maybe heading in
the right direction again! |
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Kim
Horsley |
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As of May 2011 I was a Fresher to Alternative Vision. Die So Fluid were the first band I was set to interview, photograph and review, and I couldn't have asked for three better genuine and funny people to ease me in. Grog wears the most amazing suits and shows that girls can do it just as well as the lads.
I jumped at the chance to interview Set Your Goals, and just before their album release I had plenty of questions. Joe and Mike were the humblest of people. They were so thankful to be where they are and they were very well received - definitely the sweatiest show I've ever been to!
The highlight of my year with AV would without a doubt be photographing Gallows in July. After watching Gallows many times, I've always loved their energy and passion. I shot the gig at my local venue which crammed 500 or so fans wanting to see Frank Carter on his last tour with the band. Mayhem broke loose when the boys took to the stage and the crowd went nuts!
Tinie Tempha at NASS Festival was too a memorable set to witness along with all the other bands I have had the pleasure of photographing/interviewing.
All in all, a top year for me at Alternative Vision!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Top 5 Albums Of 2011
 It’s punk. It’s passionate.
It’s relevant. It’s unique.
The bearded boys brought out another corker! (let’s
forget about their cover album) Full of their signature
riffs and lyrics and they even gave away one song
for free!
This is their first album without Ryan (lead vocalist)
and DH have done a brilliant job adapting without
him. An album definitely worth your pennies.
Another smashing record – need I say anymore?
So not everyone loved or even liked Blink’s
new album. But it earns no.5 on my list. Obviously
they’ve slightly changed their direction musically
as they’ve all grown up a bit. Nevertheless,
still a record worth listening to if you haven’t
already!
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3. The Gallows - Death Is Birth EP