Slam Dunk Festival 2012
Before we start, I have to say that I am writing this article 30% in order to inform and 70% out of my own uncontainable excitement.
It is my pleasure to say that this coming Monday 26th June, three of my personal favourite bands will be gracing the stage of the Cardiff University Student's Union: Taking Back Sunday, Motion City Soundtrack and Say Anything. The legends of the pop-punk genre will be joined by a host of other brilliant acts, including Cancer Bats, The Audition and While She Sleeps to bring you the Slam Dunk festival 2012.
It promises to be an explosive night, so to get you up-to-speed and pumped, here's a little round-up of the headliners and recommendation for each act.
Taking Back Sunday
Formed in 1999, headliners Taking Back Sunday have been bringing their brand of pop-punk-emo-rock-goodness for 13 years and they don't show any signs of slowing down. Their debut album 'Tell All Your Friends' is a classic of its genre and, though a lot has changed since then, they still manage to pump out the catchy hooks and dry wit that earned them the title of pop punk heroes!
Have a listen:
"MakeDamnSure" - Taking Back Sunday
Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack are a power-pop five piece hailing from Minnesota, USA. In an age where doom and gloom seem to rule, their sugar-coated take on break-ups and breakdowns is a breath of fresh air. Their songs will be stuck firmly in your head for hours after hearing them, I can promise you that!
Have a listen:
Everything Is Alright" - Motion City Soundtrack
Say Anything
And now for my absolute favourite on the bill: Say Anything. Fronted by the charismatic Max Bemis, Say Anything combine a dry sense of humour, deeply personal lyrics and fantastic melodies to create something very unique to them.
Max Bemis has been called the modern day Bob Dylan. I'll let you make your own minds up about that one, but either way, they are definitely worth checking out.
Have a listen:
"The Church Channel" - Say Anything ft. Hayley Williams
Cancer Bats
Have a listen:
"Road Sick" - Cancer Bats
While She Sleeps
Have a listen:
"Dead Behind The Eyes" - While She Sleeps
Of Mice And Men
Have a listen:
"Let Live" - Of Mice And Men
The Audition
Have a listen:
"You've Made Us Conscious" - The Audition
Don Broco
Have a listen:
"Priorities" - Don Broco
Straight Lines
Have a listen:
"Loose Change" - Strait Lines
Tickets for Slam Dunk festival are still available here.
Photo by notsogoodphotography
8 Comments – Post a comment
SirClucky
Commented 12 months ago - 28th May 2012 - 11:44am
This looks great! Have fun.
I love 'Taking Back Sunday' but in the way I probably couldn't name a single song, but I know I like their music :P
Great article too. x
CrazyDistortion
Commented 12 months ago - 28th May 2012 - 11:51am
First article since you joined in 2010? Well, at least you started with a good'un. =].
To be honest, I've never even heard of any of these bands bar Taking Back Sunday. Maybe I should educate myself... but then again, I'm probably busy that night. Washing my hair or something equally important.
Anyroad, am I the only one to think it funny that at the bottom it says "Photo by notsogoodphotography", yet there's no image in the article itself?
Ihavethecyrusvirusx
Commented 12 months ago - 28th May 2012 - 13:20pm
OMG YOUR FIRST ARTICLE! And an awesome one,too! Have a great time and you need to write a review :P x
BethanTheBarmy
Commented 12 months ago - 28th May 2012 - 21:03pm
Oh, how I wish I could have gone. ULTIMATE SAD FACE.
CLICdan
Commented 12 months ago - 30th May 2012 - 02:07am
I'd not heard of Say Anything before. I like them... almost like a happy Bright Eyes.
Do you have any Say Anything song suggestions? :)
PortiaAMC
Commented 12 months ago - 30th May 2012 - 19:18pm
Thank you whoever re-bolded (yes, I'm aware that's not a word!) and underlined it! It drove me nuts when it kept removing it as I copied and pasted it from TextEdit.
Thank's everyone! And Gareth, shush your noise, you know I don't write! :P
Glad you like them, Dan. I think they deserve much more recognition than they have. They've been around for years.
I suggest you check out the album "In Defence Of The Genre" (the album the above song is from). It's ridiculously good. :)
I also suggest you Google Image the singer's teeth. They're the best teeth this side of Dave Grohl.
Things are getting weird now, so I'll stop, but thanks for reading, pals. :)
CLICdan
Commented 12 months ago - 30th May 2012 - 19:35pm
You are welcome for the re-bolding and teh musics. :)
CrazyDistortion
Commented 12 months ago - 31st May 2012 - 18:25pm
@PortiaAMC Hey, I was complimenting your writing there. I think you should carry on with this writing malarkey, mind. A review of the night, perhaps? =].