Big Phish Reeled In Syracuse

The Phish tank was in a hazy thick fog before the show, the enthusiasm was stimulating, and the buzz was a feverish feeling combined with elation and thrill calling out for the school of Phish to gather. I have witnessed many shows from many genres but what I have witnessed this day was a feeding frenzy that I haven't seen in all my years of attending concerts or that I recorded in the five hundred plus SCUBA dives. The Phishing lines tangled up traffic lanes leaving the city to believe that the end of the world was only moments away. It was Woodstock in Syracuse brilliantly colored in a spectrum array of vivacious colors fluttering from flags, the Birkenstock sandals that were apparently fashionable in thirty degree weather as they are on a ninety degree foot sweating mud-puddle-skipping day of yore. Reflections of years gone by, of the deadhead clans, and of the seasons of love are long but over. It's still cool, man and the day was heavy, man. What I witnessed was the gathering of one mind for one cause with Phish at the epicenter of this twenty first century hippie universe. All this hit me when I stepped out from my conformist vehicle after my Michael Jackson's history funkadocious in car concert. After four hours, a raspy voice from singing, and some three thousand cows grazing on the pasture on my pilgrimage ride up North, I planted my Harley boots down on Syracuse pavement and took in a deep breath of Phish bated air. It was the Phish Phan's way of greeting me welcome while bidding adieu to any conscious way of thinking.

Everywhere you veered your eyes shined a bedazzled spectrum of rainbow stripes printed on long dresses and on so many tie dye suits you couldn't help to feel groovy. The smiling domino effect drenched Syracuse with free thinking Phishermen and Phisherwomen who spread their beauty in peace, shared their beers unconditionally, and who basked in their baking huddles with new found revelations under common displays of unleashed enjoyment. The lady's twirled their orbiting talents through acrobatic hula-hooping. I am sure Ms. Sticks would have lead this event proudly on the parking lot stage. i was shocked to know that it was only 1:00 PM and Phish wasn't going to be taking stage until 8:00 PM. Pre show parties filled out the schedule with regional music artists who displayed their talents on the street and at the official pre-show party at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena Complex. The transformation downtown simulated a floral parade of twenty-first century hippies shocking and awing the locals who congregated for their annual free Turkey drive. I was waiting for the bout to begin. In one corner the fifteen pound Turkey and in the other corner the hemp granola bar, but the arbitrator by mother nature kept order and peace allowing the free spirits to dance, hula-hoop, and to remain toasty in the late autumn chill (Toasty being the emphasis).

I met an amazing woman whose energy and passion for her work exudes her. The passionate Sandra Baker, VP of Sales & Marketing for the Oncenter received me with a great smile and a warm hug. "The Oncenter is dedicated to all the men and women who gave their lives and limbs to keeping our families and our country safe from harms way. It's a remarkable venue with a wonderful museum displaying some of our hometown heros who served in the unfortunate wars and conflicts we have witnessed as a nation. Our ability to memorialize our local Vets is something we are proud of and honor with great respect." Sandra shared insight with me to the history of the Oncenter Complex and welcomed me to take walk the glass enclosed memorial that also captured the attention of many Phish fans. Everyone seemed to be touched by the artifacts, the uniforms, the names listed on the glass windows, and respectfully walked with a serene calmness before entering the Phishing hole. It was here where I felt a sense of pride and a knot in the throat to see both doves and hawks uniting under one roof in the name of music.

The house lights blacked out and the venue fell into darkness swallowed up by the uproar of Phish fanatics making their presence clear. It's was time to put away the stress of yesterday and time to devour the jam band of our generation. Phish walked out into the blue and white lit stage like ghostly apparitions of men walking into Vermont mountain scene. The hysteria penetrated the through the skin piercing the heart. I gathered flash frames in my mind of the faces in the crowd expressing awe, of emotional meltdown, of acceptance, and mostly of true appreciation. The reception, just short of gaggle of screaming bobby girls in the Ed Sullivan theater welcoming the Beatles back to New York, thrust the crowd forward. They waves of fans jumped high in the air reaching out to the boys from the Green Mountain State, and like that, the amps quaked the cameras in my hands and we were off on a very long strange trip that even Jerry Garcia would be proud to say he grandfathered.

The lighting captured the feel of a star burst beaming through thick forests cascading the mass in emerald greens, rich blues, luscious reds and vibrant yellows. I was compelled to stop shooting and to absorb what was taking place right in front of me. I turned around to face the crowd and took the entire moment in. The lighting coursed through the arena much like a river refracting the sun. Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Jon Fishman, and Page McConnell make up current day Phish. Four simply dressed men took their individual talents and blended their instruments into a bending musical sound welded together in flowing harmonies and breezy riffs. Phish took their place on stage, overtook and captured the minds of seven thousand plus adoring fans with a playlist set that had one beginning and no end in sight. "Rift", "Weekapaug Groove", "Stash", "Llama", and "Tweezer" were just a few selections that were mixed into the massive overload of music performed by what will be the longest running show off-Broadway. There are very few bands who can do what Phish has done by beating the odds as an American culture whose success was built mainly on their live performances rather then a concentration on creating new album material. Phish is now and will always be an institution to their liberal viewing audience and fans. These four free thinkers are going strong and face a long music journey ahead to play their innovative, improvisation, jam band music and have rightfully earned their place as heirs to the Grateful Dead throne. Phish has been swimming upstream for over twenty years now and I hope they will keep swimming because what they leave behind in their path is a stream of the finest music and a live performance unlike anything you have ever been a part of. All I can say at this point is, Phish on!

Joey Williams, On the Road Again

It's 12:30 on a Wednesday morning. Five Time Grammy Award Winner and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Joey Williams has the keen insight from The Blind Boys of Alabama and he is riding co-pilot tonight. After a bigger then life rehearsal for his upcoming show this Friday Joey opened up to me about his life on the road and a revealing portrait of his life through his own words and his own take on who he is from where has has come from. The journey Joey explained to me on our two hour drive back to the Bronx explains clearly why he is essential to the music fans he plays for and the music artists who continue to acquire his talents on collaborative projects from Robert Randolph to future soundtrack work for films. This is a unique night for me to witness the roots of Joey as a music artist, a humanitarian and a friend. Tonight my recording and the interview that took place was as close to a storyteller experience as I have ever had. Joey is the artist and I was the audience.

Williams is sitting in with with Marc Sincavage & Special Guest "The Breakfast" at Skappo (Playright, 144 Temple Street New Haven, CT) in New Haven, Connecticut. The rehearsal was held garage band style in the basement of an Optometrist office in the middle of Hamden, Connecticut. The feeling was relaxed and vibrant. It's just what happens when a local band and a music legend combine in the last place on Earth to play good music. The harmonies were tight, the music was balanced, and the room was hopping to the chicken plucking guitar strings to the heart thumping beat of the bass drum. A Hammond Organ became the cherry on top of this musical sundae sprinkled with the colorful culmination of throw back vibes to current day hit songs. It's not how you play the instrument, it's how the instrument plays you. Remember that folks because this night belonged to the love of music and not for the free meals of candy stashed in the upstairs containers of the eye doctor's office of where we hid from the outside world.

The feel on the drive home had a different feel, but over all Joey and myself sat back to the sounds of Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash who collaborated together for a VH-1 story teller concert some years back. It's the kind of CD that never gets old and the where stories become fairy tales of days gone by. "On the Road Again" started to play and Joey grew excited in the seat as a husky Pete passed out in the back from too much something-a-rather. Just the sounds of mumbles and how Willie Nelson was talking to him through the music caught my ear in between my own personal momentary lapse of reality. The movie in my mind played over and over again. A looping picture of my soul's mate walking towards me in the hallway of the JFK airport terminal. The smile of smiles, the embrace of embraces, and the start of my new life some seventy, yes seventy, pounds lighter. "..and I just can't wait to get on the road again." The song ended and I pressed record on my digital recorder and what happened next was my first deep interview for backstage blogger. An up close and truly personal insight to one of today's most talented guitarists, Joey Williams.

"That used to be one of my mottos. I used to be serious about that tune. I lived that song right there. I remember when the song first came out. When I was growing up and I was on the road. I hadn't been home in a long time from being on the road and I would start singing that." Joey explained to me just before breaking into song, "...and I can't wait to get on the road again." I asked him what is his road was and where his road was bringing him to. He sat back in his seat, pressed his head back on the head rest and with a deep sigh said, "The road was a place to travel on to get to my friends and my family. Back then we weren't traveling around the world. Traveling around the world came later. Back then we were just traveling around the country. We traveled on 95, 85 (Joey laughed lightly), all over the place." Joey's traveling started at the early age of eleven when he was living in Florida. He would travel with his father's quartet, he would perform on stage with the band, and that is initially how he started his life on the road. It's been a grandiose road with collaborations and fill in cameos with such incredible musicians such as Robert Randolph, Dave Hollister, and Keith Sweat. His family life on the road exposed him at an early age to the various cultures, the mindsets of the people, and the ability to grow up with no boundaries through his music. "My mother and father would take us down to the Wilson, North Carolina area where my family and I would spend our summers being a family. That was my road back then. Today it's about playing in the church and always listening to music."

Unlike some music artists, Joey's family is still alive for the most part. His mother and father have shared each step of his success as did his siblings. He recounted one of his aunts who passed some time ago and how her passing was short of the success. She was one person who he hoped would be alive to witness his contribution to the music world. Joey also brought up another person who he says would have truly appreciated his talents. "I also wish my father-in-law could have seen the success I have made at this point and what I have been able to build for my wife." His wife attends a majority of his shows and she is very fond of Joey and his talents from the times I have shared with her backstage. Being on the road with out your spouse can be tough and does come with its own challenges, but Joey's love and dedication to his wife keeps their relationship moving in a forward direction where so many music artist relationships have fallen apart. His passion for his music is essential and the inspiration he has for his wife is apparent through his music and a few glances from stage to her when the connect in their own personal moments. His smile brightens as their eyes meet and its a beautiful moment which I have caught from time to time when I'm not fixed on getting that next shot on camera.

Joey exercises his guitar skills like a man running a triathlon. Each day he wakes up and empowers his soul for music by practicing and looking deep with himself to learn new techniques of playing better then he currently is able to. This is a daily ritual developed from the mind of a five time Grammy award winner who flows through life feeling good and keeping positive. "I have like six statues (5 Grammy Awards and 1 lifetime Achievement Award) in my home from my music. You don't realize it until you start talking about it. It's special and I love saying it. I'm a Grammy Award Winner. I worked really hard in the studio with everything I have and for that dedication, and the band's ability to remain on top of their game, we won the awards we have with great respect from our musical peers. This band has achieved so much after so long of putting in its time, its energy, and its blood. I remember the first time we earned our first Grammy. It was me and Jimmy (Carter). When our name was called we all just stood up on the middle of the floor and we could not believe it. It was the most incredible feeling that I couldn't even begin to describe. The following year we were all sitting together again and we were so nervous as we were the year prior. The feelings I had inside were just like the feelings I had racing through me on our first nomination. We even went to the awards with Robert Randolph that year. Robert was nominated for two Grammies and we were nominated for one. We won another award for our category that night and it was like a double treat. We played and we won our third Grammy Award. The following year was number four with Ben Harper. Even after five wins the feeling doesn't get any less intense and I am always nervous as I felt the first time we were nominated. It's like each time the Yankees win another world series. It never gets old. Just I do."

Joey is a simple man with a very focused goal. To be the best at what he does. His ability to pick up the guitar each day is a blessing that has been bestowed upon him with a higher purpose then to pluck strings or to entertain music fans for a dollar. He brings out the best emotions from out of his fans who depend on his energy and stage presence for warmth of comfort of feeling good in their lives. Joey's musicianship talent expands over a decade and has touched millions of people over the years. He still dreams of a time to collaborate with such music icons as Sting, Mary J Blige, and his mentor, Stevie Wonder. What Joey would bring to their music is a flavorful root that is untapped and unheard by anyone they have partnered with. His ability to capture the moment is done effortlessly with the highest regards from the music industry. There is no project too big or too small for him and he is on the brink of becoming a legend in his own ranks.

"We recently went to San Francisco to do a few songs for a documentary with Anthony Hamilton and some other artists. We are heading back to the states after our world tour with the Preservation Hall Jazz. It's an incredible experience coming from being a kid from the Bronx with a guitar and a dream to be able to see the world on tour doing what I love each day, and if I could do one thing before I leave this Earth I would like to do a duet with Stevie Wonder. It's a dream I have had that ever since I was a kid. I look to Stevie as a mentor because if you are able to do what he has done and to accomplish the level of success he has achieved, then you have to give credit where credit is due. Stevie is the man and a music artist I look up to with the highest respect. He's proven himself and you just can't go wrong following in his footsteps."

Joey Williams. A name that shouldn't be new to anyone living above a rock. Joey will continue to play music until the good Lord brings him home. He will continue to march forward and develop his legendary status. There are so few music artists who can paint a room in music as Joey has done time and time again. His free spirit will keep him fresh and keep his music fresh, anticipated, and exciting when it is created. The life and future that will pour out of him in the years ahead are going to massive and it will be the loss of a music fan to not drown there heads in the cleanly baptism of Joey's music. Where there is bright light, warm reception, and love there will be Joey Williams on center stage with his fender in hand plugged into an amplifier ready to blanket you with music in its purest form. It doesn't matter if it is in a seedy bar or in a major venue, Joey keeps himself in check and the music he creates and performs doesn't portrait a man who knows he's accomplished the near impossible. He is a true music artist who plays for the love of playing and nothing less. I'm proud to call Joey my friend and I'm blessed to have had this time in our car ride to learn more about how two people can share the same passion for music on and off the stage. Joey Williams. Wow!

Daughtry Trumps the Taj Mahal

"Daughtry is the kind of band that plays music to chill out by. All of Chris's songs are like that. His music makes me wish I kept up playing the guitar myself which I haven't played since high school and that was over fifteen years ago. There's just something about his music lyrically that gives me good comfort in my own life with my own personal situations that I can relate to. I feel like I can face my daily challenges with more confidence knowing that he and I can relate to each other with the things that people like us face each day. I guess it's nice to know that no matter what level of life you are on, be it a rock star like Chris or a medical billing collector like me, that at the end of the day people have similar life events that they must face no matter if they come off a concert stage or fill out a time sheet in an office cubicle." This was a one on one conversation between the angel from the front row and myself after Daughtry's truly impressive twenty song play list live from Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

Our reflection on this concert continued with a deep conversation that I recorded on my blackberry. What my angel felt about the show and each point she made was spot on. Her view point maybe different from mine because I screen every detail of a live concert, from the synergy between artist and fan to the quality of the performance level. This review has been colorfully described from an everyday fan's point of view, and, to me, she validates Daughtry's credibility derived from her personal experience at this concert, but this passenger is anything but ordinary. As we continued back from Atlantic City I found that I embraced the music of Daughtry rather than reviewing his music on an analytical point. I learned the value Daughtry brings to a person who connects to his music deeply rather than fanatically.

The night of the concert we raced from New York City to Atlantic City. The air was intense with anticipation and we indulged ourselves in an evening free from her own personal struggles. The evening exposed me to a beautifully sensitive woman who has gone through so much in her recent months emotionally and physically. She insisted on paying both of the Daughtry CD's over and over so she could learn the lyrics. We made guesses on what would be the opening song and her her first Daughtry show impacted her to remain a fan of his music. Three restroom stops and over one hundred miles later, we arrived to the show.

The tensity of waiting for Daughtry to begin his set was immediately washed away when the light show illuminated the darkened venue in a showcase of bold red and blue color tints completed with shadow silhouettes of Daughtry behind the translucent drop on stage. This angel's face went from the fear of being in front of the protection barriers to the most blinding smile when the drops raced off the hangers above the stage, falling to the ground mixed in a collection of blinding lights, heavy guitar riffs, and thunderous drums. The raw excitement in her voice matched the intensity of that from the band, whose message has empowered her. It was Daughtry who wasn't aware of his power because his music became this angel's ventilation outlet and supported her inner strength and ability to face her biggest challenge ever. To embrace a better life path through starburst flares and on a forward motion direction.

I listened to her voice raise with intensity as she continued to reflect on her own personal life and how Daughtry's music gave her the insight and the help she was denied. The music not only helped her to release her frustrations and stresses, it boosted her energy when she thought she had no more. The anthem like tracks thrilled her, excited her and pulled out of her answers to confusing questions that would launch her on a new journey. It was obvious to me, as I have seen in my own life, how essential life is to value music, and even more so, how motivational a public figure can be on a stranger's life through his or her God given talent of artistic expression.

Daughtry brings an attitude to the stage that has been missing from the stage for some time now. It's a no holds bar work out that invigorates and enlivens his fans to switch on their spirits triggered by fortifying ubiquity. His songs challenge you to tap into your inner self and to crest your absolute apex. This former American Idol contestant was written off prematurely on the TV contest show which Taylor Hicks went on to win. That was season five and Taylor Hicks, with the likes of Fantasia, Ruben, and Bo, has fallen into the seemingly popular American Idol category of "Where are they now?" He is undeniably one of the best products the show exposed to the music world and proves that you can finish fourth on one of television's highest regarded talent searches and still be a higher success then the person who was voted the Idol.

"The difference between my appreciation of Daughtry compared to a groupie's reasoning is huge just from what I overheard standing in the general area section on the floor. A groupie is still going to view Daughtry as a previous contestant on American Idol who is cute. I feel like my connection to Chris Daughtry was made when my little sister was glued to the TV watching American Idol and so I turned the show on to see what all the hype was about. The first person I saw perform on American Idol was a bald guy singing "Wanted" by Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi is my favorite band and that was my initial spark instantly beginning my interest in his singing."

Daughtry is the real deal consummated by his gritty sound and unequivocal history as a kid from small town North Carolina. His journey in music began at the early age of sixteen as he sought out his placement in music. His noted influences helped to chisel his music skills from Stone Temple Pilots and Fuel, to Soundgarden and Bon Jovi. Daughtry's contribution to music could be defined as one which adds flavor, infuses raw emotion, and is adorned on an angle of emblazoned realism. From my own glimpse I noticed affirmation from the recoil of rock signs and air fists. There was no retreating on this night. If you came to this show you came for a greater reason to fulfill a mightier purpose. Like the woman by my side I felt a solid connection through her animation and excitement.

"Every time Chris made a comment I felt a connection. There was a few moments when I laughed because he seems so down to Earth. One moment I remember was when he forgot the words to one of the songs. It was cute. I liked that they wore regular clothes and not costumes. Although I was thinking that the guitarist with the long hair was wearing a normal plaid shirt, which I'm sure cost three hundred dollars and for me and you, we would have found that shirt in TJ Maxx for twenty dollars (Laughing), but I'm sure it was expensive from some high end store. Even the black tank top Chris wore was probably expensive compare to my Haines shirt. I just LOVED how they came started the concert with the curtain dropping to the ground. The colors, the music, and the way they just appeared on the stage was really important because it captured the audience off guard. I still can't believe that the concert t-shirt was forty dollars, but I wanted to have something to remember the show by."

The show lasted just over two hours and covered tune after tune from the Daughtry discography as well as a few surprise covers from The Toadies and Genesis. Cover songs is not a favorite selection to everyone as I was told, "I don't get why any artist feels it necessary to perform someone else's song on stage. I came to the show to hear Daughtry's music and not a cover song. I know some people find it cool to hear, but it just bothers me. I'd rather them play more songs that they were going to put on future albums then to hear a song from a band I'm really not into."

The theatrics engulfed the audience with intense heat, flames, and a firework cascade, but the one stage prop that stuck out for me on this night was an object that I absolutely was shocked to see only because of the meaning it shared with me and the angel form the front row. Next to one of the fire barrels sat a gold Meneki Neko (Good Luck Cat/the Beckoning Cat) with a waving arm which sat and survived flame throw after flame throw and the vibrations from the bass cabinet in which it sat on. The meaning behind why the Maneki Neko was on stage and the significance of its onstage presence will have to be researched and answered on the next Daughtry review. Chris took full advantage of the stage and treated the audience to up close and personal performances on the cat walk with great acoustic selections.

"I thought it is was so funny when he told the audience to make up words if they didn't know them and also that the song he was about to perform should sound familiar if they listened to the entire CD he just released. The one thing I did hear which I really found amazing was the common thread between Daughtry and Bon Jovi with their passion for DC Comic super heros. I just find it interesting that Daughtry's concert started with the sound track of Batman Returns and his ear piece has the Batman logo on it because Bon Jovi is really into Superman and I know how much Chris looks up to Jon Bon Jovi." The night came to a close after an amazing three song encore and an unsolved mystery surrounding a woman's thigh high boot that was tossed on stage by a mystery fan.

We continued back from Atlantic City enriched with increased appreciation for Daughtry and his music. The bottom line is that you can find new love, change your direction, and find comfort with the help of great music. I saw just how someone, who puts everything they have into what the believe in, can openly express their messages to empower another person's life. Thanks to Daughtry my angel form the front row will return back to the life she is working to improve and has changed hopelessness into better tomorrows. Through Daughtry's lyrical and musical creation he brought light to his fans. That's the power of music and the power of Daughtry. I will look back on this night as my first real inside look at how one music artist can open a very special person's heart and allow her to believe in herself and to ease her mind about the changes she faces.

Daughtry continues his US tour from November through to February in support of his latest album "Leave This Town," an album title that completely sums up the life of the angel whose heart was touched by the words of a stranger. The concert may have ended for me, but this story will have to be continued.

"Almost" Out Of The Book Of Marc

I stepped onto the tour bus parked outside the 53rd street side of the Roseland in New York City where I interrupted an essential meeting between "The Almost" and one of their team members. The subject at hand, "Would you like a tall, a grande, or a Venti from Starbucks?" The flavor of the night in question was the festiveness "Pumpkin Spice Creme" which would be accompanied by a ritual spike to be named at a later time. The team member shot out into the rainy city street in quest of over priced caffeine beverages leaving me alone with the curious group wondering who was the dude with the recorder and camera in hand. I was wondering which one of these guys would be the one to expose the band's weak spot. The band was new to me and, unknown to me, would hit me with a few surprises of their own during our brief interview. We sat in the common area of the tour bus as fans rounded the entire block for this three billed show of featuring Drive-A, The Almost, and The Used.

I have to admit the only thing I knew coming into this show was that Kelly Osbourne's ex-boyfriend was performing in the Used and I was going to speak to the opener band. Never judge a book by its cover and always prepare yourself for anything possible. With a name like "The Almost" I jumped to think that I was going to be interviewing another band making minor noise and whose longevity would be measured in minutes, maybe days, but not by years. I could have slapped myself relentlessly after meeting this group because these boys are the real deal. I had the privilege to sit with Alex Aponte (Bass), Dusty Redmon (Guitar), Jay Vilardi, and Joe Musten (Drums) over a fifteen minute overview the opened deep talks about music, religion, and a great detailed insight to "The Almost" I "almost" wrote off before accepting them.

Dusty Redmon is a colorfully inked intellectual with many thoughts running through his mind. His view of how the band formulated seemed very well thought out. "Aaron needed a band after doing the first album in 2005, by himself and when it came time to play shows he put the call out for a band and got in touch with Jay who knew Alex who brought me and Kenny in to form the first generation of "The Almost." Shortly after we announced our EP in 2007, our drummer Kenny parted ways when he took his vows and married. It's questionable of whose final decision that was (the boys laughed), but Kenny is still a very essential reason why "The Almost" grew and matured musically into the band it know to be today. In his mind he was ready to move on from the band and to follow his personal dreams. When it came time for a new drummer, Joe Musten was in my old band and Aaron took a real liking to his ability to play so he matched the missing void that needed to be filled."

"As a Florida based band we each chose to explore ourselves by following our dreams outside the music and now we live in different areas of the country. I lived in Florida for twenty years before moving to Salt Lake City. Joe and Dusty now live in North Carolina and Jay and Aaron remain in Florida.." added Alex Aponte. "I want to say that the initial discovery of "The Almost" occurred in Florida, but it wasn't until we rolled out. I was stoked when we hit the road on tour for the first time. Things were happening, but we were lucky if we filled a one hundred seater. With Virgin Records relentlessly promoting our album to radio and with us increasing our fan base through touring the states we had a team that would give us that next ring to climb up on our ladder of success as a band."

I, being a traveling photojournalist, can absolutely back the fact that there are states of shame vesus states of fame. Florida is a state of shame whose market is limited in producing great music. The consistent transitional lifestyle of people moving in and out Florida can be of blame because outside of the Senior community gathering a fan base is near impossible unless you are a part of the metal market or an over commercialized circus act. It's hard to be discovered and unless you are fabricated by the likes of Lou Pearlman and molded into a boy band you chances at success are much more limited compared to a major music market like Austin, Nashville, or Manhattan. The internet presence is certainly helpful to me as a photojournalist as it is for young music artists who know all to well of the politics and financials needed to achieve a high level of success in the redeveloping music industry.

"The internet has expanded so quickly and it's hard to keep up with what's hot and what's not. I feel like my dad sometimes when I finally get something like Twitter and then find out it's not cool anymore. Our team and the band is really trying to make sure we stay in touch with our fans. Each of the band members do twitter and update their own personal blogs, and we are trying to stay as hands on as we can while we tour or write music." Dusty explained and continue to touch the fact about creating this band in a theme park driven state not very well know for its music ties. "Being in Florida was a very difficult market to start off in as a young band because it seems the majority of the bands that come out are in the Metal genre. The first tour we were first billed on was our biggest break and is where we grew the majority of our fan base."

"Monster, Monster" is an album internally viewed by its members as the band's first album release because it's the first album that the band each were able to record on and contribute to. This coming from the incredible fact that Aaron released "Southern Weather" as a one man band. Dusty popped a few peanut butter malt balls into his mouth and reflected a moment on the band's new record release. "It is kind of crazy to think about because the first album was completely created by Aaron, so for me this feels like the band's first album because we all played on the album during the recording sessions. There was some pressure on the recording side for me because it was my first time appearing on an album being released by an major label. i remember when we all came together to write the album we were able to do so pretty effortlessly and everything just gelled. We ended up writing more music than we had room for on our first album so those will stay in storage for now until we can revisit them for a future release."

Alex looked over at Dusty and added, "We try to write as many songs as possible and approach our recordings openly so to leave us with multiple options at the end. We prioritize our music by what we feel is really working at that moment and decide at that point which will be our next single. We have so many songs that we had to stop and figure out what we wanted to place in the new album. It's a process that has worked for us as a band and we feel confident expresses who we are."

If it isn't broke don't fix it and understand there is no cardinal rule to what will make or break a music artist and their group outside of artistic differences and the occasional wife swap. Each and every band I interview has made success on their own business model and it has worked for the most part. "Monster, Monster" doesn't seem to be an album created by twelve straight up radio singles. This album consists of a flavorful song list that includes an off kilter country song as well as a long play release titled "Monster." The music is furious, it's heavy, and it is fun. The surprise of the evening dropped into the interview when Alex Aponte dropped the "C" bomb on me. The Almost are aband with a top ten single in heavy radio rotation and a measurable fan base gathered feet from their bus outside. I would think that the band would have been headlining and not supporting a group such as "The Used."

"What is interesting about this tour is we are sandwiched between two bands that are pretty edgy like "The Used" and "Drive-A." We definitely stick out but I think music fans tonight and going forward are cool with it. I guess it's weird because we are Christians in a band and we are not afraid to say that, but we weren't sure how the fans would take it and so far the reception has been tremendous. Each show gets better and better and the fans are leaving having a real positive concert experience and not getting into, too much trouble. I imagine there are fans who have been looking forward to this tour for weeks now or months now and we are going to go out each show and put on the best show each time."

The cross over of Christian Rock into mainstream music is still a rather new concept and has not happened very many times. The last band to jump that hurdle to a notable level was Creed and arguably by Amiee Mann as well. When kids want to crowd surf and vent their frustrations it's not very common to do it to messages of love and peace or other foundations principles of Christianity. "There are a few songs more so than the last album where we do lyrically promote Christian view points, but the message Aaron writes lyrically with the album is more about how everybody on this Earth has a monster deep inside of them and it's important to sort out your personal issues with your family, your friends and your faith no matter your creed. I think everything is much more metaphorical and not so cliche, but we don't hide the fact we are who we are." clarified to me.

Dusty and Alex continued to illustrate the group's music manifestation was able to keep Christian view points in its lyrics. "We take the Christian principles and apply them to person the song connects to without stating the obvious or promoting religion directly into the lyrics. We believe in the bible and we present that to a person a guide to getting help or to embrace themselves in order to get through life's challenges. It's our way to say they aren't alone but the fans can transcribe that message in their own person views how they want to. We certainly aren't asking people to jump on the Christian bandwagon, but I think every person can grab and take a part of our message and to apply to their own life and that is what makes music and lyrics so powerful."

So what about groupies and the idea that a touring band is a party band? That was squashed when I took notice of a giant Television wired to a Wii gaming system. Alex tapped on one of the game boxes laid out on the table, "People have come onto our tour bus and we shocked to learn how calm we remain backstage or on a tour bus. They tell us how the experience is unlike any other backstage experience they ever had because we are very laid back and pretty quiet compared to other bands. It's not because we are boring dudes, it's because we are chill and like to have a fun time without the party scene." That is such a refreshing change to be a part of in my opinion because as the boys pointed out to me they are just five boys who know live in different areas of the country that come together to play the music they love and spread their messages of love, peace and harmony through a blend of very catchy music with great hooks.

"When we play in front of a live audience we go in with the thought to just play and to have fun with the music we created and the fans who we connect with. The crowd sings along whether they heard us twenty times before or this is the first time they are exposed to our music and our live show. We just want to have a good time and to share ourselves and our passion with the crowd." The interview concluded over a future prediction of what the each band member would like to do outside of the band and it was Joe who had the most colorful idea and which silenced the entire room. "I thought about this more and more for the last two years. I want to open up a super cool barber shop where I grew up in North Carolina. You know to do regular salt of the Earth haircuts for cops." Adam Sandler as the Zohan ran through my mind and I tried to imagine Joe in cut jean shorts cutting Salt-of-the-Earth haircuts for Cops, Construction Workers, and other blue collar gents who would enter his old fashion Carolina barbershop. "I want to do cool Rock 'n' Roll hair cuts. Not like sassy or Zohan style." Ok scratch Zohan and replace with Leather Face without the chainsaw.

The night was beyond anything I was expecting. Three great bands took stage and put holes through my head with heavy action music and inspirational messages. The ocean was deep this night and the crowd suffers poured over the flood gates one after the other. From the first opener, L.A.'s "Drive-A" to the headliner, "The Used," the Roseland capsized anyone brave enough to enter the pit. The music was tough the electricity was a continuous output of amps mixed with blended metal. The fierce and ravaging music by Drive-A was enhanced when Bruno Mascolo launched himself in the the waiting riptide of the crowd. it was an unbelievable sight and the crowd immediately connected and accepted the little man with the enormous voice.

The Almost took stage to a hungry audience that was ready to be raptured. Aaron parted his sea with a mighty salute and rock star roar. The crowd replied back with deafening gratitude as the Almost made the unholy, holy and exorcised the frenzy of fans into a acrimony of fire flared fanatics powered by force of goodness. The rise of hands, the yells for more, and the halo from the lighting illuminated the darkness of the Roseland into a robust blaze of imagery and theatrics. The Almost sequentially played an uplifting playlist solidifying any doubts that a band founded on Christian beliefs could keep pace with bands whose image are raunchy remnants left over from grunge or Emo influences. The Almost will continue their tour with The Used playing a number of cities throughout West coast. The shows are limited and the tickets are in high demand so get online now and get yourself to one of these remaining shows.