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Jason Tate
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Jason Tate
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Blink-182 – One More Time…
FEATURES, BLOGS, & REVIEWS

Review: The 1975 – The 1975

The 1975 - The 1975
Jason Tate

I feel as though every year or so a new band hits my ears that forces a sharp reflection and virtually recalibrates my tastes. It’s that band that defines the year for me. That band that I look back on as the crack that splintered my tastes and musical habits into a spider-web of new directions. I think of artists like Blink 182, The Format, Brand New, Thrice, The Gaslight Anthem, Bon Iver, and P.O.S. Bands that have become pillars of my musical collection and ones I would point to as defining my “taste matrix.” These bonds have lasted for years and each listen to their catalog transports me back in time. These are the bands that I take possession of and metaphorically hang my hat on. That I say: “this is the band that defines this part of me; this is the band that I believe in.”

In 2013, that band is The 1975.

Read More “The 1975 – The 1975”

Review: Fall Out Boy – Save Rock and Roll

Fall Out Boy - Save Rock and Roll
Jason Tate

I believe that each time we select an album out of the ether and push play, it says something not just to us, but about us. It becomes a reflection of that instant and transcends into both a personal and social entity simultaneously. It is this duality of frozen moments, between headphones and shared experiences, that helps define why we listen. We listen to be touched. We find comfort in intimate moments alone with songs, and we tie memories with the best of friends to the soundtracks of our nights. The songs that have stayed with me the longest are the ones that exist forever between these two realities: the ones that I suffer with and the ones that I share.

Read More “Fall Out Boy – Save Rock and Roll”

Interview: Chris Holmes

Chris Holmes
Jason Tate

We teamed up with PropertyOfZack to sit down with Chris Holmes, the co-producer and engineer behind Blink-182’s new EP, Dogs Eating Dogs.

What was it like going from working on Neighborhoods on and off for two years to doing Dogs Eatings Dogs in just over a month in terms of your role and it’s shift?

A very wild, yet familiar ride. 

On Neighborhoods, while you could say we were on and off for two years, the crunch time “on” part was the last month or so. What I’ve found with most things with a deadline with bands, is you figure out the deadline, and you pack as much in as possible…and even more up until the last moment..It is the nature of the beast. There is no finishing early. There is always a need for more time. I call it End-of Record-itis.

With Dogs Eating Dogs, we were initially kind of casually starting to work on songs for the new LP for next year, and the next thing you know, we have one month to write, record, mix, and master for a Christmas release. 

It ramped up quick as far as picking which ideas to focus on and really planning out how to make it happen within that time frame. My role essentially was the same as far as co-producer and engineer for the songs. What I’m trying to do as a co-producer is voice what I think the listener would want to hear, while also serving the song and balancing the artistic desires of the band. At the end of the day, the three guys decide what to do, but I can chime in and say my peace and hopefully offer a different perspective on things.

What I’m doing as engineer is trying to honor the legacy of the sounds from previous records and add my own touch to it. For example, if you listen to TOYPAJ Travis’s toms sound HUGE. I made a point to do the same treatment on them with this recording. The vocal sound on the “Untitled” record I really like, so I made sure to use the same vocal mic and recording chain from that record. To get even more micro, we had a different drum setup for almost every section of every song. For example on “Pretty Little Girl” ‘s pre-choruses we used these Zildjian 13″ hi-hats that were tight so you can hear every hit Travis is doing, and then when the chorus hits we put up this super-cracking OCDP Bell Brass Snare drum.

The only role change I had was being a little more hands-on with the delivery of the album and making sure it made it to iTunes, and to the bundles.

Read More “Chris Holmes”

Review: Blink-182 – Dogs Eating Dogs EP

Blink-182 - Dogs Eating Dogs
Jason Tate

It still feels strange to hear new music from Blink-182.  I’m not sure what it is … maybe it’s because they’re the band that started me down a path that completely changed my life.  Without having heard them, I am really not sure where I would have ended up.  Or maybe it’s just because after their ‘hiatus’ I had relegated myself to not really expecting to ever hear new music from them again.  So now … when I first hit play on a new Blink-182 song … I get this indescribable feeling that washes over me, almost as though I shouldn’t really be hearing this.  Like it’s a dream of a dream.  It’s weird.

Read More “Blink-182 – Dogs Eating Dogs EP”

First Impressions: Yellowcard – Southern Air

Yellowcard
Jason Tate

Truth is that my first impressions aren’t going to do this album justice. It needs a full on review – but, that’s the kind of thing that needs a lot more time, especially if I’m going to actually write a review in a way I haven’t in years. But … that’s coming, in tr meantime – how about some first thoughts on the new Yellowcard album? I feel like I’m in a good position to talk about this band – having followed them virtually their entire careers. 

Read More “First Impressions: Yellowcard – Southern Air”

Exclusive: Yellowcard – “Always Summer” (Song Premiere)

Yellowcard
Jason Tate

Today we could not be happier to bring you the brand new single from Yellowcard. The new song is called “Always Summer” and comes from the band’s upcoming full-length album due out in just a few months. You can head to the replies to stream the new song and check out the single artwork — or it’s also on the band’s AP.net profile. The violin solo loudly declares it’s time for the weather to get warm … and time to turn up some Yellowcard. Enjoy!

Read More “Exclusive: Yellowcard – “Always Summer” (Song Premiere)”

First Impressions: New Found Glory – Radiosurgery

Jason Tate

Honestly the first impression I get of Radiosurgery (which I promise I will type “Radiosugary” a hundred times in the next few months) is that it reminds me of Self-Titled. I think that may be the production/mixing coming through — but I hear it in the song writing a little bit as well. I think the single’s the weak link and “Summer Fling, Don’t Mean a Thing” the highlight (the hook is what pop-punk should be). At this point these guys are as close to a sure thing as I can think of in the genre. They are exactly what they are, they do it damn well, and that’s all there is to it. There will always be a soft spot in my heart for this band, I’ve been listening to them for fricking years, and they’re one of a handful of bands yonder that I still love to listen to — and have massive amounts of respect for. With all the band drama these days, all the bands breaking up and changing members and throwing hissy fits … these guys are a model to emulate.

”What did you say as I walked out the door, awooaooh, did you want me back?”

Can’t get that damn chorus out of my head.

Hi Joe.

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