Criss Cross Canvas Blog

Who doesn’t know Blink 182? The band has been on top of its pop punk scene for years and can boast of an international fan base. Some music experts and music merch sellers believe that there is just Blink 182 and most of the others are mere posers. This has become all the more true considering that the band’s name is first on everyone’s mind when pop punk is mentioned.

Blink 182 is so much on top of its genre that the group is generally regarded as a major influential force that has shaped the music of countless other bands. The numerous recognitions that the group has received are proof of their enduring influence.

Outstanding Discography

Blink 182 has been an extremely active band. They currently have twenty-one singles and three extended plays. They also have four video albums, five studio albums and one compilation. Their music first saw the light of day in 1994 with Cheshire Cat when the band first came together as a group. This initial release did not meet with success but it gave the band its first shot at establishing a long career. In 1997, Dude Ranch came out with better success.

Enema of the State marked the highlight of the band’s career since the album reached top ten of the Billboard 200. “All the Small Things” is one of the band’s more popular songs and reached number one in the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Despite their popularity though, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket which came out in 2001 became the only number one Blink 182 album in the US. The band’s eponymous album released in 2003 only managed to reach top three in the Billboard 200. Nonetheless, this piece of work is widely regarded as the group’s definitive work.

The band is reportedly working on a sixth album due for release this year. For a band that has already sold 25 million album copies, it is possible that this new release will rake in even more sales from devoted Blink 182 discography fans.

Constancy in Composition

Except for Scott Raynor, who was the drummer and percussionist of the band from 1992 to 1998 and was subsequently replaced by Travis Barker, the other two band members remained the same since 1992. These were Mark Hoppus on lead vocals and bass as well as Tom DeLonge on lead vocals and guitar; both were songwriters for Blink 182.

Like many other successful groups, the members of Blink 182 are said to share a strong and solid working and personal connection. This is perhaps their secret to the numerous awards that they’ve received. Among their many nominations and awards are:

• Teen Choice Awards – Choice Rock Group (2000), Best Rock Group (2001) and Choice Love Song (2004) for “I Miss You”
• MTV Video Music Awards – Best Group Video (2000) for “All the Small Things” in addition to other nominations for Video of the Year and best Pop Video
• MTV Europe- Best New Act (2000) and Best Rock Act (2001)

The music of Blink 182 hasn’t always been known just as pop punk. Other terms associated with their work include punk revival, skate punk and punk rock. Despite the category confusion though, it is obvious that the band has maintained its strong influence on modern music culture. The group will surely have their band posters up on walls for many years.

Compared to other bands, Bring Me the Horizon hasn’t been around for very long. Nonetheless, it is obvious that like any other band, this one from Sheffield, Yorkshire aspires to launch an international music merch invasion. The may be on the right track to it.

The band’s name isn’t a complete unknown. Movie fans would recognize it as a line from Captain Jack Sparrow, “Now bring me that horizon,” from the popular movie Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. For a metalcore group, the name seems a bit whimsical but fans don’t even seem to care.

Band Story and Albums Released

Three distinct periods define the history of Bring Me the Horizon. The first period spans 2004 to 2007 and marks the band’s formation and early years. The members of the group originated from different local bands. Members included Oliver Sykes on lead vocals; Matt Kean on bass guitar; Lee Malia on lead guitar; Matt Nicholls on percussion and drums and Curtis Ward on rhythm guitar. Ward later bowed out of the group and was replaced by Jona Weinhofen who eventually settled in as vocalist, keyboardist and programmer.

The debut album Count Your Blessings came out in 2006 in the United Kingdom. It took nearly a year for the album to come out in the United States. In 2007, the band participated in the Download Festival. They saw more action when they toured with such notable artists as Killswitch Engage, Lostprophets, I Killed the Prom Queen, The Haunted and The Blackout.

The second period consisted of line-up changes which happened from 2008 to 2009. Said change happened in March 2009 when Curtis Ward left the band and was then replaced by Jona Weinhofen in May 2009, albeit only on a temporary basis during the first two months. In July 2009, Weinhofen was officially declared as the newest member of the band.

It was also during this time that the group released their second studio Bring Me the Horizon album titled Suicide Season. Unlike the first album, this one definitely had the metal core sound to it, which the fans loved and which attained its peak at number 28 of the Australian ARIA Albums Chart.

Close to the end of 2009, Suicide Season: Cut Up!, a remixed version of the original was released. Unlike the original, this one came infused with a variety of musical elements including electro and hip hop. This is most likely because of the contribution of many individuals including Sonny Moore and Shawn Crahan.

The group’s third period spans 2009 to the present and, hopefully, the release of the third Being Me the Horizon album. It is slated for release in the summer of 2010, an event that many fans are eagerly awaiting for.

Band Awards

In the short span of time that the band has been around, it has reaped a couple of awards. These include the 2006 Kerrang! Award for Best British Newcomer, Rock Sound Best British Band and the Best Album for Suicide Season. Despite these distinctions however, the band has had mixed reviews from listeners. The group was tagged as the 2008 Worst Band by the Kerrang! Reader’s poll. The album Suicide Season was also named the Worst Album by the Rock Sound reader’s poll.

Despite mixed reception however, the group has showed no signs of throwing the towel. There may be a couple more years of getting featured on band posters for this young group.

Hailed as the most popular rock and roll band of the 1990s, Pearl Jam remains one of the music scene’s demi-gods as shown by music merch sales. This, despite the insistence of the band members in standing up for oft-controversial issues related to ethics and politics. As a result, one magazine has asserted that the band has spent too much time deliberately hacking away at its own fame.

Despite their controversial stands though, nothing can remove the band from its pedestal. They are true rock legends. For two decades, countless fans continue to listen to their music. To date, band members include Eddie Vedder on guitar and lead vocals, Stone Gossard on rhythm guitar, Matt Cameron on drums, Jeff Ament on bass and Mike McCreedy on lead guitar.

All Time Favorite Discography

While other artists from the 90s have paled, Pearl Jam continues to shine. This is only natural considering that the band has been able to sell a whooping 60 million albums around the world. One secret to the enduring quality of the band’s music is the wide scope that song themes revolve around. People from all walks of life can relate to the music.

At present, Pearl Jam has 9 studio albums, 2 compilation albums and 6 live albums with 28 singles and several official bootlegs to its name. It must be noted that the number does not include numerous collaborations with other bands like Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, and Temple of the Dog, to name a few.

The nine studio albums are spread well over two decades. They came up with Ten in 1991, Vs in 1993, Vitalogy in 1994, No Code in 1996, Yield in 1998, Binaural in 2000, Riot Act in 2002, Pearl Jam in 2006 and Backspacer in 2009.

Band Influence and Legacy

There is no doubt that the band has its own unique and noticeable mark. Most hardcore fans would know though that it is difficult to pin Pearl Jam entirely on one category. Although the group is generally considered a classical or punk rock band, they have successfully fused a number of musical elements from different genres.

For example, the Ten album was considered the high point of alternative rock. By the time Vitalogy was released, the punk sound became more dominant while No Code featured garage rock. The Yield album was rock and roll, which was followed by the art rock of Binaural and then the folk rock sound of Riot Act. The self-tiled Pearl Jam was a return to the band’s alternative rock roots while the latest album, Backspacer, has pop and New Wave elements.

The band’s influence on other bands is impressive, too. Bands ranging from Silverchair (alternative rock) and Puddle of Mudd (post-grunge) to The Strokes (rock) cite Pearl Jam as their prime inspiration. Plus, there is also the fact that fans, called Jamily, have an almost cult-like adoration for the band and its music.

But their legacy does not only extend to the music industry. Eddie Vedder has used and continues to use the band’s popularity to espouse social and political causes like pro-choice, environment and wildlife protection, awareness of Chrohn’s disease, voter registration and participation, and charities.

With all that Pearl Jam has been up to, it’s clear that they have proven that rock performers are not all self-centered or concerned only about fame. This is what makes the band special and worthy of putting on a pedestal or at least on hundreds of band posters.

The American pop punk band, All Time Low has been around for a couple of years. Compared to the work of other bands though, the All Time Low discography is considered a young and fresh entrant into the music scene. The group was formed in 2003 in Baltimore, Maryland by musicians barely out of their teens. Band members are in their early twenties.

Age however doesn’t seem to be an indication of how successful a group can become. Despite being young, the group is on the road to greater achievements. Current members include Rian Dawson on drums, Jack Bakarat on rhythm guitar and backup vocals, Zachary Merrick on bass guitar and Alexander Gaskarth on lead guitar and lead vocals.

Band Story

The members of All Time Low began playing together when they were only in the eighth grade. True to their genre, they started playing songs by the pioneers of pop punk, Blink 182. The group however that has exerted the most influence on them is New Found Glory. This established band has been so influential that the young band’s name is lifted from their song “Head On Collision.”

Today, the band is no longer just a cover band but is fast becoming pop punk’s newest star. For a new group, the All Time Low music merch is already quite good with three studio albums, eight singles and two extended plays. They are set to release a DVD soon.

Studio Albums Released

Just a year after being formed, the band signed with Emerald Moon Records. The results of that deal included their debut EP titled “The Three Words to Remember in Dealing with the End” and the debut All Time Low album “The Party Scene” which was released in July 2005.

The next year, however, the group signed on to Hopeless Records. This was before the band members even graduated from high school, which gives an idea of just how talented the new kids on the block were in terms of their music. The first result of this new record deal was the re-recording of songs from the debut album with the addition of 2 new materials for the EP release, the latter of which entered the Top Heatseekers and Independent Albums charts. One might say that this was the start of All Time Low’s ride to an all-time high in the business of music.

In 2007, the band released “So Wrong, It’s Right”. This was the album that paved the way for mainstream exposure, with the accolade of 2008 Band of the Year awarded by the Alternative Press Magazine to prove it.

To hammer the point of their rise to fame, the band teamed up with Blink 182′s Mark Hoppus on its third All Time Low album, “Nothing Personal” which was released in July 2009 still under the Hopeless Records label and available in both CD and digital download formats. In more recent news, the band’s upcoming fourth album will be released through Interscope Records.

It’s unusual that the band should be called All Time Low. Clearly they are cruising on an all time high. Fans and critics alike are eagerly waiting for fresh work from this promising pop punk group.

To this very day, many new bands revere Iron Maiden. This is only natural. The band has after all, been around for more than thirty years and continues to generate sales of its top selling albums and music merch.

As of today, the group has sold 75 million records worldwide. For this accomplishment and for their work, they have been included in the Hollywood RockWalk. To further illustrate the wide and enduring influence of this band, one only has to look at the various films, video games and songs in which the group is mentioned. The continuing popularity of Iron Maiden simply can’t be stopped.

Band Past

Despite their near legend status, the group has had some experience in changing lineups. It was Steve Harris who founded the first group in December of 1975. The band’s name is taken from the torture tool called iron maiden used in the film The Man in the Iron Mask. Other than Harris who is the band’s bassist, backup vocals and studio keyboardist, guitarist David Murray shares the distinction of being the member who has been with the group the longest.

Presently, band members include Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals who is joined by Janick Gers on guitar; Adrian Smith on backup vocals and guitar and Nicko McBrian on percussion and drums. Michael Kenney takes on the keyboards for live performances. Former members include Dennis Stratton, Dennis Wilcock, Paul Day, Paul Di’Anno, Clive Burr and Doug Sampson. As with many other bands, not all former members left in good standing with the group. Some had to be forced out or had to leave due to professional altercations.

Albums Released

The studio Iron Maiden albums released since 1975 until 2010 now number 30 in all comprised of 14 studio albums, 4 extended plays (EPs), 5 compilations and 7 live albums. With such an impressive collection of albums to its name, the band has been cited in many music industry rankings including the VH1 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, the MTV Top 10 Greatest Heavy Metal Bands of All Time and the Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement, amongst other accolades heaped on the band.

It’s impossible to describe here in detail all of Iron Maiden’s significant works. Here are among the most notable:

• Iron Maiden released in 1980 is the self-titled album that carries such popular pieces as The Phantom of the Opera, Sanctuary and the self-titled song Iron Maiden
• The band’s highest selling album Number of the Beast came out two years later with Bruce Dickinson on vocals and is thought to be one of the top influential albums of all time in the genre of heavy metal, having sold more than 14 million copies
• Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was a 1988 release and is regarded as a lyrical composition focusing on mysticism, reincarnation and the afterlife
• The Final Frontier is the most recent body of work that is scheduled to come out this year some time in summer

There’s no way the band will disappear from band posters soon. Clearly, from here onwards, old fans and new ones will continue to scream, “Up the irons!”

Bring Me the Horizon is a British band from Sheffield, Yorkshire that is categorized under the metalcore category. Like many bands, it hopes to eventually take a spot in the international music merch scene. It remains to be seen though whether the group will manage to break out.

The band’s name isn’t a complete unknown. Movie fans would recognize it as a line from Captain Jack Sparrow, “Now bring me that horizon,” from the popular movie Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. For a metalcore group, the name seems a bit whimsical but fans don’t even seem to care.

Band History and Studio Albums Released

The story behind Bring Me the Horizon is neatly divided into three parts. The first part is from 2004 to 2007 and marks their early years. The group came to be in 2004, after members of local music groups came together. Oliver Sykes took on lead vocals. He was joined by Matt Nicholls on percussions, Lee Malia on lead guitar, Matt Kean on bass guitar and Curtis Ward on rhythm guitar. When Ward decided to leave the group, Jona Weinhofen filled in and also handled vocals, programming and keyboards.

The debut album Count Your Blessings came out in 2006 in the United Kingdom. It took nearly a year for the album to come out in the United States. In 2007, the band participated in the Download Festival. They saw more action when they toured with such notable artists as Killswitch Engage, Lostprophets, I Killed the Prom Queen, The Haunted and The Blackout.

The second period of the band’s history from 2008 to 2009 saw some major changes to the group’s lineup. In 2009, Curtis Ward went his own way and Jona Weinhofen jumped onboard two months after. This was supposed to be a temporary arrangement for a couple of months but Weinhofen was eventually recognized as an official band member in mid 2009.

Around this period, the group came up with the second Bring Me the Horizon album. The release of Suicide Season met with better reception than the first release. This was mainly because the second album took on a more metalcore approach than the first one. It went on to take the 28th slot in the Australian ARIA Albums chart.

Near the end of 2009, the group released the remix version of their album under the title, Suicide Season: Cut Up! This version was a collaborative work among various individuals including Shawn Crahan, Ben Weinman and Sonny Moore. Hence, it features various musical elements including hip hop.

The band’s third phase is from last year to this year. It is expected to be punctuated by the summer 2010 release of the third Bring Me the Horizon album. This is one definite development that fans await.

Band Awards

This British metal core band has reaped accolades and criticisms too in their native land. Among the accolades heaped on Bring Me the Horizon are the 2006 Kerrang! Award for Best British Newcomer as well as the Rock Sound Best British Band and the Best Album for Suicide Season. It was also voted the 2008 Worst Band by the Kerrang! Readers’ poll and the album Suicide Season as the Worst Album by the Rock Sound readers’ poll. It only shows just how fickle the fans and the music industry can be.

Despite mixed reception however, the group has showed no signs of throwing the towel. There may be a couple more years of getting featured on band posters for this young group.

When it comes to dominance in the pop punk genre of the music scene both in the United States and abroad, Blink 182 is one of the bands on top of the heap of would-be posers. One might say that the band’s name will be mentioned in the blink of an eye whenever the subject of pop punk is mentioned in music industry circles and among music merch sellers.

Blink 182 is so much on top of its genre that the group is generally regarded as a major influential force that has shaped the music of countless other bands. The numerous recognitions that the group has received are proof of their enduring influence.

Excellent Discography

Blink 182 has been an extremely active band. They currently have twenty-one singles and three extended plays. They also have four video albums, five studio albums and one compilation. Their music first saw the light of day in 1994 with Cheshire Cat when the band first came together as a group. This initial release did not meet with success but it gave the band its first shot at establishing a long career. In 1997, Dude Ranch came out with better success.

Enema of the State, debuted with a spot in Billboard 200′s top ten. The song “All the Small Things” peaked at number 1 in the Hot Modern Rock Track charts, making it the most successful.

Despite their popularity though, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket which came out in 2001 became the only number one Blink 182 album in the US. The band’s eponymous album released in 2003 only managed to reach top three in the Billboard 200. Nonetheless, this piece of work is widely regarded as the group’s definitive work.

Album number six is said to be in the works for a 2010 release. After having sold 25 million album copies around the world, it is reasonable to say that music fans and critics alike eagerly anticipate this new work to be added to the Blink 182 discography.

Outstanding Compositions

Except for Scott Raynor, who was the drummer and percussionist of the band from 1992 to 1998 and was subsequently replaced by Travis Barker, the other two band members remained the same since 1992. These were Mark Hoppus on lead vocals and bass as well as Tom DeLonge on lead vocals and guitar; both were songwriters for Blink 182.

Undoubtedly, the good music that Blink 182 provides is the major reason for its popularity. The staying power of the group however is often also pinned on the fact that the members share strong personal and professional bonds. This has led to a number of important merits:

• Teen Choice Awards – Choice Rock Group (2000), Best Rock Group (2001) and Choice Love Song (2004) for “I Miss You”
• MTV Video Music Awards – Best Group Video (2000) for “All the Small Things” in addition to other nominations for Video of the Year and best Pop Video
• MTV Europe- Best New Act (2000) and Best Rock Act (2001)

Although the music of Blink 182 has been variously described as pop punk, punk rock, punk revival and skate punk, one thing is not in question. Its music is as relevant today as it was more than a decade ago in terms of teen angst. This group will definitely have their band posters on fan walls for years to come.

There’s no question that the 1990s gave us one of the most popular rock and roll bands in history. It was in this decade that we first heard of the music of the would be legend, Pearl Jam. Thanks to the band member’s outstanding talent and artistry, their popularity and music merch sales haven’t dimmed. This is despite the fact that they have made controversial stands in relation to social and political issues.

One other explanation behind the band’s enduring quality is its strong following and fan base. Millions continue to listen to Eddie Vedder on lead vocals and guitar, Matt Cameron on drums, Stone Gossard on rhythm guitar, Jeff Ament on bass guitar and Mike McCreedy on lead guitar.

Discography Worth Jamming To

With impressive album sales of 60 million worldwide, Pearl Jam definitely has staying power over its contemporaries from the 1990s. This comes as no surprise as its songs are as relevant today as it was 20 years ago, the themes touching on subjects ranging from the personal to the social and political.

At present, Pearl Jam has 9 studio albums, 2 compilation albums and 6 live albums with 28 singles and several official bootlegs to its name. It must be noted that the number does not include numerous collaborations with other bands like Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, and Temple of the Dog, to name a few.

The nine studio albums span two decades, Ten in 1991, Vs in 1993, Vitalogy in 1994, No Code in 1996, Yield in 1998, Binaural in 2000 Riot Act in 2002, Pearl Jam in 2006 and Backspacer in 2009.

Diverse Musical Influences

There is no doubt that the band has its own unique and noticeable mark. Most hardcore fans would know though that it is difficult to pin Pearl Jam entirely on one category. Although the group is generally considered a classical or punk rock band, they have successfully fused a number of musical elements from different genres.

The variety of influences can clearly be noticed across the band’s albums. Ten is strongly alternative rock while No Code is considered more Garage Rock. Vitalogy evinces a noticeable punk rhythm. Yield belongs more to the category of rock and roll while Binaural is more within the realm of art rock. Riot Act is perhaps the most unusual with elements of folk rock. The band’s self titled album is more definitive because of its return to the alternative influence. Backspacer is perhaps the most in tune with popular culture and music.

The band’s influence on other bands is impressive, too. Bands ranging from Silverchair (alternative rock) and Puddle of Mudd (post-grunge) to The Strokes (rock) cite Pearl Jam as their prime inspiration. Plus, there is also the fact that fans, called Jamily, have an almost cult-like adoration for the band and its music.

The great thing about the group is that its members are more than just rock musicians. They are also highly involved members of society. Eddie Vedder in particular has openly used his popularity as leverage when speaking out about such concerns as wildlife protection, Chrohn’s disease and voter registration.

Pearl Jam continues to demolish the image that rock stars are wasted individuals in search of fame and fortune, often with no regard to their surroundings. And with music worthy to jam to through the generations, we may have just found for ourselves the band to worship at the altar of music or at the very least on band posters.