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Bass player for This Love, Jake Sims, was kind enough to answer our Ten Questions. This Love will releasing their new full-length album, At War on August 2nd. The band has their first single, “Motions”, up on their PureVolume now.

1. How did This Love begin?
Jake Bonham, Jake Rinehart, and I found Joe and thought “Man, this kid needs to be in our band!” We set up a meeting, and that was the beginning. We definitely went through some turmoil to get to that point, but we are exactly where we want to be now. I won’t bore you with the negative.

2. What has been your favorite show you’ve played?
Our most recent show at The Newport Music Hall in Columbus. Amazing energy from our local fans.

3. Who are your favorite bands at the moment?
I’m really into Kings of Leon, Manchester Orchestra, the new My Chemical Romance album, Mumford and Sons… I don’t know man, music is great right now! It’s really tough to think of a few favorites.

4. What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
Everyone thinks that the industry is tanking, but I think it’s just the opposite. The music that is “mainstream” now is the best it’s been since the 70’s. Yeah, major labels are falling apart; but who needs them? Bands and independent labels are pumping out amazing albums and bringing everything back to it’s roots. Just my personal opinion of course.

5. What advice can you give to bands just starting out?
Don’t rely on anything or anybody else for success. Use your talents to make your own way on your own terms. I know you have to give and take to play the game, but you have to earn your keep.

6. What direction can we see This Love go in for the last half of 2011?
The new album, At War, is definitely more rock than anything we’ve ever done. Releasing the record and touring as much as possible are our immediate goals.

7. What is your favorite song of all-time? Why?
Wow, that’s a tough question. I can’t pick just one but I can list a few. “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins, “Arizona” by Kings of Leon, “Go Faster” by The Black Crows, “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers, and “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith just to name a few.

8. What bands/artist do you admire? Why?
Definitely The Black Crowes. I admire them because, in my incredibly biased opinion, they are the perfect band. I just think that the Robinson brothers are musical geniuses and everything they touch is gold!

9. How would you describe This Love’s music to someone who hasn’t heard it?
Inspiring rock music.

10. Any shout-outs? Final words?
Just that we love all of our fans! We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to share our music with the world. Also, our new concept album ‘At War’ drops August 2nd! Make sure to pick that up!

Find This Love on Twitter, Facebook, and iTunes!

@applicantapp | BigCartel | Facebook | Myspace | @janpowers

Guitar player for Sparks The Rescue, Toby McAllister, is our next installment of Ten Questions. Catch Sparks The Rescue on tour this summer with Ludo along with a batch of headlining dates.

1. How did Sparks The Rescue begin?
It was a long time coming really. We all played in separate bands throughout high school, competing in BOTB’s together. After a while, a handful of us became serious. We figured we should join forces and conquer the world!

2. What has been your favorite show you’ve played?
I have had so many favorite shows, it’s hard to pick just one! Definitely when we played in Europe/United Kingdom with the All-American Rejects. There was one show at the London Roundhouse which will always be in my top list of shows. More recently, we played our CD release in Portland, Maine and that was also incredible. There is nothing like 500 kids singing your songs back at you. The feeling is unlike anything else in the world.

3. Who are your favorite bands at the moment?
At the moment my favorite bands are the Old 97’s, Third Eye Blind, Gin Blossoms, Tom Petty, and Counting Crows. These have been my favorite artists for a while, but I love everything from country to folk, to metal, to pop, to punk rock.

4. What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
It’s a tough world to live in, especially for a band. People aren’t exactly rushing out to buy CD’s like when I was in middle school. I couldn’t wait to pick up ‘Americana’ by The Offspring. However, it’s good that the population still feels the need for music. I can see it in kids coming out to shows and singing along. We were blessed with an amazing record label (Fearless Records). It really is a luxury to have people that believe in your band like those guys.

5. What advice can you give to bands just starting out?
As cliche as it may sound, just don’t give up. If you believe in what you are playing, then just rock it. No one can take that away from you. If you want to live in a van with your friends and tour the country, it can be done. I believe we are living proof of that. We all wanted this so bad, and I still can’t believe how far we have made it sometimes. Living the dream is open to interpretation, as long as it’s YOUR dream.

6. What direction can we see Sparks The Rescue go in for the last half of 2011?
We plan on touring non-stop! We also plan on doing more video updates, so people can see what we do in our spare time on the road. We’re going to be spending lots of time on the band Facebook/Twitter to answer any questions or just say hello! It all comes down to the people listening to our music. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to continue.

7. What is your favorite song of all-time? Why?
Probably “What’s My Age Again” by Blink 182. I remember the first time I saw that music video and fell in love. Not with the naked men running around, but with the awesome song and the humor that went along with it. Especially in today’s reality, I am a firm believer that people need to laugh. People also need music. Two huge things that can work together, and Blink really nailed it on the head for me when I was growing up. I am forever thankful to them for turning me on to having a good time, doing what I love, and not really giving a fuck about what people think.

8. What bands/artists do you admire? Why?
I admire so many bands. I use to idolize bands, and then I got to tour with some of my “idols”. It’s a crazy thing to realize that the people and bands you idolize are all just normal human beings, but they have been there for you when you needed them most. That’s the power of music. I used to listen to Valencia in high school and their first record got me through a bad break up, two years ago I got to tour with them. Same deal with The Graduate, who we just toured with all Spring. I now call these people friends. How cool is that?!

9. How would you describe Sparks The Rescue’s music to someone who hasn’t heard it?
We just want to have fun! I think it translates through our music and our live show. It’s a nice blend of energetic rock and roll, but also raw emotion. We write music that comes from our hearts, and every night we step on stage we play every note like we mean it.

10. Any shout-outs? Final words?
Thanks to Jan Powers at Applicant Apparel for this interview! Please support this clothing company. They have supported us since one of our first tours ever, and their shirts are sexy!

Find Sparks The Rescue on Twitter, Facebook, and iTunes!

@applicantapp | BigCartel | Facebook | Myspace | @janpowers

Bass player for Crash City, Nate Hall, was kind enough to be our second installment of Ten Questions. Crash City is playing at Punchline’s ‘Major Motion Picture’ 10th anniversary show tomorrow, July 1st, at Altar Bar in Pittsburgh, PA.

1. How did Crash City begin?
Crash City began around September of 2010. Andy, Jon, Jordan, and Jeremy had all gone to high school together and played in various local bands around the South-Western PA area. I came into the equation after the break-up of my previous band, More Like The Moon, based out of Philadelphia, PA in 2008. I had moved back to Western PA after MLTM’s break-up. Before September ‘10, Andy, whom I met by being the mentor for his girlfriend’s high school senior project, called me and said “Would you like to join my band and play bass?” After saying no at least 4 times I caved, and Crash City began working on our first EP “Set In Motion”.

2. What has been your favorite show you’ve played?
Personally, my favorite show we’ve played so far was the first round of Pittsburgh’s annual Joker Productions Rock-Off. Not only did we win the round and play an extremely fun show, we also made friends with two other awesome local Pittsburgh bands: Music From Another Room and Tuesday’s Too Late. Excellent bands and awesome guys!

3. Who are your favorite bands at the moment?
Currently I’ve been really enjoying Steve from Punchline’s new project Blue Of Colors. Other than that my iPod has been playing a lot of Saves The Day, Appleseed Cast, The Get Up Kids, and Whitney Houston (No shame).

4. What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
I started playing in punk rock bands about 10 years ago when everyone had a really strong DIY mindset. The new phrase I’ve been hearing lately that I love is EIY. Earn It Yourself. As far as major music industry goes, it’s all about looks and rarely about content. I love that the underground EIY scene lately is all about the music and dedication of the bands themselves. There’s still a totally unrealistic side of me that wishes a major record label A&R rep would show up at a show and offer us a million dollar deal, but in the local indie music scene it’s all about making quality music with other quality bands and supporting each other regardless of genre.

5. What advice can you give to bands just starting out?
If you want to do it, do it. Take criticism and learn from it. Always know that in music there will always be someone more talented, but don’t let that stop you. Make music. Make YOUR music. Play in bands because you love it; not because you think you’re going to make it big, marry supermodels, and own 7 Ferraris.

6. What direction can we see Crash City go in for the last half of 2011?
Our goals for the rest of the year are to finish a new EP (or full length… if you’re lucky. haha.), duplicate it, and start touring to promote the release.

7. What is your favorite song of all-time? Why?
The one song I can never get sick of is “Jackie Wilson Said” by Van Morrison. I’ve been surrounded by Van Morrison’s music my whole life. His music is so straight forward, honest, and minimalistic. It’s such a struggle as a musician to avoid muddying up a song with too many tracks of unnecessary stuff. Van Morrison is timeless proof that at the end of the the day a good song is just that: a good song.

8. What bands/artist do you admire? Why?
I know the other guys in the band most likely don’t feel like this, but I love the whole roster of Arts & Crafts Productions based out of Toronto. I just love how all of the bands (Broken Social Scene, Stars, Feist, Kevin Drew, Apostle of Hustle) share members just in different configurations with, most of the time, totally different sounds. They also work with an amazing band called The Most Serene Republic. I guess in general I’m loving most of what’s coming out of Canada, haha.

9. How would you describe Crash City’s music to someone who hasn’t heard it?
We’re five guys with decently different musical tastes with the goal of making tasteful, driving pop music that isn’t afraid to throw in a hair metal guitar solo or a little bit of double bass on the drums. I would also very strongly recommend anyone to come see us live. We don’t leave the stage until it’s covered in sweat and/or blood. We go hard!

10. Any shout-outs? Final words?
I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to listen. We’re all so grateful for our fans and supporters. I know it’s cliche, but we truly wouldn’t be anywhere if it wasn’t for the love we receive from everyone that’s taken the time to give us a chance.

Find Crash City on Twitter and Facebook!

@applicantapp | BigCartel | Facebook | Myspace | @janpowers

Vocalist/guitarist for Every You, Matt Burns, is the first of many installments of Ten Questions. This feature will highlight bands Applicant Apparel thinks you might enjoy. Without further adieu, here is Ten Questions w/ Every You.

1. How did Every You begin?
Every You was the product of me moving back to South Florida in late 2008 after spending a few years in Orlando going to school and Mike’s old band looking for a new singer. His band was recording with Jason Lancaster (Go Radio), and they had parted ways with their singer during the recording process. I laid down some vocals over the instrumentals they recorded, and we started playing together in the following weeks.

2. What has been your favorite show you’ve played?
There have been too many awesome shows that I can think of at the moment. We did some awesome tours with Farewell Fighter and New City Lions (separately) that both have left tons of awesome memories that I’m glad to share with those dudes.

3. Who are your favorite bands at the moment?
I’ve been listening to the new records by Touche Amore, Balance & Composure, Fireworks, The Wonder Years, Bon Iver, The Swellers, Foo Fighters, Frank Turner, and Moving Mountains to name a few (or a bunch). All of these artists are absolutely amazing. I’m always jamming to Jimmy Eat World, Saves The Day, blink-182, as well.

4. What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
I feel like the music industry is in such an awkward position. In the span of 60 seconds, anyone can find out a band, download their album, and praise or talk shit about them on an online community or board. Bands promote their shows by making Facebook events. Labels aren’t taking chances on smaller bands like they used to because their scared to invest time and money into them (save for a few). I remember buying a CD and reading the liner notes while I spun it for the first time; reading the bands they thanked and then getting THOSE bands’ records. It was the best feeling. I feel that labels such as Paper + Plastick, Run For Cover, No Sleep—labels that are keeping the art and passion with the music—are doing so much for the music community. Also, buy records and support the artists you love. Go to shows and watch all the bands, don’t just stand outside of a venue. Support your scene.

5. What advice can you give to bands just starting out?
To bands just starting out: try not to over-saturate your market when playing shows. Promote each show just as importantly as the one before or after. Your local scene is your family, and should be treated as such.

6. What direction can we see Every You go in for the last half of 2011?
We’re going to be taking the next few months to primarily write and record a full length. We’re aiming to have it done by the end of the year, and out early next year, then hitting the road hard. I had made a deal with myself that I would see all 48 continental states by the time I’m 25, so I have about two years to do so!

7. What is your favorite song of all-time? Why?
My favorite song of all time is Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time”. No idea why, but it always has been and probably always will be.

8. What bands/artist do you admire? Why?
Throughout growing up, there have been so many bands that I look up to. Saves The Day was my first show (“Through Being Cool” CD Release Tour), and I remember wanting to be in a band ever since that night. blink-182 is my favorite band of all time. Jimmy Eat World and The Get Up Kids have written albums that changed my life.

9. How would you describe Every You’s music to someone who hasn’t heard it?
If I had to describe our sound to someone, I would probably say that we’re aggressive pop-rock. Someone once told me that we sound like a mash up of Hot Water Music, Jimmy Eat World, and the Foo Fighters. I thought that ruled, so I’ll stick to it.

10. Any shout-outs? Final words?
I want to thank anyone that has came to a show, bought a CD, listened to a song, let us crash on their floor, or just gave us the time of day. Without you, I’d probably be working at Starbucks 365 days a year, for the rest of my life. Thanks!

Find Every You on Twitter, Facebook, and iTunes!

@applicantapp | BigCartel | Facebook | Myspace | @janpowers