Artist Spotlight: Between the Buried and Me

Branching off from Raleigh, North Carolina, Between the Buried and Me (often abbreviated as BTBAM) have played a huge role in having a different sound, ever since when they were formed back in 2000. The progressive-metal quintet have been known for having songs that are quite long; many of them are above the 8-minute mark. These long songs have many different sounds and melodies throughout. The odd time-signatures and sudden beat changes are another thing that makes this band so significant. They'll go from playing a metal riff, to follow a jazz-style guitar solo, back to the metal riff, and then a calming piano melody (just as an example).

BTBAM with their current lineup

They've released 5 studio albums, a cover album, a live CD/DVD, and an EP (extended play) all within the 11 years they've been active. The lead singer and keyboardist, Tommy Rogers, and lead guitarist, Paul Waggoner, are the only two founding members in the band. The rest of the band were inducted in 2004, and have stuck there ever since. All of their albums have garnered very positive reviews.

BTBAM live in April 2010

I've had the opportunity to see the band play live, back in April 2010 (which was in Greensburg, PA, of all places) and most recently, April 18, 2011. Both of the shows were phenomenal; they really know how to put on a live performance. With so many lights and awesome effects, their performance is hard to compare with any other bands. Of course, they didn't play too many songs, since their songs are so long. April 2010 they only played 4 songs; April 2011 they played 7. They play every part exactly how it is recorded on the album. They all memorize the ridiculously long songs that they've written, note-by-note, which plays a big role in their impressive live performances.

The Bassline

This is my favorite band, plain and simple. They show that not all heavy music sounds the same whatsoever by having such complexly-written songs that always impress their fans. Their live performances are so energetic and awesome (for lack of other adjectives). To find out more about them, check here, since they haven't updated their official website in a long long time.

Tom Corbett's Education and Budget Plan: A Student's Perspective

EDIT: Her name is Kim Ward, Pennsylvania State Senator of the Republican party. I totally forgot her name for some reason as I was typing this.



Before I begin, I'm not one to pay particular attention to politics, government plans/ordeals, or anything of that nature. It's nothing that particularly interests me. I always say, "As long as I'm free do what I want, I don't care."

However, there has been a new budget plan that was introduced a month ago (or so) that affects me, as a college student, and the goals and aspirations I hope to accomplish after I graduate. Governor of PA, Tom Corbett, has proposed a budget cut for many schools in the state. My university in particular is affected by this, from the $160.5 million it gets in state funds to $80.2 million if/when this proposal goes through.

For me, that just means more money, A LOT more money for that matter, out of my pocket for the same education I have been getting for almost two years now. Why, in my current financial struggles as the typical poor college student, should I scrounge up more pennies, take out more loans, and suffer in more debt in the long run for this education?

Last Wednesday, my blogging class and I attended Greensburg's town hall meeting, which was held in my schools chapel. I arrived a little late to it, which is when I'm assuming the lady speaking (who was also a government official who came to talk about this budget ordeal, but I completely forgot her name). Not that her name really matters though, when she barely answered the uproaring questions from the audience. I mean really, she would make a broad statement pertaining to maybe one point of what the person asked, and then just move on to another person and do the same exact thing. In other words, she was a typical government official. (I can't get in trouble for these words... right?)

After the town hall meeting, my classmates and I then went to our classroom, and had our class as scheduled. During the class, we watched a video made from Pitt students with what will happen to them if this budget plan goes through. Things like not able to complete medical school, having to move to a different state, not being able to accomplish lifelong dreams, and having to drop out completely came up on that video from many students. Many terrible things will happen to students if this budget plan gets passed.

In all honesty, there is NOTHING good that can come from this plan. There will be many more people hurt than blessed by this. The poor will keep getting more poor, and the rich will keep getting richer. Like I said before, I don't follow politics or state ordeals or whatever, but, come on, really? You're going to just put more struggles in the in the already-struggling learning college student's back? I know I don't want to pay more for the same education I've been receiving for two years now. What say you, readers? Did I mess anything up in this article that I should immediately get rid of or correct? How do you feel about the whole thing in general?

Vans Warped Tour 2011

After having the absolute WORST writer's block for the past month or so, I've finally come across a topic that's worth blogging about that I can actually go into a good bit of detail about. It's not that I'm the one slacking; it's my creativity and topic-starting muscles (if that makes sense).

Anyways, Vans Warped Tour. What is it?

Most people would probably think that it's the big concert over the summer where all the little kids who THINK they know a thing or two about music go to. However, that's not what it is at all. The whole thing started in 1995 by a guy named Kevin Lyman, who started various other rock tours such as Mayhem Fest and Taste of Chaos. Warped Tour is Lyman's oldest and most successful tour that he's created.

The show usually starts around 11 A.M. and ends around 9 P.M. There are many, many bands there, the amount ranging from anywhere between 60 and 100. And yes, every band plays every show. There are multiple stages, usually between 6 and 8 (last year there were 6). The main genres of the bands there are rather broad: a lot of rock, metal, etc, but also indie, dubstep, hip-hop, and almost any genre you can think of (except country, thank God). They have something for (just about) everyone.

As for the people who go there, that too is rather broad. Of course, you have the above mentioned kids who have no idea what's going on with the music being played; they're just there because they heard of a band or two. There are also the actual musicians who go there to enjoy a good all-day music festival (such as myself). Many of those people are more laid-back than most, as the majority of them stand towards the back, away from the usual madness that happens in the middle of the audience watching the same band. Another generic kind of person that goes to Warped Tour are the people who are just there to watch whatever comes their way. Like the musicians who go there to enjoy it, these people also tend to stay away from the madness surrounding the middle of the audience. And the last example of people that go to this show are the typical "moshers" who want to throw down and go crazy. Their knowledge of the music varies; some actually know a good deal about it, while others, well, don't.

This kid seems to be having fun, from what he remembers seeing with his left eye.

This is a concert where the bands make themselves available to the fans. Every band usually plays half-hour long sets throughout every show. Every bands' merchandise tents are scattered around each venue; sometimes it's like a scavenger hunt trying to find one single band's tent. Before and/or after the band plays, they usually go to their merch tent to hang out and meet some fans. Pictures are taken, autographs are signed, and memories are made.

The Bassline

With thousands of people attending each show every single year, it's hard to say that this tour is overrated and underestimated by many other people. It's an all-around fun day for all who attend, with so many bands to choose from to see (and hopefully meet).

For more information regarding Warped Tour, such as bands playing this year, tour dates, and who played where for every past date, you can check out the official website here.