Utah. A state known for its outdoor activities and scenic views, not for flash and bright colors. Alternative band Neon Trees hopes to electrify their home state’s reputation.  Self-described as post-pop punk, Neon Trees’ sound is infectious, entertaining, and dance-worthy.  Lead singer Tyler Glenn accredits bands like Passion Pit and The Big Pink as well as French DJs to their enthralling music. These influences are apparent in their first single “Animal.” The catchy song is a solid debut about comparing the start of a relationship to…well, to an animal. The upcoming video for “Animal” also takes from an interesting source of influence—Batman. As a teenager, Glenn loved superheroes like X-Men and of course, The Dark Knight. The band drew from their love of the Tim-Burton-directed Batman and paid homage to the Joker scene in which he and his cronies wreak havoc in an art gallery. Whether inspired by caped-crusaders or by electronic tastemakers, prepare for Neon Trees’ forthcoming album, Habits, to be filled with seductive vocals and hard-edged tracks about the habits of a relationship. Be sure to give Habits a listen when it is released on March 23!

By Stephanie Waldrop

John Travolta is back in action in the new movie, “From Paris with Love.”  John plays a shaved head, cocaine sniffing Secret Agent Charlie Wax who has been sent to Paris to stop a terrorist attack… Along for the ride is James Reese, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Reese is a low key spy who was always hoping for a high key job and he gets just that when he’s paired up with Charlie, which begins them into a terrorist conspiracy. Director  Pierre Morel (who also directed Taken) seems like he’s just focusing on Cinematography and violence.

It’s nice to be watching a movie and seeing the beautiful sites of Paris, but you need more to a film. The camera-work used during the fight scenes is just horrific. It really hurts to see a movie with such action have poor shots. It really creates a bad movie. What didn’t lapse was the action. But too much action can be possible. This movie is just over-the-top. Don’t get me wrong, I love a fast-pace movie as the next person, but at the end of this one, I had a headache! Not to forget that half the town gets killed before the movie is half over.

Overall, if you’re a fan of Travolta I say wait till it goes onto DVD. This might be the last thrill ride movie he’ll do. If not, go see Avatar for the 5^th time. I’ll say one thing: If Travolta wasn’t in this movie; it wouldn’t be worth even mentioning. His co-star lacks mostly everything.  From Paris with Love is just another movie that could of been, but wasn’t.

Check out Shows/ The Rock Star Stories tab for the All American Rejects/Taking Back Sunday videos.  Thanks to Matt and Adam from TBS and Mike and Chris from AAR for talking with us.  Also thanks to Alex our host!

Two bands. One genre. There can only be one winner and one loser.
Whereas one might think, “This genre can’t possibly be big enough of the two of [them],” I will vouch to say you’re wrong. Welcome to the magical land of techno, which encompasses house to trance to electro-pop. Although these sub-genres may be diametrically opposed, just because they lie on the periphery of techno doesn’t mean that the repetitive beats don’t possess the resemblance that it takes to become part of the expansive “techno” genre. Thus, in this realm of new-age realism, I will compare two very diverse, yet seemingly similar songs with an extremely encompassing techno album by the famous producer, David Guetta. Who will rise and who will fall?

First up is Röyksopp, a heavyweight due to its popularity in media through TV series and commercials. However, this comes as both a blessing and a curse. Due to it’s commerciality, Röyksopp has lost any luster as being a potential “indie” band. For this match, they’re presenting their new hit, “Happy Up Here,” and uplifting piece. At the opposite end lies STS9, Sound Tribe Sector 9, a structured band and more than a mere amateur. They’re giving us “Atlas,” a more extended techno piece with a greater compositional variety.

“The fight had it’s turns,” in the words of famous novelist Normal Mailer. Röyksopp won most of the early rounds, but STS9 knocked Röyksopp down in the sixth. STS9 had trouble getting up, but made it, came alive and was dominating Röyksopp again before the round was over. The first sign of weakness arose once Röyksopp maintained the same 4 bar beat and STS9 kept progressing, hitting stronger and stronger.

While Röyksopp failed to promote the usual variety, STS9 included musical climaxes and fade-outs to not only excite the audience but crush Röyksopp. Even with Röyksopp’s previous success, this battle proves that historical precedent does not do justice to present faults. “Happy Up Here” simply is a trite piece of ‘chill-out music.’ Generally not associated with this prolific Norwegian band who has had hits like “Remind Me” and “Poor Leno,” this song exemplifies the negative side of techno: synth, synth, beats, synth. STS9’s “Atlas” beautifully told a story, as would any song that belongs in a movie action thriller. Sadly, that classification does not do mercy to the song itself. Albeit it will not hype you up, it is still quite enjoyable in the end.

Nevertheless, the true winner here is techno. Compare this “battle” to David Guetta’s recent album “One Love” which featured romantic hits such as ‘Sexy Bitch’ (Akon) and ‘I Gotta Feelin’ (BEP). Guetta gained fame through “Love Has Gone,” which includes a relentless beat mimicked in “Gettin’ Over” on his newest album. These songs, as usual, are relayed throughout the radio and on the billboard charts, as he even received a Grammy nomination for his production of Kelly Rowland’s “When Love Takes Over.” Nevertheless, his work exemplifies the level of achievement and success that the genre of techno has arrived to. It now mingles with pop (Black Eyed Peas), R&B (Kelly Rowland), Reggae (Bob Marley), and metal (not on this album, but on other bands’ such as Rammstein). Therefore, with the rise of technology comes the fall of musical barriers as the differences between genres increasingly fade away.

Due to family circumstances Dashboard Confessional has cancelled their tour with New Found Glory, Never Shout Never and Meg and Dia.

Our student press conferences with the above bands has been cancelled!

Still on:

November 18th with AFI at the Pompano Beach Civic Center at 4PM.

December 6th All American Rejects and Taking Back Sunday at The Fillmore Miami Beach 4pm.

email us info@therockstarstories.com for your invitation to both of these.

THANKS AND SEE YOU THERE on the 18th!