I personally think that this split from FBR was the best thing that ever happened to the band, because I like Everybody Make Some Noise infinitely more than White Doves and Smoking Guns, their album released under FBR. Now don't misinterpret me, because I enjoy both albums, but there is just something so much more unique about their sophomore release.
Now unfortunately, without the Fueled By Ramen PR machine backing the band, they are far less appreciated than they should be. But trust me, any lack of fame is not due to lack of talent, or even lack of effort. The A.K.A.s run such an amazing grassroots effort that I'm surprised they haven't yet been recruited by a politician or two.
In fact, the only reason I even came to know about the A.K.A.s was because of their omnipresence in the crowd at Warped Tour 2008. Everywhere I looked that day, I saw hot pink stickers with their name and set time on them. When I walked through the merch booths, the A.K.A.s stood out because they were one of the only bands who spent the entire day at their tent. I'm not sure who took over while they were performing, but every other minute of the day had at least part of the band at their tent, drawing in passersby to have conversations, enter a contest, sign an eco-pledge, and buy some one-of-a-kind merch, printed on recycled clothing from thrift stores.
And I was already hooked, before I even saw their show. A show which only further convinced me that the A.K.A.s are awesome. I had, up to that point, never seen such an energetic and entertaining live show. Ironically, Cobra Starship, whose concert I missed to see the A.K.A.s at Warped, is the only band I know of who can compete with the A.K.A.s' live shows.
I'm so glad that Kevin Lyman took notice of the A.K.A.s this year, and I can't wait to see them out on tour this summer.
Photos of the A.K.A.s taken by Sarah Maloy at Warped Tour 2008 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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1 comments:
Hmm, interesting. I shall have to look these guys up. Just within the past month, my list of bands I want to try to see at Warped this year has been growing. I originally went into thought about Warped '09 like, "OMG, they're bringing it back old school; I'm so excited!" Then I realized that some of these N00bz aren't so bad.
XoXo
c.
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