Recommendations: "Summer Rocks (Energetic)!"

So, after finishing with the last "Summer Rocks!" I decided that the next one should be something that was completely different from the romantic and mellow nature of the previous one. So, coincidentally (and very strangely as I usually listen to the bands I'm writing about) I was listening to the two bands featured in this post: Metro Station and Fall Out Boy. While listening to them I got a huge surge of energy and though "Well, this should be in the next 'Summer Rocks!'".

Metro Station (I must admit I adore that name) was an American pop rock/synthrock band formed by Trace Cyrus, Mason Musso, Anthony Improgo, and Blake Healy. I must say that the band had an amazing sound and a characteristic energetic feel. In their first (and unfortunately last) self-titled album, Metro Station, the band shows us their versatility and introduces us to their characteristic sound.

The band exhibits the best synthrock sound in their song "Control", which is accompanied with great vocals. In "Kelsey" the band shows a more mellow synthetic sound but yet the vocals imprint energy and force to the song. Now, my absolute favorite songs by Metro Station are "Shake It" and "Seventeen Forever" (especially the latter), in which the vocals literally lift you up in a surge of absolute rock energy.

Second and last in this post is the band Fall Out Boy, which consists of vocalist-rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, bassist Pete Wentz, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band has an unmistakable sound and has become one of the biggest alternative/punk rock bands in the last decade.

With over 5 albums, Fall Out Boy has proven itself and the world its energetic sound and image. This energy is especially transmitted in the songs "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race", "Thnks fr th Mmrs", "Sugar, We're Goin' Down", "The Take Over, the Breaks Over", "Dance, Dance", "I Don't Care", and their Michael Jackson cover, "Beat It.

Hoped you felt the energy in this songs! Expect the last entry from the "Summer Rocks!" recommendations-- I still haven't named it but... expect something big!

*By the way, I have decided that I will officially "sign" my posts at the end of them rather than at the beginning-- I find it more authentic like that. Also, I have noticed that my posts really carry my style and essence in them, while David's posts carry his, so I don't think you really NEED to have the "by: Me" at the beginning of every post. So...


Keep on rocking it!!
-- Carlos 

The Essentials: John Kappas

by: Carlos Figueroa

Well, at this point I'm guessing that many of you are going "WHO THE FUCK IS JOHN KAPPAS?" It´s a question that many have asked me in the past, which I'll answer in a moment. You may probably also be asking "WHY THE FUCK IS HE AN ESSENTIAL AND WHY IS THIS ESSENTIAL NOT A BAND?"... To that question I'm gonna answer a bit more bluntly: He is an essential because he's awesome and because I feel like it!! So yes, that's it for my dramatic intro for this Essential artist. Now, let's get into the music.

John Kappas is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California. Although he may be regarded as a "local artist" by some (as he is mostly a star in LA and he's STILL not an international artist), John acquired public attention as a YouTube Star, mainly as a semi-CoverLover-- in John's case, he took mainstream pop songs and made them total acoustic masterpieces, thus not ruining the originals (in some cases being even better than the originals). Also, he writes his own songs too, and he only released one of his covers in his debut EP, History Repeats Itself.

Now, let's discuss his sound and style. John's style could be described as a kind of acoustic rock meets piano rock in some of his songs, although in some songs he goes more into electro rock or pop rock. Probably what gives his songs that characteristic boldness and feeling is his voice; John exceeds vocally and shows a great deal of versatility (which can be appreciated in his live performances and covers).

For example, in songs like "History Repeats Itself" and "This Is the End" John provides us with entrancing vocals, amazing guitar screeches and pronounced beats. Also, this are the 2 songs in which John displays and edgy, a bit darker mood to his songs. In some other songs, namely "Highschool Sociopath (I Hate You)" and "I Want You", he displays a more pop rock sound, with the vocals being in the spotlight but with the addition of more prominent keyboards/piano.

Where his vocals really shine though is in his covers and acoustic, original live songs. From his covers (which you can check in his YouTube channel) I must say that, in my opinion, the best is Miley Cyrus's "See You Again" or Britney Spears's "Toxic". In his original acoustic songs, John's songwriting is appreciated at its best, with songs like "Come Back to LA", "It Might Take a While", and "Explain Myself".

John Kappas is the epitome of an artist who deserves fame more than some mainstream artists as he is full of raw talent. Also, he shows us that being famous is not related in any way to being talented, and that the business is a punk bitch that is reserved for a few people. Because of his talent and all the reasons above listed, John Kappas is an Essential.