War Stories : Live

is a fresh alternative rock band that has the pleasure of having both Evan Robinson’s hoarse yet melodic voice and the strong, clean and (in no way) repetitive instrumentation provided by his fellow band-mates. War Stories reminds us what we like to hear in our music… evidence that they actually care.

The sound that reverberates from War Stories self-titled debut album reminds me that rock is not dead; there is still hope for new sounds, fresh ideas and music that moves you in the most basic ways imaginable.

The worst thing to fathom is the possibility that this album could never have been made. After completing a tour with the bands Augustuna and Kasabian, War Stories former record label called with the bad news. Someone at Columbia Records had decided to cancel the release of their debut album just two months before the scheduled release date. “We were half way through our tour with Kasabian,” Evan recalls, “and we got a call from our management telling us we were dropped before our album even hit the shelf.”

With a reinvigorated spirit, commitment to the success of War Stories and a more defined direction for where they wanted to take that music the band began making the songs and the sound we get the privilege of listening to today.

After months of writing and practicing new songs, playing local shows and the work they put into a music trailer War Stories was ready to hit the studio. They sold the music trailer they made to cover the costs of the recording, hit the studio and produced what’s sure to be known as an achievement and life changing event for the band known as War Stories.

With songs such as, “Lion” and “Rage”, we get a fresh look at alternative music the way it should be, loud, fast and inspiring. In the new single “Hangin’ On” you feel the voice and power of Evan Robinson come through in spades; with lyrics you’d imagine were written by Johnny Cash- War Stories has thrown its support behind Barack Obama and solidified its stance as a band with political, emotional and religious charge with the songs “What Does God See” and “New Lover’s Voice”. War Stories is not afraid to speak its opinions and the band has assured us they can do it with melody and grace. A band to watch in the coming years, we can only hope the second release is as creative and inspiring as this debut album; until then, listen, buy and spread the word!

Although the site is still under construction I felt the need to pass this article along feeling interested readers deserved the right to see this.

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Quoted text from Bob Lefsetz

John Lennon was murdered. Tupac and Biggie too. But their music lives on. Played every day on the radio, spun in homes around the world. Clive Davis still walks the planet, but we haven’t heard a peep out of him in months, the press has moved on. David Cook is making his album without his supervision, Kelly Clarkson has no one to rail against, the old man seems to have vanished. Along with his productions. When was the last time you heard Milli Vanilli? Even Whitney Houston?

1964 heralded a revolution. The Beatles broke every mold. Not only did their music sound unique, they wrote and played it. Seemingly every kid in America picked up a guitar. The Beatles were bigger than Jesus. But that was before the explosion of Evangelical Christianity. Before MTV and CDs. Before there was so much money in music that big corporations swallowed up the labels and demanded they deliver profits. Incessantly. Which they did. Time Warner’s cable system was built by Warner Music. But eight years ago, the music business hit a speed bump.

Sales have declined. No superstars have been born. Executives have railed, but no solution has been proffered. Shaking their fists at the consumer, the public has just shrugged, and moved on to video games, an art form containing passion. Yes, that’s what Clive Davis and his cohorts surgically removed. The essence, the spark contained in all those British Invasion hits. The personality. The excitement. And with a heavy hand, employing song doctors and hack producers, they constructed music they believed they could sell. That was Clive Davis’ expertise. He was not the man with the golden ears, but a diva with a Rolodex containing the name of every media man in existence. But this was back when the country was ruled by newspapers and television. When radio could generate ten million album sales. Now the target audience gets its news on the Web. There are 500 television channels. And radio is a joke with declining listenership. The old pros’ success was based on control. And control has been evaporating since the turn of the decade. And if it’s ever coming back, it’s not going to look the same, it’s not going to be the same game.

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Read on at Bob Lefsetz’s blog.

In cross-reference to Lefsetz’ post I have to say for a world of music listener’s who are there (supposedly) for the music they have most definitely dropped the ball on supporting those who create the “art” they listen to as a whole and furthermore seem to have a difficult time deciding what music is good and what music is not good; outside of what the media instantly picks up that is.

The people have not changed, the battleground has changed. In the wake up the internet, cellphones and stronger more efficient communications data can be transfered for free from anywhere and heard anywhere as well. Album sales are down because nobody wants to listen to or buy an entire CD and the music industry has constructed itself for 1 hit singles… why pay $15-$20 for a CD when you can simply download the one or two songs you actually listen to off the internet for $2 (or illegally for free).

Its up to the fans to show their support for the music they love, in the process some bands may fall, some labels will go under. Nevertheless, in the end we’ll be left with a music industry that has soul, art and that can make a profit without employing an inflated squad of copycat bands and bubblegum commerce pop.

More posts to come after the 15th! Stay tuned.