From The Editor’s Floor: Fall Forward: AP's Guide To The Rest Of The Year

Posted by Rob Ortenzi on 21-Aug-08 @ 06:39 PM

We at AP have far too much that we're looking forward to this fall. In fact, there's so much that we couldn't fit all of it in the glossy pages of AP 243.

[DISCS]
WARSHIP
Supply And Depend(VAGRANT; vagrant.com)
OUT: Nov. 4
When Ben Perri abruptly left From Autumn To Ashes, drummer Fran Mark took control of the band and came back with a vicious reclamation disc, Holding A Wolf By The Ears. As good as it was, Mark remained restless, and the band decided to adjourn. Now Mark and guitarist Rob Lauritsen have a new vehicle, Warship, whose alloy of hardcore, garage-rock and straight-up noise is seemingly poised to peel paint (or skin) at the right volume. "[Rob and I] wrote three songs and they were a different vibe," says Mark. "We felt that this is maybe something different. Let's just start a new band and take it from there. It just got real comfortable [in FATA], you know? The funnest time I ever had was the work in the beginning, building up [FATA]. I'm really looking forward to being able to do that with Warship." Go see Mark, Lauritsen, drummer Greg March and bassist Darren Simoes (on loan from the Bled) on the final Reggie And The Full Effect tour right now... -Jason Pettigrew

PAST LIVES Strange Symmetry EP (SUICIDE SQUEEZE; suicidesqueeze.net)
OUT: Nov. 4
When post-everything fulcrum the Blood Brothers quietly adjourned, singer Jordan Blilie, bassist/synth op Morgan Henderson and drummer Mark Gajadhar felt they still had a lot of great chemistry. After fortifying themselves with guitarist Devin Welch (Shoplifting) Past Lives are now ready to draft their own sonic cartography on Strange Symmetry. "The three of us still loved playing music together," says Blilie. "Morgan and Mark have a strong chemistry, rhythmically speaking, and Devin has always been one of my favorite guitar players. They're three of my favorite musicians and I feel lucky to be in a band with them." The five-track EP features slow burners ("Beyond Gone"), some sonic car-crashes ("Chrome Life") and to the surprise of many, no screaming. ("I'm all screamed-out, man," the singer says with a laugh.) The quartet begin a West Coast tour Aug. 30 as part of the F. Yeah Fest. -Jason Pettigrew

HASTE THE DAY Dreamer (TOOTH & NAIL)
OUT: Oct. 14
Most bands would see losing a member who's also the primary songwriter as a bump in the road at best. For passionate metalcore outfit Haste The Day, losing vocalist Jimmy Ryan only acted as a creative accelerant. Dreamer is filled with thematic lyrics regarding sin and the struggle for redemption, and heavy-hitting hooks that are a departure from their previous sound. "The theme for the album is the fall of man, like the Garden of Eden," says frontman Stephen Keech. "It's [about] being a part of an imperfect race." Tracks include an acoustic rendition of "Autumn" (from the band's debut EP, That They May Know You) and a Children Of Bodom-esque thrasher, "Babylon." "I'm pretty excited about it," says Keech. "I can't wait to see what the kids think about it." -Laila Hanson

[TOURS]
FLOGGING MOLLY and BEAT UNION
WHEN: Starts Sept. 12 in Portland, Maine Celt-punk powerhouse Flogging Molly are hitting the road this fall in support of their recent release, Float. Since the band built their reputation on touring, one would think business as usual, right? While it might not be singer Dave King's first rodeo, he does have an agenda in mind. "I think a band should always feel like they have something to prove to people," he says prior to a German gig. "This year, we played Lollapalooza, Coachella and Mile High in Denver, and all of those were different audiences. Anytime we walk on a stage we want to prove no one else can do what we do." What AP really wants to know though is whether he's going to throw things at Dave Warsop from the side of the stage when the Beat Union singer starts quoting Police songs during their opening set. King laughs. "Of course, I will!" -Jason Pettigrew

[FILM]
ROCKNROLLA (WARNER BROS.)
WHEN: OCT 31
STARS: Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton, Jeremy Piven, Ludacris
WHAT'S WHAT: When millions of pounds become available as the result of a Russian real estate scam, London's criminals start crawling out of the woodwork, vying for their piece of the action, led by the "Old School" mobsters and (Butler's) "Wild Bunch." Guns, violence and understated humor should all be considered accomplices.
SO WHAT? If RocknRolla sees writer/director Guy Ritchie-Mr. Madonna, for those keeping score at home-return to his Snatch and Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels form, then it can't miss. -Rachel Lux

[GAMES]
BAJA: EDGE OF CONTROL (THQ; PS3, Xbox 360)
WHEN: SEPT 9
The latest installment of the Baja series incorporates elements of an actual simulator experience you'd have playing an arcade game and translates that to an in-home system. Most races will last around 15 minutes-considerably longer than past road-rage games. To make sure players don't get bored, though (we know you don't have the longest attention span), Edge Of Control lets the player pick from 68 vehicles and 95 courses over 700 miles of drivable terrain (plus, there are 57 authentic truck sounds, ensuring your aural experience will be as good as your visual one). Shorter races not your thing? Then tackle the Baja 1000-a four-hour race based on a real event. Just don't forget to change the oil... --Rachel Lux

DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION: HOTTEST PARTY 2 (KONAMI; Wii)
WHEN: SEPT 16
The follow-up to the Wii's 2007 title, Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 2 turns up the heat, continuing to employ both the dance mat, but also using the Wii remote to synch up your arm movements as well. With new scoring features, a Dance 'n Defend Battle Mode and songs by artists such as Justice, Young MC, Basement Jaxx, LCD Soundsystem and Haley Hunt's cover of "Umbrella," both your ears and your body will get a pleasant workout. -Rachel Lux


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