Bands Announced!

As promised, Warped Tour released some bands that will be on the tour this summer, and are continuing to announce more attending bands weekly.

According to the Vans Warped Tour website's blog posts, the first few bands attending Warped Tour this summer 2011 were posted about seven days ago, and more were added just yesterday. The site will continue to announce attending bands weekly, which can be found under the news tab, under their blog section. The next announcement is scheduled for Wednesday, January 5, 2011. You can also follow Vans Warped Tour on Twitter to keep posted and find out information @VansWarpedTour. Also mentioned on their website, the holiday ticket package offer is over, and pre-sale will begin on April 1, 2011.

These 11 bands attending so far are: Dance Gavin Dance, Every Avenue, Grieves With Budo, We Came As Romans, Woe, Is Me, The Word Alive, The Dangerous Summer, Go Radio, Miss May I, Wings Of Plague, and The Wonder Years. Short bios for each of these bands can also be found under the bands tab on the Warped Tour website by simply clicking on a band that you would like to know more about.

Me personally? I would like to see more punk bands added to the tour like there have been in the past. I honestly have not heard any of the bands released so far, but I'll have to check them out. I saw that Every Avenue has an alternative, pop punk sound, so they might be interesting. Because it is only December though, there is still plenty of time for more bands to be released, hopefully more punk bands will be added to the tour!

Your opinion? Billy Auman, a college student in Flint, Michigan, and one of my frequent readers told me what he feels about the Warped Tour experience. "I have never been to Warped Tour yet, but it seems like it would be an awesome experience. I hope to maybe attend this summer and check out some new music!"

What bands would you like to see? I added a poll, try it out and let me know who you think should play Warped Tour 2011!

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Poll photo courtesy of guitarplayer.com.

Oh yeah, and...To get you even more pumped for the Vans Warped Tour 2011 this summer, here is a compilation of photos and videos from the past five years at Warped Tour. All photo taken and video footage shot by me. Enjoy, rock on, and I hope to see you at the tour this summer!

Song Of The Week

"This Addiction" by Alkaline Trio.

Name The Song #2

Did well on my first quiz? Try this one! Let me know what you think. Which one was more difficult?

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Quiz photo courtesy of drregional.org.

Punk Rock '80s

Blast from the past? Watch and listen to these two compiled Black Flag videos, "Rise Above" and "American Waste." These songs are a lot of fun and are great examples of punk rock. I liked learning about Black Flag myself because they were popular before I was even born. Though I labeled this 1980's punk rock, Black Flag started in 1977 and ended in 1986.



Video courtesy of YouTube.

Watch These!

Along with listening to music and going to live concerts, I also love to watch music films and documentaries. Here are five of my favorite films, which include punk rock. Check them out if you can and let me know what you think!

Cover of Urethra Chronicles II.

1. Blink-182: The Urethra Chronicles (1999)
2. Blink-182: The Urethra Chronicles II: Harder, Faster. Faster, Harder (2002)
3. Angels And Airwaves: Start The Machine (2008)
4. Blink-182: Greatest Hits (2005)
5. Rock 'n' Roll High School (Ramones, 1979)

Photo courtesy of shopping.com.

Flyleaf: A Different Taste Of Music

Check out Flyleaf, a band with not only a unique music style and sound, but an interest in art and outreach.

"Momento Mori" album cover.

Flyleaf is a band from Temple, Texas that incorporates variations of sound to their rock music; they are also a Christian band. As a punk rock fan, I personally love Flyleaf and their difference in sound, and feel that they relate and convey punk rock music, especially through their instruments and vocal attitude. Listen to "I'm So Sick" from their 2006 self titled album, to hear a fast-paced and heavy punk-resembling sound with vocalist Lacey Mosley's defined lyrics and talented range of vocals.

According to Lacey Mosley in a recent post on Flyleaf's website, the artwork seen on the homepage of their website was created by Pat Seals, bassist and backing vocalist in the band. The artwork was inspired by Flyleaf's album released in 2009 titled "Momento Mori."

"Flyleaf" self titled album cover.

Not only does Flyleaf promote music and difference...and art, but also outreach. They take part in, support, and encourage World Vision and Samaritan's Purse for help in Haiti. These links can also be found on the homepage of their website if you are interested in giving a helping hand.

Recently, on December 7, 2010, Flyleaf released an album called "Remember To Live," which includes old songs, and a few new ones too. You can purchase this album online at iTunes or Amazon, or in stores. Flyleaf is not currently on tour. You can follow them on Twitter to stay posted: @flyleafmusic.

Check out these Flyleaf songs: "So I Thought" and "Fully Alive"

"Momento Mori" album cover courtesy of popstarplus.com and "Flyleaf" self titled album cover courtesy of melodic.net.

Flyleaf "Beautiful Bride"

Check out this song/video off Flyleaf's fairly new album Momento Mori.



Video courtesy of YouTube.

Blink-182 Album Discography

Blink-182 Discography on Dipity.

This is a timeline including Blink-182's albums released throughout the years. Not every single release is mentioned, just major releases.

Take My Quiz: Name The Song

Here's something fun for you guys to try on a rainy (or in recent cases, snowy) days. Let me know what you think after taking the quiz and if it's positive, I'll add more! I tried to make it simple until I get some feedback. Just match the lyrics with the song they fit into. All the bands in the quiz were mentioned in previous posts. Have fun!

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Warped Tour 2011 Dates Posted

Are you going to Warped 2011? If so, share with your fellow concert-goers which venue you'll be attending. The venue dates and places have been released and are now currently available on the Warped Tour website. With that, let me know the bands that you're hoping to see out on the tour this summer! Also, if your searching for the perfect musical Christmas gift for someone, check out the Warped Tour Holiday Gift Package. To find out more information about Warped Tour, check out my recent post.

Watching this video makes me super stoked for Warped Tour this summer! This is Anti-Flag in Cleveland, Ohio at Warped Tour 2009, shot by me. Enjoy!

Song To Know

"Silver And Cold" by AFI off their album "Sing The Sorrow," released in 2003.



Video courtesy of YouTube.

Best Concert Ever

What is the absolute best concert you have ever been to? If there was more than one that you attended and loved, feel free to share them all. Who did you see, where did you see them, and what year was it?

Mine? Blink-182 at the Post Gazette in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on their summer tour August 2009. I also enjoyed seeing Alkaline Trio at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio on a tour in May 2009.

Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio at the House of Blues, taken by me.

Briggs At Warped

Just to keep in the Warped Tour spirit like recent posts, here are a couple photos I took of The Briggs at Warped Tour 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. Remember, bands will be announced in December, which starts tomorrow!

Define Punk #3

Check out The Briggs to get another dose of pure punk.

The Briggs are a punk band from Los Angeles, California currently holding a label with Side One Dummy Records. This is yet another band that knows how to keep punk alive with a fast sound and raw vocals. Their most recent album dropped in 2008 which was titled, "Come All You Mad Men." I saw them for the first time in 2008 at the Agora in Cleveland, Ohio with Anti-Flag, Street Dogs, and Fake Problems, and ever since then they have been one of my favorite punk bands. Take a look at this video and let me know what you think! Song to listen to: "Back To Higher Ground."



Video courtesy of YouTube.

Fake Problems in Pittsburgh!

Fake Problems, a band I talked about in a post back in October, are performing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Monday, December 6 at Garfield Artworks. They are currently on a tour with dates posted for the months of December and January, throughout the United States, and some shows in Canada as well. Touring with Fake problems on December 6 will be Ninja Gun, Fuck Yeah Dinosaurs!, and The Edukators. Check out the flier, which is courtesy of Doug Helmick.

Tickets are $8 each, and the doors open at 7 p.m. Come see some southern style punk rock live, and check out a few others bands as well. Share if you're attending! Hope to see you there!

Ten Best Albums, Go!

Share your votes for the ten best punk albums! If you listen to other genres of rock music, be creative, list those instead. Directions: List the album name, band, and year it was released. P.S. Hope everyone reading had a happy Thanksgiving!

A few of my favorite albums, taken by me.

1.  "Blink-182" (self titled) by Blink-182, 2003
2. "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" by Alkaline Trio, 2000
3. "Take Off Your Pants And Jacket" by Blink-182, 2001
4. "I-Empire" by Angels And Airwaves, 2007
5. "Box Car Racer" (self titled) by Box Car Racer, 2002
6. "Dookie" by Green Day, 1994
7. "Dude Ranch" by Blink-182, 1997
8. "Die For The Government" by Anti-Flag, 1993
9. "For Blood And Empire" by Anti-Flag, 2006
10. "Anthem" by Less Than Jake, 2003

That was difficult! There are so many more albums that I love, but these are some of my favorites.

Warped Tour Bands To Be Announced In December

For anyone who enjoys live shows, or is a frequent concert goer, you might want to check out Vans Warped Tour, if you have not already. Warped Tour is a huge music festival that tours all over the United States, along with a few dates in Canada, all throughout the summer months. Warped Tour performers consist of many different genres of punk, alternative, ska, screamo, etc., bands that may play the whole tour, or at least a few dates. You can watch numerous bands in just one day because part of the setup includes several different stages; each band is scheduled to play on a certain stage at a certain time. Some bands that played last summer, 2010, at Warped Tour, were Alkaline Trio, The Casualties, Anti-Flag, Four Year Strong, and The All-American Rejects. Along with the music, many tents are set up at Warped Tour for different organizations such as Music Saves Lives, Keep A Breast Foundation, and Peta2.

Warped Tour is a chance to hear great music and see bands perform live, participate in organizations that help changes lives, attend signings and maybe even meet bands, and to have fun in an environment of music, punk, and skate.

According to Warped Tour's website, under the bands tab, they will begin announcing some of the bands that will be performing this summer at Warped Tour 2011. I added a slide show to this post of previous Warped Tour photos from the tour in 2006 all the way to last summer's tour, 2010, giving you at look at the fun before the show if you're attending...or a look at what you'll be missing if you don't! All photos were taken by me.

Gallows At Warped

Here are some more photos of the Gallows performance (see previous post), at Warped Tour 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. Take a look at how Frank Carter engages the crowd, and makes the show about the fans! Oh and, by the way, I added a Gallows RSS feed.

Frank Carter.

Gallows.

Crowd of fans.

All three photos taken by me.

All The Way From The UK

...is a straight punk rock band called Gallows.

For those that don't know of them, Gallows are a punk rock band from Watford, Hertfordshire, according to their Facebook, located in the United Kingdom. Gallows sing and play nothing but punk, with angry lyrics and deep sounds. They do more than keep punk alive, they represent it. Check out their music video to "Abandon Ship," from their album "Orchestra Of Wolves," released in the United States in 2007. To read the lyrics to "Abandon Ship," and other Gallows songs as well, go to the media tab on their website.

Gallows consists of five members: Frank Carter on lead vocals, Laurent Barnard on guitars/keys/vocals, Steph Carter on guitars/vocals, Stu Gili-Ross on bass, and Lee Barrat on drums. Frank Carter is also a tattoo artist at, and co-owner of, Austin Tattoo Company in Austin, Texas. You can also find photography from this artist on his blog.

The Gallows tour all through the UK and Europe, along with the US. Currently, they are touring outside of the US for the month of November. At shows, such as Warped Tour where I had first watched Gallows live, Frank Carter sings in and with the crowd, instead of on stage. Also, I added a Gallows RSS feed on my blog for you to stay updated!

Here is a video taken by me of Frank Carter from Gallows singing and moshing in the pit at Warped Tour 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. The footage is rough because I was in a crazy crowd, but I just wanted you to see how Frank Carter incorporates the fans in the concert too.

Song You Need To Hear

"Skate or Die" by Teenage Bottlerocket of their album "They Came From The Shadows," released in 2009.




Video courtesy of YouTube.

Define Punk, Again

Take a look at Anti-Flag, another band that defines punk music.

Anti-Flag, a band of four from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, define punk through their rough, upbeat, and fast musical tones, and arrangement of classical punk vocal sounds. Anti-Flag consists of Chris #2 on vocals and bass, Justin Sane also on vocals, and guitar, Chris Head also on guitar, and Pat Thetic on the drums. Anti-Flag focuses their music on the government, protest, and fighting for what's right, whether it be against war, corrupted media, police brutality, and more.

Their song, "Die For The Government," (This is not the official music video, just a copy off YouTube.) off their 1997 album, "Die For The Government," talks about how people fight and die in honor of their government, and how it's wrong to do so. In the song, they shout the truth in the chorus and sing against it. "This Is The End (For You My Friend)," from their album "For Blood And Empire" in 2006, talked about how the end has come for commercialization of the "right" weight, appearance, and advertising media fed to Americans every single day. These couple songs, plus many more, show the personalities of the members of Anti-Flag, what they stand up for, and what they believe in.

Anti-Flag's latest album is titled The People Or The Gun and was promoted by Side One Dummy records. Currently, they are not on tour, but have a show on December 8 in Los Angeles, California.

Check out these Anti-Flag songs: "Turncoat," and "1 Trillion Dollar$"

Photos: (top) Justin Sane and Chris Head, (bottom) Chris #2 in the crowd, both at Warped Tour 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio, taken by me.

Name Your Favorite Song

Do you have a favorite punk rock song? If so, let me know. What is the best punk rock song of all time? Name the song, band, and album title. Go!

Mine?
"Degenerate" by Blink-182, from "Take Off Your Pants And Jacket"

Photo: Blink-182 performing at their summer 2009 tour in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, taken by me.

Blink-182 in studio!

Back together again since a little before their summer 2009 tour, Blink-182 is currently in the studio recording for their new album. Check out some more details at www.himynameismark.com, where Mark Hoppus (find out more about him through the previous link), explains how Blink is going about recording their new album, how the songs are coming along, which instruments they are using, and more.

Blink-182 is a band that defines punk with their own unique style through their music, lyrics, and attitude. The members of Blink-182, bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker, all collaborate together musically to form Blink, along with working on other side projects. Mark produces other bands while hosting A Different Spin, Tom also belongs in Angels And Airwaves and takes a major part in the Macbeth Footwear company, and Travis recently created his own drum CD and runs Famous Stars And Straps clothing company. Along with these, each artist does much more.

Blink-182 just finished their European tour and plan to be recording their new album in the studio until late spring or early summer 2011.

Photo: Blink-182 on their summer 2009 tour in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, taken by me.

Fake Problems Updates

Fake Problems has an RSS feed that leads to their Tumblr, which is a social networking site used for blogging, updates, and latest news. Anyone can use Tumblr, from professional bands, groups and organizations, to aspiring writers, to people just looking to post and have fun. Follow Fake Problems' RSS feed to keep posted on their most recent updates. You can also follow them on Twitter: @fakeproblems.

Photo: Fake Problems' latest album, "Real Ghosts Caught On Tape," taken by me.

Not Quite Southern Rock

Check out an unusual style of punk rock through Fake Problems, a band that adds a little bit of home to their music. They take southern rock, and give it a new punk meaning.

Southern rock is a style of music, that by definition, incorporates a "down south" tone with repetitive beats, singing with tough and raspy vocals, banjo-sounding guitars, and southern-living themes. This genre can be found upon classical rock, in bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Fake Problems, a band from Naples, Florida, created their own type of southern sounds, mixing it with punk rock, and keeping their music modern as well. Like the southern rock style, Fake Problems use a tough southern-style vocal, but also incorporate soft singing in the mix. They keep a punk sound with two guitars, a bass guitar, and drums, but also add keyboards at times, making the music more upbeat. Their lyrics speak of love, challenges, and life in general. A southern hint lies within the lyrics when they mention religious aspects such as Heaven and hell.

Fake Problems play a variation of fast- and slow-paced songs. Their fast-pace songs incorporate some of that southern sound that's heard in some classical music, as mentioned before, but also maintains that quick, upbeat punk sound. Their slower songs are more relaxing and soft, but still incorporate all instruments. Altogether, Fake Problems show a different and unique kind of style with a mixture of their southern home and punk rock.

Fake Problems will be touring throughout the month of December on the East Coast. Check out the dates here.

Photos: (top left) Lead singer, Chris Farren, of Fake Problems, (bottom right) Fake Problems performing Warped Tour  2009 in Cleveland, Ohio, taken by me.

Talking With Relic 2

Here is part two of Talking With Relic. In this segment, Rick shares how punk rock has influenced and inspired him to play music. Relic's song, "Say It Again," off their album, "Nothing Sacred," is featured in this podcast. Check back soon to see how life is for Rick and Relic, touring on the road.

Relic podcast 2 sound clip

Keeping You Posted

If you didn't already notice, I added an RSS feed to Alternative Press magazine's website for anyone who read my post about the AP and is interested in staying up-to-date with the music. Keep reading!

Photo: Another one of my AP magazines from the collection, taken by me.

Top 10 Punk Bands

Let me know what you think! List your top ten favorite, most influential punk bands, one being the best on your list. If you have your own photos, feel free to add them as well, along with your name. If you listen to other genres of music, feel free to incorporate them too.

Here's mine:

1. Blink-182
2. Angels And Airwaves
3. Alkaline Trio
4. Less Than Jake
5. Anti-Flag
6. Street Dogs
7. Big D And The Kids Table
8. Gallows
9. Bad Religion
10. Flyleaf

There's much more, but here's a few that I love.

Photo: Less Than Jake performing Warped Tour 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio, taken by me.

AP Magazine

Here is a magazine that focuses on different genres of alternative music such as punk, pop-punk, metal, hardcore, and others, including news, features, tours, album releases, and more. This magazine is great for up to date information in the alternative music world and is personally one of my favorites, and has been for a pretty long time.

Alternative Press Magazine, also known as the AP Magazine, creates monthly issues for subscribers and the general public from its headquarters located in Cleveland, Ohio. They also keep an updated website that allows fans to navigate to find their latest magazine information, the AP Tour, podcasts, AP online store, and even more. It also allows fans to subscribe for the first time, or renew their subscriptions right at home. Fans can also order past issues off of their site.

Punk bands that AP Magazine has featured in the past are Blink-182, Green Day, and AFI. Along with featuring bands, AP also releases issues focusing on tours, such as Warped Tour, and special issues focusing a certain genre of bands, like punk. Their most recent issue features Anberlin.

Fans can follow AP Magazine on Twitter: @AltPress, which I strongly recommend because they post exclusive interviews and more.

Photo: Four of my AP Magazines, taken by me.

Talking With Relic

Meet Rick Pollo, bassist of Relic, a band from Youngstown, Ohio that recently toured through parts of the East Coast of the U.S. Listen to "Taking With Relic" part one, and stay tuned to hear how punk rock influenced Rick and Relic as a whole. Relic's song, "Break Through," from their most recent album "Nothing Sacred," is featured throughout the interview.

Relic podcast sound clip

Define Punk

Okay, here's a definition...Alkaline Trio.

Alkaline Trio, a band from Chicago, Illinois, consisting of Matt Skiba, Dan Adriano, and Derek Grant, are a great example of a punk band. They have a hard punk sound on many songs, and on others, a mellow sound unlike any other. Their most recent album, This Addiction, supported by Epitaph records includes lyrics that dig deep into love, addiction, and life experiences. The music carried that strong, defined AK3 sound and also added a new, refreshing chapter, as every CD expresses a different, unique style. This band proves that unique punk rock music still thrives.

Check out these AK3 songs: "Dead On The Floor," "I'm Dying Tomorrow"

Photo: Matt Skiba performing at Warped Tour 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio, taken by me.

A Different Spin

Tonight on Fuse TV the fourth episode of A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus premieres. 'A Different Spin,' hosted by major punk band Blink-182's Mark Hoppus, takes "a different spin" on musical interview shows by presenting cool interviews with new and up-coming artists, mainstream bands, and current and past musicians. While having a band member with years of experience interviewing the guests, along with hosting the show, also makes it different. Mark Hoppus has a co-host during each show too, Amy Schumer.

Mark Hoppus, if you don't already know, is the bassist and vocalist of Blink-182. While playing in Blink-182, he also works producing other bands and recently started up 'A Different Spin' with Fuse. Mark Hoppus expresses his musical talent in many ways, and does an awesome job balancing all of his work and taking on more projects. 'A Different Spin' just shows that artists can express their talents in numerous ways. Catch 'A Different Spin' on Fuse tonight at 7 p.m.

Blink-182 currently are working on recording for their new album, and recently returned from a European tour, while playing only one show in the United States, in California.

Photo courtesy of keepwaiting.net.

Ska Punk

Check out this style of punk through Less Than Jake.

Ska punk, another twist to punk rock music, sounds fast paced and up-beat, unless presenting a slower song, but includes unique instruments beyond the guitar, bass guitar, and drums. For example, ska bands may include instruments such as the saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and occasionally keyboards, along with the guitar, bass guitar, and drums. These instruments help create the punk sound, and also a type of sound that will most likely get you to move around and dance in the crowd.

An awesome example of a ska punk band is Less Than Jake, from Gainesville, Florida. The instruments that Less Than Jake use include a guitar, bass guitar, drums, saxophone, and trombone. Their music is mostly up-beat and comical with a punk rock sound, incorporating the feel of ska. They also play live music that gets the crowd jumping and moving around. These videos are some of their most popular songs, and more videos of LTJ are available on YouTube.

After their last show in the United States, at the Riot Fest in Chicago, Less Than Jake will be touring overseas in Japan, the UK, other venues throughout Europe, and more.

If you like Less Than Jake, a couple other ska bands you might be interested in include Big D And The Kids Table and Reel Big Fish.

Photo: Less Than Jake performing Warped Tour 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio, taken by me.

LA Ink on TLC

Every Wednesday night on TLC you can catch a show called LA Ink at 10 p.m. LA Ink is a reality show based on a tattoo shop called High Voltage in West Hollywood, California, and stars the highly talented tattoo artist, Kat Von D, who owns the shop. The show also incorporates not only the world of High Voltage, but another tattoo shop called American Electric, which is located in Los Angeles.

On the show, the world of tattooing for these Californian shops is revealed, along with backgrounds of the cast members' lives, conflicts, and personal accomplishments. Another strong focus of the show are the customers that come into the shops to be inked. Each customer on the show reveals a background story of their tattoo, along with presenting the final product when the artist has completed their work. Many different customers come in from not just California, but all over America, and even overseas from Europe. Musicians are often on the show getting tattoos as well, such as Travie McCoy from the band Gym Class Heroes.

But not only are musicians getting the tattoos, there is one musician in particular that works as a tattoo artist at High Voltage, and is also one of the stars of the show, Dan Smith. Dan Smith plays in a band called The Dear & Departed. While Dan works at High Voltage as a tattoo artist, he also takes time to leave for tours with The Dear & Departed, as shown in previous episodes of the current season of LA Ink.

The Dear & Departed approach their music with a dark form of a mix between punk and new wave, as stated on their Web site. As I attended an Alkaline Trio concert last year, The Dear & Departed helped open the show and Dan Smith mentioned his origins from New Zealand, though the band launched their first album in Orange County, California.

Check out LA Ink tonight at 10 p.m. to see Dan Smith tattooing at High Voltage.

Photo courtesy of lainkcasting.com.

Check Out This Style: Celtic Punk

If you didn't already know, there are quite a few different variations of punk rock. These types of punk still have the quick punk sound and strong lyrics, but also include a more unique twist that either "makes it or breaks it," in my opinion. An example of this is Celtic Punk, a form of music that incorporates Irish culture to provide a different sound. To create this unique Irish cultural sound, instruments such as the bag pipe and mandolin are used. To see an excellent example of this type of punk, check out the band Flatfoot 56 from Chicago, Illinois, who represent Celtic style while also keeping punk music alive. Flatfoot 56 currently is on tour with the Street Dogs.

Video: Flatfoot 56 opening their set in Pittsburgh, shot by me.

Street Dogs Live

The Street Dogs, a punk band from Boston, Massachusetts is currently on tour and just played a show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last Wednesday night at the Rex Theater. Due to mishaps with promoting, the band had to switch venues last minute from where they were originally scheduled, and many were unaware of their show. On a brighter note, the fans who were their, including myself, got to be close to the stage and the bands that played. The experience was awesome and though large concerts are fun, small concerts can be just as exciting. Street Dogs current tour dates.




Photo: Michael McColgan, lead singer of the Street Dogs, taken by me.