Camera Can't Lie

In three words, they're Camera Can't Lie.

In one word, they're passionate.

This Minneapolis-based band consists of Eric Arjes (vocals/guitar), Josh Bendell (drums), Kyle Lindsay (bass), Tim Nustad (keys/sampling) and Travis Stearns (lead guitar/vocals). In the past few months, CCL has been spotlighted on several big-time sites such as The Daily Chorus (top third unsigned band) and PureVolume (where "Losing You" was the most-played song for six days in a row). But the band is certainly not letting the success get to their head.

"A title is only a title," said Arjes. "We're very proud of the work we put into our music. We work very very hard and don't take it for granted ... There were a lot of great bands on [The Daily Chorus], and it's incredible to get that respect."

CCL released their first album, Love the Noise, in December of 2006 and their latest album, Camera Can't Lie EP, in July of 2007. The sound is much like Switchfoot, with hopeful, enlightening lyrics that many kids of the younger generation can relate to.

"[The lyrics] are influenced from life and what life throws at you," said Arjes, who writes most of CCL's lyrics. "I feel boring sometimes, though, like I haven't been through that many hardships, so I like to take my friends' experiences and express what they may not be able to. I just want the music to mean something."

The entire band helps collaborate on the instrumentals of the music, creating something that the whole band can be proud of. Their music is melodic and keyboard-inspired with very catchy choruses. Don't be surprised if their songs (particularly "Losing You") get stuck in your head for days.

Camera Can't Lie is currently touring and putting out demos with hopes of getting into the studio later this year. They've played over 150 shows in their time span and just finished up with the Always Clothing Tour with Windsor Drive and select dates with Abandon Kansas.

"It was our first tour down south and there were a lot of kids," said Arjes. "We had a lot of fun. It was pretty relaxing and very successful."

As a band that's always on the road, Arjes said that playing all the live shows for different kids is one of his favorite parts of being in a band.

"Getting on stage every night for 30 to 40 minutes is just a whole different world," Arjes said. "It's an experience that you can't really relate to anything else. Music has such an impact on me as it has to so many others. It's an amazing way to connect with people."

While the boys have toured many areas of the country, being from the Midwest certainly doesn't get their hopes down. In fact, they think it helps.

"When you're on the coast, it's so overpopulated and harder to stick out," said Arjes. "Here, it's easy to be original and unique and you still have so many opportunities."

I predict these boys will be playing many many shows in the future and are a rising star in our area. It's only a matter of time until they are 'discovered' by a label that believes in them as much as their large fan-base does. You can check them out at www.myspace.com/cameracantlie.

being broken is a beautiful thing

I wish these tears were for joy
But I know deep down inside
That my heart is breaking

I force a huge congratulations
A smile and a hug
But all I want is to hold on forever

I know you’ll have fun
And experience more life
But all I can think of is how mine is ending

I’m sorry I can’t be happy
I’m sorry I can’t pretend
I never saw us coming to this end

I think you’ll forget me
I think you’ll move on
And I’ve tried so hard to keep this

I don’t want to think about it
I don’t want to talk about it
But it still keeps me awake all night

This is all you dream of
This is all you want
And I’m sorry I can’t support you

I’m trying to be happy for you
I’m trying to smile
But all I can think of …

All I can think of …

You’re leaving me.

We The Kings Review - April 12

You know when a band comes on stage and the lead singer is wearing and N'Sync t-shirt that they're going to be amazing.

On April 12th, at Sokol Underground in Omaha, Nebraska, I got the pleasure of seeing just that.


My friends and I arrived a little late to the show, just at the end of the second band, Charlotte Sometimes' set. The next band up was The Cab. I'll admit that I had never heard of these guys before, but they completely blew me away.

These Las Vegas boys got on stage and within twenty seconds of their first song, I was already in awe. Their energy was incredible and their music so smooth. They had a very unique sound that reaches into you. Lead singer Alex Deleon has one of those hard-to-describe voices that attracts you within seconds. Their rock-pop beats were equally guitar, drums and bass but they also had a focus on keyboard which I absolutely love (and a trend that I feel we are going to see a lot more of in upcoming bands). I didn't know a single word to their songs but I was dancing with the biggest fans by the end of the set.

Up next was Valencia. I've heard several songs from these Philadelphia boys and thuroughly enjoyed all of them. However, seeing them live was a whole other level. They were completely involved in their music and had an amazing connection with the crowd. As one of my friends pointed out, they seemed more of a 'clean-cut' band (which I think she was basing on the fact that they all had short hair, a rarity at rock shows) but in no way should you peg them as a 'preppy' band. They're music even makes the parents standing in the back of the room at least tap their foot. Their set was energetic and I'd undoubtedly say these guys are a band to watch this year.

Up last but obviously not least was We The Kings. Just on our way down to Omaha, my friends and I had possibly listened to their debut CD about four times. With every line, chord and even clap memorized, I was as giddy as a nerd on the first day of school to see the boys live. And I wasn't disappointed. The second the got on stage was like that moment at the top of the first really big hill on a rollercoaster. Your heart stops in anticipation, your eyes get wide, and you hold your breath for the ride. Then they start to play and it sends you completely over the edge.

With catchy pop-rock songs like "August is Over" and "Skyway Avenue", you can't help but jump to the chorus and scream along with lead singer Travis Clark. By the end of the night, every line and every beat of their music was worth the hoarse voice and tired feet. To put it simply, they were incredible. Clark even took the stage alone to play "This Is Our Town", telling the venue to turn down the lights and the audience to hold up their cell phones (the next generation of lighters, for those of you who haven't been to a rock show since the 90s). The song is reminiscent of that amazing hometown that you can always leave but never forget.Clark's voice, especially during this 'ballad' like song, has a way of grabbing at your heart. You can feel exactly what he's singing about. Taste his words on the tip of your tongue. Each and every kid in the room weren't just screaming the words, they were meaning them.

The last song they played was "Check Yes, Juliet", their MTV-like hit song. And there's a reason for that. The song is based on a current day Romeo and Juliet story with the feelings of runing away with that special someone. At the end of the song, members from the previous bands hoped on stage and helped sing the rest of the song. The crowd went wild and it was definitely a great idea to end the show with a bang.

Overall, I was extremely impressed with the entire line-up and the energy of the show. If you didn't get a chance to see We The Kings, or won't for the rest of the "Long Hair Don't Care Tour", be sure to catch these guys on Warped Tour this summer.

THIS is my life

There are moments in life where you just stop and wonder “Is this my life?”

You drop your cell phone in water. You spill your drink/food all over yourself. You tripped into a snow bank. Your car won’t start.

All these moment make you stop, frown, and depressing think, Yup … this … is my life … Go figure, right?

A few days ago my friends and I traveled down to Omaha for a show. (Read upcoming blog for review.) As we were standing there, one of my friends, who has only been to a few shows in his life (whaaat?) turns to me and says, “So this is what you do? This is your life?”

I glanced around the room to what he was seeing for one of the first times. The venue was like a basement at a frat house … cement floors, brick walls, dirty bathrooms. The dark room was slightly lit by a few filtered lights pointing towards the small stage. There was no barrier … just a group of music lovers such as myself scrunched to the front. The kids were generally younger than me (a concept I’m familiar with at the ripe age of 21), but shared the same interest I did.

In fact, all the kids shared the same interest. The drunken girl in the slutty dress … the bigger guy with the Mohawk … the little boys and girls in skinny jeans. For this night, nobody cared what anybody else was wearing or what they were saying … we were there for the music and the chance to forget everything.

This was my passion sprouting out of all these kids’ eyes as they stared at the bands and shouted the lyrics of their lives. This was my love sweating out of every pore as we all jumped to the chorus and danced to the verse. This was every piece of anger, hurt, depression, sadness, guilt … all wrapped into one and exerted into the crowd through every beat of the drum and ever strum of the guitar. This was everything being let loose and turning into the magical feeling of relief as you focus on the music, and those feeling float to the back of the room.

I was completely lost in the moment. When I came back to my thoughts, I realized I was grinning from ear to ear.

“Yup,” I said, eyes still glazing over the the crowd. My smile widened. “THIS … is my life.”

We The Kings

Published in The Collegian on April 2

If you've ever seen tour videos from We The Kings, you will automatically relate to them and adopt them into your circle of friends. Not only because they are our age but they emit that same quirky, energetic atmosphere that kids who grow up in small towns tend to ignite.

Travis Clark, Hunter Thomsen, Drew Thomsen and Danny Duncan grew up together in the small city of Bradenton, Fla. Moving from little league and recess, the boys eventually formed We The Kings. The band has been labeled as hometown heroes, creating a sort of homage to their hometown. But putting Bradenton on the map isn't the only intent of their "fun and up-lifting" music.

"We just wanted to have people relate to [our music]," said Clark. "We wanted feedback, and so far, the response has been incredible."

Although the band has been together for years, they just recently started skyrocketing into national attention. The guys have signed with S-Curve Records (Fountains of Wayne, Joss Stone), been chosen for MTV's Discover and Download and are headlining sold-out shows on the "Long Hair Don't Care" tour before hitting the road with the Vans Warped Tour this summer.

"We had no idea how great this would be," said Clark. "We weren't hoping to sell out, we just wanted to have a great time. It's wild. It hasn't really hit us yet."

Coming from a smaller town, WTK had to commit themselves to really break into the industry. They started out playing in coffee shops and churches before Internet sites such as myspace.com and purevolume.com really kicked in and helped them boost a fan base.

"It was really tough because there were no venues in or around us, and so we had to travel," said Clark. "But we were still in high school, which made it that much harder."

But starting out small didn't stop the guys from reaching success. Although they've shared the stage with bands such as Madina Lake, Boys Like Girls and All Time Low, they don't put their success up to chance.

"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity," said Clark. "If you prepare yourself, then good things will come."

Touring has definitely been a new adventure for the band, but knowing they have support from home keeps their spirits high.

"It's flattering to have so much support," said Clark. "It's awesome to travel and see how the town where you grew up relates to everywhere you go."

We The Kings will travel to the Sokol Underground in Omaha, Neb., on April 12. They will play with Valencia, The Cab, Charlotte Sometimes and Sing It Loud. The show is $8 in advance, $10 at the door and starts at 7:30 pm.

Dawning By Day

Published in The Collegian on April 9th

Dawning By Day recenly recorded their first EP, The Red Sun EP, featuring six original songs. The heavy guitar riffs and lively drum beats set rhythm for catchy lyrics, and while their recordings on MySpace still sound a little rough, don't let that discourage you. For those of you who read my column on a regular basis, you may remember me mentioning this band that opened for Four Letter Lie a while back. They were the exceptional opening band then, and they still impress me now.

And although they've shared the stage with some pretty great bands, don't think that's going to their heads.

"A lot of bands we play with have this 'we're in a band, we're cool' type of attitude," said John Olivier.

Olivier, David Vanderbush, (both SDSU students), Joe Olivier and Tyler Hennagir have only been playing together for about a year now, but these guys are in no way newbies to music. All of the members have been playing for years, mostly in church bands.

But don't be so quick to categorize these guys as just another Christian band.

"We're a rock band, but our inspiration comes from our faith," said Olivier.

Vanderbush agrees that their self-described "straight up rock and roll with an edge" music is about more than preaching.

"It's about writing and singing about our faith," said Vanderbush. "We just hope someone pulls something from it."

The boys are working on setting up some shows for summer, which you can find on www.myspace.com/dawningbyday. Above all, the guys seem to count more on making a friendly impression on those they meet than appearing as rockstars.

"We have an atmosphere of humility," said Vanderbush. "We tend to respect others a lot and try to help people as much as possible."