ARTICLE JUMP
PJ Bond (PJ Bond)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2009? (In order 1-5)
- Brian Bond - Fire and Gold
- Communipaw - Communipaw
- The Arteries - Blood, Sweat and Beers
- The Waltz - Boxes
- Static Radio - An Evening of Bad...
What band did you discover in 2009 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
The Arteries. These are five of the nicest dudes you'll ever meet playing melodic punk rock in the vein of Millencolin. They're from Swansea, Wales, and not only do I think their records are amazing; they are a constant and beautiful reminder of how lucky I am. I met these guys on my first tour overseas, and they represent how wild this world can be, how much possibility and love we can find if we just open our eyes. I love music more because of the way it feels than for how it sounds, and these boys are something much bigger than just a band to me. Furthermore, soon after I returned to the states, they came here and we piled into the Static Radio van and headed down to the Fest in Gainesville, only solidifying my love for them and the Static boys, as well as a life of wonder.
How will you remember 2009? (In terms of music)
This was the year I took my life back. I gave up everything I have, shed my possessions, got rid of my home and headed out on the road in a '93 Plymouth Sundance, singing songs, making friends, and having fun. Music has always been my love, and now it's my full life. And that's amazing.
2009 was a huge year for reunions. What reunion excited you the most? What band that has not reunited would you love to see play/record most in 2010?
I was by far the most excited for Sunny Day Real Estate, one of the bands most responsible for sending me down the path that has led me to my current existence, both musically and as a person. I was able to see them play at Terminal 5 in New York City, and they were flawless. I definitely appreciated the fact that they stuck to the first two records, mainly because those were the records Nate Mendel was part of, but it was a bit off-putting to hear Jeremy's current voice over those old songs. I love Jeremy's voice in all its incarnations, but a part of me really wanted to hear the songs the way they used to sound. Still, it was great, and I'm glad I got to see it. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch the Get Up Kids when they played proper shows, but luckily did see them at the Bamboozle festival. Obviously this is not the ideal setting for a band like GUK, but I was excited to hear some of my old favorite jams, and slightly less so when they played tunes off of Guilt Show. I'm not trying to put down that record, or the band, but if you have 30 minutes to showcase the awesomeness that was and is your band, let's stick to the meat and potatoes. While not a reunion, the feeling at the Jimmy Eat World Clarity show had the same sense of nostalgia and memory attached to it. This was the first of the lot I attended (at least indoors), and it was amazing how many people I knew or at least recognized from the last time JEW played such a Clarity centric set, which was, I think, in 2000, at the Wayne Firehouse in Wayne, NJ. JEW had yet to put out Bleed American, and played the title track that night, amongst choice picks from clarity, static prevails and various 7"s. At this point I think I might be over reunions. The only bands I'd really like to see now have members who've passed away, so I guess I just missed out.
What can we look forward to from you in 2010?
I will be heading out to the west coast, finishing up my "Year of a Thousand Roommates," then going to India for a month. After India I should be in the UK and mainland Europe for close to 2 months. Following the European tour I am heading down to Rad Fest in Wilmington, NC, for which I will be outfitting myself with a full band. Should be interesting and exciting. Then, who knows? At some point I'll begin recording my next record, probably summer time.
What three records are you looking forward to most in 2010?
The Waltz Brian Bond, and Communipaw
Website Link (Website/Myspace/Blog/Etc.): http://www.myspace.com/pjbondmusic
