The Freak Squad freak of the week

Matthew Pop is a 25 year old singer-songwriter from Brooklyn with a prolific catalogue of over 200 songs. He took 2nd place in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition the last two years in a row and one his songs, "Get It On," was used on MTV's "The Real World." Matthew is a human "hook machine." In recent months, Matt and his five piece band completed a successful tour of the Southeast (that peaked with a performance at Athfest in Athens, GA), opened for Sire Records' artist Regina Spektor at the Cabaret de la Musee in Montreal to rave reviews, and he also drew really well and wowed audiences at prestigeous New York area clubs Southpaw and Hoboken’s Maxwells

Matthew Pop blends bubblegum pop with garage rock. A great new and refreshing, but old-school sound. Super-catchy from start to finish.

Matthew Pop is an artist who you’ve probably heard a dozen times but couldn’t pick out of a lineup. Still, Pop has had his music featured in a number of popular MTV shows, in film, on NYC radio and has even been the opening act for Regina Spektor. The fact is: this prolific and swaggering song-meister, who describes his music as a combination of Weezer, Cheap Trick and The Beatles, is most certainly destined for stardom. Influences: uperdrag, weezer, ozma, ash, the cars, beatles, 80s, beach boys, failure, fig dish, guided by voices, chicago, hall and oates, billy idol, green day,apples in stereo, nada surf, daybirds, teenage fanclub, new order, eels, muse, imperial teen, cheap trick, self, etc...etc...

"Matthew Pop's songs are memorable but there's a grayness to much of his brand of Pop, sharing more in common with glum melodicists like Lou Barlow than, say, Cheap Trick, and capturing that strange sunshine melancholy Brian Wilson was so good at harnessing. Pop is not only a clever writer but he is a fantastic translator of mood into music. The singer/songwriter is currently on the road supporting his third solo effort, Million."

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H&K featuring Heather Kelly

The band known as H&K, has been catching the attention of record companies, radio stations, and music television networks. Originally self labeled as a Medieval Pop duo, evolving into a three piece power pop trio, Heather and Kirk, take you on a magical ride with their new cd, "Catch a Rainbow". Playing nearly 100 live shows throughout Iowa, H&K has a combination of talent, experience, and originality, gives the band a cutting edge in the Industry.

H&K consists of three players; Kirk Kaufman, Erick Hovey and Heather Kelly.
All three musicians bring their own sense of style and flair to the table. A recent radio review said the sound was "chunky and infectious" reminiscent of Tonya Donnelly from the Breeders. Kirk has been the sole owner and chief engineer of Junior’s Motel Recording Studio for over 37 years working with artists including Slipknot, BJ Thomas and Brian Wilson. Kirk was signed to Columbia Records with a band called the Hawks, as well as playing with many other well known bands from the area.

Erick Hovey is a songwriter, guitarist, singer, and

fifth-generation farmer from Fort Dodge, Iowa. His albums What You Blue About and Prairie Dance Music have received critical acclaim for his unique, honest voice, cool rocking blues, and introspective grooves. His new releases for 2009 are Recycled Souls andBlues Farm.

Heather has a classical background beginning on the violin at the age of 8. She has self taught herself on piano and other various instruments. Her songwriting has an intimate yet edgy feel. Heather has provided backing vocals and performances on numerous projects in the studio with different bands and individuals including: Dago and the Criminal History, Frank Tuma, Recycled Souls, Blues Farm, Shawn Crahan, Toadstool, Melvin James and many others. Another cd release by H&K featuring Heather Kelly is scheduled to be released in early 2010.

Reviews

"Kaufman lends his years of experience, both musically and technically, to Hovey’s loud, raucous sound and Kelly’s soulful lyrics and expressive vocals.”
- Mary Buck, Des Moines Music Coalition (Apr 24, 2009)

"H&K has a new wave sound that catches the ear and relaxes the atmosphere to make everyone enjoy what they are listening to. Kirk plays the drums, guitar, bass and vocals at the same time. As well as Heather singing with a crystal clear voice that makes you move.”
- Cody McClintock, Twist and Shout (May 01, 2009)
"H&K Band brings unique musical style to Fort Dodge"
- Emilie Nelson, Fort Dodge Messenger (Apr 09, 2009)
“H&K is very original and very uplifting. When you watch them live as a

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Archie Star

A first impression of Archie Star would be "good listening music" and not necessarily tunes to mosh or bang your head to, for example. The guitar work stands out, on such tunes as "Always Love You Never Leave You" (2007 demo). The vocals of Archie Star are certainly a strength, with the duet/shared singing of the D’Andreas.

Band

"Queens Boulevard" features the clear and strong vocals of Ria D’Andrea and Pat D’Andrea (who also provides rhythm guitar). This is a good rock/pop ballad, a nice introduction to those who haven’t heard Archie Star previously. According to information from the band, "Archie Star is about events that have taken place starting in ‘86 from Pat D’Andrea’s life." That says a lot but not everything. This group admittedly is influenced by Third Eye Blind, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, Simon and Garfunkel….the list goes on and on. Good influences, all. Personal note: I like the beginning of "What You Want To Be." Good vocals hold this tune together, along with ear-catching rhythm and response lyrics.

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THE BLOQ ASCIATIONSO MUSIC GROUP

The Bloq Association Music Group

The Bloq Association Music Group was founded in February 2009 by hip-hop artists Thirsty McGurk, H.Dinero, Z3ro1 and Lerix. After years of working individually on solo projects the four friends decided to joined forces and start their own independent label. The Brooklyn MC’s easily gelled when collaborating due to their shared vision of recording quality music, reminiscent of hip-hop‘s “golden era.” The battle plan crafted by the team is to, “Take hip-hop back in order to move it forward.” The Bloq Association’s, first official release, A Nightmare on your street Vol. 1 by Thirsty Mcgurk, is beginning to culminate a buzz in the underground hip-hop scene. With no slow in momentum the next release from the Label will be from Lerix titled “It’s a (w)Rap! “ dropping July 21st, and that’s only the beginning.

For More Information Visit

Lerix

Thirsty McGurk

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We the Kings is an American power pop band from Bradenton, Florida. They are signed to the label S-Curve Records, and their debut full-length album was released in October 2007. Since then they have completed a variety of tours, most recently the "Bill And Trav's Bogus Journey" co-headlining tour with The Academy Is.... The band also sports their own miniature series of webisodes, called The King's Carriage, detailing life on their tour bus. They also released Secret Valentine EP digitally on December 16, 2008.

History

The band members first met at Martha B. King Middle School in Bradenton, Florida; their name refers to this institution. Later, while in his sophomore year at Manatee High School, Travis Clark started a band called Broken Image. At this time, Hunter Thomsen, Drew Thomsen, and Danny Duncan were all playing in other bands, but Travis "cherry picked" (as he calls it) to form their band. However due to another couple of bands already calling themselves Broken Image, the name was changed to DeSoto, then, after a lawsuit ensued, to We the Kings. The group began touring seriously while Travis, Danny and Hunter were in college, and they dropped out of college to do so, while Drew graduated early from high school. They completed a couple of tours with Boys Like Girls, Fall Out Boy and Self Against City while still unsigned, and landed on the PureVolume Top 10 list after hiring a manager. After continuing success via Internet sites such as MySpace, the group signed to S-Curve Records, who issued their debut self-titled album on October 2, 2007. The album peaked at #3 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart and #151 on the Billboard 200. The band has toured with bands such as Cobra Starship, Valencia, Just Surrender, Metro Station, Boys Like Girls, Thriving Ivory, All Time Low, Never Shout Never, The Audition, Cute Is What We Aim For, Danger Radio, Madina Lake, Mayday Parade, and Powerspace. On February 4th, their song "Check Yes Juliet" was featured as the free single of the week on iTunes. On April 8th, their song "Check Yes Juliet" was featured in an episode of MTV's The Hills. When it came to making a music video for their song "This Is Our Town", they set up a contest allowing fans from the Florida area to submit videos of their town set to the song. The winner would be allowed to spend the day with them on August 30, when they played the Rays game.

They were up for several VMAs in 2008, including Best Pop Video, Best Rock Video, Best New Artist, and Video of the Year. New VMA-themed King's Carriage videos were released seemingly to celebrate this fact. However, they did not secure the nomination in any of these categories.
On May 1, 2009, We the Kings performed a full set of Jimmy Eat World covers for the Hoodwink festival as a part of Bamboozle weekend.

Present (2009)
The band's frontman, Travis Clark, announced on his Twitter that they were recording new songs. The band's second album, title to be announced, is currently in the works. The first single was confirmed in a band interview has been given the title "Heaven Can Wait". The new song is finished and has yet to receive a release date. Travis Clark also confirmed a song that there will be a song called "Rain Falls Down" on their upcoming record that is still and currently being recorded.

Musical influences

The band has cited many musicians as influences, such as Bob Marley and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They have also been named the modern-day Jimmy Eat World. We the Kings has performed Jimmy Eat World's The Middle at live shows. In addition, other bands they have toured with receive special praise, among them Boys Like Girls and All Time Low

Tours
For part of the fall of 2007, they played a tour called Tourzilla with headliner Boys Like Girls, All Time Low, and The Audition They toured in support of Cobra Starship in early 2008 along with Metro Station and The Cab We the Kings performed all dates of the Warped Tour 2008.
We the Kings played on their first headlining tour "Long Hair Don't Care" with Valencia, The Cab, Sing It Loud, and Charlotte Sometimes during late March and throughout April.
In May and June, We the Kings supported Cute Is What We Aim For and Boys Like Girls on their UK tour.
On August 30 2008 they were a part of The Rays Summer Concert Series, playing on the field after a Tampa Bay Rays game. They also toured the UK after the completion of the Warped Tour.
Starting in February 2009, they are headlining a tour called "The Secret Valentine Tour" with The Maine, The Cab, There for Tomorrow, and VersaEmerge.
Starting in April 2009, they are playing the "Bamboozle Road Show" with The Cab, NeverShoutNever!, Mercy Mercedes, and Forever The Sickest Kids
Starting May 22, 2009, they will begin their headlining UK tour with Out of Sight and Hey Monday as their supporting acts.
Starting July 8, 2009, they will begin their tour as support for All Time Low along with Cartel and Days Difference.
Starting August 2, 2009, they will be performing at Warped Tour 2009.
The band will be on tour this Fall 2009, supporting All Time Low on the Glamour Kills Tour with Hey Monday and The Friday Night Boys

Members
Current

Danny Duncan – Drums