The Tangled Web of Craig Owens and Chiodos...

*I just want to say that I know this is "old" news by now.  However, I waited to report on this because I knew that when the story broke, there would be updates for several days.  I wanted to wait to express my opinion and views after the major announcements had been made.*

Late last week, the teenage scene girl in me jumped for joy for hours after watching this:

Craig Owens has reunited with Chiodos! 

So after the fan girl in me calmed down, the reporter side kicked in.  I, along with millions of others, have a ton of questions.  Some initially have been answered, but now have left new ones in their place.  So I'm going to do this in three parts: the summary, the questions, the opinion.  so let us begin!

Chiodos "let go" of Owens back in September of 2009.  The split was not an amicable one.  Fans were heartbroken and upset even though the band said the split was "necessary".  Brandon Bolmer joined Chiodos and they put out one album together(Illuminaudio) in 2010.  After a few tours and the album release, Chiodos became almost non-existent.  In March of this year, Bolmer and drummer Tanner Wayne officially announced their departure.  This is where the rumors of an Owens/Chiodos reunion began.
Craig was definitely not off the radar after being fired.  After spending some time to find himself, Owens came back to form the band Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows.  The band was a super band of sorts, all members were from other bands in the scene.  A full length, D.R.U.G.S, was put out in 2011 with much success.  Craig also has been very successful with a solo career, his mini tours sell out at almost every venue. He also has started an acting career.  When the reunion rumors were brought to the attention of the other members of D.R.U.G.S, the fellas laughed them off
.Craig Owens and Chiodos officially reunited on April 26th.  The story spread like wild fire, and was easily one of the biggest pieces of news in the genre for a week.  Many musicians took to social networking to give their opinion, including Bolmer.  The former lead singer was kind, wishing both parties the best of luck and gave them his support.  The opinions of the members of D.R.U.G.S. however, is not so cut and dry.   A day after the official announcement, Matt Good, Aaron Stern, and Nick Martin put out a statement of their own.  The trio told fans that they would be leaving Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows.  The three did say they have "no regrets" about their music or who it was made with.  Several days later, Owens finally made a statement.  Due to the "unexpected events" that have occurred, he told fans he is uncertain about the future of D.R.U.G.S.  The last piece of major news to come out of this story seems to be that the former members of D.R.U.G.S. are not allowed to start a band together, due to a clause in a contract that was signed.

Did ya get all that? I know it's a lot.  So after hearing all of the initial reports and follow up stories, there are still some questions that are left to be answered:

• What exactly are the two reuniting for? A reunion tour? New music? 
• What will Craig do with D.R.U.G.S?
• How will this effect Owens' solo career?
• Who is drumming in Chiodos?
• What is the status of Nick Martin and Craig's relationship?
• What does this mean for possible new material from Isles and Glaciers or Cinematic Sunrise?

Chiodos was a band that I listened to every day of my earlier years.   In taking every opportunity to see them live, I have met Craig several times over the past few years.  Besides being quite the little fan girl for him, I find him to be an amazingly humble, gracious, and genuinely good-hearted person.  I was upset when the two parted in 2009.  Not because I was a close minded fan and thought the band would go nowhere, I actually enjoy Bolmer's work.  I was upset to hear the way the split went down.  It was disheartening to hear about friendships going horribly wrong.  That is why I hope Owens didn't leave his band mates in Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows out of the loop when making all of these decisions.  If Chiodos reuniting to this line up makes great music that touches someone like their older albums did me, then this was all for the best.  Time will only tell though, if this was about rekindling and making great music, or something else. 

World War III Wrap Up...

On Sat 11/12, I got the chance to see The World War III tour at the Mid Hudson Civic Center in NY.  Needless to say, I could not hear for three days.  The show was alright, We Came As Romans stood out the most to me that night.  They just seemed to have the most energy.  Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows opened up, to my delight because we all know I have an obsession with Mr. Owens.  Asking Alexandria was intense, because they are the type of band that their fans follow religiously.  The band had an issue with their sound at one point, but kept rolling smoothly.  As for Hollywood Undead I just have one thing to say: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".  And we will leave it at that.

 Craig Owens of D.R.U.G.S.

 We Came As Romans

 Asking Alexandria

 We Came As Romans

Asking Alexandria

Mixtape Volume 1

So usually during the middle of the week I have established the songs, or even albums, that I am going to burn into memory. The play list takes me to school, through a horrible college algebra class, and back home. Its what I blast while cleaning, taking a shower, or avoiding whatever adult like responsibility I do not want to take care of at the moment. Now a days we all have media players, music on our phones, no need for a cassette or even a CD. But back in the past, you made CDs/tapes with these play lists-mix tapes. A mix tape is a collection of songs put in an order, specific at times, to show the maker's taste. Some have even said a mix tape is a form of art; showing the artist's feelings and a form of expression. Since the namesake of this blog is based on this art form, I felt it is only right I paint on my canvas once a week. So here is Volume One of Megalina's Mixtapes: 

All Time Low-"I Feel Like Dancin'": The first single off their upcoming album, Dirty Work, ATL released the single today. Rivers Cuomo from Weezer helped the band write the track. Fun and catchy like all ATL songs. Only available on Amazon and ITunes.

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows-"Sex Life": Off of the self titled debut from the band. Any reason to listen to sexy Craig Owens is okay with me and the song has been stuck in my head with the release of its music video today.

Katy Perry featuring Kanye West-"E.T.": Fourth hit off of Miss Perry’s latest album. this is my shameless radio hit of the week. I'm not a fan of Yeezy personally, but musically he is a genius and his rhymes are on point. The beat gets stuck in my head as well.

Sugarland-"Stuck Like Glue": Single from their recent album, Incredible Machine. As I stated when I started this blog, my musical taste is all over the map. I could dance around to this song all day! It makes me feel girly and giggly and cute!

Darius Rucker-"This": Off of Mr. Rucker's album Charleston SC 1966. As you could have just guessed I enjoy a little country here and there. My brother is a "good ole boy" as well and he plays this just about every day. Country songs are always about lyrical content and this song delivers.

Snoop Dogg-"Sweat(David Guetta Remix)": Who ever thought you could fist pump to the d oh double g? Being a girl from the east coast, I have been a jersey shore patron way before it was an overrated reality show. With that being said, I love me some good techno beats. This mixture between Snoop and Guetta is the perfect taste of summer right before it begins.

Foo Fighters-"Rope": Off the highly anticipated upcoming album, Wasting Light. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS ALBUM. Nuff said in my book haha

Mike Posner feat Lil Wayne-"Bow Chicka Wow Wow": Okay, okay. I have two shameless radio hits this week. But the combo of Posner and Weezy is awesome. The beat is sultry and sexy and its catchy.

Death Cab For Cutie-"Home is a Fire": Recently released off their upcoming album, Codes and Keys, the kings of Indie rock are back! This is another album I am looking forward too and the first single does not disappoint.

The Kills-"Satellite": I am a new fan of The Kills! The single is rocking and I can not wait to sit down tomorrow to actually listen to the entire album, Blood Pressure.

Jamie Foxx featuring Drake-"Fall for your Type": What girl can not resist a good slow R&B serenade every once in awhile? I am obsessed with Drake firstly(can you tell musicians are my weakness?) and the lyrics of his rap and Foxx's verses for some reason speak to me right now...

*Note-the last songs of my first mix tape and the next two will be artists preforming at this year's Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey. I am a six year veteran of the festival and I tend to start listening to music that will be played there this time of the year.*

• Taking Back Sunday-"El Paso": With the release of the video earlier this week, I have already overplayed this song. Can not wait for the rest of the self titled album from the reunited band!
• A Day to Remember-"It's Complicated": I am probably most excited to see this band play the festival. This is the third song off their latest album, What Separates Me From You, and the one I relate to the most personally.
• Forever the Sickest Kids-"Keep on Bringing Me Down": Off their recently released self titled album. This song just gets stuck in my head and I am looking forward to see FTSK preform.
• Chiddy Bang feat. Mac Miller-"Heatwave": This is my find of the day! Stalking a.k.a tweeting this morning I came across the new single from Chiddy Band and I am in love! They are riding a wave of success off their recent win at the MTVU Woodie Awards and their album, Breakfast, is gaining a lot of hype for its summer release.

That’s it for this week...hope you check some of them out...or keep playing them if you already have :)

D.R.U.G.S. and "Sex Life" for Breakfast...

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows(D.R.U.G.S.) are premiering the video for their single "Sex Life" today.  The song is featured on their self titled debut album, out now.  The video will be showing on all M.T.V. channels through out the day.

Watch "Sex Life" Now!

After being kicked out of Chiodos, Craig Owens formed the band, compiled of other artists separated from other bands.  Full line up is as follows:

• Aaron Stern(Matchbook Romance) on Drums
• Nick Martin(Underminded) on Guitar and Vocals
• Matt Good(From First to Last) on Guitar and Vocals
• Adam Russell(Story of the Year) on Bass
• Craig Owens(Chiodos) on Lead Vocals

D.R.U.G.S recently headlined a tour through Europe and can be seen on The A.P. tour and Van's Warped tour this summer.

Please show your support for this band and check out the video! I have always been a huge fan of Owens, I actually refer to him as my future husband sometimes hehe. The album is amazing on all levels-vocally, instrumentally, sonically.  Despite all of its member's hardships, they have come together to form a post-hardcore super group and it is definitely worth the listen! 

Check out D.R.U.G.S' Facebook Page for more information on tours and music!