SpartanEdge Music Dudette

Have you ever heard of Ravenna?
That’s what I thought.
Well, despite the pickle factory that greets you, and the surrounding cows and corn fields, Ravenna was the place to be last Saturday night if you were in the Muskegon area. I hadn’t been to a local show in ages, and it was nice to be right back at home again at a basement show in a local church. I find it quite odd that I had been in that church quite a few times and yet I had never known that there was a basement there until Saturday.
Anyways…
The Norcom Composition broke onto the Muskegon music scene Saturday, with a three or four very unique and orginal songs, while also covering “The Words Best Friends Becomes Redefined, ” by Chiodos, another native Michigan band. If I had to classify the Norcom Composition, I would say pop rock meets grindcore with breakdowns, pig vocals, and tasteful guitar solos. Let me attempt to go into further detail…
Jordan Feenstra does the lead vocals and keyboard and manages to bring a certain chaotic quality to the band that is much needed
Nicholas Scott also does some vocals, but it is very apparent that his expertise is at the guitar, and rumor has it that he wants to be the next Steve Vai. That is just a rumor though.
Ross Ruiz - only a freshman in high school is already battling it out on the guitar with Nick not to mention he leads the throwdowns with his hops that make you wonder if his head is going to hit the ceiling.
Kyle Green was hidden in the corner of the stage and didn’t even get on the film due to the fact he was pushed so far over and all I have to say is that maybe Ross should stop hopping around so much so that way Kyle can do his thing, because I’m sure he owns at guitar as well.
Eli Cain on the bass acted neutral as ever, like most bass players, but I think once we put him in a ninja turtle costume he will begin to take over the stage.
Jake Scott on the drums makes looking like banging on those symbols is so easy even a caveman could do it (yes I just referenced a Geico commerical).

Their song,”People in Glass Houses Sink Ships”happens to be my favorite, as of right now anyways. I personally liked the cowbell (Steve Luna) performance. To me, the song is very “punchy” and portrays a very crazed/manic state of mind. After they slow it down towards the end of the song, they come back with some pretty sweet breakdowns featuring none other than, the pig vocals. Make sure you listen to Jordan’s “Yeah!” after the song is done and over with.

Make sure you check them out on myspace! It’s all the rage.
http://www.myspace.com/thenorcomcomposition

-Sam Ruiz

I will be the first to admit, I was quite worried about Bayside after the rough winter they had last year. Losing their drummer, John Beatz, in a tragic tour van accident, had to have been rough on the guys, but they were stong and resilient, pressing forward with not only their music, but also their lives. “Winter,” a touching, heartfelt, acoustic tribute to John Beatz, captured the raw emotion and vunerability that we often lose sight of in a manufactured music indrustry. But, Bayside has always had that raw quality about them, which may be in fact, why I compeltely adore them. Another reason I am a fan of their music may be because of how their lyrics often speak of doubt and self failure. I can’t help it that I like a band that isn’t afraid to see the glass half-empty instead of half-full sometimes.
I have been anticipating the release of their new album, “The Walking Wounded,” which is now out in stores, and I can truly say that I am completely more than satisfied with the album. The band has continued to grow, and their new drummer, Chris Guglielmo, does a great job as a replacement for Beatz. Their new single, “Duality”, was on MTV U this morning, and I literally got up and hugged the television. Needless to say, I got a handful of shocks to the face, and the entire right side of my head had hair sticking up, but I couldn’t help myself. Starting my day off with Bayside, is starting the day of right. Anthony’s rough and imperfect vocals were a perfect way for me to start off my morning, even better than my Lucky Charms.
Here’s some lyrics from the song “Duality” and I suggest that everyone heads directly to Bayside’s myspace or purevolume page to check them out.

“Some say
It’s all fate
but I say we control our lives
And if my destiny should outbest me then that’s fine.
I may believe thrill and apathy don’t exist in me fairly equally
The truth is doubts are all I’ve got to call mine.”

-Sam Ruiz

Well Hello! My name happens to be Sam Ruiz and I hail from the streets of Ravenna, a really small town that’s like 25 minutes from the lakeshore in Muskegon and probably about 30 minutes from Grand Rapids. Yes, I am obsessed with music. Much of my time in high school was spent going to shows, whether they be local or well…not local.

Unfortunately I am not as organized as Nick, perhaps it could be because he’s starting his masters, and well, I’m just starting college in general, so I do not have a list of all of the concerts/shows I’ve been to, but I will work on that from now on. I can tell you some of the best bands I have seen perform live in the past year were have been Haste the Day, Underoath, Brand New, Silverstein, and Chiodos. But I have also in the past year or so seen these bands…(Note: these are just off the top of my head)

The Academy Is…
All-American Rejects
Brand New
Cartel
Chiodos
Copeland
Dashboard
Fall Out Boy
Flee The Seen
From First to Last
Gatsby’s American Dream
Haste the Day
Hawthorne Heights
It Dies Today
June
Moneen
Midtown
Plain White T’s
Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Showdown
Silverstein
The Starting Line
Underoath

Some of my favorite local bands from around the Muskegon and Grand Rapids area are Moorland, The Tide, Fenn, and La Dispute. I suggest everyone checks them out on myspace asap.

Anyways…there’s not much more to say about me that you won’t learn soon enough.

Till then,
Sam Ruiz

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