bandifesto*

By Ida V. Eskamani Originally published in the Orlando Weekly “Do I sound distorted to you?” Ian Shelton, lead vocalist and songwriter of punk band Militarie Gun, is in his home in Los Angeles. He’s relishing the last few days before another tour, spending time with the people he’ll miss while on the road and writing songs. This morning, he’s hoping to finish a new Militarie Gun track. “I’m always writing music, every interview starts almost identical to this,” he tells Orlan

By Ida V. Eskamani Originally published in the Orlando Weekly “We’re in control of our destiny and what we do, not the people in power. That has not changed. If anything, I’ve only gotten stronger in my desire to foster that mindset within our community, because I don’t believe that we need to rely on anybody else to do things for us and make our lives better.”  Singer-songwriter April Hartman of folk-punks Apes of the State is at home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, reflecting o

By Ida V. Eskamani Originally published in the Orlando Weekly “Even if these capitalist reptile-people own the media companies and our social media, it doesn’t necessarily reflect how everyone feels. And I think there’s a way we can figure this out and live in a better world together.”  Credit: Graham Tolbert When we spoke to Will Anderson — founder, singer and guitarist of rapidly ascending alternative rock band Hotline TNT — he was in the courtyard of a Holiday Inn Express

By Ida V. Eskamani Originally published in the Orlando Weekly “It’s not cool to like us, and you don’t want to make it cool to like you, because then they might not actually like you. They’re just saying they like you.” Credit: courtesy photo Anthony Raneri, founder, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of stalwart punk band Bayside, knows who he is and why he makes music. At this moment, he’s in his living room in Franklin, Tennessee, gearing up for the third leg of the band’s