Author: Shannon Shumaker

Review by Shannon Shumaker BoyMeetsWorld’s debut full-length album, Become Someone is about just that – becoming someone. The underlying themes of finding oneself and searching for happiness are apparent from the very first song on the album all the way to the very end, and are served with catchy pop-punk anthems that are just in time for summer. Become Someone is catchy and memorable right off the bat as vocalist Craig Sulken sings, “Let’s make these nights a little longer/Cause we’re not getting any younger” in the opening track, “Feel It In The Air.” These songs just scream summer as…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Oso Oso’s Real Stories Of True People, Who Kind Of Looked Like Monsters reminds me of everything I love about late 90’s and early 2000’s punk and emo music. Clean, beautiful guitar tones, emotionally charged vocals and personal lyrics carry Real Stories Of True People, Who Kind Of Looked Like Monsters, making it hard not to feel connected to at least a couple of songs on the album. I think the best thing about Oso Oso is that it’s something I haven’t heard in a while. As of lately, the punk and pop-punk scene has been…

The Prelude Press photographer, Shannon Shumaker shares some tips and tricks for aspiring concert photographers. 

Review by Shannon Shumaker KaiL Baxley’s A Light That Never Dies is full of many moods, captivating stories and remarkable songwriting. In order to fully enjoy this album, though, you need to devote all of your attention to it, or you will run the risk of missing the little moments that make A Light That Never Dies so strong. One of those strengths is the soul in Baxley’s voice, which is apparent within the first few lines of the album’s first track. While soft and rather mellow (there really isn’t a lot going on instrumentally) “A Light That Never Dies”…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Rebuilder’s debut full-length album, Rock & Roll In America is not only the perfect summer album, but it also hosts a unique sound that can’t be found in any other recent pop-punk releases. Carried heavily by catchy melodic choruses and strong, upbeat guitar work, Rock & Roll In America has everything that makes a strong pop-punk record, but then Rebuilder throws in an organ, and suddenly, this album becomes a game changer. Obviously influenced by Americana rock & roll, Rebuilder takes things a whole new level with this release fusing that classic sound with the aggression of…

Haste The Day played the second of four release shows for their new album, Coward in Denver on Friday night, and the turnout couldn’t have been better. As soon as the doors of The Marquis Theater opened up, fans were already lined up and piling in the venue for a good spot in front of the small stage. Having been sold out already for nearly a week, the show was bound to be packed full of excited and most of all, rowdy fans, both new and old.

Review by Shannon Shumaker Four Year Strong just seem to get better and better with each new release, and their new self-titled full length is no exception. Only a few songs into the album, it’s apparent that Four Year Strong’s sound has grown with this release, and in the best way possible. This album isn’t necessarily a drastic change from their EP Go Down In History, released last summer, but rather a natural progression that is sure to hold fans over until whatever this band decides to do next. The first three songs on Four Year Strong kick the album…

There may not have been crowd surfers or stage divers, or even fans screaming along the lyrics with the band, but Hot Chip definitely dominated The Ogden Theatre on Thursday night, playing to a sold out crowd of eager and devoted fans. When I walked into the venue, (or more like ran into the venue, as I was running a little late) the opening act, Slow Magic was kicking off the night to fans that were still gradually trickling through the front doors, and within seconds, I was captivated. Standing in the crowd was someone clad in a light up zebra mask, holding a floor tom and banging it along with a pulsing beat. As he climbed back onto the stage and I made my way to the front of the crowd, the set only seemed to get better and better.

Way To Go marks Survival Guide’s first release as a solo project, and as frontwoman (and now only member) Emily Whitehurst says, she couldn’t be happier with the final product. While there are obviously some struggles in transitioning from a duo to a solo act with a new release, it seems that Whitehurst has taken the challenge in stride and then some. We had the chance to chat with Whitehurst about the new album, her growth as a musician, and much more! Check out the full interview, as well as Survival Guide’s most recently released single, “Nowhere Anywhere” below! Interview by Shannon Shumaker…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Grizzly Knows No Remorse have created an explosive release with their new album, Fat Glasses And The Leather Mustache. The album (which has quite possibly the best title I’ve heard recently) kicks off with a strong guitar riff, powerful vocals, and a catchy chorus in “What It Takes And How It Tastes,” and keeps that same high energy going throughout all ten songs. If you’re a fan of Every Time I Die, you are bound to enjoy the southern metal vibe on Fat Glasses And The Leather Mustache. The sound comes as a surprise, considering that…