Aaah!RealMonsters

St. Louis based Aaah!RealMonsters recently released their first full length album, Relocate, in August of 2012 and will begin the recording of their second album in the months to come. Composed of band mates; Tom Watkins, Matt Moore, Nick Dawes, Keith Bowman, and Ryan Martin, the group is aggressively pursuing recognition in the ever expanding pop-punk scene. Lead singer Tom Watkins and composer of the single, You'll Get What's Coming explains how the anthemic single came about. The song came to the band as a, "show and tell," display in one of the band's rehearsal's, and the band was immediately impressed and inspired to bring their potential hit to the attention of their producer, Aaron Baker. Since it was released, it has taken some national attention and has notably been selected to be featured on The Morning Drive Mix for 103.9 FM, The Rock of Long Island. DJ Henry K invited A!RM to sit in the studio and run through a brief interview.

The track is a real life account of an abusive relationship involving Watkins' mother. A melancholic lyrical composition serves as a threat to the abusive significant other; letting him know that one day he'll get whats coming to him. The first line, "a diplomatic man wears a suit and a tie," and the first line of the second verse, "a diplomatic man keeps his hands to himself," is addressed to Tom's mother, telling her that when the right person comes along, he'll be, "wearing a suit and a tie," while crossing his T's and dotting his I's. The metaphor serves to describe that she deserves someone who treats herself and her family with the up most love and respect. "she wont be coming home tonight," expresses the distress that this relationship put upon Tom and the rest of his family.

Tom sculpted an intense sway of emotion throughout this tune. A few of the intense bursts of emotion occur around the phrase, "go and relocate yourself," which was Tom speaking out and telling this abuser to find a new place to cast his shadow. Listeners are encouraged to sing along and poor out their own emotions in whatever way they relate to Tom's lyricism. This call to arms is especially evident in the tracks anthem, "you'll get what's coming to ya." By this point Tom has said all he can say and has clearly indicated what's in store for the diabolical 'other.'

A harmony of group vocals is put in place to demonstrate the shared disapproval of his mother's relationship with this unimpressive man. The cornucopia of vocals is brought together at a high point of emotion building toward the finale and leaving listeners' ears ringing with thoughts of karma in "you'll get what's coming to ya."

Tom's raw honesty is tangible as the song holds true to his real world experience; this rough patch in his life served as the inspiration for the popular single by Aaah!RealMonsters. - Round Magazine

by Tim Wenger

St. Louis-based pop-punkers Aaah!Real Monsters have dropped their debut album Relocate, and it is nothing short of an emotional roller coaster ride through everything good and bad about youth. It is set to the perfect style of music for the ride that it takes you on; pop punk.

With lead vocals and harmonies reminiscent of Allister and the Starting Line set over feel-good guitar riffs and a rapid-fire drumbeat, the record isn’t necessarily breaking new ground, but it is holding down a sound that meant the world to an entire generation of new-wave punk kids.

They kick the record off with a handful of upbeat, jumpable tunes that draw the listener in with guilty pleasure; it seems almost impossible to not like a well-done pop-punk song, and this record is full of them. “Under You” and “Bark Twice if You’re in Milwaukee” stood out the most, the latter featuring harmonic guitar riffs and well-placed breaks following the verse.

The album closes on a slower note with “The Hoppah,” an acoustic number that sends the listener off feeling mellow, but eager for more.

Online: facebook.com/aaahrealmonsters - Colorado Music Buzz Magazine- Tim Wenger

Andrew Shafer threw balloons onto the crowded tables at the Highway 61 Roadhouse on March 28. The band 431, made up of Webster students, performed on Roadhouse’s stage while Shafer stripped down to red v-neck, footie pajamas. Shafer said his main role in 431 is to get the crowd hyped up.

“Part of our band is about stage presence and I bring the stage presence to the show,” Shafer, junior film production major, said.

Four roommates, Mikey Medwin, Joe Batzer, Max Barnett, and Andrew Shafer, living in apartment 431 in the Webster Village Apartment started the band 431 last fall.

431, made up of was one of three bands that performed live at the Roadhouse on March 28 as the final phase of Campus Activities’ Battle of the Bands. Campus Activities posted videos of candidate bands online in March. Students voted for their favorite band online.

Online voting narrowed the selection down to three bands who went on to compete in the live competition for the opportunity to open for Reel Big Fish. The three bands’ online votes — Samuriot with 361 votes, 431 with 122 votes and Aaah! Real Monsters! with 120 votes — didn’t count toward their votes for the live performance. These top three bands performed for 30 minutes each. Students in attendance voted for their favorite band on a paper ballot.

Samuriot, a ska rock band, won with 73 votes from the night. Aaah! Real Monsters was close behind, losing by just a few votes. Samuriot will open for Reel Big Fish at SpringFest on April 14.

Samuriot said it was a challenge to get into the competition because they opened at SpringFest last year. Campus Activities almost didn’t consider them for the Battle of the Bands competition. After talking to Campus Activities, the band was allowed to compete. Samuriot’s Nate Golomski, senior audio production major, said they were appreciative for the opportunity.

“Opening for Reel Big Fish is one of our dreams,” Golomski said.“We’ve (Golomski and band member Andrew Vogel) gone to signings and we’ve each met them like, three different times, so to finally actually perform on the same stage as them is freaking awesome.”

This is the first year Campus Activities incorporated a live performance into their Battle of the Bands competition. Courtney Turner, Campus Activities, said the event at the Roadhouse seemed successful.

“Each band has kind of the posse group, which is awesome,” Turner, sophomore advertising and marketing major, said.

Brittany Dunn, sophomore undecided major, said she knew everyone in 431 and was rooting for them.

“They’re my bros, my broskis. I wanted to come and support them,” Dunn said.

Shafer said the Roadhouse is a different atmosphere than 431 is used to performing in. He said usually when they play, there is an open dance floor. He said the atmosphere and tables were a challenge.

Shafer said 431 didn’t expect to win, but performed with the intention of entertaining a crowd.

“We really do feed on the energy of the crowd,” Shafer said. “It was fun, though.”

Aaah! Real Monsters’ Matt Moore, senior business management major, said he’s happy for Samuriot.

“Reel Big Fish is probably a pretty big influence for Samuriot,” Moore said.

Aaah! Real Monsters started in November 2009. Moore said they were glad to get exposure through the Battle of the Bands.

“We just had fun playing together. If we make it big that’s awesome, but mostly we enjoy making music together,” Moore said.

Dunn also watched the other bands’ performances.

“It’s awesome, I love coming out and seeing all the people,” Dunn said. “Live music is great.” - Webster University Journal