Easy Killer Records are a brand new label, and they have come out swinging with a new roster of eight bands. Check out their lineup below by clicking “Read More.”
Brian Marquis recently covered Radiohead’s “High And Dry.” Watch the cover below by clicking “Read More.”
The Acoustic Basement is one of PropertyOfZack’s favorite additions to Warped Tour in recent years, which is just a small part of the reason why we’re so excited to be sponsoring its satellite tour that kicks off in just two days. There’s an interesting story behind the idea and creation of the Acoustic Basement though, so we thought it’d be a great idea for Editor-in-Chief Erik van Rheenen to speak with Brian Marquis to tell the story of the Basement. Check it all out below!
This is the story of the Acoustic Basement, but it doesn’t start in the blistering summer heat in the dog days of the Vans Warped Tour. The story of the Acoustic Basement starts with a young Brian Marquis in his own basement, waking up to his dad playing blues guitar at 5 o’clock in the morning.
“I grew up with a father who played the blues on the acoustic guitar and harmonica,” Marquis says. “I used to hate it sometimes, when he played really backwoods stuff. He’d wake me up at 5 a.m. playing the guitar next to my bedroom in the basement.”
As a baby, Marquis would mess around on the harmonica, — he actually focuses on playing it well, now— but it wasn’t until he was 11 that he took up guitar. It wasn’t really the music that allured him — at least not yet, anyways. It was just that, when posing with a guitar, 11-year-old Brian Marquis thought he looked so fucking cool.
“Me and a friend would just hold the guitar in front of the mirror and look badass,” Marquis says, recalling the memory with a laugh. “I took lessons, but I only wanted to play songs, so I stopped and would just try to play along with records or the radio.”
Fast forward to 2010. Marquis’ post-hardcore band, Therefore I Am, just broke up, and Marquis moved to Los Angeles for the scenery. Just before the break-up, Marquis began taking guitar lessons again, this time switching from electric guitar to acoustic. Once the band split and Marquis stopped touring full-time, he started making friends with the Warped Tour production folks.
During the waning years of Therefore I Am, Marquis realized he needed a creative outlet he could call his own. The band was a democracy: everything from tours to T-shirt designs — down to the simplest chord of a song — was carefully deliberated between the group’s members. Playing acoustic shows was a solitary pleasure for Marquis, and one he takes pride in. “It’s such a simple setup,” he says. “It’s just you and your guitar. There’s something so great in the simplicity of going anywhere with a bag to sing your songs and tell your story.”
Acoustic guitar in tow, Marquis set out to start his solo career, releasing his first acoustic EP, Snow Damage, in November of 2011. He talked to Kevin Lyman, founder of Warped Tour, and threw out his idea: an acoustic tent. Lyman wasn’t sold, since acoustic shows historically flopped on the Warped Tour. So Marquis asked some of his closest friends to go all-in with him on the idea.
PropertyOfZack is very excited to be doing a second major contest with all of the bands on the Acoustic Basement Tour that kicks off on February 1st. We’re giving away two tickets to any date of both the Acoustic Basement Tour and Warped Tour in addition to signed CDs and shirts from every band on the bill. The contest will end on January 30th, so find out how to enter below!
To win the Acoustic Basement prize pack you must do each of the following things:
- Follow PropertyOfZack on Tumblr.
- Follow Acoustic Basement on Tumblr.
- Reblog this post on Tumblr.
Win:
-(2) Tickets to the Acoustic Basement Tour (date of your choice)
-(2) VIP Vans Warped Tour Tickets (date of your choice)
-Geoff Rickly Limited Edition Signed Poster Print
-Vinnie Caruana ‘City by the Sea’ Signed CD + T-Shirt
-A Loss for Words ‘No Sanctuary’ Signed CD + T-Shirt
-Koji ‘Some Small Way’ Signed CD + T-Shirt
-Brian Marquis ‘Snow Damage’ Signed CD + T-Shirt
Check out all the dates for the Acoustic Basement Tour below by clicking “Read More.”
PropertyOfZack is very excited to be doing a major contest with all of the bands on the Acoustic Basement Tour that kicks off on February 1st. We’re giving away two tickets to any date of both the Acoustic Basement Tour and Warped Tour in addition to vinyl and other goodies from every band on the bill. The contest will end on January 23rd, so find out how to enter below!
To win the Acoustic Basement prize pack you must do each of the following things:
- Follow @PropertyOfZack on Twitter.
- Follow @AcousticBSMNT on Twitter.
- Tweet: Want tix to @AcousticBSMNT/@VansWarpedTour + vinyl from the tour? Follow+RT @PropertyOfZack + @AcousticBSMNT to win. http://pozne.ws/X7IvZe
Win:
-(2) Tickets to the Acoustic Basement Tour (date of your choice)
-(2) VIP Vans Warped Tour Tickets (date of your choice)
-Limited Edition Silk Screened Tour Poster Signed by all the Artists
-Geoff Rickly ‘Mixtape 1’ Limited Edition Cassette
-Vinnie Caruana ‘City by the Sea’ Limited Tour Only 12” Vinyl
-A Loss for Words ‘No Sanctuary’ Limited Edition 12” Vinyl
-Koji / Into It. Over it. Split 12” Vinyl
-Brian Marquis ‘Snow Damage’ Limited Edition 12” Vinyl
Check out all the dates for the Acoustic Basement Tour below by clicking “Read More.”
PropertyOfZack is happy to be posting 10Of’12 End Of The Year Lists with Brian Marquis (ex-Therefore I Am) and American Dream Records Check them out below and come back every day for more!
Misser will be playing a show on January 19th at the Chain Reaction in California with Heart To Heart, Souvenirs, and Brian Marquis. Check out their lineup for the show below by clicking “Read More.”
The Acoustic Basement was one of PropertyOfZack’s favorite stages this past year at Warped Tour, so it is an honor to be sponsoring a satellite run of the tour this February alongside Warped Tour and Full Sail University. Geoff Rickly (Thursday), Vinnie Caruana (I Am The Avalanche), A Loss For Words, Koji, and Brian Marquis will all be playing the tour. Check out the banner above and the dates below by clicking “Read More!”
The Acoustic Basement from Warped Tour will be going on a satellite tour this February, and the lineup is looking great. Check it out below by clicking “Read More.”
Warped Tour is running strong in the summer heat, and PropertyOfZack is stoked to bring you another brand new Playlist from Polar Bear Club, To Write Love On Her Arms, and Brian Marquis Check out the Playlists and listen to the songs on Spotify while reading everyone’s thoughts!
(Click on image to listen in Spotify)
My Playlist filled with bands I’m excited to see all summer long on Warped Tour. - Jimmy Stadt
(Click on image to listen in Spotify)
Bayside - Killing Time
One of the best live bands I’ve ever seen. I cannot wait to see their show and the faithful and loyal audience that they ALWAYS have.
Rise Against - Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
The first concert I ever saw was a Rise Against and Thrice show. I have loved them ever since. Lyrics from this song were my first tattoo!
Tonight Alive - Breaking & Entering
I am excited to see these guys (and girl) rock this summer. They are from Australia and put on a great show. We are doing some fun stuff with them at the TWLOHA tent on select dates this summer - so keep an eye out!
Anthony Raneri - The Ballad Of Bill The Saint
We have done a few events with Anthony and his solo stuff is awesome. Honest and real, my favorite song is The Ballad Of Bill The Saint. The lyrics remind me of a small town guy that feels trapped and stuck with the hand he was dealt.
Twin Atlantic - Lightspeed
Someone just recently introduced me to these guys. They are Scottish and have a really cool sound. I am excited to see them live and their unique sound.
All Time Low - Remembering Sunday
We are sharing a bus with All Time Low this summer so it is only fitting that I pick a song from these guys. I had never seen them live till Warped and I was impressed. They put on a great show and their crowd goes nuts!
Four Year Strong - Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die
One of the first few bands I ever saw live. Massachusetts’ boys that put on a great show with CRAZY crowds. Their music is so catchy, how can you NOT like it?
For Today - Devastator
This band is passionate. About their music, their lyrics, and what they believe. I have seen them a few times live and they are really heavy, and I like it. I don’t mosh, but it can be fun to watch, right?
Vanna - Into Hell’s Mouth We March
I love the lyrics in this song - especially “With worn, empty hands and tired eyes; will hope be all we have left?” I grew up not far from where this band is from and I take pride in seeing them do well on Warped.
The Used - Maybe Memories
This song brings up nothing but old memories. - Jason Blades
(Click on image to listen in Spotify)
My Playlist filled with great bands to check out on the Acoustic Basement Stage at Warped Tour all summer long!
Our good friend Brian Marquis released a free EP yesterday that featured covers of Bruce Springsteen, Thrice, Ryan Adams, Lucero, and Defeater, among others. Brian was kind enough to write a Track-By-Track feature up for PropertyOfZack regarding the covers he decided to recorded and what they mean to him. Check it out below and catch Brian on Warped Tour all summer long!
To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) by Ryan Adams
This song really hit me after a long-term relationship had gone sour after having a long agonizing death. Now years later I look back at that relationship and wonder “man, what the hell was I thinking?”. To me it’s about having regrets but having a sense of humor about it and being able to move on and chalk it up to being young and dumb. It’s kind of nice to have a few relationships under my belt at this point and to have learned from past mistakes and become better from it. This song is also just a lot of fun to play. It’s a great bar song every can relate to.
Digging My Own Grave by Thrice
With Thrice’s “hiatus” looming since this past winter I found myself revisiting a lot of their albums and this song had always stuck with me. I love the lyrics and I can relate to that self-destructive feeling at times. The melodies are just so heartfelt, sobering and haunting. I had fun figuring out a single acoustic guitar interpretation and started playing it live soon after they announced that they’d be taking time off. I was a late bloomer with Thrice, only really getting into them at Vheissu, but I think this is one of their best songs. This is my little homage and thank you to them for making great music.
Hey Darlin’ Do You Gamble by Lucero
I really wanted to cover this song after I saw them do an acoustic and accordion version of it and fell in love with the lyrics. Having been a musician as long as I can remember, you come to the conclusion that it’s not the easiest task to date a musician. I used to always have musician’s guilt; never expecting any girl to take this journey with me. I feel like that’s what Ben Nichols is getting at with this song. He’s pleading for a woman to take a chance on him even though she knows what she’s getting herself into. It’s a gamble whether it’ll work out or not and you got to make that leap one way or another.
Prophet in Plain Clothes by Defeater
This song will forever remind me of being on tour with my former band Therefore I Am. We all really loved Defeater’s ‘Travels’ album and it was on constant rotation in the van while doing long hauls across the country. Every time the second half of this song came on which transitions abruptly into the first acoustic piece you hear from this intensely heavy post hardcore band and it’s just so raw and vulnerable sounding, it’s really great. I know the song was part of a concept album but what I take from the song really relates to life on the road. Some days you don’t know how you are going to get by mentally and sometimes you drown your sorrows and some days you are like the walking dead. No matter what, you keep moving forward and persevering and that’s what this song is about for me.
Brian Marquis has released a free EP that features covers of Bruce Springsteen, Thrice, Ryan Adams, Lucero, and Defeater, among others. Stream it below by clicking “Read More!”
Brian Marquis (ex-Therefore I Am) recently sat down for a backstage acoustic performance. Check out Brian playing his new song “Highways & Heartbreak” and Bruce Springsteen cover of “Terry’s Song” below by clicking “Read More.”
Brian Marquis, the producer of The Acoustic Basement Stage at Vans Warped Tour, recently discussed groupies, the tour, and his prediction for the next big band to emerge from the tour. Check out the interview below by clicking “Read More.”
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Warped Tour Adds Bands To Acoustic Stage
Warped Tour To Film Television Show This Summer
The Warped Tour Acoustic Basement took us all by surprise this year, so we thought it’d be a great idea to speak to Brian Marquis, the man behind the stage, for a fantastic new interview. Brian and I discussed all the details behind the new stage, planning for it, and the excitement surrounding it, among so many other things. Check out the interview below and make sure you pick up Warped presale tickets this Friday here!
Related Stories:
Warped Tour Announces Five More Bands
Warped Tour Releases Venues For All Dates
Warped Tour Announces Acoustic Stage
This Warped Tour Acoustic Basement stage took a lot of fans by major surprise in the best way possible. Can you start out by talking about how it came together, who’s idea it was, and how you ended up doing it?
Yeah. It was back in October. I had just moved out to Los Angeles. I had been living in Boston and then in Connecticut and I needed a big change. The band broke up last year, I moved out to LA, and I have started doing some solo music and put out a solo EP in the fall. I met with Kevin, who I knew from being on Warped Tour in 2009, and wanted to talk to him about some ideas I had. I asked him if he had ever thought of doing a legit acoustic stage. He said, “Yeah, we’ve tried a few different ways and it never really worked too well.” I let him know that there are a lot of guys now, like myself, that have been in bands in the punk scene, indie scene, and hardcore scene that are doing different genre stuff in the same spirit and the same kind of scene as the other stuff. It’s not all of the sudden they’re in the adult-contemporary scene. Still punk rock attitudes in the way they carry themselves and the way they write and put out music. I told him there are lots of guys out there doing this, like Anthony from Bayside, Vinnie Caruana [I Am The Avalanche], and guys like Chuck Ragan. Guys like that are all doing living room tours and they are doing different stuff, but still within our scene. There are a lot of great people doing some great stuff and it would be cool to get them all together and offer something different for everyone’s Warped Tour experience. I’ve been on the tour myself in 2009 and I’ve been to it a ton of times over the years. There was never really a place for that, for indie-folk acoustic punk music. I pitched him my idea and he loved it. I started contacting people that I thought might be interested in the idea. Everybody was really stoked on the idea as well and I went from there. I just started booking people and everybody that is on board so far has been really cool and really stoked on the idea. I think it’s going to be really cool. It will bring something different to Warped Tour but also it’s going to be different vibes for a stage. It’s going to be a large tent stage with three walls where people can hang out and sit down on the ground. They can also get as close to the performers as they want. There is no barricade, no high stage like the other stages at Warped, and it’s going to be a real intimate setting. That’s why I called it the “Acoustic Basement.” It was to get the feeling as much as possible of an intimate basement show.
It is surprising that this hasn’t happened before even though, like you said, Kevin had tried it a few times. Was he hesitant even though he was excited at first?
No, he wasn’t hesitant because I was telling him and reminded him of some guys that he knew from other bands that were doing this kind of stuff; doing acoustic music. I thought right now was as best a time as any. A lot of these guys on the stage, they do acoustic tours in between their full band tours in order to make a living and in order to do something a little more stripped down. It’s a lot easier to travel with just a guitar, a bag, and some merch then it is with five guys, a crew and a band, a trailer, and hotel rooms. So I think with the economy and with the music industry the way it is, he also saw that there is a need for this kind of thing. A lot of musicians prefer to go lighter weight these days.
This year’s lineup has the core Warped Tour fan base more excited than it’s been in a long time. Do you think it was also the perfect year to bring the acoustic stage to life?
Yeah, I think that was a big part of being the right time for it. When I saw what the lineup was going to be after we had decided to do this, I was like, “This year’s going to be amazing.” There are so many great bands from past Warped Tours and so many great bands from the early to mid-2000s that are coming back. It’s a great time for real, honest, raw music. I think there is a lot of that on this year’s Warped Tour. I think it will go well. There are a lot of artists that will appeal to that crowd that are going to be at the Acoustic Basement stage. I’m very excited for it.
