Whether you’ve heard of them or not, FAR has easily become one of the most influential bands of the last 10 years, even more so since they disbanded back in 1998 after sharing the stage numerous times with frequent touring mates the DEFTONES and INCUBUS. You can do a quick search on You Tube to find bands such as THURSDAY and FINCH covering FAR songs. Even bands like BLINK 182 & BIFFY CLYRO often cite them as a major influence.

Singer/frontman Jonah Matranga went on as a solo artist under the moniker of ONE LINE DRAWING & later played in the bands NEW END ORIGINAL & GRATITUDE. Guitarist Shaun Lopez formed THE REVOLUTION SMILE, while drummer Chris Robyn & bassist John Gutenberger played together in the band MILWAUKEE. (Robyn also played in WILL HAVEN, while Gutenberger played in TWO SHEDS & JACKPOT).

After 10 years apart, the band recently got back together & recorded a cover of the GINUWINE single “Pony,” intended for their fake My Space page as a tease for a handful of reunion shows they’d planned. Much to their surprise, “Pony” became a radio hit, and eventually led to a full on FAR reunion. Now, the 4 original members are back together and working on a new record for Vagrant. Considering my personal long term history with the band, I was excited to catch up with singer Jonah Matranga to talk about all things FAR. He spoke candidly & honestly in this exclusive, extensive interview that essentially has been... 10 years in the making.

Click the image below to read the extensive interview! (Complete with videos, mp3's and pictures!)

Posted by robg at 08:53 PM | Permalink

This month's IOP PROFILE comes from guest writer Derek Dillion. Derek gives us a history breakdown of the vastly underrated band FAILURE! Fronted by Ken Andrews (who later went on to form the bands ON and YEAR OF THE RABBIT before going solo), FAILURE was one of the most influential bands of the 90's. They frequently toured with TOOL and formed the side band THE REPLICANTS with their former touring mates. A PERFECT CIRCLE even covered their song "The Nurse Who Loved Me" for their second album. Now, learn a bit about the band themselves in our IOP PROFILE of FAILURE!

Click the image below to read it! (Complete with mp3 & video samples!)

Posted by robg at 08:48 PM | Permalink

Ok, so we missed a month! But in my defense, it's been super busy over on our main site ICONS OF FRIGHT. And I've noticed lately that You Tube is really cracking down on music videos. 2 of my previous selections for VIDEO OF THE MONTH have been pulled off You Tube by the record companies. (Um, hello? We're promoting and encouraging people to buy those records!)

Anyways, this one gets dedicated to my favorite BAD KID John Torrani (of [shameless plug] www.americasbadkids.com) since he's a huge fan of ever era of THE MISFITS.

My VIDEO OF THE MONTH is "DIG UP HER BONES" by THE MISFITS! (Graves version!)

Posted by robg at 08:42 PM | Permalink

Not quite a PROFILE piece, not quite an article, but IOP writer Dan Alleva decided to shine a spotlight on one of the most famous "punk" bands of ever... THE RAMONES.

Click the image below to read his IOP SPOTLIGHT on THE RAMONES and their importance to modern music! (Complete with live video samples!)

Posted by robg at 08:39 PM | Permalink

SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE is easily one of the most influential bands of the last 15 years, especially for any band that the musical media has classified under the "emo" banner. But at the forefront of SUNNY DAY has always been singer/songwriter Jeremy Enigk, whose unique voice and melodies have always set them apart for their many contemporaries and imitators. After SUNNY DAY disbanded in early 95, Enigk recorded his 1st solo album RETURN OF THE FROG QUEEN.

SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE got back together shortly there after and recorded 2 more albums together, HOW IT FEELS TO BE SOMETHING ON & THE RISING TIDE. Enigk, along with SDRE members William Goldsmith & Nate Mendel went on to form THE FIRE THEFT and released one self-titled record. In 2006, Jeremy released his 2nd proper solo album WORLD WAITS, 10 years after his solo debut with FROG QUEEN. Currently, he's wrapped up his 3rd studio album OK BEAR which is scheduled for release February 2009. He was kind enough to chat with IOP and answer all of our questions about his entire music career. Click the image below to read our EXCLUSIVE interview with JEREMY ENIGK!

Posted by robg at 06:42 AM | Permalink

Robg.'s VIDEO OF THE MONTH for December 2008 is the video for the song "We Must Have Blood" by THE DWARVES from their THE DWARVES ARE YOUNG & GOOD LOOKING album. You can check out more VIDEO at THIS link! Watch the clip below!

Posted by robg at 06:38 AM | Permalink

Saturday November 15th, the Kings of Leon, We Are Scientists and The Whigs played the first of two sold out shows at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. We've got new exclusive images of all 3 bands and a report from Joel Cacopardo. Click the image below for his KINGS OF ROCK article!

Posted by robg at 12:15 AM | Permalink