The A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere!)

Greetings from Philadelphia!

It's been a little while since we checked in with you... after four months on the road, we were anxious to get home for a little break and get caught up on showers, sleeping in a bed, eating, and all the other personal delights that we all tend to take for granted. However, don't be confused as we had an AMAZING time on the road with our friends in The Phenomenauts. We had the chance to meet some awesome new people, so THANK YOU to those of you who we met for the first time, and for those of you who returned to rock with us once again. We hope to see you ALL again very soon!

Check out my brief photo essay from the tour HERE. More photos to be added soon!



We're also not planning on staying home for long... check our tour dates to see when we'll be in your hood. We'll be heading to Summerfest... doing the second portion of Warped Tour, AND.... (dun duh da daaaaaah!)... we're happy to announce... we've been invited to tour Canada for the first time with Anti-Flag! Yay! To all our northern friends who we've never had the opportunity to meet, we look forward to rocking with you shortly! Once again, check the tour dates for more info.

YES, YOUR VOTES DO COUNT:
For those of you who feel like one person can't make a change in the upcoming election... here are two examples of how your votes DO count.

#1) We asked our friends to vote to help The A.K.A.s win extra promotion and a spot on the US Cellular Emerging Artists Compilation CD for Milwaukee Summerfest. You responded in full force and... WE MADE IT! YAY! Thank you!

#2) Our dear friend Alex from STAY VOCAL was a finalist in an idea contest where the 1st place was $20,000. We asked you to vote in support of his ReUse idea and... HE WON! Once again proving... even being friend's of The A.K.A.s makes you invincible! haha. Click here to view his THANK YOU video! Alex will be joining us in some awesome campaigns this summer for Warped Tour, so stay tuned!

CELEBRATE:
To say thanks to all of you for your hard work... we're proud to announce that together with our friends at PureVolume.com, we're launching a 3 part "MAKING OF THE VIDEO" series for our song "Dead Flowers Forever." Part 1 is up now... and part 3 will be the final video. Go check it out NOW and stop by our PROFILE for some more fun goodies under the tree!

MORE GOOD NEWS:
To the chagrin of conservative republicans all over the nation, dozens of Gay couples exercised their new right to Wed yesterday in California. Viva Civil rights!

Speaking of conservative republicans... on the brink of a full blown economic meltdown and record high gas prices... George W. Bush recently admitted in the most begrudging way possible, that Global Warming might exist just a tiny little bit. Pretty soon, he'll start believing that dinosaurs once ruled the earth!

Also, in an epic display of common sense, mainstream news reported this past week that a vegan or vegetarian diet was an exceptional way to help conserve the environment! Duh!

NOT SO GOOD NEWS!
Our Trailer took a shit on the way home from tour and is now resting in a junkyard in Rawlins, Wyoming.

Hello from Tacoma, Washington! Tonight is the second night of our US tour with The Phenomenauts and I'm writing this from within the fiery walls of
Hell'sKitchen..


Last night we kicked things off at
Johnny B's in Medford, OR. It was our first time in Medford and it was a positive experience with some friendly local rockers and rockabilly rebels. We drove overnight and slept in a truckstop parking lot (glamorous, right? Buy our record, for real). I narrowly avoided a public urination citation after an accidental run-in with a lawn sprinkler and an Oregon state trooper, but I won't get into that…

I'm a big fan of the Pacific Northwest not only for sweet rock shows and sweeter rock fans, but it has some of the most scenic drives, righteous restaurants, and great coffee. Check out Satellite Coffee Company if you're in Tacoma. One of it's owners is the drummer in past tourmates (and one of my personal favorite bands) ZEKE. Tell 'em Chachi Darin and The A.K.A.s sent ya!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the shows on our most recent jaunt with The Forecast, rocked out and hung out at Bamboozle Left, and earned a degree in dancing at Ramapo College.

Speaking of Bamboozle Left, here are a few photos I took that weekend. The A.K.A.s Are Everywhere one way or another… just ask Dee Snider from Twisted Sister! If you haven't seen the Myspace TV interview at Bamboozle Left yet, be sure to check it out and comment to let everyone know you watched it.








In big news behind the scenes, we were recently in NYC for a day shooting a video for our hit single that's sweeping the nation, "Dead Flowers Forever". It's currently in the editing stages and I can't divulge any details of how amazing this video is going to look or why exactly we're all entirely painted black! Take a look at these stills in the meantime:









Be sure to leave some friendly comments to keep us company on the road and we'll see you soon when we're in your town.

EVERYBODY MAKE SOME NOISE!!!

Sincerely,

Your favorite drummer…

Chachi Darin

Hey Everyone!

For those of you who don't know our brand new record "Everbody Make Some Noise" came out yesterday in stores everywhere! We are super excited and we wanted to thank everyone who came out to our record release show in Philadelphia yesterday. It has been a long hard road and we are super excited to hit the road with a brand new record...So to further celebrate, I wanted to put together a little contest for all of you who support us!
The fist 30 people who go to the store and buy a copy of our new record will recieve a limited edition Record Release T shirt from us!!!

This is what you have to do:

1. Go to your favorite record store, Hot Topic, etc... and purchase our sweet new record.

2. Take a photo of yourself with our new cd and the receipt and send it to our myspace at www.myspace.com/theakas or theakas@whoever.com with the subject "CD Contest." Make sure to include your mailing address and t-shirt size.

If you are one of the first 30 to do this you will get a free limited edition record release t-shirt from us!!!

Thank you so much in advance for your support!
xo.
Josie Outlaw

Home Sweet Blown

Hello bros and bras.

Greetings from the comforts of my own couch. It's been six weeks since I sat here furiously tapping at the keys of my macbook and I must say, it's kinda nice. Despite the cold that I've acquired (Josie Outlaw induced)... I have had the chance to catch up on episodes of Breaking Bad and Rock of Love 2 (WOW) and other mindless acts.

Thanks so much to everyone who made it out to the shows with us, Wednesday 13, and Creature Feature. We also welcome all the new hard-earned fans we have had the chance to convert with our righteous rock show.

With the long anticipation of our album almost at hand (by ourselves as much as you), I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone for your support, patience, and interest. I'd also like to say that my personal belief is that the success of this album will be marked by how it affects people in this moment. We are living in a social and musical climate that is bankrupt with soul-less, corporate and over-consumption driven marketing, in which art has become a cog in the pop culture ironic machine of disney dorky pop soundtracked shit. What we hope to do with this record is to spark fires within the minds out there... to create an open forum for debate and discussion, and to challenge people to be daring, fearless, and unapologetic about who they are. "Everybody Make Some Noise!" is about empowering listeners... so what we emplore of you all is to spread the word. Creating music has always been about something bigger than ourselves and this band, so we invite you all to be a part of this adventure and join us in the mission. Reactions in this world are all about timing... and the time is right and ripe for a shift, wouldn't you agree?

Corrupt the Cool.

With that said, we're excited to post a preview of our entire album courtesy of our friends at FUZZ.COM. You can check it out on our profile NOW! We hope you enjoy it and take the opportunity to spread it to your friends. We're excited to hear what you think, so drop us a comment with your feedback!

If you are digging the album, we're also happy to announce a limited offer to pre-order Autographed copies of the album from our friends at Smartpunk. Click the banner below to get your copy NOW before they run out!

Fight, Fuck, Dance, Destroy... Xo, Mike Ski and The A.K.A.s

Help spread the word about the new album from The A.K.A.s, copy and paste the code below into your “About Me” section!
<a href="http://www.metropolis-mailorder.com/product.php?prodnum=MET+526"><img src="http://www.fueledbyramen.com/mikeski/AKAs/web/PRE_ORDER_1.gif" border="0" /></a>

All-American Massacre Tour!

Hey Everyone!

We're back in black and ready to rock. We're happy to announce we'll be hitting the road starting next weekend on the ALL-AMERICAN MASSACRE TOUR with Wednesday 13, The Vincent Black Shadow, and Creature Feature. We're most excited to announce we'll have Pre-Order download cards so YOU can be the FIRST to get your hands on our new album "Everybody Make Some Noise!" Why would you want to get a dumb plastic card this far before the release? Well... becuase you can get the first single "Dead Flowers Forever" immediately, before ANYONE.

Stoked yet? We are!

We've posted all the dates on our profile, so check it out for venue addresses, ticket and time info. There are 2 or 3 dats let to add, hopefully we'll be hitting your town. If not, we're already planning another leg to begin directly after this!

Drop us a line to let us know if and where we'll be seeing you! Also, please help spread the word to your posse!

See you soon! Xo, Mike Ski and The A.K.A.s

The All-American Massacre Tour
Featuring Wednesday 13, The Vincent Black Shadow, The A.K.A.s, and Creature Feature.

01/27/2008 @ The Orpheum in Tampa, Florida
01/28/2008 @ Studio A in Miami, Florida
01/29/2008 @ Fuel in Jacksonville, Florida
01/30/2008 @ The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia
02/01/2008 @ Java Jazz in Houston, Texas
02/02/2008 @ The White Rabbit in San Antonio, Texas
02/03/2008 @ Smoking Aces in Mission, Texas
02/04/2008 @ Ridglea Theatre in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
02/06/2008 @ The Launchpad in Albuquerque, New Mexico
02/07/2008 @ Cell Block in Mesa, Arizona
02/08/2008 @ Corona Showcase Theatre Corona, California
02/09/2008 @ The Dome in Bakersfield, California
02/10/2008 @ The Rox Club in Las Vegas, Nevada
02/11/2008 @ Karma in Victorville, California
02/12/2008 @ The Exit in Fresno, California
02/13/2008 @ The Whisky in West Hollywood, California
02/14/2008 @ The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California
02/15/2008 @ The Burro in Livermore, California
02/16/2008 @ Satyricon in Portland, Oregon
02/17/2008 @ Studio Seven in Seattle, Washington
02/18/2008 @ The Venue in Boise, Idaho
02/19/2008 @ Kamikaze's in Ogden, Utah
02/20/2008 @ Black Sheep in Colorado Springs, Colorado
02/21/2008 @ Marquis Theatre in Denver, Colorado
02/22/2008 @ Liquid's Night Club in Wichita, Kansas
02/23/2008 @ The Reverb in Cedar Falls, Iowa
02/25/2008 @ The Rock in Maplewood, Minnesota
02/26/2008 @ The Pearl Room in Mokena, Illinois
02/27/2008 @ The Blue Note in Cincinnati, Ohio
02/28/2008 @ Peabody's in Cleveland, Ohio
02/29/2008 @ The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan
03/01/2008 @ I-Rock Night Club in Detroit, Michigan
03/02/2008 @ The Penny Arcade in Rochester, NY
03/04/2008 @ Blender Theatre in New York City, NY
03/06/2008 @ Jaxx in West Springfield, Virginia
03/07/2008 @ Crocodile Rock in Allentown, PA

Happy New Year Everyone!

Checking in with our end of the year wrap ups from all of us in The A.K.A.s! We hope you had a radical 2007 and are excited for 2008! This is going to be our busiest year yet, so we hope to see you all soon for a year of big rockin!

Without further adue... Let's check in with:

Mike Ski

Greetings and safe holiday wishes to everyone. On behalf of myself and The A.K.A.s, I'd like to thank everyone for all their attention, support, and help over the past year. Looking back to where we were at this time last year as people and especially as a band, it seems like a whole different world. We've worked really hard and are proud, excited, and honored for the amazing opportunity to deliver (FINALLY) a brand new album.

Looking back over the last couple decades of music, it's interesting to witness the passing of the torch from genre to genre. As Nirvana was to Hair Metal, and Pop-punk was to Rap Rock and Nu-metal, and "Emo" was to Pop Punk, we've patiently waited for the saturation of the current state of music to settle in people's hearts and ears, stirring and rattling around until you are so sick and tired of this shit that when change hits the wind, you will accept it like a brick in hand, ready to toss it through the window of the status quo. That's not to say we are the next Nirvana, but pretty much. With that said, 2008 is the year to make some fucking noise.

I hope you all look back at the end of 2008 with disbelief in what you have accomplished and survived in the upcoming year. If anything, be safe, appreciate the people around you, take every opportunity and live loud.

Top 10 of 2007 by Mike Ski:
1) Philadelphia: I mean, who wouldn't trade the industrial wastelands of New Jersey for some good old fashioned daily drug related homicides? Seriously, I love it here.

2) Tour: After way too long writing and recording, we hit the road with Big D and The Kids Table and had a blast. Alothough we only played 1 show with hawthorne heights, we proved that we are back with a vengeance and are unfuckwithable.

3) Govinda's, Gianna's, Harmony, Maoz, Kingdom, Horizons: Growing up and struggling to be vegetarian in Northwest Pennsylvania, eating potato chips and taco bell for 4 years... I'm thankful for some of the best Vegetarian restaurants in the world, right here in Philly.

4) Jello Biafra: Infamous vocalist of the Dead Kennedy's and enigmatic spoken word guru ruled my turntable in 8th grade. Now, he just may have done a guest appearance on our new record. Holy shit.

5) Ninja Warrior: Cross MXC (best show ever) and American Gladiator and you have television magic in the G4 network smash hit "Ninja Warrior." Watching the all girl version was pretty much like watching soft core porn. Stoked.

6) Tony Alva: Another 8th grade dream come true, I met Tony Alva and you didn't.

7) New Tats: I haven't been tattooed since 2005 and I got a bucket with two tears in it tatted on my leg last week. "Cry two tears in a bucket... fuck it."

8) Fall Out Boy: I designed the new FOB guitar for the video game Guitar Hero. If I had a nickel every time they showed it on TV in that Best Buy Commercial I could buy a frickin house. It might be the closest I'll ever come to being famous which is depressing, but at least my Mom was moderately impressed.

9) Soy Cafe: I'll drive by 10 stripmall Starbucks and wipe my ass with a frappucino to go to Soy Cafe on 2nd street in Philly. They have the yummiest smoothies, coffee, or vegan tidbits this side of the Pecos!

10) New record. Get into it. Everybody Make Some Noise motherfuckers.

Xo, Mike Ski


Josie Outlaw

Wow..I can't believe this year has gone by so fast. This has been a year of firsts for me. Thinking back its been a great year, but I am glad that its coming to an end. I am super excited to start the new year strong. In the new year we will be releasing a brand new A.K.A.S record. This is my very first studio record. It was a great experience, watching our songs transform from the practice space to the studio. We worked very hard hard on it, and had a very eclectic group of people come together to make it truly unique. As if writing and releasing a record wasn't enough, I also launched my very fist cosmetics line this year. Red Letter Girl is the name of the company and "Chromatose" is my very first nine color eye shadow collection. So, I can't wait to start the new year and head out to introduce all of you to everything that we have worked so hard on. It is a new year, new music, and a new way. Restlessness is in the air and a new change is coming and we are happy to bring it to you.

Chachi Darin on the motherfuckin drums

Thank you to absolutely everyone involved in the many
facets of keeping our rock and roll crusade alive and moving forward in
2007. Everyday is a struggle and challenge for us as a band and
individuals, but the new year promises something we've all been waiting
for- a new record that fights the power, bucks trends, and sticks to our
guns just for you. Everybody Make Some Noise in 2008!

Top 5 Major Business Establishments The A.K.A.s Visit On Tour No Matter
What City They're In:
1.) Dennys (Mike)
2.) Starbucks (Justin)
3.) Whole Foods (Chachi)
4.) Dunkin Donuts (Josie)
5.) Any Store Anywhere Selling Cigarettes (Brad)

Top 20 Songs Most Played In The Van On Tour With The A.K.A.s Not
Necessarily In Order by Chachi Darin.

1.) Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo by Bloodhound Gang
2.) New Shoes by The Briefs
3.) Brickhouse by The Commodores
4.) Boom Swagger Boom by Murder City Devils
5.) Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos by Public Enemy
6.) Last Of The Famous International Playboys by Morrissey
7.) Angel Of Death by Slayer
8.) I've Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash
9.) Long Way To The Top by AC/DC
10.) Pour Me Another by Atmosphere
11.) Baddest Of The Bad by Reverend Horton Heat
12.) No One Else by Weezer
13.) Timebomb by Old 97s
14.) Story Of My Life by Social Distortion
15.) Everything Sucks by The Descendents
16.) Unchained by Van Halen
17.) Any Way You Want It by Journey
18.) Burn Baby Burn by Ash
19.) Stuck Between Stations by The Hold Steady
20.) My War by Black Flag

Chris Bazan

As years come to a close it is a pretty common sight to see Top 10 lists, readers polls, movie awards & music awards. Being slightly late to join the masses, I am sure you have read more than your fair share before this one. I, for one, enjoy reading the occasional top ten lists as I find it very surprising that Nouvelle Vague made it to Fat Mikes' list, and The Editors made it to Tom Gabels'. I found it even more surprising that The Foo Fighters were named, by Alternative Presses readers, one of the best old school bands, as it made me seem very old considering I've been into them since their inception. Though if The Foo Fighters are old school, I am very curious what that makes Nirvana. Classic Rock?

More than anything, top ten lists & award ceremonies usually just remind me of how bad many peoples tastes in music, movies, and art really are. But who am I to judge? My tastes and opinions and preferences are just as bad as the next. Fortunately for you, I haven't bought enough music, seen enough movies, or read enough books to have a top ten anything. I have, however, had an amazing year, full of trials & tribulations, ups & downs, good & bad. The following are things that helped make 2007 what it was.

1] Joaquin Christopher Bazan
By far the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me - this year or otherwise - was the birth of my son. Through the pregnancy, the birth, and the first 3 months of his life this is the most fascinating event I have ever experienced. Words can't do it justice.

2] Wedding Bells
I finally conned the most perfect girl I have ever met into marrying me. In Vegas. By Elvis. With some of the best friends I've ever had. Suckers.

3] Everybody Make Some Noise
It may have taken more time than many people had hoped for - including us - but we finally managed to finish our long anticipated follow up to 'White Doves & Smoking Guns'. But 'White Doves' this isn't. Even if in my own little world, this record is huge, impactful, heavy, revolutionary. And any other adjective you can think of.

4. Paris, France
My wife and I visited Paris for a week in March and, to say the least, it was a great experience. The city of love. And it was.

5. Straightedge
Yes, I was straightedge. For 13 years. Now I'm not. Drinking is fun in moderation.

6. The Chicken Coup
To Chachi, Justin, Mike, & Josie, this will be the most surprising thing on my list. Our old practice space, in the middle of the woods, in the middle of mud, infested with bugs, and cold as hell. But even horrible experiences impact you in some way. I know, I've had many of them.

7. Thirty
Yeah, I turned thirty this year. No quarter life crisis, no worries. I'm gonna stay young 'till I die.

8. Heroes and Law & Order
Look, I don't have many television shows that I watch, but these two shows sucked me in. I watched Heroes on DVD and finished it in days, and you can always rely on Law & Order to be playing at sometime on some station.

9. LCD Soundsystem, Battles, Chromeo, Justice
They make it fun to dance your ass off.

10. I hope you're year was as good as mine

Justin Perry

Top Five favorite places to go!!

1. Starbucks-favorite drink-triple grande soy latte
2. Melting Pot- favorite dish-vegetarian fondue
3. Favorite city-Austin Texas
4. Favorite Movie- Grind House
5. Favorite show on tour-Houston Tx @ Java Jazz with Big D and The Kids Table

Hello to everyone! Thanks for making 2007 an amazing year! We recorded a stellar new record that hits the streets in March of 2008! We finally hit the road again and met a ton of new friends and fans. Thanks to all who came out to the shows and danced with us! Without you none of our endeavors would be possible. We have struggled to keep moving forward as a band and as friends. We are coming out in 2008 with our guns loaded. See you all real soon!

AND... you may have noticed a new face on stage in the last half of 2007... introducing...

Vegas Davis

with the end of the year fast approach, and having spent almost half of 2007 on the road, i have had some time to reflect on the past year. i can say undoubtedly that this has been one of the best years of my life! a strong thank you to my friends and family that have made this such a positive year for me. time away from home, with new friends and with old, has a way of really opening your eyes as to whom in your life is really and truly there for you through thick and thin! with that in mind i can offer these words of encouragement for everyone in the new year: hold your loved ones close to you. whether they be family or friends who just act like family, always let them know how much they mean to you. life is full of crazy twists and turns and you never know when you will be able to let the important people in your life know that you care and value them. much like i care and value the friends and family in my life. thanks to all who made this an absolutely radical year for me and i look forward to seeing what rock and roll madness caries on in 2008! EVERYBODY MAKE SOME NOISE!!!

Top 5 Things Said on the Road This Year:
5) "Dude, pull over, I need a Stiggidy Starbucks like rigitty right now!!!"
4) "Rabbit, I swear to god I am going to punch you in the fucking face!"
3) "Leave her alone! she's just a kid!"
2) "god she makes me so fucking crazy!!! I hate her! I hate her! I hate her! ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!"
1) " Dude, SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!!!"

Xo, We are The A.K.A.s and we are EVERYWHERE!

Hello Friends!

Did you make a New Year's resolution? I read recently that about 40% of Americans make resolutions and 46% keep them. I resolved to write more blogs and here I am making good. As many of you may or may not know, I've been an active advocate of natural and organic foods/products for several years and it's something I'm always stoked to talk about. So keep your peepers peeled because I'm going to have an ongoing series about awesome food, beverages, body care, and tons of other cool stuff. This year resolve to go natural, ideally organic, and definitely animal cruelty-free.

The Basics:
Organic: produce and other ingredients grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or radiation. Keep in mind that if something is "Natural" it's not automatically Organic. There is a difference, but natural is always better than artificial. If it has artificial colors, ingredients, or preservatives drop it. Dig?

Cruelty-free: developed or produced without inhumane testing on animals. Take a look at the packaging next time you buy toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, or hair-dye and look for the words "not tested on animals".


Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, or none of the above, this is something for everyone. In the next few weeks I'm going to tell you about what to look for, what to avoid, why it's so important to read labels, and how certain companies are cashing in on trendy buzzwords yet still use artificial ingredients or nasty preservatives. Let's make a resolution to start a revolution starting with your daily routine. Not only is it good for you, it's good for the environment, and that's pretty punk rock!

The A.K.A.s are hitting the road again soon and I'd love to hear some recommendations for healthy restaurants and natural food stores in your area.

Get psyched and Everybody Make Some Noise!

Yours truly,

Chachi Darin (on the mf drums!)