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

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!