It all started in a Sydney garage first with two mates Jake Hardy (Guitarist) and Cam Alder (Bassist) and later Whakaio Tahhi (Lead Guitarist and Keyboard).

Caption: Andre Te, Flickr

Caption: Andre Te, Flickr

Jenna McDougall was just about to have her sweet 16 when she joined a band staring the trio. McDougall joined to be the Singer in early 2008 to record vocals over their tracks.One year later the drummer split from the band and Whakaio introduced his friend from school Matt Best who became the new Drummer who would travel three to four hours from the south coast of NSW to practice with the other members. Thus the ever growing pop-punk band Tonight Alive was born. This 5 piece band has released three EPs and two albums with the band aiming for new album to be released in 2015.

The EP’s are:

    All Shapes & Disguises (2010)
  • Consider This (2010)
  • Let It Land (2011)

The Albums are:

  • What Are You Scared Of? (2011)
  • The Other Side (2013)

The first time I ever heard of this band I was in the kitchen with Channel V playing music while I was cooking. A song came on and my ears pricked up and I ran to the screen to see who this amazing band was! I stood there in total amazement waiting for the name of this song so I could download it ASAP. At last the name appeared, Starlight – Tonight Alive. Totally forgetting the food I was cooking I went to find my laptop to search this new band.

The next few years I listened to their EP’s and Album religiously and went to most (all but two) of their hometown shows in Sydney. They are amazing live and create an over powering energy through the audience. Whether you are a mosh pit kid, full frontal fan or a chiller at the back, the energy reaches every single body.

The biggest moment I have had with any musical group was when I won a competition for me and a mate to have a meet and greet with Tonight Alive just before their release and first show of their newest album, The Other Side. Meeting the band was so surreal. They are most down to earth people I have met. Happy to take pictures with fans, autographing anything and giving us the honor of listening to ‘The Fire’ for their first time playing a song in front of an audience. Life changing to share that incredible moment.

Here are my top 4 pics of all their songs:

  1. Amelia (What Are You Scared Of?) – This song is so heartfelt, It is about a close childhood friend of Jenna who became distant while they were growing up and tragically lost her life too young. Through the lyrics of the song you can just tell how close they were once and that Jenna felt sad for loosing the contact before the incident and how writing and playing the song has helped them through the tough and sudden passing of Amelia. Listening to them talk about the song and performing Amelia shows you a vulnerability and allows you to connect to them easily.
  2. The Ocean (The Other Side) – I love this song so much. For me, it means when you think things get too hard don’t give up, keep trying. This has helped me through major hurdles in my life and I even got ‘the waves crash in, the tide rolls out, I stand before my weakness now’ inked in my skin to remind me things may come crashing in but they will eventually leave and that once you find your weakness, turn it into a strength. This song represents the health issues Jenna faced during tour and how she overcame them to be where she is now.
  3. Starlight (What Are You Scared Of?) – Ah, the first ever song I heard from the band. It is such a upbeat song that alwas gets my haed bobbing and feet and hands tapping! A great song that is all about being young and adventurous!
  4. The Fire (The Other Side) – This is a powerful song of feeling invincible and being able to take on the world. They feel like they can do anything even flying. It is a great song from the newest album saying they are ready to be a top band and to take the world by storm.

If you were to sit and listen to all the albums and EP’s in order of release you will find a story. All Shapes and Disguises tells you of how they are new and ready for love and to start a journey together, little did they know they would get this far. Then comes What Are You Scared Of? This album featured a slightly different tune, it was edgier, you could feel that the group have grown up and have put all the experiences into creating a better self. Then in 2013 ‘The Other Side’ was released. This blew my mind, the transformation of the vocals and bands altogether evolution was amazing (I guess that is what years of constant touring of international gigs and hardly seeing family and friends from back home does). Listening to the tracks on this album welcomes the listener into their past few years. You learn about the physically draining moments of back to back touring (Bathwater is a great example) and also the mentally draining moments (The Ocean is a great example).

I am so looking for the release for the new album that they have only really started on. Keep an eye on this band on TWITTER or FACEBOOK or their WEBSITE for news on the new Album, Tours and to buy Merchandise.

Rock on and spread the word!

Please leave comments below and let me know what you all think of this review and about any bands who you want me to write about 🙂