say no to neon.

The other day we announced that we will be doing a tour entitled the "Say No To Neon Tour" with Houston Calls, Artist vs. Poet and The Summer Set. Since then there has been quite a backlash with everyone assuming that they know what we meant to say with this and what 'neon' is. Everyone seems to think that it is a style of music or some satirical criticism of 'bands these days.' Whatever that means. There are plenty of awesome bands these days and there are plenty of horrible bands, but that's the way it's always been. Nothing really has changed. What has changed is that there's this sub-culture of people who care more about what the band is wearing and how cute the guys or girls in the band are, or how 80's they can look. There's certainly nothing wrong with bands going above and beyond the call of duty and enhancing the experience with a certain look or shtick. There is, however, something wrong with a band forgetting the call of duty, which is making original music, having something to say, doing their best to spread the word about what they love. It seems like it has become more about the icing on the cake not the cake. The cake has become auto-tuned, quantized, insincere and fake. We're not naming names, just wanted to start people thinking about what is really going on and take a step back and think before they get into something, you'll probably regret it later.

The neon we're referring to goes beyond this though. For many years neon signs have pointed towards the scummiest things. Fast food, tanning salons, alcoholic paradises, hooters, strip clubs, adult "bookstore's" and whatever other unhealthy activity that this world has to offer. Obviously this is a gross generalization and there are definitely places with neon signs that are not all bad, bands who wear neon shirts that aren't all bad and even neon clothes that are tasteful and, again, not all bad.

To those who say ‘enough with the commentary on the scene’ I agree. Certainly, there are far more important causes to get behind, but this is something we feel is taking over the scene and other aspects of life and needs to be considered and changed. There IS something to be said for entertainment and just having fun, but that’s not what it’s ALL about. Get behind something, form an opinion, get involved. Don’t just latch on to the next thing that comes out just because everyone else is. The worst part is that it just seems like the easy way out, no thinking required, just gravitate towards the next brightly colored thing in front of you without thinking about what they're really saying.

All we're saying is: think about what you support, what you listen to, what you spend your money on, etc. Take your time and think about the things you spend your time on, life is short so spend your time on the things that count and what matters, not all the fluff and 'neon' that is out there. It's a metaphor people, it's a commentary, it's whatever the hell you want it to be. Take it how you want, but it's just meant to make you think.