Kill It Live Explained

Kill It Live
Type:live
Artist:New Found Glory
Cover:NFG killitlive.jpg
Recorded:March 27–28, 2013 at Chain Reaction, Anaheim, California
Label:Violently Happy/Bridge Nine
Producer:Paul Miner, New Found Glory
Prev Title:Mania
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Resurrection
Next Year:2014

Kill It Live is the first live album by American rock band New Found Glory.[1] It was recorded during two sold-out shows at the Chain Reaction music venue in Anaheim, California between March 27—28, 2013.[2] It was first released on October 7, 2013 in the United Kingdom, before its wider release in other regions soon after. It was issued through imprint label Violently Happy Records, a partnership between independent label Bridge Nine Records and the band's guitarist Chad Gilbert.[3] [4]

The first night of recording was infamous after Gilbert collapsed on stage after being shocked by a microphone. It is believed the guitarist received a jolt due to poor wiring on the microphone.[5] Gilbert was taken to the hospital, but released the following day having been given the all clear.[6]

The album features seventeen live cuts from the two dates, as well as three new studio tracks that were recorded by Paul Miner and mixed by Kyle Black.[7] The album was made available to pre-order on August 27,[8] and was preceded by single "Connect the Dots."[9]

Background and recording

In October 2011, the band released their seventh studio album Radiosurgery via Epitaph Records.[10] To promote the album, the band headlined the Rockstar-sponsored Pop Punks Not Dead Tour in the United States ahead of Set Your Goals, The Wonder Years, Man Overboard, and This Time Next Year.[11] Promotion of the album continued as the band toured South America in January 2012,[12] before headlining the 2012 Kerrang! Tour alongside Sum 41.[13] [14] Later in November, Billboard magazine reported that the band would be going on "hiatus" following an interview with Jordan Pundik.[15] [16] This was however strongly dismissed by the band, posting on their website that Pundik had been misconstrued during the interview.[17] Chad Gilbert later clarified that the band didn't intend to release a new studio album until at least 2014, before confirming they would be recording a live album the following year.[18]

The band then announced a special Christmas-themed acoustic EP to be released on December 1, featuring two original songs and three covers, including Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" and Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song."[19] A Very New Found Glory Christmas was released on cassette tape and limited to 2,000 copies.[20] [21] In January 2013, AbsolutePunk announced that the band would be recording their first live album over two nights at the Chain Reaction music venue in Anaheim, California between March 27–28.[22] The band specifically chose Chain Reaction due to its relatively small capacity and because the venue had hosted the band regularly during their earlier days.[23] An incentive for fans attending over the two nights would be each individual would have their photograph taken and included in a collage for the album art.[23] Jordan Pundik later commented that, "I think the live record definitely captures how we are as a live band, with the crowd interaction and people singing along, it really sounds awesome in my opinion, we've been getting mixes back from it."[24] It was also confirmed by the band that Radiosurgery was their final release via Epitaph Records following completion of a two-album deal, leaving the band an independent act.[23] [24]

The first of two live shows was held on March 27, but was interrupted after Chad Gilbert received an electric shock on stage by a microphone. It was reported that he received a jolt due to poor wiring on the mic.[5] Gilbert was taken to hospital, but released the following day having been given the all clear.[6] Gilbert has little recollection of the incident, but was told he "passed out" and then "hit his head." Because of this, medical staff at the hospital performed a CAT scan as a precaution before his discharge. In an interview with Alternative Press, the band revealed that during the initial editing stage of post-production, they had intended to leave the moment of the zap in the recording amongst other between-song banter.[25] However, upon hearing the recording, it was immediately omitted due to sounding "really fucking morbid."[25] Gilbert explained that, "you just hear, like, a little noise and then people are really quiet and freaking out in a weird way. And it’s just not cool. You’re having fun and then you’re like, “Uh-oh.” It really just lost all of the fun out of the record."[25] Because of the incident on March 27, the majority of material used for the album was taken from the second night of recording after Gilbert had used a specially requested wireless microphone.[25]

Aside from the live set, the band recorded 3 new studio tracks specifically for the album. "I Want to Believe", "Connect the Dots", and "First Bite" were tracked at Buzzbomb Sound Labs in Orange, California with Paul Miner and Kyle Black.[7] [26] The new songs were predominately written during soundchecks for the Sticks and Stones 10th Anniversary Tour, according to Gilbert.[25] The guitarist explained, "There is a reason why they are a little bit more energetic, because we’re on that tour and it’s just wild and we’re playing and you just start writing."[25] New song "I Want to Believe" is about "that whole thing in music that’s going on and questioning a band’s integrity. Are you doing this because you really love it or are you doing it because you’re checking in and checking out when your bank account gets low? Are you willing to play in front of five people when the going gets rough, or is that not why you’re here? It’s about questioning bands’ intentions, I guess. And there are so many bands I think you can question that you can’t even narrow it down to one."[25]

Release and promotion

The band first announced Kill It Live in July, with a slated release date of October 8.[1] Shortly afterwards, "Connect the Dots" was announced as a limited edition single to precede the album.[27] It was released as a digital download on September 10,[28] [29] before a 7" vinyl limited to just 1,000 pressings across three variants on September 17.[30] The single featured title track "Connect the Dots", as well as live cuts of "Truck Stop Blues" and "Better Off Dead", which were recorded during the live shows in Anaheim, but not included in the final cut of Kill It Live.[27] Following the single release, the band announced a co-headline tour with Chicago punk band Alkaline Trio. With support from H2O, the tour commenced on October 23 in San Francisco, through November 25 in Tucson.[31]

Reception

Critical response

Gregory Heaney of Allmusic gave Kill It Live a favorable four-star review. He credited the band for becoming an "enduring force in pop-punk" and noted how the "live album does a great job of harnessing the live energy of not just the band, but of the fans. This makes for a live album that not only appeals to longtime fans, but feels like the best greatest-hits compilation a new listener could ask for."

Track listing

All songs written and composed by New Found Glory.[32]

Personnel

The following personnel contributed to Kill It Live, as adapted from Allmusic.[33]

New Found Glory
Production

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalogue #
United Kingdom[34] Violently Happy/Bridge NineCD, double LP, digital downloadB9R198/VHR006
United States[35]
Japan[36]
Germany[37]
Australia[38] 3 Wise/Bridge Nine
New Zealand[39]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Found Glory unveil track listing for live album, Kill It Live. Kerrang! (Bauer Media Group). Bridgeman, Jessica. July 15, 2013. July 29, 2013.
  2. Web site: New Found Glory set to release first live album in October!. Rock Sound (Freeway Press, Inc). July 10, 2013. July 27, 2013.
  3. New Found Glory announce live album, 'Kill It Live,' set for fall release. Alternative Press (Alternative Magazines, Inc). Obenschain, Philip. July 9, 2013. July 27, 2013.
  4. Web site: Violently Happy Records. Bridge Nine Records. March 21, 2013. July 27, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130512135440/http://www.bridge9.com/violentlyhappyrecords. May 12, 2013. dead.
  5. Web site: New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert Collapses After Onstage Electric Shock. Spinner (AOL Music). MacNeil, Jason. March 28, 2013. July 27, 2013.
  6. Web site: Chad Gilbert Cleared From Hospital After Being Shocked. AbsolutePunk (Buzz Media). Tate, Jason. March 28, 2013. July 27, 2013.
  7. Web site: New Found Glory Announce 'Kill It Live' Concert Set. Exclaim! (Ontario Inc). Adams,Gregory. July 9, 2013. July 27, 2013.
  8. Web site: NFG Live Album Available for Pre-Order. AbsolutePunk (Buzz Media). Beringer, Drew. August 27, 2013. August 28, 2013.
  9. Web site: New Found Glory announce 'Connect the Dots'. Punknews (Buzz Media). Strummer, Brittany. August 23, 2013. August 28, 2013.
  10. Web site: In Studio New Found Glory Interview Part 2. AbsolutePunk (Buzz Media). DeAndrea, Joe. June 12, 2011. June 14, 2011.
  11. Web site: Tour Dates: Pop Punk's Not Dead. About.com (The New York Times Company). Cooper, Ryan. 16 August 2011. 7 February 2011.
  12. Four Year Strong announce South American tour with New Found Glory. Alternative Press (Alternative Magazines Inc). Bird, Michele. September 9, 2011. September 10, 2011.
  13. Web site: Get set for the 2012 Kerrang! Tour Sponsored By Relentless Energy Drink!. Kerrang! (Bauer Media Group). McMahon, James. September 28, 2011. September 29, 2011.
  14. Web site: New Found Glory And Sum 41 Headline UK Together. Rock Sound (Freeway Press). Staff. 28 September 2011. 29 September 2011.
  15. New Found Glory Needs To 'Go Away For a Little Bit,' Says Frontman. Billboard (Prometheus Global Media). Graff, Gary. November 28, 2012. March 1, 2013.
  16. New Found Glory Announce Lengthy Hiatus. . Wenn, David. November 29, 2012. March 1, 2013.
  17. Web site: New Found Glory Address Previous Billboard Article. AbsolutePunk (Buzz Media) . Tate, Jason. November 29, 2012. March 1, 2013.
  18. New Found Glory announce 2013 live album, address hiatus rumors. Alternative Press (Alternative Magazines, Inc.) . Whitt, Cassie. November 29, 2012. March 1, 2013.
  19. Web site: New Found Glory announce 'A Very New Found Glory Christmas' cassette. Yancey, Bryne. Punknews (Buzz Media). December 30, 2012 . December 24, 2012.
  20. Web site: Nothing But Glory For Christmas. Tate, Jason. AbsolutePunk (Buzz Media). December 20, 2012 . December 23, 2012.
  21. Web site: New Found Glory promoting new Christmas EP during TLA performance. Dyroff, Denny. Daily Local News (Journal Register Company). December 7, 2012 . December 24, 2012.
  22. Web site: New Found Glory to Record Live Album in March. DiVincenzo, Alex. AbsolutePunk (Buzz Media). January 30, 2013 . September 7, 2013.
  23. Web site: Interviews: Jordan Pundik (New Found Glory). Wisniewski, Kira. Punknews (Buzz Media). June 20, 2013 . September 27, 2013.
  24. Web site: AP.net Interview:New Found Glory. Denning, Jake. AbsolutePunk (Buzz Media). June 26, 2013 . September 7, 2013.
  25. "I definitely am into taking the longer, harder road": NFG's Chad Gilbert on What's Eating Gilbert. Heisel, Scott. Alternative Press (Alternative Magazines, Inc.). September 11, 2013 . September 7, 2013.
  26. Web site: New Found Glory - Connect the Dots (Vinyl). Discogs (Zink Media, Inc.). September 11, 2013.
  27. Web site: New Found Glory Post Up 7" Pre-Order. AbsolutePunk (Buzz Media). Tate, Jason. August 19, 2013. August 22, 2013.
  28. Listen to New Found Glory's new single, Connect The Dots. Alternative Press (Alternative Magazines, Inc.). Obenschain, Philip. September 10, 2013. September 12, 2013.
  29. Web site: New Found Glory streaming Connect The Dots from upcoming album Kill It Live. Kerrang! (Bauer Media Group). Bridgeman, Jessica. September 11, 2013. September 12, 2013.
  30. Web site: New Found Glory "Connect The Dots" #B9R197. Bridge Nine Records. August 19, 2013. August 22, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130829052017/http://www.bridge9.com/disco/354#stay. August 29, 2013. dead.
  31. Web site: Alkaline Trio Announce Co-Headlining Tour with New Found Glory. Epitaph Records. August 14, 2013. September 27, 2013.
  32. Kill It Live. New Found Glory. 2013. CD. Violently Happy/Bridge Nine. Peabody, MA. B9R198/VHR006.
  33. Web site: Credits: Kill It Live. Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Heaney, Gregory. October 6, 2013. October 6, 2013.
  34. Web site: Buy New Found Glory - Kill It Live CD. Sainsbury's Online (J Sainsbury plc). October 4, 2013. https://archive.today/20131010060916/http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Music/CD/New-Found-Glory/Kill-It-Live/product.html?product=E11282085. October 10, 2013. dead.
  35. Web site: New Found Glory "Kill It Live" #B9R198. Bridge Nine Records. August 28, 2013.
  36. Web site: Kill It Live by New Found Glory . ja. iTunes (Apple, Inc.). October 9, 2013.
  37. Web site: Kill It Live by New Found Glory. de. iTunes (Apple, Inc.). October 4, 2013.
  38. Web site: New Found Glory Sign With Soundwave's 3 Wise Records . The Music (Australia). September 30, 2013. October 4, 2013.
  39. Web site: New Found Glory to release new album 'Kill It Live' October 25!. 3 Wise Records. September 26, 2013. October 9, 2013.