Warner Drive and Acidic at Marquis Theater
by Tom Walsh
Posted on November 11, 2011

Anytime Warner Drive comes to town it's usually a good time. This is the second time I have seen them and to be honest I'll probably keep seeing them, although at some point I'll stop writing reviews on them. This time in their travels they brought their own supporting band with them. Acidic is the name of the band and like Warner Drive, they too are from L.A.

I would think that being a young band in a town like L.A. would be extremely hard unless you are a very talented band. Not only talented musically, but stage wise as well. You would need to captivate your audience, keep them enthralled with what you are doing and not let up for even a second. Acidic does just that.

Supposedly getting their name from the side of a soda can is not a real exciting way to get a name. While their name picking techniques may lack excitement, the band is brimming over with it. Acidic is a band of not yet drinking age youths that know how to rock. The energy and professionalism they showed on stage at the Marquis was second to none and these kids put more into their show than most national touring bands I have seen. They kind of remind me of a Sunset Strip version of Green Day. They play radio friendly hard rock, but they also have tunes that would make the most snobbish of rockers sit up and take notice.

Front man Michael Gossard is a seasoned vet of the L.A. scene and you can tell in his swagger that he is comfortable up on stage. Apparently he is also comfortable off stage as he walked around the crowd at the Marquis singing a hair raising rendition of Come Together by the Beatles. For a band of young uns' these guys do it up right. I've said it before and I'll say it again...the role as an opening band is to get the crowd as excited as they can for the next band, and so on and so forth. As a band going on before Warner Drive, Acidic couldn't have done a better job. With hook laden rock n roll they reel you in and don't let go. But once they do let go? Once the music stops....you may find yourself wondering if you've been smiling that dopey ass grin their whole set. My guess? Probably.

12 Bands To Watch In 2012

October 18, 2011

We could've compiled a list that featured predictable names - but that would be pointless, wouldn't it? Instead, we've decided to showcase the bands that impressed us in 2011 and could really breakthrough in 2012 and make it their year.

In no particular order of relevance:

ACIDIC
Having already won the 18th Billboard World Song Contest Award, in the Alternative category for their song 'Strata Red', California's young rockers ACIDIC will surely be out for more accolades in the year to come.

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows
Tasters
A Pale Horse Named Death
All Get Out
Sleeping with Sirens
Rise to Remain
Aliases
Voodoo Highway
Everyone Dies In Utah
albinobeach
Mugshot

If you can think of any other bands that deserve a mention, drop us a comment with your suggestions.

- Sergio Pereira

Interview: ACIDIC

October 11, 2011

California's new rock hope aren't Facebook stalkers. They promise.

Michael "Goss Boss" Gossard, vocalist and guitarist for ACIDIC, chats to us about multiple things that we won't state here, so that you'll be forced to read the article in full. Keep your eyes on this band, because ACIDIC might just inspire your mom to take off her top.

MusicReview: Hmm.you're playing with Alien Ant Farm. Any chance of you guys doing the moonwalk onstage when they play their cover of Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal'?

Michael Gossard: Haha, if any of us could moonwalk, we probably already would have, but you'll see some crazy shenanigans onstage for sure, regardless. I think it's pretty cool that 'Smooth Criminal' has been a hit twice.

MusicReview: First album Getting Lucky was produced by the team who worked with Jason Mraz, Liz Phair and Avril Lavigne. Second album Chronic Satisfaction was produced by multi-platinum award-winning producer John Ryan. How are you guys securing such acclaimed producers for your albums?

Michael Gossard: Getting Lucky was actually produced by Andrew and Liz Bojanic, who are the Wizardz of Oz, a production team out of Australia who worked with some of those artists you mentioned as well. Nothing is ever completely secure, but both of our producers came on to nurture the project, and both have a history of having a personal relationship with the band as well. For us, that's really key, and we're lucky that people of this caliber believe in us as much as they do. John [Ryan], in particular, has taken us under his wing.

MusicReview: Second year playing the Sunset Strip Music Festival. Be honest, are you guys reading through The Dirt to pick up some partying tips from Motley Crue?

Michael Gossard: I'm sure many people did read up on their partying; we've all read The Dirt , and we did have fun at the Festival, but we also played a show and promoted, so the whole day seemed like an enormous party.

MusicReview: You guys are quite a young band, but you've achieved so much recognition and are already winners of the 18th Billboard World Song Contest Award in the Alternative category in 2011 for 'Strata Red'. What is the secret to your success?

Michael Gossard: We practice with incredible frequency, we are very active on social media outlets, and we are involved with our fans personally. We work hard when we tour, as well as the fact that we put great care into writing our songs. We put ourselves fully into every aspect of the band and its promotion, and are proactive, and that is one of the reasons we move up. Our fans are the backbone of our sound and we would do anything for them! We have an amazing team behind us, and amazing fans with us.

MusicReview: What is the one place in the world that ACIDIC really wish to play?

Michael Gossard: Hard to give you one place! We want to headline a sold-out Red Rock Amphitheatre before we die, and at Coachella, and also Wembley Stadium in London. Those are our big dreams; Red Rock, in particular, because Denver was the first stop on our first tour with Hawthorne Heights during July 2010. So it is a special place for us.

MusicReview: On your Facebook page, you guys list Facebook stalking as a band interest. So, is it fair to assume that when a really hot girl comments on a post, you guys will go and check out her photos (wink, wink)?

Michael Gossard: Unfortunately, I actually don't have an answer for that one. Nobody in ACIDIC is a stalker. We are masters of the hunt.

MusicReview: Any plans to shoot a music video in the near future?

Michael Gossard: We just completed a music video for our upcoming single 'Uninspired' from our new CD, Chronic Satisfaction, which you can listen to on our Facebook page. It was directed by Kelly King and will be smashing through your YouTube screen very soon. We tried to make it a very real music video. We had quite a bit of grit involved and it's going to be the sexiest music video we've ever shot. It will be coming out soon and it will be well worth the wait!

MusicReview: Awesome. Thanks for your time, Michael.

- Sergio Pereira

Interview by Shaun Christie
September 28, 2011

Los Angeles band Acidic may be a new name to you but they have been steadily building a fan base and releasing their unique blend of alternative rock since 2008. Despite their young age, this band has managed to release 3 albums since their formation, with the latest release ' Chronic Satisfaction ' arriving on September 20th 2011.

Front man Michael Gossard explains how the band first formed "Around 2008 I decided there was no other alternative for me but to be in a band. So with that in mind I went out papering the whole of LA trying to explain the sound I wanted to create in the hopes like minded musicians would reply." As Michael stated he papered the whole of Los Angeles yet received only one response. Luckily for him it turned out that person was Matt Whitaker who is now better known as the drummer for Acidic.

Michael then enlisted the help of childhood friend Ted Dubrawski , California surf loving bass player; to step in on bass duties. They were then rounded out by Michael Thompson on lead/rhythm guitar who the band "scoured for months before finding him on Craigslist." With the band line-up now complete they could put their efforts into making music and touring.

Touring is a big part of what makes this band special. Michael Gossard states "We have been building our sound as we tour. Our influences range from rock, blues and punk but we give it our own twist. This band has played over a 1000 shows and has really helped contribute to our sound and to making us a better band, all whilst building a fan base." Not surprisingly the band is currently on tour with another popular Los Angeles band Alien Ant Farm . "We are having a great time with Alien Ant Farm. We have never been on tour with such a nice and generous group of guys" says Michael.

Relentless touring in the states is one thing but going to Kosovo to play shows is an entirely different matter. "It's a different world over there. Looking out the tour bus in US you can see great cities, but in Kosovo all the buildings were bombed out and it was very sad to see" said Michael G. Acidic were over in Kosovo and Germany performing for the troops. "It was a great experience and very inspiring to meet these people and hear their stories" says Michael.

The title for the new album 'Chronic Satisfaction' came from an off the cuff remark from drummer Matt Whitakers father. Michael says "I asked Matt's dad how we would describe our bands sound and he said ' chronically satisfying ' and I was like alright we'll go with that."

The band got to work with record producer John Ryan, who was worked with the likes of Lynrd Skynrd, Styx and Santana. Michael says of the experience working with John "It was amazing. He literally came in and took the thing and turned it on its head. It was just an immediate jump up. He bolstered us into activity and we recorded it differently. We recorded it entirely live, each of us in a booth playing together."

Michael described the finished album as sounding like "The next logical step in the band. It's a familiar sound but with a twist. Familiar yet nothing you have ever heard before."

When asked about the bands future prospects Michael responds "We have already gotten the green light and will be recording album number 4. After that we will be continuing to tour all over."

Acidic's latest album will be out on September 20th.

ACIDIC Never Tasted So Good
Written by Daniel Kohn

April 23, 2011

Over the past few years, Los Angeles has emerged as a city that is very kind for indie rock bands. The vibrant scene has produced some of the best rising bands in the country. ACIDIC is one of these groups. Started when in high school by lead singer and guitarist Michael Gossard and bassist Ted Dubrawski, the band has seen its profile grow immensely.

Also including guitarist Michael Thompson, and drummer Matt Whitaker, the quartet has making a name for itself in the City of Angels. They have performed at venues such as House of Blues on Sunset , Whisky A Go-Go, Knitting Factory , South by Southwest and were a featured new performer on the Main Stage at Bamboozle Left 2009.

Their sound isn't exactly breaking boundaries, but is still catchy and anthemic nonetheless. The instrumentation is very tight and sounds like it could have been recorded during the late '60s.  The group sounds like cagey veterans who have been making music for years rather than relative newcomers. Their recent release, Getting Lucky , is one of the better albums to come out in 2010. Featuring a nice blend of alt-rock and indie-pop, ACIDIC had several radio hits including "Maybe," "Move On" and "Strata Red." Gossard's vocals are very distinguishable and between Thompson's slick licks and the foundation layered by Dubrawski's bass and Whitaker's unmistakable drumming, the band has a lot going for it sonically and with some more experience, you can anticipate their songwriting to mature and potentially take the band to the next level.

In a city that prides itself on having the next big thing, don't be surprised to hear more from ACIDIC in 2011.

Artist Name: Acidic
Album Name: Chronic Satisfaction
Year: 2011
Genre: Rock/Alternative Rock
Label: Rocket Science

Californian rock band Acidic got themselves noticed by winning the Alternative category in Billboard's 2011 WorldWide Song Contest for their song 'Strata Red,' off of their 2010 release, Getting Lucky . Maybe that's why it is a bit mind-boggling to fathom how this band is still not with a major label.

Even on Chronic Satisfaction, their latest album, Acidic display strut and an uncanny ear for rock, shake 'n' roll melodies (with the sporadic throwback to heyday of the LA Strip), yet never treading too far away from the mainstream waters - '15 Miles' or the ever-catchy-chorus of 'Uninspired' have all the makings of Top 100 commercial radio hits, and should satisfy a multitude of audiences.

However, before you close your browser due to the anger of the mere mention of radio rock, understand that Chronic Satisfaction also has rich rock tracks rolled into this fattie of an album - the classic rock riffs, nifty fretwork, anthemic vocals (Mike Gossard could very well be Craig Mabbitt (Escape The Fate) in disguise) and more rhythm than your high school prom of livewires, such as 'Black Box,' 'The Brave,' and 'Ironic Dreams,' are worth the time of any serious rock fan. While Chronic Satisfaction isn't defining or sensational, it might be the launch pad that Acidic have required to get to the next level.

Watch out for this band.

Best Tracks: 'Uninspired,' 'Black Box,' and 'The Brave'

68/100

- Josh Smith